Hydration

One thing my face demands, be it Summer or Winter, is hydration. I just know it because my skin feels the best when I apply products rich in water. On the other hand it doesn't appreciate products with a high content of oil. Is it just me, or you too really hate that greasy feeling on the top layer of your facial skin, while still knowing the cream you have just applied is doing nothing for the lower layers? The key to striking a balance between moisture and hydration is to find the right hydrating cream. However, good hydration creams are expensive and I personally do not want to spend hundreds of euros on something I am going to use daily and use up in a few weeks. Because I have tried many lower end hydrating products which didn't do nothing for my dehydrated skin, I became quiet skeptical about the suggestions I received in stores and pharmacies.

While shopping in Mariahilferstrasse in Vienna, and after going inside every beauty store I found  along the very long shopping Street, I happened to wonder inside a very small Apotheke and while paying for a mask I picked (which I will tell you about very soon) the lady at the counter suggested I pair that mask with a very hydrating face cream. So she went along showing me a new hydration gel which is supposed to last 24 hrs on your face, and it is by a brand which is part of the Estee Lauder Group, but is being sold at a very good price. She also had me try the cream on my hand. And there and there I didn't really pay much attention because I had already determined it was another up-selling attempt. Later though, I felt my hand and it was still hydrated. So on the last day in Vienna, having found no other hydrating option at a reasonable price, I ran to the shop and bought the True Hydration 24 hr Gel Cream by GoodSkin Labs.

GoodSkin Labs True Hydration

Ever since I started using it each night before going to bed, I wake up in morning with my face still hydrated and if I touch my skin I can still feel the cream on my face. The hydration goes on and on, since even after washing my face, my skin feels smooth and no longer dehydrated. What I mostly love about this cream is that while it is very thick, it doesn't feel the least bit greasy, blends well into the skin and you can feel it penetrating into your skin and doing all the great things it is supposed to do underneath the top layer. I am sure the effects would be even more evident if I would use this gel cream also in the morning, but having a problem with my makeup slipping off my face after two or three hours, I avoid applying any cream under my makeup at least until December. If you have been looking for a great hydration cream that lasts long, makes your skin feel amazingly smooth, and is also well priced (around 29 euros) you just found it. Go buy the True Hydration Gel Cream and let me know what you think...

STAY FAB

Best primer

After trying out 6 of the best high end primers out there, along with other 3 less well known face primers, I am now ready to share my opinions and my journey to finding the best makeup primer for combination to oily skin.

While I wouldn't say I have oily skin, my skin can look oily after applying certain lotions and creams, and my makeup starts melting after only few hours. Because I don't like blotting my face or re-applying powder during the day, both I cannot seem to find the time and because I don't like the powdery look I get when re applying my powder for the second time, I have been on the search for that primer which is able to lengthen the staying power of makeup on my face. While I haven't found one that makes my makeup last all day, I can definitely recommend two that can make your makeup last longer than what it would usually last.

But before let's start with a list of all the primers I have tried. The list includes the following:

1. Body shop, both the one for oily and dry skin

2. Stage primer

3. Sisley instant perfect

4. Smash box photo finish colour correcting primer

5. Smashbox photo finish oil free primer

6. Makeup Forever HD Green primer

7. Benefit the Porefessional

8. MAC Matte Primer

Primers 3 and 5 did not do an amazing job in covering my redness. And I am still on the lookout for a great anti redness primer to use during the Winter. The Smash box oil free primer was good but I feel I need to try it again before being able to compare it to the Benefit and Mac ones, which are my favourite ones for lasting properties. I have tried determining which is the best but I love them both equally. In terms of size they are practically the same, but while I bought the MAC one in Santorini while the Hondos shpping centre was having a 25% sale, the Benefit one was much more expensive. I would repurchase both, and I usually alternate them. In terms of pores coverage, I have not noticed a difference either.

If you know me a little, you also know I never stop looking for something better. In fact, I look forward to trying out the following primers:

 

the Nars skin smoothing face prep

the Nanoblur optical skin cream

the Hourglass veil mineral primer

the Bourjous Happy Light Matite'

the Dr. Brandt Pores no more

the Benefit Stay Flawless Primer

the Too Faced Primed and Poreless Skin Smoothing face primer

the Face Stockholm Primer for perfect skin

Have you tried any of the above primers? If yes, let me know which you suggest me to try first.

And also don't forget to share which is your favourite primer.

STAY FAB

Makeup 2014



2014 has been a great year for makeup. I got to try several products, bought while on vacation or abroad for work. And I also bought a few bits and pieces while shopping in Malta. To the side is most of my makeup (I have a few more primers, powders, lip products, eye pencils and many nail polishes). For some of you might be a lot and for many others might be a little. Few weeks ago I decided to purge all the makeup which was either old or I was not using. Some of it I threw away and other pieces I gave to my mum and sister, most of them eye shadows. I have been wanting a naked palette for so long, that when I finally got one (I got the Naked 1), I stopped using anything else. My favourite shades, on which I have almost hit pan, are Virgin, Naked and Buck. I love a neutral eye with just some countouring in the crease and a bright lip for Summer or a darker one for Winter. Above you can see all my makeup packed and that's in fact all the makeup I took with me on Holiday in Santorini last June. So this makeup is perfect for the Summer months, for work, the weekend and for vacation too.

