Supplements for Beauty and Health

I believe in supplements, but I never force my opinion on others. Our diets often lack necessary vitamins and minerals, because either we consume too many empty calories, junk food, etc, or we have limited diets, or don't consume enough food (even the good one) to satisfy the need. What works for one might not work for another and what to take depends on everyone's individual situation, so unless you know what  you need, you should consult your doctor or pharmacist.

I'm also very picky with the brands and will not take a supplement if I don't know the brand. I have to know it, it has to be trustworthy and reliable, so usually I end up with a choice of few brands that I've used throughout the years and feel confident to buy from.

This post is strictly on what supplements I take in my situation. 

I used to take multivitamins with a few additional supplements, but now I tend to be more specific and target my certain needs. Fish oil/Omega 3-6-9 is one of my must take supplements, because I only get very small amounts of it with food. For example, I eat smoked salmon almost every day, but very small quantities that are often less than a serving. I like fish, but don't eat it too often and when I do, I don't have a full serving. I can't eat avocados and I'm not a big fan of nuts. I like some seeds (e.g. flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds) and dark green leafy vegetables, but again I don't consume the needed amount.

Calcium is another mineral that I have to supplement my diet with. It is very important for muscles, bones, heart, nervous system, cells. I don't drink milk, I don't like yogurt, I eat very little cheese and I don't like most other calcium-rich non-dairy foods, so besides beans and a few oranges, leafy greens and nuts, I have no other source to get it. To make things a little more fun (and sweet) I like taking supplements not only in tablet/capsule/powder form, but I also choose chocolates and chews/gummies.

A few times a year (or when there is a need) I take supplements targeting specific needs. For example, when I move more and want to support my joints, I take these soft chews* to help me with inflammation and joint hydration. 

Some people argue that vitamins/minerals are a waste of money, because we pee them out, but I'd rather take a supplement that I don't absorb completely than not take it at all (I am more careful with fat soluble vitamins that our bodies store and can do more harm than good easily). I take this specific vitamin C, because it also contains electrolytes, antioxidants and B vitamins. It's good for immune system and skin and it's an easy way to replenish the body during workout or any other activity causing sweating.

I also take a few supplements for beauty. Sometimes I take collagen (type 1 and 3) and biotin separately, but I like using one supplement that combines both as well as other ingredients (like silica that is important to use with collagen). I have normal skin that used to be a bit on the dryer side in cold months and more on the oilier side in hot months (never flaky or anything like that, but it varied) and after using this supplement I noticed that my skin stopped fluctuating. It's normal and the weather temperature doesn't affect it anymore. I also noticed how much quicker my nails started growing. I do my nails every 2 weeks and I tend to start short, two weeks later just shape them and two more weeks later to cut them short again. When using this supplement I have to trim my nails after the first 2 weeks or else my nails are just too long (for my liking and what I'm used to) at the 4 week mark.

Usually I take one supplement for nails-hair-skin not targeting specific need. Sometimes I see changes in all 3, sometimes only in 1 or 2 areas. My hair is a little harder to notice a change on, because once it reaches a certain length it slows down growing. I used to get hair cuts/trims twice a year and that was enough for me. 3-4 months after my last haircut I started thinking that it's time to go to the salon again and then realized that it hasn't been that long since I've been there. My hair did grow back way quicker while using supplements (collagen and biotin). However, while it stays stronger and I don't loose that much hair brushing, it doesn't grow past a certain length quickly afterwards no matter if I continue with supplements or not. Since beauty supplements are versatile, I do see benefits in taking them.     





* marks PR samples received complimentary

Brand Review: Memoize

I think Friday is a perfect day to talk about perfume. It's the start of the weekend, everyone relaxes, goes out and wants to feel extra special. Perfume is an important part of every "getting ready" part as makes people feel a certain way or brings back memories of certain mood/events/people/place. 

Today I want to tell about Memoize (link) fragrances*. It's a British luxury niche perfume brand offering 8 scents (one of them is limited edition). The first 7 fragrances are inspired by the "Seven Sins". The descriptions and notes of each of them sound tempting, so it was a hard task to pick one, but finally I chose Luxuria (link).

 

Not only the scents are beautiful, but the whole presentation is spot on. The boxes feel luxurious, the bottle is presented like an object of admiration and something special. The glass bottle comes with a wooden cap, which to me represents the perfumes perfectly - luxurious, special, yet there's a wild, raw, natural side to it just like something raw from inside that causes "Seven Sins".

Luxuria (link) stands for desire and passion. It has notes of cassis and raspberry with ylang ylang, tuberose and muguet in the middle and vanilla, amber, musk, suede leather at the base. Luxuria has a very captivating scent. There are perfumes that I may like, but I am not sure if I can wear them, but the moment I smelled Luxuria I knew this was IT! It's my perfect scent that is sweet, but has a sexy sweetness and doesn't remind of marmalade. I received Memoize package right before a trip to Europe and packed Luxuria in my bag without hesitation.

This is a very powerful, but not an overpowering scent. It has sedated sweetness to it. Luxuria is a perfume that can be worn all year round and for any occasion. It's a sexy, seductive and feminine fragrance. It reminds me of a very classy, feminine, noticeable woman that lights up the room the moment she walks in. It's a woman that everyone wants to be around and to copy/follow, because she is different, mysterious, intoxicating. 

