**********This post contains PR samples and non-gifted items. PR mentions may be present. All links used are affiliate.**********
Benefit
Monday, 16 March 2020
NEW MAKEUP I CAN'T BE WITHOUT
***This post contains gifted and non-gifted items. Also gifted mentions present. All links used are affiliate***
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| New makeup I can't live without |
I am a makeupoholic, I receive makeup in PR, and I buy at least that double that, if not more. Often I use it for a month or so, test it and move on to something new, but sometimes I discover gems I simply want to keep in the rotation for much longer since I naturally gravitate towards them. Today’s 5 picks are just that: the makeup bits that impressed me so much, I can’t imagine ever not loving them.
Wednesday, 4 January 2017
A YEAR IN FAVOURITES: MAKEUP & FRAGRANCE OF 2016
I simply can't believe another year has gone. I am happy to say goodbye to 2016, as it's truly been a trying year in terms of my personal life. I have managed to somehow survive and keep a smile on my face, so I take it as a win.
I have had so many favourites over the last 12 months and choosing only the few, was a truly horrendous task. I have had at least two products in each category and I recommend them all, as truly they're incredible. However I've given myself a task of only choosing one per category and it saddens me deeply. This was a task I have to compare to choosing one child only as your favourite, a heartbreaking thing to do. For that reason alone, you should check out my choices, as it came researched and took weeks to choose and write. So grab yourself a cuppa, snack on that leftover chocolate and let's get on with my A Year in Favourites part 1;
Face Primers:
I've loved so many over the last 12 months but two truly stood out. Becca Backlight Primer & Too Faced Hangover Primer have been with me every day for the last 5+ months (I think?). I loved them both but if I have to choose only one, it has to be Becca Backlight Primer. It has truly changed my life and saved me so much money. It fixed so many foundations that I just could not wear on it's own. It gave me glow from here to Mars and made me look like a million pounds. I've spoken about the formula in lenght HERE. It truly is a remarkable formula that fights the signs of fatigue and diminishes the dullness. If you suffer from dry or dehydrated skin, this will be your hero. Great for mature skin also, well tested by my lovely mom, who loves it too!
Foundations:
Choosing a favourite foundation wasn't too hard. I truly only loved two this year. One being the Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, which is an incredible choice for evening with no SPF, it makes for a great base if you plan on taking any flash pictures. However choosing one that works great every day makes the true favourite in my eyes. Last year it was Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Stick Foundation in R230. Not only does it work like the best Instagram filter, making my skin so smooth and just luminous, it's one of not many that suits my skin tone and is light enough. This shade was made for me! It took few weeks for me to love it, as I had to test it with different primers and powders to make it last all day long, but once I did, it just stolen my heart completely. It's one of those foundations that you need to try at least once, especially if you're dry and have an alabaster skin. I spoke about it HERE.
Concealers:
Finding a right concealer is like finding a gold pot at the end of the rainbow so I'm super excited to say I found at least three that I loved dearly in 2016. Bourjois Radiance Reveal was not a love from first sight, oh no, actually when I first reviewed it, I kinda hated it. That is until I truly understood it and then we had a continuous affair through the whole year. It's super hydrating so perfect for those with even mature skin. And now available through Fabled, an online store by Marie Claire (click here for 15% off your first order) Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer was a love from first sign and its still one I reach for all the time. This is the one I do my matte highlighting with as it's actually light enough! However the one to won the title this year is my beloved Make Up For Ever Full Cover. It was a love from first use and I don't understand the mixed reviews this baby is getting. It has a full coverage, it's so creamy, application is just a joy (I use my fingers first and then beauty blender) and it certainly doesn't dry my under eyes. I can't praise it enough and if you suffer with heavy dark circles, just give this baby a whirl. I wrote about it HERE.
