February 16, 2017February 16, 2017 - vicky Leave a comment

CURRENT MAKEUP FAVORITES VOL 1

Hello everyone and happy 2017! I can’t believe the holidays are over and a new year, full with potential and surprises has come. For the first (and admittedly late) post of 2017, I thought I would share with you all the new makeup additions to my collection, which I am excited to use. You probably all know by now how much of a beauty-addict I am. I need to try new products all the time, without of course forgetting my favorite staple ones.

The first thing on my list is the one I am most excited about: the Kat Von D Tattoo liner. OMG! This is the best eyeliner ever! I am not very good in using eyeliner – I’ve only been using it for a couple of months now- which is why this eyeliner is perfect. It has the finest, thinnest tip ever, which I absolutely love because it helps me create a simple but precision fleek. It is so easy to use and it is buildable, which means you can go for a cute daytime thin fleek, to a thicker and bolder nighttime one. I have already stocked up with a second one!

Another favorite I actually got in a magazine is the new Rimmel Volume Colorist mascara. I am such a sucker for mascaras and I love trying new ones all the time, which is why I have more samples than full-sized ones. This is my first Rimmel mascara and I have to say I was very impressed. It has a tint complex that supposedly tints your lashes and makes them stand out more. So basically if your lashes are quite pale and sometimes non-existent, this mascara will add color to them during a period of time and make them stand out even without it. On that subject I don’t have to say much, since my lashes are quite visible on their own and I haven’t been using only this mascara on a daily basis. What I loved about it is the long, slightly pyramid shape brush with the perfectly separated bristles. This brush elongates and separates my lashes, making them look beautiful yet natural; it is just perfect for a simple day look.

Another brand I absolute love is Colourpop. I had heard so many amazing words about Colourpop products that last year I decided to take the plunge and try a few of its famous Liquid Matte Lipsticks and boy was I not disappointed! The lipsticks are incredible and at such an affordable price (full review here). This year I thought I should try out some other products as well, such as its highlighters and eyeshadows. Although full reviews and swatches of everything I got will follow-up soon enough, I simply had to mention two of my favorite Highlighters in this post. The first one is called Hippo and it is the most gorgeous, icy lavender color ever and the second one is called Monster and it is a beautiful nude/champagne shade with pink shimmer. What I love about these highlighters is how creamy (they are creamy and not powdery) and how discreet they are. They are quite sheer, yet buildable and create a gorgeous shimmery effect. Especially the Hippo one had literally lifted my cheekbones; it was beautiful!

Still in the Colourpop brand and apart from the shadows and highlighters, I also got my first Ultra Satin Lipstick, since I only had matte ones. I was a bit skeptical about the Satin finish as I don’t really enjoy creamy and shiny lipsticks. The one I got is in the shade London Fog, a lovely, deep -yet bright enough- red. Once again Colourpop hadn’t disappointed me. The color is so beautiful and I feel it really suits me. The satin finish is very lovely; it is not creamy and shiny at all, on the contrary from a distance it looks rather matte. But it is more moisturizing than a matte one, and it glides easier on the lips.

Another makeup favorite I absolutely love is Burberry’s Lip and Cheek Bloom in the shade Purple Tulip. This is a multipurpose product as it can be used on the lips and cheeks. It is not an actual lipstick and blush but more of a lip and cheek stain. I really like these types of products for when you are on the go or travelling, plus they are perfect for a more natural everyday makeup look. This product is really creamy and buttery, and has a lovely color payoff. The shade I got is simply amazing; if there was one shade in the whole world that could describe and be me, it would be this shade. It is the most gorgeous pink/fuchsia shade!

I have always loved full and well-shaped brows. I believe they basically map and frame the entire face. All my eyebrow products are among my favorite ones. Even on the days I am going for a more casual and natural look, I always take care of my eyebrows. Most of the time I am using either powder products or pencil ones but I always wanted to try the Dipbrow Pomade by Anastasia Beverly Hills. When I first used it I was very excited as my eyebrows looked amazing and fierce; so professional. However, I have to warn you guys that this is a very creamy and pigmented product. You literally need the smallest quantity for the entire brow, otherwise you risk of looking like a fool with slug-eyebrows. Also you need a very thin and sturdy brush because precision is the key when using this product. It is long-lasting and quite smudge-proof. Absolutely recommend it!

The last makeup item I recently got and love so much is the Matte Lip Colour lipsticks by H&M Beauty. I got quite a few due to the sale that’s been going on these days and I am totally hooked. They are really good quality, long-lasting and truly matte. Also the color selection is quite huge and caters for all tastes. I got different shades ranging from red and coral-red to fuchsia and purple. They are all equally pretty. And the best about them is their amazing price at 10 euros! So cheap yet so lovely!

Which are your favorite makeup items you currently swear by? Don’t forget to connect with me through my Instagram @vogueandmacarons!

