Uncategorized – A Cosmetic Affair

MAC Malta | Makeup Application & Experience

MAC Cosmetics

At the end of last month I was invited to the MAC store in Malta for a makeup application by two of MAC’s professional artists from MAC Italia and I was only too happy to oblige.

Being a skeptic myself in having other people touch my face and put makeup on it, I was a bit anxious at what the end result would be but had no reservations about getting some expert tips from Michele and Roberta.

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The 2014 Autumn Edit | Skincare, Makeup & Hair

Every season I tend to gravitate towards certain products, more than others. The following is my Autumn Edit for 2014, with the changes I carried out for skincare, makeup and hair.

For skincare my top priority is hydration, so the products I turned to are good for dehydrated skin and at soothing it. For makeup, I chose products that are easy to use for on-the-go and that are long-lasting since I have long days at University and work. On the other hand for hair, I chose products that help my hair stay sleek and frizz free for longer.

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TAG | Summer Lovin’

Essence, Catrice, Maybelline, Summer Lovin' Tag, Beauty Blabber, A Cosmetic Affair, Catrice, The Body Shop, Montagne Jeaunesse, H&M, Summer, nail polish, sheer lip colour, blog, ring, teal

Last month, the lovely Elaine from Blabber Beauty tagged me to do the Summer Lovin’ Tag and even though it took me a while, I have finally gotten round to answering the questions. If you have not checked out her blog yet, please head on over and have a look around. She writes about fashion, beauty and gives great tips.

Summer lipstick you’re loving?

This is an easy one. I love a bit of a bright lip, whether it is in Summer or not and lately I have been reaching more and more for the Catrice Sheer Lip Colour from the Limited Collection called Hip Trip in the shade 02 Wheels on Fire. This as the name suggests, is a light wash of colour on the lips that is hydrating but gives a nice pop of colour without being drying or high maintenance.
Summer nail polish you’re loving?

This Summer I have been mostly loving pink nail polishes. Here I chose two I have been wearing a lot which are both from Essence. They are in the shade 106 Free Hugs and 107 Naughty and Pink!
Bikini you are loving this Summer?

I am not really comfortable wearing bikinis so I usually go for a swimsuit in either navy or black.
Favourite Summer Frapuccino from Starbucks?

We don’t have Starbucks in Malta but for the alternative I choose the McDonalds Caramel Frappe and the KFC Oreo Krusher.
Favourite Fake Tan?

I have not been fake tanning as much this Summer and have been using gradual tanners instead. However, when it comes to fake tan I also go for the St Moriz Instant Self Tanning Mousse or Lotion.
Favourite Summer song?

It is hard to choose just one song, but if I had to choose a song that I have been listening to over and over again it is Calvin Harris, Summer.
Favourite Summer Accessory?

I do not wear lots of accessories. I always have to have on some earrings, usually studs and my ring which my bf gave me at the beginning of this year ♥. I also love my tree necklace or one that has my initial. As you can tell most of my accessories are in teal or turquoise, which are my favourite colours.
Favourite summer fragrance/perfume?

I have fallen back in love with the Body Shop Eau de Toilette in Atlas Mountain Rose. It is the perfect combination of sweet and musky that is never too strong or sickly.
Summer book you’re loving?

This summer I have been catching up on some needed reading. I have loved re-reading The Fault in our Stars by John Green and I am loving at the moment the trilogy called The Maze Runner by James Dashner.
What are you most excited to do this Summer?

I know that the summer is now about half gone, but I am really looking forward to working on my dissertation which is due next year. I am also planning to write some good blog posts for you to read and to spend some fun time with my bf and my family.

P.S. of note that I have been loving this Summer are the Catrice Prime and Fine Mattifying Powder, the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer and face masks, to name a few my H&M, Montagne Jeunesse and Anatomicals.

Please feel free to do this tag and link it in the comments below. Have a lovely Summer!

TAG: Liebster Blog Award

The lovely and super talented Maya from Blue Jeans and Red Lipstick has tagged me to do the Liebster Blog Award, and since I have been a bit absent lately I thought what better way than to kick off the Summer Blogging with this tag post 🙂 Also do not forget to go follow Maya if you have not already, she does amazing nail posts!

