Clinique Pore Refining Solutions Review

Hello my beauties!

How are you? The weather here in Greece is starting to look more and more like winter, not exactly what I had in mind but I will try to keep the summer and the sun in my mind!

Today I will talk to you about a new series that Clinique came out targeting again at another skin problem.
Pores.
We all have oner 300.000 pores in our face and they double in the ages of 25-50. As we get older, due to hormon changes, our cells mature and don't renew. The skin gets drier and pores multiply and get bigger.

Clinique created a special line to make pores less visible.

Clinique Pore Refining Solutions

Pore Refining Solutions correcting serum: 
You use it before your moisturiser and it helps create a great base for your moisturiser to sink in. It contains salicylic acid, acetyl glucosamine and laminaria saccharina extract that help cells mature properly, control of the oil and make pores clean lesss visible.
52.50 euros

Pore Refining Solutions Stay-Matte Hydrator:
It is a light moisturiser that is one of the best that I have used. It keeps my skin matte while creating instanly  great base for my makeup. You can feel the hydration on your skin due to hydrogenated lecithin.
40.90 euros

Pore Refining Solutions Instant Perfector:
This is a smart technology product. It is thick but you need only a tiny bit on your T-zone or the whole face if you wish. The specialized cross-linked silicone polymers cover the skin with an invisible film that fills up the pores for 8 hours and controls oil keeping the skin matte.
22.90 euros

And of course Clinique, that has one of the biggest variety of problem targeted foundations, has created one for our pores.

Pore Refining Solutions Perfecting Makeup:

Soft focus technology reflect the light and make pores less visible. It also contains salicylic acid that cleans gently the pores by removing the dead cells sitting on the them. It has a light texture that applies easily and evenly without closing your pores. 

30.90 euros

I was sent these products and I have been using them for the past almost two months. I always liked Clinique skincare, makes me feel comfortable which is very important for your face products.

Pore Refining Solutions is a great line of smart products that do not do miracles. 

But although my pores did not disappear, my skin got better, smoother and finer. 

My skin loved them.

Also they may not be very suitable for dry skin, but great for combination/oily skin.

My two favourites products that I would certainly buy, are the Instant Perfector and the Stay Matte Hydrator. They are amazing! Together they are creating the perfect makeup base!

I totally suggest that you try some of them! 

So what do yout think? 
Have you already tried these products? How do you like them?

Stay healthy & beautiful
xxx

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Makeup at Home Giveaway! CLOSED & WINNER

Hello my beauties! 

I hope you are well and happy. 
Today I am hosting a giveaway which unfortunately is only for my greek followers who live in Athens...

The prize is a makeup by me, day or evening, anytime you want at your place!

Below is the form you need to complete in order to take part!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

CONGRADULATIONS ANNA!!! 
I have arleady sent you an email. I am looking forward to hearing from you!

I hope you like the present and don't forget! Athens living followers!


Stay healthy & beautiful
xxx

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Revlon Colorstay Foundation Review

Hello my beauties!

I know it's been a long time but now I am back with many posts ready to come!

Without any further delay, today I want to talk to you about the famous Revlon Colorstay Foundation. I have been wanting to try this foundation for a long time now after I was hearing about it so many things everywhere, and I mean it. Everywhere!
So as it is ridiculously expensive in Greece, I told a friend of mine who studies in England to get it for me. She bought it 12 pounds and here is about 20-22 euros. ts ts ts...classic.

Anyway!
We guessed my shade through photos via whatsapp, ;-), and took my chances with shade 330 natural tan.
We were right. At first I thought it must be dark for me as it says natural tan and during my internet search about the shades, I came out to be sand beige. The truth lies between.

So here we go.

