MILANI Conceal + Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation + Concealer

00A Porcelain

I've shared how impressed I was with this foundation in the review for the original lightest shade 01, which was actually my darkest foundation, but now I finally got the new palest shade, confusingly named 00A (because they already screwed up with 00) and it's a winner. I'm always delighted at the discovery of very pale shade and this one is a good one, roughly about NW10, but so far the closest shade to neutral I own (it's still a bit pink, though it's more peach, swatches in here). It fits me perfectly which for a medium coverage foundation is quite important. The formula is thick, it could almost be a cream foundation, so I apply it in sections, but it looks better on the skin than other medium coverage foundations I tried.

MAC Eyeshadow

Patina

I started using eyeshadows after quite a while, so I've been enjoying exploring my old favourites and Mac Patina just wins. I've had it for ages and I still haven't found a dupe that would look as good as this. It's a pale shade, so if your skin tone is above NC/W30 this might not show up well, but it's an antique gold shade with a satin finish, you can see it swatched here. I love combining it with gold-green shades like Gilded Ganache in Too Faced Chocolate Palette, since they just go together so well. I've never considered Mac eyeshadows to be some of the best despite their popularity because they aren't as soft and creamy and some others, but this is the shade I think everyone with a light skintone should own because it's so unique and so pretty. 

THEBALM Girls Getaway Trio Long-Wearing Bronzer/Blush

I've wanted this for so long, though actually I wanted Balm Springs and Balm Beach in their individual forms, but in a palette it's even better. Balm Springs is the brightest here and different than you'd expect based on its muted pink appearance in the pan. It swatches peachy-orange, so it looks coral on the cheeks. Balm Beach is unexpectedly a lot more my colour and it's pinkier than Balm Springs, so it's a nice muted pinky-peach shade - so far it's my favourite in the palette. The last Balm Desert is a unique shade because it's like bronzer-meets-blush shade, since it's like you'd mix a bronzer with a rosy blush. I need to apply it with a light hand, but it works. I'm now checking into even more theBalm blushes, particularly their Instains.

THEBALM Meet Matt(e) Hughes 

Sincere

My fourth Meet Matte Hughes - yup I'm still a big fan of these and they remain my favourites because they are perfectly matte and last well on the lips. Sincere is one of the shades that was released about a year ago and it's a less "bright" cousin of Committed. The latter is muted mix of peach and pink, while Sincere swatches almost brown and on the lips looks like a less peachy version of Committed, so a pinky brown. If I apply it really neatly, I feel like it makes my lips look a bit bigger, so I know I'll wear it a lot.

LANCÔME Matte Shaker liquid lipstick 

Beige Vintage

This was one of my rare splurges, but I wanted to really treat myself for my birthday and I'm really happy with this one. While the concept is fun, I wasn't completely swayed by it and I bought this because I liked the shade, while I was a bit apprehensive about the whole shaking bit and the big applicator, but all together it works out great. This is quite a unique type of matte liquid lipstick because the formula is so smooth that you can use it as a stain which tints the lips and creates a very natural look, but if you decide to apply it in a more generous coat (you need to shake the bottle a bit more, so you get more product) you get a fully opaque, super smooth formula. But the best part is the gorgeous shade. I've been a fa of Nude-ist for years, but I've never found something similar, only more muted versions of the shade. This is one of those cute muted, but still vibrant enough peachy-pinks that lifts the complexion and creates a very fresh look. It was so worth it.

MAX FACTOR Honey Lacquer 

Honey Nude

After several years it finally happened that I bought a lip gloss, though I had one of these before, but because it was sent to me I didn't get to pick the colour. I fell in love with the comfy, balm formula of these and I wanted a wearable shade that I'll love. Honey Nude is so pretty, very wearable and I'm sure it's a shade that would fit so many because its semi-opaque and it somehow enhances your natural lip colour. The packaging is so pretty too.

REVLON Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor 

Embrace

My other comfortable lip product. I've had Devotion for a year or two and it's one of my most worn lip products, not just because of the comfortable formula, but also because it smells so nice (though this one has a slightly more cookie vanilla smell than the first shade I got). It's an opaque liquid lipstick with a creamy shine and it's doesn't really set matte, thought I noticed this one wears off to a less creamy version faster than Devotion. Embrace is a nude peachy shade with some pink and it's not my ideal shade, but it's closest to what I wanted from the shades they have and I'm sure I'll wear it tons.

LEE JIHAM DR.'s Care Vita-Propolis Ampoule

I found my replacement for Banilla Miss Flower Mr Honey Essence Oil. This is actually much lighter than the latter and also not sticky, so I think I like it even more. I'm still trialling things, but when I used this in combination with my basic skin care and Nuxe oil, my skin looked noticeably better than with other skin care, it was also clear and had a nice healthy glow. When I started using it with other products, it again produced the same results, so I'm quite happy with this. The only think that sucks is that it's only available in 15 ml bottles and it's going to run out fast, which isn't that great when I think how long it takes for stuff to come from Korea.

