Two Of My Absolute Favorite Highlighters (plus two honorable mentions)!

I love highlighters. I do. However, things have not always been this way - a mere year ago I couldn't really see a point of it. I'm kind of oily, I'm acne prone, it'll just make me look greasy or, worse, break me out. How things change... Highlighter has grown to be an essential part of my everyday makeup routine, especially in the winters, and I've found it really gives the look a certain je ne sais quoi. Since I'm still oily-skinned, I have to be careful as to which products to choose, so these are the ones I've really liked.

Christian Dior Poudre Shimmer (Shimmer Powder) in Amber Diamond

Image from: strawberrynet.com

 This product I found completely by accident - I was just looking around on some beauty message boards and discovered that loads of people recommended it. Next day, I decided to check it out in person, and it was love at first sight.

This highlighter gives me such a nice, subtle glow - it really is hard to overdo, and it's great for daytime. I apply it with my MAC 188 brush, and I actually have to swipe a few times to build up the intensity. It may seem quite dark in the pan, kind of bronzy even, but I assure you, it only gives my pale NC15 skin a hint of colour, nothing over the top. The packaging is beautiful: deep dark blue compact that opens easily, and my favourite - no brush! The compact comes with a velvety sleeve that is such a horrible dust collector. The packaging seems sturdy enough, but I'll have to warn you to take extra care of it when traveling, as I've read a few reviews where people say they've put it in their bags when packing for a trip, and it has shattered.

BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector in Pearl

 Image from: zuneta.com

I love this. Plain and simple. This is much more noticeable on your skin than the Dior one, but it really is a great choice for somebody who doesn't like messing around with powders. Since it's a liquid, it can be blended seamlessly with your foundation, providing sometimes a more natural finish than powders, and it works beautifully when a tiny bit is mixed with moisturizer. The shimmer particles are very tightly "packed", so no individual glittery bits stand out, and the shade (white) is perfect with my skin tone. The liquid doesn't dry down, instead it provides a very dewy glow that you can minimize with simply dusting a little powder on top - it'll still shine through, but the effect will  be much more subtle. 

What I also like about it is that you get an incredible amount - 50 ml - so considering the fact that you only need a tiny bit every time, it'll last you for a long time. 

The packaging is great - it has two caps, one bigger, and a smaller one that's transparent. When I'm traveling with liquids in my bag or suitcase I'm always scared the caps will come off or the packaging will spill somehow, and this two-cap-system prevents that.

It is a bit harder to find than the Dior one, but zuneta.com sells this, and they have international shipping. If you want to try it out before buying, just ask them for samples - I did, and they were happy to provide them!

I thought I'd include two more products that I like, but not enough to justify buying or I just don't find myself reaching for (AKA The Honorable Mentions).

Rouge Bunny Rouge Liquid Highlighter Sea of Clouds

  Image from: makeup4all.com

Rouge Bunny Rouge is the current bloggers' favourite brand, and I have to admit that I'm completely smitten with them as well. The packaging is absolutely gorgeous, and very high end, and the formulas seem to be very-very good. It comes in an artfully decorated glass bottle with a hygienic pump dispenser. I tried it out first at my local RBR counter and, perhaps because the bottle was only half full, too much of it squirted out, despite me trying to be very careful with it. The consistency is wonderful, very spreadable, and it dries completely matte. The shimmer particles in this are much more noticeable, because it isn't so tightly packed with them. On the skin, I didn't notice that much of a difference, but honestly, I kind of prefer the BECCA 'tightly packed' version. One thing that made me like BECCA more, is the amount - you get 30ml vs BECCA's 50 ml, yet it costs 15€ more. 

It still is a lovely product, but I recommend trying it out before you buy, since it's such an investment - once again, zuneta.com stocks it.

