New Urban Decay products

Today I've got some new Urban Decay products to show you. First up are the Glide-On Cheek Tints. ($24 USD)

Top Row left to right: Score, Fetish, Quickie

Bottom row left to right: Bang, Crush

Left to right swatched on arm: Quickie, Fetish, Crush, Bang, Score

These cheek tints are a bit different from other cream blushes I have tried because they feel a lot more slippery and light in texture, almost a gel consistency. Maybe that's why they are called tints instead of cream blush? I will have to experiment a bit more with these but I think the colors are really adorable. Although some of them look very bright in the pan, they can be blended out quite easily on the cheek for a more subtle look.

Next up are the 24/7 Waterproof Liquid Eyeliners ($18 USD)

Top to bottom: Eldorado, Siren, Retrograde, Woodstock, Radium, Demolition, Smog, Perversion, Bobby Dazzle, Revolver

Right to left: Eldorado, Siren, Retrograde, Woodstock, Radium, Demolition, Smog, Perversion, Bobby Dazzle, Revolver

As you can see from the picture above, they are indeed waterproof and smudge proof. The only way to remove these is with an oil-based eye makeup remover. Almost all of them except for Demolition and Perversion have a shimmery finish. The applicator is a brush wand and the hair is quite fine. 

In a previous post I reviewed the Illamasqua Precision Ink liners, and I do have to say I prefer them over the Urban Decay, especially the gold one Alchemy. It has a much finer golden sparkle, whereas the Urban Decay Eldorado falls a bit flat in comparison and is very yellow looking. Urban Decay does offer more colors than the Illamasqua Precision Inks, so that is an advantage, and the product does live up to its expectations of being waterproof.

Lastly there's also the Urban Decay Supercurl Curling mascara ($20 USD)

I don't normally like curved brush heads because they don't suit all eye shapes, but the rubber brush head looks quite promising. I honestly haven't tried this mascara out yet but I'm quite looking forward to giving it a go!

Have you tried any of these Urban Decay products? If not, what is your favorite product from this brand?

Clothes, Shoes and Purses Purge

Today I was going through my closet trying ot pick out outfits for Berlin this weekend, and I just had a moment of insanity! I was so frustrated that probably half or more of my closet was filled with clothes I never wear anymore because it's just not my style anymore, or they are just way too big on me now and just look rather unflattering.

So I had a bit of a purge...this is one of the piles of stuff I weeded out.

I don't know why it's so hard for us to get rid of old things. We always have this thought in the back of our head, "Oh I can't get rid of that, I might wear it someday!" Ladies - NO! If that shirt has been collecting dust in the back of your closet for over a year without being worn once, chances are you'll probably never wear it again so just part ways and be done with it. There's loads of charities you can donate your things to. I discovered some things I dragged around with me that I bought when I still lived in Montreal!

I filled up 3 bags of clothes, shoes and purses for charity. Some things were a bit hard for me to part with because they are clothes I purchased quite recently and are still in trend, but because of my weight loss, I now look like I'm swimming in them!

Goodbye stuff! I can't say I will miss you, but I hope someone else out there will find joy in something in there.

Now my closet is rather empty looking, and it's now at a point where I actually need to buy clothes, rather than just buy it for kicks. All my clothes from last fall/winter don't fit me anymore since I started my weight loss after that time, so I pretty much need to buy a new fall wardrobe. How exciting!

I also rediscovered a rather expensive camel colored winter coat I bought at Benetton a few years back, and last winter I couldn't wear it anymore because my arms looked like sausages in the sleeves and I could barely button the front. Now it fits again - even feels a bit loose! I'm so excited to wear that coat again this winter.

Well that's about it for me, have a great weekend everybody and I hope to see some of you at the meet-up in Berlin.

Alexandra Stan - Mr. Saxobeat Music Video look

If you haven't heard Alexandra Stan's song "Mr. Saxobeat" yet, then you probably don't live in Europe. This song has been playing like crazy on the radio here! It's very pop-y and catchy, you can watch the original music video here: link

I loved Alexandra's bold blue look in the video! It's very eye-catching and edgy.

Here is my take on this gorgeous look. Please excuse the huge watermarking, my images get stolen so frequently and used in other people's portfolios! Can you tell I bought some new lighting? What do you think of it for image quality?

Here's my tutorial for this look, and yes, the intro is quite "out there". I felt a bit funny filming it, but in the end I had a blast turning up the song really loud and dancing around a bit - I just wanted to try something different for this!

Face
Lancome Teint Idole foundation, Ben Nye Natural Blush, MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Shimpagne,

Eyes
MAC Sea Me Shadestick, Cover Girl loose powder, Kryolan Night Blue L1125, Ben Nye Cosmic Blue, Sugarpill Bulletproof, Sleek Oh So Special palette (light cream color), NYX White, Sephora Keep Blue eyeliner, Lancome Artliner in black, random false eyelashes from ebay, Max Factor False Lash Effect mascara

Lips
MAC 15 Minutes lipstick, Margaret Astor Baby Pink lipgloss

Nailpolish
Kiko Milano Nr. 336

Watch the video directly on Youtube here

5 pounds of Makeup

Have you ever wondered what 5 pounds of makeup (about 2kg) looks like? Wonder no more!

About a few months ago I finally came to the point where I realized I needed to go through my collection and do a massive purge. I've been procrastinating until today where I finally got sick of seeing all this stuff just sitting around not being used, so I've thrown away a bunch of lipgloss and lipstick, and this is what still can be used.

I haven't completed my purge, I still have several drawers to go through and one whole cabinet of random stuff. I feel like I'm drowning in makeup, and hoarding all this stuff is taking the fun out of it for me. I'd rather have a smaller collection of products I actually use and enjoy, than have fives tubes of old lipstick stashed somewhere of the same hideous color family that I no longer wear.

If you're wondering where this is going, I don't think I'll be doing a blog sale quite yet. Most of this stuff is not high end, and with shipping costs being what they are in Switzerland, it would make no economic sense to sell them. Some of the things were sent by PR companies, which I obviously wouldn't sell for monetary gain, but the majority is my own.

I might do a blog sale if I have a bunch of high end makeup I want to be rid of, but for now I'm handing out this stuff to friends and family members for free. I'd be happy if someone else got enjoyment out of it.

Have you ever done a massive purge of your collection? How did you feel after?

Update: Thanks to some of your suggestions, I'm currently trying to find out from a local women's shelter if they will accept my makeup as a form of donation to the women they are hosting. I sent an email to see if they would like it, that would be an awesome thing to do and would make me feel not bad at all for getting rid of all this stuff!

My Favorite Skincare Products

I thought I would do a video talking about my favorite skincare products. These are all things I have been using for a long time and can definitely recommend. For reference, my skin is normal in the summer, and dry and sensitive in the winter.

Products in order:

Maybelline Waterproof makeup remover
Bebe Young Care 3 in 1 Renigungsmousse
cosmetic wipes of various brands
La Roche Posay Hydreane Legere
La Roche Posay Toleriane Riche (perfume free)
Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate
Kiehl's Centella Recover Skin Salve
Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado
Eucerin Sun Fluid SPF 30
Bepanthol lip balm
Blistex original

Watch the video directly on Youtube here

Floral Mask "Midsummer Night Fairy"

I had a moment of creative abandon and came up with this flower mask on the fly. It reminded me of fairies or something similar. I hope you like it!

Products in order of appearance:

Maybelline Kohl Pencil in white
Mehron Paradise Palettes in Tropical and Pastel (water face paints)
NYX White e/s
Ben Nye Grande Lumier Palette
MAC Prussian Blue e/s
Ben Nye black cake eyeliner
rhinestones
Duo lash glue
Illamasqua Intense Lipgloss in Absorb

Nailpolish:
Orly Gumdrop

Please if you have a moment to spare, cast your vote for me in the New York contest! It takes just a click for you but means the world to me. How you can help:


Click here

On that profile page, click the big "Yes" thumbs up botton to the left of my entry video. If it's your first time voting, you'll have to confirm the app by clicking "Zulassen" on the pop-up box. That's it, then you can vote once a day.

The contest ends August 31 and I could really use all your support until then to stay on top! Leave a comment on that contest page to be entered into a special makeup giveaway if I win. Thanks so much.

Pretty Little Liars: Aria

I've been hooked on the TV show Pretty Little Liars (yes I know it's for teens, so what) and I've noticed the makeup of the four girls is always super pretty. They all have a similar makeup style but altered slightly to match their character and skintones.

Aria is my favorite and I probably look the most like her from all the girls (dark hair, light skin) so I thought I'd recreate her makeup here for you. I took many screenshots from the TV show to see her signature look: pink glossy lips, pink cheeks, black eyeliner and a soft brown eye.

