My 3 Favorite MAC Lip Glosses

I finally did it!!! After months of thinking and putting it off, I finally cleaned my makeup stash and got rid of what was too old to use anymore. This also led to the rediscovery of some old favorites. A few years ago, MAC was all the rage, every YouTuber and blogger used to go crazy for all the limited edition collections. Don’t get me wrong, MAC still does beautiful collections but I think their permanent products deserve some love too. So today I thought I’d share with you my 3 favorite lip glosses from MAC.

The first ever lip product I purchased from MAC was the amazing Venetian Lustreglass. This is a classic red shade that gives you color but it’s still not a full on red lip, perfect for those wanting to get into red lips. The lustreglass formula gives really nice shine to the lips and it’s not as thick or sticky as the Lipglasses. However this gloss is thicker than a lot of other formulas on the market, but that also means it has great lasting-power.

If you prefer something a bit more natural or a great layering color Pinkarat Lustreglass is perfect for you. The color is a gorgeous light pink that’s not too cool-toned and it has a lovely gold pearl and shimmer running through that gives it a little something special. Pinkarat adds great dimension to your lips when worn on its own and because the color is sheer you can wear it on top of lipsticks or stains for a boost of shine.

Lastly I have the Dazzleglass in Smile, a peach color with fuchsia pink shimmer. I had a look online I couldn’t find this specific color (maybe it’s still available in stores?) but they have loads of other colors. They have very interesting combinations of base colors and shimmers that make the gloss really pop on your lips. Dazzleglasses are not very pigmented lip glosses but they offer incredible glass-like shine and the shimmer in them really sparkles. These are quite thick and a bit sticky but they are so long-lasting that they are worth it for the gorgeous shine you get for hours.

MAC has such a great selection of colors and lip gloss formulas that everyone can find something to suit their fancy. Also they are quite reasonably priced for such good quality products. I know MAC packaging is quite basic but it is worth looking past it to discover amazing colors you simply don’t find in other brands. MAC Lustreglasses and Dazzleglasses are available from the MAC website and at any of their counters. 

My Favorite Workout Videos for January 2016

Can you believe we are the 3rd of January already? Like most of you have probably done, I took the time to write down my resolutions for 2016 and obviously being healthier and in better shape made the list. To help all of you take full advantage of that new year motivation, I thought I’d round up my favorite workout videos to inspire you if you are also looking to be stronger and fitter this year.

First up we have two videos from Blogilates, I love Cassey’s videos and she is actually the one that got me into Pilates. I love how all the exercise are fairly easy to do and you don’t need any equipment besides a yoga mat. The Bubble Butt Workout and the Butt Lift and Slim Thighs Workout from the Beach Series are a great way to start working on getting those lean muscles and a perky behind.

Next are the Cardio Kickboxing Workouts from XHIT Daily videos. I love doing those for cardio, they look easy enough but they leave you sweaty which is exactly what I am looking for in a quick cardio session. I am not a runner so I love how this is a great way to get my blood pumping without the stress running can put on my body.

Last but not least, is the Exercise TV Incredible Abs Video, this is actually the first ever workout video I did. It is a great ab routine for beginners and a good starting point if you are just wanting to get into the fitness world. I also love that you can download it for free on iTunes which is where I first discovered it.

I hope this will help you harness that motivation you are currently feeling to develop new fitness habits and be healthier in 2016.

Disclaimer: I am not a health/fitness expert, the workouts above are only suggestions to help inspire you. Before starting any new fitness or diet regime you should always check with your healthcare professional to make sure they are suitable for you. 

Thierry Mugler Alien

Crisp air, gorgeously colored leaves and general coziness pretty much sum up why fall is my favorite season. Along with all those things, I love how the cooler season makes me want to wear warmer scents that feel like a nice blanket. For many years now, my favorite fall/winter fragrance has been Thierry Mugler’s Alien.

Thierry Mugler is known for creating very distinctive and powerful fragrances. They linger on you and your clothes for ages and nothing else smells quite like it. Alien is a gorgeous fragrance, very unique with a warmth that screams “wear me when it’s chilly outside!” The notes go as follows: Solar Accord, Jasmine Sambac, Green Notes, Cashmeran Wood, Vanilla, Transparent Amber. The result is a slightly heady warm floral scent with just a hint of sweetness from the vanilla. The jasmine, cashmeran wood and amber are the stand out notes, but I love how the green notes and vanilla prevent it from being overpowering.

To me, Alien is like a warm cashmere blanket: soft, warm and comforting. It is definitely a feminine fragrance, albeit a sensual and rich one. As the weather cools, I love letting it envelop me in its distinctive scent, there is something very soothing about it. Like with other Mugler fragrances, the complexity and depth of Alien is hard to describe with words, smelling it is a unique sensorial experience in and of itself.

Lastly, let’s take a second to bask in the beauty of the bottle.  The deep purple color and jewel-like design are stunning. Thierrry Mugler refers to it as a talisman made to resemble an amethyst. The gold detailing elevates it to a piece of luxury you want to display. Good thing you can refill the bottle and never have to part with it.  

