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. 

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!

Winter favorites!

Happy February friends and since we just got really winter-y here in Greece, here are my winter favorites!

First stop skincare because I obviously need all the hydration I can find!

Apivita Aloe Vera mask: recent purchase but I really like it, I'm buying the tube as soon as I finish the sachets.

Apivita Grape mask: I had tried the sachets before and really like the cooling and tightening sensation.

Clarins Hydraquench mask: this tube is almost empty but I 'll probably repurchase, love the fact that I can slap it on allover my face and around eyes and sleep with it on!

Cure Natural Aqua exfoliating Gel: some time ago I purchased a couple of samples on ebay and I recently found the last one in my skincare drawer, tried it again and remember that I really liked it so I got a bottle, on ebay as well. It's effective, gentle and easy to use, full review coming soon!

Now let's get to makeup!

Brows

Mac Veluxe Brow Liner in Strawberry Blonde: staple item in my stash and it fills in gaps beautifully, the pencil also lasts a very long time, unlike my other favorite, Fling, that runs out quickly. I will repurchase unless I find a matching shade in Anastasia brand that everyone raves about!

Benefit Gimme Brow: another staple, I just wish it was not so tiny. I use it over the pencil and makes my brows polished but natural looking.

Eyes

Benefit eyebright: I use it on the waterline when I feel sleepy, it makes me look more awake and perky. It's soft and glides on effortlessly, I just wish it lasted longer...

Benefit They're Real: I won't bore you to death with repeating once more why I love it but, surprise, it's almost empty and I don't have a backup because I have a little sample stash that I must work through first. Shocked, aren't you?

Nyx Bohemian Rhapsody palette: I had quite forgotten this little gem (probably the oldest palette i own, i think i got it back in 2011) but I found it again while I was looking for a pencil in my eye makeup drawer and fallen in love allover again. Easy going, basic shades, mattes and shimmery, highlight, crease and midtone shades, it's all I use in the mornings because it has everything I need.

Dior Constellation palette: the newest gem in my collection and it is ravishing! I can achieve sultry or more natural, fumée looks. LE but still available here,  review coming up!

Face

Nyx Taupe blush: I finally got it and it is as good as everyone says about contouring. It must be used with a light hand though, especially in daytime or else I look like an undead, lol!

Illamasqua Zygomatic blush: first ever Illamasqua purchase and I love it! On me it is a light, cool pink-with a hint of taupey brown - shade that compliments perfectly my winter looks with heavier, smokey eyes and it is a perfect match for the dior palette.

Guerlain Crazy Meteorites Poudre Eclat: you saw this coming, didn't you? I actually prefer this one than the perles version, I'll probably do a review comparing the two if you're interested because I think it's still available here.

Clarins Bronzing Duo in Light: I 'm in perpetual fear of the orange stripped cheeks and this bronzer is my safeguard because it is so subtle and light that I can not over do it, lol!

Mac BB cream: I use it alone when I 'll be out for a few hours or under makeup on working days. It has decent coverage and I see it as a skincare barrier between my skin and my makeup.  I don't know if I 'll repurchase thought because there are a few others I would like to try as well.

Lips

YSL Glossy Stains: #3 & #4

No favorites post of mine is complete without a tube or two of these heaven sent lippies. I will just say that these shades match perfectly my winter face, lol!

Mac Cockney lipstick: when I need something more vibrant I automatically reach for this one because it is sheer yet apparent. If you're timid of the red lip, give it a try.

Clarins Éclat Minute lip balm: no, it's not the most moisturising lipbalm I've ever used but I feel extra posh when I apply it on! Is anyone else weird like that or is it just me? It's very good nonetheless and a handbag staple.

So, these are my current favorites and here's a group photo!

What's your most favorite item this winter, something you reach for constantly?

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

Use it up!

My love for new and sparkling beauty items is known but at the same time I feel that I neglect my not so new but still sparkling stash.

So, I thought to discipline my self - not that it is that difficult - and use up things that are halfway empty.

