January Favourites 2015

I know I'm probably not the only one who's thinking 'What? It's the end of January already?' With the new year being in full swing again I discovered some new favourite products and reached for some old favourites that I now want to share with you.

Got2Be Guardian Angel Heat Protection Spray

I've been using this for several years now and really like it. After using a different product for a few months now I repurchased the Got2Be Guardian Angel. It smells nice, makes my hair feel super soft and is also quite cheap. As far as I can tell it also protects my hair well from the heat, which is the main purpose of a heat protection spray really.

Neutrogena Visibly Clear 2 in 1 Wash and Mask

Another oldie but goodie product that I've been using on and off for the past years. Whenever I use it as a face wash it leaves my skin feeling squeaky clean and is very refreshing too. Occasionally I put it on as a face mask which feels particulary nice in summer when my face is super oily. The only downside to this product is that it can sometimes leave my skin feeling a bit “tight” and it mustn't get into the eyes because that really isn't a very pleasant experience.

 

Garnier Pure Anti Shine Moisturiser

This is definitely one of my favourite drugstore moisturisers as it works a treat on both my oily areas and my dry patches. I'm very pleased that it doesn't make my face break out in spots ( like so many other moisturisers do) and that it keeps my face nice and shine free just as it promises. It also smells very nice and fresh like cucumber which is always a winner with me and sinks in really quickly too.

Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil

One of my favourites in winter to soothe the dry areas on my face. I won't say too much about it though as I reviewed it here already so feel free to have a look at this more in depth post.

Ebelin Express Nailpolish Remover

When these type of nailpolish removers came out I thought them to be a bit gimmicky and wasn't very interested at all. This month though I finally caved and picked one up on a whim. Let me just say, I'm a total convert now. It works really quickly and is super clean without the need to waste loads and loads of cotton wool pads. Just make sure you don't tip it too much and therefore spill half of it on the floor (not that this would ever happen to ME ahem...)

P2 Lipstick in 006- friends forever

I really liked wearing this nice pinky colour on my lips this month because it is light enough for everyday wear and to get me used to wearing more colour on my lips in general.

Although it doesn't have the most amazing staying power I've ever seen I think it is quite ok considering that it is on the more budget side.

Invisibobbles

The Invisibobbles have been around for some time now but somehow never really interested me all that much. That might be partly because they were rather hard to come by (only online or in certain hairdressers) and also because I thought them to be just another marketing thing.

I ended up buying them at the beginning of the month when I discovered them in my local drugstore and happened to have a voucher too so I thought why not give them a try.

They promise to avoid split ends and be absolutely traceless. (oh how I hate getting that stubborn kink in my hair after wearing it in a ponytail...)

A pack of three costs 4,95 € and they come in loads of nice and bright colours. I however opted for the see through option as I wanted them to be as invisible as possible in my hair. The only issue with this is that they are harder to find whenever I've misplaced them ha!

Since I bought the Invisibobbles I haven't once reached for any of my other hairbobbles. They hold my hair firmly in a high bun even on first day ,usually rather slippy, hair which is great in my book and I definitely recommend them.

So there you have it. Which products did you love in January?

Julie xx

Currently on my wishlist #3 | Autumn Edition

1. Riding Boots

I've been on the hunt for some nice leather riding boots for ages now but I find it incredibly difficult to find some that I like and that are at least halfway affordable. I very much like these Tory Burch ones but they are more on the pricey side and also hard to get hold of in Germany. But I will definitely keep an eye out for the perfect pair.

2. Longchamp Le Pliage Bag

Although everyone and their mother seem to own one of those these days I still want one because I like that it goes with so many different outfits and that it fits all my stuff.

3. Barbour Jacket

In my book Barbour Jackets are the epitome of autumn and I can see myself wearing one for a nice autumnal walk in the country as well as running errands in town. I like how they look somewhat "put together" and classic while being very functional aswell. (oh how I dislike getting wet)
One of these jackets will definitely end up in my wardrobe one day.

4. Checked Skirts

I don't know what it is but I love checked skirts (well checked everything really ;-)). Maybe that's because schooluniforms are very uncommon in Germany and I feel like I missed out on that.
(although I'm aware that people who were obliged to wear them don't share that feeling)
This season I will definitely invest in a skirt like the one above to wear with some thick black tights and boots. I can't wait!

