NOTD: Essence Irreplaceable

I really like taupe/beige nail polish and if there is golden glass-flecked shimmer involved, I'm sold.

Today I present you Essence Irreplaceable from their Colour & Go line. I'm totally in love with this polish! It's so easy to apply, it dries fast, it is cheap and the colour is awesome!

Sun:

Direct sunlight:

Shade:

Like it? Not your style?



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Song of the day: Toto - Pamela

ELF Studio Blush & Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder Swatches

Ugh, Blogger gave me such hard time while I was trying to upload all the images for this post...


Finally, here are some photos and swatches of my latest ELF mini haul I showed you here.

Studio Blush in Gotta Glow:

Studio Blush in Candid Coral:

Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder in Luminance:

Swatched all together - from left to right: Gotta Glow, Candid Coral, Luminance:




Studio Blush in Gotta Glow & Candid Coral:




Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder in Luminance:




See anything you like?



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Song of the day: Robert Palmer - Addicted to love

Blush Fever

So... I went to see a doctor the other day about my "blush problem". After long conversation and lots of lab tests, he told me that I got something called "Blush Fever". Apparently it's not very dangerous or anything, but they don't have the cure for it yet. So, yeah, I guess I'll be buying more blushes and other cheek products.


Here is my ELF order that arrived on Monday:

Studio Blush in Candid Coral & Gotta Glow; Helathy Glow Bronzing Powder in Luminance


Swatches coming up soon!

Essence Meet Me @ Holografics TE

Someday, Essence, someday... When Holografics will be holo and not duo-chrome.


I found the display with Essence Meet Me @ Holografics TE just recently. Even though I have alerady known that not a single piece in this collection is actually holo, I took these home with me:

I would buy other polishes as well, but there were none left.


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Today I wasn't in the mood for any "strong" colour on my nails, so I've decided to try out one of the two polishes on its own. Yes, I didn't even bother layering it over darker base. I'm lazy too.


Here it is - Prism@tic White, 2 coats:

Thanks for dropping by!



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Song of the day: Falco - Rock Me Amadeus

Meow Meow!

Last week I participated in a charity auction organised by a Slovenian jewelry designer Pekarnica Polonca on Facebook. She was selling few pairs of her earrings to help a society called Mačjelovka.org that takes care for cats that aren't so lucky to have their own warm home and they live on the streets.

Here is the pair I bid for:

Take a look at Pekarnica Polonca page on Facebook, if you would like to see her work.

Looking For An Awesome Stock Photo Site?

Then I suggest to take a look at Fotolia.com!

What is Fotolia.com, you ask? In short: Fotolia is one of the top stock photo houses in the world and offers royalty free images, HD video, and lots more.

Looking for some lovely landscape photos?




Perhaps you need a new background?





Or maybe you're just looking for an inspiration for your next manicure ;)






All photos: Fotolia.com


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My exceprience: I was contacted by Jenna at Fotolia.com. She offered me a free one month subscription to Fotolia stock photo site.

I must admit, I am very uncomfortable when it comes to anything related to computers, web sites, programs which I am not familiar with - when I have to learn how to use them completely on my own. Even though I expressed this "problem" of mine to Jenna, she was extremely kind, supportive and prepared to answer any question I had.

So it took some time to finally gather enough courage to log in on Fotolia *lol* I started to research the site and was immediately drawn to all the beautiful images I found there. I browsed for hours and downloaded many images I liked. Eventhough that was the part that worried me the most - will I know how to download images I like? But yes, I managed to do that :D

Conclusion: Fotolia is really easy to navigate, even if you are "complete dummy" when it comes to sites like this one. And I really reccomend it.

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And here is something special for you! I have five (5) coupon codes for 14-day subscription to Fotolia that allows you 3 image downloads per day.

If you are interested in trying out Fotolia Stock Photo site, contact me at barbara(dot)skledar (at) gmail(dot)com with "Fotolia" in the Subject line.



Thank you very much for reading!

Biba & Fake Lashes?

I was contacted by KKCenter HK, if I would be prepared to do a review for them and I agreed. Few days ago I received these in my mail - ES 10 Pairs Clear Band Dense Fake Lashes:

Here is what is said about them on KKCenter HK page:

"Lots Of 10 Pairs

Brand New In Retail Packaging

Make Your Eyes Look Bigger And Attractive

Can Be Re-use If You Take Them Off Carefully

False Eyelash With Box Package

Suitable For Any Personage

Can Be Used Party Or Professional Make Up

Visit Our Website For More Style And Cosmetic..."



