Shaping Your Eyebrows + How to Do Eyebrow Makeup

How to shape your eyebrows:

   Get good tweezers. Good ones have thin and precise edges that meet perfectly (here is an example of what I mean). They grab even short or thin the hair on the first try, and make your job much faster and easier. You can't go wrong with Tweezerman, but there are many cheaper alternatives out there. It is really worth it paying a bit more for a good pair of tweezers. 
     Good lighting is also crucial! Place your mirror near a table lamp if you have too (or the other way around).
   First, remove the stragglers: brows that are obviously way outside the eyebrow area. I hear you're not supposed to pluck above the brows because of some nerve, but I do it because I like living on the edge.
     Brushing the hair up really helps to get an even line at the bottom.
   Pluck in the direction of your hair growth, otherwise the hairs might regrow at weird angles. You might have heard of that trick where you draw a line from the outside of your nostrils through the corner of the eye and above, to find out how wide apart your eyebrows should be. It doesn't work on all faces, so I suggest that tip with a pinch of salt

    If you have naturally full eyebrows, you need to avoid the scruffy look. Not everyone can pull of a messy brow, and the models who do it well are usually otherwise perfectly styled, with sleek hair and immaculate skin. To make the look intentional, first meticulously clean up any hair outside the line of the brows. It also helps to keep a part of the brow line precisely shaped: either a clean, angular beginning, or a thinner second half. Or even keeping the top outline clean while allowing a bit of wilder growth below. Brushing the brows upwards lifts the features and looks neater and current. I like the clear eyebrow and lash gel from Alverde but you can also use a clean mascara brush and clear lip balm or chapstick, or a natural butter or even hairspray.

    Filling in the brows is not just for those with thin sparse brows, it can also make fuller brows look more groomed. Personally, I find that with my black mascara and my reddish hair tones my natural eyebrow colour can look a tad too light and yellowish, and darkening my eyebrows a little pulls the whole look together.

Eyebrow makeup

There are three ways to fill in the brows: powder, pencil and mascara.

   Eyebrow gel / mascara is the easiest and looks very natural since it colours only the hair and not the skin. It can also be applied after powder or pencil for a more 3D effect and to keep unruly hair in place. Pick a shade close to your original brow shade, or your hair shade if you dyed your hair darker. A brown eye mascara can also work. Run the wand lightly on the brows, repeat if necessary. Finish by brushing the hair upward with an eyebrow brush.

   Pencil / marker: These can give a really nice effect, especially if you have very sparse eyebrows or bold patches. They are not as opaque as you might think, and can give a nice natural effect. The markers are usually waterproof, perfect for parties or day trips. Use small, short strokes to fill in your brows.

   Powder: This is actually really easy. You can use matte eyeshadow if you don't have an eyebrow product. You also need a good brush, I use a flat eyeshadow brush, but an angles brush would be much better. The brushes that come in eyebrow kits are usually really bad and should be tossed asap. First draw the outline of the brow, then fill in the center. Again, remember that a too-perfect eyebrows look unnatural and draw attention to themselves. Catrice and Essence have nice eyebrow kits at the moment.

Brushing the brows: Most brow products seem to have a brush of some kind. Brushing the brows up really lifts and opens up the eye area. Sometimes simply brushing your brows up with a clear gel is all you need.

   Here is a comparison between powder + tinted brow gel, vs only brow gel. Same makeup, different lighting on the top and bottom photos. This is the eyebrow shape that I am sporting at the moment. Keeping the outer ends thinner and arched helps to balance out the fullness of the inner halves, an insight I got when I saw these brows. Before that I had been going back-and-forth between strong heavy brows (they looked a bit too much) and light arches (that were too light for my face).

The shade:

   To pick the right shade of pencil or shadow, you need a simple understanding of warm and cool tones. You often get told to match the product to your hair or eyebrow colour, and in result women pick products that are dark / light enough, but too warm or too cool. Check your hair: do you see gold/honey tones? Or reds and chestnuts? Or cooler greyish/blueish notes? In doubt try a neutral brown, like a dark chocolate colour.

