BEYU Beauty Queen Volume Mascara 

One of my favourite mascaras and one I was going to repurchase until I saw the price and then moved swiftly towards the Essence stand. But I still miss it. It's an all-in-one mascara, so gives me volume, length, it defines ok, manages to keep my lashes semi-lifted, so I actually look like I have lashes and it's easy to remove. It's just a great mascara.

Repurchase: Yes, when I come to terms that if I want a nice mascara again, I'll have to pay 12 €.

MAX FACTOR Voluptuous False Lash Effect Mascara 

This was my second tube despite the even higher price tag than Beyu (why do drugstore mascaras have to be so expensive?! 7 € is the limit in my opinion). It's another all-in-one mascara with a very similar effect as Beyu, it's just a bit more defining due to the plastic brush. Usually such mascaras don't give much volume, but this truly great at creating big voluminous lashes. However, the other reason apart from the price as to why I opted not to repurchase it is that the brush isn't comfortable and it's scratchy.

Repurchase: Yes, though I prefer Beyu's because of the comfortable brush.

CATRICE COSMETICS Liquid Liner

010 Dating Joe Black

This lasted four months of everyday use which isn't nearly as much as I expected (I wanted at least 6 months), but it's still so far my favourite liner, so I repurchased it. The formula is super black and very matte, it lasts all day with no smudging, flaking - it just lasts. The applicator is very similar to pen liners and that's what I've been looking for, a felt tip that's comfortable, flexible enough, but not flimsy like a brush. It's not quite as precise as I'd want, but I can deal with that.

Repurchase: Done.

BOURJOIS 123 Perfect CC Eye Cream

This was my second tube and even though I was saving it as crazy because it's one of my favourite concealers, I was again caught off guard when I realised it's empty. I used it maybe ten times, I'm sure it wasn't much more, but this has only 1.5 ml of product, so I really shouldn't be surprised. Anyway, it doesn't matter because I found Radiance Reveal which looks the same on the skin, so a medium coverage concealer with a beautiful invisible finish. The shade of CC is better because it's lighter, but 1.5 ml for 7 or 8 € is one of the biggest rip offs in history.

Repurchase: No, or only if I can't find Radiance Reveal anymore.

BALEA GEL Erfrischendes Washgel

A thick, slippery gel that doesn't foam much and has a strong masculine clean fragrance. It cleans well and has a pH 5.5, so I use it as my second cleanser after oil. I'm glad I found such a nice, very inexpensive cleanser.

Repurchase: Already done.

BIOBAZA Face Cleansing Micellar Oil

I already repurchased this even though I find the texture thin and it also doesn't remove all the makeup completely (panda eyes everytime). It works well with my skin, doesn't cause me any problems and that's not so easy to find, since oil usually clog my pores. I can get in my nearest drugstore, it's just expensive for 150 ml that gets used up fast. I have to praise that their pump works to the end, so you get the last little bit out. 

Repurchase: Done.

BANILA CO. Miss Flower & Mr Honey Essence Oil

This has become one of the most valued skin care items in my routine. Ingredients are amazing and I mentioned in one of my favourites that this is a better version of Estee Lauder's ANR for me, since it works very similar, so my skin is clearer, more even, the texture is more refined, but the extra pluses of this serum are the healthy glow and improved elasticity. Getting the last drops out proved to be challenging and I had to forgo the use of pipette for the last two weeks of use.

Repurchase: Done.

BIORE UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence

So far my favourite sunscreen, especially for every day when my sun exposure is limited and I don't want any type of heavy, greasy product on your skin. I've got the gel as well and both are the same on the skin, so very light, they dry in about a minute or two to a velvet finish, but they have some sunscreen shine. You can apply a lot, so at this one you can actually apply the recommended amount. It's got a high alcohol content which is less noticeable than at gel, but at gel you get 40 ml more for about the same price. 

Repurchase: Done.

BALEA Beauty Effect Augen Gel-Pads

These were a waste of time. You get three pairs of pads and I've used them first on my smiles lines since they promise to make lines less visible, but they did nothing. Under the eyes they didn't do much more, my eyes didn't look more rested, depuffed, nor did they help with my dark circles. It liked that the hydrogel was like at Korean skin care and these are nice when your eyes are tired because it's pleasantly cooling and refreshing, but the product just wasn't that effective.

Repurchase: No.

DOVE Nourishing Secrets Glowing Ritual Shower Gel

With lotus flower extract & rice water

A less luxuriously creamy version of Dove shower gel than I'm used to, but nonetheless one of the better ones you can get in drugstores. It smells very lovely, milky-creamy flowery clean.

Repurchase: Yes.

FARMONA Tutti Frutti Sugar Body Scub

Peach & Mango

I enjoyed this a lot. It's a classic sugar scrub, so one of those harsh ones I like and it has a mineral oil base, so it's a bit oily, though it washes off completely. The scent was fruity, but neither definitively peachy or like mango, still it was nice. 

Repurchase: Likely.

