Peachy, Peachy, Peachy FOTD

Hello Ladies,

On Saturday I decided that I want to experiment with Sleek's Avoir la Peche Paraguaya palette again. I briefly mentioned that I'm not that impressed with it before and I still stand by what I say. Mostly it is because most of the shades are matte, and I HATE matte shades with a passion! The color payoff on two of the shades was not great either, at least on my skin... and I was trying to use those shades! BUMMER!

But regardless, I decided to do an unthinkable and use ALL matte shades for Saturday's look! 

My unimpressed look

 
I used Redstone all over my lid, Blush in the inner corner, Cameo on outer corner/side, and Stone for bottom lash line and eyeliner. The shades I tried to use but failed were Sandstone and Bittersweet. Boo.

I've read at some blogs that this palette might look best on darker skin tones, but I disagree. I think it will look great on fair skin tones too with the right application (which I clearly had not mastered). Next time I will try using some of the shades as blushes, I think they will work great with my skin tone :)

What do you think? Will you be buying this palette or do you own it already?

~ Lyuba

Dare to Wear Challenge - for Japan

Ever since I've heard that Alicia from FunnyFace Beauty is doing another Dare to Wear Charity Challenge, I've been waiting for a chance to participate. This time the money raised will be going to Japan to help with tsunami and earthquake relief, a cause very close to my heart. For every person who does a look, her family will donate $10 so grab your makeup kit and go do it! Alicia even personally messaged me on FB saying that she expects a great look from me, and I just couldn't disappoint her.

The opportunity presented itself this week, when my friend Hong came over to my house so we can do a kimono photo shoot. I've been dying to wear some of her kimono, and been pestering her to let me so our solution was to take photos. She brought two different kimono, and it is two different looks but the makeup stayed the same.

For makeup, I was trying to re-create the white(ish) face of oiran and geisha. I looked them up the day before and I really don't see any difference in the makeup between those two, although geisha are the entertainers and oiran were high class courtesans.  I failed in re-creating the white face because I didn't realize just how pale I am! It really makes me laugh and we all got a chuckle out of it.

For the eyes I used Sleek's newest palette, Avoir la Peche, to add a nice peachness instead of harsh redness that I didn't think I could pull off with my green eyes. I also used dark grey color form the palette for my eyebrows, and I liked it so much that I'm wearing it again today! I decided against fake eyelashes, partly because I didn't want to deal with them and partly because oiran probably didn't wear them. Instead I outlined my eyes with black pencil and applied several coats of mascara.

The close up photos are so creepy! My makeup WAS whiter than usual, but in full face shots it appears pretty natural. See why we were chuckling over it?

Mittens wanted to get on the fun

If you want to see more photos, check out my other blog Strawberry Kimono. I posted the scandalous part of photos there. ;P

~ Lyuba

FOTD using new GOSH products

After much smacking myself on the head for forgetting my wallet, I went back to Superdrug the next day to get me the STUFF. With my luck of course, I was aiming to pick up GOSH Long Lasting Lipliner in Red, but somehow ended up with one in Berry.... and they were all sold out of Wheat for eyebrows, so instead I got one in Venetian Brown. And don't even get me started on the eyeliner. Either I'm completely dyslexic and can't remember names, or they accidentally mislabeled the eye liner that I got, because it looks just like Black Brass when applied yet the name on the package states Black.... I gotta check on that when I go to Superdrug agian.

I colored my hair again :) 

As always, I used UR Naked Palette because I'm still on Naked Palette kick. I tried using the eye brow pen, and I'm still getting a hang of it. It is definitely much different than anything I ever tried before. I wish I could have gotten the one in Wheat, hopefully my Superdrug will restock soon.

This is more of a true color for Berry.

Have you tried any of the products from GOSH new range?

~ Lyuba

Glamour Doughnuts anyone?

I've been a very bad Lyuba today. Why you might ask? See, I got myself a doughnut! As we all know, Glamour Magazine is celebrating their 10th anniversary, but little did I know (until I read about it in the magazine) is that Krispy Kreme created a special Glamour Glaze doughnuts. So I've read about it, and promptly forgot because I don't buy doughnuts and I sure don't go to any Krispy Kreme places in UK... because I don't know where they are located lol.

Of course I completely forgot that our own base gets Krispy Kreme and stopping by today I saw those for sale! So I had to get me one of those. :) :) Isn't it pretty and sparkly? Did I mention the SPARKLES?

Maybe it's silly to be so excited about a sparkling doughnut, but I feel like going around screaming I GOT ME A SPARKLING DOUGHNUT! IT SPARKLES JUST LIKE TWILIGHT!

