Dior Glowing Gardens Illuminating Powder in Glowing Pink

I rarely review luxury products on my blog but occasionally I do get a chance to try something out of the ordinary. I got this beauty as a gift and it's no doubt one of the standouts in my makeup arsenal. I am referring to the Dior Glowing Illuminating Powder in Glowing Pink, from the Dior's limited edition collection for Spring 2016. Since it's Dior it's pricy, very pricy. Therefore, I wanted to get this review out for those of you that have been thinking if this is worth a splurge or not.

Dior Glowing Gardens Illuminating Powder in Glowing Pink

First things first, the beautiful embossment speaks for itself, so no need to ponder too much on that. I do appreciate the fact that the product feels luxurious without weighing a ton, so it's easy to carry around in your makeup bag. Though when going on a holiday I am sure to take with me less precious pieces of makeup since if they break in transit it's not the end of the world. Just for your information these highlighters come in two shades: Glowing Pink (the one I have) and Glowing Nude. Glowing Nude is more of a golden champagne and is equally stunning, however I felt like Glowing Pink was more unique with the pinkish iridescent shift to it.

Also worth mentioning that the product comes with a mini Kabuki brush made out of white goat hair. When I went to ask about the brush the sales lady assured me that it was cruelty-free since the hairs are taken from the goat's beard which is trimmed. I just want to throw this piece of information out there, so you can draw your own conclusions. In my opinion the mini Kabuki brush is totally unnecessary as there is no way I can decently apply a highlighter with it, it's too dense and big for a precise and flawless application. 

Now let's talk a little bit about the product itself.  It's finely milled and doesn't have chunks of glitter, which is a big big plus. The texture is very soft and buttery, I would perhaps even describe it as a gel-powder. If you want your highlighter to be seen from outer space this product is not for you. This provides more of a sophisticated glow if you know what I mean. There is nothing wrong with an intense highlight but for someone with texture or mature skin that might not be the best look. I personally didn't own any highlighters until I received this one, simply because I have texture and scarring which made me stay away from anything that can potentially emphasise it. If you like you can for sure make this highlighter more "in your face" by simply building it up until the desired intensity is achieved. From my experience using this product it hasn't emphasised any texture or imperfections. I just lightly sweep it over the tops of my cheeks with the Real Techniques Setting Brush. The Dior Glowing Pink illuminator doesn't contain talc as do for instance Becca Shimmering Skin Perfectors Pressed.

Dior Glowing Gardens Illuminating Powder in Glowing Pink

Would I recommend it? This is where it gets tricky. I think the product is beautiful, it does a great job at highlighting and providing a fresh glow to the cheeks. Glowing Pink is quite an interesting shade compared to your typical champagne, gold and white highlighters. That being said Dior is not cruelty-free, as it tests on animals when required by law, e.g China. If you are not concerned with that this product will deliver what it promises and you would enjoy using it time after time. However, if you are looking for a cruelty-free alternative I'd recommend checking out recently launched Hourglass Ambient Lighting Strobe Powders. Unfortunately here in Finland Hourglass is not sold so it's impossible to see for yourself what these powders are like, but reviews seem to be pretty positive. Here again remember that as with the Dior Glowing Pink illuminator these powders would give you a subtle glow, nothing crazy. 

I hope you found this review useful and it helps you decide if this is something to add to your shopping list or not. If you have any recommendations for cruelty-free subtle everyday highlighters please let me know!

Cheers,
Muffy

Winter Skin Care Essential - Mádara Pihlaja Daily Defence Protection Cream

Winter is officially over, but here in Finland it will still continue for the next month or so. As such I decided to sneak this post in and tell you about my number one product that has saved my skin during the cold winter months. It's the Mádara Pihlaja (Rowanberry) Daily Defence Protection Cream. 

Mádara Pihlaja Daily Defence Protection Cream

Mádara is the Latvian manufacturer of organic skincare products. I haven't tried anything from its range until I stumbled across the Finnish blogger Kemikaalicocktail featuring this particular product. As a matter of fact Mádara Pihlaja Daily Defence Protection Cream has been made in collaboration with Mádara and this beauty blogger. Hence her signature on the package. The idea was to create a product targeted to withstand harsh Scandinavian winters by protecting the skin from dryness, roughness, wind and cold. It's suitable for all skin types, even the most sensitive and atopic ones. The key ingredient as the name suggests is rowanberry as well as shea butter. It's vegan and certified by ECOCERT standards. You can use it on your face, hands, elbows - pretty much anywhere on the body where you have dryness. I use it mostly on my face to combat dry patches and redness.

Consistency of Mádara Pihlaja Daily Defence Protection Cream 

As for the product itself, it's amazing. It comes in a nice squeeze tube which is extremely handy for carrying it around in a bag or travelling. It's of a thicker consistency but absorbs like a dream so it won't interfere with your makeup application. As a matter of fact it acts as a great base. It won't leave that annoying greasy feeling on your skin. It does have a distinct non-perfumy scent which doesn't bother me but if you are sensitive to scents give it a sniff beforehand. 

