Clinique Even Better

How I apply Clinique Even Better Foundation:

As much as I love my Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation I really wanted a change. So I decided to try out Clinique’s highly recommended Even Better (I have the colour 03 Ivory).

While I was in Brown Thomas swatching this product my immediate thoughts were that it had good coverage without feeling heavy on your skin. So of course I bought it!

The next day when I reached for the product I was looking forward to applying it, based off of my impressions from the previous day. Firstly, as always I applied my face primer from Smash box.  Like another foundation I use, I placed 2 pea sized pieces on the back of my hand, and then applied it with to my face with my current foundation brush “Sigma Angled Kabuki Brush F84”.  After all the foundation had been applied, I looked in the mirror and thought........ What is going on, my face looked cakey and just yucky! Not what I was excepting at all. I immediately thought to myself that this hands down is probably one of my most disappointing purchases to date.

Feeling upset and honestly kinda annoyed I left the “Even Better” foundation at the back of my makeup drawer. Two or three days later, I tried it again but this time I decided to apply it with my fingers, thinking that the warmth from my hands would make the product melt evenly into my skin. The outcome = the same as before!

A week later, my finally attempt, I decided to try this product with my old but faithful “Sigma Duo Fibre F50 Brush”. Same method as the pervious few times. Perfection! I felt the same love for the product, like I was back in the shop again. What a difference a brush can make to a foundation appearance.

 I think because the “Sigma Angled Kabuki Brush F84” was so dense it kinda blobbed the foundation at one point and made it ridiculously hard to blend out. However, since the “Sigma Duo Fibre F50 Brush” is less dense and has more of an air brush effect to it; it easily helped the foundation glide over my skin.

Rating: With the right brush this foundation deserves an 8/9 out of 10! It lasts a long time on my skin (which is saying something because I have a very oily t-zone). Yes, I definitely need to powder my face throughout the day but that’s the same no matter what the foundation is.

“Even Better” comes in a wide variety of colours and base colours, so it can appeal to a lot of people! Compared to other “high end foundations” it is reasonably priced at €28.50 for 30ml.

Its packaging is compact and perfect for travelling.  

I will definitely be recommend this foundation to my friends but only if you have the duo fibre brush.

 I’d like to know your opinion on this product! Is it a yay or a nay?

From left to right: Clinique Even Better (shade : 03 Ivory), Sigma F84, Sigma Duo Fibre F50

Essie Nail Polish

Just a quick little message to let everyone know that Essie Nail Polishes are now being sold in Boots!!!! The price for a bottle in Boots is a very reasonable €8.95, compared to OPI at €12.90. The Essie stands have a wide range of colours, so there is something for everyone :)

However, I am guessing it is only available in the bigger Boots right now..... but still!! Finally, a nail polish brand to compete with the OPI and Mac collections.

Mini Haul from Marbella

I've used all of these products for the last few weeks and have loved them so much I decided to do a blog post on them.

Kiko individual false eyelashes: #03 Natural. Comes with three different lengths. Perfect to help create either a dramatic or everyday look. Only €5.50

Mac Mineralize Skinfinish: Colour soft and gentle. Amazing highlighter to help give a nice golden glow. I use it on the tops of my cheekbones, on my brow bone and a tiny bit on my cupids bow (to give the illusion of fuller lips)

Kiko Pencil Lip Gloss: Colour 16 (nice bright pink). Looks and feels the same as Clinique chubby sticks. On my lips it looks like I'm wearing lip gloss except its not sticky at all! A win win situation! Lasts for a kinda average time for me anyways 1/2 hours. Its a very creamy product so its glides onto your lips. €4.50

Kiko Glamorous Eye Pencil: Colour 413 (dark green). This is my favourite eyeliner at the moment. Not only is it the creamiest eyeliner I've ever bought but its the only pencil eyeliner that doesn't run down my face throughout the day. I especially love the colour, as I have green eyes it helps to highlight them even more. Plus I find that its nowhere near as harsh as my blackish eyeliner from Mac (colour: payphone). €5

Bourjois Delice de Soleil Bronzing Powder: Colour 12 (Fair/medium skin). First of all, I love the packaging. The lid is movable (i.e. can move 360 degrees) but not only that inside the lid is a huge mirror, (perfect for travelling or if you find yourself in need of a mirror on the go). It also comes with a little brush which I never use but to be fair the brush is probably the softest I've even seen in a palette/compact! On a side note, I love the smell from Bourjois products.
This bronzer is perfect for pale skins, its buildable, extremely blendable and most importantly it doesn't make your skin look orange. Personally I use it as a contour colour. €12

Some quick swatches:

Best Body Products

Garnier Body Intensive 7 days (hydrating lotion with L-Bifidus)

Best way to use this product: After the shower and leave soak into skin (maximum time needed to soak into skin only 5 minutes!) This is an amazing product, I don’t know if it has to do with aloe vera being one of the main ingredients but it leaves my skin feeling super soft. It has a small bit of a fragrance but nothing too overpowering.  (250ml)

Flip cap to make it easier for closing with slippery hands.

