Mateja's Beauty Blog: Born Pretty

Every liquid pen eyeliner I've ever owned: best, worst and everything in between

torek, julij 04, 2017
14 Comments

Best Products in 2015 Part 1

The end of the year is here, which means it's time for my traditional posts with best products or best buys in 2015, so products that I got this year and they really impressed me. I already posted the budget version with all the products under 5 €, but I found many more excellent products that are above that price range. I think I covered almost every category, unintentionally that is, but it was a good makeup year for me, especially when it comes to foundations. By popular request I split my favourites into two parts. This one will include all the makeup bits and the next one all the rest (nail polishes, skin care, etc,…). Links to my previous such posts are at the end of my All-time Favourites page or you can search for best buys label, but here you have makeup favourites of 2014.

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation

After years of being on my wishlist, I finally got my hands on a bottle of Sheer Glow, which got for my birthday. I call it my princess foundation for one simple reason - it makes your skin look so perfect. It is a medium to full coverage, so it's noticeable you're wearing makeup, but I really like the level of coverage it gives, even though I'm an "invisible foundation" kinda girl. I mostly don't even need to use concealer with this, yet it doesn't feel heavy nor does it sink into pores or make a cakey mess. The shade range is another huge plus at this foundation. They don't just have really pale colours, but they also thought about undertones, though Siberia, which I'm using, is very yellow (I'm neutral), but it works. It has no pump (did I mention this foundation costs 40 €?), but I found that the pump of Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum works fine.

L'OREAL Infallible 24H Matte Foundation

This is my summer foundation when my skin is a little bit oilier. It's a foundation with a matte finish and it sets quickly, so you don't have a lot of time to work with it, but it gives medium coverage and doesn't look flat on the skin. The best feature of this foundation - it disguises pores like nothing else I've tried. I've got before/after in my review if you want to check. The downside of this foundation is that it can cling to dry patches, so it's not for dry skin and now in the colder months, I mix it with more moisturising foundations if I want to wear it, though currently I'm mostly using other bases. The colour range is a bit of a miss as both lightest shades, Porcelain and Vanilla, are pink toned and L'Oréal is terrible at making foundation colours, so it can end up looking a bit orange if your skin tone is very warm, but on my neutral skin, it's decent enough in the summer.

REVLON Colorstay Foundation Normal/Dry Skin

I found this one when I had a sudden urge to re-explore our drugstores for very pale foundations. I was delighted to discover that things have very much improved over the years and this good old classic won me over. Colorstay foundations are not the most natural looking, lightweight products, but the medium-full coverage, fantastic staying power and a satin-matte finish certainly impressed me. With this my skin stays matte pretty much all day and it's not even a foundation for oily/combination skin. I got the shade Ivory which is a very pale pink toned foundation and it fits me so well, despite the fact that my undertone is neutral. The one downside at this foundation is the lack of a pump.

KIKO Long Lasting Stick Eyeshadow

06 Golden Bronze and 38 Golden Taupe

These eyeshadow sticks are the best cream eyeshadows around. I currently own just two, 06 Golden Brown and 38 Golden Rose, but I would love to expand my collection. These are so creamy and pigmented, they blend easily and last ages on the eyes. I love using these on their own or as a base.

THEBALM Nude'tude Eyeshadow Palette

I got several eyeshadow palettes this year, an overwhelming majority were drugstore, but this one was the one that truly won my heart. I'm not a patient girl, so I don't like to build up colour for ages and at Nude'Tude I don't have to. The eyeshadows are so pigmented, soft and they blend beautifully, also the selection of shades great and I use pretty much all the colours. This has become my standard "I need to look good and I don't have time for building up the colour for a million years" palette. It's like Bourjois' Nude-ist, so the thing I grab when we're getting serious with the makeup.

BORN PRETTY Smooth Liquid Eye Liner with a Panda Design

I've tried a lot of eyeliners this year and it's a bit funny that this one, which looks like a toy for five-year olds is so impressive. The formula is really black, smooth and the applicator is one of those brush ones, so it's very precise and easy to work with. Actually I think I could include this one in the under 5 € post, since I've never seen it being full price, so it's very affordable as well. Plus the panda design is super cute.

NANSHY Eye Brush Set

Tapered crease, blending eyeshadow and flat definer

I have the whole set, but I'm mainly using just three brushes. The whole set suits small eyes, which is just perfect for me, so the tapped crease brush, blending eyeshadow brush and the flat definer became my everyday brushes. These are very soft synthetic brushes, so they are great at blending and not so much at picking up colours (unless they are very pigmented like theBalm's and Urban Decay's eyeshadows). I also love that the handles are shorter than at the majority of eye brushes. It's a weird thing to say, but if you are near-sighted and you experience handles hitting the mirror all the time, I'm sure you get me. I think you can get these individually, but I'm not sure they are actually the same (the names are).

PHYSICIANS FORMULA Sexy Booster Sexy Glow Blush

There was a lot of Physicians Formula products on my blog this year, but this one is the true winner for me. Max Factor's űber hyped-up Creme Puff blushes left me cold as that famous glow was not all that visible on my cheeks, but this blush turned out to be exactly what I wanted. I have the shade Rose, which is a mix of two shades, a peachy-pink and the hot pink in the middle. It's a bit difficult to use them individually, but I always focus on the peachy pink more. It gives a nice rosy flush with a very glowy finish and the blush even smells like vanilla. Physicians Formula has some of the prettiest packaging ever and it's functional too. This one hides a very handy mirror and a brush in the back.

