Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer

Arguably the most valued item in my everyday makeup bag is the Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer. It also comes with me wherever I go, for those moments when I need to touch up my make-up throughout the day.

It is an excellent and quite high coverage concealer, great for applying over blemishes, evening out my skin tone or topping up worn off foundation on the go. The packaging helps to make this really easy, it comes in a sleek little compact complete with a great sized mirror too. As the texture is quite drying, it isn't too great for concealing the under-eye area, where I prefer to use a lighter, illuminating concealer.

This product is also fantastic to last all year and get you through both the summer and winter months. There are two shades, similar in tone yet there is one darker than the other for those times when you get a little extra colour to help create the perfect custom-made shade. Also helping to make sure that this products lasts throughout the year, is that even with almost everyday use, it takes ages to finish. The high level of pigment means that very little product is needed to achieve perfect coverage, it is super long wearing and it doesn't dry out. In my eyes, this helps to make the high-end price tag of £26 a little more justifiable!!

I always apply this product after my foundation, it is so blend-able and creates a flawless finish. When I use this product at home during my morning make-up routine, I use a brush, blending the product on the back of my hand to warm it up and create the right shade. I then apply lightly onto the needed areas that haven't been covered by my foundation. I then set with my translucent powder and your ready to go! If I find I need a touch up during the day when my make-up begins to look a little tired I warm the product on my hand with my finger and gently apply.

This is something I don't see myself being without any time soon and I would recommend for all skin types and colours!

What's your go-to concealer? Have you tried this one yet?

Ali xx

OOTD: Spanish Sunshine

Dress: Mango

Bag: Aldo

Sandals: Aldo

Watch: Omega

Bracelet: Pandora

Face: Dior BB Cream

Cheeks: Bourjois Bronzer, MAC Fleur Power, MAC Cream Colour Base in Pearl

Eyes: Maybelline Gel Liner, Bourjois Volume Clubbing Mascara, 

MAC Paintpot in Barestudy, Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Tease,

Eyebrows: MAC Lingering

Lips: Mac Plink!

Here is an outfit of the day from my recent visit to Madrid to see my parents. We went out for a nice meal, and as it is still so hot and sunny in the evenings, this is what I wore! I bought this dress while I was out there, I just couldn't resist the gorgeous electric blue colour as this is something I have been looking for for a while. I also love the light silky material and the floaty design because it's perfect for the sunshine and heat.

The bag is my new staple accessory, its the perfect size for me to fit in all my things - I always carry so much around! I think the colour is really versatile so it will go with loads of my outfits.

Tomorrow I am back to Madrid again to make the most of the Spanish sunshine this summer, although I am going to be doing some dissertation work while I'm there! I will also be spending some time with my family and boyfriend, enjoying the food and visiting the sights (and shops!). I am thinking of doing a little holiday photo diary too while I am there!!

I hope everyone's having a lovely summer!

Ali xxx

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MAC Cream Colour Base: Pearl

MAC Cream Colour Base - Pearl £14.50

Whilst on the search for a new face highlighter, I came across this Cream Colour Base in MAC in the shade Pearl. I am a fan of highlighters, and I love adding a bit of extra glow onto my browbone, cheekbones and occasionally on my cupids bow. I had every intention of purchasing the MSF in soft and gentle, however I wanted something that wasn't too glittery or shimmery.

This highlighter adds a gentle iridescent sheen to the skin, and gives an extra bit of glow where it's needed. I love the colour it gives as it's really subtle and the colour matches my pale skin (and still looks good with my tan too!).  It is described as a pale gold with icy shimmer. You can slightly see the sheen it gives on the swatch above after it was blended in - I love how subtle it looks without any glitter or shininess.

The only problem I have with this highlighter is that it isn't the easiest to apply. I usually just dab it gently onto the necessary areas with my finger, but it isn't too blendable and I find I have to be careful not to rub off my foundation underneath. To stop this happening, I make sure that I warm up the product before applying. I am not really a fan of applying my make-up with my fingers and always opt for a brush wherever possible, so I sometimes apply it with a foundation brush which works OK too. I am also going to try with a make-up sponge too and see how that works! I do love that this product is buildable, however I think a light application looks best!