Available in Boots : for around 7/9€

Dr.Organic Pomegranate Skin Lotion – Daily Skin Moisturiser

One word - excellent!. What I love about this product is that it is

·         Paraben free

·         SLS free

·         Contains no artificial colours, fragrances or harsh preservatives.

Its main ingredients are pomegranate, aloe vera, cocoa butter, shea butter. This product soaks into your skin almost immediately, leaving no oily or greasy residue behind. It has a slight fragrance of pomegranate. I find that it really helps minimise the harsh appearance of stretch marks. (200ml)

Flip cap to make it easier for closing with slippery hands.

Available in Holland and Barrett: 8.50€ but I always wait to buy it when its buy one get another half price!

Lancaster - Tan Maximizer After Sun

When I’m out in the sun it takes me a while to tan and normally whenever I come home from holidays my tan vanishes within a few days (#sad face). I bought this product on holidays and have been using it every day to help prolong my colour and surprisingly it’s working a treat! I just apply it like I would a moisturizer and let it soak in for a few minutes. It doesn’t have any smell and leaves your skin feeling soft.

Not a flip cap but, the product dries in so quickly closing the screw cap isn’t an issue.

Available: In brown Thomas, Debenhams and body bell (makeup / body care shop in Marbella)

Price: Pricey at 34€ for a 250ml bottle but worth it.

Nail Polish Of The Day

Essie – Fiji
Pale Pink / White colour

The perfect nail polish for summer :)

Bioderma - Sensibio H2O

I’ve heard a lot of positive reviews about Bioderma, so whilst on holidays in Spain I decided to hunt it down! I read that it is one of the best products to remove makeup. What attracted me to this particular product was that it was suitable for sensitive skin as it contains soothing ingredients which help prevent your skin feeling irritated.

Available: Cannot be bought in either Ireland or the UK. Commonly found in all pharmacies in France. Fortunately, it is also commonly found in Marbella too!

Price: This is the tricky aspect, I've heard that it came in at around 14€ in France. However, it cost me 24€ (for 500ml) in Spain. Quite expensive in my opinion especially for a cleanser! I also bought the travel size 100ml, with a more respectable price of 6€.

How to use the product: Use it as a cleanser with cotton pads. Personally, I use mine to remove my face makeup at night (two pumps takes off all of it; a little goes along way!)

Disappointing?: Yes and no. I love that it easily takes off my makeup, leaves my face fresh and clean. What I found disappointing is that no matter how much I rubbed it did not remove my eye-makeup (waterproof mascara).

Overall rating: Amazing, yes it doesn’t remove my mascara but surprisingly that doesn’t bother me (I just use my Johnsons eye-makeup remover).  Unlike other makeup removers that leave your skin feeling greasy and oily, this leaves your skin feeling as fresh as if it has just been washed. 10/10, well worth the hype.

 Some pictures of Marbella:

My essentials for a night out:

Foundation without SPF. My favourite is “Rimmel Lasting Finish” (I use colour “Soft beige”. Was going to get “Ivory” but found that it in fact had a lot of pinkie undertones). A foundation without SPF is a must to avoid the “moon face” look in photos. I bought mine at Boots for 9€.

 False eyelashes: the ones I currently find myself reaching towards are the “Eylure Natuarlites Super Full”. These are ultra lightweight and don’t look obvious/ in your face. Retail for 7.61€ in Boots, but when I went to buy these bad boys I found I had enough points on my advantage card....love when that happens!!!

 Lastly a new purchase “Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream”. I find this brilliant for my elbows and heels before I put on fake tan! Also good to help clear up the dreaded cold sores. Expensive at roughly 40€ but will last you forever.

Exams finished, means one thing...... summer! And of course a lot more blog posts.


Friday Fail:  Garnier Simply Essentials Soothing Eye Makeup Removal.

Worst eye make-up remover I have ever used, no joke. It doesn't remove any mascara! What attracted me to this product was the fact that it is perfume, alcohol and colourants free. This product claims to be an "efficient yet gentle make-up remover". However, I found that no matter how much I rubbed my eyes with this product my mascara didn't budge. :(

However, my holy grail eye make-up remover is Johnson's daily essential eye make-up remover. Can't rave about this product enough. As it is an oily technique you must give it a good shake before use. Removes everything in nearly one swipe.


Both of these products I bought at Boots.


A few new goodies!
Saw these jeans last week in Zara and was instantly drawn to them. I love the colour and the fit. They are a full length led and aren't high waisted. Normally Zara jeans don't fit me but because these are the "slim" style they fit like a glove!!! Price : 25euro (whata bargain).

