Revlon's nail polishes in their classic formula have been around for ages and I got one in a red, which are some of my favourite and most worn shades.

Revlon Red is a neutral medium red and is more of a classic red shade than the lipstick with the same name. Formula is fully opaque in one coat as at most red nail polishes (I still apply two) and it applies smoothly. The brush is one of the thinnest I've tried and I actually like it because I have narrow nails and it's better for a more precise application. This is still a standard non-gel formula, so it's not as thick as those and also not quite as shiny, but a good top coat fixes that.

Revlon nail polishes cost 6.99 € in drugstores and on Click2chic.

I love this one and it's going to replace my ancient Blood Mary to Go from Catrice. Red formulas tends to be great at all brands, but the two reasons I love this particular one is the classy red shade and the brush which I find so much better than the modern thick ones. 

Have a great day!

*PR product

I got this lipstick a while ago from Petra who runs Adjusting Beauty blog (thank you again) and she's not only reviewed the formula in detail, but also swatched all the shades available in this post here. This formula has a build-in primer and it promises a smooth finish on the lips as well as prolonged staying power. It exists in 22 shades, even some bold ones like blue, so there is something for every one. 

Texture: Formula is pretty standard for a lipsticks that was released in recent years. It's a very smooth formula that glides on the lips with ease, it's opaque in one coat and very comfortable on the lips. Based on swatches I expected it to look almost glossy, but this shade looks like a classic creamy lipstick on me. 

Shade: Blushing Beauty is a medium pink that leans towards purple, so it's one of the more cool looking shades, though I wouldn't describe it as a classic cool colour, instead it's more neutral-cool. It reminds me of how Rimmel's Airy Fairy looked on me, but it's been years since I had that lipstick. As is usual for such a shade, expect it to look lighter if your skin tone is darker than NC/W 10. 

Staying power: It's a creamy finish lipstick, so it transfers and won't survive eating. The build-in primer that should help it last longer doesn't really work best here and if you want a lipstick formula that lasts longer by Avon, check their matte lipstick range.

Packaging: is a standard square tube and I have no complaints about it. It's completely plastic unlike their matte range which has a metal inner tube, so Mark range tubes don't feel as "premium" as those.

Price and availability: Regular price is 8.50€ in Avon, but these are often on offer.

If you're looking for a very comfortable lipstick and you can sacrifice a bit of the staying power, these are nice, especially if you find them on offer. Plus the shade range looks a bit better to me than the standard one Avon usually does. However, my favourites from Avon stil remain their matte lipsticks. 

Have a great day! 

If you've read this blog for any amount of time, you probably know how much I love to depot eyeshadows and make custom palettes. One of the reasons I'm not the biggest fan of the current marketing trend of trying to convince consumers to buy more and more is because it is all based on novelty. And, as we all know, novelty wears off pretty quick. But with custom palettes, novelty doesn't matter. Because once that wears off, I can just dismantle the old palette and make a new one. 

I'm often in flux with my custom palettes. I'll think I've finally made a palette that can be a "permanent" fixture in my collection, but then that all goes out the window when a new palette comes out that I want to dupe or I find some other source of inspiration.

Case in point: My Schitt's Creek palette, which I talked about in my last post:

As much as I loved this palette, I felt like it was still a bit too warm to really feel like the show and be an ideal cool-toned palette. I had always wanted to include some smoky, cool shades, but I just didn't have any in my collection. So, I actually purchased some new singles recently precisely to fill this void. 

And here is my new Schitt's Creek palette:

To say that I love this new version of the palette is an understatement. I think it is such a perfect cool-toned palette, and had something like this been created by a brand, I absolutely would have purchased it. But, instead of spending $50 – $130, this palette is mostly repurposed from shadows I already owned. 

I've updated/changed all of my custom palettes, so I thought it could be fun to share where my custom palettes currently stand (knowing that these configurations are only ever temporary).

Longtime readers will also know how much I loved my duped/reimagined Too Faced Peachy Mattes palette:

This was a favorite palette for a long time, but I didn't use it much last year. This was largely because I wasn't as interested in creating pink eyeshadow looks (I might have burnt myself out with that in 2017) and because it was mainly a companion palette, and I just don't reach for those very often. 

So, I changed/upgraded it:

I've included some of my favorite shimmer shadows to use with the "peachy" mattes and removed the shades that didn't get as much use from me. I think this now has a really great balance of finishes and shades, and it has reinvigorated my desire to use it. 

I'm still loving my duped Emily Edit: The Wants palette:

I've slightly altered the color scheme, but not in any considerable way. My feelings on the original palette by Makeup Revolution have not changed (it was my biggest fail of the entire year), and neither has my love of Emily's color selection. I still think she curated a fantastic color scheme, and I'm so glad that my collection could mostly duplicate the shades.

My next custom palette contains most of my duochrome shadows:

And I've incorporated other complementary shades. I love looking at so many duochromes all in one place, and I quite like the selection of matte shadows as well. I think this has a really fun color scheme while still being mostly neutral. 

My final palette was inspired by the new Coloured Raine Safari palette:

It includes a dupe of this palette as well as an expansion of the color scheme:

The Safari dupe can be found in the first three columns, excluding the fourth row. I was finally brave enough to depot my beloved Viseart Dark Matte palette, and I couldn't be happier that I did. Dark Matte was the one Viseart palette I could never bring myself to depot, but, much like my duped Peachy Matte palette, I found that I wasn't using it because it wasn't depotted. I cannot express how excited I am about this custom palette. Much like my Schitt's Creek palette, if this was a palette a brand would have created, I would have purchased it. To me, this palette feels unique, which is hard to do when the makeup community is as saturated as it is. But I love the earth tones in this palette, and I find it quite inspiring. What's even more exciting is that this palette gives me ALL the excitement of a new purchase, but these are all shadows I've owned for a while. On top of that, I recently purchased a new palette, and I haven't even used it yet because this one has been too exciting. 

