little white truths

Happy Skincare Black Cumin Seed Oil (RRP $22 for 100ml)

This was my favourite of Happy's oils, until I tried the Organic Tamanu Oil (tamanu smells like walnut I reckon) - and now I can't decide! (Mex prefers the Tamanu - but then, it smells like nuts and he eats 1kg of nuts per day so he would say that, and I never exaggerate.)

Happy claims:

Bioderma Sébium Pore Refiner (RRP $30.95 for 30 ml)

A 15ml good-sized sample. I've received a bundle of Bioderma products in different boxes and haven't been impressed thus far, though I haven't received this one before and I liked the sound of it from the product description: it aims to mattify, refine and smooth the skin texture and its powdery finish apparently makes it a good make-up base.

I've used it (as in 'gone'; but some still left in two MAC sample containers with the pale eyeshadows I mentioned in yesterday's post, regarding old eyeshadows as illuminators), and it does do what it says, but not to a great degree. If you're after some serious mattifying and pore-plugging/refining, you really can't go past L'Oreal Base Magique.

Nude by nature Papaw Ointment (RRP $9.95)

I liked this (especially at the price - and note - you can pick this up for as little as $4.49 if you shop around).

It's one of the best papaw ointments I've tried (note that it's a bit grainy, sugar crystals and such), but I like the exfoliating effect of those. I tend to use this on my feet, elbows and shins if they're dry after shaving (not all the hairs were lasered off but most were - might go back in for extra sessions when I have more money).

Would I buy it if I didn't already have a replacement product? Yes.

Clairol shampoo (50ml) that I can't be bothered looking up the price of...

Yeah, it washes. LHI sent it to me without the matching conditioner. Enough said?

Allegra Rhodes, Red Lychee, 5ml sample from Bellabox

This was one of those samples that made me buy half the store ; )

Wow, what a hand cream. I loved this more than my MOR one (so rich and moisturising, but a little too sweet for me), and I bought the one (Sweet Apple and Grapefruit) that smells exactly like Be Delicious Perfume for Women Eau De Parfum Spray by Donna Karan.

Both myself and my husband love it.

Aveda, 3ml Sample from LHI

I really like this. It has an overpowering smell, that can interfere with your perfume - so note when you use it.

It's moisturising, an emulsion and does wonders for my hair.

Yu-Be Moisturising Skin Cream (RRP $34.95 for 70g; 3ml sample)

According to the product card, this cream has held a top sales spot for over 50 years in Japan, absorbing instantly to heal dry skin anywhere on your body. Definitely looking forward to giving this one a go - I've heard a lot about it.

But: oh gross, beware of the smell. It's like antiseptic menthol, makes me think of cough lollies. That in itself is a turn off. I don't care how good the product is (it didn't wow me, anyway) - I don't want to cover myself in something that smells like this. Strange consistency, too. Hoh well, at least I can say that I've tried it on my feet.

As mentioned previously in my VB post for July, I've used Dr Hauschka products before and have liked them (particularly the Melissa Day Cream).

I've finished this now. The smell is strong and true to description. In using it I experienced the usual Dr Hauschka metal tube issue - when you use the cap to pierce open the foil top, product spews out. So make sure you open it for the first time in the shower: you'll be able to catch the spew and use it, rather than ending up with it all over the table ; ). 

I didn't love this and was surprised - normally I love Dr H products. It didn't seem to foam well and this made me feel that it didn't clean well either. But I'm glad I've tried this now because I've been considering buying Dr H body washes in the past, and now I know not to : ).