GLAMGLOW Super-Mud Review

I first tried the GLAMGLOW Super-Mud mask four months ago when a Sephora Personal Beauty Advisor suggested it would calm down my then-hormonal-skin. It's the kind of scenario nobody wishes: I was leaving to Puerto Rico the day after to my brother's wedding and my skin was oily with random, painful breakouts on my forehead and chin area. Though the situation sucked, it was the perfect time to test the product and I have to say, I was awed. 

The Hair Update

I wrote a lengthy post a few weeks back on how to make your hair grow quicker. Here's a quick hair update with before and after photos. I've been following the same routine I recommended on that post.

How To Make Your Hair Grow Quicker

I've always thought that one of the biggest ironies in life is wanting what we can't have at the moment. And when it comes to hair, this is clearly evident. The times when women with straight hair have come to me and said, "You hair is so beautiful! I wish I had your curls!" have been many, and I always tell them, "How about I give you mine and you give me yours?" Again, we always want what we can't have!

I'm pretty sure that those with long hair who are reading this have found themselves staring at short hair do's, reminiscing the times when your head felt lighter. The freshness of having short hair is very appealing.

On the other hand, there are women with short hair who love the edginess of it, yet suddenly snap out of the short-hair-euphoria and wish that their hair grew ten inches long overnight. While such thing is impossible, there are things you can do to help stimulate hair growth. 

@makeupbypatricia/ Left: May 6th 2013. Right: June 26th, 2013

I posted a picture on Instagram a few weeks back of a before and after picture of my hair, and I had many followers ask what my "secret" was. Being a naturally-curly hair gal, haircare has been a pretty big and experimented area in my life. I hope that this post gives you a few ideas on things you can do to make your hair healthier and fuller, while at the same time, speeding up its growing process. Enjoy.

Keeping Curly Hair Soft and Nourished

If you have wavy or curly hair, we can relate. Finding the right products are hard, especially when it comes to styling. Some leave our hair crispy, wet-looking, sticky. I've lost track of how many hair products I've used in my lifetime. If this sounds like you, keep reading.

WEI Golden Root Purifying Mud Mask Review

Happy beginning of May to everyone! Is it already May? What? 

As you all know, I'm a huge fan of face masks and really, anything that you can do at home to pamper yourself. My little sister has been taking advantage of my I like to pamper others personality and I've spoiled her to weekly face masks as well before she goes away to college. No, but really, I always set myself a couple of days a week for my ultimate pampering sessions. Not only does it beautify, but it also de-stresses. So light up some candles, get your essential oils out and your comfiest PJ's because I'm about to review a spa-like face mask. 

If you're interested, please continue reading.

Super Sephora Haul!

Hi dolls! And guys if you read me, too.

I have no idea how I'm still awake. It is 9:45pm Eastern Time and I've been awake since 2AM. Yup. The flight went fine. The jump from Maracaibo to Miami is pretty quick - two hours and forty minutes. 

I told you I was bringing all of you with me, so I'm taking as many pics as I can!

First of all, here are some pictures I took off the plane. This is the Caribbean Sea.  

This is the view from our condo. I have so many memories of this place... I've been coming here since I was a newborn!

The area is called Aventura - it's very safe and quiet. I love it because you can walk at any time of the day. My mom, my sister and I took a shuttle to Aventura Mall which is a mile away, and we came back walking at 8pm. 

Now onto the haul... 

I got to the mall and went straight to Sephora! I wanted someone to pinch me... these vacations are my only time to shop because everything is too overpriced in Venezuela. Aside from that, you can barely find anything.

I'm a VIB member, which means "Very Important Beauty Insider". You get a few extra perks like discounts, invitations to private events, etc. I got a one on one session with a beauty adviser who was so kind. She gave me tons of advice on skincare and haircare. I talked to her about my blog and about my passion for skincare and makeup, and she gave me tons of samples (you'll see that at the end).

Please excuse my lousy pictures. I took them with my phone. 

The lady strongly suggested the Clarisonic. She said it really makes a difference in ones' skincare regimen. She advised me to go with the cheapest one, because it gets the job done. She used it on me today and it felt quite nice. 