MAC Eyeshadow in Ricepaper

 Image from: luuux.com

I really like products you can use for different things, and in ways it necessarily isn't meant to function. It really is an old makeup artists' trick to use a light coloured slightly shimmery eyeshadow as a nice highlighter on the cheekbones, but I discovered it back when I was graduating 9th grade. I was doing my makeup and decided my base needed something more, and this pot caught my eye, so I experimented. The outcome was very nice, nicer than I'd actually expected, and I got many compliments on my makeup that day. It also photographs beautifully, since it's not extremely shimmery. 

Since it is quite a warm shade, it might not be suitable for cool toned people, since the yellow undertone would clash against pink (however, it depends on the look you're going for!).

Do you use a highlighter? What products do you like best?

Eestikeelne tõlge lingile klõpsates!

Favourite Body Lotions and Moisturizers for Summer!

Now, the weather in Estonia is extremely sunny and very warm right now, so it's not really necessary to wear body lotions all the time, but my skin tends to get dehydrated quite fast, even on summer days, so I need something light yet sufficiently hydrating. These are my picks:

The Body Shop Shea Whip Body Lotion

Image from: thebodyshop-usa.com

I actually like most of The Body Shop's body lotions and body butters, and I find they work well on my skin. I'm a huge fan of the wonderful creamy scent of this and the formulation makes it perfect for light summer hydration (as I prefer the heavier body butters for winter!).

Garnier Body Repair Cream

Image from: buduaar.ee

Now, I know this is geared towards very dry skin in need of rescue. However, I don't find this product actually this moisturizing to use in the winter when my skin really is in that condition (maybe just for during the day on top of a more powerful body cream). I love this during the summer and mostly use it on my arms and as a hand cream before going to bed - it preserves the moisture in my skin beautifully.
Note: this cream also comes in a bottle and in a tube, but I prefer using this one from a small tub, for some reason. But it's nice to know you can choose the packaging you're most comfortable with.

Garnier BodyTonic Lotion

Image from: garnier.co.uk

 

As the previous two ones have been with more moisturizing properties, I wanted to pick a product that would suit people who find them a bit too heavy. The BodyTonic lotion is very light and non-greasy - it sinks in almost immediately. It has a nice citrus smell with a hint of herbs, which is actually really appealing to me. It supposedly has a firming effect that I honestly haven't really noticed, probably because I don't particularly need it yet, but hey, if the effect works for you, it's a great bonus to an already great lotion!

Do you moisturize regularly during summer or do you find it to be a bother in hot weather?


Eestikeelne tõlge lingile klõpsates!

Shiseido Shimmering Rouge Lipstick in RS310 Brocade

Shiseido is, in my opinion, one of the most underrated makeup brands. It offers great quality products and I've liked everything I've tried from them and I'll definitely continue to discover that brand.
I recently stopped by my local Shiseido counter to see if they had anything new to try out and spotted the new Shimmering Rouge lipsticks. These are Shiseido's answer to this season's trend of sheer lipsticks. Like the name suggests, all of these shades are quite shimmery, some more than the others, so I'd say even people usually very of shimmer can find a suitable lipstick from this line. All of colours in this range are very nice and wearable.

 Image from: blondycandy.com

The shade I eyed first was PK407 Stiletto which is also the lipstick chosen to represent this line, but I thought I'd be too cool-toned for me, so I chose RS310 Brocade (gorgeous name as well, isn't it?).
I find that the swatch on the website is pretty accurate in terms of how it is on my lips - I've read a couple of reviews on this particular shade and I've seen it look much more rosy in those reviews, but on me, it's a gorgeous berry shade that leans either more cool or warm in different lights - such an unique efect!

It's very long-lasting on me, which is a bit of a surprise really, considering that it's supposed to be a sheer lipstick. Speaking of which, it isn't that sheer on me either. This lipstick applies almost opaquely at the first swipe - perhaps it's because the texture is very creamy, so I use more product. I applied this before going out and after about four-five hours it was still there, albeit slightly faded. As it fades, the shimmer becomes more apparent and it emphasizes flaky lips more than when it's first applied, so I'd say you should take care of your lips beforehand, though it's not an extremely capricious lipstick.

