Nivea BB cream with SPF 10 in colour light

Let’s continue today with BB creams reviews, I have 3 more that I would like to mention, all from drugstore and here is the first one.

Price: it costs about 5-8€ in any drugstore.

Smell: it has typical Nivea scent (which I quite like).

Colour: I bought colour light and thought it would be light but it is way too darker than my skin colour (I’m NW20 in MAC). It is about 3 shades darker than my skin and the undertone is really pink. When I got tanned and tried it, it looked almost like a light blush on me. It is not that visible on the picture but it is absolutely different colour that I need.

Texture and finish: it is a thicker cream that leaves dewy finish (possibly suitable for very dry skin).

Application: I applied it like regular day cream.

Nivea BB cream with SPF 10 in colour light

Coverage: it has little bit of coverage but not as much as Estee Lauder or Smashbox, it doesn’t hide any imperfections, it only changes and unifies colour of the skin (in my case not a natural look due to the undertone difference).

Longevity: since it is very creamy I mainly tried it during the winter season when I was skiing and didn’t want to put lot of make-up. It held well for 3-4 hours but if I touched my face it moved. I can’t imagine using it during the summer as I would look like a grease ball.

What it promises:

1. Intensively hydrates and easily soaks into the skin (I agree with hydration although I don’t think it soaks that well), 
2. Unifies and smoothes your skin (yes, it unifies the skin if you have pink undertone, and thick cream texture helps to make it smooth), 
3. Covers imperfections such as spots, signs of fatigue, small wrinkles and red spots (no, it doesn’t have the coverage to do it and especially it cannot cover red spots since it’s pink tone…), 
4. Illuminate your skin (yes, it has dewy finish), 
5. Makes your skin satin to the touch (yes, thanks to creamy texture), 
6. Thanks to SPF 10 this cream helps to protect skin against sun and external aggressors responsible for aging (SPF 10 is absolutely nothing, it has to be at least 15 for winter, and 30 for summer to protect the skin against sun, to I think this claim is just ridiculous).

Nivea BB cream with SPF 10 in colour light

Final verdict: it is moisturising but due to its absolutely horrible colour I won’t be able to use it. I have neutral, slightly yellow undertone and I look like I’m blushing all over the face when using this cream, not to mention that light colour is more a medium than light colour. I’m not going to use it up and I cannot give it to anybody because it’s just too pink and greasy (almost all my friends have oily skin). I hate throwing things away, but unfortunately this cream has to go.

Too faced Better than false lashes Nylon lash extension system

Hello girls! Today, another review of quite an interesting product. I think every girl wishes to have long lashes and even though mine are not that bad I always like to try new things and see if I can get longer and fuller lashes than I have.

Price: it costs 32€ in French Sephora. My kit was part of Sephora favorites, so I didn’t have to pay full price (the whole Sephora favorites box contained 12 products for 75$). Always try products that you are curious about when it’s part of cheap set, it saves a lot of money in case you don’t like it. Just saying…

Too faced Better than false lashes Nylon lash extension system

Application: according to the packaging, apply the system as following:
Step 1: Prime: apply the activating mascara (gold tube) from roots to tip in slow, smooth strokes
Step 2: Build: brush on the exclusive Flexistretch nylon fibers (white tube), from lash root to tip in slow, smooth stokes to build.
Step 3: Seal: seal the fibers with the activating mascara (gold tube), apply from lash root to tip in slow, smooth strokes for an extreme lash look.

Too faced Better than false lashes Nylon lash extension system (step 1 and 3)

My experience:

Step 1: I applied mascara in gold tube as I would regular mascara. It gave me natural look, nothing extreme in term of volume or length, but it nicely separated all the lashes so it looked nice. It felt little bit sticky so I would not apply mascara on bottom lashes otherwise you risk sticking both lash lines together and messing everything.

Step 2: I applied white tube mascara the same way as regular mascara. It doesn’t have any liquid; it has only white fibers that look like fibers from cotton pads.

