Benefit The Porefessional Matte Rescue

If you are an oily skin gal like me, you probably clicked faster on this post than on the 'yes' button when Netflix asks if you are still watching -and yes after six hours I am still watching-. Because something with matte in the name must be tried out if you have a shiny face and that's exactly what I thought when I visited Sephora. I popped it in my basket, went to the till and left with a lot less money in my bank account.

The Benefit The Porefessional Matte Rescue (50ml/ €30,60) is a water-based gel primer with a matte finish that keeps oil at bay. It minimizes the appearance of pores, absorbs excess oil for a natural matte finish and contains diamond powder to give it a soft-focus pore-blurring effect.

When I read that in Sephora I had high hopes. I remember watching a YouTube video back in the day where a girl also used a mattifying gel (I think it was from MAC) and since then I have always wanted to try it out.

My T-zone gets the shiniest and I also have larger pores there so that's where I apply the gel. It's a very handy tube and I use around a pea size amount to apply on my forehead, nose and chin. The gel feels fresh on the skin and the scent reminds me of a skincare product I used when I was a teen -can't remember what it was though-.  Because of the gel texture it blends nicely and soaks into the skin.

I do see a difference in shine, but I would not say my pores magically disappeared. Even after my foundation they are still there. I use this product to keep the shine away and if they minimize a few pores along the way then that's always welcome.

Normally the shine gets through after two to three hours and the Matte Rescue primer definitely keeps my skin matte for a longer period of time. Of course after six hours I still look shiny, but there is nothing a bit of loose powder can't fix. Am I right?

If you are looking for a product that keeps the skin more matte the Benefit The Porefessional Matte Rescue is the babe for you. If you are looking for a product that magically makes your pores disappear I would not bother. But I know Benefit Cosmetics have a few other primers for that!

Have you tried the Benefit The Porefessional Matte Rescue?

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Pixi Overnight Glow Serum

Confession time: I'm a bit of a skincare junkie. Even on my last trip to the Big Apple I purchased way too many skincare from Ordinary and went a bit shopping crazy in Ulta Beauty and Sephora. I still love make-up but it's much better to get good skin so you don't need to cover up the bad. And believe me I have a lot of bad. Acne, scarring, redness, large pores and all that jazz. That's maybe why I love skincare so much. To see what actually does something to my skin to make it all go away. 

Today, I want to talk to you about one of the products that actually does something to my skin: the Pixi Overnight Glow Serum. You might know Pixi from their hyped up Glow Tonic, which I LOVE a lot too. I have been using it for years and this serum is even better than that. Like that can be possible?

The Pixi Overnight Glow Serum is exactly what it says in the name. The serum has a thick consistency that I leave on overnight and I wake up with the most amazing glow. Isn't that what we all want in a skincare product?
According to the Pixi website it exfoliates and soothes skin and it's a miracle serum that works while you sleep to reveal a brighter complexion. It's formulated with 10% glycolic acid & arginine that helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and fade sun spots over time and is enriched with cucumber & aloe vera extracts to calm skin and vitamins A, C & E to nourish.

I use it in the PM -otherwise it's not overnight, right?- and this is the last serum that I put on my face. The dropper is one of the only things I don't like as much since the serum can get everywhere if you are not careful. I put 1-2 drops on my hand and massage it into my skin. It can sting a bit, but for me that's a sign that it's working. I leave it on a bit before I add my moisturizer and pop into bed for some well rested beauty sleep -after binge watching season two of 13 Reasons Why, obviously-.

The next morning I wake up with the most glowy skin in the world. I have combination/oily skin too so there is lots of shine there, but when all that goes down the drain with my Face Cleanser from First Aid Beauty I am left with such an amazing glow. My skin seems more even, the scars are faded a bit and the redness is not as present as before.
I know this sounds too good to be true, but I honestly love this product a lot. With £26 for 30 ml it's on a higher price range but compared to other beauty brands I think it's still reasonable. 

If you are looking to try out a product from Pixi or searching for a good glowy serum this babe is the one. I love it even more than the Glow Tonic, so even if the tonic didn't work for you this probably will. Your dull and tired skin will thank you for it!

What is your favourite Pixi product?

