My Top Ten Make-Up Brushes

Hey everyone!

I hope you are all doing well and that you are enjoying the festivities, this holiday season. I am currently getting over a pretty stubborn cold which has been annoying the heck out of me for 8 days now. However, I am looking forward to Christmas dinners and festivities with family and friends.

Today, I thought I would share my top picks for make-up brushes. Shopping for brushes can be overwhelming and expensive so I went through my collection and picked 5 face brushes and 5 eye brushes I feel are my most used and loved.

Over the years, I have accumulated over 40 make-up brushes(that includes some travel brushes) and I have disposed of only 4. That is because I try to invest in good quality brushes as much as I can. I buy 1 or 2 good quality brushes a year and I make sure I take very good care of them so I can have and enjoy them for many years to come.

I think that the average make-up wearer doesn't need more than 8 brushes if they choose wisely. For beginners, there are also great sets out there, to get you started and to help you get a feel for what works for you. Some brands that do good quality sets that do not cost an absolute fortune are Sigma ,
Zoeva  and Morphe (available in Europe through several e-shops such as Beauty Bay). Other affordable brands that I quite like are EcoTools and Real Techniques.

Now, let me show you my top 10 brushes and tell you a little bit about how I use each of them.

FACE

1. MAC 187 (46 €)

• Here, I have my SE 187 brush from the RiRi Hearts MAC collection but I do own the original as well and I use both of them
• I use this primarily for powder blush and occasionally for a light dusting of powder

2.Bobbi Brown Full Coverage Face Brush (£31)

• This has completely changed my routine since it is the only brush I use for foundation and the application is flawless and super-easy.

3. Sephora Multitasker Brush #44 (18.10 €)

• An amazing and affordable brush. I use it mostly for powder especially when I want my make-up to last all day.

4. NARS Yachiyo Kabuki Brush (55€)

• I use this brush mostly for blush but I also use it to apply bronzer when I want to fake a contour without actually taking the time to contour. The tapered shape helps that process immensly.

5. Real Techniques Setting brush (8.95€)

• A great brush to apply highlighter with.

EYES

6. Sigma Large Fluff Brush- E50 (17$)

• I use this brush to apply a flesh-toned colour all over my lids. When it comes to my day-to-day eye look I want something quick and easy since I don't pay that much attention to detail.

7. MAC 219 (27 €)

• This brush is ideal for applying shadow under the lower lashes. I also love to use it for smudging liner.

8. MAC 239 (27 €)

• When I am looking to apply a powder eyeshadow precisely and somewhat heavily I choose this brush. It picks up the colour very well and the shape is ideal for my eyes. I sometimes turn in horizontally and use the tip to apply shadow on the lower lash line.

9. Sephora Crease brush -No 18 

• (This Sephora brush has possibly been discontinued and/or replaced. The best alternative is the MAC 217)
• One of the best crease and blending brushes I have ever used. It is soft and tapered which makes it ideal for crease-work. 
• I own 5 different blending brushes and I can safely say that I use this and the MAC 217 the most.

10. Urban Decay Shadow brush

• I use this brush for cream eye-shadows or for pigments when used with water or a mixing medium. It is brilliant for that use because it is synthetic and works well with cream and wet formulas. (This came with my UD Naked Palette, back in the day, and the closest I found was their Flat Eyeshadow Brush which can be purchased separately) 

So, there you have it!!!!My top ten make-up brushes. 

I am planning on doing ,at least, one more post before the New Year so if you have any requests or suggestions please do not hesitate to let me know. 

I hope you enjoyed this post and ,as always, I look forward to hearing from you in the comments. 

Athina

"30+ Skincare" My picks, tips and suggestions

Hey everyone, 

I have been wanting to write this post for a few months now and I just managed to gather both my thoughts on it as well as most of the products I wanted to include.
I have skipped make-up removing since, I feel, I have spoken about this multiple times in other posts. However, if you are interested in the oils and butters I use to remove my make-up then I would be more than happy to do a separate post on that(just leave me a comment on this post if you would like to see that).
So, I am now 31 (shhhh don't tell anyone) and I am trying to take even better care of my skin that before. That includes changing up some products as regularly as possible to see what works best and, of course, making sure I pick products and ingredients that suit my skin's ever changing needs.

