Affordable Concealer That Does The Job

It's been a while since I have ventured out into trying new concealers. For a while I was using the Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer which ended up being too drying and I switched to the NARS Radian Creamy Concealer. The NARS concealer I liked, but since the brand started selling in China, I am no longer supporting it. I also wasn't too fond of spending a lot of money on a product that I go through like water. As such I decided to look into more affordable options and picked up the Catrice Liquid Camouflage Concealer. 

Catrice Liquid Camouflage Concealer in 005 Light Neutral and 020 Light Beige

I got it in two shades: 005 Light Neutral and 020 Light Beige. The 010 Porcelain was too cool toned, greyish looking for my liking. Both shades actually work well and I use them interchangeably. If I haven't gotten enough sleep I use 005, as it brightens up the under eye area really well. If I fancy a more "no-makeup makeup look" I use 020, as it's closer to my actual skin colour.

The concealer comes in a standard packaging with a doe-foot applicator. It's cruelty-free and has a very affordable price point. The shelf life is 6 months after opening. It claims to provide high coverage, be long-wearing and even waterproof. I tested it for a month and can confirm that indeed it offers good coverage and wears well throughout the day. It also doesn't settle into fine lines under the eyes and is non-drying. Whether it's waterproof or not remains to be seen. 

T-B: 020 Light Beige and 005 Light Neutral

Regardless there are a few things that I am not too keen on. Firstly, it's very heavily fragranced. It beats me why anybody would think it's a good idea to make an under eye product so fragrant. Granted the scent doesn't linger and disappears after the product is blended into the skin. Secondly, it has a VERY limited colour selection. There are only three shades to choose from and all of them fall into the fair - light category. 

Overall I am pleasantly surprised by this product and will continue using it. It's definitely one of the better concealers in the market considering the price. It actually covers and doesn't make your under eye area look like a dry prune. I do hope that Catrice expands the colour range by making it more inclusive and makes it fragrance-free.

Until next time,
Muffy

Laura Mercier Highlight 01

I have been eyeing this product for over a year, but it hasn't been easy to get it where I live due to shipping restrictions or the product being simply out of stock. However, I was lucky enough to get it as a birthday present from my friend, oh boy was I stoked. The product I am referring to is the Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder in Highlight 01, also commonly known as the Highlight 01. Spoiler alert - it did not disappoint, but to find out all the nitty-gritty details keep on reading!

Laura Mercier Highlight 01

Let's start with the packaging first. The product comes in a sleek black plastic compact, which in my opinion is unnecessarily bulky. Personally I would have preferred a slimmer packaging but I can understand where the company was coming from. Highlighting powders tend to be extremely fragile so I guess a heftier packaging makes it more secure. If that is the case or not, I am not sure and hopefully wouldn't have to find out.

You get 7,5g of product which is a generous amount, considering how little you need per application.For comparison Dior Glowing Gardens Illuminating Powder in Glowing Pink contains 6g of product. In terms of ingredients it contains vitamin E and jojoba oil, which makes the formula less drying. It does however contain talc, therefore if you are sensitive or simply want to avoid it, this might not be the product for you. On the outer packaging it does say that the product has been dermatologically and allergy tested to minimize the risk of allergy and irritation. It hasn't broken me out, but this is just my experience. This product has a shelf life of 18 months. According to the research I have done I consider Laura Mercier to be cruelty-free. 

Laura Mercier Highlight 01- smooth baked powder formula

The product itself is of a dome-shape and is super silky and smooth to the touch. It doesn't contain any chunks of glitter or shimmer. When I dip my brush into the product, it does kick off a bit of powder. As a result I expect the compact to get messy especially with a prolonged use. That doesn't bother me, as I am pretty real with my makeup, but wanted to throw it out there just in case.