 

My makeup favourites at the moment are the Bioderma tinted face lotion with SPF 50, the pore fessional primer, the bobbi brown concealer duo (which I completely used up). My favourite mascara is still the Deborah Milano Definitive Volume & Curl. For powder I like both the Sephora 8hr wear mattifying compact foundation and the Max Factor Creme Puff in 05 translucent. My favourite lip products for Summer are the L'Oreal Paris Caresse in 401 Rebel red and in 07 Cheeky magenta and the Revlon Colourburst lip gloss in 006 Strawberry . This Summer I have been wearing the Revlon scented nail polish in 060 African tea rose. During the past month I have also been loving the Makeup Forever Mist & Fix under my MAC Matte primer. The two together make my makeup last longer.

 

Here is me wearing most of the above makeup.
 The sun washed it out a little. But you can still see that is a very natural - almost no makeup look.
This is exactly my kind of makeup look - something fresh, young, easy and quick.

 

Since I have been using most of the bove products for so long, I am ready to share my opinions on them. So get ready for a few reviews. Also feel free to ask me questions about any product you might be interesting in trying out.

 

Share in the comments below which are your favourite makeup products for 2014 so far...

 

STAY FAB

Beach body diet

 

With the right attitude and a strong will power you can get ready for the beach in just 6 weeks. It obviously depends on your eating, your workout routine, the treatments and creams you apply and also your body rythm. I am not saying you will turn into a size 0, or that your cellulite will finally disappear, but you will definitely look and feel better. Here is how!

 

1. You know those carbs we all love and crave, forget they even exist. STOP EATING CARBS like pasta, rice, bread, cereal, cakes, crackers, potatoes and starchy veggies. I also suggest you try to limit the intake of vegetables and fruits, especially bananas, melons and grapes. I would suggest you stick with berries and apples. As for vegetables go with loads of lettuce, and some green beans, tomatoes and brussel sprouts. I also love eggplant with my main meal and I like cucumbers in my juices.

 

2. SAY NO TO any kind of SUGAR (hence any sweets and pastries and chocolates). You also have to cut the honey and any natural syrup you might be using. Fructose, that is fruit sugar, is definitely better than sucrose, but is still sugar and it will thus make your insulin levels spike and make it more difficult for you to burn stored fat, and so will carbs. You can read about the effect of carbs on insulin here.

 

3. Reduce the portions of your meals. I am not saying you have to starve yourself but EAT REASONABLY and stop before you are completely full. That feeling of satiety will neither lead to productivity and nor to reaching your weight loss goal.

 

4. DRINK AT LEAST 2 LITRES OF WATER. And cut caffeine, or limit it to one every morning without sugar. You can also drink green tea and freshly squeezed orange juice in moderation. And do not forget to have one green juice a day. I have this as my lunch and it is usually made with lettuce, cucumber, an apple, parsley, water and sometimes some fresh orange juice. Other times I might throw in some beets and others a peach, or some berries.

 

5. You should turn into a salad by the end of the 6th week, meaning that you will  EAT SALADS DAILY as your main meal. You can add lean ham, liver pate, simmental, low fat cheeses, olive oil, nuts and seeds, any herbs you like and also lean meats, fish and chicken in your salads. So even though you will be eating a salad a day as your main meal, it doesn't have to get boring. I actually crave my salad each day prooving that I really enoy it.

 

6. ADD NUTS TO YOUR MEALS OR HEALTHY TREATS. My favourite breakfast and treat is berries topped with low fat plain yougurt, cashew nuts, almonds and peanuts and lots of ground cinnamon powder.

 

7. In terms of healthy snacks you can eat an apple with one teaspoon pure peanut butter (must have only peanuts under ingredients), sugar snap peas with 30g light Philadelphia cheese or light cottage cheese or the snack I mentioned above with berries and yougurt.

 

8. GET USED TO FASTING FOR 14 HOURS. As scary as this might sound, it is actually very easy to master. If you are able to have your dinner before 6 pm and you have your breakfast the next day around 8 am, then you have gone through 14 hrs fasting. Obviously you have to refrain from eating any snacks in between, just drink water. Once you are ready from your dinner, get away from the kitchen and have your breakfast ready in the morning so that you can grab it just before you are having it or before going out the door for work or school.

 

9. PLAN YOUR MEALS & PREPARE YOUR WORK/SCHOOL MEALS.  I usually have my favourite berries treat as breakfast or a no carb pancake, a green juice for lunch and some snap peas to snack on. I will also sometimes drink orange juice and obviously loads of water. When I go out shopping, I take some nuts with me and I either buy a healthy juice or a yougurt so that I avoid any temptation. That way I can avoid fainting due to hunger.

 

10. EXERCISE AT LEAST 30 MINUTES, 5 TIMES A WEEK & DRY BODY BRUSH. If you are able to add a walk or some cleaning here in there, it will definitely be an added bonus.

 

 

The way you will look at the end of this 6 weeks diet obviously depends on your initial dress size and body frame. The size is irrelevant though. What matters is that you will feel great in your own skin.

 

 

 

STAY FAB

 

Dry brushing

Researching new topics related to either health, fashion and beauty is among my hobbies. That's how I came across the topic of dry brushing way back in 2013. Because it was winter, I procrastinated starting brushing my body, telling myself I would wait for Spring to arrive. Once we got in the second month of Spring, which meant my special summer vacation was approaching, I felt I really needed to give dry body brushing a go. I must admit that the main reason why I tried this is that I was hoping it could help reduce my cellulite and make me feel more confident in my swimsuit. However, I am also looking forward to keep dry body brushing all year so as to help my circulation and may be reduce the chillblains/Raynaud's problems I suffer from during the Winter months. So you might be all wondering whether dry brushing reduced or not my cellulite, and whether it made me look and feel better in my swimsuit. Well I am going to answer that in a second. First I want you to know my initial reactions to dry body brushing, and my thoughts week after week until my special vacation.......
 