Now I have done this in logical order starting with ...

"Cleansing & Toning"

Right after removing my make-up (if I am wearing any), I use the Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micelaire Solution which is a star product I have been using for the past 5 years or so. I use this to remove any lingering make-up as well as to gently cleanse the skin in case I am having a no make-up day.
Right after that I wash my face using The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash (which I also use in the morning). However, this is not my favourite facial wash for my evening routine. That is actually the Nuxe Reve De Miel Face Cleansing and Make-up Removing Gel which is another Holy Grail product of mine I just happen not to have in my collection at the moment.
Lastly, I use the Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Balancing Softener Enriched Lotion which is a beautiful toner with anti-ageing properties. 

The next step is ...

"Moisturising & Sun Protection"

I use two different moisturisers depending on whether it is the morning or the evening however, as you will be able to see, I don't use a night cream. The reason being I recently cornered my trusted dermatologist asking him whether I needed it yet and much to my surprise he said no. 

In the morning I use the Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Mattifying Fluid which gives me enough moisture but also helps my skin stay mat. This product provides a good base for make-up and is one of the best mattifying moisturisers I have tried. Over top this , or mixed in with it I also apply the Avene Emulsion 50+ Sunscreen regardless of what time of the year it is. 

At night, my moisturiser of choice is the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream, a staple favourite of mine which has really won me over with its simplicity, long life, and versatility. 

And of course...

"Eye Care" 

Yes, I am aware that three products is both extensive and ridiculous but bare with me. 

The product on the far left is the Nuxe Creme Prodigieuse Yeux which hasn't wowed me as such but it is a good, affordable eye cream which I am about to run out of. I am planning on replacing it with the La Roche-Posay Active C Eye Cream with active vitamin C (I have not made up my mind yet about this product but I will let you know as soon as I have). 

In the morning, I prefer a serum or a lightweight cream to put under make-up and my product of choice lately has been the Clinique All About Eyes Serum. This product has also got some light-reflecting properties which are a plus when you are trying to look less tired. 

Before I move on to the next category I would like to mention my all time favourite eye cream which I believe is one of the best on the market and it is the Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado which I have just taken a break from in order to try some new products.

To get rid of that unwanted dead skin...

"Exfoliating"

Exfoliating is one of my favourite things to do when it comes to skincare but I do make sure not to overdo it. I exfoliate once or twice a week alternating between a physical exfoliator and a chemical one. 

On the left we have the fantastic Origins Modern Friction and on the right , the phenomenal Nip+Fab Glycolic Fix Night Pads Extreme.  The physical exfoliator is a product that I feel works incredibly well for my skin and the Nip+Fab Pads are definitely a great way to ease into using acids. Don't let the "Extreme" fool you. They are not abrasive nor have they given my relatively sensitive skin, any issues. 

To got the extra mile....

"Serums & Oils"

When I wish to really treat my skin I choose either an oil or a serum. I do gravitate more towards the former though, hence why there are two featured in this category.
My favourite serum is by far the Apivita Natural Serum - Lifting which I heard was being discontinued (PLEASE APIVITA, SAY IT AIN'T SO!!!). This is lightweight and smells gorgeous and it contains all kinds of goodness for your skin, including Royal Jelly and Vitamin A!
Next, we have the beautiful Origins Plantscription Youth-Renewing Face Oil, a great oil which plumps and re-juvenates my skin. Last, but certainly not least, is a star product that I recommend to everyone and it is the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate. Now my mom is in her early 60's and she loves this as much as I do.

p.s. I did get a chance to try the Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil and it is indeed as gorgeous and phenomenal as they say. Now all I have to do to buy the full-size product is sell a kidney and pay the £85 price-tag.

And finally, for a little TLC...

