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. 

Wishlist - Bobbi Brown Book

I know there is no chance that I'll find this item under our Christmas tree tonight, since no-one in my family, nor my boyfriend for that matter, knows that this book exists. But I really would love to have a copy of Bobbi Brown's Beauty Rules-book. And the Makeup Manual-book too.

At work, I got a sneak peak of what the books are all about and they are perfect for everyone, not just for make-up fanatics. I'm a huge fan of Bobbi Brown's foundations and since she has the best make-up tips and tricks, I'm pretty sure that this book is a must!

Be sure to check out Bobbi Brown's Learn-page before doing your make-up for your Christmas party tonight!

picture from BobbiBrowncosmetics.com

I recently got the Moisture Rich Foundation SPF 15 in 0 Porcelain and this superrich foundation is perfect for harsh weather conditions. Some foundation make cause your skin to dry out, especially during the winter but the Moisture Rich Foundation is the absolute best! My skin feels hydrated and soft, and looks flawless the whole day through. Belgium really needs its own Bobbi Brown-store asap.

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! 

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!

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.