Juli's Used Ups

Let me start with a lippy I consequently used until I reached bottom (or tube): 

Really, this one is from MAC's 2008 collection (see Temptalia). I have a special storeage for MAC's LE's (some never used) in a dark, cool place and sometimes I revisit Zeeee Box-e and I find myself something useful or fun. Ofcourse, I'm aware of expiry dates so I use my sniffer, and some good ol' logic to see if it is still fresh. 

MAC slimshines are lovely & creamy moisturizing hints of colour for the lips. Funshine is a coraly pink that is lighter than my natural lip colour. I get a wonderful nod to lighter lips with colours like these.

The rest:

July has been somewhat unproductive, but I used up some things:

1. Fairy Drops Mascara  Platinum Mascara film type

Ok, not quite used up but logic and knowledge of mascaras told me it is time to let this one go. I know lots of women love Fairydrops but somehow most of their mascara do not really work for my type of lashes. They do not hold curl that stubbornly as the likes of Majolica Mallorca or Fasio and that is mostly what I need. It's still a good mascara, though, but only with a base.

2. Nude Nailpolish: Nails Inc Basil Street, Essie Barefoot & OPI Let Them Eat Rice Cake

With nailpolish the logic of throwing away is a lot easier, because they are often dried out or separated. I've also finished a bottle of Seche Vite Thinner which can bring some dying nailpolishes alive again. Then again, I have so many nailpolishes that I screen the ones that I really want to thin up again. Or, I need some space and will use some other nudes before possible repurchase.

3. Tatcha Restoring Eye cream (right corner- small sample)

Lovely, but also a bit too pasty/thick for summer time.

4.  Saniflore Aqua Magnifiqua toner (review here)

Absolutely delicious for congested [summer] skin. I can feel it doing something extra when my skin is congested, but without having that stripping feeling those generic anti-acne potions have. It smells so herbally fresh too: repurchase!

5. Rene Furtherer Naturalia Dry Shampoo

I gotten into this one thanks to MostlySunny's rave. AGREED!  It's so delightfully thin and mops up the right amount of grease. And, hardly no white residue! For the supermajority that doesn't have blonde roots it is so wonderful to have a spray that doesn't make you look like you have grey hairs. Even blondes will get a slightly greyish look with about most dry shampoos so I have no idea why companies don't make them better like this one.

6. Vichy Cellu-destock Serum Flash

6%! 

-> 

for the ones that read my neverending stories of battling the ghost of cellulite (albeit very alive) know that I have a serious Caffeine habit. This serum has 6% Caffeine in it. I liked it but it also felt like my 1st tube of Cellulite-busting potions from 1993: perhaps the scent or the texture. I didn't feel it was too effective but I've been slightly inconsequent with it. It's also quite expensive per ml so I think I'll try something else next time.

7. French Girl Organics Rose Noir Cleansing Oil

I featured this baby as a part of my Organic black bottle collection (here). It's a dense cleansing oil that does not foam: I always expect a foam as I'm used to Asian cleansing oils, but Organics seldom do. It cleanses up heavy duty makeup and/or sunscreen but I do need a sudsy cleanser afterwards for rinsing off the oily feeling. It smells lovely like a soft rose.

8. REN Radiance Perfection Serum

This serum is actually meant for younger skins in need of a radiance boost. However, I often serum up twice a day so I really liked this one in the morning: it has some antioxidants (eg: Bitter Orange, Lingonberry) that combat the oxidant effect of sunrays during the day.

That has been my round-up of July's Used Ups. It has been wonderful to take a step away from my normal lipstick routine by taking up a paler hue like MAC Funshine: it does take some more work with the rest of the face (more eyemakeup, etc).  For this month I'm thinking to step out of the box again with lipcolour: perhaps a good berry hue for Indian Summer? We'll see ; )

Cell-ing Out! How did my Vichy Cellu Destox Expert preform?

Another one from my Resolutions '14 list has been rolling around, or cell-ing out the fat-cells of my legs and other feminine curves. (see here)

 I'm sporadically on anti-cellulite potions: not because they work the wonders they claim to do, but just to get it a bit tighter and to speed up your post-workout circulation and it's detoxing flow.

