Products of the Month - June 2013

Missha Signature Real Complete BB Cream 

I must admit the heat made it almost impossible to wear anything on my face, but I did wear this BB primarily because it has an SPF. Similarly to Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum, it has light to medium coverage and looks very natural on the skin, however, like most BB's it leaves my skin tacky and sticky, which presented a big problem for me in the heat so I needed to powder it. I'm not a fan of anything that leaves my skin tacky that's why I use Healthy Mix Serum, but I made compromises for the sake of good sun protection and it worked just nicely.

Mattifying powders - Givenchy Matissime & Mac Mineralize Skinfinish Natural

I honestly dislike wearing powders, because they make any foundation look obvious on me plus the flakies appear when I use them in colder months, however, I can't avoid using them in hot weather. BB's that I use in the Summer because they have SPF, all have a dewy finish, which looks fantastic in colder months, but not now. Both of these don't leave a flat matte finish, but they still leave a bit of a glow. I prefer to apply them with a puff, however, I do use a brush from time to time.

Bourjois 10 Days in 25

I love this shade because it is the perfect coral for my pale complexion and even though I'm not a fan of the formula nor the brush, it was on my nails for most of the month.

Lush Silky Underwear Dusting Powder 
I whip out this dusting powder every Summer when the temperatures reach 30°C or more. It's a part of my morning routine and I apply it all over the body, sort of "blend" it in with my hands and get dressed. I find it helps my skin stay drier in the heat and it gives it a gorgeous, subtle jasmine fragrance. It can make your clothes white, however, I wore black dresses and it didn't cause problems, you just have to make sure you really "blend" it well so there are no white patches of powder left.
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L'Oreal's Color Infallible eyeshadow in 012 Endless Chocolate

I wrote odes on my love for Color Infallibles before and Endless Chocolate is the one that made me fell in love with them in the first place. It's a gorgeous chocolate-bronze shade which I wore this month instead of the black that I normally use on the top lashline as a liner. It seriously lasts all day and is such a great quality eyeshadow.

Maybelline Colour Whisper Coral Ambition

Normally I wear quite bright colours on my lips, but I've been really enjoying wearing this lipstick recently. It's a lovely light peach shade with pink tones that works great with my pale complexion. My only gripe is the weak staying power.

Mac Impassioned

A watermelon-fuschia shade with one of the loveliest formulas I've ever tried. I loved wearing it this month and it is such a beautiful Summery shade.

Essence Guerilla Gardening TE Floral Glam lip cream

I wore this orange red on most days in the last part of the month. I love the texture and the excellent staying power of these lip creams plus they don't dry out my lips despite the matte finish. 

Oh, and I ordered Dior's BB cream from Feel Unique yesterday. Currently they have an offer for 15% off   everything so I paid 31€ for it. (code SUMMER15, valid until tomorrow (Sunday) midnight. By the way, it's 38.99€ in Müller). I had a few difficulties with their packages recently (the last one took 3 weeks to arrive and the one before never arrived at all), so I'll keep my fingers crossed that everything will go smoothly this time.

Have a great day!

Colours of the Rainbow Tag

This tag was really popular a few months back, but I still see an occasional post popping up. So the rules are to take all seven colours of the rainbow (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet) plus pink and multi-coloured, and talk about your favourite beauty or fashion item that fits with those colours. I honestly enjoyed doing this tag and this definitely one of the most colourful posts I ever posted.

ESSENCE Guerilla Gardening TE Floral Glam lip cream

I could choose any of my red lipsticks here, as I really enjoy wearing them and I wear them frequently. I chose Floral Glam not just because it's currently my favourite red, but also because it's a lip cream and they are my favourite type of lip colours as they are very pigmented, last so long and have a matte finish. I did a comparison of most my red shades in the review for this lip cream and Floral Glam is an orange based red that bears a lot of resemblance to Mac's Lady Danger and MUA's 13 (again some of my favourites).

