Korres Pomegranate Deep Cleansing Scrub and my collection of Korres lipsticks

Hey people! How is life treating you lately? I've missed blogging so much! I know I haven't been very punctual with my blogging activity but I've been extremely busy with things that needed to be done and dealt with.. I am back with a little Korres skin care review and my mini-collection of Korres lipsticks.

Korres Pomegranate scrub is a creamy cleanser with naturally-derived exfoliating grains to refine pores and leave the skin radiant. It includes pomegranate extract, which helps tone the skin. Greek olive stones, a natural exfoliating ingredient, refines the look of pores and removes excess sebum. The extracts of olive and calendula flower also provide antioxidant benefits. More importantly, it is formulated without Parabens, which is something I always appreciate when trying a new skin care product.

The scrub is contained in a squeeze tube that resembles a toothpaste with a twist off cap. I’d say it’s hygienic and travel-friendly but I guess a flip-cap would be more practical. The scent is similar to Korres Pomegranate Cream-Gel but unfortunately doesn't last at all. Still, it’s really sweet and pleasant!

Sensitive and thin-skinned types should probably steer clear of this scrub and that also includes me! The skin around my cheeks is thin and I'm prone to broken capillaries, so I find that I can only use this scrub maybe once or twice a week. Otherwise, the large and quite rough seeds it contains, leave my skin rather tight! Still, when used in moderation I find my complexion brighter!

 Well, I didn't find my HG exfoliator in the Korres Pomegranate Scrub so the search continues..I wouldn't recommend this for dry or sensitive skin types but I think those with a more tolerant skin will thoroughly enjoy the roughness and scent of this scrub!

Now onto the lipsticks..these little gems offer a sheer tint of glossy colour. I love them because they really hydrate my lips. They have Vitamin C and E in order to maximise antioxidant protection, which is always a bonus! Seriously, these lippies are amazing! They smell delish, a somewhat faint fruity sweet smell. They are sheer, yet buildable and have a nice non-sticky glossy finish. I don't even use any lip balm underneath and yet my lips are still soft. Also the packaging is lovely..not high-end like but still lovely! It has a snap lid so there's no chance of it slipping off. It's also kind of heavy as the case seems to be made of some kind of metal. Don't let the colours in the tubes scare you, they wear like a balm and look like a gloss with understated shine. Love.

L-R: Natural Pink, Nude, Fuchsia, Purple 

So, do you ever buy large product samples before committing to the real thing? Any HG scrub suggestions? Do you count yourselves among the big Korres lipsticks fans?x

Somebody is back, alive and kicking!

Will sorry ever be enough? I haven't blogged for a month and a half...which in blogging time is like forever! I am really sorry guys for not keeping up with you, I was away holidaying and having some family time during August. I came back home in September and since then I've been trying to pull myself together and get ready for Fall. Well, schools started on Monday, and that kind of helped me get back on track cause I'm a teacher..if I don't get it together, none of my students will! I had an amazing time this summer, I visited one of the Greek islands, Skyros,where I enjoyed the sun and the sea..

What a view...

Crystal clear..

Skyros is a quiet place to be. It's one of those islands where heavy partying is probably not one of the things to do.. You can spend your days at the beach and at nights you can just chill at cosy little cafes and bars. That was pretty much what I did while I was there..Really recommend it if you're looking for some relaxation time! Finally, August was birthday time for me! I'm not really one to celebrate birthdays or throwing big parties, I get all shy and coy. Still, my boyfriend surprised me on the day, and presented me with these..

The number of roses signifies the years we've been together :)

Yum!

So do you like celebrating your birthday or do you go a little bit  ''mehh''? Did you visit any places this summer that you'd like to recommend? It could be anywhere...I'm all ears! Ok guys, I promise next time I blog...will be sooner than this one..x

Illamasqua Born Again and Make Up Artistry

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The full uncut edit of Illamasqua's latest film ' Born Again', starring BAFTA Winner Vicky McClure.

Film synopsis: Set in the middle of no-where-in-particular and at no specific time, 'Born Again' tells the story of a beautiful young woman on a journey that will define who she will be for the rest of her life.The young woman is at odds with the world - tense and on edge - she chases the sun in the hope she will find peace in its setting. We see it in her vibrantly coloured eyes , and read it on her vividly painted lips -- how this search for her true self has taken her to the edge of reason and sanity and ended in the ultimate act of sacrifice and commitment..

 I think this is beautifully shot and scored..dark and unshamedly epic!  When I first watched it, I really wanted to see what this 'ultimate act of sacrifice and commitment' would be.. I am a huge fan of Illamasqua make up and have managed to put my hands on and tried a couple of their products myself.  Illamasqua, as a brand , promotes itself as make up for your alter ego.  I first heard of it through the Pixiwoos and upon exlporing it, it really struck me as more of an artistic approach to make up..almost theatrical..and thus I was sold!  If you just browse their promotional images on their site/blog you'll find pictures of vampires, gypsy queens, fairies..you get the point! It's all very artistic.. to me at least!

