Originally launched in 2013., I remember lusting after the Estee Lauder powder gelee's be it their higlighters or blushes. While everyone raved about their Doublewear foundation I still dreamed of the unique gelee texture (it was particularly original back then) and the design of the pretty little pyramids. That's why it was very emotional to own this stunning piece - it definitely has collector's piece potential! The coveted heat wave highlighter by Estee Lauder finally made a comeback since its 2013 debut so I understand many were excited - and rightfully so. Estee Lauder Heat Wave Illuminating Powder Gelee ($45.00 | 7g) is a part of the summer EL collection and was touted as a super-luxurious bronzer. Luxurious it definitely is but it's definitely not a bronzer but a highlighter.
Despite having a gazillion of lipsticks in my makeup collection, I always go back to lip balms. Low-maintenance perhaps, but there's something about lip balms I never get tired of. It might be their functionality, practicality and effectiveness - but sometimes, great scent, aroma and a cute packaging push me over to buy even more of those addictive lip treats. Rosal Macarons are and will be the lip balms of the year 2017. for me but the Rosal Perfect You Lip Balms (10ml) have been quite competitors as well.

There are perfume notes and combinations which change on people's skin when it's hot, some are almost unperceivable during cooler weather and some simply don't work with everyone's body chemistry. Whereas notes of cinnamon and incense are likely to evoke memories of a "winter environment" (e.g. Christmas and New Year holidays), citrus and soapy notes are more intuitively associated with a "summer environment" (beach holidays). However, there is a way to wear your favorite perfume with powerful sillage - just apply accordingly (1-2 spritzes max) while I find lighter scents to be too weak to pierce the cold. Let's set my little perfume-wearing guide aside, here's one that could make, break and rewrite all the known rules.
If you take a look back at my beauty journey during these past five years, you've probably noticed that I've been simplifying things as much as possible. Be it age, lifestyle or type of character - I prefer products that aren't a faff to use, do their job and do it well. The Spanish brand Comodynes has extended the typical use of towelettes and they've actually simplified my beauty routine even further, in ways Marie Kondo would approve!
How to describe niche fragrances? Long story short, niche perfumery is an alternative to mass perfume production. Niche is limited by the clientele and therefore with a limited sale range. If a company's raison d'être is to make fragrances then it is considered niche. What makes niche perfumes so special? Well, since their purpose is not to please everyone and to become best sellers, the perfumers have more freedom to create whatever they want, since the target audience are mostly people who are really into the art of perfumery and are not just seeking to "smell nice". Tom Ford perfumes are exclusive and luxurious not only by presentation, they are of very high quality and are very special scents.
Considering how many blushes I used to own, my current collection is quite tame - but I'm diggin' every single piece. From MAC Springsheen, Hourglass Diffused Heat to these Clinique beauties, I am wearing them all and I honestly don't need new additions. Unless you're going to suggest a new shade from these ranges - and that's exactly the situation I have here right now. With my Clinique makeup on flatlay display, I think it's safe to say that I'm a fan. And their blushes are one of those things I'd purchase/ recommend my friends to get.
My skin hasn't been oily ever since I left puberty and I'm turning 30 in July so a matte and dry complexion is the epitome of what I'm trying to avoid. Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation definitely isn't something I'd pick up for myself while in the drugstores as it's made for normal to oily skin and it contains powders to mattify the complexion. Having all 6 shades sent over (110, 115, 120, 130, 220, 230), I was sure I'll be putting myself through a torture. Imagine the look on my face when I applied this foundation and there wasn't a trace of a matte finish. I must admit, that's where I became intrigued.
Every brand has their forte and I love exploring especially drugstore brands because I tend to find a few budget-friendly yet high-quality finds. Italian Debby wowed me with their mascaras, a face primer but mostly with their Contouring & Strobing Powder Palette (from the #selfie Perfect Collection). I still use that palette almost on a daily basis and I've found another winner which hasn't left my makeup bag ever since it touched my lids. This is the only eyeshadow you need this summer and it's actually waterproof (read: sweat-proof!).
My makeup routine has changed a lot and I've managed to include an almost red (but nor actually a red) lipstick on days when I want to elevate my makeup - aaand there's a brown eye pencil I've been wearing almost every single day. There's tons of new things around here so I won't waste any time, let's get this overview started!
Clinique is a brand I'm truly fond of but I wasn't exactly sold on their contour and highlight sticks - the contour is actually a brontour (cross between a contouring and bronzing shade) whilst the highlight seemed too pale and pinkish (I prefer a golden highlight). Sure, I'm very keen on their lip chubby sticks, matte pop lippies, pop blushes and skincare but these weren't supposed to be suitable to my needs and taste. Boy, was I proved wrong!
