I knew I wanted Dior Samba Summer Lacquer Duo for Tips & Toes the second I saw the promo image, but I sat on it for the longest time. I finally went ahead when I was in Cannes. Partly because I needed to repaint my nails, and partly because it reminds me so much of the Ligurian Sea!

Like Bahia, Dior Samba comes with two 7ml (0.23 oz) bottles of Dior Vernis.

402 is a dusty jade.

704 is a metallic teal:

Can you see just how much the combination is similar to the color of the sea?

Do note that the swatch was done without a base or top coat.

Formula-wise, 402 is a typical Dior Vernis with a crème finish. It is pretty much opaque with one coat, and the finish is nice and smooth. 794 is a little trickier with the metallic finish. The first coat is a little streaky and uneven, though it does become smoother as it dries. With two coats I  can still see some streaks, but it is not the trickiest metallic nail polish I own. I had no base coat or top coat with me, and they could make a difference!

Whenever I miss how the Ligurian Sea looks under the sun, I will take Dior Samba out and paint my nails again.

PS: Guess what else has a similar color theme?

I bumped into Mike and Sulley outside of the Carlton Hotel in Cannes! Who else is excited about Monsters University?

Sunny, your beauty culture translator xx

(Entrance to Majestic Beach. Sometimes I get to work in fun places!)

Imagine the following scenario: you get a phone call about a job assignment in Cannes for 3 days. Sure, it sounds like fun! The only problem? Making it to the last flight that will get you there on time leaves you a bit under two hours to shower and pack. What do you do? If your answer is running around like a headless chicken in the apartment, I don’t blame you. As a matter of fact, I spent quite a bit of those precious two hours doing precisely that. But a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do, and I’m giving you a sneak peek of the makeup that I packed in the two minutes I could spare!

(Sorry for the hotel bathroom pics. You’ll get to see how glorious Cannes is later)

Here you see my makeup bag and brush roll. In retrospect, it is a great idea to store brushes in a brush roll with the The Brush Guard. My brushes have stayed intact throughout the journey!

Let’s begin with the base. Since Cannes is warmer than Belgium, oil control is on my priority list. Becca Resurfacing Primer is my best bet! I know the whole BB cream thing is getting old, but when I need some coverage and a good SPF, Dior Hydra Life BB Cream remains my go-to! For dark circles and imperfections, NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer and NARS Stick Concealer have me covered (pun intended). My go-to setting powder, Guerlain Perles du Dragon Météorites could be a bit cumbersome to travel with, so I took Teint Beige Météorites instead.

The eye department is probably the only one that seems unreasonably big. I have Burberry Pale Barley (see that good dent on the upper left corner?), Edward Bess Cosmic Bliss, Bobbi Brown Black Ink, Chanel Moon River, and Laura Mercier Sand Glow for eyeshadows. I hesitated a little about Chanel Moon River, but since a cocktail party was on the table, I thought the option of a bit of glam couldn’t hurt!

In terms of eyelashes, I have Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler, Dior Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum, Diorshow Iconic Overcurl, and Diorshow New Look. I have tried some different mascaras since I discovered the two Dior ones, but I quite possibly still love Iconic Overcurl the best. New Look is perfect for my nonexistent bottom lashes. Since both are samples, I thought why not?

Hourglass Soft Brunette Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil is something I triple-checked that I included in the bag. It is frankly irreplaceable, and I haven’t used anything else on my brows since I got it several months ago. To help eye makeup last you’ve got to use a primer. I’ve been trying to use up my tube of NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base before I open anything else.

Initially I only wanted to take Dior Coral Glow in terms of blush/bronzer/contour product (see just how multi-purpose it is?). However, I thought I might get tired of warmer coral lipsticks, so I grabbed Chanel Rose Initiale to go with Guerlain Shalimar (it is the blush I use whenever I take photos for multiple lippies. I know it sounds like a cliché, but it truly works with everything!).

Dior Spring Ball and Clinique Curviest Caramel aren’t strictly speaking what I packed, since they have been in my purse anyways. They are absolutely lipsticks I would fall back on, even when I have to talk for several hours a day (they won’t get onto your teeth, and I prefer not to draw too much attention to my lips when I interpret. It gets too distracting). For more glamorous occasions, I have Shalimar and Chanel Le Baiser.

