February 16, 2017February 16, 2017 - vicky Leave a comment

CURRENT MAKEUP FAVORITES VOL 1

Hello everyone and happy 2017! I can’t believe the holidays are over and a new year, full with potential and surprises has come. For the first (and admittedly late) post of 2017, I thought I would share with you all the new makeup additions to my collection, which I am excited to use. You probably all know by now how much of a beauty-addict I am. I need to try new products all the time, without of course forgetting my favorite staple ones.

The first thing on my list is the one I am most excited about: the Kat Von D Tattoo liner. OMG! This is the best eyeliner ever! I am not very good in using eyeliner – I’ve only been using it for a couple of months now- which is why this eyeliner is perfect. It has the finest, thinnest tip ever, which I absolutely love because it helps me create a simple but precision fleek. It is so easy to use and it is buildable, which means you can go for a cute daytime thin fleek, to a thicker and bolder nighttime one. I have already stocked up with a second one!

Another favorite I actually got in a magazine is the new Rimmel Volume Colorist mascara. I am such a sucker for mascaras and I love trying new ones all the time, which is why I have more samples than full-sized ones. This is my first Rimmel mascara and I have to say I was very impressed. It has a tint complex that supposedly tints your lashes and makes them stand out more. So basically if your lashes are quite pale and sometimes non-existent, this mascara will add color to them during a period of time and make them stand out even without it. On that subject I don’t have to say much, since my lashes are quite visible on their own and I haven’t been using only this mascara on a daily basis. What I loved about it is the long, slightly pyramid shape brush with the perfectly separated bristles. This brush elongates and separates my lashes, making them look beautiful yet natural; it is just perfect for a simple day look.

Another brand I absolute love is Colourpop. I had heard so many amazing words about Colourpop products that last year I decided to take the plunge and try a few of its famous Liquid Matte Lipsticks and boy was I not disappointed! The lipsticks are incredible and at such an affordable price (full review here). This year I thought I should try out some other products as well, such as its highlighters and eyeshadows. Although full reviews and swatches of everything I got will follow-up soon enough, I simply had to mention two of my favorite Highlighters in this post. The first one is called Hippo and it is the most gorgeous, icy lavender color ever and the second one is called Monster and it is a beautiful nude/champagne shade with pink shimmer. What I love about these highlighters is how creamy (they are creamy and not powdery) and how discreet they are. They are quite sheer, yet buildable and create a gorgeous shimmery effect. Especially the Hippo one had literally lifted my cheekbones; it was beautiful!

Still in the Colourpop brand and apart from the shadows and highlighters, I also got my first Ultra Satin Lipstick, since I only had matte ones. I was a bit skeptical about the Satin finish as I don’t really enjoy creamy and shiny lipsticks. The one I got is in the shade London Fog, a lovely, deep -yet bright enough- red. Once again Colourpop hadn’t disappointed me. The color is so beautiful and I feel it really suits me. The satin finish is very lovely; it is not creamy and shiny at all, on the contrary from a distance it looks rather matte. But it is more moisturizing than a matte one, and it glides easier on the lips.

Another makeup favorite I absolutely love is Burberry’s Lip and Cheek Bloom in the shade Purple Tulip. This is a multipurpose product as it can be used on the lips and cheeks. It is not an actual lipstick and blush but more of a lip and cheek stain. I really like these types of products for when you are on the go or travelling, plus they are perfect for a more natural everyday makeup look. This product is really creamy and buttery, and has a lovely color payoff. The shade I got is simply amazing; if there was one shade in the whole world that could describe and be me, it would be this shade. It is the most gorgeous pink/fuchsia shade!

I have always loved full and well-shaped brows. I believe they basically map and frame the entire face. All my eyebrow products are among my favorite ones. Even on the days I am going for a more casual and natural look, I always take care of my eyebrows. Most of the time I am using either powder products or pencil ones but I always wanted to try the Dipbrow Pomade by Anastasia Beverly Hills. When I first used it I was very excited as my eyebrows looked amazing and fierce; so professional. However, I have to warn you guys that this is a very creamy and pigmented product. You literally need the smallest quantity for the entire brow, otherwise you risk of looking like a fool with slug-eyebrows. Also you need a very thin and sturdy brush because precision is the key when using this product. It is long-lasting and quite smudge-proof. Absolutely recommend it!

The last makeup item I recently got and love so much is the Matte Lip Colour lipsticks by H&M Beauty. I got quite a few due to the sale that’s been going on these days and I am totally hooked. They are really good quality, long-lasting and truly matte. Also the color selection is quite huge and caters for all tastes. I got different shades ranging from red and coral-red to fuchsia and purple. They are all equally pretty. And the best about them is their amazing price at 10 euros! So cheap yet so lovely!

Which are your favorite makeup items you currently swear by? Don’t forget to connect with me through my Instagram @vogueandmacarons!

