Catwalk By Tigi Oatmeal & Honey Intense Nourishing Mask For Dry, Damaged Hair Review

Hello lovelies!

You know that I often write reviews of hair care products and document my hair coloring journey. Well today, I have one fantastic hair care product to share with you!

I discovered it not that long ago and I already ordered my second one!

It's Catwalk by TIGI Oatmeal & Honey Intense Nourishing Mask for dry and damaged hair.

This mask is very nourishing and it smells of honey. I swear, there's a note of cinnamon in there too!

I just love it! I think I'm getting a bit addicted to it.

Jokes aside, I know it's good to switch up hair care products from time to time, as otherwise your hair might get too used to a certain product and not respond to it anymore.

You guys know my obsession with Kerastase products but Catwalk TIGI products are just as appealing!

At feelunique.com and online beauty store, they have extremely good prices (In fact, I couldn't believe it when I saw it! I paid more than double the amount for the same product at one beauty supply store in Croatia that sells TIGI. I was upset for having paid that much, but also relieved that I found a place that sells one of my favorite hair care brands at such low prices!)

I got introduced to TIGI products way back, more than 10 years ago, when I still lived in Croatia. I always loved using them: They have amazing fragrance, cool design and are always very pampering for my hair! I haven't used them that often, because of the quite high price point, but now I can really indulge and treat my hair with them, without sense of guilt that I spent too much on a beauty product!

This Oatmeal and Honey mask contains 200g / 7.05 OZ. and it retails at € 10.08 at feelunique.

That's really good! I believe you can also get sets, shampoo, conditioner and a mask, and that is even more convenient option! (Something to consider after I'm done with my current shampoo and conditioner).

Sometimes I'll skip the conditioner and use only this mask and it's very hydrating, nourishing and it detangles my hair perfectly! Some people even use it as an overnight treatment and then they wash it off in the morning and they swear it's super nourishing and restorative for colored and damaged hair but I haven't tried out this method yet.

This mask is very indulgent indeed: It contains acacia honey, wheat protein, vitamin e and fibre- penetrating ingredients. It helps nourish and repair, leaving hair soft, smooth and full of shine.

If you're interested to hear what else do I have to say about it, check out my video review:

I have only the best words about shopping at feelunique.com, in case you want to see one of my feelunique beauty haul and shopping experience, check out this video:

Have you ever tried any of Catwalk / BedHead TIGI products?

Let me know which one was your favorites? Do you have any recommendations to share?

xo from Italy,

* read more fashion & beauty articles at Glam Express

Wella Color Fresh 10/81 Silver Review | Toning Yellow/Orange/Brassy Blonde Hair At Home!

Hello beauties!

As you already know, a couple of years ago, I started coloring hair at home.

It's been somewhat of a journey because it's definitely not easy to get a beautiful blonde color, when you're not a professional and basically learn along the way, doing trial and errors!

A few months ago, I was able to book an appointment by my hairdresser in Croatia (as we were spending a few days there so I thought I'd just go to have my hair done professionally!)

But, somehow, unfortunately, the color on my roots didn't turn out quite as I expected it to turn out and in the couple of following washes, it turned into quite brassy and orangey looking!

I was very disappointed because for such results I could have just done it myself, you know!

PRODUCT DETAILS:

So I tried fixing it with a toner! I heard Wella Professional had great toners for achieving that perfect blonde, so at my local drugstore, I picked the Wella Color Fresh in 10/81 Silver.

It's a ready-to-use toner so you don't have to mix it with a developer or anything. The instructions say to leave it on wet hair for 5 to 20 min. 

So I washed my hair (shampoo, conditioner, etc) and then I applied the toner. I even put on a shower cap to create more heat and possibility for the toner to act better, and after a bit more than 20 min I rinsed it off.

The result was...invisible! LOL

Only my highlights got a bit ashier and had a hint of silver to it, but the brassy roots just stubbornly stayed that way! Ugh! I expected it to be more efficient.

So this toner I'd recommend for whoever needs to just freshen up already perfect blonde but not to fix or lighten hair.

Instructions say to use it minimum of 2 weeks after coloring your hair, to avoid hair damage; in alternative you can mix it with a white mask or a hair conditioner, leave on for some time and then proceed to washing your hair as you'd normally do.

