Review: Astor - Soft Sensation Lip Color Butter

Happy holidays! Hope everyone had a lovely christmas and that you're all looking forward to the new year :). I thought I'd do a quick little review on the "Astor Soft Sensation Lip Color Butter" for you all. They were a bit raved about here in Europe and I was curious to give them a go. Conclusion? I'm not a huge fan. But they are really good...

I know that's a confusing statement to make, but hear me out. They're essentially lip crayons, or lipsticks in crayon format. The formulas for each one are not identical. I know, weird.

The first one I bought was this hot-pink shade called Feeling Feline (#011). This one has a great formula, it's really pigmented and doesn't dry out your lips. The staying power is also incredible, it stays on your lips all day long without budging. However, the colour really doesn't suit me. So great product, but not for me.

But then I saw another shade, specifically a nude one. This one is called Caramel Envy (#003) and it swatches beautifully. However, the formula for this one reminds of the Revlon Lip Butters: very creamy and not incredibly pigmented, and it has glitter bits in it like "Peach Parfait" from the Revlon Lip Butters range. And again, the colour did not look good on my lips. And none of their other shades interested me.

The packaging is really nice though. I love that they made the lip crayons slanted on the top like a lipstick would be. It's just much more convenient than the typical round surface you get with lip crayons. The only downside with the packaging is that the text rubs off very easily (again, hardly anything to complain about).

So needless to say, they are really nice products. Sadly though, none of the shades suit me. However, I definitely suggest you give em a swatch if you see them because they are quite lovely :). I can't wait to try out more products from Astor! 

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4 Products Face

I don't know about you guys, but I personally cannot be bothered or have the time to do a proper full face of makeup for school. Anyone in university I think will understand. Of course, nor can I go completely bare faced. Therefore, I developed the 4 Products Face. All you need are 4 products, and I promise you'll end up leaving the house looking fresh and less "I got only 6 hours of sleep". This look is definitely a "no makeup-makeup look", the focus being on looking healthy rather than super glam. The main point of this look is to keep the eyes bare. Personally, I don't mind how my eyes look without makeup. I'm usually very tired and sleepy in the mornings, meaning I'll be rubbing my eyes a lot. And nobody wants to look like a smudgy panda in class...

So here's what you'll need:

1) Foundation: this is necessary in order to even out your skin. My personal favourite is the Wake Me Up foundation by Rimmel because it really does make you look more awake. I like to apply this foundation all over my face, including under my eyes in order to cover up any dark circles.

2) Brow pencil (or shadow): your eyebrows really do frame your face, so if you need some filling in, then definitely go for it. If you have wonderful full brows (you lucky sod!), then you can skip this step.

3) Blush: in my opinion, this product brings back life to your face after applying foundation. A nice healthy flush is always desired. Personally, I find bronzer to be too much sometimes during the daytime, but blush is always welcome. My current favourite for the winter time is 'Flushed' by Sleek.

4) Lipstick (or lipgloss): I never feel complete unless I have something on my lips when I leave the house. The colour all depends on what you feel like, though I'm not sure if I would suggest a super duper bold lip for the daytime. My personal favourite at the moment is Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector in the shade "Candy Shimmer (#05)". It just gives you that "your lips, but better" look.

Of course, you can change it depending on your needs. If you had to stay up late writing your term essay, then maybe use a proper concealer to cover up the dark circles. Same goes if you're breaking out. And if you have oily skin, or want a matte finish, then pop on some powder. Also, if you really can't stand going with bare eyes, then maybe pop on a hint of mascara. The world is your oyster, so customize this look as much as you want :).

So I'd like to know, what is your go-to look for school or work? Which products do you use? :)

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Things I've been Loving Lately

I know I skipped 'November Favourites', but this is mainly due to the fact that I couldn't think of a concrete list of things that I had specifically only loved during the month of November. But I thought I would still list a few beauty favourites and some random favourites that I've been enjoying during this season :).

1) Aveeno - Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion (with cooling menthol): this is an absolute life-saver during the cold months. I get patches of dry and itchy skin during the winter and this really calms it all down and keeps the area moisturized for days. I kid you not, they really should write 48 hours + on the packaging instead of 24 hours. Amazing stuff and super affordable!