BATH AND BODY WORKS Bubble Bath

Champagne Apple & Honey

This scent just grew on me. I've never been much of an apple scent fan, but this smells so close to real apples, it's just a bit sweeter. I became a bit obsessed with the scent, so I checked our drugstores for something similar and we barely have anything with apples, and nothing is as nice as this. I've used it both as a shower gel and a bubble bath, and I really like it as the latter because it foams well, plus it made the whole house smell like apples. This was a limited edition, but it's still sold on eBay and Amazon and I think BBW has something similar, as I heard some good things about their country apple line. 

BALEA Duschschaum

Hawaiian Dream

I've already used up the Fresh & Fruity version and this is another lovely one. It's got a nice sweet floral scent that's probably one of Balea's most simple fragrances and one you don't get tired of quickly. The foam is again lovely and based on my experience with the Fresh & Fruity, I know the can will last quite a while.

BATH & BODY WORKS Twilight Woods Body Mist

I've been spraying this every day, it's just such a wonderful scent for the season, as it's a warm and cosy fragrance like a warm fluffy cardigan. It's a woody, musky, a bit coconutty and vanillary fragrance that's not sugary sweet, but nicely creamy. I'm really loving this at the moment and I'm glad it exists in such a big bottle.

DISAPPONTMENT

THE FACE SHOP Rice Water Bright Rich Cleansing Oil

This was such a disappointment, though admittedly I expected a lot. I heard it's a powerful makeup remover, but this is so weak that it barely removes/dissolves any mascara and I end up with the worst panda eyes, so I need to use a separate remover (micellar) on top of already using a gel cleanser after oil. It also broke me out, but that's a problem specific to me. It might be nice if you don't wear makeup and you just need something to remove sunscreen at the end of the day, but I'm very disappointed with this. Also this is heavily scented with a baby powder scent - I like it, those sensitive to scents won't. 

A different type of format for the end-of-the-month post. I only had three favourites that I haven't mentioned in a while because I've been mostly sticking to the same products for the past few months and most have been in last favourites posts already. I share my favourites every month, but you don't get to see a general overview of products I use every day, my current skin care routine, body care and also what caught my interest or disappointed me in a span of a month. So this will be a mix of everything and I hope you don't find it too much at once.

FAVOURITES

MAYBELLINE Super Stay Matte Ink

20 Pioneer

I won't say I'm a big fan of the formula, especially when comfort is concerned because these are thick and super sticky in the first half an hour after application. However staying power of these is outstanding and Pioneer quickly became my perfect red. I've spend a couple of my visits to the drugstores trying to find something similar to L'Oreal's Blake (which to the best of my knowledge is  discontinued), preferably in a matte liquid lipstick form and I realised we have very little cool toned red shades, at least as pretty as this one by Maybelline. It's such a beautiful cool red with a pink-cherry base that has a timeless feel. I'll call this a perfect Snow White shade. 

 THEBALM Hot Mama Shadow/Blush

I've been avoiding peach blushes for a while now because I felt they look a bit too warm/unnatural on my pale skin and I prefer using mauve-rosy blushes for a more subtle, defined look. But I grabbed this at random, since when it comes to blushes I have phases when I dig out those I haven't used in a while and it reminded me how great this blush is. Applied with a light hand it gives me a very believable flush and the sheen in this is amazing - it's just like you'd apply Mary-Lou Manizer over a blush. TheBalm blushes are my favourite in terms of quality because they last so well on my cheeks, but all were in the peachy-pink or plum family before this year, however, now they finally released two blushes that are so much colours: Balm Dessert and Balm Beach.

PALMER's Swivel Stick

This is still the only lip balm I use and the only one I ever truly loved, but this month I found its new super power. In the last  months I've suffered a few minor injuries. First I fell and twisted my ankle, scrapped my knee pretty bad and it took about a month to heal (I couldn't bend my knee for almost two weeks). I still have visible cuts and I suspect I'll have a permanent scar there. And second I got a long thin burn going from the knee to my foot on one leg. Both injuries have been healing slowly, despite using panthenol and other creams, until I decided to use this. It started to heal so much faster, it erased 60 % of that burn in a week or so, before it just looked the same for a month. The scrape on the knee is a bigger challenge because it was a deeper wound, but I've seen some improvements as well. I need to buy some extra products from Palmer's, these really are effective. 

BRILLIANT FIRST IMPRESSIONS

/Če vas novica še ni dosegla, The Body Shop končno prihaja tudi v Slovenijo. Sicer bo le spletna trgovina, ampak bo vseeno veliko lažje priti do izdelkov. Kdaj bodo odprli svoja virtualna vrata še ni popolnoma znano, pravijo, da zagotovo pred decembrom, ustvarjene pa že imajo profile na socialnih omrežjih Facebooku in Instagramu/ 

*THE BODY SHOP Oils of Life Intensely Revitalising Facial Oil

I think I'm in love with this, at least its effect on my skin which is right now in such great condition. It's clear, soft and very radiant and this is the only thing I've been using. It's a dry oil, so there's very little of that greasy feeling, even less than at Nuxe, so that's a step up in my books, except for the scent which is somewhat nutty-herbal. Nuxe is still brilliant, though, and way cheaper, especially per ml, but I'm tempted to buy a full size of TBS. 