I talk more about this toner in my video review, if you fancy taking a look:

Yesterday, I colored my roots at home again and I used the Kaypro color with 30 vol developer, which I mentioned already here and this time the results are better, as I left it on for longer.

However, I'll stop by my local beauty supplies store to ask if they have something to prevent my roots from going brassy after a couple of washes. I didn't want to use vol 40 as I'm afraid it will damage my hair too much! I'm not a professional, so if you know better than me, feel free to give me some tips & advices!

I read quite a few forums online and watched tons of DIY tutorials, so I understand this topic is quite popular, as we all would like to know how to get just that right color that we want, without damaging our hair or spending heaps on hairdressers!

Don't get me wrong, I'm willing to pay for having beautiful results but sometimes it's less than satisfying! Did I tell you about that time in Italy, when I had my hair done in a local salon and the hairdresser burnt my scalp when blow drying my hair?? She got it on max heat, just to be faster! That's horrible, as hairdresser sessions should be relaxing, not torture!

Do you have any bad experience with hairdressers or with your own DIY "hair project"?

I'd love to read your comments!

xo from Italy,

* Read more fashion & beauty articles at Glam Express

The Benefits of Coconut Oil in Summer Haircare

Hello lovelies!

Have I mentioned how important it is to take extra care of your hair during the hot summer months, and during sun exposure?

I'm sure I have, many times, but I can't stress enough the importance of it!

If you want to have beautiful, healthy hair, you'll need to pay an extra attention to it!

My secret is: Coconut oil!

After my summer vacations, I went to my hairdresser to get my colour done and to see if I need a trim...I was prepared for it...but imagine my surprise when my hairdresser told me I actually don't need one, because my ends are doing just fine, they aren't split, or dry!!!

I use natural oils such as coconut, or line seed oil, all year round, in my haircare routine.

I use 100% natural coconut oil as a pre-shampooing hair mask/nourishing treatment, once a week.

Natural coconut oil will become solid when the temperatures are lower; that's one way to tell that the product is completely natural, without any chemicals added.

I will talk about this more in one of my upcoming posts/ beauty videos...

For the beach, I had another product that I was using on a daily basis, that was protecting my hair from the sun, from the wind and salt...It was the spray formula that contained coconut oil, but it had other ingredients as well, basically it was a non-oily oil that was more appropriate to use on a daily basis (because of its non oily formula).

Impaco Linea Mare
Olio de Coco
Malusc Italiana
Divisione Tricosmesi

This brand isn't famous and I suppose it isn't easily available worldwide either.
I got it at my local supermarket in Italy, and the price was somewhere between 5-10€
But, in this post I'm not reviewing the brand, but the benefits of coconut oil!
You can find similar products in your local drugstores/ supermarkets.

This product has the most amazing coconut scent and is doing a great job at protecting my hair in summertime, when I'm spending time at the beach!

You can apply it more times a day, especially before going for a swim!(and after!)

This product will really prevent dry/ split ends and will allow your hair to grow beautiful & long :)

If you're curious to hear more about this product, check out my video review, from the beach of Rab, Croatia:

I was requested to talk more about the benefits of coconut oil on my croatian channel, so rest assure, that video is coming up! :)

If you have any other requests for my future videos in english, or croatian, please leave me your comments!

You can also connect with me on FACEBOOK!

Have you ever tried using natural oils in your haircare routine?

Were you pleased with the results?

Which one was your favourite oil to use?

Have a lovely day!

xoxo, S.

Empties # 9: Products I've Used Up & Mini Reviews!

Hello beauties!

In this blog post I'm going to share with you beauty products that I've used up over the past couple of months, and let you know my opinions on them...if they're worth repurchasing, or not!

Hopefully you'll find this post interesting, as I have 15 "empties" to share with you today!

Here we go...

- Thermal waters are my must-have in my daily beauty routine!

I loved the grape water from Caudalie and thermal water from Uriage. Vichy was also nice, but when I was spraying it on my face, the mist wasn't coming out so fine as when I was using Caudalie, or Uriage. With Vichy, I could have actually felt the little drops of water on my face...which I didn't like.

Top place goes to Caudalie (awesome grape water!), I'll say "yes" to Uriage too, but I'll skip Vichy for now.

