The Princeza Guide to Morning Beauty

Apparently you guys loved reading about my bedtime beauty ridiculousness and even though I was almost expecting to have to dodge my little vain head, the response was quite the opposite :-) I might have finally stumbled upon a little slice of this sparkly universe that really understands the feel only a "beauty product" can fool you into and just how comforting a swipe of rose-scented lip treatment can be at the end of a hard day. More importantly my need to over-complicate and over-do anything and everything was not mocked (yay!)

I guess The Princeza Guide to Bedtime Beauty was such a hit that I received quite a bit of emails for an "encore" of sorts however despite the fact that my attention span sometimes resembles that of a goldfish, my 

bedtime routine hasn't changed enough to do a repeat (just yet!) but ever the clever goldfish I am, I came up with an equally complicated (or more?) substitute - Guide to Morning Beauty post. 

So after a night of annoying tossing & turning, unladylike-like sleeping positions, candy-colored kitty (don't ask - i am the weird one!) filled dreams and the occasional creepy nightmare any Princeza worth her crown will need to preform a series of pre-determined tasks that are pretty much required for her to be at least presentable. That's the plan of course, however this does not work out very often and i guess the key feature being is that its at least pre-determined :-) 

The success rate also depends on how early it is, where I have to be that day, the temperature outside, how long will I be away from my abode and how comfortable my bed feels that particular morning. I think we have already established that my high-maintenance nature guarantees that I am bound to be on the lazy side as well so getting out of bed and moving is not my strong point. Beauty products I love using definitively help in that particular department. 

Once again lets break this into steps so the over-complication can be easier to understand!

Shopping Bags For Your Morning Eye Bags

Whether you partied the night away, won the "black-eye" genetic jackpot or mother nature simply refused your sleep request last night, there is no worse start to your beautification routine than having to deal with really-puffy eye syndrome. Your regular eye cream might be able to help disguise some of the lovely purple shading but no matter how good the formula is, its not going to be able to deal  with the puffiness under the eyes one bit. You will need something more powerful, targeted and a lot more specific to banish the dreaded eye "pouf" on those mornings and I being who I am have a number of tried&tested remedies that work every time without a lot of frill or fuss to it 

Mornings that are puffy, sleepy and pressed for time as well I always reach for an eye-serum roller-ball that is usually  in the fridge for that extra icy boost to the the refreshing massaging action under the eye. It literally takes about 60 seconds of quick press action to see results, break-up the "pouf" and wake me up a little more too.

Daytime Beauty Eyes with Live Clean, Frownies, Duwop

My top pics and ones that never disappoint are Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roller ($12.99), Aveeno Smart Essentials Anti-Fatigue Eye Treatment ($11.99) and Live Clean Fresh Face De-Puffing Roller Eye Treatment ($21.29)

Mornings that are more lazy, on the weekends or on special occassion days I will bring out the big guns and actually use a treatment to really cool and de-compress the entire eye area. The best stuff is natural of course so if there is time and cucamber/tea bag relaxation session is your best bet however these products really are a the next best thing - Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels ($30.00 for 8), Frownies Eye Gels ($29.99) and my all-time favorite Duwop Igels ($25.00)

The Cleansing Party 
Since the Bedtime Beauty Routine already involves a heavy duty cleansing routine followed by a very specific line-up of hydrating-rejuvenating treatments I try to keep my morning cleanse very gentle and as simple as my Princeza genes allow. This includes a generous spray of hydrating thermal mineral water (maid of the mist) to start things off with a grime-neutralizing step which is then followed by a gentle cleanse, pairing  my Clarisonic with a mild non-stripping cleanser. I used to stick to just micellar waters and wipes in the mornings but since i stepped up my cleansing party I find my skin quality has greatly improved.

Morning Cleanse with Omorovicza, Pai Skincare, Mario Badescu Skin Care

The best ones I have used are Omorovicza Cleansing Foam ($75.00 for 5 oz, review here!), Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser ($15.00 for 6 oz) and my current favorite Pai Camellia & Rose Organic Facial Cleanser ($50.00 for 100ml).
The combination of the Clarisonic and gentle cleansing action means that my complexion will be exfoliated gently, cleansed and refreshed, ultimately ready to receive my daytime products with the renewed gusto only clean pores can provide.

To Tone Or Not to Tone 

I have always used some kind of toning step or even an astringent so skipping it makes me feel awkward or like I am missing out on something. Since the discovery of exfoliating toners and all their amazing benefits (see here) I can't see myself skipping this step anytime soon. It might not be a must-have part of a skincare regiment and I wouldn't endorse it just for the sake of using yet another product but for me there are obvious benefits so I continue to make time for it (its only takes 10 seconds tops!).
Besides I am probably brainwashed into it at this point but at least its a good kind of habit to "get into"!

