The Weekend Face

I saw that you really liked my post last week of The Sunday Face so I figured I'd do this again. This time, it's a Saturday face, or really a general weekend face. Since I'm looking mildly healthier from repeated sun exposure over the past week, I'm going to be using even less make-up, but we still need to look presentable.

As you can see, I'm still not giving up the cheek tint, since it really gives you a lovely little pop of colour while looking very natural, but have switched to the Benefit Cha Cha Tint, because I'm less pale and more warm toned now.
Another thing I can't give up yet is concealer, this time, the pick is the Soap & Glory Kick Ass Concealer, about which I still have mixed feeling but am giving a couple more tries to be sure. Have you tried it? What do you think? I'll be reviewing it soon as well but I'm curious of your experiences.
What I always grab if I want a fast and pretty fix is my Inglot palette that you can see up close and personal Here. It has everything and it is immensely effective!
While I love the Rimmel Lycra Flex Mascara, on the more relaxed days, I will always grab my Eyeko Fat Mascara because well....I'll always love fiber mascara above all else.

Last but not least, what days SPRING IS HEREEEE! more than Barry M's Greenberry  polish? It has been a favourite since summer and you can see what it looks like on my nails in This post.

How's your face looking this weekend? And ladies, if there is sun where you are, enjoy it to the max!






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The Sunday Face

My weekends usually are set aside as the time where I put nothing on my face, but today I'm going to be out and about for some mild socialising and wanted to show you what would go on my face for the occasion.
Mind you, my everyday look isn't much different, it just implies extra eyeshadow and liner. I really do like to have as light a coverage as possible, even if at this point in almost spring, my face isn't the healthiest looking of things.

The new discovery I'm VERY happy about is the Elmiplant CC cream, as it has just the amount of coverage I need, is very hydrating and is based on natural ingredients. I used to be a massive consumer of the Maybelline BB cream, but ever since learning they test on bunnies, they are dead to me.

The new under-eye hero is Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer. I did not think I needed something this light, but it has proven me wrong. It really wakes your face up, especially since I was born with extra darkness around the eyes.

A really new favourite is also from Rimmel, the Scandaleyes Lycra Flex Mascara. I am a firm fiber mascara user, but I saw the word "flex" in this one and figured it would be different. It was indeed! Gives you the most insane lashes,while still not clumping or feeling heavy.

For the cheeks, I've been reaching for Benefit's PosieTint ever so often. I've had it for a while but hadn't used it much. Seems now is the right time. And for the extra glow, I dab a bit of Soap and Glory Glow All Out. Those two combined, or even on their own, will make you look healthy and happy in no time!

Last but not least, my immense darling: Inglot AMC matte lip pencil No. 14. After years of searching for the perfect nude, I have found the perfect "your lips but better" nude.
It's almost unthinkable for me to not have this in my bag at all times.





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September Favorites

I once said it would be a miracle for me to post my favorites on the first day of the month, as I tend to usually post favorites a wee bit late. Well, the miracle has yet to happen but guys! It's the 2nd and favorites are up. At least a pat on the back is in order I'd say.

                                
99% of this month's favorites are new ones, and all except my trusty Burt's Bees Peach & Willow Bark Deep Pore Scrub (review here) have been acquired in September or slightly before.

The Origins Drink Up Intensive face mask is basically everything and more they make it out to be. The one thing that really lives up to its hype. I mean, this thing is Fantastic!

I've been on the fence about getting the Benefit Sun Beam because they do say there are many dupes out there and the price is not fully justifiable. But I was in Boots one day and they had this cute Benefit mini pack which also contained the Sun Beam and I have to say, I am impressed! It lasts much longer than any of the dupes and the tiniest amount results in a beautiful glow.

Another thing that has recently reached me is the Burt's Bees Lemon Cuticle Butter and so far I'm really happy with it. Does its job SO well and smells amazing! Review to follow very soon,I'm just making it jump through more hoops at the moment.

Then of course, the Maybelline Color Tattoos. I've been using On and on Bronze most,but as you can see, I gracefully grabbed the wrong one. Nevertheless, everything about them impresses me: lasting power, color,texture...everything!

Moving on to lip love, I have become obsessed with the Top Shop Lip Crayons ( Review here ) . All I can say, this is what made me love mattes again. And of course, the beauty that is the Revlon Lip Butter    ( review also found here ). It's my go-to lip product at the moment. Sheer but strong enough to make an impact and beautifully moisturizing! 

So that was what I've been really liking this past month. Do we have any monthly loves in common and have you tried any of these?





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Beauty Bits I Picked Up In London

So here we are, showing off beauty bits once more! My last London trip consisted of a much less varied array of purchases. If I remember well it was a lipgloss I convinced myself into buying, and a lot ( I really mean A LOT) of nail polishes. Yeah, so much for diversity. 
Well this time, even if I had less time for shopping, I had a better idea of what can be found in London and where. And here's what I ended up with.

