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! 

12 Hits for 2012!

During 2012 I discovered quite a few beauty gems, mainly because:

• cosmetic companies have improved their products, and
• I purchase stuff after I've been thoroughly informed of, thanks to reviews by the lovely online beauty community.

So, it was a hard task to limit myself to just twelve items but I was a good girl and conformed to the rules (actually, maybe I cheated with a few honorable mentions at the end!)

A few are recent purchases but have already won a special place in my heart and I will post full reviews in the near future (hopefully before summer, lol!) and the others are products that I use constantly since I got them because they deliver with flying colors.

On another note, 2012 was the year I started trying a few "high end" items and you'll see the ones that really impressed me as well as drugstore products with stellar performance.

Enough said, let's get started!

1. Guerlain Meteorites

The famous fairy dust is something I've been lusting for for a looong time now and I recently decided to get it. I simply can't imagine makeup without it now that I tried it. If you haven't tried it run to your local beauty store and just do it. You'll thank me later (I'm such a tease, I know!).


Full review will follow on a separate post.

2. Dior Diorskin Nude Fresh Glow Powder Foundation (Dior, really? It's easier to remember Maria Juana Chiquita De Los Angeles Toreador Est Mort).

Apart from the name it's a gawgeousss foundation, especially for dry or mature skin because it's incredibly fine and silky and gives my - otherwise dull complexion - an (almost...) ethereal freshness and glow.

Full review will follow on a separate post as well.

3. YSL Vernis a Levres (Glossy Stains)

If you read my posts you probably saw it coming (and it's a surprise even to me that these came third place!) but these are the only lip products that I've come close to actually finish a tube, that's how much I love them. The reason is that these are the only lip products that manage to stay on my lips for hours, without drying them at the same time.

Here is a full review. I hear that L'Oreal has a similar product on the launch, woohoo!

4. Color Tattoo by Maybelline

These little pots of color have been almost constantly on my eyes, either as a base under other eyeshadows or worn alone.

Here you can see why I love them do much!

 

5. Mac Fix+

Many people mistake this for a spray that fixes you makeup (the name itself is deceiving) but it's not. It actually lightly moisturizers your skin, even over foundation, powder etc and it can really help if you 've used a bit too much of powder or if you're feeling your skin tight. I have a full bottle at home and a mini one in my purse at all times.

 

6. Mac Cleanse Off Oil

I can't think myself using anything else to take my makeup off because it feels so gentle and luxurious, like a mini face spa session! It's also very potent, meaning that it takes off even waterproof maskara easily and thoroughly. I just put a pump (or two for more heavy duty products) on my palms, massage gently on my eyelids and face and then lather up and rinse with water. Perfect!

 

7. Benefit Stay Don't Stray

Although I have not tried that many eye primers, I always have a backup of this one because not only does it keep the eyeshadow in place all day but can also be worn under eyes and specifically under concealer, keeping it in place all day! If you find that by midday your concealer has disappeared you will really appreciate this primer.

 

8. Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains

They feel lightly moisturizing, they stay on for a long time (although not as long as the YSL Glossy Stains), they're affordable and the color range is very pretty (I actually just ordered a couple more shades!).

Here you can see these two swatched.

 

9. Benefit They're Real mascara

I confess. I'm lazy. Especially while doing my makeup in the morning. So I need a mascara that can give me full on lashes without having to work half an hour with it in order to achieve the desired result. That's why I don't see any other (and I've tried an army of them) replacing this one any time soon.

 

10. Dior Dior Addict Lip Balm

This one was purchased on a whim, at a 40% off sales and I'm so glad I did! Not only it's a very posh tube (I know I'm vain but who isn't, more or less?) but it feels amazing on my lips. It also manages to stay on quite a long time and to me that's very impressive (because I have to staple down any lip products I use, appart from the YSL stains, lollll!)

 

11. La Roche Posay 50+ Anthelios XL Fluide Extreme

This summer I found a sunscreen that doesn't look or feel like a white toothpaste smeared all over my face. Although it's extremely thin and lightweight it manages to successfully shield my skin against the bad bad sun rays. I wear it year round although I won't repurchased the tinted one because it's dark for my skin tone (never trust SAs that say " no, it will not be dark on you, it will blend into your skin" my a@#%)!

 

12. Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Exposed

This one is my choice when I want a blush that will not clash with the colors I've used on my eyes, lips, clothes, whatever. It manages to compliment any look, gives a "healthy glow" and lasts all day. What more can I ask?

