REVIEW: Bourjois Paris 123 Perfect CC Cream and Eye Cream

Hi there. I know, more excuses about being a lazy blogger, but i'm still in the process of being heartbroken and maudlin, and although make up is my tincture, sometimes, a skin coloured liquid that I put on my face just isn't going to cut it in the 'making life worth living' stakes.

Still, I shall battle on. So here I am, with a ravey review for my ravishing readers.

Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream

When I first read about this CC Cream, I wasn't too fussed. I was BB'd up to the tits, and frankly, apart from Dr Jart's wonderful colour adapting concoction, they did less than nothing for me. Actually, there was also that brilliant one by Sleek which became my dry skinned gf's holy grail foundation, with it's super cheap price, brilliant colour line and near full coverage and dewy finish. Perhaps I should bother actually reviewing it no?

Yes.

Anyways, this CC cream. What's it all about? Bourjois says this...

123 PERFECT CC CREAM
THE SKINCARE ACTION OF A CREAM + THE COLOUR CORRECTION OF A FOUNDATION IN ONE STEP!

The next generation of foundation! Combining:

THE COLOUR CORRECTION OF A FOUNDATION:

Thanks to its 3 colour correcting pigments that smooth away imperfections

. APRICOT pigments > anti-fatigue

. GREEN pigments > anti-redness

. WHITE pigments > anti-dark spots

+ THE SKINCARE ACTION OF A CREAM:

24 hr hydration
SPF 15

Result: luminous complexion & flawless skin in one step.

Tested for you!*

91% of women agreed that:
Their complexion is perfectly evened out
Their dark spots are concealer
Their skin is left flawless

*User test on 33 women for 21 days
And what’s more? Good for my skin!
-Non-oily lightweight formula
- Enriched with invigorating white tea extracts


Now, can I just point out one thing. WHAT THE HELL ARE THESE STATS FOR? When I read 91 percent of women agree, I think 'BRILLO' but then I read it's 91 percent of THIRTY THREE WOMEN, I think, eh? Now, Bourjois aren't a poor company, they can afford to send their CC Cream out to more than the odd number of 33 women, so why don't they bother? It doesn't feel too convincing does it?

Either way, back to the CC.

So what do I think of it? Well, I am an oily skinned girl, and my main concern with these new generation of skincare/foundation hybrids, is that they're slip off very quickly and be TOO dewy from my shiny fat nose. However, this CC Cream is different from anything like it i've tried before. This is why.

Coverage - It really does correct your skin tone, and it brightens. You can use a tiny amount of this very liquidy consistency product, and apply with either your fingers, or a flat top foundation brush, and it covers like a dream, whilst letting my freckles be seen, and the texture of my skin, but not the redness which I despise so much. Perfect!

Finish - It's not what i'd call dewy, it's a very curious finish for this sort of product actually. It's not matte, but it's not satin. It's got a dimension to the finish, of healthy, glowing, but not shiny skin.

Longevity - This is where it falls down, sadly, but ultimately, it's not claiming to be a big long wearing kinda guy, but it DOES wear well, i'd say five or so hours without breaking down. It says it hydrates for 24 hours, which I didn't say I felt it did, but it's a really nice feel for such a cheap product.

All in all, I really really like it. I wear make up every day but I cannot always be bothered for a proper made up look. It makes you look healthy, and even toned, without looking like you've gone to town. I can pop this on and feel confident about my skin, and look glowy and like i've had a proper sleep (which is never the case) and I am reaching for it more and more over other more expensive high end foundations or bb creams. I high recommend everyone picks this up. It's worth it.

Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Eye Cream

First up. What Bourjois say...

ILLUMINATING EYE CARE CONCEALER.
FOR RESTED, RADIANT LOOKING EYES!

The skincare action of an eye cream + the colour correction of a concealer!Its multi-care formula and its smoothing silicon applicator:

Camouflages imperfections and dark circles around the eyes 

Smoothes wrinkles and fine lines Reduces puffiness..without creasing

.Its skincare action and lightweight texture leave the area around the eyes supple and soft:- 24Hr hydration- SPF 15

Result: Eyes are rested and radiant and left feeling supple and soft

Tested for you!*- It conceals dark circles and imperfections without creasing – 85% agree- It leaves the eye contour supple and soft – 94% agree

I've read mixed reviews on this guy, but personally, I love it! The coverage is great, the hydration is great, it doesn't settle in lines, and there's a plumping glow to it, and it lasts a good few hours without setting it with powder. Not really much more to say on it other than I would recommend you pick it up.

L-R CC Cream and CC Eye Cream in 31 Ivoire and 21 Ivory

You can pick these both up from ASOS for a discount price of £7.50 and £6.00. HURRY!!!!

