Rodial Dragon's Blood Hyaluronic Tonic

I have been meaning to write this review about Rodial Dragon's Blood Hyaluronic Tonic for months but at the same time I thought maybe just finish it up first so I really form an opinion and we can chat then.

So I finished it and I already repurchased a new one because it.is.amazing!

Dragon's Blood Tonic is a hyaluronic skin refresher that mainly helps to keep your skin moisturized. As much as it would me AWESOME if in contain actual dragons blood(how mythical!) I must disappoint you that this in fact is just red sap from a specific tree and it is historically used for medicinal and healing purposes. Other ingredients include Rose Water, Zinc and of course the much talked about hyaluronic.

The brand has made a list of 5 main tasks this tonic will preform so lets go through them and I can give my feedback on the specific claim.

Rodial says: Helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
I agree about fine lines. After using this for a few months I do feel and see visible change in fine lines. Especially around my mouth. I dont think it will do anything to wrinkles but thats cool by me. Its just a tonic not a magic potion.

Rodial says: Hydrates and smooths the appearance of skin
This is probably my favorite quality and what makes me love the product so much. A quick spritz especially in the morning after cleansing and I really feel my skin plumping up with hydration(I suspect this is the hyaluronic doing its magic). I actually noticed the biggest difference when I didn't use it for 2 weeks. The glass bottle is so bulky so I didnt bring it with on my trip to San Fran and the texture of my skin was visibly worse. Once I got back home and started using it again I could feel the difference in a week.

Rodial says: Helps to brighten and refresh skin
Well any cooling spray tonic will refresh to be honest. Its just the lovely sensation of spritzing it on your face that already wakes you up. I'm not sure if I can specifically see brightening effect but since the overall health and texture of the skin is better I guess it translates to brighter and less dull complexion as well.

Rodial says: Can be used to set make-up in place
That I cant comment as I haven't tried it for setting. I like my Urban Decay setting spray and I much prefer this one as a last step of skincare before I start with makeup.

Rodial says: An instant skin reviver, ideal for an instant energy boost
I decanter this into a smaller bottle and plan to have it in my flight kit forever. Its perfect for that quick wake me up. So once again must say Rodial is telling the truth people.

I think this is an absolutely brilliant tonic to finish up your skincare routine with. It is the first thing I have tried from the Rodial Dragon's Blood range but given its performance I am dying to try more. Would love to try the Hyaluronic Night Cream and mask next.

Have you used this range from Rodial? Is there other stand outs I should be looking out for?

All New Everything OOTD

We have touched the subject of makeup I managed to haul at my trip to San Fran last month but it obviously didn't stop there. There was also clothes and some shoes and a possible handbag because all is game when you are on vacation right?

What you see below is all new things (minus my beloved Sophie Hulme which is the.best.bag.ever).I got several pairs of Paige skinny jeans from Nordstorm rack and I can not stop wearing them. I went through a phase of only wearing skinny jeans for a few years in high school -that was pre midiskirt era. After that there was years of only owning one pair of black jeans maybe and nothing else. I am back on the skinny jean wave majorly now. These are Paige Verdugos in dark denim and they are so soft, comfy and all around awesome.

The weird safari inspired vest/top thingy is something totally different that I normally go for. I mean I had a neon orange vest in middle school (think trance party outfit on a little girl) that I was insanely proud to wear. And then a backless psychedelically striped halterneck vest because why woudn't you right?

Fast forward to modern day and I was just loosing my mind repeating "must buy all the things" under my breath in Banana Republic as they had a one day everything 40% off in their flagship store. You can imagine the overwhelming need to find all the best things because 40% off is basically getting for free. Its not but if felt like it. So I must of carried around 30 things to the changing room. This is really sold as a vest but I like to wear it as a top sometimes. It is on massive sale at the moment if you wish to take a look here. I cant wait to style this loosely thrown on top of a white dress and sandals next. Vests are a totally foreign object in my wardrobe so Im kind of excited to have a play.

The shoes are another Banana Republic purchase and I love them so much. They have good heel but its stocky and thick so you can walk in them for hours. The beige color goes with everything but the textured snake pattern makes them interesting. Its the Leandra sandal and they are also on sale atm so lucky you if you need another pair of summer heels. Another thing thats really nice about BR shoes is they have a padded footbed. I wish all my shoes would have that! It makes such a difference.

