Friday, March 25, 2011

Some great polish music

Now, time for a cosmetics/skin care unrelated entry!
Recently this music video and song blew my mind, and my friends participated in creating the video, wow! 
Brodka - Krzyżowka Dnia (crossword of the day)

I also really like this video, by another polish band, D4D:
D4D - Love is dangerous

How do you like those songs and videos??? I LOVE THEM! :D
Polish music has a lot of pretty terrible artists, really bad and I don't even listen to polish radio, but some artists/songs are amazing. I can introduce more if you want me to! :D

And just 2 snaps from life
a place I really like <3

after work drink with my bff 

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Review and swatches: MAC Morange lipstick

So recently I had some online shopping delivered and also got a super cute red lipstick from MAC thru the BACK2MAC program, so I will upload swatches and revies little by little. I tried doind them all in one post, but it's too much. Here are my recent purchases:


MAC Creme d'nude lipstick, MAC Superglass lipgloss in Sugar Overload and Cherry Electric, MAC Morange lipstick and Calvvin Klein Heavenly lipstick.



"The orange is a shade easy to try out even for girls who don't usually wear colorful lips"
Oh, that's me! So I'll try it! ; )

It says she applies the color directly from the lipstick and goes a little bit over her natural lip line. Got ya!

If you don't think we should listen to Ena's makeup and fashion advice - you crazy. ;)))
Besides orange lips are a great trend for spring/summer!
My only "but" would be - it really requires a flawless skin, so I will not use it on a bad skin days... (^_~) But then again, maybe it would take the attention away from a random zit?  Who knows? ;D



You might have noticed, I am really under the influence of japanese fashion magazines... xD Well, I was reading the last JELLY issue (which I got from my beloved friends (^_^♥)) and there was this page, where celebs were showing their spring makeup. Of course the super fashionable Matsumoto Ena's part caught my eye and she was showing a bright orange-red lipstick she says she is using a lot recently. And really, don't you just see orange-red lips everywhere in fashion magazines now? I looooove the look and spring does call for bright colors indeed, so since I had 6 MAC empties (mostly dazzleglasses lol), I went to do some back2mac and get EXACTLY THE SAME lipstick Ena uses! Woohoo! (^___^')



Morange lipstick comes in "Amplified" finish. It is easy to get lost with all the different finishes, so here's a super useful bit from Karlsugar: Amplified lipsticks "are quite pigmented and have a cream finish (shinier than the mattes, but no shimmer or sparkle). They are one of MAC’s more moisturizing options, which (combined with the pigmentation) makes them a frequent favorite. Amplified Creme’s most famous shades are Dubonnet, Cosmo, and Blankety." (source here!! swatches too!)


Looks kinda messy, sorry, but you can see the loooovely bright orange-red color well ♥.

Here are my swatches:
no flash, daylight

flash

And swatches on lips! First no flash photos:


with Cherry Electric Superglass gloss on top! ♥

And now lip swatches with flash!

You can see the "amplified creme" finish nicely, it is opaque, but very creamy and moisturizing 
♥ And with the gloss on top ♥


REVIEW. First of all, I got this lipstick with back2mac program, because I wasn't sure if I was going to wear it, becasue usually I don't feel good in red lipstick (I like wearing bold lips sometimes, like Anime lip tar from OCC). But since it was free... I thought, lets try it! If Ena wears it, it can't be bad!! (<--typical, lol) And you guys, I would buy it with my own money too! It turned out this finish and colro are super wearable and look great! I find reds difficult to pull off, but this orange-red is really wearable and perfect for spring, to add some life to your makeup and coordinates! ♥ I am wearing it quite often now, around 3 times a week, and I really looooove it. If you are looking for a bright spring lip color, I really recommend this! 
MORE REVIEWS? You can read more on makeupalley.com or the amazing Temptalia blog. They have some nice pictures here too. Also here! :D

That's all, I will put the creme d'nude and Heavenly swatches up next. Have a nice day.