REVIEW: Maybelline Superstay Better Skin Flawless Finish Foundation

Maybelline Superstay Better Skin in Light Beige

I may have mentioned it before but I am obsessed with foundation. I hate my skin, it's red and blotchy, oily and dry, pale and generally it just irritates me. Of course, in the grand scheme of things i'm lucky, I do not have acne or anything like that, but years of obsessing over media imagery has left me with this desire for the unobtainable flawless face. When I heard about the release of this new foundation, I became obsessed, as it claims that it can actually treat and even out your skintone whilst doing the normal gubbins of making you look luminous and flawless. 

So, what up Maybelline?

"Dull, blotchy, uneven skin? Visibly improves your skin every minute you're in it.

Our first hydrating foundation with Actyl C and SPF 20. Flawless all-day coverage.

The formula helps skin look more radiant, fresher and even, with all-day wear."

Oh. Cool! Lets see some swatches...

Light Beige

Light Beige swatched

Light Beige blended out

When I bought this foundation, I was desperate to love it. DESPERATE. I'm pretty poor at the moment and I am always keen to find a staple product at a budget price that does the job adequately. After having given a good two weeks of testing, I am sad to say that I am a little disappointed.

So, the pros. It's a beautiful finish, it really is. You have a luminous glow, whilst letting your skin shine through, you look healthy and even, and I cannot fault the finish, I absolutely loved it. 

But that love wasn't to last.

You see, I am oily, but not ridiculously so, so when a foundation is called 'Superstay' I expect a level of longevity from the product. My first issue is that it never actually dries down, not totally, so I had to powder it, which is fine and dandy of course, but even with powder, the stuff starts to swim around my face with oil within two hours, and it kind of mixed with powder and sank into my pores leaving a bit of an unholy, patchy mess. I also primed with a primer that is generally brilliant for my skin, Mac Natural Radiance Primer but alas, the foundation was not a friend. 

As for improving my actual skin, it's week two, and the foundation is meant to take three weeks to have an impact, so i'll keep on with my test run for another week to see how things work out on that front. 

Oh, and a note to the pale girls. The palest shade is Light Beige, not ivory. I've seen much wailing and moaning about ivory being too dark. Well, yeah, it is, so don't order it. Order the paler shade. Easy!

So in summary. Great for dry skin. Not great for oily. Unless you're only planning on looking lovely for an hour. In that case, fill your boots.

You can purchase this foundation for £8.99 from Boots and Superdrug across the UK.

BYE.

REVIEW: Shu Uemura - The Lightbulb Fluid Foundation

Shu Uemura The Lightbulb Foundation.

WHAT UP 2014!!!!

So here I am, a mopey, but motivated mess. And this mess has a desire to share her opinions about make up. And why not? What else, ultimately, does a girl have to be happy about than the wanton purchasing of make up at will, even when they can't afford it.

So, here goes. This foundation set my heart alight when I heard the words 'glowing' and 'high coverage'. With the exception of Nars Sheer Glow, most glowing foundations do little for me in the way of coverage, and right now, my skin is a HOT MESS of blotches from months of being weepy and drinking and not sleeping well. Seriously, if you want a blog from a girl who doesn't live on air and happy dreams, I am the one to come to. My skin is showing the two bottles of wine a night, make no mistake (you can tell that I'm not hawking for sponsorship or free shit can't you? what company would sponsor these rambles?) and the sporadic sleep and no daylight. I am the antithesis of healthy living *sips fifth glass of pinot grigio*

But back to the foundation. What the hell does it do!?

This is what the guys at Shu say. 

"Shu Uemura The Lightbulb Fluid Foundation. Achieve beautiful glowing skin and high coverage with the Lightbulb fluid foundation. The buildable formula allows total application control and comfort."

So, first, do you want to see some swatches of my shade? I'm sure you do, if you're, y'know, pale, and me. 

Shu Uemura The Lightbulb Foundation Shade 584

Swatch of shade 584

Shade 584 blended

So, as you can hopefully see above, although not explicit, my wrist is a bit of a mess of redness. If you view the blended swatch, you'll see the tone is COMPLETELY even, but translucent. 

So, what is the lowdown on this stuff? Let me fill you in.

Coverage:

It's great. Okay, it's not doublewear by any means, but this evens your skintone, and makes it uniform completely. If have quite a lot of redness, and it was pretty much extinguished except for the raging bits, which you can pop minimal concealer on and it'll vanish in no time. 

Glow:

When first applied, this foundation will appear vaguely matte, but once its sunk in over an hour, it'll have a beautiful translucent glow. You'll look like you've been running through summer meadows. 

Lasting power:

This is the slight downside. it lasts, but not as long as someone like I would wish. I would imagine this would do you for a working day, with touch ups at the sixth hour, but for me, I need it to last 12 hours as least, and by that time it was pretty oily, but not in a patchy way, just an all over thinning and exposure of your redness. However, during this entire time, you never look 'made up', you look naturally glowing and healthy, and your tone will still look pretty even. For a glowing foundation, this is a good thing certainly. I would recommend a good primer and powder, and you'll get a lot longer out of this. 