MILANI Powder Blush

01 Romantic Rose

These blushes were on my wishlist since the moment I laid eyes on them. The design is the reason enough to get at least one. I heard these aren't the best as they are supposedly very powdery and I must say I don't have the foggiest what they are talking about. This shade, Romantic Rose, which I believe is one of the original ones, is beyond stunning. It's a dusty nude pink shade that is my type of shade. The quality is great, these are really strongly pigmented and apply nice as well. I would love to own more of these.

THEBALM Mary-Lou Manizer

Would you believe that this is only my second powder highlighter I own and my only gold toned as well as my only high-end one? Strange for a beauty blogger of 5+ years. There is nothing subtle about this highlighter, it was clearly designed for glow lovers. It's quite gold, but it still works for me even when I'm at my palest, I just avoid overdoing it. The glow it gives is very glamorous looking, so if you're one for more subtle highlighting, you'll probably save this one for special occasions, but believe the hype, it's worth giving a go.

BOURJOIS Rouge Edition Velvet

07 Nude-ist

And the top place in the best products of 2015 goes to… Nude-ist. I'm completely smitten with this. It is an outstanding shade and my most worn lip product in this year. I just instinctively grab it almost every time I leave the house. It's a beautiful muted rose-pink shade that is actually exactly the natural tone of my lips, however, a shade or two darker, making it look quite natural on my lips, but just giving that definition to my pale face. The staying power and the matte formula are winners as well. Gorgeousness in a tube. And to think this was the only shade I hated at first sight when I swatched them when they launched - silly me.

REVLON Ultra HD Lipstick

Rose

Meet the most comfortable lipstick I've tried to date. This is my standard goes-with-everything-shade in a formula that is basically better than a lip balm. It's nicely pigmented, super soft and light on the lips, it's moisturising plus best of all, it smells like Planica ice cream (a Slovene thing. Basically three flavours of ice cream in one: vanilla, strawberry and chocolate). On me Rose is a lovely, neutral pink shade that is a shade or two darker than my natural lip colour.

I love the formula, but only in THIS shade. Why am I emphasizing that? Because this is a lipstick that doesn't contain wax, hence why it's very soft and a red or any bright/dark shade in this formula will be a mega huge mess. So stick to light shades in this formula if you don't want to be disappointed.

MILANI Color Statement Moisture Matte Lipstick

Darling

When lip products are concerned I'm a matte girl through and through and I think Milani's lipstick is one of the best, if not the best I've tried so far. The finish is actually matte, not creamy-matte, it kind of almost reminds me of matte lip creams, though it's most similar to Mac's Retro Matte formula, but these are a bit creamier. I only have this one shade, though and I hope all of them are like that. I got the shade Darling which is a beautiful peachy-pink shade that is similar to Catrice's I got you Babel lip pencil. I'd really love to have more shades of these, I thinking Love, Flirty, Confident and Passion.

MAC Lipsticks

All Fired Up and D for Dangerous

I got myself five MAC lipstick samples when I last ordered on The Body Needs and I found two new absolute favourites - All Fired up and D for Dangerous. I'm head over heels in love with the latter, it's a shade I've been looking for at least five years - a warm purple-pink-red. The other one, All Fired Up is another stunning colour, a warm fuchsia shade, so a typical me colour. Both of these are retro matte, which is my favourite formula by Mac, however, it is quite a thick formula that some might find drying. I'd love to have full sizes of these two.

This completes the first part of my favourites in this year. Next will include all that isn't makeup and should be up soon.

Have a great day!

ponedeljek, december 28, 2015
12 Comments

Empties #16

I have 32 empties and that's just too much to cram into one post, so there will be two. I should have done this sooner, but I always had a product that was just about to run out, in fact I have many such products right now, but enough is enough, so here is the first 16.

MAKEUP

L'OREAL False Lash Wings Intenza

A classic plastic brush mascara that excels mostly in definition. Once it thickened a bit it was also nicely volumising. I liked the effect of it and I think it's a great mascara, but because it's a regular formula, it didn't hold my lashes curled at all. However, my cousin did really like this mascara when I gave it to her to try, that was at least until she heard how much it costs.

Repurchase: No, the main reason being the price.

ESSENCE Lash Princess Volume Mascara

The volume this mascara creates is insane. You seriously get the biggest lashes with this, it's just full on glam. Unfortunately, it's a very wet formula and my lashes drop in a microsecond. Having said that, I would repurchase this because I don't want to remove waterproof mascara every day and I do actually use regular formulas at times, even though uncurled lashes isn't the best look for me. This is a mascara I recommend to everyone who asks me for a very volumising formula. It's cheap, easily accessible and just brilliant if your lashes hold a curl well.

Repurchase: Yes.

BORN PRETTY Smooth Liquid Eye Liner with a Panda Design

I loved this. It's one of my absolute favourite eyeliners so far and I never expected it from something that looks like a kids toy. It's very black with a super smooth formula and that brush-like bendy applicator. It also lasted a really long time. Great stuff.

Repurchase: Yes.

