NOTD - Inglot 222

Have you heard of Inglot? It's a polish make up brand, similar to MAC but much cheaper (at least where I live). Few days ago I went there to buy something special for New Years Eve and this is what I brought home with me!

Shade 222 is a part of the Noble Collection (or Metallic Mania, depending on the country) and it is a silver shade with a metallic finish. The nailpolish comes in a big bottle and contains 15 ml of product, which is quite a lot comparing to some other brands. I personally prefer smaller packaging for less money because it is impossible to finish a bottle of nailpolish and it would be nice if Inglot thought of some minature shades. As with most of metallic nailpolishes, brush streaks are clearly visible so you need to be really careful during application. However, I think such shades look best from afar and I really don't mind visible streaks in this case, but if you're OCD about it, you should look for something else. As usual, I applied two coats and it's enough to get full coverage. Can't really say anything about the quality yet but I've tested it for 2 days on my left hand and nothing bad happened so I guess it will be pretty decent.

natural light on the left, with lamp on the right

What's your nailpolish pick for New Years Eve? Hope you're all going to have a wonderful time!

A.

Update + Pai - Organic Skin Care Trial Pack

Hello everyone! Just a quick update to let you know what we've been up to in the last few weeks. We haven't been posting much lately, because we're both busy studying for exams. Also, my skin has been rather crazy the past few weeks, so I couldn't try any new skincare products. Luckily it's all calming down now! Oh, and I'm also done taking (Ro)Acutane so it's not a good idea to try out new products either. I have a very basic skincare routine at the moment, so I can easily see any changes.

However, I couldn't stop myself from buying a few new products now and then. I'll be giving them a try once I feel my skin is completely balanced again. One of the things I cannot wait to try is the Trial Pack from Pai! It was only €6 (+ shipping of course) so I couldn't resist.

The Trial Pack comes with six samples and a free muslin cloth (worth €5 alone). It contains 4 trial sizes of their different moisturizers (5ml), one cleanser (5ml) and one exfoliator (for some reason 4ml). All very simply but beautifully packaged. As you can see, there's something for everyone and since Pai is an organic skincare brand, the ingredients are all natural and harmless. You won't find anything harsh either, because Pai mainly focuses on sensitive skin and its needs. As you know, I'm a huge fan of such formulations!

The full-sized products can be rather expensive. Pai does use the best ingredients possible and they're not as expensive as many high-end brands, but for most people it still won't be easy to pay €40 (shipping included) for a 30ml moisturizer. This is why this Trial Pack is such a great idea! If you don't like a certain product, then it won't be as bad as purchasing the full size. And if you do like something, then you might consider buying the big bottle! :) Although I haven't tried the samples yet, I know there will be something I'll love, because the ingredients are simply amazing!

Should you want to read more about Pai and their products, have a look at their website. They're also on Twitter and are really friendly and helpful! (No, I'm not being paid for saying that! ;)) Should you have any favourites from Pai that you think I might like, then let me know in the comments! Take care, everyone! -L.

Weleda - Citrus Hydrating Body Lotion

I always use a few body lotions/oils in rotation and which one I choose, depends very often on my mood. I have a few expensive ones for when my skin needs some extra pampering and I have some less expensive ones that I use on a daily basis. The one I'm going to review today is on the less expensive side but it really delivers!

I bought this body lotion a few weeks ago when grocery shopping. I needed a simple yet effective lotion so I grabbed this Weleda Citrus Hydrating Body Lotion and didn't think much about it. Weleda uses many natural ingredients and their products have never let me down before, so why not give this one a try?

After taking a shower it was time to rub on some lotion. The first thing I noticed was that the product was rather runny and smelt very strongly of limes (which I love). At first I was a bit worried that it might not be as moisturizing as I had hoped for and that the smell would become overpowering after a few minutes, but I was so wrong! It spread out really easily and felt lovely on the skin. The smell faded after some time and I was left with very soft and hydrated skin. I really can't tell any difference between this lotion and some of the more expensive ones when it comes to results!

I am very happy I decided to give it a try because it's a product I'll definitely repurchase. I reach for it almost every day and my skin's always left feeling amazing. And, as a bonus, my wallet is happy too! :) I'm also very tempted to try Weleda's Wild Rose Pampering Body Lotion, because it has Rosehip seed oil as one of its ingredients and I bet it smells lovely too. Who knows, maybe the next time I'll go grocery shopping... ;) -L.

Revlon - PhotoReady liquid foundation

As I mentioned in my previous foundation post (click!), I was planning to try out some other foundations available here. And just few days after I posted that review, Revlon's PhotoReady foundation arrived to me! I've been using it everyday for over a month now and to be honest I'm still not exactly sure whether I like it or not. But before I jump to conclusions, let's focus on the details.

According to the producent, the Revlon PhotoReady should help achieve poreless, airbrushed skin in any light. This effect is possible thanks to photochromatic pigments that bend and reflect light to erase every flaw. Revlon also promises that this foundation will give complete, yet undetectable coverage and a soft, luminous finish. It is also oil and fragrance free and has SPF 20 (which adds to the luminosity). Sounds promising, right? PhotoReady is packed in a nice bottle that contains 30ml of product and has a precise pump that will give you the exact amount of foundation you need for your face.

