Products I regret buying: MAC Fix +

A question I've asked myself ever since I've bought this is: Was it worth it ?

Considering that I've used two powders and two eyebrow pencils - both from MAC - since I've bought this, I would have to conclude, No. It wasn't worth it for me. My skin is oily, and this products definately does nothing to improve that condition.

Pro: It smells wonderful, it can help make too powdery makeup look more natural - ergo allows more coverage, it's good when you need a wet brush for an eyeshadow, you can feel it moisturizes your skin

Con: It makes my face look very well moistured.. Oily, which I don't need. So I'll have to top it with a powder in order too look decent.

I don't think it's a bad product, it just doesn't work for me. Unfortunately. 

Price is around 25£, but on their website you can buy it for 7,5£ for 30 ml. 

My favourite: Clinqiue Take the day off

Todays favourite is an oldie of mine, the Clinique's two phased makeup remover. This is a make up remover for your lips, eyes and everywhere else you might have makeup on. This has been a favourite of mine for a very long time. This and the Sonya Kashuk is the only ones I've ever used repeatedly.
- It is super gentle and doesn't need to be washed off after use
- It lasts a LONG time (I've had mine for about 3 years now)
- Doesn't irritate my eyes or eye area (I have extremely sensitive skin) 
- It has a safety cap

How to use it
I shake it up, mixing the two phases, put it on a cotton pad (put the pad on the mouth of the tube and turn it three times) and push it on my lashes for 10 sec. The I remove the pad and gently massage the mascara out. It comes right out, no hassle needed! If I'm lazy and don't wanna bother with rinsing my face (happens every once in a blue moon) I take a wet wipe for my face and hed to bed.

It has a price tag around 15£ when you buy it at the airport. Honestly that's the only place I ever pick these up. But this is money well spent. Every 125 ml is definately worth it.

xoxo

SAMPAR Equalizing Foam Peel

Let me start off by saying what my skin is like, and what it needs done. My skin is oily in the t-zone, needs removal of small zits and blemishes and on top it's very sensitive. This mask actually helps on me, which is something I hadn't expected. 

I find this and the REN glycol lactic too be very similar in action. This may be a tad more abrasive than the REN, but not by much. The first time I tried Sampar, I left in on for 10 min. A HUGE mistake. My face went all red and dry. On that note..

How you use it
You dampen your face and apply in a thin layer all over the face (not in the eyes). You wait for 2 minutes and then wash off with circular motions.

The thing I really enjoy with this mask, is that it lathers up when in contact with water. It's really nice and gives that final *umph* towards totally clean skin.

So a cleanser and peel in one mask.

The smell
There is a very strong tone of tea tree oil in this. My BF refers to it as a pile of roses in old paint.. Or Elizabeth Ardens Eight hour.

The texture 
It's surprisingly fluid. I had expected it to be more like a gel formula.

The Claim
It claims to remove the outer layer of skin, which it may do. It definately did when I left it on for 10 min. But with the recommended two min 2-3 times a week, it wont be too harsh (it's not for everyday use!). It does work! I saw a noticeable reduction in the size of my pores, and my skin felt stripped clean.

Ingrediens from the site
Probiotic enzymes naturally exfoliate, regenerating the epidermal layer and smoothing wrinkles and fine lines.
Essential oils (lavender, sage, thyme, geranium, savory) soothe, balance and free fatigued skin of toxins.
Urban Advance Complex, a powerful alliance of 3 active ingredients (shea butter serum, mint endorphin and probiotic sugar), acts as an anti-oxidant shield, neutralizing any cutaneous imbalances linked to pollution, strengthens the skin’s natural defenses and shocks the skin back to life on a cellular level.

The price is a bit high, but if you have the money or opportunity and want to splurge a bit on an exfoliator it won't be a bad choice! Plus one great advantage is that it need so little time too work you can use it in the shower, which means that it won't be a hassle the get done 2-3 times a week.
Price: 55 € can be bought here.

La Roche-Posay Lipikar Lait

This is the perfect ' I'm dry on the go' - cream!

There is nothing you won't love about this cream. The smell is gentle, the texture is fluid and light. It  dries in quickly and doesn't stick to your clothes. It's the perfect cream for a quick morning fix before running out the door.
The best thing is, the skin stays moist all day, even though it isn't sticky.

Where I live it's around the 20£ mark. But it may differ.

xoxo

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Decléor Aroma Cleanse

I've tried a lot of different skincare items since my early teens. I'm quite the fanatic when it comes to blemishes and zits. I hate them. The feeling off a tender bump when I let my fingers run over my skin, is repealing. So because of my deeb hatred towards them, I have found myself with clear skin and a lot of products!

As your skin change, your routine must as well. What might worked 5 years ago, won't necessarily work wonders now. This is how I found Decléor aroma cleanse. It's a cleansing milk for face and eyes and a tonifying lotion. They are extremely mild and nourishing for the skin.

