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?

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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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Things to do in Vienna

If you chose Vienna as your holiday destination, I assure you won't regret your decision as you are going to love the Austrian Capital. With all the things to do in Vienna there is also no chance of you getting bored.

 

First thing you should do when in Vienna is to stay at the Levante Parliament Hotel, Auerspergstraße. Staying in an amazing hotel right at the centre of Vienna with easy access to all public transportation as well as within walking distance of most attractions, will make your stay unforgettable without any doubts.

 

Levante Parliament Hotel, Vienna

 

As soon as you get in Vienna and check in your hotel, unless it's very late in the evening, I would suggest you to walk around your hotel and get an idea of all the attractions, parks and restaurants available. In our case we walked from the Levante Parliament to Mariahilferstrabe and had lunch at Anker followed by a little shopping. If you want to know more about shopping in Mariahilferstrabe read here.

Vienna Rathaus, Parliament and Ringstrasse are all located in the area surrounding the Levante Parliament Hotel



Mariahilferstrabe is only 10 minutes walk from the Levante Parliament Hotel and is great for walking, shopping and dining.

 

The number one must see attraction when in Vienna is in my opinion Schonbrunn. And although it is open every day from 8.30 to 5.30 going on a Sunday will make your visit extra special - especially since all shops and many other attractions are closed.



Schonbrunn Palace

 

Make sure to browse around Stephansplatz and shop along Kartnerstrabe any day from Monday to Saturday. Dining here at night is lovely. Check out Where to eat in Vienna and Shopping in Vienna for more details.

Stephansplatz & Kartnerstrabe are both found in the old part of Vienna

 

Second attraction you must not miss is the Albertina Museum. We spent at least 3 hours looking at paintings and sculptures and I really loved the Monet and Derain exhibitions as they reminded me of my school years in Sicily where I used to study art and paint a lot. While I am definitely not great at free hand drawing and painting I used to love it and I am proud of the drawings and paintings I have, even though amateur.



Albertina Museum is a great place for all art lovers!

 

If you go in Summer when the weather is warmer than in Fall, you should visit the Prater and try the traditional Viennese sausage. You can however also eat this right in the heart of the old city since there are many wiener stands located in the side streets along KartnerStrabe. Don't forget to also try the Mozart cake at Aida café which is located right in Stephansplatz.

 

If you love shopping you should spend a day inside the Donauzentrum which houses about 260 shops. I love the fact that it is made up of separate buildings connected by bridges, and the bridges also house shops. I really loved one of the bridges which had parquet flooring and was very narrow with cute little shops. Another of the bridges is on the other hand surrounded by glass and you can seat here and have a drink or a light snack. They also have a hair salon along this bridge.

 

If you don't like to walk you can easily get around Vienna using the underground. Read my post Getting around Vienna to know more. If you prefer looking at main streets and buildings while seated you should get on the yellow ringtram and enjoy an audio-guided tour of the Ringstrasse in Vienna.

 

 

Although we didn't manage to fit the following attractions, we will definitely visit them next time we are in Vienna. These are the Museumsquartier (few steps away from the Levante Parliament Hotel), the Hofburg and the Belvedere Palace.

 

If you are in Vienna and you love nature you should visit Volksgarten and Burggarten. For those staying in Vienna for a period longer than a week who would like to venture out of the city, you can hop on a train and either go to Bratislava or beautiful Salzburg.

Both Volksgarten and Burggarten are great for walks and just admiring nature right in the centre of Vienna.

 

As you can see the things to do in Vienna are many and all exciting. So if you are wondering which city will be your next European destination - you now have the answer!

 

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The Levante Paliament

Loving the hotel I am staying in is fundamental to me when travelling. The reason is simple: if I hate the hotel I will also end up hating my holiday. Hence I spend a lot of time trying to get to know about all hotels in my holiday destination by reading reviews, looking at their website as well as travelers' own photos as these never lie. I obviously consider my budget and choose my hotel based on how central, modern, clean, and nice it is. I also make sure the hotel I choose offers a great breakfast, has a gym and it has easy access to public transportation. I also value friendliness and obviously free wifi. I usually prefer a 5 stars hotel. Using this method to choose my hotel has always left me satsfied with my choice. If you like me are booking trough a travel agent, an another important factor in choosing the right hotel is choosing the best travel agent which is not only helpful and patient (necessary for me since I am so demanding) but also the one which can offer you the best deal. If you live in Malta I suggest you to try Royal Travel as they are the best in my opinion.