5. Cable Knit Jumper

I'm a big lover of cable knit jumpers, particularly those with a crew neck. I already own a few but I still miss a nice bright red one in my collection.

6. Jo Malone Earl Grey & Cucumber Cologne

I love Jo Malone products and now have my eye on their Earl Grey & Cucumber Cologne which I heard and read loads of great things about. Next time I get the chance I will definitely give it a good sniff and probably buy it aswell ;-)

7. Joules Wellington Boots

How adorable are these wellies! I haven't owned a pair of wellies since I was a child but when I saw these I wanted them immediately. I love the fun print and I can picture myself wearing them on a nice walk (together with my Barbour jacket hehe). They are quite affordable too which is always a plus in my book.


What's on your wishlist this autumn?


Julie xx

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

 

Today I've got a review of the Real Techniques MiracleComplexion Sponge for you.

I recently picked this up on a whim while browsing the webshop „Shades of Pink“. I'm a big fan of the real techniques make up brushes so I was eager to try their make up sponge aswell.

Since I had no previous experience with make up sponges I found the video tutorial about it on the real techniques youtube channel really helpful.

As soon as it arrived on my doorstep I gave it a whirl and wasn't disappointed by its performance.

I first noticed how soft and fluffy it was which I really like.

I followed the directions in the video tutorial and dampened it a bit for best results.

I then used the flat side to apply my concealer under my eyes and around my nose.

For areas that needed more coverage I used the pointy end of the sponge and dabbed the concealer on to hide any blemishes or redness.

The rounded side worked great for blending out any harsh lines by rolling it over the skin.

I also used the sponge with my foundation and even cream blush (which I usually find difficult to apply because I end up looking like a clown).

I love the very natural finish I can achieve by using the sponge and I like that extra bit of coverage I can create with it on spots and other problem areas without them looking super cakey.

I like to clean my sponge after every use as to not spread bacteria on my face and also because I find that it loses some of its softness when it has dried product residue from previous uses in it.

It cleans very easily which I like a lot and it looks as good as new afterwards.

Overall I'm very impressed with the  Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge and I'm happy that I bought it.

Have you tried it yet?

Julie xx

How to get through a long distance relationship

For the past three years I've been in a long distance relationship which can be quite challenging at times. Since I had no previous experience with long distance it took me some time to adapt to the challenges that come along. Over time though I got used to the situation and developed my own coping mechanisms. 

Today I want to share my top tips with you and hope that I can help some of you who might be in a similar situation.

So here goes in no particular order:

1. Communicate as much as possible

This one kind of goes without saying but for me it was important to make communication with my boyfriend a priority. In our case this is fairly easy as we live only one time zone apart so there's not too much stress about finding the right time for both of us to chat. My boyfriend and I usually chat on Skype every night and sometimes email each other during the day. If one of us can't make it at our usual time we try and chat earlier that day even if it is just a short Skype call to see each other briefly. We don't do this because we feel obliged in any way but because we want to and there are also days when one of us may not be in the best of moods or just hasn't much to say and we agree to not chat that day but leave it until the next day.

But it's not just important for the sake of being in contact with each other. Make sure you keep each other in the loop about what's happening in your life. Tell your partner about your day and make him/her part of your life just like you would if he or she would live down the street.

2. Get to know each other 

 Since all we can do is talking to each other on Skype it is a great opportunity to really get to know each other. Ever since the beginning of our relationship we've been talking about so many different topics. Some of them are fairly easy to discuss such as 'Whats your favourite place to travel to?' Other topics including politics, ambitions and other things that take more time to talk about.

What I'm trying to say is that my boyfriend and I know each other very very well which is mainly thanks to all of our conversations and discussions that we might not have had if we were together permanently. I'm fairly sure that we know each other better than some of the couples I know who spend most of their time together or even live together as they don't tend to have hour long conversations on a regular basis because they obviously have other ways of spending time together.

3. Be honest and create trust

Although I'd like to think that honesty and trust are important in any relationship I find that it is particularly important if your partner isn't around. Since he isn't just around the corner and only knows what you're up to because of what you're telling him, it is important that he can trust what you say. No one likes feeling unsure about whether their partner is faithful or not. Once the trust is lost it is difficult to get back.

