Do you leave the house without makeup?

My answer: yes, but it’s not often. I don’t always bother with makeup if I have to go out for a short while only. But I always wear sunscreen and lip balm, preferably tinted.

Website: http://www.etatlibredorange.com/

Perfume doesn’t necessarily have to be an expensive hobby. These days, a lot of brands, especially in the niche sector, offer perfume samples at affordable prices in the hope that you’ll fall in love with one or two enough to splurge on the full size bottle. For perfume lovers, it’s a way to try lots of different scents that appeal to  them without breaking the bank, and with no rush. This way, you can take your time to figure out how a scent works on you and whether getting a bottle is really worth it.

However, buying samples from lots of different sites can be confusing. You’d need an username and a password for each of them (using the same one is a big no-no) and who can remember them all? That’s why I’m always glad when I find a website, such as Etat Libre D’Orange, that allows you to check out as a guest. That means that you can purchase whatever you want without having to create an account. Simply add your favourite items to the cart, click on “check out as guest” and then you’ll be asked to fill in a form with your shipping and billing information. Then, pay and you’re done.

The information isn’t stored and there’s nothing you need to remember. Of course, if you buy from a website regularly, creating an account would save you a lot of trouble. All your info will already be there. But for the casual shopper, checking out as a guest is very convenient. As is paying with paypal. I really hate it when online stores don’t give you that option and force you to use a credit card instead. I find it so much easier, and less worrisome, to do all my online shopping with paypal.

Single perfume samples are only €3,00 each, while, for those interested in trying the whole line, there’s the Coffret Discovery. It contains 27 samples and costs €49.00! P&P instead, is €5,50, which is not that cheap, but not too expensive either. The brand claims to ship orders within 24 hours but, shortly after making my order, I received an email saying that one of the samples was out of stock, so they would be able to send it only the following week. I didn’t mind this at all and thought it was very nice of them to let me know. So many brands just take their time without telling you anything about the state of your order!

The samples duly arrived, carefully packaged, in an envelop through the mail about five days after shipping. However, when I took the four vials out of the envelope, I realised there was a mistake. I was sent two samples of the same scent! So, I emailed Etat Libre D’Orange and they said they would send me the missing sample straight away, without any extra charge. They didn’t even want the extra sample they sent me by mistake back. A few days later, a sample of Rien was in my hands, and I fell in love with it.

Overall, I’m really pleased with my experience with Etat Libre D’Orange online store. Making a purchase is very easy and, although not everything went smoothly, customer service is very quick at replying to emails and fixing any problems that you may have. I still have a problem, though. What scents am I gonna order next time? With 27 available, choosing only a bunch of them is so hard!

Summary
Making a purchase from the Etat Libre D’Orange online store is very easy. You’re not required to create an account (unless you want to) and can pay with paypal, items are delivered quickly and, should there be any problems, their customer service will quickly help you to solve them.

Rating: 4.5/5

Disclaimer: I ordered from the website for personal purposes and the review is based on my own experience with them. For more information, please see my disclaimer.

Name: Pro-V Classic Care 2 In 1 Shampoo + Conditioner
Brand: Pantene
Size: 250ml
Price: €4,90

From Pantene’s website:
Healthy looking and manageable hair from root to tip.
The Classic Care collection:
- Brings out shine for healthy looking hair
- Leaves hair moisturized and incredibly clean.

What I liked:
- nice consistency, neither too runny nor too thick; foams nicely
- cleanses hair well
- pleasant scent

What I didn’t like:
- contains Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, which is very irritating
- doesn’t provide much conditioning
- the day after washing my hair was dry and difficult to manage
- shine doesn’t last long

You know how people are always complaining about Pantene products being bad for hair? Well, that’s not really true. Most of their products are perfectly fine and do their jobs effectively and safely. But their Classic Care 2 in 1 Shampoo + Conditioner is an exception. I’m not a big fan of 2 in 1 shampoos in general, because they either don’t cleanse hair well or don’t condition it enough, but my sister swears by this product so I thought I’d try it and see if there was something special about it.

There isn’t. If you’re into cosmetic ingredients, you just need to take a look at the formula to realise how harsh and irritating it is. But before I explain why, please keep in mind that the formula of hair care products can slightly vary from country to country, so the ingredients I’m about to mention may not be present in this same shampoo sold in your neck of the woods. That’s something that you may want to check out if you’re interested in trying it.

