My current To Go items #1

I travel a lot, my parents are divorced and I have to take some stuff with me if I go to my dad, a friend, or on a vacation. I thought it would be nice to share my current To Go items with you!

Because I use a lot of Dutch brands (Biodermal, Catrice and Dr. van der Hoog) at the moment and the other products I already shared with you guys I won't explain them, but you can still see what products I use on a daily base. As you can see that's a foam cleanser, Lush toner, acne creme and moisturizer. Besides these products I always take a single mask with me (review of the H&M face masks here), you never know when you will need it.

I also take my L'Oréal BB cream (review here), Sephora travel brush (which I love SO much), Garnier concealer, Catrice pressed powder and Mac Fix+ (review here) with me.

My deodorant and perfume can't be left behind, can't life without them!

My hair products are a bit boring, I use my L'Oréal Studio Line Matt & Messy Sea Salt Spray and John Frieda Full Repair Deep Infusions hair serum every day. When I'm at home I tend to use the styling spray by John Frieda instead of the serum, but the serum is smaller and more travel friendly. I also use hairspray but I never have to take that with me.

All those products fit in my little but gorgeous (in my opinion) Sabon toiletry.

I hope you enjoyed reading,
x Jimmy

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September Favourites 2013

Okay so it's already the 10th of October and I'm just now publishing my favourites of September, I'm so sorry. But you know what they say, better now than never.

Bleu de Chanel

This really has become my signature scent, I love everything about it. It smells really mature and classy, but not that much that it's inappropriate to wear at my age. I always tend to lose the caps, and this bottle has a magnetic cap, so it won't release from the bottle, this perfume is made for me. 

Price: €54,- for 50 ml.

L'Oréal Studio Line Matt & Messy Salt Spray

I actually don't really know what to say about it, it gives great texture to my hair and makes it look less shiny. It also helps my hair to stay in position during the day, which it definitely needs! Great product and also not that expensive, but if you're willing to spend some more, there are betters sea salt sprays out there.

Price: About €5,-

John Frieda Full Repair Styling Spray

Same goes for this, I use this spray on lazy days to restore my hair a little, it looks way more healthy after using this and the serum, but for some reason I like the spray more. Reviews on both products by John Frieda will follow soon!

Price: €9,14,-

Mac Fix+ 

I already explained I can't live without this spray anymore, I really love this product and will be using it for a long time. To read my full opinion click on this link. 

Price: €16,50 for 100 ml.

Lush Eau Roma Water Toner

Probably my most favourite toner ever. I really love this stuff and I'm goanna buy a big bottle next week as this one's almost empty. It smells great and calms down my skin after I've used a face wash. Only downside is that it has perfume in it, which is odd for a toner for sensitive skin, but my skin can handle it so it's not a big problem for me. 

These products are my favourites, I'm sorry they're not that interesting, but they're definitly worth trying. I hope you enjoyed reading! What are your favourites?

Price: €5,50 for 100 g.

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September Music Favourites 2013

As I am that kind of person who listens to music all day long, I thought it would be nice to share my favourite music of the month with you guys! Not much to tell, it's just the music I've been listening to.

#1: Demi Lovato - Made in the USA

This song is pretty much my last bit of summer, it's really catchy and I'm a huge fan of Demi. I really like the vibe of this song. The actual song starts around 1:02.

#2: Lorde - Royals

I still have no idea why I like this song, but I really do. It makes me feel relaxed and calm, and the lyrics are amazing.

#3: Little Mix - DNA

When this girl group gained their fame I was bit like 'meh' and didn't really care. For some reason I never listened to them, but I really enjoyed this song the last few weeks. It has so much power and they sing so well (in my opinion).

#4: Miley Cyrus - Wrecking Ball

Yes, I know there has been lots of fuss about this, but I really like the song and actually get the video. I love the new album and if you've watched The Movement you probably know she's smarter than you think.

#5: Beautiful Life - Union J

I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BOYBAND! Followed them since The X Factor UK and really liked their music, can't wait for the new album to drop!

