Lip Addict TAG!

Did I get tagged to do this tag? No, but I'm doing it anyway! I'm not the biggest lip product addict, but I do buy lip products in phases. And it's almost time to plan in some no-buy months, because I'm going crazy for lip products lately!

Let's start this tag!

1. What's your favorite lip treatment? 

I love the Philosophy Kiss Me Tonight lip balm, you can read my review of it here. 

2. What's your favorite red lip color?

Without a doubt my fave red lipstick is Russian Red by MAC. It's a matte, deep red and simply compliments my lips beautifully.

4. Favorite high-end product?
My fave high-end lip products are the Rouge Volupté lipsticks by Yves Saint Laurent. I own two colors from the 2014 spring line in Jealous Coral/Corail Jalouse and Pink Storm/Fuchsia Tourbillon. A review of these buttery, luxurious, amazing lipsticks will be online soon!

5. Favorite drugstore lipstick?
My fave pick from the drugstore are probably the Rimmel Kate Moss matte lipsticks. I only own one color, but it doesn't feel drying on the lips and gives a gorgeous matte finish.

6. Lip liner, yes or no?
Yes! Well, not on a daily basis, but I really like how lip liner prolonges the wear of my very pigmented and dark lipsticks. My favorite lip liners are the NYX slim lip pencils, they aren't drying at all. I have tried the MAC lip liners but found them too drying on the lips.

7. Best glossy product? 
I'm not a gloss fan at all. Not because of the finish, I like me some glossy lips. But I hate the stickiness that comes with it. I prefer staining glossy products, and would pick the Bourjois Color Boost sticks since it does leave a glossy finish, without being sticky.

8. Favorite MAC lipstick?

My favorite MAC lipstick is actually Russian Red, but since I already mentioned that one, I'll mention my second favorite, which is Chatterbox. I don't usually go for pink lipsticks, but this bubblegum pink one is just pigmented and girly enough without it screaming "Barbie". 

9. Extra product worth mentioning?
The Rimmel Apocalips lacquers are insanely pigmented, wear off beautifully and come in a nice shade range. I've acquired four colors in the meantime (it just kinda... happened), but you can read a review here!

10. Most disappointing product?
I don't own many disappointing products, since I always do my research very thoroughly. But these matte lipsticks from Wet 'n Wild weren't worth the hype in my opinion. They dry out my lips like crazy and the shades do something very weird combined with my naturally quite pigmented lips. Luckily they aren't expensive at all and so, it is to be expected that they don't perform very well.

Do you own any of these lip products? What lip products are your favorites? I tag you all to do the Lip Addict Tag!

xX

Anine

FASHION: summer essentials

The summer weather in Belgium hasn't quite been very present yet, but as I'm preparing for my Big Fat Greek Holiday, summer outfits have been jumping in my shopping baskets anyway. Really, I had nothing to do with it whatsoever. Since you're here anyway, join me on an overview of my favorite summer fashion essentials. 

First and foremost, let's make something clear. I'm an autumn/fall kind of gal. Always have been. I can't stand heat, sweat or burning sun shine. Why? Because I just can't succeed in looking cute whilst trying to cope with the summer heat. But this year, things will be different.

Exhibit A: a playsuit. I never look good in playsuits, but this tribal printed one from Hunkemöller is so AMAZEBALLS. I'm so in love with it that I wear it around the house constantly.

Another impossible search for me has finally ended, the one for a maxi dress. Since I'm very petite, finding a pretty maxi dress was an undoable quest.

This maxi dress might look familiar to you, because H&M uses this print for at least six different dresses from their spring/summer 2014 collection. I'll tell if you won't tell, but it's actually from the pregnancy range. Not that you'd be able to tell, it fits perfectly around my (not pregnant) body without showing too much of body shape and falls to the floor perfectly (despite my 'petiteness').

A jumpsuit was another item I had never been able to find. This one from Hunkemöller is very clean cut and the black color slims down any unwanted body bits. Love!

I hate trying on and fitting bikinis, and can never find any prints that I like. In case you haven't noticed, I'm a very picky person when it comes to summer clothing (I apologize, mom). This one I didn't like on the rack at all (pun not intended), but when I tried it on, I fell in love with it. 

The design and cut of this bikini from Hunkemöller may not be everyone's favorite, but trust me when I say that this is the only bikini shape I can wear comfortably. Mother nature has blessed me, let's keep it at that. 

Lastly, I purchased some flip flops from Hunkemöller. I'm not crazy about this print, in fact I don't like it at all, but they were on sale and... well, they're flip flops. I don't really care that much.

Did you like my summer fashion picks? What is your favorite fashion item for hot summer days?

Xx Anine

REVIEW: MAC Viva Glam Riri

I've been loving my summery lippies lately, but as an exception I've been loving the MAC Viva Glam Riri lipstick. I picked this up on a whim, and it's a very atypical color for me. The sheen on this lipstick is very unique and it's exactly that that drew me in.

