Recap: My 2012 Favorites

Let's try a different sum-up for the last Sunday of 2012. These are the products, books, movies and other stuff that were my favorites in the last year.

Starting with nail polish. I tried a lot of polishes in the last 12 months, but some of them really stood out to me. These are the ones:

* Max Factor - Fantasy Fire * Ebalay - Shade 006 * Tip Top - Red Rendezvous

* China Glaze Glittering Garland * H&M - Hunt Me Down * Manhattan - 78S

* P2 - Gigantic * MUA - Stormy Skies * Stargazer - 128

Pretties from the a England The Legend collection:

* Bridal Veil * Dragon * Order of the Garter * Saint George

The most amazing holographic polishes ever (at least in my opinion) - FNUG Holographics:

* Fantastica * Futuristica * Psychedelic

Four shades from the Ludurana Aurora Boreal collection:

* Emocionante * Fascinante * Reluz * Show

Essence and Catrice polishes were a big part of my blogging in 2012. Here are some of my favorites:

* Confetteria * Bashful * Blues of Being Cool * Elves Like Lilac * Grumpy

* Genius in the Bottle * Heavy Metallilac * How I Matt Your Mother * I Wear My Sunglasses at Night 

* It's All I Can Blue

Face care products I've been using on a daily basis (first four) and when needed (last two):

* Balea Waschgel * Himalaya Nourishing Skin Cream * Fair & Lovely Skin Cream

* Alverde Lipbalm * AOK Seesand Peeling * ELF Zit Zapper

Make up, nail and fragrance products of 2012:

* Essence Lash & Brow Gel * Sleek Oh So Special Palette * Essence Get Big Lashes Mascara

* Essence Studio Nails Top Sealer * Essence Nail Polish Remover * Mont Bleu glass file

* Naomi Campbell At Night * BLV Notte * BPAL Snake Oil

Some eye make up looks and lips from past year:

I still think Ebay is the best thing after sliced bread. These are some of my buys:

Books that stole my heart:

* George R. R. Martin A Dance With Dragons * Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games (plus part II and III) 

* Robin Hobb The Farseer Trilogy

TV & Movies:

* Game of Thrones Series (Season II) * The Hunger Games * Melancholia * True Blood (Season V)

* Men Who Hate Women * Sherlock Holmes * Sucker Punch * Virgin Suicides

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Here are some of the other bloggers favorites:

* Top 10 international picks by Let Them Have Polish

* Favorite polishes of 2012 by Vique's Varnish. 

* Favorite nail polishes of 2012 by The Polished Perfectionist. 

* The best of 2012 by Alizarine. 

* Favourites of 2012: mainstream brands by Glitta Gloves.

* Top manicures of 2012 by The Nailasaurus. 

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What are your favorites of 2012? It can be nail polish, make up, movies, books, places you've been, things you've seen... anything. I'd really like to know. 

Thanks for looking and commenting!

Sunset in Your Eyes Feat. Essence Eyeliner Pen

I realized I've been using Essence Eyeliner Pen for a long time, but never wrote a proper review of it. Now is as good time as ever. Here's what Essence says about it:

''Original japanese mascara gives this eyeliner precise definition. Ideal for on the go. Available in black.'' (Essence)

Not sure what this eyeliner has to do with mascara... If you know, please, inform me. 

I made an eye make up look, inspired by the photo of a sunset I took in 2010. You never know when it might come in handy. ;) 

What does Essence Eyeliner Pen promise:
* Eyeliner pen for a precise line.
* Colour intensive and extra long lasting.
* Smudge-proof.

The tip of this eyeliner really does offer a precise application. You can create a thin or thicker line, depending on the angle of the tip. The colour could be more intensive and it's not completely black in one swipe - not as dark as I would want it to be. It needs a couple of strokes to create a darker line, but that's not much of a problem. I think it's slightly my fault too, since I don't store it as a pen with the tip facing downwards. Essence eyeliner pen is pretty good when it comes to staying power. It's not extra long lasting, but if we take out the 'extra' part, then it's true. It lasts 8 hours on me without smudging - so it is pretty smudge proof as well. But you have to keep in mind: if your lids are oily, it will create a moist layer over it and it will smudge if you'll rub your eyes. Don't expect it to be a perfect product, but it's pretty good. Especially for the price you pay (less than 3€).

Here's a make up look I've created for this post. I used:
* NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk (as a base on my upper lid and on waterline)
* 88 Matte Eyeshadow Palette
* Essence Eyeliner Pen
* MUA Mega Volume Mascara (I'm starting to really love it)

So, is Essence Eyeliner Pen perfect for lining your eyes? No. But it comes in very handy. Especially when I want to enhance the look of the upper lash line. I've been using it for a while now and I'll definitely buy a new one when this one runs out. If you're looking for a really long lasting black eyeliner, I suggest you invest in Illamasqua's Precision Ink in Abyss. It will cost you more, but you'll get what you want. 