If you don't want to commit to just one of the 8 right away or want to explore them all, there's always an option to get samples of certain scents or to get a sample kit (link) that includes all 8 fragrances and can be a great gift option for someone special. All of these perfumes have a quality of something greater and unusual and the smell keeps pulling you back to them. 





* marks PR samples received complimentary

Weekly Empties (24)

Glamglow ThirstyMud Hydrating Treatmeant (link): I used this after a day in the sun to give my skin extra hydration. It did make my skin feel nice and soft, but I wouldn't get this in full size.

L'occitane Immortelle Divine Cream (link): I only tried a few skincare products from L'occitane as I always associate the brand with body care products. I'm very glad I tried this cream as I liked it a lot and would get full size for cold months. It was ok in this hot weather, but only in such a small size, because it would be too heavy for my skin in the long run. This cream is very rich and a little goes a long way. It applies easily and sinks into the skin quickly leaving it soft and hydrated.

Skyn Iceland Glacial Cleansing Wipes (link): I love most products from Skyn Iceland, but these wipes were just ok. They did remove makeup really well and were moist without being too wet or too dry, but they didn't excite me. Besides, the package wouldn't close after a few uses, so I had to keep it in a plastic zip up bag and that's inconvenient.   

Image Skincare Vital C Hydrating Enzyme Mask* (link): This mask smells like oranges! It is very hydrating, doesn't irritate the skin and leaves it extra soft and plump. I used this mask after flights or time in the sun or just whenever I needed extra moisture. It's not a big tube, but the mask lasted really long.

La Chatelaine Lychee Cranberry Hand Cream (link): I've gone through a couple of these hand cream in different scents. They are very hydrating and long lasting. The tube is travel and handbag friendly. The scents are strong and this one was becoming too strong for summer months, so I'm happy I used it up, but I would get this hand cream again in the future.

Sol De Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream (link): I used this cream when it first came out and I liked it, but didn't repurchase until recently. It is a rich cream, but it is not too heavy on my skin even in summer. It is rich, but applies smoothly and absorbs quickly. It has tiny sparkling particles which make the skin look great in the sun. I mostly use it on the days when I'm not in the sun or in the evening as during the day I often use a different body cream with SPF in it (too lazy to apply SPF on top of Sol De Janeiro). 

Voula The Serum Foundation* (link): I have a full review with swatches HERE. I used this one up and I really liked it. My skin felt like there's nothing on it while wearing this foundation. Nose and chin are my trouble areas with most foundations, so when using this one I would use another foundation on those spots or I would mix Voula with another foundation to get the best possible result. I really liked how nice my skin looked with this serum foundation and I would definitely use it again.

Benefit BadGal Bang Mascara (link): I didn't think I will like this mascara as much as I did. It gave me volume, separation, it arranged lashes very nicely and didn't clump them together. It lasted all day without a problem and wasn't hard to remove at night. I have one more sample size of it and I will use it and love it again.

Lipsticks: I'm getting rid of a few lipsticks that don't work for me anymore. I want to make my lip product collection smaller, so I promised myself not to get any new lipsticks/lip glosses unless I use up at least 2 old ones (one new one for two old ones). I guess that makes it easier to say goodbye to any lipstick that I'm not crazy about and make room for new ones. Finding Ferdinand (link) lipstick is a custom color and I love this unique service that they offer. I really love the shade even though I wish it was more opaque, but my issue with this lipstick is the taste. It tastes/smells like an old/grandma's perfumed lipstick and I just can't stand it. Tom Ford Indian Rose (link) is a very neutral everyday pink shade that looks beautiful on the lips. It's not that old, but I'm unsure about scent/taste, so I'm getting rid of it. Burberry Nude (link) is a great light nude shade, but it also starts to smell/taste old, so not keeping it any longer. I'm not crazy about the metallic tone of Smashbox Legendary (link) lipstick, but I love Dior 999 Matte (link) though both lipsticks are going to the trash. I love wearing red lips, but I don't do often enough, so I don't need that many red lip products. Besides, I prefer the ones that are long lasting and transfer proof, so I never reach for these two.




* marks PR samples received complimentary

Weekly Empties (23)

Beauty Garde Lash + Brow Shampoo* (link): I like the concept of this makeup remover as it has an attached brush to make face cleansing easier. The product itself was gentle on my skin, didn't irritate the skin or eyes, but it lacked in performance. It did remove makeup, but I couldn't trust it 100% as it struggled with the more stubborn one. Since I have a lot of face washes/makeup removers to choose from, I decided to use this up as brush cleanser, but again it wasn't performing its best and I had to double cleanse with a different product.

Leaders 7 Wonders Sheet Mask (link): There's one of these sheet masks in pretty much every empties post, so there's no need to tell how much I love them. I used up more than one in the last couple of weeks, but I was traveling and didn't save packaging from the others. 

Sunday Riley Auto Correct Eye Cream (link): I had a sample/mini size of this eye cream and that was enough to gt my opinion about it. I will not be repurchasing this cream as it didn't make any significant difference. I didn't notice any depuffing or brightening of my undereye area. The cream was rich enough yet light in texture. It applied smoothly and absorbed quickly without leaving any residue. It hydrated my undereyes, but I get the same results from less expensive eye creams.