So here it goes! Maya has come up with 11 questions for me to answer:

1. How long have you been blogging?

The first blog post on A Cosmetic Affair goes back to 2009 which was boringly called ‘First Post‘ and I had posted it on Valentine’s Day. I have been blogging ever since, so that’s 5 years of blogging 🙂

2. Is there one international blogger whose style you admire most, or aspire to be like?

I love Estée from EssieButton. I just love her quirky sense of style, how down to earth she is, and her fun vlogs with her boyfriend Aslan and her greyhound Reggie. Her beauty and skin care recommendations are always spot on and I just love everything about her 🙂

3. What are your top three Summer Essentials?

For me SPF is a must! So a good, oil free, matte sun block is an essential. Another essential for me is mascara. I can do bare face but if I don’t have mascara on I feel naked. In the absence of mascara, when there’s not other way around it, I have to curl my lashes, it just opens up my eyes and makes me look awake 🙂

4. Naked Face or Naked Nails?

I have just gone three weeks with nothing on my nails. They did need a break but it was mostly because I did not have time to do them during my exams. However, I did put makeup on for exams, so I guess that answers the question.

5. What are you reading at the moment? Or the last book you read?

At the moment I am reading ‘Looking for Alaska’ by John Green. I am already more than half way through it and it’s amazing. Before that I re-read ‘The Fault in Our Stars‘ also by John Green, in anticipation of the movie which is now in cinemas.

6. What’s your most recent beauty or fashion related purchase?

The latest beauty purchase was the Barry M Flawless Matte Finish Foundation. It is a sheer, light coverage foundation that is great for a lighter base in Summer.

7. How do you feel about fashion or beauty trends? A definite must, or more like guidelines that you might incorporate into your own style if you like them?

I am a bit of a snob when it comes to following fashion or beauty trends. If it works for me, I will incorporate it into my own style, but if not I won’t go out of my way to do so.

8. One thing you’re planning to do this Summer?

I plan to work on my thesis which is due next year. I also plan to blog more and to come up with new and interesting blog posts for your reading pleasure 🙂

9. Are you strict with yourself when it comes to scheduling your blogging, or do you prefer to blog as inspiration hits you?

I would like to get into scheduling posts so that it will be more consistent. However I also believe that you should write when inspiration hits you and that is what I do mostly.

10. One tip or trick you’ve learnt that helps you with your blogging?

Having a notepad close by, anywhere you go. You would be surprised how ideas come to you at the most random of times. It is important to jot down any idea that comes to you, when it comes to you, before you lose it forever. Believe me it has happened to me more times than I would like to admit!

11. If you had an unlimited budget, where would you love to travel to?

First I would love to visit the UK. I have never been and would love to visit sometime soon 🙂 There’s also Paris, which I would love to revisit, and I would really like to visit the US.

I would like to tag anyone who has not been tagged yet and feel free to post your link in the comments below.

Also check out the following bloggers which I love reading. Feel free to do the tag if you have not already.

Claire from This and That
Shyan from Her World, Her Words
Kelly from Odd Ball
Lyndsey from Splashes of Looks

Please follow me on Facebook for more updates and on Instagram as I am doing the #100happydays Challenge 🙂

Empties #1 – Body, Face, Hair and Nail Products

Here is a look at some of my empty products from the past couple months.

Starting off is the Revlon ColorStay Foundation in 230 True Beige which is a little dark for me at this time of the year but which is a perfect shade during the Summer. I’ve loved this foundation for years now, mostly during warmer months due to its long-lasting properties. I actually have another bottle of this but in a lighter shade which fits me more in the autumn months.

Next is the Maybelline Flared Mascara, this is the non-waterproof version which I also love. I have used more than one tube of this but since I have bought the Waterproof version and at the moment I am using the Maybelline The Rocket Mascara which I find holds a curl really well. Maybelline is my favourite brand for mascaras and I always go back to them. I get mine from feelunique.com.

Another product which I’ve used up multiple containers of, is the Essence Nail Art Express Dry Drops. I’m not very handy with nail art but I find this really helps my nail polish to dry quickly and leaves a nice sheen on the nails. I’ve already repurchased this and plan to get more as soon as that runs out.

Another well-loved product but one which I find is a little overpriced for the amount you get is the Burt’s Bees Radiance Serum. This is an oil serum which you apply during the night and it is made from Royal Jelly which is made from bees. You only get 13ml in this little dropper for around €24 from feelunique.com, which is a little ridiculous but I have used multiple bottles of this.

Next is the Green People Firming Eye Gel which is a great product if like me you get horrendous dark circles and puffy eyes. It works amazingly well under makeup too. Do you have any HG products for puffy eyes? Please do recommend.

