Best of 2014: Makeup

Last year has been an adventure in makeup, and in beauty-stuff in general. I thought I finally had it figured out looking quite pretty...Then winter came and I gotten into the "why I look like this? I'm so healthy, use such great products, etc" phase. Either way,  makeup has helped me in getting my extra-pretty on in the good phase, and taking of the edges on the 'blah'-moments.

Blush:

Surratt, especially La Vie en Rose & Grisaille

I started out with a little number called "la Vie en Rose" and ended up with 4 more! I would say that Surratt makes the most unobtrusive blush around...I can either shade it in gently, or give it a bit of 80s exaggeration. Basically: LOVE.

Bronzer:

Ellis Faas Glow Up in S503.

Originally, I was send the wrong colour and tried it before I noticed (mind, Dutch shops are less forgiving on returning policies). I ended up loving this little number for being a supergorgeous bronzer, though the season for bronzing has not really arrived yet.

Foundation:

Edward Bess  Ultra Dewy Complexion Perfector

 Actually, a tinted moisturizer with the right kind of build-up level. My healthy lifestyle gave me the liberty to go lighter on foundation (until winter came...sight).

So for winter I went for Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer Fluid Foundation. It reminds me of Armani Designer Lift Foundation in terms of being powdery/velvety, only better. I don't have a full review yet but Monsieur Alex has a good review going on and foundation-pro The Beauty Professor too.

Powder:
Koh Gen Do Natural Lighting Powder
Light, airy and a beautiful finish without loosing radiance.

Concealer:
Dolce & Gabanna in Creamy has been both brilliant in concealing pesky spots as eliminating undereye circles.

I liked Charlotte Tilbury retoucher for blurring out undereye circles. But I'm still smitten with Givenchy Mr. Light.

Highlighter:

Charlotte Tilbury wins it on the liquid front.

Surratt is the perfect powder highlighter.

Primer: 

No real winners either. I'd be curious for By Terry Densiliss if only it was not claimed to be so fraganced.

Mascara:

Makeup Forever smoky Extravagant Mascara.....

I received a mini-size in the Sephora Happy Birthday set. I just love everything: from the way the brush is shaped to it's glossy but still 'grip-py' formula. I pair in over my lash-primer Kanebo Kate Maximizer in black (review here) which will keep my lashes long, strong and weatherproof until I take it off.

Eyeliner: 

Kanebo Kate Supersharp Liner

I rediscovered it again for being thin & foolproof for dummies like I am. Also, it stays on until you take it off.

Eyepencils:

Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayons

I still really like Pixi Endless but the Marc Jacobs wins by convenience: the twist-up formula!

Eyeshadow:

 Chanel Poésie

Chanel is not my ultimate eyeshadow formula around but I reached most for this palette for having the perfect balance of neutral colours.

Eyebrows:
Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade in Blonde. The right colour for my light brows and the cream is a breeze to apply with the right brush.
 
Special Occasion:
Velours 'Are those Real' Fake Eyelashes

There are times a girl needs some extra flutter and these held up quite well with a bit of clear eyelash glue.

Lipstick:

Tom Ford Lips & Boys

The boys won from NARS female stars (Audacious): The formula is more my cup of tea, the packaging, and what about the brilliant selling point?

Lipgloss:

2014 was such a lipstick year but Marc Jacobs Lust for Life Lip Vinyl won me over for feeling so minty fresh and having that superb multisparkle that only a lipgloss can really pull off.

Nails:

Burberry nails in Nude Pink has been my favourite for being so effortlessly neutral, having good coverage and a longer wear than most nailpolishes.
 
 In general, I have had some changes since my Best of Makeup 2013, but I still love plenty from that year. I rotate my Koh Gen Do Maifanshi foundation and the RBR Time Defying foundation with my newer loves. NARS concealer is still one of my favourites.
 I somewhat lost my love for organic makeup, which I made up in skincare. I did try out some newer formulas and I still rely on Kjaer Weis & RMS Uncover when my skin is acting up. I hope to find some newer organic makeup loves in 2015 so I can have a cleaner choice when I want/need to.

