Paris Haul :)

In mid-April, I went to Paris for a few days with a friend of mine.  I didn't buy too much while I was there, but I still bought enough to have enough new make-up bits to play with for a while!

The first store I went to in Paris was, of course, a French Pharmacy.  I only left with one item, the Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Balm (around €7) as I've been wanting to try it for about a year!  I wanted to buy more, but I can pretty much buy anything available at a French Pharmacy in Germany, so I didn't really want to lug it all back.  Words can't describe how much I hate this lip balm.  I used it for about two weeks and everything was fine and then all of the sudden it completely dried my lips out and even two weeks after I've stopped using Nuxe Reve de Miel, I'm still unable to wear any lipstick as my lips are still recovering :(  So disappointed!

The next purchase was the Sephora Mineral Powder Brush (around €17).  Again, this was a purchase I made after lusting after this brush for about a year.  I'm currently OBSESSED with this brush!  I use it daily for my foundation and it gives such a lovely, flawless finish - highly recommend this.

Whilst at Sephora, I couldn't not go to the NARS counter.  NARS isn't available in stores anywhere (at least, as far as I know) in Germany, so I love going to their counter when I'm in a different country.  I left the counter with one thing in my hand (though I wanted so much more) - the NARS Blush in Deep Throat (€30).   I've wanted to try this for a while (noticing a pattern here?), but I have so many blushers, I always forced myself not to.  However, on my last day in Paris, I had money in my pocket that was basically screaming to be spent!  It's a lovely peachy-pink color with subtle shimmer and I love the way it looks on the cheeks, so I'm very pleased with this purchase :)

Finally, I found Nails Inc. Nail Polishes in one of the Sephora's I went into and I couldn't leave without buying one.  Nails Inc. Nail Polishes are one of my all-time favorite formulations, so I absolutely couldn't resist.  I decided to buy the shade St. James Park, which is a stunning bright pink.  I only own one other pink nail polish and it's currently sitting in my nail polish stash 5000 miles away, so I thought this would be a good and justifiable purchase for me.

That's it for this haul, though I'm sure I'll have another one up soon as I'm going to be going to the UK this month and I simply can't resist the offerings of Boots!  Have you bought anything worth raving about lately?

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NEOM Refresh Candle Review

Candles are something I don't think I could live without.  If you've ever been to my apartment you'll know that almost immediately.  I always have a candle on my desk ready for burning along with a couple back-up candles, too, in case the worst happens and my current candle finishes.  My friends give me candles as gifts and joke about my obsession with them, but I just find them so relaxing and luxurious!

One of my favorite candle brands is a British brand - NEOM Organics.  Last year, I heard a lot about them, so when I went to London last September I bought 3 different travel candles (Sumptuous, Real Luxury, and Complete Bliss) and promptly used them up.  So, when I was back in London in February, I restrained myself and only bought one - Refresh (£15 for travel size).

I can only describe this candle as 'the perfect kitchen scent'.  Lemony and fresh, it's perfect for Spring/Summer and for feeling awake and ready to accomplish something!

NEOM describes the scent as such:

Experience this humble scent and prepare to be overwhelmed... the smell of a real Lemon, a fresh, juicy, non-syntheic version is really special, and very rare.  Coupled with the clean Basil this is a fantastically pure and energising scent.

NEOM also gives a treatment for each candle, this is Refresh's:

A clean and cheerful blend that enlivens the body and recharges the soul.  The perfect morning or pre-night out 'pick me up'.  Also perfect for when you are over worked and over tired, feeling groggy or have a sore throat.

I like this scent, but I do have three issues with it.  The first is that I like to light candles when having a relaxing night-in, but this is more of a get-up-and-go scent that works better for spring mornings, so I'm not getting through it as quickly as usual because of that (which is good, I guess).  The second issue I have is that the scent, however lovely, doesn't fill up the room completely with the scent of the candle like most NEOM candles do, which is disappointing to say the least.  Finally, my wick on this candle is completely messed up and it won't stay lit for longer than about 10 minutes, which is really annoying!  However, this is the only time I've had this issue with a NEOM Candle, so I'm sure this was just a faulty candle and won't stop me from continuing to buy NEOM candles :)

Although I do like this candle and don't regret buying it (except I might've picked up a different candle than the horrible-wick one that I chose), I probably won't repurchase it just because of the few issues I have with it.  However, if I'm ever looking for a new candle for my kitchen, this one will definitely be on my list!

