Estee Lauder bazaar haul!

First time I visited the highly controversial Estee Lauder bazaar was in May 2012 and I haven't missed one since.

If you are in Athens I highly recommend that you visit it as well!
You descent at the Holargos metro station and you walk two blocks towards Athens, you 'll see it on the right.

Working hours are:

• Monday to Friday 11:00-20:00
• Saturday 22 Nov (last day!) 11:00-19:00

If you go try not to have a big bag with you, try a little messenger instead,  something that will keep both your hands free and won't get in the way in case you need to squeeze in a little.

Each time I go I do it in a specific frame of mind:

• If it is too crowded or if I have to wait more than 10-15 minutes in line I leave
• I purchase whatever I like within my budget, I don't search for a specific item

Keeping these in mind, I have never been disappointed so far!

So, I went last Friday after work with a few of my colleagues and yesterday at 16:00 with my sister in law and our mothers. 

• First wow factor: no waiting line to get in!
• Second wow factor: the shelves were fully stocked and they kept unboxing stuff!
• Third wow factor: I found LE items that usually dissappear at the first day!
• Fourth wow factor: the checkout line was long both times but I didn't waste more than ten minutes, they have 10 cashiers and they're fast!

Now, you may wonder: sounds too good to be true. Where's the catch?

There is one undoubtedly: Mac and Estee Lauder counters, lol!

At first you approach gently and stand behind these that are in front of the counter. You try to see over their shoulder and if anything catches your attention ask them to pass you the tester, they'll be happy to oblidge.

Then, when you see that someone is preparing to leave, try to slide in their place. You may exercise a gentle shoving to other people that are trying to do the same thing, use a couple of well meant excuse me with a smile and no one will hold a grudge. 

When you finally arrive in front of the counter be kind to those behind you, help them out by passing on to them any tester they're interested in, or do a swatch on your hand and show it to them.

In case someone tries to displace you and deliberately uses all her body weight on you in order to achieve it, there are two ways to respond: 

• you withdraw or
• you do exactly the same thing to hold your place

There are also subtle (or not so subtle) differences between these two counters:

• The Mac "mob" was more gentle and thoughtful of others, I spent almost 30 minutes in front of the counter (the MUAs were opening a ton of boxes and I couldn't leave without seeing what was inside it, you feel me, lol!) and while we were waiting a sort of camaraderie formed among us, we were good sports, helping each other out, commenting on the poor MUAs that had to tolerate us, etc.
• The EL "mob" was more like it, there was real pushing and shoving there. For the first time ever someone tried to really push me away, a statuesque lady that probably thought she had the minion and leaned aaaalllll her weight on me, for a good 2-3 minutes (but guess what, I am a mighty minion, dumb bitch!) but I kept my ground by doing exactly the same thing. She withdrew complaining that people were pushing her. 

So sorry dear, may I fetch you an Earl Grey with a couple of πιτόγυρα to ease your suffering?

So enough talking (I promise I will restrain myself) here's what I purchased!

Mac Maleficent quad, LE 12€ 

EL Heat Wave highlighter, LE 12€ 

Mac Sea me Hear me blush, LE Alluring Aquatics collection, 7€

EL Bronze Goddess dry oil, LE, 25€

EL Sumptuous black mascara, 10€

I also got an EL quad at 15€ and a Mac christmas kit (the one from last year, with 3 eye shadows, powder, two lipsticks and an eye pencil) at 19€, for my sister in law and she loved both of them.

As for skincare I didn't get much because the memeboxes are arriving at an overwhelming pace (between vip codes and memepoints waiting to be spent I overdid it a tiiiiny bit!)

I did get a Darphin anti-age kit at 9€ though (the grey perforated bag was my goal TBH) 

If you've been following me for a while (here or on twitter or instagram) you probably saw a while ago that I 've been whining about the Origins Make a Difference + toner that I got a long time ago at a previous EL bazaar but I hadn't seen it again at the next bazaars. 

