After the Hype's Died Down

By know I'm sure you know how things work in the blogging community. Really well known and well loved bloggers receive some press releases of new and exciting products, wet everyone in the beauty communities palette, and by the time they're released to shops the aisles of Boots are cleared for weeks. Once you find the coveted item you get home and use it constantly for days, maybe even weeks; and then something else comes along.

Sound familiar? I know it's what I do. Today I thought I'd share with you my thoughts on products long after the hypes died down.

Clinique Blush Pops - Aren't these just the prettiest. That's what drew me in. However I must admit I wasn't that blown away once I started using it. It just wasn't what I wanted it to be, if that makes sense. However, it's prettiness keeps it in rotation as I like seeing it in my basket.

Loreal Extrodinare' Gloss - There have been so many liquid lipstick releases over the past year or so, and I think this one is actually my favourite. I reach for this quite a lot as it applies nicely and the colour goes with  everything.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder - These original powders have been well and truly been put in their blusher shadows, however I still really like this powder. I don't use it as much as I found a cheaper dupe, so this is just special occasions for me now.

Bourjouis Cream Blush - For some reason me and cream blushers are on a bit of a break. I love how they look, but for someone with oilyish skin, summer is not the time to be whacking out creams. Maybe my love will rekindle in the winter?

Maybelline Colour Tattoos - If I'm honest I don't give these guys the attention they need. I prefer the Rimmel Scandal Eyes Sticks as the application is much easier and the packaging is sleeker. Sorry Maybelline.

Revlon Lip Butters - Right, in the interest of full disclosure, I kind of forgot about the whole lip butter thing. I know! Sacre bleu! I think it's because Revlon have had so many new and exciting lip releases I've just forgotten. I must remember to use them more.

Bourjouis Rouge Edition Velvet - I must admit, I don't wear this often, but I think that's more due to the fact I feel uncomfortable in bright lips atm. I'm having one of those phases.  When the more nude colours are released, maybe it'll be a different story...

Rimmel Appocalips -  I much prefer the Loreal version. I find these get on my teeth too easily and smudge a bit too much.

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains - I can't remember the last time I used this. For me, my crayon fave is the Bourjois one. (I guess I'm a bit of a Bourjois whore atm!)

Chanel Cream Blush - This is the only cream blush I've used in the past few months, but I fear that's more cause I feel like I need to use this, rather than I want to. Again, let's wait till winter rolls round.

So what do you think? Remember/use these products?

Laura

Spring Fling: Cheeks

I decided I wanted to do a little spring series here on the old blog. I do love me a little series every now and again and the changing of the seasons allows the perfect opportunity. I'm going to start my series focusing on cheek products, tomorrow eyes and then Thursday will finish with cheeks.

The Bronzer - Okay, so this isn't necessarily a 'spring fling' as I love this product all year round, however everyone needs a bronze glow and there is no better product for it than this. There's a load of different intensities in the Clarins Bronzing Duo so you should find a shade that suits your skin tone perfectly. The shimmer in it is simple and subtle and can rarely be seen.

The Bronze Glow - Ah Nars South Beach is what started my multiple craze. I love this product, plus it's Millie Mackintosh approved. I love using this as a bronzer, highlighter and contour. It really is a multi use product and this is the perfect spring/summer shade.

The Cream Cheek - This Bourjois Cream Blush in 03 is a great spring shade as it is has just the right amount of pink to coral ratio to make it a great transitional colour. The cream formula is makes the whole dewy sunkissed look great and means it applies seamlessly. 

The Powder Blush - MAC Dainty blush is a mineralise finish which means it has a hell'uva lota glitter in it, but it's milled enough to not make it look like you've face planted a vat of glitter. For me spring says pink, and you can't get a prettier pink colour, that truly comes off pink, in a good way!

The Luxury Item- Everybody loves a bit of luxury in their life. This Chanel Blush is the perfect peachy pink colour that blends in well to your skin and gives you that perfect springs day flush. Plus, it's Chanel, beautiful enough just to look at.

What are your spring fling blushes?

