Blogmas #8: best make-up 2017

The post you’ve been asking for over the last couple of weeks – best make-up of 2017! This year, it’s exclusively drugstore (although some prices are pushing over to the high-end side) and to be honest, I’m really happy about that. I don’t think that things we enjoy should cost and arm and a leg so I’m happy if I can find inexpensive products that are awesome. Enjoy (and also, get yourself some wine and popcorn, because it’s a long one).

Best make-up 2017 – great base

best make-up 2017 foundation

It was easy to choose my favorite foundation for the year 2017. It’s Paese Liquid Powder Double Skin Aqua – lightweight and moisturizing foundation (mine in the shade 20A). Their foundations have 4 squares on the side. This particular foundation has 3 filled up which means medium coverage, so I’m guessing all four would mean full coverage. Easy way to find the foundation you’re looking for. The application with the doe-foot applicator is easy and although it tends to oxidize on me the tiniest bit, it’s nothing compared to other foundations. I’d say this one would be great for almost any skin type.

best make-up 2017 foundation Paese

It’s primer galore in my house and I’ve tried many great primers this year, but again, I have to go for the same brand. Paese mattifying make-up base (for oily and combination skin). It’s a silicone primer which will make your foundation look beautiful. I don’t think it would do any favors to super oily skin though – silicones tend to slide right off it. In combination with the foundation mentioned above, it looks stunning.

I’m not a big believer in  BB creams but Vipera BB Cream (02 natural) that reduces redness and evens out the complexion totally changed the game for me. To be quite honest, I don’t even see it as a BB cream but a medium-coverage foundation which covers up all imperfections quite well. I enjoy using it when I don’t want to worry too much about my foundation. I’d definitely recommend it if you’re still on the hunt for a good BB cream.

I’ve tried perhaps a dozen concealers this year – both high-end and drugstore – and haven’t been impressed at all until I bumped into Catrice Liquid Camouflage high-coverage concealer. My first one – I don’t know how I’ve never come across it before. I don’t apply it directly on my under-eye circles directly because it’s quite fair and would make them stand out even more. First, i cover them up with a concealer closer to my skin tone and then I apply this concealer to brighten up the area. Also use it to carve out my eyebrow when I feel like it. Great full coverage concealer for less then 5€? Sold!

best make-up 2017 finishing powder

For finishing powder with some extra coverage, I can’t say enough good words about Bell Hypoallergenic Mat Powder (I think 04 – I’m a bit annoyed it doesn’t say anywhere on the packaging itself). I’m on my second one, and I’ve got a back-up as well. It’s not exactly lightweight, but applied over a light weight foundation, it gives you that extra coverage and makes your skin look beautiful. Low Maintenance Beauty approved! Read more about it *here*.

best make-up 2017 finishing powder

2017 was definitely a year of translucent powders. Out of all I tried, the price-performance ratio was the best with Avon Mark Magix HD Finishing powder. Why yes, I do also pay attention to the price. If I’m going to recommend something for 40€, it better be  worth it (which it usually isn’t in my opinion) and the same way around – if I’m going to find a powder for a couple of Euro that works (almost) just as well as the one for 30€, I’ll recommend it to you. The Avon Mark magix powder is very finely mild and will definitely keep the shine at bay! You can read more about it *here*.

Best make-up 2017 – adding some color to the face

best make-up 2017 contouring

 

Powder highlighters are my nemesis as I’m drawn to them like a moth to a flame. My absolute favorite this year has been Essence Cubanita Jumbo Highlighter
(unfortunately, LE but perhaps you can still find it somewhere). A beautiful golden shade and powdery formula, this highlighter is super simple to work with. The size promises at least a couple of years of use so I’m in love.

Liquid highlights are also tempting, but I’m hard pressed to find ones that show up well and are at the same time not difficult to blend out. L.O.V LOVglow Highlighting drops meet both criteria. I like that they aren’t too difficult to work it and not over-pigmented, so I can easily control the level of shine on my face. They come with a great easy to use dropper which is perfect for liquid products. Don’t forget to always apply liquid products before you set your face, otherwise it will look unnatural! I did some swatches *here*.

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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!

 

Empties #8 – skin care & make-up

empties skincare

As mentioned on Monday, I split these empties into two parts so they are more manageable. You can read the first part about hair care and body care *here*, if you’re interested. Today, let’s start with the cleansers. I used up a whole bunch of cleansers. I can’t believe that used up the Biobaza 3in1 make-up removal and hydration cream – more than half a liter! It did a good job at removing my make-up. I would not purchase it again, because I prefer to try more different products (it took me more than 6 months to use this up!), but it’s really good value for money! I didn’t like the Neutrogena Hydro boost micellar water. It really burned my eyes and wasn’t all that successful at removing make-up. I talked about the Ole Henriksen African red tea foaming cleanser before *here* – it’s rich in antioxidants, smells amazing and leaves me feeling rejuvenated. A product I’d definitely repurchase. Last but not least, I tried the Real Chemistry Luminous 3 minute peel. Normally, I would try it on my face, but I tried it on my hand and it started peeling so terribly that I didn’t dare put it on my face. I don’t think I’d get this because it would scare me to death.

