Cult Classics: L'Oreal Voluminous Original Mascara in Blackest Black*

Bad beauty blogger strikes again: would you believe I'd never tried the cult L'Oreal Voluminous Original Volume Building Mascara* ($5.50 - 8.50 for 0.28 oz) before? My first lash love from L'Oreal was the Telescopic, but when I repurchased it more recently, it turned out to be a bit of a fail (review here). After that, I wasn't too tempted to try another L'Oreal mascara, even though the brand releases at least a few new iterations every year. However, I was recently sent the original Voluminous and since it's a HG product for a lot beauty bloggers and gurus out there, I was very curious to give it a try.

In general, I increasingly believe that mascaras are a rather personal thing - what one person expects in terms of result may be the worst nightmare for the next. My lashes aren't in their best condition currently: they're fine, they're not very dark, they're not as long and full as they used to be, so I feel like I need help across all departments. Mascara also has a tendency to transfer onto my browbone easily, so that's another thing I like to watch out for. When it comes to my preferred mascara look, I like long, full but soft and well defined lashes - anything that fails to separate is usually a no-go, regardless of how voluminous it may look.

The Original Voluminous (I have the shade Blackest Black) comes in a very simple dark grey tube with a gold cap. The brush also looks like the most old school, standard, run of the mill wire bristles at the first glance; but when I first pulled the wand out of the tube, I was surprised how fluffy it looked. I tried hard to show that in the photo by angling the wand - hopefully you can see that this brush has lots and lots of rather short bristles. I've had mascaras with this general type of wand before, but the bristles were usually spaced farther apart and/or longer. The tip on the Voluminous tapers down a bit and usually gets rather clumped up with product when you pull the wand out, so I always clean it off on the neck of the tube and only use it to add drama to the outer corners of my eyes.

My expectation for the Voluminous was that this would be an 'extreme drama' type of mascara - meaning that it would absolutely load the lashes with mascara at the barest swipe of the wand, and that it probably wouldn't separate them. Well, I was wrong - it's nothing like that. The stopper very effectively cleans the brush off the excess mascara (with the exception of the very tip) and that combined with dense rows of shorter bristles allows you to control the end result very well.

I hope that you can see this from my slightly creepy eye close-ups, but one coat of L'Oreal Voluminous gives very natural, soft, pretty lashes. It gives plenty of fullness at the roots while at the same time, leaves pretty much no clumps at the ends, meaning that it doesn't really look like you're wearing mascara at all. Every single lash is defined, volumized and lengthened, and the wand fans them out nicely (I haven't used a lash curler for these photos).

At two coats, my lashes start to look a bit more dramatic, but still not overloaded with product or over the top for daytime - two coats is actually my perfect balance. The lashes are even thicker but still not clumpy, and there's a little bit more length there as well. Now when it comes to wear time of this mascara, so far I haven't noticed any issues - I do see however that it can take a few minutes for the Voluminous to dry completely on my lashes, so looking up right after application or trying to mess with your eye make-up is not the greatest idea. But once it dries, it stays on well the entire day without smudging, transfering or crumbling under the eyes. My lashes also remain quite flexible and soft to the touch - not dry and crunchy like with some other formulas - and the mascara is quite easy to remove at the end of the day, it just melts off nicely with an oil-based make-up remover.

I don't think there's anything else I can say about L'Oreal Voluminous Original - I really love it. I haven't liked a mascara as much as this one in a really long time, and now I want to go around yelling 'Why did nobody tell me sooner?!', except they all did, didn't they ;) I can see myself repurchasing this formula over and over again in the future when I just want something that works really, really well for my lashes. Have you ever tried the Original Voluminous? What is your Holy Grail mascara at the drugstore?

Disclaimer: Product marked with an asterix (*) is a sample I received for free from BzzAgent for testing purposes. All links are non-affiliate. All opinions are 100% honest and unbiased, no matter if the products featured were purchased with my own monies or provided free of charge. Thank you for reading!

The Original Torture Ball: Givenchy Phenomen'Eyes Mascara Review

Do you guys remember the golden days when the 'torture ball' mascara wands were all the rage? I even recall some drugstore brands jumping on the bandwagon, and then companies moved on to incorporating that little spiky ball into a classic mascara brush design, like the Benefit They're Real or IT Cosmetics Hello Lashes. Anyway, back to the present - I have a review of the cult classic torture ball for you today, the Givenchy Phenomen'Eyes Mascara in Deep Black ($32 for the full size, I have a deluxe sample).

Judging from my experience with Benefit They're Real, I was a little apprehensive of the Givenchy's Phenomen'Eyes. The 'iconic spherical brush' (lol) is slightly larger than I expected, and comes out of the tube coated in a generous amount of mascara; however, like with nearly every other mascara on the market, most of the product is concentrated on the very tip of the brush, and there's not that much on the sides.

