Ardell Demi Wispies

Ardell Demi Wispies


Ardell's Demi Wispies are some of the most popular falsies, at least according to reviews MUA. I completely understand the hype. These are so lovely! And pretty! I've never actually worn false strip lashes before, only individual ones from Misslyn, which were too short for me (number 2), so I've only worn them to make my lashes look thicker. I've tried the Essence ones for a minute, but I hated how fake they looked and they have been lying in my drawer untouched since. My natural lashes are quite long, so technically I don't need falsies, but I will admit that my vanity got the best of me.




They look like individual lashes on a clear strip. The lashes are different lengths and they flare out at the end. They are quite long, but it's still a suitable length for everyday wear, or if you're not so brave, you can wear them on special occasions. The band is so soft and if placed properly (not too close to the inner corner) you can't feel themat all on your eyes. They feel almost like natural lashes and are all in all very comfortable to wear. The size of them is perfect, which means I don't have to cut them and are so easy to apply. 

They're the perfect thickness and don't draw too much attention despite the length, actually they look almost natural, so the overall look is like you have nice wispy, long and fluttery lashes. My mother actually thought these were my real lashes for a moment. Compared to Eylure Katy Perry's 'Oh Honey' lashes, these don't have a black strip and my cousin commented that because of that it's not so apparent you're wearing falsies when you close your eyes.




I use Essence's Frame 4 Fame lash glue, which is ok, but the lashes start popping off on the edges after 8 hours. I should invest in Duo.



You can find pictures of my natural lashes in my mascara posts here for comparison. The lashes in the inner corner are the same length as my natural ones.






I've worn them four times so far and they still look like new, but I never put any mascara on them (I just put one coat of mascara on my natural lashes). I think I'll get many more uses out of them. I got mine from lookfantastic for about 6€, but you can get them cheaper on eBay and Cherryculture (but the shipping might cost you more).
I really like these and I will repurchase them. If you're new to false lashes and you want something more natural, but still a bit dramatic, I can't recommend these enough.

Catrice Matt About Pink

Catrice Matt About Pink


Let me introduce you to my new every day lipstick. I'm in love with the colour. Matt About Pink is one of the three new matte lipsticks that joined the Ultimate Colour permanent range this Spring. I liked all three, but decided to get only this one. I actually had this shade on my wishlist from the moment I saw the promo pictures, but after seeing swatches of other bloggers I changed my mind. Honestly, it doesn't look that amazingly pretty in the tube or swatched on the back of the hand, but I was amazed at how great it looks on me.



The formula could be better. Matte is my favourite finish, however, I prefer matte lip creams to the formula of this lipstick. It's not at all drying and it applies really nicely, but the formula is not smooth enough and theapplication can look uneven which becomes more evident later (I have a similar problem with Shiseido's Perfect Rouge glowing matte in PK224). Staying power is average, it lasts about 5 hours, but then I feel the need to reapply it to make it more even and crisp looking. It doesn't survive eating or drinking too well.





Formula aside, it is one of my absolute favourite shades ever. Matt About Pink looks like a perfect peachy pink on me. It's what I call a pink coral, a mix of pink with orange, but with pink being much more dominant. It is somewhat bright, however, I think it's still appropriate as an every day shade if you're not afraid of wearing a bit of colour. It would probably look more toned down on someone who's not as pale as me. I've been wearing it every day and everywhere since I got it.



Catrice lipsticks cost about 4€, I got mine in Müller.

Bourjois Cream Blush 01 Nude Velvet

Bourjois Cream Blush 01 Nude Velvet



This might just be my new favourite (cream) blush. Well, at least I'm certain it will be my most worn blush. Met Maybelline's Dream Blush in Peach (my most worn blush) cousin. Both are cream blushes which I prefer to powder ones because they are so easy and quick to apply. They have a very similar texture, except Bourjois one feels like it has more silicones in it, the finish is basically identical and even the colour is very similar. The main differences are that Bourjois comes in a better packaging, is smaller and has a mirror. I love my Maybelline blush, I actually own two colours, but the pot is not the best packaging when it comes to application, even though they feel well made.

