Maybelline Lash Sensational

Hello beauties,

As summer is approaching, my schedule becomes busier and busier and my makeup morning routine is reduced gradually to a minimum. One product I cannot give up is the mascara and whenever I’m clueless about what to try next I always choose Maybelline due to the fact that most of their mascaras are just wonderful. So, I’ve decided to try their new Lash Sensational, they say a lash multiplying mascara.

Pros:
– it does not flake or smudge
– it does add a little volume and a curl twist to your lashes ( to point out something I’ve seen a lot lately, if you expect wonders use fake lashes instead of a mascara)
– it lasts a long while (for me a full day at the office is a landmark)

Cons:
– it does come off harder than any other non-waterproof mascara I’ve encountered

I’ve been using this mascara daily and it has not let me down. Overall, I like this product and I would recommend it further. If nothing new to try on the market comes, I will probably repurchase it.

Avene Hydrance Optimale

Hello beauties,

Because sunny days are now predominant and the makeup challenges become different now (more spf, more matte finish) today I wanted to talk about Avene Hydrance Optimal Riche face cream, a hydrating cream for dry to very dry sensitive skin. I came upon this product as the days became more sunny and warm and I needed a light day cream that is also hydrating my skin and has sun protection factor.

Pros:
– it has a decent sun protection factor (SPF 20) which is basically the minimum you’ll need
– it has a nice moisturizing effect
– it is easily absorbed by the skin
– it’s hypoallergenic and non-comedegenic and I didn’t have any bad reaction from using it
– it has a hygienic and practical package (it comes in a plastic tube perfect for both home and travelling)

Cons:
– for mature women it has no anti-aging effect or ingredients so it needs to be combined with other treatments

Overall this face cream is a product that I love and I would recommend for further trials; for me it will be a repurchase as summer is so close.
Tell us your thoughts about this product in a few lines in the comment section.

Until the next time, wear red lipstick and glitter all the way:-)

MAC PRO LONGWEAR PAINT POT PAINTERLY

Hello beauties,

I’m not much of a consumer of pricier makeup but I always feel that some products are worth the investment. About MAC everybody nowadays knows something, at least that they are generally good products.

I’ve been targeting MAC Paint Pot for a while, not being sure if to invest or not in another creamy eyeshadow. I even tried to find dupes for it (see the review for Maybelline Color Tattoo here). Eventually, I went for the real deal and because of the whole natural look craze I went for Painterly.

Pros:

• economical – yes, it is because you only need a thin layer of the product on your eyelids
• it gets picked up real easy from the jar either with fingers or with a stiffer brush (like the ones used for concealer)
• you can use it as an eyeshadow or as a base for eyeshadows even as a primer if your skin permits
• it can cover different irregularities on your eyelids (redness, veins, etc)

Cons:

• if you used too much product it creases; if you use it without primer, it creases (at least for me)
• you have to work quickly as it dries fast

Overall, it’s a nice product with many functionalities but it’s not something you would really miss from your makeup bag, basically, a splurge. But for those of you that are considering it, I recommend it with open heart.

Until the next time, wear red lipstick and glitter all the way:-)

April empties

Hello beauties,

Against my good habits this post comes later as the weekend with 1st of May put me in the laziest mood ever. Generally speaking, your habits tell a lot about your person and under normal circumstances I would have pushed for an active schedule but lately I’m more on letting life happen and me enjoying thins as they appear. I hope your weekend was fulfilling as well.

Body:

• Eucerin Aquaporin Active body lotion – because I use body lotions almost on a daily basis I finish them before I get to review them. Generally I like Eucerin products because of their sensitive skin friendly approach and at a point I was looking for a body lotion that could help my skin survive the winter. This lotion was mildly moisturizing (so for the dry skin areas had little effect) and a little too watery for my taste but with the all dermatological benefits (without alcohol or fragrance that might cause an irritation). I would not point this product as something I would recommend for winter time but I’m prepared to give Eucerin another try.
• Avene cold cream – my hands are always in need of cream and during colder periods the need becomes an urge. This product was recommended by my pharmacist. I haven’t used it no my face but exclusively on my hands. After application the cream didn’t get absorbed quickly and my skin was feeling quite sticky and full of plastic smell. As for hydration, I wasn’t impressed as I didn’t feel the product is better than any other (although the price is double).

