All-Time Favourites Page has been Updated


No reviews today, but I've been doing some small changes on the blog. I just felt like taking and editing some pictures today. You may be familiar with the All-time favourites page, which you can find under the header and has been created about a year ago, or maybe you're new here and never saw it. It's a page that is regularly updated with my current absolute favourite products in each category. I've set upon revamping it a bit and added corresponding pictures of those favourites. To help you navigate easier, there are links to original reviews (coloured text as always) as well as links to certain labels, for example clicking a picture of cheek products will take you to all reviews of blushes. Monthly favourites, Product of the Week and my Hair Oil Series were some other categories there already, but I added links to Empties and New In, which you can also find under labels in the sidebar, but here they are just easier to find and it looks better.




Another thing you may have already noticed because I've made it a while ago, I decided to spice up the Blogs I Heart page by adding mini header pictures for every Slovene blog I know as I felt a simple list was just too boring to look at.

I hope you enjoy the little changes. Have a great day!

Lee Stafford Dehumidifier, Dry Shampoo and Hold Tight Hairspray

After a very positive experience with a mini size of Hold Tight hairspray, which I now purchased also in full size, two more sample/mini size bottles from Lee Stafford's Pink Range landed in my shopping basket. Neither blew me away as much as the hairspray, but lets focus on each individually.

 lee stafford Dry ShaMPOO ORiGiNAL

I said before that I don't use dry shampoos for it's original purpose because my hair almost never gets greasy. I use them to refresh the hair, make it smell nice and mostly to revive volume.

Texture: This doesn't leave the same powdery texture in the hair as Batiste does and it doesn't leave the hair super refreshed. I don't think this soaks up oils too well, but don't take my word for it since my hair never gets greasy. I noticed that the hair doesn't feel as light when I run my fingers through it as with some other dry shampoos I tried. As at all dry shampoos, my hair feels a bit dirty the next day after use.

Volume: Yup. On my hair I can revive the volume despite the lack of the "grip" from the powder (corn starch).

Is it white?: Mostly it's clear, however, if not shaken well, there might be some white patches on odd sprays, but then you just blend it in as any other dry shampoo. 

Scent: This has a very strong and perfumery scent. It's the type of heavy scent that won't appeal to everyone, which makes the samples size a good idea. The scent is a typical Lee Stanfford one, but more intense and less hairspray-ish than at Hold Tight. It's a heavy oriental scent, with flower notes and I definitely detect patchouli (some describe it as Angel like). 

lee stafford POKeR STRAiGHT DeHUMIDIFIER

It's described as an invisible umbrella for the hair that prevents curling of the hair due to moisture in the air and fights the evil frizz.

Texture: This feels exactly the same as got2b Öl-La-La Styling Öl-Spray . It leaves the same light oily-siliconey feeling and gives loads of shine. Basically it's a silicone serum in a spray. While girls with dry hair will probably like this, those with oily hair might not so much. Be careful how much you use it, those with super dry hair don't really need to, but normal-oily haired girls be moderate as this can make your hair look greasy.

Does it work?: In theory it certainly should. It feels like a silicone serum in spray that coats the hair and therefore should help prevent the moisture from the air to be absorbed by the hair which causes it to swell unevenly and become frizzy. It also feels like it should be able to combat the other major reason for frizz - dryness and brittleness, since it feels a bit oily. But how does this perform in a real life situation? For one it does tame frizz if you spray it on the hair and comb through (better if you do that with fingers). However, my hair was frizzy again at the end of my walk in post rainy weather. I also tested it on my mother (we have very similar hair) right after straightening her hair and again it tamed the hair whilst gave loads of shine, but she came with frizzy hair home form work (she walks). It's a good effort from Lee Stafford, but I fear it's not quite enough. Mixing it with hairspray might be of better help in the fight against the frizz (or with anything with some hold).

