July Non-beauty Favorites

Fuschia purple orchid in our bedroom

John Irving's Last Night in Twisted River

Aloha's Popsicle and Strawberry Daiquiri votive candles

Tulsi Raspberry Peach and Vanilla Creme herbal tea

Homemade vegan spelt muffins

What are your non-beauty related favorites this month? xxx

July Beauty Favorites

Another month's gone in the blink of an eye! In all honesty, July wasn't a big make-up month for me; housewifing and weekend hiking trips don't really require a face full of make-up. However, with moving to the US, I've been able to put some bits and bobs into my basket while shopping at a drugstore - have I told you how much I love American drugstores?


Without further ado, here are my new most used products for the month of July:


1. 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Tinted Moisturizer with vitamins and antioxidants SPF 20
I've briefly mentioned in my post on natural vs organic skincare that I was intending to get it, and I did. It comes with a hefty pricetag ($32 US), but other than that, I have no complaints. It has a light coverage and very natural satin finish, blends in beautifully leaving my skin more unified, and so, so soft. I set it with a mineral powder and it doesn't make me any oilier than I usually am, nor does it break me out. Perfect base for summer.


2. Angel Face Botanicals Ambrosia Facial Cleansing Grains
On the skincare front, I'm loving this loose powder chockful of Vitamin C and antioxidants that with a couple of drops of water transforms into an exfoliating cleanser or a face mask - it's definitely one of my favorite products from the ones I mentioned in my Angel Face Botanicals haul. I especially like using it after a cardio workout, I feel that it gets rid of all the dirt and dead skin cells that accumulated on my face and stimulates blood circulation, making my skin feel clean, refreshed and mattified.


3. N.Y.C. Blushable Creme Stick in Plaza Pink
As much as eye products left me rather uninspired this month, I've been enjoying experimenting with my blusher. I picked this up for about $4 in my local RiteAid on Ginabinawina99's recommendation, and I so don't regret it. I was thinking that my oily skin plus cream blusher would surely equal a major catastrophe. Nothing of the sort! This beautiful peach stick shot through with subtle shimmer goes on like a dream and blends to perfection, giving my cheeks a very lovely natural glow without a trace of greasiness, as it sets to powder finish. It's not the most long lasting, but set with a powder blusher, stays put long enough for me. Not ready to splurge on NARS Turks & Caicos multiple? This satisfies my cream blush stick cravings pretty well.


4. NYX Powder blusher in Peach and Pinky
I think I've expressed my love for NYX blushers many times before, and these two shades have been a very welcome addition to my collection. Peach looks very natural and understated with its matte finish, while fuschia toned Pinky with its satin finish gives more of a doll face effect (or as if you've been running for a good half an hour in my case).


5. Wet n Wild Kohl Brow Eyeliner in Taupe
At $0.99 apiece, it may just be the cheapest item in my collection, however this soft brow pencil shouldn't be underestimated. What can I say? It's dirt cheap, easy to use, fast and natural-looking. Doesn't smudge or melt off. Are you still there?! Go get yourself one of these!


6. Revlon Colorstay Mineral Lipglaze in Continuous Coral
Continuously fabulous, however difficult to spell it may be. This is a seriously scorching coral, dense, incredibly pigmented and infused with a pretty grown-up sparkle. Smells a bit like cough syrup, but I kinda like it. Sheered out with a lipbalm or clear gloss, it can be worn everyday for a warm summery look, or when smeared on straight from the tube, makes a fabulous statement lip.


7. Ecotools by Alicia Silverstone slanted eyeshadow brush
Purchased in a LE set of 4 brushes + a beautiful natural brush case for $11, I've been reaching for this super soft brush every time I'm bothered enough to use an eyeshadow - and the rest of the set is pretty darn amazing too. Ecotools definitely have great quality reasonably priced brushes, their slanted eyebrow/eyeliner brush has long been a favorite of mine. All their brushes are vegan, sustainable and cruelty-free too, which is just another reason to get them. Like now.

To wrap this post up, I'm ending my Project Bathroom, the progress of which you could follow on your right hand side. I did pretty well I think, some of the products didn't get 100% used up, but I reckon I got a good 90% out of them. I'm still following the main principle though, I only get one of each kind of a product when it runs out, so I only have one shampoo, one hairspray, one bar of soap... Ok, it doesn't work out so well with soaps, I'm a hoarder. But you get the general idea.

Anyway, I'll be replacing my Project Bathroom progress bar with a list of upcoming posts, this way I can tease you ever so slightly and as for myself, try not to forget to actually write them. Hope you enjoyed my monthly favorites and a bit of a ramble and stay tuned for non-beauty related favorites tomorrow! xxx

My Top 5 Neutral Inglot Eyeshadows

What can I say, I've always loved Inglot eyeshadows, even way before they came up with the idea of selling customized palettes and separate eyeshadow pans and ventured out to foreign markets (meaning, outside of Poland). Most of their products are great for the price; however, when it comes to eyeshadows, I have to admit they're not just great; they're simply amazing. Buttery smooth, well pigmented, long lasting... and in every imaginable shade and finish. If you haven't already, I urge you to check them out!


Here are my 5 most reached for neutrals from my collection. How could I not love these beauties?


As you can see, my favorite finish from Inglot is definitely Pearl, which simply glides on the lids leaving lots of pigment behind; it's very comparable to MAC Veluxe Pearl finish. AMC Shine is a bit less pigmented, but more glittery - my pale gold shade is infused with some very pretty silver sparkles. As for Matte, it's, well... matte, a bit harder to blend, but still a pleasure to work with.


There's just one thing that annoys the crap out of me with these. How can you make such fantastic shadows and give them numbers instead of names?! I'm just going to pretend that never happened and christen them to my liking.


Brimstone Dust, né 111 AMC Shine
Tutu, né 397 Pearl
Myope, né 402 Pearl
Lilac Wine, né 420 Pearl
Fulleren, né 348 Matte

Have you tried Inglot eyeshadows? Which shade is your favorite? xxx

What Beauty is Made of: Hydrosols

Hydrosol, also known as floral, herbal or essential water or hydrolate or herbal distillate (phew!) is a water solution that remains after producing an essential oil in the process of distillation. Hydrosols contain water soluble plant compounds, water-loving acids and approximately .02% essential oil: high acidity (pH 3.6-6.1) means they're antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, while the tiny amount of essential oil imparts a beautiful aroma making it a safer and less irritating alternative to the essential oil itself. Hydrosols can't be obtained by mixing water and essential oil, and the best hydrosols aren't byproducts of essential oil distillation, but are distilled specifically for their therapeutic benefits.

Hydrosols' subtle aroma, astringency and anti-bacterial properties make them an ideal ingredient in facial toners, body and room sprays, bath products and creams. However, being water-based products, they're less stable than oils and usually require a preservative to prevent contamination.

People have been using hydrosols in food, religious ceremonies and healthcare for centuries: rose water or orange flower water are common ingredients in Arab, Mediterranean and French desserts, such as delicious madeleines, marzipan and marshmallows. Sweet treats aside, many natural and organic skincare companies have started using various hydrosols in their formulations for the benefit of our skin.

Let's take a look at some of the most common hydrosols:


Lavender (Lavendula Angustifolia) hydrosol - gentle, soothing and balancing, ideal as toner for all skin types, especially those which are damaged or sunburnt; also great as a compress to relieve stress or headache

Rose (Rosa damascena) hydrosol - again, fabulous toner for all skin types that smells exactly like a rose garden. It's both moisturizing & beneficial for dry or mature skin types, as well as balancing, as it controls sebum production in combination/oily skin types. It's gentle enough to use on troubled skin and works great in facial masks or combined with other hydrosols.

Rose Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) hydrosol - great for cellular regeneration, balancing for both dry and oily skin types, it's also useful for baths. When inhaled, it has a cooling and antidepressant effect and can be also taken internally to regain hormonal balance.

Neroli/ Orange Blossom (Citrus aurantium) hydrosol - smells good enough to drink, like sweet, freshly squeezed oranges :) Neroli hydrosol has uplifting, calming and refreshing properties and, being mildly astringent, is best suited for oily or acneic skin, but gentle enough to use on sensitive skin as well.

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) hydrosol - you guessed it, this hydrosol smells like freshly sliced cucumbers with a sweet, melonlike note. Cooling and anti-inflammatory, it's amazing for rashes and irritated skin, and used as an eye compress, relieves puffinnes and redness. As a toner, it firms the delicate facial skin and combats fine lines, and can also be used as a refreshing mist throughout the day to keep skin cool and matte.

Witch Hazel (Hammemelis virginiana) hydrosol - witch hazel distillate is the most common hydrosol and has been sold in the US for over 150 years. However, what is available commercially usually has alcohol added to it for preservation, so read the label carefully before buying (I've seen some witch hazel hydrosol-based toner without alcohol in my local Whole Foods, so you could try there). It has antifungal, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties and because it has little odor, is also readily used by men. It's wonderful for both teenage skin as well as mature skin since it's packed with antioxidants. Heals blistered or cracked skin, which makes it a wonderful treatment for soothing eczema and psoriasis.

I think my next choice of facial toner will definitely be a hydrosol, but I'm torn between witch hazel and rose... I guess I'll just get both and mix them; that's another fabulous thing about hydrosols, you can mix them together liberally to create your own blend tailored specifically to your skin's needs and taste. Have you ever tried hydrosols or hydrosol-based toners? xxx

Subtle Smokey FOTD

It's been a while since I last posted a Face of the Day, so here's the look I've rocked to an evening out with some friends and strawberry mojitos. I've also figured this way you'll be able to see the condition of my skin now after having used my Bioelements routine for over 2 weeks.

