One Sample led to another: Marie-Stella-Maris

I've been happy to sample up something from a new cosmetic company: Stella-Marie-Maris

I fell head over heels on the minimalistic packaging and the French aura it exuded. Especially the heels because the footcream with thyme is bliss for tired, parched feet.

 Doesn't it look like a Saint Laurent editorial?

 

I absolutely feel like being invited to a show during fashionweek:

 

Now we've gotten the superficial intentions of buying out of the way, don't we all fall for packaging every now and then, it has an inside too:

Ok, besides the ingredients:

Their website: I think they 'care for water', or is that just a hunch of mine?

This is also highlighted on their packaging:

Beyond looking through the rose-tinted glasses of nobility towards good causes like water maintainance, I am quite enthousiastic about this footcream.

Feet are somewhat the forgotten child of the beauty industry: only few companies pay attention to them. But how important or annoying can they be when they're not happy or feeling good? A good footcream should be the perfect hybrid between being moisturizing but also fast absorbant: who is actually sleeping with socks in order to get pretty feet? Raise your hands (or feet) if you do!

Besides of absorbing rapidly, they also have this wonderful blend of herbs that give zest to tired feel.  A mix of pepper mint, thyme, natural oils and pumice makes them feel cleaner. 

So this specific sample led me to the full size. It's a gorgeous footcream that will revitalize tired (sandal/slippered/heeled or broody sneaker-ed) feet to life again. And I think it will add the right amount of moisture when winter will arrive.

Perhaps there will be more on the cards with my new set of samples:

Who knows? 

Find them on their website, skins' website or at their flagstore @ Herengracht in Amsterdam.

Face Tonic edition *roundup*

Sometimes I get into a certain hype of something, then I buy some (and some more), and then I think "do I have enough?". Answer: "I might have too much".

 Within this edition I bring you floral waters...I gotten into them during the summer, re-introduced by Tammy Fender and her blissfully calming Roman Chamomile Tonic that was a part of her sensitive set. After that I ventured on more types of facial waters within a cheaper range and more variety in the properties of the embedded flower/plant etc. 

Here's a roundup of the ones I have:

1. Erica Rosewater:

 Erica is a Dutch brand that basically brings out simple organic products. It is made of a 100% Bulgarian Rosewater and it costs me under €2. Perhaps there are more bio-dynamical brands out there but for the purity it is simply a wonderful water that calms and is quite rejuvenating for the skin. I mix mine with OrangeBlossom water for a more diverse blend and sometimes I add some MSM powder to get an even effect in calming redness etc.

2. Erica Orange BlossomWater (Neroli)

Similar as the Rosewater only orangeblossom water has different properties and you can read several of the raves/benefits on MUA (here). I adore the scent as it is flowery-citrusy positive scent and it has adstringent qualities which works on the acne-prone parts of my face. It is still mild enough for the dryer parts. 

3.  Sana Hadanomy Mist

I have this one for more than a year and it has been a repurchase. It is supposed to have collagen inside and it is not as natural/organic as my other blends. However, I love the fact it is slightly 'tacky' or better say moisturizing and without scent at all. 

4.   Suti Peppermint Water

I got this one based on rave reviews and the fact that peppermint is known as the ultimate calming plant. Then again, I googled 100% peppermint water later and got cheaper options. I still love Suti and this blend is really refreshing on holidays or as a perk up during flying. I prefer to use the pure blend and not mix it with other waters.

5.  Melvita Eau Fraiche Micellair

Finally a more productive water: a micellair that removes makeup as well. This has also been a repurchase and I prefer it over Nuxe Micellair/Bioderma as it is natural, and effective cleanser and feels really soothing on the skin.

6.   Saniflore Aqua Magnifiqua

My original review is over here. I haven't been using it that much yet because I'm quite attached to my rosewater/neroli/MSM mixture but I still like its effectiveness on pores and congested skin. 

7. Saniflore Noble Chamomile

Original review here.  I decanted this in a tinier bottle on my lastest journey, but the passenger next to me was not so enchanted by the calming chamomile than I was. I still like it, but sometimes I prefer peppermint water for a less plant/dirt-like scent.

8. Kora by Miranda Kerr Energising Mist

I bought this one based on curiosity and the fact the model herself looks basically flawless. I am not too fond of the blend: somehow the citrusy note has too much of a herbal essence that I neither find soothing or energising. Also, the mister isn't really distributing the water evenly over the face.