Usually I tend to opt for a matte lip when I go red, but this lipstick is the exception. This red lipstick has slight blue undertones with a hint of gold shimmer and has a frost finish. This means it's very comfortable on the lips, but has a nice wear time of six to seven hours.

Use: On a daily basis I use this patted into the lips for a cute red tint, that gives a Snowwhite-like effect as if you've just bitten a blood red apple. Fully applied it's quite the eyecatcher and especially holiday appropriate.

Pro:

- Beautiful matte packaging

- Great staying power (up to seven hours)

- Versatile in use  

- Very comfortable and creamy on the lips

- A unique shade

Con:

- The packaging gets dirty easily

- It's quite full on and because of the finish, it might be too out there for some

Price: €18.50, which is the same price as the MAC bullet-shaped lipsticks. Because this is a Viva Glam lipstick, all the money goes to the MAC aids fund. This lipstick is limited edition but is still available online and in most Belgian MAC stores.

Conclusion: I find this color very unique and comfortable to wear. You can use this patted into the lips for a cute red tint or full on applied for an eye catching effect. It's a true staple in my lipstick 'collection'.

Do you own any MAC Viva Glam lipstick or any similar lipsticks?

xX Anine

Products I'm testing out

Just to give you a little preview of what's to come, I'm showing you the products I'm currently testing! They're not necessarily new releases or thé holy grail products, but more bits and bobs I picked up the previous weeks!

Expect reviews or appearances of these products soon!

xX Anine

HAIR: Syoss Heat Protectant Spray

I don't talk hair products often, but I just couldn't not mention the Syoss Heat Protectant spray. I've finished over two bottles of this product, and have repurchased one (in the new packaging). But what is it that makes this product so special and unique?

Every time I wash my hair, I hàve to blow dry it. My hair is very thin, which means that if I let it air dry, I look like the girl from The Ring. Joking aside, this does mean that my hair can use some heat protection.

Pro:
- My hair is less damaged
- My hair ends don't break anymore
- The spray adds amazing volume to my hair
- It has a handy spray packaging which disperses the product evenly over the hair
- It's cheap, it costs around €7

Contra:
- The 'lock' that comes on the packaging when you purchase it, is hard to get off

As you can see, I got even more than I ask for from a hair protectant spray. I've heard people complain about the scent, but I don't mind or notice it at all. Love, love, love!


xX Anine

NAIL CARE: My two essentials

Lately I've been really trying to grow my nails longer and I'm actually quite successful, thanks to two simple nail care essentials.

Firstly, I never used to buff my nails with a nail buffer, but I've really noticed a difference in the wear time of nail polishes thanks to a nail buffer. A nail buffer basically has four sides to take care of your nails. With the four different sides you can even out your nails, mattify them, polish them up and lastly, make them shine. It creates a clean surface for your nail polish to go on top on. I just found a cheap nail buffer in a random shop and it works perfectly.

Another product that has made a big difference when it comes to nail care, is the Sally Hansen Advanced Hard as nails Nylon + Retinol strengthener (Sheesh, what a mouthful). You apply one to two layers before applying a basecoat and it makes your nails stronger. I've definitely noticed a difference, my nails don't rip or shred as easily. Thank you Sally Hansen!

Xx Anine

FASHION: Minimalism

I warn you in advance, this isn't gonna be a very colorful blogpost. Instead of the usual summery colors and prints, I've been very much into a minimalist clothing style. This normally isn't my style at all, but as I discovered in a weirdly lit H&M fitting booth, this actually flatters me véry much. It's easy, fashionable and a bit badass, which I can totally live with since I'm a tiny blonde that can look "cute" easily (which I hate - No, I'm not twelve years old, thank you).

Anyhow, check out my favorite minimalist clothing pieces! They're all from H&M by the way, I know, it surprised me too.

 This crop top, with the two ends of the shirt tied together, reminded my mother of Brigitte Bardot. Hell, why not pick it up after a comment like that?! I love how it's so versatile that it can be edgy and cute at the same time.

This blouse looks very basic, but is amazing when combining it with high-waisted skirts and trousers. Classy, but not too work-appropriate either. I don't entirely button up as I usually do with collared shirts, it just looks so bossy (pronounciation: baaawssy *snap snap*) buttoned down.

These are so simple but amazing to make a look more casual and effortless. Love. And so cheap. Not the best for my feet and joints though, but hey, my orthopedist isn't reading this... I think.

Cmon. How could you NOT buy this shirt? It might actually make your weekend even more epic!

Just to clear this up, I don't think I'm très cool. As a matter of fact, I think I'm very uncool. But I do believe the shirt is très cool. Point made.

Simple black pants (or jeggings, in this case) are actually quite hard to find for me. Black can be harsh on me, but this fabric makes the look softer. It fits me like a glove, which never happens. It must be meant to be!

Do you like this minimalist look? What's your typical clothing look?

Xx Anine