If there is one type of product I usually forget about, are face powders. I guess they just don't stand out too much to me, however I find them incredibly necessary to finish my makeup. I own a lot of translucent loose powders, mostly because I don't have to worry about finding my perfect shade.

This Maybelline Fit Me pressed powder is in the shade "Translucent - 000", but in person it doesn't look white like translucent powders usually do. This one has a bit of pigment to it, enough to match my pale skin tone. I'm very pleased with the soft yet pigmented texture, and also how fine and matte it looks on the skin. I have oily skin, and this product manages to keep a matte finish for a few hours -during summer- then, as expected, I have to reapply. When it's cold, and I'm not sweating, this stays on for a very long time, without needing any touch ups.

If you are not someone that likes setting their entire face with powder, this could definitely be used to at least set the under eye area. It doesn't crease nor look heavy. Since I've been using this powder for over three months, I think it's safe to say it became a favorite. I use it every single day and I really love it, even more considering the price.

What's your favorite drugstore/affordable pressed powder?

I recently got Sephora's birthday gift for their Beauty Insider's program. I received the Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum Complexion Correcting and Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet, which happen to be a pretty decent size for sample products. This is my first time trying something from Caudalie and I also feel like I should mention beforehand, I have oily skin.

Let's start with the Vinoperfect Radiance Serum, which is meant for all skin types. It's supposed to "Help reduce the look of dark spots. Skin appears radiant and brighter, with a more even complexion". This product doesn't leave a tacky feeling to the skin and it's moisturizing. I had a few dark spots on my face due to some breakouts, and after applying this for the first time I noticed a faint change, but a change nonetheless. Now, after using it regularly, I can say those blemishes are completely gone.

The Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet is targeted to sensitive skin. It claims to be a "Gentle, soothing gel cream hydrates and leaves skin feeling soft and supple". It has an interesting texture, it doesn't feel like a normal moisturizer, it looks like whipped cream. It's very light, and my skin absorbs this product well.

I've been using both products for over two weeks and I've noticed quite an improvement on my skin. Most dark spots have disappeared, it looks a lot healthier and even. Despite having very sensitive skin, none of them clogged my pores nor gave me a bad reaction of some sort. However, they are a bit pricey, which is something to keep in mind, the Vinoperfect Radiance Serum retails for $79.00 and the Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet costs $39.00.

Have you tried these skincare products? What do you think of them?

No matter the season, glowy skin is always a good choice. Even though I love a blinding luminizer, here I chose three of my favorite highlighters for a fresh-looking glow.

The ColourPop Flexitarian Pearlized Highlighter is a stunning white champagne. It is incredibly buttery and the color payoff is amazing. It doesn't feel like a powder whatsoever and it applies beautifully.

 MAC Soft & Gentle Mineralize Skinfinish is a peachy champagne. This one is quite popular, but currently I haven't heard much of it. I still love the effect it gives and even after trying many others, I keep coming back to this one.

Now, If you prefer liquid products you have to try the Sigma Afterglow Liquid Highlighter. Which is a champagne with a subtle purple sheen that gives a natural look. It actually looks like a glow from within.

What's your favorite highlighter for a radiant glow?

After months without posting a video, I finally have lip swatches with a review on the ColourPop ultra matte liquid lipsticks. These are super affordable, only $6 and they are amazing quality. In this video I try on nine shades: Trap, Beeper, Teeny Tiny, Tulle, Kapow, Are & Be, More Better, LAX and Embellish.

Which lip color is your favorite?

I'm pretty late to trying ColourPop liquid lipsticks, but I guess it's better late than never, right?! I ordered quite a few of their ultra matte liquid lipsticks and the first one I'm going to review is More Better. The reason being how beautiful and unique this shade is.

More Better is described as a "deep wine" and it retails for $6. This is a raspberry color with that gorgeous matte finish. It dries quickly and once it's dry it really doesn't transfer. If you apply a lip pencil first, then the liner might transfer a bit. The lipstick stays in place really well and it doesn't crack throughout the day. It's very pigmented, I can apply it all over my lips once and it looks opaque. There is no need to go back and forth with the applicator to gather more product.

It has a very liquid formula, which I don't mind, you just have to be careful not to spill out the product. It's quite drying, however, I don't find it uncomfortable to wear. But it depends on what you're used to. After wearing it for hours, you will notice that it starts to wear off on the inside of your lower lip. Which is normal and totally expected. I just think it's worth mentioning it.