Vicky xx

April 25, 2016July 31, 2016 - vicky Leave a comment

MY TOP 5 RED LIPSTICKS

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I love lipsticks! It is something I have mentioned before in many posts. From all the makeup products available, lipsticks are my absolute favorite, because a lipstick is basically the only thing you need to achieve an eye-catching makeup look. If you are lazy like me and you don’t really feel like going all the way on a daily basis with your makeup, a lipstick is the perfect way to create an effortless and simply put-together look. If you are in a hurry, just put on some lipstick and bam you are ready to go! One of my favorite lipsticks color is red. I don’t really need to talk much about why, since red is the most iconic and classic color. It is a color you can wear any time of the day and season of the year because of its many different shades. You have bright red, burgundy, brick-red, orange-red, berry red, blue red and the list goes on. There is literally a shade that compliments every different skin and hair color combination. Because red is such a staple color, I couldn’t but have a bunch of them. Don’t forget that I am a lipstick hoarder 😉 Here I share with you guys my top 5 favorite red shades of lipstick and why I like each of them.

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Russian Red – MAC

This was my first red lipstick and obviously it has a special place in my heart. It is a vivid red with blue undertones, which give a cool hue to it. It is matte, which is my favorite finish, and I love wearing it all the time. Like literally all the time. I am quite pale and I feel that it really works for me. It is perfect for all year round as it is a quite standard shade of red.

Audrey – NARS

This is part of NARS’s audacious collection. I absolutely love this lipstick, because although it has a creamy, hydrating feel, once applied it dries matte. It is a beautiful red shade with a hint of pink to it. It is darker than Russian Red and deeper. I love this shade for the cold winter weather, as it is between burgundy and berry shades. Also the formula of this lipstick is simply insane; moisturizing and non-drying matte. What else can I ask for?!

Dashing – Marc Jacobs

I got this lipstick as part of the Christmas holiday Sofia set. I was longing to try the famous Marc jacobs lipsticks and boy was I not disappointed! All of the lipsticks feel amazing on my lips due to their formula. Although they are creamy and not matte, they are very steady and long-wearing. This is a beautiful deep but not dark, shade of red. This is the red I imagine the old Hollywood stars would wear. A beautiful shade for all year round and in my opinion it looks flattering on everyone. It is not a eye-catching shade, but a subtle yet sexy one. I really love it!

Cruella – NARS

Another NARS favorite, this is not your traditional lipstick. Instead it is a lip pencil you can apply on the entire lip. It has a velvet feel and it really glides on the lips. It has a quite matte finish but non-drying. I got it as a birthday present from Sephora and I was really excited because I have seen so many positive reviews on NARS velvet lip pencils and especially this shade. I am in love with it. I am actually contemplating buying the regular size, even though I still haven’t finish this one. It is darker than the previous shades. It doesn’t have a pink or blue hue, but more like a deep scarlet red. Another shade I would wear all the time. Also very easy to apply because of the pencil form.

Avenue – ColourPop

My top 5 would not be complete without a ColourPop lipstick. This one is an Ultra Matte one, which means that even though it comes in a lipgloss form, it is a liquid lipstick that dries completely matte. This is actually the mattest of them all. It dries immediately but it doesn’t dry the lips at all. It is completely matte and so lightweight you forget you have something on your lips. Also it is very long-lasting and the cheapest of them all. The shade is a beautiful deep red cherry red. It is the closest from the shades to burgundy, therefore I prefer wearing it in the winter and fall. I love wearing it in the nighttime for a sexy, sultry look but I believe it is appropriate for all day long. I have a review on the ColourPop lipsticks where I share my thoughts about them extensively.

A red lipstick is a staple makeup product. It comes in many shades and types of finish and there is a right one for every woman. It makes any look sexier and more polished. Above I shared my 5 favorite ones which I love wearing all the time; day or night, winter or summer. I really don’t care about the Dos and Donts when it comes to my red lipstick, but instead I wear whatever makes me feel good. Comment down below and share your favorite red lipsticks. Also don’t forget to connect with me on Instagram (@vogueandmacarons) and Twitter (@vogueandmacaron).

Till next time take care dolls 😉

Vicky x

April 10, 2016July 31, 2016 - vicky Leave a comment

EVERYDAY NATURAL MAKEUP LOOK

For my everyday go-to makeup, I try not to use many products or create a “heavy” look. I am a fan of the more natural look that basically enhances my characteristics instead of altering them or hiding them. Therefore I don’t really use bright or dark eyeshadow, however, from time to time I pick a red or a fuchsia lipstick because I like adding a pop of color to the natural look. Having a simple makeup look is also great for transitioning from day to-night by touching it up and making it a bit bolder. If the look is too strong already, I don’t think it differentiates from a nighttime look. The look I share with you guys, is one of my favorite for everyday because it is simple, it brightens up my skin and makes it look youthful, dewy and fresh. I love rose gold, nude and brown/mauve shades so most of the looks I create revolve around those colors. Now let’s get started shall we?

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Step 1 – Face

When doing my makeup, the most important thing to me is to create a flawless base. Therefore, I use more products and effort for my face than my eyes or lips.

MAC Prep and Prime primer (on face and eyes)
NARS Sheer Glow foundation in Mont Blanc
Bobbi Brown Corrector in Bisque
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla
Too Faced Cocoa Powder foundation powder in Fair (for setting)
Too Faced Sweethearts Blush in Candy Glow
Benefit Cosmetics Liquid Face Highlighter in High Beam (on cheekbones, nose, brow bone and cupid’s bow)
Too Faced Bronzer in Chocolate Soleil (for contouring)

Step 2 – Eyes

Before I am going for a natural look, I like to use nude/light brown or rose gold/pink eyeshadow. I don’t like to use too many different shades as it kind of cancels the whole simple purpose of the look. Once I am done with the shadow and mascara, I do my eyebrows. I always do my eyebrows, even when I don’t use any shadow on my eyes at all, as I believe the eyebrows to be the most important facial characteristic. They frame the face and give structure to it. Well groomed eyebrows can make a huge difference to the way someone looks. Therefore, my biggest makeup advice would always be: never omit your eyebrows!