"Masks"

I have to be in a real pampering mood to use a combination of masks but I do try to use one of these at least once a week, according to how my skin feels and looks.
The Peter Thomas Roth mini masks on the left are not all on the same level of awesomeness for me. The Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask is absolutely spectacular in my humble opinion. It is a re-surfacer and I use it every time my skin feels stuffy or dull. The Peter Thomas Roth Rose Stem Cell Mask is a great re-plenishing mask for the skin which really helps your skin glow and the  Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Mask is a good moisturising mask which becomes much nicer when placed in the fridge.
For a deep cleanse I love the Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque which also helps shrink your pores and purify them. And ,of course, I could not discuss skincare without mentioning the fastest little moisture miracle which is the Origins Drink Up 10 Minute Mask. 

Now, on to...

"Tips & Suggestions"

• Try not to skip toner. It might seem useless but the right toner will help enhance the skin's surface and overall look. 
• Unless specifically recommended by a dermatologist I would advise you to stay away from toners containing alcohol because that can aggravate the skin. 
• A good micelaire water can even replace your make-up remover especially if you do not wear a ton of make-up.
• When you are trying a new product make sure you really put it under the microscope and see if it works for you. Skincare products can often be quite pricey and you do not want to be spending your money on things that might be working for others but are not quite working for you. (That is also why you shouldn't be afraid to ask for a sample) 
• Do your research!!Sometimes, the products we are looking into can have ingredients that your skin might dislike or that haven't worked for you in the past. 
• Things that work for other people might not work for you. Don't despair though, there are so many other products out there to try. 
• Much like make-up do not use skincare products past their expiration date. Once a product changes texture, scent or colour , get rid of it ASAP. 
• Sometimes, you need to switch it up...! We all get stuck in a rut with products but as your skin ages it changes and you have to cater to those changes if you want your skincare to be effective. 
• When in doubt about an ingredient or your skin's reaction to a product, ask a dermatologist....!

So, I gravitate towards and trust several brands for my skincare and I would like to mention some of them if you guys are having trouble narrowing them down. (I provide no links since I am not affiliated with any of them, nor have I received any kind or remuneration for mentioning them)

Origins, Kiehl's , Nuxe,  Clinique, Clarins, Apivita, Avene , Caudalie, Neil's Yard Remedies, Shiseido, Estee Lauder, and Bioderma 

Now, before I conclude this post I would like to say that I am aware that I have featured a plethora of products here but please keep in mind the following:

1. I travel a lot and tend to pick up a lot of travel-sized products which can allow you to try products before splurging on them.

2. I did not buy these in one go. I have slowly built a "collection" of sorts.

3. I would rather save on other things and be able to purchase skincare that I trust will not aggravate my skin as well as work well for my skin. Not everyone feels the same and I appreciate and respect that hence why I expect others to do the same. 

I hope you enjoyed this post and you found it informative!!Let me know what you think!!

xoxo
A.

Autumn Lips

Long time no see my lovely readers!!!!!!!!!! 

Autumn is my favourite time of the year (I am an Autumn baby after all) so I thought I should share with you, my favourite lip products for this time of year. These are a mixture of reds, berries and nudes as well as a mixture of finishes. I like to transition into darker lips but I am not fussed about wearing season appropriate colours only. Sometimes, it is just about what you like and what suits your look and personality. 

I admit I am a sucker for berry-coloured make-up products, especially when it comes to lips. I think they are flattering for most complexions and there is enough out there to find the perfect one for you. 

So, without further ado, here are the lip products featured in today's post.

 

KIKO Creamy Colour Comfort Lip Liner in 316 

As the name suggests, it is creamy and comfortable and lasts a long time on the lips.

 The colour is a mixture of berry and brown. 

KIKO Velvet Matte Satin lipstick in 614

Beautiful packaging and overall product by KIKO. Matte but comfortable, easy to apply and not drying. 

REVLON Lip Butter in Raspberry Pie

A cult favourite of mine with a great colour payoff for a glossy lipstick.

MAC Velvet Teddy

I adore this product. I have been wearing it non-stop since I got it and it is quickly becoming my favourite nude.

