Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain, £7.99 Honey & Randevous

These are great for everyday wear. Both can be blended for a softer effect or worn in layers for a full on effect. They last very well and fade evenly.

The above are the two gentler shades: Honey and Randevous.
Honey is a cool shade pink - on the face of it it looked like a pale, nude pink but actually it goes on stronger.
Randevous is a delicate red but again, it goes on stronger than I would have thought.

Both are lovely but I really wish the pale, nude shade like Charm and Precious were available in the UK. I really dislike it when the most wearable shades are sold in the UK...

Nivea In-Shower Body Moisturiser

The idea of it is great. Simply the thought of how much time and hassle could be spared.. My routine involves  both body oil and lotion and I do use them everyday after the shower. I find the products I'm using make my skin soft, smooth and pleasant to touch - it almost has a sheen or glow to it.

This is why, despite loving the idea I wasn't entirely sure whether I'll like this product.

The consistency is rich, silky and the moisturiser pours out of the bottle easily. It's meant to be used after the shower and rinsed off, like hair conditioner, just without the need to leave in on. It didn't leave the shower slippery at all. One concern is that this may run out quite quickly, like shower gel would. Immediately when applied and rinsed, skin feels moisturised, silky and softer. But I wasn't completely convinced this could permanently replace my lotion and/or body oil. Skin felt nourished and soft but not as much as after using a rich body care product.

This seems like a great solution for those, who are always in a rush or simply don't like the hassle of applying lotions after shower. Also, this could be a great holiday product. But in the long-run personally I'll be sticking to my traditional moisturising lotions and keep this for evenings (read nights), when I'm really impatient to get the shower over with and sleep.

Available in Boots, Superdrugs and supermarkets (I found it in Waitrose) £3.56

BarryM Lip Paints

These are some of my favourite BarryM lip paints, £4.49 (Boots, Superdrug, online BarryM).
They'are affordable, good quality and with a great colour pay off. The formulas are very nice, they go on very smoothly and stay on well. There is a really good selection of colours and some of the best affordable brights.These are some of my favourite colours:

101 is a classic, cool-toned nude with a great coverage. At the same time it's still very easy to wear - it can be worn for a quite a full on concealed lips effect or more subtly, blended with a gloss on top.

136 is a beige, bronze shimmery shade, excellent with for a tanned, summer look but with neutral lips.

132 is a lovely, gold pink shimmery shade. I generally prefer non shimmery lip sticks, but this one is very delicate.

150 is a classic, your lips colour. It has no shimmer and little gloss so it's great for natural looking, fuller lips especially when paired with some lip liner.

151 is a very cool-toned coral red colour. I like it for when I want to go for the red lips, but I'm looking for a cooler, more modern looking shade.

121 deep, cool toned, classic red. Beautiful on its own or with a lip liner and gloss for full on red lips.

Favourite Nude Revlon Lip Butters

These are my favourite delicate shades, perfect for everyday. Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butters have a lovely formula, they're not drying at all; they're actually quite moisturising and caring. They feel very comfortable on the lips. At the same time they do have a fair amount of pigment and coverage, although this varies from shade to shade. Shades fade nicely and this isn't the type of lipstick that looks awkward when it's starts to disappear. 

At less than £10, these are cute and cheerful, a perfect little treat.

Pink and nude shades: 045 Cotton Candy, 065 Creamsicle & 095 Creme Brulee

Revlon Lip Butter in 095 Creme Brulee, £7.99
This was the first one I got. Not all shades are available in the UK and Creme Brulee is the only nude shade here; Creamsicle isn't. So when the Lip Butters first appeared Creme Brulee was the second prize.. It's nude, but not pale; it's almost a very light bronze, brown colour, without any hint of pink to it. It is the one with the most pigment out of these three. It's quite nice especially if you're wearing a bit of bronzer and you'd like very neutral lips.

Revlon Lip Butter in 065 Creamsicle, £7.99
Not available in the UK so Ebay is your best bet. This is a much lighter and creamier shade than Creme Brulee and I wish it was possible to buy it here, not to mention the fact that normally nude shades are the first ones to disappear from the shelves. Creamsicle gives a delicate light tint to the lips  - it adds moisture and shine but it isn't a full on concealer lip, which is why I love it so much.

