Review: RITUALS It's A Wrap Ultra-Light Conditioner for Frizzy Hair

It's a Wrap Ultra-light conditioner for frizzy hair
Retail: $19.00

April showers bring May flowers!  And though it's still March, NYC has already seen a fair amount of rain which spells disaster for my naturally frizzy mane.  Enter my hair's newest BFF: RITUALS It's A Warp Organic Rice Milk & Cherry Blossom Ultra-Light Conditioner for Frizzy Hair Conditioner.

 

I fell in love with the Shower Oil from RITUALS Sakura Collection and had high hopes for the conditioner.  It's made with Organic Rice Milk to nourish hair and create shine.  It's described as an "ultra light conditioner for frizzy hair" but also acts as a "mask" if left in long enough.  That being said, I chose to use it as a mask every time I applied it, regardless of whether it was a shampoo day, or a rinse with water day.  I applied it twice a week to my wet hair, and then rinsed it out after about four or five minutes.  

 

The formula was as lightweight as promised, with a lotion- like consistency, and was really easy to rinse out.  I even dared apply this to my scalp because I didn't fear it creating build up.  After I rinsed it out and towel dried my hair, I could quickly tell my hair felt softer and there was noticeably less frizz.  I'm not sure if it is heat activated or not, but it is also supposed to cut down on dry time.  Since I prefer to let my hair air dry, (expect when it's cold out), I'm not sure if it was a coincidence that my hair dried faster, or if it was indeed the wrap working its magic.  Either way, it seemed to work.

The Cherry Blossom scent I've become so addicted to was much less evident here then it was in the Shower Oil.  Which I suppose is ideal for those who don't like strong fragrances.  But personally, I was looking forward to the relaxing scent filling my bathroom! :)   

 

 Ultimately, I love this conditioner and foresee myself using it a lot in the coming rainy months.  It's great for frizz reduction and makes my unruly hair more manageable. 

FreeBeautyEvents March Giveaway

All you beauties out there know I'm how much I love FreeBeautyEvents.com.  You've heard me rave about them being a fabulous beauty resource and a great way to snag some killer free samples.  Their giveaways are always amazing and this month's bundle is super fab. This month's giveaway includes Beyonce's Rise fragrance, products from CoverGirl, Olay, Suave and more! The Contest runs from now through 3/31/15, winners will be chosen on 4/5/2015 and notified by 4/15/2015.  To enter, visit them on Facebook (don't forget to like them! :) or enter directly on their website.     

 

Besides the monthly giveaways, the site also offers great beauty advice and product reviews on their blog.  Like any of the products you read about?  Keep your eyes open for your chance to stock up!  Easy as 1-2-3, just enter your zip code into the site's search bar to find out which locations in your area might be handing out samples.  It's a helpful way to keep up to date with the beauty events happening in your town.      

 

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Have you visited FBE?  Did you attend any of the events??

Summer Must Have: Australian Gold Spray Gel With Instant Bronzer

 

 

 

Retail: $7.99

 

Finally, the warm weather is making an appearance I am SO relieved!  Winter is finally ending (good riddance) and on my yearly quest for the season's best bronzers and sunscreens, I came across the best of both worlds: Australian Gold Spray Gel with Instant Bronzer. 

 

Its exclusive formula contains natural caramel that works to soothe skin, while the bronzer enriches it for a healthy, radiant glow.  It is available in Broad Spectrum SPFs 4, 8, 15 and 30, which is what I like to hear!  I'm fair skinned and used to be one of those nerds you saw at the beach, swimming around in the hat and long t-shirt my mother made me wear. (Sexy I know).

  

So when I had the chance to try Australian Gold, I was intrigued. At first glance you might mistake it for a traditional bronzer, but it's actually a sunscreen that protects against UVA/UVB rays, and bronzes you as a bonus :p

 

Advertised benefits:

 

Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB Protection

Exotic oils soften and moisturize skin for beautiful color

Aloe Vera provides natural soothing and skin conditioning

Water Resistant 80 minutes

Australian Gold signature fragrance

Packaged in 8 oz. bottle

 

 

 

 

The scent was soo yummy!  It smelled like a sweet, tropical mix of caramel and coconut that lingered just ever so slightly.  A pump dispenses the spray gel-like formula.  It felt practically weightless on my skin and absorbed amazingly well after I applied and rubbed it in.  It was really easy to blend and made it easy to get even coverage.  Surprisingly, my skin was never greasy or sticky.  My skin after felt smooth after application.  I saw a hint of a golden hue that stayed in place and didn't rub off on my clothes.  I'm wondering if the hue will increase when I start using it in the summer when the sun is much stronger.   In the mean time, I totally plan on taking it along to my alfresco lunches by the Seaport to get a head start on muh JLo glow :D     

 

 

Do you have a favorite sunscreen for the upcoming season? 

