Monday 28 February 2011

Quickview Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Toner

My last toner was one by Estée Lauder, but wasn't worth repurchasing so I looked for something else. I ordered the new toner from Paula's Choice Resist line, which you could see in one of my latest hauls. Along with that I also ordered a sample of this recovery toner. At the time of ordering I was doubting between those two toners, but opted for the Resist one as it was new released, looked fancier and has such nice promises - but those results will turn up in another review. Meanwhile I've been able to test this toner to get a quick glance.


Discover silky-smooth, radiant skin with this sophisticated union of skin-fortifying antioxidants, essential lipids, and hydrating water-binding agents.
Revives skin's intercellular matrix to help eliminate dry skin. Anti-inflammatories calm reddened or sensitive areas. 100% fragrance- and colorant-free.

Now, who doesn't want smooth radiant skin? Lift your hand if you do... I've been able to use the sample for 2days. The product itself wasn't watery and looked a bit like a lotion before it sunk into my cotton pad. It is fragrance-free and has no scent at all. While using, it didn't irritate my skin in any way, I could even use it around my eye area. It didn't leave it tight, my skin felt soft and a bit moistened after usage. So far, I'm loving it - no, wait, rewind, that's MCDonalds. On the other parts I can't really comment as I haven't used it long enough.

This toner costs around 18-19euros for 177ml and -sadly- is only available through her webshop online. This is definitely a product I'm keeping my eye on to purchase as my next toner.
Sunday 27 February 2011

A few minor changes...

I've made some petit changes to my blog and added a few things to the left side bar, to make everything more viewer-friendly...

I've added a search engine, I find it convenient when I visit other blogs, so it would be a bit stupid if I didn't put it up myself?

I also added "popular posts", because it's interesting to see what my readers like the most.


If you have any more ideas what my blog is lacking, let me know... I'm always in for suggestions!
Saturday 26 February 2011

Last Sigma hauling

Yesterday's post has arrived... en retard. Two days ago I received my Sigma packaging, containing the remaining brushes I wanted, I immediately took pictures of them but forgot to upload. I've talked about Sigma brushes before and some of their brushes are really good, while others are totally not... Check my thoughts on them here. Now let's peek at my new items!!

Sigma is good in packaging and providing information. All the brushes come in a lovely bag with an information guide as when to use which brush. If you order for more than 40$ you get a free gift, which is the travel size E25, I now have two of them, it's a very convenient brush...

First up I ordered the Sigmax line, ever since they were released in October I've been wanting them. I already bought the F80 in the past, review, as it was released sooner, and am still really fond of it so it would only make sense that I would like these other brushes as well. I bought the set, so I would have another copy of the F80, because when cleaned with shampoo it takes quite some time to dry. This way I can alternate between my two copies.

And lastly a mixmatch of different brushes:
*E05 eyeliner: I don't have an eyeliner brush just yet, so I'd figure I would start with a cheaper version...
*E70 and E60 shading: both related to the E55 shading brush that I already own and love
*E50 large fluff: no particular reason why I bought this, it just looked fluffy and I wanted it as I don't have a brush like it...

Off course reviews of these brushes will follow in the future, I sincerely hope they wind up in the love-department of Sigma. Now I have enough Sigma brushes, I only have a few MAC and Shu Uemura ones on my listing but these babies are at a higher cost....

Which is your favourite brush ever??
Wednesday 23 February 2011

Angry @ blogspot

I'm a bit upset at this moment of writing because I was working on some reviews for the last hours, saved them and wanted to publish them but then I got errors and when I returned to my reviews most of my text was just gone...

I'm going to bed now, I'll try and rewrite them some time soon so you'll be able to enjoy them!!

xxx

Review Trind Hand Repair

Last fall I purchased a whole set of Trind goodies and used them quite a long time, you can read my thoughts on them here. Among the other products in the set was a hand cream, yet another thing of which I own too many - I'm trying to finish them before purchasing new ones, but hand creams seem to last a long time. The last month I've been carrying this one by Trind with me, it's a 75ml, a good purse-size.

Trind Hand Repair is a rich, moisturizing hand cream. It absorbs quickly and does not leave a greasy residue. Your hands will look and feel youthful, supple.