Oh, and how can I not rave about Chanel Poudre Signée de Chanel Illuminating Powder again? The pattern is almost entirely gone, and I haven’t really used another highlighter since I got this in my arsenal. If you can still lay your hands on it, consider this the green light from me!

So this is what I packed for a 3-day work trip. What do you think? Absolutely way too much or still acceptable? I know I could/should definitely have left some stuff behind, but since I only had 2 minutes I might have panicked and shoved a little more in!

A few pictures of Cannes:

Remember Dior‘s summer collection from last year? The name Croisette comes from the main road of Cannes!

I hope you’re having a great weekend!

Sunny, your beauty culture translator xx

This can’t be a surprise. Ever since earlier this year, Chanel has been slowly easing colored mascaras back onto our vanities. While the two Le Volumes are on the subtle side of the spectrum, the four Inimitable Waterproofs in  L’Été Papillon de Chanel positively scream “LOOK AT ME!” Today I’m showing you Zest (27), Lime Light (37), and Blue Note (57) while briefly going over the formula itself.

Chanel Inimitable Waterproof promises to do it all! Theoretically the formula offers volume, length, curl, separation, and it is waterproof! It comes with a flexible rubber wand with little spikes.

Blue Note is a shimmery royal blue, Lime Light is a light mint, and Zest is a bright yellow. Out of the three, Blue Note is the most versatile color because you can wear it on its own! Lime Light and Zest could be a little tricky depending on your skin tone/eye color. The easiest way for me to pull them off would be wearing them over a regular black mascara on the tip of my lashes.

Here you can see them swatched on my arm:

Here you can see one layer of Blue Note on my upper lashes, two coats of Blue Note on my upper lashes, Zest layered over Blue Note on my upper lashes and Lime Light on my bottom lashes.

The colored part aside, I find the formula of Chanel Inimitable Waterproof to add a lot of length to my lashes, and it holds curls really well. It is not the most volumizing formula I have tried, and it could clump a little if you pile it on (though to a certain extent the same goes to all mascaras). I personally don’t have the best luck with rubber wands in general, but if you do I would encourage you to take a look at it!

From a distance, this is how Lime Light looks layered over a black mascara:

And here you see Blue Note layered over black:

Bottom line: I do like how Zest, Lime Light, and Blue Note Inimitable Waterproofs look when they are layered over a regular black mascara. I am not sure how much mileage most people can get out of these, but it is for sure fun to own one for summer!

Does any of these speak to you, or are they a bit too avant-garde? If you own one of these, how do you wear it?

Sunny, your beauty culture translator xx

Summer is around the corner, and it’s time to get ready from head to toe! This post features 6 products that will help you achieve the goal. Whether you’re looking for a sunscreen for your scalp or something to keep your feet feeling fresh, you will find it here!

First of all, we have Redken Color Extend Sun Take Cover SPF25 (RRP in Belgium: 28,30 euros) and Kérastase Huile Lactée (RRP in Belgium: 22,40 euros). Do you know your scalp needs some SPF love as well? I do now after it got burnt during a hike in the Alps! I won’t go into details, but let me tell you the peeling afterwards was not attractive! Redken Color Extend Sun Take Cover SPF25 is a mousse that is supposed to be used on the scalp (dry or damp) 30 minutes before sun exposure. You can reapply according to your needs. It has a slight cooling sensation, and the texture is lightweight, so it’s quite pleasant to use!

Kérastase Huile Lactée targets sun-exposed hair. It is a bi-phase milky liquid that you have to shake before spraying it on (again, it can be used on dry or towel-dried hair). It tames the frizz without making my hair greasy, which is always a bonus! I think both products are useful when you are spending time outdoor in summer!

Next up, we have two products that add some sparkle! L’Occitane Pivoine Flora Shimmering Oil (RRP in Belgium: 28 euros) is a multi-purpose dry oil that can be used on the face, body, as well as hair. You need to shake it up a little to get this beautiful golden liquid, and it smells as nicely flowery as everything else in the Pivoine Flora range. The oil is pretty light, so even in summer I doubt it’ll feel greasy on the skin. The gold flecks are rather sparse, so you won’t have to worry about looking over-the-top shimmery, either!

