Pupa Milano New Summer Releases

I always get excited whenever Pupa Milano release new products and I was lucky enough to get my hands on a couple of items from their latest releases which of course I shall be sharing with you in this post.

First off, the Extreme Bronze Moisturizing Tanning Foundation SPF20 in the shade 001. I was instantly curious about this foundation and was looking forward to see if the texture matches my beloved Pupa Milano Professionals BB Cream + Primer. And yes, it didn't disappoint! The texture is lightweight which is just what you need for summer! Moreover it is resistant to water, sweat and humidity, making it the ideal product for the Maltese summer. It also has SPF20 so you know your skin has some protection against harmful UV rays. Coverage is light and it just gives my skin the perfect sun-kissed glow.

Wearing Pupa Milano Extreme Bronze Foundation 001 - see how natural it looks?!

The Extreme Bronze Foundation is available locally in shades 001 and 002 and retails for €19.10. It has been launched in combination with the Extreme Bronze Bronzing Powder which is available in 3 shades and retails for €15.95.

Pupa Milano Extreme Bronze Collection

Another product which has fast made its way to my current favourites, is the I'M Matt Lip Fluid in shade 097 Light Plum. Pupa are expanding their range of this highly popular product with 8 new shades. I'm a huge fan of the formula of these lip fluids and their pigmentation is to die for! With just one swipe, you get complete coverage with a nice velvety matt finish. I particularly like this shade as it complements my skin tone and it practically goes with anything! Price is €12.85. The Pupa lip products range now also comprises 10 new shades of I'M Pure Lip Colour which retail for €12.85 each.

Wearing Pupa Milano I'M Matt Lip Fluid 097

Lastly, Pupa have introduced the Vamp! Eyeshadow palettes. I have the 003 Absolute Nude which is an absolute favourite as it has the four colours I reach for the most. They are all shimmery shades are perfect to create an understated neutral look. Locally, there are two palettes available as part of a Special Edition Kit which comprises a palette and 3 Easy Liner Eye Pencils for €21. Oh and you could also try your luck at winning four Vamp! palettes in the giveaway that is currently going on on the blog's Facebook page!

I have the tester version of the palette (centre) but you can see what the palette actually looks like in the other two photos.

Pupa Milano Easy Liner Eyes which come with the Vamp! palettes

Look created with Pupa Vamp! Palette 003 Absolute Nude

Also worth a mention is Pupa's Summer Collection - Savanna which presents us with neutral hues of bronze, gold and khaki synonymous with this time of year and two gorgeous highlighters for the perfect summer glow!

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Review | Pupa Milano Like a Doll Maxi Blush 301 Golden Brown

I'm slowly settling in a blogging routine again and while going through my stash of products to review, I came across, my new favourite blush from Pupa Milano, which has been on a roll lately with the new products being launched in the local market. Today, I'd like you to meet the Pupa Milano Like a Doll Maxi Blush in the shade 301 Golden Brown.

The blush is supplied in a red box and the actual product comes in a functional, mirrored, circular compact which houses a mirror on the inside lid, the blush on the top compartment and a blush brush in the bottom compartment.

The shade I have, 301 is a nude beige colour which doubles up as a bronzer as well. I'm very fond of this blush for apart from the pigmentation, staying power and functional packaging, the brush supplied with it is actually good. The size of it is just right for my cheeks and it makes application a breeze! Here I am wearing the blush just last weekend in Milan :)

The blush doesn't go on patchy and lasts me a whole day without the need for touch-ups. Moreover, the formula is paraben free and fragrance free and is dermatologically tested.

Pupa Milano Like A Doll Maxi Blush comes in 9 different shades and retails for €15.95 for 9.5g of product for authorized stockists. Follow Pupa Milano in Malta on Facebook for more information.

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Review | Pupa Milano Contouring & Strobing Powder Palette

Pupa Milano have just launched their own line of Contouring & Strobing Powder Palettes. All makeup junkies know about these two techniques that are meant to structure the face and further enhance our best features according to our face shape.