Contains harsh surfactants
Pantene Pro-V Classic Care 2 in 1 Shampoo + Conditioner cleanses hair very well. Even too well. That’s because it contains the harsh surfactant Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. I was really surprised to see this ingredient included in the formula. Most brands have stopped using it because of how irritating it is. It is so irritating, in fact,  that when scientists want to verify how much irritation a substance can cause, they compare it with it! As Dr Leslie Baumann has written in her book Cosmetic Dermatology SLS “strips the natural lipids from the skin, disrupting the barrier and rendering it more susceptible to external irritants”.

While SLS may not do much harm when used sparingly, frequent use may cause, especially in people with dry skin and/or hair, dryness, peeling and irritation. Why is it used then? Because of its ability to remove oil, dirt and product buildup from hair as well as its capacity to produce foam. Still, there is no excuse for using SLS when there are other surfactants, such as Sodium Laureth Sulfate (which is also included in the formula,), that do the same job just as well, without causing side effects. Claims that SLS and SLES are toxic and carcinogenic, however, are unfounded.

Contains harsh preservatives
The choice of preservatives was a poor one too. The product uses Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone, which when combined together, protect against bacteria and fungi. However, they are quite harsh too and can cause irritations and allergies. Because of this, the concentration that can be used in rinse-off products is very low, but still, people with sensitive skin would do well to stay away from them, just in case.

Dimethicone is used to condition hair
Its conditioning properties, instead, are due to Dimethicone. Dimethicone is a silicone that coats hair, thus reducing water loss, and making hair smooth, less prone to frizz and easy to manage. According to the Handbook of Cosmetic Science and Technology, it reduces combing force by 20,000 more than surfactant Distearyldimonium Chloride! In addition, Dimethicone also makes hair shiny. And while it is true that Dimethicone can build up on hair, surfactants will easily remove it when you next wash your hair.

My personal experience
If you’re read this far, you’ll have probably figured out that this shampoo + conditioner didn’t do much for my hair. White in colour, it has a nice consistency that’s not too runny nor too thick, and foams a lot. While the shampoo cleaned my hair very well, it didn’t provide much conditioning and the next day, my hair felt quite dry and was difficult to manage. As for the shine, it provided little and it disappeared quickly.

And although I didn’t experience any irritation, that’s probably because I use this shampoo only once a week, and not just because it doesn’t work well. My hands are often dry and I’m worried that, if I used this product regularly, they’d get worse and maybe even crack or bleed. The soapy floral scent, instead, is quite pleasant and lasts more than a day on the hair. Still, this is not enough to make up for all the shortcomings of this product.

Ingredients:
Aqua, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Glycol Distearate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Citrate, Cocamide MEA, Sodium Xylenesulfonate, Dimethicone, Parfum, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Tetrasodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-76, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Panthenol, Panthenyl Ethyl Ether, Sodium Oxide, Magnesium Nitrate, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Magnesium Chloride, Methylisothiazolinone.

Available at:
Drugstores and supermarkets.

Summary
Pantene Pro-V Classic Care 2 in 1 Shampoo + Conditioner contains harsh surfactants that clean hair well, but can cause irritations if used regularly. Its conditioning properties are poor and, although after washing hair is shiny, soft and manageable, the next day it’s again dry and prone to fly-aways. However, it smells lovely.

Rating: 2.5/5

Last year, Mme Watier went to India and was so fascinated with the place and its culture, that she decided to dedicate a collection to this exotic land. The result is a captivating collection of bold colours and ornamental accents that whisks us to the heart of India. Here are more details:

PALETTE INDIA EYESHADOWS ($42.00)
This palette features six neutral and vibrant shades with a half cream half powder formula, a shiny finish and longlasting staying power.

EYEBROW FIX BROW CONTROL GEL ($19.00)
It promises to give structure and definition to unruly brows.

BLUSH-ON POWDER ($26.00)
Available in Rose Eclat, a soft pink shade.

ROUGE GOURMAND LIPSTICK ($21.00)
This plumping lipstick is now available in Cupcake and Pomme Cannelle.

GLOSS BOLLYWOOD ($22.00)
This translucent shiny gloss has a comfortable and moisturizing formula.

NAIL LACQUER ($13.00)
Available in Gulabi (pink) and Sundara (purple).

INDIA BLUSH BRUSH ($20.00)
This blush has a bevelled tip that’s perfect for highlighting the cheekbones and sculpting the face.