Settings Powders:
I have a love/hate relationship with setting powders. Having a dehydrated skin does not help! However with me being oh so good with my skincare lately, I practically diminished any signs of dehydration and even started to see a bit of shine after foundation sits few hours on my face. No one will understand my joy at that LOL. I've discovered couple of powders that really work on dry skin and even most mature ones too. In the beginning of the year (around March time) I discovered Lush Emotional Brilliance Powder and loved it for the satin finish it gave me. It's not the powder to keep the shine at bay, it gives luminosity and won't dry out your skin any further. I have it in translucent and it works great and it doesn't darken my base. However the winner of last year and quite possibly the biggest discovery of 2016 is the RCMA No Color Powder. It's just genius! It keeps the foundation on all day long, keeps the shine at bay for hours, it doesn't cake up and most importantly it works great for under eye baking! I can't praise it enough! There was so much hype around this product, and still is f you believe the 'out of stock' signs everywhere, but this one's worth it, so if you manage to get your hands on it, you won't be disappointed.
Powder Contour:
The next couple of categories were super easy. Yes I used a lot of conturing products last year but one truly won the category and it is Kobo Contour Powder in Sahara Sand. It's a Polish brand, it's dead cheap and works amazingly on my pale complexion. It's light enough and have an exact amount of pigmentation needed from this product. It's a cool toned bronzer and works beautifully on the palest of the folk and up to light/medium complexions. It does come in a darker version. I've used it non stop forever and finally I'm seeing a huge dent. I will most definitely re-purchase and I advise you to do to.
Cream Contour:
I've talked about the L'Oreal Infallible Sculpt Contouring Palette in 01 Light/Medium in quite a few posts including multiple favourites. This is a product that yet again is getting mixed reviews. People complain it disappears when applied but I don't have or see that at all. It's light and cool toned and you can apply in in so many ways. I always apply by a finger and you can easily do the blending with your fingers too, as it blends like magic. I prefer application via the fingers and blending it in with a sponge or a brush. I find sponge works best and it's the quickest way. I like the formula as it's super smooth and not too oily. It works great, stays on (given I powder it down) and I love the shade - perfect for mature skin contouring or a easy daily contour.
Highlight:
Becca has won the highlighting front. I cannot imagine this year without Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Pearl It was the first super white highlight powder I owned and it made it in to so many of faves for a reason. This is the highlighter to use if you like your strobing to be visible. It's one for those super pasty folks like me, always struggling to find products light enough. I can't praise it enough, it's a stunner. The runner up in the category is yet again Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Moonstone. It is a weapon of choice if I go for a natural look, without any powder formulas. It's such a stunning shade, not too cool either, but somehow so suitable for my whiter than white skin.
Blush:
There could only be one winner and it's Nars Orgasm. I purchased it on the day I discovered we have a SpaceNK store in Solihull! I wanted to try it forever but really wanted to swatch before I commit to buy. It is so worth the hype. The most beautiful rose gold shade with a little shimmer running through. I'm never one for non matte blushes but I wore this all summer and even a little these days. It's that one blush I reach for without even thinking about it.
Eye Primers:
I've tested a lot of eye primers in 2016 and I must say I found three to work well for me. MAC Paint Pot in Painterly and Urban Decay Original Primer Potion have been on my lids everyday for a really long time and both work wonderful on my quite oily and hooded lids. There's no question for me, if I need a primer, as no shadow lasts for more than two hours on me without it. However I recently started using Too Faced Shadow Insurance and I give the winner status to it. I don't know why I think it's better, maybe it isn't, but I love the packaging, you only need a tiny bit and man it just works!!!
Finishing Mists:
I've used a fair share of mists last year and two stood out the most. I need my mist to take away the powderness of the products I use and both have been great at it. MAC Fix+ is a staple in any makeup lover collection but for me the winner is Pixi by Petra Glow Mist as it gives my skin the most incredible glow. I use it before and after makeup and simply can't get enough. If you haven't already and love a glowing complexion, you simply must try it!
Eyeshadows:
This category has almost killed me and choosing just one wasn't fair to all the palettes I loved during 2016, so I decided to just go ahead and do it and also post my top 5 palettes of 2016 in a separate post soon. As I mentioned there were so many contenders to the title and it pleases me to say that Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance has won it all. This was a truly remarkable release and the formula is just out of this world. If you'd like to see it swatched, check out my full review HERE. Little birdie told me it's coming back in stock on Cult Beauty soon, so put yourself on a wait list now.
Eyeliner:
I don't like liners. There are multiple reasons of course. First they don't look right on my hooded eyes so I rarely bother as it's hard to find one that does the line thin enough. Because I rarely use it, I'm not really that great at it either, so simplicity is the key. I have to award Kat Von D Tattoo Liner because it does it all. It lasts, it's super black, super easy to use and makes doing a thin line a walk in a park. If you haven't already, I strongly recommend you make 2017 a year when you try this liner!
