If you want your makeup to last...

There has been countless instances when my makeup would melt off my face, be it at a special occasion, sightseeing at an extremely humid holiday destination or simply having a very long day at work. Frankly speaking I got pretty fed up and made it my mission to find a solution. Something that could prolong the wear time of my makeup, without having to resort to a very thick long-wearing foundation. Lo and behold I think I found it!

Kat Von D Lock-It Blotting Powder in Light

First up is the Kat Von D Lock-It Blotting Powder. I thought that every powder is the same, oh boy was I wrong. This one is something else. It's finely milled and super smooth to the touch. It doesn't look cakey or powdery and is non-scented. The packaging is pretty neat and sturdy making it suitable for travelling and your everyday makeup bag. It's also cruelty free and vegan. On top of this it actually does the job. I can see the difference in the longevity of my makeup when I use it. It ticks almost all the boxes for me, besides being talc free. 

Kat Von D Lock-It Makeup Setting Spray (mini size)

Next up is the Kat Von D Lock-It Makeup Setting Spray. I have always been pretty sceptical towards setting sprays until I tried this one. The mist is very fine and has a slight scent, but nothing too offensive. To me it smells like cucumbers. It dries quite quickly without leaving blotchy marks or a sticky feeling on the face. It's also great in instances when you have overdone it in the powder department by toning down the powdery look and making everything appear more seamless. As all Kat Von D products it's cruelty free and vegan (not all her products are vegan though, but to my knowledge she is working towards making her entire makeup line vegan). I used this setting spray on my wedding day and I can wholeheartedly recommend it. I did re-apply it a few times throughout the day and my makeup stayed intact the whole time.

If you want your makeup to last I would suggest you check out these two products. They can be used alone or together. I don't use them on a daily basis but if I want my makeup to stay put I know exactly what to do. The only downside is that Kat Von D is not easily available here in Finland.

If you know any other products that deliver the same results let the girl know, I'd be curious to try those out!

Until next time,

Muffy

It Cosmetics Bye Bye Redness

It's rare that I get impressed by a product to the point that I get anxiety knowing that I can't get it easily when I run out. It Cosmetics Bye Bye Redness is one of those products that makes me feel this way. I picked it up on my recent trip to Singapore and it has made its way to my everyday makeup bag solidifying its position as an oh so cliche "holy grail" item.  

It Cosmetics Bye Bye Redness Neutralizing Correcting Cream

It Cosmetics Bye Bye Redness as the name suggests is a colour correcting/neutralizing cream. Even though it's of a skin colour it contains green pigment which helps to counteract redness. The product is packaged in a pot container and you get 11ml. It doesn't seem like much, but you only need a tiny amount to cover a substantial surface area, as it's very pigmented.

Among the ingredients you will find colloidal oatmeal, avocado, hydrolyzed collagen, grape seed extract, licorice root extract, tumeric root extract and aloe. It's paraben, fragrance and cruelty-free. 

It Cosmetics Bye Bye Redness Neutralizing Correcting Cream

It's truly a miracle worker as it gets rid of redness (including acne scarring) better than any concealer I have used before. As it contains soothing and hydrating ingredients I can also use it on dry patches without it looking caky or irritating my skin. It can be used on its own for a "no-makeup makeup days" when you just want to even out your skin tone or under foundation. I have worn it both ways and have equally enjoyed it.

It Cosmetics Bye Bye Redness Neutralizing Correcting Cream

If you couldn't already tell, I am extremely impressed by this product. I would highly recommend it if you are suffering from redness, rosacea, acne scarring or discoloration. The only downside is that it's not readily available here in Finland. The only place I could find that ships to Finland is Beautylish, but you'd have to pay customs fees. I do hope that eventually It Cosmetics becomes more accessible for us folks residing outside the US. I did manage to pick up a few more goodies from the brand, so keep your eyes peeled for future reviews!