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Yves Saint Laurent Touché Éclat in 1 Luminious Radiance

 If you have spent about half your life watching beauty tutorials on YouTube -aka me- you know what products are holy grails and which ones are not. NARS Laguna Bronzer, Collection Lasting Perfection concealer or the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Moonstone. They are all products that are known to blow you away and to be honest they really do.

One of those products that has been on my beauty wish list but never got around to try before is the Yves Saint Laurent Touché Éclat in 1 Luminous Radiance*. An illumination highlighter that brightens up the skin and makes it look bright and smooth. I always thought it was a concealer, and although it does give a slight hint of coverage it's really more suitable for highlighting the face. I’m actually part of Glamour Magazines Beauty Lover squad, so many more YSL products will be featured the next few months. So exciting!

The packaging is absolutely gorgeous and for €40,75 it kind of should. The shining gold makes it look so stunning and luxurious. With a few clicks at the back of the pen the product comes out. You just swipe the product across any of the features that you want to brighten up, blend it in with your fingers, brush or sponge and you got one brightened complexion. I personally like to use it underneath my eyes and on the places where I normally put my highlighter. It leaves a beautiful light shimmery glow.

Although it's a lovely product and a lot of people use it on a daily basis, it's not the product for me. For starters, I kind of got the wrong colour. Number 1 has a pink undertone and I kind of prefer a yellow undertone. Especially since my skin is already quite pink. Second is that I prefer a more full coverage look. I don't have the best skin so light glowy coverage is not that great for covering up acne scars and current break-outs. I would probably love this if I had skin like Gigi Hadid. I would put a bit on my face and head out the door, but truth is that I'm not that kind of gal.

If you have perfect skin you will probably love this product. It gives you that natural dewy glow without having too many products on your face. If you are more on the oily/acne side of things this might not be for you. Doesn't mean that it isn't a gorgeous product though.

Have you tried the Yves Saint Laurent Touché Éclat before?

*The items with a * were kindly sent to me. My opinion and fabulous brows are completely my own.

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4 Travel Tips to Save Your Skin When Flying

Travelling by air is not your skins best friend. I normally only fly for max. two hours to London or Barcelona, but when I flew to New York in January that suddenly changed to a 9 hour flight. Now 9 hours of dry air sucks all the moisture out of your skin, even for a combination/oily gal like me. So I came up with these 4 tips to give your skin a bit of a pick me up before, during and after your flight. 

Use a hydrating face mask
Preferably before, during and after your flight. I love the Kiehl's Calendula & Aloe Soothing Hydration Mask, but the Origins Drink Up masks are also really good. Personally I only use these mask when flying, because as I said before, my skin is not on the dry side. I mostly use a hydrating mask before and after, because I simply not feel comfortable to sit barefaced next to people I don't know with a face mask on. If my skin was not suffering from acne, scarring and redness I would probably not care, so do whatever floats your boat.

Drink A LOT of water.
I know this is kind of a no brainer, but really drink a lot of water. Even when I fly with a more expensive airline and they provide me with food and drinks I always bring a 1 litre bottle of water with me. Just take an empty bottle through security and refill it after. Even though this means you are going to be that annoying person that needs to pee twice an hour. Your skin will thank you for it.

Bring hand cream on board
This is a thing that I forgot, but oh how I wished that I had some hand cream with me. We kind of think about our face, but let's not forget the hands and the rest of the body. I wash my hands quite a lot when I'm flying and although it gets rid of that sweaty feeling it also makes them even drier. Bring a hand cream that is nicely scented -you know to not disturb the neighbours with a weird herbal smell- and your hands will feel so soft and nice.

Artificial tears are your best friend
A bit off topic since technically eyes are not your skin, but if I had known this on my flight to NYC I would have been so much happier. I don't know about you but I'm feeling 22 but my eyes get super dry when I'm flying. Especially when you are not really sleeping and looking at a book or tv screen for 8 hours straight. In New York I popped into CVS and bought some eye drops and they made my return flight to Amsterdam so much more pleasant. Every time my eyes started to feel a bit dry I just popped in some artificial tears and it's honestly the best 10 dollars I have ever spent.

Hope this will help you on your next journey. Your skin and body and eyes will thank you for it!

