So it seems that silk in beauty is hot again! Manufacturers of beauty products have quickly jumped on the trend and have added silk to their products for the extra added appeal.
Silk is wonderful.
If you have ever run your hand over a silky garment (like that of a traditional Chinese dress "Qi-pao"), you would know what a wonderful sensation that is. Who wouldn't want their hair or skin to feel exactly like that? The benefits from silk lies in the fact that it contains 18 amino acids that have the same PH balance as our skin. These amino acids are said to have anti-aging effects and help to hold moisture in the skin. We typically see silk part of the ingredients list in our skin moisturizers, mineral makeup, or hair care products. But lately, you may come across silk used in the most unexpected or unusual places.
Case 1 - Hairdryer
The Imetec Nutriheat hairdryer is said to release silk proteins while drying hair. The silk capsule inside the dryer releases a stream of silk when hot air blows through it. It seems that these capsules need to be replaced about every 6 hair-drying sessions.
What do you all think? Do you think this is a must try for me? Is this where I should invest my money into, instead of say, a new pair of shoes? Or maybe you already have this and have something to say about it? I would really love to hear what you think.
Case 2 - Pillows Cases
This pillow case from SilkSkin is supposed to slow the process of aging, wrinkles, bed head, decrease bed mites, help with thinning hair (as tossing and turning is supposedly rough on our hair!) and give you a better night's sleep. I love the idea of sleeping on luxurious silk sheets and on decadent silk pillow cases, but for the price of them I think I would rather invest in another face cream.
What is your take on this? Perhaps you think that this is worth its price (approx. 70 USD) and would like to share your reasons why?
Photo credits: chinadaily.com, silkskin.co.uk, trevorsorbie.com
Tuesday
Beauty Walking The Silk Road
Monday
Beauty Geek - SPINLASH
The geek in me has a deep fascination for electronic gadgets. My house is fitted with all sorts of these that sometimes make things a little easier for me. I was shopping around in Amsterdam's Schiphol airport (which has fantastic shopping these days by the way) and I came across a shop selling all sorts of gadgets. I laid my eyes on an alarm clock that is fitted on 2 large wheels, and it rolls around the room ringing when it is time for you to get up! I laughed out loud at it because I was imagining me chasing the alarm clock, with half-open eyes, and watching it run out of the room and down the stairs!
This brings me to another gadget pictured here called SPINLASH. You might remember that I voiced disbelieve about this in a previous post. The rotating mascara wand came packaged with it's own wand-holder, and a black mascara.
Let's compare the company's claims against my personal experience with it:
Spinlash 1 : Synthetic brush - 'glide gently and smoothly through.."
I do like mascaras with rubber brushes because they are gentler than the traditional brush on our eyes and lashes. Spinlash's brush is pretty straight all around with a slight thicker middle. The bristles are soft and glides easily through my lashes.
Spinlash 2 : 'Gentle motion of the rotating brush separates lashes while it coats, lengthens, & volumizes."
The rotation happens a lot slower than I thought it would. The fact that it is so slow made it less intimidating during my first trial. Honestly, I didn't want to like this thing. But I was amazed at how easily it combed through my lashes and caught all the little clumps my mascara had left behind. The button on its mid section of the wand controls the brush's direction of rotation. This is smart because it makes it easy to switch between both eyes.
The part of the claim where I am not so sure about is lengthening and volumizing. The mascara that comes with the wand left a rather undesirable effect for me. I normally look for length and volume from any given mascara and this mascara falls short in both categories. I imagine though if you are looking for something completely natural, this is not so bad.
How I use it
I have quite many lash combs which I never use because I find them rather intimidating (hard plastic or metal + unsteady hands near my eyes = accident waiting to happen). Instead, I opt to choose a clump-free mascara, or just ignore the clumps on my lashes (!).
This rotating wand was rather enjoyable to use because all I have to do is hold it under my lashes (which I have already applied mascara to), as it detangles away my mascara mess. I love to watch all the clumps just fall off and land on the soft rubbery brush. After every use, I wash the brush with soap and water, as I would with any lash comb.
Verdict
I love it and I would buy it as a well-performing lash comb, but not to apply mascara. However, I wished that the batteries inside the wand were replaceable. The way it is designed now, the opening to the batteries is glued shut. So after the batteries are used up, the entire wand has to be disposed.
Mascara comes in brownish black or black, both valued at 14.95 USD. More information at Spinlash.com
Wednesday
Beauty Tools: Fix "Disorderly Lashes"!
There never seems to be a shortage of gadgets claiming to enhance our quality of life or make life easier; especially when it comes to beauty products. I have a room full of many sensationalized gadgets that I am ashamed to admit I own.
My first reaction was of course, intrigue, when I saw the Spinlash. Like with most beauty products that I encounter, I develop almost an obsession with studying and starring at there every aspect.
This particular gadget claims to "revolve around you", as it applies mascara to your lashes. It works by rotating 360 degrees in both directions (for using on upper and lower lashes) to "declump" our "disorderly lashes". I have come across claims that this little wand has solved many clumping and separating issues commonly associated with applying mascaras. On the other hand, I also read that it is time-consuming and that the buttons 'stick' on the wand. The wand can also be used with your own brand of mascara, but it does come with a choice of black of brown mascara.
This reminds me of the rotating hair brush that we used to see on tv. I don't actually own one of those because I think it may be damaging to our hair. If any of you own one and like it though, please do share with us.
What is your opinion? Do you think that this tool will help make mascara-application easier?
Thursday
Nexcare Acne Dressing 3M
Following one of my last post where I confessed on being an avid 'spot-picker', I have come across a product from a company that you are probably quite familiar with. Nexcare/3M has produced a product which addresses acne spots and they come in not an ointment, but in the form of sticky bandages. This is one of the most interesting idea I have come across lately and they really deserve an award for ingenuity!
How it works (as described by Nexcare):
- Hydrocolloid dressing absorbs secretion and promotes healing of acne.
- The dressing protects acne from dirt and other contaminants.
- Waterproof and breathable.
I found it quite enjoyable to use as the cute little buttons (comes in 2 sizes) were pre-cut to fit spots of any size. I have also cut the biggest circle in half to cover different spots. The dressing sticks on contact (on cleaned, dried skin) and remained there during a full night of tossing and turning sleep. I had forgotten that I had them on until I looked into the mirror in the morning to find circular spots on my face! (In case you were wondering, they did not leave any imprints on my skin .) The result? The spots that I would have otherwise extracted or squeezed at were flattened. A few of the dressings had white spots on them when removed (a sign that they have absorbed something from my skin). Since I have not had a deep pimple recently, I cannot report on how well they work on them.
Summary: As long as you don't have any company over, or whoever is sleeping next to you don't mind, have fun with these! I have ceased to stress/obsess over little spots since I got these. Give them a try and share your likes and/or dislikes with us!
Credits: Grayburn, Nexcare/3M
Monday
Forget about diets; Tights To the Rescue!
Another interesting item I spotted; this one is actually beauty related.
These Japanese-made tights claim to help you work off 410 kcal per hour. It has little massaging 'fingers' and comes in all sorts of colors because you are supposed to wear them like your usual tights. I might get myself some for a try!
Read about what else I've spotted
photo: jpmon.com
A Marshmallow shooter for you?
This is off topic but I could not resist not sharing with you. I spotted this while online surfing/shopping. This is called a Marshmallow shooter and it comes in several colors at drugstore.com.
I can picture that this could be fun at a bonfire or perhaps if your grandparents have a fireplace or at the movie theatre? Or to shoot at birds eating your new plantings?
The uses may be limitless and it could be fun actually.
Read about what else I've spotted
