Mai Lookback

//MY LOVE FOR RODEO'S

This month i attended my first ever Rodeo. I was always fond of all the Cowgirl/Cowboy stuff, because i grew up around horses. The first time in a westernsaddle on a western horse has still to come. But now that's not all, now i feel the need to swing myself on a horse and participate in a Rodeo as a Barrel Racer...

//SKIRTS WITH POCKETS

It's getting hot out here. No need for those long pants anymore. I prefer skirts and dresses over shorts, because there are just more comfortable. One problem i face is the fact, that they most of the time don't have pockets. I am not carrying a purse most of the time, so where should i put keys, sunglasses cash? So skirts or dresses with pockets come in handy and i am only taking them off for a quick swim in the pool.

//PUT ON THOSE SUITS!

I didn't want to start watching another show, because i was already watching six or seven and it was hard to keep up. Hart of Dixie and Glee ended and Vampire Diaries, Reign and The Originals season finale is over and Pretty Little Liars doesn't return until June 2nd. So i had time to start watching a new show and i choose Suits. I have to admit...i am obsessed i barely do something else than watching episodes of Suits when i'm on my computer. And seriously Rachel's outfits are just on point. seriously. flawless.

//FEELING THE NEED FOR JO MALONE'S WOOD SAGE & SEA SALT

Everybody loves Jo Malone and that probably for a good reason. The first time i heard one of the many bloggers raving about it, the description and name of the scent spoke to me. I'm a little more grown up since my last perfume purchase and i know now, that i don't like floral or heavy oriental scent and i am more the fresh scent kind of person.

//WHAT IF IT WAS & PITCH PERFECT ON REPEAT

I think i found Taylor Buono's as an artist over the suggested videos for you on YouTube. I instantly feel in love with her song "What if it was". Strangely i can relate to the fact of the fear, that you maybe missed something because you should it wasn't meant to be or it wasn't the right thing to do, but what if it was? I really want to watch Pitch Perfect 2, but didn't came along to do it yet, so i rewatched Pitch Perfect 1 instead. My love for Anna Kendrick and the Pitch Perfect Soundtrack awoke again...

What was your highlight of the month?

THE Foundation for Summer

With summer beginning and the temperatures constantly rising i wanted something with a light coverage and no heavy feeling on my skin, but no BB Cream. The Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation was on my to try list for a long time and this was the right time to give it a go.

It has a light to medium coverage and feels light on my skin, so it's nice for the summer, because you don't have the feeling that all the sweat is stuck beneath your foundation. Gross. The finish is after a bit of blending skin like and sinks nicely into the skin. It has a dewy finish and gives your skin a healthy glow. It makes your skin look nearly naked just better. See what i did there? Haha.

Two things that aren't perfect about the foundation, but easy to get over are first of all that the longevity isn't the best. To be honest i don't expect a really longwearing time when it is a light coverage foundation, because my skin eats up foundation like nothing else. The foundation can cling and enhance dry patches, but if you use a moisturizer beneath that problem is solved immediatly. 

All in all i really like the Nearly Naked Foundation from Revlon, because it's a nice alternative for BB/CC Creams with a bit more coverage and foundation finish for the summer. The skinlike dewy finish is perfect for the summerdays, because i don't want to look like i wear a lot of makeup and a matte finish is in my eyes more something for the winter months. With a rich moisturizer underneath it is the perfect foundation for the summer months.

What is your favorite foundation for the summer months?

A hairmask i sleep in

The sun that is shining nearly nonstop and the chlor in the pool do some damage to my hair and make it feel dry and look frizzy in the ends. So i went and purchased a hairmask. 

The L'oreal Total Repair 5 Replenishing Mask was my pick and it is not only good for in the shower to make your hair feel smooth again and tame the frizz. 

My favorite thing to do with it is to put a good amount of it into my ends and lengths, massage it in, put my hair into a loose bun and go to bed. It does wonders overnight. 

Wash your hair like you always do in the morning and you are left with smooth, shiny, not frizzy, healthy looking hair. 

