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June 30, 2012

essence Ready For Boarding lip & cheek creme

Hey everyone!

I hope you are all doing well. I am surely, I finished my junior year today and and am now officially on my six weeks of summer break! My certificate was a very good one, so I treated myself to some bits and pieces in my favorite stores after school (you can see a photo on my instagram).


I picked up this cream blusher from essence's Ready for Boarding LE, a limited edition full of travel- or respectively airplane-friendly products. This blush is actually my first splunge into the wide ozean of cream blushes and so far I would say I might really get into this texture!

June 28, 2012

School to Summer TAG!

Hey everyone!

I was really in the mood for completing a tag today and so I searched youtube for a summer related one. I saw that Kristee aka StrawberryElectric48 had done the "School to Summer TAG' and I found this to be perfect for me. She tagged everyone to do it, so here are the questions and my answers to them:

1.) What grade did you just complete?

I just finished 11th grade in high school (junior year).

2.) What classes did you take?

I took German and English (both 5 periods), then Calculus, French, Chemistry and Political Education (all 4 periods each). I also took Arts, PE, Religious Education and Seminar Course (all 2 periods each). The latter is a class where you learn how to properly make presenations, prepare essays and other useful things like that.

3.) What advice would you give to someone going into this grade next year?

Work hard! Junior year has been the toughest grade for me so far, and my advice is really to stay focused on school and to put everything else back. Junior and senior year are probably the most important ones to your career, and I promise you will regret it if you didn't do anything for school but went out partying all the time. Oh and also make sure to stay organized, keep all your papers because you will need them for revising for your final exams!

4.) When did/do you get out for summer break?

I'm getting out for summer break tomorrow which makes me really excited! I'm facing six weeks for relaxing, holiday and generally doing everything that I want to. Well-needed after this tough school year :)

5.) Are you going on any vacations this summer? Where?

I'm going on a one-week vacation with my family in my third week of summer vacation and I'm already looking forward to it! We rented a really cute vacation apartment by the seaside in Northern Germany, the town we're living is just beautiful. Besides, I may or may not go on a few day trips to bigger cities, but I don't know yet.

6.) My favorite part about summer is...

Getting to live in the day. I neither have to get up at 5.30am nor is my day scheduled in any way (except for meeting friends or certain appointments for sure). I can do whatever I want to and when I want to do it. Pure freedom!

7.) Do you have any goals you want to reach by the end of the summer?

I definitely want to read a few good books, finish all seasons of Pretty Little Liars and also do some DIY projects. I'm obsessed over selfmade bracelets on Pinterest at the moment, so I really want to do that. I just want to get a bit creative and make sure that I really have a great time!

8.) Are you going to any concerts or other fun events?

I actually haven't planned that out yet. But I would really love to go to an outdoor movie screening!

9.) Who do you tag?

All of you, of course! And if you do this tag, please send me the link to your post/video in the comments so I can see it :)

Have a great summer vacation!

Love,
Nathalie x

June 25, 2012

Makeup Monday: June 25th

Today I wanted to share a really easy, but chic and pretty eye makeup with you. I used my new theBalm eyeshadow (more in-depth review coming soon) and created a look with it.


Here's the tutorial:


1.) Apply an eye primer to make your shadows last longer and to make them look more vibrant.
2.) Swipe a white/light beige eyeshadow all over your lid.
3.) Apply a light brown shade in your crease, this is going to be that "best friend color". It makes blending the shadows together a lot easier.
4.) Put a taupe-y purple eyeshadow on to the outer 2/3 of your lid and blend it into the crease.
5.) Use a fluffy blending brush to blend all the shadows out.
6.) Use a black liquid liner to line your top lash line. Slightly thicken the line as you go outwards.
7.) Curl your lashes and apply one or two coats of your favorite mascara.


Products used:

• L'Oréal Studio Secrets Smoothing Eye Primer
• Catrice Smokey Eyes Set in "030" (the lightest shade)
• Artdeco Eye Brow Powder in "5"
• theBalm Shady Lady in "Just This Once Jamie"
• L'Oréal Super Liner (Lineur Intense) in Carbon Gloss (Carbon Black)
• L'Oréal Telescopic Waterproof Mascara



What has been your go-to makeup lately?

Love,
Nathalie x

June 23, 2012

Paris Haul!

Hi guys!

I safely arrived home yesterday from a lovely 4-day trip to Paris. I experienced so much and am still a bit overwhelmed by everything! We did loads of sightseeing, but our teachers allowed us one or two hours every now and then for a bit of shopping and relaxing too. I actually didn't buy that much as it was more important to me to get a few bits that are not that easily available near me.


