Saturday 31 December 2011

Tweezerman haul

Lately I've been buying little beauty stuff... mainly because I'm on overload and I do need to finish a lot. But then again, next week it are sales so most likely I will grab myself something extra * just because I've been so good lately. Last week I bought a few things from Tweezerman, an old familiar and a new item as well.
The old familiar is the BrowMousse which I already reviewed and claimed my love for here (this is my 3rd one I think). New are the brow shaping scissors & brush. Usually I use regular small scissors, but this is going to be much more convenient - or that is the plan at least! You will hear about it either way...!
Wednesday 28 December 2011

Review Rituals Vanilla Orchid sticks

A few months ago I popped into Rituals & decided it was time for me to cave in the whole fragrance sticks madness that has been wondering around and spreading like some kind of *deliciously scented* disease... After sniffing one after anotherI decided for Vanilla Orchid, because I love me some vanilla! It comes in this cute & big packaging, makes for a nice present too - if you are still searching for something to give these days!

So the packaging on the outside is already nice... Installing it goes easily: open up and put the sticks in it - simple! You can place it everywhere, personally I chose my living room and put it in a glass little jar used for candles, I didn't know where to put it elsewhere. It is an eyecatcher though, people who enter immediately want to sniff it... - funny!
The scent contains Vanilla and also Myrrh which is a herb. The scent is unmistakenly vanilla but the herb gives it a little touch. I chose this over the other scents because some of the other scents reminded me too much of a sauna. They say these things last a couple of months, which I can only confirm. I bought mine at the end of August and I still have between 1/3 and 1/2 left.
However, they do advise to change the sticks for optimal results. I haven't done this yet, but I might do it soon because I noticed it is not giving off much scent anymore - even though there is still plenty in it. The instruction manual also says to rearrange the sticks from time to time & afterwards wash your hands - which is no joke because your fingers smell exactly like it if you touch the sticks!
Overall I'm pleased that I gave in & purchased these fragrance sticks, they cost around 22euros but they do last you a long time and I like the subtle effect it delivers to a room - it's not an overwhelming scent but it's definitely there. in the future I would want to put one in the living room & one in the bedroom. They have different scents available (some change from time to time), so be sure to check your favourite one out of the bunch...!
Tuesday 27 December 2011

NOTD Avon Violetta Sparkle

Todays NOTD is my Christmas polish, which wasn't traditional red - as red would not match my outfit - but nevertheless it was a festive polish infused with sparkles. Christmas & sparkles, great combination! As the name says it is a dark violet colour with golden particles in it. In the bottle it appears to be almost black but when held in the light, you clearly see it is violet. The particles show up nicely, even in the bottle - it is not one of those polishes where you have to search for the particles...
Then on my nails... I used 2 thin layers, as I mostly try to do, and it covers up nicely. One layer gives a bit seethrough and I don't like to use one thick layer, I prefer 2 thinner ones for optimal result. The polish goes on smooth and doesn't leave streaks. Like all Avon polishes I like the brush and it works easy. The colour is very dark and at first glance it appears to be black, but when the light hits in you see the violet - although it is a very dark deep violet. The golden particles are easily visible. These are pictures taken on day 3 of the polish on my nails and you can see a little bit of tipwear, but overall I'm impressed with how this dark polish holds up.
This is indeed a dark polish but suitable for this time of year. It's not my personal favourite, as I do enjoy lighter colours more... But I know a lot of people are crazy about them. I'm quite sure I will use this polish again on a certain occassion when suited, but I would not use it for everyday wear... You may have noticed that I have cut my nails a bit shorter: this is better when using a dark polish - if you have really long nails and use a dark polish on them it reminds me too much of a witch-effect and I don't want to look like one :)
Monday 26 December 2011

Merry X-mas!

A merry Christmas to all my lovely readers, I hope you all had a great time surrounded by the people you love, 'cause that's what matters most now!

I had a nice Christmas evening and for the rest I had to work a lot, so I'v been quite busy. But the goods news is that finally my camera settings and background are all in place now *jump for joy* - after the whole movement part. I've been able to take some pictures today to bring back more articles to my blog! Sounds like a nice present to me...
Tuesday 20 December 2011

Naked 2 - what do do?