Vicky xx

April 25, 2016July 31, 2016 - vicky Leave a comment

MY TOP 5 RED LIPSTICKS

nai

I love lipsticks! It is something I have mentioned before in many posts. From all the makeup products available, lipsticks are my absolute favorite, because a lipstick is basically the only thing you need to achieve an eye-catching makeup look. If you are lazy like me and you don’t really feel like going all the way on a daily basis with your makeup, a lipstick is the perfect way to create an effortless and simply put-together look. If you are in a hurry, just put on some lipstick and bam you are ready to go! One of my favorite lipsticks color is red. I don’t really need to talk much about why, since red is the most iconic and classic color. It is a color you can wear any time of the day and season of the year because of its many different shades. You have bright red, burgundy, brick-red, orange-red, berry red, blue red and the list goes on. There is literally a shade that compliments every different skin and hair color combination. Because red is such a staple color, I couldn’t but have a bunch of them. Don’t forget that I am a lipstick hoarder 😉 Here I share with you guys my top 5 favorite red shades of lipstick and why I like each of them.

ola

Russian Red – MAC

This was my first red lipstick and obviously it has a special place in my heart. It is a vivid red with blue undertones, which give a cool hue to it. It is matte, which is my favorite finish, and I love wearing it all the time. Like literally all the time. I am quite pale and I feel that it really works for me. It is perfect for all year round as it is a quite standard shade of red.

Audrey – NARS

This is part of NARS’s audacious collection. I absolutely love this lipstick, because although it has a creamy, hydrating feel, once applied it dries matte. It is a beautiful red shade with a hint of pink to it. It is darker than Russian Red and deeper. I love this shade for the cold winter weather, as it is between burgundy and berry shades. Also the formula of this lipstick is simply insane; moisturizing and non-drying matte. What else can I ask for?!

Dashing – Marc Jacobs

I got this lipstick as part of the Christmas holiday Sofia set. I was longing to try the famous Marc jacobs lipsticks and boy was I not disappointed! All of the lipsticks feel amazing on my lips due to their formula. Although they are creamy and not matte, they are very steady and long-wearing. This is a beautiful deep but not dark, shade of red. This is the red I imagine the old Hollywood stars would wear. A beautiful shade for all year round and in my opinion it looks flattering on everyone. It is not a eye-catching shade, but a subtle yet sexy one. I really love it!

Cruella – NARS

Another NARS favorite, this is not your traditional lipstick. Instead it is a lip pencil you can apply on the entire lip. It has a velvet feel and it really glides on the lips. It has a quite matte finish but non-drying. I got it as a birthday present from Sephora and I was really excited because I have seen so many positive reviews on NARS velvet lip pencils and especially this shade. I am in love with it. I am actually contemplating buying the regular size, even though I still haven’t finish this one. It is darker than the previous shades. It doesn’t have a pink or blue hue, but more like a deep scarlet red. Another shade I would wear all the time. Also very easy to apply because of the pencil form.

Avenue – ColourPop

My top 5 would not be complete without a ColourPop lipstick. This one is an Ultra Matte one, which means that even though it comes in a lipgloss form, it is a liquid lipstick that dries completely matte. This is actually the mattest of them all. It dries immediately but it doesn’t dry the lips at all. It is completely matte and so lightweight you forget you have something on your lips. Also it is very long-lasting and the cheapest of them all. The shade is a beautiful deep red cherry red. It is the closest from the shades to burgundy, therefore I prefer wearing it in the winter and fall. I love wearing it in the nighttime for a sexy, sultry look but I believe it is appropriate for all day long. I have a review on the ColourPop lipsticks where I share my thoughts about them extensively.

A red lipstick is a staple makeup product. It comes in many shades and types of finish and there is a right one for every woman. It makes any look sexier and more polished. Above I shared my 5 favorite ones which I love wearing all the time; day or night, winter or summer. I really don’t care about the Dos and Donts when it comes to my red lipstick, but instead I wear whatever makes me feel good. Comment down below and share your favorite red lipsticks. Also don’t forget to connect with me on Instagram (@vogueandmacarons) and Twitter (@vogueandmacaron).

Till next time take care dolls 😉

Vicky x

April 10, 2016July 31, 2016 - vicky Leave a comment

EVERYDAY NATURAL MAKEUP LOOK

For my everyday go-to makeup, I try not to use many products or create a “heavy” look. I am a fan of the more natural look that basically enhances my characteristics instead of altering them or hiding them. Therefore I don’t really use bright or dark eyeshadow, however, from time to time I pick a red or a fuchsia lipstick because I like adding a pop of color to the natural look. Having a simple makeup look is also great for transitioning from day to-night by touching it up and making it a bit bolder. If the look is too strong already, I don’t think it differentiates from a nighttime look. The look I share with you guys, is one of my favorite for everyday because it is simple, it brightens up my skin and makes it look youthful, dewy and fresh. I love rose gold, nude and brown/mauve shades so most of the looks I create revolve around those colors. Now let’s get started shall we?

yes

Step 1 – Face

When doing my makeup, the most important thing to me is to create a flawless base. Therefore, I use more products and effort for my face than my eyes or lips.

