Review: Elf High Definition Powder

I love translucent powders and always keep looking for cheaper alternatives to my favorites which are by Mac and Makeup Forever. So I thought 'why not try the Elf one?!' - couldn't possibly get cheaper than that, right?! I think it's $3 in the US, I ordered mine off the Swiss website so it was a tad bit more but still much cheaper than most that are available at the drugstore.

I did not really like the packaging to begin with since it was super bulky and I once made the mistake of not holding on to the clear insert that holds back the powder and so it came off and I had a bit of a powdery mess. So a few points deducted for that.

The powder itself is not great either. It does its job fairly okay but it is so not finely milled meaning that when you put the brush in it you have to tap off a lot to make it look somewhat natural. Now, using loose products already isn't a quick process since you have to be rather careful with it and if you also have to be careful not to use the larger bits of powder then that's just too much work for me. Especially since it still looks somewhat powdery afterwards.

So, I'm gonna say that I do not recommend the powder for the reasons stated above and am therefore only giving it 1/10 points since it can still work but not well.

Anybody have any recommendations for good cheap powders? loose or pressed?

Have a nice weekend everyone!

-Natalie

Nars Laguna Bronzer

I love using bronzer and think I can safely say that I would even choose bronzer over blush if I had to (not that I do). It just warms up my face, gives it life and dimension. This is really all I want from a bronzer.

I adore the Nars bronzer in the shade "Laguna" as much as everybody else. It does exactly what I want (see above) and has a great color as well. It's natural but I can also pack on more if I want more contouring. Yes, I use it for slight contouring as well. It's really that versatile. It's almost matte but has somewhat of a sheen or even slight shimmer if you look at it in the pan. I apply it with my Mac 134 brush for everyday use and very rarely with an angled brush to contour.

The only thing that kind of bothers me about it is that it is slightly powdery, meaning that a lot of product is wasted. It's not powdery on my face but in the pan you can see the mess your brush left behind. And especially once I hit pan, it gets rather tricky since there are chunks that just fall off and can hardly be used anymore.

I can ignore the powdery thing but what really makes my decision of repurchasing it is that there are so many other more affordable bronzers out there today so why would I spend $36 at Sephora if I can get the NYC bronzer in "Sunny" for $3 at the drugstore which performs equally as good!?

So, conclusion: 8/10 points -> one point deducted for powderiness (is that even a word?!) and one for the substitution factor.

What is your favorite bronzer? Any recommendations?

Happy sunday!

-Natalie

One more try..

So I have again been gone for a while as I've been busy with school mostly but life in general. I have been in the mood to use my blog again and post some things. Especially, since I've still been taking pictures of every product I finished up in the past months or even years by now. Therefore, my blog is going to be lots of product reviews and maybe also other reviews, more travel related posts and also other topics such as maybe TV show obsessions and other random things I like and maybe you reading this blog might enjoy as well :)

All right, so I hope y'all are doing great and if you have any questions, comments or requests just leave them below this post!

xxx
natalie

PS: the photo is from when I was in Philly last summer :) the magic gardens are such a cool place!

Review: Burt's Bees Hand Salve

I have had this thing for quite a long time and it's just always been in my nail drawer and I therefore never really used it so I put it in my night stand and well, long story short, I used it up yesterday.

I once bought a travel set from http://feelunique.com (I think it was this one: http://row.feelunique.com/p/Burts-Bees-Essential-Burts-Bees-Kit ) where this hand salve was included, so there is no individual prize for the small one, however it is sold in the regular size on the site for around $15.

I used the salve for my cuticles before going to bed especially after just having done my nails but also other nights.

The salve pretty much has the consistency you would imagine a salve to have so it's kind of an oily version of vaseline (the only comparison I could think of). I loved how it felt on my cuticles and the scent is also very nice.

I do however feel that something like this that will moisturize your cuticles can also be found in multiple other products. For example, I have a shea butter lip balm thingy on my table (in order to use it up) which I also sometimes use for my cuticles. And of course I also have regular cuticle oil which also does the same thing.

Conclusion: 9/10 points because of effectiveness and scent, however definitely not a unique product that couldn't be replicated by many others.

Back 2 Mac

These are a few of my Mac regulars in my "collection".

From left to right: 2x Mac Brush Cleanser, Mac Cleanse-Off Oil, Mac Bare Study Paint Pot, Mac Studio Finish concealer, Mac Mineralize Skinfinish Natural

Mac has a program where you can return 6 empty Mac containers and get a lipstick for free at counters. In free standing stores you can choose between a lipstick, a lip gloss and an eye shadow.

When I finished these products I knew that I was going to be in New York soon (that was earlier this year) so I waited to back 2 mac everything since here in Switzerland where I live there's only a Mac counter and in New York there's a free standing Mac store right on Times Square. So I took everything with me and exchanged it for an eyeshadow (I think Nylon) there. Unfortunately you can only get eyeshadows in pots so I had to depot it at home.

If you use Mac products you should really take part in this program since you might as well get something back for what you're using anyhow.

Okay, now to the products:

Brush cleanser is sort of self-explanatory. I don't even use it that often since most of the time if I clean my brushes it's deep cleaning (with baby shampoo under water) but when you're switching colors or you just don't have time to deep clean then this is really great. There are probably better ones out there but this is what's available to me.

Cleanse-Off oil: I used to use this to remove makeup but I'm now using the Boscia Makeup Breakup cleansing oil. It's pretty much the same thing except thicker so I feel like I need less product. I don't think it's accessible to me here in Switzerland but I do still have backups from my US trips and I think I might be able to get it in Germany once I do run out. The Mac one isn't bad, it's just not as good in my opinion.

Bare Study Paint Pot: absolutely amazing, already on my second one. It's my favorite base for underneath my eye shadow and I use it every day that I wear makeup. (the pot lasts forever btw)

Concealer: I did a post on this one recently. Check it out here.

MSF Natural: Again, already am using my next one and also have a backup of it. I do have to say that I wouldn't use it over foundation though (a bit too heavy for my taste). I use it either to set my concealer/tinted moisturizer combo or to refresh my skin after a long day. But nonetheless I do really like it. I heard of a few drugstore dupes of it which I'd like to try out (already am on one of those) just to see if there is something comparable.

All right, so that was a little description of back 2 mac and of the products I used up.

Take care and talk soon,
Natalie

Empties: Favorite Concealer

It's actually been a while since I finished this pot and I've already used quite a bit of my new one, but this is Mac Studio Finish Concealer (I'm in NC15) and it's my absolute favorite.

It's creamy but not too creamy, as in it doesn't slide of your face, and it's opaque enough but doesn't look cake-y.

It's very reasonably priced, especially since it lasts for absolutely ages. I think it took me about three years to use it up. Now I do have to say that I don't use it every single day since I try to use up my other ones and also you really do not need a lot of it so even if I did use it every day it would last me at least a year which is pretty good for the price.

The only other concealer that I would say might even be better is Nars Creamy Concealer, but I haven't used it that much yet since I am still using up some not so good ones.

If you happen to know a drugstore alternative to the Mac (or Nars) one, please let me know.

Talk soon,
Natalie

99 Random Questions Tag

I just watched this video by Tiffany from MakeupbyTiffanyD and thought I'd answer these questions myself. So here we go...

QUESTIONS:
1:Do you sleep with your closet doors open or closed?
Closed, except that I only have a dresser and clothing rack here at college which doesn't give me that option anyway
2:Do you take the shampoos and conditioner bottles from hotel?
If I like them, yes.
3:Do you sleep with your sheets tucked in or out?
Out.
4:Have you ever stolen a street sign before?
Uhm, no!? Why would one even want to do that?!
5:Do you like to use post-it notes?
Hell yes.
6:Do you cut out coupons but then never use them?
Sometimes.
7:Would you rather be attacked by a big bear or a swarm of a bees?
A big bear. Bees and other flying insects terrify me most of the time.
8:Do you have freckles?
No.
9:Do you always smile for pictures?
No.
10:What is your biggest pet peeve?
I could think of so many.. being messy, cutting people off when they talk, not saying what you really think and on the other side, not accepting other opinions, etc.
11:Do you ever count your steps when you walk?
No.
12:Have you ever peed in the woods?
Yes. I've been camping many times and when you have to pee in the middle of the night because of how cold it is you can't walk to the restrooms for 5 minutes, trust me.
13:What about pooped in the woods?
I don't think so.
14:Do you ever dance even if theres no music playing?
Rarely.
15:Do you chew your pens and pencils?
Eww, no.
16:How many people have you slept with this week?
0.
17:What size is your bed?
Here at college I have a twin size because I have a really small room, but at home I have a queen size.
18:What is your Song of the week?
Bella Vita by DJ Antoine (who by the way is from my hometown) --> I don't normally listen to house music at home but since I've been taking workout classes and that song was playing multiple times it's been stuck in my head.
19:Is it okay for guys to wear pink?
A "Faded Salmon" color is okay, as Ross from Friends would say.
20:Do you still watch cartoons?
Of course. Not as often as I used to as a kid, though. (Obviously)
21:Whats your least favorite movie?
Saw.
22:Where would you bury hidden treasure if you had some?
This is a trick question.
23:What do you drink with dinner?
Water. Or a glass of wine or sparkling wine if it's the weekend or a special occasion.
24:What do you dip a chicken nugget in?
I'm a vegetarian but when I used to eat meat I would always dip chicken nuggets in sweet'n'sour sauce.
25:What is your favorite food?
Sushi.
26:What movies could you watch over and over and still love?
Rom-Coms and certain classics. And Christmas movies at Christmas time. (The list would be way too long)
27:Last person you kissed/kissed you?
My ex-boyfriend.
28:Were you ever a boy/girl scout?
I was a girl scout for a very short time but didn't particularly care for it.
29:Would you ever strip or pose nude in a magazine?
No.
30:When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper?
I honestly don't remember.
31:Can you change the oil on a car?
No. (but I probably would know if I had a car)
32:Ever gotten a speeding ticket?
Again, I don't have a car, so no.
33:Ever ran out of gas?
Again, no.
34:Favorite kind of sandwich?
Beets and goat cheese - had this at a restaurant in Houston and it was absolutely delicious.
35:Best thing to eat for breakfast?
Homemade Müsli or steel cut oats.
36:What is your usual bedtime?
About 10pm. (usually about 8hrs before I have to get up)
37:Are you lazy?
No, but I can be.
38:When you were a kid, what did you dress up as for Halloween?
We don't really celebrate Halloween as much here in Switzerland but I did go trick or treating once when I was about 10 and I dressed up as a witch. (I was really obsessed with witches, especially Sabrina, the Teenage Witch)
39:What is your Chinese astrological sign?
I don't know. *googling it* okay, uhm I think a horse, if I understood this correctly on Wikipedia.
40:How many languages can you speak?
Technically 5: German and English (fluently), Spanish, French and Arabic (somewhat mediocre but always trying to improve) but then in addition to those I understand some Danish and Swedish and can also speak a teeny tiny bit and then I also understand Italian a little bit since it's a latin language as are Spanish and French.
41:Do you have any magazine subscriptions?
Sort of. My dad gave me a subscription of a Swiss fashion/beauty magazine as a birthday present last year but I don't even know how long it's for.
42:Which are better legos or lincoln logs?
Had to look up what lincoln logs were but definitely Legos.
43:Are you stubborn?
Sometimes. But I always try to be open to everything.
44:Who is better...Leno or Letterman?
Letterman.
45:Ever watch soap operas?
I think I used to watch some German ones when I was younger but it was never really something I enjoyed.
