SKINCARE: Battle of the Micellar Waters

Micellar waters, the true wonder child of skincare. For those who don't get skincare obsessed; micellar waters have been the big thing in the beauty world. The idea? A light liquid makeup remover that is powerful, but feels just like water and is perfect for sensitive skin.

I compared the three most popular, and easiest to get your hands on, miccelar waters. Read my review below!

5 Beauty resolutions for 2015!

2015 is already here, can you believe it? Let's not ponder on how fast the year went by, but look back at what we learned beauty wise and what I'll try to be doing more/less in the new year. Let's kick some 2015 ass!

Empties #6

Yes, exams are killing me right now. No, let's not talk about it. This quick blogpost is the sixth in its series, it's EMPTIES TIME! So to any new readers, I basically explain to you what products I've been using up and what my thoughts were on them. Let's get started. 

REVIEW: Revlon Photoready Skinlights in 100 Bare Light

Did anyone ask for beautifully bright, glowing skin? Yes please! Glowing skin basically means your skin is feeling healthy, but unfortunately mine doesn't seem to possess any natural glowing powers. Thank God for make-up, right?

'Cause that's exactly what this product is supposed to do. The Revlon Photoready Skinlights in 100 Bare light should illuminate the face and add some glowiness when applied on the cheekbones. 

The product contains the following ingredients:

The product is very liquid and pearl like in finish. The undertones in this shade are very bronze colored, which I notice is too dark for my fair skin, and so it doesn't really seem to work its wonders on my face. However, when I mix it in with foundation or bb-creams, it adds a wonderful glow, without making me look like a discoball or without affecting the lasting power and finish of the foundation.

Especially with my Jouer Matte Moisture Tint (which I find just a tiny bit too matte for everyday use) this works beautifully.

Here you can see the product first applied:

And here it is blended into the skin. As you can see it adds a bronze glow to the complexion.

Price: Around the €12 mark for 1oz/30ml. Not too expensive.

Conclusion: The undertones in this product are too bronze for my pale skin, and so in the future I will be looking for a different liquid highlighter. However, for not so fair girls, this could be stunning!


What's your favorite face illuminator product?

Xx Anine

REVIEW: MAC MSF in Stereo Rose

When the MAC Fantasy of Flowers collection launched in February, I only had my eyes on one thing: the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish (MSF) in Stereo Rose. This beautiful product has quite the story behind it. 

In 2010, MAC launched Stereo Rose in a Limited Edition collection and everyone went nuts for it. I didn't pick it up back then and kind of regretted that. Imagine my excitement when they were going to bring it back for the 2014 Fantasy of Flowers collection!

Look at the gorgeousness of this baked product! The left swatch is blended into the skin (and so it would look like this on your cheeks), on the right you can see the swatch after one single swipe over the baked product.

But beware, this Stereo Rose MSF is not entirely what it seems. When compared to the Stereo Rose launched in 2010, the newer version of the product is lighter, and more peach instead of coral colored. Although I do not appreciate MAC launching two 'similar but not really similar' products under the same product name, just because it was such a hype, I do really like this color. It's much more wearable for lighter skin tones than the 2010 Stereo Rose.

I added these comparison swatches from Temptalia.com, just so you can see what the old and the new MAC Stereo Rose look like.

Source: Temptalia.com

From left to right: Stereo Rose (2010), Stereo Rose (2014)

Source: Temptalia.com

Use: I use a light duo-fibre brush to lightly apply it on the cheeks. If not applied carefully, it could look a bit lobsterlike, especially for us fair skinned girls. But the bronze, peachy sheen it gives to your skin is so amazingly beautiful. Perfect for spring and summer!

Price: I purchased this Mineralize Skinfinish for around €28. Not the cheapest product out there, so it was definitely a splurge to purchase this limited edition product. If MAC ever repromotes Stereo Rose, I do suggest to go and swatch it in store. You'll surely fall under its spell.

Conclusion: Although I don't think MAC should've launched this product under the same name, I do really like this product. Apply lightly and you'll look glowy, fresh and summerproof!

What's your favorite spring time cheek product?

xX Anine

REVIEW: Catrice Liquid Metal eyeshadow in Mauves like Jagger

Hi everyone, 

As my sister-in-law very subtly said to me, the blog has been dead for a month, since life pretty much has been crazy, and it's time for some reanimation. I forced myself to write a review about a great drugstore product, the Catrice Liquid Metal eyeshadow in 080 Mauves like Jagger.

First of all, can we please appreciate the amazing name, the cute packaging and the stunning relief effect of the eyeshadow?

 Claims:
It should be an 'ultra smooth powder eyeshadow for a spectacular liquid metal effect.'

I would love to say that this sounds too good to be true, but their description actually isn't that far off at all. The product feels soft, buttery and is very pigmented. 

Here you can see the swatch. The color has a slight purplish sheen to it, but it's very subtle. On the eyes it looks beautiful, but be careful to not blend it up too high on the eyelid, you want to avoid the black-eye look. Perfect to create a very simple smokey eye.

Price: I paid €3.99 for 3g/0.10oz of product. Did anyone say 'affordable with a big A'?

Conclusion: The drugstore has once again proven that it is upping its game. It used to be impossible to find pigmented shadows in the drugstore, but this beauty definitely hits my mark. One big remark: this product line contains only very shimmery shadows. If I have to choose, I'd still prefer a high end single eyeshadow line, since they at least contain some matte eyeshadows and some more interesting shades.

Xoxo,

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 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

PREVIEW: MAC Technique haul

Almost a month ago, I went to a MAC Technique class in Antwerp, where the MUA's taught me some tips and tricks for the perfect nude makeup look. To be honest, I didn't really end up liking the makeup application, since I usually go for a more full coverage look (simply 'cause I really need it!).  However I did get to know some new products, that in the meantime, I've added to my MAC wishlist!

I picked up some goodies I've been wanting to pick up for ages, but also got surprised during the Technique class by a stunning product that I fell in love with. More on that later. These are the products I chose:

All these products are very well known, classic blogger favorites, I might even say. Individual reviews of all these products will be coming up!

Xx Anine

Empties #4

It's empties time! Not much explaining to do here, I show you all the products I finished the past months and tell you my final thought on them! Sit back and relax because I collected quite a bunch of products.

Just to make one thing clear; I do regularly wash my hair, y'all. Every other day, even! For some reason I just really go through these Batiste dry shampoos like nobodies business. I pretty much only use them for my small baby hairs that tend to get greasy pretty quickly. 

I don't really notice a big difference between the different kinds of Batiste dry shampoos, only that some smell different. But they work perfectly for me, it can't get simpler than this.

These are my makeup empties and I've finished quite a few products (I'm so proud of myself). I ran out my Revlon colorstay foundation for oily/combination skin, it was nice but the high coverage was too much for me. I love other foundations more so won't be coming back to this one very soon. 

Also my Bourjois brow pencil in Blonde really was getting pathetically small and annoying to use. It lasted me years and I've already repurchased. It's perfect for a very subtle brow look.

The Rimmel Stay Matte Powder was also totally finished. I probably won't repurchase, I got my eye on the MAC Mineralized skinfinish natural!

Another Rimmel product, this time the Rimmel Scandaleyes mascara. I won't repurchase it, since the wand was so ridiculously big! I could hardly touch my lashes without blinding myself! Check out the full review here. 

The other two mascara samples I finished are the Benefit They're Real mascara and the Chanel Le Volume de Chanel mascara. Liked them both quite a lot, read the full review here and here.

The last makeup empty I have for you is the Maybelline Magic Lumi concealer in 01 light. I love this so much, but have so many concealers to finish first, so I'm going to have to hold myself back. It's just so darn cheap!

Skincare! And lots of it! Firstly, I finished the Vichy Laboratoire Normaderm Nuit, a night cream for acne-prone skin. Liked it for a while, don't like it anymore. It felt nice but it didn't really seem to do much for my skin.

The same story for the Clinique anti-blemish solution cream and the Biotherm Biosource foaming cleaning gel. They were both okay, but didn't seem to make a difference. 

The La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat anti-blemish moisturizer however, I really like and have repurchased. It really helps to control the oils in my T-zone. 

Some more skincare items: the Garnier exfoliating gel really didn't to anything for my skin, I barely noticed a difference if I used it or not. I'm still on the hunt for my Holy Grail exfoliator! 

I've been using the Nivea eye makeup remover for a very long time and it does its job perfectly. It removes all my makeup, doesn't sting my sensitive eyes and is cheap too!

Another Labello lip balm bites the dust. I will not be repurchasing though, since I've been noticing they haven't really been moisturizing my lips, they just make them crave for more lip balm. In the market for a new one!