MAC Prep and Prime primer (on face and eyes)
NARS Sheer Glow foundation in Mont Blanc
Bobbi Brown Corrector in Bisque
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla
Too Faced Cocoa Powder foundation powder in Fair (for setting)
Too Faced Sweethearts Blush in Candy Glow
Benefit Cosmetics Liquid Face Highlighter in High Beam (on cheekbones, nose, brow bone and cupid’s bow)
Too Faced Bronzer in Chocolate Soleil (for contouring)

Step 2 – Eyes

Before I am going for a natural look, I like to use nude/light brown or rose gold/pink eyeshadow. I don’t like to use too many different shades as it kind of cancels the whole simple purpose of the look. Once I am done with the shadow and mascara, I do my eyebrows. I always do my eyebrows, even when I don’t use any shadow on my eyes at all, as I believe the eyebrows to be the most important facial characteristic. They frame the face and give structure to it. Well groomed eyebrows can make a huge difference to the way someone looks. Therefore, my biggest makeup advice would always be: never omit your eyebrows!

Urban Decay Naked 3 palette shade Strange (as a base all over my eye and eyebrow bone – perfect pink/white)
Urban Decay Naked palette 3 shade Burnout (on my lid as the main color – gorgeous metallic rose gold)
Urban Decay Naked 3 palette shade Limit (as a blending shade to soften the look and also apply on lower lash line – great matte pink/brown)
Lancome Definicils Mascara
H&M Soft Kajal Eye Pencil in Pale Nude (on the waterline to brighten up the eyes and make them look bigger)
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz pencil in Medium Brown (for the eyebrows)
Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel (to set the eyebrows and blend them out a bit)

Step 3 – Lips

For my lips I don’t have a specific routine as they are my favorite part of my makeup. I like being playful and bold but I also like being subtle and natural. I know it sounds complicated, but basically I can wear anything on my lips. From liquid lipsticks to lip pencils and from burgundy to pink. For this look I decided to go for pink since there is rose gold on my eyes.

MAC Lip Pencil in Edge to Edge (I trace my natural lip line and then fill them in as well – perfect medium pink shade)
Rosebud Perfume Co. Lip Balm in Rosebud Salve (I mix it with my lip pencil to create a glossy, plum, natural lip plus it moisturizes the lips)

For my everyday makeup look, I prefer to use natural, soft shades that enhance my face and make it look fresh and bright. I don’t like to use many products or bold colors as I am usually going for a natural, simple look. For the makeup look I shared with you, I used light brown, rose gold and pink shades, as they are girly and perfect for spring. Comment below and share your favorite daily makeup looks. Also don’t forget to connect with me on Instagram (@vogueandmacarons) and Twitter (@vogueandmacaron)!

Till next time take care dolls 😉

Vicky x

April 4, 2016July 31, 2016 - vicky Leave a comment

STEPS FOR GLOWING SKIN

Glowing, youthful skin is something all women strive to achieve through various products and treatments. Our skin is very fragile; it gets damaged very easily either from factors we something to do with (like diet and makeup) or factors out of our control (like the environment and time). Although it is not easy to change the effect these factors have on our skin, there are ways for us to protect and even repair our skin by minimizing the effect of the negative factors. Bellow, I share with you guys some easy daily and weekly steps that should not be omitted and that will help to achieve the glowing skin we all desire.

DAILY STEPS

Daytime

Cleansing: Every morning it is important to cleanse our skin once we wake up. You might think that it is not necessary as all we did was sleep, so how come the skin is dirty. However, throughout the night, our skin is exposed to the environment around us, plus there are the products we used the night before that need to be removed. Therefore, we should cleanse our skin with a mild cleanser, to merely refresh it and wash away any impurities.

L-R: first aid beauty, philosophy, lancome, lancome, first aid beauty, clarisonic — L-R: First Aid Beauty, Philosophy, Lancome, Lancome, First Aid Beauty, Clarisonic

Moisturizing: Once we have cleansed our skin and before applying any makeup, it is important to moisturize it. During the day our skin is exposed to the harsh environment, like the sun and the car fumes, plus we have makeup on. Either the weather or the ingredients of our makeup, might dry our skin. In order to keep our skin hydrated we need to apply a light moisturizer, that will not burden the skin or interfere with our makeup.

L-R: kiehl's, charlotte tilbury, lancome, lancome, jurlique — L-R: Kiehl’s, Charlotte Tilbury, Lancome, Lancome, Jurlique

Sunblock: The final step of a daytime skincare routine, must be the sunblock. We all know how harmful the sun can be for our skin. From creating free radicals and quicker aging to skin cancer, the sun rays are a major source of skin damage. Therefore, it is essential to apply a good, high protection sunblock before applying our makeup.

Nighttime

Remove makeup: Removing our makeup at the end of the day is the basic step of a good nighttime routine. Many women tend to omit that step, which results in all the chemicals from the makeup products to stay in the skin for the entire day. This essentially results in a lot of damage; from breakouts to dry and irritated skin. Therefore, it is crucial to remove all the makeup from the face and eyes.

L-R: Koh Gen Do, Clinique, Johnson & Johnson, Biotherma, Ren — L-R: Koh Gen Do, Clinique, Johnson & Johnson, Bioderma, Ren

Cleansing: Once the makeup is removed, we should cleanse our skin. Even with the makeup remover products, some makeup will remain on the skin. Plus our skin has been exposed and covered in makeup throughout the day. Therefore, it is very important to cleanse it with a stronger cleanser than the one we used in the morning. The cleanser will relieve the skin from all the dirt and damage it has been through since morning.