2) Lip Smackers in "Candy Apple": you all know my love for lip smackers, they are the only brand of lip balm that actually works on my chapped lips. And this year, they brought out some new flavours with disney characters on the front. I ended up going for Pluto since the flavour was Candy Apple. And let me tell you, this lip balm smells exactly like Christmas. Seriously, even my lips are now in the festive season! :)

3) Garnier - Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream: I have a whole review up on this BB cream right here, if you're interested. But basically it's been my favourite morning/afternoon foundation for the past couple months as it gives me the perfect finish and coverage that I need. And it's only 9 euros. Bargain!

4) Stila - Convertible Colour Dual Lip and Cheek Cream: Guys, this stuff is the shiz. Seriously, this is the holy grail of cream blushes. It's super pigmented, lasts a long time, and gives your cheeks a beautiful healthy glow. This is the most natural looking blush I have ever tried out. I'm officially making a list of other shades I want to get from this line. I only currently own Peony, which is a beautiful warm colour for winter time.

5) MoreZoella Vlogmas: Of course, you have all heard of Zoella. She just hit 3 million subscribers (wow!). I remember being subscribed to her when she only had around 400,000 subscribers and she has just flourished ever since. I have especially been enjoying her vlogs for Vlogmas, they are an absolute pleasure to watch :). Link here, if you're interested.

6) Bubzvlogz: I am absolutely obsessed with vlogs by Bubzbeauty. Anytime I've seen that she's uploaded a new vlog, I will instantly stop whatever I'm doing and watch it. They are that good. She's hilarious and has the cutest dogs in the whole world. Definitely worth a watch! Link here.

And those are the things I've been loving lately :). Let me know in the comments what you've been enjoying lately! :) 

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Review: Garnier - Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream

(Lipstick swatch for reference of coverage)

I was about to do a post on "Things I've been loving lately", but then realized that one of the things in the post needed a whole review on its own :). And that ladies and gentleman, is the Miracle Skin Perfecter BB Cream by Garnier. Now, normally I stay clear from BB creams. This is mainly due to the fact that they don't offer enough coverage for me and tend to be not the best choice for those with oily skin. But then I kept hearing great things about Garnier's latest BB Cream. Essentially, it sounded like more of a foundation rather than a tinted moisturizer.

But what really sold me was this: UVA & UVB 20 Protection. I have found it so hard to find a foundation that has UVA protection as well, instead of just UVB (aka SPF). A quick explanation as to why both are important is that UVA rays age your skin (number one cause of premature aging), while UVB burns the top layer of your skin (aka a sunburn). So when I saw that the Garnier BB Cream had UVA and UVB protection, I had to have it!

Now for the finish it gives...

Even though it promises a matte finish, that's actually not really the case. I would say it's more of a velvet finish, which is my personal favourite because it looks quite natural since it's not too matte and not too dewy. It's also medium coverage (another favourite of mine!) and does a good job at covering up redness and any imperfections. It just looks wonderful on the skin, and the colour match is perfect for me.

Now don't get me wrong, there are a few drawbacks.
1) Packaging. I saw this because the bb cream is very runny, and with the tube you can accidentally squeeze out too much. A pump would be a lot nicer.
2) Application. When applied with fingers, it's flawless. When applied with a brush, you look orange. Now I'm not quite sure why this is the case, but it is a bit annoying. I think it might be that you have to work with thin layers (easier achieved with fingers), for it not to oxidize so badly.
And the final drawback: for those with oily or combination skin, your t-zone will become oily after a couple hours. This is probably the biggest negative aspect about this bb cream and I think it can't be helped because of the SPF in it. But I love it so much that I manage to keep calm and powder on (see what I did there? ;) ).