Urban Decay Naked 3 palette shade Strange (as a base all over my eye and eyebrow bone – perfect pink/white)
Urban Decay Naked palette 3 shade Burnout (on my lid as the main color – gorgeous metallic rose gold)
Urban Decay Naked 3 palette shade Limit (as a blending shade to soften the look and also apply on lower lash line – great matte pink/brown)
Lancome Definicils Mascara
H&M Soft Kajal Eye Pencil in Pale Nude (on the waterline to brighten up the eyes and make them look bigger)
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz pencil in Medium Brown (for the eyebrows)
Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel (to set the eyebrows and blend them out a bit)

Step 3 – Lips

For my lips I don’t have a specific routine as they are my favorite part of my makeup. I like being playful and bold but I also like being subtle and natural. I know it sounds complicated, but basically I can wear anything on my lips. From liquid lipsticks to lip pencils and from burgundy to pink. For this look I decided to go for pink since there is rose gold on my eyes.

MAC Lip Pencil in Edge to Edge (I trace my natural lip line and then fill them in as well – perfect medium pink shade)
Rosebud Perfume Co. Lip Balm in Rosebud Salve (I mix it with my lip pencil to create a glossy, plum, natural lip plus it moisturizes the lips)

For my everyday makeup look, I prefer to use natural, soft shades that enhance my face and make it look fresh and bright. I don’t like to use many products or bold colors as I am usually going for a natural, simple look. For the makeup look I shared with you, I used light brown, rose gold and pink shades, as they are girly and perfect for spring. Comment below and share your favorite daily makeup looks. Also don’t forget to connect with me on Instagram (@vogueandmacarons) and Twitter (@vogueandmacaron)!

Till next time take care dolls 😉

Vicky x

April 4, 2016July 31, 2016 - vicky Leave a comment

STEPS FOR GLOWING SKIN

Glowing, youthful skin is something all women strive to achieve through various products and treatments. Our skin is very fragile; it gets damaged very easily either from factors we something to do with (like diet and makeup) or factors out of our control (like the environment and time). Although it is not easy to change the effect these factors have on our skin, there are ways for us to protect and even repair our skin by minimizing the effect of the negative factors. Bellow, I share with you guys some easy daily and weekly steps that should not be omitted and that will help to achieve the glowing skin we all desire.

DAILY STEPS

Daytime

Cleansing: Every morning it is important to cleanse our skin once we wake up. You might think that it is not necessary as all we did was sleep, so how come the skin is dirty. However, throughout the night, our skin is exposed to the environment around us, plus there are the products we used the night before that need to be removed. Therefore, we should cleanse our skin with a mild cleanser, to merely refresh it and wash away any impurities.

L-R: first aid beauty, philosophy, lancome, lancome, first aid beauty, clarisonic — L-R: First Aid Beauty, Philosophy, Lancome, Lancome, First Aid Beauty, Clarisonic

Moisturizing: Once we have cleansed our skin and before applying any makeup, it is important to moisturize it. During the day our skin is exposed to the harsh environment, like the sun and the car fumes, plus we have makeup on. Either the weather or the ingredients of our makeup, might dry our skin. In order to keep our skin hydrated we need to apply a light moisturizer, that will not burden the skin or interfere with our makeup.

L-R: kiehl's, charlotte tilbury, lancome, lancome, jurlique — L-R: Kiehl’s, Charlotte Tilbury, Lancome, Lancome, Jurlique

Sunblock: The final step of a daytime skincare routine, must be the sunblock. We all know how harmful the sun can be for our skin. From creating free radicals and quicker aging to skin cancer, the sun rays are a major source of skin damage. Therefore, it is essential to apply a good, high protection sunblock before applying our makeup.

Nighttime

Remove makeup: Removing our makeup at the end of the day is the basic step of a good nighttime routine. Many women tend to omit that step, which results in all the chemicals from the makeup products to stay in the skin for the entire day. This essentially results in a lot of damage; from breakouts to dry and irritated skin. Therefore, it is crucial to remove all the makeup from the face and eyes.

L-R: Koh Gen Do, Clinique, Johnson & Johnson, Biotherma, Ren — L-R: Koh Gen Do, Clinique, Johnson & Johnson, Bioderma, Ren

Cleansing: Once the makeup is removed, we should cleanse our skin. Even with the makeup remover products, some makeup will remain on the skin. Plus our skin has been exposed and covered in makeup throughout the day. Therefore, it is very important to cleanse it with a stronger cleanser than the one we used in the morning. The cleanser will relieve the skin from all the dirt and damage it has been through since morning.

L-R: fFrst Aid Beauty, Philosophy, Lancome, Lancome, First Aid Beauty, Clarisonic

Serum: Before applying our nighttime moisturizer, it is important to apply a lightweight serum over our skin. Based on the skin’s needs, it could be a hydrating one, a brightening one or an anti-aging one. Serums are more concentrated than moisturizers and packed with beneficial ingredients. They are basically boost-shots for the skin.

F-R: Algenist, Nude, Jurlique, Dior, Lancome, Dior

Moisturizer: The last step of a good nighttime routine is the moisturizer. Same as in the morning, the moisturizer will hydrate the skin during the night. Since during sleep our body doesn’t function as intensively as the rest of the day, and since we don’t put makeup on while we sleep, the night moisturizer has to be a bit thicker than the day one. The night moisturizer can also have anti-aging properties. Don’t forget that during sleep, our body heals itself and repairs any damages, so we should do what we can to help it.

WEEKLY STEPS

Apart from a good daily routine, it is important once or twice a week to exfoliate our skin and apply a mask. Exfoliating is important as it removes the dead cells and skin. It basically rejuvenates the skin and polishes it. The “bad” skin is washed away for the “new” one to emerge. Because the exfoliating process could be a little harsh for the skin, it is important not to overdo with it; exfoliating once or twice a week is more than enough. Apart from exfoliating the skin, applying a mask is equally important. It could be a hydrating, brightening, anti-aging or anti-blemish mask; the mask’s purpose is dictated by the skin’s needs. Face masks are concentrated and therefore easily absorbed by the skin. They offer an instant boost or repair of any damage done to the skin. Applying a mask on the face is a spa-like treatment but in the comfort of your own home. Again a little goes a long way, so once or twice a week is the perfect frequency for face masks.

exfoliators — F-R: Lancome, Fresh, Chanel, Laura Mercier

L-R: H&M, Fresh, First Aid Beauty, Lancome, Fig & Yarrow, Kocostar

Following some simple daily and weekly steps will result in clean, glowing, youthful skin. Using only a few products, can help achieve the perfect skin we all desire. Although my skin doesn’t have any specific problems, I follow these steps, as much as I can, to protect my skin and keep it glowing and fresh. Comment below and share your favorite skincare routine steps. Also let’s connect on Instagram (@vogueandmacarons) and Twitter (@vogueandmacaron)!

Till next time take care dolls 😉

Vicky x

March 20, 2016 - crazyandfashionable Leave a comment

Perfect Eyebrows + My Eyebrow Routine

HOW TO GET THE PERFECT EYEBROWS + MY EYEBROW ROUTINE

One of my favorite parts while doing my makeup, is the eyebrows. I just love eyebrows! I believe that they basically frame the face and give some structure to it. Imagine how weird your face would look without eyebrows. I know right? Therefore, eyebrows are a very important part of any makeup routine.

The first thing is to give the right shape to your eyebrows. By right I mean the shape that suits and flatters your face the most. The best thing would be to follow the natural arch and pluck it based on that. The two ends of your eyebrow are guided by your nose and your eye. So basically to find the beginning of your eyebrow mark a straight line from your nostril and up. Where your nostril ends is where your eyebrow begins. The end of your eyebrow is found my placing a ruler or a pencil diagonally from your nostril to the outer corner of your eye. This is where the eyebrow should end. To find your arch, you get the very same pencil/ruler and from the end of your nostril (like all the previous times), you take it at the centre of your pupil and up. That’s how you find where the highest part of your arch should be. It is an easy peasy way to map your eyebrows.

My eyebrow routine-Favorite products

When I groom my eyebrows, I basically pluck them where I need to in order to maintain my shape, and then I also use a tiny pair of scissors to trim them a little bit. I also use alcohol before I start plucking, to open up my pores a little so the process won’t hurt that much. Of course, I also brush them through the entire process so I can see how they will look eventually.

When I am doing my eyebrow makeup, I use a few products I really like. For feeling in my brows I use a pencil or a shadow. My favorite pencil is the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Medium Brown. I absolutely love that pencil because it has a very fine tip, which is perfect for creating a natural (not overdrawn) look. Plus it has a spooley brush as well.

When I have more time at hand, I prefer to use a shadow than a pencil. My favorite duo is from the Naked 2 Basics palette from Urban Decay. I use the second darkest shade called Primal for the first half of my brow up to my arch, because this is a lovely taupe-brown shade that will keep the look natural. If I used a darker shade my eyebrows would look unnatural and overdrawn. For the second part of the brow I use the darkest shade called Undone, because it is a cool-toned dark brown, which is perfect for filling in my sparse part. I use an angled brush because of its shape.

After I am done with the filling of the brows, I brush them with the spooley to blend any excess product and then I use my Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel to set my eyebrow so there won’t be any unruly hair flying to different directions. Sometimes when I am too lazy to fully do my eyebrows, I use a tinted eyebrow gel to fill them in a little and set them at the same time. I mostly use the Anastasia Beverly Hills Tinted Brow Gel in Brunette but lately I am loving Benefit’s Gimme Brow in Medium/Dark. Both of them are lovely.

Besides the products mentioned above, I also love Urban Decay’s Brow Box in Brown Sugar. It is an amazing all-in-one product as it has 2 shades for the brows, a pair of tweezers, two angled brushes and wax to set the brows. An amazing tool perfect for daily use or when travelling.