46:Are you afraid of heights?
To a certain extent. Like certain kinds of height scare me. For instance, if I'm not on solid ground I don't feel too comfortable like those sort of grid-like metal stairs, if you know what I mean.
47:Do you sing in the car?
Since I don't have a car, I can't really say. But I probably would.
48:Do you sing in the shower?
Rarely.
49:Do you dance in the car?
See question 47.
50:Ever used a gun?
No.
51:Last time you got a portrait taken by a photographer?
Never.
52:Do you think musicals are cheesy?
Often they are. But I still like them.
53:Is Christmas stressful?
Yes. But I love it to death.
54:Ever eat a pierogi?
What is this?! *after googling* I still don't get what it is?! So no, I've never eaten it.
55:Favorite type of fruit pie?
Plum. (it's a thing in Switzerland)
56:Occupations you wanted to be when you were a kid?
Veterinarian, Popstar and actress.
57:Do you believe in ghosts?
No. But if they do exist I wouldn't wanna know.
58:Ever have a Deja-vu feeling?
Yes, quite often actually.
59:Take a vitamin daily?
Yes (Fish Oil and Women's One Daily) but I don't do it as regularly as I should.
60:Wear slippers?
Yes. My ex-boyfriend got me into that and now it feels wrong not to wear them. Plus it's getting colder now so it really is necessary.
61:Wear a bath robe?
I do at home but not here at college.
62:What do you wear to bed?
Pyjama pants (or sweat pants), usually a t-shirt and when it's colder a hoodie or sweater over it and fuzzy socks. And when it gets really cold, I'll wear a long sleeve shirt underneath a sweater plus a scarve and I'll also double up the socks.
63:First concert?
I'm not a really a concert person so I've never been to an actual concert. I've seen a few Swiss musicians live but that was never an actual concert.
64:Wal-Mart, Target or Kmart?
Target. But Wal-Mart for the price.
65:Nike or Adidas?
Nike.
66:Cheetos Or Fritos?
Cheetos.
67:Peanuts or Sunflower seeds?
Sunflower seeds.
68:Ever hear of the group Tres Bien?
Nope.
69:Ever take dance lessons?
Yes, I used to dance Salsa for several years.
70:Is there a profession you picture your future spouse doing?
Doesn't really matter to me, as long as he has a passion for what he does.
71:Can you curl your tongue?
Yes.
72:Ever won a spelling bee?
As far as I know, we don't have those here in Switzerland but I would kick ass if I ever entered one.
73:Have you ever cried because you were so happy?
Yes, several times.
74:Own any record albums?
Technically they're my dads, but I used to listen to a Bing Crosby record he has all the time.
75:Own a record player?
Not myself, but my dad does and I can use it.
76:Regularly burn incense?
Not regularly, but I do sometimes.
77:Ever been in love?
Yes.
78:Who would you like to see in concert?
Muse, Modest Mouse, Bon Jovi, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Josh Turner, The Killers, Vampire Weekend and a few that unfortunately aren't with us anymore (like Frank Sinatra).
79:What was the last concert you saw?
See question 63.
80:Hot tea or cold tea?
Both?! Rather hot though. Still, depends on the season.
81:Tea or coffee?
Tea.
82:Sugar or snickerdoodles?
I've never had snickerdoodles so I can't say.
83:Can you swim well?
No, just regular.
84:Can you hold your breath without holding your nose?
Yes.
85:Are you patient?
Kind of.
86:DJ or band, at a wedding?
Band.
87:Ever won a contest?
Yes. As a kid, I was at some Viking experience thing in Denmark and we had to find clues and answer questions and such and I actually won (there were many people there) and got like a brooch sent home to Switzerland.
88:Ever have plastic surgery?
No.
89:Which are better black or green olives?
Green. Or Brown but not black.
90:Can you knit or crochet?
I can knit but I can't crochet. I'm very out of practice though with the knitting so each time I want to continue knitting something I have to ask my dad's girlfriend to show me what I have to do again.
91:Best room for a fireplace?
The living room.
92:Do you want to get married?
Yes.
93:If married, how long have you been married?
I'm not married.
94:Who was your HS crush?
I don't really wanna go through the entire list right now, so let's just say there were a lot.
95:Do you cry and throw a fit until you get your own way?
God, no.
96:Do you have kids?
No.
97:Do you want kids?
Yes.
98:Whats your favorite color?
Green.
99:Do you miss anyone right now?
Yes, many members of my family, my friends and my cat who's not with me here at college.

Okay, so that was the tag.
I tag YOU, if you want to do it! Send me a link to your blog post or video if you did it. It's a fun tag. Very long though.

Gotta go to bed now. Hope you're all well and talk soon!
- natalie