Deborah Lippmanns Mermaid Dream is Indeed a Dream Come True!

The Canadian Princeza is a beauty blog where all my superficial musings and contemplation's join together to highlight things I find worthy of admiration and celebration for that matter! But only if its deserved!

Having tried several of the Deborah Lippmann Nail Polishes I can definitively clock them in the "praise worthy" category and the fact that they are free of toluene, formaldehyde and DBP is just like icing on the cake. Nobody likes cancer in a bottle no matter how pretty its color might be!
These nail lacquers are also the first formulas I have come across that actually contain beneficial, fortifying ingredients such as biotin, okoume and green tea. Impressive to say the least!

Deborah Lippmann is known as the manicurist to the stars and the color range names clearly reflect the fact that she is privy to the "starlet" Hollywood life. Inspired by the latest trends and the glamorous A-List celebrities her line up is anything but boring and bound to impress by both formulation and nontraditional hue combos. Most of her nail polishes are bold, audaciously in-your face kind of colors so if your personality is wallflower inspired then these are definitively not for you.
However if you want to make a statement then check out the blingy glamour on the Lippmann website! 

I will admit that as a Marine Biologist and a life-long Little Mermaid fan I was a little biased when it came to this particular Mermaid collection however I am sure many of you would agree that these are very uniquely beautiful shades!

The collection consists of: Do the Mermaid (limited edition), Mermaid's Eyes (limited edition), Mermaid's Kiss, Million Dollar Mermaid (limited edition) and my personal favorite Mermaid's Dream. 

Deborah Lippmann Mermaid's Dream ($19.00 for .5 oz) is officially described as a metallic turquoise base incorporates bright blue and gold micro-glitter with blue sequins. 
Deborah Lippmann adds this on her website:
The mystery of the ocean has always intrigued me. This shade is my interpretation of life under the sea—magical, fantastical and ethereal. I love how the small flecks of glitter catch the light and appear to float off the nail.

The description of this shade is very accurate and the glittery shimmer spotlights the blue sequins beautifully and manages to pull off sophistication not usually associated with sparkly nail polishes. I was afraid that the color on the nails will just end up looking a bit juvenile for someone my age which is the only reason I hesitated to get this at first.

The sea-foam inspired green sparkles uniformly and has enough of a base color underneath that even just one coat translates into the exact shade seen in the bottle itself. Most glittery nail colors are transparent with sparkles mixed in making them ideal as toppers for an existing shade but the Mermaid Dream is opaque enough that it pulls off a clean true shade all by itself. The grittiness of the shimmer is definitively pronounced and even though I am not particularly fond of that sensation, a good clear top-coat solves that problem quite nicely.

The Deborah Lippmann nail lacquers are definitively more expensive than other salon formulas such as OPI or Butter London so justifying a purchase of this caliber for "just a nail polish" can be quite cumbersome at times. However since the shades are so unique and the formula wear is significantly strong (5 or more days!) I would highly recommend checking them out and investing in some of their fabulous collections.
This really is high fashion for your fingertips!

Have you tried the Lippmann nail polishes? Which one is your favorite?

Thank you for reading

XOXO

ANJA

Are You Getting the Most Out Of All Your Skincare?

Quality skincare doesn't have to be but sometimes is expensive and time consuming. Not to mention it can become a game of trial and error in order to find the products that work with your particular skin chemistry. I am not even taking into account brand research, ingredient deciphering and the sometimes perilous process of acquiring the item of choice. The beauty industry can be a confusing place even for the best of us. 

For argument sake lets say that you discovered a product, visited the official website, consulted beauty pushers like me and finally made your purchase. The investment was made, the skincare did not make your face off and you are actually seeing the fruits of all that labor (aka results)! If it all lines up like that, pat yourself on the back and enjoy your complexion improvements! 

The story really should end there but of course it doesn't and it really shouldn't! The goal now is to maximize the results you are seeing in the mirror and make sure to utilize the active ingredients to their I full potential! Take it's for what it's worth completely. Think about it, you spent the money, you took your time so naturally you want to make sure you get the best out of it all!

Why settle for a $100 when you can work it to a $1000! 