As you can see it is a very pigmented foundation and thick. I have used it 2-3 times and the truth is I don't seem to get used to it on my skin.
It is a little hard to apply as it tends to dry rather fast but that is not a problem. You can do quick. 
Although it is a thick foundation I wasn't impressed with its coverage. To be fair, after all the ravings about it,  I was expecting something like a miracle on a bottle. That was not the case for me.
I have tried other foundations less famous with better coverage. This one did not have the coverage I expected and still felt heavy on my skin and flat.
As you can see on the picture I chose the combination/oily formula as my skin, esecially the T zone, tends to gets oily after a few hours. 
Sorry again but I did not noticed any difference. I got shiny after a few hours as well. To be fair again, !, it was during the extremely past humid days in Athens. The weather is not helping us to make a proper review!
One of the things I liked was that, besides my skin got oily, the foundation did not melt or moved. It stayed there, which means it is a rather difficult one to take off!
I was hearing a lot about a strong awful smell but I noticed nothing. Ok, it does not have a creamy high-end  scent but I did not bothered me.

Below I am showing how it looked on my skin.

no makeup

with Revlon Colorstay on

As you can see I had nothing big to cover up but still my face does not look flawless.
You might say that it looks good, and it does, as you can see my skin through which makes it a natural looking foundation. But.....
When I was dreaming about this foundation I had in mind something like my dreamy skin on a small bottle.

Overall, it is a very good foundation with medium coverage that you can build it. 
It stays for hours without moving around. It is a good price-good quality product. (if ordered online)
I know that many women around the world are raving abut this foundation but it simply did not impress me. 
Well, that's the thing when you are expecting too much! I thought I had find the One but to me is just a simple heavy-feeling foundation. 

I hope I helped you and strongly recommend that you give this foundaton a go. 

Have you tried Revlon Colorstay Foundation? 
If yes, what do you think?

Stay healthy & beautiful
xxx

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U see it? Conceal it!!

Hello my beauties!

How are you? I know it's been a long time but  I am back with a hot issue! 

Concealers!

They are as important as foundation. You have to find the one that suits your skin type and needs.
Every girl should have two concealers. One lighter than their skin for the undereye area and one similar to your skin tone to hide any blemishes or imperfections.

Below I am showing you my concealers which are not only two but what can I do? I am only a girl!

Let's talk about them one by one.
From up left:

1. Kryolan Erase Deckstift Neutralizer
 It is a rather heavy green concealer that is suitable to neutralise intense redness to the face & body. 
 Above this you use your regural concealer to give your skin healthy look.

2. Kryolan Erase Deckstift X1
 At first when I saw this concealer I thought I could never use it as it does not look like skin colour but it is a  yellow based creme crayon that is perfect for highlighting any areas you want. Avoid big quantity on the face. Kryolan are meant to be stage makeup therefore rather heavy.

3. Vichy Dermablend ultra corrective foundation cream-stick #light clair 13
 As you can tell by its name it is a foundation on stick. But as you all know, stick foundations are drier than the liquid ones, therefore heavier. But I always wanted to try the Vichy Dermablend and as I do not have that of a bad skin I preffered the stick foundation as a face concealer to cover up any blemishes.
I like it very much, it does't move a lot but needs good blending.

4. Clinique Even Better Concealer #natural
It is a rather new member to the Even Better family and it is here to stay. it is super creamy, yet stable. Blends really well on your skin and it is great for undereye concealer, if skin is not very dry, as well for covering imperfections.

5. Make Up For Ever Camouflage Cream # 17
It is another green camouflage creme which I prefer using on the face, instead of the Kryolan, as it is a little bit lighter and is buildable. I have occassionaly red spots in my face and this creme is perfect to neautralise everything.

6. Make Up For Ever Camouflage Cream # 20
This is an orangy colour camouflage creme which is used to neutralise the blueness of the dark circles under your eyes. As it is intense you use it carefully and build it. Above this you put your preffered undereye concealer to cover the orange and brighten the area.

7. Clinique Line Smoothing concealer # 03 moderately fair
This is an all time classic concealer. It is light weighted, moisturising and ideal for the undereye area. It is perfect for your everyday concealer but not very good for covering up any blemishes and imperfections as it does not has a very good staying power.

8. Clinique All About Eyes Concealer # 01 light neutral
This is maybe my favourite undereye concealer. It is neither light or heavy and a little goes a long way.
It is moisturising and has a very good staying power. I use it for my eyes only and not the face.

Well, that is all! 
I always want to try a new concealer so I will probably be back with more of them!

Which is your favourite concealer and how many do you have?

Stay healthy & beautiful
xxx

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100 Followers Blush Giveaway! CLOSED & WINNER

Hello my beauties! 