My hair hasn't looked that good in months and i don't want to part with this mask anymore.

What is your favorite hairmask and do you like to put it in overnight?

Places i want to visit this year

//VANCOUVER

The "Canadian Hollywood" with the beautiful skyline is a must on my to see in Canada list. Some shopping especially in Victoria's Secret and sightseeing. On top of my list is the Vancouver Lookout and the Vancouver Art Gallery. Other stops are the Queen Elizabeth Park and the Lion's Gate Bridge, maybe i will be able to visit the Vancouver Aquarium, too.

//KELOWNA

Not as far as Vancouver from the place i live (only 2 hours) so an easy place to go. A trip to Sephora is number one on my list. Two other points in terms of sightseeing are the Kelowna Mountain Bridges & Vineyards, the view must be incredible! The Kangoroo Park is point two, i've always wanted to see Kangoroos in reallife, so it would be really cool to be able to go there.

//CALGARY

I already saw the airport of Calgary (which isn't that special), but i would like to see the city too, although it's a five/six hour drive. Three sightseeing must visits for me are the Calgary Tower, the Glenbow Museum and the Stephen Avenue walk. I recently attended my first Rodeo and it would be amazing to be able to see the Calgary Stampede Rodeo in July. We'll see about that.

//LONDON

For a second time. I just love London as a city and the people and the beauty isles (Charlotte Tilbury will be purchased on my next trip). And it's easy to go there from Germany a flight with Ryanair is if i'm lucky maybe 20 Euros and for a one day trip that's perfect. Also i may go and see Madame Tussauds, the Buckingham Palace maybe in sunshine, some restaurants and markets like Portobello & Co. If i extend the trip to a two day trip, i'll go and visit the Universal Studios to see the Hogwards exhibition.

Any recommandations for any of those cities? Insider Tips or Must see places?

An ode to creamblush

Recently i purchased my first ever creamblush. Yes, i am so late to the party that everyone else is already leaving again... But better late than never. Right? Because now i discovered the advantages of creamblush and understand why everybody likes them so much.

A longlasting formula, which is perfect for hot summer days and long working days to make sure, that your blush stays on your face as long as possible. But that's not the best thing about creamblush.

It's the finsih. Recently i am struggeling with skinlike not visible foundation/concealer application and hiding my pores. The discovery of creamblush is a good addition to my stash for this cause. Once applied you can't see it on your skin. It's like an invisible wash of colour on your cheeks, that makes you look like you had a slight jog. Love it.

I always feared creamblush in terms of application. How to blend it probably so you don't end up with a chunk of colour on one place? How to not end up overblushing, because the colour in the tin looks terrifying.

I should stop raving about creamblushes, because everybody else probably already knows. There are a lot of different productbrands, priceranges and formulas, so sometimes it's a hit and miss. I will keep adding products to my creamblush stash, so i would love to read about some of your recommandations.

what is it about the chunks of glitter?

I seem to stumble over products that are supposed to put a nice shimmer or glow on your face or lips. but in the moment i swatch them or use them i am always shocked by the amount and size of glitter in them.

The blush that is supposed to combine a blush and a highlighter to a dewy/glowy looking touch of colour on your cheeks. But there is no "slight" shimmer in it, there are big chunks of glitter in it, like those you sprinkeld all over your glue covered paper when you were three. In the winter it's maybe not that bad and noticable, but in the summer when the light hits your cheeks you look like a discoball. Who wants that? I mean i don't want to offend anyone, but i can't understand how that looks good on anyone.

And that's not even the worst. The worst kind of product with big glitter chunks in it are lipproducts. Lipglosses, Lipsticks or Lipbalms. First of all the discoball factor isn't appreciated on the lips either. Most of the time the colour fades, but the glitter stays and then you look like you just put glitter on your lips. Ugh. Another thing i hate about this glitter is the feeling on my lips, it feels like i have exfoliating granules on my lips.

I don't know why the people who invent and plan beauty products don't make them shimmer slightly instead of just putting glitter in it.

Do you like those glitter products or are you put off by them like i am?

