So I was invited to spend a week at my aunt's house - which is really close to the beach and would allow me to tan a little bit. I obviously too my laptop with me - I mean...I have shows to watch, photos to edit and I've been using my free time to write posts and prepare them to the blog. This time I want to have things more prepared and under control for when Uni starts again. While there, I had a really great time and as you can imagine I obviously took a few items of make up with me. Who am I kidding...I probably took way too much considering I spent my time trying to tan and having fun with my family. But I like to be prepared to any occasion...we never know what might appear. I could be there catching the sun and be invited to an important event. And even with that in mind I tried to not pack too much.
If you are wondering about what I took in terms of skin care, I went to my sample box and took the great majority of them with me. I don't own travel sized skin care and pouring stuff into other containers wasn't in my mind either. And as for brushes I can say that I'm really proud of myself. With the exception of basic eyeshadow brushes, I only too the necessary - I might do a brush related post regarding that later. But let's check in detail what I took with me and why.

Not everyone has the budget to splurge on Too Faced and Urban Decay and truth to be told, the drugstore ( or high street? ) section has beautiful gems that do a beautiful job - sometimes even better than the one performed by more expensive brands. With that in mind, here are 10 products under 10€ that I believe deserve all the love and attention!

Catrice Liquid Camouflage High Coverage Concealer
I think I've already mentioned this concealer at least three times during the past weeks. But this is seriously one of the best concealer I've ever tried - and I'm counting with the 3CE Full Coverage Concealer. It is super to blend, specially when you work it with a Beauty Blender ( or something similar to it). The coverage is really good, but with the pro that it isn't that drying like some high coverage concealers are. It leaves a very natural look to the skin. The only downside it that there are (so far) only two shade available. I hope they get to get a larger colour range and who knows, maybe launch colour correcting concealer in liquid form as well?

Catrice Prime and Fine Mattifying Powder Waterproof
Although the Soap & Glory Powder gain a lovely spot on my heart, I have to say that this bad boy is still rocking. It's my official powder for retouching during the day and travelling - without even thinking twice. This powder is super mild and fine, not leaving any cake look to the face. It controls any oiliness that might decide to appear and it's translucid - it doesn't leave any white cast onto the face. This is my second compact that I'll repurchase it without thinking twice for sure.

H&M Pure Radiance Powder Blusher
So far I only own Cameo Pink but since I am considering getting another shades I think this little guy deserves to be mentioned. In terms of the product itself it isn't a powdery blush - props for that. It applies beautifully to the skin and blends without any major issue. The only downside might be the fact that the compact is a little fragile and doesn't carry a mirror. leaving that aside, the H&M blushes deserve a try.

H&M Pure Velvet Cream Blusher
I've said it before and I'll say it again - I like this one more than my bourjois cream blushes ( not that I don't like them any more! I still do!). This is so easy to blend and holds in such a beautiful way to the skin that sometimes I foget that this is a budget friendly product and not a high end one. The only downside again is that it doesn't have a mirror and the packaging is quite weak. That aside, I can't wait to get more shades from this range.

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream
I already wrote a whole post talking about how much I love these little guys. I can't wait to get my hands on their Lingerie brothers. These are super comfortable to the lips and really easy to apply. I've been using Zurich and San Paulo a lot lately and sometimes I even like to mixture them with other liquid lipsticks - like the Sephora Lip Stains. Their colour range is amazing and has an option for every taste - from a light pink to a deep burgundy and even dark blue!



Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge
Pretty much a more friendly version of the Beauty Blender. I have this guy for a year and to far I have to say that I am in love! My foundation always look amazing whenever I apply it with this and my under eye concealer looks so much natural when I use this - not it doesn't with a concealer brush, but the effort is completely different. I am seriously thinking about getting another one or two, specially since I started to get into the "baking craze" and I need at least a spare brush always on reach. The same of this sponge isn't completely like the beauty blender but I like how it is designed. I really like the flat part to blend in concealer or to apply powder under my eye area.

Argent Makeup 201 Blending Brush
Another item I can't stop raving about. Seriously, you guys need to try out this! It has the perfect shape and bristles to give you a perfect blending to your eye look. It doesn't matter if you are working with creams or with regular powder eyeshadows , this guy will work it without any major issue. Everyone needs to have one of these in their arsenal.

The Body Shop Lip Butter
Since I lost my dearest Nuxe Rive the Miel back in February - yes I'm morning it since that time. I've been using this little guys. At first went for it because It was something I already had with me...not I can't stop using it. I'll for sure repurchase the Nuxe Lip Balm for the Winter Time ( and keep it inside a vault and implement a GPS tracking system next time I decided to take it with me on a trip....) but now that it's super hot this guy has been saving my life. I wear tones of Matte Lipsticks and with the infernal heat, you guys can imagine how my lips end up...this little guy had been taking care of that and making my lips look amazing and super pretty.

Inglot Individual Shadows
Shame on me for not reaching for these more often and for not finishing this palette! I went to an event the other day and I decided to make a summer look with the orange and red shade from this palette and I can't explain how easy it is to work with these! Their shade selection is also really remarkable. My 2017 makeup goal will be finishing the rest of this palette and love these eyeshadows more!

Gosh Forever Eyeshadow Stick
These are true gems hidden at the drugstore!! I got two of these just " to try it out" and now I hooked to them. It doesn't matter if I wear them as a base, alone or just highlighting my inner corner - they will stay put and look amazing. Considering I have a huge oil production on my eye lids, it is amazing. Their shade selection could be a little bigger - I wish they had a pink and a cranberry shade - but I can't wait to get the brown and the purple one. If you can, snatch one of these and try them yourself!

