L'Oreal Paris Healthy Look

Hooray for ammonia-free colors!

Lately I've only been using ammonia-free colors. I dye my hair more than I should, partially because my hair grows really fast, and partially because my hair color always seems to fade back to a blonde tone in a short amount of time. Next time I color, (which won't be for a while since I just DIY ombré'd over my fresh dye) I plan on using a semi-permanent color.

I've used Clairol Natural Instincts before, and they work okay, but I don't find them to be as vibrant as a regular permanent color. I recently came across the L'Oreal Paris Healthy Look Color, which are also semi-permanent, meaning they last through 28 shampoos.

There are 26 colors in the line. They are all a créme gloss, much like the Garnier Olia color I used and reviewed this week.

I would probably chose to use the Dark Golden Blonde color, or maybe be daring and go for Light Auburn Brown.

Have you ever used L'Oreal Paris Healthy Look hair color? Do you, or have you ever, used a semi-permanent hair color? Comment below!

Garnier Olia Hair Color

I dye my hair a lot, probably more than I should. I don't even color it too from my natural color, but I like to add some red tones and make my hair more vibrant.

I always look at new colors at drugstores. I came across Garnier Olia at CVS last month in a brand new display. I had JUST colored my hair a few days before, but felt the urge to try this new color...so I had it sitting in my dorm for a month just waiting to be used. 

I was drawn into this product based on the fact that it is 60% oil based and supposedly less damaging to hair. The box also claimed to have a pleasant smell...that's a definite plus! 

The color I felt was best suited for my wants was Light Golden Brown. On the box, it looks really warm and fairly light. 

The kit come with a colorant, color activator, a conditioning cream, and tear-drop shaped applicator bottle. I was worried that having to mix both parts of the dye was going to be messy, but it worked out well. I am used to using foam colors, so switching to a cream was a bit of a change. I found the application to be easy, except for the applicator bottle slipping out of my hands often. Not too happy about the dye splatter on my dorm floor...

The hair dye was easy to rinse out. I used about half the tube of conditioning cream, stepped to the side, and let it soak in for 7 or 8 minutes. That rinsed out well too. 

The color itself is really nice, but definitely darker than I expected. It's all uniform and very rich looking, but I am still bummed out that my hair is so dark. Yes, I know it will lighten in a week or two, but it's just not what I wanted. Nonetheless, it's very pretty and dimensional. 

The best part of this is that my hair IS SO SOFT! I don't think my hair has ever been this silky smooth before! I could not stop touching it for the life of me. This fact alone is enough to have me hooked.

Before...

After...

As you can see, the color is not a drastic change, just a touch up, but still turned out darker, and ultimately more vibrant. 

I'll update in a few days!

XOXO, Bear

Price: $10

Pros: Super soft and silky hair; vibrant colors.

Cons: More difficult to use than other dyes.

Overall rating: 8.5

American BB Creams: the good, the bad, and the toxic.

Hello readers! Given this is my first post, I might be better off saying "hello roommate!" or "hello mom!" since I'm sure they are my only page viewers right now...haha. 

BB creams seem to be the latest craze amongst all mid-range and drugstore brands of makeup, claiming to be an "Asian sensation!" in skincare. Some even go as far as saying their product is a miracle for the skin...as if the 9-in-1 claims ween't enough to draw us in already.

I had my first experience with a BB cream this past summer. I reserve wearing liquid foundation and primer only for special occasions, especially since so many only seem to irritate my already oily/combination skin. For me, this "miracle" cream was going to be an option for my skin to look great and even-toned without overdoing it on the foundation. After all, a sheer tinted powder just wasn't going to cut it come fall. 

I have done much research on many American BB creams, tested many, and dug into their ingredients in order to classify and rate each one. I am in no way, shape, or form, a chemist, but I know a lot about what ingredients are potentially toxic in skin care. To determine "bad ingredients" for each BB cream, I am using these two lists: The Dirty Dozen and Top 15 Most Dangerous Ingredients.

*I understand that American BB Creams do not add up to their Asian predecessor, and since I have never tried a real Asian BB cream, I cannot judge these American ones based on that, but base it on being a skin tinting and moisturizing cream.

Products I have tried:

(I plan on updating this post as I try new BB creams.)

Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector in Light/Medium

Price: $13

Good ingredients: Glycerin, which promotes hydration, which may be bad for oilier skin

Bad ingredients: Disodium EDTA, a chelator, which "perfects" low-grade materials

Pros: Evens skin tone; SPF 15; long lasting 

Cons: Very creamy and a little greasy

Skin type: Normal; combination

Overall rating: 7

Overall, I really like this BB cream, though it doesn't do too much for my skin but tint it ever so slightly. I am happy with the results, and the ingredients for the  most part. 

Aveeno Clear Complexion BB Cream in Fair to Light

Price: $17

Good ingredients: Soybeen seed extract

Bad ingredients: Fragrance; urea

Pros: SPF 30, oil-free, soy-based

Cons: Not many shade options...only one I saw was fair-light

Skin type: Normal; combination; oilier skin; dry

Overall rating: 8

I really like this BB cream/tinted moisturizer because it's very light and refreshing. It will be great for the summer because of the broad spectrum SPF and it's not greasy feeling at all. Not happy it contains urea and fragrance though...why must they put fragrance in it? Doesn't make my skin feel/look oily. Also on the pricy side.

Too Faced Tinted Beauty Balm in Vanilla Glow

Price: $34

Good ingredients: Ginseng and other root extracts

Bad ingredients: Glycerin, which may be bad for oilier skin

Pros: Paraben free, SPF 20, vegan, oil-free, hypoallergenic

Cons: Costly for 1.5 fl. oz.; almost too silky

Skin type: Normal to combination; dry

Overall rating: 8

Products I will not try because of horrible, toxic ingredients:

Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream

-Loaded with parabens

L'Oreal Studio Secrets Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream in Light

-Also contains parabens

I will add to this list as I try more. 

What are your thoughts on the above mentioned BB creams? Do you look for specific ingredients in your makeup that are either winners or losers? Comment below!