Catrice Lash Extension Volume Mascara - Review

Look...there is new drugstore mascara in town! I honestly think that many drugstore brands have stepped up their game in terms of quality of their products. One of the drugstore brands that always makes me coming back for more is Catrice - their products are always so innovative and on trend. 

They recently released their newest Lash Extension Volume Mascara with integrated fibres to enhance the lengthening effect. I am really impressed with this newbie, and I don't use this word loosely. The mascara made my lashes look defined, thick and pleasingly long. Longer and thicker lashes will make you look wide awake and glamorous, just in case you didn't know this beauty trick! Also my lashes felt soft to the touch, almost like dolly lashes. 

      Left eye no mascara -right eye one coat                               Picture right: Full makeup look wearing two coats of mascara                                                                     

Catrice’s Lash Couture Single Lashes - Review

I am big lover of individual lashes, a must have beauty item for thin lashes that need volume and fullness. They will make your eyes look bigger and flirty and will add instantly bit of glamour to your makeup look.
I am really impressed with Catrice’s Individual Eyelashes. The quality is superb, they are full and long, feel so soft and quite natural looking.  They come in a sturdy plastic box with three different lengths and the eyelashes can also be reused. The glue that comes with the box is quite good; it held the eyelashes all day and night in place.

 Wearing Catrice’s Lash Couture Single Lashes
Lipstick: MAC Patisserie
Blush: MAC Tenderling

Catrice Re-Touch Light-Reflecting Concealer - Review

I've been addicted lately to concealer pens and I really, really like the new Catrice Re-Touch Light-Reflecting Concealer with its fancy sleek silver mirror shine packaging and the typical twist up type brush tip applicator. I've the shades 010 ivory and  020 light beige and  both are yellow toned, which will correct blue or purple shadows  in your under eye area.  The concealer  dries very quickly, so you should be working it very quickly into your skin. The finish is satin I would say, and the so called light-reflecting particles are not detectable to the eye, or maybe if you look very, very closely.  

Catrice Re-Touch Light-Reflecting Concealer applied under the eye circles in  all three pictures

The Sacred Truth Mask by Lush - Review

One of my favorite face masks is The Sacred Truth Mask by Lush. Every time my skin starts to feel tired and stressed out, I always go back to this one. After using this mask my skin looks fresh, radiant and feels baby-soft. 
The mask contains many great ingredients including green tea, wheatgrass, ginseng. eggs, papaya and kaolin clay.  It has a buttery, creamy and  smooth texture and and spreadable. And the scent is so fresh and green 'grassy' and very natural and pleasant.

Essence Sun Club Allover Shimmer - 02 brunettes miami heat

Essence Sun Club Allover Shimmer for eyes, face and body comes in 2 versions, for 01 blondes  Ibiza sun – lighter skin and 02 brunettes miami heat- darker skin. I bought the one for brunnetes 02 which is also for darker skin types and I also liked it better, because of its warmer hue. The Shimmer Powder can be used all year around as a bronzer, blusher, highlighter and eye shadow.
At first glance, they Shimmer powder reminded me of Bobbi Brown’s Shimmer bricks, only for a fraction of the price of course.  The packaging is see through and contains 6 shimmer stripes of lighter and darker bronzes, pink and a golden highlighter. The powder is soft and shimmery, and is  very pigmented  so you really need a light hand with these, otherwise you will end up with dark patches.

Catrice Absolute Eye Colour - Review

Catrice is one of the best drugstore brands I've ever used. Their products are really cheap but the quality is surprisingly amazing. When I spotted these quads, I thought I had to have them. 

The eyeshadow texture is really soft and  smooth and the color distributes evenly. They last well throughout the day with primer, but without the primer they defo will crease. The packaging is thick clear plastic, so I would say the palette won't break down easily. 

The darker shades in the palettes are very pigmented. The lightest shades in the palette don't show up easily and lack pigment and also contain shimmer that is actually more a micro glitter. I also find that they don't blend well and the result is always almost one color.  

