Where to eat healthy in Madrid

If you haven't noticed yet I love food, it's for me one of the most incredible pleasures in the world. I like everything that involves food, the togetherness, sharing interesting conversations, but also everything that goes from picking the ingredients to their benefits for health. When I eat wholesome organic fresh foods I feel great and happy. I'm passionate about coking, going to organic markets and shops, but I also enjoy to go out and eat good food. For these occasions I recommend you to try these restaurants, for me the top 3 places to eat healthy and delicious in Madrid.

OJALA 

Calle San Andrés, 1

28004 Madrid

This is one of my favorite places to eat in Madrid, I like to go to Ojala to have the Sunday brunch with my boyfriend. The ambiance is very cool, bohemian, laid back and young. The menu is very vast and they have a special one for brunch. Everything is simple but delicious, even the bread, it reminds me of the one you can find in the little villages on the countryside. This place is great because everything is good and it is not very pricey for the quality. The smoothies and juices are so fresh and tasty and the quinoa salad is just perfection. I can go to Ojala with my non vegetarian friends as they serve a large selection of dishes including burgers an Benedict eggs. When the warm days arrive and you can sit on their terrace it is just a marvelous place to eat.

Il Tavolo Verde

Calle Villalar, 6

28001 Madrid

Il Tavolo Verde is truly amazing, you can buy beautiful furniture, very special decor and loungewear. The interior design of this restaurant is fascinating, I like the way every piece has been chosen from different parts of the world to give to this place a very eclectic and antique vibe.The owners are ones of the kindest persons that I know and here there is no menu, it changes every day according to the seasonal products available. The selection of organic drinks is amazing, my favorite ones are the elderflower juice, but also the ginger juice. The salads, risottos, pastas, quiches, soups are so yummy. Slowly cooked, perfectly seasoned, ornamented with seeds and fresh herbs, I have never been disappointed with any of the dishes that I have tasted. Their desserts are also yummy, and it is one of those peaceful places where you would like to stay, sipping a hot drink while reading or working on your laptop.

Olivia Te Cuida

Calle Santa Teresa, 8

28004, Madrid

This restaurant is very cosy and tiny, it's like you have been invited to someone's kitchen. It's only opened from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and if you don't want to wait, you will have to call first to make a reservation, because this place is filled up very quickly. The food is just to die for, I have once invited one of my boyfriend's best friends, that is a junk food addict, and he told me that it was one of the tastiest and savoriest lunches that he had ate in a long time, and that's saying a lot...The ingredients are all organic and mostly plant based, but you can also find some meat and fish dishes. You can create your own meal combining three options, my favorite ones are all vegan with of course carbs!! They serve many salads, slow cooked vegetables, grains, rice, quinoa, pasta... Everything is delicious here and they also make enticing cakes that will be perfect accompanied by a spicy chai tea soy latte. 

The Feel Good Natural Skin Care

Sometimes beauty products are more than moisturizers or cleansing gels, they can actually affect on my mood and improve my inner well-being. Essential oils and natural ingredients help me to distress, sleep and harmonize the health of my body, mind and soul. Holistic aromatherapy uses natural oils extracted from roots, flowers, seeds and other parts of the plants for their physical and psychological healing properties. When I smell essentials oils like lavender, chamomile or mandarin, I feel better, because they stimulate brain function. For example, lavender acts in certain people, like a very mild sedative. 

This are two of these feel good beauty products that are easy to use in your daily routine, as they not require a lot of time like a massage or a spa session (nevertheless, these are glorious from time to time).

AESOP Amazing Face Cleanser

This low-foaming gel cleanser was created for combination to oily skins. Mine is combination, but tend to be dry. I chose this one, because when it comes to wash my face after a long day at work I need something that deeply cleanses my skin of daily grime, oil and fine particles of pollution. A clean complexion is essential for a clear and youthful skin, all the products that you will apply after will penetrate and act better. This mandarin-infused gel also contains lavender stems and ylang-ylang oil, an antidepressant, relaxing combination that makes the nocturnal ritual of washing my face a real bliss! 

Susanne Kaufmann Regeneration Cream Line T

I have never used or heard about this incredible Austrian cosmetics brand, but they have amazing products that come from organically cultivated plants in Bregenzer Forest (Austrian Alps).  This natural rich night cream is formulated with chamomile, sage, St John's Wort flowers, rosehip oil and wheat germ oil. The texture is very rich, it deeply nourishes the skin and retains its moisture. When I apply it I like to massage it on the palms on my hands to warm the product and smell the cream before I put it on the face. It has a botanical and very pleasant scent that is very calming. The day after I wake up with a fresh face, more plumped  and intensely regenerated.

