Small Spring Haul

Spring has sprung here in the North of Italy(I don't really know for how long though :P) and I grabbed this opportunity to visit Milan and do some beauty shopping. I didn't go crazy, mainly because I am planning to do so next month, but I got some bits and I thought I should share them with you. :)

Here is an overview....

Firstly I visited Sephora to pick up a mascara I have been dying to try out. I am talking about the Too Faced "Better than Sex" mascara.

Next, I popped into Lush to get a mask. I, of course, left with something extra and a couple of samples. I got the "Catastrophe Cosmetics" fresh mask and the "Eau Roma Water" toner which I have been using as a facial water (more information on that to follow).

Next stop.....& Other Stories. I am huge fan of their body care products and their accessories. The scents are fantastic and there is a wide selection. So, I picked up a product that I bought a couple of months for the first time, and absolutely loved. That is the "Fig Fiction Body Soufflé". I also picked up the corresponding body mist.

Last ,but most definitely not least, I wanted to purchase a spring perfume since I have been using the Jo Malone "Peony and blush suede" and that is a little too florally for Spring. So, in order to find the perfect fragrance I went into the Rinascente and headed to the Jo Malone counter to try their new limited edition scents. However I decided on a permanent collection scent instead and purchased the "Wood Sage and sea salt" cologne and I am in love. 

That's all for now but something tells me you should expect another haul in a couple of weeks or so(probably, right after pay day :P)

xoxo

A. 

  

NARS radiant creamy concealer review.

Ahoy and welcome back my dear readers,

Today,  I thought I would talk to you about a product that I have been using for a while now. I first decided to give this product a go when I finished my trusty Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer a couple of months ago.

The background
After watching numerous videos on youtube and reading posts on both high-end and high-street brand concealers, I was finally between two concealers I believed were worth trying. The first one was actually the Clarins Instant Concealer and the second one was the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer. After hunting for the former, right left and centre, I was disappointed for a multitude of reasons. Firstly, I swatched the 3 available shades,then, decided on the lightest shade and proceeded to ask the assistant for the product. I tried 3 different Sephora counters and none of them had the shade available for me to purchase. So, I decided to give the NARS concealer a go.

The product
The shade I chose was Vanilla (Light 2) which is the lightest shade available. There are 6 available shades at Sephora (in Italy) and 10 on the NARS website.
There is 6ml of product in the tube and the product comes with a  doe-foot applicator (which, surprisingly, I do not hate).
The price is 28.90 euro(sephora) & 28.00 euro(Nars website).

My opinion
First and foremost this product is marketed as creamy and radiant and it covers both of those bases. It is creamy, blendable, brightening under the eyes and with a good amount of coverage.
It is not completely crease-proof under the eyes especially when you are pushing 30(not that I would know anything about that :P) and those tiny fine lines start making an appearance under the eyes. However it works well with translucent powders and it is very long-lasting.
I would say this is one of the best concealers I have ever used and that says a lot. Yes, the price is a little out there but you really need a small amount to get the most out of this product. One thing I would say is that if you are looking for a very high-coverange concealer for the skin(to cover scars, pimples, birthmarks etc) this is not your best bet. It is however a phenomenal choice if you have under-eye circles you'd like to cover as well as general redness around the face. I prefer applying it with the doe-foot applicator that comes with the product and proceed to blending it either with a Beauty Blender sponge or the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush. 
Finally, price aside, I believe this is an amazing product and you most definitely need to try it if you are looking for a concealer that is blendable, brightening but not ghost-like, long-lasting and looks natural on the skin. 

What is your favourite concealer?Have you tried this product? Is it on your wish list?

Let me know in the comments below ;)

On my nails: Barry M Jelly Nail Paint "Lychee"