Beauty: Testing BB Creams & Tinted Moisturiser

Lately, I have been testing three different BB creams/tinted moisturisers in the hunt of finding something that can replace my weird combination of MaxFactor’s Weightless Foundation in number 40 Light Ivory and Missha’s Perfect Cover BB Cream in number 21 Light Beige. The combination I have going on so far is actually quite good, but rather bothersome, as it requires mixing the colours and getting the proportions rights each and every time. Basically, it is time consuming.

I personally don’t like foundations as they feel quite heavy upon my skin – even the lighter ones – and I think they provide too much coverage. Now, I am by no means claiming that I have the perfect skin (oh no, far from), but I don’t like that my many freckles are covered as I find them adorable. Freckles equals love, baby!

I have been testing Kiehl’s Actively Correcting & Beautifying BB Cream in Fair, Clarins BB Skin Perfecting Cream in number 00 and Estée Lauder Daywear Sheer Tint Release. As you will be able to tell from the pictures below, I didn’t buy the products but instead got a small sample. So much easier, so much cheaper.

I accidentally put far too much on my hand.

Although I have thoroughly enjoyed the Kiehl’s products I have acquired so far, their BB cream isn’t cutting it for me. While the colour fitted me perfectly, the texture was nice and it was easy to apply, it didn’t stay put on my face. If I slightly touched my face it came off immediately and matters only got worse with the Micro-Blur Skin Perfector product under it; with that product, the BB cream just moved around and mostly ended up by my chin… oh, I wasn’t charming at all.

I tried to blend it out, but it is darker than my skin tone.

Of all of them, Estée Lauder was the most peculiar one. The actual cream is a greyish colour, but once you start working with it the colour changes to a brownish one that supposedly figures out how to match your skin tone. Riiight, it didn’t do that for me. On me, the colour is far too dark for my pale and sick-looking skin and looks like I have acquired a really fake-looking tan. It also should be mentioned that the cream requires that you work with it a lot to blend it in nicely, especially around the edges as that leaves a darker brown colour.

Though it looks slightly darker, the tone actually fits well.

The sales assistant recommended the Clarins BB cream to me as she had really enjoyed it, but after trying it out the product isn’t really for me. It was much like the BB cream from Kiehl’s with the colour fitting me perfectly, the texture being nice and it was easy to apply, but in difference, this felt more like a foundation. It feels a bit heavier on my skin and it doesn’t seemingly act like a BB cream, or at least the Korean BB cream I am used to.

Of the three, I liked Clarins BB cream the most but not enough to purchase it. I suppose the conclusion is I will continue to test BB creams until I find the right one.

Do you use foundation or BB cream? What is your favourite?

Until next time,

Mia ♥ 

5 Graduation Present Ideas

It is that time of the year, where people happily graduate from gymnasium or university and begin another chapter of their life. This typically means parties are thrown and a present has to be found, bought and given… and that might be rather difficult because what do you buy? These are my suggestions (as I have just been in same situation) for presents if you haven’t been able to come up with something. Also, I have tried finding something for each price range – please note, things is Denmark are generally expensive, so if you are from another country then there is a good chance these things are cheaper.

Max 100 DKK (£10)

Seeing this probably is the hardest price category of them, I am going to bring forth two suggestion.

Essie Nail Polish*

First suggestion is an Essie nail polish at the price of 99 DKK (£9,99). There is different opinions about Essie, but I personally like the nail polishes. The range of colours is amazing, they dry quickly and they don’t chip quickly if you use topcoat and basecoat (I think that is a must to also protect your nails). You can pick the favourite colour of the recipient.

Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1*

Second suggestion is Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1 in a pot (the link takes you to the tube version, but you get more for value with the pot) at the price of 60 DKK (£6). Kiehl’s products, at least the one’s I have tried, are good and they actually work. The latter is an essential part to a product. Everybody loves soft lips, so it is a good present idea.

Max 200 DKK (£20)

MAC Lipstick*

A lipstick can range in price, but I think a MAC lipstick at the price of 145 DKK (£14,5) is a good purchase and a good present idea. The matt finish, the colour range and staying power are great for MAC lipsticks. A lipstick can last for a long time, which is why it is a good present idea. It is just the last touch that will complete a whole look. As for what colour… oh, there are so many to pick from, but Russian Red (the classic red colour) is a good suggestion.