After the first time body brushing I really enjoyed it and I felt it already worked a little by smoothing my skin and just making it look a tiny bit better (even if just to my eyes). I loved the feeling of dry brushing on my stomach, so much that I would have wanted to dry brush all day long.

 

After the second time body brushing I was a little sad and angry to myself. Because I dry brushed twice on the first day, once in the morning and once in the evening, the second time dry brushing slightly scratched my skin. So I realized this might have been because my skin was still moist from my morning after shower lotion. This helped me understanding the best way to dry brushing for my skin. I will share this with you in a moment.

 

My tips for dry brushing your body are the following:

1. If you are a beginner, only dry brush once a day. And if your skin is fairly sensitive like mine keep dry brushing only once a day.

2. Start with applying less pressure, and gradually built up pressure.

3. For me the best way to dry brushing, and avoiding scratches, is to dry brush after my shower (usually evening since I don't have enough time in the morning). I wait a little to make sure my skin is dry and dry brush before applying my lotion. The suggested way is however to dry brush before showering so that all the dead skin is washed off and doesn't clog your pores.

4. I use a cellutlite cream after dry brushing, and sometimes I also apply my regular moisturizer on top

5. I suggest wet brushing too, to see better results.

6. Eat as healthy and clean as you can. Since dry brushing is known for promoting lymphatic drainage, that is getting rid of the extra toxins which are trapped in your skin, and because many of these are metabolic related toxins eating junk food really goes against the scope of dry body brushing. That doesn't mean you cannot eat junk food once in a while, but I suggest you eat healthy and exercise on a daily basis.

 

Which body brush to use....I started dry brushing with the Body Shop round body brush and it worked well for me. However, I am looking into buing a second brush before the end of Summer. And I think a long handle one will make it easier to reach my rear legs.

 

Does it work?.....YES it does work. Not only your skin feels amazing to the touch, and your circulation is improved, and after only 2 applications you start seeing the lymphatic mucus in your stools - meaning that lymphatic drainage has started and you are actually detoxifying your body with an easy routine - but dry body brushing also helps your skin look better. My cellulite is visible reduced, my skin looks more toned and those lumps of fat under the skin and dumples are less evident. So yes in just 4 weeks of dry brushing, along with a super healthy diet and a 5 days exercise routine weekly, I was able to get ready to be in my swimsuit.

And what about the negative effects? ....When pairing dry body brushing with a good workout routine, something you should be doing to achieve better results, you might feel your legs are really sore and tired as if you had done a major workout. I also experienced some nausea and a decrease in my appetite during the first week of dry body brushing. Massaging your legs helps relieve these symptoms. Dry brushing made my arms made my Keratosis Pilaris worst , while wet brushing causes bruises around my knees.

My thoughts after 1 week of dry brushing once every day.....The one positive effect which is certainly evident, is how smooth my skin feels. I have a feeling it will make waxing less painful and might also contribute to less ingrown hair. I obviously cannot tell you that one week dry brushing made my cellulite go away. But I can see certain areas having improved, and I am sure that after one month the result will be even more evident. One thing I noticed is that the area which is the larger on my body, and the one which has the highest concentration of excess fat - being the outer part of my thighs - is the area where I have seen less improvement. I think that reducing the size of that area will make it more likely for the cellulite in that area to be reduced. You all know, however, that spot weight loss is very difficult if not impossible to achieve. In fact, after losing several kilos, my thighs are still the larger part of my body. For the past week I have been following a very low carb high protein diet (higher than usual but not too high) and also low in fat and sugar obviously. The aim is to help melt that fat by having my body use it as energy, rather than use the carbs I eat since I am not eating them. I share more about this diet here.

My thoughts after 2 weeks dry brushing and 10 days using the Nivea Cellulite Gel Cream......I really wish I has started doing this before because it definitely makes a difference. After 2 weeks dry brushing I can see an improvement in the areas which have most cellulite like my thighs. I am not saying the cellulite is gone, but the fat under the skin has diminished and the skin over that area looks more toned. This might also be thanks to the Nivea gel cream. One thing I have noticed, however, is that this cream is not moisturizing enough for my skin. In fact, my skin is a little dry and I am therefore following the cellulite cream with my usual moisturizer.

My thoughts after 3 weeks dry brushing and 1 week using the Palmer's tighten and tone moisturizer.......While I love the scent of this moisturizer, I think the Nivea gel cream works better both for toning and for cooling the skin after dry brushing. Unfortunately, this week I do not have any improvements to report since my body has retained fluids and I have been very bloated as usual during the period following my ovulation. This obviously made the cellulite more evident, but I am hoping by the end of week 4, the effects will start showing again. I have also started wet brushing, using the spa fit body massager I bought from the Body Shop last weekend. Again, this made my Keratosis Pilaris worst on both arms and legs but I have read that it can get worst before its gets better. So I am sticking with it on my legs while I have stopped any kind of brushing on my arms since I have started wearing sleeveless tops and I hate them being red. I am wet brushing in the morning while showering, and dry brushing in the evening. I follow wet brushing by applying the Nivea cellulite cream and dry brushing by applying the Nivea gel cream and the Palmer's Cocoa Firming Butter on top.

