My Current Routine

Hey, everyone! I read this in Makeup by Ansa, a lovely blog I follow, and decided it would be fun to share with you my current routine. So here it is:

Face

1. Cleanser

Fresh Line foaming oil blend face wash or MAC cleanse off oil

2. Toner/Lotion

Sometimes I use Fix+ by MAC

3. Serum

Don't use any

4. Moisturizer

MAC mineralize all-over lotion, MAC moisturelush eye cream

5. Facial Mask

Matis energising mask or Mineral Beauty System purifying mud mask

6. Exfoliator

Clinique 7 day scrub cream 

7. Makeup Remover

MAC cleanse off oil

Body

1. Shower Gel/Soap

I like Palmolive shower gels

2. Body Lotion/Cream

Kings&Queens myrrh body butter

3. Hand Cream

I use Lush massage bars

4. Lip Balm/Lip Treatment

Elizabeth Arden lip protectant stick in honey

5. Perfume

Gucci by Gucci

Hair

1. Shampoo/Conditioner

Estel Professional color hair shampoo/The Body Shop honey moisturising conditioner

2. Mask or Other Treatments

I use a lot of products on my hair, but currently I'm loving Lee Stafford bleach blondes moisturising treatment. Even though I don't have bleached hair, it works for me. 

Makeup

1. Foundation

Bare Minerals or YSL matt touch foundation mixed with studio moisture tint by MAC

2. Powder

MAC MSF natural when I use liquid foundation

3. Blush

"Tenderling" by MAC

4. Mascara

MAC splashproof lash

5. Lipstick/Lipgloss

YSL rouge pure № 141 in Pink Satin (I believe that's the name)/"Ban This" dare to wear lipglass by MAC

6. Eyeshadow

"Tan" pigment by MAC

7. Eyeliner

Lancome artliner and Dior eyeliner pencil in Black

P.S. Since my previous post was a lot about food, I wanted to tell you about the meal I cooked recently. It's the recipe by beautiful Dulce Candy. I love Mexican food, so I decided to try this. My tacos turned out really good!

If you have any questions, feel free to ask me in the comments! Thanks for reading!

Budapest Vacation

Hello, everyone! In the end of October we (my husband, our daughter and I) went to Budapest for ten days. We absolutely love the city, it is sooo beautiful. Moreover, it's a special place for us, because we used to live there for a month two years ago. We aslo have some friends there.

The time we spent was amazing, there's nothing better than to travel with my loved ones. These memories are so precious to me, so I would like to share with you some moments of our vacation...

The famous Budapest Parliament

The Danube River

The Fisherman's Bastion

Hungarian food is amazing!!! We went to a lot of restaurants :)

And here is what I purchased in MAC there: http://alisaguk.blogspot.com/2010/10/mac-haul.html

Hope you liked this one!
See you!

Love Lace

Hey, everyone! Lately I've been loving black lace clothing. Lace is so popular this season and I really enjoy this trend. Here are the most favorite lace items from my wardrobe. I like to wear lace dresses/tops with boots, leather and denim jackets. You can add some tights, a blazer or a cardigan, a warm coat and you will look great in this cold November weather. 

From left: Zara (haven't worn that one yet!), Topshop

Here are my Vogue lace leggings, they can make any outfit look interesting and unique. They have pretty flower design.

Recently I noticed Aria Montgomery (played by Lucy Hale) wearing a very nice lace top in one of the episodes of Pretty Little Liars. I was happy, I have something similar in my collection. She has great style!

This is me wearing my Topshop dress

Hope you enjoyed!

Рабочее Место

Всем привет! Мой любимый муж просил меня сделать пост про мое рабочее место. Поскольку я преподаю английский язык на филологическом факультете петербургского университета, больше всего времени я провожу в аудиториях. Вот та аудитория, в которой у меня больше всего пар в этом семестре. Саму нашу кафедру Лингвистики и Межкультурной Коммуникации запечатлеть не удалось, так как там всегда много людей, прости :)

На фотографии слева направо:

1. Моя сумка Longchamp. Самая удобная для преподавателя :)

2. Списки групп студентов.

3. Мой телефон.

4. Материалы к занятию.

5. Проверенные работы студентов.

6. Записная книжка.

7. Ручка.

8. Ключи от аудитории.

9. Маркер для доски и штука для стирания :))

  











Аудитория после пары!

Доска и мое пальтишко!

А вот наш рабочий стол дома; слева полка со всеми моими книгами, учебниками и словарями :) И мой замечательный компьютер, который мне подарил муж!

Надеюсь, всем понравилось! Пока!

