My Foundation Stash!

 

Now I don't really make a secret of the fact that I am a foundation fanatic! Whenever a new one pops on the shelves I'm always excited to try it. So, I thought I'd do a slightly different post sharing the foundations currently taking up space in my make up bag!

 

 

Max Factor 'Facefinity All Day Flawless 3 in 1' - (Shade - Warm Almond) This is the latest addition to my collection! As far as I know, it's the newest Max Factor foundation, but correct me if I'm wrong! I'm going to do a full review on this, because I've been so so impressed with it. I bought it on a whim in Superdrug where it was on an introductory offer at £8.99 instead of £11.99. It claims to be a primer, concealer and foundation all in one with all day lasting power. I've never used a Max Factor foundation before as I've never been a major buyer of their products, no particular reason! But this is one amazing 'does everything' foundation and I'm currently wearing it every day!

 

Rimmel 'Lasting Finish 25 Hour' - (Shade: Ivory) Now this is my 'sweat proof, transfer proof, night out proof' foundation! I've been using this for years as my staying power essential. You can pick it up in most places for around £5, and for the product you get, that's an amazing price. I can put this on in the morning, work all day, and then carry on through to a night out without having to worry if I'm shiny, cakey or it's rubbing off on my clothes. Highly recommended to those with a busy and hectic lifestyle!

 

Sleek 'Be Beautiful Blemish Balm' - (Shade: Very Light) I've professed my love for this BB cream on a previous post, which can be found here. But in summary, this is a great alternative to foundation, with amazing coverage for those who feel they have something to cover. A great day to day, easy to wear foundation.

 

MAC 'Studio Fix Fluid' - (Shade: NC15) I've also given this miracle worker it's own post over here. This is my high end foundation and one that I can always rely on and will continue to re-purchase! It gives amazing coverage with not a lot of product, and is a perfect daytime foundation with the added SPF. As noted in my post, the only downside is that after around 6 hours I start to look slightly shiny. But, over time it definitely grew on my as a HG product.

 

Bourjois '1 2 3 Perfect' - (Shade: Light Vanilla) When this first came out there were absolutely loads of blog posts about how great it was, another Bourjois foundation that was adored by all. I had a similar experience with it I must say. It's amazing at doing what it says on the bottle - giving a flawless, even complexion. My only complaint with this is that it turned me orange. Before putting the foundation on the skin it was the perfect ivory colour. However, when blended and applied it suddenly turned much much darker?! It's a strange one. I'd be interested to know if anyone else experienced this?

 

Rimmel 'Match Perfection' - (Shade: Ivory) So I might have accidently saved the worst till last.. I was so unimpressed with this foundation. It's meant to 'adapt to the colour and texture of your skin', but it really didn't. It was thick and gloopy, didn't blend, was sticky, went streaky when powder was applied on top.. Just endless problems. Don't think I'll be buying again!

 

What's your favourite foundation?

 

Illamasqua Pure Pigment in 'Furore' - THE Multitasker?

                 So here comes another review of another amazing Illasmasqua product. It's no secret that they are fast becoming my favourite brand (which is a biggie) and I wanted to share with you another addition to my growing collection.

     

 

Pure Pigment in 'Furore' (a champagne peach shimmer) is a bit of a multi-tasking beauty.

Illamasqua say Pure Pigments are 'Made to be played with. A metallic, high-shine, pure-colour powder that highlights eyes, cheeks and brows. Mix with eye shadow, blusher or use it on its own to intense effect. Bring out your bold side'

 

When introduced to this by the lovely Illamasqua assistant, she suggested I use 'Furore' as an every day eyeshadow, a highlighter, and mix it in with my foundation for an unmissable glow. I've been using it every day in one of these three ways, and it's safe to say that it's now got the seal of approval to be a HG highlighter, amongst other uses!

 

 

Applied on the brow bone and along the top of the cheek bone, 'Furore' creates an unmistakable sheen to absolutely make up look.

 

 

I'm now really excited to expand my collection of pigments, and start to mix them together to create different looks! You can find the full range here.

 

Have you tried any Illamasqua Pure Pigments and what do you use them for the most?

Sleek 'Be Beautiful Blemish Balm' - Review

 

Now, if I haven't mentioned before I am NOT a BB cream kind of girl. It's foundation all the way. I like full coverage and a matte finish. After trying to get on the BB cream bandwagon time and time again, they just weren't for me due to the fact that they were too thin and provided no coverage for my sometimes problem skin.

 

However, then I discovered Sleek's Be Beautiful Blemish Balm. I don't know what it was, but I saw this not long after it's release in Superdrug and I was too intregued not to buy it. I think my attention was primarily caught by the 'full coverage' and 'conealing' description.

 

 

Sleek say: "Be Beautiful Blemish Balm is Sleek MakeUP’s latest multipurpose product that can be used as a primer, tinted moisturiser or can be built up to be worn as a foundation. This multi-tasking wonder balm has countless skin loving benefits:
- Not only works hard to nourish and conceal imperfections but also protects the skin from harmful rays with SPF15.
- Is highly moisturising, has anti-aging properties all whilst providing full coverage.
- Enriched with red algae extract which provides anti-ageing properties and protein peptides that work to repair the skin.
- Contains jojoba oil that provides a moisturising formula, creating a smooth and flawless base, concealing imperfections whilst preventing discolouration and dehydration lines.
- Vitamin E protects the skin from early stages of UV light damage and reduces the formation of free radicals that could lead to premature ageing.
- Vitamin C brightens the complexion leaving your skin with a youthful and luminous finish.
- The range includes 4 shades specifically for fair and darker skin tones."