TAJ MAHAL POWDER ($29.00)
Sprinkle this pretty gold dust on your body for a luminous effect.

INDIA EAU DE TOILETTE SPRAY ($57.00 for 50 ml)
This oriental scent takes you on a sensuous journey through India.
Top notes: juicy nectarine, bergamot, and passion fruit.
Heart notes: tuberose petals, gardenia blossom, and dewy honeysuckle.
Base notes: sandalwood, white amber, and musk.

The collection is already available at lisewatier.com. What do you think of it?

Have you ever bought a beauty product because the label stated it was dermatologist tested? The term suggests that some dermatologists out there have performed various tests on a product, and deemed it safe for use on all skin types and unlikely to cause irritations and allergies. And who doesn’t want to use a product that’s guaranteed not to cause an adverse reaction?

Any ingredient can cause a negative reaction

Sadly, things aren’t that simple. Every ingredient, natural or not, can cause an adverse reaction in someone. That’s because everyone’s skin is different and even ingredients that are safe for the vast majority of people will still cause havoc on someone’s skin. So, does that mean that dermatologist tested claims are lies or do these products contain ingredient most people won’t react badly to?

What dermatologist tested really means

To figure that out, we need to understand what the term “dermatologist tested” means: nothing. That’s right. The term is not regulated in any way, so it can mean whatever a company wants it to mean. Of course the company will have the product tested by a dermatologist, but these tests are not as in-depth as people think. Very often, a dermatologist simply applies the product either on his skin or on a patient’s skin and, if no negative reaction occurs, dermatologist tested will be stamped on its label.

And if there’s an adverse reaction? Well, as anything can cause a negative reaction in someone, it is very likely the brand won’t take any notice of it and advertise the product as dermatologist tested anyway. After all, it was. Consumers will never know and will happily buy a product they are convinced it’s safer, the brand will make a profit, and the dermatologist will gets his share.

Paid endorsements

Dermatologists are usually paid to endorse these products and, although that doesn’t mean they will necessarily stand behind products they know to be bad for skin, such deals should be disclosed so that consumers can better determine their validity. To make matters worse, the product may not be endorsed by a dermatologist at all. Anyone with a PhD after their name can be asked to lend their support to a product. And yes, people with PhDs are doctors, but doctors of what?

How can companies get away with this?

But how can companies get away with this misleading and false advertising? Easily. You see, as I mentioned before, the term isn’t regulated in any way, which makes it very difficult for the FDA (or the equivalent organization in your country) to do something about it. How can they accuse a brand to use a term in a misleading way if no one knows what the term exactly means in the first place?

The bottom line

Dermatologist tested is another of those claims that means nothing, so don’t pay any attention to it when making a purchase. Instead, start learning about cosmetic ingredients and what they can and can’t do. That way, you’ll be able to pick up only the products that work better for your skin and avoid those that will cause you a negative reaction.

Do you buy beauty products because they are dermatologist tested?

Make a splash this summer with bright, beautiful, long-lasting colors from the award-winning Aqua range by MAKE UP FOR EVER. With bold new smudge-proof hues for eyes and lips, dressing up your warm weather wardrobe has never been so easy.

AQUA CREAM ($23.00)
Aqua Cream offers crease-free, smudge-proof intense colour that lasts through even the warmest days. Now available in #52 Pearly Green Lagoon, #53 Pearly Pastel Green and #54 Pearly Mauve.

AQUA EYES ($19.00)
Longlasting and smudge-proof, these pencils are available in two new shades #25L Matte Brown (permanent) and #52L Pearly Green Lagoon (LE).

AQUA ROUGE ($24.00)
This highly-pigmented and longlasting lip colour is now available in #16 Fuchsia, #17 Bright Coral, #18 Coral, #19 Pomegranate Pink and #20 Baby Pink.

AQUA LIP($19.00)
This creamy and matte lip pencil is now available in #19C Pomegranate Pink and #20C Baby Pink.

The collection is already available at Sephora.com. Will you be checking it out?

Name: Eye Artist Eye Shadow Palette in Smokey Purple
Brand: Astor
Price: €7,79

From Astor’s website:
Long lasting velvet-touch formula with high concentration of pigments that brightens the color of all eyes. Ultra soft and easy to blend textures that offer high color intensity and up to 10 hours of wear. Can be applied wet or dry to add dimension to your eye look.

