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My top 5 beauty products: Catrice

My top 5 Catrice

Lately, I’ve been noticing I’m being really unfair to the products I use all the time and love the most. These mostly only come up in my monthly or yearly favorites and in empties, but they never really get the same spotlight the new products do. So today, I’m going to rectify this injustice by writing about my top 5 products from one of my favorite brands, Catrice.

My top 5 #1: Catrice Prime and fine Make-up Transformer drops  – lightening drops

My top 5 Catrice Prime&Fine transforming drops posvetlitvene kapljice

Lightening drops are a must for all of us who use SPF throughout the year. In Slovenia, we also seldomly get the lightest shades of foundations so some mixing is often necessary. These Catrice Prime and Fine drops have a yellow undertone so you probably won’t like them if you have a pink undertone. You will need quite a lot of them to really transform the shade completely, but I prefer that to having a liquid foundation slowly dying in my drawers because it’s too dark.

My top 5 #2: Catrice HD Liquid Coverage foundation (010 – Light Beige)

My top 5 Catrice HD Liquid Coverage

This HD Liquid Coverage foundation is a typical example of a foundation I wouldn’t be able to use without lightening drops. It makes a lovely matte finish on the skin but is not too heavy and doesn’t give the skin that cakey look. It’s applied with a dropper, which I can appreciate, and you’ll be getting a ton of foundation for your money. On the other side, there are only four shades available and they do oxidise to a certain extent, so make sure to try it out first before you buy it. Still, the perfect finish on the skin makes it one of my favorite foundations of all times.

My top 5 #3: Catrice Ultimate Matte lipstick (From Rose with Love)

My top 5 Catrice ultimate matte šminka

Before trying the Ultimate Matte Catrice lipsticks I’d easily say that I’ll always choose a liquid lipstick over a classic lipstick. Well, now I have changed my opinion. The formula of this lipsticks is light on the lips, really opaque, has a 100 % matte finish and really good staying power for a classic lip. It wears down evenly but needs to be refreshed once every while like every other lipstick does. All further applications are not an issue as the formula wears down very evenly over the lips.

My top 5 #4: Catrice Soleil D’Ete bronzer

My top 5 Catrice Soleil D'ete bronzer

Do I feel guilty for including a limited edition item into my favorites? Yes, I do, but I have a good reason for doing so. I’m simply including this bronzer as a tip that you definitely should look through powder face products if you’re ever near a Catrice stand. This bronzer is super pigmented so it will probably last me for years to come. The shade is perfect for everyday bronzing if you’re not too tan, because it’s not too orange. Personally, I find it a close dupe for Tarte Park Avenue Princess bronzer.

My top 5 #5: Catrice Prime and Fine Smoothing refiner

My top 5 Catrice Prime and fine primer

Catrice Prime and Fine Smoothing refiner is a silicone primer. I have about ten of these in my drawers but this one is special because it really fills in the small imperfections and textures. This is especially important on the cheekbones when I apply a heavier blush or a liquid highlighter that draw out imperfections even more. It makes a lovely satin finish and the liquid foundation applies like a dream. Not convinced yet? Perhaps you will be by the fact that this is my third jar of this primer and I have three back-ups on hand (just in case).

I could go on an on about products I love with catrice: the IcoNails nail polishes (review *here*), blushes and mascaras (*read more here*), eyeshadow palettes that are super affordable and so forth. But these top 5 products are really the ones I would continue buying over and over again. What’s your favorite Catrice product? Tell me in the comments below and also don’t forget to mention other brands you’d like me to do this Top 5 post on. Until next time, stay beautiful!

Avon Mark Liquid Lip Lacquer Shine & Matte

Avon Mark Liquid Lip Lacquers

Avon Mark Liquid Lip Lacquer in shine and matte versions are the latest edition to the Avon Mark family. I’ve heard that they’re bringing them out about two months ago and I was super excited when a PR package appeared at my doorstep. I received three liquid lip lacquers, two matte and one shine. Today, I’m ready to share my experience with them.

Packaging and price

Avon Mark Liquid Lip Lacquers

 

The packaging is quite basic, but practical. The bottom is see-through meaning you can see the color of the lacquer. The top is a matte black for the matte versions and shiny black for the shine version of the lip lacquer. I think that’s a nice touch. At the bottom of the bottle, you’ll find the name of the color, as per usual with Avon lipsticks.