Overall, I love the look that this highlighter gives, as it isn't at all shiny, but gives a slight glow and sheen to the skin. Having tried this, I now want to branch out to try some different highlighters and see how they compare as I don't quite think this is the 'perfect' one for me - so any recommendations will be very much welcome!

I hope everyone has been enjoying the sunshine! Sadly for me I have been stuck at uni finishing off my dissertation and have missed all the glorious weather! Tomorrow I am off to my cousins wedding - and I am a bridemaid so I am veryyy excited, lets hope the weather stays the same :)

What is your highlighter of choice? Are you doing anythign nice this weekend?

As always, I love to hear from everyone!

Ali xx

Dior Hydra Life BB Cream

 Dior Hydra Life BB Cream - £41 from House of Fraser

The battle of the best BB cream seems to be ever debated and ongoing. After waiting for a while to find my perfect one, I eventually discovered the Dior Hydra Life BB cream. Combining the moisturising and sun protection elements of a skin care product with the complexion enhancing powers of a foundation, this one-step BB cream

This one product is suitable for all skin types and colours, as it blends effortlessly into the skin, adapting to your individual colour and tone. If anything, it is a little yellow in tone for me, but if you wait a few minutes after application and apply a little bronzer over the top it creates a very natural finish which is soft and velvety to touch.  As you can see in the final picture, the product has blended into my hand perfectly, adapting perfectly to my skin tone.

The coverage is pretty good, it evens out my skin tone and covers any irregularities. If you have any blemishes, all you will need is a little touch of concealer on the problem areas. I haven't found it necessary to add any powder to the skin, as the colour lasts and improves the skins moisture and hydration without adding any extra shine. One of the best aspects of this product for me, is that whilst giving a surprisingly good coverage, it feels extremely lightweight on the skin.

With an added bonus of SPF 30, I have been using this product as a sun cream whilst out in Spain and it has been so much nicer on my skin. I haven't burnt or suffered from any breakouts and my skin has remained hydrated yet flawless. This also means that this is perfect for holidays and will substantially cut down the amount of products you need to take with you!

The only downside to this product is the price, but I haven't found a high-street equivalent yet that lives up to this! Acting as a primer, moisturiser, foundation and SPF all in one, this all-in-one product is my favourite for summer.

Whats your favourite product for summer? Do you use a BB cream?

Ali xxx

YSL Effect Faux Cils Indecent Volume Shocking Mascara

YSL Effect Faux Cils Indecent Volume Shocking Mascara - £23 

Full, volumised and curled lashes is definitely my look of choice and I have found the most amazing mascara to help me achieve this! I have always been a fan of YSL mascaras and this one is no exception. 

The helix shaped brush means that the bristles curve around the wand in a spiral shape, making it different to the original YSL Faux Cils mascara, resulting in an even application on each lash. The product applies effortlessly, giving instant volume, thickness and length to the lashes alongside a long-lasting curl. The formula is of a creamy and luxurious consistency, and the sleek gold packaging also helps to add to this luxurious and expensive feel. This mascara is may be more suited to a night time look as it gives a rather dramatic effect, however, it can be applied lightly to make it more day-time appropriate. Alternatively, the original Faux Cils mascara might be better option for this.

Overall, this is everything I could ask for in a mascara, giving a long- lasting and even curl, thickness, volume and length in a few easy strokes. It is an absolute dream to apply and even though it is a little bit more expensive than high street brands, it is definitely a cut above the rest!

What is your favourite mascara? Are the High end mascaras worth it?

