Makeup Look

L'Oreal Infallible 24H Foundation

2015-03-05T16:00:00.000+01:00

A few weeks ago I was arranging a makeup course for the moms in my baby group. I thought I'd head to the store and pick out some cheaper foundations than the ones I usually use.* But omg that was hard! Most of them were rubbish! Often too pink (I mean... who has that colour really?!) and the coverage sometimes non-existing.

But then I found L'Oreal Infallible 24H Foundation which seemed promising. And I must say I think it's pretty good! It's got more coverage than I usually wear, I'd say pretty much full coverage. I bought the shades 120 Vanilla and 140 Golden Beige.

It's a matte foundation, and claims to be "touch proof". I really get what they mean because it's definitely drier on my skin than I'm used to which means it doesn't rub of so easily during the day. I usually leave foundation marks on my phone, on my sons clothes if I'm not careful and so on... But this foundation stays om better. Does it last 24 hours? Of course not. That would actually be weird... But it stays on pretty good during the day so definitely thumbs up from me.

And although matte it somehow gives you that little bit of glow as if it was a dewy foundation. Extra bonus points for that!

* Parents in Sweden have the right to a pretty long parental leave from work (we stay home at least a year), but that means a period of time with less income. That's why I wanted more budget options.

Garnier Eye Make-up remover 2in1

2015-02-24T15:43:00.005+01:00

My usual L'Oreal makeup remover was out of stock in the store one day and I reluctantly chose this Garnier Eye Make-up remover instead. I had very low expectations, but it was cheap and I thought it would do until I could buy my usual one again.

But omg... what a surprise! It's so gentle on my eyelashes and it removes my waterproof mascara so easily. This is actually the best one I've ever tried! Who knew?!?

It's just 35 SEK (which is about € 3,50 / $ 4 / £ 2,50) and you can find it in any supermarket (at least here in Sweden). So it's cheap, easily available and great! Love it!

Urban Decay at Kicks

2015-02-18T15:23:00.000+01:00

Great news for all swedes out there! Kicks (the largest retailer of makeup in Scandinavia) have started selling Urban Decay! Let me just say: Yaay! Love it!

Kicks carry a lot of brands, some in stores and some just online (at least not all stores carry all brands). E.g. I can't get MAC at my local store, but they have a large range of their products online. I'm so happy that they decided to start selling Urban Decay as well and I have a sneaky suspicion I'll be doing a lot more shopping of Urban Decay products in the near future.

Company party with beauty gifts for the ladies

2014-01-15T14:09:00.002+01:00

My husband works for a norwegian company and every year in January they organize a fancy party. We are treated to music, entertainment, good food, a hotel stay, and my favorite part: every lady gets a gift with beauty products! Yay!

It's called "Damegave" in norwegian, and basically means "gift for the ladies". The company is traditionally male dominated and somewhere a long the line in the company history someone came up with the idea of giving the wives a gift as a way of saying thank you for letting us borrow your husbands so much. Cute! :)

This year's gift was a hand cream and a lip balm from Decleor. Lovely!

I also want to treat you to some pictures of us at the party.

My husband and I in our hotel room before the party.

My outfit.

At 24 weeks pregnant I'm getting huge!!

The party was at the Quality hotel in Fredrikstad, January 10th.

I bought a pair of new shoes from Roots Exclusive for this occasion. I had to buy them one size larger than my normal size since my feet are so swollen from the pregnancy. Aren't they gorgeous?!

I bought them on sale at Eurosko for 620 SEK, which is about € 66 / £ 55 / $ 90.

Tigi Bed Head Colour Goddess

2014-01-07T19:08:00.001+01:00

I thought it was about time I did a post on my favorite shampoo and conditioner. I simply adore my Tigi Bed Head Colour Goddess. I've used them for years and sometimes I make efforts to try other brands, but I'm always so disappointed that I come back to these without even finishing the other bottles.

