Top 10 Beauty Products

I was recently tagged by two lovely ladies; Danielle at Bloomin' Beauty and Yuliya, you may know her as Cutegingerbread :)  My top 10 beauty products include those I enjoy using the most and see myself repurchasing for many years to come.

1. Clarisonic Mia
Best beauty investment I have made this year. It isn't cheap but it is something I will use for many years, so in the long run it's worth it. My skin has seriously benefited from using this amazing tool. My face is much clearer, much much less acne-prone, softer and looks healthier overall. Mia has also helped a lot with annoying blackheads!

 2. Dior Amber Diamond
Amber Diamond is my HG highlighter, in case you didn't already know. I just love the glow it gives to my face without being shimmer overload. Read my review here.

 3. Revlon Photo Ready
HG foundation, hands down. I always say this foundation was made with me in Revlon's mind. I love this stuff, it gives my face the perfect coverage, concealing my imperfections, and has a beautiful, matte "Photo-ready" airbrushed kind of finish. I think it's my 3rd bottle, now that says a lot!

4. Too Faced Natural Eye
My HG eye palette. I love all the colors, the consistency, the finishes. Read my review here.

5. Benefit Bella Bamba
I never thought Bella Bamba would get this much love from me one day but it does! It's the perfect shimmer baby pink/coral blush. Also does a bit of highlighting with its shimmer content, so I usually don't wear an additional highlighter when using it.

6. Illamasqua Lover
Lover is my all time favorite HG blush. This shade has my name all over it. I wear this blush year around because I cannot get enough of it. Pigmentation is amazing! Read my review here.

 7. Too Faced Chocolate Soleil
 Chocolate Soleil became my favorite bronzer in such a short time. It's the perfect bronzer color for my complexion, looks very natural. And an added bonus, it smells just like chocolate! Read my review here.

8. Shu Uemura Painting Liner in Black

HG gel liner. Stays put until I want it vanished. Perfect pitch black color, great pigmentation. The formula makes application a total breeze. Read my review here.

9. Urban Decay Primer Potion
This product is seriously heaven-sent. It's a must have in every eye make-up addict's collection. 

10. L'oreal Voluminous
My favorite mascara of all time. I just cannot go wrong with it. My eye lashes are already long but I can't ever turn down a product that makes them longer, fulled and blacker...which is Voluminous :)

I'm not tagging anyone in particular because this tag has been around for a while, and probably those I'd tag have already done it! :) If you feel like doing this tag, go for it! I'd love to read everyone else's top 10 beauty products!

Wishing all my U.S. friends a very happy 4th of July, and thanking all those for defending our nation! ♥

Most Reached For Makeup Products

Like most people, I also use many different products on a daily basis. But there are some that I just love and reach for a little more than others. Currently these products make up a good chunk of my daily routine. I do obviously rotate my blushes, lipsticks etc but I reach for the products below the most. Some items you will read about in this post have been my go-to products for a long time and there are some that have been recently discovered. 

MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural
I use it as my setting powder daily. I do occasionally wear it alone on days I just don't feel like slapping on too many products on my face. Love the matte look it provides.

Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer
Chocolate Soleil quickly became my favorite bronzer. I use it everyday and am very happy with it! The color suits my complexion really well. Works great for contouring as well.

Illamasqua Blush in Lover
If you've been reading my blog for a while, then you know I can't stop mentioning Lover every chance I get. It's my favorite blush. If I am indecisive about what blush to wear, I will go with Lover.

Revlon Photo Ready
 I have purchased a few different foundations after trying Photo Ready. But there is something about it that keeps me coming back to it. It works like magic on my skin. Looks amazing in photos, hence its name. Long lasting, nice matte finish.

MAC Studio Finish Concealer
Covers up all my imperfections perfectly. I love to use it especially on random spots that I want vanished.

Shu Uemura Painting Liner in Black
My everyday gel liner. Its a true pitch black color. Lasts all day. No budging or raccoon eyes involved. Applies like a dream.

