Product Empties #4

For some reason I seem to got trough products really quickly... so since we have a lot ahead of us, I going to jump right in (insert diving emoji here)

Olive Tree Products Argan Oil Conditioner Sweet Orange
I got this at TK- Maxx a while ago, because, well Argan Oil. And it seems to have pretty natural ingredients so I thought I'd give it ago and I didn't hate it. It just wasn't hydrating enough for my hair, since I do have bleached ends, so I need something a little more nourishing. 

Batiste Dry Shampoo Clean & Classic Original
The scents of Batiste dry shampoos are always a little too overwhelming for me. And no matter how much I shake it, it always leaves a white cast on ma hair. I much prefer Colab dry shampoo, but since it is so hard to get your hands on here in Germany, this will have to do.

Lavera Hand creme
I really like Lavera. This must be my 5th or 6th tube of this hand creme. It is really moisturising but doesn't leave a greasy residue.

8x4 key to love tangerine Deodorant
I like this deodorant, because it doesn't contain aluminium. And I quite liked the smell, which is really sweet, but i am kinda sick of it now. And I much prefer the ...

Dove Maximum Protection Deodorant
Which does contain aluminium and that might be the reason why it actually works. I don't love aluminium, but I also don't like stinky armpits. But I am still on the lookout for a good aluminium free deodorant, so if you know one let me know :)

Alverde Body Butter in Vintage Rose and Macadamia Nut
Both are for very dry skin, however I prefer the Macadamia nut one, because it is thicker and seems to be more nourishing. The rose one is a bit lighter, and has more of a regular body lotion texture, whereas the Macadamia nut one is more like a traditional body butter.

Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask
I bought this mask back in 2012, so it lasted me for a very long time. I really feel like it does draw out all the impurities of the skin. It is, however, quite drying, so I only used it on the areas of my face that could handle it. I am thinking about repurchasing it as well, but I would also like to try out something new.

Nivea Diamond Volume Shampoo
I didn't like this shampoo, because it made my hair feel heavy and greasy after around 3 uses. It also didn't give my any volume or shine. 

EOS Lip balm
I love EOS lip balms. I find them very nourishing and long lasting on my lips. Plus, the smell delicious. 


Dr. Hauschka Med Ice Plant Body Lotion
I absolutely LOVE this stuff and have raved about this many times. It is the only body lotion that can handle my skin in the cold and dry winter months. Must have.

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads
Now I have already repurchased them, because they have several acids in them and they are gentle on the skin and affordable. However, I found a new favourite in the Paula's Choice toner.

Paula's Choice CLEAR Exfoliating Toner
This one is a toner, which contains 2% salicylic acid and is specially targeted towards blemish prone, acne prone, skin. It really does what it says, it prevents breakouts, it reduces the look of big pores and it gets rid of blackheads and redness. It doesn't, however, get rid of my hormonal white heads. Nevertheless, I have already repurchased the bigger size.

Avene Cleanance Mask 
This mask contains glycolic acids, which for me, doesn't help getting rid of breakouts, but it does brighten my skin. It is quite harsh on the skin though, so I won't repurchase it.

John Frieda Sheer Blonde Colour Renew Shampoo
This is a colour correcting purple shampoo for blond hair. It does work, however I found a cheaper alternative in the drugstore, the Swiss Purple Shampoo, which I prefer.

Lavera Lime Sensation Shower Gel
I love this brand. The are cruelty free and organic and my skin loves their products. This one is no exception and the smell is divine.

Balea Beauty Affect Hyaluron Booster
Supposedly this is a dupe to the Indeed Labs Hydraluron, but only better, because it contains two types of hyaluronic acids. I don't know anything about that, however I like to use this in the evening under my moisturiser and i find that it does make a difference, but only if I continuously use it. If I apply it in the morning under my make up, I find that it roles of my skin with the make up.

OLAZ Essentials Complete Daily Moisturiser SPF 15
This is for dry skin and contains an SPF of 15. It was alright, but not great. I think if you are one a budget (which I should be, but I like to ignore that :/) and you are looking for a decent moisturiser with SPF, you could give this a try. 

Make Up Factory Eyeshadow #8
I bought this ages ago as dupe for Mac's Wedge and I much preferred it. It is a cool toned, light brown eyeshadow that is silky soft and blends like a dream. I also sometimes liked to use it as a contour powder, but it was too pigmented for my pale skin.