Laura xoxo 

Review: Chanel Creme Blush in Revelation

Ok, so who didn't swoon slightly at the sight when they heard about the new 'Le Blush Creme De Chanel'? I for one new exactly that one would be coming home with me as soon as. I had Boots points stored and I knew how I was going to use them. The problem was, which colour to choose?! 

In the end I ended up going for the gorgeous slightly pinky peach colour Revelation (shock!)

At first I thought this colour may be a bit too pink for me, but when swatched it definitely has a slight peach undertone. Perfect! 

These blushes are just the perfect balance of cream, but going to powder when placed onto the skin. You can build up or par down the colour to give you a density you prefer.

What I love about cream products is their function to work not only as a blush but also as a lip colour too. Although it is a bit drying! Plenty of balm at the ready!

It is safe to say that this blush and I have started a love affair and little else has graced my fair cheeks since!

The only question is, which shade do I choose next?

What do you think?

Laura xoxo

Throwback Thursday: Chanel Bronze Universal

I didn't really think that I would be able to wear this product much in the winter, but the other week, I grabbed for it, and was pleasantly surprised how easy it was to wear. I find that applying this with a light hand and my Japonesque Safari Kabuki brush, it looks so effortless, and brings a bit of warmth to my face, which is needed in these cold months.

As you can see, it is very dark and oranged toned, yet when blended and lightly applied, it gives a lovely pop of colour.

I like to apply this as a soft contour, rather than as a bronzer, especially now that it is winter.

Have you been using any of your summer products now that it's winter?

Laura xoxo

Three Ways to Use: Soleil Tan De Chanel

If you read my post earlier in the week you will see that I've just started using this product more. When I first bought it, although I loved it, I kind of put it to the back of my collection as I wasn't 100% sure of a way to wear it. But now I've found three different ways to wear it and thought I'd share them with you. Obviously there are other ways and this isn't the law, but just ways I like to wear it.

First up brushes. Now I think the brush you use changes the way that this products works. The brushes chosen are the Elf Studio Powder Brush, my No.7 Kabuki Brush and the Real Techniques contour brush.

Before I show you the ways, I also thought it would be helpful to show you wear I apply it.

I do realise it look like I just put it all over my face, but I do just try to concentrate on the hollow of my cheeks, cheek bone, temples, nose and chin area.

Way One:

In this way, I like to take my Real Techniques Contour brush, or the Elf Brush, depending on my mood and how precise I want the look to be.
Before putting on foundation I place the product where I want the contour to be, the apply my foundation over the top. I find this works best when using my mineral powder foundation, rather than liquid.

(Just foundation and Chanel Bronzer.)

As you can see, the orange-ness has gone, and I am left with a nice contoured face.

Way Two:

For this I like to take my big Kabuki brush, which at the moment is from No.7 but I don't really like it as it's a bit rough, but can't justify buying another one at the moment, but it has completely ruined the look of my bronzer, sob! 

Anyway, I take the brush and just basically fully take the bronzer all over my face, again before foundation. I find that a kabuki makes it a lot farther, and it is less of a precise look. I like to do this before a night out so I look more tanned, rather than for a contour. I usually use a powder bronzer for that.

Way Three:

At the moment this has been my favourite way to use it, and I have done so daily for a while now. Again, I take my Kabuki, but this time on top of foundation, and with a light hand for a bronzed glow to my usual look. I would say perfect for summer, but let's face it, I think summer has better things to be doing this year!

So it is now love with this product. I hope I have given you some new ways to use it if you have it.

How do you like to wear it?

Laura xoxo

Sample Showdown

Due to the overwhelming kindness I received from my Foundation Face Off post, I decided that I would further this idea in my quest for the perfect foundation (which I may have found? Check here!). Now my purse is getting rather annoyed at me for buying foundation to try, and I'm quite frankly running out of room to house these foundations,  so I decided to go on a sneaky sample spree. (I like alliteration, can you tell?) Anyway, these are the ones I've collected, and my verdict on them!