KÉRASTASE Masquintense Epais

I never realised I have so many thing that are orange! And all the good stuff actually. So naturally I had difficulties picking one and I cheated a bit by making a second picture of my other choice - The Body Shop Vineyard Peach body butter here. I could include the entire Nutritive line from Kérastase here, well at least the products I got, because all of them all fantastic. I just keep getting more and more impressed by this mask. Every time I use it, everyday is a good hair day and I think that sums it up just nicely.

 NUXE Huile Prodigieuse

It was the most obvious choice out of all. I have, after all, been using it every day for more than two years as a face moisturiser. It made my skin so radiant and healthy looking not to mention very soft. It is a multi-purpose product and I also use it for my body and occasionally on my hair, it even works as a lip balm if you don't have anything else handy. Definitely a product worth the hype.

MACADAMIA NATURAL OIL Healing Oil Treatment
I would be really odd for me not to include at least one of the hair "oils". Since Nuxe oil took top place in the yellow category leaving no place for Orofluido, Macadamia was the best choice for green. They all perform so similarly that the only thing really differentiating them is the scent. Macadamia might not have the best scent in the world (mind you, some adore it, but get the sample size first just to be sure), but it is great for dry hair and I find it to be the one with the best defrizzing and shine properties.

TIGI Bed Head Masterpiece Massive Shine Hair Spray

I had difficulties choosing the blue product that deserves the top spot. I have many, but none really stands out. I decided then on what is the most obvious choice for me because I've been using this hairspray for years, particularly when I curl my hair. I never really talked about it apart from saying it has a tropical scent, but it doesn't make your hair stiff or sticky and manages to hold my curls in a decent condition for days.

MAX FACTOR Khol Pencil in Natural Glaze
This is one of those unsung heroes that I've been using everyday for years on my waterline and a bit in my inner corner to make the eyes look more awake and bigger. It's a fantastic fleshtoned eyeliner with peachy tones for an affordable price. If you don't have it yet, you need it.

VICTORIA'S SECRET Love Spell Fragrance Mist
This is my signature Summer scent which smells like a refreshing tropical fizzy drink. Sadly it doesn't last long, about an hour, but respraying it offers an instant refreshment on hotter days.

Fantasy eau de Parfum

This was the only scent that I wore for over a year, so it definitely deserves the top spot among "the pinks". It's a very girly fragrance, featuring a delicious blend of kiwi and lichee notes with vanilla and white chocolate. Yeah you'll smell like sweets and cupcakes, but to me it's a comforting scent and I'm a fan of such sweet fragrances. The projection and staying power is exceptional for a celebrity fragrance and you can find good deals online, so it's reasonably priced.

 SLEEK Original palette

Finding a multicoloured item wasn't an easy task, I don't even have any apart from the palettes. Sleek's Original one has been in my collection for quite a while, but I use it very rarely. The reason is that I rarely wear bright coloured eyeshadows (or any really) but if I need a bright blue, violet or green this the place to look. It's an affordable palette for those who want to experiment with colours. By the way, Sleek palettes have one of the best black eyeshadows.

I added a category with the mint green/teal/turquoise/ blue-green shades, since it is (are) my favourite colour(s) and selected Essie Mint Candy Apple. It's THE mint nail polish and has received many raves not just from me, but also from other beauty bloggers. I must admit, it is not the easiest polish to apply, yet I wear it the most out of all of my nail polishes. I have a few dupes, Depend 245 is pretty much a spot on dupe as is the already discontinued You Belong to Me by Essence.

If you find this tag fun, feel free to do it yourself.
Have a great day!

Maybeline Colour Whisper in Coral Ambition

Colour Whispers are just another lip products in the long line of the lipstick-gloss-balm hybrids that have stormed the make up world ever since Chanel launched their Rouge Coco Shines. Personally, I am not a particular fan of these and I gravitate towards more saturated, pigmented and matte textures. However, I do own a few, namely the infamous Revlon's Lip Butters and L'Oreal's Rouge Caresse. I didn't plan to get the Maybelline's version, but ended up buying Coral Ambition because of the shade. It is rare to find a nice light, warm, peachy shade that doesn't look orange on my pale complexion. I am currently in the wearing bright shades stage, but I have worn this shade quite a lot since I got it about a month ago. I find it looks great when I wear mint green clothes, which I do a lot since it's my favourite colour.