It it just so amazing at taking care of your hair and leaving it naturally healthy and smooth, without weighing it down. I have fine hair, but a lot of it. And I simply hate (!) those silicony shampoos that make your hair smooth in that fake kind of way, which makes any attempt at keeping volume in your hair impossible. They just make your hair too soft. But not Tigi Bed Head Color Goddess, because it has that perfect balance for me.

This shampoo and conditioner is made for red heads and brunettes and claims to keep the color from fading and battles dryness. I have to be honest and say that I can't judge them on the color fading part since I've never had that problem. Color clings to my hair like crazy and fading isn't an issue for me.

Maybe it's unfair of me to review these products without having an opinion on one of the major facts they are made for, but they're just too damn good not to blog about.

And I haven't even mentioned the scent yet. Omg! I love it!! It smells quite distinctly of caramel/toffee which makes the experience even better for me.

So if your struggling to find good quality shampoo and conditioner that makes your hair feel naturally soft, but won't make styling impossible - why not give these a try. There's also a version for blonde hair called Dumb Blonde.

I usually buy these large bottles since it's so much more value for money. These cost about 400 - 450 SEK (for both bottles), which is about € 43 - 48 / £35 - 40 / $58 - 65.

Brighten my monday makeup

2014-01-06T13:10:00.000+01:00

So today's a holiday in Sweden so there's no work. Not that I've been working for the last 3,5 months, but I'm feeling so much better now that I'm actually going to start working 25 % tomorrow. It's very grey here right now so I wanted to make myself a little pick me up makeup in more golden colors. Like it was summer... only with very pale winter skin... ;)

Skin:

Dior Nudeskin mixed with Chanel Vitalumiere, Chanel loose powder,

Benefit Hoola bronzer, Benefit Coralista blush.

Concealer:

Clinique Airbrush and Eve Pearl under the eyes,

MAC studio finish on the skin.

Lips:

Sleek Makeup Glossed lipgloss in Whisper.

Eyes:

MAC Ricepaper, Woodwinked and Espresso eyeshadows,

Maybelline The Rocket Waterproof Mascara.

Brows:

MAC Omega and Charcoal Brown eyeshadows.

New Year's Eve

2014-01-03T16:48:00.000+01:00

Me and my husband celebrate our wedding anniversary on NYE, which makes that day extra special for us. We had originally planned on going to Marbella in Spain because we love that place so much. We have access to a luxury apartment there, which makes me want to go there as often as possible. We had planned on going there for a few days around New Year and for another week in April.

But something happened that made us change our plans… that something is the little miracle growing in my belly. <3 I've wanted a baby for ages and are so happy about it that I don't care too much about having to cancel our two trips to Spain.

So instead we checked in at our favorite hotel in Gothenburg (Scandic Opalen) with spectacular views of the city. We went out for a delicious meal and stayed in bed the rest of the night watching fire works all around the city. The following day we saw the Hobbit at the cinema.

Here's our NYE in pictures.

Getting ready...

The dessert was sooo good.

Warm fried apples in cinnamon and sugar, vanilla ice cream and whipped cream. Yum!

Me and the love of my life. <3

Mama Bee Belly Butter

2013-12-13T14:28:00.001+01:00

My baby belly is growing every day and that makes it a bit itchy. I love my baby bump and I want to take great care of it.

I've been using Burt's Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter for the last few days and so far it really makes a difference. My belly isn't itchy anymore and feels smooth. I hope it'll also keep the stretch marks away!

Finally some makeup + baby bump

2013-12-06T19:02:00.000+01:00

I've been so ill that I've been in bed for the last three months and have hardly left the house at all. I'm bored of my bed and tv, and I miss my social life and work. During these months I've just worn makeup a couple of times and today I reached a point when I was so sick of my tired face in the mirror that I decided to put some makeup on.

Ok, so this isn't a great makeup shot, but really I just wanted to show of my baby bump! Yes, I'm having a baby! :) I've still got 21 weeks to go, but I'm getting bigger every week.

So makeup made me feel a little bit better today and I'm glad for the change. Now I'm back in bed resting… as usual.

