I can't stop sniffing myself: Philosykos EDT by Diptyque

Close your eyes and visualize that you 're on the beach. Now, I'm not talking about a filled with people and 4 SPF oil "sunscreen" type of beach, under an umbrella on a chaise longue with a frappe on hand and the latest hits pouring out of the speaker over your head. Not that there is anything wrong with this picture, it 's just a different thing than what I have in mind right now.
So, the beach. I choose my most favorite, secluded little spot of sand and sea, where I lay under the shade of a tamarix tree (not sure about the translation, I'm talking about the lovely almyrikia or armyrikia tree that can be found on many Greek beaches).
The sand is golden beige, the sea is a gradient of blue green to ultramarine, far off, where a tiny speck of a ferry is going towards its joyfull destination. The sky is a blinding cobalt blue and the sun is the king on his high throne.
The only sound that comes to my ears is the rhythmical caress of the sea on the sand in the form of lazy but repetitive tiny waves. Somewhere in the back is a company of cicadas that sing the classic August hit of sweet idleness.
There is also a refreshing breeze coming from the sea, soothing and comforting, despite the blazing hot sun.
I feel relaxed, tranquil, one with the elements around me, safe in the embrace of nature, with no worries or anxieties, my mind is a white sheet of paper.
This, my friends, is Philosykos to me.

Fear not for my mental health, (lol!) it 's just that I haven't been so head over heels about a fragrance for a long time now (well, not since last May when I discovered the, alas LE, Sweet Milk by Jo Malone).
First of all, let's get professional-like and review this heavenly fragrance.
I got a 12ml, travel sample spray bottle of the eau de toilette, a few days ago, in the first Cherrybox box that I bought. It was a lovely surprise because Diptyque is such a niche brand and very expensive so I was not familiar with its products.
Philosykos as a word is actually a joint of two Greek words:

• Philos, that means friend
• Syko, that means the fruit of the fig

So, Philosykos means friend of the fig (I know, translated it sounds a little weird and not so posh, lol!)
Diptyque describes this fragrance as an ode to the fig tree and was created after the memories of one of the founders of the brand, when, "in the heat of Greek summer he had to walk through an orchard of wild fig trees in order to get to the sea".
Technically speaking the notes are:

• Top: fig leaf and fig
  
• Middle: coconut and green notes
• Base: cedar, wood and fig

Not technically speaking (lol!) I find that it opens up crisp, fresh and green but without being sour or tart, as it happens some times with green scents.
Instead, there is a sweet, milky quality, not at all pungent and offending but quite the contrary, that manages to balance wonderfully the fig. It 's - my oh so dear - coconut that does it, standing on a base of delicate woods.
It's a tight and wonderful ensemble that can be worn by women and men alike (well, that was a strange way to put it...!). It 's definitely a summer scent but I can probably wear it all year round. Also, to me it stands out of the group of summer-y perfumes because it 's more refined, more polished, in a good - not elitist - way.
The part that I like the most is that, as time goes by, the scent doesn't become loose, disheveled. It retains its integrity but the harmony becomes deeper, richer not meaning heavier but like as more in unison with my skin.
I also love the fact that it 's not a screaming type of perfume, meaning that it doesn't fill a room as soon as I enter it, but it does leave a faint but distinguishable trail.
The only part that I wasn't excited about is the average longevity, I would be thrilled with a bit more, but, it's not bad.
So, the premiere of Cherrybox service was quite impressive to me but I 'm going to talk about it in a following post. I am so in love with the fragrance that I couldn't hold myself, I just had to tell you about it!
I 'm definitely going to buy the full size, we 're just 84€ apart, (sigh) for the 100ml bottle.
That 's it for now, I hope you 're all well and thriving (off to sniff my wrist a little more!).

Δημοσιεύτηκε με το Blogsy

Go Tropicoral kit by Benefit

Well, many times intentions do not translate to actual actions, at least the way we plan them, especially if you are a Gemini that weights pros and cons and alternatives from day to night, and then decides to improvise, lol!

So, I intended to buy Benefit's Coralista blush (30€).

Instead, I got the Go Tropicoral kit (it includes a mini Coralista) (29€).

High Beam, Cha Cha, Coralista blush and the lipgloss underneath

The reasons I didn't get the blush are:

• I can not see myself hit pan on a blush, so I didn't want to commit to it for a life time.
• I don't like the packaging of Benefit's blushes, I find them bulky and a pain to store.
• I could depot it in a palette but my previous experiment with Bella Bamba didn't go very well, meaning that it cracked a tiny bit. It didn't crack all the way to the bottom, just a chip on the upper right corner but it scared the %#%$£ out of me and I swore, never again!