I love that toner, I mean LOVE it but I didn't want to spend 25$ at strawberrynet to buy it so I was hopping that I would see it again at an EL bazaar.

And, lo and behold, this time it was there!

So, at first I snatched two bottles but then I went back and got one more, then one more and I ended up with...

Yes, you counted correctly: 5 bottles!!!

At 12€ each it summed up but last time I experienced withdrawal syndrom (lol!) so I decided to stock up. They are now resting in the back of a drawer, away from sun, heat and all these bad things so as to keep them in top condition for a long time.

That's my EL bazaar haul and experience, if you want to read the according posts to my previous visits, just type Estee Lauder bazaar in the search box on the left and you'll see them.

If you have visited the EL bazaar, what would you advise to someone who has never been there but wants to?

That's it for now,  I hope you are all well and thriving!

Mac Moody Blooms haul!

Passing by a Mac store everyday coming home from work isn't always a good thing especially if you are a makeup addict, lol!

So, when I saw the Moody Blooms banner I had to take at least a look, but, failing at finding a parking space, I left with the plan to return on Saturday.

Well, Saturday decided to give us here in Athens a little downpour,

but I wouldn't let a little rain and thunder scare me off, I had a mission to see through!

So, I arrived and the full stand was a sight for sore eyes!

I wasn't interested in the blushes because I have more than I will ever use, also I didn't find them interesting enough.

The eyeshadows caught my attention immediately, especially the light peachy pink one, Artistic Lisence (LE).

It has Veluxe Pearl finish and is a very pretty peachy pink duochrome, close to a rose gold shade.

I initially thought it looked like Expensive Pink but swatched side by side they look nothing alike, Expensive Pink is darker and more peachy.

Coming home I realized that the pan color resembled a Sleek eyeshadow from the Lagoon palette but again, the Sleek one was totally different, much pinker.

Artistic Licence at the bottom, Expensive Pink in the middle, Sleek eyeshadow on top. 

Depending on the base I use it can look more peachy (for example over Painterly) or more pink (for example over Pink Gold Color Tattoo by Maybelline).

As for application, I got true to pan result packing it on with a Mac 239 brush. It can also be used with a fluffy brush for a wash of colour but the result is very subtle and the duochrome is not apparent.

The other eyeshadow I got was the plum one, Hidden Motive.

When I got home I had buyer's remorse for not getting the brown one as well but didn't want to go overboard.

Then I realized that if I depoted the two I already purchased I would have 6 packages to b2M and that's what I did (lighter and knife in the middle of the night, I need therapy, I know!).

So, next day I went back for the brown one but the SA refused at first saying that I couldn't b2M with a LE eyeshadow.  I told her that I could and had done it in the past but she still refused. She asked another SA who said it was allowed, only when it is in a special packaging you can't b2M.

She was still unconvinced so she did a phone call and it was confirmed I could b2M to a LE eyeshadow (hallelujah, it just took her 15 minutes to sort it out, lol!)

So, here they are.

Hidden Motive at the bottom, Deep Fixation on top.

Hidden Motive (LE, Veluxe Pearl) is a midtone plum that can be used on the lid, in the crease etc. I love it because it has a lovely color and I can achieve a smokey look without being too dark and sultry (because then I look like a five year old playing with crayolas!!!).

Deep Fixation (LE, Veluxe Pearl) is a gorgeous brown with a strong orange/red tint, unlike to any brown I own. It can also be used as a lid or crease color and is also perfect for a not too dark smokey look.

Here they are all together, depoted in a Mac palette.

I also debated on whether I should get the purple/lavender one as well, Blooming Mad (LE, Frost) but, swatching it side by side to Stars and Rockets (permanent) I decided to wait and b2M to Stars and Rockets because although they look dead on dupes, Stars and Rockets has a more intense duochrome and is less pink.

