Christmas Lipsticks - red shades

It's the season for bold red colors. I love me a bright red lip, but often feel the occasion is not right. Well, if not at Christmas when should I wear it. Here are my favourite red lipsticks. As I am cool-toned, most of my lipsticks have a blue undertone. For those yellow-based ladies out there, I can recommend this post by Vivianna does Makeup

Catrice "Red Butler" from the Hollywood's Fabulous 40s Limited Edition

A matte red lip with a blue undertone, really difficult to put on as you have to be really exact, but oh what a look!!

Chanel Rouge Coco "Arthur" 440

An orange red, quite a bright color, but not as opaque and very forgiving. An everyday red and that texture is just wow, well done Chanel - I need more of those!

Etude House "RD 302"

A red with a pink undertone, very bright as well and one of my lipsticks that really scream "Hello there!"Something I don't wear too often, but it is a wonderful color, a little drying texture, but that packaging is so worth it. Got it during my time in China, as it is otherwise not so easy to buy in Europe.

Catrice "Alluring Red" from the Metallure Limited Edition

Another Catrice limited edition. Not as opaque and very light on the lips, bleeds a bit, but is still such a pretty color. The packaging as well! You can see how much it has lost color as it has been a constant in one of my handbags!!

MAC "Ramblas Red" Amplified Creme Lipstick

My first red lipstick and my biggest love even today with a big collection of all kinds of lipsticks (it's still my only MAC!). A classic red for me with a blue undertone. It works so well with my skintone and will probably be my pick for this Christmas once again.

Catrice Ultimate Stay "Red Red Shine" 100

I love this lipstick range. Catrice is a drugstore brand, not a lot of their lipsticks work for me, but this range is BANG! I've got almost all shades at home and here are two red tones in my favourites. This first one, that is a very bright red lip. Like the name says a true red with some shine. Very pretty, but a little difficult to apply. Needs a little care, firm hand, prepped lips, but then it looks awesome!

Catrice Ultimate Stay "PassionRed" 080

This second one is a little more on the blue-pink side and is my favourite. I really think that it suits me so well. Very creamy to apply, forgiving on the lines, doesn't bleed and stays put for several hours. What more does a girl want - kiss proof. Well, no, it doesn't. I still have to find a great kiss proof red lip. Any suggestions?

Beauty - Top 3 Make up palettes

It has been a while since I posted my last beauty post, but that doesn't mean that I don't like make up anymore. I was once again inspired by Diana and her blog I need sunshine. She asked other bloggers to share some beauty favourites. This time it is make up palettes, my absolute favourite topic to date!!

I actually have to say that I only have 6 palettes at home, so picking the 3 favourites wasn't so tricky, but it is still a topic that I have hoped to share for a while. I often step away from buying palettes as they generally don't fit my needs. I do appreciate sparkly shades, but also use some matte tones for the outer corners and it has been quite difficult to find good palettes that fit all those needs. The 3 pieces that I picked also rather stand for the brand and a lot of their palettes in general.

3rd runner up - Sleek Vintage Romance

It was one of my first palettes and I am still totally in love with the color scheme, the intensity of the shades and the quality in general. Sleek is one of my favourite brands when it comes to high pigmented shades (and blushes as well). I don't like a lot of their color combinations in the palettes though. Often I like only some and the others would be unused. That's the main reason why I haven't bought more than two (the other one is Storm).

2nd runner up - Urban Decay Naked 3

I have been eying this palette from the moment I spotted it on Instagram in Fall 2013. It was the perfect palette for me. Rose and golden tones, subtle colors and the raved about quality. Some time in Spring 2014, I finally bought this beauty and have used it all the time ever since. I do love most of the shades. I have some issues with Dust and Trick as they give quite some fallout when applied dry, but of course they are beautiful. Blackheart is the darkest shade and I just rarely have the need for such a deep tone. I've almost hit the pan with some tones already, I guess that says it all! I also own the Naked Basics 2 and am still thinking about the original Naked palette, BUT I recently discovered my number 1 and this might actually make the Urban Decay palettes unneeded.

