Bobbi Brown Highlighting powder and Creamy Lip Colour

Early in February I visited the Bobbi Brown counter and left with these two amazing products. The Bobbi Brown Highlighting Powder in Pink Glow and the Creamy Lip Colour in Pale Beige. 

The highlighter comes in the usual black compact with a large mirror inside. The quality of the product itself is amazing, it's so soft and almost creamy. The colour is lovely, a blend of champagne pink and cream shades, suitable for light to medium complexions even with yellow undertones. In the summer you might want to try the Bronze Glow with all the tan going on but I think this is perfect for dull winter time. Also the pigmentation is really good and it blends really well with other products. If you use a mat bronzer to contour your face, you'll realise that this powder will add back the light on your cheeks with such natural warmth. 

In search of the perfect nude I purchased the Creamy Lip Colour in Pale Beige. I can tell you it's the best lipstick I have ever owned. I have very dry lips -all year long- and wearing a lipstick is such a nuisance since, even with prior prepping, after a while my lips crack. Fortunately this lipstick is a saviour! It's moisturising, yet not sticky or shiny and long-lasting, yet not drying. The shade is so natural on my lips, it doesn't make them paler nor has this chalky texture (which comes with most Mac lipsticks). I love everything about it and I am definitely returning back to the counter to explore the shade range. 

Have you tried any of them?

What are your favourite Bobbi Brown products?

xo

Mary

Diorskin Nude Air Serum Foundation

When my friend over the Dior counter told me I had to try this foundation back in early November, I immediately booked an appointment for a make-up. I normally try not to get too excited and buy products on a whim, but that time (and many more) I just couldn't resist.

This foundation is just as described by Dior, "as a breath of fresh air". It is a lightweight, fluid serum that enhances your complexion with a light correction, leaving a natural mat velvety finish. It does not provide great coverage, I would say light to medium so it's for girls who just need to correct their complexion. 

At first I was very happy with this product because it was just what my skin needed. A sheer coverage just to enhance my complexion. However, as the weather was changing and the winter conditions made my skin crave moisture, I found that it didn't have the result I wanted, even with hydrating primer. The alcohol in the product does have a slight drying effect, so it might work better with normal-combination skin. It also has a strong scent (a combination of alcohol and old lipstick) that -fortunately- didn't react on my sensitive-combo-dehydrated skin. 

After experimenting with several ways of application I realised that fingers work best with this product. Even though it is quite runny and messy (that dropper is not my favourite) it is the best way to apply it. With such runny solutions flat kabuki brushes or sponges do not work well, since they tend to absorb a lot of product leaving a cakey effect on the skin. 

If you have normal, combination or oily skin and you don't need a lot of coverage, or if you are up for extensive priming and prepping your skin, then you will enjoy this foundation. I sure did, but I think my testing it during the winter was not ideal. I will definitely try it again during the summer months to give it a second chance. 

Have you tried it?

What are your thoughts?

xo

Mary

One Essential Intense Skin Detoxifying Booster Serum

So it's Dior. And one of the most promising products out there. So when my friend got the One Essential Intense Skin Detoxifying Booster Serum and hyped about it, I knew I had to lay my hands on it too. However before getting a sample, I bumped into a super crazy deal of 45% off, so I immediately purchased it. The 50 ml bottle. 

Dior claims that this serum combats the toxins in order to restore the skin's luminosity in a three way action. It detoxifies, regenerates and energises and finally boosts the cells in our skin. The texture is quite watery and absorbs quickly without leaving any residue or stickiness. 

I gave into that splurge and thought I made a pretty good deal since the full price of the 50ml bottle is around €124. (As a beauty junkie, I tend to stock on cosmetics and makeup when they are on sale.)  The serum stayed in my cabinet until it was time to try it, sometime last October. I was thrilled, excited and anticipated the time to come. 

However hard I tried to like this product, it never met my expectations. Not from day one. I am not really sure what this extravagant serum is supposed to do. The only thing that surely does is to make my skin crave moisture. There is a tightening, drying feeling after using it which I surely don't like especially in cold winter. I have been using it every day and night for the past 3 months and I really don't like it at all (how much product is still there, it never seems to come to an end!!). I have researched it and realised that many hype about it (which comes really surprising to me) because one of the main ingredients is alcohol. Alcohol penetrates the skin and although leaves the passage open for the ingredients of the product to be absorbed, once it dissolves your skin's barrier, it can no longer provide a seal against outside elements. Under no circumstances does this work for me, since it makes my already sensitive dehydrated skin more problematic.

