Face of the Day

This is the kind of make up that I like to wear everyday when I don't really have anything special planned.

Foundation - Nars Sheer Glow Foundation (Gobi) 

Contour - Maybelline Fit Me Foundation Stick (355 Coconut Mokka)

Blush - Mac Blush (Something Special)

Eyebrows - Catrice Eyebrow Pencil (020 Date with Asthon) and Catrice Eyebrow Filler (010)

Eyes - L'oreal Miss Manga Punky Mascara

Lips - EOS Lipbalm

- Julia xxx

 

First Impression: L'Oreal Miss Manga Punky Mascara

When I first heard about the new Miss Manga Mascara, I knew I had to get my hands on it. I usually like to use the L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara, since it really lengthens my lashes. What I look for in a mascara is usually a plastic wand, lenght instead of volume and I definitely prefer a bolder look.

As you can see this mascara has a plastic brush with very short bristles that are quite far apart and the brush holds a lot of product. This really helps to build up the lashes and helps you apply a lot of product in very little time. The brush is designed to make your lashes look spicky and bold.

Before: My lashes are naturally not very thick and quite short. Here they are already curled.

After: This is one coat of mascara. As you can see, this mascara is not meant to look natural.

 It may appear a little too bold, but when you take a step back, it is not so overwhelming. Especially when I wear very little make up, I like my eyes to stand out, and this mascara really does that for me.

- Julia xxx

Product Empties #1

¡Hola! What's up? Over the last few weeks I have been collecting garbage. Well...kinda. Basically products that I have used up and wanted to share with you. 

Quick overview of all the products. Very exciting.

Lavera Handcreme (Organic with Almond- and Sheabutter) - This is the best handcreme I have ever tried. Therefore it is already my second tube. It is really nourishing but sinks in within seconds. 

L'Oreal Elvital Total Repair Extreme Reconstructing Conditioner - This is a conditioner I just tried because it was on offer and I must say that I do like it. Compared to the Lush one I am currently using it is not my favourite, but it does the job and leaves your hair feeling really soft. But full of silicone probably.

Alverde Repair Shampoo Grape and Avocado - This smells vile, like some cough medicine I had to take when I was a child. And it also left my hair feeling coarse. In the end I just used it to wash my brushes with. 

Lush Aqua Marina x2 - This is a face cleanser and apparently I must really like this because I had two of those in my Empties- Bag and I totally forgot about them. I would this cleanser is great for oilier and/ or acne prone skin. And it did make a noticeable difference in my skin. Smells a bit fishy though, but I was able to get past that because it's just a great product.

Lush Cosmetic Warrior Face Mask - This is a face mask for acne prone skin with Garlic! What is it with me and bad smelling things?! This smell made me gag a bit, not gonna lie and it didn't work THAT well either. I am not gonna repurchase this one, for sure.

And another picture of the open Lush containers, just so you can see that I am not a liar. 

Dr. Hauschka Face Mask - Really moisturising and soothing and it is natural, so you can't go wrong with this one. You can even apply it underneath your eyes and leave it on for as long as you want. Big thumbs up for this one.

Dr. Hauschka Ice Plant Body Lotion - This is just a life essential. Always. I have incredibly dry skin on my arms and this is the only thing that can soothe the dry-, itchy- and redness. 

Luvos Face Moisturizer with Healing Earth - This is great for all skin types, except if you have really dry skin. Like really really dry skin. Otherwise this is perfect. Not to heavy, but still moisturizing enough and it helps keep blemishes at bay. Also perfect as a primer underneath make up if you have slightly drier skin. Unfortunately for me, since I am on Roaccutane at the moment, this is not enough for my skin, but I can see myself repurchase this after the 6 month course.

Dermalogica Precleanse - This was just a sample, but I thought I'd still mention it. To be honest I don't really get the concept of a "precleanser", doesn't double cleansing with your regular cleanser do the trick? I mean, it was nice and everything but I think it's just a money maker. 

Lavera Cleaner for Dry Skin - It says "foam" on the bottle and that was what kept me away from it for the longest time. But my bought it and I tried it and fell in love. It is not drying at all and really light. I'm already on my second bottle.

Clinique Take the Day off Cleansing Balm - This was my very first cleansing balm ever, after I read about cleansing balms on Caroline Hirons blog. And once you use a cleansing balm, there is no going back. But really. Cleansing balms are the best. Especially this one from Clinique since it is so gentle and doesn't contain a bunch of unnecessary ingredients. BUT ever since I ran out of this, I use plain old coconut oil and it works just as well.

