I saw the Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Water on sale at Beautytap and purchased it without hesitation.  Sulwhasoo:  You had me at Ginseng.  Everyone needs a little bit of hanbang in their lives.  Besides, my evening routine could use a little more love...

SULWHASOO
Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Water Review

Did someone say Hanbang?

INFO SHEET

Brand:  Sulwhasoo
Product:  Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Water
PH:  5.5
Scent:  Herbal (Hanbang!)
Price:  $82.00
Where to Buy:  Amazon, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, Sulwhasoo

I have to say...  Sulwhasoo has packaging that really knows how to make me feel like a fancy lady.  The Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Water comes in a beautiful (and heavy) frosted glass bottle with a luxurious gold cap.  The thick glass bottle also means that it may be hard to get the last bit of product out as it is used up.  But... it really is gorgeous.  Simple yet elegant at the same time.

Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Water is advertised as an anti-aging toner rich in nutrients that help nourish, moisturize, firm, and increase skin elasticity.  This tells me that the results might be hard to capture in a photo and could be something you can feel more than see.

INGREDIENTS

Water, glycerin, butylene glycol, glycereth-26, alcohol, betaine, panax ginseng root water, glyceryl polymethacrylate, Bis-PEG-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane, propanediol, hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, PEG-60 hydrogenated castor oil, caprylic/capric triglyceride, behenyl alcohol, polyglyceryl-10 pentastearate, glyceryl caprylate, fragrance, cetearyl alcohol, acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, tromethamine, methoxy PEG-114/polyepsilon caprolactone, disodium EDTA, xanthan gum, ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-hexanediol, adenosine, sodium stearoyl lactylate, honey, cetearyl glucoside, beta-glucan, lilium candidum bulb extract, rehmannia glutinosa root extract, paeonia albiflora root extract, nelumbo nucifera flower extract, polygonatum officinale rhizome/root extract, sorbitan isostearate, polysorbate 60, hydrolyzed ginseng saponins, hydrogenated lecithin, phenoxyethanol, caprylyl glycol, dextrin, theobroma cacao (cocoa) extract, potassium hydroxide, acetic acid, BHT, tocopherol

Notable Ingredients:

• Panax Ginseng Root Water - Water resulting from a steam distillation of the Panax Ginseng Roots.  Panax Ginseng Root is a multifaceted anti-oxidant which boosts hydration, smooths skin texture, evens out skin tone, and reduces wrinkles by increasing skin firmness.  
• Adenosine - Derived from yeast and naturally occurring through out the body, Adenosine is proven to be an effective anti-wrinkle and skin smoothing agent. 
• Honey - This peptide / anti-oxidant rich ingredient is widely known for it's antibacterial properties.  It soothes and heals abrasions by forming a protective barrier over the skin.  
• Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract - aka Chinese Foxglove.  In Chinese Medicine it is used for multiple purposes, but for skin care it is beneficial for treating eczema, psoriasis, and abrasions.
• Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract - A powerful skin conditioning agent that brightens, firms, and plumps the skin.  
• Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract - aka Sacred Lotus Flower Extract.  An antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties that reduces redness, swelling, and soothes the skin.  

COSDNA ALERTS

Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Water has a nectar-like thickness.

Opening the bottle I am hit with that glorious hanbang scent.  The toner has a nectar-like consistency meaning that it will run freely down your hand (with slight resistance) and leaves a thin film.  It has a similar thickness to Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water EX, but does not seem to absorb as well.  If you apply the Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Water to damp skin; it will absorb better.  Another option is to apply Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Water after a First Treatment Essence or Activating Serum.  I use it after my DIY Green Tea and Licorice Root Serum as it is runny like water.

After the first night of application, I woke up with my skin noticeably softer.  Like... really soft.  My skin also felt a bit tighter too, but not out of dryness.  It just felt more perky.  I think I'm in love!

FINAL THOUGHTS

First of all, is it worth the $75.00 price tag?  I would say yes.  I already use Sulwhasoo Essential Balacing Water as part of my morning routine and the bottle lasts me about 10 months.  Sulwhasoo's Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Water is the same size; so I figure as it will last around the same amount of time as part of my PM routine, and will cost about $7.50 per month.

