All posts filed under: beauty

a product shot of klorane dry shampoo

The Best French Beauty Products in Amazon’s Prime (October) Sale

Published by Diana

So! Here we are at another Prime Day, another turn of the calendar page. All the French beauty buys I saw were centered around a few brands: primarily Klorane, Avène, Bioderma and Vichy. To be honest: The American brands I saw on Prime Day this time around were more exciting than the French ones, primarily R+Co (I’m obsessed with their thickening Dallas shampoo and conditioner). That said: Below, the top-selling French products on this October Prime Day, and my review, where I have one. 1. Klorane Dry Shampoo Powder with Oat Milk: The reality is that I personally find dry shampoo annoying (it just tangles everything up, in my experience), but this one, from Klorane, smells so good it might as well be hair perfume. Our review: 8/10 2. Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Water: Bioderma was the brand at the center of all the buzz about micellar water in the years past, but IDK, I don’t find it that exciting? Our review: 2/10 3: Eau Thermale Avene Thermal Spring Water: If you’re looking for water to …

lush dream cream review

Lush Dream Cream Review

Published by Diana

Here’s our Lush Dream Cream review. In short: A legit miracle worker. Read on or listen to our Lush Dream Cream story in the podcast below! What they say: “What makes Dream Cream so effective? It contains every ingredient nature makes for soothing sore skin! One of our proudest product achievements ever.”

supergoop sunscreen review

Supergoop Sunscreen Review

Published by Diana

Here’s our Supergoop sunscreen review — specifically, the SuperPower Sunscreen Mousse Broad Spectrum SPF 50. In short: Don’t leave home without it. (Sometimes I do, but I try not to.)  What they say: “A lightweight, whipped, antioxidant-rich mousse with SPF 50 protection.” Our grade: A The Supergoop sunscreen review: Sunscreens are tricky, right? Not gonna lie: I have trouble getting into the habit of wearing one. This is primarily because — well, primarily because I don’t want to. But the secondary reason was because I couldn’t find one that didn’t make me break out. Then came Supergoop.

Marc Jacobs Youthquake

Marc Jacobs Youthquake Hydra-full Retexturizing Gel Crème Moisturizer Review

Published by Diana

Here’s our Marc Jacobs Youthquake Hydra-full Retexturizing Gel Crème Moisturizer review. In short: Smells nice, looks good, but a pass. Read below, or try our new beauty product podcast!  What they say: “A multitasking moisturizer, with powerful pineapple enzymes and encapsulated sodium hyaluronate, that provides deep hydration and rexturizing results for a glowing, makeup-ready canvas.” Our grade: C- Most explicative Sephora comment headline: “I actually don’t love this product.”

Ouai Rose Hair and Body Oil

Ouai Rose Hair and Body Oil Review

Published by Diana

Here’s our Ouai Rose Hair and Body Oil Review review. In short: Can’t live without it. At least as a body oil.  What they say: “A head-to-toe hydrator that doubles as a perfume.” Our grade: A Most explicative Sephora comment headline: “Nice for body, not for hair” The Ouai Rose Hair and Body Oil Review: Is there anything that smells as nice as this body oil? OK, so, officially this is a hair oil as well, though it was useless for me — my hair doesn’t love an oil, especially in the summer, so I’m just going to skip that particular functionality.

Sunday Riley Juno review

Sunday Riley Juno Review

Published by Diana

Here’s our Sunday Riley Juno review. In short: Hard pass.  What they say: “An obsession-worthy face oil, Juno gives an instant glow to dehydrated skin by restoring and rehydrating the skin’s natural moisture barrier with a blend of organic, cold-pressed, antioxidant-rich, superfood seed oils.” Our grade: D Most explicative Sephora comment headline: “That is $125 I will never see again.” The Sunday Riley Juno Review: My expectations for Juno were high, not least because it comes in one of the most beautiful bottles I’ve ever seen, like iittala bird beautiful: a yellow-to-purple ombré in a gorgeous glass container. But this did nothing—nothing for my face.

Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip review

Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Cleanser Review

Published by Diana

Here’s our Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip cleanser review. In short: Don’t say we didn’t warn you.  What they say: “Gentle, plant-based cleanser pulls out impurities while pulling in clean hydration, for smaller-looking pores and a clean, radiant complexion.” Our grade: F Most explicative Sephora comment headline: “Wtf is this awful new version” (Also: “it smells terrible (like chemicals or toilet cleansers)”) The Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Cleanser Review: Goodness knows what happened here. The old — and beloved — Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip is no more, though here’s a positive review of the original one, with pump dispenser and higher-end ingredients like neroli oil. Where have you gone, friends? What budgeting shortfall did you fall victim to?

sunday riley good genes review

Sunday Riley Good Genes Review

Published by Diana

Here’s our Sunday Riley Good Genes review. In short: A forever product, shame about the price.  What they say: “An all-in-one AHA treatment, powered by lactic acid, that clarifies, smooths, and retexturizes the appearance of skin.” Our grade: A+ The Sunday Riley Good Genes Review: Honestly, I’d be happier if this didn’t work. I don’t need magical potions that cost between $105 and $158, depending on bottle size — ideally, I would like products that positively affect my mood and are free, like sunshine and starry nights. Alas. Here we are.

french girl hair

French Girl Hair: The 7 Products You Need

Published by Diana

There’s a secret to “French girl” hair  — perfectly imperfect, yadda yadda — and I’m going to tell you how to get it right now. 1: Grow your hair long enough to pull back in braids. 2: Wash your hair at night. 3: Braid it. 4. Go to sleep (with braids in). 5: Undo the braids. Air-dry. Et voilà!  That’s seriously all there is to French girl hair — really. And if it looks a little unkempt, you got it right. It’s supposed to look like you didn’t work on it. A French version of Drybar moved into my neighborhood and promptly moved out six months later. That straight, sleek look isn’t going far here. See this Pinterest “French Girl Hair” page for examples. Of course, Parisians love products as much as anybody else, and some of these I swear by with vigor.