Review | Born Pretty Store 2mm - 5mm Mixed Shape Rhinestones

Rhinestones always save the day when it comes to nail art as they effortlessly add that unique and special finish to any manicure. Today I will share with you this wheel from Born Pretty Store that has a pretty selection of shapes in two colours.

First of all, you get 350 pieces which rounds up to approximately 87 pieces of each of the four motifs and in my opinion, I think it is a good deal. The shapes include hearts, normal rounds, tear drops and leaves. The hearts and the tear drops are an opalescent white colour while the rounds and leaves are an iridescent black.

I chose to use the round and tear drop shapes (index and ring fingers) in a sugar skull themed manicure for Halloween and this is how it turned out:

The rhinestones fit my nails perfectly and they add a nice 3D effect. I used clear polish to adhere them to the nails and then secured them with top coat and they lasted for a whole 5 days. For me that is good as that is when I usually change a manicure.

You can get these rhinestones from Born Pretty Store for just $2.88 or you can save yourselves 10% of the price too if you enter the code EBABK31 at checkout.

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The Exit Interview Series | Volume #36

Once again, it's time for an empties post. This month it's mostly skin care as I am trying to use up some products before switching brands completely as is the case with this Michael Todd Honey & Oat Cleanser. The rest of the products are common appearances and I have already bought backups for each of them. The only product that I haven't bought is the Lierac Mesolift cream as I still have a few more samples to go through but it works exceptionally well with my Lierac Mesolift Serum so I might have to give in and buy it as well.

Next I have this Essence Multi Action Waterproof Mascara which is essentially good but I have replaced it with a Max Factor one. I have finished this NYX HD Foundation which I swear by and I have already repurchased a replacement for.

Moving on to hair care products, I have used up this sample size of Schwarzkopf BonaCure Light Finishing Treatment which is basically a hair oil that I used to apply to my hair after styling it and it made my hair look super shiny and soft without weighing it down or making it look greasy. I would buy this once I finish my other hair oil. The other product is John Frieda Frizz Ease which tames away frizz instantly but I won't be repurchasing it as my currrent Yves Rocher spray does the same thing. 

Lastly, I have some random products, namely, three perfume samples, nail polish remover and a The Body Shop Mango Shower Gel which smells good enough to eat and lathers up well.

Any products you used up this past month that are worth noting?

THE Products That Always Make It In My Travel Make-up Bag

Last weekend I was away in a hotel for a short break with my boyfriend and his family and as this is becoming somewhat of a habit, I thought I'd share the makeup that I always make sure I have with me for these weekend getaways.

Face

In order to try and make the most of the time I have on my hands, I tend to move away from a full face of makeup so even though I always carry the essentials for a flawless base with me, I skip foundation and opt for BB Cream instead. The slim packaging of the one from The Body Shop makes it the ideal one to carry around. The same can be said for their InstaBlur primer. Other staples are the Catrice Camouflage Cream and Essence Stay Natural as concealers and Catrice Prime and Fine Translucent Mattifying Powder Waterproof. As for blush, Milani Baked Blush 03 Berry Amore makes the cut every time because of its awesome pigmentation.

Eyes

For eyes, the star product is Max Factor's False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara which carries me from day to night and doesn't budge even after hours in the pool playing with our nephews. I always make sure to pack Pupa Milano Made to Last Eyes 100 Automatic Eye Pencil because of its waterproof properties and pigmentation. As for eyeshadows, I switched from taking separates to this KIKO Cosmetics quad which sadly is limited edition. It has four neutral shades and since I only wear eyeshadow to dinner, it works just fine and the colours can be paired with any outfit.

Lips

Most of the space in my makeup bag is taken up by lip products as I like to match a lipgloss with my lipstick, My favourite picks are Pupa Milano Shiny Lip Fluid 001 Princes Nude (limited edition), Max Factor Glossfinity Lip Gloss 60 Polished Fuchsia and Marks & Spencer Limited Collection Lip Gloss Wine as lip glosses; Catrice Ultimate Colour Lipsticks 190 The Nuder The Better and 340 Berry Bradshaw, Givenchy Rouge Interdit 20 Illicit Raspberry and Max Factor Lipstick 655 Lilac Wine.

So those are my favourite travel makeup products :) What are yours?

Review | The Body Shop Coconut Eau de Toilette

Gloomy weather like today's reminds me how much I love summer and why it is my favourite season and if there is one scent that reminds me of it, that is coconut...and those who know me well enough know how much I love the coconut scented products from The Body Shop.

Consequently, I couldn't resist getting this little eau de toilette as a free gift when I reached the fourth stamp on my Love Your Body card. I wanted to try something new so I looked around for their perfumes. I was undecided between the coconut and vanilla scents but seeing I have a lot vanilla based scents in my collection, I figured I'd go for the coconut one to be able to go back to summer moments all year round.