Until next time,

Muffy

La Belle Lune Organic Skin

One skincare product that I always have on hand is a face oil. My journey with face oils begun with the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate, which I used for years and still think is a great one. After that I transitioned to Dr. Alkaitis Nourishing Treatment Oil, which is fantastic value for money and has a very clean list of ingredients. However, recently I came across an indie brand, La Belle Lune and its Organic Skin face oil, which had amazing reviews and story. I decided to pick it up and have been using it for a few months now. As such I am well equipped to share my thoughts, and if you care to know more, then keep on reading! 

La Belle Lune Organic Skin 

Let's start with the experience of actually getting the product to Finland (the company is based in the UK). First of all, La Belle Lune offers free international shipping (big YES!). They make their products in small batches, therefore it takes a few days before they ship it out. When they do ship it out, you get a notification and I believe I received my parcel within a week after that. The product came in a sturdy black box, very nicely wrapped and packaged (I was pleasantly surprised). It also included a separate note listing all the ingredients - nice attention to detail if you ask me. The overall presentation and the initial contact with the brand has been excellent (better than what you get with bigger, more established brands and retailers). 

About the product packaging itself. The branding is not particularly to my liking, but I can appreciate how different/alternative it is. The product is stored in a black/dark blue glass bottle which protects the ingredients from being overexposed to light (highly appreciate that). You get 20ml of product as opposed to 30ml (standard size). I was aware of this prior to ordering, hence it did not come as a surprise. Personally I don't see it as an issue, since you don't need a lot (1-3 drops) and I'd rather re-order a fresh one once I run out. It comes with a pump, not a dropper applicator. This is something that occasionally makes me a little bit frustrated as the pump can get stuck and fails to work properly.

La Belle Lune Organic Skin

What does it contain? The oil is packed full of vitamins and nutrients such as Rosehip Seed Oil, Milk Thistle Seed Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Chia Seed Oil, Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil, Avocado Oil, Lavender Essential Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Rose Otto Essential Oil, Frankincense Essential Oil, Carrot Seed Essential Oil and Rosemary CO2 extract. I was especially thrilled to see the Chia and Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil among the top ingredients as they're not something you can easily come by. A more detailed description of each ingredient can be found here. 

This oil didn't disappoint. It feels luxurious, has heavenly scent (if you like lavender) and is non-greasy. It hasn't broken me out: on the contrary I wake up with calmer and plumper looking skin. Besides the amazing results and ingredients, La Belle Lune is an organic and cruelty-free brand that won't break the bank (compared to Vintner's Daughter, May Lindstrom, Sunday Riley etc.). In my opinion the price (£46.00) is very reasonable considering the quality you are getting. 

Overall there is nothing more I can say other than I won't be looking to try something new in the face oil department anytime soon! I am, however, looking forward to seeing what other products La Belle Lune will be bringing out in the future.

I hope you found this post useful. If you know of any other indie brands that are cruelty-free and worth trying do let me know!

Until next time,

Muffy

The Body Shop Skin Defence Essence SPF 50 PA++++

Finding a suitable daily sunscreen/SPF can be pretty tricky, that is why I am still on a hunt for one. For my liking it shouldn't leave a white cast, cause breakouts or feel greasy. On top of that it should provide a sufficient level of protection, have a relatively clean list of ingredients and be cruelty-free. In the past I have enjoyed using Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defence SPF 50 but it no longer ticks all the boxes for me. Hence, I decided to branch out and try Body Shop's Skin Defence Multi-Protection Essence SPF 50 PA++++.

The Body Shop Skin Defence Multi-Protection Essence SPF 50++++

The product comes in a simple white tube which for some reason reminds me of asian skincare packaging. I quite like it. You get 40ml of product and it has an expiration time of 12 months. The texture is quite runny and lightweight. It absorbs extremely fast into the skin without leaving a white cast. If you are not careful and over apply (which tends to happen since the consistency is watery and it's harder to control how much product comes out) it can make your face look shiny. For me this is not an all-year-round product. I prefer something a bit more nourishing during the winter months.

