My makeup story

Hi my beloved blog readers!

This blog post will not be a regular 'here's-what-I-like-to-share-with-you post, but be aware that this will be a text post on how I fell in love with makeup.

Growing up with 2 older brothers didn't exactly encourage my femininity to come out of me. I often played with the typical boys' toys such as lego, cars and action figures even after being spoiled with Barbies, dolls and all that jazz.
My mom and my aunties used to bought me dresses to dress me up. I never actually REALLY enjoyed wearing dresses, but being an '80 girl, I had to work with what I got!
One of my first makeup memories was - like most girls - going through my mom's make up collection. I remember pulling out a dark red nail polish out of it and asked my mom to help me painting my nails because I couldn't. It made me feel so proud... If only I knew it was ugly as heck :D

Until the age of 19 I didn't act much of a girl...
I liked my baggy pants and never thought about acting ladylike or whatsoever. So I'm sure you get it that makeup didn't interest me at all.
When I was in college I remember seeing these doll like girls who were more occupied by their makeup than by their studies. The only makeup thing I was interested in was my performing well at school (and my lip balm because I didn't like the feeling of dry lips, haha!)
I do have to admit that by seeing these girls doing their make up, wearing sexy dresses, talking about what new make up items they bought, ... it lit a little fire inside of me. I didn't act like them, but I did start to pay attention to what I looked like: getting a new hair cut every year, looking for what clothing suits me, learning about my skin type, ...

During my college years I discovered the following (in that exact order!):

• eyelash curler (drugstore one which broke off the majority of my lashes, causing me to walk around lash less for weeks!)
• moisturizer (Nivea moisturizer which turned out to be way too greasy for me)
• concealer (drugstore one as well and was way too pink for my skin tone)

After graduating I was finally prepped to take a step into the grown up world: to get a job.
That's when I did some research on 'how to become presentable for dummies', haha!
I finally got my hands on a Shu Uemura eye lash curler, an Olaz (Olay in the States) moisturizer targeted for combination to oily skin and a concealer with a yellow undertone. I was good to go folks!
It wasn't until the age of 22 I actually started to act like a true girly girl.
I wore dresses and skirts (voluntarily!) and wore a teeny tiny bit of makeup (as in moisturized, curled my lashes, concealed and put on some lip balm). 

But now the interesting part you've been waiting for:
I discovered makeup when I was 24 (knowing that I'm 26 for the moment, that hasn't been long at all!)
It all started when I got unemployed for quite a while. Spending all those hours on your computer was very tiring and you know how it goes: whenever you need to spend your time doing something useful, you start finding all sorts of distraction. My distraction was Youtube.
I accidentally bumped into makeup video's and saw these girls talking about how they put their makeup on, how they did their hair, what new makeup items they bought, ... I got sucked into it LIKE A FOOL, hahaha!

That's when I started to collect makeup items as well. I'm lucky enough to get to travel to Hong Kong every few years and buying makeup there was so exciting, because they're Asian items that Europe and the States don't have. I'd have the best of ... three worlds, right?
It was confusing seeing the brands' name change depending on which continent you are. I started recognizing product which were performing the same, but had a different name.
As I watch a lot of American beauty gurus on Youtube, I know what the name is in the States. Living in Belgium makes it easy for me to find out what the European name is and being able to travel to HK, allows me to compare those with the ones I've heard about from the other side of the world. That's why I started this blog, to introduce the people to all makeup items from 3 continents!

By now my makeup routine has changed tremendously, but I'm sure this beauty blog proves it all. I truly hope this blog post doesn't push you to put makeup on, because it has just become something that happens to interests me. I'm glad to share my knowledge with my friends, but I do have to admit that I still don't wear a ton of makeup as some of my friends do... Let's just say that I'm still digging the natural look, and let's keep it that way for the upcoming years, shall we? :)

To make up or not to make up

Hi (healthy) co-beauty obsessed fans :)

Today's post is going to be slightly different...
No pictures, just pure raw writing on a blank canvas.
I was inspired to write this by a Youtube video and a certain TV show I saw yesterday.