Revlon Lip Butter in 045 Cotton Candy, £7.99
Cotton Candy is a lovely, sweet baby pink shade. Very delicate and subtle, it adds little pink to your look but not in a way that's overpowering or too much. Like the other two, this one wears off nicely and it's just a lovely addition of a hint of colour.

Some solutions for problem skin

I never had severe acne but every so often blemishes do crop up. Despite having quite an oily t zone my skin is normally quite dehydrated, which means any product that targets blemishes needs to be chosen carefully. I have tried many but a lot of them cause dryness and uncomfortable, tight feeling. Not to mention the fact that often that is in fact the only result..

These are few product that I have used for a long time and that I know I can depend. Everyone's skin needs are different, but I find these consistently good (feeling shared by many of my friends too).

First up, Neutrogena.

Neutrogena Visibly Clear 2-in-1 Wash Mask, £3.99

This is great for many reasons. The obvious one is that it doubles as a mask, so I often apply it just before the shower or in my shower and wash it off when I'm about to finish. I have used it a long time now and I have never noticed it to cause any dryness or tightness. So I use it as a face cleanser when my skin needs it too - many face washes are very harsh so I like to stick to this one.

Neutrogena Visibly Clear Oil Free Moisturiser, £4.69

This moisturiser promises to even out the skin tone by fading some past episodes of break outs. I'm not sure that is an effect I have noticed. But I do like it to keep my skin with inclination to get oily during the day under control. I also like to think this helps to prevent breakouts or heal them faster should they appear. I like the way it feels under the make up and I find you don't need long for it to sink in. All in all great buy, especially if you happen to get hold of it when Boots/Superdrug do 2 for £5 on Neutrogena.

Spot treatments

Spot treatments are a wonderful solution when you don't feel like rinsing your skin with harsh toners and washes. You can easily apply the treatment only where you need it so they can reduce (yes, I do mean dry) the spot. Word of warning: many spot treatments dry and leave a tiny bit of residue so if you wear it over make up (or in general in public) you may need to keep in mind how much you'll use. And maybe glance in the mirror every now and then - they can peel off if you were greedy and used too much.

All three contain salicylic acid. 

Neutrogena Visibly Clear Rapid Clear Treatment, £3.99

This is isn't my favorite but it does the job. It helps to get rid off the unwanted spots; I have used better ones but this is the most budget friendly and it does deliver (although I wouldn't bet on the 4 hours).

Dr Nick Lowe Spot Gel, £9.49

I really like this one and I do think it works well. I also really enjoy the packaging and the fact that it is very discrete so if I am in a little trouble, this is the one that goes into my purse. Availble from Boots and online.

Origins Spot Remover, £13

This is by far the best one. It causes the blemishes to dry out quite quickly so I feel it is the most dependable one. If you have been naughty and tried squeezing, this will sting when you apply it (but how would I know..). It lasts a long time, which explains and justifies the price well enough.  

What are your best bets when it comes to problem skin?

Best long wearing eye liners

These are my favorite long wearing, stay on liners. I almost cannot decide, which one is best though, all three of these are great at what they're supposed to do. Do stay stay on well? Check. All day? Check. Smudging? No. Check. Do you get a chance to blend before they set and move no more? Check.

Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal, £3.99
If I had to pick one of these and call it my favorite  I could be this one. But for no other reason but the price tag. This liner is just as good as Estee Lauder or Urban Decay one but it retails for £3.99 and you can get hold of it in every Boots/Superdrug around the corner. Great color pay off, nice choice of colors  great staying power.. All in all, brilliant choice and for even better price.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Pencil, £13
Mid range in terms of the price, you really cannot go wrong with one of these. They come in fabulous range of colors and share all the positives equally: they do no budge once set. I love make up I can rely on throughout the day and when you choose this type of pencils you know you won't look in the mirror at some point in the afternoon only to discover your eye pencil has vanished. These are faultless.


Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Eye Pencil, £16
The most expensive out of the three here. But besides the fact that it does have smudger (technical term :), which is great for blending it really is no better than Rimmer or UD. I love the color, it's easy to use, great for everyday make up that stay on all day.