Tartelette in Bloom Eyeshadow Palette

Tarte is a coveted brand and it is not easy to find their products here in Europe. I always kindly ask to my dad to go into the closest American Sephora that he can find every time he flies to the U.S.A. I don't know what do you think, but I find very exciting to have something that is not available where I live, it makes the item more special and exclusive.

I wanted for so long the Tartelette in Bloom Amazonian Clay Palette and now I'm happy to play with all these flattering colours.

I have to admit that I am a complete victim of Marketing, I'm a sucker for pretty packagings and this one is BEAU-TI-FUL!! It has like petals of flowers painted in colours that go from red to purple. The letters are printed in gold, the same colour that has the frame and the bottom part. It is made of plastic, but looks like some sort of metallic material. When you open it, a delicious smell of vanilla and chocolate comes off the palette. 

Inside, there is a selection of gorgeous nude colours that are perfect to be worn for an everyday makeup, but also for a sultry and glamorous look. The mirror of this palette is huge and very handy to perfect any detail of your makeup.

It contains 9 mat shades and 3 with a frosted sheen finish. The choice of this 12 shades is, in my opinion, very well done, because most of the times we tend to wear warm toned eyeshadows. Also, not all the shiny metallic eyeshadows are the cup of tea of everyone and there is a good balance of finishes. You only need some frosted eyeshadows to stand out parts of the lids that you want to emphasise. Sometimes, on more mature skins an excess of shimmer can just be too much. Moreover, mat eyeshadows  allow you to create unique shades and contours that add definition and different dimensions for a deeper and interesting "sfumato" effect. 

The shades of this palette are pigmented and easy to blend. They last, at least, 7 hours if you apply first a primer or a nude M.A.C. Paint Pot. What I like the most about this palette is the fact that it has not only neutral and wearable colours like beige, peach, taupe, gold, champagne,copper or brown, but also some eyeshadows with pink and plum undertones. All the hues are well presented to make the choice easier. If you still not inspired, there is a little card inside the box that explains you how to achieve two sexy looks for eyes. One more natural for a day makeup and another bold one for night or special occasions.

I highly recommend this palette for all the nude warm toned eyeshadow lovers. Plus, it is travel-friendly, you will have a wide choice of shades in a compact and practical cute box.

Firsts Signs of Ageing Night Creams

I'm always kind a preventive person, I like the fact that even if I cannot stop the course of life I can at least do the best that I can to minimize the aging effects. I'm nearly 30 years old and I'm scared as hell, not only because I've notice that my skin and actually the structure of my face has changed, but mainly because I'm finding hard to accept my actual age. 
It's funny, when I passed my mid-twenties every time that someone asked my age I had to wait 5 or more seconds to answer, like my brain didn't want to process this fact. Where did the time go?

Ahava is a brand that I like, but I have only tried their products for the body, so I wasn't sure what to expect, because the face is more sensitive and likely to react badly.

Time to Smooth Age Control Even Tone Sleeping Cream is enriched with Tripeptide-38, that reduces fine lines and meadowfoam seed oil, jojoba seed oil, tangerine peel extract and Aloe Leaf Juice to deeply nourish. Also, for a brighter and smoother complexion its formula contains VF Brightening TM. After using completely all the product on the jar I can finally say that this cream is great before going to bed. It is very rich, but absorbs very quickly. I don't have very defined wrinkles, but I have several fine lines under my eyes and on my forehead and this cream help me to smooth my skin. The morning after I wake up looking good, my complexion is softer and brighter. I highly recommend this one.

I am also very happy with Clarins Multi-Active Nuit cream my skin awakes more fresh and with a silky finish when I touch it. This night cream contains Golden Poppy extract that revitalises the skin to reduce sings of lack of sleep. The fragrance is very particular, lighter than the Ahava one but more interesting, maybe it's the scent of organic teasel, that also is an ingredient that helps minimize the look of fine lines and wrinkles. My face is plumped, radiant and hydrated, I regret not having chosen the normal version, I picked the light one and it's not rich enough for me, so I apply more than I use to (I have combination to dry skin). This multi-active cult cream was recently reformulated for those who have a very active life and have to deal with stress and lack of sleep.

If you have any other recommendations, please, let me know in the comments, I'm very interested in skincare, specially night creams.

My All Time Favourite Lip Combo

I have to share this with you, this lip combination (L'Oréal Color Riche 640 Erotique Lipstick + L'Oréal Color Riche Lipliner in 302 Bois de Rose) is the most flattering that you can wear if you have fair skin and even medium to dark skin. It is a beautiful colour for all ages. I would describe the shade as a dark nude, and depending of your natural lip colour it will turn more brown, pink or peach. I have normal fair skin and light brown hair with a hint of natural ginger highlights and it looks more pink on me. The hue is like a mixture of my preferred M.A.C. Cosmetics Lipsticks like Whirl, Honey Love or Pure Zen. The texture of the formula is creamy and, even if it claims that it has a matte finish, for me it's not matte but not shiny either, just in between (I consider as matte finish lipsticks M.A.C. Ruby Woo or Liquid Lipsticks like the Kat Von D ones). When I apply Erotique, it doesn't dry my lips and that is one of the reasons I love this lipstick so much. Sometimes, I want a very sophisticate retro matte finish, but after several hours it ruins my lip's skin, even if I prime them before, or apply lip balm. 