L'OREAL Super Liner So Couture

Either I'm incredibly unlucky or this just sucks so bad. I've never tried a worse liner than this. I thought I got a bad one because it was all dried up when I tried it at home, so I went to exchange it and that one performed exactly the same. Still pissed I wasted 10 € on this. However, I love their Super Liner Perfect Slim version.

Repurchase: Absolutely not.

ESSENCE Eyeliner Pen Waterproof

This is really good for the price. It's a classic felt tip liner, so the tip isn't as bendy as at that Panda liner, but the formula is very black and lasts very well. I liked it and it's the most affordable decent liner, so I'm sure I'll buy it again sometime.

Repurchase: Yes.

NAILS

LADY LYA Bionature 3 in 1 Nail Polish

Base Coat - Top Coat - Nail Polish

This was one of the first PR products I got and I ended up using it with every nail polish as a base for years. It takes too long to dry to be used as a top coat, but as a base coat I think it worked great. It protected the nails from being stained and it might have even contributed to every nail polish lasting eons on my nails, but the latter part might just be the because of how strong my nails are.

Repurchase: I would if it were at least half cheaper.

SKINCARE - FACE

THE BODY SHOP Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil

I liked this in terms of how well it removed makeup, especially waterproof mascara, but I had to be very careful not to use it too often because it made my skin unclear. It's a bummer for me, but I still recommend this, since it probably won't do the same on you and it's very affordable. The packaging started leaking, which I wasn't terribly pleased about.

Repurchase: No, I prefer L'Occitane's.

EMMA HARDIE Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm

I liked this and I didn't like it. Complicated I know. I loved the texture of this, it is sublime, so amazing to use and it removes all makeup with ease. But the general effect on my skin was not worth 50 € (mine is the small size, though). My skin even developed some patches at one point meaning that this was not enough for my skin. Also it just wasn't as clear like at Balance Me's version or Good Thing Manuka Honey version. The packaging is incredibly rubbish for the price. The lid cracked almost instantly, then it fell apart and the pot even leaked. Just terrible. Nonetheless I'm happy I tried it out.

Repurchase: No, I got the Balance Me one again.

BALEA Enzym Peeling

I didn't like this. I actually haven't used it up, but I'm throwing it away because it separated (I bought it in May). It's an enzyme peeling, so it contains AHA, however, it's so gentle, it actually doesn't do anything at all on my skin. It does smell nice though, like papaya, but warmer.

Repurchase: No.

BOCASSY Serum

A serum that is more reminiscent of a light lotion, so in warm months I could even use it on its own. I liked the effect of this, it made my skin look healthier, but I had to use a larger quantity than I'm used to at once. It has a nice scent of apples plus some warm base, it sinks into the skin very quickly and it has nice ingredients (even some vitamin A). The pump broke when it was nearing its end which wasn't cool. If I feel that my skin will worsen without this, I'll buy it again, but I'm in general not a fan of additional steps in my skin care (I'm a cleanser + Nuxe oil girl all the way).

Repurchase: I don't know yet. I like it, but it's expensive.

REN Resurfacing AHA Concentrate

I will sorely miss this. I could buy a new one, but it's so expensive. I had this way past its expiration date, but I'm a crazy woman who obsessively saves the good things, instead of actually using it (I really, really need to stop doing this), so it actually got a bit bad at the end (the scent became more acidic). I truly relied on this when my skin was acting up. This and Queen Helene's mask was my power combination. I'm sure you've gathered from the name that it's a serum (or concentrate. Same thing) with fruity acids (glycolic lactic, tartaric and citric acid), so it's a chemical exfoliator. I don't want to write another novel about it here, so just read my review if you want to know more, but I loved this.

Repurchase: I would, but it's sooo expensive.

PALMER'S Swivel Stick

My favourite lip balm and basically the only one I use (I have Labello's Peach version, but that's not exactly the most nourishing lip balm). It's not a proper lip balm, it's actually a multi-purpose stick made out of cocoa butter (plus some extra stuff). I think that after years of using this my lips have improved so much that I never need to use a lip balm during the day because my lips are never dry. Even if I forget to use this before going to bed, my lips are still fine. It's very different from regular lip balms because it's not waxy, so it's not just a coat of stuff on your lips that prevents the moisture disappearing, but this actually nourishes the lips. It looks ridiculous when you're applying it because it looks like a giant glue stick, but I love this.

Repurchase: Already did.

EMMA HARDIE Amazing Face Age Support Cream

Such a rich and thick moisturiser that reminds of universal creams like Nivea or Solea. I found it a bit much for my skin, but it would work fantastically on really dry skin. Tt has a strong floral scent, so it's different from the cleansing balm.

Purchase: No.

SKINCARE - BODY

BALEA Rasier Gel

Just an essential that I always have in stock. It's a great quality shaving gel that does its job and is very affordable. This one has a floral powdery scent.

Repurchase: Already did.

NIVEA Pearl & Beauty Anti-perspirant

Another essential that I always have a can of. I love this anti-perspirant despite being in a spray. It smells so lady-like and it contains some powder that absorbs moisture.

Repurchase: Already did.

REXONA Clear Pure Crystal Dry Deo Stick

You must be tired of seeing this in my empties, but this is my standard deodorant for maybe two years now. I just like it because it's the only one so far that hasn't stopped working on me before I had a chance to use it up. I don't even know which one in a row this is, but it's probably 5th or 6th.

