Empties- Summer 2014

Hi, there!

Here's a short review of all the products that I've used up during the summer.

Astor soft sensation Lipcolor Butter- 008 Hug Me
9,75€ (they are cheaper now, under 9€). Shelf life: 30 months after opening.
A 3 in 1(lipbalm, color and gloss) that had the perfect packaging, shape and size to carry it in my bag for touch ups. Here you can check this product's performance during a day.
I liked this product so much that I bought it again in color #22 Red my Lips

Essence 100% splash-proof eyeliner pen- 01 ultra black
About 3€, 1,2ml, shelf life: 6 months after opening.
It was waterproof, but not smudge proof. The felt tip is thin and it allows a precise application. I used it for more than one year and the tip did not dry out.
It was ok, but I prefer the classic version (eyeliner pen) from this same brand.


Milky Dress Skin Serum

Under 10€, 60ml, a clear and runny serum with a flowery smell. It was a bit sticky and, though it did not lighten my brown spots, it did brighten my complexion.

Secret Key Sin-Ake Anti Wrinkle & Whitening Cream

About 9€, 50ml, shelf life: 12 months after opening.
With a 4% of Sin-Ake, this cream promises to decrease fine and deep lines, dramatically rewake skin's vitality and increase elasticity. I didn't notice any difference in my fine lines. I guess this cream is more focused on preventing wrinkles, like most Korean creams. Besides, this cream was not moisturizing enough for my dry skin.

My Beauty Diary- Bird's Nest Mask/Black Pearl Mask

I bought these in Seoul and don't remember the price, but I don't think they were expensive. There are two masks (individually packaged) in every box and each mask has 23gr of essence. The Bird's Nest Mask is nourishing, firming and moisturizing and the Black Pearl Mask is clarifying and moisturizing.

I liked both masks. The smell is not overwhelming and the masks come attached to a plastic sheet that makes unfolding the mask and applying it to the face much easier.


Shiseido Advanced Body Creator super Slimming Reducer 

About 80 € (I bought it on sale for about 50€), 200ml, shelf life: 12 months after opening.
It gives a cooling sensation. You can see results after the first application, but the besdst results come with everyday use.
It has alcohol (it's the second ingredient) and quite many silicones but it doesn't have parabens.

Even though I'm not a fan of the main ingredients, the results are great: it "softens" the dimples and leaves the skin very soft. That being said, I took advantage of a 25% off at Sephora and bought a new pot.

Dior Escale a Portofino- Eau de Toilette 75ml

I can't remember the price, but this didn't come cheap. The smell is fresh and citrusy, but it doesn't last long.
It was ok, but there are other less expensive options out there with a similar fragrance.

Yves Rocher Mango-Passion Fruit Eau de Toilette (Limited Edition)

About 6€, 100ml.
I loved it. Sweet (but not overwhemingly sweet) and fruity. I sprayed this on my clothes to make the fragrance last longer. Yes, obviously there's alcohol in this product but it didn't stain any of my clothes.

Etude House Skin mal:gem Clear Cotton

This little package came for free with the mal:gem lotion. These are just ordinary cotton pads with a nice wavy pattern.

CJ (Cheiljedang) Water &- Lemon Vitamin/Pomegranate/Diet

I bought these in Seul. I don't remember the price, but they weren't expensive. This is a powder that you add to water and it gives the water some flavor, color and vitamins. You can add one package to 500ml of water or to 250ml of water if you want a more strong flavor. I always added one package to a 1/2 liter bottle of water and the flavor was good.
The weird fact is that, out of the three, the Diet one is the only one that has calories. x_x

And... that's all! Have you ever tried any of these products? And if so, what do you think of them?
♥♡♥Take care!♥♡♥

iHerb unboxing day + first opinions of all the products I ordered

Hi, there!