What's your favourite foundation or BB cream? :) 

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Winter OOTD / Fun day in the park

Dress: Forever 21 (old) / Coat: Aritzia / Scarf: H&M / Boots: Deichmann / Purse: River Island / Watch: Fossil 

I can't believe it has taken me this long to finally do an 'Outfit of the Day' post. I had previously attempted to do a Summer Lookbook, but ended up getting shy and never posted it. But I am finally stepping outside my comfort zone and posting about something related to one of my passions in life: fashion. I find that the easiest way to design your own outfits is by have a clear definition of what your style actually is. For me, it is "casual elegance". Though I do have some days where I like to break out the "bold n chic" look. My advice is to just let your creativity take you wherever it goes :).

I have officially decided to dedicate myself to posting at least one OOTD each week. And yes, this idea still terrifies me. But with the help of your support, maybe it'll become easier :).

Today was a beautiful day: sunny with clear skies, and even slightly warmer than usual. It was also officially the 1st of December and the first day of Advent. I know what you're all thinking... A chocolate a day to countdown the days till Christmas?! Yes, please!

My boyfriend and I decided to spend our quiet sunday morning at the park, enjoying the breathtaking scenery and the lovely weather. It has now been 7 months since I left Canada to live & study in Germany. Now that all the terrible home-sickness has more or less subsided, I am finally fully appreciating the beauty that surrounds me each day. I find that the key is to try to make each day the best it can possibly be :). After all...

Life won't wait forever

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FeelUnique.com introduces minimum purchase for free worldwide delivery!

The word 'shocked' doesn't even begin to describe how I felt when I saw this before my eyes this morning. FeelUnique has officially introduced a minimum purchase for free worldwide delivery. And they did it right before christmas-shopping season. Oh, the horror. In the beauty world, this can be seen as a mini apocalypse. And no, I do not exaggerate.

Mind you, their asking price isn't that bad: $20 /15 euros/ 10 pounds.

But still. It's a huge change and not to mention disappointment. Though my biggest question is: when did they introduce this??? And how come no one has mentioned it yet on the beauty blogger sphere??

Needless to say, we will all now have to go about our FeelUnique purchases a little more thoroughly to make sure it's past the minimum requirement *sigh*.

What are your thoughts on this change? Expected? Shocking? Heartbreaking? Let me know in the comments! 

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M.A.C. "Plumful"

I don't know what it is about MAC lipsticks that make them deserve their own personal blog post. But voila, here is me introducing my second mac lipstick!

I had originally gone in to buy the oh-so-hyped "Rebel", but ended up finding it way too dark and bold for my comfort zone. I mean really, what's the point of buying a lipstick if you know you'll chicken out and never wear it? Am I right? So instead I checked out a suggestion by the lovely EssieButton: Plumful. Oh, boy. If you are too scared to wear Rebel, but still want a fall berry lipstick, then say no more! Plumful is your best bet. It's essentially a less bold version of Rebel.

It's one of those lipsticks that feel creamy on the lips (it's a Lustre) and can be built up or muted down with some blotting. I personally prefer how it looks when blotted. It lasts a good few hours and in the end turns into a nice stain on the lips. It also doesn't dry out the lips, which is always a huge bonus for me!

This colour also looks particularly nice with any dark blue clothing as it's a purple-y red-dish shade (how good am I at descriptives?).

So definitely check it out next time you're at a MAC counter! It might end up becoming your favourite fall/winter lipstick :). 

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Chip Off the Old Block!

I can't believe I'm saying this, but it is officially snowing over here in Munich! End of November, and it's already -2 with snow coming down from the sky! Though it is freezing, the view is rather beautiful :). Now, on to nails! Even though I am really lazy when it comes to painting my nails, I do love the effect it gives. However, I've always had an issue with my nail polish constantly chipping away quite early on (even on the first day). And I'm sure that I'm not the only girl out there with this issue. But fear not fellow beauty enthusiasts, for I have found a solution!

The perfect base coat + the perfect top coat = chip free for an entire week! 

And no, I do not exaggerate. Though I do think the base coat actually matters more than the top coat because if the nail polish sticks like glue to your base, then it has very little chances of chipping. My holy grail base coat is the "Long Lasting Base Coat" by p2. With this base coat, my nail polish won't chip for an entire week. I've put it to the test during holiday and in everyday life. It seriously does not disappoint! Sadly, p2 is not an international brand, which is such a shame because this is the best base coat I have ever used and it only costed me 1 euro! But it is available in any european countries that have the drugstore "dm" or even online on Ebay :). I am sure that there are other great base coats out there as well, you just have to pick out the ones that guarantee it to be long-lasting.

