When Spring isn’t really happening.. You just buy some flowers and pretend it’s sunny out. February went by super fast, but still I had some very outspoken favorites this month! 

1. Kevin Murphy - Damage Manager: I was so happy when I discovered that my hairdresser (Kapsalon Bizar in Gent) now also uses and sells Kevin Murphy. How amaze-balls is that? This Damage Manager spray can be used on dry hair, smells amazing and is formulated with the best ingredients. This is the best heat styling spray I’ve ever used, seriously. A thorough review will follow!

2. Lush - American Cream Conditioner: This was gifted to me by one of my best friends for Christmas & needless to say it’s a great present. I love the smell (I would use it just for that!) and it’s all (or almost) natural, which can’t be bad. I’ve been using it a lot the past month and am halfway through the bottle now. And I will definitely repurchase..

3. The Body Shop Ginger Body Butter: I bought this one in London during sales at just 5 pounds. You can’t go wrong with their body butters and this one smells very different. You now probably notice how I like ‘different’ smells ;) This one says it’s ‘sparkly’ but it is not at all, so that’s why I went for it. 

4. NARS Stick Concealer in Custard: Bought this in London too and have been using it almost daily now. Full review can be found here. 

5. Etat Pur Express Purifying Mask: My skin is quite oily so a grey clay mask does wonders for my skin. This mask really absorbs the excess sebum and does some thorough cleansing as well. I love how it only needs a good five minutes, so it’s not a hassle using it at all. Oily skin types should do this twice a week; your skin will feel very refreshed :)

A while ago I received a BB Cream by Erborian which I absolutely LOVED; but it made me look a bit ill since it was just a tad too light for me. I gave it a couple of tries, but when a colleague asked me if I was feeling well; I decided to accept the fact that I had to let it go. I gave it to one of my best friends who swears by this BB and is a shade lighter than me. I thought that was the end to my BB experiment with Erborian, because I hate being in between two shades and having to find some sort of perfect mix formula using two products. Fortunately, I was wrong! I got to test the Erborian BB Cream for Eyes, which is exactly the shade I need. Which is a bit funny, since it only comes in one shade.  I guess you really just always have to try everything out beforehand. Not that I mind ;)

This BB is made especially for the eye contour (you can also use it on your lids!) and promises a “baby skin” effect. Now we all know baby skin isn’t going to happen anymore for us adult ladies, but whatever. The formula is very light weight and does not cake at all. In fact, I’m not sure you could ever really make this cake up, since the formula is very light and super comfortable! It’s perfect as a primer on your lids as well, it holds eye-shadows very well and does not crease on me. 

Next to being a great concealer, this is (as the term BB kinda implies) a treatment and an eye cream as well. Now I wouldn’t really skip my eye cream when using this, so I wouldn’t be able to comment on how that worked. It does contain an SPF25 though, which is a great addition other concealers mostly don’t have.  I usually don’t apply regular BB creams without my oil-free lotion moisturizer either, so I guess it’s just a habit or whatever you feel most comfortable with. 

The coverage with this BB for eyes is quite sheer, but still provides some coverage. I’ve seen worse BB’s, believe me. It’s just a bit buildable (I dab on a bit extra on the darkest parts), but doesn’t cake up. You only need a tiny bit as it spreads out well, so be careful not to use too much! All in all I really like this one: it’s a perfect color match and it conceals just enough for regular days. I just wouldn’t really replace my eye cream or eye serum for this. The price point is around €29.00 & in Belgium it’s sold only in Ici Paris XL. You can find the brand in Sephora in France & Space NK in the UK. 

So far my two experiences with Erborian have been really good, except for the shade mismatch in their regular BB cream. I’ve been a bit curious about their BB Night Mask too. Let me know which other Erborian products you’d recommend me & what your experience was with them!

If you follow me on Twitter you’ll have probably noticed how I went to Werchter festival last week. I’m very blessed to be able to do several festivals each year with my best friends & I always have such fun! However, as festivals are very dirty & sweaty you’ve got to be quite prepared when heading out there. Of couse you don’t want to carry a huge duffle bag with you on the festival terrain, so I advise you to pick your favorite small shoulder bag & select some useful beauty products that can make a true difference. I’m using my Kipling x Stylescrapbook camera bag this year as this baby deserves some more play time. It has very limited storage space, so check out which limited stash I choose to carry along with me. I haven’t included my wallet, keys & cell phone in the picture, but it gives you an idea.

A disinfectant gel is so useful during festivals! In my experience, good hygiene isn’t often to be found at festivals so you need to take good care of yourself. Don’t touch any food, touch up your make up or rub your eyes without first disinfecting your hands. As a first festival look aid, a good quality shine lipstick goes a long way when it comes to  plumping your lips. This year Chanel’s Rouge Coco Shine is my best lip bud. Then, I find that the first thing about my make up to start smudging in hot weather is my blush/bronzer. I’m carrying my Topshop Cheek Duo with me, which is a pink blusher&light bronzer two-in-one. Use a stippling brush to touch up your cheekbones without adding too much product. And of course one does not sleep too much when going to festivals, so you will need some industrial strength concealer. I strongly advise MAC Cosmetics’ Studio Fix Concealer, which works miracles on my dark circles. 

There are still loads more festivals coming up this summer, so I hope you’ve all got some lined up. Enjoy!

So this one is quite self-explanatory. Let me show you some mascaras! Read & watch on for more info & brush pictures.

Finding the perfect mascara can be quite a hassle. Also, I strongly believe in owning different mascaras for different occasions! And however great that one budget mascara may be, sometimes a girl just wants something luxurious to look at in her purse, right? So keep in mind that these all give some plump to my eyelashes. Some need multiple coats, some need loads of coats. I like it huge! No au naturel lashes for me.

Left to right: Essence I Love Extreme, Max Factor Masterpiece Max High Volume & Definition Mascara, NYC Bold & Big Mascara, YSL Volume Effet Faux Cils.

Left to right: YSL (snapped it twice by accident), Benefit They’re Real!, MAC Cosmetics Zoom Waterfast Lash & Max Factor False Lash Effect.  

If you’re on a very tight budget & still want huge eyelashes; Essence is the one to go for!  Going swimming? Plan on crying? Then opt for MAC’s Zoom Waterfast Lash. This one is so waterproof, even my best eye make-up remover needs to be doubled up to get rid of it! The prize for the prettiest and shiniest bottle definitely goes to Benefit, while the girliest ones are Max Factor & NYC’s. Keep in mind that Max Factor’s False Lash Effect usually comes in a purple container though. And then I’ve got these two small sample mascaras -YSL & Max Factor-, which fit right into my purse. Such a pity these sizes aren’t regularly sold! Some clutches are really tiny, you know.

A friend of mine went to the US & brought home some goodies for me. One of those things is Physicians Formula’s Happy Booster Glow & Mood Boosting Powder in Light Bronzer! I fell in love (online) with this product a few months ago. Just take a look at those 3D hearts! 

So what does it do, apart from just being a great light bronzer? It makes you happy! Well, it is supposed to anyway. There is a light scent to this bronzer which is caused by the Happy Boost Blend (natural plant extracts mimicking the effect of endorphins), so be careful if you are allergic to fragrance.

The bronzer is very light, which is absolutely perfect for my skin! It shapes my face perfectly. The product has a sheer finish & is not shimmery. I don’t really build up the color as I am quite pale, but you could totally create an even bolder look by re-applying a couple of times! 

I also really like the packaging. You can lift up the powder to reveal a brush (pink/red coloured) & a mirror. The brush is kind of stiff & a bit rough, but I never use travel sized brushes anyway. You just have to admit: it’s so cute!

I believed I paid $13.95 for this one. Such a bargain! If you want some pink happy boosting cuteness in your collection & you live in or are heading to the US.. Go for it! 

So I got some new MAC goodies. I’m addicted!

The Brush Cleanser, Fix+ Brume Fixante & Studio Finish Concealer are ‘refills’ as I’ve been using these for ages now. I get my concealer in NC15, which is two shades lighter than my foundation in NC25. If you’ve got dark circles under your eyes like I do, that’s the safest option that will mask most of the circles! I’ve been using the Fix+ spray under my make up for as long as I can remember, but a very friendly MAC Make Up Artist at the new Temporary MAC Store in Woluwe Shopping Center Brussels told me that you can also spray this on top of your foundation to ensure a dewy look. I like both options, but as I really love to spray a tad too much (it’s so refreshing) on my face after applying cream I’m going to stick to the first option. The Brush Cleanser is perfect to use in between thorough washes. It won’t harden your bristles & will leave your brushes clean & hygienic. 

I’m not a person using different blushes day to day. Some people do, but I really don’t. For my daytime look I stick to just one color. This time I got Prism, as it is slightly less red than Blushbaby which I used up until now. Also, Blushbaby is sheertone while Prism is matte. I’m not sure if I like Prism more, we’ll just have to wait a bit & see how it grows on me. I really like very outspoken blush ever since I lived in London. UK girls are much bolder with blush; just the way I like it.

