Simply Selma: review bundle

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.

8 comments

How many times have you purchased any old nail polish remover from a supermarket on your way home to discover how dehydrating and ultimately drying they are? I hate it when they have a strong headache-inducing smell and when they're so drying that my nails immediately turn white (yikes!). Rosal Perfect You Nail Polish Removers (85ml) have been a regular part of my manicure kit for a while now and all three variations are great and actually, each one is specified for different things. My personal favorite is the Oil based nail polish remover which is the most nourishing towards nails and cuticles. It contains oil components, tiny bit of acetone, vitamin E and cocotriglyceride. It has a beautiful and light floral scent, removes all of my nail polishes with ease (dissolves them within seconds - no rubbing!) and it never dries out the skin or nails.

6 comments

There was a time when any ol' shower gel wouldn't make the cut - now, I'm not that fussy at all. Usually I just grab whatever is on offer but I a few favorites have stood out over the course of years. Palmolive Aroma Moments Feel The Massage is my favorite during the hot, hot summer (so refreshing) and L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil is my all-time winter love, for when my skin needs some added nourishment. Barrage of random shower gels inhabiting my shower was interrupted when I made a shopping stop at Lush.

8 comments

With all the micellar waters, oil cleansers, toners, face masks, exfoliants etc. sometimes skincare feels like an overcrowded playground. To be completely honest, I'll probably add some (un)necessary skincare items come autumn because I'm a skincare junkie at heart. However, for me, summertime means downsizing and simplifying things and it's been like that year after year. Majority of products I own are actually geared towards makeup removal and face cleansing. I've run out of eye creams because I use them diligently, I pop a face mask twice a month on average and I'm proud to have only a handful of face creams in my rotation. This will be a post dedicated to one of my faves.

9 comments

I've been very good at using up my skin care and body care products lately so I felt like I can allow myself to introduce something new into my daily routine. After being quite loyal to oils, I really was keen on having a good old body cream in my rotation. Since Rosal truly wowed me with their macaron lip balms and their classic hand creams (which saved my hands from looking wrinkly this past winter), the idea of a cream and butter hybrid seemed interesting.

8 comments

Clinique is killing it lately - I've used up their Pep-Start eye cream last month, yesterday I finished my pot of their All About Eyes Rich, they announced a new range of skincare and makeup called Clinique Fit (made for sweaty active people!) and I'm absolutely in love with their smartest range to date. Alongside with just one range of skincare (about which I'll post reviews soon), Clinique Smart is one of the best things I've tried skincare-wise lately. Out of five products from the Clinique Smart range, I've been using four- so we can say I got a decent, if not well-rounded impression of what it really does. Let's start with my favorite item.

No comments

I'm such a bore when it comes down to hair - but I wasn't always playing it safe. I used to have a pixie, a bob, a lob, all variations of bangs, honey colored hair, chestnut and dark brown (almost black) - and I probably would have ruined it if I continued to experiment, but I'm glad that I did! I got it all out of my system. For the past 7-ish years, I've settled on a simple, straight long hair style. It's practical and easy to manage - no wonder I stuck with it for as long as I have. However - I have been contemplating an ever so slight change recently. Then this cool package has arrived to my doorstep a few weeks ago and I was truly intrigued by its content - I felt like a little kid!

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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!

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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.

2 comments

Haircare is something I've been increasingly interested in although it hasn't been my forte in the past. Not that I don't like taking care of my hair - quite the contrary, I love investing time and effort in it. But I've never found my "hair identity" and this is fortified by the fact I don't have a particular hair salon I'm loyal to. Few years ago I've changed more shampoos than mascaras every month. Thankfully, alverde shampoos are now my safe harbor but apart from them - I still haven't formed a solid hair care routine I know I can stick by. But I'm open to trying new things in order to make my dream hair care routine happen.

No comments

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.

13 comments

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!).

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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!

23 comments

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!

18 comments

Regardless how much I'm trying to take care of my body the best I can by eating all the good foods and by working out on a regular basis - the idea of warmer weather and bare limbs on display caught me unprepared! I must admit that I sometimes forget about taking care of the skin of my body and that's a strange philosophy I have going on - even if I'm absolutely exhausted and haven't slept for 24h straight, my face needs the proper makeup removal/cleanse ritual every single time. But when I do shower, I kinda do everything in the quickest possible way - a good shower cream/foam/gel, some shaving and I'm done. I pat myself on the back each time I remember to actually oil my legs and arms. Body scrubs were a passion of mine but I haven't been using them - end result? Rather dry skin.

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Glorious skincare - I could go on and on about it as it's a never-tiring topic for me. I have shared my current skincare routine in this post and the only thing that has changes is the fact I've run out of all cleansers - at the same time (don't you hate it when that happens?). My Estee Lauder ANR cleansing balm, GlamGlow Youth Cleanse cleanser and alverde Clear wash paste have altogether said farewell and I'm contemplating what to purchase next. In the meanwhile, I've promised to share my The Ordinary edit, how I've picked each item, what they're for and how to combine them.

2 comments

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.

10 comments

Considering that I'm a skincare junkie, I don't think I've ever used a horrendous amount of products at the same time but I must admit that (even though I love all those skincare routine steps), not all are necessary. I like trying new things but at the end of the day, I'm aiming at curating a well thought-out, streamlined routine which is efficient. This is the first time I'm not using some of my year-long staples such as the LRP Effaclar Duo. I've totally skipped on toners and face masks as such. Even micellar waters are absent so it's a pretty big change for me.

4 comments

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.

30 comments

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.

4 comments

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