I always admired Becca Cosmetics from afar. For the longest time, it wasn't available in Portugal, so I never had the chance to do much else besides ogling the swatches all over Pinterest and Instagram. For someone with dry skin like me, highlight can be a double-edged sword: the wrong consistency can cling to dry patches and enhance said dryness even further, but the right formula will do wonders to bring back some much needed glow to my otherwise dull skin.

Before giving Becca's kit a go, I only used creamy highlighters, because those seemed to blend the best for me (Barry M's Radiant Rod, cheeky name aside, is one of my absolute favourite highlighters of all time). The thought of powder highlighters always did call out to me, since it gave a more intense finish that cream highlighters can't provide, but due to my dry skin I feared the two wouldn't go hand in hand.

It wasn't until Becca finally made an appearance at Sephora here in Lisbon that I decided to get my hands on this duo, since it was the only product available in store from the entire Becca Cosmetics range: the Glow On The Go Shimmering Skin Perfector in the shade Opal. It was love at first sight and first wear, despite the shade being a smidge too dark for someone as fair as I am.

In this kit you will find two mini sized versions of both the liquid (5ml) and powder (2.4g) version of the Shimmering Skin Perfector and it retails for around 20€ here in Portugal. Since a little goes a long way with both of these products, I think you're definitely getting your money's worth. In case you're curious, the full sized version of the liquid retails for around 35€ for 50ml on Becca's website and the powder retails for around 32€ for 8gr.

Opal is a lovely light gold shade with a hint of rose gold, which is what makes it darker if you go in with a heavier hand, hence why sometimes it didn't look as natural on my rather fair skin tone. Moonstone, which looks lighter from the swatches I've seen online, would have probably been my perfect shade, at least for the colder months up ahead, but Opal works perfectly whenever I have a little bit more of a tan going on.

Wearing the liquid version of Opal, without any filter, under direct sunlight

The colour doesn't look that off key in photographs, it comes out as really natural yet intense at the same time, which isn't a combination you see often enough. I do find the liquid version a lot less intense and also lighter in colour than the powder version, which is why I tend to lean more towards it whenever I want a more subtle everyday glow. The powder version is very strong and works wonderfully as an eyeshadow if you want a really shimmery lid colour that blends like a dream.

Overall, this cute little kit is just what I needed to try out different formulas of highlighter, both of which really surprised me. They didn't cling to any dry patches, they both blended beautifully and they wore longer than any of my cream highlighters. I don't think I can live without either of these products in my collection, even though I still have my fair share of cream highlighters, I still lean more towards the Becca ones. Would I ever consider buying the full sized versions whenever they are finally available in Portugal? I don't think so. I definitely prefer the mini version of the powder, it's way handier and there isn't that much of a difference from 2,5gr to 8gr to justify the extra 20€. As for the liquid version, I might consider buying the larger bottle since 50ml is definitely a much better offer than 5ml, but I don't think I'd carry such a big bottle around with me, so I'd still keep the mini bottle for on the go, especially since the applicator on it is lovely as well.

Have you tried any of Becca's products before? Which ones do you recommend I try next? Which ones are you dying to try out yourself?

I've come a very far way from the girl who used to hate wearing lipstick. I was a lip balm kind of gal, even lip glosses were a real pain in my behind considering I used to have rather long hair and live in a rather windy climate fifty percent of the year. The main reason why I struggled to enjoy wearing lipstick was due to my very dry lips, that never seemed to ease the application process and made me look like a patchy mess (mind you, this was when I was in my mid teens). Thankfully, I have since discovered the world of lip scrubs and Vaseline.

Matte lipsticks were an even bigger challenge to overcome, considering dry lips and dry lipsticks aren't exactly a match made in heaven. However, the latest craze over liquid lipsticks really had me pinning for drier formulas, because I loved the look of a liquid lip, plus it seemed like a much more convenient way of applying lipstick, in my opinion. Since it seems like I was born with dry lips, the dry feeling didn't particularly bother me, just as long as the lipsticks wore well and didn't look like a hot mess when I tried to apply them.

