Key Items of July

Every month I have products sneak into my makeup bag and make a nice cozy little home, these products also like to outshine all the other products inside the bag and this month I have a good handful that have really come through.

The first is my MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation in NC15, I bought this a couple of months ago to set my makeup, but I actually find it way too heavy for a setting powder. These days I use it as a powder foundation. When the weather heats up I get an extremely oily face so this has been saving my bacon for the last few weeks. If you are more of an oily person I would definitely recommend investing in this, the coverage is amazing, the shade range is huge and the lasting power is excellent. 

Another product I've fished out from the back of the makeup draw is the Rituals Perfection Volume Mascara. I got this as a sample a while ago now and I always forget just how much I love it. Not only does it not move an inch all day, it is also amazingly lengthening and separating. This is now pretty difficult to get hold of in a full size, but after a bit of internet digging, I found a few sites that sell it. 

On the eyeliner front I have the Bourjois Liner Feutre Eyeliner Pen. I did both a written and video review for this so I won't blab on about it too much, but as someone who hates eyeliner pens, this one has definitely made an impression.  

Finally, we have the L'Oreal Brow Artist Superliner Pencil in Brunette. I'm not usually one for pencils when it comes to brows, but after using shadow for so long I wanted to try something a bit different. There's nothing overly special about this, pencil wise, it's nicely pigmented and soft enough to blend out etc. The main thing I like about this is that it does everything I would need to do with my brows in one handy pencil. The brush attached to the lid is great for grooming the brows and the best thing is the wax pencil on the opposite end to set everything into place. 

I've been hectically rushing around this month and that has meant that makeup application time has been extremely short. All of these products are super quick to use and have amazing staying power, something that myself, working two jobs (sometimes on the same day) definitely needs in their makeup bag. 

What products have you been loving in June? Does your makeup bag evolve according to your daily routine? 

L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes Noir Excess Review

I thought it was about time I moved on from my battered, and much loved, MaxFactor False Lash Effect Mascara and tried something new. L'Oreal mascaras have always caught my eye on the stand and I've heard nothing but rave reviews for the majority of their line. So with a bit of cash to splash I marched into Superdrug, stood in front of the L'Oreal stand for a good 20 minutes, then finally decided on this little gem.

Volume Million Lashes Noir Excess was one of the most colourful mascaras on show, which may have been the reason for it jumping out at me. The packaging is sleek, sturdy but not unnecessarily chunky and despite it being a mission impossible to get it out of its tight plastic packaging, it is a very appealing little tube. Now as for performance I have to say I am impressed. I'd heard so much hype around L'Oreal mascaras that I thought this would end up disappointing. It's fairly pricey as far as drugstore mascaras go and that combined with hype can sometimes end in disaster.

The wand is the perfect size for my eyes and the formula is thick but not gloopy, just how volumising mascaras should be. This really adds a thickness and volume to your lashes that is noticeable without being clumpy, It also lengthens, giving you long volumised lashes. I would say it is buildable to a certain degree, but because the formula is quite thick I wouldn't get too carried away with it.

Overall this is a brilliant mascara, definitely worth the money you pay for it. I did think I was allergic to this at first as my eyes kept stinging and watering when I wore it, but it turns out that was just a few days of bad hay fever.

Have you tried this mascara? Do you think mascaras like L'Oreal and MaxFactor are too expensive for the drugstore?

Covering All My Bases

I remember a time when I had one foundation in my collection, I had more money then. Now the poorer future me likes to make sure I have a foundation for every eventuality. 

Laura Mericer Silk Creme

This is my oil free foundation for when my skin is particularly oily. I tend to use this during the summer months, but I do crack it out in the winter every now and again. The coverage of this is flawless; a little splodge of this will cover your entire face and pretty much cover anything. It is pretty thick so it does take a lot of working in to get it smooth and even. 

L'Oreal True Match 

This is the one foundation in my collection that closely matches my natural skin tone. If you are of the paler members of the world population, then give this a try. Not only does it have an amazing range of shades, the actual product gives a really nice finish. I wouldn't recommend this on very dry or flaky skin though. 

Rimmel Wake Me Up 

This is my least favourite of my foundations, but it does have its uses. As you may be able to tell from the above image, it is my darkest foundation. The shade range for this doesn't really go pale enough for me so sometimes I have to mix it with other foundations. I can use it during the summer though, when I've been out in the lovely summer sun for a bit and have a bit more colour. It is a very sheer foundation so I have to have a good skin day to use this, but it does give your complexion a brightness boost. 

Nars Sheer Glow

This is a bit of a love hate product for me, sometimes it looks flawless and I fall in love, other times it clings to every dry patch and I want to throw it out of the window. It is a little bit on the yellow side so I think I would have been better getting the shade down from Gobi. With a face primer though this looks amazing and really gives good coverage. 

Revlon Colorstay Combination/Oily Skin

This is my bad skin day foundation; the medium to full coverage of this makes sure all my blemishes are hidden from the world. It does dry super quick, so you have to work it in fairly quickly to get an even finish. I love the fact that this product comes in different formulas for different skin types but the shade range is a bit hit and miss. I'm very fair skinned and I have this in Ivory, which is a tiny bit too pale for me, but the next shade up is too dark. I usually just warm this up with a bronzer to make sure I don't look ill. 