BareMinerals Skinlongevity Vital Power Infusion Serum (link): It's not my first mini bottle of this serum and I still love it. It is light, but not watery, so it can be used both by itself and under another moisturizer. I do have it in my wishlist for getting in full size.

Ole Henriksen C-Rush Brightening Gel Creme (link): While I didn't really notice any brightening effect (especially after using a sample size), this cream was very nice. It gave plenty of hydration for my skin and was perfect for warm weather. I think normal to oily skin could use it in colder months as well. It sat nicely under makeup. My only issue is that it leaves a little bit of shine on the skin, which is no problem when wearing makeup, but might be annoying if one doesn't put makeup on. Overall I liked it a lot and would buy it in full size.

Murad Nutrient Charged Water Gel (link): This is another moisturizer that impressed me a lot. It also smells so yummy (like candies)! The texture is light, but it feels very hydrating. It leaves skin soft, hydrated and plump.       

EOS Hand Lotion in Berry Blossom (link): I'm not a fan of EOS products, but I decided to try this hand lotion. It smells nice, but it is very very light and doesn't give lasting hydration. It was ok to be used during warmer weather, but it wouldn't be enough for cold months.

Marin Bee Honey Butter* (link): I loved this multi-functional cream! I used it for my hands, body/dry spots and feet and I loved it every single time. It is very rich and gives long lasting moisture to the skin. It applies easily and sinks into the skin pretty quickly.

Trader Joe's Shave Cream (link): It was an ok shave cream, nothing impressive. I would buy it again only if I needed a shave cream right there and then, but I would pick something else if I could.

Giovanni VitaPro Fusion Leave-In Conditioner (link): This is my holy grail product! I've been constantly using this product for over 7 years and I still love it. It is perfect for my fine hair and leaves my hair soft, detangled and hydrated without making it look heavy/greasy. 

BareMinerals Invisible Light Translucent Powder Duo (link): I've read both good and bad reviews about this product and I'm the one who liked it a lot. I tried it all over the face, but sometimes it would leave a bit of white cast, so I used it to set concealer under my eyes only. It is a very finely milled powder and I would swirl my makeup sponge/brush into the shimmery side first and then into the matte side and apply to the skin. I loved the way it brightened up my undereyes and how smooth the skin looked.

Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer in Fair (link): I use concealer only for my undereyes and this was great. It blended nicely with any foundation I used, it brightened up the area, it looked smooth, natural and lasted all day. I will definitely repurchase it again.

Memoize London Luxuria Fragrance (link): I received a full size bottle of this perfume as well as samples of the other ones from the line right before my trip. I fell in love with the scent instantly, but I didn't want to take the whole bottle, so I took a sample with me. This fragrance has noted of raspberry and casis, but it doesn't smell too fruity/berry-like. It is a very subtle sweetness. It's a perfume that can be worn for any occasion, day or night and radiates sophistication, sexiness , femininity.   




* marks PR samples received complimentary

Weekly Empties (22)

Mario Badescu Cucumber Cleansing Lotion (link): When it comes to basic toners, I tend to pick inexpensive ones and spend my money on toners with a specific goal (e.g. acid toners) or other skincare products. I really liked Cucumber Cleansing Lotion and used it twice a day after washing my face. I would repurchase it as well as other products by this brand as they are affordable and good.

Leaders 7 Wonders Amazonian Acai Anti-Pollution Sheet Mask (link): I've talked about these sheet masks a lot. There is a variety to choose from and they are all great. While they are meant for different concerns, they all hydrate my skin well leaving it super soft.

Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Cleanser (link): Usually I don't care for creamy cleansers, because I'm not a fan of the texture and very often they don't remove all the makeup. I still prefer different texture, but this one was really great at removing makeup and wouldn't leave any residue. I wouldn't buy it myself, but if I got it again I would happily use it. 

Botanics All Bright Refreshing Eye-Roll (link): I've been using this for 6-7 months twice a day under my eye cream and I feel there's still about half of it left. It has to be used within 6 months after opening and since the roller ball isn't hygienic due to touching the product, I'm getting rid of it. I had an eye cream by this brand and liked it, but this gel didn't do much. It wasn't enough by itself and I still needed an eye cream afterwards.

Skyn Iceland Pure Cloud Cream (link): I'm in love! I discovered Skyn Iceland pretty recently, but so far I love their products. This cream has a very light, airy, almost whipped texture. It applies and sinks into the skin quickly leaving it hydrated and soft. Definitely putting it on my wishlist.

Burt's Bees Medicated Lip Balm (link): I love Burt's Bees lip balms, but this one wasn't for me. The scent is too strong and I smell too much eucalyptus. It might be nice when you have a cold, but otherwise I prefer more neutral or sweet scents under my lipsticks or when worn alone.

Laura Mercier Mineral Pressed Powder in Real Sand (link): This powder is amazing and I used it for a couple of years as my powder foundation. It gave good medium coverage, didn't look cakey, looked very natural on the skin and stayed on all day. Since I went to using liquid foundations, I used this powder for touch ups during the day. It was amazing for that as well, but it got discontinued. There's still loose mineral powder that is just as good, but the pressed one was wonderful when on the go or traveling. I was saving this one and used only for touch ups, but eventually I ran out of it. 

