August 22, 2010
What is great about this product…
You can’t deny the fact that
Pantene offer good value for money. And at $9.99 for a 90ml tube of pretty decent hair smoothing product, in my eyes they have once again delivered. As I will mention below, there are no clear instructions on the packaging as to whether this product is to be used on wet, damp or dry hair – but as it is a detangler as well as a smoothing creme I tend to use it on damp hair prior to blowdrying. The creme does well to detangle my hair (which is fairly fine, but there is quite a lot of it) and after blowdrying doesn’t seem to weigh it down at all. My hair looks glossy and smooth, and the only day I really had any issue with frizziness was when it was raining and my umbrella decided to turn itself inside out at the train station. So I can’t really blame the product for that. I love the smell of the
All Day Smooth, (and most Pantene products in general) I always feel like my hair smells really
clean when I’ve used anything from their range.
What is not so great about this product…
One of my pet peeves with Pantene products is that they often don’t tell you whether or not you need to apply the product to wet, damp or dry hair. This is once again the case with the Pantene All Day Smooth. The instructions do tell you to apply one or two drops of the product to your hands before using, but I find so much of the product seems to come out with the smallest squeeze that it’s hard to monitor how much you’re getting out – which can lead to waste. Practice makes perfect though, because eventually I figured out how to handle the tube to get the proper amount out each time.
My Rating: 6/10
The
Pantene All Day Smooth is available from supermarkets, specialty stores and pharmacies throughout Australia.
Posted in haircare, product review |
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August 21, 2010
Time now for our eighth and final in a series of Winter Beauty Essential guest posts. This time we hear from Katerina – makeup artist extraordinaire from
Adore Beauty! (you may remember Katerina from her set of “
Eyeshadow Bible” guest posts here at The Belle Lumiere!)
Winter for me, means the three R’s: relax, recuperate and renew. There’s nothing more appealing to me than staying indoors with a great big cup of tea, a good book and a rich face mask slathered on. As weather become’s cooler, my skin, body and hair definitely require a little more TLC.
SKIN – Although my skin is best described as combination to oily, I am quite often dehydrated. Especially in Winter when my skin is subject to freezing cold air and then harsh heating quite abruptly. Nothing cures this dehydration quite like a nice layer of Ultraceuticals Ultra Moisturiser Cream. It goes on beautifully under makeup, and if I’m feeling that extra bit dry, I’ll pop a little extra on before bed. Hello supple skin!
BODY – L’Occitane Shea Ultra Rich Body Cream is literally my little slice of heaven. This gorgeously thick cream feels amazing to apply, and
even works on uber-dry spots like my elbows knees and heels. One of my favourite things about it is the fact that it doesn’t have that greasy finish most thick creams tend to have.
HAIR – Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment – Ok this treatment is hardcore. And I need it because I am married to my GHD. I apply a generous amount to my locks and slap on a shower cap. The longer you leave this treatment on the better, so I’ll curl up with a book or a well loved DVD while I let this little beauty work it’s magic. After a good shampoo and condition, my hair is shiny and bouncy and completely restored. Love it.
TRADITION – Every year as soon as it starts getting awfully cold, my best friend and I will put a hair mask in, chuck on some wooly ugg boots and have toasted sandwiches and Earl Grey tea while we watch Love Actually. It’s not glamourous by any means, but it’s out initiation for Winter!
Posted in autumn/winter, guest blog |
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August 14, 2010
Congratulations to
Greer, who was the winner of The Belle Lumiere’s
1st Birthday Giveaway! Now it’s time to announce the second giveaway. This time I am giving away one of my all time favourite books –
White Oleander by Janet Fitch, and a 3 pack of my favourite hair treatment from 2010 -
Pantene 3 Minute Miracle. To enter simply comment on this post, or email me! Entries close next Saturday 21st of August, and I will announce the third and final giveaway on that day! Note: I will ship internationally, so all readers feel free to enter!
Posted in giveaway |
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July 25, 2010
Time for our sixth in a series of Winter Beauty Essential guest posts. This time we hear from Emily – my friend, and editor of the always hilarious beauty blog
The Love of Pink.
I generally love winter in all its stormy anger and blistering cold, but I truly detest what it does to my skin! It bashes my hair and skin about and always seems determined to sabotage my beauty routines.
01: Trilogy Rosehip Oil – Oh, how I love this. I smear this all over my snout every night in winter to keep those dreaded flakes at bay. It works a treat! I rave about this to everyone. It keeps my skin all soft and supple and means my foundation won’t cake around my nose or perch awkwardly on any flakiness. It is truly heavensent.
