September 2014 – A Cosmetic Affair

REVIEW | PUPA Milano Lasting Color Gel in Delicate Crimson

This week on my nails I am wearing the Pupa Milano Lasting Color Gel in 018, Delicate Crimson. Although I have tried other makeup products from Pupa, this was my first time using one of their nail polishes and I was pleasantly surprised.

The application is smooth and you are able to get thin, even layers in one swipe. The colour itself is a gorgeous bright pink that has a sheeny finish even before applying the top coat. I only did two coats of this shade and the colour comes through even after just one coat.

This range from Pupa are called the Glass Effect Nail Polishes and the formula aims to give your nails a gel-effect finish that dries to a shiny, glass-like formula, that looks super glossy. The application brush is flat and wide for an easier application in just one swipe and drying time is fast and hassle free.

For the Pupa Nail Polishes you get only 5ml of product, but I must say that I do enjoy the packaging and the quality is definitely impressive.

What do you think about this gorgeous pink? What other shades do you recommend I try next?

The Yves Rocher Beauty Spa | An Introduction

Although the Yves Rocher stores have been in Malta for only about a year, they have also recently opened up one of their Beauty Spas in the Paola outlet. If you have not heard about Yves Rocher yet here is the skinny on the brand…

“Yves Rocher is the originator and lead of the brand. Celebrating more than 50 years of beauty, Yves Rocher researchers are constantly studying the adaptability and life mechanisms of botanicals. All of their products are botanical and guaranteed to be safe and effective.”

If you have been round this parts before you may know that I really enjoy the brand and have in fact reviewed some of my all favourite products here. Therefore when Yves Rocher contacted me to visit their Beauty Spa and try out one of their facials I was over the moon.

The Yves Rocher Beauty Spa is part of their store in Paola and offers a vast range of services and facials that are sure to accommodate the needs of everyone. They offer facials to relax, purify, soothe or boost your skin. For the body they have a number of massages that can last up to an hour and they also offer makeup application and waxing treatments.

Here is a little about how my experience at the spa went. As soon as I stepped in the Beauty Spa I was offered a warm drink – I went for the Black Vanilla, a favourite of mine. The atmosphere is very relaxing and even though I had been a bit nervous about this experience I soon loosened up and sipped my tea whilst reading some of the magazines that were at my disposal.

Since my skin is very sensitive and tends to break out I went for the Sooth Treatment that lasts 1 hour 15 minutes and in which they use products with botanical Sophorin to get rid of the redness and calm the skin. One thing which I was very impressed about is that the products used for the treatments are not the same ones that are sold in the store. They are the professional version and are exclusive to the Yves Rocher Beauty Spa’s. The beauty therapist that was carrying out my facial explained to me how she had been trained by other therapists from abroad to perform the facial. So whichever Yves Rocher Beauty Spa you go to around the world, you will be receiving the same service and the same products will be used on you.

Another thing I really liked was that some of the products are in sachets, and that for each treatment a whole sachet is used on just one person, thus ensuring that the properties of the product are used most effectively and in a very hygienic way as well.

Now to be honest, I have always been a bit sceptical about facials. Only had one in my life and was not that impressed. But there are no words to describe the wonderful feeling of bliss and relaxation that you are left with after the treatment is done. Moreover my skin felt refreshed, clean and clear.

If you are feeling in desperate need of a pamper, just head on to the Yves Rocher Beauty Spa or check them out on Facebook or Twitter!

Yves Rocher Stores can be found at:
11, Bisazza street, SLIEMA (Next to Sorbino and Ice watch)
219, Merchants street, VALLETTA (Next to Pumpkins Patch and in front of Caruana or the Electro store)
76, Antoine de Paule square, PAOLA (Next to Gauda)

Find them on Google Maps here.

TAG | My Makeup Story

A few months back I saw Judy from itsjudytime do the My Makeup Story Tag and I have been wanting to do it ever since. Here is my version and I have added a photo of some of my favourite makeup products as well 🙂

1. How old were you when you started wearing makeup?

I have always loved makeup and I remember each year for carnival I would have my mum do a full face of makeup on me since that was the only time I was allowed to wear proper makeup. However by the age of ten I remember starting to do my own makeup, just a bit of concealer, some blush, eye shadow, mascara and lipstick, but only on the weekends.

2. How did you get into makeup?

As I have said, I have always loved makeup, even though my mum never really wore much of it. As I started growing up my skin started breaking out a lot and makeup helped me feel more confident and beautiful even though my skin was rebelling so much.

3. What are some of your favourite brands?

Rimmel, Bourjois, Sleek, Maybelline, NYX, Essence and Catrice, are just a few of my favourite makeup brands.

4. What does makeup mean to you?

Makeup to me means confidence and how I choose to show myself to others. It helps me feel more at ease and lets me express myself differently everyday depending on my mood.

