Bourjois Bronzing Primer

Having been without a beach holiday this summer and with the British weather being typically British, my face has been lacking that sun kissed glow. That is, of course, until I discovered this wonder of a product from Bourjois which I absolutely adore as it is essentially, summer in a pot.

 First things first, the smell is incredible. Its got that chocolate smell which is familiar with Bourjois bronzing products, yet there is also something undeniably summery about it which just reminds me of holidays. My favourite way to apply this is to layer it underneath my foundation all over. The colour at first might seem quite dark and somewhat orange, yet as you blend it in it gives the appearance of a healthy natural tan. You can skip primer as well as this serves as both bronzer, and also something that will smooth out and matify your skin. After my base is done I also like to go back in with this on my forehead, around my hairline, and cheekbones to really bronze up the contours of my face.

Another reason why I was drawn to this was because of its cream formula which I can't get enough of in summer to create a really fresh and glowy look. Its texture is also very gel-like which makes it really easy to work with. I have also began to contour my nose slightly which is much easier with cream products, and I find that this works well for that. I simply use a small brush and draw two lines down the bridge of my nose to crease a slimmer effect, and then blend in until the lines disappear. This can be really transformative if you blend enough, giving you the illusion of a smaller nose. To further illustrate this, I use a highlighter in between these lines to make it even slimmer. This is slightly more orange for contouring as your best with something more ash toned, yet I find it works amazingly for a tanned healthy glow all over the face. I have heard people compare this product to Chanel's extremely sought after Soleil Tan De Chanel bronze universal bronzing makeup base, which retails at £32. I have never tried this myself as I have opted for cheaper alternatives, but I find it hard to believe that it can do something radically more impressive than this much cheaper one from Bourjois, retailing at just £9.99. In my opinion this is a must have in my summer make-up bag as it gives me both a realistic tan, and is great for contouring.

Let me know what you guys think of this product/ what else are your summer staples?

xox

My Three Favourite Foundations: Best For Each Skin Type

These three foundations all from the drugstore are my tried and tested favourite foundations possibly ever. I go through phases of using each one depending on how my skin is feeling and what look I am going for. I have absolute confidence in recommending all three to you depending on your skin type, and it just goes to show that you don't have to spend an extortion to achieve great looking skin!

My pick for combination skin:

How do I know if I have combination skin?

If your skin is combination, you have fairly normal skin which means that you may have normal skin with an oily t-zone which is most common, or maybe you have dryness around your cheeks but not all over. Your skin will have a comfortable feeling with a smooth, even texture with small pores. You may experience moderate shine and larger pores on the forehead, nose or chin, but not excessively so.

If this sounds like you, you are lucky in the sense that any formula of foundation will probably suit your skin. A favourite of mine is Rimmel's Match Perfection liquid foundation. This is a great stock foundation; it is perfect for normal skin as it provides good light to medium coverage and evens out your skin tone without masking your skin or leaving your skin feeling cakey or heavy. This can be shiny on my skin without powder, but on combination skin this would be perfect to control the skins oil and also provide a natural glow. It is not overtly dewy or mattifying which makes it the perfect middle ground for foundation. This foundation is also incredibly pocket-friendly at £6.99. Rimmel also has a fairly good shade range of 12 shades so you can be sure to find a suitable match for your skin tone; my shade is 103 'True Ivory' which is probably a little light for me this time of year but has still been a great colour match nonetheless. It also has a great SPF of 18 so you can forget about applying sunscreen; this beauty has it built in which is one less hassle to worry about which makes it a great summer foundation. All in all I find this product to be something of an ideal everyday foundation and certainly one I will be repurchasing in the future. It leaves me with a radiant finish but still manages to cover near enough all of my imperfections. It also smells lovely which makes its application all the more nicer, whats not to like?

Oily skin:

How do I know if I have oily skin?