I think Phenomen'Eyes is definitely one of those mascara wands that you need to get a good feel for before you start enjoying it. At first, I found the ball design quite frustrating and difficult to use, but after two weeks of use, it's gotten easier. However, I still have some qualms about this shape - for one, it takes me more time to evenly coat my lashes in mascara than with a traditional brush, because I need to work in sections as opposed to the whole lash line all at once. Secondly, I have yet to avoid smearing some mascara onto my lid in the process - which again, takes additional time to remove.

Now for the good aspects of the ball shape: it does allow me to control the amount of mascara more easily, and it helps to direct and fan out lashes exactly how I want. It also works really well on the lower lashes, defining every single one without clumps (provided that you don't overload your brush). Overall, I find this formula quite volumizing and defining, but not very lenghtening - and I could use some length at the moment as my lashes are currently in their shorter, growing phase. The shade is indeed a deep, rich black, and the mascara doesn't flake throughout the day; although on my almond eye shape, it does transfer quite a bit under the brow bone in a relatively short amount of time (which is always a struggle for me).

Top: bare uncurled lashes, bottom: two layers of Givenchy Phenomen'Eyes

I can definitely understand why this mascara reached a cult status back in the day and I'm glad to have tried it, but to be honest, I wouldn't shell out for a full size tube. It's a perfectly decent mascara, but for me personally, traditional wands are much easier and quicker to use. I also don't find the Phenomen'Eyes to be any better at reaching those longer outer corner lashes; I still have trouble getting every single one without smearing mascara all over my eye, just like with any other mascara brush. Have you ever tried any of those torture ball mascaras? What were your thoughts?

Liquid Matte: Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipstick in Nude-ist

I don't believe there's a beauty brand currently on the market that hasn't come out with a matte liquid lipstick product - even drugstore brands like Revlon and Maybelline have jumped on board (btw, I'm loving that the drugstore is following make-up trends more closely in the recent times!). However, the European drugstore has had their version of a liquid matte for a couple years now - it's the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet ($15.40 on Asos for 0.2 fl oz/ 7.7 ml). I would look longingly at the display every year when I'm in Poland, and this time I decided to pull the trigger and buy one of the most popular shades in the range, 07 Nude-ist.

I don't have a huge experience with matte liquid lipsticks because it's not a product I usually find comfortable to wear. I've tried a few stains in the past and I still own a tube of NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Monte Carlo (reviewed here), but I rarely reach for them - my dry lips don't really appreciate a matte finish. I have heard however that the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvets aren't very drying and last on the lips a very long time, so I was hopeful to find a gem.

The packaging is simple enough: I like that it's exactly the size of a regular lipstick, so it fits perfectly into my lipstick organizer, and I like the shape of the doe foot applicator, because it allows me to define the contours of my lips with a lot of precision, making my lips look bigger without needing a lip liner. One thing to note is that this liquid lipstick is not scent-free; I don't think there's any added fragrance, but it has quite a strong chemical scent as you're applying it. It does dissipate though after the lipstick dries down.

I find the texture of this to be more liquid than mousse-like, as in the NYX Matte Lip Creams - I'm sure there are still silicones in this formula but I'm guessing not as much as in some other matte lip products. Nudist is a nicely pigmented shade, although I do find that it doesn't apply perfectly evenly - it looks a lot more sheer towards the inside of my lips than it does around the edges (you can see a little bit of that in the close-up photo). When freshly applied, it makes my lips look quite smooth, but unfortunately, within an hour or so it definitely accentuates all of my vertical lip lines. Instead of a sensual pout, I'm left with a mouth looking like a shrivelled raisin. Not cool. As for longevity, I have to say that I'm a bit disappointed. Even after the product sets on my lips, I still get transfer on tea cups, and it wears off quite easily even through light snacking and drinking.

L-R: Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Nude-ist, YSL Rose Stiletto, Bite Rhubarb, Revlon Lip Liner in Pink

Despite the name, Nude-ist definitely isn't a nude shade on me - but I wasn't really expecting it to be. What I was however expecting was a cooler mauve shade like it appears to be in the tube; it turns out though that Nude-ist is actually a lot closer to the color represented on the cap. It pulls a warm rose with hints of brown on me; very on trend, but not a shade that suits my coloring the best. I actually found Nudist to be very comparable to Bite High Pigment Lip Pencil in Rhubarb. Both YSL Rouge Pur Couture in Rose Stilleto* (reviewed here) and Revlon Color Stay Lip Liner in Pink are a bit more pink, but still quite similar.

I think you can tell by now that I'm not completely enamored with this purchase. While I really enjoy how Bourjois Nude-ist looks when I first apply it, it's neither very comfortable or texturally flattering as the day goes on. I don't know, you guys, maybe my lips are just not cut out for this matte liquid lipstick trend. Have you jumped on the bandwagon? What is your favorite matte lipstick formula?

Cult Classics: Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer Review

Remember that post where I swore off using make-up primers? Yeah, well, I sorta went back on my word, and yet again fell prey to the typical beauty junkie compulsion of 'MUST TRY ALL TEH THINGZ'. I thought hey, what if I'm missing something, and there's a primer out there that will magically erase all my pores and keep my make-up intact for all eternity? I pinned all my hopes on the cult Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer ($18 for 0.33 oz/ 10ml; by the way, note the volume discrepancy on the outer box). Despite the ridiculous price tag, a lot of beauty bloggers dub it as their must-have and keep purchasing it again and again - so that surely stands for something, right?