Maybelline The Rocket Volum' Express Waterproof

2013-08-16T17:45:00.001+02:00

I'm always looking for a great mascara... ok, let's be honest... I'm looking for the ultimate one. But I've come to realize that it probably doesn't exist. So I'll settle for great.

Since I only use waterproof mascaras I go through them quite quickly. They simply dry up faster. So I don't want to spend a fortune on every tube.

I'm really impressed with Maybelline The Rocket Volum' Express Waterproof. It's a new favorite and I'm on my third tube. Great result, minimal effort, minimal clumping and great prize.

The brush is slightly domed and has rubber bristles. The bristles comb the lashes perfectly and leaves an even coat of mascara. It took me a little while to learn how to use it correctly, but you have to be quite firm with your first coat and really wiggle into your lashes. Don't fiddle around to much and the result is great.

I usually put 2 coats on and this it what it looks like. The color is really black which I like.

Officially relaunched!

2013-03-09T00:20:00.000+01:00

It's been hard (!) work, but now, finally, my little webshop is relaunched!! I'm so, so proud of the result. I know there's room for improvements, but I did it! All by my self!!

I'm now collaborating with Payson for secure internet payment, which I'm very happy about. It'll be more secure for my customers, but for me as well. Unfortunately I've had customers who orders and then never pays, which sucks since I've allready sent the products. Hate that people can do that.

My little business suffers greatly from people not paying since I don't have the turnover to cope with any losses. I don't earn anything from my business as it is today. Everything, absolutely everything goes back into the company so that I can expand and bring in new products. If people only knew how much works goes into this I hope they'd think differently.

But I guess I should thank them really... The last two who did this was what made me feel I'd had enough. I changed webshop distributor to be able to do the necessary changes and contacted Payson to join their payment solution. And here I am. Many, many hours later and it's done.

My webshop is only for swedish buyers so this'll probably not be that interesting for most of you. But if you feel curious enough then I suggest you take a peek: www.makeuplook.se

Sleek Makeup in Sweden

2013-03-05T19:36:00.002+01:00

I wrote a post 1,5 year ago announcing that I was going to start selling Sleek Makeup in Sweden. Since then my little webshop has grown and I recently started selling Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman brushes as well (which I'm more than happy about).

I still get a lot (!) of visitiors on that blog post every week and that tells me that people are still looking for Sleek Makeup in Sweden. So because of that I decided to do another blogpost on this topic.

Yes - I do sell Sleek Makeup in Sweden! Please visit my webshop: www.makeuplook.se.

***

Jag skrev ett bloginlägg för 1,5 år sedan där jag meddelade att jag skulle börja sälja Sleek Makeup i Sverige. Sedan dess har min lilla webshop vuxit och jag har precis börjat sälja Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman borstar också (vilket jag är mer än glad över).

Jag får fortfarande många (!) besök på det blogginlägget varje vecka, vilket säger mig att människor fortfarande letar efter Sleek Makeup i Sverige. Så av den anledningen bestämde jag mig för att skriva ett blogginlägg till på det här ämnet.

Ja - jag säljer Sleek Makeup i Sverige! Besök min webshop: www.makeuplook.se.

New MAC purchases

2013-03-05T18:40:00.001+01:00

I went to a conference in Gothenburg today and I couldn't resist stopping by (or rather: take an extra trip to) the MAC counter afterwards.

I recently bought Club eyeshadow and I think it's spectacular. But I find that it needs a base to blend nicely, otherwise it'll kind of brush of the lid and make a mess. So, taking a tip from one of Tanya Burrs videos I bought MAC paint pot Constructivist. Gorgeous!

I also bought MAC no 7 lashes, which I've been wanting to try for a while. My husband is a musician and he's got some concerts booked this spring. That means I get an opportunity to play around with some fun party makeup - including lashes!

Well... I know my mug for tea on the go hasn't got anything to do with beauty, but I found this in a shop today and thought it was really cute. So because it's also a purchase I did today (and just because it is cute) I included it in the picture.

Origins Starting Over

2013-02-22T17:07:00.001+01:00

There's a new love in my life! It's called Origins Starting Over.

