Current Likes

Time for a new post! :)

Been neglecting the blog for ever..time to sweep in and talk a little about current obsessions. Let's begin.

1. Neutrogena Deep Moisture Comfort Balm

This stuff is a miracle in a jar. It works wonderfully on my skin, like nothing I've ever tried before. I usually go for thicker, more oily products since aging and wrinkles are my biggest fear. However, this cream is the best thing I have ever tried for hydration and quick absorption. It works wonderfully under the makeup, and that's why it has become my current staple- my skin drinks it up instantly and I'm ready to apply my makeup. Yay!

It has a beautiful, delicate 'creamy' scent, it didn't clog my pores (I've been using it for a while, I guess several months already, the jar is almost empty), didn't cause anything, redness or itching, it doesn't stain my pillowcase (I always apply a thick layer before going to bed), it just works magically and I am so happy I discovered it! Got it from the Carrefour supermarket and it doesn't cost a lot at all (in euros, around 4.20, and in USD, 5.35, which is very cheap if you ask me), especially given the generous size of the jar (200 ml) and the consistency which allows for using a very small amount. 

2. Baby Oil

Currently, Nivea's baby oil and the classic Johnson product, the gel version. I love this stuff. I use it on my body, given that I have one of the driest skins out there, and it did improve the overall condition (especially after being out in the cold, or aggressive treatments such as waxing). I don't even use lotion anymore, since I get baby soft skin after each use (after shower- it's important to apply the baby oil on wet skin, but I guess everybody knows this). My skin is softer, the hairs don't feel as coarse as they did once they start appearing and overall, it's been a major gain. 

The main purpose of my baby oil routine is to condition my lashes. After tons of products, natural remedies, oils and massages (vaseline, borage oil, etc.) I think I found the easiest, no stress way of conditioning my lashes and helping them grow out- I apply baby oil each night before going to bed, alternating between the two brands, Nivea and Johnson's. The Nivea one contains almond oil as well as the classic paraffin (liquid version of vaseline, anyone?), which is a nourishing oil for the skin as well as for the delicate hairs of the lashes, while the Johnson's one is easier to use because it's a gel and I can apply it with absolutely no fuss; not to mention that I find this 'method', alternating between different formulations, to have helped my lashes tremendously. I can't remember the last time I lost a single one, they've become much stronger and softer, and they're significantly longer and thicker despite my constant violence towards them- curling, pulling, false lash gluing, ripping the band off, etc, we all know what happens.

I also use the baby oil to remove my eye makeup, and it does leave a greasy film on the skin but the benefits override this little nuisance. I wouldn't go back to using a typical eye makeup remover, not in a thousand years. 

3. Le Blanc de Chanel Primer

I swear, this is a rediscovered product I have fallen in love with...yet again. Haven't used it in a long time because I remembered it took me a while to apply it, blend it in, wait for it to settle a little, all the procedures. However....this weekend I went out and decided I wanted to have my skin look a little better, and the foundation last longer, so I applied it underneath Rimmel's Wake Me Up foundation (review coming soon)...oh the surprise!!!

It make my skin look so beautiful, emphasized the pigmentation of the foundation, make my cheeks glow and settled my makeup so nicely I didn't even need powder on top; it also lasted for about 10 hours without budging...the makeup that is. Deeply in love with the primer, once again. Will continue using it on every 'special occasion' since it's so expensive...can't wait to see the differences again! 

Current obsession-highlighters

That's my new stage. Came right after the bronzer, then the faux tan, then the bronzer take two, then the perfect blush. Then, it was the concealer phase-phew! thank goodness i'm done with that.

I have several highlighters i love- and own, obviously. Some are drugstore, some are high-end. Current wishlist highlighter-wise- The Make Up Store High Tech Lighter in Venus and Platina.

Venus is a light pink highlighting cream with champagne shimmer, listed as an 'eye lighter' but perfectly suitable for any other areas you wish to 'light' (Swedish description...!). Platina is a gorgeous snowy shimmer that works amazing on the brow bone, cheekbones, collar bones and everything else you want to add sheen to. 

The 'lighters' come in a rather significantly sized jar and, according to The Make Up Store website, are a multi-purpose product: 'This creamy product can be used for many things. Eather to light up and accentuate certain features of the faceor be directly applied on your lips or combined with lipstick or lipgloss. You can fixate glitter with High Tech Lighter or use it as a primer to your Eyedust. You can also mix the product with your foundation for a lustrous effect'.Hmmm! Inneresting!

