dots in gold

Taking a break

2015-08-08T23:52:00.001-07:00

You may have noticed that it went quiter here and on social media the last two months and i am truly sorry about that. I continously tried to get out of the writing slump and get back on schedule, but it never really worked out.

I simply can't find the time and when i have time the motivation to write any blogposts and the ideas for them are rarely there, too.
Instead of forcing myself to write posts or come up with ideas that won't be as good as i want them to be and written with care and passion, i decided to take a break. Not for long just until i have more time to spend on my blog and to truly do with it what i want to.
Taking a few steps back from blogging and from the permanent pressure to come up with ideas that just aren't there and the guilt to not have posted for another week will help me, i'm sure, to get back into my old writing and blogging shape.
My stay in Canada slowly heads to it's end and in the last week of August i wouldn't be able to post anything, because i will be in Montreal. In September i will be back home in germany and therefore will have more time to work on posts and so on.
I intend to start posting in the regular wednesday, friday, sunday schedule beginning from the first or second week of September.
Until then i wish you a nice rest summer holiday, enjoy the sun and i hope to see you back in September.

A few inspirations if you don't know what to buy at MAC

2015-07-29T07:00:00.001-07:00

Maybe you haven't dugged into the world of MAC products yet and the amount and variety of products are overwhelming for you. Or you already own quite the collection and don't know what to buy anymore. I have some help for you either way. Everybody has different preferences in product types and colours and i'm not an expert in terms of MAC (actually i am still a bit overwhelmed by the amount of different products). So here are a few posts and videos from ladys who already have an impressive MAC collection and know what they are talking about. After watching and reading named posts and videos i added a few (or a lot) of products to my MAC wishlist so go ahead and i'll hope you can do the same. So know i'll stop talking and leave the talking to the ladys.

//ALLANA'S MAC FAVES

//ANNA'S MAC EYESHADOW PALETTE

HERE or HERE

//SUZIE'S MAC LIPSTICK COLLECTION

What are your favorite MAC products and products you would recommand?

Why you should get samples before buying skincare

2015-07-17T07:00:00.000-07:00

I came up with this postidea while scrubing my face with a sample of the 7 Day Scrub from Clinique, which i intended to buy but got a sample first. That was the right choice, because the scrub was roo harsh for me and i felt like i was scrubing off my skin. Good thing i didn't bought the full size right away. Once i had a strawberry red face from a moisturizer, it was just a drugstore one and therefore not expensive but still.

Especially when you intend to buy a highend or more expensive skincare item try to get a sample first. The people on the counter should give you one if you ask. Sometimes if you order online or from drugstore brands you can't get a sample, which is ok.

I will try to get a sample of the product i intend to purchase from now on. First to see if i like the texture and smell of the product, how my skin reacts to it and if it's making a difference.

This will not only save me from purchases i'll regret, but also my skin from any abnormal reactions.

Do you get skincare samples before buying the full size?

How to maintain your summer tan

2015-07-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

Summer is my favorite time of the year and i do love a good natural tan. I'll lay hours on the beach or in my backyard to achieve the perfect tan. When you're home from vacation or the sunny times in your backyard are over you desperately want to keep the nice tan as long as possible. It will share a few of the things i do to maintain my summer tan as long as possible.

//BEFORE VACATION/SUMMER

Scrub your skin once a week to make sure that all the old and dead skincells are gone. If you don't tan with scrubed skin than you'll tan the old skincells and when you scrub your skin afterwards your tan will be half gone. And mousturize, moisturize, moisturize, to make sure that the new skincells stay nice and moisturized as long as possible.

//DURING VACATION/SUMMER

Here's the rule to either not use bodyscrubs when you're on a short vacation to get the darkest tan possible. Or when you're tanning at home scrub maybe every two weeks to remove the old skin cells and give yourself a chance to get back the tan you lost.

Very important is sunscreen. Here it all depends how sensitive your skin is and how easy you get a sunburn. Your goal is to not get any sunburn, because that won't help your chances of a nice tan.

You could try carotin suncreams or oils which are supposed to help you tan quicker, darker and keep the tan longer. I don't know if they really help, but it's worth a try.

And here applies the same rule for moisturizing, as often as possible as rich as possible. Maybe even slap some After Sun Lotion on after your sunbath.

//AFTER VACATION/SUMMER

The less you scrub your body the better, because the slower you'll lose the tan you worked so hard for.

Again moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. I think i don't need to say anything else in that department or?

To keep your tan nice an dark, you could go into a solarium or fake tan at home. Whatever way you prefer. I will try the St. Tropez In Shower Tan everybody is trying out these days and for me it sounds like a product that could fit perfectly into my routine.

What are your Do's and Dont's on maintaining the perfect summer tan?

Favorite 5 Travel Apps

2015-07-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

I love traveling, seeing new countries, new cities, exploring the unknown and making experiences i wouldn't if i stayed at home. I always wanted to see the world, do a trip around the world. I have that kind of urge that pulls me to unknown places. That's one of the reasons why i'm in Canada for 10 months. Below i'll talk about my favorite Travel apps, which are five to be exact.

//BEEN - HERE

This app is more a fun gadget than any kind of helping travel app. With been you can keep track of all the countries you've already been in. It will colour the visited country orange. Then you can see on a globe which parts of the world you've already seen and which ones you didn't. Another fun information is the percentage of a continent and of the world you've visited already. I think i visited 3% of the world at the moment.

//SKYSCANNER - HERE

An app which scans the sky for you and tells you which is the cheapest flight to your selected destination. Best thing about this app though is that you can select the option „everywhere“ as a destination. So when you're not sure where to go on holidays, just select everywhere and see which destination could be your next.