Well, I just finished it after 3 months so I haven't been too consistent in using it. 

For honest reasons:

1. no boycrush: call me a hypocrite but somehow the prospect of getting toned for someone else is a bit more motivating than for yer-own-mirror-reflexion. And other girls? Ack, we all know we have lumps-n-bumps so that's about it.
2. No bikini-opportunity: Ok, that's the time I DO work out for other women as well, because there's always that bit of competition on the beach and I do not want to be the flabbiest one around in my teeny. As for men, they are often happy to see woman under a certain age in a bikini: so for the random guy being the voyeur, neither the effort worthy ;)
3. For the blog/research: oh heck, you guys prefer to read about more exiting eyeshadows than yer-old-boring-cellulite-lotion, right?

Then again, I've been using it consistently for 2 weeks and I did have some results into getting bits a bit more toned.

Reasons:

1. the Roller-ball thingy

Yes, you can have your vigorous roller-action when you cannot be bothered working your hands around too much. Ehm, that sounds somewhat like another device too?

 

2. Effective Caffeine 5%

Perhaps not as potent as my previous 10% Llerac (here), but strong enough to get those fat-cells celling out a bit easier...aka detox a bit faster.

3. Extraterrestal Blobs:

Read the full story why...[ok, just kidding]

Conclusion:

 

I really liked this anti-cellulite lotion: The rollerball effect helps to get a more effective massage that aids the formula, and feels kinda nice after you've been working out. I'm gonna repurchase if I'm not too curious for other anti-cellulite creams.

Resolution '14: a New Caffeine Habit with Vichy Cellu-Destock Expert

In the range of good intentions there is always room for some more 'gotta tone the thighs' and the usual 'gotta drink tea instead of coffee'.
 So let me introduce my new Caffeine habit:

I already had one during autumn '13 in preparation for a bikini-infused holiday (see here). Lierac had a whopping dose of 10 % Caffeine that was as last-minute to speed up metabolism as doubling up on any bootcamp and other muscle-teasing fitness classes. 

I can take it a bit easier this time and I will stick with Vichy Cellu-Destock's 5% Caffeine.

I'm on a roll

massage instructions in box

For the lazy bunch, and who isn't in the prime of January...those turkeys & doses of champagne gotten into the system, there is a rollerball system on the knob that will massage your cream into the thighs. 

various languages of how to...

It also helps you to remind that massage is a bit more effective than simple application. That's also handy after the holidays, a reminder?

So why do cellulite creams often look like Ghostbuster's Slimer's ectoplasma?

This film is so old that Americans are still allowed to smoke in films!! 

My last Cellulite-challenging Lierac was the odd one with a red gel instead of the green ones often used.

However, my voluntary 'sliming' will hopefully result into some extra-humane thinner thighs,

or maintain previous firm[er] results.

Bunny overload [Rouge's] & the UsingUsed

It would be fair to say I took great advantage of the Rouge Bunny Rouge sales:

And my lack of [false] modesty will leave it for showing it here of all the products most of you have been loving already.

What can I say: it's my fave Russian brand and how could I resist?

Line up: (forgive me for not mentioning full names of this elaborate brand)

• Eyeshadow: Mysterious Tinamou, Periwinkle Cardinal & Tantalizing Lovebird
• Duo eyeshadow: A Major fis Minor
• Cream Eyeshadow: Brocade Slipper & Atlas Swallowtail
• Lipstick: Perfume of his Gaze
• Lipgloss: Uncaged Tigress, Counting Wishes (had Coy from a GWP)
• Duo cheek/lip: Samba/Enredo
• Concealer: Eunice

Well, most of you know I'm not a fan of reviewing things too-much-reviewed-already but I'll do a mini-review on some. 

I compared lipgloss Uncaged Tigress with Counting Wishes, and noticed the 'Wishes' is a deeper red I normally would sheer away from. Strangely, I actually love it and it feels like a better blend with my colouring. Perhaps because 'Tigress' has some metallic orange in it that didn't feel the best blend for me.  I still like them both for different occasions: 'Tigress' when I want my lips to be slightly unnatural but more made up, and 'Wishes' for that sensual hue.

