Current Skin Care

It's been a really long time since I last posted about my skin care routine and because I'm really happy with the state of my skin at the moment, I think there is no better time for an update. A lot has changed and a lot stayed the same, but basically since I revamped my skin care, my skin is a lot more balanced, I'd say very close to normal with my T-zone being just a bit oily sometimes, however, the dryness I was experiencing before mostly in winter months is gone. 

Previous skin care routine posts can be found here, here and here.

 Make up Removers

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

A nice drugstore micellar water, definitely my favourite budget one. As all I've tried so far, it feels like water and leaves no residue. I don't find it as effective as Bioderma since I use more cotton pads and product to get my skin completely clean, but the final result is the same. I use Garnier and Bioderma interchangeably.

Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micelle Solution

A staple in my skin care since 2011. It's the best micellar water I've tried and I'll keep repurchasing it. It removes make up fast and leaves no residue behind - all in all it's a fantastic product for my skin. I buy it at a local pharmacy.

Maybelline Eye Make up Remover Waterproof

(Augen-Make-Up Entferner Spezial Waterproof) 

This is another product I've been buying for years. I wear only waterproof mascara because I have the most stubborn eyelashes that refuse to stay curled (and are a pain to get them curled), so I have to use oily removers. This one is a standard two-phase make up remover that removes waterproof mascara, but it does leave a greasy residue, though it doesn't make my vision cloudy.

Coconut Oil

I use it as a make up remover occasionally and I actually prefer it to Maybelline's remover because I notice how good my skin looks the next day, but it's a lot greasier and makes my vision super cloudy. It also works great as a moisturiser.

Cleanser 

balance Me cleanse and smooth face balm

I'm on my second tube so far of this balm cleanser with oatmeal exfoliating particles. It cleanses the skin while leaving it moisturised and I know that this is the main reason I'm dry patches-free, since regular gel/mousse cleansers left my skin super tight and dry, therefore dry patches appeared. This makes my skin look and feel nice, the only downside is the price.
I use washcloths to remove it.

Toner/AHA treatment

Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner

This is the product that keeps my skin, mostly forehead, smooth and clear. Though it contains gycolic acid, it's still moisturising, so it feels more like a lotion and it's super gentle (doesn't sting one bit, even if I have a small wound). Though, I'm a bit apprehensive about using AHA's so often, I haven't had a bad reaction, my skin did not become more sensitive and if I stop using it for a while my skin reverts to it's previous state with a bumpy forehead. I tend to apply it only on my forehead and chin, occasionally all over the face. I also cut the cotton pads in two and I only use a few drops per use. It's super expensive, but this is becoming a staple in my skin care routine. The only other product that made my skin look the same way is the much more expensive Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair.

 Moisturisers

L'Occitane Angelica Hydration Cream

My favourite moisturiser so far. It's sinks in fast, it's super hydrating, leaves a smooth, semi-matte finish and the skin feels almost velvety to the touch. It's the best moisturiser I've found for wearing under make up. The skin looks so healthy after using this and in general the skin improves over time in terms of hydration levels. My second favourite moisturiser that I've used up several tubes of is Eucerin Aquaporin Active Light.

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse

If you're an old follower on my blog, you'll know that I've been using this every day for three years already. This is a staple in my skincare, much has changed, but this stayed. This is one of those products I can hardly imagine being without. It keeps my skin super, super soft, radiant and healthy looking. It's a dry oil, so it actually doesn't feel that oily and it sinks in in minutes. It's a multi-purpose oil, so I use what's left on my hair and it keeps it in good condition. 

Extras and non-every day items 
I don't use face mask that often because I can't be bothered. 

Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque

 This has a really high rating on Make up Alley and it's really affordable for such a massive tube. It's a standard clay mask that is super thick and it draws out impurities from pores, but I dare not apply it on my cheeks because it completely dries out my skin. If you have really oily, problematic skin you'll love it. 

Neutrogena visibly clear 2-in1 wash mask

I've been using this since probably around 2006, so I've gone through a lot of tubes of this. I try a different mask every now and then, but I always come back to this one. It's another clay mask with salicylic acid, however, unlike Queen Helene one, this one doesn't dry out my skin at all. It can also be used as a cleanser, but it feels odd to me. It's inexpensive for the amount you get, smells nice and it's widely available. 

Origins Drink Up Intensive

Since my battle with dry patches is over, I don't use this much. In fact, I don't even find it all that good. It just feels like a thick, sticky moisturiser that smells like canned fruit salad (not peaches as most people say), which does moisturise very well, but my skin doesn't feel amazing after use as though I've applied something really special. Actually, I did have an emergency when Queen Helene mask really dried out my cheeks and made them rough, but this wasn't enough to fix the dryness.