All three of these are in bronze, metallic shades - this is what I choose to wear everyday. As you can see, each one has been much loved and used (especially the UD one, it's really on its last legs)..

Best Dry Shampoo

I really depend on dry shampoo for everyday when I'm not washing my hair. They're great at absorbing the oils, refreshing the hair and prepping it for styling.
I've tried many in the last few years but Klorane is by far the best. It doesn't leave much residue, it doesn't leave any white powder/white cast in your hair, it refreshes brilliantly and allows to postpone hair washing by a day or two.
I find Klorane great to prepare the hair for updos or any other styles that require a little texture to the hair. Complaints? Boots used to stock it! Now it is a little bit tricky to get hold of it without reverting to online shopping. I normally pick up the Oat Milk variety but this is the one I found when I was on holidays.

Conclusion: This product has earned itself a reputation and almost a cult following and it is entirely worth it. If you're in the UK and have trouble finding it.. and you happen to be on holidays in a foreign pharmacy grab one!

Klorane Dry Shampoo with Nettle, 150ml, £7.50 (in the UK apart from usual suspects i.e eBay and Amazon, John Lewis seem to be stocking this).

Urban Decay Primer Potion in Eden

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Eden £15 (Debenhams)

This primer has the reputation of a cult product and for a good reason. It makes the eyeshadow stay on longer, it brings out the colors, makes the blending easier and smoother. But the original one isn't my favorite.  Instead, I love Eden. Eden is a yellow shade that doesn't have any shimmer. It's brilliant for evening out the eyelid and any discoloration or shadows you might have. It eliminates the need for an additional layer of eyeshadow or it can be worn on its own. 

It is one of the best, classic buys definitely worth the price. 

St Ives Timeless Skin Daily Microdermabrasion

St Ives Microdermabrasion is by far my favorite face scrub. This is certainly one of the products that doesn't receive the credit it deserves. This is an amazing face scrub, one I have been using for few years now. In the meantime they have changed the packaging and for some time it wasn't available at all. Initially it was only available at Superdrug and after the disappearance it returned to Boots (only).

This scrub is nothing like the apricot scrubs so many people are familiar with. The texture is a little like a salt scrub, but not too rough. It's great to smooth and refine the texture of the skin. This is the only scrub type product I have ever found that really delivers on the glow, radiance promise. It will not solve any other skin problems (like blemishes, wrinkles or discoloration) but it's irreplaceable for smoothing the surface of the skin. Any skin care and/or foundation will look incredible.

St Ives Microdermabrasion is gentle and delicate even for frequent use. It can be massaged gently onto the face without much pressure, which would make it possible to use everyday. £4.99 in Boots.

Dove Nourishing Oil Care

Dove Nourishing Oil Express Treatment Conditioner £3.39 & Dove Nourishing Oil Care Leave In Conditioner £3.39 (Boots)

Dove hair care products are great. The instant treatment works like a conditioner but doesn't require as much time as a regular one. Even a minute is sufficient. This is a great solution for when time is scarce. I adore the way this treatment makes the hair feel  - it renders it soft, smooth and silky.
Leave in conditioner is also great for when there's no time at all. It's brilliant to spray in wet or dry hair, it nourishes and adds shine and softness.
I love both of these; they're easy to find, inexpensive and work brilliantly.

Lip Care

These are just some of my favorite lip balms. I admit to having a lot of them but this is actually a highly efficient system - there is at least one lip balm where you might need one. So one, or two, occasionally three live in my handbag, few reside by my bedside table, some are tucked in pockets of my coats and jackets, couple are ready in the drawer of my desk... So they all have a purpose and so each acquisition is justified.

Anyway, I always seem to need a lip balm product, even if my gloss or lip stick of choice has a moisturizing formula as well.

In the middle: Molton Brown and Burt's Bees (Mango butter). From top left: Carmex, Nivea Pure and Natural, Bloom Aromatherapy lip balm, Liz Earle mini Superbalm, EOS lip balm, Figs & Rouge Balm, Carmex and Nivea Lip Butter.

Carmex (bot pot and tube) are by far my favorite because they seem to cope with dryness best. Molton Brown and Bloom balms are very good too. Both Nivea products are useful to carry around and if by chance one gets lost it isn't a problem.