The product worked as advertised:  My skin felt nourished, moisturized, firmer, and bouncier.  I also noticed that my skin had a general healthy "glow" and seemed to be more awake.  It just felt happier; if that makes sense... it felt good.

I do not believe this product is absolutely necessary in a routine.  It is a luxury item more suited for those who enjoy pampering themselves:  I.E. ME! :).  So if you are looking to fine tune your current routine by increasing skin nourishment / pampering then I would definitely consider Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Water.

When I purchased Ever Pro Root Touch Up Powder at my local Target, I noticed the packaging looked very familiar.  That's when it hit me:  It looks just like Mamonde Pang Pang Hair Shadow... Do we have a potential dupe here???

Mamonde Pang Pang Hair Shadow Dupe?

Is Ever Pro Gray Away a dupe of Mamonde Pang Pang?

INFO SHEET

Brand:  Ever Pro
Product:  Gray Away Root Touch Up Powder
Shade:  Black / Dark Brown
Price:  $8.99 USD
Availability:  Target, Walmart, Ulta, etc. (Widely Available)
Status:  Potential Dupe

Brand:  Mamonde
Product:  Pang Pang Hair Shadow
Shade:  01 Baby Face Hairline (Dark Brown)
Price:  $14.98 USD
Availability:  Jolse.com, YesStyle.com, Online Only (in the U.S.)
Status:  The Real Deal

I purchased Ever Pro Gray Away Root Touch Up Powder at my local Target to cover up a few gray baby hairs, but then I realized that the packaging looked strikingly similar to Mamonde's Pang Pang Hair Shadow.  It even had the cute little ribbon on top!  The similarities are more than suspect.  I had to find out if I had discovered a dupe.

PACKAGING COMPARISON

The packaging both have the same concept.

Ever Pro Gray Away's packaging has the same overall size and shape as Mamonde Pang Pang.  It has a ribbon on top, a small puff hidden in the bottom, as well as a mirror inside.  The only real difference is that Mamonde Pang Pang Hair Shadow is slightly taller with a visible notch on the front.  Mamonde also has 3.5g worth of product whereas Ever Pro Gray Away Root Touch Up Powder contains 3.7g.  Many sellers for Mamonde Pang Pang advertise it as having 4g of product but that is incorrect:  The actual packaging says 3.5g.

INGREDIENT COMPARISON

Ingredients listed in Pink are a match.

The ingredients listed above that make up the core of each product are nearly identical; aside from the portion of ingredients that make up the color (not listed).  The color portion varies depending on the shade purchased.

BEFORE AND AFTER

Even though Ever Pro Gray Away Root Touch Up Powder is advertised to add color to gray roots; it turns out that it can also perform the same function as Mamonde Pang Pang Hair Shadow.  It did an excellent job shading my forehead to make it appear smaller and lasted all day.  This is great news for those of us who are located in the United States as the product is widely available at many brick and mortar stores (Mamonde Pang Pang is not).  It is also more affordable!  Overall, I am happy with my purchase and feel that it is in fact, a fantastic dupe of Mamonde Pang Pang Hair Shadow.

The verdict?  Yes, Ever Pro Gray Away Root Touch Up Powder is a near perfect dupe of Mamonde Pang Pang Hair Shadow.

Rating

I like to get a Brazilian Blowout done once a year at the start of summer.  Unfortunately, the stylist who normally does my treatment every year no longer offers the service.  Great.  Now I have to search for someone new...

Brazilian Blowout
by a Certified Educator

Is it worth the cost?

WHAT DOES IT DO?

Per Wikipedia as they can explain it better than I can, "Brazilian hair straightening (is) a semi-permanent hair straightening method done by temporarily sealing a liquid keratin and a preservative solution into the hair with a hair iron."  That's pretty much it in a nutshell.

As I was saying, I was in the market for a new stylist to perform my Keratin Treatment this year.  My requirement being that he or she must have an online portfolio and many years of experience.  I would also like them to adhere to the proper ventilation requirements for this treatment.  As far as brands are concerned, I have used both Coppola and Brazilian Blowout in the past and felt that Brazilian Blowout had better and longer lasting results; so I would prefer if the new stylist had experience with this brand.

