Cool Things Vol.2: Lush's Mask of Magnaminty

Me in the morning doing my thang #filter 

Everyone and their grandma has heard about Lush's Mask of Magnaminty, but here's where things get a little different, a little...cooler.

Why this mask is super cool:

• it makes your skin tingle
• it's green
• it is perfect for de-puffing your eyes in the morning!!

I'm pretty sure this discovery qualifies me as a genius, that and I have the hair to go with it.

Wise words: Don't get this stuff in your eyes. That would really suck.

xxmindy

Secret Key Gold Racoony Hydro Gel Eye & Spot Patches Review

Secret Key Gold Racoony

I bought the Secret Key Gold Racoony Hydro Gel Eye & Spot Patches because I was looking for something inexpensive that would de-puff and refresh my eyes, especially in the morning. Knowing how affordable and good quality korean cosmetics were, I scanned eBay and came across Secret Key. It retails for approx. $12 USD for 90 sheets (60 eye patches and 30 spot patches).

Secret Key Gold Racoony 

Secret Key Gold Racoony Eye and Spot Patches

Secret Key Gold Racoony Spot Patch

Secret Key Gold Racoony Eye Patch

Main ingredients: 

adenosine, allantoin, aloe extract, castor oil, chamomile extract, freesia extract, green tea extract and lavender extract

Product claims:

• environmentally friendly gel that will moisturize the area permanently
• gold component moisturizes and provides elasticity
• soothes irritated areas of skin
• plant and herb extracts soothe and protect from external influences
• fits snuggly onto skin

Pros: 

• fits snuggly onto skin
• drastically reduces the look of tired eyes (makes you look more awake)
• reduces swelling
• spot patches significantly reduced the swelling/size of my irritated pimples
• skin feels firm, refreshed and moisturized after application (they recommend 20-30 minutes)
• affordable
• adorable packaging :3
• slight tingling sensation

Cons:

• product is heavily perfumed (not recommended for those who are sensitive to smells)
• the shape of the eye patches makes it a bit tricky to manipulate underneath the eye (may get product in your eye, as a result)
• serum leaves a sticky residue

My biggest problem with this product is the scent; it's just a little too overbearing. As a result, I find myself avoiding it on some mornings. The shape of the eye patches are also a bit too round, making it a bit tricky to place under the eye but I got used to it after several applications. Also, they recommend to let the serum absorb into the skin post-application, but I find it to be too sticky. I gently rinse the area with warm water before continuing with my makeup routine.

Overall, I definitely think this product is worth purchasing considering the price, the amount of applications it offers and the quality, in general!! What are some of your favourite korean makeup and beauty products?

xxmindy

Currently coveting: Summer Edition

Currently coveting: Summer Edition by curlsandmindy 

With a formula that claims to be flake-free as well as infused with a growth serum, Eyeko's Brow Gel is something I need to get my hands on. The gel has a slight brown tint, which couldn't hurt, and the wand is super cute relatively smaller, which I'm assuming will help with precision.

Lush's 'Grass' shower gel intrigues me mainly because when I came back home from a year abroad in Japan, the smell of freshly cut grass set off my senses. For me, nothing says 'summer' than the smell of freshly cut grass and razor burn.  

I love creamy pinks and purple nails for summer, and Jin Soon's nail polish in 'French Lilac' looks oh-so-lovely. I've never heard of this brand until very recently, but I would love to give it a go. The packaging is right up my alley, as well.

I've been meaning to try Shiseido's Ultimate Sun Protection + Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ For Face/Body forever. Even Miranda Kerr uses it (as posted on her Instagram)! They claim the formula is non-greasy, perspiration-proof AND sand-proof...wait, is that a thing?

I don't have toner in my skin routine because in all honesty I don't feel that they are very necessary, but I wouldn't mind being proven wrong by Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner. It looks and sounds super refreshing so I wouldn't mind adding this extra step to my skincare routine.

What products are you coveting this summer??




xxmindy

Growing Out Curly Hair: My Tips

I've been growing out my hair since I gave it an above-the-shoulder chop it a little over 4 years ago. Long story short I regretted it-- big time. After straightening my hair for about a year after cutting it, I decided that I wanted to wear it curly as my ends were starting to look pretty tragic to the point where my hair wasn't straightening properly anymore. SO I decided to ditch my flatiron and go au naturale. Cue super unflattering afro; my signature look for my freshman year of university. Fantastic.

Distraught, I went to my nearest hair salon for advice. The stylist was very honest with me, and concluded that my hair was going through its "ugly stage." Reality hit me hard, but I was determined to overcome this gloomy interval of low self-esteem subpar hair. Fast-forward 4 years later, and I managed to achieve an agreeable length.  Through my 4 years of trials and tribulations I feel that it's safe for me to say that I learned a lot, so I thought that I would share some suggestions as to what worked for me and my hair (which is type 3A/3B). Hopefully they can help you, too!

1. Don't cut your hair (#sorryimnotsorry) 

There, I said it. And you know what? It worked for me don't hate! specifically because my hair grows at a very slow rate. If I felt like I needed to get rid of damaged ends, I would give myself a trim (worked out to about every 6 months).

2. Don't comb/brush your hair, especially when it is wet. 

I do not own a hair brush or comb. The last time I combed my hair (apart from when I straighten it) was 2 years ago. I have never experienced any problems worth noting. If you cannot resist the urge, make sure your hair is well conditioned.

3. Refrain from applying heat (obvi).

Heat = damage, especially at the ends of your hair, which results in trims, which results in a slower progress, ya dig?

