My YSL lipstick collection!

Hi Dolls! I thought I'd share my current YSL collection. There will definitely be more to come but let me know if you'd like to see some swatches! Much love!

Review: YSL Babydoll Mascara

Price:  £24.50

Shade: Black

Let me just say that I thought I'd found my HG mascara. Benefit's They're Real was my favorite. Up until I noticed that it would flake sometimes and occasionally smudge. As a contact lens wearer, it's so difficult having to clean up because you also have to remove your contact lenses when mascara smudges which is a pain! 

Packaging: Very nice, very sophisticated! For a mascara that it over £20 then I would expect nothing short of this kind of quality. Then again, when has YSL ever let me down?!

The brush is very nice, plastic bristle, it does a good job of coating each eyelash.

On application: It has a very faint floral smell. Very faint. I love the smell actually! I always seem to sniff it because it smells so good. The bristles coat each lash and seperate them. The formula is quite wet but it may be from the fact that it is a fresh tube. All mascaras do tend to dry out after a couple of weeks. Personally I prefer it a bit drier! 

Above photos are bare lashes without mascara

Both photos are with one coat of mascara

Both photos are of two coats of mascara

Final Thoughts

I love this mascara. I'm so happy I decided to try it out because it's easily become my new favorite! The fact that it's opthamically tested and specifically tested for contact lens users is such a bonus. There's not much more to say here, I love it, I love it, I love it!

Review: Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder

Price: £18.50

Shade: No. 2

Size: 4g

Hi Dolls! Speaking again on my hatred of  dark circles, I feel like this will be so informative for you ladies (or guys!) who are an NC25-30 shade. Everyone raves about Ben Nye's banana powder which IS amazing, and I do use it for clients with deeper skin tones but it doesn't seem to do anything for me except create  weird yellow-toned patches under my eyes. Ben Nye also carry the same powder but in the shade Cameo, but I've seen it go for around £30 which is crazy! (Although a makeup fanatic like myself, don't be surprised if I do a review on that too!) I've also used Benefit's powderflage and BareMinerals well rested concealer but this is my fave. Enough rambling however, let's get on with the review!

On application: I use this powder after my concealer to set it. I use the Real Techniques blush brush as the rounded and fluffy edge is perfect to get in the corners of your eyes and it also blends the product beautifully. I did use the RT setting brush as well but I found that it gave me a bit too much product to work with. The powder itself is very, very light and it does have tiny shimmer particles in it (nothing chunky, don't worry) it just gives the eyes a beautiful lift and compliments the concealer perfectly.

No makeup, moisturised face

Add caption

Both photos are after using LM brightening powder

After using powder; with flash

Final Thoughts

This product is amazing! If your skin is too light for banana powder but too dark to use the No. 1 in this powder, this is perfect! I used No.1 but in flash photography it would reflect and I ended up looking like a ghost. I will say that in the above pictures, it's not like my circles have disappeared, but it is a combination of the lighting and me not putting as much concealer as I normally do. If you don't want to purchase Ben Nye's cameo powder but aren't too keen on the pricetag, then I do recommend this powder. It's amazing!

Review: Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer

I am a concealer JUNKIE. I think I splurge the most on "base" products. Foundations and concealers are my bread and butter. Finding a good concealer is imperative (in my opinion) because it hides the nasty dark circles 90% of us have and a good one can cover basically any imperfection.

I was using the NARS radiant creamy concealer (should I do a review on that one too?!) before I tried this and I loved it. It's definitely up there as one of my HG products so I decided to try this out on a whim.

Price: £21

Shade: 02 Light Medium

On application: The packaging is pretty much standard, it comes with a simple doe foot applicator. The consistency is not too thick but not too watery either. Pretty much a perfect balance. My qualm with the NARS concealer was that when my undereyes weren't moisturised properly it would cake up and blending would be difficult. This isn't so watery like the MAC moisture cover and it's not as thick as MAC pro longwear. Perfect.

**DISCLAIMER** Please be aware that I always, ALWAYS use a corrector such as the Bobbi Brown one. I used this over the Giorgio Armani corrector (which was under my foundation) so it DID already do some of the work for me.

Without concealer

Both pictures above are with concealer

Final Thoughts

I am in LOVE with this concealer!!!! Probably more than the NARS creamy concealer. Not by a lot, but I love it just because it covers the same without being too cakey. I know in the pictures it doesn't look THAT good, but if you want more coverage then it is definitely buildable. Would recommend! Awesome product. It is a bit pricey for the amount you're getting, there are cheaper concealers around but if you have money to spare or you are looking for a full coverage concealer that is easy to blend and you can build up, give this a try!

Review: Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation

I thought I'd do my own review on this foundation that has probably been one of the most reviewed beauty products EVER. As you may know (or not know) my skin is very oily. Oilier than what "normal" people would call oily. I also have some acne scars on my right cheek. The photo I took before was just too poor quality for me to post but if you check out my Estee Lauder Matte Primer review, I have a decent picture there.

Price: £28.50 but I got it for about £20 because of partner discount. (Like pretty much every makeup purchase I have, haha! Thanks John Lewis!)