To draw a beautiful shape I always use the Color Riche Lipliner in Bois de Rose 302, the best way to contour your lips and define the edges. I have a deep love for this one, because the colour not just matches perfectly Erotique and many other lipsticks of my collection, but also has one of the best formulas that I have ever used. The finish is opaque and highly pigmented. It is so easy to apply this lip liner and achieve sexy lips. The formula of the pencil glides on the skin wonderfully, it is easy to work with, and again, it has a matte finish, but not very dry. 

These two products are my go to lip solution for any occasion, they will suit a lot of different makeup looks (smoky eyes, natural makeup, party makeup...).

All about Brows with Anastasia Beverly Hills

If there is anyone who knows about brows that person is Anastasia Soare, an incredible woman and a visionary in the beauty industry.

She shaped the brows of Oprah Winfrey, Madonna, Jennifer Lopez or Kim Kardashian following the Golden Ratio Method used by Pythagoras, Leonardo Da Vinci, Albert Einstein, but also Le Corbusier and Dalí. This mathematical ratio of 1,618 to 1 offers the key of finding balance, symmetry and beauty. If you identify your perfect brow shape according to your bone structure, then the human eyes will recognize this shape as beautiful.

We tend to over tweeze or shape them with a very high arch, but thicker eyebrows will frame your face better and will make your eyes look bigger.

If your eye brows are thin or they are very short you have to try to draw a natural shape following her advice: "Brows should begin directly above the middle of your nostrils. The highest point of the arch should connect the tip of the nose with the middle of the iris. They should end where the corner of the nostril connects with the outer corner of the eye".

To design the perfect eye brow, she created an amazing range of products, these are my favorites.

Brow Wiz

   This is the best brow pencil that you can possibly find. It is retractable and I don't know how they made it, but I actually never had to sharpen the tip and it never breaks. 
It is the most precise tool to define your eyebrows, the point is very thin and even if you aren't an expert in drawing impeccable eye brow arches, you will be pleasantly surprised about how easy will be to achieve a beautiful shape. The formula of this super thin stick is a dream, very pigmented and long wearing. Also, it has a spooled end to blend the product for a more natural finish.

 Dip Brow Pomade

This little jar of waterproof, smudge-proof pomade is perfect for a bold eyebrow.
I use the tiniest amount of it, because the formula is, wow so incredibly pigmented, and I apply it with an angled brush, the M.A.C. 266, which is is very nice to create sharp defined lines. This product will be also perfect for those who have very thin or nonexistent brows, because you can create strokes with the brush to mimic natural hair. The finish is very natural on the skin and it dries very fast, so make sure to always close quickly the jar to keep the formula fresh and buildable. 

Clear Brow Gel

I'm sorry to be redundant, but this Brow Gel is absolutely perfection to fix and set all the hairs in place. It is like hairspray for your brows. It stays in place all day and doesn't create particles like a sort of dandruff when the formula dries during the day. It is the perfect finishing touch for a polished look. I recommend you to try it, you won't be disappointed. 

Four Cool Nail Lacquers

I have to admit that I have way too many nail lacquers, but I don't feel guilty because I always find a way to wear every single one of them depending of the occasion. At the beginning of the summer I picked up this four shades to wear during a trip because I wasn't able to just choose one and it turns out that I've been wearing during more than 3 months only and exclusively these four colours.

Essie Nail Lacquer Funny Face 

This gorgeous fuchsia lifts my mood. It´s a bright pink, very girly and surprisingly wearable. When I first bought it, I was scared by this colour, so vibrant, but I actually wear it a lot when I want to change my classic red and add a little touch of fun to my nails.

Maybelline New York Super Stay 7 Days Gel Nail Color 460 Couture Orange

When you are tanned, this shade is one of the most flattering that you can possibly wear. It really makes your skin look more radiant. I love the formula of this Nail Polish, the quality of this drugstore product is amazing for the price and the brush is incredible, it really makes the application more easy.

Essie Nail Lacquer Blanc

I think that this Nail Lacquer is supposed to be used for doing a French manicure, but I apply it all over my nails. It is for me a reminiscence of my childhood, when I used to paint them with Tipp-Ex. I started to reuse it and I'm happy to see that this white colour looks very good. And you know, it´s Essie, a maniucurist brand, so the quality of the formula is pretty impressive.

