Goodbye 2015

I'm not going to write a blog post that screams FEELS, in which I remember everything that happened this past year. And, even less, I'm not going to set myself goals for 2016. 

So, I just want to wish you a Happy New Year's Eve and see you in 2016! 

Dolce Vita

The fact that Christmas is over really upsets me. I don't know how I'm going to cope with life anymore.

The 12 Most Loved Beauty Products of 2015

The fact that I'm actually sat here writing this blog post scares me quite a lot. I mean, is 2015 really over? When did this happen?

Anyway, today I wanna share with you 12 beauty products that I have discovered this year, and loved:

BeautyBlender, Nars Sheer Glow, Max Factor Creme Puff Blush in Alluring Rose, Urban Decay Naked Basic Palette, Mac 217 brush, Maybelline Brow Satin Pencil, Essie 'Fiji', Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara, Too Faced Shadow Insurance Eye Primer, Benefit Hoola Bronzer, Benefit They're Real! Push-Up Liner, Too Faced Candlelight Highlighting Powder Duo.

I'm really excited to see what 2016 will bring into the beauty world!

Let's Talk About: Foundation

Now, sing with me Alive by Sia. The part where she screams I'M ALIVE.

HIII! I'm still alive, still here, breathing and writing -after almost two weeks- a blog post. How are you? I'm great. 

In case you want to know what my current foundation routine is, keep reading... 

There won't be another foundation that I'll ever love as much as the Nars Sheer Glow. It's perfection in a bottle. Actually, everything Mr. Nars does is perfection. 
First thing, I put a pump and a half of foundation on the back of my hand. Since it has a satin finish, I then like to add a tiny bit of the Nars 'Copacabana' Highlighter, which is a gorgeous glistening pearl illuminator. I mix both of the products with the RT Pointed Foundation Brush and then dab the bottom of the Beauty Blender in (make sure it's well soaked with water, otherwise the sponge will absorb the product). I create three dots on both sides of my face, three on the forehead, one on the nose and the last one on my chin. I then blend everything and go with the pointed side where the larger side of the sponge couldn't reach.
Times where I cannot be bothered to wet the sponge happen so, in those cases, I like to use the RT Buffing Brush. 

Hello, December

I have to say that I've been pretty excited about Christmas since the last week of November. I know, madness. 
As last year, I now have my little wonky Christmas tree on my desk, alongside three Yankee candles which smell... Christmassy. Obviously. They came in a Yankee Christmas set so they smell like Christmas. Ok, I'm done. Sorry.

Anyway! I hope you're excited for Christmas as much as I am. 

Evening Skincare Routine

The fact that I finally have a skincare routine actually shocks me. When and how did this happen? 

Garnier Micellar Water > This is the first product that I use, and I usually put some product onto a cotton pad and then remove my eye make-up. I think this is my 3rd or 4th bottle... ? Just shows how much I love this product! And the fact that you get 400ml for 5€ makes me love it even more.

The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil > Now, it's time to remove all the rest of the make-up on my face: I use three/four pumps of this oil and dilute it with a few drops of water and, with circular motions, I remove the make-up left on my face. Then rinse with lukewarm water.

La-Roche Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser > If you've been reading my blog for awhile now, you should know that I love French skincare products. I love this product because is gentle on the skin and it makes me feel clean, after using it. If you have sensitive skin, you should give this product a go.

La-Roche Posay Effaclar DUO[+] > I would describe this product as "magic in a bottle". The Effaclar DUO[+] is an anti-blemish cream which corrects the appearance of blemishes, unclogs pores and it refines the texture of the skin. I apply this product after I cleanse, before the moisturizer. On the package of the product it says that you can see improvements after the first week, but I actually started to see them after a month. 
The left side of my face usually explodes when the PMS comes (women, you what I'm talking about), but with the help of this little guy, the situation has been less tragic this month. 

You can use it all over your face (avoid eye area) or on a specific area. 

Eucerin pH5 Skin-Protection Cream > This may not be a night cream, but I like to use it before bed because is thick and, in the morning, I can feel my skin is hydrated. 

Akron Azalea Eye and Lip Contour Cream > This is an Italian brand and, unfortunately, you can't find their products in any shop. Only cosmetics consultants sell this brand, and they usually work with hairdressers and sell their products in hair salons. 

