5 most popular posts in 2013

MAC Lipstick Samples from TheBodyNeeds

Bourjois BB Cream

 New Essence Goodies Part 2

 Maybelline 910 Shocking Coral

Essence Long Lasting Lipsticks

My 5 favourite posts on this blog in 2013

Colours of the Rainbow Tag

  My Tips for Dealing with Dry Hair (also most repinned)

 Hair Oils Series

 New In: Drugstore Hair (Styling) Edition

Review: Kérastase Nutritive

You can see a quick overview of my posts on Pinterest.

Some of my favourite posts and bloggers in 2013

Adjusting Beauty: Christmas colored makeup

Eating Lipstick: MAC Riri Woo
I Covet Thee: Autumnal Drugstore Make up Look

Kalter Kaffee: Foundation Friday #4: Maybelline Fit Me Foundation

Lolistick: March Haul/ New In

Lovely Little Lux-uries: Catrice LE: Feathers & Pearls

Makeup and more: Omiljeni proizvodi iz drogerija: Part 1 and Part 2

And here is the second part of my traditional best buys of the year post. You can find the first part with favourite makeup products here and posts from previous years here: 2010, 2011 and 2012.

 Balance Me Cleanse and Smooth Face Balm

Not a traditional solid balm cleanser, but one with a very runny texture and small oatmeal scrub particles. It removes all but "industrial strength" waterproof mascara and leaves my skin feeling clean yet moisturised. Out of all cleansers I've tried so far, this is the one that makes my skin look best and it really keeps the flakies at bay. The only bad thing is that it's expensive.

REN Resurfacing AHA Concentrate

A very light liquid serum with AHA's that is nothing revolutionary, however, it does help those pesky blemish marks to fade faster. It doesn't work overnight, but long-term this is very effective.

I must report that since I revamped my skincare routine by using balm or oil cleansers and adding AHA's, I haven't had a single dry patch nor the feeling of uncomfortable dryness. A pretty big win in my book.

 Balea Dusche & Creme Cocos & Nectarine

Balea's shower gels are not the most luxurious, however, the peach bubble gum scent of this one is just amazing. It's become one of my favourite shower products ever. 

The Body Shop Honeymania and Vineyard Peach Body Butter

TBS body butters are the best one's I've tried. Honeymania in particular has a fantastic texture, while the scent is an interesting and nicely blended mix of soft honey note with a fresh wildflowers scent that I have really grown to love. Vineyard Peach is the best peach scented product I've ever found, however,  unfortunately it was LE, but you can still find it on eBay.

Kérastase Nutritive Bain Oléo-Relax Smoothing Shampoo, Masquitense Épais - Thick and Nectar Thermique

These are the creme de la creme of hair care products. Targeted for dry to very dry hair, Nutritive products are those gem products that leave my hair amazingly soft, silky and healthy looking, and that feeling lasts for days. Kérastase sure is expensive, but you really get what you pay for.

Kérastase Elixir Ultime

This smells soo divine! I still use Orofluido every time I wash my hair because I find it best for my dry hair, however, on later days I love using a much lighter Elixir Ultime to reduce frizz and give some additional shine to my hair. It also has the best packaging that comes with a pump. I carry the travel size in my bag.

 Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Reconstructor 

Such a great drugstore conditioner that makes my hair feel quite silky and it's moisturising enough to keep my poor dry ends in shape. The bubble gum scent is fantastic as well.  

 Sexy Healthy Hair Soy Tri-Wheat Leave In Conditioner

 Honestly, I wasn't convinced it was all that amazing from the start, mostly because I was using it wrong, however, I forgot to use it once on damp hair before blow-drying and I was a bit shocked when my hair wasn't really complying as usual. It was then that I realised how brilliant this actually is. It helps with the frizz, tames the hair and keeps it more moisturised. Using this, I can easily use a drugstore conditioner without having my hair dry by the end of second day after washing it. I don't even have to resort to using oil every day on my ends. I also use a small amount mixed with Orofluido on dry hair right after blow-drying and then put it in a high bun overnight, so I get volume and lovely waves. Best leave-in conditioner I ever tried.