Have you tried Essence Eyeliner Pen? What are your thoughts on it?

Thanks for looking and commenting!

Catrice - San Francisco (Big City Life Limited Edition)

Didn't get this one the first time I saw it, nor the second time... but I still got it and I love it. This is San Francisco from Catrice Big City Life limited edition. 

See this gorgous micro shimmer? It's crazy beautiful.

Catrice, San Francisco (Big City Life LE), 2 coats

I'm not too fond of green nail polish when it comes to actually wearing it, but I couldn't pass on this one. It was the only bottle left and I felt like it's been waiting for me. Damn, I'm happy I got it, 'cause it's gorgeous. Dark green leaning towards blue with silver and green micro shimmer. So pretty! San Francisco is one of those shades that look like they're lit from within and the quality is great too. Even the brush was OK, which was a big surprise for me. I'm not sure if this shade is still available, but if you ever see it in a store - give it a chance. 

Would you wear a green shade like this one?

Thanks for looking and commenting!

a England - She Walks in Beauty

Third shade (along with And The Moonbeams and Beauty Never Fails) from the a England Heavenly Quotes collection is called She Walks in Beauty.

''An intricate and complex mix of large and small rose-coloured hexagonal glitter in a shimmering pale golden base that colour-shifts with light and movement.'' (a England)

She Walks in Beauty

by George Gordon Byron

She walks in beauty, like the night 

   Of cloudless climes and starry skies;

And all that's best of dark and bright 

   Meet in her aspect and her eyes:

Thus mellowed to that tender light 

   Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less, 

   Had half impaired the nameless grace

Which waves in every raven tress, 

   Or softly lightens o'er her face;

Where thoughts serenely sweet express 

   How pure, how dear their dwelling place.

And on that cheek, and o'er that brow, 

   So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,

The smiles that win, the tints that glow, 

   But tell of days in goodness spent,

A mind at peace with all below, 

   A heart whose love is innocent!

a England, She Walks in Beauty, 2 coats

I'm really not gonna try to describe this polish, the description from the a England website says it all. One of the most interesting polishes I've had the chance to wear... It's glittery, shimmery, iridescent, duochrome-ish... and I could go on. I'm not gonna say I'm a huge fan of this one, but that's really up to personal taste. When it comes to quality, it's just as I expected it to be: impeccable. To be completely honest, I didn't even know what to do with this one. Do I apply it on my nails on it's own, do I layer it? I'm still not sure which way it looks best... It's just very special. 

I tried layering it over black, but it lost some of it's iridescence...

You can find a England polishes on their website for £9.00 per bottle.  Check out their Twitter and Facebook page too. 

*Polish was sent to me for review.

What do you think of She Walks in Beauty?

Thanks for looking and commenting!

MUA Haul Part III

I said I needed help... But I swore to myself this is the last order from MUA. This year. =) 

Got the rest of the Blusher shades. The ones I got before were all more or less orange toned. These are better, but still not completely my kind of colors.

Eyeshadow Trio in Smoke Screen. This one was an extra, 'cause I don't remember ordering it. A pearly white and two metallic grey shadows. Pretty good pigmentation...

Eye MU with Smoke Screen. I applied it directly to my lids, without using primer underneath and the colors show pretty well. I also used Extreme Felt Eyeliner and Mega Volume Mascara. I'm not satisfied with the liner (not black enough and kind of on the dry side), but the mascara and trio eyeshadow are pretty good. 

My first MUA lipstick. I ordered two, but one of them came in a horrible condition. This one is Shade 16 also called Nectar. I believe this one is many ladies' favorite. 

And swatches of both: Shade 16 aka Nectar and Shade 15 aka Juicy.

Eye liners: Liquid Eye Liner in Shade 5 (black) and Gel Eyeliner in Underground (black again). I love Underground. It comes with a brush which is not the best, but it works. It's also very soft and dries fast. When it dries, it's pretty much smudgeproof. Liquid Eyeliner could have a better tip, but is OK. It doesn't rub off immediately, but it doesn't have the same staying power as the Gel Eyeliner. 

Matte Eyeshadow in Shade 20. I use black eyeshadow for lining my eyes when I wear more subtle make up. This one isn't black enough for my liking, but it's not bad at all. I guess I'll keep using my Sleek Oh So Special palette and the black shade in it. 

Five Nail Quake shades were a gift as a part of their 40% off offer. I only tried Shiver and Shattere Ice so far, but they're pretty good. Do I have to mention I adore Quiver. The shade is perfect. Too bad I'm getting over these crackle polish effects. 

Let me know if you'd like to know more about a certain product mentioned here.

Thanks for looking and commenting!