1st - Makeup Revolution Naked Chocolate 

I recently read about Makeup Revolution, a low budget makeup company that has managed to launch several palettes that are great dupes for bigger brands. I do love me a good original, but when I can get something a little cheaper with similar quality, I do try it out. I think the Naked Chocolate palette should be a dupe for the Too Faced Chocolate Bars. They are not easily attainable in Europe and this cheap version really does the work just fine for me. The first palette where I have used and love ALL shades. That says something about the product. Since buying it in January, I've rarely used other shades.

Also check out the other participants over at Diana's blog or still share your own choices there or here with me. Any tips for my next palette?

Beauty - Travel Essentials

When I travel somewhere, I often try to minimize my beauty products down to the essencials. I got a small travel bag for weekend getaways that is filled with small sample-sized products. For a longer trip that often is too little and when travelling with Mr.B, I pack things that he could use as well. Most of these things worked really well during our last trip and I can really recommend them to you. Of course, some of these products are German brands, but I guess you could get an equivalent in any country.

Face

Sundance Mattierendes Sonnenfluid(DM Drogeriemarkt)

It's a good face fluid and works fine for me and Mr.B. We both like to protect our face with an extra product as we otherwise tend to get break outs when using normal sun screen on our facial skin. We will finish this one, but probably won't buy it again, as I found my holy grail (see bottom picture) and Mr.B likes it as well.

Avène Eau Thermale Thermal Spray (Pharmacy or Amazon)

Thermal water is good for your skin and this water spray is nice and refreshing for the flight, but also during our stay. It gives a fresh feeling for dry skin and also cools you down in the heat.

Sun glasses!

Body

Sundance Sport Sun cream Gel SPF 30 (DM Drogeriemarkt)

Very good sun screen and it is the sporty gel version that gets absorbed by your skin quickly, doesn't leave stains, is waterproof and works also for sports activities. We plan on going snorkeling and don't want to apply sun screen every 5 min. This worked really well during our last trip. Sadly it seems to be discontinued, but we still got 2 tubes for this upcoming trip.

Sun Care Après Lotion (Kaufland Discounter)

We've been searching for a good Après Lotion for ages. Most of them have alcohol as a main incredient and that just hurts when applying it to a sun burn or our sensitive face skin. This version has alcohol in it, but not as much as others. We'll test it out as moisturizing after a day in the sun is essential

Hair 

Tangle Teaser 

This is an every day essential for me, but I definitely need it most during the trip where the water will turn my hair into a tangled mess. I can never brush my hair in a wet state without one of these! I also got a nice small travel size with a cover.

Dove Oil Care Nährpflege Detangling Spray

It is a leave in spray that you put into washed hair. It helps detangling and revitalizes dry hair.

Moroccan Argan Oil (TkMaxx or Amazon)

I use this oil for the ends of my hair. The sun and water strain my hair and I just use this to give the ends some extra moisture. It definitely helps keeping them healthy. I also use it for a while after I return home to continue the treeatment.

Eucerin mattifying Face Sun Fluid SPF 50+* (Pharmacy or Amazon)

This is something really special. I have been part of a group testing the new facial sun products by Eucerin and have used it throughout the summer, also in China. It has been amazing and worked wonders even with all the sun and heat in China. I got no sun burn, only very little new freckles and it worked really well even as a make up base. See the summary of the test on the Blog MagiMania. BTW, you can also read my comment there under "Einige Kommentare" - The first one about the Fluid 50+! I can't recommend this enough, I will not go without it during the summer ever again.

*PR Sample

Beauty - Top 3 Autumn Nails

Time is running this year. It seems like yesterday that I made my way to China and spent most of the summer there working as a teacher. Now it's already October and  in a couple days I am  going to be on my way to Egypt, spending my Autumn holidays there. As I am packing my suitcase, I am using the time to pack away most of my summer clothes that I won't need for the trip and make room in my closet for all my lovely Autumn and Winter pieces. I am actually really getting into the mood for Fall. What better time to show you some of my favourites for the upcoming colder season!

I am once again participating in Diana's Top 3 round up over at I need sunshine, this time on Autumn nails!

