Ms Bubu and Her Girlyness: review

TRESemmé Expert Beauty-Full Volume Range Review

beauty 15:46:00

It's been such a long time since I blogged!

I know I can say that I was busy (two full time jobs until a month ago), and that I wasn't really inspired. To be honest, in the last few months I haven't been into beauty so much, first my skin was so oily that I stopped putting makeup on because it was just useless, it would slip away after 30 minutes.

But in the back of my mind I missed blogging and liking the girly stuff. Hopefully I am back for good now!

A few weeks ago, TRESemmé contacted me to try something new from them. I said yes right away because I've had problems finding good haircare in the last year.

One of my client at the hotel is a professional haircare rep and one day I asked him what drugstore brands I should look for if I wanted good but affordable products. The first one he told me (and the only one I remember, come to think of it) was TRESemmé. Said it used to be used by hairdressers before it went mainstream. Now I have a problem with that because it seems that all brands claim to be used by professionals, and I don't really mind the claim, but since it came from him. I trust it more.

So, TRESemmé sent me their new Beauty-Full Volume range,* which includes a Pre-Wash Conditioner, a Shampoo and a Hair Maximizer. It also has a Mousse and a Hairspray.

The range is based on the reverse shampoo concept, which consists of using the conditioner first, and then the shampoo, so the hair is not weight down by the conditioner. This helps with the volume and body giving. This was my first try with the reverse shampoo technique.

The products smell nice, in that "shampoo" scent. It may be a little too strong for some. The shampoo contains SLS, which might be off-putting for some too. But it does what it says on the package. It gives volume. Personally, I don't need volume, so I don't usually buy volumizing products, but it worked.

The downfall is, my hair tend to be greasy way more quickly than usual with this. If you have oily hair, I wouldn't recommend.

Packaging-wise, I like that the Shampoo bottle is bigger than the conditioner one. I usually do more than one shampoo, but only one conditioner round, so I always end up finishing the shampoo first. It's also nice that each has a different bottle colour, which makes it easier to tell them appart while showering.

TRESemmé has also started a #VolumeRevolution on Instagram and Facebook where you can post your #Reversie.

Have you tried reverse (co-) washing before? Have you tried any of the TRESemmé Beauty-Full Volume products? What are your thoughts?

*Products kindly sent for review purposes.

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Zakia's Morocco Moroccan Ghassoul Clay Powder Mask Review

beauty 12:15:00

If you are an oily skin and hair kinda girl like me, you probably already love clay masks. I know I do!

So when I got the opportunity to try the Zakia's Moroccan Ghassoul Clay Powder*, I was all there. Zaria's promise is that the clay is "a delicious Atlas Mountain Clay that combines to make an exceptional exfoliating and detoxifying mask that will leave your skin silky smooth. Unparalleled skin care!"

But the clay can not only be used on skin, but also on hair. Which makes it a great multi tasking product!

As you might think, the powder has to be mixed with a little bit of water in order to be used. A tablepoon is suggested, but I usually use a teaspoon for my face. I take a little more for my hair though. Considering that a teaspoon is about 5 grams and that the jar contains 225g of clay, it's going to last a while! Zakia's suggest a ratio of 1:5 when mixing, but I think this is way to much water. But the great thing about a powder clay is that you can adjust the constituency the way you want it.

Like most masks, you let it sit for 10-15 minutes and then you rinse it off. The same can be done for the hair, and there is also the option of adding it to your shampoo to make a clarifying one.

I've tried Ghassoul Clay in my hair before. The lady who I brought it from told me to use Argan Oil when doing the hair mask as she said it could be really stripping the moisture out of the hair. I didn't have to do this with the Zakia's one.

When applying the Zakia's clay concoction, I could feel that my hands were left with a slightly greasy feel. When you have oily skin this can be a concern, but this was not a problem for me when washed. I guess this clay is more moisturizing than the one I tried before, as nothing is added in the ingredients, it is 100% Moroccan Lava Clay.

So in all, I like this clay, for me you cannot really go wrong with clay anyway!

Zakia's Morroco Morrocan Ghassoul Clay Powder, 19,99$

*Product sent for review consideration via BrandBacker

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Jealous Body Scrub

beauty 16:00:00

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Aveeno Fresh Essentials

Aveeno 16:00:00

A couple of weeks ago, I received those Aveeno Fresh Essentials to try out. Turns out it was during the time my skin decided to be a bi-atch so I unfortunately had to wait to try them correctly.

My skin has now been back to semi-normal and I was able to put them to good use!

The Aveeno Fresh Essentials line has been created to "keep what's good for your skin IN- and the bad OUT." That means that the Southernwood and vitamins AC and E helps to replenish and retain moisture to tired skin, as well as forming a barrier to protect from the environment nasties.

I have received the Daily Nourishing Moisturizer*, the Daily Exfoliating Scrub* and the Hydrating Night Cream*.

Aveeno Fresh Essentials: Hydrating Night Cream, Daily Nourishing Moisturizer and Daily Exfoliationg Scrub

All those products are not too greasy, which is something I always look for. Since using them (and after starting my medication) I have not had breakouts, except a few hormonal spots, so this pass the test too!