This cream is moisturizing and nourishing, and I noticed that my under eye area is much more hydrated since I started using it. Same goes for the lip contour, which gets very dry in the winter time.  

#FOTD 001

Why so serious? 

I'm really proud of this look. I love how I applied the eyeliner. And we all know that it's never gonna look that good again. Also, do you see that hint of contouring? Yes, that also isn't gonna look good ever again. Ok, without further ado, let's get into the look!

Nars Sheer Glow (Mont Blanc)

Maybelline Anti-Age The Eraser Eye Concealer (Light)

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder (Translucent)

Benefit Hoola Bronzer

Too Faced Candlelight Highlighting Powder Duo

Max Factor Creme Puff Blush (Seductive Pink)

The Benefit Hoola Bronzer is new to the house and I'm already lovin' it. I'll write a blog post very soon about how I contour my face. I never thought that the day that I'd say these words would ever come!

Urban Decay Naked Basic Palette (Faint)
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion (Original - I own a sample)

Sephora Eyeshadows in It Bag n°80 & Movie Popcorn n°72

Let's talk about the eyes: I prime the eyelids with the UD Eyeshadow Primer Potion, then I add the Sephora 'It Bag' eyeshadow all over the lids and I wing it that out. Then I go in with Faint, from the Naked Basic Palette, in the crease and blend everything together. 

Last, I add a bit of Movie Popcorn in the inner corners of my eyes.

Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara

L'Oréal Super Liner Black Lacquer Waterproof eyeliner

L'Oréal Brow Artist Plumper (Medium/Dark)

Maybelline Brow Satin Pencil (Dark Brown)

You can find a blog post on how I do apply my eyeliner here. With a liquid eyeliner is slightly trickier, but you can't take more than three hours.

Wednesday FOUR: 4 Beauty Products I'm Loving

The title speaks itself: here are four beauty products that I'm currently loving.

Urban Decay Naked Palette
Old but gold. I mean, just look at it. Isn't it perfect? The eyeshadows are super pigmented and buttery - a pleasure to apply. Before any eyeshadow application, I use the Too Faced Shadow Insurance primer which helps everything to stay in place.

Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara
The curved brush shape helps to lift and curl lashes, which is great if you, like me, are scared of eyelashes curlers. I love this mascara, maybe as much as my beloved L'Oréal Telescopic Faux Cils one.

Sephora Pro Brush n°10
I like to use this brush with a soft brown to define the crease, or all clean so I can blend any eyeshadows already applied and soften up harsh lines. 

Essie 'Carry On'
A deep burgundy nail polish - what else do you need?

21

Guess who's turning 21 today? Yes, me. Oh God, 21 is a lot. It seems like yesterday that I turned 18. Things have been pretty crazy this year - everything happened and I still don't know how I ended up where I am now.
Oh, well... Happy b-day to me!

Autumn

It's amazing what nature can do. Right?

Let's Talk About: Brushes

Oh, brushes. I don't know whether I'm more obsessed with them, or make-up. Anyway, these three are my favourite of all the brushes that I own:

Real Techniques Buffing Brush - You can get this brush with the RT Core Collection. This brush will help you creating a flawless base in a short time, due to the fact that is quite big. I've been using it non-stop for quite a while now, and it has replaced my beloved Expert Face Brush. It allows you to apply foundation in a blink of an eye, so it's the perfect brush for those who have no patience (me). It's also really affordable, good quality and cruelty-free.

Sephora Pro Brush n°57 - If you haven't tried any of the Sephora's Pro Brushes, well, you should. The price goes up a little bit, but you get a really good quality product. Its purpose it to blend concealer (cream over liquid ones) and the fact that is basically a mini buffing brush really helps you to blend concealer quickly.

MAC 217 - As if I've never talked about this brush before. You can apply, blend, and do whatever you want with this little guy. You need this in your life, trust me.

20/10/'15

KIKO Long Lasting Stick Eyeshadows

35 / 05 /06

Stick eyeshadows: quick & easy. I love taking my time to do my make-up, but there are mornings where I barely have time to put mascara on. 

I've been really enjoying these Kiko Long-Lasting Stick Eyeshadows, lately. As you can see, they're highly pigmented and they're supposed to last 8 hours. Surprisingly, they do. I tried them on without a primer and they last exactly 8 hours, then they start to crease. With a primer they obiouvsly last more and the colour is a tiny bit brighter. 

