Brows: Quick and easy

* AD - Please note the product mentioned were gifted to me for a review by notino.co.uk

I’m the furthest thing from a brow expert. In fact, brows are my least favourite part of my makeup routine — they just feel daunting. That said, I actually enjoy testing brow products because there’s so much variety out there. And since I want the best results with minimal effort, I’m definitely picky.

Lately, drugstore brands have been quietly dropping a wave of new brow makeup launches, so I picked a couple that looked like they might make my life easier. Here’s what I found:

Maybelline Brow Mousse

Tinted gels have always been my go-to — just brush them on and done. At least, that’s the theory. In reality, most still need constant touch-ups or an extra pencil to fill in gaps.

But Maybelline’s brow mousse? Different story. The formula somehow makes my brows look fluffy and fills in sparse spots, no extra steps required. Plus, it holds them in place all day. I got the lightest shade — it’s cool-toned, perfect for blondes, and honestly exceeded my expectations. Right now, it might just be my favourite brow product: zero effort, great payoff. Perfect if you’re not into the whole “brow sculpting” thing.

L’Oréal Faux Brow Dual Pen

I’ve had my eye on this pen since it launched and finally caved. Both ends are super fine, so you can draw individual hairs that look surprisingly natural. And once it’s on, it’s on all day.

That said, it’s probably not for me. I don’t need that much filling in (the Maybelline mousse already covers me), so this pen feels a little redundant. But if your brows are on the thinner side, or you love that fuller, bushier look, this is a fantastic option. It comes in six shades — warmer than Maybelline’s, but that warmth makes sense for mimicking real hair.

L'oreal Paris - Panorama Mascara (Review)

AD - The product mentioned was gifted to me for a review. 

In the world of lip oils, glosses and tints, I did not expect to see any new mascaras from L'oreal Paris on the market anytime soon but to my surprise one of the L'oreal's big launches this year is another mascara (possibly as a recovery from the infamous mascara-gate lol). The mascara carries a majestic name - Volume Million Lashes Panorama promising a volume of million lashes. It comes in two colours, black and brown and I picked both to test as I like to have both colours handy. 

The Panorama mascara has a silicone wand with short and quite sharp bristles. I usually like this type of applicator the best but the bristles are a bit too harsh so the application is not very comfortable. My eyes are not irritated during the application but I can feel the bristles being a bit scratchy if that makes sense (keep in mind I wear contacts so my eyes are quite sensitive). That goes for both mascaras. Once applied, this mascara becomes the most comfortable eye product ever but more on that later.  

Both colours are quite dry which means there is less mess when applying - less smudges but I think we can assume the mascaras will dry quicker. On the other hand, at least we are forced to stick to an expiry date (I am 'as long as it does not smell bad' kind of gal but I am very strict when it comes to mascaras as my eyes are fairly sensitive).

Overall effect is subtle. To get any decent volume, I need to apply several layers which is fine because I feel like the dry formula and layering helps to prevent clumping of the lashes (yay!). I think the mascara goes well with the current trend of less intense looking lashes. 

As I already said, neither of the mascaras smudges and it sits comfortably the whole day. I have not cried in it yet (perhaps because I do not wear makeup when working most of the days lol) but the mascara is very much sweat resistant and lasts a whole day without any issues.

As much as the effect is nothing out of the ordinary, this mascara is extremely comfortable to wear. Most drugstore and even high-end mascaras start annoying my eyes after a few hours but this is not the case here and I really appreciate it. This aspect is more important to me than the overall effect and I would always pick more subtle mascara that doesn’t irritate my eyes over a mascara that makes me look like I have thick falsies on but makes me cry dark pigmented tears. 

Overall, it's not bad mascara but it's nothing revolutionary especially compared to L'oreal Lash Paradise (here is a recommendation for you if you like to stay faithful to the same brand). If I ever get my hands on this mascara again, I will happily use it but my favourites still are the YSL’s Lash Clash and Maybelline’s Sky High or already mentioned Lash Paradise from L’oreal.

Smashbox: Studio Skin Full Coverage Foundation

AD - This post was written in collaboratiob with Notino.co.uk

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have noticed I got married recently. For that occasion I have decided to do my own makeup rather than hiring a makeup artist for myself (if Kate Middleton could do her own wedding makeup, so can I). I do not regret my decision as I think it turned out well but it was challenging to pick the right products. Since I was getting married in a different country with a different climate, I had to gamble. Luckily, it all paid off.  

The biggest challenge was what foundation to use. I needed something that stays on the whole day looking perfect but also not being too heavy and making me look like I am wearing a mask. Moreover, waterproof makeup is a must at a wedding. 

Shade: 1.15 Fair light Warm & Peachy

Using the Studio Skin Full Coverage foundation from Smashbox was very much last minute decision. I used it the day before and realised this foundation covers everything, stays on perfectly the whole day and unlike Estée Lauder’s double wear foundation, it did not dry my skin out and did not feel too heavy. 

The foundation is very pigmented and only a few drops were needed to cover my whole face. And when I say cover, I mean really cover. It offers a matte finish but I can achieve a natural finish when using a glowy primer underneath. I usually skip a concealer when wearing this foundation as it is not really needed. Not only that, the foundation survived all my tears (it was very emotional day lol). 

The foundation comes in 30 ml tube and as I said, a little goes a long way. You can pick from 40 shades. 

