Collective Drugstore Haul (Bourjois, Essence, Maybelline, La Roche Posay, Avene, etc)

It's been a while since I did a haul post , and that's because I was hauling only one or two things weekly in the past month and I was waiting untill I saw you all the things I got in one post. They're mostly drugstore stuff I got from various places, so let's start!

Avene Cleanance Gel cleanser
I've mentioned many times that this cleanser is my number one essential, it's the only gel cleanser I use for almost 15 years, and I buy one every 4 months. If you have oily and acne prone skin please try it sometime, it's amazing!

La Roche Posay Physiological Micellar Solution
A month ago I did a review about my HG micellar lotion, Vichy's Purete Thermale, and even though it's been my favorite so far, I always have this urge to try new things when it comes to beauty, and La Roche Posay's Physiological Micellar Solution was in my wishlist for a long time, so I decided to get the small bottle to try it out. I've only tried it twice and I actually really like it! It doesn't irritate my skin at all, and it leaves my skin matte, which actually Vichy's doesn't. I always use a cleansing gel after I take my make up off with a micellar solution because it leaves a sticky feeling on my face, but I could just easily use only the Physiological solution if I'm in a hurry, without having to cleanse my face twice, it's that good!

Sephora Waterproof Eye Make Up Remover
It's one of the best two phase eye make removers I've ever tried, and whenever I find it in a good deal I always grab one because it's a little more expensive than the drugstore one I use. It removes mascara very good without any effort at all, and it doesn't irritate my eyes which is very important to me because I have sensitive eyes.

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation
This is a foundation I've been wanting to try for a long time, and when they had a 20% off deal at Bourjois I decided to get it. I've been reading mixed reviews about it, people with oily skin either love it or hate it. I've tried it 2 times so far and my first impression is that it's a very good light to medium coverage everyday foundation that actually lasts on my skin without dissapearing within a few hours. My main problem with light coverage foundations is that within 4 hours it looks like I haven't put any foundation on my face at all, I didn't have that issue with this one though. Yes it gets a little oily around my nose and I may need to blot my face more frequently but I don't mind that, I have oily skin and I've learnt to live with that! The coverage is not super light, is more light to medium and i didn't expect that, I thought it would cover less and I'm surprised of how good it covers some of my redness and red spots. The ultimate test is whether it will break me out or not, that's why I have to try it for at least a month to be sure.

Maybelline Color Sensational Vivid lipstick in Electric Orange
The Vivid line just released in Greece and I really wanted to try one, the 2 euros off promo also helped! I wasn't sure which one to get, I wanted the Shocking Coral but when i swatched it on my hand it looked so pink so I got for the Electric Orange instead, which looked like an awesome color to wear at summertime. But OMG it is so neon, I'm really shocked with myself for getting that color! When I first tried it on my lips I was like "there's no way I can wear this color in public", it took me a few tries to figure out how exactly to wear it and I finally found a way! I first apply some Liposan (Nivea or Labello at other countries), then I line my lips with a soft peachy coral lipliner, I use the Essence 09 Nude Coral Lipiner, and then I just pat the lipstick lightly on my upper lips then I pressed my lips together so the lipstick will transfer to my lower lips too, that way it creates a beautiful bright peach shade on my lips, which is much more flattering than the bright orange.

Essense Match Cover Cream Concealer
A new concealer in the Essence permanent line, and even though it comes only in one color combination I really wanted to try it. When I swatched it on my hand I found it was super creamy and that is the reason that made me buy it in the first place. Coverage - wise though this concealer is very week, it's not for those who have problem with dark circles like me, but I'll continue using it. I like to blend both colors with my fingertips, because the light one is too light and the darker one is exactly the same color with my skin.

Essence 3D Eyeshadow in Irresistible Chocolates
These 3D duo eyeshadows are new in the Essence permanent line, and while I was browsing the colors, this shade was the one that caught my eye! I still haven't used it on my eyes, but from the swatch on my hand the lighter one is like a warm beige taupe shade and the darker one is a grey-khaki one, I hope it will look good on my eyes!

Foltene Eyelash and Eyebrow Treatment
I ordered this from Feelunique one month ago and since then I've been using it every single day. I got it for my eyebrows because they're so thin, and I read the best reviews about this treatment. I don't know if one month is too early to notice any results but I there's a noticable difference on my left eyebrow, which is the most problematic one, it looks more thick and I' very happy with that. Even my mother noticed it so I think this product is a win-win!