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:
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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 :)

The Cheapskate Way to Expensive Makeup

Happy Easter!  

I have been into makeup for a couple of years and have both access to cheaper and some more expensive brands. I love to compare both, see if the niche is aaaalways better (or not), and want to share some tips of how to do The Cheapskate Way to Expensive Makeup

1. Fast Technology and family 

 Huh? 

Fast technology, think how brilliant Armani Fusion Makeup foundation has been since 2012 and how L'oreal made a clone-tastic variety in 2013 by Nude Magique Eau de Teint (review here , here & here). Another one, how revolutionary was Kerastase Elixir Ultime and how fast it has been replicated by the zillions of other hairoils?

Family, brands like L'oreal often have a zillion subbrands that sell someting similar under a diffferent name & cheaper pricecard.  For example the beautiful Kerastase - I think that the L'oreal Professionel line can be just as good or even more expertised. They often have the same technologies and laboratories as Kerastase but are in slightly less polished bottles. They are often used abundantly by hairdressers and they know their stuff.

 2. Sample, Sampling Samplinged!

Buy your things at places that are often generous, bug ask the Sales Assistent what would suit your skin most: and add "your skin is sensitive so if she would have a sample to try out"...etc etc. Find online places that sell samples instead of full-sized. How often do you really empty a full eyeshadow palette or a perfume? Not that much, right? Samping gives a good way of experimenting.

The Perfumed Court - niche perfume Samples

The Body Needs - Mac pigment samples (I'm so passed MAC but I used to love them when my something in thirtysomething wasn't that much yet)

Various mineral Makeup shops have dupes of the popular stuff, and often they are less chemical/friendlier for skin: eg Alima , Silknaturals, MeowCosmetics, lucyminerals, or find even more at Phyrra's blog.

For organics head over to naturisimo.com as you can take 5 samples per order, or the sample service of beingcontent.com.

3. Pretty face & a pretty wallet = good enough

 You don't always have buy the pretty box! Various brands sell refills that you can easily use without ever have bought the original packaging.

4. You can't always get what you want, but know what you need!

Enabling of bloggers often might make you think you reaaaallly gonna need the $100 eyeshadow brush they recommend, and about a 100 more of the same line/expensive range! But  you might not even be into an intricate eye with 8 different eyeshadows. So a couple of brushes is enough. Or perhaps you enjoy your Dolce & Gabanna perfume just as much or even more than the $200 Byredo/Killian/Ineke varieties out there. There's a reason the drugstore perfumes are more popular so don't feel enabled into going niche because Ms. X does. 

Ps: I do love the eyeshadow brush posts from bloggers like sweetmakeuptemptations. It's like beautyblogger's porn: something you would never do yourself but still looks so lovely if you would have so many brushes with all the skills and perhaps the right canvas (face) as well.

5. Read, Read, Read, & take the best

You already stumbled upon my blog so I guess you read beautyblogs.  Take the best of a brand! Most brands have something they really excel in. Some have a kick-ass eyeliner or the most amazing lipstick. Just take the cream of the Crop.

6. Go Global

Beautystandards are (still) different from place to place, and so does each countries' expertise on the 'beauty-goal'. Japan is being innovative in brightening skincare. On the other side of the spectrum, the UK loves their bronzed godesses so you'll find a high expertise and selection of selftanners. "French women don't get Fat"? Thanks to their zillions of anti-cellulite creams. And for makeup the US is absolutely present. So more choice, more competition, more expertise & lower prices by each country on their 'beauty-goal'.

I think there are a lot of other ways to look good for not that much cash, so I might do a follow up on this one. Please comment if you have some fab advices on going cheaper with the same 'expensive face'-look.