Max 300 DKK (£30)

Royal Copenhagen’s Fluted Contrast Mug*

This is present idea actually works for both genders due to the timeless design of Royal Copenhagen, but also due to width of the range in terms of colours. It is minimalistic, timeless, elegant and practical. The mugs can be used for many years. One mug is only 150 DKK (£15); however, I think it is nicer to give two as a small set thus making the cost of the present 300 DKK (£30).

This is personally my favourite present idea.

(To make this cheaper, you can buy the expresso cups instead – one cup is 100 DKK (£10).

Max 400 DKK (£40)

Tiger of Sweden’s Cornelius Card Holder*

Nowadays, people are more likely to use credit cards rather than coins when paying (at least in Denmark) and typically women have a quite small clutch with them when going out, so I think a good quality leather card holder is a good present idea. Tiger of Sweden’s design is very clean, simple and classic, and nothing bad can be suggested/said about the quality. 350 DKK (£35) for a leather card holder isn’t bad in my opinion.

If these don't float your boat, then I would suggest checking Esty* or Not On The High Street* for present ideas.

Do you know anybody who is graduating? What is the best present you have given?

Until next time,

Mia ♥ 

Outfit of the Day - Summer Party

Uuh, an OOTD post! It really has been a long time since my last one so I thought I could quickly sneak this one in before actually heading to ze party… at least I am gonna give it a good try with typing this quickly while listening to some good music.

Onwards!

Seeing the party includes eating and is supposed to be a summer party of sorts (Danish weather, man), I decided for a black/white pattern H&M dress that is really appropriate for any occasion. Pair it with a blazer and red lips, then hot damn, baby – although I am toning it down for tonight. I am pairing it with a coral-orange cardigan from H&M’s basic collection, which brightens the whole look up in my opinion. I don’t really have many summer dresses that are more toned down and that I dare spill drinks on. Yeah, the latter is a priority. H&M clothes can handle that and they aren’t too expensive if things go completely wrong. I will pair it with my black leather Becksöndergaard clutch/bag… although I have forgotten to take a picture of it. Hm… you will see it at some point.

With the make-up I am keeping it pretty neutral with a pop of colour on my lips. The balm stain matches really well with the cardigan and the nail polish from Essie (Resort Fling) that I am rocking at the moment. At the moment I am testing Kiehl’s BB-cream and will also be trying the micro-blur skin perfector. Ain’t buying nothing if I don’t like it, so yeah.

Erm, it looks prettier on, I swear!

Clothes detail,

Black/white pattern dress from H&M (approx. 130 DKK - £ 13).

Make-up details,

Base: Kiehl’s Actively Correcting & Beautying BB cream in Fair and Kiehl’s Micro-blur Skin Perfector.

Mascara: MaxFactor 2000 Calorie dramatic volume in black.

Eye shadow primer: INK by Dennis Knudsen in number 01 matt.

Eyeshadows: Dior’s eyeshadows in number 754 Rosy Tan.

Balm stain: Revlon Colourburth balm stain in number 040 Rendezvous.

Blush: Sleek’s Blush By 3 in number 367 Lace.

What are you doing today? Are you watching the World Cup in football? (I am, obsessively so)

Until next time,

Mia ♥ 

Small Tip #1 - Vaseline

The pollen season… and admittedly also, the summer flu season is upon us, leaving many (me included) with a really sore nose after blowing it far too many times for it to be good for the skin around the nose, but sadly necessary due to the want of breathing through one’s nose. After blowing your nose many times, you will notice the skin around your nose will start to crack. The cracking, in my experience, is typically very painful.

To avoid this pain – who doesn’t want to avoid pain? – I put Vaseline on the skin around my nose. I know, Vaseline. I promise, it does really work despite the weird feel of it. It does feel weird, but it makes the skin stick and thus not cracking and causing any pain. But remember - put it on the skin before it cracks! If you typically wear foundation or bb cream during the day while having a leaky nose (I don’t really wear any on the skin during the summer time), you can put the Vaseline on after you have removed your make-up or when you are going to bed. That way it won’t interfere… and it really does help.

Vaseline doesn’t cost much and lasts a hell of a long time, so it is in my opinion worth of a try if you a tired of that cracking and painful skin around your sore nose.

Until next time,

Mia ♥ 

Lancôme: Taking One For The Team

This is for all the people who have allergic skin – I took this one for the team, (although unwillingly), so the rest of you don’t necessarily have to try it and possibly suffer the pain I did.