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Review: Freeman Dead Sea Minerals & Avocado and Oatmeal masks

Another review, I know! But I really have some lovely and terrible products I need to share with you guys. Today I'm going to share two really nice products (again), the Freeman Facial Anti-stress Dead Sea Minerals and the Freeman Facial Clay Mask Avocado & Oatmeal masks. Wow, long names.

This won't be a very long review, as I have little to say about these products. They're great facial masks for two to three times a week, especially the Avocado & Oatmeal one.

The Dead Sea Minerals mask contains lots of clearing and purifying ingredients; clay, sea salt and citrus extracts. It also does contain paint, perfume and parabens, however this did not irritate my skin. After using this mask my face needs a moisturizer, but is cleaner and looks better than before.

Next is the Clay Mask with Avocado and Oatmeal. I like this one the most, it's as well purifying as moisturizing in my opinion.  This mask contains good ingredients like clay and advocado oil. But, just like the previous one, also some bad ingredients like paint, parabens and perfume. My skin does however feel moisturized after using it, more than with the Dead Sea Minerals mask.

Conclusion:

A great masks in a big packaging, good for about 10-15 facials each. I payed about €7,50,- for each, which means you pay 50 cents for a mask. That's reasonable right?

These masks are most suitable for combination to oily skin types in my opinion.

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Review: Mac Fix+

This is one of those products that I just recently discovered and can't imagine doing my morning routine without. I'm talking about the Mac Fix+ Finishing Mist.

First of all, I really like this product, but I do have a few cons. However, I'll stars with the pros because that's way more fun to write and read.

Pros:

• Make-up looks way better, more natural and less cakey.


• Even though it's not a setting spray (it really isn't) make-up lasts a little bit longer.


• Skin feels hydrated after using the spray.


• The bottle lasts long and is worth its price, which is €16,50 for a 100ml/3.4 oz bottle.


• Lots of great ingredients such as glycerin, cucumber, fruit extracts, camellia sinensin and caffeine.

Cons:

• The spray is called a finishing mist, but it's more like a splash of water in the face. Nothing misty about it.


• The spray leaks after using it.


• There's perfume in the product which can irritate the skin.

Conclusion:

A great additional products for your routine, I personally love it and will buy it again when it runs out, but I've been using it for a month now and I haven't even used 1/5 of it yet.

I never had an allergic reaction or irritation because of this product due its perfume, but if you have sensitive skin you should ask your local Mac counter about it. It does moisturize very well though.

Hope you enjoyed!

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Scented Candles

As my September Favourites post is a little late, and still not finished, I thought I'd share a somewhat deeper post about one of my favourites this month!

I've been watching a lot of Youtube videos the past month, and one thing that came by many times was a scented candle. I never really looked for a scented candle, mostly because I felt like they would make me feel nauseous, but guess what, they don't.

As I couldn't find the popular Yankee candles in Amsterdam I bought a scented candle in the scent 'Jasmine, Freesia and Pear' at Hema, which is a Dutch store. If I'm right they do have a store in Paris, but I don't know for sure and I don't know if that store has the same products as the stores here.

Anyway, I have been loving it ever since, it smells so delicious and gives a kind of home feeling, if you know what I mean. Also, the candle lasts A LONG time, and the best part of all is the price, which is only €3,50, amazing right!?

When this runs out I do want to try a Yankee candle, but I'm not sure which scent I should try first, any suggestions?

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Appreciate the little things in life

A few days ago one of my best friends and I were drinking a cup coffee at a local coffee shop, and for some reason we started talking about how much we don't appreciate, how we always want more and it's never enough.

And actually, that's true. I thought about it a lot ever since and actually caught myself not being grateful for the things I have. Like I have a perfectly working iPhone 4, yet I really want the new iPhone 5S. I have about four bottles of toner, yet I want another one because it seems nice and all. Or shopping at the H&M website again, the day after my previous purchase arrived.

These may be small things, well the iPhone is maybe a little bit bigger, but still these aren't things like another house or another car. But, I'm not appreciating the things I DO have. Because I have a lot. And besides those products, I have friends and family.