Review: RITUALS Sakura Spring Foaming Shower Oil

 

 

Sakura Spring Foaming Shower Oil

Retail: $15.00

 

RITUALS Sakura Spring Foaming Shower Oil  has been really soothing on my skin through these past winter months, and has proven to be a great preparation for Springtime.  Like most RITUALS products, the scent is gorgeous.  Made with organic Rice Milk and Eastern Cherry Blossom, it's uplifting, sweet, and totally refreshing.  The texture was unique.  When first dispensed from the pump, it's a lightweight, oil- like liquid with a greenish tint.  Once mixed with water and lathered on, the texture transforms into a gentle foam.  

 

 

 

I absolutely loved using this.  It made my skin feel so clean and hydrated.  When I was rinsing it off in the shower, I could feel the slick effect from the oil after it lightly coated my skin. After drying off, my skin felt silky smooth and there wasn't a trace of nasty, greasy residue. 

 

 

 

 This is a great buy for thirsty skin that has been beaten up by the harsh cold, or for skin that is just typically dry (like mine).  I used it daily for cleansing, as well as shaving, without experiencing any irritation.  Another element I love about RITUALS products is that sometimes they turnout to be multifunctional, without even meaning to be.  Directions advise you to rinse the bath/shower area after using it to avoid slipping, but personally I didn't experience any of the slip n' slide aftermath.  Overall, it think it's one of my RITUALS favorites and I'd definitely recommend adding it to your list of Spring Must Haves. 

New Launch: ISSEY MIYAKE L'eau D'issey City Blossom

 

 

I recently attended the launch event for L'eau D'issey City Blossom, the latest fragrance from Issey Miyake.  Guest sipped on cocktails and were treated to delicious hors-d'oeuvres while experiencing the newest must have fragrance.   

 

 

 

The new scent is a revamp of the originally popular L'eau D'issey version of the early 90's, City Blossom takes on a sophisticated, more modern feel.  

 

 

 

Retail: $ 100.00

Available: Fine retail stores nationwide

 

The perfect transitional scent for Winter to Spring, City Blossom's signature is "life in bloom" and draws inspiration from nature's miracles within the bustling city's walls.   It sweetly celebrates the melting of winter's pristine white canvas to reveal the sprouts of new life that splash the city streets with color.

 

 

For this Spring 2015 limited edition fragrance, the brand invited Alberto Morillas and visual street artist Mademoiselle Maurice to unleash their creativity and imagination.

 

When asked to created a visual that would reflect joy and poetry, Mademoiselle Maurice produced an intricate image of vibrant colors, reminiscent of petals blowing through the breeze.  The lovely graphic appears on both the box and the bottle.

The stunning artwork that graced the walls of the event, all done by hand by French visual street artist: Mademoiselle Maurice

 

The Scent: 

 

This very resonance transforms the figurative and abstract flowers on which the perfumer Alberto Morillas focused his creation into a divine spring breeze: the bright and cheerful opening like the signs of changing seasons, pink peppercorn, and a sprinkling of citrus notes, not forgetting a hint of calone, a nod to the legendary L’Eau d'Issey: the first quivering of a bud that will soon be blossoming. In dewy surroundings, the freshness is accentuated with middle notes that resonate beneath delicately honey-like osmanthus flowers, an invitation to travel – to the other side of the city – offered by freesia and magnolia: reserved and measured, the flower chose to retain its mystery by only opening halfway. Then with the bottom notes made up of natural Virginia white cedar dominated by powerful notes of ambrox and white musk, this imaginary bouquet takes shape and draws its energy, “texturising” itself like the petals of a flower which finally touch the skin...the flower opens out completely, serenely, in a subtle mingling of charm and boldness. 

 

 

I love this scent's unique take on ushering in the new season and more importantly, because it's unlike any other florals that I own.  Its pink packing had me expecting it to be overly flirty and sweet, but on the contrary, it has a crisp, clean feel.  Much like a fresh rainfall, it is destined to make you crave Spring every time you wear it.