Carmen Bota

I am addicted to red lipsticks as you already know from one of my previous posts. However, this is my first MAC and I was really keen to try their products. I actually received this from my boyfriend as a gift. When I asked him why did he choose the red shade he told me he knows this is the shade I love. So there's the lipstick that's the most expensive from my collection. At first I wasn't very impressed and thought that it was a waste of money, but after a few days I really started to like it. It's a creamy lipstick, with a matte yet a natural shine (something in between) that doesn't dry out the lips and fades nicely. The color is a very vivid one, fully opaque and it glides on the lips evenly. I would say that the staying power is somewhere between 5-6 hours, maybe longer.This lipstick really makes me want to try more from MAC.

What do you think about this shade?

Finally I get the chance to say something about this fantastic product called the Dermablend Foundation!! Wow, I can hardly find the words to describe my enthusiasm for this product :) I will tel you why right away.

So, a few months it happened that a makeup product caused me some really bad breakouts and my L'Oreal True Match Foundation didn't seem to do the job too well so I started looking for a high coverage foundation that I could use until my face recovered from that madness. I found out that this foundation has one of the highest coverage power on the market and, being a fan of Vichy skincare products, it came easily to me to try this out. I went to the pharmacy and requested some samples to try it out and see if it fits my needs and if it was worth the money because it's not a cheap product. 

I used the samples for a few days and I fell in love with this foundation. Let me tell you guys, this can cover anything, from acne to dark circles, anything I'm telling you. When I wear this on my face, I don't have to wear concealer anymore because the coverage is very high and I simply don't need more. On the tube it says that can last up to 16 hours which is not the case with my face...it doesn't last more than 6-7 hours on my skin, but that's ok with me because I have combination skin and also use moisturizing face creams under it and I kinda expect that to happen. This doesn't mean that my face gets very oily, especially when I use my e.l.f High Definition Powder, so it just gets a little shinny.

The formula is very ligh but the amount of pigment really provides a great coverage. I was expecting to find a thick product but no, it's really watery like the L'Oreal True Match Foundation which is kinda impressive. It didn't break me out and I found that the color I tested&purchased fits me perfectly: I wear 25 Nude and love it. Here are the swatches, one in natural light and one with flash.

A very important thing when using a foundation of any kind is to properly prepare your skin for it. That means cleaning your face, exfoliating and using a hydrating product. Until a few months ago, I had a really bad skincare routine (now that I think about it, I couldn't call it a 'routine') and things dramatically changed after I realized it. Another important step is the tool you use to apply it. From my experience, the best one is a damp beauty blender, especially when we are talking about high coverage foundations that can tend to get cakey.

I have been using this product every day since I bought it, even though my face has cleared out. If I still use foundation anyway, I want to use something with a high coverage and this is my no 1 choice now. The effect on my skin is so dewy and natural, it doesn't feel or look like a mask at all! Definitely a great product and I am so happy I found it.

Have you tried it?

It was a few weeks ago (8th of November) when the beauty bloggers from my town gathered at the Farmec Beauty Center. Something very special happens when a bunch of beauty bloggers meet. I guess the thought that we are a community, that we are friends and we can help each other out when in need, is that makes these events feel like magic. You really can't feel different when you have that sense that you're in the right place, at the right moment and surrounded by the right people. It's all these that matter.

The event was organised by our lovely girls, Cleo, Laura and Anca who, by the way, did a great job. It was a great one and I am glad that I got the change to meet every single one of them. We got to share our experiences as bloggers and talk about the process of working with companies. A representative from Oriflame, Luiza Editoiu, Online Communication Manager, come to meet with us and talked about what companies expect when working with us, the beauty bloggers.  You can already imagine how many things we learned.

We had a very delicious break and tasted the most delicious raw sweets from Rawana. We also took photographs, had a nice chat and after that there was a surprise for each one of us.....We received diplomas! Yes, each and every one of us got a diploma for something that she's the best at. I personally am, ladies and gentleman, the best tipper and also very proud of this. 

The surprise series didn't stop there, as we received many bags with cosmetic goodies. Lots of them. I have already tried a few of them and will review some very soon.

 And this is what we received:

Have you tried this?

It takes courage to walk in and a heart to find the right direction. Why a NY street? Because you never know what you can come across. The past few weeks have been crazy and I feel the need to ramble a little bit haha. The pictures below mark those moments of freedom and happiness that we search for everyday. It's the little things that count, I always say. But how often do we get to see them and enjoy the feeling they give to us?

Sunset

Wish you all a happy Sunday.

Whenever I see a nice shade of lipstick, I go crazy. I love the dark ones like burgundy, totally adore the red ones and I am not that thrilled to wear nudes or pinks because they don't suit me. Or so I think. The lipsticks I am going to show you today are absolutely rockin my days. I love their formulas, I love the shades and love to wear them. Although the pictures don't make them justice, please keep in mind that the colors are more alive and vibrant in real life. I also think that wearing a nice shade of lipstick can make a huge difference when talking about makeup: for example, the red one can give you a french vibe or a classic one, and also makes you look more adventurous and confident. Don't you think?

As you can see, I have many shades of red (and about other 2-3 that I forgot to photograph this time). What can I say, I'm the girl that has many red lipsticks in her bag! I'm gonna list below the shades I have and please share your opinion.

Which one do you like the most? Share your opinion!

Hey, girls! Did you miss this post, haha? Well let me tell you that I have excellent news. I have some beauty products that may be of interest to you, some skincare products, some makeup ones, you already know the deal! So, the past few months have been crazy! I found these products that I've been loving and used them almost everyday. Keep reading to find more :)

I'm gonna start by telling you a few things about my favourite moisturizer, the well known argan oil! I can't believe I never tried it on my face until now, it's such a fantastic product for such a low price. My face has never felt better, it's really hydrated now, my oily T-zone is under control and my pimples really seem to dissapear faster!

Next, I discovered the Dermablend foundation just a few weeks ago. I wanted something with high coverage (we all need it sometimes) but still look very natural and comfortable on the skin. I tried some samples and loved it! I bought the full size product a few days after and I've been using it every day. A full review will come soon.
My Ebelin Beauty Blender has been my obsession these past few months. I never thought that a product like this will make such a huge difference in the way I apply my foundation. This works wonders with my Dermablend foundation, I just cannot praise this enough.
I also recently purchased the Too Faced Shadow Insurance Eyeshadow Primer (that you've seen here) which is my first product from TF. I'm not sure wether I like it or not, we kinda have a love-hate relationship!
Moving on to the MAC lipstick in Red , my boyfriend gave me this as a gift. This is actually my first MAC product but I don't want to say more now. I will review it very soon! 

The little L'Oreal Color Riche Nailpolish in shade 201, Rose Paradis has been one of my favourite colors of all time: it's classy and with this my manicure looks so clean and polished. Definitely among my favourites also because lasts very long (a few days perfectly!).

3D Crest White strips have been with me for months and I really saw a difference. These strips are very easy to use, very comfortable and can be used on sensitive teeth too. My teeth are definitely whiter, even though I still drink coffee (I love coffee) and now I only use them when there's a special occasion.

Vichy Purete Thermale. On, how I love this product! This is actually a 3 in 1 makeup remover for sensitive skin. Althogh I struggle a little removing my Dermablend foundation with it, I really love how this makes my skin feel (also calms down the itches and redness, so it's perfect for sensitive skin). I absolutely adore Vichy skincare products.

Next I'm gonna say a few things about a fantastic product called Mary-Lou Manizer. I'm sure you all know this product so I won't get into details, but seriously now, how great can this be??? I bought it a month ago and used it every day since! Review&swatches to come soooon!
Catrice Sun Glow Matt Bronzing Powder was on my beauty wishlist for quite a while. While in Hungary (a few months ago) I came across their products and was totally blown away because I wanted so much to try them out. I really wanted to buy everything, haha! It's not a spectacular product, it's ok for a bronzer, matte and the color is warm, but not among my favourites though. I prefer the e.l.f matte bronzer instead, haha.
And the last product is actually a moisturizer, Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream, the version with SPF. I really like this one, it's so hydrating and refreshing, although the smell is kinda bad. I adore the fact that it has SPF in it and really moisturizes my skin which is something I am obsessed with. Hasn't caused any breakouts and is definitely one of the best face cream I have ever tried.