What happened to Last Year's Resolutions?

Last year I made a slightly ironic spin to some resolutions that were somewhat serious: 

An overview:

1. Taking my superfoods (here):

The superficial: I linked this resolution with a new eyecream from Nourish. I'll spare you the complete name but it has Kale inside. I really enjoyed this eyecream but somehow I have not repurchased yet. I think I will soon.

The deeper meaning: I was already on a good roll in the previous year but I continued taking my green juices meticiously. It might have been too much, which will connect to my next resolution.

2. Focus on Inner Beauty (here):

The Superficial: I've bought a holistic Flower Remedy from Californian blender Alexis Smart (more here). I love to repurchase but shipping costs are exuberant. Still debating...

The Deeper: getting closer to the big 4.0., getting single, photo/face-obsessed society & competing (sorry, but that sometimes how it is) with women who are becoming more & more 'flawless' can be a total B&*%. I'm not quite there yet so that resolution still stays in 2015.

3. Improving my French (here):

The Superficial: buying a buckload of French cosmetics: ✓, ✓ and another check. I refound my love for this online retailer who has sharper prices.

The Deeper: Another ✓ for improving language: I've lived in Barcelona for 2 months to go to a Spanish language school. Living in a metropole has always been a bucketlist thing and, though my Spanish kinda seeped down the last couple of months, I improved on it.

4. A New Cafeine Habit (here):

The Superficial: I think few people would say that they want to use more caffeine in the new year, but I'm talking anti-cellulite creams here. That's a serious business to stay perky upon.

The Deeper: I drank a lot of coffee and still do. I'm going to replace some cups with herbal tea to tone it down.

5. Cleaning Up (here):

The Superficial: Facial cleansing grains from quirky etsy-shops.

The Deeper: I always thought that getting closer to the dreadful 4.0 would include a sudden vigour into cleaning the house. In my case: not really (or really not). I just have to tackle this undesire with a sharper schedule and a good playlist on my headphone.

I'm gonna think of a new set of resolutions so you'll hear soon about them....

Ps: do you have some resolutions? Either superficial or deeper?

Last Empties 2014!

Before I'm gonna wish you all a wonderful 2015, I'm gonna share some of the last Empties of 2014:

1.  Yarok Feed Your Roots Mousse for hair: This mousse is absolute love for me. I have a mild psoriasis condition and every bit of chemical on my hair can trigger my skin into producing more. This mousse is totally natural, but works even better than any chemical I tried so far. #repurchase in bulk!
2. Lierac Body-slim Destock Nuit: ahhh, those French and their thin thighs. So if you question me if/whether their anti-cellulite works, I would say: Yes, but...The but(t) is always the problem (area) about: so I think it gets the extra results with the training, the green juices and the lack of alcohol. Mind you, I'm still taking my sugar too much and I'm certainly not a skinny thighs. However, it will help with some millimeters and sometimes that's all a woman needs. This particular version is for the night: it helps, but it smells a bit funky. I will  have already repurchased the daytime version with my famous 10% caffeine.
3. Rituals Heavenly Hamman Bathoil: This brand from Holland sure gotten far and popular. I love the combination of fresh & mild of this blend.
4. Rouge Bunny Rouge Metamorphosis Mattifying primer: I really like this one, however, it's pricy and I found a lovely dupe. Btw, I'm gonna try to find an organic primer that functions well.
5. FutureDerm Time-Release Retinol 0.5: This retinol potion really is gentle for the skin and I can still see a good result when using it: smoother, more decongested skin.

I had more things I've used up, but I couldn't be bothered photographing a zillion of samples that were simply nice, but not earth-shockingly special.

Sooo, Happy 2015:

September Empties

Woooot, a whole box of empties!

It's almost that I compensated for the fewer empties the months before: not so true. I had plenty that was almost empty, and I checked out the makeup drawesr for some possible expired products.