On the other and, the kit offered me more options for the same money:

• A deluxe sample version of Coralista, that even if I wore it daily it would probably take months to hit pan.
• A deluxe sample o High Beam illuminator
• A deluxe sample of Cha Cha tint
• A deluxe sample of the Coralista lipgloss

The truth is that I was never drawn towards kits. I don't know why, the idea never seemed appealing to me.

So, when I went to Sephora with a 25% coupon off, I went straight to Coralista. A young SA was standing a few meters away and when she saw me lingering over Benefit's stand, asked if she could help.

Most of the times I don't ask for help from SAs because i usually buy stuff on a plan, meaning that I already know what I want and what it does so I don't need somebody to inform me about the product.

This time, I don't know why, (probably because it was early on a Saturday morning and I didn't function on full throttle, lol!) I told her that I wanted Coralsta but I was not so sure anymore. She asked me if I had any more blushes (well, duh!) or if I would solely wear this (do you imagine having to wear Coralista - or an blush for that matter - for months without end? And then I would toss it disgusted in the garbage, and then it would magically reappear on my vanity and then I would call a priest to perform exorcism, and the blush would speak to me in a tiny voice but totally scaring, saying "no, you have to wear only me, with rain or sun, winter or summer, day or night, I'm the only blush you'll wear until there's no more left of me in the pan! )

Are you still reading? If yes, let's get back to the Sephora SA. I told here I have other blushes as well and then she suggested buying the kit instead because it was almost the same price as the blush but I could try more products and if, in the end, I totally loved Coralista I could come back and buy the full product.

It made total sense and at almost 21€ (after the 25% off) it was not that expensive considering that the "deluxe sample" actually contains a considerable amount of product.

So, do I like it?

I love it!

• Coralista blush: I can totally understand why it is so popular. It's a lovely peachy coral shimmery shade (to me it seems like something in between Nars's Orgasm and Benefit's Bella Bamba), very easy to wear and the shimmer actually gives a gorgeous sheen to the cheeks.
• High Beam illuminator: a cult favorite as well and now that I have it I love it too! It's the first liquid highlighter I buy and I find it easier to wear than powders because it melts into the skin and it can be as natural as you want it. The color is lovely as well, it's a pinky white that looks very flattering.
• Cha Cha tint: well, in the past I had some not so happy experience with Benefit's tints. I had purchased a mini version of Benetint but the first times I used it I was left with red blotches on my cheeks, because the product sets in too quickly and I didn't have time to blend it properly. And it goes without saying that i burried it in a drawer and never reached for it again. So, when I saw the deluxe sample of the Cha Cha in the kit I was very intrigued by the lovely color but at the same time I was very sceptical if I could make it work. And I did! What I do is that as soon as I have applied my foundation I put two stripes on my cheek and with a larger brush (like the Real Techniques Multitasking Brush) I pat it on my cheeks. This way, it sort of spreads and mingles seamlessly with my foundation and the result is a beautiful, semi transparent tint on my cheek. If I want it a little more saturated, I repeat the process with a dot or two more and after blending it's flawless. I don't swirl the brush, I just pat pat pat. Also, I do one cheek at a time. And it lasts on my cheeks for hours.
• Coralista lipgloss: it does give a pretty shine and a bit of tint on my lips, but, as most lip products, it does't stay on my lips for more than a few minutes. I keep it in my purse, just in case I want to ump it up a bit.
• I already removed them from the box (I put the blush in my blush palette) and as a bonus I can use the pretty box to store jewelry or other bits and bobs.

So, that's my opinion on the Go Tropicoral kit, I'm so pleased with it because they arevlovely products and I got the chance to try more products before committing to a full sized one.

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

 

Δημοσιεύτηκε με το Blogsy

Spring 2013: Collective Fashion Haul!

First of all, Happy Spring!

Some of the following items are recent purchases and others were purchased far back in December or January, but being cold and all, I was not in the mood to show them to you.

So, after the weather changed to a more spring like temperature (hopefully for good!) I thought it was the perfect time.

Enough talk, let's get started!

Zara flat sandals. These have a sort of oriental vibe to me (I don't know why!) but the combination of shiny little things on nude was sending off messages to my unconscious "you need us, you need us" ...

H&M stone beige boots, I got them half price (20€) last Saturday. I have no idea how I'm gonna style them but I couldn't resist!

H&M grey scarf 8€. I'm not a huge fan of animal prints, snake prints, etc but I liked the color combination.

