My February 2015. favourites!

Monthly Favourites and Empties are one of my favourite posts to read and since February 2015. is behind us (can you believe it?), I decided to write about them. Empties are almost regular on my blog, Favourites not so much but this past month I discovered a few great products that I really want to share with you.

It seems that the number of favourite products is equally divided between beauty (care) products and make-up, but I am starting with beauty products that we all use in order to shine brighter with our favourite make-up products.

Two of them are for cleaning the face, La Roche-Posay micelle solution and ALPHA-H Balancing Cleanser with Aloe Vera, and one is a cream- Murad's Skin Perfecting lotion for combination skin. To be honest, I love all of them!
My evening routine starts with micelle solutions. I tried many and think that I can really say that La Roche-Posay's version is amazing. It has at least Bioderma status (review), maybe it is even a bit better. It removes eye make-up perfectly, doesn't hurt or sting my eyes at all, and it is not drying for the sensitive skin around the eyes. If you are a fan of LRP and micelle solutions, you really have to try this one!
After this first step of cleaning my skin in the evening, I follow it with some kind of gel or lotion that washes off with water. I really like this step. Without water, I don't have a feeling that my skin is really clean.  This ALPHA-H Balancing Cleanser with Aloe Vera was a huge but positive surprise for me. It is a lotion, not a gel, which is so rich that at first I thought that it was some kind of a face lotion that removes make-up from dry skin, but then I read the instructions that said that it is supposed to be used on damp/wet skin and washed off or removed with a wet cloth. I tell you poeple, you have to try it! This leaves my skin so velvety smooth that I don't think I ever tried anything that good. Since both of these products deserve their own review, I will stop here. More information will follow soon on my blog.
And the last face care product is Murad's Skin Perfecting lotion for combination skin that deals with imperfections. This one also deserves its own review and it will most certainly get it. I bought it because it was on sale for such a great price that I couldn't resist, but when I tried it, I was thrilled with how it performed as well. You can read about it here.

And then there's make-up. We have four products in this category. Two creamy like shadows, a blush and a balm stain.

Since I start doing my make-up with eyes, I'll start with the shadows. One of them, Chanel Illusion D'Ombre in the shade Illusoire, was mentioned many, many times on my blog, it even got its place in my 2014. Favourites (here), and if you want to know more about it, I have a full review here. I wore it a lot, which you can see from the amount of product that is left in the pot. I wore it mostly by itself but in February I tried to wear it in combination with MAC's Let's Skate and I loved that combo. I got so many compliments every time when I wore them that they became my February Staple. Let's Skate has a light pink base with very fine golden glitter and Illusoire has lavender base with touch of silver. Together they look magical and last much longer on the eyes than either of them by themselves.

Next one is Hourglass Ambient Lighting blush in the shade Radiant Magenta. I purchased it a year ago and kind of ignored it in a sense that it never got a post on my blog, although I featured it in one of my New In's (here). I just didn't know what I feel about it. But then...this February came, I started using it and fell completely in love. I definitely have to write that review now. (I did write it later here)

And the last make-up product in this Favourites is Revlon Kissable Balm Stain in the shade Crush. It is a beautiful red and purple shade. I wrote about it here, with some other shades from the line. Although I loved this shade from the beginning, it is a bit darker than I'm used to wear and outside my comfort zone, so our first moments together were rare, but then I got so many compliments from different people who convinced me that I have to wear it more often that by time it became my everyday colour.

I am going to finish this Favourites post with a perfume... Let me introduce you to Lolita Lempicka. It was a gift and at first I thought that it will be too strong for me, but then I started wearing it last autumn and everything else is history. It is a stronger and sweet perfume but it smells good on my skin. I got so many compliments when I wore it, and think that it is perfect for colder weather. Since my description isn't exactly great, I am leaving you Fragrantica Link where you can read more about it.

And that were all of them. Penny for your thoughts? Have you tried any of tem? What do you think?

Tell me...

