The Almost Tinted Moisturisers

The amount of categories of base products is pretty amusing really isn't it? We have tinted moisturisers, BB creams, CC creams and whatever is developed next. Today I want to talk about those 'almost tinted moisturisers' or moisturisers with a 'hint of tint' as they like to call themselves.

The Underneath/Mixed in Product - When I first used Soap and Glory's Glow Job I tried to use it as a base straight away, which didn't really work out for me. I've since found that it works best applied underneath a foundation (only a tiny amount needed) or mixed in with a pale foundation.

The Original - Ah, Origins VitaZing the product that begun my craze in the almost tinted moisturiser area. I really love this product, from the application all the way down to the smell. It really evens out my skin tone but my skin still has a natural look to it. The only thing wrong with it is the price, some a not quite tinted moisturiser it is £27, a bit pricy in my opinion.

The One with Skincare Qualities - The most recent addition to my almost tinted moisturiser stash is the Garnier Miracle skin Cream which boast skin care qualities alongside the a skin tint. It is really hydrating as well as giving a good boost of colour to the skin too. Alongside this it also aims to reduce signs of ageing and is only £12.99, score.

What are your favourite almost tinted moisturisers?

Laura xoxo

Review: Garnier Miracle Skin Cream

So this product is another hopeful Origins VitaZing dupe. I purchased it just a few days after getting the Soap and Glory Glow Job as I wanted to see how the too compared.

Firstly this one contains SPF which the Glow Job didn't, so it already had my attention due to that. Again I first used it in this video, and as you can see I definitely preferred it to the Soap and Glory one.

This products boasts many more skin-care qualities too. It aims to hydrate your skin whilst removing signs of ageing over time. Now I am young, but I don't see any harm in using this product now, prevention is much better than a cure after all.

Hydration-wise it definitely is above and beyond the Soap and Glory offering. As soon as I put it on my face I can feel the hydration sinking in. It also has a nice fresh smell, which I tend to associate with Garnier products. I will say that it doesn't last 24 hours, especially in these cooler months. Some times in the after it does start to rub off my skin due to dryness, and I would say I have slightly oily skin; something to consider if you have a dry complexion.

Pigmentation wise, it can look a little orange at first, but does blend out well and is definitely a fierce contender for my loved Origins VitaZing.

This is me with this moisturiser, some concealer and a bit of powder on.

Overall I'm really happy with this product and would most likely buy it again.

What do you think? Have you tried it?

Laura xoxo

Review: Soap & Glory Glow Job

Whilst I do love a good scrub or body wash, Soap and Glory make-up has never really called to me for some reason. One weekend I was reading a post by Vivianna Does Makeup (which I'm usually doing to be fair,) and saw her mention this product. From the description she gave it sounded a little like the Origins Vita-zing moisturiser so I decided to pick it up, as I'm always looking for a cheaper alternative. 

The Soap and Glory Glow Job describes itself as a 'sunkissed tinted morning moisture flash'. Basically it's a moisturiser with a bronze tint to it.

When testing it out on my hand I noticed that the pigments in it where quite orange, but after a bit of blending seemed to smooth themselves out.

You can see my first impressions and application of this product in this video as this was the first time I'd used it on my face. Oh boy, did it not really go right. As I said in the video I definitely looked like I'd escaped from Wonka's chocolate factory, it was not good.

I have tried it since and definitely believe that less is more. The second time I used it underneath a foundation and think that it's definitely the way forward with this product.

If you're lucky enough to have foundations too light for you, or once summer approaches want to add a bit of tanned glow to your skin I definitely suggest giving this a go, but in the winter on your face, I'm going to have to give it a miss.

Have you tried this? What did you think?

Laura xoxo

Body Basics

I'm not really a body care person. Hair and skin, check! Taking care of my body though is something I can't really be bothered to spend the time on. There are a few things I like to do and keep in rotation.

Garnier Body Intensive 7 Days - I've talked about this product many a time, and when I do use it, it's pretty darn good. It's great at locking in the moisture and keeping skin soft and hydrated.  

Soap and Glory Flake Away - For me a good scrub is a must. I have pretty rough skin and this is great at removing the dead skin cells and leaving me with smoother skin.

Soap and Glory Rich and Foamous - This is my favourite for two reasons: 1) It smells like Yankee Candle Christmas Cupcake Candle and 2) it's bloody huge and lasts forever. It foams amazingly and the smell lasts for ages.