Hourglass Vanish Flash Highlighting Stick in Champagne Flash (link): It seems people love this, but I wasn't impressed. I used it before foundation, but I didn't see much effect after applying foundation and other products on top. I did try it on my foundation, but I found it rather thick and patchy making it hard to blend. I'm not a fan of cream products in general, so I ended up using it on my legs and I liked it ok for that.

Plume Science The Serum* (link): I have a review about this and a few other products by this brand on my blog. This lash serum did give me visible results and my lashes got thicker and stronger while using it. I got a little more effect while using a different lash serum, but this one was still good and it was better for my sensitive eyes. I never had any irritation or uncomfortable feeling. 



* marks PR samples received complimentary

Weekly Empties (21)

Beautigenix Lifting Mask* (link): I've used up a couple of these and I still like them. They are on the thicker side, but attaches to the skin well, it gives hydration, plumpness and softness to th skin.

Benefit It's Potent! Eye Cream (link): It was just. I hated the design of this jar as the cream seemed to slide around the jar under the neck curve, but not get on my fingers (it would get under my nails though). I don't have patience for that, so I ended up using a spatula and using it as a neck cream. The cream it self is quite light, hydrating, but basic.

Danish Skincare Perfect Day Skin Protector* (link): It's a pretty light cream, but I had to be careful and to use just a little bit as anything else wouldn't sink in to the skin. It is a pretty basic moisturizer with spf. It lasted for a very long time, but since it didn't excite me enough, I ended up using as a body cream.     

Sol De Janeiro Brazilian Bod Buff Smoothing Scrub 'N' Mask (link): It's a nice product, but I don't know if I really need it. I applied it on dry skin before shower and it was gentle, so to use in the shower it would be too gentle. It does smell and fell nice.

Skinfix Ultra Rich Hand Cream* (link): You need just a tiny bit of this cream or else it will take a while to sink in. Other than that, it's a nice basic hand cream that hydrates skin well. I prefer creams that sink in faster, so I don't think I'll use this again.

Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Stength + Moisture Leave-In Mask (link): Maybe full size container is different, but the sample kept clogging and at times I'd think that it's empty as it wouldn't spray anymore. Though after shaking/opening the bottle I'd see there's still product inside and it would work again. The mask itself wasn't bad, but nothing to make me run and buy it. I do love wash off hair mask from Briogeo and other products, but just not this one. It seemed that either I don't spray enough to get full benefits or I spray too much and my hair is left limp/greasy looking. I jsut couldn't find a good balance.

Etos Blood Orange Shower Cream (link): It's very unusual for me not to like a shower gel as it is such a simple product, but I didn't like this one. I didn't like the scent, the texture, the feel on the skin. I still used up, but I used way more than needed. It was a quick grab at the grocery store, but I hope I won't have to do it again. 

Stila Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow in Kitten Karma (link): This was amazing! It was super glittery, but didn't transfer all over the face, it stayed on well and it didn't bother my sensitive eyes. I've got a good use of this tiny sample and while it still looks full, the doe foot applicator has no product on it. I would repurchase full size of this color as well as some others.

Beautyblender Sponge in Pop (Orange, link): This one came from a Spring Fling Set containing 3 sponges. I have a regular Pop sponge and the feel the same, except that the one from a set it a tiny bit smaller (that doesn't interfere with use). I love Beautyblender and I will continue using them.

Sephora Makeup Sponges (blue and purple): I've tried a few of Sephora's makeup sponges and some I liked alright and others were not for me. These two came from a set and were ok, but I really don't need a small one (I use a tip of my big sponge for whatever I need) and the big one wasn't soft enough, so it ended up not bing used after few tries. The only other sponge that I use for my makeup and love as much as Beautyblender is Sephora Total Coverage Sponge.

Japonesque Kumadori Powder Brush (link): I used it a couple of times, but I didn't like it and didn't find any other purpose to use it for. This brush seems soft and gentle, but after I use it my skin gets itchy and tingly. I tried using it for bronzer or blending cheek products, but I don't like the shape of it for that.   



* marks PR samples received complimentary

Weekly Empties (20)

Biologique Recherche Lotion P50V (link): I've heard so many great things about the original P50 and I wanted to try it for the longest time. I finally purchased it, but I decided to go with a milder version (there are a few different options available). I used it once a day (at night) and it lasted about 3-4 weeks. I felt mild tingling, but nothing to bother or worry me. My skin reacted to this toner well, I've tried some other acid toners that I'm very happy with and that come in bigger amounts for around the same price point. While I'm not going to repurchase it right away, I might gt a different P50 option sometime in the future.

Botanics Micellar 3in1 Cleansing Solution (link): This micellar water was pretty good. It was gentle on the skin, it didn't irritate my eyes or face, it lasted long. It is a very basic micellar water.

Clinique Take The Day Off Micellar Cleansing Towelettes (link): I use wipes almost every time I need to take my makeup off. I use them on my eyes and then swipe over the face and continue with other makeup removing products. These towelettes were moist enough, they were gentle on my eyes and removed makeup well. I have no complaints about them and would repurchase in the future, but for now I want to try out a few others that are in my wishlist.

Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eyes Creme (link): This cream has a bit of sparkly/shimmer-y particles, but they don't transfer on th skin. I didn't see any brightening, shimmering effect on the skin, but it was a nice hydrating cream. It was light, absorbed quickly and felt nice on the skin giving long lasting moisture to th undereye area. I do prefer creams (both eyes and face) in different containers where I don't have to dip my fingers into the product, but the product was nice enough to ignore the container this time.