The texture is light, almost weightless and not sticky at all. I find it very similar to L'Oreal's Rouge Caresse. It's very balmy and moisturising, it's a good substitute for a lip balm, but my lips aren't that dry currently. It looks glossy on the lips, but again as with the rest glossy lipsticks, it's a creamy shine not a full on mirror shine.  

Due to the light, glossy texture and the fact the shade is light, the longevity is poor. I'm lucky to get it to stay for an hour or two, provided I don't eat or drink as it doesn't survive that well. One swipe with your hand or a tissue and it's gone.

The shade is a light peach with a bit of pink. I wouldn't call it coral, because for me coral has some red in it. It's a safe, everyday colour for those who don't like wearing much colour. It's a type of colour that brightens up my face because of the peachy tones in it and it's a great colour for a natural look. I really like the shade,  I wish it were released in their Vivids range so it would have a different formula and therefore better staying power. Pigmentation is quite nice for such a light colour, obviously it takes a few swipes to get it intense enough, but it's more pigmented than the lighter shades from other brands.

The packaging is slimmer than the lipsticks from the regular line. I find Maybelline's packaging a bit cheap looking, but it works fine. 

These are quite expensive. I got mine for 8€ in DM, while it's priced 10€ in Müller.

If I draw a comparison between the glossy-balmy lipsticks, these are my second favourite out of the ones I've tried. My favourite is still the Boots 17 Mirror Shine lipstick (I have the shade Beehive). It's the most moisturising and has the glossiest shine. Maybelline's and L'oreal's have a very similar formula, but Maybelline's lighter shades are more pigmented. Revlon's have a heavier formula that feels slightly sticky. Essence's are very reasonably priced, but I find certain shades drying and they don't last as long as the previously mentioned brands. I still feel all of these are overpriced and should be half cheaper than proper lipstick, because they aren't as pigmented and lack staying power.

Have a great day!

Seven Deadly Sins Tag

I was tagged to do this post by a fellow blogger Anna from Anna Beauty Blog, but it was a very popular tag on YouTube a while ago. So here's my take on it. 

What is your most expensive beauty item?

I don't know exactly because I have a few products that were priced about the same, but it might be the Calvin Klein's Euphoria, however I had a discount. The most expensive product I paid full price for is Estee Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover. I use it on most days actually, so it was worth it.

Which beauty item do you have a love/hate relationship with?

That would be Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation. It can make your skin look absolutely fantastic, however, if it's dehydrated, every patch of dry skin will look horrendous. They have repackaged it and apparently changed the formula, but I have yet to try it. The other such product is Bourjois 10 days nail polish in shade 25. I dislike the formula, but the colour is flippin' gorgeous.

What brand makes up the biggest chunk of your make up collection?

Essence, however I buy from so many brands and I don't have a favourite one. I don't buy as much from Essence anymore, I find their countless TEs to be mostly unappealing and I don't feel like tracking them down all the time. They do have some great products, like Stay Matte lip creams.

What product do you neglect to use due to laziness?

Face masks. I just can't be bothered waiting 10-15 minutes to rinse it off. A 7 ml sample of Dermalogica Gentle Cream Exfoliant lasted me a year and I love that stuff. 

Which beauty product gives you the most confidence?

Without a doubt red lipstick. I love wearing them, I think they look great with my pale complexion and dark hair (that's Essence's Floral Glam Lip Cream in the picture). I'm hoping a day will come when people won't find it so odd when a young girl wears bright colours on the lips. Not that it will happen anytime soon... Still, I wear reds a lot in everyday life.

Picture source: http://www.allmacproducts.com/macblog/pink-and-a-bit-of-everything-dior-diorskin-nude-b/

Which item is at the top of your beauty wish list?

On the very top currently is Dior Diorskin BB cream. I had a sample that lasted me a few applications and that stuff is fabulous. I would like to try some more high-end "BBs" before buying it, though. (oh, who am I kidding. They're tinted moisturisers)

Picture source: http://maybelline.tumblr.com/post/30465308548/lush-lash-love

What make up product/ look looks great on others but not on yourself?