I hope you guys liked this post. Obviously there are more products that could be mentioned here - like the Essie Nail polishes, H&M nail Polishes and many other goods. I might do a similar post but regarding more expensive brands - but probably with less products. Do you guys have any recommendation regarding any product? Thank you very much for reading this! Take care.

Before anything else, please allow me to wish all of you a Happy 2016. I hope this gets to be the year where you realise your good wishes. Seriously, just be happy. Even if that means being stubborn and go against the flow.

I haven't made too many wishes for this year except being happy and healthy. I could do a huge list of things to accomplish but...would that be worth of something? probably not. Anyway, this is not meant to be a philosophical post or anything like that. Now that I am finally on break from the Faculty until February, I am going to take this time to be with friends and of course work a bit more on my blog. ( remember that really pretty tab? I deleted it by mistake and now I need to re-do the code...patience I guess)

I'll eventually do my 2015 Favourites post. I am still deciding weather I do a post with a Top 10 including all types of products - from hair care to nail polish - or if I do different posts mentioning different products from each category. Any idea?

As for today's post, as you can see by the title and by the humongous quantity of photos, that I'll be discussing H&M Beauty Department and what I think about it. If you want a spoiler I would say : I'm loving every bit.

I was really surprised with the collection. The price is comparable and sometimes cheaper than what asked at the pharmacy's and markets here for budget beauty items. The packaging is also quite pleasant. Yes, it's all plastic and I wouldn't recommend you drop one of the blushes on the floor and they don't have mirror on but, there is an attention to detail that wasn't expected. The collection is sober and coherent. I wouldn't mid display any of these items next to a Chanel or a Dior blush for example.

The elegance that was obtained here is a true delicacy. But it's not only the packaging that it's something worth here believe me. The quality of the products is also another plus.

( on the left side Cameo Pink ; on the right side Dusty Rose )

To start off, I wasn't planning on getting nail polish since I'm really happy with my Essie collection but for some reason I felt like I should give them a try. I'm happy for that. So far I own the one that's presented in the photo - True Tyrian - and another one called Plum Fool which is a really pretty bubblegum pink. The Nail polish consistency is really creammy and I only need 2 coats and the finish is really amazing. It also doesn't chip for a week, which is a true wonder for me. 

I decided to get a shade from each of the blush categories to have an idea of how they are. Cameo Pink is a brownish pink from the H&M Pure Radiance Powder Blush collection and although I saw someone complaining about it, it's one of my favourite bluhses for the season. I can use it for any occasion or eye look. It doesn't matter if it is a dramatic or a more neutral look, it will look amazing. 

Dusty Rose is a gorgeous everyday simple rose cream blush from the Pure Velvet Cream Blush collection and I have to say that I probably like this more than my bourjois cream blushes. I like to wear this alone or with Cameo Pink on top of it. It's one of those shades that give a healthy glow to the skin. 

( from left to right : Copper Bullion ; Dauphine Truffle ; Ginger Snap ; Russet Rose ; Pale Nude)

Nest, I have to admit that I probably went a bit on board with the eye department. But I have to say that I don't regret a bit. 

First of all, their eye liners are something everyone should consider. I love creamy eyeliners for a pop of colour or to use on my water line. So I can totally recommend the Colour Essence Eye Pencil - I got mine in Copper Bullion, which is a gorgeous brown, perfect for everyday wear - and the Soft Kajal Eye Pencil - which I own in Pale Nude - for my water line. They aren't expensive and they are worth every penny. I'll probably end up getting myself more shades of it. 

If there's something I always like to have in hand are cream shadows, because they are easy to wear on those days were I can't bother to blend everything in place or to wear as a base for a make up look. With that in mind, I have to say that the Colour Essence Eye Cream shadows are a nice option if you are looking a good affordable cream shadow - I got mine in Dauphine Truffle which is a nice deep brown that is perfect for everyday looks or to serve as a base for more deep and elaborated looks. 

Lastly but not least, I really do recommend you to give a try to the High Impact Eye Colour shadows - the selection is to die for : from mattes to satins and shimmers ; from neutrals to bright colours. You'll be able to find whatever you are looking for. I got myself Ginger Snap and Russet Rose , which although they look really similar on the swatch, russet rose tends to be more redish than ginger snap - which is more orangeish.

Starting off with the lipliners, I'll be quite sincere here : I don't really own that many. It's something I usually can skip, with exception for those really bold colours were in fact I need extra help. As long as they aren't drying - like one I still won from Flormar - I'm not that picky about lipliners. Which is why I went for a red lipliner like Savoir Faire, which I tend to grab whenever I use my Etude House Lipstick in RD301 - they match nicely and it helps containing any bleeding that could occur. Bramble Ripple was a necessary addition, since I need a more purple shade to wear along side my Etude House Lipstick in RD302. Au Naturel was something I decided to get because I feel in love with the shade and allows me to create a really interesting effect with Chocs Aways for example. Overall, the H&M Lip Definer collection is something you really should try out if you are looking for a good lipliner and aren't that picky about shade matching.  
As for their Lip Colour To-Go , I'm quite impressed with the variety of textures, colours and types they present. I was able to grab a more sheer Lip pencil in Saudade, which is really good if you want to use something more bold, but not that bold -  it can be more intense if paired with Bramble Ripple for example. If you are fan of a more creamy texture, Bonne Vivante is probably a good option for you, specially because it's one of those " my lips but butter and extra special" type of shade. I really like to wear it on more casual days. Lastly but not least, I have to bow at their matte pencil in Chocs Away since I can easily compare it to my Nars Matte Lip Pencil. It really comfortable, pigmented and stay in place without any problem.

In the end, I'm really happy with this collection and I would recommend any of you to try it out. It's not everyday that we are able to find make up like this at this price point and with this quality.
Thank you for reading and take care!