A month ago Call me M tagged me on a post about the Top 11 beauty products of 2011. Obviously, I didn’t post about it earlier, so I decided to give a spin to the post and just write about my current favorite beauty products, that either discovered lately, or been using for some time. So in no particular order here they are:

1) NARS Orgasm Blush

I’ve been reading about this blush for ages, so when in June I visited my best friend in Michigan, first thing I did was to go to Sephora and get one (well I got other things as well, but this was the best buy)! I’m sure this shade doesn’t compliment equally all skin hues, but it suits mine very well (I was already using a blush in a similar shade). It lasts longer than my previous blush and has a nice iridiscent effect. It’s worth every dollar I gave for it!

2) Burberry “Body” fragrance

That was love at first smell. I tried it from a sample and liked it instantly. I’m not the most suitable person to describe the fragrance to you (you know, with all these fancy terms about the scent notes), but I’ll tell you what: I find it really “mature” and sexy. I usually strive for floral fragrances, but this time I did an exception.

3) Korres eyeshadow with sunflower in orange

I’m not sure this eyeshadow is sold globally, but this orange hue suits my green eyes very much! I usually match is with either grey or brown eye pencil. It is suitable for everyday and I think I’ll stick to it!

4) Le Petit Marseillais Huile Nutrition Intense

It contains Shea and Argan oils and can be used either in order to protect your hair from sun and sea or can be used as a mask before washing your hair. I bought it because I searched for a product with Argan oil that would be reasonably priced. In the summer I used it all day in order to protect my hair, but now in the winter I use it as a mask on my hair (mainly the ends) for about 15 minutes before washing them. Everytime I use it my hair feels really really soft!

5) M.A.C Mineralize Satinfinish SPF 15 Foundation

I bought this one after a conversation with Al and Kazuko on Twitter back in September and I first used it on a wedding I attended back then. I admit that I am not that negative about foundation anymore, still I’m using it sparingly!

6) Benefit High Beam

The best illumination product I’ve tried! since I’m not a fan of concealer in order to “conceal” my dark circles (which I attest that I don’t have, but a lady at a beauty counter insisted I do), so I’m all for illuminating products. I bought it along with 2 tints from the US back in June, but when it’s over, I’m definitely buying the normal size!

7) Apivita Jasmine Fragrance

I got this fragrance last summer as I was looking for something fresh and floral! Jasmine is a favorite scent of mine, as we have lots of them in our garden and I grew up loving this scent!

8) L’Oreal Studio Secrets Professionsals Smoothing Resurfacing Primer

I haven’t tried many primers, but I like the way this one makes my skin look. It really makes it smooth! Definitely recommending it!

Filed under: Beauty Tagged: Apivita, argan oil, Benefit High Beam, Burberry Body, Korres, L'Oreal Studio Secrets, Le Petit Marseillais, MAC, Nars Orgasm, primer ]]> http://designedbyann.wordpress.com/2012/01/27/favorite-beauty-products/feed/ 3 beauty products designedbyann beauty products http://designedbyann.wordpress.com/2012/01/19/warm-colors/ http://designedbyann.wordpress.com/2012/01/19/warm-colors/#comments Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:15:37 +0000 Anna http://designedbyann.wordpress.com/?p=3733 Continue reading »]]>

This photo wasn’t intended for an outfit post, but I found it lovely, because of the warm colors…it was taken about sunset you see! The location is Marathon Lake near Athens (first time I’ve been there), which I visited in early December.

I’m wearing my staple black BSB coat, H&M Jeans, Marc by Marc Jacobs ballerinas and a purple scarf from Achilleas Accessories.

So the day has come for me to announce the winners of my (first) giveaway…

Without further ado, the winners are:

Princesagr

Lenna

Jillian M.

Casee Marie

Afroditi

Congratulations Girls!! I’m sending you an email, in order to post the gifts to you!!

On Thursday 12th of January I attended the press day for the Spring-Summer 2012 collection of Italian brands Alviero Martini 1a Classe, Cromia and Le Pandorine organized by Act&React. It felt amazing walking in a large rooms, seeing bags everywhere (I’m a bags fan after all!) and I surely spotted lots of interesting bags! I’ll share with you my favorites from each brand, but you can find more photos from the press day on my Facebook page.

Alviero Martini 1a Classe

The styles I like the most was the white bags with the patent leather details (top right photo) in various colors like turquoise, salmon pink, red, blue, brown. Also the bags which combined leather and lace where my favorite.  You can see more photos of the collection here.

Cromia

I liked the muted and pastel colors in Cromia’s collection very much. The blush colored bag (top left) topped my list, as well as the hot pink one (top right) by Cromia Femme collection. You can see more photos of the collection here.

Le Pandorine

Le Pandorine bags have 2 “trademarks”: first of all they are spacious (more than I would personally need) and second they all have catchy phrases printed on them! The “To Shoe or Not to Shoe, To Bag or Not to Bag, That is the Question” (top right) was my favorite!!! You can see more photos of the collection here.

1)    Make a rough plan of what you want to buy
First of all, I didn’t use the word need, because you probably don’t “need” much. Second, this is very very practical when you’re hitting the stores during sales! If you’re not focused, you’re probably going to buy lots of stuff you won’t like eventually! Because it’s cheap, doesn’t mean you need it! I admit that I’ve found some “gems” during sales, when I least expected it, but that’s the exception, not the rule!

2)    Always have in mind the cost per wear ratio
I’ve studied business administration, so it’s only natural to think with economic terms when shopping for something expensive. Always, always look for pieces you will wear over and over again. You can splurge on an expensive bag (I have too, a couple of times), but make sure it will be one that you’ll carry for many years to come!

3)    Make sure that the new piece of clothing matches with existing ones
I usually try to make “sets” on my head. For example a couple of months ago I bought a purple top. Instantly I thought that I have matching shoes, and bag, and even a bra (the top is slightly sheer)!! You don’t have to make color sets like I did, but make sure that your new acquisition matches with your existing clothes (as many as possible!!), so that you can wear it in different ways.

4)    Never, ever, buy something that does not fit you!
It might be on sale…or it’s the latest “It” dress…or a pair of trendy jeans in the best price possible, whatever it is DON’T buy it if it doesn’t fit you properly (no the thought that you’ll lose weight doesn’t count,  and I’m sure you’ve read that advise many many times…it’s a common one!)

So tell me…what’s your tips for smart shopping? would you like to share?