Step 3: I applied again mascara in gold tube. I combed through lashes several times to cover all white fibers. The fibers stack well to the lashes with that mascara and my lashes looked twice as long as previously. It didn’t create any volume though. The tips of the lashes looked very strange I must say, like when your hair has split ends. It didn’t look natural, more like you had some artistic fake lashes (sorry, I haven’t taken any pictures; I totally forgot doing it before throwing this set away).

Too faced Better than false lashes Nylon lash extension system (step 2)

Final verdict: well, it did create lot of length (it claims 42% longer lashes and I would say even longer), it didn’t create any volume (it says 98% increase in volume; I would say maybe 10%). I don’t feel very comfortable using these mascaras as they are sticky and I cannot use any mascara on lower lashes. Also my lashes looked like some forest creature lashes so unless I’m going to Halloween party, I’m not going to use it up. I don’t know if I would recommend this system or not, because what bothers me doesn’t have to necessarily bother you, especially if you are really craving those long lashes. I say, try it for yourself and let me know what you think.

Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess self-tanning lotion for face vs. Yves Rocher Soin lift self-tanner for face

These two face self-tanners looked similar so I figured we can have a little battle here. I tested them in July and here are the results.

Price: Estee Lauder face self-tanner costs around 30€ for 50 ml, you can buy it wherever they sell Estee Lauder. It may be sold only during the summer, I’m not sure. Yves Rocher costs 7,95€, also for 50 ml, in Yves Rocher stores or online shop. You can buy it cheaper during the sales.

Yves Rocher Soin lift self-tanner for face (left), Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess self-tanning lotion for face (right)

Smell:
EL: it has warm sweet scent. According to the packaging it has amber and coconut oil as part of the perfume. I don’t smell any coconut oil, rather amber, it is pleasant scent anyway. When the self-tanning product develops, it has its typical smell and it goes away once the skin is tanned.
YR: it also has warm scent; I smell some nuts in the perfume. It doesn’t have any self-tanner scent at all.

Application: it is easy to apply for both products. They have cream consistency so you can use it just like regular moisturiser. Avoid eye areas though and blend well down to the chest part to avoid difference in colour at the neckline.

Yves Rocher Soin lift self-tanner for face

Colour:
EL: after 2 applications, Estee Lauder tanned my face by 2-3 shades. Further applications didn’t make the colour go darker. Colour’s undertone was yellowish.
YR: after 2 applications nothing, so I applied 3rd and 4th layer as well and still nothing. I didn’t get any colour from this product (I’m NW15-20 in MAC).

Longevity and fading: since Yves Rocher didn’t give me any colour I cannot report on Longevity and fading. On the other hand, tan from Estee Lauder self-tanner lasted about 4 days and faded nicely without patches. You don’t need lot of cream for one application so I think one bottle will last you for good 2 months. As always, stay away from peeling, acids and other products that take upper skin layer off to keep your tan longer.

Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess self-tanning lotion for face

Final verdict: Yver Rocher is going to the trash as you could understand from the colour section. It didn’t give me any colour so no need to use it. Estee Lauder is a nice product; it reminds me Vichy self-tanning towelettes and I would use it during the winter season when I don’t ask for dark tan. During the summer I prefer darker brown colour that I can get from L’Oreal Sublime bronze for face.

Catrice Eye liner pen vs. Yves Rocher 12h felt-tip liner

It wouldn’t be a month without reviewing some eyeliner in pen form, so here we go again.

Price: Catrice costs 3,29€ in any DM drugstore or in Kruidvat stores in Belgium. Yves Rocher costs 7,70€ in Yves Rocher stores or their online shop. From time to time, Yves Rocher liner pen is offered with the purchase (as was my case) or it is on sale during January or July (50% off).

Yves Rocher 12h felt-tip liner

Colour: I bought both liners in colour Black. The intensity was quite different I must say. While Catrice’s black was blue tone (when I was removing it in the evening there was a blue tattoo-like colour left on the lid), Yves Rocher was straight black. Catrice colour wasn’t consistent when drawing a line, there were gaps in colour and I had to repaint it in some places. I think part of this problem was that it has very watery consistency. Yves Rocher intensity was good although not as intensive as L’Oreal Super Liner Blackbuster.