Mascara:
There were two mascaras that amazed me last year and one that won it all. I hated Illamasqua Masquara Gain when I first got it as it's nearly bloody impossible to do your lashes without the mascara being all over the lids. Plus when I first opened it it was so liquid, my lashes clumped together to show the worst mascara look ever. So I left it. I left it for 6 weeks and then used it... Loved it ever since. If you don't have too long or volumes lashes, this mascara will make it seem like you do. But it's also a bloody pain in the arse! For this reason alone and because I've loved it since the first use and don't think I'll ever purchase another one, the title goes to Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara. It gives the volume, length and separation - all in couple of strokes. It is THE BEST mascara I've ever used. Simples. Plus come on, the name & the packaging do it for me too. Just get it.
Brows:
There are many products I've loved when it comes to my brows and I have a whole POST about it, but the one product that won last year is Benefit Ready Set Brows. I can always find products to make my brows look awesome in the morning, but finding a mascara that sets them so well, is nearly impossible. This one does and I will never use another one (I Think LOL). It keeps my unruly brows at bay all day and night long. Seriously !
Lip Liners:
2016 was definitely a year I re-discovered lip liners and I have many faves in that category. I've used Rimmel Lip Liner in East End Snob for what seems like forever and it's still the best budget alternative to more expensive choices as the formula is simply brilliant plus I love the shade. Whoever said it was a dupe for Charlotte Tilbury Pillowtalk haven't obviously seen or used it. It wins the title because the formula, the shade, the everything just works about this liner. It makes overlining my lips simple and quick and most importantly unnoticeable. I also loved Gwen Stefani x Urban Decay 714 for all the days I wore a statement red.
Lipsticks:
When it came to lippies I wore nude mostly all year round. Yes, I had a darker phase during autumn and December but mostly I wore nude. I've loved Makeup Revolution Rose Gold Lipstick in Chauffeur since it's launch, as the shade is cool enough and light enough to make it a beautiful nude for us pasty folks and I appreciate the rose gold bullet packaging. That was until I saw and tried Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips in Kim K W and the award has to go to this beautiful light nude. It's the lightest nude I can go for without it looking like concealer and it's such an easy shade to pull off. The packaging is stunning and makes for a great handbag addition. Actually I always have it on me, just in case.
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| From left: Moonstone, Pearl, East End Snob, Pillowtalk, 714, Chauffeur, Kim K W, Brique, Designer Blood |
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| From left: GR 10, Mannequin, GR 3, Bronze Rose |
Liquid Lipsticks:
Liquid Lipsticks dominated 2016 and my own lips. I have tried and tested many and three brands came out victorious. Firstly the discovery of late summer - Jouer and their Fall Collection lippies have inspired me. My most worn were Brique & Bronze Rose The formula is amazing, they stay put and application is great. Plus their not super drying. On the drugstore front, Golden Rose Liquid Lipsticks have been great and ended up in favourites more than once over the year. I only have couple of shades (3 & 10) but for the price these will shock you with their quality. The overall winner had to be one and I'm super pleased to announce Jeffree Star Designer Blood as a winner of the year. I've loved many more shades but this Holiday release have overtaken my lips and I know I will love it for a really long time. It's such a unique dark berry shade. It looks beautiful against my super pale complexion, lasts all day and doesn't dry my lips. Winner! I love JS formulas the best and on days where even I can't do a statement lip, I choose Mannequin. Perfect nude that stays on looking pretty all day long.
Accessories:
There were many brushes and sponges I've loved. I use many every day. I have shown you my favourite eye brushes in last year's faves so I concentrated on face ones this year. Beauty Blender Pro is my day to day hero, it applies the foundation, concealer, contour and baking as no other and there aren't any other sponges I will ever love as much. I've also really loved the Morphe Large Soft Fan Brush for my highlight needs. It applies it with such easy, I don't use any other brush for strobing anymore. It dominated the market ;) But the winner has to be MBrush by Maxineczka in 02. The quality of bristles, the cut, how incredibly soft it is, make it a winner. It's not the cheapest out there but it has never lost a single hair, it washes out perfectly every single time, looks beautiful and most importantly, it makes my contouring so easy, I don't use any other brush any more. I have few brushes now but with new releases, I will definitely pick more up, as the quality of these is simply the best out there.
