Well well, started in April well? Without stupid and redundant April Fool’s?
Nobody got me, thank goodness, most of April Fool’s are just bothersome nowadays, eh – I’d rather be randomly jolly on other days…ah well! Even though a quickly progressing year also means err faster aging (yeah well) I am glad to see April on my calendar and wave good-bye to winter at last! Luckily, the UK didn’t get any at all – people thought of a harsh winter when it snowed about three flakes once *patting Brits’ backs* 
End/beginning of a month I usually publish my Hits and again some Misses. Every since I started noting the latter down diligently name shaming some is so much easier!
A definite favourite of the month was the Artdeco Long-wear Lip Color in Rich Turkish Rose – here’s a picture of it on my lips on Instagram. The pigmentation is fabulous and it does last longer than your average lipstick, it feels drier but not bone-dry, which is a great plus.
Even pressed for time I will spare the 2 seconds it takes to line my upper lashline ( icon-arrow-right see Tightlining). I am also always on the lookout for new black kohls (even though gel eyeliner would probably the best solution I just don’t like it for the lashline) that would be good for that purpose. Right now I find the Manhattan Eyemazing Jumbo Pen in black is a real good, pigmented and creamy, but longlasting even on the tightline. I cannot find it on their website anymore though – has it been discontinued already?!
Apropos pressed for time: Yes well, who isn’t in most mornings? Especially when you rather hit snooze another 3 times handy are eyeshadows that work on their own without major blending work with other shades. A proper gem in the drugstore is Burnt Bark von Max Factor. A beautiful taupe that should match just any eye colour!
During the past weeks I enjoyed bringing out the purple undertone in Burnt Bark using the Maybelline Color Tattoos Vintage Plum as a base – it obviously intensified both colour as well as longevity of the the eyeshadow. Combined with smudgy liner and mascara you get a very simple but stunning work appropriate look!
On my nails I especially loved OPI My Silk Tie. I doubt it’s the best, most perfect metallic shade for most nailart afficionados, but it does quite well for me. I can even out ridges in my nails with a good base coat and this polish barely leaves these hideous brush strokes I really detest in metallic finishes. However, I think only stick on nails give a true mirror effect, ever!
It seems to be ages since I’ve used one of my favourite blushes of all time: Sleek Suede is just a perfect natural and very compatible shade which never leaves you too over the top made up or even overblushed. Since it’s matte the brownish-coral colour goes with just about any highlighter as well. I will always recommend Suede to anyone.
Regarding skincare I am pretty much either always using the same stuff until it gets discontinued or trying a bazillion new shower gels etc at once. The Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter is one of those good oldies, this must be my second tub, at least, and it’s on the verge of going as well. I love the scent and the rich consistency, a balm for the skin, quite literally. It’s great, especially on the shins or the ever-so-often neglected dry back skin! I have to mention though, that despite its rich butteriness it absorbs surprisingly quickly! I must admit, if it didn’t even the gorgeous scent wouldn’t make me buy it again…
Next to the butter I’ve finally caved – ok my skin told me to! – and repurchased the Botanics All Bright Night Cream. The cream feels gorgeous on freshly cleansed skin so I barely even want to try other creams. I have reviewed some Botanics products before, I especially love this unique, gel but rich texture that feels nurishing on dry, dull skin.
Mhm, Misses. All of these products are quite good “in general”. Honest. But I just don’t get along with them (any more) – for various reasons. Luckily this spot on the blog is reserved for the explanations eh.
Let’s start with a product that I’ve been using for months (!) now: The bebe More Hydra Splash Creme-Gel is a very interesting product indeed. The whole design suggests what to expect: Moisture! My skin loves to get a splash of moisture(serum) before a richer (=thicker) skincare in the evening, to make the exfoliation worthwhile.
Bye bye flaky skin!
Well, this lasted for quite some time, as you can probably tell, I have used up almost half of the jar. Recently though this gel gave me a rather unpleasant burning sensation in the cheek area below the eyes, and it has to be this product since I’ve been using rather mild cleansing lotions. Quite unfortunate. It doesn’t happen with other serums and creams anymore. You have to test skincare for a really long time (= almost using it up…great indeed).
Another disappointment was a product I am not too mad about since it was “free” with purchase: The Superdrug Cocoa Brownie Dry Shampoo. I had been waiting forever to see my usual Batiste Dry Shampoo in an offer so I just took a risk to get this cheaper version of tinted dry shampoo. But unfortunately it doesn’t compare. The tint is darker and the consistency reminds me of old school hairspray – I assume it does work nicely when you can brush it out which is no option for me. The Batiste shampoo feels “lighter”, fresher and just better suited for my needs. Oh well, I tried!
The last monthly flop I am really disappointed with since I liked most of its performance: The Isadora Fine Liner Eye Stylo in Dark Brown is lovely regarding pigmentation – opaque in one layer – and general applicatioln. A saturated deep brown with a very precise tip. Perfect? Nope, to my own horror it left a very unexpected greenish stain on my lid! I honestly thought my eyes were deceiving me but even after another good cleanse it was still there – and only disappeared completely after about two days. No-Go!
