Empties #1

Review: The Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream

A Small Haul; The Copenhagen-ish Edition

Review: The Body Shop Hand Cleanse Gel (Pink Grapefruit)

Review: Lancôme Lip Lover in Framboise Jazz

Skin care: Body Oils

For the longest of time, I didn’t understand the concept of body oil or its (almost magical) abilities. I mean, why buy a body oil when you already have a body lotion and that works out well? I will tell you why… 

Cambridge & London Haul

My internet has finally(!) returned, which means the blogging can return again to its normal schedule. Last post was about my trip to Cambridge, where after I headed down to London to stay for a few days with my brother. Some shopping happened in both cities because it is pretty difficult to resist, though in my defence I would like to state my brother spent more than me in those few days than I had in total. 

Dior & Lancôme Mascaras

Review: Diorshow Maximizer Lash Primer

First, I apologize for the lack of focus in the pictures. The camera didn’t know how to focus or to capture the silver writing on the primer, so it focused on everything else. 

The only primer I have tried beyond this sample is one for eyeshadow (from a different brand) and I really liked it, even to the point I still use it for when I need for my eyeshadow to last longer and stay put. With the lash primer, I was actually in doubt for a long time if I liked it or not…

It is a personal matter of how you prefer your lashes look with mascara; some like them to look natural, others for them to look full and dramatic, and again other people for them to look almost spiky. I belong to the first category and with the combination of having short lashes I feared they would look spiky or unnatural.

Despite my hate for rubber applicators and fear of my lashes looking spiky, I have to admit that I like the primer. The rubber ward isn’t difficult to handle as it doesn’t matter if isn’t done perfectly; slapping it on works just fine. It doesn’t look unnatural, but simply that my lashes have become slightly longer without looking fake and spiky. I don’t find it to last a whole day looking the same from morning to something-in-the-PMs, however. Thus, I only use it for when going out partying and need for it to only last some hours before people are too drunk to notice.

Though I like it, I don’t think I would purchase it due to the lasting hours. It doesn’t make the biggest difference and overall it is just good, not amazing as I would want from a Dior primer.

Do you use a lash primer? And if so, which one do you use?

Until next time,

Mia ♥ 

OOTD: The English Party

I feel beyond proud for writing an OOTD post, mainly because I rarely do them as I rarely do something overtly exciting and special. I thought seeing it was a long time ago since I did an OOTD that it would be appropriate to add another to the short list. The party is very much your basic university party, but nevertheless a party to dress up.

I am wearing my long blue shirt from H&M paired with a pair of black leggings and my Angulus Chelsea Boots. Leggings aren’t pants, I know, however the shirt is so long on me that I can get away with wearing it as a dress. My make-up is rather neutral with earthy tones and the colour of the lipstick used only to bring forth my own lip colour by dapping and blending. 

 

Make-up details,

Base: MaxFactor Weightless Foundation SPF 10 in number light ivory 40 and Missha’s Perfect Cover BB Cream SPF 42 in number 21.

Concealer: NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla.

Mascara: MaxFactor 2000 Calorie dramatic volume in black.

Blush: Rimmel London Power Blush in number 001 Santa Rose.

Lipstick: MAC lipstick (matte) in Girl About Town.
Eyeshadow: Dior 5 couleurs palette in 754 Rosy Tan (white and light brown) and MAC selfmade palette in Sable (frost).

What make-up have you been wearing recently at parties?


Until next time,
Mia.

5 Different Lip Balms

Yes, I do keep my lip balms in a sugar bowl.

Finding a good lip balm is a bit of science because of the many demands one have to one; it must have practical packaging, not too expensive, make your lips soft, repair your dry lips, etc.. I have collected five of my lip balms for a little overview and judged them based on their ability as well as their price.

The lip balms have been put in order from worst to best in the first picutre and later on in the second picture, from cheapest to most expensive (note: from left to right). 

Labello is the classical lip balm to use, especially in Denmark, as it can be bought almost everywhere. It makes your lips really soft immeditately, but in the long run it honestly do nothing for your lips. If you have a sore, then don't expect it to help with that. I always have one in my jacket pocket as a quick fix until I find one of the others.
It is the second cheapest of the five. 

Avène is the pharmacy's recommendation... at least in my hometown. It honestly works really welll and helps those dry lips to become soft again. It is a cold cream, so it doesn't sink it as quickly as the others. Instead it works over a longer period of time. Personally, I don't mind that though I know my mother has a problem with that. I prefer to put it on for when I sleep and let it work overnight.
It is the second most expensive of the five (Danish pharmacy price).