I feel like a lot of people don't appreciate what they have, and that they could be in a much worse situation. That's why I wanted to make this blogpost. I'm not saying it's a bad thing if you are going to buy a new iPhone, blush or the like. But, you shouldn't forget that you should be grateful for the things you have.

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I'm going to see One Direction next year!

YAY! Okay so I've been away for waaaaay to long and I don't really have an excuse for it, but I did come to the conclusion I will make this blog a little bit more personal, because I actually have a lot to tell sometimes and maybe you guys find it fun to read that, we'll see!

Anyways, a lot has happened and I have a lot to tell, expect a lot of blogposts this week, but the most exciting thing is that I'm going to see One Direction, which is the most popular boyband right now in case you didn't know because you've lived under a rock for the past years, live next year!

YES, IT'S NOT A DREAM, I WAS AFRAID IT WAS. I'M ACTUALLY GOING TO SEE THEM. The Where We Are Tour will start on Friday, April 25 and they will perform in my country on Tuesday, June 24.

I'm extremely lucky though, because tickets were sold out so quickly, they even had to add an extra show in the Netherlands because there were so many more people who wanted to, or people who wanted to go twice haha.

Are any of you going to see them next year!?

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Review: H&M Raspberry Smoothie & Coconut Water Face Masks

Hi!

Today I would like to share some really nice budget masks with you! Personally I never really experience mind blowing results after using a face mask, not even when I use it twice or three times a week. I do like the idea and feeling of a mask, it gives your skin a boost, but I won't spend that much money on it.

A few days ago I came across these masks from H&M, and I gave them a try. They're not expensive but not cheap either, €2,- for one face mask. I bought the Raspberry Smoothie and Coconut Water face masks and I've used them both last week. And I love them! The Raspberry Smoothie masks gives my skin a fresh look and did remove some impurities.

The Coconut Water mask gave my face that moisturized and soft feeling I love.

Both masks aren't the best I've ever used, but they are really good and budget face masks! I repurchased both again, two of the Raspberry Smoothie as you can see and I'm going to try the other face masks H&M has too!

Have you ever tried a H&M face mask?

x Jimmy

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August Favourites 2013

It's that time of the month again, the time all beauty bloggers reveal their favourites of the month! I only have four products to show you, sorry about that, but this were the only product I really have been liking this month.

August Favourites

• David Beckham Intimately Yours 

The first product I want to talk about is a perfume by David Beckham, and it's called Intimately Yours. A few days before I went to Lisbon I bought it at the drugstore for less than €10,- because I really liked the smell. However I didn't start wearing it until the past month, I fell in love with smell of this perfume. It smells really light, fresh (not the citrus kind of way), but also romantic and soft, yet manly. I really like it and I've been wearing it most of the days in August. 

•  Rituals Green Tea Hand Lotion 

I bought this little bottle in the Rituals Store at the airpoirt because I wanted something to clean my hands while in the plain or waiting at the airport in Paris. I expected a really strong alcohol kind of smell, but after the lotion dried your hands completely smell like green tea! Amazing! When this bottle runs out I can tell you I will get another one!

• L'Oréal Code Lumière Illuminating BB Cream

The sure know how to pick interesting names for their products. I got curious and decided I could try it, as my foundation had run out and I only had one bottle in the wrong color at home. This fitted my skin perfectly, I have never had a better foundation or the like. You can read more about this product in my review. 

• The Body Shop Rainforest Balance Shampoo for oily hair

The past month I had some struggles with my hair, it went oily and greasy the day after I washed it. Even my dry shampoo couldn't bare with it. So I decided to try the Rainforest Balance shampoo by The Body Shop and after a week my problems were gone. I can go without washing my hair for two to three days instead of one, perfect!

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Autumn is coming!

To be honest, I think I prefer this season to summer. Even though the weather is lovely in the summer, and the free time you have is amazing, I can't deny I am genuinely in love with all the colors and things that come with autumn.