I also tried to be realistic so, no eyeshadows, no pan powders, blushes etc because I have not hit pan on anything of the kind.

Well, enough talking, here is my "use it up!" little basket.

Mac Strobe: this is the travel size and I use it mixed with my foundation. I love it because it gives life and luminosity to any foundation, it is also ideal to sheer out a dense base, it's like a moisturiser/highlighter hybrid. I will definitely repurchase, probably the lotion because it is fluid and I assume it will mix with my foundation even better.

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua: I purchased it the summer before last and there was a third left. I should probably throw it away but instead I added a hefty dose of the Estee Lauder Maximum Cover in #11 Very Light and quite some Strobe cream and I ended up with a perfect fair shade that matches me perfectly.  I also like the fact that it has one or two metallic balls in the tube so it mixes up perfectly my hand made concoction (lol!). As for the foundation (before the alchemies described above!) is really lovely, natural looking and lightweight

Sonia Kashuk cream bronzer #41 warm tan: I had never tried a cream bronzer before so before committing to a huge and expensive Chanel Tan de Chanel Bronze Universel I decided to try another, more affordable representative of the genre.  I can't say that I liked this one mainly because it doesn't last at all. Maybe my rendezvous with the Chanel one is unavoidable, if I can find it at a 35% off (fingers crossed!)

Jemma Kidd highlighter in #01 Iced Gold: I was reluctant to use it because I love it but the brand does not exist anymore so I wanted to keep it as long as possible. Crazy huh? Thank god reason finally prevailed so I decided to use it up! Lovely beyond words, but sadly not available any more.  

Dior Diorskin Nude in #020: love it, will definitely repurchase, maybe the compact version (although I should probably finish my MSF natural first!)

Clarins instant smooth primer: well, I can't say that this one rocked my world.  It's supposed to smooth skin texture, I didn't see any difference though.  Not repurchasing.

YSL the infamous lot, the loves of my life, can't live without them, you get the grip: they are the first batch i ever bought and they are more than half gone, so my task is easier. They should actually hit the bin but it is above my powers, the don't smell funny (or funnier than normal, lol!), consistency is ok so I will use them up.

#12, #17, #7, #15

Do you have an absolute favorite that at the same time you have to use it up ?

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

Fair as a Ghost: Estee Lauder Maximum Cover & Mac Pro Longwear Concealer.

Being quite a pale gal when the summer "tan" goes away, I start to look like Casper's sibling.
The problem that I find with my skin tone is that is hard to find a light enough foundation to match me and even when I do, they're usually too pink or too yellow.

I've used foundations that are a tiny bit darker and at first the difference is not apparent but after a while the colour usually oxidises and by midday I look a bit like oumpa loumpa!

So, after a lot of trial and error, I realized that finding a true match will probably never happen and I concluded that the only way was to DIY a shade myself!

In order to do that I needed a true white foundation and my first choice, years back, was the Mac Face and Body foundation in white.

I really liked it for the purpose but I disliked the huge bottle because in the end it went bad and in the garbage.

A few months ago I purchased the Estee Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover foundation in shade 11 Very Light.

I found two uses for this one:

• it works beautifully mixed with another foundation in order to make the shade lighter
• it is perfect for the inner eye corner, as a highlight and also everywhere on the face where there is a shade and I want to lighten the area, for example under eyebags when I wake up a bit puffy.

On the other hand, texture-wise this is not one to use as is because used alone is quite dry and mask like. 

I also like the tube because it is very easy to get the right amount of product and at the same time it is very sanitary. 

A more recent find is the Mac Pro Longwear Concealer in shade NW15.

At first I swatched the NC15 but the SA suggested that I should try the NW15 and it definitely is a bit lighter than the NC15.

I use it for the same purposes as the Estee Lauder one (although it technically is a concealer) but it is more opaque so it offers more coverage and it is also very long lasting.

I wouldn't use it normally alone as an under eye concealer though because this one is also very light and it can result in the reverse panda effect.