Monday, March 14, 2011

review: Missh Oriental Herbs BB cream (aka Choboyan BB cream)

first of all...



But.... even though my heart is breaking.... we have to go on with our lives too... 
to offer some distraction, here is my BB cream review. 

Here comes the review for a great bb cream which is known under a couple different names:
☆彡 Missha Oriental Herbs BB cream
☆彡 Oriental Herb Medicine Gold Care BB Cream
☆彡 Missha 美思 (misa) BB cream
☆彡 미사(美思) 초보양(超補養) 금설 비비진(眞)크림 SPF30/PA++
(Which reads Misa, Choboyan (ultra nourishing) BB cream)

You can officially see it here on the official Missha website (korean), or their japanese website (mm, I want the whole series...) or Missha USA website. I bought mine from ebay, from this eBay seller, and they have a nice description in english, that says:
"Missha Oriental Herbs BB cream is full of great ingredients to protect and nourish your skin.
This anti-wrinkle, whitening and sun blosk (SPF 30 PA++) BB cream has also several "anti" features: anti-aging, anti-trouble (patented) and anti-oxydation (patented) thanks to its quality ingredients like wild ginseng, gold powder, antlers extract and a wide array of oriental herbs."

And there is an ingredients list on the american Missha site that lists ingredients as follows:
"Water, Titanium Dioxide, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Dimethicone, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Arbutin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Zinc Oxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Calcium Stearate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Magnesium Sulfate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Diisostearyl Malate, Talc, Iron Oxides, Beeswax, Iron Oxides, Iron Oxides, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butylparaben, Cordyceps Sinensis Extract, Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Fruit Extract, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Fragrance, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, riethoxycaprylylsilane, Dimethicone/Methicone Copolymer, Propylene Carbonate, Adenosine, Asparagus Lucidus Root Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Tussilago Farfara (Coltsfoot) Flower Extract, Bacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Bletilla Striata Root Extract, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract, Cynanchum Wifordi Root Extract, Lycium Chinense Root Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Allium Sativum (Garlic) Bulb Extract, Asparagus Cochinchinensis Root Extract, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Coptis Chinensis Root Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Nut Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Poria Cocos Extract, Schizandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Silica, Terminalia Chebula Fruit Extract, Gold"
Phew! Long list! 

Anyway, if you think BB creams are a natural wonder, you are fooling yourself. There are silicones and parabens and other such ingredients, shunned by natural cosmetics fans. But they are there for a reason! They keep the cosmetic freash and help make your skin look great! All the ingredients in bold are good for skin of special added extracts - as far as I know, but I'm no chemist. I never had any skin problems from using it, I was using it when I had acne and was going through a harsh acne treatment that made my skin super dry, and this was the only thing that looked good on my skin! (*^^*)Thank you Oriental Herbs BB cream!!

Well, I also wrote a review about it here, you can also read it, I still agree with what I wrote there. But, I thought I want to write another one with photos and swatches! This BB cream was also popular in gyaru magazines, shown here used by Kumikki in Popteen (tumblr)! :) It says she applies a thin layer of this BB cream, adds concealer under eyes and powder and that's it, for natural-mori and baby skin


Also another page (tumblr) from Popteen with Kumikki saying she uses this cream as foundation:
So Kumikki`s base makeup is just this bb cream, concealer and powder. ^^*

Here is my review (again) and swatches!
The packaging is very pretty and looks not-cheap. 

I am using color #01, lighter beige. which is better for cold skin tones - if you are MAC NC 15-20-25 or lighter, you can use this. There is one more color, #02, which is warmer and a little bit darker, I think it would be suitable for warm, NW skintones. 


