March Favorites

March to me was full of running around, working, getting inspired by most random things and missing my dance classes and home country .. To cope with my nostalgia I did find dance studio, right next to where I live ( might be taking flamenco classes!!!) and was listening to polish music all the time, which made my neighbors so happy ...   In between all of that I was trying some new haircare and skincare products that I really loved, unfortunately I didn't find anything worthy form the makeup department.

1.Soothing Sheet Mask Oatmeal by St.Ives

Came across this sheet face mask while walking around beauty department in Target ( the only place I actually seen this mask ) and decided to give it a chance. To be honest I am not a big fan of St. Ives products, they simply don't do anything for my skin, but this oat mask was a game changer! I put it on after a long, busy day at work, looking for a quick way to "calm down" my skin. The results were amazing! My skin felt so soothed, even the puffiness and swelling around my eyes went down.
Would recommend it to anyone with sensitive skin, looking for a hydration boost.

To buy : St.Ives oat face mask

2. Pixi by Petra glow face Tonik

Bought a sample size in Target (probably the same trip as St.Ives mask) and used it only at night.
For the longest time, I wanted to add the chemical peels to my skincare and didn't know where to start. There is so much information out there, all those peels that sound so promising, yet intimidating and the price of the products is usually astronomical.
This little sample tube lasted for almost a week and I was so surprised when I have noticed a visible difference in my skin in a just weeks use! Made my face glow without over drying it, due to the glycolic acid, aloe, ginseng extract that remove the dull skin, leaving no irritation.  I ordered a full size of this tonik and it is already on the way!

 To buy : PIXI Glow Tonic

3.Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque 

My hair "must have", "holy grail" and "one and only", I came back to this hair mask last month and I asked myself "Why have I stopped using it ? This stuff really works." It is great,thick cream mask, that makes my hair smooth and tangle free. It also feels like my hair is "heavier" in the positive sense after using it. I was able to stop combing my hair in the shower, I could feel how soft and silky my hair was right away. The only thing I would suggest is to rinse it off very well, not to leave any residue. I would suggest this mask for extra dry, chemically treated hair than need lots of moisture.

To buy :Macadamia Natural oil hair mask

4.Justyna Steczkowska, polish singer 

Couple times a year, mostly during summer months and right before Christmas I tend to get very home sick... Like I wrote above I love to listen to polish music and this time it was Justyna Steczkowska, an amazing artist. She has this unique voice that reminds me of Enya, so angelic yet powerful.  I listen to her songs over and over (yes, I am one of those people), she made me feel just for a moment, like I was home again.. Can't put it to words, I guess only music has that power of expression..All I can say that if you are looking for somebody new, interesting to listen to, give Justyna Steczkowsa a try!

Ewelina

Sisley Black Rose Face Mask

Possibly the most expensive skincare product I have ever bought. My hands were shaky, my throat went dry and there was some tears in my eyes when I was handing the lady my card to pay for it.

I was trying to convince myself that I am doing it for my skin, to look decent for upcoming photo shoot, that I am investing in my skincare, etc... All that self talk didn't work.. still felt guilty while walking out of  the store..

Black Rose Cream Mask has an "Oscar winning" reputation and is a favorite among many. It is full of great anti-aging ingredients like black rose extract, vitamin E and chlorella and red wine among many.

It is effortless to put on, a thick light pink cream that instantly absorbs into the skin. I didn't notice it smells of anything, which I like since I am not a fan of too much fragrance in skincare.

In my opinion it is a great cream mask, that I often use as a night cream or put a thicker layer to make it into a "sleeping mask". It is so expensive I would never wipe away any excess, giving my skin plenty of time to absorb it all.

The instant result that I noticed was how smooth my skin felt afterwords. It felt comforted and visibly more plump and radiant..  The effect didn't continue till the next morning, but imagine putting it on before big event or a night out. Simply the best for instant results!

Would love to continue using it to make me skin appear even smoother, and see more benefits from it on my skin. I also would love to mix it with an oil from the same line, however the price of the oil is even more than a mask, I will stick to a sample for now.

Overall a great cream mask, but would definitely get it with a discount coupon!

Available at Nordstrom Sisley Paris Black Rose Cream Mask

Books and favorite Revlon lipstick

As long as I can remember I  always loved to read. It seems like whatever is going on in my life I can always "hide" in a good book. It might sound crazy, but I love how couple of the right sentences changes the way I think, the way I feel. Some books I can reread couple of times, some I cannot even make it to the end of the first chapter. Books to me are like people, we fell in love with their melodies..