Applicators: both pens have felt-tip applicators, they are very similar in shape although Yves Rocher’s tip is little bit pointer. Both liners created the same line, thin and thick as needed.

Catrice Eye liner pen

Longevity: both eyeliners lasted all day long till I remove them with make-up remover. What concerns pen longevity, while Catrice lasted for good 3 weeks, it wasn’t full on black colour, already from the beginning, on the other hand Yves Rocher had nice colour but the tip broke after 2 weeks and it was difficult to use and to create nice line.

Final verdict: since one had inconsistent colour and other one didn’t have strong tip to last more than 2 weeks I’m not going to repurchase any of them. I was actually very glad to throw them away after 1 month of combined yet difficult use. I still have few more drugstore eyeliners in stash, so I’m keeping my faith that I will find one worth repurchasing.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place foundation

I've finally gave in and bought Estee Lauder Double Wear, one of the well known and well sold foundation. I tried it on in different situations and there are some interesting findings I must say.

Price: this foundation is definitely not cheap one. It costs about 43,50€ in French Sephora but you can buy in any perfumeries where Estee Lauder is sold. I bought mine on sale in Slovak perfumery for 36€, still not a cheap buy but better than full price.

Smell and packaging: it doesn’t have specific scent, maybe little bit of paint scent (is that weird?). It comes in glass bottle which is not travel friendly. Also it doesn’t have a pump and that is quite a downside since you have to pour the foundation on your fingers. It tends to be messy and it is not really hygienic either.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place in colour 2N1 (Desert Beige)

Shades: it comes in 12 (in EU) and more shades (in US Sephora 29 shades!!!), with cool, neutral and warm under tone. The shades choice varies according to regions, for ex. I have 2N1 (Desert Beige) which is not available in France or Belgium but available in Slovakia. Definitely go and test in your store to see what suits you best.

Application: this was a challenge I must say. You cannot treat it like a regular foundation, don't slap it on and think it will look nice. Nope. I tried it with hands, brush and sponge; the best result came with sponge. If you use fingers or brush you may put too much foundation and it looks very caky then, if you use sponge, the finish is much nicer, because sponge soaks some product in and it doesn’t look as caky as with other methods of application. Always start with only one part of face and blend very well. I tried using it with some makeup base but it didn't work with any, so just use your moisturiser, let it soak well into the skin and then apply the foundation.

Texture and finish: it is creamy liquid foundation. Not as thick as I expected for the coverage you get but still very hard to blend. It is not the foundation for the day time for sure as it is visible, even when well blended. If you don't like feeling of wearing makeup you won't like this foundation. It has semi matt finish, so not extremely matt or dewy, and I think it is a good finish for such a foundation. 

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place in colour 2N1 (Desert Beige)

Coverage: it says on the packaging medium to full coverage, but to me it is full coverage. I know Estee Lauder has another foundation with even more coverage than that but I cannot imagine what it's like on the face if it has higher coverage than that. This foundation covers well all my discolorations, pimples and dark spots but as mentioned before it is noticeable, that is the price to pay.

Longevity: it stays on very well. When I used it during the day I noticed after 10 hours that the foundation would soak little bit into the pores around my nose but it was visible only from close view, from the distance it looked still very good. Another time, I put it on at 18h in the evening when I was going out with my friends. I came back at 2 am, very tired, so I used only Bioderma water to wipe the makeup from my face. Next morning (well noon) I still had quite flawless face with light layer of foundation. It is very long lasting foundation and you'll need a good makeup remover to get rid of it. 

Final verdict: it is not a foundation for daily use as it is very visible. I will certainly keep it and use it for evening occasions as you can be really sure that your face stays flawless for very long time. I think it is also a good foundation to mix with other ones if you want to get lighter makeup look but keep some qualities like longevity and coverage. I think it is a good foundation for oily, normal and slightly dry skin. Thumbs up!