My thoughts after 4 weeks dry brushing .......At the end of week 3 I had already mentioned I was experienced redness on my arms and legs. It got so bad that I decided to stop dry brushing my arms and because wet brushing was actually as bad as dry brushing on my arms, I decided to stop that too. So I only wet massaged my upper legs in the morning and dry brushed them in the late afternoon during week 4. During that week I started seeing my skin getting worst than after the first 2 weeks of dry brushing. It was looking almost wrinkled and dry and  very red, so red that on my left outer thigh area I got some purple and red big dots. I am not sure whether these are broken capillaries or small bruises. And wet brushing bruised my knees so badly that I felt it was time to stop any kind of brushing. I am not saying I will never brush or wet brush again. In fact I will definitely continue doing both, but I will do it twice to three times a week maximum and only when I think my skin is ready to go through that again. I have sensitive skin so that is why I need to be careful, and I also bruise very easily. And since my holiday is in less than 10 days from when I am writing this, by the time I post this it will be few days before departure, I don't want to have my legs all red and bruised. This is why I stopped 10 days before my holiday, to give my skin the time to return to normal - at least I hope. In terms of the best cellulite product between the Nivea and the Palmer's one, I definitely think the Nivea gel works better to tone the skin and I believe it does help with reducing the appearance of cellulite after few weeks. The Palmer's toning butter on the other hand is better to moisturize the skin but I do not think it is as great as the Nivea gel in terms of cellulite reducing properties. I guess a gel works better on the cellulite, but the Nivea on its own can be a little drying. So the two are great combined together; you first apply the gel and then top the dry areas with the butter.

My final thoughts before my Holiday .......I definitely think dry brushing was worth the try, and also the effort and time. I would do it again, but I would start earlier. From my 1 month experience with dry brushing and my 10 days wet brushing, I would say that the wet brushing using the spa fit body massager from Body Shop is more harsh on the skin and also on the underlying tissues than dry brushing. So if you are thinking of trying either of those methods, go for dry brushing first. If you are a beginner you might want to dry brush for a week or two and then stop to give your skin a break. That's in my opinion the time necessary to get some initial benefits without putting too much pressure on your skin. Also make sure to start brushing gently, and add more pressure as you progress. Finally, dry brushing is great when combined with healthy eating and a good workout routine to get your body more toned and slowly reduce cellulite.
 

What about you? Have you tried dry body brushing? Did it work? If not what are you waiting for?.....

 

STAY FAB

Sephora haul

For years I have been watching hauls and reviews of products bought in Sephora, and heard amazing things about this beauty store. I once went in myself few years ago while I was in Catania, but I was so overwhelmed by the amount of products that I asked for a few samples but didn't manage to decide which products to buy. And after that one time, I never set foot again in a Sephora store until this April. And with several lists of products to try and buy, written both recently and a while ago, this time I definitely didn't come out of the store bare handed!

 

 

While on a trip to Palermo, I had 2 hrs free before attending a 5hrs meeting so I wanted to treat myself and so went shopping with the main intention of finding a Sephora Store. The one in Via Roma was closed and there was a sign directing clients to a newly opened store in Via Maqueda 443-447. So after walking and walking, while discussing the coming meeting with my colleague, I finally found the store and that's when I parted away with my colleague for a few hrs. I knew it would take me a while to shop in there and I wanted to just embrance and enjoy the whole experience especially since I had already prepared for the meeting and had a long day of work following. And so I did.



                 SEPHORA VIA MAQUEDA, PALERMO

After staring and browsing around the store for a few minutes while looking at my list, I was approached by a nice lady, whose name I don't recall, who helped me try and choose among the many products they have in store. I told her I needed a primer, a concealer, a powder, a BB cream, a face cream, a powder brush and that I wanted one of the naked eyeshadow palette and may be a cream blush too. They do not stock certain brands like Nars and Bobbi Brown so I had to mark off a few options on my list. And after testing different products by Sephora, Benefit, Urban Decay and Makeup Forever, this is what I ended up purchasing:

 

1. I finally bought the Benefit Porefessional Primer, about which I have heard many raves but also many unsatisfied reviews. It was Missglamorazzi's recent review who made me decide to try it. So thanks Ingrid!

 

2. I decided to try the Sephora 8HR wear mattifying compact foundation after having it applied in the store to test it. I got this in the shade 10 light, which is a tiny bit dark for me right now.

 

3. For concealer I ended up sticking to the Sephora brand, as the lightest shade available, 13 light, was the one closest to my skin tone.

 

4. I also bought a flat contour brush to apply my powder. This is the same brush used by the lady to apply the Sephora powder on me and I loved how smooth and compact it felt.

 

5. And finally, I repeat finally, I was able to get myself a naked eyeshadow palette. I was unsure whether I should buy the naked 1 or naked 2 but I decided to go with the 1, as also suggested by the shop assistant, as this comes with the urban decay eye primer and has amazing colours.

 

At checkout, after paying for my goodies, I was happy to receive a few samples. The lady gave me a set of Chanel Le Rouge lipsticks to try and a Biotherm hydrating face kit which came with a a good sized toner, a face cream and a serum.