Unfortunately for me, I wasn't able to choose the right colour for me. Revlon hasn't released all the available shades (there are 12 in total) in my country and the lightest one out here is 003 Shell, which seems to be a little bit too dark for me right now. To make it worse, I noticed it sometimes tends to darken on my skin (blaming my current face powder for that) so I need to be really careful with it. At the beginning I was using my fingers to apply it but I find a flat top brush better to blend the foundation well. Once again a good moisturizer is a must before application, since PhotoReady is ruthless for every little bit of flacky skin you may have on your face! So sometimes instead of erasing your flaws it exaggerates them. Not nice of you PhotoReady, not nice! ;) The foundation gives light to medium coverage but you can build it up, since it does not look like you're wearing a mask. It applies quite well and leaves no streaks if blended well. PhotoReady, as promised, photographs really well despite having such a high SPF! I think it looks well in both natural and artificial light and that's why I can forgive some imperfections this foundation has.

Natural light on the left, flash on the right. Noticing the shimmer? :)

Apart from the shade, I think my biggest issue with PhotoReady are the photochromatic pigments, which are nothing else than.. glitter! I really don't mind a little glow (after all this is an illuminating foundation, I knew what I was getting myself into) and when you shake the bottle before application or mix it with a different foundation, you won't look like a disco ball. However, after few days of using PhotoReady I've noticed shimmer on my coat, my collars, on everything that I wore! It also rubs away even though I use setting powder. Because of those infamous photochromatic pigments this foundation is not really suitable for people with combination to oily skin, since your face will look really shiny after all. Even though I'm dry at the moment I get a little bit too shiny and need a fix after 3 - 4 hours. However, if I blot my skin after moisturizer and before applying foundation, PhotoReady sits longer on my face. So if you have a similar problem like me, you should definitely try this trick!

Revlon PhotoReady foundation, which is said to be a dupe for MUFE HD foundation, has it's ups and downs. If you have dry or normal skin with no flaws, this will definitely lighten up your appearance, but if you have combination or oily skin and hate shine on your face with passion, you should look for something else. I was really excited to try this one out after reading so many positive reviews and I'm not gonna lie, I am a bit disappointed. But if mixed with other foundations it gives a really nice glow on my skin and lasts longer so I will definitely use this one up!

What are your opinions on Revlon's PhotoReady foundation? Are other products from this line worth a try? Waiting for your opinions!

A.

A/W Beauty Essentials: Bronzer

The lack of sun and sleep made me look extremely pale and tired lately. I'm not a big fan of foundations or tinted moisturizers (just some concealer if needed) so I have to look for other options to make my skin look more glowy and healthy. One of my favourite tricks to bring my face back to life is bronzer. The one I use is a gel, because I have yet to find a powder or cream formulation that looks natural on my skin.

Easy application in three steps. Hope you can see the subtle 'tan' on my hand.
Haven't blended it in all the way so you'll be able to see the difference a bit better.

The product I'm talking about is the Clinique Non-Streak Bronzer. It's a very dark and concentrated gel and comes in a big tube. Since you don't need a lot at all it'll last you for absolutely ages! My favourite way to use it, is by mixing a bit of my moisturizer/SPF and this gel with a cotton bud and just simply applying it all over my face for an even bronzed look. It doesn't give any coverage at all but makes you look as if you've spent the last few days outside in the sun. It's completely unnoticeable (if blended well) and looks just like tanned skin. The colour is very natural (no orange face!) and you choose how tanned you want to look by adding more or less of the gel. You can also add a bit more on your temples or under your cheekbones if you fancy a sculpted look.

As with all make up products, it tends to fade away after a whole day. However, you'll still be able to see you're not as pale as before using the bronzer. Also, it fades away very evenly so you won't be left with darker and lighter spots or bronzer in creases/wrinkles. It's completely safe to use when it's raining outside or when you're sweating: once it's applied it doesn't move until you wash it off with a cleanser. Make sure to massage your face a bit longer than usually so there won't be any product left on your skin!

The only downside is that you can't really use it without mixing it in with a moisturizer. It's hard to blend the gel well on its own and it won't look as natural. So if you find yourself in the middle of the day in need of some bronzer, maybe try mixing it with a moisturizing serum or a very light cream instead of trying to make the gel work on its own. I know, I'm not a fan of putting moisturizer (or any other product) on 'dirty' skin either, but I haven't had any problems this far.

So, what are your tricks to make yourself look as if you've slept more than you actually have? Or can you maybe recommend me a good powder/cream bronzer for touching up throughout the day? -L.

A/W Beauty Essentials: Foot Creams

It's autumn again and for many of us it means that our feet will be stuck in boots again for the next few months. That's why I wanted to share a few products with you that will help to keep your feet soft when it's cold outside.

To be honest, I'm not a big fan of foot creams. Whenever I rub some on my feet, I immediately remember about a thousand things I need to do that involve walking. Many foot creams are thick and take very long to sink in so it's best you use them before bed when you're absolutely sure you don't have to get up again in a few minutes. For that I use two foot creams, both by the Body Shop: the Peppermint Cooling Foot Rescue Treatment (which gives a 'cooling' sensation) and the Hemp Foot Protector. They are very heavy and to me very similar in terms of hydration. You'll wake up with way better looking feet that feel a lot softer too!

