What I actually got in an Essence advent calendar

** On a personal note this week: My thoughts on "To All The Boys P.S. I Still Love You"

OK, look, I know it's been two months since Christmas and I'm kinda late with this, but would you believe me if I told you I just now got the time to go through it? I honestly haven't touched any of these stuff since I opened them.

The other advent calendar I had was for a giveaway so I took care of it sooner, but this one I wasn't in a rush to deal with. If the recipients of the giveaway are reading this, I would love it if they send me a feedback or a photo or something.  Anyways, let's get into my advent calendar by, probably, my favorite brand out there.

Empties | 2019

** GIVEAWAY (rules and entry form): Blogmas 2019: My 1st GIVEAWAY

How has the year already passed? I sound like a broken record every year, but I feel like there's so much I could have done during the year so the end now seems so weird and almost unexpected. Is the life now really faster then it used to be? I wonder how you feel about it...

Each year I have more and more products in this box. I think I'll need a bigger box for these posts. If you're interested in any of the previous posts on this topic, you can find them in my 'Empties' category (Empties | 2016, Empties | 2017 and Empties | 2018).

New-in: make-up for fall

** On a personal note this week: I want a boob job

Here's me not following seasonal trends, but still writing a title "make-up for fall". Nice. OK, I'm not gonna lie, I do like a nice dark lipstick and dark nail polishes with sweater-weather, but it's definitely not mandatory. I'm currently sitting here and writing this with white glitter nails and bright yellow and pink make-up.

It's been a while since I did a new-in post, right? It's been a while for all posts since I haven't blogged in months. However, my love for make-up hasn't faded. I still bought some bits here and there and now you'll see new items in my collection. Did I need them? No. Do I love them? Yes.

Ombre blue abstract manicure

** On a personal note this week: What I like in romance movies

Lately I really neglected my love and passion for nails because they take quite a lot of time to create. Also, I'm kinda a perfectionist when it comes to manicures and I'm almost never 100% happy with the way they look, but that's a whole other problem of mine. 

But! I'm absolutely in love with this manicure. The idea was taken (completely stolen) from very talented Yagala (and here's her photo and Instagram video). Honestly, when it comes to nails, I always go to her profile for inspiration and new tricks. If you like manicures or just find those wideos of painting nails relaxing, definitely go to her profile!

Brown-rose gold manicure

** On a personal note this week: 20 plans and wishes for 2019

If we don't count Blogmas, it's been more than half of year since I posted a proper manicure post. To be honest, I don't know why I haven't focused on nails more lately... I've been doing manicures regularly every week, but I guess it's the most boring post to actually write...

This one, however, is a bit different. Not in terms of actual manicure, but the story with it. If you read my post about Barry M nail polish Barry M peel-off nail polish base, you probably recognize this manicure... You also know how damaged my nails were after using it (there's a video to prove it). However, I'm posting it again because I was in love with it!

Empties | 2018

OMG it's officially the last post of 2018. It's already a boring statement, but each year passes by faster than the previous one and it scares me. By the products I'll show you in this post, it actually looks like I used some more than I usually do and this post won't be a miss. 

If you don't know, this post is my yearly thing and you can read Empties | 2017 and Empties | 2016. I'll divide products into few categories and give my short reviews and/or links to my review posts. So enjoy.

Essence glitter peel-off mask

** On a personal note this week: Today: 25.11.2018.

Once a week, usually Sunday, I take some time to do my beauty routine. That means everything - shower, washing hair, doing nails and, of course, full skincare routine. I'm writing this on Sunday. I just left my shower, I got all my oils on and now I'm ready to write another review.

If you read my last post about skincare, My 4 black peel off masks, you probably noticed that I have that I haven't still used and written about. Today was the day that this glitter went on my face. And if you know me, you should know I love a smooth face and I especially love glitter.

My 4 black peel off masks

** On a personal note this week: Should kids earn their money?

I have this feeling that my topics are out of date. Like, are peel-off masks still a thing? I'm sure people are still using them, but they're not as popular anymore. Or am I wrong? Regardless, I go down this rabbit hole and I overthink should I post this or not? But here we are.

Recently, which means a year ago, I wrote a post Black peel-off mask: Iroha vs. Balea where I tested both just to see whether price is a key factor or not. If you're interested, just read it. However, today I'm presenting you my 4 black peel-off masks. Surprisingly, there's no expensive one (again, you can read about it in the previously linked post).

5 must-have lipsticks for fall season!

** On a personal note this week: I'm more than my social media.

Why is writing these intros to posts the hardest thing ever? Here I was, sitting in my room, looking around and noticed I haven't rearranged anything in quite a while so I decided to get my hands on the first thing next to me. And those were lipsticks. They're just standing here on my shelf and I noticed that I didn't like the order they were in, there were no categories.

I also realized that I gravitate towards some more than others. Especially with the season change. I usually do stuff without thinking about it being good for this blog. But this time I was smarter and took the opportunity of writing this post along with organizing my lipsticks. If you want to see the full collection, read My lipstick collection post.

Sugar spun nails

How long has it been since I posted a manicure? Seems like ages since my last 'Nails' post was about terrible experience with a peel-off base (post Barry M peel-off nail polish base). I also don't exactly know how late am I with this manicure cause I've seen it few months back. I decided to try it out anyway and see is it really as easy as they show it.