 Another complaint that I've with the eyeshadows, is that they have horrible fall out; after every application  I  always end up looking as if I've been attacked by a glitter bomb.

On the positive note they only cost € 4.49 here in Ireland.

Catrice Absolute Eye Colour - 040 Never Let Me Go

Lacura Beauty Concealer Pen from Aldi - Review

The description of Lacura Beauty Concealer Pen from Aldi's  web site:

With the light-reflecting micro-pigments of the Lacura^® Concealer Pen shadows, lines and fine wrinkles around the eyes are concealed, pigment disorders are covered and surface irregularities of the skin are balanced out. The complexion looks smoother and more radiant. The special "NMF" - Natural Moisurising Factor active agent complex, based on high quality ingredients like amino acid, urea and alantonin, reduces dark shadows around the eyes and keeps the sensitive skin in the eye area soft and supple and stops it from drying out. The product is long-lasting , smudge-proof and suitable for all skin types. The soft brush applicator enables a very precise application and the ideal amount can be released with the push button applicator.

How to apply Lacura Beauty Concealer Pen  

Catrice Made to Stay Highlighter pen - Review

17 smoulder gel eyeliner - Review

17 smoulder gel eyeliner is gel based eyeliner with a lasting hold.  I am usually Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner girl, but I thought I will give this little dupe a chance. I had the Maybelline Gel Eyeliner before and I didn’t really like it. I guess every Gel Eyeliner will fail the test it they are compared to Bobbi Brown or MAC Gel Eyeliner.

Budget find - No7 Sheer Temptation in Delight

No7 Sheer Temptation is the perfect marriage between a gloss and a lipstick. It glides perfectly like the creamiest lipstick and has the perfect amount of shine. Not sticky at all and it makes my lips feel moisturized.

 I bought this one in Delight, which is a fresh natural pink with glossy finish and tiny golden shimmer particles. They are not really prominent, and you can’t really see them, but your defiantly can feel them somewhat on your lips. Not a long lasting lipstick but it’s very easy to reapply without mirror, because it is so natural looking.

To sum it up, it’s a great lipstick if you are looking for something moisturizing like lip balm with a pop of color on your lips. Also think they are quite good dupes for Chanel's Rouge Coco Shines.



Budget find - Revlon lip butter

Ok, I don’t want to bore you to death, how good Revlon Color Burst Lip Butters are, because I am sure you have heard that already millions times on other blogs ages ago.

As I said, I find them good, but not amazing, so if you have spare money go for it, but its defiantly not a must-have lipstick  of the season.  They are quite pigmented, but the staying power is not very long, due to their moisterizing properties, so very comparable to a lip gloss.  So be prepared to reapply every twenty minutes.

What I didn’t like about them was that they leave the dreaded lip pencil stain, when wearing off... I like my lipstick wearing off evenly, leaving a lovely stain on my lips.

On the positive note, I really adored the makeup look on Emma Stone, and she is wearing Revlon Color Burst Lip Butter in Peach Parfait,  which is my favourite colour of the bunch so far.

I only bought them in two colours: Peach Parfait, a warm light pink shade with gold particles, which you can feel on your lips  and Tutti Frutti, a juicy
 tangerine-orange colour.
 They cost each  €11.95 here in Ireland.
 For all the shades and swatches, I recommand checking out Karla Sugars blog.


revlon lip butter peach parfait

Miracle Touch Liquid Illusion Foundation - best foundation ever

This foundation has been one of my favorites for three years now. I have tried tons of foundations, drugstore and high-end ones, but I always come back to the  Miracle Touch Liquid Illusion Foundation.

 I love it  because it doesn’ t dry my skin out, blends perfectly and it gives me an even, glowing complexion, without being too heavy in coverage. I would say, it is a light to medium coverage and glides on very easily and smoothes the skin out.
It  actually doesn't feel I am are wearing any foundation, it really looks so natural.