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MAC Temperature Rising Eyeshadow Palette Review

I recently meandered into MAC (as you do).  I was literally going in just to buy a lipstick, but I guess I went in a few days after the new Temperature Rising Collection launched (without even realizing) and I got sucked in buy the Limited Edition offerings!

I've never owned anything from a MAC Collection, so I really wanted to get something, especially because of the gorgeous bronze packaging.  The packaging on all of the products is similar to the NARS packaging, a rubbery texture, which I personally love, but I know a lot of people hate.

I ended up buying one thing from the collection: the Temperature Rising Eyeshadow Palette ($44), which gets its name from the collection.

Top Row: Performance Art, Temperature Rising
Bottom Row: Swelter, Beauty Marked

This palette is  a quad made up of four limited edition shades: Peformance Art (frosted golden mauve), Temperature Rising (light warm tanned peach), Swelter (midtone grey violet), and Beauty Marked (charcoal black with red pearl). 

L-R: Performance Art, Temperature Rising, Swelter, Beauty Marked

The texture on the first three shades is really nice, soft to the touch and easy to blend out.  The only difficult one is Beauty Marked, which is somewhat chalky and stiff.  If you plan to use Beauty Marked as anything but a liner, make sure to be patient with it!

Performance Art is a gorgeous lilac shade with noticeable golden shimmer.  In the pan, the golden shimmer doesn't look so obvious (especially due to its placement next to the peach eyeshadow, Temperature Rising). However, once applied to the lid, the gold really shows and it looks stunning!

Temperature Rising is a peach-toned eyeshadow with some shimmer.  It's a bit warmer and darker than some of MAC's other peach eyeshadows, meaning it can be worn throughout the seasons.  The shimmer is noticeable on the eyes, but I do like shimmery eyeshadows, so I'm not one to complain :)  I will say that this shade did seem a bit of a random placement in this palette, which is full of purple shades, but it was the shade that really made me want to buy it!

Swelter is a grey-purple (more purple than grey) that looks gorgeous on the outer corner and the crease, especially when used with Performance Art.  It's quite cool-toned (as is the palette overall), but if you like purple eyeshadows, I'm sure you like this.  There isn't any shimmer in this eyeshadow (unlike the first two), it's more of a frost finish, which is my favorite, personally.

The final shade, Beauty Marked, is the most difficult to work with in the palette, as I previously mentioned.  This is a black shade (though it looks purple in the pan due to the red shimmer), which tons of red shimmer in it.  I experienced some fall out with this, which I expected due to the glitter, but it wasn't a lot, just enough to run over my under-eyes with my concealer brush once more.  I use this shade as an eyeliner, but I'm sure you could use it for a gorgeous, purple smoky eye, too.

Overall,  I'm very happy with this palette and would recommend it if you're looking for some new purple eyeshadows!  It's limited edition, so if you want it, act fast :)

Longevity: 4.5/5

Pigmentation: 4.5/5

Packaging: 5/5

Texture: 4.5/5

Application: 4.5/5

Value For Money: 4.5/5 

Overall Rating: 9.17/10

Have you gotten anything from the Temperature Rising Collection?  Are you planning to?

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April/March Beauty Favorites 2013 :)

Spring has finally arrived here in Germany, and I couldn't be happier :)  I didn't do a monthly favorites post for March, nor did I post at all in April - woops.  I just needed a bit of a break, as I was ultra busy with my family coming to visit me in Germany, going on a trip to Paris with a friend, and then starting the new semester at school.  April has been extra-busy, but enough rambling - let's get into the beauty bits :)

I got a new eye cream in February, the Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado ($28.50), which I absolutely adore.  It's quite rich, and takes a while to sink in, so I only use it at night, but I have a feeling this little tub is going to last me a very, very long time, as a little goes a really long way.  I also purchased the full-size of the Caudalie Vinosource SOS Thirst-Quenching Serum ($48).  I used up two samples of this during this year alone, so I knew it was worth purchasing!

Now, onto Make-Up! 

