Empties February (& January)

The last two months have been in the line of winter survival. 

I don't know about you guys, but somewhat the fun in cosmetics gets out of it and everything is more about necessity. Shortly, I'm looking forward for a warm spring so my skin can behave normal again, and I can have fun with my cosmetic goodies again.

Again, I'll have quite some used-ups and hygienic bye-bye's to show...

I'm gonna start with two of my favourites:

• The NIOD Copper Amino Insulate Serum 1.00 % has been that wonderfully blue liquid that smells so neutral and layers on like a calming liquid. You mix the 2 bottles up and store it in the fridge: how fresh is that? I saw an improve in the quality of my skin: repurchased already!
• May Lindstrom The Blue Cocoon has been a nicely soothing balm, but too expensive and not entirely healing on disturbed skin so I've been looking for alternatives (see here).

• Alterna Caviar repair Fill & Fix treatment Mask is a staple, abeit a pricy one. It packs up proteins for damaged hairs which has an instant effect, but also improves hairs in the long run
• Fountain The Monecule in Happiness: I already shared my like for Fountain's hyaluronacid infused liquid concoctions and I could use some more positive feelings last months.
• Glonaturals Bodylotion: It smells like chemical coconut but it packs in a good amount of moisture into winterskin. I mixed it with pure oils like St. Johnsworth to get extra hydration.
• OlivineLove + Roses hydrating mist: Lovely and so natural smelling rose water infusion.

• Aromantic Camellia Seed Oil: Aka Japanese Tsusaki oil works wonders on hair and is lovely on skin as well
• De Tuinen Prickly Seed Oil: Prickly seed oil is a powerhouse that often sells really expensive, think La Bella Figura's version. I loved this affordable version.
• Andalou Naturals Luminous Eye Serum: I order this in one of my Vitacost hauls and it moisturizes wonderfully without too much fragrance. As for anti-ageing? I'd prefer Pai.
• Alterna Re-texturizing Protein Cream: This is such a favourite of mine! It smoothes in frizzies wonderfully and builds up hair in the long run.
• Givenchy Eclat Matissime: This one is still full: it was not suitable for my sensitive skin.

• Bliss FatGirlSlim has been a freebie in some box. I like it, but I'm a firm (pun intended) fan of my French line of anti-cellulite treatments (see a heap of mentions here). 
• Mario Badescu Super Collagen Mask was another freebie. I feel nostalgic for anything Mario Badescu as it reminds me of my 1st couple of online cosmetic purchases around 2000. Then again, it only adds some moisture so I would not repurchase.
• Givenchy Acti'mine Wake up skin Base: another full tube I have to abandon as I am too oversensitive for it.
• Andalou Naturals Argan Stem Cells Scalp intensive Lotion is targetted for hairgrowth. I have not seen dramatic results but it might have helped.
• Kinvaria 24hr Rosehip Face Serum was a serum I bought on a rave review being best thing ever for sensitive skin. Another case of not liking the fragance: household cleaning stuff. Blerg.

•  Cinema Secret makes some awesome makeup for professional use. Their concealer palette has been fab for covering imperfections, but I have this palette for many years so bye bye!
• Fasio Eyebrow Gel has been perfect for colouring the hairs of my eyebrow when they lightened in the sun. 
• Jadilla J BB Concealer still originates from my Gmarket Haul days. Funnily, now everyone seems to go K-beauty I find it soo 2008! The colour is too light for me these days but coverage was wonderful.
• Another hygiene/older concealer I had to bin is Models Prefer concealer duo. Somewhat it did not blend wonderfully either (green and a beigy colour) so I haven't used it much.
• This Le Metier the Beaute eyebrow pencil in blonde has been a perfect colour, but the pigment-hold was not spectacular on skin. Now it dried out...
• Clarins Eclat Minute...yes, fab coverage for under eyes but hygiene disposal again.

• Tigi BedHead After Party is one of those raved about haircreams that make your blowdry last beautifully. I liked it but prefer my organics and Alterna ranges over this one.
• Tatcha Indigo Soothing cream is another staple. Must-have for me.
• Trevarno Eye cream smelled like herbs gone wild...Also, a bit too thick for eyes.
• Nails Inc make some fab 3free nailpolishes that last and look superb. I loved this neutral pink.
• NVey Eco compact foundation was the most unblendable foundation ever. No likey.
•  I already discussed my Herbivore Lapis oil over here and I liked it a lot. 