Don't overdo it: 
  While I do love a full, dark brow; I often see ones that are way too dark and too defined, especially on the internets. This kind of look works only for those with winter colouring. Makeup needs to be strong to register on camera, so if these brows look harsh in photos they are definitely too much in real life. A too-perfect brow can look severe and artificial, especially if paired with severe and formal hair, clothes or makeup. We will be laughing at them in ten years time.


   Over to you: do you brush your brows up? Do you prefer powder, pencils or gel? And who is your eyebrow idol?

Poll: Do You Own More Colourful Bras Or More Neutrals?

Click here for the names of these bras

   When going through my bra drawer I was shocked to realise that most of my bras are either nude or black. I currently own only three colourful bras. Me, who normally dresses brightly, wear flowers in my hair, and consider red to be my neutral.
    After the surprise wore of, I realise that it is my love for light summer clothes that landed me with a drawer full of neutral lingerie. What do I wear under all my summer whites? Beige. Sheers? Beige or black. Clothes where the bra may peek out of the armholes? Black. Clingy fabric? any kind of seamless bra, and these usually come in, you guessed it, nude or black. And then come the strapless items, and anything with a very broad or difficult neck-line, and dressier items on thin shoulder straps. These require a strapless bra, and these almost always come in black or nude.
    As it happened, my size changed over the summer so I compiled my new bra collection during the warm months. When winter came, I suddenly realise I could wear all the wild colours, ruffles, and ribbons most of the time. Could. Because the only wild thing in my drawer was the turquoise Curvy Kate Thrill Me set.
      The positive thing about it all is that I have the excuse to buy a couple of colourful items, I'd really love to own some neon-coloured stuff, and I am thinking to convert one of my black T-shirt bras into a cage bra.

   I'm really curious how colourful are your bra drawers. Take a look into your lingerie drawer right now, and count how much colourful items you own, and how many neutrals (skin tone, white and black). Only bras that are in your current size and that you actually wear count.

Finding Your Best Eyebrow Shape

   Eyes are taking up the spotlight these days and makeup is all about lashes and eyebrows. The eyebrows can drastically change the face. Here is my guide to brows:

Myth #1: there is a perfect eyebrow shape for everybody

Eyebrows are like frames, and the perfect frame depends upon what it is you want to frame. There is no universally flattering eyebrow shape because everybody's features are different. Audrey Hepburn, Cara Delavigne, Jennifer Connely are some examples of stunning and flattering brows that don't follow the classic shape.

Myth#2: there is one perfect eyebrow shape for each person:

   Loretta is a perfect example of how one person can look good in many different brow styles. It is also interesting how age and trends influence our perception of which eyebrows look good. Updating her eyebrow shape kept her look current. For example right now is the decade of the strong brows, and anything too over-plucked can easily look dated if not done right.

   I have had different eyebrow shapes over the years because I have bountiful eyebrows that give me a lot of room for experimentation (thanks, Hungarian great-grandma). The most important thing I have learned is not to isolate the eyebrows when choosing a shape for them, but to take in the whole face into account. For example I love thinner arches and they work with my eyes, but they make my face look bottom-heavy, and not in a good way.

     I don't have any short-cuts to finding your perfect eyebrow shape. You can go to a professional and take photos of their work. But be sure that you like their style of work first. Or you can experiment around. Try photoshop, eyebrow stencils, or just freehand experimentation. I've had my eyebrows in many different shapes and I'm finally starting to figure out what flatters my face. Or try Michelle Phan's trick of using a concealer to faux-pluck your brows before you actually pluck them. Remember to take photos and compare them. You can find some ideas and inspirations on this site.

   And remember: the perfect eyebrow shape is the ones that makes people want to look at your eyes (and not at the brows themselves).

