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.