It doesn't have a typical sunscreen scent, which is a bummer because weirdly enough I do enjoy it. The scent it does have, in my opinion, is quite overpowering with a strong reminiscence of alcohol. It also tends to linger on the skin for a prolonged period of time. 

In terms of ingredients it contains Alcohol Denat at the very top of the list, which explains the borderline alcohol scent. Alcohol can be drying and irritating especially for sensitive skin. Perfume is another irritant that can be found in this product and something to be wary of. Among other ingredients it has Red algae extract and Vitamin C but in rather low amounts as these appear at the bottom of the list. This product hasn't broken me out after continuous use.

Overall, I was not a fan of this product. I was actually looking forward to using it up and trying something else instead. It's overly perfumed, has a too high concentration of alcohol to be used on a daily basis, didn't do much for my skin and frankly speaking is extremely overpriced for what it is (in Finland it retails for 29,50 Euros). As such my search for a perfect SPF continues... 

If you know of any good cruelty-free sunscreen with a clean list of ingredients, do let the girl know!

Until next time,

Muffy

Don't Look At Me Fresh Mask

Lush fresh mask Don't Look At Me

I am always up for trying Lush fresh masks, mainly because it's a nice perk when you return 5 empty black pots. If I recall correctly I have tried almost all of them, but Don't Look At Me is a newer addition to the line. Without any hesitation I decided to pick it up and let's be honest the colour was just too fun to pass. 

As with all Lush fresh masks it comes in a black pot made from recycled material. Since these masks are fresh, they have a much shorter shelf-life compared to your traditional face masks and need to be stored in a fridge. Don't Look At Me is an exfoliating mask which helps to smooth and brighten your complexion. 

Some of the key ingredients are: fresh organic orange juice, murumuru butter, organic silken tofu, rice syrup, grounded white rice, grapefruit oil and neroli oil. It's vegan and cruelty-free.

The texture is that of a scrub, so you can feel the tiny little granules of rice when lathering the mask on your face. It has a fresh invigorating scent, not too intense, which I quite enjoy. You leave it on for 10-15 minutes and rinse it off. I usually never keep track of time so sometimes I end up having it on for 20-25 minutes and it hasn't caused any itching or irritation to the skin.

In terms of results it brightens and smooths out the skin. That being said, it's not that different from other scrubs or exfoliating masks I have tried before. Despite having the murumuru butter, I feel that it leaves my skin feeling a little bit tight, therefore I always follow up with a hydrating mask.

I think Don't Look At Me is an OK mask. It does what is says, but it lacks the WOW factor for me, if you discard the poping aquamarine colour. Do keep in mind that it's a fresh mask and you might not use all of it up prior to its expiration date. Granted you are like me and you prefer to rely on chemical exfoliators and rarely remember to use physical ones. My all-time favourite Lush fresh mask is still the Catastrophe Cosmetic, and I'd highly recommend picking that one up if you can't decide which one to get.

I hope you found this useful and let me know what's your favourite Lush fresh face mask and/or which one would you like to try next!

Until next time,
Muffy

Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Hydrating Treatment Mask

I have been on a hunt for a reasonably priced hydrating mask after I have run out of the Glam Glow one which is extremely pricey and not in my budget at the moment. Having looked around I decided to pick up the Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Hydrating Treatment Mask and see if it's any good. I have been using it for a good few months and now feel comfortable sharing my thoughts with you. 

As always let's start with the packaging. It comes in a squeeze tube with no outer cardboard packaging. The design is pretty basic and non-offensive. You get 118ml of product which is a good amount and should last for quite some time. It has a shelf life of 12 months after opening. It has no distinct scent. It's cruelty free, non-irritating, fragrance free and made in the USA. It's suitable for normal, dry and very dry skin.