*THE BODY SHOP Almond Milk & Honey Shower Cream

I loved this immediately when I tried it. The scent is divine, like a honey with sweets type of scent, but also with notes of comforting almond. I love it way more than Honeymania, their other honey scent which they promised will smell like the real deal, but it ended up smelling floral. Almond Milk line is designed for sensitive, dry skin and this shower cream feels like a lovely product, so I'd like to explore this line more.

*THE BODY SHOP British Rose Fresh Plumping Mask

This is a typical moisturising masks that I'm sure you can leave on overnight, though they recommend you wash it off after 10 minutes, which I did because it's a sticky thick gel. The effect of this were impressive. Not only was my skin nicely hydrated, but it was also super smooth, soft and it looked so good, in fact good enough for a no foundation day next morning - both time I used it. Its effect reminds me a lot of some Asian sheet masks, like TFS Solutions or Snow White, Papa Recipe and MBD Black Pearl. I also need to mention the scent, which is fantastic. I hate that granny rose scent that's in every rose scented product - this is far from it, in fact it's the most authentic proper rose scent I've encountered. It genuinely smells like roses that are planted by the house. 

*L.O.V. LOVtreat Color & Care Nail Lacquers

640 Soft Sensuality

You just can't go wrong with a L.O.V. nail polish. Each one I've tried I loved, this one included. It's a sheer nude formula, so at least three coats are needed if you want that milky effect, but it applies nicely, lasts well and it apparently even has some nourishing ingredients - we'll see how that pans out. I'm loving the packaging to death, all of their nail polishes should have a rose gold cap.

DISAPPOINTMENTS

BALEA sheet masks

In the last month I've been exploring locally accessible sheet masks, checking out what we even have in Slovenia and Balea's are some of the very rare ones, also the cheapest along with the a CadeaVera one (hydrating with pomegranate. They have one more, but it's a hydrogel that costs 3 €). I tried four versions in total (Vital, Aqua, mit Aktivkhole and Born to be Lazy), three recently and these have to be some of the least impressive sheet masks out there. I recall Vital being okay-ish, but the other three were a waste of my time. Vital, Aqua and Born to be Lazy have the thickest and least saturated sheet I've tried, so they aren't comfortable, neither super dupe moisturising like Asian masks are, though effects of Born to be Lazy and Aqua weren't completely bad, they just weren't as impressive as other masks I've tried.  The black Coal one has a lovely material, truly the sheet is so comfortable and nice, but it left my skin feeling tight, uncomfortable and with no visible effect. I won't be buying these anymore.

EVERY DAY HEROES AND OTHER PRODUCTS I'VE BEEN USING

MAKEUP

I'm still using CATRICE COSMETICS Liquid Liner in 010 Dating Joe Black every day, while for mascara I've been using three: ESSENCE Volume Stylist Curl & Hold Mascara (my fave, but it's starting to go dry), MAYBELLINE Lash Sensational Mascara in the new super pretty metal packaging (it could be more volumising and fan out the lashes a bit more. Not completely impressed by it to be honest) and most recently L.O.V. LASHseduction Instant Volume Mascara (super volumizing, but very wet for now and super messy).

I've been mixing it up with foundations, so I don't always use my favourite MAYBELLINE's Fit Me and neglect others, but none is as good, so I won't mention them. In the last week I've been trying to test the new L.O.V. EXTRAordinary Perfecting Fluid Foundation that I was sent, but I need to mix the lightest shade with THE BODY SHOP Adjust Drops to be able to pull it off. Overall it's CATRICE Nude Illusion formula in an innovative packaging - a thick, creamy texture with a medium coverage that can be build-up to close to full and it has a satin finish. For powder I've been using BOURJOIS Java Powder all month and as concealer BOURJOIS Radiance Reveal on good days (running kind of low now), while COLLECTION Lasting Perfection Concealer was my choice for days with spots + noticeable circles, switched from CATRICE Camouflage concealer because it looks too unnatural on me.

I've already talked about THEBALM blush under favourites, but for some extra highlight I'm still using the super-duper-shiny-it should-probably-be-illegal Unicorn Highlight by MAKEUP REVOLUTION (what is happening to me? I need something new).

For lips I've been wearing mostly MAYBELLINE Super Stay Matte Inks because I was testing them, but after that review was posted I returned to lighter formulas to give my lips a break, at the end of the month I settled back on my old trusted favourite NYX Cannes. I got a Catrice's lipstick in Lucy's Red from the Dawid Tomaszewski LE this month, you can find swatches of it and the highlighter stick here.