(=・ェ・=) The cream on my hand. It looks solid and light beige with yellow undertones.
I also have some green veins and red scratches (courtesy of: my cat) on my hand to demonstrate to covering power. ;)

(=・ェ・=) This is a big amount of the bb cream freshly spread evenly on half of my hand. In direct sunlight. Still fresh, so it looks more shiny. As you can see it covers redness and green veins too, it has a good covering power, but it looks natural. But I still suggest using concealer under this cream if you have bad blemishes or dark eye circles. (BUT PLEASE KEEP IN MIND, THAT'S A RATHER THICK LAYER, OK?)

(=・ェ・=) After a short while, the BB cream settles and gets more matte. I would say it has a half matte finish, definitely more matte than most BB creams! It has a very healthy looking finish, natural, bright, etc.  

(=・ェ・=) And the bb cream in sunlight and shadow. You can see it is a little bit dewy and covers everything well~
(BUT PLEASE KEEP IN MIND, THAT'S A RATHER THICK LAYER, OK?) It can be applied thinner :D

So OVERALL, this BB cream has tons of ingredients that are supposed to be good for your skin & I never had a strange skin reaction to it! It is not drying and does not change color throughout the day. I use concealer --> BB cream --> powder (either Missha loose powder or MAC Skinfinish Natural) and I am happy with how my skin looks when I come back home - I just take off some oil from t-zone and powder it maybe 2 times thru the day and it looks good.  About the oil control - BB creams are known for not having too much oil control. This one has better oil control than most bb creams I tried, but if you have oily skin/t-zone, you will need extra mattyfing help, OK?  :) This BB cream is definitely on the expensive side, but it is worth it in my opinion. (Around 30$ from eBay). I really recommend you try this BB cream, if you want to try BB creams, but don't want coverage that's too sheer - this BB cream can be applied very thinly and super natural looking too, but if you need more coverage, it will also work great(・∇・)ノ
I really really like this BB cream, much more than Perfect Cover BB Cream! <333

And a FOTD with this MAC Prolongwear concealer + BB cream + Missha loose powder.
I am wearing MAC Morange and B&C lipgloss on my lips and Woodwinked on my eyes (on a paint pot) and Dainty blush. Simple work makeup... with a bright touch from the lipstick! :D
(。・_・。)ノバイビー

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Feb/March Favorites and HELP JAPAN

Hello everybody! I hope you safe in your houses with your families... not all of us are so blessed...
I am still in shock after watching the NHK news and seeing the terrible tragedy that struck Japan! My thoughts are with the people in eastern Japan, where the tsunami was the worst. Please go to http://www.redcross.org/ and donate!!!
Just Hungry Blog: Other Ways to Help
Tokyo may be doing all right, but the situation in Tohoku region is tragic!! (T___T) So many people lost their homes, whole cities are wipes off the earth by tsunami waves... You can watch the latest (and not distorted by unprofessional foreign journalists) news here: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nhk-gtv (NHK live news)

(This is an amazing, moving poster btw!)

But, even though I feel so bad for Japan and my friends who are there, there is not much else I can from where I am now, than watch the news and send money. Lets hope the situation gets better for all the earthquake\tsunami victims soon! (I won`t pray, cause I`m not a religious person & I also advice you to, instead of praying, send some money!!!)

I decided to make a post today, so I can take my mind off the shocking news... Too much stress is bad! Please relax also! ...so, in this spirit, here are my february and march favorites:


1. The Body Shop - Body, room and linen scent (green tea and lemon)
The smell is really lovely~ Just a couple pushes and the whole place smells lovely! I also spray it inside my closet and before guests arrive - the smell is not too strong or fake, I really recommend it!! I also got the aroma oil from the same scent line. I smelled the other scents, but this one was the best IMO. Also, last time I went to Body Shop, it was sold out. Popular!
Iwostin is a polish brand, similar to Avene I`d say, only available in pharmacy. They also use thermal water from a local source and make specialized skin care cosmetics, also for delicate and troubled skin. I like the point gel so far, and the moisturising cream is really great! Moisturising and my skin absorbs it fast, but it is not fat! I will definitely get more cosmetics from this series!
3. Missha Oriental Herbs BB cream (also knows as Choboyan BB cream)
This is a repurchase and I really like this bb cream!!! I did a short review post on it a long time ago and it is one of the most popular entries on my blog! I will be definitely doing another review with color comparison photos and so on. :)