Brows are an important part of the face; they add structure to all the characteristics. Therefore, grooming them is an important part of a makeup look. It doesn’t matter what you use to get the right brow; it could be shadow, pencil or simply a tinted brow gel. No matter what you choose to use or how you choose to do your eyebrows, keep in mind that they should always frame your face and highlight your features. Try not to overdo them but instead always keep them natural-looking. It doesn’t matter how thin or thick they are as long as they look natural and not like glued on or drawn on. I would love to know your eyebrow routine and your favorite eyebrow products. Also lets connect on my Instagram (@vogueandmacarons) or Twitter (@vogueandmacaron).

Till next time take care dolls 😉 xxx

Vicky

March 13, 2016 - crazyandfashionable 1 Comment

ColourPop Ultra Matte Liquid Lipsticks Review and Swatches

COLOURPOP ULTRA MATTE LIQUID LIPSTICK REVIEW AND SWATCHES

Liquid lipsticks are a new trend that has emerged the last couple of years. They are basically lipsticks in the form of a lip gloss, which ultimately dries matte on the lips. The idea of a lipstick that is absolutely matte thrilled me, as I love lipsticks with a matte finish more than any other lip product. Although I already own and love a couple of Too Faced Melted lipsticks, for a while now I wanted to try the famous ColourPop Ultra Matte liquid lipsticks that everyone is raving about.

I ordered 8 – yes 8! – because it was simply hard to choose from the huge variety of colors. Plus they are very affordable at 6 $ which is cheaper than any other lipstick I own. Once I put them on, I saw what the whole fuss was about; the lipsticks are amazing! First thing’s first, they are very easy to apply because of the shape of their wand. Secondly they dry extremely fast; by the time I am done with my upper lip, my lower has already dried. They are very pigmented, which means they cover my natural lip color entirely, plus you can easily built them up by going darker and darker. Once they have dried you don’t feel there is anything on your lips. They are very light and they are not drying the lips at all. They truly are the mattest thing I have ever put on my lips. This part alone is what makes me super excited for them. I love anything that is really matte, so immediately these lipsticks earned a place in my hard. Lastly, they can last for a long, long time. You can actually eat, drink or even kiss someone and the lipstick will remain unphased. I have never seen anything like this before. This exact feature is also the only downfall as it does take a minute or two to properly remove the lipstick from my lips. I have to use my best makeup remover and actually rub my lips in order to get it all off. Because of the rubbing, the area around my mouth is stained with red color, but this is easily fixed with some powder. Best part is that you don’t feel like you have anything on your lips, plus the lipstick doesn’t dry the lips out at all, despite being matte. Bellow there are swatches of all the 8 lipsticks I got so far!

I really love my ColourPop Ultra Matte lipsticks. They are seriously amazing. The formula is rich, pigmented, non-drying for the lips and it dries pretty fast and pretty matte. Add an incredibly low price and you have the best liquid lipstick combination ever! I would recommend them to anyone who is looking for some great, affordable, matte liquid lipsticks. Do you guys like liquid lipsticks and if so which one is your favorite? If you have tried ColourPop which shade do you like? Also, don’t forget to pop over Instagram (@vogueandmacarons) and Twitter (@vogueandmacaron) and say hello!

Till next time take care dolls 😉 xxx

Vicky

March 10, 2016 - crazyandfashionable Leave a comment

4 AMAZING MOISTURIZERS FOR DRY SKIN

Dry skin is a problem we all have encountered at some point of our lives. Although I would not normally characterize my skin as dry, in the winter due to the cold weather and humid atmosphere, it can get pretty dry. This is really frustrating as I hate seeing my skin flakey and dry, plus it is more challenging to apply my makeup and for the makeup itself to last. In order to keep my skin hydrated and soft, I apply a moisturizing cream every day. I like to alternate my moisturizers because once my skin gets used to a product, the product doesn’t work anymore. All the moisturizers mentioned below are my favorites and I am really satisfied with all of them.

Lancome Binefait Multi-Vital Night

This is my favorite night moisturizer. I use it literally every night for the past 3 weeks and I am really happy with it. It has a light, sheer feel but it is a very rich moisturizer. A small quantity is enough for my entire face. It doesn’t have an unpleasant scent, and it doesn’t have any oily residue. It moisturizes my skin incredibly. Once it is fully absorbed, my skin feels very smooth and soft. In the morning my skin looks plum and clear. It has a nice healthy look and it is still very soft. I absolutely love this cream!

Givenchy Hydra Sparkling Moisturizing Cream

I have this moisturizer for a couple of years now and it doesn’t fail to satisfy me every time. It is a thick, creamy moisturizer that is easily applied and instantly absorbed by the skin. It makes my skin immediately soft and smooth. It moisturizes it and keeps it hydrated for hours. It has shea butter which does wonder for the skin, as it gives it a nice and fresh glow. It does have a perfume scent which might be unpleasant to some, but I personally am not bothered at all. I really like how good my skin feels afterwards.

Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Magic Cream

I got this cream as part of the Gift Of Goddess holiday set and I was really looking forward to try it. I was instantly in love with it. With its SPF 15 it is the perfect day moisturizer. It has an amazing scent, as it smells like roses and gardenia. It is easily absorbed, although it is quite thick. Again a small quantity is enough for the entire face, as it is easily applied. I love how smooth and soft my skin feels afterwards; so plum and fresh. Plus it is protected from the damaging sun rays. Hydrated, soft and protected; what more can you ask for your skin?