I didn't want to go overboard as it was a rather casual get together, so I opted for a subtle cool-toned smokey eye to go with blue patterns on my top. You know how I love my navy eyeliner!


The photos, as always, are a bit bleached out and somehow I seem to have a sunburnt, which, I assure you, is not the case.


I used some of my current favorite products as well - let me know if you'd like me to review any of the products listed below. I am also planning a post featuring my top Inglot eyeshadows with swatches, so look out for that!


Products used:
Face
100% Pure Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 with Fruit Pigments in Creme
Inglot green color corrector on blemishes
MAC Studio Finish concealer in NW20 under the eyes
CS mineral foundation in Light to set

Cheeks
Benefit Hoola bronzer
Benefit CORALista blusher

Eyes
Benefit F.Y.eye eyeshadow primer
Inglot taupy lilac pearl eyeshadow (similar to MAC Shale) all over the lid
MAC Satin Taupe eyeshadow in the crease
Inglot light pink pearl eyeshadow to highlight
L'Oreal HIP cream liner in Midnight Blue
Prestige Total Intensity eyeliner in Navy on the upper waterline
Covergirl Lash Blast Length mascara
Wet'n'Wild eyebrow pencil in Taupe

Lips
Maybelline Shine Seduction lipgloss in Pink Whisper

Hope you enjoyed this one and have a fabulous weekend! xxx

Bioelements skincare routine: Week 2

Just a quick heads up on the skincare front, as promised!


I am still thoroughly enjoying using my Bioelements skincare routine. I remember that in the not so distant past, following a strict regime had been a bit of a pain for me and I always had to force myself to go through the steps every morning and night; however, since I started using organic skincare, I actually can't wait to wash, tone and moisturize my face. I'm not sure what it is - the smell, the luxurious feeling, knowing that I'm doing something good for myself, my skin feeling fresh and soft to the touch; probably all of the above. I'm loving it!

It's not just placebo, ladies. I've noticed some improvement as well:
- my skin is well hydrated with no dry patches in sight
- the tone of my skin is more unified and healthy
- the number of breakouts has been significantly lower (and that's without using any products containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, which were previously indispensable!)
- residual blemishes and scars have been healing much faster
- overall skin comfort has noticeably increased

I've introduced some changes to the routine I followed during the first week: currently, I'm using the All Things Pure moisturizer only at night as I find it a bit too heavy for daytime use; I apply a tinted moisturizer with SPF in the morning instead. I use the scrub once a week and supplement with Angel Face Botanicals Facial Cleansing Grains as needed (once or twice a week). Sometimes I also switch the Bioelements Calmitude toner for Angel Face Botanicals Clary Blossom toner, because I feel the latter is more effective in getting rid of the last traces of oil and dirt. I've also started to enjoy using the Bioelements Restorative Clay mask more and more; it no longer irritates my skin, just feels a bit tingly upon application, and leaves my face feeling clean, soft and smoother in texture.

All in all, two thumbs up for the new routine! I still have issues with oiliness, large and clogged pores, blackheads and redness, but knowing how awfully inflamed and congested my skin can be, I'm a happy camper. I can't wait to see further changes to my skin in the following weeks. Stay tuned for an update in another 2 weeks time! xxx

Review: Covergirl Lash Blast Length Mascara

From the moment I heard about its release, I knew I had to try Lash Blast Length. I absolutely loved the regular Lash Blast, which is now christened Volume, and have always liked lengthening mascaras. I even imagined we could be dealing with Holy Grail material here, so I rushed to the drugstore as soon as I could to check it out.


Pros:
- fun, bright packaging: the yellow telescope-shaped tube is so easy to spot when getting ready in a rush
- a black black without any ashiness or grey lurking underneath
- clump-free formula, not too thick, not too runny
- fast to apply if you're going for natural, feathery looking lashes
- no fading or flaking throughout the day
- no smudging or transfer, even on my oily lids
- extremely separating & defining brush
- easy to remove with an oil-based cleanser


Cons:
- a very subtle lengthening effect: no fireworks here
- absolutely no volumizing action
- doesn't seem to hold the curl too well
- a bit stiff & scratchy brush
- very difficult to layer (in the photos, I'm wearing 2 generous layers)

Would I repurchase? I'm sure a year or two ago I'd have been completely thrilled to discover this mascara since I was all about natural, defined eyes then and I cringed at the sight of the smallest clump in my lashes. But recently, I've grown to enjoy thicker, fuller, more dramatic but still well separated lashes, and for this purpose Lash Blast Length looks a bit... too natural. Almost like it's not even there. Why should I bother with an invisible mascara? Overall, it's a very good product, however I do prefer their Volume version, and as for lengthening mascaras, I enjoyed L'Oreal Telescopic more for its layering potential. So, I don't think I'll repurchase this one any time soon - the quest for HG mascara is still open.