Dead Sea Spa Magik Hair Magic Serum Review

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This is a conditioner/hair mask type product by Dead Sea Spa Magik, sorry for the stock image, I've left my battered, almost empty bottle in my uni bathroom, but as it's practically finished I thought I'd better review it quickly before I forget! This was generously sent to me absolutely ages ago so I'm also sorry for the late review. But enough now and onto the review!

It costs £17.25 for 150ml and is available at Holland & Barrett, I've also spotted it in department stores like John Lewis. It's a thick cream that you apply onto shampooed hair and leave on for a few minutes before washing it off. The very first thing I noticed was the smell, it's not pleasant at all. Well I didn't think it was, I'm sure someone would like it. You can also use it dry as a serum, I didn't use it this way because I don't like having product in my hair generally after it's been washed and conditioned, but even if I wanted to use some, it just looks too much like conditioner for me to want to put it on dry hair.

I've nearly used the entire thing, it's essentially finished and ready for the bin but I want to try and squeeze out  as much as I can for one more use. I didn't like the smell, but I love how it works. It didn't take long for it to soften and detangle my hair, and it also stops any frizziness. That's pretty much all I'd want from a conditioning product - and a nice scent. I don't want to fixate on it, because I think it comes from all the good stuff, minerals etc in the product that actually make it work.

Overall, I definitely think this is worth trying if you have damaged, dry or even normal hair to rehydrate it and give it a boost, making it feel stronger too, personally I don't think I would repurchase because even though it lasted me about two months I think £17.25 is a lot for a product I would use very frequently and I dislike the scent, even though I know it's probably just from all the good stuff in the conditioner! I also found it difficult to get all the product out of the bottle, a squeezy bottle or one with a pump may be more useful I think.

Would you be interested in trying it? Have you given it a go - what did you think?

Quick Update - I promise it's quick!

Hi!

I hope everyone is well, I'm so sorry I haven't been able to blog recently, I got all excited and started to plan a blog overhaul, name change and all - which is happening, just very slowly.

There's always so much going on and blogging gets pushed right to the bottom of my list of priorities but it's always there. Why? I have a box full of PR samples I need to review, I cannot accept samples and not mention them on the blog, even if they're (were) awful - fortunately the only awful products I've tried I've bought so I feel fine moaning about them to my heart's content *insert smiley with huge smile*.

That aside, I still do enjoy writing about and trying new products, it's a very girly thing and I think all girls/women enjoy it. Writing about them and being able to share my opinion *sort of* justifies my more costly purchases...

So... What's happening? As I don't have enough time (right now) to blog continuously I'm setting a goal of blogging once a week, maybe a little more as I ease into it or find I can afford the time. It's a very time-consuming hobby for me because as a perfectionist I can't be content with half-arsed posts, pictures and an outdated blog layout. If I have the blog layout etc sorted out I think I would find it easier to post regularly.

To conclude, I am awfully sorry for the lack of posts and for not really being around much for quite some time now, it will get better! I am also currently working on a new layout, name etc so hopefully that'll all be ready by the Summer, if it ever comes... For now I'll be posting at least once a week.

Thank you so much for reading,

Nav x

The Blog Is Changing!

Hi!

This is just a post to let everyone know that my blog will be very different soon, I've chosen a new name and there will be a new design. I don't want to disclose the new name just yet but I hope you like it! (If not, I'm really really sorry!)

I want to be able to blog about anything I want to and I feel like Navilicious Beauty limits that to just beauty. I've also never liked putting my name or nickname on informal projects unless they're to be examined. Although I take my blog seriously it's more informal and I like it that way :)

I'm also working on a "schedule" so that I can post more frequently, as I've said before this is definitely a hobby and in no way a full-time thing, I have other commitments which I prioritise over blogging (studying!) and for this reason I have found it difficult to post regularly.

So, expect lots of new posts on basically anything, I have a feeling it will just fall into a beauty, fashion, lifestyle blog maybe with a bit more beauty and lifestyle on it.

Once the change has occured/about to take place I will post again so everyone knows and I'm not sure if you might have to follow/unfollow again - should you choose to!

Thank you so much for reading and I hope to see you on the other (hopefully prettier and more organised) side soon! :)

Montagne Jeunesse Skin Heroes De-Clog Pores Review

These pore de-clogging nose strips can be found on Montagne Jeunesse's website and in leading supermarkets. They cost £1.49 for 3 which is effectively 50 pence for one. In comparison this is much cheaper than Biore's nose strips. (A full comparison post coming soon.)

They contain orange flower water and witch hazel to help draw out impurities, the size of the strips is perfect and I like that they're rounded too. I haven't found any that also cover the area closer to the nostrils which I think would be great because the current strips are effective on most of the nose but not all - if that makes sense.