I went to the opening of the new (& temporary for now) MAC Store in Woluwe Shopping Center in Brussels, which was at the same time as the launch of the Hey Sailor Collection. The Zoom Waterfast Lash I got was released together with the limited edition Hey Sailor products. It’s part of the collection but will go on being a permanent product. I’ve got loads of mascaras because I believe that every occasion has its mascara. I go big & bold at night, but during the day you need something that won’t look clumpy. So now, just in time for summer (do I hear someone saying poolside drinks?) I got my hands on this new mascara. It’s actually the waterproof version of MAC’s number one mascara Zoom Lash. I really love this mascara. Some people really dislike MAC’s mascaras, but let me tell you: this one is magic. If you want to talk waterproof; this is it. It adds length, curl & volume but doesn’t go too big. 

Take a look at Elfi getting dolled up all Sailor-style. She was even wearing matching striped clothing! As it was so busy in the shop I didn’t make any extra pictures. But Beauty Blog Land has been very busy photographing & swatching this collection, so you won’t be disappointed! You can find a very thorough list (including if the product will go permanent or not) of all the Hey, Sailor products here. If you want some extra product pictures (also close up) & swatches, go here. And local blogger Sunny also went bonkers swatching. Oh, and the backpack is such great quality! It has been promoted as my beach/gym bag. So classy! My fave of this collection is the highlighter for sure!

All in all, I guess you can really notice how much I love MAC. I never really understood make up until I bought my first MAC brushes. It’s sort of like a never ending romance. Cheesy, isn’t it? 

I admit: I have the worst dark under-eye circles you’ll have ever seen. Sometimes I wake up & I think that nothing is ever going to be able to mask them. And then every time my three heroes prove me wrong. I’m very happy to introduce them to you, because from now on your dark circle days are over!

MAC’s Studio Finish SPF 30 Concealer has been there for me for years. You could almost take that literally, as I can’t seem to finish this little jar. You need that little to cover up the area! I use it two shades lighter than my foundation. Benefit’s Boi-Ing is something I discovered years ago while browsing Selfridges. Some online orders, some Selfridge orders and then some Carnaby Shop stops later, this product still makes my heart beat louder. The texture is a bit more creamy than MAC’s concealer & the product comes in three shades. I stick to number one and two, depending on which time of the year we’re in. And then last, but certainly not least, is Sampar’s Glamour Shot Eyes. This baby has been with me for two months now. I found it in an ELLE goodiebag I received at a party. This really does everything it says it does. I’ve been amazed looking at my circles diminish. They’re not completely gone (add some light concealing powder on top!) but they turn so much lighter & my skin feels much tighter. Bye bye puffiness, hello gorgeous!

Last week, my  heart skipped a beat when I received Dr. Brandt’s BB Cream in the mail. Yes, I’m talking about the BB cream from heaven that I blogged about not so long ago! 

This BB cream has a very mild formula without any harsh ingredients. It comes in just one color and blends in with your own skin tone. It helps correct flaws, helps brighten your skin & provides a healthy glow. Another huge plus is the SPF30 added to this lovely formula. 

The trick with this BB cream is not to use too much, especially if you’re pale (NC25) like I am! I really like the smell (but I am quite weird when it comes to smells, so check for yourself!) and the color really is adjustable. Using loads will result in darker coverage, using little results in lighter coverage. Easy, no? As this is a BB cream you are not supposed to add a day cream as it’s got moisturizing features of its own. However, I am a bit stubborn and I use a tiny bit of cream anyway. What doesn’t kill you can only make your skin healthier, right?  I’m a huge fan of the coverage! It corrects my red areas and gives me a smooth, healthy look. Overall I must say that I was right: this really is the first BB cream that’s regularly sold in stores across Europe that actually does what it is supposed to do. 
Please refer to this post for more info on the price, ingredients & selling points! 

I’m sure all of you know Olaz, or Olay as it is called in most countries. It’s a well known, worldwide skin care brand by Procter & Gamble. Michelle Phan even recommended their skin care products in one of her first videos. And I’m a huge Michelle Phan fan. I got sent some of their products, so let’s get started and take a look!

Left to right: Total Effects Touch of Foundation, Regenerist Eye Serum, Total Effects Tonic, Total Effects Cleansing Milk, Total Effects Touch of Sunshine & Total Effects Cleansing Wipes.

I was very excited about these products as they are anti-ageing and you can never start using anti ageing products too early on in life! I would say that night treatments are the most important as overnight your skin repairs itself the most and any aid given is very welcome.

