January favorites ◊ 2015

February is here and it’s time to share my January favorites! These are the products that I’ve been using a lot in January, there are some make up bits, some pamper products … Everything I need for a productive day and a bit more relaxed evening! I don’t feel like wearing smoky eyes or having my face contoured like it’s summer lately, but I love to combine a simple, subtle makeup with bright lips.

The first product is one of my favorite lipsticks at the moment, it’s the Deborah Milano lipstick in shade 9 with SPF 15. I have actually never tried any of their products before, I do go through every time I’m in the drugstore but usually nothing steps out in particular. Except for this lipstick, obviously. I have to mention that my camera doesn’t seem to distinguish between red and pink lipsticks, this causes me problems every single time!! Well, the shade is somewhere between cherry red and pink, it seems like it has both pink and red pigments as one thin layer makes my lips completely pink, whereas a bit thicker layer makes them quite red. It is surprisingly long lasting, but I have to apply a lip balm or the lipstick after a few hours, just to make it even again.

Next are the eyes! For the base, I’ve been using the Maybelline Color Tattoo in shade Pink Gold. I got it in December from my best friend, she always knows what to get me! I immediately fell in love and as with any other Color Tattoo eyeshadow, you can use it as a base or by itself, I’ve been using it both ways. When I feel like adding a bit more color in the crease or just wish to accentuate the whole look, I add a bit of the Bourjois Smoky Eyes Trio Eyeshadow in shade Rose Vintage. Its applicator is still intact, I don’t even try applying anything with these smaller-than-ever applicator brushes. Instead, I’ve been using the e. l. f. professional Blending Eye Brush and this is an insanely good low budget eye brush that perfectly blends the eyeshadow in the crease.

I almost forgot to mention my favorite nude nail polish at the moment, the China Glaze nail lacquer in shade Diva Bride. It contains some nail hardeners, but I haven’t noticed any difference in the longevity. On the plus side, even the second coat is quite transparent, which comes in handy if your nail polish is chipped off and you don’t have the time/are too lazy to paint your nails again (meaning: you have to be extremely attentive to see those chipped parts!).

As soon as I realised I’m going to run out of my Tea Tree Pore Minimiser from the Body Shop at the end of December, I had to find a new one immediately. I found a perfect replacement, the Alverde Mineral Make-up Base Gel and I’ve been using it all the time! The one thing I expect from primers is to mattify the skin and this one does the job very well. It’s in a nude gel-like consistency and a little goes a long way. The next product completely changed my perspective towards medium coverage foundations. I’ve been obsessed with high coverage foundations for years and now I feel I don’t need to hide every little imperfection from the world. I’m glad I stepped out from my comfort zone and started using the Maybelline Affinimat perfecting and mattifying foundation in shade Golden beige 24. This is quite a runny foundation, but nevertheless provides a good medium coverage that builds up with every additional layer if necessary. It’s intended for oily to combination skin, and although mine is a bit oily in the T-zone, this one makes a very good job – It’s not sticky and doesn’t smudge throughout the day.

The last two products are more of a pampering nature, I’m currently in the middle of exams and I need a bit of relaxation every few days. You can imagine that my face routine is not the best at the moment, so I try to moisturize my skin in the evening, usually with the L’Occitane Instant Hydration Mask with organic Angelica water and essential oil. My skin feels so refreshed and nourished after I use it, a real skin saver! And when I fancy a bit of aromatherapy, I add a few drops of the Eucalyptus essential oil that I bought in DM a while ago. It feels like the air in the room is much cleaner and fresher. I believe I’ll repeat these two pamper steps today! :)

Winter is having a blast here, we’re expecting up to 50 cm of fresh snow or even more this Friday! I love watching snow swirling from the sky, with a cup of chai latte and a good book in my hands … or rather a pile of notes ;) Have lots of fun ♥

Vesna