REVIEW: My version of the Oil Cleansing Method.. thoughts and improvements

Happy Sunday people (and on not such a jovial note, 10 years since 9/11 .. RIP .. )

Today I thought I would talk about the Oil Cleansing Method, or at least my version of it.  I've been intrigued by the idea of cleansing+moisturising with oil for about a year, when I first heard about it on MUA.   To me, even though I have dry skin, oil = clogs and greasy skin!

Not so.  

Most carrier oils, especially jojoba oil, mimic sebum, the oil our skin secretes naturally.  Sebum has many functions - it lubricates the skin, prevents moisture loss and even helps with healing of the epidermis.  Not bad ey!  

I have stubborn comedones on my nose that I've had for literally 10 years! Tried AHAs, BHAs and even PHAs (polyhydroxy acids such as mandelic acid) and still nada :( So, eventually, I bit the bullet and bought some jojoba and rosehip seed oils.

Ok, jojoba oil is great for oily skin for the reasons I mentioned above.  Somewhat counterintuitively, applyling sebum-like oils to your skin does not make your skin even more oily! Your skin recognises the oil, and inhibits any more sebum production.  So you end up with moisturised, matte-yet-glowy skin.  

Rosehip seed on the other hand, contains retinol-like molecules (retinol being a Vitamin A derivative.  Retinol is great for mature skin as it speeds up cell turnover and so effectively exfoliates your skin, getting rid of dead skin cells and making your skin smoother and more radiant, and pores smaller. 

Ok so what do I do? The classic Oil Cleansing Method suggests adding 1 part castor oil (a very powerful oil that gets right down to your pores and clean them out) to 3 parts something else.  I didn't get round to buying castor oil, and thought I'd just cleanse with jojoba oil.  While this is very effective at removing makeup etc., it hasn't made a difference to my comedones :( I will buy some castor oil and get back to you though!

In the evenings I use jojoba oil to moisturise, applying it to damp freshly-cleansed skin.  On the nights that I use mandelic acid (every other night), I cleanse with jojoba oil, which leaves my skin nice and soft, remove it and apply mandelic acid.  After ~20mins I reapply jojoba oil and leave it on.  I have to say though, it is better to apply to damp skin as it sinks in a lot faster!

In the mornings, I wash my face with warm water, apply my Nufountain Vitamin C serum ( <3 ) and moisturise 20mins later with rosehip seed oil.

Both oils have a faint but pleasant odour, and an oily texture that sinks in very quickly.  I'd recommend both of them as moisturisers - I tried using my old Roche-Posay Melt-in Creme yesterday (a very heavy moisturiser) and my skin felt really dry and tight! I don't think I'll ever go back to a 'normal' moisturiser now, unless I was on holiday and wanted something with a high SPF.

REVIEW: My thoughts on Tigi S Factor Diamond Dreams S&C

Hey guise! Woo it's the weekend, and therefore I have time to post!


I've just come back from the hairdressers (one of my favourite places in the world hehe), and thought it's about time that I should review the shampoo and conditioner that I've been using since March/April.


They are from the S Factor range by TiGi.  I've tried tons of other TiGi s&cs (mostly from the Bedhead range) and was never that impressed! I know a lot of other people rave on about them, but I was never a fan.  Then I discovered Diamond Dreams.  

Marketed as the ultimate luxury in hair care (I mean, c'mon it contains diamond powder, crushed pearls, cashmere and champagne extract after all!), it is supposed to give you "multi-dimensional shimmer, adding depth and richness to your colour, while protecting and conditioning your hair".


I wasn't fooled by that marketing direction - diamond powder? Try carbon particles!


HOWEVER


I was interested as it is sulphate free (like a lot of Tigi products) and low on 'cones, other than dimethicone which as far as I'm concerned is one of the less evil silicones out there.  Now, this doesn't make it unique amongst a lot of Tigi products - a lot of them are cone and SLS free.  But a combination of the decent ingredients and the downright crazy ingredients (champagne?!) had me very intrigued.


For the 2 tween sizes (750ml each) it will cost you a lovely £50.  I found them on EBay for £17.99 for the two.  Bargain!!!


Ok enough waffling.  From the first time I tried them I was hooked.  My hair was soft yet felt strong, manageable and the gloss! My god, the gloss was unbelievable.  I normally have quite coarse and dull hair, but thanks to this s&c my hair has been transformed to sleek and shiny.  I have had my hair cut twice since purchasing them in March/April.   But I didn't go to the hairdressers for them to cut off any damage - my hair is permanently split-end-free! I just went for reshaping etc.


LOVE IT.




A note of warning however, my hairdresser today asked me what s&c I used.  I gave my usual spiel of the awesomeness of Diamond Dreams and how good it's been for my hair .. she cut me off saying "yeah, TiGi products are renowned for causing product buildup, and it's drying out your scalp."


My jaw nearly hit the floor! I had never noticed I had a dry scalp?! So my advice to you guys is this: try it. It is amazing. But make sure you clarify at least once a week (I normally do it 1-2 a month oops).