Do you have more skin tips for travelling?

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NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation in Mont Blanc

It's been a while since I talked about a foundation on the blog, so I thought it was about time to introduce you to the latest addition to my make-up routine. I used the Collection Lasting Perfection Foundation -yup the big sister of my holy grail concealer- for a really long time, and I still love it a lot, but it's so damn orange on my pale winter skin that it was time for a change.

Here comes in the NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation in Mont Blanc. I was actually going for the NARS Sheer Glow foundation, but the lady at the counter said that this one might be better for my oily skin, and she was 100% right. Sheer Glow is perfect when your skin is on the dry side, but as mine is combination/oily it's better to stay away from those kinds of products.

The NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation is an oil-free, liquid foundation that gives full, natural-looking coverage. The formula is quite thin and lightweight and it feels really nice on the skin. I use about 2-3 pumps on my skin and blend it in with my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush -best brush out there-. It blends in very smooth, looks amazing on and it covers my acne, scarring and redness perfectly. At first it can look a bit cakey, but once I have applied the rest of my makeup, my skin looks flawless and natural. It stays on for a while too. NARS says that it will stay on for 16 hours and I have to take their word for it. I have probably worn it for max. 12 hours and it looks the same as it did in the morning. A bit shinier though, but there is nothing a bit of powder can't fix. I have been using this foundation since the start of December and I'm not even halfway through so that is definitely a plus, a little bit goes a long way with this babe. 

Now on the things that are not so great about the foundation. First of all it's on the pricier side. I picked it up when I was shopping in Duty Free at Gatwick Airport, so that saved me a bit of money. Of course any high end foundation is pricy compared to their drugstore companions, either suck it up and spend the pennies or you just look for a more affordable alternative -aka me spending almost 120 dollar on 3 foundations at Sephora-. Next on to the last and only downside of this beauty. I don't think dry skin gals will love this. It clings to dry patches a bit, and although I don't have dry skin, it kind of sits on the dry skin around the acne that appears on my face from time to time. I don't mind it that much, because every product kind of clings to that area.

If you have combination/oily, acne-prone skin like me you have to try out this NARS foundation! I have not had any break outs either with this product and I think my skin looks really nice with it on. It also photographs beautifully -aka your selfies look lush- and I can't recommend it enough. Dryer skin gals, try the NARS Sheer Glow. I have not personally tried it myself, but it's so hyped that it must be good, right?

Have you tried a NARS foundation? Which one is your favourite?

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My Glossier Showroom Experience in NYC

You must be living under a rock to not have heard of the brand Glossier. It's all over Instagram, YouTube and blogs and as curious as I am I wanted to see what the fuss was about. Luckily for me I went to New York -read about what I did there here- so of course I popped into their showroom in Soho.

Glossier is founded by Emily Weiss from the website Into The Gloss. Also remember Emily the super intern from The Hills? She was interning in New York and helped Lauren and Whitney in LA with a Teen Vogue event. She is the same Emily! I thought that was so funny!

Before going to the store I did some research online on what kind of products are worth it and which ones are not. Glossier is mainly focused on people with pretty good skin that is a bit dry. Hence the name Glossier aka glossy, glowy skin. Since my skin is more on the oily, acne-prone side most products are not targeted for me, but I still was like why not have a cheeky look and pop in for a lip balm? Because you can never have enough lip balms.

The Glossier Showroom is located on 23 Lafayette St. An elevator will take you up where you enter a room for beauty lovers. All products are displayed and you can try them out as much as you like. The concept is that you write down whatever you want on a Glossier sheet and then go up to the cashier or one of the Glossier ladies and order your goodies. A few minutes later someone calls for your name and there you have it: your own cute Glossier bag.

I had a look at the oh so popular Balm Dotcom ($12/15ml), a multipurpose lip balm, and tried them all out. In the end I went with the plain, unscented one, because I felt like I would use that the most. I also ordered Super Pure, one of the three Glossier serums. Super Glow and Super Bounce are more oriented on dry, dull skin and Super Pure has zinc and vitamin B3 and is supposed to calm redness and break-out prone skin. With $28 it's on the pricier side, especially since you only get 15 ml, but I wanted to give it a go to see if it would really cure my skin.