I bought the smaller travel size to start with - even though it's less economical in terms of price per ounce than the regular bottle, I was not going to shell out $52 on a primer; I haven't completely lost my mind... yet. I quite like the packaging: it's a sturdy frosted glass bottle with a pump, and I like being able to see how much product I have remaining inside. Now, the claims for this primer are that it's a mineral-based, water-resistant product that 'neutralizes the skin, minimizes shine, and creates a smooth, uniform canvas for flawless makeup application' (from Sephora's website). It's supposed to reduce the appearance of pores and fine lines by 'evenly distributing light' across your skin - quite a similar idea to Hourglass' Ambient Lighting Powders, no?

I was rather surprised by the texture of the Veil; most of the primers I've tried thus far were quite thick gels or creams, with the exception of Laura Mercier's lotiony Foundation Primer, but the Hourglass' version is ever thinner than that - you can see in the photo that it's starting to run when I tilt my hand. The liquidy texture allows me to spread even a small amount evenly across my T-zone, and the primer blends in quite well. The Mineral Primer contains physical sunscreens (4.2 % zinc oxide and 2.45% titanium dioxide), and like most mineral SPFs, it does leave a bit of a white cast on the skin initially, although on my fair skin, I've found that it disappears within a couple minutes and doesn't interfere with foundation application.

To test the performance of the Hourglass Veil, I applied it on half of my face, leaving the other half bare for one day, and another day, applying a Benefit Stay Flawless 15 Hour Primer to compare. In both tests, I've found that the Hourglass primer did indeed minimize the appearance of pores on my nose and inner cheeks. My skin felt soft and smooth, although I didn't find my foundation applied any different on top, and the primer did nothing to soften or conceal my dry patches. As for longevity, I have not found the Hourglass primer to significantly extend the wear of my foundation, or slow down/ prevent my usual oil breakthrough. I paired the Veil with a longwearing, mattifying foundation anyway, so maybe I'd notice a bigger difference with a dewier, more moisturizing formula, but I'm just speculating here.

To be quite honest, I've found that this hyped-up 'miracle' primer is in fact quite similar to... a liquid sunscreen. To me, it has that same runny texture and lightweight siliconey feel as most Japanese and Korean face sunscreens, and it leaves the same finish on the skin, even down to that slight white cast. Compared to the Mentholatum Sunplay SPF50+ sunscreen I reviewed here, it has more of a matte finish and feels lighter on the skin, but the Sunplay is meant to be a moisturizing product, and there's plenty of Korean sunscreen formulas meant for oily and combo skin that I think would perform rather similarly to the Hourglass product at a fraction of the price, giving you better sun protection than just SPF 15.

I'm glad to have gotten the Hourglasss Mineral Primer out of my system, but for me it's definitely not a must-have, and while it does make my skin look more poreless, it's not an essential step in my make-up routine. Now that I've tried it, I think I'll just stick to using my favorite sunscreens in lieu of make-up primers. Have you tried the Hourglass Veil? What is your favorite way of priming your face for make-up application?

Cult Classics: L'Oreal Telescopic Carbon Black Mascara

The L'Oreal Telescopic was one of the first mascaras I absolutely fell in love with back in the day, long before I started this blog. I remember purchasing it at Sephora in Warsaw (yes, Sephora!) and loving the sleek silver tube. Obviously the Telescopic Carbon Black ($9.99 for 0.27 fl oz) is a different version than what I used to use, but I know that to this day it's a Holy Grail mascara for a lot of people, and I wanted to see if I still loved it too after having tried so many different low and high-end mascaras over the past five years.

I really like the black packaging of the Carbon Black; I actually didn't remember that the tube is shaped like a telescope, but I think it's a very cool design. According to Ulta's website, Telescopic 'features a patented no clump brush that applies the mascara precisely for long, perfectly defined lashes. Removes easily with soap and water.'. It's also fragrance-free and suitable for those with sensitive eyes and contact wearer.

I did remember that my Telescopic used to have a skinny rubber brush with short bristles, but I was still surprised at how tiny the wand on the Carbon Black is. It's so, so narrow! Some rows of bristles are shorter, some a bit longer - I'm guessing the idea is that you could rotate the angle of the brush to either get more volume or definition. My fresh tube has a somewhat wet formula, which is not my preference, but I think it will get drier (and better) with time.

Unfortunately, after the first week of use, I'm not very impressed with Telescopic Carbon Black. As you can hopefully see in the photo of my bare lashes, I have somewhat fine but long and full lashes (meaning, there's quite a lot of them). I usually like 'defining' mascaras, because I need something to comb through and separate my lashes so that they retain their full and fluttery look. However, the brush on the Telescopic Carbon Black clumps them together instead, and the wet formula is also prone to leaving clumps at the ends of my lashes. I think some of that is due to this 'flexible' wand business, which causes the brush to spring back when I'm really trying to wiggle it between the roots of the lashes - that's also where mascaras blobs on my lids come from. I think the combination of a flimsy brush that picks up a lot of the wet formula is not a good recipe for a clump-free mascara.