REN Resurfacing AHA Concentrate

This serum is nothing revolutionary, but it does help those pesky blemish marks to fade faster. It doesn't remove them overnight, but long-term this is very effective. Also if I get a few spots this sometimes helps overnight, then sometimes it doesn't.

Sun Dance Mattierendes Sonnenfluid SPF30

(Mattifying sunprotecting fluid SPF30)

I barely spend a few minutes outside a day, so I don't wear sunscreen every day and I mostly wear BBs or foundations with SPF anyway. I like this one because it's really light, not greasy and it's really affordable.

Avene Cicalfate

This is just a basic antibacterial repairing treatment for any cuts, wounds, etc. I don't use this a lot on my face as I don't need to, but if it just happens that I squeezed a zit, I apply this to make it heal faster. 

Balea Soft & Clear Anti-Pickel Gel

This is rubbish, but it's the only spot treatment I have. I don't get a lot of spots and if I get them, I'm not that bothered. It's one of those on-spot gels with tons of alcohol and salicylic acid that in theory should make the spot dry out faster, but this one doesn't work.

Labello Fruity Shine Peach

Not the most moisturising lip balm, but it smells divine and the colour it gives is cute.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Swivel Stick

I don't suffer from dry lips at all and I think the reason for this also comes down to this swivel stick. I've been using it for years and it's my absolute favourite lip balm. I apply it as the last part of my routine and I wake up with my lips in perfect condition. I almost never use a lip balm during the day simply because I don't need to. I also love this for treating any rough, dry areas. 

Bio Beauté by Nuxe Lip Balm wit Apricot Butter 

This is another great lip balm, but with a more glossy finish. It smells great (pears), moisturises enough for my needs and the tube contains a generous 15 ml. 

And this is it. Basically I use balance Me cleanser, Clarins toner, L'Occitane moisturiser, Nuxe oil and Palmer's lip balm (or Nuxe lip balm) every night, and balance Me cleanser with L'Occitane moisturiser in the mornings. I'm looking for a morning cleanser that is quicker to use and I'm still missing Estee Lauder's Night Advance serum which is amazing.

Have a great day!

Labello Fruity Shine Peach Lip Balm

There is a new kid on the Labello's Fruity Shine block. Peach version joined the family which already includes Strawberry, Cherry and in some countries also Guava, while Dragon fruit and Pomegranate mysteriously disappeared. I did make an unidentified high pitch sound when I first saw it, since I absolutely love peach scented products.
For those who are confused about the name Labello, it's just how Nivea's lip balms are called in this part of the world. To the best of my knowledge this version doesn't exist under the Nivea name.

The peach version has a hint of colour on the lips just as the rest of the Fruity Shine lip balms. This one is, obviously, a peach shade but with tiny gold shimmer, except that the shimmer doesn't show on the lips. The colour pay-off is minimal, but still noticeable, especially if you go to town with it. The finish is shiny.

The scent is divine! Just like peach yoghurt and very similar to The Body Shop Vineyard Peach body butter that I love so much, only sweeter and not as fresh. 

Formula-wise, despite the fact that they are loved by so many, Labello were never my favourites. I find them not moisturising enough, too light and they wear off so fast. Yet they are cheap and there are some fun colours in the fruity shine line, so I do tend to get one once in a while.

Labello Fruity Shine in Peach is widely available in drugstores as well as supermarkets. I got mine in DM for 1.85€. If you love peach scented products, give it a go.

Have a great day!

Bio Beauté by Nuxe Lip Balm

There is something inherently cool about Nuxe. They may be a pharmacy brand, but they're elegant and chic and you love to display their products on the vanity. There is no secret that I adore some of their products, for one I've been using Huile Prodigieuse every day as a face moisturiser for almost three years. Nuxe also has a subsidiary brand called Bio Beauté, a line of organic cosmetics, which prides itself on using juicy bio fruit to make their products. So it's not surprising that Bio Beauté by Nuxe Lip Balm with apricot butter* has one of the most mouthwatering fruity scent ever as it smells just like ripe pears we grow in our orchard.

The product is a creamy lip gloss that nourishes the lips. If you ever had any of the L'Occitane lip glosses you'll know what I kind of texture I mean. It says it's for dry or chapped lips and I have neither (one of the lucky girls here), but I feel like this might not be enough for healing chapped lips, though it's nice for every day care and protection against dryness (their famous Reve de Miel lip balm might be better suited for actual healing). The finish is creamy-glossy and it brings a bit of glam to the natural look, though it also pairs well with lipsticks if that is how you wish to wear it. I have to say the lasting power surprised me since it doesn't just rub off after 15 minutes like most glossy products but manages to cling on very long. It doesn't have any particular taste which I consider a good thing, though it does feel a bit "grainy" if you lick it off.

A tube will set you back 10 €, but it holds a surprising 15 ml of product, which is not a bad deal at all. You can see the ingredients here.

This is going in my bag. It's been years since I had such a product (ever since L'Occitane stopped making the awesome smelling versions. I used to own every one of them) and I almost feel like I'm in high school again. If you want something that combines care and a glossy look, give it a go.

Ni nobena skrivnost, da obožujem nekatere Nuxe izdelke. Njihovo suho olje Huile Prodigieuse uporabljam za obraz vsak dan že skoraj tri leta. Nuxe ima še eno dodatno linijo imenovano Bio Beauté z organsko kozmetiko, ki je vsebuje sočno bio sadje in del nje je tudi Bio-Beauté by Nuxe Mazilo za ustnice z mareličnim maslom*, ki diši čisto kot zrele hruške iz našega sadovnjaka, ampak res kot prave hruške.

Sam izdelek je kot nekakšno kremno bleščilo, če ste kdaj imeli L'Occitanova bleščila za ustnice potem boste vedeli kaj mislim. Namenjen je suhim in razpokanim ustnicam, ampak jaz nimam ne prvega in ne drugega problema, se pa mi vseeno zdi prelahek, da bi dejansko pozdravil ustnice (se mi zdi Reve de Miel morda boljša izbira), je pa super za vsakdanjo nego in zaščito pred suhostjo. Je super balzam za dni, ko ne nosiš šminke, ker ti da vsaj videz glossa, čeprav se dobro obnese tudi v kombinaciji s šminko. Me je kar malo presenetilo da ni izginil z ustnic po 15 minutah kot večina takih izdelkov, ampak se kar dobro obdrži za bleščilo. Nima nekega posebnega okusa, kar je meni všeč, ima pa tako bolj zrnato strukturo, ki se občuti, če ga malo slučajno zaide v usta. 

Tubica balzama, ki drži presenetljivih 15 ml, stane 10 €, kar ni slabo. Dobite ga lahko v lekarnah in trgovini Maxi in Leposana (E.Leclerc) v Ljubljani. Sestavine lahko vidite tukaj.

Skratka tole mazilo/gloss gre v mojo torbico. Že dolgo nisem imela takega izdelka, čeprav sem kot mlajša imela vse omejene izdaje L'Occitanovih bleščil (vsaj tiste, ki so bile kul) in tale je zelo podoben, pa še diši res super. Če iščete nekaj kar združuje nego in videz lip glossa v enem, vam ga priporočam.

*I was sent this product to review. / Ta izdelek mi je bil poslan v oceno.

Have a great day!

Preview: Hello Petite Bunnies!

Look what landed in my post today. Aren't they cute? These are called Petite Gloss Bar by a Korean brand TonyMoly. There is a big selection of colours, but I just got two: Juicy Peach, or as I call it Mr. Happy, and Juicy Orange, or my Mr. Grumpy. I just got them, so I have to test them, do proper pictures and all the rest, but fret not there will be a detailed post about them sometime in March. I got them on eBay for 6$ each (4.6€) from this seller. I think Mr.Grumpy (Juicy Orange) is the cutest thing I've seen, it reminds me of grumpy kitty one of my favourite memes.

I'm writing February favourites now and it will be up sometime today or tomorrow, but for now thanks for reading.

New Essence Goodies Part 2

I reviewed the Match2Cover cream concealer and get big lashes waterproof mascara in the first part. Now it's time for all the lip stuff.

As soon as I saw these in the promo pictures, I put them on my wishlist. I have matte lip creams from Manhattan and Nyx, and I have often gushed over them here. I could hardly wait to get them and I wasn't disappointed because these are amazing! There are four colours, I got the two darker ones: Smooth Berry and Silky Red. The other two are neutral shades, but too dark for me and I didn't get them because I find dark nudes look ridiculous on me.