Skin Toners with Biologique Recherche, Clarins Skin Spa, Pixi

My favorites continue to be the Pixi Glow Tonic (review here!), Biologique Recherche (review here!) and Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner (review here!) but my recent discovery Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic might be taking over pretty soon.

Protection Serums Are a Go! 

Just because I tend to go overboard during my Nighttime routine you would think I would try to take it easy and skip a step or two during the day! Um nope! My facial serum choices shift from rejuvenation and renewal at night to protection and radiance during the day because I feel it's important to have all my skincare needs and basis covered. However daytime serums also have to be light, fast absorbing and layer friendly. Since I will be adding a moisturizer, a sunscreen and possibly even makeup on top, this means that all of these need to play well together and one "pilling" culprit can wreck the entire process completely and that can really suck if you don't have time for the reset button. 

Serums that fit really good in my routine are - an old stand-by Indeed Laboratories Hydraluron ($19.99 for 1 oz, review here!), Biotherm Source Therapie 7 ($64 for 50ml) and Trilogy CoQ10 Booster Serum ($44.00 for 20ml)

Hydration with Indeed Labs, Trilogy, Biotherm

Hydration and More Hydration
Everyone has to moisturize every day is a statement we can all agree on (even you oily skin gals!) and not just to soften and hydrate the skin surface. Properly moisturized skin cells are balanced, plump, comfortable, renewed and strengthened but more importantly hydrated skin is stronger and finds it easier to renew itself over time. Its kind of like skin insurance if you know what I mean.
Canadian weather can go from one extreme to another quite frequently and if you have sensitive-reactive skin like me then you already know what kind of havoc that can cause! I try to keep the reactivity in check by keeping a variety of skin moisturizers in my arsenal to fill and fix any need my skin cells come up every day.
Taking sunscreen into consideration, which is worn separately if I am not wearing makeup, my favorite moisturizing creams are Oskia Nutri-Active Day Cream ($85.00), Zelens Z Matrix Energy & Moisture Infusion ($140) and Vichy Aqualia Thermal Balm ($24.99).

Bonus Morning Brownie Points 
If my facial moisturizer doesnt already have a sunscreen built in I normally apply a light layer in the morning even if I don't plan on being outside for too long - remember skin cancer and the leathery look will never be trendy (i hope!).
The best ones I have found are Clarins Sun Wrinkle Control SPF 15 ($34.00) and Supergoop Endless Summer SPF 30 ($45.11).
On the days I don't have to wear makeup but want to be somewhat polished then my beloved tinted moisturizers are the key because when paired with the right cream-based blush I can end up looking healthy and "glowy" even though I might not feel that way. My current obsession is the Hourglass Illusion Tinted Moisturizer ($64.00) and its a perfection in a tube which I will review very soon!


Other bonus point tasks include a layer of hydration and protection by Nuxe Reve de Miel Ultra-Nourishing Lip Balm ($19.99, review here!) or the Josie Maran Argan Lip Treatment Duo ($34.00) for the lips and when i am feeling extremely ambitious some lash and brow TLC conditioning by Lashem Eyelash Boosting Serum ($70).

Bonus Brownie Points Beauty with Hourglass, NUXE , Lashem

The obligatory perfume spray of my signature PRADA Candy ($96.00 for 1.7 oz, review here!) is the finishing touch regardless of whether I am staying in or out.
Its cheesy I know but it really does complete me!

I hope you enjoyed yet another glimpse it to my completely over-saturated beauty world - please tell me if i need to add any more things to this routine! I feel like i can always elevate it you know...

What is your favorite part of morning beauty routines?

XOXO

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-) 

Maid of the Mist - Facial Sprays

I had first started using these sprays a few years ago but the results were un-impressive, tedious and seemed to almost dehydrate my skin more, which of course is exactly the opposite of what they claim to do in the first place. Annoyed at myself for buying the "hype" around these "water cans" I ended their existence in my bathroom and figured that they just weren't right for my skin type. Lesson learned!

This year as my skincare routine evolved I rediscovered the coveted facial sprays (among other things) and hoped that this time around the chosen formulas would be better and worth my time and effort. With more experience and even more research I embarked on a shopping expedition hoping to find that "miracle brew" everyone raved about.

