MARCH FAVORITES!

Initially, I wasn't going to do a monthly favorites, but the more I thought about it, the more products popped in my mind to share with you!
I'll try to make short-ish, as I am quite a babbler and can get quite carried away. 
So here are the products I have been discovering/not putting down, during the month of march:

Cristalle de Chanel: I am not a huge perfume person like most people seem to be. I like to have one perfume and stick to it -- I consider it my signature scent. I have been wearing this perfume since Christmas 2009, I always liked it but was never head over heels about it. I am now at my third bottle. This month though, I seem to have developed somewhat of an obsession with it! I spray it in very obnoxious amounts. And I love it! It stays on a long time and you can smell it! ( something that I love but doesn't happen with every perfume). It's not fruity at all, like all the other perfumes I usually use. It's quite mature and serious. In a good way.


Pangea Organics Pyrenees lavender with cardamon lipbalm: I got this in my Birchbox. Its HUGE( 7g). It's super moisturizing, soft, contains antioxidants and is organic. I'm sold.


Nivea Chantal Thomas lipstick in Pink Baby Doll: I got this a while back( not even sure they still make it) and never really paid attention to it. It's a crazy looking neon fuschia pink. I ADORE the color! The real reason I have been wearing/ been able to wear it is this. I slather it one ( quite thickly) blot once or twice with a tissue. Result? A bright pink (but not neon) matte lipstick that lasts about 5 hours ( or until you eat/drink). 


Sephora Eye Brightener: It's an exact dupe for Benefit's Eye Bright. Been using it as a brow highlight and inner corner. The usual. Really brightening and subtle. 


MAC False Lashes mascara: I have always been quite a mascara whore. Opening one every week and never truly using one mascara itself. Plus mine never dry out so I was not seeing the end of it. But I bought this thinking I would try it, and use only this ( in the back of my mine I knew it was impossible). Funnily enough, it's exactly what I have been doing. I really like! It makes my lashes longer, thicker and not clumpy at all. I probably won't repurchases thought, because I already have a list of mascaras I want to try building up in my head. 


MAC Taupographic Shadestick + Chanel Ombre Essentielle in Safari: Been wearing this combo a lot this month. It's simple and chic. Not too smokey but still has some subtle darkness that I like. It gives this icy brownish taupe look. Gorgeous and super quick! 


Chanel Joues Contrastes in Tempting Beige: Great everyday blush! It's a pinky beige that just adds a bit of color to the cheeks in a very delicate way. I was looking for a natural, barely there, everyday blush and I think I just found it! I love Chanel's Joues Contraste, they are possibly my favorite blushes. Plus all Chanel product just smell soooooooooo good of roses!


Chanel Trapeze nailpolish: I know what you are thinking: ANOTHER CHANEL PRODUCT? Yes, I know. I've been bad. But I have been looking into the brand and the products are just so amazing! And totally worth the price, in my opinion. Anyway, this is another product stolen from my awsome mom :) I have never been one for nude nailpolish. I don't think  I have ever worn nude nail polish, ever, actually. Until now that is. I don't know why but I have been getting really into it. Yes this is my idea of a nude nailpolish. It's beautiful, subtle (seeing a pattern already?) metallic, greyish beige. It lasts about 3-4 days without chipping too! It has been on my nails almost all march!

L to R (top row):  Eye Brightener, Taupograpic, Nivea lipstick, Chanel blush
L to R (bottom row): Chanel Safari e/s,  Safari+Taupographic combo

Swatch of Chanel Trapeze

What have you March favorites been?


The BeautyFull Mind...

How I saved my hair

My hair is mad. It has been a long, dry, cold winter and it's getting sick of it. Naturally, I am the one that has to pay the consequences with almost daily bad hair days. It's dry, it's brittle and it's just plain bad.

Thankfully, my mom was noticing the same thing with her hair and decided to look around and give it back some life. After some little shopping around she finally found the products that saved my life! 

Oh! Jurlique Arnica Mint Shampoo and Moroccanoil Intensive hydrating mask! How much I love you! I usually do not show any specific love or devotion to shampoos and conditioner. They wash and detangle. period. Well I rest my case! These took my hair from a bundle of hay to being silky, shiny, soft! Never will I let these go! Not during winter at least!


Granted, these aren't exactly mine, and my mom now labels me at "Shampoo stealer" after the numerous times I kept these hostage in my shower. Oh how many times the last 2 weeks I have heard her screaming after me when, mid shower, she realized I had once again took them away and forgotten to bring them back. But they are just so amazing!


The shampoo is actually a daily clarifying shampoo with as the name says contains mint and arnica. Now I would usually be a little skeptical about using a clarifying product more than once every two weeks, simply because I don't want my hair to get used to the clarifying effect. Yet, the results were so nice I couldn't resist! Plus it smells MARVELOUS!


The conditioner, well, mask is a  thick white consistency, like a cream. I have never seen a product this hydrating. I apply it just on my ends and about 3 inches up ( higher would grease it up). Once again it smells delicious!


So here is how my winter hair went from greasy roots and dead, split-ended looking ends to a soft, silky and shiny mane!


What have your winter hair savers been? Ready lock them away for the hotter months? hopefully.

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An oil? On my face?!

So I am 'subscribed' to BIRCHBOX (although their customer service isn't great. at all. But that's a whole other story). Anyway, in my last box, I got a sample of POMEGA5 Regenerating Concentrate. When I first saw it I thought "well here's one product I will never use..." 
But, for some reason my skin has been extra dry and sensitive recently, probably because of the yoyo-ing weather. And on top of that I broke out. Anyway, I looked up the product, and on the website they put it in their anti-blemishe kit, so I decided to give it a try. 
Oh how happy I am that I did! 

First of all, here's a little info on the product itself: It comes in a pot with little yellow capsules. Each capsule contains an lightweight oil (suitable for every skin type) full of omega and fruit oils. It rejuvenates, nourishes and brightens the skin. It has no parabens, petrochemicals, synthetic fragrances and dyes. Plus it's completely organic. You are supposed to use it two times a day, personally I  use it just once.


I put this one night, as my skin was really acting out. I woke up the next morning and to my amazement it was much better! Now, my pimples were not completely gone, far from it, but they were slightly reduced and a lot less noticeable. My skin is brighter and dewy looking. 


Although I really like it, at 48$ for 30 capsules I'm not sure I would purchase the full jar. I'm not sure it's completely worth it. It's nice but no MIRACLE and I'm sure with some essential oils I could recreate similar results.


The BeautyFull Mind...

How to- Spring Trend : CORAL

Helloo!

I'm sure you have all seen the colorfilled runways for Spring. I personally love it! A very IT color this year ( and last year too, I think) is CORAL! Now it's not necessarily the easiest color to wear for everyone! I personally quite like it because it brings out my blue eyes. 
I thought I'd give you guys a quick run threw my go to coral products and wearable ways to wear the color!

My favorites are :

 Revlon Colorburst lipstick in Coral: I have mentioned before Revlon Colorburst are my favorite lipstick. Creamy, long lasting, very pigmented. This coral is great, it's not too orange-y, not to red.

Mac Coral Crepe Paintpot: This is more of an orange-y coral but I love it none the less. I got it recently and feel like I will be using it a lot during the Spring/Summer. Great for blue eyes. 

MAC Joie-de-Vivre cremeblend: Once again a recent acquisition. I'm sorry I know a lot of these are discontinued but maybe you can find similar shades. I know Illamasqua's Rude Cremeblush is similar a little peachier though. This is more of a pinky-coral. It gives a very nice flush and lasts a decent amount of time. 

LIPS:

Excuse the akward face

Something I love to wear when the hot months are around is bright lips! I pair it with a fresh face and just a coat (or two) or mascara. It works great for day or night. To keep it casual, keep the face bear, and apply the lipstick from the tube: swipe it or dab it if you want a more toned down lip. Applying it straight from the tube will make sure it's not too perfect. 

Cheeks:

Once again, akward face!
Got to work on that

 Another way to wear Coral is on the cheeks! A nice bright blush is always an instant pick me up! I think Coral suits most skin tones, you just have to find your right shade. I like this pink-y one. I apply it on the back of the cheek and cheekbone, so I don't end up looking clownish.

Eyes:

 

Now, this is more of a nighttime look but I think it's a nice alternative to the usual smokey eye. I used Coral Crepe paintpot all over the lid and blended above the crease, a lot of black , smudgy liner and very voluminous lashes ( MUFE Smokey Lash). It is quite orange-y but I like the contrast with the black liner, it gives it that grunge, messy look! (Sadly it did not transfer very well on picture)

If you want a more natural alternative:

If bold lips are too much, just use a bright gloss. I like Buxom lips in Bambi. It's not too sticky and has a little tingley effect I like. The coral -pink is more natural but still very nice and brightening.

 For a more daytime, less in-your-face coral eye look this is what I do. I create very slight definition in my crease with a brown one or two shade darker than my skin tone ( I used UD's Naked). Then I apply Mac's Firecracker ( a shimmery, reddish coral) to my lid. I use no liner whatsoever and opt for a lengthening mascara that gives clean definition. 

So will you be sporting the Coral trend this Spring/Summer?

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Brand I'm lusting for...

Exams done. I am finally back. 
I am watching AModelRecommends' new video about Becca Cosmetics  (watch it here ) and I am slowly falling in love with the brand! 
Recently I have see it everywhere and it is becoming more and more tempting to try it! 
It is on the pricey side which sets me back every time I have a chance to get something but I will FOR SURE try some products when I go to the makeup show! 
Until then here are the products I have my eye on: 

Luminous Skin Color: AModelRecommends says this is the brand's "holy grail" type of products. It is supposed to even out skin tone, make it more glow-y and healthy looking. Sounds like just about everything I'm looking for :)

Shimmering Skin Perfector: I have heard so much about this! It's a luminizer that apparently looks completely flawless and natural, like your skin is actually glowing from beneath! I really like these kind of extra oomph that you can't really identify. For the skin at least. 

Eye Tints:  They are supposed to be a sheer, natural looking cream shadow that is water resistant, crease resistant. It sets as a powder and doesn't move after. They seem really nice for quick, on the go eye fixes. Heard alot of good things of Baroque. Gilt and Vicuna sound very nice too!

Beach Tint: Now I haven't heard a lot of hype about this products but I found it on the website and it looks pretty good. Its marketed as a water resistant, streak free, non greasy and non drying lip and cheek tint. Once again sounds great for those of those quick on the go makeups. Or once again those no-makeup makeup looks. Which is Becca's whole view of things! 


Did any of you try Becca ?


The BeautyFull Mind...

TAG: How much does your face cost?

Hello! 

Image source: Sheknows.com

Sorry for the lack of posting, I'm full into exams and it's a little bit hectic.
So I use this little time out to write a quick post. I have seen this TAG originally on Charlotte's blog and found it quite fun. And alarming! I thought I didn't wear too much makeup, recently at least, but my eyes were getting bigger with amazement as the list grew and grew. Haven't found out the amount yet, but shame will probably part of this little experience too. So here it is, my face:

-Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist - $31
-Garnier Moisture Rescue SPF 15- $7.99
-MUFE Camouflage Palette- $36
-Garnier Skin Renew Anti dark circles tinted roller- $11.39
-Chanel Soleil de Tan- $48
-Nars Smudge Proof eyeshadow base- $24
-Mac Painterly Paintpot- $16.50
-Naked Palette- $44
-Maybelline Expert Wear Brow Pencil- $1.50 ( $3 for a pack of two)
-Elf Wet Gloss Lash&Brow- $1
-Mac False Lashes Mascara - $18

And the dreadful total is :

$239.38

Okay, I'm ashamed. Especially knowing this is only my everyday essentials.. *blushing*

I will have to do better from now on. Please tell me I'm not the only one and you guys also have a rather ginormous amount on money that goes into getting a decent face every morning?

The BeautyFull Mind...

 

"Feburary Snapshot"

Hello!

I was wondering what to include into my Feburary Favorites as I didn't want to always mention the same products and bring something new to the table. In my roaming, I was saw this post on Beauty, Bows & Brogues, and thought it looked like a great idea! Tell me what you think about it! Traditional? Snapshot? Maybe a bit of both :)

Now, I repeat what everyone keeps on saying EVERY MONTH : "Omg [insert month] on by soo fast!" We all feel the same way. I feel like the older we get, the faster times goes by. A little scary i think! 

Listening to: The Drums, Neon Trees, Two Door Cinema Club, Mumford and sons, Crystal Castles.

Reading: Mostly books for school such as The Canterbury Tales, but I am attempting to start The Scarlet Letter. I love old classics!

Watching:  Skins UK (<3), 90210, Pretty Little Liars, Gossip Girl, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice. Yes I am a little of a tvshow-oholic. 


Buying: I have gotten back to buying a little makeup this month (hadn't in a while). But I'm finally realizing I WAAAAAY enough ( about 15 lipsticks, 10 blushes, 30 eyeshadows too late). So I'm off it again. until the IMATS at least :) 


Wanting: MY IPHONE BACK! ( got stolen), Macbook Pro (getting into the whole Apple craze a little), and Clothes! 


Trying: To do my best in school and considering trying bright make up. And update this blog more regularly.


Loving: Bronze skin and brighter cheeks. Bedhead hair. 


Planning: My summer! I want to go to London see my friends and do a course or something. Open to suggestions! :)


Making: Nothing particularly exciting as of the moment.


Writing : more often on this blog--hopefully. 


Inspired by: other bloggers that I love reading, make up artists. With fashion week  after fashion week, I'm kind of in a phase of amazement at their work!

Image source: Tmblr

The BeautyFull Mind...



 

Favorite blushes.

I recently have discovered a certain obsession of blushes. I don't wear some everyday because I naturally blush ALOT already and don'y necessarily want to highlight it. That said, I love blushes and found that recently, I want to buy every single one I see. Not a very good thing I know. This is how my blush collection keeps on growing, for  better or for worst. 

I though I would a little look at my favorite blushes. I chose only the ones I had for a while and actually used more than 2 or 3 times so that the verdict would be fair.

From Left to Right:

 Chanel Joues Contrastes in Espiegle: I got this for Christmas and I adore it! It's a very nice true peach with gold shimmer. Its pretty sheer but builds up marvelously. It gives a really nice glow to the cheeks! 

ELF Warm Bronzer: I had this lying in my drawers for a couple of months and for some reason never actually used it. Well I'm sure happy I finally did! It's a blend of brown, highlight and pink that gives a gorgeous gold glow-y color! Great for winter when my skin is super pale and everything else makes it look muddy.

Chanel Soleil de Tan: Now, this isn't the first time I talk about this! It's a great mousse consistency. Great color. Great everything! Except the price... I have finally found a brush that doesn't shed and applies it correctly! Sonia Kashuk # 16! I highly recommend it, I seriously think I will never run out of this.

Nars Douceur blush: It's a dirty rose matte blush. I don't think anything looks more natural than this. It's rather brown-y and works great with many skin tones. That said I'm not sure it would show up too well on darker ones. 

Bourgeois Rose Coup de Foudre: Ah those famous little round pots! How much we praise them! This one is no exception! It gives a very discreet flush to the cheeks. This slight shimmer gives a lovely dewy-ness to the skins. It makes you look ( as the name says coup de foudre = love at first sight) like you are in love. This is definitely my go-to blush. It never goes wrong!

Illamasqua powder blush in Lover: A true pastel peach that turns the slighly-est pinky on the cheeks. I think this was one of my first blushes that I got last year. You only need the slightess bit because it is so damn pigmented! It's similar to Chanel' Espiegle but completly matte, a little darker and a lot more opaque. This one holds a special place in my heart. I love Illamasqua blushes and definitely want to purchase more!


Guerlain Terracotta Light in 02 Brunette: I got this about two years ago on a trip to Greece, in duty free. It's such a great bronzer! It's on the darker, more reddish side so I definitely keep this for when I'm more tanned. 

Illamasqua Cream Blush in Rude: I got this after seeing Pixi2woo's video comparing cream blushes. Boy was she right! First of all this is a great color, a kind of true coral : beau-ti-ful! I pair it under Chanel's Espiegle to intensify it and give it more staying power, I think it is my favorite blush combo! It's not too greasy and stays on forever. I swatched it last night for this post, and this morning after a shower and multiple hand washing it was still there! Once again EXTREMELY pigmented, a little goes a long way.


Onto some swatches! 

From Top to bottom, rows left to right:
ELF Warm Bronzer, Chanel Soleil de Tan, Bourgeois Rose Coup de Foudre (darker in real life), Nars Douceur (pinkier in real life), Chanel's Espiegle, Illamasqua's Lover, Guerlain Terracotta Light, Illamasqua's Rude.

What are your favorite blushes?


The BeautyFull Mind...