The texture of Bourjois blush is a pleasure to use. It has a nicely pigmented, creamy and smooth formula that is easy to apply and blend. I tend to apply it with fingers because it's quickest, but brushes work as well. The finish is somewhere between satin and matte.




01 Nude Velvet is a light peach shade with some pink in it. It's pinker than Maybelline's Peach, however, I hardly notice the difference of the cheeks. It's a very natural looking blush and my favourite type of colour to wear on an every day basis.





It lasts the same as any other blush on my cheeks and I already said that no blush except Coralista lasts particularly long on me. The colour just fades from my cheek and disappears in a few hours (does that happen to anyone else?).



Mine is from ASOS for 7€ (with a discount), while the regular price is about 10 €. As far as I'm aware these aren't and won't be available in Slovenia (I sincerely hope I'm wrong about the last part). I'm not sure about other countries apart from that it's available in UK and France. It's pretty much the same story as with Maybelline cream blushes.


This cream blush is fantastic and pretty much an improvement of my previous favourite. A better and more travel friendly packaging does it for me, even though it's 2 € more expensive than Maybelline's. If you happen to stumble upon them, I'd recommend both. I might get shade 03 Rose Tender as well.

Bourjois Shine Edition 21 Rouge Making Of

Bourjois Shine Edition 21 Rouge Making Of


Finally. A shine lipstick I really like. Bourjois' Rouge Edition is my favourite lipstick formula and their newest Shine Edition does not disappoint either. What sets it apart from other versions of lipstick/gloss/balm hybrids is that it's actually very well pigmented, not as shiny and lasts a lot longer. Plus 21 is my favourite number and the shade is beautiful.


The texture is thick and creamy making it closest to Revlon's Lip Butters formula, yet I find it better since it's not sticky. It's very balmy and moisturising, therefore a good substitute for a lip balm. It's least glossy of the shine lipsticks I own and closest to a regular creamy finish. Staying power is great for such a product and though it won't survive a meal, it lasts several hours and doesn't wipe off that easy.




The packaging is very similar to the original Rouge Editions with the exception of a mirror imitation design. It is appropriately well made for the price and the coloured top is real handy when you have so many lip colours as me.

21 Rouge Making of is a bright tomato orange based red. It's like a more translucent and shiny cousin of Mac's Lady Danger, and exactly the shade I was looking for. Pigmentation is great for a shiny lipstick, especially compared to the other versions and it is no glorified tinted lip balm. I'm wearing the minimal amount on the left picture (one swipe on the lower lip then spread out the colour by rubbing the lips together) and I built it up for the second picture (three swipes).

Bourjois lipsticks are expensive and they retail at about 10-11€, but you get what you pay for.


I like wearing bright, pigmented, matte reds and Bourjois Shine Edition 21 is a great compromise lipstick for me because it has a great colour pay-off, but it's not a full on colour and therefore easier to wear in public without attracting too much attention. You can wear it sheer or build it up.

No-Heat Curls with Sexy Healthy Hair Soy Tri-Wheat Leave In Conditioner

No-Heat Curls with Sexy Healthy Hair Soy Tri-Wheat Leave In Conditioner


Have you ever woken up, looked in the mirror and exclaimed: "Holy cow, my hair looks gorgeous!" Well, it has happened to me. My hair has been suffering lately, with temperatures reaching as high as 39°, the heat hasn't exactly been beneficial to my locks and it dried out like a sponge. While Orofluido Sahara is an absolute god sent for dry hair, it is a dry oil, and I wanted a leave-in conditioner that makes the hair damp, I'll explain why later. I always turn to Makeup Alley when I'm researching products and Sexy Healthy Hair Soy Tri-Wheat Leave In Conditioner comes very highly recommended by so many reviewers. I've heard promises of less frizz and more hydration - honestly, how can I hair junkie like me resist such praises.