I had the chance to test this new palette for a good few weeks and now I am here to share my thoughts with you all. First of all, a word about the packaging. I have yet to find a Pupa Milano product for which I have something negative to say about the packaging. I think we all agree that this palette looks very sleek, stylish and elegant with black and silver casing. It is slim enough to carry around and yet it contains everything you need to achieve the perfect #READY4SELFIE look. In fact, I took this with me on my recent travels. The palettes comes in three different shades to suit every skin tone. The one I have is 002 Medium Skin.

Inside the palette, there is a highlight shade, a light contour shade, a medium contour shade and a dark contour shade as well as a nice-sized mirror. If you're unsure how to use the palette, Pupa has that covered too for there is a pictorial right at the back of the outer box which guides you to contour and strobe according to your face shape!

I find that all four shades in the palette, are very pigmented yet they are very easy to blend to achieve that flawless contoured look and highlight to slay all day ;) Here are swatches and a makeup look where I have used this palette.

The Pupa Milano Contouring & Strobing Palette really has everything you need and at €19.90 for four products, I think it's worth a try.

You can find Pupa Milano products at various pharmacies and authorized stockists around Malta & Gozo.

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Review | Pupa Milano Super After Sun Cream

Come summer, we get to see a lot adverts for sun blocks and sun protection products, and rightly so; but what about taking care of our skin after exposure to the sun? Today I want to show you my latest discovery in this department - the Pupa Milano Super After Sun Cream.

What makes this after sun different from others I have used in the past is that I can use this in the shower on clean, wet skin for a more rapid absorbtion. Moreover, it contains Sun Optimizer as its active ingredient which helps prolong your tan - something my paler than pale skin craves.

I have found this to be extremely useful after a full day at sea when all I want to do when I get home is shower and sleep. Thus, all I have to do is shower and slather on Pupa Milano After Sun Cream while my skin is still wet. And if my hair and face are in need of a moisturising treat, this product can be applied to them as well; though I do recommend you rinse your hair after leaving the product for a couple of minutes.

I really look forward to using this product following sun exposure when my skin is craving that minty fresh feeling of something soothing and emollient and I cannot recommend the product enough! Pupa Milano Multifunction Super After Sun Cream comes in a maxi size 300ml tube and retails for €16.30 from authorised pharmacies and outlets.

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Review | Pupa Milano Bronze Fever Summer 2016 Limited Edition Vamp! Intense Kajal 001 Extra Black

One of the seasonal collections I look forward to every summer is the proposition by Pupa Milano. This year, the theme can't get any more summerish - Bronze Fever. The collection is inspired by the bronze hues of summer that enhance our suntan in a sophisticated manner.

The collection consists of three kajal liners (€11.10 each), 6 Made to Last Waterproof Eyeshadow sticks (€10.80 each), 4 Balmy Oil lip balms (€11.25 each), 2 Face & Body Highlighters (€15.25 each) and 4 Lasting Color Gel nail polishes (€6.15 each).

I was given the Vamp! Intense Kajal in the shade 001 Extra Black at the summer products launch event and after using it thoroughly, here are my thoughts on it.

As with all other Pupa Milano products, especially the limited edition ones, the packaging is somewhat elegant and representative of the whole collection - with orange, brown, pink and gold adorning the boxes. The Pupa Milano Bronze Fever Vamp! Intense Kajal has a sleek appearance with a tapered end and the liner itself mirrors the same tapered point for easy application.

Pigmentation is extremely good with staying power to match - I use this both on my upper and lower lash lines and I have never had any problems with the product smudging throughout the day.

Here I am wearing Pupa Milano Bronze Fever Intense Kajal on the upper and lower lash lines

I look forward to get my hands on some of the Made to Last eyeshadows as I was really impressed after swatching them at the event. For a full list of stockists for this collection, kindly contact Pupa Milano in Malta on Facebook.

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Event | Pupa Milano New Summer Launches

Last week I had the pleasure of attending the launch of some new products from Pupa Milano, all related to the upcoming summer season. The event was held near one of the most popular beaches in Malta, St. George's Bay in St. Julians at La Plage lounge. We were given the opportunity to sample the new products, all while enjoying refreshing summery treats and drinks freshly prepared by the La Plage kitchen staff.