I'm in love with this lip color. I've worn it a couple times and I always get compliments on this shade. It suits all skin tones, from the lightest to the darkest. The packaging is very aesthetically pleasing, which I definitely appreciate.

What's your favorite lipstick from ColourPop?

Just like I did at the end of 2015, I separated five of my personal favorite blog posts of 2016 and the five most popular posts as well. First, here are my top five that I think are interesting and definitely worth taking a look. I discovered some incredible products last year and I would love to start the year well, so make sure to let me know some of your favorites!

How To Take Better Flat Lay Photos - As you can see, I take a lot of flat lays for my blog and throughout the years I gathered some tips that I think would be helpful for anyone that is struggling with this kind of photography.

Colourpop Zingara Super Shock Shadow Collection Review - These eyeshadows were such a happy surprise. I hadn't tried Colourpop before and the moment I swatched these I knew it was love at first sight, or should I say, at first swatch?!

Affordable/Drugstore Beauty Christmas Gift Guide Under $10 - Even though Christmas is over, this has to be my absolute favorite post. Mainly because it is a few of my most loved makeup under $10.

My Favorite Bronze Eyeshadows + Pigments Under $10 - Let's be real, we all love cheap products that are good quality. Having that in mind I picked out four bronze eyeshadows/pigments that I use constantly. These are beautiful!

Colourpop Flexitarian Pearlized Highlighter Review - If you're pale and find that most highlighters are too dark, this one is exactly what you need. This is the most stunning white champagne with the softest texture. I have to say that this is my favorite highlighter.

Now moving on to your favorites...

Sigma Beauty Warm Neutrals Palette Review - This is, by far, my most used palette of 2016. It has a lot of wearable shades and the formula is amazing. I love this for natural looks and even those bold looks for when I'm feeling daring.

What's In My Bag - If you're curious to see what I usually keep in my bag, here is your chance to take a peek inside my everyday purse.

Sigma Beauty Cor-De-Rosa Aura Powder + Gilded & Midsummer Loose Shimmers Review - I always use and mention these products. The blush is perfect and the loose shimmers are so versatile. I will definitely repurchase these in the future.

NARS Cruella & Rikugien Pencils Review - These are gorgeous options to keep in your bag. They are small, so they won't take a lot of space and they're great for a day-to-night look.

MAC Lady Be Good Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick Review - This is such a pretty nude lip color. I couldn't stop wearing it last year and I bet I'll continue to wear it this year as well.

If there is one thing I love is finding amazing affordable products and I'm pretty sure everyone can relate to that. No one likes to spend a huge amount of money on a product if there is a cheaper alternative that is just as good. These are some of my favorite products at the moment, that I believe would make amazing holiday gifts. Every single one of them is under $10, making them perfect for stocking stuffers or just a small gift for a friend.

COLOURPOP FLEXITARIAN HIGHLIGHTER $8
This highlighter is incredibly pretty. It's very intense and buttery. It's described as a "white champagne" and I completely agree. This product is ideal for fair skin, but they have other shades for darker skin tones. Overall, the packaging is beautiful, the formula is amazing and the price is just perfect.

COLOURPOP TRAP & MORE BETTER $6
I couldn't choose between these shades. They are both ultra matte liquid lipsticks, which means they apply in a liquid form and dry matte.

Trap is described as a "dusty greige". This is my go-to lip color for daytime. It's unique, but not bold. More Better is described as a "deep wine". I love this shade when I'm looking for a pop of color. It's the most beautiful raspberry color.

SLEEK ANTIQUE BLUSH €5.99 / $6.22
This makes a beautiful everyday blush. It gives a healthy appearance to the skin, without being too vivid. It's a rosy mauve with some shimmer in it.

MAYBELLINE BAD TO THE BRONZE COLOR TATTOO $6.99
This is such an old, but loved product in my collection. It's very similar to the MAC Paint Pots, but a lot cheaper. This is a cream eyeshadow and this shade is perfect for the holiday season.

I always mention the fact that I have an obsession with highlighters. I truly believe you can't own enough luminizers. When I ordered this product, I wasn't sure it would look good on my complexion. Some highlighters can be quite dark and gold-toned, which is great for darker skin tones. However, if you are pale like me, it's tricky to find a highlighter that isn't too dark. Flexitarian is the most beautiful white champagne highlighter for fair skin.