The packaging is sleek, like always with Shiseido. The tube is tall and thin and it sits very well in hand. It's also surprisingly lightweight (the bullet is bigger than regular MAC lipsticks, yet weighs a bit less). You also get less product, which might be a thing to consider - Shiseido Shimmering Rouge contains 0.07 oz (bit less than 2 grams) of product, compared to MAC (0.10 oz /2.8 grams) and YSL Rouge Volupté (0.12 oz /3.4 grams), yet it costs more than MAC (around 25€ here, 25$ on Sephora's website).


8/10


Eestikeelne tõlge lingile klõpsates!

Guerlain Terracotta Loose Powder Kohl Liner - Instant Seductive Eyes!

I'll have to warn you - this is going to be a wordy review, so if you don't feel like reading through it all, I've provided a small bulletpoint summary below the text!

Image from sephora.com

As long as I can remember, I've been a fan of traditional arabic kohl lined eyes - it has always seemed so beautiful, yet mysterious and seductive at the same time. A couple of trips to Dubai have only renewed and reinforced my love for it. Until now, I've always thought that that kind of makeup would look too harsh on me(despite my dark hair and relatively dark eyes).

I've wanted to try the Guerlain Loose Powder Kohl Liner for some time now, but the price has always scared me off - 'what if it doesn't work? what if I end up raccoon eyes or just look ridiculous?' have always been my main arguments.
Recently, I got over my fear and went ahead and finally purchased my long-coveted eyeliner and tried it out the next day.

Let's start with the packaging - it's gorgeous, through the golden top should be metal, not plastic, for such a steep price. The eyeliner measures around 9 centimetres (3.5 inches) with the top screwed on, so it is not, by any means, a big product. You get 0.03 ounces, which is slightly less than 1 gram of kohl powder, which may not seem like a lot, but you use a minute amount every time you apply it, so it should last a long time.

It comes in several shades - Sephora's website lists 3 - Black (dark with small shimmers that serve to make the shade a bit more interesting, less flat), Brun (a deep golden brown), and Blue (deep teal blue). Guerlain also has come out regularly with different limited edition shades over the years as parts of their seasonal collections.

The black shade I ended up getting is deep and nicely pigmented, and it stays on for a long time on the waterline, and doesn't turn gray in the process. As the time goes by, I find that it migrates slightly to my lashline, but it does it in a good way, so I get the 'bedroom eyes'-look, not the 'I'm-actually-part-raccoon'-look. The colour does not have any blue undertones in it, which I find great, because I'm not a fan of blue-black tones.

The box the liner comes in also has a piece of paper explaining the ways of applying it - the traditional, eastern way and the western way. I prefer using it the traditional way since it does have the wand applicator and it works better this way, I find. However, if you don't like touching your eyes all that much, you may find the western way a bit more comfortable, at least at first.
The traditional way of applying it is roughly like this: you unscrew the top, take out the wand and make sure that it's evenly coated with the powder. To ensure that you don't get too much, tap it slightly so that the excess falls back into the container. You put the wand on top of your waterline, very close to your eye, shut your eye and drag the wand towards the 'end' of your eye. The wand should touch your eyeball - I know, I know..it sounds gross, but it doesn't hurt at all, since the powder is specially formulated that even when small particles of kohl get into your eye, they won't harm you.

Since it's a loose powder, you might get a bit of fall out if you're not careful. To avoid this, place a tissue on your undereye area when applying or just do it before your foundation, because it really is tough to clean up afterwards (personal experience!).

My last point of this review is hygene. You absolutely cannot share it with anyone! Unlike eyepencils that you can use on other people and then wipe the top off and sanitize it, the applicator on this product is tough to sanitize. I know most people don't mind it, since they aren't planning on doing makeup on other people, but it might be a point to consider.