Repurchase: Already done.

The next 16 products are coming soon. It's some more body products, hair care and fragrances.

Have a great day!

torek, november 17, 2015
19 Comments

Nebli Bottom Lash Mascara (Born Pretty)

sobota, september 26, 2015
15 Comments

New In #34

ESSENCE I Love Extremes Volume Mascara Waterproof

I was very impressed by the Lash Mania waterproof mascara that I bought a couple of months ago, but just as I found my favourite drugstore mascara, Essence discontinued it. This one appears to be a sort of a replacement for that one and I just had to try it. I loved the volumising effect of the non-waterproof version, but my lashes do not hold a curl with a normal formula, so I'm delighted they came out with a waterproof version. I flipping love this mascara! It gives tons of volume, doesn't clump up the lashes even though it's new, it gives tons of length, holds the curl all day, doesn't flake or smudge - it's near perfect.

DM, 2.99 €

CATRICE Nail Lacquer

18 Bloody Mary To Go

I had an idea for a reds inspired post and I when I went through my stash for the products, I realised I don't even have the most classic, cool toned red nail polish. I never even had one. I have Essie's Really Red, but that one is already brighter and warmer. I compared a ton of nail polishes that looked almost the same, but I choose this one because that's what others picked from the ones I showed them and I'm quoting the reason :"Because that bottle looks the biggest". Classic. I had this nail polish on my wishlist eons ago, but for the longest time I was sure it was discontinued. I guess it's back on popular demand. It's a lovely classic red with a good formula. I'll can see myself wearing it loads.

DM, 2.59 €

EBELINE Concealer Ei

Concealer Eggs

These were so darn cute, so I really wanted to have them, but I did ask around before if they are any good. Even dry, these are very soft and bouncy, way more than any sponge I tried. I like the size of these because I just feel that all those big sponges are too much for my small face even if they have a pointy tip. They expand to about 30%, fit perfectly and blend well enough, but I've never been a huge fan of sponges anyway. They drink up some of the concealer and foundation, but it's not that bad. I like this for the finishing touches as it creates a much more natural look, which comes handy at high coverage stuff. They wash ok, I use regular bar soap as with everything, though it's hard to get them completely clean.

DM, 2.95 €

MAC Lipstick Samples

Diva, Rebel, D is for Danger, All Fired Up and Patisserie

Boy have these become expensive! I have tons of them already, but I haven't ordered any new ones for a really long time. At first because they switched to pots instead of tubes and then because the prices grew. But they had 40 % off and the prices were finally a lot more reasonable. I got a deep vampy red Diva, the purple Rebel, the perfect red-purple D is for Danger, the warm pink All Fired Up and the classic "wedding" nude Patisserie. I really wanted Brave, but apparently they don't sell it. I was most looking forward to Rebel because I hoped it's the perfect warm purple, but as I suspected it's very violet purple on me, however D for Danger turned out to be all that I ever wanted. All Fired Up is amazing as well. I'll post a proper review post, but you can see swatches on my hand here with D for Danger on the lips and here are the two previous posts of these TBN samples: 1 & 2.

The Body Needs, $4.99 in a tube

MAYBELLINE The Eraser Concealer

03 Fair

Thanks to Petra (Adjusting Beauty) I got a back-up of my favourite concealer. I just properly reviewed it a couple of weeks ago after nattering about it relentlessly for three or four years and this is actually my fourth or fifth tube. For those who haven't read any of my dozens of posts where I mentioned this - it's a medium coverage concealer that looks incredibly natural on the skin and has a sponge that does most of the blending for you already.

DM Austria, 10.45 € (one of my readers tells me that it's a lot cheaper in Italy, where it's 8.5 €)

Le Petite Marseillais Huile Elixir Karite & Argan

In the spirit of buying back-ups, I got another one of these, which I once described as my ultimate "über dry hair fixer". It's a very, very rich pre-wash treatment that transforms my dry mop into decent hair. Wonderful stuff.

E.Leclerc, 6 €

AUSSIE 3 Miracle Oil Reconstructor

I saw this on some German girl's Instagram and I never dreamed this will be sold here. But it is! I'm still astonished. I didn't hesitate before putting it in my basket, especially since we ran out of our "household serum/oil", but I of course checked the ingredients first. It's a classic silicone serum with oils, just like Moroccaoil, Orofluido and others. First two ingredients are silicones, which are then followed by fragrance (not the best thing), jojoba, avocado and macadamia oil. It doesn't smell typically Aussie, but it's a sweet fragrance that it reminds me of a mix of vanilla and strawberry ice cream with a bit of bubble gum. The formula is light, similar to Kerastase Elixir Ultime, so it should work for most hair types, but don't expect extra special nourishment. It's pretty basic as far as serums go, but nice. I've used it on both dry and wet hair, and so far I like it. It's not Orofluido, but decent, especially for the price and I like it way more than Garnier's. The packaging has a handy pump, however, the cap won't stay on for some reason.

Ingredients.

