FINISHED! January Edition

Hello lovelies,

if you are following me on Instagram or Twitter, you could have seen that I finally have a new camera (Canon EOS 600D) and so far I’m loving it. Of course, I’m still learning and experimentating (I’ve had it for only two days), but this post will feature the first pictures I’ve taken with it.

As I’ve been promising, January is finally the month where I have some substantial amounts of products to show. So let’s start.

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Zdravo dragi,

ukoliko me pratite na Instagramu ili Twitteru, mogle ste vidjeti da sam konačno nabavila novi fotoaparat (Canon EOS 600D) i za sad ga obožavam. Naravno, još učim i eksperimentiram (imam ga tek dva dana), ali u ovom postu možete vidjeti moje prve ekspermente.

Kao što sam i obećala, konačno sam uspijela potrošiti poštenu količinu proizvoda. Pa idemo redom:

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BODYCARE / NJEGA TIJELA:

YVES ROCHER Jardins du Monde Fleur de Cotton and Ylang Ylang shower gel. The whole Yves Rocher is my favourite – cleansing and non-drying. As for the scent, I prefer Ylang Ylang. / YVES ROCHER Jardins du Monde Fleur de Cotton and Ylang Ylang gelovi za tuširanje. Obožavam cijelu Yves Rocher liniju za tuširanje jer čiste, a ne isušuju kožu. Što se mirisa tiče, draži mi je Ylang Ylang.

AVEO Berry Nail Polish Remover. I’ve heard many raves about this product, but to me it is nothing special. It smells sickly sweet. I won’t repurchase it. / AVEO Berry odstranjivač laka za nokte. Ovaj su odstranjivač puno hvalili, ali ja sam ostala razočarana. Miriši umjetno slatko, što mi se ne sviđa. Sigurno ga neću opet kupiti.

SISLEY Soir de Lune Body Cream. An excellent body cream if you like the scent. / SISLEY Soir de Lune mirisna krema za tijelo. Ova je krema izvrsna ukoliko vam se sviđa miris parfema Soir de Lune.

ARTDECO Intensive Nail Treatment. I couldn’t have waited to get rid of it. It did nothing. / ARTDECO Intensive Nail Treatment. Nisam mogla dočekati da ga konačno potrošim jer od ovog proizvoda apsolutno nije bilo nikakve koristi.

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SKINCARE / NJEGA LICA:

SISLEY Lyslait and Floral Toning Lotion. I’ve reviewed them many times so I won’t anymore. / SISLEY Lyslait mlijeko za čišćenje lica i Floral Toning Lotion tonik. Toliko sam puta već recenzirala ove proizvode tako da više neću. Dovoljno je reći da su izvrsni.

SISLEY Moisturizer with Cucumber. A nice moisturizer if you have combination or oily skin. It is not good enough in winter. / SISLEY Moisturizer with Cucumber. Vrlo dobra hidratantna krema za miješanu ili masnu kožu. Doduše, zimi mi nije dovoljna.

L’OCCITANE Angelica Protective Lotion. A basic moisturizer. Nothing special. / L’OCCITANE Angelica Protective Lotion. Standardna hidratantna krema, ništa posebno.

SISLEY Sisleya Radiance Anti Aging Concentrate. It is one of my favourite serums – it makes my skin look more radiant and healthier. / SISLEY Sisleya Radiance Anti Ageing Concentrate. Jedan od meni najdražih seruma jer mi koža izgleda sjajnije i zdravije.

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MAKE-UP and FRAGRANCE / ŠMINKA i PARFEMI

YVES SAINT LAURENT Teint Parfait. It is my favourite primer/tinted moisturizer and it is a shame it has been discontinued. / YVES LAURENT Teint Parfait. Jedan od najboljih baza/toniranih kremi i šteta je da ga više ne proizvode.

GUERLAIN Rouge G in Gaela. A lovely, albeit a bit too cold pink. The lipstick was very pigmented, but not as moisturizing as I’d like. I probably won’t purchase more Rouges G because I prefer the formula of Rouge Automatique. / GUERLAIN Rouge G u nijansi Gaela. Vrlo lijepa iako malčice prehladna nijansa roze. Ruž je jako pigmentiran, ali ne baš hidratantan. Najvjerojatnije više neću kupovati Rouge G liniju jer preferiram teksturu Rogue Automatiquea.