I just got a box today and I'm so excited about what's inside that I have to blog about it.
I placed my third order on iHerb a couple of weeks ago and here's what I decided to get this time: (I will link all the products to the iHerb site, in case you want to check them out. Just click on the name of the product and it will get you to the iHerb page)

Yummy Earth, Organic Fruit Snacks, Banana, Cherry, Peach & Strawberry
These gummy candies come in 5 small packages inside a bigger bag, each package containing 100% of the vitamin C intake you need daily. These little things are organic, have no artificial dyes, are made with real fruit and are gluten, peanut, soy, dairy and fat-free, and 100% vegan.

First impressions: The candies are soft and shaped as the fruit they taste like. They don't smell yummy, but they do taste good. My favourite is the banana candy, becase I find it's the strongest flavor out of the four.











 Tinkyada, Brown Rice Pasta, Vegetable Spirals

I have wanted to taste this pasta ever since I saw Missglamorazzi cooking it in Youtube. I might have been able to buy some brown rice pasta in Barcelona, you'll think (most likely not from the same brand but still -brown rice pasta). Yes, provably, but I saw this spirals on iHerb's site, I was too lazy to go and look for this type of pasta in the healthy food stores (plus it was August and most of the shops in my neigbourhood were closed for holidays) and I just decided to take the risk and have the pasta sent all the way from the States to Barcelona together with other items that could crush it and reduce the spirals to bits. Luckily, those guys at iHerb know what they're doing and the pasta came in perfect condition. It looks as if I just grabbed the package from the supermarket shelf.
I can't wait to taste this pasta!
First Impressions:  It looks like it's gonna come out kind of brown once boiled, like a wholewheat pasta would, but it actually comes off as regular pasta would: you wouldn't be able to tell it's brown rice pasta just by the looks of it one its cooked. It tastes good, it leaves you fuller than regular pasta and it doesn't get mushy. I will buy this again.

Everyday Coconut, Face Wash
I was running low of my face wash and I saw this one and decided to order it. It is very natural, it has no parabens in it and it is supposed to clean your face without striping it from its natural moisture levels. Again, the iHerb staff know what they are doing and they put every liquid item inside a ziplock bag so, in case there might be some spillage (which was not my case), the liquid won't ruin the rest of the items in the box or the box itself.
I can't wait for my current face wash to be gone so I can start using this one!

First impressions: I love this! It foams up like a dream, one pump is more than enough, it doesn't dry out my skin and, after a week of using it, I have noticed that I have less blackheads on my nose. I thought it smelled of rosemary, but it must be the neem, which is the main ingredient. Don't worry, the smell is only noticeable while massaging the face with the foam.

Heritage Products, Rosewater, Rose Petals
I run out of my rosewater toner/mist spray and I decided to order this product to replace it.

First impressions: It feels so fresh and light on the skin, yet somewhat moisturizing and it smells so good. The smell is not overpowering and does not linger on. It just feels as if you were sniffing roses at a flower store.









Here I'm leaving a code (PNL670) you can use to get  a 5$ or 10$ discount on your first order from iHerb.

Take care!

TESTED: Bubble hair coloring by Etude House (review)

Hi!

The time came for me to color my hair again. This time, I used Etude's House Bubble hair coloing in color number 7 "Mocha Pink".

Here are some pictures of the box:

Here are the contents of the box:

Pump bottle with the developer
Pouch with the liquid hair color
After coloring treatment
Leaflet with instructions
Gloves
Cape





Experience:
It's very easy to create the foam: you pour the hair colouring liquid into the bottle, screw the pump on tight and tilt the bottle (do not shake it) from left to right a few times. You'll notice when it's ready, cause you won't hear the liquid moving once it's foamed up.

The foam was pretty thick, all the way to the end.

Like every foam hair color, it was very easy to apply and cover all of my hair with it. It also covered white hairs perfectly.

This dye had no punjent smell and my scalp did not itch at all, and it did not flake afterwards.

It was a lovely color, though not the one you would expect by the name and the pictures on the box. It was ligther and more on the blondy side than I expected.

 Before                        After

I did not like the aftertreatment though. I felt it was not as moisturizing and repairing as other aftertreatments that come with other hair dyes.