Blooming Mad at the bottom, Stars and Rockets on top (and yeah, I went home with purple swatches on my hand, lol!)

Last but not least, I also got a lipstick.

While I was browsing through the lippies I was like meh, ok, nothing outstanding.

Then, out of pure curiosity I swatched an ugly brown one sitting at the end of the display

and boy was I surprised!

The ugly brown one, Moody Bloom (LE, Sheen Supreme) turned out to be a soft semi transparent plume brown with a lovely almost a bit metallic sheen, one of the prettiest and most complex colors I have seen in a while.

By coincidence the SA told me that she was wearing it and I loved the result so much that there was no way I was leaving without it!

It reminded me of Oh oh oh!, another Mac LE lipstick that I got two years ago but swatched side by side they don't resemble at all, Oh oh oh! is less brown and Lustre finish.

Moody Bloom on top, Oh oh oh! at the bottom.

That's all I got from the Mac Moody Blooms collection, I do think it has quite a few unique items to offer and definitely worths at least a look.

I get a late summer / fall vibe from the colors that I chose and I think I will enjoy them year round.

For the end, here's an impromptu EOTD with Artistic Lisence and Hidden Motive (I swear my eyebrows are not massive IRL, just the close up was too close, lol!)

Did you have a chance to see the collection? What are your thoughts on it?

That's it for now,  I hope you are all well and thriving. 

Shiseido & La Roche Posay sunscreens

As you probably know, sunscreen is something that I never forget to put on my face, rain or shine, winter or summer.

I don't think that I have to explain why wearing sunscreen year around is crucial and if you do wear one, your skin will show its gratitude, now and in the years to come.

I always choose one with SPF 50, broadband spectrum.

My favorite one is the La Roche Posay Anthelios XL Fluid but last winter I decided to try the Shiseido Urban Enviroment one.
Recently I repurchased the la Roche Posay and I will tell you why.

My main problem  with the Shiseido is the consistency, it feels quite "oily" on application.  Even with my dryish skin, it takes a while to sink in and I don't have that much time in my morning routine.
I also feel that any makeup applied on top just slides around and after a few hours it's gone.
That is a bit strange to me because this sunscreen is marketed to everyday in the city use, so I was expecting a better "behaviour".
In texture it is really lovely and in between a gel and a cream.

On the other hand, the La Roche Posay Anthelios XL is very runny in consistency and I love it because it sets right away.

Also, there is a huge price difference with the Shiseido at 41€ (I got it of course much cheaper during some sales with a 35% off) and the La Roche Posay at 12€ (also at some sales recently).

They're both very good in protecting the skin and they don't leave the dreaded white cast.

I will use up the rest of the Shiseido but I can't wait to open the Anthelios!

Shiseido on the left, La Roche Posay on the right

Packaging and ingredients

That's it for now,  I hope you are all well and thriving! 

What's in my makeup bag!

I just rearranged the makeup purse I keep in my handbag  (I threw in a couple new entries) so, let's take a look!

• Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch concealer: it helps conceal and brighten up the under eye area, perfect for touch ups on the go.
• Shiseido sponge: it came with a Shiseido foundation and I keep it in my makeup bag because it is perfect for blending out the concealer and the little case keeps it separate from the rest of the stuff so it doesn't get dirty and doesn't stain everything else as well.
• Dior Rosy Glow blush: I just got it and I knew it would be very handy in my makeup bag because its color is really universal so I can touch up my blush no matter what I wore in the morning. It also has a decent brush and a good sized mirror.
• Dior Fluidstick in #373 Rieuse: another new entry, I chose a perky and luscious coral-red because lately I just run out the door with some bb, brows and mascara, so this lipstick/gloss hybrid will be perfect to give some color back to my face (dead man walking at 8 am is not funny, lol!). Did I tell you it feels sooo good on? Yeah. I think I'm starting a new addiction (sorry YSL Glossy Stains, I love you too!)
• Mac Fix+: I won't bore you to death, you know that I go nowhere without it in my purse.
• Burt's Bee lip balm: I really like this one, no frills and does the job.
• Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on pencil in Zero: I rarely touch up my tightline but I carry it always with me, just in case.
• Travalo: currently filled with a B&BW body mist, light pleasant and inoffensive. 