Ps: have an amazing day and please enjoy your naughty food too: I adore chocolate and it's actually a superfood (without the sugar, but hey, can't have it all...)

Loving right now...

Molten Makeup looks...

I always have a good excuse to want my anti-ageing products to work well because I'd love to wear these looks without looking age-inappropriate, only a bit eccentric....

BBB's Best of 2013 - Makeup

Welcome to BirkinBagBeauty's Best of 2013!

I'll be starting off with all pretty and functional 'paint': the warpaint, peacepaint, coverpaint, enhance-paint and the funpaint of makeup.

"eyes are the mirror of the soul" (and a dent in my wallet)

I have been rekindled in my love for makeup in 2013 and the eyes were the focus. I was one of the 1st to get Le Metier de Metier Bauhaus (see here) and I still love the boldness & versality of the palette.

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 I refound an older love too: Coffret d'Or Shine Accent Eyes in 01 Orange Spring I bought here.

It is like a more subtle version of my latest Charlotte Tilbury palette in Golden Goddess, and has peeeeeaaach in it.

“Lips are the fingerprints of love.” 

~Tyler Shields

Lipstick:

Givenchy Le Rouge in Rose Boudoir is the one I reach for the most: often after experimenting with newer colours/textures in the shops. It is velvety without being too matte; it doesn't compete with a strong eyeshadow, but isn't too boringly neutral either. Overal, a nice pop of flush for the lips in that sublime Givenchy texture.

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Lipgloss:

I loved YSL Rouge Pur Couture before most-famous-face-of-'13 Cara became face of that brand too: actually seeing a tomboy-type glam up with the right lipgloss is a good salepoint for me. I really like how the lipgloss glows without going into tacky territory; how it last long enough without feeling obtrusive; and the way it fades into a pretty stain. As for the colour: This reddish pink is vibrantly present when I want to have a stronger definition on the lips and a softer focus on the eyes.

“As beautiful as woman's blush, as evanescent too.”   

 ~Letitia Landon

This has been a difficult vote, as my infatuations in blush is as evanescent as described in the quote above. Good thing I could nominate the different textures...

Blush/Bronzer hybrid Michael Kors Bronzer Powder in Flush 02 has already gotten my stamp of approval in December (here) and it has gotten the top vote for this category. Runner up is Rouge Bunny Rouge at Goldcombe Bay for a contouring bronzer hue without blushtones.

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For days that I love to have everything organic, I vote for Josie Maran Cosmetics Color Stick in Petal Pink: it is slightly shimmery and in a rosy hue. It blends quite nice and the scent is delightful.

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I haven't forgotten about my early 2013 blush-infatuation Kose Addiction Cheek Polish in Tadzio 06 (review here). It is a fresh & cooler pink that lightens up the face and I love it when all other features (lips/eyes) take a step back.

Yes, and a special mention for cheek/lip multitasker 

 

Rouge Bunny Rouge Decadent Duo in Rumba Cubana:

This one has been my purse-favourite. The blush-side is always the right colour with a multitude of lipcolours and wonderful for the mid-day perking up. The lipgloss has the quality to plump lips without too much drama, and feels like a dream. The above Rumba/Cubana is as good as empty and I have a backup for future uses ♥ 

"The best thing is to look natural, but it takes makeup to look natural"

~Calvin Klein

Full Cover: Rouge Bunny Rouge Time Defying Foundation in Wheatgrass

I'm a complicated person about my base foundation: I'm often too sensitive for the likes of Chanel or YSL (hello fragance), I have to cope with winter-patches and I want to look younger. Enter RBR latest foundation: scentless, with plenty of goody ingredients and I get "your skin looks good"-compliments when wearing it. My only pet-peeve is the colour: it looks dark in the swatch but applies quite light: But it's a good match when not on selftan.

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Light Cover: Koh Ren Do Maifanshi in 123

Revieved here: a perfect colour and dewy complexion. Now if it only was sold at more places than Barneys.