Love, beautyandbrains007

Going natural? Lavera ginkgo and organic grape cleansing face gel and Lavera White tea anti-age eye cream

Last year I was playing around with more natural cosmetics. A lot! So, there was a period when I only used home made natural creams that my friend makes. She is well educated and I liked her creams but I couldn't go completely natural, without all those beautiful bottles that are constantly inviting me to try them. Besides, I am in a constant search of HG products. During that organic time, somewhere at the end of the year I bought two Lavera face products, cleansing gel and eye cream. I found them in Müller at the main square in Zagreb, which has a whole floor of natural products.

Ginkgo and organic grape cleansing gel was an obvious choice because it is ment for combination skin with imperfections.  My skin is combination with oily t zone and large pores, that sometimes has dryness on the top. Also, ever since I discovered Caudalie, I am interested in everything that contains grape.

Lavera claims that this gel will deep clean your skin, which after it stays clean, beautiful and fresh. Ginkgo provides cleanness and freshness and organic grape gives the skin an even look. It should be applied twice a day on moist face and decolletage and lather, after which you should wash it off.

By the lack of the foam, this is definitely a natural and organic product. Its scent is fruity but isn't overpowering, especially when in contact with water. I don't think that many people would mind the scent.

Ginkgo and organic grape gel has a very light almost liquidy texture. It is mostly transparent with a hint of yellow.

ingredients

I used it in the morning and evening every day as a part of my routine. My skin was clean at first sight, especially from any make-up residue but it didn't deep clean my pores. My usual imperfections were still here. This is not a horrible cleansing gel but it isn't revolutionary, either. A 100 ml tube of this gel costs somewhere around 70 kunas (about 9 Euros/6.50 GBP/10 $), so it isn't cheap but you will have to decide if you want to try it or not. In my opinion it is not good enough, at least for the needs of my skin.

My second choice was an anti-aging eye cream with white tea, karanja oil and hyaluronic acid. It should basically help your skin with anything bad, especially sun damage, and hyaluronic acid will keep the moisture inside of the skin. It is free from silicons, paraffins and mineral oils. With its anti-age effect it should leave your eye area smooth and puffiness free.

It is not heavily scented, you almost can't smell anything probably because it only contains natural aromas.

The texture of this eye cream is very strange.

It is  more hydrating than oily, sinks nicely into the skin which makes it a good pre make-up product. A small 15 ml tube costs around 125 kunas (about 16 Euros/12 GBP/18.25 $).

Its narrow top allows you to get just enough product.

I have been using this eye cream for months now, twice a day. Although the rest of my face is more oily, my eye area always needs a bit more nourishment and hydration. Also, I am in my thirties now so I am battling first signs of aging. I don't have wrinkles but you can see that my fine lines are more visible if my skin doesn't get enough moisture and "food".

This cream is, by the claims of Lavera, best for people between 30-40, so that is me, but I wasn't thrilled with it.

My skin is dryer in my eye area than on the rest of my face but I don't have dry skin. While I was using just this eye cream my skin was getting dry, I even felt straining and my fine lines became more prominent.

ingredients

Having said that, if this product didn't provide enough care to my eye area which still isn't very demanding, I don't know if it would do anything for someone closer to 40 whose wrinkles are more visible and skin is really dry.  Since I wanted to use this cream up and find the way to make it work for me, I also treated my eye area with oils in the evening. That combo is OK. I would not recommend this cream to anyone and wouldn't buy it again. Ever!

To conclude... The products that I bought were from two different Lavera lines but I wasn't thrilled with any of them.

For now I am not sure if Lavera and I will ever get back together. Gel was better than the eye cream, but I wouldn't advise you to buy any of them.

Have you tried any of Lavera products? Do you have any recommendations?

Tell me...

Love, beautyandbrains007

LOOKFANTASTIC Beauty Box- February 2015.

Now, after a couple od beauty boxes posts (Lookfantastic- December BB and January BB, Net-a-porter Valentine's Kit), I don't even have to say that I am hooked. Love them and will keep our relationship or fling (I hope not) going... Lookfantastic just adds to my addiction by issuing a new box of beauty products every month. This is what they came up with for February.