- Aussie haircare products are probably the best drugstore hair care products on the market! I simply love them! I've used up 2 Miracle Moist conditioners, and 3 Minute Miracle Deep conditioning Treatment.

I will be repurchasing all of these products! 

Thumbs up for Aussie :)

- Liabel hair mask costs only 1€ and I got it at my local supermarket. This one was enriched with line seed oil and keratin, and it was actually a very nice product :)

Super inexpensive, it'll really "save your hair's life" on the days when your budget for beauty products is running low!

- Professional Hair Care Keratin Complex hair mask was very hydrating and it was doing great job at detangling my long hair!

I also loved the scent!

Pretty good product, it's possible that I'm going to repurchase it in the future, it's just not on my priority list right now!

- Keune Protein Spray is the product I was very curious to try out!After a couple of months of using it, I didn't see any major positive effects in my hair, but it was working well as a leave- in conditioner/ detangler.

I was still happy with it while I was using it, but it just didn't give me enough reasons to repurchase it...

- Schwarzkopf Gliss hair conditioner is the product I've repurchased many times already. Before I tried out Aussie products, Schwarzkopf was my best drugstore brand for hair care.

Nice price, effective...when I was low on beauty budget, these reasons were good enough for me to keep repurchasing it!

Now that I've tried Aussie, this has changed, so I doubt I'll be repurchasing Schwarzkopf any time soon (only if I can't get Aussie products!)

- Afrodita foot bath, let me just say a big "YES" to this product!I love all Afrodita products and was never disappointed with any of the products this brand has to offer!

I was using this relaxing, soothing foot bath for my "at home pedicure weekly routine", and was extremely pleased with the results!

You can check out my pedicure routine HERE!

My verdict: This product is definitely on the top of my shopping list! :) Will be repurchasing it very soon!

The downside of it is that being a slovenian product, I can't get it in Italy, but I have to wait to go to Croatia, to be able to get it...

- Shower gels: Bourjois Wake Me!, Vidal argan oil, Le Petit Marseillais Sweet Almond Milk...

All three were nice shower gels, good priced drugstore brands.

Out of these three, the Bourjois one is a little bit more expensive , but was also my favourite, and is the first one that I would repurchase.

Le Petit Marseillais won me over with its scent of sweet almond milk, taking a shower with this product was a real pleasure!

Vidal with argan oil was my least favourite, but still ok, there is no reason for me not to repurchase it some time in the future.

It just wasn't anything spectacular, but it was also the most convenient one (less than 1€ at my local supermarket).

- Gardin apicoltura shampoo surprised me with its quality!

I paid less than 1€ for it at my local supermarket, but it was worth more :) It was very mild, gentle shampoo, suitable even for daily usage. It contained natural extracts of royal gelly, an ingredient very appealing to me :)

This was a nice shampoo and I was surprised with its low price.

Because it's so gentle, it's a shampoo that I'd use in summertime, for frequent usage, when I'm going to the beach, and when I need to wash my hair every day.

The downside of it is that this brand is probably harder to get, as it's a local production and maybe targeted towards just a selected supermarkets of my area.

Those were all the empties I had prepared for you this time! I really hope this was helpful & interesting to you :)

You can also watch my "Empties" video, to hear more about these products:

If you liked this post, please share it on your social networks!

You can also add me on facebook for daily beauty & fashion fix! :)

Have a beautiful day,

xoxo, S.

Renewing Damaged Hair With Kerastase Nectar Thermique

Hello beauties!

For all of you who asked me about my updated hair care routine and my holly grail haircare products, here is a video/post, that you're going to enjoy!

In this video I'm talking about the product I have been using for months now (I remember buying this product back in December!)and that has helped in mantaining my hair healthy, shiny & just beautiful looking!

I have already mentioned this many times...my hair just ♥ Kerastase products!

For more than five months I have been using this product religiously, twice a week (every time after washing my hair), and I still have some of the product left, but soon I'll be getting a new bottle of it!

I really like it very, very much, and would like to recommend it to you :)

The Nectar Thermique product is a part of Kerastase Nutritive line, and it's designed for dry to very dry hair.

It's a leave in product and it's basically a very nourishing care for your hair, with heat- styling protective agent.