Műller, 8.99 € (100 ml)

NIVEA 3 in 1 Micellar Cleansing Water

I heard tons of good things about this, but also some bad, anyway it had a nice discount, so I decided to try it. I've tried a lot of drugstore micellar waters and this one didn't blow me away. It doesn't stand out in any way. It again feels like water, doesn't have a scent and it removes non-waterproof makeup ok enough, but mascaras seem to be an issue with this. Some say this is the best drugstore version micellar water they tried, but to me it's just one more on the market. It takes three cotton pads for my face to be clean of makeup and that's average. I kind regret not buying the Green Line one or just finally getting Bioderma again.

DM, 3.99 €

Ingredients

*FREEDOM MAKEUP Pro 32 Jewels and Riches Collection Eyeshadow Palette

When it comes to Makeup Revolution and MUA, I don't really follow current events, even though I follow them on all social media, so I missed this launch as usual. Freedom Makeup is apparently a sister brand to both of these and I have to say that my eyes nearly rolled out of my scull because, I mean come on, it looks exactly the same as MR. The quality is the same as is the packaging, so what is the point of creating yet another brand, but just calling it professional. Rant over, I know I'm a super grumpy annoying person, but this palette is basically any MR palette, which means that the quality of eyeshadows varies, but they are mostly nicely pigmented and soft, the matte eyeshadows can be a bit chalky, but I've tried far worse. The range of eyeshadows is good, though that's not so hard to do when you have 32 places to fill. You get some nice neutrals and some bold shades. For the price this is a pretty decent palette and I've been using it quite a lot, which I didn't expect to.

Ličila.si, 10.95 €

*FREEDOM MAKEUP Pro Blush Palette

Pink and Baked

My first ever blush palette and the first time I've tried these "cheapy" blushes. Again the quality varies, but all in all, these are not bad at all. Some are very creamy and pigmented, like the bottom left (peachy-pink) and bottom two right ones (peach and plum-pink), but the second on the left (fuchsia) is the most disappointing as it's the lightest on the skin. The highlighter is waaaay too shiny and I think that even the most hard-core glow lovers will find this only appropriate for a sci-fi cosplay. I swatched all the shades here.

Ličila.si, 8.95 €

*FREEDOM MAKEUP Pro Lipstick

Pro Red 108 Expression

I'm still not impressed by these cheap lipsticks. This one swatches quite sheer and surprisingly pink, but on the lips is a cool toned red. It needs a few layers for full coverage, which is not a big deal and it's more on the glossy side. It's nice if you want to try a cheap red for the first time, but reds enthusiasts will find it's not the best.

Ličila.si, 1.95 €

*BORN PRETTY Bottom Eyelash Mascara

I wasn't planning on getting anything from BP, but when I saw this, I just so wanted to try it. Clinique's version is so expensive and I always manage to mess up my lower lashes with all those clumsy huge wands (is it just me, or are they getting bigger with each new launch), so I'm glad a cheaper version exists, though this one isn't super cheap if we're honest. The brush is indeed super tiny and it catches every lash. It doesn't deposit a lot of product, but it's more of a mascara that adds colour, so the lashes stand out more. It claims it's waterproof, but my test revealed otherwise. It wasn't running, but it also wasn't completely clean under the eyes. I've been using it daily, since I got it, but I don't consider it as an essential item. I adore the polka dot packaging, it's so cute.

Born Pretty, $7.15 (currently 4.99 $)

*SAPPHIRE 8 in 1 Complete Curling Wand

I never except anything so expensive for a review, let alone a product from outside of EU due to insane custom changes (I had to pay 40 €!), I've actually written so many rejection e-mails that I have a pre-written form, but I was sooo excited about this curling wand. It has eight different barrels, so it's super versatile and it's a huge step up from my old Remington curler. I've been using it for the past 3-4 weeks and I reached a point where I'm basically completely in love with it. I hate to say that about a product that is so flipping expensive, but I do and I feel stupid for not having something similar before, but to be fair you can't get anything like in Slovenia (I think). It shows in real time the wand is heating up (it can be set to both °F and °C) and it's so much lighter than my Remington, plus there is no annoying clamp (such a useless thing). The temperatures can be set as well, from 180° to 210°, I use 200° as always and my curls last for days (proof here, last day of these same curls is here). Even though it's an US product, it has dual voltage, so you can use it in the EU, but you'll either need an adapter or like I did, change the plug.

I've made a big deal out of the review, even going as far to show you the results of five barrels, so if you're interested make sure you don't miss it. As another preview, here I used the pearl and the 3.8 cm one and here are third day curls with the spiral one on the first look, but it isn't my favourite and again the 3.8 cm on the last look:

Irresistible Me, 199$

Life Update

From September you can read me on another blog because I became a blogger for a Slovene online shop Click2Chic. I write in Slovene there, but you can still check out the pictures. I'll get a lot a products to swatch plus do a short basic review of, and it's a completely separate thing from my blog, so I'm not paid for posting here, but I'm allowed to post about them here if I choose to. I've been holding back this past months and didn't include anything from my job here, which was so hard as I actually love a few products, but I don't want it to look like I'm being sponsored by them and I want you to understand that they have zero influence over what I post here. I was thinking of doing these kinds of New Ins and posting reviews of only the things that I loved or just feel that you'd be interested in. But if you don't want me talking about those products here, I won't do it and reviews in Slovene will be on that blog anyway. Just please let me know what you think about this in the comments. It's important to me that we keep our trust. You can check what brands they have here, but they sell stuff like Milani, Physicians Formula, Revlon, BH Cosmetics, Models Own,… so that's what you can expect from future reviews. These next things are all from C2C, but next time I don't plan to talk about every single thing I get.