On my nails were only two nail polishes. In the first part of the month it was ESSENCE the Gel Nail Polish in 98 pure beauty and in the second L.O.V. nail polish mentioned above. I've been having a nude stage for months now. My top coat is as always SECHE VITE.

SKIN CARE

Day routine:

- Just water or if I have panda eyes I'll use MIXA Micellar Water Anti-Dryness

- TONYMOLY Panda's Dream White Sleeping Pack or when I get scared Panda will run out, GREEN LINE HydroMineral moisturiser which they recently discontinued (Basic for normal/combination skin is the same, anyway)

- BIORE UV Aqua Rich Watery Gel SPF50+ PA++++ (2015 version)

Night Routine:

- BIOBAZA Face Cleansing Micellar Oil (liking it less and less because it doesn't remove mascara well)

- BALEA GEL Erfrischendes Washgel

- COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid (every time I stop using this for too long my skin gets worse. Staple for stable skin) or THE ORDINARY Advanced Retinoid 2%. I never use these at the same time.

- SECRET KEY Starting Treatment Essence (Rose Edition)

- SULWHASOO Capsulized Ginseng Fortifying Serum (occasionally)

- BANILA CO. Miss Flower & Mr Honey Essence Oil

- NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Oil

In the last week I've been using THE BODY SHOP Oil instead of Banila, Nuxe and Sulwhaso, so I can properly test it without interference with other products. 

BODY CARE

From shower products I've been most enjoying using BILOU Shower Foam, though BALEA's is exactly the same, it just doesn't smell as nice. I've actually used BALEA far more because typically for me I'm saving BILOU since it's "the good stuff". For a body moisturiser I've been using SOAP & GLORY Smoothie Star Body Buttercream. It's the body butter whose scent I like the least and I want to use it up quickly, so I can buy something from THE BODY SHOP (Shea and Satsuma are at the top of my list for a long time now, but the new Pumpkin Vanilla is so praised I can't ignore it). I actually got the Christmas version of the later, Frosted Berries, which smells like yogurt with forest fruit and it's to me a spring/summer scent. Soap & Glory is working great for dry skin and I don't mind at all it needs some time to sink in. 

I gave up completely of MITCHUM's Deodorant and I'm also not impressed that much by LADY SPEED STICK, so went back to REXONA to see if it works again, but unfortunately it's failed me a few times, so I'll have to find something new. NIVEA's Pearl &Beauty in spray is still great, but the roll on version did not impress me.

I still use only L'OCCITANE 20 % Shea Butter as my hand cream (Original and Vanilla) and PALMER's Swivel Stick as my lip balm.

HAIR CARE

Still using NEUTROGENA T/Gel, but it's not working that well for me anymore. L'OREAL Extraordinary is still my most used shampoo and L'OREAL Professional hair mask the only one I use. I've recently started making my own scalp scrub using sugar, baking soda, a bit of olive oil and some MATRIX Shampoo (I don't feel bad about wasting this one). Leave-in conditioner is still from SEXY HEALTHY HAIR and as always I use DOVE Quench Creme Serum. As a heat protectant I always use BALEA Wunder Serum. I still adore GOT2B Oil-licious Weightless Dry Oil Mist - the best fast fixer, healthy super shiny hair faker.

My hair styling routine has been the same for years now. I use REMINGTON Pro Soft Curls curler which has a 2.5 cm wide barrel, I brush my hair with a TANGLE TEEZER so I get more polished waves instead of spiral curls and then I get them into shape that lasts using GOT2B Rise 'n Shine Soufflé and finish with LEE STAFFORD hair spray. I forgot to take a picture of my hair dryer, but it doesn't matter, since it's discontinued for years now. I use a cheap Remington one and I also use the nozzle plus EBELIN's Round brush.

ORDERED

MISSHA MISA Geum Sul Vitalizing Tension Pact SPF30 PA++ #1 // Gold-Pink Cat Eye Sunglasses from AliExpress. These are for kids because I'm petite, but a large size exists // PAPA RECIPE Bombee Whitening Honey Mask Pack of 10, MEDIHEAL Line Friends Ampoule Mask Sheet Pack. All four kinds: E.G.T. TimeTox (firming, anti-wrinkle), I.P.I Lightmax (brightening), P.D.F AC-Dressing (for problematic, oily skin) and N.M.F Aquaring (hydrating) // THE FACE SHOP The Solution Mask Sheets 10 kinds: Peptides - Wrinkle care, Vitamin C - radiance, Hyaluronic Acid - hydrating, Propolis - nourishing, Pearl - brightening, Tannins - pore care, Beta hydroxy acid - smoothing, Madecassoside - soothing, Collagen - firming, Ceramide - moisturising

ADDED TO THE WISHLIST

MAYBELLINE Gigi Hadid Collaboration - just a more expensive spin on their products in a pretty packaging. Unclear if it will be available in Slovenia // THE FACE SHOP Rice Cleansing Oil // THE ORDINARY Buffet // TREND IT UP Highlightening Eyeshadow Cream Waterproof & the new CATRICE single eyeshadows because they are crazy buttery// ETUDE HOUSE Honey Cera Firming Body Cream (allegedly smells just like honey) // Tarte Cosmetics Tartelette In Bloom // Chloe - Love, Chloe fragrance (powdery - clean with floral notes) // CATRICE Kaviar Gauche holiday collection 2017.