L-R: fFrst Aid Beauty, Philosophy, Lancome, Lancome, First Aid Beauty, Clarisonic

Serum: Before applying our nighttime moisturizer, it is important to apply a lightweight serum over our skin. Based on the skin’s needs, it could be a hydrating one, a brightening one or an anti-aging one. Serums are more concentrated than moisturizers and packed with beneficial ingredients. They are basically boost-shots for the skin.

F-R: Algenist, Nude, Jurlique, Dior, Lancome, Dior

Moisturizer: The last step of a good nighttime routine is the moisturizer. Same as in the morning, the moisturizer will hydrate the skin during the night. Since during sleep our body doesn’t function as intensively as the rest of the day, and since we don’t put makeup on while we sleep, the night moisturizer has to be a bit thicker than the day one. The night moisturizer can also have anti-aging properties. Don’t forget that during sleep, our body heals itself and repairs any damages, so we should do what we can to help it.

WEEKLY STEPS

Apart from a good daily routine, it is important once or twice a week to exfoliate our skin and apply a mask. Exfoliating is important as it removes the dead cells and skin. It basically rejuvenates the skin and polishes it. The “bad” skin is washed away for the “new” one to emerge. Because the exfoliating process could be a little harsh for the skin, it is important not to overdo with it; exfoliating once or twice a week is more than enough. Apart from exfoliating the skin, applying a mask is equally important. It could be a hydrating, brightening, anti-aging or anti-blemish mask; the mask’s purpose is dictated by the skin’s needs. Face masks are concentrated and therefore easily absorbed by the skin. They offer an instant boost or repair of any damage done to the skin. Applying a mask on the face is a spa-like treatment but in the comfort of your own home. Again a little goes a long way, so once or twice a week is the perfect frequency for face masks.

exfoliators — F-R: Lancome, Fresh, Chanel, Laura Mercier

L-R: H&M, Fresh, First Aid Beauty, Lancome, Fig & Yarrow, Kocostar

Following some simple daily and weekly steps will result in clean, glowing, youthful skin. Using only a few products, can help achieve the perfect skin we all desire. Although my skin doesn’t have any specific problems, I follow these steps, as much as I can, to protect my skin and keep it glowing and fresh. Comment below and share your favorite skincare routine steps. Also let’s connect on Instagram (@vogueandmacarons) and Twitter (@vogueandmacaron)!

Till next time take care dolls 😉

Vicky x

March 20, 2016 - crazyandfashionable Leave a comment

Perfect Eyebrows + My Eyebrow Routine

HOW TO GET THE PERFECT EYEBROWS + MY EYEBROW ROUTINE

One of my favorite parts while doing my makeup, is the eyebrows. I just love eyebrows! I believe that they basically frame the face and give some structure to it. Imagine how weird your face would look without eyebrows. I know right? Therefore, eyebrows are a very important part of any makeup routine.

The first thing is to give the right shape to your eyebrows. By right I mean the shape that suits and flatters your face the most. The best thing would be to follow the natural arch and pluck it based on that. The two ends of your eyebrow are guided by your nose and your eye. So basically to find the beginning of your eyebrow mark a straight line from your nostril and up. Where your nostril ends is where your eyebrow begins. The end of your eyebrow is found my placing a ruler or a pencil diagonally from your nostril to the outer corner of your eye. This is where the eyebrow should end. To find your arch, you get the very same pencil/ruler and from the end of your nostril (like all the previous times), you take it at the centre of your pupil and up. That’s how you find where the highest part of your arch should be. It is an easy peasy way to map your eyebrows.

My eyebrow routine-Favorite products

When I groom my eyebrows, I basically pluck them where I need to in order to maintain my shape, and then I also use a tiny pair of scissors to trim them a little bit. I also use alcohol before I start plucking, to open up my pores a little so the process won’t hurt that much. Of course, I also brush them through the entire process so I can see how they will look eventually.

When I am doing my eyebrow makeup, I use a few products I really like. For feeling in my brows I use a pencil or a shadow. My favorite pencil is the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Medium Brown. I absolutely love that pencil because it has a very fine tip, which is perfect for creating a natural (not overdrawn) look. Plus it has a spooley brush as well.

When I have more time at hand, I prefer to use a shadow than a pencil. My favorite duo is from the Naked 2 Basics palette from Urban Decay. I use the second darkest shade called Primal for the first half of my brow up to my arch, because this is a lovely taupe-brown shade that will keep the look natural. If I used a darker shade my eyebrows would look unnatural and overdrawn. For the second part of the brow I use the darkest shade called Undone, because it is a cool-toned dark brown, which is perfect for filling in my sparse part. I use an angled brush because of its shape.

After I am done with the filling of the brows, I brush them with the spooley to blend any excess product and then I use my Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel to set my eyebrow so there won’t be any unruly hair flying to different directions. Sometimes when I am too lazy to fully do my eyebrows, I use a tinted eyebrow gel to fill them in a little and set them at the same time. I mostly use the Anastasia Beverly Hills Tinted Brow Gel in Brunette but lately I am loving Benefit’s Gimme Brow in Medium/Dark. Both of them are lovely.