Lypsyl is also one of the classics in Denmark, and the one my mother swears to. It does work very well, though doesn't make your lips immediately soft the way Labello does. However, it does work in the long run and will offer improvement to your lips if your lips are in an okay-semi decent state. If you have a sore, then I don't find it to work much. The packaging is its weakness as it quickly gets dirty and just doesn't seem so practical.
It is the cheapest of the five.

Kielh's is their own recommendation, though it isn't a surprise they recommend their own product. It is a very basic lip balm in a pot, which have the resemble vaseline though only in appearence. It is a decent lip balm that heals your lips unless you have a sore; a sore is a bit too hard a task for it. I have placed it below Lypsyl, and that is due to its price compared to its effect. It is just as good as Lypsyl. Some mind using a finger to get and apply a lip balm, but I don't mind at all.
It is the third cheapest of the five.

Sard Kopenhagen is another pharmacy recommendation, though can also be found in the Magasin department stores. It does every thing you want a lip balm to do - softens and heals the lips, but can also handle a sore really well. The packaging is very chic looking. Both are what you'd expect from an expensive lip balm, and it really doesn't disappoint in my opinion. I would gladly definitely recommend this to anybody.
It is the most expensive of the five.

Do you have many different lip balms? What is your favouirte lip balm? 

Until next time,

Mia ♥ 

Review: A-derma Sensifluid Cleansing Lotion

After a quiet period from me, I am back with a new review on A-derma’s Sensifluid Cleansing Lotion!

I bought the cleansing lotion as a replacement for Bioderma’s Sensibio H2O Michelle Solution as I couldn’t possibly find it for a student-friendly price, and A-derma has stood the test. Almost, at least.

The cleansing lotion was very easy and effortless to use, removing my make-up gentle without leaving my skin to feel dry afterwards – this is a big difference from Bioderma’s make-up remover. The product itself is a white foam of sorts and feels cold when meeting your skin, which explains why I think it suits my sensitive skin much better. However, it should be said that it isn’t that great with removing stubborn waterproof mascara.

A-derma even writes on the bottle that you don’t need to rinse after using it, which I actually can understand. I still like to wash my face afterwards and all that, but if you were in a hurry then rinsing could definitely be skipped.

Even though I really like the design of the bottle with its sleekness and pump, I would have like the bottle to be clear as to be able to see how much product is left. It is just more practical. Also, you should know that depending on how thick your make-up is, a few pumps of foam is needed to remove all traces of make-up. In my case, I need five pumps – two for face, two for eyes and one for lips.

A-derma or Bioderma? The answer is both. I find when having sensitive skin that a combination of products for the same job is better, and these obviously do the same job but differently. My skin and me prefer Bioderma for removing eye make-up, especially stubborn waterproof mascara, and A-derma for the rest.

Do you use a combination of products to remove make-up? If so, what products?

Until next time,

Mia ♥

Review: Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick by Kate

Some two weeks ago, I sneakily purchased the Lasting Finish Lipstick by Kate in a (for me) daring darker red colour, which is also known as the shade 107. It is a classic… and very autumnal, even Christmas-y. I had had my eyes on the shade for a good while and I am glad I actually decided to buy it as I have already gotten so much use out of it. Also, it will be my go to lipstick when the Christmas parties starts.

The colour is gorgeous dark red, yet also has a plum shade to it. The plum shade balances well with the darker red and makes the red not appear as dark, especially as it applies matte, which makes the lipstick very wearable. I have gotten so many compliments on the shade, even though the colour seems slightly dramatic and in contrast with my pale skin tone.

It is very easy to apply, whether you dab it on or go full on out with it. I have tried lipsticks there are harder to apply, so the easiness of 107 is greatly welcomed. However, it is slippery on the lips. I am used to lipsticks just staying put without needing a lip pencil to draw the edges up, but those days are over with this lipstick. It isn’t a big minus for the lipstick, but it is definitely something to note so you don’t return home and look in the mirror, wondering, “how did that happen? But I didn’t even do anything other than talk!”

Is it lasting? That depends on what other lipsticks you compare it with, which will always be the case. It doesn’t last as long on the lips as my MAC lipsticks, but in fairness I paid more for them and Rimmel is a cheaper /more affordable brand than MAC. I am definitely cutting it some slack, seeing it isn’t an expensive lipstick. However, it leaves a good stain even if it doesn’t last long, so it isn’t a big minus that it doesn’t last over 4 hours without eating and drinking. On a last note, it is drying on the lips so pack a cheap lip balm you dare get stained for a short while.

What is your favourite autumnal lipstick?