After 6 weeks it faded a bit and turned blondier but even so, it was still a lovely color and looked very natural.

I bought this hair dye on sale in Seoul, but I've found it on eBay for about 6€ so, given the price and quality, I'll provably buy this hair dye again. And I might try another color, if I feel venturous enough.

Have you tried this or another foam hair dye? If so, what did you think of it?

♥♡♥ Take care! ♥♡♥

TESTED: Astor Fashon Studio nail polish, 242 Aqua Leaf; Kiko, nail lacquer 268 Lime green (review)

Hi!

Here's my experience with two nail polishes: 242 Aqua Leaf by Astor Fashion Studio and 268 by Kiko.

Mavala nail hardener + 2 coats of nail polish (3 coats of the 268). No top coat.

Description: 
242 Aqua Leaf
Price: 1,99 € (estaba de oferta)
Quantity: 6ml
Shelf life: 30 months after opening

It's a blue pastel nail polish.

Experience:

As it happens with most nail polishes, you need to apply two coats.

It recedes a little bit on the tip of the nails once the nail polish is dry and I saw a small chip on the nail of my left thumb on the sixth day.

Advice:
It is good to swipe the brush horizontally on the tip of the nails when painting them since this nail polish tends to recede a bit once it's dry. Like other Astor Fashion Studio nail polishes, the formula is quite dense so make sure you take the excess off before applying the nail polish or you'll get stripe marks on your nails.


Summary:
I love this color and I think it's ideal for spring and summer time.


Description:
268 Lime green
Price: 1 € (it was on sale)
Quantity: 11ml
Shelf life: 36 onths after opening

It's a fair green nail polish with shiny microparticles in it that give a perly effect.

Experiencie:
I had to apply 3 coats of this nail polish to get the nail completely opaque.

It's been already 7 days since i painted my nails and it hasn't chipped at all.

Advice:
You don't need to apply a top coat over this nail polish.

I think you could also apply it over another color to give your nails a lovely pearly effect with a tad of green color.

Summary:
I love this color and I also find it ideal for spring and summer time.

NOTES: I haven't seen it again in the shop, but it seems it's still available on the web.

♥♡♥ Take care! ♥♡♥

March & April 2014 Favourites (and 2 misses)

Hi!

Well, we're already in May! Can you believe it? Time goes by so fast, and now it is time to share my favourite products from March and April with you, as well as a couple of products I regret buying.


Cat thights

I bought them from Yesstyle (here's the link) because they were on offer and I thought they were really funny. The skin coloured part is quite opaque and the design is just do cute, with the cat's face on the front and the tail on the back. After buying these thights, I found out Tiny G, a K-pop group, were wearing these very same thights on the MV for their song "Miss You".

Had I found the matching T-shirt they are wearing on the MV, I would have also bought it. It's just so cute, and it also has the tail printed on the back.














Cookies & Cream Kit Kat

There are 5 mini packs with two bars each in every package. And yes, they do taste like cookies and cream. My boyfriend looooves them.














Catanias

Caramelized almonds covered in chocolate and sprinkled with powdered chocolate on the top. This is the original recipe and the only one I though it existed. But I went with some colleagues to a chocolate outlet from a brand named Blanxart and found out there were other flavours too. I bought 3 bags of catanias (also called "Brics" by this brand) in tree different flavours: original, passion fruit and natural sea-salt from Ibiza. All of them were delicious. Well, there are still some left in my pantry. ^_^
 



Mandarin and Orange Shower Butter by Bomb Cosmetics

I discovered this UK cosmetics brand in Padova, Italy, last year. Yeap. There was a shop at the central station. I went in just to look arround and sniff some of the products and ended up buying this shower butter because the concept really intrigued me. I started using this in March, when I run out of the moisturizing shower gel I was using. This shower butter smells really well, but only when your working it on your skin. It does not really foam up a lot but it cleanses really well and it leaves my skin very soft and moisturized. So moisturized that I don't need to spread anything else on my skin when I get off the shower.
The only dowside is that you are supposed to use this huge pot in three months after opening it.