Blanco scarf about the same price. I love the colors, I think that it will be perfect with blue jeans and a plain white top.

River West Emily rose gold watch 25€ on sale. I 've been stalking this watch for a long time on asos but it was never in stock, so I was very surprised when I saw it available during the sales, last January. I get compliments every time I wear it and when I tell them the price they can't believe it!

Accessorize outlet necklace 3€. Such prices do make me reconsider purchasing stuff full price and every time I go to the Factory Outlet I always check out the Accessorize stand. I love how pretty and dainty it is.

Mac Archie's coin purse 29€ (I think). Long story short: I went on the first day the collection launched. I swatched. A lot. I left with the coin purse only because I loved the cuteness of the design!

Now the "collector" in me bangs my head on to the wall yelling at me "you must get a pearlmatte! You must get a pearlmatte!"

On another note, does any one else hears voices or it's just me? LOL!

Blanco black and white scarf. I love it so much because it's simple yet tasteful.

H&M animal print scarf. I've already worn this to shreds. I just love it!

Zara anorak 59€. I didn't plan on paying 59€ for a basic beige anorak but this one filled a hole in my closet, meaning that I was looking for something like that. This one appealed to me a lot because it's sporty but in a chic, urban way and it can be worn with a lot different styles. I also liked the fact that the upper part is cotton and the lower part synthetic, the difference in texture adds a nice detail.

Zara shirt. I found this little gem during the winter sales and I snatched it up on the spot!

Sprider shirt. This one was also purchased during the winter sales and it was very affordable (5€ I think). I love not only the color but the fabric as well, it's buttery soft.

Spider shirt. Purchased at the same time with the above, I think 5€ as well. I'm getting a retro 50's aura here!

Zara trafaluc peach burnished tee 9€. Just a basic t-shirt with an interesting fabric pattern. I liked it so much I got a black one as well.

H&M khaki t-shirt, 8€. I do wear a lot of beige and khaki during spring and summer and this one appealed to me because of the see through upper part.

H&M shirt from the conscious collection, 15€. I love the pattern, the cut, everything!

Zara shirt. One more item I got during the winter sales (15€ I think). I just love it, the background is a lovely dusty mint almost green.

Zara shirt. Purchased with the above, I think at the same price. No paisley fan here but the color combination is very subtle and tasteful and almost bohemian.

Zara blouse. Also purchased with the above but it was from the spring collection, I can't remember the price but I found irresistible the texture and color combo.

Any must haves this spring? Do share your thoughts!

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

 

Δημοσιεύτηκε με το Blogsy

Mac summer eyeshadows palette

The best way I found about storing my most used Mac eyeshadows is a standard Mac palette where I rotate them according to the seasons. So, during winter and fall I keep mostly subdued and neutral shades in it but coming spring and especially summer, my palette is like an explosion of colors.

See for yourself!

Let's take a closer look!

First row:

Brûlée, Expensive Pink, Kid, Espresso and Carbonized (LE)

Second row:

Short Shorts (LE), Sun Blonde (LE), Swimming, Steamy and Aquadisiac

Third row:

Baby Petals (LE), Pink Venus, VIP (LE), Moon's Reflection and Deep Truth

I call this candy for eyes!

And here' s a little eye of the day!

I used:

• Short Shorts for the inner corner and browbone,
• Steamy on the lid,
• Deep truth on the outer corner and V
  
• Equilibrium blush/bronzer for the crease, it's a gorgeous neutral to use with colorful looks because it makes any combination more wearable.

What colors do you mostly use for eyes during the summer?

Monthly Favorites: May

Many products (skincare, haircare, foundation etc) are staple to me so I won't bother you again (you can always read about them here ) so, here are some items that I really enjoyed using this month.

In my shower, strawberry is the scent! One thing I don't get about TBS shower gels is why they don't come with a pump (or why they don't sell one separately) so, I removed the pump from a backup body lotion I have and placed it on the shower gel bottle. Perrrrrfect!

As for perfume, I am head over heels in love with the Jo Malone Sweet Lemon cologne I got at the Estée Lauder bazaar. It's fresh, it's sweet but with an edge, it's there but not in your face, I just love it (and got many compliments wearing it!)

I also used quite a bit of the Vitamin E Face Mist by TBS. It was in the goodies bag that we were given at the TBS bloggers' event (you can read all about it here ). When I return home from work I don't take off my makeup right away, so one spritz of the Face Mist on top gives my skin freshness and hydration. I still love my Mac Fix + but I use this one in the morning, after completing my makeup (and I keep a mini bottle in my purse at all times).