Two books (mostly because of the author) that I really want to read:

1.. Dita Von Teese "Your beauty mark" link
2.. Elizabeth Gilbert "Big Magic. Creative living beyond fear" link

I think I will start with Dita.. To me she is full of magic aura, strong yet delicate, like exotic flower,  with her own unique style. Would love to hear her thoughts about beauty, skincare and style and get to know her a little better.  Maybe I will pick up some of her beauty tips and be just a tiny bit, just for  a slight moment  be just like her .My copy is already on the way !!

There is one lipstick, that I simply cannot live without. It is beautiful and works with my sad blue eyes.. It is  Revlon "Pink in the afternoon". I love,love ,love that lipstick. It is wearable light pink with  a hint of blue undertones in  it, that  surprisingly work with my warm complexion. I can wear it on its own or I put it on top other lipstick (like Mac Velvet Teddy).
I have that lipstick with me at all times.. in the bathroom, in my bag and at my desk at work..
Supposedly  this lipstick is the closest that Audrey Hepburn wore in " Breakfast at Tiffany's"..

How gorgeous was that woman?!

 What are your book recommendations? Or favorite drugstore lipsticks?

Ewelina 

Shea Moisture cream face masks

Early morning, I wash my face with favorite gentle cleanser and make some warm tea with honey to start off my day. It is usually green or jasmine tea, I love to have lots of time in the morning with no rush at all,  so putting a gentle cream face mask fits my routine perfectly!

 I came across this face mask in Target, while looking for some gentle mud mask or deep cleansers.
It was less than $10, in the pretty and convenient packaging.

The main thing that I appreciate about this mask is how easily it spreads while applying to the skin.
The consistency is just prefect, not too thick and not too runny. I apply it with my fingers, generous layer and let it dry. It dries up in a very comfortable, not too tight cream that I can easily remove with the washcloth.

Overall, I do like this mask, it is  gentle and affordable but I don't  see any visible changes in my skin. Didn't clean up the pores or brighten up my skin in any visible way. To me it is just a gentle exfoliator and stronger than your everyday cleanser.

Daily Hydration Milk Mask, didn't work for my sensitive skin at all.. The moment I put it on, it burned my skin and I had to take it off immediately. I am trying to use it up, by putting in on the tops of my hands and also as a feet cream before the shower. It says that it will hydrate the skin, however even when I put it on my hands it dries up so fast.. Its not hydrating or moisturizing to my skin at all.

Honestly, I didn't like any of those masks, but the brand has such strong integrity (no parabens, no sulfates, no animal testing and many more) that I will give them another chance.. I like their hair care products better and those I will invest in, not skincare ...


Ewelina

February Favorites

February is over that's why  I wanted to share some of my favorites for this month. These are just couple of products for skincare and haircare that I enjoyed using and made a positive impression. I am testing couple new makeup products this month so I believe March favorites will be more vibrant.

Hair care oils by Shea Moisture, especially flax seed oil and macadamia oil. I decided to change my haircare routine and made oiling my hair a habit. Its been only a month, but I can already feel the difference in the texture and "feel" of my hair. I used them every other day, right before I go to bed, just taking  a small amount into palms of my hand and spread along the hair focusing on the ends. The main thing that I noticed improved is that I do not need to comb my hair in the shower anymore!


Vichy Aqualia Thermal face cream. Picked  this up on my weekly Ulta trip :) This beautiful gel-like formula of the light blue cream is very hydrating without the leaving your skin greasy. I do love putting the thicker layer on the top of my serum at night and wake up with very hydrated "happy" skin.


Eye patches from Skyn Iceland. Honestly I didn't expect much from those, however when I took them off I said to myself "Wow, they worked!!" The skin under my eyes seemed hydrated and less puffy, right after 15 minutes of using them. I like to put them on first thing in the morning while seeping my green tea or before I am going on date night :) These ones are actually the only ones that I did see instant results from, and trust me when I say I tried tons of eye patches and none of them compares to Skyn Iceland. Higly recommend!

Shea Moisture hair oils   Flax seed oil, Macadamia Oil
Vichy Aqualia Thermal  Vichy Aqualia Thermal Night Spa
Skyn Iclean Eye Patches  Skyn Iceland Eye Patches


Ewelina

SIDE BRAIDS AND SPRING

How soft and  are those looks? Long side braids, light colored blouses and statement earrings.

