Catrice Defining Blush 020 Rose Royce

A few months ago I bought my first Catrice blush and I was blown away by the quality. So I went back to the drugstore and picked up another shade called 020 Rose Royce. I already wrote a pretty extensive review on the other shade called 040 Think Pink , so I won't repeat myself too much and I suggest you read that review if you want to know more. Basically it's the same awesome formula that is super pigmented, silky and really long lasting (and I mean really long lasting. Once it lasted me over 8 hours, though, granted I did apply a lot to begin with).

020 Rose Royce is a much more natural looking shade than Think Pink. It's a matte nude shade with slight rose tones that are much more apparent on the cheeks. It doesn't look like much in the pan or swatched, but it looks so beautiful on the cheeks. This is the type of colour that goes with everything and it's basically a foolproof blush. 

Yup, another fabulous blush by Catrice. I've pretty much worn only Think Pink or Rose Royce since I got them. I might get some more colours, though I kind of wish they had better remaining choices. Maybe I'll get the peach one next time, who knows. These cost 3.79 €.

Have a great day!

Budget Wishlist

 1. Garnier 2 in 1 Express Eye Make Up Remover 

(3.95 €)

I've long been loyal to the Maybelline make up remover waterproof, but this one looks intriguing. It promises to remove waterproof make up without leaving a greasy finish. I would like to see if it lives up to the claims. It also looks nice, doesn't it?

2. Catrice Ultimate Colour in Kiss Kiss Hibiscus 

(4.19 €)

After swatching all the new Catrice products for spring, this is the only one that I genuinely like. I already have the "shiny" version (this one), but I actually think this one is prettier.  

3. H&M Matte Lipstick 

(4.19 €)

I was a bit surprised to see this in H&M, normally we don't get much make up here, but I tried it and I really like it. It's a proper matte formula and the red shade is so beautiful. I regret not buying it, so I hope it's still there the next time I'm in H&M.

4. Labello Fruity Shine Peach 

(1.85€)

Anything with peach gets me excited and this is no exception. I hope it smells good.

5. Oriflame Volare eau de parfum 

(15.49 €)

I don't even know anyone that sells Oriflame nor do I know how this smells, but look at that bottle. It is stunningly beautiful! I would just keep this on my vanity. This is a LE version for Valentine's day and currently on a very appealing offer. 

6. Essence XXXL longlasting lipgloss Matt Effect 15 coral mousse 

(2.29 €)

The Stay Matte Lip Creams have been discontinued, but I am really hoping that they were just repackaged under another name and in a different packaging. All four matte shades have the same name as the previous ones, but there is also a new shade which I would love to check out.

7. Essence eye blender brush  

(€1.49)

I actually like Essence's eye make up brushes, so I have high hopes for this one as well. Maybe it'd be a nice brush for under eye concealing as well as blending.

1. Pantene Expert Collection Age Defy Conditioner

I never even look at Pantene since their commercials are always so retouched it instantly puts me off, plus I think their products are packed with silicones and no care. So imagine my surprise when I read several good reviews about this conditioner. It actually has quite a high rating on Make Up Alley, so I think it deserves a try. I already saw it in Müller, don't know why I didn't take it.

2. Oriflame Chocolate Dream Bubble Bath 

(3.29 €)

Apparently, it smells like chocolate. Who can resist that?

3. Balea Teint Perfektion

 (6.95 €)

I think 2014 will be the year of primers and of course, Balea came up with their version as well. I haven't seen it yet in DMs, but it looks quite affordable, lets just hope it also good. 

4. Garnier Perfect Blur 

(about 12 €, but currently 3€ off in DM) 

I tried this when my cousin came round and I was surprised at how nice it felt. After the Catrice primer fiasco (so greasy), I swore off drugstore primers, but this one I could get along with. I used to use Clinique's Pore Minimiser Instant Perfector, which is brilliant and this one feels a bit less drying and it's not tinted, but the finish is similar. 

Have a great day!

Lancôme Rouge In Love Lipstick 340B Rose Boudoir

I got this as a very generous gift back in December (thank you!) after it was pinned on my Pinterest wishlist for over a year. Lancôme Rouge in Love lipsticks were launched a couple of years ago and there are 31 shades available. Rose Boudoir is in the Boudoir Time or B group, which are cocktail shades.

340B Rose Boudoir is vivid pinky-coral with a creamy finish that is very, very similar to Bourjois' Fraise Remix and a colour that is more suited for spring/summer time. It's not just the colour that is similar, but also the formula. I've often said that Bourjois' Rouge Edition lipstick are the best formula I've tried and Lancôme Rouge in Love feels almost spot on. It's another pigmented, lightweight formula, but Lancôme's feels just a touch creamier. I need one, maybe two swipes for full intensity, however, I also like to blot it and wear it as a sort of a stain. Like that it gives that lovely flush of colour that really brightens up the face (wearing it like that here). It doesn't dry out my lips, nor does it settle in lines. It is slightly rose scented, but it's barely noticeable.

