On trial: Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ from Clinique

About a month ago, I ran out of both my day and night moisturizers (I still find it incredible how everything seems to run out at the exact same time). Searching through the aisles in Sephora, I couldn't overlook Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+, not only because of its yellow color, but also because I've seen it around numerous times as it is the brand's top seller.

I picked up the Moisturizing Lotion, which is intended for very dry to dry skin. Clinique also sells the Moisturizing Gel, which is for oily skin.

So far, I have no complaints about this product. It is intended for both day and night, which I find incredibly convenient. Whereas with some lotions, I begin to see dry patches on my skin throughout the day, my skin stays moisturized for the whole day with this one. The packaging is also great - it is possible to buy it with a pump, a cap or just as a tube. I bought it with the pump, which is perfect because just pressing once gives me enough product for my entire face. I've been using it for about a month and still have plenty left, so I think it will last me a long time.

With autumn behind the corner, I will really be able to see how well it truly works. Once it gets colder and windier, my skin becomes extremely dry and rough, so a proper moisturizer is essential for me. Nevertheless, so far I've been satisfied with this lotion and would definitely recommend it!

Searching for the perfect eyeliner

If there is one thing that I've shopped for more often than I would like to this year, it has got to be eyeliner. More specifically, felt tip pen eyeliners as those are my favorite ones to use. I like to create a slightly winged line, almost like a cat eye, for which I cannot use a pencil eyeliner. Also, other ones tend to disrupt my contact lenses.

About two years ago, I bought a felt tip pen eyeliner from Lancome and I happily used it for a rather long time (over one year). I feared the day it would run out (I am not even exaggerating) because it was perfect and I knew that Lancome stopped selling that particular one. It stayed black all day without any smudging and creating a smooth line with it was ridiculously easy. However, that dreaded day did come and I had to look for a new one. Having recently moved to London, I could not quite justify spending more than £20 on something that wasn't food, detergent, university books or the infamously expensive Oyster card. So Superdrug had to do.

I was very happy with my first one. I purchased the Bourjois Liner Feutre, which stayed black nearly all day with very little smudging. However, one day, after about two months, it just stopped working. It wasn't even lighter black or grey, it just stopped working.

And so came the second one. The L'Oréal - The Super Slim by Infallible Black. This one, I was not happy with at all right from the beginning. It seemed to be liquid-y enough and produced a nice black line. However, it smudged extremely fast and I had to escape to the bathroom numerous times per day to check if I don't look like I just cried my eyes out. After trying out various primers and eye shadows as a base, the smudging problem improved but the eye liner did not stay perfect for as long as I would like it to. Nevertheless, I was starting to get used to it. And then I lost it at a party. Great.

Which brings us to the third one, the Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner. I was extremely excited about this one as I heard a lot of praise about it. However, right after the first few uses, I noticed that it was rather dry. I am still using it at the moment, but I need to dip it into warm water first. Then it applies nicely, however after a few hours it becomes grey.

At the moment, I am at the start again - looking for a new eye liner. Maybe I should try a liquid liner, not a felt tip pen? Or maybe I should just go back to Lancome. There are a few that interest me at the moment.

Écriture de Chanel // Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Eyeliner // Lancome Liner Plume // Urban Decay Ink For Eyes

What is your favorite eyeliner? Is there any product that you've been struggling to find?

Summer on my nails

Summer is a perfect time to make your nails pop and experiment with colors that you wouldn't otherwise wear during the year.

Brights for summer. What a surprise, right? No but really, these are my favorites - from left to right:

OPI on Collins Ave. - A red orange color that makes the nails pop.
Essie Haute in the Heat- A beautiful pink from the latest Essie collection.
Topshop Nails in Relapse
OPI Feelin' Hot-Hot-Hot - A hot pink that's been my favorite for about two summers now! This photo makes the polish look slightly darker than it really is.



If your skin is pale then these colors that might look too neutral and won't stand out during the year - but during summer, light colored nails look great as they make a huge statement. Light blue, white and mint are the ones I'm loving the most!

From left to right:
Topshop Nails in Sweet Nothings 
Essie Blanc - White is a bit tricky to put on as it looks the best when your nails are shaped perfectly, but I think it looks amazing against tanned skin. 
Topshop Nails in Buff
Essie Truth or Flare - A darker blue than the ones from Topshop, which makes it suitable for other seasons as well.
Topshop Nails in Disclosed - A light mint, great for both spring and summer.

What about your summer nail polish favorites? Also, can you guess what my favorite nail polish brands are? I promise I'll broaden my horizons a bit!