The China Glaze nail polishes have interested me for a long time. I read a lot of great reviews about them and decided to order some. The bright red "Ruby Pumps" is still one of my favourites and the color will also be great for the Christmas season.

I still love my mint and turquoise nail polishes. Mint Candy Apple will be on my nails during my time in Egypt, but this beauty here, "Naughty Nautical" by Essie is the one color I am transitioning from Summer to Autumn. Can't let go of those brights just yet.

My total favourite for Fall is the Essie Nail Polish "Bahama Mama". It has been on my wish list for ages and I finally got around to buying it. Perfect for any occasion and such a lovely burgundy color.

What are your favourite nail polishes for Fall? Share them here or on the round up!

Beauty Top 3 - Favourite Spring Blushes

I am a big fan of decorating cosmetics and during the last years my blush collection has been growing these past days. I frequently change up the colors and started using different textures. Now during the Spring months, my color favourites have changed up a bit and I would love to share them with you.

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Ich bin ein großer Fan von dekorativer Kosmetik geworden und in den letzten Jahren hat sich so einiges angesammelt. Ich wechsel mittlerweile öfter meine Farbwahl und vor allem während der Frühlingsmonate wechsel ich zu etwas helleren und leichteren Farben.

I also take part in another round of Top 3 over at I need sunshine with this post. Here are my 3 favourites, which are also all currently available in the drup stores. They all belong to LEs and hopefully you can still grab one for yourself. 
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Ich mache dieses Mal wieder bei der Top 3 Runde, für die Frühlingsblushes, mit. Meine Favoriten stammen alle samt aus Limited Editions, sind aber recht aktuell und deshalb solltet ihr die meisten trotzdem noch in euren Drogerien finden können.

3rd place

This lovely blush from the Catch the Glow LE is a very nice golden peach color. "Beach Beauty 01" is very similar to my rose gold Sleek blush, but it is a more subtle color with less golden shimmer. I could see this used as a highlighter as well during the summer months!

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Das schöne Rouge auf dem 3.Platz ist aus der Catch the Glow LE und hat eine tolle goldene Pfirsischfarbe. "Beach Beauty 01" ist meinem Rose Gold Sleek Blush sehr ähnlich, aber es ist etwas leichter und sieht auf dunkler Haut sicher wie ein goldener Highlighter aus. 

2nd place

The look of "Sweety 01" was too cute and I just couldn't resist this blush-bronzer-highlighter combination. It's part of the first LE by the restyled Rival de Loop Young collection and was part of the Cupcake Collection LE.  The colors work well on their own, but I normally use it all together. The blush is a nice, rich pink and the bronzer stripe gives enough color to sunkissed. The highlighter brings a little rosy shimmer. One swipe with the brush is enough for each cheek. I recommend to check the coloring of the brush first to avoid a stripe look on the cheeks. Best part of the deal - a brush and mirrow are hidden in the bottom layer. Perfect for travelling!

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Das Aussehen des "Sweety 01" war so niedlich, dass ich ihn einfach mitnehmen musste. Es ist eine Rouge-Bronzer-Highligher Kombination, die in der Rival de Loop Young Cupcake Collection LE erschienen ist. Die Farben funktionieren allein gut, aber ich nutze sie gern zusammen. Das Rouge ist ein kräftiges Pink und der Bronzer gibt genug Farbe ab, um sonnengeküsst auszusehen.Der Highlighter bringt einen zusätzlichen rosigen Schimmer. Ich empfehle euch, den Pinsel zuerst mal anzusehen, sonst seht ihr später streifig aus. Das beste sind der Spiegel und der Pinsel in der unteren Schublade. Perfekt fürs reisen.

1st place

My absolute favourite hasn't left my cheeks since I got it a couple of days ago. I love these blush pearls. The "iRosedescent" pearls are part of the Haute Future LE by Catrice and it contains rosé and light pink pearls that give the cheeks a wonderful rosé look. Very fresh and perfect for Spring. The pearls first looked very dense and I was afraid that they wouldn't dispense enough color. I used the advice from the packaging and took my Art Deco blush brush. It worked fine, but I would recommend a dense brush. Later I changed things up and now use a very dense blush and powder kabuki. Both colors were layered and I first had to mix them up to get a nice color combination. Now the pearls give the same amount of pink and pearl color. The dense brush might be a bit harsh on the pearls as the first ones start to crack, but that doesn't change the color, which I love. I like the texture of the pearls and now would like to try the Guerlain pearls as well!