Too Faced Natural Eye Palette
I use Natural Eye almost daily and usually go to it for neutral night looks as well. It's my favorite palette for  many reasons but especially because no matter what colors I use, I end up loving the look. I can't say that about my other palettes, sorry Naked palette! Even when I don't feel like wearing so much eye makeup on a certain day, I do a quick sweep of Heaven to brighten up my eyes and I'm good to go!

Urban Decay Primer Potion
Makes even the most stubborn, prone to creasing eye shadows stick and stay put all day. For me, it's one of the best inventions in the cosmetics world!

Covergirl Lashblast Mascara
Love it just as much as L'oreal Voluminous because really they produce the exact same results on my lashes. Lashblast is just my go-to mascara right now. Hello long, volumized, fluttery lashes!

YSL Gloss Pur #2
I'm not much a lip gloss wearer at all but when I do wear lip gloss I go straight to this amazing baby pink YSL one that smells like mango. It looks beautiful when applied over nude or pink lipsticks which is what I wear the most.

Maybelline Color Sensational Lipcolor in Pink Please

I have maaaany favorite lipsticks but Pink Please has a special place in my heart. It's such a versatile soft pink color that goes with pretty much any look. Very easily wearable during the day. It's super creamy and leaves lips shiny so no need for gloss. It's always in my make-up bag :)

What are some of your most reached for products?

How Much Is Your Face Worth?

I have just seen this tag on some beauty blogs and thought it was a great way to have the much-needed reality check! Needless to say, as make-up addicts, we spend a ridicilous amount of money on beauty products. I realize some of it is actual necessity, for instance, if you use a mascara daily you will need a new tube within couple months tops. But majority of the rest is really for "collection" purposes. I know exactly how it goes, there is just something gorgeous about beautifully arranged, color coordinated blushes and eye shadows and of course we cannot forget lipsticks...! Just the thought of my make-up collection and all those stunning shades make me want to go splurge right now!

Though I know approximately how much each of my daily products retail for, I have never actually sat down and calculated. Here is the moment of truth...

Maybelline Fit Me Foundation $6.50
  I'm currently using Fit Me as it's warmer and thankfully my skin has been amazing lately that I don't even need a full coverage foundation. I save some $ in the foundation department, yay!

MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural $27
  I do like to set my foundation regardless of its coverage, MAC MSFN does a great job for me!

Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer $28
 I go back and forth between Chocolate Soleil and Hoola so I actually use them both and will hopefully hit pan on Hoola soon! They are both $28 and I just cannot set a foot out the door without bronzer on.

Dior Amber Diamond $44
 So maybe I didn't really need a $44 Dior highlighter but it's sooo gorgeous! I do use it everyday, a little more for night makeup, I still think it was a good investment :)

Benefit Bella Bamba Blush $28
 Bella Bamba is one of the blushes I'm using the most at the moment, actually I've used it everyday the past week. I do rotate between Bella Bamba, MAC, NARS, Illamasqua blushes. Price-wise MAC blushes would be the cheapest but I've been using them the least.

MAC Studio Finish Concealer $16.50
 Though I don't totally always need it, from time to time I still like to dab a little concealer on acne scars etc.

Urban Decay Primer Potion $19
 Needless to say, it's a must-have. I don't know many make-up people who can live without some kind of an eye-shadow base. 

Covergirl Lashblast Mascara $8
 I'm also saving a couple bucks in the mascara department. I'm very happy with Lashblast, don't really need to spend $20+ on a mascara for the same results.

Shu Uemura Painting Liner $25
 $25 is a bit too pricey for a gel liner but I'm very happy with its lasting power and I'd totally repurchase it.

MAC Lipstick $14.50
  I don't use a MAC lipstick everyday but majority of the time they are what I reach for.
For the quality you get, $14.50 isn't that bad in my opinion. Even some drugstore lipsticks these days can cost $10+!

MAC Eyeshadows x 3 $33
  I do use MAC eyeshadows almost everyday, 3 to be exact. 1. an all over color 2. crease color 3. blending color. I save a few dollars by buying them in pans, they have amazing quality and I don't really feel bad paying $11 for each.

Total = $249.50 *GASP*

Perhaps, it's the perfect time to start P10P? :)

Do you know how much YOUR face is worth? :)

Products I'm Loving Right Now

Hey everyone!

