Signature Fragrance: Crystal Noir by Versace

Does "signature (insert anything)" sounds silly to you? I used to laugh about Chuck Bass' "signature scarf" a while back when Gossip Girl was only taking off. Now I wouldn't. The concept of having something that represents you at each and every situation, something that is so completely "yours" that you can't imagine your life without it - that has intrigued me. And if we have signature scarves, rings and even accents, why couldn't I have a signature fragrance?

Crystal Noir by Versace has become my go-to scent. To be honest, I cannot remember the last time I wore a different fragrance. I remember checking out Body Shop's "Dreams Unlimited" and hanging around Marc Jacobs counter for a while. I didn't buy anything because the bottle pictured above is my one and only fragrance love. I feel naked if I get outside the house without it!

Crystal Noir has a rather strong floral/oriental scent. People who love sweet, girly scents - stay away, this is probably not the fragrance for you, at least not for the day. I, however, find strong fragrances very appealing and this, as my nose happily told me, is the best of them all. I can wear it anytime. I do wear it anytime. Another plus? It's long-lasting. I don't like to carry a whole bottle of perfume around all the time, and now I don't have to.

This is The Fragrance. If I ever find anything better, I'll let you know. Until then... This is my signature scent. What's yours? Leave a comment below and tell me!

Review: Grace Cole Skin Care System

Guess what? I have been in search for a new skin care system, or at least a new, magnificent stand-alone product which could compete with my all-time favourite Clinique Three-Step Skin Care System. After more that two years of usage, it is time to say good-bye, as my skin has gotten used to it (insert a heart-breaking sob here). When it comes to skin care, I am rather picky, and that's why, for the next few months, I will most likely be testing and reviewing a ton of skin care products. Definitely follow my blog to get the latest updates on that.

Now, to the point. I recently bought a tea tree & witch hazel skin care system by Grace Cole, pictured below. It consists of three steps: a foaming facial was, a cleansing tonic and a softening moisturizer.

Facial Wash

Cleansing Tonic

Moisturizer

The packaging looked really nice and caught my attention but the biggest reason why I bought it (since i hadn't done any research) was actually my friends encouraging comments about the benefits of tea tree oil. "Anything that has some tea tree in it is amazing!" Okay, at least it had always worked for her. For the price tag of around only 15 euros for all three products, I was determined to try it.

When you open the packaging, the smell of these products might surprise you. I would suggest smelling them in the store before you buy, as the have a strong, refreshing scent not all people may like. Both the facial wash and the tonic are great products. They seemed rather gentle (which I like) and my skin felt instantly fresher. The moisturiser, though, was a complete shock to me. After I had washed of the tonic and waited a while, I applied it to my face. Three seconds later, I was desperate to get it off. While the facial wash and tonic had been gentle, this was a torture in a tin.

It hurt! It stung really badly, like no other skin care product had before. It could be that only my skin's reaction to that was overly dramatic on that particular day but I certainly will not be repeating the process to check. My skin is not very problematic as it is, and while the sting could have been a sign of the product working amazingly, I have no intention to move away from my lovely Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Gel. End of the story.

My verdict? The price is reasonable, and the packaging contains a lot of the product. However, I would steer clear of the moisturizer, or ask for a sample to try before purchasing, as it is quite impossible to predict your skin's reaction to it. For the days when my skin will be wanting something refreshing, these will be the products for me. The search for The Product still continues.

Have you tried this skin care system? What are your thoughts on it? If you have any suggestions, feel free to leave them in the comments below!

And don't forget: it's blog hoppin' time!

Blog Hopping Time!

 

It's time to spread the word! If you are a new blogger like me, blog hopping is a great way to get your blog out there and even make some new friends. I am definitely in. Are you?

You can find all instructions by clicking on the button above. Have fun blog hopping!

Eva

Review: Lush Cupcake Mask

 

Guess where I was on Friday afternoon? You are right! For the first time in my life, I checked out the Lush store. You might have already read a guest post I did for Lipstick Fridays blog about my first time at Lush. If you haven't yet, check it out to see what was my first impression!

In the above pictures, you can see my newest purchase, the famous Lush Cupcake Mask, intended for oily teenage skin, now proudly sitting in my refrigerator.

