September 22, 2011

Home away from Home - Haul and Thoughs

After the entire blur of moving to another country, I am finally starting to settle in and have some time to enjoy my old habits :). This has been a period of so many downs... but, then again, an equal amount of ups!
For those that don't know (and I think there are allot of...) I moved from my home country to the Netherlands, in order to continue my studies. And I have to say, the dutch way... seemed at first, a very different way, then what I was used to..or even prepared for. But now I love it! To the full!

What made me do this post is the fact that there is some mid-season sales and offers going on. On good products your have really good bargains ( from outfits to my personal favorite...make-up!!). A certain such event that caught my eye is Prijzencircus, going on now at V&D (I don't really know if the shop is outside of the Netherlands). And more precisely...a bargain sale at Sephora, where you get 3 products at 10 euro (from the Sephora brand) and 15% discount at all the other brands they host. *devilish grin*

Also, I went ahead and started trying some drugstore brands that seem to really be used here. I think that enough people have raved on Essence and Catrice, but they are really nice, considering the price. As a bonus, none tests on animals and Catrice also does not include parabens or mineral oil in it's products.

Let's get a closer look:




  


  

* Foundation: Matt Mousse, shade sand beige, Catrice - I really liked the texture. It goes on smooth and covers almost everything up. But it goes really fast away. After only two weeks I'm hitting the bottom, so it's kinda sad. (4.99 euro - Krudvat)
* Concealer: AllRound Concealer, Catrice - I have to say that I'm really surprised by the product. I had such sort of a pallet a while back and I wasn't that happy with it, because the colors that were meant to neutralize blemishes and under eye circles were too strong and would not fade well. But these work their magic, fade, but cover everything up! (2.99 euro - Krudvat)
*Nail polish: Studio nails, Better than gel nails, Essence -  A really thick, yet fast drying formula. You can use it as a normal base, to make your nailpolish last longer, than with another base, use on it's self, to give a nice, elegant touch or mix it up with the nail tips that can be found in the series (2.49 euro - Krudvat)
* Lipgloss: Stay With Me, Essence, shades (in order as they are in the picture) 03 Candy Bar, 07 Kiss Kiss Kiss, 02 My Favorite Milkshake - For a gloss, they really are longlasting and very moisturizing! And at the price of 1.99 euro...you can collect them all (1.99 euro - Krudvat)




Sephora, in the V&D shops, has an offer until the 24th Sept. in which you can get 3 products for 10 euro. The offer is on the cosmetics from their actual brand, so now is the time to get those products on which you have been dreaming on. Also, they offer 15% off on the other brands found in their shop! 


*Sephora, Base Sublimatrice Primer, shade Bone mine - It seems ok, really giving a subtle glow to the skin. But the product contains parabens and mineral oil, so use in moderation or apply on moisturized complexion (at least you can have some sort of protection from it, until the cream goes away in the skin)
*Sephora, Perfect Cover Foundation - Paraben Free! I do like the coverage, so far, but only used it to swap it for the haul. More info later on.

  Left side: with primer; Right side: no primer


*Sephora Rouge, shade R15 (decollete - cream) - Paraben Free!! I always liked Sephora lipsticks. They stay on!! And are very moisturizing. The shade could be considered a nude, since it's very close to the natural lip color, just a shade darker. That's great for me, since I've been hunting for a lip product that I don't have to apply and apply...and apply....(and no, I think lip stains are way to chemically for my taste...*ew*) 
 

 *Sephora Lip gloss, shade red velvet - Paraben Free!! I have already talked about this product, but haven't really showed it. I love the effect it give on the lips. Makes them teasing, sweet red! (got this from back home, 12lei)


  

 *Sephora, Hydrating Blush, shade No. 12 (raspberry sheen) - Paraben Free!! I love this color for autumn!! It's a dark rose color, with golden infusions. I used to own this color, from another brand, but the container was so flimzy, that it made the product shatter! So I'm happy now to have it again ^^.


 *Sephora, Doe eyed Felt Liner, shade brown - Great for day looks...I kinda want to keep the liquid black liner for the evenings :P


 Last but to least
*Sephora, Lash plumper mascara, shade ultra black - Paraben Free!! Can't say much yet about the product, since I did not use it :P But I really like the brush and feel like I'm gonna get some effect out of it *grin*



 As for outfits, you should definitely hit V&D (good offers) and I also went to HEMA for some basics, like simple shirts and blouses and undergarments. I really like the materials! And they don't loose shape or break that easily! (A small hint: if your looking for some makeup brushes, just starting out or in the need of something cheap and good, you can also find then there! But I can't say I really trust the make-up itself *worried face*)

Hope this was helpful!! Have a great end of a week!
Kissu!


P.s.:
Just so you know: none of the products are tested on animals. I wouldn't buy them, if they were!
Disclaimer: If you did not figure it out...I brought these products from my own finances.
Photos of the products can be used without my consent. But a message would be nice :)