Saturday 28 September 2013

Whats In My Make Up Bag: The Paris Edition

I'm always quite good when it comes to packing make up. I never end up using all the products I take away with me anyway so I always keep it very minimal and only include the basics. Not only does it stop extra weight being added to my case but it leaves enough room to squeeze in my new purchases. This will be the first time I've ever been to Paris or Sephora and believe me when I say I'll be hitting it with a bang! I'm planning on only buying Sephora own brand make up as I think it's fantastic and because the products which are available to us in the UK work out more expensive in Euros.So, whats starting off as a very minimal make up bag will more than likely be overflowing with Sephora goodness by the end of the trip.


Face:
Daniel Sandler Radiance Foundation & Concealer*
Pur Minerals CC Cream*
Garnier Tinted Eye Roll On
YSL Touche Eclat
Clarins Graphic Expressions Face & Blush Powder

Eyes:
Liz Earle Brow Pencil 'Fair'*
MAC Paint Pot 'Painterly'
Urban Decay NAKED Palette (and brush)
Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara

Lips:
MAC Creme Cup
Sephora Colour Reveal Lip Balm

Brushes:
Sephora Classic Mineral Powder Brush #45 (I use it for liquid foundation)
Real Techniques Delux Crease Brush
Zoeva Powder Brush
Zoeva Pencil Brush

It looks like more when I write it all down but from the Urban Decay NAKED palette I only use 'Virgin' in the inner corners,'Sin' on the lid and 'Naked' in the crease but if I fancy adding a bit of liner to my look I can use one of the darker shades with the Zoeva Pencil Brush. The Clarins Graphic Expression Palette is my powder, blush and bronzer all in one handy compact and my Zoeva Powder Brush does the job of applying it in all 3 ways.

Brushes will be having a bath before I go, I just didn't have time to spruce them up before taking photos for this post.

Are you sensible-ish when it comes to packing? 
Or do you like to empty the contents of your house into your case?

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Thursday 26 September 2013

Easy Lip: Sephora Ultra Vinyl Lip Pencil '07 Gorgeous Peach'

The Sephora Vinyl Lip Pencil's are yet another lippy in jumbo pencil form but slightly different from the few I've tried. Gorgeous Peach is the only shade I own from the line and as the name suggests, it's a peach shade packed full of tiny shimmer. It almost looks pearly which is something I would never normally go for but once on the lips the shimmer isn't OTT, it makes my barely-there lips look fuller and adds just the right amount of colour. What makes it different from similar lip products I've tried is how creamy the formula is. It glides on and feels extremely moisturising, almost like a thick balm. The finish is very glossy without being sticky or gloopy like a gloss. Wear time is average but it's so easy to apply (no mirror required) so I don't mind.

Lina sent me this months ago now and as I already mentioned, it isn't a colour I would have picked out for myself which is why it's always nice to have other people choose things for you every once in a while. If shimmery shades aren't your thing but you like the sound of these pencils then fear not, from what I can see there's a few which are completely shimmer free.

Are you as obsessed with Sephora's own brand make up as I am? 
Have you tried these pencils?

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Wednesday 25 September 2013

Nails: Pale & Interesting

Even though we're now in Autumn and slicking glossy, dark shades on our digits, I still have a soft spot for lighter, cleaner fresher colours. I've championed white nails for years now. I'm usually not a fan of anything that appears harsh or stark but white nails were always my one exception and now that they're 'in' it makes me happy to see more and more people embracing snow white talons. I know everyone isn't a fan though and over the last 2 years or so my collection and love for milky, sheer or almost almost white shades has grown. I've picked out 8 that I feel would suit most skin tones.