I've been searching for quite some time for a really good eye cream. I've got some fine lines under my eyes and the area is really dry. I've found some good ones along the way, but no one great. The fabulous Tanya Burr loved her Origins eye cream so much I thought I'd give it a try.

The salesperson recommended me to try Starting Over. And OMG how amazing it is!! I now I use the word amazing a lot, but trust me - this is super extra amazing!! I'd hoped it would make my under eye area just a bit more moisturized, but it did so much more. It made the area soft, healthy and much more awake looking. I get dry patches on my top lids every winter and have come to accept that nothing will make them go away until summer comes. But the Origins Starting Over eye cream made them disappear in just two days!! I'm cured from dry patches and dry under eye area!

Of course it didn't take me long to get back to the store and buy the moisturizer as well. I really like it too, although not as much as I looove the eye cream.

What I like about the moisturizer is that it's rich enough to tackle my dry patches on my chin, but not too rich so it makes my forehead (where my skin is a bit more oily) greasy. And it adds some lovely shine to the face which makes my winter skin look much more healthy!

Norwegian Formula hand cream

2013-02-06T23:20:00.001+01:00

Winter means dry skin for me. My hands, my face... everything just dries up. I'm having a hard time understanding how I can be born in Sweden, when I'm clearly not made for this climate. But that's another story...

I haven't had a favorite hand cream for quite some time, but I found this Norwegian Formula hand cream at my regular supermarket. It's really cheap (can't remember the exact price, but it's about 50 SEK/£ 5/$ 5) so my expectations weren't too high. And to my surprise I found it to be amazingly good!

It comes in three different versions - concentrated scented, concentrated unscented and fast absorbing light texture. I've tried the both concentrated ones and they're both excellent. The scented one isn't really scented. It's more of a natural smell of the product. So there isn't much difference between the scented and the unscented one. The formula is very thick, but not greasy at all. It dries into your hands in less than a minute.

I haven't tried the light textured one yet, simply because it states that the concentrated ones are for very dry hands, and the light texture just for dry hands.

It works like a charm, isn't greasy and it's cheap. In other words: it's a keeper!!

Korres Lip Butter

2012-07-12T21:29:00.001+02:00

A lip balm is a lip balm right…? No, think again. I think I just discovered the Rolls Royce of lip balms! Korres Lip Butter is my HG in Lip Balms from now on!

A few days ago I was standing in my local beauty shop well aware of the fact that I was really running low on my lip balm. I usually get the Elisabeth Arden lip balm when I can get it on offer (I think it's way too expensive otherwise since it doesn't last that long). I wasn’t really keen on buying it at full price so I started looking at other ones. I noticed the Korres Lip Butter and remembered I’d promised Delyteful Speaks a long time ago I’d try it. It was 129 kr at Kicks (which is about 14 Euro/£ 14/$17), which is more than I usually spend on lip balms too. I initially thought I’d either spend more and get the Elisabeth Arden one, or spend less and get a regular one. Korres seemed like somewhere in between. And they were tinted, which I usually don’t buy.

But just like that I decided to go for it and chose the shade Pomegranate. When I got home I tried it on immediately and discovered that the shade was absolutely perfect for making my lips just slightly tinted and naturally fresh looking. But that’s not even the best part. A few hours later I suddenly realized that my lips were still moisturized. In fact, it felt like I’d just put the lip balm on. That’s never happened before! Usually my lips feel moisturized just when I’ve applied the lip balm, then it quickly fades and feels just “normal” until they slowly go dry again in a few hours.

Korres Lip Butter stays on the lips so beautifully and for so long. It’s just soft and smooth and not sticky at all. I don’t know how they’ve done it, but it’s amazing! Love, love, love!!

I think I have to go back to the store and get some more shades… and some for my sisters as well!!

