Masquerade! - Baroness Snail Mask Sheet

It is getting to that point in my life when I am no longer being asked for ID at the liquor store... this is making me feel like I look old, and subsequently sad.

I don't mind being old, I just don't want to look my age! (I know, I commit the deadly sin of Vanity... among others ;D)

So would I put snail mucus on my face in a vain attempt to aid my skin? You bet I will!

In addition to snail secretion, this mask also has clove, ivy and horse chestnut extract.

I don't like how stiff these paper masks can be, but this particular 'flavour' was ok.

Colgate - Optic White Mouthwash

I purchased this when I had a little trouble finding my favourite whitening mouthwash (Oral B 3D White Lux)
and it was ok.

As far as whitening goes, it wasn't as effective as the Oral B mouthwash, but I did (believe I) notice a daily shade difference.

The taste was pleasant enough and it smells like lolly mint. It did not upset my 'mint toothpaste' allergy (yay!), which is good.

Having said that though, once I found my favourite mouthwash again, I did not hesitate to jump off the Colgate bandwagon.

Price: 4.5/5 (rrp $6.99 for 500mL)
Scent: 4.5/5
Effectiveness: 4/5

Art break - part 1, the sketching

Want to watch how my latest painting progresses?

Well, tough bickies!

This is going to be an oil painting on board (over acrylic paint)

Normally I don't share this process, but I thought it may be interesting for you (my lovely readers) to see one of my other hobbies. 

The idea behind this work is the biblical quote:

"When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, 'Come!' And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider's name was Death, and Hades followed him."

Why this topic interests me is I have a pet cat called Hades (named after the god, a cat who I love more than anything) and I thought it would be humorous if it was him and not the grave that followed Death.

As I paint this in, I will explain symbols and choices I made. 
Also, this will be a long process, oil paints take days to dry so at the very minimum it will be weeks before sessions. (Even then I have other things to do).

But lets go on this journey together!

Masquerade! - My Scheming EGF & Amino Acid Double Lifting Mask

This came with the stupid backing sheet... but it does cover the neck as well, which is fun.
Has witch hazel and sunflower extract; smells light, soapy and floral.

Protane Naturals - Moroccan Argan Oil Hydrating Shampoo

I wanted to love this (the clear rip of Organix shampoo that it is)... but I couldn't.
It didn't lather well, you have to wash twice to get a clean feel and the bottle... THE BOTTLE!...

Perhaps I am the weakest person ever...

Ok, definitely weak, but I couldn't squeeze the damn shampoo out! So frustrating!

Oh Aldi, how you let me down!

"I want working shampoo" Solution:

Effective, cheap and cheerful!

Price: 4/5 ($5.00 for 400mL)
Scent: 2/5
Effectiveness: 0/5

Masquerade! - L & P Cosmetic Clinie - Eye Angle Black Pearl Patch

This eye mask set was so much fun! Although it makes me think I should watch 'Black Swan'...

Dermisa - Brightening Cream

Now please don't judge me too harshly for using what is essentially a skin whitening product. I was recently in a wedding party and (I didn't use sunscreen so the dress stayed nice) got sun-burnt on my shoulders.
Now, when I am exposed to sun, I tan. So this burn was going to be some very obvious tan lines for at least a year.
I didn't want to live with this bizarre tan (or expose my skin to any more sun) so I decided to lighten the tan.
You can quit judging me now...

I picked this cream because it didn't contain hydroquinone or peroxide, which can be quite harsh and nasty for the skin. It uses kojic acid (inhibits pigmentation), licorice (used for treating inflammation-induced skin hyperpigmentation), arbutin (prevents melanin formation) and amla (no idea). 

It smells a little, but it appeared to work and quite well, reducing the tan by a number of shades :) It just takes a few applications. If you are going to lighten part of your skin; do it slowly, gently and carefully. Look after your skin, it is so important.

Price: 2.5/5 ($19.99 for 42g)
Scent: 0.5/5
Effectiveness: 5/5

The Body Shop - Seaweed Deep Cleansing Facial Wash

This gentle gel facial wash is recommended for combination/oily skin and is pretty damn good... actually may be my favourite face soap.
It smells like ocean mint (that is a thing now) and contains menthol (which you can taste when you inevitably get some in your mouth).
Good lather, takes off make up and natural face gunk, won't upset sensitive skin, doesn't burn too bad when it gets in your eye (hur hur hur) ... what more could you want?

Price: 2/5 ($17.95 for 100mL)
Scent: 4/5 (Ocean mint is a thing now)
Effectiveness: 5/5

Masquerade! - Oriental Herbal Skincare Premium Mask Pack

This was the Silk worm (Whitening type) face mask. It smells lovely and fresh, with a very faint floral scent. 

John Frieda - Sheer Blonde - Highlight Activating Moisturising Shampoo

And after another break, the "shampoo blog" is back! ;)

John Frieda shampoo is usually pretty nice. This one smells nice, floral and light in scent.

The lather is nice too.

My only issue with this product is I didn't really feel it helped with my hair colour.

It does specify that it is non-colour depositing (not that adding colour would be really helpful to improve a blonde colour), it didn't really make my blonde more vibrant/brighter.

It seems to work by 'removing build up'... any good shampoo can do that!

'This shampoo, but if it did anything for the colour" Solution:

Stick to the classics

Price: 2/5 ($15.99 for 250mL)

Scent: 4/5

Effectiveness: 2.5/5

Masquerade! - My Scheming Rose Dew Moisturising Mask

This one came with the backing sheet, which I hate with a passion! But it smelled nice, with rose and cucumber extract.

Masquerade! - Etude House I Need You, Acai Berry

An antioxidant mask with a fresh scent and acai, grapefruit, honeysuckle, peach leaf and ginkgo biloba leaf extract.

Masquerade! - Angel Beaute GHK-CU Collagen Lifting Mask

So fancy! A nice thin mask with Ghk-Cu, caviar, collagen, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, liquorice, aloe, honey, seaweed, chamomile, rose water and elastin.

Clean & Clear - Deep Action Cleansing Wipes

These wipes are okay, if a little scratchy. I have used these for a while and, while I loved them when I was younger, I'm a little over them... probably because I am no longer too lazy to wash my face properly (what, I was a teenager)

I would say they take off about 85% of make up and as far as blemishes, I did notice that these wipes made marks look less angry, but they didn't prevent pimples (for me at least).

'I don't want to use slightly scratchy wipes on my skin' Solution:

The Body Shop Luxury Face Chamois is the freaking business when washing your face!

Price: 3/5 (rrp $9.99 for 46 wipes)

Scent: 4/5 (fresh scent)

Effectiveness: 3/5