SISLEY Sisleya Global Anti-Aging Cream Review

Hello dear readers,

I’ve been incapacitated for everal days and barely had enough strength to go to work. My skin was a complete mess too – extremely dehydrated and constantly flaking. To battle such a condition, I needed a real weapon: Sisleya Global Anti Aging Cream. I have several GWP  jars (5ml) which I use sparingly because I’m not willing to shell out over $470 for a jar.

The cream is very thick and has a nice herbal scent. To apply it, I take a small amount and warm it up by rubbing it between my fingers. This makes the consistency less thick so you can apply smaller amount and spread it easily. It won’t sink immediately, so I usually put it on an hour before I go to bed. It is possible to use it underneath the make-up, but be sure to use extremely small amount so that it can sink quicker.

As for the effects, Skinleya is great.  It instantly fixes up all the traces of dehydrated skin. Sisley Masks are good, but some things are even beyond their repair, so this is where Sisleya comes it. The skin is completely healed, renourished, smooth and soft.  My skin is typically oily and dehydrated, but this Sisleya isn’t too rich for me. My skin feels greasy, but only until the cream sinks in. However, if you have a drier skin type, you should probably look into the version for dry skin.

Skinleya is definitely one of my favourite creams, although the price makes me look for cheaper alternative. If you know one, feel free to recommend one :)

 

Zdravo drage čitateljice,

zaadnjih sam nekoliko dana bila izvan stroja, jedva imajući snage da se dovučem na posao. Koža je također bila u potpunom rasulu – jako dehidrirana i perutava. Kako bih ispravila to stanje, trebala sam naći pravi lijek: Sisleya Global Anti Age Cream. Iman nekoliko posudica kreme koje sam dobila kao poklon uz kupnju i koje jako štedim jer mi je puna cijena od cca 2500 kuna ipak malo previše.

Krema je jako gusta i ima krasan biljni miris. Nanosim ju tako da malu količinu kreme lagano protrljam među prstima kako bih ju zagrijala i kako bi krema postala lakšom za nanošenje. Krema se neće odmah upiti, tako da ju obično nanosim sat prije spavanja. Moguće je kremu koristiti ispod šminke, ali tada to trebaju biti jako male količine kako bi se krema što prije upila.

Što se tiče učinkovitosti, Skinleya je super krema. Odmah briše sve tragove dehidrirane kože. Sisleyeve maske su inače jako dobre u tome, ali u nekim situacijana ni one ne mogu pomoći te tada nastupa Sisleya. Koža je potpuno izliječena, nahranjena, glatka i mekana. Moja je koža obično masna i dehidrirana, ali ova krema nije prebogata. Krema je na koži malo masna, ali to nestaje kako se krema upija. Doduše, ukoliko imate suhu kožu, radije isprobajte verziju za suhu kožu.

Skinleya je definitivno jedna od meni najdražih krema, iako zbog cijene tražim jeftiniju alternativu. Ako znate koju, slobodno preporučite

SISLEY Phyto Blush Eclat in #05 Pinky Coral Swatch and Review

Hello, dear readers,

as you know, Sisley is one of my favourite brands (despite its price) and today I’m going to show you the swatch of their new version of Phyto Blush in the shade Pinky Coral.

But first, let’s say something about the product. The blush comes in a black and white plastic compact with mirror and brush included. The cover of the compact has a zebra print and the compact itself doesn’t feel like it is of a good quality.

Unlike the old version, this version contains considerably smaller amount of the product – 7 grams vs. 10 grams in the old one. The price remained the same – $85.

The brush included is nothing special – it is very wide so it will serve for touch-up, but I prefer to apply it with a proper blush brush.

The blush inside the pan is zebra patterned and it contains two complimentary shades, which in spite of the name aren’t coral – light peachy pink and dark peachy pink. The ligher shade still leans more on the pink side, while the darker shade is more peachy. Both shades contain a barely visible shimmer.

It is possible to use both shades separately, but to do so you’re going to need a very narrow blush, so it might be easier to use them mixed.