I'm now eyening up vest type of object everywhere I go. I have learned they are called sleeveless jackets usually but isn't that same thing as a vest? Anyway I passed River Island few days ago and saw this sleeveless blazer/vest and I love this black belted one as well. Oh and this pastel pink Topshop one please!! I have vest mania. Do you ever wear them? Is it something you would consider adding to your wardrobe?

NARS Audacious in Charlotte FOTD

I was so excited for the weekend to come so I can take some photos and show you how NARS Charlotte looks on. I love love this lipstick and since I got it I was determined to make it work for day time as well. Its pretty full on which means I go my usual route- practically no eye makeup.

So here is my face of the day I was wearing most of last week.

Base:
Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet - The shade I have in this is a tad dark for me at the moment but I like my complexion to be a bit more tanned for when I wear the dark berry lip. So a lot of buffing and blending and it works. The velvet finish is great for the hot weather as it doesn't get disco ball shiny as fast.
Armani High Precision Retouch concealer- hand down my favorite makeup product I have bought recently. Nothing I want to use for my dark under eyes ever again.
Clinique Airbrush Concealer- I use this combined with Armani cause it helps to warm up the very light shade Armani has so I dont have reverse panda eyes.

Bronzer: NARS Laguna- I dont even use anything else anymore. Its the bomb!
Blush: The Balm Hot Mama- what a beautiful blush to make you look alive. It is like a less shimmery version of the Benefit Coralista and I must say I prefer Hot Mama over it. Coral perfection for summer.
Highlight: Kevyn Aucoin Celestial Powder in Candlelight- liberally dusted everywhere starting from cheeks, inner corner of the eye to cupid's bow and down the nose.
Eyes: No eyeshadow cause thats the look I like the best when wearing so noticeable lipsticks during day time. Also blending eye shadows is not my strength so any reason to skip it will do.
Kat Von D Ink Linker- I like the felt tip liner for this look because I try to line in between the lashes as well. So the actual line above the lashes is super thin but it still makes an impact if you fill in the gaps between the lashes.
I am not wearing fake lashes here its just two generous coats of different mascaras MUFE Smoky Lash Extra Black and Cover Girl Lashblast Fusion. Two layers of Smoky Lash start clumping too much and Im not a huge fan of that but just one proper coat of it followed by Lashblast creates a pretty full on lashy look.

And thats all. I know the makeup itself is nothing special I mean there isnt even any eyeshadow but I just wanted you to see that if you dont own Charlotte yet you are missing out.

Whats your favorite burgundy red wine shade lipstick?

Wow Pop & NARS Charlotte

I feel as if it has been too long since we chatted about lipsticks? 

They are still by far my favorite makeup product and the only one I dont feel bad hording. Yes I do have the guilt sometimes when I look at my makeup drawers and remind myself I have only one face and two eyes so do I really need all these blushes and eye shadows. Surprisingly I NEVER have this feeling regarding my lipstick stash. Whenever I look at that it just makes me happy!

Its a breeze for me to come up with excuses to get more because you know this pink is tiny bit lighter than the other 5 pink lipsticks I have and this red has a "much" bluer undertone than the other one etc etc..

Which brings us swiftly to two newcomers Clinique Pop Lip Colour + Primer in Wow Pop and NARS Audacious in Charlotte.

Clinique Pop lipsticks were released with a bang alright.

They were everywhere and every blogger seemed to love them. I fiddled with them in Duty Free many times because the packaging is super cute. It kind of makes you want to have all the shades just so you can display them in a row like candy. But I couldn't decide on the shade so didn't pick any up. Luckily my wonderful Laura got me one as a gift and she chose Wow Pop the one I would have picked myself probably as well. Now the shade is a summery bright blue toned pink. Lighter and way cooler than say NARS Schiap but still pretty in your face Barbie pink. Also its pigmented but not opaque.

Now am I wowed by this formula? Not at all. I think its just nice and thats where it ends. Do I feel like it combines primer and lipstick? Nope. Is it long lasting? Nope not really. I dont have anything to say besides that I find it blah. It does go on smooth and easy and you dont feel it on your lips but probably because its left your lips in an hour. I am not tempted to pick up any more of these. I haven't been this underwhelmed by a lipstick in a while but probably because of a hype and built up expectations more so than it actually being a bad product.

