A few inspirations if you don't know what to buy at MAC

Maybe you haven't dugged into the world of MAC products yet and the amount and variety of products are overwhelming for you. Or you already own quite the collection and don't know what to buy anymore. I have some help for you either way. Everybody has different preferences in product types and colours and i'm not an expert in terms of MAC (actually i am still a bit overwhelmed by the amount of different products). So here are a few posts and videos from ladys who already have an impressive MAC collection and know what they are talking about. After watching and reading named posts and videos i added a few (or a lot) of products to my MAC wishlist so go ahead and i'll hope you can do the same. So know i'll stop talking and leave the talking to the ladys.

Why you should get samples before buying skincare

I came up with this postidea while scrubing my face with a sample of the 7 Day Scrub from Clinique, which i intended to buy but got a sample first. That was the right choice, because the scrub was roo harsh for me and i felt like i was scrubing off my skin. Good thing i didn't bought the full size right away. Once i had a strawberry red face from a moisturizer, it was just a drugstore one and therefore not expensive but still.

How to NOT buy beauty products

It may seem strange to write about this kind of topic on a beautyblog, where i write about all the products i love, can't live without, want to or already have purchased. And it is. Kind of. I think i will never be able to hold me back from buying too much, too expensive and totally unnecessary beauty products for a long time or forever. But from time to time it is a good idea to stay away from tempting beauty isles and give your bank account a rest and a chance to recover. Afterwards you might discovered new favorite products in your own stash and may discovered what kind of products you like to use, you need in your stash and kind of products you should stay away from.

All it did to me to not purchase any kind of beauty products i didn't need (not that i need any to be honest) is that i am more secure in my buying and know what i want and what i don't.

//DON'T ENTER ANY BEAUTY ISLES
First things first and the obvious one, just don't enter any beauty isles. If you don't you don't get tempted and you can't buy anything. Easy but effective.

//IF YOU NEED TO, MAKE A LIST AND STICK TO IT
Still you can't stay out of drugstores or beauty stores forever, because we have needs. We need the everyday stuff like shampoo, shower gel, moisturizer and co, which are ok to purchase. Problem is you have to enter a beauty isles for this and there are so many tempting things you want to throw in your basket and buy. What helped me was making a list of the things i needed and sticked to the list. If i only need hairproducts i don't stop at the cosmetic part of the store instead i headed straight to the hairproducts. Don't even look (:D).

//MAKE A WISHLIST
If you read beauty blogs and watch YouTube videos like i do and don't want to stop, but can't help it to get fixed on products, make a wishlist. Write the things you think you need to have on a list and after the months or the time you set for this challenge you look at the list and you can maybe even cross a few of the things you don't want anymore.

//AFTERWARDS
Don't go without a list to the beauty isles anymore or at the least not a lot. Put things from your wishlist you want the most on your shopping list. Maybe even set a limit of products, like 5 or 10 products. Then look and swatch or test the products on your shopping list first. If it is skincare, ask for a sample and try it at home. If it is a highend product read reviews and see if it would fit you and your beauty habits and if you would actually use it after the purchase.

Did you ever challenged yourself to not buy any beauty procuts?

Beach Day Essentials

Beach Days are my favorites. Relaxing on the beach, jump from time to time into the water, have an icecream or two and get that tan going. Who doesn't love a good Beach Day? I would love to live at the beach at some point in my life, because it must be so nice to open the back door and be on the beach.

First things first bikini, towel, sunglasses, flip flops are things you shouldn't forget, when going to the beach.

For me the probably most important thing to pack, despite the basic things mentioned above, is a good book or magazine. I like reading books all year around, but there is something special about reading a book in the sun. I don't know. I finished "All the light we cannot see" by Anthony Doerr yesterday on the beach and i will probably start with the third book of the Immortal Instruments series today or tomorrow. If you want to know more about the books i read and how i like them, check out my Goodreads profile here.