If it wasn't for the liquid lipstick trend, I probably would have never even tried a regular matte lipstick such as the Jordana ones. The good thing about trying new things, though, is that sometimes you are pleasantly surprised — and that was exactly what happened with these bargains.

They are ridiculously affordable (back when I purchased them from Maquillalia, they were on sale for 1.99€, but they currently retail for 2.29€), which meant the stakes weren't exactly high to start with. Even if I didn't love them, I wouldn't have splurged a ridiculous amount only to get seriously disappointed. That's why I ended up buying five lipsticks at a time — Lavender Lady, Classic Nude, Taupe, Natural and Blushed.

Even though my expectations weren't particularly high, these lipsticks completely blew me away. The pigmentation is amazing, one swipe will do the job perfectly. The wear time isn't bad either, they don't necessarily feel drying on the lips either (then again, take that with a pinch of salt, since my tolerance is pretty high). The application itself could be a tad smoother, since it will grab onto any dry patches I might have, but for the most part it's a very forgiving formula. My only pet peeve is that it doesn't feel as buttery as I would have preferred, but then again, it is a matte lip, so maybe I'm just being high maintenance. Also, if you're like me and find them a bit on the drier side, just heat them up slightly with a lighter before application and it will go on much smoother!

And now for the best part: swatches! From top to bottom we have Classic Nude (a very muted nudey pink shade with brown undertones), Blushed (a true pink), Lavender Lady (a pastel lilac shade that isn't as neon as it appears on the picture), Taupe (the perfect brown nude) and Natural (a peachy nude shade, very similar to Bare It All by Wet N Wild on the lips).

Overall, these lipsticks are a real bargain, but they don't sacrifice their quality in return for the low price point. The colours are lovely as well (Taupe being my absolute favourite nude for Fall), just be careful since some might be very similar. Personally, I will definitely get some more shades in a future haul — I already have my eyes on Brazil, Terra Cotta, Rio and 5th Ave.

What about you? Have you tried any of the Jordana Matte Lipsticks before? If so, let me know which shades I should get next; if not, let me know which of these were your favourites!

It's not everyday you come across a little gem like this at a sale, now is it? If you follow me on Instagram, then you probably remember me telling you all about how I snatched the Kiko Cream Crush Lasting Colour Eyeshadow up from their sales (it usually retails for 6.90€, but I got it for 3.40€). From all of the shades out there, the one in the best condition and that called out to me the most was the very first shade, entitled Pearly Vintage Rose. While I don't consider it a rose shade, not by a long shot, I do adore its champagne tone, which makes it the perfect everyday lid shade.

On my rather fair complexion, this shades comes off as a very muted champagne shade, mostly noticeable thanks to the very fine shimmer running through rather than the actual colour pay off. Weirdly enough, that was what I liked the most about it! The fact it simply brought some light back into your eyes, while still appearing toned down enough for everyone to wear it, whether it's for school or work. It allows you to look good without seeming like you made much of an effort, which is exactly what I'm looking for in those dull mornings while I'm getting ready for work.

It also lasts very long (the longest I've worn it was for six and a half hours and it still looked fresh) and the shimmer is finely mild so you don't end up looking like a glitter ball if you over apply. You can easily layer this up for a more full on effect, and I usually apply it with my fingers. It also works beautifully as an inner corner highlighter or a very strong brow highlighter. It might even work as a face highlighter, but I have yet to try it out like so, since I already own enough highlighters as it is. But if you're looking for a great multitasking product, this is a good option.

The only downside I can point out is the fact the texture is a tiny bit greasy. It won't make my eyelids oily or anything, but I definitely wouldn't apply eyeliner on top of this shadow unless it was a powder formula.

So, the real question is: would I purchase it if it wasn't on sale? Definitely! I'm not sure I'll pick up other shades, since I think this one is a real gem, and the more matte shades didn't appeal to me at all. However, if you can get your hands on this shade in particular, be sure to pick it up, even at full price. It's definitely a must for those busy mornings where you don't want to fuss but still look presentable.