To conclude if you really want to try this product get some samples before you buy it. It has been shown that alcohol harms your skin protective barrier and jeopardises the skin's overall health so there is no reason to use products that contain it when there are so many alternatives out there. 

Keep summer rolling with Roger & Gallet Huile Sublime Bois D' Orange

It's the last day of September today and although the weather started reminding of fall,  it seems summer is desperately trying to stick around as long as it can, and so am I by keeping Roger & Gallet Huile Sublime Bois D' Orange in my daily routine.   

I have a thing for dry oils. I am totally addicted to them. It all started with Nuxe Prodigieuse which I really liked and kept repurchasing for years, but this.. That smell.. Scents of wood, jasmine and Mediterranean citrus fruit that remind me of French countryside..Orange groves, cobblestone streets and old cottages in little villages.. It is a love affair.

This dry oil contains a mixture of six active plant oils and it's versatile since it can be used on the body, hair and face. It contains orange essentials which are good for toning and vitamin E known for its anti-oxidant properties. Not only is the skin left nourished, moisturized and toned but also deliciously fragrant. The feminine notes of orange blossoms, jasmine and cedar wood leave your skin sensually perfumed. Remember to give it a try on wet skin, after you pop out of the shower in the morning,  for extra hydration and a totally summery scent.

You can find it in 100ml and 30ml. It comes with a matching collection of products: fragrant water, soap, liquid soap, bath & shower gel, body lotion, body cream, and hand cream.

Have you tried this or any other products from Roger & Gallet? 

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo [+] and Effaclar Purifying Cleansing Gel

About five months ago I won (for the first time in my life) along with 599 contestants (that's probably why) a competition by La Roche Posay. The competition had four steps and I had to fulfill some tasks in order to get my prizes.

The 1st prize was the Effaclar Duo [+]. It's an anti-blemish light textured cream for oily blemish prone skin. I had to wear the cream everyday and at the end of the 1st week I had to write a review on a platform specially designed by La Roche Posay. 

I was very eager to try the product since it gets a lot of hype from other bloggers and Youtubers. It's a specially formulated cream to target the oily, sensitive and blemish-prone skin. I have two out of three, my skin is sensitive and blemish prone, but not oily. It is combination and dehydrated. Imagine having blemishes, blackheads, pores and dry patches all over your face. It's a nightmare. Anyway, I wore the cream every day, even two times a day, and at the beginning I had a mild reaction. The blemishes went a little more red and some new appeared. Fortunately, a few days later (without stopping the treatment) I realised that my skin started calming down and becoming smoother. 

After reviewing my 1st week, I received two 50ml tubes of the Effaclar Purifying Cleansing Gel to use in combination with the Effaclar Duo [+]. I started using it immediately, cleansing my face twice a day, avoiding the eye area. The gel is effective, it does leave the skin feeling clean and fresh, but since my skin is not oily, it felt a little dehydrated after use.  

*At that point I left the treatment aside since my skin was dehydrated and using products designed for oily skin made things worse. But a couple of weeks ago, my skin started breaking out and I remembered its magical work. And yes, it helped again. 

I would definitely recommend both these products, especially to people who suffer from breakouts and oily skin as an everyday cream and to those having a normal-combination skin as an occasional treatment. If your skin is dehydrated like mine, you can use it as a serum and then apply your moisturiser. 

I hope this post can be proved helpful to the never ending battle with breakouts and clogged pores! 

Drop me a line if you have tried any of them, giving me your opinion!! 

Dry & Damaged Hair Care Routine - Part 3 -Finishing touches

So, finally this is the last part of my hair routine. The finishing touches as I like to say. The following products are my faves at the moment. 

Product No 4 - Farcom Seri Argan Oil 50ml

This amazing argan oil I bought from my hairdresser's. Farcom, its maker, its a Greek family owned cosmetics company found in 1970. This argan oil provides intensive hair treatment to damaged hair. It is absorbed quickly and transforms and nourishes the hair without leaving any residue. I usually apply one pump on dry hair for extra shine but you can always use it on towel-dried hair. 

You can find it on selected salons for about €10.