 

It was great to finally shop at Sephora. Plus I really needed to stock on few makeup essentials, especially since I am using them everyday for work, and the products I got from Vienna last October are almost used up. The only problem was finding a place in my bag for all these products.....Thankfully I am a good packer, so I managed to fit everything between my luggage and my carry on bag. Here is how I pack.

 

I will be reviewing the products I bought later on. I also plan on comparing a few of them with other high end options. So if you are interested in those kind of posts stay tune, and follow my blog..

 

STAY FAB

Kiehl's

In this post I am going to share my first impressions on the Kiehl's Calendula alcohol free toner and the ultra facial oil-free lotion. This post was written over 3 months ago and I can say that I am still loving the toner which I got in full size.

I have tried various natural skincare products as well as other non natural ones both high drugstore and high end. Lately, I have even tried the famous Sisley Creme Reparatrice which so many people rave about and yet my skin has never felt so supple, hydrated and smooth as right now.


I have been trying to find a natural alcohol free toner which had restringent properties but was not strongly scented for months. And while I was on holiday in Vienna I came across the brand Kiehl's about which I have heard many good reviews. So I decided to have a look at the toners and I fell in love with the calendula scent - which was just what I had been looking for as it is meant for normal to oily skin and is both alcohol free and has a natural scent along with natural ingredients. So I decided to splurge and try this toner. I justified this splurge by telling myself that I am making up for all the years I have skipped the toner step in my skincare routine. After trying this product for the first time in combination with the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil Free Lotion sample I was given, I am definitely happy I made this purchase and I wish I had also bought the lotion. In fact after applying it my skin felt like it was thirsty and it finally rehydrated itself. My facial skin feels smooth and hydrated and also plumped and lifted and it has never felt so good before. I also think the skin looks tighter and more even and I have a feeling that this lotion would make a great makeup base.

After using these products combo for a few days I am convinced that they would be great for my skin in Summer when my face becomes more oily and my makeup has trouble staying on. I also think I might enjoy them every morning to prepare my face for makeup. However, I also realized that the lotion on its own is not enough moisturizing for the Winter months. Hence, I will be replacing it with a richer cream, may be even one from Kiehl's brand.

 

For what concerns the toner, I love it. I think it works similarly to other harsh toners but it is so gentle and has an amazing scent which reminds me of tea and makes me want to find a tea with that same flavor. The toner in combination with the ultra facial oil free lotion does a great job at making the face tighter and cleaning any remaining impurities. So if you are on the oily side but have sensitive skin, I would suggest you to try these products. If on the other hand you are combination to oily you might want to alternate the lotion with a richer one in the evening at east for the colder months. 

Anyway, so far I think these products are worth the higher price and I am definitely interested in trying other Kiehl's products. What about you - have you tried any Kiehl's cosmetics?

STAY FAB

2013

Now that 2013 has come to an end, I am feeling the need to share with you my favourite products of 2013, my reflections on the past year and my resolutions for the coming one. And rather than writing three separate posts, I decided to combine everything into one so as to really give you a feel of my year 2013 and what's to come. To cover the most important aspects of the year 2013 I am going to ask myself some questions and then answer them. I am also inviting anyone who would like to answer the same questions to do so and share the answers in the comments below so that we can learn and get inspired from each others' experiences. So let's get started!



Few of my 2013 Beauty, Fashion and Food Favourites

 

Best makeup product of 2013 is..... Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit in shade porcelain and white

 

Best skincare product of 2013 is..... Kiehl's Calendula Herbal Extract Alcohol Free Toner

 

Best shoe purchase of 2013 is...... Camel casual lace up boots from Donauzentrum shopping mall in Vienna

 

Best clothing purchase of 2013 is.... actually not one but three pairs of jeggings I bought from C&A in Vienna. They are so comfortable but yet look like jeggings and fit me perfectly, even after all the Holidays' eating. I also love the huge camel scarf I got from H&M.

 

Best accessory purchase of 2013 is.....my Jimmy Choo sunglasses which were my first ever pair of sighted sunglasses



My first pair of sighted sunglasses
 

Best food of 2013 is.....a healthy one would be porridge and a not so healthy one would be cheese. I had been avoiding cheese during the past years but in 2013 I started eating it more regularly. Same goes for chocolate. Another food which I have tried for the first time during 2013 is peanut butter.

 

Happiest moment of 2013 is....me being amazed at the beauty of falling leaves in all shades of orange, yellow and brown while in Vienna but especially during my visit to Schonbrunn Palace. It was my first time seeing in person changing leaves as in Malta we do not get them.

Vienna in October

 

Most satisfactory moment of 2013 is.....right after the end of the one day steering committee I organized and hosted for work last October

 

Saddest moment of 2013 is.....getting to know my grandma had passed away but also every time I think I will not see her again.



Ciao Nonna

 

Few of the things I learned in 2013 include.......Photoshop, In Design, Illustrator (which I am no longer practicing since I found a job which is not really about marketing but I am sure they will prove useful in the future) and doing budget shifts, procurement regulations, tendering process, EU projects related procedures like claiming project expenses, filling in monitoring files and other accounting reports.

 

Few of my resolutions for 2014 are......Making to do lists; revising my spoken French; challenging myself; getting back to eating healthy at least 5 times a week; having more date nights; finding time for cooking; fighting my OCD especially when it comes to hygiene and cleaning; planning for the longer term and acting upon those plans.

