SUMMER SHADES: Kate Moss Spring Lipstick by Rimmel in #16

Hello guys! I seriously don’t know how to start this post. I hope you’ve been doing well. I know I’ve taken a BIG break from the blogosphere, but that’s due to having two jobs that have kept me busy from early in the morning ‘till late at night. But I’m not gonna sit here and apologise now am I? I’d better make a separate post about it. Now, HELLOOOO summer! The temperature’s rising, summer clothes are out and of course, what a better way to switch your mood than to put on lighter, brighter make up? I’m all for the magenta, fuchsia, bright pinks, corals and all those summery shades, but there’s one particular product that works perfect for me during day and night. The award goes to Rimmel’s Long Lasting Lipstick by Kate Moss in no16!

The Good 

First of all, the packaging, while pretty standard, looks very chic and has Kate’s signature on the lid. The lipstick was a gift from my friend, as it’s incredibly difficult to get my hand on Rimmel in Greece. The first thing I noticed about it is (well, I was gonna say the pigmentation, but mind you,) the smell. I understand that it may not appeal to everyone but I actually kind of like it. It’s got that old, I-stole-it-from-my-mom kind of smell, but it fades after a few minutes. The second thing is probably the pigmentation. It goes opaque in one application, which I thought was quite strange, considering it’s not from the matte collection, but has a glossy finish. Its texture is very creamy and smooth and almost glides on to your lips. The colour itself is truly beautiful and oh so summery. It’s describes by most people as a bright, but not neon bright, corally pink. Due to my lips light pigmentation, it shows up more coral on me, which I think I like more.

The Bad 

Unfortunately, there are two negative things I had to include in this post about the lipstick. The first one (and probably what pisses me the most) is that it accentuates any dry or flaky areas you may have and as it’s a light shade, it may not look as appealing. The other negative thing is that, while I do find it very smooth on application, the formula itself can be quite drying after a while. Having quite dry lips ‘by nature’ I wasn’t very fond of the results. But that can be fixed by applying a clear lip balm before the lipstick for better results.

Conclusion 

This is an incredible product to have, as it’s quite affordable, and its negatives can be fixed just by priming your lips before applying the lipstick. The colour very summer appropriate and can be worn during the day, or as a nice nude to accompany your smokey eyes during the night. The range has so many colour and I’m tempted to order more.

That was my take on the lipstick lovelies. Have you tried any of the Kate Moss lipsticks? What do you think of them? Let me know!

Garnier Hydra Match Review

Garnier Hydra Match - 6.49€*

Hey lovely people! 

Firstly, Happy 1st December! Christmas is only 24 days away and I’m already in a Christmassy mood and looking forward to holiday music, decorations and such.

Secondly, I want to make an apology for not updating the blog at all in the past couple of months. To be completely honest, my ever-so-lovely camera broke down, I was pretty bummed about it and my other camera didn’t have the same quality. Then other things, including work, came in the way and need I say more, blogging wasn’t my first priority.

However I could’ve never distanced myself from it, so here I am talking about Garnier’s newly launched range of Hydra Match moisturisers, which are “tailor-made” to suit your skin issues. Having been trying them for several months, considering my skin has changed quite a bit during seasons, I am now confident that I can write a full and honest review on them.

To get it out of the way before I start soliloquize, the thing that got me hooked at first was the cute packaging. Seriously, how adorable are the little pastel tubes?

I’m gonna start by talking about my favourite out of the four and that’s the blue one, which is suitable for normal to combination skin. It is enriched with Blue Lotus and Mannose and it is claimed to leave your skin feeling hydrated for up to 24 hours. Now, I’ve been using this during summer, autumn and winter and I find that it’s the only one that actually moisturizes my skin and leaves it feeling soft, radiant and healthy. It is not shimmery but leaves a gorgeous healthy glow to the skin. It absorbs fairly quickly and has a lovely fruity scent, while its texture is quite light. I actually liked it so much that I got a second tube and it’s nearly finished!

The orange one is aimed at dull and tired skin. It has a unique texture, as it’s a gel. At first I thought what the heck, gels don’t work on my thirsty skin but hey, this baby is gorgeous. It absorbs instantly, and leaves my skin feeling radiant and moisturized. What I really like about this though, is that it almost feels like a serum or face primer; as it does prep my skin amazingly well for foundation. It contains smoothing oils, Citrus extract and Mannose. To me it smells like peach and I find it great to wear on days where I need an extra boost to my skin.