And guess what!? Autumn is coming, next month! I like to prepare some things before a new season arrives, things like getting out my autumn and winter clothes, such as cozy hoodies and coats. Why? Well, I'm weird, that's one thing. But I also live in the Netherlands, and the weather here can be sunny and warm one day, while it's snowing the next day. And no, that's not exaggerated.

I'm also planning to change my room a little, I'm going to buy a new closet next week and I'm getting some other new stuff too. Pictures will follow, of course!

Expect a lot of pictures in the coming weeks! Are you guys preparing for a new season too?

x Jimmy

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Back to school: body, hair and skin care

Tomorrow it's the big day, even though the actual lessons and the like start september 2nd, tomorrow I will be introduced to my new class, teachers and school.

Great excuse for a spa at home if you ask me! I'm quite lucky that my skin is calm at the moment, one or two pimples and of course the acne, but it's not terrible. My Yves Rocher package came in two days ago, so I'll be using their products.

The products I'll be using (all from Yves Rocher):

• Fizzy Bath Cube Raspberry


• Brown Highlights Shampoo


• Rinsing Raspberry Vinegar Radiance


• Foot Lavender Tablet


• Pure Ultra Clean Face Mask


• Pure Calmille Cream

Besides these products I'll be using my regular skin care products and the Blueberry Body Butter from The Body Shop.

I can't wait! If I really like a product out of the above I will share it with you guys. Thanks for reading!

x Jimmy

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Favourite Basics: Bourjois Micellar Water and Toner

Hi guys,

I've been really sick the past week, I literally couldn't get out of bed except for the much needed. And as my school starts this week (omg first day as a student!!) I really needed to cleanse my face in the morning and evening. But I didn't feel like a face wash and all those kind of things, just some basic products was enough.

The two products I've been using for that were the Bourjois Micellar Cleansing Water and the Bourjois Vitamin D Enriched Toner. Both are really good basic products without alcohol!

The Micellar Water is just really basic, but that's the whole point of Micellar Water, but the Enriched Toner has perfume and pigments in it, which wasn't really necessary in my opinion.

Overall great products for not that much money. I believe they're about €5,- each at your local drugstore.

x Jimmy 

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Review: L'Oréal Paris Code Lumiere BB Cream

Hi y'all!

First of all, sorry for the lack of updates, I've been at work all the time and had to prepare for school, which will start in less than two weeks. Yay!

But I really wanted to share this product with you guys, because it's so amazing! And by so amazing, I mean SO amazing! I'm talking about the L'Oréal Paris Code Lumière BB Cream, I really am loving it.

I'm using it in the morning after I've washed my face, it hydrates my skin, evens out my skin tone and leaves a lovely glow on my face. The coverage is light, but I don't want full coverage so that's perfect for me.

The color suits me perfectly, it's light but not too light. If you're going to take a look at the product, the color is darker in the package than it will be on your skin!

However there are some cons, if you have combination to oily skin you will have to use powder, because the cream is quite thick and will leave your skin (or t-zone) shining.  But when applied the powder, it looks natural and gorgeous!

Two pros, it has SPF 15 which is a bit too little for the summer, but perfect for the autumn and winter. And the price, it's only €14,-!

Overal I really like the product, and I will definitely repurchase this when I run out of it!

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New challenge: Getting healthy!

The past few weeks I became more awesome of the things I put in my body, I started thinking of the bad stuff and what I was actually eating or drinking. We forget that a lot of the problems we have with out skin or body are partly caused by the things we consume. Also, I am fortunate that I can eat a lot of junk food without gaining too much weight. I do put on some weight, but it will never be more than 4 or 5 pounds.

A few years ago during a bad period in my life I had a bad relationship with food, I just didn't like it all. Back in those days I was a lot heavier, and people reminded me of that every day. I luckily got help and I am now able to accept my body the way it is. But, I would like to treat it much better from now on, because why would you treat it so well from the outside (skin care, body care) without treating it well from the inside? That's just not right.