Estee Lauder - Invisible Fluid - £27 


When I first put this foundation on in the morning, the first time, I was impressed, I thought it looked rather good. It applied really well, which surprised me as the sample I got in the magazine was not the best, but I really liked it. However, in a couple of hours, it had started to fade, and after around 7 hours it had started to collect in random places on my forehead, now I'm not a scientist but from what I've read, is this due to oxidization? Or is it because of the shake formula?The second time I applied it for these photos, I was not impressed, it didn't look smooth and flawless, it looked kinda cakey, but did calm down a bit, so strange. Anyway all of this has made it a no for me!

Colour - Fine, maybe slightly too dark
Coverage - Light to medium
Longevity - Around 6-8 hours
Sample Size - Rather good - around three uses.

Chanel Vita-Lumiere Aqua - £31


So many people talk about this foundation, and I tried it when I went to get my Estee Lauder Double Wear, and didn't like it, but I thought I'd give it another go with a sample. It applied so easily, and can really be built up, but give a natural look, which I liked, however I felt like my face felt greasy after, and it didn't look right. However on my hand where I put it before using my brush, it looked fantastic, so I think that it may be my skin type (whatever that is) that it doesn't work with. That said though, I think in these photos, it photographs really well, but in real life, it doesn't look that flawless, so I won't be getting it unfortunately, but I do recommend trying to get a sample of it. However, if I become rich one day, I think I would buy it, not cause I think it's fabulous for me, just cause I really want it. (I promise I'm not crazy! But for some reason I really want it!!!)

Colour - Great
Coverage - Light to medium, but build-able
Longevity - Only around 3-4 hours, which makes me think it's my skin type.
Sample Size - Average - two wears.

Benefit Hello Flawless - £24.50

This foundation has so much buzz around it, and I'm kind of left asking why? I think it's an ok foundation, and if it was on the highstreet/drugstore I wouldn't grumble as much, but it did just not like my skin tone. I was first matched to Honey which was just too orange for me and the Ivory colour was much better, but I think it was just a bit too light coverage, and hardly lasted on my skin at all, which is such a shame as I love Benefit and think their campaigns and products are gorgeous, it's just not for me.

Colour - Ok, still a bit too warm for me.

Coverage - Light 

Longevity - Not very, around 4 hoursish.
Sample Size - Good - I've only used it once but will definitely get a least one more out of it.

Diorskin Forever - £31 
This is definitely my favourite out of the four. It applied so smoothly and blended like a dream. It is pretty medium coverage leaning towards the light, but it feels soft on your skin, and when feeling my skin it felt so lovely, strangely it probably looks the worst from photos though. Unfortunately I'm not swayed to buy it, as it is slightly the wrong colour for me (only slightly, but for this money, I want an exact match!) and it didn't last 'forever.' By the end of the day it had worn off slightly, not as bad as the others, but it had, which again, is probably my skin as the woman at the counter was like, 'make sure you double cleanse' as it sticks around a lot. Ah well, if this was a highstreet/drugstore foundation, I'd get it within a heartbeat, but for this price, no thank you. Shame really!

Colour - Good, but still not perfect (which you can't tell in the main picture)

Coverage - Medium

Longevity - 8 hoursish
Sample Size - Average - around two

There are so many more foundations I want to try out there, but I kind of feel really awkward asking for samples. Many of the women at the stands were lovely, but some you could tell were thinking, go away cheapskate, especially if you didn't stay for a full makeover and buy a product, do you find this?

I feel the need to add that everyone has a different skin tone, and just because none of these particularly worked for me, doesn't mean they won't work for you. I have:
*an oily T-zone and dry cheeks with numerous blemishes and scars.
*I am rather pale, but do have a lot of redness too.


I also want to say that never go from pictures on a blog, try and get hold of things yourself. Different lighting etc can effect how things look in real life, sometimes for the better, sometimes for worse. I think that needs to be kept in mind.

So what do you think about getting samples? Are you a wuss like me, or a confident Connie?

Laura xoxo

*I didn't buy any of these samples. First picture is just moisturiser/primer, second is just foundation and large is a full face of make-up!

Worth the Hype?

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has bought something due to the fact that the world and it's wife has blogged about. It's like when at school it was cool to collect Pokemon cards, or put balls of gloop in your airing cupboard to make it have 'babies' (I'm talking about those Aliens, you know what I mean, right?) Anyway, we are all dragged in by hypes, and sometimes I question are they really worth it?