Overall I do like the Glossier shopping experience, it's a bit different than your usual Sephora run, but I liked it. The goodies that you buy are packed in this pink packaging and it gives you this luxury, cool gal feel. The store can be a bit small and is usually packed with other girls who love trying everything out. I went on the weekend too, so maybe try going there on a weekday to avoid crowds. Or order online if you live in the US, Canada or UK. 

I still need to test out the Balm Dotcom and Super Pure serum, but when I do a review of these babies will go up ASAP. Just in time for my next trip to the Glossier showroom in May!

Have you tried anything from Glossier?

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Ciaté London x Olivia Palermo Nail Polish in Napa Valley

 If there is one thing that perks up my mood on a crappy day it's groomed hands, and specifically nails. I have to admit I don't care for my hands and feet as much as I do for my face and I feel like that has to change. Starting with the first thing that gives my hands that loved look: nail polish. 
Now nail polish can look extremely good. I think it transform your look and finishes of an outfit -especially when you try to match-. Of course my nail polish chips in no-time and then I'm too lazy to take it off even though it takes two minutes -the struggle is real!-. It's one of the reasons why I never wear nail polish, but with this colour from Ciaté London I have tried my best to become a bit more of a nail polish gal.

I have previously never owned a Ciaté nail polish. I knew about the brand by their enormous advent calendars and gorgeous packaging so when I spotted a Ciaté London x Olivia Palermo nail polish in TK Maxx for six pounds I was all excited. This happened when I was in Brighton last January, so I do apologize for the lateness of this post. Good way to end the year with a product that you bought at the start haha.

I grew up watching The Hills and The City so fashionista Olivia Palermo is the perfect lady for a nail polish collab. I think the colour of this nail polish ''Napa Valley'' represent here in a way too. It’s a dark berry red kind of colour that looks so elegant, classy and feminine. Safe to say this is the only nail polish that I have been reaching for if I ever decide to do my nails.

Applying is so easy with the brush. I don't know what it is but it gets enough product on the brush to get a lovely coated nail. One coat can do the trick when you are in a hurry, but out of habit I always do two. It applies like a dream and dries up quickly as well. All I'm left with are glossy red nails that last up to at least four/five days, depending on what my activities are that week.

Ciaté London is definitely a brand that I want discover a lot more in the New Year. I feel that it can be quite hard sometimes to find good nail polish that lasts a long time and is not streaky. I’m very happy that I can finally cross 'Finding the perfect nail polish brand' of my list!

Have you tried Ciaté London before?

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Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads

Nip + Fab and I have been good friends for a while now. Whenever I'm in London I always pop into Boots or Superdrug -whoever has the best deals going on- to stock up on my favourites. The Dragon's Blood Fix cleansing pads were my go-to product, but I have to say that the ones from the Glycolic Fix range are my fave now. I also switched to the hyaluronic shot from Nip + Fab which has honestly saved my skin, such a fab product, but more on that in another blog post.

The Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads (£12.95) are 60 pads soaked in glycolic acid 2.8% (retextures and resurfaces), hyaluronic acid (moisturises and refreshes) and blue daisy (soothes and calms). After using this you are left with brighter and smoother looking skin and although most of the promises that skincare products do are crap this actually does the job. My skin looks more even, less red (also with the help of the Dragon's Blood babe), my pores are smaller, I get less unwelcome pimples and I have that healthy glow without being pregnant or living that green juice diet. 

I use them every night, after I have cleansed my skin and before I start my serum and moisturizer routine, and they are so easy to use. I swipe them over my face and that's it. The feeling you get can be a bit sticky and tingly, but since this product does wonders I embrace it with all my heart. The scent of them is nice too and I’m overall in LOVE with these cleansing pads. -You probably already knew that by this Nip + Fab love letter blog post.

I also have the Glycolic Extreme Night Pads with 5% glycolic acid and I love those a lot too -maybe even more?-. For the price that you pay these pads are such a smart buy and I honestly think they will change your skin. I have sensitive skin as well and these pads don't irritate at all. Superdrug always has a good 50% off deal going on so you don't have any excuses anymore to not pop them in your basket next time you are in there on your usual tampon, concealer, face mask and cheeky chocolate bar errant.