Product No 5 - Elvive Extraordinary Oil

I don't usually buy cosmetic products from the supermarket, even if it is for hair care but there was a discount on that so being a bargain hunter I indulged. And I think I did good. It is also a versatile product as you can use it as a conditioning treatment, a styling product and to boost shine too. 

You can find it on supermarkets for about €10 (I got it with a 50% discount) or Boots (UK) for £9.99

Product No 6 - Macadamia Healing Oil Spray

This I got a few years ago but never really used it that often due to the smell, which is quite heavy and spicy for my taste. Other than that it is a fine, non-greasy oil mist that instantly gets absorbed, leaving hair nourished, smooth and shiny. It also includes natural UV protection to extend the life of colour treatments.

I bought mine from allbeauty (UK) around €9 but now you can find it for €6.99 or on beautybay for €15.50


Obviously I don't wear all these products on my hair at the same time. I've got my seasonal favourites which means that depending on the season or when I get a new one I change my usual routine. During the summer I wash my hair almost every day because I am lucky enough to live by the sea and I usually spend my afternoons there. This means my hair needs extra protection and care from the sun, heat and salty water.  So I might overdo it a little bit. After all I am truly a beauty addict :)

What about you? What are your favourite hair products at the moment?

Dry & Damaged Hair Care Routine - Part 2 - After

The second part of this post has to do with my routine after washing my hair (you can find what I do prior to that here). The products that I have been using lately are the following:

Product No 2 - Schwarzkopf Professional BC Oil Miracle Barbary Fig Oil Conditioning Milk 

My latest purchase and favourite. It is a rich leave-in conditioning milk for damaged, dry and brittle hair (sounds like mine!) which helps to replenish moisture into it. This product does great work to me! I use it on towel-dried hair and makes detangling much easier (women with bleached hair know what I mean!). I definitely want to try the shampoo and mask from this series! 

You can get it from Ariane (Greece) for €12.81 or allbeauty (UK) for €9.82

Product No 3 - Kerastase Resistance Ciment Thermique 

What can we say more about Kerastase? It it a well known, much loved and of high quality brand. This is a heat-activated leave-in blow drying milk for weak and damaged hair. It protects the hair again the heat (up to 180C). My hair feels smoother and firmer after using it and most importantly it is protected from the every day torture. The price is quite high but we're talking about Kerastase.

You can find it on Ariane (Greece) for €19.50 or allbeauty for € 21.72 or Lookfantastic (UK) for €25.

Do you use any of these? What is your favourite heat protector?
Stay tuned for the final part, the finishing touches!

Dry & Damaged Hair Care Routine - Part 1 - Before

The last couple of years I've been playing with blonde highlights and I'm constantly seeking the best products to minimize the damage. Bleaching has made my hair dry and prone to breakage and split ends. Blow-drying makes the situation even worse. 

I've collected all the products that have been using lately and divided this post into 3 parts because initially was too long. I'll start with what I do prior to washing my hair. 

Product No 1 - Coconut oil

I'm talking about pure, organic, cold-pressed coconut oil. It is amazing and has many uses (blog post on its versatility soon!), but here I'll talk about the stunning work that does on my hair. 

When in hurry, I use it on its own prior to showering. I dampen my hair, apply it all over, massage the roots and leave it for as long as I can. It sounds greasy, but due to its low molecular weight it is absorbed quite quickly as it penetrates the hair shaft and helps the hair seal moisture in it. Moreover, it contains lauric acid which is a natural antibacterial/antifungal ingredient that can help sensitive scalps. 

When I have more time to make a proper mask, I like to add some more ingredients:

• raw honey - full of vitamins, helps to get your hair softer and your scalp moisturised,
• castor oil - fatty acids and vitamin E helps hair to grow faster and roots get nourished. It also helps scalp fight dandruff and bacterial/fungal infections.

Here's the recipe (adjust the dosage depending on hair length and quality - mine is long and thick).

1/3 cup of organic raw virgin cold-pressed coconut oil 
1/3 cup of raw honey
1/2 tbsp castor oil
glass mixing bowl
pan

• Warm (not boil) the coconut oil (tends to solidify below 22 degrees Celsius) and the honey using bain-marrie
• Add the castor oil
• Detangle your hair and dampen it
• Apply the mixture and wear a towel or a shower cap
• Leave it for at least an hour
• Wash and give extra rinse
• Ta-daa! Amazing, softer, nourished, shiny hair!

