JEWELRY: Ikki rosegold watch

I had been looking for a rosegold watch for years now, but just didn't find one that met my expectations, being:

- a watch that is not a threat to walk around in due to the unbelievably high pricepoint

- a watch with a rosegold dial

- a watch with roman numbers

- a watch which had an 'oversized' look to it

- a watch that wasn't bejewelled like a unicorn

- a watch with some smaller dials on the main dial

I looked around for this Perfect Watch, but never found the one true watch to rule them all. I looked into Michael Kors watches for some time, but decided I just couldn't deal with the idea of having that kind of pricetag around my wrist. 

The watch I ended up finding, was one by IKKI. The only expectation it didn't meet, was the one concerning multiple small dials on the main dial. This IKKI watch probably came closest to what I wanted. Pricepoint? Around the 80 euro mark. I find it totally worth it.

Have you found that perfect watch already? Which brands do you recommend? 

xx Anine

REVIEW: Rituals Yin bed and body spray

One of the things I've wanted for a very long time, has been a bed spray. This Rituals Yin bed and body spray is perfect for spraying clean towels, bed linen, or simply yourself before you go to bed. I got this product as a gift a few months ago and use it weekly, and love it. 

On the packaging, the scent is described as organic white lotus and Yi Yi Ren. Since that doesn't really tell us anything, I can only say it smells very calming and it reminds me of the smell of clean linen, only this is a bit heavier. I do notice its relaxing effect but the scent doesn't bother me at all at night.

Claims: The product claims to improve calm sleeping behavior and meditation. It shouldn't stain and should be safe for your textile. It doesn't contain any alcohol.

Ingredients: See below.

Price: You get 50ml of product for €16.50, which I think is very affordable for such a nice product.

Conclusion: Obviously this product is not a must-have, but it's just that extra luxury item that can make your night even more relaxing.


Have you tried any body sprays before?

xX Anine

REVIEW: Real Techniques miracle complexion sponge

I've never been a sponge lover to apply my makeup, so I was kind of skeptical when I picked up the Real Techniques miracle complexion sponge on my trip to London. A product that claims to be a 'miracle sponge' already makes me roll my eyes and shrug, 'cause seriously, what so called 'miracle' product ever is a miracle product? 

I'd never tried the Beautyblender either, so I won't be able to compare.

The Real Techniques sponge isn't just the typical egg-shaped sponge all companies have been trying to copy from BeautyBlender, it has a flat edge to contour around the eyes and nose, the sides should be perfect so blend large areas on the face and the pointy tip should be used (with concealer) to cover imperfections.

Use: First of all, when using the sponge, I wet it thoroughly under running water, squeeze it tight and the sponge will double up in size and become less dense. I usually dry it with a towel, so it's not soaking wet. After the sponge is damp, I dab it in the foundation on the back of my hand and apply it all over my face with the flat side. After all my foundation is applied, I go over every corner on my face to blend it out nicely. Then I use the pointy tip of the miracle complexion sponge to blend out my already applied concealer and the foundation around my nose. 

I know it is recommended to use the sponge differently (as seen on the packaging), but this way simply works best for me personally.

Quality: The miracle complexion sponge applies your foundation evenly over the face. I've heard other bloggers talk about a 'flawless finish', but I wouldn't call it that. It is applied more even, more beautiful, more natural than with a brush. However I don't feel like there's a difference in coverage when applying it with a sponge instead of a normal flat top foundation brush.

Above: the sponge is dry

Underneath: the sponge is damp

Price: $6 on the Real Techniques website, I believe I paid around £6 for it in Boots. I find it such a bargain, especially in comparison with the BeautyBlender which is around €20. 

Conclusion: It really took me some time to get used to it. In the beginning, I didn't really like it. It seemed my brushes simply gave better coverage and control. Then I used it more, and liked it, but thought it took me longer to blend everything in comparison to brush application. 

After using it for several weeks, I now use it every. single. day to apply my foundation. I love the seamless application it provides, I love the easiness and naturalness (is that word?) of it too. 

Can't live without this sponge anymore! I'm happy to finally have jumped on the sponge bandwagon!

Have you ever tried any foundation sponges?

Xx Anine

REVIEW: MAC Fling Eye Brow pencil

Okay, this is the last review of my MAC Technique goodies, I swear! But don't worry, I saved the best for last! 