MAC Haul

Hey, everyone! Here is a little haul/review post for you. Me, my husband and our daughter went to Budapest for ten days. It's a special place for us, we used to live there for a month two years ago. I will make a whole post on our trip later, but for now - what I've purchased in MAC there. When we got back, I decided to buy some things in MAC here in St.Petersburg.

This is what I picked up in Budapest (swatches are in the same order):

1. Brush Cleanser. I like it so far.

2. Mega-Rich Rigment. As far as I know, it's a discontinued color. I needed a deep gold color and they did have that pigment in a 7.5 g jar, so I was lucky. I adore this product :)

3. Sumptuous Olive Eyeshadow. Very nice green color, looks great with golds and browns.

4. Green-Smoke Eyeshadow. It's just like the color of my eyes, green-grey. I think it will look nice on me.

5. Star Violet Eyeshadow. I wanted this one for a long time. Although it's a bright color, it's very wearable. 

6. Jest. Great highlight.

St.Petersburg MAC (swatches are in the same order):

1. Cleanse Off Oil. As I already wrote, this is probably my favorite MAC product ever. Definitely a must in my skin care routine. 

2. Fling Brow Pencil. I use it all the time, perfect color for blondes.

3. Style Influencer Mineralize Trio. You can create many looks with this little palette. Navy blue is gorgeous. I've been told, In the Groove was the first MAC collection to release mineral shadows with satiny feeling that are very pigmented. They really are different. 

4. Mineralize SPF15 Foundation Loose. I'm out of my Bare Minerals foundation, they don't sell it here, I ordered it online. Now I decided to try MAC's loose mineral foundation. In my opinion, it's very nice. I think it's quite underestimated.  

Hope you found it helpful! See ya!

This or That Tag

Hello, my dearest readers! A couple of days ago I came along this tag. Hope you enjoy!

MakeUp

1. Blush or Bronzer: bronzer!

2. Lipgloss or Lipstick: lipstick!

3. Foundation or Concealer: probably foundation, you can use it as a concealer as well, but recently I haven't been using my liquid foundation. I feel like I'm good with a little bit of powder.

4. Neutral or Color Eyeshadow: I enjoy both. Neutral for work and everyday, color for special events, I like to be creative with my makeup.

5. Pressed or Loose Eyeshadow: pressed as they are more convenient, but I love loose for the versatility of usage.

6. Brushes or Sponges: brushes for sure!

Nails

1. OPI or China Glaze: I would say China Glaze, because they impress me with their quality. Regardless, most of the nailpolishes I own are OPI, just because they are sold near my apartment complex. I think OPI has great colors, but China Glaze nailpolishes stay on a lot longer.

2. Long or Short: both

3. Acrylic or Natural: I had acrylics several times and I guess natural are better, you can always do them yourself.

4. Brights or Darks: darks

5. Flower or No Flower: no flower

Body

1. Perfume or Body Splash: perfume

2. Lotion or Bodybutter: bodybutter

3. Bodywash or Soap: bodywash

4. Lush or Other Bath Company: other bath company, there are many other great bath companies who sell organic products, for instance, Stender's.

Fashion

1. Jeans or Sweatpants: jeans, I'm all about figure flattering clothes lately

2. Long Sleeve or Short: always short!

3. Dresses or Skirts: dresses! Love them

4. Stripes or Plaid: stripes

5. Flipflops or Sandals: flipflops

6. Scarves or Hats: scarves!

7. Studs or Dangly Earrings: dangly earrings, I don't like studs for some reason

8. Necklaces or Bracelets: I wear both, but I enjoy necklaces more

9. Heels or Flats: heels

10. Cowboy Boots or Riding Boots: both, I love boots

11. Jacket or Hoodie: jacket, I'm into leather jackets lately

Hair

1. Curly or Straight: straight, my hair is naturally very straight and I love it!!!

2. Bun or Ponytail: ponytail

3. Bobbypins or Butterfly Clips: bobbypins!

4. Hairspray or Gel: hairspray

5. Long or Short: long long long! I've always been that girl with very long hair, but still I had a short haircut two times in my life and both times I regretted it. The funny part is that my husband likes me more with short hair, but I just can't do it, I feel like myself only with the long do. Do you think I should keep my long hair? :)

6. Light or Dark: only light. I'm a natural blond and I'm very determined to keep my color.

7. Side Sweep Bangs or Full Bangs: I had both, didn't like either.

8. Up or Down: down

Random

1. Rain or Shine: shine

2. Summer or Winter: I'm a big summer girl! My birthday is in August, I think it's the best time of the year!

3. Fall or Spring: fall, spring in Russia is all about snow melting, it's usually very gross outside

4. Chocolate or Vanilla: vanilla

OOTD: Fall Colors

Hello, my dear readers! I've been wearing this outfit for quite a few times over past months. It was nice for summer with some heels and it is comfy for fall with tights, boots and a coat. Sorry for the quality of the picture, but I really wanted to share this with you. It is getting colder, probably I won't be able to wear it a lot. And to tell you the truth, I'm not a big fan of wearing something over and over again, I love new things. So I was impressed that I reached for the same items many times. Anyway, hope you like it!

