Iconic

The new collection of Louboutin shoes maintains some classic elements for a woman's wardrobe (nude/black pumps, with only a touch of color), but also brings in novelties! You can see here all online shopping wonderful shoes, and here the new collection.
I stopped at a classic pair: nude with a touch of grey and yellow, perfect combination.. perfect for plenty of occasions. The 12 cm heel looks perfect to me, considering my height, but I wonder how long I can resist with them on.. :)

2013 Spring Summer trend (Chanel)

One more month of winter left, during which we can start getting ready for spring and summer!
Meanwhile, let's have a look over the new trends in accessories, part of Chanel collection (which you can see here in full).

In my pics (focused on accessories), the color combination is a classic, based on consecrated contrasts white-black, to which a drop of color is added from time to time. Right lines in clothing are tempered by round accessories (hats, pearl jewels, buttons).
I particularly find the jewels fascinating, classic by composition and yet modern, by oversize. The effect is spectacular.. Chanel :).

Undisputable, Estee Lauder (1)

In previous posts I mentioned the fascination for Dior products, especially in what concerns fashion collections, accessories, perfumes and make-up. Today, it's time for a brand that made a name for itself especially through skincare and make-up products. I'm talking about Estee Lauder.

Advanced Night Repair - By the time I was a teenager, I found out that Estee Lauder was one of the favorite brands used by women, with some financial means, investing in their own wrinkle prevention and correction battles. This memory sticked with me and years later, it was one of the reasons I found myself, at some point, testing the brand's star product in this matter. I don't have any wrinkles, but hydration and clear skin have always been my top two concerns. I enjoyed using the serum in the evening, sometimes every other day, as my skin was perfectly hydrated and clear. I used the entire bottle and am thinking of re-buying it in the near future. Minuses: it is very expensive. But in this case, even a small drop can bring you the benefits you're hoped for. In the end, I have to say that for the money spent, you get very good quality. 

Rate 10/10.

Double Wear Stay in Place Make-up - it was the first long wear foundation I ever had (before Diorskin). It has a medium-high coverage and I didn't have to worry that it would end up on my clothes or phone during the day. I thought it was excellent - in terms of application and matte-natural finish (at least for the first hours since application). Minuses: the shade was not perfectly suited for my complexion, and I couldn't find anything else in the shade range that would. Another issue was that during the day, my face started to shine (combination skin) and I had to use powder or blotting sheets for correction. SPF is not higher than 10, and it needs to be compensated by a higher SPF cream. The price is, of course, substantial. However, overall, I have to say that there is good quality for the money spent. 

Rate 9/10.

Pure Lip Gloss - or another reason that I cannot pronounce myself to be a gloss fan. For different reasons: given that I was attracted by the product, the color, the effect - more or less shiny, I tried glosses many times, from different brands (high end or not). They seem suitable to people who are not on the run, they're very meticulous and attentive with their own image. Perfectionists! :) Personally, even if the gloss comes in such a nice wrapping, has such a fine texture, it smells soooo good and applies on easily, I only see the downside effects. Minuses: the gloss in excess gathers up, in a en-aesthetic manner obviously, on the lips, or lips corner. Color becomes irrelevant, as it only lasts a maxim 30 minutes for anyone to see it. Objectively, it is not that different from other glosses, and this is my personal opinion only! The product is just as performing as other similar products from MAC, Revlon, Lancome, etc.
Rate 9/10.

Wishing for..

Yesterday's post just reminded me that somewhere in my mind, there is a self-generating list of wishes. When ending one product, you either liked it very much and probably will continue using it, or you may want to try something else. And there are also the "new comers", with their own promises and beauty dreams. These all contribute to the List.

Since I was still on the fascination for Dior, these are some of the precious, glamorous and, why not, joyful little things that "apparently" found their way on my list.

I went back and forth on this perfume. I know someone that used to wear it ALL THE TIME, and somehow I always associated it with her. Thank God that during the past few years she switched to something else.. now is my chance! :)

So cute, so chic and girly! It's practical for a day to day look, but the main attraction is that it takes you thinking about blossomed trees, city life, fabulous youth and luxuriant sparkles. 

For summer, I will definitely start considering this sun makeup, perfectly suited for my skin and make-up purse! :p

And last, but certainly not the least, the Diorskin Rosy Glow - translucent with a slight sheer. I'm thinking that this just might be the ingredient for the perfect daily look. 

The list could go on, with other "little miracle workers", but I'll stop here and ask "What is on your list?" :)

Dior, fascination (5)..

This post brings to an end the first part of reviews for Dior cosmetic products. More will follow in time, as new products arrive in my possession and use. :)

Midnight Poison - or the fragrance that is not suitable for everybody! In my case, this perfume, together with Prada are the living proof that a fragrance needs to be tried out for at least a few days in a row. This has to be done especially when we're talking about strong perfumes (there are many examples here). In this case, top notes are extremely deceiving, apparently fresh - mandarin blossom and bergamot. The bergamot leads the way to the strong base notes, whose specific concentrations reminds perfectly of men fragrances. Personally, although I tried it on repeatedly, I could not bring myself to stand the smell. Eventually I ended up using it as a room fragrance, a more suitable purpose in my opinion :). Objectively speaking, this is a long lasting perfume, excellent for winter time (obviously) and for a night out. It should not be worn at the office (unless there is generous personal space).

Rate 9/10.

Dior liner - Precision eyeliner - high end product, which sadly, I have to categorize as a cosmetic failure. The applicator is perfect, conferring great precision over the line, but the fluid is not at all consistent during the application. The applicator has to often be shaken and this is not at all a guarantee that an uniform line will be the final result of your hard work. If we are questioning result on one eyelid how about result for both eyes?? The only good part is that once applied, it stays on perfectly during the entire day. To cut it short, this is a product which I ended up avoid using it, due to the unsatisfactory result. Minuses: fluid without uniform consistency. Low quality for a high price. 

Rate: 6/10.

Perfect mornings..

..start with perfect breakfasts: delicious pancakes and coffee.

Time pieces

Exceptional time pieces from Dior Collection 2013, real jewels that match all expectations :)

I find it hard saying which one I prefer most. I guess that it's the third one, as the mix of colors reminds me of impressionist painting. 

How about you?

Dior, fascination (4)..

J'Adore - or the light fragrance of spring (ar at least this is how I perceive it, thanks to the smell of magnolia in its top notes), it's one of the floral Dior perfumes, easy wearable in any season, day or night, at the office or an evening outing.
Just like its older brother, Poison, JÁdore recorded an amazing success, being one of the fragrances launched in a large variety of concentrations. Could perhaps the image of Charlize Theron contributed to its popularity? What's sure is that her remarkable outfit and jewelry, slender figure and phantasmagorical attitude did not pass unnoticed!
Success reasons are not entirely known, but what I can say is that the fragrance attracts a large audience tot the show both by delicate sophisticated notes and the easiness of the wear-ability as well as the relatively long persistence and sillage, taking into account the predominance of floral notes.
Rate 9/10.

Diorific High Fashion Lipstick - or another high impact lipstick, especially by the extravagant gold case (I include also an image, to get my point). It's a longer lasting lipstick, compared to the addict collection, with a matte, natural finish. The shade I've tried was very close to lip color and the final effect was that of o slight intensification and uniformity of lip texture. My favorite still remain the Addict lipsticks, thanks to the slight shiny finish. Minuses: I see no minuses, except for my preference for a shinier finish.
Rate 9/10.

Hydra Life - Pro Youth Sorbet Cream - speaking of face skincare products, I cannot say I have many praises (at least for what I've tried out). This product promises hydration, luminosity and skin evenness for normal and combination types. Sadly I didn't notice any of the mentioned effects, moreover, my impression was that it would probably be more suited to dry skin types. After a few hours since application, the face started to shine and I had to use powder or blotting papers. I didn't get clogged pores but I also was not happy with the product. In other words, in order to obtain the "usual" hydration or skin evenness, I turned to other products, belonging to far less expensive product ranges, but more efficient for my purpose. Minuses: Not as effective as one would expect from a Dior product. MUCH too expensive for what it actually does.
Rate 5/10.

Beauty news

After the succes of Chubby Stick for Lips, Clinique launches Chubby Stick Shadow Tint for Eyes.

For starters, I would pick the amber shade! :)

Dior, fascination (3)..

Continuing with the reviews started a few days ago..


Miss Dior Cherie - is the second Dior fragrance I purchased, being impressed by my experience with Pure Poison (review here). This perfume was totally different. It started with fruity notes, which at first I thought they were "candy shop" enchanting, but they disappeared after 30 minutes, leaving me with a bare sweet kind of smell, fading quickly. I guess that it just was not right for me at that time, but I was still experiencing the fragrance world. I would categorize it in the moderate lasting range of perfumes. It's best worn in spring-summer, although the base notes (patchouli and amber) would suggest it works just fine in autumn or maybe even winter time (on the right type of skin).
Rate 7/10.

Eyeshadow Palette 5 Couleurs - simply great range of eyeshadow color combinations in every palette (I had the Sylish Move combination). Pigmentation is just right, they apply on very smoothly and do not crease. I especially like the soft shiny touch, as it adds up to eye luminosity. However, this might not be in the favor of less younger looking skin (where matte colors are the way to go). They last and last, until you take it off! :)
Minuses: Definitely the price.
Rate 10/10.

Dior Addict Lipstick - I've tried on several colors over the past 6-7 years. As the range of colors changes, you need to find a replacement for the color you get used to. This is ok, as you might also probably want to try out other shades, but what do you do when you're simply in love with a certain shade, that is not produced anymore? Anyway, going back to the review, I need to say that for me, this product fits just as well under the label "greatness". It has everything I look for in a lipstick. It hydrates, it has intense color (depending on the choosing), it has a soft wet shine and after that goes away, it leaves a natural looking color stain.
Minuses: lasting time, depending on preferences.
Rate 10/10.

Iconic...

Jessica Biel in Spring collections for Elle (January 2013), and the great cover shots can be seen here.