It's a lot so I'll keep it short still talk too much because I love explaining stuff

Makeup:

•  the Illamasqua lipquad is more than 5 years old (original haul here). The formula was already on the dryer side but now it gotten desert-like. 
• the Kiehl lipgloss in Golden Berry is from the same period. It still smells good and the formula has not gotten weird but I'm not taking my chances. I really like this one, colour & formula.
• The Scott Barnes pan is a concealer: also not empty but also older and a formula that gotten dryer. The original is quite good and has a high coverage. 
• another concealer from Senna cosmetics -> actually quite stellar, especially undereye. I think they change the packaging (here) but it's really one I'd repurchase
• I bought NARS Larger Than Life Lip Gloss Paris Follies in Sevilla. It had fun souvenir value and the inoffensive peachy hue makes it easy for every look. I used it up after a year which is unique knowing I have tons of lipglosses.
• These 3 lipsticks are from Silknaturals. They are bargain and sometimes dupe the popular colours in natural/veganfriendly formulas. However, I had them for ages so its time to let go of them.
• Rimmel London has this lovely & light eyebrow colour in Hazel. It changed texture and is probably expired.
• Rouge Bunny Rouge Nocturnal Ink eyeliner is a blogger's favourite. I like it but it's not the best ever. Also, it dried out after 7 months: my Kanebo Kate from 3 years old is still quite fresh so I think it due to RBR formula.
• Another eyeliner, Hourglass Script. Also dried out after a year. I haven't used it that much during that time.
• I've featured Diorshow Lash Maximizer (lash primer) over here and I bin it because it doesn't perform. Contrary to this, I adore Kanebo Kate Lash Base old formula but I have to bin it for hygienic reasons.
• Also recently featured is Illamasqua Disobey shader (here). It's been one of my 1st real shader-colours.
• Lunasol Water Cream Foundation in OC2 has been my favourite winterfoundation in 2010 & somewhat in 2011. I prefer newer formulas these days as it can show of slightly glittery on photographs.
  

  Body:

• It's not my 1st time exploring on Llerac anti-cellulite lotion (see here) but this Ultra Body Lift 10 has a PIIIINK gel. I wanted to try it for the higher dose of caffeine: 10%. It feels fresh and smells slightly fruitier than the average cellulite lotion. Effective? My rear feels tighter but I'm never really sure.

• Weleda Birch Oil is another anti-cellulite treatment based on natural (essential) oils. I used it with proper massage techniques but I didn't feel it worked for me. Also, the bottle was empty within 2 weeks which makes it €€ considering it costs me about €18. 
• Boswelia supplements are supposed to work anti-inflammatory (see here). I tried it because I am eczema-prone -> inflamed condition -> so it works on different levels. I think it did diminish some dimples...see above about being 'not sure'.
• Kris d'Amour Soothing Body Butter has such a wonderful natural scent with a hint of lavendel. The butter texture is amazing on lizard-prone legs, which makes them soft and 'eligible' (blame this word on too many George Clooney wedding propaganda)
• Fushi Really Good Sportoil has been a GWP. I really like this British healthcare brand and this oil has a good dose of arnica to soothe those sport-strained muscles.

Hair, shower & Perfume

• Alterna Caviar RepairX Fill & Fix Treatment needs a review on its own! It's terribly expensive for a hairmask though slightly more affordable here. I like it when my hair needs a good treatment
• Yummy, Bond no.9 Little Italy has been my fave orangy perfume for more than 5 years. Now I officially spritzed the last bit out. The bottle is worthy keeping.
• Swell is a newer line in organic haircare that focuses on volume. I don't think the Advanced Formula Shampoo really gives me volume but it's not making it puffy either. Just nice.
• I've been praising the L'Oreal Professional line frequently on this blog. The Lisse Ultime Mask is totally effective on wavy hair: I've used in on extensions and it smoothes the heck out of them...
• Cottage Showergel in Caramel is a souvenir from a Paris Supermarket. Yum, it's totally caramelly without the irritating chemicals. Nice, but difficult to repurchase when not in France.

Face:

• Erica Orangeblossom water is an amazing budgetfind for people liking the effects of Orange Blossom but don't wanna spend €36 on synergetically complicated blends. It smells amazing: claims to protect dry & sensitive skin.
• this Yves Rocher Pur Bleuet eyemakeup-remover has been a gwp with a Spanish Magazine. I've already repurchased it: it removes the most stubborn mascara in just a moment.
• the Caudalie Polyphenol c15 also need a full review: it's my 2nd bottle and I love it's firming properties.