KIKO Nail Lacquer 343

This tropical leaf green shade is very special and different. It will really add a pop of colour to your nails. KIKO Nail Lacquers are insanely good for their price. I think I´ve paid for it less than 3 Euros and the formula lasts ages. I think that this will be a very nice colour to wear during this time of the year, when the Fashion Weeks of all the important cities begin and you want to add a little bit of originality to your look.

This true colours will definitely add a bold finish to your nails, don´t be afraid to experiment with different shades.

Mermaid Makeup

During this Summer I've been enjoying doing this mesmeric eye look. Since I was a little girl I always wanted to be a mermaid. And who doesn't? It is one of the coolest legendary creatures, half human, half fish, always gorgeous and capable to seduce men with their impossible to resist magnetism and beauty. I was inspired by their tail to create this makeup, shades of blue, green and a hint of silver. 

Here is the list of products that I used.

EYES:

When I do a strong eye look, I always start with this area, because I tend to use a lot of different eyeshadows, so I avoid the possible fallouts that ruin a perfect base.

M.A.C. Cosmetics Painterly Paint pot (Base)

Too Faced Natural Matte Eye Shadow:
Shades Heaven and Lace Teddy all over the lid
Shades Cashmere Bunny, Strapless and Honey Butter on the Crease
Shade Chocolate Cookie on the outer lid and blended on the outer crease in a "V" shape

NARS Dual Intensity Eyeshadow in the Shade Deep end (all over de Lid)

INGLOT Pure Pigment in the Shade 113 (Dab it on the center of the Lid with a humidified brush with M.A.C Fix+)

Make Up Forever Aqua XL Eye Pencil in the shade M-30 (I drew a fine line on the upper lash line).

Helena Rubinstein Mascara Lash Queen Sexy Blacks in the shade Scandalous 

BROWS:

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in the Shade Soft Brown
Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel

FACE:

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm
Max Factor Skin Luminizer Foundation in the shade 60 Sand
Urban Decay Naked Concealer in the shade Fair
Paris Berlin Loose Powder in the shade HT20
Kat Von D Shade and Light Palette (I used Lucid and Lyric mixed together to set my concealer and the shade Shadowplay as contour).
Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Medium/Deep Matte Bronzer
Estée Lauder Pure Colour Blush in the shade Blushing Nude
Madina Chic & Shine Highlighter

LIPS:

Rimmel London Lasting Finish Lip Pencil in the shade 49 Natural
M.A.C. Cosmetics Lipstick Ravishing
M.A.C. Cosmetics Lipstick Pure Zen
Milani Moisture Lock Coconut Infused Lip Treatment

Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe Vera is a species of aloe. Native to northern Africa, the benefits of this succulent plant have been known for centuries. The earliest record of Aloe Vera was discovered on the clay boards of a Sumerian tablet in Nippur dating from 2.100 B.C. Egyptians also used the extracted gel of these fleshy leafs. Cleopatra and Nefertiti applied its juice on the skin as part of their beauty routine. It was also used by the Greeks and Romans for its therapeutic advantages. Alexander the Great, upon the advice of Aristotle, invaded the island of Socotra in order to have fresh supplies of these plants to help the war wounds of his warriors.

My grandmother, who is a plant lover offered to me my first one. I sometimes cut a leaf and extract the gel with a spoon and apply it as a mask to my face. It acts as a moisturizer and fights aging. It also has antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Now, many companies bottle this natural gel, to make the application super easy wherever you are. When you put it on the fridge for several hours the cooling effect combined with the healing properties is just glorious. During summer I'm obsessed with Aloe Vera Gel. Why? Because I hate to be greasy when the weather is warm, the absorption of this gel is quicker and less sticky. It is great for sunburn, to treat minor wounds and also as an after shave. Another advantage is that this kind of pure Aloe Vera Gel is more natural and better for you than most of the harmful ingredients that are used in most commercial brands. Try always to choose it as pure as possible.

Gimme the highest SPF please!

I´m obsessed with SPF, I wear suncare  products all year long and now that summer has begin I take more care than ever of my skin and I always choose the highest SPF that I can possibly find.

It is so important to always put on sunscreen, specially if your going to expose your skin directly to the sun. Sun rays are very damaging in the long term and that is the reason why I never forget to leave the house without applying on my face one of these high SPF products.

Dior Bronze Beautifying Protective Creme Sublime Glow SPF 50

This is the most luxurious cream that I have ever tried. The finish on the skin is radiant and the formula is very lightweight. It protects your face from photo-induced aging and free radicals. It also contains an antioxidant and a preventive anti-dark spot action. For a quick and natural makeup look, you can wear this glowy sunscreen with touches of concealer, bronzer, blush, mascara and there you go!