Having oily skin can be a complete nuisance sometimes, I find that I get needlessly oily throughout the day and have to carry a compact powder around with me all the time to stop 'the shine' from occurring. If like me, you have oily skin, your skin will be shiny, especially through the T-zone (the forehead, nose, and chin); it is a condition caused by overactive sebaceous, or oil-producing, glands. You may find you have large, visible pores, especially on the nose and forehead, and are also prone to frequent breakouts as these are caused by the excess oil on your face.

The best foundation for oily skin for me personally, is foundation Revlon Colourstay especially for oily/combination skin. If you have dry skin I would completely stay away from this foundation as it would do nothing to hydrate your skin, although there is another formula of this that you can use. This foundation is oil-free and quite heavy, but not heavy enough to feel like your skin is blocked and cakey. I personally find the texture of this foundation to be just right for me because it is not too liquidy as it is quite thick, but this is great for concealing blemishes, acne scarring, hyper-pigmentation and all the rest that oil-skinned people often have. The only thing about this foundation that can be annoying is that, for one it has no pump which I really hate because it means that you can't always control how much you get out. But also, as soon as you put some on your skin you must work it into the skin right away with a buffing brush; I recommend using the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush for a flawless, airbrushed finish. If you dot some around your face all over and then expect to blend it at the end, this will make it extremely difficult to blend as it starts to set into the skin which makes it hard to move. If you start blending each section right away though, It is not a problem. As much of an annoyance that this technique can be, It is also probably the best thing about this foundation as once it is in place, it will not budge at all until you take it off. It is completely bullet-proof which means that no amount of heat or oil will cause this to melt off your face which makes it the perfect foundation for oily skin. I don't wear this on an everyday basis unless my skin is really unclear or I'm having particularly troublesome oily skin, but I always wear this for a night out because longevity is key and I trust that it will keep my face looking matte and fresh all night. The real test for this foundation was my prom in which I had this on from 4pm-4am, and it was still firmly in place at the end of the night; a true testament to how great this foundation is. You can get this foundation for a very reasonable £12.49.

Dry skin:

How do I know if I have dry skin?

If you have dry skin, your skin will feel tight after washing and may look dry or flaky. Pores will be small, almost invisible and the texture may be rough and uneven; dehydrated.

Liquid foundation is therefore necessary for dry skin in order to hydrate it and smooth your skin out. I have tried using Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation, but I have found this slightly oily for me due to my skin type, yet this would be perfect for dry skin. I can however, get away with this when I use a fair bit of powder, purely because I love the radiant effect on my skin which is beautifully fresh for summer. It is super hydrating and makes your skin look luminous and dewy, not shiny. I do like to use this when my skin is less oily as it creates such a radiant glow, but it is not mattifying which I rather prefer. I have heard so much about Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum, but I think the foundation gives more coverage. I would say this gives medium coverage, but it can be applied quite lightly. In a similar way to the Revlon foundation, I find you have to blend this into the skin quickly and then it sets and looks great. It does not hold up on me as long as the Colourstay foundation, but this is due to my skin type most probably and for dry skin it would last a lot longer. Whether or not it lasts the supposed 16 hours is debatable, but this depends on how you prime your skin and your skin type. It does smell gorgeous however which I love, it has a super fruity scent which is beautiful for summer and it feels like it does a lot of good for my skin. It contains crystalline pigments for an even complexion and a healthy glow and also contains apricot for radiance, melon for hydration and apple to protect your youth. You can get hold of this for £9.99. 

I hope some of you guys found this post helpful; I was wearing the wrong type of product on my skin until I realised I had oily skin! The important thing is that you find the best foundation that works for you, for your own skin type.
xox

My Summer Make-Up Essentials

So seen as it is summer I thought I would create a post on all my summer beauty must haves, especially products that are bullet proof/heatproof as there is absolutely nothing worse than heavy make-up slipping and sliding all over your face in the heat. I personally love wearing less make-up in summer as I prefer the more natural look and usually with a tan, I don't feel the need to wear nothing more than the basics. But at the same time, a lot of people still like to wear their usual make-up but just change to products which are much more long lasting and will keep your make-up looking fresh all day long. 