L-R: Essie - Delicacy, Revlon - Powder Puff, Leighton Denny - It Girl, Leighton Denny - Sensual Glam, L'Oreal - Opera Ballerina, Nails Inc - Whitechapel, Essie - Neo Whimsical, Essie - Waltz

Essie - Waltz, Essie - Neo Whimsical,  Nails Inc - Whitechapel, L'Oreal - Opera Ballerina

Leighton Denny - Sensual Glam, Leighton Denny - It Girl,  Revlon - Powder Puff, Essie - Delicacy

Essie - Delicacy: My mum who hardly ever wears nail polish loves this shade. On the rare occasion she lets me loose on her nails this is the shade she always picks. Delicacy is a sheer and shimmery pale pink, one coat offers a healthy, clean, barely there mani but it can be built up to an almost opaque finish.

Revlon - Powder Puff: One of my pound shop finds and it's a goodun! The finish is matte/suede which I just don't do - go glossy or go home! But it's nothing a dollop of top coat won't fix. (swatches)

Leighton Denny - It Girl: This shade is described as pink but not too girly. To my eye it looks more peachy and just like most of the polishes in this post, it's a sheer colour but unlike the rest it can't really be built up to full opacity. It Girl contains subtle shimmer and would make a nice change from the usual pale pink french mani colours or worn alone to even out nail tone.

Leighton Denny - Sensual Glam: A pale cream with delicate shimmer particles - my Harpers Bazaar freebie back in 2011 and as you can see from this post I wasn't the biggest fan of this shade at first. I'm not sure whats changed but I quite like it now even if I don't wear it very often.

L'Oreal - Opera Ballerina: Most of you who read my blog on a regular basis will know this is my favourite nail colour of all time. I've lost count of how many bottles I've gone through now but I'll continue to buy it as long as L'Oreal sell it. One coat gives a gorgeous clean look to the nails, it's one of the few shades I actually love the look of when there's visible nail line but it can be built up (see here)

Nails Inc - Whitechapel: See here and here for swatches. Whitechapel is no longer listed on the Nails Inc site, I'm not sure if it's been discontinued or has just sold out but you can still find it on Amazon and Ebay. This is a true white shade but is softened by the pearlised finished.

Essie - Neo Whimsical: Not white or sheer but a gorgeous clean shade all the same. I haven't swatched it here on the blog yet but have uploaded swatches on my Instagram here.

Essie - Waltz: To me, Waltz is the white version of Opera Ballerina so obviously I love it and don't need to say anything else apart from look at the swatches.

All swatches on the nail wheel are 2 coats with no base or top coat. I know it's hard to see the true colours on a white nail wheel as the polishes themselves are almost white but I hope they're clearer in the linked swatches.

What's your favourite nail colour?
Do you own any of these shades?

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September 2013: Used, Abused & Reviewed.

 I was on a mission this month to use up all the candles I already had before buying any more. I got through quite a few, my empties bag has been clinking non stop with all the glass jars and everyone thinks I'm a weirdo but sure, it's all in the name of an empties post.

Betty Crocker Candles x4: There was 5 of these candles but as I was lining them up to take the photo's my cat thought he would swipe one onto the floor. I'm not sure of the exact scents, it doesn't say anywhere on the glass but they were from Poundland and I think they're Chocolate Fudge Cake, Coconut, Strawberry Shortcake & Caramel. They were only a quid each and had a decent scent throw.
Repurchase? Yes.

Yankee Candle Wax Tarts 'Bahama Breeze' & 'Winter Wonderland': Winter Wonderland is a complete pine fest, no idea why I bought it! Bahama Breeze was nice but not as nice as I was expecting it to be. Yankee Wax Tarts last such a long time, give off much more scent than a candle and are a lot cheaper than the candles.
Repurchase? Yes but in different scents.

Original Source Mint & Tea Tree Shower Gel: I love Original Source, it's one of the few shower gel brands containing SLS that I can use without having to worry about it irritating my skin. In the warmer months this was my go-to, it tingles, cools and really wakes you up. Great if you have a cold as the mint is so strong, it really clears your head.
Repurchase? Already have.

Beyonce Heat: I really didn't like this at first, think I only bought it as it was so cheap in the sales. The more I used it though it grew on me but it still isn't one of my favourites. Notes include magnolia, red vanilla orchid, almond macaron, blush peach and honeysuckle nectar.
Repurchase? Probably not.

