My July 2015. Favourites

As far as I am concerned, July was an extremely hot month! Temperatures were just below 40 degrees Celsius and I had to work in a room without air conditioning...

In translation... In order to stay looking somewhat polished, I used very few products which helped me to resist the heat.

I have only three favourites in body care "department".

L'Occitane Verbena/verveine shower gel with fresh citrus scent has its own review on my blog so you can look it up if you want to know more about it, but it is a great and refreshing shower gel that will bring you back to life in high temperatures with its citrus scent of organic and freshly picked lemons, which is also good for your skin and not drying at all. In even less words, you need it! ;)

I already wrote about my love for Balea In Shower body milk, but I couldn't decide which one of them was my absolute favourite and now I know. For me the "dry skin" one in orange packaging  is the best! During heat I don't like to apply thick or too oily body butters/lotions on my skin. They just sit on the skin which can then sweat even more. Not my cup of tea. But then again, I don't want to stop nourishing my skin completely. Well, that is where this "baby" comes to the rescue. It is light but nourishing, it will fight away dry skin but you will forget that you even applied it. Definitely a great summer choice which I recommend you to try.

One more hot weather option was my Victoria's Secret Sunset Flower fragrance mist. Since I bought mine in Dubai when it was released (in spring 2013.), I am not sure if it is still available?! But, if you are like me and don't enjoy wearing perfume in high temperatures but still want to have some kind of signature scent, try a  lighter version of fragrance mist or body splash. It doesn't have to be VS, many widely available brands, like Avon, have them.

Although Caudalie Beauty Elixir is still my favourite and saviour in the morning, since I already included it in my June favourites, I decided to mention just one skincare/also a sun care product in my July favourites- La Roche Posay Anthelios XL tinted fluid with spf 50. I am a year late with my excitement, because everyone was raving about it last year, but I used something else then and made a mental note that I'll buy it next. And here we are, a year later I too am loving it. It is tinted but so lightly that I think it suits everyone. Since I am planning to write its own review, that is all that I will say for now. In any case, a great product which I highly recommend!

And, then there is makeup...which was very basic but I shopped my stash and played with some "new" products very successfully.

Nars palette is my go to travel choice. It contains a blush, a bronzer and four eyeshadow colours one of which is a good enough choice for my eyebrows. But, during July I played with Nars Orgasm blush especially. It is a beutiful coral colour with a hint of pink with a slightly satin finish which is so subtle that it will not emphasise your oily skin or large pores. Perfect! I know that it is a cult product which is well known in beauty community for years, but up until now I wasn't crazy about it. Liked it but didn't experience the wow factor. In July the two of us connected on a much deaper level and now we are in love... <3 + <3= :)

Another "I can't believe I didn't notice you earlier" product is my Chanel (Glossimer) lip gloss in the shade number 87. It was a gift for my birthday from a friend of mine. A nice peachy nude colour with golden shimmer didn't seem very innovative to me, so it lived inside of my makeup drawer for a while. But then, while I was shopping my stash again, I decided to try it out and man was I wrong... This one is so subtle but perfect, especially in the evening. It is an amazing choice for romantic candlelight diners or evening walks at the beach. Your lips will get a whole new dimension. Beautiful! Of course, it looks great during the day, too, but in the evening it becomes almost magical.

Lastly, I have to mention my new born love for avocado. I always loved guacamole sauce but never really ate raw avocado by itself. Well, that changed in July and now I am its true lover... When I read all the benefits avocado has to offer I became even more happy about my new choice. Try it, it might surprise you!

Those were my July Favourites. Which were yours? Do we share some?

Tell me...

Love, beautyandbrains007


For Croatian version of this post click here

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads x28

A few weeks ago, I told you that I am a proud owner of Feelunique's Radiant Skin beauty box and promised you that I'll review products inside of it. I already knew that Caudalie's Beauty Elixir really is a miracle in a bottle, but today I will tell you a little bit more about First Aid Beauty (FAB) Facial Radiance Pads.

Although they are called pads, FAB says that they are much more, a gentle daily renewal treatment.