***

After writing this post a few days ago I went into another Kicks store. I love the lip butter so much I thought I’d look at the other shades and possibly get more for myself and one for my older sister (who share my love for the Elisabeth Arden one). To my surprise I found them on offer for just 39,50 kr (which is about 4 Euro/£3/$5)! So I bought another three pots! J Two more for me, Wild Rose and Jasmine, and one for my sister, Pomegranate.

Essie Mint Candy Apple and To Buy or Not To Buy

2012-03-30T20:14:00.000+02:00

I went to my local beauty shop the other day in search of a mint coloured nail polish. You know, spring is on the way and I just wanted to perk myself up with a bright polish. I haven't tried out too many nail polishes so I consider myself quite new to these products.

But I went straight to the Essie shelf thinking it was time I gave this apparently great brand a try. I was immediately drawn to the shade Mint Candy Apple and I decided to buy it. But it was such a quick decision so I didn't feel quite ready yet. So just for fun I started looking at the shades of there spring collection, and then I saw a very pretty soft purple shade. I thought it was lovely! So I was standing there thinking if I should buy this one too, and then I saw the name: To Buy or Not To Buy. I mean, come on - then I just had to buy it! It was my thought exactly!

Left to right:

Essie Mint Candy Apple and Essie To Buy or Not To Buy.

Essie Mint Candy Apple

Essie To Buy or Not To Buy.

I just love these nail polishes. It so much spring and they make me happy. And they are so easy to apply it's almost ridiculous. No streaking at all - the polish spreads out and makes an even surface by itself. Amazing!

Colourful makeup

2012-03-17T23:53:00.000+01:00

Just thougt I'd share a couple of pictures from a fun makeup and photo shoot today. My husbands daughter wanted me to do a bright makeup on her copying a picture that she liked. Here it is!

Real Techniques / Samantha Chapman brushes

2012-01-31T21:33:00.000+01:00

I've been a HUGE fan of the Pixiwoo sisters, Samantha and Nicola Chapman, for a long time. For those of you who don't know who they are I can tell you that they are amazing brittish makeup artists and their YT videos are appreciated by people all over the world.

Imagine how I felt when I heard that Sam was lauching her own brushes...! It took me a while to order them though because I had to prioritize my purchases a bit. But I finally got around to it a few weeks ago.

I've heard mixed reviews on the brushes, but let me just say that the ones I ordered are A M A Z I N G! I'm a sworn MAC fanatic and that includes their high quality brushes as well, so Sam and Real Techniques had a lot to live up to. And boy am I impressed!

Left to right: Shading brush, Stippling brush and Core Collection.

Stippling brush.

I love the Stippling brush just as much as I thought I would. Brilliant for sheer and flawless foundation coverage, and I also use it for liquid higlighter.

Shading brush.

Simple, clean and efficient. Your basic brush that does the job really well. It picks up a lot of product which is great.

Buffing brush.

Sooo lovely! I love it maybe even more than the stippling brush. It gives the same kind of perfectly flawless skin when used with foundation, but the difference is that the buffing brush gives you a bit more coverage than the stippling brush.

Contour brush.

The best way to describe this brush: Perfect! The size is just right and so is the shape. I use it for blush, highlighter, powder and bronzer. I just wish you could buy this brush separately, because I would buy many more!

Pointed foundation brush.

I don't use this for foundation. I really don't get the small brush thing when it comes to foundation, but hey - everyone is different. But this brush is really great for concealing larger areas.

Detailer brush.

Really great as a lip brush! Since I got this I don't use my Louise Young lip brush anymore because I prefer this one.

The Core Collection case.

Long time no see

2012-01-11T22:45:00.002+01:00

Dear blog,

I'm so sorry for neglecting you lately. It wasn't my intention to abandon you, I've just been so busy. I'm working full time as well as running a business on the side and something just had to give. But seeing you now made me realize how much I've missed you. I'll try to do better from now on!

See ya soon!

Sleek Makeup in Sweden / Sleek Makeup i Sverige!!