Catrice Eyebrow Filler Perfecting & Shaping Gel
Ever since using this product I fell in love with tinted eyebrow gels. I did find over time, however, that the brush was a bit too big and I since switched to the P2 eyebrow gel, which has a more similar shaped brush to the Benefit Gimme Brow.

L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes Mascara
An alright mascara, but it didn't give me enough volume and length. It is better for a natural lash look, which I don't want.

KIKO Super colour Mascara
This is a purple mascara and I was really excited to try this one out. And I was incredibly disappointed. The texture is really dry and grumble-y and doesn't coat the lashes at all, instead it fell straight on my cheek.


 - Julia xxx


 

Face of the Day

This is the kind of make up that I like to wear everyday when I don't really have anything special planned.

Foundation - Nars Sheer Glow Foundation (Gobi) 

Contour - Maybelline Fit Me Foundation Stick (355 Coconut Mokka)

Blush - Mac Blush (Something Special)

Eyebrows - Catrice Eyebrow Pencil (020 Date with Asthon) and Catrice Eyebrow Filler (010)

Eyes - L'oreal Miss Manga Punky Mascara

Lips - EOS Lipbalm

- Julia xxx

 

Nars Sheer Glow Foundation Review

I finally caved in and bought myself the Nars Sheer Glow foundation a couple of weeks ago. It is a little bit more difficult to get your hands on here in Germany, so my only option was ordering it online, which is always a bit tricky with foundations, since you can't try them out on your face. After a little bit of research I decided on the shade Light 3 Gobi, which has a yellow undertone, and, surprisingly, matches me perfectly.

 I like to apply this foundation with a beauty sponge since this sheers it out a little and also makes it go an easier. I would say that this foundation has a medium coverage, but can definitely be sheered out or build up. When applied with a brush, I noticed that it can get quite streaky and it emphasises all the little hairs on my face. When I have really dry skin, and dry patches on my face, it also likes to cling to them.

 As you can see, it really does a good job at evening out my skin tone and I can also use it as a concealer under my eyes. One thing that I have noticed is that it doesn't work well with primers, on my skin, anyway. It just slides around the face and never seems to settle. When set with a powder, it does last the whole day, though.

Pro

looks like skin 

colour range (+undertones)

buildable coverage

Con

sticks to dry patches and facial hair 

takes some time to work in

price (43€) 

All in all this is a decent foundation, but I do think that there are better ones out there on the market, especially in that price category. I enjoy wearing it and will definitely use it up, but I probably won't repurchase it.  

For any of you interested, this is where I purchased my foundation.


- Julia xxx

 

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

Micellar Cleansing Water - again, one of these hyped products that I just needed to try out for myself, and I am so glad I did. Micellar Water is supposed to work like a magnet for make up and dirt and therefore gently remove any impurities on your skin.

Now let me tell, ever since I have tried it for myself, I am converted! Call it laziness, call it genius face water stuff, call it whatever you want, but this stuff works really well for me. I use it at night to remove make up and dirt from my skin, I use it in the morning to remove sweat and dead skin cells and I use it after a workout for the same reasons. It is so gentle I can use it three times a day and it doesn't leave my skin red and irritated or dry and itchy. It just does what it is supposed to do. It literally feels like water, smells of nothing and leaves no residue.

Now I know Caroline Hirons would kill me for saying this, but ever since using this, I haven't used my coconut oil to cleanse, in fact I stopped double cleansing, and I have also given my skin a break from acid toners, and my skin seems to respond really well to it. Maybe I have just been going overboard with all the skin care products and my face needed a break and this is why I love it so much. Or maybe this stuff has revolutionised my skin care. I don't know, but I highly recommend you try it out for yourself.


 - Julia xxx


 

First Impression: L'Oreal Miss Manga Punky Mascara

When I first heard about the new Miss Manga Mascara, I knew I had to get my hands on it. I usually like to use the L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara, since it really lengthens my lashes. What I look for in a mascara is usually a plastic wand, lenght instead of volume and I definitely prefer a bolder look.

As you can see this mascara has a plastic brush with very short bristles that are quite far apart and the brush holds a lot of product. This really helps to build up the lashes and helps you apply a lot of product in very little time. The brush is designed to make your lashes look spicky and bold.

Before: My lashes are naturally not very thick and quite short. Here they are already curled.

After: This is one coat of mascara. As you can see, this mascara is not meant to look natural.