This trend is called sugar spun for whatever reason and I was really excited about it. It seemed quick and easy. It also didn't require any experience with manicures, drawings or any other form of creativity. You just need to pick out two or more colors you like together and that's it.

Essence metal shock nail powders (+ video)

Metal nails or nail foils were a huge thing now (they still are as far as I know) among all nail artists and manicure lovers. Although there are hundreds of powders and base/top coat combinations, and they can be ordered pretty much everywhere, I got my eyes on the Essence collection. Among other products, they offered metal shock powder and top coat.

I got powder in the shade #03 i'm so fancy (purple), #01 mirror, mirror on the nail (silver) and #04 a touch of vintage (gold) and I also got these cute mini eyeshadow applicators as I've seen many tutorials using these.

Essentials: Make-up

With all bloggers, brands and youtubers bombarding us with all the make-up "you need to have" is's easy to get lost into it. You're constantly persuaded that you need just one more eyeliner, just one more highlight and there's no make-up without a mascara. So I sat down today and went through my make-up collection.

I don't need make-up at all (as I put full make-up on maybe (!) two times a month), but if I wanted to do some look, I found some essentials. A while ago (more like a year ago), I wrote two more 'essentials' posts and I showed you what I think are fashion essentials (really proud of that post) and nails essentials so check that out too. 

Fashion & make-up & jewelry & skin care haul

Whenever I buy something new I plan on writing this post and I ask you on Twitter whether you'd like to see it and the answer is always "yes" and I've still never done it. So, I've finally done it! Over the past few two months I got some new stuff in all categories so I'm showing you all I got.

It will take me a while before I figure out how to get great pictures of clothes and I'm planning on doing a try-on post one day, but for now you'll get these. Also, my camera has a will on its own so there are different photos here, but you'll get it...

Quick & easy nail care

I know I'm probably a bit crazy when it comes to nails (hence the whole category Nails on my blog), but I think they are the best accessory I have so I have to keep them in the best possible shape. Most people would just wash their hands, cut nails and maybe put on some hand cream. Not me.

I already wrote a whole post on My nails and manicures (routine) so I suggest you read that too. However, I haven't talked about actual nail and cuticle care. You can do this in so many ways and different products, but I'm here to show you the most simple routine I have for my nails and manicures looking great.

Empties | 2017

I said before I don't use many products and it's actually hard for me to use something to the end in short period of time. That's why I decided to write yearly empties. You can read my last's year post here Empties | 2016.

Unlike last year, I have photos to show you all products. Of course, I'll write really short reviews of everything if you're interested and I'll also link the post if I've already written a review. I divided all products into categories so it would be easier for you to navigate and find what you're most interested in. Prepare yourself for a long post.

Blogmas 2017: Holiday nails

Blogmas 9: It's the most wonderful time of the year

I finally got to the nails! If you've been here since the beginning, you know this blog started because of my love toward nail designs. I'm a perfectionist when it comes to manicures so I'm not always satisfied with what I do. However, I always pay extra attention to nails when it's about Christmas.

This year I prepared for this in advanced so I bought my first stamping plates* and all that goes with it. I bought a bunch of them of Born Pretty Store* site cause I was sure they were good. And they are. I also waited for discounts so I got them at lower prices which was awesome. Out of all of the plates I got, I got 3 related to Christmas.

Blogmas 2017: Christmas/New Year make-up look

Blogmas 8: Driving Home for Christmas

Since recently I started wearing more make-up for special occasions. I usually go for neutral make-up possibly with bold darker lips. Although I did experiment a bit with colors on my eyes (which you can see in this post about Makeup Revolution Acid brights palette and which you'll see in one post next year), it's easier for me to do neutral eye make-up and then finish the look with basically any lipstick I want.

Today I created a make-up look that is perfect for a Christmas lunch with family, then you can build it up for night out or New Year's Eve.

Metal shock eyeshadows by Essence

Another Essence post? Oh God. Yes, I'm that girl. Anyway, I showed you these in my New in: make-up | summer-fall 2017 post and I told you that I'll give more attention to some products in my New in: make-up | follow-up post where I gave brief reviews of more than 10 products (so go check that out too). Today I'm presenting new liquid eyeshadows by Essence.

I already one separate post on some products and you can read it in Essence butter sticks lipsticks post. However, metallic make-up has become really popular lately and we are all looking for some great affordable options for following this trend.

Essence butter sticks lipsticks

I've shown you these in my New in: make-up | summer-fall 2017 post, but I also announced their separate review in my New in: make-up | follow-up post. As you all know I have a weak spot for lipsticks and Essence, it would only be fair if I showed them all the attention they deserve.

I have two lipsticks of each formula - matte and glossy. Let me start by saying that I love the fact they gave options both in color and in formulas and finish.

New in: make-up | follow-up post

Few weeks back I posted my New in: make-up | summer-fall 2017 post showing you what I got myself during past few weeks (months?). I promised I would do the follow-up post which I've never actually done before.

Some products will not be featured here because I want to do full reviews on those so keep coming back to see when they'll be posted. I'll keep this short and sweet.