Here you have'em:

Venus

Platina

 (image from  sminkliz.blogg.se)

So these are on my current shopping list, together with some wonderful makeup brushes (blush brush+powder brush) that are ON SALE (25% off)!!! So i guess tomorrow i'll be a very busy lady, testing, applying, sniffing, photographing (to see what it looks like, flash or no flash, etc). Oh what a happy day!

But i digress.

Here's my list of current possessions and obsessions. I truly like these products, i use them by rotation every single time i put my makeup on and i couldn't imagine not having them. Wearing a highlighter does make a difference!

1. Face Stockholm Highlighter in Dignity

I'd describe this shade as chiffon. That's the first word that comes to my mind, it's a beautiful pearled highlighter with golden champagne undertones. Perfect for every skintone, and the SA kept praising it as their most sold highlighter. Well...i can see why. It's perfect. I love the little classy packaging, the tiny mirror, the consistency, the tiny bit you need for the entire face, the multi-purpose-ness, the shade, everything. Not glittery, not chunky, not way too expensive (around € 17). 

2. Le Blanc de Chanel Sheer Illuminating Base

This is a foundation 'highlighter', a sheer base meant to illuminate the complexion, give a subtle glow and help the foundation glide on. Really great product, it helps reducing undereye darkness, pore size, fine lines and minor imperfections/discolorations. I never tried wearing this without foundation but i've heard many pale-skinned girls raving about this....interesting. It does change the complexion and makes even the most stubborn foundation glide'n'glow, but it doesn't help it last longer. So as a primer, it's not a perfect five stars thing, but as an illuminating base (its purpose), thumbs up for Chanel. Very expensive...

3. Max Factor Pan Stick (highlighter) in 001
My old stick...is a Max Factor! The old packaging, and it bears a '001' label on the bottom...so i assume it's one of the old formulations. That's what it looks like:

....and that's what the old Pan Stick packaging is like:

I think this must be it. I'm not 100% sure, but well. 

It's a beautiful cream stick highlighter, 100% sheen. A little goes the longest way ever (been using mine for years now) and it's perfect for evening do's...collar bone, face, even legs and shoulders. 

4. Helena Rubinstein Fairy Dust in 01 Angel Face

I got this on sale, okay. Loggen in on Makeupalley, one review only. Checked out YouTube and blogs and bam. I found one blogger who listed this as one of her favorite highlighters. The first time i used it i was a bit disappointed- it didn't seem to 'glide' as my other highlighters do. A rather tricky application i finally managed to master- it needs to be carefully and thoroughly applied, circular motions, or buffed in for a maximum effect. Comes in a perfect compact with a soft brush and a huge mirror that's always in my bag. It wasn't expensive considering the sale, but it retails for around € 44. Ouch. 

5. Isadora Diamond Glow in 27 Precious Jewels

Drugstore. Cheap. Cute packaging. Creamy texture. A little goes a long (really). Comes in several shades (a little 'diamond' design inside, silver, pink and bronze shades. Multi-purpose as well, especially due to the shade variation. Perfect for both winter and summer. Great stuff- despite the rather creamy consistency, it works very well with brushes, fingers, cotton buds and everything else you wanna apply it with. Due to the low price and high versatility, this is one of my must haves. I've had mine for more than a year and there's no dip in it. Perhaps a slight slant on the side i usually dab my brush on, nothing visible whatsoever.

Though i'm happy with these (and they're more than i could go through in ten years, to be honest...), i'm STILL going to try Venus and Platina..(and the brushes as well). Maybe they're on sale, who knows? :D

Le Blanc de Chanel Illuminating Base

I've wanted this product for a while before purchasing it...i stumbled across some primer reviews on Makeupalley and there it was.



Now this is my version of the pic, a little more blurry because by the time i got to actually realize the quality wasn't the expected one and try change the settings, the battery died.

It is a beautiful, beautiful frosted glass bottle with a gorgeously massive squared cap with the Chanel logo embossed on. The bottle is squared as you can see, which i love because it's simpler to pack when traveling. It comes with a small plastic spatula to use and pick up the product from the bottle...yep, it doesn't have a pump. Not very happy about it.

This is the 'new and improved' version of the 'old' base that was marketed as Blanc Universel de Chanel.

So this is basically a liquid version of the old white paste in a jar. I must say this version appears to be much hygienic and comfortable to use than the former one...at least they provide a spatula or a separate pump can be used. I can't imagine what it was like to try work with the paste, dabbing your fingers/sponges/brushes in the jar...brrrr. Germs+messy fingers+wasted product=NOT cool.