The mascara dries down a bit stiff and crunchy (again, not my favorite) and while it doesn't flake off throughout the day (as long as you're not trying to comb it through with a lash comb after it dries), it does transfer on my brow bone where my lashes touch the skin there. Contrarily to the marketing blurb, I do not find it particularly easy to remove, even with a cleansing oil. So all in all, while it's certainly not the worst mascara I've ever tried (you know, Benefit They're Real springs to mind here, which is another one that lots of people seem to like), it's sadly no longer a favorite. I'll experiment with layering it together with another mascara and will wait a bit to see if it gets better with age, but I won't repurchase the L'Oreal Telescopic for the third time. Do you also experience that some products you used to love a long time ago aren't all that great anymore? I'd love to know!

More Cult Japanese Skincare: SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, Mask and Essential Power Cream*

Last year when I started getting more into Asian skincare, I became really intrigued by the yeast ferment ingredient trend, started by the cult Japanese brand SK-II. However, I did not have $100 laying around to spend on a bottle, so instead I tried a whole bunch of Missha Time Revolution First Treatment Essence samples, a product that contains similar ingredients for half of the price. You can read my full review here; in short, I was not impressed enough to shell out for a full size.

But this year, when I had the opportunity to try some real deal SK-II products via BzzAgent (it's an online product reviewing platform - you can join for free using my invite here - I don't think I get anything out of this, btw), I was super excited. The kit I was sent contained two mini sizes of the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence* ($105 for 2.5 oz), the star product in the line, and the SK-II Essential Power Cream* ($215 for 2.71 oz), as well as one SK-II Facial Treatment Mask* ($17 each or $135 for a pack of 10).

Let's get one thing out of the way: the whole SK-II line is incredibly expensive, no doubt about it. Normally, I do not have the budget to spend that kind of money on skincare, so I'm always grateful for an opportunity to sample those more expensive products and compare their performance to the less expensive stuff I use regularly. I believe that all SK-II products contain the proprietary ingredient Pitera, which is a yeast/ fungi (galactomyces or saccharomycopsis) ferment filtrate.

The story goes that this miraculous ingredient was discovered at a sake brewery in Japan, whose workers seemed to all have beautiful, smooth, wrinkle-free hands. I've now heard a very similar story from several brands (apparently Caudalie's brightening serum contains sap from grape vines, which the grape pickers would rub all over their skin...), so I don't know how much I trust those 'organic discoveries'. I don't really care about that though - regardless of whether an ingredient comes from a corporate lab or drops of dew gathered from alpine flowers, I just want to know if it works. That's all I care about.

Back to the products, which I've been using for about four weeks now. Starting with the famous Facial Treatment Essence*, I have to say that I'm a little... underwhelmed. It's a clear essence that looks and feels like water, but has a bit of a weird scent to it; smells fine in the bottle, but as I pat it into my skin, I get a whiff of wet dog/ sweaty socks, which sort of ruins the whole luxurious experience. More importantly though, I haven't really noticed any dramatic improvement in my skin from incorporating this product; sure, it feels hydrating and soothing, but less so than the much, much cheaper Hada Labo Hyaluronic Acid Lotion I just reviewed. So there.

On Instargram, several of you told me you really loved the SK-II Facial Treatment Mask*, and I can't blame you. The cotton sheet is nice and thick, and so saturated in essence that I was easily able to reuse the mask (I do that with most of my sheet masks, just seal the package and keep it in the fridge). The shape of the mask seemed to fit my features a bit better than most Korean sheet masks I've tried so far. When I removed the mask after about 20 minutes, my skin was plump, hydrated, soothed and more even. Of course the effects did really last very long, as with most masks, but it still was a lovely treat. I don't know if I liked it as much as the Tatcha Luminous Deep Hydration Mask* ($28 each, reviewed here), which seemed even more soothing, but then it's not as expensive.

The biggest surprise for me was the SK-II Essential Power Cream*, a daily moisturizer with anti-aging benefits. For whatever reason, I just assumed it was one of those after-thought products in the line meant to capitalize on the success of their Essence. However, it's a beautiful stand-alone product: lightweight, hydrating, evening out any redness overnight. In addition to Pitera, it contains moisturizing glycerin and a hefty dose of my favorite niacinamide (Vitamin B3), an anti-aging, hydrating and hyperpigmentation-fighting ingredient.

Thanks to niacinamide, The Essential Power Cream has that very slight nicotine scent, and in all honesty, really reminds me of the CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion PM, both because of the ingredients and performance (the latter is a bit thicker and more of a gel consistency). Given that the CeraVe is one of my all-time favorite night-time moisturizers, that's high praise - except maybe not if you look at the price difference.