Believe it or not making a few small changes in your beauty routine along with a few simple guidelines can make a world of difference! 

Here are a few skin loving rules to elevate your regiment from GOOD to AWESOME!

This may sound rudimentary but we all know that with skincare the main purpose is to get the ingredients into the skin so they can preform their primary function. Knowing what order your products should be applied can make sure to speed up absorption and maximize the penetration effect of the good stuff. The general rule is to go with light to heavy when it comes to texture and consistency. This means serums before moisturizers, and creams before balms or ointments. If a product has more active ingredient compared to the other then it needs to be applied first in order to maximize its power. Your aim is to get the best and most potent stuff in first! 

Applying an eye serum and/or eye cream is suggested as the first step after washing your face to make sure the delicate eye area is not compromised by products meant for the face only. The under-eye area especially is quite a bit more delicate than the rest of your face and therefore might be prone to irritation from actives it has no business with. To avoid this, just apply your eye treatment first so its somewhat coated when your face products come in to play. The Peter Thomas Roth Laser-Free Resurfacing Eye Serum ($67.00 for 0.5 oz) has been making quite a splash in my routine and I can't wait to review it and give it some well deserved praise.

To amplify hydration and skin recovery due to season changes on my face I have been using the Biotherm Aquasource Deep Serum ($55.00 for 50 ml) lately with some pretty impressive results (review to follow). My day moisturizers can change pretty often around here but as you know I have been loving the MuLondon White Chocolate Truffle Moisturizer ($25.00 for 60 ml) , alternating between that and the lovely classic Clarins HydraQuench Cream  ($49.00 for 50 ml). I have used the Clarins HydraQuench blue tubs for so long that the familiarity alone is comforting.

If you remember your Science class then you might recall the oil and water don't mix concept and that holds true when it comes skincare as well. Water-based products need to be applied first and then sealed with an oil treatment. However if you are using a dermatologist prescribed medication then that's the one that always should be used before anything else. Generally speaking the closer to the surface a product is, its effectiveness increases. To improve absorption try misting your face with some of the many facial mist sprays available (see here!) or simply dampen the skin surface prior product application. 

The oil of the moment in my bathroom cabinet is the Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil ($30.00 for 1 oz), which is quickly rising to the top of my facial oil stash! It's definitively giving my beloved REN Rose O12 Ultra-Moisture Defense Serum ($80.00 for 1 oz) a run for its money :-)

The beauty sleep dilemma has been debunked by some skincare experts and I am not sure if I personally buy that skin cells renew themselves more during the night but there are definite benefits in using certain products while you dream. Retinol based formulas such as the Vichy LiftActiv Retinol HA Night ($47.50 for 1 oz) along with some antioxidants make the skin very sensitive to UV rays and their efficiency is significantly lowered due to sun exposure, which means those products are best to be used indoors (or at night!). Cosmetic companies have a tendency in making night-time formulas more concentrated and spiked with higher levels of active ingredients so applying them when you are not wearing makeup (at night!) provides more time for them to work their magic. Another instance when a treatment is more effective when there is no sun exposure is in the case of resurfacing serums such as the StriVectin Advanced Overnight Resurfacing Serum ($69.00 for 1 oz) or the Roc Max Wrinkle Resurfacing System ($29.99 for the set). Come to think of it if you are using aggressive treatments like that sun exposure should be limited in the first place! 

A lot of beauty products and especially skincare have silicone's or dimethicones as part of their formulation. Many of us have a love-hate relationship with these smoothing agents and I personally consider them as "cheat ingredients" that only fool you into feeling the smoothing sensation of your skin. I understand that's the appeal in the first place but my preference would be to treat texture issues not just mask them. Since silicone's coat the surface of both hair and skin, a barrier is formed so products put on top may not be able to penetrate or work properly. If products like that are part of your routine to minimize the problem just make sure that anything like that is applied as one of the last steps (ex: primer). 

Silicone based primers that I have gotten along with in the past are: Too Faced Primed & Poreless Skin Smoothing Primer ($38.00), Tarte Clean Slate Poreless 12-Hr Perfecting Primer ($39.00 for 1 oz) and The Body Shop Tea Tree Pore Minimiser ($18.00 for 1 oz).