I fell in love with this blush the moment I saw the promo pictures. I’ve been looking for a perfect peachy-pink blush for ages and this one is a pure perfection. It compliments my skin-tone well and it doesn’t turn orange or pink after several hours. It stays on from the moment I apply it to the moment I take it off in the evening without fading.

As for the pigmentation it is pretty good – pigmented enough but still fool-proof and it is extremely hard to overdo it. I have to add that I’m not a fan of super-pigmented blushes (Illamasqua, Inglot) because it is hard for me to find the exact amount and I always overdo it.

All in all, I adore this blush despite the price.

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Bok, dragi čitatelji,

kao što znate, Sisley spada u meni jedan od najdražih brandova (usprkos cijeni), a danas ću vam pokazati swatch nove verzije rumenila Phyto Blush Eclat u nijansi 05 Pinky Coral.

Ali za početak nekoliko riječi o proizvodu. Rumenilo dolazi u crno-bijeloj plastičnoj ambalaži s uključenim ogledalom i kistom. Poklopac rumenila ima zebrasti print i ne djeluje kao da je kvalitetan. U usporedbi sa starijom verzijom, ovdje dobijete osjetno manje (10 nasuprot 7 grama). Cijena je ostala ista – oko 480 kuna.

Kist koji dobijete unutra nije ništa posebno – može proći ako trebate popraviti rumenilo, ali ja preferiram pravi kist za rumenilo.

Rumenilo ima zebrasti uzorak napravljen od kombinacije dviju nijansi iste breskvasto roze boje. Razlika je u tome što svijetlija nijansa vuče na roskasto, dok tamnija vuče na breskvasto. Obje nijanse sadrže jedva vidljivi shimmer.

Moguće je koristiti svaku nijansu zasebno, ali za to će vam trebati jako uzak kist, tako da je jednostavnije koristiti kombinaciju obje boje.

U ovo sam se rumenilo zaljubila čim sam ga ugledala na promo slikama. Dugo sam već tražila odgovarajuće breskvasto-rozo rumenilo i ovo je kao napravljeno za mene. Jako dobro paše uz moju nijansu kože i ne oksidira na koži. Rumenilo ne blijedi – ostaje onakvo kakvo je i bilo kad sam ga stavila.

Pigmentacije je prilično dobra, ali ipak ne previše, tako da je jako teško pretjerati s rumenilom. Moram napomenuti da baš i ne volim jako pigmentirana rumenila poput Illamasquinih ili Inglotovih jer mi ih je jako teško dozirati u uvijek nanesem previše.

Sve u svemu, ovo rumenilo usprkos cijeni obožavam.

 

 

 

Sisley Phyto Blush Eclat 05 Pinky Coral swatches:

The swatches are made in this order (from left to right): both shades mixed, darker shade, lighter shade.

Swatchevi su poredani ovim redom: obje nijanse izmiješane, tamnija nijansa, svijetlija nijansa

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

SISLEY Hydraflash Formule Intensive Review and Ingredients

Dear readers,

today I’ll review one of my favourite Sisley products – Hydraflash. It is a hybrid between a mask and a cream (you can use it both ways) which comes in a 60ml tube and retails for cca $150.

The mask claims that it contains beta-hydroxy acid, but I don’t see it listed on the ingredients list.

Hydraflash is a thick cream. As I have mentioned it can be used as a mask (you wipe it off after 10 minutes) or as a cream. It has a natural scent which reminds me of lavender and sage.

Hydraflash is supposed to leave your skin moisturized and radiant and on my skin it really performs as it should. I usually apply a generous amount of the cream twice or thrice per week and simply leave it on. Since I spend a lot of time outside (and the cold weather is killing my skin), this mask is a real saviour. I have noticed that when I use Hydraflash, my skin doesn’t require much of additional moisture and I have no problem with flakey skin.

The mask sinks in very quickly and leaves almost matte finish.

My only issue, and the reason why I’m so hesitant to purchase the full size, is the fact that it doesn’t last me a long time. I have to use really huge amount of the product for the mask to be effective and I simply can’t afford to spend $150 every two or three months.

