Top 12 Beauty Products of 2012

Since 2012 is drawing to an end I thought that a post about the products I discovered and loved the most this year would be very appropriate. 2012 was a great year beauty wise because I managed to discover a lot of products which have now become some of my staples and which I will probably use for years to come.Therefore, here are my top 12 beauty products of 2012!

 

1. Urban Decay Naked Palette. This is literally the best makeup palette I have ever used. I am a huge fan of natural/ neutral looks so this palette is perfect for me. The eyeshadows have some really beautiful shades and are of great quality.

 

2. Guerlain Lingerie de Peau foundation. 2012 was the year I've found the perfect foundation for my skin. It fuses so well with  my skin tone, it is really light and it leaves a natural and soft finish.

 

3. Dior blush in Sunkissed Cinnamon.  Satin texture, peachy bronze shade, beautiful finish...what's not to love about this blush?

 

4. Benefit They're Real Mascara. I've read mixed reviews about this mascara, so I was really eager to try it. And when I did...I loved it! I didn't find it clumpy at all, it gave my lashes great volume and length while carefully separating them. I will definitely keep repurchasing it.

 

5. YSL Touch Eclait. Back in summer I gave in and bought my first Touch Eclait and I'm happy I did because I really like it. It brightens by under eye area without making it look cakey or unnatural.

 

6. Sephora lipstick in shade CO7. I love Sephora lipsticks because they have a very soft and hydrating texture. And since 2012 was a very berry coloured year I couldn't pass the opportunity of buying a lipstick in this particular shade. It has a versatile colour because you can either apply it until your lips look rather dark and intense or you can apply it with your fingers so that you will obtain the "just bitten lips" effect.

 

7. Bioderma cleanser. This is one great makeup remover, because it cleans the skin really well, it doesn't make my eyes sore and it leaves my face really revitalised and fresh.

 

8. Flora Gorgeous Gardenia by Gucci. Fragrance wise this year I've fallen in love with this sweet and subtle scent from Gucci.

 

9. Syoss hair repair mask. I love this hair mask so much. It strengthens my hair a lot and it gives it great texture and volume. I use it once a week or once every other week (depending on my mood and the state of my hair) on wet hair and leave it for only two or three minutes to do its magic.

 

10. Carmex lip balm. Because I have sensible lips, lip balms are really necessary to me; and in my opinion Carmex is the best lip balm I've ever tried. It's very hydrating and I also use it as a base for my lipstick.

 

11. Rimmel Soft Kohl eyeliner. This is the best black eyeliner out there, it doesn't smudge, it lasts the whole day and it is really intense.

 

12. Sally Hansen nail polishes. I'm really happy I've discovered this nail polish brand, because they have a great variety of beautiful shades with a good staying power (my favourite shade so far is Greige Gardens - the one in the above photo).

 

So these have been my top 12 beauty products which I loved the most this year. I hope you liked this post and you've been inspired to try new products :)

 

Lots of love x

Weekly Report #1

Hello lovelies,

I hope you are all having a fab weekend! Time for some highlights of the past week :)

 

1. H&M and Modalu's spring/summer catalogues along with my new animal print scarf from H&M; 2. A delicious wild fruits tiramisu and the best frappe in town; 3. The outfit I wore on Thursday when I went out with my boyfriend to celebrate Women's Day; 4. New hair care products from Syoss: an intensive repair mask and a heat protection spray; 5. Some beautiful snowdrops from the countryside (not only do they smell incredible but I also like to see them as spring's loyal messengers); 6. The gorgeous flowers I received on Women's Day; 7. Leonidas candy. Enough said.

Take care x

February Favourites

Hello girls,

I hope you are having a wonderful sunny weekend! Today I wanted to write about the products I've used the most in the past month. Since most of February was pretty cold and it snowed a lot, I used a lot of hydrating products (shocking, I know) and less make-up products on my face since I risked turning into a raccoon due to the all the snow. Therefore, for me, the first part of February hasn't been very glam since my main purpose was to be hydrated and natural :) Thankfully, spring is here now and I can't wait for all the colour!

On to the favourites now:

1. Benefit Erase Paste - I'm in love with this concealer; I like its texture, its coverage and the fact that it brightens my under eye area. The only minus is the fact that it tends to settle into the fine lines under my eyes, but if you apply some powder on top of it it will resolve the problem.

2. Carmex lip balm - the best lip balm I've ever used. I have very sensitive lips so this highly moisturising lip balm is perfect for me whether I use it on its own or as a base for my lipstick.

3. Nivea Pure & Natural body milk - I really like Nivea's Pure & Natural line. I find this body lotion to be very hydrating and you only need a relatively small amount of product to do the job.

4. Dove hand cream (winter limited edition) - I have really dry skin on my hands so I constantly need a very hydrating hand cream, especially during winter time, and this limited edition hand cream from Dove was surprisingly good.

5. Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in the shade 'boy' - this has got to be my favourite lipstick shade. I love natural shades on my lips and this gorgeous shade of natural pink looks so elegant and luxurious. I also love its soft texture and the fact that it's so easy to ware.

6. Lancome Juicy Tube in 'Lychee' - in terms of lip glosses, this new Juicy Tube is my current favourite. I like the fact that it's so moisturising and it has a good lasting power. It is a bit too sheer, but it has a nice pinkish shade, perfect for natural looks.

7. Sephora and Maybelline liquid eye liners - since in February I went for a more natural look which didn't involve any elaborate eye make-up, these two liquid eyeliners (one in purple and one in black) were my most reached out eye products. These two aren't exactly the most intense eyeliners but they are very appropriate for a more natural look.

8. Garnier Fructis hair polishing wax - in winter my hair tends to be quite freezy due to all the hats and knitwear, so I needed a product to keep it under control. This polishing wax from Garnier Fructis, except from the fact that it smells divine, kept my hair into place, fixing (most of the times) its frizz typical for this dry period. I also liked the fact that it offered shine to my hair, which made it look healthier.

9. Apple scented Ikea candle - it smells gorgeous! I think this is my new favourite scent. It's so fresh and energising.

Which were your favourites this month? Any product you can recommend me?

Take care x

Balea "Trend It Up" Dry Shampoo Review

Hello girls!

Today I want to talk to you about Balea "Trend It Up" Dry Shampoo. This is the first dry shampoo I've ever tried, but I love it. It's super easy to use and the results are great.

I wash my hair every three days so in its third day it tends to be a little greasy and most of the times I have to tie it in a pony tail or braid it. Therefore when I heard about this dry shampoo from a fellow blogger I couldn't wait to get my hands on it!

The product claims to revitalize your hair, reduce the sebum and the bad smell. Moreover, you can win up to one day without washing it.

My opinion

Fortunately, the product does what it claims. It reduces the sebum and adds a bit of volume, therefore the hair looks revitalized. It also has a fresh but discreet smell, which is good because you're not going to feel dizzy after using it. I still wash my hair in its third day but at least it looks decent throughout the day. Also it has a small price tag, less than 3 euros. A total bargain because I love the product and I really recommend it! Whenever you want to revitalize your hair or you don't feel like washing it, this dry shampoo is the answer! However, don't exaggerate and use it more than one day because it can have a reversed effect. Also, you better use it when your hair starts to look greasy and not when it's really greasy because I don't think it will have any effect at all.

How to use it

After diving your hair in strands, spray the product over them, especially at the roots and less towards the ends because it can dry your hair a bit. You will notice that the shampoo will leave some white powder when you apply it, and this is why you have to wipe it with a towel or simply massage it so that you spread the product through your hair.

I hope this review was helpful :)

Until next time, lots of kisses!