I Want It Desperately: Dr. Hauschka Make Up

Going more natural and organic is not easy when it comes to cosmetics (or anything for that matter). There are also people who claim that even organic products are not truly organic due to no cultivation being completely free from pollution etc. The discussion is complex and difficult. However no matter what the different opinions are, already by making an effort of buying beauty items that contain very little or no preservatives such as parabens, or cosmetics with only natural pigments (like those of my beloved 'Honeybee Gardens') we can only gain.

Some years ago I did take my first steps towards becoming more natural at least in my cosmetic consumption,  but gave bitterly, and quickly up. The selection was not much to write home about and many products did not only smell strange, but colors looked dull and formulations were less than pleasant to actually use and wear. Not to mention the prices...

Recently however, thanks to my discovery of the already mentioned 'Honeybee Gardens', my love for and interest in a more natural beauty option lit up again and I looked around to see what the situation is nowadays. I am happy to report, that the situation has significantly improved. There are tons of wonderful, beautiful and affordable natural cosmetics out there. Sure, they might still seem pricey in comparison to the average lines of mass produced beauty, but for an extra couple of euros you get so much more value and unique beauty. If you even have to pay any extra at all.

I am not saying that I will instantly become a fan of organic only. It is not that simple, mainly because there still are certain products that I have not found a satisfying and more natural option for. And because there are still some items that I simply love and enjoy, or new items I will be curious to try. I guess what I am aiming for is a nicely balanced mixture, with perhaps a more dominant part harmless beauty than department store chemicals.

In any case from now on I rather go to the Dr. Hauschka (and similar brands) display next time, than to that of any of the regular, high end or not, cosmetics houses.

Yes, this is something I desperately, irrevocably want.

Honeybee Gardens Luscious Lipgloss

Today I will attempt to review the above mentioned lipgloss from my new favorite, Honeybee Gardens. But then again, do I really need to review it? You all know more or less how I feel about the products in this small, but fantastic line, and the lipgloss is no exception.

Already the tube is cute as a button in my opinion. Simple silvery plastic tube with the product name and the company logo on it. However as an extra, it has a little window on the side (much like the lipstick, only here the effect it better), through which you can actually see the product! Not only cute, but very smart too. You can really see the color without opening the product.

The 'Luscious Lipgloss' itself is of course even more breathtakingly fantastic. Of course it needs to be said, this is not the product for those of you who are looking for lacquered shine, and deep saturated colors fit for the catwalk or high fashion photo shoot. This lipgloss is natural, beneficial for your lips, and beautiful in its naturalness.  As it is loaded with sesame oil, shea butter and olive oil just to mention some ingredients, what you get is a rich creamy gloss that glides on easily, cares for your lips and glows with the shine of the actual ingredients. It is naturally glossy, and it remains so for a decent amount of time without ever feeling even remotely sticky, as it literally melts into your lips. I also experienced the same "healing" and nourishing effect as with the 'Truly Natural Lipstick'.

The color in my possession is "Innocence" a lovely neutral, (warm) pinky peach (that is however somewhat lighter than it looks on the image below) with the finest golden shimmer. After application it gives that natural looking, barely there, polished makeup look I cherish so much. In addition it cares for my lips and feels super comfortable.

Now the funny thing about this line is that all the glosses are delicately flavored (but I mean really delicately), and they all have a different flavor. In this case, 'Innocence' has watermelon flavor, which is perfect as I personally love watermelon! :D Moreover all the colors are purposefully designed to be neutral and to merely enhance the skin tone and thus the appearance of those who wear it. Therefore, this product is well suited for those of us who like that "girl next door" look, but perhaps not so much for glam queens. I am however, as you may know, not a glam queen and count myself happily in the fan group of this product and of the entire line.

What to say? I am hooked!!!

News Flash - Maybelline Affinitone Line

Is this new only to me? I mean I have already seen the 'Affinitone' foundation, but did you know about the rest? The concealer, the compact powder and the blush???

They look amazing, so much so, that I wanted to grab the whole display and make a run for it. :D But unfortunately, for now, I just had to settle for the lovely pale pink blush seen below. The color is called simply '77 Rose', and it is the lightest shade in the line (much more delicate in real life). All in all I remember seeing four colors, and the ides seems to be to aim each of them at a different skin tone, as they get increasingly dark and saturated (also L'oreal did something similar recently). There is in any case also a quite dark peach and plum color.