I am not even going to bother lecturing anyone about sunscreen use since we all know how essential SPF is for the health of your skin.  Melanoma, premature wrinkles and leathery skin is not a good look for anyone so it's most important to get this step right. 

As there are two different types of sunscreen it's no surprise that there are two application methods to consider. 

Chemical Sunscreen like La Roche Posay Anthelios XL SPF 50+ for  Face and Body require absorption in order to preform so therefore should be applied as one of the first products in your routine. Physical Sunscreen like the SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 ($34.00 for 1.7 oz) use Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide to form a barrier between the fragile skin and the damaging UV rays. Since that barrier needs to remain strong these sunscreens are applied on top of your skincare but is also sustainable under light makeup. You can avoid that hassle by choosing a tinted moisturizer or foundation with high SPF protection already built in. 

As you know I have a tendency to go overboard when it comes to skincare and complicated regiments so it wont surprise you that even this post has its own little brownie point section. 

If you are indeed using targeted essentials like heavy duty lip treatments and lash conditioners you know that using such extra-credit products can sometimes interfere with your daytime beauty rituals. 

Ultra-nourishing lip treatments are perfect for overnight healing and repair but can become quite the hassle if you try using them when lipsticks and glosses are trying to be the stars of your fabulousness. Layering balms can just end up smearing and diluting your desired lip color so treatments like Hourglass N28 Lip Treatment Oil ($49.00 for 0.25 oz) and  Bite Beauty Superfruit Butter ($21.00 for 0.23 oz) are better left for indoor times. 

Lash treatments are not everyone's cup of tea but the beauty obsessed like myself find such products totally helpful and the results these days can be rather impressive. My picks are the old standby Mavala Switzerland Double Lash (15.70) and my new discovery Talika Eyelash Growth Lpocils ($28.00) However as awesome and gratifying these are I have never found one that is mascara-friendly so I have to reserve them for night use. Luckily beauty companies have recently come out with mascara's laced with lash treatments and the Revlon Lash Potion formula has been on the forefront for some time now but the jury is still out! 

The main point I wanted to make with this blog post is that we are putting our faith in these cosmetic companies, spending our hard earned money and putting in precious time researching product specifics - that kind of effort deserves the very best these products can offer. With just a few tweaks and some tidbits of information you might not have thought of utilizing, the products you already have can go from PRETTY GOOD  to FREAKING AMAZING! 

As a girl who has a very difficult time remembering to read the directions on anything I wanted to find a way to pass on real world beauty experience points to girls like me and avoid sounding like a product pusher for once... I hope this helps!

Thank you for reading

Do you have some secret skincare tips? 

XOXO

ANJA

When Passport & Cult Beauty Collide - The Very French Embryolisse Lait Creme

The more skincare I get my greedy little hands on, the more I am convinced that I could very well be little bit of a fancy French girl. The bathroom cabinets and numerous shelves in my vicinity are stacked full of French pharmacy brands but even more telling of this is my own skincare routine where France makes an appearance quite frequently. 
I find that the European beauty market in general does seem to focus more on quality skincare than makeup, which is something I am very passionate about as well. After all, if the complexion is in bad shape all the pretty makeup colors will never get to shine to their fullest extent so it only makes sense to take care of the primary canvas first. France is definitively on the forefront of this skin loving trend and hopefully North America will continue to follow.

I am not sure when I first heard about Embryolisse but I know I have had a tube of their famous Lait-Creme Concentre ($16.00 for 1 fl.oz. or $28.00 for 2.6 fl.oz.) for a little over a year and since then I've become quite attached to its miracle effects. The Embryolisse gained its popularity through its users and not some marketing or advertising campaigns, meaning that it earned its reputation strictly based on results and recommendation from its happy customers. So many YouTube gurus, beauty bloggers and professional makeup artists swear by this stuff and it has been rumored that this low-key cream is used backstage to get models’ skin hydrated and plumped and ready for action. With endorsements like that its no wonder it reached cult beauty status around the world! 