The above process can be time consuming but it is definitely worth it when it allows me to stay in a hotel like the Levante Parliament in Vienna. If you are travelling to Vienna and want a central, modern, clean, friendly, good value and really nice hotel which also offers a delicious breakfast, a gym and free Wifi you can skip the above searching process and choose the Levante Parliament Hotel. The one thing this hotel doesn't have is a swimming pool (neither outdoor nor indoor) but had you wanted to swim you would have chosen a different destination!

 

The Levante Hotel Exterior

The Levante Parliament at night

The Levante Parliament Entrance

 

My experience with this hotel was simply perfect. The hotel was very easy to reach with our booked taxi from the airport. One negative aspect was that my husband had to take all the luggages up the stairs at the entrance but I am sure that if we had asked someone to help us they would have done so. In fact all staff was super friendly and ready to help us whenever we asked for something. The check in process was smooth and quick. After that we left our luggages with the receptionist to go for a walk and have a look at the city. On our return our room was ready and they gave us our keys. As you can see from the pictures below the rooms are very modern, clean and simple but really tastefully decorated. My first reaction when entering the room was that it is tastefully decorated, cosy but somewhat small. After few hours, however, I got used to the size and felt really confortable in it, especially with the heating warming up the room so quickly. Surprisingly, or may be not, the one thing which still felt small for me was the closet. I loved the high ceilings and the large windows. I also really fell in love with the shower. In fact, I wish I could have the same one at home. The glass partition between the bathroom and the room is a feature which gives the rooms a great feel in my opinion. It adds style and make it cool. Outside the room the halls are really wide and nicely decorated. While I have read reviews of people complaining about the hotel being noisy, we had no problems of that kind. Although the hotel is located on a main Street, and is close to many important buildings like the Parliament, the Museum quartier, the Town City Hall and many more which might explain the noise at times the hotel was always quiet both in the morning and at night. If you are concerned about the noise problem I suggest you to ask for a room facing the courtyard which looks amazing when lit at night.

The Levante Parliament Superior Double

 

Levante Parliament Sitting area and desk



Levante Parliament modern bathroom



Levante Parliament Hotel Room Entrance

 

Levante Parliament hotel glass partition feature

Levante Parliament hotel organge accents

 

Levate Parliament courtyard at night



Levante Parliament artwork

 

As for the breakfast it definitely exceeded my expectations and satisfied my not so easy to please taste. If you want to know more about this you can read my post Where to eat in Vienna.

 

For what concern the location this hotel is very central and is easily reachable from the airport. There is an underground station, just 2 minutes away, called Rathaus. From here you can get the u-bahn to Museumsquartier- if you want to shop along Mariahilferstrabe or visit few museums; and you can also ride the u-bahn which takes you to Karlsplatz from where you can then get on other u-bahns to go to Stephansplatz and anywhere else you want to go. For more information about Vienna transportation read getting around Vienna.

 

If I had to think about something wrong about this hotel I would only say that it doesn't offer a kettle in the room and with the cold weather you really need one. But then again since they have great heatings and comfortable and warm beddings there is no chance of you being cold.

Have you visited Vienna? If yes, where did you stay? Did you love it, and would you go back? Share your experience in the comments below.

 

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Winter Outfits.....in Vienna

If you are planning to go to Vienna during Fall, you should be prepared about the fact that the weather there resembles mid-Winter in Malta. Knowing this will help you pack ticker clothes but most importantly loads of layering options. As you might know, I always repeat how important it is to layer when it's very cold as this is the best way to keep warm. In fact, no matter how thick is your sweater - if you only have one sweater or one jacket you will still get cold. On the other hand layering a thermal vest, a sweater, a jacket, scarf and gloves are the way to keep warm. And whenever you start getting too warm you can always remove one layer. This tactic kept me warm in Vienna and it worked so well that I didn't get chilblains, even though it was 7 to 8 degrees Celsius every morning. In this post I want to share with you the outfits I wore in Vienna. They should help you understand how cold it is there, especially if you are someone who gets cold pretty easily. Don't however be discouraged by the cold weather. In fact  assure you that Fall is a great time to visit Vienna, more so in October than in November - just think about the changing colours and falling leaves. It cannot get more romantic and fairytale than this, believe me.