Shade: For my NC25 complexion, the shade Desert Beige is a very good match for my skin tone.

On application: This bottle doesn't come with a pump which honestly makes it somewhat tricky to control but if you've used enough of these you just get used to it I suppose. There is no recognizable scent, it smells very lightly of paint (VERY light) - it doesn't really bother me. I found it a bit difficult to blend on the nose area as it caked up a bit but after using my trusty beautyblender it wasn't such a problem.

After one layer; applied with sigma F80

After one layer, I thought it was decent coverage, I use this level of coverage to go out during the day and it covered my scars fairly well, you couldn't really see it unless you were looking for it.

Both photos- after two layers 

After two layers it definitely gave a flawless full coverage finish, my scars are gone and any redness or hyperpigmentation is not visible. 

Final Thoughts

I know it seems like I was late on the bandwagon but I bought this foundation a year ago and it was too dark for me, the previous shade oxidised so I gave it to my Mum. I now see why everyone loves it. It's a foolproof foundation. Wouldn't recommend if you have normal/dry skin but I think that the light formula of this foundation is tailored to that. If you have heavy scarring then the maximum coverage formula would probably be better. I've been using this every day for the past week or so and I am LOVING it. Even in this cold season it manages to bode well with my oily skin. I've used it with the Estee Lauder Matte primer (check out my review on that!) and it goes on pretty easily and it lasts a fairly decent amount of time before I have to touch up. I have to say though, it has more staying power with MoM or Porefessional. Overall, very pleased with this purchase.

Laura Mercier Brow Definer Review

Price: £16.50

Here's the packaging. Very simple. Very small. You get 0.9g of product but then again, you are only using it for your brows so it would last you 3 months minimum!

Two swatches of the product. I bought it in the shade "Soft" and there are three to choose from. Next time I might purchase "warm" because it was a bit darker. I have to build "Soft" up to my desired shade so maybe if I bought "Warm" it would save me a bit of time and money!

Final Thoughts

Let me first say - I do not like the "chiseled eyebrow" look that stands out, I much prefer a more natural defined brow as it looks less... Drag. I love this product as it achieves just that. I apply it with an angled brow brush from Sigma and it is also pretty quick to apply. It stays on very well and I like that I don't really need to use my brow gel when I use this as it keeps the hairs nice and neat. I used to use Archery by Soap and Glory and then Ardell's tinted brow gel but now I just use this! Perfect product and for £16.50 it IS a bit pricey for a tiny tub but I'd consider it worth the investment as you don't need brow gel either.

Boots No7 Beautifully Matte Foundation

REVIEW: No7 Beautifully Matte foundation

LINK - if you want to purchase!

Price: £12.95

Its claims:

• Matte finish

• Medium/Full Cover

• Best for Oily Skin

• Hypo-allergenic

No7 Beautifully Matte Foundation formula has been tested to provide a shine free look for up to 12 hours. It leaves your skin shine free - essential for anyone with oily skin. Minimising the appreance of pores, leaving a more flawless complexion.

There is no powdery grey finish, associated with some matte foundations and overall looks flattering to the skin.

The formula has been tested to ensure it won't block pores and high levels of colour pigments means the coverage is relatively opaque with a silky matte finish. Salicylic acid had been included in the formula to help unblock pores and improve the condition of the skin throughout wear.

With SPF15, it helps protect the skin from the damaging effects of the sun. Ethanol leaves your skin feeling cool and refreshed.

Here's a picture of the bottle. It's a normal pump bottle, no muss no fuss and it dispenses product fairly decently with no spills and the pump is easy to control. It's obviously clear so you can see how much product is left in the bottle.

The consistency is liquid but almost gel-like which I do like, meaning it's easy to blend but not too watery or thin so it does have a decent amount of coverage. NO scent which is probably because it's hypoallergenic.

With NO foundation on (bare skin)

One layer of foundation

Two layers of foundation (no setting powder either)

Apologies on the bad quality, will get my lighting and camera sorted out for better quality!

Final thoughts

I'd like to commend Boots on installing their high-tech color matching system, I love that the color is pretty much exactly to my liking. As for staying power, I have to use a primer so I find that it does stay on very well - even when I'm at work and uni it stays put. Coverage wise it is very good, very buildable and it covers my acne scars so that I don't really need to add much concealer. It does dry to a fairly matte finish but not cakey or dry and when set it looks almost like perfect skin! I love this as my day to day no nonsense foundation. Would definitely recommend.

Review: Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation

I definitely prefer foundations to BB creams (that IS because I've tried so many and I haven't found one that lives up to my kind of coverage "standard") and for the longest time, I was looking for a good everyday foundation. I'm glad to say that I've found it! I even feel like I've burned through this bottle but I'll definitely buy another, it's a really great foundation. The RRP is £10.99 which is on the more expensive side of the drugstore but for a foundation, it's pretty standard.

I really do believe that there are real gems in your humble drugstore. I have never agreed with the mentality that as long as everything is expensive, high-end and luxurious, it's good. (If you think that way, you probably don't really love makeup, you love showing off!) But that's another post for another day...