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Top Coat
I also ordered this one from Feelunique because I don't think it's available here in Greece. I was in desperate need for a quick drying top coat because my Poshe became really thick and I find annoying the fact that it shrinks my nail polishes a lot! I'm really happy that I got the Insta-Dri because it's amazing, it has a thin texture which I love, it doesn't create bubbles while others I've tried with thin texture did. And the most important thing is that is doesn't shrink my polishes. Too bad Feelunique decided not to ship nail varnishes internationally anymore!



These are the things I hauled the past month. Have you tried any of these? Do you like them?
Let me know!

Mac Pro Longwear Foundation Review

I think it was about time to write a review about my HG foundation, which is Mac's Pro Longwear.

It's so hard for me to love a foundation, and that's because I'm very picky. But I will tell you why I fell in love with this foundation from the first time I've tried it!

Packaging

It comes in a glass bottle and it comes with a pump that locks, which makes it very travel friendly. I love the fact that it comes with a pump because not all Mac foundations have one, for example the Studio Fix Fluid doesn't have a pump and you have to buy one seperately, and that costs 4 euros!

Texture - Application

First of all let's talk about the shade. I use the NC20, and the NC color range is yellow based, it's more for warm skintones. Of course not all warm skintones need yellow toned foundations, and that's when the problem starts with Mac's foundation color range. Some people, like me need more beige toned foundations, some brands do make foundations with beige shades, but Mac is not one of them! They only have yellow and pink, and in order to make a good beige shade you have to mix both pink and yellow. The good part is tat the Pro Longwear's NC shades are not as yellow as the Studio Fix Fluid's ones. The NC shades at the SFF are so yellow that made me look like a dead person.

Let's move on to the texture and how it applies onto the skin. It has a very liquidy texture, and at first that makes you think that this foundation cannot be as longlasting as it claims to be, but when I start applying and blending it into the skin it starts to become very drying, so I have to be very quick. But it doesn't feel heavy on the skin at all, it actually feels very lightweight, and that was a huge problem I had with the Studio Fix Fluid, it was very drying but also very cakey and heavy.  I tried to take a few pictures to show you how exactly the foundation applies on my hand:

It doesn't dry to a complete matte finish, it has more of a semi-matte one, and that makes it perfect for combination and oily skintypes. There are a few problems though, for those who have combination skin they might find it a little to hard to blend and smooth it out all over the face, a good moisturizer or a primer will help with that. And for those with oily skintype, like mine, it may get a little shiny after a few hours, mostly around the nose, but nothing that a blotting powder or a blotting paper cannot fix. 

As far as how long this foundation lasts, I have to say that it's one of the best long lasting foundations I've tried so far. It claims to last for 15 hours, I think that the longest time I've tested it out was 12 hours and it really lasted without transfering all over my face. That's what I love the most about this foundation, it's transfer resistant, not all long lasting foundations are. The coverage it provides it's not a full one, but more of a medium one, but still it covers redness and pimples really well, it's just not full coverage like Estee Lauder's Double Wear. I also have to say that it's one of the few foundations that doesn't break me out, and that is rare because the majority of the foundations I try,do break me out.

It does contain SPF10, and foundations that contain SPF do create a white cast at photographs, I haven't been photographed wearing this foundation so I can't tell you if it does that or not, but I have been photographed with the Studio Fix Fluid which has SPF15 and it didn't create a white cast, so I guess this one doesn't either.

 Price

In Greece it retails for 31.5 euros, and you can find it at Mac Stores and Mac counters in department stores.

Pros

-Transfer-resistant and long lasting, 12 hours and more.

-Ideal for combination and oily skintypes.

-It doesn't break me out.

-Doesn't feel heavy or cakey on the face.

- It comes with a pump.

-Less yellow toned than the rest of Mac foundations.

Cons

-It may not be as yellow as the other Mac foundations, but it's still yellow toned.

- It might get shiny throughout the day, especially for those with oily skintype.

- It makes the dry and flaky patches visible.

Rating: 9/10

I gave Mac's Pro Longwear foundation a very high rating, because it's really one of the best long lasting foundations in the market. I've been using it for over 2 years and my opinion about it hasn't change at all, it will always be my HG foundation, and even though I like to try different ones I'm sure I will always return to this one!

