Empties / Summer 2014

Hello chicas!

You may have noticed that I’ve been absent for some time; I haven’t been feeling really well lately but now I’m better and I thought to easy myself into the Blogosphere again with an inoffensive (and overdue) Empties post. ;)

Weleda Wild Rose Creamy Body Wash: I adore these body washes, especially for the shower since they don't foam up a great amount; they are so creamy, don’t dry the skin and last ages. I really like the tube, which is practical for the shower. Wild Rose is not my favourite scent but it’s pretty delicate.

Repurchase: yes, I already have a stash ;)

St. Tropez Gradual Tan Firming Plus: I don’t use self-tan products regularly, but I like to keep a bottle in my stash for special occasions (e.i.: weddings, holidays); this is fool-proof to apply and develops slowly, so also risk-free. It has firming properties - which is always a bonus - a fresh scent and no 'biscuity' at all.

Repurchase: Yep.

The Body Shop Shea Sugar Body Scrub: You can't go wrong with The Body Shop scrubs; they come in all different scents and consistencies. The shea is one of my favourites - love the buttery scent and the sugar particles provide very good exfoliation; it's a tad oily, so be aware if this is not your thing.

Repurchase: Absolutely!

Nip+Fab Bust Fix Plumping Treatment: This was a sample from a magazine and I had been wanting to try it for ages; quite a generous size for a freebie too. The product itself is very pleasant on the skin, lightweight & not greasy and a comforting scent... but it's too pricey in my opinion.

Repurchase: no, because of the price tag.

Nourish Radiance Purifying Cleanser: This is a cleansing milk and it has been a staple in my routine for many many mornings; I like to be 'delicate' in the morning and simply put some on a cotton wool, followed by a toner - no stripping products for me, thank you!

I love that it's 93% organic, which is something that I'm starting to pay particular attention to, lately.

Repurchase: maybe - I really like it, but you can easily find cheaper alternatives too.

REN Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask: This is a lovely mask, but I kinda of find that all REN masks are very similar. This provides a chemical exfoliation, thanks to the acids in it, and it has a lovely fruity/pineapple scent. It left my skin super clean and brownie points for the natural approach too.

Repurchase: probably no - I'm currently addicted to the REN Flash Rinse 1 Minute Facial. 

La Roche-Posay Ceralip: this is a lip balm as strip down as it can get; no perfume, colour - simple wax to sooth and repair the lips. I've been using it on-and-off for over 10 years now... and it delivers! It's also recommended if you suffer from allergies and rashes.

Repurchase: yes.

Shopping My Stash / #7

Giving Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua another shot this week, but still not liking it - so strange, it doesn't last on me more than a few hours and looks awful at the end of the day. :( 

Glad I asked for another sample and never bought the full size.

I also took care to use a primer - Murad Skin Perfecting Primer Dewy Finish - and to set it with Mac Mineralize SkinFinish in medium, but they didn't make any different to the longevity of the product.

I used Bobbi Brown Face & Body Bronzing Duo to contour, 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Blush in plum for a pop of colour on my cheeks and St. Tropez Skin Illuminator in violet to highlight.

Eyes were kept simple with neutral colours from Wet n Wild Eyeshadow Trio in silent treatment. 

As a primer I used Maybelline Colour Tattoo 24hr in permanent taupe, added a bit of Revlon GrowLuscious Lashliner in expresso and loads of Neve Cosmetics Occhioni mascara.

Finally, I went for bright lips to cheer me up in these dark and chilly autumn mornings with CoverGirl Lip Perfection Lipstick in 400 temptress.

Have you tried any of these product before?

Shopping My Stash / #3

It has been so unusually warm in recent weeks so I decided to give my liquid foundation a break and I used Neve Cosmetics Flat Perfection smoothing powder foundation in light neutral as my base. As a primer I used Laura Mercier Mineral Foundation Primer which never impress me, if I'm honest, but seemed the perfect match to use with this pressed powder.

On the eyes, I primed with Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion and then used different combinations from the Ysl Ombres 5 Lumieres Eyeshadows no.11; when I wore the deeper purple shades, I use the new acquisition Kiko Glow Touch Lips & Cheeks in pleasant pink azalea both as blush and lip stain.

When I used the green eyeshadows instead, I wore Mac Blush Ombre in azalea blossom on the cheeks and Deborah Milano Shine Creator Lipstick in 16 pearly plum on the lips

Gosh! That's a pretty palette...

As an highlighter I chose St. Tropez Skin Illuminator in violet - what else??! - and Dior DiorSkin Nude Tan Healthy Glow Enhancing Powder in 02 sunlight - to add a touch of warmth to the skin.

Revlon GrowLuscious was the mascara of choice - mainly because I need to finish it up since I don't really like it; finally, I protected my lips with Softlips which does seem to leave a white cast so I've been using it as a base.