Each bottle holds 7ml of products which is quite a lot. In Slovenia, they’ll sell for 9,50€ but in the current catalogue, they’re reduced to 4,90 € so it’s a great chance to get some if you like them.

Color range

Avon Mark Liquid Lip Lacquers

While the colors are pretty basic, there isn’t a specific shade I’d personally miss. There are 10 matte and 10 shine shades available so I’m sure that you’ll find something for yourself. To see all the shades, check out the review by Petra *here*.

Application and texture

Avon Mark Liquid Lip Lacquers swatches

Left to right: Dare to be bare (matte), Orange you happy (matte) and Lacquered up (shine)

The formula of both shine and matte version of Avon Liquid Lip Lacquer is quite thick and opaque. Matte lacquers have a mousse consistency and apply really nicely to the lips. The feeling is not uncomfortable, there is no tugging on the lips and the wear time is decent, although they will not survive a greasy pizza or a night of cocktails. On the other hand, the Shine lacquers have a heavier, more sticky formula that is really pigmented but also sits on the lips and gives them that heavy feeling. Although it’s not as shiny as putting on a lip gloss, you still have to be careful as they tend to transfer and can (probably will) end up on your teeth. So I do suggest a mirror check before leaving the house. I’m not the biggest fan of this formula as it does take a lot of effort. Wear time depends on what you’ll be doing, of course, but they will not survive many tests, if any at all.

Avon Mark Liquid Lip Lacquer

Another problem I faced with both matte and liquid lacquers is that the wand picks up a lot of product. That can be solved by wiping away the access at the bottle top but that needs to be done carefully as it will gather in there and eventually create a real mess. After a week or so, I used a cue tip to clean up around the edges of the bottle top to ensure reduced build-up. The other problem I’m facing with these lip lacquers is the slightly frayed applicator which makes precise application somewhat difficult, but not impossible. I absolutely suggest using a lip liner with the shine lacquers!

Shades

As mentioned, I received two matte shades. The first one is a nice mauve nude – Avon Mark Liquid Lip Lacquer Matte in the shade Dare to be bare.

Avon Mark Liquid Lip Lacquer Dare To be bare matte

Avon Mark Liquid Lip Lacquer Dare To be bare matte

The second is also a matte lip lacquer in a lovely orange shade named Orange you happy. It’s a pretty subtle orange shade which I’ll probably wear more during the summer.

Avon Mark Liquid Lip Lacquer Orange you happy matte

Avon Mark Liquid Lip Lacquer Orange you happy matte

The third shade I received is the Avon Mark Liquid Lip Lacquer shine in the shade Lacquered up. It’s quite a vibrant red with strong pink undertones – totally a color I’d wear during the summer.

Avon Mark Liquid Lip Lacquer Lacquered up shine

Avon Mark Liquid Lip Lacquer Lacquered up shine

Final thoughts

If you’re a fan of liquid lipsticks, I definitely recommend you get some of these new Avon Mark Lip Lacquers. They are quite different, the price is sensible and especially the matte formula very pleasant on the lips. I’ll probably be getting some more darker matte lacquers to include in my collection but I’ll skip on the shine lacquers because I’m quite messy when it comes to my lips and it would probably end up everywhere. If you have the patience and are careful enough, then you should totally get some shine lacquers as well.

Until next time, stay beautiful!

 

Avon True Colors Perfectly Matte lipsticks (review & swatches)

 

After a year of wearing and testing nothing else than liquid lipsticks, I was very excited to find regular bullet lipsticks in an Avon package a few weeks back. I was sent three new shades from their True Colors Perfectly Matte line. I’m hearing that the 80’s are making a comeback on the eyes with bright and bold colors, but it seems that we’re sticking with neutrals and matte finish for lips. The whole True Color Perfectly Matte line includes 18 different shades – from completely light neutral shades to deeper reds and burgundy colors.

Po poplavi tekočih mat šmink v svojem življenju sem bila prav vesela, ko sem odprla Avonov paketek in v njem našla tri “navadne” mat šminke iz njihove True Colors Perfectly Matte linije. Čeprav se v modo vračajo 80. leta in divje barve na očeh, bomo pri ustnicah očitno še nekaj časa ostali pri bolj nevtralnih barvah in mat zaključkih, kar nakazujejo tudi ti trije novi odtenki v liniji. Celotna linija sedaj obsega kar 18 odtenkov – od popolnoma svetlih in nevtralnih, do globokih rdečih in vijoličnih odtenkov.