 This product leaves pearlescent highlights that are very flattering and its scent smells like paradise, it reminds me of the fragrance of flowers of Monoï and Frangipani.

Giorgio Armani Maestro UV Skin Defense Primer Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50

This base is a genius invention. It is a primer to prep your face before applying makeup. Foundation, concealear and even powdery products will glide smoothly on your face making your makeup last longer...Ok, these are the classic expectations that you may have of a primer, but the incredible thing is that it has a very high SPF of 50 that reduces the visible effects of sun damage and pollution. The finish after blending it into the skin is completely invisible and transparent. Its formula blurs the look of imperfections creating a protective wonder for your face. Sometimes I even wear it on its own. 

LA ROCHE-POSAY ANTHELIOS XL

Non-perfumed dry touch gel-cream & Lip Stick SPF 50+

Anthelios range of products is always a good choice during vacations and when the exposure to the sun is more intense. Formulated for sensitive skins, its protection is higher than the classic ones thanks to patented filters combined with la Roche-Posay Spring Water. The non-perfumed dry touch gel-cream is just perfection during warm days, because it is instantly absorbed by the skin for a dry finish. I hate when there is a heat wave and you have to put on greasy suncare products that look always white as milk even if you massage them well. This gel-cream is completely the opposite of that and that is why I use it a lot. 

Last, but not least, I would like to mention the Anthelios Lip Stick. During summer, I also protect this fragile area. This fragrance-free, paraben-free and water resistant balm is an anti-drying for your lips.

 

Discovering OSKIA

I wanted to try out so badly this brand after having read so many good reviews, specially from the lovely Anna of Vivianna Does Makeup. Luckily, I found that a local concept store here in Madrid called Isolée had all the OSKIA products. 

I have been using these two products for more than three months, the time necessary to see how they react and the results that I get.

RENAISSANCE CLEANSING GEL

This is one of the most interesting gel cleansers that I have ever tried in my entire life. It is a pink gel that become an oil when you melt it onto your skin. I normally damp my face with water before using any kind of gel cleanser, but this one has to be applied onto dry skin, crazy huh? For so many years I have been doing my cleansing routine like this...it was very strange for me to apply directly without adding water before. 
This juicy balmy gel-oil that smells like flowers transforms its texture three times to deeply cleanse pores and remove any left of makeup. I apply two pumps of this innovative but very natural product, then I massage it well and when the texture changes and becomes an oil, I add a little bit of water to emulsify into a non-foaming white milk. This gel will be perfect for people with dry skin, because it is the most gentle cleansing gel that I have ever tried. Its formula is a boost of vitamins that leaves the complexion deeply nourished and radiant. I swear, after using this product you will have a baby soft skin, with more elasticity and brightness. The key actives are vitamins A, B2, C and E that help to fortify, protect and smooth your skin of the past and the future damage fighting against free radicals and environmental aging factors. Fermented pumpkin enzymes that deeply cleanse the skin removing dull skin cells. Minerals like MSM and Magnesium that help to soothe, calm and help to improve firmness. It also contains starflower oil and Omega 6 to enhance the skin's lipid barrier. This product will be perfect for you if you are scared of using a cleanser because you have a very dry skin.


NUTRI-ACTIVE DAY CREAM

This day cream is incredible, I love it so much that I sometimes replace my oldie but goodie Embryolisse Cream by this one before applying makeup. This moisturizer is more lightweight, perfect for these occasions when you are on a rush and you don't have time to let a thick product be absorbed by your skin. Even though, the formula feels light it is very emollient, your skin will be moisturized all day long. I also feel that the appearance of fine lines due to dryness and facial expressions under my eyes and on my forehead diminishes. You will feel immediately the comfort on your skin, that will look more nourished and elastic. This smart natural day cream is enriched with 15 essential nutrients (milk peptide acids, swiss apple steam cells, hyaluronic acid, omegas 3 and 6, 7 different types of vitamins...) to boost cell health, revitalize and repair. It is everything I was looking for, because I am now more concerned about anti-ageing products. This one is perfect to prevent the firsts fine lines and wrinkles.

I personally think that these two products are more suitable for combination to dry skin, let me know what do you think if you have already tried them.

The Review: CHANEL Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation

I love CHANEL beauty products for my complexion, their CC Cream is my all time favourite base when I want to achieve an easy and quick makeup with a good coverage and protection due to its SPF of 50.

I was very excited to try out this novelty, I've been using it during two months and I'm very happy with the results and how the finish evolves during the day. I use this foundation more than I expected. 

