The Edit will be a new series of posts on Will Work for Makeup. I hesitate to call them monthly favorites, because they might include seasonal edits too, and also because they might not always be limited to products I actually like. Think of The Edit more as products I'm currently using that deserve a mention for one reason or another. Kicking off this series is The April Edit.
At the time I was given the opportunity to try out Cristophe Professional's Hydrating line of hair products, the Pacific Northwest winter wasn't doing my hair any favors, and my hair was fairly dry and lacked luster and shine. In other words, although trying out new shampoos and conditioners rarely excites me or surprises me, I went with it because I knew I didn't have anything to lose.
The Hydrating Shampoo is by far the most hydrating shampoo I have ever used. There, I said it. I've used drugstore shampoos aimed at hydration and moisture in the past and could never tell a difference, but with this shampoo, one of the ways I am able to vouch for its hydration claims is based on the fact that even when I'm in a rush in the mornings and only have time to shampoo (no conditioning), my hair still feels soft and smooth...not brittle and knotty the way it can often feel when you fail to condition after washing. Also, I started noticing after my first or second use that my hair would start to get slightly oily (from the natural oils on my scalp, not from residue) about a day to a day and a half after shampooing, whereas normally I'm able to easily get to the two day mark without any signs of oil. Though this may seem like an undesirable effect, in the winter, this shampoo was exactly what my hair needed to bring back some shine and softness. It's actually so hydrating that I think I'll be reserving it for use mainly during the colder months when my hair needs it the most, as my hair might end up a bit too oily if I try to incorporate it into my summer hair care routine. What I appreciate and like most about this shampoo is that it does exactly what it claims to do: hydrate.
The Hydrating Conditioner is also really nice, although it didn't necessarily surprise me to the same degree as the shampoo. It is thicker in consistency and more moisturizing than your average drugstore conditioner, but since I was using the Aussie 3-Minute Miracle as my daily conditioner before that, I found that it kind of paled in comparison, although it is important to note that one is a conditioner while the other is a treatment. Unlike the shampoo that I'll likely be saving for the colder months, I see myself reaching for its conditioning counterpart more in the warmer months when my Aussie 3-Minute Miracle may be too much. Both the Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner can be purchased from the Cristophe Professional website and retail for $8.99 each, so still within my drugstore hair care budget :)
I also started using hair oil again after going off of one for a few months, although I can't remember for the life of me why I ever stopped (I'm placing my bets on laziness!). I use one pump of the L'Oreal Ever Sleek Precious Oil Treatment, an oil mixture containing Moroccan Argan oil, sunflower oil and olive oil, and I distribute it through the bottom half of my damp hair after washing, and it helps my hair dry noticeably faster (both when air dried and blow dried), locks in the moisture, and temporarily seals the hair to make split ends and frizz much less noticeable. My hair is extremely shiny and feels ridiculously soft when I use it, and coming from someone who is an avid fan of Moroccan Oil, I can honestly tell you this is pretty much the same thing for a fraction of the price. I've become addicted to its cotton candy-like scent, although I wouldn't surprise me if some find it too cloying.
In terms of skincare, I've just repurchased another tub of the Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm, so I think it's pretty safe to assume I love it. I was open to trying out a new cleansing balm after finishing up my first tub, but after I failed to find one I was interested in trying enough to stray, I decided to repurchase the Emma Hardie one before I could have a chance to be without it. For moisturizer, I'm still using and loving the Embryollise Lait-Crème Concentrè. I find it also preps the skin nicely for makeup, and I've been relying on it to mix with the Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer (not pictured) to make the foundation more spreadable. If I want more of a glow, I might add a bit of my BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector in Moonstone into the mix. I also wanted to give a shout out to C.O. Bigelow My Favorite Night Balm, aka The. Best. Overnight. Lip. Treatment. EVER. NUXE Rêve de Miel who?
For makeup, my current primer love is the Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer because it makes my foundation last and keeps the oil at bay. In terms of cheek products, I rediscovered Dior Aurora this month, and I haven't touched another bronzer since. It's beautiful. No doubt one of my favorite items in my entire makeup collection. I'm still on a cream blush kick, and I already know the Stila Convertible Color in Petunia will be on high rotation throughout spring and summer for me. In exchange for concentrating more on base products this month, I've been painfully lazy with eyeshadow application, instead opting for a simple wash of color across the lid. Eyeshadow pencils like the Milani Shadow Eyez in Brown Deluxe and the Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Amethyst make it a breeze.
Kudos to you if you made it to the end of this post :)
Disclaimer: The Cristophe Professional Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner were sent to me free of charge for review purposes only. I am not affiliated with the company, nor am I getting paid for reviewing them on my blog. The opinions expressed in this post are honest and based solely on my own experience with the products.
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