MAC Deeply Adored(LE from the Marilyn Monroe collection)

Unfortunately this was LE but it is a basic dark red with a hint of berry.

MAC Rebel 

I expected this to be darker when I first purchased it however the colour is unique and the formula great.

RIMMEL Apocalips Lip Velvet in Meteoric Matte

This is not too matte hence quite comfortable and the colour is a berry red.

NYX Lip Lingerie in Embellishment 

Quite a unique colour. The formula is quite dry but I enjoy wearing it regardless of that. 

I really like the grey and purple tones of this. 

I also have some lip swatches for you...

I hope you enjoyed this post and thank you for baring with me all this time. I have a plan for loads more posts and they should be coming soon.Meanwhile, please leave any post recommendations and/or requests in the comments below.

xoxo

A. 

All about concealers

Hello my lovely readers!!!

I am back after a long, long time. I took some time off blogging to make some fundamental decisions about my blog. I am in the process of re-designing it (which will take some time) and I am ready to dedicate more time , energy and effort into creating good-quality, relevant and interesting content so stay tuned!!

Today, I thought we would talk about concealers. More specifically, my concealer choices and application advice for your summertime concealing needs.
After a lot of trial and error I have found some products that I think make the process of concealing easier and others which make it heat-proof and natural-looking.
Let's start with some tips on how to choose the correct shade and finish.

• Choose a shade lighter that your skin-tone for an under-eye concealer (maximum two shades lighter though, you don't want the reverse-panda effect).

• Choose a creamy and blend-able concealer for your under-eyes so that the process of blending won't require you to tug on the extra-sensitive skin under your eyes.

• If you want to conceal pimples then use the "Eldridge Technique" (Lisa Eldridge's concealing technique) which involves a tiny brush and spot-concealing with a heavy-duty concealer. 

• Concealers that are used to cover-up scarring, pimples etc should match your skin tone since lighter concealers will draw attention to the area you are trying to cover up.

• If you have very dark circles or a lot of discolouration then a corrector , followed by concealer will work wonders.  However ,using a colour corrector such as lavender, green or pink, requires a deeper understanding of how colours neutralise each other, so I would delve into that extensively before attempting to use such a product. 

Now, onto the products I have been using for the past couple of months and how I like to apply them.

Left to right: Bobbi Brown Creamy Corrector Light to Medium Bisque), Maybelline Age-Rewind concealer (Light), NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer (Vanilla) and Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer Pencil (DEA)

The NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer is my most used concealer and also one of the most expensive concealing products I own, and for good reason. I use it under the eyes(mostly) in a triangular shape to bring light to the area and conceal any dark circles. Other than the fact that you have to work quickly to blend it in, it is absolutely phenomenal. You can find a review HERE.

Application tools: 

For a heavier application/coverage I use a concealer or foundation brush. My current favourites are the Sigma P45 and the Bobbi Brown Full Coverage Face. If I want the application to be flawless and natural-looking I always use a damp Beauty Blender (I use Pro Black but any good sponge will do the trick). 

For spot-concealing I use a Sephora 12 Eye-liner brush.

Taking it to the next level......

The next level is setting the concealer with the correct powder for longevity and a creaseless/ sweat-proof look. Here are some of my powder picks.

On the left: Soap and Glory One Heck Of A Blot
In the centre: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light
On the right: Laura Mercier Loose Powder in Translucent 

I use Soap and Glory One Heck Of A Blot and Laura Mercier Loose Powder in Translucent in rotation, focusing more on my under-eye area (using a dense brush and a lightly pressing technique), as well as on my T-zone.
And the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light, I use to set my concealer on and around my nose because of its blurring properties(I use a fluffy powder brush to apply this product).

I hope all this has been helpful and interesting and I would like to hear from you guys in the comments, letting me know your tips for using and setting concealers.

Athina

P.S. I have included a link to a super-useful article from "Into the Gloss" if you guys are looking for info on a wider range of fabulous concealers. :D 

Random Post Monday : Italy edition.

