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 :)

How to - Brown Blues Glam

Hey guys! Long time, no chat! Sending out my sorry, but it has been a hectic period for me...exams, work, some big plans for the next year of school...^^ having a lot going on! Also, my Bday passed and I want to thank everybody that wished me all the best! Thank you once more!


Today I have a simple, easy to do makeup, but I for one find it extremely versatile and usable for both elegant and casual styles. I used only around 4 colors for the eyes, but some you can even skip if you don't like the idea *smiles*!

I applied in this order:
Eyelid: navy blue
Crease: light gray (to blend out the blue)
Outer corner and going into the crease: medium brown
Lower lashline (to accent the eyes) : soft, light brown
Highlight, inner corner and under the brow: shimmery white

On the eyelid I also used a blue pencil and added some lashes to make it more dramatic. The face is done as I usually do...


Tip:
- Blend, blend, blend and blend! Colors are better shown when there is a gradual fade to them!
- Use lighter formulas, but with a SPF! Brighter days came and you need an extra boost to protect your skin!


What I used:

Face:
* Alverde Mineral Make-up Foundation, shade 01 Naturelle;
* Alverde Mineral Camouflage Powder, shade Sand;
* Farmasi, Happy Face powder, shade 03;
* Farmasi, Tender Blush On, shade 169;
* Miss Sporty, Bronzing Powder, shade Sun Kissed.

Eyes:
* Sephora Pallet (blues and greens -navy blue- + browns -shimmery white-);
* Maybelline quad, shade Chocolate Mousse (medium brown and light brown);
* Dior pallet, sorry I don't know the name of the pallet or that of the colors (light gray);
* Sephora Collections Pencile, shade white;
* Alverde Precision Mascara.

Lips:
* Bourjois, Effet 3D Les nudes, shade 35 Nude egeric.


Wishing you an easy and sunny end of the week!
Kissu

Happy Womans Day

Today, 8th of March, here in Romania we celebrate Womans/Mothers Day ^^. Sooo.....I wish a wonderful day to all the women and mothers all over the world! You shall always be loved!!!

Kissu

Alverde Natur Kosmetik - Camouflage

Hey guys! Hope your all well!
I want to share with you some facts about a brand I have known for some time now...but only just recently brought from: Alverde. (see link here) (or in Romanian)

Alverde is a DM Drogerie Markt, german brand, almost entirely VEGAN! I say almost because a few products, like chapsticks and hand cream, contain beeswax. You can find a list of the ingredients here. And also....you can find more details on the brand itself, by reading the post of another blogger, and user of the products, "That's the break's Blog".



From the very start I can say that I'm in love with it! It's more than affordable....I paid around 20 lei (sooo....less than 5 euro? ^^ give or take), the pay off from the tinniest amount is incredible, the consistency being very creamy, yet light, perfect for both blemishes and under eye area (cuz' I do hope you know....that softer, liquid like products are better for under the eyes...and creamier ones, for face and neck line). It blends well and it's a bit more on the full coverage side (funny, since it's so light).
I have yet to put it on my face....since I go straight to the bathroom and take my make-up off, when I get home...but as you can see from the pictures, the coverage on my hand cuts (I'm still trying to teach the bunny to talk and tell me when she wants down from my arms *laughs loudly*) is pretty good! Also, the amount, in the pan, is more than sufficient! I'm really pleased with the product and I am looking forward to getting more from the brand. *kicks away all her nearly ending products, grinning innocently*



The color I picked out is 002 "Beige". There were also "Sand" and "Strawberry", only as a tester. But I'm again giving a shout out:
PLEASE, IF YOU DON'T FIND TESTERS, ASK FOR THEM! DON'T OPEN THE CONTAINING PACKS! OTHER PEOPLE MIGHT JUST WANT TO GET THEM AFTER YOU OPEN THEM! IF THERE AIN'T A TESTER AND THE SALES PERSON TELLS YOU TO OPEN IT, LOOK AND SEE IF ONE PRODUCT IS ALREADY OPEN...BUT DON'T OPEN THEM ALL AT ONCE!
I think you guessed my problem....ALL....*sighs* seriously....all of the products were opened...and they didn't have any extra >< *mutters under her breath*. And lets say the sales lady....wasn't really...wanting to be helpful. In the end...I found one that was just pinched slightly (sending out my thanks to those that actually get the idea, to test lightly), took it and ran!! :))


But in the end....I love the product! Have you tried anything from Alverde? How do you find their line?

Hope it was helpful!
Kissu

Give me some sweet pink funk - a V-day look

I guess you have noticed until now...I'm not a huge fan of pinks (except when on lips or cheeks ^^...even then in moderation). I do admit I will always like an old rose shade...But that's about it.

In any case...We can't have a Valentine's Day without some pink....but I still can't help myself to top it off with some purple and green ^^. For all those that love color, that won't stay in a chart....and want some twist to their look...I do hope this will suit your needs!