Cat eye/eyeliner flick or any eye makeup basically. I have hooded eyes which make any attempts on presentable eye makeup a flop. I usually just do the invisible liner with mascara and focus on the lips. 

If you find this tag fun, feel free to do it yourself. 

Have a great day!

Summer Wishlist

1. Dior Diorskin Nude BB Creme,  Guerlain Lingerie De Peau BB or Clinique Moisture Surge CC 

Lets not get into the whole BB/CC debate, because I am of a strong opinion they are nothing new, just regular tinted moisturisers and those with more coverage, basically a foundation (and yes, I believe the same way about Korean ones, I have a few). I'm a huge fan of the skin-like finish and when I was younger there weren't a lot of tinted moisturisers (well, any really) on the market that would be light enough for such pale skin as mine. These new releases are finally a step in the right direction, this BB craze actually brought something good. I've tested the Dior Diorskin Nude BB Creme and really loved it (now, that's what I call a great tinted moisturiser), but I would love to try Guerlain's Lingerie De Peau BB (the lighter shade looked great when I tried it in the shop, but it does have more coverage than the Dior one) and Clinique Moisture Surge CC cream as well. I've heard nothing but good reviews on all three and I would love to have a nice tinted moisturiser with an SPF.

2.  Essie Turquoise and Caisose

 This shade has been on my wishlist for ages, but now I finally had the chance to see it in person when our DM's started carrying Essie. I'll admit, I'm having issues with paying 10€ for a nail polish, but I do love a good turquoise shade.

3. Clinique Chubby Sticks,  Max Factor Colour Elixir Giant Pen Stick or Bourjois Color Boost Lip Crayon 

 I've been avoiding the whole lip pen/crayon trend for quite a while, mostly because not many brands sell them here. I think I might finally cave and try one, probably a red one, but I have yet to decide on whose version I'll choose. I'm gravitating towards Bourjois one, because the quality of their lipstick is fantastic and I have high hopes for their lip crayons.

4. Jo Malone Nectarine Blossom & Honey Cologne

 I've heard it smells like nectarine and peach which is right up my alley. The only problem is that since the Royal Mail banned shipping fragrances internationally, I having difficulties finding it anywhere. But there are some samples sold on eBay and I might get them. As if my perfume collection isn't big enough already. 

1. Balance Me Cleanse and Smooth Face Balm

I've read some nice reviews about it, but it is ridiculously expensive for a cleanser (not as expensive as the Emma Hardy one though. I can't believe people pay so much for that stuff just because some skincare blogger recommends it). I get through cleansers too fast to be splurging big bucks on it, but I guess I can treat myself once. Maybe.

2. REN Glycolatic Radiance Renew Mask 

I already have the Concentrate from this line and I quite like (I'm still in the testing phase. All I can say is that the effects definitely aren't immediate, but it sure makes your skin feeling soft and brighter). I'd like to try this mask as well, there are too many people raving about it too ignore it. But I am so lazy when it comes to masks, I usually just can't be bothered waiting those 10 minutes. 

3. Eucerin Aquaporin Light 

I've already had this moisturiser and it was the perfect base for make up, not to mention a great moisturiser in general. I did a review here. I actually bought it because I received some samples just out of the blue while in a pharmacy and I absolutely loved it. It goes to show how much samples are important.

4. Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair

This one of the best products I've ever used on my face. My skin really was in such great condition while using it. I would repurchase it right away, online of course, but I'm worried what state it would arrive in such hot weather. Limoni has 40% off everything due to closing their shop in Citypark, but I was late to the party. Oh, well... I did a review here.

5. Kérastase Oléo-Relax Smoothing Masque 

I was seriously impressed by all the Kérastase products I bought a few months back (true miracle products. Lengthy reviews here) and I would love to try some more. This mask comes heavily recommended on MUA, hence why it made "the list".

Any products on your wishlist for Summer? Have a great day!