Have you tried the Pro Longwear foundation, do you like it? I wanna know! 

L'oreal Volume Million Lashes Excess Mascara Review

At the end of January I did a haul post here , in which I bought a new mascara to try out. The L'oreal Volume Million Lashes Excess is the newest addition to the Volume Million Lashes line, they had a 5 euros off deal because it's a new release here in Greece, so I grabbed it. 

It's the first time I'm doing a mascara review, and I promise you that from now on I will review every single new mascara I try.

Brush - Texture
The Excess Volume Million Lashes mascara comes with a plastic brush like the original Volume Million Lashes mascara, only it's longer and less thick. The brush is extremely lightweight and bendable, and if I had to compare it with Benefit's They're Real mascara, it's way better. Benefit's brush isn't bendable at all, it's very stiff and it poked my eyes like crazy. 

As you can see the brush it's pretty long, and with only one swipe it covers my whole lashes from the inner to the outer corner.

The texture of this mascara is what I like the most about it. All the Loreal mascaras I've tried so far have amazing texture, and this one is no exception. It's very lightweight, doesn't make my lashes feel heavy at all, and I can brush my lashes with it a few times without clumping. From all the mascaras with plastic brush I've tried so far, this one is by far the best. One more positive thing is that it doesn't smudge, and this is rare for a non waterproof mascara.

Application

 I was debating whether I should post a picture of my eyelashes with the mascara on or not, because I don't have the best eyelashes a person could have, they're super straight and thin. But I wanted to show you how the mascara performs so I decided to post it. Just keep in mind that I have no other make up on, just one coat of the Excess mascara. And please excuse the brows, I'm just trying to grow them.

As you can see it's like I put nothing on my lashes! It didn't hold the curl ,and I curled them with an eyelash curler right before I applied the mascara. It adds no volume at all, but again I haven't found a mascara with a plastic brush that does, maybe except the Max Factor False Lash Effect. At least I expected to make my lashes look longer and curled, but the only thing it does is to seperate my lashes really well and make them look super black. If I put a second coat it makes them look a little longer but it starts to clump and I don't like that.

Price

In Greece it retails for 19 euros, pretty expensive for a high-street/drugstore mascara in my opinion. I'm not so sure but you if can still find it with the 5 euros off deal, like I did.

You can find it at stores like Hondos Center, Sephora etc. 

Pros

- Lightweight formula that doesn't make eyelashes feel heavy.

-Very bendable and soft brush.

-Seperates lashes really well and easy, and it's perfect for the bottom lashes.

-It doesn't smudge.

Cons

-It doesn't add volume, it only makes lashes look longer.

-It doesn't hold the curl, even if you use an eyelash curler before.

-Very expensive for a high-street/drugstore mascara.

Rating: 6/10

I may not be very happy with the Volume Million Lashes Excess mascara, but it's not the worst mascara I've ever tried! I really love the formula and it's perfect for everyday looks, but since my lashes are very unnoticable I'm always looking for mascaras that will make my lashes more voluminous and curled, and the Excess one just doesn't do that. 

That doesn't mean that it's not going to work for you though. I'm pretty sure that if you have naturally thick and curled lashes this mascara will be perfect for you. One thing I've learnt all these years that I'm using mascaras, is that they never work the same for a huge amount of people, a mascara is a very personal issue and that's why I always keep trying new ones.

If you've tried the L'oreal Volume Million Lashes Excess mascara, let me know if it works for you or not, I wanna know!

I just noticed that on this day one year ago I posted my first blog post, so happy 1st blog anniversary to me! I wanna thank you all for your support, you are so special to me! Look out for a surprise giveaway soon!

February Favorites.

It took me a few days to figure out what to include in my favorites this time, because honestly I didn't wear that much make up within February, so it was hard for me too choose what products to show you guys. Most of them are rediscoveries from my make up stash, so I apologize for the lack of variety in my favorites post this time. But anyway let's see what I loved the most last month:

Mac ProLongwear Concealer NC20

I know that in my last haul post I mentioned that I wasn't quite sure if I liked this product or not, after trying to apply it with many different ways, I figured out that it's quite good. Yes it's still a little dry for my undereye area, but I use an eyecream anyway, and yes I should have gone for the NW20 shade instead but I like its liquid texture a lot and the coverage is also really good, better than Seventeen's Ideal Cover and almost as good as the Mac Studio Finish one.