Beauty product wise i recommend first of all sunscreen. I don't have a particular favorite kind of sunscreen, i just use whatever i have at the moment. Next thing would be a Bodymist. I discovered bodymists for me last summer and it is a nice way to refresh yourself. I just mist all the parts of my body that aren't covered in clothes and i instantly feel less hot. It cools you down quick and you smeel nicely afterwards. The Victoria's Secret or Body Shop Body mists are my favorite ones.

Next thing is a spray conditioner for my hair. The water and the sun and the drying in the sun, isn't good for my hair. To get it smooth and not a tangeld mess on my head i use the Gliss Kur Hair Repair Express Repair Conditioner on wet hair. Afterwards it is easily to brush through and it looks a lot nicer. That's another essential for me, a hairbrush.

All of it packed into my beachbag and i am ready to go for a nice sunny day on the beach. 

What are your beach day essentials?

Sephora Wishlist

I have the Sephora obession too (who doesn't?!). I do feel the need to browse the Sephora website once in a while and fill my basket with too many and too expensive products. I can't order online, because i don't have a creditcard so i have to wait until i have access to a store. I know there are Sephora stores in europe, but they don't stock all the interesting products the american or canadian Sephora's does. So one thing that is on my To-Do list for Canada is visting Sephora. The next Sephora is a 2-hour-drive away from the place i live, but i may make that trip this month. Actually i HAVE to do it this months, because it's my brithday month and i need the Sephora Birthday gift. I mean two Nars Lip Pencils, who doesn't want these?

//Tarte Amazonian Clay 12- Hour Blush "Exposed" & "Blissfull" - 34 C$

That's THE number one on my Tarte wishlist. All the american YouTubers are raving about the blushes since forever and everybody else, who got their hands on them too. "Exposed" is supposedly the perfect nude coloured blush out there and i think i saw "Blissfull" by essiebutton and was immediatly impressed by the finish on her cheeks. If i go out of Sephora with only one thing (or two) than it's those blushes.

//Bite Beauty 5 Night Fix for Lips - 18 C$

Viviannadoesmakeup loves the Agave Lip Mask and i tend to get really dry lips when the weather is changing so i wanted to try this lipmask. I don't want to spend that much money on a product i don't know i will like, so this set with a included srubstick is perfect.

//Fresh Seaberry Moisturizing Face Oil - 22C$ (0.5oz)

My obsession with all things skincare continues and this faceoil is being raved about with no end. Fresh is a good and popular skincare brand and one can never have too many moisturizing face oils, right?

//NARS NARSissist Eyeshadow Palette - 85C$

We can't get it anymore in germany or anywhere in europe i think. I kept seeing it in posts and vids and was so in love with it and at the same time so sad that it wasn't available anymore. Until i saw it on one of my late night Sephora website browses. I nearly made a little happy dance sitting there on my bed. I just need this palette.

//Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Eyeshadow Palette - 53C$

I'm in love with matte eyeshadows and a palette with only matte eyeshadows (and 12 of those) is my dream come true. There's not only the usual brown hues, there are plums and everything you could wish for as a neutral eyeshadow kinda gal. And the packaging is so pretty with the gold inside and the big mirror and everything. No words needed for this beaut.

//Peter Thomas Roth Mini Mask Magic Kit - 25C$

Anna's ongoing rave about the Pumpkin Enzyme Mask from Peter Thomas Roth is unreal. Again i don't want to spend that much money on a mask i don't know i will like. This set contains the Pumpkin Enzyme Mask, the Cucumber Gel Mask and the Rose Stem Cell Bio-Repair Gel Mask. So three masks to try. Skincare obsession continues. 

//Bite Beauty Luminous Creme Lipstick Duo "Fig & Date" - 15C$

I always wanted to try lipsticks from Bite Beauty, because their lipsticks are supposed to be real good. The Duo is another way to save money and try as many products as possible. There's a more nude option (the one i will choose) and a bright option with an orangy red and a pinky plum colour. 