I've been seeing this tag quite a bit. I've just read Stavroula's post on this and thought I'd do one too! I think it's a fun tag and it's great if you wanna blog about something and don't know what...now you know! I tag everyone who wants to do it, I love reading these kinds of posts! :)

Face

Cleanser: Origins Checks & Balance Frothy Face Wash

Toner/lotion: Açaí Damage-Protecting Toning Mist

Cream/moisturizer: Origins A Perfect World SPF25

Facial mask: Queen Helene Mint Julep Face Masque

Exfoliator: St. Ives Naturally Clear Green Tea Scrub

Face make-up remover: Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes

Eye make-up remover: EVOO + H2O

Body

Shower gels/soaps:  C.O. Bigelow Lemon Cream Body Wash (LOVE)

Body lotions/creams: Victoria's Secret Coconut Passion

Body Exfoliator: C.O. Bigelow Lemon & Pomegranate Body Scrub

Hand cream: Neutrogena Norweigan Formula Hand Cream

Lip balm or lip treatment: Nivea Milk & Honey, EOS

Perfume: Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy, Calvin Klein Euphoria, Armani Code

Deodorant: Dove Ultimate Beauty Care Original Clean

Hair

Shampoo/Conditioner: The Body Shop Banana Shampoo & Conditioner

Mask: Redken Smooth Down Butter Treat

Make-up

Primer: Don't use one

Foundation: Revlon Photo Ready (usually with a pump of MAC Studio Fix Fluid)

Concealer: Benefit Erase Paste + elf Concealer/ Highlighter duo + MAC Studio Finish

Powder: MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Medium Plus

Blush: NARS Lovejoy, Illamasqua Lover

Bronzer: NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder in Sunny

Lipstick: MAC Angel & Shy Girl

Lipgloss: Sally Hansen Diamond 12 Hour Lip Treatment in Princess

Eyeshadow: MAC Grain & Patina

Eyeliner: Liquid - L'oreal Carbon Black Lineur Intense, Pencil - Milani Liquif'eye in Black

Eyeshadow primer: Urban Decay Primer Potion

Eyelash curler: Don't use one

Mascara: L'oreal Voluminous Carbon Black

Beautiful Blogger Award

I totally forgot that I got this award from Obsessed Makeup Addict ages ago and now Naz just gave me another one of these and so I remembered! Thanks girls!!

Here are 7 interesting things about moi!

1. I don't know if this is interesting OR crazy but I refuse to leave the house without make-up. Call me insecure, I won't do it! I must at least have bronzer or mascara on :))

2. I used to be beyond terrified of dogs up until a year ago (I'd take a different route if I saw a dog coming towards me, I swear!) and now I cannot imagine life without my puppy Muffin!

3. I'm Turkish and my husband is NOT. lol He's Romanian.

4. People who constantly misspell annoy me, there is a difference between "ones" and "once" ugh! But the worst is when people write/type "should of" when it's really "should have"! No offense, I came to the U.S. and learned English, so can YOU! ;)

5. I love yogurt. No really, I eat yogurt with everything and I must eat it at least once a day. I prefer the plain and non-fat kind.

6. I am obsessed with nail polish (if you can't tell already!), I change my nail polish every other day, if not everyday.

7. When we go out to restaurants etc, and I'm asked for my name for the wait-list I usually just say another name (depends on my mood, sometimes I say Abby or Mary or whoever I wanna be that day haha) because I am just sick of the whole "ohhh what a different name, what's your nationality, can you say something in your language??" talk. No I can't say something in my language, I just want a freakin' table! :)

7 gorgeous bloggers I nominate for this award are:

Kate Gene

NYCSh0paholic

 

Celia

Glam Morena

Chloe - The Hollywood Heels

Ann - The Real Deal Reviews

Amira- Amira Beauty Blog

My 3s!!!

Everybody's doing it!!! I have been seeing this a lot lately, and I thought it was fun so I thought I'd do one myself. I wasn't tagged by anyone but I tag everyone who wants to do it :) Enjoy!

Three names I go by:
1. Ebrushka
2. Ebru
3. Wooooff wwoooof (means mommy in doggy language, yep!)
 
Three jobs I have had:
1. Bank teller
2. Receptionist
3. Sales Associate



Three places I have lived:
1. Istanbul, Turkey
2. Seattle, WA, USA

3. Chicago, IL, USA
 
Three favorite drinks:
1. Water
2. Diet Peach Snapple
3. Vanilla Rooibos Tea Latte

Three TV shows I watch:
1. House Hunters
2. Keeping Up With The Kardashians
3. Tyra

Three places I have been:
1.Vancouver B.C. , Canada
2. London, England
3. Paris, France

Three places I would like to visit:
1. Santorini, Greece
2. Turks & Caicos
3. Italy  

Three people who text me regularly:
1. Daniel
2. Julia
3. Krisi
 
Three favorite old TV shows:
1. Friends
2. Fear Factor
3. Beverly Hills 90210

Three favorite dishes:
1. Spaghetti 
2. Gyros
3. Chipotle

Three makeup/beauty products I cannot live without:
1. Bronzer
2. Mascara
3. Lipstick

Three things I'm looking forward to:
1. Getting my Master's out of the way
2. Spending everyday next to the love of my life
3. Next vacay, where will it be I have no idea!

I got tagged!

I got tagged by lovely Roz at http://dutchessroz.blogspot.com/, thanks doll!

What’s your favourite eye shadow colour to wear?  

• Golds, taupes and plums (1 is never enough!)
  

What’s the one product you wouldn’t leave your house without?  

• Bronzer

What’s your favourite makeup look? 

• Smokey Eyes

Which feature do you play up the most? 

• Eyes
  

Which feature do you try to downplay/cover up? 

•  Discoloration
  

Your favourite makeup brand, if you could pick only ONE to exist?  

• MAC, all the way & forever!
  

Which product have you re-purchased OVER and OVER again?  

• Covergirl Lashblast
  

Which product would you NEVER repurchase again and why? 

• Burt's Bees Pomegranate shampoo/conditioner, left my hair stripped off all the oils I could seriously not brush my hair even after conditioning it and they stink! 

One beauty treatment you would always PAY to have done?  

•  Hair coloring/cut
  

One beauty treatment you would NEVER pay to have done? 

•  Eyebrow wax ~ Many people do, but I have a 5x magnifying mirror, I can see every single little hair and thankfully I don't have shaky hands and I'm happy with their shape, so why pay for it?
  

One beauty trick you can share with everyone?   

• This is like a grandma type of thing but works wonders. Boil a pot of water for a few minutes, remove from stove, add herbs inside if you like (chamomile, rosemary, mint even lemon) put your head over the pot and drape a towel/sheet over your head so the steam doesn't escape and steam your face to perfection. Great for getting rid off nasty blackheads and opening pores, I try to do this regularly about 2 times a week!)

Best advice you've ever been given regarding beauty and makeup?

• Don't pull (or do it very gently) your eyelids when applying eye-shadows or eyeliner, sometimes I attempt to do it because I had been doing it this way until I was told about the disadvantages of it. Doing so will stretch your skin and that will not be a pretty sight...
  

Best Blog Award

Kiku from http://kikusbeauty.blogspot.com/ for tagging me for the best blog award!

The rules for the award are as follows:

1. To accept the award, you must post it on your blog with the name of the person who has granted you the award, and a link to their blog.

2. Pass the award on to approximately 10-15 other blogs that you recently discovered and think are great!

3. Contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

I've recently discovered these great blogs:

http://barbieluvsmac.blogspot.com/ ~ Cristina
http://cocobellabeauty.blogspot.com/ ~ Nikki
http://dutchessroz.blogspot.com/ ~ Dutchess Roz
http://kimmiii-x.blogspot.com/ ~ Kimberley
http://missp-princess-life.blogspot.com/ ~ Miss P
http://pearlsandpoodles.blogspot.com/ ~ Milly
http://schoee.blogspot.com/ ~ Zoe
http://schnella.blogspot.com/ ~ Schnella
http://theblondebunny.blogspot.com/ ~ Lacy
http://thehollywoodheels.blogspot.com/ ~ Chloé
 http://xmayaarix.blogspot.com/ ~ Mayaari