September favourites, updates and wishlist

 

IT COSMETICS Your Skin but Better CC+ SPF50 UVA PA++++

Fair Ivory

My first choice for a base when I know I'll spend a lot of time outside. I pick up bit mostly because of the added benefit of SPF, but it also looks so nice on the skin, has great ingredients in general and covers a lot. Shade isn't my best match, but I blend it into the neck. 

CATRICE Lift Up Volume & Lift Waterproof Mascara 

010 Deep Black

I wasn't a fan of this initially, but it got better in time and I mostly like it because it defines the lashes so nicely. It needs building up if you want big lashes, but eventually you get there and it keeps my lashes sufficiently curled, though it can't compare to Essence I <3 Extreme waterproof (though it wins in category of definition and easier application, since the brush isn't as clumsy). I also just tried the new Essence Lash Like a Boss Mascara waterproof and Catrice's is so far better in how it makes the lashes look, however, Essence's holds them up with less drooping through the day.

CATRICE Shine Bomb Lipstick

040 Secret Crush

Though it's not a matte, very long-lasting formula, I liked this instantly because the shade is a beautiful neutral that suits my skin tone. Formula is creamy and moisturising, though not very shiny despite the name. 

LIP SMACKER Lippy Pal Lip Balm

Cuddly Cream Puff

I showed you the Unicorn one last time, which was taken from me by a child (entirely unexpected given how it looks), so I went to repurchase it and realised it's either not in stock or sold out completely. I got this instead and I love it even more. It has the same super creamy, nourishing formula, but instead of fruity it smells similar to The Body Shop Vanilla Pumpkin body butter, so like vanillary-almond goodness.

SECHE VITE Clear Dry Fast Top Coat 

This is my favourite top coat and the only I’ve been using for many years. I’m not a patient woman when it comes to painting nails and this dries the nail polish in a minute. That’s the only thing that matters to me. It’s hard to find in recent years (those that are shipped to Slovenia), but I managed to get backups (on eBay), so I'm good for a while. Formula thickens before you can use it up, so I have Seche Restore drops too. Before I found this, I was using Essie’s Good to Go, which is similar, but SV is quicker. 

 

 PUPA Vamp! Scented Nail Polish Gel Effect 

203 Sensual Red

This has been on my nails all month. Not because it's long-lasting because that's its only weakness (it generally lasts ok if you don't do heavy manual work), but because I love the elegant cool-neutral red shade. It has the added benefit of smelling like perfume for the first 1-2 days - this one has a rich floral-patchouli scent (I have real perfume version too).

AFRODITA Young & Pure Line

I don't get spots often, but when I do, I turn to this line. Particularly the mask is the workhorse of the line, as it helps the spots diminish faster, plus adds a glow to the skin due to niacinamide. I just leave it on the skin for an hour or even more, as it doesn't have anything that needs to be washed off fast and it's clear, so you don't look like a weirdo with a green face (but you have to wash it off because it's a sticky gel). The toner is light as water and also has a lot of niacinamide and Hydra Power Moisturising gel is almost like a silicone primer, so great for under makeup. Only the spot gel is not as good as COSRX patches, but it's alcohol free, which is very rare at such products. I forgot to include the mousse in the picture, which I use daily in the evening. 

SHISEIDO Urban Environment Age Defense SPF 30

I've used several different new and not new to me SPFs this summer, but this is the one I most loved to reach for. It's such a lovely texture - it’s light and watery, very similar to Garnier Ambre Solaire Fluid, but somehow feels silkier on the skin, so it’s even nicer. It looks and feels great on the skin, with a skin-like finish and just a touch of glow (not that typical sunscreen glow). Skin looks smoother with this and pores look somewhat diminished too. It’s dry to the touch quickly and it doesn't irritate my eyes. It has a slight tint to it, but in pale shade and it doesn’t have coverage. I still don't know where I'll be able to get a new tube & it's expensive, but I like this. Only thing I wish is that it was SPF 50.

SUBRINA Colour Refresh Mask

Diamond Blonde

Since I became a very light blonde (I use Subrina's Charm Super Cool Toner now), I find that my collection of intense purple shampoos can quickly overtone and leave my hair kind of greyish, so I've been turning more to this. I can control how much product I need to mix into my chosen mask or conditioner (this can be used on its own or mixed with a clear mask from the same line, but I'm specific at hair care and use more heavy duty stuff. This can be mixed in any formula). It tones well and the shade is a nice ice-meets-pearl blonde without looking too ashy. I eyeball the amounts, but I don't need that much as this can overtone quickly too if I don't dilute it, so one tube actually lasts a while. 