This MAC Eye Brows brow pencil in Fling has changed my entire make up routine. I've always had problems with my brows, usually finding the perfect shade and a tip that was fine enough was the biggest challenge. This product solves all brow issues for me. 

It fits my brows in color, stays put perfectly all day and you can easily create a heavy, stand-out brow or a subtle brow look.

Use & Packaging: I love the twist-up tip and it's quite foolproof, even for a brow noobie like me. I apply it if I want to go for a quite defined, full face of makeup kind of day. I only opt for another, lighter brow pencil if I go for an extremely simple, natural make up look.

Above: 'Nude' brows

Below: Brow pencil applied

Price: €16 for 0.09grams/0.003oz of product. That sounds like a ridiculously small amount of product, but I'm just so in love with it, that I'm willing to spend €16 on a brow pencil!

Conclusion: I don't think I'll ever find a better brow pencil than this. It is pretty much gaining Holy Grail status.


Which brow product do you use daily?

Xx Anine

NEWS: Superdry make up line

We all know Superdry from the comfortable sweat shirts and sporty clothing, but Superdry also has a beauty line, which they just expanded with some beautiful make up! 

As I saw the neon and metallic detailing, I couldn't help but think how simply FUN it looked. It reminds me of summer, beach waves and surf boards!

The thing that probably got me most excited, are these adorable nail polishes. They are perfect for spring and summer.

The beauty line also contains lip glazes that come in neutral and pink shades. 

For a statement lip look, these lipsticks would be perfect. They're supposed to be very smooth and light weight too!

This mascara wand has left me very interested. The shape is so weird, that I'm really curious how it would make my lashes look. The brush should extend and lengthen lashes to the maximum.

To complete the beauty line, Superdry also created eye shadows, blushes and bronzers, kohl eyeliners and a smoky eyes kit! Body care was not forgotten, as they even thought about hand creams, mirrors, tweezers and a nail care kit to finish up this cool collection.

Packaging: 

I like it, it's very unique, vibrant and cute.

Price:

The prices range from £2 to £20, so very affordable. The entire Superdry beauty line is available in stores ànd online (http://www.superdry.be/be-nl/dames/beauty for the Belgian ladies)! 

Have you ever tried anything from Superdry beauty?

xx Anine

REVIEW: MAC eyeshadow in Quarry

I'm an eyeshadow kinda gal'. Even so, a perfect nude eyeshadow look can take my breath away (okay that might be an overstatement, but you get the gist). At the MAC Technique workshop I purchased the  perfect nude eyeshadow pan in Quarry and fell in love.

Quality: No complaints whatsoever here, I find MAC eyeshadows to be perfection. The eyeshadow is véry pigmented, easily blendable, a bit more warm-toned than I expected, but still with cold undertones and so perfect to apply in the crease with a very coppery shade all over the lid. 

Price: 13 euros for 1.5grams/0.05oz of product in the pan.

Conclusion: I love this eyeshadow! It's the perfect cool-toned crease color.


What's your favorite eyeshadow color from MAC?

Xx Anine

REVIEW: MAC Paint pot in Bare Study

Here's another review of a worldwide loved MAC product, the paint pot in Bare Study. Believe it or not, I'd never tried a MAC paint pot before (I know, I feel like such a makeup noob right now), so I was véry excited to try this out!

Bare study is a soft beige with soft gold sheen. The beige tone isn't so pigmented that it'll completely cancel out any imperfections or veins on your eyelids, but it's the perfect product if you like that pop of something on your eyes if you're doing a no-makeup makeup look.

Use: I use my ring finger to dab ever so slightly into the jar and then apply it on my eyelids. I've heard other bloggers' warnings about applying too much, since it would crease ridiculously. However, I've not had any problems with this.

Quality: The paint pot doesn't crease on me. It is a nice base to make eyeshadows pop, or to use on its own. I do notice that I could use an eye primer to apply underneath, since it does not replace an eyeshadow primer in my opinion. 

Price: €19 for 5 grams/0.17oz. 

Conclusion: I like this product and am tempted to try out more colors! However, it's not perfect on its own to keep eyeshadows in place all day long.

Which MAC paint pots are your favorites?

xX Anine