However, if you don't like the feeling of heavy foot creams (like me) but you still want something that does a great job at moisturizing, I have something for you too: the Shea Butter Foot Cream by l'Occitane. I have used this one before but kind of forgot about it once I ran out. Recently I received a pretty big sample of it and fell in love again. It's a thick cream, but a lot less heavy than the Body shop ones. It's made with 15% shea butter which is known for it's great moisturizing properties and it smells like lavender (like!). It only takes a few minutes to sink into the skin and leaves your feet really soft and hydrated. You can use it at night but it would be good for during the day too, as it won't leave your feet feeling greasy for hours. Definitely going to repurchase the big size once I run out of my sample!

Last, but not least: don't forget to exfoliate your feet regularly. You can use foot files or regular exfoliating gloves, but always be gentle! If your heels are really dry then try to exfoliate them a bit more often, but don't use harsh tools. Also, soaking them before exfoliation will help too! You can add dead sea salt and/or bath oils to make the experience a bit more fun and luxurious.

I'd love to know how you keep your feet looking their best during the colder months! Feel free to let me know in the comments! -L.

Apivita - Revitalizing and radiance mask with pomegranate.

I have been really into Apivita products lately and today I'll review the first face mask I've used from that brand. Most of their face masks come in sachets containing 8ml of product which will be more than enough to cover your whole face, neck and chest! The best part: you get two sachets (16ml) for as little as 3.50 Eur. If you use them on your face only, you'll have enough for four facials! As with almost everything, I thought that low price would mean sh... bad quality. But I wanted to give it a try anyway and I'm so glad I did!

The first mask I used was the one with pomegranate. It's supposed to really moisturize your face and make it more radiant. Also, pomegranate is a great antioxidant! I decided to use the mask on my face only, so I split the sachet and put half of it in a little jar (meant for traveling) and saved it for later. I applied the face mask on clean skin and let it sit for about 20 - 30 minutes, even though it says on the back to rinse it off after 10.

After rinsing it off, I was disappointed. My skin was a bit more hydrated but there was no big difference and not much glow. BUT! When I woke up the next day, I was really surprised! My usual dehydration lines were almost invisible and my skin was really radiant and looked so healthy! Since this mask was the only addition to my normal evening routine, nothing else could have made the difference. I was even more impressed to see that the great results lasted for at least 3(!) days. When I used the mask for the second time, I got immediate results and the glow lasted for a few days again. I guess the ingredients just needed some time to do their work but once they started working - it showed!

As always with Apivita, I can't see any harmful ingredients on the list so that's a very big plus. I can't wait to try other masks and the next one I'll be testing is the prickly pear one. I highly recommend trying the pomegranate face mask if you need hydration and basically a little pick-me-up for the skin. For this price, you can't go wrong! If you have any favourites among the Apivita face masks - let me know! -L.

NOTD - Maybelline MNY 552

Lately I've been stocking myself up with some nailpolishes for autumn and look at this little guy I picked up at the drugstore last week - it's Maybelline MNY in shade 552. Here I should mention that this colour was extremely hard to photograph and no matter what I did my camera picked it up as black. And yeah, in some lightnings it does look like black, but in reality it's a beautiful dark aubergine/plum colour. The coverage is quite good, you could easily leave it with one layer, but I always put on two coats, just in case. I've also noticed that it dries very fast and after just a few minutes I was ready to go. When it comes to quality, I'd say it's average because after 2 - 3 days it chipped a little bit. Other than that it's a really beautiful shade for autumn, especially for a night out. Personally, I think I'll be really enjoying this polish during autumn and winter and I can't wait to pair it up with a glitter top (silver maybe?) for a party.

What shades are you going to wear in the autumn? Let me know!

A.

Apivita - Hydration Serum

Autumn has arrived and for me this means that my skin will be going through some changes. Due to acne medication I have dry skin and get dehydration lines pretty easily, which is not pretty when you're in your early twenties. Ever since it got colder outside, I was expecting my skin to get even drier. And it did - but only on my body and not on my face! The only thing that could have made a difference, was the serum I'll review today which I started using more than a month ago.

I have tried a few serums before but they either didn't make any difference or broke me out. This is why I was very careful with choosing a serum and took my time to look at the ingredients. The first thing that caught my eye when I came across this serum from Apivita, was hyaluronic acid. It is a very important ingredient for retaining moisture in the skin and it also boosts collagen production, which is what you want when your skin is dehydrated and looks a bit dull. Since it's a serum, it'll also go deeper into your skin than a regular moisturizer would. The other thing that I was happy to see, was "98% natural ingredients" written on the box. You know I'm a big fan of products that aren't filled with lots of chemicals, so seeing this was a nice surprise. Looking at the ingredients list, I can't say whether the "98%" is accurate or not, but there certainly aren't any ingredients I'm worried about. No parabens, no silicones and no mineral oil!

The serum itself is rather thick, but still not as thick as a moisturizer. Personally, I like the texture because it doesn't glide off my fingers before I can reach my face. You need to apply a few drops on clean skin, rub/tap it in and follow with a moisturizer if you need to. I feels a bit sticky at first, but I don't mind that at all since I always follow up with a moisturizer or SPF. It also has a lovely smell: floral and very relaxing. While 'perfume' is one of the last ingredients on the list, I think the smell mainly comes from the essential oils in this serum.

So, does it work? For me, it does! I started using it when I first noticed my face was looking very dehydrated (end of the summer) and continued using it ever since. The dehydration lines didn't go away completely but they are way less noticeable and my skin looks healthier. A few days ago I got many compliments on my skin and since this serum was the only addition in the last five or six weeks, it has to be thanks to this product.