 

2013 has been an amazing year. I have learnt new things, discovered many products, I found a great job, I got to visit beautiful Vienna, and got myself a few goodies I have been wanting for a long time. So I am really thankful for the year 2013, but I am also sad about it because it is the year during which I lost my grandma. Obviously the sadness will still remain even though 2013 will be over, but I am trying to think about the great memories I have about my grandma and will cherish them during the next year. I also want to continue growing as a person, both personally and professionally, and grow with my husband as a couple. What about you? What was 2013 like for you?

 

 

STAY FAB & HAPPY 2014

Makeup Routine

It's surprising how the right makeup products combination can make you feel amazing. Having said this, I am sure you all agree with me when I say that it's very difficult to find the perfect makeup routine. Sometimes, even though all the products are great, if one is not the right one for you, then the end result will not be that great.

How many times have you experienced a cakey face, flaky skin, not enough coverage and makeup melting after few hours? My answer is too many. So when I put together the new makeup products I bought in Vienna, and applied them in combination every morning for the past few months I was so over the moon by the flawless result I got that I couldn't not share my new makeup routine with you. I am also planning on posting a review of each single product mentioned in this post, so stay tuned for that.

My Makeup Routine

My current makeup routine involves the following products:

1. Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Colour Correcting Adjust

2. Makeup Forever HD Foundation in shade 117

3. Astor Anti Shine Mattitude Shine Control Supermatte Powder in shade 002

4. Look by Bipa coverstick in the shade cold

5. Bobby Brown creamy concealer kit in shade porcelain and white

6. Manhattan Powder Rouge Tender Touch Blush in shade purple me on 39P

New makeup products I got while shopping in Vienna.

The above products together give me a flawless result with great coverage which still looks natural. The only problem is that my makeup starts melting after a few hours. Initially, I thought it was due to the hot weather, but now that it has gotten colder my makeup is still melting after few hours. I have also tried applying the above products followed by the Mist & Fix setting spray by Makeup Forever, but it doesn't help at all. I must also say that I almost never touch up my makeup with powder during the day, so that might be one explanation for my makeup melting off. A second explanation might be that I apply my foundation with my fingers; applying it with a brush might help it sink better into the pores and hence stay longer on my face. I am currently looking for a high end powder, hoping that using a better powder might reduce this problem. What about you: does your makeup melt off after few hours? Do you have any tips on how to avoid this? Share your comments below.




Here is a picture of me wearing the above products, taken in the morning before work. I decided to share a very basic makeup look as I will be sharing my work makeup looks in a separate post.

Have you found your perfect makeup routine? Or are you still looking for the right products?

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Tea Tree Face Wash

In many of my past cleanser review posts I repeated how I hadn't found a cleanser which gave me that squeaky scrumptious clean feel I only got with the Clinique cleansing soap bar and the Vichy Normaderm deep cleansing gel, which was at the same time gentle and fragrance free and contained only natural ingredients. So for years I kept trying different cleansers, and would wash my face for the sake of doing so but without getting that deep clean feel I like. The reason behind that was that both Clinique and Vichy cleansers, which I mentioned above, were too strong for me and caused me respiratory problems because of the chemicals which they contained. Finally, and I want to repeat finally, I found a cleanser which only contains bioactive, natural and organic ingredients, and which gives me that squeaky clean refreshed feeling I was looking for in a face wash. The main ingredient in this cleanser is tea tree. And I am talking about the Dr. Organic Tea Tree Face Wash. 

The great things about this cleanser are so many I don't really know where to start from. So I am going to start by saying that I have been a huge fan of Dr. Organic for the past year. However, I have never tried their tea tree line. Actually, I have never tried any tea tree product as I have never actually liked the scent of most tea tree skincare and tea tree cosmetics. All of the Dr. Organic products are bioactive meaning that they actually do something for your face, hair and body. Their ingredients not only are organic, smell amazing, are natural and all good for you but they also have many benefits for you. If you want to know more about bioactive skincare you should read this article.

The Tea Tree Face Wash by Dr. Organic is great for oily, combination and blemish prone skin. In fact, the tea tree ingredient acts as an antibacterial for all the impurities on the skin, which tend to cause acne and other blemishes. The antibacterial benefits of this tea tree face wash are all due to one main ingredient - tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is in fact well known for its antiseptic and antibacterial properties. For this reason tea tree skin care products are great for fighting acne and the resulting blemishes. Because tea tree is so effective on acne but is also way more gentle than any product containing either salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, any tea tree cleanser is much more suitable for combination skin or oily skin which is very sensitive. If you are interested in the other health benefits of tea tree oil check out this tea tree essential oil  article. While being effective, tea tree oil is also gentle. This is why this Tea Tree Face Wash also protects your skin by ensuring your pH is balanced and doesn't dry out your skin, which is very important if you have combination skin with dry patches.

One final great thing about this Tea Tree Face Wash is that it smells amazing. Its scent reminds me of my favourite citrus drink which is only available in Sicily. If you read the ingredient list you will know why it smells so good. It contains tea tree, aloe vera, red mandarin, lemon, bergamot, grapefruit and cedarwood. And it is also infused with witch hazel. I have always wanted to try this latter since it's so much hyped but I was afraid I might get some form of allergic reaction. So finally I get to try it without worries since it's not among the main ingredients of this face wash. (If you are not aware of the uses and benefits of witch hazel read this article).

