BareMinerals READY Foundation Review

 

I have used Bareminerals Original foundation before and I did like it, even though I'm not a fan of powder foundations, well loose powder to be exact. I never actually finished the foundation. Probably due to the fact I could never get it right on my skin. I was either patchy or used way too much product even though I used their swirl, tap and buff technique. I did suffer with oily skin at the time so don't know if that had a effect. I also found that I didn't like the soft shimmer effect for it. I'm not a fan of shimmer or dewy finish foundations.

I have however, since having my little one had drier skin. Even though I do have drier skin I do still prefer a matte finish foundation. I just moisturise well before application. So, when in town yesterday I decided to pop into Debenhams ask for a sample of their READY foundation which is the pressed version of their Original foundation. There are 20 shades to choose from, which is amazing and has an SPF20 I got a sample of a couple of shades as I do find it hard to find one suitable for my skin tone. I got colours R170 and R230 (pictures show me with R230 on). The R170 is for light skin with neutral undertones. Even though when swatched on my had I thought this one looked like it would be perfect I still found that it washed me out a little.  So I opted to wear R230. This is for medium skin with yellow-olive undertones. It did match down to my neck much better and looked very natural.

Now when applying this you don't need to use the swirl, tap and buff techique. As it's a pressed powder and very pigmented you literally just have to press the brush (supplied with sample,super cute) and buff onto the skin. You do not need a lot of this product. The coverage is lovely.  It builds really well without any excess like the loose powder. It felt lovely on my skin, looked fresh and smoothed out. Even used as full coverage it didn't feel like I had anything on my skin. BareMinerals claim it to be long-lasting, I just wore it around the house but it did last really well with no transfer. This is always a plus for me because when having a four month old that likes to rub against you she doesn't end up with it on her face.

This is me today, before and after application. I do have Pro Longwear under my eyes which I applied first then buffed the foundation over the top. I don't have anything else on. As you can see it really does make my completion smoothed out and even. 

It does cost £25, which I think after trying it is definatly worth it. I didn't have to use a lot of the product to achieve these results. It's great that they have the sample sizes to try before you buy. I'm a fan and I've only unused it the once, I loved the results. 

Soap & Glory Glow All Out Illuminating Powder

I love Soap and Glory bath and body prodcuts. As a girly girl and a lover of all things beauty I'm a sucker for cute packaging. If it looks good then I'll buy it in the hope it'll live up to expectations.

I was excited to see they had brought out a make up range,so decided to give Glow All Out a shot and here is what I thought....

Ok, I love the packaging. This is the reason I liked Benefit. It's attractive but....on this occasion it's made of cardboard which I don't like as it gets battered about in my makeup bag and ends up all grubby and does not look good. That being said the product it's self is lovely. It's a gorgeous pink powder with minimal shimmer and a handy mirror inside for quick fixes. Really subtle,giving a soft focus glow in the skin. The colour on is very close to Benefit's High Beam,which is a liquid highlighter but dries to a powder finish. It is a favorite of mine too. I like to apply this one with my Real Techniques Contour Brush and buff it into the apples and top of my cheeks, bridge of my nose and top of my brows. Even taking a small amount to highlight my brow bone. I do this once I've finished all my make up. 

I do like this highlighter and is very flattering on. It looks good even when I'm embracing my paleness and adds that lovely 'healthy looking glow' to my skin.  This is comes at a good price of £11 and is great product and brilliant handbag size. I'd defiantly be repurchasing.

Have you tried Glow all Out? What do you think? Do you like the cardboard packaging? 

Remember and follow me on Twitter and Bloglovin. 

Laura

x

Nude Lippy Collection

I done my bright lippy collection last week and thought I'd do one on my nude lipsticks. This has always been a challenge for me, trying to get just the right colour. Some always look like a pale brown on me.

So, if you to are having a problem finding the perfect nude take a look at a few of my favorites I have discovered on my search. 

YSL Rouge Pur - No144 - £25.00 //

I'm starting with my YSL as this may be out of some peoples price range.  This is actually on the more orangey side but goes on quite pale, so popped it in my nude category. These YSL lipsticks are gorgeous. Just like my bright pink lipstick I've in mentioned in my brights collection post it's lovely and creamy.  Very glossy but does last on the lips. Like I have mentioned before I do prefer a matte lipstick but this a nice lipstick to wear. A lovely everyday colour. It also contains an SPF 8.

MAC - Myth £15.00 //

Firstly sorry about the picture, the ligting in my house is unreal and secondly this has got to be my ultimate favourite lipstick. This is the perfect nude I was looking for. It's a peachy skin toned shade, just beautiful. Now when I've not got tan on I'm really pale and was scared I was going to look ill with this on but it doesn't. It makes my skin look good. Ha. This is a gorgeous creamy texture and finishes matte. I actually got this as a present last year for my birthday from a friend as I we were talking one day about lippy's and I said I was on the hunt for a really nice nude and she mentioned this one. I'm loving it. This is the only MAC lipstick I own so I'll need to get more to add to my collection. 

