Maybelline SuperStay 24hr Review

Hello beauties!

I hope you are well and prepared because summer is getting closer and closer!

As most of us do, we tend to change our skin routine because of the weather changes and the temperature rise. We start from our cleanser, our moisturizer and our foundation.

I will start from the last. The foundation. 

Now that the weather is getting hotter and hotter we are searching for a light yet with good coverage, durability, staying power and SPF protection! You think it’s too much? No.

Most cosmetics brands are aware of our needs and the conditions change and they adapt. And evolve.

This is what happened with Maybelline. 

They created a modern foundation with many benefits.

Maybelline Superstay 24hr micro-flex stretch formula foundation with SPF 19

&

Maybelline Superstay 24hr Concealer

Let me start from the foundation.

It has one of the most velvety consistency I have ever felt in a foundation.

It applies very easily giving you the time to work it in your skin and once you are done blending it, within 2-3 minutes it transforms from liquidy to powdery, giving a really really nice finish. 

I have combination/oil skin and it does give me a matte finish that stays without touch ups for a 3-4 hours. 

But I really want to say something here. If you have combination/oily or even very oily skin, you should know that there is no magic potion/foundation/powder that will take away the shine for the entire day. Seriously. The only thing we can do is to always use a good primer, try different foundations for oily skin in order to see which one sits well on our skin, powder and take that powder with us in order to touch up when needed. Just saying, so you know. 

Back to the review. 

Its coverage is medium but you can build it up, although if built a lot can look a little cakey and make your pores more visible than before.

It comes in a 30ml glass bottle and has a pump which is a very good thing for our hygiene.

As declared by its name, it has very good durability and does not fade away or slide off your face.

It has an SPF 19 which is something really good if you are wearing this as your morning foundation. It's not enough, you have to use a regular sunscreen underneath but an SPF is always a plus! Unless you will be photographed!!

I gambled and ordered it online in the color 021 Nude. It is not the perfect shade but suits quite well on my NW25 skin but it is a little pink which I hate. I make sure I mix it with a hint of a lighter yellowy foundation and blend it all the way down to the neck.

As I was quite happy with the foundation I thought I would try the concealer as well.

I first tried it on my under eye area. That didn’t work very well.

Even though I don’t have visible dark circles and don’t need to cover something, I want to put something there!

But my skin there is rather thin and this product is a teeny tiny heavy for an undereye concealer, at least for me.

But as I noticed that it has a quite good coverage I tried it on my blemishes and minor flaws that need extra concealing. It was great. It covers up anything you have, although you have to put little by little because it will cake and blend really well around the edges with your brush.

I like it very much. Once it set with a powder, stays on really well and for at least 6-8 hours.

I am really happy that the last years drugstore brands come up with such quality cosmetics for a good price. We can try out new things without making our bank account to bleed!

Well that’s it from me!

Have you tried the Maybelline SuperStay 24hr?

What is your opinion if you have?

stay & beautiful

xxx

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Wedding in Santorini

Hello everyone!

How are you? Today is rather cold here in Athens but I have somehing that will warm you and make you anxious for the summer to come!

Last week I traveled to Santorini to do the bridal makeup of a beautiful Chinese bride in cooperation with the travel consulting agency Sunrise Greece  owned by Greeks and based in Hong Kong. They specialize in organizing weddings and photo shoots for Asian couples in the unique and extraordinary scenery of Santorini.
I have worked with them in the past few months again and I have seen their work up close and is truly amazing and is too bad that not many Greeks do as the Chinese and honor one of our most beautiful places and one of the entire world.

For the Chinese, coming to Greece and more, marrying in Santorini is a dream come true.
All this white & blue that we, are used to, for them is something very special and different.
They feel awe and excitement under the blue Aegean sky, the wild morphology of the island, the deep blue sea, the white roofs, the blue bell towers of the traditional island churches. 
It is a breathtaking sight that even me, being Greek takes me by surprise every single time.

But enough with the talking. 
I want to show you exactly what I mean and I want you to feel, even at the slightest, how I felt.
I was also their wedding coordinator so you will get the chance to see photos throughtout the preparation, wedding and photo shoot.