Packaging is the same as at Stay with Me lip gloss, nothing fancy and with a standard doe foot applicator.
These babies are sooo pigmented. I got one dot on the back of my hand and the colour got everywhere, so beware of that plus keep in mind that it stains you skin. If I go straight to the comparison with other matte lip creams I have from Manhattan and Nyx, I'd say they are more like cousins than dupes. The Essence ones are creamier, have a stronger pigment and don't set as those do.  Due to the creaminess they feel very comfortable on the lips and even slightly moisturising, they don't dry out the lips like Manhattan's or Nyx's can sometimes. Because they don't set, they do transfer, like on a drinking glass and they do smudge if you're not careful. The finish is creamy and slightly shiny, it gets more matte with time. I think liquid lipstick or something similar would be a more appropriate name than matt lip cream.

They have a strong scent, stronger than Manhattan's or Nyx, but it's a different scent. I can't point it out, but it's similar to strawberry yoghurt.

Smooth berry is a warm fuchsia shade and it's more rosy or pink than on my swatch. A more accurate swatch is in my full face photo. Surprisingly, I have no dupes for it. (Magi did a more accurate swatch on her blog, this is exactly how it looks on me) 

Silky Red is a bright, pure red, but it leans more to orange undertones.

Here are swatches of all the lip products in this post and on the second picture I did a comparison of some  other red shades I own. Compared to Silky Red, Manhattan Soft Mat Lip Cream 45H is much darker and less bright, the same goes for Russian Red. Ruby Woo is close, but still less bright and blue toned. MUA 13 is lighter and brighter.

Apologies for looking so utterly plain, it was Sunday morning after all. This is more of my I'm-testing-stuff-face, but yeah, I could have put a little bit more effort into it. For the rest of the make up I'm wearing Healthy Mix 51, essence Match2Cover concealer, Catrice Madame Butterfly on the cheeks and essence get big lashes mascara.

Staying power is excellent. It survives eating and drinking with almost no fading, and it lasts over 8 hours. The original swatch was taken at 11 AM and these three bellow where taken later. The first was at 3 P.M. after eating and drinking, the second at 5 PM and the last at 7 PM when I took it off. It stays vibrant even after hours and it fades slowly, but evenly. 

If you're a lipstick addict like me, run and get them. These really are so lovely and long-lasting, but you have to be more careful with them because they do smudge and transfer. Price: 2.19€

Because I love the colour changing lip balm from the Miami Roller Girl, I patiently awaited Oz the Great and Powerful TE which has two new shades. In my experience with the orange one I have, these aren't much colour changing in terms of adapting to you pH, but more like tinted moisturisers. I got the red one called Glinda the Good and honesty, I hoped it'd be redder. Meh. Maybe it will leave more colour when I use it up a bit. It's a nice moisturising lip balm though, but the scent is sooo strong. It smells to me like Ospen syrup for children (a medicine when I was little), a sickly sweet artificial candy scent. Price: 2.19€.

Catrice Neo Geisha Cheek and Lip Colour C03 Madame Butterfly looks very bright red in the pan, but it doesn't have a particularly strong pigment. It looks lovely as a cheek colour as it gives that nice subtle I-just-came-from-the-cold flush, similar to a red cheek stain I have (a dupe for Benetint btw), but much easier to apply and blend. It's not as creamy as I wish it would be. It works as a lip colour, however, you have to build it up quite a lot. It's more of a rosy shade on the lips rather than red. Price: 4.19€.

Thanks for reading.

L'Oreal Rouge Carresse 301 Dating Coral and Essence Miami Roller Girl Lip Balm

Rouge Carresse are the L'Oreal's answer to the whole lipstick/lip balm/lip gloss all in one trend. I don't own any of the famous Chanel's Coco Shine, Dior or Revlon lip butters equivalents, so I can't compare them. I tend to like more matte, full coverage finishes and I did discard this trend of lighter, shinier shades as just paying more for a bit better tinted lip balm. 

I finally caved, but only because of the shade. 301 Dating Coral is a light peach shade, a great everyday shade that goes with almost everything. The texture is very light and it feels nice and moisturising. Of course due to the lighter texture it doesn't last that long on the lips. I was quite surprised how pigmented it is, two swipes is enough for full coverage. It gives a slight sheen to the lips, nothing special, it's like at any tinted lip balm. Rouge Carress cost 11€ in our drugstores.

Colour changing lip balm in 01 Miami heat is a part of Miami Roller Girl TE by Essence. The tube and the balm are bright orange, but on the lips it translates into a nice light peachy pink shade. It's one of those lip balms that adjust the colour to your pH, like for example Maybelline's Pop Sticks (review of Tropical Pink is here), so it does stain your lips. The texture is very soft, buttery and very moisturising. A nice product for a low price. 

Thanks for reading!