They also claim that this treatment brightens, tones and exfoliates the skin and should be used in the morning or/and evening after cleansing and before moisturising, on your face, neck and decollete area.

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads contain just the right amount of lactic and glycolic acids to make them safe and effective for daily use. Cucumber and Indian gooseberry tone the skin, while lemon peel and licorice root leave the skin bright and glowing. First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads are free of parabens, harsh chemicals and colourants. These pads are ideal for all skin types, even the most sensitive skin.

My 28 pads come in a travel friendly plastic container, which closes nicely so that your pads keep being new and moist enough from the time you start using them to the moment you use them up (of course, if you are continuously using them).

They first come sealed with a foil.

When you touch them with your fingers you can feel their texture and how moist they are. Enough for you to know that they are performing their thing on your face but not too much, in a way that would be too wet or overwhelming. What I am trying to say is that they are soaked in just right amount of product. :)

They have two different sides. One has some texture, with "ridges", which indicates that it will be more abrasive and rugged, and it is, but it is not rough in any way. On a contrary, it is very mild, so much that at first I was even a bit disappointed because I was expecting a primarily exfoliating product.

...and the other one, a smooth side which is also very kind to the skin. I use the more texturizing side first and then turn over my pad and repeat everything with the smooth side. In my opinion, the fact that both sides are so mild and that this pads don't contain harsh chemicals or alcohol, makes them so versatile for any skin type, even dry and/or sensitive skin.

Because of their softness and lack of alcohol, I wasn't sure that these pads did anything for my skin. Remember, for some reason I was concentrated to get an exfoliating product, which I expected to be more rough (mechanically, becuase they were texturized pads) and chemically as well, with the acids that they contain. But instead I bought a very calm, soft and mild exfoliator that will show its colours during time. After about three weeks from when I started using them, the compliments for the appearance of my skin were more often in my life.

Ingredients: Water/Eau, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Water, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Camellia Sinensis (White Tea) Leaf Extract, Chrysanthemum Parthenium (Feverfew) Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Extract, Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin Orange) Fruit Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Phyllanthus Emblica (Indian Gooseberry) Fruit Extract, Polysorbate 20.

FAB states that you can use them once or twice a day (in the morning and evening), which also shows how mild they are. I used them once a day, as a part of my evening routine, and in my opinion that is enough. My skin is combination to oily and I didn't experience any dryness, but even if your skin is dry and/or sensitive I don't think that these pads would dry it out a bit.

So, you won't see instant results but through time you should the difference in freshness and brightness of your skin. At least I did. I can't say that my pores are fully erased, my fine lines weren't very visible to begin with, but the overall appearance of my skin is much brighter and nicer.

my first time using them was a bit messy ;)

smooth side

This is not a neccessary step in your routine and you don't have to run and buy these pads, but in my opinion, a product like this would be welcome to go through a couple of times a year, every few months. My container came, as I earlier mentioned, in feelunique's beauty box, but you can buy it there separately for 12 GBP- link. If you do, look for some kind of discount code because feelunique always has some special offer or codes going on. There is nothing bad in spending less money. ;) You will need it for other beauty or fashion things in your life. :)

Is this something for you? Have you tried any of the First Aid Beauty products? Any recommendations?

Tell me...

Love, beautyandbrains007


For Croatian version of this post click here

I've been busy... My June 2015. empties

At the beginning of this year I made several decisions concerning my blog... Some of them were that I will be more active on it and that I will publish my monthly Favourites and Empties posts. Since I already published my June Favourites post, it is time for my June Empties!

Not a bad empties bin but it does seem less full than I am used to. Then again, there are many products here which were used and in the end used up, after a longer period of time.

I'll start with my skincare empties. There are three, Caudalie Polyphenol C15 night oil and serum, and Elemis fresh skin/skin glow exfoliating face wash.