So what do I think?  I think it's ruddy cracking! I honestly would recommend this heavily if you love a healthy, glowing complexion that doesn't look like a greasy mess. 

Final opinion. I recommend! You can get hold of this direct from Shu Uemura for £36, or, like I did, on one of those REALLY drunken free champagne for EVERYONE nights at Harvey Nichols. Phew, thats a night I have no recollection of, other than the limitless drinks....

REVIEW: Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

When I heard that Real Techniques (as in, Sam from Pixiwoo, a big ladycrush of mine) were releasing a sponge, I knew it was going to be a winner. What I didn't reckon on was how bargainous it was going to be, and HOW RUDDY GOOD.

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

I shall make no bones about this. I LOVE THIS GUY. Now, since i'm a bit of a heartbroken mess, I am prone to extreme mood swings, but extreme enthusiasm isn't one of those emotions, sadly. However, this sponge, it has got an ounce of positivity out of me, and frankly, thats big news.

What's the corporate blurb then?

"Apply your foundation flawlessly with the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. With rounded sides to blend and smooth foundation over large areas of your face, it also features a flat edge to glide around the contours of your eyes and nose. Finished with a precision tip that's ideal for covering spots and blemishes, this easy-to-use sponge will give you the perfect airbrushed effect"

So, why is this fellaguy good? Lets go list crazy!

He's cheap

He's multifaceted. You can use the flat side for application, the rounded for cream blush and highlighter, the pointed end for concealer, and the rounded side for powder. One for ALL!

He's easy to clean, just pop him under the tap with some shampoo. Done!

He gives a super airbrushed finish

He's FOOLPROOF

So how do you, or I, use this?

Easy. I dampen it under a warm tap, squeeze out the excess water, dot foundation over my face, use the flat side to distribute foundation around my face in a wiping motion. For areas I need more coverage, I use a dabbing motion. Then I apply concealer to areas that need even more coverage, and use the flat edge to apply around the eyes and nose area. Then I apply dots to areas where I have blemishes, and use the pointed end to gently blend the edges for undetectable full coverage. I then use one of the rounded sides to dab into my creme blush, say, Mac Posey, a personal fave, and dab it onto my cheeks. I then apply NARS illuminator in copacabana with the same area of sponge to the high points of my face, and finally, dab the other side of the sponge in my loose powder, apply in a rolling motions all over my make up, and i'm DONE! 

It's THAT easy. 

I can't say ANYTHING negative about this product. It's quarter of the price of a beauty blender, and a better product, so....BUY IT!

You can purchase this at Boots or HQ Hair for the bargain price of £4.99

NEW: Bourjois Happy Light Foundation, Luminous and Matte Primers (swatches)

Bourjois are one of my favourite high street brands. They really are. Their products always seem to perform in a way that competes with the higher end brands and at half the price. I have been a lover of the Healthy Mix foundation on and off for years, so when I heard that there was an even more luminous option coming out, I was thrilled!

BLURB.

Foundation - Happy Light Foundations velvety formula blends effortlessly for a luminous, undetectable and natural finish. It contains translucent pigments to enhance your inner glow and correct imperfections without masking. And, what's more, it lets skin breathe thanks to its lightweight feel and moisturising ingredients.

Sounds awesome no? Well yeah....but if you're a pale girl like I am....actually, NO. What the hell happened to their colours? I mean, 51 in Healthy Mix was always a little too yellowy and a bit dark, but what the hell, the finish was so awesome I could deal with it. When I saw there was a 50 shade, I was blown away, I counted the days till release, thinking it'd be a touch paler, and thus perfect for me. Sadly not, 50 is the most PINK shade ever. I mean, seriously, it looked like a rash on me! The 51, my usual too yellow shade, has amped up the yellow to such epic heights that with a full face, I looked like I had jaundice.

Woohoo!

However, it's not the worlds problem that I am pale and vaguely interesting, so what about the actual formula? Well it's beautiful. It's luminous, and moisturising, but not greasy. It covers really well but still lets your skin show through minus all the red bits. I really desperately wish it was pale enough for me but alas, Bourjois don't want me as part of their Happy Light gang...

Primers -

"With its melting, lightweight texture, Matte Serum Primer mattifies complexion whilst maintaining skins radiance. Wear alone or under foundation for an airbrushed look in any light. Apply before foundation or alone. One shade suits all skin tones." "For normal to dry skin, an illuminating, moisturising version. With its light-as-air texture, Happy Light luminous primer leaves the skin soft, comfortable, moisturised and replumped. The complexion is immediately illuminated! And, it’s good for skin: moisturising, non-occlusive, non-comedogenic formula" And they're great! I have oily skin, but I like to look luminous, so I bought both and went combo crazy, using the mattifying one on my oily bits and luminous one on my cheekbones and nose, and any other bits I want a glow on. I absolutely love them both. I highly recommend investing.