Base:

In the summertime I usually still like to wear a foundation, purely because I have a bit of hyper-pigmentation from acne scarring which I prefer to cover up, but if your have near enough perfect skin I would totally skip wearing foundation; a bit of concealer will have you set perfectly. I like to switch to something that is quite light in texture so it doesn't feel like I have make-up on, but at the same time, something that gives me decent coverage and generally makes my skin look better. I love wearing my good old trusty Rimmel Match Perfection foundation; this is my go-to foundation and I wear this on a daily basis purely because I trust that it will look good without being heavy. This is perfect for the summer too because it is light and can be applied sparingly using a buffing brush for an almost sheer, tinted moisturiser finish, but is also very build-able and provides a good amount of coverage. What makes it ideal for summer is that is has SPF in it of 18 which is perfect; it means you can skip the sunscreen step on your face which is a lot more convenient. 

An alternative to wearing foundation is a BB cream; I have recently started testing this one from Rimmel which is better if you have near-perfect skin as it doesn't provide a great amount of coverage, which is why I prefer the foundation. This is perfect for holidays though when I don't like to wear a lot of make-up; it has SPF 30 which is fantastic, and is super lightweight so it doesn't feel like you have anything on your skin other than moisturiser. This product claims that it has 9 steps in one, including primer, concealer etc, which makes it the perfect one step product for holidays to stop you carrying around heaps of make-up. 

On top of this I've also been testing the Wake Me Up concealer, also from Rimmel, which I have seriously been loving. I think this is the best concealer for summer because it is super light yet still covers dark circles and blemishes, without creasing which makes this an essential in my summer make-up bag.

Also, If you are going on holiday and you know that your skin will most definitely change colour, I would advise getting hold of your foundation/BB cream one/two shades darker depending on how much you tan, that you can mix into your regular shade in order to adjust to your new skin tone. 

Bronzer:

In the summer I would absolutely not be without bronzer. It accentuates your already fabulous tan and if you haven't got a tan, it is all the more believable that your bronzed glow is real purely because it is summertime! My favourite one at the moment is the one from Bourjois; I have used this for a few months now and I think it is the most natural looking one I have used. Dust the bronzer on anywhere on your face that you would usually tan the most; the bridge of the nose, the temples, and highest points of your cheeks. Then blend down into the jawline and neck in order to match and create a flawless finish. Not only does this bronzer smell unbelievable, but it is perfect for me because it is matte, with a very slight soft shimmer which makes it more natural looking. When I am tanned on holiday, one of my favourite looks is to just wear bronzer all over for a tanned glow, with a bright coral lip to bring some fun and colour to the face.

As well as bronzer, powder and highlighter are also essential for summer. For me, there is only one powder I turn to all year round, but for summer especially I use none other than Rimmel Stay Matte powder. There is a reason that this powder is a firm favourite in so many beauty guru's kits; it is fantastic. For somebody who has oily skin, I can vouch that this powder will keep your make-up in place and keep you looking matte and shine free all day! 

For highlighter I have been drifting between my all time favourite Benefit High Beam which is amazing as it provides such a pigmented glow to the cheeks, perfect for summer as it makes you look radiant and luminous. I have also been trying out MUA's Undress Your Skin shimmer highlighter, which is great for the price and I absolutely love the marble effect finish of the packaging. It is not as long lasting as Benefit's High Beam, and at times it can be somewhat chalky, but it does have strong pigmentation and if you apply just a little bit, it gives a lovely shimmery finish which is perfect for summer.

In the summertime, although I still wear powder blush most of the time, there is something about cream blush which makes them perfect and much more suitable for summer. Lately I got hold of Revlon's Photoready cream blush in the shade Pinched, which is a beautiful peach, natural toned blush. It has a lovely texture and finish on the skin, and if you set this with powder it will stay put for ages! A much more natural, 'barely there' make-up look for summer.