The first thing I noticed about this product is its texture. It is incredibly buttery and the color payoff is unreal. With just a light touch I got a lot of product on my finger and it's all you need to achieve an intense glow. This is more pigmented than my beloved Mary-Lou Manizer by The Balm and all of my MAC highlighters. What I adore about Flexitarian is the fact that it doesn't have chunks of glitter. Because of its creamy formula, it blends easily and it looks like skin.

If you prefer a more "wearable" look, you can simply apply it with a beauty sponge or a synthetic brush. Now if you use your fingers, it will blind the haters. Joking aside, it will look crazy pigmented. Which nowadays, almost everyone wants.

This is probably the best affordable highlighter out there, and for me the best in general. It retails for $8 and honestly, it is everything I've always dreamed of. I don't have anything to complain about it. The packaging is beautiful, the formula is amazing and the price is just perfect.

What is your favorite affordable highlighter?

I just received my first ColourPop Cosmetics order, and I can't begin to explain how excited I am. Their packaging is absolutely adorable and the prices are ah-mazing! This set really stood out to me, I just can't resist warm-toned eyeshadows. It retails for $18, but all of these eyeshadows can be purchased individually for $5 each.

• Jinxie - Is a beautiful light gold with a pearlized finish. It's incredibly soft and the color payoff is out of this world. 
• Paradox - Is a cool-toned burgundy with a satin finish. I was shocked by its texture, it literally feels like butter. I've never touched such a creamy shadow before. It's also highly pigmented. 
• Elixir - Is a terracotta with a matte finish. It makes a gorgeous transition shade.
• Seeker - Is a warm brown with a matte finish. This is the perfect dark brown eyeshadow. 

Overall, their formula really impressed me. There is no way I could possibly describe how buttery these shadows are. All I can say is, if you haven't tried these yet, you need to. My favorite, texture-wise, has to be Paradox, which has a satin finish. But to be honest, all of them are worth the money. They're long-wearing and a tiny bit goes a long way. I prefer to apply these with my fingers for an even greater color payoff.

Have you tried anything from ColourPop? If so, what is your favorite product from them?

As someone with oily skin I've struggled with acne and always looking greasy. Throughout the years I've tested many skincare products, but most of them turned out to be huge disappointments and waste of money. These three are long time favorites of mine, that I believe in and will continue to use until I can find something even greater.

I actually bought the Clean & Clear cleanser by mistake, I intended to get the astringent and took this one home instead. But let me tell you, I'm so glad I decided to give it a try. With just a little bit of product I manage to clean my face and get it looking fresh. It removes the oils and it keeps my skin dry for a few hours. The Clean & Clear astringent has been a part of my skincare routine for years. I use it twice a day, and just like the cleanser, a little bit goes a long way. This is perfect if you want to remove your makeup.

Now, the Mary Kay TimeWise Repair eye cream is not necessarily meant for oily skin. However, I feel like anyone that needs a good eye cream is going to love this one. It helps with wrinkles which we all need, since it's never too early to start preventing them. It also targets dark circles and leaves such a moisturized feel to the lids, without being sticky.

I haven't shared my skincare favorites until now, because I feel like the chances of a skincare product working for everyone are almost nonexistent. So this is why I postponed this topic for so long. But as you can see these are all well-loved, in fact I'll need to repurchase all of them soon.

What's your favorite skincare product?

This was my first MAC lipstick and the reason why my collection grew so rapidly. I got it as a Christmas gift a couple years ago and since then I developed an obsession with makeup.

First things first, this shade is absolutely gorgeous and unique. Rebel is described as a "midtonal cream plum". This lip color looks incredible on all skin tones. The satin formula is very similar to MAC's matte finish, with its remarkable pigmentation. However, this one is, obviously, more glossy. Therefore, it glides on easily and it's super moisturizing.

One would assume that because it has a satin finish it doesn't last long. But I was quite impressed by how long-wearing it actually is. I would say, it lasts around four hours on a normal day and by that I mean, eating and drinking. It is easy to remove, but it stains the lips.

For some reason this color really stands out to me. I find it incredibly flattering, especially paired with a simple makeup look. For me, this is the right amount of bold and wearable. I will definitely repurchase this lipstick in the future.