Empties #1

Only fellow beauty bloggers will now the little bag in the bathroom, where you hoard all of the products you used up. And the strange looks from family, boyfriend or others you get because of this slowy growing collection and then the amount of products in the garbage at once. My little bag is overflowing so it's time for the very first empties post.

//MAKEUP

Catrice Camouflage Cream (GER) - YAY!
My holy grail concealer for my humongous undereye circles. This isn't too drying for the undereye area although it's a thick cream formula with high coverage. I love it and i don't know how to survive the next month without this baby.

Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector - YAY!
Another holy grail product of mine. And already repurchased. Moisturizes, corrects any uneven skintone, gives you a healthy glow and just makes you look more awake and alive. More detailed review here.

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer Eye - YAY
A nice not drying undereye concealer with medium to light coverage. Perfect if you don't want or need a lot of coverage and also nice for highlighting the undereye area. The sponge applicator maybe not the most hygienic one, but genuis nontheless. On my repurchase list.

//SKINCARE

L'oreal Hydra Active 3/Sublime Soft Micellar Water - YAY!
First and favorite micellar water so far. A dupe for Bioderma's Sensibio H2O. Already repurchased and already nearly through. Perfect for removing makeup, especially eyemakup and mascara. I can't live without it.

//SHOWER

FA vitalize & power grapefruit showergel - MEH
Nice scent and a quite funny gel texture. Not necessarily moisturzing or anything special. So not yay but not nay either.

Nivea waterlily & oil shower gel - MEH
The scent wasn't that special. The oil pearls in there were a little change and the skin did feel a bit softer and moisturized after the shower, but that didn't hold for long. So nothing super special.

The Body Shop vineyard peach cream body scrub - YAY
I love the body shop body scrubs, because i actually have the feeling that they do something instead of some shower peelings you can buy. Perfect for in the shower and makes soft skin and helps against the ingrown hair you might struggle with.

//HAIRCARE

herbal essence clearly naked shampoo - YAY
Loved this shampoo, first of all no silicones are in it and it smeels delightfull. Fresh kind of citrus scent and i cleanses really good. My hair felt so clean and soft after using it. Probably going to repurchase it at some point.

L'oreal elvital volume-collagen shampoo - NAY
This one i have to admit i didn't even finsihed completly, but i was just sick of it. It didn't cleansed my hair enough, it didn't had a particular good smell and i think it caused dandruffs on my scalp. Furthermore there was no sign that it actually did give me more volume or anything.

Swiss O Par deep cleansing shampoo (GER) - YAY
Once in a while i have the feeling my hair needs a deep cleansing. The Swiss O Par Shampoo does the job well and i can leave my hair without using a conditioner and it's not too frizzy or dry. The smell is also a really nice fresh lemon scent . Love it.

herbal essence camomille conditioner (retro collection) - NAY
Not a bad conditioner, but also not the greatest one. It made my hair feel soft in the shower, but didn't nourished, moisturized or made it anymore shiny than usual. So for me that's a no.

Did you used any products up recently and how did you like them?

Little drugstore Haul

If you read my April Favorites you know, that i didn't entered a drugstore in like ages. I did feel a strong urge to go and purchase some bibs and bobs to try out new things. So i did and here are the things i bought.

For the summertime i wanted something with more coverage than a BB Cream, but not so much coverage as the foundations i own. So i was looking for a light coverage foundation, which feels light on the skin and isn't too drying. The Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation seemed like the right choice for me. I picked it up in the colour 03 Shell, which is a bit too light for me, cause my tan is like...dark.
Another thing from Revlon and for the summertime is the Revlon Cremeblush in 300 Coral Reef. I never tried cremeblush before...i know, what a shame. So i thought i'll try it. Last item from Revlon is the Colorburst Laquer Balm in 110 Coquette, which is a unusual colour for me (normally i don't buy pinks). One thing i am already put off by is the chunks of glitter in it. You only see them when it's applied on your lips, but it doesn't look good.
My hair is getting a bit dry at the ends and the sun (which is shining like crazy) does the rest. So i picked up the L'oreal Hair Expertise Total Repair 5 Hairmask. We'll see how i like it.
Next and the last purchased item is the Nivea Smooth Replenishing Bodylotion, cause my skin is getting hell a lot dry after bathing in the sun the whole day.
You'll probably read further about these products this months, so stay tuned for that.