The pink one is aimed at dry skin types, hence its texture is much thicker than the previous ones (actually the thickest of the four). It contains Camellia oil and Mannose and is supposed to “revive” your skin in an instant. Although it did provide a certain hydration, I was disappointed by it. Considering that I have dry skin, this would be a dream for me. But it was not. It left my skin feeling greasy, almost like an oil film. I tried this day and night, and it was simply not working for me. I couldn’t imagine wearing this before foundation. Also, its texture is much too thick for my liking. Remember how hard it was to get that Nivea Cream out of the tube? Yep, like that. One positive though, the scent is quite lovely and sweet.

The green one is for all oily skin girls out there! It is enriched with Green tea extract and Mannose and it claims to leave the skin matte and moisture. It clearly isn’t for me as my skin type is quite different, but after one application, I noticed that it absorbs quickly and leaves the skin looking matte. It smells like cucumber to me(more like The Body Shop’s seaweed range to be precise).

To conclude, the ones that are the most suitable for my skin are the blue and the orange one. I actually quite like the result and integrating them in my skincare regime (post coming soon), works like a miracle.

Of course, you shouldn’t “hook” on my opinion about each of them. People’s skin reacts differently to different products, so you should check yourselves and I’m sure you’ll find the one the suits you best. I can only say one thing, at 6.49€ they are a bargain!

So that’s it. The blog post (more like a novel) came to an end. Phew. I am definitely posting more lovely things in the following week so watch out for those!

What do you girls think of Garnier’s Hydra Match range? Have you tried it? Did you like it? Let me know!

Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara

~Max Factor False Lash Effect mascara - 19.99E

Mascara is probably the only make up item I can't "live" without. I have very fair lashes, and I think I look like an alien without wearing it. Now, forgive me but I am not usually "loyal" to a particular brand when it comes to mascaras. I pretty much change it every three months and I always seem to be looking for new products! This may have changed though, because I, ladies (and gentlemen?) have found the "perfect partner" to start a serious relationship with, my Holy Grail mascara, then one I keep turning back to no matter what, the one that fulfills my needs! (drama queen)

It is of course Max Factor's Falsh Lash effect mascara! I discovered this a few years ago when I was doing my weekly drugstore "walk" and was a bit bummed about its price. But let me tell you, it's worth every cent!
Retailing at 19.99E, it's not one of the cheapest drugstore mascaras. In fact, I was even thinking to let it go and buy a Lancome mascara which costs 10 more euros. But I thought I'g give it a try.
And, oh my god, does it do wonders. I have literally tried this on all of my girlfriends and they all seemed to love it. It is a pretty good mascara that adds tons of volume and lengthens your lashes like no other. With only one coat! Some people may not like how intense it looks and may want something more subtle, but as far as I'm concerned, my eyes are what I want to accentuate more! I apply one coat during the day, and two coats for when I'm ready to go out, just so I can make it more dramatic.

(Sorry for the blurry picture, camera didn't want to focus)

I like my mascara wands to be big and boy, this applicator is huge! It has got plastic bristles that "comb" through the lashes, volumizing and lengthening them. One of the things I really like about it is that when you take out the wand, it doesn't have lots of gunky product on it, which helps application when you're trying to layer it or if you're trying to achieve a natural look. No spidery lashes! The scent is typical mascara scent which I don't really mind.

I would seriously recommend this to everyone. I already own the black along with the deep blue one and I would LOVE it if Max Factor made a cobalt blue colour! It is an amazing product!

RATING:
A+   Have you guys tried the Max Factor False Lashe Effect mascara? What is your opinion about it? Let me know!

Balea Body Scrub in Indian Chai

As you may have noticed, a major heat wave has made an appearance in Europe, making it almost unbearable to go out and about in the city. I am jealous of the people who live by the seaside and can refresh themselves whenever they want to. For the rest of us who have to go to work in this boiling weather and can only 'escape' during the weekend, it is only 'appropriate' to find the right products to make it bearable.

I don't know about you, but I definitely need my three-shower-a-day fix to make it through, otherwise I feel gross. I get myself ready in a towel, cooling water is running, candles are lit and I'm good to go! One of the things I seem to need more often because of the heat, is to refresh my skin twice a week. It's one thing to cleanse your skin every day, but you surely need to exfoliate and remove all those dead skins cells. I am a firm believer in exfoliliating and I seem to have found my favourite product to do so, in the past few months, which makes it a real treat whenever I'm in the shower!