5. If you could only wear 4 products on your face, what would they be?

Hmmmm, I find this question quite difficult to answer but they would definitely be foundation (or some kind of base), mascara because I am all about enhancing the eyes, bronzer, to help shape and give colour to my face, and a coloured lip balm, to give a pop of colour and keep my lips hydrated at the same time.

6. What is your favourite thing about makeup?

I feel like makeup lets you express yourself and help you come up with a different identity for yourself every time. It can help you look professional or elegant, cute or bold, delicate or fierce.

7. What do you think about drugstore makeup vs high-end makeup?

I have only tried a couple of high-end brands and I love how they perform. However, I find that more and more drugstore brands have risen in quality that the price point of higher-end brands is not justified for me. In comparison, some higher-end brands have disappointed me whilst drugstore brands have surprised me.

8. What is one tip of advice you can give a beginner?

“Start with less. You can add to it but not take it away.” This is a tip I sometimes forget to follow myself if I am being impatient or in a hurry with my makeup. When you are applying products start with less and build the look up. Do not just slather it on but layer it to add it up until you get the final look you are going for.

9. What is one makeup trend you never understood?

There are a number that I feel I can never understand, but one which I will never ever try is the dark lip liner and lighter lips. It just looks like you drew a mustache all over your lips to me. #toeachhisown

10. What do you think about the beauty community on YouTube?

I have been watching beauty videos on YouTube for years now and I have seen how much the videos have changed over the years, in a good way. I love discovering new products, learning different techniques I had no idea existed and discovering new people that love makeup as much as me.

That is the end of my makeup story so far but I would also like to tag some people to do it as well.

Elaine from Blabber Beauty

Maya from Blue Jeans and Red Lipstick

Lola from Lola Loves Sparkles

Lyndsey from Splashes of Looks

Davi from Lady with No Name

Caroline from Diva Inside

Please check out these lovely ladies and post your tag post down below if you want to do your makeup story too!

REVIEW | Yves Rocher Nutri-Repair Mask

When you hair is in desperate need of some TLC, using a hair mask can get your hair looking its best in no time at all, with little effort. The Yves Rocher Nutri-Repair Hair Mask is one of my absolute favourites when it comes to repair and moisturise my hair. It is enriched with Jojoba Oil and Shea Butter and it is specifically targeted for very dry or frizzy hair, both of which my hair tends to get sometimes.

The consistency of this mask is creamy and easy to apply on the hair. A little goes a long way and it smells heavenly. Even after you have washed, rinsed your hair and styled it, I find that the scent still lingers on just a little, which is amazing. Although some masks tend to weigh down my hair a bit, this one is nothing like that, especially since you only need just a little bit.

If you find this to be a problem for you too, try applying your mask before going in the shower on slightly damp hair. Then shampoo and condition as normal, to make sure that your hair is not being weighed down by products that are too rich. Using a deep cleansing shampoo such as this can also help get rid of product build up!

The products from Yves Rocher are all botanical so you get ingredients which are extracted from plants. For the Nutri-Repair Mask you get 150ml in a brown and green tub which will last you for months. It is also Silicone free, Paraben free and Colorant free, so really good for you! I like to use mine about every two weeks and it helps condition my dry ends, repair any damaged hair and control the frizz.

What is your go-to hair mask when you hair is in need of some love?

REVIEW | Summer Sweatproof and Longlasting Rimmel Duo

If the summer heat turns your face into a melting puddle of makeup that ends up sliding all over, then you need to get your hands on some good long-lasting products that will keep the shine in control and your makeup in place. These two products from Rimmel are my winning combo when I want my makeup to last for a long time and actually stay on my face. The two products are the Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 hour Foundation and the Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder.

I would not go as far as to say that the foundation lasts the 25-hour claim but it does last a good 12 hours on me and still look quite acceptable. The consistency of this foundation is not too thick so it can be applied for a more sheer coverage on the face. However, it is definitely one you can build up if you want a more full coverage foundation.

One thing to note is that if you have dry spots on your face, make sure to apply a good primer and moisturize properly otherwise it might cling to those drier areas a bit more.

I cannot say enough good things about the Stay Matte Powder! I always get the Transparent shade so that it is a perfect fit all year round and it is the perfect powder for all over the face and for touching up throughout the day. It helps keep my forehead from turning into a disco ball and is not too heavy on the skin. It can seriously take down the shine and it does not clog the pores.

One thing I note is that it does look best once it has set a bit on your face. So like around 30 minutes after you have applied it any of the powdery look will have sunk into the skin and will leave your skin looking naturally smooth.

What are your go-to sweatproof and long lasting products?

*Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored. Both products were purchased with my own money, unfortunately 😛 but I really love Rimmel!