I would describe the highlight colour as a nude. It's not too cool nor too warm. It's extremely brightening on the cheekbones. Due to its finely-milled formulation it doesn't emphasise any texture on the skin and believe me I do have plenty. It provides an ethereal glow without being too obvious. If you want you can build it up for a more intense glow without looking like a disco-ball. It has a very good lasting power, when I come home in the evening I can still see it. It's a perfect highlighter if you work in an office environment or for those days when you don't prefer to be seen from outer space. 

Laura Mercier Highlight 01 swatch in a day light

Overall, I am very pleased with this product and will happily continue using it. If you have been afraid of highlighters because they would emphasise every pore and unevenness on your skin, or you can't decide what colour would work you, I would highly recommend checking this one out. It's not cheap but you get a good amount of product that will last you a long time. If your primary concern is finding a highlighter that doesn't contain talc I would keep my eyes peeled out for the new Makeup Geek highlighters that should be launching sometime in the near future.

Let me know what is your go-to highlighter and whether you prefer a subtle or a popping glow!

Until next time,

Muffy

Bamford Botanic Lip Balm

I have to say that I am quite picky with lip balms, as such I am always on the hunt for a perfect one. In the past I have really enjoyed Nuxe's Reve de Miel Lip Balm, but Nuxe is not cruelty free. When I came across the Bamford's Botanic Lip Balm it visually reminded me of the Reve de Miel Lip Balm but also ticked the boxes in terms of ingredients and being cruelty-free. I decided to pick it up and give it a go. 

In term of packaging it comes in a recyclable glass pot with a clean design. I know that many people will say that pot containers aren't the most hygienic nor user-friendly but I personally don't mind it.  You get 15ml of product. The list of ingredients is very lean including coconut oil, beeswax, cocoa seed butter, grapefruit peel oil, bergamot fruit oil, sunflower seed oil, peppermint herb oil, rose flower oil and arnica herb extract. It's 100% organic and free from parabens, petrolatum and mineral oil. It has a shelf life of 12 months.  

The lip balm has a minty scent, since it contains peppermint. Usually I am not a fan of minty lip balms as I don't prefer the tingly sensation they provide. This one however has a very mild barely there tingly sensation which I don't mind at all. The texture of the lip balm is not too thick nor gloopy. It feels very comfortable on the lips. It doesn't sit on top of my lips like a lot of lip balms containing petrolatum do. I can feel that it's actually doing something for my lips by keeping them hydrated and soothed. I usually use it before going to sleep or if needed throughout the day. It also works really well under a liquid lipstick. 

Overall, I am very satisfied with this product. It has an affordable price point, it's cruelty free, doesn't contain any nasties and does a good job at protecting my lips. If you have been looking for an effective organic lip balm, I think this one is worth checking out. 

Let me know what's your go to lip balm! 

Until next time, 

Muffy

The Natural Deodorant Co. - Gentle Deodorant Cream

I have been on a hunt for a new natural deodorant, since Net-a-Porter has ceased to offer the occasional free shipping option. I have been previously using the La Vanilla one, which is too expensive now with shipping costs being more than the actual product itself. However, not so long ago I came across a completely new brand, at least to me, called The Natural Deodorant Co. As the name implies this independent British company specialises in organic natural deodorants. I decided to give it a go and see if it's as good as it claims to be.

The Natural Deodorant Co. Gentle Deodorant Cream in Tangerine

Let's start with the packaging which I personally really like. It's a simple yet sturdy glass jar which might not be ideal for some people but I highly appreciate that I can later re-use it, without just throwing it away as I would a regular deodorant stick. I think the whole product presentation has a retro vibe to it which I do enjoy. 

The Natural Deodorant Co. currently has three types of deodorants in their offering: Clean, Active and Gentle. I picked up the Gentle one as it's aimed at sensitive skin and does not contain baking soda. In each category they have a few scent options, I personally went for tangerine. 