Next, we had a presentation on all the products concerned, from anti-cellulite treatments (some of which already existed) to the new Pupa Multifunction sun care range and the summer limited edition makeup collection Bronze Fever.

Stephanie, Pupa brand manager, delivering the presentation

Here is a brief word about the different product categories and some pictures to introduce you to the fantastic world of Pupa Milano summer products. Starting with one of women's worst concerns, cellulite, Pupa addresses the needs of everyone with a comprehensive range of products that offer treatment at different intensities according to individual requirements. My favourite product has to be the anti-cellulite mud which is very practical and on par with today's hectic lifestyles as you don't need to wrap it for it to exert its action. The latest product to join the range is the Anti-Cellulite Active Concentrate which contains Hylauronic Acid molecules in two different sizes in combination with horse chestnut and caffeine. The range also includes a scrub which further enhances the treatment creams' action. The first results after using these products usually appear after 4 weeks following the instructed regimen.

Pupa Anti-Cellulite and Breast Enhancement ranges

Next, we were introduced to the Pupa breast enhancement range which is now re-formulated to prevent itching. Again, the products in the range are targeted towards different needs and are said to enhance breasts by up to a cup size.

Moving on, we have the Multi Function sun care range which covers everything from pre-exposure to after sun care for body, face, hair and lips. The range contains some interesting products such as the Super Tan Activator 3 in 1 which contains melanin stimulators to help achieve and maintain a gradual tan even before sun exposure; the Super Water Intensive Tanning which can be used to remove sea salt residues from hair and body; a Super Spray Invisible Tanning which also contains melanin activators and the Super After Sun Cream which is a shower gel and after sun in one. I was lucky enough to receive the latter product in my goodie bag and I really look forward to try it and see how well it performs. 

Pupa Multifunction Sun Care range

Lastly, we have the Bronze Fever makeup collection which as the name implies, revolves all around the typical bronze hues we associate with summer. The collection consists of eyeshadow pens, kajal liners, nail polishes, lip oils and cream highlighters to provide us with the ultimate summer glow. Pupa being an Italian brand from fashion capital Milan, the collection also revolves around an elegant and glamorous aura inspired by the Milanese catwalk shows, which is reflected even in the outer packaging of the products.

Which products are you most excited about? I know I want to get some of the eyeshadow pens ;)

Monthly Favourites | March & April

Since I was too caught up between things and didn't manage to publish last month's favourites post, I am combining them with April's favourites as most of the products are essentially the same. So without further ado, let's get right into it!

March was more geared towards skin care and consequently, I have a lot skin care of products to feature in this post. First up are two Swiss brands which were still new to me at the time I attended the respective events - Juvena and Declare. 

I was given some deluxe samples from both brands to try out and the speaker at the events, with her passionate descriptions of the products, managed to convinced me so much that I tried them as soon as I got home. I have used all of these products several times but have resorted back to using my old skin care products so that once I use them up, I can fully switch to these brands.

So, the products are Juvena Miracle Boost Essence which is literally a skin saviour for dehydrated skins - the boyfriend even loves to use it after he shaves but don't tell him I told you shhh ;) Juvena have a brush which fits inside the cap of this product so that you can pick up the product and distribute it over your face with the super soft brush for an extra pampering experience.

From Declare, I have three products, my favourite of which is the Anti-Irritation Serum which provides a nice treat to my skin after a day's work. In the morning I wake up with very little redness and my skin feels nice and looks much more radiant. Next are the Detox Night Cream and the Cleansing Milk. I intend to purchase both of these products in their full size soon because they are specifically tailored for my skin type and I could see results after just a couple of applications.

With skin care out of the way, let's have a look at the makeup products I have been using more frequently during these last two month. First up is the MAC Studio Waterweight SPF30 Foundation. I'm in NC15 and I think this is the first time ever that I have found a foundation shade that it exactly the same tone as my skin so that is definitely a plus! What makes me a big fan of this foundation is the light weight texture that doesn't feel like you have anything on your face and still covers up really well. I'm going to stop there as I will be reviewing this foundation soon though. Another light weight product I have been enjoying these past weeks is the Pupa Milano Professionals BB Cream + Primer for Combination to Oily Skin. I like this for days when my skin on its best behaviour and doesn't need a lot of coverage.