Top 10 Beauty Blogger/YouTuber

Me starting a Beauty Blog didn't came from anywhere. It came from my obsession with Beauty Blogs and YouTube Channels, so here are my top ten i always look forward to read and watch.

//ESSIEBUTTON | ESTÉE | UK | YOUTUBE | BLOG

Estée doesn't only make laid back relaxed and easy to listen to Beauty Videos, but also really amazing lifestyle videos. The monthly #ButtonsBookShelve is a bookclub i already joined a few times and it's a lot of fun. Or the what's in my Grandma's handbag video is one that's on my to watch list. And i just love to listen to Estées voice.

//AMELIA LIANA | AMELIA | UK | YOUTUBE | BLOG

Amelia is in terms of contouring or face makeup in general a pro. Just watch one of her makeup tutorials and you'll know what i mean. She is responsible for my desire to buy Charlotte Tilbury products and is in general someone i trust in terms of Highend product recommendations and reviews. FYI she made me like vlogs, i never did and then i watched one of her vlogs and since then i kinda like them.

//LILYPEBBLES | LILY | UK | YOUTUBE | BLOG

Her and Anna's Beauty Chat videos are awesome! I love them! And i do hope that they do the Beauty Chat LIve on Tour again, so i can go and join! Hear me? Please, please do it again! Really nice channel and blog and a good source for London insider tips. Restaurants and Co i will visit the next time i'm in London.

//VIVIANNADOESMAKEUP | ANNA | UK | YOUTUBE | BLOG

Probably my Blogger Girl Crush. She's so nice and down to earth and funny. And her videos or blogposts are seriously some of the best i read/watch. Just check her out. NOW!

//ALLANA DAVIDSON | ALLANA | CA | YOUTUBE | BLOG

The one and only on the Canada Blogger/Youtuber front. She is incredibly beautiful i like her funny weirdo character and sometimes i just shake my head when i watch her. She's a bit crazy. The majority of the featured products are highend, but that doesn't bother me at all. And her tutorials are on point. Seriously i wish i would be that good with my makeup application.

//ALLISON ANDERSON | ALLISON | US | YOUTUBE | BLOG

The only US based Youtuber/Blogger i follow. Surprising for me. I just love her vids and posts. The Spring Cleaning series she recently did, got me into the cleaning drill, where i felt the urgent desire to go through my wardrobe and beauty stash and reorganize everything. If you have any US Beauty Blogger/Youtuber recommendations, pop them below.

//HELLOOCTOBER | SUZIE | UK | YOUTUBE | BLOG

Sweet girl with gorgeous hair (inspiration for my next colouring session) and a super cute little dog! I jump everytime i see her in one of her videos. If you need help getting your eyeliner game on point this is the place to go, Suzie's eyeliner is just perfect, like always.

//I COVET THEE | ALEX | UK | YOUTUBE | BLOG

Very cute and another Blogger/Youtuber that is living in the UK. I don't know why i follow so many UK Bloggers... Her calm voice makes me feel relaxed instantly, i love her style (already wrote "love" too many times in this post) and her videos and posts are on point. Do i have to say more? No, just go check her out.

//CONSIDERCOLOGNE | LENA & LEONIE | DE | YOUTUBE | BLOG

Those two are just...my favorite german YouTubers. Bold statement i know. If you understand german, than just watch them and you'll love them. Especially their 1 Look | 2 Faces are so cool and i have never seen something similiar. They use the same products, but they have completely different skin tones (light and light to medium) and hair colours (blonde and dark brown).

//XKARENINA | RENI | DE | YOUTUBE

 If you want to step up your skincare game and educate yourself about skincare ingredients and for which ones you should look in products and which ones you should avoid. Check out here more recent videos. In general she's a good source for highend product recommendations and reviews. 