Palmer's cocoa butter formula Natural bronze body lotion

I've been recently using Palmer's cocoa butter formula body oil and the scent just reminded me that I still have to do a review on their self-tanning body lotion. So here we go.

Price: it costs about 13€ on French Amazon but you can buy it in Boots in UK for less than 4£ for 250 ml (according to Boots webpage it delivers to Belgium and Slovakia as well for 9,99£).

Smell: it ha strong cocoa scent just like other Palmer's cocoa butter formula products. When the tan develops, it has a self-tanner smell but it is not very strong as the cocoa scent overpowers it. At the beginning I loved the scent, I smelt like chocolate which was pleasant to me but by the end of the product I was fed up with the scent so I can't use it constantly, I have to take a break from the scent from time to time.

Colour: after 1 application you will get 1-1½ shade darker skin, after 2 applications you'll be 3 shades darker (I'm NW15-20 at MAC). The colour undertone is yellowish; it doesn't turn in different undertone or darker colour when you apply more than 3 layers. If your skin tone is NW/C 35-40 and up in MAC then you won't see the change in skin shade. 

Palmer's cocoa butter formula Natural bronze body lotion

Application: it has runny cream texture. I applied it like regular body lotion with my hands, I didn't even use tanning mitt. It was really easy to apply, no fuss, just remember to wash your hands after the application. Even though it doesn't have a colour indicator I haven't seen any streaks or missed spots, the tan looked nice.

Longevity and fading: it lasted around 4 days and then started to fade. It wasn't patchy and faded nicely.

Final verdict: it is very easy, no mess, self-tanner with light colour. It is in fact my favourite winter self-tanner as I don't ask for lot of colour during that time and the cocoa scent just makes you feel warm and cosy. If you are beginner and/or very light skin tone this is the self-tanner to try.

Garnier Skin Natural Miracle skin cream Anti-aging skin transforming care

Yet another BB cream type product that caught my eye in the drugstore and I decided to test it. I was using it for more than 2 weeks at the beginning of summer instead of my daily moisturizer and it’s about time to report on it.

Price: 12,49€ for 50ml in DI drugstore which I feel is a lot for Garnier brand. Maybe it’s just Belgium high price level and you can get it for a lot cheaper in other countries (which wouldn’t be surprising).

Smell: it smells fresh and fruity and although I think that skincare should not hare perfume I don’t mind it, it is a nice scent.

Colour: at first it has white colour, it looks like a cream. Once you start blending it in the skin, the pigments “balls” pop up and blend with the cream. The colour, when swatched heavily, is warm light shade.

Garnier Skin Natural Miracle skin cream Anti-aging skin transforming care

Texture and finish: it has light cream texture which is not heavy at all, it is lighter in texture than for ex. L’Oreal Sublimist BB cream. At the beginning the finish was dewy but once it soaked in the skin it became semi matt, natural finish.

What it promises: instantly corrects skin imperfections (to deliver unified and luminous skin) and gives skin 24 hour hydration, in long run it reduces wrinkles and dark spots and improves skin quality.

Coverage: when heavy swatched it looks like it has some coverage but in fact once you blend it in the skin there is no coverage at all. It gives little bit of warmth to the skin but it doesn’t cover anything. It is definitely not a BB cream but rather tinted moisturizer (which is what it basically claims to be).

Longevity: I didn’t wear it alone as it doesn’t have any coverage, only under the foundation. It worked well and didn’t influence foundation’s wear at all.

Garnier Skin Natural Miracle skin cream Anti-aging skin transforming care

My experience: I applied it as regular cream; it has SPF 20 so I used it instead of my daily moisturizer. It soaked in the skin quite quickly and left it nicely moisturized and smooth. It didn’t instantly correct my skin imperfections as it didn’t have enough coverage to do so. I used it for more than 2 weeks but it is said on the packaging that the long term effects (wrinkles and dark spots reduction and skin quality improvement) will start to show only after 28 days of use. Therefore I cannot say if it reduces the wrinkles and dark spots or not (well, it didn’t do it those 2 weeks, so I guess it starts working only after the whole month, right?:)).