My search led me to a stylist with over 10 years of experience, who was also a Certified Brazilian Blowout Educator.  We'll call him "John." What caught my attention about John is that Brazilian Blowout sends him all over the USA teaching other salons how to properly perform the treatment.  I also stalked him on Instagram in order to find more candid photos of his work, and to see what other people were saying about him.  Everything looked good.  Though his experience and certification did come with a hefty price tag.  He quoted me for $300 for my length of hair; which is significantly more than what my other stylist used to charge ($120).  My original stylist was... unkempt, but the price was right so I continued to go to him, even though he sometimes missed a few spots... you get what you pay for.  I was interested in seeing the difference in care with the new guy.

I had also texted several other stylists to get prices.  One charged $250 but her online portfolio did not look polished.  I also thought, if she charges $250 and the certified educator guy charges only $50 more then I should just spend the extra $50.  Another lady I texted said she charged $275 and included the after care products such as shampoos, etc.  This isn't my first rodeo so I already knew how to take care of treated hair.  She also did not have an online portfolio and when I did find her on LinkedIn... she had only been working at a salon for the past two years.  Before that, she worked at Whole Foods and a bunch of other non-beauty related retail stores.  Yeah... no.

At this point I was feeling pretty justified in spending $300 on the Brazilian Blowout Certified Educator with many years of experience.  Hey I only do this once a year.  Might as well be fab, right?

THE PROCESS

When I arrived at the salon John was already waiting to greet me.  He took me to his chair and asked what my desired end result would be.  I was wondering what he meant, but he explained that with the Brazilian Blowout brand, you can customize your results.  Unlike Coppola, or other "Keratin Treatment" brands - you can only get one result.  For example, if you prefer your hair to still be curly, but not frizzy; Brazilian Blowout can do that.  If you want your hair to be mostly straight, Brazilian Blowout can do that too.  I told him I would like to still have the beach wave when my hair dries naturally, and he agreed that leaving some wave would be the best look for me.

John also explained that the Brazilian Blowout brand and other Keratin Treatments are completely different.  Apparently the formulas are not similar and achieve their end result in different ways.  He said Keratin Treatments (like Coppola) break the bonds of the hair to get the shaft to lay straight, but as the treatment wears off the bonds are still broken; so your hair ends up frizzier and more damaged than before.  He said Brazilian Blowout uses an "Amino Acid based" (sounds gimmicky) formula that does not break or damage the bonds of the hair.  So when the treatment eventually wears out, your hair will not be worse off than before.  With this brand, your hair can't get protein overload and won't start to break if you do it often.  But considering what happened to Jennifer Aniston's hair... who knows if that's true... I'm exactly not sure what brand she actually used though.  People often refer to the keratin treatment as a "Brazilian Blowout" but not actually use the Brazilian Blowout brand.  Like when we refer to adhesive bandages as Band-Aids but they are not actually Band-Aid brand.

Everything he said above sounded like a sales pitch so I just smiled and nodded.  On to the process...

STEP 1:  Clarifying 
John took me to the washing station and rinsed my hair thoroughly.  He then used a liberal amount of a product called Brazilian Blowout Professional Ionic Cleanser.  He massaged it into my hair and scalp vigorously and rinsed it completely away.  He did NOT shampoo or condition my hair.  This is the only product used to wash my hair, and I believe it did a good job.

STEP 2:  Application
John poured the Brazilian Blowout Professional Smoothing Solution into a bowl and parted my hair into four equal sections.  He explained that this and the next step will be the most time consuming because he has to work with very very small sections of hair at a time to ensure even application.  Focusing on one section at a time, he would take about a half inch width worth of hair and apply the product evenly throughout until my whole head was done.

STEP 3:  Blow Dry
Starting one section at a time, John blow dried my hair with a paddle brush until it was completely dry.  He also pulled my hair taught as he was drying to stretch and straighten the hair.  He didn't focus too much on smoothing it out completely, but he did make it somewhat smooth.  He also took time to work through my cowlicks to undo them in order to prepare them for the next step.

STEP 4:  Flat Iron
John used a 1" Brazilian Blowout brand flat iron.  I didn't even know they had their own brand of flat iron.  The iron was set to exactly 429 degrees (Fahrenheit).  Once again, he took extremely small portions of hair which were half inch width or smaller, and did six passes with the iron for each bit.  Sometimes he did eight passes in the problem areas.  It was at this time he worked hard to undo my cowlicks and even used a 0.5" size flat iron on the cowlick in my bangs.  He did get close to my scalp as he said treating the roots are very important.  Overall, this step took the longest.

