Leave a little sparkle Wherever you go

Hi!

I was asked if I'd like to receive a magic planner to add something more to my life. Well, guess what? I love magical stuff. And pink and colors. So I said yes!

But because the planners are still in work, I received some motivational cards that will be part of the planner.

These are really pretty and super cute - pink - and give you just the little needed boost.

 I like to stare at mine while I drink my daily tea dose. I need to put it in a frame!

If my readers like them, then I'll give away 4 of these. Just let me know in the comments why should I give you one. Or tell me what makes your life magical. Whichever. Ends Aug 15th.  Open internationally.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Also if you missed their kickstarter project or would like to purchase them instead, you can get them here (once they are available - in a week I think?)

This product was sent to me by the company itself or its PR. For more information please do read my Disclosure Policy. My opinion is always honest.

Want to wear skirts but your thighs are rubbing together (and causing irritation)?

Hello!

Today I will talk about I problem I have since I hit puberty. It's the dreadful thighs. Even when I was skinny, my thighs always rubbed somewhat together and now that I have gained weight the problem is even more noticeable. It's not that rubbing is unpleasant (it is), but the irritation after it (rashes, tiny acne or blisters, redness on the area) is a real problem. 

Read more after the jump

What do I do?

Well until a while ago, I would wear shorts under my dresses or skits. But that gets old soon and when it's really hot, I want to feel the breeze under my dress, not the feeling of having some other garment blocking it. 

I mean that's one of the reasons I like to wear dresses! The breeze. Say with me, the breeze. 

Anyway this year I started experimenting with some products. I saw some products that are meant for this problem area that contain silicones. Well I checked my stash and noticed that my Makeup Revolution Ultra All Day Prime and Anti-Shine Balm (what a long name!!) contains some of the same ingredients. I got mine from Makeup Revolution Slovenia. 

Well, I usually don't use face primers and because of it, this product kind of just was there. Existing and waiting. But I had a task for it. It came its time to shine! As a - thighs protector - that's it. It's a real job!

I put it to work on a really hot Summer day and it did a great job. Sadly it rubbed off kind of quickly which made me sad. And my thighs weren't happy either. 

Then I realized that some models like to spray their thighs before a model walk with some hair spray. Yes, you read that right. I don't really recommend doing this, you can totally use your precious face makeup spray. 

I of course didn't want to waste my precious and expensive Kryolan Ultra Setting spray. I went with the hair spray - I used Schwarzkopf Got2b big volume spray. Because yes. 

So I put it to work - I applied way too much of the spray and it kind of got patchy, as in there were patches peeling on some places. Tiny patches. Annoying, because they would crack.

But when I used a small quantity all was good. It did last the whole day, but in the combination with the Makeup Revolution Balm it was more comfortable. The spray helped with setting it, and the balm was there to help with the rubbing. The spray alone didn't do much for my problem area, except you know, holding whatever was there. The rubbing still happened. That's why I will use only a combination of these two products (or maybe I'll stop being cheap and start using my face spray). 

I do hope this info helps some of you ladies that are having the same problems as I do. However I recommend investing in a good face spray instead of being a cheap-ass as me. 

P.S. If your thighs are already irritated, I recommend using a soothing lotion on the area. I like the after sun products that are cooling and contain lots of Aloe Vera. 

Quick Review & Swatch: Essence Fun Fair Blush - ring around the rosy

Hello!

I have received from the Slovenian Essence PR team a sample of the new Essence Fun Fair collection. I got a blush and the lovely "cotton candy" decoration for nails.

The blush comes in this round package, that doesn't look all that travel friendly. But the font is lovely and I think that's what makes it pretty.

Mine came in the color "Ring around the Rosy" which is a cool toned pink. 

 

It is also pretty pigmented, so you don't need a lot for it to transfer from your blush to your face.

Because I get more "pink" toned in the Summer, I will keep this blush and see how well it looks on me during Winter days. For the Summer days I'm more of a coral / red kind of a blush lady. ;)

+ blush is very pigmented

+ stays all day on me

+ inexpensive (about 2€)

- the package isn't good, it opens very easily (even on its own when you bump it in stuff)

I think that Essence makes great products, especially for their Trend Editions. I am usually not a huge fan of their blushes (from the regular line), because they don't stay on long enough on my skin. But the blushes that come in their TEs are wonderful. Pigmented and long lasting. The design of the blush is OK, sadly the packaging lacks and I hope they will keep this in mind for their next line. 