Kerastase Nectar Thermique 150ml

For availability & more info on Kerastase products, go to their website!

Nectar Thermique is a haircare "nectar" that leaves the hair incredibly soft and smooth. The product is actually activated by heat (when you blowdry, or heat-style your hair!)

Innovative technology: Royal Jelly Extract + Gluco- Sleek

-Provides softness and shine:

 this formula enriched in cosmetic agents is combined with an extract of Royal Jelly known to be rich in essential elements- carbohydrates, proteins and lipids. Nectar Thermique is designed to provide softness and shine to the whole of the hair fibre.

-Heat protection:

 this treatment is enriched with a heat-style protective active ingredient - XYLOSE- to help protect the hair fibre from the harmful effects of heat during blow- drying and straightening.

- Ease of blow-drying and anti- breakage effect:

 this nectar, enriched in GUAR gum, known for its lubricating properties, gives improved hair straightening and blow- drying performance, while helping to protect the hair from mechanical stress.

Results:

- Optimal shine & softness from root to tip.

- Hair fibre is left supple to touch.

- Better protection from mechanical aggressions.

- Easier blow- drying and straightening.

Application:

1. After washing your hair, towel- dry it and apply a walnut- sized amount of the product, starting with the ends and spreading throughout the lengths of the hair.

2. Gently massage the lengths and ends, paying particular attention to the driest areas.

3. Detangle using a wide- toothed comb, starting with the ends and then gradually moving upwards towards the roots. Don't rinse.

4. Styling with a blow dryer:

dry hair using a blow-dryer and a round brush.

5. Styling with straightening iron:

first dry hair completely using a blow-dryer.Then style hair using a flat iron with ceramic plates, ideally at a temperature of 180°C. On 1 inch wide sections, slowly slide the iron in a continuous movement throughout the lengths. Repeat this step once on each section.

I really hope that you'll try out this product and that you found these little extra-tips useful!

Before you go, check out my Nectar Thermique Review video, to find out more about this product & learn more about my experience with it!

Love from Italy,

xoxo, S.

 

Vlog: Dogsitting, House Cleaning, Shopping...

Hello dolls!

Here is just a quick random vlog that I filmed during one week of my life! Nothing too special was happening, but I still felt like vlogging & showing you some bits & pieces of my daily life...

You can watch my vlog, here:

A few pics from my afternoon walk with Millball...

Isn't he the cutest? ♥

He truly enjoys his walks!

The area where I live is simply perfect for dog owners, as there are plenty of green areas where you can take your doggy out for a walk!

Millball in action ;)

A little haircare haul preview...

In my vlog, I told you I was going to another town, 30min ride from where I live, to get some much needed hair care supplies!
I forgot to show you what did I buy, and I still haven't filmed a proper haul, so here it is...just a quick glimpse!

My hair is in ♥ with these products!

I hope you enjoyed this vlog!

Many kissesss from Italy,

xoxo, S.

Fishtail Braid Hair Tutorial (Pletenica "Riblja Kost")

Drage curke!

Evo za vas jedan "hair tutorial"!

Ova pletenica "riblja kost" savrsena je frizura za one dane kada ne znate sto biste sa vasom kosom, ili kada niste imali vremena oprati ju, a morate ici na posao, ili imate u planu neki izlazak...

Svaki puta kada spletem ovu pletenicu, dobijem bar par komplimenata i upita, kako li sam to napravila...svi misle da je tehnika teska i zakomplicirana, a u biti je vrlo jednostavna!

Mogla bih cak reci da splesti ovu "riblju kost" pletenicu, nije nista teze od obicne pletenice.

Mozda ce vam u pocetku trebati malo vise vremena, dok se ne isprakticirate, ali, vjerujte mi, zaista je jednostavno!

Evo kako takva pletenica izgleda izbliza:

Kada ispletem ovu pletenicu, nezaobilazno dobijem barem par upita kako sam to napravila, i je li to moja kosa, ili umetak! hihi :)

Ova frizura odlicna je za dane kada ne znate bas sto biste s kosom!
Ja ju volim nositi i na posao, obicno kada znam da cu morati dugo raditi i kada ne zelim da mi kosa "smeta" oko lica :)
...te naravno, kada zelim privuci par sigurnih komplimenata! ;)

Za vas, napravila sam mali video tutorijal, u kojem vam pokazujem tehniku "pletenja".