Hand Repair contains Duo-Liposomes to revitalize your hands. Liposomes are minute sacs used to carry compounds to specific tissue. Trind developed a unique kind of liposome by splitting one: each side of the Duo-Liposome is filled with basic elements that promote the natural production of Vitamin F. The result is the production of new cells, which are stronger and of a much better texture.

I like the packaging, it's a matte white with golden letters of Trind on it, there's a brown dop on it and well, that's it... Nothing fancy, but decent enough. The dop is very solid, I've been carrying it in my purse for more than a month and it doesn't leak or opens up - which I've heard before from other creams, the horror! It does contain perfume, parabens and mineral oil - which may be a no-go for some people.



The cream has a more lotion-like-texture and spreads out easily. When squeezing the product out of the tube the perfume immediately hits in, it's quite a strong scent that's hard to define - it's best described as floral. It sinks in fast and doesn't leave your hands with a greasy film/feeling. Afterwards my hands feel moist and soft. Sadly enough the moisturizing feeling dissapears soon, and my hands return to their dry state. When using more product to get an optimized effect, it leaves a greasy film so that's not an option. I've been using it often, because I have to use it more than other -more- moisturizing hand creams I've used in the past. At the cost of 15euros for this tube, when bought seperately, it's too pricey for its poor effect...

The goods: sinks in fast, no greasy film

The bads: heavy scent, only slightly moisturizing, price

Overall, I won't repurchase this product because the cons outweigh the pros. If you have more normal to oily skin/hands you might like this product better, but I wouldn't recommend it for dry hands. There are better alternatives, at a fraction of this price available.

Tuesday 22 February 2011

Review Becca Eye Tint Baroque

Becca is one of those "under the radar brands" that not many know about, but do offer great quality and should be more acknowledged. I first heard of the brand from Lisa Eldridge in this video, where she discusses everyday makeup and uses the eye tint. Sadly enough Becca isn't available where I live, but a few months after having watched the video, I paid a visit to London and had a look at their range. I immediately fell in love with a few of their products, I bought the Eye Tint as that one was on top of my list.

An ingenious eye crème with a unique formulation that glides on as a crème and sets to a powder. This long-lasting, water-resistant, crease-resistant tint is easy to apply, offering adjustable levels of sheer to high pigment colour. Can be layered under powder eye colours and loose pigments for added intensity. Can be applied with fingers or a brush. Streak-free.

Colour Descriptions: Baroque: mushroom beige, Gilt: dark golden bronze with subtle sparkle, Vicuna - soft apricot gold, Paracus - dark brown gray, Pewter - rich gray black

I like the packaging, it looks simple but sophisticated at the same time. It comes in a tube, which is very hygienic and easy in usage (I don't like jar creamshadows). The ingredients are also very interesting: it doesn't contain perfume, there are silicones in it to smoothen your skin around the eye area and diminish the appearance of wrinkles. Apart from that it's also water-proof.



You have to squeeze the tube really gentle, otherwise you get too much product. I squeezed a good dot onto my hand and next to my pale skin it looks a very dark brown. It's creamy and has in comparison the same texture as a regular cream. When spreading it the brown becomes lighter and leaves a visible warm tone, if you look closely you can also see some shimmer in it.


left: regular lighting - right: with flash

When you're finished spreading it, it leaves a goldenbrownish glow that looks very subtle and has a more satin finish (keep in mind that on darker skin tones the colour will blend more in your own skin tone). Depending on the lighting the colour varies a bit. The product is easy in usage, spreads and blends easily. Just be carefull you don't use too much in the beginning, that was my problem. It doesn't crease and stays put all day. The tiny downside to this is its price, I paid 17£ for it, which is about 20-25euros, but according to me it was totally worth it. I often use this when I'm not in the mood or don't have time to put on regular eyeshadow and honestly, with a bit of inner corner lighting - this looks just as good!!

The goods: easy in usage, no creasing, nice glowing colour, decent ingredients

The bads: price?!, less noticeable on darker skin tones

Becca also offers this product in other colours and I might purchase a few of them in the future. I don't mind the price tag, you get a good amount of product for it in return and a little goes a long way, I've been using mine for months and it's still quite full. I just wish they a counter in my country. A very nice product, that I recommend to try and buy...
Monday 21 February 2011

Review Avon Naturals Strawberry & Guava body spray

I'm a sweetie pie, literally... Everything that smells like candy and cupcakes I basically adore and want or should I say crave for, but that's overdoing it I guess... Same story goes for this scent from Avon, strawberry & guava, I could tell by the names I would love this so I bought the whole package, which was a shower gel, body lotion and this body spray, each product was priced at 3euros.