Dior Fluidstick in #373 Rieuse, Dior Rosy Glow blush.

If you would like to see what I previously kept in my makeup bag, take a look here .

That's it for now,  I hope you are all well and thriving! 

Magnitone Pulsar vs Clarisonic

If you haven't read my first impressions about the Magnitone Pulsar, you can find it here .

Almost a month after my purchase, here are my final thoughts.

As you know, I decided to purchase it while it was at a 50% off discount + a 20% off discount coupon I had from Hqhair, total 70€ which was definitely a steal.

The 50% off was a promotion that lasted a while, at various online shops.

Unfortunately, I searched online and don't find it on promotion anymore.  The full price is 161€.

Would I pay 161€ for it? No.

So, I will put it this way: if you can still find it at 50% off, get it.

If you can't find it anymore, get it if you want to use it on the body as well as on the face. It comes with the respective brushes included in the box.
The Clarisonic Plus is at 225€ so in comparison the Magnitone Pulsar is the better deal.

Don't get me wrong, the Magnitone Pulsar is a good tool and has definitely made a change to my skin texture.

I just don't think that you should pay €161 for it when the Clarisonic Mia 2 is at last available here in Greece.

So, let's do a comparison (they both improve my skin texture so I skip this factor):

Magnitone Pulsar:

Pros:

• Has 4 different modes 
• Has a brush head for the face and one for the body

Cons:

• It does feel a bit unbalanced, lightweight, plastic.
• Longer handle that I find a bit awkward to use on the face, it does help on the body though.
• It splatters tiny droplets of water everywhere, in my eyes as well and I find it quite annoying.
• It hums in a annoying way as well
• The bristles are a bit stiff, especially at first.  No irritation or anything though. 
• In case anything happens I have to ship it to UK.
• You have to buy an adapter

Clarisonic Mia:

I actually compare it to the Mia 1 because that's the one I used to have.

Pros:

• Feels lightweight yet solid and fits perfectly in my little hand.
• Available here (Mia 2) so you don't have to worry if something happens, I presume there will also be service available here. 
• Variety of face brushes
• It hums quietly
• Softer bristles
• Minimum water splatter
• At 149€ (Mia 2) it's actually cheaper than the Magnitone
• It beeps (Mia 2) when you must move to another area,  so you can't overdo it (very useful feature)
• It comes (Mia 2) with a carry pouch
• You don't have to buy an adapter. 

Cons:

Well, I can't find any, lol!

Bottom line: 

• Get the Clarisonic Mia 2 if you want to use it only on the face
• Get the Magnitone Pulsar if you want to use it on the body as well. 

A word of caution: 

• don't get wrapped up in the hype, if your skin is fine and you don't have any specific issues, you probably don't need either. 
• If you're not committed in cleansing your face at least every night, neither is for you. It doesn't do miracles and it must be used consistently in order for you to benefit from it.

If you want to improve your skin condition and you know you are going to use it everyday, get it. Your skin will thank you (just don't rub it off your face, lol!)

That's it for now,  I hope you are all well and thriving! 

Spring & Summer Nail Polishes

Hello and happy Easter, here is a pretty picture (lol!)

These are my spring/summer nail polishes, most of them old with a couple new entries!

Peach/coral

Mac Play Day (LE), Erre Due 215, L'Oreal 208

Pink

Erre Due 236, OPI Pink Friday, Erre Due 05, L'Oreal 210

Green/blue/teal

Erre Due 69, OPI Can't Find my Czechbook, MAC Ocean Dip (LE), Korres 92, Erre Due 120.