Despite the simplicity I have found that facial sprays are also often misunderstood and misused if you don't do your homework and read the directions on the product itself. Trust me, there is definitively a wrong way to use this and I had nailed it perfectly.
The fact that I, a biologist by trade, missed such an obvious biological feature of the skin composition and had used a hydration product to specifically dehydrate was only slightly embarrassing. However I am happy to say that i finally figured it out and hopefully learned a lesson about reading directions...

Its actually a really simple concept if you stop to think about it. Spraying water on a "living" surface and allowing it to dry will cause even more moisture loss from the skin cells through the osmosis/diffusion phenomenon. The final result is a skin that is more dehydrated than what you started out with, hence wrongful use of the culprit will only cause more harm than good.  The thermal water sprays don't have any moisture binding ingredients in their formulation so as they evaporate the skin cells are basically "sucked dry".
The key in preventing this from happening is also simple as well. Use as directed, spay all over your face, let it sit for about 30-60 seconds and most importantly BLOT the excess away. Trust me, the difference is really more than noticeable and for the first time I am able to appreciate this product properly.
My favorites thermal mineral waters include - La Roche Posay ($12.99 for 5.2 oz), Avene ($18.00 for 10.58 oz) and Evian ($11.00 for 5 oz).

A sub-category of facial sprays includes specifically hydration targeting formulas too, in which case the blot-factor is not essential because these include moisture-trapping ingredients that are able to penetrate skin surface and balance the natural skin "water" content. These new-generation hybrids can have added glycerin, hyaluronic acid, plant botanicals and even essential oils to provide even more benefits to your skincare routine.
My favorites of this kind are - Caudalie Grape Water Soothing Moisturizing Spray ($19.00 for 6.7 oz), NUDE Hydrating Water Spray ($32.00 for 3.4 oz), Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist ($86.00 for 3.4 oz) and The Body Shop Vitamin E Face Mist($16.00 for 3.2 oz). 

Top Picks for Facial Mists with The Body Shop, Omorovicza, NUDE Skincare

Now that I have read the description and very necessary directions I have found many unique ways to use these spa-inspiring facial mists
1. In place of toner, prior to serum and/or moisturizing cream to improve absorption
2. A light mist as a finishing-setting step after makeup application to achieve the "dewy glow"
3. To fix "powdery" mistakes during makeup application
4. Refreshing pick-me up during the day (especially hot, humid summer days and nights)
5. Airplane hydration treatment

Even though facial sprays are not necessity a must-have item for someone with an otherwise good skincare routine I would still recommend giving them a try. The skin-loving benefits can be targeted by selecting the right brand and formulation but where this product really shines is the appropriately named "dewy factor". A light mist of these sprays is a sure way to achieve that baby skin glow that can elevate your look to a much more youthful, healthy level. That alone is reason enough for me :-)

You can purchase my favorites or discover new ones at Sephora, Ulta, The Body Shop, Dermstore and Amazon

I hope that was helpful!

Do you have a favorite facial spray? Any tips for using these products even better?

XOXO

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-)

To Foam or Not to Foam - Omorovicza Cleansing Foam

I am not really sure when or where my love affair with "bubbles" first started. If i had to guess I imagine it has strong roots anchored in my "little girl" years when I had finally become old enough to be allowed to draw and have my own bubble bath. The sickly sweet bubble gum scented liquid with Princess stickers held the magic potion that I lived for and it didnt take long for me to realize that if i dumped half the bottle in the tub, the fluffy bubbles rose up and I could play in the rosy water for a lot longer. Back then I was obviously not worried about the sulfates in that bubble bath and how much drier my skin must have been after all that foamy engagement. Back then that also didnt matter!

Unfortunately my childhood bubble bath addiction somehow rooted the belief deep inside me that there is no way I can be completely clean unless i see some lather or foam in my hands. Completely psychological I know but it was always a feeling I just couldnt shake so even when my skincare obsession led me to the revolutionary cleansing balms, I always followed up with a foaming cleanser on top...you know, just in case! Luckily as the cleansing balms quality increased, my skin felt and looked so good in the mirror that I found myself lapsing on the second foam cleanse and surprisingly my skin didn't rebel, and for the first time in years the dehydrated patches started to disappear. Well I couldnt really argue with the results just because of a "feeling i had" so reluctantly i had to admit that my "bubble spell" was almost completely broken. Skincare fanatics like me rarely have only one of something and that was definitively the case in my bathroom as well but the cleansing balms were preforming beautifully so I had no choice but to retire the many foam cleanser bottles to the cabinet and just move on.
The story really should have ended there but in true Princeza fashion, things were bound to shift eventually and that they did a few months ago!

