Review: Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil

I was fortunate enough to receive a sample of this product in the mail recently. Josie Maran is a high-end brand sold at Sephora. This product - which consists solely of 100% pure argan oil, eponymous to the name of the product - is from Morocco. The oil is, according to the Sephora website, grown organically in Morocco. It is meant to be used on the skin, hair, nails, and is supposed to be good for all skin types, and helps with acne problems.

Well, seeing such an awesome product, I decided to go ahead and try it!

Which just amounted to me simply rubbing it into my hair and nails at night.

Result? Well, the next morning, I felt that my nails were definitely more nourished. I had allowed the oil to absorb into them at night, and afterwards my cuticles felt softer and... well, perhaps like I had just had a manicure or something. Pretty good.

But my hair was a different story. (Note first, that I have stick-straight East Asian hair, dark brown color.) Normally, I use a hair serum at night, so I was used to putting something into my hair. But usually, by the next morning, my hair will have absorbed it, and it would feel very smooth and nourishing for my hair. Check out my Fruitopia Hair Serum for details. But anyway, this time, though, it seemed like my hair was just a grease ball. Simply a disgusting grease ball. I had to actually wash my hair with shampoo (only) two times before the  greasiness went away.

Not so cool.

So, overall, what do I think? In general, it seems pretty good for nails and perhaps drier hair and skin. After all, it is an oil. However, for me, it does not work as well for my hair. Like I said before, I just became a grease ball.

This product retails at $48 for 1.7 oz at Sephora.

Would I buy the full-sized version of this product? Probably not, at least as of right now. I have my hair serum and lotions to use as of now, and my cuticles can just be nourished by (much more affordable) olive oil. Later on in life, though, after I graduate from med school and pay back my (bucket loads of) loans, perhaps I might consider purchasing this.

Have you guys/gals ever bought some kind of oil similar to this? What would you recommend me to try? Leave a comment!

<3

Source: 1

Face mask fix...

Must combat all those stressors of life! Please go away, acne!
Lolz.

TOo much cortisol produced in my body, so stressors come up and stuff I guess.
Cortisol. Ach.

Cydia's giveaway

Cydia from Cydangie is having a giveaway for an acne set that I think will be very interesting:

http://www.cydangiebeauty.com/2012/10/aphelia-cosmetology-skin-care-products.html#links

Jump!

How I clean my makeup brushes (requested)

Okay, this is a post one of my friends requested, in person.

The typical makeup brush cleaner costs from $3 a bottle (ELF) to $18 or so (Ben Nye, Bobbi Brown).

My cost? very very little. Very inconsequential.

What do I use?

I literally just use my shampoo.

The theory is that makeup brushes are made up of hair, whether natural or synthetic, right? And what do you normally use to clean hair? Shampoo!

I'll take a little bit of shampoo and just swirl the brush in. Taking care not to contact the metal of the brush too much, I just wash the bristles, and lay them dry on a dish towel.

My costs? Probably pennies, perhaps 25 cents per year.

Pretty cheap.

Thaat is it.

<3

Get extra Dropbox space!!!

Get an extra 3 GB of Dropbox space if you verify your school e-mail address!!!

Visit:
https://www.dropbox.com/spacerace?r=NTIwNDM5MTQ5

Awesome Groupons

Lately I've been loving Groupon.

For those who don't know, Groupon is a super cool discount/savings sight where you can get restaurant deals, furniture deals, vacation packages, massage/spa packages, jewelry, food, you name it - for huge discounts. I've seen even surgery (LASIK and liposuction) packages on there. At first, I thought it was just a scam. But lately, I've seen things really pop up, and it seems to be pretty legit.

I just purchased my first deal on Groupon. I just bought a Swarovski necklace for $8 - normally priced at $75. That's a 89% in savings!

Wow.

Source 

(I got the red one)

All right, here's the shameless plug: if you're interested, please sign up using my code: http://www.groupon.com/l/uu45036177. I know, I know - but for ANYONE who joins with your code (after you get an account) and make a purchase, you will get a $10 credit as well. Yes, I know. But I think life should be lived a little, right?

I hope to be getting my Swarovski necklace soon!

Current skincare routine + makeup routine (requested)

Morning skin:

3Lab "Perfect" Cleansing Foam
Coppertone Oil-Free Sunscreen, SPF 30
Avon Anew Rejuvenate 24-hour eye cream, SPF 25 (for my eyes)

Night skin:

Clearasil Oil-Free Daily Face wash
DIY Aspirin Toner, 1-2X/week
Clean & Clear Dual Action Oil-Free moisturizer
Tea tree oil - for spot treatment

Makeup:

Concealer: Maybelline Dream Mousse Concealer, Cream 4-5
Powder: ELF Complexion Perfection Powder (to set concealer)
Eye primer: DIY eye primer
Eyeshadows: lots of different brands, whatever is on hand
Eyebrows: ELF Shimmer Palette eyebrow powder + ELF Brightening Eyeliner in Coffee
Eyeliner: Combination of Urban Decay Eyeliners in Radium, Ransom, Junkie (in 5-piece travel set, $34), or Sephora Flashy Liner Waterproof in Ultra Brown
Mascara: L'oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Waterproof

Note: I don't wear foundation, face primer, face powder, finishing spray, blush, bronzer, etc.

OOTD

So I know I haven't done an OOTD in a long time. Here's one for old times' sake and just in case. I usually don't really dress up for school or anything unless if we see patients (casual formal-ish) but here's an outfit.

Long-sleeved shirt: Old Navy (I got it in the 5th or 6th grade, and ironically can still wear it, yay for short people?), ~$10 at the time, I think (haven't taken into account inflation)

Black skinny jeans: Forever 21, $10.50

Cardigan: from my friend in college, brand is Lovely Kate, no price

Necklace: present from mom

Up-close of necklace:

<3

Review: ELF Mechanical Eyelash Curler

I first stumbled upon this jewel of a tool (lolz that rhymes!) about 2 years ago at Target. Back then, I had just truly first started trying out makeup seriously and was actually hilarified that people actually curled their eyelashes before applying mascara. Why would anyone do that? What's going on?

So I bought one for only $1 (the cheapest one I could find) from the local Target.

Results? Lo and behold, it actually quite worked. Before using this, putting on mascara was a nuisance because I felt that the mascara would just block my vision (I have short, stick-straight, thin eyelashes, yeah East Asian origin). However, after using this, I felt that my eyelashes would actually be out of the way, so long as my waterproof mascara could maintain a hold of it.

And yup it did.

To use it, you basically just put it up to your eyelashes and curl. Simple as that. It takes about 15 seconds to work. Then, you apply mascara.

I know, it looks like a weapon of sorts, but it's really not. It's just a simple tool.

My first eyelash curler lasted me about 1 yr. There's a pad that's in place to cushion your lashes; it falls apart after awhile, but there's a replacement pad in the box in case. However, after the two pads are gone, you're done with it.

However, my eyelash curler actually fell apart, due to the handles becoming chipped and natural wear and tear. Oh well. One year for $1? That's definitely a bargain. Some of the other eyelash curlers can cost up to $20 or more, and you would have to use them for 20 years to get the same deal.

I think I'll stick with this. It's good.

Would I repurchase the product? Well, I already have. My second one is currently in use.

Have a great day everyone!

<3

Source: 1