Finding a great top coat also reduces the risk of chipping. My personal favourite is the well-loved Seche Vite. My main reason for calling it my holy grail top coat is because of two things: it dries REALLY quickly (which in turn prevents chipping and significantly decreases the 'waiting for your nails to dry' time) and it leaves a glossy/gel-like finish to the nails. Stunning, stunning product.

And these are my main tips on preventing your nail polish from chipping :). Hope some of you find this helpful! x.

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Review: Lush - Tea Tree Water

Have you ever had one of those products that you just couldn't make up your mind on? Yeah, I thought so. Well, this is definitely one of those for me. I wanted to find a nice toner and had heard so many great things about tea tree oil, so when I saw the Tea Tree Water at Lush, I thought I had ended my search! I mean it sounded great: anti-bacterial, reduces redness, great for those with oily or acne prone skin. Who doesn't want all that?

So I guess I'll just start with the pro's and cons of this toner.

PROS: Doesn't dry out your skin, has a spray so you can reach other parts of your body (such as your back), alcohol free, anti-bacterial, spray feels refreshing and cooling. 

Now for the cons...

CONS: Very little to no results.

I have used this toner for several months now and I just can't say I see any real difference with my skin. If anything I think I had more breakouts while using it than when I was not, but that might've been a coincidence with hormones, etc. The only thing I really like about it is using it for my back to prevent any spots there since it's a hard area to reach. But that's really about it...

I adore Lush and this is my first purchase from their skincare line, but I have to say I'm not that impressed with this product. It's not bad, but it's not great either. Though I have heard it work well with other people, so it could just be my skin type.

Have you tried out this toner? Has it worked for you? Do you have any good Lush skincare recommendations? :)

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Review: Maybelline - Fit Me Concealer

Now that exams and assignments have begun to pile up, my dark under eye circles have become a clear indicator of my increasing work load. With this in mind, I realized I was in desperate need for a good concealer. However, I wasn't keen on spending much (saving up for christmas sales!), so I did some research and ended up picking up the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer :). 

And all I have to say about it, is this: WOW. Not going to lie, I was quite blown away by the coverage and texture of this concealer. It's high coverage (will hide anything and everything) and feels creamy. It doesn't feel drying in the slightest and does a good job at hiding redness and dark veins. And a little bit really does go a long way with this concealer. 

The only complaint I have with this concealer is staying power. Sadly, it only lasts a few hours when it comes to hiding spots. However, it does thankfully last most of the day in your under eye area. I would definitely suggest using a primer underneath it, especially if you have oily skin. I have tried setting it with a powder, but it doesn't help much. Oh and another small complaint I have is the packaging: Love the form of application, but the wording on the tube rubs off so easily! Ah well, can't really complain much when the price is so affordable. 

So in conclusion, it's a wonderful drugstore gem that is a great alternative if you cannot get your hands on the concealers by Makeup Forever, Nars, or Collection. It is honestly worth the hype :). 

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Rimmel Apocalips vs Manhattan Lip Lacquer: DUPE!

Let's be honest with ourselves... everyone loves a good dupe, especially if we have no means of obtaining the original or it's too expensive. However, I think the case here takes the word 'dupe' to a whole new level.

A year after the Rimmel Apocalips were released, the European brand Manhattan released their own version. Needless to say, they are 100% identical. The packaging is the same, the formula is the same, the shade is the same, heck they even smell the same! I was quite shocked and appalled that Manhattan would have the audacity to completely rob Rimmel of their product, so I decided to do some further research. One can't help but be skeptical. 

And that's when I found it: Rimmel and Manhattan are owned by the same company. This fact put my mind to rest over the matter and answered my question about them both being manufactured in the UK. But I think there's no reason for Manhattan to sell the Apocalips, but rather Rimmel should just be available in every country ;) (*cough* Germany *cough*). 