Fragrance:
I'm a huge perfume lover and mostly go for sweet feminine scents so me loving Jo Malone English Pear and Freesia was a bit of surprise to anyone and me. It's such a fresh and beautiful scent, I fell in love with it instantly. Plus the packaging. I simply can't describe my love of this simple bottle. However sweet and sexy will always be my signature style so I can't give a title to no other than Victor & Rolf Flowerbomb. I have had so many bottles of this perfumed water and it'll always be close to my heart. I'm happy to finally have it back in my life and it wins the title for sure.
Thank You For Reading,
Love
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Monday, 7 November 2016
OCTOBER 2016 BEAUTY EDIT FEAT. JO MALONE, MERUMAYA, BARE MINERALS, JOUER AND MORE
I honestly can't believe how fast has October gone. I was poorly for most of it and you probably noticed a limited new posts on the blog. I wasn't feeling up to anything I'm afraid and my blog work has suffered the most. I don't feel 100% yet and I post less than usual but I am trying my best to get back to my normal 3 times a week self, so please bear with me :) I have spend more time at my day job as it's quite a busy period of time at my job but I still managed to test few bits for you. get yourself a cup of tea as we're on for a long ride :)
Let's start with skincare as I have discovered a lot of great new skincare these last few weeks. I'll start with cleansing as these two faves of mine have completely revolutionised my cleansing routine. First up is the Merumaya Melting Cleansing Balm sample I've gotten through my latest Love Me Beauty subscription (POST). It smells incredible, cleanses even better and it quickly become my favourite especially in the morning as it doesn't leave an oily residue and makes for a perfect AM cleanser. I use it together with my new cleansing here that is The Konjac Sponge Rich Pink Clay Sponge. This sponge has transformed my tired skin within a week of using it. It's gentle enough for my sensitive skin, yet provides a deep cleansing with exfoliation. You can use it on its own or in conjunction with your favourite cleanser.
I took a special care of my skin lately as I have experienced some hormonal imbalance thanks to the hormones I take. This has proven to be quite annoying with pimples all over my chin and hairline. I have been battling it with help of L'Oreal Pure Clay Purity Mask. I use it as part of a multi-masking and only on areas affected. I must say it's a great spot-on treatment mask. It's super affordable and you can find it at both Boots and Superdrug. Great for combination to oily skin, or if your skin decides to go crazy on you.
I recently reviewed the whole skincare range from Bravura (POST) and it had to get a mention in my beauty edit as I'm in love with their chemical exfoliators. I'm super keen on their Lactic Acid 10% infused with Rose as it's only lightly scented and provides a superb exfoliation. I am super sensitive so building a tolerance was a must but I am now at 15 mins a session and keen to extend that to an overnight treatment. I absolutely adore the way it's rid of small bumps on my forehead and looking forward to long haul results.
Having introduced quite radical exfoliators, I needed to ensure the skincare used afterwards is natural and free from acid ingredients. I opted for Resibo Smoothing Serum (POST) which is a natural Botox in a bottle. I love the packaging as a pipette is needed to dose the product. I use 3-4 drops on my face and an additional couple on my neck and decollate. It works great in the evening for me, after I use my Bravura exfoliators. I use it 3 times a week and am noticing the difference. It absorbs pretty quickly but not quick enough for me to use it in the morning. My second step is an oil as in the days of exfoliation I tend to skin moisturisers altogether. I use the serum first and then add few drops of OlVita Rosehip Seed Oil. Rosehip Seed Oil has been branded an anti-ageing skincare superstar and there's a definite reason for it. It formula is super high in fatty acids (over 70%) and rich in vitamins and antioxidants like Vit C, Vit A (basically retinol), linoleic and linolenic acids or as I'd like to call them heroes of anti-ageing. It's not only super moisturising so perfect for dry and mature skin but also helps even out the skin tone, reduced the appearance of fine lines and helps improving skin condition after UV damage. I can't praise this oil enough! It can get pretty pricey, because it's such an IN product, so make sure you do your research. Cold pressed virgin Rosehip Seed Oil shouldn't cost you more than £7.00-£9.00 so don't pay for something only because it's branded. I buy most of my oils at The Natural Skincare site, so click HERE to check what oils are now available.