The first thing you notice about the product is that it smells absolutely amazing. If you are a fan of chocolate-y products, this will be your thing as it smells mostly like chocolate with a tiny hint of peppermint. It kind of smells like something you could eat, that's why I put a hot pink sticky note on it, saying, "Please don't eat". I wouldn't want any weird refrigerator situations!

The mask goes onto your face really smoothly. I got a tingly feeling after it was on for about 3 minutes but it was a good one. You are supposed to leave the Lush Cupcake mask on for 5 to 10 minutes. I went for about 6 as it was my first time using it. Just a tip: before applying any Lush or other new skincare products, try them out on your hand first. I have discovered an allergic reaction to some products this way, and I am incredibly glad that I didn't put them on my face!

Taking the mask off is a little bit more tricky. It came off but I would suggest keeping a toner or another facial wash around just in case. The mask is so good my face probably just didn't want to let it go!

Anyhow, what came afterwards? Incredibly good feeling, that's for sure. My skin felt instantly better, tighter and smoother. I actually saw that the size of my pores had decreased! Big points to Lush for that one.

The next morning though my skin was back to normal. Is it a drawback? Not necessarily. The feeling was incredibly good, and I would suggest using this mask before going out as for a few hours your skin will feel and look absolutely amazing. It does not have any long-lasting effect (at least not on my skin) but I still consider this a great product.

This is the start of my new Lush addiction. Probably the first step towards bankruptcy, too. What can I say? You impressed me, Lush! I can definitely recommend everybody to try the Lush Cupcake Mask, and I will most probably be repurchasing it myself. Smells so good.

What's your experience with Lush products? Have you tried Lush Cupcake Mask? Leave a comment and tell me about it!

Fun Workout Idea: Zumba Time!

What is the best way to get an energy boost and jump right into an absolutely awesome mood? A great workout of course! But tracking miles on the treadmill or going on and on with that stepper feels rather monotonous and dull to me and probably to you too. I have got a much more fun cardio workout idea for you which will also tone your whole body!

We met accidentally. I and my new friend Zumba, I mean. I was just looking around, checking out the new Jillian Michaels video. And there it was. My soon-to-be workout BFF Zumba Exhilarate DVD Experience set. I never would have though that the clumsy and uncoordinated me could ever like it. But I took a chance. And it paid off.

The full review of Zumba Exhilarate DVD Experience is still to come. I am still a beginner, trying to get through the Activate video. What I can say is, the first time I did it, I couldn't stop giggling. Firstly because I knew that I looked funny. I mean, belly dance, hip-hop, salsa and me? Who knew. And secondly because that workout basically made me do it. Made me. Hell, it didn't even feel like workout. It felt like a dance party. One of the instructors even admitted that she uses the Zumba moves in a nighclub sometimes. That's because the key word to this workout is fun. Fun, fun and more fun.

If you have a chance to buy this DVD or, even better, attend a real Zumba class, do it! You will get a great workout AND a big happy smile on your face. Remember, beauty isn't only about putting on foundation or eyeshadow. Being healthy is even more important. A big smile on a healthy and happy girl's face presents a new level of attractiveness, self-confidence and just pure awesomeness. Zumba can give you that if you take a chance and jump right into the mix of Latin dance styles.

What's your experience with Zumba? Leave a comment and tell me about it, and don't forget to follow my blog: soon enough, a full review of the DVD set mentioned above is coming, as well as a description of my first ever Zumba class. Ready to Zumba?

Mini-Haul: What Happens In Drugstores

"You know, you are my friend, you should not let me go near cheap eyeshadows."
"I can't let you near expensive eyeshadows either. No way."
"You can! That would at least guarantee they would turn out good."
"Nope. That would guarantee you going bankrupt."

I wasn't going to buy anything, I swear. It's just I like to experiment. Seriously, you can't let me near cheap eye shadows. The "what if" feeling shows up and I imagine finding a perfect champagne colour right there... How great it would look with my pink blush... As I was on a self-inflicted spending ban, I figured that checking out the drugstore would be much less harmful for my wallet and sanity than going straight to Chanel. This is what happened.