By the way, I don't post just reviews there, but also "Pinterest inspired" tips, such as this post about concealers, which I just so enjoyed making. However, not all posts there are mine.

PHYSICIANS FORMULA Happy Booster Glow & Mood Boosting Blush

Rose

I actually already have one of these that I bought myself a while ago and I post it quite regularly where I want the picture to look pretty. I wasn't happy with the pigmentation from the start, but once the top layer is gone, it gets a lot better (you'll see it on my cheeks, how pigmented it is now). The flush it gives is a classic warm pink, so that I-just-came-from-the-cold one and gives you those cute cheeks. Apparently it has a: "Happy Boost Blend, featuring Happy Skin and Euphoryl, natural plant extracts which have been shown to promote a feeling of happiness by mimicking the effect of Endorphins and helping protect the skin from environmental stress." *rolls eyes* I trust you're smart enough not to fall for this, though admittedly it does make me happy when I look at this gorgeous beauty. I remember it had a floral scent, but it's all gone now (I didn't open the new one). It has an added compartment under the blush that hides a handy mirror and a brush - You'll see this is a recurring thing in PH blushes and it's a brilliant idea, though the brushes aren't the best. My packaging is still broken and the blush part just flaps around, which is super annoying, but I saw on the Argan bronzer, which has the same type of packaging that there the closing mechanism works, so it must just be my Booster that’s broken.

Click2Chic, 15.90 €

*PHYSICIANS FORMULA Super BB All-in-1 Cheek & Lip Beauty Balm

Berry Pink

They made an EOS inspired sphere blush in lip colour - not bad. Again this one promises all sorts of things apart from making you coffee in the morning, but all the exaggerating aside, it's medium neutral pink cream blush. I'm reluctant to call it a lipstick, not because it doesn't work, but as usually when they try to do both, as a lip colour it ends up a bit drying. The colour is pretty, girly and a light almost Barbie pink on the lips that is semi-transparent, but I'd use a chapstick under it. On the cheeks in performs better and creates those bubble gum pink cheeks. The sphere packaging is so cute and great for travelling.

Click2Chic, 8.91 €

*PHYSICIANS FORMULA Nude Wear Glowing Nude Blush

Rose

Sweet Jesus lawd, this is so gorgeous in person! I was actually going to order something from Nude Wear myself just because those things are so pretty and then I got the news, I'll be testing this out, but I had no idea it's actually so well made. The packaging is beige faux leather in inside it's a pink satin, while on the other side it's again a nicely sized mirror and a brush. And the final touch - a rose gold bow. The definition of perfect packaging people. The blush itself is made out of fours shades, two are warm and two are cool, there is a silver overspray on the letters, but it goes away with one as and the letters disappears soon as well. The texture of this blush is medium soft, but I'm still at the top layer. The colours are all light and mixed together create a cool toned, almost violet-pink shade that's more on the sheer side, but shows up well on my porcelain complexion. If you like blushes like Essence's Adorable, which is more for people who are scared of wearing too much or are very pale, this will work for you.

Click2Chic, 15.90 €

*PHYSICIANS FORMULA Argan Wear Ultra-Nourishing Argan Oil

This is 100 % argan oil and that's basically it. I've used argan oil before in my skincare and it saved my skin when I had the worst case of dryness in my life (my cheeks were rough like sandpaper). I also used it on my hair as a pre-wash treatment as it's great for really dry hair. Basically you can use it almost everywhere. The packaging has a dropper with which you can precisely administer the desired amount. I guess the selling point of this exact one would be that it's completely scent free, which is the first such oil I've tried, since argan oil does not have the most pleasant scent.

Click2Chic, 19.90 €

*PHYSICIANS FORMULA Argan Wear Ultra-Nourishing Argan Oil Bronzer

Light Bronzer

A bronzer that's infused with argan oil and is just stunning to look at. It is a mix of three tan colours and the gold glitter bits are again just an overspray. It has a very strong oriental scent that I could smell even before I unwrapped it, but I really like it as I just love scented stuff, however, if you don't like scented makeup, this really isn't for you. It doesn't smell on the face, just in the packaging. The texture is a lot softer than at Happy Booster and Nude wear, I'd almost describe it as buttery, which also means that the pattern will be quickly worn off. I was really concerned about this one because it swatches golden yellow with a sheen and from the start with huge gold glitter particles due to the overspray. Yup, totally unexpected. But it actually works one me, well at least once the huge glitter chunks are gone. I don't know what kind of sorcery this is, but I think I really like it, not as much as my Estee Lauder one, but considering I hate most bronzers, liking this one is surprising. However, I have strong doubts this would work on many people because for one, it's very light for a bronzer, it's also shimmery-glowy and it's very yellow toned. Maybe people with darker skin tones could use it as a highlighter.