Face

Nars Sheer Glow foundation in Mont Blanc, La Femme Pink Velvet blush,

Eyes

Urban Decay Primer Potion, NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk, MAC Dazzlelight, Ben Nye Terracotta, Ben Nye Cork, Ben Nye Toast, Sugarpill Bulletproof, MAC Feline Kohl pencil, dark brown eyeshadow (don't know what brand), L'Oreal Super Liner Carbon Black, L'Oreal Volume Million Lash mascara

Lips

Models Own Lip & Cheek tint, Margaret Astor lipgloss (doesn't have name)

Nailpolish

Essie Topless and Barefoot

Watch the tutorial on Youtube

Please if you have a moment of time, read to this blog post on how to cast your vote for me to fly to New York! I really appreciate it and could use all the support I can get. I'm currently in 1st place in the contest but the competition is gaining, so a lot can happen. You can vote every day until August 31 and I'd be eternally grateful if you chose to do so. I'd really love to have a New York meet-up and have a giveaway for my supporters if I win. Thanks!!

How I use Hot Rollers

In a recent blog post I showed some pictures of an updo I wore to a wedding. A lot of you asked how I achieved those curls, so I decided to do a hot roller tutorial. These curls are actually pretty easy to achieve, and are a great starting point for updos, or just to wear open and loose.

The curlers I use are from BaByliss but I don't know the exact model number. They have 20 ceramic, velvet coated rollers in various sizes from big to small, and also contain a set of butterfly clips and metal pins. I bought them from a local Swiss online shop, so look around where you live for a similar product. This model would only work within Europe anyways because of the plug and the different voltage we have here so it's best to look locally.

Watch the video directly on Youtube

What's in my Fridge

Want to take a sneak peek into my fridge and see what kinds of foods I've got in there now? The point of this is to give you an insight into what kinds of food I buy, and how you can eat healthily buying wholesome, simple food at any grocery store.

Make sure to subscribe to my second Youtube channel TheThirdShift for more videos about food, cooking tutorials and much more!

My Fitness Diary (5)

I'm back from vacation and I've pretty much gained back those few kgs that took me about 2.5 weeks of hard work to get rid of. I knew I was going to gain weight in that week since I didn't exercise at all as we were staying at a friend's house and the environment was just not condusive to doing plyo, and I ate a bunch of unhealthy food.

Exhibit one, several servings of the famous Berlin Currywurst:

Exhibit two, several servings of Germknödel (yeast dough dumplings with sweet filling):

Way too many serving of cocktails:

A trip to the legendary Burgermeister in Berlin:

 A rather delicious Shawarma in Kreuzberg:

Combined with going out to dinner many times (Spanish, Greek, Vietnamese, Arab) and sugary breakfasts, the damage is done. I don't totally regret it, it was my vacation after all and food plays a huge part of my vacations since I want to try all the local specialties.

But now I wonder if it was really all worth it since I know how much work I have to put in to get back to where I was before. The weather was absolutely atrocious when we were there so I didn't even get to wear my cute mini skirt that I bought especially for clubbing, or some of my cute summer outfits I worked so hard to fit into again! Haha, oh well...

Back at home now and I'm seriously craving healthy food again in moderate portion sizes. I immediately felt how after gorging on way too much food that my body doesn't really need, I felt so sluggish and I noticed I had to go to the bathroom way more. I guess it's a fast way to see that your body is trying to get rid of the excess crap - literally. Blech.

I'm going to do a hardcore session of Plyometrics now and get back on healthy, lean food and plenty of vegetables. I feel like I've been drowning in sugar the past week, be it in the form of cocktails, condiments, sugary sauces, white bread and sweets.

Dianna Agron Red Carpet Look

I loved these pics of Dianna Agron from earlier this year at the Screen Actors Guild Awards - her look was very feminine and sultry. She had alluring brown smokey eyes with her waterline lined, peach blush on her cheeks, and pretty pink lips. I decided to try my hand at recreating this look:

Eyes
Too Faced Shadow Insurance, Urban Decay Naked Palette (Half Baked and Smog), Ben Nye Toast, Lancome kohl pencil in Brun, L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes mascara

Cheeks
La Femme Glow on Blush in Nectar Peach

Lips
Rimmel lipstick in Super Sexy, Lancome Juicy Tube in Rose Nectar

Nails
China Glaze - Swing Baby

Watch the video tutorial on Youtube