Here you can find swatches of this one and of Blissful as well.

 

 

Wait (or in greek Annabel stasou, mygdala!) that's not all!

 

Here are a few honorable mentions.

 

Clarins Instant Light Blush

Although I'm not a fan of liquid or cream blushes due to longevity issues, these two really impressed me not only because they last on my cheeks even during the hot greek summer but also because they're like a light colored dewy film that looks very natural and pretty.

Here you can see them swatched. Unfortunately they are are part of the 2012 summer LE launch but maybe you can still find them in case you're interested.

Inglot Eyeshadows

Well, in 2012 the first Inglot store opened in Athens and it was a major event because we've heard so much of Inglot cosmetics and now we could see them up close and personal! Of all the products I'm mostly impressed with the eyeshadows because they're soft and silky, pigmented and very affordable.

Here you can see them swatched.

 

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine

This one is my second Chanel lipstick but my first in the Coco Shine formula and the reason I love it is because it feels amazing on my lips, soft, moisturizing and pampering. It is in the shade 67 Dauville.

 

Mac Blushes in Flower Fantasy and Sunday Afternoon

I'm very surprised that I've not hit pan on these two beauties because I've been using them to death all spring, summer and autumn, I actually stopped using them about a month ago mostly because I was ignoring all my other blushes! I love them not only because of the pretty colors but also because there is a coordinating highlight in every pan, so I don't have to open a myriad pots in order to complete my makeup.

 

 

Well, these were my 2012 beauty finalists, hopefully 2013 will be even better beautywise!

 

That's all for now, I hope you're all well and thriving and may 2013 bring you all you wish for, in every aspect!

 

See you next year ;-)

 

Δημοσιεύτηκε με το Blogsy

July favorites!

Most of my favorites for July can be seen in the June favorites post, but here are a few more things that I really enjoyed using this month!

Garnier new BB cream: I was contemplating whether I should buy a darker foundation, being a little tanned and all, but i couldn't justify the expense for a product I will use for a month or so. Meanwhile, I had seen online swatches of the Garnier BB cream and I thought it had a decent opacity, so when I saw it at the supermarket, with a price tag of €7, I decided to buy this instead of a foundation.

At first try I got scared because of the slight orange tint and I also did't like the fact that it oxidized on me. So I buried it in a drawer but after a few days I thought to mix it with my Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation. I'm happy to say that the combination is perfect colorwise and it lasts a long time without oxidizing.

Inglot 4SS brush: some time ago I purchased its little sister, the 6SS and it has become my favorite brush for applying highlights and sheer wash of color on my lids. So, I thought to get the bigger one solely for applying highlight on the cheekbones etc and it works like a dream.

Inglot blotting paper: I had never tried blotting papers before because my skin is not oily but in the summer I sweat on the face, so I though that blotting paper would be the answer and it is because it does the job without affecting my makeup. Now I never leave the house without this little packet in my purse!

Clarins Instant Light blush in Coral Tonic: love it. It spent all month in my purse for touch ups on the go because it doesn't require a brush, just my fingertips!

Mac blush in Flower Fantasy: I used quite a bit this one not only because of the lovely color but also because it has a coordinating highlight in the pan. The only downside, as with a few other Mac powders, is that it is so fine that it can acquire a film on top that makes the product useless. I tried sweeping it with a paper towel and I even scraped the surface a bit but nothing worked out until one day that I thought to use a Korres face brush that is a little coarse and it worked!

Mac blush in Sunbasque: this blush scream summer to me! I had neglected it for a while but it was well loved all month.

Clarins Coral Tonic, Mac Flower Fantasy, Mac Sunbasque

Maybelline Color Tatoo in On and On Bronze: a swipe on each eyelid, blending out the edges, ready and bronze-y in a minute!

Wet 'n Wild Shadow Pencil in Pixie: lovely color with poor durability but it's a perfect shimmering and brightening base for the lids, under powder eyeshadow.

Mac Prunella eye kohl: I used this one a lot on my tightline because it's not harsh like black but it's a bit more intense than brown.

Inglot brow pencil: again in the hunt for the perfect brow product, I decided to try this one by Inglot. I've used it all month and I really like it because the color is light so the result is natural and it also comes with a handy little brush.

On and On Bronze, Pixie, Prunella, Inglot brow pencil

Inglot #181 nail polish: I hadn't worn metallics in a long while and I really enjoyed this coppery-pink, bronze shade by Inglot.