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Dragi čitatelji,

danas ću recenzirati jedan od meni najdražih Sisley proizvoda – Hydraflash. Hydraflash je zapravo kombinacija maske i kreme (može se koristiti na oba načina) koja dolazi u tubici zapremnine 60 ml te košta oko 1100 kuna.

Na proizvodu piše da sadrži BHA, ali ja tu kiselinu ne vidim izlistanu na sastojcima.

Hydraflash je gusta krema za koju sam već spomenula da se može koristiti kao maska (obrišete ostatak nakon 10 minuta) ili kao krema. Ima prirodan scent koji me podsjeća na lavandu i kadulju.

Hydraflash bi trebao hidratizirati kožu te joj dati blistavost. Na mojoj koži ta krema zaista tako funkcionira. Obično nanesem obilnu količinu kreme dva ili tri puta tjedno te ju ostavim na licu preko noći da se upije. Budući da provodim dosta vremena vani (a hladan zrak mi ubija kožu), ova maska me zbilja spašava. Primjetila sam da kad god koristim Hydraflash ne trebam koristiti nikakvu drugu hidratantnu kremu te nemam problema s perutanjem kože.

Maska se inače upija jako brzo te ostavlja gotovo mat finiš.

Jedini razlog zbog kojeg još nisam kupila punu veličinu nego koristim testere je činjenica da se maska brzo troši. Zbilja trebam nanijeti ogromnu količinu proizvoda da bi maska bila učinkovita i jednostavno mi je trenutno previše davati 1100 kuna svaka dva ili tri mjeseca (koliko bi mi, po mojim proračunima, trajala jedna tubica).

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Sisley Hydraflash INGREDIENTS (sastojci):

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

SISLEY Black Rose Cream Mask Review

Being a huge fan of Sisley masks (especially Express Flower Gel and Hydraflash), I wanted to try this as soon as it came out. However, the stores were always out of samples (and sometimes even out of the full sized product), saying that this masks simply flies off the shelves. I was so happy when Sisley decided to include the 10ml size of the mask into their GWPs, so currently I have 40ml of the mask.

The full sized mask comes in a 60 ml tube which retails for around $140.

Like the name says, the mask is a pale peachy cream. It feels light and rich at the same time. The instructions say to apply it on the clean face and leave it on for 10 minutes to sink in, then wipe off the excess. I don’t follow the instructions and I use it as I would use a moisturizer, only I apply a thicker amount.

It sinks in slowly, but it is far less sticky that the Express Flower Gel.

When I compare its effectiveness, Express Flower Gel gives my skin a more “I got a full-night sleep” appearance, while Black Rose effect is not as dramatic in giving fresh-looking skin.

On the other hand, Black Rose is way more moisturizing than Express Flower Gel – once I use it, I can count that my skin won’t get dehydrated for the next several days, no matter what I do with it.

The only real minus I could find (besides the price) is the scent. I think that this is the most disgusting scent I’ve ever smelled. Although the name says Black ROSE, I can barely scent a rose in it – it smells more like you’ve put rose petals into water and they started to rot and became stinky. Another thing the scent reminds me to is the scent of the depilatory cream – you know that poorly masked stink of the chemicals which dissolve the hair? That’s exactly the scent of the Black Rose mask. When I first put it on, I had to make sure that I didn’t put a depilatory cream on the face by accident, lol.

I got used to the scent to some degree – at least I don’t have to check whether I applied a depilatory cream – and it won’t make me stop using this mask, but I felt the need to warn you.

SISLEY All Day All Year Review and Ingredients

All Day All Year is, together with Creme Reparatrice, Floral Toning Lotion, Express Flower Gel and Lyslait, one of Sisley’s signature products. I’ve been listening the glowing reviews for years and I’ve always wanted to try it, but I could never get a sample so I didn’t want to risk.

The full-size All Day All Year comes in a 50ml pump bottle and retails for $398. Luckily, I got 5 GWP samples, each containing 10 ml, so I practically got the full-size for free. I’ve been using it once per day (in the morning) for two weeks and I haven’t even spent a half of the tube.