Wearing:
linen shirt - Hugo Boss
black belt - Accessorize
skirt - Zara
purple tights - Vogue
brown boots - Vera Pelle

MAC Questions

Hey, girls! So my favorite makeup brand is definitely MAC! Most of my beauty collection is MAC products. They helped me to become more professional and creative at the same time with my own makeup. I can't say enough good things about the company. Recently I came across these questions about your MAC history :) And I decided to share my answers with you. Hope this helps you find some new stuff to try out!

How long have you been using MAC?

I've always wanted to try their products, but they didn't have a store in my city. About two years ago my husband brought me some MAC presents from Moscow. He was so cute calling me and asking what eyeshadow colors I needed :) He took the picture of his purchase and sent it to me, it was really cool. Here it is, my first MAC haul:

And a few weeks later MAC finally opened in St. Petersburg, so I'm using their products for about two years.

What was your first MAC product?

I remembered that my first MAC purchase was actually Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation. I got it in Tallinn. 

What's your all time favorite MAC product?

I think Cleanse Off Oil. It's my holy grail skin care product! I'm also loving their eyeshadows and brushes.

What's your least favorite MAC product?

Strobe Liquid Lotion

Do you own a Pro Card?

Unfortunately, I don't. 

Your MAC foundation shade:

NC15

Your favorite MAC foundation:

Mineralize Foundation SPF15

Eyeshadow:

Wood-Winked

Lipstick:

Pretty Please

Lipgloss:

Like Venus dazzleglass

Liner:

Smolder eyekohl and Point Black liquidlast liner (stays on forever and easily removes with Cleanse Off Oil)

Brush:

242 and 187 - the best! Couldn't pick one.

Nail Polish:

Scorcher

Pro Product:

Pro 15 Eye Shadow Palette

Comment on the following MAC product. Have you used them? If so, give feedback.

Prep & Prime Skin:

Wasn't that impressed. Probably because I'm not a huge fan of primers.

Full Coverage Foundation:

Never used

Studio Sculpt Foundation:

Nice foundation if you have dry skin. I also love the packaging.

Face and Body Foundation:

I really liked it. It is very lightweight but gives a nice coverage. Easy to use. 

Mineralize Satin Finish:

Never used, but planning to.

Studio Fix Fluid:

To me it was a little bit drying.

Studio Moisture Tint:

My favorite tinted moisturizer.

Select SPF15 Foundation:

Never used

Select Powder:
Never used

Studio Tech Foundation:

I liked it but I think if you are looking for a liquid to powder compact foundation Mineralize Foundation SPF15 is the best.

Studio Fix Powder:

It was ok for me in the summer but in the winter my skin was too dry for it.

Mineralize Foundation SPF15:

As I mentioned, my favorite MAC foundation. Has great ingredients and blends nicely. I use my 130 with it. You can get darker shades for contouring.

Mineralize SPF15 Foundation Loose:

Never used, but it's on my wish list.

Beauty Powder:

Didn't get a chance to get one, so never used.

Sculpt and Shape Powder:

Never used

Blot Powder:

Never used.

Mineralize Skinfinish Natural:

I love mineral makeup in general. My skin feels great when I use mineral products. And I use MSF Natural in Light everyday as my setting powder. Sometimes I wear it in the summer as my foundation, I buff it in with my kabuki. I also own MSF Natural in Medium Dark and use it as an all-over bronzer. Too bad the powder doesn't have a mirror though.

Mineralize Skinfinish:

I absolutely love them! I own 3: Gold Deposit, Soft and Gentle and Smooth Merge. I like Gold Deposit as a bronzer, Soft and Gentle as a highlighter and Smooth Merge can be used as a blush and as a hightlighter as well. They are so pretty on the skin!!! You can also use them as eyeshadows!

Bronzing Powder:

I owned one in Refined Golden and it was a very nice shade.

Powder Blush:

I own a few of them, my favorite for the moment is Trace Gold. I'm a fan of bronzy shades.

Blushcreme:

Never used

Mineralize Blush:

I love them. They are like mini MFS versions. I have Earth to Earth - gorgeous bronze color with a tint of purple.