Ali xxx

Clarins Pore Minimizing Serum: Review

 Clarins Pore Minimizing Serum - £22.00 for 30ml

In the quest for flawless looking skin I have recently started trying Clarins Pore Minimizing Serum. The lightweight formula contains a combination of Alpine Willow Herb, Hibiscus Flower extract, Dead Nettle and Soft Wheat Proteins to reduce large pores by repairing skin cells, tightening the walls of the pores and subsequently refining skins texture and firmness. Whilst instantly tightening pores, this product also helps to deliver all day shine control by reducing sebum to create a smooth, matte skin texture alongside a fresh, flawless complexion. 

The light formulation of the serum means that it glides smoothly onto the skin; this, paired with the delicate scent makes the application effortless and enjoyable.

Although this serum has immediate effects, it also works as a treatment for the pores and, therefore, best results are seen after a few weeks use. With this in mind, I have been using this for 3 weeks before writing my review and I have found my skin to be noticeably smoother and the appearance of  pores has been dramatically reduced. 

Pore minimizing products or treatments is not something used by everyone, but it is something that I have started to enjoy using to help give me a more flawless base and improve the look of my make-up-less face. I would recommend this product to anyone who, like me, wants to effectively reduce the size of pores as this is a more longer lasting treatment compared to other products which just mask their appearance.

Do you use pore minimizing products and have any recommendations?

Ali xxx

Top Summer Beauty Products: Face

1. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser - £33 from House of Fraser

2. Laura Mercier Secret Camoflague- £26 from Space NK

3. Bourjois Delice de Poudre Bronzing Powder - £6.99 from Boots

4. MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle - £21.50 from MAC

5. Urban Decay Primer Potion - £14.50 from Beauty Bay

6. L'oreal Volume Million Lashes Mascara - £9.35 from Feel Unique

7. MAC Costa Chic - £13.50 from MAC

8. Blistex Daily Lip Conditioner - £2.59 from Boots

During the summer months,  I hate feeling and looking like my face is caked in heavy make-up, so I turn to lighter products that are sun and heat friendly. When the weather gets hotter, I tend to stay away from foundation and lean more towards tinted moisturisers or BB creams.  One particular product I am a fan of for summer is the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser. This sheer and lightweight product adds a hint of colour to even out the skin tone, whilst creating a natural and glowing look to leave you feeling like you are wearing no make-up at all. It also provides the the added protection of a sun cream, with SPF 20 to protect from the harmful UVA and UVB rays.

When using a tinted moisturiser, if you have any blemishes that may not get fully covered, I find a good concealer can work wonders so you don't feel like you have to layer on the foundation. My favourite product for this is the Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage concealer which provides a great coverage on the necessary areas. The product also comes with two different shades which is perfect for summer when you get that bit of extra colour to the skin.

To give a golden glow when the sun comes out, I like to apply a bit of bronzer to add warmth and brighten up my face. I tend to stay away from a shimmery bronzers when I'm in the sun so I use the Bourjois Delice de Poudre Bronzing Powder as I find that the colour is great for my skin tone and I love the matte finish. 

To go alongside bronzer, a trusty highlighter can create a fresh and dewy look for the summer when applied lightly to the top of the cheekbones, on the tip of the nose and cupids bow.  There are quite a few to choose from and it is personal preference when deciding between powder, cream or liquid highlighters. At the moment, I am loving MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle as I find powder highlighters so easy to apply to create that natural glowing look.

For longer-lasting eye-shadow in the summer months, I find that using a primer is necessary if you want it to last throughout the day. Urban Decay Primer Potion has been loved by many and is really great at preventing smudging and improving staying power.

Waterproof mascara is a must have item for me when I go on holiday, but I am starting to use it more often to prevent smudging when it gets hotter. I usually love to apply lashings of mascara but, again, I have started to opt away from this and create a much more natural look. For this, I love using L'oreal Volume Million Lashes Mascara as it seperates and adds length to the lashes without clumping, but can also be built up if you want to add thickness too.

