Travel

7 of My Favorite Affordable European Makeup Products

June 29th, 2016 by Carolina Braina 24 Comments

Best Affordable European Makeup — Some of my favorite (affordable) European makeup

Europe definitely has a lot to offer the international traveler. I mean, so many different countries and cultures concentrated in a relatively small area…

But visiting a dozen countries in a month can get extremely expensive, so what’s a beauty lover to do? Pass on the makeup shopping??

Of course not!

On the good ol’ continent, you can find lots of top quality products that cost less than a latte.

Here are my top recommendations!

1. Catrice Defining Blush in 040 Think Pink (€3.99)

If someone made me try the Catrice Defining Blush in 040 Think Pink after having depotted it, I’d for sure think it was a high-end blush.

I swear, I’d bet my entire makeup collection on it! It’s that good.

Creamy and not in the least bit powdery, nicely pigmented but easy to blend, and long-lasting, too.

Oh, and here’s the best part: it’s only €3.99!

2. Catrice Camouflage Cream in 010 Ivory & 020 Light Beige (€3.49)

If you’re blessed with oily skin and occasional hormonal spots like this mama, then you’ll know that liquid concealers just don’t last.

To cover up those angry red zits and the marks they usually leave behind, I think it’s much better to use a dry-texture concealer.

In my opinion, the Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage ($35) is the best in this category, but Catrice’s Camouflage Cream comes in a close second, and it’s just a fraction of the price.

Should you ever spot a Catrice stand during your European adventures, make sure you put your paws on this fantastic concealer.

3. Essence Long-Lasting Eye Pencils in 01 Black Fever & 02 Hot Chocolate ($2.49/€1.99)

Ok, I know that you can get Essence at Ulta these days, but wouldn’t it be cooler to pick up something from this affordable German brand after admiring the majestic Cologne Cathedral or visiting the breathtaking Neuschwanstein Castle?

My first recommendation would be the Long-Lasting Eye Pencils in 01 Black Fever and 02 Hot Chocolate, because I mean, who doesn’t need black or brown eyeliner?

These glide on super easily and last amazingly well both on the waterlines and lashlines.

4. Essence Sun Club Matte Bronzing Powder in 01 Natural – Blondes/Lighter Skin ($4.99/€4.99)

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The Best in Beauty From the Boot, Vol. 11: MADINA Milano

May 19th, 2016 by Carolina Braina 17 Comments

MADINA Milano Italian Makeup — Wearing MADINA Exact Color Bronzer all over my face and neck, MADINA Crystal Glass Powder on my forehead and sides of the nose, MADINA Crystal Glass Bronzer in the classic 3 shape, MADINA Chic & Shine Highlighting Stick on my cheekbones, and MADINA Exact Color Lipstick on my lips

You know that feeling when you fall so madly in love with someone that you wonder how you survived for so long without them? Well, it’s the exact same feeling I had when I recently tried MADINA Milano’s makeup for the first time!

The products that have stolen my heart include Pat McGrath’s favorite highlighter and a lipstick that looks good enough to eat…

Are you intrigued?

Just keep reading, then! 😉

MADINA Exact Color Bronzer (€10/$11.37)

OK, I don’t know how it does it, but the MADINA Exact Color Bronzer makes my complexion look so much better without having any actual coverage. When I apply it all over my face and neck, it gives me the most gorgeous sunkissed glow that doesn’t pull orange AT ALL, while it makes my skin look smoother and keeps it shine-free longer.

As if that weren’t enough, it also acts as some sort of tinted primer by making my foundation go on so much more easily.

I’m telling you, gurl, this is Holy Grail status.

MADINA Crystal Glass Powder (€16/$18.20)

The MADINA Crystal Glass Powder is actually not a powder, but I guess it’s called that because you can use it on top of your makeup like you would a finishing powder.

It’s basically just pure silicone that you can either use as a primer or on top of your base to minimize the look of pores and fine lines. I personally like to pat it on after foundation using the flat side of my dry Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. I don’t use it on a daily basis, but for special occasions it really works wonders!

MADINA Crystal Glass Bronzer (€16/$18.20)

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The Best in Beauty From the Boot, Vol. 10: puroBIO cosmetics

May 17th, 2016 by Carolina Braina 20 Comments

puroBIO cosmetics Organic Italian Makeup — Wearing the puroBIO Eyeshadow Palette in 002 Fallen Tones on my eyes, and the puroBIO Smoothing Mattifying Primer for Oily Skin, the puroBIO Indissoluble Compact Powder in 01, and the puroBIO Resplendent Matte Bronzing Powder in 01 on my complexion

Organic makeup lovers, this one’s for you: I have a real treat for you today!

I’m talking about an Italian brand called puroBIO cosmetics, a range that features only organic-certified, vegan-approved makeup products that retail for very reasonable prices.