Tip:
1. I actually don't own a pink shadow...If you're like me, but you have a pink blush, you can use it as a shadow with no problem!
2. Don't over do the eyes and the lips. It will have a too big impact. You can use a same tone, not to over do the look.

What I used:

Face:
*mix between Stay Matte Foundation, shade 1 + a bit of shade 6 + Artistry Self Defining Sheer Foundation, shade Fawn;
* Farmasi, Camouflage Concealer Liquid, shade 03;
* Farmasi, Happy Face powder, shade 03;
* Elf, Natural Radiance Blusher, shade Innocence;
* Miss Sporty, Bronzing Powder, shade Sun Kissed;
* Miss Sporty, Mono Eye Shadow, shade 111 Tender.

Eyes:
* Sephora Pallet (purples, blues and greens, and blacks);
* Ada liner, shade black;
*Farmasi, Catwalk Illusion Mascara, shade black.

Lips:
* Oriflame, Beauty Triple Core Lipstick, shade Love Pink.

Happy Valentine's Day!
Kissu.

Simple and elegant - a V-day Look

Valentines day is here again and even you have an invitation for a romantic day with your partner, if you are still looking for somebody or you're either not looking at all, just waiting for a Cupids arrow, you look for the day can be a huge hint to your true self.

The first look of the series is a classic vintage look, perfect for the new trend that has been going on some time now. I do hope you enjoy it.




You can go nude all the way, or make a statement and wear a bold red lip (and make a stamp on his shirts collar *evil laugh*).



Tips:
1. Put the red lipstick, stamp it with a tissue and then top it off with a red lipgloss. It will last longer, not make too much transfer, and will still leave some color on your lips, after you eat and drink....or kiss ^^;;.
2. Put some highlighter on the apples of your cheeks, forehead, tip of the nose, upper lip and chin. It will give you a glowy, fresh and healthy look.

What I used:

Face:
*mix between Stay Matte Foundation, shade 1 + a bit of shade 6 + Artistry Self Defining Sheer Foundation, shade Fawn;
* Farmasi, Camouflage Concealer Liquid, shade 03;
* Farmasi, Happy Face powder, shade 03;
* Elf, Natural Radiance Blusher, shade Innocence;
* Miss Sporty, Bronzing Powder, shade Sun Kissed;
* Miss Sporty, Mono Eye Shadow, shade 111 Tender.

Eyes:
* Sephora Pallet (browns);
* Maybelline quad, shade Chocolate Mousse;
* E. Funkhouser creme eye liner, shade Graphite;
* Sephora Collections Pencile, shade white;
* Farmasi, Catwalk Illusion Mascara, shade black.

Lips:
* Sephora Collections Lipgloss, shade nude;
or
* Farmasi, Gleam Rouge Liquide Lipstick, shade 17 or 16.


Happy Valentines Day!
Kissu

Silver and brown look - Inspired from "All of the lovers", by Kylie Minogue

A few days back, I attended a birthday party, held in a Chinese restaurant. After a long period of not using make-up, because of some problems my skin had lately due to accumulated stress. So I felt in a more shinny and glowy state ^^. Truth is...I haven't worn grays and silvers in some time....and ever since I saw the video made by Kylie, I wanted badly to try her look out. I made a small change and not go so far with the under soft gray, but in broad lines I followed the look ^^.




What I used:

Face:
*mix between Stay Matte Foundation, shade 1 + a bit of shade 6 + Artistry Self Defining Sheer Foundation, shade Fawn;
* Farmasi, Camouflage Concealer Liquid, shade 03;
* Farmasi, Happy Face powder, shade 03;
* Elf, Natural Radiance Blusher, shade Innocence;
* Miss Sporty,Bronzing Powder, shade Sun Kissed.

Eyes:
* Sephora Pallete (the one with more blacks);
* Miss Sporty,Bronzing Powder, shade Sun Kissed;
* Eveline, liquid liner, shade Black;
* Farmasi, Catwalk Illusion Mascara, shade black.

Lips:
*Gleam Rouge Liquide Lipstick, shades 12 & 13.



I know that black makes my eyes like O.O huuugeeee! But heh.... ^^;;; I love too much my liquid liners.
I do hope you enjoy it and I wish you a nice and relaxing weekend! I know I need it....^^
Kissu

Show some love

I'm giving a shout to all those that read and like this blog!

I would like to say to all of you a warm THANK YOU! I just love it when I get really nice comments from all of you, feeling even warmer when people appreciate and request my services! Even if I don't update as much now as I have been, you have always shown your support and there are no greater words I can say to thank you. "The Show" goes on because of the awesome feedback you give me! Thank you once more!

My request now...from you....is this: I really appreciate all your messages, but I would like to ask of you to subscribe to my blog if you like it ^^. Also....I finally managed to make a FaceBook page, more ways for you to follow the posts and see recent activities. On another hand, BlogLoving is a great new way you can follow, not only mine, but a lot of other great blogs on all kinds of topics!