//Omorovicza Travel Set - 95C$

Oh yes, it is a lot of money. Omorovicza products are amazing and amazingly expensive. The Travel Set includes the Queen of Hungary Mist the facemist viviannadoesmakeup and lilypebbles and the bloggerworld loves to death. The Cleansing Foam, the Thermal Cleansing Balm, the Deep Cleansing Mask and the Balancing Moisturizer are partly products on my to try list too. So that would be a lucky purchase.

//Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Travel Kit - 36C$

Another brand we can't get easily a hold of in Europe and a brand everybody seems to love. A hairproduct line with the name "Perfect Hair Day" is just one i have to try. I mean who doesn't want the Perfect Hair Day everday?

Depending if the Sephora i will visit has any of those sets and how i like them in person i will may purchase one (or two) of those Beauty on the Fly Set, Beauty Closet Set or  the Ultimate Hair Essentials Set. On the Sephora website they all look tempting. Very.

Which products are on your Sephora wishlist? Or what are your favorite products to buy in Sephora?

Summer Picks

//THE FOUNDATION

As i declared already here the Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation is THE Summer Foundation for me. It's just amazeballs. Light coverage, no heavy feeling on the skin, a light luminous finish. Just read the review for a detailed rave.

//THE BLUSHES

My newly discovered Creamblush "Coral Reef" from Revlon is my fave. Especially because it gets 37 degrees (celcius) here at the moment. So i'm sweating my butt off and this baby stays were it should. Another favorite are shimmer blushes and with shimmer i mean shimmer and not glitter. I don't want to look like a discoball when the sunshine hits my cheeks. But a bit colour combined with a fresh summer glow is perfect. My favorite is the Glow Touch Blush from P2, sadly germany only.

//THE LIPPRODUCT

A dupe from Catrice (germany) for the Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfectors. I love the formula. That it makes your lips look smoother and plumper, without looking like you put something on your lips. The Catrice one has a too sweet scent for me and i am wanting to purchase one of the Clarins ones for yonks. So that's on top of my list.

//THE NAILPOLISHES

Back to the basics is the motto for my nails at the moment. Classic reds, for example "Dress to Kilt" from Essie. Or nude tones to emphasize my tan a bit without going full onto the bold or white area. Favorite Nude coloured nailpolish of all time is "Spin the Bottle" from Essie. I know boring, but sometimes i am like that.

What are your favorite products for Summer?

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?

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.

The threesome that saved my skin

In my younger teenage years (not that i'm that old already with eighteen) i never really paid attention to skincare. And at the beginning of the year my skin wasn't in a good condition. I don't know if it was the colder weather in Canada or my skincare routine or the lack of one, but my skin was looking dull and dehydrated. I freaked a bit out when i saw some lines on my forehead and cried in my head, that i lost my nice young skin with the age of eighteen. Drama aside, i got into skincare. Read and watched a lot about skincare and bought quite a few products. And i sticked to my skincare routine everyday, every single day. I didn't skip a day, ever. And it saved my skin. My skin looks better than ever before and it made me realize that i should never skip skincare routines ever again (some evenings i do though, shame on me).

You will probably know the three products i will mention now, but i just have to mention them again. Sorry for that.

The serum that gives you an instantly umph of hydration is the Body Shop Vitamin-E Moisture Serum. At first i only used it in the morning under my moisturiser, but now i also use it in the evening. After cleansing my face i slap a pump all over my face. It is quite cooling on your skin and it calms my skin a bit down. It is supposed to help the moisture get deeper into your skin (if that's even possible...) and lock it into your skin. One thing i know is that it helps to moisturise my skin and keep it that way longer.

Next step i only use in the evening (for now) is the Body Shop Vitamin-E Overnight Serum-in-Oil. I use 6-8 drops of it and sweep it all over my skin. It is more of a oil formula, but isn't too heavy on the skin. You can use it under your moisturiser like i do or you can mix it with your moisturiser and apply it then. It's not heavy at all and sinks into the skin quite quick and it nourishes the skin so good and makes it all look healthy and glowy. Love it!