  
  They also seem to really favour the whole androgynous look..  as you can see in the video above.  Still, some people think that they might be alienating a large amount of buyers ,who just think Illamasqua is far too extreme for them. Do you ever get intimidated by brands that seem too..artistic? I guess Illamasqua is trying to bring in a wider audience, though will they achieve that through 'dark' films with suicide themes? What's your take on this?x

Mini ELF Haul

  Hi ya'all!!! As most of you know, a few days ago ELF was having a 50% discount on all of their products making the beauty blogosphere go nuts, and so did I! Still, I tried to exercise some self-control and place an order only on the things that I was sure I wanted to buy. So, I went for these: Pink Passion & Fuchsia Fusion blushes and the popular ELF Powder Brush. Along with them, came also the Essential Shimmer Eyeliner pencil in green, which was a gift from ELF. Hooray!

  Now onto the blushes! Pink Passion is a very bright, matte, cool Barbie-esque pink blush, with blue undertones that reaches neon standards without being tacky! At first, I thought this colour was kind of intimidating, since it looks very bright in the pan. The colour is very pigmented and buildable. You can apply with a light hand for a subtle pink flush on the cheeks, or continue layering for a more evening look! It stays well on for a few hours, if you set with a finishing powder. The packaging is very NARS-esque. Sleek matte black plastic, though it does not come with a brush, just a small mirror! Is it as pigmented or as good as NARS? No...but it costs around 4 euros, and I will give them the credit for not adding talc. They use only silica for a smooth powder application; because of that they are good on oily skin as they will absorb cheek oil while the colour remains.  

  The next one is Fuchsia Fusion. Dupe Alert ladies! This makes a really pretty and very inexpensive dupe for NARS Angelika blush. As with Pink Passion, Fuchsia Fusion is also pigmented and sooo beautiful! It does have glitter but once it is on the face, it is hardly noticeable. It brightens up my face and I really like it! Again the compact is about the same as NARS but it is easier to clean, and doesn't have that sticky feel that the NARS ones have. I also noticed that maybe because of the glitter, the edges of the product in the pan, were a bit crumbed but this is just a minor detail!

Left: Pink Passion  Right: Fuchsia Fusion

  Now about the Powder Brush..lets just start off by saying that this is very comparable to MAC's 187! OK..it is not a duo-fibre brush but the results are pretty much the same for a fraction of the price! I've tried it with liquid foundation/powder/blush/bronzer and it always gives flawless results. This is certainly a multi-purpose brush that will make your life easier..plus it costs 4 euros! You can't really go wrong with that I guess. Quite a few people have mentioned around the blogosphere that its bristles can be uneven but I think that is just luck. Overall, I really like it!

  Finally, the Essential Shimmer Eyeliner pencil. Well, I won't really say much about this. A bit underwhelming and..nothing out of the ordinary that would make this HG material. Just a decent product I guess, which was nice to receive for free! It does have its little sharpener though, which makes it really convenient. 

Shimmer pencil/Fuchsia Fusion/Pink Passion

  That was it!  I am really happy with my mini-haul! Still, the only thing I couldn't get my hands on was the contouring/blush kit as it was sold out. I think this is one of their best-sellers, so it's no surprise it wasn't available. I guess most people were faster placing an order than myself. So, I kind of blame YOU people! Just kidding..haha!  What about you? Did you take advantage of this ELF 50% discount? Are there still any ELF products that remain in your wishlists? Take care everybody!

Estee Lauder Summer Melon Gloss Stick and Portofino Coral

Estee Lauder Summer Melon Pure Colour Gloss Stick is a recent addition to my stash!  It swatches a bit sheer but it is absolutely gorgeous when applied. It’s a lovely shade of subdued coral and subtle gold shimmer. It has been my go-to lippie for the past month or so.

  The Pure Colour Gloss Stick formula is very creamy and light. It’s very much gloss-meets-lipstick in terms of the texture and feel on lips. The colour is semi-opaque and even though it is very glossy, it still lasts two to three hours on the lips and keeps them soft and shiny. Hooray!!! As you can guess, like many Estee Lauder lip products, it does have that sweet fig scent. On my lips, it doesn’t seem to leave a taste but this is quite debatable cause many people seem to really be able to detect both scent and taste, and thus avoid them! I personally looove their scent and every once in a while, I get it out of my handbag for the sole purpose of having a sniff!

  The only criticism I have is regarding how little product they give you–0.08 oz. is rather undersized relative to Estee Lauder’s Lipsticks (0.13 oz.). Though, I don’t really mind cause the quality of the product compensates for the lesser quantity. Finally, another lovely shade I would advise you to have a look at when you visit the Estee Lauder counter is Wild Plum; which as you can guess is a plum-meets-pink colour that I find equally nice to Summer Melon. Yet, the latter would probably be a wiser purchase being a coral…during summertime!