To sum up this rather lenghty review, the cult SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, Mask and Essential Power Cream are all lovely products, and I think if you do have a budget to spend on these and have been meaning to give them a try, you wouldn't be disappointed. However, do I think the results I achieved warrant the extremely high price tag? Nope, not at all. I'm glad I was able to try them and get that curiosity out of my system, but I absolutely would not purchase full sizes after I'm done with my minis (thank God). Have you tried anything from SK-II? What was the last expensive product you tried that didn't match your expectations?

Disclaimer: Products marked with an asterix (*) are complimentary samples I received from BzzAgent or the brand's PR for review consideration. All links are non-affiliate. All opinions are 100% honest and unbiased, no matter if the products featured were purchased with my own monies or provided as free press samples. Thank you for reading!

Japanese Skincare Cult Classic: Rohto Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Lotion

I realize it's the middle of a hot and humid summer, but for whatever reason, my skin's been getting a lot drier lately - which I guess means I'm now closer to a combination/normal skin type. I am very prone to surface dehydration, and I'd been looking for ways to amp up the water levels in my skin without overhauling my entire skincare routine. Enter Rohto Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Lotion Moist ($11- 20 for 5.7 fl. oz/ 170ml on Amazon and drugstore.com), a cult Japanese hydration booster that's somewhere between a toner and a serum.

I ordered mine on Amazon from a US-based seller, and it was delivered within days. The entire packaging label is in Japanese, including the ingredients' list, but Hada Labo has its own American website, so here it is:

Ingredients : Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Disodium Succinate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxyethycellulose, Methylparaben, PPG-10 Methyl Glucose Ether, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Succinic Acid
 
In a nutshell, it's a very simple essence with glycerin and three types of hyaluronic acid, a moisture-retaining, barrier-repairing, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredient. Sodium Hyaluronate, which is often used in skincare products, has lower molecular weight than regular hyaluronic acid, making it easier for the skin to asborb - which is also why Hada Labo also uses Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid (non-engineered HA has bigger molecules which don't penetrate the skin as well as hydrolyzed HA) and Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate (better absorption and water holding capacity).

Hada Labo advises that the Lotion may be used twice a day, alone as a moisturizer or in combination with their other moisturizing skincare (the serum, lotion and cream). I've been using it in place of my hydrating spray toner, or in addition to the toner; so that the order of my basic routine is as follows: cleanser + acid toner/ exfoliating pads + (spray toner) + Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion + serum + moisturizer/ spf. You'd think that's a lot of layers, and that's right; but I feel that this routine allows me to create something akin to a 'moisture sandwich', without adding in extra bulk via something like a heavy moisturizer - that's especially important in the daytime, when I don't need a greasy film over my face.

The Gokyjyun Lotion is a clear, scent-free liquid that's a little more viscous than water. The bottle has an easy flip top and a small opening that lets you pour exactly the right amount without wasting anything. The amount in the photo is how much I need for my entire face and neck: I pour some into my palm, spread it over two hands and press/pat into the skin. It absorbs quickly, although it doesn't feel like it has disappeared into thin air: there's definitely a layer of moisture left. However, what I like the most about this product is that it seems to make subsequent layers of skincare sink in much better into my skin; it really does feel like it's binding everything together.

Since I started using the Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion, my skin is not only more hydrated, but also calmer, more even and my fine lines seem a bit plumped up. I think this is the best 'bang for your buck' hydrating products I've ever tried, and it seems that a bottle should last me ages judging from current usage. If you've never tried this lotion, I urge you to give it a try - it's fantastic. Do you use a lotion or essence step in your skincare routine? What is your favorite product with hyaluronic acid?

Cult Classics: Caudalie Beauty Elixir Review

Caudalie's Beauty Elixir ($18 for 1 oz/ $49 for 3.4 oz) mist is one of those cult products I'd always wanted to try for myself and see what the raves were all about. So, after finishing a bottle of Skindinavia Make-up Setting Spray, I went ahead and ordered a bottle of the Caudalie to replace it. I could just imagine misting my face with the refreshing Beauty Elixir on a hot summer day... What a relief that would be, right? And so luxurious...

Well, my Caudalie dream hasn't quite come true though. Here are the good things about it: the mist is very fine (not squirty at all), the frosted glass looks beautiful on my vanity, and it does feel cooling on the skin for the 3 seconds before it dries. Aaand that's about it when it comes to what I like about this product.

Here's what I don't like: guys, what is the point?! Does this give my skin an amazingly glowy finish? Nope. Does it smooth or tighten the pores? Nope. Does it contain effective skin-loving ingredients? Nope. Is the smell absolutely amazing? Nope, more like spraying your face with a gentle mouthwash (combination of alcohol + peppermint scent). What the heck am I missing here?!