Eyes:
Like with the cream blush, cream shadow is so much better for summertime because it has stronger staying power; powder has a greater tendency to melt off the skin, especially if you have oily eyelids like me! I have therefore been gravitating towards my favourite shades of Maybelline Color 24HR Tattoo cream shadows, in 'On and on Bronze' and 'Pink Gold'. The pigmentation in these is unbelievable and they look amazing on the eyes alone, or you can use these underneath eye shadow which will really help keep it in place all day long. Another I have been loving is the Rimmel Scandaleyes eye shadow stick in 'Bulletproof Beige'. This colour is so gorgeous because it is a super subtle beige, gold colour with soft shimmer, which makes this perfect for a natural look and also as a base for shadow. These are really easy to blend out with your fingers, and once in place they set and stay place for absolutely ages.
Another essential for summer in my opinion is waterproof mascara. This will ensure if you are swimming or just in the heat and you find that your eye make-up smudges, that this will stay put.  Although I absolutely adore Maybelline's The Falsies, I couldn't find a waterproof formula, but I have been loving Max Factor's Clump Defy waterproof version. This is super bulletproof, but it also gives a natural looking effect and is true to its name as being non clumpy which I think is perfect for summer because it doesn't actually look like you have loads of mascara on; just that you have lovely long lashes. 

Lips:

Bold lips is probably my favourite  trend for summer because I think it can transform a look and make it fun and edgy which is perfect for the laid-back style summer look which I love. I don't like super matte lips in the summer because it can be quite drying; I much prefer lips that are soft and moisturized with colour, hence Revlon's Lip Butters are perfect. They are super moisturising so you don't need balm, but I would advise wearing a lip balm with SPF because burning your lips is horrible. My favourite shades of the lip butters are 'Wild Watermelon' which is a beautiful red, coral tone with bright pink undertones, and 'Raspberry Pie' which is a pink fuchsia with a hint of purple if you build it up. What I love about these is that you can apply only a  bit and blend it out with your fingers to create a soft stain and hint of colour, or you can build them up to create the same effect as a bold lipstick, but with these you have the benefit of having soft, hydrated lips too. 

Summer is probably the only time of year when I wear lip gloss  I'm much more of a lipstick girl, but in summer I think gloss is beautiful. I have been using this gorgeous pink gloss with hints of gold shimmer from Model co, courtesy of Glamour magazine this month, so get your hands on it because it is such a steal! It is not too sticky; one of the reasons I dislike gloss most of the time is because of the glossy texture that always sticks to my hair!

What have your been loving for summer?

xox

March Beauty Favourites

1. Nivea Daily Essentials Express Hydration Primer: 

I'd never bought into the idea of using a primer as I just always presumed it was unnecessary and that a good moisturiser does the job fine, however when I tried a sample of this one from Nivea courtesy of Glamour magazine, I had to buy it. What I really love about it is its ultra-lightweight feel; it isn't heavy like a moisturiser and its almost transparent which makes it absorb onto the skin instantly, so you don't have to wait to apply your make-up. It acts as both a moisturiser and a primer so it nourishes your skin and also makes your make-up stay in place longer. For me personally I've noticed a huge difference in my make-up application since using this as my foundation stays in place all day, and it also manages to control the oil on my skin so I don't have a shine problem. It also smells lovely, and it's really inexpensive too; I got mine when there was an offer on but the normal retail price in Superdrug is £4.99. 

2. Nivea Lip Butter in Caramel Cream:

Also from Nivea is their lip butters which I've only just discovered. This one in caramel cream smells unbelievable, it is literally good enough to eat (it reminds me of cake mix!) which is ideal if your like me and go mad for anything that smells delicious. Besides the smell it is really great for moisturising your lips, I find it a lot better than Vaseline as due to its thick buttery texture, it nourishes your lips for a lot longer. It certainly rivals my much loved Korres lip butter, and is ridiculously inexpensive at just £1.50. They also have a raspberry flavor that I'm yet to try, and a  macadamia one that we don't get in the UK, sob. 