   Next week I will talk about tweezing techniques and eyebrow makeup. In the meanwhile, I'd love to know your feelings about the strong eyebrows we've been seeing lately. I love them because mine are naturally strong and look good that way, but I'm suspecting they will seem ridiculously dramatic to us in a decade or so. Do you agree?

photo credit: ananyah.COM via photopin cc

Swimsuits With Lycra + Review Of Freya Soda Halterneck Swimsuit

    I recently linked to this post from The Space between My Peers about swimwear materials on my Facebook Page. When going through my own swimsuit collection I noticed most are made of polyester and polyamide (nylon), with the exception of the Freya Soda, which is 20% Lycra (Spandex or elasthane). The Freya Soda behaves really differently from the rest of my swimsuits that I wanted to write about it.

via Asos for 30.56€

    The special thing about the Soda is the fabric it's made of: I called it memory fabric until I checked the label and realised it's Lycra. If you think of the usual swimsuit fabric (polyester), it is usually very elastic and tends to snap back; stretching taut from breasts to crotch, flattening the breasts if there are no underwires. The Freya Soda fabric is not like that. Lycra conforms to your body. There is no pulling and no bunching. Lycra is also very soft and comfortable, so there is very little chance that anything will chafe.

    The first time I put on the Freya Soda, nothing fit, and I was devastated. I couldn´t realise how is it possible that absolutely everything was wrong? Finally, I tried it on again, and realised that the material needs to be pulled and placed exactly into the places you want it to be. Once "styled", the fabric stays magically put and does not bounce back. Magic! It does take a few minutes longer to put on, but is absolutely worth the effort.

  The downside of Lycra is that it does start to pill and show signs of wear. I have heard that if you swim frequently in chlorinated pools, Lycra will last 6 months, comparing to 1,5 years of polyester. I have read that there is a new variety called Xtra life Lycra which is supposed to last longer.

   Because Lycra swimwear looks and feels better, I'd suggest investing in one pretty piece as your "good" swimsuit, the one you would wear to pool parties or on vacations; and keep a polyester one for swimming workouts. 

Review: Freya Soda Halterneck Swimsuit

    The Freya Soda is an old model, however you can still get it some places online for a very cheap price if you search. it comes in several models including bikini tankini and halterneck, and in several colours. I'll be reviewing the red halterneck. It is very possible that newer Freya swimsuit models use a similar fabric.

   

    The amazinmg stretchiness of the Lycra means that the Freya Soda would work for short and long torsos, fuller and less fuller butts, higher and lower placed breasts.

   The swimsuit is advertised as being slimming, however I did not notice that kind of effect. However the way the suit is cut out of several vertical pieces is quite flattering. So is the halterneck style. The length of the strap is adjustable.

  The underwires of the Freya Swim are hidden. They are sewn into an inner layer and so the underwires are not visible from the outside. The underwires and the Lycra means that the breasts are not flattened by the suit. I found the cups supportive, although I cannot say if the same goes for bigger cup sizes.

   The cups run true to size. The underwires of this model are on the narrow side. One issue that I had with this bra is that only half of the cups are lined (weird, I know), so there is always risk of some nipple show. However, it is possible that this was a defect that only my piece had, since I bought it very cheap on Ebay.

    The Freya Soda doesn´t fit me any more in the cups, still I hang on to it because I want to try some sewing experiments with it.


  Do you have any Lycra swimsuits? Or do you prefer Polyester? 

Moms And Red Lipstick: On The Beauty vs Family Disbalance + Tips For Moms

A while back a lovely reader left me this comment on my parenting hacks post:

"With posts like yours, I think that when the time comes for me to be a mum it will be much easier. I need your optimism because in Poland we have an ugly stereotype or martyrdom of parenthood, especially motherhood. You have to be tired all the time, upset, you have to dedicate all your time to the kid, you have to lack money all the time because a kid needs so much and it's all so expensive... If a mother goes to a salon to have her hair dyed and cut, it's sure that if she shares this on her blog, she will get at least one very nasty comment saying that she is a bad mother because she prefers to take care of herself instead of give the time, money and attention to the kid.
This is why I like your optimism here even more."

 It made me warm inside to read it, and at the same time reminded me of the inner struggles I went through before I found my childrearing-fashionista balance.