Essential Care Organic Rose Petal Tonic*: This stuff is brilliant. Not only does it smell gorgeous but it worked wonders on my skin. It's moisturising without feeling heavy or greasy and can be applied over makeup throughout the day. You can read my full review here.
Repurchase? Yes.

Yves Rocher Culture Bio Refreshing Gel Cleanser*: For the first few uses I really liked this cleanser. It wasn't the best at removing eye make up but felt really cooling and refreshing on the skin so I started using it for my morning cleanse. It's free from parabens which is always good but after around a week I noticed the smell of alcohol was very strong then shortly after my skin started feeling quite tight after each use.
Repurchase? No but I have another one in the cupboard, not sure how I ended up with 2.

Barefoot Botanicals Rosa Fina Face & Decolletage Oil*: I reviewed this oil way back in January last year (link) and still stand by everything I said. It's a gorgeous 100% natural oil that will suit almost every skin type and treat most skin concerns.
Repurchase? Yes, once I've worked my way through the rest of my oil stash.

Montagne Jeuness Deep Cleansing Nose Pore Strips: These get a mention almost every month. They're cheap and they work but are hard to get hold of. I can only ever find them in ASDA.
Repurchase? I'm stocked up.

Etat Pur Q10 PureMolecule*: This is one of those products that really give a healthy glow to the skin. I mainly used Q10 at night and every morning my skin looked hydrated, plump and healthy. Review.
Repurchase? At some point.

Green & Spring Nourishing Day Moisturiser*: I used this cream up quite a while ago now but only just found the empty tub. I really like Green & Spring, it's not the cheapest brand but I've liked everything I've tried so far and would recommend them. You can read my review here.
Repurchase? Not sure. I've found other moisturisers I prefer.

First Aid Beauty Body Moisturizer: This is probably one of the best body moisturisers I've ever tried. It's fragrance free and safe for sensitive skin and even though the formula is on the thicker side of things, it sinks in quickly.
Repurchase? Yes.

Boots Cotton Wool Double Faced Cotton Pads/BootsCotton Wool Pads: I like both but the double faced pads are my favourite. They're slightly textured and make removing eye make up/nail varnish less of a chore.
Repurchase? Yes. I usually just go for whatever one is on offer.

JÄ€SÖN® C-Effects™ Super-C™ Toner*: This was my refreshing toner, it didn't leave any residue behind, sting or strip my skin and it lasted a long, long time. I love JASON, the products do their job well yet still remain gentle. You can see my review here.
Repurchase? The only thing I didn't like was that it can't be used around the eyes so for that reason I probably wouldn't buy it again.

I also used up 2 Yankee Candle Simply Home Votives in 'Lemon Cream' & 'Vanilla Frosting' they were reduced to 75p each in ASDA. I think the Simply Home range is slightly cheaper but I liked them both, they lasted much longer than I was expecting and gave off a good amount of fragrance.

Did you get through many products this month?

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Monday 23 September 2013

Shopping My Stash #17


I love shopping my stash, I always find things I didn't even know I had or couldn't remember buying. I have a habit of sticking with what I know and put the bulk of my make up away to keep the place tidy but out of sight, out of mind definitely applies to me. If it isn't laid out right in front of my face I just reach for whats closest to hand but these posts help me rotate my make up more often and stop things going to waste.

Sephora 12HR Wear Jumbo Waterproof Liner '04 Taupe': Lina sent me this beauty a while back and I'm so glad she did, it has to be one of the most easy to apply eye products ever. The texture is so creamy that theres no dragging at the lids at all. Staying power is fantastic, it blends out easily and can be used alone or as a base for other shadows but I usually wear it on it's own, it's way to pretty to cover up. I adore the shade (swatches) but like everything else, it got neglected when new products came along.

Melvita Orange Blossom Floral Water*: You know me, I'm a toner/tonic/facial spritz addict so am happy to give this one from Melvita a try. The bottle only holds 28ml of product which won't last long but I'll report back in next months empties post.

