Beauty
If you either:
The good peeps at Ry.com.au sent through a beaute little package which contained this cute wee thing.
I couldn't believe how cute this little hairdryer was. Its like my hairdryer delivered a baby! At 1200 watts, the BaByliss Pro Bambino 5510 is just over half the wattage power of my current hairdryer (a Phillips 2300W Pro hairdryer), so you would assume it has less gale force power of normal hairdryers, but don't let its size fool you, this little thing has a bit of pep!
On the box, the brand boasts that this hairdryer contains nano-titanium technology that helps smooth the hair shaft for shiny locks. The hairdryer came with a concentrator nozzle and a diffuser. It is the cutest diffuser ever, and now I wished all hairdryers came with a diffuser (my Phillips normal sized hair dryer did not!).
There are only 2 simple power settings, low and high heat/speed, and I think the whole point of this little baby is that it is a breeze to use and travel with.
I took the Bambino away with me on a weekend in Bowral and it was just so light in my bag. I blow dried my hair a couple of times whilst I was away with my hair flipped upside down, and it was all dry with a good boost of volume within about 15 minutes. However, I think this may have only seemed great to me as I have short bob-length hair. I haven't yet tried it on long hair, but I'd have to say this is the sticking point that would probably frustrate a few people. On the other hand, the machine is so lightweight its great if your biggest problem is having trouble wielding a big dryer over and around the head or simply getting sore arms from blow-drying your hair!
A couple things I had hoped was that the dryer had a fold-able handle and also a cold shot button. But at $AUD45, this is a minor 'con' for a mini hairdryer that does pack a punch for its size. Perhaps the Pro version; BaByliss Pro Torino addresses all these needs while giving more power and maintaining a smallish shape?
Anyways I've used the Bambino quite a few times over 3 weeks now and I have jotted down a quick pros and cons list of my thoughts below. For reference, my hair is bob length (just above the shoulders, see here) and without aid, it would normally dry dead straight. I'm talking poker straight. All the hair around the crown of my head usually stays really flush to my scalp, so I normally need to use a volumising spray (my favourite is the Christophe Robin Volumizing Mist Spray!) and dry my hair upside down or use a round brush to add volume around the crown and front.
Pros
All in all, I think mobile artists and short haired girls would love this little pocket rocket for sure. It's pretty handy and delivers results rather quickly for its size! I've even used it a few times to dry Bailey after bathing him and it doesn't take me any longer than it normally would with my Phillips hairdryer! I'll be packing this in my mobile kit and taking it again on any future vacays!
- Get sore arms when blow-drying your hair,
- Hate packing your big a*s hairdryer in your suitcase when you're travelling,
- Looking for a low cost alternative to a good hairdryer, or
- All of the above
The good peeps at Ry.com.au sent through a beaute little package which contained this cute wee thing.
I couldn't believe how cute this little hairdryer was. Its like my hairdryer delivered a baby! At 1200 watts, the BaByliss Pro Bambino 5510 is just over half the wattage power of my current hairdryer (a Phillips 2300W Pro hairdryer), so you would assume it has less gale force power of normal hairdryers, but don't let its size fool you, this little thing has a bit of pep!
On the box, the brand boasts that this hairdryer contains nano-titanium technology that helps smooth the hair shaft for shiny locks. The hairdryer came with a concentrator nozzle and a diffuser. It is the cutest diffuser ever, and now I wished all hairdryers came with a diffuser (my Phillips normal sized hair dryer did not!).
I took the Bambino away with me on a weekend in Bowral and it was just so light in my bag. I blow dried my hair a couple of times whilst I was away with my hair flipped upside down, and it was all dry with a good boost of volume within about 15 minutes. However, I think this may have only seemed great to me as I have short bob-length hair. I haven't yet tried it on long hair, but I'd have to say this is the sticking point that would probably frustrate a few people. On the other hand, the machine is so lightweight its great if your biggest problem is having trouble wielding a big dryer over and around the head or simply getting sore arms from blow-drying your hair!
A couple things I had hoped was that the dryer had a fold-able handle and also a cold shot button. But at $AUD45, this is a minor 'con' for a mini hairdryer that does pack a punch for its size. Perhaps the Pro version; BaByliss Pro Torino addresses all these needs while giving more power and maintaining a smallish shape?