• WLL3People Expressionist bio Extreme Mascara is one of the mascaras the natural bloggers rave about. Nice, but they have not reached similar hold/volume over the chemical mascaras.
• Bourjois Rouge Velvet in Fuschia has a gorgeous hold and superb matte appearance before this matte-lip thingy has been going on. 
• Marc Jacobs Enamored Hi-Shine Gloss Lip Lacquer Lipgloss in Love Drunk has been a sample I have been scraping the last bit out. Perfect mauvy shimmer! Adore...
• Another Marc Jacobs winner has been his O!Mega Lash Volumizing Mascara I bought in Marseille, France. I would like to try his newer version but the reviews have been mixed.
• Benefit Tinted Primer Hey, They're Real does not live up to my beloved Kate Kanebo version (here).
• Oh, and the tiny oil on the left has been Kiss the Moon Midnight oil. Soo, gorgeous...on par with my new fascination with Herbivore oils.

• Grow Gorgeous End split ends Leave in Serum in from that Deciem line again. Ok, me and my sensitive nose but this is sooo masculine and overpowering I cannot use it.
• Arcona Chamomile balm smells amazingly soft, but it also brings in a good amount of soothing softness on par with May Lindstrom the Blue Cocoon, for a fraction the price: staple!
• Wella Colour Fresh in Silver 10/81 has been a end-of-holiday toner for my then blonde hair. This one tones gorgeously and only needs one bottle without mixing. More about it soon.
• Another case of the ageing makeup product: My gorgeous YSL palette...awww...
• Another staple is my Collistar Face Magic Drops for self-tan. Although I don't use it in winter, I use it to match my face to my body on beachy holidays.

  I have been using up a lot of staples that are suitable to calm my oversensitive skin during the winter period. I have also ventured on some new products which has been a mixed bag of winners and not-so-successful for me. And I have been able to let go of some expensive brands that will not work for me (aww Givenchy)...

So for next month I hope to cleaned out my makeup-drawer a bit more, and be as diligent as ever to finish up products that I like : )

August's Empties

August has been a month of buying plenty newbies - finishing few = just 13 finished ups... 

1. Seacret Body scrub:

This scrub is from those Dead-sea companies that are in larger capitals around Europe: they stop people on the street by scrubbing their hands and coaching them inside their shop. I usually avoid them because their products are basically overpriced, but I caved for a scrub because it would do "miracles" on problem skin. It is a nice firm scrub on a mixed base of oil. Nice: yes; worth the price: nope, a DIY dead sea salt scrub would be less perfumed (only if you want to) and just as effective.

2. Kora Organics (by Miranda Kerr) facial spray

So I caved for the hype and Miranda's promise of 'skins as good as hers'. Yeh, I'm too old to believe but like Lourdes' water: you can always try. The spray smells a bit musty imo, some herbal component is quite present. I haven't seen any dramatic result using it. Verdict: overpriced & overhyped.

3. Givenchy Mr. Light concealer in Mr. Macaroon 

I love this concealer and I've been alternating Mr. Toast (3) & Mr. Macaroon (4) depending on my level of selftan. It's my 3rd tube and its one of the better undereye concealers out there. It covers without getting caky; it refects light without going discoball. Repurchase: Absolutely, though I bought Charlotte Tilbury because my colour was sold out (love hers too)

4. Kiss Me Heavy Rotation Long Volume Dynamic Mascara & Max Factor Wild Mega volume

Both were nice but neither I will repurchase. Kiss Me keeps the curl and thickens a bit, but has the tendency to clump as well. Max Factor needs a lot of primer to keep any curl or have a good effect.

5. Flormar Rotating Macara

Wow, so handy! A mascara that has a rotating brush that can go in both directions. I really liked the formula that was thin and never clogging. I'm keeping the brush to use with other mascaras until the battery runs out.

6. Merumaya Skin Brightening Exfoliating Peel
A wonderful chemical peel that exfoliates skin without overstripping: think REN Glycolactic Renewal Mask only slightly more herbally fraganced. I was not a fan of her eyecream but this one is really nice & effective.

7. Zoya Nailpolish Savita & Essie Wicked
A case of 'bottles in sunlight' that changed the texture. I like both colours: Savita is a matte purple that looks velvety on and Essie Wicked it that blood dried classic hue.

8. Trevarno TCL cream
Organically harvested in the UK. Their products are delightfully affordable with some potent ingredients. TLC says it all: when skin is being oversensitive. It smells like a herbal garden. I love that it's a cream instead of a balm. It soothes, but not the complete miracle.