Overall it's a good product for a decent price and I do totally recommend it. 

I also received a "cotton candy" nail decoration and I want to give it to one of my followers. 

This giveaway is open internationally.

It starts on Monday 27th of July and ends on Monday 17th of August at midnight. 

This product was sent to me by the company itself or its PR. For more information please do read my Disclosure Policy. My opinion is always honest.

H&M Carries cosmetics?! (and what I got)

Hello!

Last week we went shopping to Italy, Monte D'Oro. We went to check H&M and even if I said I won't be buying any cosmetics, but rather focus on clothes, I couldn't skip the occasion when I saw many products marked down to 1€. 

I didn't know that H&M's cosmetic line was this big. I mean, in our country - Slovenia, I saw only nail polishes, an eyebrow kit and some small things here and there (a lip balm, sometimes glosses). Never this many products and never all in one place! 

I only got products that I would buy even if they weren't marked down, because I won't be purchasing stuff just because it's cheap. 

I didn't know they had brushes! And super soft and pretty brushes too! 

Nail polish duos looked pretty. I can't stop wearing the right combination. It's... so pretty and sparkling!

And a huge glass file. HUGE. Like 25 cm huge. Maybe a bit less, but still huge!

More after the jump!

The one product I also saw in Slovenia (Koper and Ljubljana) is this eyebrow set. I wasn't all that sure, because the lighter color looked a tad orangeish in the packaging. I may be kind of color blind, because in the swatches there is no orange undertone, but on me it doesn't look all that cool toned. I'd  say that in RL it has a slight warm undertone, so may not be best for very light headed (blonde, not dizzy!) girls. 

The one product I heard the most about and that wasn't available in my country are H&M's lipsticks. So because I had a chance, I grabbed four of them. I am a bit sad that I didn't get a red one, too, but then again, my collection is made from mostly red lipsticks! 

The packaging is "meh" looking, but it does make finding the right color very easily. However because of the white packaging/silver font it looks a bit tacky. But to each their own, and some people may love such a design. I do however like the silver font on black packaging. The lipstick bullet isn't all that light and is leaning on the heavier side. Each lipstick contains 4.5g of product.

 

 

 The formula is fine in most lipsticks, except for the nude matte. There it's grainy and quite drying, it reminds me of those correctors in a similar packaging.  

From all four, the matte ones stayed on the longest. Even water didn't remove them, but with a bit of soap and vigorous scrubbing, off they went. Except for the violet, that one left a stain that didn't really want to leave. 

"Christie"

"Landinski"

The blush was more of a purchase on a whim, because well... 1€ blush, yeah? And the color is something that I would wear every day. I had similar shades in the past, but the first one that I remember is a blush from Bourjois.

And lastly are the nail polish duos that I've been loving so much. The one I am currently wearing is the light pink/rose gold glitter. The light pink is very similar to Essie Fiji, but it needs 2-3 layers for full opacity and the drying time is on the slower end because of that. 

 However the silver polish is opaque in 1 layer and is wonderful (ring finger). Drying time is very quick and it looks nice with the silver glitter. 

I am very pleased with H&M cosmetics line and I hope they bring some of the best products over to Slovenia. 

Did you try any of their cosmetic products?

Empties #16

Hi!

It's been a little while since I posted my latest empties post. Some have accumulated in the mean time, so I decided to share them with you.

EBELIN Nail polish remover - without Acetone (~1€)

I like this brand of nail polish removers because they are very affordable, don't stink that much and do their job well. I would repurchase it. 

LUSH Lemony Flutter (~9€)

This is a holy grail among nail polish enthusiasts. It helps with cuticles in a matter of days and it is also great for dry heel skin. It's wonderful, but the scent is not my thing. I can totally forgive the scent, because it truly is an amazing product.

Repurchase? Yes.

BALEA Oil Repair hair mask (1.6€)

I bought this mask after my hair got very damaged from the many bleaching sessions on it. At that time I didn't have a cretin mask, but this one did its job well. It helped a bit with my hair. But I prefer the stronger "professional" mask, so I won't repurchase it.

TOO FACED Shadow Insurance eye primer (~15€)

I remember the time I bought it. I just ran out of UD primer and wanted to try something new. Well I did like using it, but it didn't exceed my expectations. The shadows become a bit muted or diluted after a couple of hours of wear and sparkle doesn't look at all pretty on it. The staying power is fine, except during hot, hot summer days.