We took a little trip to Sephora on Champs Elysées and it was fantastic! I swatched dozens of products and perfumes and picked up a few pieces I wanted to try.

Yes To Carrots Lip Butter in Berry
I have wanted this for ages and it hasn't disappointed me at all! It's a very moisturizing lip balm that leaves the slightest glossy sheen on my lips. This might become a new handbag essential of mine!

Sephora Eau Micellaire Démaquillante / Triple Action Cleansing Water
Everyone in the beauty world is raving about micellar solutions for removing your makeup, so I figured I would give the Sephora one a whirl. I might purchase the full size if I like it!

Sephora Thé Vert Eau de Toilette / Green Tea Eau de Toilette
I love green tea and when I saw this in store, I just had to test it out. It smells very refreshing and I feel like it's a nice little perfume to keep in your bag during the summer time!

Sephora Nail Polish in L11 Samba in Rio
I was admiring all the nail polishes they had in store and I picked out this bright coral color with a bit of red. I'm excited to see how it applies, wears and all that stuff. Expect a "Daily Nail" post soon!


I also passed what felt like a zillion of magazine stands and got the July issue of Glamour (which was on a €1 offer, score!). I read a bit of this on the train back home and really like it so far! Oh and yes, I do speak french ;-)


We checked out multiple souvenir shops at Montmartre and I also got a few things there. First of all, I got myself a cute mug with the Paris writing on it. I also always get some Eiffel Tower key chains because they're really cheap and I also lose them all the time haha! Oh and I found the prettiest silver charm bracelet too :)


We also stepped into the H&M store on Champs Elysées, it's my tradition to go there every time I am in Paris. It's the H&M biggest store I've ever been to and also it's the only store I know that gives away paper bags instead of the boring plastic ones. I got a satin-like carrée which I absolutely adore (and adore is an understatement here). It looks so chic and elegant! Besides, I got my hands on this cute rose gold bracelet that actually goes very well with the scarf.

So at this point my Paris Haul technically ends, but I came home to a parcel from the lovely Cream with an eyeshadow I had purchased in her blogsale a week ago. As I was still all in my "Parisienne" mode, I allowed these two products to go in here as well.


I bought the Shady Lady Single Eyeshadow by theBalm in "Just this once Jamie". It was swatched 2-3 times and had the slightest crack in the tin, but since I picked it up for half the RRP, that evens out everything for me. I used it today and I don't think it's too much when I say it's absolutely gorgeous! I have a makeup post including this shadow coming Sunday or Monday, so stay tuned!

The Parcel also included a generous gift, the Avon Moisture Seduction gloss in "Violet Beauty". I love the marble gloss design inside the bottle and overall I think it's very nicely packaged. The color itself is a bright violet, but it's very sheer on the lips. Now the downside of this product is that it's quite sticky in my opinion and also that it contains a lot of glitter. After removal, there were still some bits of it on my lips. Maybe I can make it work although (on wind-free days, haha!).

Have a lovely weekend!

Love,
Nathalie x

June 18, 2012

What's In My Suitcase?! + Tips For Packing!

Hey everyone!

So as I'm leaving for a 4-day trip to Paris, France tomorrow, I thought it might be a nice idea to show you what I'm bringing with me and how I pack my suitcase in general! Now I'm going by train (it's only a 2-hour travel), but even if you're going by plane, this might be helpful for you too.

Please note that I am going on a class trip, so obviously I would not take things like a "fun" makeup bag with me if I were going with my parents or alone. But three friends of mine and I are sharing a hotel room, so of course we're doing some girly stuff then!

First of all, the suitcase I'm bringing is by Samsonite and it's an older version of this one (link). It's perfect for one person that's going away for multiple days. I like how it's very structured which makes organizing a lot easier.


In the big front pocket, I keep a book by Janet Evanovich, a bright easy-to-grab scarf and my sleep mask. I also put some wet wipes in there just in case.

The inside


Behind the mesh: I keep my IKEA pillow in there (can't sleep without it). On the left, I have my straighteners and on the right, I keep chargers and a multiple plug.

In the plastic pocket: I keep extra beauty products in there such as after-sun lotion or eye drops. I also have some "women's stuff" as well as medecine (iron supplements and Aspirin).



On the left: The plastic bag holds my black chucks. The pile below it has my H&M trenchcoat down on the bottom over which I have a pair of sweatpants, denim shorts and another pair of denims. On top, I have my pyjama.