got2b Volumania Volumizing Spray Mousse

This is one of the best styling products I ever tried, certainly the best mousse. It's in a spray which means it's easier to control the amount you want and easier to apply evenly. It isn't sticky, smells like raspberry soda and performs so well. With this and Lee Stafford hairspray my curls last at least three days (curled with a Remington 2.5 cm/1 inch barrel curler).

got2b Öl-La-La Styling Öl-Spray 

Healthy hair and shine in a can. It's a light silicon based product with argan oil in a spray form that gives tons of shine, helps fight frizz and doesn't weight down the hair. It's more of a styling/shine product, since the argan oil content is minimal and it doesn't actually nourish the hair much, however, it's much better than your average shine spray because most of those have a high content of alcohol. This is a great product for those, who find that silicone-oils are too heavy for their hair.

Lee Stafford Hold Tight Hairspray

I never though hairspray will be among my favourites, but this one sure deserves it. It gives flexible hold without being sticky, doesn't feel crispy or stiff at all and I don't even feel it on the hair. Despite the lightness it actually holds so well and works perfectly in combination with the got2b mousse. I need to buy the full size.

Lady Gaga Fame

I knew I'd like this from the moment I saw the notes, particularly because I like honey. It's a lovely blend of a honeyed apricot with smokiness of the incense. It's not a typical celebrity juice since the usual notes of vanilla and sugar are replaced by a darker incense. It is an eau de parfum, so it's more of a heavy scent, but I wore it almost all year regardless of the season.

Refan 022 H.Boss - Nuit Woman

This is a more classic scent and I find it perfect for an everyday daytime choice. It starts with a fantastic proper peach bust and then the scent evolves into a more flowery fragrance (white flowers) with some sandalwood. It ends up smelling a bit like fabric softener, but an expensive kind.

As tradition dictates, here is the first part of a (rather large) selection of my favourite buys in 2013. The second one will feature skincare, hair products and fragrances. You can find posts from previous years here: 2010, 2011 and 2012. All blue text are links to reviews and swatches.

Dior Diorskin Nude BB Creme (001)

Finally a very light western BB cream and one that is immediately dry to the touch. It is a lovely, light coverage BB with a skin-like finish. I wore it a lot, especially because it takes so little time to apply and blend, so it's great for when you need to apply your makeup in a hurry.

Missha M Signature Real Complete BB Cream (13)

I am ridiculously pale. Even my doctor found this so odd that she had me tested for anemia about 10 times when I was a child (she also apparently has a case of bad memory). So, it's not every day that someone a ghostly pale as me finds a perfect match, but number 13 is it for me. Texture-wise it's really light and runny, and similarly to Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum, it has light to medium coverage. It looks very natural on the skin, however, like most BB's it leaves my skin tacky and sticky, which means it needs time to set. 

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Ultimate Wear Concealer (Fair)

A great full coverage concealer in the drugstore range that covers everything from circles to those pesky spots. I think all the hype surrounding it is justified, especially because of it's great staying power. The only bad thing is that it can look a bit obvious later in the day.

Urban Decay Naked Basics palette

I was never not much of an eyeshadow person, but this palette changed that completely. I use it on most days and I actually use every colour in this palette, which is unheard of for a two-tops-eyeshadow-girl like me. It's such a gorgeous combination of matte shades that are great quality and can be used for natural, everyday look or a more intense, smokey eye. If I were allowed to own only one eyeshadow palette, this would be it. 

Maybelline Color Tattoo Permanent Taupe

This is a great quality cream eyeshadow and it's matte, which I love. It's really pigmented, blends nicely and really stays put for hours. I mostly use it as a base, but I like it as a quick eyeshadow look on it's own as well.

Lancôme Hypnôse Custom-Wear Volume Waterproof Mascara

Now this is what I call a fabulous mascara. It's one of the rare mascaras that actually hold curl all day, while giving lots of length and some volume. I love how at the end of the day when I take my makeup off, my lashes are still curled even without the mascara.