9. Collistar Selftan Face magic drops
This selftan does not need an introduction on my blog anymore because I adore it (review here). 

10. Konjac sponge
I got this one in a complete set from Lovelula. I have used it every now and then and it feels quite neutral and effective.

11. Weleda Iris daycream
This was also a gift with purchase and it's a big surprise: I love the thin, slightly neutral consistency that layers beautifully over serums. It smells like a light flower: Iris ofcourse. Repurchase: yes, as it's affordable, agrees well with my skin and is wonderful for summer.

12. African Botanics Marula oil Neroli infused 
I got this sample from my facialist in Amsterdam. I went there for a Marie Veronique Organics facial and was surprised that this hard-to-get brand was one of her working brands. It's a really thick oil and moisturizes quite heavily: I think I'd prefer it for winter.

13.  BioNike Defence XAge Serum
An Anti-age serum suitable for very sensitive skin. I bought it in Italy as part of a travelset. This serum would be ideal for long-distance flights: soothing, anti-ageing and moisturizing.

Newly Danish & Italian: Gosh Lip Laquer [YSL dupe?], eye crayons & Collistar Nailpolish

I'm not one of elaborate titles but today I wanted to reach the core of the post.

Essentially, I'm still too bummed not to have access to most of the spring lines of the haute makeup-esque-ness yet. However, I won't fret as the other lines have some good launches too:
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The Bourjois Color Boost on top in Fuschia Libre hasn't been that new (winter '13), but I included it for aesthetic photographic purposes. 

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Collistar has  some excellent duochrome nailpolishes in metamorphic hues: the Gloss Effetto Camaleonte: I've picked 632 Ametista Camaleonte

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Then there is Danish fave Gosh with a new Lippolish...will it give YSL a run for its money?

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And because it looks so nailpolish-like, Gosh lippolish, I added Essie Spagetti Strap to pose next to it...a sweet pinkish neutral

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Another Gosh! The Forever Eyeshadow Pencils have some surprising shades around. I picked a tealish green for lust-have sake.

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Hakuhodo portable brush for carrying around

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far distance zoom on 632 Ametista & 634 Verde on pinky

More about it tomorrow  this week...

BirkinBagBeauty's Best of 2013: Face Care

It's my last section of the "BEST of 2013"-list and I have found some gorgeous face-care newbies last year.

Serum:

Serums are my babies because they are the most effective and potent in targeting a 'problem'. Hence, if you would tell be beginning '13 that I would pick a cheap serum as my favourite, I'd probably laugh: I need a sure investment and normally that means €€€. Still, this 'baby'  has been my favourite all-rounder so far for an affordable price (review Nourish Hydrating Peptide serum here).

[Winter] Daycream: 

Trevano Organic Day Cream is a balmy daycream (think soft cream cheese) that melts easily into the skin. It absorbs within 2 minutes: not every balmy cream does that. Hence, my skin feels hydrated, calmed and is ready for makeup in a short time, perfect for fast mornings. Cons: No sunblock but I get that from specialised suncreens.

Face Oil:

 

I was on par between De Mamiel Autumn Oil & Bodhi Desert Rose Facial Oil. The total blend of aromatherapy & flower remedy made this oil so special that De Mamiel has gotten my vote (more here). 

Night Cream:

You might think I am doing a 'best of Organic' section, but I truly enjoyed the organic bunch the most. Aurelia Cell Revitalise Night Moisturizer is used as the topping over my nightoil. I see the results when I do: dewier, less flakies, more relaxed skin, and I miss it when I don't. 

Eyecream:

Eyecreams start to get important at 'a certain age' and they have quite the list to fullfill: tightening, hydrating, depuffing, combatting undereye circles etc. My favourite is Nourish Revital-Eye Kale Anti-Ageing Eye Cream. [recently reviewed  here]

Selftan:

There hasn't been another face-selftan that live up to Collistar Face Magic Drops Selftan (original review here). I've dabbled into promoted-by-Kate [Moss, not the Driveller] St. Tropez but what's up with the scent? So as Madonna once said, "Italians do it Better"

Mads not the selftan-type but she sure knows to preserve a t-shirt!

Multitasker:

Manuka honey has been a multitasker for cleansing the face (how to here), dabbing on pimples, healing small wounds, adding to masks, a hair lightener (see here) and for a antibacterial sweetener internally.

~ Those are my selections for 'Face Care' ~

My 'Makeup' favourites have been discussed over here and my 'Body'-pampering over here.

