Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

Ever since Lisa Eldridge first mentioned Bioderma Sensibio Micelle Solution as her HG make-up removing product that she buys in France, everyone got micelle water obsessed. Including me, of course. In Croatia, Bioderma is easy accessible and although its price is on the higher end of the scale, it is refreshing to have a product on hand, not worrying about shipping costs. Since I started using micellar waters to remove my make-up with, I used up liters of several versions of Bioderma, and deciliters of Vichy and Eveline versions. So, when I noticed this bottle at the drugstore (I bought mine in DM) and for a drugstore price, I knew that it was something I had to try!

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water comes in a 400 ml, transparent, plastic bottle with pink accents.

It is ment for all skin types, including sensitive skin, and it is also mild enough to use it on your eyes or lips. It should remove make-up, cleanse and sooth the skin, and you don't have to rinse it off. It is also stated that it has no perfume, and I really can't smell any.

Garnier claims:

A super efficient and gentle way to cleanse, remove makeup, soothe the feel of skin and hydrate in just one step – it’s not magic, it’s Garnier Micellar!
Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water contains micelles which act like magnets, gently lifting away makeup and impurities from the skin, without the need to rub or rinse. The result?
Beautifully cleansed and refreshed feeling skin in an instant. The formula is suitable for the face, eye area and lips, has no perfume and comes in a generous 400ml size.
How to Use 
Apply the product to a cotton pad and wipe your face, eye area and lips. No rinsing required.

As I already mentioned, it comes in a solid, plastic 400 ml bottle and here you can buy it anywhere (DM, Kozmo, Müller...) at a price of 39.90 kn (about 5.22 Euros/4.37 GBP/7.25 $). If you compare that with a full price 500 ml Bioderma Sensibio bottle, it is much cheaper, but if you compare it with a 1 liter Bioderma ABC-derm bottle which you bought on sale (20% off is quite frequent here) or for a full price, than it is a win on Bioderma's side.

My impressions are great!!! For me this product is more efficient than ABC-Derm when removing my UD eye pencils. The same thing is with my mascara, although I must say that since my Dior Diorshow waterproof mascara fiasco, I 'don't wear waterproof mascaras anymore. My method of removing eye make-up stayed the same. I take cotton pad, put micellar water on it and then place it on my eye, hold it there for about 30 seconds, and then with soft pressure remove everything. No rubbing!!! I don't need any premature wrinkles or lines. I always use 2 or 3 cotton pads for that, no matter which micellar water I'm dealing with at that time.

ingredients

And for my face make-up, I don't stop at the micellar water, no matter the brand. I like my face to be completely clean, especially before going to bed, so I always wash it with water. Just to be safe.

In my opinion, this is a good competitor for Bioderma. I won't stop buying Bioderma Sensibio (which is my favourite), but I will occasionally treat myself with Garnier's version, too.

Have you tried this product? Any thoughts?

Tell me...

Love, beautyandbrains007

Korres- Jasmine Lip Butter

Korres is a greek brand located in Athens. They were first homeopathic pharmacy in Greece- Tzivanides Pharmacy. While still studying Pharmacology at the University of Athens, in 1988., George Korres joined their team. Though sceptical at first about homeopathy, he was soon overwhelmed by the power of natural ingredients. Led by the pharmacy heritage, his knowledge and understanding of over 3,000 herbal remedies and his quest for a more natural approach, he started developing formulations that were first tested on his own friends. As I already said, they use natural ingredients from the native plants in Greece. They chose not to cultivate the herbs themselves, but to cooperate with small farmers and their unions. That way they cooperate which results in better knowledge on organic farming and later using those herbs for their products.

To be honest, I first heard about Korres and their lip butters via YouTube. Everyone was raving about them. And during an amazing sale at HqHair I got mine, in Jasmine, for 4 Euros. Money good spent there! Their usual price is 8 GBP and you can find them at Korres, and of course on sites like feelunique or hqhair, where it is on sale for 6 GBP right now, and if you use a coupon code HQNOV, you get additional 10% off. Shipping included.

When it first arrived, I was surprised by the packaging. Two cardboard boxes that go one in another, hiding a small 6 g/0.21 oz. white pot with a light pink lid. It comes in six different versions and shades: Quince, Guava, Pomegranate, Mango, Jasmine and Wild Rose. Every shade has a matching colour lid, although jasmine is more of a nude tone than pink. But you get the idea!