     When you are pregnant, you are exempt from beauty rules. People will probably surround you with positivity and will be more focused on how your well being than on your looks. Once you give birth, the pressure rises. Depending on where you live, you will be expected to either lose weight and look always impeccably styled, or you will be told that to pay attention to your shoes and hair means that you neglect your kids. I don't know which of these is worse. Oh wait, the worst is when you get both kinds of pressure at the same time.

   Add this to the fact that most women have to reestablish their identity and reacquaint themselves with their own body. It can be disorienting to have the body change so much in a few months, and to continue changing even up to two years postpartum. Not al changes are negative or permanent, but even temporary ones like weakened thigh muscles can be disconcertning. Then there is the loss of old habits, the old lifestyle, the old freedom, the mourning for which is usually repressed and leads to postpartum depression.

     Fashion and makeup plays a role here: many a young mom has wondered: can I still wear this or that now that I have a kid, will the perfume irritate the baby, or however am I supposed to find the time to even shower when he wants to be carried 24/7?

    I want to talk anbout how to find your comfort zone when it comes to beauty, and also about beauty as self- carte and self-expression.

   First of all, how well groomed the mother is has nothing to do with how good a mother she is. A sloppy appearance is not a sure sign of a selfless all-sacrificing parent, nor of a flake. A perfectly dressed look doesn't mean that the woman is the perfect mom, neither does it mean that she neglects her kid to do her nails. A woman's grooming or lack of it is related with how she prefers to spend her free time, how much help she gets around the house, how important fashion is to her, and much more. And let me tell you, there are a lot of women out there living a happy and fulfilling life in badly fitting jeans and sneakers, with bad hair and an unwaxed upper lip.
   These women are probably busy doing amazing things and aren't reading this blog. If you are already reading this blog, chances are that external beauty is in some way important to you, or you would like to pay more attention to it. So lets talk about why that is ok even if you have kids.

Beauty and style as self-care:

   Taking a few moments to decorate the body and face is a way of turning attention to ourselves in a positive way. In the life of a giver of love and care it can be good to spend a little time on something egoistic (in a good way). There are of course other ways like sports, a religious or spiritual practice, hobbies; and some less positive ones like overeating, shopping, addiction to TV or the internet.
   If you dress and make-up were important to you before you had kids but you don't pay attention to them any more, you should take a moment to reflect on the reasons. Some women experience a shift in priorities and are happy to focus their attention somewhere else, and that's great. However, others have negative reasons for neglecting their looks: lack of time and energy, but also psychological like disconnection from their old self or from their changed body. If that is the case, I'd really like you to try and add back a little bit of beauty care into your day.

Beauty and those around you:

   There are of course other arguments in support of taking a little bit of time every day for your looks: you get treated differentially by people based on your appearance. Sad, but true. And vice versa: we behave differently according to how we are dressed. Last year I had five different roles in a play, and the director told me that in spite of all my efforts I was playing the same persona all the time. For the next rehearsal I brought some improvisatory costumes and props: a suit, heels and updo for one character, a flowy dress and sun umbrella for another, and so on. And this made a huge difference on the way I was acting. Seriously, it is easier to act pulled-together if you look pulled-together.
   Also, don't forget the romantic partner. Now, I don't believe that women should run around with a rose between their teeth every second of the day; but then we also expect a minimum of grooming from our men so it's only fair to do our bit.
   And finally: your wardrobe probably is full of pretty stuff. You totally deserve to enjoy all that pretty stuff.

Practical tips and suggestions:

The first six weeks are your special time with your new baby. Don't bother too much about anything else. Cherish these moments.

Carve out just a couple of minutes in the morning for a short beauty routine. It is best to do it right when you go to the bathroom in the morning, as chances are the kids are still sleeping and you have an extra minute. And you're already there anyway.

Simplify your routine. For me doing my nails takes up too much time and is impractical, but mascara or oil masks on my hair take very little effort and give great results.

Pick one thing that has the most impact on how you look (for example concealer), and one thing that makes you happy (for example lipstick or earrings). Use these every day.

This tip comes from a neighbour who was a nurse and had to go to work at insane hours: keep a couple of morning beauty essentials on a tray in a convenient place (hers was on the living-room table), like hairbrush, mirror, mascara, earrings.