What is your favourite Nip + Fab product?

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L'Oréal Paris X Balmain Lipstick in 469 Fever

This post has been long in the making. I pre-ordered this lipstick because I was really excited about the collection, then I was so busy with my thesis that I couldn't wear it because I had to take photos first –blogger struggles-. And now the lighting is so bad outside that every time I want to show you the way it looks on my lips it's too dark. Anyways, here I am with a full review of one of the nicest colours from the L’Oréal Paris X Balmain collection.

It was quite hard for me to decide which lipstick to pick. Since I wanted to not spend all my money on the entire collection I set my eyes on just one. Better said than done when you are a lipstick junkie like me. After spending a lot of time looking at swatches and colours I ended up choosing the colour 468 Fever. A warm red orange colour that got my attention right from the start.

First of all, I LOVE the packaging of these lipsticks. I would not expect any different as mister Balmain himself, Olivier Rousteing, designed them. There are three different themes in this collection (Safari, Rock & Couture) and each theme has their own colour. As this lipstick is part of the Safari collection, the lipstick comes in green marble and gold packaging. It complements the orange colour so well and it looks really luxurious. Especially with the Balmain logo printed on the side. 

The lipstick is supposed to be matte and although they are a mattifying on the lips they don't come near the Colourpop matte liquid lipsticks. Personally I’m a bit done with the Kylie Jenner liquid lipstick trend -even though I have about 25 liquid lipsticks- so I don't mind that. I love how natural these kinds of lipsticks can make your lips look in comparison to the liquid form. It doesn't mean I will never wear liquid lipsticks again; I just need a break I think.

The Fever lipstick is really easy to apply and the orangey red colour has a good pay off. The pigmentation is good and with one swipe I have a full orange pout. It lasts as long as many other lipsticks I own. It won't budge when you don't eat or drink, but since this is me it's quite impossible to not eat and drink all day, so touch ups are definitely necessary. 

I always get so many complements when I wear this lipstick. It makes me look awake and happy without being too out there as some orange lipsticks can be a bit too crazy. I mean I love me some MAC Morange but not on a daily basis. In summer maybe, but in winter it's a big no no for me.

Fever is definitely a lipstick that I will wear more often. It's a perfect all seasons kind of lipstick, it stays on very long, looks good on a lot of skin tones and you'll probably get lots of complements. What's not to like? The collection has been out for a few months now, but I did see them at the L’Oréal counter when I was in London a couple of weeks ago. You have to check them out if you haven't already. Or just have another look, because the other shades are also to die for!

Have you tried any lipsticks from the L'Oréal Paris X Balmain collection?

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Vichy Dermablend

As someone who isn't gifted with perfect skin a good foundation and concealer is essential for me. Although my skin has it's good and bad days it's nice to know that there is always a product that can make me look like I am one of the very few that has no idea what acne, scarring and redness means.

I have always wanted to try out Vichy Dermablend. When I first started getting into the YouTube beauty community it was one of those foundations that people with acne loved. It would cover it all and not look cakey at the same time. Fast forward to five years later and here I am trying out Vichy Dermablend for the first time in all those years.

I am trying out two Dermablend products today: the Covermatte Powder Foundation and the SOS Cover Stick. They are the newest additions to the Dermablend family and I tried them both in the lightest colour 'Opal'.

The Covermatte Foundation* (€23,95) is a high coverage compact powder that camouflages imperfections, absorbs oil and keeps the skin matte and flawless all day. I have never really tried a powder foundation. I always feel like powder foundations don't give that much coverage, but I was pleasantly surprised. It gives enough coverage to even out my skin and it feels so light as well, such a difference in comparison to the heavy way liquid foundations can make me feel. The powder comes in sleek, black packaging with a sponge and a mirror. Personally I'm not a fan of sponges -the Beauty Blender trend is not for me- so I stick to a powder brush and dust it over my face. The coverage is very buildable and looks really natural. I do need a bit more coverage whenever I have a pimple and that's where the SOS Cover Stick comes in.