Scent: The same typical Lee Stafford one as at Dry Shampoo, but a touch less intense.

 lee stafford HoLD TiGHT HaiRSPRay

I already wrote that this is my favourite hairspray so far and that it works particularly well in combination with got2b Volumania Spray Mousse.

Texture: A light hairspray that doesn't feel crispy or stiff even if you apply it generously. I can barely feel it on the hair.

Hold: Nice flexible hold without being sticky.

Scent: A classical hairspray scent that is mixed with the typical lee stafford scent. It's not my favourite, but I can tolerate it much easier than L'Oreal's Elnett's.
Have you tried anything from lee stafford? Any recommendations?
Have a great day!
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Catrice Luxury Lacquers Holomania C1 Holo Manolo

We finally got a few minutes of sunshine today, so I got the chance to snap a few pictures of Catrice's holographic nail polish. Granted, the pictures aren't the best and the holographic effect is more obvious in person, but that's the best my camera can manage.

Holo Manolo is a silver holographic nail polish. There are several other holographic shades in the Luxury Lacquers collection, I remember teal the most, but I went for the most classic one. The formula is quite thick and sufficiently pigmented so that it needs two layers to be fully opaque. The holographic effect is not the best, it's adequate and noticeable, but perhaps not quite strong enough.
I have another silver holographic polish in my collection, one by Depend in the shade 2025, which is much sheerer, requiring at least three layers for full coverage, however, the holographic effect is stronger and prettier. 

I don't own an Aqua Base for holographic polishes or anything similar, so this is an application over a normal base that I use - Bionature 3-in-1 nail polish.
Holo Manolo was 3.79 € (28.90 kn) in Müller. I bought the Depend one a couple of years ago in DM.

Have a great day!
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Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet 08 Grand Cru

I was really excited when I heard that Bourjois were launching their version of matte lip creams. I'm a huge fan of a matte finish and I own a few different versions of such lip creams with Essence ones (old formula) being my favourite. Rouge Edition lipsticks are my favourite formula in the drugstore range, so naturally I had high hopes for these. There are 8 colours available, you can see them swatched in this video from Le Simone Blog.

Texture: It's bit different from other matte liquid lipsticks I've tried. While others were light creams, this feels more like a mousse/cream hybrid. Application feels so soft, like the applicator is a fluffy cushion. 

Pigmentation: The pigmentation is where this product disappointed me a bit. I'm used to super pigmented formulas of these lip cream products, however, this swatches much sheerer and on the lips at least two coats are needed for full opacity. I swatched all the shades in the shop and though, the pigmentation of some shades was better, they are still not as pigmented as Essences (at least that's how it looked to me under the artificial lighting, but they all left a strong stain when rubbed off. Here you can find Essence's if you want to compare). This means that the first coat may look uneven and rubbing the lips together to evenly distribute the colour only makes it worse because of the mousse-like texture. It's best if you wait for one layer to set and then apply another over it. The lack of pigmentation also means that it's harder to create a nice, even edge around the lips, unlike with for example the Essence ones. If you apply too much, it does stay a bit sticky throughout the day and the product can start to clump together making it look uneven, however, if you apply the right amount, you can't even feel it on the lips at all. So this is not the easiest product to work with, but the final result can look fabulous.

Colour: This is the most perfect burgundy shade ever. No purple or brown undertones, just a proper deep red that is verging on vampy and exactly what I was looking for a long time. 

Finish: Like most matte lip creams this has a cream finish before it sets. Aside from pigmentation, another thing that does bother me is that it needs a long time to set to a matte finish, at least 15 minutes when two coats are applied, but what a gorgeous finish it is then. This has the most perfect, velvety matte finish out of all lip creams I've tried. It looks so glamorous to me. But such a matte finish has it's price. For one it feels a bit drier on the lips than other lip creams. Also the lips must be perfect before applying it, so no flaky bits or dryness. I exfoliate them before with some lip balm and a cotton bud, otherwise the product sticks to drier parts and those are then darker, therefore more obvious.