My first impression wasn't very enthusiastic, I thought that the finish will be more glowy and radiant, as it says. For me, it has more a semi-mat to mate finish, depending of your skin type. I don't recommend you to use it if you have very dry skin, because although it contains a derivative of hyaluronic acid that provides moisture and comfort, this is not one of the most nourishing formulas that I have ever tried. My skin is normal to dry and I mostly prefer very emollient textures. However, the more I use it the more I love it. Right now, is the one I reach out the most in the morning since I bought it. I find that, even if this product is not on the glowy side of liquid foundations, it has a very elegant semi-mat finish that I really like. I don't get any shine on my "T zone" at the end of the day, even if the weather is warm. I consider that it has medium coverage, but very buildable and that it is long wearing if you add a puff of powder to set it all day long. The pigments don't get darker or oxidize after a couple of hours. The texture is very easy to blend with a brush, your fingers or a beauty blender. The formula is slightly scented, but not with a very intense or disturbing perfume, just a very nice one. I personally think that it is a plus that it has an SPF of 25, a medium sunscreen protection that is necessary for a day time makeup. This SPF combined with Kalanchoe extract, a beauty-protecting botanical ingredient strengthens the skin and protects it against environmental stress. The packaging is very luxurious with its frosted glass bottle and its useful pump. Give it a try if you have normal, combination or even oily skin.

Lancôme Paris Juicy Shaker

Lancôme has recently launched this original beauty product. It's crazy, because I can still remember when I was like 16, I was obsessed with the Lancôme Juicy Tubes, their lip glosses with insanely, impossible to resist fruit scents. Lisa Elderige, an incredible woman and a Makeup Artist that has become the Official Global Creative Makeup Director of the brand has created with the team of Lancôme this innovative lip product. For this conception they were inspired by the heritage of the brand and more specifically a mixture of two iconic products, the Cocktail Shaker shaped Lipstick launched in 1945 and the Juicy Tubes, the best-seller lip gloss of the nineties. So, as a result of this combination, the Juicy Shaker has been introduced to the beauty market. The last few years oils have become a big thing in the beauty industry and the Juicy Shaker is part of this new generation of oil based products. 

It has a bi-phased formula enriched with apricot oil, rose de muscat oil, cranberry oil, peach oil and sweet almond oil. This nourishing cocktail has to be shaked before its use to mix together the oil base and the pigments settled to the bottom of the little container. The applicator is a very soft cushion that you can dab softly onto your lips. The finish is very sheer, so I apply as many layers as I can, because the scent and the softness of the sponge are truly addictive. The pigmentation of this product is very soft and more suitable for a natural look, a daytime makeup or as a touch of hydration and shine after applying your lipstick. What I love the most about the formula is the fact that it isn't sticky at all. 

The truth is that the pigment doesn't stay very long, not like a stain and you have to reapply more often to continue to have the shine and the sheer tint of colour. Actually, that doesn't bother me at all, I find that when I dab it´s like a regression to childhood, a mixture of memories like hugging a puppy and eating candies. Also I have very dry lips, so this emollient formula softens, soothes and provides rich anti-oxidant properties to this area. I chose the shade Berry Tale and I am completely obsessed with it. I recommend you to try out this product if you want to have fun with your makeup.

http://www.lancome-usa.com

My Top 5 Liquid Concealers

Dark circles are one of my weak points. I always have blue undertones around the eye area, even if I had more than 10 hours of sleep. That's why I never leave the house without putting on my concealer, I own a lot of different ones for any occasion.

Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Flawless Wear Concealer SPF10

This is my most-loved one of my whole collection. It is full coverage, the formula is thick, but blends into the skin easily, it doesn´t crease during the day and it has an SPF of 10. It´s a great idea to include sunscreen into a product like this, because the under eye skin is very thin and fragile. It is one of these parts where the wrinkles appear first and it´s brilliant to have thought about anti-ageing skin prevention. The formula has a matte finish but it doesn't make your skin look dry. It is very long lasting if you apply powder after.

M.A.C. Cosmetics Pro Longwear Concealer

This concealear is also great. It doesn´t have an applicator, but a little pump. I guess, because it´s used a lot by professional make-up artists and it´s more hygienic to use it on different clients without the sponge ended applicator. Your have to be careful, because the pump gets way too much product. The coverage is amazing and it is long wearing, staying in place all day. When you apply this concealer you have to make sure to moisturize or prime well, because it can dry a little bit the under eye area. I use this one when the weather is warm and humid, and also to cover up occasional spots or pimples. Make sure to choose the right shade because I find that when the formula dries it becomes darker.

Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles

This concealer is one of the best that you can possibly find at the drugstore. It's an eye treatment enriched with Goji berry and also a concealer. You can instantly tell by its consistency very fluid and moisturizing. I have used this product a lot for a day time makeup because it's perfect for a natural look. Even if it has a satin, not so matte finish, you can get coverage. This product it's great when your skin is dry because it's a two in one. It also stays in place pretty well during the day. It's perfect for these days when your skin needs an extra dose of moisture.

Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer

This concealer has a dreamy consistency. It is very creamy and doesn't dry my skin. The coverage is amazing, normal to full, you only need tiny dots to do the job. The finish is light and not cakey at all. I use the lightest shade called fair because I love to use this concealer when I do a very dramatic eye, like smokey eyes or pop of color eye look. I like to apply this one for these particular occasions, because it has a very nice coverage and a perfect satin finish that draw all the attention on the eye makeup.

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat

This is an oldie but a goodie. A classic must-have, on the go concealer. With its genius applicator, you can add anywhere and anytime a touch of glamour to erase any sign of tiredness. The formula is very light and easy to apply and blends into the skin perfectly. The finish it's all about radiance, very natural and luminous. I tend to use this one for a very quick "no makeup makeup", to layer on another one or as an easy retoucher at the end of the day.

I didn't mention it in this post, because I couldn't find it, but I also like the NARS Radiance Creamy Concealer in the shade Custard. What are your favorites?

The Wish List

I've recently read "The Wish List" by Jane Costello and this book inspired me to write this post.

Basically, the story is about a girl that would like to accomplish a list of things before she turn 30. I'm 29 now and it sounds silly, but I'm a little bit scared. I don't want to stop living in my twenties.
The past five years have been very difficult for me and confusing. I have to admit that I have also made a lot of mistakes, but I'm more than happy to have experienced all that, because all these events made me become the person that I am now. I have learnt that happiness and positivism is a choice and everyday I'm grateful for everything that I have in life. When I remember this, I forget all my past failures, the daily stress or the future problems.

This is a list with some of the things that I've stop doing, that I dream to do or that I would like to give a try.

1. Travel to a beautiful beach

I don't know if it's because I haven't had summer holidays for the past 3 years or due to my lack of sunbathing, after 7 years living in Paris, but I'm completely obsessed with summer and beautiful beaches. I would like to splurge some money on a trip to a heavenly wild place with my boyfriend.

2. Take guitar lessons

I don't know why I want to learn how to play the guitar. The truth is that I know nothing about musical theory or instruments, but I really want to give it a try. I would like to learn some musical chords and who knows, maybe one day I will play and sing at the same time a full song. 

3. Start a Youtube Channel

This scares me a lot, because I'm very shy and talking in front of a camera and upload a video will be very hard for me, but I really want to do it and be creative finding always new things to talk about. I have to save a little bit to have a good camera and lighting because it's something that I have wanted to do for a long time, but I always find an excuse to postpone it.

4. To Volunteer

I also want to do more things for other people. I know it isn't easy, but it will mean a lot for me, even if it only affects one person, if I can help in some way I would be really happy. I'm truly blessed and I feel the need to give to others my time or whatever might be helpful for others. I think it can be a beautiful experience in life.

5. Adopt an animal

I love animals, they are one of my favourite things in my life. I have a dog and he gives me so much joy, it's incredible. I love to take care of him, but there are so many pets that aren't so lucky and they don't have loving owners to live with. That's why I would like to adopt a rescue dog or a cat.

6. Take more pictures

For years I've been very lazy and shy to take as much pictures as I wanted. It's a pity, because there are some periods of my life with no pictures to remember all the great moments that I have lived. I want to take more pictures from now on and capture all the spontaneous and magical moments.

7. Horseback riding

As I said, I love animals and when I was a teenager, horseback riding was everything to me. I used to spend all my weekends doing this or taking care of the horses. It's a sport that requires a lot of time to invest in. Now, as an adult with a more tight schedule I have to find a way to enjoy again this beautiful hobby.

8. Enjoy life

I want to do an effort to appreciate more life. I want to be less self-critical and be happy with everything that this wonderful life offers. I want to be everyday the best version of myself.

Au nom de la Rose

The rose is the queen of flowers, a symbol of femininity, love and of course, beauty. It has been for centuries a source of inspiration in literature, painting and contemporary photography and cinema.

I do love roses, their petals are so soft, tender and exquisitely scented. Their perfume make me feel good and its extracted oil help my skin to look more replenished, plumped and fresh. It is one of the most ancient ingredients used in beauty treatments.

Rose Aromatic Care by Darphin

Oils are my favourite way to moisturize my face. When I talk to people about that, they tell me that I´m crazy and that it´s weird to put this kind of texture on your face. I´ve been using oils for years and my skin absorbs them pretty well. I only apply them at night before going to bed. I wake up the morning after with a deeply hydrated skin. Oils don´t break me out at all, I have always experienced the opposite effect. Sometimes, when I try a new moisturizer and my skin doesn´t like the formula, because I start to notice spots on my face I quickly switch to my beloved all natural oils to rebalance this skin reaction. Darphin´s rose aromatic care has a delicate floral perfume that affects on my mood. I also find it very relaxing the way that I start this little ritual. I put on the palm of my hands 5 drops and then I smell the oil and I massage it on my face. I recommend you to try oils for your face, make sure to find the best for your skin type. Mine it´s normal to dry and the oils I prefer are rosehip oil, jasmine oil, jojoba oil, neroli oil and sweet almond oil. I also like for my hair, coconut oil and argan oil, but we will talk about that in another post...