Bourjois Blush '33 Lilas D'or': I'm getting stuck in a blush rut. My go-to blushers are Nars 'Douceur' and Tarte 'Exposed' (comparison post) but my skin gets a lot duller in the colder months and I can always rely on Lilas D'or to add a bit of a glow to my chops. It doubles up as blush and highlighter which is great for lazy daisy's like me. (review & swatches)

Anatomicals No Old Bags Allowed*: I've always had a problem with bags but it's just getting beyond a joke now. The baggage is so baggy that I could quite easily fit everything I'm taking to Paris in them and still still have room to squeeze in a few airport purchases. I don't really have high hopes for this product but I've read a couple of positive reviews so fingers crossed.

Sephora Cream Lip Stain '03 Strawberry Kissed': This stuff is hardcore! Take a look at my swatches here. The pigmentation is like nothing else I've ever tried and as it has a matte finish, staying power is unbelievable. I have Lina to thank for getting me hooked on these lip stains. I now own 2 but will be stocking up at the end of the month when I finally come face to face with Sephora.

Daniel Sandler Invisible Radiance Foundation & Concealer 'Beige'*: I think I've tried 3 products from DS now. A Lipshine Lipstick, the much raved about and totally worth the hype Watercolour Blush, and now this, the newest addition to my face base arsenal. I haven't tried it out properly yet, it only arrived earlier today but on the back of my hand the texture of both the concealer and foundation feel light as air yet hydrating.

So that's yer lot!

Have you tried any of these products?
Any bag remedy recs?

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Sunday 22 September 2013

Rae Morris Angle Brow/Mascara Definer


I've heard nothing but great things about Rae Morris make up brushes so back when I placed an order on Love Make Up for a couple of Zoeva brushes (which are fantastic! Review here) I decided to add the Rae Morris Angle Brow/Mascara Definer to my basket. I needed a new spoolie and as this brush is probably the cheapest from the line I thought it would be a good, affordable way to try out the brand.

I have no idea what the rest of the Rae Morris brushes are like but after trying the Angle Brow/Mascara Definer I have no desire to buy more. When it arrived there was long bristles hanging from the spoolie, I wish I'd snapped some photos before giving them a trim. The whole thing rattles as if it hasn't been put together properly and the angled brow end isn't anything special. I was going to return it but after reading reviews which I should've done before placing my order, it seems that the rattle is the norm with this brush. It's also very thin which is fine for giving your brows a quick brush through but it makes trying to apply powder to your brows very awkward.

The quality just isn't there which is a shame as even if the rest of the brushes are incredible, it's put me off from wanting to buy any more.

Do you own any brushes from Rae Morris?

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Nails: Autumnal Hues


 I've been itchin' to get back into my darker, more wintry nail polish shades for aaaages. I'm still the biggest fan of white, off white, pinky white nails and wear them all year round but there's just something about darker talons that make you look more polished as if you've had your mani done by a pro. Here's a few of my favourite nail polish shades for Autumn.

O.P.I - My Private Jet, Leighton Denny - Forbidden Territory, Leighton Denny - Steel Appeal, MAC - Anti-Fashion

Leighton Denny - Passion (much deeper in real life), Essence - Irreplaceable, Leighton Denny - Feel The Burn

Nails Inc - Porchester Square, L'Oreal - Mysteriousicon, Chanel - Vertigo

All swatches are 2 coats with no base or top coat.

Leighton Denny - Passion is gorgeous in person. It's what I would describe as a true blood red and as you can probably tell from the photos, I'm almost at the end of the bottle. 'Feel The Burn' and 'Forbidden Territory' have been in my collection for at least 2 years but I don't think I've ever worn them. Not sure why as they're really Autumn appropriate, they remind me of leaves.

Do you own any of these polishes?