On the right: The right pile has all of my shirts/tank tops and some cardigans. I also threw my green flower scarf by H&M in there. Plus, there's another multiple plug (you never know...).


In between: I keep underwear and socks there.


In the side pocket:  That's where I keep my lavender ballet flats.


 
These are some bags that I could not fill completely yet, but they will go on top or into the gaps of my suitcase:

The left bag holds all of my everyday toiletries.

The right bag holds all of my "fun" makeup like bright eyeshadow (It's a girls' room haha)

The left bag holds a few jewellery bits (mostly bracelets) as well as a pair of sunglasses.


The right bag contains all of my everyday makeup .


TIPS FOR PACKING

Tip #1: Make lists
Try to sit down a few days before and make lists of everything you want to bring with you, i.e. which clothes, which shoes, what makeup... This keeps you from madly running around in your apartment throwing stuff randomly together.

Tip #2: Organize your stuff
Suitcases come with different compartments, so try to organize your stuff by them. One compartment for extra products and medecine, another one for electronical things like chargers or straighteners etc.
Also divide your clothes into categories. One pile for bottoms, one pile for tops, one pile for dresses/skirts.

Tip #3: Buy travel sizes
If you use quite a few different products everyday, it's smarter to buy travel sizes of them rather than bringing the actual full sizes. You could also depot products into smaller containers. This will save you lots of space in your toiletry bag!

Tip #4: Take your time
Procrastinating a major task like packing is tempting, but you will hate yourself for doing so when you start packing late at night and you have to leave very early the next morning. Better try to start early, but allow yourself to take breaks.

Tip #5: Get up early enough
If you wake up literally just in time to get ready, you will find yourself totally stressed out because your suitcase is not completely packed yet. Better give yourself an extra 30 minutes the morning you leave, that way you can get ready stress-free and you also won't be as likely to forget something important.

Have a lovely vacation!

Nathalie x

June 3, 2012

My Week On Instagram #3

I admit this post was due two days ago, but since I've been a busy bee, I was not able to post this earlier. Lots of food going on haha!


Getting artsy for a school project // Insalata Caprese for dinner - so good! // Strawberries and Iced Latte


Drinking coffee from my favorite mug // Treating myself // Sporting my favorite summer shoes


Laying by the river // Enjoying Iced green tea // Wearing a floral dress my band's Spring Concert

Follow me on Instagram: @romanticgirlx

June 1, 2012

Maybelline Color Tattoo (+ Sultry Eye Makeup)


So I admit that it took me a few weeks and countless reviews to finally give in and buy the new Maybelline Color Tattoo. My experience with cream shadows has been rather awful so far since so many start creasing on me after one or two hours of wear. But I have a little obsession with this one going on and I will tell you why!


The Maybelline Color Tattoo shadows are sort of a cream gel formula that blends wonderfully whether you use it with your fingers or a brush (I recommend a synthetic one). After applying it, it dries down a bit and from that part on, this stuff won't go anywhere. I used an eye primer underneath and I can say this lasted about 8 or 9 hours without creasing which is quite an achievement for me (Note: I have very oily eye lids!). If you have normal or dry skin, you can probably get away without the primer and get a little more wear out of it.

Left: not blended -- Right: blended
The shade that I have is On and on bronze (Bad to the bronze for all the fellow Americans amongst you) and it is the most beautiful bronze color with golden brown-ish undertones. It does have some shimmer/sparkle to it, but just the right amount in my opinion. The shadow is incredibly pigmented, a little goes a long way here! You can receive a nice wash of color by blending it out or layer it for a more glamorous night-out look.

Now moving on to the fun part of this post! :D


I was inspired by the gorgeous Vivianna who was rocking a smokey eye on her blog today and I wanted to recreate the look and of course reached for my glorious Color Tattoo eyeshadow!


I used a synthetic brush to put the shadow all over my lid bringing it quite high near my brows. Then I put some of the shadow under my eye using a smudge brush and blended it out with a clean cotton swab. I lined my upper lash line with a dark brown eyeliner and also used the same liner on the water line. A generous coat of mascara et voilà!

For the rest of the makeup I kept it really simple: I evened out my skin with some foundation and concealer and dusted the tiniest amount of powder on top. I sweeped a little bit of bronzer on to my cheeks to contour my face. On my lips, I used a dusty pink lipstick, blotted it and topped my lips with nude lip gloss.

What are your thoughts on the Maybelline Color Tattoo?

Love,
Nathalie x