The SOS Cover Stick* (€14,95) is a creamy concealer that gives full coverage to cover the things that you wish where not on your face. It applies very smooth and blends in nicely as well. When I have a pimple I put a bit on the back of my hand and dip my concealer brush in the product to make sure not to get bacteria all over the coverstick. I do prefer liquid concealers, but that’s maybe because I am used to them. The only thing I'm not a fan of is the colour selection. There are only five colours and even the colour Opal is too dark for me. It's also winter which means that my summer tan is officially gone, so maybe these Vichy products will be a better use once the sun is shining and I am back to my darker shade. Both products contain SPF as well, which makes them even better for the summer time.

Both products are perfect for when you have imperfections on your skin. I really want to try the Dermablend foundation, because I think I will like that a bit more. It just feels weird wearing powder as a foundation. I guess it's something I have to get used to. I do love the light feel of it. I hope that in a few years my skin turns back to normal and a bit of concealer and powder is all I need.

Have you ever tried Vichy Dermablend? What do you think?

*The items with a * were kindly sent to me. My opinion and flawless skin are completely my own.

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S. Oliver So Pure

A month ago I was at a S. Oliver event for their new fragrance collection 'So Pure'. I know S. Oliver mainly from their fashion, so I was excited to get to know the brand and their new eau de toilettes. 

The event was held at the Hoxton Hotel in Amsterdam. I had never been there, but of course heard about the hotel from everybody on Instagram, and it didn't disappoint. The hotel is absolutely stunning -I'm basing this only on the lobby and room where the event took place. No way that I can afford to stay here for a week-. We were welcomed by a glass of champagne and a gorgeous room fully decorated with green apples, So Pure and the book Hygge. After a few chats, food and sips of bubbles we sat down in a room where we got a bit more information about So Pure. We got even more food -the cheesecake was my favourite, obviously- and headed home with a bag full of goodies to review.

The collection So Pure is inspired by the Danish word Hygge which means: enjoying life's simple pleasures, like family, friends, candles or taking a warm bath; the simple things in life. 

Especially with all the craziness of work, social media and society standards, I think it's a good message for a fragrance. We also got the book Hygge as a gift, and I feel bad that I still haven't read it. I will make it my mission to finish it before 2017 ends or maybe I will take it with me to New York, since I will need some reading company on my solo brunches in the Big Apple. 

The So Pure collection has a fragrance for women and also one for men*. I don't have that much knowledge about men fragrances, just what I do and don't like, and I have to say that I love this scent. It smells very 'manly' -such a good description, not- and my non-existing boyfriend would absolutely love it, so I gave it to my stepdad who likes it a lot. There you go, approved by a male, so it must be good.

Here the scent for both fragrances, since I already proved that I suck at describing scents - what even is a 'manly' scent haha?-

So Pure for Her

Top Note: Ivy, Calamansi, Apple

Middle Note: Freesia, Jasmin, Cashmere Wood

Base Note: Ambrox, Musk, Sandal Wood 

So Pure for Him

Top Note: Bergamot, Green Apple, Cardamom

Middle Note: Lavender, Violets, Geranium,

Base Note: Cedar wood, Sandal Wood, Amber

Back to the stuff that I do know: women’s fragrances! S. Oliver So Pure for Her* reminds me of a fragrance that I used to have when I was little. We even had a chat about it at the event. All the woman at my table thought exactly the same when they smelled it, but they couldn't remember the name of the perfume. I mainly think it gives that homely feel, because it's very floral, and I used to have so many floral scents when I was young. It was my go-to thing. 

I do like the So Pure for Her scent. It's definitely a more spring/summer scent for me as it’s very floral and sweet. It's an eau de toilette, but quite strong considering that it's not a parfum. The design of both bottles is very minimalistic, sleek and breathes the Hygge lifestyle. Something that’s also good for the eyes? The price. For 30 ml you pay €17,99 (Him) and €22,99 (Her) per bottle. Don't know why the price is different per gender, but products designed for woman are usually more expensive. Probably because we are easily tempted to buy stuff? I don't know. To make it even better they also have a shower gel*, body lotion* and deodorant*. That way you can completely smell like the So Pure scent.

The S. Oliver So Pure fragrance line is a good new addition to the already existing fragrances from S. Oliver. I love the philosophy behind it and they smell pretty good if you ask me. They are sold around stores in Europe and online, so definitely give them a sniff when you see them on display somewhere.

