Trying to choose what make-up should i bring with me for the two weeks of holiday, was the most difficult part of the whole packing process. I know, silly and shallow but when you have so much make-up and when “you need it all” its hard. I had to sit down, have a cup of tea and embrace myself for the task.

After rummaging through it all, this what I’ve taken with me:

Not bad huh? Thought so myself.

As a base i got the Smashbox Tinted Moisturiser in Medium for day time, Smashbox Photofinish Foundation in L4 for night time and the wonderful Halo Powder in Medium to set everything in place. Also their concealer is just amazing, it doesn’t cake, its long lasting and of course, conceals everything. I tend to apply it on top of the foundation, for maximum coverage.

As I am very impressed with the concealer and the Halo Powder, I’m not very found of the foundation. The color was great, texture wise was very light, ideal for my holiday tan. So what was the problem then? Despite being oil free and using the Halo over it, my T-Zone was extremely shiny and oily. I used to bloat it every two hours or so when i remembered and every time the paper sheet was covered in oil. Yep, not very impressed.

Smashbox Photofinish in L4. Gives a nice dewy finish, but unfortunately not suitable for my oily skin

For my eyes i had the Clarins Instant Sun Light eyeshadow palette from the new summer collection and my old and trusty Urban Decay Book of Shadows. I must say I’m in love with Clarins this summer, their make-up collection is amazing! Except the cream blusher and bronzer (not much color pay off and very glittery) i adore everything they got. Plus, i rocked the violet/gold look that they are promoting, its suitable for every eye color and very fun to wear.

It also works as a bronzer for the face, if you mix all the colors with a blusher/bronzer brush. The palette consists of four eyeshadows (two shimmery, one highlighter and one mate brown) and a cream eyeliner. Everything you need in one little box. Also there is a bit of spray on glitter, but that will go after a couple of uses.

To create the Clarins look i used first the UD Primer Potion all over the lid and then applied the Shiseido Cream Eyeshadow in Gold as a base all over the crease. The shimmery beige from the palette went on top of the cream eyeshadow, followed by chocolate shimmery brown to create the shadow. To line and define i used a Gosh waterproof eyeliner in Purple, on top of the superior lashes and on the waterline.

Shiseido Cream Eyeshadow in Gold. Its easier to apply it with your fingers, instead of a brush.

As a mascara i used Lancome Hypnose in Black (original version) for volume, adding the Clarins Waterproof Mascara in purple on top, accentuating the corners right from the root of the eyelashes. I think it looks better if you use a black mascara underneath the purple one, creates a more defined look.

The rest of my holiday look was perfected by Smashbox blusher in Chiffon (soft shimmery coral) and a couple of lip glosses.

That’s about all i brought with me, plus my brushes.

For two weeks its not bad if i can say so myself!

Here they are, ready for the line up my after sun “must” products. I have been using the same products more or less for the last 4 years (new bottles ) and for me they have become holiday staples.

For the face, nothing hydrates my skin better then Vichy Hydrating Mask with sea algae and thermal water. It has the consistency of a light cream, it is scented and should be left on about 20 min. I generally slap it on after shower and leave it until its completely absorbed. This is the type of mask that sinks in the dehydrated parts of your skin and vanishes. So basically it detects where dehydration is and acts locally. Genius! To remove it, i just spray thermal water (Vichy, Evian whatever i have) and clean it with cotton pads.

I have only bad thing to say about it, though: sometimes it stings a bit. I have noticed this and at first i thought its only me, but other friends of mine experienced this as well. Its nothing to worry about, i mean no irritation or redness…just a slightly stingy feeling that disappears after a minute or so.

Shiseido After Sun Lotion comes next, to hydrate and preserve my tan. I’m not the type who enjoys to use body lotions, i always find it quite a chore. I love the texture of this: looks like a lotion, acts like a gel. When applied it sinks instantly in, without leaving any greasiness. Feels almost like water on the skin, if that makes any sense. Also it comes in a 400ml pump, very handy for the whole family.

A product that i love, but can`t use in Ireland because I’m always cold is Clarins Leg Energizing Emulsion. I truly believe this is the business for tired limbs. When its hot outside and your legs feel tired and swollen, this lotion restores them to normality. It needs to be applied up to your knees, preferably with continuous massage moves (towards the heart), then try to put your feet up for a while and enjoy the menthol coolness. Its terrific, it actually gives me goose bumps!

A new addition to the body care this year was the Lancome L`Absolue Body Cream. I received a jar of it last Christmas and never used it, waiting for a holiday or an “event” to justify it. I know its silly. This body cream is “la creme de la creme” if you want, a luxurious treatment for your body. L`Absolue is designed to firm and smooth, targeted for mature skin but used by the likes of Kate Moss and Victoria Beckham. Of course i wanted it!

The jar is very luxurious, made from solid glass with a gold lid. Texture wise, has the consistency of whipped cream. Once applied, a little goes a long way, it replenishes instantly and leaves room for a light massage.

Now to be honest with you, i found it to be very good. This cream gives such a feeling of luxury and opulence, moisturising the body perfectly. The only down side was that I wasn’t to keen on the scent and of course, the price tag of about 140 euro. Yes, very very pricey for a body cream.

As for the hair care, i kept is simple by using a gentle shampoo for daily usage (Loreal), while deep conditioning it with Yes to carrots hair mask. I used to leave the mask on for an hour or even more, while i was reading on the terrace. This mask was a novelty for me, but i was pleasantly surprised. It is full of natural ingredients good for the hair and what i loved most about it, my hair didn’t end up flat or dull after it.

For my ends, i reached for my loyal Loreal oil for colored or treated hair. Keeps my ends shiny and moisturised.

Pfiuu…such a long post, hope it was helpfull!

Shiseido Pureness Warming Scrub is part of the deep cleansing/pore purifying range designed for a oily-combination type of skin. You will find in the range all you need to fight shine and keep the sebum (oil) under control with products like a foaming wash, matyfing moisturiser, bloating papers (they are great and in the generous number of 100), toner, mask and of course this lovely scrub.

This product should be used on the previously cleansed dry skin and massaged gentley with circular movements. While massaging it, you might feel a slight warm feeling and notice the circulation of the skin being improved (slight redness). This part was unclear to me, it is called a warming scrub so i was expecting a warming/tingly even effect when used, but this product delivered a faint feeling of warmth (which could be due to the massage).

The consistency is of a clear gel full of white and red exfoliating beads that will micro-exfoliate and refine the skin, while minimising the appearance of pores. The product itself is not aggressive at all, has a gentle action and i believe is suitable for sensitive skin. You only need a bit, as a little goes a long way due to its dense consistency.  Should be used once or twice a week, avoiding the eyes and mouth area.

The result: at first i was a bit skeptical because it wasn’t feeling like i was scrubbing. Also because it should be used on dry skin, it doesn’t foam so in my mind it doesn’t clean (I’m wrong i know). When rinsed, it takes a lot of time to get rid of all the micro beads and you have to be careful not to get them in you eye (its gonna be like sand, not pretty).

Anyway, after the whole process is completed the most soft and smooth skin is revealed! Oh yes, my skin it is baby soft and i even noticed that it looks even better the morning after (i use it mostly in the evening).

 I can honestly say that this face scrub is one of those gentle products that deliver great results.

Shiseido has launched their spring collection this month, just in time for Valentine`s Day. As I reach the Shiseido counter, new lipsticks, lip glosses, gorgeous blushers and bright eye shadows are tempting me.

I haven`t tried many products from the Shiseido make-up range to form an opinion, as it is fairly hard to get and not enough reviews online to convince me to buy. I wanted to try their Dual Balancing foundation for a while, but because of the glass packaging without a pump, I`m always delaying the purchase. Also the eye shadows that I`ve swatched in the shop seemed to be lightly pigmented on the skin, aldo they look bright and strong in the case. In my opinion, they are great as eyeshadow bases or as highlighters,but not for shadows or for a smokey look.

Anyway, I  choose two lipglosses from the spring collection: PK 406 (left) and PK303 (right) for perfectly kissable lips.

The photo doesn’t really do any justice to them, as they are not as similar in reality- the PK406 is a beautiful shimmery barbie pink and the PK303 is more of a neutral beige-peach without any sparkles. I tried to make a photo with gloss swatches on my hand (pk406 right, pk303 left):

The quality is not great, but you get the picture.

Texture wise I really like them, they are not sticky at all and they are tasteless. The coverage is not as sheer as i imagined, you can use them during day time by itself or for a more dramatic look, on top of a matching lipstick. I love that the finish is really glossy and they help creating that voluminous lip effect (Angelina watch out :p). The only down side is that they are not very resistant, on my lips they lasted about an hour without  retouch.

As a first contact with Shiseido make-up, I must say that I am pretty impressed.I am looking forward to try some of the lipsticks and blushers too, as they are really yummy looking. Roll on pay day!!