I am already using a lot of Omorovicza skincare, including their amazing Thermal Cleansing Balm, so when I was gifted their Cleansing Foam, I really had no choice to try it out and in turn rekindle my foamy ways once again. The Omorovicza Cleansing Foam reminded me just how much I loved those bubbles and before I knew it I was pulling out the rest of my foaming cleansers from the back cabinet and stacking them around
the sink...for testing purposes of course :-)
The question remains - How does the Omorovicza Cleansing Foam stack up against my conventional, somewhat drying, foaming cleansers?

Official Description;
A sulphate-free aerated cleansing foam that removes makeup and impurities without stripping the skin of essential moisture.
When mixed with water, this must-have Cleansing Foam lathers up and gently removes makeup and impurities without stripping the skin of natural moisture. Copper, a potent antioxidant, supports the natural production of collagen and elastin and gives this product its pale blue color.

Ingredients;
Hungarian Thermal Water, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sorbitol, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Limonene, Linalool.

First let's talk about the how this foamy goodness works!

The Omorovicza Cleansing Foam is indeed very different from any other foaming formula I had ever used! The company's patented mineral delivery system, Hydro Mineral Transference, obviously applies to this cleanser as well, which means that the absorption of minerals is guaranteed to reach deep into the dermis of your facial skin and in turn results in skin that is smoother, plumped and younger looking. It is this unique mineral absorption that supports skin's own natural ability to generate collagen, increase the levels of elastin present, restore key hydration levels, protect skin cells from micro-damage and finally strengthen the defense against free radicals. 

The key ingredients in the Omorovicza  Foam formula include copper gluconate, which regulates oil production and purges any toxicity present in the skin cells; white lupin widely known to energize and apple pectin whose claim to fame is increasing hydration. 

Seeing how I have already had amazing results with Omorovicza Skincare my expectations of the Cleansing Foam were already very high and I am thrilled to say that I wasn't disappointed one bit. Just like everything else Omorovicza makes, this cleanser manages to elevate the simple act of washing one's face to a whole new level and does so with surprising efficiency, mildness and luxury appeal. The whole process just feels a lot more gratifying.   

What makes the Omorovicza Cleansing Foam so enjoyable but still effective is the fact that traditional drying foaming agents such as sulfates are nowhere to be found on the ingredient list. That means that I can enjoy the bubbles without the risk of over-stripping and causing an imbalance of my own skin moisture barrier. The uplifting orange-blossom scent and the lovely baby blue whipped cream only add to my joyful addiction to everything Omorovicza makes.

Even though I am still hopelessly in love with the Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm (review here!) I have made room in my skincare routine for the Cleansing Foam ($75 for 5.1 oz) so now each morning my Clarisonic and the baby blue foam meet up on my face and wake up my complexion in the nicest possible way.

You can get more information and purchase the amazing Omorovicza Cleansing Foam at their website, our trusty Sephora, and Amazon

I hope this was helpful

What do you think about foam cleansers?

XOXO

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-) 

Review - Omorovicza Rejuvenating Night Cream

Omorovicza happens to be my all-time favourite brand and despite their high prices I would always recommend them to everyone because I really believe in their ingredients and formulations. 

My favourite thing about Omorovicza is that they really are a "true" skincare company. What I mean by that is that their primary focus is quality skincare and their range shows that they don't have any "filler" products. Everything they release is extensively tested and refined with a true purpose and proven results.

Omorovicza does luxury right and not just with ingredients - everything smells and feels  luxurious and even the packaging spells class. Each order comes with its own magnetized reusable box and I am the kind of girl that appreciates things like that. 

Omorovicza Rejuvenating Night Cream is the epitome of pampering and results all in one. There is something so comforting about smoothing this on and the lovely fresh scent and silky feel make you feel like you are using something truly special. And you really are!

Description;

This buttery night cream nourishes and strengthens the skin during sleep. Silky and aromatic, it feels soothing and comforting upon application; Vitamin A helps boost cell renewal leaving skin fresh and rejuvenated.

Benefits;

• Plump and firm to minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with hazelnut peptide.
• Boost the production of collagen with carrot oil, rich in pro-vitamin A.
• Restore suppleness and soothe the skin while providing anti-oxidant defence against free radicalswith plum almond oil.
• Deliver long-lasting hydration and suppleness with apple pectin.
• Leave skin firmer, more supple and younger-lookingas Hydro Mineral Transference™ delivers minerals deep into the skin.

