Category Archives: REVIEW INDEX

The Doux SWEETEST THING Honey Moisture Mask Review

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The Doux seems to be the latest natural hair brand making the girlies talk! I had heard of the brand in a few videos I watched but when my hair stylist recommended some products I decided to take the plunge and try the Honey Moisture hair mask. I wanted to try more honey hair masks as the TGIN one worked so well for my hair.

The Doux describes this as the sweetest mask you’ll ever know.  Hydrates stressed hair beyond the cuticle layer to improve texture, reduce friction, and bring that ol’ elasticity and strength back. Restores moisture balance and hydration to the scalp.  

Main ingredients: Barbadensis: For strong, poppin’ curls Honey: Super-charged to fizzle frizz out Aloe: Protects + hydrates stressed out strands

Experience

I’ve used this mask in 3 consecutive wash days to get a feel of it and I do not like it! For a moisture hair mask, it doesn’t leave my hair soft and conditioned as other moisture masks have left my hair. Comparing this to the other honey mask I love, the TGIN honey miracle, this one falls very short!

I noticed the Doux mask has 2 forms of protein in it, Keratin Amino Acids, Silk Amino Acids and I wonder if that’s why I don’t like it. It doesn’t leave my hair stiff at all just not softened. I’ve also noticed some breakage in my crown area- the same breakage I noticed when I was using the Briogeo don’t despair, repair mask which is protein rich very frequently. I think the mask too much protein for my low porosity fine hair and I was using it on my wash days every 2 weeks for at least 3 wash days!

Verdict

I think this is more of a strengthening mask for me than a moisture mask – I’ve noticed this too late though! I’ve stopped using it now and will be using it for strengthening instead. Looking back at my wash days( I keep a wash day log!), I saw that I had used the ApHogee 2 min keratin treatment prior to using the Doux honey moisture and I used it for the next 3 wash days after the Aphogee!! I think the keratin & amino acids in the Doux with the ApHogee keratin was too much protein and I think this combo is responsible for the breakage I saw! sigh

I’ve now switched to the Amika hydro rush hair mask and its a winner! I’m also going back to my TGIN Honey miracle mask as that product left my hair feeling beautiful! I think I will curate a list of protein free moisture hair masks because its really frustrating getting a hair mask that says its moisturizing only have it for more protein in it- I have fine low to medium porosity hair and protein overload can happen very quickly for me. Honestly keeping my hair log is so helpful because I am able to look at the products I’m using to see what is causing issues. If you can do this, try it for a few months- I’m sure you will find it helpful.

The Doux is now available in Boots to check out

HaruHaru BlackRice Moisture Airyfit SPF50

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hey hey wonderful people! I hope all is well.

Carrying on with my slew of HaruHaru reviews, today I will be speaking about the Moisture Airyfit SPF50! PA++++ that I recieved.

Experience

I’ve been using this SPF for the last month every morning and I’m almost out of it. It doesn’t have a strong chemical SPF scent and I have experienced no irritation with it. I really like the pump tubing and had no issues with the packaging! It became a little bit harder to pump out as I was nearing the end but I don’t think that’s unique to this product

This SPF is a lightweight lotion and delievers the non greasy velvet finish it promises. This is a semi matte finish, its not extremely matte that my face feels dry and uncomfortable throughout the day, but its not the dewy finish I tend to go for. Still I very much like the finish of it. It wears very well under makeup and does not pill when layered underneath primers ( I like to double prime).

Is invisible on dark skin? YES! this SPF goes on very easily, blends around the hairline like a dream and leaves 0 cast on my skin! I’m in love with it! It doesn’t sting my eyes either so I can use this right under them!

The SPF offers high broad spectrum protection with a high PA rating. This indicates high protection from UVA which is responsible for causing the skin to turn brown. if you have hyperpigmentation like myself, you always want to make sure your SPF has a high PA rating like this one. Its the UVA rays that causes the hyperpigmentation to darken in the sun.

Verdict

I’m very happy with this SPF and I’m glad I found another k beauty one I like! I tend to love dewy SPFs so I wasn’t sure how I would get on with the velvet finish of this product but I love it! I think its because its not too drying on the skin. This would be amazing in the summer and I will be repurchasing then. Absolutely love how easy it blends around the hairline and how well it layers with under products! No eye stinging is a huge bonus too! Definitely in my top 5 products from the brand!

Do you have a fav K beauty SPF? drop your suggestions and i will be on the hunt for them!

catch you later!

Haruharu Dark Spot Go Away Serum Review

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Hey hey everyone!

I hope all is good! Spring is in the air in the UK and Im so glad brighter days are coming back

I’ve used up the dark spot serum from Haru Haru so it’s time for a full review and some progress pictures!

The Centella 4% TXA Dark Spot Go Away Serum has 5 main ingredients that promise to work together to fade dark spots & hyperpigmentation, soothe the skin and leave it hydrated. These are Vit C, niacinamide, tranexamic acid(4%), squalene and centella complex

Experience

I started using this product on the 1st of feb alongside other Haru Haru products for my 30 day skincare challenge. See my full post here.

I was using this once a day for the 1st 3 weeks then went to 2x a day in the last week and a half. I finished this product on the 6th of March, it lasted 4 weeks and 5 days. It probably would have last a bit longer if I used 2ish pumps lol but Im a bit heavy handed with my products, so with most serums I use 3ish pumps.