I hope you liked it and took some ideas... ;)

And if you have any new & fresh ideas, Sunrise Greece Agency is looking for talented, willed & sociable partners in Greece regarding hair, makeup, styling, coordination etc. 
Contact: sunrisegreece@gmail.com

I am looking forward for your comments!

Stay healthy & beautiful!
xxx

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Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask Review

Hello my beauties!

How are you? The last days in Athens the weather is sooo cold. I hope you keep yourself warm and comfortable!

Another thing with the all this cold weather is that our skin, dry, normal, combination or even oily, suffers… and we need to moisturize our skin even more in order not to feel it cracked or thirsty.

And just in time while having these thoughts, this baby knocked on my door.

Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask*

It is the new addition to the Clinique Moisture Surge family.

It is a very moisturizing overnight face mask that surprising is not oily at all! It sinks in your skin and you can feel the moisture that very moment when you put it on.

During the night, our skin becomes vulnerable and the humidity levels drop low. This mask claims to calm and soothe the skin from all the irritation it faced during the day.

I am using it for the last week and here is my opinion.

Its consistency is neither heavy nor light.Oil-free. It boosts your skin with many ingredients such as seed butter, olive extract, shea butter, mango butter, pomegranate strols, hyalouronic acid and many many more!

Absorbs very easily depending on how thirsty is your skin, though with this weather all types of skin need it.

I was very reluctant at first as I have combination/oily skin and thought it would made me worse. But that was not the case. It moisturizes my skin during the night when no makeup on and when I wake up it feels refreshed, glowy and elastic, if that makes any sense to you!

You do not change your skin regime at all. Well, maybe for some will spare you the night cream step cause it is enough by itself.

It does not need rinsing off as your skin will absorb it and work with it all night long!

I like it very much and I will continue to use it but will limit it down to two times a week as I do not need it more.

As we get older, we learn one or two things about the skin and how to take care of it and one of the most important things to do is moisturize.

This overnight mask is a great addition to our daily skin routine. It gives that something extra that we may or may not need but will try anyway!

I would especially recommend those with normal or dry skin to try out this mask cause they will be surprised by how well are going to feel their skin after.

It will be available in stores by February 2013 and the suggested price is 34.90 €

How do you like it so far? Would you give it a try?

As always…. stay healthy & beautiful. xxx

*PR sample

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Rimmel Stay Matte Powder Review

Hello my beauties!

How are you?
 The holidays are getting closer and closer and I would love for you to tell me what you have planned to do. And I mean from where you are going to spend the holidays, to the outfit you're wearing to dazzle the crowds and the makeup you have on your mind for so many special nights to come!

But before that, let me tell you about a face powder I was hearing constanly on youtube and reading on blogs, that I had to try it myself.

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder

As a girl with a combination/oily skin I am always looking out for the perfect powder that will "seal" my foundation and cover my face with this invisible veil that will make my skin looks dewy but matte, natural but carefully made up. I know, this sounds a little bit dreamy to you, but a girl can always hope.
Day after day, for the last two months, while watching my favourite beauty youtubers, I noticed that most of them kept talking about this powder and placing it next to high end products. They were talking how this powder keeps your face matte for so long that no other, even high end, can.

So I decided to give it a go. As you may know, in Greece, there are no Rimmel products, so I had to order it online. This time I used for the first time the fantastic feelunique.com and with free delivery I got this baby for 5.19 euros! 
I chose the shade Transparent beacause I wasn't sure how pigmented they are.
But it is rather whitish although it blends well with your skin and becomes invisible after a while. 
The powder does what it says, to my big surprise! Normally, two hours after I have powdered my face, I would need to blot my face or re-powder or something. But with this one, I didn't  have to do that not before 5-6 hours which is amazing considering I have extremely oily T-zone!
I love this powder! It is not cakey, it has a nice powdery smell, does not cloge my pores and lasts a lot!

I would totally recommend this powder to those you struggle with oily skin and shiny T-zone as it is amazing! It is ridicullously cheap so you won't regret buying it even if you don't like it. Unlikely though!

Have you tried this powder? Or you have another favourite to keep the shine away?
Please do tell!!!

As always....
stay healthy & beautiful

xxx

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Bioten. Beauty inspired by Nature

Hello my beauties!!