It’s not very often that I come across a product that really exceeds my expectations. In the case of Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre, my expectations were not only exceeded, but I now find myself wondering how I ever lived without it. I didnt know I could be dramatic like that but there it is...

Official Description;
Lait-Crème Concentrè (24-Hour Miracle Cream) is a rich moisturizing lotion. This specially formulated lotion is quite versatile; throw it in your travel bag when you don’t have enough space for numerous products. Our creamy lotion is really three products in one: the make-up artists use it as a primer, moisturizer, and make-up remover. It also reduces irritation after shaving!

Ingredients;

AAqua. Paraffinum Liquidum. Stearic Acid. Glyceryl Stearate. Triethanolamine. Cera Alba. Cetyl Palmitate. Butyrospermum Parkii, Steareth-10. Polyacrylamide C13-14 Isoparaffin. Laureth-7. Propylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Aloe Barbadensis. 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol. Tropolone. Parfum.Note: Paraben Free and Not Tested on Animals

The first thing you need to know about the Lait Creme Concentre is that I don't use it everyday - in fact my utilization of this wonder cream is different from what you'd expect! I can be a rebel like that but to each its own.

This can be summed up as my special occasion creme - I use it as a moisture-surge mask, makeup base (primer), sunburn relief coolant, DIY tinted moisturizer and even make-up remover. As a huge fan of multi-tasking products I can really appreciate the versatility this offers especially because no matter how I use it the results are always the same - healthy looking, smooth, nourished, moisturized, plumped, dewy, glowy skin! My mantra is that you cant argue with results and Embryolisse is a true testament to that! The nourishing and softening abilities of this French formula are derived from shea butter, beeswax, aloe vera, and soya proteins. These work together to restore natural moisture balance and promote skin renewal process. It basically motivates and strengthens your own skin cells to preform the metabolic processes that slow or lessen with normal aging. 

The term concentre in the name alludes to the rich hydrating powers of this cream, which it delivers beautifully but what is surprising (at least to me) is the texture itself. Embryolisse might be concentrated and ultra-nourishing but the light consistency makes it suitable for all skin-types because its absorbed quickly, sinks in deep and hydrates without adding more grease to the skin surface. It feels luxurious and light at the same time which is a rare feature in a moisturizer that is said to cater to all skin types and the lack of strong fragrance appeals to sensitive individuals as well. Huge brownie points for that last bit!

The beauty of this product is really in its simplicity. The only thing that I would change or rather add is inclusion of SPF in the formula to make it more suitable for daily use as a primary moisturizer. There is the issue of availability as well but that's really not a product quality issue so it would be unfair to count that against it but it is worth mentioning. 

Currently you can order the Embryolisse products on their website, Amazon, Birchbox Shop, Ebay and of course if you are lucky Paris itself. 

Thank you for reading!

Have you tried Embryolisse? What is your favorite French skincare brand?

XOXO

ANJA

Botanical Superpower - Phyto 9 Daily Ultra Nourishing Botanical Cream

Somewhere between the bitter realization that sleeping with my windows open is no longer comfortably breezy and the helpful motherly urging  to bring a jacket when I leave the house, its time to face the fact that summer is definitively done and Canadian winter is closer than we think. The fall is one of my favorite parts of the year so I am certainly not complaining but that doesnt change the fact that this transition time can cause havoc in my regular beauty routine and I am realizing what worked in July is not necessarily the best choice in October.

Being a dedicated product junkie and a diligent beauty blogger also means that I relish the changes as well, meaning that I somewhat secretly relish the opportunity to find and recommend new must-haves on my radar.

When the weather starts to turn bitterly cold stepping-up the moisturization game is basically a natural progression in itself and there are numerous skincare products that address the issue successfully and thoroughly. Yours truly already posted a lengthy guide to those beauty substitutions when it comes to skin and body care, which you can check out here! 
What you are not going to find in that post is something that is commonly neglected but should be equally important, especially when you think about the fact that overlooking its care can really make or break your overall look. I am of course talking about Hair Care! 