Sea salt in the breeze, warm skin under the sunshine, tropical music in the background, cocktails, flowy fabric, shade under the palms and sweet fruit desserts - summer is definitely on my mind, summer is what my soul has been craving for and summer is what Escada does the best. From Rockin' Rio, Ocean Lounge, Taj Sunset to Turquoise Summer - each falls into the tropical fruity category without ever being too sweet or heavy. If you've been feeling nostalgic about some of those editions then Escada Fiesta Carioca is exactly what you need.
When I was in Vienna, I knew I wouldn't have too much time for shopping but there were two makeup brands I was absolutely sure I needed to check out - Zoeva and KIKO. Since it turns out Zoeva eyeshadow palettes are an online exclusive (ladies at Douglas told me), I knew I needed to find a KIKO store. Luckily, there was a store in the SCS and I must say that ladies who work there are one of the most helpful, genuine and loveliest sellers I've ever come across (I'm not exaggerating!). They were so friendly it actually felt like I was browsing makeup with my friends. They helped me find products I knew I like and actually need in my collection and they weren't pushy at all. I am looking forward to shopping there again! I went home with (only) three makeup items but all are so, so good I will surely expand my KIKO collection.
Colorful, pillowy and deliciously flavored, macarons are elegant little sandwiches that are made with meringue, almond flour, and buttercream filling. They are perhaps one of the most famous and treasured French desserts. This meringue-based sweet comes in many tastes and colors. Having in mind how much people are in love with macarons, it's safe to say that these particular macarons will be equally loved and coveted.
After five years of intense beauty blogging, my relationship with makeup has changed and I don't necessarily mean for the worse - it's just a little different now. I'm less keen on experimenting despite being diligent about keeping myself in touch with the latest launches. This may have to do with age *cough, cough* but I personally think it mostly has to do with the fact my taste has been formed, a quick swatch and a glimpse of the ingredients list tells me if something's of interest to me and overall - it's a knowledge I've worked towards to.
My makeup ways are known to be on the natural side and that's something I'm getting even more into as I'm getting older. Minimal makeup is my jam almost all the time. But if I want to change things up a bit and wear something more attention-grabbing, then I'm almost exclusively reaching for a good lipstick. Matte liquid lipstick trend hasn't rubbed off me as much while it was at its peak as my lips are always dry and flaky so applying such a mattifying product on them wasn't appealing. However, on a whim, I've given this cult liquid lippie a go - and in a shade which wouldn't be described as "me" at all. It was an impulse purchase but one of the best ones!
I felt quite uninspired make-up wise lately and everything I've been seeing online and in my make-up stash left me either overwhelmed or underwhelmed. It was the bulk of things I owned that made me feel like I never have anything to wear, yet there were boxes upon boxes of make-up. On the other hand, not a new release I saw online has intrigued me or kick-started interest. So I've had a good old make-up clearout - and this time I was brutal. Interestingly, I've left only a few eye shadow palettes, I have to buy a mascara since only one has remained and the majority of my make-up consists of face and lip products. Lipsticks are definitely ruling the roost!
My love towards eyeshadows and eyeshadow palettes has definitely simmered down as "one wash wonders" and something warm in the crease has been my go-to eye routine for quite a while. I have no idea how or why this has happened but I've streamlined my eyeshadow collection so much that I've left only my Urban Deacay palettes. I only would like to own their Ultimate Basics palette because of the quality I love about their shadows (and that goreous rusty organe number!). Since I am open to purchases of single eyeshadows (actually, Burberry Pale Barley would be perfect for me) I can use all over the lid, the Colourpop craze grabbed my attention.
I've purchased a couple of trendy liquid lipsticks from different brands and they all have shown to wear well but, just like a primer comes handy even underneath the best foundation - a lipstick primer definitely helps, especially one that mattifies even further, makes lips plumper and gives extra few hours of wear.
BB cream or a barely-there lick of foundation, groomed brows, some bronzer, sheeny highlighter, mascara and a lip balm is pretty much what I've been wearing daily. I must say that eyeshadow isn't something I find excitement in as much but lipsticks have certainly become the focus, especially on days when I need to be extra polished.
No one will be surprised to hear how much I love Bourjois as a brand as I'm especially fond of their foundations - their 123 Perfect CC Cream is my HG! But I think most of you know and remember them for their Healthy Mix foundations. For the longest time, they indeed were the best of the drugstore makeup world as they offer decent coverage, longevity and a fresh, non-cakey finish. I for one never thought there ever was a need for improvement but it seems that Bourjois thought ahead and prepared a revamp of, possibly, their most famous range.