I'm always on the lookout for new products, but I have a very strong feeling I'll repurchase this one again! It's does what I expect a hydrating serum to do so I won't complain! I'll definitely try more products from this brand and the next one on my list is the Radiance Serum to help fade acne scarring. We'll see how that goes! :)

What are your favourite serums? Any tips and tricks on keeping your face glowy in the cold months? -L.

Rimmel - Match Perfection Gel foundation

Finding a good foundation is hard. Finding a good foundation when you're very pale is extremely hard! I remember buying my first tinted moisturizer, of course for light skin, and I ended up with an orange face. With that in mind, I was always hesitant to buy a foundation because testers always turned out dark on my skin. That's why I was also afraid to buy the foundation I'm reviewing today but boy, I am so glad I did! Oh, and of course I went with the lightest shade - 100 Ivory.

Before you find out why, I need to mention few things. First of all, I need to say something about my skin type. Well, apart from being pale, my face right now is normal with a tendency to get dry around the T-zone. During my teenage years I suffered from acne and unfortunately I have some little scars and discolourations left on my chin and forehead. What I'm mainly looking for in a foundation is nice coverage and a natural finish. The main reason I chose Match Perfection, apart good reviews floating around the internet, is the fact that - according to the producent - it adapts to the skin tone (and the ad with the lovely Zooey Deschanel).

Rimmel's Match Perfection Gel foundation is packed in a small glass jar and contains 18ml of product. That's a pro and con at the same time! Even though it looks pretty, some may find the packaging unpractical and unhygenic (foundation under the nails, eew!). Also most of the foundations available have around 30ml of product so 18ml may seem little comparing to others. However it isn't really a big issue for me, because finishing one little jar took me almost 6 months! Oh, and one important thing! Apparently, there are two different versions of Match Perfection - one with big and the other ones with a small font on the sticker. Since I had both of those 'versions' (by accident) all I can tell is that the one that I'm currently using (big font, the one on the left on the comparison photo) seems a bit lighter than the other one and has better coverage. I really don't know why there are two versions of the product, because I don't remember Rimmel mentioning any changes. So I guess this will be one unsolved mystery for me. ;)

The application isn't really problematic; the product blends well and doesn't 'cake' on the skin . You have to be rather quick because it may dry quickly on the skin before you blend it out so I use my fingers to apply it. It was quite surprising to discover that the foundation gives a little cooling effect when you put it on your skin! After my first application I was really shocked with the result! Match Perfection looked like my skin, only better - glowy, healthy and with a satin finish. It has medium coverage, so bigger imperfections still need some concealing, but still, it doesn't look like I was wearing a mask. On my face it lasted for about 10 hours but people with oily and combination skin may need some touching up after a while. Just so you know, I rarely use powder, mainly because the one I'm using is rubbish, so more or less 10 hours for a foundation to last on the skin is a pretty nice score. Oh, and even though Match Perfection contains silicones, it doesn't clog up the pores. However, a good peeling and moisturizer is a must because unfortunately it has a tendency to exagerrate chapped skin. Also, from what I know, the foundation does not contain SPF, so it might be a problem for some. Apart from that I was really pleased with this foundation. So pleased, I have bought a second jar and that doesn't happen very often, right? I have tested it for the whole year and it failed me only during extremely hot weather, when it disappeared from my face after one or two hours.

Overall, if you're looking for a foundation that will adapt well to your skintone, give you a nice and fresh finish with decent coverage, this is truly a perfect match for you! Even though I'm planning to test some other foundations, if disappointed I will most definitely come back to this one.

Did you try out Match Perfection already? Feel free to share your opinion!

A.

Phyto - Phyto 7

Since I have rather long hair for a guy (in need of a trim, though!), taking care of it is important. I'm not blessed with hair that just needs some shampoo and looks perfect after drying. No, definitely not! It's wavy to curly, thin and has a mind of its own. Also, weird things happen to it at night! Sometimes I can't believe what I see in the mirror after waking up... If that's not enough, it also tends to get frizzy on rainy days.

In order to deal with all of that, on some days heat can be necessary. I'm not a big fan of heat protection sprays, though! They always leave my hair feeling dry and stiff. This is why moisturizing and protecting leave-in treatments are the way to go for me. As everyone knows, many of the leave-in products tend to weigh hair down, which isn't a good look if you have fine hair. However, the product I'm reviewing today doesn't weigh hair down or make it greasy but instead provides moisture, protection and some shine to the hair. Sound good, right?

Phyto 7 is like a daily moisturizer. You can apply it either on damp or dry hair. Personally, I only use it after washing and not every single day. I tried using it on dry hair, but it didn't seem to do much other than making it a bit frizzy (eek!). However, when used on damp hair, it makes it really soft, frizz-free and looking healthy! You won't get the shine you would from a product filled with silicones, but that's not what I use it for anyway. It's just a 'simple' product to moisturize the hair and prevent it from drying, breaking or splitting. And it definitely does the job!

It's formulated with seven plant extracts and contains no silicones. Other than that, there are not many other ingredients on the list. Which is good! The only thing I don't like, is that the product contains parabens. I'm sure you've heard different things about them and although I haven't made up my mind yet about how I feel regarding this ingredient, I try to avoid them if I can. But since this is a product you apply to your hair (which is dead) and not directly on your skin, I don't see any problems!

So if you find your hair is dry, you use heat on it and basically it deserves some pampering - try Phyto 7. It's a very basic product that doesn't promise any wonders, but (for me) does the things it claims to do! It's not that expensive and the tube (50 ml) will last you a long time.