See? I have self-control! I didn't even touch those L'oreal lipsticks!

Since, I was in a serious and undeniable need of a new eyeshadow brush, this Ecotools Bamboo eyeshadow brush is now proudly sitting in my makeup bag. It has nice, soft bristles and for such a low price I would say it is really good.

 

This is my Essence eyeshadow, my second ever drugstore fail. My favourite eyeshadow base was not enough to keep it in place. It got all crumbly immediately and I hated the texture. Pretty colour and nice packaging, though - I might just keep it in my makeup drawer for that.

Yay! This is Bourjois Smoky Eye Shadow Kit, my new drugstore eyeshadow love. Maybelline still rocks but the intensity and quality of these shadows is really, really good for the price I paid. I will be repurchasing, and I recommend this product to anybody who hasn't tried it yet.

Have you tried any of these products? What's your experience with them? Please leave a comment below and tell me about it, I would love to hear!

Don't forget to follow my blog and my twitter for future updates! Thank you!

https://twitter.com/#!/EvaGoesFabulous

What Used to Be my Jewelry Case: A Pledge

What used to be my jewelry case is now... See for yourself.

Can I find anything in there? No.
Can I get any of my necklaces out without breaking at least one? No.
Do I at least no what is in there? Not really. I do have some vague memories though. It might come back to me. Wait for it.

Why did I write this post? To show you what an impossibly neat person I am? Sure, sure. No, for real, I want to make a pledge, and I want you to hold me accountable.

With this, I, Eva,, the author of this blog, earnestly pledge to get my jewelry in order and prevent the situation pictured above by finding a new method for jewelry storage. I also pledge to repair any damage done by the inevitable tearing and breaking apart process required to do the previously mentioned task.

Stop cruelty to jewelry.

Go check out your jewelry case - is it alright? I allow you to make fun of me about this in comments and show what a neat person you are. Seriously. Do it. I'm in a terrible need for inspiration.

With love,

Eva



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Jewelry Love: Silver Brooch

"Brooch". The word itself sounds very old, antique even. It makes me think of my grandmother. My new jewelry love is indeed something she might even consider wearing. It's not antique or even old, though. I like to think of this as something timeless.

Hey, don't say I am boring. I photographed what used to be my jewelry case for you; it's full of red and green and gold fun! But this is something that I would want to keep if all my other pieces of jewelry were taken away. It has this timeless and elegant feel to it, which I would not trade for anything else. While it's not generally suitable for wearing around on a daily basis, I once paired it with jeans and a blazer, and guess what? It got through the day with many compliments!

Beautiful, that's all I have to say.

Do you have your jewelry love? Is it something timeless and elegant, fun and colourful, or maybe something vintage-with-a-history? Tell me about it in comments - I would love to hear!

Loves: 5 Most Reached For Beauty Products

There are beauty items in my drawer which stand as monuments to the good old times when I thought that wearing an electric blue eyeliner and red nail polish on everyday basis would be nice. Would I throw them away? Never. Oops, let me correct that. I would, if I was faced with an unthinkable dilemma - choosing between them and the five beauty items which I reach for everyday - my beauty saviours, loves and addictions.

Dramatically Different Moisturising Gel by Clinique

 
I cannot say enough good things about his. I am Skin Type 3, and I have been using Clinique Skin Care System for about two years. While I jump on and off other two skin care products (the cleanser and the exfoliator), this has been a staple in my daily regimen the whole time. It moisturises my skin better than any other product I have ever used. This product dries quickly and leaves the skin feeling softer than I ever. Well, you got the point. I love it, and if there is one product I really recommend, this would be it. I wouldn't walk outside in this cold winter without it!


Crystal Noir by Versace

Yes, a fragrance is my beauty staple. And not any fragrance either. It has always been hard to find something that would feel really "me". When I smelled this one, it was a love from a first sniff, if I can put it that way. The ultra-feminine, rich scent is suitable for day but sophisticated enough for night. It is simply amazing, and it has already became my signature scent. I feel naked without it. It is my fragrance now.