Palmer's Olive Oil Formula Curl Extend Hair Pudding

 

I bought it on sale from Feelunique (here's the link) and I like how it leaves my hair: it moisturizes, tames the frizz and defines my waves. Don't get intimidated by the name, it doesn't smell at all of olive oil. It smells fresh and clean, kind of soapy. Not only does it not weigh my hair down but it actually gives it some volume.

Misses:

Miracle cream by Garnier

I really tried using this cream. I wanted to use it for 28 days, but I could only use it for 2 weeks: it made me break out. I stopped using it and my skin went back to normal. I waited for a week and tried using it again and I started breaking out again so, I stopped using it for good. The truth is I didn't expect this cream to look like that: it reminded me of some Korean CC creams. It comes out white but it developes the color when you work it on your skin. It doesn't adapt well to my skin color. It's a tad dark and orangey for me, as you can see in the picture. It has a very sheer coverage and you cannot build up the coverage, as you can do with a lot of Korean CC creams. The Miracle cream is more of a tinted moisturizer, rather than a CC cream. I will try applying this as a moisturizer from the knee down  once the weather is suitable to show some skin ^_^.



Superstay 14h color cream by Maybelline

I bought it in color 150 On and On Pink. I love the color but I don't like the formula at all: it's too creamy, it feels heavy on my lips and it dries my lips out. It lasts for quite a while but not for 14h, as they say. And when it starts coming off, it does it in patches. I've tryed applying it with and without lip balm. With lip balm, the color lasts less and it doesn't solve the dry lips problem. It also makes the dry skin on my lips more noticeable.







What were your favourites for March and April?
Have you tried any of the products I mentioned? And if so, what did you think of them?

♥♡♥ Take care! ♥♡♥

TESTED (TASTED): Korean instant noodles Chapaghetti (review)

Hi!

Here's my opinion on a new product that I've tasted and I've liked very much. These are Korean instant noodles with black bean sauce (jjajang myeon).

Youngsters in Korea have some curious celebrations. After Valentine's Day (February 14th) when gilrs give chocolate and sweets to the boys they like, there's White Day (March 14th)- when boys give chocolates and sweets to the girls they like. After that comes Black Day (April 14th)- when singles get together with other single friends to eat jjajang myeon (noodles with black bean sauce).

I bought these noodles inspired by Black Day. They are very easy to preapare: you boil the noodles together with the dried veggies and, after 5 minutes, you drain them leaving a little bit of water to be able to create the sauce with the black bean powder and the sesame oil provided in the package.

I added one egg for a little protein content. Mmm... so delicious...

If you'd like to taste some Korean food but you don't dare cause of the spiciness, you can taste these noodles: they are not spicy at all and they are super yummy.

So, will you give them a bite?

♥♡♥ Take care! ♥♡♥

TESTED: nail polish by Kiko, nail lacquer, 233 (review)

Hi!
Here's my experience with nail polish in color 233 by Kiko.

Mavala nail hardener + 2 coats of nail polish. No top coat.

Descripción: 
Price: 1 € (it was on sale)
Quantity: 11ml
Shelf life: 36 months after opening

It's a fair pink nail polish with really fine shinny microparticles that give the nails a pearly finnish.

Experience:
One coat gives the nails a pearly finnish. Two coats make the pink color of the nail polish visible.

After 7 days, looking at the nails very closely, you can see the nail polish chipped on the tip of some of the nails, but not on the sides or on the base of the nails. The good thing about this color is that it is very sheer so it is hard to see the little chipping here and there.

Consejos:
I don't see the need to apply a top coat over this nail polish since it is shinny and quite chip resistant.
I think it will look nice over another nail polish for that pearly effect.

Conclusión:
I like this nail polish. It looks very natural but at the same time you get a shinny pearly finnish taht makes your nnails more fancy.