Final verdict: it’s moisturizing, it has SPF 20 and quite a nice smell. I will definitely use it up but won’t repurchase it since I enjoy more BB creams with some coverage instead of daily moisturizers. All in all, it is a nice product and I definitely recommend trying it yourself.

Agadir argan oil daily moisturizing conditioner vs Swiss O Par Hair treatment with argan oil

I have naturally dry, thin hair so I always look for something moisturizing yet light to use without weighing my hair down. These 2 products promise similar effect (and their packaging is somewhat similar as well) so I figured it’d be good idea to compare them.

Price: Agadir costs 10,97$ on US Amazon.com or 24,50$ on strawberrynet.com (ships to Europe for free) for 355ml. Swiss O Par can be found in DM drugstore under 5€ for 200ml.

Smell: Agadir has musky oriental scent while Swiss O Par some kind of a fruity scent. I personally prefer fruity scent although the oriental one is still quite nice. However none of them smells like argan oil.

 

Agadir argan oil daily moisturizing conditioner 

Texture and colour: Agadir has thicker liquid slippery consistency and milk colour. Swiss O Par has thick cream consistency and milk colour as well.

What they promise:
Agadir: anti colour fade for long, lasting hair colour, it detangles, smoothes and corrects dry, frizzy hair, protects against heat and chemical damage, paraben free, 24 hours lasting shine, humidity resistant, featherweight formula with protective sunscreen, enriched with antioxidants and vitamin E.
Swiss O Par: delivers best available care for your hair, gives your hair health and natural look, detangles and smoothes your hair, contains high quality argan oil from Morocco and provitamin B3.

Swiss O Par Hair treatment with argan oil

My experience:
Agadir: I didn’t need much of Agadir conditioner to use, little went a long way. It made my hair smooth, easy to detangle and comb. My hair was soft and shiny although I cannot say that the shine lasted for 24 hours like it promises. One bottle lasted me at least 2 months so even though it looks a lot more expensive than Swiss O Par its not so bad.
Swiss O Par: to cover all my hair I needed quite a lot since it has a thick cream consistency. It felt very moisturising during the application but when I washed it out my hair didn’t keep as much moistures as I expected. It didn’t make my hair smooth and easy to comb as Agadir conditioner. It wasn’t the worst conditioner/hair treatment I had, there were far worse conditioners before but it just didn’t give me what Agadir did. As I needed more amount for one application I used the tube up much quicker than Agadir bottle.

Final verdict: I actually really enjoyed Agadir conditioner and once I use up everything I have in stock I will repurchase it. On the other hand Swiss O Par wasn’t worth buying for me, even though it was a lot cheaper. I have dry hair so I really need something effective and I’m willing to pay little bit more for it. 

Paula's choice Suncare Almost the real thing self-tanner gel

I mentioned already before that I'm a big fan of Paula's choice products so of course I had to try the self-tanner as well.

Price: I bought it last year for 18€ for 148 ml on www.paulaschoice-eu.com, but I've only seen it on US website currently on sale for 6,50$ so I'm not sure if it's going to be discontinued or not.

Smell: it doesn't have a smell during the application but smells like self-tanner when developing.

Application: it was easy to apply as it has kind of gel-lotion consistency. I used a mitt to apply it but it would be possible with just hands as well (just wash them well after the application). It wasn't sticky; it soaked in the skin quite quickly. It has light colour applicator so it helped to avoid streaky situation.

Paula's choice Suncare Almost the real thing self-tanner gel

Colour: after first application the colour went by few shades with little bit of yellow undertone and it looked nice. With second application it started to look little bit orangey so I would not apply more than 2 layers and keep it just few shades darker. It would be good self-tanner for the winter season.

Longevity and shading: the tan lasted about 5 days before it started to fade. First it was fading nicely but than I started seeing some patches so don't let it fade too long rather scrub the tan off. One bottle lasted quite a long time, almost 2 months.

Final verdict: I didn't like the colour especially as it was turning orange after 2nd application. I used it up but I wouldn't repurchase it again; I still prefer St.Tropez bronzing mousse even though it's more expensive.