A tip from another neighbour: keep night-time creams squished between the mattress and the headboard (or on your night stand), and chances are you'll actually use them.

Get a wash-and-wear haircut that doesn't require styling. And no, that doesn't necessarily mean short hair. Also, learn a few simple updos for hair emergencies.

If your kid starts bothering you when you try to put on your makeup, try keeping a toy in that area that is only played with during your beauty time. A small sturdy mirror is often a good idea, it can keep a kid occupied for a surprisingly long time. You can also explain to them what you are doing, smaller kids usually love to watch and imitate. You can help them imitate you, for example let them clean their face with a pretty washcloth or rub a drop of oil on their faces or brush their hair. With older kids you can give them something similar to what you are using (my kids love organic lip balm, rose water sprayed on the hair to make it smell nice, and their collection of hair clips and pins). Try to emphasize the self-care aspect of the whole ritual rather than the beauty aspect of it.

Throw out your rattiest clothes and underwear. This will force you to wear your nicer stuff. Exactly.

If you are worried about snide remarks, you can use responses like "it actually takes me just 10 minutes every morning"; or "thanks, it makes me happy" or troll them with "ever since I stopped watching TV I have way more time for me any the kids" (most people will feel a bit guilty when they hear this) or even "my husband likes it". Or just ignore it, like all the unsolicited parental advice that you are probably getting as well. No matter what you do, there will always be someone who doesn't approve of it.

Exercise. It's one of the best ways to feel good, look good, and like your body more.

  And if you are feeling jealous of women who have kids and are perfectly groomed: nobody can do it all. If she is taking the time for her appearance, it's because she is choosing not to do something else. (Or, she has domestic help.) You can also choose to make space for beauty-time, and al lot less time to some other activity. What activity that is, and whether it is worth it is obviously another matter. Again, this is a matter of personal priorities. And sometimes also of a slightly better time management. Be honest with yourself, and do what makes you happy.

   If you have kids, I'm curious about your personal approach to finding the time and space for style and beauty; and society's pressure. If you don't have kids, I'd love to hear your thoughts as well!

Image: George M. Groutas

Cleansing Rhassoul Clay: A Multipurpose Wonder

   I'd like to introduce you to a new cleansing favourite of mine. Marokko clay, also called Rhassoul or Ghassoul mineral clay. It is found in the mountains of Morocco and is traditionally used in Turkish baths. Rhassoul contains silicon, iron, magnesium, potassium, sodium, lithium, and trace elements.
  Rhassoul clay is the softest, gentlest and smoothest clay I have ever used. Unlike green (Aztec) clay or the I popular in Germany which are great for pulling out impurities but also a bit drying, Rhassoul clay is smooth and creamy. It reminds me a bit of an oatmeal scrub (which is by the way a lovely, gentle scrub).
    Rhassoul clay cleanses impurities and regulates the sebum production, evens out the skin tone, firms the skin, matts oily skin, tightens pores and calms down the skin. It's great for greyish skin and acne. Rhassoul clay is great for gentle cleansing, everyday use, and exfoliation. You can use it even if your skin is too dry or too sensitive for regular clays. And of course also on normal and problem skin.

   I bought my Rhassoul clay in a tiny store with Maroccan stuff. The clay was available in two formats: a fine powder in a small pretty flask, for around 20€; and what looked like chunks and chips of earth in a paper bag, at around 5€. I picked the cheap version, expecting to have to grind it in a mortar.

   After some research, I realised I have to add a bit of water to the clay chips, wait a couple of minutes, and in a few minutes I get a very smooth soft clay. Now I keep a slightly bigger quantity in a glass jar, with rose water instead of water. You can also add a bit of oil.

   I gently massage this paste onto my face and wash off with water.   You can also try adding Rhassoul clay to your regular facial cleanser, home-made masques, or the DIY almond peel. If you leave the clay on the face for a bit longer you get a nice cleansing mask. Don't forget to mist your face and keep the clay wet.
   After washing of any kid of clay scrub, there are always very small amounts of clay left on the skin, which can cause a feeling of dryness. I like to cleanse this off with a wet microfibre cloth or cotton pad, and then apply a moisturiser.