In case you've been living under a rock, you may have noticed that Urban Decay has released their Naked 2 palette... Now, I absolutely love, or should I say adore their original Naked palette and I use it a lot. I haven't done a proper review on it, because the web is filled with it & I'm pretty sure I would just be one of the countless raving reviews. Nevertheless, I love most colours as well as the packaging. It isn't cheap, but you get a decent amount of eyeshadow in return - I still haven't hit pan on any of them.

So when I heard about number 2 I immediately began searching for information, etc etc. And yes, I think I need it too... It's a cooler palette than the original but there are some lovely colours in that I deseperately need *all of a sudden.

Here's a good comparison video from TiffanyD:


What are you going to do? Buy or not buy (in case you can get your hands on it)?
Sunday 18 December 2011

Skincare hauling!

Some time ago I got a coupon code in the mail from one of my favourite stores, IU, for a 15% off on skincare. Next time I went shopping I did a stop and picked up a few goodies... 'cause it's been a while since I hauled...!
I picked up the Nuxe Crème Fraiche serum, which I read a few good things about. In the past I've tried their Creme Fraiche cream and I liked it, but because of the jar packaging I did not repurchase. This serum however, comes in a glass pump - and is quite heavy. Next to it is La Roche Posays Hydraphase UV riche, this is actually a back-up. I've been using this cream for the last 2-3 months and I'm really loving it, one of my favourite day creams with SPF for dry skin (but a review is on its way, for full information). Lastly is a soothing cream by Bio Beauté Nuxe - which like the name states - is the Bio range from Nuxe. The Bio range only offers a few products, but I'm eager to compare it to their regular range. Plus I do love that this cream comes in a tube packaging instead of a jar - which is normally Nuxe's style.
Have you used this coupon code from IU or have you recently bought some new skincare?
Thursday 15 December 2011

Review Paula's Choice skin recovery super antioxidant concentrate serum

Me & serums... we have a love/hate-relationship. Sometimes I use them religiously 2 times a day, other days pass by without me using them. Come to think of it, the more I like a serum, the more I tend to use it. A serum is a little bit of extra for your skin that becomes more & more necessary with age. Hence my reason for using it - occasionally - I'm not that old * yet!
Your skin will feel radiant and smooth after a dose of this silky, luxurious blend of antioxidants, cell-communicating ingredients, plant oils, and potent anti-irritants. This state-of-the-art formula helps restore a healthy appearance and encourages skin to function normally. May also be used around the eyes.

  • Contains retinol, the cell-communicating ingredient that influences how cells behave and repair themselves

  • Forms a protective, nourishing barrier to combat the effects of sun damage, pollution, and the environment

  • 100% fragrance and colorant-free.


  • Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone (silicone slip agents), C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate (thickener), Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil (plant oil/antioxidant), Camellia Oleifera (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Tocopherol (vitamin E/antioxidant), Retinol (antioxidant/cell-communicating ingredient), Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (vitamin C/antioxidant), Bisabolol (anti-irritant), Astaxanthin (Haematococcus Pluvialis) Extract, Tocotrienols (antioxidants), Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane, Tetrahydromethoxydiferuloylmethane, Tetrahydrobisdemethoxycurcumin, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract (antioxidants/anti-irritants), Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract (anti-irritant), Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract (non-volatile plant extract), Stearyl Methicone (silicone skin-conditioning agent), Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Seed Oil, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Seed Oil, Vaccinium Myrtillus Seed Oil, Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Oil (plant oils/antioxidants), SD-Alcohol 40 (solvent). 
    I bought this because of several good reviews, good packaging and not too expensive (in case you haven't seen it, serums aren't cheap - concentrated stuff). The packaging is sleek & simple, Paula's Choice really is no-nonsense skin care. It comes in a tube with an easy dispenser, just a little squeak and you get enough product. It contains 30ml, average amount but ok considering the pricing around 25euros. Sadly, again, only available in her webshop...
    The product is a see-through gel which feels very greasy and thick. It's also siliconebased as dimeticone is one of the main ingredients. This helps lifting wrinkles and forms a nice base for your make-up. The retinol in this should help diminish fine lines over time, but honestly, I didn't see anything during my time of usage. There is no fragrance in it, so this product has no disturbing scent - a big plus. The downside is the texture of this product... Even with my dry skin it is too greasy and takes long to sink in. I don't like spreading it onto my face - which doesn't go too well-, it feels just too greasy - repeating myself here a bit too much... I thought that in time I would get used to it and would benefit from the results but neither of them worked out. I'm almost through it, but I don't see an improvement in my skin - sadly.
    The goods: packaging, no fragrance, price

