Kerastase Elixir Ultime review

...An extraordinary blend of beautifying oils for ultimate softness and shine...

So last month I was sent*** this cult beauty product to try out, and these are my thoughts on it!

First off, let's get a couple of things out of the way before we get to the actual synthesis of the product:

For this intricate ottoman-esque pattern on the packaging, Kerastase collaborated with designer brand YAZBUKEY- aka two sisters from Egypt with a flair for unique and funky jewelry. It's the first time Elixir Ultime is dressed up in a Limited Edition bottle- and righty so, because such hair oils that have been used by women in all Eastern civilizations for centuries are back in fashion, so this new arabesque design gives the product a more "down to the roots" feel.
And you know me, I'm the last person to favour anything LE- but, since the product inside is the same as it's always been, I sure don't mind a mere change on the label!

As for the scent, OMG... Think of an expensive amber floral perfume, that's what is smells like! Honestly, if there is a proper perfume on the market that smells like Elixir Ultime, it shall go straight to my wishlist!

Now, for the actual formula inside:

Kerastase markets Elixir Ultime as a multi-tasking product that can be used on all hair types, wet or dry hair, etc.; and if you look at the ingredients list, you can see why:

Containing both oils and silicone, you get the best of both worlds- the nutritive values of 4 oils (Argan, Camelia, Maize, Pracaxi) with the lightweight texture of silicone.
While on the subject, I don't see any problem applying makeup or hair products containing silicone- as long as they're used in moderation.

So, which are the ways to apply it?

Before shampooing: tried that method and wasn't impressed, purely because all its gorgeous scent got vanished after I washed my hair...
After shampooing: leaves my hair conditioned, shiny and smelling fantastic!
Before styling: makes my hair straighteners glide like a dream! Needless to say, Elixir Ultime has become an indispensable product in my styling routine. That is, when I actually decide to style my hair...
As a finishing touch: so as to give emphasis to some locks and make them shinier.
Throughout the day: I can imagine this method working a treat on dry/coloured hair, but mine are fairly healthy so I omit this application, too.

In the end, would I recommend Elixir Ultime?

Well, Elixir Ultime is valued as a cult product in the haircare market and if you do spend much time on your hair, you have to try it out. Personally, I hadn't used any oils/silicones before as I thought it was unnecessary, but now I seem to keep reaching for this one all the time! It might make it to a permanent fixture in my haircare routine, we'll see...

What are your thoughts on Elixir Ultime?
Have you tried any Kerastase products?

***I was contacted to receive this product by Kerastase. I wasn't asked to write a review and I wasn't compensated for it. These are my honest opinions; my loyalty is to my lovely readers!

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How I depot my eyeshadows

Someone had asked me how I depot my Body Shop eyeshadows into the Elf quads; so now that I had an extra empty palette from my last Elf order, I thought of taking some pics to show you how it's done!

     List of products used: 4 eyeshadows, an empty palette and a crooked
     hair pin ;)

     First off, I removed the sticker from the back of the eyeshadows... 

     Notice the little holes that reveal part of the eyeshadow metal pan?

     Then I popped all eyeshadows in the oven at around 100°C for 10',
     so that the glue that holds the metal pan together with the plastic
     container gets loosed up...

     Then I just take the hair pin and poke the metal pan through the
     tiny hole, and...

     ...ta-da! Eyeshadow pan removed from the plastic pot!

     There was some left over glue at the back of the pans so they
     sticked nicely into the quad.

Dead-simple, right?

Apart from the Body Shop, these palettes hold eyeshadows by Mac, l'Oreal, Urban Decay, etc. Also, the plastic divider can be removed so that you can pop in eyeshadow pans of any size! Although I have to point out that the metal base is not magnetised but still, for 1,70E I'm more than contempt with my purchase! Made my eyeshadow stash A LOT more organised- so thank you Elf!

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The Body Shop NEW shimmer cubes! palette #20

I've been an avid fan of the Body Shop best sellers' Shimmer Cubes for quite some time.

Up until now, there were only 2 palettes in their permanent range (which I have reviewed in an old post here); and each year, the Body Shop used to bring out a LE shimmer cubes palette to jazz things up- but if you read my blog long enough, you'll know that I stay away from anything LE! Naturally, I missed all of those pretty eyeshadow palettes.

So you can imagine my squeal of excitement when I found out that the Body Shop added 4 new shimmer cubes to their permanent makeup range!!!

I only got the #20 palette so far but I'm planning to get them all ;)

Look at these gorgeous shades... Ahhh I can't stop admiring them!
So happy for my purchase!!!

From left to right, we have: Indigo Blue (HG alert, this colour was the reason I got this palette in the first place!), Starlight Silver (beautiful all-over-the-lid colour), Midnight Black (a shimmery dark grey, actually) and Snow White (perfect to highlight the inner corner of the eye).

It's also advised to use them wet;
the colour impact you get is beyond gorgeous!

Compared to the old Shimmer Cubes, there are a few differences:

* the packaging has slightly changed, see the round corners?
* the new formulation is much more smooth to the touch
* there's 4x3.5=14 gr of product in there, whereas the old Shimmer Cubes
  had 4x4=16 gr. But honestly, it's unnoticeable- both new and old cubes
  look as if they have the same volume :/

As for the price, they cost 20E- and before you think that it's a lot, lemme just say that you're paying for 4 eyeshadows that you'll never use up. NEVER. Also, one has to give credit to the greek branch of the Body Shop for keeping the old price tag- if this new launch took place 2 years ago, they would have totally added a fiver!

What do you girls think of the new Shimmer Cubes?
Would you consider getting any for Christmas?

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September 2011 in pictures

     The only flower in my parents' summerhouse that survives through

     the whole winter! What a fighter...

     Some fruit and vegetables from our bio garden.
     One of those mini watermelons ended up...

     ...in an early halloweeny ornament!

     I fed the neighbour's dog with some leftovers and the poor thing fell

     asleep with his legs open cause his tummy was so full!

     Meet Cookie!!! Awwww my little baby!!! 

     On our return to Athens, there are these two hideous houses that
     literally crack me up whenever we pass them by... I call this one
     the "Bird House"... 

     ...and this is, respectably, the "Barbie house"!

     Back to Athens, a beautiful gloomy sky...

     ...and the first raindrops.

     Two beautiful buildings shot at sunset... 

     ...memoirs of an optimistic and prosperous city. 

     The entrance sign to a legendary restaurant and one of the most
     charming art-deco manifestations you'll ever come across in Athens.

     Who would believe this is a pic of Ermou str., shot 80 years ago?

     This is a solid example of why I'll always love my city and its people,
     no matter the hardships we're all currently faced with. See, these
     guys are not protesting against austerity measures: they are actors
     and opera singers from the National Opera, parading around
     downtown Athens to advertise a new series of performances with
     free entrance to the public.

     A trip to Ikea. I so want this platter!

     My attempt to sweet and sour chicken with noodles...

     French apple pie- of which the recipe kept me busy for a whole day!

     Did it taste yummy, at least? Nope, don't think so! *thumbs down*

     Having a beer with a friend. Love my contoured cheeks, if I may say
     so myself! tehehe

     I saved the strangest pic for the end: no, these are not UFO saucer

     disks- more like sunflowers hanging down to protect the seeds from

     getting wet...

Hope you enjoyed my collection of photos I shot during September!
I find it so relaxing to stray from beauty related stuff once in a while...

Much love to all    xx xx

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