I think I will bow be always fond of this foundation. After all, it ensured my wedding day makeup looked flawless the whole day. This was my first serous experience with Smashbox and I am very impressed. I cannot believe I am going to say this, but I would pick this foundation over the Double Wear in a heartbeat. And that's a big statement, so well done Smasbox!

L'oreal: Love Liberté

AD - Products were gifted <3

Better late than never. Valentine’s day is now in the past and yet I am here talking about Valentine’s day collection from L’oreal Paris. The thing is, Valentine’s day makeup collections are usually wearable and relevant all year long - kisses and love hearts are safe even in the middle of August unlike Christmas symbols such as Santa. 

I must admit I usually do not celebrate Valentine’s day as mine and my partner's anniversary is exactly one week prior so we usually have a small celebration then and just ignore Valentine’s. That does not mean I do not enjoy Valentine’s day collection fun (and that applies to make-up and the chocolate lol). There are loads of Valentine's gift sets but this time I decided to build my own. Firstly, I really wanted to try this collections and secondly, the Valentine's gift box in pink colour with red hearts all over it is just too pretty to ignore. 

Anyways this post was scheduled to be posted prior to Valentine’s day but something has happened just a week before. My boyfriend proposed and I said yes. I was overwhelmed with excitement to do anything but talk about the wedding so here we are talking about Valentine's makeup after Valentine's day. This collection is, however, so beautiful that you need it in your permanent collection for all year long. 

Love Liberté Lipsticks

This year L’oreal came up with probably the most beautiful design they ever produced. The packaging is gorgeous but the design of the lipstick steals the show. The hearts all over turn the an ordinary lipstick into a peace of art. 

The lipsticks come in three shades - nude (235 Nude), pink (112 Paris Paris) and red (125 Maison Marais). All thee of them are creamy and hydrating. The red and pink ones are well pigmented. The nude one offers a lovely colour, however, the pigment belongs to the sheer side as most nude lipsticks from L'oreal do. I don't think L'oreal has a good nude lipstick formula as this is not the first nude shade from this brand I am not too impressed with. However, the pink and the red shades are amazing. They are so rich and they last long (for a classic lipstick) as they leave a stain on the lips that does not move. 

The nude shade aside (that can be the lipstick for a display lol), I am pleasantly surprised. I am usually not the biggest fan of shiny creamy lipsticks and I am always worried, cream lipstick will get smudged. I am not going to lie, there is always a possibility of such an occurance with any creamy lipstick but in this case, you do not have to worry that the lippies will travel all over your face deliberately. 

The price is right, you could not ask for prettier packaging and the colours are beautiful.

Lash Paradise Love Liberté

This is not the first time I am talking about the iconic Lash Paradise mascara. It's one of my drugstore ultimate favourites and I keep recommending it together with Sky High from Maybelline. The mascara gives my lashes length and volume of fake lashes without looking fake if that makes sence. The bristles are gentle and the mascara does not irritate my eyes. 

MY FAVOURITE EYESHADOW PALETTES

Over the past few months or even years, I have become an eyeshadow palette collector (it sounds better than makeup hoarder lol). I am sure if covid did not happen, my collection would be smaller but hey.. retail therapy does work. Today, I would like to show you my favourite pieces from my collection.

Anastasia Beverly Hills x Amrezy

Although this is not the best quality palette on this list, it is my favourite due to its colours. I think they are very playful allowing me to experiment a little as well as create nice everyday looks. Palette offers countless combinations and it is composed of matte shadows, shimmer shadows, one holographic shadow and two glitters so there is really something for every occasion. The only downside is that some of the matte shades can be too powdery.

New in: Morphe

Buying makeup I don’t need whenever Morphe has a sale is a great weakness of mine. If I said I shop there at least every month it would be no understatement. 

This time I bought three lovely pieces - eyeshadow palette, blush palette and a foundation. All of it for only £22 because Morphe was offering 40% off sale items. What a bargain. 

The main reason I made this order was this stunning blush palette - 8C COOL PRO BLUSH palette.  Somehow I was low on a blush (who would believe I am low in stock on anything makeup related lol) and although there is a lovely Hourglass face palette waiting for me at home in the Czech Republic, who knows when will I be able to visit my family again. Until then I had to get something else and this palette was just screaming “buy me!”. 

I was also dying to try their Fluidity full coverage foundation although I have heard mixed reviews about this one. It offers full coverage and a matte finish and it is available in unbelievable 60 shades! And yes, somehow I did not pick the right one. Oh well. 

The last piece is this beautiful palette - 35M BOSS MOOD. If there is something I don’t need, it is more eyeshadow palettes but since it was nearly as much as postage I would have to pay if my order did not reach £20, it was no brainer - I added the palette to the order too. Not sure if I organise a giveaway or just give it to someone for my birthday.. or even keep it myself because it is actually really pretty. One way or another, it will not be wasted. 

MY FAVOURITE HIGH END FOUNDATIONS

Although I am still a huge fan of drugstore makeup, when it comes to foundations I prefer to use high-end products even tho there are some drugstore foundations in my collection. Let's take a look at some of my beloved high-end foundations I try to keep around at all times. 

Ačkoliv mám drogérku moc ráda, co se týká makeupů, mám raději luxusnější kousky (nutno dodat, že se ale nejedná o pravidlo). Dneska bych vám ráda ukázala mé oblíbené makeupy, které sice stojí ledvinu, ale já bych za ně i tak dala ruku do ohně.

Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear