Helena Rubinstein Spectacular Extension Mascara

The Helena Rubinstein Spectacular Extension Mascara is a mascara that promises to extend your lashes to another level. It exists only in black and costs 35 Euros. In the past there was a waterproof version of this mascara and a normal one. Today they seem to be selling only the non-waterproof version.
I have first bought this mascara around 8 years ago. Ever since I have tried various types of mascaras but I feel that one is my favorite one.

Here is how the brush looks like:

The brush is made of many tiny hairs that distribute the product very evenly over the lashes. In order to achieve the look of extended lashes without spider legs you have to apply the mascara very slowly and carefully. The brush keeps lashes separated by itself but it you apply it evenly over your lashes they get perfectly separated and extended.

The mascara stays put the entire day even though the mascara is not waterproof - it is absolute water resistant for every day life challenges.

Summing up:

Pros:

·                     Super Long Lasting!

·                     Extends and separates lashes

Cons:

·                     Only in black
·                     Not fully waterproof

Weleda Almond Soothing Cleansing Face Lotion

The Weleda Almond Soothing Cleansing Face Lotion is one of my all time favorites. I am using this cleansing face lotion for the last 4 years on and off. I keep on returning to this product because it is so calming and soothing.

The cleansing lotion comes in a tube of 75ml and retails for 9 Euros. The lotion is white very creamy and smells of marzipan. It is 100% fragrance free and contains 100% of natural ingredients.

I apply it on the dry face and then wash it off. It removes all my makeup without problems. I am using non-waterproof makeup and I am not sure if it can remove waterproof mascara and the like.

The smoothing cleansing lotion is intended for sensitive skin. I can confirm that it is wonderful for sensitive skin. I never had any troubles or blemishes caused by this product. I can highly recommend it!

Summing up:

Pros:

·                     Great for sensitive skin

·                     Fragrance free

Cons:

·                     None

Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner Longue Tenue in Caviar Ink 27

The Bobbie Brown Gel Eyeliner in Caviar Ink 27 is a black gel eyeliner which comes in a little glass jar. The jar contains 3gr of product and costs 24 Euros. The eyeliner comes without a brush.
The Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner comes in lots of colors! Mine is Caviar Ink 27 which is a type of black. It is not the blackest black that Bobbi Brown has though. Due to might light skin and my blue eyes I was not recommended to wear a darker version of black as I looked quite pale.

Here is how the color swatches. You can not see that it is not deep black but if you would put both colors next to each other it would be visible.

The product is a gel-like mixture that needs to be applied with a brush. Bobbi Brown has several brushes available depending on the look you want to achieve. I am using a small eyeliner brush that came with a compact and it also works just fine,

You might need some practice using a gel eyeliner (I definitely do) but once the product is applied and in place it stays put for hours and hours. Far after my working hours the eyeliner is still place. It does not smudge or fade. Nothing at all. It only waits for you to take it off at the end of the day.

I really like the gel eyeliner and I have thought about purchasing it for quiet awhile because I was not sure if I will use it that much. Now that I have it I am very happy and I do not want to give it away.

Summing up:

Pros:

·                     Super Long Lasting!

·                     Colors for everybody

Cons:

·                     Need some practice to apply it nicely but it is not too difficult.

Bobbi Brown BB Cream in Light

The Bobbi Brown BB cream was a spontaneous purchase as I was searching for an SPF the other day and ended up buying a few products at the Bobbi Brown counter. The first one was the SPF 50 Protective Face Base which I already reviewed here.

The BB cream comes in 12 different colors!! So it seems that there will be a good match for most of us. I was matched to a color called light which is a light natural beige but I think that it is not the lightest shade. The product comes in a simple black tube. I personally like it as it will allow me to really finish up the product. The tube contains for 40ml for 40 Euros. In my eyes the price is okay as the Dior Skin Nude BB Cream costs the same but contains only 30ml.

This is how the color light looks like:

The texture of the BB cream is creamy and not too liquid. I apply my serum in the morning and then I use the BB cream. I apply it with my fingers and it takes me about 1min. It is very convenient because I do not have much patience. Sometimes, when its very hot outside, I apply a setting powder on top to make sure everything stays put. I am using the Guerlain Meteoroids as setting powder.

The BB cream offers a light coverage and helps me to look awake in the early morning. Compared to the Dior Nudeskin BB cream this one has less coverage. I also tried the Guerlain lingerie de peau BB cream in store which also offers more coverage than the BB cream from Bobbi Brown. I will write a separate post comparing the Dior Skin Nude BB cream and the Bobbi Brown BB cream to provide more thoughts.

The Bobbi Brown BB cream is looking lovely throughout my entire working day. The lasting power is wonderful. Overall I am very happy with my purchase and I have used the BB cream everyday for the last two weeks. A big pus is also the SPF of 35 which is very welcome especially during the summer.


Summing up:

Pros:

·                     Easy to apply

·                     Huge selection of colors

·                     High SPF!

Cons:

·                     Have not found anything to complain about

Bobbie Brown Protective Face Base SPF 50

I have visited a Bobbi Brown counter and picked up a few items which I am going to show over the next weeks.
The Bobbi Brown Protective Face Base is a very versatile product. It is officially a makeup primer but it was recommended to me as daily SPF that can be used with or without makeup on top.

The product comes in a black tube containing 50ml. It costs 35 Euros. The texture is white and quite liquid (more than a regular cream). It has a lovely floral scent to it.
The product should be applied after the regular skincare products and before your makeup in case you want to use the product as a primer.

Here is how it looks straight from the tube and applied:

When the product is applied to the face it sinks completely into the skin. There is no sticky or oily feeling oily feeling as many of us experience when using a regular SPF in the face. This is a huge plus for me as I do not like regular sunscreen on my face due to the sweaty feeling it can cause especially during the warmer months. This cream just dries down like a normal face cream and thats it! This is what I love about the product so much. It also did not cause my any dryness around the eye area that I am experiencing so many times with SPF products.

I have also used this as a primer here and there mainly though simply as SPF during the weekends. Also under makeup everything was fine foe me. The makeup stayed put and looked good throughout my entire working day.

Summing up:

Pros:

·                     Easy to apply

·                     Versatile Product

Cons:

·                     For some the strong scent might be bothering

Golden Basics - Clothing

Many of us own far too many cloths. This is not because we actually want to have so many but over the years we keep on collecting because we think that we might need this or that at some point. I recently moved house and realized how many cloths I have. Not that I did not know that I have them but when I started packing I understood how much it actually is.

Overtime I saw that I have a few things that I always wear no matter what my mood is or the occasion because those items always fit. Let me present you my working horses- my golden basics that I could absolutely not be without.

·         Black Cardigan

·         Jeans Skirt

·         White Blouse

·         Some casual silk shirts

·         Pair of Jeans

·         Dress in a decent color that fits elegant and casual occasions (does not need to be black)

·         A good fitting strapless bra (very useful in the summer)

·         Ballerina shoes (I own a black and a beige pair and I do not want to miss them)

Currently I am cloth shopping much less than I used to because I feel that I overall have what I need. I am more interested in higher quality and make sure that what I purchase fits together with what I already own, so I can easily combine my cloths.

Broccoli Quiche

I love Quiche! In almost all kind of variations which is the reason why I want to share with you my favorite quiche recipe. This recipe includes broccoli but you might do this also with spinach, other vegetables or even goat cheese.

Here is what you need:

For the dough:

• 200gr of flour
• 1 Egg
• 20gr water
• 90gr of butter
• Tiny little bit of salt

For the filling:

• 250gr of cream cheese
• 50ml of milk
• 2 Eggs
• 500gr of cooked broccoli, or other vegetables such as spinach or mushrooms
• Small onion
• Pepper and salt

Instructions:

1. The dough:

1. Mix flour, water, salt, butter and egg in a bowl.
   
2. Knead everything well and form a ball.
   
3. Let dough rest in the fridge for an hour.
4. Roll the dough out on a sheet of baking paper. (I forgot to document this)
5. Put the rolled out dough into a quiche form and adjust on the sides.
   
6. Make wholes into the dough with a fork.
   
7. Cover dough with a sheet of baking paper and put dry beans or lentils on top. I used dry beans.
   
8. Bake the dough with the beans/lentils on top (this is being done so the dough will not rise and cause unevenness) at 175 C for 10 minutes.
9. Remove beans/lentils and bake dough again at 175C for 10 minutes. 

2. The filling:

1. Mix cheese, eggs, milk in a bowl
2. Add the broccoli and onions and mix everything carefully together.
3. Add the mixture onto the baked dough after you completed step 9 from above.

Now bake the quiche for 15-20 minutes at 175C.