The rave reviews on Makeupalley were 90% referring to the old cream version...and not to the liquid one simply because the ladies were/are still using the old formulation. It was a bit of a cringing situation for me when i discovered i had bought the 'new' version and not the wonder jar many girls were swearing by, because from my experience, whenever a quality product is 'improved' it usually turns out to be a major flop.

However, though i never used the cream one, i do think the differences between my observations and the ones on forums are minor.

Price: It is expensive like hell. For a small bottle of 30 ml one has to pay around 50 euros but i was lucky and got it from duty free for 29, almost half price off. Yay! As i said, it is going to burn a little hole in your budget.

Quantity & stuff: 30 ml isn't too much but the thick fluidity give the primer/base a creamy consistency. a little goes a long way, it is extremely blendable and easy to work with. So i guess it lasts forever. I've had mine since March, though not using it every day thus not being able to approximate, i can still tell it DOES last a long long long time...my bottle looks untouched and i did use it many times.

What it claims to do: Chanel states it is a 'multi-tasking ingenious fluid' base meant to provide a smooth application of the makeup through its texture; it is also meant to reduce the small expression wrinkles, fine lines, large pores or granulated skin, therefore aiming towards a porcelain complexion.

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What it does: well. It is not very visible on my skin therefore i have uploaded a picture of a model being prepped with Le Blanc. The effect on her entire face is the exact same one on mine, when i use the right amount all over my face.

The primer IS white, but it won't leave white streaks, a white layer or anything in the family. It is like applying 'pearl cream' on your face- you get a ton of glow due to the microscopic light-reflecting particles in it. It doesn't look shiny (as in greasy oily forehead and nose), glittery or tacky. It gives the Jennifer Lopez glow 'from the inside' even when worn alone.

In the pics I have only used it underneath my eyes and blended it downwards on the cheekbones because i sincerely don't want to waste the product and two, due to the specificity of the area- my undereye skin & the cheekbone area are the most troublesome parts that need to be taken care of (undereye circles & spots immediately under). The quality of the pics isn't so high but you can clearly see a difference. The product is basically capable to significantly lighten up your skin and 'erase' undereye circles and fine expression lines BY ITSELF. I have no foundation or concealer on top of it.

It does make a huge difference, and by itself only. The first twenty seconds seem like an eternity because the product must be allowed to settle on the skin and 'work'. The first impression is indeed of having applied whitening glow on your face but immediately after you'll see the difference. It just evens out the skintone, one, two, it makes your face glow in a natural and healthy manner, and three, it does make even the cheapest and chromatically challenged foundation glide on the skin and appear much more suitable to your skintone. It can also be used for lightening up a darker foundation, or as a mixing agent for two foundations, making your own tinted (glowing!) moisturizer or taming down a thick concealer. It is indeed a very versatile product and i don't regret having purchased it.

How to use: i prefer to use my fingertips to warm up the product and not waste so much; never tried the brush or sponge but i guess it's okay to use those too. Very important to remember- you must let it settle in for about 5 minutes; it doesn't change the appearance or the quality of your makeup if you don't, you might only get a little scared by the initial whiteness (which isn't so pronounced after all, but who knows). NO, it will NOT make your face white or lighten up the tone of your foundation/concealer. It gives this impression if applied together with a dark foundation because of the light-reflecting particles, but it won't affect its tone. It will however make your face dewy, glowing, amazingly healthy and smooth. No matter what cheapos you decide to use with it, you'll have a beautiful and radiant complexion at the end of your makeup routine.

It also makes your foundation last longer, no dryness, no crimping in the fine lines, even if you use a heavy-duty setting powder. It's suitable for every skintype, doesn't irritate, doesn't break me out, it's perfect. It gives a nice sensation by keeping the moist in your skin, you literally feel fresh-faced even after ten hours of wearing makeup. The best primer for my Estee Lauder Double Wear, which is a tricky foundation to wear (can dry out the skin).

Therefore...: It is the best foundation base i have ever had, period. Much much better than Laura Mercier, Clinique or the drugstore ones i have tried. I love the fact that the foundation gets smoother and easier to blend; this is indeed a true makeup base. It's worth all the money, it lasts forever, it smells good (a faint powdery-fruity scent)....strongly recommended.

Here are some pictures.

With flash, Seventeen Time Plus foundation on top (shade 05 dark beige):

Without flash (daylight, bad angle):

Happy shopping everyooooone!