Staying power: Once it sets this doesn't budge. It survives eating, drinking and doesn't transfer except if you rub it. It's one of the most long-lasting products I own. I know this close-up after 10 hours looks a bit brutal (which close-up doesn't really and I took a picture under a less forgiving artificial light), but from a "normal-people-looking-distance" it looked fine. At least you can see how much colour survives the day. I didn't touch it up nor use a lip balm over it during the day.

Scent: A strange chemical one, but only noticeable during application.

Packaging: A square tube with a doe foot applicator that is exactly the same size as the Rouge Edition lipsticks.
Price and availability: I got mine in Müller (Zagreb) for 89.90 kn (11.75 €), but I hear they are already available in some Slovene DMs. They will be available in UK next month, while they are already sold in France and Belgium (and I presume some other European countries).

I adore the velvety mat finish of this and the gorgeous shade, but these don't knock my favourite matte lip creams, Essences Stay Matte (old formula), off it's throne. The pigmentation and therefore application leaves much to be desired. If you get them, be prepared to put a bit more effort into application. However, I still think I'll get that 02 Frambourjoise shade that I liked in the shop. They may be pricey for a drugstore product, but the finish is amazing which makes it all worth it for me.

Have a great day!
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New In #12

I bought a few Kérastase products as a treat for myself. Nobody talks about this product and it's not like I need volumising products, but Forme Fatale caught my attention and after watching this video (just look how shiny her hair looks!) and days of pondering, it landed in my shopping cart. The number of reviews of this from someone who actually bought it for themselves it pretty much zero, so this was really a blind buy. I liked the idea of a styling product with good hold and heat protection in one, and I'm hoping that this will have a better control of my frizz compared to got2b Volumania mousse. I just got it in the mail, so I hadn't had the chance to try it, but there will be a full review.
21.40 € on HQHair.

Kérastase Elixir Ultime Sublime Cleansing Oil Shampoo
I wanted to try this shampoo for at least a year, basically ever since I slowly fell in love with Elixir Ultime. I still have a bit of Oléo-Relax shampoo left (the best shampoo ever!), so I won't use this one yet, but there will be a full review once I test it thoroughly.
19.28 € on HQHair.

There is this hair trend called co-washing, where you use a conditioner (preferably a silicone free) instead of a shampoo. This brought a new form of hair cleansers on the market, Wen being the most known, and Herbal Essences recently launched their affordable version (which is not available in my country of course). Kérastase has their version as well in their line for coloured hair. It's a cleansing balm that is sulphate, paraben and silicone free, and it's supposed to be used alone every other wash. The idea is that it has no harsh cleansers and it conditions the hair at the same time. It doesn't foam, which reduces frictions of the hair fibres, therefore the hair colour should stay last longer. I haven't tried it yet, but there will be a full review. 
I got it as a gift with purchase, but a smaller 200 ml version with a pump costs 19.69 € on HQhair.

Does anyone like mini sizes as much as I do? I love how Lee Stafford has these sample sizes to try out or keep in the bag. I decided to try dehumidifier which is supposed to help prevent frizzies and other hair disasters in humid weather. I already tested it, however, I still have a review to write, but just as a preview: Dehumidifier = got2b Öl-La-La Styling Öl-Spray. 
Mini size is 2.79€.

I don't use dry shampoo for it's intended purpose since my hair almost never gets greasy, but I do like using them for refreshing the hair. This one has a super strong scent and in general hasn't wowed me, but more about it in a future review.
Mini size is 2.45€.

I ran out of the mini version and all of the rest of the hairsprays I had (well most of them), so I purchased the full size version of it since it's my favourite so far. It has a nice flexible hold without being sticky and doesn't feel crispy or stiff at all. The scent is a bit strong, but I can tolerate easier than Elnett's.
250 ml is 7.49€ in Müller.