L-R Matte primer, luminous primer, Happy Light Foundation in shade 50

My skin is, in Mac terms, an  NW10. Can you see how damn yellow that is on my arm?? It's insane! Please Bourjois, hear my pleas, make foundation pale enough for ME!

Bourjois Happy Mix is available to buy at Boots for £11.99 or Superdrug, currently on offer, for £7.99, as well as being on a 3 for 2 offer, and the primer is on offer for £6.99, so you could get all three for super cheap! Bonza!

Review - Liz Earle Signature Foundation

Liz Earle Signature Foundation 

Hi girls (and guys, lets not make assumptions here), hope you're having a fantastic weekend with the (sort of) sunshine. I've been having a rather lovely time, with lots of exciting things on my horizon, I thought i'd celebrate by sharing a review of one of my most favourite foundations I own.

I may have mentioned before, I own A LOT of foundations, I am talking draws and draws of the stuff, high end, low end, rubbish, fantastic, pro quality and drugstore. THE LOT. I wouldn't say i'm an expert across the board, because I only know how to deal with my oily combo skin, but if you suffer like me with the shiny nose and need for long wear, I think we're going to be chums.

So, back to the review. Liz Earle (which is actually run by TWO people, but for some reason Liz takes the spotlight in name and press coverage) produces some absolutely fantastic products. Originally I thought her Cleanse and Polish was a poor mans Eve Lom cleanser. As it turned out, it WAS a poorer persons option, but without being any less awesome in quality. I shall review another time though, as it's foundation time right now. Anyway, last year, in 2012, Liz decided to unleash her AWESOME cosmetics line. I wasn't convinced initially, as i'd heard that the Sheer Skin Tint had zero coverage and lasted about two hours on an oily skin. However, later that year she also launched the Signature Foundation, and just reading the blurb below had me gagging to try it. Lets see what it says...

"Call off the search – our luxurious, silky foundation is your go-to for the skin you’ve always wanted. Offering easy-to-build coverage, the beautifully blendable formula glides on effortlessly to deliver a smooth, even and natural-looking finish in mere moments, with an ingenious combination of spherical particles and coated pigments that offer long-lasting wear and a radiant finish. Enriched with our own natural source vitamin E."

And you know what? It does EXACTLY what it says. 

So how does it work for me? Well, I always wear a primer, because I have oily skin, most foundations are obliterated within three hours, so I don't bother even trying to battle on without. To make it simple for you, i'm going to list exactly what is so awesome about this foundation.

- Amazing colour range, for once, it's EXACTLY my skin tone. PALE AS PAPER.

- It fills in pores better than nearly any foundation I have tried

- Coverage is impeccable, I barely need to build coverage, but in the areas I do, it looks smooth

- It lasts. It really does, unless you sweat buckets, this stuff doesn't crack!

- It doesn't settle in fine lines, or wear unevenly.

- It is matte but has radiance. Not dewy but not flat at all! 

- I LOVE IT!

So lets see a swatch of the shade I own, Porcelain

Liz Earle Porcelain Swatched

Blended out

So as you can see, it's undetectable on my pallid arm there when blended out. It's my exactly shade though, which runs at NW10 in Mac terminology. I find the best way to apply this is with a dampened Beauty Blender and the usual method of bouncing it on the skin until the desired level of coverage is achieved. 

I can't say enough good about this foundation, especially if you're oily and in need of good but natural looking coverage. If you want to invest, this retails direct from Liz Earle online in 9 shades for the pretty reasonable price of £21, and in selected John Lewis, Boots, Fenwicks stores, as well as their stand alone boutiques. 

Have you tried it? If so, let me know your thoughts!?

REVIEW - Fixing Spray - The Good, The Irritating, The Pointless and The Waste of Effing Money.....Pt 1

Hello there,

So as I have mentioned before in this post that I own a MYRIAD of make up fixing sprays. I probably don't need to go over the reasons I need my make up to last, as I do reiterate it constantly, but the fact is, I don't like my skin, I go bright red the second I get hot, I have photos taken all the time, I get VERY oily very easily and I am very pale. Therefore my choices in foundations are few and far between, as I need so many variable options constantly in different conditions, AND for it to actually, y'know, be the colour of my skin, that generally I have to make a non appropriate formula stick via other means. These means tend to be fixing sprays. So here's my first instalment of the run down. I'm hoping you find this helpful and comprehensive.

MUA PRO - Make Up Base Fixing Mist

I have already given this fixing spray a full review here, but to reiterate a few points. I actually use this spray every single day. Not as a fixing spray as such, but to give luminosity to my base after I have done foundation, concealer, and then powdered with a powder puff rolling application, which will leave my base looking rather flat and matte. I spritz this over my face, allow it to dry, and it give me back that glow I need. I then apply my colour, and spray with another fixing spray to finish. I high recommend this easily available spray, and if would probably suffice to fix your make up if you had dry skin. 