I don't think I'll be repurchasing it.

EVERYDAY MINERALS finishing powder sample (1€)

I must say that I was expecting a bigger quantity of a sample. Okay, not bigger but in a vial kind of packaging. This packaging is hard to use, so I had to put it into another pot.

It does well with fixing my makeup, but doesn't help it last longer. 

I won't repurchase it, because I am not impressed with it. 

DAS GESUNDE PLUS A-Z vitamin capsules (~5€)

I have been using these vitamins for the last half a year. I think they do help with faster healing (of skin) and they have (at least a Placebo effect) an effect on me. I do like them and I will be repurchasing them.

BALEA Cocos & Nektarine Deo Roll-ON (~2€)

I had high expectations from this deodorant, because I love their Shower gel with the same scent. Sadly it stops smelling good about 2h into wear and then starts to stink. It's irritating to say the least. 

I won't repurchase it.

These are the products I wanted to talk about today. Did you try any of the talked about products? 

Summer (nail polish) Colors of 2015

Hello!

I am back with another TOP post which will be featuring all the colors that are IN this Summer. 

Every Summer a must have basic color is plain white polish. And add some neons and you're good to go.

But this Summer there have been seen color combinations that mixed a neon mint with some neon pinks, yellows and oranges. It's quite lovely to see.

As you can see I picked a bit from this and that brand. My favorites polishes (this Summer) come from Alessandro, China Glaze, Essence and Oriflame. 

Click on the swatch picture to view it full sized.

1. Oriflame white (for the french manicure, but it works well as an overall polish). Dries quickly and has a "drier" formula, more like an edis whitener.

2. Essence Indian Summer has a great formula and dies in a OK time. Love this color!

3. Essence Love is in the Air is one of my absolute favorite yellow polishes. Pastel and bright. 

4. Alessandro Tropical Jungle Pinkini - the perfect neon pink. Dries semi matte and also quickly!

5. Alessandro Tropical Jungle Fantasy Island - a neon violet, that isn't all that very much neon. Camera doesn't do it justice because it is beautiful.

6. Alessandro Tropical Jungle Mintastic - A mint neon that makes pale skin look even paler. 

7. China Glaze Sun Worshiper is a lovely neon yellowish orange that needs a white base underneath to get the color quicker and more opaque. 

Which are your Summer nail polish Must haves?

Review: Makeup Revolution Makeup Geek Palette

Hello!

It's time for the so much promised review of the Makeup Geek palette by Makeup Revolution (I heart makeup sister brand). 

The palette comes in this rectangular packaging, which isn't anything too pretty or special, until... 

Yeah, the holographic cover does help! 

More after the jump!

And when you open up the palette, this is what you see, which is kind of cool! 

I think it came out when the Shiba meme was in? I am not sure, but I think so, haha. 

The colors are very pigmented and are also very versatile. They go from nudes (in the left part) to bold and neon (lower part) to shimmery goddesses (right part). 

My eyelids are oily and during summer days, well nothing really stays put. But I found out that if I use the Makeup Revolution eye primer and top it with a cream eyeshadow (essence), wait for it to dry and then apply makeup on, it stays on the whole day without creasing! I mean it really depends if there's a heat wave and if I have a fixator on. 

 Here are some looks I did use this palette

1. Queen of MNY look

2. I'm a unicorn, whee!

3. Mysterious dream

4. The Last Sunset

5. Sparkling Pink!

+ There are 36 eyeshadows in the palette. Varying from matte to shimmery.

+ Very good overall quality 

+ Cheap (~12€)! 

+ Greatly pigmented

+ Versatile (from nude to colored looks)

+ Stay on the whole day (tho with the Too Faced primer the colors did fade a bit)

- The design is ugly. Except for the holo writing.

I must say that I didn't really know what to expect from this palette. I have the Chocolate palette from Makeup Revolution and I am a big fan, but no palette from I heart makeup. Well, the design is a bit sad, but I can totally look past it because the colors and pigmentation are great!

There is some fallout with some colors (like black), but nothing too drastic or that some tapping with the brush couldn't fix. I am impressed and I have been using this palette daily. I tried with a wet application (even better) and with a dry one. I mostly use a dry application because I am lazy.