Since I mentioned both Caudalie products in my favourites post, it is not a secret how I feel about them. They are extremely good products! Detoxifying night oil convinced me that oils can be amazing even for a bit oilier skin (I am over 30, my skin is combination with oily t-zone which can be dry in its top layer in the winter or really oily in the summer) and the serum is just right for my combination skin. Very light. In warmer months it would be enough on its own for combination and oily skin, but I think that it would be nice for drier skin types, too, in combination with a moisturizer.
Elemis fresh skin-skin glow exfoliating face wash is the first Elemis product that I tried and honestly, it wasn't much?! Too runny for my taste, has some exfoliating particles but all in all, I wasn't thrilled! It didn't make my skin nicer, glowy, it didn't do much for it, so I wouldn't buy it again. Am I through with Elemis as a brand? No. I have to try some other products before making such a big decision.

In some kind of semi-category, there is another pack of Balea makeup removing cotton pads completely gone. LOVE THEM!!!, would recommend them, this is my millionth pack and I will keep buying them!

We are already on haircare. For the first time in several years I am completely out of my beloved Macadamia Deep Repair hair mask (review). This is my HG product, I used up my travel version and decided to take a break from it, just because I want my hair to forget about it for a while. I don't know how long this break will last but I am certain that we will be together again!

There is a colourful group in my bodycare category!

I finished a pack of Balea Super-Max confidence rasors which I buy from time to time because they last me very long. I only shave my armpits, which aren't very hairy to begin with, so it is not like they are up for a challenge, but they do a good enough job for me.

I also went through an Avon Dazzling Moments body scrub which came in a set with a body cream and perfume. As a scrub, this is an OK product. It contains small particles which are more abrasive if your skin is not very wet, but what I don't like about it is its scent. Very strong in a very weird way. I just didn't like it. The perfume went to a friend of mine who loves it, and the cream and this scrub I used to use them up because they were opened and tested already. Obviously, I wouldn't buy any of these again!
Another perfume inspired product in this empties post is my used up tube of Lolita Lempicka body milk. The perfume is probably my most worn perfume in the last few months of the year 2014. and the beginning of this year. It is very distinctive and people rarely say that it is OK. They either love it or hate it. I love it! This body milk was good but nothing special. It came in a set with a perfume but I wouldn't spend my money just to buy this body milk. The perfume is enough if you like its scent!

There is also an empty tube of Atrix Soft Protection hand cream. I use hand cream all they long, no matter the season. I have hand creams around my house, at work, in my car....everywhere. This one was OK but I wouldn't recommend it or buy it again.

And as always, I like to finish my empties post with used up makeup items. Today, I am sad to say that I am out of my beloved Chanel cream/powder eyeshadow in the shade Illusoire. There isn't a smallest amount of it left. All gone!!! I loved it, wrote about it here, mentioned it in several of my Favourites posts and would recommend it all the way. An amazing product!

That was it for June.

What did you go through? Have you tried any of my empties?

Tell me...

Love, beautyandbrains007


For Croatian version of this post click here

L'Occitane Verbena shower gel with fresh citus scent

You are about to read a very light and refreshing, just perfect for a Sunday in summer post. Well, at least in my opinion. I wanted to introduce you to L'Occitane Verbena shower gel with fresh citrus scent.

Prepare yourself for a lot of photos. I enjoyed our photosession waaay too much!

This is how L'Occitane describes it:
"The Verbena Shower Gel has a fresh citrus scent that is loved equally by men and women. Each squeeze of the non-breakable plastic bottle releases the crisp aroma of L'OCCITANE Verbena. Essential oils of verbena, orange, geranium and lemon tree smooth and nurture even the most sensitive skin, and permeate the room with a winning aroma."

A little bit more about verbena....
"Considered as a miraculous plant in ancient times and used in magical rituals, lemon verbena was believed to heal all ills and drive away the evil eye. The Romans used it as a love potion, calling it the herb of Venus. As an infusion of dry leaves immersed in boiling water and left to infuse for about ten minutes, verbena reveals itself to be both calming and sleep promoting. Ideal before bed, it makes an excellent natural sleeping pill. Taken after meals, it aids digestion. But verbena also seduces gourmets when it features in ice creams and sorbets."

For me, this is an amazing choice of shower gel for summer... But, I didn't choose it myself. It was given to me as a gift from a friend. And what a great gift it is!
Then, it was on hold for some time and a couple of weeks ago I tried it. Love was in the air!!! An amazing and extremly refreshing, beautiful, fresh scented shower gel! My 500 ml bottle is huge but with every push of that little pump I am afraid to use it up too quickly. That is how much I love it!!! Crazy.