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Sunday 15 September 2013

Shopping My Stash #16


I've just realised I havent done a Shopping My Stash post since June! Really don't know why as I love both reading and writing them, and I've noticed I'm getting stuck in a bit of a rut reaching for the same products day in, day out. So Here's what I'll be making more of an effort to use over the next week or so -

NEW CID I-Perfection Colour Adjust Foundation*: The finish of this foundation is satin which is apparently what skin is all about this Autumn/Winter. It's a happy medium, I find a lot of skin types work well with satin finishes rather than oily skins having to avoid really dewy finish foundations, same with dry skins not working well with matte offerings. I-Perfection Colour Adjust is a really low maintenance foundation, it lasts well on my skin and sets quickly. My review.

Nina Ricci, Ricci Ricci: I'm on a mission to downsize my perfume collection. I have way too many that I don't even like and bought mainly because I liked the look of the bottle, this is one of them. I have bottles of the stuff dotted around the house but rather than them collecting dust and going off, I'm going to start getting some use from them. A lot of people love Ricci Ricci but sadly it falls under the migraine category for me most of the time. Notes include Rhubarb, Bergamot, Moonflower, Indian Tuberose, Centilfolia Rose, Patchouli and Sandalwood.

Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray: Probably one of the most talked about hair products ever. I remember reading about Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray in a magazine maybe 10/11 years ago and thinking to myself 'what idiot would want to coat their hair in salt' well, fast forward a few years and that idiot is writing this blog post. I do like Surf Spray but it's a long way off from making it into my Holy Grail List.. I wish it had more hold but need to play around with it a bit more before giving my review.

Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub: This stuff smells incredible! I really wasn't expecting to like the sugar lime scent but it really works. I bought this at same time as The Breakfast Scrub which I prefer so naturally I've been neglecting Sugar Crush. The scrubby bits are less dense but it still leave my skin feeling smooth.

KIKO Long Lasting Lip Marker*: The shade I own is '103 Peach Red' Swatches and review. I know we're now in Autumn and lip colours generally get more vampy but every now and then you just need something a bit brighter and lighter.

Have you been shopping your stash?
Do you own any of these products?

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Friday 13 September 2013

Review: NEW CID I-Prime





I've tried a few products from NEW CID and each time I've really liked them, even from the first use but with I-Prime, we didn't get off to the best start. 

I'm not the biggest fan of primers, I never notice much difference when using one. My foundation usually lasts all day on it's own so perhaps thats why. If I had problems with bases sliding off my face or disappearing after a few hours then maybe I would swear by them. I do have enlarged pores though and wouldn't say no to my skin looking smoother which is why I decided to give I-Prime a go. As with all NEW CID products, I love the packaging! I think white packaging is a nice change from the usual black, and the silver accents make it stand out from most of my makeup collection. Not only is it pleasing to the eye but it's also very practical. The right amount of product is dispensed each time and there's no lid to lose, the silver part at the bottom twists to release the pump then once twisted again the pump locks down and can't be pressed.

The primer itself is seriously silky, it does contain silicone but feels very light which surprised me as I was expecting something similar to Benefit The POREfessional. It dries down within a few seconds and doesn't feel slimy or tacky so you don't need to faff around before applying foundation. I-Prime is white in colour but applies clear so even very dark skintones can use it without any problems. It contains an ingredient called andenison tri-peptide that helps to strengthen the skins barrier function and add bounce and radiance back to the skin. I have no idea if it actually does strengthen the skins barrier but it blurs any minor imperfections and makes my skin look a lot nicer even before I add any foundation. 

Everything about it sounds great but as I mentioned, we didn't get off to the best start. It doesn't work with every foundation which is a real pain. Pur Minerals CC Cream is my most reached for base at the min but these two don't go well together at all. I-Prime started clumping together as I was buffing the CC Cream in to my skin, it looked as if I was trying to buff foundation into extremely dry skin. It looked so bad that I had to wash it off BUT, it works Brilliantly with the likes of YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat, Liz Earle Signature Foundation and of course, NEW CID's own foundation. Paired with the right foundation the finish looks incredible but it's just a shame that it won't work well under everything. 