It tasted pretty good too, the glaze that is. Doughnut was just ok lol.

~ Lyuba

REVIEW: Simple Kind to Skin Vital Vitamin Night Cream

Hello Ladies,

I've been using Simple Kind to Skin Vital Vitamin Night Cream for a few month now, and just like most of other Simple products I absolutely love it. I've mentioned it several times on my blog now, in my night beauty routine and also in my 2010 favorites, so I figured it was time for me to review it.

Here is what they say: 
When your skin's happy and fresh faced, you feel healthier and happier too!

Our Vital Vitamin Night Cream is a perfect blend of active ingredients and multi-vitamin goodness to restore and replenish skin throughout the night. Perfect for even sensitive skin,

VITAL VITAMINS
Pro-Vitamin B5 actively restores, softens and smoothes
Vitamin E moisturises to improve skin condition
Vitamin F renews and regenerates

SKIN LOVING NUTRIENTS
Glycerin hydrates and nourishes
Allantoin softens and protects
Bisabolol soothes and calms

NO PERFUME, NO COLOUR
No unnecessary or harsh chemicals so it won't upset your skin

Dermatologically tested and approved


Here is what I say: 
For a little over £5 you get 50ml of product in a sleek looking jar. Being a budget buyer, I love the price for the amount of product I get. Plus a lot of time it is on offer from Boots and Superdrug. I've been using it since December and I just now reached half the jar, so it lasts for a nice long time. The cream is a standard white color, and although the packaging says that there is no perfumes, I can detect a slight fresh smell. I only smell it when I bring the jar close to my nose, and never when I apply the cream. 

One of my main requirements for a facial cream is how easily it absorbs into my skin. I can't stand the oily, greasy feeling that some creams leave on my face after applying. If the cream doesn't absorb fast enough, it will get put away to never be used again or given away to someone who has drier skin than me. I am happy to say that I don't have that problem with Simple Vitamin Night Cream. Actually let me rephrase it, I did have a small problem with it but it was my own fault. I was applying too much, hence it wasn't absorbing fast enough. Now that I figured out how much cream to apply, I don't have that problem anymore.

My only (small) gripe is the packaging. Don't get me wrong, I love the look of jars and pots but I become less impressed when it comes time to using them. The reason why I don't like jars and pots is because I have long nails, and it becomes really hard to get the cream out without getting any cream UNDER my nails, one of my biggest pet peeves. So in order to solve that problem, I scoop up the cream with the top of my nail (just like in the picture) and this way it doesn't get under nails. SCORE!

I use one 'scoop' on each of my cheeks, one on the forehead and about 2-3 on my neck. This amount works for me, and absorbs within 5 minutes leaving my skin oh so soft and smooth! Since starting using it, I haven't had any irritation or reaction, but I have to mention that my skin rarely gets reactions to anything.

I would definitely recommend this night cream, and I will repurchase once it's gone. And before I leave UK, I will stock up on this and other Simple goodness :)

Have any of you tried this cream? What do you think?

~ Lyuba

Random EOTD

Hello Ladies,

While I go through highs and lows on my postings, I generally take photos of my makeup looks almost every day. Here are two looks that I've found on my camera from few weeks ago.

The first look is what I call "reverse Ukrainian flag". I always forget which color goes on top (shame on me), so I accidentally reversed it in my look :( I used Sleek's SUNSET palette for it.

The second look is the fastest smoky eye look that I've done, ever! I used Wet N Wild Perfect Pair Eye Wand in 110 Black-Slate. I originally bought this because I needed a black eyeliner, but decided to try this because it has both black eyeliner and gorgeous silver cream eyeshadow. I paid $2.99 for it at BX, but it could cost more in regular stores.

The eyeliner part is very creamy and glides on wonderfully. I used it on waterline too and it didn't irritate my eyes at all (but I have to mention that my eyes rarely get irritated by products).

I first apply the eyeliner part on both top and bottom, then smudge it with the silver eyeshadow. At this time, most of black gets rubbed off so I go over with eyeliner again. If needed, I go over with silver again to blend. I also don't cover my whole lid with the eyeshadow, because I'm afraid that it will transfer to brow area. This way it doesn't smudge, crease or transfer but I think it works for me because I have a large eyelid area. I'm not sure it will work for those who don't have much of an eyelid showing.

You can see here very well that I don't apply it to my whole eyelid, but once I open my eyes it gives an illusion of whole eyelid being covered.

What do you think?

~ Lyuba