Used Ups

"The satisfaction of an emptied cosmetic bottle" 

During summer and (pre) autumn period I have been gladly using these up:

1. Elemental Herbology body lotion in Neroli & Rose Damask:

Originally a part of a set that includes a bodywash. The consistency of the bodylotion is ok, although it is not the most rapidly absorbing one. I didn't like the scent: somewhat a stale, watered rose and I could not pick up any of the uplifting Neroli essences.

2. Osea Undaria Algae Oil for body:

Not the cheapest around but once really effective for reversing post-beach (sun) damage and I believe it has lightening/age-reversing properties. This is probably not merely a clue as the Osea site says:

"rich in organic botanical oils, sea minerals and antioxidants. This is the ultimate skin repair loaded with luscious seed oils--acai, babassu, passion fruit, sesame--and Undaria Algae, to deliver powerful antioxidant vitamins and essential fatty acids to dry, sun-damaged skin."

 It's not quite cheap for $38 but it will give you 180 ml/6 oz and this oil lasts long. My only pet-peeve is that I got it from Canada and customs has been charging this seller for two times in a row, which makes it more expensive and the wait longer. This is the reason I have been experimenting with other bodyoils lately otherwise I'd repurchase.
 

3. Pukka Nourishing Face Oil

"a restorative treatment oil especially formulated for dry or damaged skin" (Pukka site)

Indeed! I had this oil 'hanging' in my closet for a while. During August I suddenly experienced really bad skin with new dry spots and my older scars became apparent again. I forgotten the oils for nighttime due to summer but I gotten this one in. Initially, the organic Rose Otto essences felt slightly irritating on my highly agitated skin, but my skin adapted to it the second and ongoing days. 

Short story: my skin has improved hugely and I'm so glad I had it around!

4. Aurelia Revitalise & Glow Serum

First review here. I finished a second bottle with is a claim of effectiveness for itself. I will review it more accurately soon.

A restorative treatment oil especially formulated for dry or damaged skin, - See more at: http://www.pukkaherbs.com/nourishing-face-oil-item.html#sthash.CMBvmgAB.dpuf

A restorative treatment oil especially formulated for dry or damaged skin, gently fragranced with rose and rose geranium.
Avocado and pomegranate for essential nourishment.
Calendula and rose otto for a radiant glow.
Nourishing Face Oil contains Omega Oil Formula, a fortified signature blend of Ayurvedic herbs which helps revitalise tired skin.
- See more at: http://www.pukkaherbs.com/nourishing-face-oil-item.html#sthash.CMBvmgAB.dpuf

A restorative treatment oil especially formulated for dry or damaged skin, gently fragranced with rose and rose geranium.
Avocado and pomegranate for essential nourishment.
Calendula and rose otto for a radiant glow.
Nourishing Face Oil contains Omega Oil Formula, a fortified signature blend of Ayurvedic herbs which helps revitalise tired skin.
- See more at: http://www.pukkaherbs.com/nourishing-face-oil-item.html#sthash.CMBvmgAB.dpuf

5. Collistar Face Magic Drops Self Tanner

Original review here. Also, this has been my 3rd bottle and has been a skinsaver during the (fake)tan season. I have tried some other facial self-tans but Collistar gives the most natural & healthy tanned result.

Burberry-ed: orangy lips

In my preview I showed some labels that I bought. I was quite curious about the Givenchy matte foundation and I loved the natural-look when testing it.

But I am not up to showing boring useful foundation-swatches today, so I will get red and orangy instead.

I really had a craving to buy something new from the Burberry Spring range. Perhaps because I really need this winter to be over and hoping I can coach spring into the weather when I wear it, or delude my mind into happiness when wearing brighter colours.

Actually, I wanted to go for the Hydrangea Pink blush first, but I need to see it swatched first. Holland is having the Spring '13 colours online (here), but the brick-n-mortar shops haven't been stocked yet.

Lipgloss-wise, I picked a colour I wouldn't normally go for:

Burberry calls this one a Coral, although I wouldn't call it a real coral colour. I think it's a bit goldfish with a slight dusting of gold shell, making it still rather tropical:

I especially went for this one as it looked really unique and plumping in the various swatches I've seen online (example 1, 2). I figured that the warmer glow and golden particles can be a excellent way to warm up and give dimension to my cooler, purplish lipsticks.

The Collistar lipstick actually was a GWP but I really like it a lot. 