3. Barry M Nail Paint in Blue Moon:

Since spring is upon us, I have been wearing Blue Moon from Barry M pretty much throughout this month. I think It's the most perfect shade for spring as it is a pale pastel blue colour with a very slight metallic shimmer which is so subtle it is barely noticeable. I adore pastel nails this time of year, and this one is really fresh and cute. As always Barry M is amazing for the quality of nail paint, I find it lasts for ages without having to reapply and I love how cheap they are at just £2.99. 

4. Jimmy Choo Perfume:

I got this fragrance at Christmas but pretty much neglected it until now. It is such a pretty, feminine scent that is not heavy or overpowering at all. I started using it a lot this month because I think it really is great for this time of year as it is so subtle and fresh for spring. It's also something really different to anything else I have; usually I quite like scents that are quite heavy and bold but this makes a lovely change, I'd definitely go try it if you haven't yet. 

5. Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation:

I had heard so many good things about this foundation from Boujois that when there was a 3-for-2 in Boots I just had to grab it. First of all, this is the foundation and not the serum, they have slightly different packaging which got me real confused but this one is brand new so I thought I would give it a try. I had heard that this is similar to Chanel Vitalumiere foundation which had me sold, and also I loved the sound of opting for a slightly lighter, glowy foundation which is so much nicer for this time of year. I was a bit skeptical about the promise of a healthy glow; seen as I have oily skin I didn't want to be too glowy, however this foundation is really lovely. It does give me a slight radiant, dewy glow, but it is by no means shiny or oily looking. Another problem I thought I would have with this is the coverage, as as it promises a healthy glow I thought this would mean a compromise on coverage which isn't great news for me because I have a bit of hyper-pigmentation which always needs covering. This however still manages to provide full coverage which is great, but at the same time lets your natural skin shine through which I love. I'm not sure what the big difference is between this and the serum, but I think this might be heavier coverage which works better for me anyway. I really would recommend this foundation as it uniquely offers a flawless complexion which stays in place throughout the day, whilst still providing you with a healthy looking glow. You can pick this up at Boots for £10.99. 

6. Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer:

This is another product that I had heard so much about that I just had to give in and get it. Before this I had only ever used stick concealers so I didn't really know what to expect with this, however it did not disappoint. I got the lightest shade as it is really important that you go one or two shades lighter than your foundation as, especially under the eyes, it is good to highlight this area which is only possible if it is a bit lighter. I really love using this under my eyes, I just use the applicator to run right underneath the eye, and I also take it downwards slightly to create a V shape, which is a great technique if you want to brighten this area. This is such an amazing drugstore concealer as is ridiculously inexpensive at around £4 I think. It really makes you look more awake and is great for dark circles and also covers up scarring and blemishes which is great. The only negative thing about this is that the writing on the tube pretty much wiped off as soon as I put it in my make-up bag which was kind of annoying and a common issue, but obviously not a major issue as whats inside the tube is brilliant. I know a lot of people already use it and I can see why, so if you never have and your looking for a great drugstore concealer then this is your answer!

7. Bourjois Bronzing Powder: 

This is yet another product that I brought because of all the recommendations I heard about it on YouTube and on here (one of the reasons I love blogging so much!). I was in need of a bronzing powder as we are getting into spring now finally and especially for the summer, I like to look more tanned but in a natural looking way. First things first, it has to be said that this bronzer smells amazing! It is like chocolate but also like cocoa butter which is so delicious, I have to smell it every time I open it. The packaging is also really cut and reminds me of something Benefit would produce so I think it is really great for a drugstore product. I use this for contouring my cheekbones by just taking it from the top of my ear to the middle of the cheek. I also use this around my temples, hairline and around the jaw to give me that sun-kissed, bronzed glow look which I love because it makes me look so much healthier and radiant. It is also the most natural looking bronzer I have ever used; it is not orange toned at all, and it has a very slight amount of shimmer but it is still mainly matte which I prefer. You can pick this up for £6.99, or get down to Boots like I did whilst the 3-for-2 offer is on.

