Know Your Ingredients: Octyl Palmitate
What it is
Octyl Palmitate, also called Ethylhexyl Palmitate, is a clear liquid derived from palm oil.
What it does
Octyl Palmitate is an emollient that gives skin a soft and smooth appearance. It has a dry-sleep feel that is similar to silicone’s texture. For this reason, it is often used as a substitute for silicones in cosmetic products.
In addition, Octyl Palmitate is used in beauty products as thickener and solvent.
Side effects
Octyl Palmitate is comedogenic and can cause breakouts. In addition, it can also cause irritations.
How does cuticle remover work?
Cuticles removers are a main part of a manicure to remove rough, weird-looking cuticles and get perfect, polished nails. But have you ever wondered how they work?
Harsh chemicals
Two of the most common ingredients used in cuticle removers are Potassium Hydroxide and Sodium Hydroxide. They are both very alkaline (have a high ph) and caustic. These ingredients work by softening and breaking down the dead skin around the nail so that it can be removed gently with a nail knife or orange-wood stick.
Both ingredients can cause irritations and dryness if left on the skin for too long, so it’s important to wash your hands well and thoroughly after using products that contain them. In addition, they are poisonous when ingested so keep them away from small children.
A milder option
Products with Potassium Hydroxide and Sodium Hydroxide are pretty harsh and aggressive, so if you prefer a more gentle alternative, you can get one of the many cuticle removers on the market that use Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) instead. This is a group of substances derived from plants or milk that act as exfoliants.
They break down the glue-like substance that hold skin cells together so that they can be easily pushed away. Although milder than Potassium Hydroxide and Sodium Hydroxide, AHAs can cause irritations too especially in people with sensitive skin.
Do you use a cuticle remover? Do you prefer to use mild ones with AHAs or don’t you mind using harsh chemicals to remove your cuticles?
Wanted! Mally’s Signature Fragrance
Mally Roncal, makeup artist to the stars like Beyonce and Heidi Klum, has launched her first fragrance. Mally’s Signature fragrance ($65.00) is a floral and citrus scent that is fresh, feminine and will appeal to all women.
The fragrances opens with notes of sampaguita, mandarin, red currant, bamboo and palm leaf, while the middle features notes of freesia, jasmine, muguet and peony and dries down with a blend of peach, coconut, sandalwood and musks.
Just like the scent, the packaging is very feminine too. The simple and elegant clear bottle features a cute pink heart-shaped charm. I’m tempted to try it just for that, the bottle would looks so pretty on my vanity table!
QOTW: Do you wear false eyelashes?
Do you wear false lashes?
Beautiful With Brains says: I do but only on special occasions. They are too time-consuming to wear daily!
Product Review: Senna Pearl Glow Lip Lacquer
Name: Pearl Glow Lip Lacquer
Brand: Senna Cosmetics
Size: 0.25oz
Price: $19.00
From Senna’s website:
Pearly metallics give lips a mega-watt dreamy glow.
What I liked:
- lots of shades available
- pearly metallic finish
- not drying
- long-lasting
What I didn’t like:
- slightly sticky
- the price
Last week I talked about Senna Sparkling Lip Lacquers, which are beautiful, sheer and very shimmery glosses. But while I liked them, I didn’t love them. But I do love another lip gloss I had the chance to try from Senna called Pearl Glow Lip Lacquer.
Available in 13 shades, the Pearl Glow glosses have a lot in common with their Sparkling cousins. They also have a lovely vanilla scent and a thick texture that feels a bit sticky on the lips.
I’m not a fan of very sticky glosses but I don’t mind this one too much especially because it lasts quite long for a lipgloss. The color stays put for hours and didn’t go away even after I had a bite to eat and some water. I only needed to reapply it after a proper meal.
But the reasons why I prefer Pearl Glow over Sparkling are the finish and color payoff. The shade I have is called Sunkiss and is a peachy pink with a pearly metallic finish that gives lips a very pretty glow.
It is also more pigmented than the Sparkling glosses I have which offer just a hint of color. Pearl Glow gloss is on the sheer side too but it shows up much better on my lips and gives them that my-lips-but-better look.
Summary:
Overall, I love Senna Pearl Glow Lip Lacquers. Available in lots of shades, they are decently pigmented, have a pearly metallic sheen and last for hours. However, they are a bit on the pricey side and feel slightly sticky.
Rating: 4/5
Disclosure: this item was sent by PR for consideration. The review is based on my own personal and honest experience with the product. For more information, please see my disclaimer.