Lush Breath Of Fresh Air Toner - Didn't do anything for me. I initially bought it because I read so many good reviews about it. Since it contains tea tree oil and what not and it's supposed to help with breakouts. But the effect was just like I was spraying water on my face. And the spray- thingy squirted out way too much product and made your whole face wet (that's what she said- I don't know about you, but I am cringing over here haha).

MAC Eyebrow Pencil Fling - Nice colour. Way too much money for an eyebrow pencil and way too little product, though. I ran out of this after 3 weeks of using it. Not cool.

Manhattan Tasty Lips Peach - A shimmery, peachy browny lipgloss that isn't sticky and smells of peaches. Excuse me? Does it get better than this? I don't think so. Already repurchased.

I am going to "Back to Lush" the three empty containers and you're allowed to choose one face mask for it. Do you have any recommendations for their face masks? Thanks ;)

- Julia xxx

Shop My Stash

I am finally back at Uni, not living with my parents anymore but on my own in a tiny little dorm room not-so-near campus and that means: having access to the whole of my make up collection ... Amongst other things, like noisy neighbours or having to do my own laundry again, but it's all good!
So after two months of living out of a small make up bag, small for me, excessive for 'normal' people, I had a little look through my make up yesterday evening and 'discovered' a few items I have totally forgotten about. How exciting! (It's the little things in life people, don't judge me!)

Here we have them all. Aren't they beautiful. And on some of them I have even hit pan, which is even more exciting (oh gosh) and motivates me to use them up, put them in an 'Empties' blogpost, or even video (?) and throw them out. Nothing more satisfying than finishing make up products, am I right?

Ok, for the products we have:

L'Oreal True Match Foundation soft ivory n1 - And even two of them! Back when I lived in the USA for a few months I was obsessed with this foundation and because we don't have it in Germany (at least no that light of a shade), I panicked and bought two. Back home again, I just wasn't interested in it anymore. Story of my life.

NYX Blush Taupe - Great contour shade for fair skinned people like me. I really don't know what else to say about it, really. It's inexpensive (at least in the US) and it works. But ever since the Lancome subtile palette, I have stopped using it, because that's just a whole nother league. That being said, I will probably repurchase it.

Make Up Factory Matte Eyeshadow 08 - It's matte. It's brown. It's a nice contour- crease shade. But ain't nobody got time for single eyeshadows, anymore. I really find myself reaching for eyeshadow palettes these days. So the single eyesahdow needs to go. Nice quality, though. 

NYX EyeshadowTrio Nude/ Taupe/ Dark Brown - Back in the day when I started getting into make up, this was my very first eyeshadow- palette- love. And you know how they say you will always remember your first love. It's true ... at least with this trio. Muhahah. (I think the lack of sleep is getting to my head already?!) But seriously, these eyeshadows are amazing. Super pigmented, no fall out, very creamy. I only have nice things to say about it. I especially love the shimmery nude shade in the summer.

Maybelline Fit Me Pressed Powder 125 - Now that I have really dry skin, I don't want my powder to completely mattify my face but instead just setting my make up and leaving my skin look like skin, if that makes sense. I find that this powder really does the trick. You probably won't like it if you have oily skin and are looking for something to mattify your face. In that case I would recommend the Rimmel Stay Matte powder. 

Revlon Lip Butter Strawberry Shortcake/ Sugar Frosting - Since my lips are so dry because of the Roaccutane, these are the only lipsticks I can wear these days. These shades make me feel so summery and happy that I want to wear them more often.

Sleek Blush By 3 Lace - Again, think summer. I love oranges in summer. These can be quite scary, because they are so bright and pigmented. But I really wanna make them work. We'll see how that goes.

Benefit Blush Bella Bamba - Smells ah-mazing. And it is super shimmery. It's all about the shimmer this summer. And it's more wearable and easier to pull off, in my case anyway, than the Sleek blushes.

elf Shimmering Facial Whip Lilac Petal - Going with the shimmer theme: this! Supposedly a dupe for the Nars Copacabana highlighter. I wouldn't know. Besides the usual place where one would apply highlighter, I like to apply this as an eyeshadow. Looks super glossy on the lid. Gorgeous. and the pink really brings out the green in my eyes, which is always a plus. Be warned , though, it is a metallic-y colour.

left: Sugar Frosting / right: Strawberry Shortcake

It's quite fun shopping your own stash at home every now and again. And way more justifiable and easy on the wallet. What is a product that you recently re-discovered from your make up collection? I would be interested to know!


- Julia xxx