4. Use a very moisturising conditioner/hair mask.

The more conditioned your hair is the easier it is to finger comb it in the shower, which results in less hair loss. Also, if your curly hair is a bit on the dryer side more moisture will result in more manageable hair when it is dry. The Macadamia Deep Repair Masque is very conditioning. 

5. Leave-in-creams, serums and oils are your BFFL (best friend for life). SRSLY.

Moisture 4 life! I recommend it's a 10 anything! They're miracle leave in product and miracle hair mask have been life altering. 

6. Treat your hair to a DIY hair mask.

My go-to hair mask is as follows: 2tbs of all-natural almond oil, for nutrients and moisture, and 5-10 drops of organic peppermint oil to stimulate dem hair follicles. Massage in scalp and focus on the ends. Leave it it anywhere from 4-24 hours. Wash out thoroughly with hot water and shampoo, focusing strictly on the scalp. I try to do this bi-weekly. Coconut oil works great, as well.

"Ayyyyy--"

Unfortunately for us curly girls, growing out our hair isn't easy. But! it is definitely possible with a little TLC and a whole lotta of patience. I hope some of you find these tips helpful and good luck fighting the good fight!!

What are some of your tips and tricks for growing out your hair?

xx mindy

Summer Essentials: Keihl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer SPF 30 & Midnight Recovery Eye

Keihl's has become my definite go-to brand in terms of skin care. The straightforwardness and simplicity of its products and the abundance of free samples just appeals to me. To avoid turning into a lobster this summer, I picked up the Ultra Facial Moisturizer SPF 30 (125 ml, $45CDN). The formula is lightweight, very moisturizing, and doesn't leave a greasy residue. I'm digging it.

The Midnight Recovery Eye (15ml, $40 CDN) is actually a repurchase and probably one of the most effective products I have ever used. Since I have relatively deep set eyes, I didn't think there would be anything on the market that would be effective in reducing them. How wrong I was. Pardon my french but this sh*t cray. I literally did a double take in the mirror after not using it for a couple months. It is so effective--especially if you manage to get enough shut-eye. If you suffer from dark under eye circles I cannot recommend this product enough.


Hope it's sunny wherever you are!!




xxmindy

Current Beauty Covets

current beauty covets by curlsandmindy 

The Clarins Ever Matte Mineral Powder may have to be my next purchase! I'm practically out of my MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural, and I'm looking to try something new. Not only is it matte, which I love, but it is supposed to have an amazingly smooth finish. That and the packaging is gold; excellent.

I love me a good winged eyeliner, but all I have at the moment is gel. Applying a gel liner can sometimes be a bother because if you're having an off day (which happens often for some of us...), the product can start drying on the brush, making the application a bit more troublesome. The Stila stay all day looks promising and very pigmented. I heard Milani carries a really good eyeliner, as well, but I'll have to wait until later this summer when I'm back in North America.

I'm running low on my Smashbox Photo Finish Primer, so I've been eyeing the Laura Mercier foundation primer to replenish. I'm a huge skincare buff (probably more than makeup) so anything by laura mercier just makes sense to me. Also, this "radiance" business sounds appealing.

xx mindy

My Current Beauty Covets

my current beauty covets by curlsandmindy

I'm assuming that most of you are familiar with makeup artist Lisa Eldridge. I was watching her latest video on youtube and she had guest makeup artist Charlotte Tillbury create a beautiful look using Tom Ford's Shade and Illuminate. The consistency was so creamy and the model looked amazing after it was beautifully applied. You can watch the video here!

I first saw laura mercier's Metallic Creme Eye Colour used in a tutorial by the Pixiwoo sisters on youtube.  It just gives the eye such beautiful colour and depth with such little effort--this definitely appeals to me!

I have relatively deep-set eyes, so naturally I have quite dark under-eye circles. To be honest I'm quite wary about using under-eye concealer because everything I've used before ended up looking very dry and cake-y. I've heard nothing but good things about Bobbi Brown's Concealer Kit so maybe I'll give it a go in the near future.

Does anyone have any recommendations for an under-eye concealer/illuminator??



xx mindy

Products I'm Currently Loving

Macadamia's Nourishing Leave-In Cream has brought me back to curly; it tames my frizz while maintaining the curl. It also doesn't leave a sticky residue when it dries.

I've been pretty stressed out lately, and the proof is in the pizza-face. Clinique's clearing moisturizer has been helping a lot thanks to the benzoyl peroxide. It does wonders on white heads, as well!

I've been coveting Stella by Stella McCartney for a couple years now(true story), and I've finally managed to accumulate enough shoppers drug mart optimum points to get the 50ml for free! It has a floral/rosy scent with a touch of sweetness-- a very sophisticated perfume.

Sephora's nail colour in Techno Girl is a beautiful creamy bluish-pink. I think it would compliment all skin shades and it also looks really nice on the toes!

I recently relocated to Japan and I bought these oil blotting sheets by Shiseido. It is so humid in Japan, so these are a necessity. They came in a cute plastic cover and I got 150 sheets for 300 yen (approx. $3 USD). Not bad! They also claim to leave your makeup untouched.

My current go-to mascara is Maybeline's Illegal Length in blackest black. I don't like adding multiple coats of mascara because I cannot stand clumpy lashes. It doesn't give the greatest volume, but it does provide amazing length with the fiber extensions! It also fans out my lashes very nicely while maintaining a very natural look.

I've heard a lot of good buzz about Avene so I decided to give their Gentle toner a try. My hormones are currently raging so I haven't noticed too much of a difference on my face (if at all), but it feels very refreshing and gentle on the skin especially when you're perspiring heavily all day long.

xx mindy