Lava Bean

Review: Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask

9:01 PM

After reading positive reviews on Amazon (here), I decided to buy Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask. I love my Aztec Clay Mask but it can be laborious to prepare. So this is my alternative when I'm feeling lazy. The packaging varies, but this is the one I got:

227 grams or 8 oz., Php 330 (1 USD= 46-48 PHP)

Bought at Healthy Options, Trinoma

(see Healthy Options branches in the Philippines here)

Packaging

Queen Helene Mint Julep mask is available in tub or tube packaging but in the Philippines, only the tube packaging is sold (click here to see the tub packaging). It doesn't come with any seal or clear plastic wrap so it's easy to tamper with. The consistency of the mask is thick so don't worry about leakage. It can be hard to squeeze out of the tube. Some people cut the tube open and transfer the mask in an airtight jar (otherwise it will harden).

The ingredients and product information are printed at the back. If you are picky with the ingredients, methylparaben and the artificial coloring might be a deal breaker. But I figured, I'm just going to wash this mask off so

Performance

Despite the thick consistency, the mask can be easily spread and layered on the face. It just feels like applying shea butter on your skin. It smells like toothpaste but I didn't feel a significant cool and minty sensation on my skin. I applied this after I washed my face. I focused on my cheeks, nose and mouth area because those parts of my skin have tiny bumps. I have combination skin with occasional acne.

I left the mask for 30 minutes even though the packaging says to leave it for just 10 minutes. The mask tightens slightly when dry but not as much as Aztec clay mask. Also, there were no pulsating sensation. It does flake slightly when dry. After 30 minutes, I washed it off with clean water. Surprisingly, it's easy to wash because it dissolved easily with water. I just used my fingers to soften the damp mask then rinsed it. It didn't stain my white sink. My face wasn't squeaky clean or red. I could still see a few blackheads after the first use but I'm satisfied how my pores looked smaller.

Verdict

I like this mask! It's easy to use and it does a decent pore cleaning job. It's not as aggressive as Aztec Clay Mask but I don't mind because it's easy to use. Yes, I will buy this mask again and I do recommend this to a friend.

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Luxe Organix 98.5% Snail Gel

1:44 AM

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Hair Care Review: Bremod Pro3 Serum & Tresemme Keratin Smooth Mask

7:17 PM

Just to give you an idea, I rebond my own hair (yes, I do) every 5 months and I color it 2x a year. You can imagine how dry and damaged it is. On bad hair days, I even iron it. When I saw these these two affordable hair care products, I thought I'd give them a go.

Bremod Pro3 Thermal Defense Serum

250 ml, Php 199 in Watson's.

Packaging

It comes in a pretty hefty plastic pump bottle. The pump dispenser functions well but it doesn't have a lock. The complete list of ingredients and product information is listed at the back. As you can see, Bremod is a Chinese brand.

Ingredients and Product Info

It's amazing how you can also use this as a hair mask but I haven't tried that yet.

Performance

The serum comes in a white, lightweight cream, making it easy to work on dry or damp hair. It has a fresh slightly-floral scent. I prefer applying this to damp hair because it just makes my brittle hair so soft. I honestly thought this would weigh my hair down or at least leave a nasty residue but it didn't. I haven't tried Bremod products before and so far, I like this serum as my first purchase. Sometimes, I use this as a leave-on conditioner. 3 pumps are enough to coat my all my hair strands ( I have thick bra-length hair).

My hair always feels smooth (enough) after ironing, but it lacks shine. I noticed that with this hair serum, my hair somehow looks healthier and "more youthful." I don't know but my hair looks old and damaged for a 22-year old like me. However, this has a downside. It doesn't protect your hair against humidity so my hair still poofs up whenever it rains.

Verdict

250ml for P199? That's a great buy! So far, this serum has worked well for my hair. Overall I am pleased with this and I would buy again.

Pros

Affordable

Available in Watson's

Good thermal protector serum

Makes hair soft. It can double as a leave-on conditioner

Cons

Doesn't protect hair against humidity

Pump doesn't have a lock so you can't bring stash it in your bag.

Tresemme Keratin Smooth Hair Mask

180ml, Php 180 in Sta. Lucia Supermarket.

Php 230 in Watson's and Department Stores

Packaging

I love how compact this hair mask feels. The red and black jar stands out in the hair products aisle. When I opened it, there was a cardboard seal at the top and the jar is filled to the brim. The ingredients and product description are written on the sticker around the jar.

Ingredients and Product Information:

Performance

I read a blog where the blogger claimed that this hair mask had a watery consistency. Well I don't know but this one comes in a creamy and dense consistency. I tried tilting the jar sideways and as you can see, the product isn't spilling.

For my thick bra-length hair, I use about a teaspoon of this mask and apply it from the middle to the tips of my hair. For the roots and topmost part of my hair, I apply my usual Human Nature conditioner. I feel like my scalp has had enough with the rebonding and hair coloring chemicals so I try to make up by limiting its exposure to non-organic products. Moving on, I then leave this mask for 30 minutes to 1 hour as I go about my day. I wash it, towel dry it as usual and air dry it. I typically apply sunflower oil and Bremod Pro3 serum to my hair after shower but for the sake of testing Tresemme keratin smooth, I didn't.