Besides the products mentioned above, I also love Urban Decay’s Brow Box in Brown Sugar. It is an amazing all-in-one product as it has 2 shades for the brows, a pair of tweezers, two angled brushes and wax to set the brows. An amazing tool perfect for daily use or when travelling.

Brows are an important part of the face; they add structure to all the characteristics. Therefore, grooming them is an important part of a makeup look. It doesn’t matter what you use to get the right brow; it could be shadow, pencil or simply a tinted brow gel. No matter what you choose to use or how you choose to do your eyebrows, keep in mind that they should always frame your face and highlight your features. Try not to overdo them but instead always keep them natural-looking. It doesn’t matter how thin or thick they are as long as they look natural and not like glued on or drawn on. I would love to know your eyebrow routine and your favorite eyebrow products. Also lets connect on my Instagram (@vogueandmacarons) or Twitter (@vogueandmacaron).

Till next time take care dolls 😉 xxx

Vicky

March 13, 2016 - crazyandfashionable 1 Comment

ColourPop Ultra Matte Liquid Lipsticks Review and Swatches

COLOURPOP ULTRA MATTE LIQUID LIPSTICK REVIEW AND SWATCHES

Liquid lipsticks are a new trend that has emerged the last couple of years. They are basically lipsticks in the form of a lip gloss, which ultimately dries matte on the lips. The idea of a lipstick that is absolutely matte thrilled me, as I love lipsticks with a matte finish more than any other lip product. Although I already own and love a couple of Too Faced Melted lipsticks, for a while now I wanted to try the famous ColourPop Ultra Matte liquid lipsticks that everyone is raving about.

I ordered 8 – yes 8! – because it was simply hard to choose from the huge variety of colors. Plus they are very affordable at 6 $ which is cheaper than any other lipstick I own. Once I put them on, I saw what the whole fuss was about; the lipsticks are amazing! First thing’s first, they are very easy to apply because of the shape of their wand. Secondly they dry extremely fast; by the time I am done with my upper lip, my lower has already dried. They are very pigmented, which means they cover my natural lip color entirely, plus you can easily built them up by going darker and darker. Once they have dried you don’t feel there is anything on your lips. They are very light and they are not drying the lips at all. They truly are the mattest thing I have ever put on my lips. This part alone is what makes me super excited for them. I love anything that is really matte, so immediately these lipsticks earned a place in my hard. Lastly, they can last for a long, long time. You can actually eat, drink or even kiss someone and the lipstick will remain unphased. I have never seen anything like this before. This exact feature is also the only downfall as it does take a minute or two to properly remove the lipstick from my lips. I have to use my best makeup remover and actually rub my lips in order to get it all off. Because of the rubbing, the area around my mouth is stained with red color, but this is easily fixed with some powder. Best part is that you don’t feel like you have anything on your lips, plus the lipstick doesn’t dry the lips out at all, despite being matte. Bellow there are swatches of all the 8 lipsticks I got so far!

I really love my ColourPop Ultra Matte lipsticks. They are seriously amazing. The formula is rich, pigmented, non-drying for the lips and it dries pretty fast and pretty matte. Add an incredibly low price and you have the best liquid lipstick combination ever! I would recommend them to anyone who is looking for some great, affordable, matte liquid lipsticks. Do you guys like liquid lipsticks and if so which one is your favorite? If you have tried ColourPop which shade do you like? Also, don’t forget to pop over Instagram (@vogueandmacarons) and Twitter (@vogueandmacaron) and say hello!

Till next time take care dolls 😉 xxx

Vicky

December 23, 2015 - crazyandfashionable Leave a comment

FESTIVE MAKEUP LOOK

FESTIVE MAKE UP LOOK

Hello lovelies! I can’t believe Christmas is just around the corner! I am so excited thinking of all the food and sweets and just how fun that day will be. For a festive day like this, a festive look is appropriate. However, I am not a huge fan of extravagant makeup looks; I mostly like subtle yet glamorous makeup that does not look heavy on the face. I really like the old school Hollywood stars make up, where lips are the centre of the entire look. For this festive Christmas look, I will go for shimmery eyes but not too loud, and for bold lips. I am torn between red and purple, as I love purple lipstick a lot however, I believe red lipstick puts the F in Festive! So let’s get started shall we?

The face

In order to look extra glamorous and fresh on Christmas day, I moisturized my face using Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cream. I really love how smooth and hydrated my skin feels afterwards. Then I used MAC’s Prep and Prime primer to prime my face so the makeup will not crease and stay in place for the day. In order to achieve a dewy base, I used a tiny bit of my Nars Sheer Glow foundation in the shade Mont Blanc, which I applied with a damp sponge. For under my eyes, I used my Bobbi Brown Corrector in the shade Bisque to cover my dark circles, and then I applied my Nars Radiant creamy concealer in the shade Vanilla. To set the base I used my Rimmel Stay Matte powder in the shade Transparent. Once everything is set, it’s time for the highlighter and blush. For blush I used MAC’s Breath of Plum because I find it a lovely winter color that ties well with gold shimmery shades. For highlighter I used my Physician’s Formula “Natural Nude” palette. I love this multipurpose palette and especially the top white colors for highlighting. I applied the highlighter on my cheekbones, inner eye corners and my cupid’s bow. I am not a huge fan of contouring and bronzing however, I used my Anastasia Beverly Hills contour kit palette to bring some warmth to my pale face. I used the middle bottom shade because it is perfect for very pale skin, and I applied it on the hollows of my cheeks and my forehead; but only a little because I didn’t want to end up with darker face than body. And with that the face is finished.