What foundations do you have in your collection? Do you have one for every occasion? 

❤ September Favourites ❤

It's time for my monthly favourites! Just like last month, I've thrown in a few music and random favourites. Plus rthis time you can check out my Luvocracy page! I've made a collection especially for my September Favourites just for you guys! Well I hope you all enjoy and remember to tell me what you've been loving this month. 

July Monthly Favourites

I finally had time to film a monthly favourites video woopee! You may have already seen these products in previous posts or videos, but they have been 101% loved throughout this rather scorching July. 

First up is the L'Oreal Skin Perfection Micellar Water. This stuff has been building a very positive reputation since it's release. I couldn't tell you if it is a dupe for Bioderma, as so many bloggers and YouTubers claim, but what I can tell you is that it is a demon at removing makeup. This has changed my whole routine, switching me from using my Simple wipes to take my makeup off, to this much gentler water solution. 

I've already done a review of the Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm from Clinique here, but I really am super impressed with it. It really cuts through stubborn makeup and doesn't dry out my sensitive skin. 

Moroccanoil is loved by one and all, and now by me! I fell in love with this the very first time I used it. It's not greasy and makes your hair feel so healthy and soft it makes me want to cry a little. 

The Bourjois Delice de Poudre is the only bronzer I own (yes I know, I'll get shopping right away) It's not too muddy and not too orange (as long as you don't go crazy with it) I love it and I love the smell, It's been in my collection for a while and it's not going anywhere any time soon. 

The Rimmel Wake Me Up concealer had me confused, I couldn't decide if I loved it or hated it. I definitely think it's too dark for me in the winter (I have the lightest shade available FYI) but in the summer I love it! When I put it on I always cringe because it looks too dark for me. Once blended out it looks completely fine and really brightens up the eye area. 

And finally we have a little sample of mascara I got free in 'In Style' magazine. This little Rituals Perfection Volume mascara has been doing me proud. It is such a lovely day mascara, super lengthening, just the right amount of volume and zero clumps. It reminds me of the Chanel Le Volume De Chanel mascara in its overall finish only the formula is less thick and prone to clumping. 

What products have you been loving this month?      

Perfect Match | L'Oreal True Match Foundation Review

I got this to replace my Maxfactor All Day Flawless foundation, which you can read my review on here. I've pretty much stayed away from L'Oreal cosmetics because I've had reactions to their makeup in the past, however I thought it was time to jump back into the L'Oreal pool seeing as it has been a good few years. 

The first thing I noticed about this product was the amazing shade range when I walked into the store. When it comes to drugstore foundations, I usually grab the fairest shade and have done with it. With this foundation I actually had to do a fair bit of swatching, there was so much to choose from!

My shade is N1 Ivory; the more yellow toned fair shade. It's an excellent match but it is also a medium coverage, which is my favourite of all the coverage's!

Not only is it a fantastic medium coverage, but it also gives a really nice even smooth finish. It's not too matte and not too glowy, so if you're looking for a more natural finish, this is your guy. I will point out that on very dry skin this has a tendency to go a little patchy but works nicely on oily and combination skin. It isn't terrible on dry skin; it just needs a little extra moisture as a base, maybe a good moisturiser or primer. 

I do like the size and packaging of this. It's a really nice handbag size, not too chunky but not so tiny you barely get any product. It has a pump (thank the lords) and is really easy to get just the right amount; only half a pump will do the whole face. The clear lid is a pain however, why oh why do they insist on having clear lids?! It just makes everything look so messy! But because I love it I'll let it off, just this once though.

RRP: £9.99 (this is always on some sort of offer so keep an eye out) 

Have you tried the True Match foundation? What do you think?

 

Getting Lippy For Summer

Well I don't know about where you guys are, but here in the good old UK it is scorchio! Summer seems to be finally kicking in and things are hotting up! How long it will last, no one really knows. But whilst the sun is shining I thought I share a few of my favourite lipsticks and lip glosses for these summer days.

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine in Coral Intuitive

Perfect everyday colour and perfect if you can't wear a bright lip in work or school. This is a very sheer peach shade which smells just like peaches! It's also lovely and moisturising, a pleasure to wear on those super hot days. 

Revlon Lip Butter in Juicy Papaya

This one is extremely sheer but gives you just a hint of colour. It's orangey coral is perfect for summer and again is super comfortable to wear. 

L'Oreal Caresse in Rose Mademoiselle

  Again another sheer lipstick only this one is more on the pinky side. This is a cool tone pink that will look good on all skin tones. I think it's important to have at least one everyday pink shade per season right? 

MAC Lipstick in Impassioned

Now were moving on up to the brights! When I'm not in work I do like a bright lip. This has to be one of my all time favourite MAC lipsticks, a very bright fuchsia pink in the Amplified finish. Super bright and super fun!

Rimmel Apocolips/Show Off Lip Lacquer in Stellar

I don't know if this shade has the same name over in the US, but this is bright reddy pink. I love these lip lacquers, there a cross between lip gloss and lipstick and give amazing colour payoff! Really comfortable to wear and great for a summer night out. 

Nars Lip Gloss in Belize

One of my all time favourite lip products. Nars lip glosses are my favourite glosses and this is a all year round staple for me. A neutral beige gloss that is super easy to wear and gives you lovely looking lips with ease. 

What are your must have lip products for summer?