Baume de Rose by Terry

This multi-protecting and nutri-renegerating lip balm is one of my best lip care products. With its creamy rosy texture, it´s for me pure indulgence for my dry lips. The formula is just perfection, waxy feel but not sticky with a rose scent. Its regenerating complex contains rose wax, botanical oils, shea butter and it´s also enriched with vitamin E. It´s truly a must-have created by the beauty guru Terry de Gunzburg, the same incredible woman who invented the best-seller Touche Éclat by Yves Saint Laurent. What I really like about this product is that it also has an SPF of 15. My lips are instantly soft, nourished and restored when I use it and it last hours. It´s a cult-classic that make your lips look beautiful. It also repairs the previous damages that this area suffered, but it also protects your lips for the future external aggressions with its cell-renewal ingredients and UV filters.

Eau de Rose Hand Lotion by Diptyque

This pretty tube is always in my bag, so handy with its small size. The texture of this lotion is very light and it´s absorbed by the skin very quickly. Made with macadamia oil and aloe vera it leaves a dreamy perfume on my hands like the smell of a flower shop, very fresh and green.

Rose Water by Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella

Santa Maria Novella is one of the oldest still operating pharmacies in the world. Founded in 1612 by the Dominican monks, it has been for centuries a reference in the art of making potions, balms and herbal remedies.

Acqua di Rose is one of their most ancient products. This rose water is made from the distillation of Rose Centifolia petals. I love to use this fresh water as a toner for my complexion and to finish my cleansing routine to remove any left of makeup. My skin looks better and relaxed when I apply it, and the perfume is very soothing, like freshly cut roses. I like to put this cute glass bottle in the fridge and use it to refresh my face during summer. You can also use it as a mild perfume.

Liquid Lipstick Madness



 2015 has been the year of liquid lipsticks in the makeup world.

So many brands came up with new shades like Anastasia Beverly Hills, Colour Pop Cosmetics, Stila, Tarte, Jeffree Star, Lip Land Cosmetics, M.A.C. Cosmetics, even Kylie Jenner launched her own line...

I can totally understand why this liquid formula had such a success. I personally think that it´s very funny and pleasant the way that they glide on your lips, it´s like applying paint. The finish it´s also usually mat, which has been also a big trend over the past years.

This is a selection of colours and brands that I personally love, let me know what do you think and also other recommendations if you have.

The Balm Meet Matt(e) Hughes Long-Lasting Liquid Lipstick

This is one of the best formulas I have tried. This liquid lipstick is super long-lasting and dries very quick. The colour of your lips will stay perfectly in place even after a meal and they are transfer-proof. What I like the most about them it´s the scent. It sounds weird, but for me this is a very important point. The formula of these liquid lipsticks is enriched with peppermint oil and I personally love the scent. They last at least more than 6 hours and if they tend to dry my lips I dab a little bit of lip balm. The colours that I love are Loyal and Charming. The first one it´s a very elegant hue of red very deep and vintage. The second one it´s a gorgeous brown pink that I wear a lot.

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick

Kat Von D knows makeup, I´m so happy about the growth of this brand and to have know the opportunity to buy it here in Spain at Sephora. This brand amazes me, and their liquid lipsticks are not an exception. The formula dries very quick, allows a bit of layering and it´s transfer-proof. It stays perfectly on place a couple of hours even if you eat or drink. My two favourite colours are Mother an L.U.V. Mother it´s a dusty mauve pink, very feminine and wearable. L.U.V. it´s one of the coolest shades that I have ever own, I love this bright violet colour. Don´t be intimidated by it, if you combined this shade with minimal makeup and a winged liner it will look perfect.

Sephora Cream Lip Stain

This Lip Stain is awesome, it´s really not pricey and it is as good as the high end ones. It stays on place 4 to 5 hours and the formula is creamy and easy to apply. It dries mat and and you will not have any transfer if you let it dry at least 5 minutes. The shade that I chose it´s the perfect vibrant color to wear for spring/summer, a good alternative to a classic red. The shade that I purchased is the number 3, a red-raspberry beautiful colour.

Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick

This liquefied lipstick smells so sweet and so good that I want to lick it. The idea of this product is to recreate, as you guessed it, the formula of a lipstick that has melted. The finish on the lips is shiny and highly pigmented, but it isn´t transfer-proof. The applicator is fluffy and you have to squeeze out the product of the tube. The colour that I have is a gorgeous dark raspberry with blue undertones.