4. "Do" things together

Ok you might now think 'What can I do with my boyfriend when he's at the other end of the world?' It's actually quite easy. You can do some of the  things that you would do if you were together. Amongst the "activities" my boyfriend and I sometimes do are:

• Watching football together while we're both on Skype
• Eating dinner in front of the computer and have a chat
• Teach each other something ( e.g. I teach him some German)

Some people might find this rather sad and pathetic but we actually enjoy it and thats all that counts. :-)

5. "Celebrate" birthdays, holidays and anniversaries

I think it is very nice to try and celebrate important days together even if you are not in the same country. My boyfriend and I usually send each other cards and sometimes parcels with a little present to mark certain occasions. We both enjoy it very much and always make an effort to make things special by choosing a funny or romantic card and making the effort of writing a nice message. I sometimes even make my own cards that usually feature one of our inside jokes. I also like to spray them with my perfume (I know incredibly cheesy :P) to make it a bit more like I was actually present when my boyfriend opens it. I also really like that we always make a point of opening our letters and parcels in front of Skype so we can see each others reactions which makes it a bit more real.

6. See it as an opportunity to improve yourself

One of the positives of long distance for me is that I get the chance to improve myself and my life without my partner seeing all of my flaws and shortcomings all of the time. For example I know that I'm really not the best housewife or cook at the moment and that I can be incredibly messy at times but I really want to get better at these things (mainly for myself and not for some sexist reason) because I think that it will make living together one day much more stress and argument free.

7.  Don't let other people put you off

Throughout my relationship I have come across people who were very negative about long distance relationships in general. They've been telling me that it won't last and that there is NO way that two people can stay faithful for such a long period of time without any intimacy. At first I felt like I needed to convince them that this wasn't true but these days I don't even bother with that anymore and accept that they won't understand my situation and that they don't really need to.
Of course there is no guarantee for anything but you don't get that in normal relationships either. So don't listen to negative people.

8.  Make plans for the future

One thing that keeps me going through those difficult phases of being apart is making plans for the future with my partner. Talking about eventually moving in together or going on holiday makes me feel like the relationship is going somewhere and there's something  to look forward to.

9. Have reasonable expectations

Just like in any other relationship there are going to be times when there will be arguments, misunderstandings or you might not have that much to say to your partner. Being apart doesn't make these situations any easier.
Whenever there is a bump in the road it is important to not let communication break down which is all too easy in a long distance relationship. 
Talk to your partner, voice your concerns and be willing to compromise. In most cases that will sort things out.
 Expect the occasional bump in the road and be prepared to deal with them.

10. See the positives

Although not being with the one you love sometimes really sucks (sorry but thats the truth...) for me being in a long distance relationship has lots of positives too:

• Every time you get together again there's that excitement of being in love that most couples usually lose after some time of being together. Long distance couples get those nice feelings everytime they see each other again after being apart. (I know I do <3 ) Thats what I like to call the "extended honeymoon period".
• Once you're permanently together you'll probably remember what being apart was like and appreciate finally being together even more.
• It's a valuable lesson in effective communication because communication is what the relationship consists of when you can't be together. You usually learn to have interesting conversations and also to solve problems when it would be easier to just close Skype and not deal with it.
• You get to know your partner really well. Since you are more or less forced to talk to your partner ( unless you choose to just stare at each other on Skype) you probably have longer and maybe more meaningful conversations than other couples.
• You can be fairly sure that both of you are commited to the relationship because most people who aren't serious wouldn't  put up with long distance when all they get most of the time is chats.

So these were my 10 top tips for surviving a long distance relationship. I hope the post wasn't too long. Please let me know in the comments whether you are or have been in a long distance relationship and share some of your own tips :-)


Julie xx

Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil

I' m finally back with a review of the Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil. 

It's about time I'd say as I promised you this review months ago. So here goes.

I bought the Trilogy Rosehip Oil a few months ago when winter was still in full swing and my skin was in dire need of some additional pampering. 

I first came across rosehip oil in general when I was looking for a product to help me fade my red spot marks which make my skin look much worse than it actually is.