The lady also put this mask on my face, and WOWZA! My skin was glowing afterwards. She left it on for thirty minutes and then peeled it off. It hurts a wee-bit when its being peeled, but it's tolerable. This is a detoxifying mask. 

There are SO many face oils in the market right now. I told her I was confused because there are people raving so much about Josie Maran's Argan Oil, Marula Oil, the one by Nude, one by Fresh. She recommended me the one by Fresh (I love the brand anyway) and she added a few drops of this on my face after removing the mask. My skin was pink and glowing. Loved it, so I got it.

She also applied this Ojon hair mask and told me to leave it on overnight. She even braided my hair :)

I needed a cleanser for my to use with my Clarisonic, so I got the Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Cleansing Gel. I had tried this on a kit before and loved how a little went such a long way. It also has glycolic acid = exfoliating = glowing skin.

This product by Kate Somerville is one I had been wanting to try out. It's supposed to be amazing to clear out nasty pimples.

Another product with glycolic acid, the Perricone MD Firming Facial Toner. This brand is the most sold in Sephora.

And more hair stuff. I was hesitant about this one... have any of you tried this? I saw it on an infomercial the first time... and I'm always dubious when it comes to infomercials. A lot of them seem fake to me. But after reading many, many reviews online before coming to the States, and after noticing there was a try-it-out-kit, I decided to get it. According to the Sephora website:

What it does:
Cleanse, condition, nourish, and repair your locks with this collection of WEN favorites for all hair types. The five-in-one Cleansing Conditioner will pamper and invigorate your stressed-out tresses with its luxurious formula of herbal extracts like aloe leaf juice and sweet almond oil. The Re Moist Intensive Hair Treatment is a super-nourishing, weekly mask that promises to give your hair more body and a beautiful, healthy shine. The Replenishing Treatment Mist is a lightweight, hydrating formula specially designed as a quick pick-me-up to increase volume and body between washes. 

This set contains:
- 12 oz Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner 
- 2 oz Sweet Almond Mint Re Moist Intensive Hair Treatment 
- 2 oz Sweet Almond Mint Replenishing Treatment Mist 

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Sulfates 
- Synthetic Dyes
- Petrochemicals
- Phthalates 
- Triclosan 

And finally, THE SAMPLES!!!!! She gave me tons! I will be reviewing all of these products individually in a few months to give you proper and genuine opinions.

Enough for tonight. I should take a nice warm shower and go straight to bed. My eyes are achy. 

Have you tried any of these products? 

How To Get Glowing Skin Without Makeup

I've always been drawn to glowing skin, and I've come across a wide range of products that claim to brighten, but not all have been successful. 

Now that I have found a regimen that works for me, I want to share it with you. These are products I have been using for over four months, so I can say with confidence that they work. I have noticed major improvement in my skin - it is more even, it is smoother and it is brighter. 

If you're interested, keep reading. 

A New Favorite: Farmhouse Fresh One Fine Day Flawless Face Polish Review

Hello!

I am excited to share with you this amazing product. I was introduced to it by a local cosmetologist and I immediately fell in love.

Farmhouse Fresh is a brand that originated in Texas, USA. They have a wide range of products that are 90-99% natural. They gained a lot of recognition once they were featured in Oprah's magazine, claiming that it is one of her favorite brands. 

On to the product...

What is it?

One Fine Day is a 98.5% natural cleanser/exfoliator that is powerful enough to remove dirt, oil and impurities, gentle enough to remove dead cells with sugar and moisturizing enough to leave your skin dewy afterwards.

You get 6 oz. of product in a fairly large and heavy glass container. 

What is the texture like? 

Gooey. I hadn't used that word in a while...but yes, it's gooey and somewhat sticky. It goes on clear, but once you start rubbing it in, it turns into a white paste that washes off easily with water.

It's good to know that...

- Sugar gently exfoliates.

- The skin is moisturized with amazing goodies such as: castor oil, shea butter, grapefruit oil, lemon oil, lime oil, tangerine oil, vanilla oil, sunflower oil and vitamin E. 

- It's paraben-free, sulfate-free and gluten-free.
- It has no synthetic fragrances.