Are you a primer junkie?
Have you tried I-Prime?

NEW CID I-Prime Foundation Primer, 30ml, 27 quid from www.hairtrade.com

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Monday 9 September 2013

September 2013: Love Me Beauty Box



Fans of Beauteco Box fear not! It hasn't disappeared off the face of the earth, the company has re-branded and is now known as Love Me Beauty which I think is a much more suitable name. I think having 'eco' in the name gave people the impression that all products were natural/organic which they aren't. The 'eco' part was more to do with the packaging than the actual products. The name is the only thing that has changed, as usual  you get to choose from 3 menus each month. The products in all three options will be the same with one or two variations. You just need to pick the box best suited to you. This month I decided to go for menu 1* as I'd already tried the Anatomicals products in the other boxes:

Matriskin Collagen Serum, 7.5ml sample (full size 30ml, $145): I haven't had the chance to put all the products to the test yet but what I can tell you about this serum is that it sinks into the skin like a dream. I was expecting a heavy, oily texture but instead it's a light, cooling, watery consistency that instantly absorbs leaving no residue behind. It claims to both prevent and cure various signs of aging, and remove expression lines in just 30 days. Big claims with a big price tag to match.

MURAD Osmolyte Tonic, 15ml, 10 (full size): I haven't tried a lot of products from MURAD, the price/ml ratio always puts me off but I love facial sprays so this was the main product I was excited to receive. It's a duel-phase moisturising sytem designed to infuse skin with nutrients that increase cellular hydration, repair the skins barrier and soothe skin.

Nip+Fab Dry Leg Fix, 100ml, 10.25 (full size): I don't have dry skin on my legs so I've passed this on to my mum who will be able to really put it to the test. I'll report back in an empties post. It's described as a balm but feels like a lotion to me and doesn't feel heavy on the skin.

Anatomicals No Old Bags Allowed Eye-Gel, 15ml, 3.49 (full size): I don't have high hopes for this, not a lot of eye products wow me but when it comes to my eyes, I'm willing to try anything. I get a lot of puffiness along with dark circles and fine lines, and as the day goes on my eyes look/feel very tired so I'll be keeping this in the fridge to hopefully make myself look a bit more awake when the tiredness kicks in.

Essential Care Organic Lip Silk, 5.50 (full size): I adore Essential Care, it's a brilliant brand with gorgeous ingredients in every product. All the products are Soil Association Certified and suitable for vegetarians. The Organic Lip Silk contains a nourishing blend of beeswax, shea butter, coconut oil and orange essential oil. I'm more than happy to add this organic balm to my collection.

No makeup included in this months box but 4 full sized products isn't bad at all. I'll keep you all updated with how I get on with everything, either in separate reviews or empties posts.

What do you think of this months box?

Love Me Beauty Box 10 + P&P from lovemebeauty.com

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PS - I don't have anything against pound signs, my laptop just doesn't like behaving.

Sunday 8 September 2013

Great For Irritated Skin: Yon-Ka Creme 11


Me and my big red face are always on the look out for products to help calm my skin and reduce redness. I haven't tried too many lotions and potions targeted towards redness so if you have any recommendations please let me know. This post is long overdue but thanks to my crazy skin over the last few months I didn't get to fully put it to the test untill around four weeks ago.

Yon-Ka is a French skin care brand which has been around since 1954 but I've only recently started to hear about it, mainly on blogs. 

Creme 11* is a 2-in-1 soothing cream designed for people with sensitive skin and redness. The first thing I noticed about Creme 11 was how thick and rich it felt. I don't like my skin to feel heavy with product but I needn't have worried, it sinks into the skin immediately and instantly makes my skin feel smoother. While on my skin it has a calming effect and takes the heat out of my cheeks where I have the most redness. The redness does die down a bit but doesn't disappear completely. At first I was really disappointed as I was expecting the redness to leg it but I noticed my face wasn't getting as itchy. If you have a lot of heat coming from your face you'll know it can get very itchy, blotchy and having a good scratch only makes the redness worse. If I apply Creme 11 asap after cleansing and toning, any redness and irritation I get is kept to a minimum.

