To guard or not to guard? Brush guard review and alternative

Hello gorgeous! Some time ago I noticed that some of my brushes (made of natural bristles) started to lose their shape due to extreme fluffiness. I have read a lot information about Sigma Dry`n shape brush roll but I think this one is quite expensive ($29) and also I own only 5 Sigma brushes, so I am not sure that it is going to suite my other brushes. So I decided to purchase "Brush Guards" (1 m of synthetic tubular net) (by the way it costs only 1.5$ and shipping is free (EBAY).
As I mentioned basically this is just a synthetic net. But it saved my brushes!
Sigma F25 brush dried without brush guard:

and using brush guard:

Looks totally different, right?

Now MAC 130 duo fiber dried with brush guard (Perfect shape!)

And here you can see how brush guards (upper) actually look (together with an alternative):

And brush guard on my finger:

And alternative called "Elastic tubular net bandage":

And the packaging:

Sigma F10, Sigma F25 wearing brush guards and MAC 130 wearing bandage:

And smaller brushes (MAC 217 and 2 Sigma E25 )

Brush guards are must haves for bigger brushes, but unfortunately they tend to slip off from smaller brushes (like eye brushes) stored in vertical position. Thus for eye brushes I would recommend to use "Elastic tubular net bandage".

Max Factor Colour Elixir lipstick review

Hello gorgeous! For a long time I was looking for a lipstick with good moisturizing properties...and I found it! New lipstick from Max Factor called Colour Elixir.

From manufacturer: For instant fabulous colour and smoother, softer* lips over time look no further than Max Factor’s new Colour Elixir Lipstick. The Elixir formula contains a 60% blend of skin emollients, conditioners and antioxidants including vitamin E, for a visible transformation in the look and feel of your lips. As you apply the Colour Elixir Lipstick, it actively moisturises and smoothes lips. Enjoy rich and gorgeous looking colour on smooth, beautiful lips!
In local drugstore shop (Drogas) I found only 6 shades (is this a full shade range available in Latvia?) and among them could not find desired Bewitching Coral :( But I picked 2 other colors: Eternal Flame 630 and Ruby Tuesday 715.

left Eternal Flame, right Ruby Tuesday.

Both lipsticks are very good pigmented and shades are very flattering against my pale skin. The lipstick smells like...lipstick :D It is just so familiar smell of lipstick. And the best part - they are very very very moisturizing. After about 3 days of wearing them my lips now in much better condition. Lipstick almost eliminated dry patches on my lips. It really feels like a lip balm. 

and swatches:

left Eternal Flame, right Ruby Tuesday.

It retails for about  7 Ls (~ 14 $) in Latvia and I would say it is totally worth it :) I highly recommend this product especially if it is available on sale :)

NOTD - OPI Osaka-to-Me Orange

Hello gorgeous!
I am having hard time fighting cold weather and winter. I really start to miss spring, summer, sun and all the bright colors. I am kind of bored of dark gray and neutral colors, so I decided to pretend that it's spring already :)
How about juicy orange?

Osaka-to-Me Orange by OPI

Tag - If all my makeup disappeared

Hello gorgeous!
Today I decided to do something more fun. Basically this tag is about what I would do if all my makeup would disappear. 10 things I would repurchase first. I think this tag perfectly shows what are 10 things I reach out for on daily bases. Kind of my must haves :)
So let's start!
The first one would be a foundation. My favorite one is Healthy Mix by Bourjois. It gives me confident the days when I feel that my skin is not in the best condition, it brings a nice radiance to my skin.
The packaging:

and blended:

The second thing I would repurchase would be my concealer. This thing perfectly helps to hide all my blemishes and dark circles, when I feel that I didn't have enough sleep. Also the same brand - Healthy Mix by Bourjois, just one shade lighter than my foundation to make my under eye area brighter.

blended:

Next product would be my Too Faced Naked eye palette. I seriously don't know how I could live without it. It's everything I use it for everyday make up. Also sometimes I use these colors for night-out. I think you can see my favorite and most used colors form the picture. :) The palette came with small brush (angled brush and applicator on the other side) which I am using  for filling in my eyebrows. I use Like A Virgin color for this purpose. So for me it's like 3 in 1, because of the brush and eyeshadow I use for the brows.

The brush:

As I started to talk about eye shadows I must admit that I can't live without eyeshadow base or primer. Without it I just feel that shadows are not the right color, they don't stay on my lids at all. So base for me is a must. The one I would repurchase would be Eyeshadow base by NYX number 03 (skin tone). It smells little bit strange (like an old lady), but I feel that it does the job!

I tried to make a swatch, but it totally blends in with my skin tone, so it was impossible to see it on the picture.

This is not a make up product, but I believe it still counts as one, because I use it for applying make up. Nothing else but blending brush 217 by MAC. I feel like any kind of comment on this brush would be unnecessary. I think every girl should own this one!

Another product I found is a must for me, is my fluidline in Blitz&Glitz by MAC. I am seriously using this product 6 days out of 7. It glides on so smooth and I never had problem with taking it off, although it stays on for ever. 

Swach on my hand

Next two would be my all time favorite lip products. First one is lip stick by Russian company called Mia. Oh My God! This is the second one. I repurchased this in the same color. I just love it soooo much! The consistency, the scent and color it's just perfect. It has glossy finish, but color itself is something in between pink and nude.