I hope you are well and have a big heart to be able to forgive me for not writing a post for so many days....

So today I want to talk to you about a drugstore skincare range that is not given the attention it deserves mostly because of the low prices that come along.

BIOTEN

Wide range of products filled with natural ingredients and made under the latest technology to provide the care your skin need and wants with very affordable prices.
Over the past years we all became aware of many dangerous ingredients we used to put on our skin without knowing. 
We searched, asked, tested and we are still learning. We want the products we use to be as much as harmless as we can.
Bioten combines natural extracts to create safe and effective prducts for almost every skin type and its needs.
The word "affordable" is an understatement" but as is "quality" when it comes to Bioten.
I used to see them on the supermarket selves and not give much attention. That was until I came across with the Moisturising Day Cream with quince nectar.

 It was summer, I wanted something simple and moisturising, my budget was limited so I gave it a go. 
It was exatly what I wanted at the time. It moisturised my skin without feeling it heavy. 
It is great for combination skin but there is one for the ones with dry skin as well. 
Price: 5.35 euros

Along with that day cream I tried the Cleansing Gel frm the same line 

and I was very happy with it as well. It has a lovely smell and it feels really refreshing on your skin. Takes away your makeup, your skin feels very clean and my pores seem more "relaxed" if that makes sense to you! 
Price: 3.50 euros

Last but not least I have on my kit the facial wipes of the same line. 

I don't often use wipes to take off my makeup but I always have a pack of them. I use on clients, to correct any mistake or to quickly "clean" brushes between if I have more than one makeup session to do. They are not oily, not very wet and have a very fresh smell.

Price: appr. 2 euros (they are usually on sale 2in1)

These are the products that I have personally use from Bioten.

I am very pleased with their quality, price and the feeling that I don't damage my skin. 

They are the perfect range for younger girls that are starting now using skincare!

Have you tried any Bioten Products? 

What do ou think of them?

As always.....stay healthy & beautiful!

xxx

p.s two of these products were sent to me for review and above you see my honest opinion.

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The Body Shop All in One bb Cream

Hello my beauties!

A while back one of my favourite beauty brands The Body Shop organised an event for beauty bloggers, as myself, to introduce to some new products they came out.
One of them was.....

All In One bb Cream

As many of you might have already noticed, the past year everyone is raving about those and each brand after another is creating its one.
I have used some during the past months but today I am going to talk to you about this one.

When you first squeese it in your fingers, this white cream with tiny brown dots inside, comes out and you stare it with question!
But not to worry! Once you put it on your face and start working it with your fingers, the white cream becomes "fleshy" and takes the shade of your skin.
It is not thick and applies evenly.
The coverage that this cream will give you is very light to light. The ones of you that don't need that coverage or the ones that don't want your bb cream to feel heavy is ideal.
I want a tinsy bit more coverage than this as my face is not flawless. :-(
Also it may not be very suitable for oily skin beacause as I tested to myself, it tends to show off some shine after only one-two hours.
But anyway after years of trying various foundations, moisturisers and now bb cream, at some point you just need to make peace with yourself and realise that no matter what to do, your oily skin will never transform into a normal one. Of course you will have your good days, for which this bb cream is perfect!
A rather annoying thing about this bb cream is its smell. It smells really weird to me. But of course that is my nose, my opinion!!
Oh and don't forget to tell you that unlike most bb creams, this one does not has SPF protection.
Overall it is a good bb cream for everyday use for those who want ligh coverage and light feeling on their skin.

So tell me! Have you tried this bb cream?
What do you think?

Stay healthy & beautiful!
xxx

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Winter Skin Routine

Hello my beauties!

I hope you are well and prepared for the sudden (yet logical) drop of temperature.
Winter is officially here and many things change. Our clothes, our shoes, our hair, nail polishes etc. 
Can our Skin Routine stay the same? No!
So along with other things, we change the products we use, as our skin' s needs differ from season to season. 
But let's take it step by step.