So, that's it for this post. I just wanted to show my "new" custom palettes. In a way, I suppose this is like a haul, because all of these feel like new products to me, but it's more of a "shop my collection" post. I know depotting isn't for everyone, and there are certainly palettes that I would never depot (like Pat McGrath Mothership IV, my Natasha Denona palettes, and BH Cosmetics Zodiac), but when you start to look at shades in a palette as colors instead of part of the whole of a palette, it really opens up quite a bit of creative freedom. 

Hopefully my "new" custom palettes will inspire you to look into your own collections if you're feeling bored or stagnant instead of buying something new. 

Superior Strength & Volume Lash Primer promises to make your lashes 3x stronger and more voluminous after 30 days, but its main task is still to add some extra volume, length and more curl in combination with a regular mascara. This is my first "individual" primer (not counting those 2-in-1 mascaras), so I have nothing to compare it to, but for a first try, it's not half bad.

It's completely white on the lashes and applies nicely with no clumps. It doesn't make the mascara application any more difficult unless the mascara you're using is already quite dry. A couple of coats of mascara on top covers the white tint with no problems. The promise I was most hoping to be true was that it adds more curl to the lashes, but it neither lifts the lashes on its own, neither does it hold the curl in place. In fact it acts like any regular formula mascara and not a waterproof versions like I wanted. In terms of adding length I also don't find it makes a difference, but when it comes to volume, it does a pretty good job, however, I've only noticed a difference when I did the before/after pictures, so it's definitely not as dramatic a difference as some might want.

 Just primer.

Essence Volume Styling on its own.

 Primer + Essence Volume Styling .

In terms of making your lashes stronger, more voluminous in time I can't say I've seen an improvement, but I haven't committed to using this daily because it's an extra step in my routine that I don't find that necessary. 

Price and availability: Primer costs 13.95 €. LOV is sold by Ličila.si, but sadly not this primer. L.O.V. it's sold in drugstores in some countries, but it's available worldwide through kosmetik4less.de.

For some added volume this does the job, but I resent that it doesn't do anything about holding a curl. The promise of long-term results sound intriguing, yet I haven't noticed anything and I have my doubts it'll make a big difference. It's only my first primer, so I really couldn't say how other are performing compared to this, but I wished for more length too, not just volume and the difference could be more dramatic.

Have a great day!

*PR product

This was actually my first red lipstick many years ago and now we are reunited. It's probably the epitome of a classic lipstick, since these have been a part of Revlon's brand for about 60 years now. Fire & Ice is their most famous red shade, but they named this red after themselves.

Texture: The formula hasn't changed since probably forever, or at least since I tried it back in the 00's. It's a standard creamy formula with a slightly shiny finish and a comfortable feeling on the lips. It's fully opaque in one coat.

Shade: Revlon Red is deceptively dark in the tube, but on my lips it's a warm-neutral bright red.

Staying power: This is one of the rare red lipsticks that I find doesn't have a super impressive staying power. It wiped off within four hours of wearing, but it stayed comfortable the entire time.

Packaging: is a standard Revlon bullet in a black and gold colour scheme. The winding up mechanism works fine and the lid hold tight.

Availability and price: These are sold in drugstores and online on Click2chic, price is about 9.98 €.

Brutal honestly - I think these are a remnant of the past. Though it's a perfectly fine lipstick and I find it nice that Revlon sticks to their old formulas and in particular shades, so many better formulas are sold in drugstores. I don't recall having a red shade that wouldn't last long (maybe I had something from Essence a few years back), however, the formula is very comfortable on the lips and pigmentation is great. From Revlon's lip products I'm a big fan of their Ultra HD Matte Lipcolors and I'd highly recommend you try those instead. Revlon also has a nail polish with the same name, but it ends up a much cooler on me and I like it a lot more.

Have a great day!

*PR product

Wet n Wild highlighter became crazy popular since they released a LE with Precious Petals and Crown of my Canopy, especially the first one was highly praised and dubbed a dupe for Becca's Opal. They've since made them permanent and added new shade, Blossom Glow included. The latter is the lightest in the bunch and best suited for fair skin tones.

Texture: I was so disappointed when I first tried it because I got almost no colour on my densest highlighter brush and the second try didn't inspire confidence wither. However, I then swatched it, so I broke through the top layer and what lay beneath it is a very pigmented, metallic highlighter with smooth texture. I've gone through reviews and no one reports they had the same problem like me, instead they had that smooth, pigmented texture from the start.

Shade: Blossom glow is an off-white highlighter with an intense metallic glow and a warm pink-peachy reflect. Shimmer in it is very fine, there is no chunky glitter and the glow on the skin can be pretty strong without layering it on a lot. It applies nicely with no patchiness and can be applied with fingers for a very intense look.

The packaging is a not the best. Mine can't close like the closing system isn't there, but the hinges are very strong so it doesn't open on its own.

Price and availability: Highlighter is available on Click2Chic for 5.99 €, international readers can get on Beauty Bay for the same price.

Despite the initial disappointment this formula proved to be just as good as everyone say. It's a strong highlighter with fine shimmer and the formula is smooth, so if you're looking for a great drugstore buy, this is definitely worth it. This formula has overwhelmingly positive reviews and I'm just one more person confirming them.

Have a great day!

*PR product.

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!