   Generally, the skin shouldn't be scrubbed more than once a week. Though regular scrubs are great for the skin (they remove the dead skin cells and stimulate the skin), too frequent and ungentle exfoliation can do more harm than good (although I heard that east Asian skin needs scrubbing because it lacks an enzyme that naturally loosens dead cells -- can anyone tell me if this is true?)

The many uses of Rhassoul clay:

  Rhassoul clay can also be used to wash hair, especially if you have a greasy scalp. The clay does not strip away the natural oils and cause the scalp to produce even more oil. It adds a bit of volume to the hair, lifts it at the roots, but also makes it a bit stiffer. Mix it with a dab of conditioner or a gentle shampoo or aloe vera gel if the texture is difficult to work with. Or oil, if you have dry hair.
You can apply it on the scalp as a masque to deal with a very oily scalp.
    Rhassoul clay is a great body cleanser and exfoliator. It can be mixed with a soap or a body wash. You can also add some to your bath, or massage some onto your body with a peeling glove for a very intensive peel.

      You can find Rhassoul clay online, try looking for it under other names such as Moroccan Lava Clay or Ghassoul. I recommend buying pure clay instead of a product with Rhassoul clay in it.

   The Rhassoul clay has earned a permanent place in my bathroom cabinet. I totally recommend it to everybody, regardless of skin type. It's one of the best cosmetics I have ever used!

Have you ever tried Rhassoul or any other cosmetic? What is your favourite clay?

Breast Diversity in Game Of Thrones

   Most of the boobs that an average woman sees are on screens, a fact that I have already lamented about. These boobs seem to be picked according to certain standards, it's almost as if a certain boob style is in fashion right now. Oh wait, that's actually accurate. Anyway, HBO seems to be deviating from the Pretty Screenworthy Body standards, as demonstrated by nude Lena Dunham in Girls, and the variety of boobs in Game of Thrones. As normal and non-glamorous Lenas's body may be, her boobs are pretty much mainstream standard. So let's talk about Game of Thrones.

   For those of you who haven't seen it, GoT is really good fantasy series. Even my husband who is so not a fantasy guy, is addicted to GoT. GoT has got interesting characters, really engrossing story line, too much gory for my taste, and boobs. Lots of boobs. An average of 5.6 boobs per episode.

    Though at first glance GoT shows much more boob diversity than most shows, I noticed that most of the characters are on the small busted side. Even though the sampling size is small (har), you will notice that small breasts aren't necessarily front-and-centered, and naturally don't form a cleavage line, no matter what Victoria's Secret ads might tell you. For those of you who aren's sure what "bottom heavy" means, Margaery has such breasts.

   The only example of very small breasts that I remember is the Captain's daughter on that ship to Pike whom Theon seduces. Bigger breasts are also under represented. Ros comes to mind, who also happens to be a burlesque performer in real life, and fortunately her boobs are not one of those gravity-defying kind but naturally soft and droopy.
    Coming on to fake: prosthetic breasts have been used in Game of Thrones, for example for the pregnant Melissandre or on Lisa Arryn (probably to not traumatize that kid actor.

  This brought up some questions: who decides which actress has boobage that is mainstream enough for topless scenes? Are actresses with breast size and shape that differs from the one accepted by the media, more hesitant to topless scenes?

  One more reason why I love Game Of Thrones is: I don't see any badly fitted bras. You don't want to know how often I spoil sexy scenes in other movies by yelling "that bra doesn't fit her!"

  Do you watch Game Of Thrones? How do you feel about the boobs all over the place?

Weekend Reads 08-02-2014

    Hello lovely people, how have you been? I realised right now that I am feeling really good, considering the time of the year it is. I always get bad winter blues, and this year all I have is a very light low. I'm chalking it all up to physical activity, and am really grateful for it. Working out does take several hours out of my week, but I'm actually much more productive because I have more mental and physical energy, and more motivation. So yay! I bullied the fitness instructor at my gym to teach me how to use weights and lunges, and as a result I have jelly legs and really sore muscles. it kind of feels good.