Sometimes, however, light coverage foundation doesn't cut it and I need something that offers higher coverage. For such days, I turn to Vichy Dermablend [3D Correction] which has just been launched and I have had the opportunity to try. Dermablend is hands down the best foundation for covering up all sorts of skin conditions yet still look natural and for this reason, this has been a winner with me this month when I experienced a little breakout on my chin.

The last face product I want to talk about is this Clinique Airbrush Concealer in the shade 04 Neutral Fair. It has a brush applicator which really makes it easy to apply the product and it is a great all rounder in the sense that it covers up both under eye circles and blemishes effectively. Definitely a thumbs up!

Next I have the MAC Cosmetics Studio Sculpt Lash Mascara in Sculpted Black. Now this is all you need to get those lashes separated without any clumps. You can use it alone or in combination with your favourite mascara to achieve that perfect look.

Also from MAC is my current favourite lip combination - Soar lipliner and Mehr lipstick which is a matte. The colours complement each other really well and they make up for an ultra long-lasting combination!

For my eyes, I was mostly opting for neutral looks using these three eyeshadows: MAC Fly by Twilight for some sparkle, MAC Mulch for an all over the lid colour and Essence 15 Hazel Me Not as a transitional crease colour.

The last product I want to show you is the mini Victoria's Secret Scandalous perfume. I have been using this quite a lot and always get compliments whenever I wear it. It does have an overpowering scent but I like it so much I even use it during day time sometimes. I think I'll have to get the bigger version soon!

That's all for this post! What products did you enjoy this month?

Review | Pupa Milano Professionals BB Cream + Primer Combination to Oily Skin 001 Nude

BB Creams are continuing to gain popularity and more brands are coming out with their versions. A few weeks ago, I was sent the Pupa Professionals BB Cream + Primer for Combination to Oily Skin to try.

If I had to be completely honest, I had given up on finding a good BB cream that won't make me look even more like a ghost as the Korean ones I tried in the past all had a greyish tinge that accentuated my pale complexion and their finish was somewhat cakey.

I couldn't have been more wrong about this Pupa BB cream, but let have a look at the packaging first. The Pupa Milano Professionals BB Cream + Primer Combination to Oily Skin comes in a cute pink box, the same colour as the actual product tube. The product has a rather watery consistency so do be careful how much you squeeze the tube for the product to come out, plus, a little really does go a long way.

The shade I have, 001 Nude is the lightest of the two shades available on the market and I found it to be a very good match for my skin. One word of warning though, this product does have an almost floral scent that reminds me of baby wipes (I personally don't mind it) which can react with sensitive skins and it does state on the box that the product has a low allergy risk.

Pupa Milano Professionals BB Cream + Primer Combination to Oily Skin claims to:

• moisturise, smooth and protect
• mattify the skin with an anti-shine effect
• minimize pores and imperfections
• even out and enhance the complexion
• increase makeup hold
• protects against UV rays with SPF20

I have been using this product every day for the past two, almost three weeks and so far I haven't had any breakouts and have been enjoying the benefits of sun protection and smooth, even, moisturised skin with just one product. This has proved to be indispensable on those mornings when I am in a rush to go to work and run errands. I have only used the product alone not under makeup and I like that it stays matte for a very long time, even at work where my skin tends to get oilier as time goes by. The only claim from the above that I cannot attest to, is the pore minimisation as for someone having oily skin, I really don't have enlarged pores (I thank God for that mind you).

The light, natural finish of this BB cream is perfect for days when my skin is behaving and I don't need a lot of coverage and I also like that is enhances my skin's radiance. I would give this product a good 9/10, with the only downside to it being the fragrance with respect to skin sensitivity.

yours truly wearing Pupa Milano Professionals BB Cream + Primer for Combination to Oily Skin 001 Nude

Pupa Milano Professionals BB Cream + Primer Combination to Oily Skin retails for €15.95 for 50ml of product and can be bought from authorised retailers. Contact Pupa Milano in Malta on Facebook to find your nearest stockist.

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