Hey beauty addicts and beauty addicts' friends (yes, I mean you Sve :) ,

it has taken me a few years to finally get down to writing a blog...I have actually always been writing it in my mind, but was a bit ashamed (no, not a bit, quite ashamed, honestly) to show the world I had been engaged in such a shallow affection for cosmetics.
But well, whatever! Yes, I am totally fascinated with the cosmetic industry. Actually, mascaras, lipsticks, powders & Co. are talking to me in a secret language only I can hear. They are loking at me whith those shiny eyes saying "I am sooo great, you really need me, girl!". It is so hard to resist. They are promising too much...
So yeah,  vain as it is, I love it and I am going to share my precious discoveries with you.
And as for depth, I am implementig it into other parts of my days, life has to be balance, so a little (or more) vanity cannot do harm. (and logically, the more vain I am with this beauty stuff, the more profound I have to be in those other spheres, so in the end it is even good for me, isn't it?)

My current make-up routine

foundation – L’oreal Nude Magique

My skin is not terribly bad, I have pores and occasional break-outs, but  I probably don’t need a heavy duty foundation. That’s why I have been using  BB creams (Skin79 hot pink) and light foundations. I want to look as natural as possible. But frankly, I would not go out without anything on my skin. I am an addict, that is for sure.

This foundation was a surprise for me, I didn’t really like L’oreal and as for foundation I usually choose high-end brands (Clarins, Chanel, Lancome). But after reading great reviews on it, I gave it a chance. And it really is great! Very thin consistency, but good coverage, nice feel on  the skin, last well (not 12 hours, about 7 maybe)and my skin looks really pretty with it – almost naked, but better and brighter, but not shiny brighter. Just pretty. And it even keeps oil at bay quite well. I am really really surprised. Positively.

The bottle is cute, though not too practical for clumsy persons like me. I have to be a bit more careful with it.

On bad-skin days, I use a bit of Vichy Dermablend on spots, redness etc. But usually I get away with just this. On very bad-skin days I use Lancome 24h foundation.

I do apply concealer under my eyes and this perfects the look.

Nude Magique reminds me of MAC Face and Body and Chanel Vitalumier Aqua. For me both were just okay, they did not blow me away. Face and Body makes me oily and on my skin it is just not that lovely....plus, i tis really really thin, I don’t like applying it, it is like water. I know it is supposed to be the good thing about it, but to me – I don’t want to be applying weird water on my face, I want something that glides on smooth and feels a bit special.

Similar with Vitalumier Aqua – I do like it, it feels good on skin, smells good, but I just don’t see my skin soooo pretty with it. On some days I do, on other days I don’t.  Love-hate. I might not have the right shade…or I don’t know. And I also get a bit shiny on my nose and forehead with it.

I actually prefer this L’oreal to both the above. And the price tag is muuuch lower.

(I am very curious about Bourjois CC cream and the new Chanel Perfection Lumiere Satin though. Oh, and also Lancome Miracle Air de Teint. And Benefit Big Easy! Gosh, the cosmetic industry is excelling at the moment!)

I have also been using the Nude Magique Blur Cream. It is good, it blures out my pores and I also think I get less oily when I use it and the foundation lasts better. But it is not a miracle product. Eighter is Benefit's Porefessional, so I guess I'll go for this cheaper alternative.

concealer – Vichy Dermablend     

This stuff is very good. It covers really well, last well, looks great when applied with moderation. I would not wear it alone as a foundation, but occasionally I like to mix it with highlighter (I am now using the Armani one) for a perfect and polished look.

highlighter  - Armani – Light Master Primer

An expensive one (got mine as a present) but last for ages, you only need a drop (have had mine for 2 years and still not empty). It isn’t glittery (I don’t like visible glitter or shimmer), it is just a beautiful pinky highlighter. Well, actually it is a base, but I use it as a highlighter. Or mixed with Dermabled. 

under-eyes concealer/highlighter  Clarins – Instant Light Brush-on Perfector

I am new to this department.  I didn’t  get the hype about concealers until I got a baby J I didn’t need any under-eye concealer, but now I do….all the night-waking and lack of sleep leaves a  clear message over your face…So now I DO need it.

There are plenty of very good concealers, it is just a coincidence I have come across this one, but I am satisfied. It is nice, natural looking…nothing to dislike.

powder – Chanel Poudre Libre Universelle

Another pricy item. BUT – totally worth it!!! This last for aaaages (talking about years), it contains a LOT of product and it gives a beautiful finish – not dull, not shiny, just lovely! It makes foundation last longer, perfects the skin and really, it is a no-fuss powder that you cannot go wrong with. Never looks cakey, does not dry skin…I mean, simply  perfect! I like to apply it with the sponge that it contains, I just lightly press it against skin so that I do not move my foundation/BB cream.  And when I apply it with the sponge, I also get a bit more coverage on top of the foundation.  

powder/highlighter/perfector -    Guerlain Meteorite Pearls

This was a Christmas present J  Agh, I looove the box! And the lovely pearls. Mmmh, aesthetically this is my cup of tea. But also function-wise, it is a very nice product. Smells goooorgeous!!! It might not be visible to you when you apply it, it is subtle, but it makes your skin really pretty. You cannot overdo it. You can either only apply it on some parts of your face (cheekbones, temples etc.) or over the whole face. It highlights, smooths out, mattifies…all in one. A staple product for me.  And also last for ages.