All Day All Year has a slightly unpleasant scent, which disappears upon the application.

When I squeeze it out, the consistency feels whipped, but when I spread it on the face, it feels thick, greasy and sticky (like a heavy sunscreen). However, half a minute after it dries up to a matte finish. I use it underneath the make-up – it is a great base to put underneath the foundation.

All Day All Year boasts with sunscreen, but it never says which SPF it has, so I wouldn’t put much confidence in it to protect me from UVA/UVB rays.

Ever since I’ve started using this (in conjuncture with some other products – Soapless Facial Cleansing Bar, Ecological Compound, Sisleya Radiance Serum and Floral Toning Lotion), my skin feels and looks great – soft, radiant skin with minimal oiliness and no dehydration.

I was a bit worried that it will break me out, but luckily it didn’t.

I recommend this cream as a basic day-time moisturizer because it protects my skin primarily from the environmental damage (cold and dry air). I trust the claim about UV filters to protect me during cloudy winter days, but it wouldn’t be my go to sunscreen in spring, summer or fall. The only drawback is the price, which is steep for something so basic, but I hope that the samples will last me a long time.

All Day All Year INGREDIENTS:

Water (aqua), ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, squalane, isopropyl palmitate, cetearyl alchohol, corylus americana (hazel) seed oil, butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), sesamum indicum (sesame) extract, pyrus malus (apple) fruit extract, butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, propylene glycol, polysilicone-14, cetearyl glucoside, phenoxyethanol, salix alba (willow) leaf extract, potassium cetyl phosphate, dimethicone, tocopherol, butylene glycol, polyacrylamide, ceteareth-33, methylparaben, C13-14 isoparaffin, xanthan gum, silica, juniperus communis fruit oil, salvia officinalis (sage) oil, arginine, oryza sativa (rice) bran extract, butylparaben, thymus mastichina herb oil, ethyparaben, laureth-7, disodium edta, citric acid, propylparaben. (cont. linalool, limonene).

SISLEY Sisleya Radiance Anti Aging Concentrate Review

The full-size Sisleya Radiance Anti Aging Concentrate comes in a 30 ml pump bottle and retails for $510. I haven’t purchased the full-size, but I have 6 samples, each containing 3 ml, so this sums up to a little more than half the full-size.

So far, I have spent two samples. One sample usually lasts for 9 to 10 days, if I use it once per day.

Sisleya Radiance Anti Aging Concentrate is a very light yellow-coloured serum. A little goes a long way – I use a pea sized amount for the whole face. It spreads easily and sinks in immediately. The serum is scented – a herbal scent on which I’m still trying to get used to, but the scent disappears quickly upon the application.

During the two and a half weeks, I’ve been using this serum in the evening, after cleansing and applying a toner. An hour or two after applying the serum, I used Ecological compound, for an extra moisture boost. Every morning, I applied All Day All Year.

The effect of this serum is amazing. At first, I’ve planned to spend all six tubes, but now I think that I’ll save some for later.

My skin is oily, but dehydrated with giant pores (I can’t do nothing about it, unfortunatelly) and whitehead bumps. I can count on one or two cystic acne per week. Of course, when a cystic acne is gone, you can count on the fact that it will leave a reminder in the form of redness which isn’t gone for ages.

After using it for two and a half weeks, my skin appears more even. In this whole period, I only got one hormonal cystic acne, which was gone pretty quickly, without leaving a red mark (I expected more of them). The redness is minimal and all in all, my skin looks the best it could be (if only this worked on pores).

I didn’t notice more blackheads – actually, they seem to be pretty diminished. I’ve also noticed the diminished size of the whiteheads. My skin is no longer dehydrated and the oiliness diminished.

I am truly amazed by this serum and yes, I consider repurchasing it. However, I’d like to try some other, cheaper, serums first, because the price of this serum is a bit out of my league.

SISLEY Phyto Lip Star in Deep Tourmaline Swatch and Review

Phyto Lip Star contains 7 ml and retails for around $50. It comes with a brush applicator. As almost all Sisley make-up, the packaging feels a bit on the cheap side.

