Make up Storage

*Added*
I got the names completely wrong here! Muji is the affordable storage website. The expensive stuff is The Clear Cube! Apologies.

Quite a while ago I’ve noticed this craze for Muji acrylic storage drawers. Youtubers and Bloggers were paying crazy money for something (that to me is a bit of plastic) because Kardashians have it? I don’t mean to offend anyone here. Off course people can buy whatever they want and for whatever price they want but Muji prices are ridiculous.

Saying all that I have to admit that the storage looks great and the whole ‘mix and match’ really is a pretty good idea.
I was so excited when Vipxo did a post on affordable acrylic storage ideas. I immediately went on ebay and purchased one of the sets.

It’s made out of two parts. One being the drawers and the other lipsticks/misc. compartments. I keep them together but the option of separating them is there. I have to say it doesn’t hold that much stuff and the drawers aren’t very deep (won’t fit two compacts on top of each other in most cases). But it definitely tidied my dressing table. Lots of everyday use bits and pieces like eyebrow pencil, mascara or foundation have their own little home and are quick and easy to reach for in the mornings.

Here’s where I bought mine – click.

What do you guys think about this kind of storage?

Sylwia x

Essence Nail Polishes

Since Essence is not available in the UK I picked few of these lovely nail polishes while I was in Poland.
They cost only £1.30 and the quality is great! Two coats are enough to give opaque finish (Cotton Candy being the exception as it could do with another coat).
I find the formula perfect to work with – not too runny or too thick. The brush is pretty good too – flat and slightly curved at the end which seems to work very well with the shape of my nails.
Staying power is very good too. I only tried one colour so far but it started to chip only slightly after 4 days and that was without the top coat.

From right to left: 113 do you speak love?; 111 english rose; 130 what's my name?; 131 ballerina's charm; 05 cafe ole; 04 iced latte; 03 cotton candy. 

I highly recommend you to try Essence polishes if the brand is available in your country. To me this is an amazing quality comparing to the price.
Sylwia x

Mountain Day Trip

Last Friday my parents took me to Ustron, lovely place in the mountains 1,5 hours drive from where they live ( I am visiting them in Poland at the moment). Weather was absolutely gorgeous and views were amazing.

Cool thing was that my mum dug out some old pictures and found the same snap shot from 1982 with my brother before I was born and all of us from 1996. Off course we again took the same picture last Friday.

Added: It turned out the proper one done by the photographer is missing from 1996 :(

Sylwia x

Most Used Summer Items

It was love at first whiff with both of The Body Shop fragrances I purchased from their website. White Musk Sun Glow Eau De Toilette is a fresh, light scent with a hint of flower notes. It doesn’t last very long so I carried Pink Grapefruit Body Mist in my handbag for refreshing spritz during the day. It’s a true grapefruit scent – slightly sweet with that bit of bitterness running thru it.

For my face I’ve been using Mac Face and Body foundation which is my 'go to' base every summer. It’s light formula and light coverage but it’s buildable. Despite it lasting pretty well in the hot weather I still have to touch up my makeup during the day due to oiliness of my skin. I really like Kleenex Absorbing Sheets as they leave my skin looking so much better than the sheets with powder. After using those I’ve been spraying Mac Fix+ for some refreshment.

Garnier Roll-on has served lovely cooling purpose for my eyes in the mornings and evenings. I found it really de-puffed my under eyes. I’ve been minimalistic with my makeup in the summer. The less is on the face, the less can melt. Stila Convertible Color (shade Gerbera) has been very handy, well lasting cheek and lip cream. I also became to love Revlon Lip Butters (shades Cupcake & Strawberry Shortcake). They are moisturizing, don’t have to worry too much with the application and they come off of the lips evenly. There is nothing worse than patchy lipstick leftovers.

Let me know what items you found yourself reaching for the most this past summer. Are you guys ready for fall? I’m not! I wish we’d have summer all year long…

Sylwia x

Empties #9

Naked Shine Hydrating Conditioner – an average product in my eyes. It’s ok for day to day use but I found it’s not enough to keep my hair constantly moisturized. But it’s ok in conjunction with an intensive once-a-week treatment.

Sephora Bath & Shower Gel Strawberry/Raspberry – it smells gorgeous and the packaging looks very chic on the bathroom shelf. But the product itself isn’t anything special – just a typical shower gel.

