How to Use Your Skincare and Makup Products Wisely, and save money too!

Because we all know that skincare products and makeup is not cheap, and even if it is, if it's good, you don't really want to waste it, because even if you afford to buy all the time new one, at times you might have the surprise to not be able to find anymore a certain product or color or brand, or to find it very hard. It always happens to me, I am starting to take it personal, each time I find something that I really love, it has to somehow disappear after a while. I start to think I am the only one that likes that thing! Weird huh?

Anyways, I was always bothered by the way some people are wasting things (my mom always makes real well drills in my face creams, some girl I know uses up a bottle of foundation in less than 2 weeks and a body lotion tube in 5 days). Is not because I am a scrooge, I am waaay too far from that for my own wellbeing, but, I think is not normal to waste things. Is common sense to take care of what you have and to make the most of your money and investments. It's also ecologic! So, I will teach you how to use your skincare and makeup products wisely.

To make sure you are using the right amount of the products, I will give you some size "landmarks". I picked some examples that are hard to forget. I did it on purpose :) Would you waste THESE???

Eye cream: the size of a Tic-Tac

 

Makeup Base (Foundation): size of an M&M 

Face Cream: size of a peanut M&M

Shampoo: size of a caramel candy (same goes for conditioner, and it usually needs to be applied only on the tips of the hair)

Body cream/lotion: size of an Oreo biscuit

Now, done with the sizes. I will teach you a few more things, to make the life of your favorite makeup products longer.

If your BLUSH is almost finished and you can't get it out on the brush anymore, put it in a tissue and make it a powder, then put it in a little box (an eye cream box or some other little box left from something else) and you can use it from there! Make sure it has a lid that closes well!

Is your LIPSTICK almost over? There usually is a lot of product still left inside of the tube, so use a Lip Brush to apply it from there. I promise it will last you a few more weeks!

Is your favorite EYE SHADOW almost empty? Break what's left into a powder and mix it with a drop of eye cream, you will get a cream shadow!

I hope you like my ideas and that you find them useful!

Thank you for reading me, and if you want more, please don't forget to follow me by email or by joining my blog! (you have the links to the left side) 

Take care and keep smiling!

oxox

Roxana

PS: If you have other tips or ideas about saving your fav products, please let us all know in a comment! I would love to hear them!

Garnier BB Cream review!

Allright, I know that by now every beauty blogger and their grandma AND cat, already wrote a review on the new (not even that new anymore) Garnier BB Cream, but I promised one too and I will do as I promised. It took a bit long because I wanted to test it properly before I talk about it, besides, as you know, I don't really find time at this moment in my life (5 month old baby boy!).
So:

 These are my 2 tubes of BB cream! I got both shades because I happen to be inbetween them, complexion color-wise, so, as I was not sure if I wanna look too pale or too dark (lol), I bought them both and I am mixing them before application. Especially because in winter time I am using a fake tan spray, that means my color varies alot function of how the tan fades, and with this method I can be sure I am always looking natural, not like a mask, as I can make the color more pale or more dark.

 

I just mix them in my hand, I know maybe I should be using a plastic palette and a brush, but I am always in a hurry and lazy so I rather do it like this, even if at times I feel I am using up too much product cuz it gets spread on my palm. Anyways!  I have been using this for a month now, and even if my skin is prone to blackheads and breakouts, I did not have any problem with this! And the finish is fab, doesn't look like I have much, if anything at all on my face, which is what I really have been searching for, for a long time! Something that will make my face look fresh, unified and matte without being annoying like the foundation (that causes patches on my face where it wears out faster during the day, like for example on my chin because I'm touching it more), or powder (that looks cakey and gathers in the fine lines, most of the times). This is just perfect, the pigments are good and it just sinks into the skin when applied, looks dewy for a few minutes but then becomes matte and perfect, I personally don't even find the need to powder it at all, I just press a tissue on my face to absorb the excess moisture and that's it! I used to wear the Chanel Mat Lumiere foundation and to think that I depended on it if I wanted to have a luminous matte face all day long, but this bb cream proved me wrong! I don't need to spend that much anymore!! Of course, Chanel foundation is fab, but for day to day I definitely can replace it with Garnier BB Cream, with 95% same result! And more natural looking! Now that's what I call a GOOD DEAL!!
Here is a few pics of how my face looks before and after using it, but I have to warn you that it's my face with no makeup, and with messy hair, first thing in the morning. That means SCARY. Allright, you have been warned.