I got this lip gloss as a part of a set called White Orchid Make-up Pouch which I have found on an insane sale, so it made the price much easier to bear.

Deep Tourmaline is the second lip gloss from the Phyto Lip Star range that I own (other being Rose Quartz).

Deep Tourmaline is a warm muted medium dark burgundy red with a lots os tiny shimmer in various colours – from silver to pink, red and burgundy. My major problem with shimmering lip glosses is that the shimmer feels gritty (even when it comes to the high-end lip glosses). Fortunately, this is not the case with Sisley – I cannot feel grittiness at all. Another bonus is that when it fades, it fades evenly, so you are not left with shimmer on dried out lips.

The lip gloss feels slightly heavy on my lips, but it is not sticky. In this weather heaviness is a bonus, because the lip gloss doesn’t budge for hours, so it protects my lips, too.

The lip gloss is pretty pigmented, although on my lips this is a bit hard to see, because it is practically the same shade as my natural lip colour.

I also have to warn that the lip gloss has a pretty strong fruity scent. The scent has grow on me, but some might not like it.

Overall, this is my go-to sparkly lip gloss and I still think that it is one of the best sparkly lip glosses on the market.

P.S. I haven’t put the photo of the lip swatch, because I couldn’t get any even half-acceptable photo. I will upload it when I get a good one.

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.

 ————-

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.

——-

 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

SISLEY Phyto Ombre Eclat in #9 Garden Rose Review and Swatch

Hello everybody,

this eyeshadow was purchased several months ago, because I wanted something pink that I could use as a blush and this was the perfect shade.

Sisley eyeshadow contain 1,5grams and retail for around $50 (very pricey). It comes in a matte plastic black box which catches fingerprints quickly. The mirror and the spoonge tip applicator are included.

Garden rose is a warm pink with peachy gold shimmer. The shimmer is not very noticeable – it is here to give an extra dimension, rather than in-your-face sparkle.

The texture is soft and buttery. There is no fall-out or chalkiness. The pigmentation is just right and it is easy to blend. It is very longlasting, both as a blush and as an eyeshadow.

Although I intended to use it as a blush, I prefer to use it as an eyeshadow because this shade perfectly emphasizes the blueness of my eyes.

As a blush, it gives a light, healthy looking flush. When I wore it, I got instant compliments (and I don’t usually get them). I really hope that in Sisley, they will make a blush similar to this. If they don’t, I know that this will be the shade I’ll repurchase a lot

In spite of its extravagant price, I’m a huge fan of Sisley eyeshadow and I recommend them.

SISLEY and CHANEL Shopping

Hello everybody.

Since I’ve named this week Sisley week, it should only be appropriate to post another shopping. Other than Retinol and Glycolic acid creams + mascara and other products I have no back-up of (and maybe Chanel or Guerlain holiday quad), I think I’m done for this year. Some people really shouldn’t be allowed to manage money or credit cards, lol. Although, I wonder who could miss such a bargain.

Anyway, one of the perfumery chain had a 20% off of everything and they also offered a GWP with Sisley skincare purchase (and I’m a sucker for both Sisley and their GWPs). I got 4 GWPs in total (all four had the same products) – 3 for buying the products and 1 when I exchanged my points.

Well, I got the following products.

- Sisley Eau Efficace Gentle Make-Up Remover (I got is for $90, full-price is $120). I’m close to finising Bioderma Micelle Solution, and from the product description, Eau Efficace seemed like a Sisley version of Micelle water so it was a logical choice. Another thing that talked me to purchase it is how the water is dispensed (I’ll describe it more in my review).

- Sisley Ecological Compound Discovery set (I got it for $105, the full price is $145 ).

I’ve already used one bottle which I liked enough to buy another one. I’ll review Ecological compound during the next month because I want to remind myself why I liked it so much.

Basically, this set is worth almost double its full price if you count the value of the deluxe samples you get with it (10 ml of All Day All Year, 15 ml of Express Flower Gel and 5 ml of Eye and Lip Contour Balm).