  Portofino Coral is a medium-heavy bold coral with a satin finish. It’s opaque on my lips, and the intensity of the colour does make it seem creamier and heavier than other shades of the same collection.  Even with only one coat the colour does really make a statement…and may I say a bold one!  The coverage is excellent, and oddly enough, it feels quite lightweight despite its pigmentation. I find it more moisturizing than your average lipstick, which makes it comfortable to wear. This is not the balm-meets-lipstick feel of Chanel Rouge Coco Shine or Dior Addict but it comes pretty much close. I get about five to six hours of wear with this shade in particular, because it is so pigmented!  Again this is scented with a lightly sweetened fig. I usually wear this to go out for drinks or so but I have tried it during the day…though I do get a bit self-conscious cause it’s so bold. Does this ever happen to you? Loving a shade but still feel a bit self-conscious to wear it during daytime?

Up: Summer Melon
Down: Portofino Coral

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm Review

  Hello my lovelies!  I'd heard about Clarins Beauty Flash Balm in magazines, beauty blogs, etc – along with Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream, aka the ‘smell from hell’ (if you are a hardcore beauty addict like me.. you know what I mean!)-  and it seems to be one of those products which beauty gurus are always rambling on about not being able to live without. Strange enough, the Pixiwoos have never mentioned it, or at least I haven’t heard anything about it. Has any of you maybe?  Up until recently, I never really got round to buying it; this changed when I saw Lisa Eldridge raving about it in one of her videos. I was hooked! Well, it did seem a bit expensive, and I wasn't altogether clear what it was supposed to do but according to Clarins, it is “ideal for a quick pick me up before an evening out or whenever you want to erase signs of fatigue”. Kind of an emergency repair kit for your face…and quite an indulgence if I may add!

 Clarins says: 

- promotes immediate and long-lasting radiance   
- firms and helps minimise fine lines
- smoothes and softens skin 
- strengthens and refines the contours of the face; skin regains firmness and suppleness 
- make-up looks exceptionally radiant

- can be used as a moisturiser/mask/primer


  The balm comes in a squeezy tube.  The stuff itself is a peachy coloured cream with a pleasant, light fragrance.  I personally find it very addictive! The instructions advise you to "apply without rubbing a very thin layer all over the face, including the eye area (am I the only one that finds this a bit weird?) and then apply make-up immediately". It absorbs incredibly well, and leaves skin feeling soft, smooth and cushioned.  Also, it doesn’t leave any oil residue onto the skin at all. It's very nice as a make-up base too.  I did notice that make-up went on more smoothly but it didn’t really seem to last any longer than usual; actually when not wearing make-up, there was a more visible improvement in the appearance and texture of my skin. I found it to be glowy…ok this might be just wishful thinking but I honestly think it makes my skin look radiant, a bit like having applied some MAC strobe cream on your face...but better!  It does seem to increase firmness and even out skin tone. My cheeks seemed to be less pigmented than usual. The product worked so well in this regard that I didn’t feel the need for a full coverage foundation, a tinted moisturiser would suffice. 

  Beauty Flash Balm is recommended once or twice a week. Otherwise, it might stop being that effective. Still, this is a statement quite debatable.  In many reviews I’ve read recently around the blogosphere, numerous people would mention how much they love this product and that they use it as their everyday moisturiser.  I’m not sure how this would end up after 3 months of use.  I think skin would be so much adjusted to it that it would stop being so amazingly effective. I would really be interested in reading how it all went for people that have used this everyday though.

  Finally, the product contains algae extracts, which are supposed to provide a pick me up benefit; olive, which has a toning action; rice and witch hazel, which has astringent and anti-free radical properties and comes in a tube of 50 ml.  It might be a bit expensive but for those of you that want a radiance boost before a night out, as miracle workers in a tube go, this is pretty good and will certainly deliver!

Here it is in all its glory..

                                                

A little teaser from my next blog post: Estee Lauder Summer Melon and Portofino lipsticks

               

                 

Welcome

Ok…this is it!  I have finally decided to publish my first blog post.  For the last few weeks, I kept postponing it due to..hmm nervousness (?) but since I am aimlessly roaming about the internet, I thought I may as well do something productive and finally take the plunge. I am not quite sure how to begin, is there a manual on blogger- newbies (?)  I am guessing an introduction is in order!  My name is Iliana and I work in the field of Education.  I spend a lot of time on the internet, and have been really enjoying reading beauty blogs, being a member of online communities, following plenty of beauty-related youtube channels, and anything else I stumble upon! So, I thought I would start my own blog and see how it goes.  I hope to post frequently, and about everything and anything I feel is worth blogging about, not just make-up!  I really think blogs are kind of your own little journal, and if that were to only include beauty-related stuff, it could maybe get a little bit boring? I don’t know. I’ll just go with it…and hopefully you will too :D

I hope you enjoy reading my blog as much as I am going to enjoy writing it!  Lots of love :D

  iliana