NARS Audacious in Charlotte filled long lasting gap in my collection. Described as "oxblood burgundy" it is the first red wine shade I actually love on me. It doesn't have brown undertones and is more on the cool side making the teeth whiter. I know it would be more considered a winter season appropriate but I am so excited about finding a dark lippy I love that its been on my face most of this week. I cant get enough. Regarding formula I still think the same as when I wrote about Audacious in December (here). Its a bit high maintenance and definitely requires a lip liner and steady hand with a brush. I cant slap that on from the bullet. But I love this shade so so much I dont mind the extra effort.

Have you bought any summery lipsticks? Whats your most worn shade at the moment?

Oh yes one more thing. I'm late to the party but finally "got the point" of Snapchat so pretty active there at the moment. You can see my face with different lipsticks and a lot of my pets if you wish to check it out (user names thelauracarlson as everywhere).

Get In My Closet- Midi Dresses

I have been actively filling my Saved Items folder on ASOS lately. Before I order anything I love hearing your thoughts and just having a girly chat about dresses. 

1. ASOS Textures Dress Dress With Halterneck - it was of course the pastel hue that made me stop on this but halterneck is new in a dress for me also and I'm feeling it.

2. ASOS Cutwork Skater Midi Dress- please do me a favor and click on the link and view the photos of the back because talk about an awesome dress. All midi and proper in the front (the cut work makes it look expensive also I think) and sexy and interesting at the back. Open back is my favorite way to show skin by far. I'm really digging the cream color for summer also.

3. Self Portrait Off Shoulder Heavy Lace Midi Prom Dress- Everything Self Portrait makes has my attention in a second because it is just soo freaking beautiful. I like this cut even better than the spaghetti strap one I once posted. The light pastel colour, the fabric, the deeo V and pretty much everything else about this is what my dress dreams are made of. If I had one wedding to attend this summer I would be clicking Buy right now but no one I know is getting married so I dont have a excuse to spend the cash.

4. ASOS Premium Bonded Scuba Pleat Midi Dress- Funnel neckline and pleats is all that is needed to have me loving a dress.

5. ASOS Premium Satin Cross Front Midi Dress- I'm hesitating on the satin but I am loving this simple cut for a day time work dress. Maybe satin is not a bad thing? It has such a nice waist line and I love the frill sleeves. Easypeasy and on sale also.

6. ASOS Midi Dress With Twist Wrap- Recently I have realized I do need a few more black dresses for work events where I need to look pretty but not overly attention seeking (think poofy pink princess dresses and pastel lace midis I love so much). I think this one is very basic but I love the twist wrap front and flowy feel.

Lets talk dresses. Which one do you like the best? I am having the itch to get a new dress..

Laura Mercier Silk Creme Oil Free Photo Edition Foundation

I really wanted to review this and I wanted to tell you all I have found my new favorite. I had so much hope for this foundation. This my "New Summer Foundation" story:

Once upon a time a girl who already has more foundations than she can use needed another one. Something she had never tried before. Something that would make her happy every time she looked into the mirror.

Seriously I was SO excited to check out the new LM foundations and initially I thought of getting the luminous version. However when we got to color matching at Sephora non of the shades were right.. like at all. They all had too pink or too yellow undertones and I wanted something that matched my current skin tone perfectly as I already have lighter and darker shades at home.

As I moved on to the Oil Free option shades matched much better and I settled on one. I have a combination skin and for summer months in Dubai I get very oily T-zone. Most of my usual foundations just dont do the job anymore. Also I love a bit of mattifying effect for these hot months so it seemed like green lights in every aspect. And now to the big reveal- I dont like it at all :(

I tried my very best to love it. Everyone knows LM foundations are supposed to be excellent.  I tried it with every moisturizer, every primer and every brush I own and it just doesn't do it for me. From far away I think it kind of looks good. It has medium to full coverage slightly powdery finish and it does stay matte way longer than other foundations I own. And its a nice slightly luminous matte but a flat no shine at all kind of matte. But it just doesnt blend into my skin at all. There is a permanent layer of foundation on my face no matter how carefully I try to blend it and every time I happen to touch my face I feel it slipping around. This doesn't mean it will not suit you of course as foundations are so individual but after 2 weeks of being unhappy with results I have had to give up.

I guess we were just not meant to be. 

This means I am still on the look out for a medium to full coverage foundation that could put up a fight against humidity and heat. Recommendations are more than welcome!