My favourite is this one.. can you take your eyes off THE SHOES??! Devilish red, daring and bold, feminine 100%.

Dior, fascination (2)..

As promised, I'll go on with the reviews for Dior products tried and/or tested up to this moment.

Pure Poison - is the first Dior fragrance I ever had and which I adored from the start, and to which I always came back, each time I finish a bottle. Despite its fresh opening notes, the perfume is not a light one. After 30 minutes it's been sprayed on, it transforms to a long lasting sandalwood - orange blossom - jasmine embrace (at least on my skin). It lasts and lasts. Although, personally I never experienced it, I believe it's one one of the fragrances which has a solid chance of being criticized at working place, by more sensitive colleagues. It's best worn during autumn and spring (chilly air). For summer, it might be a little too heavy.
Rate 10/10.

Diorskin Nude - Natural Glow Radiant Foundation SPF 10 (discontinued) - a very good foundation, in terms of texture and finish, but suitable for a non-problem skin. It has sheer to light coverage, which makes it compulsory to also use a concealer in order to correct eventual problems.
Minuses: I wouldn't recommend it to people with combination to oily skin. After a few hours, it starts to shine, and requires powder or blotting paper adjustment. Also, the level of SPF is too small. The new formula for Diorskin Nude has SPF 15, which represents a small enhancement, but not even close to its cousin, Diorkin Forever (reviewed here). Another minus is its price, too high relative to quality.
Rate 8/10.

Diorshow Waterproof Mascara - I only had it once, and would not repurchase it, unless the formula improves/changes. I believe that it just didn't suit me, but the overall impression was that it was about the same level of a LÓreal mascara, and consequently being overpriced for its quality. Pigmentation was strong, but the brush was a bit large and difficult to use, often leading to clumps, which I struggled to correct.
Rate 8/10

Art

Perfect form of art..that goes nicely on your fingers :)

2013 Spring Summer trend (Dior)

In previous post I was mentioning Dior and the fascination for his collections. We can enjoy watching (or maybe even buying?) proposed creations for spring-summer tendencies, by the house of Dior. I've picked some of the runway clothing, which really take you to "La dolce vita"! most of the collection intends to bring in foreground the flora (the classic Dior Garden by now), by colors and layered fabrics. Colors become alive, the light itself plays in the material texture, enhancing feminine figures.

My favourites are dresses number 4 and 5. Notice the shoes, their color and shape? :)
Oh...completing the clothing, I think that this bag would work great! So what it's for evening? It's so lovely, girly and colorful like that.

Dior, fascination (1)..

In one way or another, we all perceive beauty starting from an idealistic lifestyle. We all long for an easy life, where worries have no place in, where we can feel freedom to the fullest. We need to enjoy the environment, feel content about what we do. We desire to be captivating, by spirit as well as looks, and be ourselves idealized by others. The eternal fascination for esthetics..

For me, idealization starts with the famous "la dolce vita". It brings to life so many memories of so much relaxation, when all you feel like doing is savour an ice cream, while strolling by the busy streets of a classy european city.

I believe that in the matter of beauty elements, the perfume wearing the same name by Dior, manages to recreate that eternal sweet vibration, simple by nature, but full of meaning.

When we say the word Dior, we think about the fascination of luxury. All its creation, be they related to fashion, cosmetics or fragrances, inspire that easy living, careless living. However, further from appearence, all Dior beauty products I've tried so far, are above average, in terms of performance.

I'll try and make a short review for what I've had and/or tested.

Dolce Vita - sweet perfume, a classic oldies but goldies, I would categorize for spring-summer. Its sweet notes make you think of small candies you had as a child. The perfume is quite persistent, thanks to its base notes, relatively discrete, with medium sillage. Perfect suited for the office, I'd say.

Dior Blush - best blush I've owned so far. Extremely resistent - it's enough to apply it in the morning, and in the evening I still have it on me. Pigmentation is average, and 2-3 layers are necessary in order to obtain the desired effect. But then again, quantity is more than enough. I've had it for a year now, and I'm sure it will last me for another one, given that I wear it in about 70% of the cases. However, I don't know who manages to finish a blush. Eventually you want to try something else, right? The color I own is 943 - Strawberry Sorbet. I see no negative sides of this product, except for the price.

Dior Skin Forever - Flawless Perfection Fusion Wear Makeup FPS 25 - great foundation, suitable for problem skin as well. It has medium to high coverage. For critical periods, however, it doesn't work miracles. You still have to use a very good concealer, which goes with the foundation. Resistance is high, when I take off my makeup in the evening I have to really wipe my face thoroughly.

Negative side: it has to be applied relatively fast, once out of the recipient, as it dries off quite quickly and it might leave you with some uneven marks. I also had some problems in finding the right shade for me (NC 20-25). Price is quite high.  

Initiative and go..

Starting this year with first post in a blog, that I long dreamed of... A blog about beauty in all its forms: nature, art, city life, family, skin and soul. 

While I am positive that this is not the first nor the last blog of this kind, I certainly hope to offer some insight of my own experiences of beauty.