What are your favorite Beauty Bloggers/Youtubers? Do you read or watch any of the above?

Beauty Sins i commit

Let's be honest. We all commit some sins once in a while and beauty sins aren't an exception. And i am no exception from it. I know that i shouldn't do the following things, but sometimes i just can't help it. I saw this post idea orginally at A girl and a Beauty Blog and immidiately felt addressed and like you will see i commit some of her sins too. And what about you? Are you guilty of some of the following sins?

- not washing my brushes everytime after using them. I finally came around to do it once a week after argumenting with myself for ten minutes if i should do it now or if i can wait another day...or week.

- not removing makeup before going to bed. I know, i know, veeery bad for your skin. I know it, but sometimes i am already nicely snuggeld up in my bed and it's so nice and cozy. But it only happens very rarely, i promise!

- not using moisturizer in the morning. Sleeping until the very moment i really really have to stand up, because otherwise i would be late. And then i am in such a rush, that i don't have the time for the extra step in the morning.

- skipping SPF. This one is quite a dangerous one if you think about it. We don't get that much sunshine in Germany and i just want this nice tanned glowy skin so bad. As long as i don't get a sunburn, everything is alright. In my head. I definitely should work on using more SPF.

- touching my face and my hair. A lot, a lot, a lot...

- keeping beauty products longer than i should. As long as it doesn't smell or look weird or it didn't changed texture, i keep it.

- not getting haircuts as often as i should. It's not every three months, it's maybe once a year. And the rest of the year i cut it myself...with nail scissors. Hereby i promise to go twice a year to the hairdresser.

Types of brushes you need to have

While thinking about what i should bring family and friends at home in germany as a gift from canada i thought about buying some brushes for my mom. I am always kind of annoyed, that she uses "cheap" brushes, which aren't good quality and soft at all and that she doesn't bother to wash them. So i thought about what kind of brushes you need to achieve any look you want to do. Like the basic kind of brushes you need to have. 

//THE BIG FLUFFY TAPERED BRUSH
I love these type of brushes for blush because it blends in the blush while applying and you get the right amount of colour onto your cheeks right away. Or i use it for bronzer, it adds a slight colour to your face and it's a quick sweep under your cheekbones, over your tempels and down your neck. You can also use it for powder to set your foundation if you want. There is the Real Techniques Blush Brush or the Zoeva 101 Luxe Face Definer.

//THE SMALL FLUFFU TAPERED BRUSH
This one is good for contouring, because it fits nicely under your cheekbones or for applying highlighter. It isn't too big so you can apply the product precisely. Still it isn't too small so you end up with a bulk of product on one spot. I love this Zoeva 105 Luxe Highlight.

//THE EYESHADOW PACKER
A flat eyeshadow brush to pack on eyeshadow onto your lid. You can use any brush brand, but the Mac 252 is nice.

//THE BLENDING BRUSH
Essential for achieving a nice eye look. There is the original Mac 217 or the more budget version that i have the Zoeva 227 Luxe Soft Definer. You can blend eyeshadow with this brush or apply an eyeshadow into your crease without the need to blend it afterwards. Honestly i could even live only with this brush for the rest of my life to apply eyemakeup if i had to.

//THE CONCEALER BUFFER
For buffing in undereye concealer or concealer applied on blemishes. I have to admit, that the Zoeva 142 Concealer Buffer isn't my favorite for this job. The Real Techniques Setting Brush is loved by Lily Pebbles for blending undereye concealer so i might give this one a go.

//THE FOUNDATION BUFFER
My favorite way for applying foundation in combination with a makeup sponge (read more about that here). Just apply the foundation in circular motions all over your face and your foundation is nicely blended in. The Real Techniques Buffing Brush was the first buffing brush on the market and a high end option would be the Bobbi Brown Full Coverage Brush. I use the Zoeva 102 Silk Finish Brush.

//THE WINGED BRUSH
This one is optional but it's essential for creating a winged eyeliner without an eyelinerpen. And you can use it for filling in your eyebrows too. I think every brush brand has a winged brush or you can look for a nice option in the drugstore (mine is from the drugstore).