I'll start with the good hair day story, the actual review can wait a bit. I washed my hair with Kérastase shampoo(which is flippin' fabulous, I should repurchase it), conditioned it with Dove Nourishing Oil Care, used Kérastase Nectar Thermique (another hero) and then sprayed a very generous amount of Soy Tri-Wheat Leave In Conditioner. After blow-drying my hair still felt a bit dry and a bit frizzy, so I mixed Orofluido Elixir and some more Soy Tri-Wheat Leave In Conditioner to make it slightly damp again, put my hair in a high bun as I always do after blow-drying and slept with it. Once I took out the pins in the morning, I had the most amazing voluminous messy curls, I was literally gob smacked. They don't usually look as good and I've been using this technique for a long time. I have years of experience with (almost) no-heat curls, which can look great, but they have one massive fault - they last about a half a day. And that's if you use tons of hairspray or mousse. I prefer to use a curling iron as the curls last 2-3 days then, especially if I use all Kérastase products.

I took some pictures, but I had to make them smaller because they where really blurry:






Now granted, the Kérastase products are a freaking miracle for my hair and they probably contributed a lot to the general healthy look of my hair despite skipping the Masqueintense, however, Soy Tri-Wheat Leave In Conditioner definitely had a significant role in how well the curls formed. If only they hadn't dropped in the middle of the day. But then, I just put it in a high bun again, it's a cool look after all or just leave it as it is if i'm not that bothered.


This is my first proper spray leave-in conditioner in years. I used to use them all the time, but then stopped when I started styling my hair differently since as I mentioned before no-heat curls don't last long on my hair. I'm sure most of you has used such technique to get your hair curly and it doesn't even matter if you use just water to dampen your hair, but I prefer a spray conditioner (that makes your hair damp, of course. So no shine sprays or dry oils). I did this technique practically every day before I was using a blow-dryer and a curler, but now I do it on the days when I want an additional good hair day before I wash it and style it again. I just put my hair into a high bun (or two-three buns, depends how you want your curls to be) overnight and wake up with voluminous curls. Now, they can be completely heat free, but for better results, it's good if you heat up your hair with a hair dryer (still a lot less damaging than a curler). My choice of a spray conditioner for years was Gliss 19 Total Repair and I bought at least six of them in a row - it really is good, best available in our drugstores and it smells fantastic. A little tip I learned over the years, use bobby pins or hair clips to keep the bun in place. Don't use a hair tie because you'll end up with odd creases and kinks.


All right, enough rambling and onto actually reviewing the Soy Tri-Wheat Leave-In. It says it should beused on towel dried hair, but I also used dry hair and it helps to keep the dryness at bay, but it's not as effective as Orofluido Sahara. It is among heavier spray conditioners and spraying it too much might weight down the hair, especially if it's not as dry as mine. This doesn't take the place of a regular conditioner and it works best if you use a regular conditioner beforehand, topping it with this spray for extra hydration, but I have heard people use it instead of a conditioner. I've had it for a couple of months and I can say it works best as it is recommended by the company, used on damp hair before blow-drying. I also like to use a bit on dry hair after as it gives the best results. However, for use on dry hair during the day, I like Orofluido Sahara more. So onto claims:
Provides lightweight moisture: Yes and no. It provides moisture, but it's not that lightweight, a fact I as a person with mega dry hair, don't mind, but it could be too much for some, especially if you use it on dry hair every day several days in a row (which if you follow the instructions, you won't do). Even my hair felt a bit coated after a few days, but I have been very liberal with it. Moderation is the key word here.
Helps prevent static electricity: When I'm blow-drying my hair, I don't notice that big of a difference when it comes to taming frizz, especially compared to Orofluido Sahara. But if I put my hair in a bun after drying and let the hair cool down, then yes, there is a lot less frizz than if I hadn't used anything.
Detangles hair: It'd be a pretty rubbish and pointless conditioner if it wouldn't. So yes.




It has a weak and a bit sweet scent, but it's no aromatherapy session like Orofluido Sahara or even Gliss Kur Total Repair 19. It sprays an even, thin mist so that's a plus.

As far as helping fight dryness, it won't knock Orofluido Sahara off the throne, but it is pretty damn good and I rate it very highly. Besides, I consider them completely different products, more like cousin really, I can't use Orofluido for creating no-heat curls. I got mine on Feel Unique for 14€.