As for makeup, I've been mostly sporting coral/peach cheeks with lips in accordance and minimal eyeshadow. I was up since 6:30 in the morning everyday for work (I'm currently working at another location of my company - well, not MY company but you get the point, lol! - that's on the other side of Athens and I won't return to my basis for another week...) so, I didn't feel like doing much eyeshadow work.

I mostly used the Clarins Coral Tonic and the Tarte Blissful blushes, apart from being really pretty they also survive 11+ hours on my cheeks.

My YSL Glossy Stains have become everyday staples since I got them but this month I mostly used #7 and #12 because they fit into my coral/peach scheme. I also used Morange by Mac, a tiny bit with a lip brush over well moisturizer lips.

Morange, YSL #7 and #12

For eyes, my staple was Nubile paintpot by Mac because it is darker than my skintone so it defines my eyes in a natural, barely there way.

When I felt like putting a little extra on top, I used Pearl #390 by Inglot or Stilife paint by Mac or the champaign color from TBS Moonstone eyeshadow. Just a wash of color, nothing dramatic or complicated.

The rest of my favorites are miscellaneous:

• Garnier roll on concealer. I have this for some time but now that i'm a tiny bit darker, it suits my skintone better. I really like its thin consistency and the way it feels under my eyes.
• Bourjois eye brow pencil #4. Although I loved the Fling mechanical eyebrow pencil by Mac, it run out very quickly, so I decided to buy again this old time favorite.
• Prunella kohl eye pencil by Mac. I use this one everyday on my upper waterline, it's such an intricate color because it's not black, neither brown, nor plum, I really can't describe it.
• When I felt really adventurous, I used Undercurrent on my lower lash line, a tiny bit of this with Nubile on the lid gives an interesting twist to a nude look.
• Saunter lip pencil by Mac is the only nude lip color I have and I'm really liking it!
• Shore Leave is another lip pencil by Mac, this one is pinky-coral and used it quite a bit.

Here are some swatches

That's it for May favorites, June had better be warm because I have some aqua and teals to sport!

 

More spring hauling (collective)

The following items are separate purchases that I made the last couple of months and for the first time I decided to be a little bold and move outside of my comfort zone.

Ramble follows, if you prefer go straight to the photos!

Before I show you what I got, allow me to tell you about my new general philosophy about buying clothes etc.

I used to go shopping on a precise plan (for example, to find an A line white skirt). The problem is that a lot of the times I got frustrated because I couldn't actually find what I was looking for and that's when shopping isn't fun anymore!

So, this spring, instead of going shopping with a predefined plan I decided to follow a general idea of the styles that would accommodate my lifestyle (as well my wallet and my body type, obviously!).

I also decided to actually try clothes that in the past I wouldn't think of (well, I'll probably skip the leopard cat suit, lol!) and I'm soooo glad I did! The reason is that, although I'm more or less ok with my general appearance and know what looks good on me and what does not, I used to shop in a more conservative and nondescript way. I would inspect a cloth on the hanger and decide that it wasn't for me. Just like that.

When I started trying stuff that I normally wouldn't I was surprised to discover that I still looked presentable (well, there were also some unavoidable fails but I contained them within the fitting room, lol!) but in a different, more distinct and personal way.

So, my point is (I always have one, don't I?) that life is full of prejudices and misconceptions and we shouldn't impose these on ourselves, and even simple (?) things like a different garment or accessory or style can eventually change the way we see ourselves and liberate us (I'm soooo deep, I know!).

End of ramble!

Zara shirt, fine illustration of my new shopping tactic! It looks very posh with white pants and minimal accessories.

Both Zara pants, the left one is mint green

I seriously love this one, it's literally a breath of spring! I pair it with a simple white top and a pendant.

H&M dress from the Conscious collection, with an ivory top underneath. Very ladylike but in a contemporary way. I wear it with a pair of tan wedges if I want to tone it down but it also looks good with nude pumps.

Asos cropped jacket. It has a light dusty, creamy pink color and although it's not made of leather it feels buttery soft.

Oysho Kimmidoll top with matching cropped pants. Lovely for lounging!

Cute detail.

H&M tops, very handy under see through or lace blouses.

H&M scarf and ivory bangle, Oysho colored bangles set.

Accessorize bow ring, love it!

Zara belts, the left one is white with a distressed look, the right one is tan with rose gold details, it was also available in beige with yellow gold details.

So, that's my collective spring haul, I hope you're all well and thriving!