Dr. Brandt PoreDermabrasion Pore Perfecting Exfoliator (link): While I'm not a fan of face scrubs, I like the feeling of dermabrasion products on my skin as I feel they are doing something. I received this product in one of my BeautyFix boxes and was really excited. However, I've used it a couple of times and afterwards got some pimples on my face. I don't know if it's a coincidence or not, but I didn't use it on my face anymore and used it up as a body scrub. 

Biologique Recherche Lait Vip O2 Cleanser (link): I'm interested to try out more products from this brand, so I was happy to receive a sample of this cleanser with my purchase. It is a very light and gentle product and I think it's best when no makeup is worn. It did remove my makeup, but it didn't do a completely perfect job and I had to use a second cleanser.

Goldfaden MD Facial Detox Clarify + Clear Mask (link): Whenever I use this mask I can detect a very strong scent of camphor. It doesn't really bother me, but I would prefer the mask to be more scent-free or have milder scent. This mask was nice, it flt comfortable on the skin, didn't dry it out, but it didn't feel anything special so I would want to get a full size.

SkinMedica TNS Eye Repair Eye Cream (link): This was a tiny sample, but I liked the cream very much. It felt hydrating, but felt lightweight and absorbed well and quickly into the skin. It is getting on my wishlist and hopefully one day I'll get a full size.

Glamglow Volcasmic Matte Glow Moisturizer (link): Usually I avoid products that have silicone-y or balm-y texture, but this moisturizer was quite nice. It went on the skin super easily, it absorbed instantly, didn't leave any oily/sticky feeling and gave long lasting hydration. I would gladly use it again in the future.

Aerin Rose Lip Conditioner (link): This might be a very small sample, but you only need a tiniest amount of the lip balm, so it lasted pretty well. It had a very pleasant taste as well. The balm is very thick and super hydrating. I used it as a lip mask before applying other lip products or as a nighttime lip balm.   

Cocofloss Dental Floss in Pure Strawberries (link): I wish these dental flosses had more flavor as it is very mild. Otherwise it is a great floss and works as promised. 

St. Tropica Organic Coconut Hot Oil Hair Mask (link): Even though this mask feels/looks/smells like pure coconut oil, it has a few additional ingredients to benefit hair. After trying this mask I would prefer getting a jar of good quality coconut oil and using it as a mask instead of buying these packets. The packets are for one time use, but I don't apply oils to my roots, so it's too much product for one use and there's also no way to keep it for next time (unless you choose to keep an open packet).

Oribe Bright Blonde Shampoo (link): Finally! This is a purple shampoo that is meant to remove yellow/brassy undertones from blonde hair. It smelled wonderful, but it didn't perform as expected. I have light blonde hair for the longest time, so I've gone through a lot of purple shampoos. This Oribe shampoo is one of the worst I've tried. It did help to keep cool tone in my hair, but it dried out my hair so bad. I mixed it with either moisturizing shampoo or conditioner (and I never apply conditioner to my roots) and my hair still felt on the dryer side afterwards.

Sol De Janeiro Hand Cream (link): It's a very lightweight hand cream. It absorbs instantly, so I loved using it right before leaving the house. It's good for warmer weather, but it would be too light for any serious hydration or cold months.   

Milk Makeup Kush Mascara (link): I was excited to try out this mascara and I was happy after first application, but I changed my mind very quickly. This mascara gave me both volume and length, it was easy to apply, but it didn't arrange lashes as nicely as my other mascaras do. I was still happy with how I looked. However, a few hours after the application I wanted to practice false lash application and I saw some mascara fallout on my undereyes when I looked in the mirror. I was still fine, but the moment I started touching my lashes, Milk Makeup mascara started falling off the lashes and after applying false lashes twice I was left with almost bare lashes. I tried Kush Mascara once more, but again it crumbled off if I rubbed/touched my eyes. Besides, I have sensitive eyes, so any fallout irritates them. With so many good mascaras available I'm just not going to give another chance to this one.

Givenchy Noir Interdit Mascara (link): This is another mascara that I've been eyeing for the longest time. I was super excited to see it offered as a sample on Sephora.com. It was the first time that I received a mascara sample packaged this way - it was in a peel-off plastic container (like the ones of lip product samples). You're supposed to peel half of the foil off, fold the brush and pull it out. Well, it worked and the mascara was pretty nice, but my problem is that it's not a hygienic way to store mascara as that peel off stays open. There's plenty of mascara inside, but the sample is not travel (or even everyday use) friendly, so I had to get rid of it.

Physicians Formula The Healthy Foundation SPF20 (link): This is one of my all time favorite foundations and very often I preferred to use it instead of some high-end foundation. It gives medium to medium-full (not completely full) coverage. It is easy to apply, it looks natural on the skin and stays on all day without a problem. I'm not a big fan of doe foot applicator, but I didn't mind it too much.

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder (link): It seems that I'm the last one to try it out as everyone is crazy about it. I got it, I loved it and I already repurchased this powder.

Derek Lam 10 Crosby Blackout EDP Travel Spray (link): I'm not good describing fragrance, but I'm in love with this scent and I'm already planning to repurchase it.   

Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick in Chihuahua (link): It's described as a dusty mauve shade, but I'd say it is a nude/brown-ish shade. It looked beautiful when I was pale and when I had a tan. It felt comfortable on th lips and lasted long. Many times I would apply lip gloss on top to get a shiny effect. I've been wearing this lipstick up until a month or two ago without a problem, but when I applied it a few days ago I noticed that it has changed. It became more liquid-y and wouldn't dry down completely. While the smell is still the same, I'm not going to keep it any longer. I want to reduce the amount of lip products in my collection, so I'm not repurchasing this one yet, but I will keep it in mind next time I need a nude lipstick.

Aloette Face Paint Lip & Cheek Tint in Blooming Berry (link): It's not a bad product, but it's just something I don't use and I know I will not use. I don't use blush (especially not liquid/cream blush), so I can only use this product on my lips. It feel nice and light on the lips, the shade is pigmented and applies evenly, but my problem is the application process. I don't like applying it with my fingers and I don't want to be bothered with getting a lip brush or with washing my fingers afterwards. It's also not a great product to take into my handbag for re-application throughout the day. I've tried it a few times, but I kept it in my makeup drawer without touching for almost a year, so it's time to get rid of it.   

Weekly Empties (19)

Montagne Jeunesse Coconut+Clay Peel Off Mask (link): Once in a while I buy masks by this brand, but I'm not a big fan overall. Some masks have a lot inside and would last 2-4 uses (though I hate keeping open packets/containers) and others barely cover the face for a single use. There was a lot of this particular mask inside, but I used it in a single use. Besides, I like to cover my face really well and thick when I use peel-off masks. The scent was amazing! The mask felt comfortable on the face, was easy to peel off and left skin very soft. Tough the application was quite messy as the mask was hard to squeeze out and seemed to be stuck to the inside of the packet, so I had to cut a side and use my fingers to take it all out (I usually use a silicone mask brush to apply my masks).

Juice Beauty Blemish Clearing Cleanser (link): I usually have no complaints about face washes as long as they remove my makeup and don't dry my skin. This cleanser was exactly that. It removed makeup well, it felt comfortable on the skin, it was easy to wash off and it left skin feeling comfortable. It lasted very long as I received it in August's Beautifix subscription box and use it ever since. I did use other cleansers as well, but this was always my main one.

Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream (link): I like most of DE products, so I got excited when this eye cream came out. I didn't rush to buy it and finally got a mini sized one to try. This eye cream was thick/rich enough, but wasn't too heavy and sank into the skin pretty quickly. It made my undereyes feel soft and hydrated. However, I felt that it might not be the best under makeup and only used it at night. It was a nice cream and I would love using it if I got it, but I wouldn't purchase the full size myself as there are other great eye creams under that price.

Origins Ginseng Energy Boosting Gel Moisturizer (link): That's another new product that I got a sample of before committing to full size. When the weather gets warmer I love lighter texture of my face moisturizers, so this one was perfect. It was light, absorbed quickly, but left skin soft and well hydrated. I would purchase a full size without a doubt.         

Covergirl Lid Lock Up Eyeshadow Primer* (link): I don't use eyeshadow often and I don't really use an eyeshadow primer, so this product sat in my drawer most of the time without use. I tried it a few times and it was ok, but I prefer using Laura Mercier Caviar Eyeshadow Sticks that serve me both as eyeshadow and primer for other eyeshadows.

Babe Body Souffle in Punk Rose (link): This body moisturizer is amazing! It smells heavenly too! It is very light, absorbs to the skin quickly, but gives good hydration. I purchased it last September and I just ran out of it. I use it throughout the winter as well. I would get it again. 




* marks PR samples received complimentary 

Weekly Empties (18)

I love sheet masks, but recently I have been using less of them. I did use Beautigenix Lifting Mask* (link) this week. This mask is really sturdy, not too thin, but applies to the face well and stays on well. It leaves my skin hydrated, soft and plump. I don't really see lifting effect, but I love it for its other properties.

I only use Boscia Luminizing Black Mask (link) on certain parts of my face, because it's a peel-off mask and it's one of those painful ones. It is fine when I spot treat my face with it. I like using peel-off masks for the fun of it, but I don't really see any visible results afterwards. I much more prefer clarifying or detoxifying clay/mud masks or sheet or regular wash-off masks for hydration.

I don't even know why I got Skyn Iceland Arctic Hydration Rubberizing Mask with Vitamin C (link), because I'm not a fan of modeling masks. Yes, they are a lot of fun to use, but they are too messy for me. However, they are great if you have someone to apply them or to be used at a spa/salon. This particular mask left skin extremely soft and hydrated. It was one of the best moisturizing masks that I've ever tried, but like I mentioned before, it was messy and I had to work very very quickly as the mask would start sliding down and dripping. I tried laying down as fast as I could to make the mask stop from moving, but even when laying down it would go towards hairline or back of my neck before it thickened up.

I have too many cleansers, but I get tempted to open some new one before finishing the other ones, so I often end up using them to wash my makeup brushes. This happened with Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Cleanser (link) as well. It was a very nice creamy cleanser, but you only need a little bit, so it lasted for ages. I prefer gel or lighter consistency cleansers, but this one was good and did the job. It removed makeup without drying the skin, it was easy to wash off the face and it left skin feeling comfortable.