My favourite coconut oil is Biona. You can find it on biotevma for €12.63 and €3 shipping cost (Greece) or on Amazon (UK ) in 400gr for £8.88 and 800gr for £13.45. 

Have you ever used coconut oil on your hair? What's your opinion? 
Stay tuned for the second part of my hair care routine!

ZOEVA Brushes - A new addiction

A few months ago, my sister brought me a much wanted gift from her short trip to Germany. Yes, I'm talking about ZOEVA brushes! ZOEVA is a successful German cosmetic brand whose founder Zoe Boikou is Greek (somehow we Greeks manage to thrive abroad). Its name comes from the words ZOE (life in Greek) and EVA (the first woman). I have been watching my favourite bloggers and vloggers using these brushes for quite some time now and I couldn't wait to lay my hands on them.

The 230 / Luxe Pencil (€7.80) is ideal for precise shading, covering up and smoothing edges in the eyelid crease or along the lash line. Thanks to its triangular shape and compact natural synthetic hair mix, it absorbs excess colour and applies it evenly and precisely. This is the perfect brush to create a sexy under-eye smoky look or smudging your eyeliner. Dupe to Sigma E30 pencil brush ($14-18).

The 227 / Soft Definer (€7.80)  enables soft and smooth blending with an ease of application. It provides every eye makeup with a super soft finish. It is perfect for blending and shading loose and mineral eye-shadows. This brush is a much cheaper dupe for MAC 217 (€22) but of equivalent quality.

The 126 / Luxe Cheek Finish (€14.80)  has a blend of exquisite natural and synthetic hair. It is perfect for a finishing touch, since its dome shaped flat head achieves a beautiful blending of the blush. 

I really liked these brushes and I would love to buy some more in the future, since they are great value for money even with the shipping cost (€7.50 for Greece). Have you tried any of them?

Diego Dalla Palma La Vie En Beige Eye Shadow Palette

I haven't written for a while since the economic and political situation in Greece is really critical. However I feel that I can't watch any more news so I it's time for a new blog post.

In my recent trip to Cyprus I bought some beauty products (more reviews soon) and among them is the La Vie En Beige palette from Diego Dalla Palma. Diego Dalla Palma is an Italian cosmetic brand that I wasn't familiar with and to tell you the truth I don't buy products from brands I don't know without doing a thorough research first. However, the fact that it is a nude eye shadow palette with four amazing matte and two satin colours was enough to convince me on the spot. I love matte colours especially during the winter and this palette has a very carefully selected colour combination.

The packaging is very practical, a white solid plastic compact case with the logo in the front, quite light and definitely very handy for travelling. It also has a large mirror, for on the run touch-ups. 

The colours in the palette are: 

1 matte mocha, 2 satin tobacco, 3 matte terracotta, 
4 matte apricot, 5 matte beige, 6 satin ivory. 

As you can see from the swatches the colours have a really good writing effect and I can promise you the duration is excellent (always use an eye primer). 

P.s. Bear in mind that I am super tanned :) 

Satin ivory is an excellent colour to highlight the area under your brows and the inner corners of your eyes and matte terracotta is an excellent transitional colour. Matte apricot can give great warmth and with matte mocha and satin tobacco you can create a very natural and sophisticated smokey look. 

I have been using this palette for the last 3 weeks and I am very satisfied with it. The combination of the colours will suit perfectly brown and green eyes. The shadows are silky and easy to blend and the pigmentation (which is higher in darker colours) is really good. For €6 per shadow (total €36) I think the price is quite normal. You can find the palette in Beautyline stores (Cyprus) or online at the official website of Diego Dalla Palma. 

Do you own any beauty products from Diego Dalla Palma? What's your favourite? 

Sigma F80 Flat Kabuki Brush VS beautyblender

I am a fan of a flawless skin base and my research for the best application tool was a never ending battle. Until I met F80 Flat Kabuki Brush from Sigma Beauty and beautyblender.

The F80 Flat Kabuki Brush has a flat top head with really dense and soft synthetic fibers. It is recommended for applying and blending liquid and cream products to flat areas of the face such as the forehead and cheeks.