Off course it can work as a concealer if used with a light hand and buffed adequately (and quickly because it sets fast!) then the under eye area looks really rested and light.

It comes with a pump and although I do like it because it is very hygienic at the same time I don't like it because I always end up with more product than I need, it is difficult to regulate the pressure. 

I also hate the fact that it stains my brushes, especially the Sigma ones are a nightmare to clean. On the other hand it comes off really easily from my Real Techniques brushes. They're all synthetic though, I don't understand why there's such a difference!

Enough talking, here are some photos!

Estee Lauder on the left, Mac on the right. 

Any suggestions for pale foundations are highly appreciated. 

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

5 Products Makeup Tag!

Dear fellow bblogger Tina from All the Vanity has recently done the 5 products makeup tag! and also tagged me to do one.

So, without further ado, here it is!

Dior Diorskin Nude BB Cream: since I'm going for a minimalistic look (with 5 products only it's one way more or less!) I chose a lovely and natural looking base that will enhance my appearance without wiping out my face structure.

Benefit Rockateur Blush: new addition to my mini army of blushes and quite a love at first...application, it is ideal for such difficult missions because it gives a lovely light warmth with a bit of bronzy tint so it adds colour and dimension at the same time. 

I also used it as an eyeshadow all over the lid up to over the crease, blended the edges and it defined the eyes in a polished and understated way.

Benefit They're Real mascara: no matter how many times I "cheat" with other mascaras, I always return to this one. It's the only makeup item that I have a backup, at all times. 'Nough said.

Mac Veluxe Brow Liner: having sparse and light haired brows a product to shape and fill them is indispensable to me and the Mac one is a current favorite. 

Mac Cockney lipstick: this is the jewel of the crown for such a look because it is a pretty, juicy, semi transparent red that gives life to the whole face. 

Benefit Rockateur, Mac Cockney, Mac Strawberry Blonde brow liner.

Thank you Tina for the fun challenge!

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

Estee Lauder Bazaar (it's this time of the year!)

The Estee Lauder biannual bazaar has been a fun habit to me for the last 2 years.

I always stay away the first 3 days because although I do enjoy makeup and cosmetics I cannot stand the mayhem and I don't appreciate being run over or shoving and pushing.

On the other hand, going "late" means that there is space and time to look around and take my time but a lot of things are gone. Not that much though because the stuff works relentlessly to serve and restock the shelves, so there's always a bargain or two to find!

By saying bargain I mean ridiculous prices that make me wonder on the money we spend when we buy something for full price, but that's another story.

So, about 15:30 today I was there and there was no crowd, no waiting, no long lines to the cashiers.

There was something for everyone, in various price ranges.

As for the main brands I saw Estee Lauder, Mac, Clinique, Bobby Brown, Jo Malone, Origins, Puppa, La Prairie, lots of fragrances etc.

Here's what I got!

- Mac To the Beach body oil at 5€.  I'm not sure if this is permanent or LE but it's a very pretty shimmery body oil, perfect for my light skin tone, there was also a deeper one but it was too dark for me.
- Mac Betty pigments grom the Archie's collection 4€ each, retail price 19€-20€. I was thrilled to see these, when the collection launched here I was debating whether I should get them but the price was too steep for me.
- Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Complex 29€ retail price 90€ (I asked the SA out of pure curiosity!). I 've never used it before but anything anti stress/aging/dehydration is useful, more so when it has such a strong reputation.  We 'll see though.

I also got the little heart coin purse from the Mac Archie's collection for 5€ retail price 25€, no picture because it's all wrapped up and I can't find mine!

Big bummer thought I didn't find my beloved Make a Difference toner by Origins, I got it last time for 9€, if I knew I would like it that much I would have bought 3-4 bottles!

Would I go again next time? Definitely!
Do I think you should go if you are nearby? What are you waiting for?

It is open until Wednesday, working hours 11:00 - 20:00.

Here are some more photos.

Here are my previous visits:

first time

second time

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