    The bads: greasy, doesn't sink in, no visual improvement

    To sum it up, I think you see this one coming by far -  I won't repurchase it. I just don't like the texture and it didn't do anything to my skin, which is a shame. I cannot believe people have positive results with this... Comes to see that skin varies from person to person. If you want to try this, do choose a tester because I can imagine a lot of people having the same opinion about the greasy texture!
    Sunday 11 December 2011

    Stashflash...!

    While I was in the middle of moving I snapped some pictures of my stash & wanted to share it with you all! Off course, this was then and now I'm replacing everything because I now have zero space, but I'll make it fit somehow.... And because I love watching other peoples stash, why not show mine?
    The whole gang together... I store it in Ikea white boxes, they come in a variety pack with different sizes. Very convenient and fits their drawers perfectly!
    Left: foundations, primers, tinted moisturizers & correctors. Featuring some Laura Mercier & Chanel! On the right: eyeshadows (mostly Catrice) & bases, cream sticks and so on.
    Left: blushes & highlighters & bronzers, my most loved products probably... I always seem to find new loved ones, crazy about blushes - that's me! On the right top: eye & lip liners, mostly Avon! And underneath are lip balms and scrubs... but most of my balms are in my purses!
    The last boxes feature lip glosses (Avon & Nuxe) and on the right lipsticks (Avon & MAC). At the left bottom is also a little box with a few nail products but nothing fancy at all^^

    Keep in mind this was just a flash... My palettes & brushes & some products in usage are not in here! When I've sorted everything out I'm going to do an in depth-stash-article. Anything you think I should start with?
    Thursday 8 December 2011

    Luxury list - minus one!

    As I told a couple of days ago I had compiled a nice expensive list... And yes, it has already happened, I bought something! I wanted to wait, but then I hit a coupon code & free delivery, so I gave in & trying to tell myself it is THE perfect Christmas scent also helps :)

    I bought the Serge Lutens "Un bois de vanille" which is a rich wooden scent with vanille & there's also some coconut in it. I have almost run out of my tester & I just need the scent, I'm so into it... Downside to Serge Lutens is that they are expensive & hard to come by. I bought this one for 68euros, shipping included and it contains 50ml. Honestly, some branded perfumes *no names* are as expensive or even more... So I decided to treat myself! A review will follow, but expect it to be positive!

    Do you know Serge Lutens? Which is your favourite scent by him?
    Sunday 4 December 2011

    Wishlist du jour in luxury...

    I compiled a wishlist... Something that I hardly ever do, but now with the holidays coming up I decided to put up my luxury item wishlist of the moment. It's not the longest list, but it is a darn expensive one!!

    1) SUQQU eye brushes (L/M/F): I already have the cheek & face brush, what can I say? I love them so much... and me wanting their other 3 brushes shows my love perfectly! The only hard part is that they aren't easy to get, but I'm patient and willing to wait untill they restock! If you're willing to spend money on brushes, they are the finest of them all...

    2) Serge Lutens - Un bois de Vanille: I bought my first Serge Lutens fragrance about 2 months ago, being "Un Lys" (lilly-scent, obviously) and there was a sample of this scent included and I'm really liking it. I sprayed it today and couldn't stop sniffing myself... Maybe this will be my Christmas treat to myself, but honestly I have enough fragrance... maybe I should buy something else? Decisions...

    3&4) Both Guerlain make-up items with one being their famous meteorites, which I've been eyeing for a long time now & still haven't purchased... I'm awaiting the right moment, don't know when it will be. And secondly an eyeshadow palette called Rue de passy, filled with neutrals and of good pigmentation, I feel like I need it...!! (almost like I don't have any eyeshadow at all without this one... do you know the feeling??)

    5) Becca - Lost weekend palette: I got the last palette from theirs called Enigma a year ago and I love their eyeshadows, so soft - easy to blend etc. This one would fit nicely in my other neutral palettes... but I'm hoping it will go on sale soon, then I will snatch it :)

    Hope you enjoyed my list, which luxury item have you been eyeing lately??

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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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