8. MUA Undress Your Skin Shimmer Highlighter: 

I picked this up from Superdrug on a whim because it was only £2! At that price I would have been stupid not too, and I absolutely adore highlighter, particularly at this time of year as I love that radiant skin appearance. I have been using a little of this just above the apple of my cheeks over my blusher and bronzer, and this highlighter seems to blend all three together into a gorgeous combination. It is surprisingly subtle therefore you don't need much of this at all and it creates such a beautiful radiant glow on the cheeks when it catches the light. The only thing I'm not crazy about is the smell; It smells of some sort of chemicals which isn't very nice, but it's not a major issue when you consider the ridiculously cheap price. 

9. Maybelline The Falsies Mascara:

This purchase was long overdue as I had heard so much about it, but I'd been waiting for my MAC one to run out before I could purchase it. This mascara is really unbelievable. It is by far the best mascara for volume I have ever tried. It really lives up to its name and is so volumising that I have been ditching my false lashes lately because I find that this is enough. I got the ultra-black drama one because I love really black lashes. What I love so much about this mascara is the curved brush which really helps to coat every lash, even the ones in the inner corners which is really quite difficult with a straight wand. It lengthens  thickens and holds a curl well, without looking too clumpy. You also don't need to build it up loads which can turn clumpy; it is enough with two coats max. Buy into the hype because this is really worth it! £7.99.

10. Revlon Lip Butter in Raspberry Pie:

I have had this lip butter from Revlon in my make-up bag for ages, but I have been using it all the time this month because it is such a beautiful colour for spring/summer. First of all, I'm pretty sure everyone is aware of how great Revlon lip butters are because they really are such a beautiful formulation. I wish all lipsticks were like this because they are so moisturising and creamy, but they still have amazing pigmentation. I know that some of the lighter shades just provide a sheer coverage, but this shade Raspberry Pie provides the same coverage as a lipstick. It is a gorgeous dark pink colour that almost verges on purple; it is actually quite similar to MAC's rebel, but more on the pink side. I think the formulation of these is also ideal for spring as I tend to prefer not so matte textures during warm weather. I really want to try more of these lip butters so If anyone recommends any shades, let me know in the comments below! 

11. Rimmel Kate Mosse Lasting Finish Lipstick in 107 Wine:

This is yet another product that I brought this month because I felt like I had heard so much about this particular shade that I had to own it myself. 107 is a gorgeous, rich dark red tone with slight purple undertones. It is probably not the most suitable spring shade, I think its actually quite perfect for autumn/winter, but I love this shade nonetheless and have actually worn it quite a few times this month already. The quality of these lipsticks are fantastic, the pigmentation is excellent and actually remind me of MAC lipsticks. The stain does last a long time, but the matte formulation can be a bit drying so its necessary to moisturize your lips beforehand. 

xxx

Sparkling for Spring

Hey guys! Firstly, I'm sorry I've been away for a whole month now! I haven't abandoned the blog I've just been ridiculously busy with coursework and the rest, but lots more new posts are coming this way! Secondly, I went to an 18th last night and thought I'd share my make-up look; its very spring appropriate because it's such a pretty look, quite unlike the normal evening make-up I wear. 

These are the products I used to get this look..

Face:

Nivea Express Hydration Primer

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder

Boujois Bronzing Powder

No7 Blush in 'Coral Flush'

MUA Undress Your Skin Highlighter

Eyes:

Maybelline Colour Tattoo in 'Pink Gold'

Urban Decay Naked Palette- (Virgin, Sin, Toasted, Hustle)

Maybelline Gel Liner

Maybelline The Falsies Mascara

Lips:

MAC Rebel Lipstick

Collection 2000 Hotlights Lipgloss in 'Glow'

Nails:

No7 Stay Perfect in 'Milan'

Hope you all like the look and have a great Easter weekend!

xxx