DIY Beauty from the Kitchen: Costco's Kirkland Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) as a hair mask

After a successful experiment with Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) as a lips, hands and feet moisturizer, I decided to try it on my hair as a hair mask. Did some research and tested it out last night.

My experience

I used 1 teaspoon of EVOO. I know most sites recommend 3-5 tablespoon of EVOO, but 1 teaspoon is plenty for my slightly longer than shoulder length hair.

First, I rubbed the EVOO on my palms to create some heat before applying it on my dry hair (before shampoo). I applyed the EVOO on the ends first before the rest of the hair. I did a little scalp message at the end to finish up all the EVOO on my hands. After that, I put on a plastic shower cap and watched a movie at home for the next 1.5 hours. I shampooed and conditioned as usual during my shower.

The whole process was fine except for the 1.5 hour shower cap portion. I was using one of those free shower caps from hotels and after 30 mins, it was beginning to irritate me and I have to adjust it few minutes. I will definitely buy a better shower cap for a better experience.

My verdict

After the surprise result from my earlier EVOO experience, I was definitely expecting more. I do not know if my hair was already in a great shape after the Nexxus and Biosilk shampoo and conditioner set or if the EVOO hair mask did not have any impact. My hair felt the same as they did the day before. The only difference I could see is that my hair seems to have more shine. If you want soft and silky hair, an easier way is to use the Biosilk shampoo and conditioner set but if you want more shine, try the EVOO hair mask.

DIY Beauty from the Kitchen: Costco's Kirkland Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) as a moisturizer for Lips, Hands and Feet

My lips were quite chapped recently because I have forgotten to apply lip balm with SPF. I was feeling quite uncomfortable but my favourite Josie Maran's Argan oil ran out and I was hoping to wait till the next Sephora VIB Sale to replenish my supply. I was in the kitchen when I saw the almost full 1.5L bottle of organic extra virgin olive oil that I bought from Costco some time ago. I wonder if this would work on my chapped lips. I didn't have much to lose so I gave it a try.

My experience

I poured a teaspoon of the extra virgin oil and applied the oil with clean finger on my lips. Since I had plenty of oil remaining, I applied some on my hands (still too much left) and I thought what the heck, might as well apply on my feet as well as knees and elbows. After a quick massage for my hands and feet, I wore a pair of white gloves from Body Shop and a pair of sports socks.


My verdict

Amazing. Seriously. My lips feel very moisturized. As a matter of fact, I think it worked just as well as Joise Maran's Argan Oil! It really didn't smell bad at all. Since it's extra virgin oil, it is even healthy if I lick it off my lips. After an hour, my hands feel moisturized, soft and hydrated. No sticky feeling at all. My nails feel quite hard. Hmm... Elbows and knees are nice and smooth. My feet feels light and smooth! Wow! I only used l teaspoon of extra virgin oil to get this. This is seriously true value for money. 100% pure with no addictives. The 1.5 L of Extra Virgin Oil was less than C$10 at Costco. Compare that with C$58 + tax for a small 50ml bottle of Joise Maran's Argan Oil . Less than $0.01/ml for extra virgin oil vs $$1.16/ml for Joise Maran's Argan Oil.

I wonder why it took me so long to try the extra virgin oil Time to get some small nice bottles to put the extra virgin oil in my bathroom.

Product Review - Biosilk Silk Therapy Shampoo & Conditioner (from Costco)

Visited Costco last weekend and bought a set of Biosilk Silk Therapy shampoo and conditioner. The words "Silk Therapy" caught my attention. Honestly, I am still quite happy with the Nexxus Shampoo and Conditioner set I bought about a month ago from Costco but using the same shampoo and conditioner every day is kinda boring so I bought the Biosilk Shampoo and Conditioner. The two 34 Fl Oz (1006 ml) shampoo and conditioner were around C$30 + tax. C$10 cheaper than the Nexxus Shampoo and Conditioner set. Worth a try.

My experience

One of the most important thing to me for a shampoo is the smell. The Biosilk Silk Therapy Shampoo has a light floral scents since it is made of botanical extracts and herbs. Definitely smells better than the bubble gum smell for Nexxus Shampoo and the tropical smell for Marc Anthony's Macadamia Oil Shampoo. It has a nice transparent texture, bubbles up quite well though it does not feel as luxurious as the creamy Nexxus Shampoo. My hair definitely feels nice and smooth after shampooing. 

The silk therapy conditioner has a similar floral but has a creamy texture. It feels good upon application. Again, it does not feel as luxurious as the Nexxus conditioner but it smells nicer. 

It is relatively easy to comb and blow my hair after conditioner. 

My user experience can defintiely be improved with better packaging. The shampoo/conditioner container is rather huge (34 fl oz/1006 ml) so it is not as easy to pick up with wet and slippery hands in the shower. For that, I prefer the convenience of Nexxus Shampoo and Conditioner pump design. 

My verdict

I like the Biosilk Silk Therapy shampoo and conditioner set. My hair still feels light and silky after more than 12 hours. 

If I were to rank the 3 sets of shampoos and conditioner that I bought from Costco recently, it would be no. 2. My favourite is still the Nexxus Shampoo and Conditioner set. If you are getting only one set of Shampoo and Conditioner from Costco, I highly recommend the Nexxus combo. If that is not available or if you are looking for something cheaper, the Biosilk Silk Therapy will be a good alternative. 

Updates on 20 July 2013

I LOVE the Biosilk Therapy shampoo and conditioner set. My hair is super soft and silky after using the set for 3 days. It is currently my favourite shampoo and conditioner set in my bathroom. 