Consistency of the deodorant

In terms of consistency and ease of application I was pleasantly surprised. The texture is not too runny. In a way it reminds me of a non-gritty cookie dough. I just scoop a pea-size amount of deodorant and apply it directly to the armpits. It's non-sticky and dries instantly to a powdery finish. You don't have to wait around for it to soak in, instead you can just proceed with your normal routine. It doesn't leave white marks on clothes which is a big plus. The tangerine scent is very pleasant without being too overpowering. 

When it comes to the ingredients list it's short and clean. It contains: Arrowroot, Magnesium Oxide, Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Clay and Tangerine Oil. The deodorant is vegan and cruelty-free. It's free from gluten, parabens, petrochemicals, artificial fragrance, fillers and aluminium. You can also find the best before date handwritten on the jar.  

Now, does it get the job done? Absolutely yes. It has kept me feeling fresh and comfortable all day. I do have an office job, therefore I can't say how well it will hold if you have a more active lifestyle. I think in that case I'd recommend checking their Active deodorant line. 

Overall, I think it's a great option if you have been looking for an everyday natural deodorant that actually works and doesn't cost a fortune. I have picked mine from Naturisimo but you can also get it from The Natural Deodorant Co:s own website. If you don't want to commit to a full size product you can order samples from Naturisimo and The Natural Deodorant Co. as well. This is super handy and I think more online retailers should do that!

Let me know if you have tried The Natural Deodorant Co. deodorants and, if yes, what your favourite scents are!

Until next time,

Muffy

Dose Of Colors Liquid Matte Lipstick in Truffle

Dose of Colors is hands down the brand I have wanted to try for the longest time, but it has been pretty challenging to get in Europe. Now this has changed as Beautybay started carrying it. I initially wanted to pick up the liquid matte lipstick in Stone, but that shade seems to be sold out all the time everywhere. I was lucky enough though to snatch Truffle, which has been on my radar as well. I have tried quite a few liquid lipstick formulas and I wanted to see how this one compares. To find out just that keep on reading!

The reason why I got interested in the brand is because it's vegan and cruelty-free, plus it's still a rather niche brand. I personally like to support niche and indie brands. The product comes in a really nice cardboard packaging which is colour coded. The liquid lipstick tube has a frosted-glass effect that is very sleek and modern looking. I personally think the packaging and overall presentation is on point. Besides being vegan and cruelty-free the Dose of Colors liquid matte lipsticks are formulated without parabens and gluten. That is why the shelf life is only 6 months before the product goes bad. 

The applicator is quite unique. It's not your traditional doe foot. It has a slight dent which allows for more precise application and control. I never mess up when using this product. It's much more user friendly compared to others I have tested. In terms of formula it doesn't disappoint. It's opaque with one swipe and doesn't dry too fast, which means you can still perfect your application if need be. As it's a matte liquid lipstick it will be drying, but it's not as drying as for instance La Splash, Sleek and Stila. I noticed that I start feeling like I want to apply lip balm when I have worn it for about 3-4 hours. I think that's pretty good for a matte lipstick. Usually with other similar products within an hour or so I start feeling like it's crusty and super drying. 

Dose of Colors Liquid Matte Lipstick in Truffle

When it comes to longevity it performs really well. If I eat salad or something non-greasy during the day it can easily last the whole day. It doesn't wear off ugly like some matte liquid lipsticks tend to do. This can be due to the formula but also the shade. It's very close to my natural lip colour therefore you can't really see distinctively where it has worn off. In terms of shade I would describe Truffle as a darker pinky-nude. It's in the same colour family as for example Mac Velvet Teddy. Below, I have swatched it next to the Sleek Matte Me Lip Cream in Birthday Suit. They are quite similar, but Sleek's Birthday Suit is more rosy. Sleek is also a cruelty-free brand but I have been put off when I noticed that the shelf life of it's Matte Me Lip Cream in Birthday Suit is 36 months! 