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Best translucent powders (review & swatches)

translucent powders

At least once a month I get asked a question regarding translucent powders that are intended as the finishing touch over your entire make-up. These powders are supposed to mattify the skin and prolong the wear of your make-up while giving the skin a softer and flawless appearance. There are countless translucent powders in the market and the quality varies so I decided to write a short post about my personal favorite translucent powders which might come in handy.

translucent powders

Personally, I like the translucent powder to be very finely mild, mattify the skin and at the same time live up to the name translucent. Some (like the Trend It Up powder) leave a white cast over the face which can make you look unhealthy, even slightly gray. I try to stay away as far as possible from powders like that.

RCMA NO-COLOR POWDER (14€, 85g)

translucent powders RCMA No-color powder

I waited a long time to finally get my hands on the RCMA No-color powder. The texture of this powder is incredibly soft so it’s very easy to blend out and completely translucent when applied correctly. It gives the skin a nice appearance, blurs the fine lines and mattifies well. The price is great considering you’re gettting a hefty 85g of product. RCMA is the only powder in my collection that can compete with Laura Mercier translucent powder when it comes to setting the under-eye area. The only negative is the packaging – as you can see I’ve already broken the lid off mine meaning I can no longer travel with it.

LAURA MERCIER TRANSLUCENT LOOSE SETTING POWDER (33€, 29g)

translucent powders Laura Mercier translucent loose setting powder

This is a really expensive translucent powder, but worth every cent in my opinion. Because of its price, I only use it over the eyes (except for special occasions). With every use, I can be 100 % sure that the concealer won’t settle into my fine lines which is what I expect from this powder. It has a slight yellow undertone so it can slightly darken up any illuminating concealer, but the difference is negligible. If you’re looking to invest into a good translucent powder, this would be my recommendation. The packaging is simple – I turn the closed jar upside down, shake it once or twice, turn over again and open. There is just enough powder on the sifter for both under-eye area with that particular method of use.

PAESE COSMETICS RICE POWDER (18€, 15g)

translucent powders paese cosmetics rice powder

Paese cosmetics Rice Powder is the first rice powder I ever used so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. The formula is dry and a bit crumbly, so it’s a bit more difficult to apply as the RCMA and Laura Mercier that are both more compact. Regardless, it gives the skin a nice finish and is easy to blend out. The sifter is a bit different than in other packagings – you can turn it around and literally close the entire jar, for example before traveling. That way, you can make sure you won’t find the entire 15g on the top of the sifter once you open it again. I would recommend this powder for normal or dry skin, but I have a feeling it could potentially bunch up on really oily skin.

AVON MARK HD FINISHING POWDER (5€, 9g)

translucent powders Avon Mark

Avon set a new high with the Mark line and their HD finishing powder is no exception to this rule. I use this powder daily for my under-eye area, but I normally don’t use it all over the face because it’s a bit more difficult to blend it out and can leave a slight white cast. The packaging is OK – it has the same sifter as Laura Mercier or Paese – just close it, turn it around, shake a couple of times, turn again and open. The powder should be waiting for you on top of the sifter. I prefer this way of getting it out as opposed to sifting it directly into my hand. I feel that would use up more product and create a big old mess.

translucent powders

If I had to use only one translucent powder for the rest of my life (and someone else would pay for it), I would choose the Laura Mercier translucent loose setting powder, but to be honest, each of the powders above will work almost as great. The best price-performance ratio goes to RCMA which you can get through Beauty Bay. Of course, there are probably other great translucent powders out there I don’t know about yet – do you have any suggestions? Until next time, stay beautiful!

Avon Mark: top and flop products

Avon Mark

I am quite partial to Avon Mark line as you may well know if you’ve been following my posts for a while. I love the visual elements of the brand with the stunning black and white prints and combinations that look great both live and on the photos. Since I’ve tried quite a few of their products by now, I chose the top (and some flop) products to talk about today.

Avon Mark: lip products

Avon Mark Plump It Lipstick

Let’s start with the lipsticks since I already wrote about them *here*. Mark Plump-it lipsticks are absolutely gorgeous, soft and comfortable on the lips. They are also quite long wearing as I can usually get away with re-applying only once every four hours. My favorite shades are Divine Wine, Reddy to go and Rose Kisses.

Avon Mark Plump-it lip gloss

Unfortunately, I’m less impressed by Avon Mark Plump-it lip gloss which is supposed to give you a look of full and plumped-up lips. I wasn’t able to figure out the exact active ingredient (my money is on peppermint) but the tingling that comes with the use is absolutely something I don’t enjoy at all. The shade Mauve is gorgeous to wear independently or over a regular lipstick, but I don’t think we should sacrifice feeling comfortable just to look pretty – do you?

Avon Mark plump it lip gloss  View Post