Ingredients;

Hungarian Thermal Water, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Cetearyl Olivate, Stearyl Heptanoate, Sorbitan Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydrolyzed Hazelnut Protein, Cera Alba (Beeswax), Phenoxyethanol, Mannitol, Sodium Lactate, Malpighia Punicifolia (Acerola) Fruit Extract, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fragrance, Chlorella Vulgaris/ Lupinus Albus Protein Ferment, Yeast Extract, Linalool, Geraniol, Potassium Sorbate, Beta-Carotene, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Ascorbyl Palmitate.

The Rejuvenating Night Cream looks and feels rich, nourishing and luxurious. Everything from the texture, the colour, the luxe jar and the little spatula will make you excited about using it. The creaminess of the formula implies the holistic benefits of the nourishing oils used in the rejuvenating formula so your skin really feels renewed, refreshed and rejuvenated. 

A quick glance at the ingredient list shows that the fabled Hungarian thermal water combined with Shea butter, Coconut oil, beeswax, Apricot oil, Almond oil, Carrot oil etc. is responsible for such a rich cream. 

What I find fascinating is that they have managed to combine all of these oils into a cream that  feels both rich and nourishing without a hint of greasiness. The consistency is a light cream so it's not as dense as some other cloying greasy night treatments but delivers moisture, nourishment, rejuvenation and benefits that others only promise to give. 

I didn't use night cream for a long time because of this issue. I don't like greasy creams that sit on top of my skin all night long, leaving an oily residue on my pillows and a shiny face in my mirror. Through Omorovicza I have given night creams another chance and discovered that I don't have to settle for dense, oily creams to treat my skin in the evenings. It's as close as I have ever come to a skincare epiphany! 

The price tag ($230) might be hard to swallow but I invite you to think of it as an investment. You only have one face so protecting and taking care of it now will be something you will appreciate for years to come and besides one jar of this lovely cream will last a long time. 

Did I mention it makes you feel like a million dollars? It really does! 

Omorovicza products can be found at Sephora and purchased directly on their website!

Make sure you check out their loyalty Pengo Points program here!

Have you tried Omorovicza yet?

XOXO

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-) 

Fixations of the Month - the June Edition 2013

Everyone that knows me is fully aware of my uncanny ability to become completely obsessed with things. I do it all the time and I am very good at it!

Case in point - muffins! Last month I loved muffins, I dreamed about muffins, I looked at recipes, stalked Pinterest for pictures, I talked about the best ingredients to anyone who would listen , I consumed at least 2 muffins a day and constantly arranged special deliveries. I was a true muffin connoisseur for exactly 23 days. Today I could care less! 

This month it's all about the muffins better looking, more sophisticated and elegant cousin - the glorious Cupcake. 

Seeing how my enthusiasm is at an all-time high I decided to share some of the things that I obsessed about this June! I honestly can't endorse these things enough.

1. My new Omorovicza skin care routine

I talked about this before and it was featured quite heavily in my skincare haul so it's really no surprise that it ended up on this list. I am waiting to test all the bits and pieces a little bit longer before reviewing them but I am happy to report that after a few bumps, my face is now glowing enough to actually receive compliments. That's a really big deal for me so even though I am still a little cautious, I am seriously thinking that I've finally found "the one" for me.

2. Subscription Box Reviews

There are so many subscription boxes out there now, that it seems to me you can have anything you heart desires stuffed in a cardboard box (or envelope) and delivered by your jolly neighborhood postman no matter where you might be. 

I had dabbled in a few disappointing beauty box subscriptions in the past, all before I realized I was extremely picky when it comes to my products and basically a control freak. Based on those experiences I kind of gave up on the whole idea, thinking the whole subscription trend will retire as soon as the novelty idea runs its course. 

Obviously I was ridiculously wrong. 

Lately I have found myself reading some new box reviews and realized that the subscription fad has seriously stepped up its game. There are boxes for snackers, foodies, makeup queens, nail polish enthusiasts, candy addicts, environmentalists, tea appreciators...the list goes on and on. Overwhelming to say the least! 

Knowing my personality (ms.picky) I am still very hesitant but I would be lying if I wasn't attracted to some of the lifestyle (Popsugar, Seasons, Conscious), foodie (Knoshbox, Fancy Food, Taste Trunk) and healthy snack (Bestowed, Naturebox, Healthy Surprise) boxes. A lot of times I am disappointed that said box do not deliver to Canada or charge a huge shipping fee for Canuck deliveries. Luckily that terrible trend seems to be changing. I am still searching for that perfect box for me and I am bound to find it at the mecca of all subscription boxes here. 