Orly Rage: love it! It's pink and cool golden and a little beige, precious in a word!

L'Oreal #208 So Chic Pink: it's a bold and beautiful, vibrant coral red. It lived on my toes almost all month!

These are my favorites but there are a couple of things that disappointed me.

Bourjois 2step Volumizer mascara: so far I don't remember having a mascara that flacked, but this one is like I've worked in a coal mine! At midday, my under eye area and the tops of my cheeks become "adorned" with itsy tiny little bits of mascara. I really like the color though...

While preparing the shoot I discovered that the bigger wand broke and got stuck inside the tube, that's a first too...lol!

Givenchy Phenomen' Eyes in #5, Vintage Bronze: this one was another experiment in the quest for the perfect brown mascara. I saw it in a local outlet, I had read all the raves about the brush and the name of the shade "Vintage Bronze" was very alluring. Now, the wand is not bad at all, it's just that it takes a looot of time to coat my lashes because it's small, think of an eternity and a day, lol!

The main problem is that the color is not bronze, at all. In fact it is a charcoal grey/black. Well, as a color description maybe it doesn't sound that bad but on the eyes, it's like I've applied a grey eyeshadow while the mascara is still wet and it catches the fallout on the lashes. It 's so weird that I'm really considering to toss it in the garbage.

So, these are my July favorites spiced up with a couple of misses.

I hope you're all well and thriving!

Δημοσιεύτηκε με το Blogsy

Serious haul!

In spite of my apparent interest into makeup I hadn't so far tried the high end brands, solely due to pricing. There was of course an exception or two, like my - still going strong - infatuation on the YSL Glossy stains, or the Clarins liquid blushes that I love.

So, last Saturday, Gallery de Beaute had an one day only 40% sale at some high end brands and I thought I wouldn't find a better occasion to try a few popular items without having to give and arm and a leg!

Without further ado, here's a pretttty picturrrre!

First counter: Chanel!

 

The coveted item was the Bronze Universel but, alas, it was out of stock! So, while I stood fuming over the testers, I had an enlightenment and asked to see the Emerveille cream eyeshadow. I was in love with the color, it's a peachy champaign with a very pretty shine. I think it will be beautiful on, with a couple of coats of mascara.

Then, a blush (unheard of, lol!) caught my attention and as soon as I swatched it I knew it was mine! The shade is In Love #55 and it is a silky soft gorgeous peach with fine golden shimmer, blends like a dream!

Before leaving the counter I decided to take a look at the famous glossimers and I was immediately drawn to a transparent warm pink with gold shimmer in the shade Bonbon. It looks very pretty in the tube, almost duo chrome. It doesn't deliver color on the lips but it looks stunning under sunlight, even worn alone.

In Love, Emerveille, Bonbon (LE)

Next stop, Dior!

 

I was set on getting the Aurora LE palette and a lip product.

I swatched the palette and it was exactly what I was expecting it to be but when the SA said that she had to check if there was any left, I started fuming once more. After a couple of minutes of suspence, she told me that she found the last one and I started the happy dance on the spot!

 

Palette secured, I started browsing the lip products but I decided not to get any (I'm considering a mission to the YSL counter next month to get a couple of fall appropriate Glossy Stains...)

 

Before leaving I saw a very cute pink tube and asked the SA what it was. It was a lip balm and after swatching the shades #2 looked lovely. I was contemplating it for a couple of minutes, but, taking in consideration the 40%, it was now or never for me. So I chose now!

I think I will be sporting this a lot, there are many combinations in this palette.

Last counter I planned on visiting was the YSL one but there was not one...bummer! I don't know why there is no YSL counter in this store....

 

On my way to the cashier I passed by the Clarins counter and I remembered a two toned bronzer (I'm turning into a bronzer "collector" BTW!) I had my eye on some time ago. It is the Bronzing Powder Duo SPF 15 in the light shade and the price after the 40% off was unbeattable, so I got it.

The funny thing is that after taking a closer look at all the items back home, I realized that all the shades are complimentary to each other and also that I will get a lot of use no matter the season since the colors are very versatile.

 

That's my haul, and, although I do buy a couple of items now and then, last time I splurged like this was last October (Mac Make Me Over collection). I have to admit it felt good..

 

Hope you're all well and thriving!

Δημοσιεύτηκε με το Blogsy