Swatches (Left: Garnier Eye Roller, Right: Burberry Concealer in No. 01)

I came up with a new under-eye concealer method that I think works really well for Spring, but also covers up my dark circles.  I first use the Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roller Sheer Tint ($12) as part of my morning skin-care routine.  It wakes up my eyes a bit and gives a bit of coverage.  Then, after I've put on my foundation and am ready to conceal, I use the Burberry Sheer Luminous Concealer in No. 01 ($40) to conceal my dark circles.  It gives really nice coverage and doesn't look cakey, but I'm always sure to powder it because it creases like a bitch on me (though to be fair, all concealers crease on my under-eyes).

Top Row: Naked Lunch, All That Glitters
Bottom Row: Jest, Smut

Left to Right: Naked Lunch, All That Glitters, Jest, Smut

Next, I rediscovered my MAC Custom Palette this month and I haven't stopped using it.  I've particularly been loving Naked Lunch (minimal pink with shimmer), All That Glitters (beige with gold pearl), Jest (soft peach with icy shimmer), and Smut (muted black with red shimmer) ($12 each).  I love alternating between Naked Lunch, All That Glitters, and Jest.  They're similar enough that they're all lovely natural shades that aren't OTT for Spring, but they're different enough to justify having all three.  As for Smut, I generally use that one smudged out on the lash-line in place of eyeliner.  I bought this empty quad in March for €8 and it's so perfect for travel.  It's really nice being able to bring my four favorite shadows of the moment with me, without having to lug around my gigantic 15-shadow palette!  I always forget about my MAC Eyeshadows, so it's really nice to rediscover them!

MAC Teddy Swatch

Two other eye products I've been loving for the past few months are the MAC Teddy Eye Kohl (intense bronze) ($16) for eyeliner on days where I'm going for a warmer-toned look and Maybelline The Falsies Mascara ($6). I used to HATE this mascara, but out of nowhere I started loving it.  It doesn't clump and it gives nice volume without looking fake (unlike the name would suggest).

Left to Right: Stila Lillium, Tarte Exposed

Left to Right: St. Tropez Rose, Tarte Exposed, Stila Lillium, NARS Laguna

For cheeks, I've been using NARS Laguna Bronzer ($36) (review here)  basically everyday as a contour color and then switching between Stila Convertible Color in Lillium ($25) and Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Exposed ($26) for my blush.  I've also basically been attached at the hip with the St. Tropez Skin Illuminator in Rose (€13 off Feelunique).  It's the perfect highlighter for pink-toned blush.  It's quite subtle and not too cool-toned, plus the price point is fantastic!  I'm definitely going to be buying the other shades (Gold and Violet) soon!

Left to Right: Clinique Bountiful Blush, Clinique Super Strawberry, Chanel Boy

Finally onto lips.  I was pretty indecisive in my lip choices this month and continually used three different products. The first is definitely not one for those trying to save a few, but it was worth every penny!  The Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Boy ($34) has become one of my favorite shades to just throw on.  It's a light pink shade that is really moisturizing and looks really natural on the lips.  The other two lip products are the same one, but in two different colors.  The Clinique Chubby Sticks in 05 Bountiful Blush and 07 Super Strawberry ($16 each) are my all-time favorite crayon lipsticks.  Bountiful Blush is my most used lip product of all time (I've even repurchased it) (review here), so I knew Super Strawberry was going to be a hit with me.  I was right, the color on Super Strawberry is a day-time appropriate brightish pink.  Although less pigmented than Bountiful Blush, the bright pink of Super Strawberry does translate to the lips, but it's sheerer, making me feel like it's okay to wear to my office job :)!

I hope you all had an amazing April (and March, too) and hopefully everyone is just as excited for May as I am :)  My Birthday is in May and I'll be going to the UK for a week and a half this month, so I'm really excited for this month!  

Any favorites this month?  Or are you planning anything special in May?

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Estée Lauder Pure Color Blush in Blushing Nude Review

Finding your perfect blush is never easy.  After multiple swatches and purchases, the search always seems to continue.  However, while I was returning from London last month, I think I might have found mine.

Estée Lauder's Pure Color Blush in Blushing Nude ($28) is a gorgeous pinky-peach shade that above all else looks natural on the cheeks.

But before diving straight into color - I want to take a moment to appreciate the beauty that is the Estée Lauder packaging.  The gold, reflective packaging is stunning and the mirror inside is massive and very useful for travel purposes.  Although I could do without the brush, it's nice to have for emergency instances.