Balea's body scrub in Indian Chai(LE) has got to be one of the best body scrubs out there and let me tell you what: it only costs 1.45E for 200ml! My best friend bought this for me when she went to Germany during February, as she knows I'm all about skincare and wanted something I couldn't get my hands on in Greece.

Balea products seem to be big in Germany and from the research that I was able to do (bare in mind that my knowledge in german is below zero xD ), they are extremely affordable, but still good skincare products. They do have quite a good range from body lotions, to masks, facial cleansers and so on.

My experience with the body scrub has left me speechless. Its scent is fantastic. I wish you could smell it. It is an amazing blend of Indian Chai and vanilla. It is not very strong but strong enough to make you feel fresh. It has got micro beads in it, which gently exfoliate your skin, removing impurities and all the dead skin cells, whilst leaving the skin squeaky clean and completely renewed. To be honest, it's not the most gentle exfoliator I've ever used, as the beads are quite big, but they're not harsh and it's exactly what I need to refresh my skin! Plus, they help to stimulate blood circulation as well! It also contains almond oil in it, which nourishes the skin and along with the exfoliation, makes it it velvety soft and radiant! Not to forget, this has some slight hints of glitter in it, but you can't really tell once you get out of the shower!

I couldn't find one negative to mention about this product. Perhaps the fact that is is not widely available and very hard to get. It smells like heaven, exfoliates your skin like crazy, and leaves it incredibly soft and nourished. All this for the price of 1.45E! I can't recommend this enough! This particular scent is limited edition, but if you manage to find any Balea products then surely give the body scrubs a try! I am already listing products for my friend to get me when she goes to Germany soon!

Have you tried any Balea products? Have you ever heard of them? What do you think of the review? Let me know in the comments!

Bioten cleansing gel-cream with Cotton Extract review

Hello gorgeous people!

It's been some time since I last posted, but believe me when I'm saying it's been a hectic 2 weeks and I haven't even had proper time for myself!
The truth is, I haven't been feeling good about my skin for wuite some time now. Mind you, it's not like I had acne or anything, but I never seemed to have a problem even when I was in my teenage years. So, now that regular spots were coming up more frequently, I wasn't pleased. No matter what product I used, I couldn't fix it. When it comes to skincare, I always have lower expectations from high street brands than I do with high end ones. And then I met this baby!

Bioten cleansing gel-cream - 3.50E*

Bioten is a relatively new brand that is known for its purist philosophy. Their products are paraben and paraffin free. It is fairly quickly going up the ladder and personally I find it's one of the best high street brands out there.

Their cleansing gel-cream with cotton extract for dry/sensitive skin is an absolute miracle. I wanted to use it properly for a few weeks before I tell you guys about it, even though I knew I loved it the first time I used it! It is a gentle cleanser that effectively removes impurities and keeps my skin feeling soft and clean. It smells amazing! Seriously, it makes me happy in the morning right the second I use it! I use it day and night and it helps my skin remain spot-free! I mean I do get the occasional spot 'that time of the month' but I seriously don't mind.

It contains natural cotton extract, which is rich in proteins and minerals and effectively helps to protect sensitive skin whilst conferring a smooth and supple appearance. It also has some pinky micro-beads in it, which release Vitamin E! I love these as they're so subtle that are not harsh on my skin, while offering some sort of exfoliation as well! It leaves my skin feeling so hydrated and fresh afterwards snf ready to proceed to the next step which is toner then moisturiser! Honestly, I have seen a vast improvement in the appearance of my skin. It looks healthier, plumper feels so much softer and has no spots.

All in all, this cleanser is actually a bargain! It is very affordable but does wonders to the skin. It is not tingly after its use. I reckon most people should give this a try even though it's aimed at dry/sensitive skin. It is paraffin, paraben and soap free. Seriously there is not a negative thing I can think about it right now.

RATING:
A+

What do you think of this? Have you tried it ladies? Let me know!

MAC lipstick in Impassioned

Aloha!
The sun is out much more often these days, which makes me want to incorporate brighter colours to my make up! Corals, peaches, hot pinks and fuschias are on the highway!!! This time, I'm going to talk about one of the most gorgeous and unusual colours that I own: MAC's Impassioned lipstick!