*****
Summer Giveaway Winner is... Sian @ http://www.quitefranklyshesaid.com/
Congrats honey - your prize will be with you soon! :) xxx

FOTD - Grey eyeshadows

top/bottom, left/right: ysl stain, nars blush, pure kajal, nars shadow, chanel shadow

Face: Laura Mercier Radiance Foundation Primer, Make Up For Ever HD Foundation in 117 , Nars Blush in Sin, St Tropez Skin Illuminator in Violet;
Eyes: Chanel Ombres Perlees de Chanel palette (dark grey), Nars Ramatuelle palette (silver grey), Pure Kajal in grey, Bourjois Volume Fast & Perfect mascara;
Lips: Ysl Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain in 17.

FOTD - Clinique Chubby Stick in Mimosa

Face: Smashbox Photo Finish Primer, Ysl Touche Eclat Foundation in BR40, Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer in 07 Warm Light, Giorgio Armani Master Corrector in pink, Benefit Cha Chat Tint, St Tropez Skin Illuminator in Violet, Becca Fine Pressed Powder in Sesame;

Eyes: Urban Decay Primer Potion, Max Factor Liquid Effect Pencil in Black Fire, Soap & Glory Thick & Fast mascara, L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes in extra-black, Maybelline Eye Studio Duo in 62 Mocha Mirage;

Lips: Clinique Chubby Stick in Mighty Mimosa.

FOTD - Business Meeting

Face: Clinique CityBlock Sheer SPF25, Lancome Teint Idole Ultra in 01*, St Tropez Skin Illuminator in Violet, Ysl Touche Eclat in 1, Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer in 07 Warm Light, Mac Sheertone Blush in BlushBaby;

Eyes: No7 Stay Perfect Eye Mousse in Pewter, Ysl Eyeliner Effet Faux Cils in 4 Sea Black, Clinique High Impact mascara;

Lips: Collection 2000 Cream Puff in Fairy Cake.

*I didn't like this foundation at first - too drying - but it's, definitely, performing well in these recent scorching temperatures; this shade is not perfect for me, tho.

FOTN - Mother's Day Dinner

Hello girls! Sorry, I've been quiet - just back home and running about like crazy to sort stuff for the wedding. Hopefully, I'll try do more posts next week... Here is a wee look, in the meantime. :) kisses xoxoxo

FACE:

Estee Lauder DayWear BB Cream in 01 Light

St. Tropez Skin Illuminator in Violet

Mac Sheertone Blush in Blushbaby

Giorgio Armani Master Corrector in 1 Pink

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Ultimate Wear Concealer in 3 Medium

EYES:

Bobbi Brown Sand Tortoiseshell Eye Palette

Soap & Glory Thick & Fast mascara

LIPS:

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in 090 Sweet Tart

I wore my new skirt, bought last week (check here) with a very old top from H&M (this is 6/7 years old but I like how it looks on me) :)

St Tropez at the Oscars

St. Tropez has been collaborating with international, first class events for many years; only recently, it was present for the sixth season in a row to London Fashion Week, making models glow on both at Roksanda Ilincic and Erdem catwalks.

Personally, I got a soft spot for the glamour-ness of Hollywood and I was thrilled to discover that the hottest starlets received custom skin finishing treatments for the red carpet, courtesy of St. Tropez!

It's the fourth year that St. Tropez Light, Camera, Glow! treatment helps these celebrities achieve flawless, glowing skin for the biggest night of the year.

We have the Contemporary Tan seen on Penelope Cruz - the Luxe Tan chosen by Gwyneth Paltrow - or the Pastel Tan as rocked by Emma Stone.

Personally, I chose to try the Vintage Tan: "1940s rich and creamy skin meets a soft 1950s glow"

To master this look, I'm using Gradual Tan Firming Lotion everyday; I start brushing my skin before showing and then apply the lotion on clean, dry skin at night time.

I'm, genuinely, loving this product: what's selling it to me is the fact that it also tone my skin. I, rarely, use a 'simple moisturizer' but always reach for toning, cellulite-fighting ingredients too.

It's, truly, gradual as I started to see some colour after 4/5 days and you don't risk to become too dark too quickly. I'm concentrating on my arms and decollete and I'll keep using it until the wedding to get a bit of colour.

Also, it has a beautiful scent and it never develop to the 'biscuit smell' of many of these tanning products.

The second step consists of Violet Skin Illuminator, strategically applied to get a dusky romantic complexion.

This product is very easy to blend on the skin and because it's used on the red carpet, it's guaranteed to photography well, too - you should concentrate on shoulder and collarbone but it can also be used on the face: cheekbones, bridge of the nose to add instant luminosity!

I chose the violet version which is suitable of every skintone but there's also a rose illuminator (for pink undertone) and gold (for yellow undertone). 

Which is your St. Tropez favourite product?

*pr sample*