The Total Effects Touch Of Foundation cream has a lovely texture with a gorgeous smell. It’s actually a day cream with a hint of foundation mixed in. The foundation used is by Max Factor, and I got the light version as I am very pale (for reference: I am a MAC Cosmetics NC20/25). It also has SPF 15, which is extremely important. No really, if you have a day cream or foundation without SPF I would recommend to get a separate cream with added to add to your routine. In the right hand picture you can see how it spreads out. It blends in easily and is a tad shiny. The coverage is very sheer, so if you’re looking for something that gives you flawless skin I would recommend opting for a separate day cream & foundation. As I am someone using foundation daily to conceal the redness in my face I’d prefer some more coverage in this. However, I’m totally saving this one for when it’s weekend tanning time. I know I’m a little crazy using foundation when it’s really sunny, so this cream/foundation version seems like a good in between solution.
I haven’t yet used the Total Effects Touch of Sunshine cream as I am saving this one for summer. I really don’t want my face to tan, so using a day cream with added mild bronzer seems like the perfect solution. More about this product in a few months.. 

The Total Effects Cleansing Milk (pictured left) has a very nice smell and a silky, soft texture. This is your first step in cleaning your face & getting rid of make up. Olaz/Olay recommends to use the tonic after, but I would add an extra step: wash your face with your favorite foaming cleanser to get rid of that last bit of make up/dirt. I’m not a fan of cleansing milk, but I reckon this one does a good job. 
The Total Effects Anti-Ageing Tonic has the best smell I ever discovered in a tonic. It seems to really refreshen my skin, but leaves a sticky finish. 
The Regenerist Lifting Eye Serum (pictured right) has a very smooth texture with a shiny, silky finish. It’s supposed to create a lift around the eyes and smoothes the area around your eyes. There’s no noticeable smell around this one. I’ve used it for a few times and didn’t notice any huge change. However, I don’t have any wrinkles/extra skin around my eye area. I guess I’m not the perfect lab test case for this product!

The Total Effects Cleansing Wipes are really amazing. I am definitely going to buy these again. The wipes have a ribbed texture and smell really nice. Also, there are no parabens in these which is very hard to find in cleansing wipes! The texture helps removing almost all make up. Also, the formula is very gentle on my eyes. 

Overall I am quite positive about these products: most of the time the smell is really nice and the products seem to do a good job. These products appear to be really popular online, mainly because of the excellent price compared to high-end anti-ageing products. The creams sell for about 19 euro (13 pounds) and the wipes go for 8 euro (5 pounds). I would really recommend the cream with a hint of foundation if you’re looking for sheer and light weight coverage during summer time & the cleansing wipes if you’ve been (as I am) looking for wipes without alcohol.

I think we’re all still waiting for a decent BB cream that’s regularly sold in stores across Europe. Well, at least I am. I will admit that I haven’t tried out the Dior one which sounds promising to me, but now there is even another alternative that has caught my eye. It’s friendly on ingredients and has SPF30, which is such a huge plus as I’d wear BB creams in summer to have lighter coverage than in winter. The cream’s got just one shade, which adjusts to your skin tone. As with the better (Asian) BB cream, this one also helps even out your skin tone. It even has an antioxidant feature (based on plant extracts), and antioxidants are able to counter  and neutralize free radicals (remember how free radicals can be really bad for you?). Sounds like a dream? Well, it’s not. Meet Dr. Brandt’s flexitone BB cream. 

€39.00 (official info, ICI Paris XL) / $33.00 (web info) / £31.00 (web info, Beautybay.com)

Do note that I have not tried this one out yet. But it sounds promising, right? I’ve tried finding some useful reviews, but there are none online yet. Guess it’s still too new. I did find some bloggers that are as excited as I am regarding the fact that maybe this BB cream is finally going to reach the quality of the Asian BB creams. 

And as I am such an ingredient freak, here you go!

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
AVOBENZONE 2%, HOMOSALATE 7%, OCTISALATE 5%, OCTOCRYLENE 3%, OXYBENZONE 5.5%…..SUNSCREEN
INACTIVE INGREDIENTS
WATER (AQUA), BUTYLENE GLYCOL DICAPRYLATE/DICAPRATE, GLYCERIN, SUCROSE STEARATE, SUCROSE DISTEARATE, SYNTHETIC WAX, CETYL PEG/PPG-10/1 DIMETHICONE, POLYESTER-8, PHENOXYETHANOL, POLYGLYCERYL-3 POLYRICINOLEATE, POLYMETHYL METHACRYLATE, MICA, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, CALCIUM ALUMINUM BOROSILICATE, MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE, SODIUM BENZOATE, POTASSIUM SORBATE, SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE, LYSOLECITHIN, PERILLA FRUTESCENS (PERILLA) SEED OIL, CELLULOSE GUM, HYDROGENATED LECITHIN, HYDROLYZED PEARL, SIEGESBECKIA ORIENTALIS EXTRACT, RABDOSIA RUBESCENS EXTRACT,SILANETRIOL, SILICA, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499)

Which BB cream have you tried out? Which is your favorite? Any brands you would recommend me? Let me know on twitter or in the comments below!