Impassioned is a very intense, ultra-pigmented, in-your-face, watermelon pink, with a fuchsia undertone. I cannot describe it quite well. It is not a true pink, and most definitelt not a true red. It is an in-between colour. It is neither warm nor cool-toned, so I believe all skintones can suit this. It goes really well with my super pale skin, but looks equally as beautiful on tanned skin.
It has an amplified finish, which I like even more than cremesheens! Vegas Volt is an amplified too, but I find Impassioned to be a bit more moisturising to my lips. Its staying power is truly amazing. Of course, if you're out for drinks and stuff it is eventually going to fade, but it will leave your lips with a lovely just-bitten/rasberry colour!

I would really recommend you to go and check this out, even though I think that it stands out on its own at MAC counters. It is simply beautiful worn either in winter or summer!!

Have you girls got this? Do you like it?

Oriflame More by Demy Make up palette

Hello gorgeous people!
Spring has finally arrived here, things are getting a little bit better, BUT, I'm still prone to spring allergies and stuff and right now I'm up with the worst sore throat ever! I hope you had a wonderful time at the Carnival/and what not, last week.

My mum purchased this make up palette from Demi Moore's collaboration with Oriflame, a couple of weeks back and honestly, I haven't stopped using it ever since!

First of, the packaging. It is quite sleek and feels very luxurious. The top is covered in metallic gold, while the bottom is crystal clear(plastic, it seems). When you open it up it's got a huge mirror which is so practical. It has four neutral, browny/bronzy eyeshadows, a blush and a cream highlighter. It's even got applicators for them, a lip brush, a blush brush and an eyeshashadow sponge brush. To be completely honest, I don't like using them. I never use the applicators that come with palettes anyway.

Now, the quality of the products is actually astonishing, I didn't really expect it to be that good. The colours blend so effortesly! The eyeshadows are beautiful and cover your basic, every day make up, but they can also be worn to look a bit more intense for an evening look. My favourites have to be the light shimmery one and the one on the top right!

Here comes the reason why I love this so much! The blush is a gorgeous rosy pink with lovely shimmer(not glitter!) running through it. It is the sort of colour that awakens your face and makes you look fresh and glowy! It can also look very chic and sophisticated for a night time look. I didn't really own anything quite similar, which is strange considering the fact that I have about a gazilion blushes which I don't really need. ^_^
The highlighter is a beautiful golden toned highlighter. It goes up smooth, and is not greasy at all. It gives the most amazing cheekbone highlight, even now that I'm super pale. I reckon this will look amazeballs during summer!

In all honesty though, there are a couple of cons to it. It is quite small for a palette. Too small. To the point where I dab my brushes with difficulty. And most importantly, it is ridiculously expensive. For Oriflame price standards anyway. I was quite in shock! It retails at about 30E. Thirty euro for a 7 gr palette? I didn't pay that much for it, my mum got it for about 15E.

I don't think it is worth the price, it is too small. I use it every single day, really but I wouldn't get it full price. If you manage to find it on discount, give it a try, 'cause it truly is a beautiful palette!

Have any of you girls tried this beauty?What do you think of it?

L'Oreal Rouge Caresse Lipstick in Impulsive Fuchsia

Hello ladies!

I hope you're having a wonderful week!
What do you think of my new header? It is slightly different from the precious one and guess what...I made it myself!

Every week or two, I find myself obsessing over a particular product,to the point where I reach for it multiple times a day if possible. Given that, I decided it was time to talk about one of my most used products recently. Loreal's Rouge Caresse lipstick in Impulsive Fuchsia that it!



The Rouge Caresse lipsticks are a relatively new addition to L'Oreal's make up range. They are described as moisturizing lipsticks and appear to be L'Oreal's answer to the much-anticipated Revlon Lip butters.
First of, Impulsive Fuchsia is a hot pink/fuchsia with a cool blue tone to it. The packaging is nice and looks way more expensive that it really is. It has a clear lid, while the other half is gold. It actually reminds me a lot of Dior's Addict Shine lipsticks.



As far as texture goes, it is quite smooth and soft like a lip balm. I particularly like it, 'cause even people with dry, chapped lips can wear it without worrying a slight bit. The colour pay off is quite good for a lip balm-sort-of product, it is sheer but I find that it's quite buildable. You can go from relatively light to full on fucshia if you apply more layers. Also, the finish is shiny but not sticky at all, which makes you lips feel and look super moisturised. It most reminds me of Chanel's Rouge Coco Shine lipsticks. It has a mild, fruity scent and tastes ok.(weirdo)


Still, there are a few cons I would like to mention.
The lasting power is not that great as it lasts me approximately an hour, before I have to reapply. But to be honest, don't expect miracles from a lip balm/lipstick product!I don't mind!
Its price is around 20 euros here, which I believe is a bit expensive for a highstreet/drugstore brand. I got mine in Bulgaria for only 10euro.
I suspect that the lighter colours in the range may appear a lot more sheer on pigmented lips.