If I sound a tad angry at all, it's because I am. I feel that Beauty Elixir is Caudalie's golden egg-bearing goose: they put some water, alcohol, fragrance (why?!) and a few essential oils in a pretty bottle, and it rakes in amazing profits. No skincare profit for me though - I'd much rather use something like Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Floral Toner, which actually does contain beneficial ingredients and retails for between $10-13 for a 6 ounce bottle. You can use it the exact same way as the Beauty Elixir, it just doesn't claim to be a 'part-toner, part-serum mist' - but it sure does perform better.

Beauty Elixir fans, tell me, what am I missing? Is there some magical way to make this work? I have to say that so far, my experiences with Caudalie have been less than satisfactory every single time: I strongly disliked the popular Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet, and found the S.O.S. Serum very sticky. Do you have any favorites in the Caudalie skincare range?

Cult Classics: Pixi Beauty Glow Tonic Review

For about past year and a half, I've been religious about using an acid exfoliant in the form of a liquid (toner) or saturated pads twice a day. You may remember that First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads made it into my 2014 Best Beauty Buys, and I still use and love them; I do think however that your skin can get used to a given acid combination, and it's important to switch things around a bit to keep seeing the result. Which is why I purchased the immensely popular Pixi Glow Tonic ($29 for 250ml/ 8.25 fl oz) when I spotted it on BOGO sale late last year.

There's not much to say about the actual product: it's incredibly simple, both in packaging design and the ingredients (low concentration of glycolic acid - 5% in an aloe vera and witch hazel base). Belly, who recommended the Glow Tonic to me, thinks the scent is a bit botanical, but it really reminds me of generic toiletries one finds in a hotel bathroom - not unpleasant though. Partially because of the added fragrance, Beautypedia gave the Glow Tonic a really low rating, reasoning that it wasn't gentle or suitable for sensitive skin, and while your personal mileage may vary, I've found the opposite to be true on my easily irritated skin. The consistency is liquid like water, and like water, it aborbs immediately with absolutely no greasy or sticky residue, which has been an issue for me with Paula's Choice BHA liquid exfoliant and the Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Pads (reviewed here).

I've been using my bottle for about a month now, and I'm very happy with the results (btw, it seems that a bottle this size should last me about 6 months). First of all, I get absolutely no irritation, stinging or redness whatsoever when using the Glow Tonic - I don't want to have well exfoliated face at the expense of angry skin or a rash. In fact, it's so gentle and refreshing that I love using it in the mornings, especially after a gym session - it just feels like my face is being cleansed and soothed at the same time.

However, sometimes the problem with extra gentle exfoliants is that they don't actually do anything, am I right? That's fortunately not the case with the Glow Tonic. I have noticed less overall congestion and breakouts recently, and at the same time, I have a lot less surface dehydration (dry flakes and lines). This translates to a more even, glowy complexion that's also prepped well for make-up application.

You know what guys, there haven't been many times in my life when I could have said this, but I'm currently pretty happy with my skin. If you're a long-time reader, you know that I've been struggling with acne and excessive oilies for years now - we're talking close to 15 years. But since the beginning of this year, my skin has been gradually improving, and I think gentle daily exfoliation is one of the bigger contributing factors. Let me know if you'd be interested in a separate post discussing things that helped the clarity of my skin - I realize a lot of you also struggle with pesky breakouts, clogged pores, uneven texture AND dry flakes all the same time. Maybe some of the things I've been trying would be helpful to you as well.

What do you use to exfoliate your skin? Do you prefer gentle exfoliants used more often, or something stronger once a week? I actually do both; use my Pixi Glow Tonic in the morning and the First Aid Beauty Pads in the evening, but once a week, I dig out an exfoliating mask and follow it up with Dr. Wu Mandelic Acid Serum, reviewed here. Let me know if you have any product recommendations, I'm always on the lookout for a good chemical exfoliant!

Matte Radiance: Laura Mercier Baked Powder in Highlight 01

Before I launch straight into 'ooohs' and 'aaahs' over this highlighter, I have to (yet again!) thank Gummy for introducing it to me - or more specifically, including it in her Holiday giveaway prize that I was incredibly lucky to receive. There's something very special about beauty packages to me, and being given a couple products to try handpicked by a fellow junkie is just beyond exciting. Gummy, I loved everything about that package, from the card and wrapping, through the prizes, to the little extras you've thrown in!!!

I know, enough of waxing lyrical about Gummy's generosity - but if you wanted to participate in her future giveaways, better go and subscribe now - just sayin'. You may remember that around the same time last year I said that I never used highlighters, and didn't see the point of acquiring any for my stash. Well, this Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder Compact in Highlight 01 ($38 for 0.26 oz) may be the game changer for me.

You see, as a person blessed (hmm...) with a combination, formerly oily skin type, I don't need much help in the radiance department. I don't know if it's a natural property of my skin or the skincare I'm using, but my face looks glowy without me even trying; like my skin can be dehydrated and flaky, but it will still look shiny (anyone else has observed that with their skin? No? Just me?). However, with the cold season, a generally lessened oil production in my skin, and some more mattifying foundations I've been trialling, I've found that I should probably revisit my stance towards highlighters.

