ORIFLAME Giordani Gold MasterCreation Foundation SPF 18 

Rose Porcelain Cool

My skin is still quite dry, so I'm sticking to my moisturising foundations. I made a switch to Oriflame and Essence from Bourjois Healthy Mix primarily because of the shade since both are paler and a better fit for me. MasterCreation is a type of foundation that is very natural on the skin, but that also means the coverage is only light-medium, which actually suits me perfectly because I don't like heavy coverage. It's a lightweight foundation that now that skin is dry it actually sets (it stays sticky on me in warmer months) and it doesn't slip into pores. Shade Rose Porcelain is a great fit for me which is a big plus.

ESSENCE #insta perfect liquid make up 

10 #cool porcelain

The other foundation I've been wearing this month and more often because I know I can get a replacement at any time in a local drugstore when it runs out, so I'm not "saving " it as most others. It's more liquid and has even less coverage than Oriflame's foundation, but otherwise they behave very similarly on the skin. It's far from being the best foundation in our drugstores and I don't think I'll ever consider it a proper favourite, but I greatly appreciate that such an affordable brand carries the palest shade I know so far.

MILANI Color Statement Moisture Matte Lipstick 

Darling 

I've been grossly neglecting this little gem. I used this on a random day after quite a while and this has to be one of the colours that best suited for my skin tone. It just lifts up the complexion and the matte finish makes it look that much prettier. It's a light-medium warm pink that will likely look very different on darker skin tones, but I find it's a great combination of pink and peach without being too bright. Formula-wise this is without a doubt one of the best lipsticks out there. It's such a smooth non-drying formula with a great matte finish. After Colourpop Matte X, these are my second favourite.

ESSENCE The Gel Nail Polish 

56 You and me? and 98 Pure Beauty

This is a last shout out to these two gems because by now they should be gone from the drugstores. Essence replaced this entire line with a revamped formula, which based on first impressions with one of the new shades feels exactly the same, but they changed the bottle to a much less pretty one. I'm not sure if similar shades of these two have been added to the new range (I know they kept their long-time fan favourite Do you Speak Love), but I sure hope they did. This is my second bottle of 98 Pure Beauty and don't ever recall almost using up a nail polish in less than two years, especially considering I do my nails maybe once every two weeks since my nail polish always lasts long (and I find it such a chore), but this is a gorgeous universal nude shade that I reach for most in my stash. 56 You and me is my great regret and not because I dislike it, but because I was stupid enough to walk past it for months/years and never even consider getting it and it has to be one of the most beautiful shades in my entire collection. Contrary to the colour of the cap, it ends up a lot warmer and also a bit lighter on me, so it's like a nude with a twist. I should have gotten a second bottle.

L'OCCITANE 20 % Shea Butter Hand Cream

Is there a better hand cream than this? I really don't think so. It's the cream that you use once and after that all the rest feel too light, yet too greasy. This combines two things I want - a very rich formula and an ability to sink in within a minute or so. Before this I almost never used a hand cream because I find them so annoying, but this is a whole other story. Since it's winter, my skin is quite dry at the moment and my hands that I wash so frequently are taking the brunt. This fixes the problem effectively, without limiting my use of hands for too long and it smells so good too. One tube also lasts forever to me. 

BATH AND BODY WORKS Fine Fragrance Mist 

Chestnut & Argan 

I admit I did not appreciate this scent as much as my beloved Twilight Woods and Brown Sugar & Fig, but it has since grown on me. For me this is the epitome of a super feminine young adult scent with no notes that would stand out and the two mentioned in the name, have nothing to do with this fragrance. Note mention chestnut, argan, sandalwood & musk, but none of these notes really describe this scent. It starts with quite a sweet burst, but then settles to a more creamy, almost powdery type of fragrance. This was discontinued, though it's still sold in some places, but BBW tends to recycle this scent under different names.