Barry M Lip Paint - No154 £4.49 //

I love Barry M lipsticks (I think I made that clear in my last post,ha) they are so pigmented, last for ages and are great value for money. Again, this finishes matte. Only thing is, if you have quite chapped lips this colour and texture sets into the dry skin.  So I would definatly scrub and use a lip balm before using this lipstick. I had never noticed this colour before so don't know if it's a new shade or not I bought in last month and just about jumped about the shop with excitement when I swatched it. Ha. So if your new to trying nudes and don't want to spend a fortune I recommend you give this one a go.

Beauty UK - Chelsea No12 - £3.49 //

This one is the cheapest of the four. This lipstick smells really weird. Apparently it's a fresh minty scent....it does not smell minty. So needless to say I hardly wear this one, unless I have a cold and can't smell anything. Ha. This colour is lovely with a semi-gloss finish. It's very moisturising and last a while on the lips. I think it's to help plum the lips, I don't get that effect but it does look good. The colour is a really light peach. Lovely. So if you like a minty lipstick you will like this one. The colour is a great cheap alternative to MAC Myth. 

Top Tip: If you like a matte lipstick but don't want to spend money. Take your favorite lippy and a piece of tissue.  Separate the tissue and place it up against your lips. Then with your powder brush sweep a small amount of setting powder across the tissue and peel away carefully.  The apply another layer of lipstick and repeat. Do this as many times as you need to achieve the colour you want.

Hope this helps. Thanks for reading once again. 

Laura 

x

The Brights Collection

With spring/summer just around the corner I have pulled out a few of my favorite brights. Now, the collection of bright lippy's I have is rediculous. I went through a stage of buying nothing but every bright colour I lay my eyes on. I do have a few others than the what I am showing but they are either end of lines or Limited Editions that you can't buy anymore so no point showing them, you ovine them (as much as I do) and not being able to get them now. 

These however I think you'll like.

Models Own £6 - Coral //

This was the first 'daring' lipstick that I bought.  I was out shopping with my mum & sister and thought "Oh why not..."it was love at first swatch. Ha. As soon as I put it on I was hooked on this colour.  So the obsession began. This colour is great on tanned skin, a favorite for holidays. These Models Own lipsticks are very pigmented and moisturising.  Semi-matte finish.

YSL Rouge Volupté £25.50 - No27 //

Now, this has got to be my favorite.  I got this one as a gift from my husband (he knows me too well) needless to say he wasn't happy about the price tag but oh well. It is quite expensive but so worth but I only use it on special occasions in the fear of it running out and having to buy a new one.  It's gorgeous on, very moisturising and creamy.  You do not need to apply much of this lipstick because it is quite thick and once sweep across the lips is enough. When wearing this I do get a lot of compliments. Plus I'm a sucker for gorgeous packaging and this definatly ticks all the boxes. It's a keeper. 

L'Oreal Intense Colour Riche £8.19 - No371 //

I bought this one as a substitute to the YSL. It is a good dupe but a not as strong in colour. It's a softer pink and I do have to layer it to get a strong colour I like. It's not the same quality but having said that it does last on the lips. Which is a bonus for the price and a good replacement for the YSL. This has actually a matte finish to it, despite it looking glossy in the photo.  This is definatly my go to daily lippy.

Barry M Lip Paint £4.49 - No62 //

OMG...I LOVE Barry M Lip Paints. The colour is amazing. They have a matte finish and are sooo pigmented.  I find some matte lipstick to none rather drying on the lips but these are not, they are really moisturising. I picked this colour up last summer. It's beautiful, it's blue undertoned pink which works better for me on olive skin. I find that red undertones wash me out. The longevity on these are brilliant. They last and last.....even whilst eating. Plus a brilliant bargain price, under £5.

Lancôme Rouge In Love £21.50 - No146 & 371 //

These lipsticks are lovely. They are also very pigmented and so moisturising. I actually wore these on a night out and woke up the next day with it still on my lips. Ha. Yes, that did mean I went to bed with a full face of make up on. Oops. That proves to me that they are long lasting.  In the picture the do both look the same shade but 146 (pictured above) is beautiful dark pink, almost with a hint of red tones. This has a high shine finish. Then there's no 371 (pictured below) is a gorgeous orange shade. This one I find is more a semi-matte finish. They do have an expensive price tag but so worth it.

So there you have it a few of my gorgeous summer favorites.  I know I'm a little early getting such bright colours out but we need a little something to brighten out day in this weather.