The Duo Eyeshadow in 'A Major' has the most perfect cream-coloured highlighter that blends like pure radiance on eyes/corners & perhaps even cheekbones ♥. The brown partner is slightly less original, but still a fab neutral for defining creases.

I expected more from Cream eyeshadow 'Atlas Swallowtail': it looks too unnoticed on my eyes but will make a lovely base for other eyeshadows. I like 'Brocade Slipper': it's not as perfect as 'A Major' lighter side but it's wonderful for a more obvious highlight when naturality is not needed percé.

The Duo Samba/Enredo is my least fave of the lip/cheek-duos, but I suspected this beforehand. I do not do pink-toned cheeks oftenly as they need more work for my complexion. Still, it will be an option for some looks...

And a special section for everything used lately:

•  Madara face toner Dry/very dry skin: old version

This one was half price because of a new packaging (same formula). I liked this toner as it is both soft but slightly adstringent for the oilier zones. That doesn't occur often a toner that is suited for dry skin but still takes care for oilier/larger pore zones. So I really consider repurchasing the newer version, even though most people claim toners don't do anything (I think they do).

• Aesop Fabulous Face Oil

I already discussed it here and really liked the scentual blend for nighttime. But did the oil-concoction convinced my skin for glowing intensively in the morning? Not completely, so the search continues...

• Muji Bath Salt Milk

FINALLY, I was so curious about this one after reading about this on Worship of Blues in 2011! (here)!! I never caved online because Muji's shipping is ridiculously high but I really consider buying it in bulk when in a country that actually has Muji! It smells like the perfect partner for my Balenciaga perfume and I love a good fragance in my bath.

• Vichy Aqua Destock

I've featured this one a couple of times as a good anti-bloat for moody water-rententive legs. So I finished another tube but I often switch cosmetics when I feel my body has become too used (read: lazy) to its ingredients. So I will do that again and keep you updated when using/finishing another anti-cellulite product.

• [too blurred photoshopped] Tammy Fender Antioxidant Cream

It has been a part of the larger travel set for Dry/sensitive skin . I like using natural/organic products but I was not too fond of its pot format. I prefer packagings that are less prone to being exposed to air/oxygen as the ingredients stay potent for longer. Basically, its lovely but for its price I do not consider the results to be too dramatic: I prefer her Intensive Repair cream I discussed here. I still like other elements from this set I will discuss soon, eg the Roman Chamonille face tonic is the most soothing I have found in a while.

Using, Used, Gonna Use ft. Rodial Bumlift

In the trend of Cannes I thought I would give it a filmic title by featuring something.

Or actually I am really surprised I bought something called Bumlift.

USING:
1. Rodial Bumlift:
I almost finished a whole tube of this product. Rodial is quite expensive and it was the name and the hype that made me bought this. Actually, it was my grafity-obeying Gluteus Maximus : I prefer grafity-defying body and face parts so I thought it was time to bring in some revolt against my drooping glutes.

Ingredients:

So did this prep my glutes and thighs for the luring bikini season?

I was already quite satisfied with Vichy Aqua Destock but curiosity killed gravity so I splurged two times the price of the Vichy on Rodial. I'm not quite sure if it is worth it: my legs and behind are looking slightly perkier since using it, but I do not consider it to be worth more than my Vichy variety.

2. Duri Rejuvacote:
This is my second bottle. I loved it on my first bottle as it FINALLY gotten my nails strong and longer. When I stopped I gotten into nail-breakage Limbo again. Hence, it has its limits but I continue to use it as it gets me natural lenght for the time I am faithful to it.

USED:
3. Organix Repairing Awapuhi Ginger Mask
Oh dear, another hairmask! Yes, I found good reviews on this line at makeupalley and it's available in a brick-and-mortar shop close to me. It works really good in smoothing flyaways and is not too expensive.