I love the shape of the packaging, it has a  separate compartment to keep the sponge in away from the foundation and it's perfect for touch ups on the go.

I use a foundation or buffing brush to apply this foundation, because I do believe that the sponge that comes with it soaks up to much product.

The shade selection is very limited. I think there are only seven shades to choose from. I buy the foundation  in Golden and  it matches my skin color perfectly.

It is bit a pricey for a drugstore foundation:  the cost  is 20 Euros for 11,5g of product here in Ireland, but in my opinion so worth it.

Miracle Touch Liquid Illusion Foundation in 75 Golden

What Max Factor says on about the Miracle Touch Liquid Illusion Foundation:

Max Factor’s most innovative foundation will revolutionize the way you apply your base. With a unique lightweight solid to liquid formula it removes the need for the traditional concealer, foundation and powder combination and instead creates the perfect base in just one easy application. The result is a flawless, fresh and incredibly smooth complexion that glows with radiance.




I highly can recommend this foundation to anyone, who likes high-end foundations but doesn’t want to pay the price tag.  Give it a go you want be disappointed! Have you ever tried the Miracle Touch Foundation?

xxx Marina

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budget find - essence stay all day long eyeshadow

Lately, I have been liking the long lasting  cream eyeshadows a lot. They are just so easy and quick to use, and really useful when you are rushing in the morning.

 Only recently I came across the Essence stay all day long lasting eyeshadow in Pennys ( Primark), although the eye shadows are  available since September 2011.

They come in six different shades:

• 01 Coppy right – metallic light copper
• 02 Glammy goes to... – metallic light gold
• 03 Steel the show - metallic shimmery taupe
• 04Stars & stories - metallic silver
• 05 Camp rock –  metallic silver green
• 06 Rock chick - metallic black with silver shimmer

 I bought the 01 Coppy right  and the 02 Glammy goes to...  so far I have to say I am very pleased with the eye shadows and I use them quite often in my make up routine. I use them alone all over my lid or sometimes even as my base, since they are so light in color. They also mix easily with other eye shadows.  I find them to be the perfect dupe for my Bobbi Brown long wear cream eyeshadows.

 01 Coppy right – metallic light copper

 02 Glammy goes to... – metallic light gold

 What I like about these cream eyeshadows

• Creamy  Texture
• Don’t smudge
• Stay put all day/night long
• Metallic  glittery effect
• Easy to blend
• Well  pigmented  
• Buildable color
• Dry very quickly
• 5,5 g pan  for 2,95 €

Bottom Line

I think these are great eye shadows  and  are very user friendly. The quality of the product is very good, and very well comparable with high end eye shadows, less the price tag of course.So, I am very happy with my new budget find! I only wish that Essence would add more colors, such as lilac and rose.

Have you tried the Essence stay all day long lasting eye shadow yet? And if, what is your favorite shade? Can you recommend better cream eye shadows?

xxx Marina

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Budget find - Catrice lipsticks

Love the lipsticks by Catrice. For a budget brand, Catrice's lipsticks are impressive. They only cost €4,49 over here in Ireland  and come in various trendy colors like pinks, reds, nudes, oranges and  berries.  In my opinion,  their color range is one of the best available in the drugstore.  Pigmentation is great, and they have a subtle vanilla  scent which isn’t overpowering. The color is opaque and glossy  and feels creamy on my lips, and the best thing about them is that they don’t dry out  my lips.

Ok they are not the same quality  as the high end lipsticks such as YSL or Chanel, but pretty much close. And with just a fraction of the price you could buy all colors to experiment with the more unusual colors like orange or bright pink.



From Catrice's website:

Ultimate Colour Lipstick
Color! The Ultimate Colour makes your lips shine with highly-pigmented, rich shades. The smooth and creamy texture is extremely long-lasting and provides a gorgeous finish with great coverage that lasts for hours! Available in a total of 16 colors.