The texture is like gel – its very lightweight and soothing on the skin. It feels great and layers very well with other serums. I’ve experienced no irritation or pilling with this. It doesn’t have a strong scent either- I think its also unscented like the rest of the products from Haru Haru Wonder.

How do I feel about this serum? Is it effective? Well, I’m 50-50 on this

I was using the Niod repigment serum which was working very well in Jan but I stopped using it on 28Jan to allow my skin to ‘normalise’ before starting the Haru Haru serum. I started the dark spot serum on the 1st of feb. As with all new active/treatment serums, I use it 2-3 times in the 1st week to minimise any irritation. I was using this serum to treat the 2 dark spots on my chin that resulted from plucking but now that I’m doing laser the hair hasn’t been coming back and I’m able to fade them! I was using the serum all over my face btw lol, but those 2 were my target spots to gauge effectiveness.

Anyway, I noticed by the 4th of feb- the pigmentation was coming back after I stopped using the Niod serum. Something I wasn’t expecting to be honest. It took at least 2 weeks for me to see a noticeable difference with the Haru Haru serum. You can see by 18feb, the intensity of the dark spot was reduced! I was really happy with it, but I don’t think I got any more reduction after this. Looking at the pics from the 21st of feb and 6th of march- I don’t see any more reduction especially in the large dark spot on the right but this may be down to my laser session on the 21st. (the pic was taken before the laser session). As laser can cause pigmentation it makes sense that from the 21st to the 6th I didn’t really see any reductions, infact I even think its slightly(just a tad bit) darker.

I also had a reaction to the laser on the 21st! I totally forgot and was playing with my face later that evening and doing this causes me to have a breakout! This time was bad and it left some dark spots- on my cheeks. It’s like I took several steps back. Sigh!

So why am I 50/50 on the serum?

Well I think I did hit a plateau after the 18th because I still don’t see any huge reductions in the dark spots. Even with the mini breakout I had the serum hasn’t been able to fade those marks and I feel like those are mainly superficial.

Verdict

Hyperpigmentation is extremely hard to treat and for me who is prone to getting it, it makes my serums work even harder! I really like this serum on paper- it has a blend of 3 ingredients known to combat dark spots and other ingredients to soothe and hydrate the skin. I really like the texture of the serum, the gel like texture is very soothing on the skin and I love that it layers so well other products. I used it with retinols & acids with no issues

It works, after 2 weeks I started to see results, but I feel like once I got there, there wasn’t any further progression. I know the dark spots in that area are deep and therefore harder to treat so perhaps I was expecting too much from the serum?

Will I recommend the dark spot serum? Yes and no- I think for deep, hard to treat hyperpigmentation it may be best to go for more potent treatments and a chemical peel( having my 1st one this year after I finish my laser!) if you are doing any sort of treatments that leave you prone to pigmentation e.g. lasers I think this might not be able to keep it at bay and you need something else

For superficial pigmentation or if you are someone who doesn’t really suffer from pigmentation then this serum is more suitable for you. It has the blend of actives to fight the pigmentation and added ingredients to soothe and hydrate the skin.

I wish it also mentioned the concentration of vit c and niacinamide alongside the TXA

I’m really glad I got to try this product and was gifted it- it was on my Stylevana wish list! of course SPF is non negotiable when treating hyperpigmentation!

This serum is available from Superdrug or Stylevana if you’re interested!

catch you laterrrr

HaruHaru Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner Review

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hey hey! I hope all is well. I’ve been getting on with my HaruHaru wonder skin challenge and I have my first review up today! Today I will be talking about the very popular black rice toner.

The toner comes in 2 versions: a alcohol & fragrance free version & the standard version. I’ve been using the free from version. This toner promises to hydrate and prep the skin for absorption and other ingredients to help maintain healthy skin.

Experience

I was using this toner in both AM & PM routines after cleansing and it lasted a little over 3 weeks last month. As I have been using the free from version, there is no noticeable scent and I have experienced no irritation from it. This would actually be my 2nd bottle of this toner! I first discovered it last year when I rediscovered K-beauty and Stylevana. I also used the free from version last year.

I get why the toner is very popular. It really is a fuss free gentle toner that works well with all actives. its hydrating & sinks into the skin with ease. One of the reasons why I switched to k beauty toners last year was because their toners are always packed with lots of beneficial ingredients and the black rice toner isn’t any different! In addition to their star ingredient, black rice( helps to brighten & soothe skin), it also has other ingredients like ginseng root extract for brightening properties, beta-glucan for soothing & hydration and sodium gluconate which helps the skin retain water

Verdict

A simple yet effective fuss free toner that lends itself beautifully to any skincare routine. Whilst I don’t have sensitive skin, I’ve really enjoyed this toner and I actually have a backup in my stash and will repurchase again! I’m sure the scented version is just as great. I have normal to combo oily skin and the sensitive skin version worked really well with it. Highly recommended!

HaruHaru Black Rice toner is available at Boots, Stylevana and Amazon

This is a gifted product.

I will be sharing my thoughts on the rest of the Haru Haru products as I finish them up but my overall brand review will be up next week with my top 3 fav products from the range! Stay tuned

catch you later

HaruHaru Wonder Black Rice Cleansing Oil Review

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Another haru haru review! find out my thoughts on the deep cleansing oil and if you should try it!