When it comes to ingredients it's packed with various oils such as borage seed oil, evening primrose oil, olive fruit oil and apricot kernel oil. It doesn't contain PEGs which I personally try to avoid in my skincare. 

In terms of consistency it's on a thicker side but non-greasy. It glides over the face easily and absorbs quite quickly without leaving a sticky residue, which I appreciate. You can use this product as a typical mask leaving it for 20 min and rinsing it off or as an overnight mask. I prefer using it as an overnight mask. Occasionally when my skin feels exceptionally dry I use it as a night cream on consecutive days and it has worked well in this way too.

I will continue using this product and think it's a good one if you want a basic straightforward hydrating mask. It won't do miracles but no skincare will, but it will help relieve dry, irritated skin. It doesn't cost a fortune and the squeeze tube packaging helps retain the properties of light and air-sensitive ingredients.

I hope you found this helpful. I'd be happy to hear if you have tried Paula's Choice skincare and what you would recommend!

Until next time,
Muffy

Kalamazoo Beard and Facial Wash

I am such a sucker for Lush products. This time around I had an opportunity to try the Kalamazoo Beard and Facial Wash. Don't get put off by the name, you don't need to have a beard to use this product. As a matter of fact I was positively surprised by how well it works for me. 

Kalamazoo Beard and Facial Wash

As with all Lush products it comes in a minimalistic plastic packaging that is recyclable. You can bring 5 empty black pots (or spray bottles, which I was not aware of but since they are made of the same plastic they do count as well) and get a free fresh mask. You can purchase this product in two sizes. I grabbed the smaller one just to see how I get along with it. I do have to say that I am not a fan of dipping my fingers into the pot as opposed to having a pump, but that is just a minor inconvenience. 

When it comes to ingredients it includes: almond oil, apricot kernel oil, organic jojoba oil and fresh pineapple juice just to name a few. It's vegan and cruelty-free. This product does contain perfume and parabens, so keep that in mind if that is something you are wary of. 

Kalamazoo Beard and Facial Wash

It has quite a strong but pleasant scent of something citrusy and spa combined. I find it up-lifting especially in the morning. That being said if you don't like strong scents you might not like this. I am pretty picky when it comes to scents and very often prefer un-fragranced skincare products but weirdly enough I don't mind this one.

The product has a creamy texture, like that of a body butter. It's incredibly soft and silky. It doesn't dry my skin out but leaves it feeling super clean and soft. It hasn't broken me out or caused any sort of irritation to my sensitive skin. 

Overall I think it's a good cleanser with no extra bells and whistles. I would recommend using it as a second cleanse, after you have taken off your makeup or spf. I think the small pot (100g) would last a reasonable amount of time, since you don't really need much. As said I am a little bit iffy about the whole pot concept for something that I use on a daily basis. However, I can understand that perhaps the consistency could be troublesome for squeeze tube packaging.  

As always I hope you found this helpful. Do let me know what are your favourite Lush products, if any!

Cheers,
Muffy

Kypris Moonlight Catalyst

Today let's talk a little bit about luxury high-performance organic skincare. I have the Kypris Moonlight Catalyst here which I have been using consistently since March. As such I had a good amount of time to see how it performs, if it made any difference and eventually if it's worth the money.

Kypris Moonlight Catalyst

As per usual let's quickly look at the packaging. I think both the outer box and the actual glass bottle are stunning. I really like its presentation, aesthetics and uniqueness. What's more it actually feels and looks luxurious to me. Very often you pay immense amounts of money for a product and it comes in a cheap plastic packaging and even worse if it comes in a jar (meaning that it get's exposed to the air every time you open it and it looses all it's valuable properties).