What was your first MAC lipstick?

Today's tutorial is a quick glam. I've paired a simple brown halo look with a beautiful rose gold liner. This is super easy and therefore, perfect for beginners.

Products:
MAC Soft Ochre Paint Pot
Sigma Beauty Smoke Screen Palette (Haze, Thunderhead and Ember)
Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette (Foxy and YDK)
Avon Black Flash Liner
Maybelline The Colossal
Kiss Au Naturale 02 Lashes
MAC Whirl Lipstick

Brushes:
MAC 210 and 217
Sigma 3DHD Precision, E54 and E55

I have this lipstick for a while and I don't think I talk enough about it. This is, without a doubt, one of the prettiest shades of pink that I have ever encountered, at least for my complexion. It has a retro matte finish, which means it is extra dry.

Flat Out Fabulous is described as "bright plum matte". It is super long-wearing and highly pigmented. It is relatively opaque, but for more evenness I like to apply a second layer. This formula is absolutely stunning. It's quite drying on the lips, but it looks gorgeous. You need to exfoliate your lips beforehand, and make sure to apply a little bit of lip balm for a smoother application.

The only issue I had was, when removing it stained my lips and trying to rub the stain with harsh makeup remover was an impossible task. It took at least four hours to completely erase all traces. Despite that, I really love the color and the matte finish, so for that reason I would look away from the fact that it stains, which sometimes can look kinda cute.

Overall, this lipstick is incredibly unique. It's very feminine and fun. I love the shade and the texture. It looks beautiful on all skin tones. This is the perfect choice if you like bold lip colors, but isn't ready to wear green or blue in public.

What do you think of this retro matte formula?

You have no idea how happy I get every time I see one of these lip colors. Like I mentioned yesterday, on my 5 lipsticks you need this spring, I live in the Southern Hemisphere. Therefore I'm going through spring right now, however, I know a lot of you live in the Northern Hemisphere. So I wanted to share my favorites for both seasons. As you can see, this is not quite my five favorite lipsticks, because one of them is a palette that comes with four lip colors. So I decided to count this quad as one lipstick, if that makes any sense. I'm kind of cheating by calling this my top 5, but at least you guys have more options, right?!

• MAC Dance With Me - Hands down, my absolute favorite red lipstick. It's such a beautiful shade and it makes my teeth appear more whiter.
• Sigma Beauty Own It - If I'm feeling daring, this is the lipstick to wear. It's a glossy pigmented purple, that will keep your lips moisturized for a while.
• MAC Sin - Is a burgundy lip color with a drying matte finish. But of course, not nearly as drying as a liquid lipstick. I love how it applies and stays on my lips.
• MAC Antique Velvet - This deep brown matte lipstick looks gorgeous on any skintone. It is highly pigmented and it will last a long time.
• Sleek Makeup Havana (Cookie) - Is the perfect 90's lip color. It's a light brown with a hint of mauve. Also, it's highly pigmented and long lasting.
• Sleek Makeup Havana (Crème Brulee) - Is a dark brown with a red undertone. It's super pigmented and it stays on for many hours. It's soft and moisturizing.
• Sleek Makeup Havana (Rum) - Is a beautiful burgundy and the most stunning dark gloss I've tried.

What are some of your favorite colors to wear during fall/autumn?

If you live in the Southern Hemisphere, like me, spring has finally arrived. To be honest this is not my favorite season, but I do enjoy wearing some vibrant colors once in a while. When I think about spring, I instantly think of several shades of pink. All of these lipsticks are beautiful and unique in their own way. Which lip color do you think is perfect for spring?

• MAC Lady Be Good - This is my perfect nude lipstick. This product is very pigmented and opaque. Also, it's incredibly long lasting.
• MAC Kinda Sexy - Is a peachier nude. This is a really versatile and flattering shade. It has a matte finish, but it's creamy at the same time.
• Sleek Makeup Birthday Suit - This is my go-to lipstick. It is the most stunning mauve with a hint of pink that I have seen.
• Smashbox Pink Petal - Is by far one of the creamiest lipsticks I have swatched. It is a very pigmented pink and it has no shimmer.
• MAC Flat Out Fabulous - This is such a fun shade. It's super bright and opaque. It's quite drying, due to its retro matte finish, but I don't find it uncomfortable to wear.