- It doesn't strip off your skin's natural oils, therefore, you won't get that "tight" feeling after cleansing. 

- It is gentle enough for daily use. 

- The skin GLOWS afterwards, and it feels SO smooth!

- The scent is absolutely amazing. Fruity and vanilla-ish, but not over-powering. 

- A little goes a very long way. 

- This is a great product to use before a mask as it will open up pores.

- This product has not broken me out. 

How do you use it?

- Apply to face and neck using circular motions, then rinse with warm water. Follow with your favorite moisturizer. 

Why is it a favorite?

I love the fact that it contains so many natural ingredients - I don't feel like I'm adding more junk to my face. Instead, I can feel the sugar exfoliating my skin and the oils moisturizing. I had been using an Avene cleanser in the morning (Cleanance Range - for acne) and my skin would feel so tight afterwards. On the other hand, after using One Fine Day, I am left with a radiant complexion that feels ultra-soft. 

Official Website: 

http://www.farmhousefreshgoods.com/index.html

Thanks for reading! Goodnight! x

Sally Hansen Gel Cuticle Remover Review

Hello everyone! I hope everyone is having a nice, relaxing and lazy Sunday.

Sundays are usually my pampering days. I like to do everything myself - my nails, eyebrows, waxing (yes, I wax myself, brave, I know) I even cut my own ends when my hair is long enough. 

I discovered today a fantastic product that according to my mom, has been around for a long time. But honestly, I didn't pay much attention to my nails til last year. 

What is it?

Sally Hansen Gel Cuticle Remover is my nails' new best friend. I have a cuticle remover and I've never had trouble using it, but I know there are women who are scared to use them or would rather go to a salon to get them removed because they don't know how to use the tool. This little tube dissolves the cuticles in just two minutes.

What is the texture like?

Grainy, gel-like consistency.

It's good to know that...

- It doesn't sting and it's super effective.

- It smells a little funky. 

How do you use it?

Apply around cuticles evenly and let the product sit for 2-3 minutes. Using a cuticle pusher, push the cuticles away. I swear this gets rid of everything. Then wash away excess with warm, soapy water. 

Who would love this?

- Those who are afraid or don't know how to use a cuticle remover.

- Those who do their nails themselves.

Will I re-purchase this?

Yep! I love how clean my nails look afterwards.

The results:

Do you do your nails yourself? Which are your favorite nail products?

Current Hair Treatment

Hello everyone!

As I previously mentioned, I'm currently growing out my hair. I went for a short cut around five months ago, and it made me miss my long locks! Now I've been into treatments to stimulate the hair growth. Luckily, it has worked. 

I recently finished a Swiss Just Intensive Scalp Treatment, which worked wonderfully. I loved that it was rich in castor oil - great for hair growth! 

I now began a Klorane treatment which was developed for women who are suffering fromr hair loss or slow hair growth due to hormonal issues such as stress or pregnancy. I'm not stressed and I'm sure not pregnant, but hey - anything that will stimulate the hair growth, my scalp with gladly accept! 

Hola a todos! Como he mencionado anteriormente, estoy en proceso de dejar mi cabello crecer. Hace cinco meses, me lo corte cortico, lo cual me hizo extrañar mi cabello largo! Ahora me he estado enfocando en tratamientos para estimular el crecimiento. Por suerte, me ha funcionado!

Recientemente finalicé el tratamiento de Swiss Just, el cual me funciono de maravilla. Es rico en aceite de ricino - excelente para estimular el crecimiento!

Ayer empecé un nuevo tratamiento, el cual pertenece a la linea Klorane. Fue hecho para mujeres que sufren de la caída de pelo o crecimiento lento debido a problemas hormonales como el estrés o el embarazo. No estoy estresada en el momento, ni mucho menos embarazada! Pero mi cuello cabelludo aceptará cualquier cosa que lo estimule!

Nota: ambos productos se pueden conseguir en Venezuela. Swiss Just se consiguen con representantes de la linea, mientras los productos de Klorane los puedes conseguir en Farmatodo o Locatel. 

This is the product itself:



Klorane promises to not just stimulate hair growth, but also make it stronger and fuller-looking.


