Lately, I’ve gone back to using hair growth treatments — I still want to maintain both my preferred length (for me that’s waist-length) and enough density. I try different products, and this time I reached for the budget-friendly Slovak brand Dixi. As usual, I chose the men’s line (since the women’s one doesn’t have this product) and picked up their Caffein Booster.
Let’s take a little trip down memory lane with Max Factor — a brand many of us grew up with. I don’t see as many posts about it these days, but to me, it’s still a solid classic. Their Colour Elixir Soft Matte line of liquid lipsticks is proof that the brand can still deliver quality — and my shade, 015 Rose Dust, is a gem.
Essence released a lip scrub as part of their Alice in Wonderland collection, and of course I had to get it. The product comes in an adorable and compact 10 ml tube made of sturdy plastic. It’s manufactured in China, although for some reason the ingredient list isn’t printed on the packaging.
More and more brands are launching universal eyeshadow sticks with a jelly texture and multidimensional shimmer. I already tried similar ones from Catrice, so it was time to test their “younger sibling” from Essence. The collection includes three shades, and I chose the nude option — 01 Frosted Twinkle.
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Hair oils are a must in my routine — I use them after every wash to soften the ends, reduce frizz, and give that silky smooth finish. But not every oil lives up to expectations. In this year’s ASOS Advent Calendar, I found the Arkive Hybrid Oil Baobab & Jojoba Oil for Hair, and here’s how it performed.
The Rituals Sakura Body Scrub has officially become my favorite — everything about it is perfect, from the scent to the texture.
Everyone loves a good nude — I’m sure of it. When I don’t feel like wearing bold lips, I always reach for my favorite soft pastels. One of my all-time affordable favorites is the Wet’n’Wild MegaLast Matte Lip Color in the shade Never Nude.
I had never tried skincare from New Zealand before, but there’s a first time for everything. Thanks to a beauty box, the Antipodes Flora Probiotic Skin-Rescue Hyaluronic Mask landed in my hands — and now it holds an honorable place in my routine.
In recent years, Catrice has been pleasantly surprising me. If the brand used to fly under my radar, now I often find myself drawn to their limited editions, and the permanent range keeps delivering solid products. A great example: these duochrome eyeshadows priced at a very budget-friendly €5.
I’ve always loved the signature scents of Caudalie, and when I wanted something indulgent yet gentle, I reached for the Thé des Vignes Shower Gel. And yes — it’s just as lovely as it looks.
I know many makeup lovers are constantly on the hunt for cool-toned palettes, while brands keep releasing mostly warm ones. Personally, I don’t mind warm shades (my undertone suits them!), but I finally found a budget-friendly cool palette in the drugstore — Essence The Cool Nude Edition.
I decided to relive my student days and return to Garnier — a brand you can find in any drugstore. I’ve always liked their products: affordable, simple, and reliably good. This time, I picked up two new facial cleansers.
This winter I discovered an affordable yet amazing mascara — the Rimmel Thrill Seeker. I’ve tried Rimmel mascaras before and always found them decent, so my hopes for this one were high — and it didn’t disappoint!
I love leave-in hair products — and while I used to rely exclusively on oils, serums and creams have recently taken over my routine. Turns out, they work incredibly well for long, fine hair with dry ends. My latest test product, the Tresemme Lamellar Shine Leave-in Cream Serum, turned out surprisingly good for its budget price.
I don’t have any particular concerns in the eye area, so I’m not using highly active treatments yet and prefer basic hydration and nourishment. I’ve almost finished my current eye cream — Alverde Augen-Creme Vital, and it’s a product that will suit most people.
I truly believe Essence makes some of the best lip glosses out there — affordable, flattering, and available in so many shades that everyone can find their match. My current favorite is from the Extreme Shine line in the shade 03 Dusty Rose — basically my lips but better.
Eveline is known not only for its makeup but also for its great skincare — I’ve been a fan of their face and body products for a while. My latest purchase was the Ultra-Regenerating Body Lotion 5% Urea SOS for dry and very dry skin.
Glitter on the face is definitely not my thing. I can wear it maybe once a year — on New Year’s Eve — just to shine a little. But there’s one glitter in my collection that I can’t help admiring: NYX Face & Body Glitter in shade 06, because it’s simply stunning.
My first encounter with MAC skincare unexpectedly started with their Lip Conditioner Hydratant, which I discovered in an advent calendar — and honestly, I was impressed!
It’s been ages since I last used a peel-off mask, but curiosity won again — I decided to try the Revolution Skincare Purifying Charcoal Peel-Off Mask. And honestly? It was way better than I expected!
I usually keep two concealers in my makeup bag — one lightweight and one full-coverage, depending on the occasion, my skin’s condition, and my mood. My current favorite in the high-coverage category is The Saem Cover Perfection Tip Concealer in shade 01 Clear Beige, which also comes with an SPF 28 bonus.
The concealer comes in a tiny tube — just 6.5 g — sealed in plastic, without a box. It has a small, classic sponge-tip applicator that’s convenient for both spot concealing and under-eye use.
