Fun At The Office

Only at our office is having a picture of Mr. Ford on your desk allowed...

Clinique e-com

Again, this is starting to feel more as a beauty blog ... but hey, please just let me share my excitement!

Besides product info and tips & tricks, clinique.be and clinique.nl now offer you (finally) the opportunity to order your favorite beauty products online!
The advantages:
- find and order your must-haves 24/7
- no fuss: your package delivered directly to your home (in 3 to 4 days)
- with every order you'll be able to choose mini-samples
- and ... the Clinique-web shop offers you exclusive products that you won't find anywhere else! Like starting from April 16th: Long Last Lipstick Coral, a shade created especially for the Karen Walker spring-show.

My latest addictions: 

- Turnaround Overnight Radiance Moisturizer -> works wonders! 

- Superdefense SPF 20 Age Defense Eye Cream

Smets & Bobbi Brown

Finally, I managed to head over to Smets! It seemed like the entire blogosphere had been talking non-stop about the concept store and it felt as if I was the only one in Belgium that hadn't been there yet - and this while our office is only 5 minutes down the road.

Well, what can I say that hasn't been said before? The store is amazing: beautifully decorated, a great selection of brands, huge store ... bliss! If I ever would open my own store, this is how it would look like; a dream one-stop-shop!

And did I mention there is a Bobbi Brown corner too! I could help myself and walked out with the best concealer. I had already had a Bobbi-make up consultation before and this indispensable beauty item was on my wish list ever since. Dark circles no more!

Make sure to check the Bobbi Brown site for handy how-to videos!

my make-up the day of the Bobbi Brown workshop

perfection

Next on my wish list: more Long-Wear Gel Eyeliners. Even after the longest hot showers, the eye liner is still there, so faithfully. 

The Clinique Vending Machine

And eventhough my drawers at home are filled and filled and filled with Clinique products, this makes me wish I travelled more ... (credits go to It-girl.be for sending me the link)

M*A*C Nailpolish

I just had to have these! I can't showing off the new colors of my nails!
I <3 the M*A*C's Quite Cute-nailpolish collection: little girl type & mischievous mint.

The Quite Cute collection is now available at your local M*A*C-store or counter...

Clinique - New Clarifying Lotion

Of course when I meet up with my girlfriends, we often discuss our favorite beauty products. And although most of them use the best skincare products in the world, it surprises me that, when I ask them what they are using to exfoliate their skin, they usually answer 'nothing'. 

Exfoliating your skin is crucial. It removes dead skin cells, which will give you a more radiant look, while clearing your pores. Furthermore, it helps the moisturizers and other products you use afterwards to be more effective since they can treat your skin more thoroughly without having dead skin cells literally blocking their way. And a great plus is that exfoliating helps speeding up the renewal of cells, which makes your skin look younger and brighter. 

My favorite exfoliator by far is Clinique's Clarifying Lotion, which I use twice a day. Since I need mild treatments for my sensitive skin, Clarifying Lotion 1 works wonders for me. I love the fresh feeling it leaves on my skin when sweeping this water-like product on a cotton pad over my face. And now, this Clinique classic has been updated. As from today you'll find the new Clarifying Lotions in store, which help clearing your skin from everyday pollution, stress and a hectic lifestyle. In brief, it has the same benefits as the previous formula but will protect your skin even more from external influences.

All of my other beauty favorites I can do a day without, but when it comes to the Clarifying Lotion, I can really tell by the appearance of my skin when I skipped a day. And so I always have a backup bottle just in case, but then again that goes for the entire 3 Step Skin Care. 

A tip I usually give my girl friends: I know that great beauty products can be expensive, and even more so when you can't immediately find the ones that work for you. Of course getting the right advice from your sales assistant is essential but a good way to give Clinique a fair try without splurging, are the Introductory Kits. You can find 3 Step-sets, which includes the Facial Soap, the new Clarifying Lotion and the DDML, for about 30 euro. And trust me, they go a long way. 

Aveda Shampure Shampoo

Reading this beauty-post by Garance Doré the other day, made me realize that I haven't told you about my favorite shampoo yet!