Here's my recent mani (feeling playful obviously!)

That's it for now, I hope you are all well and thriving!

Χριστός Ανέστη, εύχομαι ό,τι καλύτερο για εσάς και τους αγαπημένους σας!

Zoeva brushes review.

I wanted for the longest time to try the Zoeva brushes and when they launched their new line, I decided to try a couple.

I chose the: 

• 102 Silk Finish (10,50€)
• 109 Face Paint (12,50€)
• 224 Luxe Defined Crease (6,20€)

Shipping costs: 7,50€

First of all, I love them all. They're very soft, work beautifully and wash easily. 

Here are my thoughts on them:

102 Silk Finish: it is quite similar to another brush that I love, the Sephora Mineral Powder brush (that costs about 16€ if I'm not mistaken). It blends everything perfectly, liquid foundation, mineral foundation, blush, bronzer, creams and powders, you name it. It is beyond comparison to the Sigma F82 Round Kabuki that I also own because the Sigma one is too dense and moves the product around.

Here they are:

109 Face Paint: I 'be been looking for a contouring brush for quite some time but the available options (Mac, Illamasqua, Nars) are quite expensive. So, when Zoeva launced this one i decided to give it a try and i'm so happy i did! It has the perfect size, not too big not too small, and i can achieve a sharp contour if i desire so or a more diffused and natural result, for everyday use. It works perfectly with cream and powder products. I have also used it with highlight, blush, even foundation, works like a dream every time. It also washes easily and it doesn't get stained.

224 Luxe Defined Crease: i'm a Mac 217 fanatic (who isn't?) but i find that on my eyes it blends the crease color a little too widely, it reaches quite high and when i want to be more precise it can be a pain in the derrière. Well, this little brush is perfect for this purpose, it allows me to be as precise as I wish. It blends beautifully and it is probably my favorite of the bunch (although they are all my favorites, lol).

Here it is side by side to my Mac 217

I also would like to give Zoeva a great thumbs up for the packaging, because each brush came in its black zip lock plastic pouch and they come very handy if you're a bit OCD like me, I use them to organize all sorts of little things! 

I also got the trifold mirror (8,20€), it is very practical because it stands up on the table but I can also tuck it away when I don't need it.

Next on my wish list:

• 105 Luxe Highlight
• 106 Powder
• 142 Concealer Buffer
• 235 Contour Shader

Have you tried Zoeva brushes? Any recommendations?

That's it for now,  I hope you are all well and thriving! 

Magnitone Pulsar: First Impressions

Once upon a time (lol!) I had had a Clarisonic.

I loved it to pieces but, alas, after 3 years of impeccable service, it died, last summer.

Ever since I've been debating whether I should repurchase or not, the main reasons were:

• What if it was stopped at customs?
• What if it would malfunction and I would be obliged to return it all the way to USA, then shipped back all the way to Greece, costs to be considered as well?

For these reasons I decided to hold back on repurchasing one and decided to manually wash my face by using a hot cloth/muslin.

Well, my skin was not happy. The funny part is that I don't have major issues apart from a few sunspots and dryness during the colder months.

But, once I stopped using the Clarisonic I noticed that my pores looked larger around my nose and the skin texture on my cheeks was not as smooth as I was used too.

I tried exfoliating a couple of times per week, I tried acid toners, but nothing worked the way I wanted to.

So, when I saw on Hqhair that they had a half price offer on a new cleaning device, the Magnitone Pulsar, "similar" to the clarisonic that was a little more than half the cost of a clarisonic (or even less than that if you consider free shipping vs 20$ or more shipping for the clarisonic), I was really tempted.

I also took into consideration that there was no fear for customs and that if anything happened it should be less time consuming and less costly to ship it to UK than to the USA.

I was also interested in the four different modes (sensitive, exfoliating, pulselift massage, deep cleaning) and it also comes with a second brush for use on the body.

