Nudes

Urban Decay Naked2 pencil

Finally ! My long awaited lip pencil from the Urban Decay label has landed ! Already purchased the lipstick weeks ago but still in need to finish off my nude look with the exact same pencil color.

Am very pleased with it as it promises to be everything it should be.

It slides smoothly across your lips, leaving a perfect matte nude hue to complement natural lips or mix with the Naked2 lipstick of the same range. Meanwhile, I've been looking for a matchy-matchy nail color and some matte mousse make-up and concealer. It's easily applied with a (humid) clean sponge or brush (or fingers but that's less hygienic)and needs no extra powder as it is already pretty neat and matte by itself. 

To make the look complete I use a soft orange blush (creme) very gently on my cheeks and paint my nails with Catrice Luxury Nudes 12 Caramel Confession.

But only after I've treated them with a jojoba-oil product by Pro's.

I really love the nude/naked look ; it's a good daytime look so I can keep my fierce red lipstick color for date night and going out.

All products available at Paris XL perfumery and Kruidvat drugstores in Belgium and the Netherlands

Catrice 12 Caramel Confession nailpolish

Something about eye lashes ; a video update on Talika eyelash boost

Hi you guys,

I've decided to launch a video for the very first time, so sorry if it seems very small-time, but just wanted to share this experience of the Talika product I'm using online.

Am very happy with the product itself, it's super easy to use and doesn't sting at all !
{was very worried about that}
So I'm 3 weeks into using it and hopefully it will improve even more and leave me with some healthy full natural lashes again in a couple of weeks time.

Hope you all enjoy this little vid and wishing you a nice weekend !
Stay tuned !

#sand_tropez

Time to ditch the black and dark grey tones ; Summer season is finally here and I think I found the perfect color for it !

Sand_Tropez is a greige nude tone that will match any Summery outfit just fine. 

I don't want to wear mints or pinks at this point (at least, not yet) and like to keep my nails clean, short and elegant at the same time. My trick here, what would Grace Kelly do ?

As it happens, Saint Tropez is not that far from Monaco and I'm pretty sure Grace would approve totally if this color would have been presented to her.

My nail regime is pretty simple. I like a clean look: try and find a professional manicurist. This person must know what he or she is doing ; cutting cuticles is a precise job and if not done in the right fashion, dangerous and painful. Filing nails, soft scrubbing and a handmassage must be included in your manicurist's handling. If not, go find yourself a new therapist. 

If the job is done right, treat yourself to a monthly appointment. 

In between sessions, you can scrub your hands twice a week and rub them with the best of the best hand creme every day ! 

When I use nailpolish I always make sure to use a base coat : your nails will love this little seal of protection and won't get this ugly yellowish haze.

Especially women using red nail polish must keep this in mind ! 

My favourite brands are Kiehl's * Essie * Essence * 

Beauty at 40

At 40, you need to take your beauty regime to a higher level. I'd like to share my personal favourites with you. These are as far as I am concerned basics every woman should start to hoard once the big 4 is in sight.

As your skin changes and dry spots appear, it's key to hydrate and soften your complexion. I discovered Bio Oil (1) at my local iU store and it's in my vanity case all the time. I never leave the country without it. Perfect for your body, face and hands. It's not over greasy and smells divine. 

As your skin changes and pores become more prominent, you might need to fill them up with Sothys (2) pore refiner. You need to use it underneath your tinted day cream. My daily wear is (4) Estée Lauder's Sheer tint release ; it actually adapts to your own skin tone. It's light, does not matten your appearance (which makes you look older anyway) and stays good all day through. 

My hands suffer the most, especially in Winter. I like to scrub them with the OPI mani scrub and treat them with (5) OPI Avoplex handcare. Hands denounce your age - might as well treat them with lots of respect. Make an appointment for a mani once and a while. Ask for good labels and indulge in a nice colour like Chanel's Black Satin (6) - love that extra shine and it's ever so chic! 

Don't overdo make up - this only works for models and 19 year old beauties. The older you get the less is more rule becomes more apparent at all times. You can of course emphasize on your best feature. My case, my lips are the ones to take the spotlight. MAC cosmetics has a super soft and creamy lip liner - pro long wear (3). Easy to use and by far, stays all day long (only 1 touch up a day .. how cool is that ?) 

My favourite red is High Energy ; you might remember this blogpost. 

AN ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE GREAT POWERFUL OZ: I thought it over and green is dead 'Till I change my mind, the color is red !

The most difficult lip colour is definitely red ! How many times have we girls made an utter fool of ourselves with half covered lips only leaving the edges slightly visible with run out red ?
God knows how much I've spent on expensive, cheap, promising and deceiving brands. Until now.
Already satisfied by their oak coloured lip pencil , I wondered if MAC had any red ones too.
And they did ; the sales assistant said she had an even better lip pencil to offer me. The pro long wear
lip liner feels smoother and actually does the job.
I applied it this morning and to my surprise it was still intact when I checked my lips after lunchtime !!
I'm eager to run to the MAC store again and buy all colours available in this crayon. So happy with it.

I'm wearing High Energy in the pictures above