Anyways I've used the Bambino quite a few times over 3 weeks now and I have jotted down a quick pros and cons list of my thoughts below. For reference, my hair is bob length (just above the shoulders, see here) and without aid, it would normally dry dead straight. I'm talking poker straight. All the hair around the crown of my head usually stays really flush to my scalp, so I normally need to use a volumising spray (my favourite is the Christophe Robin Volumizing Mist Spray!) and dry my hair upside down or use a round brush to add volume around the crown and front.
Pros
- Came with a diffuser attachment
- Long 1.8m cord length
- Light and super travel friendly
- Great price, only $45!
- Smaller than my most hairdryers, by far!
- Great for mobile jobs, especially from a small handed person point of view
- I've always struggled with getting tired arms whilst round brush blow drying my own hair using a normal sized hairdryer. With the Bambino though, I found there was no need to rest in between round brushing sections like I normally would. Hurrah! I can pivot the Bambino in all sorts of directions without blocking my view in the mirror, resulting in a quicker job.
- A good lifted look can still be achieved with a round brush despite it's lower wattage
- Great for creating flicks and curls at the ends of your hair
- The handle does not collapse to make the dryer even more compact
- Can't imagine it doing a super quick job for ultra long and/or thick hair.
- Attachments get super hot, so you'd have to wait a bit for them to cool down before detaching or changing out the attachments.
- Probably could cause some heat damage if you don't move quickly. I found I couldn't have the hairdryer shooting in one direction for too long on the highest setting, otherwise I'd get a hot spot sensation.
- No cold shot option
- No heatproof pouch
All in all, I think mobile artists and short haired girls would love this little pocket rocket for sure. It's pretty handy and delivers results rather quickly for its size! I've even used it a few times to dry Bailey after bathing him and it doesn't take me any longer than it normally would with my Phillips hairdryer! I'll be packing this in my mobile kit and taking it again on any future vacays!
August 31, 2016
My 2 cents on: Curtis Collection
It's been a fair few months since I put fingers to keyboard on here, and I don't want to bore you with excuses for my absence, but let's just say I'm glad to be back, and what better way to start than to talk about beauty; my favourite topic of all time. I will give you my 2 cents review on a couple of items from a makeup brand that I have been admiring and following from afar.
Curtis Collection is an Australian makeup brand founded by Australian makeup artist; Victoria Curtis. As far back as I can remember, the makeup is exclusively stocked at selected beauty and hair salons in Australia and New Zealand, but Ry have recently stocked these on their website. I was sent a few products from the lovely people at Ry, of whom I'm a regular customer, to see what my thoughts are on a few Curtis Collection face products.
September 08, 2015
30+ Days with Hylamide
I feel like my skin story is a never ending novel, this is probably Maria’s skincare story Part 3; Serums.
Until recently, I never saw the need for serums. I gave into the hype of the Estee Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher once after hitting my quarter century and felt like it didn’t do me any good. It was like applying slippy silicone on my face with no real visible results. I didn't having any wrinkles back then, and luckily still don't, but I like to prescribe to the mathematics theory that acne-prone skin = zero to few wrinkles (do not hold me to that one). From what I've read though, moisturisers can only protect the skin so much and the potent workers are really, serums. With my birthday coming up, I’m well into my 30’s, and having spent a lifetime growing up under the kiwi sun as well as the Aussie sun, it’s probably time I tried to see how serums could improve my skin texture while prolonging its elasticity while I still have it.
June 29, 2015
Swatch Of The Week 3 - MAC VIVA GLAM VI Lipstick
Much like the last post, this series of beauty posts is purely to swatch lip colours and a quick synopsis of my thoughts. A dictionary or gallery of lip colour references if you like. No perfecting, straight out of the tube lip swatching action. If the lip product needs the aid of a brush or a cotton bud/q-tip, primer, extra layers etc I’ll definitely make that known.
This is all in the name of helping others find the right shade of lipstick, that lipstick that might just brighten up your day and inspire you to pop a bit of colour or nude in your life, and also selfishly, a reminder to myself of what I have in my stash.
No "season appropriate" colour discriminating here, anything goes. If you would like me to swatch a lippie, please let me know in the comments below.