After reading some reviews I ordered the Trilogy Rosehip Oil from Feel Unique for about 20€.

I opted for the smaller bottle (20ml) because I wasn't entirely convinced that a skin oil would be the right product for my combination to oily skin.

The oil comes in a little brown bottle with a pipette which makes the product very easy to handle. But then again, how else would you package oil?!

I mainly use it in the evening rather than in the morning as I find that it makes me look a bit shiny afterwards. I usually apply three drops either directly to my face or to my hands and then distribute it evenly on my face. I was pleasantly surprised about how nice and smooth it feels on my skin. I expected it to feel much more greasy than it does and it doesn't sit too long on the skin either but sinks in fairly quickly. I also like using it after I get out of the shower when my face usually feels rather tight from all the water and cleansing products.

 It is great at moisturising my dry areas as well as balancing my oily chin and forehead. It also didn't break me out at all which in my book is a massive plus (my skin is a right diva at times).

As for the reduction of spot marks like they claim on the packaging, I must admit that I'm not too sure about that. Yes my scars have faded ever so slightly but this might as well be the usual healing process of my skin so unfortunately I have no miracles to report on this end.

The last thing I want to mention is what the oil smells like. When I read other reviews about it, before I bought it, some people claimed that it had a slightly fishy smell to it. After using it for quite some time and giving it a good old sniff too I can't confirm this. To me the smell is mainly herbal and not very strong and I only really smell it when I sniff the bottle. I don't notice much of a smell once it is on my face either.

All in all I'm rather pleased with this product and I'll definitely repurchase it.

I hope this review helped you and you enjoyed this post.

Have you tried rosehip oil yet and what are your experiences with it?

Julie xx

Motivational Quote #1

The past few days have been quite challenging for me which made me think of this quote.

When I woke up on wednesday morning I almost fell out of bed because I felt super dizzy 

( think 6 pints of cider dizzy).

At first i didn't think much of it but when it hadn't gone away an hour later I started to get worried.

Since I couldn't drive or even walk by myself my dad took me to the doctors. Apparently I caught some kind of virus that affects my sense of balance and 

all I can do now is rest and wait for my immune system to fight it off. 

So as you can probably imagine, the past days have been rather bad and boring.

But feeling like this also reminded me of how lucky I am most of the time.

I don't suffer from any chronic illnesses or allergies nor do I get sick very often but I think under normal circumstances I just don't appreciate this as much as I should.

There will always be things in life that are annoying or worth moaning about but overall I want to try and keep the above quote in mind as I think that my life could be so much worse and I should be thankful for everything I have (including my health).

I hope you're all having a lovely weekend.

Julie XX

February Favourites 2014

1. L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes Extra Black Mascara

I picked this up on a whim despite not actually needing any more mascara at the moment. I have way too many already that need using up. I didn't intend to get the "Extra Black" one and I'm not sure how much more black this is than the original one. Black is black isnt it?
It gives my lashes exactly the right kind of volume that I want and some length too and it has quickly become one of my favourite mascaras.

2. Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil

I've been using this for about a month now and I really like it so far. I don't want to say too much about it though because there will be a blogpost about it on the blog later this week.

3. Essie- Forever Yummy

I was looking for the perfect classic red nailpolish and first wanted to get Essie A-List. When I compared them in the shop though I found that A-List was a bit too blue toned for me so I picked up Forever Yummy instead and haven't looked back since. It is opaque with one coat although I usually apply two coats, just to make sure. It is easy to apply thanks to the wide and rounded brush and it dries fairly quickly aswell. But most importantly, it looks wonderful.

4. Essence Nail Art Express Dry Drops

The one thing I really dislike about painting my nails is waiting for them to dry. Nine times out of ten I've been waiting patiently for my nails to dry only to leave a dent or mark on the polish at some point because they hadn't dried completely through to the bottom (if that makes sense). Now that I'm using the Essence Nail Art Express Dry Drops this problem has got a lot better. The clear, slightly oily liquid is super easy to apply because the little bottle comes with a pipette to drop one or two drops on each nail. I'm not sure how the magic works here (I think it evaporates some ingredient of the nailpolish and makes it dry quicker because of it) but it does the trick. Somethink I'm definitely going to repurchase.

Have you tried any of these products?

Julie xx