Available from Superdrug and direct from MUA for £5.00  

Urban Decay All Nighter Make Up Setting Spray

Out of all the setting sprays I have used, I would say this guy is the one I go back to again and again. He's not the ultimate best ever, but he's darn close. Produced for Urban Decay by the kings of effective setting sprays, Skindinavia, and now is much nicer packaging (seriously Urban Decay, what were you THINKING), this is an easily accessible to purchase, and certainly more affordable than Skindinavia, setting spray.

But what is the blurb about this chap I hear you cry! See below

"All Nighter keeps your makeup looking gorgeously just-applied for up to 16 hours - without melting, cracking, fading or settling into fine lines. Developed in an exclusive partnership with SKINDINAVIA, our groundbreaking, clinically tested formula is suitable for all skin types and features patented Temperature Control Technology. Yep, this baby actually lowers the temperature of your makeup to keep foundation, eyeshadow, blush and concealer in place even in hot and humid or cold and windy conditions. The result? Smoother-looking skin and vibrant makeup that lasts all day (or all night)."

And does it deliver? Well, pretty much yes.

I think you have to be realistic. If I applied a bog standard foundation, without oil control, and no powder, I wouldn't expect this to work miracles and keep my skin from expunging sweat and oil combined to dislodge my meticulously applied face. If you have normal skin, I think this COULD keep it all in place without an amazing amount of prep though. It DOES work. 

However, for skin such as mine, I will prime, then use a long lasting foundation such as Smashbox Studio Skin 15hr, set with powder, and then spray liberally, and it'll stick through a pretty hardcore night. I went to see John Maus play about six months ago at a sold out gig and it was insanely hot, and I danced until sweat was running in my eyes. I went to the toilet expecting a mess and amazingly, I looked exactly the same. The only time I'd expect that was if I was wearing the dreaded Estee Lauder Double Wear, thus looking not only the same, but like I had corpse paint on too, which isn't my favourite look. 

So I would HIGHLY recommend this to anyone. If you would like to buy it, it's either £9 for a travel size, or £19.50 in Debenhams for a full size.

And carrying on in the theme of Urban Decay....

Urban Decay Deslick Oil Control Make Up Setting Spray

This is another offering from Urban Decay, but this time focusing of daytime make up staying power for those of the oily persuasion. Lets see what the manufacturers say....

"This highly effective setting spray mists weightlessly onto the face to control oil, deflect surface shine and keep the skin looking beautifully matte throughout the day. De Slick Oil Control Make Up Setting Spray is formulated with high-tech ingredients that help keep foundation, eye shadow and blush from smudging, sliding or fading, minimising the need for touch ups. With no unpleasant stickiness or tightness on the skin, this unique makeup must-have leaves makeup looking vibrant all day with a chic, matte complexion."

And again, it does what it says on the bottle. Or box, or website, whatever. I personally use this in combination with other sprays depending on how dehydrated, so therefore oily, my skin is. I will spray it on a moisturised face, prime, give a tiny spritz around the t zone and then apply my make up. Finishing with All Nighter or another similar spray. 

I would recommend this of oily or combination girls. It won't help too much with a sweaty day, but it does keep you matte and stop oil breaking through, which is pretty invaluable if you favour a matte finish. 

You can purchase this, from Debenhams from the same link above, or from BeautyBay.com for £19.50

Collection (2000) Fix Me Up Long Lasting Make Up Fixer

Jumping on the make up fixing spray bandwagon are the budget line Collection, or Collection 2000 as they'll always be known to me, for I am older than the sun, and as a kid was living on the kind of money that meant that Rimmel was considered an affluent purchase. 

Anyways, this is what they say about it - 

"From the minute you’re made-up to the moment you dress down, you can remain the marvel of freshly applied foundation.

Duration is guaranteed from dusk ‘til dawn, without a worry of washing off, fading down or patching up.Any glam-girl-on-the-go knows how tedious touching-up and re-applying make-up can be, but now this non-stick, weightless make-up setter offers any budding beauty a ‘barely there’ sheen for the ultimate in luminous finishes.

No matter how stressful your day, this beauty BFF will be on-side to stay-away any un-wanted imperfections, giving a long-lasting flawless finish."

Well, it's promises a lot. Does it deliver?

Erm....well, it depends on what you're expecting for £5.99. If i'm honest, probably more than this delivers. The aforementioned MUA Pro Make Up Base Fixing Mist is cheaper, and it does a much better job. Also it's not scented by cheap bubble bath, which is fine for bubble bath but for for something you're going to spray directly on your face, which will retain its stink for a good long while. 