Ardell Demi Wispies

Absolutely stunning falsies that don't look over the top, but still give the eyes a bit of drama. These are so comfortable to wear and you can't even feel them on your eyes providing you place them correctly (not too close to the inner corner), plus they can be re-used so many times.

Bourjois Cream Blush 01 Nude Velvet

This is my favourite cream blush so far. It blends nicely, it's super easy to apply especially on the go (I use fingers) and I like the packaging. It's very similar to Maybelline's Dream Touch blush, only more siliconey and in a more practical packaging.

Nyx Blush Taupe

This is a great shade for contouring for pale skin as it doesn't have any orange or warm tones in it. It's a cool brown-grey shade that imitates a natural shadow. It's become a part of my everyday routine.

Catrice Defining Blush 040 Think Pink

I just love everything about this blush - the colour, pigmentation, staying power, packaging and affordable price. A great drugstore find!

Mac Lipstick Samples from The Body Needs

I adore these. I have a large selection of Mac shades on hand without spending too much. I wore Lady Danger for most of the summer and other shades I loved to wear this year were Impassioned, Coral Bliss and Relentlessly Red. Swatches here and here.

Catrice Ultimate Colour 240 Matt About Pink

This was my most worn shade this year. It's a bright peachy pink colour with a matte finish and it's a great way of wearing something bright without being too much. The formula is not exactly brilliant, but the colour makes it worth it. 

Bourjois Shine Edition 21 Rouge Making Of

After Bourjois brought out their fantastic formula of lipsticks last year, this year they launched their version of lipstick/lipgloss/lip balm hybrids and again the formula is brilliant. It is the first shine lipstick that is actually worth the 12€ price tag because it has a far better formula than any I tried so far. 21 Rouge Making of is an orange based Lady-Danger-like but more transparent red and I wore it loads.

Rimmel Kate Moss Matte Lipstick 107

I finally dipped my toes into the deep berry pool and I am loving it. This lippie rarely left my lips since I got it and I love how I can wear it either as a stain, full-on or something in between and it looks like three different lipsticks. The formula is a great matte one, however, the only gripe I have is the staying power.

Essence Stay Matte Lip Creams

These have the most amazing formula out of all lip products I've tried. They are super pigmented, apply like a dream, last amazingly well on the lips, smell nice and leave a lovely velvety matte finish. Amazing quality for the price. They need to add more shades. Swatches here and here.

Rimmel Apocalips Stellar

This shade is stunningly beautiful. It's such a bright, fun colour, sort of a mix between coral and pink. The quality of these lacquers is great because they are so pigmented and wear off to a nice stain, but the scent is horrible. The finish they leave is glossy at first, but then sets to a more creamy leaning to matte finish when it's wearing off. I recently bought another shade called Eclipse.

Essie Cute as a Button

I adore this colour - a beautiful brightened pink-coral. What impressed me most is the formula which is such a pleasure to use. I wish every nail polish were like that.

Second part is here. Have a great day!

I've had this post ready for months now. I was looking at some of my old posts, when I was making the post directory and have decided that I need to reswatch my beloved L'Oreal Colour Infalible eyeshadows. I have six in my collection and before I got the Naked Basics palette, some of these shades were my most used eyeshadows.

These have pressed pigment/cream eyeshadow hybrid type of texture that is very smooth and ultra pigmented. I don't like to apply them with brushes because it's difficult to get colour on them, but I always apply them with fingers like cream eyeshadow. I get maximum pigmentation with pretty much one swipe and then blend the edges with a fluffy brush. Due to their strong pigmentation, they work excellently as liners. The formula is very longlasting, the longest out the all the eyeshadows I tried, but these do crease if your eyelids are oily after several hours. Applied as a liner they can last all day on my lids. All of the shades I own are very shimmery and maybe that's my only little gripe since I'm more of a matte girl.

002 Hourglass Beige - super shimmery very light gold. A great inner corner highlighter or lid shade if you want a very shimmery  glamorous look.

021 Sahara Treasure - soft golden taupe. This was my most worn lid shade.

024 Bronze Goddess - golden olive. Gorgeous colour, I often wear it as a liner.

012 Endless Chocolat - warm chocolate brown. I adore this shade, again I wear it loads as a liner. It looks particularly good on the lower lashline with my eye colour. 

015 Flashback Silver - silver with a lavender hue. I wanted something silver, but this isn't really what I was looking for.

005 Purple Obsession - purple with blue and purple shimmer. I got this as a gift. Purple isn't really my colour, so I don't tend to wear it.

Several shades aren't sold any more and there are loads of new shades. I was shocked to discover that Endless Chocolat isn't available here anymore, but I managed to track it down on Fragrance Direct. These cost about 8 € in drugstores here, but they are cheaper online. Also the names of US, Canadian and European shades are different. Nunu compiled a very handy list of all the different names of the same shades here.

Balance Me cleanse and smooth face balm

I love this cleanser and so does my skin. It's a balm cleanser in a liquidy form with small oatmeal scrub particles. I love the scent, it works great and keeps the flakies at bay. The only bad thing is that it's expensive. Original review here. 

Repurchase: Yes.

Mavala Double-Lash

I got this a long time ago because I wanted to strengthen my lashes and stop them from falling out so much. I had no results whatsoever the first time. Then I stopped using it for a while and started using it months later, however, again I saw no positive changes. My eyelashes did stop falling out, but that happened when I wasn't using this for a long time. Original review here. 

Repurchase: No.

Balea Eye Makeup Removing Oil Pads Waterproof

These remove the most stubborn waterproof mascara, but they are too oily. I need to use a separate remover to get rid of all the oil. I prefer the Maybelline remover.
Repurchase: No.

Balea Makeup Removing Wipes 3 in 1 for dry and sensitive skin

These are too harsh compared to my favourites from Speedy Care. It hurt my skin when I was using them.
Repurchase: No.

 Nivea Soft

I buy a pot or a tube of this every now and then. It's a standard cream that is quite light and refreshing. Honestly, I buy it because I love the typical Nivea scent.
Repurchase: Maybe.

Skin Doctors Ingrow Go

This is a liquid lotion that smells horrible and contains a lot of glycolic acid that should help with ingrown hair. I have the worst ingrown hair, literary the worst (even if I just shave and/or scrub everyday, flm), and this doesn't do squat for me, neither to prevent them nor help them get out. Waste of money.
Repurchase: No.

Skin Doctors Hair no More

A spray that is supposed to inhibit/stop the hair from growing. There were promises of having to shave less often and the hair becoming finer. All a load of crap. It does smell nicer as the Ingrown go.
Repurchase: No.

Yves Rocher Noix de Coco Malaysian Coconut Silky Lotion

This feels and smells the same as the silky cream, it's just a bit runnier. It's ok, but not for dry skin. The scent is barely coconuty, it's more of a milky scent that is similar to Lush's Sympathy for the Skin.
Repurchase: No.

I Love... peaches and cream body lotion

A very decent lotion that is nicely moisturising. The scent is a great as well - peach mixed with cream.
Repurchase: It's really nice, but no.

 L'Oreal Ever Rich Mask

A great drugstore treatment for dry hair. It's quite light for a mask, however it still manages to moisturise well. The scent is a sweet caramel one and it's quite strong. Original review here.
Repurchase: Yes.

L'Oreal Ever Rich Shampoo

This made a great first impression, however, with every use my enthusiasm was fading. I mentioned before that I have awful dandruff, dry and itchy scalp, so I'm trying the whole sulphate free thing (and I'm not liking it, to be honest). The shampoo is really creamy, foams nicely, is sulphate-free, smells nice and doesn't leave my hair dry. Sound nice, right? However, my scalp hates this. I think it's building up on my scalp and that's why it's ridiculously itchy literary right after washing my hair. Strangely, I had much better experience with the Ever Pure one. One more thing, it's so thick that towards the end, it get really difficult to get it out of the tube.

Repurchase: No.

Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque

Me and this mask do not get along. Almost everyone loves it, but I find it painfully average. It leaves my hair dry and abnormally frizzy. There are so many better cheaper products as well as salon treatments. Original review here. 

Repurchase: No.

Redken Extreme Anti-Snap

This is a protein leave-in treatment that helps prevent breakage and split ends. There is 250 ml of a very light lotion with a sort of artificial sweet fruity scent in the bottle. I've had mine for about a year and I used it almost every time I washed my hair. As far as results go, I noticed my hair was more tamed and it was definitely less damaged. Why I love this is because I started using this right after having my hair cut and my hair was in such great condition that I didn't feel I need to get my ends trimmed for a year (honestly, it saved me a lot of money since I pay 30€ for a simple trim. The joy of having long hair, greedy bastards). I got it cut when it got too long since it reached the end of my back.
I often get a question how do you get the hair to grow faster. Well, first off, everyone's hair supposedly grows at the same rate, however, if your hair is damaged and breaks off easily, you have the felling that your hair doesn't grow or it's growing really slowly. If you're one of those people, I highly recommend giving this a try (also anything with protein). Ingredients here.

Repurchase: Yes. But since it's not that good to use protein treatments for too long or you might risk making more damage, I'll buy it in a year or so.

 Balea Shower Gels: Fiji Passionfruit, Brazil Mango, Hawaii Pineapple

Though some people find Balea's shower gels drying, me and my skin actually like them. These three were a part of this summer's limited edition and they all smelled great - one like fresh passionfruit, one like Haribo candy and one like Pina Colada.
Repurchase: I would if they weren't limited edition.

L'Occitane Angelica Face Toner

A run-of-the-mill hydrating toner. Smells similar as the hydrating cream - herbally fresh and I like it. It leaves the skin slightly sticky. There are cheaper ones that are similar. Ingredients here.

Purchase: No.

L'Occitane Sublime Essence Skin Perfector

The texture is thick for a serum, but not greasy. It feels super light on the skin and gives that silicone like feeling, despite that it doesn't have them. It's leaves a great velvety matte finish, like using a super light primer. I think it's not hydrating enough on it's on in the winter for dry skin, but it should be enough for combination, normal and oily. The scent is nice, flowery (rose perhaps) and closer to something by Vichy than L'Occitane. Based on two samples I can't really report on results, but it did help to make my forehead smooth again. I really like it. Ingredients here.

Purchase: Yes.

L'Occitane Angelica Ultra Matte Fluid

When I was a teen with oily skin, their previous versions, the Lavender and Red Rice fluid, were my staples and I adored both. This is very similar. It has pretty much identical light, yet hydrating texture that leaves a matte finish, again like using a light primer or powder. L'Occitane excels at this. It has the same fresh herbal scent of the angelica line that I like. It's on my wishlist together with their Hydrating cream. Ingredients here.

Purchase: Yes.
I must say, L'Occitane's skin care works wonderfully for my skin. I had a bad skin moment and these samples made it all right again. Their products deserve more praise and attention that they get.

Sante Shower Gels: Grenadine Spirit and Coconut Dream

How this get to be sold?! Saying they are awful is an understatement. Both smell horrific and there is nothing dreamy about that coconut scent. Both have a revolting alcoholic rotten scent and the texture is ridiculously runny. Thankfully, I only had samples.
Purchase: No Way. 

L'Occitane Sublime Beauty Cream BB Cream SPF 30 

The texture is light and runny, very Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum like. It feels light on the skin and I wouldn't say moisturising, which considering it's a BB cream, is a bit odd. So this not for dry skin, rather better suited for normal to oily skin. It leaves a satin finish and it's slightly dewy, but not from the moisture like other BB's. It lacks that silicone feeling, which makes it not blend that well on dry skin. It's the type of product that I have a feeling might cling to dry patches. It's pretty much immediately dry to the touch, a feature I love. Coverage is light, maybe light to medium. It has the same flowery scent as the serum, but it's stronger, so not the best product for those sensitive to fragrance. I had samples of both of the shades they offer, light and medium. Look at the swatches. In what universe is that light? Yet another western company released only dark BB shades as if everyone in Europe spends their entire lives sunbathing in friggin Ibiza. Light is slightly darker than Bourjois BB in 21, but close, while medium is very dark. Ingredients here.