The directions say to apply the cream to red patches and follow with your usual cream but it does such a good job of  moisturising that I slather it all over my face and don't need to layer anything on top. I really like the packaging, you can squeeze out just the right amount of product and it's handy for travel.

It does work but don't be expecting miracles, you'll just feel disappointed like I did at first. 

Have you tried any products from Yon-Ka?

Yon-Ka Creme 11, 40ml  35 available from www.elementsthebeautysalon.com

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Friday 6 September 2013

Pur Minerals 4-in-1 Liquid 14-Hour Wear Foundation SPF 15






If you've been reading my blog for a while now or follow me on Instagram you'll know I'm a huge fan of the Pur Minerals CC Cream. It's a fantastic product and one I reach for almost everytime I wear make up, it lasts all day and the finish is just right for me. I've been trying out the 4-in-1 Liquid 14-Hour Wear Foundation 'Blush Medium'* for around 3 weeks now and once again I'm really impressed. It won't be for everyone but if you have oily/combo skin you're going to love it! I've been having a skin mare for the last few months - crazy hives, break outs, really bad dry patches and insane redness which is why I haven't posted my review sooner but within the 3 weeks I've been using it my skin has been every skin type you can imagine so I think I know exactly who it will and won't work for.

Pur Minerals 4-in-1 Liquid 14-Hour Wear Foundation  is oil free and sets on the skin in around a minute so you need to work quick when buffing it in. The finish is matte, on my skin there's no need to add powder on my oily t-zone as with this foundation I don't get any shine at all, even after 8 hours! I've tried it with powder and my face just looked completely flat, so, unless your skin is incredibly oily you shouldn't need to set it at all. I find it looks best when applied with a brush, it gives more coverage and is easier to build up in areas where I have a lot of redness. It leaves zero tackiness behind and I noticed it never transfered onto my pillow during a nana nap. :) I would say the coverage is medium but definitely buildable and never feels like a mask. I like a dewy finish to my skin so I usually pair this foundation with a cream blush and a tiny bit of highlighter on my cheekbones just to brighten and lift my face.

 If you have oily skin I really don't think you'll find anything as good/long lasting as this but if you have VERY dry or mature skin it's going to highlight wrinkles and dry patches. I get dry around the corners of my nose but it doesn't show them up any more than other foundations would so anyone with combo skin should get on well with this too. I never wear makeup for 14 hours so can't confirm if that claim is true but it is seriously long lasting.

Whats the best foundation you've found for oily skin?

Pur Minerals 4-in-1 Liquid 4-Hour Wear Foundation, 30ml £25 from www.marksandspencer.com

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Wednesday 4 September 2013

TAG: The One & Only


After seeing this tag on Angelica's blog (original post here) it really got me thinking. Would I be able to narrow down each category to just one product? The simple answer is no, I'm a fickle being but I'm not gonna be a rule breaker, so what I'm going to do is choose products I reach for most often or am currently obsessed with. They're all gooduns though, I wouldn't use them otherwise.

So the point of this tag is to pick just ONE product for each question. I know, it's hard, I'm breaking out in a bit of a sweat just thinking about it as there's certain products I switch up on an almost daily basis. I'll add links if I've reviewed/swatched the products mentioned.

The Question: If you could only have one ______ what would it be? And in a few short words, why?

Primer:
I very rarely use a primer and don't have a favourite but I'm currently testing out one which is new to me. I find my moisturisers work good enough on their own.

Base:
Pur Minerals CC Cream - Over the last few month's this is the base product I've reached for almost everytime I do my makeup. I still don't believe the skincare claims and it hasn't made it into my Holy Grail list but I like how I can apply it with my fingers for light coverage or build it up with a brush when my skin is going through a 'scare the kids' phase. It feels nice on the skin and for me it's the perfect finish - not too dewy, not too matte. It also contains SPF 40. (link)

Concealer:
Garnier Tinted Eye Roll On - Again, it isn't Holy Grail worthy but it's what I usually reach for on a daily basis. It's affordable, coverage is decent and it doesn't crease too badly. I usually add a few dabs of YSL Touche Eclat on top.