What products do you use to moisturize and protect your hair? Also, have you tried Phyto 9? Definitely going to give it a try once I run out of Phyto 7! -L.

NOTD - Essence Colour & Go 111 English Rose

In my previous nailpolish post (click!) I mentioned that Essence, a German drugstore brand, changed the bottle and the formula of their nailpolishes series and I was curious to check out the results of that. And voila, look what I accidentally found in my local drugstore during grocery shopping! :) There were only few new shades available so I went with a colour I didn't have in my collection - 111 English Rose. (already loving the name!) As you can see the new bottle is quite similar to Bourjois, isn't it? At first I wasn't a fan but it looks pretty on my shelf!

These photos don't really do justice to the colour, but for me it is a medium brown with a hint of dirty pink and I don't know why, but sometimes this shade in particular lightning reminds me of milk chocolate. The application is easy thanks to a thick brush and it takes just one glide to cover the whole nail. I'm also surprised with the opacity because after one coat I got full coverage! However I still applied two coats just in case (it dries very quickly btw!) and I'm glad I did because here's a downside of this nailpolish - it chipped a bit in less than 24 hours! That's why those who don't like to change the colour of their nails every day will not be pleased. I'm still curious if this new formula will thicken in the bottle as quickly as the old one used to, but I guess I still need a few weeks to find out. Overall, I'm a bit disappointed in the durability but I guess I will try some other shades that are available just to ensure my opinion.

 Did you try out the new Essence nailpolishes? What shades do you like the most? Feel free to comment!

A.

Aveda - Lip Saver SPF 15

Aveda
Lip Saver SPF 15

After spending the whole day outside at the pool, I decided it was time to write about one of my favourite lip balms with SPF. I've never had sunburnt lips, but it's definitely not something I want to experience either so I'd rather be safe than sorry, as they say!

I've discovered this lip balm a few months ago and had it with me ever since. To be honest, I don't know much about Aveda but after trying this balm I think I'll have to take a closer look! This lip balm has many natural ingredients (whoop!) such as anise oil, beeswax, cinnamon leaf and vitamin E. It tastes like cinnamon and anise, which I actually enjoy (and those who get to kiss your lips will too!). This was a surprise to me, because I normally prefer lip balms with neutral flavours or no flavour at all. I've never liked fruity balms because they tend to make me bite my lips (weird, I know) so they actually do more harm than good.

Once you've applied this balm, you can feel it melt and sink into the skin to leave you with soft and moisturized lips. It's not particularly shiny, although this depends on the amount you put on. But don't worry; it's not nearly as shiny as lip gloss! Also, you get 4,25g of product but I can't say it'll last you a long time. Although maybe it's because I reach for this one a bit more often than the other ones I carry with me.

If you're looking for a good lip balm with SPF - give this one a try! As far as I can see, it doesn't contain any nasty ingredients and it really does a good job at moisturizing and protecting the lips. Even when you go swimming, it'll stay on for a long time thanks to the waxy texture. It's definitely a lip balm I'll repurchase once I run out!

What are your favourite lip balms with SPF? I'm always open for suggestions! -L.

Maybelline - Volum' Express the Falsies waterproof mascara

 When I have to wake up early or I'm late (happens way too often lately) and I have no time to put on proper make up at all, I usually just go with one product - mascara. It can really do wonders and change your appearance in a second! Unluckily for me, my allergies successfully prevented me from wearing any eye make up during early spring (red and swollen eyes all the time brr) so I'm more than happy that I can finally use mascara again. I always choose a waterproof formula, rather than the normal, because you never know what is going to happen and I'd rather not find out with panda-looking eyes. :) If you buy mascara, you need to remember one thing - never judge a book by it's cover. Or, in our case, if the mascara doesn't suit you after the first application, don't throw it away immediately and give it a time to 'set'. When I first bought the Falsies and tried it on, it was very wet and clumped my lashes, but after a while the formula dried a bit and it was good to go. Many mascaras act like that, so I'd recommend waiting a bit before we judge the product.

The mascara that I've been using the most this year is Maybelline's Volum' Express the Falsies. I've always liked Maybelline's mascaras and even though I tried some other brands, I somehow always come back to them. The Falsies is packed in a pretty neat purple packaging, with a very interesting brush. It's flexible and in the shape of a spoon so it applies well both on the upper and the lower lashes.The producer promises that this mascara will give us a "false lash effect". Well, my Falsies dried a bit, but even at the beginning I wouldn't say my lashes looked fake. Still, for me, it gives a pretty decent effect. My lashes are lifted, well defined and separated. The mascara doesn't clump them, it gives volume and even a little bit of length. Unfortunetly, since it's waterproof it takes some time to wash it off, but a good eye make up remover will deal with it.

Overall, I'm satisfied with this mascara but I don't think I will stick with it forever. I'm still on the search of a perfect mascara, and yes, this one is pretty good and cheap, but I will definitely try out some other ones, since there is so much more to choose from. ;)

What mascara have you been using lately? Did you try out the Falsies? Waiting for your comments!

A.

Favourite summer polishes!

Even though autumn is just around the corner (when did that happen?), here I come with a selection of my favourite nailpolish shades I wore during this summer! Unfortunately you can't see them 'in action' because my nails aren't exactly in shape right now (damn you camping...) but the colour on the bottles is almost the same as it is on the nails.

