Biolage R.A.W Color Care Shampoo & Conditioner

I  liked the Biolage R.A.W line when I first tried it a couple years ago.  With the New Year there's a new duo for/called Color Care with coconut milk and meadowfoam seed oil to help keep color vibrant as well as longer lasting with no sulfates.

Color Care is gentle but gets hair very clean . Hair doesn't feel stripped . It 's not  a super moisturizing shampoo, but adds a light amount and also lathers pretty well.  The conditioner is similar, adding medium moisture  . It's not heavy and hair feels soft and with some volume. If you have very dry hair you'll need something heavier or you can rely on a  leave in before styling. I used a leave in as I always do and a touch of oil to the ends when dry and was good to go. Note also, right now my ends are really in need a trim and are dry.

As with all R.A.W products, these are more natural and organic. Color Care shampoo is 86% natural origin, the conditioner 98% .  The are silicone, paraben free with no animal ingredients and are vegan.


Biolage R.A.W Color Care  Shampoo & Conditioner  is available beginning February along with an in salon treatment and are $25 each at Matrix salons and Ulta.

Burt's Bees Mint Cocoa Lip Balm

It's Winter and that means time to stock up on the lip balm .

Burt's Bees seasonal flavor for Holiday/Winter this year is Mint Cocoa.

The balm has more cocoa than mint flavor and scent and while it is a bit of a synthetic smelling/tasting cocoa, it's not bad and I find that the smell gives me  a little mood boost when I apply( chocolate can have that effect , right?) I can be on the fence with both chocolate and mint flavors but I like this . It's a  tasty way to keep lips in shape through the season.

 Grab one at your local drugstore .  Even though it's seasonal , my Walgreens still has this and it's online there as well  along with Amazon.

Stella Peony EDT by Stella McCartney

New Stella Peony is a light , airy amber-y floral fragrance,  almost a skinscent.  Perfect for those who like the fragrances to be noticed only when you get really close.

The fragrance is pretty  and soft but the base notes of amber and patchouli give it a little boost.  Initially you get a pop of citrus ( mandarin) , then dewy florals ( freesia , pink peony and lotus flower) . As it  goes along , the grounding notes of cedar, ambergris and patchouli are there . The amber is more pronounced to my nose than the patchouli but both make the fragrance better , warmer and add some depth.

As an EDT is has light to medium lasting power , but can be reapplied without worrying about overload and is easily wearable anytime.

 I have read that Stella Peony is very similar to the now discontinued  Stella Peony In Two. I never smelled that one so I can't say myself  but it seems to be a popular opinion.

Stella McCartney is known for her environmental awareness and here according to the brand " the warm, masculine Amber note in the scent is derived from an innovative, modern and environmentally friendly substitute for Ambergris.  The fragrance’s sensual skin-note is enhanced by polished Patchouli, extracted through molecular distillation and sustainably sourced by local farming projects in Java and Sumatra, Indonesia, ensuring greater revenues for the farmers and a more conscious product for the end consumer "

Stella Peony EDT is available at Sephora . $48 (30ml), $70 (50ml) and $89 (100ml) 

L'Oreal True Match Lumi Glowtion

L'Oreal has a lot of newness coming this month and first up over here is True Match Lumi Glowtion Natural Glow Enhancer.

True Match Lumi Glowtion is liquid lotion highlighter and moisturizer. It comes in 4 shades . I have Fair. I've been using this almost every day since it arrived all over my face ,  under my foundation. It adds light pearlescent highlight. It's subtle and barely there, not super shimmery. Enough to add some oomph and when it's 12' outside our skin needs that. What I like best is that is has a good bit of moisture  with both shea butter and glycerin in the ingredients . No need to use a separate product under it , if you're like me and find this is often enough moisture for you. If you're dry , you'll need more.

There is really no coverage with this and it can be tapped over bare skin, foundation or CC to highlight cheekbones, brows etc. and the deeper shades also work well as bronzers  on lighter skintones.


L'Oreal True Match Lumi Glowtion Natural Glow Enhancer is available now wherever L'Oreal is sold  for $ 14.99