Ultimate Shine Lipstick
Ranging from soft nude tones to bright pink, the “most wanted” lipstick of the season.  The creamy, soft texture provides intensive moisture, care and a beautiful shine. Comes in a high-quality, purist design for an elegant look. Available in a total of 16 colors

Colour Infusion Longlasting Lipstain
Longer lasting color, now! With the pen that gives lips semi-permanent definition, a light stain and pampers them with moisturizing ingredients – the new CATRICE Lip Stain! It offers the desired color infusion for our lips! Its fruity aroma lifts our spirits and is easy to apply thanks to the soft shape of the tip. Apply in several layers to intensify the color. Use waterproof remover to remove.
Available in a total of five colors





The colours I have purchased and  I'm loving so far are:
Ultimate colour 100 Lobster Love (bright coral/ pink red)

Ultimate Shine 060 Teddy brown (browny red )

Colour Infusion Longlasting Lipstain 030 Meet Mrs Rosevelt (Lipstain with lip gloss)

  

Have you tried any Catrice’s lipsticks yet? What is your favorite budget brand for lipsticks?

xxx Marina

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My new beauty find - Catrice cream eye shadow

I was walking the other day the aisle in Pennys ( Primark), looking out for a perfect outfit for my Friday night, when this little eye shadow from Catrice picked my interest:

The Made To Stay Long Lasting Eye Shadows in six shades for  for Euro 3.90 each!  I wondered how I didn't see them before, think they are out since late 2011.

Tried all six  shades on the back of my hand and decided to buy the Lord Of The Blings,  a metallic golden silver shade.  I mean it was only for Euro 3.90, so could have bought them all, but wanted first to see if I like the texture and the feel of them on my eye.

How to create your personal lipstick shade

Are you looking  for a perfect shade of  lipstick or for that one  particular shade and you couldn’t find  in any store, that perfectly suits your complexion and clothes?

Here comes the solutions.... Why dont you just create  your own personal lipstick shade?

All you need is your favorite lipsticks you want to mix together, one empty lip container case,
large spoon,  a tea lightand  bit of creativity…  Now  I am sure you are wondering , where I am gonna get an empty lip container from: Just scoop out one of your lipsticks you almost have used up  and make sure they are turned down to the very bottom. 

So get started:

Cut of small piece of the lipsticks you want to mix together .

Place lipstick pieces on a very  large spoon.

Mix the lipsticks together with a small stick until the color is smooth and even.
You can also mix tiny amount of the color at the back of your hand so just to see if the colors
suit your skintone.

Light a candle and heat the lipstick mixture until fluid.

Transfer the heated mixture carefully into the empty lip container.

Let the mixture cool down for about  20 -30 minutes, before you can use your new lipstick.

Do not place into fridge, otherwise lipstick will crack.

And voila, you have created your very personal lipstick  shade.

Hope the post will inspire you to get more creative, ladies!  See also my tutorial, how to make your own lip palette here.

xxx Marina

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How to make your own lip palette or what to do with old lipsticks

Do you have lipsticks laying around and don’t know what to do with them?

Well first you go try to use them as a cream blusher or even cream eye shadow….

Or you could make your own lip palette… exciting.

How to Make Your Own Eye Shadow Palette

Do  you many  eye shadows you never really use,  but don’t  know what to do with them?

why don’t make your own Eye shadow palette?

bepanthen ointment in your face

I know what you are thinking, baby bottom cream on your face? Yes! I use it on my eyes, chapped  lips, dry cuticles... in fact, I use it on everywhere where I have damaged skin or I feel a painful zit starting to grow.

How I discovered this wonder cream:
After the removal of my eyelash extensions, my eyes dint stop itching, so I used the cream around my eyes for few days, because it is created to stop baby bottoms itching and prevent them from nappy rash.

rimmel nail polish french manicure - no need for professional manicure

 I absolutely love Rimmel London's products.

This polish is no exception and I have been using it for years.

The inimitable combination of the superior formula with Lycra® technology + Maxi brush innovation guarantees perfect coverage for superior shine & wear. Up to 10 days colour.

 It  really doesnt disappoint.