3. Bad reality shows -Big Brother & The Bachelorette 



I completely understand that its trash TV and I am painfully aware that I am just wasting my brain cells by worrying whether or not Desiree will give the rose to the right guy or if the power of veto will change the nominations in the Big Brother house. I know its dumb and that its insane to take stuff like that personally but I do! I do, every single summer I do!

4. Cupcakes

As i already mentioned, last month's food of choice was the hearty muffin, which I loved a little too much so it finally lost its coveted spot to the elegant, dainty cupcake. It comes in so many flavors, colors and decorations. Essentially the perfect storm of cuteness and yuminess for somebody like me. Did i mention the sprinkles? It usually comes with sprinkles - my kryptonyte!

5. Juicy Couture 


I know that Juicy Couture is not everyone's cup of tee - actually I think they are one of the most polarizing brands in the fashion industry. People either adore their youthful spirit, kitschy trendy designs, wild logos and the infamous "Juicy" velour sweatsuits or are convinced that the brand is one of the tackiest things to ever come out of the glamorous USA. Personally I love them , maybe a little less than I did years ago but still Juicy just makes me happy.
I don't know if its because summer has arrived or because I just feel a little more youthful these days but my old Juicy Couture daydreamer has been making a regular appearance in my daily wardrobe.  It inspired me to pull out my juicy jewelry as well - charms included.


I might make this Fixation list a regular monthly occurrence because I know that someday soon I will wake up and be repulsed by cupcakes, the Juicy bag will be replaced by the Chanel one and Big Brother will switch to Honey Boo Boo. I am pretty fickle when it comes to these things

What have you been obsessing about?

XOXO

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-) 

My Girliness on Display - Wishlist

Oh La La - China Glaze Pink Voltage with Chantecaille, By Terry, Guerlain

I obviously have no shame and a big problem BUT everything is so pretty and packaged so well :-)


Whats on your wishlist these days?


 XOXO


ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-)

My Summer Beauty Heroes

My Summer Beauty Heroes with Antipodes, Omorovicza, Make Up Forever

I wanted to share my very own "Summer Beauty Essentials" post. These are products that I have been using almost daily and are the things I would gladly recommend to anyone.
They all have some hero qualities and help me in my endless quest of pursuing my girliness to the highest degree. I tried to cover each category, face, body, hair with little bits of color thrown in.
I hope you enjoy my little collection - please let me know if you want to see a review of any product in particular.

I would love to hear about your summer essentials as well!

XOXO

Anja

New Skincare - New Skin Hope Omorovicza Haul

My skin has been behaving really badly this past month. I don't know if its the season change, the weird weather, Calculus stress, the frequent all-night study sessions or just the Skin Gods punishing me but my complexion has gone from semi-normal to semi-crazy almost overnight. My cheeks are red, my chin is sore and my usually dry skin has decided to produce oil in the oddest places...Thus my usual skincare heroes are helpless, no matter what combination I try.

I have been experimenting with Omorovicza products for some time and everything I tried has always surpassed my expectations, plus their customer service never ceases to amaze me. I had been planing on expanding my Omorovicza collection so when faced with my recent skin disaster I figured I might as well take the plunge and buy something that I already know is high quality.


My first stop was Sephora, Canada where I ordered the Omorovicza five-piece travel set ($95) which includes: Cleansing Foam, Queen of Hungary Mist, Balancing Moisturizer, Deep Cleansing Mask and Thermal Cleansing Balm.

Sephora describes the set as: 

A collection of products to increase firmness, revitalize, and deeply hydrate while brightening and smoothing the skin.

I think this set will suit my summer and my travels very well so I can't wait to put the whole system to the test. I am also very excited to try the Cleansing Foam and Balancing Moisturizer since those two products are new to me.

I continued my shopping splurge on the official Omorovitza website (here) where I took advantage of the Summer Detox Set, which includes a full size of the Deep Cleansing Mask and a full size jar if the Thermal Cleansing Balm ($180). Both of these are excellent products that i have used before and quite frankly something I can see myself using for pretty much my entire skincare life. 

After all that damage I decided to really "splurge" and invest in a face cream as well. But not just any cream people - I ordered the Rejuvenating Night Cream ($230), which I hope will fit in nicely into my night time anti-aging routine.
Needles to say I have very-very high hopes for it :-) 

Upon appropriate time testing I will be posting detailed reviews of all Omorovitza products!

Keeping my fingers crossed!

What was your last big splurge? 