Last but not least my favorite moisturiser the Clinique Moisture Surge (full review here). It is more a gel than a cream and it goes on so smooth, it sinks in within minutes. It feels light on the skin and my skin drinks it up like nothing else. Some evenings i apply a light layer and sometimes i apply a thicker layer and let it sink in over night. I have to buy a new pot of this soon, because i am more than halfway through my first one.

Those three together completely changed my skin. It looks so healthy and plump and glowy, i can't believe it when i look into the mirror. My skin never ever looked that good before and i won't part with those before something even better comes my way. If you need the ultimate hydration kick and want your skin to look healthier than i definitely recommend those three products.

Do you have any favorite skincare products?

your lips but better lipsticks

What would the world of beautyproducts be without the your-lips-but-better coloured lipsticks? A quick sweep over the lips and your lips look better than before without having to check on the colour and the fear of the awkward faded lipstick. It's just so easy and that's the reason why i love them. I have a lot of your-lips-but-better coloured lipsticks and today i will show you my top 3.

//THE GLOSSY ONE
This is the first colour i bought of the Maybelline Color Elixirs (725 Caramel Infused) and it won't the last one. A creamy gloss, that feels nice and smooth on the lips and has a colour pigmentation i never expected to be there. It's a gloss right... Doesn't dry out your lips at all and leaves a slight tint on the lips after the gloss wore off. For a gloss it's quite longlasting and this is probably my favorite of the three.

//THE MATTE ONE
The Milani lipstick in 25 naturally chic is the matte one of the three. It can be a bit drying on your lips, so i moisturise my lips before to work against this a bit. Because it's a matte formula it is longlasting and it has a good pigmentation. One thing that puts me off though is the smeel. It smeels like a candystore, but in a too sweet too unnatural way. The smell fades after a few minutes otherwise i couldn't wear this lipstick...

//THE CREAMY ONE
You may have seen me rave about those lipsticks here. The colour 07 natural beauty is the perfect your-lips-but-better colour and the first one i owned. So this lipstick is responsible for the whole obsession. Creamy formula, not at all drying on the lips and longlasting, what is there more to say? And it's a bargain. So go and buy it (:D).

What is your favorite your-lips-but-better lipstick?

current most braided hairstyles

I don't know what it is with braids an summer weather. They just match perfectly. The last few weeks were warmer and sunnier then i am used to in march/april. I think of you peeps in the rainy cloudy Germany! So i was tired of the good old ponytail, messy bun or open hair so i tried a few braided hairstyles.
 

//THE BRAIDED PONYTAIL

Still a ponytail, but a bit different then the normal old one. Just through your hair up into a ponytail, braid it, loosen it up a bit and secure it with a clear elastic. Done. It is still the loved ponytail, but it looks like you but a bit more effort into it.

//THE TWO FISHTAIL BRAIDS
I don't remember the last time i wore two braids. Maybe with twelve? Maybe even younger? But instead of the normal three-strand braid you do a fishtail braid. It doesn't look like the schoolgirl coming from school (or the Britney Spierce touch...). It is a bit more grown up, but i feel like the twelve year old me again with those two braids. Just part your hair into two parts and braid each part into a fishtail braid. Secure it with a elastic and i like to pull the strand a bit out, to make the braids look more volumnious.

//THE MESSY SIDE DOUBLE BRAID

I copied this look from Fleur de Force's "Braided Hairstyles" Video and i just love it. You braid a fishtail braid and then a dutch braid on the side of your head to your ear. Then you have the hair out of your face (or the ot behaving fringe covered), but your hair isn't pulled up completely.

//THE WATERFALL BRAID

I do love a good waterfall braid. Hair out of the face, but still loose hair. Easy and it only takes a few minutes. This is a hairstyle i am mostly going for, when my fringe isn't behaving like it should or the hair in my face is annoying me too much.

Foundation Routine

My current Foundation/Base Routine contains products that are light and achieve a glowy illuminated skin as we are heading into summer.