High Impact Mascara by Clinique

I am a picky mascara girl. Anything fake looking draws me away in a second; anything too bland makes me turn away in disappointment. You may be starting to think I am a Clinique junkie but their High Impact Mascara has everything my perfect mascara should. I love the wand, I love the texture, I love the look. What else is there to say? If I have those 30 seconds to put it on, I don't leave the house without it!

ArtDeco Eyeshadow Base

I love to play with eyeshadow just like any other girl around. But you know what I don't like? Getting the glittery gold eyeshadow turn into a glittery gold... face shadow. This eyeshadow base keeps it in place and enhances the colour nicely. When I first tried it, I was amazed! My eyeshadow looked instantly better and when I looked in the mirror at the end of the day, it was still there.

L'oreal Waterproof Make-Up Remover

This was the first make-up remover I ever bought; this is the make-up remover that has managed to stay in my bathroom drawer since then. It does its job without a lot of fuss (or a big price tag). There is not much to say about it except that I have never had any problems with it. It works!

So how about you? I would love to hear your thoughts about these and other products that you have tried! Make sure to leave a comment and post a link to your blog! Haven't done this kind of post yet? I challenge you to, and remember to let me know how it goes!

Workout Idea: Mini Morning Workout For Battling Sleepiness

What are your mornings usually like? Do they start with a quick cup of coffee? Do you roll out of bed with your eyes still closed and try to figure out which the day of the week it is? I have got another idea for you. My Mini Morning Workout will wake you up - and guarantee an amazing start of your amazing day.

Don't just say "Mornings suck. I can't exercise in the mornings." You can. I have never been a morning exerciser myself.  The few times I tried it, I returned from my run in a bad mood and still kind of sleepy. The morning yoga routine plan? I hit the snooze button and never got around to doing it. The good news is that I have recently found the key to morning exercise even for those who despise mornings in general - namely, myself.

If you are not a morning exerciser, getting right into a rigorous strenght training morning routine will only bring you down. You may think that only a workout which gets you all sweaty and tired is a workout. Not true. Any exercise counts, and here we are talking more about getting your eyes wide open, getting those endorphins rushing through your system and giving an awesome kick start to your day. Sounds good? Read on for my little morning mix of yoga, strenght training and cardio which will take less than 15 minutes of your morning!

So this is what I do:

• Relax in Child's pose for one minute. This is the easiest way to stretch it out while your muscles are still sleepy and your mind is begging you to get back to bed.
• Rock the Downward Facing Dog for 30 seconds. This is the pose which energises me. For extra points, do this with one leg off the floor and up in the air.
• Spend another 30 seconds in Upward Facing Dog and feel the energy flowing - by this point your eyes should definitely be open.
• Pretend to do jumping rope for 30 seconds. If you have a real jump rope... Hey, I am jealous! Anyhow, nice little cardio there.
• Get into Plank pose and hold for 30 seconds.
• Do 20 small crunches. 
• Repeat the Plank and crunch part. Why? Doing one set of reps is no good! Doing more always rocks, by the way.
• Let's not forget our cardio. 30 second jump rope. Remember what it was like when you were just a kid?
• 10 push-ups with your knees on the floor. For all the tough ladies out there, do the military ones. And please, let me know how you got to the point of doing those.
• Do 20 dumbbell curls. Nice and easy, the dumbbell weight up to you. Just remember its an easy morning workout, okey?
• Repeat the push-ups and the dumbbells. Reason for that mentioned above.
• One nice move for our legs - the classic squat! Do 20 of those, rest for 10 seconds, and repeat.
• Upward Facing Dog
• Downward Facing Dog (more of that energy!)
• Relax  in Child's pose. Don't go back to sleep. By now, you are up and ready to go. I know it. You know it. Have a nice day!

If you want a serious-looking version of this (without my cheery comments and with detailed explanations how to do each exercise) let me know in comments.

This is my little morning miracle. It works for me. Better than that Caramel Latte, by the way. I have left the days of impossible morning sleepiness behind me. Now I am left with basic human sleepiness (quite understandable after a night of History papers and Chemistry lab reports) and something to look forward in the morning. Who knows, maybe one day I will turn into a morning exerciser. It's a big maybe, though.

How about you? Have you tried working out in the mornings? Share your experience and tips in the comments - I would love to hear from you!

Picture from http://www.bistromd.com