Wanna see my top picks?

puroBIO Indissoluble Compact Powder in 01 (€9.99/$11.40)

If you only get one product from puroBIO, the Indissoluble Compact Powder should be it! Thanks to its extremely finely milled texture and non-powdery finish, it’s earned itself a spot in my everyday makeup bag.

puroBIO Resplendent Matte Bronzing Powder in 01 (€9.99/$11.40)

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The Best in Beauty From the Boot, Vol. 9: A Face of the Day with Giorgio Armani Beauty

May 13th, 2016 by Carolina Braina 18 Comments

Armani Lip Maestro 400 The Red Eyes To Kill Intense Eyeshadow 5 Gold Blitz — Wearing Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro in 400 The Red on my lips, and Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Intense Eyeshadow in 5 Gold Blitz on my eyes

Let’s do something a little different today, shall we?

I’ve only ever tried two products from the Giorgio Armani Beauty range, which is definitely not enough to write one of my usual brand spotlight posts. Those two products are so good, though, that I feel like I can’t not somehow tell you about them.

I’m talking about the Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro in 400 The Red and the Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Intense Eyeshadow in 5 Gold Blitz. They’ve been around for years now, but if you’ve never tried them before, here’s what you’ve been missing out on.

Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro in 400 The Red ($38)

I think the Giorgio Armani Lip Maestros were the first lipsticks in liquid form I’d ever heard of, but they couldn’t be any more different from the moisture-sucking liquid lipsticks we’re so used to seeing these days.

The Lip Maestros are so creamy, and comfy, and lush…

Applying shade 400 The Red on my lips feels like coating them in the softest velvet drape, if that makes any sense… It really makes me understand what a ‘velvet finish’ truly is. Besides, its amount of sheen and point of red are just right.

Honestly, gurl, I think this lipstick is pure perfection.

Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Intense Eyeshadow in 5 Gold Blitz ($35)

Speaking of pure perfection…

Aside from the hefty price tag, there’s nothing less than perfect about the Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Intense Eyeshadow in 5 Gold Blitz. It is the creamiest, most pigmented, easiest to blend eyeshadow I’ve ever tried.

Its gorgeous metallic finish makes your lids look like they’re coated in golden foil – a look they keep for hours, and hours, and hours…

For today’s face I’ve applied 05 Gold Blitz on my mobile lids with my finger and blended it out past the crease with a MAC 217 Blending Brush. Then I’ve applied it along my lower lashlines with a MAC 219 Pencil Brush and diffused the edge with ZOEVA’s 231 Luxe Petit Crease brush.

Other products used for this look include:

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The Best in Beauty From the Boot, Vol. 8: PUPA Milano

April 29th, 2016 by Carolina Braina 22 Comments

PUPA I'M Lipstick 405 Electric Fuchsia PUPA Vamp! Mascara — Wearing PUPA I’M Lipstick in 405 Electric Fuchsia on my lips, and PUPA Vamp! Mascara on my lashes

Hi everyone, I’m back with a new installment of the one where I show you my favorite makeup brands from this boot-shaped country of mine, AKA Italy. I have to admit that I’m really enjoying playing the Virgil to your Dante while we travel through the Italian beauty heaven! 😉

Today we’re talking about PUPA Milano, a mid-range brand that can be found in lots of beauty and department stores across Italy.

One of my earliest memories about PUPA is this makeup set that one Christmas, many moons ago, made me a very happy middle school girl. The Milan-based cosmetic company used to be very famous for that type of sets. Well, it actually might still be, but I’m too old to know! #soontobe30 ?

These days, it’s their more ordinary creations, like the ones I’m showing you today, that make me one very happy girl!

PUPA I’M Lipsticks in 301 Poppy & 405 Electric Fuchsia

Pupa Milano I'M Lipstick 301 Poppy Swatch — PUPA I’M Lipstick in 301 Poppy

Pupa Milano I'M Lipstick 405 Electric Fuchsia Swatch — PUPA I’M Lipstick in 405 Electric Fuchsia

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The Best in Beauty From the Boot, Vol. 7: KIKO Milano

April 20th, 2016 by Carolina Braina 31 Comments

KIKO Milano Italian Makeup — It’s KIKO time! 🙂

The grass is always greener on the other side, isn’t it?

Well, it’s actually not always greener on the other side, but I think it’s human nature to want what we don’t have and take for granted what we do have.

Look at me for example: I always lust after makeup products I don’t have access to, but often ignore those I have within easy reach.

You know, like, KIKO stores here in Italy are literally everywhere, and I can easily walk past them without even entering (sometimes, LOL). But if, say, a ColourPop store magically appeared in my local mall, I’d get as excited as when I heard there would be a Gilmore Girls revival on Netflix (any fellow fans out there?). That is, super. Freaking. Excited. Bordering hysterical. 😉

Which, you know, is totally unfair to KIKO, since they actually make some truly kick-*ss products, like the ones I’m showing you today, for example. Definitely worth getting very excited for!

KIKO Gossamer Emotion Creamy Lipsticks in 106 Mauve & 117 Papaya ($12)

KIKO Gossamer Emotion Creamy Lipstick 117 Papaya 106 Mauve — If you click the golden button at the top, the tube comes out the bottom… NICE!

