Recycling lipstick

Did you know that about a third of your lipstick sits in the bottom of the tube and cannot be used?  Think about this, if you paid R200 for a lipstick, that means that you are left with R66 inside the tube.  You can either throw it away or you can try to reuse it. 

Image:  http://avrotor.blogspot.com/2012_07_01_archive.html

 

I often scrape it out of the tube with a lipbrush, but do not like this, because it is too messy to throw in your handbag.  It works great at home, but not for touching up during the day.

 

And then I found out that you can easily melt lipstick.  A short (short, seconds) blitz in the microwave melts it. 

Image:  http://friendshiplifeandstyle.blogspot.com/2013_02_10_archive.html

 

Simply dig all the lipstick out of the tube. The idea is to melt several lipsticks together, mix well and pour back into the empty lipstick container.  Leave this overnight in the fridge to cool properly and you have a lipstick as good as new.  The only problem with this is that you need the leftovers of two to three lipsticks to create one new lipstick.  If they are different colours, you will end up with a completely new colour.  So either use similar colours or play around with a little bit till you get the colour you like. 

Another option is to buy a cheap lipstick.  You then remove the lipstick and leave only the bottom 1/2 of the 1/3 that is left in the tube.  You then pour your favourite lipstick on top of this. 

 

Also beware when you mix colours:  It goes to the lowest denominator.  If you do not like the smell or taste of one of the lipsticks it will smell and taste like that one.  

 

Tips.  Use a small container, you will not end up with a lot of melted lipstick.  It is a fairly messy process, and it is surprisingly difficult to get lipstick out of things, so be careful. 

 

I was very happy with the new colour combination I got.

Rubybox Scentsational box

Note:  I am still here, still blogging.  I just had an insanely busy time.  Internet at home was slow and would not upload pictures and work was too busy to write blogs at work.  Between all of that I never managed to post anything.  This post is long overdue, but I think still interesting enough to put out there.

I was driving down from Johannesburg and checking facebook (yes, you have fairly good internet reception on the N3 these days).  I was a passenger in the car if you were worried.  And then I saw a notice for the SCENTsational  box from Rubybox.  It promised one 5 ml fragrance or 75ml body lotion and 10 fragrance sample vials.  All of this for just R100. I ordered it immediately.  Imagine, buying something while stuck in a car driving down the highway for hours.

 

I have written a blog post previously about my inability to choose a perfume in a shop and how much I enjoy the sampler boxes you get at some shops around Christmas time.  This box is therefore precisely what I needed.

 

It arrived a few days later and this is what was inside:

Small vials (1.2 to 1.5 ml) of Acqua di Gioia, Armani code, Euphoria and Latin Sensation from Avon.   Two sachets each of Madly Kenzo and Kenzo flower tag.  A larger vial of Elie saab (4 ml) and Arpege as the 5 ml sample.  It also included two men’s fragrances; Armani code men and David beckham men in small vials.

The box is good value for money.  If my sums are correct I received about 22 ml of fragrance.  If we assume that fragrance cost R689 for 50 ml (the sale price for Forbidden Euphoria on the Rubybox site) then the box was worth R303.  Even if I threw the two male fragrances away it is still worth R262.  (Roughly, plus minus:  I was too lazy to find the prices for each of the perfumes, and I used a sale price.)

My complaints: 

I received a duplicate of Armani code, therefore I only got 10 different perfumes and not 11 as I thought I would get.  Since Armani code smells really nice and might actually be my favourite from the box I am not complaining too much. 

I received sachets for the two Kenzo samples.  The little spray samples are so nice to use and carry everywhere and sachets are just a  pain.  The sachets are also smaller, but they made up for this by giving me two sachets of each, so in the end it is about as much as a vial would have been.

My main complaint.  The men’s fragrances.  I do not want men’s fragrances.  I am married, but my husband dislikes all men’s perfumes and would never wear it.  I sometimes wear the male samples I get.  In this unisex universe of ours you can get away with it, but I do not really like it.  There was absolutely no indication when I bought the box that there would be men’s fragrances in it.  (They also did not state that it would be female fragrances only.  I just kind of assumed it would be.)  And judging from some complaints online I was lucky.  Some other Rubies got half men’s fragrances.  Rubybox, please, if you do this again leave out the men’s fragrances or tell us up front how many of the fragrances would be men’s fragrances.

Three of the fragrances I received were fragrances I have had samples from in the past, mostly from Rubybox.  I was less excited to get these.  I guess it is not their fault and it would be really difficult for them to figure out who have had what in the past and only send me ‘new’ samples.  But, in a perfect world it would have been nice to have received a box with 11 fragrances I have never tried before.  Heaven!

There were some complaints about the box online.  Some people complained about the men’s fragrances, which I think is a very valid complaint.  Some people complained about getting duplicates, which I also think is a valid complaint.  And then some people complained about getting bad smelling perfumes.  This is just a ridiculous complaint.  Perfumes are so subjective.  Just because you do not like it does not mean it is not a good perfume and it would be impossible to pack 11 random samples in a box and have everybody like all the samples they receive.  The whole idea of the box is to receive new scents and see whether you like them or nor. 

This box was really nice, I like it and I hope Rubybox does it again soon.  I would definitely buy it again (and hope that I do not get the same fragrances I got this time!)  Please leave a comment telling me what was inside your scent box.

 

Kiehl's series Nr 20: Rosa Arctica - youth regenerating cream

I was wondering whether I should write this review.  I promised myself I would be honest on the blog, but I also do not want to write a negative review.  I did however hate this product. 