The cleansing milk is very fluid, but effective, my skin feels completely smooth after usage. I use it morning and night, and love it! It has a lovely citrusy smell mixed with something I can't explain. But smells lovely.
The toner smells similar. It's very mild (non alkohol) and doesn't leave a greasy layer on your skin.

In wintertime my skin lacks moisture (and still manages to become oily sometimes) and can sometimes feel stripped when using harsh products. Decléor doesn't do that.

They are a bit pricey, but right now you can find wintersale items or the salon sized ones with 400 ml for the price off one and a half regular sized.

DIY: Healthy (and yummy) fruit bars

I love granola bars! But the good ones are soo expensive, which is why I thought it was time for me to make them myself.

What you need

2,5 dl Granola
22g almond, pecan, hazelnut, pumpkin seeds or any other nut you might like
65g dried fruits (blueberries, cranberries, raisins etc.)
75g sugar (brown is preferable)
50g honey
25g butter

A 10x15 cm baking pan and a sharp knife.


How too do it

First you mix the granola, the dried fruits and the nuts/seeds. Then you add the honey and the melted butter into the bowl. Once you've mixed it all a couple of minutes and made sure it's all covered in a small layer of honey, sugar and butter, you press it into a 10x15 cm baking pan. You need to really press it down and push it together, otherwise it'll crumble the minute you take it out the oven.
Bake it around 15 minutes at a 175 celcius.
Let it cool, push it out of the pan and cut it out in 8 pieces.

Energy chart  pr bar 
168kcal
6% Protein
62% Carbs
30% Fat

Problems ?
It comes out too soft: You might want too try less honey or butter the next time. Make sure that the honey if firm too begin with and the butter as stiff as you can find it. Once it cools off, it'll help make the granola bar stiff as well.

It crumbles and in no way sticks together: If it's too dry it'll do this, but also if it's too soft. If the case is dry, then try adding a little more honey or butter next time. If wet? Se above.

Tangle Teezer

I'm gonna be brutally honest. I don't get why everybody finds this to be sooo amazing. It's a brush, nothing new and spectacular. I will admit too follwing though
- Fewer hairs come out
- It hurts just as much as a regular brush
- It doesn't get 'stuck' in the hair when really knotty, since it has pretty straight smooth bristles
- It doesn't magically glide trough your hair without any help
- It is really overpriced for such a lump of plastic 
- With so many bristles it distributes the pull over a larger area, therefor less force on one knot

I believe this brush is better because it doesn't pull out the hairs as many other 'regular' brushes might doo. But it comes at a cost of 12,95£ (depends on where you buy it), nothing that'll break your bank if you really are in need of a brush.

Btw I bought the galaxy purple thing with glitter. It's pretty ;)

Hope it helps,

xoxo

Korres vs soap and glory: Lip butter fight

Korres Jasmine Lip butter vs Soap and glory's Smooch Operator 

Both around the same price, both pink, both butter lip balms..  So which one to choose?

Color: They are both quite similar on. Korres is slightly more opaque, but not by much.

Smell: Korres smells more heavily off vanilla. It's a wonderfull scent, but the Smooch operator has a similar scent only a bit lighter. 

Texture: This is where they become different. The Smooch operator has a tendency too become stiff in cold weather and more fluid in warm weather. It changes a lot, but is never not manageable.
The Korres is much softer in texture. If I where to use the same amount of pressure with the Korres as I did the Soap and Glory, I would make a huge mark in the balm.

Effect: They both have quite a similar effect, being very moisturizing and creamy, once on the lips. Both are amazing for chapped lips (a tendency I have this time of year)! 

So a conclusion?

I like the fact that Korres has more color options than this one, something that Soap and Glory does not offer. Plus the Korres does have more color in it. BUT, if I where to only like this color, I would choose the soap and glory, since it contain 3 grams (0,10 Oz) more product than the Korres. So, more value for your money. I really like them both!

My skin savior: La Roche-Posay Effaclar K

As many of you may know, studying for exams take up A LOT off time. When something takes a lot off my time, that means less time for 'not life essential' things. Somehow, taking good care off my skin, was one off those things. Once neglected it's not so easy! Red spots have unfortunately found their way to my mouth/chin area and seemed too be impossibly stubborn about staying there.
Another thing, when studying hard, is the no money factor. So I tried a tester I'd gotten a while ago. It's the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo and the La Roche-Posay effaclar K.

They are both anti blemish, micro fine exfoliating and good as a base for makeup. The Effaclar Duo is the one your supposed to start with and once you've gotten the spots under control you switch over too the effaclar K anti-relapse. Or! You can use Effaclar K all over and use the Duo as a spot treatment, as it is a bit stronger.
You use them morning and night after you've cleansed your skin. 

It works wonders! In the first two days I could see a significant difference in my skin. As I kept going it got better and better! I should tell you though, that it doesn't give a lot of moisture, which is great for my oily skin (especially the K which is made for oily skin), but might be a problem for one with a tendency too very dry or just dry skin. I put it on all over my face and at night I use a light layer on - let it dry - and then put on my nightcreme for moisture. As an unbeliavable bonus, it keeps my skin matte all day!


