Maybelline baby skin

Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer available online here

When it comes to primers I'm pretty obsessive! I can't ignore the latest primer especially if it's promise is 'baby skin'! I had to get this, although I had seen a few hit and miss reviews so was sceptical about its promise...

First impressions:

Packaging is cute and bright instantly caught my eye. The texture is like a lot of other silicone based primers, very smooth and silky. I applied this with my hands concentrating it in the areas where I have more pores. It applied easily, not sticky or greasy. My foundation looked great over the top of this. I couldn't say it created the look of 'baby skin' but my skin definitely looked smooth. The main reason I buy a primer is to make sure my makeup stays in place all day and my foundation applies more evenly and smoothly. I wore this on a typical day and found by lunchtime I did need to blot the oily areas on my skin and my face felt a little greasy.

Pros and cons:

Very affordable and readily available in boots and Superdrug. It definitely made my skin look smooth and a bit more perfected. Like I said before I did notice later on in the day I had greasy patches and my makeup was sliding a bit. I do have oily/combo skin so that's probably why. I would recommend this to anyone with normal combo skin, I have better primers but they are pricier so I guess for £7.99 and a drugstore primer you cant complain about the quality of it. I would use it again on days where I am working in the office, I wouldn't wear this for a night out though.

Overall:

I will definitely use this for day to day use. I won't be using it for nights out when I want my makeup to last all night. I am happy I tried it and guess you get what you pay for and for something you can pick up in your local boots for less than a tenner it works!! I definitely felt it made my foundation apply better and this would last all day for someone with dryer or mature skin. 

Picture of me with makeup on after applying primer:

Barry m Dazzle Dust Eye Shadow

Barry M Dazzle Dust Eye Shadow £4.59 available online here

I have used these before but had totally forgot how good these little beauties were! The reason I picked them up was because I wanted some neutral flattering pigments for my bridal clients. I use a lot of palettes and sometimes I want a bit of extra dimension which I feel these give! 

I chose 3 colours they don't have names but the lightest is 27 the copper colour is 44 and the brown is 39:

First impressions:

Cute small packaging, beautiful colours and cheap! They blend like a Dream and are so easy to apply! I chose a light colour with a gold reflective hint to it, a light brown and a copper colour which are stunning for brides! There was an offer on in Boots 3 for 2 these retail at 4.59 each so for 3 pigments it was just over £9! They are small but you don't need a lot! I used a small shadow brush to pack the pigments on, firstly applying the light gold colour all over then the light brown then blending in the copper colour in at the outer edges which looked gorgeous!

These are the swatches this is one dip and swipe the colour hasn't shown up well with the lighting but I can assure you they are stunning in real life; go to Boots and swatch them on the back of your hand and you will see how buttery and pigmented the colours are!

Pros and cons:

They are a bit messy but products like this always are! I just found them to blend so easily and minimal fall out when applying. I have a few other Brands like MAC and NYX etc. and these are just as good as those. I'm so glad I rediscovered these. There is no cons this product its easy to use, colour pay off is fab and its cheap - what more can I say?

Overall:

So glad I picked these up I will definitely be using them for my brides as they are perfect colours! Definitely as good as the high end pigments but a whole load cheaper!! I also tried sprayed a bit of MAC fix + to my brush then dipping the brush in before packing the pigment onto my eyes, it really brought out the intensity of the colour!

This is a pic if the finished result on my eyes.

L'Oreal Infallible 24hr Foundation

L'Oreal Infallible 24hr Foundation £9.99 available online here

 

Yes! Another foundation on the market claiming to last 24 hours! This was right up my alley, I'm all for full coverage long lasting foundation. Was this as good as my favourite Revlon colorstay foundation??

First impressions:
 

Basic packaging, sleek and great pump bottle. Coverage was medium but buildable, colour was slightly yellow but matched as I had fake tanned. There were 5 colours to choose from in my local Boots, this was the closest match. I like full coverage so would have loved it if this was a little more coverage although I applied a couple of layers so I was happy with it after doing so. This lasted quite well, although I found it sliding a little after 8 hours wear, so it's definitely not a 24hr wear foundation for my skin type unfortunately!