I won't be dieting, eating less or trying to lose any weight. The only thing I will be doing is eating healthier stuff. If I discover a very nice and healthy recipe I will be posting it on my blog to share it with you all. I will also give an update one or two times a week.

So, the first recipe isn't really a recipe. It's very simple, but healthy and definitely tasty.

Recipe: Sweet berries.

What you will need:

• Currants (I used red ones, but you can use black ones if you prefer those).


• Honey

How to prepare:

Wash the berries carefully, make sure you don't rub to hard or something, because they can easily burst. Put the amount of berries you would like in a bowl and mix them with one to two tablespoons of honey. I use the honey to make the currants less sour, and because it's healthier than sugar. Of course it does contain a lot of sugar, but it is also rich in various antioxidants.

Optional: Because of the medication I have at the moment I'm not allowed to consume any dairy, but you can mix the recipe with yoghurt and nuts for a healthy breakfast or lunch!

Enjoy!
x Jimmy

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Follow me on Bloglovin'!

Hello!

So today I had to work all day long, which means I didn't have had any time to write a proper blogpost. I didn't want to just put something online without looking at it twice. I did want to say, and I'm going to now haha, that you can follow this blog (and me) on Bloglovin'! 

I haven't been around that long (yet) so I'm still trying to figure everything out and write some concepts for if I'm not able to write something, but my aim is to get at least one article online each day. And you can now follow me on Bloglovin' to read it if you use Bloglovin'.

Thank you!
x Jimmy

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Review: Chanel 'Poudre Universelle Compacte'

I've been drooling over this products for a few months and when I heard I graduated high school against all odds, I decided I could buy myself a little present. Or two, when I was looking at the Chanel counter in a Dutch store that sells all kinds of expensive and high-end brands, I couldn't resist buying myself a Chanel perfume too.

Anyway, I was thrilled to try the powder at home because I searched for a good one for ages. My skin tends to 'shine bright like diamond', and I don't like that. I don't really like the song either, haha. I've had a few powders, both high- and low-end and the best one yet was a low-end powder by the Drugstore-brand Catrice. I believe that's a german brand but I'm not sure. I bought the shade Nr.30 - Natural. But as it has almost no color/coverage it doesn't really matter I guess.

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Review: The Body Shop Blueberry & Macadamia Duo Body Butter

So I'm just gonna say it out loud, *clears throat*, I love The Body Shop. It's probably the first store I've ever loved so much and kept loving for a long time. Also they're not that expensive in my opinion. They're not cheap of course, but there are way more expensive shops around, like Lush and L'Occitane.



My all time favourite products of TBS must be their body butters. I genuinely am in love with the smell of all of them. I've had quite a few of them already.

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A trip to Lisbon, Portugal!

So this year I went on vacation without my parents for the very first time, and I had the most amazing time. Not because my parents weren't there, I loved the vacations with them (they are divorced, so I used to go on two vacations in one summer), but because I could do the things I wanted, and not what they wanted! Okay so, I didn't go all by myself, I went with my best friend from high school. We have the same interest (shopping, beauty, skincare) so we had a great time and liked the same things. We went online looking for places to go to back in March, and we were doubting between Lisbon, Barcelona and Milan, but eventually we chose Lisbon because that was the only big city with a beach. It sucked when we found out the beach was a few miles away from our hotel, the coast of Lisbon itself is harbour which we found out when we arrived there in our swimwear.. *facepalm*

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My current skincare routine

Hi guys,

so because I'm quite new to this world and none of you know me, I thought I would post the things I love and use at the moment, along with some reviews of recent purchases. The things I use every single day are my skincare products. I've tried a lot of them, and by a lot I really mean a lot, and the ones I currently like are actually quite basic. You can get a view of them at your local drugstore and some of them at your pharmacy (at least I had to buy it there, I'm not sure if they are sold there in other countries).



I've got a different routine in the morning than I have in the evening, so I will show you both and explain why I use different products. For those of you wondering, I have a acne prone skin which is quite hard to deal with, so the cleanser or brush for example can be a bit to aggressive if you have a dry or sensitive skin, keep that in mind!

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