A great bright lipstick can help to finish off a summery make-up look. My favourite shades at the moment are bright corals and I think that Mac Costa Chic is prefect to add that pop of colour. I have written a more lengthy post with swatches here. Alongside this, lip protection is also necessary to stay clear of nasty blisters! I would recommend Blistex Daily Lip Conditioner as it has SPF 15 and leaves the lips feeling silky smooth.

What do add to your make-up collection in the summer? Do you have a 'go-to' make-up product?

I really do hope the sun starts to come out and all of you have a really great summer!

My Top Summer Beauty Products: Body

 1. Garnier Ambre Solaire Golden Protect Shimmering Protection Lotion SPF 20 - £.8.30 from Feel Unique 

2. Origins A Perfect World Intensely Hydrating Body Cream with White Tea - £27 for 200ml from Boots 

3. Origins Modern Friction Scrub - £30 for 125 ml from Boots 

4. Redken Colour Extend After Sun Mask £17.25 from Feel Unique, Mark Hill Holiday Hair Cover Up! Protection Spray £5.99 from Boots

5. Fake Bake Flawless £26 from Boots 

6. This Works Perfect Skin Miracle £28 from Boots

7. Essie - Fiji and Tart Deco £7.99 from Boots 

8. YSL Elle Summer Edition £35 for 90ml from Boots

Without competition, the most important beauty product for summer in my opinion is sun tan lotion to protect from the harmful and premature aging effects of UVA and UVB rays. This new shimmering protection lotion from Garnier adds a golden shimmer to the skin whilst adding a radiant glow. It has a non-greasy formula and holiday fragrance enriched with Monoi Oil which leaves you protected and hydrated throughout the day with a glistening pearly glow.

A good exfoliator is key when trying to prolong and maintain that gorgeous sun-kissed glow. Without this, skin can become dry, peeling and uneven after sunbathing. This skin-refining exfoliator from Origins eradicates dead skin cells, uneven patches and signs of skin damage and discolouration to produce smooth and polished skin with a natural-looking tan.

An essential step after exfoliation is moisture replenishment, to help to maintain your tan whilst hydrating the skin after sun exposure. Origins intensely hydrating body cream is perfect for this as its rich and creamy texture sinks into the skin beautifully to prevent it from peeling and create a healthy glow.

If you are not a fan of baking in the sun, but love having a natural-looking tan, then a good fake tan can look just as good without the harmful effects. My favourite fake tan is the Fake Bake Flawless tan (full post here) because, as stated in the name, it creates a flawless even looking tan. If fake tanning is not your thing, I would recommend This Works Perfect Skin Miracle to even out the skin tone whilst giving a bronzed sheen to the legs, helping to give you that extra bit of confidence in the hotter weather.

Protection for your hair can be just as important as your skin if you want to keep healthy-looking and hydrated locks. To protect, this spray from Mark Hill is perfect; with SPF it helps to protect from the suns rays and prevent a dry scalp or fading colour. To intensely treat sun-damaged and dry hair, this moisture rich hair mask from Redken helps to reverse existing damage and prevent colour fading.

To complete the polished look for summer, a pretty nail varnish is at the top of my list. My favourite colours for summer are bright corals or pretty pastels. I absolutely love Fiji from Essie as it looks light, feminine and polished whilst Tart Deco adds a bright splash of colour.

A light summer spritz of perfumeis the final step in my summer and holiday preparation. I have always been a fan of YSL Elle perfume, so the summer edition is great for me!

What are your essential summer items for the body? My next post will be my favourite summer beauty products for the face!

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser

I have seen numerous articles and opinions about this cleanser, on the internet, magazines, from my Mum and other bloggers, yet I was yet to try it out until a couple of weeks ago!

This product has quickly jumped right to the top of my all-time beauty favourites and is now my essential daily cleanser because, to put it simply, it just works! I have had issues with my skin in the past and I can still find it to be really unpredictable, whether it be with blemishes, dry patches or uneven skin tone and since using this I have noticed huge improvements. I also have quite sensitive skin and I don't like to use products on my face which I think will be too harsh and strip my skin so this gentle formula, with naturally active ingredients including eucalyptus, chamomile and cocoa butter, is just what I needed.