What do you think about these S. Oliver fragrances?

*The items with a * were kindly sent to me. My opinion and fruity scent are completely my own.

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Oysho Eau de Parfum .1

Have you ever been in the situation where someone walks past, you get a whiff of their perfume and immediately think: I wish I knew what that scent was? This happens to me on numerous occasions and I think I finally found the scent that I have been searching for all this time.

When I was in Barcelona last October we also went shopping. We went to a lot of shops and also stumbled into Oysho, a sister of Zara. It's the perfect shop for lounge- and sleepwear, and when I walked inside I could smell this familiar scent. It might not be exactly like the perfume that I smelled before but it came pretty close. The entire store smelled like the perfume that they call their '.1' scent (50ml/€19,99). I didn't buy it in the store then, but luckily for me they also had a shop at the airport, so I didn't had to worry about liquids and stuff, because believe me, my liquids bag was full till the brim. 

The bottle itself is not fancy and maybe a bit cheap looking. Like with everything in life, it's about the inside that counts. 

Since I suck at describing scents I took the description of Oysho:

''Myrtle with a touch of green prevails in the opening, and as the fragrance evolves, a constant play is noted between the feminine and masculine. The essence is composed of a hot splash of iris that contrasts with the hint of leather. Finally, the undertone is characterised by notes of wood and amber, which are softened by the creaminess of vanilla and the sensuality of white musk.''

Now I do think it's not a scent that everyone loves. Not like Chanel Mademoiselle or La Vie Est Belle do. The friend that I was with actually hated it and said I should not buy it, but oh well, I did anyway. Back in my homely surroundings I do think it would've been better if I bought the Eau de Toilette, because it is quite strong. Normally I don't smell my perfume at the end of the day, but with this one I bloody do!

I am happy to have finally discovered the scent that I would smell all the time - at least I hope this is the one - and I can't wait to wear it more. Maybe I should spritz it in the air and walk right through it like they do in the movies. I always thought that was stupid, but with this perfume it might be a good trick!

Pixi Beauty + Caroline Hirons Double Cleanse

Pixi Beauty always has a special place in my heart. Their Glow Tonic is worth all the hype and I have been repurchasing this wonderful product for about five years. At the beginning of this year I popped into the Pixi Store at Carnaby Street, London to pick up yet another bottle of Glow Tonic when I saw this product. I had actually heard a bit about a product created by skincare goddess Caroline Hirons in collaboration with Pixi: The Double Cleanse. Since she does know a thing or two about good skincare and I can never say no to a cleansing balm I picked it up. 

This all took place at the beginning of this year and you are probable wondering why it would take me so long to try it out. Well, I was finishing up my bottle of the Una Brennan Cleansing Oil and I am quite scared of trying new skincare products. Especially cleansing balms and oils, since I have had a few bad reactions to these kinds of products in the past. After one use I already knew that there was nothing to be afraid of, because well, this product is the dreamiest thing ever.

The Double Cleanse is a 2-in-1 cleaner with a solid cleanser on one end and a cleansing cream on the other. I am a huge fan of double cleansing and I think this product absolutely nails it. First, the cleansing oil removes oil, dirt, make-up and sunscreen. It's full of vitamin E, camellia oil and evening primrose oil to heal, protect and nourish the skin. The cleansing cream cleanses and conditions the skin to prep it for the rest of your skincare routine. They added Vitamin C to the luxe cleansing cream, which I think makes it even better. It's also fragrance and paraben free and not tested on animals.

I like to use a pea size of both cleansers and massage them on my face for about 30 seconds. I take the cleansing balm off with a cloth and some warm water and the same goes for the cleansing cream. After, my skin feels so radiant, soft and healthy. I also feel like my skin is smoother and less prone to acne.

Now there are some cons. Personally, I don't like the fact that it's in a jar. I love cleansers in a tube, because it's much easier and hygienic. Now I scoop out the cleaners with a cotton bud to keep my germs away from the product as best as I can. It's also on the pricier side (£24), but I can totally justify that now that I know how amazing my skin looks after using it.