Moving back to the color - it's labeled as a Satin finish, but I personally think it's Matte.  There's no shine or shimmer in this shade, leaving you free to add your own or go without.  It's also one of those colors that you have to try to overdo.  It looks so natural on, that if you go a bit overboard it just makes you looked flushed and not like you dipped your face into paint that morning.

As far as application goes, this is also a dream come true.  You don't need a lot of product to make it show up, but it's not so pigmented that it's hard to get the right amount.  The texture is really nice, too.  It's not chalky, at all; it blends really easily and it lasts about 6-8 hours, as well (which I consider to be pretty good).

This has fast become one of my favorite blushers that I own and I can't seem to go an entire week without wearing it a couple times!  I'm definitely going to be picking up a few more of these soon.

Longevity: 4/5

Pigmentation: 4.5/5

Packaging: 4.5/5

Texture: 5/5

Application: 5/5

Value For Money: 4.5/5 

Overall Rating: 9.17/10

Have you tried any of the Estée Laude Pure Color Blushers?  Any colors I should try out? Let me know, as I'm definitely on the look-out for another!

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Clinique Chubby Stick in Bountiful Blush Review

Tinted Lip Balms have been around for a long time, but a while back Clinique started a rage with their Chubby Sticks, a tinted lip balm in an oversized-crayon form.  Soon after, drugstore brands (Revlon, Covergirl, etc.) started making their own versions of the Chubby Sticks.  Although, I'm a massive fan of the dupes out there (hats off to Revlon), there's just nothing quite like the original.

The Clinique Chubby Stick in 'Bountiful Blush' ($16) is something I bought last July and barely looked twice at.  I opted to leave it in the US when I moved to Germany in September and didn't even consider bringing it back until I had a clear out of my left-behind makeup and came across it again.  Although I wasn't completely convinced I liked it, I opted to bring it back to Germany with me anyways, and I am SO glad I did!

This has been my most used lip product since January and I have no doubt in my mind that before I leave Germany, I'm going to finish it up.

Bountiful Blush is described as a 'sheer dusty rose', which is absolutely true.  It may not be the most pigmented lip color in the world, but it creates a really natural shade on the lips, very MLBB.  It's slightly darker than my natural lip shade, so it's always my go to color for a natural, everyday look.

It lasts about as long as an average lip balm, 2-3 hours, but that's to be expected.  Also, it shows up nicely on my averagely-pigmented lips, but if your lips are more pigmented than average, the Chubby Sticks may not show up on you, so I would definitely recommend trying them on if at all possible.

Once I run out of Bountiful Blush (and I will) I will definitely be repurchasing it along with a few other shades, too!

Longevity: 3.5/5

Pigmentation: 3.5/5

Packaging: 4.5/5

Texture: 5/5

Application: 4.5/5

Value For Money: 4.5/5 

Overall Rating: 8.5/10

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NARS Laguna Bronzer Review

The hype got to me on this one..

NARS Laguna Bronzer ($36) has got to be one of the most hyped-up products by NARS.  Everyone and their mother seems to own it.  So, when I came across a 15% off sale on cosmetics at El Corte Ingles in Madrid a few weeks back, I decided I needed this in my life.

Please ignore the horrendous smudging!

As someone with very fair skin (NC15), finding a bronzer that doesn't look too orange or too dark is a task within itself, but this one ticks all the boxes.

Laguna is a warm brown with some shimmer.  The fact that it's not orange-based makes it a good choice for just about everyone.

Some might think the fact that there's shimmer running through Laguna makes it a no-no for contour; however, I have found that it works well for contouring despite the shimmer.  The shimmer is also really nice for when I opt to use Laguna in place of blush, eliminating the need for a highlighter on those occasions.

The texture is so smooth, I think it's even smoother than most of my NARS blushers!  It blends easily and lasts about 6 hours on me, which I think is decent (it seems to be about the average for blushers and bronzers for me).

Although Laguna isn't cheap, you do get a lot for your money.  It's significantly larger than one of the NARS blushers (8g vs 4.8g) for only a few extra $.

So, if you're looking for an all-purpose bronzer, give Laguna a swatch!

Longevity: 4/5

Pigmentation: 4/5

Packaging: 4/5

Texture: 5/5

Application: 4.5/5

Value For Money: 4.5/5 

Overall Rating: 8.67/10

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