//TRIP IT - HERE

With Trip it you can keep track of your ways of traveling. You can enter a trip and then add flights, trainrides, taxis and so on and so on. If you enter the airline, date and flight number it adds the times and the details on it's own. And you can check if your flight departures at the right time, has a delay or got canceled. Comes in handy when you're traveling a lot and use different transportation methods for one trip.

//AIRBNB - HERE

This is the new place to go and find cheap or unique locations anywhere on the world. People put their houses, flats, rooms, etc on airbnb and you can book them. Most of the time they're way cheaper than a hotel would be and you get the feeling of being a local. You can find a suitable place for you. If you're okay with just a room in the flat of the owners, want to have a whole flat or house for yourself or maybe even want to sleep in a cool location like a tree house. You can find anything, anywhere on airbnb.

//HOLIDAY PIRATES - HERE

If you are traveling on a budget, but still don't want to miss out on all the nice places in the world this is the app to download. You can set alarms for certain destinations and a price range and you will get notified when there's an option available.

Do you have any travel apps you love and i should take a look at?

Are the Maybelline Nudes Palettes any good?

2015-07-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

Maybelline brought out their "The Nudes Palette" a few months ago and everybody wanted to get their hands on it. It did look promising and i had to visit the drugstore a few times to finally find one on the shelf. Then a few weeks ago i saw a picture of the "The Blushed Nudes Palette" on Twitter and i immediately wanted to have it. I am longing for the Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette for quite a while now and this one looked as if it could please my desire in that department at least for now.

//PACKAGING

Do i even have to say anything about the packaging? They both look gorgeous. The Nudes Palette is more of a sleek black elegant packaging where the Blushed Nudes Palette is a bit more on the girly side. The rosegold though... Both are sleek, elegant and nice to look at and hold. With 12 eyeshadows you have a lot of variety in a compact package, perfect for traveling. One contra is that they both don't have a mirror.

The colour choice of both palettes is perfect for a day or a night look, you have light and dark, shimmery and matte shades.

The Nudes palette has 5 matte shadows and 7 shimmery ones, where the Blushed Nudes one has 2 matte ones and 9 shimmer and 1 glitter eyeshadow.

//PIGMENTATION

Both palettes convince swatching them with a finger in pigmentation even the lighter colours. Especially with lighter colours it's hard to find palettes with good pigmentation in the drugstore. The Blushed Nudes Palette which has more lighter shades, definitely convinces in that departement. Applied with a brush the lighter colours do lose a bit of this good pigmentation. For a drugstore palette the pigmentation is one of the best i've seen so far, still you can't compare them to highend eyeshadows.

The darker colours are all good pigmented and don't lose that applied with a brush.

The shimmery shadows all have a nice subtle shimmer and not an ugly one.

//LONGEVITY
Without a primer the shadows fade and crease throughout the day a bit. I would say they are in the middle range when it comes to longevity. With a good primer they'll hold the whole day.

The shadows do have a bit of fallout, but nothing really serious where you end up with more shadow under your eyes than on your lids.

//RECOMMENDATION YES OR NO?

Both palettes are for drugstore palettes definitely some of the best you can get. They both are perfect for everyday looks and with a good variety of shades you can create a lot of looks for day and night.

Personally i prefer the Nudes palette, because i am more of a nude, brown and bronze kinda gal.

If you want to try the rosy eyemakeup trend and don't want to splurge on the Urban Decay Naked 3 just yet than the Blushed Nudes palette is definitely one to try. With a few very interesting shades which i'll use quite a bit in the future this is a palette i don't want to miss in my collection. The high amount of light shades (close to white) isn't something i like though.

Depending on your colour preferences in eyeshadows one of the two or maybe even both could be something worth buying.

What do you think of the palettes or are they on your wishlist yet?

June Favorites

2015-07-08T07:00:00.001-07:00

The around 40 degree hot weather makes me not wear makeup at all or it will be washed away after jumping into the pool. And i didn't purchased any new beauty bibs or bobs so there is nothing new to tell in that department. If you're interested in my current favorite makeup products check out my Mai or April Favorites.

//VICTORIA'S SECRET BODY MIST "SUCH A FLIRT"
I don't like to use perfume in the warmer months, so i'm all for Body mists and sprays. First of all you smell so fricking good and it refreshes your skin so nicely. I like to use it in my hair too, although i know it's not the best for your hair because of the alcohol in it. Once somebody told me that I and especially my hair smelled so good. Afterwards i was thinking about what i put on and it was this Body Mist from Victoria's secret. It smells sweet and fruity but not too heavy.

//NEUTROGENA VISIBLY CLEAR PINK GRAPFRUIT DAILY FACEWASH
I don't like the "dirty" sweaty feeling of my face in the morning, so i want something that cleans and refreshes my skin and makes it feel fresh. The facewash from Neutrogena does exactly that and my skin doesn't feel thight or dry afterwards. Another plus is that it helps against pimpels and blackheads so thumbs up for that.

//CLINIQUE REPAIRWEAR SCULPTING NIGHT CREAM
I got this as a gift with my purchase and at first i didn't liked it at all. It feels too heavy on the skin and the thing that really really put me off was the smell. It just smells like glue. Ugh. At some point i used it on my dehydration lines and it was like a miracle. They were gone. Like immediatly. Still hate the smell though.

//ESSIE NAILPOLISH "LOLLIPOP" & "TART DECO"
Lollipop is more summery red. It has a orange hint to it and i love the shade. Tart Deco is a peach coral with a lot of white in it, so it makes your tan look intense. The two shades i'm wearing all the time. And i found out the perfect way for me to wear essie nailpolishes. Two coats and that's it. No Basecoat, no Topcoat and it lasts 3-4 days. Awesome for summer laziness.