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream

Kiehl’s moisturizer is another favorite of mine. It is a nice, thick moisturizer without an unpleasant scent. It is easily applied on the skin like the others and it has a sheer finish, which means it is absorbed quite fast. It does stay on the skin a little longer than the others though. It makes the skin very hydrated and it is supposed to keep it that way for an entire day! I really enjoy wearing this moisturizer when I don’t intend to put makeup on as it takes a little longer to be absorbed.

Moisturizing your skin is one of the most important daily rituals that should never be omitted. Not only dry skin needs moisturizing; any type of skin needs hydration. It is a way to keep the skin soft, plum and glowing. All these moisturizers are equally amazing. They make my skin smooth, fresh and hydrated. I can’t pick out my favorite one as they are all great. There is the one for the night, the one for the day when going out and the others for any moment really. I would love to hear which are your favorite moisturizers and why. Also don’t forget to pop over my Instagram (@vogueandmacarons) and Twitter (@vogueandmacaron) and say hello!

Till next time take care dolls 😉 xxx

Vicky

February 28, 2016 - crazyandfashionable Leave a comment

MY FAVORITE PERFUMES

Hello everybody and happy Sunday! Today I am going to share with you guys my favorite perfumes; the ones that make me happy and I love wearing them. For years I was a perfume addict; I was wearing a perfume every single day, because the idea of having a scent trail when I was out and about, made me feel really happy. I don’t wear perfume for others don’t get me wrong; I wear perfume because it just makes me feel good about myself. I feel fresh. That’s it! I feel like I just stepped out of the shower and I smell all lovely and fresh. I also love the associations created in someone’s head when they smell my perfume. However, a few years ago I developed certain allergies. I never had allergies in my life, but apparently the last 3 years I have developed some sort of allergies that sadly could get worse due to strong odors. Therefore, I was advised not to wear strong perfumes or too often or too much. This made me really sad because I already had a quite big collection, which I did partially give to my mom. However, I still have a few perfumes I really love and wear, plus a couple of new additions to my collection.

Miss Dior Cherie

This is an iconic perfume. It is probably the oldest in my collection and there is only a little left. It has a lovely orangey tone along with a hint of jasmine, which is one of my favorite flowers. I really love this perfume because it is not sexy and sultry; instead it is more girly and innocent. It is what a Lolita would wear. Plus the bottle with the cute bow is simply dreamy!

Lily of the Valley and Ivy by Jo Malone

I got this perfume last summer and it was part of the limited edition Tudors collection by Jo Malone. I didn’t have a Jo Malone perfume by then but I had heard many amazing things about the brand. Once I smelled the perfume at the store I instantly fell in love with it. It is the most wonderful scent I have ever smelled. Honestly and without exaggeration I love this perfume; it is the perfect powdery scent combined with the notes of lily flower. I love how it reminds me of the countryside and green fields. It is a nice light perfume that makes me feel peaceful.

French Lime Blossom by Jo Malone

Another Jo Malone favorite, I love this scent so much that I was torn whether I should get the perfume or the candle. Eventually I went with the perfume because I wanted to have the scent on me more, instead of my house. I got it on Christmas and I have been wearing it all the time since. It is another very light powdery scent, combined with the scent of blossomed flowers. I love wearing this all day round.

Coco Mademoiselle by Chanel

Another old-time favorite, this perfume is my oldest along with the Miss Dior Cherie. I have always loved Chanel as a brand because it symbolized elegance and class. This perfume is exactly that: an elegant citrusy perfume that is not as light and girlie as the previous ones. On the contrary, it has a stronger, more oriental scent. It is more feminine than girlie. I love wearing it in the nighttime more, although in the past I used to wear it in the day as well. Now I just feel it is too strong for the day time, so I use it on special occasions at night. This is the perfect elegant, mysterious and feminine perfume.

Valentina by Valentino

This perfume is one of the latest additions to my collection. When I smelled this perfume in New York about 2 years ago, I was instantly in love. It had an orangey scent combined with jasmine, kind of like the Miss Dior Cherie, but a bit sweeter. It is a soft floral perfume with a bit of sweetness, perfect for the day time or in the nighttime, when I am going for a more girly look. I am so happy to finally get my hands on this perfume. I love the scent and the beautiful bottle with the pink and white rose. So feminine and romantic! I haven’t got the chance to wear it many times yet but I absolutely recommend it to everyone who wants a classy, romantic and girly perfume.

Bon Bon by Viktor & Rolf

This is the second latest addition to my perfume collection. I absolutely love this perfume. Like with Valentina, I first saw this perfume on my trip to New York 2 years ago and I was instantly drawn by its unique bottle. Who can resist this cute fuchsia bow? It is so beautiful! This perfume has a quite sweet scent as the name suggests. However, it is not sickly sweet. It has the right amount of sweetness that doesn’t make you or the others sick, but it does linger, leaving a sweet trail behind you. Apart from the orange and jasmine scents that seem to attract me, it has a caramel tone which justifies the sweetness. I really enjoy a sweet scent, because it just makes me happy and makes me feel like I am a living, breathing candy. It feels playful and fun. Its purpose is not to seduce but to just bring joy. Whenever I wear it I feel I am simply irresistible, because who can resist a sweet bon bon candy?