The only difference is that there are few different shades available with each brand, but the one I picked up ('Red Rocks') is the exact same one as 'Celestial'. Though I have no clue why Manhattan would rename it to 'Red Rocks' if it's pink.... 

So now I want to know: have any of you seen 100% identical dupes before? :) 

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How to Deal with Blackheads

Hey everyone, I thought I'd do a post on this pesky thing that most of us ladies battle with: blackheads. We all have em, some more than others (myself included), and I have finally figured out a routine that actually helps to prevent them. So I thought I'd share it with you all :). 

I have realized that there are two main essential things to keeping your pores clear: the right cleanser and the right moisturizer. 

The only cleanser I have found that actually cleans out my pores is the Emma Hardie Morigna Cleansing Balm. If I keep this cleanser on for at least 10 minutes, when I wipe it off I notice that my blackheads are a lot lighter. Not gone, but definitely a lot less noticeable. Any other cleansing balm might do the trick, though I do swear by Emma Hardie. 

The second key to keeping your pores clear from blackheads is using a good, light moisturizer, specifically one without mineral oil within the listed ingredients. Mineral oil easily clogs pores and is therefore a big no-no for a moisturizer to be used on your nose.

I have two moisturizers that are both great options. Simple's Clear Skin Oil Balancing Moisturizer is a great choice for keeping your nose clear, especially if you have an oily t-zone. Another option that I've been using is by the brand Alterra, which is organic and therefore contains only natural ingredients. 

These two things combined help prevent blackheads from forming :). Hope these tips are helpful! 

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Review: Origins - GinZing Eye Cream

Hey everyone! Life has been so chaotic lately, but I finally have time to sit down and write you all a review :). Since a friend of mine was travelling to the States, I had asked her to pick me up a few things from Sephora, one of them including the famous Origins GinZing Eye Cream. I've tried out samples of it before and absolutely loved it, so I was 100% certain that I wanted the full sized version. But I still wanted to write a review on it because there seems to be a bit of a misunderstanding of what this cream is actually meant to do.

Essentially it's a cream that is meant to diminish dark under eye circles and tighten up any puffiness. It has absolutely zero claims on the packaging that it actually moisturizes. Now, with that in mind, this cream actually does everything it promises to!

I essentially use it instead of a concealer for under my eyes. I have especially dark under eye circles (seriously, if I don't get enough sleep, I look like I've been punched in the eyes) so this cream is just a life saver for me. My eyes don't really get puffy, but I do feel a tightening effect from the cream, though no actual visible difference after application.

And no, it's not a magical cream that cures dark circles, it mainly hides them with a slight peachy tint and reflective particles. Essentially the cream has a bit of a tint to it, but it also reflects light, giving it the appearance of brighter eyes. It kind of reminds of the effect you get with using a highlighter (cosmetic, not stationary :P). And as a bonus, I had no reaction to it, which is rare for me since my eyes usually are quite sensitive to eye creams and as a result burn up from them.

However, if you have an especially dry under eye area, or you just like using a moisturizer for your eyes, then you do need to use a different eye cream underneath the GinZing one. And if you just have an incredibly dry under eye area, then I would just stay away from this cream entirely. I repeat, it does not moisturize. There's a reason why the packaging says to only use it in the AM.

But other than that, I'm obsessed with it and love using it, especially since it means I need less makeup :). What are your favourite eye creams? 

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Top 3 Fall Lipsticks

It's very cold today here in Europe (almost froze my butt off while outside - no joke), so what better time to share my top 3 Fall lipsticks/lipcolours now that winter is getting closer :).

I know most people tend to run for the very dark plum shades when the leaves start falling, but as much as I love how they look I find them very hard to pull off, especially during the day. So my choices are a bit more subtle, but still perfect for this season.