Rimmel London Kate Matte Lipstick 107

Rimmel London Kate Matte Lipstick 107

If someone had told me a couple of years ago that I'd be wearing a dark burgundy shade in public, I'd tell them they're completely bonkers. And yet I did. Oxblood lips trend was all the rage last autumn, well most autumns really, after all it is the colour that fits into this season so well. So this year I finally caved and purchased Rimmel's 107 that was on my wishlist ever since Rimmel launched a matte range. This is not the first dark shade I own, but it is definitely the darkest and most dramatic.



107 looks very dark wine/burgundy on me. It is the type of colour that can look great as a stain or applied to an intensity that is somewhere between a stain and full opacity, which I wear most. As a stain, it looks like a berry shade on me, while full coverage gets a more purple and dark brown hue to it. I love that it's matte as I find such shades so much prettier and also easier to wear when they're matte.

This has one of the most comfortable matte formula in a lipstick form. It reminds me a lot of the Revlon matte's which are among my favourites. It feels very smooth, lightweight, applies evenly and most importantly, it's not at all drying (but not moisturising either). It doesn't accentuate any dry patches on my lips, however, I can't guarantee it wouldn't on someone whose lips tend to get dry.

Pigmentation is fine, but I do need a couple of a coats to make it fully opaque. I must admit, it is one of the hardest shades to apply as any mistake is visible, but it is the type of shade that allows you to reshape the lips if you wish. I definitely need to invest in a lip pencil because it is ridiculously hard to apply nicely just from the tube. I use a lip brush, but I can only get a stain if I apply it that way and I still need to apply it directly from the tube to get full intensity.

Staying power is okay and it can last several hours on the lips, fading evenly. Having said that, this is only providing you don't eat, drink or touch the lips because it that case, though it doesn't smudge, it just disappears from the lips with barely any colour left, only a really weak stain remains.





The scent is absolutely awful. It's the same scent as the Apocalips lacquers have, which I have no idea what it is supposed to be, but it is disgusting. Thankfully the scent of the lipstick is not as strong as at Apocalips and it's only noticeable during application. It is something you have to get used to.


Berry Me Home is the only close shade I own. If I compare them, 107 is darker and not as raspberry toned, but more burgundy. The formulas are completely different: 107 is matte and Berry Me Home has a creamy finish. Both feel comfortable on the lips, however, I'd like to point out that my lips don't tend to get dry (I rarely feel the need to use a chapstick during the day and I apply it only before going to bed).

107 is a great statement shade that is perfect for autumn and winter. I really like the formula, though the colour is quite difficult to apply nicely if you lack skill like me. It's a nice lipstick and I might get another shade, but they could do without the awful scent. I bought it on Asos for 4.55 €.

Rimmel Apocalips Stellar

Rimmel Apocalips Stellar


You have no idea how long I've waited for this lip lacquer. Rimmel's Apocalips have been all over the internet for months and almost every blogger is raving about them. I ordered mine as soon as feelunique.com had them in stock and given my current luck, the package got lost. You have to wait 30 days to contact them and by then they were out of stock, so I received a refund. I finally found one on Asos and I got it in four days.


Lip lacquer is just fancy wording for a liquid lipstick and this is a very pigmented, thick liquid lip colour. It reminds me a lot of Essence version of matte lip creams, but this is thicker and glossier. It's better if you apply a small amount otherwise you'll end up with too much. The scent is just awful. I can't describe it, it's just weird, but you only smell it when you're applying it and not when it's on your lips. Now that I've been wearing it every day for a week, I don't notice it as much. It lasts so long on the lips and leaves a lovely stain behind. Like Essence matte lip creams, it does transfer on the glass when you're drinking, however it does survive a meal. It has quite a glossy finish that lasts for hours, but gets less shiny as it's fading and ends up matte at some point. After a week, I can report that it doesn't dry out my lips at all.

Stellar is a very interesting colour. It's like you'd mix a bright red with bright pink and coral. It looks more red in dim lighting and more pink in sunlight. It's also quite bright, like there is a hint of neon in it. All I can say is, I freaking love it.


Here is a comparison of Stellar with Essence matte lip creams in Smooth Berry and Silky Red. I think it looks like a mix of the two, but brighter. Click on the picture to see a larger view.