What to pack when you're gone for a long time

2015-07-05T09:00:00.000-07:00

This post will be part of a Canada series where i talk about my experience as an AuPair, living away from home for ten months, tips and information about Canada. There is no specific schedule in which i publish those posts but they all will be posted in the next four months. Round about.

When i moved for ten months to Canada i knew before that i wanted it to happen and that there were high chances that it would, but i had no idea when and where in specific i would move. 2 weeks before my departure i got those informations and my life went from normal and not sure if it will work out to a complete chaos where i would leave everything behind in two weeks time. It was crazy. There were so many things to organize, to do, to buy, people to meet and say goodbye to.

In all this time i never really thought about what to pack. I bought suitcases and stuff like q-tips or face wipes but apart from that i didn't planned anything. My thought was that i would just put everything i use into my suitcase and be done with it. Haha. No. It worked out quite fine in the end, but i wished afterwards i would have thought more about it or had something to help me. Just like a post similar to this one.

Packing for a "move" to a different country for a longer time is totally different from packing for a two week vacation. If you forgot something it is only 2 weeks until you have it again.

//CLOTHESWISE

First of all you should gather information about how the weather will be in the time you're there. Are you only there in the warmer or in the colder months? How warm or cold will it be? That's a department i personally underestimated. I knew it would be up to minus 20 degrees in the winter, but i didn't thought much about the 40 degree hot summer. So i bought a thick coat, mittens, the whole schebeng. BUT i only packed 2 shorts, one dress and one skirt i could wear everyday. And one bikini. Not that good of a choice. But apart from the weather conditions you should also think about what you will do in your time there. Will you mostly stay at home and need comfortable clothes or are you going to a lot of meetings where you need more business clothes? I packed way to many thight skirts and clothes i would wear on a more fancy event or a night out, but not everyday looking after kids.

The most important tip i can give you though is packing things you already wear lots and you like to wear and you know you will wear. Forget about the dress you always think you should wear but never did before. Save the space.

//EVERYDAY STUFF
These are the things you probably won't forget about so easily. The things you use everyday like moisturizer, hairbrush and so on and so on. Put don't overpack. Look up if you can get those things in the country you're moving to. If yes pack only the one product you have, if no buy one or two backups depending on how quick you go through them. I'm thinking about my holy grail concealer i can't get in canada. I regret not bringing a backup. To save space buy bodylotion, showergel, shampoo and those things in travel sizes. You have something for the first week or two and in that time you should be able to buy big sizes where you are then.

//THINGS YOU MIGHT NEED OR NOT

Do i need my photography equipemt? What if i want to start a sport while i'm there but don't have my clothes with me (like balletshoes, riding equipment, etc)? Here you have to plan and if you don't know think about if it would be so bad if you wouldn't have those things with you. Or if you could combine different needs. You can easily go to a ballett class in yoga leggins or jogging pants. In this department it is all depending on how much space you have left in your suitcase after you put everything else in. Don't put important things out of your suitcase just to put the things from this department in. You might end up not using them.

//THINGS YOU NEED BUT EASILY FORGET ABOUT

Besides the things you use everyday there are things you don't, but still need to pack. Or you will hope you did once you need them. I forgot Tweezers, Body lotion and (even if it is a thing is use everyday twice) my toothbrush. Last was a bit stupid, i admit. I never thought about the tweezers or the nailoil or handcream while packing, because i don't use them everyday. I use them maybe once a week or once a months. So i didn't had them on my mind while thinking about things i use often. Yes, you can easily buy them in the country you are later, but it is an unnecessary money spending you could have saved.

Do you have any tips on packing? Where you gone for a few months already and did some of those mistakes i mentioned?

How to NOT buy beauty products

2015-07-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

It may seem strange to write about this kind of topic on a beautyblog, where i write about all the products i love, can't live without, want to or already have purchased. And it is. Kind of. I think i will never be able to hold me back from buying too much, too expensive and totally unnecessary beauty products for a long time or forever. But from time to time it is a good idea to stay away from tempting beauty isles and give your bank account a rest and a chance to recover. Afterwards you might discovered new favorite products in your own stash and may discovered what kind of products you like to use, you need in your stash and kind of products you should stay away from.

All it did to me to not purchase any kind of beauty products i didn't need (not that i need any to be honest) is that i am more secure in my buying and know what i want and what i don't.

//DON'T ENTER ANY BEAUTY ISLES
First things first and the obvious one, just don't enter any beauty isles. If you don't you don't get tempted and you can't buy anything. Easy but effective.

//IF YOU NEED TO, MAKE A LIST AND STICK TO IT
Still you can't stay out of drugstores or beauty stores forever, because we have needs. We need the everyday stuff like shampoo, shower gel, moisturizer and co, which are ok to purchase. Problem is you have to enter a beauty isles for this and there are so many tempting things you want to throw in your basket and buy. What helped me was making a list of the things i needed and sticked to the list. If i only need hairproducts i don't stop at the cosmetic part of the store instead i headed straight to the hairproducts. Don't even look (:D).

//MAKE A WISHLIST
If you read beauty blogs and watch YouTube videos like i do and don't want to stop, but can't help it to get fixed on products, make a wishlist. Write the things you think you need to have on a list and after the months or the time you set for this challenge you look at the list and you can maybe even cross a few of the things you don't want anymore.

//AFTERWARDS
Don't go without a list to the beauty isles anymore or at the least not a lot. Put things from your wishlist you want the most on your shopping list. Maybe even set a limit of products, like 5 or 10 products. Then look and swatch or test the products on your shopping list first. If it is skincare, ask for a sample and try it at home. If it is a highend product read reviews and see if it would fit you and your beauty habits and if you would actually use it after the purchase.

Did you ever challenged yourself to not buy any beauty procuts?