Ciao a tutti,

I wanted to put this post up as soon as possible since I am off to the U.K. in less than 5 days which means back to work which in turn means very limited time for blogging.
As some of you might have guessed I spent this past academic year in the North of Italy. I met some great people, taught some interesting individuals and visited some amazing places. I took quite a few photos along the way and I thought I would share a snippet of this new adventure of mine with all of you...!!I hope you enjoy it!!

p.s. This is a collection of photos from Milan, Verona and some smaller places in Northern Italy :) 

xoxo
A.

Collective Spring Haul

Ahoy internet people,

The past couple of weeks I have been feeling a bit spendy. The truth is that we've been working quite hard and that fact, paired with general boredom and the moody weather has led me to visit Milan a few times and pick up some stuff. Of course, as the title suggest this is a collective haul...meaning I did not pick up everything in one trip.
But enough with the chitter chatter...let's get on with it.

Firstly, I picked up the beauty blender which I have been wanting to get my hands on for quite a while.
Then, I splurged on the AMAZING NARS Yachiyo kabuki brush.
I also picked up the Nails Inc "St' James square" nail varnish.
I also popped into MAC and got "Flamingo" lipstick.
Clarins was up next where I checked out a couple of things and I decided on the Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil.
Kiko was, of course, another stop where I swatched the new Cream Crush eyeshadows and decided on No6.

Here are swatches of the products mentioned above, under natural light.

Nails Inc "St' James Square"

     MAC "Flamingo" lipstick

 Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil

   KIKO Cream Crush eyeshadow No 6

And the tools...<3 nbsp="" p="">

I also picked up a try-out set from clinique featuring these three products in deluxe sample sizes. 

 

Now, here are some re-purchases of products that I have loved in the past or have been loving recently. 

Firstly, I went back to my Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel for make-up removing purposes. 

Then, the NARS creamy concealer repurchase was in order since I am running low of the other one(Read my review of this product HERE). 

Last but most definitely not least, I bought the magical Hourglass "Arch brow pencil" in soft brunette. This pencil has been my only brow product for the past 7 and a half months and I have only positive things to say about it. 

My last two shopping stops were Kiehl's and &Other Stories where I picked up the Ultra Facial Toner  & Moisturiser (in travel size) and the "Steel Garden" Body lotion, respectively(two of them actually since the second one is a little treat for my mom).

I hope you guys enjoyed this collective haul. 

Feel free to ask for reviews for any of the products mentioned above.

xoxo

A. 

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"

The big pre-spring clean out!!

Ahoy my dearest readers,

I am back, yet again, with another empties post. I have been collecting empties for a very long time now and I have finally decided to throw the empty containers out and do this post. These empties have been collecting in both my Athens and Milan flats so as you can imagine, it was about time to get rid of them especially since Spring is around the corner (or at least that is the hope). 

So without further ado....here are all the products I recently put in the bin ...!!

This time, I have not commented on each of them individually since I have very limited time. Instead, I have colour coded the products according to the following factors: 

Red: I would not purchase this product again

Purple: I have already re-purchased this product

Green: I would re-purchase this product in the future

Blue: I neither loved, nor hated the product

Bioderma Photoderm Max 50+ facial sunscreen

Cetaphil Daily moisturiser

L'oreal Idea Glow cleansing oil

Bioderma Sensibio H2O

Nuxe Reve de Miel lip balm

L'occitane gentle toner

Avene soothing eye contour cream

Yves Rocher Gommage Gourmand

Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel

PURE DKNY body butter

EOS lipbalm in Summer Fruit

Oriflame Silk Hand Cream 

Rituals perfume 01

Bath and Body works "Market Peach" pocket bad

L'oreal Elvive Keratine shampoo

Batiste Dry shampoo in "Cherry" 

Lee Stafford "Poker Straight" Dehumidifier

Elegant Touch Acetone Free nail polish remover

Sephora Express nail polish remover

Bats Extra Effective antiperspirant cream 

Vichy roll-on antiperspirant x2 

Sensodyne Gentle Whitening toothpaste

Sensodyne Repair and protect toothpaste

Pearl Drops "Hollywood Smile" Transform toothpaste

Yet another Vichy antiperspirant :P 

Dove Body Silk body cream 

Spa Sanctuary Comforting night butter

LUSH Snow Fairy shower gel (italian packaging :P)