THE BODY SHOP Body Butter

Vineyard Peach

I still adore this as the first day I tried it. I love it's proper vineyard peach scent, but it's also the quality of the butter that's impressive. I saved this one like crazy because TBS isn't sold here, but I hear that's about to change. I so buying body butters first because I love them.

Repurchase: Yes.

MATRIX Sugar Shine Polishing Hair Scrub

As ripped-off as I felt when I first saw this because it is just a glorified sugar scrub (yes, like those for the body), this was actually nice and it worked. It both removed flakes/dandruff that's always stuck on my scalp, but it also does what it claims - makes the hair more voluminous and airy due to truly purifying it. And because it's not made of harsh soaps, it's also not terribly drying, plus sugar melts, so unlike some other scrubs I tried, it washed off completely. But it is just sugar and glycerine, so I made the next one myself, however, if you're one of those super lazy people who can't be bothered to whip up something in the kitchen in 5 minutes, instead rather pay 10 € for a ready-made stuff (I know such people), then go for it.

Repurchase: No.

LE PETIT MARSEILIAIS Huile Elixir Karite & Argan

I've been using this for years as an occasional intensive treatment when my hair is very dry. It's like regular coconut oil and other oils, so I use it as a pre-wash treatment, except I think this is the best and most intensive one I found. I apply it usually overnight or if I don't have the time for at least 30 minutes in a very thick coat, including the scalp and it washes off completely from my dry, thick hair (don't used this on thin, oily hair), I use my normal moisturising care and then my hair is like reborn. The pump is stupid, that's the only this I don't like, but otherwise it's great.

Repurchase: Already done.

LEE STAFFORD Hold Tight Hairspray

This and the coconut version are so far my favourite hairsprays. It provides good hold, but without making the hair sticky, crunchy or stiff, it's actually almost invisible on the hair. The scent is strong like at all hairsprays and it's got a very oriental, Angel-like scent that's a mix of heavy notes (chocolate, patchouli, amber, vanilla,… just everything).

Repurchase: Yes, I currently have the coconut one which is the same.

BALEA Tuchmaske Born To Be Lazy

One of the least comfortable masks I've tried. The sheet is thick and there's very little essence so it doesn't even stick well on the skin. Overall it left my skin softer and sufficiently nourished, it also looked nice. It's heavily scented with a sour apple candy scent. 

Repurchase: No.

BANOBAGI Vita Genic Anti-Wrinkle & Whitening Jelly Facial Mask 

Vitamin C - whitening

This has one of the most comfortable sheets and essences out of all mask I've tried and you are also left with a ton of essence (at least 15 ml) that you can use on the following days as a serum. I didn't notice that big of a difference on my lines as at Vitamin A, but this one was meant for brightening and it did its job. However, it just wasn't that special compared to other brightening/whitening mask. This dries so sticky that it's appropriate only as a treatment before going to bed, unless you plan to wash it off. I'm thinking that this one might be nice to use as a treatment plan, so one every few days because ingredients are lovely and might have a better effect long term. It didn't break me out like vitamin A.

Repurchase: Yes.

ETUDE HOUSE 0.2 Therapy Air Mask 

Hyaluronic Acid

The scent of this makes you think you're applying a cloth soaked in schnapps, but it hydrated my skin and left it looking nice. 

Repurchase: I liked the effect, but the alcohol makes me nervous. I don't know.

Collagen

This has a lovely and super comfortable milky essence that needs more time to absorb than most other sheet masks I've tried. Effects were nothing special, just nourished skin, so like I used a regular moisturiser. 

Repurchase: It's nothing special, but I don't know.

MY SCHEMING Invisible Mask Series Moisturizing Facial Mask 

L-Ascorbic Acid Whitening

This one burned slightly - a strange sensation considering my skin is very far from sensitive. It left my skin a bit more even, a bit smoother, but I'd say the biggest difference was in that it was a lot more matte than usual. It's one of the mask that I'd say would be nice for oily skin.

Repurchase: No.

PAPA RECIPE Bombee Whitening Honey Mask

So far my favourite sheet mask. It evens out the skin, brightens, nourishes, makes the skin soft and just in general makes it look very healthy. The honey scent is another plus. 

Repurchase: Yes.

PAPA RECIPE Bombee Black Honey Mask Pack

Least enjoyable of the Bombee masks due to a strange paper material sheet, but it works the same as original, so nourishes the skin, makes it softer and looking healthier.

Repurchase: I prefer other versions.

PAPA RECIPE Bombee Ginseng Red Honey Oil Mask Pack

Another one with a more rigid paper, but this one also has a more oily essence and a strong oriental, "angel-like" scent. It does the same as other Bombees and nothing more.

Repurchase: I prefer other versions.

SECRET KEY Gold Racoony Hydro Gel Mask Pack 

I used up the second one I had, so I already have a proper review about this. It's one of my favourites despite the stiff hydrogel, though I didn't notice such a great improvement on my smiles lines the second time I used it, but my skin looked nice after use. It's very heavily scented.

Repurchase: Yes.

TONYMOLY Pokemon Mask Sheet Pikachu 

This was also the second one I used and it's the  most nourishing mask I had, so I used it when my skin was very dry. The essence is deceptively light from the start, but then it dries to an oily type of filter, so it lasts longer on the skin. Besides being cute, it also smells amazingly like honey.