Spring is coming, I can feel it in the air, in my bones,in my soul. I am getting more positive and hopeful..

Recently I changed my hair care routine to get them longer and less damaged. Incorporated lots of oils, like macadamia nuts, jojoba, rosemary. In the shower switched to baby shampoo and heavy duty hair masks...Attached shower filter to soften the water... All of that effort for one day to have hair like that.. Dreamy, sexy, mermaids hair..

Below is the picture of how my hair looks currently. I have a long way to go, I want to let them grow out to their natural color, which is darker blonde.. Also dealing with a little bit of green tint close to the crown... Any natural remedies to get the green color out ? 

Ewelina

KEEPING THE MAGIC IN MY LIFE

To take my time, not to rush all the time,to take it all in... All this beauty form everyday life, the inspiration , the words...the magic..

One of my favorite ways to bring back some magic into my everyday life is to call off work, take this whole day all to myself  (must be during the week not the weekend) and wonder museums, go the art gallery,  watch a fun movie in the movie theater all by myself.. Buy beautiful roses ..My last trip to Art Institute I came across little lecture about ancient Egypt and hieroglyphs,

their style and meanings. Every color, shape and even the placement had a meaning... Everything was so thought through, everything counted... Made me think about our life, that everything that we do or refuse to do, counts in some way, nothing is neutral..

Can't wait for another day off, beautiful roses and little bit of magic :)

Restful night, full of sleep

Long, dark day at work, super long hours that last forever. .. After a day like that , all I dream about is hot chamomile tea in my favorite mug and long shower.. Can't help it but I do feel older on a days like that, I feel the aging process is accelerated .. My eyes got smaller and more droopy, dark circles are more visible, saggy skin... Its scary!

Recently, I bring comfort back to my skin, with the below sheet mask. Tony Moly "I am real Avocado mask Sheet , Nutrition". I wash my face and put it on, my skin feels instantly calmer, nourished and pampered, almost like a restful night of sleep with a great skincare, in just 20 minutes!

On night like this, I try to be extra gentle to my skin and use only nourishing face wash followed by Kiehl's midnight recovery oil and then the sheet mask. Plump, hydrated skin is revealed and the feeling of getting older is gone!

I pick mine at Ulta, $3.75 click 

Love all the skincare products which are extra gentle but nourishing to the skin.. Which ones are  your favorite?

Favorite drugstore face cleanser

To be completely honest,  I am not a fan of drugstore skincare. It might be the fact that I don't see much progress or any positive effect on my skin?
However when it comes to cleansers, I wanted to give Burt's bees a chance.

It is so gentle, non foaming with a pleasant yet subtle orange scent.
I use it as a second cleanse, right after removing makeup with jojoba oil. I love the fact that I can massage my skin with with, in gentle motions and use it around my eyes. Truly therapeutic when I can take my time with nighttime routine :)

The only downside to this product is that it needs to be rinsed very well, the formula is quite thick and if not washed off completely will leave a slight greasy film on the skin.
I would recommend  this cleanser to anyone with dry and sensitive skin, I think for people with oily skin it might be a little to greasy.

Looking forward to trying more products by Burt's bees, especially the garden tomato toner.

Ewelina

Bellydance my way to femintiy

As long as I can remember, I have always loved to dance.
Never been really good at it, but the joy it brings it undeniable. It was in my late twenties when I decided that, finally I am ready to find my creative outlet, let my self be and try new things.
Started off off as a simple workout class, and transformed  into this magical journey of movements, colors, people and places..Never felt more vibrant, interesting and creative as a woman, as a person.

For that one hour I forget about past, don't worry about the future, I am there in the moment, all of me, silenced yet so vocal in movement.


Love,

Ewelina

About me

Hi everyone and welcome to my blog!

I like to think of myself as a lover of art, in many forms.  It could be makeup, drawings, dance and music or simply words. I am certified makeup artist from Chicago, skincare addict, occasional model with passion for dance..

Here is this tiny space on internet to unleash my brain, share my ideas, write about anything that inspires me or makes me feel something, anything.. I don't want this blog to be just about thing,  we are so diverse and complicated, why put any limitations on ourselves?

Hope you will stay a while.

Ewelina