If we're being totally honest here, exfoliating didn't use to be a big part of my skin care routine a few months ago. I always had dry skin, which can get flaky in certain areas around winter time. I always thought it was all a matter of hydrating those areas to get rid of the dry flaky patches, until I actually read up on it and realized I might just be needing a good facial scrub every now and then. As with everything else in my collection, I tend to go for affordable drugstore products since they're the only thing in my budget. I used the L'Oreal Skin Perfection Radiance Revealing Gentle Exfoliator for months now, so I thought it was about time I shared my thoughts on it with you all. And since I recently got my hands on the Beauty Formulas  Vitamin E Exfoliating Facial Scrub, I decided to join in a comparison between these two affordable facial scrubs to help you decide on which one to try.

Starting with the L'Oreal exfoliator, it's a clear gel formula with very fine exfoliating beads. You're meant to apply in on your damp face and gently scrub everywhere, avoiding the eyes. I found it was decent enough when it came to the radiance revealing part, although it did leave a greasy feeling after using it that I didn't really like. It also felt like it dried my skin even further after each use, which isn't ideal for my skin type (mind you, it's meant for all skin types, so I suppose I can't complain too much there). I definitely agree that it's gentle, to the point where it wasn't doing enough for me, which is why I decided to buy a new exfoliator.

The Beauty Formulas one is a creamy texture, very moisturizer like, with quite noticeable exfoliating beads. They're not too big, nor too small, but they definitely pack a punch. You're meant to apply in on your damp face and gently scrub everywhere, avoiding the eyes. I think this scrub worked far better for me than the L'Oreal one. It feels moisturizing and it doesn't leave any weird feeling to the skin after use like the L'Oreal exfoliator (maybe due to it's creamy formula). Even though it claims to be a gentle exfoliator, I think that's a bold statement considering the roughness of the exfoliating beads - anyone with sensitive skin would have a hard time after using this, so I suggest you try the L'Oreal one instead. It's much less likely to damage your skin.

Overall, I think both of these are good affordable options, but they are meant for very different skin types and needs. The L'Oreal exfoliator is amazing for people with sensitive skin, if you can get past the weird feeling it leaves afterwards. It's also best for combination or oily skin, I believe, since it does dry me out a bit. As for the Beauty Formulas exfoliator, I think it's perfect for my skin type, since it both hydrates and scrubs away any flaky patches I might have. Don't be fooled by the writing on the package, this isn't gentle at all, so stay clear if you have sensitive skin or dislike harsh exfoliators.

In case you're wondering, I bought the L'Oreal exfoliator for 4.99€ at my local drugstore and I bought the Beauty Formulas exfoliator for 1€ online at Primor (and they both have 150ml).  

Have you tried any of these? Which one would you pick? As always, if you have any recommendations, don't forget to leave a comment!

Lately, I'm all about saving up time when it comes to putting on makeup. Months ago, you'd see me get up an hour earlier to get ready. Now, I tend to have some much deserved sleep in that hour before I actually think of putting my makeup on. Maybe it's something that comes with age, or maybe it's just my ridiculous procrastination skills, who knows? The bottom line is, I'm now all about these "all in one" type of products that are a big time saver, just like this Makeup Revolution palette.

I'm a massive MUR fan (I'm still obsessed with their Beyond Flawless Eyeshadow Palette), so this was way up high on my wishlist. I finally got it a couple of weeks ago and decided now would be the perfect time to review it.

Even if my makeup routine is fairly minimal on an everyday basis, this little gem is still ever so present since it helps give some subtle dimension and bring back some colour to my face after I apply my base products, Since I'm fairly pale with yellow/neutral undertones, I decided to pick the shade "Rave", which was highly recommended for fair girls in most reviews I read before purchasing this.

It's a nearly perfect colour match for my complexion -- the bronzer isn't too orange nor too dark, the blush adds a nice tint of healthy colour to my cheeks and the highlighter is to DIE for. Overall, a perfect match, if you're not intending to contour with this (the bronzer isn't nearly dark enough for that).

The bronzer is really subtle yet matte, in a "the sun actually showed up today" kind of way. You can tell the bronzer is definitely there, but it's hard to apply too much of this to the point where you look like you smeared mud all over your cheeks (we pale girls have all been there before). However, if you actually have somewhat of a tan, I doubt this particular shade will do anything for you.