 It may appear a little too bold, but when you take a step back, it is not so overwhelming. Especially when I wear very little make up, I like my eyes to stand out, and this mascara really does that for me.

- Julia xxx

February Favourites

I've been loving some new (and some older) products this past month that I'd like to share with you.


The First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads: I am always on the hunt for new acid toners and once Caroline Hirons had mentioned this brand, I knew I had to get my hands on them! They contain all sorts of different acids (lactic acid, hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid) and with that price you can't go wrong.

John Frieda Sheer Blonde Colour Renew Correcting Shampoo: I haven't tried out too many purple shampoos but this one is the best one I have tried so far. Over the course of a few weeks, it did really change the tone of my hair and I am really happy with the results. It does leave my hair feeling a little dry, but its nothing a decent conditioner can't fix.

Laura Mercier Hydrating Primer: I don't know if I have mentioned this product before, but I've been using this for the past few months. I love that it is hydrating, so it smooths over any dry patch I might have and makes my make up stay on for 10+ hours. I also find that I have to use less product and my foundation goes on way smoother.

The Body Shop Vitamin E Serum in Oil: This was an impulse purchase and I couldn't be happier with it. Not only does a little bit of retail therapy help me through exam time, but this oil really does what it promises. I apply it under my night moisturiser and when I wake up in the morning, my skin is super soft and glowy.

The Body Shop Nutriganics Cleansing Gel Oil: What can I say? I love it. The formula is amazing and it feels so gentle on the skin. You're supposed to massage it into your dry skin and add warm water to it. That's when the rather thick, gel like texture turns into a milky liquid. Lovely to take off your make up or to use it as a second cleanse, like I do. 

 - Julia xxx

 
 

Birthday Wishlist

My birthday is in April, and I don't feel ashamed that I already have a wish list, and Christmas was only a month ago. DON'T JUDGE ME.

Escentric Molecules 01: I have heard so many great things about this fragrance, I HAVE to try it out. I hope I can wait until April, but it's gonna be tough. 

Zoeva Rose Gold Brush Set: This is incredibly hyped, so obviously I wanna know what the hype is all about. Plus, one can never have too many make up brushes. Plus, they look pretty.

Lifefactory Glass Bottle: Ever since I have purchased my Birkenstocks, I can tell that I am slowly turning into a hippie. Help. But seriously, glass bottles are great for the environment and even greater for your body. 

A Beauty Mirror: It doesn't have to be this specific one, but one that lights up would be nice. I recently broke mine (I know, good start to the new year), and now I am in desperate need for a new one. Speaking of desperate need:

Ryan Gosling: What? Is that really too much to ask for?!

 - Julia xxx

 

Product Empties #3

It is exam season, wohoo! And so I do what I do best, procrastinate. This time I want to show you which products I have used up over the past few months.

Dr. Stuart's Detox Tea: dandelion root, burdock root, peppermint and spearmint are supposed to detox the body. Do I believe in it? Not really, but it tasted really nice. Repurchase: Maybe.

Garnier Body Repair: this one is for really dry skin, so it is very rich, yet it is quickly absorbed by the skin and doesn't leave any greasy residue. Repurchase: Maybe.

Alverde Body Butter: again this one is for very dry skin. It is a litter rich than the Garnier body repair, since it is a butter. It stays longer on the skin, which I like, and leaves your skin silky smooth. Repurchase: Yes.

Dove Original Deodorant: nothing special to see here. Didn't love it, didn't hate it. The smell is quite powdery. Repurchase: No.

L'Oreal Elvital Nutri-Gloss Crystal Shampoo: this one has glitter particles in it to make your hair look extra shiny. Didn't really work on me, but it is a decent shampoo nevertheless. Repurchase: Nah.

Lavera Face Moisturiser: Your box standard moisturiser. No fuzz. It has very few ingredients and is very gentle, yet moisturising. If you have super sensitive skin, I would recommend this to you. For me it was a little too 'simple'. Repurchase: Not at the moment.

EOS lipbalm: the red one. Strawberry, maybe? I like their lipbalms, they are 99% natural (I think) and stay on my lips for a long time. Back in my Roaccutane days, this and Aquaphor were the only products I would use on my lips. Already repurchased.