Powder:
Clarins Graphic Expression Face & Blush Powder - Obsessed doesn't even slightly describe how I feel about this powder. It's such a multi-purpose product. You can read my review here and find out how I use it. I would go as far as saying it's one of the best make up products I've ever bought. 

Blush (cream or powder):
Liz Earle Healthy Glow Cream Blush 'Blossom 02' - I don't have a favourite blush but this one from Liz Earle goes with any makeup look and can even be used on the lips. It dries down and doesn't feel greasy or tacky which makes it great for both the warm and cold months. (link)

Bronzer:
Clarins Bronzing Duo 'Medium' - I really believe this is the only bronzer I will ever need (not that I don't own others or won't buy more) It comes in 3 shades - light, medium & dark. Each pan is split into two halves with a darker and lighter shade which allows you to adjust the colour to suit your skin tone all year round. It does contain some shimmer but it isn't noticeable so could be used to bronze and contour. (link) 

Highlighter:
Elizabeth Arden Pure Finish Highlighter 'Rose Illumination' - I love everything about this highlighter, it's the most gorgeous rose gold shade and can be as subtle or in your face as you want. It lasts all day on the skin and I don't find it highlights enlarged pores or fine lines. (link)

Make-Up Brush (Single):
Sephora Classic Mineral Powder Brush #45 - I adore this brush and plan to pick up a few more when I go to Paris in the next few weeks. It can be used with both liquid and mineral foundation and if I had to I could use to to blend concealer, contour and apply blusher with a light hand. I've had it for months now and there still hasn't been any shedding. (link)

Eyebrow Product:
Liz Earle Brow Pencil 'Fair' - Back in the day I had almost jet black blushy brows that needed plucked every other day. Now thanks to thyroid problems they're sparse and are a lot thinner than I would like. Instead of just filling them in I need to draw and add parts on and so far this is the only brow product I've found that gives me definition and doesn't look too red or green like all other brow pencils do. It lasts all day and doesn't budge or smear even if I'm caught in the rain. (link)

Eye Shadow (Single):
MAC Paint Pot 'Painterly' - 'Sin' from Urban Decay is my favourite eyeshadow shade of all time but I don't wear shadow on a daily basis which is why I haven't picked it for this question. 'Painterly' blanks out any discolouration on the lid and looks completely natural. MAC isn't the be all and end all for me but this is one product I'll always repurchase. (link)

Eyeliner:
Sephora Waterproof Contour Eye Pencil 'Flirting Game' - Sephora can do no wrong in my eyes when it comes to their own brand of make up products. This pencil glides on so easily and lasts untill you wash it off. I'm going to Paris soon and plan to hit the Sephora products with a bang! Let me know in the comments if there's anything I NEED to get. (link)

Mascara:
Revlon Grow Luscious - This is my current fave. It's very black, volumising and lengthening plus it doesn't irritate my eyes, smudge or flake as the day goes on. I very rarely repurchase the same mascara but I'll definitely be buying this again. 

Lipstick, Lip Gloss or Lip Stain:
MAC Creme Cup - A bit of a boring pick but it's the type of colour that would go with any make up look and the cremesheen formula is my absolute fave.

Lip Liner:
I never wear lip liner.

Lip Balm:
Lanolips Lemonaid Lip Aid - One of the best lip products I've ever tried! If my lips are chapped to the point were it feels like they're going to split if I laugh, Lanolips is the only thing that fixes the problem almost overnight. It's a fantastic product and smells lovely too. (link)

Nail Polish:
L'Oreal 'Opera Ballerina' - This pale milky pink is my most repurchased nail colour ever. One coat gives an almost clear, healthy look to the nails but 3 coats gives an opaque pale pink finish. The colour goes with everything and wouldn't look out of place at any event. (link) 

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