I’ve come to expect nothing but great packaging from Avon and I wasn’t disappointed. The black plastick bullet is matte, giving it almost a suede feeling. At the bottom of each lipstick, you can find a sticker with the color and the name which is great – I store my lipsticks upside down and can quickly find the shade I’m looking for. Normally, these lippies sell for 8,60 € but are currently on sale for 4,50 €.

Embalaže so, kot je to zadnje čase že skoraj norma za Avon, tudi v tej liniji čudovite. Črna plastika je matirana, zaradi česar ima mehak občutek – skorajda, kot bi božal žamet. Na dnu so na nalepkah jasno označene tudi barve, kar je super – sama jih shranjujem obrnjene na glavo in lahko tako hitro najdem odtenek, ki ga iščem. V redni prodaji šminke stanejo 8,60 €, vendar pa jih lahko trenutno v katalogu najdeš po promocijski ceni 4,50 €.

All lipsticks have a fruity scent and taste to them which personally reminds me of Kiki candy (I’ve already discussed that with the Avon Mark lipsticks).

Vse tri šminke imajo sadni vonj in okus, ki mene osebno spominja na Kiki bombone (o tem vonju in okusu sem že govorila tudi pri Avon Mark šminkah).

The formula of Perfectly Matte lipsticks is soft and quite gentle but can apply a bit unevenly to the lips and accentuate the lines of dry lips. This means that you need to really prepare your lips beforehand – give them a nice peeling and apply some nourishing balm. You can also apply a lipgloss over it, but then, you’ll naturally lose the matte finish. Compare to liquid matte lipsticks, the feeling on the lips is much more pleasant – they don’t tug on the lips or dry them out too much. That being said, I must also mention that the wear time of these is shorter as with some liquid lipsticks, but these Perfectly Matte lippies managed to survived a coffee and a salad which I consider a success.

Formula Perfectly Matte šmink je sicer mehka in prijetna, vendar pa se na ustnice nanese nekoliko neenakomerno in izrazito poudari gubice, v kolikor so tvoje ustnice suhe. Za njihovo udobno nošenje je torej potrebna primerna predpriprava s pilingom in hranilnim balzamom, lahko pa čez šminko naneseš tudi lip gloss in s tem narediš drugačen zaključek. V primerjavi s tekočimi mat šminkami je občutek na ustnicah vsekakor bolj prijeten – ustnic ne vleče in jih ne izsuši pretirano. Seveda je tudi obstojnost v primerjavi s tekočimi mat šminkami slabša, vendar ne bi rekla, da je katastrofalna – pri meni so prav korektno preživele test solate in kave, kar je za navadno šminko po mojih merilih že uspeh.

Pink passion is my least favorite shade out of the bunch because it’s a cold pink color. I don’t think it suits my complexion. At the same time, I also had the most trouble with the application and felt like this formula is a bit more drying than the others. It also emphasized my dry lips the most out of all three.

Pink Passion je meni najmanj ljub odtenek od vseh treh, ker gre za hladno roza barvo. Zdi se mi, da ne pristaja moji polti. Hkrati je to tudi odtenek, ki mi je največ težav povzročal pri nanosu, saj je formula malenkost bolj suha, pa tudi na suhih ustnicah je zaključek vse manj kot privlačen.

Rose Awakening is a darker pink shade with some red undertones and my favorite out of three. I can only apply this one in one coat because it’s incredibly pigmented.

Rose Awakening je temnejši roza odtenek z nekaj rdečega podtona in je moj najljubši od vseh novih barv. Nanesem ga lahko samo v enem sloju, saj je izjemno pigmentiran.

Rouged Perfection is a dark red with a peachy undertone – in my mind, this is the most neutral shade of all three. I think that everyone would look in this color, but it would be spectacular on lighter complexion.

Rouged Perfection je temno roza z breskovim pridihom in za moje pojme najbolj nevtralen odtenek od vseh treh. Ta odtenek bi odlično pristajal vsem ženskam, verjetno pa bo najbolj izstopal, v kolikor je tvoja polt nekoliko svetlejša.

Which one out of three is your favorite? Until next time, stay beautiful!

Kateri pa je tvoj najljubši odtenek izmed teh? Do naslednjič, ostani čudovita!