June Lookback

2015-07-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

//SERIOUSLY HOT WEATHER

When i say seriously. I mean seriously HOT weather. Around the 40's. The temperature where you just want to sit inside where it's kind of cold. Not really, but kind of. Good thing we have a pool though, because without that i would just sit in a bucket of water. Thumbs up for the pool! Although while i'm writing this post it's raining since 7am so...i don't know what's with the weather.

//HANDS UP FOR THE NOMAKEUP MAKEUP LOOK

I know, that i'm currently very boring in the makeup department. Sorry for that, but i just can't seem to bother with makeup. It's too hot and nobody except the family sees me anyways. So...yeah no makeup guys.

//GOING TO MONTREAL IN AUGUST

I'm so excited and i just can't hide it! I'm going to Quebec at the end of August and even added a week before i fly home again, so i can stay a bit longer. I already made a list of what to see in Montreal & Quebec city. It's gonna be awesome, guys. All the good french canadian food and speaking french (which i'm a bit scared about honestly). The countdown says 52 more days!

//SORRY FOR NOT POSTING

The last two months or so there were weeks, where i didn't post anything. And most of the time without or very short notice. I'm so sorry for that. But i work 5 days a week 9 hours and most of the time am only able to go on my laptop at around 9 or 10. Then i'm most of the time too exhausted to write anything good. On the weekend we do stuff most of the time, so i don't have time to write posts either. And another problem is, that i don't know what to write about. Serious writing slumb.

//HOW TO BE BAD BOOK & ROADTRIP PLAYLIST

Just finished "how to be bad" by E. Lockhart, Lauren Myracle and Sarah Mylnowski and it was soo good. It's this months #BUTTONSBOOKSHELF so i am excited for Estée's video. It's about three girls going on a roadtrip to Miami and just being badass and doing badass stuff and growing into a really good friendship. And after i finished the book i made a Spotify playlist with all the songs mentioned in the book. Which i love btw.

How was your month?

The nomakeup makeup look for hot summer days

2015-06-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

Does anyone else has the same phenomenon going on in the summer, when the motivation to put on any kind of fancy makeup sinks against not there? I do have it. But i only let this feeling win, when i know i don't have to go out of the house or a lot under people. If i do have to wear makeup and i'm fine with a nomakeup makeup look than i am rocking it. Best thing about it is the time it takes, nearly none. Maybe five minutes? And i look more like a human and i dare to go under people.

First i put on a moisturizer or if i want a bit more "coverage" or colour correction i use a BB Cream like the Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream . Sometimes a light coverage foundation. Sweep it all over my face, favorite method for this are hands. A bit of the Maybelline Master Conceal under the eyes to cover any dark circles. Blend it in with fingers and sometimes the Real Techniques Complexion Sponge for the finish touches.

For a bit colour on the cheeks i either put Revlons Creamblush with the fingers or a brush on and that's nearly it. I finish up the look with a bit of Mascara, at the moment the Maybelline Manga Mascara or the Max Factor 2000 Calorie Mascara. And last but not least a bit of clear brow gel to get those brows into shape. I don't bother with filling them in, although my brows aren't the boldest ones. The clear brow gel makes them stay in place and look a bit more done than if i would leave them like they are.

That's it. Nothing fancy, nothing time consuming, but still a look that makes me look a lot better than no makeup. It's all light and feels like you have nothing on your face.

What do you like to put on makeup wise on hot summer days?

Beach Day Essentials

2015-06-17T07:00:00.000-07:00

Beach Days are my favorites. Relaxing on the beach, jump from time to time into the water, have an icecream or two and get that tan going. Who doesn't love a good Beach Day? I would love to live at the beach at some point in my life, because it must be so nice to open the back door and be on the beach.

First things first bikini, towel, sunglasses, flip flops are things you shouldn't forget, when going to the beach.

For me the probably most important thing to pack, despite the basic things mentioned above, is a good book or magazine. I like reading books all year around, but there is something special about reading a book in the sun. I don't know. I finished "All the light we cannot see" by Anthony Doerr yesterday on the beach and i will probably start with the third book of the Immortal Instruments series today or tomorrow. If you want to know more about the books i read and how i like them, check out my Goodreads profile here.

Beauty product wise i recommend first of all sunscreen. I don't have a particular favorite kind of sunscreen, i just use whatever i have at the moment. Next thing would be a Bodymist. I discovered bodymists for me last summer and it is a nice way to refresh yourself. I just mist all the parts of my body that aren't covered in clothes and i instantly feel less hot. It cools you down quick and you smeel nicely afterwards. The Victoria's Secret or Body Shop Body mists are my favorite ones.

Next thing is a spray conditioner for my hair. The water and the sun and the drying in the sun, isn't good for my hair. To get it smooth and not a tangeld mess on my head i use the Gliss Kur Hair Repair Express Repair Conditioner on wet hair. Afterwards it is easily to brush through and it looks a lot nicer. That's another essential for me, a hairbrush.

All of it packed into my beachbag and i am ready to go for a nice sunny day on the beach.

What are your beach day essentials?

Top 5 Fashion Blogger/YouTuber

2015-06-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

I'm very picky when it comes to fashion bloggers even pickier than with beauty bloggers or YouTubers. I don't know, the style of the blogger has to speak to me in a way, that i can see myself in that kind of outfit. And i don't like just one style like preppy. I like different styles. You will see what i mean, when you visit the ladys mentioned below on their blogs. The thing is that i don't like every single outfit they post, more like every third. Because i like the mix of different styles...Hard to explain, just have a look.

//TESS CHRISTINE - YOUTUBE
A newly New York based Beauty/Fashion Youtuber. She did more beauty focused videos a few years ago, but the reason i love her channel are her fashion videos. Especially the Get the Look for Less videos for different celebrities are the bomb.com. Seriously love her style. I have to go through all her fashion vids again and make screenshots of the outfits so i can pin them on my Pinterest fashion inspiration board.