Cream Color Base:

Great multi-purpose product. My favorite is Shell.

Beauty Powder Blush:

Never used, but heard good reviews.

Studio Sculpt Concealer:

I like it. Creamy and easy to blend. Nice packaging (actually I love MAC packaging in general).

Select Cover-Up Concealer:

Never used.

Select Moisturecover Concealer:

I think it's the best, it is so moisturizing and lightweight.

Studio Finish SPF35 Concealer:

It covers everything, but it is too drying. Works if you have to take pictures.

Lip Erase:

Never used, but would like to try.

Tinted Lip Conditioner:

Never used.

Lipstick:

Love these. Amazing shade range, different finishes. I think MAC has the best nude lip colors. I love Myth and High Tea. Snob is my favorite pink and Diva is one of my favorite dark matte colors.

Lipglass:

Love them. Favorite of the moment - Nice to be nice from the hello kitty collection.

Dazzleglass:

I only own one in Like Venus and I really like it! Stays on your lips for a long time.

Cremesheen Glass:

Never used

Lip Gelee:

Very nice glosses. Not sticky and smell nice.

Lip Liner:

I love MAC lip liners. Cremestick Liners in Beurre, Summerfruit and Pink Treat are my favs.

Solar Bits: 

A lot like MAC pigments.

Lustre Drops:

Great liquid highlighter. I also like to mix it with my foundation for some glow.

Nail Lacquer:

I heard different reviews on MAC nail polishes, but the ones that I own are really nice - don't streak and last a long time.

Shadestick:
Love these as eyeshadow bases or on their own. Like the color Taupographic. I also enjoy greasepaint sticks.

Paint:
I own Bamboom. Can work as a base or as an eyeshadow. Nice neutral color. The pachaging is cute.

Paint Pot:
Great eyeshadow bases, nice range of colors. I use Quite Natural on my eyebrows, by the way (with 208 brush).

Eye Shadow:
Can't say enough good things about MAC eyeshadows. For me, they are the best!

Pigment:
I love using pigments, I own two of them. It is probably the most versatile product that MAC offers. Tan is my favorite color. You can even make a nail polish color out of them!


Mineralize Eye Shadow:

They are really nice, especially when you use them wet.

Glitter:
Never used

Eyekohl:
I love Smolder and Fascinating. They are so soft, perfect for the waterline.

Chromaline:
Never used

Fluidline:
Love them as liners and as eyeshadow bases.

Liquidlast Liner:
I own Point Black and it's great; intense inky black color. I also own Classic Cream, you can use it as an eyeshadow base - your shadows will never crease.

False Lashes:
Never used

Mascara:
I love Splashproof Lash, it's waterproof, lasts all day, holds the curl nicely.

Eye Brows:
I use this self-sharpening brow pencil in the color Fling. It's great.


Perfume:
Never used

Your favorite MAC collection:
I liked BBR, the brushes were amazing. I also loved Hello Kitty, Naked Honey (High-Light Powders were great), Warm&Cozy (mainly for Mineralize All-Over Lotion) and To the Beach (lovely products, colors and packaging). I think my favorite is To the Beach.

I would like to tell you about some other MAC products that I love:
- Belightful iridescent powder. It is such a pretty pearl color with golden shimmer. Perfect highlighter. Also it has a mirror.
- MAC Skincare products. As I mentioned, I absolutely love Cleanse Off Oil. I also use Mineralize All-Over Lotion and I really like it. Studio Moisture Cream is good for winter and Moisturelush Eye Cream is good for undereye area.
- Pro Palettes. I love 4 eyeshadow palettes for traveling and 15 shadow palettes for keeping shadows organized on my vanity.
- Lash Curler. It's great!
- Makeup Bags. I own 3 of them and I love them.
- Fix+. I like to take it with me to freshen up my makeup during the day. It's also great for using eyeshadows wet.
- And of course, BRUSHES! I think I own almost all of them. Yeah... I love makeup :)

I really hope you found it helpful! And what are your favorite MAC products? Thanks for stopping by! 

OOTD: Fall is Here

Hello, everyone! It was a lovely weekend! Me and my husband went for a little walk, here is what I was wearing...

scarf - H&M
jacket - NafNaf
pants - Zara
boots - Zara
handbag - United Colors of Benetton

25

Hey, everyone! So it was my 25th birthday on the 10th of August. And I decided to share with you some pictures from that day :)

Wearing:

dress - Zara

shoes - Zara

My loved ones...

Presents from my husband, my parents and my friends:

Until the next time, bye!!!