Here is a couple of drops of the oil so you can see it isn’t scary shimmery:

Givenchy Croisière Reflet Précieux Satiny Body Enhancer (RRP in BelgiumL 51 euros) is a shimmery body lotion. The texture is lightweight and non-sticky. What’s more, it smells like Tiare flower! It looks quite bronzy and shimmery when it is pumped out, but once spread out it is not obviously shimmery or bronzy on me. It is quite impossible to spot the light-reflecting particle, but it does add a nice sheen!

Here is the lotion pumped out:

I tried to take photos of how it looks when it is spread out, but I’m afraid it is quite impossible to capture the effect (much like a highlighter). For me personally it is not too much, but you do see a subtle difference!

Since we might have to wear a bikini sometime soon, maybe it’s time to take care of the cellulite! Besides a balanced diet low in fat and sugar and regular exercise, Babor‘s new Body Cellular Ultime 3D Cellulite Lotion (RRP in Belgium: 50 euros) might help!

The lotion comes with an applicator that you can massage the problem area with. You twist it on and off, so the product won’t ooze out when you don’t wait it to! The lotion feels intensely cooling on the skin, and the effect lasts for at least half an hour! It has to be used over a course of 4 weeks to make a difference, and I have only just started giving it a go. Nevertheless, from what I can already feel, it does temporarily make my skin firmer, and the cooling sensation is a little addictive!

Last but not least, have you busted your sandals, ballerinas, and flip flops out? Again, I won’t go into details, but feet could get a little swollen and clammy when it’s warm, and I have really enjoyed Neutrogena Anti-Perspirant Deodorant Foot Spray! Using it couldn’t be easier: just aim it at your feet (especially the soles and between your toes) and spray for 2-3 seconds right before jumping into your shoes. It keeps them feeling fresh all day! On small tip: spray from a bit of a distance and don’t overdo it, as it could dry the skin out and leave a layer of white powder behind.

Now you have everything you need to need to be summer-ready, from head to toe! Did anything stand out to you?

Sunny, your beauty culture translator xx

When I got the Edward Bess Secret Affair Blush Extraordinaire a while ago, I couldn’t resist trying an Ultra Slick Lipstick (it goes for 32 USD) as well. For those of you who might not have heard the story, it all started out when Edward launched his lip colors. For a brand that has achieved a cult status, I say these lipsticks sound promising! Count me in with Island Blossom, a muted peachy coral!

While I am not entirely satisfied with the packaging of Blush Extraordinaire, the Ultra Slick Lipstick has the classic heft and click of a luxury lipstick. Now that’s what I’m talking about!

Island Blossom is a muted peachy coral on me. It has a fair amount of orange in it, but definitely not as much as for example NARS Lodhi. It has the same candy smell with Blush Extraordinaire. It is not what I would categorize as subtle, but it’s not overwhelming, either.

Left: one pass. Right: built up

If you are looking for a very pigmented cream lipstick formula, Edward Bess Ultra Slick Lipstick might be it. As you can see, Island Blossom is opaque with one pass. The creamy texture glides on easily. It is lightweight but not the type of lipsticks that feels “slippery” on. It lasts for 5 hours on me through drinks and food, and it leaves behind a light stain. I would say it is somehow hydrating too!

You have seen Island Blossom on me here:

Here I layered some Chanel Envolée Lèvres Scintillantes over a blended-out layer of Island Blossom:

Bottom line: Now I know why Edward Bess was capable of starting a following with his lipsticks! Most shades in the Ultra Slick Lipstick range seems easy to wear yet infinitely flattering. Island Blossom will work particularly well for those who have a warmer undertone. It would make a great everyday color for spring/summer, but I don’t think it will be too bright for autumn, either!

Have you tried any of the Edward Bess Ultra Slick Lipsticks? If this is a brand that has been on your radar, what do you think your first purchase will be?

Sunny, your beauty culture translator xx