 

So this is the collection of face tonics that I have right now. So do you like them and what types do you reach for?

Rituals Fortune shower Oil

I feel it is time for a good old review with too much talk and with a bit of sense.

I like Rituals as it is one of the few Dutch Cosmetic brands that gotten big outside Holland. They started out in 2000 and I loved them instantly. They had this Eastern (sorry about being vague) holistic feel with shops that were/are decorated in rustic colours & with wash-n-water departments to try out your products immediately.

I have liked washing oils a lot and an because I have been into various Japanese products that work with this concept. Face-oil cleansers came first and the body followed up. I have tried l'Occitane Almond cleansing oil for body too. They often feel much softer on the skin during winter-showers.

I feel like this person in the shower:

Hehehe, not really but I loved the oiled up quality of her skin. Actually with the studs on her back she reminds me of that Aston Kucher "Dude, Where's My Car?" movie.

Storyline: Geeky Aston & friend meet a supergorgeous woman and get into a night partying with other model-types. They turned out to be aliens. (Youtub)

 

I like how this film

1. has a pre-Demi-divorced Aston in it...cuuuuute
2. plays with the idea that women who are "too pretty", "too tall", "size 0" etc cannot be human.
3. hilarious in that 2000-something kinda way.

My shower-oil is actually aimed at making you feel human again:

Laughing Buddha: Bringer of Happiness. Symbol of good luck and Prosperity

 It works as simple as the face oils for cleansing:

1. Put the oil on either dry or wet skin 
   
2. Add water
3. Lather into a milky cleansing substance
   

4. Rinse

Verdict:

• Scent: a high fraganced, slightly artificial orange with the hint of a Cedar note
• Scent: Thus a wonderful concoction to get going in the morning (awakening orange) but feel warmer as well (Cedar)
• Substance: Thinner, slightly runny (dry) oil
• Substance: A little goes a longer way
• Afterfeel: more moisturizing than shower-gels etc
• Afterfeel: fragance stays on for quite long
• Price:  Quite affordable for € 8.50 for 200 ml/6.7 fl.oz

Conclusion: Affordable way to cleanse yourself in a Haute-Spa way but try before to see it the fragance agrees with you.

Availability: At the rituals site (here) for € 8.50 for 200 ml

Catrice Lace Patch Eyeliners

I had already been quite the pinteresting person and you might notice I have added the sidebar to my beauty-stuff to this blog.

So I noticed something similar to what I found on the beauty-spiration boards (miss beauty eyedeco left) and what is in our loyal drugstores (Catrice box right)

I didn't expected it to be much, under 4EU but it adheres quite well without being irritating:

So another collage with me on the right...Sorry about the lack of eyebrow definition: I'm a closet redhead which can be hidden by some eyebrow pencil/pen/powder, but they're not that defined by themselves:

Gosh, I look like a sad puppy but I love how it can be used without any extra glue. I also removed it from my skin and the glue is still working: multi-appliable it is!

Verdict: a fun and affordable addition for girls & women who like to have that bit of extra eyedeco.

Rituals Hammam Hot Scrub: mini-spa-ness...

For today I thought it would be good to look at a 'spa-at-home' product.

Most of us are in that pre-christmas haze that we do not have that much time (and money) to spend in a real spa, but still do not want to resemble a lizard in that dreadful moment we have to present ourselves in our christmas dresses (or perhaps a cute Tux like Bianca Jagger ;D).

Overal, the combination of the body-showing event and the midst of winter is not the best combination, so time to look at some scrubbies...

Rituals Hammam Hot Scrub: Ginger & Eucalyptus & sea salt

Rituals has been a Dutch brand around since approximately a decade, and it is that good (and well marketed I believe) that they have been branching out their products outside the country as well.

Their main cities are displayed on the shopping bag, but I have them seeing mentioned in the British Glossy magazines as well, so I know they are available in the UK.

I picked the Hammam warming scrub because I didn't have any scrub available at my home (mostly from etailers from the US) and they were the weekly deal: €10 instead of € 14,90.

But most importantly, I have been interested in the Hammam scrub for some time because it smells really good and is incredibly grainy and warming.

And the instructions on the back mention that is is aimed to relieve fatigue and to lift the mood...yep, I need that!