My beauty blog has reached 100 gfc followers and I couldn' t be more happy. I was looking forward to this so I could host this giveaway and show my love!

With no further delay......the gift is:

 Sleek Blush by 3 in Sugar & Rimmel 3in1 Powder blush in Spring Flower

I, myself, love blushes and I as many as I have they are never enough! So I decided to giveaway one of my favourite cosmetics in two brands that I love. 

I hope you like it!

GOOD LUCK!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congratulations Roussalia!!!!!

I have already sent you an email.


This Giveaway is open international.

Stay healthy & beautiful

xxx

p.s. this giveaway is not sponsored 

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Sleek mini Haul

Hello my beauties!

I hope you are well, tanned and relaxed. I was meaning to show you some new stuff I got from Sleek MakeUp but summer got in the way! I am back now and ready to roll again!

So, as many of you, I can never have too many eye shadows. I will always need more, even though many of them are almost identical..

That is why I ordered another Sleek eyeshadow palette, ( previous Sleek haul post HERE) a bright lipstick and two multi-usage waterproof pencils. 

But don't let me talk anymore and show you the stuff!

Sleek i-Divine Oh So Special, True Colour Lipstick in Heartbreaker, Eau la la liner in Dragon Fruit & Bullion

Let me show them to you one at a time.

Oh So Special Palette

And some swatches

from left: Bow, Organza, Ribbon, Gift Basket, Glitz, Celebrate

From this row, all colours pay off really nice, well pigmented, as expected, and long lasting.

from left: Pamper, Gateau, The Mail, Boxed, Wrapped Up, Noir

This second row is not as well as I expected. The colours as you see for yourself are not well pigmented and they do not show up, except maybe for Pamper, Gateau and Noir.

Moving on to the famous Eau La La Liners.

Eau La La liners in Dragon Fruit & Bullion

Dragon Fruit is a beauuuutiful hot cherry pink colour that looks amazing on the lips! It is so pigmented and let me tell you this. It lasts forever! Maybe more than forever! I love this colour!

Bullion is a bright gold colour with many uses. It is most likely to be used on the eyes, as a thick line or a thin line above your black eyeliner. I sometimes use it to my waterline for a slightly different look. And do not forget the lips for the bold ones out there!

Eau La La Liners are waterproof and smudgeproof and I highly recommend them!

End last but not least True Colour Lipstick

True Colour Lipstick in Heartbreaker

It is a matte hot pink fuchsia colour that is very well pigmented but very matte. I would not recommend this to those with very dry, cracked lips unless you put a lip balm underneath. I do not have dry lips and still looks a little bit dry.
But I cannot help my feelings! I love this lipstick. The colour is so vibrant, fresh and sexy girlie!


Overall, I love Sleek Make Up and I will continue to buy more & more.

So, how about you? Do you like Sleek Make Up? Which are your favourites?

Stay healthy & beautiful
xxx

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H&M Blushers Review

Hello my beauties!

How are you? How are you handling with this hot weather? I am hoping near the sea!

Today I am going to talk to you about my beloved H&M blushers! I discovered them about a year ago in one of my many visits to the H&M and I loved them. I have many many blushes, as all of you I suppose, but I keep reaching for my H&M blushes. They are very pigmented, blend really well on your skin and last forever! I have MAC blushes which I love but somehowmost of the times I prefer these ones. 

I have already told you about my love for the H&M Bronzer (check review here ) and now it is time to tell you about their blushes. 

I have three of them and I am planning to buy more.

Tawny Rose, Sweet Rose, Dazzling Peach

with flash

no flash

All three have a nice shimmer. Tawny Rose has has a metallic finish, Sweet Rose a shimmery finish and Dazzling Peach a sheeny finish.

tawny rose

Sweet Rose

Dazzling Peach

I love them, I use them every day on me and on clients, stay on all day and with 3.50 euros each you can try as many as you like!

Have you tried one of H&M 's blushes?

How do you find them?

Stay healthy & beautiful

xxx

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Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara

Hello my beauties!

How is your summer so far? Are you hot? Are you on a beautiful island? Please make me jealous!

But before that, let me tell you about the wonderful surprise I had this morning.

Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara*

I have been reading about this mascara and watching about it n a few YouTube gurus and I immediately fell in love! And now, time has come to try it and show it to you.

As you can see it has the tiny tinniest wand, ideal to colour your bottom lashes without smudging.

Its formula gives a 24hr result and it is water resistant.

It contains acrylates copolymer which make it dry right after application while protects you from cold water, sweat and humidity.

It also contains bentonite, a special ingredient that works like clay covering your lashes, while its jojoba oil nurishes and protects them.

To remove the mascara from your lashes wet some cotton with warm water and just pass it through your lashes.

It is great for those wearing eye contacts, like myself, and have sensitive eyes.

It is available in Black and its price is 15 euros. In stores on September 2012.

I wasn't wearing mascara on my bottom lashes because I always got black circles, even though I wasn't born with them! But now I think I might start!

What do you think of this product?

Have you tried it? 

Stay healthy & beautiful

xxx

*pr sample

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MAC Oil Control Lotion Review

Hello my beauties!

How are you? I am sure you are hot hot hot! And times like this you are trying to make the best out of your makeup. I know. I struggle myself with that too.

I am trying to find the best moisturiser or primer that leaves my skin matte hot days like these.
During my search I came across to this oil control lotion by our beloved MAC.

As you can see it is light textured and a bit "runny". The girl in the store said that will keep my skin matte and that I wouldn't need to wear moisturiser under it when doing my makeup as it has moisturising elements on its own.

My opinion on this lotion is not so good as someone would expect. 

Although it felt quite comfortable on my skin and absorbed quickly, I noticed not the slightest difference on my skin, my makeup or my T-zone. I was shiny 1 1/2 hour later tops.

And imagine I didn't wear it the last days that the weather is trying to kill us with heat and humidity.

This does not change my mind on the quality of MAC cosmetics, they are one of the best!

But I did thought that they would do good work on the sensitive subject of oil & shine control.

Have you tried it? 

What is our opinion?

Which one is your best anti-shine primer?

Stay healhy & beautiful

xxx

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Razzle Dazzle!

Hello my beauties!

I am guessing you are happy, looking forward for your vacations while having a delicious coctail in the local bar.

I, myself, last week was in a bar in the centre of Athens, drinking strawberry mochito and let me tell you this. For three hours, I was feeling like I was in this exotic place, sipping my drink and listening to easy music.

But anyway, let me get back to my point. I was saying that summer is here, you have already tanned somehow, and your mood is in its highest point. 

And I ask you. 

Is there something that would make you feel even better?

Something that would make you look even happier and more glowing like you are showered by light?

Let me show you some magic tricks I have on my makeup bag!

Taaaa-Daaaaaa!

1. The Body Shop Sandstone #03 quartz hue

This small red treasure box was the first time I would come across to a highlighter. And still I used it as a eyeshadow! It looked really good on my eyes but when later I realised its true purpose I was thrilled! It has a beautiful rose champagne colour that matches any skin. I don't think you can still find the exact package but The Body Shop is full of highlighters!

2. Stila Illuminating Finishing Powder #Gold

This illuminating powder has a gorgeous soft gold colour that is shimmery not glittery. It gives a soft shimmery touch on the top of your cheekbones. This is for you who want something not too obvious.

3. Mac Cream Colour Base #Pearl

Anything I say on this black magic box it won't be enough! It is a creme highlighter that is best put with your fingers and it blends in your skin like heaven! I am sure a lot of you know exactly what I mean!

4. Gosh Bronzing Shimmer Brush # 102

I have shown this one before on the Bronzers post (see it here). 

It is an ultra shimmering bronzing powder tha makes you shine like you never imagined. It is very easy to go wrong with this product as the packaging is not too tidy and tends to let a lot of product get away and onto your face! But overall it is a great one!

5. Clinique Fresh Bloom Allover Colour #03 Almond Blossom

This is the most subtle highlighter I own. It has the smallest amount of shimmer of them all and can be used as a bronzer or a blush. There are two colours as you can see when mixed with the brush, gives a rose bronze shimmery glow. It is very good to carry it in your purse as it has many uses.  