But before I start I need to mention one thing - I am lucky enough to have nails on which almost every nailpolish lasts for almost a week! That's why I usually go for cheap brands because no matter what I'll choose, the effect will be quite the same. If you aren't as lucky as me, a good topcoat is a must! I think it's better to invest in a really good topcoat, because then every polish you'll buy, even the cheap one, will last longer on your nails! Also, I really don't see the point in buying big bottles of nailpolish if I never finish them. Such small polishes are excellent for the summer! Not only don't they use too much space in our cosmetic bags but also if the shade will be 'out of fashion' next year you won't cry over throwing an expensive bottle away! Easy like that! :) I'll finish my ramble right here and let's (finally) move on to the 8 shades I wore the most this year!

1-Miss Selene #221, 2-Essence Nude Glam #7 Cafe Ole, 3-Miss Selene #122, 4-Essence Nude Glam #4 Iced Latte, 5-Golden Rose Sweet Color #64, 6-Essence #93 C'est La Vie!, 7-Miss Sporty Et Voila #14, 8-Essence #27 No More Drama

As you can see, pastels rocked my world this year! The only intense shades I wore is the cobalt blue (1) and the orangey one (6). It's kind of a funny story with the last one! I was looking for this colour for ages (it's Essence #93 C'est La Vie!, however it was just discontinued) and when I finally did find it, I was extremely disappointed. It took 3 coats to cover my nails and the shade turned out brighter than I thought it would be. That's why I put it away for a few weeks and after some time I've decided to use it on my toe nails and even though I still had some problems with applying it, it looked much better there! For the days when colourful shades were rather inappropriate (exams!) I went with (2) and (4) (again Essence, this time they are #7 and #4 from the nude glam collection), really beautiful shades, and, what's surprising, it only takes 2 coats for full coverage! If you have a chance to get in hold of them, do it! However, the biggest disadvantage of Essence nailpolishes is the fact that they tend to thicken in the bottle very quickly and the application becomes quite a challenge - just look at #27 No More Drama (8), I bought it in March and all I can do is throw this beautiful shade away :(. Recently Essence changed the design and ingredients of their nailpolishes, so I'll be more than glad to see if they got any better. Other shades here (3), (5), (7) and (1) which I mentioned at the beginning are polishes I bought at my local drugstore (nothing brightens up the mood like a little shopping, right?) and I quite enjoyed wearing them during the summer. However, since they are light and pastel, you need at least (!) 3 coats to cover the nails.

What shades did you enjoy wearing during the summer? Do you follow the trends or just go with your favourite colours? Don't hesitate to comment!

A.

l'Occitane - Almond Milk Concentrate

I think I might be visiting my local l'Occitane store a bit too often, since the people who work there know me by name. But if you've ever tried their products, you know why I'm always coming back for more! l'Occitane makes really wonderful products with many natural ingredients (which for me is always a big plus) and they always feel very high quality. I admit, their products aren't cheap but in my opinion you definitely get what you pay for!

Being a guy, it's not always easy to find a body lotion that's easy to apply on the hairy body parts. It sounds weird, I know, but you can't imagine how annoying it can be to use a thick body lotion on your legs with all that hair! ;) That's why I love to use body oils: easy application and a healthy glow afterwards. Still, sometimes I like to use body lotions because they feel more luxurious. And if you're looking for a good one, then you need to give this one a try!

The Almond Milk Concentrate has a very creamy consistency and glides very easily on the skin (yes, even on the hairy legs!). It feels lightweight yet it's very moisturizing. Although it might not be as moisturizing as a body butter, I'd rather apply a bit more of this lotion than rub in body butter for 15 minutes. Since almond oil is one of the main ingredients, this lotion is supposed to make the skin firmer and tighter. I can't really say if it does that, since I'm only in my early twenties, but it does make me skin very moisturized and smooth to the touch. Oh, and if that's not enough - the lotion has an amazing smell. I don't know if that's what almond milk smells like (shame on me) but I wouldn't mind having an eau de parfum on that! It's fresh, yet maybe a bit floral and not offensive at all. Just... yummy (how's that for a professional description...)! Just give it a sniff and you'll know what I'm talking about.

The Almond Milk Concentrate comes in a 200ml glass jar and will last you for a few weeks since you don't need very much to cover your whole body. The jar might be difficult to travel with, but I know from experience that l'Occitane is generous with their samples so just ask for some with your next purchase. They also make smaller versions of this lotion, so that's another way to take this one with you when you're traveling. I must say, I have tried many body lotions but this one is by far my favourite. I'll admit it's rather pricey but in my opinion it's definitely worth the money!

What are your favourite body lotions? Do you prefer body lotions or body oils? Let me know in the comments! -L.

Caudalie - Moisturizing Cream-Mask

Me and Caudalie go way back. I have used many of their products for quite some time now and I always come back for more. The brand doesn't use parabens, mineral oils or SLS which is a big plus! What they do use, are grapes full of anti-oxidants and many other natural ingredients like shea butter and plant oils. They manage to make really good products with an affordable price tag - something others should learn from.