And the second one - Glam Shine Reflection lip gloss by L`oreal in color Sheer Grenadine. I use this when I feel that my face looks too boring and pale, this product gives just perfect hint of red on my lips. It instantly brightens up my face. I can't tell that it's not sticky at all, but it's definitely not crazy sticky. Feels very moisturizing on my lips. Love it! 

 swatches on my skin:

The next product is 2 in 1. It is Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder by Elf. Beautiful blush and very pigmented bronzer. I believe you can see how much love it was just by amount I used it. The quality is just amazing and the price.... I believe I paid around 3£ for it. Seriously?  Must have all year around. Who doesn't like healthy glow? 

swatches on my hand:

And the last one. It's eye pencil by Bourjois in number 81 (Bleu Virtuose). Perfect to add a pop of color on the waterline or lower lash line. Specially if you have brown eyes like me. Amazing color, amazing quality and last up to 16 hours. ( Although I never tried wearing my make up so long)

Swatch. Don't you love the color? 

I hope you enjoyed and had fun reading this one. Have a lovely week :)

P.S. just wanted to make a note, that this post is written by my sister (so you can see skin color difference :)

Nails of the day!

Hello gorgeous! Tomorrow I have day-off so I decided to do something fun with my nails. Now I want to share the look I came up with.

 I used Avon nailwear pro nailpolish in perfectly flash (two coats) and Konad stamping nail art image plate number M57.
I love this look on short nails. Black is not the most natural-looking color on nails, but since it's just a small detail, I think it would look propriate in every situation.

I also did my moms nails. The same image plate from Konad. Just for fun :)

Universal Lip Glow

Hello gorgeous! Today I want to do review on Universal Lip Glow by Loreal Paris. It's a lip balm, which gives you a unique tint as it adapts to your own lip color. It comes out clear as you first apply it, but after a few seconds it gradually becomes pink. Nothing very obvious, just sheer pink undertone. It's silicone based so it glides on your lips very smooth and leaves very moisturized feeling. This lip balm is perfect base under lip stick even the matt-finish ones which are kind of to hard work with (at least for me).

It costs around £9, but I got is as a gift to my purchase couple months ago. When I first saw it, I totally fell in love. I think it’s kind of obvious why – the packing is so chic and sleek. But  product itself  has pinky orange glycerin looking consistency. 

 On their web site it says that the product is enriched with pomegranate extract, but i deficiently can’t smell it :) although it has nice smell, nothing overwhelming.

The swatch on my hand

And my lips

Perfect present for Valentine’s day – for yourself :)

"Dzinatrs" piedāvā bezmaksas ādas diagnostiku

Labdien, dāmas! Jau kādu laiciņu gribu veikt ādas diagnostiku (drīzāk, jau intereses pēc), bet kaut kā vienmēr trūkst laika, vai naudas, vai vēl kaut kā. Un lūk pašmāju Dzintars rīko akciju. Protams, ka mērķis - pārdot savu kosmētiku, bet nu var būs kādai ir interese. Mazliet vairāk:
Februārī A/S „Dzintars” firmas veikalos sākās bezmaksas sejas ādas diagnostika, izmantojot specializētu aparātu, lai noteiktu ādas mitruma līmeni, taukainību, elastību, gludumu, porainību, jutīgumu, pigmentāciju un krunciņu dziļumu. Šī akcija notiek ar mērķi palīdzēt patērētājam orientēties piedāvājumu klāstā un izvēlēties atbilstošo kosmētikas līdzekli, ņemot vērā katra ādas īpatnības.
šeit ir iespējams apskatīties konsultāciju laikus, vietas un tel.nr

Garnier - Miracle skin perfector (B.B. cream) review

Hello gorgeous! Today I am going to share my thoughts about Garnier B.B. cream. I am interested in B.B creams for a while, but was afraid to purchase them, because most of them are made for Asian skin type (with yellow undertones, or pink to balance the yellow). I was so excited when saw new B.B cream form Garnier!

What manufactures says: benefits of make-up in one single application. Garnier introduces the daily All-In-One solution that corrects, protects and unifies skin complexion with instant and lasting results. Miracle Skin Perfector delivers a hybrid formula that combines long-lasting 24hr hydrating care with a light touch of make-up for instantly flawless, healthy glowing skin. Its lightweight formula contains a unique mix of active ingredients including vitamin C, SPF15 UV filters and mineral pigments. Applied daily, Miracle Skin Perfector spreads evenly for a flawless finish without the heaviness of a foundation. Instantly skin is beautified, hydrated and protected. Available in 2 shades, light and medium.

I got light shade and as you can see it is still too dark for my skin. It has neutral/balanced (beige) undertone which I like (the reason I like Bourjous foundations).  Miracle skin perfector has gorgeous fruity (a bit chemical) scent and very smooth (silicon based) consistency. 

(not very well blended)

(and well blended)

As you can see from swatches it has sheer/dewy finish so it is not the best solution for my combination skin. It has light coverage and as I do not have big skin problems it is good enough for me (I mean the coverage). It is very cold (-20° C) now in Latvia and found B.B. as a good moisturizer for the skin (again - combination) in winter. And of course it is just great that your daily cream may work as a sunscreen, as serum, as light foundation.

I found this product very interesting  and good for my skin in winter (or for dry skin in summer).

P.S. I got mine B.B. on my trip to UK, but it is also available from feelunique for $14.52