1. Clarins Rouge Eclat 05 in "Pink Berry": This is my ultimate fall/autumn lipstick. I wear it religiously when it gets cold outside because it's just the perfect 'raspberry/berry red'. It's incredibly pigmented, but can be worn lightly or built up. It also wears for a long time and leaves a nice stain to the lips. It's also not too drying. It's finish has a hint of a sheen, but not too much. It's great for anybody whose scared to wear red lipstick because this colour is not so in your face and is just a lot easier to wear. It's even ok to wear during the daytime. Overall, I just love lipsticks by Clarins. They have the best lipstick formulations!

2. Maybelline Color Sensational in "Intense Pink": This was a recent find for me and I'm already inseparable from it. I'm not sure why it's called 'Intense Pink' since there's nothing intense about it, but it's just the perfect natural, warm pink. It's almost like "your lips but better", but a tiny bit more pink. It's very creamy, yet quite pigmented. This is just the perfect shade of pink for fall.

3. Rimmel Apocalips in "Nude Eclipse": Gotta have a nude ready for fall! And there's nothing more pigmented and long lasting than the Rimmel Apocolips. 'Nude Eclipse' is the ultimate nude and might not suit everyone. But if you love nudes and they suit you, you'll love this lip lacquer. It dries to a matte finish and can be a bit on the drying side, but it's completely worth it!

Hope everyone can go check out and swatch these lipsticks, especially the Clarins one! Now I'd like to know: what are your favourite lipsticks for fall/autumn? :) 

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Review: GlamGlow - SuperMud

Hey everyone! I thought I'd do another review today on a very well known product: the Glamglow Supermud. A very expensive mask ($65) that everyone loves to use, even celebrities...

I'm going to start off this review by being very frank: I've suffered from terrible blackheads since I can remember, and sadly you cannot change the size of your pores since they are determined by genetics (thanks mom and dad). Mine are actually big enough to pass for freckles, no joke. I've tried everything to try and reduce them - from nose strips (ouch!), to facial extracts (double ouch!). Needless to say, I was getting slightly frustrated with my nose. So when I heard about this mask, I thought it would be the cure to all my frustrations. Sadly, I was very disappointed.

All this mask did was dry up my nose and kept my blackheads looking the exact same. Essentially the mask works by sucking up all the oil from your skin, but not any actual blackheads. I also tried it out as a spot treatment, but that also did nothing for me. There were a few occasions where my blackheads looked a tiny bit lighter than before, but those moments were not often. It's also quite hard to apply properly: you need to apply a thin layer, but not too thin and not too thick.

However, when my boyfriend tried it out (curiosity got the best of him), it actually worked quite well! I don't know if you need to have a certain size of pores for it to work, but it's definitely not a product that'll work for everyone. And it just diminished the appearance of the pores for him, it didn't actually remove any blackheads. If are you thinking about it buying it, I would definitely recommend first trying out a sample to see if it really works for you. It would also be more suited for those with very oily skin, not normal or dry.

Here are some pictures of the mask working. I was slightly embarrassed at the idea of posting them, but I figured it would probably be the most helpful for those who want an idea of how it works:

Before:

During:

After:

I hope this review has been helpful! Let me know in the comments what you do to treat your blackheads :). My current favourite method is using the Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm.

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Review: Emma Hardie - Moringa Cleansing Balm

I have been waiting ages to post a review up on this oh-so hyped up cleansing balm! But as a proper beauty blogger, I wanted to give it a proper 2 month trial phase before giving a conclusive verdict. I had been wanting to get for ages, but only caved when my Clarins Cleansing Milk was empty and the Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm had gone on sale on FeelUnique. After all, who can say no to a discount??

After several weeks of using this cleanser, I can officially declare it to be my holy grail cleanser. I know, big statement to make, but it's true! It is the ultimate cleanser because it acts as a cleanser AND as a moisturizer. It's just the perfect thing to use when you want clean and balance out your skin.

Yes, it is quite expensive ($56 full price on FeelUnique), but I do think it's worth every penny. I always look forward to using at night when I want to relax and pamper my skin. Every other cleanser on the market will strip your skin of moisture, whereas this one somehow cleans it and injects moisture back into the skin. This has really helped me with some dry patches I couldn't get rid of before, while also helping my face stay clear of spots. And the best part is that it's for all skin types (yes, even for us oily gals). I was very worried about using this on my nose in particular because the balm essentially becomes an oil when it touches your skin, but oddly enough it actually cleaned out my black heads rather than making them darker.