There are no outrageous claims on this lipstick, but a rather down to earth promise of a 6 hour wear. I'd say it lasts about as much, but of course, if you eat or drink in the mean time you might want to refresh the colour, though it fades evenly without leaving a ring of colour, so it's completely up to your own preference of whether you like that half-worn off or the full intensity look.

The tube is heavy, metallic and daintily chic. It's smaller than most lipsticks, though it still holds 3.4g of lipstick which as much as the Bourjois one and 0.4g more than a MAC lipstick.

As far as dupes go, I'm always very conservative with that word, but Fraise Remix and Rose Boudoir are incredibly close. Fraise Remix is pinker, however, I tried them side by side on the lips and I don't notice much of a difference. Pink About it, on the other hand, is less pigmented and matte. (The lipstick on the right in the second picture is Maybelline's Shocking Coral, which is much pinker.)

I don't know the exact price because it was a gift, but I believe it was about 28€ in Müller (I'm guessing). It's 27.30€ on Feel Unique.

If you ever wanted to treat yourself with a good lipstick, these are incredible, however, the drugstore range offers another gem formula, Bourjois' Rouge Edition that feels almost exactly the same for about a third of the price, it's just the colour range that is different. 

Have a great day!

January Favourites

 Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer Eclipse

After Rimmel's 107 came the Apocalips Eclipse, another stunning burgundy shade that can't get enough of.  These deep berries have been my signature lip colour since November. Apocalips is a liquid lipstick with a doe foot applicator, which means that even a bumbling idiot like me can apply it nicely. I've been wearing it in many ways, from stain, blotted for a matte effect and at full intensity with a glossy finish.

Fantasy eau de parfum

This month I was like - I smell like a cupcakes and I'm not bothered what others think of it. Fantasy is one of my all time favourite fragrances and for a while it was my signature scent, though I will admit I am not digging the über girly pink bottle hence why it's always hidden in my cupboard. While we're on the topic of Fantasy, did you know there are two new flankers coming out in February - The Naughty Remix and The Nice Remix? It's safe to say, I'm a bit excited.   

Balm Balm Frankincense Deep Cleansing Balm 

I discovered another great balm cleanser. The pot may be tiny and the scent is so not for me, but the texture is fabulous and it leaves my skin more balanced. I must say I'm very happy with the state of my skin right now and this is definitely contributing a lot. 

Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner

For the longest time I didn't want to admit it, but this is the reason my skin looks so clear and smooth particularly on my forehead. But it's so damn expensive! There were only two occasions when my forehead was completely smooth, one was when I was using Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair and the other since I've been using this toner. I honestly notice the difference when I don't use it for a few days/a week. My forehead gets bumpy again, my skin isn't as clear any more and it basically reverts into the not-being-cool-any-more state. Now it's on it's last legs and as much as I don't want to admit it, I need it in my skin care routine. I see a repurchase in my future.

e.l.f. Powder Brush

This was my old foundation brush before I bought Real Techniques, but it has since stood forgotten in my brush pot. It's a great brush that is incredibly soft, but I switched it because I find it a bit big for my baby face. However, I started using it again this month and it blends the foundation so flawlessly I was floored. It particularly works well with Holika Holika Peach Girl BB cream and gives me an absolutely flawless finish with medium coverage. A winning combination.

Coastal Scents Round Crease brush

I have not idea why I stopped using this brush. It's so soft and perfect for applying eyeshadow in the crease. I've been using the Essence Smokey Eyes brush for this task and I have to say, now I find it too scratchy compared to this one. I have no idea if this brush is still sold, but I love it.

L'Oréal Super Liner Perfect Slim Intense Black

I already spoke highly about this liner in my New In post, when I only just got it. Now that I've had more to test it, I have to say again that this is a fantastic, really black and super precise liner. I've pretty much been using it every day and I can even draw a decent line with it.

There aren't many favourites this months all due to this - I have been diligently using stuff up and managed to get two full bags of them. So prepare yourself for a few empties posts in the future. I already wrote my reviews/impressions, I just have to take and edit the pictures, which is going to be a lot of work.  

I wrote about my birthday in my previous post and yesterday I got a "secret" package in my mail. Still dazed and confused after being woken up by the mail man, I opened the two packages I got. One of them were these ASOS Pasha High Heel Shoes that were supposed to arrive on my birthday and the other mystery package had these thee beauties from Yves Rocher's Vanille CollectOR. I checked who sent it and it was Živa "McAwesome" (yes, this is your name from now on) from the Nothin' Fancy. Really. blog. My jaw dropped so hard it made a hole in the floor. She sent me a birthday gift just out of the blue! What an incredibly kind gesture. So I'll say it again, thank you Živa for being such an awesome person!