Repurchase: Yes, but it's LE and I'm more temped by the brightening Charmander version.

THE FACE SHOP Disney Snow White Brightening Face Mask Pack 

Also one I had a few packs off and it still remains one of my favourites. It brightens, makes the skin softer, nourished and just makes it look so healthy. The Face Shop Solution Pearl is pretty much the same thing if you can't find this one, since it's a limited edition.

Repurchase: Yes.

SECRET KEY Starting Treatment Essence 

Rose

This was a sample 30 ml size (bought two for 6$) and it lasted me about two months because I was applying it with hands instead of cotton pads. While I was using it, my skin was nicely balanced, smooth and more healthy looking. I still got an occasional spot, but that's life. In general I've found essences are fantastic and they were instrumental in improving the condition of my skin. The first one I tried was COSRX Galactomyces whose results were so mind blowing I immediately started exploring these essences and which to try next. So far I still think COSRX's is the best for the price, but I loved SU:M 37 's essence too. 

Repurchase: Maybe. I still have one bottle and samples of COSRX, after that I'll decide which one I'll buy.

ESTEE LAUDER Advanced Night Repair Synchronised Recovery Complex II

I'm sad to see this ran out, it's one of the best skin care items I've ever tried. Due to its tear-inducing price tag it's my very, very occasional treat, I resorted to buying it when my skin is just was not right and nothing helped. It's a product that normalises my skin and keeps it in balance, so it's that one reliable product that I can count on making my skin look healthier. It won't work absolute wonders in a few hours as you might expect from the exorbitant price, but there are noticeable improvements in a week(s) of everyday use. I won't say it prevents blemishes or dry them up until the morning, but it helps the skin heal faster, so those pesky blemishes diminish quicker and the marks fade faster too. The skin becomes more hydrated, but this is a product that shouldn't be used on its own, it's merely to assist your normal moisturiser and it also helps the skin to look healthier, less grey and blah. When I'm using it, though of course my skin isn't completely clear, there are no large blemishes. All I get on occasion are tiny white heads and that's it. I've found a decent and cheaper replacement in Banila co. Miss Flower Mrs Honey Essence Oil, but that product is considerably heavier, more appropriate for winter months and those with oily skin won't like it, while I think ANR is appropriate for all skin types.

Repurchase: Yes, but not in the near future.

NEUTROGENA T/Gel Anti-Dandruff Dermatological Shampoo for Dry Hair 

Anti-dandruff shampoos are mostly very stripping and drying, so since I loved the original T/Gel, I ordered the version for dry hair after I used up that one. While it worked the first few uses, it then just stopped and with long-term use it really dried-up my hair. I purchased the original intensive version again, which is fine for now, but it's even more drying that this one. This version has a much more pleasant scent, which is cosmetic-floral

Repurchase: No.

LEE STAFFORD Treatment for hair that never grows past a certain length

I admit I'm hard to please when it comes to hair care and a great majority of drugstore stuff is useless to me. This is already the expensive side of drugstore at 10 € per 200 ml, but it's one of the rare ones that I liked. It's a protein treatment, so one of those that you'll see effect more through frequent use as it'll make your hair stronger, but it doesn't have the same effect as most conditioners have, by that I mean make you hair super, super soft. It's one of those masks that makes your hair look better, shinier, stronger, but like all protein treatments you won't get super soft, silky hair. It's very heavily scented with a smell similar to Angel perfume, so an oriental scent full of patchouli, vanilla, chocolate and all other heavy notes.

Repurchase: I don't know. I might if it were still sold here.

HEALTHY SEXY HAIR Soy Tri-Wheat Leave In Conditioner

My favourite leave in conditioner and I've been using it for many years now. It's an extra hydration booster after I rinse off the regular conditioner or mask. It also helps tame frizziness to a degree and makes my sure my hair is in good condition. I forgot to use it a couple of times and my hair just wasn't right, it just felt drier, more rebellious. I only then realised I forgot putting my mini bottle into my regular hair stash, so I definitely notice a big difference if I skip it in my hair care routine.

Repurchase: Done, but in a mini size. I need to buy the full size. 

NIVEA anti-perspirant pearl & beauty

I just talked about this in the last new in, so I won't say much apart from that it's my favourite deodorant and I always repurchase it.

Repurchase: Done.

BALEA Rasiergel

Coconut Kiss

This version had a rather lame coconut scent, so I didn't enjoy it much. I think I still saw a few cans, but I repurchased the Apricot version which I like much more.

Repurchase: A different version.

ALVERDE Cellulite Körperöl

I didn't use this for cellulite, I used it as a shaving oil. It smelled nice like lemon candy and it did its job well. I'm not sure if I ever explained, but I do a double shaving routine, otherwise I'm still left with prickly legs since my hair so dark and strong. I use the gel first and then shave again using oil. It's smoother that way and the skin is softer because of the oil.

Repurchase: Yes.