//IN LOVE WITH - BLOG - YOUTUBE
German fashion blogger girl. First ever fashion blogger i followed. Supercute. And her Outfits are feminine, girly, but still elegant. Some of them are ultimate favorites of mine. And her How to Style Series is so inspirational and makes me step out of my comfortzone from time to time.

//WITH LOVE FROM KAT - BLOG
I came to Kat's blog over Instagram. Her outfits are so elegant. I would like my style to go more in the elegant, effortless, grown up, simple way. Seriously you have to check her out. Definite style crush and want feeling overload.

//LITTLE MAGPIE - BLOG - YOUTUBE
The more edgy, "hipster" blogger of the bunch. Some of her outfits really make me want to buy all the things she wore and probably look not like me anymore, but i like a edgy piece in my wardrobe here and there.

//MERRICK'S ART - BLOG
This is the preppy, elegant blogger i like. I know quite the mix here. She doesn't only posts beautiful wearable outfits, there are also some DIY Fashion tutorials here and there and hers are looking so good and are most of the time really easy to do. So thumbs up for that. Her style is btw just effortless ang wow.

Who is your favorite Fashion Blogger/Youtuber?

P.S. Sundays upload time is from now 9am PST. Just to let you know :)

Sephora Wishlist

2015-06-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

I have the Sephora obession too (who doesn't?!). I do feel the need to browse the Sephora website once in a while and fill my basket with too many and too expensive products. I can't order online, because i don't have a creditcard so i have to wait until i have access to a store. I know there are Sephora stores in europe, but they don't stock all the interesting products the american or canadian Sephora's does. So one thing that is on my To-Do list for Canada is visting Sephora. The next Sephora is a 2-hour-drive away from the place i live, but i may make that trip this month. Actually i HAVE to do it this months, because it's my brithday month and i need the Sephora Birthday gift. I mean two Nars Lip Pencils, who doesn't want these?

//Tarte Amazonian Clay 12- Hour Blush "Exposed" & "Blissfull" - 34 C$

That's THE number one on my Tarte wishlist. All the american YouTubers are raving about the blushes since forever and everybody else, who got their hands on them too. "Exposed" is supposedly the perfect nude coloured blush out there and i think i saw "Blissfull" by essiebutton and was immediatly impressed by the finish on her cheeks. If i go out of Sephora with only one thing (or two) than it's those blushes.

//Bite Beauty 5 Night Fix for Lips - 18 C$

Viviannadoesmakeup loves the Agave Lip Mask and i tend to get really dry lips when the weather is changing so i wanted to try this lipmask. I don't want to spend that much money on a product i don't know i will like, so this set with a included srubstick is perfect.

//Fresh Seaberry Moisturizing Face Oil - 22C$ (0.5oz)

My obsession with all things skincare continues and this faceoil is being raved about with no end. Fresh is a good and popular skincare brand and one can never have too many moisturizing face oils, right?

//NARS NARSissist Eyeshadow Palette - 85C$

We can't get it anymore in germany or anywhere in europe i think. I kept seeing it in posts and vids and was so in love with it and at the same time so sad that it wasn't available anymore. Until i saw it on one of my late night Sephora website browses. I nearly made a little happy dance sitting there on my bed. I just need this palette.

//Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Eyeshadow Palette - 53C$

I'm in love with matte eyeshadows and a palette with only matte eyeshadows (and 12 of those) is my dream come true. There's not only the usual brown hues, there are plums and everything you could wish for as a neutral eyeshadow kinda gal. And the packaging is so pretty with the gold inside and the big mirror and everything. No words needed for this beaut.

//Peter Thomas Roth Mini Mask Magic Kit - 25C$

Anna's ongoing rave about the Pumpkin Enzyme Mask from Peter Thomas Roth is unreal. Again i don't want to spend that much money on a mask i don't know i will like. This set contains the Pumpkin Enzyme Mask, the Cucumber Gel Mask and the Rose Stem Cell Bio-Repair Gel Mask. So three masks to try. Skincare obsession continues.

//Bite Beauty Luminous Creme Lipstick Duo "Fig & Date" - 15C$

I always wanted to try lipsticks from Bite Beauty, because their lipsticks are supposed to be real good. The Duo is another way to save money and try as many products as possible. There's a more nude option (the one i will choose) and a bright option with an orangy red and a pinky plum colour.

//Omorovicza Travel Set - 95C$

Oh yes, it is a lot of money. Omorovicza products are amazing and amazingly expensive. The Travel Set includes the Queen of Hungary Mist the facemist viviannadoesmakeup and lilypebbles and the bloggerworld loves to death. The Cleansing Foam, the Thermal Cleansing Balm, the Deep Cleansing Mask and the Balancing Moisturizer are partly products on my to try list too. So that would be a lucky purchase.

//Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Travel Kit - 36C$

Another brand we can't get easily a hold of in Europe and a brand everybody seems to love. A hairproduct line with the name "Perfect Hair Day" is just one i have to try. I mean who doesn't want the Perfect Hair Day everday?

Depending if the Sephora i will visit has any of those sets and how i like them in person i will may purchase one (or two) of those Beauty on the Fly Set, Beauty Closet Set or the Ultimate Hair Essentials Set. On the Sephora website they all look tempting. Very.

Which products are on your Sephora wishlist? Or what are your favorite products to buy in Sephora?

Summer Picks

2015-06-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

//THE FOUNDATION

As i declared already here the Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation is THE Summer Foundation for me. It's just amazeballs. Light coverage, no heavy feeling on the skin, a light luminous finish. Just read the review for a detailed rave.