If you are in the Northern Hemisphere, tomorrow I'll share my top 5 lip colors for fall/autumn. Which I'm super excited about, because it includes a lot of gorgeous vampy lipsticks.

A while ago I shared 3 eyeshadow brushes that everyone needs, so I assumed it was about time to talk about my absolute favorite face brushes. I've tried many different brands and types of brushes, but these are excellent quality and definitely worth checking out. They are incredibly soft and dense. Also, they haven't shed any bristles when I washed them. Which is pretty awesome, considering shedding is normal and expected.

• Sigma Beauty 3DHD Kabuki* - I don't usually like using brushes to apply my foundation, mostly because it tends to leave an uneven texture to the skin. However, this brush makes my skin actually look like skin. The unusual shape allows you to easily apply the product around the nose and other areas.
• Real Techniques Core Collection (Contour) - Finding the ideal contour brush can be quite difficult. It needs to fit perfectly under your cheekbones and not drag your foundation while you blend it. This one is incredible and you can create a sharp or soft contour, depending on your preference.
• Sigma Beauty Spotlight Duster F37* - This is the softest brush I've ever touched. It applies and blends my highlighter like no other. The size and tapered shape are just perfect to achieve a diffused highlight.

These are my go-to brushes. What are some of your favorites?

*Products marked with an asterisk are PR samples. For more information read my full disclaimer here.

If you are like me, you can never have too many bronze eyeshadows. They are so versatile and you can create looks for every occasion. All of my favorites are relatively cheap, all under ten dollars, and they are excellent quality. What are some of your favorites?

SIGMA BEAUTY MIDSUMMER - $8.40*
This loose shimmer is incredibly beautiful. Due to its foil-like texture, it gives a lot of dimension when applied. It can be used as eyeshadow, highlighter, nail art or even mixed with a lip product.

MAYBELLINE BAD TO THE BRONZE - $6.99
This product can be used as an eyeshadow base and on its own. It's highly pigmented and the color is buildable. Once it's dry it won't move through out the day and it doesn't crease, even if you have oily eyelids.

MAKEUP GEEK UTOPIA - $8.99
Probably one of the most stunning pigments I've ever seen. Its consistency is very different from the others, it looks like chunks of glitter attached to one another. 

SEPHORA HOLLYWOOD'S CALLING - $10
This eyeshadow is a lot more warm than the other ones. It has an amazing color payoff and it blends well. It also has a lot of gold shimmer, making it really unique.

*Products marked with an asterisk are PR samples. For more information read my full disclaimer here.

At first glance, some of these lip colors look exactly the same. However, when swatched they turn out to be quite different. Here are a few of my similar MAC lipsticks with side by side swatches. I separated these in groups of three, for instance, three lighter nudes, three slightly darker nudes and finally, the last three vampy shades. All of these have matte finishes, with the exception of Lady Be Good, which is a liquid lipstick with a retro matte finish.

Honeylove and Lady Be Good appear to be identical, but on the lips Lady Be Good is a little closer to Taupe. Kinda Sexy is the peachier nude from this group. It's similar to Honeylove, but Honeylove is a lot lighter. Whirl is close to Taupe, but it has a mauve undertone, unlike the other that has a brown undertone.

Moving on to the lipsticks that inspired this post. When I bought Antique Velvet I didn't expect it to look so much like Sin. To be honest, I was quite afraid I had purchased an almost identical lip color. When you swatch both of them, you can actually see how unique they are. Sin is a beautiful burgundy and Antique Velvet is a true brown. Viva Glam III is not as deep as Sin, but it's in the same color range.

• Honeylove is described as a "light beige toned with rose".
• Lady Be Good is described as a "warm mid-tone nude".
• Kinda Sexy is described as a "neutral pinky-rose".
• Velvet Teddy is described as a "deep-tone beige".
• Whirl is described as a "dirty rose".
• Taupe is described as a "muted reddish-taupe brown".
• Viva Glam III is described as a "muted brownish-plum".
• Sin is described as a "deep dark blue red".
• Antique Velvet is described as an "intense brown".

By looking at these swatches I wouldn't say any of these are dupes. Sure, some of them are pretty similar, but they're definitely not identical or incredibly close. Do you know any MAC lipsticks that look alike?