Saturday, 13 November 2010

Review: Studio Secrets Professional by L'OREAL PARIS

Smoothing resurfacing primer.

I was recently given this which I was pleased about as I had been wanting to try it for a while.
As i have mentioned, I am big on first impressions and the magazine and tv adverts make this look very impressive. So i was desperate to try.

For a while now, i have been testing another primer from the previous range, which I will review later. This product is completely different.

  • This primer comes in a tiny glass jar, and for £12.99 I thought this wouldn't last me long but It is lasting longer then expected.
  • The contents is pink in colour and it has a very faint, pleasent smell. Eventhough it is pink, it does not appear on the skin after blended.
  • It feels thick in texture but spreads and blends really well.
I have a very oily T Bar at times and this works really well at combating that issue. Once it is applied, you can't feel it which is great as I have had problems with some primers in the past.

My advice is once you've applied it, put off putting your foundation on for a couple of minutes so that it has time to sink into the skin. Make sure to blend in well around the corners of the nose. Use this time to get a refreshing glass of water. (Always good for the skin). 

This product is really super. My skin looked great for hours, tho after running around for quite a while it did start to faulter, however I can't blame it at all.
SOme primers I have use din the past have made my skin feel tight after application, which thankfully this didn't and it also made my skin feel lovely and soft to the touch.

Would recommend this to everyone that will listen. The pot is small but it will last you the month depending on how many times you apply it. Only a small amount is needed on each application.
It's a MUST BUY!

Review: MAC Face and Body Foundation

I had never used this product until earlier this year when I have a make over and the make up artist used it on me. I always tried before to use a thickish foundation to try and hide the redness on my nose. I also thought that this product would be too light for me. Boy was I wrong.

As I have mentioned before, I have ALABASTER skin so I need to choose my colour of foundation carefully.
In the MAC Face and Body FOundation range, I am actually a C1 but I wear a C2. I love my skin colour but something I would like it to look slightly darker.
This colour is brilliant as I still shows how pale I am however it stops the really stupid people saying I look ill because I am so pale.

This product goes on really well. As the product is so light, I don't really recommend using a cosmetic sponge as it soaks a lot of the product up, however I do use one for blending around the jaw line (VERY IMPORTANT!)
I like to use a MAC 187 brush for application. The brush is a bit pricey but it is a brilliant investment to any kit.

I am lucky as I really look after me skin so it is in good condition so I can wear this foundation. It is very light and gives a very slight coverage. If your skin has redness, spots and other imperfectiobns, this isn't the product for you.

I love this foundation. I try other ranges all the time however, I will always come back to this. It gives me enough coverage, is easy to apply and lets my skin breathe.

At £23 a bottle, this is a star buy. 

Johnson's 24 hours Facial Moisturiser

This isnt the moisturiser that I have in my kit but it is in my personal collection so I thought I would share it with you anyway.

The one that I am currently using is the one for dry and sensitive skin (as winter seems to have appeared its ugly head early). This product is soothing with SHea butter.

I really like the first impressions (these mean a lot to me).  The pot is small, glass and has a cute lid. Just the right amount of information has been put on the jar and it is easy to read.

I love products in little glass containers. Super cute.

Back to the product. This is a white coloured moisturiser and it smells lovely. It may smell strong in the pot but it won't when it is applied to the skin.
As this is the one that is design for the drier skin types, it is thicker and the one for combination skin. Eventhough it is slightly thicker, it can be applied with smoothly and does not feel heavy on the face.

I always use this when the weather changes as I can get very drier around the corners of the nose, and this moisturise sorts that problem out in no time.
It can leave a slight shine on the skin, however, I just blot my skin with a tissue to soak up excess oil before applying make up.

This really is a nice little product. I was shocked at how well this works and it will certainly be one of my favs for a long time to come.

Review: Eau Thermale Avene Thermal Water

On the can it claims that it have soothing actions on: SUnburn, After anti-acne treatment, Diaper rash, various forms of irritation, RAzor burn, After hair removel.
Comforting, refreshing action: To complete cleansing, to "set" make up, after outdoor activities, in summmer and when travelling.

A lot to live up to. It is completely true. This is a little god send in a can and my handbag is never without one.