Having thick, long hair means that any moisture or central heating can leave my hair prone to frizzing and annoying fly-aways. Seeing how leaving the house with wet or damp hair is no longer a viable option means that I am now using both heat and products for styling almost on a daily basis which is something that is an exception rather than a rule during the summer months. 
My regular Moroccan Oil  routine, combined with some minimal leave-in serum or oil starts to feel inadequate and all the factors above begin to leave my hair somewhat dry, coarse and lifeless. Since using additional frizz smoothing products are just temporary, masking measures and most contain build-up associated silicone's, finding a true hair healing remedy has become somewhat of a priority. I wanted something that continued to make a difference in my hair texture and health even after shampooing it out. 
The brand that kept popping up in my research was PHYTO, a brand whose philosophy centered around using botanicals and natural ingredients to care for hair follicles. 

As I looked into the PHYTO research and application methods I was happy to discover that they offered a unique approach to caring for the health of your hair and scalp. This was not a line of instant results hair-care nor did they use silicone's in their formulations. What they promise is natural based ingredients that overtime heal, nourish and restore hair back to its healthy, soft, bouncy roots. The skincare aficionado in me was delighted and giddy with their terminology of day and night creams! 

My introductory PHYTO product was the Phyto 9 Ultra-Dry Hair Nourishing Day Cream With 9 Plants ($31.00 for 1.7 oz)

Official Description;
A genuine "day cream" for dehydrated hair, PHYTO 9 is a combination of Macadamia oil and plant extracts, all carefully selected for their hydrating and nourishing properties (St. John’s Wort, Soybean, Calendula, Rosemary, Willow, Sage, Burdock, plant mucilage).
Infused with eight plant extracts plus macadamia oil, this leave-in conditioner instantly nourishes, smoothes and protects medium to coarse textured tresses while preventing frizz and split ends.

Ingredients;

Althaea Oficinalis Extract (Mucilage Végétal), Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Arctium Majus Root Extract (Bardane), Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract (Romarin), Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract (Sauge), Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Salix Alba (Willow) Leaf Extract (Saule), Hypericum Perforatum Extract (Millepertuis), Lecithin (Soja), Sodium Dehydroacetate, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Parabens (Butyl, Ethyl).

Directions For Use;

After shampoo apply to towel-dried or dry hair, place a pea sized amount of cream into hand and apply all over hair paying special attention to ends.
Massage in until fully absorbed, then style hair as usual.

The Phyto 9 Botanical Cream is a unique hybrid of a styling texturizing cream and a nourishing leave-in conditioner. The product itself is very concentrated so using this sparingly is essential to getting the maximum benefits, avoiding greasy residue and not wasting a drop of its creamy goodness. The key ingredients alone: Soybean, Macadamia Oil, Rosemary, Burdock, Sage, Calendula, Willow, Mallow and St. John's Wort had me convinced of its superiority but once I tried this silicone-free concoction I was sold on it right away. The lack of that coating sensation might cause you to question the results at first but this is because PHYTO works on treating-healing your hair and not tricking you into thinking that the silky-smooth feeling you are left with is proof of its true ability.

I find that the best results are when it's applied to damp hair, prior to blow-drying but using a little bit less on dry hair will take care of any smoothing issues you might be dealing with. The Phyto 9 has a light formula feel to it so its easily absorbed and although scented, it's very delicate and doesn't smell synthetic or perfumed. The fragrance will definitively not interfere with any scent you might already have on (bonus)

Ultimately I absolutely adore this product. Apart from the incredible results; super shiny, smooth, frizz free and soft hair - there's a huge sense of satisfaction that I am maintaining my hair texture rather than masking the damage problems.
When my hair needs a little bit less care or during the Summer I plan on switching to Phyto 7 Dry Hair Hydrating Day Cream With 7 Plants ($29.00 for 1.7 oz). 

Thank you for reading :-)

Have you tried any PHYTO hair products? Any favorites? 

XOXO

ANJA

Cult Beauty Cle de Peau Beaute Concealer - Is it really worth it?

I am obviously no stranger to high end cosmetics and I certainly don't shy away from unscrupulous (even ridiculous) price tags when it comes to investing in premium quality beauty products that stand out among its counterparts. After all these years of experience navigating through the extremely over-saturated beauty industry I have come to understand that a high price point does not guarantee a good product and that hype is often driven by the brands themselves so everything needs to be taken with a grain of salt.