L-R: Sleek Matte Me Lip Cream in Birthday Suit and Dose of Colors Liquid Matte Lipstick in Truffle

Overall, I am very pleased with the Dose of Colors Liquid Matte Lipstick in Truffle. In the future I would like to try other colours such as Stone and Cork, but for now I am pretty satisfied with what I have. If you are looking for a cheaper alternative of similar shade, Sleek's Birthday Suit is a good one (as long as you are not bothered by an insanely long shelf life for a liquid product).  

I hope you found this useful. Let me know if you have tried any of the Dose of Colors liquid lipsticks and what are your favourite shades!

Cheers,
Muffy

Urban Decay Nail Colour in Vice

Urban Decay Nail Polish in Vice

Recently I have been going through my friend's nail polish stash to see if there is anything that tickles my fancy. And I happen to spot the Urban Decay Nail Polish in Vice. As far as I know Urban Decay doesn't carry nail polishes as part of their permanent line at the moment. But lo and behold I hear that they will be bringing them back and adding to the assortment. As such I figured why not put this guy to a test and share my experiences. 

Let's start with the obvious - packaging. In my opinion it's edgy, unique and I personally really like it. In regards to the colour itself, it's a metallic purply-wine colour. I usually don't gravitate towards metallic shades simply because my nails are very textured and this type of formula tends to emphasise it. Nevertheless, I think if you like metallic, complex shades you would love this one.   

Brush Applicator of the Urban Decay Nail Polish in Vice

One of the most important decisive factors for me whether I buy a nail polish or not is the brush. Doesn't matter how phenomenal the colour is if the brush is not to my liking, I wont use it and hence makes no sense spending money on it. The Urban Decay nail polish in Vice has an elongated slim brush and that is exactly the kind of applicator I just can't work with (and you will see exactly that in my messy application in the image below). I prefer more of a shorter flatter brush which pretty much covers my nail in one or two swipes. Think about the likes of Wet n Wild MegaLast polishes, YSL, Essie (non-prof one) and Essence. I could perhaps make it work if it was a nude shade but with bold colours such as Vice which are pretty unforgiving you simply can't get away with a sloppy application.  

Urban Decay Nail Polish in Vice

In terms of longevity it's OK. It's not the most long-wearing nail polish in my collection. That being said the longevity of a nail polish depends on what top and base coat you use, if any and what you do during the day (e.g type on the computer 24/7, wash dishes, open packages etc). As such I don't think it's a fair evaluation of how good or bad a nail polish is. As with all Urban Decay products these are cruelty-free. In terms of price I would expect it to retail for around 15.00 EUR. 

My final thoughts are, if you like metallic finishes, don't mind the skinny brush and looking for cruelty-free nail colours this could be a good alternative. Otherwise I feel like there are better options out there. I do hope Urban Decay will re-introduce these nail polishes and maybe for some miraculous reason changes the brush to a more user-friendly one and comes up with more creamier shades. In that case I would be one happy customer but we shall wait and see!

I hope you found this somewhat useful and if you know of any brands that make cruelty-free nail polishes please do let me know!

Until next time,
Muffy

The Route To Great Hair?

I am not a massive fan of hair products but I like to try some once in a while. What I am looking for in hair products is something that would give my hair lift, volume and texture. For texture I usually use something along the lines of texturising spray (e.g Charles Worthington Volume & Bounce) or dry shampoo (e.g Batiste). Imagine my excitement when I came across a Lush product called Roots, which promises fabulous hair with added volume. To find out if this is the route to great hair or not keep on reading!

Lush Roots Hair Treatment 

As with most Lush products, it comes in a pot and contains a generous amount of product, 225g. You don't need a lot since you have to distribute it on your roots only and this guy has lasted me for over 6 months and I am not even done with it yet. The consistency is that of a thick lotion and it has a very pleasant minty scent to it. The key ingredients are: honey, peppermint oil, sweet orange oil and extra virgin olive oil. It's cruelty free but not paraben free. This is a 20min leave in treatment, which you work into your scalp before shampooing and conditioning.

I tried to get this product to work for me multiple times but every single time I was left disappointed. In the end I just stopped using it altogether. The thing is that for my purpose which was to get extra volume and oomph it failed to deliver. It just left my hair feeling and looking flat. I did not notice any additional volume or lift from the roots. I used it consistently every week hoping that perhaps over time I will notice a difference. Nope. That being said I think this product could be a lifesaver for someone with itchy scalp since it feels very calming and cooling. However, if like me you are looking for something that will provide you with additional volume I suggest you look elsewhere.

Overall, I am quite disappointed with this product since I read so many reviews saying how amazing it is. Unfortunately it did nothing for my hair. I am by no means a hair expert but I'd rather stick to a shampoo such as Rahua Voluminous Shampoo or Lush Seanik Shampoo Bar (especially if you want to decrease waste) for added volume. 

Let me know if there are any hair treatments that actually help in making your hair look and feel like that of a lion's mane. 

Until next time,
Muffy

Budget Pick - Essence Nail Polishes

Let's talk a bit about nails today. I have to say I can be pretty fussy when it comes to nail polish. If I am going to paint my nails I want it to be fast, easy and opaque. Very often I wouldn't do it just because I don't want to go through the trouble. Therefore I need a nail polish to meet the above criteria for me to even get motivated! My all-time favourite nail polish is YSL La Laque Couture. Let's be honest, nobody has the money to spend on a luxury nail polish, including myself. Surely I can treat myself once in a while but that is that. Recently a friend of mine introduced me to the Essence Gel Nail Polishes. To find out if it's a hit or a miss, then keep on reading!

Essence The Gel Nail Polishes

I spoke about Essence blushes shortly in my recent post, which I think are great especially for the price. I am still quite new to the brand but there are some products that have impressed me more than others. The Gel Nail Polishes come in cute little bottles containing 8ml of product. For comparison Essie nail polishes have 13,5ml of product and YSL contains 10ml of product. I don't mind that the bottle is smaller than average since I never go through an entire bottle of nail varnish anyhow. In terms of colour range I think it's alright considering it's an affordable brand. You will not find as wide a selection as with Essie but you can get some pretty good basics. They vary in textures as well: some are creamy, others have a slight shimmer and if you like glitter they got you covered too! There is a reason why they are called The Gel Nail Polishes. When you apply them they actually dry to a glossy finish, so you don't necessarily need a top coat. 

L-R: 36 Dare It Nude, 37 Serendipity, 18 I Don't Care

I picked up three shades: 36 Dare It Nude, 37 Serendipity and 18 I Don't Care. I think this is a good set that will take you from day to night. You have your average nude that is great for work or job interview type of situations. You have your classic orange-red for special occasions and classy look, and you have your purply-grey that is a modern twist on an everyday colour. My favourite out of the colours I have has to be the 18 I Don't Care. It's that perfect mix of orange-red and applies beautifully on the nails. I would say with all these nail polishes you need two coats, which is fine by me. The brush is flat and wide just how I prefer it. This makes it so easy to distribute the polish just with few swipes. The reason why I avoid OPI nail polishes altogether is because I can't work with their brush, it's too skinny. 

Essence nail polishes wear on me for a good 3-5 days without a top coat. Usually Essie nail polishes chip on me the next day or within a couple of days. With YSL the longevity depends on the colour. For instance YSL Rose Baby Doll stays put for a week, while YSL Bleu Celadon chips within couple of days. Overall I think if nail polish doesn't chip within 4 days it's a keeper! 

Overall I really like these polishes. The formula and finish (in particular of the 18 I Don't Care shade) reminds me of the YSL nail varnishes but for a fraction of the price. I can speak only for the shades I have tried, so I can't guarantee that it's consistent throughout the whole line. Essence is cruelty-fee and you can find the nail polishes in Finland at Tokmanni and they retail for 1,99€. 

Let me know if you have tried Essence nail polishes and what nail polishes are your favourites!

Cheers,
Muffy