Liz Earle Gentle Face Exfoliator – I’m not that keen on gritty face exfoliators but this was really nice. Particles are very small and not abrasive. It left my skin feeling very soft. Only thing that confused me is that it’s called ‘gentle’ yet not suitable for sensitive skin. My skin is sensitive but not to extreme and I didn’t have any irritation problems using this.

Collection 2000 Big Fake Mascara – I didn’t use this at all. I bought this ages ago and not only I picked up brown instead of black (did that on more than one occasion) but also the mascara was already dry in the tube. I don’t think I would’ve liked it anyway as it’s got massive brush which I don’t like. That was a waste of £5.

Farmona Vanilla Body Wash Scrub – first of all I don’t understand the name of this product. It’s not a wash in any shape or form. It’s just a scrub, it does not lather. As a scrub I found it did the job very well but it’s not going on my faves list. I found it a bit harsh sometimes, scent is a bit chemical and it doesn’t leave that nice silky film on the skin afterwards (some people hate it but I love it).

Benefit Total Moisture Facial Cream – really, really nice product. Smells lovely, moisturizes well, sinks in rather quickly and doesn’t make the skin oily.

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat – I would not paint my nails at all if not this. Speeds up the drying process by 90%, gives gorgeous shine, makes the polish last longer. Already re-purchased! Only complain – goes gloopy pretty quickly so it needs thinning liquid added from time to time.

Affinage White Ice Shampoo – perfect for blondes! It’s dark purple in colour and it actually stops the blond from fading/going yellow. It’s quite drying so I didn’t use it more than once every two weeks.

Eveline Olive Creamy Milk – lovely body lotion for summer. Very light in texture and scent. Fast absorbing and just well moisturizing for the summer. I love the pump too, very handy!

Sylwia x

Favourite Highlighters

Hello lovelies,

Here is a Guest Post I did for lovely Helen from HelenRambles On. Please check out her awesome blog.

Highlighters! Most of us beauty addicts love everything shiny and sparkly and could wear glitter all over on daily basis. As lovely as that idea is unfortunately we can’t really get away with it. Plus when it comes to our faces we’d rather look healthy and glowing than shiny and glittery.

I have tried quite a few highlighters and today I’m showing you my absolute-totally-worth-of-recommending favourites.

Mac Hang Loose Minaralize Blush – when I first saw this I thought someone must be mad to think I will put lilac on my cheeks. It turns out that whoever created this is a genius because in conjunction with pink it looks beautiful. It’s a blush/highlighter that gives that amazing glow especially when the sun hits it. It cannot be overdone. Few times I managed to apply what I thought way too much product(it’s just sooo pretty I couldn’t stop) but it still looked good.

Soap&Glory Glow All Out – this is my subtle sheen savior. You know those days when your skin looks dull and tired and you’re not quite sure how to fix it? Just swipe this goodness on top of your blush, a bit on the bridge of the nose and under the brow. Voila! It will look like radiance from within.

Benefit High Beam – definitely most natural looking highlighter I have tried so far. It’s in liquid form which gives it better lasting power and more blendability. I apply this on top of the foundation (top of the cheekbones) with a foundation brush. It may not be visible at first but throughout the day you will notice how beautiful and radiant your skin looks. It’s definitely one of those ‘no makeup’ makeup items.

Mac Vanilla Pigment – this is such a versatile product. It’s more sparkly than the above products but still day time appropriate. Alhou it can be used as a traditional highlighter (top of cheek bones, bridge of the nose, under the brow) I love to use it in the inner corner of my eyes. Sometimes even when I don’t wear any other eye makeup (by that I mean I just wear mascara :D). Something about the gold and pink sheen that makes the eyes look bright and awake.

What are your favourite highlighters?

Sylwia x 

Essie Love & Acceptance

Super quick nail post today.

Here is Essie Love & Acceptance from Wedding 2012 collection. I am not getting married but still love this colour. It’s a pastel lilac/gray shade and I feel like this is going to become one of my favourites.

On some other note, I have started 50 Shades Darker and struggling to get through it …. Not sure if I will make an attempt on finishing it.

Hope you’re having a good week so far!

Sylwia x