Overall, L'oreal's Rouge Caresse lipsticks are such nice products to have, if you're looking for a more affordable version of the higher end brands' take! They are not THAT expensive, they are very comfortable to apply and their colour range is simply phenomenal. There's definitely something for every taste!

Have you girls tried any of these? What do you think? Which one is your personal favourite?

Review: MAC 181SE Mini Buffer brush

Hello everyone!
I desperately wanted to make a post, but uni and internship kept me busy and very tired, hence the delay.



I got this baby quite a few years ago(4 to be precise) and haven't stopped using it ever since. I wanted to get a kabuki brush for a long time but I wasn't really sure which brand to invest into. So when the MAC holiday collection kits came out, in 2009, I was really drawn into the Pinzapoppin'! kit and the price was great!
I really like the mini version, as I think the 182 buffer brush is too big to fit in all of my powder/highlighter containers.

It's got very dense bristles, which makes it ideal for diffusing colours and making them look more natural. I initially got it, because an MUA told me it's the best brush to use with MAC's MSFs. She was spot on! I never use another brush to apply them, as this makes highlighting seem so natural and effortless.

During the years, I've discovered more ways to use it. I find that it's perfect for buffing out too-strong contours, applying blush and even mineral powder! I now mostly use it to apply MSFs and/or to touch up with powder when I'm out as its size makes it PERFECT to put in your handbag! Last but not least, I want to mention that I haven't had that many problems with shedding, just a single hair here and there, but keep in mind that I've had this for 4 years!

All in all, this is a great investment and I would definitely repurchase, if I ever come across it again. I recommend this to anyone who likes small kabuki brushes as it can be so versatile!

Do you like kabuki brushes?

Review: Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Calypso Coral.

Hello everyone!
I thought today was the perfect time to talk about one of my favourite cream blushes at the moment!
Calypso Coral, that is!



Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Calypso Coral - 22€

I've had this cream blusher for quite some time now, and was suprised that I never paid attention to it. During the colder months I always find myself reaching for cream products, just so I could have that healthy inner glow!

Calypso Coral is a vibrant coral with strong pink tones on my fair NW20 skin. It may not be the most natural, every day colour, but it certainly gives an awakening and refreshing effect. It is ideal for those days when you haven't slept enough, as it gives you an amazing pop of colour! I found it looked more coral on my lips(probably because my lips are not so pink) than my cheeks(which was pinkier). It also looks great when I'm tanner, although a bit more coraley, than pink!

It has a creamy formula, almost like a hardened cream and a dry powdery texture. Most people moan about the Pot Rouges, saying they're too hard to blend, but I find that it blends like a dream. What I do is I take my stippling brush and start blending is circular motions and then, if needed, I finish with my fingers. I have to mention though, as I usually suffer from dry and chapped lips, I moisturise and exfoliate really well before I apply it as it tends to be a bit drying on the lips.

The reason why I love this product is not so much the colour, but the staying power and the fact that it finishes smooth with zero stickiness! Mind you, I LOVE Stila's covertibles, MAC's cream blushes and so many others, but they always tend to be a bit sticky. You will not feel any kind of stickiness with these! They are superb! Also, I do have dry skin(surprise, surprise) especially on my face, so naturally, cream blushes tend to sit well on my skin. And last long, about 4-5 hours. But this is truly amazing. Add the fact that I tend to put my hands on my face a lot, this baby lasts for a solid 8 hours without even fading! Honestly, it's such a life saver as I put my make up in the morning to go to class and I want it to last all day 'till I go to my internship!

Overall, If you're looking for a long-lasting, not greasy cream blusher, then I'd recommend Bobbi Brown Pot Rouges. They do have a nice range of colours that will most likely suit any skin tone and any taste.

What do you think of the Bobbi Brown Pot Rouges? Have you tried any?

Review: MAC Ruby Woo lipstick.

Hello everyone and Happy New Year!
I know that the festivities are over, but if there's one thing I discovered during December, it's my love for red lipstick. So just before 2012 came to an end, I gave in and got Ruby Woo. Another red to add to my humble collection of red lipsticks...