- Phyto Lip Gloss in #3 Rose ($40, the full price $50). This is the new, fall launch and this beautiful pink with a hint of coral was on my wishlist ever since I’ve seen it.

- Hydrating Longlasting Lipstick in L9 ($44, the full price $55). The lipstick was on a whim purchase. It is another warm pink with a hint of coral shade which reminds me of my YSL Rouge Pur Couture in Pink Dahlia.

The GWPs contained the following products:

30 ml of Floral Toner

30 ml of Lyslait

10 ml of All Day All Year

10 ml of Black Rose mask

8 ml of Soir de Lune Body Lotion (I wonder if they’d ever stop giving this)

3 ml of Sisleya Radiance Concentrate

5 ml of Instant Perfect Primer

2 ml of Skinleya foundation

 

This shopping was a total bargain. For the total of approximately $280 I have spent on Sisley, I got additional over $1000 worth products, out of which 80% are my favourites and the rest are the products I’ve wanted to try for ages.

However, this means that besides the essentials, I shouldn’t purchase much more.

I have barely put my collection back under control and this has set me back for several months.

—-

The last purchase is from Chanel. Even though I’m disappointed with how long (or better, how short) the Illusion d’Ombre eyeshadow lasts, I got another one. Currently my days are very busy and I appreciate every second of sleep, so my make-up routine is minimized. For that reason I got the shade Emerveille (pearly pink), so that I can only slap it on the lids, without bothering with primers and zillion other shadows.

Since it was suggested to me that I stored Mirifique in a wrong way, I’m storing Emerveille on the lid from the beigning. After six months I’ll update if this has taken any effect.

As for Mirifique – I put a drop of Duraline in it every time I use it and it works that way, although the shade is not as dymensional – there is no silvery sparkle.

–

Thank you for reading

You can share your recent purchases in the comments.

SISLEY Phyto Lip Shine in #11 Sheer Baby Review, Ingredients and Swatch

Sisley Phyto Lip Shine lipstick stood ignored in my traincase for some time, but having finished the majority of nude shades I’ve had, I’m ready to use it again.

Sisley Phyto Lip Shine lipstick has 3 grams (less that average) and retails for $50.

It comes with a black velvet pouch.

Sheer Baby is a nudeish peachy pink shade with tiny golden shimmer which is visible under certain angles. Even though the name claims that it is sheer, I wouldn’t say so – 2 coats give a pretty decent opacity and cover my natural lip colour very well.

The lipstick has a slightly weird taste. I can’t describe it, but it bothers me slightly.

The texture and consistency of this lipstick are not as creamy and smooth like, let’s say Guerlain Rouge Automatique or YSL Rouge Pur Couture. Phyto Lip Shine is moisturizing, but it has a slightly waxy feeling to it and it feels heavy on the lips. However, this waxy appearance is a bonus during winter, when it successfully protects the lips from the cold wind.

The lipstick is very longlasting – it lasts for 3-4 hours if I don’t drink or eat.

I’ll probably repurchase it again because this shade is a good neutral/nude lip shade which doesn’t wash me out.

SISLEY Global Perfect Pore Minimizer Review and Ingredients

Sisley Global Perfect Pore Minimizer is the new product launched this fall. It comes in a 30ml pump bottle and retails for $210. It promises tightened pores, smooth and flawless skin.

My major skin issue are my pores which are huge (just check any of my foundation review and you’ll see what I’m talking about). Otherwise my skin is pretty OK, a blemish or redness here and there and oily T-zone.

Since Global Perfect pore minimizer seemed like an answer to all my skin issues, I couldn’t wait to try it. A nice SA gave me the sample a couple of weeks ago and I’ve been using it since then. The sample is tiny (1,5ml), but it has lasted for two weeks of once per day usage and there’s still some left.

According to the SA, it can be used twice per day, on its own or like a serum underneath the moisturizer. I’ve been using it together with Hydra-Global and Tropical Resins Complex, but only in the evening.