Also, I do have four tips regarding application for this balm:
1) If you want to avoid using it up quickly, make sure your face is damp before applying. You end up using less with this technique. 
2) If you want to get more moisture out of the balm, use it only a dry face. You will end up using up more product, but with this technique you get more benefits for your skin.
3) Leave the cleanser on for 10 minutes if possible, this way it also acts like a moisturizing mask. 
4) Wipe it off with a slightly damp towel or muslin cloth, and make sure to leave a little bit of residue so that you can just pat the remaining bit into the skin. 

What else can I say about this cleansing balm? It's amazing and it also smells amazing. Highly recommend it!  

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No Makeup?

Hey, everyone! I'm finally done with school and currently have a small break before the next semester, so I thought I'd use this opportunity to catch up with my blogging :).

So something happened yesterday that really made me stop and think. I wanted to go out and quickly buy some groceries with my boyfriend. It was in the evening and I had already taken off all my makeup. This made me slightly reluctant to go and made me groan at the thought of reapplying my makeup after having just taken it all off. At this point, my boyfriend said: "Why don't you just go with no makeup?". This thought was just unfathomable to me. I know it seems so ridiculous and silly, the thought of just heading to the store with no foundation or concealer, but it really made me feel uncomfortable.

For some reason the thought of people seeing my very rosy cheeks, possible blemishes, and dark under eye circles just makes me shiver and feel embarrassed. In the end, I did go without makeup, but I just felt very insecure the whole time. My face actually felt 'naked'. Then it made me wonder if it's the same for other girls: is it easy for you to go out without any makeup? How often do you do it? Which products can you simply not leave the house without? 

I don't have any problem going out with zero eye makeup, to the point where I only wear some rarely (like once a week or every second week). But I just cannot walk out the house without some foundation. And I'd like that to change. My new goal is to push myself to leave the house every now and then completely bare-faced... I know. Scary.

Let me know in the comments if you have any similar issues regarding "no makeup" days :) 

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Tip of the Week #4: Hiding Spots Efficiently

Long time no see everyone! Sadly, university has kept me away from my beloved blog, but I am going to squeeze in a small cheeky post before going back to my studying.

This week's tip is about how to effectively hide spots. We all know concealer is our best friend, but there's more to hiding a spot than covering up the redness. Unfortunately, I only learned this tip very recently, but it has saved me so many times now that I felt the need to share it with you all!

Tip of the Week: Powder your spots after covering them up with concealer. And "more is more" in this case.

The problem with a concealer or foundation is that it does give your skin a hint of shine, no matter how matte the formula is. In order to diminish the look of the raised bump, you need to make it as matte as possible. This in turn makes the skin look flat rather than raised.

My choice of powder for this job is Rimmel Stay Matte. It really does make your spots disappear before your eyes (by visual illusions, not for real :P).

Hope this tip helps out at least one of you out there :).

For a full post on how to prevent getting spots, you can click here. 

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Review: Bioderma - Hydrabio Riche

Even though the weather has been warm lately, my skin has been feeling dehydrated rather than its usual oily/combination state. Since I had a lot of fate in Bioderma, I decided to give their Hydrabio Riche a shot. But sadly, it was not the cure I was looking for.

First thing I didn't really like was how it made my skin feel, it just didn't sink in nicely. My face felt slightly sticky and a bit tight. I didn't have that "ahhh..." moment that I normally have with a good moisturizer, as I would feel moisture sink into my skin. I didn't notice much a difference to be honest, it wasn't really moisturizing or beneficial to my skin whatsoever. I'd also like to note that Bioderma's moisturizers do contain mineral oil, which can be known to sometimes clog pores. 

It didn't break me out or do anything bad, but it also didn't really help hydrate my skin. Though I do really like the sleek packaging (comes with a pump). But I guess every brand, even Bioderma, has the odd not-so-amazing product :).

If you have you any suggestions for a good hydrating moisturizer, please let me know :).  

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