What are your body basics?

Laura xoxo

Soap and Glory Flake Away Scrub

I'm sure you are all well aware of the brand Soap & Glory. They are a company that have well and truly climbed to the top of the ladder recently. I'm yet to find a blogger that hasn't raved about them, and from what I've tried, rightly so. I have mentioned my love of the Breakfast Scrub previously, when it ran out, this was all I could get, so I thought I'd give it a try.

Now the skin on my arms resembles a sun-burnt crocodile that is very embarrassed. It is red lumpy and slightly scaly (soz for the gross image, it's not that vile, but ya know, poetic licence and all.) So I like to exfoliate every time I shower and follow with some moisturiser, and slowly it is starting to calm down.

Unlike the Breakfast Scrub, Flake Away is a slat scrub so you have to be careful not to be too harsh, and avoid any cuts and open wounds (NIIICEEE.) It has a very perfumed scent, which I'm not a massive fan off, I much prefer the maple sugary goodness of the Breakfast Scrub. The grains of this scrub too are much finer. However, it is still in a tub which means products under nails and a bit of a kerfuffle in the shower, but is it worth it?

Unlike the Breakfast Scrub, this doesn't really dissolve and a little bit stays on your skin, which is very, well, weird. It took me a couple of usages to get used to this, however what this does, is keep your skin much more moisturised, after the shower. So much so that it doesn't matter if I forget to use moisturiser. 

Overall, I am put off my the smell, but I love the overall feel it gives, and I do prefer it to the Breakfast Scrub. Both are great products that I would recommend, but I think you need to asses your skin type to decide which one to purchase.

What's your favourite Soap & Glory product?

Laura xoxo

Fast Face!

This was going to be called The Five Minute Face, but I actually timed it so that I knew I was being truthful to you, and it actually came in at around four minutes, now that, my lovely chums, is fast!

(excuse my eyelash in the corner)

This is definitely the make-up I use if I'm in a rush, or want a couple more minutes sleep. It's quick, simple and easy!

Loreal True Match Mineral Foundation - Review

Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer - Blemishes

Soap & Glory Trick and Treatment - Under Eye

MAC Painterly Paint Pot

MUA shade 20 - upper lash line

Gosh Eyeline in 015

MAC Mineralize Blush in Lovejoy - Review

No.17 Mirror Shine Belle lipstick - Review

As you can tell by the slicked back hair, and hook hanging out my jumper, this was a morning that I was in a rush!

What are your fast fix items?

Laura xoxo

Celebrity Inspired - Jennifer Lawrence

Hope you all had a lovely Easter and are enjoying the Bank Holiday !!!

I'm back with another Celebrity Inspired look which I've wanted to do ever since I watched The Hunger Games a couple of weeks ago as I've developed a slight girl crush on Jennifer Lawrence. I think she handles herself so well in interviews, comes across as such a down to earth person and played such a good Katniss. So with all that combined, and the fact she was the inspiration behind my new fringe, I decided to try to re-create her look from the London Hunger Game premier.

Source

For this look she has a very smokey, golden eye, with a nude lip and very little on her cheeks.

Base:

Maybelline Dream Nude Airfoam - RT buffing brush

Soap & Glory Trick and Treatment Concealer - Under eye

Rimmel Hide The Blemish - Blemishes

Maybelline Dream Matte Powder - Sigma F20

Eyes:

Maybelline Color Tatto On and On Bronze - All over Lid

Front Cover Baked Bronze - Upper Lash Line

Front Cover Frosted Almond - Crease

Beauty UK No.4 Palette, Black - Under Eye

Maybelline One by One Mascara

Loreal Super Liner

Rimmel Kohl Liner

Face:

Bourjois Bronzer

Collection Shimmer Shades - Just the light pink colour

No.7 Vital Brights Highlighter

Lips:

No.7 Lipgloss in Whisper

What do you think of Jennifer's look? Did you think she did a good job as Katniss?

Laura xoxo

P.S I've decided to join a bloghop which you can also join here :)

Celebrity Inspired - Hillary Scott

I have been listening to the song Just A Kiss on repeat for ages over the last week, and I love Hillary Scott's make-up in the video, so much so that I have tried to re-create it here for you.

Hillary's make-up is rather simple, a nice grey smokey eye, and a small flush of colour on the cheeks, with some strong liner on her eyes and a nude lip.