The perfume is presented in a brown glass bottle that holds 30ml of perfume. It has a silver cap that fits tightly around the spray nozzle. The distinct coconut smell lingers on the skin for a very long time and I receive compliments every time I wear this perfume, probably because it is not overpowering. To help make the scent last longer, I like to use the corresponding body scrub and body butter, also from The Body Shop.

Currently, this is my everyday perfume and I will repurchase soon as it is already running a little lower than I'd like it to. I recommend you to get this scent if you are a fan of coconut and summery fresh scents.

The Body Shop Coconut Eau de Toilette sells for €12.00 and is found in all The Body Shop outlets across Malta & Gozo (Paola, Valletta, Sliema, Bugibba and Arkadia, Gozo). For mote information, check out The Body Shop Malta Facebook page.

Review | Born Pretty Store Round Neon Paillettes for Nail Art

Neon hued clothes and accessories have been a huge hit lately but if you're not brave enough to wear a statement piece, you can still rock the trend on your nails thanks to Born Pretty Store's Round Neon Paillettes.

You get a small jar of round neon confetti where the sizes are mixed, hence you get endless nail art possibilities. The paillettes are big enough for so called placement nail designs where you pick the paillettes one by one and place them on your nails to create beautiful designs.

I opted for a simple half moon manicure to try them out and I really liked how the combination turned out. The paillettes retained the colour and they stayed put for a whole five days until I took off the manicure.

Check out Born Pretty Store to get your neon paillettes for just $4.36 or 10% off if you use the code EBABK31 and free shipping! 

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Review | Max Factor False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara in Black

Mascara is a staple product in my stash and I never ever leave the house without it. I tend to switch to waterproof versions in summer and on rainy days in winter so a good waterproof mascara is a must for me. 

When I was looking for a replacement for my old mascara in the beginning of summer, the choice of brand was obvious...Max Factor! I have never been disappointed with a Max Factor mascara and I have rekindled my love for their False Lash Effect mascara.

The False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara cannot go unnoticed with its chunky black packaging and metallic blue band at the top, indicating it is the waterproof version. The silicon wand is also on the chunky side but with its short bristles, it is guaranteed to reach even the shortest of lashes for an effortlessly fanned-out false lash effect. The pigmentation is excellent too! This is one of the blackest mascaras I have ever tried and once it's dry, it doesn't clump the lashes.

Left ~ wearing Max Factor False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara
Right ~  bare lashes

Now for the waterproof part...if there is a mascara that claims to be waterproof under any circumstance and it stays on, it is definitely this one! The only way I can get it off is with waterproof makeup remover and I like to rest a soaked cotton disc for a few seconds on my eyes first then gently wipe the mascara away. 

I have never had issues with lashes falling off while taking off this mascara or throughout the time of wear. Moreover, I have never experienced irritation to my eyes even when wearing contact lenses.

Max Factor False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara retails for €13.65 and can be found at various stockists around the island. For more information, check out Max Factor Malta on Facebook.

Review | Yves Rocher Volumizing Shampoo & Texturising Styling Spray

Fine hair can be a nightmare to style, especially when the problem is even more aggravated with the hair being oily. Luckily for people like me, there's the Yves Rocher Volumizing Shampoo and Texturising Styling Spray to save the day!

I was suggested to try this shampoo and styling spray duo on my visit to the Yves Rocher Paola shop earlier last month specifically because they contains organic mallow which gives the hair a volume boost. I was also told to apply the shampoo to dry hair first to remove as much oil as possible then proceed as usual and apply the spray to the roots before blow-drying. And let me tell you, it did make a huge difference!

Let's have a look at the shampoo first. You get 300ml of product in a completely recyclable bottle and the product itself is biodegradable too! I like the shape of the bottle as it is more travel friendly than the usual round ones and being transparent, I can tell when I need to repurchase.

The consistency is on the watery side so a little goes a long way and lathers up nicely to give the hair a feeling of cleanliness. Moreover, the shampoo carries a light, herbal scent and is free from silicone, parabens and colourants so you know you are treating your hair to something good!

The complementing product is the Texturising Styling Spray which I prefer to use on wet hair before blow-drying. I flip my head upside down and spray some product to the roots of my hair before massaging it in and style my hair. 

Again the bottle is fully recyclable and the spray nozzle delivers an even mist. The spray also carries the same herbal scent as the shampoo and is also free from silicone, parabens and colourants. This time, you get 200ml of product and with the bottle being transparent, you can easily tell when you need to buy a back-up.

I have noticed a huge difference in the way my hair looks after I started using these products in sync and my hair looks more volumised and since both porducts are silicone free, my hair is not weighed down. Moreover, both products feel mild enough for everyday use.

I would recommend you visit one of the three Yves Rocher shops we have in Malta to find the ideal range for your hair type. And with the extensive variety they offer, you are sure to find a line that suits your hair's needs!

Yves Rocher Volumizing Shampoo retails for €6.90 and the Yves Rocher Texturising Styling Spray retails for €10.80. 

Yves Rocher are located in:

11, Bisazza street, SLIEMA (Next to Sorbino and Ice watch)

219, Merchants street, VALLETTA (Next to Pumpkins Patch and in front of Caruana or the Electro store)

76, Antoine de Paule square, PAOLA (Next to Gauda)

You can also check out their Facebook page to stay updated on their products and special offers they have from time to time!

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Review | Pupa Milano Autumn 2014 Limited Edition Paris Experience I'M Lipstick 002 Berry Violet

Purples, teals, gold and all jewel tones in between are very popular during this time of year and Pupa Milano was once again spot on with the Autumn 2014 Limited Edition collection, Paris Experience. As soon as I saw 'Paris' in the name of the collection, I knew I had to get something from it and I picked up a lipstick in the shade 002 Berry Violet as it instantly appealed to me. 

Let me introduce you to the collection first, then I shall be reviewing the lipstick in more detail.

The collection consists of Vamp! Cream eyeshadows, 2 Multiplay pencils, 3 I'M Lipsticks, 1 Face Illuminator and 5 opulent shades of Lasting Colour Gel nail varnish. The inspiration behind the collection is actually the city of Paris and this is reflected in the palette of chosen colours and the lavish packaging of the products.

In fact, the lipstick that I have comes in a very attractive damask print box and the lipstick itself has a golden case with a mirror finish. The only issue I have with this packaging is the fact that fingerprints will show up all around the case...but I guess that's just me and my OCD.

I was immediately drawn to this particular shade of lipstick because it is the right kind of vampy purple that suits my pale skin tone and even though I have another 27685 lipsticks in a similar shade, this is the one that lasts the longest. For example, I wore it twice to go out for dinner and the colour only faded away a little. Deep berry purple with a shiny creme finish would be the exact description of this shade. The lipstick provides high pigmentation and a very comfortable wear combined with a very soft texture that glides easily on the lips. Moreover, the product is paraben free.

The lipsticks in the collection (RRP €12.45 each) are quite the covetable pieces along with the Face Illuminator and it's delicately intricate pattern. If you have read my other review on another I'M lipstick, you would know of the excellent performance of these little gems!

I highly suggest you check out this collection while it is still available at various pharmacies across Malta & Gozo. For more information please check out the Pupa Milano in Malta Facebook page and the Pupa Milano website.

Brand Hits & Misses | Sally Hansen

I'm sure you have seen this kind of posts on other blogs but for me, this is actually a first, where from time to time I shall be picking a brand and show you my favourite products and the ones I definitely won't repurchase.

First up is Sally Hansen, which I'm sure you've all heard of by now. The US brand has quite established itself in the nail care market and it offers a vast range of products to enhance and care for your nails.

I have tried quite a few of their products and although there are more hits than misses, some products have really let me down. Here go the hits first and then the misses!

Hits

Instant Cuticle Remover - probably my favourite out of the bunch! This is a little miracle in a bottle and I am always in awe at its rapid action in removing excess cuticle and it makes an excellent prepping product especially for gel manicures as on a clean nail plate, the polish adheres better. Oh and it's boyfriend approved too ;)

Cuticle Rehab - another favourite is this little wonder product that I always carry with me in my bag. It is basically a nourishing gel that you massage into the cuticles and it restores them after just one application!

Extra Strength Nail Polish Remover - although this is on the pricier side when compared to other polish removers, it is one of the best ones and it is ace for removing glitter polishes and darker colours effortlessly.

Xtreme Wear glitters - I love the glitter pay off with these polishes and my favourite two are 510 Strobe Flash and 540 Glitter Gun. They are stunners both when worn alone or layered on another polish.

Xtreme Wear Nail Colors - apart from the glitter polishes, the Xtreme Wear range also comprises some nice solid colours. I'm especially fond of them as they provide excellent application and some are even good with just one coat. The shade 300 White On is an exceptionally good white for French manicures too.

Complete Salon Manicure Nail Polish - I only have one of these polishes but I can already foresee my collection expanding with a few of these shades. They have excellent colour payoff and the formula is a pleasure to work with. The brand claims that you don't even need a base and top coat with them and I really like the glossy finish.

Insta-Dri Chip-Resistant Top Coat - the last hit is this wonder top coat. I bought it after seeing a good number of positive reviews on it and now I can affirm that it lives up to the hype. It provides a high shine finish and manicure is dry to the touch within seconds. On me, this lasts for roughly 5 days before I can see some minor tip wear. Highly recommended!

Misses

Insta-Brite Nail Whitener - I bought this a while ago so it could help maintain my nails to a healthy colour but it didn't really do much. On the contrary, it made my nails look even more yellow than they actually were.

No More Breaks Nail Strengthener - again, another product bought out of desperation. I was going through a phase where my nails kept breaking all the time - something which was new to me so I thought of giving this a go. I made sure my nails were clean and applied it according to the instructions but after just a couple of minutes it kept peeling off. I tried whichever way to make it work but sadly, nothing could get it to work.

No Chip Top Coat - the last miss is this top coat which I bought as part of my search for the perfect top coat. Contrary to the Insta-Dri Top Coat, it says 'no chip' but as soon as it dried, it just cracked and peeled off together with the polish underneath. I tried it another time on completely dry polish and it did the same thing. Definitely not recommended.

And that concludes my first Brand Hits & Misses post! let me know what you think about this kind of post and also, what you think about Sally Hansen in general :) Any other products you recommend from the brand? Which brand would you like me to feature next? 

Review | Pupa Milano I'M Lipstick 206 Coral Dream

I love myself a good lipstick and one of the latest to join my ever growing collection is the Pupa Milano I'M Lipstick in the shade 206 Coral Dream.

The I'M range, which comprises 40 lipsticks has only recently just been launched locally and it will be part of the brand's core collection.

The lipstick is encased in a beautiful mirrored silver casing and you get 3.5g of product. The packaging may come across as bulky especially if like me, you store your lipsticks in an acrylic lipstick rack but it's too pretty not to display so I place this on my dresser instead. Another issue that might bother some is the fact that finger-prints show all over the packaging.

Now let's have a look at the actual lipstick. The shade I got, 206 Coral Dream is a true coral shade that will suit most skin tones. It is neither too orangey, nor too pink - it's coral as it should be! Colour payoff is exceptional as with just one swipe, there is uniform colour on your lips.

As for staying power, I'd say this lipstick lasts for a good couple of hours and it never feels dry on the lips. On the contrary, it is very moisturising. I have liked this lipstick so much that I also purchased a limited edition of this lipstick from Pupa Milano's latest collection and I shall be reviewing it in the coming days.

Pupa Milano I'M Lipsticks are available for sale at authorised pharmacies and outlets. For more information, kindly check out Pupa Milano in Malta on Facebook or the official Pupa Milano website.

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September Collective Haul

This month I have restrained myself quite a lot in terms of buying stuff, primarily because I have a London trip coming up early next year. Here's what I have parted my cash with this month.

I have been to New Look in the beginning of the month and I managed to find this dress from their new collection at €24.99. I love the print on it and it looks really good on with a belt to cinch in the waist. From their sale section, I found this lace type of skirt at just €15.00.

Nearly all stores have started bringing out their winter collections and I have slowly started adding some new items to my wardrobe. From River Island I purchased this leopard print jumper for €47 and it has such a cosy feel to it I can't wait to wear it! I have also found a pack of rings which includes some midi rings that actually fit my tiny fingers. The set cost €10.

During a weekend getaway with my boyfriend in Gozo, we managed to find some time to visit some shops and I spotted this Jennifer jacket which will be good to don on colder days for work. This cost €25.99 which I think is a fair price for an item that I will get a lot of wear out of.

Moving on to cosmetics, I took the opportunity to check out an outlet in Gozo which was said to have some Catrice Prime & Fine Translucent Powder left and luckily for me I did find 4 compacts and I bought all of them - 2 for me and 2 for my Mum who is a big fan of the product. It's sad when brands discontinue good products but luckily I will have a little more time to enjoy this one before I start searching for an alternative. They were €5.60 each. Also from Catrice, I bought a gel eyeliner brush for €2.80 since the one I had was no longer useable.

These two Rimmel polishes caught my eyes while browsing the makeup section at a convenience store at hospital. I wanted a nice baby blue polish and this one from the Rita Ora collection is what I have been looking for. I also caved and bought Disco Ball. I believe these retail for around €4.

I was running low on rose water and makeup remover wipes so I stocked up on those as well, both costing just above €1.

After being introduced to Yves Rocher, I went back to their store just this week and bought the full size of the Active Sensitive Redness Relief Treatment Cream for €16.50 and I was generously gifted some samples as well.

Lastly, I finally got my hands on a lipstick from the Pupa Milano Paris Experience Collection and I bought the shade 002 Berry Violet for €12.45 and I can't wait to wear it!

That's it for the September haul! Now, to make way for my birthday month and more treats ;)