Have a great day!

I posted one of these in January and it included all the disappointments of 2016, but here we are in the first part of 2017 and I already have a ton more. Again I won't write which one I bought and which one was given to me because it doesn't matter (it's 50:50 for those who want to know), but please read all these disappointments posts critically. You're smart enough to recognise this is just one opinion. When I criticise a product, I emphasise it didn't work for me and most products are not bad, they could still work for a different type of either skin/hair or personal preference.

MAKEUP

CATRICE Prime & Fine Make Up Transformer Drops

Lightening

Main problem: Catrice forgot to check what pale means.

So much potential, but unfortunately this has so many faults. For one it's not actually light enough. Catrice underestimated just how pale skin tones exist and this lightener is already almost a foundation shade for some of us (it's the same as Nars' Chantilly and it's yellow toned). You can't lighten enough with something in a shade that's almost like the shade you want to get to. You need to add of the product to the foundation, not just because of the colour, but on top of that it's not even pigmented enough. The "drops" are a bit greasy, so they mess up the texture of the foundation, but its biggest fault is that they destroy the staying power of foundations. I really appreciate the effort Catrice made, as we desperately need such a product in the drugstores, but The Body Shop's are a lot better and Catrice should revise the formula.

ESSENCE Instant Matt foundation

Main problem: I don't want to say it's the worst foundation ever, but no other comes to mind.

This was just a massive fail for me. While I have combination-dry skin, matte foundations still manage to look ok on me (like the fantastic L'Oreal Infallible Matte), but this is just a tragedy on the face. It's got a dry, somewhat mousse-y texture that's very thick and hard to blend. It's a very obvious and fake foundation, which also flaked on me. The coverage itself is good, about a medium-full, it lasts all day and it is actually waterproof, but it's just so odd on the skin. The lightest shade is also very dark and orange.

ESSENCE Prismatic Rainbow Glow Highlighter

10 Be a Unicorn

Main problem: not rainbow-ey enough.

Putting my dislike for rainbow trend aside, I still find this unimpressive. It's not that it's a bad highlighter, it's just if you're doing a rainbow highlighter, why include just four colours in stripes that are too wide to apply for a nice rainbow effect? The rainbow look was the whole point of the trend, right? I'm sure Essence just always intended for it to be mixed, but this way it loses some of its appeal for those who wanted a budget rainbow effect. It's also not a highlighter for those who really love a glow as it's fairly subtle, noticeable, but nothing special and I'd prefer it if the shimmer were more fine.

MAKEUP REVOLUTION Strobe Highlighter 

Moon Glow Lights

Main problem: Where's the glow, man?

This swatched so beautifully and I was very excited to try it because I love a natural, more subtle glow. But this does nothing on the skin. I used it with every face brush and some thick, dense eye brushes, but it just doesn't show up. I tried it as a glowy setting powder, but it's again disappointing. So much potential, but it fails for me. Based on reviews I think other shades are ok.

FREEDOM HD Pro Finish Powder Translucent

Main problem: My face is not a chalkboard.

I'm not a fan of powders in general, but this was an especially strange one. It's too loose for a pressed powder and it's chalky, so it ends up a bit white on the face. It should more silky.

L'OREAL Lip Paint Matte

Main problem: Can you just not use matte in the name if it's not matte? Signed: Everyone

These aren't bad at all, but to a matte finish lover like me they are disappointing. You don't get an M of matte finish, instead you get a comfortable liquid lipstick with a creamy shine that never sets and it transfers. All shades have a mousse formula which isn't as pigmented as their Lacquers, so two layers are needed. 

CLIO Waterproof Brush Liner

Kill Black

Main problem: One stroke done and bam - it's dry.

Though this is completely useful, it lasts well on the lids and I love the shape of the applicator, it's the application that's just such a hassle. Even when I'm at the first eye, it simply dries up and then I need to revive it on the back of my hand, so I can draw the entire line. But here't the rub: I never heard anyone having this problem, so either mine is defective or I'm defective. After two months of everyday use, waiting for it to start working normally, I gave up and bought eyeliners from other brands.

L.O.V. COSMETICS PERFECTitude Colour Correcting Stick

010  Even After

Main problem: So many problems. So many

This is just basically useless. The pigmentation is very weak and it just doesn't work at colour correction. The formula is also greasy it doesn't stick well to once place, so all you do is shift the product when you're applying it.

L.O.V. COSMETICS 3IN1 Prime & Fix Spray

Main problem: Prime? Nope. Fix? Na-ah. Shine? Check - Level: brighter than my future.

I wouldn't call this a bad product, just not well named and not really for me. It's not a prime or fix spray as it does neither of these things, but it adds a ton of radiance to the skin. So much in fact, only those with dry skin will love it, or those who are looking for that extra dewy finish, but it can already look oily.

SKINCARE

ELIZAVECCA Milky Piggy Hell Pore Clean Up Mask

Main problem: The dirt stays in the pores.

It's too weak and doesn't pull much from the pores. It's an interesting product and fun to use, but Biore strips are a lot more effective.

SKINFOOD Miracle Food 10 Solution Sun Essence SPF50+ PA+++

Main problem: Just about everything people hate about sunscreens.

I really wanted to love this, but after three weeks of using this every day, I just don't want it on my face anymore. It's so annoyingly greasy and I can feel it on my face. I even started to use a mattifying powder because it's so damn shiny and I almost never use powder. I ordered Biore, but how knows when that'll arrive. On a plus side, it doesn't irritate my eyes like Sun Dance's does, there is no white cast at all and it really protects well from the sun because despite spending hours in the sun, I didn't get burned, neither tan.

BALEA Vital Creme Reinigungs Tücher 3 in 1

Main problem: "Entfernen von wasserfestem Make-up" - hahaha, sure.

Although these redeemed themselves since I bought them, they still don't do anything they promise. They barely remove regular makeup - well they don't remove mascara and definitely don't do anything about waterproof makeup. I bought them to remove swatches, but you need to do so much rubbing.

NARUKO Taiwan Magnolia Sheet Mask

Main problem: A drying sheet mask - now I've seen it all.

I never had a sheet mask that would make my skin scream for a moisturiser, but that's exactly what happened with this one. I bought it because I heard it diminishes the look of fine lines, but this didn't do much apart from having a very temporary brightening effect. The sheet felt comfortable, but that's about it.

BODY

NIVEA Deodorant Protect & Care

Main problem: A can of fragranced air.

 I got this because I like the classic Nivea scent, but even though I know I shouldn't expect much from a deodorant (I mistakenly thought it's an anti-perspirant when I bought it), it just doesn't work for me. It doesn't manage to keep me fresh long and yes, of course I know it won't stop sweating, but I mean in a sense than it doesn't keep me smelling fresh for long. Their Pearl & Beauty wins for me, but this is very disappointing.

BATH & BODY WORKS Body Mist 

Mango Mandarin

Main problem: Notes include fake mandarin, mango and plastic

Of course I knew this is just a body mist with poor staying power, but still it's just so blah. The scent is not that nice and I got it because I heard it smells like TBS Satsuma, but it's very far away from that. There is mandarin, but it's not as bright juicy and zesty, instead it's artificial. The mango bit is noticeable only in the first burst, then it's drowned it a bucket of a fake mandarin juice. Staying power isn't even worth mentioning. I use this as a room spray.

HAIR

L'OREAL Elvive Phytoclear Anti-Dandruff 1 Minute Exfoliating Scrub

Main problem: No one needs this much trouble in their life. No one.

This is the worst product on this list, by far. I could have just burned the money for this, there'd be no difference. Not only that it didn't remove the build-up on the scalp, it actually stuck to it and only added a layer of nastiness. The beads don't even wash off despite the double wash with an anti-dandruff shampoo and felt them every time I ran my fingers though my hair. I just don't recommend this to anyone. 

L'OREAL Elseve Oil Luxury Express Conditioner Double Elixir

Main problem: Oil? What oil?

This one doesn't do anything bad, but it also doesn't do much. Despite being a dual-phase product with oil on top, it feels like the most basic water-based leave-in conditioner. Not at all what I hoped for and what I read from ingredients. This just goes to show just how much the percentages of ingredients are important. I think it works better on damp hair before drying, but it's nothing special. I think it's so light, maybe even those with hair that gets greasy fast could use it instead of a proper conditioner just on the ends, but my hair needs buckets of oil.

What product disappointed you recently? Have a great day!

Not that I'm one who keeps it only on a positive note here, just stroll through my New in and Empties posts and you'll see I'm not so forgiving to products, but I very rarely gather them in one post. I've done Best Buys for 2016, but I was watching some YouTube videos and I felt inspired to do disappointments as well - it's only the best way to start a new year, right? I went through my New ins just from 2016 and counted a record amount of misses just in one year. I don't know if I'm just that hard to impress (my family is probably screaming "Yes, you are" right now) or it was something else . 

I won't write which one I bought and which one was given to me because it doesn't matter, but please read all these disappointments posts critically. You're smart enough to recognise this is just one opinion. When I criticise a product, I emphasise it didn't work for me and most products are not bad, they could still work for a different type of either skin/hair or personal preference. There are over 40 products on the list (I told you, it's crazy), I included a few I got before 2016 because I use/look at them a lot.

BASE AND CHEEK PRODUCTS

MAYBELLINE Fit Me foundation normal/dry skin - This is just so greasy, it never sets on the skin, which in turn means it also doesn't last long and my biggest pet peeve - it makes my smile lines visible from space. I don't like how it looks on the skin, even now when my skin is completely dry (literally feels like sandpaper), but damn it, the colour is beyond perfect for me. | Positive review (video)

RIMMEL Lasting Finish Nude foundation - a.k.a. foundation from hell. I despise it, it makes my skin look horrible because it slips into every pore, emphasises smiles lines and almost always looks patchy on my nose. I actually had comments on how bad it looks on me. I hate it - I still use it on most days because, you know, the shade (us Snow Whites have so little choice), but I hate it. I use it for mixing with darker, better foundations. | Positive review 

ESSENCE get picture ready! brightening concealer - I expected something like Maybelline's the Eraser and what I got was a horrible applicator and a product with little coverage. This should be repackaged and sold as a BB cream/light foundation formula. 

L.O.V. EffectFul Concealer Pen - another product I hoped was similar to Maybelline's, but it has such a light coverage, needs a lot of time to set, the sponge is hard and I notice no brightening effect. I'll of course use it up because the shade is great and it was expensive.

WET'N WILD Cover All Concealer Palette - this is not that bad and the colour correcting bit works, however, the formulation of the three correcting shades is too thick for my taste (highlighter is great though). I don't like these paste-like products that need to be warmed up before use. | Positive review. 

ESSENCE Stay All Day Fixing Powder - looks white on my skin and can wear strange with some foundations. | Positive review. 

BEYU Strobe & Define Palette (not on the picture) - actually not a bad product and I love it has everything you need for contouring, however, both BeYu powder products I've tried are so loose. I prefer more pressed, silkier formulations. | Positive review. 

L'OREAL Blush Sculpt Trio Contouring Blush - again not a bad blusher at all, however, they call it a contouring blush and you just can't create a 3D effect with these, also because of the unfortunate packaging. Plus it has chunky shimmer and this shade on the picture, 102, is more like a bronze eyeshadow.

BEYU Beauty Blender - the worst makeup sponge I've tried so far and I've used both cheap ones and the most popular one. It doesn't expand at all when wet, feels stiff/hard and bouncing it on the face is almost painful.

EYES

MAYBELLINE The Falsies Push Up Drama Mascara - basically worst mascara in history. Sorry, not sorry, just check my original review where it's on my lashes. Formula is too thick. Most Maybelline mascaras are great so what happened here? | Positive review. 

BEYU Liquid Fine Liner - I liked this a lot from the start because it's super precise, but I got it only a couple of months ago and it's already too dry to use.

CATRICE Glam & Doll Super Black Liner - I couldn't do a smooth line with this, nor a flick. The formula isn't black enough either. 

STILA Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner - I'm just not loving this eyeliner. The tip on mine wasn't smooth, it was too flexible and I couldn't do a precise line. It also dried way faster than I expected. | Positive review. 

LAVERA Eye Shadow Base - doesn't do anything, neither intensify the colour or make the eyeshadows last longer. | Positive review. 

BEAUTY UK Eyeshadow Collection No.7 Naked- First row is just a bunch or poorly pigmented shades that look the same on the lids and in the bottom row, the last two shades also look the same. Only three shades are useful in the palette. 

BEYU Eyebrow Stencil Set - All are designed only for a very specific brow shape which I don't have, so I can't use any.

L'OREAL Brow Artist Sculpt - I know I'm not really one to judge because I don't use brow products, but I just don't get the applicator. Shades are also strange and the formula is odd too. | Positive review. 

LIPS

BEYU Cashmere Lip Color Matt - Though it's nicely pigmented and a comfortable product, it's not matte like it says, which I wouldn't mind that much, but staying power is too poor for me. | Positive review. 

ESSENCE Mat Mat Mat! Lipstick - I know everyone loves these, but it has such a poor staying power and the packaging isn't good. | Positive review. 

ESSENCE Velvet Stick 02 Peony Star - again a typical Essence product with no staying power and it's not matte or velvet, but I also don't like the colour of this one. BeYu's and Golden Rose's versions are perfect if you're looking for a matte chubby pencil. | Positive review. 

BEYU Scandalous Lips 81 Instant Feeling - this should be called a sheer stain because that's what it is. It has only a hint of colour on the lips and because of the shade, it doesn't look that even. The formula is very old school and I just prefer more modern, cream gloss formulas.

L'OREAL Baume Caresse 706 Coral me Back - I don't think this is sold anymore, I guess L'Oreal recognised it's not the best formula, but it's just a clear lip balm. They could add a touch more pigment, even if it's a lip balm.

NAILS

ESSENCE Studio Nails All in One Complete Care - Definitely not all in one and as a top coat it takes a million years to dry, while as a base coat it feels almost a bit rubbery. I still use it every time as a base because I have nothing else. 

BARRY M Speedy Quickly Dry Nail Paint Road Rage - Gorgeous colour, but horrible formula that's impossible to apply evenly. | Positive review. 

ESSIE Fiji - if you ever wondered what formula from hell is, this is it. I still use it on my toes because it's a nice colour and it doesn't matter how horrible the application looks.

SKINCARE

SOAP & GLORY The Ultimelt Deep Purifying Hot Cloth Cleanser - I don't know why I expected this to be more like a balm, but it's just a simple creamy cleanser, which is fine too, I guess. But my main problem with it is that it doesn't remove makeup well and my skin doesn't like it much. | Positive review. 

SOAP & GLORY The Greatest Scrub of All - my skin doesn't feel smoother with this. The scrubby bits feel very fine and it's pleasant to use, but I don't see a difference. | Positive review. 

BALEA Reinigungs Öl - I know so many adore this, but I just don't get it. It's so light, I need to use a ton of it and it doesn't even remove mascara well. It's just not comparable to more expensive products IMHO. By the way, I see it's still sold on DM website. I thought it was discontinued? | Positive review. 

GLAMGLOW Supermud Mask - I'm not saying it's bad, actually it's really good and I'm really happy Nadja gave me a sample, it's just not magical and it's majorly overhyped for what it is - a clay mask with scrubby bits (unlike most I feel no tingling). I find it insulting they charge so much for a damn face mask. I get the same effect with L'Oreal's Exfo mask, but they are not dupes. | Positive review.

BODY CARE

DVOREC TREBNIK Tropical Cocktail shower gel - it's just too thin for my liking and barely foams. But it does smells nice.

AFRODITA 100% Spa Sugar Scrub - I expected something along the lines of Soap & Glory scrubs, but this is sooo oily, you can't wash it off and it leaves this heavy layer behind. Flake Away also leaves a bit of an oily filter, but at Afrodita's it's just too much. At least it scrubs well. | Positive review. 

BALEA Golden Glamour Verwöhnpeeling - this is actually a decent scrub, though more on the gentle side for me, but the texture is so odd, like a jelly and it just slips from your hand in the shower, so the pot doesn't last you long. | Positive review. 

AVON Bubble Bath - for years I read reviews of mountains of bubbles with this and I got barely a 5 cm cover of foam no matter how much I used. Eurospin's/Hoffer/Lidl baths are better. | Positive review.

SAUBÄR Bubble Bath Honey and Almond - again the same deal as at Avon, there are just not enough bubbles. The formula is so thin too.

SILISS Créme Dépilatoire - I basically just realised I hate all depilatory creams, powders and other chemical preparations. They remove maybe 30 % of hair on me and it's not even smooth. This one just doesn't work on strong hair.

SILISS Stripless Wax - as satisfying this is too use and painless, it again manages to remove less than a half of hair. And I mean a half a cm long, strong hair. On a 1-2 mm long hair, you get no effect.

AFRODITA Hand Cream Olive 2 in 1 - This is just too old school for me and it takes way too long to sink in. I prefer Balea Pflegecremes and L'Occitane hand creams.

GARNIER Neo Deodorants Intensive Antiperspirant - I kind of made a couple people angry at me because I promised this is an anti-perspirant (it says on the bottle!) and I got complaints it doesn't work at all. They smell nice and look cool, but don't stop sweating. | Positive review. 

VISETT Haar Stop - this deserves a special place in hell! I paid 8 € for this and of course I didn't expect some amazing results, I'm not stupid, but I at least hoped it'll help me shave less often because I get maybe a half a day of smooth legs (seriously FML!), but this does absolutely nothing. It doesn't even work as a moisturiser. I just wanted one bloody extra day. I hate it with intense passion and I want my money back. | Positive review. 

HAIR CARE

L'OREAL Elseve Extraordinary Oil Conditioner, Mask and Oil - I adore the shampoo from this line, it's the best ever for really dry hair, but the rest of the line is disappointing. Even though the mask and conditioner have a thick formula, they do nothing on my dry hair and the oil is light as water. Try if you have normal/quickly oily hair with moderately dry ends. | Positive review. 

BALEA Oil Repair Haaroil Spray - I wanted a got2b Oil-licious dupe, but this does absolutely nothing. 

AFRODITA Serum 10 in 1 Protection - I don't know what this is. It's not a regular, nourishing oil and it's not a silicone, shine-giving styling oil. It just does nothing and doesn't even smell nice. As you can see, it's being used, but it's useless to me. | Positive review. 

JOHN FRIEDA Frizz Ease Secret Agent Perfecting Creme - so many good reviews, but it doesn't make my hair any less frizzy and neither more smooth. Dove is my choice here. | Positive review. 

SCHWARZKOPF Styliste Ultime Satin Frizz Control Anti-Frizz Lotion - I got this because I hoped it's similar to Dove, but it's thick, slightly sticky and it just coats the hair, yet has no effect. No frizz control on my hair. | Positive review. 

BUMBLE & BUMBLE Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Primer - so much hype for this? It does nothing, neither nourish the hair, neither make it more silky, smooth or frizz free. At least it's a heat protectant. | Positive review. 

PALMER'S Coconut Oil Formula Strong Roots - this should help with the itching of the scalp, but I saw no effect. | Positive review. 

Have a great day!