The sample edition #1

I think that just as everyone out there, I love to get samples when I buy a product. It always feels like a little extra on your purchase and an occasion to be tempted (or not) by a new product. Here's a new series of post called The sample edition to make mini reviews about the samples I got and whether I will purchase them in maxi size or not.

First is the Chanel CC Cream. Chanel is the last brand to have come up with a CC/BB cream product which is surprising knowing that every-single-brand out there have their own BB/CC cream. Chanel did finally jump into the CC cream bandwagon with a pretty expensive CC cream to say the least. The CC cream is decently covering and smells divine. It does make your skin much healthy looking. That being said, I do think that they are much better CC creams out there (like the Erborian one) that are less expensive. Will I be buying this in full size? No.

Next we have the Benefit Pore-fessional. This product is raved about all over the blogosphere so I was reaaaally excited to try it. I have horrible skin, with visible pores and acne scars (yickes) so I'm always on the hunt for a product to reduce their appearances. Although it does make your skin very smooth I did not find it was hiding my pores and acne scars as much as the Bourjois Flower Perfection base (The Bourjois Flower is pretty 'oily' so it works for me as I have a very dry skin). I guess this is a product for people with less visible pores than mine because I was not effective on my skin. Will I be buying this in full size? Probably not.

Moving on to the third sample. The Clarins Intensive Serum HydraQuench Bi-phase. Honestly I have had this sample for over a year and never managed to use it although my skin is dry and this is the kind of product that should interest me. The reason why? I've quite understood the importance of using a serum. I don't like the texture of serums and I (used) to find them useless....until....Clarins
HydraQuench. Oh.my.god. Where have you been all my life you pretty little thing? I used it as recommended every night before going to bed just before applying my moisturizer the rehydrate my skin within and MY GODNESS, it works. My skin feels much more plump and hydrated looking (because it is I guess?). This little serum works like magic on my skin, how knew? I really have seen a huge improvement on the look of my skin and I'm really considering getting the full size of this although it's a bit pricey.Will I be buying this in full size? Yes, yes, yes. Or at least will get it for Christmas.

At last is the Benefit Bad Gal mascara. I know that this mascara is not the best Benefit mascara but I really was curious to try the huge brush. Ok so, this is a 'good' mascara but it's not wowing me more than that. For the price I'd rather get two Maybelline/L'oréal mascaras which I find much, much better.Will I be buying this in full size? No.

Which sample have you tried lately and made you want to buy the full size product?

XO,MARILOU

New from Une

Une Skin Ideal foundation (17,49€) ⎥ Une Pearly Eye Palette (21,50€)⎥ Une Green Pride Volume Mascara (18,50€)

Hello lovelies! I have been a bit missing in action this weekend, I needed to rest and get off the computer for a little while. I've received such an exciting parcel last week with some of the new products from Une. I really love this brand especially their mascara (the Volume by Night and the 3 in 1) so I was keen to receive the new Green Pride Volume. The brush isn't synthetic so I'm really curious to see if it's any good. Then I got the Pearly eye palette with three gorgeous eyeshadows, I will try to create a look with these to show you how they look like. Then finally I got the Skin Ideal Youth Serum foundation with hyaluronic acid (YUM). I have a really dry, dull looking skin so I was really really excited to try this new foundation and oh.my.god, ladies, it is AMAZING. Such a good foundation, I can't wait to write a full on review about this little gem very soon. Hope you all have a gorgeous windy day :)

XO,MARILOU

Note to self

This is what happens when I spent my whole evening browsing Pinterest to find some inspiring quotes. Not only they're so very true but they look very girly which is so my cup of tea! I try apply these quotes to my daily life although it's easy sometimes to fall back in darkness of a negativity mindset, I always try to lift things up and think positive, believe in myself and following my heart!

XO,MARILOU

The daily nude lips

L'Oréal Caresse 'Dating Coral' / Bourjois Shine 26 'Beige Démocrachic'

 Catrice 030 'Rose Would You?' / Catrice 090 'Pink Before You Leave' 

1. Bourjois Shine 26 'Beige démocrachic' // 2. L'Oréal Caresse 'Dating Coral'

3. Catrice 'Rose Would You?' // 4. Catrice 'Pink Before You Leave'

I always carry a LOT of lipsticks around with me in my bag. You can never have too many lipsticks in your purse right? I mean Lip glosses, lip balms and lipsticks... I need my options, I can change my mind very easily during the day. I always have tons of nude lipsticks because I'm a nude gal whatever day you're having, if you're in a rush or having or don't know what to wear on your lips, nude is always the safest option (nothing like wearing a bright lipstick and regretting it all day). I have many many favourites nude/coral lipsticks but here's the few I have been obsessed with lately.

The Bourjois Shine 26 'Beige Démocrachic' is the nudest colour of the Shine range. I can't even tell you how obsessed I am with this Shine lipsticks. They give such glowy, healthy looking lips. I pretty much plan on getting all the shades in a near future. This one is not super covering and that's why I love it. It tinted your lips and keep them moisturized. 

The L'Oréal Caresse 'Dating Coral' is not a nude (obviously) but this is my bright back-up lipstick in case I want to spice things up in the middle of the day and have a bit more of a bold lips. I bought this because I find it to be a dupe of Mac Ever Hip (which is my all time favourite coral lipstick). It gives less coverage but the colour is really similar (although not that bright in real life) It's my first L'Oréal lipstick (ever! what?) and I'm really pleased with it although I do find the price a bit 'exagerate' for a drugstore lipstick (14€...I mean, I add 4€ and I can get a Mac lipstick) I would love to try more of their lipstick range soon.

The two other products are lip glosses from Catrice. The first one 'Rose Would You' is a gorgeous nude lipgloss that looks amazing on top on Mac Myth but can also be worn by itself for a more natural look (see pic!). The second one, 'Pink before you leave' is a sheer basic lipgloss. I bought this for the only reason that it looks super pink in the bottle and I didn't expect it to be THAT sheer, it though the colour would transform into a light pink but...I didn't. That's fine, I think that sheer lipgloss looks great too by itself or is perfect on top of any lipstick anyway so I always carry it around with me. 

Which is your favourite nude lipstick on the go?

XO,MARILOU

The fall smokey with UNE

This has been one of my favourite smokey look for fall. I have been obsessed with the Une Sfumato eyeshadows, the shades are just right up my alley and easily blendable with the new Une brush. This brush is so amazing and makes the perfect blending brush, it is a bit firm which I think is probably its secret. I have used the Une Sfumato eyeshadows in S13 in the inner corner then a mix between the S23 and S17 in the outter corner of my lid. As a nude pencil I've used the UNE Skin glow which is the perfect nude colour (I used to wear white in my water line but I find nude colours to make the eyes pop even more) The mascara is the 3 in 1 from UNE and it's amazing. I do find the  Volume By Night a tad better because of the tiny brush but this one is just as fab, look at my lashes! Va va voom!

XO,MARILOU

Inspiration ⎥Rochelle Humes

I have to say I have been a fan of Rochelle since the first time I saw my first The Saturdays video. I think she is super pretty and I really loved her personality on 'Chasing the Saturdays'. The fact that she is now a mom and keeping her style sassy yet classy (no need to show your bum to the whole world, *hint hint*) is making me love her even more. My favourite style in there is the one with the grey peg trousers + neon sweater and dark lips. I will totally try to recrate this. I think that the pants come from French Connection (here) and I have a similar neon jumper from H&M! My second favourite look is a tie between the pink PVC skirt and the nude dress + side braid. How pretty? She's totally embracing her new mommy curves too. How not to love her?

Which one is your fav outfit?

XO,MARILOU