So far the Dr. Organic Tea Tree Face Wash is the one cleanser which I am actually enjoying using and will repurchase again and again. And the best thing about this Tea Tree product is that it only costs 7.33 euros at one of my local supermarkets. I am sure you can find the tea tree range by Dr. Organic in your supermarkets as well as drugstores. If not, check any shops selling natural and organic products. If you don't find this specific tea tree face wash, I suggest you to at least try another tea tree facial cleanser to enjoy the many tea tree benefits on the skin. What about you, have you tried this Tea Tree Face Wash? If yes, did you like it? Feel free to also share with us any other tea tree cleansers, as well as tea tree skincare products you have used and loved.

NB. I have been using this cleanser in combination with the Bioderma Sensibio AR which I also reviewed and I am really loving them both. 

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Bioderma Sensibio AR for Mild Rosacea

Being fair and having sensitive skin makes it more likely to get redness. Facial redness is something I have always had since I was a little kid. Whenever I would blush, my cheeks would turn red and stay so for quiet some time. The redness would slowly diminish but not disappear. During the past few years, this redness would particularly increase during Winter, especially on the nose which became permanently red. Today, my cheeks and nose are always red. Excluding few little spots and few blemishes, I am lucky to have relatively good skin. And if it wasn't for the redness, my face would look much more even. However, because this redness might lead to severe rosacea, I think it's very important for me to start addressing the problem by using the right anti redness treatment.

I have been contemplating using anti-redness skincare for at least 2 years. I have researched extensively the various options, and found a few which I was willing to try. But I have never been able to do so because these were not available here in Malta. The only available options were not fragrance free. Few weeks ago I was at the airport and I spotted a limited range of Bioderma skin care products in the arrivals' makeup shop. I was pleasantly surprised since I have been hearing very positive reviews about this brand, especially the micellar solution used to remove makeup without rinsing. While I left without purchasing anything, I returned this week and picked up the Bioderma Sensibio AR. This latter is a face moisturizer for sensitive skins which suffer from redness - both temporary and permanent. 

Bioderma Sensibio AR

After applying this cream twice, here are my first impressions...........This cream is quiet thick, and not as creamy as advertised on the packaging.  So you actually need to squeeze the tube  at least  twice to get enough to cover the entire face, unless you are going to use it only on your red spots. While water  is the first ingredient on the list, this moisturizer feels quiet oily. Indeed, it has several oil based ingredients. I usually prefer water based moisturizers which provide me with a fresh and hydrating feeling. One thing I almost hate about it is its scent. It's a mix between shea butter, a medicinal oil and something sweet but to a nauseating extent. However, don't be scared by this description. You might actually not be bothered at all by its scent. The fact is that I am super sensitive to scents. That's why I always go for fragrance free, but this doesn't always imply that the product has no evident scent. This definitely does. I think I will start applying it only on the red spots on my face and use a lighter hydrating moisturizer for the rest of my face. Having said that, I hope I can see positive results in terms of redness reduction. The packaging states that "Rosactiv targets directly the factors responsible for the dilation and weakening of skin capillaries which result into permanent redness. It also claims to have immediate and lasting results." I might update you on the results, showing before and after pictures. While it claims to be a great makeup base, I am definitely not going to wear it under my makeup as I am sure it will make the makeup application not even and definitely not lasting, at least for combination and oily skin.

What about you? Have you tried the Bioderma Sensibio AR? Has it worked for your rosacea? 

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A dupe for Chanel Riva.....is Wjcon N.170

Lately, I have been craving nail polishes - along with ice cream, shoes and sunglasses. I cannot stop looking at them online, in stores and have to control myself not to buy too many especially when it comes to nail polishes. This week I bought 2 nail colours from Wjcon; you can see my haul here. Today I decided to wear one of them, and since I love it so much I want to share it with you.

This nail polish has a pearl and shimmery finish, which is usually something I don't like in nail polishes. In fact, I prefer a satin or matte finish with a shiny top coat on. For this nail polish I made an exception as it's the prettiest light blue colour I have ever seen. I love it so much, and since the moment I started applying it I couldn't stop smiling. So the colour is great. But what about the consistency, application and lasting power? For a pearl finish this nail varnish has the perfect consistency. With all the pearl nail polishes I have tried, except for the Kiko Satin Beige, I have had problem whereby the nail polish is too sheer and you need several coats to build it up to a pretty visible colour. Also many pearl nail polishes do not apply evenly on the nail, leaving certain parts lighter and others darker. So the consistency is great as it's not too liquid but neither too tick, and it's not too sheer. This makes it easy to apply and with 2 light coats I achieved a great result. Applying it wasn't messy at all, as it seems to me that the brush has the perfect size. For lasting power, I will let you know in my next post featuring a Wjcon nail polish.....

And to makes things even better, it's the perfect dupe for Chanel Riva (consider that the Wjcon nail polish is much lighter in real life than on camera). 

I am definitely going to purchase more from this brand. I am already planning to go swatch nail polishes to find a nice strawberry red and a peachy nail colour. 

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Wjcon Nail Polishes Haul.....