This recently landed in our Műllers and I was a bit surprised when I found it was sold here. It was on my wishlist since I read this post (doesn't she have fabulous hair?), where it says it's a more affordable version of Bumble and Bumble Thickening Dryspun Finish. I really wanted to try a texturising spray since every one seems to have one, either Oribe or Bumble and Bumble. I must admit I don't really get along with it (perhaps yet?) and I'm not impressed. I'll keep trying to make it work and report again in a proper review.
I paid 6.29€ in Müller.
This is a sulphate, paraben and colour free shampoo for treating dandruff. So far I can say that it's ok, but really nothing special and I don't like the fact it's sulphate free in this case because it hardly foams. However, I've only been using is for a couple of weeks, so I'll report in a while how I get along with it.
13.05€ in a pharmacy.
  Toni & Guy Hairdressing Sectioning Clips
I didn't expect these to be as good as they are for something I got off eBay. They feel so professional with the matte rubberised texture. I've been looking for something like this for ages in our drustores, but they only sell individual ones for some idiotic prices. Now I have twelve fantastic sectioning clips, which I use so much, mostly when drying my hair (I do it like this, if anyone is interested).
3.08€ on eBay from this seller.
I bought a few samples of fragrances from Salma.si and Mexx's were free. Two of them aren't sold in our drugstores, but I really wanted to test them, so I like the idea of having samples available to buy.
I know it's weird to buy samples, I actually don't mind paying for them (and I love samples), it's not like they are given here happily (in Slovenia, obviously). I feel like most sales assistants think of it as some form torture to give actual samples (L'Occitane being the notable exception. I bought most of their stuff based on my experience with a sample). 

Aquolina Pink Sugar eau de toilette sample
This is ridiculously popular abroad, but not sold in Slovenia. I smell a mix of caramel and licorice notes, but mostly cotton candy and there are also some fruity notes in the background. It's nice, however, a bit generic, as if someone tried to make a shampoo that smells like cotton candy. I much prefer Fantasy, Can Can and even Wonderstuck Enchanted.

Ellie Saab eau de parfum sample
This is super floral. To my nose the loudest note is jasmine which hits you like a truck and not african orange flower as most say. There is also a bit of honey in the background that gives it some sweetness and I detect patchouli as well. It reminds me of Lush's Lust, but classier.

Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy sample
I wanted to try this since forever (it's not sold in Slovenia to the best of my knowledge). It's a lot softer than I expected, gently sweet from the caramel and praline notes, but with a larger emphasis on floral notes particularity tuberose which is similar as in Britney Spears Radiance. It's quite a warm scent also because of a hint of vanilla, but nothing like in Fantasy for example. It reminds me a lot of Gucci's Gorgeous Gardenia. It's nice, but I don't get the hype. It smells kind of generic to me - floral, sweet and warm, but I wouldn't not call it a gourmand scent

Mexx Woman eau de toilette sample
I like this. It's soft and feminine, a bit citrusy sweet, but mostly woody-floral. It's strangely comforting, despite the lack of vanilla.

Mexx Fresh Woman eau de toilette sample
I like this as well. It's freshly sweet and floral, generic, but in a nice way. The staying power is very weak.

Have a great day!
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New In #11

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet 08 Grand Cru
I've known for a few weeks that Bourjois is launching their version of matte lip creams, but I didn't expect to see them so early in the shops. It looks like Croatian girls are the lucky ones this time and have the chance to try them out first. I got mine in Zagreb, where they are on displays in Müllers as well as DM (I was in Slovenia's DM on the same day, but we didn't have them yet). There are 8 colours in total, I tested all and decided on the darkest red, but another pinker shade caught my eye as well (02 Framboujoise). Despite that I decided to test one first. Honestly, I was a bit shocked in the shop when I saw how sheer they swatch, which means two coats are needed for full coverage, but they dry to such lovely velvet finish and don't budge after that. I'll do a review.
89.90 kn (11.75 €) in Müller.

Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Eye Cream 21 Ivory
My favourite concealer the Eraser from Maybelline all but ran out, so I went to Croatia to get a new one because that's where I bought mine and to my utter shock they don't sell them there any more. So I grabbed this one on my way home in our DM (I couldn't find any in Zagreb's Westgate shopping centre). I tried it once so far and it looks like a nice medium coverage, but a very light-feeling concealer. The silicone applicator is quite interesting and unique. There will be a review.
I also plan to get the CC cream of which I grabbed a sample and tried it at home. It is one of the best foundations (I'm not calling it CC cream) I've tried. It looks gorgeous on the skin - medium coverage with a satin finish. I just have to use up one of my foundations before I buy something new.
Concealer was 7.99€ in DM.

Catrice Luxury Lacquers  Holomania C01 Holo Manolo
I stumbled upon a full display of Luxury Lacquers limited edition and I decided on this one which might be the most boring choice, but that's how I like my holographic polishes - plain silver. I'll try do a swatch soon since it's a limited edition, I just hope my camera can capture the holographic effect well.
28.90 kn (3.79 €) in Müller.

Rimmel Space Dust Aurora
A rose gold glitter polish which I already reviewed. Just click on the name(^) to forward you to the review.
5.60€ on ASOS.

Catrice Made to Stay Smoothing Lip Polish 060 Mission PINKpossible
I received this from my cousin who regretted the bold colour choice. I expected to hate this, but dammit I really like it. It's a lip gloss/stain hybrid, basically two things I dislike, but in this case it really works great. The review is already written, I just have to press post.
5.19€ in Müller.

I got this as a birthday gift from my cousins (thank you girls!) after it was on my wishlist since last summer when the sales assistant treated me with a big sample of this cream that lasted me a month and that was when I fell in love with it. I had many moisturisers in my years and this is my favourite so far, it's been in my all-time favourites picks even since I tried it. There will be a full review.
They bought it on Salma.si, but it took an age to arrive, though it was a lot cheaper than in L'Occitane shops where it's 37€.

I bought this after trying it just on my hand when my cousin bought it and she raved about it. I expected it to be more effective when it comes to giving the illusion of smaller pores, but it mostly just gives a smooth surface to work on. There will be a full review.
I paid 6.95 € in DM with a discount while the regular price is 9.95 €.

An expensive repurchase, but I need it in my skin care routine. I really notice the results of this exfoliating toner and it keeps my skin (mostly my forehead) clear and smooth. 
It's 33.95€ in Müller, but again I had a discount.

Another repurchase after I ran out of Balm Balm Frankincense balm cleanser. It think they changed the formula slightly. There is a new list of ingredients taped across the original ones on the box and it's not runny any more even in my perpetually warm bathroom, but solid enough to keep its shape when squeezed out of the tube. This new change makes me like it even more. It also smells a bit different, slightly less sugary and more fresh.
I got another one of those rubbish muslin cloths that is included and I use them for dusting (don't laugh at me. They included something so lame).
I got it again from Look Fantastic for 22.50 € (I had a discount code, regular price is 25 €).
A slightly tinted, peach smelling lip balm, that I already reviewed. ^Just click on the name for a full review with swatches.
1.85€ in DM.

This was the second part of my birthday present. I can't believe my cousins got me another one of my absolute favourite body product! This is the best smelling product ever which smells just like ripe peaches. It has a very hard consistency, but it's still easy to work with and it's definitely one of the most moisturising body products I've tried so far.
Vineyard Peach was a limited edition that is already gone I believe, but they found it in a small "duty free" shop in Metlika, which apparently has a small selection of The Body Shop products (which are more affordable than in Gradz where I buy them). Just so you know my dearest Slovene and Croatian readers, you can get TBS in Metlika.  