The eyes

Moving on to the eyes, I went for a shimmery yet subtle look. I wanted to keep the eyes bright and glamorous but not very strong as to overshadow the lips. To create the festive look I was going for I used two of my favorite palettes: Naked 2 (p1) by Urban Decay and Everything Nice (p2) by Too Faced. These palettes are extremely pigmented, which means you really need a small quantity each time on your brush. First I applied the color Turtle Dove (p2), which is a creamy matte white, all over my lid and up to my brow bone, in order to create the perfect base. Then from the first palette (p1) I used the color Bootycall (I know right?) on my lid. This is a nude-peachy metallic color, which is going to deepen my lid a bit. Then, from the second palette (p2) I applied the color Shinny Happy on the centre of my lid. This is a shimmery, cool toned gold. It sets the base for the glamorous part. With a fluffy brush I blended the color Suspect (p1), which is a silvery gold, on the edge of my crease to brighten the eye a bit. Lastly I used the color Don’t Settle (p2), which is a brown-gold color, on the outer corner of my eye and all the way to the middle, to make the look a little bolder and tie everything in. On the inner corner of my eye, as mentioned before, I used my highlighter. On my lower lashline, I used the color Don’t Settle (p2) to enhance the look and make it a little more dramatic. I am not a big fan of liquid liner or eye liner in general, because I feel it looks heavy on my droopy eyes. Therefore, I choose to use a black eye shadow with an angled brush and I create a small wing which I bring to the middle of my lid and smudge it a little bit. I also connect the wing to my lower lashline until the middle as well. I don’t use fake lashes as I am rubbish at it however, I love mascara! I curled my lashes with my H&M curler and then I used Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye mascara. It makes the lashes longer and much fuller, perfect for a festive look. Of course we should never forget our eye brows. My eye brow routine is very simple. I brush them with a spoolie, then I fill them in a little with my Anastasia Brow Wiz in Medium Brown and I set them with a clear brow gel.

The lips

Last but not least, the lips. Remember the lips are the centre of the whole look. It’s the holidays so I decided after some conflict to use a lovely bright red lip color. First I muted my lips with some powder and then I used my MAC lip liner in Ruby Woo to line my lips slightly. I don’t go over my lips with my liner; I simple go over my natural lines and accentuate my cupids bow. I absolutely love red lipsticks. For this look I wanted a bright red but not orangey, so I used Rimmel’s Kate Moss number 10. Such a beautiful creamy red! It is not very matte or very glossy. If you want to go full on, then you can add some red or even clear lipstick on the top. To make sure my makeup will last and look amazing after a couple of hours, I set it with MAC’s Fix Plus spray.

I love how festive this look is, without being over the top. The eye makeup is a cool toned gold, paired with a bold and bright red lipstick. It is a look that can carry you throughout the day and night. You can have it on the Christmas table and the bar you might pop at night. It is flattering for everyone, as you can never go wrong with a red lipstick. I hope you like the look as much as I do. If you recreate it, share it on Instagram (@blueberrylover) and Twitter (@vickyinlalaland) with the hashtag #myshinyxmas.

Till next time take care dolls 😉 xxx

Vicky

December 5, 2015 - crazyandfashionable Leave a comment

NOVEMBER FAVORITES

November and autumn – which is my favorite season – might be gone, but December has set in, with Christmas just around the corner. Since it’s the end of the month, I have done a roundup of my most loved and used products! This is so exciting, as it is also my first “monthly favorites” post and I can’t wait to share with you guys everything that really got in my heart this month. I am going to mention not only my beauty favorites, but also my fashion ones as well as some random things!

Beauty – Skincare – Hair care

As a nail polish hoarder, I fell in love with H&M new nail polishes (see full review). Reinventing its beauty department, H&M came up with a new nail polish line, which looks higher end than their usual nail polishes and is a bit more expensive. However, they are absolutely amazing! I am completely converted. They are easy to apply, they dry in merely 5 minutes and they last for a little over a week with minor chipping. Also they so shiny you don’t even need to apply a top coat. I can’t say enough good words about them! I have already got 6 colors and I intend to get more, since the variety is huge!

I absolutely love Burberry’s Velvet foundation (see full review). It is very light and watery, so it is easy to apply and has a sheer, velvet finish. It blends in to my skin in such an easy way, that I can’t even tell I am wearing anything. I really love the sheer finish, especially for every day casual makeup because it doesnt burnden my skin. This foundation has by far the sheerest coverage I have seen. I love how the shade I have has a rosy undertone which is perfect for my pale, pinkish skin. In total, it is a wonderful foundation, perfect for those who seek something sheer and light.