This is from the Boots website with details of this foundation:

"Give your skin a boost of radiance with Bourjois’ Healthy Mix Serum Gel foundation with a vitamin-rich fruit therapy formula for an even complexion and an instant anti-fatigue result!

Its fresh and instant blending gel texture blends and glides onto the skin for an even, natural finish with no mask effect. Imperfections are erased, signs of fatigue are smoothed and the skin’s radiance is boosted for up to 16 hours*.

Its instant anti-fatigue vitamin-rich fruit therapy formula is made from a fruity blend of litchi, goji berries and pomegranates. Available in 6 radiance-boosting shades."

I do agree with the anti-fatigue result, but it doesn't cover my acne scarring unfortunately and to be honest I haven't really found any foundation that will 100% cover my scarring, except for my MAC pro-longwear concealer. I usually dislike dewy finish foundations because I have super oily skin, but with my trusty Milk of Magnesia primer (I will definitely do a post on that!) I love the finish that it gives- it looks as if your skin is glowing. Shade wise it's an almost perfect match to mine, I'm shade 53 Light Beige and it matches me better than my Bobbi Brown skin foundation does. I use this as my every day foundation when I'm going out or going to work and it usually lasts me about 6 hours no touch ups which is a big deal for me because my skin is quite oily. My only wish for this foundation is that they possibly come up with a formula for oiler skin and more choices colourwise as there were only lighter shades available.

Before and after application. Notice the red scar on my hand on the left and how it has decent coverage?

The Verdict:

Price: 4/5 - Packaging: 5/5 - Longevity: 4/5 - Pigmentation: 4/5

Make Off: Benefit Watt's Up VS. The Balm's Mary-Lou Manizer!

It's Time For A Make Off!

L to R: Watt's Up, Mary-Lou Manizer

(without flash and with flash)

~~~

Benefit Watt's Up!

PROS: I do like this product. I really do. It's great and creamy and a great pink undertone so if you're not keen on blush, it certainly adds a faint rosy glow so you don't look too washed out. Sponge blender somewhat came in handy. Fairly easy to blend and it's great if you have dry/normal skin as it doesn't highlight any dry areas whatsoever and it's quite buildable too. You get 9.4g of product which is a LOT, especially as it comes in cream form so you don't really need to use too much either.

CONS: As it's a cream based product, if you wear powder, it does have a slight tendency to move your powder and appear slightly cakey, which prevents it you from building it up as you'd just end up moving your base around. Better if you don't wear foundation but you still want a slight glow. I found the sponge tip blender alright to use but it's not very hygienic now is it? 

The Balm's Mary-Lou Manizer

PROS: This highlighter has a more yellow undertone as opposed to a pink undertone, both are basically champagne but I find that this one is truer to the kind of color I'd want to use for my cheeks as it suits my undertone. This product is very easily buildable, regardless of whether you use a powder as a base or you don't have anything at all, it's easy to layer on and if you put too much? No worries, just powder on top of it! Whereas if you do that with Watt's Up, you risk caking it on and ruining your base. You get 8.5g of product which is not much less than Watt's Up and it's a powder base that also comes in a very handy compact (with a mirror too).

CONS: It is very shimmery. Sometimes, almost too shimmery. That obviously does depend on how much you layer it and how you apply it but it can be a bit too much. The undertone is more yellow too, so if you're not keen on blush, you may have to apply some to get some color on your face.

My overall winner is...

The Balm's Mary-Lou Manizer!

It's just a better product in my opinion, especially because there is zero risk of caking it (because I obviously powder set my makeup) and the color is flawless with every skin tone!

Are there any similar products you'd like me to battle it out? Just post a comment and let me know!

Urban Decay NAKED 2 Palette - Review and Swatches!

Urban Decay NAKED 2 Palette

Price: 3/5 - Product: 5/5 - Longevity: 4/5 - Pigmentation: 4.5/5

I thought I'd do my first review on something very simple and well-known. This product is so popular, and it's definitely for a reason! I would say that it is my go-to, "default" palette when I don't really know what kind of makeup I want to do (that's probably because this is a more neutral palette and I'd normally go for a nude look when I don't know where to start).

I bought this palette last summer for £42 which, in comparison to MAC eyeshadows being a whopping £10 EACH - and that's the price for a pan refill - it is fairly cheap. It is expensive if you're a teenager or not that willing to splurge out a bit on makeup, but I would definitely recommend it as it'll last you quite a long time and the color payoff is amazing! It's worth having if you're a beginner, the selection of colours is perfect. The case is nice and solid, not plastic but not heavy and clunky either, I'll even admit I've dropped it about 3 times and I've had it sit still in the pan and it hasn't budged. With a decent primer it will last you the whole day, I've worn a look for 12 hours with no problem by the end of the night and even without a primer I haven't had a huge problem with creasing (unless you have oily skin of course) or fading. Here are the swatches of the palette - all swatches are left to right.

Foxy, Half-Baked, Bootycall, Chopper
(with flash)

Tease, Snakebite, Suspect, Pistol
(with and without flash)

Verve, YDK, Busted, Blackout
(with and without flash)