Ruby Woo is described as a blue-based red with a matte finish and nearly opaque colour coverage. To me, it looks more neutral than Russian Red, for example. Russian Red is surely deeper and more blue-toned that Ruby Woo. The thing about it is that, it's super matte which can be super drying, so prep your lips with a primer or a lip balm before you apply it. I have seriously dry lips but with a lip balm underneath Ruby Woo bears no pain :)

What really surprised me though, is the longevity of this lipstick! I wore it on New Year's Eve where there was lots of drinking, dancing, smoking, even sweating(AND eating!) involved and it didn't streak, not even fade after 6 hours of wear! This makes it the most long-lasting lipstick I've ever came across. It's even better than a lip-stain!

Overall, Ruby Woo lives up to its fame, it's a classic retro red that most likely suits any skin tone. To me it's heaven, because I love the combination of pale skin, blue eyes and red lips. If you ever pass by a MAC counter, check it out!

Have you managed to get your hands on this lipstick? What do you think?

Anastasia After Tweeze Cream

Hello gorgeous people!



I'm not usually the one to go and purchase tweeze creams, I've tried a couple in the past but I wasn't really left with good impressions so I didn't bother to look into it any more.
But whilst I was browsing the offer section at my local Sephora I stumbled across this and, 'cause I've heard some good words about Anastasia in the past, I thought I'd give it a go.

It's basically a cream with a green tint, that you put on the areas you've tweezed, that are red, dry and sore and it helps soothe and refresh the skin.
I did make the mistake of putting a regular moisturising cream in the past and let me tell you, it burns like hell! This one on the contrary, feels soothing and cooling due to the restorative chamomile extracts that help to moisturise and calm the skin. The green tint also helps in concealing the redness. It absorbs quickly and doesn't leave any greasy residue whatsoever.

I've been really satisfied with this cream and after my first attempt to thread my eyebrows on my own(aaaand it went good), I was left with red, irritated patches and this little fellow actually helped, A LOT.
The only negative I can find to it, is its price tag at around 20$. I surely didn't pay that much, I think it was around 8-10E but to me its worth every single penny. You only need the tiniest bit to apply and it will last you for a long time. So, next time you're in Sephora, give this a try.

Have you guys tried this? Or any other Anastasia products? What do you think?

Fresh Line Body Soap in Melon Mint

Hello guys! Hope you're spending your summer holidays having fun!
Today's blog post is about one of my favourite body products to use during summer and that is the Melon Mint Soap by Fresh Line.


I first visited Fresh Line about a couple of years ago, while being on an impulse shopping trip with my friends and I decided to try some of their products including their hydrotherapy balls(which I plan on talking about in another post), lotions and this soap.

Now, I am not a fan of solid body soaps. I prefer shower gels or creams. I always feel like they dry out my skin. But I couldn't resist this one, its scent was overwhelming(in a good way).

This is my fourth big slice of it as of yet(I take it into slices) and cannot say how much I'm in love with it! I take it and then slice it even more (about 4-5 slices) and this lasts me for a whole of 3 months. I've been using it religiously this summer. It's scent is pure melon. There's no other way to describe it. It's like you squeezed melon juice and then solidified it into this soap. It's very refreshing, calming and cleanses quite well. The chunks I take are not that expensive either. (about 3-5 Euro)

If you have a Fresh Line store near you, you should definitely give this a try. I get mine from the Fresh Line stand alone store near where I live but you can also find Freshline counters in Public or in the Cosmos Mall( in Thessaloniki).

I'm very happy that I've ventured into this whole Fresh Line experience because their products are organic, smell amazing and are quite reasonably priced. Add the fact that we don't have Lush in Greece(YET!), which is pretty much similar in terms of philosophy minus the extremely cute appearance of their products, with Fresh Line and that it's a Greek brand and I'm good to go!
Seriously give this a try, it's worth it!
Have you tried this or any other Fresh Line products? What is your favourite?

Bioten Cellufight Range Review

Hello ladies! Hope you're doing alright!
Now that I've hit the beach and aquired myself a lovely(natural and WITHOUT to burn) tan I'm in full blog mode and thought it was about time that I talked about Bioten's Cellufight* range products!


I've been using them for a few months now and can fully review them especially now that I can notice some kind of difference to the appearance of my skin!
The Cellufight range comes in a Massage Cream, a Drainage Gel, an exfoliating shower cream and an anti-cellulight massage oil. The lovely people sent me everything except for the massage oil but I couldn't complain whatsoever!
Me being a girl who likes her curves, I am suffering from a bit of cellulight on my thighs so I had to make my preparations before I showed myself to the beach!