Skin

During summer, the weather is hot and humid and our skin tends to produce more oil that usual. So we tend to use rather strong and dry cleaners to make sure that our skin is super clean and light/very light moisturisers.
But when the weather gets cold, our skin is trying to keep its natural balance but wind, low temperature can make even the oil skin, dry. You can imagine the needs of an already dry skin!
That is why is very important to change the products we use depending on the weather.
I personally have normal/oily skin and although at summer I use very light, gel feeling, moisturisers when winter comes I tend to choose a little heavier ones because I can feel my skin needing something more.
For example, I will show you the products I used until now and which I just started.

Summer.

Clinique Facial Soap

La Roche Posay Effaclar Mat

These are one of my favourite products and they helped me get through summer!
You all know the facial soap by Clinique, I have been using this since I started washing my face!
As for the Effaclar Mat, what can I say? It was love at first sight! (see post here)

Winter.

Avon Anew Revitalizing Cleanser

Clinique repairwear uplifting spf15

I have been using the Avon cleanser since last year, except the summer months, and it has become one of my favourites. It has these small blue balls inside that they melt once you clean your face. It is a moisturising cleanser that leaves my skin clean and dewy. 

As for the moisuriser, I know what most of you might say. This is not for you age. Yes I know, but  as I was sent this to try it and once I put it on my face I fell in love. It is thick yet light. Absorbs quickly and it smells like sunscreen. It does leave a little "white face" but I don't mind once i put on my BB cream and I don't take any photos. And of course it is never too early to prevent some things from falling down..!

Foundation

Well, the same rules apply here as well. 

During the hot and humid days of summer you need not to trouble your face with heavy products and foundations. A simple bb cream should be enough. 

But, I understand that many women don't have the almost flawless skin that a plain bb cream would be enough. Among them I am myself. That is why I always try to find something that has a little more coverage but still feels light. It was not easy. But I did it!

Dior HydraLife BB cream spf30 PA++
This was a real discovery for me because I never was satisfied with any of the bb creams I would try. My skin is not flawless and I needed a little bit more and with SPF and not to make my T-zone look its worst. 
Did I ask too much?  Yes.
Did I find what I was looking for?  Yes.

It is a moisturiser with the coverage of a foundation. It has more SPF control than most of the other bb creams and it doesn't make me oily. It is very good for my skin and I feel it as a veil. 

One thing I do not like is that as most bb creams comes out in one colour. Well, this one is rather dark and I do not see it fit most skin colours. Now that my tan is beginning to fade away , it starts to be dark for me. But I like it so much that I am going to use it in the winter as well for everyday use mixing it with a drop of light foundation. 

That is for my skin care routine. What is yours? Have you tried any of the above?

Stay tuned for the second part of my Winter Routine - MakeUp.

Stay healthy & beautiful
xxx

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Clinique Pore Refining Solutions Review

Hello my beauties!

How are you? The weather here in Greece is starting to look more and more like winter, not exactly what I had in mind but I will try to keep the summer and the sun in my mind!

Today I will talk to you about a new series that Clinique came out targeting again at another skin problem.
Pores.
We all have oner 300.000 pores in our face and they double in the ages of 25-50. As we get older, due to hormon changes, our cells mature and don't renew. The skin gets drier and pores multiply and get bigger.

Clinique created a special line to make pores less visible.

Clinique Pore Refining Solutions

Pore Refining Solutions correcting serum: 
You use it before your moisturiser and it helps create a great base for your moisturiser to sink in. It contains salicylic acid, acetyl glucosamine and laminaria saccharina extract that help cells mature properly, control of the oil and make pores clean lesss visible.
52.50 euros

Pore Refining Solutions Stay-Matte Hydrator:
It is a light moisturiser that is one of the best that I have used. It keeps my skin matte while creating instanly  great base for my makeup. You can feel the hydration on your skin due to hydrogenated lecithin.
40.90 euros

Pore Refining Solutions Instant Perfector:
This is a smart technology product. It is thick but you need only a tiny bit on your T-zone or the whole face if you wish. The specialized cross-linked silicone polymers cover the skin with an invisible film that fills up the pores for 8 hours and controls oil keeping the skin matte.
22.90 euros

And of course Clinique, that has one of the biggest variety of problem targeted foundations, has created one for our pores.

Pore Refining Solutions Perfecting Makeup:

Soft focus technology reflect the light and make pores less visible. It also contains salicylic acid that cleans gently the pores by removing the dead cells sitting on the them. It has a light texture that applies easily and evenly without closing your pores. 