My first impression was: it made my hair extremely soft to touch. I couldn't stop smooth my fingers through my hair. My hair was definitely less frizzy and fuzzy looking. It also became slightly shinier. I'm glad that my Php 180 didn't go to waste. This mask has dimethicone so I am expecting product buildup which means I shouldn't use it too often OR I should use a clarifying shampoo weekly.

Verdict

This is a good hair mask. So far, I would say that I'd buy again but with the plethora of hair masks out there, it doesn't hurt to try other brands :)

Pros

True to it's claims: made my hair smoother and less frizzy.

Makes hair super soft

Nice, soft scent.

Widely available.

Cons

Has dimethicone and other surfectants so use a clarifying shampoo weekly

Not available in 300 grams in the Philippines

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Review: Oryspa Faves (Meditation Balm, Rejuvenating Oil & Rice Powder Face Mask)

10:34 PM

I love organic and natural beauty products. Except for makeups, I'm just so done burdening my skin and liver with harmful chemicals and preservatives. I know we live in a toxic world so as much as possible, I'd like to minimize my exposure to toxins. I'm a Human Nature lover but it doesn't hurt trying other brands. Oryspa is a Singapore-based brand and I must say, I love their products! Here is my haul:

.....

Oryspa Meditation Balm

50 grams, Php 265

(also available in 15 grams, Php 95 and 120 grams, Php 850)

Bought at SM Megamall (Philippines)

www.oryspa.com

This Meditation Balm is heaven-sent! I used to sniff efficascent oil from Mercury Drug because I love that cold and relaxing sensation menthol gives. However, since I got this balm, I am never going back to that. This balm has a menthol scent with orange undertones in it. Forgive me for being a poor scent critique. I suggest you just go smell the samplers they have on their kiosks.

Ingredients and Product Information:

What's in it?

The cool sensation packs a really strong punch so I feel relaxed seconds after inhaling this balm. I also love applying it to be temples, eyebrows, neck, and nose (it doesn't hurt) if I feel too tense from working and if I feel a headache starting to develop. I promise that you won't smell sickly or medicinal. Another benefit is that the oils get absorbed easily so you're not left with a greasy film. I super recommend this balm to people having all-nighters, overtime work, night shifts and graveyard shifts.

10/10 would buy Meditation Balm again! Mom and I even bought some 15 gram jars to give as a gift to my grandmother.

Oryspa Rejuvenating Oil

60ml, Php 265

I was quite disappointed at first when I saw this product in the store. The website says the bottle contains 120ml for Php 265 but actually, it's 60ml. Nevertheless, it's a good buy but I hope they'd update their Philippine website. Moving on. The Rejuventing Oil has a clean tea tree oil scent. Not like Human Nature's tea tree oil but more like tea tree oil perfumes or fragrance oils. The scent is on the"relaxing" side rather than "rejuvenating." It is fast absorbing so it doesn't feel heavy on the skin. I've been using this for 2 weeks now and I haven't gotten a single breakout from it.

Ingredients:

I also like the fact that I get a combination of oils in a bottle. That spares me from buying different kinds of oils in separate bottles! My mom loves this oil so much that she uses this as her night time moisturizer.

The pump dispenser releases very little amount of the oil in one pump, making it economic. I like the overall feel of the packaging (it feels expensive) but the bottle is clear so I store mine in a dark, cool place (inside my cabinet) to avoid UV rays from turning the oil rancid.

So far, I am liking Rejuvenating Oil and I think I will buy one bottle again when I ran out of it.

Oryspa Rice Powder Face Mask

25 grams, Php 65

I commute to school so I am always concerned about detoxifying my skin during night showers. While I love my Aztec Clay mask, I find that preparing it is too laborious. I can only use Aztec twice a month because I get too lazy. Anyway, all reviews of Oryspa Rice Powder mask is positive so I decided to give it a shot. Let me start with the texture. This mask is composed of very finely milled powder. It has a sweet creamy scent. I mix 1 part water and 2 parts mask. I noticed that if I followed the 1:1 ratio, the mixture gets too watery.

Ingredients:

After application, the mask dries very quickly, but it doesn't crack like clay masks. It just looks like you have a thick layer of white powder on your face. I spritz water to "revive" the mask. In my opinion, this is more of a nourishing and detoxifying mask and less of a "pore vacuuming" mask. I leave it on for indefinite number of hours; sometimes 2 hours, sometimes 5 hours. After washing my face, my skin feels soft, hydrated and smooth.

I even put half a teaspoon of this mask to my daily lotion (Human Nature) because of the bearberry extract and micronized arbutin in the ingredients.

I have discovered a new use for this mask :D. I use it as a makeup primer/skin mattifier! After I apply moisturizer, I apply a thin, watery layer of Oryspa Rice Mask then I let it dry. I then apply my regular foundation and my face is less oily throughout the day. I concentrate on my nose, mouth and forehead area because I tend to get oily and sweaty there. If you plan to use it as a mattifier too, avoid your eye area because concealer appears cakey and creased (in my experience). If you have a lose face powder, you can also add 1/2 teaspoon of this.

I will buy this again! However, I don't think I'll buy their 1 kg Rice Bran Face Mask (Php 850) because I don't have time to apply this mask all over my body (but it can also be used on the body as per instructions).

Have you tried Oryspa? Which are your favorites?

See more Oryspa products at

www.Oryspa.com