• Tammy Fender Cleansing Milk with Lavendel is probably the closest to smelling a real lavendel field in France. Truly a soft milk for removing light makeup. Expensive though.  
• Living Nature the firming Flax serum smells delightfully neutral with just a hint of earthiness. I cannot tell anything about it being efficient on longterm base but it hydrates and tightens a bit without irritating.

• This Eyeliner from Makeupstudio is basically #craptastic. The good thing is that a brush in included on top but the formula is too dry and flakes within no time.
• Nuxe Reve de Miel Lipbalm is probably one of the most mentioned lipbalms in magazines. I really like the natural feel & tiny buttery lumps in it. But do I think it's the best? I like other lipbalms too for different reasons.
• This Marie Veronique Organics Sunscreen sample is a darker colour than the large bottle I have. I liked it first, but it's not completely perfect.
• Holland recently sells Algenist Skincare; this sample is their nightcream. It reminds me of Clinique only more exclusive and balmy.

Random Samples:

•  Everybody's raving about YSL Fusion Foundation but I think it was like spraying perfume on my face: OTT fragance and a stingy feeling. I didn't think I looked like the glossier self I normally am with my fave foundations -> huge miss
• Hourglass Veil primer is nice but I'm not too fond of the slippery silicony feel. Guess I'm too spoiled with Rouge Bunny Rouge (here)
• Absolution is a newer natural brand. This  Soin Repulpant (plumping) mask felt like a creamy dream. After 10 minutes my skin did look more plum. I'd like to have more samples or a large size of this one.
• L'oreal Professional Absolute repair Cleansing Balm is a Cleansing conditioner with lactic acid.  I would consider more samples of these on holidays when you have to wash your hair oftenly.
• Shiseido Ibiku daycream is thin and smells light. It didn't irritate but I'm not sure if I need a full size.
• Frederic Malle is a niche perfumer who tried to embody the essence of designer Dries van Noten. I'm sure the team of designers agreed on the outcome, but I think the fragance smells too mature lady to me. I sort of miss the playful vibe that has been going on by Dries van Noten's recent designs:
• 

I mean, any 40+ wearing this is a funky chick at heart so she must smell a bit fresher than the sniff I gotten from the sample.

• Caudalie Polyphenol c spf 20 anti wrinkle daycream is nice but did not wow me.
• John Masters Bearberry skin balancing face serum is packed with some good ingredients. The problem with samples is that you cannot tell long term results, but I still like them to know if I agree with them 'at first sight'. I do with this one.

Crikey, what a list! If someone on the street would have to make a guess how many different products have used, they'd probably underestimate me...hahaha. Not sure if I'd top this list for the next month but I'll keep on empting and tossing away expired thingies :)

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.

Cowshed Slender Cow Body Sculpting Serum

Something about Cowshed's name is not that attractive to me. I like the outdoors and still I am a bit iffy to be associated with a 'slender cow', or any cow at all. Most of us know how the other end of the cow-variety will sound and it's often not too flattering.

Still, it was a freebie with something I cannot remember anymore, somewhere during Autumn '13.  It had 'target cellulite' on it and 'skinny', fair enough.

Also, Cowshed is a British brand and on the organic side of the spectrum. So me try try...

 

I had no idea what to expect from an organic 'body serum'. Their website lists these two ingredients as the main game players:

 Nice, there's Tamanu Oil again: It already passed around in my last post on haircare... 

Will this be 2014 IT-oil????

If you look at the rest of the ingredient list, you will see lots of essential oils like lavender, frankincense, lavendula & clary sage. This will add to a herbally fragance when using the milk. Also, various oils are known to have a 'deslacking effect, such as Clary sage & black pepper.

serum-like pump

It applies like a body-milk and not like a serum. I would not compare it to my usual 'cellulite-challengers' like Decleor or Vichy that often have a gel-like composition.

What I did notice is the subtle amount of shimmer:

Moody January light doesn't make it appear well but I agree that it would make one of those lovely leg-glowing potions during warmer weather.