*** I also want to note that during Steps 3 and 4 my eyes started to water.  I didn't notice the fumes too much at first, but then my nose and throat started to bother me, but what was the most irritating was my eyes.  He asked me to keep my eyes closed during these steps and gave me some plastic glasses to protect them.  I did have to remove the glasses when he got to my ears and sides of my head.  I also noticed that there was not much ventilation or even a fan, but I guess if you use the right amount of product the formaldehyde content (< 0.2 %) is still considered safe by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Board.  It's hard to really know the actual percentage of exposure though because it depends entirely on the product and the application of the stylist... Since I only get this treatment once a year, I often forget how uncomfortable this can be.  A fan would have been helpful.

STEP 5:  Rinse
Back to the washing station where my hair is rinsed thoroughly with luke warm water immediately after flat ironing.  He said the purpose is to rinse off excess "unused" product that didn't fuse to my hair in the previous step.

STEP 6:  Blow Dry Again
The Brazilian Blowout Ionic Bonding Spray was sprayed throughout my damp hair.  John then blow dried my hair on High with the paddle brush again.  He said it is very important to always blow dry your hair thoroughly to protect it from humidity.  If you still feel a cold spot on your head then it isn't fully dried.  He passed the paddle brush through my hair repeatedly until it was completely smooth.

STEP 7:  Oil 
He put about a quarter sized amount of Açai Brazilian Dry Oil into his hands, rubbed them together and smoothed it throughout my hair.  He then went over my hair with the paddle brush again and the blow dryer set to Cool.  And we're done!

BEFORE AND AFTER

Brazilian Blowout - Before and After

Brazilian Blowout - Before and After (air dried curly hair)

The first set is the Before and After of me at the salon.  The second set is a Before and After of me at home.  The purpose of the second set is to show how air dried curly hair looks AFTER the Brazilian Blowout.  Most of the before and after photos you see online only show the hair straightened; which I don't think is very helpful to people with curly hair who prefer to air dry and be done with it.

Before I got the treatment, the weather was starting to get hot and humid again and therefore my hair became increasingly hard to deal with.  You can see in the before photos that my curly hair was quite frizzy and was only going to get much, much worse as the day went on.  Because of the Brazilian Blowout, I can let my hair air dry and not have to worry about frizz too much.  It still has a bit of a curl to it, but it is far more calm.  If I choose to straighten it, it can now be done in about 25 minutes as opposed to an hour like before.

FINAL THOUGHTS

This isn't my first time getting a Keratin Treatment nor is it my first time using the Brazilian Blowout brand.  I did notice that the Certified Brazilian Blowout Educator was very thorough and proud of his work.  I also liked how he explained every step along the way (it made writing this review a lot easier).  John did not cut corners like the previous stylists I've used.  He said they were most likely not Certified.  None of them did the rinse from Step 5, the bonding spray, nor were they anywhere near as thorough.  The end result of my hair is also significantly softer than my past experiences.  Like... really soft.  It doesn't even feel like my hair.  I have to admit that I did go home and flat iron my hair a teeny bit because I think it helps smooth out my hair more than just blow drying.

One thing I didn't like was that I felt a little too pushed to buy the Brazilian Blowout shampoo and conditioner.  I know how to maintain this treatment but he said that their brand shampoo and conditioner will make it last even longer than any sulfate / sodium free shampoo.  In the end, I agreed to buy just the shampoo at $22  as he said it was the most important out of the two.  At first he refused to sell just the shampoo as he said he only sells it in a set... but then when I no longer seemed interested he changed his mind.  John also gave me a free 3.4 oz bottle of the Ionic Bonding Spray from Step 6 to take home, as it was included with the service.  He said to use it once every four washes in lieu of conditioner because it will reinforce the treatment.  As far as other after care is concerned, he said I can wash my hair tonight or put it up if I wanted to and it wouldn't effect the results; as opposed to other keratin treatments which require you to not get your hair wet for 72 hours and to not put your hair up as it will create permanent kink.