Sigma P82 Precision Round Brush

This is the brush I found out that works the best with the Mac ProLongwear concealer. I tried applying it with different brushes such as Mac 217 and Sigma P86 Precision Tapered, which is pointy, but both didn't work as good as the P82. It's rounded and somehow it does the exact same job as fingers do, but with more precision, and blends the product into the skin way better than fingers do. What I like to do is first dot the concealer under my eyes with my fingertips and then use the P82 brush to blend it.

from the left top row clockwise: Arena, Time & Space, Bronze and Cork.

Mac Arena, Time & Space, Cork and Bronze Eyeshadows

These are the 4 eyeshadows I used the most last month, they are my "safe" eyeshadows when I have no clue whith what eye look should I go one day, I always reach for these 4. I use Arena all over the lids, Time & Space on the middle of my lids, Cork on the crease and Bronze on the outer V and on my lower lashlines. I bought all 4 of them seperately, and except Time & Space the rest of them are in Mac's permanent line.

Korres Eyebrow Pencil in Dark Shade 1

Well when it comes to my brows I go through phases, sometimes I want them to be very light colored and as natural as possible so that's when I use Mac's Lingering or Mac's Omega eyeshadow for an even more natural look. Other times I prefer them to be a little more bold, that's when I use this brow pencil from Korres. It's a medium cool toned brown not too dark, but it's darker than Lingering, and with a soft formula. What I love the most in this pencil is that it has no red tones in and it's not too ashy either like Omega eyeshadow.

Mac Fleurry Blush

I know I've mentioned this blush before, too many times actually, but I can't help it, I love it so much! It's the perfect peachy pink blush that goes with any make up look,it's the safe choice .Until now I haven't found a blush with a similar shade, from any brand, too bad it was limited edition!

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture #6 Rose Bergamasque

This is one of my HG lipsticks but I've only mentioned it once, many months ago, and that's because I haven't used it for quite sometime. It was about time to start using it again, because it's the most perfect warm pink shade I've found so far. This and Mac's Way To Love are my HG pinks, but Way To Love it's a little more pink and cool toned where Rose Bergamasque has more peach in, but it's still pink on my lips. The Pur Couture lipsticks have an amazing formula, they glide on lips really well but they're not glossy, they have a very lightweight texture that is something between satin and glossy, and that's what makes them unique! Here's a swatch for you:

 Here it looks more peachy than pink, but it's just the lighting and my pale hand that makes it look like that, on my lips it's definitely more pink.

Korres Pomegranate Cleansing Mask

You propably know already how much I love the Korres Pomegranate Scrub, I've talked about it so many times, last month I rediscovered that I also own the mask but I've totally forgot about it, so I gave it a chance. I have to say that it's a very good cleansing mask, especially for blackheads. I'm using the Vichy Normaderm 3 in 1 one that I got in December but I haven't notice any difference on my skin or my pores. I used the Korres one twice within a week and I already saw a small difference on my blackheads, especially on my nose. My only complain in that Korres keep selling all their masks and scrubs in small 16 ml packages, please Korres make them in biggers packages, I love them so so much!

Non Beauty Favorites

I totally forgot to mention non beauty favorites in my last monthy favorites post so I'm doing it this time! The past few months most TV shows have really dissapointed me, I don't know why but their plots are just getting so boring. I didn't really like the first half of Pretty Little Liar's third season, except the few last episodes, but now I'm quite enjoying it. I like the second half way more and I like the fact that they decided to make Spencer a little more dark and intresting character, because I used to find her the most boring one. And it's weird because I'm pretty sure that the majority of the people who watch the show did not like Spencer's change, but oh well it's just my personal opinion.

This is it!! This is my number one obsession for over 4 months now. I have my tumblr page for a year but the obsession became worst since last fall. If you don't know what tumblr is and you're just starting exploring it, I have to warn you that is really really addictive, so please be careful!

But if you do have a tumblr page, you can follow me here , I'd be more than happy to follow you back, and become really good tumblr friends!

Well these were my favorites for last month, I hope I didn't bore you that much! 

And if you've tried any of the products I mentioned here let me know if you like them!