NOTES. I don't think this color is in stock anymore. It is not on the web and I haven't seen it again in the shop either, but there are other similar nail polishes.

♥♡♥Take care!♥♡♥

TESTED: Nail polish, Kiko, quick dry, 848 Pearly Lilac (review)

Hello!

I've been testing out some nail polishes lately and here's my experience with the quick dry nail lacquer 848 Pearly Lilac by Kiko.

Mavala nail hardener + 2 coats of nail polish. No top coat.

Description:
Price: 3,90 €
Quantity: 10ml
Shelf life: 36 months after opening

It's a fair lilac color nail polish, a color in vogue this sping. It actually matches the Lollitint by Benefit. ^_^

Experience:
You need two coats for it to look opaque on the nails.
The brush is thick so you only need two swipes to cover each nail.
Yes, it dries quickly (I don't know the exact seconds it takes to dry but it's definitely less than a minute).
It started chipping off on the fourth day on the tip of some nails. Then it kept chipping off on the sides and it even chipped off on the base of the nails before I removed it on the seventh day.

Advice:
If you want this polish to last on your nails, you'll need to use a chip resistant top coat.

Summary:
I love this color and the quick dry feature is very convenient. There are lots of colors with shiny, pearly and metal finnish to choose from.

♥♡♥Take care!♥♡♥

TESTED: Nail polish Astor Fashion Studio, Changing Metal Effect, 262 Cooper King (review)

Hello!

I've been testing out some nail polishes lately and here's my experience with the nail lacquer 262 Cooper King from the Changing Metal Effect collection by Astor Fashion Studio.

Mavala nail hardener + 2 coats of nail polish. No top coat.

Description:
Price: 1,99 €
Quantity: 6ml
Shelf life: 30 months after opening

This is a metal effect nail polish. The color is purple most of the time but, depending on the lighting, it can look old goldish-greenish.

Experience:
You need two coats for it to look opaque on the nails.
It started chipping off on the fourth day on the tip of some nails and on the side of my left index finger. And that was all untill I removed it on the seventh day to test a new nail polish.


Advice:
If you want this polish to stay perfectly put on your nails for more than four days, you'll need to use a chip resistant top coat.

Summary:
I personaly love the metal effect on my nails and 1,99 € is a nice price. There are more colors to choose from ^_^.

♥♡♥Take care!♥♡♥

TESTED: Mise en scène Hello Bubble Foam Color (Review)

Hey, there!

I've always loved coloring my hair, and now I kind of I have to because my first whites are starting to show. I also hate the mess of the actual application process and I'm not willing to spend money or time at the haidresser's every 5 or 6 weeks. So, anything that makes the dyeing process at home easier is very much appreciated by me. That's why I love bubble dyes: they're really easy to apply and less messy than cream dyes. So far, I had only tried the Sublime Mousse by L'Orèal but since this kind of foam hair dyes are very popular in Korea, I decided to get a couple of them while I was in Seoul. This review is of shade 7N Mocha latte brown by Mise en scène.

Here's the box and what you get in it:

Gloves
Cape
Plastic bottle with the developer liquid in it.
Bag with the color in it.
Pump
Shampoo
Damage care hair pack. It contains argan oil, protein & rose water.
Leaflet with directions

Here's my hair before and after:

                                                    BEFORE                            AFTER

Despite beeing a light brown coppery color, the foam had a mauvish/greyish hue to it that is typical of blonde dies.
The smell was not overpowering, which is something I appreciate.
It didn't make my scalp itchy, which almost made me wanna kiss the bottle, because I always end up with an itchy scalp during and after coloring my hair.
I dyed my hair on January 19th and this is how it looked 6 weeks after:

As you can see, it got blonder. It looks blonder in the pictures than it was in real life though, maybe because of the lighting, but it was still pretty orange.
And, look at those roots! It was time to color my hair again and for that, I chose the other hair dye I bought in Seoul.: Bubble Hair Coloring by Etude House, in color number 7 Mocha Pink. So, if you're interested in this product, I'll make a review of it most likely in a couple of weeks.