 



Schonbrunn Outfit, Vienna Day 2
Polka dots top from Zara, navy blue leggings from Zara, grey sweater blazer from Terranova

 



Monday Outfit, Vienna Day 3
White top from Bossini, Aztec cardigan from Terranova, Flats from Stradivarius

 



Tuesday Outfit, Vienna Day 4
Skinny black pants from Zara, cream top from Stradivarius

 



Albertina Wien Outfit, Vienna Day 5

 



Donauzentrum Outfit, Vienna Day 6

 





 

Shopping Outfit, Last Day in Vienna

 

Zara jeans, H&M vest and cardigan, shoes from donauzentrum

 



Burggarten, Vienna. Coat from Stradivarius, Bata riding boots, scarf was a gift from my mum

 

Volksgarten, Vienna. I wore the same coat every day, except on departure day when I wore my new leather jacket. I only packed one coat because I knew I would be shopping a lot and I was afraid we would exceed the baggage allowance. Thankfuly we didn't. I tried to swith the look by wearing a different scarf every day.

 



Burgundy handbag from Parfois

 



Airport Outfit

 

Jeggings from C&A, Top from H&M, Leather jacket from Zara

 

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Where to eat in Vienna.....VIENNA day 5

Holidays are meant for one to have a break and enjoy life to the full, doing things we love and also making new experiences. In my opinion, a holiday cannot be called so unless you eat good food. Whenever I go on holiday I try to exercise more than usual and eat clean and healthy at least 2 weeks before my departure. This makes me feel great during by the time I need to leave as I am usually very fit and healthy once my holiday starts. And from departure day till one week after my return home I allow myself to exercise less and eat whatever I like. While I exercise less during my holidays, this is compensated by the fact that I walk all day every day since most of my holidays are long city breaks during which my husband and I like to venture around the city we are visiting. Walking a lot and hitting the gym a few times during my holiday allow me to eat without too much guilt. And once I am back, usually after a week from my return, I like to do 2 weeks of detox - which for me mean eating clean and healthy and exercising more than usual to make up for the extra calories eaten.

My breakfast at the Levante Parliament Hotel, Wien

 

Good holiday food to me means 2 things: a great breakfast and comfort food in the evening. Indeed I usually skip lunch because I am still full after a good big breakfast. While I suggest you to eat whatever you like while on holiday, I also think you should do so within a limit. Eating too much junk food or sweets might make you feel sick and therefore ruin your trip. That's why I like to mix healthy food with comfort food and start with a healthy and fun breakfast. That's exactly what I did while in Vienna. Our hotel, the Levante Parliament, offered amazing breakfast with lots of fresh and healthy options. Every morning, after either working out in the gym or writing a blog post and getting ready, I would go for breakfast and find a nice spot where to seat - usually by the window facing the main street or by the glass facing the courtyard. Next I will get a glass of orange juice; I will proceed by filling a small plate with 2 slices of wholemeal and multigrain bread (which was delicious), some butter and few small pastries. I will then fill a second plate with tomatoes, cucumber, cheeses, hams and several slices of smoked salmon since I can get enough of it. And then I will enjoy my breakfast while browsing online and chatting with my husband. Sometimes I would have a tea and some more cheese and cucumbers and bread. Other times I would go get me another pastry but most of the times I would only get another juice or some water and may be some melon. Eating this around 8.30-9.00 in the morning would keep me full till about 17.00/18.00 in the evening. I also never felt sick after my breakfasts, even though I ate more than I usually do in the morning. For me breakfast is the most important meal of the day and staying in a hotel I love and which provides me with an amazing breakfast is the key to enjoying my holiday. The Levante Parliament Hotel definitely did so!

 

 

Naschmarkt restaurants, Wien

Naschmarkt fresh produce, Wien

 

Speaking about breakfast, if you book your hotel on room only basis and want to try different places for breakfast. You should go to the Naschmarkt which is open from 6.30 every morning from Monday to Saturday and there you have so many options to choose from. You can have a fresh pastry with a hot drink; you can buy some cheese, bread and fruit to enjoy in one of the parks around the city; and you can try some Austrian delicacies as well as specialties from other parts of the world including Italy and Russia. While at the Naschmarkt you can also shop for souvenirs. If you'd rather have breakfast inside a café you can go to Starbucks or McCafe, although I suggest you to try one of the many local cafes which offer amazing pastries and hot drinks as well as savoury food. If on the other hand you are on a low budget, you can get a sandwich and hot drink for under 5 euros at one of the several food shops in Vienna. I suggest Anker as well as Spar supermarkets for low budget meals.