By the way Subrina just released their purple shampoo and mask, the latter is more lavender than this, so lighter.

UPDATES

ICOSIGN Lash Lift Eyelash Perming Kit

I bought this a while ago, it's an at home lash lift kit that's got great reviews on Amazon. First try was a complete waste of time. The glue just wouldn’t hold and the rest did nothing neither, so my lashes remained straight. I’m really bummed about that. I followed the video instructions and did everything I'm supposed to, but results were just not there and I suspect it's mostly the glue that's the issue. I’ll maybe give it another go with my Kiss false lashes glue and the smallest pad (I used large and then medium on the other eye when I saw no effect), but so far this disappointed me majorly. It also took so long to do, much longer than I expected. As a plus I can say there was no irritations nor (instant or so far visible) damage to the lashes.  

CATRICE AirBlush Glow & Matt

While I'm not loving the shades of either of these (Spice Space & Cloud Wine), I'm impressed with how well they last on the cheeks and they're some of the best I've tried in that respect, certainly from the drugstore. I wish they blended easier, though it's not that bad and the formula is smooth. Glow version could be more glowy, but a layer of Catrice's highlighter Oil-Infused Glow Lover highlighter over it

 creates a natural radiance that I like.

CATRICE Kohl Kajal

010 Ultra Black and 080 Dive Love Olive

These are a part of the new releases by Catrice and they are decent offerings for the price. Black eyeliner works well in the waterline and lasts, while the Dive Love Olive is a gorgeous golden green shade.

WISHLIST 

ANNEMARIE BÖRLIND Lip Oil Orange Blossom (LE) - I've had Clarins' Oil on my wishlist for ages, but no one took a hint at what I want as a gift for my birthday, since I don't want to pay that much for it myself, but I saw this in Müller and tried the tester on my hand. They feel similar, though I'm not sure they feel like that on the lips too, but this is cheaper and I'm seriously considering getting it. There's also a red version. 

E.L.F. Halo Glow Liquid Filter - I hear great things about this. Apparently it's a better version of Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Filter, which I own and I just don't find it that good nor special to justify the price I paid for it (discontinued Catrice's Glow & Care Primer was nicer). This is said has more coverage than CT, but a similar glow.  

TOO FACED Born This Way Super Coverage Multi-Use Concealer - I just love the BTW foundation more and more, so I'd like to try more of their products. This is a concealer that "matches" the Born This Way original formula. 

TOO FACED Hangover Pillow Balm - a balmy lip gloss I hear it's good. There are several shades and mini versions - I'd love a mini. 

TOO FACED Too Faced Limited Edition Too Femme Blush Butterfly Babe - a super glowy pink blush. 

E.L.F. Power Grip Primer - another product I hear good things about. It's described as a similar product as the famous Milk Grip primer. 

L'OREAL Color Riche Intense Volume Matte Lipstick - these are new in drugstore here - they're matte, so just up my street. I'm a fan of L'Oreal lipsticks, they are a bit underrated in the beauty community, as none I've tried disappointed me yet. 

NIVEA Lip Oil Rosé - I spotted this a while ago in the drugstores and I find it interesting. I'm hoping it's as nice as Essence's, just without the pH changing tint that annoys me. 

L'OCCITANE Almond Shower Oil - I used to buy this all the time, but it's a luxury item so I obsessively saved it, even though the rich, creamy texture is perfect for dry skin. I might buy a new bottle again, or one of the two other ones I haven't tried yet, Shea Butter and Amber Almond.

MOROCCANOIL Smoothing Conditioner - I absolutely adore the mask from Smooth line, but it's insanely expensive. It occurred to me that maybe I should invest in a cheaper conditioner to see if it's smooths the hair like the mask. I have this ingrained aversion to conditioners, as I always think they are too thin and don't work as well as masks, but La Croa's conditioner proved me otherwise.

MOROCCANOIL Dry shampoo Light tones - I have the version for dark hair, which is actually pretty light, so I occasionally use it in a large amount on the roots to hide dark growth. That shade has a warm tone to it, so I'd like to get Light version, since it also has purple tones to tone out yellow. I have L'Oreal's spray for hiding roots, but while it worked when I was a darker blonde, it's too yellow for me now and dry shampoo is a better option. 

Posted in: Skincare