Skin care routine!

Hello my beautiful readers,

First of all I would like to say how excited I am to have over 40 readers and that I am waiting until I hit 50 to have a small contest/giveaway.
Now on to today's post. I am going to run you all through my skin care routine since I think I have finally made up my mind about the products that are best for my skin. This has been my routine for almost a year now (although I did change moisturizers half way through)and it works gr8.
I start by taking my make-up off using Simple "Cleansing lotion". This is a product available only in the U.K. as far as I know. I have been using it for almost 5 years and although it is not an actual make-up remover it works wonders.


Then I use a facial sponge and wash my face with L'occitane's "Rice Foaming Cleanser"

Once or twice a week, after having used my cleanser, I use an oil balancing facial scrub. This is the Simple "Clear skin Oil balancing Facial scrub".


After I rinse the cleanser I dab my face with a clean cloth and use L'occitane's "Purifying rice toner" on a cotton ball and go over my entire face and neck.

Then, I moisturise using Origins "Balanced diet" which is a 'Lightweight moisture lotion'.


Sometimes when I feel my skin needs a little extra something I use a serum (also by Origins but from the "Perfect world" series). I got this as a sample from a drugstore and I will definately purchase the full size when time comes.

Last but not least I put on my Clinique "All about eyes rich" eye cream.


So far so good with this routine. I definately recommend the L'occitane products if you have normal to oily skin. They work wonders for my oily t-zone as well for the rest of my skin. I love Simple products too. If you ever get the chance to try any of them don't hesitate. As far as the eye-cream goes I am currently looking for one to try out so if you have any recommendations please comment and let me know. Lastly the two origins products I mentioned are two of the best moisturising products I have ever used.

That is all for my skincare routine. I will be posting my November favorites soon too. Also, please e-mail me or comment if you have any requests.Have an amazing weekend! :D

xoxo
A.

Neutral look with a "splash" of green.

Hello my lovely readers. I'm sorry I've been MIA but I have been ill for the last couple of days. So, I finally got aroung to doing a look for you. The quality of the pictures is not the best but you get the idea. It is mainly a neutral look with an added element.
On the lid I used my ISADORA cosmetics quad in "Silvery Grey".If you want to have a look it is in my October favorites (http://lifeisonebigplayground.blogspot.com/2009/11/october-favoritesbetter-late-than-never.html). I mainly used the lighter color all over the lid& up to the brow bone and then some of the grey in the crease.
Then, what did to spice this look up is: I lined my bottom lashline with a green shadow(using my angled eye-liner brush). Firstly I applied some Too Faced Shadow Insurance to help the eyeshadow stick and then used an amazing green shadow from my NYX "Mysterious Brown eyes" palette.
If you have brown eyes, like I do, the green will really make them pop. Unfortunately I don't know what colors would be good for different color eyes however I will try some stuff on a couple a friends and report back.
I hope you like this idea. If you have any more ideas on how to spice up a neutral look please comment and let me know.





p.s. On my lashes: MAC zoomlash mascara.

I hope you like it.

xoxo
A.

Giveaway Entry!

Maggie from Polka dotted Apple is having an anniversary giveaway and here is my entry.
The link to her blog is : http://makeuploveforever.blogspot.com/2009/10/polka-dotted-apples-first-giveaway.html
You should definately check it out!!

What is your most prized possession?
My laptop
What is your definition of beauty?
Beauty is ones need to be the best he/she can be (inside and out).
What makeup item (Brand and name of product) would you recommend to me?
ECOTOOLS powder brush.
What is your favorite KIND of makeup item and why?
I love mascara. This is the only make- up item I cannot live without. I like to draw attention to my eyes and mascara does it perfectly.
A weird factoid about you. :B
I cannot sleep without 3 or more pillows.
What is the fondest memory of your childhood?
Spending time with my grandmother.I miss her terribly.
Describe yourself honestly.
Clever, funny, a bit of a pushover and a very hard worker.
Tell me something I could do to improve my blog.
Add a weekly or monthly thematic post. Something that rounds up the week or month(not necessarity favorites but favorites could be part of it).

That is it! My entry in all its glory :P

Good luck to everyone who entered!!

xoxo
A.

one word tag!

This tag was passed on to me my lydia a while back but I just got aroung to doing it. Hope you like it. You are ALL tagged by the way!!!


Your hair: brown
Your mother: amazing
Your father: who?
Favorite Food: Mexican
Dream last night: none
Favorite drink: Coffee
What room are you: bedroom
Hobby: Singing
Fear: loneliness
Where were you last night: rehearsal
Something that you aren't: stupid
Muffins: delicious
Wish list item: handbag
Where did you grow up: Athens
What are you wearing: dress
Your pets: Tara
Friends: great
Something you're not wearing: gloves
Favorite store: H&M
Favorite color: Purple
Last time you laughed: today
Your best friend: brilliant
Place you go to over and over: London
Person who emails you regularly: Maria
Favorite place to eat: home

That's it....!

xoxo
A.

October favorites(better late than never)

Hello my beautiful readers. How have you guys been?
I am sorry I have been MIA but work has been hectic lately. It is now November 7th and I am bringing to you my October favorites!

1. MAC "Do it up" dazzleglass. This is an amazing watermelony gloss. I wore it on my b-day and paired it with a neutral eye and winged-up liner for an old-hollywood look effect.

2. Barry M dazzledust in Mushroom(no 51). It is a fairly dark purple/plum color with silver sparkles.



3. Ecotools blush and powder brushes. I am completely and utterly in love with these brushes. I also have a review on them if you want to check it out:(http://lifeisonebigplayground.blogspot.com/2009/10/ecotools.html)

4. Sephora Professionnel No 18 crease brush.I got this with an amazing discount and I don't even know why. It is a perfectly good brush and yet I only paid 2 euros for it. I really do like it!

5. Dior Blush in "Cinnamon Brown"(No638). This is a great autumn/winter cheek color. It is neither too dark nor too red. It is just perfect.As you can see for yourself(from the photo) I use this a lot. Do also bare in mind that I have had it for 2 years now.

6. Last but not least an item that I have had in my collection for a while but I only started using about 4 months ago. It is a e/s quartet(or quad) by IsaDora in : 21 Silvery Grey.It is essentially a smokey eye quad. IsaDora is a Swedish Brand and my mother bought a few items for me during one of her trips. The texture and payoff are gr8 and the prices are quite reasonable. I have no idea where you can find it however if you want to have a look you can go to their website(http://www.isadora-cosmetics.com/index.htm)


That's all for now. I hope you enjoyed this post.
xoxo
A.

my 24th birthday!

Today I am turning 24!!!!I'm just as scared as I am excited. On Saturday I organized a birthday party at a friend's house. I had the greatest time EVER. It was so much fun. My friends made me a heart-shaped birthday cake which was delicious and extremely cute. I had the chance to see some people I haven't seen in a while and celebrate in style since the theme of the party was "The Oscars".


Here are some of the gifts I got. There is lots of *bling* so brace yourselves! :D

First and foremost my mom and her bf Chris got me a Juicy couture watch!




I got 3 Swarovski items. 2 pendants and a "charm".




My cousin got me a Swarovski crystal door/cupbord handle and a "shopping bag" from a place called "Greece is for lovers".




I got the Complete Illustrated Works of Oscar Wilde(amazing)and a pocket diary with an illustration of the original "Alice in Wonderland"



I also got 2 amazing pairs of earrings.



There will be more pictures from the party soon!

xoxo
A.