Dior Exhibition at Harrods, London March April 2013

Speaking of Dior... It's moment like those when I fully appreciate and remind myself how much I love London. It's moments like these, when I'm willing to forgive the prevalence of tarmac, stone and brick when looking out the window of the train during my daily commute.. Or the weather - despite it being April I was snowing in London and sometimes I can't help but wonder whether spring really exists or whether it's only this elusive, magical state of things only present in Hollywood movies and the rest of the planet, just not in the UK.




I'm digressing. For everyone in London, be it temporarily or permanently and up for a little fashion retrospective I highly recommend a visit to Harrods. The exhibition is on the 4th floor, along with a cafe. Harrods' windows have been populated by Dior phone boxes and teddy bears and there is some more fun to be had on the ground floor. Harrods' website provides a calendar of events. Exhibition closes 14th of April.

Affordable Perfume Treats

I adore expensive, luxury, fashion house perfumes but sometimes what one wants is a cheap and cheerful treat. These are some of my favorite, inexpensive treats you can spray around 24/7 non stop, not worrying about hitting the bottom and having to spend a fortune on a replacement..

Jennifer Lopez Still 30ml EDP
This is a beautiful fragrance. I find it romantic, musky but quite light, very feminine, perfect for day time. It has been discontinued but you can still (no pun intended) find it on Amazon, Ebay and the likes (and for as little as £15).

Kate Moss Kate 50ml EDT
Both feminine and girly, light, sweet and floral fragrance for everyday. I really enjoy wearing this scent, my only complaint is not-so-great lasting power (although clue is in the name, EDT..) Very inexpensive, easily found for less than £10.

Oriflame Eclat Women 50ml EDT
Despite it being an EDT this scent does linger on the skin. It is very milky, 'ambery' and seems to have a depth to it. In my opinion this fragrance is still perfectly appropriate for day time although fans of Britney style sweet scents may not be crazy about it. Complaints? Oriflame is a catalouge order brand, like Avon but it's harder to come by. Perfume can be ordered via website and nearest consultant will get in touch to arrange shipping and payment. £20.95.

Jennifer Aniston 30ml EDP
One way to describe this fragrance is to use the language of colours. This scent is very light green - it is fresh, almost sparkling, soapy but vibrant and very clean. It feels like a perfume that becomes you - it has the quality to become your everyday scent, something others will recognize as your fresh fragrance. Prices differ, Sephora quotes $38.

Herve Leger Femme 50ml EDP
Woody, musky and quite sweet but not cloying or overpowering. Personally, I tend to prefer more floral scents so I only wear this one every once in a while when I'm looking for a change. Still, lovely everyday scent, normally £20 but since this is an Avon scent all that's required is a little patience, discounts always come along.

Suddenly Madame Glamour, 50ml EDP
Ah, where even to begin with this one? Available from Lidl (the discount supermarket chain) this fragrance is a replica of Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle. When sprayed, the notes and the strength is almost identical. Of course as you wear it, the lingering scent of the two is slightly different and the lasting power of the copy cannot be compared to the original. But this is still a very enjoyable, feminine but grown up fragrance. And the moment you realize that the price tag isn't missing a zero and that the dot is in fact in the right place you can enjoy it even more and just spray it all over yourself, all day long. £3.99 (but if there is no Lidl in sight, Ebay never fails).

What are yours?

Perfume love of my life

What shall I start with?

My journey into the world of beauty and fashion began with fragrance. When I was a teenager I was given a sample of a fragrance and that scent has always been with me ever since.

They don't make it anymore.. In fact, the production has ceased long time ago but I can still find it in distant corners of the internet. Sometimes it's ebay's user unloved, forgotten birthday present, sometimes one of the  very unglamorous, impersonal websites with a despicable design but a range of perfumes of the past.

So I hunt, I bid, I auction and there is it. In my biased opinion the most beautiful fragrance by Dior or by any fashion house for that matter. Dior Addict Eau Fraiche.

The most magical thing about perfume is when you use it though. I have used this perfume for special occasions, first trip to Paris.. somehow, every time you use it again you evoke those feelings, emotions, places and situations you experienced when you wore the scent. Like a postcard you'd send to yourself.

What are your memories when you use your favorite scent?