NAOMI CAMPBELL Paradise Passion. This fragrance stinks awfully. I kind of hope that the sample has gone bad because I can’t believe that someone would actually launch something so stinky. / NAOMI CAMPBELL Paradise Passion. Ovaj parfem zbilja smrdi tako da se nadam da je uzorak bio pokvaren jer ne mogu vjerovati da bi netko pustio nešto tako smrdljivo u prodaju.

MOSCHINO Hippy Fizz. A cheap fruity horror. / MOSCHINO Hippy Fizz. Jeftin voćni užas.

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Well, that would be it. I’m planning to swatch many lipsticks, so stay tuned. Until you hear from me the next time, enjoy your weekend.

Love, Tamara

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Evo, to bi bilo to. Planiram poswatchati hrpu ruževa preko vikenda, tako da pratite blog. Uživajte u vikendu.

Voli vas Tamara

FINISHED! December Editon

Hello dear readers,

first I would like to wish you all happy new year. I hope that all your wishes will come true and that every day of the new 2013 will be fulfilled, that you’ll live every day like your last and that you won’t regret anything and you’ll look forward to good things to come.

I know that in my November edition I have promised many more finished products, but December is even more of a fail than November. I guess it seems that January will be perfect.

Also, January will be the month when I (hopefully) will finally get a DSLR camera. The store in which I planned to buy it obviously isn’t interested in selling (weird, because they are Canon importers) and, as far as my experience goes, has a poor customer service, so I’m looking for another (probably cheaper) store.

Anyway, I’m planning on publishing 2012 favourites this week and the next week you can expect the photos of my collection. You’ll also see the round-up of my so called „low buy“ (yeah, right).

Without further delaying, here are the items spent in December:

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Dragi čitatelji,

prvo bih vam željela čestitati Novu Godinu. Nadam se da će vam se ispuniti sve vaše želje te da će vam svaki dan nove 2013. biti ispunjen i da ćete svaki dan živjeti kao da je posljednji bez da žalite za bilo čim te da ćete se radovati svim dobrim stvarima koje vam ova godina nosi.

Znam da sam u studenom obećala više potrošenih poizvoda, ali po tom pitanju prosinac je bio pravi debakl. Izgleda da će siječanj biti savršen.

Također nadam se da ću u siječnju konačno nabaviti DSLR fotoaparat. Trgovina u kojoj sam ga namjeravala kupiti očito nije zainteresirana za prodaju (što je čudno, budući da su oni zastupnici Canona) i prema mojem iskustvu nemaju bog zna kakvi odnos s kupcima, pa tražim neku drugi (vjerojatno jeftiniji) dućan.

Također planiram objaviti post s favoritima u 2012 ovaj tjedan, a idući tjedan možete očekivati slike moje kolekcije, te sažetak moje takozvane „smanjene“ kupnje kozmetike (moš’ mislit).

Da dalje ne duljim, ovo su proizvodi koje sam potrošila u prosincu:

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MAKE-UP (Šminka):

SISLEY Skinleya #20 foundation sample (2ml) . A light coverage foundation which I use in combination with Phyto Teint Eclat to get the correct shade for my skin. - Tekući puder s laganim prekrivanjem kojeg koristim u kombinaciji s Phyto Teint Eclat da bih dobila točnu nijansu.

SISLEY Phytocernes + Concealer #2 sample (0,5 ml). A concealer which I have used in combination with Effacernes, to dilute it and to get the correct shade. - Korektor kojeg koristim u kombinaciji s Effacernes korektorom kako bih ga razrijedila i kako bih dobila točnu nijansu.

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SKINCARE (Njega kože):

BIODERMA Sebium H2O micelle solution (250 ml). An excellent make-up remover which I’m tempted to buy (and I probably will after I spend Sisley Eau Efficace). Considering the amount, it has lasted a long time. – Odličan odstranjivač šminke kojeg ću vjerojatno ponovno kupiti nakon što potrošim Sisley Eau Efficace. S obzirom na količinu, odstranjivač je trajao puno duže nego što sam to očekivala.

SISLEY Hydraflash mask sample (4 ml). A nice pick-me up for my winter-dehydrated skin. – Dobra maska za oporavak kože dehidrirane zbog hladnoće i suhog zraka.