Purchase: Until they stop screwing around and make actual useful shades the answer is no.

Have a great day!

1. Joico K-Pak Intense Hydrator

It's central heating season and though it was enough for my hair to use the "good stuff" less often, my dry ends are telling me those days are gone. So I need to replenish my collection of salon brand conditioners and treatments. I already had the Intense Hydrator before and it is one of the best treatments I've tried, so I plan to get another one, even though the scent is weird.

2. Balm Balm Frankincense Deep Cleansing Balm 100% Organic

I ran out of Balance Me cleanse and smooth face balm, which I really like, but I still want to try a solid balm. I've got my eye on this one because it comes in a small 30 ml sized pot for about 10€.

3. Deborah Milano Red Laque 

Normally, I don't like glossy types of products, but I swatched these in the shop and fell in love in the darkest colour available here, number 06, which is a nice berry shade. 

4. Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer

I'm getting a bit frustrated about the lack of really light concealers that would actually match my skin and also have decent coverage. I just want something that is as light as Missha's BB #13. Chinchilly looks super pale and I heard so many praises about this concealer, so it's on the top of my wishlist. The price is really step, though.

5. L'Oréal Paris Super Liner Perfect Slim

My liquid/gel eyeliners are all on their last legs and though I really like the L'Oreal's Super Liner Carbon Gloss, I'd like to try this one because the tip looks super fine and precise.

6. Rimmel Lasting Finish 1000 Kisses Lipliner Pencil Black Tulip
I need a lip liner to match Rimmel's 107, which I wear all the time and based on the Google search for swatches this looks like a good match plus it's reasonably priced.

7. Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer Eclipse

I can't find a matte lip cream in a nice deep burgundy shade, but this will do as well. I already have Stellar, which is a spectacular colour and the formula is nice. Eclipse is actually one of the new colours (I had no idea new colours were added) and looks just like what I'm looking for. 

Have a great day!

I am not a fan of celebrities in any way, however, I have a lot of their fragrances. Taylor Swift's Wonderstuck Enchanted is the latest in my collection and it follows the same gourmand fruity-vanilla formula as most celebrity juices.

I tested her original fragrance called Wonderstuck when I was in Austria and it's nice, but nothing particularly original. It's a mix of berries with a hint of vanilla, pretty much like someone mixed Escada's Ocean Lounge with Britney Spears's Radiance, so very sweet, however, weak and with minimal projection, though it did last a few hours.

Wonderstruck Enchanted, her second fragrance, is very much like putting her original fragrance together with Paris Hilton Can Can plus adding a touch of Britney Fantasy's and Lancome La Vie est Belle's vanilla note in the mix. I get crushed berries topped with sugar, an occasional whiff of passionfruit and loads of vanilla.  This sugar-berry mix is excellently done, much better than in Radiance or the strawberry jam version in Escada's Ocean Lounge. I detect no flowery notes, even though the notes include poppy, freesia, peony and champaca. The vanilla note is strong and makes it smell more warm and cosy. It's a great autumn/winter fragrance for sweet scents lovers.

It's an absolutely wonderful fragrance, however, it doesn't last more than an hour. I have no idea why since projection is strong. It just fades away. There is nothing left at all even if I put my nose close to the skin. This is a complete mystery to me, since I heard it has excellent silage and staying power. I though that maybe I was the problem, but my cousin had the exact same experience. We both pretty much drenched ourself in the fragrance and in an hour it was completely gone.

I don't like the bottle. It looks cheap and boring, I dislike the charms and don't I find the holographic effect all that interesting. But that's just my personal taste. I just feel that something with such a great name like Wonderstuck Enchanted could be in a more fairytale like bottle, such as Lolita Lempicka or Nina L`Elixir.  I get that it's targeted at teenage boppers, but the gold paint has already chipped from the cap and around the nozzle. I'd at least expect a more quality job.

It's a scent that'll appeal to anyone who loves La Vie est Belle, Can Can and Fantasy. But honestly, though the scent itself is gorgeous, the staying power on me is extremely weak. I find Paris' Can Can even lovelier and it has a fantastic staying power. I'm glad a got this in 100 ml, because I've already used up 1/3 due to the bad staying power and I use it more like a body spray.