In the end, the treatment took three hours and fifteen minutes.  It probably could have been faster but there were a few distractions.  I did spend $390.  $300 for the Service, $25 for a bottle of Shampoo (with tax), and $65 for the tip.  Would I go to him again?  Maybe...  He was much more thorough so I do feel like I got my money's worth, but the way he pushed the products on me really rubbed me the wrong way.  Only time will tell if it will last longer with this shampoo though... I will update this article in a year :).

I also want to note that I will be searching for alternatives for this treatment.  The amount of discomfort it caused to my eyes, nose, throat should not be ignored.  I used my trusty NeilMed Sinus Rinse when I got home which helped a lot.  I really wish he used a fan to be honest.

UPDATE:  I did not like the Brazilian Blowout Shampoo.  After just a few weeks I realized the treatment did not seem to last as long as my last treatment.  It turns out it was the shampoo.  I switched back to Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo and my hair looked much better.  Maybe Shea Moisture weighs it down a little more, but in the end my hair is clean and not foofy looking so I'm fine with that.

My friends know that I love skin care.  So I was was happy to receive the TONYMOLY My Little Pet Patch in my Christmas goodie bag.  It's like they knew I could definitely use some pampering after a long day!

TONYMOLY
My Little Pet Eye Patch Review

TonyMoly My Little Pet Eye Patch Review

INFO SHEET

Brand:  TONYMOLY
Product:  My Little Pet Eye Patch
Scent:  Barely noticeable
Price:  $4.50
Availability:  Scarce

The packaging design for these eye patches have always caught my eye... because hamster.  It contains one pair of hydrogel eye patches in a small plastic carton for protection.  Application is easy - simply remove the protective film over the patches and place them on your under eye area for 30 minutes; then gently remove and pat remaining essence into the skin.

So simple yet so cute >_<

TONYMOLY My Little Pet Eye Patches are advertised to brighten dull / dark eyes as well is hydrate, brighten and refresh.  Let's see if that is true!

INGREDIENTS

Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract, Caprylic / Capric Triglyceride, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan), Sucrose Stearate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Glyceryl Stearate, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Polyacrylate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Prunus Serrulata Flower Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Lilium Tigrinum Extract, Malva Sylvestris (Mallow) Extract, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract, Primula Veris Extract, Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract, Veronica Officinalis Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol.

Notable Ingredients:

• Niacinamide - aka Vitamin B3.  Provides a wide range of benefits including the increase of moisture retention and elasticity, brightening, excess sebum control, and improved appearance of enlarged pores.
• Caprylic / Capric Triglyceride - Emollient that replenishes moisture in the skin.
• Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Extract - Plant based emollient used to replenish and soothe the skin.  
• Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract - An antioxidant that calms the skin with it's anti-irritant properties.  Said to improve the overall appearance of sun-damaged skin.
• Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate - aka Licorice Root Extract.  Plant extract that brightens and soothes the skin.  Improves uneven skin tone.  
• Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract - aka Sacred Lotus Flower Extract.  Powerful antioxidant and soothing agent.

COSDNA ALERTS

BEFORE AND AFTER 

TONYMOLY My Little Pet Eye Patch smoothed out skin texture and slightly diminished fine lines.

Since my under eye area usually looks bright and spry in the morning, I decided to test them at night after a long day of work.  The TONYMOLY My Little Pet Eye Patches felt like a second skin and did not move at all once applied.  They were soothing and cool at first but then matched the warmth of my skin.  In Chizu Saeki's book The Japanese Skincare Revolution, she states that is is important to warm up the product in your hands for maximum absorption.  So the fact that the hydrogel patches became warm and sat under my eye for 30 minutes is actually a good thing!

I did notice though that they kind of stung a little bit, and at times my under eye felt itchy.  In the COSDNA Alerts above, Chondrus Crispus (red seaweed extract) did rank 2 of 5 in the Irritant category.  I have had issues with seaweed extracts in the past so I believe this may be the culprit.  However, the patches did not cause any redness so I left them on.  Aside from the initial sting and random itchies, I did enjoy wearing them.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I was actually pleasantly surprised by the TONYMOLY My Little Pet Eye Patch.  They definitely helped plump up and brighten my under eye area at it's worst.  I am not sure of the long term effects of these patches, and at $4.50 a pop I don't think they are economical to use as part of a skin care routine.  They are effective, so I will most likely reserve them to use before a night out on the town or a "Treat Yo Self" evening with wine and cheese!

Rating