I also bought these 2 OPI Nail Polishes: 

"Lady In Black" (a shiny black colour)

"Bubble Bath" (an almost clear polish with a hint of a nude)

Each polish was 12.95 euro


More Favourite Favourites : Songs I'm loving at the moment:

1. Rihanna: Where Have You Been
2. Gym Class Heroes feat Neon Hitch : Back Home
3. Fun : We Are Young

Enjoy, S x

Nail Post!



OPI Base Clear Base Coat, 17 Pink, OPI Teenage Dream

OPI Teenage Dream

17 Baby Pink (can find this product in Boots)

I don’t know about ye but whenever it’s sunny outside I always reach for my favourite summer polishes!

Here are my top 5 OPI Nail Polishes,

I am obsessed with OPI Nail polishes because I find that they are the best quality and application. Unfortunately, the only disappointing product I found from the OPI range was “Do You Think I’m TexY?” as it is very watery and needs to have at least 3 coats.  But, I still use it as it’s such a pretty girly pink; if anyone knows a similar product please let me know ;) )

What I always like do to make sure I have easy removal is to use a base coat, especially before applying dark colours!

Pose for the camera a.k.a picture time

Enjoy x

From left to right : Cajun Shrimp , Teenage Dream, Do You Think I’m Tex-Y?, William Tell Me About, Charged Up Cherry.

Caviar Lips

Caviar Lips?

The "caviar" trend has been big for spring 2012, so I decided to apply the same technique/trend on my lips to see what it would look like.

Firstly I used my Bobbi Brown 20^th Anniversary Lip palette and my Mac lipstick in Candy Yum-Yum to help create the desired base colour. I then applied a thin layer of Mac limited edition lip gelee in Luxure. Lastly, but by no means the least I packed on my Lush Sugar scrub using my benefit shadow liner brush (quickly while the lip gloss is still "sticky") to give the caviar effect! It worked a treat, check it out for yourself!

 

I used the bottom left dark pink



 

From left to right : Mac Lipgelee in Luxure, Mac lipstick in Candy Yum-Yum and Bobbi Brown lip colour

I like this brush for lip products as it is "stiff"; perfect for lining lips!

Lush Sugar Scrub in Vanilla and Chocolate (tastes so good :))

And here is the final result, for extra shimmer I added a small bit of Urban Decays "Sin" on the center of my cupids bow

 

Not for everyday wear but would look amazing in a photoshoot

Its arrived: Sigma Angled Kabuki F84

I have heard such great reviews about this brush that I had to try it out. I ordered it online last Saturday and it arrived Tuesday morning. For the brush and shipping it came to $16 which isnt bad at all and converting it to euro I think the total came to 18e.

What I instantly like this brush about is that it is very dense. I already have the Sigma Duo Fibre F50 but I find that after a few months of use the brush is shredding like crazy (even though I am super careful with my brush care routine!).

I am eager to see how this brush applies my foundation and maybe try and find another use for it! 

Packaging: I love how Sigma package their products, they always arrive in perfect condition and look very expensive (even though their are not!).

Rate: Havent tried the brush yet but based its packaging and the shipping time this purchase has been a pleasant one.

Enjoy :)

Ugggghhhh I hate when its exam time again! For me when it comes to exams I have very little time to apply my normal everyday “face makeup” routine.

However, I make time to put on my top 3 makeup esstentials:

1. foundation
2. mascara
3. lip balm/ lipgloss

I know when doing exams makeup/your appearances don't matter but I feel I work my best when I feel my best. Do you agree??  What are your top 3 makeup must haves when in a time crunch, let me know :)

Product Review : Vitalumiere aqua Chanel

What I love about this product is that it feels light on your face. It is easily blended and has enough coverage to make skin look even and flawless.

For best results I use a face primer before I apply my foundation to maximise the length of time I get out it. I suggest Smashbox "Photo Finish" as its good for oily skin types and dries into your skin quickly.

Another foundation I used to use before I found Vitalimiere was "Perfection Lumiere" also by Chanel. I didnt like this product at all. It settled into any smile lines and eye wrinkles I have. It took the "dewyness" out of my face. It also didnt have long staying power as it wore off my face very unevenly, even though it says long wear!!

Vitalumiere however is amazing! The packaging is sharp and to the point (perfect for travelling) and also the product dosent have an overpowering smell (which is good as I have sensitive skin). For me it has about 5/6 hrs staying power which is the best I ever had since I have oily skin.

In my opinion it is a must have for everyone! Yes the price is steep but worth it. 


Available: Debenhams, Brown Thomas
Ratings: 5/5
Price: 38 euro !!!

Hey :)

Its Summer time which means one thing! Time for change whether that be a new hair style or taking a little risk with your makeup choices. Coming from a girl that loves the natural look, summer is that one time of year where we can experiment!

Trends to try?

• Aztec
• Animal print
• Coloured jeans (my personal fav!)

Enjoy