The blush is also matte but, unlike the bronzer, very pigmented. Definitely apply this with a light hand or a duo-fiber brush, or else you'll have no way to fix over applying this. As much as you try to blend it away, it doesn't do so easily, so you might have to reach for your foundation brush/sponge to blend everything in better. Even though it's not as easy and forgiving to apply as the bronzer, it has quickly become my favourite blush in my collection and I wear it nearly everyday.

Finally, the highlighter is just a dream. Pigmented, easy to blend, glowy but not glittery. What more can you wish for in a highlighter? As a dry skin girl, I love me some highlighter and this works everywhere -- nose, cheekbones, cupid's bow, under the brow, chin, etc. And the best part is that it's forgiving to the point where dusting this everywhere won't make you look like a disco ball. Instead, you will look like you belong in the VS fashion show.

Longevity wise, the highlighter lasts the longest (the whole day, to be honest) and the bronzer fades the fastest (five hours tops) -- the blush is comfortably somewhere in the middle. The only real complain I have towards this palette is the packaging. You might not notice it in the picture, but the mirror completely came off thanks to the glue having dried down. It was already like that when it arrived home, so I'm not sure I got a faulty packaging or if it's an overall issue with these palettes.

Still, this is an amazing compact to just throw into your beauty bag in case you're in a rush and actually look like you made an effort, all while on the go. For the price (I got it for 4.95€ on Maquillalia) and quality of the products, I give it two thumbs up and definitely recommend this for everyone (although tanned or dark skin girls might need to take a look at the other shades).

Happy Monday everyone! So today I'm going to tell you all about the newest addition to my Kiko lipsticks, the Velvet Mat in the shade 604. Now, if you follow me on Instagram, you might have heard me talking about how I purchased the wrong shade, even though I swatched the right one. Apparently, they had placed the sample on the wrong column, so even though I did try on the right shade, I picked up the wrong one. Technical difficulties aside, I do love this lipstick, even though the shade isn't suited for everyone, especially if you're not a bold lip kind of gal.

The Velvet Mat lipsticks are a bit more expensive than the Smart lipsticks, which I rave about so often. However, they do offer a much better colour range and also a very nice matte finish. The one thing they sadly do not offer, is a good colour payoff. As you can see from the swatch beneath, one swipe won't be enough to give you all the colour you need, but it's definitely buildable. This might be perfect for those of you who aren't looking for a heavier lip, especially when it comes to the nude and pink shades. On the other hand, if you're looking for a bolder colour, like orange or red, you might not want to apply the lipstick over and over to get the bold colour effect.

As for the staying power, it's definitely not one of the best. Without eating or drinking, it can last around three to four hours, so it's not long lasting. Then again, the product doesn't claim to be so. If you're one who doesn't mind reapplying your lipstick, then this isn't an issue. If you'd like to not check your mirror every hour to make sure the colour is still standing strong, this might not be the best matte lipstick for you.

One thing that did surprise me, however, was the formula. For a matte lipstick, it's surprisingly comfortable on the lips, barely even drying them. For someone with already dry lips like myself, this was perfect. This does impact the finish, making it not as "powdery matte" as some other lipsticks out there, but I always did like this finish a lot better for matte lips, since it actually makes your lips look healthy instead of a drying desert.

All in all, I do recommend this lipstick, but if you can, try buying the shade 605, which is the one I originally tried at the store. It's a darker orange, a lot more wearable than 604, that might look slightly too neon in certain lighting. However, if all the other lipsticks in this range are like this one, you can expect me to buy a lot more in the future!

As always, I hope you enjoyed this and don't forget to leave a comment with your feedback and questions :)

I don't know about you, but I've always been a massive fan of a dark lip. Maybe it's my inner grunge chick talking, but there's just something about a vampy lip colour that boosts my confidence like no other. Of course, finding the right one can be a pain in our behinds, since they're either too expensive, too dark, not dark enough, or even not the right formula or finish. Finding the right dark lip can be a hassle, but it's definitely worth it in the end.