The consistency is creamy and a little goes a long way. It has slightly peachy-pinkish colour and the scent is the same like the scent of Sisleya Global Anti Age cream. The scent disappears upon application.

It skinks immediately and it could be used under make-up as a primer.

Now, the effects. After two weeks of usage I can see that my pores are slightly, but only slightly, diminished and there is less redness on my skin. However, the effect is not dramatic enought to justify paying the full price, in my opinion. This is the best pore tightening product I have found so far, but for $210 I expect more dramatic effect. I still have some Bioderma pore minimizer to test and only then I’ll be able to decide whether Global Perfect is worth it.

SISLEY Phyto Blush Eclat #4 Duo Pinky Rose Swatch, Ingredients and Review

Hello, dear readers. Get ready for Sisley week

This version of Sisley blush is being discontinued and replaced with newer version (you can read more about it in my blush comparison post).

However, you don’t have to worry if you like this shade because it is repromoted in the new version (only the lesser amount).

This version has 10 grams and retails for $85.

It comes in a shiny black compact with mirror and brush included. The brush that comes with it is very wide, but flat. It is softer than their regular, full-sized blush brush.The compact is housed in a black velvet pouch.

The blush is divided into two parts: the larger one is a slightly cold hot bright pink, while the smaller one is a warm pinkish highlighter. Both shades contain a tiny, tiny microshimmer which is not visible on the skin, but it prevents the blush from looking too flat.

Because of the size of each part it is like having 3 blushes in one.

The blush is very silky and pigmented, especially the brighter pink side. The pigmentation is a bit too much for me, because I always get too much and in the morning I don’t have much time for blending. If you mix the two shades the pigmentation is just right.

The blush stays on for hours without fading, even on my oily skin.

SISLEY Phyto Blush Eclat Comparison of the Older vs. Newer Version

Since I finally own both versions of Sisley Phyto Blush Eclat (although in different shades), I’ve wanted to do a post with the packaging comparison.

Both versions of the blush retail for the same price (at least in Croatia). However, you get less for the same price. The older version contains 10 grams, while the new version has “only” 7 grams (still very generous).

 

Also, both blushes come in a black velvet pouch and contain the brush of the same size and the mirror in the cover of the compact.

The older packaging is a black lacquered plastic case, which seems very elegant in my opinion. The new version has a trashy zebra print on the white plastic cover with a metallic red “S” written on the top.

The size of the compact remained the same, but the size of the pans inside didn’t. The pan in the new blush is considerably smaller.

 

The older blush has only a “sisley” and the black orchid printed in, while the new version has a zebra stripes relief (and the blush itself is in zebra pattern).

While the brighter colour predominates in the old version, the new version has a more equal distribution of the shades.

As for the blush itself, I feel that the older is more versatile because the two shades: bright and light pink, are clearly separated and both parts are big enough and clearly separated so you can either use each separately or mix them.

With the new version of the blush, because of the pattern, it is much harder to separately use darker and lighter colour. It is possible, but you’d need a very narrow brush.

 

 

 

The new version comes in 5 shades, and three of them are the repromoted older version (Pink, Peach and Mango). The shade #2 Pinky Berry seems like a dupe to Litchi duo to me, but according to my Sisley SA, it isn’t.

Another new shade is #05 Pinky Coral (the one I own). I’ll review that shade later in the year (November or December).

I hope that this has been helpful.

If you have any favorites among the older shades, you don’t have to worry that they’ll be gone.

Thank you for reading

SISLEY Shopping

 

 

Several days ago I was saying how I’m glad I haven’t bought the older version of Sisley blush. A couple of days ago, I have changed my mind. I ended up in the store and did some comparison swatches of new vs. older blushes. Since the old #4 Duo Pinky Rose was almost 100% same to the new one, I couldn’t resist.

 

The old version contains 10 grams, while the newer one contains 7 grams.

 

I also got a several testers: Intensive Day Cream (haven’t tried it yet) and Hydraflash (one of my favourite products).