//THE BLUSHES

My newly discovered Creamblush "Coral Reef" from Revlon is my fave. Especially because it gets 37 degrees (celcius) here at the moment. So i'm sweating my butt off and this baby stays were it should. Another favorite are shimmer blushes and with shimmer i mean shimmer and not glitter. I don't want to look like a discoball when the sunshine hits my cheeks. But a bit colour combined with a fresh summer glow is perfect. My favorite is the Glow Touch Blush from P2, sadly germany only.

//THE LIPPRODUCT

A dupe from Catrice (germany) for the Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfectors. I love the formula. That it makes your lips look smoother and plumper, without looking like you put something on your lips. The Catrice one has a too sweet scent for me and i am wanting to purchase one of the Clarins ones for yonks. So that's on top of my list.

//THE NAILPOLISHES

Back to the basics is the motto for my nails at the moment. Classic reds, for example "Dress to Kilt" from Essie. Or nude tones to emphasize my tan a bit without going full onto the bold or white area. Favorite Nude coloured nailpolish of all time is "Spin the Bottle" from Essie. I know boring, but sometimes i am like that.

What are your favorite products for Summer?

Shampoo & Conditioner for full weightless hair

2015-06-05T07:00:00.000-07:00

I am on my neverending search for the perfect shampoo and conditioner. And i haven't found the perfect combo yet, but this one is close. Very close. My hair tends to get greasy very quick and even quicker when i am not using the right shampoo. It has to do a real good cleaning jpb, without being too drying on my skin. Otherwise i get an itchy scalp. Strange i know, but that's not all. My ends are quite dry and tend to get a bit frizzy if they don't get enough moisture. The problem here is, that my hair is fine and straight so a too nourishing conditioner will weigh my hair down even more.

What i want my hair to look like? Fresh for at least two days. Moisturized in the ends, so no dry ends and less frizz. Despite this volume especially in the roots.

And it seems i found a combo that is near to perfect. The Dove Oxygen Moisture line.

The shampoo is clearing my scalp very good from any greasiness and oils. It stays fresh up there for two to three days, although the third day is a day for a ponytail or bun of some sort. The effect that got me loving this shampoo is that it seems to lift my roots and make my hair look a lot more voluminous even on the second day.

The conditioner is moisturizing, but slightly too less nourishing for my ends. My ends are softer and less frizzy, but still not enough that i could say it is close to the perfect conditioner. One thing that i really really like about this conditioner though is the fact, that it is moisturizing but not weighing down my hair at all. That is crucial when it comes to making fine hair look voluminous and light.

All in all i really like this line and the Shampoo & Conditioner Combo and in combination with the hairmask i mentioned here it is my current Haircare Routine in the shower.

Do you have any recommandations for my type of hair/needs? What is your favorite Shampoo & Conditioner Combo at the moment?

Mai Favorites

2015-06-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

I don't even know how in the world i was able to balance those products between my fingers, while holding (the quite heavy) camera in the other trying to take a good picture and not dropping the products into the pool. I am so glad i didn't, because i had no intentions on diving into the pool to get the products out. The weather is hot and the amount of makeup on my face is low. Eyemakeup is only happening on special events in the evening.

//REVLON NEARLY NAKED FOUNDATION

As you may have already read in the review i did for this foundation. I love it for the hot summer days. It is light on the skin and in coverage, gives a dewy finish and in my eyes just the perfect summer foundation.

//MAYBELLINE MASTER CONCEAL

I just saw that i already mentioned this concealer in last month's favorites. Oops. It is still my favorite concealer at the moment, although i need more coverage for my immense dark circles. For blemishes and less blue dark circles this is the perfect product. Nice coverage, longwearing and nearly no creasing under the eyes.

//ELF MAKEUP MIST&SETTING

I'm all for the flawless skin finish lately and nearly hit my nose on the mirror while looking for dry patches, cakey foundation or pores. The face mist/ setting spray is supposed to make things look more flawless and skinlike. And it seems that it does. For a drugstore version definitely worth a try. Also really nice for refreshing your face and reviving your makeup.

//REVLON CREAMBLUSH "300 CORAL REEF"

My full on rave about creamblushes here, but this one in particular is a beaut. The colour in the tin is quite terrifying but the finish on my cheeks is so nice. Fresh and it looks so natural like i just had a slight jog around the house. Love it.

//RIMMEL EXAGGERATE LIPLINE " EAST END SNOB"

My recent go to lipproduct for going out or evenings, where i know that there won't be much time for makeup touchups. It lasts on your lips for ages. The colour is a mauve-pink colour and looks very pretty on the lips. Matte finish, which is perfect for long evenings/nights and eating/drinking in between.

Mai Lookback

2015-05-31T07:00:00.000-07:00

//MY LOVE FOR RODEO'S

This month i attended my first ever Rodeo. I was always fond of all the Cowgirl/Cowboy stuff, because i grew up around horses. The first time in a westernsaddle on a western horse has still to come. But now that's not all, now i feel the need to swing myself on a horse and participate in a Rodeo as a Barrel Racer...

//SKIRTS WITH POCKETS

It's getting hot out here. No need for those long pants anymore. I prefer skirts and dresses over shorts, because there are just more comfortable. One problem i face is the fact, that they most of the time don't have pockets. I am not carrying a purse most of the time, so where should i put keys, sunglasses cash? So skirts or dresses with pockets come in handy and i am only taking them off for a quick swim in the pool.

//PUT ON THOSE SUITS!

I didn't want to start watching another show, because i was already watching six or seven and it was hard to keep up. Hart of Dixie and Glee ended and Vampire Diaries, Reign and The Originals season finale is over and Pretty Little Liars doesn't return until June 2nd. So i had time to start watching a new show and i choose Suits. I have to admit...i am obsessed i barely do something else than watching episodes of Suits when i'm on my computer. And seriously Rachel's outfits are just on point. seriously. flawless.