BIODERMA Sebium Hydra cream sample (5ml) . Plain basic moisturizer. I probably won’t repurchase. – Obična hidratantna krema. Vjerojatno ju neću ponovno kupiti.

SISLEY Sisleya Eye Contour Cream sample (2 ml). An excellent eye contour cream, but too pricey for what I get (+ the full size comes in a jar). – Izvrsna okoloočna krema, ali puno puno preskupa.

SISLEY All Day All Year sample (10 ml). A very good day cream, althought I don’t trust the alleged SPF much. – Vrlo dobra dnevna krema, iako se ne pouzdajem previše u navodni zaštitni faktor.

SISLEY Sisleya Radiance Concentrate sample (3 ml). The perfect serum for my skin, but I think that SVR Clarial is a bit better. – Savršeni serum za moju kožu, ali mislim da je SVR Clarial ipak mrvicu bolji.

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FRAGRANCE (Parfemi):

MOSCHINO Light Clouds EdT sample. Unremarkable. – Ništa posebno.

MOSCHINO Funny! EdT sample . Unremarkable. – Ništa posebno.

MOSCHINO Toujours Glamour EdT sample. The best fragrance from the Moschino line, although it isn’t something special. – Najbolji Moschinov parfem, iako ni on nije ništa posebno.

DSQUARED She Wood EdT sample. To my nose rose is prevalent, but it is grounded by something woody. Interesting. – Parfem u kojiem prevladava ruža prizemljena drvenastom bazom. Zanimljivo.

LA PRAIRIE Silver Rain Shimmer Mist sample. It smells expensive, but something just doesn’t agree with my nose. – Miriši skupo, ali nešto u parfemu mi ne odgovara.

BY KILIAN Beyond Love. Indeed, it is beyond love, it is perfection. My absolute favourite. Idiot me didn’t purchase the big bottle. – I više od ljubavi, to je savršenstvo. Moj najdraži parfem. Glupa ja nije kupila veliku bočicu kad je mogla.

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And that would be all. Thank you for reading and enjoy the rest of your holidays

Love, Tamara

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I to bi bilo sve. Hvala vam na čitanju i uživajte u praznicima

Voli vas, Tamara

FINISHED! November Edition

 

Hello, dear readers.

As much as November was a success in business life, it was a total FAIL when it comes to finishing products. I can’t recall a month with less finished products. Luckily, I haven’t had time to buy much, so this kinds of balances it. Still, I’m staying positive and I’m hoping that this means that December will be something. I’m kind of looking forward to see what kind of fail my low buy was, lol

So, without further ado, here are the products I have finished this month.

SKINCARE:

 

 

 

Sisley Lyslait 30ml.

Sisley Floral Toning Lotion 30ml. Since I’m finishing these so often, I won’t review them any more. Suffice to say I love it.

Sisley Ecological Compound 5ml. A lovely, lightweight moisturizer.

Sisley Sisleya Radiance Anti-Ageing Concentrate 3ml. One of my favourite serums with the least favourite price. It makes my skin very even, without redness.

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MAKE-UP:

ESSENCE I Love Stage Eyeshadow Base. An excellent product for the price and I have already repurchased another. It lasted for almost a year.

SISLEY Instant Perfect primer 2ml. A nice primer.

ESSENCE Nail Art Sealing Top Coat. When I bought my first bottle, I was very satisfied with it. After finishing the second, I’m not sure I love it so much any more. I’m switching to Eveline. P.S. I have no idea how the bottle got so dirty. I tried to clean it, but it didn’t go away.

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HAIR and FRAGRANCE:

GARNIER Natural Beauty Coconut and Cacao Butter Shampoo (not on the photo). An excellent scent, but didn’t help much with dry hair.

GUERLAIN Idylle edt sample. A lovely spring-time scent.

SANTA MARIA NOVELLA Gelsomino soap. An excellent soap for hands.

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Well, that’s it. 10 products in total. We’ll see what December will turn like.

I’m a kind of busy right now, having to attend another conference and then I’m going on a short trip somewhere, so I hope you’ll forgive me if I don’t post as regularly.

Have a great week,

Tamara

FINISHED! October Edition

This October was really productive. The stars have aligned and I have managed to spend several make-up full sizes, including a mascara. I’m really happy for it because I got a bunch of skincare this month too, so this balances it out. I’m also waiting an Oriflame order, so this will mean a bunch of new stuff, too.