Kypris Moonlight Catalyst simply put is an exfoliating serum that you use ONLY at night. It enhances cellular renewal, refines skin texture and evens skin tone. In my opinion you get a good amount of product (47ml) and it should last you for 6 months after opening. The consistency is that of a gel and you need 3-4 drops to cover your face and neck. You can use it on its own as a last step of your night routine or in combination with Kypris Beauty Elixirs or other oils, moisturizers of your choice. It's also a fantastic alternative to traditional retinol treatments if those are too harsh for you or if you are pregnant. 

It's packed full of amazing ingredients such as fermented pumpkin enzyme, Hawaiian sea algae, xylitylglucosides, rosehip seed extract, sea buckthorn fruit extract and neroli flower extract just to name a few. It's free from essential oils, it's vegan, cruelty-free and is sustainably sourced. 

Naturally anyone can use this product but it's especially beneficial for dull, tired or blemish-prone skin. Since it's an exfoliator and reveals new skin you HAVE to use an SPF during the day regardless of the season. 

As to my experience with this product, I have been blown away to say the least! I have never seen a skin care product deliver such visible results. I am talking about people commenting on how good my skin looks. I am not saying this as a person that naturally has good skin to begin with, that is not at all the case. I am actually a good example of someone that has struggled with pimples, texture and dark spots for years. Therefore, when I get compliments from people about my skin it's a BIG deal. I also noticed that my skin feels much smoother, I have less break-outs and it's more radiant. I will with no doubt continue using this product and re-purchase. 

Overall, I can warmly recommend the Kypris Moonlight Catalyst. Sure it's pricey but if you consider the amount you get (47ml NOT 30ml) and how much other luxury brands cost (e.g Sunday Riley, Tata Harper, Vitner's Daughter etc.) it's not that bad. Luckily it's becoming more available internationally and you can get it from CultBeauty or if you are in Finland from Liinu'n Organic Beauty. 

I hope you found this useful. I can't wait to try more Kypris products. I have been eyeing their Pot of Shade - Heliotropic broad spectrum SPF 30. Let me know if you have tried it!

Until next time,
Muffy

True Organic of Sweden - All You Need Is Me



Hello people of the internet, long time no see. Today I am going to review the All You Need Is Me multipurpose balm by the True Organic of Sweden. Even thought it's called a multipurpose balm I bought it with an intention of using primarily as a lip balm/treatment.   

I am not going to lie: things that attracted me to this product were Scandinavian minimalistic packaging and a list of ingredients. There is really nothing to say about the packaging design other than it's simple, functional and aesthetically pleasing (at least to me). An added bonus is that the outer packaging is made out of sustainable carton and the actual tube of green polyethylene (not plastic), which is obtained from sugarcane. The product comes in a tube of 15ml and 50ml. The one featured here is a smaller size. In terms of ingredients I can't stress enough how much I appreciate that it doesn't contain petrolatum. Instead it has castor oil, beeswax, olive oil, shea butter, vitamin E, blueberry seed oil and sunflower oil. It's certified organic.

True Organic Of Sweden, All You Need Is Me, multipurpose balm (15ml)

It promises to protect from dry, flaky, cracked or thirsty skin. You can apply it on the lips, nose, knees, feet, elbows, cuticles or hair. Sounds like an awesome allrounder, right? Well, I can't attest to that since I used it only on my lips. Having used up almost an entire tube, I can say that it's an OK product. I don't dislike it and I don't love it. Mainly because it's not hydrating enough. I like the texture and that is has almost no scent. You can perhaps detect a little hint of olive oil but nothing overpowering. However, when I put it at night I still wake up with relatively dry lips, despite the numerous amount of oils. It does work better during the warmer months simply because my lips are not as flaky and dry to begin with compared to winter seasons. 

I think it's good value for money, especially if you purchase a bigger tube. I bought mine at a discount for about 9,90 euros (usual price 12,90). The larger size costs 24,90 euros and you get 3 times the amount of product. In Finland you can get it at the local department store - Sokos or otherwise at the True Organic of Sweden website. 

Overall I'd say if you are not particularly dry and looking for an organic alternative to the oh so famous Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream (which was not mosturizing enough for me either), this is a good one to check out. 