Aside from the smell, which isn't a concern of every girl, given the stinking lip balm so much slather on with their dirty paws constantly, does it actually prolong your slap? Well, perhaps a bit, i'd say maybe two hours at the very most, under very asinine conditions. I wouldn't go partying or out on a hot day and expect this to stop make up meltdown. It simply isn't built to do so. Saying that it's a lot more effective than a make up 'refresher' which you'll find tend to be sold as fixers a lot of the time (i'll cover this in my next post). If you're stropped and have a penchant for products that deem it okay to use the font Comic Sans with a pink and black colourway, thats your prerogative. Personally I think you'd be better off spending your money on the cheaper MUA offering....

However, if you are tempted, the product is £5.99 from Boots and Superdrug

Lastly, for todays post, but certainly not least, the opposite in fact - 

Skindinavia Make Up Finishing Spray - The Original 16hr

And now the daddy of all the make up finishing sprays. The don in fact. This product is something I cannot recommend enough. This is the company that has given Urban Decay a less refined, so a generic, if you like, version of this spray.

This is what they have to say about it - 

"Skindinävia's patented technology forms a lightweight, breathable web on top of your makeup that slowly releases over 16 hours. The timed-release evaporation retains moisture longer while also drawing heat away from the skin as it slowly evaporates throughout the day. The results are fresh, cool makeup for up to 16 hours."

And it works. My goodness it works! This is one of three variations, dealing with oil, and ultra bulletproof bridal finishing respectively. Any make up artist worth their salt that do bridal make up will have this nestling in their kit, ready to get you through the sweat, tears and joy of a wedding day. 

I have only bought this product once, and I absolutely LOVED it, but it's pricey for the amount you get, and not readily available in the uk. If you do what to invest in it, and it IS worth it, you can get it for £13.95 from the wonderful Cocktail Cosmetics

And that concludes todays fixing spray sermon. I shall be back with another instalment soon regarding the more chemically industrial type alcohol sprays. Until then! 

Being Pale - Objects that save our souls Pt 2 Pale foundation swatches

So if you read yesterdays post Being Pale Pt 1, you'll have gathered that my paleness has been something that i've had to surmount. I have certain things I need from a foundation, such as good coverage, an ability to cover my redness, to combat my oily ways, and to stay on my face for a long time and to not flash back in pictures. Quite the list of demands, apparently, even in todays make up world.

So, to share my findings, i've decided to spend a few days swatching my paler foundations. I have both yellow and pink, as well as neutral toned foundations, so you'll get a range, no one will be left out!

So here goes. Swatch frenzy part ONE.

L-R - Bobbi Brown Long Wear Even Finish in Porcelain

Lancome Teint Idole Ultra 24hr in 005

Stila Stay All Day Foundation in Bare 1

L-R - Ellis Faas Skin Veil Shade 101

YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat Shade BR 02

Rimmel Match Perfection Shade 010 Light Porcelain 

L-R Mac Studio Fix Foundation Shade NW10

Dr Jart Beauty Balm Platinum Universal Shade

MUA Undress Your Skin Shade Porcelain

L-R Lancome Teint Miracle Shade 005

Liz Earle Signature Foundation Shade Porcelain 01

So there you go, that is my first instalment of the swatchorama. These are all different formulas obviously, with different levels of coverage and effectiveness. I shall be back soon with another instalment to assist you girls of pallid ways. 

Being Pale - objects that save our souls Pt 1

I think i've mentioned it a few times, yes, I know I have, but for the uninitiated, I am very very pale. I have freckles, so whenever I go to buy a foundation (foundation is my version of heroin, I just can't get enough and the more I buy the more I want) I seem to have this exchange with the MUA.

Me: Hi there, I wanted to try your new foundation but i'm not sure it'll come pale enough for me
MUA: I wouldn't say you're that pale, I would put you at a shade 03 or 04
Me: I promise you, lots of people say that but it's just because my skin is red and I have freckles
MUA: Trust me, I know what I'm talking about, I think you'll be surprised.
Me: 'sighing' okay....surprise me....

10 wasted minutes later....

MUA: How weird! Do you not want to warm up your complexion a little though? No one wants to be pale do they?
Me: I do. It's the colour I am. I want foundation the colour of my skin ideally.
MUA: Oh, well I can't help you then.
Me: Thought not....

And thus, my frustration, and search continues. Fortunately, more and more companies are jumping on the bandwagon of different levels of paleness, and tones of paleness. Yellow based, pink based, neutral. It happens! However, what do you do when you've wasted a ton of your money on a foundation that is far too dark for you? Or the wrong tone? Well, I have wasted money, and I haven't really got much of it to waste sadly, so these objects have saved me again and again when it comes to my foundation.

Illamasqua Skin Base in Shade 01

If you're thinking 'that's ruddy pale, it's basically white', you'd be right, thats exactly what it is. Illamasqua skin base is a much loved version of a BB Cream by the fantastic Illamasqua, a brand that, as far as I'm concerned, can do no wrong. 