Gonna Use (kind of using now but needed this category to be filled)
4. Kanebo Coffret D'Or Rouge Essence RS-276
I bought this one to replace my beloved and almost finished Shine Drape Rouge. I'm slightly dissapointed that it is not the moisturizing quality as before: it is slightly waxier on the lips but I love the pinkish colour for it's neutral polishness. I'm surprised it is on the pinker side as I normally receive something rosier when I order a RS colour. Still, it's a pretty pink.
However, I think I will stick to the Chanel Coco Rouge Shine instead for the feel that is similar to my previous Shine Drape Rouge.

Top 12 for 2012

I am majorly honoured to be tagged by the impeccable and gorgeous Irene from Blushingloves to feature the 12 favourites of 2012.

That is going to be a tough cookie, as I found a variety of favourites and not-favourites at all (subtly tagged into the "craptastic". However, I will features some newbies too or some 'secrets' I haven't shared to you yet.

1. Beam me up, Scotty:  

Baby Quasar Laser Red light

Never featured it on the blog but I have it since March 2012 and it's a wonderful device that actually helps me "prolong youth" a bit better.

2. Stroke me skin: The Oils...

Darphin Tangerine & Roques O'Neil Therapy 

Serum-wise, I have been quite consistent with my earlier favourites and the odd sample to try out. My greatest curiosity went towards oils. This has been caused as my skin is going through a dry phase lately, or since the end of 2011 and oils are one of the better tools to alleviate dryness. (there's a different between dehydrated or dry skin, read about it here and here).

Those two blends feel the most conforting to me in terms of penetration and scent, but there have been some good others that I should feature in a future post. The Roques O'Neil is actually an oil for the body, but it works wonderfully on my sensitive facial skin too.

3. Inner Peace: 

Neom Candles

Of all the new candles and my new love for Cire Trudon, I picked Neom, although it was a close call. This is based on the price, the travel size handiness and the cleaneliness of the air that comes from their natural oils and waxes.

4. Shower Power: 

 Borghese Fango Detox Soap

I wanted to try to photograph a soap that has been used consistently since buying it in April. Fact it, it's still quite beautiful and also really large for it's useage. I think 30% has been used from it's original content (see here) and that's a supervalue when you think it is my main shower soap from the moment I bought it. I love the fact it easy on my skin when sensitive, doesn't dry out, smells herbally fresh and it feels like a step into detoxing.

5. The Cellulite scare-team:  

Vichy Aqua Destock

Isn't it just funny I try to get hydrated at some parts of my body (face) and am eager to remove all excess water retention from other parts (thighs and...in Forest Gump words..."the Butt-Okss")?

Does it work? I don't use this all year. I use this in phases I work out more strenuously, or simply when I find my little thighs not being little anymore.
As most cellulite-releaving products it contains caffeine that can aid the process of water-retention (the stuff that causes dimply exterior or "floated thights") and in combination with a heck-lotsa dry body brushing, herbal teas, other blah blah health stuff....So it's not gonna do anything specific when sitting in the sofa like a blob, at least not to me. It doesn't give me anything close to model legs but I can go down one size when using this in combination with the other heavy duty thigh-diminishing acts I described above: that's resonable enough for me to be on my 3rd tube!

6.  The travel pal (lette):

Jemma Kidd Catwalk

 Not the best, but one of the handier and thinner varieties out there that can make eyes appear sultrier. More travel pals featured in this post.

7. The Trauma Topic: HAIR 

"I am not going to talk about my hair....I am not going to talk about my hair...ok, I'm gonna talk about my hair".  

Officially the meaning of trauma is when an experience has harm you so much you cannot find the words or means to express it. I basically had too many words to express the frustration about my hair that I have hardly any friends left and my relationship stranded (ok, that had some other reasons).