“Statistics are like a bikini. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital.”   

~Aaron Levenstein  

yes, that's the Game of Thrones actress (the one with the white wig)

So we're not talking bikini's yet, the ones in Australia and Brazil probably are, but a good concealer should be as invisible as it wizardy strengths to what it has to conceal. So the same story about my skin, [problematic], and I get the occasional pimple between what we  the lovingly can call 'living lines'.

Eyes:

Givenchy Mr. Light in Mr. Toast 03  is as buttery as you need for under your eyes. It diffuses dark circles in a wonderful way without getting topsy-turvy panda look. It photographes nicely too, without flashback. It doesn't settle in the lines and it is wonderful for shadows around the nose, and that bit of extra light to optically plump lips.

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Organic:

I discovered NVEY Eco Foundation thanks to blogger Emma. I love organic products on days when I want to detox from the non-organic stuff I put on my face. It is somewhat similar as RMS uncover, only without the heavy/pasty feeling RMS has. Peach 875 is actually a bit too light for me, but it works wonderfully on red/flaky patches as the creamy consistency smoothes without irritating.

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Pimples & Eyes

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla is my multitasker for eyes/pimples. I think you've encountered several raves and I can only say that I love it as well.

That is my Best of '13...Makeup-list for now: I could extend by listing the pencils etc, but I wanted to focus on the ones that really stood out for me in 2013, not the whatever rotation ones.

So, what have been your faves and why?

Xmas Eye: Soft Sequins

For Christmas I went for a more original approach upon the smoky eye. 

I was inspired by the photo on the left as it is a sparkly sequinned eye that looks complicated but has a one-coloured brick base and extended sequins to the eyebrows in a matching shade 

I stuck to the 'rules of maturity of the 30-something woman' that my fave Driveller had scanned in 

-> rule 4 (here): Glossy eyes shall refrain from glossy lips1 (& vv)

Products used...not too difficult:

Edward Bess Dune base

MAC pigment in Jalouse slightly over the crease

Bobbi Brown eyeliner from middle to exaggerated ends

Ciate loose sequins in Miss Sequin in the crease. 

I didn't sequinned up to the eyebrow as the model has: because 

1. she's a face model and I am not 

2. My own age-rule: don't over-sequin!

3. I live in Holland and modesty is key (this was already quite 'OTT' when I went shopping at boxing day)

1. I'd gloss up my lips every day if I feel like non-obeying and I might do so for NYE...

This look is not that complicated and you can actually dose the amount of sequins for a higher impact: so I might repeat this in another colour/accent for NYE.

Halloween Inspiration: Silver Spacebird & Neo Morticia Adams

 Halloween is a time of creativity to go extravagant with makeup & pre-play creation of might wear looks.

So I found these two stunning creations in Zink magazine (Summer actually) that seems quite fitting for the Halloween Theme. 

1. Silver Spacebird:

I'm like total "oooooh" on this creation and I do not know how to begin to marvel about her impeccable skin, the suble rose hued blush under her cheekbones, the peach shimmer on her eyelids. Those are the soft & pretty elements, which are daringly contrasted with *POW*, a deep cobalt lipstick.

Also, I have been discussing Catrice Eye-decals yesterday but how about getting yourself some vinyl tape and glue-ing them up to your eyebrows? Genius!

For the silver feathers I think spraying or buying the real bird feathers is a cheaper and lighter option than this model is wearing.

2. The new Morticia Adams:

 

 The emphasis are on that same brilliant vinyl eyebrow idea I as before: but a totally impeccable complexion is key to make the eyebrows as stricking as they are. Moreover, a good wig that has been crimped by those awful awesome crimpers that were around in the 1980s! Adding, the perfect sheer-feathered dress, some edgy black cuffs and a serious expression.