I have used the F80 Flat Kabuki Brush quite a long time now and I have to say it does what it promises. It gives you that flawless finish without any streak marks or cakey patches. Instead of picking the liquid foundation with the brush, I usually apply small dots on my face and blend it with the F80. The dense bristles tend to absorb quite a lot of product and that way the waste is minimised. I totally love the finished result and the fact that I don't need a lot of time buffing it. The only downside is that F80 needs a little bit of extra time cleaning it due to its dense fibers. Remember to always let your brushes dry with the bristles down and never use a hairdryer. Just let them dry naturally.  

The beautyblender came to my hands lately and it has amazed me. I have watched so many youtubers using it so I had to try it myself. I bought the black one which is designed for professionals just because I like the colour more than pink (great reason).

   

Beautyblender sponges should be used damp with liquid products in order to absorb the excess product and dry with minerals and powders. Its egg shape has multiple uses, the round surface for tapping the liquid/cream products onto your face and the pointed one for under-eye concealer or the sides of your nose. In order to distribute the coverage evenly you can roll the sides of the beautyblender. If you have long nails you should be extra careful because it's very soft and you might tear it. Cleaning the beautyblender does not really differ from other brushes, just soak it in water, use a mild shampoo/brush cleanser and rinse. Let it dry naturally.
 
The final verdict. I love both of them! Achieving an airbrushed and flawless look is no more a privillege of professionals.They both deserve the investment and hype. You can find the F80 Flat Kabuki Brush on Sigmabeauty and the original beautyblender on Sephora or online on BeautyBay.

What's your favourite application tool? I'd love to know!

  

Is Fillerina the new at-home Botox? Oh, yes!

When my pharmacist called me and asked me to try an impressive innovative product I could never imagine that we were talking about THE product of the year. 

Labo, a Swiss company, has been conducting research towards finding a cosmetic method of filling the wrinkles through hyaluronic acid, for 5 years. Fillerina, introduced in 2012, is a filler treatment to be used in 14 days at the comfort of your own home.  I had the opportunity to try out this product and review it for you!

The kit contains:

• 14 doses (2ml) of Gel Filler
• 14 doses (2ml) of Nourishing Film
• 2 Precision Applicators (the ones that look like syringes)

and it is for external treatment.

Fillerina comes in three different grades to suit different skin needs:

• Grade 1 - for fine lines and minimal sagging of the oval of the face
• Grade 2 - for visible lines and moderate sagging 
• Grade 3- for deep lines and very noticeable sagging.

How it works: 

After cleansing your face thoroughly, you pump 2ml of the Gel Filler into the Precision Applicator and apply it on the wrinkles on your face, neck and eyes, and around your lips. You leave it there for about 10 minutes and then you gently pat the excessive product until it is absorbed. After that, you apply the Nourishing Film onto the skin by massaging it, making sure all the nourishing substances are taken in, leaving it smooth and hydrated. The amazing part is that the product contains six different types of hyaluronic acid, and not only does it fill your expression lines and wrinkles but it also plumps the areas in need of greater volume, such as your lips and cheekbones! To help the product function better and maximize the results, you are advised to drink 2 glasses of water prior use. 

My experience:

When the beauty expert applied the product on my face, I was a bit scared since it gave me a sense of tingling and slight burning especially around the eye and lip area. I was assured that it was normal and fortunately I didn't have any reactions, so it must have been the active ingredients working! A whole dose of the Precision Applicator was a bit too much for my face since even though I am almost 34 I don't have any wrinkles, just some fine expression lines - thank goodness! So, the excessive product, as it couldn't be absorbed, started "flaking off" and believe me, you don't want that look on day time. Thus, if your areas of application are not that many, you can go down to 1.5 ml in each dose or even lower (that way the product is going to last longer too!!). Moreover, I would advice you to use it at night, when we usually have more time to pamper ourselves anyway.

My verdict:

I was really impressed with the results. The fine lines around my eyes became noticeably smoother and my lips plumped up, with just one application. I believe that following a regular treatment, the results will be more permanent - after all the company promises a six-month lasting effect. So, with instant and effective long-lasting results, at the comfort of your own home and with no pain? Well, it seems to me it's worth the try! 

You can find Fillerina in selected pharmacies from €60 - €80 depending the grade. 

PS. I would like to apologise that I totally forgot to take step by step pictures of the process due to the excitement, so some of the pictures are from the web.