Another attempt at Flapper makeup

Hello Everyone,

I'm sure all of you already heard about the Japanese tragedy that is unfolding right as we speak. I don't have any relatives in Japan, but I do have some friends and a deep care for the country. I've been in a sort of shock since yesterday. I'll be donating to RedCross as well as donating to the Charity Blog Sale ran by MayLovesMakeup.com. Please check it out and donate any beauty items. You can also follow them on twitter @BBCBS.

That said, I did manage to pull myself together to put some makeup on today. Remember my post on attempting to do a Flapper makeup look? Today I tried it again and I'm much happier with the results.

I deliberately left my eyebrows bare, because I wanted the emphasis to be on the eye makeup.

I realize that photos in my kitchen are not the most glamorous, but that was the place with the best lightening.

My husband didn't like the makeup at all lol. He said I have raccoon eyes and look like female version of Marylin Manson. Yes, I still love him because he actually takes time to comment on my makeup and most importantly NOTICES it :)

I wanted more matte finish on my cheeks, while being bold and bright. I had to tone it down a lot because at first I applied too much. After toning down with powder, I applied a little bit more .

Although this photo is blurry, I love it. The wind hit just at the right moment.

Face:

• MAYBELLINE The Smoother Skin Retexturizing Primer
• MAYBELLINE Dream Satin liquid Air-Whipped foundation in Ivory
• No 7 Instant Radiance Concealer in shade II 
• Rimmel Stay Matte pressed powder in Transparent
• BOURJOIS Limited Edition Blusher in 74 Rose Ambre

Eyes:

• URBAN DECAY Primer Potion
• UD Naked Palette (Gunmetal and Creep)
• COLLECTION 2000 Extreme 24 Hour Felt Tip liner in Black
• No 7 Exception Definition Mascara - black

Lips: 

• Wet n Wild ColorIcon lipliner in Berry Red
• L'Oreal Colour Riche in Red Rhapsody

What do you think?

~ Lyuba

Loving my hair

Hello Everyone,

Today I finally got a haircut! I was supposed to color my hair before going in, but I didn't expect to walk in and get an appointment the same day. So I just went in the way I was lol.

I requested a flapper bob since I wear cloche hats regularly and I figured I might as well go all out. :) I love it! Now just to color my hair and I will be all set :)

Mandatory photos with kitties. They were not impressed haha.

What do you think?

~ Lyuba

Review: Bourjois Express Eye Makeup Remover

Hello Ladies,

For years I've been using Almay's Moisturizing Eye Makeup Remover Pads but after starting this blog I decided to give a chance to an actual liquid eye makeup removers. I didn't want to try them before because I'm very weird about my eyes and what I put next to them (it took me literally 20 minutes to work up enough courage to put my first contact in lol) so I was afraid that liquid eye makeup removers will somehow irritate my eyes. Don't ask how that logic makes sense, since I use the moisturizing formula (meaning it's not oil free) for Almay's makeup remover pads.

Since starting this blog tried Simple Kind to Eyes Eye-Makeup Remover and Botanics Soothing Eye Makeup Remover but as you read in my most recent empties post, I wasn't that impressed with them. After reading about Bourjois Express Eye Makeup Remover on several blogs I follow I decided to give it a try and I LOVE it!

Here is what they say: 
BOURJOIS’ EXPRESS EYE MAKE-UP REMOVER removes all types of eye make-up, whether heavily pigmented or waterproof, with a single wipe!

Its fresh, non-greasy, two-phase formula gently cleans with the first wipe of the cotton pad.

- 1st phase: oils concentrated with cleansing agents to remove all make-up effortlessly, even waterproof!
- 2nd phase: the water phase leaves the skin feeling fresh, without any unpleasant greasy sensations
Tested under ophthalmological control, this formula protects the lashes, the delicate skin of the eyelids and the fragile rim around the eye.

Here is what I say: 
First the packaging is really cute. It is a bottle, but it's such a cute bottle!  And I like that the liquid is blue, which really has nothing to do with anything other than it's being blue.

I don't wear waterproof makeup much so waterproof makeup properties mean nothing to me other than hopefully helping remove makeup better. I do wear Collection 2000 Extreme 24 Hour Felt Tip Liners which are known for staining the eyelids quite heavily. I guess that makes them waterproof, so then I do wear waterproof makeup pretty often? This eye makeup remover removed 95% of the eyeliner and that's when I knew I had to write a review!

Bourjois claims that this eye makeup remover will remove all types of eye makeup with the first swipe. I would say it's a little far fetched. I can't get my eye makeup removed with just one swipe no matter how long I keep the moistened eye pad on my eyes before. I have to do several swipes in order to get all makeup removed, but I guess it's not a big deal if it accomplishes the task at the end?

I love how non-oily it is, even if the dark blue liquid contains oil. My eyes don't get 'cloudy' like with Almay's pads. I am a little annoyed that I have to shake the bottle like crazy before each use though, and I feel like the top blue liquid will be gone way before the clear liquid. But I won't know until I finish the bottle right?

As I said, Bourjois Eye Makeup remover removed 95% of Collection 2000 Extreme Wear Felt Liners, leaving only a faint purple tint (that's why it got a 95% instead of 100%). With the other eye makeup removers that I tried, I still had a very prominent eyeliner line left. That is pretty impressive considering how much trouble people been having with removing these eyeliners. I think it will work just as great on other waterproof makeup. 

Overall I'm very impressed with this eye makeup remover. It removes my makeup, doesn't irritate my eyes and doesn't leave them feeling oily and 'cloudy'. The price is pretty good too, at £4.99 it makes it a bargain in UK (not some much for me lol because of the exchange rate), especially if it's on offer like it is right now at Boots. Boots is having 3 for 2 sale going on right now, and I'm thinking of stocking up on this eye makeup remover.

What do you think about Bourjois Express Eye Makeup Remover? Have you tried it yet?

~ Lyuba

Update: e.l.f Luscious Liquid Lipstick in Raspberry

Hello Ladies,

Remember my raving review of e.l.f. Luscious Liquid Lipstick in Raspberry? Well today I got an update for you, and I'm not sure that I will ever buy these again. I still love the color and the moisturizing qualities, actually I still love everything I talked about in my review. My problem is the packaging. See for yourself:

The first hint I got that something was wrong was when yesterday I tried to use the lip gloss and no matter how many times I twisted it, nothing came out. So I twisted it more and more until I noticed that something just wasn't looking right. I tugged at the white part and:

It completely came off!!!! No wonder I had no lip gloss coming out! I tried to stick the white part back in and push on it, but I didn't work so I just ended up throwing the lipgloss away. BUMMER!

e.l.f. design your packages better! Have any of you had the same problem, or am I the only "lucky" one lol?

~ Lyuba

My Evening Beauty Routine

Hello Everyone,

My husband got home a few days ago, which means my beauty routine is back! Here is what I use every night:

1. I start off with Bourjois Express Eye Makeup Remover to remove the eye makeup. I wet/soak 2 cotton pads and press them to my eyes for few seconds to get the makeup dissolved. This stuff is so great I'm considering stocking up on it since Boots is running 3 for 2 deal right now.

2. I follow up with Simple Kind to Skin Purifying Cleansing Lotion to remove the rest of my makeup. I have mixed feeling about this makeup remover, but it's probably because I experienced the greatness of Vichy makeup remover.

3. I finish up the makeup removing routine with Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner. This is my what, third bottle of it? It removes all the traces of makeup that the lotion didn't remove, and leaves my skin feeling fresh and clean. I know that there is a debate about whether the toner is actually necessary, and while I don't know the answer to that I like using it.

4. I apply Simple Repair Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream to the eye area. My skin is definitely feeling smooth and hydrated, however I can't comment on the anti-wrinkle properties yet. I think it diminished the fine lines that I have on my lower eyelid, but nothing crazy noticeable.

5. Finally I moisturize my whole face and neck area with Simple Kind to Skin Vital Vitamin Night Cream. Just a small amount is enough for me because it is so rich, and I have to wait at least 30 minutes for it to fully absorb but that's not a problem since I'm going to sleep soon anyway.

Can you see a trend here? I love Simple stuff, and most of the time they work great for me. And for those not-so-great times, Simple has a lot of other products to offer that I haven't tried yet.

What is your evening beauty routine? I would love to know :)

On a side note, this is what I was doing while my husband was hanging out with his friends in our house.

I look rather goofy, but I can deal with it because the picture is so CUUUUUTE overall! :) That's my Mittens cuddled up next to me. Sometimes I wake up in the morning with her cradled in my arms just like that.

~ Lyuba