Do you think I'm up for this challenge?



***Disclosure: The product in this post was sent to me by a company or PR for consideration.***

NOTD: Alessandro 242

I ran outside to take pictures of my today's manicure before sun hides again to provide some material for this post *lol*


I'm wearing mini nail polish from Alessandro in "lovely" number 242 that I got in a swap with a girl on Ars Cosmetica. I browsed the Internet to find something about this polish and an article on Parokeets blog says that this polish is from 2009 "Gipsy Look" LE.


It's a pretty red shade with very fine and barely visible shimmer in it:

Thanks for stopping by!



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Song of the day: Billy Joel - It's still rock and roll to me

Sigma Synthetic Face Kit

I won this awesome set of brushes over at Sara Hassan's Blog. Sara is one of the most beautiful beauty bloggers I follow. Thank you very much for hosting this giveaway!

I am honestly very happy that I have won the Sigma Synthetic Face Kit. I have read so many great reviews about Sigma brushes and really wanted to try them out too.

I must say I was really surprised how fast I received my prize - it was here in a week, I think. Very commendable, Sigma!


This is how my prize looked when arrived:

I can't wait to get to know these babies better! :D



Do you own any of Sigma brushes? Any recommendations?

Monthly Contest - June

I hope your week has started well! Just to make it even better, join my Monthly Contest for June ;)

You can win:

- NYX Round Lipstick in Hebe
- Essence Colour & Shine Eyeshadow in 05 Pretty Rockin'
- Essence in 02 Thirsty! from Eclipse TE (one of my favourite red creme/jelly nail polish; I have two more back up bottles of this one O.o)


Rules:
- Be a follower.
- Leave a comment saying whatever you like and please, leave your e-mail.
- Open internationally.
- Ends on Monday, 27 June at 20:00 (GMT +01:00).

Good luck!

NYX Round Lipstick B52 vs. Thalia

The other day while I was going through my lipstick collection, I thought these two - NYX Round Lipstick in B52 and Thalia - looked very similar. So, I've decided to do a comparison.

B52 (on the left) vs. Thalia (on the right):




Swatches of B52 (left) vs. Thalia (right):

While they do look similar on the arm swatches, the difference on the lips is quite obvious.

B52:




Thalia:



From these two I prefer B52.


Which shade of NYX Round lipstick is your favourite?



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Song of the day: Michael Jackson - Rock with you

Inika Light Reflect Highlighting Creme Photos & Swatches

Let's continue with photos and swatches of Inika Light Reflect Highlighting Creme.


Inika is Australian natural and mineral make up company. I've been eyeing some of their products for years now, seriously. But they're quite pricey, so I never bought anything untill now.


Let's take a closer look at Light Reflect Highlighting Creme!

Packaging:




Swatches - on the left heavy swatch and on the right blended out:




Heavy swatch:




Blended out:

This is my first creme (liquid) highlighter and first impression is very good. This creme feels very smooth and velvety while applying it. It blends out just easily too. I must say I was surprised how tiny the tube is, but you only need tiny tiny drop of this product for all the areas you want to highlight. The shade is sort of beige/peachy with golden sheen, very pretty.

Do you know Inika and their products?

Lily Lolo Mineral Shimmer In Stardust Photos & Swatches

As mentioned in my previous post, I bought some cheek products. Again.

Now, I have for you some photos and swatches of Lily Lolo Mineral Shimmer in Stardust. Come on, admit that the name alone is so lovely! Who wouldn't want some stardust on their cheeks or shoulders? (Sorry for my inner monologue - I'm just trying to justify this purchase to myself *lol*)


Lily Lolo is a popular UK brand of mineral make up. I have already posted swatches of some other Lily Lolo products I own, so clik on the Lily Lolo tag, if you would like to see some more :)

On to the pictures:






And swatches:

I really like this one - it's very fine milled powder, so easy to apply and blend. It gives you very lovely golden glow and you can used it under (or over) matte blush or bronzer too, to add some golden sheen to it. I must say, I just love golden highlighters, because of my warm skin tone these suit me well.



My dearest followers and visitors, have a nice weekend!

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Song of the day: Lipps Inc - Funky town

Oops!

...I've bought some more cheek products:

- Lily Lolo Mineral Shimmer in Stardust (this jar is huge!)
- Inika Light Reflect Highlighting Creme (and this tube is tiny).