These lip butters will lightly add some colour to your lips but they are not a substite for lipsticks and lip glosses. Their first and foremost role is to condition your lips leaving them perfectly soft! They should prevent chapped lips and in my case, jasmine really does just that.

Another thing that I love about my Jasmine choice is the smell of it... I am in love with it! I wasn't sure what to expect, but was hoping that it will not have a strong floral scent, since I am not a fan of it. But this, this has a beautiful scent of warm caramel that is just strong and light enough at the same time. The intensity of it will lessen during time, both on your lips and in the pot, but it will never vanish which is a good thing.

And this whole story about jasmine... Stories like the one about the Chinese riverboats that sailed the river Yangtze and offered rich merchants the services of beautiful courtesans who wore jasmine flowers and roses in their hair. Aromatherapists today, following on from the findings of ancient doctor and physicians, believe that the regular use of jasmine essential oil boost self-confidence and helps one break free from the grip of mild depression. Of course, they do not disregard jasmine's asociation with sexuality. It also offers invaluable services to beauty care, as it helps nourish and tone dry, sensitive skin and revive prematurely aged skin.

All Korres lip butters are shea butter based. Shea butter is traditionally added in soaps by African natives to protect the skin and hair from rough climate. It is also used to protect babies and newborns from extreme weather conditions. By recent discoveries, shea butter also protects the skin from UV rays, helps preventing wrinkle formation, soothes irritated and chapped skin, and moisturises the epidermis.

ingredients

I really love this lip butter! When I apply it, I immediately feel more beautiful and pampered. Is it because of the jasmine or that beautiful scent, I don't know? But it is a bit magical... I apply it in the evening, before going to bed, and in the morning my lips are smooth and nourished. But I will also reach for it during the day when I'm at home and want something sweet. Better than eathing a bar of chocolate. For those of you who are more interested in the ingredients of your products, you can read them in the above picture. But this is a natural product, which doesn't contain mineral oil, silicone, propylene glicol and ethanolamine.

It has a soft and buttery texture but without beeing greasy or sticky.  This particular shade is a neutral nude and it will just add a little oomph to your lips. It reminds me of "barely there" lip glosses that young girls use when they are just starting wearing makeup. But who am I kidding? I wear these kind of "shades" all the time!

There is one thing that I think has to be mentioned and it is the fact that it comes in a pot, so you pick this product up with your fingers. Some don't like that because it can be unsanitary but I don't really have a problem with that because I don't wear it in my bag. I just use it at home with clean hands.

And finally... Do I like it? Absolutely!!! I love it and I would definitely buy it again and then again!

What is your fighter against dry and chapped lips? Have you tried this one?

Tell me...

Love, beautyandbrains007

NEW IN!!! 40% off sale at Douglas on selected brands

And here I am again with a new in post. Just in time, after my empties one. Houston, we have a problem! ;)
I hope they will not disappoint me.



After all, it was 40% off!!! Can you blame me?

Aren't they pretty?

I have two new Guerlain products in stock. Guerlain Lingerie de Peau liquid foundation and Guerlain L'Extrait Creme de Rouge intense matte colour. I chose a matte red. It should be more long wearing, like a stain. We shall see.

For the longest time, I've been hearing and reading about Clarins Natural Lip Perfectors. Everyone was really happy with them but didn't like the price. Perfect for me! I got nearly two, for the price of one.

And lastly, I really wanted to try the Collistar primer but unfortunately, it was sold out. I found a way to get over that by buying a primer from ArtDeco. It isn't on the above flyer, but it was also discontinued.

when all unboxed

So, you are going to be reading about all of these.

How do you like my choices? Have you tried any of them?

Tell me...

Love, beautyandbrains007

I've been busy- February 2014. empties

February was short but sweet. I didn't use up a huge amount of products but a few things are completely empty. Well, since I am a person who likes to finish the products that I own, unless they are bad for my skin, hair..., it is not like these are my holy grail products but since I actually finished them, I think that I can really say how they worked for me. And here they are.

not a bad sight...

I finished three body care products. Garnier Ultra Doux shampoo and conditioner for oily hair- with clay and lemon extracts, and Lush- Melting Marshmallow Moment, luxury bath melt.

Since Garnier duo had its five minutes of glory here on my blog, I'll be short. Didn't really like them, but if you want to know more, you can read about them- HERE.

before

Same thing with Lush MMM. Nice thing, totally unnecessary but I liked it. We all need a bit of spoiling and decadence, sometimes.... My post about it- HERE.

But I finished two products which were very important steps in my face routine. Bioderma micelle solution and Eucerin enzymatic wash lotion.

I'll start with Bioderma- ABC Derm, good enough for babbies, children and adults. Ultra-mild cleanser for bottom, face and eyes. I mean, look at it! It is huge!!! Comes in a 1l plastic bottle with a pump at the top, which I personally liked. Since its ingredients were basically the same as in Sensibio version, I decided to try it out. It doesn't contain soap. Because of its size and volume, it is a much cheaper version of Sensibio. You will not be in need for a new bottle for a long time. 1l bottle, when on clearance costs around 70 kunas (9.13 Euros, 7.57 GBP, 12.68$).

ABC-Derm ingredients

It has a different scent than Sensibio, soft baby product scent, but it removes makeup slightly less than the original Sensibio version. So, it is your choice. Value for money-better, size- better, performance- slightly lesser performance.

Eucerin pH5 enzymatic wash lotion is a good product. I got it as a gift with purchase when I bought another product. It comes in a 200 ml plastic bottle and costs around 80 kunas (10.43 Euros, 8.65 GBP, 14.50). It is made for sensitive skin and can be used both as a body and a face wash. Don't be fooled by its name. Although it is called a lotion, it has a gel like consistency, and I used it as a face wash.
Since it is made for sensitive skin, it can be used daily (avoids skin irritation, protects the skin from drying out and doesn't contain alkaline soaps). It is not harsh to the skin (mine is oily) but I wouldn't recommend it for dry skin.

Eucerin wash lotion ingredients

It has a slight scent, not beautiful but not offensive. Perhaps somewhat medical.

There is also a makeup item. I used up a MAKE UP FOREVER MAT VELVET + liquid foundation. I had it in two colors- 30 and 40. Earlier this year in January, I finished the lighter version, and now this darker one, since my skin had its summer tan. I was at a tropical location. Memories....
It is a great foundation for people with oily skin and if it was available in Croatia I would buy it instantly, but since I have to order it online, it will be on hold for now. In the future, when I get it again, and I will buy it again, I will write a post about it, because this foundation definitely deserves it.

I didn't really publish any nails related posts but I've been wearing nail polishes on a daily bases. And I have this empty product to proove this claim.

Aveo nail polish remover ingredients

My Aveo (Müller brand) berry nail polish remover without acetone and containg nourishing oils. It has a strong berry scent, so if you are not into berries, stay away from this one. It does a good job and I would buy it again. Good price. A 125 ml plastic bottle will cost you 5.50 kunas (about 0.72 Euros, 0.59 GBP, 1$).

And in the end a perfume... This is one of my favorite perfumes- Noa Cacharel. Since I am not very good at describing them, I'm leaving a link for you to read more about it, but I would say that it is a very soft, feminine and beautiful scent that I always have to have in my collection.

That was all for my empties... How busy were you?

Tell me...

Love, beautyandbrains007

NET-A-PORTER shopping- Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Radiant Magenta & Charlotte Tilbury Vintage Wamp palette

I am not really a makeup hoarder. Well, not a huge one... But lately, I've been seeing so many products that I just had to buy, that when there was a free shipping deal at net-a-porter, I jumped on the occasion and bought these two babies...

None of these brands are available in Croatia so net-a-porter offers us a good opportunity to try them out. Although, it is always nicer to see the products in person, I browsed through the internet and made my choice. Usually, you will pay 30 Euros for shipping and the parcel will come to you in 3-5 days, but my orders never took more than 3 days to arrive. Eventhough your shipment is secure, tracked and comes to your door, 30 Euros just for a makeup product is too much, so when I see a free shipping deal, then I am buying. And don't worry. The parcel will still be secure and arrive in couple of days just as if you paid for shipping.

It comes in a nice black box with a personal mesage if you want. You choose and it is free. Since this wasn't my first net-a-porter purchase, I can honestly say that you will love these boxes, they are very sturdy and I use them for storage later.

Everything is nicely packed...

And the stars of this story/post are....

Charlotte Tilbury Vintage Wamp palette

And

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Radiant Magenta

I am not going to review them today, this is just a preview of what is coming.

How do you like my purchases? Have you tried any of these products?

Tell me...

Love, beautyandbrain007