The first Caudalie product I'm going to review, is the Moisturizing Cream-Mask. As the name suggests, it's meant to rehydrate and soothe dry skin. It's a creamy mask that you leave on for about 15 minutes and then wash off with water or remove with a cotton pad. Because my skin can be very dry, I even leave in on for 30 minutes or longer sometimes. Once applied on the face and around the eyes, the mask turns into a more oily consistency (probably due to grape seed oil) and sinks into the skin. My skin is very sensitive and I get blackheads quite easily, so when I read about an "oily consistency" I start to worry a bit. However - I have never had a problem after using this mask: no spots, no blackheads and no redness. After washing the mask off, my skin always feels more comfortable and the dehydration lines are gone or at least less visible. Since it's soothing as well, I imagine it would be great to use after a day on the beach when you've spent more time in the sun than you should ;)

The mask comes in a 50ml tube and will last you a while because you really don't need much with every use. It's a really lovely and light mask that does hydrate the skin and is free from many nasty ingredients. If you haven't tried Caudalie before - definitely do! Their products are widely available, reasonably priced and they have something for every skin type. But as always: get a sample first if you can! While it works for me, it might not work for you.

If you have any questions or want to suggest other moisturizing face masks - leave a comment and we'll get back to you asap! -L.

Rimmel - Kate Moss Spring Collection Lipstick

Yesterday L. wrote about one of his fave lipbalms (click!) so I've decided to stick with the 'lips' theme and today I'm coming with a review on one of my favourite products I've used during the summer - Rimmel's Kate Moss Spring Collection Lipstick in shade 16. As you can see, the packaging is quite neat, black with Kate's signature on top. It also closes with a 'click', so we don't need to worry it will open up in our purse.

Why do I like this product so much? Well, first of all, just look at the shade! It's a bright coralish pink, which reminds me of candy and just screams summer to me. I think this is a quite universal shade - suitable not only for evening but also for everyday. However, I don't imagine wearing it on a daily basis during winter, but that's just my personal preference. Because of it's creamy texture, the lipstick applies well and after a few glides, we get full coverage. Also, it smells a bit like strawberries which just adds to a pleasant application. ;) But! We need to remember about moisturising our lips before we put it on, otherwise it will exaggerate chapped and falky skin like every matt lipstick does! 

I wouldn't say the colour is long-lasting, but it does stay on for about 3 or 4 hours. Of course, if you eat, drink or talk way too much, you will need reapplying after a shorter period of time. It doesn't smudge all over the face, but it fades unevenly from the lips, so you need to check it up every once in a while if you're out. Also, after removal, lipbalm is necessary because the lipstick might cause a slight dehydration.. so better safe than sorry!

Overall, I really like this product by Rimmel and I will definitely take a look at other shades from the regular and spring collection. For a small price, you get a nice, wearable lipstick in an interesting colour! What's more to ask for? ;)

What was your favourite summertime lipstick? Feel free to share your opinions with us!

A.

Nuxe - Rêve de Miel Lip Balm

Nuxe - Rêve de Miel Lip Balm

Since I'm on strong medication for treating acne, my lips are dry almost all day every day. Annoying, right? Because of my little lip balm addiction, I've tried and tested a lot of products. There are only a few lip balms out there that can help my dry and flaky lips and this is definitely one of them. It might even be - dare I say it - my favourite lip balm I have used this far!

Before I move on to the real review, I want to talk about the two major groups of lip balms: the ones that treat lips 'from the inside' and ones that sit on your lips and protect them on the outside. The first category is amazing to use as a night treatment because these balms really absorb into the lips and treat them with smooth and plump lips as result. The second group of lip balms is often petrolatum-based and, for me, they barely ever absorb or make my lips much smoother. What they are amazing at, is protecting your lips from harsh weather. These won't improve the look of your lips very much, but they will prevent your lips from drying out and looking worse.

The Rêve de Miel lip balm belongs in the first category and is meant to treat lips (although it does a pretty decent job at protecting them too!). It contains many natural ingredients such as sweet almond oil, shea butter and honey. All these ingredients are amazing at making your lips soft and plump. When you apply this balm before bed, you'll wake up with really healthier looking lips in the morning: moisturized, repaired and smooth.

The balm comes in a little pot (15g) but will last you a long time. To me, it smells like oranges or grapefruits and - the best part - it's matt once applied on the lips! Not something you see very often, huh? Since I'm a guy and don't always want my lips to look like I have used gloss, it's a big plus! I can imagine girls liking this one too, because it smells divine and really makes a difference! Whenever I feel my lips are dried out and on the verge of cracking, I apply a bit of this balm and within a minute the uncomfortable feeling's gone. It's like a little lip miracle in a pot, to be honest!

So if you're in need of a good lip treating balm - definitely give this one a try! Nuxe also makes a stick version of this balm, but I don't find it nearly as good as the little pot (because of different ingredients). So if you're going to invest - the pot is what you want. Oh, by the way! The balm has no SPF in it, so if it's something you worry about then keep an eye on our blog since I'll review some of my favourite lip balms with SPF soon! -L.

Sephora - 2011 Makeup Studio Blockbuster Palette

When my interest in make up began to grow a few years ago, one of my wishes was to own a big palette full of eyeshadows and other make up goodies. Last year I made my dream come true by buying Sephora's 2011 Limited Edition Makeup Studio Blockbuster kit. Inside the neat black box we'll find 96 (!!) eyeshadows, 84 (!) lip glosses, 6 cream eyeliners, 3 blushes, 2 liner pencils, 1 bronzer and 1 mascara. The set also contains 4 small applicators (quite useless if you ask me). Sounds impressive, huh? However, after some time, the first excitement was replaced with a slight disappointment. Why? I'll explain in a bit.