I was in a hassle myself, I searched everywhere for an affordable dark lip colour that did not dry my lips, while still giving me a matte-ish finish. I searched for it all winter long and sadly did not find it in time for the season. It just so happened that, during my birthday haul, I found an affordable lipstick in the discount section of Maquillalia - I had a couple of euros to spare, so I decided to get it on a whim. Little did I know it was the dark lipstick I've been searching for all this time.

Meet the Wet 'N' Wild Mega Last Lip Colour in the shade Cherry Bomb. Now, I know what you're thinking: can it really be that good? You bet it is! Truth be told, I did not expect much from this little gem, but it completely blew me away with how pigmented it was, while still being matte-ish on the lips, but not actually drying them either. The application is a breeze, it does not cling to any dry patches and you only need some swipes to get a nice coverage. It's quite easy to apply as well, I didn't even need a lip liner, even though I do feel like you can get even better results with one. And did I mention this baby only cost 2,99€?

Now, it's not all rosy, there is some cons to this lipstick, but they definitely do not surpass the pros. First, the packaging is quite dainty and I do feel like I have to be super extra careful not to break it in half. Yes, I might be a clumsy person, but the packaging is truly lacking a lot of sturdiness and quality, which is a shame since it's such a nice product. The second and final con is that it's not the most long lasting lipstick. I noticed it especially fades away in the center of your lips, a lot faster than it does anywhere else, so you might have to reapply it every couple of hours, which isn't ideal. Maybe if you don't lick your lips constantly like I do, it might last longer on you - but don't hold your breath during meals, it will fade away easily, but it won't disappear either.

Overall, I found my new favourite lipstick! It's a shame it waltzed into my life during summer, when a dark lip isn't exactly my "go to", but I'll still get some good use out of it during my nights out. And of course, I guarantee it will be the only thing I wear during the colder months!

That's all I have for today but I leave you with a swatch of Cherry Bomb, where you can see how nice the colour is. It's a mix between a dark red and a purple, more of a wine colour if you ask me. And in case you're wondering, that's how much coverage it gives after just one swipe.

Don't forget to leave all your thoughts in the comments and I'll see you all on Wednesday!

If you've read my review on the Kiko Smart lipsticks in the shades 918, 909 and 913 (you can find it here), then you know how much I'm a fan of this line and brand. There's just something about the formula that gives just the right amount of colour payoff without drying my already dry lips.

Obviously, when my birthday came up, I had to add a new lipstick of these to my collection - and along came shade 903. It's the perfect pink for the spring time, a lot less muted than shade 918, a favourite of mine for the colder months.

903 isn't as sheer as 918, but it's definitely not as pigmented as 909 or even 913. The formula is very similar to the rest of the lipsticks I've tried - it lasts for around 3 hours and leaves a nice stain after that. Personally, I love reapplying my lipstick during recess so this isn't a problem for me, but it might not be the best lipstick if you're looking for something more long lasting. It does not, however, cling to dry patches, so if you're worried about that, don't hesitate in buying this.

Overall, for 2,90€ (they're currently on sale for that, but they're usually 3,90€), it's another great lipstick to add to my collection and perfect for the sunnier days. Here's a swatch, where you can tell how creamy and somewhat sheer the lipstick is. I hope you enjoyed this post and don't forget to leave a comment!

Hello everyone! Today I'm finally reviewing the foundation I bought for my birthday: Rimmel London Lasting Finish 25hr Nude. I've had enough time to try it out and really form a solid opinion on this one, which is why now is the perfect time to finally talk to you guys about it.

First of all, I got this online, at Asos (you can read all about it here). Since this foundation isn't available in Portuguese stores, I had no way of seeing what the shades were like up close, so I just went with the one that seemed to be the closest to my other foundations, from swatches I saw online. So I bought the shade 100 Ivory, which ended up being a bit darker than the swatches showed. This isn't a major problem, since Summer is coming up and I'm bound to get a tan, so this foundation will work nicely then. Even now I can somewhat wear it, but I prefer to wait until I got a tan than just wasting foundation to try and "make it work".

Shades aside, the actual foundation is pretty good! I had never tried Rimmel foundations before, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I did know all about the negative reviews over this foundation's "sister", the original, red cap, Lasting Finish foundation, so I knew this would be the best choice for my dry skin.