Now, given the massive shade range of this product, you may think 'why not just buy it in your shade?'. Well sadly this product isn't long wearing enough for me, and it tends to slide off/cake up around my stupid red nose. Fortunately, when mixed in small quantities with other foundation formulations that DO work, but are too dark for me, the problems don't surface. Bonza! 

I used to use Mac Face and Body foundation in White, but the shelf life of that product is ridiculously short, and it becomes a clotted, stinking filthy mess in four months, and the product is SO sheer that if you need any coverage, you're just sheering it out too much and lose the effectiveness. I also have used Face Atelier in Zero Minus, which is a very siliconey white foundation favoured by make up artists, but it's darn expensive at £34 for such a small quantity, so Illamasqua turned out a happy solution for me. 

If you'd like to give this product a go, it's available from the Illamasqua website HERE for £27.

BUDGET QUEENS BEWARE THOUGH. If you are struggling to find the money to treat yourself, there is a much cheaper pure white alternative available from trusty old Barry M called Foundation Creme White. Okay, not quite the same quality, but does the same job for next to nothing. You can purchase Barry M online, or in store at Boots or Superdrug for £6.19.

Barry M Foundation Creme in White

Of course, there is also the issue of 'what if the foundation is now too yellow, or too pink'. Well, I tend to go pretty basic here, and look for the pinkest/yellowest foundation I can even out the tone with, ideally with the same finish qualities, so long wearing/sweatproof/dewy/matte etc. 

For example, I have a big love for Smashbox Studio Skin 15hr Wear Foundation but it's so darn DARK it's like fake tan on me! When I add white, it turns pale yellow, and I am neutral in tone, leaning to pinky, so what I do is add another favourite of mine, Make Up For Ever Face and Body foundation in shade 38 Pink Porcerlain into the mix. It's not only a pink based foundation, but it's also water resistant and oil free like the first, so they work together well. Never mix an oil base with a water base, they will repel each other like hateful ex's, and separate as far as they can get from each other, on your face, leaving you red faced and blotchy. Again, like a hateful ex. 

I hope this post has been somewhat useful to the pallid of tone out there. I have written this from my poorly sickbed, so I hope I make some sense in all this ramble. Thank you for reading me girls! 

Review - The Beauty Blender + cleaning fluid = AMAZE

Beauty Blender. Yesterday. 

Hello! So, despite me never posting this blog ANYWHERE or sharing it or telling anyone about it. It seems I have an awful lot of readers and I have to admit, i'm shocked and very very flattered. 

The Beauty Blender is an oldie, and oft written about, but for such a ubiquitous product in the internet world, I barely know any woman that owns or knows about its talents. Weird non?

Now, there is one point I have to make, this guy is quite pricey, he retails at £16 for on solitary sponge, and £26 for the above kit, which I kindly had purchased for me, which includes the special anti bacterial wash you need to clean him up after usage. 

The Beauty Blender ltd ed white kit with solid cleanser and carrier

Lets see what the press blurb says....

"the ultimate make up sponge applicator. Beautyblender has been created to leave you with a professional finish and a flawless complexion. Forget your fingers or sharp-edged triangular sponges, these application methods waste make up and can leave visible streaks."

I have read a million foundation application products claim that they will do just what the beauty blender says, and I have used everything except an airbrush, in the hope they'll do what they claim. Here's the news, The Beauty Blender does EVERYTHING IT CLAIMS.

Literally. Every single thing.

Here's how to use it - run it under a tap, squeeze out the excess. Put your foundation on the back of your hand. Pick a small amount up with the sponge, and bounce over entire face until you have the finish you desire. Wait for foundation to dry down. MARVEL AT COMPLEXION.

It does what no other tool can, you can easily build coverage over red areas, nip in around the nose, fill in pores, then follow up with concealer under the eyes. If you're feeling fruity, you can also press in your powder with it.

I have to impress upon you, over and over, that this is a MUST HAVE product. MUST. HAVE.

It does give an airbrushed finish, it does make the product easy to distribute, it's easy to keep clean and it's just the most perfect thing I own. Is that a recommendation? Do I sound like a loon? Yeah...probably.

If you want to dive in to easy foundation application, then you can purchase the beauty blender, in all its various formats, direct from the manufacturer website HERE or from Cult beauty HERE 

Review: Becca Radiant Skin Satin Finish Foundation (swatches etc)

Hello! So some might have guessed if you've read any of my posts, that I am a foundation junkie. I buy foundation constantly. I can't afford it, but I do it, it's an illness. I am sucked into the whole media myth of glowing, even, beautiful perfection that will last all day and then some. I purchase every foundation with manic, excitable eyes, staring wildly and exclaiming 'THIS IS THE ONE!!! LOOK HOW IT SHINES!'. Picture that if you will....or don't.

Anyway, as i've said before, I desire coverage to even out my dirty looking pale skin, dimension, not full on shine but a glow, and colour match. I also want it to last on my oily skin. It IS too much to ask, I have four draws full of foundation to prove that.