I love wearing perfumes or even body mists; it just makes me feel really good and lifts up my mood. I like the powdery and flowery scents mostly, but sometimes I like a strong, almost masculine scent. I do have a soft spot for men’s perfumes as well, but I don’t really have anything like that. I enjoy wearing perfume pretty much all the time; in the morning when I go out for a casual walk and also when I am going out at night. In the daytime I do prefer to use the body mists more as they are lighter and easily dissolved, whereas in the nighttime and on special occasions, I like to spray on a nice perfume. Although I really love each and every one of the perfumes I have mentioned above, I am more excited to wear my latest additions. I know that due to my allergies, I am not supposed to wear perfumes a lot but I know I am going to add a couple more to my collection pretty soon. I just can’t resist! I would love to know your favorite perfume or body mist. Comment below and share your favorite scents and also don’t forget to pop over my Instagram (@vogueandmacarons) and Twitter (@vogueandmacaron) to say hi!

Till next time take care dolls 😉 xxx

Vicky

February 21, 2016 - crazyandfashionable Leave a comment

SMASHBOX 25 YEARS LIPSTICK PALETTE REVIEW-SWATCHES

SMASHBOX 25 YEARS LIMITED EDITION LIPSTICK PALETTE-REVIEW-SWATCHES

Hello guys and happy Sunday! In this post I am going to review a product I was really excited to get my hands on: the Smashbox 25 years limited edition lipstick palette. Smashobox is a very popular makeup brand that, among others, has one of the most amazing primers I have ever applied on my face: the Photofinish Foundation Primer. Besides that primer, I hadn’t tried any other product of the brand, but I had high regards of it based on the things I had heard online. Now you all know I am a lipstick hoarder. I love lipstick a lot, in fact they are my favorite makeup item. I love having different shades and different types of finish. When I saw this palette I knew I had to have it. It is like a little treat; all these amazing colors in one box! Smashobox released this palette in order to celebrate they 25 years since its foundation. Therefore, the limited edition palette has 25 shades, each for a year. I really like the palette’s direct association with the brand’s celebration of its 25 years from foundation.

The palette itself is gorgeous; all black, sleek and minimal. It has a huge mirror and the brush is very nice. Smashbox’s makeup brushes have good reviews, so I was glad they did include a brush in the palette. Now as far as the actual lipsticks, they are all amazing. As a pale brunette with reddish lips, I expected a few colors not to suit me. Shades like light pink, brown, nude and corally/orangey red are out of my comfort zone plus they have the “dead” effect on me. Once I tried on all the colors I was blown away. Most of the colors don’t look as intense on as they are in the palette. On the contrary they easily blend with the natural color of my lips and give a more tinted effect. I can also build them up and make them more vivid and intense. Even the colors I was wary of looked amazing on; very flattering. I was excited because now I can wear some shades I wouldn’t wear normally. The variety is huge: nudes, browns, pinks, reds and plums; from very light to very dark. The type of finish varies as well: there are matte ones (my favorites) and creamy/satin ones too. The creamy/satin ones are more sheer and shiny, whereas the matte ones are more vivid and steady. The red and fuchsia/red shades do tint the lips a little bit as the majority of these colors does. On the swatch picture I mention the finish as well as the shade of each color. I believe that because there are so many different shades, everyone will be satisfied; those who prefer more neutral and pink shades, those who love red and those who like a little bit of dark plum in their lives. Also the lipsticks can be used for day to-night looks. They are easy to apply with the brush and easy to remove. The palette is not small, so it’s not easy to carry it with you in your bag, but I personally don’t care much about that since I get the amazing deal of 25 lipstick shades in one. I highly recommend the palette.

When I was contemplating on buying this gorgeous palette, I was worried about the quality of Smashbox lipsticks. Since I hadn’t tried any of them before and since I am quite picky with my lipsticks (I am a matte lover), I was a little concerned. Therefore, I was searching online for reviews of it. Sadly I didn’t find a single review. I actually found a misleading site, where instead of reviews, it had complaints of girls about the very existence of the palette, even though they had never tried it out. The lack of reviews about something quite unique and relatively pricey, prompted me to write this review, in hopes of helping others who are interesting in it. Overall the palette is a dream. It has a good quality design, a nice big mirror, so many shades – practicaly everything – and an amazing professional lip brush. The lipsticks set nicely and blend easily. For some reason all shades but one work great on my lips! What’s not to love about that right? If you already have the palette I would like to know what you think of it. If you are thinking about buying it and you’re looking for some more information, don’t hesitate to mail me. Also I would love it if you could pop over my Instagram (@blueberrylover) and Twitter (@vickyinlalaland) and say hi!

Till next time take care dolls 😉 xxx

Vicky

February 14, 2016 - crazyandfashionable Leave a comment

MY MOST AND LEAST FAVORITE MASCARAS

Mascara is an important part of any eye makeup look. It enhances the lashes and adds definition and intensity to the eye. Even a “natural” makeup look can stand out with a touch of mascara. There are many different types of brushes that serve different purposes. There are those that add volume, length, intensity or all of them together. I have tried quite a few mascaras and I have come to absolutely love a few! I really like my mascara to separate and elongate my lashes and I really hate it when the mascara clumps my lashes and makes them stick to each other. In this post I am going to talk about my favorite mascaras and about those I don’t really enjoy wearing.