If you are a cleansing balm hoarder then I would definitely recommend this product (also if you are not skincare obsessed you will love it). I think the two products work so well together to make the skin plump, glowy and healthy. One jar will probably last for about three to four months, which is reasonable as well. Hopefully Pixi will bring out a travel size, because it has to come on holiday with me. Think about how cute a tiny Double Cleanse would be!

Have you tried the Double Cleanse from Pixi Beauty already? What are your thoughts on this product?

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Topshop Glow Pot in Polished

My make-up routine is not complete without applying a bit of highlighter to my cheeks. I love a radiant glow and have to admit that I sometimes go a bit overboard with it. I always say 'you can never have too much highlighter on your face', but yes, you can have too much highlighter on your face.

Because I love it so much (highlighter and lipsticks are my favourite make-up products to buy) I have a few in my stash to keep me going and I keep on buying them because why the heck not. One highlighter has always been on my wish list. Mainly because I saw how pretty it was when someone used it in a YouTube video and for that price I wanted to try it out myself. I am talking about the Topshop Glow Pot, which you probably already knew by the title of this blogpost. I still tried to build up the mystery though haha. 

Now when you are looking for a shiny and pretty highlighter, this product is all that. The Polished colour has a golden shimmer, is very creamy, blendable and looks nice on tanned skin. Perfect to keep that summer glow alive when you got back from your holiday or live in a country where it rains most of the time -welcome to the Netherlands- . I mainly apply it before or after foundation on the tops of my cheekbones, bridge of my nose and the cupids bow. It gives you that insta make-up look without looking too cakey and you are definitely in control of how glowy you want to look.
I do think the pot is too small, since my fingers always pick up too much product, so if there is one thing I could change about this wonderful item it’s the packaging. 

Topshop also do liquid highlighters now and they look absolutely define. The colour Misty will definitely be my next highlighter purchase, but I might have to control myself a bit since there is a limit to how many highlighter I can use at a time. Okay, I'm buying it anyways!

Have you tried any of the Topshop highlighters? Did you like them?

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NARS Blush/Bronzer Duo

When I'm on holiday I always have to do a little bit of shopping. There are so many new stores to discover and who doesn't like spending money on things they probably don't need? Well, when I entered the Emporia Shopping Centre in Malmö and saw Sephora I actually -gracefully- jumped up and down and screamed in excitement. We don't have a Sephora in the Netherlands, so whenever I spot one I get all psyched. After spending about an hour in there swatching and testing I decided to buy one little thing. Honestly, I wanted everything in that shop, but my bank account simply does not allow it. In the end I went for the NARS Blush/Bronzer Duo, because I have always wanted to try the Laguna bronzer and the Orgasm blush and this way I get them both! 

NARS has a special place in my make-up loving heart. As a teen it was out of my reach to buy something from NARS. Of course, it’s an expensive brand, but it was nowhere to be sold. When I went to London a couple of years ago I made it my mission to buy a product at the NARS counter in Selfridges. I went for the Deep Throat blush and funnily enough I do not use it as much. I tend to go for my Estée Lauder blush in Tease on a daily basis, but the NARS blush is still really pretty. Especially the packaging.

The blush/bronzer duo has the exact same classic matte packaging that I love so much. It's a small and petite compact with two shades of the most popular NARS products: the Laguna bronzer and Orgasm blush. Bots products are very pigmented and pretty on the cheeks. And even though I thought Laguna could be a bit too warm for me, it definitely works now that the sun is out and I have a bit of a tan. The blush is a pretty coral colour with gold glitters, and in my opinion a shade that works for everyone. You sweep both products across the cheeks and you are totally ready for these warm summer months.

Now the sweeping part is the only thing that I'm not a fan of. Because this product has a bit of both, you don't get a lot. With a blush it doesn't matter that much, but with a bronzer I like to swirl my big, fluffy brush in the product and apply it on my cheeks. The swirling is very non-existent with this, or I should mix the blush and bronzer together. Then it's no problem at all, but I like to do my bronzer and blush in two separate stages.

I think I will purchase the NARS Laguna bronzer at one point in my life. I like the pay-off and it's definitely worth the hype. The Orgasm bronzer will last me a life time since I don't use it every day, but I totally get why you would. Who doesn't like a coral flush for the rest of their life? 

What is your favourite NARS product?

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