Now I am leaving you with the image, and I will search for more information (that I do not seem to find at this point). Stay tuned for the review ;)

I Want(ed) It Desperately: Essence Glossy Lipbalm(s)

'Essence' is a brand unfortunately not (yet?) available in Italy, belonging to the German based "Cosnova Beauty Group". Their cheap and "cute as a button" products are obviously made for their younger group of consumers, while more "adult products" can be found in the also unavailable 'Catrice' line. Having said that, it must be confessed that many of the 'Essence' items are extremely alluring for even an adult group.

I might not be pulled in by the grass green or lemon yellow eye shadows or the glitter eye liners, but I am, and always have been, a sucker for cute tinted lip balms. Therefore I have been salivating over their 'Glossy Lipbalm' range for some time now, and wanted to share the images with you.

How mouth watering don't they look? I for one, want all the above (not shown the color/flavor 'Passion Fruit')!!!

EDIT 20/11: Although these are still cute and I am sure pleasant enough, I think I am over this craving. This blog, and my makeup taste is changing directions and refining itself a bit...

News Flash - Max Factor Lash Extension Effect Mascara Image

And here it is, an image that shows us this new product...

I like what I see :) What do you think?

News Flash - Labello Natural Volume

I have a sort of love hate relationship with Labello products. I always buy all the newest items, just to give them away a day later after having used them once. For my lips they are just simply not good enough, or the colored ones do not give the result that I want on my lips.

There are however exceptions to this rule: I love the 'Milk&Honey' one (although it is so difficult to find in Italy), the pink one (that started out as 'Rose', turned into 'Velvet Rose' and now has become 'Soft Rose'. The firs two formulas I adore, the new one I am yet to try), and the "liquid" (glossy or not) ones in slant tip lipgloss tube packaging.

The 'Natural Volume', which is a brand new product, came to my attention by accident in my local COIN shop. And, I was thinking, what do I have to lose? 3,49 EUR. The appealing white and pink blister packaging enchanted me, and the sleek little 8ml tube called my name. Then I read the seductive words: collagen enhancer, glossy lips, light reflecting pigments, delicate tint.... I had to have it!!!

And I am glad I fell for the temptation. What I got is a lipgloss that is fantastically soft, and has the most natural, cute baby pink tint to it. Moreover it smells soooo good! Does it give extra volume? Well at least optically, a little probably yes. Does it last? No obviously it does not. It does however a decent job moisturizing your lips with a natural looking shine and tint, perfect for when you do not want to wear any particular lip product but still want just a little care and color that feels comfortable (I love products like this when I am sick or do not feel too good for some reason and have no tolerance for "real" makeup...).

I personally like this one, and hope to be able to find it again when its time to repurchase. Unfortunately the selection and distribution of Labello products in Italy, at least in my town, is rather fragmented.

Try this while you can. :)

News Flash - Max Factor Releases 2010

Although I cannot provide you with any images yet, my eyes caught up some lovely news today. In the first half of 2010, two new product releases await us from the always amazing Max Factor!!!

'Lash Extension Effect Mascara' promises just what the name suggests: lashes that look like you are wearing extensions when you're actually not. The one image I have managed to see of the eyes of a model suggest that this item not only promises, but delivers! I think it will be the perfect opportunity for me to get back into Max Factor's mascaras (as I am currently still consuming my 'Maybelline Colossal Volum'' stash that pulled me in early this year, and has not let go of me since).

'Vibrant Curve Effect Lipgloss' is luckily not yet another makeup product that requires batteries to "swirl" gloss onto your lips mechanically. It is however a product that promises an applicator shaped after the curve and shape of women's lips to make the spreading of the product more easy and even. In addition it is said to be non sticky and extremely easy to apply. I am looking forward to this, since I remember the revolutionarily soft and non sticky experience we all had when the 'Silk Gloss' line was launched. If this is better, it must have the texture of clouds. The selection of colors was apparently developed with the cooperation of Pat McGrath, and thus we are guaranteed perfection itself.

The gloss will be launched April 2010, and the mascara apparently 1st of January. In Scandinavia (source: Cosmopolitan). The price should be around 15-17 EUR per item. What this information translates into regarding Italy I am not sure, but I hope to see these items in stores the first part of 2010.

Exciting, isn't it? :D