Review: Schwarzkopf Color Mask

Ever since the summer has ended, I've been getting really annoyed with the way my hair had gone into this weird ombre mode all by itself from the sea and sun. So, finally, this past week I picked up the new Schwarzkopf Color Mask hair dye from my local drugstore. Instead of going back to dark brown, I picked up the #568 Chestnut Brown shade that has some reddish undertones. I thought this would be perfect to bring in some dimension to my hair instead of being just a flat shade of brown. 

This is probably the easiest and nicest smelling hair dye I've used in a while. The idea behind it is that you use it as a hair mask. Therefore, there's no need for bowls and brushes and parting your hair to get all the roots covered. The box contains detailed instructions, protective gloves, the cream developer which smells divine, the color cream with strengthening amino-active protein, and a hair mask with vitamin-oil complex. 

The instructions are very straightforward and simple. Just put the color cream into the cream developer jar; shake for a minute or so and it's ready to be put on. Since my hair comes down to underneath my chest, I needed two boxes in order to cover it all. I didn't end up using all of the dye. I threw away probably a bit less than half of the second jar. 

 

It took me about 20 minutes to lather it onto my whole head of hair. Inevitably it ended up all over my neck, temples, ears and forehead... But it was really easy to clean up with a cotton pad and some oil-based make up remover. 

The most important part is basically massaging it into the roots all over the head which makes the dye turn a bit foamy. When I was done with that, I just gathered my hair on top of my head in two sections and used some cheap big clips to hold them in place while I waited. 

In total I'd say I left it on for some 40-45 minutes. The instructions have way less time put down, but I got carried away with Grey's Anatomy (and then cried for a while after re-living the Izzie + Denny horror). 

I made sure to rinse it out really well until the water was completely clear. I don't really like the conditioning hair mask that came in the package because it didn't really leave my hair feeling soft and silky like my Macadamia Deep Conditioning Mask does. Plus, it was useless in detangling my hair...

Here is the before and after.

Basically, I'd give this a 5/5. It's so easy to use, it doesn't stink, the chemicals don't sting my eyes and make them water while I'm applying the dye, it's 100% hassle-free and it gives great coverage. My dark roots and my light ends are the same color now. And it's not very expensive, either. So, I'm happy with the way it turned out. 

   

Product Review: Collistar - Intensive Abdomen and Hip Treatment

For this post, I thought I'd talk about a product that I've had quite some experience with. I've used it before and thought it was good enough for a repurchase, despite the fact that it's not wallet-friendly - especially for a student like myself.

This is the Collistar Intensive Abdomen and Hip Treatment (with plant stem cells), and it is the Night version of the product. It retails for around 65USD, which is about 50EUR for 8.4 FL. OZ. (250ml). Of course, the price may variate depending on where you live. Now, I pretty much have mixed feelings about this product and you're about to find out why...

"Collistar rediscovers the power of the night with the creation of a brand new specialty which uses the night-time biorhythms of the skin tissues to slim and reshape the abdomen and waistline. Extract of coralline algae inhibits the transformation of the pre-adipocytes into adipocytes and boosts the production of leptin, thus contrasting the nightly assimilation of fat. Hot chili pepper and menthol stimulate microcirculation and the mobilization of fat. The exclusive Collistar Reshaping Complex acts on the fibers of collagen and elastin to firm and tone the skin. Furthermore, the innovative Micro-Patch wraps the body in an invisible 'girdle-film', making it smoother and more compact; carries into the epidermis an extremely high concentration of caffeine; holds the active principles on the skin and releases them gradually."

The first time I used this product was back in 2010. I purchased it in Baku, Azerbaijan where I spent my winter break and along with the cream, I got some type of an abdomen wrap. To be honest, I don't know what material it was made out of, but I'm guessing that's what made the significant difference between the last time I used this and the one I have now. On the box it says that a light tingling and any reddening of the treated areas are a sign of the activity of treatment. When I used this before, I would almost immediately feel a tingling and burning sensation, followed quickly by reddening of my skin. It was pretty weird at first since it was somehow hot and cold at the same time. I'd lather on quite a bit of it and massage it in circular motion all over my stomach and love-handles, then put on the abdomen wrap (or whatever it was), and go to bed with that on. At this time, I didn't really watch what I ate, nor did I work our at all. But, after only a week I began noticing a huge difference in my midsection and I was so pleased with the product that I raved about it to anyone willing to listen.

Last spring, when I joined a gym here in Prague, I decided to repurchase this product for some extra help with getting into shape. Knowing that it worked such wonders for me before made me not think twice about the price. Only this time, there was no wrap included. I would say that this is the reason why it's not really working for me or showing any substantial results, but I also don't feel that tingling, nor does my skin get red on the areas that I put it on... I'm not really sure why this is - maybe they had changed the formula or something, but I am sure that I've come to regret this repurchase and that I won't be buying it again once I run out.

Right now, I use this right before I work out. Can't hurt, right? I'll massage it in, put on a tight tank top and throw on a hoodie. Usually, I don't sweat at all, but I found that this really does help with that, at least. Overall, I'm really disappointed in the product, which is sad because I loved it so much the last time I used it.