MACADAMIA PROFESSIONAL Weightless Moisture Leave In Conditioning Mist 

This was originally a missed purchase that I bought in my search for a Orofluido Sahara replacement. I was going to buy their Healing Oil Spray, but they expanded their range at the time with their Professional line and I thought this too is an oil in spray like Sahara (I've since finally found a replacement in Createurs de Monoi Shine spray). This is a regular leave-in conditioner and it's super light, so from the start I thought this won't do anything for me. Yet the longer I had it, the more I started to appreciate it, especially because of the great list of ingredients which includes keratin in hydrolysed form, which is the best version of proteins. It's feels like nothing on the hair, yet I do feel like it's giving my hair an extra boost of moisture and the mist is so fine, making it easy to spray all over the hair quickly. I think this formula would suit any hair type and it should be great even on those with thin hair that gets easily weighted down. Only thing I had to get used to was a strong fragrance, which isn't a bad one, just more unique than most hair products. It's like an oriental perfume with heavy notes, so in summer it's not so easy to handle. 

MOROCCANOIL Perfect Defense

Another product I didn't appreciate fully when I got it, certainly not as much as the amazing Intense Hydration mask or hair treatment from this this brand. I thought from the start it makes my hair feel stiff, but it must have been something else because it's a weightless mist that's quick and easy to apply. I double up on my protection so I make sure all my hair is completely covered and this mist gets those last spots I might have missed when applying my usual heat protectant by Balea which is in a serum form (sadly discontinued). The thing I truly love about this mist and also all other Moroccanoil product is the scent, which surprisingly I hated a few years back, but now I find it smells like fancy hair salon and I'd so wear a perfume like it. 

L'OREAL Elvive Extraordinary Oil Curl Nourishement Cleansing Conditioner & L'OREAL Elvital Öl Magique Low Shampoo 

Since I dyed and bleached my hair, I'm taking every step to keep my hair in good condition and so far I'm doing well. In order to keep the L'Oreal's Preference hair colour that I used to tone after bleaching from fading, I'm using shampoo less often and rather use a cleansing conditioner. These are great, but especially the Curl Nourishment version which is designed to afro hair is fantastic (I brilliantly managed to break the pump on this gem when it hit the edge of the bathtub at an unfortunate angle, but it still works). It does the job of cleaning the hair, yet act as a great hair conditioner. Though on occasion I follow up with an extra mask just because my hair gets dry fast after washing my hair and by doing this I get an extra day before I need to smoother my hair in leave-in products. I've had the much more expensive Kerastase version and this Curl one is just as good for a fraction of a price. These are also such time savers because I can skip on conditioner entirely if I'm in a pinch.

Coconut Oil

This isn't a proper favourite, but a product I've been using every day on my ends and every two weeks as a pre-wash treatments. I got a pot sometime last month and I'm already half way through. Like I said above I'm doing everything to maintain the condition of my hair, so to keep my ends from drying out I use a small amount of this in the morning. Coconut oil on its own is way too greasy for most people, but if your hair is very dry and thick, it works a treat. My hair absorbs in it a few hours and doesn't make my hair greasy when I use a small amount. I also used it in a larger amount before applying bleach and it definitely made a difference. As a pre-wash treatment I tend to apply it for several hours, mostly I apply it before bed and reapply in the morning, then I wash it off late at night with a shampoo and use a hair mask after. My hair absorbs it so fast that if I keep my hair in bun or plaid, it doesn't even look that greasy, but I only do it on the weekends.

WISHLIST

L.O.V Blushment Blurring Blush 30 Beautiful Minds Empower Other - I've seen this on Adjusting Beauty's blog and it looks like my type of colour. Too bad we don't have L.O.V. stands anymore, though given the selection we had at the time, I've never properly missed them. // L.O.V The Galaxy Eyeshadow & Liner - I found these by accident when I was writing the review for their excellent Magnetic eyeshadows. These so look like my colour, but I've never seen them in person and reviews are very sparse. // ORIFLAME Amber Elixir Eau De Parfum - this seems to be one of the most popular Oriflame fragrances or at least one with best feedback on Fragrantica. Notes sound wonderful, especially for colder months, Oriflame describes it as an oriental vanillic woody fragrance with notes of delicious blackcurrant, coquettish heliotrope and sumptuous sandalwood. I don't like the bottle, though. It's like some kitch from the 70's. // HOLIKA HOLIKA Good Cera Super Ceramide Emulsion - I've had a generous sample of this a while back from the lovely Lorena, who introduced me to many new favourites. I remember my skin loved this formula and I'd like to get it for my morning moisturiser. // COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch - these are so far the most effective spot product I've found and because I'm running low, I need a new batch.// COSRX 95 Tone Balancing Essence - another product I'm running low on. it's my skin care staple and I don't want to be without it, so I'm planning to get a backup bottle before mine runs out. I mentioned many times before that this refined my skin and made it less "blah" looking. 