4. B&C Makemania lipgloss
I got it on sale from AdamBeauty (recommended!) and I really love it over red or pink lip colors or even on its own! Usually I am a glittery lipgloss fan, and this has no glitters or sparkles, just silicone-y "smooth" shine, but I like it a lot and apply it a couple time a day!


5. MAC lipstick in Morange (finish: amplified)
I saw it in JJ (or Vivi, I don`t remember), Matsumoto Ena said she uses it and since I had some MAC empty boxes around, I gathered them, took 6 and went to MAC to do the BACK2MAC program and got it for free! :D The color is suuuper intensive, I think it is best smudged out with a finger and definitely with gloss over it, the Makemania lipgloss works great! I do not feel too good in red lipstick, but this orange-red is much more wearable and such a happy, energetic spring color! I will be wearing it a lot this spring and summer! :D Also when I was getting it, the store makeup artist said he just got a "orange lipstick for photoshoot" request from a fashion magazine and send that color. Ena wears it, stylists want it, I got it, get it too! ;D
6. HadaNomi (肌飲み濃ミスト) Rich Collagen Mist (from SANA)
I got it from AdamBeauty too, just because I was curious and you know, I think "got to moisturise, got to moisturise!!!" all the time XD). I got it, and THEN I got home and went to read the cosme.net reviews on it! XD Some peopl wrote they use it as a lotion, after washing face and before applying milk and cream and makeup, so I tried that, I really like that way of using it! After washing my face with Kanebo Blanchir Suprior cream soap (which I also super duper love and I think it helped with my recent acne problems!!! :D), I spray a couple pumps of this mist on my face and neck and massage gently and pat it into my skin. Then I go on with my regular skincare and makeup routine and when I finish makeup, I spray one pump of this on my face. It is cheap, is non comatogenic (won`t block your pores) and smells nice, I will be using it a lot. Repurchase - I`m not sure yet. 

So, those are my favorites, I also loove love love KANEBO Blanchir Superior whitening skincare line, I am def. buying the big size Cream Soap, and hopefully sheet masks and lotion, but I`ll try to make a separate post about that. 
And to finish this post, a page from latest Vivi issue that I just can`t stop looking at, loooove trench coats!!! I got one from Bershka recently, but it is not perfect, I am still looking! Bye bye! And let`s donate to help Japan!!

Super cute spring style trench coats!! Want them all! XD

Thursday, March 10, 2011

お久しぶりです!

Hello my dears!! Sorry for no updates! I was very busy - but in a good way! I was having fun with my dear friends visiting me in warsaw from Finland and Korea! :D Now they are in France, but they will be coming back for one night and stay at my apartament then! Yay! 

Anyway, they got me one magazine and my other friend who visited Japan with his family also brought me some magazines and now I have those 3 babies home... (*________________*) WONDERFUL! Hours of studying the photos and all the text - lol, I seriously get into those magazines so much I read all the tiny text with info! :D JJ with Ena on the cover is great, it is really the magazine for me, fashion is more university student/OL oriented and there are tons of pages on beauty and hair! :D 


With my friend I was having drinks on 40th floor of Mariott hotel (photo on the right) and we were running all over Warsaw. :3 I was really happy to spend time with them, just being together was great, you know!? Friends like that are the best. :) Just say silly things or say nothing but feel good.
 

I will be posting review for Diamond Lash Celeb lashes and Shu Uemura cleansing oil an dKanebo Blanchir superior series skin care soon! :D Please bear with me and my rare updates! (^人^)
トゥース!