As I have mentioned several times, this year I’m planning on getting a decent camera around Christmas. I’m currently taking photos with a 12 year old digital camera and I really need an upgrade. I really hope that I’d be able to get a decent DSLR for under $1000.

I’m also saving to get the driver’s licence in spring. As far as I know, getting the licence in Croatia costs around $1500 (if you don’t fail). I had no need for it because there is a good system of public transportation where I live, plus I hate driving, but many jobs require having a licence, so I think it is a high time I get one as soon as possible.

These are the reasons why I probably won’t buy much in December – I’m considering getting either Chanel or Guerlain holiday eyeshadow quad, maybe Guerlain Liu palette and some MAC product if I go to Vienna or Budapest (where the closest stores are).

But, no more talking about purchases – let’s see the items I’m saying „Goodbye“ to.

MAKEUP:

Oriflame Wonder Lash Intense Mascara. This is a nice mascara that separates the lashes well, but doesn’t do much for the volume. I won’t repurchase it.

Oriflame Visions Fresh Face Foundation in Lindsay and Lucy (sample). This foundation was discontinued a long time ago, but I have found the samples and I couldn’t resist to try it. It smells awkward. The coverage is medium, but the foundation is not longwearing. It blends nicely into the skin.

Chanel Rouge Allure Laque in Santal. Well, it was about time to say „Goodbye“ to Rouge Allure Laque. This lipstick is very pigmented – only one thin coat is enough for a complete opacity. Santal is my perfect nude shade.

Sisley Instant Perfect Primer (sample). A lovely primer. I already have the full-size.

Oriflame Studio Artist Foundation. For the price, this was a very good foundation. The coverage is light to medium and it gives a healthy skin glow effect.

Guerlain Kiss Kiss Baby in Rosy Nude. One of the best tinted lip balms ever. A shame that they are discontiuned.

Benefit High Beam (GWP). At first I admit that I wasn’t a fan of High Beam, but when I started using it more intensely, I liked it a lot. Since Benefit is no longer available in Croatia, I’ll have to find something similar.

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SKINCARE:

Sisley Eye Contour Mask (sample). An excelent mask – a saviour for the dehydrated eye-area.

Sisley Soapless Facial Cleansing Bar. It took me almost a year and a half to spend one bar, by using it once per day, plus once per week as a brush cleanser. I love it – it cleanses skin (although it doens’t remove make-up) without drying it out.  I’m already using a back-up.

Decleor Aroma Solutions Nutri Smooth Lipstick. A nice lip balm, but I think I’m ready for a change.

Sisley Floral Toning Lotion (GWP). Excellent toner.

Bioderma Sensibio Eye Cream. A very nice starter eye cream, but I feel that I need more moisture than Bioderma offers.

Sisley Lyslait (GWP). Excellent cleanser.

Sisley Tropical Resins Complex (sample). A nice mattifying moisturizer – leaves me matte without being too drying on my skin during summer. In fall, it becomes slightly too drying.

Sisley Hydraglobal (sample). A nice summer moisturizer. It is not moisturizing enough for drier skin types.

Sisley Global Perfect Pore Minimizer (sample). Works good as a primer underneath the make-up, but it is nothing special on its own.

Declaré Hydro-energy Cream. A nice moisturizer. Possible repurchase.

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 BODYCARE, HAIR, FRAGRANCE:

 

Oriflame Perfect Body Anti-Cellulite Scrub. The worst scrub ever. This, in fact, is a salt mixed with mineral oil and some fragrance. Whenever I’d use it, my skin would be irritated by the salt and the bath-tub would be completely greasy. I’m really not in the mood for scrubing the bath-tub every time I use it.

Moschino I Love Love EdT (sample). Unremarkable.

Yves Rocher Jardins du Monde Fleur de Tiare Shower Gel. A nice, moisturizing shower gel.

Nivea Long Repair Shampoo (GWP). A decent shampoo but I probably won’t repurchase.

I’ve also thrown out three nail polishes: Catrice limited edition in En Vogue, Carla Cosmetics and Rimmel Grape Sorbet. Catrice is a horribly thick and quickly chipping mess, Carla Cosmetics is super sheer and gritty and Rimmel is dried out.

What products have you spent recently? Please share in the comments.

Thank you for reading.

P.S. My 500th post

FINISHED! August Edition

August empties could have been more impressive (no eyeshadow this time), but since I only have one face and one body, I think I did a pretty good job.