I shouldn't whine: it's still long, it's only dry for a reason I have no clue about. I did the layers, the highlights (and got them out when I was like "blah"), the red rinsing and the upteenth-superduper-supermask-new-improved-better-heaven!  

the "cure my hair-trauma" team

So I only want to say that I kinda approve upon the healing qualities of warmed oils such like Camelia Oil, Argan Oil and Macademia Nut Oils. They have to penetrate for at least 3 hours before washing. I sometimes combine them with Kerastase. Then I wash with the gentliest shampoo (often ABBA) and still continue to go for the supermasks, who then finally help a bit (not without the pre-oil treatments, btw)

8. The Health topic: Fem-tamins

Femergy 

Having a womb needs different vitamins...(available here)

9. The LOVE topic: brows:

Kose Esprique Liquid Eyebrow pen

After this babe (review here) I've been trying Laura Mercier Brow Definer in Fair, which is quite good too. What I love about this is it's travel friendliness, the tiny brush for preciseness and the colour.
Oh, and my girlcrush I featured in the review post, Cara Delevigne has done quite well this year too by winning the Elle Style awards of Model of the Year: That's why I love brows!

Brow-sing online

10.  The Perinneal Fascination: Blush!

Kose Addiction Cheek Stick in Revenge

I would normally be hesitating and doubting, but this year the ultimate favourite has been Kose Addiction Cheekstick in Revenge. Particularly this colour, as Rose Bar seems to have a different consistency, or a lighter colour. Not completely sure but Revenge has been the total Cheek/lip hybrid. Read about the hybrid cheek/lip battle here

11. The Holiday-in-a-can:

Collistar Face Magic Drops

So did you really think Mattel gave me this tan?

 I've tried the St. Tropez Naturals for face after finding my close-to-HG Collistar, but I found it's effects close to zero. I just gotta fake some tan when on holiday, because my face is always protected by the superior Japanese or French sunblocks that I often end up with moonface on a tanned body. Original review here

12. The Final Find: Red Lipstick

Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Intense in 98 Coromandel

I have soooo many red lipsticks that I actually never us. This one is actually a red I sometimes reach for. And sometimes is a whole lot better than almost never.

Ok, now I'm going to tag 12 bloggers and ask them to do a similar post of their 12 faves of 2012:

The Unknown Beauty Blog

Beautifully Glossy

Beauty Blog

Insideout Elle

Get Lippy

Welcome to my Everyday, 

as she gives us so much post-to-do so I could return the favour ;P

Pretty Beautiful

Vanity Fashionista

Williewingy

 Beautymoogle

Citrine's Blog

cl2425

Goodluck with all the writing and finding out what really were your faves! It's fun to look back and see how your beauty year has been ;-) 

So I hope you'll join in

Something old, something new, something finished...

Reading about the new upsurge of Asian skincare & makeup on the market makes me a bit nostalgic about my beginning days of the blog. Ok, it also has a bit of "been there, already tried that/have the product" when I read the articles about the 'newest' essences, fibre mascaras, etc. But let's not be snobby and look at an old favourite that is one of my first ventures on the Asian cosmetic market!

1. Something Old: The Majolica Majorca Automatic Eyeliner pen in BL 777.

Ofcourse, I found the recommendation of this gem on makeupalley by one of the first Europe girl in the field Fleckenschnitte (from Lotuspalace blog)! You can see her review over here!

 

I know there is some rule to chuck away your makeup after a couple of years but I haven't been using it a lot lately and I wanted to try out how good the texture would still hold. It's a close up so don't be fooled but it's still reasonable! Ok, we are used to more advanced textures these days but I still loooooove the multidimention-ness of the colour.

2. Something new: Tom Ford Lipstick in 17 Violet Fatale

 
I have been reading various reviews and noticed that it's not the most perfect texture for it's price. I still ordered it from Belgian niche-shop Parfuma because I was simply smitten by the beautiful pink/purple colour.

And yes, I managed to open its packaging! It is even featured on the non-chosen banner as you can see partly over here:

It's a bit dryer than some lipsticks but I adore the colour.

3. Something finished: Vichy Solucion Micellaire

 This was the last bit left, which I already used up.

Similar to the likes of cleansing waters such as Bioderma & NARS I found this one to be really effective and refreshing. My only dislike was a bit of a chemical smell after using it. Something easily removed by another tone. It doesn't remove sturdy eyemakeup that well, but most people reading this blog know what Asian mascaras can be like.