Sandwich shop, Vienna



Spar supermarket, Wien

 

In the evening my husband and I ended up eating three times out of 7 at a local fish and chips shop, called Nordsee. We had a fish burger with chips and an amazing yogurt dressing twice and the third time we had a breaded fish filled with chips and the same dressing. I love their food so much I think I could have eaten it almost every night. On Sunday, after visiting Schonbrunn, we had McDonalds. On our first and third day in Vienna we got salads, crisps and chocolate to eat in our hotel. I loved the teriyaki chicken salad from Spar with an olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing. On Thursday we tried the Viennese sausage from a stand in one of the side roads along Kartnerstrabe - my husband got a cheesy sausage hot dog and I got the regular sausage with mustard and a slice of their traditional bread.

Nordsee, Wien



Best fish and chips, Vienna

 

And for desert our favourite place in Vienna was Aida, located right in Stephansplatz. I suggest you to try the Mozart cake and cappuccino. This is what I got for 2 nights in a row - which  were our last 2 nights in Vienna. I must say that the old city centre is my favourite spot for dining in the evening whether you want to have a full meal or a light snack, followed by a walk along the historic buildings while window shopping! If you want to know which are the best places to shop in Vienna read my Shopping in Vienna post.

Best café in Vienna



Mozart Cake, Wien



Best chocolate cake ever!

 

 

Vienna at night



Wien St. Stephen's Cathedral at night

 

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Shopping in Vienna.....VIENNA Day 4

If shopping is your weakness, or your hobby, then Vienna is the right place to be. The Austrian capital offers you multiple shopping options, and you can find whatever you need independently of your budget. And because Vienna is so culturally rich, you can mix shopping and sightseeing with good food.

In my opinion the three best places to shop in Vienna are the following:

1. Mariahilerstrabe

2. Donau Zentrum

3. Kartner Strabe



Shopping in Mariahilferstrabe, Vienna



Bipa is a great shop in Vienna where everyone seems to go to shop for beauty products. It's sort of a drugstore but without a pharmacy. They also sell cleaning and laundry goods.



H&M is by far my favourite shop together with Zara as they seem to have everything from casual to professional attire, including home lounging clothes and basics.



Skinny is the best lingerie and bodywear shop I found so far as it stocks bras for women who like me have a small back but a larger bust.

 

Inside s. Oliver changing rooms in Vienna

 

 

The first one is the closest to the Levante Parliament Hotel, which is the hotel we stayed in. You can walk from the hotel to Mariahilfer Strabe or else take the underground line U2 and stop at Museumsquartier and you will find yourself right at the beginning of Mariahilferstrabe. Be aware that this street is so long and full of shops that you will start wondering whether it will ever end. The reasons why this is my favourite shopping area in Vienna are the proximity to our hotel, the fact that this is a beautiful and elegant area in the modern part of the city and the variety of shops. There are also several restaurants and places to have a snack or a caffe. The only downside would be the weeather, if this is not nice your shopping will be jeopardized. 

Inside Donauzentrum in Vienna

 

s. Oliver, Fall Winter 2013-2014 Collection

 

If you prefer shopping malls, so as to be protected against bad weather, you should visit Donau Zentrum. From Vienna centre you can reach this shopping mall by taking U1 to leopoldau and stopping at Kagran. Just walk down the road, cross and you have arrived. Be prepared to dedicate one day of your time as the mall seems never ending with its 260 shops. You also have various food options available.

Karner Strabe by day, Vienna



Kartner strabe, Vienna

 



Shopping and carriages, Vienna




Shopping in Kartner strabe, Vienna

Kartner strabe by night, Vienna

 

 

Finally but not least, for those of you who love shopping in the old part of a city, Kartner Strabe is best suited to your needs. It is found right in front of Stephanplatz wich means that if you are coming with the underground you will have to walk few steps after exiting the U-bahn. Here you can find many designer shops along with old buildings and lots of horse carriages. While Mariahilferstrabe is great for a day of shopping, if I were to shop in the afternoon and then go for dinner I would choose Kartner Strabe because of the historical setting and my favourite places to eat (which I will tell you all about in another post) being so conveniently located.

If you want to shop for souvenirs and taste traditional delicacies I suggest you to visit the Naschmarkt while for grocery shopping you should try the Spar  supermarkets which are scattered throughout the city.



Back to the Levante Parliament Hotel after a day of shopping in Vienna

Vienna is an amazing city and shopping there was so much fun. There I was able to find fashion and makeup brands which are not available in Malta. In fact we didn't actually shop only on day 4 but also on day 3, day 6 and day 7. So if you like me live in a small country with a limited availability of shops be prepared to break the bank as you might actually be shopping till you drop.

Don't forget to check the other posts: Vienna Day 1, Schonbrunn Vienna and Getting around Vienna.
 

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