In short:
+ gorgeous packaging
+ you use a tiny amount every time
+ beautiful colours in the permanent range (and also limited editions!)
+ long-lasting
+ non-harmful (since it doesn't contain lead)
- pricy
- non-sanitizable
- might be tricky to apply at first

All in all, I love this product and I'm so glad I finally got it!
9/10


Eestikeelne tõlge lingile klõpsates!

YSL Anti-Cernes Multi-Action Concealer

In my makeup wearing years I've tried numerous concealers, most of which have been drugstore ones. Now, I don't have anything against drugstore makeup (in fact, recent discoveries have opened my eyes considerably and I've seriously warmed up to it), but for some reason I've never had much luck with cheap concealers. Frustrated that yet another product had turned horribly orange on me, I decided to look into more pricier products. And so I discovered my current favorite.

 Image from sephora.com

The YSL Anti Cernes Multi Action Concealer does its job remarkably well - it covers up both blemishes and my terribly dark undereye circles with relative ease and doesn't look cakey. It's not particularly matte, perhaps because it has light diffusing particles in it, yet they're subtle enough not to highlight red spots. Its consistency is solid, yet creamy and is very blendable.

As with all concealers, you do need to set it, but I find that once you've done that, it doesn't really move, unless you rub your face. It looks quite natural, and one of the factors to thank for this is the colors. The selection isn't good for dark skins, as it has only four shades (I've only seen the three lighter shades in stores around here), but the existing colors seem quite wearable. I use the lightest shade (1 Ivory Beige) and while it has a yellow tone to it, it's definitely not overpowering and it really is a good match (I'm an NC15- NC20, for reference).

YSL says that this concealer has good pigmentation, and I'd have to say I quite agree with them. However, since I prefer quite a flawless base for my makeup on most days, I go through them more often than I would like to, which isn't a particularly good thing, considering that's it's quite a pricy product for the small amount you get in the container (2 grams/0.07 oz).

The packaging is gorgeous - a gold column that's a bit weighty. It sits well in hand and is quite comfortable to hold when using it.

All in all, it's a great concealer, and its only cons are the price and the amount you get. I'll keep using it until I find a similar one that does its job just as well and has a better size vs price value.

7/10

Eestikeelne tõlge lingle klõpsates!

Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre Natural Finish Loose Powder

 

Image from: chanel.com

Chanel.com describes this as: "Ultra-soft loose powder provides sheer, light coverage with a soft matte finish, setting and perfecting makeup as it evens skin tone. Photo-reflective pigments help disguise imperfections without emphasizing lines.".



I use this as a setting powder over my liquid foundation (Chanel Mat Lumiere - see my review here) and concealer, and this does its job beautifully - it sets it properly, giving it a natural finish. I find that you can alter the finish slightly using different techniques - for example, using a powder puff (I use the one the powder comes with, it's of great quality), pushing the product it and knocking the unnecessary off with a powder brush makes it more matte than it would be when applying it with just a brush. As the day goes by, it gradually melds into my skin, making it look more and more natural as the day goes by.
By the afternoon, I find I need a bit of touching up as the first bits of oil starts seeping through - keep in mind that I'm not extremely oily, so some people might need touching up a bit earlier.

The color selection is great for light to medium-dark skins. A couple of lighter shades are supposed to be translucent, and don't give much color, so I imagine they're quite universally usable without the danger of looking ashy. However, it might be that extremely light skins and very dark skins may find it difficult to get a color match or find that the "translucent" shades give a tiny bit of unnecessary color.

The product is housed in a large sturdy round plastic pot, which sits comfortably on table and is usable without the fear of knocking it accidentally over. One of the most positive things about the packaging is that it really doesn't break easily - I've used up around three of four of these and have probably dropped each one of them to the floor at some point, yet none of them have broken.
The sifter is covered with a piece of clear tape to prevent powder from spilling before first use - I'd recommend not pulling it off completely, because it prevents you from shaking out too much powder. You also get 30 grams/1 ounce of product which I think is a great value for money, even when considering the price ($52.00 at chanel.com) because it'll last you for some time.

10/10

Eestikeelne tõlge lingile klõpsates!

2 Homemade Masks I Regularly Use.

 Image credit: almightydad.com

This is just a quick post to go with my recent skincare-theme. I love using masks when I feel my skin needs a quick boost. Store bought masks can be quite pricy sometimes (like all cosmetics), but I've found that in some cases, using everyday nourishing ingredients might work just as well, if not better!

Yogurt mask. Well, I'm a huge fan of yogurt, especially when I'm working out and want to build muscle. It's great for your body, and it's good for your skin as well! Just cleanse your face, and apply non-flavored natural yogurt. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes. For a full effect, use full fat, and not low or non-fat. You can pretty much use whatever brand you like best, but I'm a fan of Activia, which has a very small ingredients list (a HUGE plus in my book!). I find this mask to be very smoothing and my skin is very even-toned after using it. Some people like to mix honey with the yogurt, which makes the consistency a bit less runny and is a bit more moisturizing - just play around with it and find out what combination suits you the best!

Aspirin mask. Ahh, yes, the infamous aspirin mask, a Godsend for oily skin with blemishes. I'm sure you've all heard of it, but I feel that sometimes we just forget all the old remedies constantly trying new products.
Just crush some uncoated tablets (I use about 4-5) with a tiny bit of water to make a paste and apply it either all over your face (avoiding the eye area, of course) or use it as a spot treatment. Leave it on for about 10-15 minutes, depending on how sensitive your skin is. However, since it is more harsh than the yogurt mask, I recommend trying it out on a small area at first to make sure your skin doesn't react badly to it.

I hope you all had a great weekend!

Eestikeelne tõlge lingile klõpsates!

My skincare routine.

Skincare has been extremely important to me ever since I started getting problems with my skin - which was when I was about ten! I have to admit, since I was quite young back then, I wasn't really bothered to wash my face every night or use toner every time, but later on, the connection between me being meticulous with my skincare and having my face a bit calmer than usual became apparent.
Since I love reading what products other people use on their skin, I figured why not write my own post about it?

Image credits go to: Amazon.co.uk, nordstom.com, drhauschka.com and lumene.com

Cleanser: Lumene Matt Touch Balancing Skin Cleanser.
Now, I have to admit that I'm a bit of a high end snob makeup-wise, but I have found that this (and a couple others) relatively inexpensive products really work for me. This cleanser isn't anything special, and I doubt it controls oil very well, but it has a nice texture, leaves my face clean and, most importantly, doesn't break me out!

Toner: Lumene Matt Touch Balancing Toner.
Again, this isn't expensive and does the job well. I don't find it to be a necessary step in my cleansing routine, so I sometimes skip it (though I like using it at night after taking off my makeup, to make sure I really got everything off my face!). It does contain quite a bit of alcohol, so if you have problems with using products containing it it or have dry skin, I suggest avoiding it altogether.

Moisturizer: Dr. Hauschka Normalizing Day Oil.
I've blogged about this before, and I have to say that I still love it and I've got nothing bad to say about it! I firmly believe that this has contributed to my skin normalizing a bit and not being crazy oily all the time. Best skincare product I've ever used. However, I don't adore the packaging that much, since the cap tends to leak a bit.

Makeup remover: Neutrogena Oil Free Makeup Remover.
This, I like, not love. It has a nice creamy consistency and smells very fresh. It's also quite gentle on the skin; Neutrogena even says that you can safely skip the cleanser and go to bed after using it. I've done that a couple of times when I was feeling really tired, and it didn't break me out - I suspect it was thanks to the lack of oils that don't agree with my skin. I find, however, that I have to use it quite a lot if I want it to completely remove my makeup (and I do!).