Thanks for reading. Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bloglovin.

x

My Daily Skincare Routine

                   

                   

Skincare is one of the most important parts of my make and beauty regime. Since using these products in this way I have found that my skin looks better, feels great and make up goes on better.

Morning

When I get up and stagger ('cause I'm still half asleep not drunk) to the bathroom to turn on the shower I get out my products to use. In the shower I wash my face with Clean & Clear Exfoliating Daily Facial Wash.  I've been using this facial wash for a couple of months now And I love it.  It makes my face feel so soft and clean.  When out the shower I pat my face dry and apply a thin layer of Estée Lauder Pore Minimising Skin Refiner, this has helped reduce my pores, skin feels smoothed out as soon as I put it on and skin texture is evened out. This product helps to reduce the flakiness and roughness of your skin. Which I find for me has defiantly helped as I always get rough skin round my nose no matter how much I exfoliate or moisturise and really showed up when I applied make up but with this, that problem is not an issue anymore, yay. It is a little pricey at £41 for a 30ml but really worth the investment.

My eye cream of choice at the moment it Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye which is a little sample size that I got in a gift set. I apply this gently round my whole eye area and pat softly with my ring finger. You defiantly don't want to rub round the eye as this is a delicate area that needs to be taken care of to prevent premature aging. It's never too early to think about eye creams.  We all want to hold to our youth for as long as possible. Ha. I always do my eye cream before my moisturiser as this gives my serum and eye cream to soak into the skin. You don't want to put your moisture under your eyes is you can help it as they can be too harsh to this area.  Moisturiser I have been using for a while now is Clean & Clear Oil Free Daily Moisturiser. This has been a fab product. It's the only one I have found to help prevent my oily areas and a cheap price tag of £2. Ideal. 

Now my skin is ready to go with primer and make up. 

Evening

This is a step that I am actually really bad at doing.  I'm terrible at remembering to take my make up properly. So, to help me remember I treated myself to some lovely new products. The thigs we do. Ha. Firstly, I use L'Oreal Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Soloution. This is one of the new products I have purchased and trying out recently, I am liking it so far. I apply a small amount to a cotton pad and swipe it across my face.  This can be used to remove all traces of make up including eye make up. Brilliant on mascara and I don't feel like I need to rub and rub on my eyes to remove it all it just melts away in one sweep of the cotton pad. My skin feels soft, smooth and so clean.

Once this is done I then apply Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair. This is a gorgeous serum.  Soaks right into the skin and has really transformed my skin.  It looks more radiant and softer.  Now this is to help reduce finie line (which I don't have,yet) but again it's never too early to start plus I like how it makes my skin feel whe I apply it and when I get up in the morning. This is quite pricey at £48 for a 30ml but again, so far, worth the investment to feel good. I then repeat the step under my eyes as I did in the morning. 

I don't actually use a night cream so I just apply my Clean & Clear as this also helps to prevent getting spots. I will get a night cream to try at some point. 

I have been doing this regime for about a month now and my skin has really improved so in my opinion it is definatly worth investing in good Skincare. If your skin texture is good it makes for a better base for your foundation making it last longer and skin looks flawless. 

Thanks for reading. 

Laura x

                                                

FOTD: Everyday Natural

                                     

        

Today's FOTD is a lovely basic everyday look.

To create this look I do the following.....

I prep my skin by moisturising with Clean & Clear oil free moisturiser and prime with Benefit Brightening primer. Now for someone who suffers from an oily t-zone once in a while shouldn't really be using anything brightening but this primer is brilliant for adding a gorgeous luminosity and natural glow to the skin without it looking shiny or greasy.  Plus this particular oil free moisturiser is brilliant for controlling oil throughout the day and it only costs £2.....bargian.  I love it. 

For foundation I use MAC Pro Longwear in NC20, I buff this into the skin using my Real Techniques Buffing brush to really work it in to the skin to create a gorgeous flawless finish.  I also apply Pro Longwear concealer in NW20 under my eyes.  I work this is using an eyeshadow crease brush as I find this is softer than a concealer brush and stops me from getting a cakey finish.  While I'm waiting for my foundation to set I do my brows.  Now when I was younger I thought the Moore hair I plucked out my brows the better and I am now left with sparse shapeless brows.  Thanks goodness for powders etc these days or I look bald.  I apply Bare Minerals Brow Colour in medium brown with an angled brush to my desired shape.  This brow powder is great as you don't get any transfer for it as I have done with other brow products.  It last and lasts too, I've had the little pot for over a year now.  Great value for money.  Plus because it's a powder you get a lovely softer look without looking too 'drawn in'. I finish off the edges with a Benefit Brow Pencil.  To set I use Beneifit Speed Brow Gel.  This brow gel, I feel is much better used over the top of a powder or pencil as it can emphasize any sparse areas in the brows, unless you have amazing full brows already.  