Until next time,

Mia ♥ 

Skin Saviours

Lately, my skin has been particularly messed up and so out of control that I felt the need to take extra measures to fix it. It has generally happened around the time of my period, which explains it all. Doesn’t it for most females? My skin was been very spotty and uneven, and I most certainly don’t like that. To fix these problems I have turned to three products: Origins Clear Improvement, Helosan original and the Body Shop Tea Tree Oil.

Origins Clear Improvement is a charcoal mask, which is the first product I use of these three. You apply it to your face after you have washed it with your product of choice. You then wait for it to dry and once it is dry, you gently remove with it with a damp washcloth or muslin cloth. I personally use a washcloth and gently scrub it away in circular motions because that feels amazing. Afterwards, your skin will feel very smooth and even, yet not dried out! I had feared it would dry my skin out, but it hasn’t done it for me… It appears to find the right balance, though how it does that I don’t know.

The second product to use is Helosan, which is a thick skin cream with good healing qualities. It can be found everywhere in Denmark. I use it on the skin where I have or have had spots to help the skin heal better and faster. It takes a while for it to sink in, so if you are in a hurry and usually put on make-up, then you can always apply it right before bedtime. Helosan can be used for many various tasks; mainly, I use it for my hands that go so beyond dry during colder weather.

Last, but not least, is the Body Shop Tea Tree Oil that comes in an admittedly ridiculous child-proved bottle. First time I used it, I spent 30 minutes trying to get the cap off and get the product out. Tea tree oil is known for being able to dry out the skin wherever you apply it. However, once you get it out you dab it onto your spots and probably feel it sting a little to begin with. I only apply it directly on my spots and then nowhere else because the tea three oil series isn’t for dry skin at all, only this little product to fight against spots and zits. You don’t use a lot of it, so the bottle can last for a long time. There are contrasting opinions on the tea three oil – some like me really like and feel it works, some have had an outbreak due to it – so be careful just in case!

What products are your skin saviours?

Until next time,

Mia ♥ 

Tiny Sephora Haul

Yesterday I went to Sephora for the first time… and naturally, left with a little.

There are only two Sephora shops in Denmark and both of them are located in Copenhagen, which is quite some distance from where I am living. It is admittedly rather annoying when you are attracted to some of the brands and don’t know where else to purchase them. But while being on autumn break and spending that at my parents’ house which is considerably closer to Copenhagen, my mother and I went to Copenhagen and thus to Sephora.

There was a lot of brands that you can’t find elsewhere and generally a lot of products, making the experience quite overwhelming. I am not sure I really have seen everything they had to offer or took my time really to see if they had some great offers, but instead I went after the two products I knew I had to have; NARS’ Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla and Sephora’s Easy 4-step buffer. I have already tried the buffer, and I already adore it, but I have yet to try the concealer. I will let you know how I get on with it!

Is there a Sephora shop close to where you live? And what was the last item you purchased in there?

Until next time,

Mia ♥ 

Review: Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micelle Solution

The first possible thought that came into mind upon using Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micelle Solution for the first time was: this is really efficient! I was surprised about how little I actually had to do to remove stubborn waterproof mascara or generally other make-up products. It was effortless, easy and didn’t sting my eyes painfully like I had experienced with some make-up removers in the past.

However, I did find it to drying out my skin. Seeing it is for sensitive skin, I would have expected it not to dry out my skin, but instead been gentler, even though there is another version for dehydrated skin. Maybe that would have been better for me?

The small travelling bottle has lasted me several months. I realise that probably won’t be the case for everybody or me again, mainly because I have had many days without make-up due to weather (both kinds – heat and rain) and days where I haven’t felt well at all. Nevertheless, I will say, a few drops go a long way… or longer than I had expected. I felt I got good value for my money.

Would I buy Bioderma again? Well, yes, because I would like to try out Hydrabio to see if it makes any difference. However, I haven’t made any Bioderma purchase. There aren’t any favourable offers lately, so I haven’t felt convinced to use over 100 DKK on a make-up remover. I am still a student and am not earning that much money, so I don’t want to spend a whole lot on one. Instead, I have decided to give Avéne’s make-up remover a good try as it was far cheaper, coming in at only 60 DKK. I will let you know how I get now with it.

Do you use Bioderma’s make-up remover? And what do you think of it?

Until next time,

Mia ♥ 

MOTD: Casual, Minimal Look

A little make-up of the day blog post from me on casual, yet minimal look, if you aren’t in the mood for the whole deal but still want to do a little bit.

I generally go for the minimal make-up look for every day, but as my parents were visiting and we were planning to head into town I thought I should do a little bit more. It is a little more without it feeling like a lot, and the look still only took five minutes in total.