If you, like me, had very bad breakouts I can definately recommend this! But if you have dry skin, then you might eant to use this during the day and a more heavy creme at night to infuse some moisture into your skin (or the other way around, whatever works for you). It smells a bit funky, but as far as I'm concerned, if it works, I don't care about it!

It's around 12-15 £ for a full size so nothing that'll break the bank - good for me 'cause I'm going to purchase this once I run out off my current tester (a little goes a long way with this product).


xoxo

Lovely Pukka

It's cold and dark outside. I'm in the middle of my exams and find it difficult too focus. Really there's not much too cheer me up this time off year except for my boyfriend and the little joys in life. One of them I have found too be Pukka. I've noticed a lot of my friends seem too love it, so I tried to give it a go. I found a little health store near Euston st. that sells them for 2,8£ a pack (one pack is 20 pieces). I picked of three different types: The vanilla chai, a mixed with mint, fennel, green tea, ginger & tulsi, the night time and for last i picked up the womens harmonise with rose, hibiscus and vanilla (funny enough this is Mr. Right's favourite). 
They are really good. I like that they are organic and that they don't bring that immideate splash of color, but have too sit for a little time. They don't give that dry feel in the throat as some cheaper teas might do (I've tried a few that did and it wasn't good - I had too swallow some water while drinking the tea so that my throat wouldn't complain).

So whenever Mr. Right is at practice and I'm home alone studying, I like too make my tea in a funky, fun cup with a Muji candle, too brighten up the spot next to my books. 

xoxo

My December favourites

Welcome 2013! Thought it might be nice too share a few favourites with you. There are many in makeup and a few in skincare.

The first one is one I've had for a while. I just never had the patience or time too make it look natural enough for my liking. It's the ELF contouring blush & bronzing powder. I've never used the blush much (it's too much glitter for me), but the bronzer is really OK. It's got a great color and subtle glitters. I use it very lightly to contour my face. Plus, the packaging is really nice!


The second must be the brushes.. I went to London, as you might know, not so long ago and found the 'real techniques' brushes in a Boots. I LOVE them, especially the blush brush, buffing and contour brush ! They're all I've used this past month. They are so lovely to work with and makes any makeup look really natural.

I've tried a lot off Inlogt's products this month, but the one getting an everyday spot is the Cream concealer in 34. It's got great coverage, is a sort off thick / mattish gel and is very easy to work with. It does take a bit off work, since it's got a tendency too crease.

My two MAC staples: Mineral skinfinish natural in light plus and eyebrow pencil in Fling.

Another staple is my New Id i-open double ended eyeliner and under eye concealer. It's the perfect skintoned color for lining the inner rim of the eye and as a bonus it's great to take with you for touch up's as the concealer really covers well.  In the picture (left) it goes: concealer left, liner right.

My gosh waterproof eyeshadow in Love that ivory. It's not particularly special, but it's soo easy, that whenever I'm in a rush, this is what I reach for when I need a bit of highlighting.

Benefit's 'They're real!' is hands down, the best mascara I've worked with to date! It does a wonderful job separating my lashes, adding volumene and great lenght.

Collection 2000 concealer in Fair 1 is great for the undereye area and to cover any spots around. I intertwine between this and the Inglot. Their coverage is pretty much the same, though the collection 2000 is a lot more pinkish than Inglot. 
The picture (right) shows the collection 2000 in the left, and the Inglot on the right.



My Top Shop blush in Flush - it's the only blush I've used every day with the contour brush for the whole month off December (from the 6th). I think that says it all!

The last is an item I won in a contest a month ago. I don't use it very much, but when I do it's great! It's the Bellapierre colour stay primer. It comes put white in the tube, but dries up completely see through, not even flash can reveal it. Plus it doesn't move at all!




Now to my non makeup related items... 

The Ted Baker makeup purse. I just think it's very cute and delicate! It was 8,5£ in Boots I think.

The Philip Kingsley Scalp Toner, really saves my scalp from itching this time of year with the dry air. I put it too my scalp using the point end and don't need too use much, after having rubbed it in I let my hair dry on it's own. It doesn't show in the dry hair at all! No greasy feeling.

REN T-Zone balancing day fluid, it's a wonderful light lotion, completely safe ingredients and just a lovely smell off natural products with a hint of lavender. It balances the skin to minimalise the oil production and reduce shine.

Clarins beauty flash balm, has become a staple of mine. I love it! But I will not bore you with any details, as I believe I have already written a review on this.

The Soap and Glory's Scrub your nose is great! It's easy too use. If you have the time you leave it on for a minut and that it enough time to really see a difference! I use it every other day for a minut when I'm in the shower, intertwining it with the Decleor Foaming cleanse.

 
 Hope you had a safe arrival in the new year!

xoxo