Have a great day!

I recently saw a video on the Leesha YouTube channel called "My Kingdom Hearts III Eyeshadow Palette," which is part of her "fantasy palette series." In the video, Leesha created her own custom eyeshadow palette based on one of her favorite video game series. She chose the color scheme based on characters and items in the games, and she also created names for the shadows that related to Kingdom Hearts. 

It was a video that I really enjoyed for multiple reasons. I loved that she was using shadows she already had in a new and creative way. And I enjoyed that she took inspiration from something she loved. It's a really clever idea to encourage people look at their own shadows in a new way, and as soon as I saw the video, I knew this was something I wanted to try as well. 

When I thought of what movie or television show I loved enough to try and replicate this project, one immediately stood out: Schitt's Creek.

I was introduced to this show by a close friend when I was going through a bit of a tough time. The show brought me immense joy, and I have probably rewatched it more than any other show. Every time I just want to feel good and laugh, I turn to Shitt's Creek. It has become quite important to me, so I figured having an eyeshadow palette full of colors that reminded me of it could only be a positive. 

Unlike Leesha, I didn't rename the shadows or pick colors for specific characters or moments from the show. (Had I done so, I would have ended up with an orange shadow that I would have lovingly called "Fold In the Cheese" and a blackened brown that would have been called "What Does Burning Smell Like?" And I didn't necessarily want those colors in this palette.)

Instead, I selected colors from my collection that reminded me of the Rose family (the protagonists of the show):

And this is the palette I made:

Row 1: Colourpop Glass Bull, Jouer Magic Hour (from Skinny Dip), Jouer Star Light (from Skinny Dip), Viseart matte cool-toned brown, Touch of Glam Beauty Merlin's Wand, and Looki Beauty Stiletto.

Row 2: Natasha Denona Glam Green, MAC Haux, ABH Pink Champagne, ABH Dusty Rose, Urban Decay Chase, Natasha Denona Industrial, and Ardency Inn Rose Gold. 

Row 3: Jouer Skinny Dip (from Skinny Dip), MAC Satin Taupe, Natasha Denona Antique Olive, Coloured Raine Duchess, Jouer Midnight Swim (from Skinny Dip), Looxi Beauty Foxy Lady, and Touch of Glam Beauty Dark Knight. 

I chose these colors because they felt luxurious to me. When I imagine the show and these characters, I think of decadent shades of gold and silver, and, of course, black. Interestingly, I don't own a black eyeshadow single, and I have never depotted one with the intention of keeping it. It's always so perplexing to me when people say a matte black eyeshadow is a "must" in every makeup collection because... I don't like black eyeshadow. If my choices are between a back and a very dark brown, I will always choose the brown. 

So, in lieu of a black shadow, I chose several dark and complex shimmers, like Jouer Magic Hour, Jouer Midnight Swim, MAC Satin Taupe, and Touch of Glam Beauty Dark Knight.

Here are seven looks I did with this palette:

Look 1:

Lid: Jouer Star Light

Transition: Viseart matte cool-toned brown

Crease: Natasha Denona Antique Olive

Inner corner: Touch of Glam Beauty Merlin's Wand

Lower lash line: Natasha Denona Antique Olive

Look 2:

Lid: MAC Satin Taupe

Transition: MAC Haux

Crease: ABH Dusty Rose

Inner corner: Urban Decay Chase

Lower lash line: Jouer Midnight Swim

Look 3:

Lid: Ardency Inn Rose Gold

Crease: ABH Dusty Rose

Outer corner: Coloured Raine Duchess

Inner corner: Looxi Beauty Foxy Lady

Lower lash line: Coloured Raine Duchess

Look 4:

Lid: Natasha Denona Glam Green

Crease: MAC Haux

Inner corner: Looxi Beauty Foxy Lady

Lower lash line: MAC Haux

Look 5:

Lid: ABH Pink Champagne

Crease: ABH Dusty Rose

Outer corner: Coloured Raine Duchess

Inner corner: Looxi Beauty Foxy Lady

Lower lash line: ABH Dusty Rose

Look 6:

Lid: Ardency Inn Rose Gold

Crease: ABH Dusty Rose

Outer corner: Coloured Raine Duchess

Inner corner: Looki Beauty Stiletto

Lower lash line: Coloured Raine Duchess

Look 7:

Lid: Natasha Denona Industrial 

Crease: Viseart matte cool-toned brown

Outer corner: Natasha Denona Glam Green

Inner corner: Looki Beauty Stiletto

Lower lash line: Jouer Midnight Swim

I've loved using this palette, and every time I look at it, it reminds me of this show I love so dearly. This is also a color story that I would have never chosen on my own without a source of inspiration behind it. The palette definitely leans cool—especially since all the mattes I chose are cool—which is, frankly, different for my collection. Almost everything in my collection leans very warm, which makes sense since warm colors flatter my skin tone. But the colors within this palette are cool tones that also work for my skin tone. And it has been refreshing to have a cool-toned palette. 

Creating this palette has also enabled me to create color combinations that I likely would not have thought of otherwise, like in Looks 2 and 4. 

A main reason, I think, that people continue to buy palettes with shadows that they already own is because a certain arrangement of colors can be really appealing, especially if you haven't seen those colors arranged in that way before. I still catch myself being affected by this all the time. I get sucked into a beautiful color scheme and have to take a moment to remind myself that I already own those colors. I just don't currently have those colors in that arrangement. 

This is why I love singles so much and am such a fan of depotting eyeshadows. It allows you to change the shadow arrangement and essentially get a "new" product whenever you feel uninspired or in a rut. I hadn't used many of the shadows in this palette for a very long time, but bringing them into their own arrangement that was inspired by one of my favorite shows has brought new life to them, and I've loved using this palette.

I want to thank Leesha for this great idea, and I think it's fantastic that more content creators are encouraging people to be creative and use what they already have instead of mindlessly spending more money on what we already own. 

There are plenty of powder/cream eyeshadow hybrids, but there aren't many eyeshadows formulas like this one. I've never tried anything like it, but it quickly became one of my favourite formulas. I've often looked at these in the shop, especially that one old gold/green shade (530 Magentize Me, I think), but never got it, which right now I regret, because these are really something. 

Texture: Compared to Colourpop Super Shock/Essence Melted Chrome/Catrice Metal Sensation type of formulas this similarly has the type of texture where the finger sinks into the eyeshadow and creates an indentation. However, those are closer to a cream, while this is more like a creamy loose eyeshadow. I get far more product with one dab of my finger than at any of those formulas and I can pack it on the lid quite intensely at lot faster. It blends nicely with a fluffy brush while I wouldn't recommend using fingers for that, but just for packing it on the lid. Since it's loose, there is some fall out and that it's only minus. You can see how much more pigmented it is on my swatch - that's two gentle dabs into the pot, while I really tried to build up Catrice and Essence eyeshadows.

Colour: I have shade N.510 METALfusion which is one of those classic taupes that I have tons of dupes for now, but the shimmer is much finer than the one is Colourpop or Essence eyeshadows so I prefer it. The pattern you see in the pan is an actually mix of two different shades and not the light hitting it a different way. You can see how it looks when I dabbed my finger in the pot.

Staying power: Most eyeshadows tend to last well on me and this is no exception. I mentioned fall out, but that occurs only at application while for the remainder of the day this stays put. This also doesn't crease on me like Essence and Catrice eyeshadows. 

Packaging: These come in a heavy glass pot.

Price and availability: Price is 6.99 €. Since it disappeared from Müller in Slovenia, L.O.V. is sold on Ličila.si (Pink Panda in other countries), but for now the amount of products available is limited and for some reason they don't sell these eyeshadows. L.O.V. is otherwise sold in drugstores in some European countries, while international customers can get it on kosmetik4less.de.