BALEA Mizellen Reinigungs Tűcher

I just disliked these. Obnoxious strong scent and very basic cloths that felt harsh on the skin just aren't my thing. I used them to remove swatches, but they weren't terribly effective.

Repurchase: No.

SHEET MASKS

I already talked about some of these, did a review, had them in favourites and updated my post about sheet masks, so I won't do my typically long reviews. Instead I sorted them "repurchase worthy", "might repurchase" and "won't repurchase" categories.

Repurchase worthy:

PAPA RECIPE Bombee Honey Mask and Bombee Rose Honey Mask

These two are both my favourites because they do all I want - moisturise, even the skin tone by reducing redness, make the skin soft and plump it up a bit. I highly recommend these. Both smell like honey, the Rose one has a honey-rose fragrance and this gorgeous gold honeycomb design (picture bellow).

Repurchase: Yes, already done for Bombee Honey version, while I have most other Bombee versions to try. I'll buy a full pack of the version I love most.

THE FACE SHOP Solutions

Pearl (brightening)

Another one of my favourite. Excellent fit, it leaves my skin incredibly soft and smooth, hydrated, more even and just in general in great condition. Foundation applied like a dream after using this mask.

Repurchase: Yes and I'll try other versions.

ESFOLIO Vitamin Infused High Concentrated Essence Facial Mask

Milk

I didn't think much about this one when it was on my face and immediately as I removed it because all it seemed was moisturising. But in the morning my skin just looked better and my smile lines were reduced, so it's elasticity claim and high moisture are real. It's one of the cheapest with a nice, visible effect.

Repurchase: Yes and maybe the Pearl or/and Collagen version.

My Scheming Hello Kitty Series on the left and Papa Recipe Bombee Rose Honey mask on the right.

MY SCHEMING Hello Kitty Series Moisturizing Hydrating Essence Facial Mask

Black Pearl Brightening

Though the Hello Kitty pattern was disappointing because it's too faint, the effects were nice. Instantly more bright and even skin, also nicely nourished without any tightness that I experienced from some masks. It's effects are very similar to MBD Black Pearl, so I liked it, only the sheet isn't as nice-fitting as MBD.

Repurchase: I prefer My Beauty Diary, but it's definitely worth the purchase if you're tempted.

Maybe:

MY SCHEMING Classic Series Moisturizing Facial Mask

Skin Clarifying Astringent

If you're looking for a mask for oily skin, give this a try. I used it before going to bed and my skin was perfectly matte for the entire next day. Not that my skin is super oily, but I have a shiny T-zone in the summer and this worked a treat. In terms of helping with any breakout or shrinking pores, it doesn't do anything.

Repurchase: if my skin went through an oily phase.

BANOBAGI Vita Genic Anti-Wrinkle & Whitening Jelly Facial Mask

Vitamin A - lifting

I'm torn about this one. I love the effect of it because it has one of the best effects on my nasolabial folds. On one side it virtually disappeared by the morning, and the other was barely visible. Even during the day, they didn't become as obvious as the usually do. But in terms of other effects, I found it one lacking, as there was nothing more than deeply moisturising, so no additional brightening, evening of the skin or softness, plus I find it probably broke me out when I was using the remaining essence (there is so much left).

Repurchase: Probably. If you're looking for something to help with lines, give it a try.

Wouldn't repurchase:

I love the Black Pearl version in this line and I got this one because it was just about as frequently recommended. Unlike at BP, the essence is milky, but it absorbs just as fast and isn't sticky. Effects were almost the same as BP, so it made my skin very soft, moisturised and comfortable, but it wasn't more even or radiant.

Repurchase: Again it's nice, but for the same price I buy the Black Pearl version that does that bit more.

MY SCHEMING Moisturizing Essence Series Facial Mask

Mandelic Acid Brightening Mask

This is a mask that has the best immediate results and my mistake was that I used it before going to bed. It makes the skin much brighter and diminishes spots, as well as reduces redness. But it's not a particularly nourishing treatment (still it didn't make my skin feeling dry like Naruko) and I really wasn't happy with my skin in the morning because those creases you get from pillows were much more intense. It's nice only as a treatment right before a special event, especially if you have some spots, but I use masks only before bed so no one can see me parading with one of these.

Repurchase. While I don't exclude the possibility, I get a similar result from MDB Black Pearl, except it doesn't work as fast on spots.

LOVEMORE Intensive Hydrating Moisturizing Facial Mask

Wine Yeast Whitening

 Immediate results didn't leave me with much hope because my skin looked  more uneven than usual, but in the morning it looked really nice. The redness I had around an old/healing spot was diminished, the skin was fresh, even and smooth to the touch. This one was overall nice if you don't mind the yeast scent and good also for those who have oily skin and/or who hate heavy skin care.

Repurchase: it's nice, but I prefer others that do that little bit more.

NARUKO Collagen Boosting Firming Mask

This one was a bit like that Taiwan Magnolia mask I put in my disappointing post, but it's got better effects, since it left my skin smooth and more even. It's another one of those that absorbs completely into the skin, so it's not moisturising or nourishing and I really needed an extra dose of extra care after use. But if you dislike how most sheet masks leave a lot of product still on the skin, try these two Naruko masks.

Repurchase: No, I want more moisture.

SAMPLES

COSRX PHA Moisture Renewal Power Cream - gel cream with a gentle pharmacy scent. It's got a medium consistency that's easy to apply, but it has a very wet type of texture and it sits on the skin for a while. PHA stands for polyhydroxy acids which are something like AHAs, but more gentle because they don't penetrate into the pores, so this is a version of acids for sensitive skin. I was using the sample of about a week on one side of the face to see the comparison and I didn't see much. It was a short time frame, so it's hard to say, but in that time it didn't make my skin more even, clearer or help fade old blemish marks. I would need more samples, but if you can't use AHA's due to sensitive skin PHAs might be a solution.

HOLIKA HOLIKA Skin & Good Cera Super Cream - a thick, rich cream that feels very nourishing and sits on the skin for a while. It promises to keep the skin hydrated for 72 hours, though I can't confirm that, but my skin was pretty moisturised for the day until I washed my face. It has a citrusy type of scent that's strong. This is a typical moisturiser for (very) dry skin.

NATURE REPUBLIC Aqua Super Aqua Max Combination Watery Cream - this is one of the most popular ranges of moisturisers and I already loved the design of packaging before I tried it. This is almost the same as Green Line HydroMineral, so a thick hydrating gel cream that dries to a velvety finish and works as an excellent base for makeup. The scent is very strong and perfumey, something like Davidoff Cool Water and more on a masculine/unisex side. Likeable.

THE BODY SHOP Shade Adjusting Drops

Lightening

Thanks to my lovely reader and fellow blogger Oana from Not Just Makeup I finally got my hands on these. I first got the Catrice drops which I actually did end up using every day this month out of necessity, but they aren't enough as they are basically a very light tinted moisturiser. Now these are already much better. They lighten significantly more, I can even make Milani's foundation work (better at least). The trick of these is that they aren't actually white, but a pale pastel pink which neutralises yellow and that is exactly what I need, not just lightening, but also neutralising. The texture of these is similar to Catrice's once blended, meaning they are not as light as for example Catrice's HD foundation even though these are still drops, but they also have a greasier feeling once blended. I've only had them for three days, so I can't tell you much about how or if they change the foundation - so far they seem fine and they don't affect the staying power. The packaging is remarkably stupid. The dropper doesn't really work and it doesn't suck up the product, so you just need to find a different way to make it work. I was recommended to shake the bottle a lot. 

The Body Shop, 14 €

*CATRICE Prime & Fine Make Up Transformer Drops

Lightening

Hopes were high for this, probably not just mine, as it's one of the very rare such products in our drugstores. It's about the same shade as Nars' concealer in Chantilly and it's tinted yellow, so it's only a shade or two too light for me, but since it's sheer, I could even wear it on its own. The texture appears very light when squeezed from the tube, but once you start rubbing it in, it's more greasy feeling. I've tried it with all my dark foundations and the only combination I like is with L'Oreal Infallible Matte. That one is pink, so the yellowness of the drops neutralises it, while the rest of my foundations are too yellow, so this isn't the best product for them. My darkest shades which are Milani Conceal + Perfect 01 and BeYu Nutri Foundation 15 are still way too dark with this. This can make it a shade lighter, two at most, but you need to use a lot (1:1 mix) and it also messes with the foundation's texture as well as staying power. 

3.49 €

CATRICE Liquid Camouflage Concealer

005

I got this for my birthday from Petra who just nailed the timing because I just used up my other concealers a couple of days before. I heard tons of positive reviews about this and I'm spoiled by both Collection's and Nars' concealer, so I hoped this was similar enough. The colour I got is 005, which was added later and I'm so glad it was. It's a yellow version of Collection's 1 Fair, so it's fits my NC10 skin tone once blended, though at times it looks a bit too yellow. In terms of coverage, it doesn't cover as much my two favourites, but still has a good medium-full coverage. However, it looks better under the eyes because it's less matte and it feels lighter. For spots I need two layers, but two layers of this concealer look heavy for my taste and I still couldn't cover stronger redness from spots.

3.79€

*CATRICE Lip Dresser Shine Stylo 

060 Surf and Turf in Grapetown

I will sheepishly admit I didn't know this was one of the new products until I got it. I checked what's new, but these just didn't caught my eye, probably because it's got shine in the name. I'm not loving the packaging because it has a clicker button which pushes the product out, but that also means you can't push it back. I find traditional winding mechanisms more useful. My shade is a deep red colour with semi-opaque pigmentation and a creamy finish that in time sets into a stain, so staying power is actually nice.

4.99 €

*L'OREAL False Lash Superstar X-Fibre

 I've had the original Superstar before and the difference between the two is that this one has both sides black and the fibres look very obvious on the wand. I'm not a fan of fibres, they always fall in my eye and it's so painful (happened with this one too). It's a mascara that's more for volume, though you get a nice amount of length too, but the original was better. The first coat or side is a nice mascara in itself, so I skip the fibre side on me, but if you add fibres you get more volume, though you're sacrificing some definition. It's a mascara that makes the lashes hard, so it manages to hold the curl ok, also in part because this is actually quite a dry formula even when freshly opened.

15.49 € (I can't believe mascara costs more than a set of 5 blushes)

*L'OREAL Infallible Blush Paint

Pinks and Ambers

A collection of five powder blushes which range in finishes from matte to very glowy. In Pinks version you get two matte pastel pinks, a glowy light peach, a matte fuchsia and a shimmery peachy pink. In general the matte formulas feel drier, but the shimmery ones are amazing.
Ambers has all shimmery shades, so it's actually a better quality in total and I highly recommend this one, though both are a great buy. In Ambers you get a light peach, a light peachy pink, a medium peachy pink with gold shimmer, a warm muted pinky mauve kind of shade and an amber. The last two shades are so creamy and pigmented, seriously some of the best quality I've seen in the drugstore. The middle one swatches weak, but looks good on the cheeks and the other two are nice quality.
What most impressed me is the staying power because these last so well on my cheeks, while most drugstore blushes don't. I'm impressed.

13.49 €

*L'OREAL Lip Paint Matte

201 Hollywood beige, 204 Red actually and 207 Wuthering purple

These have a mousse type of texture that's even fluffier than Bourjois's Velvets and all are semi-opaque with one coat and can be build up. They set to a semi-matte finish, similar to Beyu's Cashmere, however it takes a long time to set, so you don't get that tight, matte layer feeling, but you also don't get a no-transfer long-lasting formula. Hollywood beige is a nude pinkish peachy beige shade, Red actually is a pinkish bright red which similarly to Jordana's Cherry Cobbler looks pink with one coat and red when you build it up. Wuthering Purple is a cool-toned violet shade. 

7.99 €

*L'OREAL Lip Paint Lacquer

101 Gone with the nude, 102 Darling pink and 107 Dark river

Surprisingly I like these more than mattes. They remind me of Revlon's Ultra HD Mattes because they are very pigmented, apply evenly and have a similar, comfortable glossy-creamy finish. Gone with the nude is a beige brown shade, darling pink is a dirty pink-rose, my favourite, and Dark river is a super dark purple, almost black. 

7.99 €

*ESSENCE Instant Matt foundation

10 Matt Ivory

A foundation that promises to be long-lasting, waterproof and full coverage. I only got it yesterday and I wore it on one side of the face (I had Beyu Nutri on the other because I was testing TBS drops), but as far as I can tell, the promises are pretty close, however, at a cost. I got the lightest shade, as usual for Essence, only appropriate for Oompa Loompas (swatch below), so I had to use TBS drops, but it behaved the same on the back of my hand, so I'll count it as a proper first impression. It's a very thick, almost paste like foundation that I had difficulties blending around the edges. It's got medium-full coverage, so I didn't use concealer on that side of the face. It a very obvious foundation, for my taste too cakey, but you do get coverage and it lasts at least 10 hours one the skin (there was a ton of foundation on the cotton pad very latte at night). It doesn't stay matte for more than a few hours and I'm not a fan of how it looks on the skin. When I swatched it on my hand, a makeup wipe could not remove it well and I had to scrub a lot, so it is waterproof.

4.39 €

*ESSENCE Blush Play Sculpting Blush Palette 

10 Play it Peach

A collection of three different shades in various finishes, which you can use together for a sculpted look or individually, since all work well as blushes. The first "highlight" shade is a pale pinkish peach shade with a glowy finish. The second "sculpt" shade is a somewhat muted medium peachy pink with a matte-satin finish. The last "define" shade is a bright peachy pink with a glowy-satin finish and a super creamy formula. All are nicely pigmented and apply with no problems. Surprisingly good for Essence.

4.39 €

*ESSENCE Prismatic Rainbow Glow Highlighter

10 Be a Unicorn

I really don't like the trend of rainbow highlighters, I'm not even sorry. Not only was (as far as I know the idea) stolen from an indie brand, but also why would I wear that on my face. My personal opinions aside, as scary as this looks, mixed together you get a very normal looking highlighter. Swatched individually you get a scary bright blue, a good looking gold, a completely normal peach and a terrifying red. As you can see on my swatches, they really are almost like eyeshadows, with a damp brush they are eyeshadows, but mixed together you get an off-white champagne highlighter with an nice glow, but maybe the shimmer could be just a little bit more fine. For a proper rainbow effect I find that the strips and the packaging are too big, but also you'd get a strong blue and red, while the middle two colours would look too similarly boring.

3.79 €

*ESSENCE Shine Shine Shine Lip Gloss 

12 Runway, your Way

This is a shade I associate with my fellow blogger Goga, she loves these types of colours, I, on the other hand, am not as big of a fan of purples on me and this is a proper purple with a glossy finish. It's semi-opaque, not sticky and it quickly settles down to a more sheer version of the shade. It's just a gloss.

2.19 €

*ESSENCE Fade your Shade Lipstick 

02 ombré parfait

As soon as I read the name I thought: "Oh, gawd what is Essence trying to achieve now". As strange as the name is, this shade is actually just a very deep plum burgundy shade, well almost black and that's it. The trick is that you probably need to get the other shade 01 too, which I assume is white and you then create an ombre effect. But this is pretty on its own, just not unique. It's a very pigmented formula with a matte finish and if you're looking for a very dark vampy shade, this is a good affordable option.

2.99 €

*ESSENCE Little Beauty Angels TE Colour Correcting Anti-Redness Primer Stick 

02 on my anti-redness mission 

A very simple green concealer/balm product that neutralises redness. It's creamy, but like most such products it looks heavy for my taste, especially if you plan to apply a concealer over it. A liquid version would be more impressive, though this is fine in a pinch too. I'm not sold on the colour correcting thing yet, but those with redness in their skin might like it. This is a part of a large colour correcting collection which will include cream and powder product in various shades.

2.79 €

*CATRICE Marina Hoermanseder LE 

Highlighting Pearls 

These are again a part of a special collection that's one of Catrice's more luxurious looking ones. The pearls are a mix of pale gold and pearly pink which on the skin have a strong white glow with a pink reflect, so it's more appropriate for cool skin tones. The shimmer is similar than in Essence Rainbow highlighter, so it could be more fine.

4.29 €

Highlighter Brush

I already have a brush like this from Beauty & Chic. This one is a bit more plastic feeling, but it's another very soft brush. It picks up the colour well and applies it is a line, so this is a blush also for contouring and for blush when you want a sculpting effect.

4.69 €

AVON Gel Shine 

Marvelous

Another product I got from Petra. She swatched it as a part of her marathon Avon nail polish post if you're interested in how it looks on her nails because on me it looks different. It's a dark muted mauve-violet shade and I get less of that rosy-pinky warmth than Petra. The formula doesn't behave like a gel. Like regular nail polishes, the first coat is semi sheer, so two are needed for an opaque finish. 

Regular price 5.9 €, often much cheaper

EBELIN Puder Pinsel

I could not track this down anywhere, so again Petra came to the rescue. It looks very fluffy and it is, it's just also somewhat plastic feeling. You know that classic, cheaper quality that for example Essence has. Nonetheless, it's a usefully brush, I like it for blush (for more pigmented ones because it's very soft and picks up less than Ecotools blush brush) and for applying powder.

DM, 4.95 €

L'OCCITANE Fleur D'Or & Acacia

Eau de toilette

This is one of those fragrances that was love at first sniff, but I waited over a year to get it. Actually it was in the process of being discontinued when my mother took pity on me and got it for my birthday. It's a new fragrance that shows how much my taste has changed in last years and it gives me somewhat Mediterranean, but vintage vibes. It's a bright fragrance, but sweet without vanilla or amber. It's got sweet flowery notes, like you're just walking under a blossoming bush basking in the sun, which is tempered with a bit of freshness from citruses and the base is formed by a nice woodsy note. It's typically L'Occitane - rich, non-generic and Mediterranean. Unfortunately it's sold out in Slovenia already.

39.90 €

L'OCCITANE Hand Creams

Vanilla, Peony and Roses de Reignes

I guess people know how much I love L'Occitane, since for my birthday I ended up with three more hand creams. I already have the peony in a small 10 ml format and it's one L'Occitane lighter creams with a fresh, bright floral scent (like real roses). The Roses de Reignes is another one of the light ones and it has the old L'Occitane scent of roses, which admittedly isn't my favourite, I prefer Peony. The Vanilla one is surprising my new favourite. It features my beloved old L'Occitane vanilla scent from a fragrance that has been discontinued years ago. It's not that basic, synthetic vanilla, but more floral and much more grown up. The texture is that of the original shea cream, so thick and fantastic for dry skin. I love it.

8.1€ each

AVON Mesmerize Black

I already spoke about this in three posts already, but I only had samples. I got my bottle in a swap with my fellow beauty blogger Nina from bunnyechoes, who saw I had it on my wishlist. It's such a wonderful scent and I just feel in love with it. It's basically pure sandalwood, so a warm and cosy fragrance, but without the overused vanilla or amber.

Full price 26 €, often a lot cheaper in Avon catalogue. Salma, 8.9 €

MATRIX Biolage Anti-Dandruf  Scalp Synch Shampoo

I got this as a gift from my cousins and I already have a scalp scrub from this line, which amazing. The shampoo is not as effective on its own and not like Neutrogena's T/Gel Total. It's a nice shampoo to use, it foams well and isn't too drying.

Salma, 8.7 €

FARMONA Tutti Fruity Mango Peach Scrub

I got this as a gift for my birthday and I quite like it. It's more of less just mineral oil and sugar with a mango bubble gum scent, but I like that it's a rough scrub and it completely washes off without leaving a filter behind. It's one of the better ones I've tried so far.

Salma, 6.9 €

LEE STAFFORD Treatment for Hair that Never Grows Past a Certain Length

One of my fellow bloggers and reader Andrea from Beauty by Aiden told me in the comments she likes this as much as L'Oreal's Professionnel hair mask and though it's about the same price as those, I just got it. I don't like the stupid name, it makes it sound like a miracle cure that's going to make your hair grow faster and it's just a lie (you don't apply such masks on the scalp anyway). At a majority of people the hair grows at the same rate and the reason you feel it's not growing is because your ends are too damaged and the snap, therefore making it appear your hair length stays the same. All you need is proteins and keratin and this has plenty of both. Usually protein heavy masks don't make your hair soft, rather the opposite and that's not what I need (my hair is so thick and coarse). It's a got a pudding-like consistency and is easy to apply, I leave it on for the usual 20 minutes. When I rinse it off, I don't get as much of that silky feeling that L'Oreal leaves, as I said not surprising given it's a protein treatment, but my hair felt nice when dry. Even as I was drying it, it felt good. I like it, though it's about the same price as L'Oreal Professionnel in online shop. It smells like Angel perfume, strong of chocolate-vanilla-patchouli-honey, it's just a bomb of heavy notes.

Müller, 9.5 €

BALEA Vital Sheet Mask

Vital Tuchmaske

I actually had this since early December, but I only now found the time to use it and I have to admit I quite like it. It's saturated with a milky white serum/essence and it sticks well on the face. I left it on for about twenty minutes or more, then I felt it started to get dry, so I got the most out of it. There was a slightly sticky layer on the skin left which was still there in the morning, at least some of it, in the morning, so this really nourishes and hydrates the skin, but in terms of any other effects that would make my skin looking amazing, this didn't do anything. It's a bit big for my face and I felt the fit was especially off by the lips, also around the nose I thought it was too much space. The eyes aren't completely cut, so if you're brave you can cover them as well. Nice buy for about a euro if you have dehydrated and dry skin.

DM, about 1 €

*BIOBAZA Beauty Micellar Water Mix

Chamomile and cucumber

I have read a ton of really bad reviews about this and I have to say I don't really get them. Though a majority of complaints was about it being harsh and that it burns, however, my skin isn't sensitive at all, so maybe that's saving me, but it's really not a bad product to me. I love the pump on this, it's so handy. In terms of texture, it's a regular micellar water that feels like normal water, so there is no residue, but it's not the strongest and I use two pads for removing makeup. I prefer Green Line's in terms of effectiveness, but this really isn't as bad as the reviews make it out to be. The scent is not my favourite, it's just strange floral-cucumber-ish, but still bearable.

Click2Chic, 6.47 €

*BIOBAZA Men Face & Shave Charcoal Soap for Face and Shave

Something completely new to me, though I had a black soap before. It's meant for unclear skin and it's very creamy with water, but it doesn't really form the same type of foam as shaving gels. It works ok, but you end up looking like a chimney sweeper, though I have a feeling it'll last much longer than gels, plus there is less packaging. I gave this to men to try and it wasn't the most liked product, however, I heard some positive things online. The scent is so strong, I can smell it from a meter away as it's packed in its box. It's a strange scent to describe, somewhat charcoal-like.

Click2Chic, 2.57 €

*BIOBAZA Natural Deo 

Green Spirit (Rosemary & Verbena)

Considering that so little deodorants actually work on me, this is surprisingly good. It's a standard roll-on deodorant, but free of aluminium salts and alcohol (still so rare among more natural brands). I'm digging the scent because it reminds me of my teenage years. It smells exactly like Scheller cleansing gel with lemon balm (been discontinued for years), so it's a fresh citrusy rosemary scent that even I like despite disliking herbal scents. I heard a lot of positive feedback about these.

Click2Chic, 3.10 €

*BIOBAZA Bee Balm 

Shea Butter & Avocado

Just a regular waxier lip balm. It stick really well on the lips and doesn't came off straight away when drinking. This one has a gentle vanilla scent and it reminds me of Scheller lip balm with marigold that every one used about 10 years ago.

Click2Chic, 1.93 €

*BIOBAZA Dental CinaFresh 

Mint and Cinnamon

I'm a firm traditionalist when it comes to toothpaste and I've been buying the same one for ten years, so these different, natural ones are hard for me to adjust. This one tastes like I'm washing my teeth with an apple strudel. It's pure cinnamon from the start and it's very strange if you're used to only minty flavours, but it cleans like a normal toothpaste and I hear cinnamon works mildly antibacterial.

Click2Chic, 3.88 €

AVON Anew Clinical Hydra Recovery Overnight Mask - This was interesting to me the moment I opened the pot. It has these white beads in it and those burst when you rub it in. The base is a hydrating gel, while the beads appear to contain shea butter. I liked it and it fits my dry skin at the moment. Petra has the full size pot and the texture of the product pictured here. Full price, 23 €

JOICO K-Pack Liquid Reconstructor - One of Petra's all-time favourites, this is a protein treatment that helps the hair get stronger and therefore less prone to breaking. I've used it a few times and I like it. It works well with my hair, though I use Dove all the time and I don't know if this makes such big of a difference as Soy Three Wheat Leave-in, but it doesn't make my hair into a mess. Protein products results show in a longer time period, but this is basically something like Redken's Anti-Snap. Full price, €15.95