P.S. Sorry for the unwashed brushes i had to take the photo quickly.

April Lookback

PRODUCT TO ADD TO THE WISHLIST - Those new released Pop Lip Colour + Primer lipsticks from Clinique are smiling at me since i saw them for the first time in a newsletter. They are primer and colour in one and they have a velvet finish. Plus they are supposed to moisturise your lips for 8 hours. Definitely sounds good and everybody in the beauty world seems to like them. "Plum Pop" and "Beige Pop" are on my wishlist and may be purchased soon.

BLOGPOST TO READ & VIDEO TO WATCH - This month there isn't only a blogpost or a video to watch, there is both. And those address a very important issue in our society and a problem a lot of girls and women struggle with. The pressure of having the "perfect body" and being fat. I think as long as you are happy with your body and you don't have any health issues you can look however you want to look. And nobody should have the right to tell you that you are ugly or fat or whatever, because everybody is beautiful in his/her own way. Watch this video and read this post and share it with everyone, please.

FASHION ITEM TO WEAR - A red and white striped Ralph Lauren Long sleeve shirt. Simple, nothing special, but i really like the look of it and it's and easy through over and you look dressed. I could find the exact one i have, but in different colors (though i would want those colors too) here.

SONG TO HEAR - While listening to the Canada Top 50 on Spotify the song "Honey, I'm Good" from Andy Grammar came up. I heard it before somewhere and really liked it, but didn't knew the name and was therefore not able to find it. So i was pleased when it came up and i can't stop listening to it eversince. It has some kind of a different touch to it, i want to say it's country...but i don't think it is. I just can imagine people dancing country line dance on this, in western outfits.

NEW REALEASE TO BOOKMARK - The Tom Ford Nude Dip Eye Colour Quad looks so gorgeous...WANT! It was there before in August/September 2014 and is added to the permanent line in May so if you didn't get it before or if you feel in love with it just yet (like i did) than bookmark it in your calender.

April Favorites

It is getting really warm (25-30 degrees) here and i got quite the tan already. Beauty wise there isn't much i use at the moment, because i'm either too lazy or i'm using the products i already mentioned. I haven't bought beauty products for the last two or three months. Holy...that's quite a time. And yes i do feel the urge to run into a drugstore at the moment.

//GARNIER MIRACLE SKIN PERFECTOR
This one again. I have the feeling my favorites keep repeating themselves. I have the phase again, where i rather lay the ten minutes longer in bed than bothering with my makeup. Just slap it on to correct any uneven skincolour add some concealer and mascara done. Boring i know.

//REVLON COLORBURST MATTE BALM "SULTRY"
I had this for half a year now and never used it before. Yep, i have to much makeup stuff i know. So one day i saw it and used it and now i love it. When everyone is going for a bright lipstick or glossy formulas i am going for the dark colours and matte formulas...I am just weird. I just love the look of it and it doesn't fade awkwardly or anything and with a bit of gloss in the center of the lips it gives the lips a really nice look. 

//MAYBELLINE MASTER CONCEALER 
Now since i've got a bit of a tan on my face i can use this concealer without it looking weird. I was searching for a concealer with high coverage, because my holy grail concealer i normally use is more or less empty and i can only get it in germany.  It has a high coverage, isn't drying under the eyes. And it holds a good amount of time and doesn't crease. On top i like to use a bit of the maybelline instant age eraser.

//DOVE OXYGEN MOISTURE SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER
I used up all my other shampoos and conditioners (there will be a empties post soon) and finally allowed myself to buy new ones. The Oxygen Moisture series from Dove is supposed to moisturise your hair without weighing it down and makes it so more voluminous. My hair is fine and straight and tends to lay really flat on my head throughout the day. The oxygen moisture shampoo cleanses my scalp and hair good without being harsh and the conditioner moisturises my ends nicely without weighing them down. If your ends are really dry, you should use a hairoil or hairmask afterwards, because the conditioner doesn't nourishes your hair a lot.

What were your favorites this month?