July Collective Haul

July has been a good month - I enjoyed my summer cruise holiday, tanned a little bit more than I'm used to and MAC has finally opened in Malta! Here is what I purchased throughout this month, starting with online orders from KIKO and Makeup Revolution.

KIKO had an up to 50% sale on most products and since I had wanted to get some things from them, I though this was the best time to do so. I purchased the XL pochette which is excellent for travelling as I can keep all makeup and toiletries in one place. I also bought the small nail travel case which comes in handy when I need to take just a few essentials to do my nails on the go. Needless to say, I bought a backup of the Brush Cleanser and I also wanted to try some new products, namely the Summer Wipes which are supposed to dissolve salt from the skin after a dip in the sea, the CC Cream Cushion System (I got the shades 30 Warm Rose and 30 Warm Beige) as well as a glass nail file.

Next up is my first ever Makeup Revolution order which consisted of the newly launched Ultra Base Corrector palette and the Ultra Contour Palette. They were even so nice to include a full sized tester of the I Heart Obsession Palette - Paris. I have very high expectations of this brand after hearing a lot of good things about their products and I am really looking forward to try the palettes out.

More beauty purchases, this time from my cruise holiday. I didn't have much time to shop around for clothes but I did splurge a little on makeup and beauty products. First up, this Roses et Reines hand cream from L'Occitane which I had been dying to try out!

Next, I had the opportunity to visit a The Body Shop outlet in Corfu, Greece which was on sale and I bought the Smoky Poppy Body Massage Oil and the Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil. The lady was also nice enough to include some moisturiser samples. In the same street, there was a Hondos Centre which was having 23% off MAC and of course, I couldn't pass it up...I bought Dame Powder Blush, Hot Gossip Cremesheen Lipstick and a Dazzleshadow in the shade Can't Stop Don't Stop from the Le Disko Collection. I also bought another glass nail file on visiting Dubrovnik in Croatia.

By now, everyone knows that MAC has also opened in Malta and I got the following items, of which you can check out more pictures here. I got Prep+Prime Fix+, Fluidline in Dipdown, Matte Lipstick in Velvet Teddy and Frost Lipstick in Ramblin' Rose.

Lastly, my boyfriend treated me to this very comfortable pair of Tommy Hilfiger flip-flops and mum had ordered this cute pair of sandals off the internet in a wrong size which luckily fits me :)

MAC Cosmetics is finally in Malta! | Haul

After months of speculation and waiting, MAC Cosmetics has finally opened its doors in Malta! The first counter is located at Debenhams, The Point, Tigne and they will be opening another store in Sliema too.

The in-store counter started receiving its first clients yesterday and this morning I went to pay a visit. So, list on one hand and credit card in the other, I happily made my way to MAC as angels were singing 'Hallelujah' in my head.

I was met by the bubbly Ylenia who was very helpful in getting me the products I wanted. I will not be publishing pictures of the store in this post for I shall do a separate one where I will include the actual store too. 

The prices are round about the same as abroad so I really can't complain. Also, Ylenia explained that they will be getting the collections as well in due time, the Back 2 MAC program also runs locally and they re-stock approximately every month. 

Here is what I got today:

Prep+Prime Fix+ Finishing Mist (€18.00) has been on my list for quite a while after reading countless of positive reviews on it. I am curious to see how it fares out on me.

Fluidline in Dipdown (€18.50) is the brown version of Blacktrack and seeing I love the latter so much, I see no reason not to like this one too. 

Matte Lipstick in Velvet Teddy & Frost Lipstick in Ramblin' Rose (€19.00 each) I never leave a MAC store or counter without buying one of their fabulous lipsticks. I was lucky enough to get the last Velvet Teddy they had (everyone should own this! It's so beautiful!). I also wanted to get Soar lipliner but it is already out of stock.

Once again, thank you so much Debenhams Malta for finally brining the brand to our shores! I'm looking forward to go check out the store in due time ;)

Competition Alert | Lierac Summer Open Day

I'm sure you have all heard of French skin care brand Lierac especially if you have been following this blog for a while or simply because the brand has fast established itself as a luxury skin care brand sine being introduced to our shores two years ago.

To celebrate the brand's first two years in Malta, 20 lucky winners can claim an exclusive invite to the Lierac Open Day happening on Tuesday the 4th of August!! To enter, simply register for the Lierac Newsletter by clicking the link on their Facebook page Lierac Malta or by clicking this link http://eepurl.com/btw025 which will take you directly to the registration page.

Winners will receive expert skin care advice, a facial from our Beauty Therapist using LIERAC products as well as a make over from our Make-up Artist and a free 1-on-1 session with our Registered Nutritionist.

My MAC Makeup Collection to date

To celebrate the official opening of the first ever MAC store in Malta any day this week (the excitement is so very real!!!), here is my MAC Cosmetics collection to date. I purchased all of these items abroad as MAC is always the first store I frantically look for and thus, my collection still growing; and now that we will have a store here I have a slight feeling that it will grow in no time ;) I am always overwhelmed with the choice at MAC stores and counters but slowly I look forward to increasing my collection!

Lipsticks

MAC is of course well know for their amazing quality lipsticks. The colour range is outstanding as well as the different finishes - everyone will be pleased! Well ok, maybe not your wallet but you definitely will find something you like. Currently, I own three MAC lipsticks, Naked Paris {Lustre}, All Fired Up {Retro Matte} and Hot Gossip {Creme Sheen}. My favourite finish out of them all is the Creme Sheen but my favourite shade has to be All Fired Up which was actually chosen by my boyfriend.

Naked Paris is the first MAC lipstick I ever purchased (bought in Paris!) and it is a sheer brown nude.

All Fired Up is a matte fuchsia and Hot Gossip is a soft plummy mauve. I love the vanilla scent that MAC lipsticks carry and I am a big fan of the click with which they close. They are a little pricey for lipsticks but I sincerely don't mind paying full price for them because they perform really well!

Blush

I have two blushes from MAC, Gleeful Mineralize Blush and Dame Powder Blush. As far as packaging goes, I prefer the one for the Mineralize Blush which looks and feels more sturdy but when it comes to the blushes themselves, I can't choose between the two because both colours flatter my skin tone. Gleeful is more pigmented though and I suggest using a light hand to apply it, then build up the colour later according to your preference.

Fluidline

Probably the world's most popular black gel eye liner (and with good reason) comes in the form of MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack. I will always have special ties with this product primarily because it was my very first MAC product (my dear friend Marija from Pocalocca got me it) and also because it has never let me down. Pigmentation is to die for and it just doesn't budge once dry - it even holds on my mum who sweats easily and she always asks me to apply some of it on special occasions!

Dazzleshadow

Lastly, Dazzleshadow in Can't Stop Don't Stop. I haven't used this yet because I just bought it last week but when I swatched it at the counter, I absolutely had to get it! I don't think I will use it all over the lid but I think it will make a nice, dazzling eyeliner colour with it's purple base and multi-tonal reflects.

So that's it for my current, small MAC collection. What are your must-have MAC products?

The Exit Interview Series | Volume #43

June wasn't a very good month in terms of empties because I really don't have a lot to show you and some products are common recurrences now so let's get those out of the way.

By now you all know that I can't be without Impulse deodorants and Lycia Makeup Remover Wipes and I continuously repurchase them cos I go through them real quick.

Next I have some nail related items starting with the Essence Sponge Nail Polish Remover Acetone Free. I don't think I would repurchase this product because I one used it to remove red nail polish and I couldn't remove any other colour after without getting all my fingers stained red because the sponge seems to retain the colours unlike other sponge removers from other brands that sort of push the removed polish down.

The other nail products, the Orly GelFX cleanser (pro product) and the Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover are two products that I can't imagine myself working without when doing nails. I just love that they do what they are supposed to without any hassle whatsoever.

Lastly, I have a few makeup items. I won't be repurchasing any of these except for the Max Factor mascara and the Essence Brow Gel because I really like those two. The others however, I just don't like anymore and it took me a whole lot of effort to go through them before I could throw them away because I hate wasting products.

June Collective Haul

I know I am a little late...again on the end-of-month haul but I still wanted to show you what I got anyways :) I'll start with fashion related items first, then move on to beauty.