Let me know what your suggestions are for an extremely hydrating lip balm that is cruelty-free and doesn't contain petrolatum. I am all ears!
   
Cheers,
Muffy

Lush Rosy Cheeks Fresh Mask

I am a big fan of Lush. They make some really nice products like the Mask of Magnaminty, Lip Scrubs & Balms and the Comforter Bubble Bar. I have tried almost all of their fresh masks simply because I shop too much there. If you return five empty pots you can get one fresh mask for free. This time around when I was returning my empties I decided to try a recent addition to their fresh masks selection called Rosy Cheeks.
  

As you can see it's pink. The consistency is rather thick, which means it won't slip and slide all over your face. It dries in about 10-15 minutes completely. Some of the key ingredients are kaolin, calamine powder and rose oil. As with all Lush products it's not tested on animals. The main purpose of this mask is to sooth and calm the skin. I think that it does a pretty good job at that. However, I have hard time understanding how can something be soothing yet so strongly scented. In my opinion the scent is extremely overpowering and it lingers on the skin. Surely it smells like roses but the intensity is way too strong for my liking (and usually I am not too sensitive to scents).

Another aspect worth mentioning is when you rinse this mask off it leaves your skin feeling and looking matte. I think if you have acne prone or oily skin you would love it. For me personally, I would have preferred it to be more hydrating. 

Overall, I think it's an OK mask. It's good for those days when your skin feels a bit meh perhaps due to stress or flying and it needs a bit of soothing and balancing. If you are looking for something that would be calming and hydrating I would instead direct you to my all time favourite Lush fresh mask - Catastrophe Cosmetic. 

I hope you found this useful. Let me know if you have tried Lush's fresh masks, I'd love to know!

Until next time,
Muffy

Urban Decay Matte Revolution Lipstick in 1993 is a Beaut!

First things first, Happy New Year people of the internet! 2015 has been one of the hardest years for me, so I am very happy to see it go and extremely excited to welcome 2016. Let's see what this year brings. But staying on the topic of this post, let's talk a little bit about lips. Recently I picked up the Urban Decay Matte Revolution Lipstick in 1993, which has been sold out for months! And I have to say this lipstick was worth the wait! To find out why just keep on reading.

Urban Decay Matte Revolution Lipstick in 1993

If you have been following my blog for a while, I have previously raved about the Urban Decay Revolution lipsticks. Since then, I have added a few more shades to my collection, so the obsession is real. That being said, I think that Urban Decay Matte Revolution lipstick formula is even better, at least in my humble opinion. It's highly pigmented, glides on the lips extremely easy and lasts for a really long time. It's not a traditional matte formula that dries your lips out. It keeps them feeling velvety. Now in terms of colour selection, there is room for improvement. The range is quite limited and contains mostly bold shades. I wish they would expand it and bring out more nudes and mauves that can be worn daily. The colour that caught my eye is 1993.

Urban Decay Matte Revolution Lipstick in 1993

This shade is extremely unique. It's not your usual brown. Call me crazy but I see slight rosy undertones and depending on your skin tone it can pull either warm or cool toned. If you like darker nudes and browns or if you want to rock a deeper lip but are afraid of reds and berries, this would be your best friend. I would also recommend not to skip on a blush if you are opting for this shade, especially if you are of fairer complexion, otherwise it can make you look slightly ghostly. As with all Urban Decay products these lipsticks are cruelty-free. You can pick these up on Feelunique (1993 is currently out of stock) and get 10% off. 

I have been wearing this lipstick non-stop since I got it. I would love to get my hands on the Backtalk shade which is exclusive to Urban Decay's website (sadly for those of us living outside USA it's impossible). Urban Decay please please make this shade permanent, so all of us beauty junkies can enjoy it!

Let me know if you have tried Matte Revolution lipstick and what are your thoughts!

Until next time,
Muffy