 

I’m still not sure whether I want (and need) Mango duo and the coral blush from the new collection. I guess that the time will show

 

This is what the blush looks like. I’ll see if I manage to do comparison photos.

FINISHED! September Edition

September was a really slow month when it comes to the products I have spent. I also have to brag myself a bit and say that, with the exception of Essie nail polish (shade Recessionista) I haven’t bough any single product, be it make-up or skincare, since August 10th. That’s almost two months of an unintentional no-buy. It wasn’t so hard – I simply didn’t think about it at all.

Anyway, I’m planning on having a huge shopping spree – I need some Vitamin C serums, glycolic acid peel and something with Retinol. I’m kind of low with the body-care products, too, and I’m planning to raid Yves Rocher store.

Also, Sisley has launched new blushes in the trashiest packaging possible (the plastic cover with zebra pattern) but I’m in love with the coral shade.

Next, I’m gathering the courage to get my hair cut – I haven’t been at the hairdresser for over two years (because of the very traumatic experience) and my hair is in horrible condition. I’ll have to cut off at least 10 to 15 centimeters and I just need to find a reliable salon. This also means that I’ll have to get some hair-care products.

SISLEY Phyto Ombre Eclat #17 Stardust Review and Swatch

This eyeshadow was love (more like obsession) at the first sight. I’ve had it on my wishlist for ages and this spring I have caved in and finally bought it.

Sisley Phyto Ombre Eclat eyeshadow contains 1,5 grams and retails for around $50. Definitely pricey, but in my opinion, worth it.

It comes in a compact with mirror and sponge tip applicator. On the outside, the compact is matte and holds the finger-prints. Inside, the compact is shiny black.

Stardust is a very complex colour – medium dark shimmery silvery-greyish-olive green. There is one similar shade: Lancôme Erika F (which is repromoted in the newest Lancôme Ombre Hypnose mono eyeshadow collection).

It could be a bit more pigmented, but it is possible to layer it to get the full intensity.

The shimmer stays put, so there is no fallout.

The texture of the eyeshadow, especially when compared to my other Sisley eyeshadows, is a bit on the drier side (probably because of the shimmer). However, once I pick it with a brush, it goes on smoothly and evenly.

As with all other Sisley eyeshadows, I cannot complain on the wear – with the primer on my super oily lids lasts for well over 10 hours without creasing.

The shade is definitely unique one, but depending on the price of Lancôme, Lancôme might be the first choice for many.

I only have one objection to Sisley Phyto Ombre Eclat Eyeshadows in general. The pan does not stick well to the compact. At first I though that this was the problem with only one eyeshadow, but I have 5 Sisley eyeshadows and in each the pan moves slightly when lightly prodded. The pan didn’t fall out, but I don’t think this is acceptable for $50 eyeshadow.

SISLEY Soir de Lune Perfumed Bath and Shower Gel Review

 

I got an 8 ml sample of this shower gel with one GWP. The full size comes in a 200ml bottle and retails for $87.

The shower gel is a part of Soir de Lune fragrance line, out of which I have only used Soir de Lune perfumed body cream.

8 ml was enough for 3 uses – it would last more, but I thought that this was a body cream (they have the same packaging and I didn’t read what it says on, so I’ve thrown away more than half of it).

The shower gel is a transparent gel with a yellowish tint. It doesn’t foam up much – in that it reminds me more of shower creams like L’Occitane Shea Butter Shower cream; but it cleanses skin well.

It is not drying, but I wouldn’t call it moisturizing after. After using it, I still felt like I could do with a bit of moisture (for example, after using Yves Rocher shower gels, I don’t need to use a body lotion).

As for the scent, it is the same as the scent of Soir dew Lune fragrance – a white floral chypre (I’m not the fan of the scent). The scent of the shower gel will linger on the skin for some time, more than with ordinary shower gels – up to 4 hours. Of course, the scent will be very mild.

If you are a fan of Soir de Lune range, both shower gel and body cream are high-quality product and will nicely complement the fragrance. However, I’m still not quite used to the scent – it’s quite sharp and I’m fonder of sweet, gourmand scents.