One of the reasons I love beauty bloggers is that with their influence and feedback, consumers now have a more trustworthy, personal guidance when it comes to purchasing these hyped-up, cult-worthy products and that is nowhere more important than in the world of high-end brands.
Reviews by real-world girls can give a much clearer picture on a beauty product than any brand ambassador, magazine, advertorial or cleverly put together public relations team. Advice like that is invaluable and reaches its full potential in the world of online shopping when products are ordered sight unseen and shipping returns are nothing but a hassle.

Cle de Peau Beaute is one of those mythical unicorn kind of niche brands that constantly receives huge raves across the blogosphere but is extremely hard to come by or locate in person especially in North America. It had gotten my attention years ago but the really high price tag always made me hesitate in actually going through with the online order. After all we are talking about a $90.00 concealer here - I felt like I had to be sure or at least get color-matched at a counter before taking the plunge! Despite my reluctance and deeply rooted hesitation I was extremely intrigued by the star of their line up - the Concealer ($80.00 for 0.17 oz), especially after reading so many rave reviews and accolades from several trusted beauty gurus!

I am extremely lucky that certain lovely people in my life consult or keep track of my beauty wish list so upon opening a birthday gift I realized the object of my affection had finally arrived. The Cle de Peau Beaute Concealer shade that the giftee selected for me was Ivory and to my delight I realized that the colour match could not have been more perfect!
To say I was excited is the understatement of the century! I couldnt wait to see if this was as amazing as everyone else seems to think!

Official Description;
A perennial makeup-artist favorite, Clé de Peau Beauté concealer is highly editorialized and continues to win major awards year after year.
- Enhanced with Revitalizing Moisture Complex to lock in moisture and smooth out texture.
- Blends sublimely to expertly conceal dark circles, spots and imperfections.
- High-performance powders ensure flawless skin in any light, providing maximum coverage with a smooth, even finish that does not crease.

Ingredients;

Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Hydrogenated Polydecene, Cyclomethicone, Mica, Kaolin, Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Paraffin, Sodium Magnesium Silicate, Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Polyethylene, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Glycerin, Barium Sulfate, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Microcrystalline Wax (Cera Microcristallina), Peg-10 Dimethicone, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Water (Aqua), Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Butylene Glycol, Polysilicone-5, Tocopherol, Fragrance, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aluminium Hydroxide, Alcohol, Aluminium Distearate, Dimethicone, Triethoxysilyethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Rosa Roxburghii Fruit Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Prunus Speciosa Leaf Extract, Bht.

*Available in four shades: Ivory, Ocher, Beige and Honey

While nothing spectacular, the minimalist sleek black tube accented with Cle de Peau’s logo and capped with q gemstone-like blue accent has a very chic and simple feel to it - nothing gaudy or ostentatious here! I am a sucker for cute packaging but I can definitively appreciate the sophistication theme that seems to be associated with this brand. 

The thing that really matters when it comes to such a high end purchase is whats on the inside of the fancy packaging itself or at least that's part of the evaluation that was most important to me. 

The formula of the concealer is extremely creamy, easy to blend and highly pigmented. After a few uses I realized that the full potential of this product can only be achieved by thoroughly moisturizing and priming the skin prior to application. The natural suppleness of a well-cared for complexion combined with the velvety texture of the Cle de Peau Beaute Concealer minimizes any dragging of the stick and even further enhances its blend-ability and durability factor. This is especially important if you already have dry skin like me! The concealer pigments can grab on to any dry patches you may have and exponentially increase the chances of creeping and the dreaded dry crepiness after-effects. 

The high concentration of colour pigments combined with the emollient texture of the stick itself allows the concealer to be used both under the eyes and the rest of your face; covering under-eye darkness, redness, imperfections, blemishes and even broken capillaries.

What I love about it the most is that due to its creamy consistency this concealer applies evenly and smoothly, remaining malleable long enough to be patted on without settling into any fine lines during dry down. The coverage of this Cle de Peau wonder is definitively medium to high and surprisingly buildable without looking caky or chalky  like so many of its other stick cousins. The product longevity is very impressive (over nine hours) when set with powder and there is absolutely no smudging or transference once its dry.