And here we have the Lancôme cleansing milk. I like it and purchased the full size a while back, but don't know if I like it enough to keep repurchasing it though.

Last but not least, we have these two -very dirty because of foundation stains- Urban Decay Setting Sprays, the All Nighter one and the De-Slick one. I liked them both and noticed a clear difference. The All Nighter setting spray really helped my makeup stay on longer and left my foundation with a beautiful natural finish. 

The De-Slick setting spray does help with oil, but I feel like it doesn't make my makeup stay on longer. So if I'd repurchase, I think I'd go for the All Nighter setting spray!

Few, that were A LOT of empties! Have you tried any of these products? Do you have any recommendations for me?

Xoxo Anine

REVIEW: Konjac face sponge

Am I overreacting when I say this thing might be a Holy Grail skincare product for me? Maybe even better than the Clarisonic? I have your attention now, don't I? Let's get into this review.

I don't actually know if it is better than the Clarisonic or not, but the Konjac face sponge nevertheless works amazingly for me. I ordered it months ago, loved it and then lost it - yes, LOST it - somewhere. Since I reordered it I realized this was the first time I éver had found a product irreplaceable. 

But what is this weird sponge? Konjac skin cleansing sponges are:

- Eco friendly

- Vegan

- Cruelty free

- pH balanced

- 100% biodegradable

- 100% coloring free

- 100% natural 

These wonderful sponges are immensely popular in Korea and Japan, where the Konjac plant grows. This plant is a popular ingredient in health remedies. It is supposed to balance the acidity of your skin's impurities and oils. 

Konjac also produces body sponges and even sponges for babies! For cleansing the face they have different kinds of sponges:

- The original Konjac sponge

- Konjac sponge with Bamboo Charcoal for oily and acne-prone skin

- Konjac sponge with French red clay for dry and sensitive skin

- Konjac sponge with French green clay for normal to oily skin

- Konjac sponge with French pink clay for tired and devitalized skin

As you can tell I own the one with French green clay for normal to oily skin. I might try the Bamboo Charcoal one next time!

Use: The company claims it can perfectly cleanse of your makeup without additional cleansing products, but I still use it twice a day, WITH a cleanser. I run the sponge under lukewarm water, press most of the water out and then apply my cleansing product on the flat side. Then I make circular motions all over my face and neck with it. 

Then I rinse it again and make sure all the soap in the sponge is gone. As Konjac suggests, I then squeeze all the water out and let it dry in another room than the bathroom so it can dry properly. 

Konjac advises to repurchase your sponge after three months. I kept the first sponge for six months and it still looked perfect. After purchasing a new one, I did notice that it was way thicker than my last, apparently worn sponge.

Price: £7.99 on the Konjac webshop + shipping costs, I paid £1.5 to ship it from the UK to Belgium. A steal!

Conclusion: This is really a breakthrough in my skincare routine. I have been noticing clearer skin, smaller pores and less impurities. This sponge is a keeper!


Have you ever tried the Konjac sponges?

Xoxo Anine

My go-to eyeliner look

Lately, I've totally been loving my daily eyeliner combination. The Rimmel Scandaleyes Kohl Kajal in Sparkling Black and Nude and the Maybelline Master precise liquid eyeliner are my favorite products for a light, but defined eyelook. 

I tend to line the tightline with the black Rimmel kohl liner. Afterwards I smudge some on the upper lash line and soften the look with the Real Techniques angled brush. Then I line the waterline with the peachy Rimmel kohl liner, for a wide-eyed effect which opens up the eye and gives the illusion of bigger eyes. 

For a more defined look, I finish off with the Maybelline liquid liner. 

What eyeliner look do you tend to create on a daily basis?

Xoxo Anine

PINSPIRATION: the beauty corner

Hi all,

As some of you might know, I've been wanting to move in with my boyfriend for a long time, but financially we can't handly it yet. Ofcourse I'll get to spend a lot more time with him, but a nice perk will also be having more space for my make up, skincare and other beauty items.

Today I will be talking about my dream beauty setup I like to fantasize about. Not for makeup, but specifically skincare and luxury items. What would my bathroom counter look like? I went to look for inspiration on Pinterest and found these images that match with my idea of a perfect beauty corner. A girl can dream right?

Think flowers, soft towels and amazing scents!

You can find the source of these images on my Pinterest board Corner Of Heaven (just a 'minor' exaggeration - once a drama queen, always a drama queen). 

Xoxo Anine