Secret Santa + Chirstmas Recap Video(UPDATE)

I woke up at 5. It's 00:25 and I have to woke up again at 5.

I will complete the post tomorrow.

Bare with me! =)

UPDATE!! PICTURES FROM MY SECRET SANTA =)

Wasn't this lovely?

Like I said.

Hyper cute and amazing!!!

1000 thank you again to my Secret Santa! 

Running to the airport to catch my flight to Madrid.

Hope you all had an amazing start in 2013!!

MUA eye shadow palettes REVIEW

Today's post is a review on the two MUA palettes I ordered a few weeks ago.

MUA package here and MUA blush review here.

MUA's eye shadows  are one of their stand out products and their 12 eyeshadow palettes at only 4£ are far away from disappointment.

Packaging is simple but quite decent. Sorry I didn't make a photo where I could saw you the size but to give you an idea the palette is slightly wider than the original naked palette and 3/4 of its lenght. 

So, not too big but that makes them travel friendly and easy to carry on your make-up bag or purse.

The eye shadows are soft, creamy, blending is super easy, not chalky (at least with mine I don't have fall outs when I apply them) and incredibly pigmented!!

Like seriously? what else can you ask for 4£?

Going all natural SKINCARE: toning

This is part two in my "Going all natural SKINCARE" series where I tell you everything I'm doing to try to accomplish a better skincare while avoiding chemicals as much as possible.

When it comes to toners I have to recognize I've never found them useful. Simply, it never worked for me so it isn't an item I would run to the store to buy.

Now, when I read this post about Apple Cider Vinager (ACV) toner being almost a miracle I had to give it a go. Also, it is very simple to make so why not?

Long story short ACV has antibacterial and antiseptic properties and it balances the pH of the skin. While it hasn't been a miracle to me and my skin still gets upset with me sometimes and I can't figure out the reason, it has done some good for me.

It helps clearing up active acne and prevents new break outs. It takes more time to act on cystic acne but I think it helps too. It definately helps fading scares and control the oil.

And I'm not quite sure about this but I think it helps to give the skin a glowy look, which I like.

So that's it!! have you ever tried using ACV?

Do you have a holy grail toner?

Let me know!

(TRUE) Christmas Wish List-From a young graduate

This is going to seem weird to you. Well, maybe not.

The more I grow up the harder it is for me to make a Christmas list.

There are many things I desire. Clothes, make-up, skin care...

Since I started this blog I want to try everything is out there like if a hungry little make-up beast had been awaken and I want to become the fashionista I've always dreamed to be.

But somehow I can't let my beloved ones to spend that much of money on me.

I would happily accept presents if I didn't know they were thinking to get me something on the first place. But deliberately telling them I want "THIS" doesn't seem right for me.

Everything I want, I want to be able to buy it by my own means.

I'm just simple like that.

Ant that's why my Christmas perfect gift this year would be a job. A TRUE job.

Starting January first I'll be unemployed. Which actually has turned out to be a good thing.

I always manage to find alternatives and I have some things from here and there, so I can't complain. As long as I'm working, I'm thankful.

But yet, none of these jobs would really help me get in the professional path I want to enter. I don't want A job. I want THE job.
I really need it. That's why I came to Geneva in the first place.

Source: fitfabcities.com via Beatriz on Pinterest

Getting out of the career pathway you had planned is not easy.

First I went through commotion: it took me time to accept that I didn't like anymore what I dreamed to do. That it wasn't like I expected. 

Second there was the eternal question: so what now? if I don't do a PhD like any other biologist out there, what would I do? WHAT? someone tell me please!

Third people would love to say you will not make it: No mum and dad, PhD is not the miracle solution to assure a career and YES! I do love what I studied, but I want to work from a different perspective. Strangers out there, stop asking: oh nice biology, so what's next? a PhD? no? oh so what there is to do for you then? 

Well, actually many things.

Once passed that moment of frustration, I discovered there is a huge world out there full of possibilities. It isn't easy, but it is out there.

It is also scary.

Let me give you the image of the last few weeks.

Friday 30th Nov: By seriously pure azar, in between I don't know how many work offers in finance and banking, I found THE offer.

Friday 7th Dic: They contact me by email for an interview. Laugh with me, but at first I thought it was a joke!

Monday 10 Dic: First interview went A-M-A-Z-I-N-G

Tomorrow, Friday 14th I have an interview with my "hope to be" boss.

If all goes well and it should, it's done!!

Needless to say, I've been scared. Scared of not finding a job, not receiving answers, receiving negative answers, of going through and being turned down...I'm still scared that it is not foing to work. I'll let you know how it goes, but for the moment I'm chosing to be scared because my dreams are way to big.

Hope you are having an amazing week!!

Sorry for being a bit MIA!!

Skincare Wish list

I've been all about skincare lately trying to get the most out of my skin. This would be the things I would ask if someone was supposed to get me a present or things I would buy myself to try either way. 

I have already talk about REN. CAUDALIE is another brand with almost 100% natural ingredients that I'm dying to try. It has amazing reviews and it's actually not that expensive when you buy it in euros either in France or Spain.