LUSH Ocean Salt Face and Body Scrub

Josie Maran Argan Oil light

Yet another bioderma Sensibio H2O

Origins GinZing moisturiser

Tarte Maracuja C-brighter eye cream

The Body Shop Camomile sumptuous cleansing butter

That is all for today....!I am hoping to return soon once I have a tad bit more time to prepare and put up posts. I hope you are all doing well.

xoxo

A. 

Winter Empties Vol I

Ahoy my dear readers,

I have some of my winter empties to share with you this afternoon. I have been accumulating these empties for a month or so, now and I though that I would do this post and get rid of them before the new year in an "out with the old and in with the new" kind of effort.

Now, I have been keeping my empties in a little Kiehl's bag for no particular reason. Here is an overview...

Now, 90% of the products featured in this post will be sorely missed. A few, I have already re-purchased since they are my beauty staples and only one of them I was not too impressed by.
Let's start with the mascaras, shall we??

The Maybelline Collosal Go Extreme Volum' is by far my favourite drugstore mascara and it will always be in my collection.

The KIKO Volume Attraction mascara did not impress me. It is ok for a daytime mascara but all in all  I don't think I would re-purchase it. I am, however, intrigued by KIKO mascaras and I am planning on trying more in the future. 

I am moving on to a single product that has been a favourite of mine for a very long time. 

Batiste was the first dry shampoo I ever tried and it still one of my favourites. It is inexpensive and does the job incredibly well. :) 

Next(from left to right) we have:

1) The Body Shop Honey & Oat 3-IN-1 Scrub mask. I inherited this from a friend who had some issues with this. I liked it but didn't love it. It didn't do much for my skin which surprised me given how much I like the Body Shop Blue Corn mask. 

2) Vichy Anti-Perspirant is the best thing ever as far as under-arm care is concerned. It is the only antiperspirant I use. 

3) Origins GinZing moisturiser is AMAZING. It is the perfect day or night time moisturiser for dull-combination skin.It is the 3rd jar I finish and when I get the chance, I will re-purchase this product again.

4)Rituals Qi Serum. This is a minty cream used for stress relief and it is the bomb!!!!!!!!!!!!!I cannot wait to get my hands on it again. 

Last, but most certainly, not least I have 3 skincare products.

In the centre of the photo we have the infamous Tea Tree Water by Lush. It is a tonic water infused with tea tree. I purchase it normally, when my skin is going through a rough time. Lately, I have been getting the odd spot here and there and this toner has helped me battle these spots and keep my skin clean. 

On the left, I have a mini bottle of the Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil. This oil is good but not as good as the product on the left which is the Josie Maran Pure argan oil Light. I am looking forward to the day I will have this oil in my collection, again. 

I hope you all enjoyed this post and I look forward to reading your comments.

Toodles

A. 

Autumn '14 favourites

Ahoy my lovely readers,

It has been well over a month since I posted a little comeback/update post and honestly, I thought I would start blogging earlier however work has been mental the past couple of weeks. Today, I am bringing you my Autumn '14 favourites today. It is the last week of November and I thought it was very appropriate to discuss the products I have been loving lately. 

I have been keeping it very simple these past couple of months hence why there aren't too many products to show you. As I mentioned earlier, work has been hectic so make-up time, in the morning, is not as long as I would like it to be. 

List of Products:

YSL Touch Eclat Foundation (B30)

NARS "And god created the woman" palette (close-up picture on my Facebook page and swatches to follow) 

Sally Hansen "Plum Luck" nail varnish 

Revlon "Va Va Violet" lipstick 

Hourglass Arch Brow Pencil "Soft Brunette" 

Tarte "Exposed" amazonian clay blush. 