Klorane no sólo promete estimular el crecimiento del cabello, sino también fortalecerlo. 

One box contains one month of treatment. Three months are advised for best results.

Three vials are to be used per week. The box comes with twelve vials which you shake and then pour and massage onto your scalp.


Una caja contiene un mes de tratamiento. Se recomienda llevar el tratamiento por un total de tres meses para ver resultados óptimos. 

Se deben utilizar tres ampollas por semana. La caja trae doce ampollas, las cuales debes batir y luego poner y masajear sobre el cuero cabelludo.


What I Used On My Hair Tonight / Lo Que Utilice En Mi Cabello Esta Noche

About 1/4 of this Alfaparf Cioccolato Vial - a hydrating lotion loaded with cocoa goodies to strengthen and soften the hair cuticle. And it does smell like chocolate. Yum!

Alrededor de 1/4 de esta ampolla de Alfaparf - una loción rica en cacao para fortalecer y suavizar la cutícula del cabello. Y huele a chocolate! Divino!

Rusk's Deep Shine Lustre - a lightweight cream you can use on damp or dry hair. It contains marine extracts and lipids to nurture the hair. The scent reminds me of the ocean. A bonus: it contains UV inhibitors. This is great for a day at the beach or pool!

La loción Deep Shine Lustre de Rusk - una crema ligera que se puede utilizar sobre el cabello húmedo o seco. Contiene extractos marinos y lípidos para nutrir el cabello. El olor me recuerda al mar. Puntos extras: contiene protectores UV. Un excelente producto para utilizar en un día en la playa o la piscina.


The combination of these two products left my skin ultra smooth!

La combinación de ambos productos me dejo el cabello súper suave!



Have a lovely night everyone! xoxo


Que tengan una maravillosa noche! xoxo

How I keep my Combination Skin at bay / Cómo controlo mi piel mixta

Combination skin can be a real pain. Oily T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) and normal/dry cheeks. I've sometimes found some dry/flaky patches on some areas on my skin, especially after washing my face with a cleanser for acne-prone skin. 

What works for me may not work for you, so bear that in mind. It's tricky to find the perfect equation for everyones' face. 

La piel mixta puede ser compleja y difícil de mantener equilibrada (aquella con frente/nariz/barbilla grasa, pómulos normales/secos). Suelo notar piel reseca en algunas áreas cuando me lavo el rostro con un limpiador para la piel con tendencia al acné, pero no me queda de otra porque me salen esos granitos de vez en cuando!

Lo que funciona para mi,  puede que no funcionar para ti. Es complicado conseguir la ecuación perfecta para el rostro de cada quien. 

I can immediately think of three rules to follow to keep your skin mattified, yet radiant looking. You don't want to absorb all of your natural oils. That will actually increase the production of sebum because your skin will try to compensate. 

Puedo inmediatamente pensar en tres reglas para mantener el rostro matificado, pero que a la vez se vea radiante. No busques absorber toda la grasa del rostro, ya que por naturaleza, sólo estarás incrementando la producción del sebo. 

1. Cleanse: wash your face with a gentle cleanser for combination or oily skin. On the picture above, I included a toner, because I will be talking about specific products that have been working for me. This is the Avene Purifying and Mattifying Toner from their Cleanance range. I apply this with a cotton pad  on my T-zone once a day, usually in the morning. It contains alcohol which can be be drying and is not recommended for sensitive skin. What I like about this particular toner though, is the fact that it contains oil-absorbing powders at the very bottom (you have to shake the bottle so both solutions mix). I find that using this prior to my moisturizer significantly reduces the amount of shine throughout the day.

1. Limpieza: limpia tu rostro con un producto para piel mixta o grasa. En la foto incluí un tónico de Avene de la linea Cleanance. Aplico esto en mis areas grasas con una mota/algodón, usualmente por la mañana antes de continuar con mi hidratante. Contiene alcohol, lo cual puede resecar la piel y no es recomendable si tienes sensibilidad. Lo que particularmente me gusta de este tónico es el hecho que tiene polvos absorbentes (por lo cual tienes que batir el producto antes de utilizarlo). He notado que usando este producto una vez al día reduce significativamente la grasa durante el dia. 