So please...Show some love for those that write for you and subscribe! It means the world to us to see that people appreciate our work, making possible for more opportunities to be attracted for us and our subscribers!

Remember....Subscribing is free and easy to do....And everytime a new post comes up, you get a notice...So you don't have to tune in daily to see if your favorite blog has a new post ^^. More simple, huh?

Show some love to those that make your day a little brighter ^^
Kissu

Winter Haul - La an nou...produse noi!

In primul rand vreau sa va urez un calduros "La multi ani!", sanatate, noroc, fericire si sa se indeplineasca tot ce va doriti!(Cam tarziu.....dar gandul conteaza ^^)

Revenind la oile noastre...acesta este un mic haul, comandat in principal de la firma "Farmasi" in luna decembrie, Bourjois si Herbosophy.

Pentru cei ce nu stiu, "Farmasi" este o firma turceasca, produsele dorind a fi considerate profesionale, dar la jumatate de pret sau chiar mai putin. Sincera sa fiu...cu niste modificari, au un adevarat potential!

Produsele lor nu sunt testate pe animale (ceea ce este un punct important pentru mine), insa au o mare problema cu parabenii in produsele de fata. Ce pot spune...inca nu mi-a intrat total in cap ca trebuie sa cer informatii sau sa citesc total ingredientele. Norocul meu este faptul ca nu le folosesc decat cu o baza ce are ca principal scop protectia tenului fata de orice este rau din exterior si in plus...fondul de ten fiind pentru matifiere...il folosesc in principal atunci cand nu vreau sa existe vreo modificare in machiaj (ex: pe parcursul unei petreceri). In restul produselor comandate nu am observat prezenta acestora.

In orice caz, daca nu prea tineti cont de aceste lucruri...produsele in sine sunt geniale!Culori puternice, pigmentate, fara transfer si care sunt la preturi foarte comode pentru buzunar!








Farmasi
Face: * Stay Matte Foundation: nuantele 1 si 6;
* Stick Foundation: nuantele 1 si 7;
Lips: * Gleam Rouge Liquide Lipstick (in ordinea prezentarii): 12, 13, 17, 16, 20;
* True Color Lipstick: nuanta 14;
Ochi: * Catwalk Illusion Mascara, negru.

Tot in cursul acestui sezon, am primit cadou din partea unor prieteni, doua produse Bourjois: 3D gloss, nuanta "Nude egeric" si fardul mono, in nuanta "Raffine". Glossul pot spune ca il folosesc zi de zi, fiind excelent pentru machiajul meu zilnic. Fardul este intr-o culoare pala, placuta, usor aurie. Se intinde bine si are o textura usor satinata. Imi place foarte mult culoarea si merge in multe combinatii si nu numai pentru ochi!




Fiind intr-o cautare pentru un gel de demachere care sa nu ma mai bombardeze cu toti parabenii (ca de...greu nene pe aici), picioarele mele m-au purtat intr-o farmacie mai high-end...ca sa zicem...unde am facut o oferta la produsele Herbosophy! Bun...ma uit rapid la finalul listei de ingrediente (ca de...tot patitul e cunoscator) si nu vad urma de parabeni!(mai jos fiind chiar scris si subliniat acest fapt) Fericita...ma uit si la inceput...cand ma pocneste un SLS care imi sparge bula mea de extaz. Pun frumos produsul la loc si incep o noua cautare. Nu va pot spune ca in nici 2 minute ma intorc fara prea multe sperante la acesta, dupa ce jumate din produsele din farmacie de demachere contineau un cocktail "placut" de parabeni cu SLS. (restul e adevarat ca nu aveau...dar si buzunarul meu era dupa la fel de nauc, ca o a doua zi dupa o betie crunta). Insa o mica steluta s-a intrevazut in produs cand am aflat ca nu contine un SLS ca toate SLS-urile...ci o varianta mult mai delicata si speciala pentru tenul acneic. Acuma....ce sa mai zic...ca tot romanul....dintre toate relele, macar il iau pe cel cu mai putin rau. Eu si podelele industriale ;) . La casa mi s-a oferit si un balsam de buze, de la aceeasi firma, fiind inclus in promotie. Am zambit frumos, gandindu-ma din nou la parabenii mei, am luat produsul si spre mirarea mea....este chiar OK! Ingredientele sunt bune si textura este foarte placuta! Nu este grea, nu este lipicioasa si ramane pe buze, hidratandu-le mult timp (eu am obsesia sa pap rujurile...mi-a cam dat de furca acesta si in final m-am lasat pagubasa).

Herbosophy:
*Cleansing Gel - Oily/ Acneic skin.
*Lip Balm Nourishing, Spf 20.


Sper sa va ajute acest post!
Kissu