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Mein absoluter Favorit ist derzeit kaum noch von meinen Wangen wegzudenken. Ich liebe die "iRosedescent" blush pearls aus der Haute Future LE von Catrice. Sie sind rosé und hellpinke Perlen, die sehr schöne rosige Wangen zaubern. Am Anfang war ich etwas verängstigt, weil die Perlen sehr fest aussehen, aber mit einenmRougePinsel (wie auf der Packung empfohlen), meiner ist von Art Deco, bekommt man relativ schnell Farbe auf die Wangen. Jetzt benutze ich einen sehr harten Pinsel und der scheint die Perlen ein wenig zu zerdrücken, aber nimmt die Farbe noch besser auf. Nach diesem Versuch würde ich nun super gern die Guerlain Puderperlen ausprobieren, da ich die Perlentextur sehr gern mag.

Do you have any favourites for Spring!? Let me know in the comments. Would love to try your recommendations! BTW: The lighting was really bad, but I hope you can see something on the bottom picture. The swatches: 

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Habt ihr Favoriten für den Frühling? Schreibt mir eure Tipps in den Kommentaren. Ich muss mich für das schlechte Licht bei den Swatches entschuldigen, aber hier sind sie trotz allem:

Left: "Sweety" - Pink, Bronzer & Highlighter
Top right: "Beach Beauty"
Bottom right: Light and dark Pearls "iRosedescent"

Beauty Top 3 - my Spring Lipsticks

It's once again time for a Top 3 of my favourite beauty products. This time, Diana of I need sunshine asked us to share our favourite Spring lipsticks and here are mine!

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Es ist mal wieder Zeit für eine Top 3 meiner Beauty Favoriten. Diesmal hat Diana uns gebeten, unsere Lieblings-Frühlingslippenstifte zu teilen und hier ist meine Auswahl.

Astor Soft Sensation Lipcolor Butter 015 "Cheeky Cherry"

This is my colorful choice. I have been wearing a lot of berry colors these past winter months and I still love them, but I need a little fresh pink this season.

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Das ist meine farbige Wahl. Ich habe in den letzten Monaten viele beerige Farben getragen und ich liebe sie noch immer, aber für den Frühling ist mir nach frischem Pink.

Essence longlasting lipstick 13 "Love me"

This fresh apricot lipstick is brand new in the Essence collection. I already own 2 other ones and love the texture and color choices. The apricot has a little rosé touch and looks so fresh and totally feels like Spring. I have been wearing it non-stop these past days as it gives my face subtle color.

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Dieser frische aprikosenfarbene Lippenstift ist ganz neu in der Essence Kollektion. Ich habe noch 2 andere Farben und liebe die Textur und Farben. Das Aprikot hat einen rosigen Touch und sieht wunderbar frisch aus. Ich trage ihn non-stop seit mehreren Tagen und es gibt meinem Gesicht so eine schöne Farbe.

Catrice LE Urban Baroque C03 "Victoria"

This is an old favourite and was my perfect better than nude tone last summer. I now use my MUA power pout more often, but it is still one of my pretty nude tones and I will try to use it more this spring. Sadly it was a LE, but I think it can be duped easily, maybe with one of the Essence longlasting lipsticks. 04 "On the catwalk" or 07 "Natural Beauty" look quite similar.

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Das ist ein alter Favorit und war meine perfekter "besser als Nude" Ton im letzten Sommer. Ich trage jetzt den MUA power pout häufiger und vernachlässige dieses Schätzchen. Es ist trotzdem einer meiner schönen Nude Tönen und werde ihn im Frühling etwas mehr tragen. Leider ist es ein LE Lippenstift, aber ich glaube man kann ihn durch einen Essence longlasting lipstick ersetzen. 04 "On the catwalk" oder 07 "Natural Beauty" sehen sehr ähnlich aus.