As you know, I’m a bit obsessed with list making, so at the end of July I’ve made a list containing absolutely every cosmetic item (make-up, skincare, fragrance) I currently own. I have included the samples too. Anyway, the number is horrible. Since the majority of eyeshadows in the eyeshadow palettes are the same size as an average full-size product, I have counted every pan of eyeshadow as a separate item (the exception is YSL Palette Esprit Couture). So, when I put it all on the paper, I had 410 items, out of which 178 are sample or travel sizes). I hope that the end of this year will bring at least 100 items less from the list.

Here’s a screen cap of the list.

As you can see, there are several categories and each category has its own table. There is an index of markings I use to, for example, note that I have yet to review the item or that I have to take its photo.

Here’s the example of Moisturizers table.

I have decided to organize alphabetically (to the brand name) in four columns: BRAND, PRODUCT INFO (product name), the AMOUNT of the product in the packaging and a column in which I put a plus if I have opened that product.

Still, one list wasn’t enough for me. Therefore, I’ve made “To spend” list, which I’ll change every two months.

This list contains the items that I plan to use more intensely during a certain period of time. When that period is over, I may transfer it to the following list, or I may take if off the list for a while. Of course, I strikethrough every product I have spent on both the lists.

FINISHED! July Edition

First, I’d like to thank all the readers who are reading and following my blog. i have to admit that I’ve been so busy and yesterday I have realized that the second year of blogging has finished.

I would like to thank you for your support

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I’ve been looking back on my older posts and it is funny how one changes oneself through the period of time.

Reviewing some of not-so-widely known brands was one of reasons for which I have started blogging, and while this still remains true, some of my attitude towards blogging has changed.

I remember how much stuff I have accumulated during my first year as a beauty blogger. I would often find myself in the store purchasing something thinking „I really don’t need it, but I would like to review it on my blog“ and ending up with the product which wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t something I really needed.

As the time flies, I realize that I have changed my attitude towards make-up and cosmetics in general. Today, I have a much clearer perception of what I want and need and what I do not. I’m more focused on purchasing essentials and products that will work for me, rather than purchasing something that has a gorgeous packaging (although I may cave in from time to time).

It seems that I less and less willing to settle for the second best. However, the quest for THE product lasta a long time. I’ve been hunting THE blush for a year and I have yet to narrow the choice down (this is what lists are for). Luckily, this means that I have enough time to finish with the products I already have.

FINISHED! June Edition

The last month has been really productive. I’ve sorted out all of the products which are close to finishing and I’ve been almost exclusively using them for the last month. Some products still aren’t finished, but many are.

FINISHED! May Edition

Although I haven’t planned it, I’ve decided to make this FINISHED! posts a monthly feature. At least this way I won’t feel so much like a hoarder. Plus, I’m becoming obsessed with minimalism, so it will feel good to spend some things without bringing in new things.

The products I have finished in May are:

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Chance. The formula is good and maybe in some far future I’ll purchase one (currently I have too much lipsticks), but I’ won’t get this colour. It doesn’t look so good on my complexion.

Dior Dior Waterproof Khol in Noir Trinidad. It has taken me several years (I think 3 or 4), but I have finaly spent an eye pencil. I love it and I’ll definitely repurchase.

Bioderma Photoderm AKN Mat SPF30 sunscreen sample. I have spent the sample and I’m already using the full-size.

Sisley Instant Perfect sample. I have spent the sample and I like it very much. I have already purchased the full-size, but first I have to spend YSL primer.

Sisley Express Flower Gel GWP. I love it and I have several GWPs in backup. I don’t even want to imagine the day I’ll spend it all and have to purchase the full-size.

48 Protective Hand Cream. I’m not so happy about this. I liked it during winter, because the cream creates some sort of a coat on the skin, so the skin is protected from environmental influence, but it doesn’t moisturizer.

L’Occitane Shea Butter Body Cream. Love it and I’ll get the full size

I believe that’s all. 7 products – not so bad. I have several more items that I’ll spend during the next month or two – one of which is a foundation – yay! I also hope to spend several more lipsticks and/or lipglosses.

I’m considering adding a FINISHED box in my make-up storage in which I’d put the packaging of all the items I have finished during the current month, so that in the end I can be sure that all the items are accounted for.

Did you finish any cosmetic product?