frozen spring

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KICKS Beauty Makeup Brush Cleansing Mat Review

KICKS Beauty Makeup Brush Cleansing Mat

A few weeks ago I came across this small brush cleansing mat at my local KICKS store and I purchased it on a whim. These types of mats have been popular for years now, but I somehow thought I didn’t need one because I was doing well cleaning brushes of my own. Not to mention I really didn’t want to pay $30 dolars for a Sigma glove, so I simply forgot these products even existed. Then, a few ago, I was browsing through KICKS and I was looking at their tools (they have their own brand KICKS Beauty) and I noticed this cleansing mat. It got my attention because it was rather compact in size, affordable and seemed like it had a nice variety in texture for both smaller and bigger brushes. So, I purchased it and tested it the next day since I had a pile of brushes waiting for me to clean them.

I was so excited to use it and I was amazed by how much faster it was to clean my brushes and sponges! I think I had around 30+ brushes and a few sponges. I’ve noticed the biggest difference when I cleaned my foundation brushes and sponges. Usually it takes me 2-3 washes to clean a foundation brush (I am really thorough) and it takes me probably 8-10 minutes to clean my beauty blender. But, thanks to this little helper, it took me only one wash and a few swirls to clean foundation brushes and it took me approximately 3 minutes to clean my beauty blender (and other similar sponges). I think I’ve also used less soap than usually because these textures make it easier for a soap to lather.

In conclusion, I think it was silly of me not getting something like this sooner because it really makes my life much easier when it comes to cleaning brushes. I really didn’t like to clean my brushes before (obviously, I did it regardless), but now I actually enjoy doing this since it’s going much faster. :)

Details

Suitable for vegans/cruelty free? Yes
Where to buy? If you’re in Sweden, you can buy it in any KICKS store or online. If you live anywhere else, I know similar products are available on ebay.
Price: 59 SEK / $7 / €6

Vesna ♥

Empties Vol. I

In today’s post I’m sharing products I’ve used up in the past few months. As you can see, it’s mostly skincare, which isn’t surprising. It is a lot easier to use up skincare than makeup. There is not a lot to say about these products since I’ve mentioned them before on my blog, so I’ll just quickly go through them.

I’ll start off with estelle & thild. A few days ago I reviewed the BioCleanse Make Up Remover so there isn’t much to say about it except that I already have a new bottle ready for use. Next two products are as well from their BioCleanse range – Fragrance Free Cleansing Gel and Multi-Action Facial Toner. I repurchased those as well. I think I’m using my third tube of cleansing gel and fifth bottle of toner! Needless to say – I love these products! Last year in February I wrote about my first impressions and I still stand by them. I really do love this toner and I’m happy with the cleansing gel as well! I don’t think I’ll change them any time soon, I just don’t feel like it’s necessary and, to be honest, I don’t feel like testing something new all the time. I’ve come to the point where I want consistency in my skincare. :)

The next product I used up is Skintegra Hydra B Advanced Hydration Serum. I’m actually on my third bottle already! This si a really light, and yet hydrating serum that kept my skin under control this whole winter. Of course, it’s important to mention that this is not the only product I’ve been using, but it definitely is one of the few I keep going back to. The thing that I like about this product is I can use it all year round – it’s hydrating enough for winter, and yet light enough for summer. This product can be used both in the morning and evening, but I use it mostly in the morning since it suits me better. I will be reviewing this and other Skintegra products in my upcoming post(s).

My last skincare product of the bunch is Green Girl Cosmetics Hydrating Serum LIGHT. This is the first time I used a product that contains niacinamide, and I was so glad I tried it! I don’t think niacinamide is talked so much about, but if you haven’t tried it – be sure you do! I instantly noticed my skin texture improved and any spots left over from ocassional pimples faded much quicker thank usual! I have to write a more detailed post about this serum as well, and I can tell you right now that I will order it again for fall!

My last empty product is a product I mentioned many times, over and over again, and it’s no surprise I used up another bottle of Rouge Bunny Rouge Aqua Primer. I don’t think it’s necessary for me to repeat myself since you can read all about it in my review that I wrote back in January, 2015! I think I’ve been using this primer for almost four years now! Of course, I already repurchased it! ;)

What are yours recent empties? :)

 Vesna ♥

Favourites | Winter-Spring Edition 2018

Favourite products

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.

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5 Products I Want To Use Up In May

 

5 Products I Want To Use Up In May

In the past few months I’ve been following some great youtubers who talk about consumerism, low-buy, using up your products, etc. and they inspired me to start a new series on my blog. Every month I’ll choose a few products that I want to use up. Sometimes it will be a few products I want to use up in 30 days, other times it might be a longer period like 3 months or maybe 6 months. I think it’s important to be realistic, I don’t want to demotivate myself by choosing unrealistic goals, for example, like using up a blush in 3 months. That’s just not going to happen. :D On the other hand, using up skincare products is much faster since I do use many of my skincare products twice a day.

This series will serve as a my motivation to use up those products that, for some reason, I stopped using after a while. Most (4 out of 5) products you see in these pictures are more than half empty and that’s why I think it’s realistic I’ll be able to use them up in May. Here’s an overview of these 5 products and why I stopped using them in the first place:

Rituals The Ritual Of Sakura Body Cream – this is my favourite range from Rituals, but I really dislike the packaging of this product. I dislike it so much that it actually turns me off from using the product completely! I just think this new packaging (they changed it some time last year) for the body cream was a bad idea – the combination of plastic jar and partally wooden lid just doesn’t work well. I always struggle with it and it’s takes me a few attempts to screw the lid back on! I never had a similar issue with packaging and I know it’s laughable but it is what it is. On top of that, some lettering came off after only 2-3 uses because the oilyness of the skin rubs it off. That shouldn’t happen eather. Anyway, it’s less than half full so I guess I’ll use this up quite fast.

Lumene Lähde Arctic Dew Quenching Aqua Serum – Lumene’s range Lähde (source of hydration) is my go-to range. I already use the face cream and face mist from this range, so I thought I’d pick up this serum and see how it works for me. It actually reminds me a lot of The Ordinary’s Buffet – they have quite similar texture and feeling on the skin. They obviously have different ingredients, but I don’t really feel like they have different effect on my skin. They really feel like the same product. I stopped using Lumene once I purchased Buffet, but I’ll definitely get back to it this month and use it up. Once I use up both of them, I’ll repurchase only Lumene since Deciem (The Ordinary’s parent company) is a bit sketchy right now and I don’t feel like supporting them. Anyway, this is a good hydrating serum for my combination skin and I definitely feel like it helps my skin during colder/windy weather and I’ll buy it again in the fall.

& Other Stories Sicilian Sunrise Hand Cream – & Other Stories has a great beauty range and I really like the Sicilian Sunrise range which smells of fresh lemons! Such a great range for sunny weather! Anyway, I picked up only hand cream because I have too many body creams, scrubs, etc. To be fair, I have too many hand creams as well but… :D Anyway, I find these mini creams to be great on the go, so I always carry at least one in my bag. Since I have a few creams I’m using right now, I feel like I’m not using this one enough so I decided to put it in my ‘Use Up In May’ product selection. This cream contains only 30 ml so it shouldn’t be a problem using it up, I just have to remind myself to use this cream everytime I want to use a hand cream (and I have to motivate myself to be more regular with that, too!).

Catrice Liquid Camouflage High Coverage Concealer in 020 Light Beige – I’ve been using this concealer for almost the whole winter and then I stopped using it. I think I just got tired of it? Anyway, there is not so much left of it and I really think I can use it up this month if I use it regularly. I don’t remember the last time I used up a concealer so using up this one would be refreshing. The best of all is I really like this concealer but I think the problem is I’m just a bit lazy, especially in the morning when I need to get up early to get to university (sometimes I have to get up at 5 a.m. so I don’t really feel inspired to use full face of products). Anyway, looking forward to covering my dark circles on a regular basis! :D

coop deo roll-on – the reason I don’t feel like using this deodorant is because its texture is too wet when applied – it feels like I splashed some water on my underarms LOL. It’s a good thing I have another deodorant, but I will use only this one in May because I really want to use it up and be done with it. Otherwise it’s a good product, but it’s just too watery for my taste.

5 Products I Want To Use Up In May5 Products I Want To Use Up In May

5 Products I Want To Use Up In May

Are there any products you feel like you should really use up? How do you motivate yourself to use products that you haven’t clicked with for whatever reason?

Vesna ♥

estelle & thild BioCleanse Eye Make Up Remover Review

estelle & thild Biocleanse Eye Make Up Remover

Last year in January, I wanted to test some new skincare brands (Swedish ones) and estelle & thild was one of those brands. At first I purchased only their toner and cleansing gel, but with time I ended up buying a few more products. So far I have four products from the BioCleanse range: multi-action facial toner, cleansing gel, eye make up remover and micellar water. I’m satisfied with all four products (I already repurchased all of them except for micellar water which I still haven’t used up) and I’ll share my reviews on them in upcoming posts. Today I’m sharing my review on the eye make up remover.

The main reason I purchased this product is because I needed something that’s suitable for sensitive eyes. My eyes have gotten really sensitive in the past 2 years or so and I haven’t been able to use just any product to remove my eye makeup so I’ve been trying out different products until I came across this one. I was already using estelle & thild toner and cleansing gel (which I liked) before I purchased the eye make up remover so I was really hoping it will be good because back then I already tested (and wasted money on) 4-5 different eye make up removers which did not work for me. And, well,  this one did work for me! Just recently I purchased another bottle of it so you can imagine that I really do like it!

So, what do I like about this product? First of all, my eyes don’t react to it and it removes all my makeup without any issues. Since it’s dual-phase, it’s great for waterproof makeup. It’s fragrance free (it has this typical estelle & thild scent which isn’t perfume but rather clean scent?). Even though it contains 150 ml, which at first I thought wasn’t enough, but it really is since you don’t need a lot of it for each use, even if you have heavy eye makeup. I always place the cotton pad on my lid and I wait around 30 seconds for my makeup to dissolve. That’s much easier, better and more effective than rubbing.

What I don’t like? I really don’t have anything negative to say about it.

Details

Suitable for vegans / cruelty free? Yes
Where to buy? Sweden: most stores carry estelle & thild (Åhléns, KICKS, apotek hjärta, etc.);  if you don’t live in Sweden then you can get it through estellethild.com or naturisimo.com  
Price? 189 SEK / £18.50 / $21.5 / €18
Ingredients: aqua, simmondsia chinensis seed oil*, aloe barbadensis leaf juice*, glycerin**, gluconolactone, disodium phosphate, sodium chloride, sodium gluconate, citric acid, sodium benzoate. *Ingredient from Organic Farming. **Made using organic ingredients.

Vesna ♥