                                                       Guerlain Crazy Meteorites Compact – same effect as the pearls, but this one is much better to carry around, because the pearls can get messy.

blush   -     Benefit Lollitint

I looooooooooove this! Very pretty and fresh colour, stays on the whole day, looks luminous…it is excellent on cheeks, though I don’t use it as a lip tint too often, I think it is a bit drying. However, it looks very pretty on lips, too.

                 Stilla - Convertible Color in Gerbera
Cute, fresh peachy pink cream blush, perfect for spring! It does not have the lasting power of Lollitint, though.

mascara -   Guerlain Maxi Lash

Now, mascara is totally my department. I am a mascara junkie. I have tried out a crazy amount of mascaras, never leave the house without mascara (at least a quick swipe is a must). And I also am quite a mascara snob, I prefer high-end mascaras (love Chanel Le Volume, Chanel Sublime de Chanel, Diorshow Overcurl).  I just find they work better and last longer, no need to buy a new one after a month, they usually last me for a few months. Guerlain’s Maxi Lash is excellent.  It is easy to apply, and also very pleasant to apply. It gives beautiful volume and lenght, keeps lashes very soft and smells lovely. You can add more coats throughout the day without looking clumpy. And when I use my secret trick (I will make a post about it soon), it can build up to a dramatic super-long-looking fringe. Maxi lash is great for everyday use without compromises. The only problem I have is that it does smudge a bit on my lid because my lashes are pretty long with it. Oh, and also need to say – the first week or two of using it I was not blown away, but once I warmed up to it, I loved it. I usually have this experience with the mascaras I like most – the first week or so I am „learning“ to work with it and then bam! great results! I find it best to first apply one coat, let it dry and then go back and build up. 

This is not the best picture, I look a bit weird here, but here you can see me wearing my Maxi Lash, no eyeshadows, no eye pencil or liner. I will upload a closer look as well. But basically, this is how I like it - thick, defined, but not overdone.
(I am also wearing a tiny bit of Lollitint on my cheeks an 2 layers of it on my lips, Nude Magique as my base, that's all)

water-line  - Rimmel Scandaleyes Nude

very good value for the price, last long, good colour, brightens the eye. Better than many expensive ones.

eyelash curler – Tweezerman

I have not tried the famous Shu Uemura curler, but this one does the job just fine.

eyeshadow – Urban Decay Naked basics

At the moment I can’t and don’t want to wear too much eyeshadow. I prefer a natural look and for that Naked Basics are ideal. Matt but not dull, long-lasting, creamy…nice shades…There also is one illuminating shade that you can apply under your eyebrows and into to inner corners. Simplicity is beauty.

I also use the Urban Decay eye-shadow primer (when I am not lazy or in a hurry), it really keeps eyeshadows in place! 

brow pencil – YSL Dessin des sourcils

I have quite okay-ish brows, they are naturally dark, I only need to fill in a few places and shape it a bit. This pencil is of very good quality, easy to apply, wonderful texture, it even keeps my brows in place. Another product that lasts ages and thus worth the money.

 I would like to try Benefit’s Gimme Brow, I was about to buy it several times, but I always realised I probably don’t need it since my brows are fine and it is expensive…so this is the logical reasoning, but I cannot guarantee I won’t buy it next time I walk around a Benefit corner J

lip stain – YSL Glossy Stain 19   and   Rebel Nudes 103 

These are great! Finally a lippie that really last on lips. Nothing seems to last on me. I think if your lips are rather thin, this is the problem. But the Glossy Stains are terrific! You can either apply one coat for a natural, non-glossy stain effect, or add another coat for a more intense and long-lasting effect with just the right amount of shine, looking fresh but not overdone, or add another layer for a night out or if you like it glossy-glossy. Up to you. I use two coats and it last for several hours on me. No. 19 is sooo pretty, girly lilac. I especially like it in winter and with certain outfits J. Shade 103 is perfect with anything, it is not too pink, not too red, in between.

MLBB lipstick – Loreal Collection Privée – Julianne

This is my perfect nude shade. Nude lipstick usually make me look like a corpse, but this one is flattering even for my skin tone. It has the classic L'oreal lipstick vanilla scent, so if you hate it, stay away from this collection.