I think that you all know the procedure by now, but just in case you were immune to this "trend" until now, I am going to introduce you to this world. You're welcome.

You can pre/order Lookfantastic's Beauty Box every month for 15 GBP (shipping included). Now, they even have a subscription which saves you some money, but I suppose that I want to keep it casual for now because even thinking about the subscription makes me nervous. Don't know why exactly? If you want to play it safe for your wallet, wait to see reviews on that month's box, they usually come out early on YT, but if you want to be sure that the boxes will not sell out, then you can preorder one for yourself. That is what I do and for instance, this month's box was here around 12th of February.

The box itself is white and black with Lookfantastic logo, and you can use it in your household. I use mine for organizing my drawers and closets.

Products are wrapped in grey tissue paper and sealed with a Lookfantastic sticker.

And as always, there is a little booklet with information about products inside the box.

And now to the good stuff. You are getting 6 beauty products.

Let's start with a full size Bellapiere lip pencil in the shade NUDE (no.002). I don't know if everyone got this shade or not, but I am thrilled with it.

Bellapiere is one of the fastest growing mineral make-up company in the world that is using natural ingredients with stunning results. You will pay 17.53 Euros for their lip pencils on the LF site- link.

Another nicely sized product is a 25 ml Morrocanoil bottle (18.42 Euros- link) for all hair types. I am sure that you are all familiar with this product. You can use it for care, shine or health of your hair.

I was thrilled to see a Korres product in this box. A 50 ml Citrus body milk, which is a good size to see if this is something for you or not. Since I am crazy about their Jasmine lip butter (review) but haven't tried their body products, I can't wait to try it. Full size, 200 ml tube of this body milk will cost you 13.70 Euros- link.

Small sized (0.6 oz./17 g) but, according to its reviews, powerful Erno Laszlo's Sea Mud deep cleansing bar is a great adition to the box. With 97% of natural ingredients, this bar exfoliates, cleanses and stimulates. Definitely something for me. For more information you can check this LF link.

Dr. Paw Paw multipurpose soothing balm (10 ml/0.35 fl.oz.) is a first for me. Made from natural ingredients, this balm can be used on lips, skin and hair. I found several versions on LF site and a full sized 25 ml packaging will cost you 9.52 Euros- link

And the last item in February's Beauty Box is MONU Illuminating primer with SPF 15 for all skin types. It smoothes the skin and reduces the appearance of imperfections and blemishes to create a lasting radiant glow. Since I have oily skin and this product in its full size version costs 38.29 Euros- link, this is a perfect way for me to try it out and go outside my comfort zone because I normally don't like the word "illuminating" for my skin.

Once again, this was a great box, and a good value for your money. Whether you'll like the products inside is totally up to you and your preferences, but you get a chance to try them out for less. That is why I will keep this whole BB frenzie for now.

What do you say? Are you also infected or not?

Tell me....

Love, beautyandbrains007

Avon Naturals Shimmering Winterberry & Shea Swirl body lotion

Looking back now, it seems that Avon had its fair share of reviews on my blog recently, but believe me, I am not affiliated with them, I am not even an Avon Lady and the fact that they got their place here is a result of my quite big Avon haul back in October of 2014. So, now I am trying and using up their stuff, and occasionally writing about them on my blog. I was planning to write about a different product but then I saw this lotion in their current campaign marked as a "Last time offering" and decided that this kid needs to have its own place here. Let me introduce you to Avon Naturals Shimmering Winterberry & Shea Swirl body lotion.

Let me tell you a little about it...

It comes in a 150 ml plastic tube with quite a big opening on the top. You can see through it that it consists of two different parts/colours: salmon and beige, and that is where it swirl part of the name comes from. The bottle itself also has a swirl theme. The lotion has very small golden particles which are barely visible on the skin, but they can dazzle you long time after applying it. OK, maybe not dazzle but you will be surprised to see them on your skin after many hours.

