This Month's Empties

Hello beauties!

A lot of you asked me to bring back my "Empties, Products I've Used Up" videos, as you seem to find them interesting and helpful.

Unfortunately, lately I don't have much time to film, and I already have a long list of topics for my future videos that I'd like to film. Nevertheless, I decided to introduce this new series to my blog, and occasionally (maybe even monthly), bring you posts with updates on the products I've recently used up, giving you my opinions and quick reviews!

This month I have 5 beauty products that I've used up to share with you. I'll also be giving you a quick review on each!

These are all body care / hair care products as I find that I use up products in these 'categories' most frequently.

Here I Have:

• SUNSILK Hair Conditioner
• FELCE AZZURRA  Shower Gel
• BALEA Body Deodorant
• CIEN Body Lotion in Spray
• SUN DANCE After Sun Gel with Aloe Vera

My most favorite products, that I recommend and would gladly purchase again were the Balea deodorant and Cien Spray-On Body Lotion.

Both of these products are inexpensive, but really great quality.

I like the Balea deodorant because it doesn't contain aluminum (and these days it's hard to find deodorants that last whole day and are aluminum free).

Cien body lotion was available at Lidl supermarkets and it was a limited (summer) edition. It was very quick & easy to apply, it was a light and fresh mist and I loved the scent. Cien is a brand of beauty products exclusive for Lidl supermarkets and I have to say they're really stepping up their game! They're super affordable and it's just hard to believe one can come across such great products at a local supermarket!

This was a great product for those hot summer days, but also for all the busy Mums who don't have a lot of time to dedicate to their everyday beauty routine!

My least favorite products were these two: Sun Dance After Sun Gel with Aloe Vera
 (it was way too sticky for my liking) and SunSilk Proheat Hair Conditioner 
(this product was okay, but nothing special and that's why I won't be buying it again; there are so many better products for my hair out there on the market!) 

To be honest with you, I was never into SunSilk as far as my hair care routine goes, but I was "talked into" buying it, because with the purchase of two SunSilk hair care products, there was a detangling brush as a complimentary gift. The brush is actually quite good (very similar to Tangle Teezer, or Macadamia No Tangle brush. Both of which I have. But, apparently, I needed another similar brush...lol whatever)

Last is this Felce Azzurra, Delicate Shower Gel. My Mum bought it for me, from the local Drogerie Markt drugstore.

I liked the fact that it's super delicate, and contains no colors, no parabens nor silicones.

Felce Azzurra is an Italian brand and every so often I find myself purchasing their body talc or shower gels.

They're actually quite nice, good price and pretty essential beauty products.

Those were my 5 empties for this month!

Let me know, have you already tried out any of these products?

* read more at Glam Express

Skincare & Make Up for the Beach (Summer Beauty Secrets!)

Hi beauties!

You asked me to talk about my summer skincare & make up routine in summertime, particularly for the beach...

I'm sorry I haven't had a chance to write about it sooner, but I did manage to film a video about it, while I was on my summer vacations!

I filmed directly from the beach and showed you all the products I use in my skincare (how I prepare my skin for the sun exposure), and I answered your question about wearing make up on the beach!

These are all the products I need to have on me in the hot summertime:

As you can see, there are just a very few products that I use when I'm on the beach, but these are truly my essentials and are all that I need!

You can check out my video where I talk to you about my summer skincare & make up for the beach, here:

My thoughts about wearing make up to the beach:

I think there's no point in doing that, really!

The most important thing is to protect your skin from the damaging UV rays with good skincare products.

Protect your natural beauty & let it shine :) In summertime, at the beach, you're going to be hot, you're going to sweat, go for a swim, be active (hopefully!)...your make up won't last...it'll be cakey on your face, it'll melt off, and you're going to look ridiculous!

If you feel that you need to wear at least something, go for a lipgloss with spf, and you can also use one of those mineral compact foundation with very high spf (I use Bioderma), that are designed specifically to be used at the beach/for sunbathing, and have a very light, mineral based formula that won't clog your pores and will just blend in with your skintone.

At risk of sounding cheesy... but, with no make up,  letting your natural beauty shine, you're going to be the most beautiful girl at the beach :)
Make up can be our best friend sometimes, but the beach is just not the place for it!

A few pics of me at the beach, wearing no make up...

I often say that a nice summer hat & a good pair of sunglasses, are my make up for the beach!

For summer skincare/ make up, these are the products I recommend:

- Bioderma Photoderm spf 30 Matifying Sun Fluid (if you have oily/combination skin); look for the one specific to your skin type!

- Vichy capital soleil spf50+ uvb+uva

- Bioderma photoderm max spf 50+ mineral compact very high protection sensitive skin

- Shiseido anti-aging foundation sun protection compact foundation spf 30 water-resistant (my shade is sp60)

- Sun Dance lippen balsam spf30 uva+uvb protection (exclusive to DM drugstores)

- Bronzingold lip gloss with spf (exclusive to deliplus)

- Nice summer hat

- A good pair of shades ;)

We're just a couple of days before the official ending of summer, but I hope this quick post will still be useful to you, for whenever you're sunbathing, or spending time at the beach!

Love from Italy,

xoxo, S.