Rituals Hammam scrub: instructions in various languages.

The Ritual stores are quite inviting to try out their product. They have these luxury water basements and most of their line ready to use at the side. Afterwards, they have these fresh hand-towelettes to dry your hands in a luxurious style and the interior of their shops is quite luxe. Some Dutch train-stations have these Ritual shops and they are so wonderful for waiting commuters who like to scrub their hands and try out some things.

The scrub is quite large and contains a hefty dose of 250 gr or 8.8 oz. But don't be too fooled because that black lid on top is like a high hat and it is not filled to the brim of that black hat.

It's still bigger than my BELOVED CoconutHut Beauty scrub, but I picked their 4 oz size and they have a 8 oz size as well, but I like to vary scent-wise so I picked their smaller one (ooops, that is another review that is up in the making)

Back to the Rituals:

Their scrub is based on SEASALT, so beware of little wounds on the body-parts or you will feel a different feeling of 'invigoration'.

Their other two main ingredients: Ginger and Eucalyptus, are really strong and remind me of those old-fashion spa's or perhaps those cough-rubbing balms.

But it sure wakes you up for a moment.

The large grains are perfect for that last-minute cellulite blasting, although I know I will never blast all of it, but it is all in the effort and the mind that it somewhat looks a bit less ;D.

So this combination makes me feel clean and has a semi-spa-like experience.

It never goes really spa-like, unless you have a willing partner with good hands and patience who likes to perform the 'therapist'-role for you (that is a different kind of role-play, think of it, the kind of role-play women would prefer, teeeheee)

It doesn't really get warming as some of these warming-scrubs do, but the ginger/eucalyptus and invigorate scrubbing of the large grains get the blood flowing, so I do not have to complain that often (see post yesterday) about the cold.

Rituals has an online shop over here and the Hammam Scrub is over here  € 14,90

Oh, and for the people remembering the glorious 1990s, I wanna put up some other TLC (the fab girl-group) and their idea on scubs ;D

Patriotic Purchase: Ellis Faas Skin Veil Foundation

I got myself a pretty new pen, albeit an expensive one!

Living in a smaller country, the amount of cosmetic products that come from Dutch grounds are not as elaborate as to say the UK or the US.

The one that really is quite undutch because of its niche-ness and high quality (with a price that includes that) is the makeup from Ellis Faas.

I skipped Ellis Faas for that specific reason, quite expensive and niche. Also, the lipstick-colours and blush did not really shouted out to me.

One product that wowed me lately has been their fluid foundation:

I would have skipped this foundation half a year ago because it is quite sheer, and almost like a tinted moisturizer. During summer I could use a lighter product.

So now I could venture on a thin foundation that is not a complexion hider, but a complexion embellisher!

Comes in Ellis Faas Skin Veil:

The beauty of its foundation is that is functions as that extra bit of candelight glow effect, or that bit of softening effect that you can do with your photoediting tool.

From Ellis Faas site it says the following:

SKIN VEIL FOUNDATION
ELLIS FAAS believes that foundation should illuminate the skin without feeling or appearing like a mask. With an exceptional balance of high-quality ingredients, Skin Veil glides on in a thin layer, blending into the skin.
Skin Veil minerals diffuse light across the skin’s surface, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. ELLIS FAAS foundation incorporates moisturising ingredients which nourish the skin as well as up to SPF 15 PA+++ for ultimate protection.
  ELLIS FAAS Skin Veil is recommended for all skin types.

I had the choice between the pump-disposer product, that on economic base would have been a better deal. Nevertheless, I opted for the silver pen for practical reasons: to take it on the road!

You can argue about the hygiene of this product, but similarly as cult-product YSL touche éclat, it is as hygienic as you can keep it: you can cleanse and desinfect the brush as much as possible. (which I intent to do).

I also got an extra ink-bullet, ehm, foundation-bullet for when the first one runs out. So it is a reasonable deal.

Duh, I am already talking about deals without even saying anything about its price. I purchased the pen for 45 euros and that will give 14 ml of product in total. The pump would give you 30ml for 65 euros.

I think there are quite some places to buy this, but I will give the link to Ellis Faas site. I personally bought mine in a brick-and-mortar niche Dutch Shop, but they were too cheapskate (or skint) of samples so I will not give you that link. Ha ha, at least something can be typically Dutch (although a shame on them, for a niche shop)