Base:

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation - Buffing Brush

Soap & Glory Trick and Treatment - Under Eye

Rimmel Hide the Blemish Stick - On Blemishes

Eyes:

MUA eyebrow pencil

No.7 Mirror Ball Eye Palette - Grey over lid and black in the crease

Loreal Super Liner

Clinique High Definition Mascara

Asda Brown Liner - Bottom Waterline

Contour:

Bourjois Bronzer - Boots Blush Brush

No.7 Vital Brights Highlighter - Models Own Angled Brush

Hervana Blush - Real Techniques Blush Brush

Lips:

No.7 Lipgloss in Smile

Here is a link to the song here!

I love this look and would love to know what you think too.

Laura xoxo

New FOTD

I've had a lot of different ideas of what to title this post, lazy day face, new face or everyday face. But it's not exactly something I do when feeling lazy, I don't have an 'everyday' face, so new face it was. My spending ban has been well and truly broken, and I wanted to show you some new products I have. Quite a lot of them have already been reviewed by lots of people so I thought I would just show you them in a FOTD.

So a mixture of old and new products, and I thought I would give a quick review of new products I'm trying:

MUA BB in Light - I bought this because I had read quite a lot of positive things about it, and it was only £3 (such good value!!) It doesn't give me enough coverage to wear it daily by itself, but I love using it as a primer, it really evens out my skin tone, and helps my foundations blend in and look more natural. For a more in-depth review check out Zoe's!

No7 Vital Enlightening Highlighter Powder - I love this product! I am so glad I bought it. It was the last one left and I got it for around £8 I think as I used my No.7 voucher, but would happily pay the £13 for it. It is such a lovely creamy powder, and a gorgeous golden tone to it, rather than a pinky tone that quite a lot of powder highlighters have. Hollie's review is really good!

Maybelline 24 Hour Tattoo - 35 - On and on Bronze - I don't need to say much more than, these bad boys are worth the hype! Check out Lily's review and Sophie's too!

Gosh Eyeliner in 015 Pure Natural - I really like having bright, and awake looking eyes, and find that white liner is slightly too obvious and over powering, and have been looking for a flesh toned liner for a while, I then found this. I really like it, I think it really opens up my eyes and as it's waterproof it stays put all day. That my friends, is what the call 'good times.'

Collection 200 Shimmer Shades - 2. Blushalicious - I had seen Lily blog about the bronzer shimmer shades, and then saw this in Boots, and wanted a shimmery blush for summer, it also looks great underneath my Benefit Hervana blusher to make it pop. It has a simple shimmer to it, and think it will give a lovely flush in the summer. 

So here it is on my face:

MUA BB

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation

Soap & Glory Trick and Treatment - Under Eyes

Rimmel Hide the Blemish - on Blemishes

Loreal True Match Powder

MUA Eyebrow Pencil

Maybelline Colour Tattoo

MUA Shade 20 eyeshadow - upper lash line

Gosh Eyeliner - Lower Water Line

No.7 Lash Adapt Mascara

Sleek Contour Palette Light - Bronzer as Contour

No.7 Highligther

Collection 2000 Shimer Shades

Belle Lipstick

What do you think of these products? Have you tried any of them?

If you would like more in-depth reviews just let me know!

Laura xoxo

Mascaras

It appears I have acquired numerous mascaras over the last few months, so being the sharing person I am, I thought I would do a comparison post of all the mascaras I own, and my opinions of them. Now I think I've only actually bought two of these mascaras, (Max Factor and Maybelline) the others were freebies or gifts, so I don't feel too guilty for owning this many! Unlike my little lipstick addiction!

First off, my go to mascara of choice, it appears in quite a lot of my posts and it is the Max Factor High Definition Mascara:

I really love this mascara. I found it in November and have pretty much been using it daily since. It separates and lengthens my lashes and, well, gives them great definition. I'm not that fussed about Volume in my daily look, and this gives the perfect balance, creating length and just the right amount of depth, leaving me with good natural looking lashes.

Next up is Maybelline's The one:

Now this was my go to mascara before I found my Max Factor one, and I must say, I can see why I used to love it. It is a mascara that I have re-purchased a lot, however stopped using it in favour of my Max Factor one, but to be honest, I really like it again now. (At least I've helped myself, if no-one else finds this post useful.) It gives great volume and length, and I think it is the perfect mascara for nights out, when Volume is a must, for me anyway.