There are two stages to the Hot Cloth cleansing process, as you might have guessed from the name, these are cleansing and polishing. The cleansing stage removes all traces of make-up from the face and eyes, and by using the muslin cloths, the polishing stage gently exfoliates to remove dead skin cells and produce clean and radiant skin.

To use, you firstly need to apply the cleanser to dry skin (I find that one pump is enough for me) and massage onto your face and neck in circular motions working from the centre of your face outwards. After rinsing the muslin cloth in hand-hot water and wringing out until the cloth until it is damp, all you need to do is gentle wipe off the cream, using a clean part of the cloth for each part of the face. After a few splashes of cool water and a gently patting with a soft towel, you will be left with the cleanest, softest skin! This may seem to be a lengthy process but it is actually rather quick and simple and I find it quite relaxing, but this may have something to do with the soothing eucalyptus scent of the cleanser, which I love. I also adore the consistency - it's rich and creamy and feels beautifully luxurious to apply.

This Liz Earle cleanser has worked wonders at bringing my skin back to a healthy-looking, blemish-free and moisturised state. I whole-heatedly agree with each claim made by the product, it works perfectly, it is gentle and gives obvious results.  I purchased the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser Starter Kit which includes a 100ml bottle of the cleanser and two muslin cloths, as well as a detailed guide of how to use the cleanser for £14.25 from John Lewis.  The stater kit is great for any first-time buyers like me and comes in a great bag which is perfect for traveling. I think that considering the results I have seen, the price is reasonable and I have really struggled to find one fault! 

What are your skin saviors? 

L'oreal Rouge Caresse in Dating Coral

Left: Lightly Swatched / Right: Heavily Swatched

 L'oreal Rouge Caresse in 301 Dating Coral: Available from Boots and Superdrug for £7.99

Whilst in Superdrug yesterday buying a few make-up essentials, I decided to make the most of the 3 for 2 offer (it’s still on now!) and pick up this lipstick from L’oreal that I have heard so much about, seeing as it was technically free!

I have been loving coral lips recently, and my favourite has to be MAC Costa Chic, but I find it quite hard to wear day-to-day, and as this is more of a balmy texture I thought it would be perfect.

This product range is described as a mix between a lipstick and lipbalm and applies like a dream, giving a lightweight and moisturised feel to the lips. For me it is perfect for this time of year when I try to stay away from make-up heavy products.

The shade is a gorgeous sheer coral colour with orange and peach tones. I find it really easy to wear as it looks quite natural, due to the finish, and adds a very subtle pop of colour to the lips. As you can see from the swatches, it gives a light coat of colour, but it is build-able if you like it a bit brighter. I find this a nice change from my usual pinky day time colours and looks much more sophisticated.

For me, the glossy finish wears off during the first hour of wear, and the colour stays for about 3 hours on my lips, which I think is acceptable for the type of product it is. I think the price is also quite reasonable as it is still more of a lipstick than a balm and I think the quality is worth it. I am definitely a fan of the packaging too. It looks sleek yet feels secure when closed, so the lid won’t pop off in your bag.

This was the only shade that really stood out to me, as I was on the hunt for an easy to wear sheer coral lip product, but I am really happy with it. I know that these products are similar to the Revlon Lip Butters, but when looking in the store and comparing the two products I found that I preferred the look and colour range of these. In my opinion, the packaging on the L'oreal product is much nicer, and for a similar price these feel and look much more expensive!

What are your thoughts on the L'oreal Rouge Caresse lipsticks? Are they better than the Revlon Lip Butters? 

Estée Lauder Advancer Night Repair / Concentrate

 Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex (£54 for 50 ml) and Advanced Night Repair Concentrate Recovery Boosting Treatment (£70 for 30ml)

The award winning Advanced Night Repair is one of Estée Lauder's prized products and this skincare gem has been passed down to me from my Mum who swears by it! I am definitely one who enjoys a good night-time skincare routine and this is a product I can see myself using for a long time.

The Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex helps reduce the appearance the visible signs of aging, especially lines and uneven skin tone.  It also provides continuous hydration by creating the optimal environment for skin renewal with its key ingredient, Hyaluronic Acid. As it reduces skin redness, I find it excellent for reducing the appearance of any blemishes and my skin looks much more radiant in the morning. I apply this as part of my evening skincare routine, smoothing a few drops onto clean skin over my face and neck. I absolutely love this product, I find that it melts into the skin and the formulation is lovely to apply. It leaves my skin feeling gorgeous and more importantly keeps the signs of aging at bay. I would definitely recommend anyone to add this product into their skincare routine - you won't look back!

If you feel like your skin is in need of an extra boost then the Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Concentrate Recovery Boosting Treatment is for you! This product is an intensive boosting serum claiming to help the skin repair the signs of past damage. It is formulated with 5 times the concentration of the normal Advanced Night Repair serum and immediately relieves skin redness and rebuilds the skins moisture barrier. This product is meant to be used in addition to your regular skincare routine every 3-4 months. When used, you should apply 2 full droppers over clean skin for a total of 21 days, followed by your usual moisturiser. This product can also work wonders after excess sun exposure which is perfect for the upcoming months! Having said that, this is on the pricey end of the spectrum, at £70 for 30ml, but as it is a concentrate is does last that bit longer. I am currently in the middle of my first use and I have found my skin to be improving but I am still unsure whether it is worth the money considering the wonderful effects of the Advanced Night Repair and may be a little unnecessary for me.

What do you think of the Advanced Night Repair? Are there any other great face serums?

Dr. Nick Lowe Skin Care Range

From left to right: Cooling Menthol Facial Scrub (£11.22), Hydrating Foaming Cleanser (£10.20), Purifying Foaming Cleanser (£10.16), Sebum Control Clenser (£10.20) and Oil Control Day Cream (£15.31).  All of these products are available from boots, or the Dr. Nick Lowe website here. 

Oil Control Day Cream (Anti-Blemish)

 Cooling Menthol Facial Scrub (Anti-Age)

Hydrating Foaming Cleanser (Anti-Aging), Purifying Foaming Cleanser (Anti-Blemish)

 Sebum Control Cleanser (Anti-Blemish)

I have become quite skin care obsessed at the moment and found a brand which works wonders with my skin so I thought I would share this with everyone!

Hydrating Foaming Cleanser: This is a gorgeous face wash, and it is the one I tend to use on a day-to-day basis. It has a really light foaming consistency which cleanses my skin beautifully whilst keeping it moisturised at the same time! I find it easily takes away any left-over make-up and is such a lovely product to use on my face. I find it brightens and refines my skin tone, leaving me blemish free! Some of the major-up sides to this product are that it contains plant derived exfoliators to gently refine skin, alongside vitamins A, C and E and it has an allergen free fragrance. In my opinion you can never start too early with anti-aging products and this is from the anti-age range which is great to keep the wrinkles at bay! I sometimes suffer from sensitive skin and this is so gentle on my face that I would recommend it for lots of different skin types as a daily face wash to use morning and night.

Cooling Menthol Facial Scrub: This product is also from the anti-age range. I use this once a week because as much as I find it is a nice addition to my skin care routine, I also find that exfoliating too often is a bit harsh on my skin. This product helps to improve my complexion, leaving it softer, brighter and more radiant. It is menthol scented which I find really cooling on my skin - hence the name! It is of quite a creamy consistency and contains gentle micro beads to smooth and exfoliate the skin. I also find this is great to use to get rid of any existing skin blemishes or to prevent any new ones from arising. It also contains pomegranate and raspberry to help protect against damaging free radicals. What more could you want from an exfoliator!