I also sometimes use YSL Gommage Action Biologique sans Grains, which is a granule-free scrub. I have quite a generous sized sample of this, but I'm seriously considering purchasing it once I've run out if it - and I'm also thinking of doing a proper review on it, it certainly deserves one!


So there you go, my skincare staples. I still like trying new products, and if I find something worth talking about, you'll definitely hear about it, but these are the ones I've found work best on my skin at the moment - so unless something changes drastically, I'll keep on using them!

I'd LOVE to hear about your skincare routine!

Eestikeelne versioon lingile klõpsates!

Garnier Pure 3 in 1 AKA Pack Better!

Image credit: death-breath.blogspot.com

I don't really like writing negative reviews, but I had an extremely bad experience with a cleanser I had to use for a week - Garnier Pure 3 in 1 Wash-Scrub-Mask.

During Christmastime, I visited a part of my family living in the other side of Estonia. Being the terrible procrastinator I usually am, I left my packing to the last minute, and as a result, left my regular cleanser behind. 

Alright, the perfect time to try a new one. My mother handed my the Garnier 3 in 1 cleanser and since I'd heard nothing but good things about it from her, I eagerly tried it.

I wouldn't consider my skin to be a particularly sensitive one, and it rarely breaks out from any products used on my skin, but during the week I stayed at my relative's place, my skin got progressively worse - I broke out in places I usually break out, but much more severely - in clusters, which usually never happens. At first, I thought my skin was just acting up because I'd consumed more sugary foods than I usually do, but even after eating healthy for a couple of days, the breakouts just wouldn't go away - when one had healed, another one popped up. It was horrible.
When I finally got home, I immediately switched to my normal cleanser and slowly but surely my skin cleared up again. 

On the plus side, it did cleanse well and my skin felt quite clean and fresh after using it. It controlled my oiliness quite well, and I imagine I have to thank kaolin mud for that. It's also cheap, so if it works for you, it's probably a very good deal.

Based on my bad experience, I wouldn't really recommend it - it broke me out and the scrubbing particles were very rough on my skin. On the other hand, my mother absolutely loves it, so maybe it's better suited for more mature skin what can take daily scrubs well.

4/10

Eestikeelne tõlge lingile klõpsates!

Ins and Outs 2!

 Image credit: weheartit.com

I think it's time for the second edition of 'Ins and Outs'. My life has been changing tremendously, so I though I'd share some of my thoughts!

Ins:

• Lipglosses. I haven't been a fan of lipglosses for so long - I think the last time I used them regularly was in the fifth grade! Maybe it's the upcoming spring or just me trying to lighten up my makeup routine, but I've been absolutely crazy about lipglosses ( I'm also LOVING Dolce & Gabbana ones!). I'm currently on the search for a gorgeous peachy one - I'm thinking of trying Chanel Glossimers, what do you think?
• Fitness. I have never been the most athletic person, but I started exercising regularly a couple years ago. I went through a personal crisis a year ago, and fell off the wagon. But now, I've started a new training program called Insanity, and oh my goodness, the name is definitely NOT a marketing ploy! I'm on the second week, and I already feel that I'm getting stronger - it feels so good!
• Staying on top of schoolwork. Last semester taught me well - it's better to study continuously, not wait until the exam session to start studying. This has also been a part of the reason as to why I've been so silent lately, but I'm trying to balance schoolwork with my other hobbies and hopefully I'll be able to update more regularly!

Outs:

• Insecurities. I think every woman is occasionally plagued with them, but it's really time to start appreciating who you are and what you've been given!
• Laziness. If given the chance, I can be incredibly lazy and SUCH a procrastinator, but it's actually very important to me to keep busy - so I've been searching for jobs (that can also fund my beauty addiction, haha!).

What have you been up to and what are your ins and outs, my dear readers?