Tigi Catwalk Mystique Blow Out Balm

Currently, I have enough heat protection products to last me quite a while. Tigi Catwalk Mystique Blow Out Balm is the most versatile from all of them, but the the same time the most average one. It's the ultimate all rounder heat protection, because I find it's pretty much suited for all types of hair and I believe most people would really like it.

It's a light gel-silicone texture that feels light on the hair and doesn't weight it down. It has a ton of small multi-coloured shimmer that looks stunning when you look at it in sunlight. It's demure enough not to make you look like you have actual chunks of glitter on your hair and it just gives an amazing shine. My cousin complimented on how amazingly shiny my hair looks and demanded to know what I was using. I used to own a similar product with such shimmer and it was the John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Shine Shock (now repackaged and renamed Liquid Shine). However, the JF one doesn't work as a heat protectant, but just as a tamer which gives additional shine. Blow Out Balm is basically the same product, but slightly lighter and with the added function of protecting from heat, so it would be my choice instead of the JF one. The picture doesn't give it justice, because the shimmer is amazing in person.

It's primary function is heat protection and it performs well in that department. Because it's a light silicone, it can easily be used on damp and dry hair. I don't like using cream heat protectants on dry hair as it makes it too wet to be straightened or curled right away, but with Blow Out Balm it's just like applying a silicone-oil type of product e.g. Orofluido or Macadamia Healing Oil. I've heard other reviewers say it made their hair sleeker. Personally, I don't notice my hair being sleeker when I use this on damp hair before blow-drying, but it does tame it when used on dry hair. It doesn't help much with the dryness, though. My hair is super dry and I tend to reach for more moisturising/heavy products, but if your hair is normal or oily and you dislike the feeling of having too much product on your hair, I suspect you will really enjoy using it.

The packaging is quite small with 90ml of product. It's really well made and I like the stylish black and red design. It has a handy pump (as a lot of products should have), but it dispenses too little product at a time for my needs, so I have to pump about 5 time to get the amount needed (I have really long, thick hair).

The scent is quite strong as per usual with Tigi's products. It's a mix of fruity notes and wood (rosewood apparently), I think it is like the new car smell (our new Opel smells exactly like this to me). Obviously I got laughed at when I said that and others said it smells like a shoe spray Kiwi Fresh Force. In general, it's a very likeable scent.

It's not the cheapest, but not the most expensive product either. I got it online for a reasonable price of 6€, when it was on sale. You can get it for about 12€ on eBay and Tigi is widely sold in online shops or hairdressers.  

I find it a great all rounder, because I can use it on dry and damp hair, however, for my needs I've already found two product that work best with my mega dry hair, Kérastase Nectar Termique (which I use on damp hair) and Tigi S Factor Flat Iron Shine Spray Heat Defender (that I use on dry hair). Both are better suited for people with really dry hair, while I find Tigi Blow Out Balm to be suited for practically all types of hair, because it's light enough and doesn't weigh the hair down. If you're in search for a nice, simple heat protectant or a shine product give it a go.

Have a great day!

Bourjois 10 Days in the Shade 25

I've searched for the perfect coral nail polish for a long time. There have been plenty of missed purchases because most corals look bright orange on me. Originally, I was planning to get Essie's Cute as a Button, but I was informed by a fellow blogger Sanja from Sparkle with Laughter that Bourjois 10 days in 25 is a pretty good dupe and cheaper. I compared the bottles is the shop and they did look very, very close. 

The colour is essentially perfect - a proper coral, not too orange nor too pink, but sitting comfortably in the middle. Needless to say I'm in love with the shade and it's become one of my favourite colours ever.  I have already worn it three times in a row. 

However, much is left to be desired when it comes to the formula and the brush. I can't really point out what is so wrong with the formula, but it just doesn't work as well as the others. I'm being vague I know, but once I felt it was too liquidy, then on other occasion too glupy and thick. I'm just not a fan of it. It needs two coats for full coverage. 

I honesty don't know what they hoped to achieve with the design of the brush. It doesn't makes it easier nor better, in fact can only apply it turned one way on my left hand and the other way on the right hand. Basically just a nuisance. 