Before I move on to the actual products review, let me remind you that NO product, pharmaceautical or not, cream, oil nor pill will make your cellulight disappear! Cellulight is pure genetics and you can only reduce, I repeat reduce it, but having a healthy diet and work out regime. Nevertheless, you can fool people and make the appearance of it look less intense.

Massage Cream
This is my favourite product to use during the colder months. First things first, this stuff is so, incredibly moisturising! My extremely dry skin (seriously, how many times am I going to say this?) totally loves it! Its texture is quite rich and thick and takes some time to absorb into the skin. It contains Guarava, Marine Algae and Black Pepper and this wonderful mix of anti-cellulight ingredients will reduce the orange peel aspect, increase the firmness of the skin and stimulate the micro-circulation. Also, the Black Pepper in it will make your skin feel warm and red, but don't panic! It's only a sign that it's working!Retails at €8,95.

Drainage Gel
This light, pink gel is ideal for summer. It absorbs fairly quick. But this for me has to to be the most painful product to use out of the three. It contains the same ingredients as the massage cream but somehow this is stronger on my skin, making it super red and itchy! Of course, after some time of using it my skin has come to terms with it and does not feel so itchy like it did before. The gel helps reduce the water excess and allows to eliminate the toxins, in the same time visibly reducing the cellulite.Retails at €8,95.

Exfoliating shower cream
My favourite product out of the three! This baby contains Guarava, crushed olive stones and Vitamin E and will exfoliate your skin like nothing else! It makes your skin silky smooth and I'm glad the beads in it are chunky because they completely remove the dead skin cells of my body making it brighter and smoother. The Guarava in it also helps improve the micro-circulation. I'm almost running out of this and I'm definitely repurchasing! If you want to try anything from this range and don't know where to start, GET THIS!Retails at €6,95.

I couldn't find a better way to describe it but all of the products smell like you're being treated in a spa. This is probably because of the marine algae and the black pepper in them but after I've used them I feel like I've given myself a real treat!!!
ALSO, all three of the products contain no parabens. Thumbs up!



Massage Cream Rating: A-
Drainage Gel Rating: B
Exfoliating Shower Cream rating: A+

All in all, if you use these products religiously, you will most likely see a big improvement in the apperance of your skin. I absolutely LOVE using them, especially now that it's summer and I go to the beach and they surely boost my confidence! The order in which I use them is, in the morning I apply the drainage gel, before I go to bed I use the massage cream and every 2 days I use the exfoliating shower cream! And it works!

I'm becoming boring but for the last time, these products(nor any other products) will NOT make the cellulight disappear! They will reduce the appearance of it!

***Bioten(surprised me and) sent me these products. I am not being paid or sponsored to make this post. The lovely people didn't even ask for a review. I just thought they are such nice products that you guys would love to read about. My readers' loyalty comes first!***

Have any of you tried these products? Do you like them or not? Let me know!

Garnier Ambre Solaire Golden Protect Lotion SPF 30 - A review

Hello gorgeous people!
The temperature is getting hotter each day, people have started reaching for the sea more and more often and I am stuck now at home studying for my finals and moaning about the weather. Because you know, I love winter, I like summer, I LOATHE the heat!
What a lovely intro there! Anyway, today I thought I'd talk about a product which I've been sent* by the lovely people at Garnier, who always surprise me with packages and new products! Recently I've been reaching for their newest sunscreen a lot and the more I use it, the more I seem to fall it love with it, so I thought I'll let you guys know.


This year I've set a goal. I am not going to burn...at least I'm going to prevent it as much as I can. It's not that I have extremely fair skin, I'm an NW20 at MAC as I've mentioned before, but my skin is very sensitive to sun rays and burns quite easily. And, after last year's camping experience, ( I got burned so bad on my legs, that touching them with a feather was like burning in hell, *used so much of Bebanthol's ointment the tube with the red colour, still nothing*)
So you can kind of see the controversy there, my skin absolutely hates sunbathing, I love it. So the middle ground is to enjoy sunbathing whilst still protecting my skin.
I decided to put the oil sprays aside and start using regular sunscreen. This year I had purchased no sunscreen and there was a little bit left of my Piz Buin one which I rarely used, so this one was a nice addition!
First of all what I love about this is the smell! It is so summery and refreshing! It is a nice blend of 'jasmine and sea salts along with tiare, orchid and coconut'. To me it simply smells like coconut! xD This also has Monoi oil which is a scented-oil used widely as a skin and hair softener. Overall, the scent is very summery, refreshing and sensual.
The second thing I noticed about it and I also love, is that it absorbs very quickly and it's not greasy! The thing I hate the most about sunscreens is that they never seem to absorb, they are greasy as hell and they leave this white film on your face or body. Not the case with this lotion. It absorbs fairly quickand doesn't leave any kind of film on your body. It actually feels moisturising for your skin!