Face:

• Nivea 3 in 1 Micelar Cleaning Water – this is my second or third bottle of micelar water from Nivea(I have also mentioned this product here) and my opinion remains as a recommendable product.
• Nivea Cleansing Milk – this product is for me in the same category as cotton balls – something that’s primarily so useful and so good that needs no other introduction. Whenever I’m not feeling the excitement of trying something new I always chose Nivea Cleansing Milk as it does what’s supposed to do. Period.
• Bioderma Hidrabio Riche – first I was excited about this cream but my excitement gradually decreased as the effects were less than visible so for people with my type of skin I would not favor this product (read full review here).

Makeup:

• MaxFactor CC cream – I’m so sad that this CC cream is emptied because I got along so well with it and will probably be a repurchase (read the full review here)
• E.L.F. Essentials Eyelid Primer – this primer was never a purchase for me but always came as a bonus whenever I placed an order on the E.L.F. site ( I have mentioned this primer also here). Unfortunately this product has done nothing for me except for a major crease and oily lids.
• E.L.F.Face Setting Spray – this is product that I haven’t reviewed but on the other hand I haven’t bought until now any other similar product that I can compare this one to. When working with multiple layers of foundation and setting powder a real help in making the final result looking less cakey is the setting spray and this one really helps a lot considering that I’m a fan of multi-layering. I’m not sure what to say about making the products stay longer on your face because I didn’t notice any real difference. Anyhow, I’ve already purchased a second bottle but I’m opened to try different brands.

As you can see, April was a lot about care routine and natural look and I would love to read some comments about how was your April.

Until the next time, wear red lipstick and glitter all the way:-)

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation

Hello beauties,

I didn’t want to finish this month without a post about a recent find that has changed my makeup in a positive way: Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup foundation.
In the last couple of years, my skin as I knew it changed. From mixed skin moistly oily it has become mostly dry, sensitive and prone to rosaceea. For those of you that don’t know what it means that, I’m going just to point out the main manifestations: skin is red most of the days (depending on so many factors), the dry patches become flacky and pores are quite visible. So many of the average and common products become a challenge for me.
Because I did encounter some problems in finding the right shade I’m going to say that now for my fair skin I’m using shade 2C3 Fresco which is a little bit pinkish but blends nicely with my skin colors.

Pros:
– it covers nicely without using too much product but it’s also buildable
– it stays flawlessly on your face 24h or maybe more – not once I’ve put it on my face in the early morning and got home in the morning of the next day and the foundation looked flawless. I’ve tried it with or without primer, it has the same longlasting effect but I would recommend using it with primers that go easy on the silicone (best drugstore combo is with Max Factor Facefinity Primer)
– it has a matte finish
– for a regular use I have applied it well with foundation brush or even fingers and for a more sheer finish I have been using successfully the beauty blender but I would not go further than those three.

Cons:
– the foundation comes packed in a glass bottle without any pump so you have to use it carefully not to spill too much product
– it has some sun protection (SPF10) but better use a face cream with a higher protection factor
– as any long wear foundation it can feel at times dry on your skin (a solution might be spritzing some the thermal spray water on your face during the day)

Overall, this is the best foundation I have tried until now. And although it’s a little bit pricey (the only thing that it has kept me from buying it sooner), I believe it’s worth the splurge.

Until the next time, wear red lipstick and glitter all the way:-)

Maybelline Color Tattoo

Hello beauties,

I may be the last of the bunch to talk about Maybelline Color Tattoo but recently it has been my favorite choice for eyeshadows.

When the hype started I went to the local drugstore and reached for one jar of Color Tattoo, Taupe shade – just because I was feeling lazy and taupe is something that goes pretty much with everything else.

At first, I’ve tried it as a single color and it was a mistake because on my fair skin I did not like the result (a little bit too dark for a business look). But recently I started to combine it with different powder eyeshadows and it has won me over and now I can say that I can integrate this product in a makeup look more natural and office appropriate (yes, for those of us living under corporate glass, it is an important aspect).

Pros:
– the color is a nice matte taupe
– texture: creamy
– it is a versatile product: it can be used as a single eyeshadow, as shadowbase ( yes, it’s consistency is close to MAC Paint Pot, although a little drier ), eyeliner (with a small angled brush) or for the brows (an excellent dupe after Anastasia Beverly Hills DipBrow)

Cons:
– because it comes in a jar, it will dry more quickly

Overall, I like this creamy eyeshadow, I would recommend this product as being very good.