Purifying Foaming Cleanser: This cleanser is really similar to the hydrating foaming cleanser, but comes from the anti-blemish range instead of the anti-age range. It has anti-bacterial qualities which help to clean pores and impurities on the skin. This cleanser leaves my skin feeling beautifully cleansed, refreshed and my complexion much brighter. It contains Salicylic Acid which is aimed at targeting blemish prone skin, Willow Bark for its anti-bacterial properties and Arnica to help soothe and reduce skin inflammation caused by blemishes. I often switch between the two cleansers as my daily face washes, depending on how my skin is and how many blemishes I have as my skin can be quite unpredictable!

Sebum Control Cleanser: With similar ingredients as the purifying foaming cleanser, this product is just as effective at controlling spot prone skin. This is a one-step, alcohol free anti-bacterial cleanser aimed at refining, purifying and cleansing pores whilst maintaining the skins moisture. This product is really easy to use, you just apply with a cotton pad and wipe over the oily parts of the face.

Oil Control Day Cream: I apply this cream in the morning, but you can use it at night too. It is has a really light formula as you can see from the picture and is easily absorbed into the skin. It is a really lovely daily moisturiser and helps fight blemishes too!

I hope you have found this post useful - I know it is a lot of  text but I really would recommend you to try these products and the Dr. Nick Lowe skin care range. I do think skin care is a personal choice as so many people are different but it worked for me so it might be worth a try! I was introduced to this by my Mum who loves it too and I don't plan on switching products any time soon. Each product has a really light fragrance and apply really smoothly to my face. As I said before, I have quite sensitive skin and these have worked really well on my face. I also think that for the price they are such good value for money and there is something for everyone throughout the ranges!

Does anyone have any skin care recommendations? Or have you tried this range - what do you think?

My Favourite Highstreet Primers

Left: Rimmel Fix and Perfect

Right: L'oreal Studio Effects

Applying a good primer is the first step in my daily make-up routine and I find it so important to give a good base to apply my foundation. My ideal primer is one that can smooth the appearance of my pores, increase the staying power of my foundation and give a soft polished finish.

Initially, I was surprised at the size of the L'oreal Studio Effects soothing resurfacing primer, and for the large price tag of £14.29 for a small 15ml I didn't think I was getting much for my money. Having said that, a little of this product goes a long way! I find I only need a small amount to cover the necessary areas of my face - I usually apply this on my T-Zone, and on the top of my cheeks where I have a few larger pores. The consistency of this product is really different to a lot of other primers, including the Rimmel Fix and Perfect, but I love it. As you can see from the picture, the L'oreal product is much less liquid, and has more of a mousse consistency whereas the Rimmel one is more like a daily moisturizer. It makes my skin feel velvety and soft, and gives a perfect base to apply foundation. L'oreal say "the combination of soft, light powders gives a matte look and a silky finish" and I would definitely agree! It really does make my make up last all day and the matte finish means I don't have to use a powder which is great.

The Rimmer Fix and Perfect primer is priced at a more affordable £6.99 and is double the amount of product than L'oreal. Rimmel state that this primer gives 5 in 1 results as it smoothes, resurfaces, brightens, mattifies and protects the skin. I find that it does help my foundation last that little bit longer, but compared to the L'oreal primer, it doesn't minimise my pores and it doesn't give much of a matte or brighter finish. On the plus side, it is quite light-weight and feels a lot more mousturising than the L'oreal studio effects primer.

I would recommend Rimmel if you are looking for a cheaper primer because for the money you can't really go wrong! If you are looking to reduce the appearance of pores I would go for the L'oreal primer as I find the effects similar to Benefit Porefessional and it does work wonders. I also think that for the price it is a perfect mid range primer and I agree with all of the claims made by the product, which can't be said for Rimmel. I am currently switching between these products, both prolong the wear of my foundation, but on the days I feel I need a bit of added moisturizer, I go for the Rimmel primer and when I want to minimise my pores and provide a perfect smooth foundation base I go for the L'oreal.

What primer do you use? Are there any other good highstreet primers that you would recommend?