I paid 23.49 € for 100 ml on All Beauty.

Have you tried it yet? Have a great day!

My first Catrice blush and I have to say I'm very impressed. It surprised me in pretty much every aspect, from pigmentation and colour to staying power.

Colour: It's a matte warm bright pink. This is not the Barbie type cool pink blush, rather closer to peachy pinks such as NARS' Orgasm. I loved it from the moment I swatched it in the shop. 

Pigmentation: It's fantastic. I honestly expected less for the price, but I was pleasantly surprised. It's so pigmented I have to only touch/lightly swap the surface of the blush with a brush and it's enough colour for my super pale skin to get a nice flush to colour. The texture is quite soft and silky. It swatches a bit powdery and patchy on the skin, but blends really well on the cheeks with a brush.

Staying Power: It lasts well on my skin, which is rare for a blush, however, it depends how much I apply it.

Packaging: The blush is very small and sleek. I like the clear plastic because you can see which colour it is. It looks quite modern and feels well made. Actually, it reminds me of something Shu Uemura might offer. There is 5g of product.

Price and availability: I got mine in Müller for 3.79€. There are 6 colour available.

This is such a great product for the price. For a few €, I got something that is pretty much as good as any of my high-end blushes. It's super pigmented, soft, matte and actually lasts on my skin. And the colour is adorable. It's definitely the best drugstore powder blush I own. I would like to get more colours, but I don't know if I like any other shades. Maybe Rose Royce, since is the type of shade I don't have yet.

Yes, there is another new kid on the block. Garnier joined the micellar waters race with their budget version. I must confess, I had no idea that it existed and I was surprised to see it on a shelf in E.Leclerc (French supermarket). The bottle is quite big and holds 400 ml of product which is twice as much as L'Oreal's version, but the price is about the same, 5.29 €. There is no secret that L'Oreal owns Garnier (and tons of other brands), so it's actually not that surprising that these two micellar waters share a very, very similar ingredient list. There is a difference only in the position of one ingredient on the lists - poloxamer 184. This is recycling at it's finest since as you probably know, L'Oreal often "borrows" formulations from their subsidiary brands and offers it under another brand and name (such as L'Oreal Infallible eyeshadows and Giorgio Armani's Eyes to Kill Intense or GA's Maestro foundation and L'Oreal's Nude Magique Eau De Teint to name a few).

I already compared L'Oreal Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution with Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Solution here and though they feel very similar, the Bioderma one is much more effective. I actually reach much more for Bioderma than L'Oreal's hence why it's almost run out. This time I compared only Garnier's and L'Oreal's. I wore a full face of makeup with Rimmel's Perfect Match foundation and concealer, highlighter, blush, contour, eyeshadow, L'Oreal's liquid eyeliner, Lancome's Hypnose waterproof mascara and Rimmel's 107 lipstick, which is a dark berry, so it was a proper test. I used each on one side of the face.

Again the texture and feeling is exactly the same. All three feel like water. There is no residue left, just clean and refreshed skin. Neither of them break me out or irritate my skin in any way. Both L'Oreal's and Garnier's have a slight chemical scent, but it's faint.

There was no difference between the two when removing the make up at all. There was the same amount of make up on the cotton pads and it took three cotton pads of each to have the face completely clean. Neither removed waterproof mascara, however, nor does Bioderma. I removed mascara with coconut oil.

Basically these two are pretty much the same product for me. However, you get more product for a similar price at Garnier, not to mention a much, much better packaging. L'Oreal's comes in the new revamped square top packaging that spills product everywhere (seriously L'Oreal, fire the one that approved this). Garnier comes in their traditional, but more rounded version of their toner/cleansing milk/body lotion packaging with the same flip top. Neither are as effective as Bioderma, but they are nice drugstore alternatives and worth checking out.

So far I've only seen Garnier's version in E.Leclerc for 5.29€, but L'Oreal's is sold in every drugstore and 200ml costs 4-5€ (depends where you buy it).