 

 

I honestly have to say, I am completely won over by this product. After trialing it for around two weeks, I've come to the conclusion that for someone who loves full coverage like me, this is the perfect lighter daytime foundation option.

 

The balm comes in 4 shades - Fair, Light, Medium and Dark. Shade '801 - Fair' is really light and a perfect match for my sun deprived skin.

 

 

 

At first try I wasn't happy with the streaky mess it left when trying to blend on my skin. But, after much patience and lots of blending, the result is a perfected and flawless base and definitely as much coverage as a good high end foundation with the added benefit of being a moisturising balm. I'd definitely compare the coverage to MAC's Studio Fix Fluid. 

 

This being the end result when my usual Rimmel Stay Matte pressed powder in Translucent is used over the top:

 

 

Pros

 

Really full coverage with the added effect of almost 'blurring' blemishes.

 

Lasts a good 8 hours when used with powder.

 

Creates a flawless and even base.

 

Cons

 

Some people may struggle with 4 shades if you are inbetween-er, a wider shade range could be an improvement for Sleek.

 

For people who prefer a matte finish like me, powder is needed as a finishing touch. But definitely worth it for the long-lasting end result.

 

Final Thoughts

 

Sleek's Blemish Balm is an amazing product that I will continue to purchase as my daytime foundation alternative. I was shocked by the amount of coverage it offers for a BB cream and by the flawless base it creates.  It is definitely a great alternative for a full coverage daytime foundation junkie like myself, who sometimes has a few spots/blemishes to try and cover.

 

What's the best BB cream you've tried?

 

Illamasqua 'Ambition' - The perfect blush?

So on my birthday I went to what I've decided is now one of my favourite places, Illamasqua. Illamasqua is a brand that I've quickly grown to adore, for many reasons, and after my little makeover from the absolutely lovely Leeds girls I got majorly excited over quite a few products, and this power blush in particular.

 

 

 

'Ambition' is described by Illamasqua as a 'neutral, shimmer finish'. I'd be tempted to say its slightly more on the pinky-peach side than neutral, but it certainly has a shimmer finish. On Illamasqua's website the blush seems to look a bit more brown than it does in real life, so don't let that put you off.

 

 

The colour is absolutely beautiful, and applies like a dream. It's such a buildable blush that you can sweep a subtle glow over the apples, or opt for a more dramatic flush. Since I bought it I haven't put it down, it makes a great daytime blush and for nights out I apply just a little bit more. At £18 it's probably one of the more expensive blushers that I've purchased, but it's 100% worth the money. The incredible quality of Illamasqua's products doesn't go unnoticed.  

 

 

Pros

 

The colour lasts all day, it's definitely a long-wearing blush.

 

The shimmer element makes this a perfect daytime blush to add a subtle glow to any make-up look.

 

The pigmentation is great.

 

Cons

 

Unfortunately... there are none!

 

Summary

 

This is an amazing blush from Illamasqua that has fast become a staple in my make-up bag. It's versatile, long wearing and most importantly for any girl... it's shimmery! It's so easy to wear that it would suit most skin tones. A failsafe.

 

 

What's everyone's holy grail blush?

 

 

NOTD: Illamasqua Ruthless

So I thought to myself, it has been absolutely ages since I wore a classic pillarbox red. Illamasqua had the solution for me in 'Ruthless', sitting in the back of my collection of nail polishes, forgotten! I think this is a great classic anyway, but especially for the autumn months.

 

What's everyone's choice of nail colour for autumn?

Lord & Berry Black Wardrobe Smudgeproof Eyeliner

Major apologies, I haven't gotten lost! Just been a bit waylaid with moving and whole bunch of other excuses that just aren't really very good...

 

Anyway, I'll jump right in with a review of the Lord & Berry Black Wardrobe Smudgeproof Eyeliner in shade Mirror Black. I was looking for a new everyday eyeliner, and my requirements are always highly pigmented and more importantly, smudgproof and waterproof. Not that crying is a regular occurance for me, it's just that I like to feel.. prepared for anything, if you like! Having never tried any products from Lord & Berry before, I spyed this on ASOS and thought it looked pretty interesting.

 

 

"Black Wardrobe has the ultimate assortment of black liner pencils: because there is more than one way to wear black! All the shades of black you need to complete your look; matte, glossy, sparkly and violet-black. You can choose a different kind of black for each outfit!

For woman internationally, at any occasion, at any time of the day or night, black eye makeup is always in fashion, and Black Wardrobe has the products you need"

 

 

Pros

 

Lasts all day and night - definitely has ultimate staying power. Great for nights out. On my first use I applied first thing in the morning and it lasted through a day of work and a night out afterwards.

 

The pigmentation is amazing, as you can see above. One stroke gives you a bold, intense line.

 

Glides on really easily, yet doesn't feel wet or greasy.

 

Cons

 

It does go down fairly quickly and have found myself sharpening more than I would like. However, at £6.50 I don't mind so much.

 

Removing the eyeliner is a bit difficult, but this is bound to be the case due to the staying power.

 

Final Thoughts

 

This eyeliner will definitley last longer than you do! If you're not a fan of the bold look for daytime, then you'll love it for nighttime. This is an amazing product for the price, and I'll definitely be looking into discovering more Lord & Berry products.

 

 

Are there any eyeliners with epic staying power you've discovered?

 

x

 

 

 

NOTD: Candy Stripes

Quick NOTD post! Another bash at nail art. This was quite a lot easier than I expected it to be and also quick! Using W7 'Sunstone' as the base and Angelica Nail Colour in 'Be Mine' for the stripes!