Laura Mercier's Matte Radiance comes in a very sturdy and slightly bulky packaging with a mirror; it's a domed baked powder though, and you get a lot of it, so I understand the need for a bigger compact. The powder itself doesn't look too marbelized in the pan, it has more of a uniform appearance, with a soft sheen to the surface. The texture is very soft and kicks up a bit of powder, but goes on smooth and creamy on the skin.

Here's why I think you need it, even if you generally dislike highlighters. First of all, it does give a natural, but visibly glowy look to the skin. I know people laugh at the name 'Matte Radiance', but I get it: it's radiant but not shimmery, and in a different way than the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders. If you've tried Luminous Light and are thinking 'Pffft, who needs that? It does absolutely nothing', but also swatched something like theBalm Mary Lou-Manizer or BECCA's Pressed Shimmering Skin Perfectors and thought them way, way too much, Laura Mercier Highlight 01 is going to be exactly the sort of highlighter you've been looking for. It's definitely there and does an amazing job at bringing a youthful glow and definition to the cheeks, but it doesn't need to be strictly controlled for fear of looking like a drag queen in the daytime (nothing wrong with that, if that's what floats your boat). It's more... refined, you know? #whynotbesubtle

Secondly, if you're fair-skinned like me and find the bulk of popular highlighters simply too dark for your complexion, Matte Radiance in Highlight 01 is your friend. It's a slightly more champagne/ peachy version of my NW10/15 skin, so it blends in perfectly - see how dark and warm that Hourglass Luminous Light and Benefit Watt's Up are next to it? And yet, it works on darker and warmer Gummy as well, but if you're even darker (or are looking for a glowy bronzer), there are three more shades in this range.

L-R: Laura Mercier Matte Radiance in Highlight 01, Benefit Watt's Up, Rouge Bunny Rouge Eyeshadow in Unforgettable Oriole (see, more shimmery finish), Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Luminous Light

I've been wearing it the past couple of days non stop and I'm really loving it. I find it very easy to blend, long lasting and complimentary for a variety of blush shades - I'm not wearing any blush in the face shot by the way, just a little bit of contour powder. I don't think it's too much, even with a more dewy foundation; I've really built it up for the photo, but you can also wear a very sheer layer. It also doesn't emphasize pores too bad - I know that when you look close up at the picture that's focused exactly on the highlighed area, you can see some texture there, but in real life it's not discernible to a naked eye.

All in all, while I don't see myself hoarding multiple highlighters in the near future, I do think there's a place for a refined glowy cheekbone in my make-up routine, and it's been fun to experiment with highlighting my features. Tell me, are you strictly against or all for highlighting? What's your current favorite highlighter?

Best Beauty Buys of 2014

'Tis the season for my beauty favorites of the entire year 2014! Are you as excited as I am? I've been jotting down ideas for my annual picks for a good month now, and I'm finally ready for a grand reveal. So... drumroll please! In no particular order, but starting with skincare:

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads (review & comparison with other exfoliating pads and acid toners here): I don't often woe seeing the bottom of a deluxe skincare sample, which is what happened when I first tried the FAB rounds last February. I promptly finished my other pads and repurchased the full size of lactic acid-based Facial Radiance Pads, and I'm definitely planning to pick up another tub once my current one runs out - I love them this much. I see a visible improvement in the clarity and texture of my skin, as well as better absorption of serums and moisturizers I layer over the top - all of that without any redness, stinging or peeling.

Dr. Wu Intense Renewal Serum with 18% Mandelic Acid (full review here): Another exfoliating favorite, but this time something I use weekly rather than daily. This clear, water-like, liquidy serum sinks in immediately, and does this magical thing where the morning after application, my skin is so soft, so bouncy, and a lot more even. I think it's good to mix up your acids for better efficacy and the Intense Renewal Serum does the trick for me.

Now, onto what you've surely been waiting for - make-up!

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Chantilly (another mention here): I've been hearing that a lot of people had given in to the NARS concealer hype only to return it a couple days later because it looked too dry under their eyes. But for me, it's perfect, maybe because I don't ever use it to cover dark circles - I use it on spots and scars. It's very pigmented, very blendable and layerable, and never looks cakey on my 'problem areas', ha. I use it by swiping a tiny bit from the doe foot wand on the back of my hand, and then I pick up little by little with a small brush and spot conceal - not the most time-efficient method but looks supremely natural. Chantilly is a very light shade that oxidizes just a smidge to blend in with my skintone perfectly - a shade match and formula win-win.

Shu Uemura Hard Formula 9 Brow Pencil in Seal Brown (full review here): Since my initial review, I've stared to appreciate this cult eyebrow pencil even more - it's quick, precise, looks natural on the brows and lasts all day. The shade Seal Brown is spot on too, the best color match I've ever found for my brows. I've recently tried the popular Benefit Gimme Brow gel too, but nothing beats the Shu pencil for me!

Pixi Endless Silky Eye Pens (review and swatches of all the shades shown here): Last year I was all about the Sephora Contour 12 HR Wear eyeliner pencils, but this year Pixi Eye Pens (pencils, dammit!) have surpassed them: on top of just as creamy and pigmented formula, they seem to last better on my waterline, and they don't even transfer from top to bottom waterline. If you've still not tried them, you're missing out!