My skin has seen better times but other than the chin and hairline area it has never looked better. It's plumped and soft and I rarely need any coverage anymore. I went back to my favourite Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue, because I just love the stuff. I wrote about it so many times now, you must be sick of hearing it, but it's truly the best thing for daytime makeup. It's so easy and perfect for my dry skin as it doesn't sit on top of any dry patches or settles in the fine lines. However I went to Bare Minerals even recently and discovered their new Bare Pro Powder Foundation. Have you ever discovered a product that makes you want to sing, it is that good? Well I use it on top of my Complexion Rescue and I look like a doll. Not in cakey way kinda two tubes of foundation way. The airbrushed effect it gives me is incredible and what's most important it lasts all day long. I am away from home for minimum 12 hours a day so for my base to last that long in perfect condition is pretty impossible. Until I discovered that combo of Complexion Rescue and Bare Pro. How will I ever change them to test more products for you? So so good!
Natural looking skin and natural looking brows, definite motto for me in October. I discovered a new range of Benefit brow products and I'm gone on anything else. I have a love/hate relationship with the tip of Goof Proof Brow Pencil in 02 but I adore the result it gives me. Yes it's harder to get those fine hair like strokes but I have never done my brows so quickly in the morning. Also the shade is perfect for me and blends so easily. I then set them in place with Ready, Set, Brow and I'm truly done for the day (and night). This clever clear gel truly keeps my brows in place for HOURS! Love from the first stroke, what can I say.
When it comes to lip products I have so many on rotation it's always hard to play favourites. I have been reaching for my Golden Rose Longstay Liquid Lips in 03 more than usually. It's such a pretty everyday shade. It suits most of my autumnal makeup looks and stays put for few hours. It's than non offensive shade you can wear to school and the office, something in between nude and statement. I really like it. And if I was feeling a little adventurous or on days I really wanted to piss my bosses off, I went metallic and full on metallic may I add. I'm in love with Jouer fall collection and the shade Bronze Rose is such a beautiful fall shade! Also the formula - I mean this may be the best bloody liquid lipstick formula I've ever tried. Given you'll stick to snacking or non creamy food, this will stay put for 10 hours until it becomes so annoyingly uncomfortable on the lips. I am in awe at the formula, the packaging, the shade, the works. Can someone please tell Jouer that I would die to become their spokeswoman? Thank you!
The perfume of the month or maybe even a year must be the Jo Malone English Pear and Freesia. I am so bad at describing scents but it's so incredibly fresh, yet chic enough to pull off being a slightly heavier autumn scent. It's not a sweet and girly scent I usually prefer. This is a scent of a woman. It is incredibly expensive and I'm terrified at how quickly I seem to use it but I can't stop myself and use it pretty much daily! I love it. Jo Malone, if you hear me send some my way, I won't object! ;)
The last two faves are thankfully drugstore faves which aren't so heavy on the pocket. I've received this Batiste Smooth Frizz Tamer ages ago and only just got it out to test and I must say I'm impressed. Frizzy hair is a nightmare, especially now we get to enjoy the rain and humidity and few spritzes of this spray in the morning seems to sort out my frizz for the day. Not sure exactly how it works but I won't complain.
Last but not least, the nails. I have stopped with shellac on top of gel overlay nails and discovered them to be weak and brittle. I have been using something to make them stronger but I plan on writing a separate post about it so I'm keeping it on the low. I do however enjoy the gel effect nail polishes, as they not only make the nails stronger but also last few days longer than your usual nail polish. The shade of the month was definitely a Barry M Sunset Daylight Curing Gel Nail Paint in Dark Side of a Shroom, which is a gorgeous mushroom like colour with hints of purple. Perfect for autumn and also it lasts a good 3 days with the top coat from the same series.
That's it for my October Beauty Edit. I hope you enjoyed reading about my faves! Please share what have you been loving lately and lets all discuss our recommendations. Don't forget to comment & subscribe, it truly makes my day, seeing this site grow :)
Thank You For Reading,
Love
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