Just like with cleansers, I like trying out new moisturizers. I've been using Danish Skincare Perfect Skin Moisturizer* (link) for some time, then put it aside and never took it again. Since I go through my skincare once in a while trying to used it up, to repurpose it, to give it to someone or just to get rid of it, I came across this face cream and ended up using it as a body moisturizer. I know I probably sound negative, but don't get me wrong. It is not a bad product, it is lightweight, it hydrated the skin and doesn't irritate it, but it is pretty basic. It did make my T-zone somewhat shiny, which wasn't a big deal as it is a nightime cream. Overall I enjoyed using it and it felt fine on my skin, but I just want something more exciting.

I'm not a fan of all Burt's Bees products, but some of them (both makeup and skincare) are great. When Burt's Bes came out with new makeup line last fall, I got most of the items to test and the only things that I kept were brow pencil and Mattifying Powder Foundation (link). I don't remember if I ever tried it by itself, but it's pretty sheer, so I wouldn't call it a foundation. I used it as a setting powder and I enjoyed it a lot. In fact, I liked it so much that I already want to repurchase it, but not doing that until I use up some of the setting powders I already have. This powder is very finely milled, it doesn't leave skin cakey, it applies nicely and keeps makeup in place. 

I've only used Grande Cosmetics Grande Mascara (link) for a few times, but it's already going to my empties. I like the big full brush, but the formula is very dry. I have to work hard to make my lashes the way I like and they still lack thickness/volume. It arranges the lashes nicely, doesn't stick them together, but th end result is too natural. There are days when I don't mind that look, but I know myself and I know that this mascara would end up not being used anyway.

Lip products are my weakness and I have way too many of them, so it's easy to say goodbye to Tarte Tarteist Quick Dry Matte Lip Paint in Rose (link). This was a beautiful nude shade that's just right (not too dark, not too light, not too grey/brown/pink). It was easy to apply to the lips, stayed on well all day. However, it was a bit drying and didn't feel comfortable in a few hours. Very often I apply lip gloss on top of my lipsticks, so I didn't experience a lot of drying. The formula is on the dryer side and I had to keep redipping my brush to apply the lipstick well and evenly (at least on the sample that I had).



* marks PR samples received complimentary 

Brand Review: Altilis Beauty

Altilis Beauty (link) is a skincare brand offering products formulated with breadfruit and and other tropical botanics. I've tried out facial cleanser, serum and moisturizer, but if you're not committed to purchase full size products, you can get a 7-day sample set (link).   

Facial Cleanser* (link): I really like the airless pump on this cleanser (as well as the whole line from Altilis). It doesn't have a strong scent and doesn't feel oily or too creamy. The consistency is just right and it is easy to wash off the face. I think I prefer this cleanser in the morning or for the days when I wear no makeup. While it removes my makeup, I feel like it doesn't do the best job at it and I want to use something else afterwards. The cleanser feels light on the skin, it doesn't dry it out and doesn't leave any film on the skin.   

Serum* (link): The serum has your typical serum texture that is a bit runny, but not completely watery. It has kukui nut oil, vitamin C and breadfruit among other ingredients. this serum applies to the skin smoothly and absorbs well without leaving any residue. It makes skin very soft. However, there's something in the ingredient list that my nose smells very strongly and it is unpleasant for me. This serum smells like fish oil and I just can't use it. I tried to get used to the scent, but wasn't successful. I'll have to give it to a family member as I can't even repurpose it to use as hand/body serum. 

Moisturizer* (link): The product I enjoy the most is moisturizer. It has a light cream texture, but applies to the skin and sinks in as if it was a very light lotion. It hydrates my skin well all day long without feeling heavy or greasy. It has a mild fragrance and I can barely smell it, so the scent doesn't bother me. This moisturizer feels somewhat basic, but it is great at making skin hydrated, soft and plump. I've never experienced any irritation while using this cream and my skin looks good every time after using it.


* marks PR samples received complimentary

Weekly Empties (17)

I only had a mini of Living Proof Restore Perfecting Spray (link), but I enjoyed it a lot. I used it on damp hair and it helped to brush it out, it detangled and conditioned my hair without being too heavy. It also smelled great and the scent lasted throughout the day. 

I received Live Clean Coconut Milk Moisturizing Conditioner* (link) as part of a goodie box. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't good enough to repurchase. This conditioner is on the thinner side, it is pretty light and helps to soften and detangle the hair, but it doesn't make a big difference in hair hydration.

I finally used up Acure Mega Moisture Argan + Avocado 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner, but Acure changed some products and packaging, so it doesn't have this one anymore. It was on the water-y side, but it was good and wasn't too heavy for my fine hair. I did use additional conditioner on my ends though. It smelled nice and reminded me of almonds. It's your basic everyday shampoo, so I wouldn't buy it again and not in this size. It's good for 6 months after opening, so I used it as shaving cream as well. Overall I like Acure shampoos and used a bunch of them in the past and I highly recommend them (coconut one used to be my favorite, but I haven't tried the updated one). Here's a link to other hair products by this brand. 