I'm a huge fan of Aveda's Smooth Infusion-line (more about that later this month), but my favorite shampoo for everyday use must be Shampure Shampoo. It makes your hair feel superclean and healthier. Plus, I love the fact that it foams so much, but my favorite feature of this products is its 25 flower and plants extracts, which gives it an incredible yet natural scent. It's been crazy for this shampoo ever since I discovered it through the samples in our NYC-hotel bathroom. So next time you're near an Aveda salon, hop right in and smell Shampure's signature aroma!

P.S.: And what's even cooler is that this shampoo is so gentle that it's the perfect product to clean your make-up brushes with.

Estée Lauder Idealist

Every friday evening I leave my life in Brussels/Leuven behind me and I head back to my hometown to spend some quality time with my family. So it is only normal that I have many of my favorite beauty products twice -one for home and one for my home away from home- and loads of back-up products in case of emergency, right?

This tactic proved itself quite useful the past few days that I spent in my hometown for the holidays. I had ran out of Clinique Pore Minimizer Refining Lotion but luckily had a valuable alternative nearby. I gave Estée Lauder's Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher a go and was very much surprised. First of all by its lovely scent. Even though I'm no fan of perfumes in my beauty products, the lemon'y scent is subtle enough for me to love. And although the texture of the Idealist is thicker than Clinique's Pore Minimizer, which is more like a serum, it still feels incredibly light on my skin and has a silky finish to it. And it leaves my skin very smooth, which I love. So I'm thinking I'm going to get a new Pore Minimizer but I will keep using Idealist faithfully every weekend.

Next on my beauty wish list: Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex.

Clinique.be

When using skin products, it is truely important to use the right treatments for your skin. You can buy the best products in quality -or price- but if the make-up or the skincare products don't match your skin, it won't be worth a thing. So getting the right advice, regarding which product to use or what fits your skin type is crucial!

And that's what Clinique's Live Chat is all about.
On Tuesday the 23rd of November from 4 to 7pm, you can talk online with Clinique's most renowned experts in skincare and beauty. Just visit Clinique.be and you'll get advice made to measure from the lovely girls that taught me everything I know about given your skin the treatment it deserves!

See > My Clinique Favorites > Skin Care and Beauty

La Mer

I just had to buy the Gel de la Mer-moisturizing cream for my sister. Now, let's just hope she'll now stop using her The Body Shop-treatments and will become an Estée Lauder Companies-addict just like me... ;)

I've tried the gel myself this weekend, and I must admit, it feels incredibly soft and light on your skin...

M*A*C

(source: maccosmetics.com)

Has anyone seen the products of the M*A*C Fabulous Feline-line in person? I haven't yet but I am totally crazy for the campagne ad though... 

Aveda Make-up

At the end of this month, Aveda is relaunching its make-up line, paraben-free and as environmentally friendly as usual. And lucky me: I got the chance to take a peek at two of Aveda newest products and try them myself.

The new Nourish-Mint™ Lip Definer is a great solution to an omnipresent problem; getting your lipstick to stay put. Why is it different than a traditional lip liner then? First of all, it tastes minty, one of my favorite flavors, yet is subtle. I love the fact that your lips are well protected from the elements (hello fall.) and although the pencil has a creamy and rich texture, it's not as sticky as a gloss. But my favorite part is the sheer and transparent tint of the stick. So no need to buy separate lip definers for each lipstick you get. And since I'm totally addicted to the feel of this product, I'm even wearing it without any lipstick at all, nowadays.

But the newest Aveda-addition I'm really crazy about is the Color Options Eye Shadow Transformer, simply because it finally enables me get the exact color of eyeshadow as presented inside the little powder boxes. This is how it works: I just add one drop of the liquid to any eyeshadow and apply the fluid eyeshadow on the eyelid with the tiny brush. The great thing is that the color is super intense, perfect for an evening out. Plus, since the eyeshadow is no longer a powder and has been fixated, it will no longer run into the creases of your eyelid and fade away along the way. 

Below you'll find some proof. At the top I applied my favorite eyeshadow, M*A*C's Black Tied, as one normally would do. Below, I transformed the eyeshadow with Aveda's Color Options. 

As you can tell, the color of the eyeshadow has become much more deep and intense, and the sparkles are clearer and more visible. However, this is my favorite part: Below is an image I took a few hours later, and you can tell clearly that the transformed eyeshadow hasn't fade away as fast as the traditional one, which is an amazing asset when it comes to picking out the suitable make-up for a night out. 