I love the colour, but the formula and the brush almost ruin this polish for me. I'm actually considering getting Essie Cute as a Button as well, just because I've had much better experience with Essie polishes. If only they weren't so expensive. Anyway, Seche Vite top coat fixes a lot of problems of any nail polish. Bourjois 10 Days polishes cost about 6-7€.

My Seche Vite is getting old and consequently becoming thicker. I needed something quick that I can use until I find a decently priced Seche Vite and I just grabbed the Essence Studio nails better than gel nails one, not giving it much though. Basically, I hate it with passion. I don't recall ever hating a product so much, I just want to toss it out the window. Lets start with the first problem:

1. It takes eons to dry. I swear civilisations have collapsed in the time it took to finally become dry.

2. Bubbles. Never, ever have I had bubbles forming on a nail polish. Until now. Brilliant.

3. On top of the bubbles, despite painting my nails hours before going to bed, I acquired a "lovely" sheet print on my nails. Needless to say I had to take it off in the morning and repaint my nails (using what Seche Vite I have left), which is really annoying.

I'm sorry essence, I love your nail polishes, but this is an utter disappointment. I liked the top coat from the regular line.

Have a great day!

New In #4

I decided to do something that might not be the best idea and almost completely revamped my skin care routine. Well, it was more like added steps and kept my favourites. I kept Nuxe Huile Prodigeuse obviously, because it's the only thing I can rely on, and Bioderma stayed as did Maybelline waterproof remover. I'm really bad when it comes to skin care because I want it cheap and simple, but it's time for a change - I only have one skin. I read so many reviews/skin care routine posts that my head was spinning and narrowed down to all these products (I still have a few back-ups on my wishlist). I didn't focus too much on ingredients, I decided to stop doing that because I find it oversimplifying, especially when it comes to mineral oil and alcohol. I chose to just go with the positive reviews and recommendations. 

Neutrogena Visibly Clear 2-in-1 wash mask

An oldie, but a goodie. I don't recall ever being without a tube of this since I first bought it when I was 17. It's a simple clay mask, smells nice, is gentle and the tube is huge for 6€. It draws out impurities and leaves my skin looking clearer. The only thing is that I forget to use it often enough.

L'Oreal Skin Perfection 15 Second Miracle Oil

It's not sold in my country yet, so I ordered it from HqHair. I needed a new cleanser as my old one wasn't working for me because as soon as I washed my face, it got really tight with dry patches everywhere. This one is quite nice, it's basically a light oil that emulsifies when I add a bit of water and rub my hands together. I massage it into the face and then remove it either with a wet flannel or just rinse it off with water. I must add that it doesn't irritate my eyes at all. It smells nice, a bit fruity and slightly like a beach (for some weird reason it reminds me of it, even though it's not a typical beach scent). It removes makeup decently, but not waterproof mascara. My skin feels fine when I use it, it doesn't dry it out one bit, moreover I think it's a bit moisturising. It wasn't my first choice, but it was the cheapest and it turned out just fine.

I haven't used a proper toner since they dramatically changed the ingredients of Garnier Fresh toner (which felt like nothing anyway, so I stopped using toners all together with the exception of homemade aspirin one). Now, I'm using two toners - an exfoliating one and a hydrating one:

L'Oreal Age Perfect toner with Vitamin C 

A simple toner for dry skin with vitamin C (ascorbyl glucoside). The packaging is stupidly impractical and the product gets everywhere, so I moved most into a spray bottle and I use it after cleansing or whenever I need some refreshment. It's ok, definitely more moisturising than the old Garnier Fresh toner, but sometimes the skin around the eyes burns slightly when I use it (It's really not a big deal though). I got it in Müller for about 5€.

I decided to take on my problem with dry patches head on with AHAs. Honestly, since I stopped using Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair my skin hasn't been acting ok. Though it looks fine, because of the Nuxe oil which really helps with radiance and softness, the stupid dry patches are still my nemesis. They appear especially around the eyes and on the forehead. The latter used to be completely smooth when I was using EL ANR, but has since become uneven and bumpy. Also, I have a problematic spot on my chin under my lips that I've had since my teens, where the pores are constantly congested and most impurities appear. I want it to finally fade, hence the purchase of AHA products. 

Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner 

A toner with glycolic, tartaric and salicylic acid that provides gentle exfoliation. Despite the alcohol it's not drying, in fact I find it quite moisturising. The scent is very gentle and clean. So far I've only used it twice, therefore I can't say much about the result yet. I plan to use it a few days a week. I couldn't find it cheaper online, so I got it in Műller for 33.95€, but I had a discount, otherwise I wouldn't splurge so easily. I'm hoping it will help me get rid of the dry patches and make my skin more even.

That little pot is a sample of Dior Nude BB cream in 001. It's the lightest shade which is pink toned, but suits me very well. The finish is semi-matte and it holds oiliness at bay, however, it has some radiance to it. Actually, it looks like healthy skin and is not perceivable on the skin at all. It blends in so easily, just melts into the skin and doesn't leave it tacky at all. The coverage is light and it evens out the skin really nicely. It reminds me a lot of Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum, but is less radiant. If you find HMS too radiant and you want something more matte, you should check it out. I would buy full size if it weren't so darn expensive.

REN Resurfacing AHA Concentrate 

Another AHA product, but more potent than the Clarins toner. I was choosing between this and the infamous mask. I decided to get the serum, because I am really lazy when it comes to masks. It's a very light serum that has glycolic, tartaric acid and hyluronic acid. I find that it doesn't tingle, but my skin isn't sensitive at all and it smells nice, like orange vodka. I've been using it the last couple of days and my skin is definitely improving in a sense that it's clearer and more even. As with the Clarins toner, I plan to use it a few times a week. I got it from HqHair for 30€ because I actually had a handsome discount code (It costs 56€ in Müller!)

La Roche Posay Nutritic Intense

I'm not sure about this one. I ran out of Ombia Hyaluron Gel which was a really lame product (sorry to anyone who likes it), so I needed something new. Originally, I wanted the Eucerin Aquaporin light again, because I really liked it, but I asked my mom to go to the pharmacy for me and the pharmacist recommended this one instead. It's definitely nice, light yet very moisturising, a great base for makeup and smells lovely, however, I think it might be clogging my pores (I've had it the longest out of all the new products). Though, I don't recall any product ever clogging my pores and it could be a result of something else. I'll keep using it and report later.

Sun Dance Mattierendes Sonnenfluid SPF 30 (Mattifying fluid) 

I like it. I'm not sure about the filters, but it's light and doesn't leave my skin too tacky (I try to use a much as possible, but not the recommended 1 teaspoon. Have you any idea how much product that is!). It's not a matte finish, it still has a bit of a shine, but nothing like regular sunscreens. The bottle is nice, sleek and easy to carry in your pocket if you want to. 50ml costs only 2.95€

Balea Fiji Passionfruit (0.85€)

I finally found the third shower gel from this year's LE. I was most excited about this one from the start because I love passion fruit. It is a fresh version of a passion fruit scent  opposed to Fructis Fruity Passion shampoo which is sweeter. I reviewed the other two here.

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Reconstructor

Not the latest news from our neighbouring country, but Croatian DM's started selling Aussie (as did German DM's). My cousin was kind enough to get it for me. Before Slovene girls get excited, according to DM Slovenia facebook page, there are no plans to sell Ausie here. I was surprised to learn it costs 9€ (70kn), which is really expensive for drugstore. It smells like Hubba-Bubba fruit fantasy bubble gum tape. It's a nice conditioner, but I find the Dove 1 Minute Oil care better and cheaper (for really dry hair, of course). 

Washcloths or flannels

I had a few already, but now I saw they have mint ones. I adore mint green can you tell? I wet the flannel with hot water and use it to take off the cleanser. This provides gentle exfoliation. I used to use just regular towels, but this is easier. Btw, we don't use fabric softener when we wash towels in our house and I like my towels rough (and it's a free exfoliator).

So yeah, a lot of new products in my skin care routine. It might backfire or it might turn out great. I'd like to hear your recommendations for products that work well on dehydrated combination/dry skin, especially some nice toners and moisturisers. Have a great day!