I have never really liked any other stick-form concealers or foundations due to the thick formulation but always admired their portability and application ease. The Cle de Peau Beaute Concealer unites an easy-to-use, high performance formula with easy-to-carry convenience thereby finally making travel and on-the-go touch ups a breeze to pull off. Definitively a thrilling asset to my everyday makeup bag!

My ultimate conclusion on the Cle de Peau Beaute Concealer  is unfortunately very positive. I have scrutinized and tested out this creamy goodness for a long time now, trying constantly to identify its faults and shortcomings with ruthless vigor and conviction. Unfortunately for me and my wallet I have come to admit and recognize the superiority of this concealer formula - other than the price tag and perhaps the shade selection its pretty much perfect!

However given all the positives (and there are many!) and knowing the price I will have to pay to replace this once my precious tube is gone, I am still not prepared to identify it as an essential in my makeup collection. Its beautiful and a wonderful secret weapon in my makeup bag but with such a high price point replenishing it will be a very painful en-devour even for a makeup junkie like me.

Like I always say - you cant argue with results and the Cle de Peau Beaute Concealer absolutely delivers them across the board.
Very few products these days live up to the hype so when one does, congratulations and props are definitively in order.
Begrudgingly I admit that Yes, This Product Is Indeed Worth It!

Thank you for reading!

Have you tried the Cle de Peau Beaute Concealer! 

XOXO

ANJA

Something Not So Taupe Ordinary - BUTTER London All Hail The Queen

As a beauty blogger and a lifetime member of the girly club I have no problem appreciating the various trends and fields of our vast cosmetic world. I love researching and reading about new product releases almost as much as I like actually using the newly found beauty items. There is so much amazing inspiration and creativity that brews in our blogosphere and I am constantly impressed (and intimidated) by my fellow connoisseurs whose blog posts transform a piece of cosmetic into a colorful work of art, showcasing it in the best possible way! 

The best examples of artistic beauty presentations can be found in the staggering number of nail art galleries whose sophisticated, intricate and precise tutorials leave me with both admiration and a weird sense of incompetency. My own attempt at such a project has failed miserably more than once and I've had to admit that my fine motor skills and required patience are just not up to par for something that complicated. Lets just say that my nail art is achieved only through the use of the new nail foil stickers or by a salon, trained professional. Basically I cheat and admire the real thing from afar!

Browsing the nail blogs might not be able to help me in the decoration department but it definitively can bring some new nail polish colors and brands to the forefront for my very own simple manicure sessions. Some of my favorite nail colors have been discovered just like that!

BUTTER London nail polishes came to my attention about a year ago when I noticed their beautiful color collections on several of my favorite blogs and forums. The fact that their products were 3 Free (non-toxic) and didnt contain the usual nasties like Formaldehyde, Toluene, DBP or Parabens was commendable and played a huge factor in my decision to invest in some of their unique shades. 

Their drive to transform the catwalk trends into a modern, current and fashionable custom nail color palette has made BUTTER London into a cult phenomenon, resulting in their numerous collaborations with some of the most high-end fashion designers. 

After hearing so much hype and praise for the BUTTER London All Hail The Queen Polish ($17.00) and looking up numerous online swatches I decided to take a chance and place the order, sight unseen.

A nail polish designed and inspired by the late designer Alexander McQueen in mind was pretty much destined to achieve some kind of royal status! Based on those specs alone I knew it wouldn't be anything less than fabulous and maybe even spiked with a little bit of flash for good measure. 

Official Description;

Rock it like royalty in this holographic beige! 

When the object of my affection arrived in the mail I have to admit that I was a little bit underwhelmed after all the hype and visions of grandeur I had built up in my head! In the bottle BUTTER London All Hail The Queen polish is essentially a shimmer infused nude-taupe kind of color and the promised holographic effect seems to be a little understated. I was expecting a wow factor but there was none...at first!  