So in this post I've picked some of the items I bought due to the hype online, and will give my opinion of whether  I  think they're worth the hype!

Maybelline Color Tatoos

Simply put, yes! I think these little beauties are amazing. I think the On and On Bronze (right) is better, as it has a creamier formula and lasts much longer, but overall, these are definitely worth all the hype. Best bit, they're only a fiver! More shades please Maybelline! 

MAC Painterly Paint Pot

When I first started watching Youtube Videos every other one contained this product. Seriously, it seemed like a holy grail item. When shopping I got it without even swatching it as there was not tester out, got it home and was a bit like, this is it? It's very concealer based colour, and I was just a bit like, what is the point? However I think the fact that I have worn it pretty much daily since I bought it, speaks for itself. I think I may need to try other colours too? Yes I hear you say, that's what I thought!

Revlon Lip Butters

I'm sure you are all sick to death hearing about these. When I first swatched them, I hated them. They were sticky and just not what I expected. I then swatched them again, and actually found this colour to work quite well, so I got it (mainly for this post! Or so I tell myself) I do get why everyone loves them so much, but to be honest they hype is so huge, that it really just did not live up to it for me. So it's a no from me. The Loreal version on the other hand....

O.P.I Nail Envy

Firstly I did not pay £18 for this. I snatched it up on Buyapowa, and oh my goodness, when I do run out, I think the £18 will be spent. I love it. My nails have never felt or looked better, gone is the flaky, breaky nails, hello strong new ones. It crops up quite regularly on Buyapowa too, so keep an eye out for it!1 Definitely worth the hype. Your nails will love you. 

Chanel Bronze Universal

I've been wanting this for a while, and got a gift card for Boots for Easter, and thought, why not? I've got to say, I think the price tag, is very high for what it is, but it is also the only cream bronzer I can think of on the market. It really does add that something special to your make-up, but I also think you could live without it. I'm really split on this item, I think if you have the money, great, get it, but if you don't there are better things to spend your money on!

And finally, a little extra:

I absolutely love these books, especially the second and recommend them to anyone. I honestly thought I wouldn't like this, but I am yet to find someone who does not like these. The film is extremely good too!

I hope this post has come in slightly useful, I think I'm going to do another one at some point in the future so keep a look out!

Have you tried any of these? Do you think they're worth the hype?

Laura xoxo

Free Makeup...

...well if you purchase the magazine. I don't know about you but I reallly wanted to try the new Chanel Perfection Lumiere after hearing so many good reviews about the aqua lumiere. However it does carry a £36 price tag, so when I got a sample in my Glamour magazine I couldn't wait to try it out, however I'm left slightly disapointed.

Aside from the fact that is was the wrong shade (which I can overlook, it was in a magazine) it just didn't give a good coverage. It smelt amazing, and felt amazing when on my skin and I love how soft and silky my face felt, but that does not justify a £36 price for me. As I said the coverage was just not worth the money, I would expect little concealer required and flawless-eqsue and that I did not get. I also found it hard to blend after I had put it on, so you would have to work fast with it. Saying that though a lot came off as I took my pyjama top off afterwards.

As you can see it is slightly orange, but aside from that my blemishes still show, which is the same as my BB cream gives me, and that costs £7. I think that if you have the money to spend and are looking for a light coverage than this would be a good foundation, as my skin felt lovely afterwards and it has a gorgeous smell.  However I won't be purchasing this (unless I win the lottery) it just isn't for me. Overall I would give this a 6/10.

My second freebie is something I'm sure you all know about, the Soap and Glory thick and fast mascara. I was really excited about this, I don't normally purcahse Elle but this mascara did it for me. It has a lovely fat, simple brush, which I love and doesn't clump at the end. I think it is quite easy to apply though the coverage again isn't that good, unless you coat it up.

Overall I would give this mascara a 7/10 as it does give my lashes a nice natural look, being thick and getting it fast though is something it just doesn't do.

Hope this is helpful.

Does any one else go by the freebies they get given in magazines?

Laura xoxo