KIKO Gossamer Emotion Creamy Lipstick 106 Mauve Swatch — KIKO Gossamer Emotion Creamy Lipstick in 106 Mauve (which to me doesn’t look mauvy at all)

KIKO Gossamer Emotion Creamy Lipstick 117 Papaya Swatch — KIKO Gossamer Emotion Creamy Lipstick 117 Papaya

The gorgeous packaging is what first drew me to the Gossamer Emotion Creamy Lipsticks, but I was delighted to find out that the formula is not half bad either. Their texture is creamy in a non-slippery way, so that they’re comfortable on the lips, but you don’t need to worry about getting lipstick all over your face and teeth.

Shades 116 Mauve and 117 Papaya are nicely pigmented and pretty long-lasting, but I’ve heard that some colors (the range features 30!) are sheerer and have a shorter wear time than others.

Actually, now that I think of it, I also have 130 Black, which I used for my 2015 wearable Halloween look, and it definitely is sheerer. And, by the way, if you want to go black (or any other very dark shade) on the lips, I’d recommend opting for a matte formula, so that you don’t need to worry about it smearing or getting on your teeth. Just saying…

KIKO Flawless Fusion Bronzer in 03 Cinnamon ($18)

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The Best in Beauty From the Boot, Vol. 6: Collistar

April 15th, 2016 by Carolina Braina 9 Comments

If I had to choose the ultimate beauty brand to represent Italy, I’d definitely pick Collistar. I don’t know if that’s because they have been around (and popular) as long as I can remember, or because of how they’ve really been highlighting their “Italian-ness” over the last few years through their Ti Amo Italia (I love you, Italy) marketing campaigns. All I know is that Collistar just screams “Italy” to me.

It’s a high-end brand, and they make literally everything from makeup, to skin-, body-, and hair care. I think their biggest strength is being able to offer high quality products at a reasonable price (think Clinique’s price range).

Their limited editions are always beautifully interesting, but in their permanent lineup you can find lots of unmissable products, as well. Let’s have a look at a few of my favorites! 🙂

Collistar TWIST Ultra-Shiny Eyeshadow in Bronze

Collistar TWIST Ultra-Shiny Eyeshadow in Bronze is my all-time favorite eyeshadow to use in the summertime. It gives lids the most beautiful wet-looking wash of caramel color, and it’s so, SO amazing!!! If you don’t believe me, check out this picture I posted on my Instagram last summer… Not bad, eh?

If you can get your hands on this fantastic little stick, remember that you have to apply a thin layer over primer and buff it in with your finger; otherwise, it’ll crease pretty easily and you’ll end up hating it, while it just deserves to be loved with a passion! 😉

Collistar Graphic Eyeliner in 3 Valeria Blue

If you have brown eyes and you’ve never used blue liner, you’ve been totally missing out! Blue eyeshadow can be tricky to use sometimes, but I feel like you just can’t go wrong with liner. It will bring out your iris color without being too over the top.

I always get compliments on my eyes and makeup whenever I wear Collistar Graphic Eyeliner in 3 Valeria Blue. The color is an amazingly vibrant cobalt blue, while the formula is opaque, easy to use and long-lasting.

I highly recommend it if you’re looking for something other than black to mix things up a little!

Collistar TWIST Ultra-Shiny Gloss in 207 Coral Pink

I think this TWIST Ultra-Shiny Gloss is one of the most user-friendly lip products I own. The twist-up stick means that it’s very convenient to apply and just pop in your purse for touch-ups, AND it contains hyaluronic acid and procollagen to help lips stay nicely hydrated.

Its coral pink hue and juicy finish make it ideal to use in the warmer months.

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What’s in My (Very Streamlined) Travel Makeup Bag

April 12th, 2016 by Carolina Braina 24 Comments

Picture a 19th-century noblewoman waiting to board a steamer bound for faraway lands.

Can you see her? Standing there on the dock surrounded by wardrobe trunks and chest cases containing all of her earthly possessions?

You can?

Awesome. Because she looks exactly like I did up until a few years ago whenever I traveled anywhere. 🙂

Yep! I used to pack sooo much stuff, “just in case,” but those “cases” rarely happened, and I’d usually come home with half of the things I brought still untouched.

Thankfully, possibly because I discovered the joy of traveling with only my carry-on bag, I’ve finally learnt how to streamline and pack the bare minimum.

Travel Makeup Bag — The things in my (very streamlined) travel makeup bag

Case in point: I just spent a few days in Edinburgh, Scotland, and only brought along a minimal makeup stash (at least by a beauty lover’s standard).

I knew I wouldn’t want to waste the little time I’d have to explore the city on my weekend away doing my makeup, so I streamlined my beauty arsenal.

Edinburgh Castle Scotland — Hello from Edinburgh Castle! 🙂

Would you like to have a look inside my travel makeup bag?

Foundation: Chanel Perfection Lumière Velvet

With its matte yet luminous finish, I ❤ Chanel Perfection Lumière Velvet foundation every day of the year, but its plastic packaging makes it especially convenient for traveling.

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