It is a moisturiser and you can read the  marketing about it here.

It is an incredibly thick, lumpy butter.  I read now that you are supposed to warm it in your hands to make it more spreadable.  This is probably not a bad idea, since this butter is so thick.  It is thick, does not penetrate your skin and forms a thick, yucky layer on top.  In addition to that, it tingled when applied.  Quick, and not really badly, but I would prefer not to have this stinging.  It is very thick and would probably moisturise well if you had very dry skin, which I do not have.  And to be honest, my skin did feel quite soft in the morning after using it the night before.  But I hated it and would not keep using it. 
 
You can read the review from Paula's choice here.

Just Plain Shampoo - Sunsilk

I have recently tried to review some really nice, special, expensive shampoos.  I found it hard to review a shampoo, mostly because I think the feel of your hair is largely determined by the conditioner you use and not so much the shampoo. 

And then I thought I should compare the shampoo to my simple good enough shampoo.
This is my favourite supermarket/Dischem/buy anywhere kind of shampoo.

I use Sunsilk and use the one for coloured hair.  I really like it much more than other shampoos in the same price range.  It is cheap and lasts a long time.  I sometimes use the accompanying conditioner, but also use the conditioner that comes with my hair colour products.  I think a good conditioner is so much more important than a good shampoo.

I have decided that expensive shampoos I review has to make my hair feel better than Sunsilk before I will get excited.

You can read all from the manufacturer here.

My attempt at nail art

I am a conservative dresser.  Nail art is a bit outside of my comfort level, on various fronts.  For one it takes too long and is too difficult for me to manage.  And I am also not sure I am keen on conveying quite such a bold statement.

I saw this tutorial and gave it a try.


Source:  Tip Top Nails on Facebook

Here is my attempt.  It does not look so great, the nail polish was a bit thick and the application was difficult.  The technique was easy enough that I am willing to try again.   

Here are some images for inspiration.
A lot of these inspired me to get some white nail polish.

Images from:

http://aubreyhannah1.blogspot.com/2012/08/purple-ombre-nails-tutorial.html

http://www.beautylish.com/f/gmvmrv/nanu-nanu-ombre-nails

http://www.nailartpretties.com/glitter-ombre-nails-on-white/

http://kimkardashian.celebuzz.com/2013/03/27/midweek-makeup-glitter-ombre-nails/kim-kardashian-midweek-manicure-glitter-ombre-nails-11/

http://glambistro.com/beauty/nails/nail-design-ideas/

http://thebestnewtrends.blogspot.com/2012/04/how-to-do-ombre-nails.html

http://5pinkave.com/2013/03/18/manicure-mondays-ombre-nails/

http://weheartit.com/entry/23279497

http://jalibaba.com/diy-ombre-nails-2013-collection.html/diy-ombre-nails-2013-collection-studs-pearls

http://weheartit.com/entry/65203621

http://lockerz.com/u/21850793/decalz/18669307/ocean_ombre_nails

http://shoplovestitch.com/blog/summer-nail-art-go-all-out/

Plus some really lovely pictures here.

Sally Hansen Dorian Grey

I have never used a Sally Hanson nail polish before and was really impressed with this nail polish.  The brush is big and flat and applies easily and smoothly,  The finish is glossy, smooth and very professional. I have never used a polish at home that had such a professional looking finish.  It also lasted quite well on my nails and gave me quite a few days without chips.  It lasted a lot better than many others. 

Image from: http://www.alllacqueredup.com/

The colour was Dorian Grey, an almost blue gray.  The colour is a bit dull and weird, not much to recommend there. 

I am keen to try this brand of nail polish again, in a prettier colour.

This nail polish is not exactly cheap.  It was more than R100, around R129 if I remember correctly.

Sisley Floral Toning Lotion

Confession time!  I do not routinely use a toner.  I sometimes buy a toner and cleanser together, use the cleanser and not the toner and eventually end with mismatched cleanser and toner.  So it was a treat for me to receive fairly decent sized cleanser and toner samples in the Sisley Glossybox.  And I made a point of using the cleanser and toner together.

According to Sisley:  The Sisley Floral Toning Lotion is Alcohol-Free and provides for softer, fresher and more comfortable skin.  This Toner is designed for perfect make-up removal and to keep skin looking clear and fresh.  Formulated with soothing and softening extracts of Rose, Cornflower and Witch Hazel, Floral Toning Lotion is particularly suitable for sensitive skin and skin prone to dryness.

Daily use, it helps to tone the skin, provide instant freshness and comfort, illuminate the complexion, prepare skin for the benefits of subsequent skin care products.  Wipe a cotton pad soaked in Floral Toning Lotion over the face, throat - and even the eye contour – morning and night, after removing your make-up (wipe-off or rinse-off), or after a mask. Leave on to penetrate for a moment before applying your usual skin care cream.

The toner smells divine, soft and rosy.  It was very mild and really nice to use.  I am not entirely sure what it did for my skin, but it was pleasant to use.  (And since I am never sure what toners do, it was no worse than any other toner, in my opinion.)  Most of the reviews linked below mentioned how gentle it was.  I completely agree, but other than being a gentle, cooling, nice smelling thing you apply to your face, I am not sure it did much more than that.  If you are used to toners with alcohol, I am sure you would find this toner great for sensitive skin. 

Did I say, it does not contain alcohol.  And, oh yes, it is really expensive.  Sisley is available exclusively at the following Edgars Stores:Sandton, Melrose Arch, Clearwater, Woodlands, Gateway and V&A.

There were quite a few reviews at Beauty Bulletin.  Here is a review of the entire Sisley box.