Below I am showing you a face chart to see where is best to contour and highlight our face. I hope it will help those who are new to highlighters and want to try them out! The dark points are contouring your face to create angles and the rose ones are to create light to your face.

 I hope you find your way to a new glowing You!!!!!

Stay healthy & beautiful!

kisses xxx

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Day Make Up Tutorial

Hello my beauties!

I hope you are well, tanned and ready for vacations!

A few days ago my good friend Amalia came for a day make up and I thought it was a good opportunity to show it to you step by step and letting you know which products I have used.

So with no further delay .....here we go!

If you wanna know how I did this, please scroll down!

I just applied MUFE primer to her face

mac face & body foundation N2 

soft pink eye shadow base - Sleek Storm Palette

Define her crease with pink-plum - Storm Palette

blend with bdellium tools #776

define softly her lash line

2 coats of Essence false lash effect mascara

Clinique All about Eyes concealer

Clinique Translucent Loose Powder all over - bd tools # 964

H&M bronzer - bd tools #955

slightly define eyebrows-Sleek Storm Palette

highlight high points of face - Mac Pearl

colour lips with Estee Lauder Lip Pencil #Soft Pink

And again the final photo which I love! 

photographer: natalia bogea
make up artist: vassiliki papadopoulou
model: @amalia

Products used for this look:

Make Up for Ever HD primer

Mac Oil Control Lotion

Mac Face & Body foundation #N2 with bd tools #948

Make Up for Ever Crème Camouflage #20 with Sephora #46 concealer brush

Clinique all about eyes concealer #01 light neutral with Sephora #46 concealer brush

Mac paint pot #painterly

Sleek Storm Palette with bd tools #776, 755, 781 and H&M duo brush

Essence false lashes mascara

Clinique loose powder #03 transparency with bd tools #964

H&M bronzing powder wih bd tools #955

Estee Lauder crème blush #04 berry light with bd tools #945

Mac cream colour base #pearl

Estee Lauder automatic lip pencil duo # soft pink

So how did you think of this look?

Would you like to see more? 

Stay healthy & beautiful

xxx

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La Roche -Posay Effaclar Review

Hello my beauties!

How are you? I hope the breeze the last few days relaxed you beacause hot days are coming!

Today I am going to talk to you about two products I tried for the first time. One old and classic and one new and fantastic. 

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Gel Moussant & La Roche Posay Effaclar Mat.

1. Effaclar Moussant Gel

    Purifying foaming gel for oily sensitive skin 

My skin is combination with oily T-zone and summer things get worse. I am always on the hunt for a really good cleansing gel and a very good moisturiser that will hydrate my skin but keep it mat and beautiful. And, girls, I think I found them. 

I have been trying them the last 5 days, in a sample I got from the pharmacy, and I am really happy, especially with the moisturiser, because that is one of the hardest thing to find. But let's start one by one.

I am pretty sure you all know Effaclar Moussant Gel. I did too but somehow I never got to buy it. 

It feels really gentle on my skin, clearing all the makeup at the end of the day and refreshing my skin in the morning. It eliminates impurities and excess sebum leaving the skin clean and fresh without feeling it dry like many cleansing gels for oily skin do. The thing that we have oily skin does not mean that we need to dry it out, we just have to balance it and Effaclar Moussant Gel felt to my skin that way.

Soap-free - Alcohol-free - Colorant-free - Paraben free.

2. Effaclar Mat

    Sebo-Regulating Moisturiser, Anti-Shine, Anti-Enlanrged Pores

This is a new moisturiser added to the Effaclar family. Moisturizes and mattifies the skin immediately. After 5 days of use my skin is refined, pores are tightened and sebum production slowed down.

When applied you feel your skin moisturised  but at the same time so soft and almost like powdery as the moisturiser sets. you can apply you foundation just seconds later and trust me it is an excellent makeup base. It is almost like a moisturising primer!

I am really excited with this moisturiser as it is what I have been looking for. A light moisturiser for my skin, especially now at summer, but that really moistures my skin and not drying out. And of course an excellent base for my makeup as I don 't want to put extra stuff on my face.

Well, this is my review on Effaclar Moussant Gel & Effaclar Mat. Have you tried one of them? Want to share other secrets on oily skin?

Stay healthy & beautiful

xxx

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