I tend to use this in my cleansing rountine. After removing the eye make up and cleansing the face, I spray this lightly onto my skin and then pat in very gently. My skin instantly feels refreshed and clean. It also soaks into the skin very quickly with lasting results.

I have very delicate skin, which can become dry very quickly when the weather changes but this helps sort the problem out straight away. It is also very handy to have in the heat, as the can always stays cool and is great for a instant burst of freshness.

This is great for all skin types.

I haven't tried it on diaper rash however.

A must for every woman's and make up artist's kit.

Rimmel Passion Red 535

OMG! I love this lipstick. I admit, I had my doubts but I was proved wrong.

I love it! The colour is amazing, really bright.

*Caution: Red is not a colour for the easily shy. You will become a head turner.
The colour is thick but not heavy and goes on it on smoothly with one application.

Remember to apply a lip liner, otherwise, you are going to have a problem.

This lipstick stays put really well however, I made certain with some lipfix.

I also like, then when you wipe away this lipstick, it will leave a lovely stain on your lips, if you want something a little more low key.

Amazing lipstick. May keep this to myself.

Wednesday, 20 October 2010

Review: Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush in Plum 05

As i have said before, I have very pale skin (which I love) so I have to choose my blush carefully for what I am doing. 
During the day, I usually wear the Dolly Pink cooler which is super cute as it gives a subtle hint of colour. But I will review that product another time.

In the evening or when I want to achieve I more dramatic look, I ump my colour up to this Plum colour. As it gives a lovely colour to the cheeks.

What I like most about cream blushes is that they soak a bit more into the skin. I find sometimes, depending on skin type, these can achieve a more natural colour. As they don't cake on top of the skin like some poweders can when your skin gets hot.

They are very easy to blend (I use my fingertips), once you know where you want the product to be.
I also love that you can build up the colour very slowly or very faster. If you do make a mistake, I wipe a bit of with a tissue and then concentrate on blending to achieve a natural colour.

This product comes in a nice little range of colours. There are not many shades but, as I have said, you can build the colour up so a wide range is not needed.

Once it is applied to the skin, you can not feel it as the formula is so light and it will stay put all day I find, depending on the activity I am doing. If you are going to the gym, you have no chance.

They come in cute little glass pots, with lids matching the contents colour.
They do appear small, however, the contents will last you a long time.
I think is product is roughly around  the £6 mark which is a total bargain for what you are getting. This is a product that I would hate to be without .
Totally love it!

No7 Smokey Eyeliner Brush

 I was planning to show you a range of brushes first however, I have decided to mix it up a bit.

It is important to have some good quality brushes in your kit. You could have the most amazing product but if you don't have the tools, your money could be wasted. Think about it, you wouldn't apply a Chanel foundation with a brush you found in a £1 shop.
Also, take your time with brushes, just cos you have great brushes, doesn't mean you are going to get amazing results first time. It takes practice to find out what brushes work best for you and for different effects.

Make up artists try to go for the best brushes that they can or the ones they feel they work the most comfortable with.
My personal favourites are MAC and Crown brushes.
If you want the same thing that is fine but remember to really look after them and spend time cleaning them has they have a high price tag.

No7 have a range on nice brushes for different tasks and they work really well I find without the huge price tag. So I would recommend these for your home kit.

The first brush that I am going to review is this one.

Now, it is the most expensive one in my kit by far however, it is  (I think) a super little brush.

It is black and gold in colour and very smoth, with lettering in gold. The bristle are very short to give great control. The are also packed very tightly together to achieve a soft and full brush.
The handle is short enough that you can work without having no control over it however, its not so short that you are right up in your client's face.

As the bristle are so soft and full, it does help to achieve a stunning smokey effect without a major hassle. I love using it for under the eye areas and smokey V's.

It is designed to be used for lining the eyes, but I have also used it  for tiny amount of concealer and even as a lip brush when I wanted a very soft look.

Remember to clean well afterwards, contamination is not sexy. I base it on the same rule as underwear, wear it once and then wash it lol.

Back to the brush. Amazing product, easy to use, achieves great effects, looks great on its own or in a collection and a resonable price tag.