Product Review: Etude House AC Clinic Intense Pink Powder Spot (Pimple/Acne treatment)

I was super happy a week ago when I received a package from my sister. She was raving about a miraculous pimple/acne treatment - Etude House AC Clinic Intense Pink Powder Spot! She claimed that the pink powder spot was able to cure pimples that were about to come out when she applied the treatment to them overnight. Needless to say, I was looking forward to the package since the product is not sold in Vancouver. It is retailing at US$15 on www.amazon.com.

What is it?

Etude House AC Clinic Intense Pink Powder Spot is a pimple/acne treatment. It comes in a package that includes the AC Clinic Intense Pink Powder Spot (an over night treatment), the AC Clinic Intense Pink Powder Water (a day treatment) and Q-tips for application.

I wish I could tell you what the ingredients are but I could not read Korean and so I have no idea. I read from some other blog reviews on the product and they mentioned that the ingredients include salicyclic acid and sulphur powder. Quite possible but I don't know for sure and I am not unable to find the ingredient list from Etude's official website.


Directions

Pink Powder Spot (Night Treatment)

• Do not shake before application 
• Dip the Q-tip into the powder portion of the solution
• Apply on acne/pimples
• Let the pink solution dry before you go to bed (to avoid staining your pillows)

Pink Powder Water (Day treatment)

• Shake the Pink Powder Water (Day treatment)
• Dip the Q-tip into the solution
• Apply on acne/pimples
• Blend the white solution into skin before applying make up

My Experience

The night treatment is pink. Upon application of the Pink Powder Spot, my face feels nice and cooling. It feels and smells like calamine lotion (solution used to prevent itch when you have chicken pox or itch of any sort).

The  day treatment is white. It doesn't feel as nice and cooling as the night treatment but it definitely doesn't feel sticky like most pimple creams.

The treatment is MOST effective for spots that are just about to come out. The ones that you can feel the bump but cannot see the pimples yet. It seems to sooth the redness and nip problem in the bud. For pimples that are already full blown, it takes about 3-4 days before the pimples disappear completely. Still impressive compared to my current pimple cream (which takes at least 7 days). I can definitely see significant improvements day by day.

My Verdict

I am absolutely impressed with the effectiveness of the Pink Powder Spot! It is effective not just the pimples but also on lightening pimple scars. I have tried other pimple creams before but this is the most effective one I have tried. Even though it is just a small 5 ml bottle, I only used 1 Q-tip per day so the small bottle is probably enough to last for at least 6 months.

No worries for any important interviews or meetings that normally cause breakouts since the Pink Powder Spot can literally erase the spot overnight if spotted early. This is definitely my go to pimple solution from now on!



Useful links:

What causes adult acne and how to prevent it
Dr Wu Intensive Acnecure spot treatment with BHA

Product Review: H2O+ SPA Targeted Care - Hand and Nail Cream - Richly Moisturizes and Protects

I bought the travel size  (60ml/2 US Fl Oz size) H2O+ SPA Targeted Care Hand and Nail Cream for just C$5 + tax when I bought my H2O+ Face Oasis Moisturizer at the H2O+ store along Robson Street in Vancouver.

What is it? 

According to the tube, the H2O+ Hand and Nail Cream is a beauty editor's favourite and best seller. The fresh scented formula leaves hands silky in seconds.

• Emollient shea butter and Provitamin B5 melt into the skin for instant softness
• Hydrating wakame, sea fennel and sea lettuce deliver mineral-rich moisture
• Silk protein and Vitamin E promotes strong nails and healthy cuticles

My Experience

The H2O+ Hand and Nail Cream is indeed a pleasant surprise. It has a pleasant light floral scent and it is indeed through that within seconds from application, the cream is fully absorbed and my hands feel instantly hydrated and silky. None of that sticky feeling you get from some hand creams.

Verdict

Defintely a buy from $5! It is something you would want to leave in your bag, by your work desk, the sink or bedside. It instantly hydrates and leaves a light refreshing scent that will linger as you work on the computer (refreshing your keyboard at the same time!) or your hair as your run your fingers through them. I love it! 

Product Review: Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser

I just finished using my Philosophy Purity Made Simple One -step Facial Cleanser and thought it would be the perfect time to do a product review.

What is it? 

Philosphy Purity Made Simple is a one-step facial cleanser that removes dirt and make-up for not just your face but also your eye make up. It is 3-in-1, i.e. you don't need to use toner and moisturizer after that if you are too tired. It is an award winning daily facial cleanser that contains infusions of sage, chamomile and carrot. 

My experience

I love the smell of the Purity cleanser. It is very refreshing.  I use the Biotherm Aquatrio in mornings but I use Philosophy Purity as a daily facial cleanser in the evenings. The purity cleanser is more effective in removing my Clarin's UV Plus HP suncreen as well as light make- up for both face and eyes than my Biotherm cleanser. When I use it to remove make up, I usually use a toner just to check that I have cleansed my face well and I am pleased to say that Purity has been quite effective in removing all my make up. I still use the Biotherm Aquasource moisturizer after the purity cleanser because my face feels a little tight and dry if I do not use any moisturizer after that. 

Verdict

I bought my current 8 oz bottle of Purity from Sephora, my next bottle of Purity will be the biggest one I can find at Sephora. Definitely a buy as a daily facial cleanser/make-up remover . It really makes removing light make up an ease without the need to use different cleansing products. I would not call it a One-step Facial cleanser unless what Philosophy means is that there is no need for a separate eye make up remover. I can skip the toner part but I do need to put on moisturizer after using the cleanser.