Shopping My Stash / #5

Still pretty keen with mineral foundation lately - I find that the Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF30 + Laura Mercier Mineral Powder SPF15 in real sand are the perfect combo!

For the base, I also used Stila One Step Correct Colour Corrector to even out skintone and Topshop Blush in butterscotch as an highlighter. I hit pan!!! I don't think it has ever happened before - I do love this item and I will have to limit the usage now, since I think it's discontinued. :(

Finally added a touch of Neal's Yard Remedies Mineral Blusher in 54 peony which is an iced pink and cool toned.

For the eyes I went with this FOTD look, using Rimmel Scandaleyes Eyeshadow Stick in 003 Bad Girl Bronze on the upper lid and Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in 014 Bright Blue on the bottom; I like the motorized brush of the Bourjois Volume Fast & Perfect mascara but I think it's a bit drying and hard to remove.

The lip were effortlessly simple with 100% Pure Lip Glaze in peach bellini.

What have you been wearing lately? :)

New In / L'Oreal Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution

I'm a regular user of the Bioderma Micellar water but I'm glad to see more brands releasing their own version. I've been recently testing the L'Oreal Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution* and at first, I couldn't really see any difference from my regular remover. I was pleasantly surprised with the performance, it didn't upset my skin and at a cheaper price.
Until one day, I used the No7 Stay Precise Liquid Eye Liner - this bad boy is mean to remove. I started with the L'Oreal product on one eye but it just wasn't cutting it. So I naturally decided to do a comparison test and use the Bioderma on my other eye. Well, the difference was remarkable: a little soaking needed and much less rubbing, too. I had to use the Bioderma to finish removing my make up on both eyes, because I honestly felt uneasy with the rubbing and paranoid to pull off all my lashes.
Don't get me wrong - it's a good micellar solution, well priced and easy to buy on the high street... but it's not Bioderma!
After that, I started to notice the difference even with my everyday, minimal make up; It's not that great after all, it takes longer to dissolve creamy shadows (like Maybelline Colour Tattoos) and it pretty averagely removes your mascara.
Personally, I think Bioderma is the real deal but I'm definitely interested in trying more Micellar waters, too - Any recommendation?

Empties / August

Body Products:

Neal's Yard Remedies Bee Lovely Bath & Shower Gel: I've been saving this up for a while but it has now sadly come to an end. :(

You would think that it smells like honey but it actually has a fresh scent of oranges. It's very moisturising and all round good for your skin. Also for a good cause - Full review here

Repurchase: yes.

Sally Hansen Moisturising Polish Remover: I really like this remover! It contains Pro-Vitamin B5 and it does deliver on the moisturization part because it doesn't dry my cuticles or leave my nails flaky. This bottle also last ages and it's well priced at £2.45.

Repurchase: yep!

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Speed Dry Drops: another Sally Hansen item and favourite of mine. This product also lasted a long time, so long that I think it's actually discontinued now... what a shame! They do the top coat version but I prefer the drops, really. Easy to use and never had any issues with nail polish smudging.

Repurchase: I wish! :(

Lush Fair Trade Foot Lotion: Finished another tub - I have already featured it recently here

Repurchase: yes.

Face Products:

Nivea Pure & Natural Cleansing Lotion: I use cleansing milk&toner combo every morning because I don't want to use anything too aggressive. I like the Nivea ones, I have tried a few plus they are not expensive; It's a lovely cleanser but can't say that it stands out for any particular reason but I can't say anything bad about it either. :)

Repuchase: maybe, I like to try different ones too so it could be a while...

Ren Active 7 Radiant Eye Gel: Love this eye cream! It's perfect for summer too because it's a gel and I like to keep mine in the fridge. It absorbs well, doesn't interfere with the concealer and nicely hydrating.

Repurchase: oh yes, this is my third one :)

Omorovicza Deep Cleansing Mask: it's your typical clay mask but - apart from the price - I don't see anything special about it. It's lovely sure and it purifies the skin nicely, but I can name another half a dozen masks that perform the same way, without the outrageous price tag.

Repurchase: nope.

Make Up:

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in shade# 5: this is just a sample but here goes my two cents. It's a lovely foundation! It's nearly imperceptible on the skin but it uniforms the skintone beautifully. Personally, I like the dewy look but I still need to powder on top, otherwise it wouldn't last very long.

Why it's not an amazing foundation? Because I've fallen in love with the Giorgio Armani Maestro Fusion Makeup SPF15 Foundation! 

Repurchase: don't think so, I want the Maestro!

New In / Dr. Ceuticals Bodycare

Interesting new releases from Dr. Ceuticals this month!
Dr. Ceuticals Body Tone & Tan* is a firming body cream with an added gradual tanner. I think this product is genius because of his multitasking benefits! You see, I always use a self-tanner before going on holiday and when I apply it, I need to skip my firming/cellulite product because I don't like layering and mixing creams. It's a shame because I feel I need to make a choice... that I really don't want to make.
So you can imagine my joy when the same product tackles my dimples, whist also adding a beautiful glow to the skin. It has really changed my pre-holiday routine and I can now cater for both on a daily basis.
Of course, on top of the active ingredients that help toning the skin, the natural looking tan also disguises flaws and your skin is left looking healthier and radiant.
It's actually ideal as a post-holiday treatment to prolong your tan and easy your way into winter, too.
It comes out like a transparent gel with a refreshing scent and refreshing on the skin; it also dries very fast and doesn't leave any tacky residue, like some self-tan products.

I was also very excited to try the Dr. Ceuticals Hand De-Age Cream*. We all know that eyes and hands are the first areas that can dramatically age a woman and since I turned 30 few years ago, I have been paying special attention to these areas. Hands, especially, can really suffer from everyday simple tasks and the weather - sun or wind - can really affect the appearance of the skin around your digits.

I love hand creams! They are kind of a weakness of mine, I always have few tubes open at the same time and a stash that could compete with the Boots aisle. 

I'm guessing I apply (and re-apply) my hand cream about 6/7 times per day, but I have never used a age targeting one before. The Dr. Ceuticals product helps brighten dark spots, but also works on preventing new ones, thanks to the SPF15; using an hand cream with SPF is particularly important if you drive to work - for example - because the window glass amplifies the rays and the damage. It also improves hydration levels and elasticity and boosts the  regeneration of the thin skin on the back of your hands.

It's too early to see any difference yet, but I can tell you that I have been enjoying using it a lot, especially as a preventive treatment. It appears quite thick and very white (like an SPF?) and not like anything that I'm used to, but it actually absorbs really quickly and doesn't leave any greasy residue.

Have you tried Dr. Ceuticals before? I love their simple and sleek packaging and prices are really affordable, considering how well these products perform!
[More from Dr. Ceuticals here]

FOTD - Saturday Shopping

Face: Murad Skin Perfecting Primer Dewy Finish, Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in shade 5, Giorgio Armani Master Corrector in pink, Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer in medium, Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral SPF30, Clinique Fresh Bloom Blush in 1 peony, Benefit Sun Beam, Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel in 65 Sable d'Or;

Eyes: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, Clinique Brandied Bronze Palette, Revlon GrowLuscious mascara, Max Factor Liquid Effect Pencil in black fire;

Lips: Nars Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in mexican rose.