If you have an atopic skin prone to eczema (like yours truly) and/or dry patches in general and you live in a cold climate this would be your best friend. It doesn't irritate the skin, calms it down and provides a protective barrier. It's also extremely affordable (around 15,00 EUR and you can get it on offer occasionally). I am not sure about its availability outside Finland but if you happen to see it grab it. In Finland you can get it at: Sokos, Stockmann, Ruohonjuuri and Jolie just to name a few.

Even though we are heading into spring I figured this could be something to keep in mind when winter rolls around next time!

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

My Take On Contouring

All the buzz surrounding contouring and highlighting on social media is pretty overwhelming. And let me tell you never in a million years did I think that I would fall into the hype but here we are talking about contouring. Now, there are plenty of powders, creams, sticks and tools on the market that can help you achieve those modelesque cheekbones. Here are just a few of my personal favourites.

Makeup Geek Contour Powder in Infidelity and MAC Sculpting Pro Powder in Sculpt

Let's start with contour powders. My go to ones are Makeup Geek's Contour Powder in Infidelity (which is a newer addition) and MAC's Pro Powder in Sculpt. Both are great shades for mimicking a shadow, easy to use and blend like a dream (especially for those like me who are newbies in this department). In terms of colour payoff Infidelity is a sure winner and you need just a tiny bit to chisel those cheeks. It does kick-off a bit of powder when you dip your brush into the pan but that doesn't bother me (as it's super soft and is to be expected). If I compare the two MAC's Sculpt is a bit more neutral rosy-toned, while Makeup Geek's Infidelity is darker and more of an ashier cooler tone. Personally I think that Sculpt works better for my complexion, since I do have more of neutral/warmer undertones. I am thinking of picking up Makeup Geek's Bad Habit (which is described as Warm Fair) once I run out of MAC's Sculpt. 

Elf Blending Brush and Makeup Geek Angled Stippling Brush

Now let's talk about brushes. I have tried quite a few and eventually settled down on two: Elf's Blending Brush and Makeup Geek's Angled Stippling Brush. I like them for different reasons. Elf's Blending Brush is great for a smooth, everyday, barely there application. Hence I use it on a daily basis. Due to its unique shape I place it right where I want to contour and since it's so fluffy it blends out the product seamlessly. It has synthetic bristles, it's cruelty-free and vegan. If I want more of a sharper contour I opt for Makeup Geek's Angled Stippling Brush. It has an angled tip which is great for more precise application. I place it right where my cheekbones are and just push the product in. I don't blend the product out as vigorously as I would with Elf's Blending Brush. Makeup Geek's Angled Stippling Brush is also cruelty-free.

L-R: Makeup  Geek Infidelity and MAC Sculpt

These are my go to products for contouring. I am by no means a pro but for my purposes a.k.a normal everyday life, these work great. I would say that if you are on a hunt for a cruelty-free, blendable and affordable contour powder, Makeup Geek is where it's at. 

I hope you found this post useful and I would love to hear if contouring is an essential step in your everyday makeup routine or not!

Cheers,
Muffy

Catrice Glamour Doll Volume Waterproof Mascara

Today, I am bringing your way a short and hopefully informative review of the Catrice Glamour Doll Volume Waterproof Mascara. Whether you like a mascara or not is very individual, since we all have different preferences. I personally look for a mascara that does a bit of everything. It lengthens, volumizes, separates and most of all doesn't flake or smudge. My all time favourite mascara that does it all is the Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill (not a waterproof version). However, now that I am trying to shift towards more ethical beauty choices I decided to give Catrice Glamour Doll Volume Waterproof a go. 

Catrice Glamour Doll Volume Waterproof Mascara

Catrice is an affordable cruelty-free brand and I have heard a lot of good things about this particular mascara. It's opthalmologically tested, which means it's safe for use around or near an eye. What initially pleasantly surprised me is the wand. It's not one of those intimidating ones that you either gonna poke yourself in the eye with or it will get all over your eyelids. It has plastic bristles that grip really well onto your lashes. This mascara has a dryer formula, so keep that in mind. It does an incredible job at separating your lashes and curling/lifting them from the roots. If you have straight lashes this would be amazing for you. I have naturally curled lashes, therefore I don't really need extra help in that department. In regards to lengthening it's rather alright and it gives zero volume.   

Close Up of the Catrice Glamour Doll Volume Waterproof Mascara Wand

That being said, my biggest issue with this mascara is that it smudges considering that it's a waterproof formula. This was a massive bummer for me. Whether I used it exclusively on the upper lashes or not it transferred and smudged. By the end of the day I had panda eyes. I always set my under eye area with a setting powder and even my non-waterproof mascaras never smudge on me.

Overall, it does a great job at keeping a curl and separating, but it does transfer ON ME. I will leave it at that and I hope this was helpful in any shape or form.

Let me know what are your all time favourite mascaras that are cruelty-free!

Cheers,
Muffy