2. Moisturize: I know there is a lot out there in the market nowadays, and it can be tempting to try new things, but limit yourself to products designed specifically for combination/oily skin. My absolute favorite moisturizer (and I've tried A LOT) is the La Roche Posay Effaclar Mat Lotion. It is sebo-regulating and it also reduces the size of the pores. It really does both. Another plus? It works amazingly as a primer. 

If you don't moisturize your face because you're afraid that by putting anything on your face, it will just make it oily, your skin will automatically produce MORE oil. So, moisturize!

2. Hidrata: se que hay un montón de productos en el mercado y que la tentación puede invadir, pero trata de limitarte a utilizar productos específicamente para pieles mixtas/grasas. Mi hidratante favorito (y he utilizado MUCHOS) es la Effaclar Mat de La Roche Posay. No sólo regula el sebo, sino que tambien reduce el tamano de los poros. Para agregarle unos puntos extras, sirve también como un primer, y funciona excelente como tal.  

Si no hidratas tu piel por miedo a que si le echas algo, tu piel se pondrá mas grasa, sólo estarás haciendo que tu piel produzca MAS grasa. Se que es irónico. Así que hidrata!

3. Use a clay mask once or twice a week: Detox your face. Clay masks are great to deeply cleanse the skin and take all that junk out (spots, blackheads, whiteheads, oil, dirt). My two favorite are the Origins Clear Improvement mask and the Clarins Pure and Radiant Mask. Both differ - the Origins mask hardens, the Clarins one doesn't. But both are great. 

Make it a pampering day if you want to make it more exciting and to have something to look forward to in your skin regime. Your skin will thank you. 

3. Utiliza una mascarila de arcilla una o dos veces por semana: son geniales para limpiar la piel a profundidad (granitos, puntos negros, puntos blancos, grasa, sucio). Mis dos favoritas son la Clear Improvement de Origins y la Pure And Radiant Mask de Clarins. Las dos son distintas: la de Origins se endurece luego de unos minutos, la de Clarins no se seca. 

Puedes convertirlo en parte de tu rutina para que sea un poco mas emocionante. Tu piel te lo agradecerá. 

What are your favorite products to combat oiliness and spots?

Cuales son tus productos favoritos para mantener un aspecto matificante y reducir el acné? 

Kerastase Nutritive Masquintense Review

Sunday Pamper!

Kerastase is a worldwide known hair product owned by L'oreal that has a vast amount of ranges depending on your concern. I had used it many years ago and loved it but then switched it up as hair can get "used to" what you put on it. Since I'm attempting to grow out my hair, I've come back to it to assure my locks grow healthy. 

Kerastase Nutritive Masquintense comes in two formulations: one for thin hair, and one for thick hair. I happened to choose the one for thick hair just because it sounded richer - who knows. 

If you're interested in it, keep on reading!

Andalou Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Mask Review

If your complexion is dull and lacking luster, you will love this mask. And if you can tolerate the smell of pumpkin pie (I like it!).

Interested? Read more!

Face Mask for Combination to Oily Skin

Face masks are essential to a beautiful complexion. I personally dislike muddy-smelling masks that harden on your face.

On my search for a natural and effective mask, I went of course, to one of my favorite skin-care products.

Take a peak!

Clarins Blue Orchid Treatment Oil

Yes, I have mentioned before that I have combination skin. So, why put an oil on my face? Especially one that's meant for Dehydrated Skin?

Let me share my story: for a long time, I was stubborn about moisturizing my face because my skin was so oily. I would say to myself "Why put anything on your skin? It's just going to make it oilier!"
Then I started getting these weird dry patches on some areas of my skin, and others would be oily.

I love Clarins. I've always had. I think they have natural, incredible and very effective products. I had read about this treatment oil before the face oil trend came out. 100% natural pure plant extracts and zero preservatives? That is sounds lovely. This wonderful product contains:

• Rosewood, Patchouli and Blue Orchid: tone the skin and restore its radiance
• Hazelnut Oil: helps prevent moisture loss and the formation of fine lines 

What a lovely and healthy cocktail for the skin! I gave it a shot and I got it. Interested? Keep reading!