I didn't see a real improvement on my body when using it: I am a bit of a Caffeine freak when it comes to Challenging Cellulite and it was not included in the 'Cowshed Slender Cow'. Most anti-cellulite potions are not miracle workers but I think caffeine is one of the ingredients that can help getting the extra water out of the cells. Ofcourse, in combination with exercise and a bit of body brushing/massage...

However, it makes a wonderfully moisturizing and herbally fresh body lotion that gives the right amount of glow to [slightly] lacklustre pre-spring skin.

Concluding to all this skinny talk, I'd add this wonderful photo of a very slender Lily Cole who reads to her bovines:

Photograph by Juergen Teller; styled by Camilla Nickerson; W magazine March 2009.

 I wonder what she reads to them and whether the milk will be better when reading to them [the new substainable farming?]...

Or, keep on grazing and don't be mooooo-dy for the rest of January...;)

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.

Lierac Body-Slim firming Serum *for my potion-ality?*

Hello Lierac! Nice to meet up with your caffeine-infused (super?)powers:

There used to be a time when nobody could get a bikini during autumn or winter. Or 'nobody' is that part of the "ladies-who-cruise" that could happily hop to the designer stores or the likes of Michael Kors & others to pick up their ensemble: ofcourse, not the one people had seen them in during the summer season, quelle horreur!

 These days the 'cruise collections' & 'pre-summer-collections' (in freezing January!) and other alluring frilly clothes are around the corner for most of us. Similar to warm & sunny holiday destinations. It might be a positive thing but the thighs declare an official "sight of tediousness' for they cannot rest under oversized coats and boyfriend jeans yet (or ever): workouts, squads-'n-lunges and the anti-cellulite creams are in the game, again! 

My thighs too: I booked a last-minute flight for about 2 weeks in advance and noticed that mine could use some serious toning again. I am an afficionado of anti-cellulite creams during summer and Vichy had been my fave. However, for those two weeks I needed a higher dose of caffeine to kick-start those lazy legs into action/shape. Lierac has a whopping 10% Caffeine embedded, so I tried that one.

Lierac Body-Slim (Caffeine= the 2nd ingredient so quite potent!)

And the promise: Result after just 14 days!

There goes the question: did it help? 

*drumroll*

But first...A swatch of the orangy jelly *potion-ality*: 

 

The zingy feeling of the caffeine is noticable after application and massaging it in. It does take some massage, though.

I combined this jelly with some strenuous workout. I joined a bootcamp workout which has nothing to do with pleasure at all. (like Zumba can be)

The good thing is that my trainer looked like this

 Sometimes it is a positive thing to have a really cute trainer because you want to impress...Then again, I really did not want to do some squads because I know I would look "fat in that position"/"my makeup's gonna smudge!" bladibla...Then again, I told him I wanted similar abs as he does, which might need about 15 years of extra training...hehehe.

After two weeks I had lost about 0.75mm to 1 cm. It is not that much but at least my jeans felt a bit more comfortable.

As for the thighs:

thighs: "darn, that was too much squatting, want coconut water!"

I normally wouldn't do a photo like this but since whole twitter and every celebrity does this, thank you Rihanna & Nicky M. I wouldn't be like a real virtual human anyway: pun & oxymoronish  idea intended. Or the modern version of cogito ergo sum is Instagram corpus meum, ergo sum ="I instagram my body, therefore I am!".

Now my thighs will have some rest until I have to worry about the Christmas LBD again! It is either that or I have to spend on a new LBD.

Pros:

• high(est) amount of scientifically proved effective Caffeine (10%)
• smells fresh & zesty
• thighs look firmer & booty appears less bumpy after 2 weeks
• almost 1 cm loss of hips and each thigh about 0.75 cm
• not that time-consuming: takes 3 minutes massage each time.

Cons:

• expensive: I went through a whole tube in just 2 weeks (150 ml/2.7 fl.oz is not that much)
• Results are similar as the cheaper Vichy Destock
• more difficult to get than Vichy/Clarins etc.
• Not that much result for all that massaging/training and juices/superfood: I expected 1.5 cm at least.

Conclusion:

Wonderful to kickstart yourself into a slightly slimmer you in a short amount of time. However, it will probably not do that much on itself so keep your diet/training in synch for results.

Availability:

Sasa has a rather good price on it for $33.60 (here)

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