February Favourites

I've been loving some new (and some older) products this past month that I'd like to share with you.


The First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads: I am always on the hunt for new acid toners and once Caroline Hirons had mentioned this brand, I knew I had to get my hands on them! They contain all sorts of different acids (lactic acid, hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid) and with that price you can't go wrong.

John Frieda Sheer Blonde Colour Renew Correcting Shampoo: I haven't tried out too many purple shampoos but this one is the best one I have tried so far. Over the course of a few weeks, it did really change the tone of my hair and I am really happy with the results. It does leave my hair feeling a little dry, but its nothing a decent conditioner can't fix.

Laura Mercier Hydrating Primer: I don't know if I have mentioned this product before, but I've been using this for the past few months. I love that it is hydrating, so it smooths over any dry patch I might have and makes my make up stay on for 10+ hours. I also find that I have to use less product and my foundation goes on way smoother.

The Body Shop Vitamin E Serum in Oil: This was an impulse purchase and I couldn't be happier with it. Not only does a little bit of retail therapy help me through exam time, but this oil really does what it promises. I apply it under my night moisturiser and when I wake up in the morning, my skin is super soft and glowy.

The Body Shop Nutriganics Cleansing Gel Oil: What can I say? I love it. The formula is amazing and it feels so gentle on the skin. You're supposed to massage it into your dry skin and add warm water to it. That's when the rather thick, gel like texture turns into a milky liquid. Lovely to take off your make up or to use it as a second cleanse, like I do. 

 - Julia xxx

 
 

September Favorites

I am so excited for fall.  
I'm excited for golden and red leaves dancing in the wind and collecting chestnuts.
I'm excited for big oversized sweaters and scarfs, fluffy blankets and hot tea. 
I'm excited for candles and fairy lights and long nights by the fire place watching TV. 

Make up wise I am looking forward to smoky eyes, dark red lips and just being able to get away with wearing more make up and experimenting with bold colors. 

Bath and Body Works - Leaves Candle

Laura Mercier - Hydrating Primer

p2 - Sophisticated Volume + Stretch Mascara

Precision Beauty - Angled Blush Brush

  Dolce & Gabbana - The One

OPI Nail Lacquer - Red

 Maybelline - Instant Age Rewind Concealer 01 Light

Argania Spinosa - Argan Oil

- Julia xxx


 

My Top 3 Favourite Foundations

Hello everybody. So I am currently on semester break (I am in my first semester at Uni studying 'British Studies') and I am bored out of my mind. So I thought: "Why not create a blog?!" and ...here we are. Wow. This is going great so far, isn't it.
Anyway, today I would like to introduce you to my top 3 favourite foundations. Now just FYI, I have acne prone, dehydrated and very sensitive skin, so basically the best preconditions for any foundation...not. But as you might be able to tell from the title, I have found three foundations which work very well with my skin.

So let's jump right into it. 

[1] Number One - Rimmel London Wake Me Up Foundation

This foundation claims to "reawaken and illuminate your skin with a radiant glow and a natural looking finish", whilst providing peptides and a Vitamin Moisturising Complex. 
Now, I don't know about the Vitamins and peptides and whatever but it does give my skin a glowing, natural finish without looking cakey. Yet, it still manages to cover up all my zits and blemishes and glides smoothly over any dry patches without accentuating them.
But please keep in mind here that I have dry and dehydrated skin, so this might look very differentyl for those of you with oily skin. 
It doesn't claim to last very long, but it lasts about 6 to 7 hours on my face and that is often good enough for me.
This is the most affordable foundation out of my favourites and you can get it in the drugstore for about 8 to 10€.

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation 100 Ivory

 

Rimmer Wake Me Up Foundation swatch in the sunlight 100 Ivory

Swatched on my arm it can look quite shimmery/ glittery but I don't notice a big glitter effect on my face.
This foundation is in the colour 100 Ivory and since I have very fair skin, this is about two to three shades darker than my natural skin colour, but I find I can make it work if I really blend it down my neck. 

[2] Number Two - Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup

Out of all the foundations I have tried, this is my absolute favourite one.
It has full coverage, which is perfect for me because like I said, I have bad acne all over my face. And it lasts the whole day and I am talking 12 - 14 hours here, okay?! And that is without setting my face with powder, because I find I don't need it with this foundation and I actually prefer it without the powder, because even a little powder just makes it full on matte. So even if you have oily skin, or maybe especially if you have oily skin, this might be something for you. But I think this foundation works for everyone.

Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Foundation 1N2 Ecru

 I have this foundation in the colour 1N2 Ecru, which is a neutral shade and the lightest shade available in Germany. That being said it is still one to two shades darker than my natural skin tone but again I can make it work when I really blend it out. I also own the shade Fresco, but that is just way too dark for me and only works in the summer when I am super tan (which for me is Mac NW 25 or something, ha!)

very right: Swatch Estée Lauder Double Wear Ecru

It is a high end foundation and with around 40€ more on the expensive side, but definitly
worth it in my opinion. I absolutely adore it. 

[3] Number Three - Laura Mercier Mineral Powder SPF 15

This is the only mineral foundation that I have ever tried and I really like it. 
I must say I always shied away from powder foundations and their, which I thought inevitability matt fininish, but I do really like this foundation, especially on good skin days and in the summer. 
It doesn't leave my skin feeling or looking dry or tight but rather glowy, but not overly glowy, if that makes sence. It just gives a very natural finish and in my opinion it is light to medium coverage. 
With around 43€ I find it to be on the little more pricier side, but it will last you a very long time.

laura mercier Mineral Powder Soft Porcelain

This foundation is in the lightest colour, Soft Porcelain, which has a slightly yellow undertone and fits me perfectly at the moment (it's winter).  

On the very right: laura mercier Mineral Powder Soft Porcelain

In this picture it does look quite glittery but I promise you it just gives you a slight glow when you wear it.

Thanks for reading! Until next time, Julia