And again I want to say thank you for every comment on my previous post. They really made my day, you are all the kindest and most incredible people ever.

I hope you can see in the picture that the lotion and the shower gel have gold glitter/shimmer inside. These all have a vanilla extract scent, you know the one for used for baking, so basically you smell like a giant vanilla cake (which is never a bad thing).

Have a great day!

Birthday FOTD and a Bunch of Randomness

As you might have guessed from the title, it's my birthday today. In three years of blogging I never made a birthday post, mainly because for the past five years I've grown to kind of dislike this day. However, I wanted to do something new for a change, something that is very uncharacteristic of me and share a bit of this day with you as well.

My Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Chantilly arrived today, just in time for my birthday / The blushes I'm using today are Catrice Think Pink and Nyx Taupe, both my favourites at the moment / I'm also wearing Dior Nude BB cream, Naked Basic palette, Lancome Hypnose mascara, L'Oreal Super Liner and Bourjois lip liner in Rouge Soyeux / Not the best picture as my camera won't pick up details too well, but here it is, my first FOTD.

On my lips is Russian Red, the two concealers I used are Maybelline the Eraser and Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection, highlighter I always use is Lumi Magique / wearing Fantasy today, which I absolutely adore and Essence Do you Speak Love? on my nails / another random picture of FOTD which was taken with the intention so you could see the eye makeup, but my camera isn't good enough (that's the best you're going to get) / another pic of Nars Radiant Creamy concealer (btw I ordered it from HqHair.)  

Champagne with strawberries (yummy!) / home made cake and yes, it's mint green. Those are chocolate chips on the top to cover the fact the cake is uneven *gives a big grin* / Essence Do you Speak Love? / I-had-an-empty-space-pic-of-the-birthday-girl (confession: I hate taking pictures of myself as I find myself generally unphotogenic. Have you ever taken a picture of yourself, looked at it and it kind of ruined your day? I do like my hair here, though.)

Have a great day!

Product of the Week #17

Back in the days, when I went through the enough-with-the-black-eyeliner phase in my teens, I discovered this gem - Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Stash. You know something achieved the coveted holly grail status when you're using it since secondary/high school. Stash is an olive green old gold shade with gold shimmer that just works so well with my grey-blue-green eyes. It's dark enough to give a sufficient amount of definition while not overpowering the whole look by looking too harsh, but it also gives you a bit of colour. I wear it either on the top lashline, waterline or on the lower lashline, it works everywhere.
I have a few of these UD's 24/7 eyeliners and all are amazing quality - so pigmented, creamy and smooth. They don't tug on the eyes, there is no need for a million swipes to show up, they really stay on and most importantly, they don't go hard after a while (looking at you Max Factor Liquid Effect Pencil. I'm sorry to inform you that our romance is over). Despite the heavier price tag, these are absolutely worth the money. The black one, called Zero, is my favourite black eyeliner. 

Here is a comparison of Stash with L'Oreal's Infallible eyeshadow in Bronze Goddess (bottom).

What's your favourite non-black eyeliner?
Have a great day!

Destination Pretty Wishlist

My fellow Slovene blogger (also a youtuber), the lovely Sandra from The Puzzle of Sandra's Life, opened her own online shop called Destination Pretty. I am genuinely happy for her since I know how much she wanted it. The shop is filled with adorable beauty products as well as some dainty jewellery and scented candles. They ship internationally.
I've had a look around the shop and compiled a list of things I find most interesting. So here it is:

1. Etude House Vivid Pop Sticks Lipsticks

My heart skips a beat whenever I hear matte and lips in one sentence, and these are matte lip crayons, so obviously they sparked my interest. The shade range certainly looks lovely.

2.  Etude House Missing U hand creams

These are adorable! I'd like the mint one to match the decor in my bedroom. 

3. Etude House Minnie in the Nails 

Nail polishes are never my first choice, however, I love the shades of these. There is a lovely burgundy, a pink and glitter polishes with interesting bow shaped glitter.

4. Refillable Perfume Atomizer Bottles

5. Adjustable Knuckle Rings - Double Persian

I'm not the jewellery type of girl, but these are so pretty and cool. I would happily wear them.

6. Etude House Lovely Cookie Blusher

I like the look of Grapefruit Jelly the most.

7. Etude House Rosy Tint Lips

Another matte lip product and I actually want every colour. Maybe not Tea Rose, but the rest of the shades look very pretty. 

Have a great day!