First, I started with my base for which I used Missha’s Perfect Cover B.B. Cream in number 21. The colour is a perfect match for my skin now, and I really do love this BB cream. It blends easily, and doesn’t feel or look like you are wearing anything, but simply that your skin does look that good. Koreans know a thing or two about BB creams. Then I put some eye shadow primer from INK by Dennis Knudsen on just in case the eye shadow wanted to mess with me.

Of eye shadow, I picked Sable (frost) from my MAC palette, which is the one with a few dens in as I have dropped it previously, and put it all over my lid and blended it in. I applied my MaxFactor 2000 Calorie Waterproof Volume in Rich Black to mark my lashes. On the cheeks I lightly applied a mix of Sleek’s Guipure and Chantilly to give them a little colour instead of letting the cold do that job. Finally, I dabbed a bit of MAC’s Cremesheen Glass lipgloss in Star Quality on my lips, which can be play up or down to whatever you are in the mood fod.

What make-up is your favourite at the moment? And what look do you like for autumn?

Until next time,

Mia ♥ 

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 ♥ 

Beauty: Makeup Brushes Cleaning

I am honestly not good at cleaning my makeup brushes; I simply don’t do it as regularly as I definitely should and, yeah, my brushes probably aren’t liking that. I suppose my failure at cleaning my brushes is because I have never quite gotten the right mixture together and think it is too expensive to buy something already made in shops. Students don’t have a lot of money, so one (or at least I) tends to look for an easy home made remedy. I have tested and tested, and none has been great… but that simply needed to stop.

My brushes were in need for a good cleaning, thus my quest for a good home made remedy started on YouTube. YouTube has endless and endless of options and ideas, though many mention buying something in shops (e.g. MAC) which is simply a no-go for me. However, I came across Michelle Phan’s video who mentioned using extra virgin oil and antibacterial dishwashing soap – both things I have in my apartment – and mixed together it was supposed to be good for your brushes.

  

As the picture illustrates it looked rather weird mixing them together, but I was up for trying it out. I only own eight brushes – good brushes are so expensive, yikes! – so, the cleaning in total only took 10 minutes by following Michelle’s video.

After the cleaning my brushes, they came to stand ‘head’ down in a random cup so the water can run down and away from the brushes. That is important. If you do it with ‘head’ up, then the water can ruin your brush and the glue holding your brush together.

Ugh, it looks disgusting, but shows my brushes were definitely in need of a good cleaning.

How you do clean your brushes? Do you have any good tips?

Until next time,

Mia ♥

Review: Nivea In-Shower Body Lotion Skin Conditioner (Normal Skin Sea Minerals)

... That is potentially the longest name for a product I have ever come across. So, I had heard and seen a lot about Nivea's new innovation for getting soft skin without having to go through the annoying phase after shower of putting on lotion and then waiting for that to dry before putting on clothes that I absolutely had to try it out. Any product that promises that (and is on sale) has my immediate attention, as I hate feeling sticky after putting on lotion. I settled for the normal skin version even though my skin is on the dry side, but I simply didn't know how I feel about putting on something that sinks into my skin that I am allergic to (hint: big allergic reactions to almonds), so sea minerals had to do the job of making my skin soft.

It was very easy to use in the shower, where you use it after having washed yourself with shower gel. Just on with it, work it and wash off. There is seriously nothing complicated about it, which I love so much... there is nothing worse than overcomplicated products with detailed instructions or bad packaging because some products are just child proofed. Furthermore, I liked it actually lived up to its name by looking like a good mix between lotion and conditioner... the name is spot on! But essentially, did it work? Did I feel my skin get any softer? Oh yes! It worked right from the first try, even without it being for dry skin! There was no ‘I wonder when this will work’ phase because it did its job instantly. I loved that! The product did what it promised and my skin feels softer after every time I have used it while I also avoid feeling sticky.

The big question - would I purchase it again?

No, I wouldn't.

I know it might seem weird after I have only listed positive things about the product. I get that, but - and that is a serious but - there is one negative thing to the skin conditioner that wouldn't make me purchase it again and that is the fact it has aluminium as one of its ingredients. Aluminium is not a good thing to have in your products - it really isn't good for your health. It is generally seen as an ingredients in deodorants - check if yours has it - so many are talking about changing to coconut oil mixed with something else instead, which I really would if I could but coconut is one of those smells that makes me throw up. I really can't take the smell. So instead, I am limiting the skin products with aluminium I use and this product isn't that necessary. However, I just gotta get this out, I don't actually understand the need to put aluminium in a lotion... like, seriously, why? I checked my other body lotions in my bathroom and none of them has aluminium as an ingredients, but I will start happily use them than the skin conditioner. So not cool, Nivea!

Have you tried Nivea's In-Shower Body Lotion Skin Conditioner? What do you feel about aluminium in skin products?

Until next time,

Mia ♥