//FEELING THE NEED FOR JO MALONE'S WOOD SAGE & SEA SALT

Everybody loves Jo Malone and that probably for a good reason. The first time i heard one of the many bloggers raving about it, the description and name of the scent spoke to me. I'm a little more grown up since my last perfume purchase and i know now, that i don't like floral or heavy oriental scent and i am more the fresh scent kind of person.

//WHAT IF IT WAS & PITCH PERFECT ON REPEAT

I think i found Taylor Buono's as an artist over the suggested videos for you on YouTube. I instantly feel in love with her song "What if it was". Strangely i can relate to the fact of the fear, that you maybe missed something because you should it wasn't meant to be or it wasn't the right thing to do, but what if it was? I really want to watch Pitch Perfect 2, but didn't came along to do it yet, so i rewatched Pitch Perfect 1 instead. My love for Anna Kendrick and the Pitch Perfect Soundtrack awoke again...

What was your highlight of the month?

THE Foundation for Summer

2015-05-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

With summer beginning and the temperatures constantly rising i wanted something with a light coverage and no heavy feeling on my skin, but no BB Cream. The Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation was on my to try list for a long time and this was the right time to give it a go.

It has a light to medium coverage and feels light on my skin, so it's nice for the summer, because you don't have the feeling that all the sweat is stuck beneath your foundation. Gross. The finish is after a bit of blending skin like and sinks nicely into the skin. It has a dewy finish and gives your skin a healthy glow. It makes your skin look nearly naked just better. See what i did there? Haha.

Two things that aren't perfect about the foundation, but easy to get over are first of all that the longevity isn't the best. To be honest i don't expect a really longwearing time when it is a light coverage foundation, because my skin eats up foundation like nothing else. The foundation can cling and enhance dry patches, but if you use a moisturizer beneath that problem is solved immediatly.

All in all i really like the Nearly Naked Foundation from Revlon, because it's a nice alternative for BB/CC Creams with a bit more coverage and foundation finish for the summer. The skinlike dewy finish is perfect for the summerdays, because i don't want to look like i wear a lot of makeup and a matte finish is in my eyes more something for the winter months. With a rich moisturizer underneath it is the perfect foundation for the summer months.

What is your favorite foundation for the summer months?

A hairmask i sleep in

2015-05-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

The sun that is shining nearly nonstop and the chlor in the pool do some damage to my hair and make it feel dry and look frizzy in the ends. So i went and purchased a hairmask.

The L'oreal Total Repair 5 Replenishing Mask was my pick and it is not only good for in the shower to make your hair feel smooth again and tame the frizz.

My favorite thing to do with it is to put a good amount of it into my ends and lengths, massage it in, put my hair into a loose bun and go to bed. It does wonders overnight.

Wash your hair like you always do in the morning and you are left with smooth, shiny, not frizzy, healthy looking hair.

My hair hasn't looked that good in months and i don't want to part with this mask anymore.

What is your favorite hairmask and do you like to put it in overnight?

Places i want to visit this year

2015-05-24T07:00:00.000-07:00

//VANCOUVER

The "Canadian Hollywood" with the beautiful skyline is a must on my to see in Canada list. Some shopping especially in Victoria's Secret and sightseeing. On top of my list is the Vancouver Lookout and the Vancouver Art Gallery. Other stops are the Queen Elizabeth Park and the Lion's Gate Bridge, maybe i will be able to visit the Vancouver Aquarium, too.

//KELOWNA

Not as far as Vancouver from the place i live (only 2 hours) so an easy place to go. A trip to Sephora is number one on my list. Two other points in terms of sightseeing are the Kelowna Mountain Bridges & Vineyards, the view must be incredible! The Kangoroo Park is point two, i've always wanted to see Kangoroos in reallife, so it would be really cool to be able to go there.

//CALGARY

I already saw the airport of Calgary (which isn't that special), but i would like to see the city too, although it's a five/six hour drive. Three sightseeing must visits for me are the Calgary Tower, the Glenbow Museum and the Stephen Avenue walk. I recently attended my first Rodeo and it would be amazing to be able to see the Calgary Stampede Rodeo in July. We'll see about that.

//LONDON

For a second time. I just love London as a city and the people and the beauty isles (Charlotte Tilbury will be purchased on my next trip). And it's easy to go there from Germany a flight with Ryanair is if i'm lucky maybe 20 Euros and for a one day trip that's perfect. Also i may go and see Madame Tussauds, the Buckingham Palace maybe in sunshine, some restaurants and markets like Portobello & Co. If i extend the trip to a two day trip, i'll go and visit the Universal Studios to see the Hogwards exhibition.

Any recommandations for any of those cities? Insider Tips or Must see places?

An ode to creamblush

2015-05-22T07:00:00.000-07:00

Recently i purchased my first ever creamblush. Yes, i am so late to the party that everyone else is already leaving again... But better late than never. Right? Because now i discovered the advantages of creamblush and understand why everybody likes them so much.

A longlasting formula, which is perfect for hot summer days and long working days to make sure, that your blush stays on your face as long as possible. But that's not the best thing about creamblush.

It's the finsih. Recently i am struggeling with skinlike not visible foundation/concealer application and hiding my pores. The discovery of creamblush is a good addition to my stash for this cause. Once applied you can't see it on your skin. It's like an invisible wash of colour on your cheeks, that makes you look like you had a slight jog. Love it.

I always feared creamblush in terms of application. How to blend it probably so you don't end up with a chunk of colour on one place? How to not end up overblushing, because the colour in the tin looks terrifying.

