Today I wanted to share some of my favourite products that I’ve used quite a lot in the past few weeks and/or months. I try to mix up products I’m using so that (most of) my products get a fairs share of use. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. However, this post does contain mostly products I haven’t mentioned before so I’m happy to share them with you! I won’t write a novel about each product, but I’ll try to describe them shortly and why I love them. :)
Depend Nail Polish Remover (for dry, split nails)* – for the longest time I’ve been using the same nail polish remover but I had to buy a new one because the one I was using isn’t available in Sweden. It was pure luck I came across this one a few weeks back since I don’t remember seeing it before (and I occassionally would look what Depend offers). Anyway, this is probably the best nail polish remover I’ve sed so far! I really feels hydrating and my nails are getting better (they certainly look better compared to before!). It says it doesn’t contain any oil but it feels oily when I use it? Not that I mind. The only negative thing would be the smell – it smells super weird, I always have my window or balcony open when I use it. Anyway, I would recommend it to anyone with dry nails!
Becca Backlight Priming Filter Face Primer* – this isn’t a typical face primer since the purpose of it is to give you natural radiance. It can be used on it’s own as well as under foundation but I always use it under my foundation. The reason I like this product is how natural it looks – the radiance it gives my skin looks completely natural and healthy. I love using it when I feel like I’m really tired since it does give my skin that extra boost and freshness. I definitely feel like I’m getting what I paid to get. I will give you a more detailed review as well as swatches in one of my future posts.
Make Up Store Cosmetics Mixing Liquid – this product was sold out for quite a while and now that I finally have it, I can see why. This is an excellent multitask product that can be used with pigments, glitter, cake liners or eyeshadows. Your mind is the only limit. It contains a lot – a whopping 30 ml of product for $20. I actually almost purchased Illamasqua’s Sealing Gel but when I noticed the price/amount different I ended up buying Mixing Liquid instead. Anyway, I’m really happy with this product – I can finally use my old cake liner that I wanted to use up, I can use my eyeshadows as precise eyeliner, I can mix it with my indie pigments… Basically, I can do everything with it and there’s no one happier than me! The only negative thing about this product is the packaging – it comes in a heavy glass bottle with no dropper. It would be better if it came either with a dropper (if you want a bit fancier packaging) or in a plastic squeezable bottle like this one.
estelle & thild BioCalm Soothing Eye Balm* – as you already know, I love estelle & thild! This is another products in my collection that is getting a lot of love from me! It’s light, hydrating and kind to my eye and undereye area. I’ve used it during winter and it’s a good thing I did because my undereye area would be a mess without it! I love how light yet hydrating and nourishing it is. Definitely repurchasing it once I use it up!
Klinta Cherry & Beetroot Lip Balm – Klinta is a small, privately owned business founded in Sweden and I’ve never heard of them until I purchased their lip balm. The reason I purchased it is because it smells like cherries and has the color of beetroot. This brand is apparently well known for their candles, but I’ve noticed they have some other skincare products and I think I might try something in the future. Until then – I’ll just use my lip balm – it smells and tastes great and, of course, it’s hydrating! I also lovehow it gives a bit of a stained look to my lips (you can see its swatch at the end of this post).
Lush Seanik Shampoo Bar* – I purchased my first Lush shampoo bar in 2016 and it was the New shampoo bar (click here for review). I’ve been using that one for a year and a half and a few months back I felt like I want to try something new. I ended up buying Seanik since I wanted something fresh and this shampoo is just that! My hair feels really light, fresh and super shiny when I use it! It’s hard for me to choose which one I prefer better, but I’d say that Seanik is perfect for spring/summer time (citrus scent) while New might be better for fall/winter (cinnamon scent). Of course, I use them both how I like it :D I might write a more detailed review of Seanik in the future.
Björk & Berries Skin Awakening C-Serum* – after some debate with myself, I picked up this product a few weeks back (maybe a bit longer, not sure) when Björk & Berries was 20% off at Åhléns. They are definitely in the pricey range and I would have not purchased it if it wasn’t 20% off. I have a weird relationship with serums containing vitamin C and that’s one additional reason why I was on the fence about this product initially. When I say I have a weird relationship with serums containg vitamin C, I actually mean I don’t necessarily see a big difference when I use them. I already use other products with active ingredients so I just feel like vitamin C doesn’t do that much for me, if it makes any sense? However, even if there isn’t a big wow effect, I like how my skin feels when I use it – plump and hydrated. I can also say I prefer this serum over Hylamide C25 – it absorbs much quicker and it doesn’t leave any residue on my skin (Hylamide C25 had a bit oily feel to it?). I’ll write a more detailed review once I’ve used up half of it.
Skintegra Clarion Skin-Clearing Exfoliating Serum* – if you have acne prone/congested/oily skin then this product should be part of your skincare routine. I purchased Clarion some time in September 2017 and I’ve been using it ever since. I find it really helps with, in my case, occasional breakouts, pimples and textured skin. As I already mentioned in some of my previous posts, I have combination skin which has some texture and as soon as I don’t use BHA, my skin tends to look worse (the texture gets worse). Clarion contains both AHA and BHA and ever since I purchased it I haven’t been using any other products containg acids (like Paula’s Choice products for example). I do feel like this is the only product with acids that I need in my life? Yeah, that’s how good it is! I will be posting a more detailed review of Skintegra and their products!
essence Green Power Strengthener – I just noticed this product is no longer available on their website and it’s such a shame because I find it to be one of the best nail strengtheners. On top of that it was super affordable! Not sure what I’m going to do now, I have to find a replacement. That’s one of the things I don’t like when it comes to essence or their sister brand catrice – they are discontinuing their products all the time. So, it’s hard to have a favourite from their range since you know it will be gone next season. I hope I’ll be able to find a replacement :/
Clean Air EdP* – I love Clean perfumes and so far I’ve purchased Skin and Air. I already used up one bottle of Skin (I already have a new one), but in the past few weeks I’ve been using Air a lot. I love how fresh and light it smells. It’s a great perfume for spring!
Rouge Bunny Rouge Blush Wand in shade Vermeer – even if I have combination skin, I love to use cream blushes because they look more natural on the skin and I love the glow they give my cheeks. I will post my review this or next week so I don’t want to reveal too much, but you can imagine that I really like it since it ended up being a part of this post! I’ll just say that, once again, RBR deserved my admiration as a brand because they really stick to quality. I swatched at in the end of this post.
Illamasqua Antimatter Lipstick in shade Spectra – this range is much better than their matter range. Antimatter lipsticks are semi-matte, non-drying and highly pigmented (I have two shades so far, but I’m feeling a bit itchy because I want to get 1 or 2 more). Spectra is definitely a shade I like to wear even when I don’t feel like wearing a lipstick because I apply it lightly with my fingers – it gives me that natural stained lip look. I don’t worry about it looking patchy or anything because it really doesn’t – it looks so effortless and just nice. You can see my swatch at the end of this post. Will post a more detailed review of my two lipsticks from this range + how they look on me.
KICKS Makeup Brush Cleansing Mat* – this is the only products I purchased only 7-10 days ago, but since I already tested it thoroughly by washing half of my brush collection, I can fairly say it belongs here. I don’t know why but it never occurred me to get something like this and I just don’t get why?! This is probably one of the best products I could’ve purchased! It’s so cheap ($6) but it’s worth 10 times more! :D It took me no time to wash all my brushes and not to mention how it’s excellent for washing sponges as well! Everything is at least 2x (if not more) faster! To make the long story short: if you don’t own something like this and you do use makeup brush, you really need to get it ASAP!
l-r: Klinta Cherries & Beetroot Lip Balm, Illamasqua Spectra, RBR Blush Wand Vermeer
Okay, it took me forever to write this post! I hope you feel inspired to try something I mentioned. If you do, let me know!
Vesna ♥
*product is suitable for vegans
Lovely favourites! :)