So it goes without saying that when Hqhair send me a coupon (I think 20% off) I jumped on the occasion and purchased it.

When I received it I was unpleasantly surprised by the poor packaging, I've bought much cheaper items from other online shops that were protected by layers of bubble wrap, but Hqhair decided that plain paper was enough for it!

Anyway, the device was safe and sound and after 24 hours of charging it was ready for use!

At this point let me clarify that this is not a review but a first impressions post, I have only used it three times!

First day reaction: I hate it! It makes weird, annoying sounds and splatters tiny droplets of water around!

Second day reaction: woa, it has four different modes! Let's try the exfoliating one!

Third day reaction: well, I think it does work!

Although it is way too soon, I do think that my skin looks smoother, less "textured", it feels softer as well.

Here's some bare skin (lollll!), no makeup, no moisturiser etc, (no filters of course), nothing. 

I also used it on the upper part of my hands, they are usually quite dry and a bit rough, and they became baby soft and smooth.

So, at this point I'm really excited to see the results of continuous use and I'll be back, let's say in a month, to tell you all about it and properly review it.

For now, here are a few photos

Since we are talking about cleaning devices, I was super excited today when I read that Sephora here in Greece will sell the Clarisonic!

If I knew it I would definitely wait and get one, since I've used it for a few years and wholeheartedly recommend it!

That's it for now, I hope you are all well and thriving! 

Collective Haul!

Oops I did it again (my inner Britney tosses her hair) and I have been using most of them for the past month or so, so it will be first impressions as well (bonus track)!

Cherry culture haul

Nyx jumbo eye pencils in Iced Mocha Milk and Yogurt: since my lids are not especially oily I thought that I could use them alone but they do crease and fade...so, not very happy.  I used them as an eyeshadow base, they fade nonetheless.  For a couple of hours they will stay put though.

Nyx Felt Tip Liner in Jet Black and Liquid Crystal Liner in Crystal Hip

I hardly ever wear black liner (let alone a glitter one!) but I really wanted to try something outside of my comfort zone. The liner is ok but I feel that the tip will dry out in a few weeks and the glitter is transparent so I can use it on top of any eyeshadow, when I want something special (=sparkly).

Red and Taupe blushes: I've been wanting to try Taupe for contouring for the longest time and it really is excellent for this purpose if used with a light hand and thoroughly blended. It is a cool toned brown/grey, perfect for a night out, if you want sky high cheekbones. I also use it as an eyeshadow, on the crease or allover the lid.

Red blush was purchased on a whim and it is ideal for snow white cheeks. It does look scary in the pan but if used extremely lightly it is beautiful.

Another blush I got, this one from Asos, is the Illamasqua Zygomatic and it has a barely there, dusty pink color. It is ideal for smokey eyes or in general when I want my cheeks to be there but subdued.

Nyx Red, Taupe and Illamasqua Zygomatic

All Cosmetics Wholesale haul: Nars is a brand that I really like but I find them rather expensive, so when ACW had a 30% off sales items, I got these Multiples in Luxor (a pinky champaign shimmery highlight) and Laguna (a shimmery light bronze shade). I really like these but again I have to constrain myself or else I will glow but not in a good way (more like, I fell head over heels in a shimmer tub).

Dior Constellation palette: love. If you like smokey, fumée tones you'll definitely enjoy this one. 

Ebay haul: I wanted to try the Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Moisturising Lotion for ages and I finally got the mini size.  It definitely feels emollient and when I put my moisturiser on top my skin feels supple and well fed, even when it's really cold or windy. I 'll probably purchase the full bottle.

Cure Natural Aqua Gel: this is a mild exfoliating gel/lotion and I had tried a couple of samples beforehand and I really liked it. It seems natural enough, no nasties from what I can tell and it will probably last me quite some time.

That's it for now, I hope you are all well and thriving!