Batiste Dry Shampoo: 3 of them. I am not a HUGE fan, however they are the best I have tried so far. They leave my hair feeling quite heavy, the smell is completely overwhelming, in a bad way, no matter which one I have tried so far. They also leave a white cast on my hair, which I really have to work in until it is invisible. Repurchase: Until I find something better, yes.

NYX Blush Taupe: Love it. It is the perfect contour shade for pale skinned people like me. Repurchase: Yes.

L'Oreal Telescopic mascara: This has always been and probably will always be, my favourite mascara. Very lengthening, not so much volumising. Repurchase: Yes.

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder: This is the best setting powder I have tried so far. It wears beautifully throughout the day and doesn't look cakey at all. Repurchase: YES.

Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer: This was a decent concealer. Light enough colour-wise, but too light in coverage, in my opinion. Repurchase: No.

L'Oreal True Match Concealer: in the shade 2. This has a very yellow undertone, which I love, and has a good, medium to full coverage. Already repurchased.

p2 Mascara: Could be a dupe to the Telescopic one, but it is not as good an dried out very quickly. Repurchase: No.

CD Deodorant: Aluminium free. That is the only upside to this one. Repurchase: No.

L'Oreal Elvital Oil Magique: this is the best hair oil I have tried so far. Makes a huge difference to my haircare regime. Repurchase: YES.



The Body Shop Vitamin E Cleanser: I really like it. It left my skin feeling smooth and it was very gentle. But I ran out of this soo fast! Repurchase: No.

The Body Shop Vitamin E Moisturiser (Intense): This was such a lovely night time moisturiser. Very rich ans smooth. Felt very luxurious on the skin. Repurchase: Maybe (b/c of the price).

Lavera Milk Cleanser: I am already on my 6th bottle of this. Do I need to say more? Repurchase: Always.

Micheal Todd Charcoal Mask: Very gentle, yet purifying. Because it contains hyaluronic acid, I didn't find it drying at all. Unfortunately it is really hard to get your hands on here in Germany, so repurchase: no.

Rituals Tai Chi Shower Foam: to be honest, I was a little disappointed. I heard so many great things about their shower foams and in my opinion it is simply overpriced for what is does. And the smell wasn't great either. Repurchase: No.

Balea Shower Gel and Peeling: I don't think you can go wrong with Balea shower products. So affordable and they do what they promise. Repurchase: Yes.

Weleda Cold Cream: Not an everyday moisturiser. This one is really thick, so more for cold rashes and what not. The smell was lovely. Repurchase: No, bit only because I have my beloved Aquaphor.

Dolce&Gabanna The One Rollerball: LOVE it. It smells quite vanilla-y, but also quite woody. Some described to me as, when you smell it on a cold winters day, it makes you feel warm. And as strange as that might sound, it is true. Repurchase: I asked for the bigger version for Christmas, so yes.

Lush American Cream Conditioner: Very lovely smell. Like cupcakes. And it left my hair incredibly soft, especially since it doesn't contain silicons. But it is quite pricey. Repurchase: Maybe.

Guhl Hair Shampoo for Sensitive Skin: I like Guhl shampoos. Apparently the are concentrates, so you only need very little product. Unfortunately this exact product left my hair feeling a bit dry. Repurchase: No.

Chanel Moisturiser: I'm sorry, I don't remember the exact name of this one! But it was how you would expect Chanel products to be. Repurchase: No, unless I'll win the lottery.

Maybelline Fit Me Powder: Didn't love this. It didn't really mattify my face and it didn't last very long. Repurchase: No.

Catrice Eyebrow Gel: Love it. It has fibres to fill in any gabs and it comes in two different colours. Basically a dupe to the Benefit gimme brow. Already repurchased.

Hübner Augenbalsam: I wanted to like it because it contains hyaluronic acid. But I am not too sure about it. It was quite moisturiser, though, but I am not sure if any other moisturiser would have had the same effect. Repurchase: Maybe, one day.

Paula's Choice BHA 2% Exfoliater: This was the very first exfoliater I used, therefore it will always have a special place in my heart. But I have to say that I am not blown away by this, despite the great reviews on the PC Website. Repurchase: No.

The Body Shop Aloe Vera Moisturiser SPF 15: This one broke me out when I first tried it. Then I gave it another try after my Roaccutane course and it was fine. I liked it, because it contained SPF. The smell really put me off. Repurchase: No.


I am sorry this was a long one! I'll speak to you soon. Oh and also, this is my very first post for 2015, so happy new year! :D

- Julia xxx