yeah I know I am wearing a different robe but that's because between the moment that I took the first pic.. while I was getting ready to put on the cream, my son decided to start screaming straight from his sleep so I had to run and feed him, and as usual he ate too much and spitted out some milk... on me. Oh well. It's the very same day, only like 40 mins later, I assure you! :))
Here's a closeup:

I think it's pretty awesome, for someone that doesn't have really bad skin problems. I used to have, but, after pregnancy, my skin got so much better, thank God. I still have breakouts from time to time but very small, some blackheads if I am not being careful, and some marks from the past pimple "battles" that I had to take...
Now, I find that this could be a bit more moisturizing, as it promises "24 hours hydrating care". Well, taking into account the hormonal changes that I've been through and still am, maybe my skin needs more hydration than most skin types do, now, I don't know. So for the dry skin types... you may wanna use a moisturizer before this.
Otherwise I think it's awesome, looks soooo so so natural it's impressive, is lightweight, gets into the skin so fast when applied (actually you have to work very fast to apply it evenly or you'll have to add more as it sinks right into the skin). The colors are both very nice and if you do like I do, mix them both, you will definitely be able to get your perfect shade. The price is great as well, I payed 9 euros-something for a tube, which is very worth it, in my oppinion, for being a great quality product.
It looks just as great till late in the evening, I don't even have to blot my face, maybe once if I work out,stay in a hot place, or take a nap, but I remember that with the Chanel Mat Lumiere foundation, I had to have the blotting paper or paper tissues handy at all times! And this was still better than most foundations or tinted moisturizers that I tried before, from this p.o.v. Also, I love the fact that it's incredible lightweight! After all, is just a cream, not a foundation. I love how it feels! They say it also has SPF, which is also a good thing! I can never apply spf before foundation or before other skincare, no matter what brand I use, always loks horrible on me and gives me breakouts or univen finish or a weird hue or who knows...
Bottom line, I LOVE this BB cream! I went and bought 2 more! And I will make sure I always have some in my bathroom cabinets!! It definitely won its place in my skincare and makeup routine, I just hope it stays on the market!
Hope this helped some of you, my dears!
Keep smiling!
oxoxox
Roxana

Dear Helena Rubinstein, give me back my concealer!!!

Why oh WHYYYYYYY do they do this lately?? I heared Chanel is changing the foundations, and you can't find the Pro Lumiere anymore (I dunno about my Mat Lumiere, but I am afraid it's gonna be gone too), to replace them with something else, Clinique is also tossing away some stuff and coming up with new things, and now, I was looking yesterday for a replacement of my favorite concealer of all times, Magic Concealer from helena Rubinestein, and the sales lady told me it was out??? Not produced anymore? And that the new range will only come out in 3 months? I was heartbroken!!! She offered me a Clinique (new product, also) concealer, that is okay but not as good! Is too oily! Waaaaaah! Why?? Why do they do this? Why when, after long searches and trials, lots of money spent on products that are not what you want, you FINALLY find something perfect... they toss it away just to change it?? I think is not a good marketing move, because people these days instead of trying their new products of a certain company (assuming they wanna be faithful to the company, which is RARE these days too, with such a huge variety on the market), will become annoyed and pissed off and go buy some drugstore product that is so-so (or maybe if lucky, will be good) just to get the job done! That's what I would do, when on a budget, anyways! If I would be sure the products that fit me best are gonna be produced for a long time (wishfully forever) I would be more likely to buy another product from the certain company when going to buy replacements for my favs, just so, because I am happy with it! But when they keep changing every year, I get discouraged! I rather go try cheap drugstore products that won't make a hole in my budget if they won't fit me! But when it comes to foundations and concealers, I am crazy, because I have sensitive eyes and acne-prone skin, which gives me more of a hassle to take care of if a breakout or pink eye happen, than paying more for a great high end product!
I will have to go search in all the Douglas shops in my town for a HR Magic Concealer left, darn it!
That was my rant, I am really angry they did this to me!
R.I.P., Magic! :((

I keep the hope that they will bring it back in a similar formula, otherwise I will be very upset :(
oxoxo
Roxana

The new Rouge Coco Shine from Chanel and OOTD

Very nice weather these last few days on here, I am happy cuz I can finally dress lighter and nicer! I promised myself I won't buy too many clothes anymore untill after I give birth unless they are clothes that can be worn regardless of the shape of the belly (aka, something that can be worn loose or cinched with a belt) because I don't like to have things that I don't wear in my wardrobe, and only for about 3 more months it wouldnt be worth the money! Remains to be seen if I can help myself from buying! This is actually a challenge, trying to come up with new outfits and looking pretty as pregnat, with pretty much only what I already have in my wardrobe!
Here is what I wore today:

Long sweater: Victoria's Secret (from a few years ago!)
Brown lace tights from C&A
Suede beige boots - C&A
Brown and coral-pink striped jersey dress - Tally Weijl
light coral scarf- Bijou Brigitte (I think... cant remember well)
Tote bag - Louis Vuitton
Sunnies - Fendi

Also, I wore the COCO Sheer Lipstick from Chanel, no 61, *Bonheur* (I love the name as it means "Happiness", in French). I love the texture cuz is so glossy and light and the color is very nice too, is definitely not a very long lasting lipstick (I guess that's why they don't even call it "lipstick", but "lipshine"), but is very nice and spring-y/summer-y, so to say! Is very hydrating, not sticky at all (so no hair stuck on your lips in more windy days!!) perfect for someone addicted to lipstick and lip balms, like me. I HATE having dry lips, it gets me crazy, greasy hair and dry lips on myself could make me become a beast cuz they make me feel horrible! That's why I always have lipstick or lipbalm and dry shampoo with me! Besides, with this lipstick especially, it is so "chic" to have it in your purse and from time to time to take it out and refresh your lips, because the packaging is niiiice and stylish!
Here is how it looks:

Pic was taken in the natural light to be as accurate as possible. Very nice sheer pinkish berry shade, with subtle glitter in it, Im totally lovin it!
oxoxox
Roxana

Pin Up Dita Von Teese phase

Oh yeah Im going through a Pinup makeup phase.. I wonder how long it will last, cuz I usually get bored very fast with doing same makeup look day after day, besides, I bought all those amazing eyeshadows from BH Cosmetics and all I do now is use a bit od neutrals and black eyeliner? Well, plus mascara and falsies, plus blush and RED lipstick.. but still! I wonder how long! Actually I think I look good with this as it's elongating my eyes, so it balances out my strong jaw (ugh, so not girly, maybe grandma was right when telling me not to chew so much gum? lol) Also, I think less dark color on my eyes makes me look younger! So yeah that's why I think I will get back to this look over and over the more I get old! hahaha
Here's a pic so you see what it looks like. Of course I filmed a tutorial for YT but who knows in which following century I will get the time to edit it and upload it....

Reasons

Well... I wonder, why none of my friends/family, would like some beauty advice? Not from me, but from anyone??? Except for my hubby, but he is a guy so I can't really teach him about make up and all the good stuff! LOL. Poor guy, has to sit and listen anyways tho, cuz I keep talking about that. I bet he knows more than most of the girls that I know, at this point! I always liked using makeup and beauty products, but I never had anyone to tech me how to use them right, except for my mom, that, now I realise, she never actually knew too good either. But at least she loved to use them and she gave me some really good advices and words of wisdom in those regards. I remember that she told me that *there is nothing better and more relaxing than taking care of yourself*. And that is the truth! I read tons of women's magazines, and I cannot deny, they gave me good advice but only parts of advices... I mean, their articles would explain things but only fast, like for example, to get a smokey eye look, you have to put that color of shadow here and the other one there but... never were telling that instead of the little sponge that comes with the eyeshadow box, you have to use a makeup brush, and blend the colors into each other better. So I had no idea and I was getting frustrated at about 18 years old, trying to put colors on my lids but always ending up with some blocks of colors that wouldnt match right! So I have been wearing only eyeliner and mascara for years, convinced being that I am unable to work with colored makeup and maybe that my eyes were not made for that!! I thought it just wouldnt fit me!! My eye shape is a bit weird, my eyes are kind of hooded so the eyeliner did not look all that good either, when applied like I had seen on my mother... meaning in a winged line. So I started to hate my eyes!

My friends were not too interested in makeup either, they were mostly interested in clothes, which is okay but heck, as long as your face looks like hell... clothes won't make you look any better! Unless, of course, you wear them on your face!

So when I discovered the beauty Gurus on YouTube I was fascinated! Was like I just had been gifted with a gang of girlfriends, all fun and interesting and WILLING to teach and to learn! The first videos I discovered were the ones of Kandee Johnson, I remember I was obsessed with her videos and her blog and I couldn’t believe how many little things I could learn and in a matter of days I was looking completely changed, my hubby was amazed! He was like *wow you look so hot with your eyes made up like that!!!!* I went and bought new makeup and I started watching more gurus and recreating the makeups they were doing, every day a different style, step by step, pausing the videos and trying to do what they did. After a while,I was already aware of what looked best on me, for my eyes shape and face shape, color and all. And the best thing is that the gurus were girls just like me, explaining everything like they would to a friend, not like big makeup artists that do tell some things but prefer to keep the most important tips hidden, so noone else can still their *business*. It really was like having new friends!!

I realised that I LOVED this, I loved makeup and loved everything beauty and I was starting to get good at it! I was watching videos and searching the Internet for a few hours every day (when I had time), reading more magazines, recreating makeup loks from the magazines... Was like a revelation, like I had found my meaning in life! :))

So when I went to my home country this summer, I packed up a ton of makeup and brushes and all that good stuff, happy that I will get to teach my mom, my mom in law, my sister in law and everyone else that would wanna learn, I would make them up and make them look so beautiful, I was hoping to make them feel like I felt when I discovered all this! But uh-oh…. It wasn’t all like I planned. They kind of acted like it wouldn’t be such a big deal for them, and that they already KNEW all the things I was so enthusiasticaly telling them (yeaaaah RIGHT!! If they knew, they would look better!!) so they kind of rained on my parade! LOL! That sucked because I am really happy when I can help people with anything, but I am happy if I see that my help was received with pleasure and that it really made a change for them, not just accepted out of … obbligation, and halfhearted. My point is, I dunno about others, but I am surrounded by people that do not wanna *lower* themselves to the point where they would admit that they need help, they would rather pretend they know it all and go on like they always did, rather than accepting some help. That is so bad, made me feel sad. So that’s how I got the idea of starting this blog, the YouTube channel (Muzettte) AND a Formspring and Twitter account, so I can talk with people that are LOOKING for help. I never pretend that I would be the best at anything but I have learned so much lately, I am continuously learning about beauty, fashion, skincare (that one I had to learn even from years ago, having to deal with acne for so many years). Other than that, I know many other things that could help some people, for example, I guess I could give good relationship advice!

Feels so good to be able to help and to express your ideas and feelings and to actually be able to talk to people that have the same likes and hobbies. I don’t have this pleasure in my real life, so the Internet has proven to be so helpful in these regards, for me!

I can’t wait to figure out how to edit the damn YT videos to make them shorter than 10 mins tho! LOL I know how to cut them, is just too hard to make them shorter, I dunno what to take out!!

Okay, this post was too long already, so I will add another Outfit of the Day pic and hit the sack.
Kisses everyone!
Muzettte

Tunic: H&M

Jeggings: C&A

Clogs: Tamaris

Shoulder bag: no-name craftstore

Sunnies: Fendi