 

Pros and cons:

 

Average price point, doesn't compare to the coverage and the longevity of the Rimmel stay matte (see my blog post on this) but this foundation is probably suitable for more dry/normal skin types. For me, I have oily patches that appear usually 3-4 hours after applying makeup. I need something that stays on for 12+ hours! This would be fab for someone who had normal/combo or slightly dry skin and that wants a medium coverage foundation that is buildable in coverage.

Overall:

 

I do like this foundation but like I said it didn't wear for 24 hours like it claims! Maybe would last on a normal skin better? Would definitely wear this day to day as the finish is lovely and is perfect for my days in the office.

 

Me wearing the foundation:

 

Indeed Labs - Retinol reface

Indeed Labs Retinol reface - Retinol skin resurfacer serum 30ml £19.99 available online here 

 

So skincare has been my main topic of conversation recently, I'm in that category where I'm starting to fight the signs of ageing but still get spots, best of both worlds ey? So when I was introduced to this product after researching about helping both wrinkles and spots - Retinol was the answer. If you want to know more about the power of retinol look it up on YouTube and there's lots of videos about them - Wayne Goss has one that's very informative.

 

First impressions:

 

The formula feels like a moisturiser, light and easily absorbed. The promises of this product sounded great and just what I needed so when it performed I was overjoyed. My skin looked amazing the morning after the first use; soft, bright and less bumpy. It literally had resurfaced my skin! Wow - I needed more of these before they ran out!! I used this at night after my serum and the combination worked fabulously.

Pros and cons:

 

It isn't cheap skincare, its mid range. But, for the ingredients and the effectiveness of the product it is well worth it!! I would recommend this product to anyone looking to transform the look of their skin and to be amazed!! This product is magic. Absolutely no cons - I am so happy I took a chance on this and I love it, I couldn't say anything bad about it!

Overall:

 

Three words: Just buy it!

 

No7 Pop and Glow Cream Blush and Instant Radiance highlighter

N07 Pop and Glow Cream Blush and Instant Radiance Highlight available online here

 

I picked these brand new products up after receiving a voucher with £3 off no7 makeup. These instantly caught my eye as it's coming up spring and coral is one of my favourite makeup colours to wear during Spring/Summer! The colour I chose was Mango Sorbet for the blush and the highlight was only in one shade. I wouldn't usually go for a cream blush but I thought I would give this a try as it was an offer 3 for 2.

 First impressions:

 

I must admit I'm not a massive cream blush wearer as I find it never stays on my cheeks! I love love love the packaging it's super cute, it's an easy to use product and lovely choice of colours. I applied the highlighter straight onto my face after applying my foundation and found it glided on easily and the glow was beautiful! It reminds me of watts up from benefit, I use this on the top of my cheekbones, down the centre of my nose and on the inner corner of my eyes. I applied the blush straight onto my cheeks and blended it out with my fingers, which was easy enough. The colour was pretty bold and had a powdery finish which I thought may help with the longevity of this product. I was very happy with the results after finishing and setting the blush in place with translucent powder.

 

Pros and Cons:

 

I would say the price is mid range as they are nearly £10 each, although it was 3 for 2 and £3 off makeup for N07, I probably would have looked at these but not sure I would have paid £9.95 for the blush. The colours of these are beautiful and perfect for Spring/Summer but again I find that cream blushers do not last all day on me; I have oily/combo skin so that's probably why! Perfect for mature/dryer skin types. The highlighter is fab though, I would recommend this as this is a universal shade and extremely flattering on the skin.

 

Swatches below of the blush and highlighter:

 

 

Overall:

 

I am glad I picked these up and have found if I apply the blusher with a small stippling brush and buff it in then pop a little bit of setting powder over the top I get a better wear out of it. I will definitely use these on my more mature clients as they would be perfect for them. I feel their price point could have been more like £6.99-8 rather than nearing £10, the highlight is a perfect dupe for Benefit Watts up for less than half the price so definitely worth the £9.95 in my opinion! Get it while the offer is on and you will pick this up for £6.95!!

 

Me below with the highlighter and cream blush on: