Ziaja, micellar water for sensitive skin review

Hello,
today I would like to review a micellar water from Ziaja for sensitive skin. This micellar water does not contain alcohol, parabens and perfume.

Ziaja, micellar water for sensitive skin

I was looking for something gentle for cleansing the skin and after analyzing the ingredients of all micellar waters available in the shop I chose Ziaja. Not that I had too many options to choose from:). Normally my choice would be Bioderma but I don't think it is available here in Finland.
Ziaja has good gentle ingredients and its cleaning power I would describe as an average. On its own it will not remove all of your makeup.

Ziaja, micellar water for sensitive skin

Better if you use it in combination with other products, like cleansing milk or a face oil. So first let the cleansing milk do the dirt job and then use Ziaja micellar water for sensitive skin for removing "makeup leftovers". After that you can be 100% sure that your skin is clean, fresh and moisturized. You can even skip the moisturizer. In the mornings  you can only use Ziaja and it will clean your skin gently yet effectively. It will refresh your complexion and prepare for the further steps of your daily beauty routine. I think it is really important because it will save you a lot of your precious time:).
Ziaja will not dry your skin, it will not clog your pores. But be careful that it won't migrate inside your eyes because it may sting.
Overall, good product with simple ingredients and inexpensive:).
Greetings and thank you for reading,

Joanna

Maybelline The Colossal Go Extreme Mascara review

Hello,

this is a review of a new mascara from Maybelline - The Colossal Go Extreme:). In general I like Maybelline mascaras a lot. I normally buy original Colossal mascaras but this time I wanted to try something new.

Maybelline Colossal Go Extreme Volume

Maybelline Go Extreme, you can see a big brush

• Pros:
• adds some length,
• adds volume
• applies evenly,
• separates the lashes,
• doesn't smudge,
• easy to remove (I just use plain water which removes about 80% of mascara and then I finish with a bit of micellar water).

Cons:

• looks effective only if you apply two coats. You will have to wait that the first coast dries and then apply the second coat. I don't remember that I would have to do this with other mascaras,
• the brush is really big and for me it is difficult to reach the lashes next to the inner corner of the eye,
• it may flake and give you a panda eyes effect. It happened to me on the foggy, humid day. I applied mascara in the morning and after about 40 minutes walk to the school I had small flakes under my eyes.

two coats of  Maybelline The Colossal Go Extreme Mascara

Overall, I would say this is just an average mascara and I would rather recommend you the original version of Maybelline Colossal or Maybelline the Falsies one. 

Thank you for reading and greetings,

Joanna

Benecos, Ice Ice, Baby! Nail Polish review

Hello,
I have bought this nail polish from Benecos because lately I have been trying to replace my traditional, full of toxins nail polishes with more healthy options.

Benecos nail polish in ice ice baby

The problem is that traditional nail polishes make my nails yellow and are very drying(:. 
I have been experimenting with different nail polish brands but I am going to write a more complex review later. At the moment I am testing the Benecos brand. 
Benecos nail polish in Ice Ice Baby has a baby blue colour. The colour is totally mat. The application is not the easiest one, mainly because the polish is really thick and the brush is rather small.

Benecos nail polish, you can see how small brush it has

  

Also it may streak when you apply it and it may chip already two days after the application. Is it worth buying then? I think so because it does not contain toluene, camphor, phthalates, formaldehydes , colophony and when you apply it you will notice that it doesn't have strong odour either. It will not dry your nails and it should not make your nails yellow. If you are not too demanding and prefer less toxic nail polishes go for it! 

Benecos nail polish, you can see that it has chipped (about two days after the application)

Thank you for reading and greetings,
Joanna

Madara review Organic Baby & Kids, Cocoa & Plum Creamy Oil

Hello,
this Madara Organic Baby & Kids, Cocoa & Plum Creamy Oil was on my Christmas List Wish but I couldn't wait and I got it earlier.

Madara Organic Baby & Kids, Cocoa & Plum Creamy Oil

I had a sample of this product before and I fell in love with its smell. It smells so yummy like a marzipan:). Another thing is that for the body care I often use natural products for babies because they should be free of toxins and of  the highest quality. However, I haven't ever tried anything from Madara brand. Do you have any experiences with it?  I have heard that their hand cream http://www.madaracosmetics.com/en/products/85-protecting-hand-cream-75ml.html is very good but is it worth buying? Or maybe you would recommend something else?


Greetings,
Joanna

Maybelline Dream Mat Powder in 02 Rose Ivory

Hello,
today I would like to tell you about the Maybelline Dream Mat Powder in colour Rose Ivory.

Maybelline Dream Mat Powder

This is one of my favourite face powders. It is very silky and makes your skin looking smooth, oh so smooth:). The Maybelline Dream Mat powder is finely ground and allows you to achieve a very natural finish.

Maybelline Dream Mat Powder in 02 Rose Ivory

Pros:

• controls the shine
• provides mat look but not a flat mat
• can be reapplied without caking
• natural finish
• adjusts to the skin colour
• doesn't clog the pores
• doesn't irritate the skin
• no allergic reaction
• makes the skin looking very smooth 
• after blending doesn't accentuate the facial hair, pores or dry patches
• the packaging is very practical, it won't break easily even when it fells on the floor
• the powder consists of a puff powder and a mirror
• the price
• availability

Cons:

• none 

I have actually repurchased this product and I don't do it too often (mainly because I like trying new things). But Maybelline Dream Mat Powder is a classic and I will recommend it to everyone who has combination/oily skin and needs some "powder magic" to refine the look of their skin.

Thank you for reading,

Greetings,

Joanna

LOreal Caresse in Tickle me Pink lipstick lip balm

Hello,
how are you? Today I would like to review another lip product. The L'Oreal Caresse lipstick in Tickle me Pink. 

L'Oreal Caresse in Tickle me Pink lipstick lip balm 

I would say that this it is a mix of a lipstick and a lip balm. I am sure many of you would appreciate that:).

L'Oreal Caresse in Tickle me Pink lipstick lip balm

I don't know about you but I am not that much into lipsticks. I suppose I am just too shy inside to expose myself trough the lips (I hope you will understand what I mean). But I love lip glosses and lip balms.  Lip glosses are nice but they don't really moisturize and the lip balms often don't provide enough of color. However, this lipstick from L'Oreal offers both:). It is very moisturizng  and at the same time it will give your lips enough of colour. The lipstick is very soft, like a butter but it doesn't melt easily. After application your lips will be not only shiny but also soft and nourished. If you want to prolong this effect apply the lipstick a few times during the day. I have very "fussy" lips (dry, chapped) and surprisingly two or three applications a day is good enough.

L'Oreal Caresse in Tickle me Pink lipstick lip balm on my hand-you can see the colour 

Tickle me Pink is a nice baby pink colour and on the lips it looks rather sheer. It gives a subtle color and a lot of shine. The staying power is moderate.

L'Oreal Caresse in Tickle me Pink lipstick lip balm on my hand-you can see the shine

I would highly recommend you this product, maybe not necessarily in this colour but you could always choose something more "visible". You can see from the pictures that I reallylike L'Oreal Caresse lipstick:).

The packaging it plain, just pink and white plastic. There is 6 grams of product and it costs here about 10 euros.

Thank you for spending your time on reading,

Greetings
Joanna

Isadora lip gloss review Smooth Shine in Peaches Cream

Hello,

IsaDora Smooth ´n Shine lipgloss in Peaches´n Cream has a beautiful colour and a cute name.

Isadora smooth and shine lip gloss peaches n cream

I remember when I saw it for the first time. I wanted to buy it straight away but the price was about 16 euros, really expensive. A few months later there was a sale in the shop. They had only a few lip glosses and one of them was IsaDora Smooth ´n Shine lip gloss in Peaches´n Cream. And the price was...5 euros:))). Of course I got it.

Isadora smooth and shine lip gloss peaches n cream

So, here it is. The lip gloss has SPF 12 so it means it will protect your lips from the sun and they will stay longer young and beautiful. It is moisturizng and smells very nice (kind of fruity smell). Although on the box says that the product is fragrance free. 
The colour is pinky /peach with silver glitter (the glitter is tiny) and is rather sheer. The glitter offers mirror shine effect. It isn't very sticky and it doesn't stay too long on the lips.

I am not sure if I would pay full price for this product. But if you find it in promotion go for it:)

Greetings,
Joanna

Alpha Hydrox, Enhanced Cream with 10% glycolic acid acne treatment, anti wrinkle treatment

Hello,
today I would like to recommend Enhanced Cream Alpha Hydrox with 10% glycolic acid for everybody who like me suffers of acne, pimples or scars. The cream is advertised as an anti-wrinkle treatment but I use it for the scars. The same thing works for the wrinkles and the scars. I have tried many ointments and creams for the scars but so far this cream works the best.

Like all products with a glycolic acid this cream will remove your dead cells from the skin's surface. You will notice that the skin peels a bit:). At the beginning your skin may sting, especially if you haven't ever used any product with glycolic acid. It also may cause skin redness and dryness. Remember to use a good moisturizer.
Because products with glycolic acid  increase skin's sensitivity to the sun I use it only during the spring and autumn months and I always remember about applying cream with minimum SPF 30.
Results:  day by day my skin looks better, smoother, the pores shrink. I have also noticed that when I use it I have less pimples and black heads. But what is the most important for me is that the spots heal much faster and they DON'T LEAVE THE SCARS!

If you are not familiar with this type of products better if you start the treatment by using it at night and follow with moisturizer. Also I think it is better to use this product sparingly. The next day apply moisturizer with minimum SPF 30 and soon you will have nicer looking, smoother face:).
I highly recommend Alpha Hydrox, Enhanced Cream with 10% glycolic acid because it is cheap and lasts for long.

Ingredients:
water, Glycolic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate-PEG 100 Stearate, Ammonium Hydroxide, Cetyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Stearic Acid, PEG-40 Stearate, Cyclomethicone, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Glyceryl Dilaurate, Polysorbate 60, Xanthan Gum, Sorbic Acid, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Imidazolidinyl Urea, BHT

Greetings,
Joanna

Kabuki Full Coverage Brush by Bare Minerals

Hello, 
the Kabuki Full Coverage Brush by Bare Minerals is made of goat hair and is extremely soft. It has a short handle and a big head which is very good for buffing. It offers great coverage.

The bristles pick up a lot of foundation so I have to be careful with the application. I also had a Flawless Application Brush which has a long handle but unfortunately the handle broke. Anyway, I prefer kabuki brush better because it it perfect for applying the makeup and good for the travelling.
I use Kabuki brush on the bigger parts of my face and for the smaller parts I use Baby Buki brush:http://joannascosmetics.blogspot.fi/2014/11/baby-buki-bare-minerals-brush.html

Mama Kabuki and Baby Buki

I have my brushes for many years and  I have not have any problems with excessive shedding. 
I cleanse my brushes regularly with soap or shampoo and I put them near radiator for drying.
I recommend you Kabuki Full Coverage Brush:).

Greetings,
Joanna

Aubrey Organics Silken Earth Translucent Base - Porcelain loose powder

Hello,

Aubrey Organics Silken Earth Translucent Base in Porcelain is a great loose powder.

Aubrey Organics Silken Earth Translucent Base

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    It works well together with my liquid foundation: http://joannascosmetics.blogspot.fi/2014/10/giorgio-armani-luminous-silk-foundation.html
On its own it may not provide enough of the coverage. Especially for someone like me who has less than perfect complexion:). 

Aubrey Organics Silken Earth Translucent Base

It  does accentuate a bit drier parts of my face but I think most powder do. It doesn't clog my pores and does not settle in fine lines around the eyes. It evens out my skin tone and makes the pores looking less visible. The skin looks naturally matt. But what I like the most about Silken Earth Translucent Base is the light weight feel. It is something that not many powders can offer. 
On my face Silken earth looks darker, I would say more beige than porcelain but it still looks very natural.

Aubrey Silken Powder

Silken Earth Translucent Base has great cinnamon smell. This delicious smell reminds me of Christmas:). 

I apply it with Kabuki Full Coverage brush from Bare Minerals and I achieve an HD effect. It still looks like mine own skin only better.

Aubrey Organics Silken Earth Translucent Base

Product description:
"Silken Earth Translucent Base - Porcelain  is feather-light, loose base powder blends with your own skin tone to even out color, soften imperfections and give your complexion a healthy glow. Formulated with rich, nourishing powdered silk and natural colors. Natural colors made with sustainable and agricultural ingredients".

INGREDIENTS INCl: Silk powder, copernicia cerifera (carnauba) wax, tapioca starch*, lauroyl lysine, cinnamomum zeylanicum bark powder*, aloe barbadensis leaf*, iron oxides, silica. 
* Organic
I highly recommend Aubrey Organics Silken Earth Translucent Base for the HD look:).

Greetings,
Joanna

Baby Buki Bare Minerals brush

Hello,
Baby Buki Bare Minerals brush is made of goat hair. The brush is soft and offers a good coverage. Thanks to its small size it is perfect for using in smaller areas. whole face or on the parts which you want to highlight: cheekbones, brow bones, cupids bows, etc. I use it with Benecos Natural Highlighting Powder in Stardust:  http://joannascosmetics.blogspot.fi/2014/11/benecos-natural-highlighting-powder-in.html to highlight my face: under eye brows, cupids bows and over the cheekbones. Sometimes, when I need an extra glow, I use it on my whole face.

Mine Buki brush is very old:)

Baby Buki Bare Minerals brush is small and cute and is perfect for the travelling:).

Greetings,
Joanna

Benecos Natural Highlighting Powder in Stardust

Hello,Benecos Natural Highlighting Powder in Stardust is a nice product which you can use in many ways.

Benecos Highlightning Powder in Stardust

You can use it on your whole face or on the parts which you want to highlight, like cheekbones, brow bone, cupids bow, etc. If you want to give your eyes an instant lift apply it under your brows. This is what I do, especially when I have to get up at 5.30 am and I almost look like a zombie. Sometimes I  use it on the whole face because I am a girl who likes to shine:). But being serious it gives me a brighter complexion. 

Benecos Highlightning Powder in Stardust

The powder has natural light reflecting pigments which in my opinion aren't too obvious and you have to take a closer look to notice them.

Benecos Highlightning Powder in Stardust

However, when I apply the powder on my hand the shimmer is much more visible. 

Benecos Highlightning Powder shining on my hand:)

The Benecos highlighting powder gives you a nice subtle shimmer which looks classy (and who would like to look like a Christmas tree anyway), brightens your complexion and is natural. 

Benecos Highlightning Powder back of the box

Because Benecos Highlightning Powder does not contain the puff I use the Baby Buki brush from Bare Minerals:

Benecos Highlightning Powder with Baby Buki brush

And here is a list of ingredients for you:TALC, MICA, KAOLIN, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, MACADAMIA TERNIFOLIA SEED OIL*, RIZINUS COMMUNIS (CASTOR) SEED OIL*, MAGNESIUM STEARATE, GLYCERYL CAPRYLATE, p-ANISIC ACID*, TOCOPHEROL*, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL*, [+/- (MAY CONTAIN) CI 77891, CI 77499, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77007, CI 75470, MALTODEXTRIN]

* CERTIFIED ORGANIC 
** NATURAL FRAGRANCE 

Greetings,
Joanna

Lumene Beauty Base Eyeshadow primer, for eye makeup that stays in place all day

Hi,

lumene Beauty Base Eyeshadow primer is my favourite product from Lumene. This is a classic, a legend. This is a really high quality product and I feel I don't have to write an essay to convince you:).

I have oily skin, sometimes my makeup just "melts" during the day. Without Lumene Beauty Base Eyeshadow primer I can forget about using eye shadows because after a couple of hours there is nothing left. With Lumene's eye primer my eye shadows last all day long and it doesn't matter if I use cheap or expensive eye shadows. It also intensifies the color of eye shadow.

 Basically everything what Lumene says about this product is true. I can recommend this eye shadow primer to everyone.

From Lumene’s site:

 “eye shadow primer fixes the eye shadow in place and keeps it flawless all day. Allows neat and even application of eye shadow and eyeliner. Neutral beige shade evens out the colour of eyelid skin. Ensures beautiful, fresh eye shadow colours on the eyelids. Also suitable as a lipstick primer.


Use and tips:

dab a small amount of eye shadow primer on the eyelids. Blend in. Powder your eyelids lightly. Apply eye makeup".