Though I prefer the texture and scent of the Essence ones, I just love the colour of Stellar and I think that Apocalips has a beautiful selection of shades.

Rimmel is available almost everywhere with a notable exception of Slovenia (I'll probably will never get over that, we used to have Rimmel about 10 years ago). You can get Apocalips lip lacquers on feelunique and Asos. I paid 5.90€, while it's 7.49€ on feelunique.


So what do you think, does it suit me?


And another thing that I completely forgot to mention, even though it's been more than a week since I created it. I made a directory of every product reviewed on this blog, which you can find in the bar under the blog banner. It sure took a long time to make it, but it makes everything more organised. Truth be told, it was more meant for my use, because I got tired of searching for my own reviews to link in new posts. I hope you find it useful.

Coral Nail Polishes

Coral Nail Polishes



Something for the nail polish lovers today - a comparison of three coral shades: Bourjois 10 Days in 25, Essie Cute as a Button and Catrice 20 Meet me at Coral Island. Cute as a Button was on my wishlist for ages, but I felt reluctant paying 10€ for a nail polish in a local drugstore (and there is a nail polish shipping ban for airmail). I was told these three were dupes, so I first picked up Bourjois 25 and later because I wasn't impressed by the formula, I boughtMeet me at Coral Island. Since none of the two's formulas knocked my socks off, I finally took the plunge and boughtEssie. Honestly, I should have just gone for it first.


Colour: Compared to Cute as a Button, Bourjois 25 is close, but pinker and less vibrant. Meet me at Coral Islandis more coral.
This is the best representation of all shades, at least on my Samsung screen. I had such difficulties taking this picture, they all looked the same in most pictures and it took a while to find the right lighting:


However, unless you look closely, you won't see much difference, especially between Cute as a Button and 25 when indoors, while Catrice is a more orange coral and therefore my least favourite.

Formula: Essie wins hands down. It's such a pleasure use, one coat is almost enough for full coverage, no streaks and it has the best brush. Bourjois and Catrice both have a more annoying formula to work with, need two coats because of the gaps and streaks and I dislike the brush of Bourjois.



Here are Essie Cute as a Button and Catrice 20 Meet me at Coral Island individually:






You obviously don't need all three unless you really like corals. In my experience Essie is best, with best formula and brush, so don't be sorry to spend a bit more because it is a pleasure to use. All three are close, but not quite dupes in my opinion, especially Meet me at Coral Island.
Catrice Meet me at Coral Island 2.69 €, Bourjois 10 Days 25 6.49 €, Essie Cute as a Button 9.95 €.

Catrice Defining Blush 040 Think Pink

Catrice Defining Blush 040 Think Pink


My first Catrice blush and I have to say I'm very impressed. It surprised me in pretty much every aspect, from pigmentation and colour to staying power.


Colour: It's a matte warm bright pink. This is not the Barbie type cool pink blush, rather closer to peachy pinks such as NARS' Orgasm. I loved it from the moment I swatched it in the shop.


Pigmentation: It's fantastic. I honestly expected less for the price, but I was pleasantly surprised. It's so pigmented I have to only touch/lightly swap the surface of the blush with a brush and it's enough colour for my super pale skin to get a nice flush to colour. The texture is quite soft and silky. It swatches a bit powdery and patchy on the skin, but blends really well on the cheeks with a brush.

Staying Power: It lasts well on my skin, which is rare for a blush, however, it depends how much I apply it.


Packaging: The blush is very small and sleek. I like the clear plastic because you can see which colour it is. It looks quite modern and feels well made. Actually, it reminds me of something Shu Uemura might offer. There is 5g of product.


Price and availability: I got mine in Müller for 3.79€. There are 6 colour available.


This is such a great product for the price. For a few €, I got something that is pretty much as good as any of my high-end blushes. It's super pigmented, soft, matte and actually lasts on my skin. And the colour is adorable. It's definitely the best drugstore powder blush I own. I would like to get more colours, but I don't know if I like any other shades. Maybe Rose Royce, since is the type of shade I don't have yet.