Last night for a family dinner, I applied the eyeshadow as a liquid eyeliner and it lasted throughout the entire evening, as promised.  

If you care to know where you can find Aveda's new make-up line or the other Hair & Skin Aveda-products, just visit aveda.com or aveda.be and get in touch with your local Aveda-salon. 

Estée Lauder

As mentioned before, I'm crazy for Clinique's All About Eyes. I can't last a day without the treatment and apply it faithfully every day and night. But last week, I got my hands on Estée Lauder's new Advanced Night Repair Eye and honestly, this superrich gel is fantastic. Since it's so creamy, it's perfect as a night treatment. 

I think All About Eyes and Advanced Night Repair Eye will make a lovely pair. And with all those anti-aging creams I've been applying, I better look like I'm still a twenty year old ten years from now, damn-it! ;)

Bobbi Brown

Bobbi Brown has the cutest samples;
just look at that tiny anti-age serum-bottle. I know some say that 24 is far too young to be using anti-age products but you have to start protecting your skin against fine lines and all, before the damage is done. Anywho, this serum feels incredibly light and soft on my skin, which is always a great plus. I hate greasy, thick products.

Last night I tried Bobbi Brown's make-up remover as well, and this product wears perfectly too! Last night, for a late dinner with my family, I wore a lot of sparkly eyeshadow by M*A*C (green smoke -lustre) and some eyeliner too, which can be a hassle to remove. But I had no difficulties doing that, thanks to this Bobbi Brown-product. Plus, it was gentle enough for me, as a contact lens wearer.

Bobbi Brown's

Instant Long-Wear Makeup Remover

Extreme Party Mascara

Intensive Skin Supplement

Rich Color Gloss - Pink Buff

Today I'm wearing a liquid blush on my cheekbones, called Highlighter Pen by Bobbi Brown. What's so great about this blush, is that the sparkling elements are so tiny and subtle, that 'now you see it and now you don't', which is perfect for daily use. It actually is so sublte that I couldn't even capture the effect on camera, so I just had to photograph the container instead. This one is going into my handbag permanently.

By the way, if you're a fan of Bobbi Brown and love to get weekly tips on how to apply make-up, make sure to visit the brand's Facebook page regularly! 

Blue de Chanel

Help! Since I miss working on my thesis, I've been looking for the new Scorsese-ad for Chanel's new fragrance, but I can't seem to find it anywhere: every time I enter "Blue de Chanel" on video-search engines, I end up with make-up tutorials...

I read about the ad online a while back, and I also found an article on the making of in next month's Glamour-issue, but no sign yet of the actual video...

(source: Dutch Glamour - September 2010 - click to enlarge) 

Aveda Favorite

It's been a month now since I started working at Aveda, a premium hair and spa brand and part of the Estée Lauder family.

Ever since our NYC-trip, where we found Aveda-hair and body products in our hotel room, I've been a fan of its Shampure shampoo (amazing scent!) and the Smooth Infusion-line. And no need to say that the products are top quality and the great thing is that -by using Aveda- I'm actually contributing to a greener and nicer planet.

The past few weeks I got the opportunity to get a full Aveda-training, both hair as skinwise, and discovered even more amazing products. I'm currently using the Enbrightenment collection for my skin, to even my skin tone and I'm giving other hair products a go. And yes, I've got a new favorite!

I have really stubborn hair; always fluffy and wild. And during the Aveda Perfomance Hair-class I mentioned that I rarely use styling products because I don't like the feeling of greasy products in my hair. But then the Aveda-educator suggested that I should try the Light Elements Smoothing Fluid. Back home I give it a try and my hair immediately was smoother and had a healthy shine, without looking greasy. Throughout the whole evening it successfully protected my hair against frizz. The next day, again, I added only one drop of the serum-like fluid and once again my hair looked and more importantly felt great! I'm thrilled! I'm always the one who says that I hate my hair, but I've got a feeling that's about to change...

Currently I'm coloring my hair too, with Aveda and I love it's natural color and shine ... And to keep the color as nice as the first days after the coloring, I've tried the Clove Color Conditioner, which is a brown conditioner, and it gave my hair a nice warm glow. Fan! Fan! Fan!