Now that That's done it's time to set it all.....This foundation sets matte and in this case I wouldn't normally use a powder but I have recently bought MAC Mineralized Skinfinish Natural in Light.  This is a gorgeous powder to set my foundation and stop it from sliding off my face during the day. I add a bit of colour all over using Benefit Hoola Bronzer.  I do usually tan but I've embracing my paleness at the moment as I don't time to tan with having a baby, so Bronzer is the next best thing. Hoola is brilliant for all over as it's matte colour with no shimmer or glitter.  On my cheeks, I dust them with the blush from ELF Contour Kit in St. Lucia. This is a gorgeous colour and compliments any skin tone.  Plus, it's only £3.75 from eyeslipsface.co.uk. Bargain. My eyes are just simple with black liner pencil blended all over the lid and a touch of Hoola blended into the outer corners of my lids to soften it all.  I then used Bourjois Paris Liquid Liner Pen to my lash line and lashings of Benefit They're Mascara. 

I finished the look with MAC lipstick in Myth.  I got this colour last year for my birthday from a friend but didn't like the nude look....but now I'm loving it. Funny how we change. 

Hope you enjoyed reading this and thank you.  Remember and add me on Twitter.

Laura x

                           

                                             

MAC Pro Longwear Foundation Review

I am always on the look out for the 'perfect' foundation. There are so many to choose from now a days, ranging from air brushed effect to photo finish, dewy to matte and then there's the coverage sheer, medium and full.  Unless you know what you want it's difficult to know where to start.  I for one have this problem.  I have normal to oily combination skin, although since having my daughter 14 weeks ago I have found it's been on the drier side. This could also be to do with the horrid cold weather though. This being said, I do still prefer a matte finish foundation as I use highlighters to add that 'healthy' glow.  I'm not a fan of dewy foundations as I find on my skin they slide off despite using a primer and show up my horrid visible pores. Recently I have bought anything from high end to high street, ranging from Benefit and Dior to Seventeen and Maybelline. All claiming to be medium to full coverage foundations, which is what I do prefer in a foundation. 

So, still on the look out for the foundation, I decided to take a trip to MAC as I hadn't tried any of their foundation before. Now, everyone who loves anything beauty based will know that MAC is the holy grail in the make up industry.  Product prices ranging from £12-£40, which I think for a high end brand is quite reasonable for what you get. I had a look on their websites and read all about the different foundations and the Pro Longwear foundation stood out. I read lots of other beauty blogger reviews and watched YouTube videos about it and everyone seemed to love it. So that meant a trip up to MAC (my closest counter still being miles away) to have a look.  I would have ordered online but I'm a 'need to try before I buy' kinda gal.  Knowing what I wanted when I got there was great but need a little help on the colours as I noticed with MAC foundations are either too yellow or too pink. Hmm. I have pale skin with a yellow/olive undertone, so the MUA and I agreed the NC20 was a perfect a match.  So, off I skipped with my purchases grinning like a Cheshire cat.

                         

I have now been using it for four days and I can honesty say I can see why this is a favorite. Pro Longwear is a long-wear foundation that claims to give up to 15 hours of wear in ANY enviromental condition, even in hot and humid conditions (I will have to wait until my summer holiday to test that). I found it to have great longevity.  I wore it for around 12 hours and didn't need to touch up at all during the day like I have had to do with other foundation. At the end of the day my face looked as good as first applied. It's lightweight and creamy, applies smoothly to the skin to provide sheer to medium coverage. I'm also bad for touching my face and find this does not transfer, which is great plus for me. One layer of foundation does seem to be enough. If you do like a full coverage foundation I'd recommend you choose something different. I don't have any blemises at the moment but would find that a concealer wouldn't be needed. If you have drier skin but like a matte finish, I would recommend you moisturise well and use a primer suitable for your skin type as the foundation could grab onto dry patches.

This would be perfect for an oily skin though as it controls oil in the skin.  Like I said before I do get a little oily from time to time along my t-zone area.  I have found in the past that despite using oil-free foundations in the past I've always had to powder by mid day.  With this one I have been able to go all day and not worry about my foundation coming off or my face looking shiny. This foundation does set matte but I have been putting a little powder over the top, just on my t-zone and under my eyes to set my concealer.  I used MAC Mineralized Skin Finish in Light over the top to seal it all in. This colour is almost transparent and just helps to keep everything on place. Again, if you do have dry skin I wouldn't think that stage would be needed. Pro Longwear provides everyday SPF 10.

                      

This is defiantly my new go to foundation, I'm in love with it. Finally found a foundation that doesn't make me oily, brilliant coverage and fab colour.

Hope this review helps and thanks for reading.

Laura xxx