30.90 euros

I was sent these products and I have been using them for the past almost two months. I always liked Clinique skincare, makes me feel comfortable which is very important for your face products.

Pore Refining Solutions is a great line of smart products that do not do miracles. 

But although my pores did not disappear, my skin got better, smoother and finer. 

My skin loved them.

Also they may not be very suitable for dry skin, but great for combination/oily skin.

My two favourites products that I would certainly buy, are the Instant Perfector and the Stay Matte Hydrator. They are amazing! Together they are creating the perfect makeup base!

I totally suggest that you try some of them! 

So what do yout think? 
Have you already tried these products? How do you like them?

Stay healthy & beautiful
xxx

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MAC Oil Control Lotion Review

Hello my beauties!

How are you? I am sure you are hot hot hot! And times like this you are trying to make the best out of your makeup. I know. I struggle myself with that too.

I am trying to find the best moisturiser or primer that leaves my skin matte hot days like these.
During my search I came across to this oil control lotion by our beloved MAC.

As you can see it is light textured and a bit "runny". The girl in the store said that will keep my skin matte and that I wouldn't need to wear moisturiser under it when doing my makeup as it has moisturising elements on its own.

My opinion on this lotion is not so good as someone would expect. 

Although it felt quite comfortable on my skin and absorbed quickly, I noticed not the slightest difference on my skin, my makeup or my T-zone. I was shiny 1 1/2 hour later tops.

And imagine I didn't wear it the last days that the weather is trying to kill us with heat and humidity.

This does not change my mind on the quality of MAC cosmetics, they are one of the best!

But I did thought that they would do good work on the sensitive subject of oil & shine control.

Have you tried it? 

What is our opinion?

Which one is your best anti-shine primer?

Stay healhy & beautiful

xxx

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Razzle Dazzle!

Hello my beauties!

I am guessing you are happy, looking forward for your vacations while having a delicious coctail in the local bar.

I, myself, last week was in a bar in the centre of Athens, drinking strawberry mochito and let me tell you this. For three hours, I was feeling like I was in this exotic place, sipping my drink and listening to easy music.

But anyway, let me get back to my point. I was saying that summer is here, you have already tanned somehow, and your mood is in its highest point. 

And I ask you. 

Is there something that would make you feel even better?

Something that would make you look even happier and more glowing like you are showered by light?

Let me show you some magic tricks I have on my makeup bag!

Taaaa-Daaaaaa!

1. The Body Shop Sandstone #03 quartz hue

This small red treasure box was the first time I would come across to a highlighter. And still I used it as a eyeshadow! It looked really good on my eyes but when later I realised its true purpose I was thrilled! It has a beautiful rose champagne colour that matches any skin. I don't think you can still find the exact package but The Body Shop is full of highlighters!

2. Stila Illuminating Finishing Powder #Gold

This illuminating powder has a gorgeous soft gold colour that is shimmery not glittery. It gives a soft shimmery touch on the top of your cheekbones. This is for you who want something not too obvious.

3. Mac Cream Colour Base #Pearl

Anything I say on this black magic box it won't be enough! It is a creme highlighter that is best put with your fingers and it blends in your skin like heaven! I am sure a lot of you know exactly what I mean!

4. Gosh Bronzing Shimmer Brush # 102

I have shown this one before on the Bronzers post (see it here). 

It is an ultra shimmering bronzing powder tha makes you shine like you never imagined. It is very easy to go wrong with this product as the packaging is not too tidy and tends to let a lot of product get away and onto your face! But overall it is a great one!

5. Clinique Fresh Bloom Allover Colour #03 Almond Blossom

This is the most subtle highlighter I own. It has the smallest amount of shimmer of them all and can be used as a bronzer or a blush. There are two colours as you can see when mixed with the brush, gives a rose bronze shimmery glow. It is very good to carry it in your purse as it has many uses.  

Below I am showing you a face chart to see where is best to contour and highlight our face. I hope it will help those who are new to highlighters and want to try them out! The dark points are contouring your face to create angles and the rose ones are to create light to your face.

 I hope you find your way to a new glowing You!!!!!

Stay healthy & beautiful!

kisses xxx

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