So when I saw the fact that Becca, a brand that DOES cater for my paleness was bringing out a foundation of a more traditional formula, that was also water/sweatproof, I was sold. GODSPEED IT TO MY POSTBOX BECCA!!! And they did, for the not too generous price of £35 for 40ml, plus postage, because there's no local stockist now. So far, so expensive, but also hopeful.

Becca Radiant Skin Satin Finish Foundation. Sitting there, costing lots. 

I purchased it in shade Porcelain, which is described as a fair ivory,beige pink, which also happens to be the palest shade. This is it's claims....

"With a sophisticated formula containing sebum-absorbing properties and a soft-focus complex, the latest foundation by BECCA creates beautifully natural skin with subtle radiance.

Infused with Ejitsu Rose to promote radiance and reduce inflammation, and anti-oxidant ingredients to protect, the ultra-smooth Radiant Skin Foundation glides over skin to disguise imperfections whilst providing a medium, buildable coverage."

So it was basically all I was looking for. Satin, soft focus, buildable and smooth. Sadly I think this wasn't 'the one' for various reasons. It wasn't it's problem though, it was mine. It was pretty translucent, which, if you have good skin already it would just give you an airbrushed vaguely sheeny in a healthy way finish. It'd be awesome. However, for me this foundation did start to disintegrate off my nose within two hours, and i'd primed and used a setting spray. The amount of building I had to do to get the finish I desired, which was nice at first, meant that the product began to separate and look heavy, sadly. In comparison to the luminous skin colour, it's a hell of a lot of coverage, but not enough for an uneven lady such as I. As much as I'd like it to be! 

Here's le swatches......

Becca Radiant Skin Satin Finish Foundation in Porcelain

Blended out. Note the lovely healthy sheen! 

So in conclusion, lovely as this guy is, he's not going to be the answer to my foundation prayers. As I say though, if you have skin that doesn't suffer from too much uneveness, this could be your holy grail, as it is a beautiful product, just not for my poor face.....

I purchased Becca Radiant Skin Satin Finish Foundation from Becca's website here for £35

The Eternal Search cont....

Happy 2013 all! I always find this time of year is great for those who find small talk difficult. You can say the same thing over and over and someone has ALWAYS got a response. What did you do for christmas? With the family? Was it nice? Turkey etc etc? New years? What you do? Have fun? Drunk etc etc? As it happens mine was incredibly stressful. I did a night in east london and it was my first one in my current guise, and anywhere other than central. It was great but when there's responsibility there's stress, and where there's stress there's sweat....which brings me full circle to the point of this and my previous post on the search for the best long wear foundation. So I shall carry on with my experience of spending eight hours in a very hot room for NYE.

I didn't have much choice of what foundation to use because I had to put on my slap there, in a horrid toilet, with girls swanning in and out chatting to me and asking for pictures. Whilst lovely, it's not always a happy me when i've half a face of slap, and i'm also a rather severe sufferer of OCD, and not the 'I think i'm a bit OCD' kind of thing that people say, that really bugs me as it doesn't make sense. I have it properly, so touching my face, in a club toilet, it's a trial.

Ramble over, onto the products.

I used a base of Mac Prep and Prime Natural Radiance which i'm still not sure is meant to be a permanent or limited edition item, as i've been told different things in different stores, but it's a product I LOVE. I'll do a separate review of it at some point. I then buffed on my beloved Mac Pro Longwear Concealer, with a Mac 188 Duo Fibre Brush to cover up the vast redness in my skin, and I had a bastard spot, and that stuff has medical grade ingredients to treat spots, so thanks Mac, you rule. Then finally, I used one of my more recent purchases, which is the below....

Stila Stay All Day Foundation and Concealer in Bare

I buffed it on with my new most treasured brush, the F22 Round Topped Kabuki by Blank Canvas Cosmetics. Which, btw, is the most amazing brush company, I love this brush even more than my beloved Real Techniques brushes, and thats saying something! I then used my Chanel loose powder in Rose Clair with a rolling puff technique, and spray it all over with a fixing spray, namely Urban Decay All Nighter to stop that horrid flat powdery look. 

I won't go through the rest of my routine because frankly, it'd get boring. However, I wanted to impress upon you what lengths I go to keep my make up ON during the sweaty hot nights I live through. 

Anyway, firstly, I must as an aside, let you know that this stuff is PALE. Yes, pale enough for me. It's pretty neutral, not running particularly yellow or pink, which is also a win, and IT DOES STAY. If you wear it without primer or powder, it's not going to be quite so spectacular, but this stuff doesn't crack, and the wear time I would say is around the nine hour mark before it starts wearing a little thinner. 

So in summary, this shit WORKS. However, it is pretty matte, not flat matte, there is dimension, but this isn't anywhere near 'dewy'. How many long wear foundations are though?? 

So in my long wear search, this scores HIGH. I recommend!