 Balea Badestick Kokos
I got this after seeing Zlatana's post about it on her blog make up and more. It's an oil bath stick that has coconut oil and shea butter as the main ingredients. Straight from the packaging it smells like a very fresh version of a coconut scent, but once dissolved in a bath I didn't smell anything. It might be because I only used a half a stick in our huge bathtub, I don't know. I dissolves slowly, but it fizzes very, very gently due to baking soda in it. You can see the oil on the top of the bathwater and it leaves this moisturising oily filter on the skin. It says that you don't need to use a shower gel and a body lotion after your bath, and I can say it really moisturises the skin, but the skin is oily for a while once you get out of bath, though after some time in sinks in completely. 
It was less than 2€ in DM and there is also a lemongrass version available. One stick should last one or two baths. 
Picture of ingredients here.


This was originally a much longer post, but I decided to do it in two parts. Second part will have mostly hair care products, so keep your eyes peeled for that. I just got one parcel in the mail and I still have some writing to do, but I'll post it as soon a possible.

Have a great day!
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Rimmel Star Dust Aurora

I don't like these glitter/texture nail polishes. I'm just a simple girl that likes cream finishes and I even hate frost. But when saw this one for the first time on Makeup Savvy, I knew need it. 

Aurora is a rose gold/light pink glitter polish with densely packed differently sized glitter. I love the effect on the nails, it looks so glamourous and pretty. It actually looks a lot prettier in person, but the glistening is hard to capture in a picture.

Two coats is enough for full coverage, which is a surprise given my experience with glitter polishes which usually need countless layers. I use a top coat over it, but I can still feel the "texture" of glitter.

I just know I will hate taking it off as all such shades are such a pain to remove, but I will endure for this shade.

Rimmel isn't sold in my country, so I got it off ASOS for 5.60 €.

By the way, dearest Croatian readers (or any one else that knows), would you be so kind to tell me where Rimmel is sold in your country? I was just in Westgate shopping centre (Zagreb) and I couldn't find it anywhere. I swear it was it Bipa just last year.

Have a great day!
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February Favourites

I've been doing 'the cream blush as a base plus powder blush on top' to make sure that the colour lasts as long as possible for a while now. I use this one, which is favourite cream blush, as a base because it goes particularly well with Catrice's Rose Royce. It's has that silicone dry-to-the-touch/almost powdery type of finish, which ensures that the powder blush doesn't stick on top in patches rather it blends over smoothly.

My favourite blush at the moment. It's a natural nude-pink shade that works with any look and never looks overdone. The flush it gives is so pretty! Catrice's blushes are fantastic - really pigmented and last so long on the cheeks.

I finally found a concealer that matches me perfectly when I'm at my palest. The formula is super creamy, the coverage is almost full (pretty much identical to Collection's Lasting Perfection) and it lasts all day. 

I jut love this colour on me. It's close to Mac's Lady Danger, but prettier in my opinion. 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. Too bad this shade was limited edition.

I never considered this heat protection to be anything special and yet I always mix a few pumps of this with Kerastase Nectar Termique. It has this gorgeous shimmer in it and it really shows on the hair as it makes it noticeable shiny (I always get comments on that). Now that it's running out, I know I want to repurchase it. Also every time someone asks me to do their hair, I always use this heat protection, simply because it works on all types of hair. It's like a light silicone-lotion that doesn't weight down the hair at all and it makes the hair sleeker when I straighten/style it. 

Love Spell is more of a summer fragrance with it's fizzy tropical drink scent, but I've been really enjoying using this body butter recently. The quality of the body butter is great as it's super moisturising and smells divine.

I already talked about this spray in my recent product of the week post, so I'll be brief. It smells like vanilla crescent cookies on me, so a very strong vanilla with a hint of coconut and it really lasts on the skin.

Yes, I know I complained that the staying power is very weak on me and it is, but I adore this scent. It's so sweet and cozy, just perfect for this time of year. I smell mostly berries with warm vanilla and sugar notes.

Have a great day!
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