Do you consider skincare as an investment? 

XOXO

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-) 

Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm *The Mud You Should Play In!

I will admit it - I am a skin care fiend! I am always looking for that miracle product, I have a hard time finishing products because I am always sure that "the new thing" I got is somehow going to be so much more amazing than "the old things" already littering my vanity and sink. Well that almost never-ever happens! Until now, that is!

Omorovicza is a luxury skin-care spa company coming to us all the way from Hungary (close to my beloved Yugoslavia) so that alone made my heart beat a little faster. I am very nostalgic and mushy about that kind of stuff. Anyways moving on! Omorovicza is pure luxury in every sense of the word - it uses top-notch ingredients, adds "secret" mud & healing waters that have been used for centuries to treat many different things, the packaging screams expensive & impeccable, the scents is intoxicating and of course the price tag gives you a certain level of high expectation. The girly girl in me got very excited about the tiny spatula that came with the balm too!

Now i know as much as the next girl that having a big price tag doesn't guarantee you that you will get a great product, come to think of it its usually the opposite, contrived mostly by my own unrealistic expectations that somehow paying that much must mean that my face will be transformed after a single use...I know, I need help!

Back to Omorovicza and the magic mud in the beautiful glass jar! Despite the fact that washing my face didn't turn me into a beauty queen I am happily conceding that I am a convert and that I would love to wash my face with its thermal blackness for all time.

Don't get me wrong washing with a mud balm was pretty strange even for someone like me who is very experienced in the world of cleansing balms. However as soon as the soft, dark muddy substance emulsified on my face I got over any hesitations that may have been hovering around - I could feel the detoxifying effect, my face tingled a bit (in a good way!), there was a cooling sensation that indicated that deep cleansing action and the scent was very much like an aromatherapy treatment. The directions instruct that the cleanser needs to be removed with a warm washcloth or their own specially designed cleansing mitt, making the balm a breeze to remove. The best thing about this rich thermal balm is that even though I can feel that my skin is deeply cleansed and even feels less congested, it doesn't feel stripped, dry or thirsty right a way. On the contrary my face feels hydrated, plumped, smooth, supple and oh-so soft!

I don't normally use the Omorovicza balm for makeup removal since it almost feels wasteful to use it like that. However the few occasions i did use it for that purpose, it preformed beautifully - removing every last trace of makeup, including waterproof mascara without any irritation. I would however warn anyone using any kind of makeup remover to be very careful around the eye area - the key being around the eye NOT in the eye!

So to all my fellow beauty addicts I would like to say - give it a try! I know the price is high and the cleanser might look a little different than what you are used to but for me investing in great quality skincare just makes perfect sense. Instead of buying five sub par low price products I buy one that may cost more initially but actually makes a difference on my face.

If you need even more incentive to give Omorovicza a try then I suggest you check out the current special offer they are running right now for the "Summer Detox Pair", which includes a full size Thermal Cleansing Balm and the equally amazing Deep Cleansing Mask for just $180.  To check it out and get more information just click here.
They even have a great loyalty program, Pengo Points, which are earned through purchases, friend referrals, reviews and more. The points can then be redeemed towards future purchases.

I just placed a huge Omorovicza order through their own website and I can't wait to share it with you all!

Ingredients; 
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Sweet Almond Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Heptanoate, Silt (Hungarian Mud), Jojoba Oil, Squalane, Beeswax, Polysorbate 20, Plum Seed Extract, Apricot Kernel Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Parfum (Natural Fragrance), Limonene, Linalool, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acerola Fruit Extract, Vitamin E, Aqua, Zinc Gluconate, Magnesium aspartate, Copper Gluconate.

I hope that was helpful! Have you tried Omorovicza? 

XOXO

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-) 

Summer Time Dew That Doesn't Leave You Eww...

Canadian summers can be pretty hot and sometimes just as intense as our famous winters. Living on the Atlantic coast by the ocean does have its perks of course however in the summer sometimes the humidity can start to wreck havoc on my complexion and general "stickiness"

Having combination skin, bordering on dry my skin requires a lot of fine tuning and that is never more true than when the seasons start changing. It is almost as if my skin does a complete transformation and suddenly overnight all of my secret weapons and big-impact skincare work no longer preform the way they should. My usually combination skin starts to oil up a lot more, the texture becomes rough and my cheeks get flushed almost permanently. 

The hardest thing for me to figure out while i am building a new skincare routine is the elusive perfect summer appropriate moisturizer. The choices are endless but my warmer weather skin cream needs to check off a lot of boxes before getting a privileged spot in my bathroom and vanity. 