I have also finished my John Frieda Frizz Ease Shampoo, which I think I’ve used up a couple of these. However lately I have found that my hair feels a little dry and have switched up to a more moisturizing shampoo.

I also love the Vichy 48hr Anti-Perspirant Roll-On and I’ve gone through multiple bottles of these as I find them really gently for my sensitive skin. I get these from escentual.com.

Lastly I went through my Body Shop mini sized Almond Oil Conditioning Hand Wash which I had got given as part of a gift set.

Any products you’ve tried from this set of empties? Let me know if you like these kind of posts, as I love seeing what people use and what they loved or didn’t.

The Autumn Tag

This post is long overdue. Christina from Tina’s Beauty Scrapbook had tagged me to do the Autumn Tag weeks ago but I never got round to doing it, until now!

Favourite thing about Autumn?
Cooler weather, comfy clothes and cuddling to watch movies

Favourite drink?
At the moment loving just some Almond Milk from the fridge but as it gets colder I’ll be having some Cadbury Hot Chocolate for sure

Favourite scent/candle?
I love vanilla scent and wear the Body Shop Madagascan Vanilla Body Mist all year long but during this season I love Ginger scented products as well. Last Christmas Season, the Body Shop brought out a limited edition Ginger Sparkle Products and I am loving the Body Butter and the Hand Cream from this collection. As regards to candles I love burning Vanilla or some spicy scent during this time of the year and I cannot wait to try out the Yankee Candle Mandarin Cranberry or the Spiced Orange Candle.

Best Lipstick?
I am not very bold when it comes to lipsticks and prefer sticking with my nude lips at this time of the year instead of the dark bold berry lips. At the moment I am loving the Revlon Colorstay Lipstick in 035 Blush and the Catrice Ultimate Colour Lipstick in 190 The Nuder The Better.

Go-to moisturiser?
Surprisingly for someone who has Combination/Oily Skin I get some dry patches during this season, so I use a more intensive moisturiser during the night and a balancing, more matt one for during the day. I have been loving the Kiko Mat Fluid for during the day, which I have nearly used up unfortunately, and the Burt’s Bees Radiance Serum together with the Oilatum Natural Repair Cream for the night.

Go-to Colour for the Eyes?
I love having a dark brown eyeliner with a taupe colour all-over the lid.

Favourite Music to Listen to?
At the moment loving Avicii and Bastille.

Favourite Outfit to Wear?
Since in Malta it is still relatively warm, I usually wear Jeans and a T-Shirt with an open Cardigan thrown on if it gets slightly chilly, together with my flats of course.

Autumn Treat?
This year I’m loving Ginger Cake and I have yet to get my hands on Ginger-bread men which I love – are you seeing a trend here? 😀

Favourite Place to be?
On the bed, with laptop, my cat, Pepper, (and hubby maybe) watching TV Series, movies and reading beauty blogs.

I tag whoever wants to do this tag and I would love if you would leave your link down below as I love reading these type of posts.

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Mini Brussels Beauty Haul

A couple weeks ago I went on a short trip to Brussels for some meetings and of course I had to squeeze in some shopping and I wanted to share what I got with you. When I go abroad I always try to go to shops and get brands which are not available in Malta and I must say I was lucky to find a couple brands I wouldn’t otherwise be able to get my hands on.

Firstly from Rituals I got two items. The Qi Chinese Mint & Yi Yi Ren Stress Relief Serum and the Lotus Flower & Moringa Extract Creamy Foam Cleanser. This is a luxury brand of cosmetics for home and body. A couple months ago I saw Fleur De Force talking about this brand and the body butters in particular and I decided to give them a go. I have just checked and you can now get this on feelunique.com.

Next I got the L’Occitane Dry Skin Hand Cream. This is just the small 30ml size, perfect to throw in your handbag and to use on the go.

I also got a couple earrings from a brand called I am. I first went into a shop for this brand in Paris so I was really excited to find out there was one in Brussels as well. I got plenty of small gifts for family and friends from here and of course I had to get two pairs for myself as well.

Last but definitely not least I got my hands on the Bourjois Bronzing Primer. This is a cream formula that is matte and has been compared to the infamous Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel by many. It is supposed to be more of a mousse-like texture that can be applied both underneath and over the foundation and is very subtle and build-able I’ll let you know if it lives up to its hype. You can also get it on asos.com now.

Have you tried any of these products? Which would you like to try?

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