It's been almost 3 months since I colored my hair. While trying to find new hair dye I ended up going from extra light blonde to light blonde tones and I started to like that. The first time I went darker than usual I was upset and couldn't wait to go light again, but then decided tostay like that for the winter and it just grew on me. Besides, I can go way longer between colorings. This time I intentionally picked light instead of extra light and went with L'oreal Superior Preference in 9A Light Ash Blonde (link). It was easy to use, it didn't irritate my skin and it ended up being a beautiful cool shade that looks natural and not too light. However, this hair dye seemed to dry my hair and I lost quite a few hair while rinsing the dye out. I barely had any hair fall out while rinsing during the past few hair colorings, so I think my hair broke/fell out due to the fact that this product dried my hair and made them tangly and hard to work with and I ended up pulling on it a lot. I really like the color, but I'm not a fan of the rest, so I might look for something different next time or try adding some oil into the hair dye. 

I use various toothpastes, but I almost prefer the ones that are milder and don't have strong minty taste. I finished Hello Toothpaste in Mojito Mint (link) and it was just the way I like. It had mild flavor and it did the job.

I'm not a fan of sandalwood and even get headache from smelling it, so when I received Soapbox Coconut Milk & Sandalwood Body Wash* (link) I didn't even want to go near it. However, once I tried it, I fell in love with this scent. I can't detect sandalwood at all. It also doesn't have the usual coconut scent. It smells sweet and warm, but I can't describe what it is exactly. This body wash lasted for a long time, it's creamy and hydrating. I really enjoyed using it and would repurchase it myself (just different fragrance for the warm weather). Besides, for every product purchased the brand donates a bar of soap for someone in need. 

I've wanted Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum (link) for so long, so I was very happy to finally get it and use it. However, this is a brand where I either love a product or I don't care about it. This serum fell into the second category. It wasn't bad, but it didn't wow me. I didn't notice any brightening effect while using it, except when combined with acids (bu then acids probably did the trick). The serum is in a lotion-like consistency and gave good hydration, so I used it by itself or on top of other more liquidy serums. I didn't mind using it, but I was expecting much more from it.

I'm also saying goodbye to my mini Bite Beauty Matte Creme Lip Crayon in Pastile (link). It's a beautiful shade, but it's not something I wear often, so the product went bad. It doesn't taste/smell right anymore. I like the brand, their products and shades. Lip products feel comfortable on, but they don't work for me. Well, except for a lip mask which I use every day. Lipsticks tend to transfer on my teeth and this barely ever happens with other brands. I do all the tricks I know to prevent it from happening, but I can never trust Bite Beauty lip products in acting properly.

I enjoyed using a mini of Manna Kadar Flutter Mascara (link), but it gives too much of a natural result. It applies easily, doesn't stick lashes together, it lasts all day long, I usually prefer bolder and bigger lashes, so I didn't use this mascara too often and I wouldn't purchase it in full size.        


* marks PR samples received complimentary

Weekly Empties (16)

I use Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips (link) about once a week and I'm happy with how these perform. I really don't see much difference among pore strips, but I buy Biore most often.

I used up a mini of Peter Thomas Roth Irish Moor Mud Mask (link) which came in my BeautyFix box. I didn't see much difference when using it, but it didn't have any scent, it didn't dry out the skin and lasted quite long.

I finally used up Sanitas VitaRich Serum* (link). While it was a mini sized one, it lasted for a very long time. At first I used it together with other Sanitas products, but when I ran out them, I put this serum aside for some time. I did use it once in a while for my undereyes or lips, but then I tried mixing a drop or two into my moisturizer and I loved it so much tat I ended up using it that way. It sank into the skin quickly, it didn't leave any oiliness or film on the skin, it was great both morning and evening and didn't interfere with makeup application. I wish it came in smaller size than 1oz as I would love to repurchase it and continue mixing into my face products.

Another product that I finished is Dermalogica Precleanse Balm (link). It's one of those balms that you massage into the skin and it melts away makeup. It was an ok product for first cleanse, but I'm not a fan of cleansing balms in general.

Quite often I don't include sample/mini sized moisturizers in my empties, but Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Exfoliating Moisturizer (link) impressed me enough to mention it. While using it my skin was very even toned, calmed, it didn't lack moisture and felt comfortable. It is a light product, but it gives enough hydration without clogging pores or sitting on the skin for a while. I will definitely consider purchasing it in full size in the future.   

Le Mini Macaron Nourishing Hand Mask (link) was nice, but I prefer hydrating one from this brand. The effect of this one wasn't as strong and as long lasting.

I through away the bottle of Olaplex Hair Perfector No 3 (link), so I'm including a new bottle in this photo. I think that says enough to figure out that I loved this product. I apply it to damp hair about once a week and keep it for an hour or longer. After washing the hair it is left soft, silky, smooth, hydrated, but not heavy. My hair is in pretty good condition, so it's hard to tell if Olaplex made a long term difference, but I love how my hair is after washing it and I also see stronger ends.

I don't really use brow gel, but I received Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Gel (link) as a sample or gwp, so I decided to use it. It was good, it applied easily and placed brow in place without looking hard or fake. If I got it again, I would use it, but it's not something of a must in my makeup bag, so I'm not going to repurchase it myself.

I don't use my Clarisonic regularly, so I stretched the use of its brush head. I mix and match my cleaning tools throughout the week and use Clarisonic, Foreo and silicone pad depending on my mood and laziness.   




* marks PR samples received complimentary