WJCON Make-It is the latest addition to the few makeup stores available here in Malta. It's an Italian brand, very similar to Kiko and since there is no Kiko in Malta, I was really excited when I spotted this shop in a town where I have lived for many years. As you might guess, what interested me most were their nail polishes. Few weeks ago I went inside the shop to swatch few of them but I ended up not buying any because I was a little overwhelmed. Here in Malta, we have small makeup stores which carry the usual drugstore brands like Revlon, Rimmel, Maybelline, L'Oreal and a few more. These same brands can be found in pharmacies. Apart from that there is only one big makeup chain, which is Franks, which offers high end makeup. In each shop you only find a few nail polishes from each brand. So when I found myself inside the Wjcon store with so many nail polishes to choose from, I just couldn't choose as I wanted them all. So I stepped away and returned after few weeks. This time I knew which kind of colours I wanted. I went for 2 pastel colours - a light sky blue with shimmers and a matte pistachio green. And if you have read my Spring Summer 2013 Bags Trends, both Part 1 and Part 2, as well as my SS13 Runway Shoes...Neutral & Bright, you know I featured several pieces in these two colours. 

Nail Laquers in 170 and 199

If you want to know more about these polishes, keep your eyes open for a coming nail look featuring one of the above. I will be posting this withing few days along with a review of the product. 

Let me know in the comments if you have ever heard of this brand? Have you tried their nail polishes? If yes, did you like them?

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Cotton Candy at Eiffel Tower by Catrice

While I am definitely a natural makeup look lover, be it on the face or or my nails, I also think wearing nude nails is appropriate when going for a very bright outfit (unless you want to go for colour blocking). Since Spring and Summer are all about pastel and bright clothes, nude nails seem very popular on this season runway. While Loewe paired nude nails with darker colours and Max Mara with nude, khaki and brown shades, De La Renta contrasted the brighter clothes with some cream nails (see images below).  

Catrice Ultimate Nudes

020 Cotton Candy at Eiffel Tower

                                                   Loewe                                      Max Mara

De La Renta

What about you, do you like nude nails? Or do you prefer brighter shades?

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Lauren Moffatt Inspired Nail Look.....SS13

Yesterday I did my nails and because I knew I would be wearing a darker outfit today, I decided to go with a brighter nail look. As always, I went through my SS13 Runway nail inspiration looks and chose the one below which Lauren Moffatt models wore during the Spring 2013 NYFW Presentation.

The colour used on the models is Don't Touch my Tutu by OPI. Since I don't own an orange nail polish, I went with a coral one. I used the L'Oreal Paris Resist & Shine Titanium nail polish in shade 185 Lychee. As my base and top coat I applied 1 coat of the Sally Hansen Double Duty Strengthening Base & Top Coat. You can see the end result in the images below.

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Anthelios Dry Touch Gel Cream 50+ by La Roche Posay

Quick review of the Anthelios Extreme Fluid 50+

After having used the Anthelios Extreme Fluid 50+ for the past 3 years I was ready for a change. Although great in terms of protection, the consistency of the Anthelios Fluid is far too liquid for my face during the hotter months. It makes my skin greasy and my makeup doesn't last long. On the other hand, this product works well for me during the Winter months. The fact is that the packaging is huge and the product ends up being wasted since I only need a small amount for my face and it expires after a year. This is the main reason why I haven't used sunscreen throughout Fall and Winter- I didn't want to repurchase the same sunscreen and couldn't find any other options by la Roche Posay where I live, as it seems that only few people apply sunscreen during the colder months. Since I consider sunscreen an essential product, and because I was quiet disappointed for not being able to find an alternative for Winter, I started researching sunscreens at the beginning of Spring. And after a few weeks I finally found 3 options, all by la Roche Posay (as this is the only skincare brand I am currently using). The three options were the following: the Anthelios Smooth Lotion, the Anthelios Melt-in- Cream and the Anthelios Dry touch gel cream. After considering the pros and cons of each one, I realized the best option was the third one as it's the only one which should help me avoid any greasiness and shine on my face. 

The Anthelios Dry Touch Gel Cream claims to be ideal for combination to oily skin (which is my skin type during Summer), water resistant and thus perfect for swimming and any activities involving sweating like outdoor fitness and training. It also says to have a dry touch texture, double anti-shine action, immediate absorption, ultra dry finish and leaves no white marks. 

After using this sunscreen for a few days, I can report back that all the stated benefits on the packaging are actually true. It comes in a tube which makes the product look like a cream; but it's not a creamy product. It has a strange consistency- its white colour makes it look like a cream; when you squeeze the packaging to let the product come out, it feels like a gel; when the sunscreen touches your fingers it has a harder creamy consistency; when you blend it on the face it feels like a silicone based product (indeed it does have silica listed among its ingredients); and when you are done blending it into your skin it leaves powdery streaks on the fingers but none on the face. 

This sunscreen is not greasy at all, and it's definitely not liquid. Because of the harder consistency you need more to apply to the entire face. You need to press it well into your skin in order to blend it. But once you do this, the product is absorbed quickly and dries within few minutes without leaving any residue. It does feel a little sticky at first, but once it dries this sensation is gone. I think the silicone in this product makes it a great makeup base. So with one product you are actually protecting yourself from the sun and making your makeup last longer. Although I do not use a primer, I believe that unless you are super oily, you shouldn't be needing to apply primer with this sunscreen. Contrarily to what the Anthelios Fluid used to do to my makeup, this sunscreen did not affect my makeup at all. It doesn't make it greasy or cakey. On the contrary, it makes it last longer and better.

To conclude this review I am going to say that I love this sunscreen. The 14.90 euros I paid for the 50 ml content were definitely worth it. And unless something better comes out, which is also fragrance and paraben free, I will keep re-purchasing this product during the warmer months. So if you are oily, or combination to oily, or even normal but you like a matte finish you should definitely try this out!

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