No swatch fest is complete without this cult brand! This week I'm trying on: MAC Viva Glam VI
Much like the last post, this series of beauty posts is purely to swatch lip colours and a quick synopsis of my thoughts. A dictionary or gallery of lip colour references if you like. No perfecting, straight out of the tube lip swatching action. If the lip product needs the aid of a brush or a cotton bud/q-tip, primer, extra layers etc I’ll definitely make that known.
This is all in the name of helping others find the right shade of lipstick, that lipstick that might just brighten up your day and inspire you to pop a bit of colour or nude in your life, and also selfishly, a reminder to myself of what I have in my stash.
No "season appropriate" colour discriminating here, anything goes. If you would like me to swatch a lippie, please let me know in the comments below.
Anyone with a sense of humour will love the descriptions and the way this brand has a bit more spunk than your regular makeup brand! This week I'm trying on: Colour Pop Lippie Stix in Heart On
This is all in the name of helping others find the right shade of lipstick, that lipstick that might just brighten up your day and inspire you to pop a bit of colour or nude in your life, and also selfishly, a reminder to myself of what I have in my stash.
No "season appropriate" colour discriminating here, anything goes. If you would like me to swatch a lippie, please let me know in the comments below.
March 09, 2015
The Water Beauty Routine
Let's talk skin. My skin has become miles better than the lumps and bumps activity that festered on my jawline, oh, about 4 years ago, right before we moved to Sydney. I was also once a very pimply foreheaded teen, and I have awful high school ball pics to prove it (I didn't believe in foundation or concealer back then...WOW I know).
Since departing a daily air-conditioned office environment though, I have to say my skin has been the best that it's ever been. I can't say that running away from the stresses of a corporate environment was 100% the answer, because I do have to pay tribute to the water beauty products which I have consistently incorporated into my skin regime.
In no particular order, here are the watery makeup removers treatments and toners which have worked oh so very well for me in the last 8+ months... and have allowed me to save my pennies , not needing to visit the skin facial clinic!
February 19, 2015
Would You Try A Dark Lip?
I'm a major fan of clean, natural and alluring beauty looks, but I have long admired fellow chicks that can rock a dark lip. While I don't think this is an everyday look, I can so see this being a, shall we say, once-in-awhile look for Autumn...you know, with sky high turtleneck jumpers, dark jeans and messy bun hair. Of course I write this while I am sitting here wearing a singlet and denim cutoff shorts.
After having a major fan girl moment, watching Sharon Farrell's Goth makeup tutorial, I whipped out my untouched MAC Cyber lipstick and tried the look for myself.
January 11, 2015
My Favourite Posts of 2014
As I like seeing other bloggers reflect and post about their favourite or top posts of the year before, I thought I might try the same in a small way.
My favourite blog posts of 2014 have to be the ones that have challenged me the most, pushed me a little further, and driven some sort of positive change. It's not all about the photos and the recipes, it's all about the stuff (including a bit of help) that had to occur in the background for it to come to fruition and worthy of a blog post in my eyes. It's no surprise that my favourite posts are the ones that happened right around the time I left corporate, I think I felt much freer and ready for a good change. I hope you enjoy this little commentary behind each of my favourite posts of 2014.
December 16, 2014
Festive Hot Pink Lips For The Silly Season
November 15, 2014
The Beauty Sponge - The Beauty Blender Pro
October 13, 2014
Facial Massages At Home
Since coming home from our European holiday, my skin has not been the best and I haven't had very good sleep. My skin is so much drier in the Sydney climate, and probably isn't helped with my severe hay fever allergies which also spurs some occasional eczema. And then I guess some of my anxieties are creeping into my head during my sleep. Happiness from being carefree of a 9-5 comes with the cost of feeling unsettled with insecurities about where my next direction will head. But I'm slowly getting there and working on a plan!
One thing that I've noticed that has helped my skin settle a bit are facial massages, done right in the comfort of my own home! I'm loving this technique as part of my night time skincare routine where I massage in my Korres Wild Rose Overnight Sleeping Facial cream (now called Advanced Repair Sleeping Facial - a new discovery from Athens for me) on my face until it's fully absorbed or for just 5 minutes before bed. I can truly feel the blood rush to the surface of my skin, which gives nice warm sensation and is instantly calming too.
Here are the 5 steps I follow:
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