Is there a rehab programme for this type of addiction? *lol*

Summery NOTD

I wanted to put something bright and summery on my nails today and this is what I came up with:

Shade:




Sun:

I used Manhattan Lotus Effect nail polish in 43K, which is a bright coral shade. And on the ring (accent) finger I put Pure Ice in Dreamy - beautiful coral jelly base with holo glitter in it.


Too bright for you? Or just right? ;)

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Song of the day: Huey Lewis And The News - Stuck with you

Life Is Sweet...

...When these delicious Giotto hazelnut pralines are at your fingertips!

Yum! :D

Empty! #1

I have decided to start a new series of posts called "Empty!" Everytime I will finish up 5 beauty products, I will do a short post about them - like a very short review and whether if I would buy them again.


Here are the 5 beauty products that I've finished recently:

1. Sophyto Purify & Energise Super Bioacitve Toner; 25,90€.
This is the only toner that I can actually use (in combination with other Sophyto products) when my perioral dermatitis gets out of hands. I have already written some posts about Sophyto products and how they helped to reduce me perioral dermatitis areas on my face (click Sophyto tag, if you would like to read more about it).
The price tag seems high, but it's definitely worth it.
Repurchase: Yes.

2. Avene Thermal Spring Water; around 11-12€ for 300ml bottle.
For the couple of years now (the big bottle of) Avene Thermal Spring Water is a must have in my skincare routine. After morning face wash I spray it over my face, because it really calms and soothes my skin. This product is so versatile - you can use it after cleansing, after shaving/waxing, after exercise, during travel, sunburn, to set makeup...
Repurchase: Yes.

3. Boss Orange EdT; sample.
I got this sample with a purchase in Beautique drugstore. Here are the notes: "Top Notes: The passionate intensity of Sweet Apple engages the senses.
Heart Notes: The carefree scent of White Flowers lingers longer, relaxing and warming the heart.
Base Notes: The soulfulness of creamy Vanilla and Woods leaves an intimate, lasting impression."
I think it's a really lovely scent - nice mixture of floral and fruity, quite fresh too and nice for the Summer days. But I am not in love in it.
Purchase: Probably not, but I wouldn't mind getting it as a present *lol*

4. Alverde Lip Balm Calendula; 1,45€.
Another must have for me. I love the fact that this lip balm is certified organic, it's cheap and it does a great job when my lips are dry.
Repurchase: Yes.

5. Madara Moisturizing Lotion; 15€, but I bought on a sale for 7,50€ (-50%).
I bought some Madara body products when Slovenian web store "Na jasi" had 50% discount before closing it down. Madara products are certified organic. This moisturizing lotion for normal/dry skin is actually very nice product. I have normal skin on my body (so I don't know how would this lotion work on somebody with dry skin) and after using it skin feels soft and moisturized. Lotion is absorbed quickly and it doesn't leave any oily residue behind. It has a very subtle smell that reminds on me bananas. Overall, nice product, but nothing exceptional.
Repurchase: If I ever see this product at half the price, yes. Otherwise no.



What do you think about this series? Do you have a question or two about any product presented in this post?

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Song of the day: Vanessa Paradis - Be my baby

NOTD: Vert D'eau With A Touch Of Sparkle

For today's manicure I've chosen PB Cosmetics nail polish in Vert D'eau that I got in a swap with Saori.


Vert D'eau is a lovely mint creme shade:

Later on I added a layer of Kiko's Sparkle Touch #231:

What do you think? Prefer it with or without the Sparkle Touch?

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Song of the day: Maggie Reilly & Mike Oldfield - Moonlight shadow

Nail Mail - France Edition!

Saori at Les Ongles de Saori and I did a nail polish swap recently. I got some foreign goodies! Yay! :D

Take a look:



LM Cosmetic International, Paris PB Cosmetics and Debby ColorPlay nail polish


Thank you very much, Saori!

Physicians Formula: Happy Booster Glow & Mood Boosting Blush In Rose

Here is the last post about Physicians Formula Blush & Bronzer. I saved the prettiest one for last - Happy Booster Glow & Mood Boosting Blush in Rose.

Glow & Mood Boosting Blush in Rose:







Something is hiding in here:







Heavy swatch:




Blended:

Oh, yes, I'm in love with this one... This baby is not just cute, but it smells like roses too! It's nicely pigmented, soft, easy to work with and colour is just lovely.

The brush included isn't very useful though. It's quite scratchy. But I (almost) never use brushes that come with some products like this, so that doesn't bother me.


What's your verdict? Like it?

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Song of the day: Laid Back - Sunshine reggae