You wet your nose and take one strip out and stick it onto your nose. Leave for 10-15 minutes until it feels hard and then gently remove. Usually you can see lots of rubbish that's been taken out of your pores and with these strips it is the same. I found that these picked up slightly less rubbish although that may just be because I've been being very good about my entire cleansing routines.

I have already and would repurchase these, I like using them as often as possible (maximum is 3x a week) to clean my pores.

Have you tried these de-clogging nose pore strips? What do you think of the concept?

Montagne Jeunesse Skin Heroes T-Zone Peel Off Review

This is another one of the masks in the Skin Heroes range by Montagne Jeunesse. It is the T-Zone Peel Off and is available at leading supermarkets and online on their website at £1.49 for 10ml of mask and 3ml of moisturiser.

I was sent one of these and also bought one, I've used both now and each time I got one use out of the mask, you could definitely make it work for two uses but I prefer a slightly thicker, even layer on my face. It smells gorgeous, very clean and fresh, citrus combined with tea tree in my opinion, certainly not offensive at all. It is a transparent, thick gel type substance tinted with a pale green, it goes on clear on my face though.

Containing Canadian Willowherb, Witch Hazel and Tea tree, both the mask and the moisturiser are to help combat dirt and impurities. I don't think the moisturiser contains Witch Hazel though. Montagne Jeunesse recommend leaving it on for 15-20 minutes, I left it on for 20 minutes and could feel it tingling and drying slowly. Application was easy and I think the packaging is fine too for this mask, because you only get one use from it, the moisturiser I tend to use in the morning and evening for a few days after using the mask and it is also used up.

After 20 minutes the mask was very nearly completely dry so I waited a few more minutes so that I could peel it off. It peels off pretty easily, it's just difficult to get off the bits that are still wet with water. Afterwards the skin is clean and soft, and ready to moisturise. The moisturiser is thin and light, very like a lotion and smells like the mask, it takes a few minutes to absorb but feels like it does well as I experience fewer breakouts after using it. Unfortunately it does make my T-zone slightly oily after a few hours but I think that's to be expected as most moisturisers do, thanks to my skin type.

Would I repurchase?

Yes. I really like this mask but sometimes I do feel that Montagne Jeunesse's masks are better than their moisturisers. It seems to do the job and smells great.

*Montagne Jeunesse is cruelty free and BUAV approved*

Avon Limited Edition True Colour Eyeshadow Quad in Arctic Goddess

This gorgeous eyeshadow quad retails at £8.50 for 6g and can be found HERE. It contains four eyeshadows, all coordinating to the blue theme. It launched as part of the Arctic Goddess collection but is still available online. I definitely think these shades can be worn all year round, the blues highlight the "arctic" part but I think the colours are suitable for Spring and Summer too - maybe not Autumn, but you can always wear whatever you want so it doesn't matter!

The top left shade is a pale, frosty, sky blue. It doesn't have much pigmentation and the swatch below took a good few swipes to show up. On the eyes it's the same case. The top right shade is also a pretty sheer, light teal, frosty/shimmery shade, it doesn't have much pigmentation and takes a lot to show up. The bottom left shade is a beautiful matte bright blue, it's very pigmented and lasts well on the eyes too. The bottom right shade is a deep navy, matte shade and it is stunning as an eyeliner or to deepen the crease, it also lasts well on the eyes without a primer.

I really like the packaging of this eyeshadow quad, it's very pretty and compact. Easy to travel with and it also comes with a sponge applicator - which actually isn't that bad. The top two shades have some fallout whereas the bottom two do not. Different combinations of these eyeshadows wore around the same time on me without a primer, which I thought was quite good considering the top two aren't so great in terms of pigmentation.

Would I repurchase?

No. These four eyeshadows will last me a very long time as I don't wear blue shades often, so I won't need to! I also feel like this is a 50-50 palette. It's very pretty, and workable, but I would have liked a bit more pigmentation and less fallout regarding the top two shades. It does provide variation in terms of texture and finish though, so does create pretty looks.

If you don't have these shades or are looking for a few shimmery/sheer shades in blue tones then I would recommend. Or if you just love blues and love the matte shades then this could be great for you too. Avon always have offers on everything so it is worth checking back to see if they are on offer!

Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge

I decided to join Goodreads at the beginning of this year after seeing so many posts about reading challenges and set myself a challenge. On my list of 101 things to do in 1001 days I've actually set myself to read 300 books by the end of it, and I've only managed 2 so far!

I have around a year and a half left to go of it so challenged myself to read 200 books this year. It may sound like an awful lot but I used to read a book a day when I was younger and read Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire from morning to dinner time (on the day of its release!). I've always loved reading, it's only recently that exams have taken over that I haven't been able to read as much.    

    Nav's books

 

   

 

You can check out my profile and the books I've read throughout the year with the little link on the sidebar of this blog. If you are also on Goodreads please feel free to add me as a friend! :)

Have you set yourself a reading challenge this year?