A fruity infusion of ripe, juicy strawberry & exotic guava.
Lightly fragranced with a cool, crisp scent. 125ml

The main ingredient of this spray is alcohol denatol?! Which makes it impossible to use as a body spray, technically not but no sane person would spray alcohol on themselves? It will only harm your skin. Now, I can gladly say that Avon is changing the name of these body sprays to Linnen spray, a much better purpose. I mainly use this spray as a room refresher or on my pillow or on my clothes. The spray itself distributes enough product.

When spraying it, you're first aware of the alcohol - very strong - and then it fades leaving you with a sweet scent that is adorable. It's not too strong, but present enough. If you feel like perfumes are too heavy for you, these sprays are a good and light alternative. I mostly smell the guava in it and not too much of the strawberries, but most sweet-scent-lovers will like this one as much as I do.
Friday 18 February 2011

Lemming... yes I do!

I'm the kind of girl that always has a wishlist ready filled with make-up and beauty products I want to try/buy in the future, this list never seems to decrease but grows significant. Today I'm compiling a few make-up items which I've been eyeing for some time but haven't bought -yet. If anything stands out to you, let me know and I might listen :)

- Too Faced Natural Eye Palette-
I'm a sucker for palettes, but sadly enough I already have quite a few and therefor this product stays on the list, but I wouldn't mind getting it as a gift?

- Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector-
A liquid highlighter, I've been wanting the right one in Pearl ever since I went to London in august and swatched it, it will be perfect...

-MAC Dazzleglass-
Shockingly, I only have MAC lipsticks, but no glosses. This will change though, I only have to be able to enter a MAC one day soon...

- Chanel Vitalumière in Limpide-
I have this one in Clair 20, the lightest shade available in Europe but in other continents they offer another shade lighter. Clair is good for summer but too dark in winter. This is a really good foundation for dry skin, a review is coming soon.



-MAC Studio Moisture Tint light-
During workdays I like to wear TM's instead of foundations, otherwise my pores clogg too much. I've heard this one being light and decent coverage, so it's on the list!


- Shu Uemura Brush 20H-
I have the 20brush from this line and it is the softest and nicest brush I own, now I want the angled version of it as well... It's just hard to find, as there's only one store in my country and this brush isn't easy to find online (if you know where, let me know)

- NARS Cream Blush Penny Lane-
This has also been on the list for quite some time. I'm a big fan of blushes and this one looks gorgeous in all swatches and pics, I just need it...


What are your lemmings at the moment???
Thursday 17 February 2011

In the mood for dresses & booties

I did some Esprit shopping and was in the mood for new dresses and found adorable matching booties... check my pictures or let's say the models pictures. I love Esprit clothing, especially their de-corp line. Which is your favourite clothing brand?



Wednesday 16 February 2011

Quickview La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo-cleanser

When I go shopping and buy make-up or skin care, I always like to receive samples of skin care. I'm not much a fan of perfume samples. Some time ago when I bought my LRP Miccelar, I got this one as a freebie along with it, I had been meaning to buy it in the near future so I was glad I was able to try it. Overall I like most LRP products, they are really gentle on your skin which is very important to me.

Indications: dry intolerant, sensitive skin Properties: fluid milk texture enriched in moisturizing glycerine. Strict formula charter to minimise the risk of intolerance. High tolerance. Fragrance-free, no tensio-active ingredients, no preservatives. Results: the skin is kept free of dehydration and irritation, and make-up is gently removed.

The product is white, creamy and quite thick. It has no smell (no fragrance) and feels very soothing on your skin. It removes make-up easily, without irritating. However if you are wearing a lot of make-up I would recommend cleansing 2 times to get it thouroughly done. After cleansing my skin feels refreshed. I like that it doesn't leave my skin feeling overly cleansed or tight. So far I'm a fan of this product and this is defintely my next-cleanser-to-purchase, curious to how it turns out in the long run...