I love the photo on the right as well: a cross-over between Little Red Riding Hood & the ominious Silence of the Lambs,  only so much prettier.

The series is called "Altered Egos" by Irvin Rivera and more of it can be found over here.

Wedding Belle

Today I do not have a completely cosmetic related post, but I have something that is highly related to beauty: wedding and marriage.

How trite it must sound, I guess a lot of us aim to look beautiful for our (future) other halfs: I also love the simple intricity (oxymoron) of a wedding makeup: it should be natural, but still spellbinding enough to *wow* the man you are going to spend your life with.

This wedding Belle was photographed by me at the Tuileries Gardens in Paris, perhaps one of the more romantic places to have your wedding photos to be taken ♥.

I love how she is slightly dominant and points her groom-to-be how to fix her dress for the photos ; )

And that dress with the pearls is a dream: slightly sensual with the lace & the emphasis on her curves, but the cute hat & pearls make it dainty and cute again. And the red lipstick & nails are always a classic.

Makeup Mosaic

♥ A couple of looks I would like to try ♥

(for Halloween or other parties)

Armani-fied

I have been abandoning a part of my beauty-frugalism for the exceptional quality of Armani's Cosmetics.

I am eager to try their even-more exceptional new concealer: the Maestro Erasor in 4 (I really like their older one). A simple, but according to the raves really exceptional, eyepencil in black, and their delicious Rouge d' Armani Sheer in Bitten 600.

I received these samples and I've been wearing the Giorgio Armani Prive in Cuir Noir today: it's slightly masculine but also quite sexy: like coming into a warm cabin after skiing and finding a terrifically gorgeous and slightly muscular man waiting for you with some warm cocoa before the fireplace.

(I got my haul from parfuma.com and have no affiliations with them, just an eagerness for Armani cosmetics these days. I also have an eagerness for skiing since wearing the Armani Privee in Cuir Noir, but that's a whole different story (see above))

Summer Makeup wishlist

1. Jill Stuart Fig Tart blush from the Summer Patisserie Collection

First spotted by reading Rougedeluxe's blog. I love this one because it is a lot brighter and more reddish/pink than the usual collection of blush that Jill Stuart has. And as a food lover, I am smitten by the name :-)

I have seen it online but I still haven't ordered it yet. Probably because this one isn't cheap and I am not too certain about the people selling it.

2. Kose Addiction Lady of the Lake eyeliner pencils (or the lacquer)

screenprint from their video

I think it was the challenge that Yumeko from Bittenbefore gave other beautybloggers to show their collection in colour schemes. Some of the bloggers had trouble finding enough whites but I actually love white eyeliners, and saw that the Lady of the Lake collection has an awesome white pencil called Moonwalk:

Now I know Kose Addiction doesn't come cheap but they often excel in what they do in makeup.

I like the eyelacquers too, but I  am not really into high-makeup when going into the water (pool or sea) but a good pencil often gives out some definition or extra zest to the eyes.

Any specific makeup items you have been eyeing up?

Last Week's Newbies

Last week I had two sort of hauls: Makeup & Skincare.

• The Makeup came from Zuneta.com. They had a fab deal on the Rouge Bunny Rouge and I look advantage of that.

• The skincare is from Naturisimo.com: Naturisimo specialises on natural and organic skincare.

From Naturisimo I got the Akin Refreshing & soothing toner with some delightful orange blossom. I also added a natural-based Eau Micellaire or a cleansing water from Melvita. The Melvita handcream (left) is a freebie.

I also bought the small Caudalia Beauty Elixir: also such a fragance boost.

Caudalia B.E & freebies

From Rouge Bunny Rouge I bought another blush in Orpheline & the eyeliner pencil in Selene. Buying two RBR product got me a lipgloss free: Crips Sorbet 005

It's a beautiful deeper peach with pink flecks & a reddish glow: quite complex. It's sheer enough to layer over your lipstick without altering the base colour. Also quite beautiful on it's own.