If you've read my blog posts, they're mainly about how I like or dislike a product, or how much I suggest or don't suggest you to try out a certain product.

I have to admit, I may mention a lot of beauty products, but honesty (if you would really know me) you'd know I don't wear a lot of make up AT ALL. I'm all about the natural look. If I go out I do wear some eye brow powder, mascara, concealer and lip balm. If I'm going out I may add some eyeliner and blush. And if I'd stay in I wear lip balm, that's it.

I like make up, I do, very much. But, I don't feel comfortable wearing tons of make up.
Yes, I like to experiment, and yes, I like to put on some make up to see how it works, how long it lasts, ... but after a half an hour I'll be wiping it all away :D Just because, I like to let me skin breath and I dislike the feeling of make up sitting on my skin.

It's funny how make up can change lives.
When I was young and all my friends wore make up, I felt comfortable in my own skin without any make up. I would be the last one to put on some make up (to fit in) because it just wasn't me... It felt like putting stuff on my face to cover myself. No thank you.

Nowadays, I love make up. And I'm sure I own much more make up than all my friends together. But do I ever wear it? No. I know it's not healthy as well for splurging money on products I don't actually use.
On one hand, I want to be able to use it, so I can make my money's worth.
But on the other hand, I know people can actually get addicted to make up.

There are plenty of women (and men) who don't dare to walk out the door without wearing make up. Women who wear make up to exercise, to do chores around the house, to do groceries, ... Women who don't feel like themselves without any make up.

Come to think about it...

Are you one of them?

I know I'm not...yet. But I'm afraid that I'll be one of those women once I keep on using make up. Afraid of walking out that door, and be scared of looking the people in the eye because my eyelashes aren't curled, or terrified people will be staring at my red blemishes.

Let's be real: no one can be that superficial. Can they??

I know it can be different for those who have severe acne. I've heard stories about girls who are terrified of going out without make up because they're so self conscientious of their skin, and who end up being anti-social.
Honestly, I had acne when I hit puberty. A lot of acne, which left me with acne scars all over my face.
Sometimes I do look in the mirror and sometimes I can feel insecure as well. My advise for this? Get over it and try to live with it. It's a part from you now. If you feel secure enough from within, you won't even think about those acne scars anymore, which will give you instant confidence boosts! It'll make you think: hey, people actually like me for my personality, and not for my foundation or for my blush.

For those out there who can relate to me, make sure you have some makeupless time in the week, even if it's just for a few hours. It'll do you good, and believe me, your skin will be grateful to you as well.

For those who like a bit more make up than me... Try to go out without make up: walk around block for 5 minutes and go back. You'll notice that no one will make fun of you, no one will be staring at you for not wearing make up, no one will make a remark on it. Frankly, they wouldn't even notice because they're living their own lives.

I strongly advise young women to give this a go.
We all know that being conscience about how they look hits the younger generations as well. Unfortunately this generation is getting younger and younger.
Recently I overheard a little 6 years old girl asking her mom whether she looked fat in her dress or not. Honestly, it broke my heart a little...

Let's face it, the world is changing into a shallow place. Adding the media, peer pressure of looking good and insecurity tops it all off.

I'm not trying to be a hypocrite: I love make up, try this, try that versus don't wear make up, you're shallow.
Yes, I like make up. But, I don't need it to go through the day. I can live without it. Look at make up as a supplement, not as a requirement. Very cliche, but beauty is so much more than what we all see on the outside.

Have a wonderful day, I truly hope that this blog post has made you think twice before applying make up :)

Products I've used up May '13

Hi everyone!

I'm back with another blog post. Today I'd like to talk to you beauties about the product I've used up, aka empties post :)

Let's work from the top down:

• Schwarzkopf Gliss Kur hair repair anti-klit spray

This is a spray which prevents knots in your hair and makes your hair silky smooth. It says it adds shine, I don't really notice any difference when spraying this in my hair, but it does makes it easier for me to brush through my hair after putting this in my damp hair.

You'll notice there's a little bit of a white solutions lying on top of the pink solutions. Just don't forget to give it a good shake before usage.

Good to know: I've used mine for about 2 years before using it all up, uhu!