The perfect formula should moisturize deeply, absorb quickly, leave a dewy matte finish, contain great ingredients, be portable and be suitable for sensitive or reactive skin.

Its a tall order for any product - its a lot to ask from a moisturizer but i am happy to report that there are brands that deliver everything i want!

Here are my Top 5 Picks 

1. Avene Hydrance Optimale Legere ($30)  

This is what i would call a bare-bones moisturizer. There is nothing fancy about this formula, no outrageous claims, the price tag is reasonable and sensitive skins can use this comfortably. I love the fact that it can come with or without SPF and that its completely fragrance free 

2. Omorovicza Illuminating Moisturizer ($160)

I am a huge Omorovicza fun so including one of their creams was a no brainer. Its meant for dry and/or sensitive skin with bonus ruby crystals that use light-reflection to blurr and soften facial features. I absolutely love this cream and will continue to repurchase despite the price tag - with Omorovicza you always get        what you pay for and more

3. Ole Henriksen Truth Creme Advanced Hydration ($56)

This moisturuzer manages to be rich and silky and at the same time feels light and absorbs very quickly. The Vitamin C in both the creme and the serum heals, brightens, hydrates deeply and boosts collagen production. The combination of serum and cream together is amazing - you wont believe how soft your face will be.

4. Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Mega Moisturizer SPF 15 ($63)

The flawless skin skincare collection has some misses for me but this moisturizer really lives up to its flawless promise. Its a little richer formula compared to my other pics but the velvety feel makes it a winner for me and the fact that it has SPF is always a bonus 

What are your favourite Summer Moisturizers? 

XOXO

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-) 

The Triple Threat Facial Routine

Being a skincare junkie, always looking for the next "it" treatment and trying promising "miracle potions" left and right - I sometimes get my complexion in trouble :( My bathroom sink is littered with all kinds of cleansers, scrubs, toners and exfoliating treatments...its a disaster area that i am always trying to organize, downsize and arrange in some kind of order...Resistance is futile and i am messy so its always a work in progress!

So when i go overboard with exfoliation, AHA treatments, acne creams or simply get a mysterious rash out own nowhere these masks are my heroes!

No matter how much i mess up the Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Hydrating Mask always soothes any redness, flakes or mini-burns. Its gentle, not greasy, fragrance-free and thanks to the gel-like texture it feels great on the skin so much so that i often forget that i have it on my face. That's no easy feat! Its recommended to leave it on for a minimum of 20 minutes in order to feel the full benefits but I have had it on for hours and even overnight with absolutely no issues.
Aside from the soothing properties i have found that this mask works even better when paired with either a clay or deep cleansing mask.

My current rotation of cleansing masks includes Skinceuticals Clarifying Mask, Sisley Botanical Mask, Malin & Goetz Detox Face Mask, REN Invisible Pores Detox Mask and Ahava Mud Mask. The line up changes constantly and there is only one mask that i have repurchased more than once and of course it just so happens it's the most expensive one too - of course i am talking about the Omorovicza Deep Cleansing Mask (full review to follow). The purifying effects derived from the cleansing mask as well as the deep pore cleanse; is complimented by the hydration of its  moisture boosting counterpart, which in this case happens to be the Paula's Choice selection.

This "layering effect" seems to restore my skin balance after any treatment, soothing, moisturizing and softening the complexion almost instantly. My favorite and most effective combination happens to be the Omorovicza or Skinceuticals mask followed by Paula's Choice.

When I am feeling particularly ambitious or my skin needs some extra work I add yet another mask to this routine. The formulation of the extra step is chemical exfoliation or resurfacing - my choices being REN Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel or the Elemis Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Mask.

I know it sounds like overkill but I cant argue with the results in the mirror - perfection comes to mind (for a day or 2 anyways!).
The triple threat formula is Deep Cleansing-Exfoliating-Hydrating, which is something i strive to find time for about 1-2 times a week. Once the layers have been removed with warm flannel, my skin looks so lively and radiant - instant gratification is great isn't it :-)

Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Mask ($15.95) can be purchased here

REN Glycolactic Mask ($55) and other REN skincare is available directjly from their site here

Skinceuticals Clarifying Mask ($49) is sold on their website

My personal choice Omorovicza Deep Cleansing Mask ($120) is here and is available as part of a Summer Detox Pair ($180) along with the Thermal Cleansing Balm

Do you guys have any Masks to recommend?

All suggestions are very appreciated!

Go ahead enable my next skin care purchase!

XOXO

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-)