Another makeup monthly favorite is my Anastasia Beverly Hills clear brow gel. Up until recently I was using either a pencil or a shadow for my eyebrows. Lately though, I started using my ABH sample sized clear brow gel and I am in love. I know it is just a clear gel but I love how it sets my eyebrows in a perfect way. They look naturally full and groomed and you can’t see the imperfections and sparse areas.

I got Lancôme’s Renergie Lift Multi Action from a magazine and I decided to give it a try. I am so glad i did! It is amazing. Although it has anti-aging properties, for me it does wonders in moisturizing my skin. It is quite thick, almost like butter and it is absorbed instantly from the skin. I find my face so smooth the following morning and it looks clear and bright. I am very surprised with this cream and very happy I came across it. It is part of my nighttime routine now!

Moroccanoil hair treatment (see full review) is my holy grail! I had heard so many great things about it that I decided to give it a go. This product is simply amazing. I use only a pump for my entire hair and it makes my hair incredibly soft. Also my hair is easier to detangle. I am so shocked at how good this product is. All these reviews weren’t lying. You only need a little bit and your hair will be so nourished, soft and shiny. Definitely a favorite!

Fashion

My Public Desire over the knee boots (see full review) is my favorite pair of shoes for this month. They are so comfortable and pretty. They have a lovely fit, even though they are a bit big around my thighs, and they look so sexy. I love over the knee or thigh high boots. They look good with everything, either jeans or skirts and dresses, and they can be worn for a casual look or a fancier nighttime one. So perfect!

I absolutely love this ASOS black and red checkered coat. It is so pretty and because it has a biker jacket style, there is a rock vibe to it that I find very cool. I love how it’s black but the red checkered lines are so discreet. It is woollen so it’s very warm and has huge pockets which is perfect for when I am lazy and I don’t want to carry a bag with me. Also the detachable black furry collar makes it even cooler and warmer, plus it adds some sophistication which is perfect for the nighttime.

These H&M jumpers are simply amazing. I love how they are so long that can be worn with leggings or opaque tights alone. They are very warm but not woolen (wool itches my skin). Also they have the distressed detail at the bottom which adds some spice to the otherwise ordinary jumper. I have both of the colors they come in: grey and white-grey. They are so flattering and perfect for winter!

Lifestyle

I am a proper book-worm! I love reading books more than watching movies because while I am reading a book, I become creative and built the stories and the characters in my head. I feel like I am living the story myself. Although I have over 50 unread books in my library, I just can’t stop buying new ones. I am a book-addict! Lately I have been reading the 7 Letters from Paris book and I like it a lot. It is a romantic novel about a woman who met the love of her life at Paris and let him go. 20 years later, after a failed marriage, she goes back to Paris to find that one love and apologize to him! I am a sucker for love stories, what can I say! I recommend this book to all the romantic souls out there!

I absolutely love my Diptyque Violette candle (see full review). I don’t have much to say, since I already have a post raving about it, but this has to be the best candle I have ever used. Like it is amazing! It has a powdery, discreet scent that makes me feel calm and happy. I loved this so much, that I actually finished it in merely a month and repurchased it immediately!

I am so excited to share all the things I loved this past month with you guys. Either they are makeup and skin care or fashion and lifestyle, those things took a special place in my heart and made November a much better month for me! Do you have any of the things mentioned above and if so how do you feel about it? I would love to hear from you guys and also don’t forget to pop over Instagram (@blueberrylover) and Twitter (@vickyinlalaland) and say hi!

Till next time take care dolls 😉 xxx

Vicky

November 27, 2015 - crazyandfashionable 7 Comments

H&M NEW NAIL POLISHES REVIEW

Top left to right: Paper Ash, Heliotrope, Chalky Pink Bottom left to right: Foil Blush, Kalahari, Fool Plum — **Top** left to right: Paper Ash, Heliotrope, Chalky Pink
**Bottom** left to right: Foil Blush, Kalahari, Fool Plum

Hello everyone! Since the weather in Greece is indecisive, I feel like I am stuck between autumn and winter. And I say stuck because it seems we won’t be getting out any time soon. One thing I hate when the weather is like this, is the daily outfit struggle. Which colors to wear? Should I go lighter or darker? Should I throw on a coat or will I die from a heat stroke? In the midst of all this, I decided to stop purchasing beauty products, as I got quite a few things on the Sephora VIB Rouge 20% off event. Therefore, the only beauty items I allowed myself to indulge until my package arrives, are nail polishes. They seem totally harmless right? I am a nail polish addict and I don’t care to hide it. My favorite brand is Erre Due. I absolutely love and have been loving this brand for the past 3 to 4 years, as it has good quality and most importantly, it is long-lasting. For me, a nail polish is long-lasting nail polish if it will make it through a week with just some minor chipping.