Last time I did a bit of sampling because even if I had heard a lot of great things about certain products, I wasn't going to buy them just like that, especially since they were skincare items. Such was the case with the REN  Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask. It was one of those "I need this!" things, but upon testing it, I wasn't that blown away. Basically it did nothing for me. My skin is usually pretty good so I suspect I just didn't need it. It was good to try before just buying and having it sit there unused.
The other thing I tried last time was the Origins Drink Up Intensive Mask. Now that one really helped since my biggest issue is having dry skin. It really was the first thing I got when I arrived. First trip was to Selfridges and by evening I was happily smearing it on my face.
Something else I loved the sound of was the Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer. I already had the regular tinted moisturizer and still use it on days where I just look dead tired, by mixing it up with some of my BB cream. Well... I am sad to report that while it looked absolutely amazing it feels like dust. At least for me. It just cannot compare to the fresh feeling the Maybelline BB Cream, like having just splashed water on my face. Suppose I'm spoiled now.

Other things I got were the Batiste Dry Shampoo, basically just a refill because it's such a life saver! Then I really wanted to try the Maybelline Color Tattoo and since Boots had a 3 for 2 thing going on, I ended up picking up the golden one also. I can tell you know, I'm liking them a lot!
Also in Boots they had this cute mini Benefit package with the Sun Beam, Posie and Cha Cha Tint.To be honest, I didn't need any of them but they looked so cute! Must say, I really like what the Sun Beam can do.
And of course, the Revlon Lip Butters. It's been awhile I wanted to get one but my face is not made for wearing pink and this particular one, the Creme Brulee seemed to never be in stock. Until now.
And then, guys, I discovered the Top Shop lip section! Never a huge fan of matte things as they dried out my lips to destruction, but upon trying the Top Shop Lip Pencil I was in complete awe! It stays on for what seems forever and doesn't dry your lips out. The Lip Bullet is more hydrating to begin with as it has a shimmery finish but the color...wow! Big fan here. I wish they had a bigger array of lip pencils because a nude one like that would save my life.If you have any other lip pencil suggestions, throw them my way, please!
Last but not least, stocked up on the Eyeko Fat Mascara because you can't not know what a fan I am by now!

Now, is there any one of these you'd like me to review first?


                     


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Benefit Concealers Revealed

How great was that title?Huh?

Leaving my masters degree in Wordsmith behind, let’s proceed to comparing and analyzing these two.

Stay Don’t Stray and Boi-ing

Stay Don’t Stray

This is only a primer for the concealer that is going to be applied, but I was impressed with it. I think it can stand alone easy as it’s better at concealing than a lot of products specifically designed for that.

It really has amazing coverage and with a tiny drop, everything disappears. It needs a bit of blending as it is quite bright, but it doesn’t get any minus points for that.
I really liked what it does in terms of making dark circles go away!

Boi-ing

For an “industrial strength” concealer, I didn’t seem that powerful. I was surprised to see it cover less than the Stay Don’t Stray Primer. That one left no indication of something dark being underneath it, the Boi-ing on the other hand…kinda did.

I don’t think it was a bad choice of shade, as I had the brightest, so in theory it should have been comparable to the primer, if not even better.

BUT using the Boi-ing over the Stay Don’t Stray  primer will probably give you a beautiful result!

What I’ve been told great things about is the Erase Paste, also from Benefit. I have yet to try it,  but I have high hopes and if anything can replace my current concealer, I will praise it from here to the tips of the trees. So stay tuned, you might hear miracles being told about!

My problem with both of them is that they dry out on my face and give me wrinkles by creasing in a very weird manner. I mean, I know my face and I know I’m at least 10 years too young for wrinkles, especially under my eyes.

The dryness might have something to do with the fact that I never use foundation so I just applied it on my bare skin, but then my question is, was it just created to be put on a foundation or primer base? It’s a bit discriminatory towards people like me who chose not to or well…don’t really need the base. Not trying to sound patronizing, but I just need concealer as my skin is quite good in its natural state and I’d like to keep it free for as long as my genes allow me.

But that was my only complain, the texture just didn’t fit my skin or my routine. I think because I’m used to the texture and blending behavior of my Rimmel Concealer, I expect it from others too. I think I’ll just stick to that one though.

If I’d have to pick a favorite, it would be Stay Don’t Stray for sure. It really covered up nicely and it’s just a concealer base. I personally would use it alone as it does a great job in hiding things. Not to mention that you can use it on a number of areas, seen as it is indeed a primer. The concealer part is my personal opinion on how you can use it, because I was really impressed by its coverage.

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Favorites: Highlighting and Illuminating

I think that between my Highlighter Addiction Wishlist and the recent swooning over the MeMeMe SunBeam you might have gotten the slight hint about the serious obsession I have for highlighters.

As I mentioned in the post about the MeMeMe SunBeam , I'm a firm believer that a highlighter can do so much for your face! It also is one of the most multipurpose products I own, as I can use them from eyeshadow to primer to liptint (yes,I also did that with the MeMeMe SunBeam ).

