Beauty Products - the best and the worst of 2014

Just few days left of 2014 and I wanted to round off my beauty buys this year and to share the best and the worst of them with you. 

My best beauty buys of 2014 are:

1. Cosmetics: ESSIE nail polish. This is the first nail polish to last on my nails for 5 days, it deserves its place of fame. My favourite is ESSIE 27 Eternal Optimist, perfect for a daily gloss.

2. Skin care: MONU Skincare Soothing Hawaii Facial Oil. I used this oil for cleansing my skin in the evening. I love the natural ingredient list and it made my skin very happy indeed. Look out for a review in my next empty bottles post.

3. Hair care: Natural Hair Oil Mix from my DIY beauty. This was a great discovery using few oils and essential oils I like. This oil mix made my hair stronger and more healthier and what makes me more happy I did it myself.

My worst beauty buys of 2014 are:

1. Cosmetics: Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer. Consistency is very drying, so this concealer is actually highlighting all the imperfections and making my fine lines more visible. I am very disappointed. I can give this concealer only 1 star out of 5, just because it might be a wrong shade.

2. Skin care: none

3. Hair care: none

It's been a good year! I tried really very hard, but can't think of any skincare or haircare products I didn't like so much, so I couldn't use them. I can name more cosmetics through, it seems they tend to disappoint me more.



What is your best and the worst beauty product of the year?
Marija


Read more:

- My new year resolution
- What did I learn about beauty as a beauty blogger in 2014

My Beauty Blogging: what did I learn in 2014

2014 is about to end and I wanted to share what it has been for me as a beauty blogger and what did I learnt about the beauty so far.

Marija's World is a learning experience for me, my hobby and my beauty organiser. It has been four months since I started this blog, but I can see how much I have learnt and how much I have changed in a good, positive way. I believe any hobby is good for wellbeing and personal inspiration and that is what Marija's World is for me.

I enjoy researching facts about beauty, checking various beauty products I wouldn't notice before and I do enjoy writing and sharing my thoughts with you.

My beauty blogging: what did I learn in 2014

1. Evening skin care routine is more important than morning skin care routine. Before I started this blog, I had good morning skin care routine and it was my only focus. I could go to bed without night cream, just wash my face and that would be it. I learnt this year that while we are sleeping our skin regenerates. So, what ever we put on our face before we go to bed, actually will be used and will bring the best benefit for the day ahead. Now I try to focus more on what I use in my evening skincare routine.

2. Sun protection is must not only in summer time. I wasn't good with sun protection before and I am still working on it, trying to find my best way to keep my skin protected from UV. You can read about skin protection in one of my previous posts here.

3. Use beauty products till end. I used to start and hardly used to finish my beauty products before for various reasons. Now I try to give a beauty product chance to work it magic and I know this require time. You can't make a decision that this product doesn't work or does nothing good to you, until you use it for at least two weeks. Of course, if a beauty product causes irritation or any other adverse effect on you, do stop using it that instant. 

4. Beauty comes within! Balance diet is another important point if you want to be healthy and stay beautiful. I used to like to make yummy face packs and treat my skin to nice beauty products, but I took less care in what I actually ate. Now I try to focus on what I eat and keep my skin and hair routine basic and simple.

5. To try various beauty products without breaking the bank - Glossybox. This beauty box gave me opportunity to discover various beauty products for the affordable monthly fee. Click here if you want to try it too. 

What did you learn about beauty in 2015 and want to take with you in 2015?
Marija

Bourjois Cosmetics - Review and Swatches

As you know from my November beauty haul I bought some cosmetics from Bourjois Paris. I would like to review them today for you and share the swatches. I had a good bargain: I bought only two Bourjois cosmetics and got four extra as a gift. I like festive offers!

1. Healthy Balance Unifying Powder in shade 52. It is a lovely and soft to touch powder, but bit dusty when you use a brush. This powder gives a light coverage if you are using a powder brush and can give you light to medium coverage with a bronzer type brush.

2. Healthy Mix Concealer in shade 51. My biggest disappointment with cosmetics so far. Maybe it is wrong shade, it is bit yellowy on the skin, but I don't like the texture too. It feels dry on the skin and seems like it is highlighting all the things you want it to hide. I tried to use it for two weeks and just gave up. Feel sorry for myself for buying it. 