I bought this pair of wedges from Aldo shoes and I have already worn them countless times - they go with so many outfits and are oh so comfy!! I have also found this grey holographic clutch bag on sale and surprisingly, I have worn it quite a few times as well.

I got some tops and a pair of red jeans from Stradivarius during a trip to Valletta. I never seem to be able to leave the store empty handed and some basics never hurt anyone ;) I also got these two cute tops from Dorothy Perkins as I find them very versatile for summer when you need to smarten yourself a little but still keep it comfy :)

I went a little accessory crazy this month with this Dorthy Perkins bucket bag which I am totally in love with, a pair of sunglasses and some bangles and bracelets from Promod as well as more bangles and rings from Born Pretty Store.

Next up are the beauty items, most of which are nail related. I bought backups of the Nivea eye makeup remover and the Lycia makeup remover wipes, both of which I can't be without. I also bought an array of nail embellishments and tools from Born Pretty Store (some of them were actually sent for review purposes). I also bough Sally Hansen Nail Growth Miracle which totally works and I'm in love with and three Sinful Colors Pinata Blasts from ebay. The shades I got are Mamacita, Fierce Fiesta and Baila Baila.

Lastly, the boyfriend treated me to a new nail drill kit, some Oumaxi acrylic paints and an assortment of nail decorations :)

Review | Skin Food Lettuce and Cucumber Watery Toner

A while ago I was invited to Wangbii, a Korean makeup and skincare store in Sliema and the first of its sort in Malta. With everything being so cute and tempting, I couldn't leave the store empty handed and so I picked up the Skin Food Lettuce & Cucumber Watery Toner on my way out.

I was drawn to this product immediately upon having it applied to my skin by Mapi, the makeup artist at Wangbii as part of prepping my skin clean prior to makeup application. I was sold as soon as I had a whiff of the fresh scent the product carries and upon learning that it even removes makeup.

The packaging is nothing short of cute with the bottle a transparent light green colour that looks very fresh, just like lettuce and cucumbers! There is also a handy stopper that keeps the toner from spilling out. The amount is also quite generous - 180ml.

Now even though it says it's a watery toner on the label, I find that is a little more dense than your typical toner. I like to apply this toner right after I use makeup remover to remove any left over traces of make up from my skin and instantly refresh it.

I sometimes like to use it to remove makeup when I am only wearing just a couple of products and also in the morning and at work when I need to refresh my skin. Moreover, I have noticed my skin is looking clearer these days ever since I have been using this product.

The price may come across as expensive for some but I think that €12.95 for a product that is going to last you for a long time is reasonable. 

Wangbii is located in Tower Road in Sliema and you can follow their Facebook page for regular updates and offers.

Review | Max Factor Excess Intensity Longwear Eyeliner 04 Charcoal

Today's review is going to be a rave review about my new favourite 'black' eyeliner pencil, which as you can tell by the title is the Max Factor Excess Intensity Longwear Eyeliner in the shade 04 Charcoal.

Now this has been in my stash for a year or so I think and it was sent to me when Max Factor Malta launched their #selfeye competiton. I never really had a chance to use the eyeliner properly (except for the competition) mainly because I wanted to use up the other black eye pencils that I had. However, a couple of months ago, I gave in and used this pencil instead of my usual one and boy I'm so glad I did!

Here's a word about the packaging first. So the eyeliner comes in a very slim, sleek twist-up pen format and you get 0.18g of product which I admit is not much. I like that the pencil comes with a twist-up mechanism as you don't have to ever sharpen it and being so slim, it is the perfect eye pencil to pop even in the smallest of handbags.

The colour leans more towards a dark grey rather than a jet black and I actually like it for that because it doesn't look as harsh as black eye pencil especially for day time. I like that it lasts for a good number of hours on my waterline before it starts to fade. 

I would repurchase this eyeliner and recommend it to anyone who prefers a more subtle approach over a harsh black.

Max Factor products can be found on sale at authorised outlets and pharmacies. Make sure to follow their facebook page for trying luck at one of their frequent competitions and to stay up to date with product information. 

PR Sample