Once H&M launched their new beauty department, I decided to try out their brand new nail polishes. The reason was simple: the variety of colors was huge! Plus they are 1 euro cheaper than the Erre Due ones. At first I was a bit sceptical because I had tried a few H&M nail polishes in the past, and although they were very pretty, they completely chipped off after 2 or 3 days. Therefore, I didn’t have high expectations when I purchased the first nail polish. However, I was proved extremely wrong. First of all, the brush of the nail polish is short and wider (like a paddle brush) compared to everything else I have ever used, which helps applying the polish faster and with more precision. In 5 minutes I was done and I barely made a mess around my nails. Secondly, and most surprisingly, the polish dried fast. Like extremely fast. Like 5 minutes fast. This shocked me beyond words. As I was used to wait for at least 30 minutes for my nails to get properly dry, 5-10 minutes seemed surreal. In simply 20 minutes, the second coat was on and dried already. Usually it was taking me a full hour to apply the two coats and wait for them to dry decently. Now, it’s only about 20 minutes which is insane! Besides that, the color was so “pigmented” that I didn’t really need a second coat, and it was so shiny that I forgot to apply a top coat and didn’t realize until the next day. By that time I was already very excited and happy with the new nail polish, however, it had to pass one last test; the test of longevity. As I mentioned before, a good nail polish is the one that lasts for about a week with minimum chipping. Therefore, even though I was very happy with how things were turning out, I had to wait and see how my nails would look at the end of the week. Well, I am happy to inform you that the nails did last for one full week with minor chipping. As a matter of fact, at the end of the week I wanted to change my color but I couldnt bring myself to it, because the nails were pretty descent looking.

Overall the new H&M nail polishes are amazing! Good quality and at a reasonable price (just 5 euros). They are easy and fast to apply, they dry extremely quickly, are very so shiny that you don’t even need a top coat. Also they last at least for a week with only little chipping. I am in love with them. And because the first nail polish I applied was a darker color (Plum Fool), I tried a lighter color as well (Paper Ash) to see if it’s the same and it was! It needed one more coat as it was very light but it was not annoying at all. I am aware of some fairly negative reviews out there but I personally disagree. I am very happy with them, as they are a bit more affordable than my favorite brand and equally lovely. Plus they dry faster than any nail polish I have used. I wouldn’t bring my self to buy a 10 $ or more nail polish (that’s just me), as I prefer to spend more money on other beauty products instead. In a nail polish I look for something cheap and of good quality, because I like to have many shades. Right now I have over 50 nail polishes so It would be crazy if I had spent over 10 $ for each. So for their price, these nail polishes are amazing. I don’t know how they would compete to a OPI one so this is not what I am saying here. In total I definitely recommend those nail polishes if you don’t wish to spend a lot of money and you are looking for a quality-price combination. Let’s not forget that more expensive doesn’t always mean better. Have you guys tried out these nail polishes and if so, what do you think? Which one is your favorite shade? Comment down below and share! Also don’t forget to pop over Instagram (@blueberrylover) and Twitter (@vickyinlalaland) and say hello!

Till next time take care dolls 😉 xxx

Vicky

November 16, 2015 - crazyandfashionable 1 Comment

BURBERRY VELVET FOUNDATION REVIEW

Hello lovelies! I normally plan my posts for the week but this one was not planned at all. I was really excited about this product and I just had to share my thoughts with you guys! A couple of days ago I was out with my mom and while we were at this huge mall downtown Athens, I thought I could take a look at Burberry make up as I don’t own any of it and haven’t even tried any. So while I was there the makeup artist applied the Velvet Foundation on my hand which I didn’t like at first. I thought it was kind of thick and with quite some coverage for me. However, I ended up with it since my mom is a huge enabler!

Once I came home I decided to try it on my face and I was very surprised the moment I pumped it on my hand. Omg this is such an amazing foundation. The first thing I noticed is that the foundation is actually kind of watery (think of Armani Maestro Fusion), which means it is not thick at all. I applied it on my face (one pump was enough), and I was thrilled with the result. It was just as I hoped it would be; very sheer, easy to blend and barely noticeable. It’s crazy how easy and quickly it blended with my skin to such a degree, that I couldn’t tell I was wearing any foundation at all. I love the sheer coverage on a foundation as I prefer a more natural look for my everyday makeup and I don’t really like burdening my skin with heavy products. I went for the shade 202 Trench which was the lightest they had and it has a pink undertone which is perfect for me. It brought out my pink cheeks but at the same time it somehow managed to lighten up my face and make it look brighter and clearer. Also once it set, my skin felt very smooth and soft, which is natural for watery foundations.

The only downfall I can think of is that apart from the 202 Trench shade, the rest were very dark for me. Not just a little dark but actually quite dark. In order to wear the next shade I had to have a tan. This means that there is no variety for people with fair skin. It’s like a hit and miss. Only one shade works. Luckily enough it worked for me.

I definitely recommend Burberry’s Velvet Foundation to everyone who is looking for sheer coverage to go with a more natural look. It is very rehydrating and has a velvet finish, as the name truly suggests. It is not very expensive for a high-end foundation (at 43 euros but I paid 39 after a 10% discount) which is a plus. It is so blendable and you really only need one pump to cover the entire face. It is such a value for money. Do you guys have this foundation and if so what are your thoughts about it? Don’t forget to subscribe and also pop on Instagram (@bluberrylover) and Twitter (@vickyinlalalnd) and say hi!

Till next time take care dolls 😉 xxx

Vicky