FNUG - Long Johns

The last, but certainly not the least, shade I got from Charlotte, the owner of the FNUG nail polish brand. This one doesn't have a very appealing name but it's pretty nonetheless: I present FNUG Long Johns. 

''Be stylish outdoors on rainy days staying true to your old green long Johns is essential. Even hipsters have taken the trend onboard now seen everywhere. Muted green manicure on rainy days looks really stylish.'' (FNUG)

FNUG, Long Johns, 2 coats + Essence, Better Than Gel Nails Top Sealer

I was very impressed with the quality of this polish. All FNUG polishes have impeccable formulas, but they lack in the opacity category. This one was a surprise - it was almost completely opaque in one single coat. I added another one for the depth anyway, like I always do. The application was great, the brush is great, everything is top-notch. I also like the fact it dries fast. Here comes the only downside of this polish which can easily be fixed - it doesn't look very glossy when it dries. That's why I layered it with a coat of Essence Better Than Gel Nails Top Sealer. The color changes a bit though. The polish dries darker than it looks in the bottle, but after you apply top coat, it becomes lighter again. Compare the first photo (polish without top coat) with the second one (polish with top coat) and you'll see what I'm talking about.

It looks like I saved the best for last without knowing. I adore this shade and I think it's great. It doesn't look as nice on photos as it does in real life, but that doesn't change the fact it's a great polish. I approve!

You can buy FNUG polishes online on FNUG website for 125 DKK (~ 16 €). All FNUG polishes are big 3 free (free of Toluene, Formaldehyde and Dibutyl Phthalate). 

You can find FNUG on Facebook, Pinterest and Followgram.

*Polish was sent to me for review. 

Thanks for looking and commenting!

Weekly Sum-Up #46

Starting this weekly sum-up with a photo of Bombi... just because I don't want to start with the photo below.

Lisa after spaying. She woke up soon, but slept afterwards for a long time. Well, we slept together, just like I did with Arya in January. The operation was successful and she recovered super fast. Bombi... you're next!

I really don't need a box for cookies and chocolates, but I couldn't resist this one. How could I? Three cute kitten on the lid and chocolate bonbons inside. Yes, please!

Just because I love cute stuff: I got this Gorjuss phone case and stainless steel water bottle from my BF. Those lighters were my own gift to myself. I don't smoke, I'll use it for lighting my incense sticks. ;)

Every single mug in our household is different. They don't match and I like it that way. This is my latest 'love mug'. I drink tea on daily basis and I really need different mugs to keep it interesting. 

I've seen this type of art all over Pinterest and YouTube... and just about everywhere else - melted crayons on canvas. You need a blank canvas, crayons, glue gun and hair dryer. You know the rest. I actually like the way it turned out and it's already hanging on my wall. 

I had to try my new MUA Undressed palette. I love the way these shadows blend, love the colors, love the pigmentation... Just love it! And it's so cheap. Plus a dupe of Urban Decay Naked palette. You can't go wrong with this one. Oh, I just remembered... I did my whole eye make up with MUA products. That means MUA eyeliner and MUA mascara. Not bad. 

Illamasqua recently released two new blue nail polish shades in Noble and Cameo. You can see swatches of both on Ommorphia Beauty Bar. I'm dying over Cameo... I was also told Illamasqua's bringing back the Raindrops shade. I remember it as a beautiful polish with a great name, but it was a 4-coater. I hope they fixed that. 

Another new earrings for which I should probably get a licence to wear. It's spiky. And I like it. Ebay as usual.

FINALLY!!! I finally saw The Hobbit!!! I must say I'm completely in love again. I love Martin Freeman in the role of Bilbo, I love Richard Armitage as Thorin, I love to see Ian, Christopher, Hugo and Cate again. Oh, and Rivendell! The place of my dreams. Man! Can't you see I'm really excited?! Why, Peter? Why do I have to wait another year to look into those dragon eye(s) again?! The humanity! 

Everything was going well until I saw Thorin. Then I spent about 30 minutes telling my BF how Thorin's eyes look just like Robin Williams'. What do you think?

Man Candy of the week: Yeah, baby, it's Ryan Gosling. And he's tied up. 

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Posts of the week:

Mirma Natalia posted a comparison between Kiko 313 and 209. Plus some other shades. 

Cirque came out with a new collection called Objet d'Art. It consists of 11 new shades and they're all swatched by Fashion Polish. 

If you still don't know what kind of eye make up you're gonna wear on Christmas or New Year's eve, here's an idea by Anatomy of Beauty - gorgeous green glitter look with a tutorial. 

I think I have a serious girl crush on Chienkiri. I looked at ther Bloody Orchid video not only to see how she did her make up but to listen her speak italian. Perfetto!

Scrangie swatched and reviewed Deborah Lippmann's Cleopatra in New York. And she did a great job, because I'm drooling all over my desk. 

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Music of the week: I actually love the video way more than the song.

Thanks for looking and commenting!