Rouge Bunny Rouge When Birds Are Singing Long Lasting Eyeshadows (review and swatchathon of four of the shades here, and look - are there three more pans in the photo...?): To be honest, I like all of the RBR eyeshadows I've tried, but the original 'When Birds Are Singing' formula slightly more than the Limited Edition mineral wet/dry formula of the Chronos palette (click!). There's something very special and sophisticated about Rouge Bunny Rouge shimmers, and the newer to me mattes are simply dreamy. I fell down the bunny hole of these eyeshadows, no doubt about it.

Shiseido Luminizing Satin Eye Color Trios (review & swatches of the neutral Nude here, and the pastel Static here): Since we're already talking about sophisticated shimmers, I'd be remiss not to mention the Shiseido Luminizing formula. While their trios are not the most pigmented shadows I've ever encountered, the subtle, glowy, perfecting finish they impart on your lids is hard to come by in other brands. The color combinations in these trios are very interesting too, and I already have my beady eye on a couple more. I definitely recommend you swatch these next time you're near a Shiseido counter!

Canmake Cream Cheeks in the Clear finish (review & swatches of the pink CL04 Clear Pink Joy and the apricot CL03 Clear Orange here): This year was also the first time I've tried a cheek product with a jelly finish, and now I'm completely hooked (more jelly reviews to come next year!). If you're looking for an inexpensive, radiant, lightweight but pigmented cream blush, the Canmake Cream Cheeks are simply beautiful. While they're not easily accessible in the US without shopping on eBay or a dedicated Japanese cosmetics website, these little gems are well worth the trouble.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette (full review & swatches here): Again with the glowy but not sparkly finish (can you see a pattern here?) - I really, really like this year's Hourglass blush palette. But my love of this blush formula goes beyond the palette, so if you skipped out on that one, I would still give their regular Ambient blush line-up a good swatchathon next time you're in Sephora. Beautiful, easily buildable shades in a formula that melds into your skin and lasts an entire day.

Shu Uemura Unlimited Shine Supreme Lipstick (full review & swatches of the shade I have here): Quite surprisingly, I only have one favorite lip product for the entire year, and it's this Shu Uemura sheer number. I simply haven't bought (and tried) very many new to me lipsticks this year, but from what I've sampled, this one was a clear standout: lightweight, decently hydrating, and beautifully cushiony on the lips, the light pink PK331 leaves me wanting more Shu Uemura lipsticks.

Original Beautyblender (another mention here): I know I've said there's no reason to buy the Beautyblender if one already has the less expensive Real Techniques sponge, but in the end, the Beautyblender seems to have gained an edge over the RT thanks to its better durability and bounciness. The reason I'm including the famous pink egg in my round-up is the fact that I've been working with some less than perfect foundations this year, and the only reason they look decently natural and even on my skin is down to the application with a damp Beautyblender. So, if you have any bases in your stash that drive you absolutely nuts and you're thinking of throwing them in the trash, give them one last chance with this - I find that it really makes a difference.

And a first for my annual beauty favorites, a couple haircare picks - because now that I have long and somewhat damaged locks, I need a bit more TLC.

Batiste Dry Shampoo: I've tried a good number of different dry shampoos in the past couple years, both on the drugstore and salon end of the spectrum, and good ol' Batiste may just be my favorite of all. It soaks up the oils effectively without making your hair stiff, sticky or dirty-feeling, gives a little bit of texture and volume, costs under $8 and comes in a variety of scents and shades. What's not to love? I'll be repurchasing.

Enjoy Leave-in Conditioning Spray: My favorite story about how effective this leave-in conditioner really is dates back to when I worked in a hair salon, and one of the stylists got a little girl in her chair whose hair was literally so matted that it looked like one giant dreadlock (which is what happens when your mummy indulges the 'I don't like brushing!' exclamations). The stylist, having washed the brat's hair, applied copious amounts of the Enjoy spray and somewhat, little by little, managed to get all the tangles out. My hair is not as bad on a daily basis, but it often resembles a rat's nest after washing - this drastically cuts down my brushing out time, while keeping my flowing locks (har har) hydrated and glossy to boot.

And there you have it! You may have noticed a prevalence of high-end brands here, as well as a respectful nod towards Asian brands, especially in my make-up favorites. The simple reason for that is that those products are genuinely what I've been interested in trying this year compared to last year for example, which featured a lot more easily accessible American brands. I have also tried and fallen in love with some cult classics this year, like the Shu eyebrow pencil or the Beautyblender. What can I say, I like to mix up more niche brands with old favorites!

I hope you enjoyed this round-up of my favorite beauty products for this year, and please let me know in the comments what your picks are for this year, so I can try them out in 2015! Can you believe how fast 2014 has gone by? Are you already planning your New Year's Eve party outfit and make-up or are you still in the post-Christmas food coma?