My free gift:

1. Volume Glamour Max Holidays Mascara in Black. I love Bourjois mascaras and this didn't disappoint me. This mascara has a big brush, it took me some time to get around it, but I like the results. This mascara makes my lashes dark and gives a lovely volume.

2. Smoky Eyes Trio Eyeshadow in Gris Dandy. It is perfect for the night out make-up or the evening party look. I tried to use them during the day, but they seems bit intense for me and I think it is better to use matte eye shadows for the day make-up. This trio traveled into my going out make-up bag and I am looking forward to play with them.

3. So Laque Ultra Shine Nail Enamel in Beige Glamour. I am in love with this shade. It is bit darker on the nails when in the tube, but for the full benefit of it. Lovely edition to my nail polish collection. Only minus of this nail enamel is - it doesn't last long. I had some major chips after two days.

4. Rouge Edition Lipstick in Beige Trench. I like the colour, but lipstick itself is not good. It doesn't blend well with the skin of my lips. It is just all wrong and only I will be able to use it with a heavy lip balm conditioning.

Swatches:

Have you taken advantage of any free gifts this festive season?

Marija

Glossybox - December 2014

If you follow me on Facebook you know that my December Glossybox arrived yesterday. My first impression as I opened it was - Christmas came early - it is a lovely looking box for my collection and a heavy one.

So far I haven't been disappointed with any of my Glossyboxes and this month was not an exception. I found 4 full size beauty treats inside. So here what was in my Glossybox this December.

1. TRESemme Renewal Hair and Scalp tonic. Helps nourish the scalp and renew the hair, leaving it beautiful from start to finish. With tea tree extract and sunflower seed oil, the salon quality formulas help by nourishing the scalp at the surface cellular level. The result is soft, manageable hair and a healthy feeling scalp. 

I am very excited to give it a go. As you know recently I had a problem with my hair, now they feel and look much better and don't fall out as much as before. This mean I am in a right direction with my hair care and this tonic will be a lovely addition. It is a no rinse  product and will be next to use after I finish my TRESemme hair oil, check my hair care routine for details.

I received a full size product 150ml and it costs £5.50.

2. Bellapierre Ceek and Lip Stain. A lovely tin with a coral shade and no fragrance, will suit me very nicely. I will keep it safely until I run out of my lip glosses, will post a review on it late so keep in touch with my blog. A Perfect handbag item.

I received a full size product 5g and it costs £12.99.

Brand states that unlike traditional stains that are hard to apply, this oil-free Cheek and Lip Stain will finish off any look with great ease and is super blend-able. I am looking forward to use it.

3. Essence Nail Polish. Another beauty treat I am looking forward to use and as soon as I will have time to do my nails, so watch out for a review. 

This nail polish has a gel-shine finish with a highly intensive shine and an extremely short drying time for perfectly polished nails in a flash. That is what I was looking for, as I said my Christmas came early. 

I received a full size product 8ml in shade 113 Do you speak love? and it costs €2.99.

4. Anatomicals Zap Zap Zap Gets That Chap Spot Stick. A very interesting beauty product for me. Day and Night Spot Stick for Zits and Dots. I don't have them that often, but will give a try when a pimple will appear on my skin. This little double ended products has a day time formula and an evening formula to work on the spots all day long. The key ingredients are tea tree oil and witch hazel. I will try to review it for you as soon as I try it in action.

I received a full size product 7ml and it costs £3.79.

5. SkinPep Hydra Boost - Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum. The last, but not the least! This Hydra Boost contains the clinically proven cell communicating ingredient, Hyaluronic acid, in a perfume free, alcohol free, hypo allergenic formulation that will promote a healthy new skin glow. Due to my age, I will only use it once a week as a serum on my clean face for over night rejuvenation. If you have more ageing skin when mine, you can use it morning and night for best result.

I received a sample sized product 15ml ( personally, I think this is perfect size for a serum, because you need so little of it to use), full size of 70ml costs £24.99.

Brilliant box for the festive season and as you know my new challenge still continue, but after my Glossybox I feel like I don't need to buy anything just yet. 

What is your favourite product from December Glossybox?

Marija

Brightening Face Mask - DIY Beauty

Festive season is upon us and we all want to look our best. I wanted to share with you a face mask recipe which will help you to brighten your skin naturally.

This mask contains vitamin C and it is a potent antioxidant, which helps fight cellular damage and improve the skin's elasticity. It is wonderful for preventing wrinkles and is known to brighten the complexion. Lemon juice has a high amount of vitamin C and Alpha Hydroxy Acids. Read more here about anti-ageing skin care ingredients.

I am using as well Turmeric powder in this recipe, it is a non-drying disinfectant and a good skin clarifying agent. Olive oil is a gentle and natural moisturiser. Read more here about olive oil properties. 

Brightening face mask.

To make face mask you will need:

- 1.5 tsp Gram flour;

- 0.5 tsp Turmeric powder;

- 1 tsp Olive oil;

- 1.5 tsp Whole milk;

- 0.5 tsp Lemon/Lime juice

You will need as well: a clean bowl for mixing, spoon and at least 20 minutes of free time.

Mix all dry ingredients together in a small bowl and add the rest. 

Apply to a clean face, neck and chest. Leave on until skin begins to feel tight, approximately 15 minutes. 

Rinse your face with warm water and enjoy lovely and soft skin.

What is your best beauty treat this festive season?

Marija

My New Year Resolutions and Beauty Wish List

I always get excited when old year is about to end and a new year just about to start. I like to make plans for months and days ahead. I try not to set any unrealistic resolutions, because they are waste of time and will lead to the disappointment in the end.

So here what I would like to achieve in 2015 as a beauty blogger:

1. I would like to take this blog to a new level. I have an idea already and currently I am working on it. I will share it with you as soon, as I will have something to show. I would like this blog be a useful source of information and inspiration for anyone who visits it.

2. It is hard as a beauty blogger to stick with a beauty products I like and don't be tempted with the rest. But I want to try to refine my beauty shopping and be more confident with the shopping list in 2015. I hate get disappointed with the beauty products I buy, but I know it is almost impossible to avoid the disappointment at all.

3. I want to improve my DIY beauty technique and create a body cream not just on the oil base.

4. I will try to find time to keep you posted with all the beauty news I come across and share my views on products I use.

5. I want to go through a makeover to discover something I have, but don't see.

My beauty wish list:

There are things I always wanted to try and I thought to write a beauty wish list, so I can follow with in 2015.

1. Redken, Extreme Anti-Snap/Distressed Hair Treatment. 

This is leave in conditioner my hair dresser used on my hair and left me impressed. I would like to have it next year.

2. Konjac sponge

This natural sponge deeply cleanses, removes blackheads and gently exfoliates the skin. It is made of vegetable fibres and it helps to stimulate blood flow and promotes skin cell renewal. I am curious to try this unique sponge, so it is on my list.

3. Natural Mineral Foundation. I haven't decided yet which brand to go with, but I always wanted to try one. I wonder if it is worth the hype. I have Neal's Yard, Lavera in mind and recently I heard about natural cosmetics Benecos. Will keep you posted on this.

4. Dr. Hauschka Eyeshadow Palette. 

Another natural beauty product I would like to try. I like these basic shades for a daily make-up.


5. Eminence Skin Care.

I came across this brand when I was searching for my first serum to buy. Here is a photo of the serum I wanted to try, but didn't buy because of the price. I wish to get it next year and to try other skin care products from Eminence.

So here are my 5+5 for 2015, what are yours?

Marija

Recent Reads - Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

December is a lovely month: full of life and festive cheer and my recent read is just like it. Let I introduce you to Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, by Winifred Watson.

Miss Pettigrew is a down-on-her-luck, middle-aged governess sent by her employment agency to work for a nightclub singer rather than a household of unruly children. Over a period of 24 hours her life is changed - forever.

This is a delightful, funny, lighthearted novel I really enjoyed reading. Here are some phrases worth mentioning and sharing.


"Never say die", said Miss Dubarry. "You'll get your kick out of life yet."


"No make-up," said Miss Dubarry shocked. "Why? It's indecent, walking around naked."


"I've never had any time," apologized Miss Pettigrew.
"Nonsence. You've had time to wash, haven't you? You've time to get a bath. You've time to cut your nails. A woman's first duty is to her face. I'm surprised at you."
"Ah well!" sighed Miss Pettigrew hopelessly. "I'm long past the age now..."
"No woman," said Miss Dubarry grimly, "is ever past the age. The more years that pass the more reason for care. You should be old enough to know better."

Inserts from Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, by Winifred Watson

This book inspires to take a chance and just go with it. Not many of us have a courage to do that.

How would you live for a day and forever?

Marija

Natural Baby Oil - DIY Beauty

I just made another bottle of the baby oil for my son and thought that this simple recipe might be useful to you too. Some baby oils are made with the mineral oil, which tends to block pores and can lead to skin irritation. We all know that baby's skin is very soft and sensitive and require a gentle approach.

Natural Baby Oil

To make one of your own you will need:

- 100ml of Olive oil;

- 15 drops of Lavender essential oil;

- 15 drops of Blended Rose essential oil (if you are using pure Rose essential oil, just drop 5-7 drops).

You will need as well one empty and clean bottle with a lid to store the oil. 

Pour olive oil in the bottle, add bit by bit essential oils to see if you are happy with the fragrance (it shouldn't be overpowering, just gentle scent). Feel free to adjust the amount of Lavender or Rose essential oils, but don't use more than 30 drops in total to avoid skin irritation.

Read here about olive oil benefits and here about benefits of essential oils I used in this recipe.


Have a baby soft skin always!
Marija

My Natural Facial at Home - DIY Beauty

I love when I get a bit of "me time" and can treat myself to a facial at home. This doesn't happen as often as before, but I try to do a face mask once a week and exfoliate my skin at least once in two weeks.

Here what I have been up to in my last home facial. I am using here natural beauty products and a home made face mask. I will share the recipe for this mask in my next post.

To start with I usually remove make-up if I have any and cleanse my face. Today I used balance me cleanse and smooth face balm, I got it as you probably know in my October Birchbox. It is a lovely cleanser based on oil with some exfoliating oats in it. I massaged it gently to my skin for few minutes. Check my previous post on how to do a simple facial massage at home.

I used hot water and a face cloth to warm up my skin and remove the cleanser. I applied the brightening face mask on my face, neck and chest, and left it for about 15 minutes. It felt nice and cool on the skin. I love this mask, it always leaves my skin soft and rejuvenated.

After I washed mask of with the warm water and patted my skin dry, I applied YESto blueberries repair serum and eye treatment and Nivea night cream.

As you see, it is a very simple facial at home, but brings so much pleasure and benefits to the skin.

Stay gorgeous!

Marija

Read more:

-  Carrot face mask

Essence Nail Polish - Review and Swatch

Today I wanted to review my new nail polish I received in the December Glossybox - Essence. It came in a beautiful shade called "Do you speak love?", 113 - colour and go nail polish.

I couldn't wait to try it out, such a gorgeous festive colour. It looks lighter with a flash, but in normal light it is much darker shade as I like it more.

I applied ESSIE all in one as base and top coat, two coats of Essence nail polish and one last coat of Sally Hansen Anti Chip top coat to dry my nails faster. 


Here is the ingredient list for you to have a look:

BUTYL ACETATE, ETHYL ACETATE, NITROCELLULOSE, PHTHALIC ANHYDRIDE/TRIMELLITIC ANHYDRIDE/GLYCOLS COPOLYMER, ACETYL TRIBUTYL CITRATE, ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL, STEARALKONIUM HECTORITE, ACRYLATES COPOLYMER, ADIPIC ACID/FUMARIC ACID/PHTHALIC ACID/TRICYCLODECANE DIMETHANOL COPOLYMER, CITRIC ACID, PHOSPHORIC ACID, CI 15850 (RED 7 LAKE), CI 15880 (RED 34 LAKE), CI 77891 (TITANIUM DIOXIDE).

I think my favourite feature of the Essence nail polish is their brush - it is wide and flat, so I made a very nice and controlled manicure even with a brighter shades like this one. Nail polish lasted me only two days, but if to think about the price, I didn't expect anything else. I think lighter shades might last longer. 

I will give Essence, Do you speak love? 4 stars out of 5. The company doesn't promise a long lasting finish, they do promise a highly intensive shine and this nail polish deliver it very nicely. If you are looking for an affordable nail polish with a glossy finish, this will tick your box.


Have you tried any of Essence nail polish yet?
Marija


Read more reviews here.

10 Simple Steps for Face Massage at Home - DIY Beauty

Following my previous post here are 10 simple techniques for a facial massage at home. It is great when you need to relax your face after busy day, when you do oil cleansing method or even when you are applying a face cream or any other beauty treatments.

10 simple steps for DIY face massage

First make sure your skin is clean and your hair tied back. You will need approximately 10 to 15 minutes for the massage, so try to find a peaceful time. I like to do this massage while I am using the oil to cleanse my face in the evening. But these simple massage techniques can be applied any time you in need of relaxation and bit of pampering. 

Just follow the steps, after few weeks you will know them by heart.

1. Place a small amount of oil or a massage cream to the palms of your hands and warm by rubbing your hands together. Apply this to the face, covering the forehead, cheeks, chin, neck and upper chest. Gently work in.

2. Taking your left hand to the opposite side of your neck, massage in large upwards circles. More pressure when you are moving your hand upwards and just a gentle touch on your way down. Take to the large muscles at the side of the neck, right up to behind the ear. Repeat with your right hand on the opposite side.

3. Now lift your chin, so the skin on your neck is taught. Using both hands next to each other, push fingers upwards until you get to the chin.

4. Continue both hands up over the chin and outwards across the lower cheeks, glide off at the ears. Using alternate hands on one cheek, glide upwards from jaw to temples five times. Repeat on the other cheek.

5. Place all fingers on the jaw starting at the chin with your thumb under the jaw, make gliding pressures all the way out to the years, repeat 5 times then repeat across the cheeks. Using the middle and ring fingers, starting at the sides of the nose, just under the cheek bone, glide out to the temples following the line of the cheek bone.

6. Close your eyes, place all fingers just below your brow bone so your hands are covering your eyes, press up, firmly and hold, repeat. Glide your fingers across the brow and out to the temples. This is just a treat after a long day and/or if you have a head ache. 

7. Place your middle and ring finger by the side of the nose and gently glide out under the eye in an outwards movement. Circle at the temples.

8. Using all fingers place on the forehead and massage in a circular upward and outward movements across the forehead.

9. Place fingers close together in the middle of the forehead so your hands are facing each other, using a firm pressure glide out to the hair line.

10. Using flat finger together, glide down and out across the forehead, cheeks, jaw, neck and upper chest, smoothing down.

I like to finish my massage with gentle tapping all over face, neck and upper chest and a smile.

How often do you do facial massage?

Marija

Oil Cleansing Method

Recently I have rediscovered oil cleansing method and I think it is great for any time of the year, but especially for the cold time. 

I know that some ladies and gents are terrified of applying oil to their skin, because they spend time and money trying to reduce or eliminate oil from the skin. I will tell you one thing I learnt as a beauty blogger, is that oil dissolves oil. Our skin naturally lubricates itself with oil, so don't be afraid of applying oil to your face. Oil alone can't bring you blemishes, pimples and blackheads, these are a result of several different factors including hormones, bacteria, dead skin cells and the build-up of these factors. 

As I said our skin naturally produces oil because it needs it. This oil lubricates, heals, protects and moisturise the skin. Properly functioning skin is beautiful, clear and glowing. Learning to work with your skin, not against it, will be the most rewording thing ever.

How to do oil cleansing method?

The basic concept of skin care and cleansing method is that the oil used to massage your skin will dissolve the oil that has hardened with impurities and found itself stuck in your pores. The steam will open your pores, allowing the oil to be easily removed. Personally I don't steam my face every day, because my facial blood vessels don't like heat that much. I just run hot water and use a wet face cloth to remove any excess of oil after the cleansing.

I usually do oil cleansing in the evening, prior to bed. I don't do deep cleansing in the morning, just wash my face every other day with a gentle natural face wash. Check my skin care routine for details. I don't want to over cleanse my skin as this will serve only to irritate and cause more oil production. 

I use MONU Skincare Soothing Hawaii Facial oil (November Glossybox) six days a week and when once a week Balance me Cleanse and Smooth Face Balm (October Birchbox), it contains exfoliating oatmeal powder and good as a scrub.

Oil is great as a make-up remover, even a waterproof one. I tried, but my eyes are to sensitive and get red after contact with the oil. I still prefer to use my make-up remover instead, but if your under eye skin likes oil feel free to replace your make-up remover with it.

It is worth saying, listen to your skin what ever you do! Oil cleansing method you can do everyday, but deep cleansing with a steam only once in a while. It is for the best not to over cleanse the skin. You will know if you are deep cleansing too frequently by the dryness that your skin will exhibit. Don't be alarmed if you find you are unblocked an oil flow for the first few days. Once you remove the plugs from your pores, they will begin functioning properly again.

Sorry, but perfect skin won't happen overnight and while it should take a few massages to achieve your goal, you should notice a huge difference in your skin after the first deep cleansing massage. I will make a separate post with a simple massage technique for you late in the month.


What is your favourite cleansing method?
Marija