Click2Chic, 17.90 €

*PHYSICIANS FORMULA Sexy Booster Sexy Glow Blush

Rose

This looks a thousand times better in really life than in any picture I've seen. The packaging is on point - red satin covered with black fishnets, it's just perfect burlesque-inspired box. It never convinced me when I was looking online, but now that I've seen it in person, it'd be my first choice also because of the shade, not just the packaging as at Nude Wear. The blush is a mix of two shades - a shimmery pinky-peachy colour and a shimmery hot pink that is in the centre (it's not just an overspray). It's my favourite product in this Physicians bunch because it has the glow and I mean a proper one, not like Max Factor's Lavish Mauve, but the real deal, like Benefit's Coralista. It actually showed up on my pictures, which is unheard of. The fine shimmer in it is ice gold colour, so it doesn't end up looking too cool or too gold. It's lightly scented of vanilla and it again has a mirror plus a brush in the back.

Click2Chic, 15.90 €

*PHYSICIANS FORMULA Sexy Booster Va Va Voom Volume Mascara

This is without a doubt the most gorgeous packaging of a mascara I've owned. It's similar to Helena Rubinstein Lash Queen Sexy Blacks as both have lace details, but not in other respects. It has one of those big plastic brushes, like Max Factor's False Lash Effect and Cover Girl Lash Blast and surprisingly I like it more that the Instant Lash Extension kit below. It's not waterproof, so it doesn't hold a curl on me, but that's not important to you, however, it creates a lot of volume for such a mascara, especially considering it's new. The first coat is a bit shy, but the second and third give you nice voluminous lashes. If you like mascaras such a MF False Lash Effect (original), you'll like this as well.

Click2Chic, 14,90 €

*PHYSICIANS FORMULA Eye Booster Instant Lash Extension Kit‎

Hmm… this is a mascara that I feel needs a very long review with every aspect explained in detail because it's a bloody hard mascara to use. I've had fibre mascaras, but this is nothing like I've tried before. The fibres actually come separate and they are dry, so it is vital that you first apply a thick and wet coat of mascara, then quickly apply the fibres so they stick to the lashes and then seal them with another coat of mascara. Using this mascara has been a trial and error, I've got a horrendous result and I got a nice one, basically it's a mascara that you have to learn to use. I read reviews about it and they are very polarised, but it seems to me that mostly girls with short, stubbly lashes like this and I get why. To get the important question out of the way - does it work? Yes, it does, you get a lot of fibres on there, but if you're not very careful you'll get clumpy, spidery lashes. You are applying something a lot more substantial than just mascara, plus a very wet, thick mascara on which the fibres stick, so it can get messy. I’d also suggest you stick to just one coat of fibres, I did two once and it was just like spiders are crawling out of my eyes. So don't do that, I do stupid things like that, so you don't have to. The fibres go everywhere if they don't stick on a wet enough coat of mascara and they can get in the eye, which isn't terribly pleasant (contact wearers don't use this. I made this mistake just once in my life). But once you master the application, you get some nice results. The formula also promises to make your lashes longer and fuller in time.

Click2Chic, 23.90 €

*ESSENCE Sheer & Shine Lipsticks

01 My First Love, 04 Hidden Secret and 07 Sparkling Miracle

Essence discontinued their original line of lipsticks which have been around since the beginning and upgraded them to these. As the name suggests they are sheer and with a shiny finish, so they are those lip balm/lipstick-lip gloss hybrids and I think they are better than the one before, which didn't really set the bar that high. I got three shades: 01 is super nude when you build it up and I'm just not feeling it on me, concealer nude years are thankfully gone. 07 is the darkest and it's a cool toned fuchsia that I also don't dig on me, but 04 is such a flattering nude. It looks ugly brown in the tube and I'd never pick it up, but on the lips it looks pretty and a great office/school/everyday shade. They again don't last long on the lips.

Click2Chic, 2.20 €

*ESSENCE Liquid Lipstick

04 Show Off!

Essence's version of those liquid lipstick-lipgloss hybrids. They are the thickest version I've tried, but luckily not sticky, they are very pigmented and have a high shine finish. The shade is a pretty bright coral-red. I don't like it as much as L'Oreal's because those are sooo comfortable to wear, but these definitely pack a punch and they are of course a third or fourth of the price, so go for it if you want.

Click2Chic, 2.79 €

Review with swatches.

*REVLON Matte Balm

255 Enchanting

I'm actually not supposed to talk about this yet, but it's coming soon on the virtual shelves of Click2Chic. I already have Unapologetic and I love the formula of these. This is one of the brand new shades for Fall 2015 and if you'd like I can post a review of it here once it's posted on the other blog.

Click2Chic, 10.89 €

*REVLON Photoready Prime + Anti-Shine

You might have seen the adverts for this already, but it's a primer in form of a balm. They decided to put it in a compact, so it's easier to carry with you for any touch ups, which is not a bad idea, except that's you'll be applying it over existing makeup, but since it's clear it should be fine. It promises to reduce pores, combat shine and prolong makeup. It's very light and feels very silicone-y, so creates that velvety layer on the skin and it mattifies very well, that's a plus, but does only a half of the job of disguising pores (compared to Infallible foundation), though the foundation does look better over it. So far I like it, but I don't think it'll knock my trusted Max Factor off its throne, however, people with oily skin will probably prefer the Revlon one.

Click2Chic, 13.59 €

*REVLON Photoready Kajal

350 Matte Expresso

I'm really digging this pencil. It's soft, it transfers well on the waterline, it's not harsh at all when you're drawing with it on the eyes and can be easily smudged if you want to. The staying power is insane. I applied it at 11 am in the waterline and checked again at 11 pm and it was still there. You don't want to know when took my makeup off and I went to sleep, but it was still hanging in the waterline. I'd say less than a half was gone, but from far away the effect was still the same, so pretty damn good. The colour is a deep cool toned brown that is a great alternative to black.