In the foundation compartment i go with the Maybelline Fit Me Foundation at the moment. It's a nice foundation with a medium coverage, but you can build it up if you want more coverage. They have a good range of shades, so you should be able to find a shade that matches your skin tone (i use shade 110 Porcelain). It doesn't feel heavy on your skin, but it doesn't have a long staying power either. It tends to disappear after two thirds of the day. The Fit Me Foundation has a SPF 18 which is a nice extra, because you don't necessarily need to wear a SPF under your foundation. It is supposed to blend seamlessy which i have to agree with. You can blend it in very easily and it doesn't cling to any dry patches you might have.

To add a bit more radiance i like to mix the foundation with the Body Shop Radiant Highlighter on the back of my hand. With this combination you end up with a very glowy healthy looking skin, which i love at the moment.

Concealer wise i use the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser first. I apply it with the sponge applicator it comes with and it is a genuis way for applying concealer. The regular foam tip applicators doesn't apply the concealer good on a rather big area. I take the concealer from the inside of my eye under the eye to the end of my eye and then draw a triangle under my eye as well. Blend it in with a foundation sponge and i am most of the time good to go. If i want a bit more coverage under the eyes (or on any blemishes) i apply the Catrice Camouflage Cream on top. It's a very thick consistancy which gives a good amount of coverage. I pat it on the still showing dark circles or redness with my ringfinger and everything is covered.

For a bit of contour and bronzing up my face, i use the Body Shop Honeycomb Bronzer. The bronzer isn't too dark and looks very natural on the skin. It doesn't have any shimmer, which i like because my foundation combination is already glowy and i don't want too much glow on my face.

What foundation/base products do you like at the moment?

Foundation application with a sponge or a brush?

There are a lot of ways to apply foundation and they all have their advantages and disadvantages. I am not that big fan of the hand application for foundation so i will leave that option out.

The two options i tried and kind of liked are the application with a brush or with a sponge. There are a lot of brush types and also all different kinds of foundation sponges out there. You can say the same thing for the price range. 

One revolutionary new addition to the foundation brushes types out there was the
Foundation Buffer. There is one from Bobbi Brown, Real Techniques, Zoeva and the list goes on and on. I personally own the Zoeva version at the moment but have the Bobbi Brown and the Real Techniques ones on my wishlist. The Zoeva 102 Silk Finish brush is a medium sized buffer brush. It is the perfect size, not too small not too big either. I pour the foundation on the back of my hand and apply dots of foundation on my forehead, cheeks, nose and chin. Then the buffing brush comes into action. I blend the foundation in with circular motions until it is nicely blended into my skin.

The foundation sponge is on the market for a few years now. There is the original Beauty Blender and a lot of dupes from Real Techinques for example and other drugstore brands. I own the Real Technique Compelxion Sponge and i am happy with it. I don't think that there is a huge difference between the different foundation sponges, but if you compared them and know, tell me please. I have used the sponge for complete foundation application by patting the foundation
"dots
" into my skin. I would recommend to soak it under water several times before you use it, because otherwise it doesn't work that great. It leaves you with an airbrushed finish, but i found it hard to blend the edges of the foundation properly. So it's not my favorite for using it simply for the application, but i found a way to incorporate it into my routine. 

First step is blending my foundation in with a buffing brush and then i go over the whole face in dabbing motions with the complexion sponge. It gives you the airbrush skin-like finish the sponge gives, but the edges are nicely blended with the brush before. 

Another thing i like to use the sponge for is blending in liquid concealer. It keeps more of the concealer on my face then the brush does, so i end up with more coverage, which is always good.

I can't say this or that, because i like them both for certain things and for others not. So for me the combination of both gives me the finish i want.

How do you apply your foundation?

The one coat everyday nails

I am not always going for bright coloured nails or most of the time i am just to lazy to wait for the two coats and topcoat to dry. So then the neutral sheer polishes come out, with which you are good with one coat and maybe a topcoat if you like.

A long time favorite of mine is "Not just a pretty face" from essie a sheer rosy nude colour which doesn't behave like a dramaqueen while applying it. One coat and you're done, no streaks, no uneven colour, just perfect. Sadly it was a limited edition (at least in germany, i have to go for the hunt in canada before i leave) and my bottle is half empty. Who had the idea of limited editions anyways? That's so cruel if you find a product, you really really love and then it's limited edition and you can never get it again. So mean.

The other nailpolish i use for this type of neutral nails is "Ballet Slippers" a recent addition to my essie nailpolish collection. I was looking for an alternative colour so i don't always only use "Not just a pretty face" (and so it doesn't get empty so fast). "Ballet Slippers" is more white with a slight rosy hint and isn't as uncomplicated as the other one. If you want to only apply one coat, you have to be very careful so you don't end up with major strikes and uneven colour application. But if you spend a bit more time with the application, it's a beautiful colour.

To extend the hold you should use a clear topcoat to prevent your nailpolish from tip wear or chipping. You can use whatever topcoat works for you, but i am in love with the essence better than gel nails topcoat. I love it so much because it is very thick and after it dried, you end up with a very glossy finish and the most important aspect, that whatever you do there are no scratches to be seen. A little tip to find the perfect topcoat for you, try topcoats for gel nails, to get this nearly undestroyable and high glossy finish.

What is your favorite neutral coloured nailpolish or topcoat?

Springy nails

Surprisingly the weather was already quite sunny and springy over here in february and now the beginning of march marks the official start of spring. It is time to dust off those bright spring colours and give those nails a hint of colour.

When it comes to nails i am more comfartable and daring to wear bright colours than on my face. And i just love a good bright coloured nailpolish to kick off that spring feeling.

My spring nailpolish collection goes from reds, oranges and corals to light blues and even sometimes whites (although that's more something for summer).

A recent addition to my growing essie collection is the colour Lollipop. I haven't tried a bright orange (like sunday funday) on my nails yet, but we're getting there. So Lollipop is a mix between red and orange and the perfect colour to start getting those orange hues. Staying in the red theme is Forever Yummy a more classical red, who can ever go wrong with a classic red?

In the coral section the one and only at the moment is Tart Deco, gorgeous bright coral colour that makes your skin look more tanned than it actually is.

A toned down light blue, with a bit grey in it, is Find Me An Oasis, which is for me a colour for the time between the last days of winter and the first real days of spring. I like to wear it in winter and spring.

Whites are for me more someting for the real hot summer, but a bit of Fiji here and there changes things up a bit. I am still not sure about the whole white nailpolish hype thing, especially the whole rave about Fiji, but maybe i will understand this summer. We'll see.

What is your favorite spring nailpolish colour?

Spring Picks

You may see a colour theme going on here. Yes, my spring colours are reds, pinks and (mostly) corals. In spring i prefer a light base on the face, light to no eyemakeup, a bright sheer lip and bright coloured nails.

#LIPS

Mostly coral and sometimes a light red or pink and only sheer lipsticks or lipbutters. Current favorite coral lipsticks are the L'oreal Caresse "301 dating coral" or as you may have already read in my february favorites the L'oreal Colour Riche "176 Sunset Angora",which is slithly more pink than the dating coral lipstick. In the lipbutter department i use the Clinique Chubby Stick "04 mega melon" which is a red-mauve or the Catrcie pure shine colour lip balm "060 go flamingo go" (german) which is more rosy pink. These two are less opaque than the L'oreal ones so you have to build them up a bit if you want more colour on the lips. A big favorite from last year was the Revlon colourburst lipbutter "025 Peach Parfait" but lately the big glitter chunks seem to put me off a bit, but it's still a great lipbutter range ( i also like the colour "050 berry smoothie"). Another great line if you live in the US or Canada are the Maybelline color whispers. These are in between the sheer lipsticks and the lipbutters, because they are as moisturising as a lipbutter but as opaque as the lipsticks. The colour payoff is really good and at the moment i am loving the colour "45 who wore it red-er". After swatching the colour on the back of my hand i couldn't get the tint off, even after using a micellar water, so they are quite longlasting. In general i am more a sheer lipstick lover and a coral addict than someone who likes creamy lipsticks or pink.