As I already mentioned, it smells like lemons. Organic, just picked from the tree, yellow looking lemons... Beautiful... The scent offers a clean and fresh feeling on your skin but it doesn't stay on it too long. I wish it would!

When applied, it doesn't foam up a lot but it cleans nicely and there's a silky feeling of it on the skin. I never experienced any dryness after it, on a contrary, my skin is soft to the touch.

In my opinion, this shower gel is a great choice for any time of year but during summer it is just perfect!

Verbena line offers many products like this shower gel, body lotions, soaps, hand cream, fragrance, candle, foaming bath... But this shower gel is currently available on L'Occitane's Croatian website in two sizes: 75 ml (44,20 kn/5.82 Euros/4.13 GBP/6.44 $) and 250 ml (116,50 kn/15.34 Euros/11 GBP/17 $).

All of these shower gels come in plastic bottles with imprinted verbena leaf, and my 500 ml version is the only one which has a very handy pump on top.

If you like lemony scents and are in search for something refreshing, you have to try this! As you can see, I am in love...

What do you think? Something for you? Have you already tried it? Interested? Maybe something else from Verbena line? What are your summer choices?

Tell me...

Love, beautyandbrains007


For Croatian version of this post click here.

My June 2015. Favourites...

Publishing a new favourites post this early in the month is new for me. But, the few products that got to be here were really loved!

I think of myself as a skincare gal and if you follow me for some time now, you have probably noticed that as well. I love taking some me time and pamper myself, so it is no wonder that I am so into face masks. I tried many but until recently, I never reached for Mask of Magnaminty from Lush. I am probably one of the last people who tried it?! But, my verdict is that it is awesome!!! When my face is having some hard time dealing with that time of the month or it is "thanking" me for sleepless nights and bad food, I reach for this baby. It immediately calms my skin down, cleans it and gives me a fresh and glowy look. Since there is more to be said about it, I will leave some details about it for its own post in the future.

Another skincare product that I once again fell in love with is CAUDALIE Beauty Elixir... One would think that it is just some kind of aromatised water but it is so much more... It will wake you and your skin up early in the morning, it will have your pores under control, it will freshen up your overall appearance... and I can't say enough about it! I reviewed it here, in case you want to know more, but honestly our love is growing stronger with each and every single day.

June was an especially busy month for me and I was exhausted and in desperate need of a couple of days off. At the end of the month, I got to "steal" a few days off and spent them on our coast (magical times...), but up until then I was reaching for effervescent magnesium to keep my body running strong.

To keep smelling clean and nice, I used mi trusty Nivea roll-on. I have been using Fresh Natural for years but lately I had a feeling that my body got used to it?! On the other hand, I wasn't ready to part completely from Nivea, so I decided to try a different scent and chose the Powder Touch version. Good decision! We are still in love <3 <3 <3 and I always smell clean and fresh.

Since Nivea roll-on is so good for me, I had a feeling that maybe I am not a very sweaty person, so I tried to go with something more natural and that didn't end up very well. It turned out that my beautiful freshness came from my Nivea, not me. ;)

one done and the other one ready to go

My last favourite is a makeup one. June for me was in the pink and gray shades of Too Faced Romantic Eye palette. I have it for quite some time now but it became my "everyday rotation" product only recently. The whole palette is, like its name suggests, romantic and love/wedding themed, so it would be a great present for a bride to be.

Eyeshadows in it are soft, pigmented and easy to blend. I just love Too Faced brand in general!

Although I said that Too Faced Romantic Eye palette was my last favourite from the month of June, I have to have one more honorable mention...  

Revlon's Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in the shade Crush (review) was once again my day to day companion. I know that I am raving about it all the time but we just have such a connection... When I thought that I forgot to take it with me on a vacation I was abnormally upset and then I knew I have to mention it once again. Great stuff!!!

Those were my favourites... Which were yours? Do we share some or not?

Tell me....

Love, beautyandbrains007



For Croatian version of this post click here