Make-up

As promised.

This is my daily make-up routine / everyday look:


Bobbi Brown Natural Finish Long Lasting Foundation SPF 15 (in 0 Porcelain)
I love this liquid foundation since it matches my skin tone exactly, it keeps my skin from being shining at the end of the day and it feels incredibly light, al though it's 30°C outside now -note: normally I don't wear foundation in the summer, but I need the extra SPF to protect my skin.
(See: earlier post about this product)

Clinique Airbrush Concealer (in Neutral Fair)
I combine my foundation with this amazing concealer. It really opens up my eye and illuminates it. I can really tell when I'm not wearing it, so adding some concealer to the inner/top corner of my eye is a must.

Clinique Almost Powder Makeup SPF 15 (in Fair)
To keep my skin from shining during the hottest part of the day, I always carry this mineral powder with me. It works great on my forehead, underneath my bangs. A great tip someone once told me: never put a powder underneath your eyes, since it will make the fine lines more visible and makes you look older.
Note: I used to use the Stay-Matte Sheer Pressed Powder (in Invisible Matte) which is great too if you like a sheer and invisible foundation.

Every once and a while, I use a blusher. Favorites: Soft Pressed Powder Blusher (in Pink Blush) and Fresh Bloom Allover Color (in Peony). The one in the picture is Shimmering Stripes Powder Blusher (in Cabana Pink).

Clinique Cream Shaper For Eyes (in Black Diamond)
After I've created the perfect base, I add some eyeliner pencil on the base of my eyelids. I love the shimmer in this color and the fact that it's creamy, which is perfect in combination with my contacts.

M*A*C Fluidline (in Blacktrack)
I finish off with adding some eyeliner on my top eyelid. I'm crazy for this long wearing creamy product. It stays put a long time, much longer than a liquid eyeliner, in my opinion. I use the 208 Angled Brow Brush to apply it: easy as one, two, three... If I feel a bit more daring, I apply Clinique's Brush-On Cream Liner, in one of last year's top colors, purple.

Clinique High Impact Mascara
Clinique High Impact Curling Mascara
A great mascara to add volume is the High Impact Mascara. But when I don't have my eyelash curler with me, I use the High Impact Curling Mascara, one of my personal favorites! If you're a fan of small brushes, I would recommend the Lash Power Mascara Long Wearing Formula. Next up, I would like to try Clinique's new High Lengths Mascara.

Clinique High Impact Lip Colour SPF 15 (in Red-y to Wear)
I love the classic 50's red lips. But ever since I learned that your bottom lip is extra sensitive for the harmful rays of the sun, I always make sure to check if the lipstick features a protective SPF. That's way I love the High Impact Lip Colour, especially in Red-y to Wear. But I remember trying on every color of the line during my time at Clinique, and they have some great colors (e.g. Cider Berry)! My sister for example is a huge fan of the In a Nutshell-color. My mom and aunt both use the plum and nude-tones.
I also love and use: Colour Surge Bare Brillance in Tropical Punch.
Want: Long Last Lipstick in Red Hot. Different Lipstick in Angel Red.

Occasionally I use a lip gloss, for instance during cold and harsh winter days. So I've got another Clinique Favorite: Full Potential Lips Plump and Shine (in Playfull Plump). When I don't feel like a shiny gloss, I protect my lips with Superbalm Lip Treatment.

When it comes to nail polish, I don't use Clinique since they don't manufacture it (nail polish is not suitable for some people: allergies!). And I also use a lot of different colors in my eye shadow. My favorite brands are Clinique for the daytime looks, and they're also ophthalmologist tested for contact lenses. If I want a more bold look for a late night party, I opt for M*A*C's Eye Shadow in Black Tied or Swimming and Shadestick in Sharkskin.

By the way, if you're a big fan of beauty blogs make sure to check the Peaches Tells You-blog. I love Katerina's tutorials!

Clinique Skin Care

The current weather conditions keep reminding me of how important and essential a good skin treatment is. And so, I finally got the chance to write a post about my daily routine, which -as I mentioned before- consists of using exclusively Clinique-products. Ever since I did my first internship at the brand's headquarters, my skin never looked better.

Although I am Italian, I have a very pale and sensitive skin type, so it's crucial that I use products fit my basic skin needs: sun protection and allergy tested. 