02: Lanolips 101 Ointment – Oh hai, wondertube. I sound like a broken record when it comes to this stuff but that’s because it actually works. I’m not going to lie, I was rather sceptical of this when it first launched, as I had been faithfully using supermarket lanolin on my paws, ladyhooves and whereever needed before the REAL Lanolips came along. Boy, I ate some humble pie. This stuff is medical grade genius and you can smear it over cuticles, dry patches, weird rashes… Interesting TMI fact: I had an awful dry, itchy tiny patch thing on my neck recently – I put some Lanolips on and it cleared up overnight. Thank GOD. Don’t tell anyone, okay?
03: Pantene 3 Minute Miracle Treatment – This stuff really is a miracle – I have been loyal to this for so long now and always have a tube or two in the bathroom for emergencies. I beg you to spend three minutes of your time trying this stuff – you will not regret it! It is cheap as chips too. It makes my hair all soft and touchable and stuff. It’s so quick. Three minutes, honestly. I do a scrub while it’s in and then HEY PRESTO, my locks are better already. Magic!
I love baking in winter. Actually, that’s a lie, I love baking all year round (I have the sweetest tooth in the world). But in winter there is something so intensely soothing and comforting when that aroma fills the kitchen and the smell and warmth drift into the rest of the house. This winter I am going to master the perfect apple pie!
Posted in guest blog |
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July 19, 2010
It’s taken me 3 weeks and I am already close to completing my second (and modified) version of Project 10 Pan. I do have one confession to make. I may or may not have impulse purchased a tube of Lanolips – in rhubarb, if you’re wondering – after hearing SO many rave reviews of the product. So far it definitely lives up to the hype, and I shall post a review soon. In the meantime, lets turn our attention away from that little project fail and instead admire my incredible product finishing skill. Seven down, three to go!
01: MD Skincare Alpha/Beta Daily Face Peels
02: La Source Hand Therapy
03: Pantene Daily Moisture Renewal Shampoo
04: Pantene 3 Minute Miracle
05: Unico Intensive Conditioner
06: Dermalogica Skin Refining Mask
07: Chanel Allure EDP
08:
09:
10:
Posted in project 10 pan |
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May 25, 2010
As I mentioned in my previous post, I have asked a few of my beauty insider friends to tell me a little bit about their must-have items for surviving the winter months. First up is the absolutely delightful Celeste from
Adore Beauty (who also happens to be my personality-twin!)
Winter Beauty Essentials – Celeste from Adore Beauty
Ahhh, winter. Season of sniffles, red noses, dry hair and flaky skin. Reow. Despite these beauty afflictions, winter is actually my favourite time of year. The key is being prepared and nourishing my skin and hair. Who can say no to that kind of pampering? Gosh, it’s hard sticking to three… but here are my top three picks for staying fresh and lustrous in winter:
01. Aesop Perfect Hydrating Facial Cream: hydrating yet not too rich for my combination skin, this moisturiser is packed with vitamins to ward off dryness and stop skin from looking dull. It keeps my skin soft and battles dehydration, without being oily. A real winner.
02. Alpha-H Liquid Gold Smoothing + Perfecting Mask: this mask hydrates, exfoliates and smoothes the skin, keeping it looking supple and feeling soft. I use it weekly in winter to boost hydration levels and help remove any pesky dry skin.
03. Moroccanoil: after shampooing and conditioning, applying a small amount of Moroccanoil to damp hair will help to protect it from the elements (wind, heating etc). This nourishing oil is suitable for all hair types and adds shine and strength to my locks. It smells delicious – and it shortens styling time. Bonus!
My favourite things about winter are beanies and scarves… and my secret tradition of Friday night footy. I love nothing more than staying in on a Friday night with a blanket, the heater on, the footy on tv and the kettle close by. If Geelong is playing, I even sit on the sofa wearing my vest, Cats beanie and scarf. Please don’t judge.
Posted in autumn/winter, guest blog |
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May 5, 2010
Renya Xydis from
GHD was the head hair honcho at the Little Joe Woman show at
Rosemount Australian Fashion Week. The look was jet set, first class, glamourous hair. Luckily, this luxurious look would translate well for almost any day to day (or evening) situation.
Products required:
ghd Fat Hair Lotion, ghd Maximise Mousse & ghd Reflection Spray
01. Apply ghd Fat Hair Lotion to the hair and shake the hair dry for a natural result.
02. Starting at the top of the hair, use the ghd Styler to add soft waves to the hair.
03. Mess the hair up, particularly on top, and mist with ghd Ultimate Hairspray to set.
04. Lightly spray with ghd Reflection Spray to add shine.
Easy as that!
Posted in get the look |
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