Lancome Definicils

This is probably my favorite mascara. I love how long, slim and neat the brush is. It reaches my entire lash line even the inner and outer corner. It doesn’t apply a lot of product to the lashes, so it doesn’t stick them together. On the contrary it separates them and creates a natural look. You can easily build it up and make your lashes as intense as you like. It also is not messy at all. It is the perfect mascara for defined, long yet natural-looking lashes.

Lancome Hypnose

Another amazing product from Lancome, this iconic mascara really deserves all the hype. It is a little different from the Definicils one, as its brush is kind of wavy instead of straight. This is very helpful for adding volume and thickening the lashes, instead of elongating them. It has a creamier formula, which really intensifies the lashes and creates a more dramatic look instead of a natural one. I like how once again it reaches my entire lash line and how doesn’t clumps my lashes, even though it does carry a lot of product. This is the perfect mascara for a statement night-time look.

Benefit They’re real!

This was my favorite mascara for years prior to the Lancome ones. I really love this mascara. Before I used it for the first time, I wasn’t really wearing any mascara, as I was disappointed from all my previous ones. This mascara really changed my life. It has a lovely long brush, similar to the Definicils one but a little bigger. The bristles are quite small; therefore it doesn’t carry a lot of product. Just like the Definicils, it lengthens my lashes without clumping them at all. I also use it close to my roots to add some volume and curl to my lash line. Basically, it is multi-mascara that adds volume, curl and length to the lashes without creating a mess.

YSL Effet Faux Cils

This Yves Saint Laurent mascara is my last favorite one. It has a shorter brush than the others and it has a swirly design instead of bristles. Although it is shorter, it does get to my inner and outer corners quite easily. The swirly design of the brush may give the impression that it creates a lot of mess, but actually it doesn’t. It is very neat, even though it carries a lot of product, and it doesn’t clump my lashes. It creates full, bold lashes by adding volume more than length. It is perfect for creating a deep, intense, dramatic look like the Hypnose one.

In order to have a more complete and honest post, I thought it would be helpful to mention a couple of mascaras that didn’t satisfy me as much as all the above. I need to stress out that the following mascaras are not terrible but simply not as good or effective as the previous ones.

Too Faced Better Than Sex

I was really, really disappointed by this hyped up Too Faced mascara. I had been dying to try it for quite a while, so when I finally got my hands on a sample of it, I couldn’t contain my excitement. My first impression was that the brush is very messy. It has an hourglass shape, which is a great idea for adding volume and length to the inner and outer corner, while keeping the middle more natural. This idea would have worked better if the bristles weren’t as long and very close to each other. This is the perfect example of clumping mascara. It carries way too much product that is not distributed evenly and as a result, my lashes are clumped and they stick together. I really wanted to love this mascara because I love Too Faced as a brand, but I was not satisfied at all. I feel that in all it is a great idea but poorly executed.

Buxom Lash Mascara

This mascara is quite disappointing as well. I got it as a sample in a Sephora goodie bag and I was really excited to try it out. At first I found weird how instead of screwing the lid, you simply pull it out. I believe that this very design is the main reason why this mascara is bad. The brush is straight and long with short bristles, which normally would be great, but the size of it is big. It is like a triple version of the Definicils one. That size combined with the pull-out design, result in a clumpy and messy mascara. A lot of the product is gathered at the two corners of the brush which in turn clumps the corners of my lash line. Also as mentioned, the brush is too big to handle and I feel it’s too big for my eyes in general. I do however believe that it is not as bad as the Too Faced one. In my opinion, if the brush was longer and screwed in, it would be much better.

Make Up For Ever Smoky Extravagant

If there was a big brush competition, this mascara would be the winner. Its brush is simply huge, which obviously is a problem to me. I like its unique “pyramid” shape, where one corner is small and as you move to the other one it gets bigger and bigger. This is perfect for making the outer corner lashes longer and more voluminous, creating a flutter look. As much as I love the idea, like with the Too Faced mascara, I believe it is poorly executed. A multi-purpose mascara for lengthening and volumizing the lashes, it would be amazing if it didn’t carry so much product. It really clumps my lashes. A lot of product is gathered in the inner corner of the brush, while there is a huge size difference between its two ends. The outer end is much bigger than the inner one, therefore the inner corner is clumpy and the outer corner is too big for my eye. The only good thing is that it is swirly mascara, because if it had bristles it would be really awful.

I have tried many different types of mascara because I love trying new products. Each one has a different style and a different purpose, but not all of them are effective nor do they achieve that purpose. The worst thing mascara can do, is to clump and stick your lashes. Sadly some of the mascaras above do exactly that. However, there are some that are absolutely lovely! They elongate the lashes without clumping them for a nice everyday look, or add some serious volume for a more dramatic one. Comment down below and share which is your favorite mascara and why. Also don’t forget to pop over my Instagram (@blueberrylover) and Twitter (@vickyinlalaland) to say hi!

Till next time take care dolls 😉 xxx

Vicky