Its smell is a beautiful berry with some spices, somewhere in the back. It is very intense but not overpowering and if you are into berry scented body care you will love this one! I DO!!!

I didn't manage to capture the glittery part (it is very subtle)

It has a very light texture so application is extremely easy, although the fact that it is so light doesn't mean that it lacks the power of hydratation and/or nourishing. It contains shea butter and vitamins C and E, which will take a good care of your body skin if it isn't too dry. If your skin is extremely dry, then maybe this will be a bit too light for you.

I don't know if you can't tell, but I really really like this product! First of all the scent is just sweet and fresh enough at the same time, the way I like it. It is very light, not too greasy but offers care for the skin. The fact that it comes in two colours makes it fun for me, and the fact that it also has fine glitter partcles makes it a bit princess like, again the way I like it. A combination of princess and fairy dust but so subtle that almost no one can see it outside your kingdom. Then again..you know it is there.

You can order it from Avon and unfortunately it says there that this is its last time in their catalogue. I paid about 25 kunas for it  (about 3 EUR/2.60 GBP/3.50 $), its full price is 45 kunas (about 6 EUR/4.30 GBP/6.66 $), and it is now marked down to 27 kunas (about 3.53 EUR/2.60 GBP/4 $).

What can I tell you? I don't often get this excited about a body lotion but this has it all for me...

What do you say? Interested? Tried it already?

Tell me...

Love, beautyandbrains007

Caudalie Purifying Face Mask

I love weekends! After a long and busy week it is always nice to have some family and friends time, but also to enjoy some "me" time which includes face masks. Todays choice is Caudalie Purifying Mask.

"Instant purity: this non-drying Purifying Mask purifies and absorbs excess sebum for shine-free skin that feels clean with a clearer complexion.
Apply to the face twice a week for 10 minutes then rinse with water."

Soft clay, zinc and sage clean the skin and grape seed oil provides a more beautiful, nourished, healthy and shiny skin.

The thing that was a bit new to me is that you apply it on your wet skin. I get that that way ingredients will soak into the skin better, and that is probably why it is non-drying, but I had to remember to wet my face every time before applying the mask. 

If you read my blog posts, you already know that I really like Caudalie as a brand. I've written about it before and will most definitely review their products in the future. I respect that they aim to offer natural products without parabens, sulphates, phtalates, mineral oils and all the other ingredients that people more and more want to avoid. I am also impressed with the fact that they are against animal testing but always create really nice products. Their eye and lips polyphenol cream (review) ended up in my 2014. favorites (here) and I found out why Caudalie Beauty Elixir (review) is so popular. I loved it, too.

But this face mask didn't get to sit on the throne with them. Don't get me wrong. This is not a bad product. It calms down the skin and fights irritation and redness, but does that for only a short period of time. My skin is oily with large pores and occasionally with some "that time of the month" spots, and this mask did make my skin more vibrant, but it didn't clean out my pores or remove my spots. So, if you have a problematic skin with breakouts, I would look further. Maybe, this one would be best for dry skin that sometimes goes a little crazy, but not too crazy. Also, don't leave it on the face for longer than 10 minutes because then it can be a little drying.

Its texture is very light, almost like mousse but more consistent, and its smell is a typical Caudalie. Grape seed oil with herbs. Lots of people don't like the smell of their products but I don't mind them

It comes in a 50 ml tube with a narrow top which allows you to get just enough product, and costs 184 kunas in Croatia (about 24 Euros/17.71 GBP/27.21 $). Not cheap but I wouldn't mind to pay that price if this product completely worked for me. In Croatia you can buy it in all Farmacia stores or order it online.

ingredients

I will definitely use it up because it is OK but I will not buy it again. This doesn't mean that my opinion on Caudalie changed. I am just continuing my search for the products that are like they were made for me.

What do you say? Have you tried this face mask? Do you like Caudalie? Which are their HG products for you?

Tell me...

Love, beautyandbrains007