So this is how I start and end my day with; 

3 Step Skin Care

First I make sure to clean my skin properly. One of my favorite products is the Facial Soap-bar, since it makes my skin feel refreshed. At home I use the bar, yet since I travel so much back and forth to my dorm at university -I always leave the big bottles at home, and just refill the 'sample sized ones-, I always make sure to pack the liquid version. Next I exfoliate with the Clarifying Lotion. Even though I'm a skin type 2, when it comes to the exfoliator I use number 1 since it is more gentle for sensitive skins. Lastly, I moisturize with the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion, which suits its name perfectly. 

Once a week I scrub my skin with the 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula, because it's really important to remove dead skin regularly. Sometimes I add to that a mask. 

Pore Minimizer Refining Lotion

Before I started my internship, I always believed that it was impossible for a cream to reduce pores. Yet, I decided to give the Pore Minimizer a try and this serum-like lotion really makes a world of difference! Plus it makes my skin feel incredibly soft. 

Superdefense SPF 25 Age Defense Moisturizer

During my first internship at Clinique, I wrote a press release about the updated Superdefense-moisturizer. I really love its creamy texture and lightness, and I always take my jar with me in my carry-on luggage whenever I'm traveling, since it keeps my fairly dry skin hydrated at all times. More importantly, it helps your skin face everyday stress and pollution, which may cause your skin to age faster. But for me, the best feature of this products is that it protects my pale skin from the harmful rays of the sun (very very important for every skin type by the way)! I try to replace this product in the evening with Super Rescue Antioxidant Night Moisturizer, but I usually end up using the Superdefense again. 

All About Eyes

Again, before I started my internship I didn't use an eye cream on a regular basis. But when Clinique's Education Manager pointed out that it is crucial to start reducing fine lines underneath your eyes before the actual damage is done -'yes, even when you're only 22 years old' she said-, I've been applying a layer of this pinkish gel every single day. Plus, it's a must during exhausting exams. As you can tell from the picture, I need to head over the store the get me a new large jar, asap. 

Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief

I wish I could bathe in this gel! Moisture Surge actually feels as it is featured in its ad campaign; like a splash of water across your face, when you apply it. 

My boyfriend regularly asks me where I find the patience to apply seven different skin care products, every single day and night. But actually it only takes up a few minutes. And even if it took me a full half hour to apply all these creams, gels and lotions I would still be doing this, since your skin is an important part of your immune system and I also would like to age beautiful ... I therefor use make-up products that are equally protective and good for my skin. And so: next up - My Clinique Beauty Routine... 

Part of my daily Clinique-routine - Click to enlarge

Chanel Le Vernis - part II

Remember the Chanel nail polish I pre-ordered before / monday? Saturday I was visiting an Haute Couture-exposition, looking at some amazing Gabrielle Chanel-designs, when I got a call from the store; my order had arrived.

Today I picked up the two nail polishes and both pastel colors look stunning. The sales assistant did tell me that the Pop-up collection arrived in selected stores on Saturday and the few products of the collection sold out immediately, only moments after they put it on the display stand. So my advice; hurry up!

Later I will upload the pictures I took at the exhibit; Vintage Chanel, Dior, Balenciaga, Givenchy, Worth, Paul Poiret, Vionnet and more recent haute couture pieces by Jean Paul Gaultier and Elie Saab... I went mad. 

Bobbi Brown

Every spring, my boyfriend's family spends a weekend abroad and this year we all visited Den Haag, the political capital of The Netherlands. And like every year, my boyfriend and I fill one whole day with shopping. One department store I always visit when I'm in The Netherlands is De Bijenkorf, which has an amazing beauty department.

I finally got the chance to discover another great Estée Lauder Cosmetics' brand, Bobbi Brown. Since I needed a new foundation, I tried Bobbi Brown's Natural Finish Long Lasting Foundation SPF 15. And I must say I'm thrilled! Not only does it come in fairly pale shades, which suit my skin tone perfectly, immediately when you put it on your skin, the fresh and smooth feeling of the foundation gets through. Plus it protects my skin against the harmful rays of the sun, which came in handy the rest of the weekend.

I walked out with the '0 - Porcelain' shade and I can't stop bragging about the product. It's a keeper.