* Amazing, body-positive fitspo by fellow bra-fitting blogger MissShapen. Also, she makes me want to get a Panache Sports bra, even though I already have one.

* How to fix fraying pleather bag straps.

* 12 things every home should have.

* Best-of images from Humans Of New York.

* Coffee scrubs are amazing. You can simply use grounds + body wash or moisturiser; but if you want to go fancier, here is a lovely recipe and tips from a coffee expert.

* I loved this girl's makeup secrets.

* The truth behind weight-loss before-and-after photos.

* 100 years of breed "improvement".

* I loved Sarah's advice on smart things to do with your old blog posts.

* I loved the Bag-Batch-Barter-Better advice here.


  Over to you. What caught your eye this week?

How To Save Money On Cosmetics

   More expensive is not always better, it's the ingredients that count. Personally, I shell out money for just a few products (sunscreen and a couple of oils) and then buy good quality but inexpensive essentials. And then there are the products that I save on.
   Either I don't buy them and use something else in their place, or I use something from my kitchen, or have found a cheap-and-good version that I love. Obviously this list is very subjective and you might have to modify it to your needs.

Cosmetic items I save on:

Skin Care

Showering gel:

  I use solid soap, because it lasts longer (liquid soap is basically the same stuff but diluted with water, also the pump often dispenses more than we actually need). It has a lower carbon footprint because it has less packaging and takes up less space when transported. Solid soap also contains less preservatives (because it doesn't contain water) and is cheaper. Win all the way

Body moisturiser:

   The skin on the body is not as picky as that on the face, so you don't need fancy-ass stuff. I personally prefer products without parabens, mineral oil and other toxins, since I'm slathering big amounts of the product on myself; and love inexpensive body butters. You can also use creams and oils that your face didn't like as body moisturisers.

Scrubs and clays:

   Sugar for the face and used coffee grounds for the body (both mixed with a moisturiser or cleanser) beat most store-bought scrubs. If you want to be even more thrifty, try dry brushing, or a kessa glove for the body and a microfiber cloth for the face. Clays are much cheaper if you buy them pure than if you buy a clay-based mask in a sachet.

Shaving creams:

   Try using conditioner, oil, or soap. They work just as well, I promise.

Undereye cream:

   Your regular moisturiser will work fine most of the time. In fact, most under-eye products have less active ingredients than moisturisers! I also like to use oils and heaver creams for this area.

Foot cream, hand cream, cuticle cream, and so on

  Any heavier cream, body butter or oil usually works for all of these.

Makeup

   In this amazing video the reporter decants two lines of makeup into neutral packaging, and asks a professional makeup artist to guess which brand is the cheap one and which the expensive one. The makeup artist tries out the products on the woman and has a hard time guessing as there was not much difference. So, basically you need to read reviews (for example on MakeupAlley) to find quality affordable products.

Brushes

   Eco tools are great brushes for beginners. I also like the dirt-cheap brushes from E.L.F's studio line. You don't need anything expensive if you are just doing basic makeup. I also quite like the Ebelin brushes from DM. Again, read reviews to find the best option in your price range.

Eyeshadow:

   Get a good eyeshadow primer and then you can get away with cheap eyeshadow. A good primer makes colours look more intensive, make it go on smoother and stay on longer. If you really want high-pigmented eyeshadow, look for mineral ones which are usually very affordable. (I mean real mineral products, the ones in most stores are only mineral-based. You need to go online for the real stuff). Palettes are usually cheaper as compared to single eyeshadows.

Foundation and Concealer

  I don't always recommend scrimping on these, as it is not very easy to find a foundation that gives you the right amount of coverage, has the right tone, behaves well on your skin and doesn't dry out or break you out. However, again here you should be trying out the cheaper as well as the pricier options. I personally love mineral makeup (I use Lumiere), which is quite inexpensive because you need to use very very tiny amounts. As for concealers, they can be hit or miss in all of the price ranges. My current favourite is the cheap Catrice camouflage.