I enjoy this formula and the shade a lot, it really impressed me. I'm one of those who likes eyeshadows that have a lot of pigmentation, so I can do my makeup much faster and this definitely ticks the box. I regret not getting more shades when we had L.O.V. stand still in our drugstores, but I can manage just with this one, since I know that out of all shades available, it's the one I'd actually wear on a daily basis.

Have a great day!

*PR product

I'm not sure when this mascara launched, it could already be a couple of years old, but it's my first mascara from Deborah. It's also my first mascara with a wand that can be set to two different steps, promising to give two different effects with each: one for definition and one for volume, so you can use it in three ways to achieve the result you want.

On step one, which is the default setting of this mascara, the bristles are spaced parallel which is the usual shape of a mascara that promises definition. Despite that this is the setting I'm not very happy with when it comes to separating the lashes and the reason for that is the relatively large gap between bristles that is making my lashes form individual clusters, therefore making it appear like I have thick, yet a lot less lashes that I do. Setting two pulls the wand down and shortens it, as well as it creates a spiral pattern with bristles much closer together. I find this setting much more effective both in terms of definition and in creating volume.

 

Only step 1 on the left and only step two on the right. If both are used at the same time, you get the effect of the second step.

Looking straight on. So much length is just gone due to not holding the lashes curled.

Formula is not my favourite, even though it's nicely black, it's not messy and it gives a very nice amount of volume with one coat, however, it makes the lashes feel very hard and stiff, so I can feel it on the eyes. It also doesn't keep my lashes up, meaning they stay straight and since they are long, they hit my glasses and with stiff lashes it's annoying and on occasions a bit painful, so I need to wear my glasses lower on my nose. It's more of a my problem than it will be for you, but the main take from this is that it's like coating your lashes with a strong hair spray. The volume though is quite impressive for a mascara with a plastic brush.

Deborah is sold in DM here and this mascara currently costs 7.99 €.

This is an overdone mascara that as far as I'm concerned could have just had a wand with the second step spiral pattern and be done with it.  Formula is very volumising and if you don't mind stiff lashes, it's not a bad one at all, however, I like my lashes to feel less hard.

Have a great day!

*PR product

I've had this post in my drafts since the previous Essence update and the reason for that is because the lipstick I got is so different from the testers in the shop. These replaced their previous quite popular Mat! Mat! Mat! formula, so I assumed they just changed the packaging and while I'm not going to claim their previous version was my absolute favourite, it was pretty good and the matte finish was really great. My lipstick is like a classic creamy formula with a shine on the lips, so far from that nice matte finish the previous ones had, however, I've swatched the formula several times in the shop (when it was new and now) and those have that same matte finish. So I'm pretty confused about this one, whether mine is an odd one or it's this shade or something else entirely, but it's not my favourite. 

Texture: (Judging from my tube) the new formula feels more creamy and it doesn't have a matte finish, instead it's more of a creamy-satin. Due to being creamy, it's a comfortable formula that also those with dry lips will be able to wear with no problems. It's fully opaque and you get enough colour with one swipe.

Shade: 06 Unredsistible is a hot pink watermelon shade that leans to red. It's the brightest colour in the collection, though not the boldest, as there is a black available. 

Staying power: Essence lipsticks are not known for their ability to stay long on the lips and this is no exception, though it's still close to average, at least at this bright shade.

Scent: It's got a fruity vanilla scent.

Packaging: The tubes are not the same as the ones from Shine lipsticks, except the cap is matte. The latter are in the colour of the lipsticks with makes them easy to spot. The cap closes well, which is a plus at such an affordable lipsticks.

 Price and availability: These are sold in drugstores and cost 2.59 €

I think I've said everything in the introduction, but essentially this particular tube did not impress me at all. It's a nice creamy, fully opaque lipstick, but it's not matte and it transfers which is not what I'd expect from such a formula. However, as I said the testers in the shop are different, especially the light shades which look like the old formula. I thought that as it ages, it'll get more dry and more matte like I noticed at the testers at the shop, since some became almost like crayons by now, but mine is still exactly the same as the day I got it. As far as Essence goes I'm sticking to their Mad about Matte formula which is properly matte, doesn't transfer and is so far the most long lasting formula they offer.

Have a great day!

*PR product