What I liked:
- good colour payoff
- the texture is easy to blend, neither powdery nor chalky
- no fallout
- last all day with a primer
- the price

What I didn’t like:
- if you have oily lids, you’ll need a primer to make them stay put
- packaging is not very practical

After my awful experience with Astor Pure Color Eye Shadow in 130 Cocoa Rose, an eyeshadow duo that looks stunning in the pan but completely lacks pigmentation, I wasn’t really looking forward to trying any more of the brand’s eyeshadows. So, although I was also given the Eye Artist Eye Shadow Palette in Smokey Purple, a pretty palette featuring five pink and purple shades, I simply stored it away in a drawer and let it languish there for months.

I had totally forgotten all about it until last week, when I stumbled on it by accident. I was rummaging through my very messy eyeshadow drawer looking for another palette (I really need a new storage system; I can’t find anything in there), when I saw this one lying at the bottom and thought, “mmm maybe I should give you a try, just so that I can review you for the blog. It’s been a while since I’ve written a negative review.”

Now, I don’t particularly enjoy writing negative reviews, but they help add some variety to the blog. After all, not everything can be good, can’t it? So, I started to apply the colours, expecting the usual shortcomings of poor drugstore eyeshadows – lack of pigmentation, chalkiness and some fallout -, but it didn’t have any. Well, the palette’s not perfect, but, as it turns out, it is very impressive and I love the colours. The palette contains five shades – white, soft pink, soft lilac, bright purple and dark, blue-based purple – with a shimmering finish.

Far from being over-the-top, the shimmers give the eyes a radiant appearance that makes them look more awake. Colour payoff is good too. While they only provide a subtle wash of colour when used on bare lids, the pigmentation greatly improves if applied on top of a primer. Even with a primer, the colours remain soft and delicate (you’ll need to apply them wet if you want them to really pop), but I like the overall look. It’s feminine, romantic and easily wearable. Unless you work in a super conservative environment, you could easily wear them at the office too.

The texture is not very soft, but not too hard either. More importantly, it’s neither chalky nor powdery and all the shades applied and blended easily, without any fallout whatsoever. Once applied, the shades last about 6 hours on my somewhat oily lids before they start to fade, but not to crease. But when I use a base underneath, they stay put from morning till night.

I wish the packaging was bigger though. I really like the wave design of the palette, but it makes it difficult to pick up the shades, especially the two darker purples. You’ll have to be really careful or you’ll risk applying two colours at the same time without meaning to, which can result in a messy look. Packaging aside, I’m really impressed with this palette and I would gladly purchase it in a different colour combination (there are fifteen to choose from).

Available at: European drugstores

Summary
Astor Eye Artist Eye Shadow Palette in Smokey Purple features five pink and purple shades with good colour payoff and a radiant shimmering finish. The soft, non-powdery texture, is easy to blend and, once applied over a primer, the shades stay put for the whole day. However, the packaging isn’t practical.

Rating: 4/5

Inspired by the exotic blossoms and untamed wildlife of the Amazon, Glamazona by Catrice brings the dazzling rainforest to the city. The new summer collection features bright and metallic shades to turn you into an Amazon Queen. Your prey this summer includes a cool crackle polish that will leave a crocodile skin effect on your nails and a shimmering gold topper to highlight your face and body. Here are more details:

ABSOLUTE EYE COLOUR
Intense colour in two bright and two metallic shades: C01 I Got The Flower!, C02 Lime Heart Is Beating Like A Jungle Drum, C03 Jungle Treasure and C04 cARMOURflage.

LIQUID GOLD TOPPER
The quick-drying gold liquid can be applied on top of eyeshadow or worn as face and body shimmer for glittering highlights. Its water-based texture has a high pigmentation to intensify any look. Available in C01 Jungle Treasure.

DEFINING BLUSH
This ultra-fine powder gives the complexion a radiant finish and a beautiful definition on the contours of your face. Available in C01 I’m A Survivor and C02 I Got The Flower!

LIP COLOUR PEN
These cute pencils have a soft, retractable mine for an accurate application. The finish is glossy. Available in C01 I’m A Survivor and C02 I Got The Flower!

ULTIMATE NAIL LACQUER
Available in C01 Dirty Liana, C02 I Got The Flower!, C03 I’m A Survivor and C04 Lime Heart Is Beating Like A Jungle Drum.

CROCODILE CRACKER
This special-effect polish leaves behind a unique crocodile skin appearance in metallic gold on your nails. Available in C01 cARMOURflage.

The collection will launch on 1st June. Do you like it?

Source