What about you? Do you dye your hair at home? Have you ever tried a foam/bubble dye?

♥♡♥ Take care! ♥♡♥

My January and February 2014 favourites

Hey there!

I can't believe we're already in March! I feel like these last three months have gone by so fast. Anyways, here are my favourite products of January and February 2014.

Geek pyjamas

I bought this one at Primark back in November 2013. It costed 8€, it's warm and super comfy and that's why I have been favouring this one over my other two pyjamas.








Grey bag with colorful flowers

I bought this bag in Seoul because my beloved little black bag (featured in my best of 2013 post) was falling into pieces, and I have been wearing it a lot. It is just the right size for me and the pattern and colours match with most of my outfits.





 

Christmas tea blend

 It is delicious. It tastes of chocolate and caramel, and also leaves the soft flavour of hibiscus swirling around your tonge when you swallow it.
I also like adding a cloud of milk for a creamier texture.

Nestlé's Strawberry Cheesecake chocolate bar

Every piece is just a small bite of strawberry cheesecake covered in chocolate. Since I discovered it, it has been a staple in my fridge for those days of the month when I'm just so happy to have been born a female.

Tumbler mug

I had been wanting to have a tumbler for a long time. Why? I cannot say. I just wanted to have one. And one day I found this lovely and cute one at Primark for 2,5 € and I just had to take it home with me. It keeps my drinks hot for longer, which I appreciate a lot now that's winter and I like to snuggle up in my coach with a hot tea warming my hands and my body.

Love decoration sign

Another thing that I wanted for a long time was one of those letter signs. I found this one at Primark for 5€. It was a little bit different from the ones I had seen, with the letter "o" being a heart with some bling bling going on. I feel this adds a chic and luxurious touch to my dinning room.

Air Wick Freshmatic Max - Touch of Luxury

This just smells sooo gooood! It has essential oils and the smell lingers in the air for a long time. It's sweet, but not overwhelming.










And that's all for now!
What were your favourite items from January and February 2014?

♥♡Take care!♡♥

Korean haul (part 2)

(See the previous post for more items)
Skincare
I kind of went crazy buying paper masks, but they were so cheap! (almost all of them were either on sale or 1+1)


My Beauty Diary - Bird's Nest (2 pieces) and Black Pearl (2 pieces)
Balhyo Nature - Weekly Mask Set (4 pieces)
Eeyoo - Snail Extra Soothing Mask (10 pieces)
A'Pieu - Collagen Dual Set Mask (10 pieces) and Caviar Dual Set Mask (10 pieces)
Etude House - Collagen Eye Gel Patch (10 pieces)







Faith In The Face - Hold Me Tigh (1 piece) snd Black and White Film Star (1 piece)
Tamagohada - AHA + BHA face wash
Etude House - Skin ma:lgem (deep moist)
Inisfree - It's real Green Tea mask (4 pieces. These came with the Eco Science Wrinkle Spot essence) and Eco Science Wrinkle Spot essence
Skinfood - Thermal Water Gel Mask (1 piece)
Etude House - Heart for 5 Berry Complex (10 pieces) and K for Korean Gingseng (10 pieces) 

Skinfood - Black Sugar mask


Samples
I got some with every purchase.


Etude House - Pomegranate face mask, baking Powder BB Deep Cleansig Foam, Milky You One Step Cleansing Foam, Collagen Moistfull trial kit, Collagen Moistfull Cream, CC Cream (silky), Sweet Recipe Baby Chou base.
Inisfree - Soybean Energy Essence
A'Pieu - Essential Source Hyaluronic Acid lotion and Essential Source Hyaluronic Acid essence
Skinfood - Royal Honey Nutrition Massage Cream, Brocoli Cleansing Foam, Brocoli Sun Cream

And, that's all!
Just leave me a comment if you're interested in any of these products, cause I'm planning to review some of them.
Take care!
♥♡♥