FREE Chanel Mascara:)

It's GLAMOUR magazine 5th Birthday in The Netherlands and they celebrated this with a BIG Birthday issue. I couldn't resist picking it up because of the FREE Chanel Mascara it came with! C'mon we all love free goodies right? :)

The BIG Birthday Glamour Issue with a cute little Chanel Notebook

And TADA hidden inside the little notebook is the FREE Mascara! 

Ok when I opened it I was a teeny bit disappointed with the size of the product, because it is incredibly small, but hey free is free right and you can't look a gift horse in the mouth ;)

Chanel inimitable intense

What is promises: "This technologically advanced formula builds on the success of the original mascara, delivering dramatic effects with a unique brush. The result is a more intense lash look, with the same easy application. Lashes appear longer, thicker and more curled, yet each lash, even the finest, is still precisely separated – without clumping, spiking or flaking." (as per Chanel website)

I had never tried a Chanel Mascara before so was very keen to see if this lived up to its expectations. I was truly impressed with the brush applicator. It really separates your lashes while making them thicker & longer. There was no flaking and the mascara lasted the whole day. Great product but pretty pricey at £29/€34! What do you ladies think of Chanel mascara, worth the money? 

Bday Memories & a little blue box!

During the summer holidays (on 4 August to be exact) it was my birthday! What age you ask? Ok ok, I'll tell you, I turned 26 years old :) Sigh the years are just flying by. Anyways, I spend the day with my parents in Bologna, Italy. We had a lovely time exploring the old city sights, shopping and eating delicious Italian food! Because my birthday always fell right bang in the middle of the European Summer holidays whilst growing up, my parents never bought me a birthday present ahead of time. I always just found things I wanted (like those stupid gimmicky items street people sell....) and then my parents would buy them for me and say, ok this is for your birthday! So again while on holiday with them this year, they hadn't bought me a present (saves lugging it around with you while traveling) and they said, during the holiday we'll just find something you like! So then it came to my birthday and we hadn't found me a present! LOL think it's because I am now at the mature age (pfff) of no longer wanting silly touristy or gimmicky stuff and any shopping, like clothes, I just paid for out of my own pocket.

However, one of my (every year) birthday present wishes is something new from Tiffany & Co...to expand my lovely little collection. (For example last year I ended up buying myself a present from there, I mean a single girl can spoil herself on her birthday right?) There is an ever growing lust list in my head from Tiffany & Co and I had talked to my parents & we'd said that when we'd return from holiday we'd look for a present for me from my all time favourite shop (T&C). However, whilst browsing the shops in Bologna, what did we all of a sudden stumble across? YES a Tiffany & Co store! Sooo my mum and dad were the sweetest and bought me these earrings that I have wanted for years!! Thought I would show them to you, I love love them so much! ♥ Then again think I love everything that comes in a little blue box! ;)

Me proudly holding my precious little blue box in Bologna!

Me SMILING away with my gorgeous new earrings.

Again thanks Mum & Dad, you are the best :)

xoxo

Lanvin > H&M

News Flash!! The rumors are true; Lanvin is coming to H&M! 

Such exciting news.

The collection will be designed by Lanvin's artistic director Alber Elbaz. The collection of 30 pieces and 15 accessories for woman, and 25 pieces and 10 accessories for men will be out on November 20 (Canada & US) and November 23 (worldwide)

I can't wait, bet their pieces will be stunning ♥

A foundation snob, no more!

Ok I admit it, for the last few years I have been a foundation snob! A long long time ago I discovered MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation, fell in love and have never looked back since. I was so happy with the foundation that I never really tried anything else. The way I looked at it was; I had a wining formula and why change something that works right? I just couldn't get myself to buy a new foundation as an 'experiment' and then ending up with an expensive foundation I didn't like (and therefore didn't use & it being a waste of money) However during the last year while following many beauty blogs and reading so many reviews on other foundations, I was starting to get curious...

So, while I was packing for my 4 week camping trip through Europe with my parents I thought to myself, hmm, do I really want to use my (expensive) MAC foundation whilst on holiday? Maybe I should be adventurous and try a cheaper drugstore foundation instead....So I did! I went to local drugstore and bought 2x cheaper foundations that I had read a lot about and had been quite keen to try out. I got:

♥ Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation in Light Beige (#53)

♥ Revlon ColorStay Foundation in Sand Beige (180 - Normal/Dry Skin)

So how do they measure up?

♥ Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation

What it claims: "a perfectly glowing complexion and toned skin that lasts up to 16 hours". They mention special natural ingredients & "Fruit therapy". Apricot for radiance, melon for hydration, apple as antioxidant & ginger for energy"

My thoughts: The first thing I noticed about this foundation was the smell, quite nice & fruity! It applies easily and dries to a powdery soft matt finish.The coverage is medium to sheer. The healthy mix foundation lasts moderately well, but definitely doesn't live up to it's claims of 16hrs..

Pro's: Affordable (approx. €12 or £11), comes with a pump style bottle which makes it really easy to dispense the correct amount of product, gives medium to sheer coverage with nice semi matte finish & smells fruity.

Con's: Limited shade and colour collection (even though light beige does suit me but a little too "beige/yellowy" for my liking), not as long lasting as it promises, dries out after a few hours and needs re-application. The main con for me with this foundation is it's lack of SPF :(

♥ Revlon ColorStay Foundation (with SoftFlex & SPF15)

What it claims: "ColorStay makeup provides lightweight comfort, so you feel like you're not wearing make up, looks fresh for up to 16hrs, oil-free shine control, natural flawless look & transfer resistant"

My thoughts: I just love this foundation. The coverage of this liquid foundation is fantastic and leaves your skin feeling very smooth. Whilst providing heavy & full cover it never looks cakey and leaves you with a perfect flawless complexion! It also fully lives up to its claims...it lasts and lasts throughout the day! 

Pro's: Relatively cheap (€16 or £12) in comparison to some high end foundations, the foundation comes in many colours & has different formulations for your skin type including combination/oily & normal/dry skin, it has SPF 15 and provides amazing coverage and is long lasting.

Con's: No pump (but then again my MAC studio Fix doesn't have that either...), the smell is a little like paint on application but fortunately that fades pretty quickly once applied, the foundation dries incredibly quickly which does means you have to apply the foundation to the face in sections (or work super speedy to achieve the best flawless results).

So overall thoughts? Well I am happy to announce (like post title suggest) I am a Foundation Snob, NO MORE!! The Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation is OK but probably won't repurchase because I don't love love it. Revlon ColorStay on the other hand, I will definitely repurchase! I use this foundation almost just as much now as my MAC Studio Fix Fluid and think this will save me a bit of dosh. Because compared to paying €27 or £22 for a new bottle of my favourite MAC Foundation, I think the Revlon ColorStay foundation is almost a perfect dupe/replacement but at a much lower cost! This means a shared Holy Grail Status for MAC Studio Fix & Revlon ColorStay :)

Ps: Also I have to admit now that I have dabbled with experimenting with foundations I'm secretly quite keen to try out some other foundations....like NARS sheer glow perhaps?! Hehe