Greetings,
Joanna

Lumene, Longwear Blur Foundation in 0 light ivory

Hello,how are you? Today I am reviewing Lumene Longwear Blur Foundation. I own colour 0 in Light Ivory. 

The foundation is:

• longwear
• has velvety texture
• contains SPF 15
• doesn't contain perfume
• it is suitable for all skin types
• available in six shades 

Lumene Longwear Blur Foundation in 0 Light Ivory

My opinion:
Longwear Blur Foundation  is very easy to apply. You can just use your fingers.

After the application your skin will really look flawless. 
What I like the most about this foundation is its texture: it is light and rather runny but at the same time gives a very good coverage. I have a very problematic skin  but this foundation covers all imperfections without being too cakey. It covers blemishes, scars and makes pores looking less visible. So in my opinion the foundation offers not medium but a good/full coverage. The result is mat and I think it indeed adds some warmth to the complexion.
I think it makes my face looking younger, fresher, well rested:). In other words the "blur effect" works:).

A closer look, more light added

This foundation has fantastic colours (6 colors which will suit most skin tones). The color number 0 light ivory is just great, suits fair skinned person very well:). It will adjust to your own skin tone and it will look natural.

I have also noticed that you can build up the coverage.

Foundation will last you a long time. You only need a dab to cover to cover the whole face (a little goes a long way).
The producer says that it will make your skin looking flawless and smooth. This effect will last all day, in fact up to 16 hours:). 
As for staying power...it stays on the face long but certainly not 16 hours:). 

So, basically the Longwear foundation  does what the producer promises. Thanks to the "blur effect" technology the skin really looks more flawless. 
Blur effect is based on silicones, warm color pigments  and light-reflecting pigments so of course it will even out the skin tone and optically fade the fine lines( if you have any:)). Especially the silicones have ability to even out the skin tone.

In my opinion Lumene, Longwear Blur Foundation is a very good foundation and I recommend it to everybody.

Greetings and thanks for reading,
Joanna

Born To Bio Conditioner, 2 in 1 restructuring organic conditioner detangles and repairs

Hello,
I am always looking for a new organic hair conditioners. I have recently discovered a french company Planete Bleue and their range Born to Bio.

"Born to Bio was born in France in Auvergnes volcanic mountains in the heart of Planete Bleu's laboratory. It was created to praise the natural splendor of cosmetics and give the user a total experience that combines natural ingredients. Born to Bio products contain the best ingredients. All products are certified by ECOCERT and have a COSMEBIO label."
It all sounded great and I wanted to test some of the products. This hair conditioner was in promotion and had good ingredients so I bought it.

Born To Bio Conditioner, 2 in 1 restructuring organic conditioner

Producer's description: Shea butter and Tahiti Monoi oil containing hair repairing conditioner nourishes hair from root to tip and makes them easy to comb. Suitable for all hair types. 
Usage: apply the conditioner to towel-dried hair from root to tip up and leave for 2-3 minutes. Rinse thoroughly.

Born To Bio Conditioner, 2 in 1 restructuring organic conditioner

My experience:
unfortunately this turned out to be a huge disappointment. It basically does nothing to my hair. It doesn't moisture the hair, it doesn't repair it and certainly it does not detangle as claimed. After application I actually have to use another conditioner. Shame because I am happy with their another product which is a ginger deodorant. 
The conditioner has quite thick consistency and nice nutty smell.
And because of that I started using it as a base product for my own hair mixtures.I use it in combination with a with a flax seed or castor oil and it works ok.

Born To Bio Conditioner, 2 in 1 restructuring organic conditioner

Greetings

Joanna

Ingredients: water, hordeum vulgare stem water*, cetearyl alcohol, camellia sinensis seed oil*, brassicyl isoleucinate esylate, diglycerin, gluconolactone, brassica alcohol, arginine, butyrospermum parkii butter*, parfum, cetearyl glucoside, cocos nucifera oil, sodium benzoate, dicaprylyl ether, hydrolyzed wheat protein, lauryl alcohol, cocos nucifera fruit extract, tocopherol, glycerin, geraniol, glycine soja oil, citric acid, calcium gluconate, gardenia tahitensis flower. * = Organic. Raw materials 99,6% are natural and 21,9% are organic.