I forgot to add it but KIEH'LS is another one that interests me.

I've been thinking a lot about getting a clarisonic. Everyone raves about it.

But I don't know if it would make that much difference in my skin for real.

Same with the PMD.

Skin care wish list by livingingeneva featuring a ren skincare

Makeup Academy (MUA) blusher- shade 2 review

This is the first post on my series reviewing the MUA products I purchased a few weeks back.

Haul post here.

When I placed my order I wasn't quite sure what to get because for the most part all MUA products have AMZING reviews and rates.

I'm not a huge nail polish lover and I've purchased lots of lip products in the past few months so I left those out.

Blushes are one of the stars from MUA. 

I looked at many, many swatches on the Internet and finally decided to pick MUA blusher in shade 2. It seemed a peachy/corally/pink blusher so a safe shade for me and it was highly recommended.

Needless to say that I'm completely in love with it and I've been using almost every day ever since alternating this one with my other two favourite blushes at the moment from H&M

Review of those two here.

Prize: £1.00 (try to beat that!!)

Packaging: simple and minimalist

Size: small (perfect for traveling)

Quantity: 2,4g

This is seriously the softest and most creamy drugstore blush I've ever owned/tried.

At first I couldn't really figure out the exact shade because it changes a lot depending on the light. But I would describe it as a rosy/peach light color.

Top road: MUA blusher shade 2 under different lights: cloudy day vs sunny day.
Bottom road Left: MUA blusher shade 2 swatch + H&M 12 Dazzling Peach + 17 Tawny Rose
Bottom road Right: MUA blusher shade 2 swatch on its own.

Like you can see the color looks completely different depending on the light. I thought it'd be really similar to Dazzling Peach from H&M but it turns out to be lighter and more pinkish.

By the way, the swatches at the bottom left are really true to color so it gives you a pretty good idea of how the colors are.

And there is not much to say about it. 

It's cheap, easy to transport, super soft, really pigmented and

the staying powder is pretty good, so what else can you ask for? =)

I think it would make a good stocking stuffer for any make-up lover or someone that is starting to be in to make-up

Love bargains like this one. LOVE , LOVE, LOVE!!

I might get my hands in other shades and also in their new cream blushes!

What do you think? 

I've heard there is another offer of 40% coming up soon.

With 3 nailpolishs free.

Shipping is internationally

Would you fall for it? =)

Christmas/New Year's outfits ideas

I think thesewould make really nice party outfits for the festivities to come...

don't you think? =)

Christmas/New Year's outfits by livingingeneva featuring a sequin dress

Black sequin cocktail dress
33 CHF - desireclothing.co.uk

Lipsy bodycon dress
82 CHF - lipsy.co.uk

Mango a line dress
67 CHF - mango.com

Formal dress
70 CHF - pacificplex.com

Notte by Marchesa sequin dress
995 CHF - stylebop.com

Hervé Léger one shoulder dress
2'080 CHF - stylebop.com

Nude pumps
23 CHF - windsorstore.com

Faith gold shoes
29 CHF - debenhams.com

Alejandro Ingelmo leather boots
475 CHF - thecorner.com

Boutique 9 black peep toe heels
ebay.ca

Going all natural SKINCARE: cleansing

I don't have the healthiest life style and that's something I need to change.

I've been dealing with skin problems since my early teens and probably is the physical defect that gets me the most and it really brings me down. 

I've tried everything and for the most part I can say it's controlled, but every here and there my skin will get crazy and then it takes quite a lot of time to bring it back to normal. 

Since I can't control at all abrupt changes in weather, hormones and life situations, I'm really taking care of what I put in my skin to try to balance it as much as possible.

There out there great brands that offer natural skincare products and at some point I will probably adventure and try some of them.

But for the moment, what's more natural that using natural ingredients that you can easily find in a common kitchen?

Not to forget that they are also friendly with your wallet =)

For the past almost two months I've been incorporating natural elements to my skincare routine and I want to share them with you.

I'm not going to lie. I don't have perfect skin (yet), but I'm getting there.

My skin looks and feels better, more healthy, balance and radiant.

And my make-up goes on better and it looks more flawless.

Having oily prone to break outs skin one of the biggest concerns and where people makes more mistakes is in cleansing.

Monday quotes

Source: 24.media.tumblr.com via Beatriz on Pinterest

Source: piccsy.com via Beatriz on Pinterest

I relate to both of these quotes, tho I'm not quite sure if they actually complement or contradict each other...What do you think?

On a side note I'm extremely happy with my little blog lately.

Thank you very much to the new readers and all those who comment!!

I'm thrilled because there is more much interaction between us =)

And is good to know that so many people go around without watch,

that I'm not the only one with a sleeping disorder

and that what I called "ear warmers" is actually called "earmuffs"

(You will never go to sleep without learning something new)

And you know what would be even more exciting?

if we could start the "advertising" in my blog going.

I'm advertising myself in bigger blogs and I will continue to do so in the new year to come,

and that means good news to you if you decide to advertise with me.

Prizes are quite reasonable, so please check it out.

You would make me a happy girl!!