Available in pharmacies and drugstores: 200ml for 12euros, 400ml for 14euros.
Tuesday 15 February 2011

Review Nyx Jumbo Eye Pencil: Milk & Cottage Cheese

A couple of months ago I placed a Nyx order, shamefully I didn't have any of their products and bought a whole bunch - 'cause it's very budgetproof. Nyx is more known in the United States and gets quite the praise there. I've come to realise that pricequalitywise their products are indeed worth while. Today I'll be talking about one of their most sought after items, being the jumbo eye pencils.


NYX Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencil is a holy-grail item for every makeup enthusiast! Jumbo Eye Pencil is a versatile pencil that can be used for lining or as eyeshadow. This Eye Pencil is infused with mineral oils and powders, which allows for smooth application. NYX Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencil is available in both neutral and fun shades. Available for 3,5$.


I bought 4 colours, but these 2 are the ones I've used the most so far. It's 608 Cottage Cheese and 604 Milk. Both colours can be used for various purposes: it can help intensify another eyeshadow when used as a base, it can be used as a highlighter on your browbone or as an inner corner.

On the left is Cottage Cheese, a white shimmer and on the right is Milk, a mat white. These are both two strokes, the pencils have a good amount of pigment and are very soft & easy in usage. A tiny disadvantage is that after some rubbing the colour comes off easily, therefor I only use it in combination with an eyeshadow base. They are pencils so they can be sharpened, Nyx also offers a dual pencil sharpener for 3$, which I bought and sharpening goes smooth. I mainly use Cottage Cheese as an inner corner and Milk to intensify, personal preference.


Cottage Cheese - inner corner

Conclusion: Nyx's jumbo pencils are a good product that I recommend, especially considering its price. If I had to pick one, I would go for Cottage Cheese, I love shimmers. The pencils can be bought online on various websites, I bought mine at nonpareil, they also regularly have discounts.
Monday 14 February 2011

Happy Valentines day!!

Just wanted to wish all my readers a happy valentines day, I hope you can enjoy this day with the ones you love... And here's to a bit more eye candy, I love romance :)



Friday 11 February 2011

Budget Review Avon Naturals cucumber & melon deodorant

Everyone has their own type of deodorant: some like sprays, other sticks and other others roll-ons. Myself, I'm a roll-on kind of girl. I've tried them all in the past but sprays were often too drying or irritating on me, sticks I find repulsive so I'm left with this last option and this is the one I like. Roll-ons are sparing, as they often last me a couple of months and they don't irritate my skin. They are refreshing enough and preserve the scent very well. The last month I've been using this new one by Avon:

Stay cool as a cucumber with this 24 hour deoderant*. The non-staining, non-stinging formula, containing cucumber and melon extracts, glides on smoothly, helps to stop odour and helps eliminate perspiration all day. 50ml

Honestly, I bought it because it was low priced and I'm always in for budget items... I paid 2euros for it and got the scent "cucumber & melon", another scent "lavender" is also available, a scent I totally dislike but my mum for instance loves it. The scent is a bit vegetable-like and fresh at the same time, I feel quite "green" while using it. It glides on easily, doesn't irritate and works a bit moisturizing. I can't really comment on how well it works on the sweating part, since it's winter but I'm guessing it will be average - as usual. I didn't notice any stains on my clothes, so another plus. Tiny downside was opening the product for the first time: the top was also wrapped with plastic and I couldn't get it open, luckily after some severe trying my boyfriend managed to open it - you know he would never let it pass that he could NOT open a beauty product. I'd never imagined I would ask him to open one for me...

The goods: fresh scent, low price, non-irritating, no stains

The bads: opening it :)

I will enjoy using this roll-on as I like the scent of it. I hardly ever repurchase a deodorant because there are so many out there and I like to switch since I only use about 3 roll-ons a year. But if you're looking for a cheap and decent one, this deserves a shot...
Thursday 10 February 2011

Recent online shopping

I did some shopping again, but with good reason 'cause my other products are running out and I wanted to share the new replacements I got...

A day cream, ordered from Strawberrynet which took 2 months to get here but thanks to a good customer service it finally arrived. This one has a high SPF of 20 and the ingredients to prove this claim. It contains a lot of antioxidants and is said to be good for dry skin, very curious!

My Cetaphil cleanser that I've fallen in love with: this time the big bottle of 500ml for 20euros, a very good price. I mainly use this in the morning and my skin loves it! Recommendable for sensitive skin.