Blush:
   It's seriously easy to find a great and cheap blush, since it's mostly all about the right shade anyway. Again, I love mineral blushes because a tiny amount lasts me a really really long time.

Teeth:

  Floss properly once a day. Getting teeth fixed is pricey in most parts of the world.

Hair removal:

  Epilating at home is way cheaper than salon waxing, and also probably cheaper than disposable razors on the long run. Laser is a better investment than IPL (the effects of the latter last only a couple of months).


    For me the biggest temptation comes from high-end cosmetic blogs who use and recommend pricey stuff. Many of those products are of course good, but you can usually find good stuff that doesn't cost as much. I mean, I know how much pure hyaluronan costs (not much), and am not going to pay 80€ for one hyaluranon-based moisturiser when I can find others for a tenth of that price. I usually try to avoid the cheapest option available, and try to buy certified natural products when possible (which admittedly is not hard to do on the cheap in Germany). And of course I often mix my own cosmetics.


  How do you save money cosmetics? Do share your secrets! Also, what do you like to splurge on?

Swimsuit Reviews: Panache Veronica Suit, Bandeau Bikini And Folded Brief

   The pieces reviewed below are also available in other styles and colours :)

Panache Veronica Suit, Paisley Print

  I was quite disappointed with this piece. The cups make a smaller bust look even smaller, and the rusching at the waist made me look like I had a round little baby-bump.
  The cups run true to size, and the band is quite supportive.
  The print is very pretty though, quite sophisticated and flattering. It also comes in red and teal. Do try it if you have a bigger bust and a flat midsection, otherwise keep away.
  The veronica Balconnet Bikini has exactly the same cut as the top part of the suit, so I didn't even consider it. Instead I went for the bandeau style:

Veronica Bandeau Bikini Top

   This is the one I ultimately went with! This comes in several colours: teal, red, purple paisley and navy. I wanted the teal but couldn't find any store that had both the top and bottom in my size. So I ended up ordering the teal top and the Paisley bottom (along with all the swimwear you saw in the previous post), and planned to return the mismatched bottom and but it somewhere else if I liked the set.
   I had to size up in the band because it doesn't come in 28, so it's not terribly supportive. I recommend staying true to size (or even sizing down if you wear bigger bands). I am toying with the idea of tightening the band a bit, since I like my strapless stuff to be snug, but I don't have any experience sewing swimwear and am afraid I'll mess it up.
  I ordered a cup smaller than I'd usually wear, because that was the only one available. Surprisingly, it fits really well, which makes me think that the cups run a bit big.
    The bikini top is very flattering for smaller busts, and has a nice retro look to it. The closure is a plastic clicky thingy. There is a bit of boning on the sides of the cups, so that the band doesn't wrinkle. The bow is a bit awkward, and I want to re-tie it so that the ends hang downwards or sideways, and not top and bottom. The cups are medium coverage, and it's fun to have the option to wear it strapless or halter-neck. You could easily convert it to be worn with regular straps, by sewing in little loops onto the back of the band. Teal is supposed to be a universally flattering colour that looks good on both warm and cool skin tones.The fabric has a sheen to it, and is quite pretty. I don't think the camera caught it: the fabric is definitely not matte!

Update: the fabric turns a much darker colour when wet!

Panache Veronica Folded Brief

   The bottoms are exactly the same as those of the Savannah, except that they have a bit of rusching on the fold-over waist. The rusching is quite flattering, even though it's not as visible on the paisley version as on the plain teal one. I ended up sending this one back and getting the teal version in a smaller size (they run a bit generous). You can control how high or how low you want to wear the top part of these bottoms. I also love how they don't dig in, so no muffin top!
Update: The foldover band doesn't stay in place when swimming, so I ended up folding it over at the perfect height and sewing it so that it cannot be unfolded.
  I realised I didn't take photos of the teal set, so I'll update this post when there is enough light to take a decent picture.

  The Veronica bottoms are also available as a skirted pant style and a classic pant.


   I am happy to announce that the Panache Veronica is the winner of my swimwear search. What will you be wearing this summer? Any swimsuit caught your eye?