#FACE

As i already mentioned springtime is BB/CC Cream or light coverage foundation time. I wrote about this product here way to often (review here), but i just love the Garnier Miracle Skin Cream so much. Slap it on, some concealer and mascara on top, a bright lipstick and you're good to go. Another option with a bit more coverage is the Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream.

For concealer i only use the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser at the moment, it's medium coverage which highlights your undereye area and still feels light on the skin.

For the spring fresh glow i use either a powder highlighter like the p2 glow up highlighter "021 high beam" (german) for a nice sheen on the cheeks or the Body Shop radiant highlighter as a base under my foundation/BB Cream or mixed together with it for an all over glow or as an highlighter only for the cheekarea. The body shop highlighter is in a rosy silvery colour while the p2 one is golden.

Blush wise my current favorites are the Milani baked powder blush "02 Rose D'Oro" as a coral option or the catrice multi colour blush "060 strawberry frappuccino" (german) for a rosy blush.

What are your favorite makeup bits and bobs for spring?

Favorite Bodycare Products

So i'm quite lazy when it comes to bodycare and it's a step i genuinly overlook in my routine. The last few weeks i tried to do it more often, but i keep it simple and stick to the basics.

PEELING & CO

I use a body scrub once in a while in the shower and most of the time it's the Body Shop Cream Body Scrub (yep, a lot of body shop products...). Everytime i shower i try to use my peeling massaging brush to tone, tighten and make my skin smooth.

MOISTURISE

I was never a big moisturise-person especially when it comes to the body. Body lotions are too time consuming, in my mind at least and to use them just once in a while isn't helping. In-shower-bodylotions i use, but they don't have a good enough effect that i could only use this. Recently i found the Vaseline hydratant Spray & Go Moisturizer and i love it. It's perfect for lazy persons like me, who need a quick application. You just spray it on your skin, rub it in and you're done.

FOR THE REALLY DRY AREAS

 As already featured in my lipcare essentials post the Kaufmanns Haut- und Kindercreme is perfect for any dry patches. For me it's my elbow, which need a bit more care. I just put a bit of the cream on the dry area and leave it on overnight and the skin is smooth again.

PM Skincare Routine

My skincare routine in the evening is more fancy than the one in the morning and i am doing it everyday (guilty, there are some days i don't). I have more time in the evening and the products can work overnight.

#1 Double Cleansing

Double Cleansing seems to be something everybody in the beauty world swears by and practices at the moment. There a reasons, because it does make a difference. First you cleanse your face to remove makeup and second you cleanse the actual skin of your face. For the makeup removing part i use mostly cleansing oils like the Super Facialist Vitamin C+ Brighten Oil or the Body Shop Camomile Cleansing oil (yep, again). For the second step i prefer a cleansing balm like the Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm or when it has to be quick i use the Loreal Sublime Soft Micellar Solution on a big cottonpad and sweep it all over my face. Cleansing done. A more detailed review about my cleansers here.

#2 Exfoliater

How often and intense you exfoliates depends on your skin, if it needs it and how sensitive it is. I use the Body Shop Aloe Gentle Exfoliater (very nice for sensitive skin) about every second or third day only on areas where i have pimpels or blackheads (mostly the nose). Plus once or twice a week all over my face to get rid of the dead skin cells.

#3 Facial Oil

At the moment i am using the Body Shop Vitamin E Overnight Serum-in-Oil. Five to seven drops of it applied all over the face. Facial Oils and Serums are a great way to target a specific problem you have with your skin: dehydration, redness, blemishes, there is something for everything.

#4 Moisturiser

Hydration is key so be sure to pick the right moisturiser for you. I love the Clinique Moisture Surge at the moment. A very nice gel like texture, sinks quickly into the skin and leaves my skin feel soft, smooth and really hydrated.

If i think i need it, i use an eyecream over the face moisturiser. Currently i am using the First Aid Beauty Dual Repair Eyecream.

#5 Pimpel treatment

For any pimpels i use (as you maybe already read here) the Dr. Eckstein Azulenpaste. It looks and smells strange, but it does the job, so i can look over that.