Valentine's

And because today it's Valentine's Day, we need to start preparing, right?!
1. We start with total relaxation

2. We continue with the beautifully scented bath

3. Next comes makeup, of course! :)

4. Hmm..what to wear, what to wear?!

5. Shoes..tough decision

And we start thinking about what comes next...first is chocolate!

And maybe some delicious dinner...

...in a special place!

What are your Valentine's traditions, if you have any that is?! :)

Wishing for...

Writing about Chanel, I just realized that on my Wish List, with an existence of its own and perpetually self-generating, this foundation got its way in.

The reason cannot be rational, as I have in current use no less than 4 foundations (3 Dior and 1 MAC) and another 3 which are waiting to be at least opened...perhaps at testing, it will turn out to be unsuitable for my skin and it will automatically self-erase from the List. :)

Elegant, Classic, Chanel (2)

Chance - if I remember correctly, my first impression of this perfume is that it was just another version of Coco Mademoiselle. The difference between the two perfumes becomes noticeable only a few hours after applying. The sweet floral notes (rose and mimosa) are missing from this fragrance, and what remains on my skin is a strong citric note, blended with base woody, patchouli notes. It's a very nice combination in the end, but not ideal for me. It's a looong lasting perfume, just like any Chanel perfume. It can be worn during warmer days, in the spring-summer or even beginning of autumn, excellent for the office.

Rate 10/10.

Beaute Initiale Energizing Multi-protection Cream SPF 15 - from Chanel Beaute Initiale range of moisturizers, I think that only the eye cream is still left (and I'm going to talk about it in one of the future posts). This cream was apparently taken out last year (?) and the only reason might be that it didn't rise to expectations, correct? In short, the cream was hydrating and was an excellent makeup base, although, while using it, I noticed some small skin problems (clogged pores!). I didn't identify any other significant skin changes, be they for the better or worse :). Minuses: in my case, there was no skin firming or improvement of luminosity, and for a simple moisturizer the price is simply too high. Jar packaging is totally not indicated.

Rate 7/10.

Teint Innocence - or another one of the Chanel discontinued products. I don't really understand why this one was not continued (or was it replaced by Vitalumiere, or another one of the Chanel foundations?). The formula was very silky, easy to apply, with a semi-matte, natural finish, of light to medium coverage. Perfect for combination to oily skin. Its resistance was very good, with an SPF adequate for lower sun intensity /exposure days. While I used it, I had no significant skin problem. Minuses: SPF could have been higher, appropriate for summer time as well. Using the liquid right out of the bottle can be difficult and it would have been for the best if it came with a pump.

Rate 9/10.

Getting ready for spring (2)

Continuing the list of things that need to be considered when spring comes, we return to small adjustments in the cosmetics we use:

3. Hydrated skin: count on exfoliation and good hydration products.
Chemical exfoliation can be performed using a diversity of products, containing AHA, BHA acids or retinoids, or you can turn to mechanical exfoliation, using creams or gel, including small gentle abrasive components. Each woman's ideal product can only be identified by testing, taking into account skin specifics.

Personally, I prefer dermatological products for this process. For a gentle, chemical exfoliation  Effaclar Duo by Roche Posay, for a more effective, but harsh treatment: a retinoid product, or, for mechanical exfoliation: face scrub: Exfoliant Doux Aromatique aux 3 Roses, from Nuxe, alternating with the thermoactive masque Aroma Perfection.

In what concerns hydration, I cannot stop from always testing new products (obvious from my reviews), but over time, I gradually turned to serums, as they rapidly sink into the skin, not leaving that awful  and unaesthetic shine on your face. At the moment, I have to say that I'm pretty happy with a Galenic serum, Ophycee - Elixir jeunesse supreme (I promise a review later on). 

Handbag Museum

As I was saying in previous post, some objects become legendary, like Chanel handbags, and considering  that, I want to let you know that in Seoul the Handbag Museum is now open (Simone Handbag Museum), and the famous handbag could actually be seen up-close.

The building, which presents itself in a very interesting shape (as you can very well notice), holds an impressive handbag collection, some of the oldest ones dating as far back as 1500. The collection could either be seen by visiting the museum, or virtually (not with the same effect though), here.

In the image below, you can see some of the newer models, a beautiful mix of colors, shapes and sizes, the result of modern designers.

Because Seoul might seem a little far off, the good news is that in Holland - Amsterdam, there is another handbag museum, The Museum of Bags and Purses. Here too, you can have the oportunity to see, by time period, a diversity of models, one more interesting than the other! 

Voila, examples of designer bags which became famous:

Elegant, Classic, Chanel (1)

The little black dress, tweed suit, quilted leather bag and the first designer fragrance ever, these are a few of the key elements of the Coco Chanel legacy. These items mark feminist emancipation and are relevant both by conveyed inspired attitude as well by setting ground rules for eternal classic. Or in other words, what does the image below suggest you? :)

The minimalist style, combined sometimes with trend setting elements has "suffered" dramatic changes over time, especially under creative executive director, the one and only, world wide recognizable, Karl Lagerfeld. His last collection, which I invited you to see in one of my previous posts, brings in foreground both Goth accents by poise and cut (wide shoulders and impression of elongated neck, long and rich materials for dresses and shoes, feathers as accessories, etc) as well as contrasting light elements (shiny and glittery fabrics, sequin materials). In order to better visualize, I insert some of the haute couture assembles which I especially liked.

Consecrated as a luxury brand, firstly by clothing, accessories and jewelry line, imposing an innovative and yet classic style, Chanel holds its own in what concerns cosmetics as well. Their fragrances are unequaled and, with few exceptions only, I can say that I tried/had them all and fully enjoyed.
In my opinion, the star fragrance remains, for the moment, Coco Mademoiselle, whose recent image is none other than Keira Knightley. 

Coco Mademoiselle - speaking for myself, I just cannot not have a bottle of this perfume in my closet, be it open or not. Lacking it simply brings me to a genuine panic attack :). It's one of the perfumes that fits me like a glove and is in top 5 perfumes which I HAVE TO HAVE always! The smell superbly debuts with citric notes, followed by a splendid pleading of roses and mimosa. These middle notes mingle wonderfully with base notes, predominant patchouli in my case. The smell lasts and lasts on my skin at least until the following day. Sometimes I can smell it in my hair, even a few days later...

Rate 10/10.

Getting ready for spring (1)

Isn't it so that, that together with the coming of spring, women everywhere feel the need to revise their makeup bag, change eyeshadow colors, lipstick shades and the perfume? I don't want to mention clothing or shoes, which suddenly, with the first rays of light, seem to be "worn out" and who doesn't want a new wardrobe?! :)
This is why, the best way of getting into shape is best to debut with serious shopping sessions, of any kind: window shopping, in store browsing, trying on clothes at changing cabins: blouses, t-shirts, jackets, skirts, pants, dresses, for at least 3 hours, and it would count as an hour of spinning (but more pleasantly spent) :).

In what concerns cosmetics, I'd say the rules are pretty simple, as seasons change.
1. New elements to take into consideration: trending right now are the following eyeliner shades: green, emerald or lighter, navy blue or teal, for a plus o eye luminosity. During the day, it's best to be worn with natural eyeshadow makeup.

2. What should remain in the makeup bag: the favorite foundation (best with a natural finish for sunny days), concealer, black eyeliner (classic, of course), mascara and a light fixing powder. In lipstick matters, all pastels must move in: corals, warm and fresh pinks, colors which highlight and enhance lip volume.

Undisputable, Estee Lauder (3)

Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher - Honestly, I don't really remember the reason I bought this serum for. I think that at the moment, all I wanted was to have a luminous, fresh and silky complexion, better than a baby's! What I can say right now is that this product could be easily be included in the additional products category, not indispensable to having a refined looking and feeling skin. This effect could be obtained by other means. But anyway, the serum does well in hydrating and improving skin texture, thanks to the silicon compounds. I didn't have any problems using it and so, I consider it suitable for combination, acne prone skin. I recommend it to all perfectionist girls out there :). Minuses: high price :(
Rate 9/10. 

Pure Color Eyeshadow Duo - Clearly, these eyeshadows could be categorized as elegant. They're easy to apply, fine textured, relatively resistant even without the proper base. The color palette is typical to Estee Lauder, and this could be characterized as CONSERVATIVE. In other words, they are destined to women who use makeup daily at work, and their charm is obtained by the subtle game of lights and shadows (wearing a more natural look). Minuses: I haven't detected any yet.

Rate 10/10.

Lash Primer Plus - If nature does not generously endow us, why shouldn't we try and do it ourselves, by compensating our identified "flaws"? Let's go further, and say that we made some mistake and bought a mascara (rather expensive one), which didn't deliver us the dreamy eyelashes we hoped for, and which you just cannot toss away! This primer does its job. At least in my case, it worked perfectly. I applied it on the lashes, and a few seconds later I applied the mascara (1 or 2 layers will do), and, voila, the volume shocking eyelashes in front of my eyes! :) Minuses: Not identified yet.

Rate 10/10.

Dear Spring

..why can't you please hurry?! Just when we started dreaming about the sun, gorgeous and sweet smelling hyacinth and freesia, Winter has made a swift comeback, drizzling a few more snow flakes from its grey cotton clouds..
But let's not worry, when the time for blooming buds and apricot flowers is truly here, it will be possible for us to bring out to light from the dark closets, our favorite shoes, that have quietly expected our return.
..or, we could start thinking about something else...like those beauties from Mihaela Glavan's collection (which you can see here).
I admit, I can only think pastel shoes right now!

Although, these grey beauties, seem also to be so perfect for some outfits as well.. the heel is stunning in the case of all models, but it's not like I'm already 1.75 :)

Soon...

Only 3 days left until Valentine's Day, or another occasion to celebrate together with your loved one, or that special someone in your life. Although some time ago I was more inclined to refuse these "made up" holidays, and to promote as much as possible local traditions, over the time I came to the conclusion that any real or made up reason, any initiative that changes daily routine and makes you try something rather new, is the purest form of creating small joyful moments.

These are the moments we make ourselves ready for, with small and well thought gestures, taking out of the closets our best or favorite dresses, skirts, blouses, shoes or ankle boots, we match our jewelry, and, by looking in the mirror, we bring final touches to that feminine image we aspire to.

Anticipation only increases the range of emotions, and we wish that our image from that day or evening will forever be encrusted in the mind of our loved one, while hearing the words: My dear, you are just radiant, and absolutely gorgeous! :) 

In the end, these droplets of joy are the ones that bring in the most sunshine during grey days, and warm up our hearts.

Undisputable, Estee Lauder (2)

Daywear - Advanced Multi Protection Anti-Oxidant Creme - I have to admit that, from the skincare product category, this is a moisturizer that hasn't really impressed me with anything, and it balanced more likely to disappointing. It just didn't seem to be suited for my skin type, although it was meant for normal/combination skin. Even though it sinked into the skin when applied, after a few hours my face started shining. In light of past mistakes and current experience, I think that it probably would have been best to wrap it, put it aside and use it during cold weather, and it might have proved to be more efficient. In the end, all I can say is that it is just a regular daytime moisturizer, with a relatively medium SPF. I would definitely not recommend it for summer time, when you'd have to apply an additional layer of SPF (of at least 30). Minuses: expensive moisturizer, medium benefit, low quality for the money spent.
Rate 6/10.

Double Wear - Maximum Cover - I mentioned in previous posts that my complexion is rather problematic, sensitive and acne prone. I had some experiences when I literally didn't know what else to use in order to cover spots, scars or pimples. Then, one of my colleagues from work suggested using this foundation, which was regularly used by her daughter, with the same purpose. Didn't take me more than a day to look up the product and purchase it. And because it's been more than 3 years since that time, so a lot of water under the bridge has passed, I can be amused and criticize the rookie mistake I made. The shade I bought was faaar from being suitable! :) Very light. My complexion is indeed light, but it has a yellow undertone, perfect with NW20 or NW25 from MAC, so no way it is the lightest shade from the Estee Lauder's color range. I do believe that that particular moment was the time I first learned that it is extremely important to see in natural light what is the exact color of the foundation and if it matches your face. :) In the end, I used the foundation mixed with Double Wear Stay in Place, and the result was acceptable. I recommend Maximum Cover to anyone with pigmentation issues, and in what concerns pimples, all I gotta say is that there is NO MIRACLE WORKING foundation (if there is, please, let me know!!). This product is excellent for perfect covering, very resistant, even during torrid summer days or gym class. Minuses: due to the matte, powdery finish, I think it should be applied with consideration on larger skin areas, or at least, in combination with a moisturizer/foundation with a natural finish. Otherwise, the outcome could be rather strange (mask effect). Before application, moisturize the patches of skin that need to be covered, as the product might dry out excessively flaky skin.
Rate 9/10.

Mascara - Sumptuous Bold Volume - This mascara I only had once, in the past (so without testing the newest formula) and can't say that I would buy it again unless the formula changed in a good way (and the entire blogosphere would rave about it). I was not impressed by the final effect nor the color. My feeling was that black is black enough! However, the wear is good, it lasted the entire working day, without crumbling. Minuses: too expensive for the final effect.

Rate 8/10.