And lastly a Paula's Choice order, because there was a 10% discount: Resist toner (since my Estée Lauder is almost out), 1% BHA lotion against blackheads and such, back-ups of Moisture Boost Cream & Skin Recovery Mask - both very good products and a review is coming soon. Also some samples to try.

Only skin care this time, I just tend to run out of my skin care faster than my make-up. But don't worry, I'm already lemming on some new things!
Wednesday 9 February 2011

Review Diorshow Iconic mascara

Dior... for me one of the more luxurious brands that I always keep lemming on, but don't buy often. Most of the time there are cheaper and just as good alternatives, but girls will be girls and Dior has that sparkle to it which we can't resist. After a workshop in IciParis I got this sample mascara in black, the Diorshow Iconic, and I was able to use it a couple of months even though it's so tiny...

High Definition Lash Curling Mascara
A Dior exclusive innovation: a revolutionary oblique brush. The incredibly soft elastomer brush features slanted bristles to capture each lash one by one. Enriched with a unique lifting formula, Diorshow Iconic sculpts, stretches and curls the lashes with extreme hold and high definition.


The brush is indeed quite innovative and has many bristles that are close to each other, yet still seperated. When taking the brush out, there aren't any chunks on it and it's ready to use...

my lashes without anything on them

my lashes on the left with one layer, on the right 2 layers and one underneath

The mascara applies easily and seperates lashes without any trouble or without any clogging. Even after 2-3 layers still no clogging and your lashes look perfect. Compared to other mascaras I often have problems with the second or third layer, results are spider legs. That's not the case with this one, the result stays natural. The claims are surely true: this mascara gives you a nice curl (I didn't use a curler) and a beautifull length. It doesn't give a lot of volume, but that's not the goal of this mascara.

full-faced

The goods: no clogging, natural effect, applies easily, gives length & curl

The bads: high price, effect may be too natural for some girls

This is a mascara I like, or should I say love? I like mascaras with a natural effect, but this isn't the case for everyone. If you're more a dramatic person, you won't like this mascara. Diorshow Iconic has everything I desire from a mascara, apart from the price. It costs about 25euros, which is -to me- too expensive for a mascara. After 3 months mascara begins to chunk and you should throw it away (I do, because I wear contacts and hygiene is a big deal to me), so that's 8euros/a month. In this case the effect of the mascara doesn't justify the price, I'm sure there are likewise alternatives out there... and I'm destined to find them!!
Tuesday 8 February 2011

Budget review Etos Douche Goij Berry Cupuazu

When I was in the Netherlands I ran into Etos, a drugstore, and noticed they had a promotion going on on their own line so I bought a couple of things to try, including this scrub. My pet peeve is shower gels so I try to work around it and lately I've been buying more scrubs - which is something totally different off course-! In sale this costed me 3euros for 200ml, if I recall correct, it wasn't much.

This scrub takes care of dead skin cells and cleanses your skin. The Goij Berry's origin is in China, it's rich in vitamines and minerals to help condition and protect the skin. The Cupuazu's origin is in Brasil, it's rich in vitamines and lipides to work calming and hydrating on the skin.

The packaging is a pink tube - I like pink - and looks very neat. The ingredients look ok, although it contains paraben on the lower part of the list. When opening the top, you immediately smell the sweet scent of this scrub, due to the berry in it. I enjoy this scent, but for some it may be a bit too much... The scrub is a very light pink with dark spickles in it, probably from the berry, to make it scrubable. It's a crème says the tube and this is really true: the product is thick and creamy. It states that you should use it on wet skin, but I found this didn't work that well - it glid on my skin without actually scrubbing it. When using it on dry skin however, it scrubs easily and leaves your skin very soft. Afterwards you can just wash it off.

The goods: sweet scent, good price

The bads: easily tired of scent, not the best scrub

Overall, I'm finishing this product and it's not bad but it's not that good either. It's quite annoying that it doesn't work well on wet skin. I like to use my scrubs while I'm in bath and not before hopping into it. I liked the scent in the beginning but lately I've grown a bit tired of it, maybe it's a bit too much for me as well. An ok product but not that special after all... Etos, you can do better!!

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Evelien
Belgian twenty-something year old blogger who adores all things beautywise and loves to share her knowledge... This blog reflects my thoughts on products I've personally used and random things that cross my mind. If you have a request for a review or want to ask me something etc..., you can contact me at beautyponder@hotmail.com.
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