You can either blend the eyeshadow with a brush or your fingers. I have to say that if you choose the first option, the brush tends to carry away some pigment. 

Autumn Make-Up

Am I late for an autumn-related post? I recently bought three of these Kiko long-lasting stick eyeshadows (there will be a blog post really soon) and I found myself really loving them. In this autumn make-up look thing, I decided to use the n.37, which is the most 'autumn appropriate' of all the three.

6 Lovely Things

Before I start, how cute is this succulent? It has a YELLOW thing on the top, oh God. 
Ok, anyway...

4 Essential Pieces In My Wardrobe

When we talk about clothes, I have four essential pieces that cannot not be in my wardrobe. Nothing too exciting, though! 

Obviously, a striped t-shirt, because I have a weakness for blue/black & white striped t-shirts. Second, a plain grey t-shirt because they're easy to wear, especially when you're in a rush and don't have time to choose an outfit. 
Then we have a mustard/camel jumper. I own like three jumpers of this color (one of which is in the first picture) - shame on me. 
Last but not least, a pair of black skinny jeans. At the moment, I'm loving these from Pull&Bear.

5 Things

First thing, I haven't posted in awhile and, if you're a blogger, you know that times where you don't have inspiration and everything you do sucks, happen. So, if I dissapear for a long time, that is the reason. 

But, now I'm here, ready to share with you some of the beauty (and food) things I'm currently loving.

always listen to the art is 1!

Yes, I bought a doughnut and a candle for my blog b-day. I'm pathetic, I know.

Happy birthday to... always listen to the art! Today we're 1, woop-woop. I have to admit that I don't really remember the exact day I created this online space. Ops. I know it's around this period, so... let's keep good October 4.

The fact that it's been a year since I created my blog blows my mind. How? When? In a year a lot of things have changed. One of those is that I'm older. And in a month I'll be 21. 
My photography skills have improved a lot since last year, and when I read (rarely, 'cause they're embarassing) old blog posts and see my photos then, I get a shiver down my back. 
And, finally, I found my path in life. Which is something I would never ever think I'd do - and I'm pretty happy about it.

So, let's see what the future will bring! Have a lovely Sunday, x.

90s Throwback

It's been a while since the last time I loved this much a pair of jeans. These are the Pull&Bear Mom Jeans [similar] and I must admit that if I could, I wouldn't take them off because they are the most comfortable thing in the world. I've tried many similar pair of jeans to these up here, like the Boyfriend Jeans or simply high waist ones, but none of them ever satisfied me or dressed as well as the ones that I own. They look quite wide, but once you worn 'em they fit perfectly. 

I will be definitely wearing them throughout the whole autumn/winter season.

I'm Loving: Clarins Daily Energizer Cleansing Gel

After a long research, I finally found a cleanser for the morning. I used to use just water and then micellar water to remove any traces of make-up, but it came a point where I needed something more.

That was when the Clarins Daily Energizer Cleansing Gel has joined my 'morning skincare routine'.

It's a fresh foaming gel that removes all traces of make-up, impurities and leaves the skin clean and detoxified. It also has moringa extract. 

You can use it in the morning and/or the evening: lather a small amount of gel on to damp skin and rinse with cool water, in the morning, to wake up your skin (it really does!) or with warm water, in the evening, to relax your skin and help make-up removal.

I also noticed an improvement in my skin, since I started using it: now it's clearer and smoother. That is what I call a miracle, my friends.

Do you like Clarins? Have you ever tried any of their products?

Sugar? Yes, please!

The Lush Bubblegum lip scrub has been in my life for quite a while now, and everytime I smell it it reminds me of a strawberry cough syrup that my parents used to give me when I was younger. And classic BigBabol, of course! (Oooh, memories)

Ingredients: 
• Caster Sugar
• Organic Jojoba Oil          
• Methyl Ionone
• Flavour
• Colours: 45410; 45380
(The first two are natural ingredients; the last four are safe synthetics)

Other than the sweet smell and taste, its job is to exfoliate your lips. Damp a little bit your lips and then, with your finger, gently exfoliate the area. The product will scrub away dead skin and will leave your lips softer than ever. You can also lick off the product, but I prefer to rinse it off. 

Thursday FIVE: 5 Products I'm Loving

It's hard to say which one of these products I love the most, because they're all incredible in their own way. 

Like Gold II

Enjoy Like Gold II. I think the last photograph is breathtaking. 

24/08/2015