By highlighter I do mean every product that adds some extra light and shine to your face, so it's not going to be limited to one type of product.

For example, as you can see above, I included shimmer powder, bronzer, illuminating primer, highlighter and some bronze&shimmer cream.

The Bronze & Shimmer cream from Yves Rocher was actually the first thing I got in the "adding sparkle" department. I didn't know too much at that point and their shop was close by, but I was quite happy with it.

The Bronzer is Elf and again, it was the first bronzer I tried. Truth is, the color fits my skin really well and I haven't found a bronzer to give me the same effect so far, so I'm sticking with it.

The Shimmer Powder I must admit...I don't know why I got it. Maybe because it was on some ridiculous sale and I figured "hey, maybe one day  I'll use it for something". I have yet to use it.
But it can add a nice touch to your face, I am sure!

The Face Shop is a South Korean brand and I only once got my hands on some of their products, when my mother was in Seoul. Needless to say, it's not a week-end trip and in Europe you get few Asian beauty brands, this not being one of them. The little pot contains a pearly white pigment that looks gorgeous in the inner corner of your eye or under your eyebrow for some beautiful highlighting.

The L'oreal Lumi Magique is a primer in itself but it can be used for some subtle illuminating on your cheekbones. The most effective spot to add a highlighter is the bridge of your nose. It will have the maximum effect and will clearly lighten up your face, but make sure you apply it evenly and blend it in at the edges and going up to your forehead or you might look like you hit a bright wall, nose first.

And this brings us to the amazing MeMeMe Sunbeam. It's the perfect highlighter and the color blends incredibly well with my skin tone. It instantly gives a gorgeous glow and even my tired eyes look more awake. I recommend you read my full review about it Here to see what it also looks like on skin.


Do you use any highlighters? What's your favorite beauty product that you always use?


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MeMeMe Sunbeam Highlighter

A while back, I did a post on the Highlighter Addiction I seem to exhibit as I think that a well chosen highlighter can do much more than tons of foundation or other layers for the look of your face. ( This comes from someone who never uses foundation)
In that post, I was swooning about the Benefit SunBeam. Well, good news is, I finally found it!
Bad news is, the color looked like a carrot that had played with glitter. Needless to say, I was a bit bummed out about it.

But my salvation came soon! I was reading a blog post about how MeMeMe Cosmetics have an alternative version to the Benefit Highlighters and I managed to get hold of it really easy thanks to Mihaela's kind heart

Meet: MeMeMe Beat the Blues SunBeam

I'm a bit of a sucker for liquid highlighters and this one fits right in!
Same application as the Benefit range, and I'd dare to say, with a much better color!

The brush makes it super easy to apply anywhere you want  and very precise at that.

I've been using it continuously and I'm sure it's gonna go in my August Favorites!
It went on my cheekbones, under my eyebrows and even on my lips! May I say, it's the best looking lip color I've ever had!
I'm super satisfied with it and for me, it wins in a direct battle with the Benefit SunBeam.

 Here's the color and the lovely glow it gives. The glow may look subtle, but you'd be surprised how effective it is once it goes on your skin!

All in All

It's nothing but Plus Points:

Ideal Color
Great Highlighting
Perfect Price! ( if you compare it to other similar products,this one only goes for around 4£ )
And it satisfies this Highlighter Addicted little heart!

If you have the chance, I say you should absolutely try it.



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Highlighter Addiction Wishlist

Confession time:

I have an overgrown fascination for highlighters in general and for blushes that come in non-powder form.
I truly love the glow that they give your skin.It looks much more natural and it generally makes you look healthier.
I don't know why powders don't really do it for me,but I truly love a liquid or creamy highlighter or blush to apply on my face.
Here's a couple of these that I am very in like with and that are sitting nicely on my wishlist.
What's frustrating is that some ( like NARS or Stila) are not available in my close proximity. The other things is that others,such as the Benefit products,I just can't seem to find at their counters.Not cool guys,not cool!
Either not cool,or my timing is really ridiculously bad...

Benefit Sun Beam - Liquid sunshine,as they like to describe it
NARS The Multiple - For eyes,cheeks,lips AND body!It's one of those things I'd carry in my bag at all times.
Benefit High Beam - I truly like the descriptions Benefit has to offer and this one is "supermodel in a bottle". I think it sums it up quite nicely.
Benetint - Blusher in a bottle? I'm in!
Clarins Instant Light Blush - I especially like the fact that it's not an "in your face" blush.It's a lovely,subtle shade.
Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush - I'll be honest here,I wanna stick my finger in the bouncy and see how it bounces. And also,I've heard some great things about it.
Stila One Step Illuminate - This one has three bronzers that you swirl (aka mix), in order to get the ultimate,perfect illuminating serum. Really craving this one.


Do you have any favorites in the department?



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