All Hail The Queen takes about two coats for an opaque finish, but once it's on, it's one of the most beautiful polishes I've ever worn. It looks different depending on the lighting, transforming from a mushroom taupe color indoors to a shimmery nude in direct sunlight.
The sparkle effect is achieved through the micro-fine holographic shimmers that scream sophistication without a trace of tackiness or anything gaudy. 

The nature of the taupe family colors means that this will suit all skin-tones and the infused special effect holographic sparkles are what makes this shade look different on everyone, which is ultimately what makes it so amazing. 

Its a fantastic addition to anyone's polish collection and I am so happy to have my very own! 

If you want to refresh your polish repertoire check out Ulta for the BUTTER London Glam Rock 6 Pc Set ($39.00) which includes All Hail the Queen, Pillar Box Red, Slapper, Trout Pout, West End Wonderland and NEW Buckie.

Thank you for reading! 

Do you have a favorite nail polish color or brand!

XOXO 

ANJA

The Bronzer Of My Dreams - Soleil Tan de Chanel

I am ready to face the music and make a shocking confession about my vanity-inspired and obviously insignificant "hobby"! 

Superficial and girly things have the capacity to make me ridiculously giddy with happiness. If one of those items just happens to have the classic Chanel logo embossed on it, then the potential for excitement is almost always guaranteed. 

That kind of branding appreciation can be very dangerous for someone with low impulse control and a brief visit to the Chanel counter can often result in purchasing products purely based on the "wow" factor and with very little thought process! 

Soleil Tan de Chanel ($48.00 for 30 g) was the fruit on one such innocent browse and despite the fact that I neither use bronzers not do I know how to use one properly, somehow a tub of this classy goodness ended up on my vanity. 

It's been mocking me ever since so a few weeks ago I decided to put an end to it and give it a decent chance to impress me. 

Official Description;

The velvety finish of this light cream-gel bronzer leaves your skin with a beautiful sun-kissed look. Wear it on its own to enhance your complexion, or for a hint of outdoors radiance, over or under your favorite CHANEL Foundation.

The first thing that struck me about the Soleil Tan de Chanel was the unique sponge-like texture in the pot. 

It's best described as a creamy gel that applies velvety smooth at first, making it easy to work in to the skin, before drying to a fairly typical powdery finish.

The formula is actually pretty incredible,  both opaque and light, easy to blend allowing you to either wear it on its own or beneath a darker bronzer for contouring purposes. 

If you're looking for natural sun kissed skin (what ever your skin tone) then this is your product. There is absolutely nothing muddy about the Soleil Tan de Chanel, which is a feature I appreciate the most! 

At first I was worried that the shade itself would be too dark for my fair complexion but since this blends like a dream and has a beautiful sun-kissed effect the dreaded orange "Oompa Loompa" look is nowhere to be seen. The bronzing pigments combine with just a slight twinge of sophisticated soft shimmer particles to create a color that could be universally flattering to all! 

The one and only "flaw" of this Chanel Tub of Sunshine is that if you use a brush to apply it the slightly tacky texture of the bronzer may collect stray hairs on its surface, which is definitively not aesthetically pleasing . Choosing a non-shedding high quality brush for this solves the problem or application can be achieved differently. I find a sponge or fingers work just as well too.

I admit I was skeptical at first and even considered returning it since it was an impulse, unplanned purchase of a product I didn't know how to use properly. However I have found that the more I actually use this, the more I love it and in turn reach for it a lot more often than I could have imagined. In the summer it works to enhance my slightly tanned complexion and it's also ideal for adding a bit of a sunny glow to the skin during to colder months! 

Seeing how this is a high-end, hard to come by Chanel product I don't want to say that it's an essential part of my makeup routine. Additionally if you have experience with bronzers then I am sure you already have much cheaper dupes for this but if you are a "Bronzer Virgin" like me then give the Soleil Tan de Chanel a whirl as it's definitively very user friendly. 

Finally if it's a bit of luxury that you're looking for, then look no further. 

This stuff looks and feels like a million dollars and sometimes that's exactly what a girl needs :-)

Thank you for reading!

Have you tried Soleil Tan de Chanel? Do you have a favorite bronzer?

XOXO

ANJA