Rituals "Magnolia and Pink Pepper" perfume (and perfume holder) 

"Vanilla Chai" Yankee Candle (mini candle)

As you can probably tell I have been liking vampy lips and nails which is a staple for me really. I have been also getting into doing my brows only because of how incredibly easy it is using this phenomenal hourglass product. I think this is always going to be in my collection as long as I can afford it. My love for Rituals is also going strong because of this new product I discovered in September. It is feminine but still fresh which is perfect for autumn. 

I hope you found this post interesting. There is more to come....stay tuned. 

Toodles

A. 

A belated come back.

Ahoy my lovely readers.

I know it has been way too long and that you have probably been wondering where the heck I have been.Well I haven't really sat down long enough to be able to write an update. I have been travelling left right and centre, I have been working waaay too much and making more changes. A friend of mine from school recently compared my life to a music tour which I found hilarious but quite accurate at the same time. As an young professional without prior engagements and commitments I tend to go where the wind blows and this time the wind blew somewhere closer to home(details to follow).
I hope you are all well and that your summer was awesome and that returning to reality was not very painful. I also hope that you will welcome me back into the fold after this short absence.

xoxo

A. 

Let's talk : Bronzers

Ahoy everyone,

Summer is officially here and most of us are very quick to pick up our favourite bronzers and slap them all over our face, in an effort to look tanned. But there is often a great deal of confusion when it comes to choosing the correct bronzer for the correct use as well as the right bronzer for our skin colour. Today, I wanted to talk a little bit about the bronzers I have in my collection or bronzers I have tried in the past, in an effort to help others decide on the right product for them.

I am going to start with a cult favourite and the most expensive bronzer I have ever splurged on.

photo taken from: http://www.beautylish.com/p/chanel-soleil-de-tan-bronzing-makeup-base

The Chanel Bronze Universal/ Soleil Tan De Chanel is a creme bronzer. It is slightly shimmery but the shimmer doesn't really translate on the skin. The pigmentation is insane and a little bit goes a very long way. Most people find that it is not a colour they would contour with. However both me and my really pale, extremely yellow-toned skin really like this product as a contour. I use several brushes with this product but the one I love the most is the Real Techniques Expert face brush.

The next product on my list is my favourite bronzer to date.

NARS "Laguna" Bronzer is another cult favourite. This is a powder bronzer that also has excellent pigmentation. And much like the previous product I spoke about, there is subtle shimmer in this one which also doesn't translate on the skin. If your skin is medium to dark and you'd like to try a NARS bronzer, I would also recommend "Casino".

Guerlain is one of my old favourite make-up brands and this terracotta product is one of the oldest bronzers in my collection. It came in this amazing travel palette that my lovely mom bought me during one of our trips.

photo taken by: http://s946.photobucket.com/user/liliya-2010/media/Guerlain_Terracotta_Palette__184090.jpg.html

This is more of a blush/ bronzer for me. It is slightly too shimmery to contour with but it is amazing
to use to warm up the face.

Next up I have a bronzer that I just started using. It is a cult favourite for loads of bloggers and youtubers and it is non other than the Benefit "Hoola" Bronzer.

Image taken from : http://www.feelunique.com/p/Benefit-Hoola-Bronzing-Powder-11g

This is a completely matte bronzer that suits lots of skin tones and it is one of the most talked about bronzers on the blogosphere. Personally I find it way too dark for my skin tone however now that I have a tiny bit of tan I can make it work if I use a small amount and blend really well. It is undoubtably a great product however I would suggest you ask the store assistant to try it on your skin before purchasing, if your skin is fair. 

The last product I would like to share today is more affordable than the previous 4.

This is the slightly broken L'oreal Glam Bronze in the shade "01 Blonde Sun"**. It is slightly orange for my complexion and that is why it is the PERFECT bronzer to use as a blush. Yep...you heard just right. I use it as a blush and it looks phenomenal. It gives me that sun kissed look without the shimmer or the heavy contour. 

That is all for today. I hope you enjoyed this post and I am really looking forward to reading your comments on what your favourite bronzer is and/or which bronzer you would recommend I should try next.  :D

Toodles. 

xoxo

A.