I think this is also new and not yet on the virtual shelves of Click2Chic.

*LIP SMACKER Disney Frozen

Elsa (Cool Vanilla Mint) and Sven (Berry Slush)

I actually had my eye on these for a while because they are so adorable and Elsa was the one I wanted most and the second was Olaf because it supposedly smells like Coconut Slushy, but I'm happy I got Sven nonetheless because Berry Slush sounded great as well. Elsa smells to me like coffee and there is not a trace of mint or vanilla (I really don't like coffee), while Sven smells fruity, like cherry-berry candy and it's mint green which makes me happy. The formula is classic for Lip Smackers, so soft and not as waxy as Labello/Nivea. I get why these are so popular in the USA.

Other scents/tastes: Elsa & Anna (Chilled Cranberry Grape), Anna (Strawberry Shake) and Kristoff (Ice Pop). You can get all in a box or individually.

Click2Chic, škatlica 9.99 €, posamezni (druge verzije) 2.49 €

*DEBORAH Smalto Gel Effect

49, 52, 54 and 58

These are new colours and you may remember how much I adore shade 01. It's the same gel formula that is just so nice to apply. I got four shades to swatch:

49 Peonia Pink is a pastel Barbie/bubble gum pink. Formula isn't as good as at the rest, but good enough considering it's a pastel.

52 Starlette Violet is a Milka chocolate violet. It's a one coater with a very smooth formula.

54 Amaranto is a muted red-vine colour with a retro feel. Needs two coats or even just one if you're lucky on some nails.

58 Delhi Curry is an olive green. Needs two coats.

I don’t' have a single colour that would be similar to any of these. Essence's Forgive me comes kind of close to 49, but it's a warm pink.

Click2Chic, 5,75 €

*CREATEURS DE MONOI Face Cream

Some of you might know of my love for L'Occitane Angelica face cream, but my skin has been enjoying this one just as well. It contains monoi oil, which is basically just coconut oil that had monoi flowers soaking in it for a month, so if you find that coconut oil is blocking your pores, this won't be for you. But my skin loves coconut oil, I use it as makeup remover and it makes my skin look so good. This cream does the same thing. It's quite thick or maybe I should say medium consistency, it takes longer to sink it that L'Occitane's and it also doesn't have silicones as that one, but it still works well under foundation. It has this lovely, indescribable scent that reminds me of Yves Rocher skincare. Does it make my skin smooth? Well, I don't have any dry patches and no spots, so yeah my skin is smooth. I've been using it for over a month now and my skin is in a really nice state, so I kind of really like this.

It's made by the same company as Yummy, so some German company and I don't know where else you can get this.

Click2Chic, 12 €

Review (includes ingredients)

*THE SCENT MANUFACTURE Extra Nourishing Body Lotions

Vampire Saga, Cashmere Sensation, Madagascar's Treasure and In Love

These look way more expensive that they are, but they are scented body lotions. They're not lotions in a true sense of the word because they are thankfully thicker and remind me of body creams. Each has a different scent ranging from teenage-y sweet to oriental, so it's a very diverse mix.

Vampire Saga looks like it'll smell the strongest and deep, but surprisingly it smells like candy. Blueberry candy that is, so it ends up smelling similar to Britney Spears's Midnight Fantasy and Escada's Moon Sparkle. If you like Tigi's scents, you'll like this.

Cashmere Sensation is the strongest and deepest scent out of these. It smells like a mix of Sariko shops (oriental spicy) and a nice fabric softener. It's a lot more spicy from the bottle, but on the skin it smells more powdery. It really reminds me of Avon's Herve Leger Femme once it settles. It's so strong I can easily wear it as a fragrance.

Madagascar's Treasure smells like vanilla dessert and caramel sweets. It's good enough to eat.

In Love is the most generic smelling out of these, but still pretty. It smells floral and fresh, there is a hint of fruitiness as well.

It's another brand made by CPEurope, that German company and I have no idea who else sells these.

Click2Chic, 4.99 €

Review

*THE BRAZILIAN ORIGINAL Conditioner

This promises to reduce frizz, but it's too light for my hair. My hair was screaming for moisture on the second day, so it's far better suited for hair that is less dry than mine or even greasy hair. It smells divine, tropically sweet like pineapple and coconut, but not in a pina colada way. They do have an oil in this line, which I think would work way better for me because it has jojoba oil on the second place among ingredients, but the conditioner wasn't enough for me.

Click2Chic, 8.95 €

Review

*BEAUTY & CHIC Hair Line

Colour, Repair and Hydro Shampoos and Conditioners

Beauty & Chic is a new brand at Click2Chic, again created by CPE. There are three lines: for Coloured hair (pink), Repair (orange) and Hydro (blue). I was trying the Repair version and I really like the shampoo because I doesn't leave my hair dry, but it actually already nourishes the hair a bit. The conditioner wasn't for me though, because it's too light, but it should work for those who want some nourishment, but without heavy care.

Click2Chic, 5.90 €

Review

Have a great day!

sreda, september 23, 2015
59 Comments

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