Italian creativity with the lipstick? I'm going to wear it frequently now ;)

The colour that comes closest to it, is my Edward Bess Midnight Bloom. Collistar Scarlatto is a micro-shade lighter, making it looks a hint pinker than EB Midnight Bloom.

I consider it equal to EB Midnight Bloom in pigmentation, perhaps a bit more matte. 

swatches & goosebumps: "spring, where are you?"

As you can see: the Burberry 22 Coral is pigmented, but doesn't alter the original hue of the lipstick too much. It only gives it a more pink/rosy and glowier appearance.

Top line (instead of bottom line) is that the lipgloss totally lives up to my expectation. I actually like the fraganced luxurity of it, the balmy feel, and the idea that it is pigmented on it's own but extra-dimensional on another lipstick. Also, that is a fab GWP,  the Collistar Scarletto lipstick...yum.

☼ Now some sunny orangy rays and a warmer temperature to match the lipgloss ☼

Label-mentioning

I'm gonna show off the labels I got recently: Givenchééé, Burberry & Collistar:

Actually, the lesser known sister of this haul is actually one of the prettiest in design, and that says something with Burberry beauty in mind:

intricate shape of the Collistar lipstick

I will post the details of my haul soon... (✿◠‿◠)

Italians don't Fake: Collistar: Face Magic Drops (self-tanner)

A while ago I found myself not too satisfied with my collection of selftanners. The ones I have do a good job on my body but I found it not giving me a lasting bronze on my face...

I knew I had to find something else for the face. I tested out a product in the drugstore: Collistar Gocce Magiche Viso Concentrato autoabbronzante effeto ultra-rapido, or in easier (for me) English Face Magic Drops Self-tanning concentrate ultra-rapid effect.

Well, if you were lured to this article by the title you'll guess I do not really associate the classic Italian woman (or man) with self-tanning. I somewhat have the images of some famous Italians in mind:  Anna Della Russo (if she had work done it has been done quite naturally and she's a fan of real tanning), Monica Belluci (so beautiful at 47: if she's done surgery it was a really subtle one) who seems to embrace a more paler colour, Donnatella Versace (obvious work done & I guess real tanning),

Bellucci wearing NO MAKEUP & looking absolutely amazing  for the Elle France April 2009

Della Russo (49): her face shows signs of tanning in her life

Donatella (57): obvious Plastic surgery but the neck is a giveaway for a tanning past (probably her tan too)

(Sorry for the large pictures but as beautybloggers we look beyond the fashionable clothes of these stylish Italians and most of us are concerned with premature ageing as well. I wanted to show you the effect of tanning (Donatella & Anna) compared to frequent sun- protection (Monica B))

I DO believe the younger generation of Italians believe in a high sunscreen and will probably self-tan too, but my image of the 'classic italian' is of true sun-admirers.

So, if an Italian product would fake a tan: it should be

1. Good and realistic looking
2. on the darker spectrum
3.  beautifying

And Collistar Face Magic Drops promise all 3!

Ingredients:

'Swatches'

1. Applicator with the liquid:

2. A drop of bronze Magic on a vampire-state inner arm: 

3. Just applied: Slightly dewy and already a believable bronze glow:

4. Spot after 4 hours: a warm bronze that is neither too dark, nor too light.

My experience: 

It stood the boyfriend test! Sometimes  I apply one of my XenTan's on my face, & I get the 'what have you done??? Did you put poo on your face?' remark.  Most girls like to look beautiful and most boyfriends know the girls do stuff to make them prettier, but, like many men,  they do not really wanted to be confronted to them. Ok, there are some men who would go with you and have a dual treatment in a beauty-parlor, but somehow that wouldn't really be my cup-of-tea either.

When I apply my Collistar Magic drops I do get an instant tan (as seen in the swatches) but it's a glowy kind of tan that almost looks like good makeup or, better, a real tan!

The fading is gradual and not blotchy at all: It fades after 3 days (and I scrub & clarisonic a lot so that's why my Xen Tan isn't really holding on to my face).
Most of all, it really feels like a beauty treatment combined with tanning because my face gets a lovely glow during and afterwards.
The scent with application is a floral one with a hint of coconut, almost perfumy, but it doesn't irritate my sensitive skin at all: It smells rather like a niche perfume.
When developing there was no 'biscuit' fake-tan scent, which, close to your sniffer, is quite good.

Conclusion:

Truely, when Italians fake they sure do not let you know about it! This stuff is really a magic bronzer and really wonderful for the face.