The Daily Nourishing Moisturizer* comes in a pump, which is the best. I wish they would have put the night cream in a pump as well. The downside being that we cannot see how much product is left. But that is not a deal breaker! On top of that, it has a SPF of 30. I'm bad at applying SPF on the daily, so this is great. I think all day cream now should have some sort of protection.

Texture: Hydrating Night Cream, Daily Nourishing Moisturizer and Daily Exfoliationg Scrub

I have long prefer the big grainy scrubs to those with more finely milled particules. Since my flare up in December, I am not as adamant on this. The Daily Exfoliating Scrub* is on the fine grain side. I'm not sure I would exfoliate everyday though... But this is a gentle scrub.

The Hydrating Night Cream* has been put on the test even when I had the deadly breakout. My doctor didn't say anything about putting products on my skin, and it was so dry that the only thing except my cleanser that I used on it for those few weeks was this cream. The only thing about this one is that it comes in a tub, which I'm not too fond of. I guess it's is easily tell it apart from the Moisturizer.

All of those has a nice scent, which I'm guessing is the Southernwood. I didn't know what it was before the Fresh Essentials line and I've never smell it so I cannot say for sure. One thing though is that the scent might be a little too strong for sensitive noses and skin. Parfum is listed on all three's ingredient list.

Have you tried the Aveeno Fresh Essentials range? What is your favourite line of skincare?

*Contains a press sample

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Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector in Rose Câlins

beauty 16:00:00

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Pro Formula Clear Skin Deep Cleansing Face Wash

beauty 17:30:00

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My Kind of Morning!

Cafeology 10:59:00

There. I've said it.

I might be obsessed by the UK, but my hot drink of choice is still coffee. I do like tea, but it's an acquired taste. Whereas coffee is a natural for me. I don't drink it to keep me awake, but because I like the taste and it feels soothing.

My mum says I'm addicted and in a way she is right. If I drink the stuff everyday for a while, I'm going to suffer from withdrawals the day I decide to go without. And that's why decaf comes in handy.

Anywhoo. Today I'm sharing yet another brand I've discovered at the Fair Trade in London, Cafeology. Cafeology is an ethical brand of mainly coffee, but also tea.

We specialise in the supply of the very finest ethical beverages. As our business is 100% ethical we offer a huge range of products, which carry many recognised marks such as Fairtrade, Soil Association and Rainforest Alliance mark to ensure the Cafeology product you enjoy really does make a difference to the farmers whose crops we buy.

I was able to try their Columbian Fresh Ground Coffee*, which is a medium blend. South American coffees are my favourite, notably Columbian and Guatemalan, as I do not like a strong spiced coffee, like the African and Asian ones are. I have to say this Columbian is a little bit stronger than the ones I'm used to, but it is really good and I've got complimented on it. When you open the package you can see and smell that this is a quality coffee, nothing compared to Folgers or Maxwell House!

The bag I got here, which is a 227g retails for £3.89, which is a really good price for this coffee. If you compare to Starbucks let's say. they usuallly sell their 1 lbs coffee bag for around $16. 227g is around half a pound, for the CAD equivalent of $7. So the Cafeology comes cheaper and is certified Fair Trade, and Starbucks isn't.

Of course, I like to pair my coffee with a little breakfast indulgence! Here is a bagel with butter and Nutella. Yes, it is decadent like that sometimes at MsBubu's!

What is your favourite Autumn drink?

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Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil Review

beauty 18:29:00

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Bioderma Sebium Review

beauty 19:29:00

If the Winter has been cold and dragged until May, we had an especially hot summer until now.

With this hott weather combined to my oily skin, I just couldn't rely solely on my Marcelle Ultra Gentle Cleansing Gel anymore. I needed something more astringent.

It was by pure chance that I stumble across the Bioderma Purifying Cleansing Foaming Gel. I was actually looking for my mum's birthday gift and there was a promotion on Bioderma and I needed a little something to claim my gift. As I saw this one the shelf, I thought it would be more expensive (as the Bioderma Sensibio is quite expensive) but it was only $6.89. Not too bad, and for 100ml, it's working out a little more than the regular drugstore cleanser.

Bioderma says:

• Formulated with non-irritant substances, Sébium Foaming gel cleanses gently.
• Sébium Foaming gel reduces sebum secretion and purifies the epidermis thanks to the Fluidactiv^® sebum-correcting complex. It also regulates sebum quality.
• Its soap-free, washing base guarantees good cutaneous and ocular tolerance.
• Sébium Foaming gel is non-comedogenic.

After bringing it home, I was concerned about the colour, and nasty dyes. As I am looking to use cleaner products on my face, it annoyed me. And look at that blue! But the tube specifies that there is no colouring. Thumbs up!

The scent is really lovely, not too overpowering. I would describe it as sweet herbal. As the name suggests, it is a foaming gel, which might be a concern for certain, as it can be stripping. For my part, this is not a problem, but for some they can argue that if you stripe the skin from its oil, the sebacious gland will then go into overdrive and produce more sebum. I didn't notice that.

As for spots, it stays the same, I always have one on my chin, due to hormones (PCOS). It is under control since June, a little before I started using the Bioderma Sebium Cleansing Gel.

Overall I am really pleased with it and would recommend if you have acne prone and/or oily skin.

Bioderma Purifying Cleansing Foaming Gel, in drugstores, is around $7 for 100ml.

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