Empties #5

My empties basket has been overflowing for a while, so that means it's time for an empties post! Can't wait to finally throw out all these items!

First of all, I used up two green tea sheet masks, one from Etude House and one from Missha. Both these brands are big Asian beauty brands. These were quite nice and felt refreshing on the skin, especially the Etude House one.

I actually haven't tried anything else from these brands, but definitely want to try more, especially the Asian BB creams are supposed to be amazing! It's not very easy to find these brands in Belgium or other European countries. I purchased these sheet masks via this webshop Koreacute. I actually met the owner of the webshop on Made In Asia 2014, a big annual convention in Brussels.

I've finished these two skincare items: the Lancôme soft cleansing milk and the La Roche Posay Mat moisturizer. I liked the Lancôme milk, it was very soft on the skin and got rid of makeup beautifully. I wouldn't repurchase because I like a cleansing miccelaire water so much more. 

The La Roche Posay moisturizer is perfect for combination/oily skin, and I will repurchase, but for now I'm still using an acne clearing moisturizer since my dermatologist made me... and she's scary!

Yes, another one of these... The Batiste dry shampoo in Tropical! I promise, I do actually wash my hair... That's the only downside for me: I finish these dry shampoo so fast, they don't seem to last me very long. The coconut smell of this Tropical one had me trippin' though, I didn't like it very much.

I really like these Simple cleansing wipes for any days that I wear loads of makeup and I want to get rid of most of it before deep cleansing or - don't kill me - when I've gone out and I'm so damn tired. But this happens rarely since I have the party life of a goldfish. Simple, if you're reading this, COME TO BELGIUM!! I always stock up on my wipes when I go to the UK.

I also finished these two sample sizes of the Chanel Perfection Lumière velvet foundation. I really liked it and would definitely purchase the full size when I finish my other foundations.

Another empty product is the Collection concealer (the writing's rubbed off). It was nice, and I finished most of it, but it was getting pretty old and was starting to look caky underneath my eyes so I decided to chuck it.

The Hema brow gel is gonna get thrown away as well, since it's gotten quite grosse and I wasn't really using it anymore. It did it job perfectly though and it's very affordable.

I finished the Smashbox Photofinish foundation primer in Light. No words for this item. It has changed the foundation game for me. My makeup lasts up to 10-12 hours, which is about 6-7 hours longer (!) than without a primer. Amazing.

Also, I emptied the NARS Smudgeproof eyeshadow base, which is quite as magical as the last item. I have very oily lids and this doesn't only make my eyeshadow last all day (and night) but also makes the colors so much intenser. A must-have for me.

Lastly I finished the Labello Fruity Smile chapstick. This lip balm is quite nice, it moisturizes your lips and gives a hint of color. One downside? I've noticed, after using it for years since I was teenager, that it kinda makes your lips addicted to it. It doesn't moisturize, it feels moisturizing and then makes your lips crave more Labello. It the end they're just as dry as before, so I'm not repurchasing anymore.

Have you tried any of these products?

Xx Anine

Beauty discoveries of 2013

Hi everyone,

Instead of talking about my 2013 favorites, today I will be telling you what my biggest beauty discoveries were this past year.

1. Maxfactor Clump defy mascara:
This all time favorite mascara of mine is the lovechild of the Benefit They're Real and the Maybelline Falsies mascaras. Just perfect for separating, volumizing and lengthening!

2. Maxfactor 3-in-1 foundation:
The first time I tried this, I was disappointed. Every beauty blogger seems to like this, but I had a hard time blending it into my skin, especially around my nose. Then I tried it with the Real Techniques Expert Face brush, and all of a sudden, this miracle happened. This foundation stays put for SO long, longer than I've seen any foundation last on my oily T-zone.

3. MAC blush in Bad Girl Gone Good:
This blush equals gorgeousness. I don't have anything like this blush color, it is so unique. It makes me look Fierce (yes, capital F) in just a few brush strokes. Amazing.

4. Urban Decay All Nighter setting spray:
This setting spray really made my make up look more natural and healthy after application. It also made my make up last a bit longer and made my foundation wear off in a very natural way.

5. NYX lipliner in 836 Bloom:
I never liked lip liners, they seem to harsh for my lips. But this one is so creamy and soft, I like to use it as much as possible!

6. Smashbox Photofinish foundation primer in Light:
I've been using this almost all year round and this really makes all the difference. It influences the staying power of my make up so much for the better!

7. Rimmel Scandaleyes waterproof Kohl Kajal in 002 Sparkling Black:
This kohl eyeliner pencil is so unbelievably creamy! I accidentally picked up the sparkling black, not the normal black color. But I like the subtle glitter in the liner, it adds something special but subtle to the look.

8. Real Techniques Expert Face Brush:
I've been using this brush for almost a year straight now. It is my favorite way to apply any form of liquid or cream make up, especially foundations. I use this all day, every day! Secretly I might go and buy a back up.

What have been your beauty discoveries in 2013?

Xoxo
Anine

Paris haul!

I picked up some goodies from my amazing trip in Paris! Look at the damage I did!

The first stop was Sephora. I picked up the Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer in Light. It’s supposed to be oil free and perfect for acne-prone or sensitive skin. It provides a smooth, matte finish. I specifically wanted to try it to make my makeup stay on longer.

I also wanted to pick up the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting spray. Unfortunately, it wasn’t in stock that day and I had to go to the big Sephora on the Champs-Elysées (which was INSANE). This setting spray should ‘keep your makeup looking gorgeously just applied for up to 16 hours, without melting, fading, or settling into fine lines.’ The result should be smoother-looking skin and of course makeup that lasts all day. That’s why I bought it.

I got this polish for free when I signed up for the Sephora membership card (which was free). I’ve already tried it and love it!

Then I went by the MAC store in the Quartier Latin. I exchanged my six back-to-mac products for a lipstick. Originally, I had other lipsticks on my list, but after three “Ce n’est pas en stock!” I decided to just go and look for lipsticks I liked, instead of looking for the names such as Patisserie or Cream Cup. I also picked up a blush.

I ended up with this lipsticks I would normally never go for: Chatterbox. Although I don’t usually like blue-toned pinks, this one just stole my heart and I’ve already worn it so much!

Then I also gave in and after almost a year of yearning for this blush, I purchased the MAC mineralize blush in Love Thing. It looks stunning in the pan and on the cheeks. The man at the counter said “Wouldn’t you like a pale pink better?” but I stubbornly wanted Love Thing.

how stunning is that!?

Then of course, last but not least, I got me some Bioderma. A lot of it. My boyfriend looked at me in doubt, but I explained how in the end, it would be a lot cheaper when stocking up in Paris. He understood and even helped me carry two damn litres of Bioderma. Now that’s true love.

Do you own any of these items yourself? How do you like them?

Xoxo,

Anine