I should stop raving about creamblushes, because everybody else probably already knows. There are a lot of different productbrands, priceranges and formulas, so sometimes it's a hit and miss. I will keep adding products to my creamblush stash, so i would love to read about some of your recommandations.

what is it about the chunks of glitter?

2015-05-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

I seem to stumble over products that are supposed to put a nice shimmer or glow on your face or lips. but in the moment i swatch them or use them i am always shocked by the amount and size of glitter in them.

The blush that is supposed to combine a blush and a highlighter to a dewy/glowy looking touch of colour on your cheeks. But there is no "slight" shimmer in it, there are big chunks of glitter in it, like those you sprinkeld all over your glue covered paper when you were three. In the winter it's maybe not that bad and noticable, but in the summer when the light hits your cheeks you look like a discoball. Who wants that? I mean i don't want to offend anyone, but i can't understand how that looks good on anyone.

And that's not even the worst. The worst kind of product with big glitter chunks in it are lipproducts. Lipglosses, Lipsticks or Lipbalms. First of all the discoball factor isn't appreciated on the lips either. Most of the time the colour fades, but the glitter stays and then you look like you just put glitter on your lips. Ugh. Another thing i hate about this glitter is the feeling on my lips, it feels like i have exfoliating granules on my lips.

I don't know why the people who invent and plan beauty products don't make them shimmer slightly instead of just putting glitter in it.

Do you like those glitter products or are you put off by them like i am?

Empties #1

2015-05-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

Only fellow beauty bloggers will now the little bag in the bathroom, where you hoard all of the products you used up. And the strange looks from family, boyfriend or others you get because of this slowy growing collection and then the amount of products in the garbage at once. My little bag is overflowing so it's time for the very first empties post.

//MAKEUP

Catrice Camouflage Cream (GER) - YAY!
My holy grail concealer for my humongous undereye circles. This isn't too drying for the undereye area although it's a thick cream formula with high coverage. I love it and i don't know how to survive the next month without this baby.

Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector - YAY!
Another holy grail product of mine. And already repurchased. Moisturizes, corrects any uneven skintone, gives you a healthy glow and just makes you look more awake and alive. More detailed review here.

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer Eye - YAY
A nice not drying undereye concealer with medium to light coverage. Perfect if you don't want or need a lot of coverage and also nice for highlighting the undereye area. The sponge applicator maybe not the most hygienic one, but genuis nontheless. On my repurchase list.

//SKINCARE

L'oreal Hydra Active 3/Sublime Soft Micellar Water - YAY!
First and favorite micellar water so far. A dupe for Bioderma's Sensibio H2O. Already repurchased and already nearly through. Perfect for removing makeup, especially eyemakup and mascara. I can't live without it.

//SHOWER

FA vitalize & power grapefruit showergel - MEH
Nice scent and a quite funny gel texture. Not necessarily moisturzing or anything special. So not yay but not nay either.

Nivea waterlily & oil shower gel - MEH
The scent wasn't that special. The oil pearls in there were a little change and the skin did feel a bit softer and moisturized after the shower, but that didn't hold for long. So nothing super special.

The Body Shop vineyard peach cream body scrub - YAY
I love the body shop body scrubs, because i actually have the feeling that they do something instead of some shower peelings you can buy. Perfect for in the shower and makes soft skin and helps against the ingrown hair you might struggle with.

//HAIRCARE

herbal essence clearly naked shampoo - YAY
Loved this shampoo, first of all no silicones are in it and it smeels delightfull. Fresh kind of citrus scent and i cleanses really good. My hair felt so clean and soft after using it. Probably going to repurchase it at some point.

L'oreal elvital volume-collagen shampoo - NAY
This one i have to admit i didn't even finsihed completly, but i was just sick of it. It didn't cleansed my hair enough, it didn't had a particular good smell and i think it caused dandruffs on my scalp. Furthermore there was no sign that it actually did give me more volume or anything.

Swiss O Par deep cleansing shampoo (GER) - YAY
Once in a while i have the feeling my hair needs a deep cleansing. The Swiss O Par Shampoo does the job well and i can leave my hair without using a conditioner and it's not too frizzy or dry. The smell is also a really nice fresh lemon scent . Love it.

herbal essence camomille conditioner (retro collection) - NAY
Not a bad conditioner, but also not the greatest one. It made my hair feel soft in the shower, but didn't nourished, moisturized or made it anymore shiny than usual. So for me that's a no.

Did you used any products up recently and how did you like them?

Little drugstore Haul

2015-05-13T07:00:00.001-07:00

If you read my April Favorites you know, that i didn't entered a drugstore in like ages. I did feel a strong urge to go and purchase some bibs and bobs to try out new things. So i did and here are the things i bought.

For the summertime i wanted something with more coverage than a BB Cream, but not so much coverage as the foundations i own. So i was looking for a light coverage foundation, which feels light on the skin and isn't too drying. The Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation seemed like the right choice for me. I picked it up in the colour 03 Shell, which is a bit too light for me, cause my tan is like...dark.
Another thing from Revlon and for the summertime is the Revlon Cremeblush in 300 Coral Reef. I never tried cremeblush before...i know, what a shame. So i thought i'll try it. Last item from Revlon is the Colorburst Laquer Balm in 110 Coquette, which is a unusual colour for me (normally i don't buy pinks). One thing i am already put off by is the chunks of glitter in it. You only see them when it's applied on your lips, but it doesn't look good.
My hair is getting a bit dry at the ends and the sun (which is shining like crazy) does the rest. So i picked up the L'oreal Hair Expertise Total Repair 5 Hairmask. We'll see how i like it.
Next and the last purchased item is the Nivea Smooth Replenishing Bodylotion, cause my skin is getting hell a lot dry after bathing in the sun the whole day.
You'll probably read further about these products this months, so stay tuned for that.