Tutorijal pogledajte ovdje:

Here is the same hairstyle (fistail braid) tutorial, in english language:

(Engleska verzija tutorijala):

I hope this was clear and that you managed to pick up the technique right away!

Nadam se da je tutorijal bio dovoljno jasan, da ste odmah uspijele pokupiti tehniku, i da cete i same isprobati napraviti ovu pletenicu! :)

Ukoliko se odlucite napraviti ovu frizuru, zalijepite mi vasu slicicu na mojoj facebook stranici i budimo tamo prijatelji! :)

Puno vam hvala sto pratite moj blog!

Velika pusa iz Italije,

xoxo, S.

Please take a moment to vote for me in Starcentral's magazine FASHIONISTA OF THE MONTH Poll! It really means a lot!

You can vote for me every day :)The contest is open until November, 21st. 2012.

Thank you so much!!! 

CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR ME (AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE)

Podarite mi svoj glas u natjecaju "Fashionista of the month".

Glasati mozete svaki dan, do 21.11.2012.

Kliknite OVDJE kako biste glasali (na kraju stranice, kliknite na moje ime, Sonia Verardo, pa "vote"!)

To mi zaista puno znaci! Puno vam hvala i velika pusa svima :* ♥

Summer Make Up Tutorial: Glowing Beauty

I was inspired by warm & sunny weather we've been enjoying here in Italy in the past days (ooops, now that I've said that, it started raining!!!) to create a summer appropriate make up look.

Something natural, quick to acheive, yet a bit glowing & shimmery :)

Here is the result:

And here are all the products I needed to create this look:

FACE BASE:

- essence pure skin cover stick 02 sand

- Garnier roll- on anti- dark circles 02

- Bottega Verde fondotinta No Transfer

(No transfer foundation with extract of Orchid and Vitamin E)

- MAC mineralized skinfinish natural in Medium plus

- Confessions of a concealaholic kit by Benefit (Boi-ing concealer 01)

FACE "TOOLS" (Brushes):

- Face sponges (angled for foundation, round for a concealer)

- kabuki Sephora #50

- ecotools liquid founadtion brush

- Kiko face 106

EYES:

- MAC Rubenesque paint pot

- NYX Eyeshadow Base 02 w/pearl

- Physicians Formula Shimmer Custom Eye Enhancing Strips gel cream liner Blue Eyes

- Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Blue Eyes Custom Eye Enhancing mascara duo

- MAC irridescent powder/loose Silver Dusk

& BRUSHES:

- Shu Uemura 2R Sable

- Born Pretty small blush brush

FOR THIS LOOK, FINGERS ARE YOUR BEST TOOLS! ;)

CHEEKS:

- Avon true colour blush in russet

- essence sun club blondes- lighter skin All Over Shimmer for eyes, face & body 01 Ibiza Sun

& BRUSHES:

- Born Pretty Fan brush

- Born Pretty angled blush brush

LIPS:

- Pupa non conventional beauty multiplay #18 Triple purpose eye pencil

- Cargo the reverse lip liner

- MAC amplified creme lipstick Vegas Volt

- Stila it gloss lip shimmer

Watch my step-by- step tutorial CLICK HERE!

About my hair: In this video, I'm also giving you a short "hair update", talking about my big dark roots showing, because I haven't been at the hairdresser's for 2 months...joking that now I have the "ombre" hair trend going on...

Well, NEW UPDATE: I filmed this video past week, before I went to have my highlights & cut done at the hairdresser's salon! I'm satisfied with the result and can be calm for other two months or so...but still, I wish my hair would just grow naturally blonde, lol ;)

The pics down bellow were taken just after my visit to the hairdresser's, in the same afternoon:

Well, girls, I hope you enjoyed this little beauty chit-chat!

Let me know do you like my make up tutorial!

& please answer the new poll I have going on, on my blog :)

You'll find the questions at the top right side of my blog!

I'm going to London soon & I'd like to know what would you like to see on my blog/youtube, related to my trip :)

If you have any good  UK cosmetic brand recommendations, don't hesitate to leave me a comment!

xoxo Sonja,