• Clinique anti-blemish solutions clarifying lotion 

I think most of you know what this is. This is the step 2 from the Clinique 3 steps line for handling blemishes. I don't use this on a daily basis, because I think it would be to harsh for my skin should I use it every single day. In the end, it does dry out my skin, and I don't like that tucked feeling on my face.

I just put some on a cotton pad and sweep it all over my face. It makes sure to clear all dead surface cells and reduces excess oil that can cause unclogged pores (be gone impurities!).

You'll notice white powder on the bottom of the bottle, shake it until it dissolves into the lotion. The white powder is actually a medicine to treat acne. Good stuff? Hell yeah!

Good to know: Reduce usage if dry patches occur.

• Bioderma solution for sensitive skin

This has been a huge hit in Hong Kong before coming over to Belgium and the States.

I use this as my daily toner, if I need a more abrasive toner I'll use the Clinique one. But, this one is very gentle on the skin. It cleanses and removes my non-waterproof make up.
It's like putting water on your skin, only bottled in a fancy packaging :)

Put some on a cotton ball and sweep it over your face, as simple as that.

Good to know: this does NOT remove waterproof make up

• Biotherm Aquasource gel for normal to combination skin

This has been my HG for a few years.

It gives enough moisture but didn't make my face feel greasy, thanks to the gel formula. 

A very good moisturizer for the summer, not so much during the colder months.

Since I'm using another moisturizer for the moment, I won't be able to buy this immediately for the summer time!

• Fairy Drops Platinum mascara in waterproof formula

Holy moly guacemole, my HG mascara!

Honestly, this mascara makes my stubborn short lashes look like I'm wearing false eye lashes!

You'll notice that the brush has a curvy wand, this lifts my eye lashes to make them even more curly.

It gives volume, lengthens them thanks to the fibers in it, but still gives a very natural look to the eye...A-MA-ZING!

I use the one in waterproof formula because if I don't use waterproof I'll end up with raccoon eyes. Sexy, I know!

• Lancôme bi-facil double action eye makeup remover 

Bi-Facil is one of the most known eye make up removers in the beauty industry. Notice that there are 2 different parts in the bottle: a more deep blue (oil) and a light blue (toner). You should shake the bottle to let the 2 mix and then put it on a cotton pad before pressing it against your eye. 

People say this doesn't leave any greasy film on the eyes, but I do notice that it does when you reach the end of the bottle. It may be normal, but I don't think this (rather expensive) eye make up remover.

I must admit that it does a good job, but it's not like that this is the only one eye make up remover that works. I've had cheaper versions that do the job as well.

Good to know: Get eye make up removers with both oil and toner, it makes the taking off your waterproof make up much easier!

• Colgate Max White One

Who doesn't want whiter teeth? I thought so...

I gave this Colgate tooth paste a try, but unfortunately this has let me down. Not only didn't I notice any difference in my teeth shade but sometimes it left my mouth not as fresh as I would like it to be.

I will not be repurchasing this one fore sure, which is a shame because I do like the other plain Colgate tooth pastes.

• EOS organic lip balm smooth sphere in pomegranate raspberry 

 

I learned about the EOS products thanks to make up vids on Youtube. These are probably one the most cute lip balms ever. Are they that good? Not really. It's not very moisturizing, but I'm a sucker for packaging and as soon as I smelled the scent, I was sold!

These come on different scents and yes, I have them all...

• EOS hand lotion in berry blossom

Another product from the same line; the EOS hand lotion. As you can see on the picture it says: paraben- free. Yay for anything which is free of parabens.

You have to admit that this hand lotion looks quite adorable, but man oh man, wait until you get a sniff of this hand lotion. It smells heavenly! And it doesn't only smell good, no no, it makes your hand soft as a baby's bottom!

It doesn't leave any greasy film on your hand and it moisturizes as hell. Hands down, one of the best hand lotions I've ever used.




I'm sorry I didn't put pictures up that I've taken myself, but I've thrown most of the products out the door before realizing I could write a blog post about it.

I'll try to collect them from now on makes it more personal :)

Comment below if you liked this post and tell me what empties would you repurchase?