As you can see from the pictures above, it's got a lovely beige colour(no white film like I said) and blends beautifully into the skin, leaving your body looking moisturised and healthy with a luminous pearl shimmer.
Its formula contains Mexoryl SX, an advanced patented UV filter. It helps protect against the harmful and premature ageing effects of UVA and UVB rays.

~ For those of you, who still find it a bit tricky to differentiate these two( I know I did), I tell you this:

UVA rays: These are less likely to cause sunburn than UVB rays, but they penetrate your skin more deeply. Watch out because UVA rays can go through windows, lightweight clothing, and even your car windshield. Prolonged exposure cracks and shrinks the collagen and elastin in your skin, which is why UVA rays are responsible for signs of aging including wrinkles, saggy and leathery skin, and suns spots.
UVB rays: These are responsible for tanning your skin, but they also cause sunburn. UVB rays are the main culprit when it comes to skin cancer. These rays also go through windows, and it doesn't matter if it's cloudy — you're still at risk for exposure.

There are three types available, depending on your skin type and how long you stay under the sun, SPF10, SPF20, SPF30.
They retail at 11.50E, 13.49E, 14.49E respectively.
Overall, I think this is a very good sunscreen, that does its job but feels more like a nourishing lotion. It's not sticky, doesn't leave any white marks and gives s a lovely luminosity to your skin. The price is affordable as well for a high SPF sunscreen, considering the higher the SPF the higher the price. It's worth checking it out while you're in the local supermarket, or Hondos center, or Boots, Superdrug and so on.

RATING
A

* Garnier sent me this product to try it. This is NOT a sponsored post, they didn't even ask for a review or to mention it. This is purely my personal opinion on a product that I've been loving recently.

Have you tried this girls? What is your favourite sunscreen? Or do you prefer to use oil sprays more?

Korres Magnolia Bark Day Face Cream SPF15 Review!

Hello my gorgeous readers!

I think it was about time that I did a review about the new Korres face cream with Magnolia Bark. I got two of these a couple of days before Christmas, one for me and one for my mum, so I reckon I can fully review it after two and a half months of using it.




The first thing that I noticed about it is the scent. It’s got a strong Magnolia scent(hence the name), which I absolutely love, even though I usually prefer my moisturisers to be a bit more neutral on the scent department and not overpowering. But this one is different. It’s refreshing and calming. There’s almost something luxurious when I put in on.
It’s aimed at all skin types which is something that put me off at first as, I believe, every skin type is different and therefore should be treated accordingly.
Its texture is quite light which makes it ideal for both dry and oily skin types. It absorbs into the skin fairly quickly although I find that it leaves a greasy residue for a bit before it completely disappears, thus I have to wait for a good ten minutes before I start applying make-up.

It claims that the Magnolia bark active extract helps repair fine lines and first wrinkles. Now, at 20, I don’t particularly have any wrinkles,except for when I’m smiling, at the corners of my mouth, otherwise known as “laughter wrinkles” which I don’t mind at all. But what I can see is that, overall, it leaves my skin feeling very healthy and plumped and creates a really good base for make-up when it’s completely dried up.



Big plus the fact that it’s got SPF15, it helps me big time ‘cause I don’t have to use sunscreen AND moisturizer on top. It leaves the skin looking natural, not too glowy, nor too matte.

One negative that I have to mention is that during these 2,5 months of using it, my skin went through a phase where it was extremely dry and the moisturiser  didn’t provide all the hydration that I needed. But it was expected from a moisturiser that’s aimed at all skin types anyway.



Overall, if you do not have problematic skin and just want a fairly good moisturizer, this should do the job. And for a pharmacy brand, at 25E a piece, it’s affordable too.


Pros:
Smells divine
SPF15
Light Texture
Plumps skin
Healthy and natural finish
Fairly good hydration

Cons:
Leaves a greasy residue for a bit before completely disappearing
Not for extremely dry skin types
Scent may be too overpowering for some people

RATING:
B-

Have you girls tried this? What do you think?