The first thing you see when you open the black box with a Sephora sign carved on it, are the eyeshadows. The range of colours is huge (no surprise, since there are 96 of them, right?) so you'll find not only some neutral shades suitable for everyday make up but also some crazy and unique ones like mint or bright red. There is so much to choose from that I highly doubt I will ever use all of them! Too bad Sephora didn't provide a list of all the shades used in their kit, would be great to have some of them in full size. Unfortunately, the eyeshadows lack some quality. They don't last very long on the eyelids and quite a few of the colours, especially the brighter and matt ones, are poorly pigmented, as you can see on the swatches. That is why a primer is a must before applying these eyeshadows.

As we unfold the drawers, we discover the most useless, at least for me, part of the palette - lipglosses. So useless I didn't even bother to swatch them. Just like eyeshadows, the glosses have amazing colours! We have nudes, pinks, reds, purples and even some transparent shades. Some of the glosses give barely any colour and don't last for too long. I could even forgive these imperfections, but it bothers me that those lipglosses seem to be made for home use only. Try as you might, you won't be able to fit the whole palette in your clutch in order to touch up your lips when the colour fades away. So that's a huge no-no for me. I'd be more satisfied if we would be able to get them out of the palette, but unluckily for me, it's not possible. Even though I'm not keen on the glosses I'll do my best to use them, because so many beautiful shades can't simply go to waste, even if it's only for sitting at home

What saves this makeup kit for me, is the bottom drawer. This is the part I use most frequently and I'm quite happy with it. Here we'll find the blushes, eyeliners, eye pencils and the mascara. Before buying this palette I wasn't keen on applying some colour on my cheeks, but it changed thanks to those Sephora blushes (which were very hard to photograph btw!). The shades are well pigmented and seem suitable for my fair skin. My personal favourite is the bright pink blush. As far as the bronzer goes, it has shimmer in it so unfortunately it will not be useful for face contouring. That's a pity because it could have been a great product for fair complexions! Moving on to the cream eyeliners, it is another decent product that can be found in this kit. They apply easily and are nicely pigmented as well. Their longability is ok, however, they tend to smudge by the end of the day. Also, kudos for Sephora for interesting colours, it is rare to find something other than black and brown and in an affordable price! The eyepencils (black and brown) are quite similar, so there's nothing more I can really say about them. And, last but not least, the small mascara is quite a problematic piece. It didn't really work for me and gave zero effect to my lashes, but my friend, who also owns this palette, is very in love with it. Right now I use it to brush through my lashes before applying my current fave mascara. Once again, too bad Sephora didn't give the full name of the mascara for those who are satisfied with the product.

Overall, I don't regret buying this beautiful makeup palette. Even though I've expected something more of it, it is still something I use on a daily basis. This kit will be a great present for those who start their make up journey because it'll certainly help to choose colours that will compliment the eyes and skintone well. I'm certainly having a lot of fun with some of the crazy shades there! However, people who are more experienced with make up will be a little bit disappointed with this product. I'm not sure if this palette is still available at Sephora, since it's limited edition, but I did a little research before writing this review and I found out that the 2012 version is coming out very soon and it's not really different from the one I showed you today. 

What do you think of Sephora's Palette? Is it good for us, make up lovers? Do you like such wide ranged kits or do you prefer buying only your favourite shades in good quality? Feel free to comment and let me know what you think! Take care!

A.

Dermalogica - Gentle Cream Exfoliant

First of all - welcome to our new beauty blog! We are just starting this (hopefully) amazing journey of sharing our knowledge and opinions about beauty products with you, and we're aware that the blog still needs 'some' work. What more can I say? I just hope you'll visit us again and see us and our blog grow!

For my first review I've chosen a product I'm very passionate about and have used for quite some time now: the Gentle Cream Exfoliant from Dermalogica. Everyone knows that skin benefits from regular exfoliation. When dead skin cells accumulate on the surface of our skin, it can look quite dull and can even lead to break outs and blackheads when it starts to clog the pores.

Personally, I'm not a big fan of scrubs with exfoliating beads. I have delicate skin and most of these products are simply too harsh for me to use. This is why I'm very into chemical exfoliants such as the product I'm reviewing today. The Gentle Cream Exfoliant (GCE) is a face mask filled with exfoliating goodies: lactic (AHA) and salicylic (BHA) acids. What an AHA does, is loosen the bonds that hold the dead skin cells together. This way you'll wash all of them away while removing the mask. A BHA does a different thing: the salicylic acid goes into the pores and removes all the oil/dirt/... that's sitting inside the pore and can lead to blackheads. All this without rubbing and scrubbing! You just wash your face with a mild cleanser, put the mask on and wash it off after 15 minutes.

What can you expect after washing the GCE off? Fresher and brighter looking skin! Now, don't expect any miracles - it's nothing more than a chemical exfoliant after all. But with regular use you'll notice how much difference it's made to the way your skin looks and feels!

Last but not least - I find the product (as the name suggests) really gentle. The product contains soothing ingredients such as aloe vera and lavender oil. But as with any exfoliating mask the result will vary depending on how long you've left the mask on: if you have sensitive skin like me, don't leave it on for an hour because your face will be red and stingy! Just be careful and always get a sample first if you can. The GCE isn't very cheap, but even with regular use it should last you for a year. Also, compared to other exfoliating masks, the price isn't that bad either!

Should you have any questions - don't hesitate to ask in the comments! :) We'll be more than happy to help you! -L.