Thierry Mugler Alien is available in many department stores as well as from Sephora and the Thierry Mugler website where you can see the whole range of products dedicated to this scent. You can also read more about the fragrance here. 

Currently Reading: My Favorite Beauty and Lifestyle Books

I have been catching up on my reading recently and I thought I could share with you what I have on my nightstand. I don’t read as many novels as I used to, they get me too wrapped up and I end up going to sleep way too late. This is why I prefer lifestyle and beauty books to unwind, plus I love learning new things. The following books are the ones I am currently enjoying and they all have a similar short sections format that is great to read before bed.

First up is The New Health Rules: Simple Changes to Achieve Whole-Body Wellness by Doctor Frank Lipman (here). I first saw pictures of this on Goop and I loved the styling. Basically, each page contains a “rule” to follow in order to be healthier, they really are more like tips and not preachy. Some advice you might know, but I am sure you will learn something new. I really love it and all the pictures are stunning.

Next is The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo (here). This has been generating a lot of buzz online and since I was in a decluttering mood, I thought it would be very useful. The book is based on the simple principle that you should only keep things that spark joy instead of cluttering your home with too many things. I cannot wait to finish it and put the techniques to the test.

Another book I am currently enjoying is The French Beauty Solution: Time-Tested Secrets to Look and Feel Beautiful Inside and Out by Mathilde Thomas (here) the founder of Caudalie. This beauty book is based on French health and lifestyle tips that will improve your skin. I already apply most of them in my lifestyle, but it is written in such a fresh and pleasant way that I am really enjoying reading it. I also cannot wait to get to the diy beauty section. 

Last is The Honest Life: Living Naturally and True to You by Jessica Alba (here), a great guide book to living in a cleaner and more natural home. I have been loving my products from The Honest Company and this book is a great companion to the brand. It is has many sections from food, beauty, fashion and home. The pictures are very colorful and I think it offers great advice that you can easily apply to your life.

There you have it, my favorite books of the moment. They are all available in bookstore as well as on Amazon and in iBooks. 

Innisfree Eco Safety Aqua Daily Sun Gel SPF30 PA++

Well the sweltering heat and humidity just keep on coming… In those condition, having a great sunscreen is crucial because nobody enjoys putting on a thick layer of greasy cream on their face when it is boiling outside. Luckily I am covered with my favorite sunscreen the Innisfree Eco Safety Aqua Daily Sun Gel SPF30 PA++.

If I could only use one sunscreen for the rest of my life it would be this one and I cannot recommend it enough. It is a light water-based lotion, it is not a gel but it is a far cry from thick creams, it absorbs like a dream! It contains great ingredients like sunflower seed oil, green tea extract and hyaluronic acid. All these leave you with soft and moisturized skin and I found that the hyaluronic acid really helps it absorb faster, but it also helps the rest of your skincare do the same. It’s just absolutely brilliant!

The sun gel also works really well under makeup, leaving no white cast and it does not make your face oilier throughout the day, so your makeup will stay in place. After months of usage I can report I never got sunburned while wearing it and I love how all the antioxidants it contains will certainly help protect my skin from harmful sunrays and keep it looking young. The bottle design is also worth mentioning, it is small and compact so you can easily take it with you on your travels and it has a very small and narrow nozzle that allows you to control the exact amount of product you need preventing any waste. Honestly, this is just such a rave worthy product for me, as most sunscreens break me out, but this one has done nothing but good things for my skin.

You can get the Innisfree Eco Safety Aqua Daily Sun Gel from their website, though it appears like the SPF30 version has been discontinued they offer an SPF50+ PA+++ version in the same formula and this is the one I will be purchasing in the future. 

Shu Uemura Anti/Oxi Cleansing Oil

I am slowly getting back in the swing of things with the blog and regular posting should (hopefully) go on. My whole reorganisation process also led me to discover I have quite a few products I meant to review ages ago that I still had not gotten around to. It’s shame really, because most are long-time favorites that I kept delaying since putting my excitement into words was difficult. So today I finally bring you a review on my beloved Shu Uemura Anti/Oxi Cleansing Oil, also known as the only cleanser I will ever use. 

I kid you not, this is the most amazing makeup remover I have ever tried and I am currently on my fifth bottle in a row. That kind of commitment to the same cleanser shows how much I love it. This is hands down the best cleansing oil I have ever tried, it has a light non/greasy consistency and it emulsifies and rinses clean super easily. It will leave you with clean, balanced skin that feels soft and moisturize, but there is no oily residue left behind. It also does not irritate my eyes and removes any mascara like a charm. 

I have tried other cleansing oils from various brands and other Shu Uemura offerings, but none compare to this one. More than being a simple makeup remover, it has an undeniable effect on my skin, leaving it brighter and smoother. I think this is due to the great plant extracts it contains like moringa, green tea and gingko leaf. These are all great antioxidant and the moringa extract is particularly good at refining and purifying the skin.

Shu Uemura qualifies this cleanser as an anti-ageing one because the extracts it contains help fight the oxidant effect of pollution, helping it fight against aging stress of the skin. I was honestly shocked to see actual skincare benefits from this, because cleansers never usually leave visible results on my skin. This is a truly outstanding product that lives up to its claims.  

The Shu Uemura Anti/Oxi Cleansing Oil is a star product in my skincare routine and one of those rare products I cannot see myself without. You can find it at any Shu Uemura counters and on their website as well as in Sephora. It comes in both a regular size and a large one so you have good options for both travel and at home. 

Favorite Body Lotions: Crabtree and Evelyn Rosewater Body Lotion and Clarins Moisture-Rich Body Lotion

My challenge to finish up all my body lotions has been going really well and I only have two minis left. I am almost done with them both, but because they are so great I thought I should do a review for you all before they are gone. So let’s talk about the Crabtree and Evelyn Rosewater Body Lotion and the Clarins Moisture-Rich Body Lotion with Shea Butter.

First the Crabtree and Evelyn one, a super light lotion that smells like actual rosewater. It has an almost runny texture, but still manages to deeply moisturise your skin and it does not leave any greasy residue behind. I think it would be perfect for any one that hates the feel of typical lotions or that lives in a hot climate. Crabtree and Evelyn offers this lotion in many scents if rose isn’t your thing, but I think it smells incredible.

Second is the Clarins offering, I personally cannot fault any Clarins lotions I have tried, they all have amazing effects on my skin. When I first got this one however, I was not too sure because it said moisture-rich and contains shea butter, which would typically be a combination for a very thick or greasy feeling lotion. Well that’s not the case, it’s slightly thicker than normal but it melts into your skin and it actually feels very light. It also moisturizes more deeply than other lotion and it smooths the skin. Fragrance-wise it has a nice light scent that does not linger on the skin. The Clarins Moisture-Rich Body Lotion actually turned out to be one of my all-time favorite lotions and I can see myself purchasing the full size in the future.

If you are interested in any of these, you can find the Crabtree and Evelyn Rosewater Body Lotion on their website and in stores. The Clarins Moisture-Rich Body Lotion with Shea Butter is available on their website and at any Clarins counter. 

Tea Tuesday: Kusmi Prince Vladimir

The time has finally come for me to tell you about my favorite Kusmi in this edition of Tea Tuesday. I have been loving their Russian Blends and for the past few months, I went through my collection and kept my absolute favorite for the end. So without further ado, let’s talk about the Prince Vladimir tea.

This tea is actually one of the oldest Kusmi blends and it contains a blend of Earl Grey, citrus fruits, vanilla and spices. The citrus fruits and spices are really the main notes of this tea, you cannot smell the Earl Grey and the vanilla adds sweetness with making the scent and taste vanilla-centered. As for the taste, it is actually not spicy at all, on the contrary it is actually quite light and slightly sweet with a hint of bergamot.

To put it simply, it basically smells like Christmas and it is amazing. Simply smelling it puts me in a holiday mood and I love how warming it is. I find it very comforting and it is making excited for it to be fall already. I think it would appeal to most people with its delicious taste  and come the colder months, I will for sure repurchase a larger tin.

If you are interested in Kusmi teas, I highly recommend the Prince Vladimir blend. You can find it in most health food/tea stores and it is also available on the Kusmi website. 

My Favorite Ready-Made Stocks for Easy Soups

I love cooking and creating a meal from scratch is incredibly satisfying. However, sometimes you don’t have the time (or energy) to make something elaborate or wait hours for it cook. At times like this, I usually rely on lovely soups that can double-up as a meal. To help make these I find that having various stocks on hand is always useful, so I decided to share with you my favorite ready-made stocks.

I love chicken soup so I usually go for light broths that will go well with chicken but still have enough flavour to elevate a simple vegetable soup with rice or noodles (like my Healthy Soup). My favorite is the Pho Ga Pho Soup Seasoning by Bao Long. This is a Vietnamese stock cube made to use in pho soup (a Vietnamese specialty), it’s very light but flavourful and goes well in soups with or without meat. It contains spices like onions, garlic, star anise, clove ginger and cinnamon. I found mine in a local Asian grocery store, I suggested you have a look in yours or you can get it on Amazon.

Next is the Asian Home Gourmet Spice Paste for Vietnamese Pho Noodle Soup, a liquidy paste that you simply add to water to turn into a broth. This one is saltier and I don’t like on its own, but with chicken it’s quite good. I usually use it when I make my Healthy Soup, but want a more filling version. It’s very simple, using this as the broth and adding a chicken breast sliced into cubes once the water is boiling. This one seems more easily available, I can get it from both my regular grocery and the Asian one. You can also get it on Amazon.

I love using both these stocks with my Healthy Soup when I need something quick and delicious. Obviously these are not as healthy as using home-made chicken broth, but in a pinch there are very convenient to have at home. I would love to hear about your favorite stocks and soup recipes.