The actual formula is very blendable and you only need the tiniest bit to get a decent coverage. In fact, more often than not I don't even need one full pump to cover my whole face. I did notice that layering won't work with this foundation, since the product just seems to build up in the most unflattering way ever. To get the best results, I use my Zoeva Powder Polish brush and just apply one thin layer that usually gives me good medium coverage, while also looking very natural.

The SPF 20 is also a big bonus, since I will be wearing this during the summer (even though it's always good to have some SPF in your foundation anyways).

The finish is definitely not dewy, mind you. But it's not matte either. I find it's a very nice, skin like finish, more in the matte side of the spectre without making your makeup look cakey. Coverage wise, it does cover up any smaller blemishes and all the discolouration in my face, but it won't cover bigger spots or my dark circles. That's not a major problem for me though, since I already have concealers that will take care of both those problems.

As for the staying power, it's honestly the most long lasting foundation I own. I don't know if it will actually last the 25 hours it promises (who even wears their foundation for 25 hours in a row??) but it will definitely last you the whole day (easily 12 hours, in the least). Mind you, I have tried this on during the warmer days, when I was sweating out and about under the scalding sun, and this did not budge. It's definitely sweat proof and it will still make you look matte-ish, which is great if you don't want to look like you're sweating like a pig.

Overall, this foundation is pretty much perfect! The only problem I have with it is that, sometimes, it does cling to some dry patches around my nose. Still, I find that if I do a little bit of extra moisturising on that spot, it won't cling to them anymore, so it's not actually a big problem (unless you have super dry skin, in which case you will need a really good moisturiser or maybe try a different foundation).

Below are some swatches I took, where I compared this foundation to the other two I own, so you can get a feel of what the shades are like!

It's been a while since I reviewed a product, and I feel like it was about time I talked about my small collection of Kiko Smart Lipsticks.

It's no secret just how much I'm in love with these bad boys, they're the most comfortable lipsticks ever (and I have the driest lips in history), super creamy, but still manage to have a pretty decent colour payoff. They also have a good staying power, usually three to five hours, depending on the shade you have.

If you're following me on Instagram, then you know I purchased Maybelline's Lash Sensational Mascara last week. This mascara has been praised by almost all beauty bloggers I follow, so it was obvious I had to get my hands on it to see if it was as amazing as they claimed. Spoiler alert: it is!

Lash Sensation promises a "full fan effect" thanks to the special brush with different layers of bristles. Truth be told, the brush does have a funny shape to it that was a bit tricky for me to work with at first, but now I'm absolutely in love with it. On one side, the bristles are very small, so they're perfect for your bottom lashes and the very root of your upper lashes, separating them beautifully; the other side has bigger, more sparse bristles, perfect to add volume to the end of your upper lashes.

A fair warning: it will take you some time to learn how to work with this brush so you get the desired result, but it's definitely worth your time. I found that this mascara does lengthen more than it gives me volume, but it still gives me a fair share of that. Overall, you do get the fan effect, just not as full as the images on the packaging and ads suggest (but then again, we all know they wear falsies for those ads, so you shouldn't trust them in the first place).

What I especially love about this mascara is how it manages to hold the curl all day long. It does not smudge either, which is always a nice feature on a mascara that isn't waterproof. Just curl your lashes, apply this, and feel gorgeous all day long because you have fluttery lashes that seem to defy gravity.

There is one thing that bothers me though, and that's the amount of product that sticks to the brush. It's just too much and even as you try your best to wipe it off on the mascara tube, it's still too much product, which only ends up making it harder to apply the mascara properly without messing up (hence why I do my mascara before anything else now, so I have the chance to clean up the mascara that ended up under my eyes and on my lid). Again, not the easiest brush to work with, but it is worth the effort, at least for me.

Overall, I give this mascara a 9/10. I'd give it a 10 if it wasn't so damn hard to apply without messing everything else up, but oh well. I do recommend this to everyone out there, it's extremely affordable (it was under 10€ for me, but I got it on sale; I believe it retails at around 13€), very long lasting, and does what it promises. This has been the mascara I've been reaching for every single day, despite the difficult application, and I can totally see why everyone's going crazy over it. This is, without a doubt, cult favourite material.