The next two mascaras are freebies from magazines, but need a mention anyway. Firstly I want to talk about the Clinique High Impact mascara (free in April Edition of Cosmopolitan.)

I tweeted about this mascara a while ago when I first got it and said that it may be taking the place of my Max Factor one. It really elongates my lashes and gives a gorgeous natural finish, and I love it. It is £15, whereas the Max Factor one is around the £8 and can usually be gotten in deals, so just for that fact alone I think Max Factor will win, however this is a truly great mascara.

The other freebie is one I'm sure you're all aware came in an issue of Elle, the Soap & Glory Thick and Fast Mascara. I did a mini review on this already, but thought I should pop one here too.

I find this to be an okay mascara. I wouldn't spend £10 on it, but I think it's perfectly fine for giving some definition to your lashes. I find that it doesn't really help with curling or holding the curls of my lashes, but it's not a bad mascara either!

Now these last two mascaras are both No.7, and I received both for in sets (thank you Grandma.) First up is the Lash adapt mascara in Brown/Black (all other mascaras are in black.)

I tend to use this mascara on days where I don't feel like wearing much make-up, or am wearing a very natural eye. It feels very light weight and just coats my lashes gently. I think it does adapt to my lashes, however it doesn't have as long a staying power as the others, which is fine because as I said, I wear it on my less make-up days. I do like this mascara, but probably won't be re-purchasing it, as there is more make-up I would rather like than a mascara I wear on less make-up days if that makes sense?

Finally, the other No.7 mascara I received was the Exceptional Definition.

I really like the brush with mascara, it has little bristles at the end which is really good to get the outer lashes and smaller lashes. I don't think it's the best mascara, but it's not a bad one either. I think it does give good definition and volume, but not lots of definition and lots of volume, if that makes sense?

What is your favourite mascara? Do you use any of these?

Laura xoxo

Celebrity Inspired

As I'm sure you are all aware, it was the Oscars last week and I was blown away by how stunning Miley Cyrus looked. I'm a big Miley fan (Hannah Montana is such a guilty pleasure) and as soon as I saw this look I knew I wanted to try to recreate it. It's slightly similar to the first celebrity post I did of Lauren Conrad, but it does have  it's differences. Hope you like it.

Source

And here is what I used:

Base:

Maybelline Dream Nude Airfoam

Rimmel Blemish Stick - on Blemishes

Rimmel Match Perfection Highlighting concealer - Under eyes

All blended with the Real Techniques Buffing Brush

Eyes:

MUA eyebrow pencil

Front Cover Sunray on the lid

Golden MUA colour lightly over the top

Brown MUA colour on an angle brush to create small V in the corner of the eyes

Loreal Super Liner 

Soap and Glory Thick and Fast Mascara as a base

Max Factor High Definition Mascara over the top

MUA White liner on lower lash line

Face:

Sleek Contour Palette

Rimmel Autumn Catwalk Blush

Lips:

Rimmel Tantrum used with a Real Techniques Detail Brush

What did you think of Miley's Oscars look?

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

Breakfast anyone?

I thought I'd share a product that I am really loving at the moment and it is the Soap And Glory Breakfast Scrub. I was really tempted to put it in my January Favourites but I have only been using it for the last two weeks, so it'll probably go in my February Favourites instead.

I got this scrub from Boots for around £9, which for a body scrub I thought is quite a lot, however I can say it is worth every last penny.

I have suffered from really bad rough skin on my arms and no scrubs have managed to smooth it down enough for my liking, but this scrub is amazing. My arm feels so soft after using it and smells amazing. I follow it with my Garnier 7 day Hydrating Moisturiser and my arms stay soft for days. I use it every time I shower and it has made such a difference to my skin, I couldn't recommend it enough.

It is a really thick consistency, yet when you start to rub it into your skin it becomes much thinner and easy to manage.  It is a sugar scrub rather than a salt scrub which I thought would be too soft to sort out my skin but it actually works really well. It also has a gorgeous maple smell which reminds me of a cereal bar.

Overall I give this a 8/10 as I don't like how you have to scoop it out which is slightly annoying and because it comes out thick at first bits tend to drop off, and it is still £9. But apart from that can not get enough of this product.

What Soap and Glory products do you like?

Laura xoxo