Until the next time, wear red lipstick and glitter all the way:-)

Three face masks

Hello beauties,

I love face masks and every Sunday I have my pampering hour when I include this kind of product in my beautifying rituals. Because I always want to try new products I rarely buy anything other than those that come for single uses and today I have selected 3:

Montagne Jeunesse Aloe Vera Face Spa – the masks from Montagne Jeunesse have been something constant in my shopping bag whenever I feel like wasting time at DM because they always deliver or at least they have done no harm (sensitive skin is a never-ending subject). The product comes impregnated into a facial tissue (that makes the application so much easier). The fragrance is pleasant and the effect is soothing for the skin.

The Body Shop Vitamin E Sink-in Moisture Mask – off all three, this one had the best fragrance, nicest texture and the worst effect: my skin started stinging the minute the mask was on my face but calmed after a minute but remained red after using it.

Salthause Luxus Totes Meer Premium-mask Anti-stress – this mask comes in a form of gel. The effect is a little cooling on the skin and afterwards the skin fels soft and plumped. The package is split in two so the mask can be used two times.

How about you, have you tried any of these masks and if so, did you have a nice experience?

Until the next time, wear red lipstick and glitter all the way:-)

NYX Soft Matte Istanbul Lip Cream

Hello beauties,

As April is my favorite month of the year (for the obvious reasons involving sun and nature reborn) I wanted to treat myself with something in accordance with all the happiness and easy going nature all around me. And buying a new lipstick is always a good idea (it’s the same like buying new shoes but cheaper) so I made a haul with NYX (guess you’ll see a lot of those reviewed soon). Among those bought, one alone became preferred: Soft Mate Lip Cream in shade Istanbul, a neutral soft pink matte lipstick.

Pros:
– the color – is perfect for light skinned girls, perfect for spring and summer, perfect for any natural makeup look or versatile enough for any other composition
– the texture – it’s creamy enough (but if you ask me I’m not awed)
– the price – I’m starting to think that NYX is a honest company most of the time in terms of pricing strategy as the products are affordable enough

Cons:
– as most of matte lipstick it dries the lips so make sure you apply a balm before
– don’t be fooled that it’s long lasting (for some reason I always think they should be) – it lasts a little bit longer on the lips than a creamy lipstick but not too long

I’m pretty sure that NYX has not rocked my world, but overall it’s an ok product and if you have not tried NYX products yet it might be a good place to start.

Until the next time, wear red lipstick and glitter all the way! 🙂

GARNIER MICELLAR CLEANSING WATER

Hello beauties,

It’s been a while since I’ve talked in a separate post about micellar waters, mostly because only a handfull of products revealed their high value until now.
Although it has been on the market for a while, I have started using the micellar water from Garnier only recently.

Pros:
– no fragrance
– using it resulted in no irritation of the skin; pay attention that any medium and hard rubbing of any product may cause at least a mild irritation but due to ingredients the irritation might last longer than a couple of minutes
– efficient cleaner – I have used it to remove all kinds of products including waterproof and it has worked just the same
– after using it my skin does not feel dry

Cons:
– package – is not travel friendly and sometime I squirt too much without intention so 400 ml might seem much but the bottle might empty the same as a smaller one

Bottom line, although it’s nothing special, I believe this product it’s comparable with over-hyped Bioderma micellar water but it’s more cost effective so it comes as a good alternative for whatever micellar water you are trying right now. For me it will be a repurchase.

Until the next time, wear red lipstick and glitter all the way;-)

REDKEN CLEAR MOISTURE CONDITIONER

Hello beauties,

Today I’m going to talk about a conditioner belonging to a brand that is new to me in terms of experience: I have never used Redken before but have read a lot about it in different posts.

Hair rituals are very important for me since I started color treating my hear so it is not something unheard that one day I distinctly feel the need of a new conditioner, something that will help my blonde hair to look healthy and luscious and an offer for Redken just happened to pop-up on my browser (so at least that’s what I tell my self every time I want to buy something more expensive than my usual purchase).

Pros:

• very light, does not w height the hair down
• very soft and pleasant fragrance
• the moisturizing level is ok for a fine hair (but if you have thick hair this product might not be so adapted to your needs)

Cons:

• if you have really dry hair it might bee too light
• when washing your hair, if you get those knots of tangled hair and hope the conditioner will help, think twice as this product will not come to your rescue
• price – let’s face it, the product it’s expensive (about the double price than a drugstore conditioner)

Overall I am ok with this conditioner, I would have expected a lot more from it but this is just my subjective way of looking at this product and it does not mean that I think it’s a bad product and I would recommend it to give it a try. I would also like to try in the future products form the “All Soft” range.

Until the next time, wear red lipstick and glitter all the way:-)