The story started in the completely opposite end on the emotion scale as my mother’s colleague once again had been so kind to think of me upon receiving quite some samples from Lancôme. It was beyond kind of her. Thus, it was with great curiosity and excitement that I opened these samples and started reading the various labels on them. The labels didn’t actually tell much, mainly just the name of the sample and what you use it for. I tried the products on my hand at first to see for any immediate reaction, but as nothing happened I thought of it as ‘go ahead, try them’. Oh boy, I was wrong!

Correcter, night serum, multi-lift and eye cream from Lancôme.

I tried the night serum and the eye cream just before heading to bed and slightly noticed my eyes had gotten itchy almost immediately afterwards, but didn’t think more about it as I have pollen allergies. Again, oh boy, I was wrong!

The next morning… my eyes were so swollen that my mother didn’t even say good morning to me, but instead rushed to find a towel and some ice cubes for me. My eyes were so swollen that I couldn’t see clear for two hours even though I used the ice towel diligently and, admittedly, I had tears running down my cheeks. I wasn’t actually crying, but the pain coupled with the swollenness made them tearing up. Furthermore, my skin was slightly red and my lips were swollen as well.

That wasn’t a fun start to the day!

As there wasn’t an ingredient list attached to the products I honestly have no idea what particularly caused this reaction, but I certainly learned my lesson and will steer clear of skin care samples without an ingredient list. In the end, I feel quite sad about being able to use the products, but it definitely isn’t worth the pain… and so I left them for my mother who has completely normal skin.

Ouch… just ouch.

Until next time,

Mia ♥ 

Auctions - Another Alternative

Everybody always talks about flea markets, thrift shops, etc. and the greatness of these places to purchase cheaper things for your home and your life. There is no question that these possibilities are great. However, people seem to only focus on those options and not mention auctions. Well, I am gonna change that as much as I can by making this post!

Flea markets and thrift shops are extremely assessable, no questions regarding that, but they can’t necessarily guarantee the quality or the realness of a thing (furniture, plate, etc.) unless you yourself know the specifics. Furthermore, there is the possibility of you ending up paying much more of what an item is actually worth due to good salesmen, already decided price on an item, etc.. It isn’t to your advantage always.

When somebody says auctions, one automatically thing of finer and ridiculously expensive furniture from another century, however that is only a small part it. Auctions can be a good and easy way to purchase items that isn’t your standard (and potentially) worn down items from the local thrift shop at a lower price than what the items is appraised at. Really. No joke. It is all about being strategic and use some of the same tools one uses when going to a flea market, e.g. willingness to pay for an item and walking away from an item. Nowadays, auctions aren’t necessarily done in a room filled with people, where items are being showed and you raise your number to indicate you want the sodding thing. It can be done over the internet. Wonderful invention! You can keep track of your desire item up until the time runs out, where you have hopefully gotten it at a low price.

How lucky can you be with auctions? From my experience, you can be damn lucky! Last Christmas, I had my eyes on a newly produced couch (see picture) in a blue-ish colour and managed to actually win it by waiting till only five minutes of the auction remained to make a bid. I paid 1/10 of its actual value! I kid you not!

from Lauritz.com

Also, I had looked around for a good armchair with an accompanying stool for quite a long time. I had refused to pay IKEA’s price for such a set – over 2000 DKK (£200) is ridiculous – and as such, found myself looking at auctions again. The blue set (see picture) I won in the same way as the couch, bidding at the last moment, and cost me only 1/5 of IKEA’s set. It is slightly worn-down compared to the couch, but with my love for DIY I can always fix it up later.

from Lauritz.com

 If you decide to go and try this whole auction thing, then there are some things (some are mentioned in this post already) you should remember,

·         See where the items is located – do you have to drive after it? Can it be delivered to your home? – And if so, at what price?

·         Be certain of how much you want to bid.

·         Remember there is probably a fee charged on top of the winning bid.

·         Be ready to walk away from the item.

·         Visit the showroom if you want to see the item up close.

·         Wait until the last five minutes to make a bid – however, it depends on the auction. With some auctions, you can type in how much in total you want to give for the item and then it will automatically bid for you if somebody raises his or her bid.

·         Don’t have it automatically bid for you.

·         There will always come other items, unless it is something special edition, etc..

·         Go for the auctions where there isn’t much movement (slow bidding).

Have you tried auctions? Or are you more into flea markets?

Until next time,

Mia ♥