2011-12-05T21:45:00.000+01:00

Finally - everything is set. It's taken me a while to get everything in order, but I've now started selling Sleek Makeup here in Sweden. This is probably only interesting to my swedish readers, but I thought I'd let you know anyway. ;)

***

Äntligen - allt är klart. Det har tagit ett tag att få ordning på allt, men jag har nu börjat sälja Sleek Makeup i Sverige. Jag vet att detta kommer att glädja många eftersom Sleek Makeup är mycket svårt att få tag på i Sverige. Vad jag vet är jag den enda på nätet som säljer märket.

Jag har funderat mycket fram och tillbaka på bästa sättet att sälja Sleek Makeup och kommit fram till att jag ska testa Tradera till en början. Jag skulle gärna starta en webshop direkt, men det kostar tyvärr pengar och när jag startar upp något nytt så här vill jag inte binda upp mig på för mycket kostnader. Jag ligger redan ute med pengar för produkterna och det får räcka för tillfället. ;)

Jag kommer att börja med att sälja några av i-Divine ögonskuggepaletter, några rouger/blush, face contour kit och Luminous pressed powder. Om allt går bra planerar jag att utöka sortimentet allt eftersom.

Jag har lagt ut några annonser på Tradera redan, men kommer att fylla på dem med fler produkter de närmaste dagarna. Håll utkik!

www.tradera.com. Sök på Sleek Makeup.

My article in SIX Magazine!!

2011-10-24T21:47:00.000+02:00

I'm extremely happy and proud to announce my collaboration with SIX Magazine - a brittish sustainable and ethical fashion and lifestyle magazine. I didn't want to say anything until the magazine was out in case it didn't work out, but here it is: http://six-magazine.co.uk/magazine/!!!

They asked me to write an article on six products from Scandinavian brands that you can't be without in the winter. I had a lot of fun researching and asking for samples to make this article happen, and it was a lot of work. But I'm so happy for the result. Check out my article on page 132-133, and read about me on page 17.

Hope you like it!!

New MAC purchases

2011-10-23T17:38:00.000+02:00

Just came home from a trip to the MAC counter in Gothenburg. I just loooove MAC. I can hang around the counter forever swatching like crazy. I allowed myself three products today.

Studio Finish Concealer in NW20 (my NW25 is getting too dark for my pale winter skin).

Paint Pot in Rubenesque

Paint Pot in Soft Ochre

I've wanted the Rubenesque for a long time.

Such a pretty colour! Can't really descrice it... Maybe a golden shimmery peachy colour.

Soft Ochre is a good base colour to have.

Swatches.

Left: Rubenesque

Right: Soft Ochre

Makeup tutorial: Bright pink breast cancer awareness month makeup

2011-10-15T19:09:00.000+02:00

Double click to redirect to YouTube and a list of products used.

Loreal Double Extension Waterproof Mascara

2011-10-02T17:56:00.000+02:00

I like to try new mascaras since I can’t give up on the idea of there being a perfect one out there. You know… the kind that effortlessly makes you lashes thick, long, separated and gorgeous throughout the whole day. If you follow my blog you know I think MUFE Aqua Smoky Lash mascara comes really close. But as much as I love that mascara it has its disappointments like every other, even though it’s just small things. The worst of it all is that it’s quite uneven in quality. One tube can be perfect and the next clumpy and messy already from the start.

In my quest for the perfect mascara I’ve come across the Loreal Double Extension Waterproof Mascara. It’s been around for quite some time, but I haven’t tried it before. I haven’t used it long enough to know if it’s “the one”, but after a week of using it I’m really impressed. It’s one of those 2-steps mascaras where you first apply a white lengthening base and then you apply the second step which is the actual mascara.

First of all, it comes in a waterproof version which is a must for me. Regular mascaras doesn’t keep my curl for more than 5 seconds. And I like my curl! Secondly, it’s black and not greyish black which many mascaras are even though they claim to be black. Hate that. After passing these two important criterias it also ticks the boxes of being easy to apply, volumizing and lengthening. It stays on beautifully during the day without flaking and making a mess. It really does seem to have it all! Just waiting to see how quick it dries out and if it can stay this good for a month or preferably two! Fingers crossed!