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

MAC Lipstick: Plink!

On Wednesday I flew out to Madrid in Spain to visit my parents and enjoy the beautiful sunshine! One of the best things about traveling abroad by plane is the duty free make-up counters, so what better way to spend my time at the airport than looking for a new lipstick to add to my collection! As I didn't have an abundance of time to go through each lipstick, carefully choosing which one I wanted, I went for something which stood out to me that I haven't looked at before.

Knowing that I wanted a light and easy wearing summer shade, to wear on holiday and at home that would add a subtle yet warm glow of colour to the lips, I chose the shade Plink! I was torn between this and the new Cut a Caper shade from the Heavenly Creatures collection, but I decided to opt for the pinker shade instead of the coral as it was a bit too similar to my more recent purchases!

Plink! is a Lustre finish so it applies quite sheer to the lips but it is definitely build-able. Although I am not usually a fan of shimmery lipsticks, I think this is quite subtle and something which is great for a holiday to go with a more natural or bronzed make-up look. I do love the warm rosy pink tones of this lipstick and I would recommend this if you're looking for a natural and easy to wear pink shade or a nice alternative to the more baby pink colours.

What's your most recent lipstick purchase? Have you found any nice summery shades?

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!

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? 

Benefit High Beam Dupe

Recently, I went into my local Bodycare shop to restock on some toiletries and came across this - Its made by a brand called 'Technics' and seems to be an almost exact replica of Benefit's High Beam.

I was quite dubious of using a product on my face from a brand I had never heard of, however, for the price of only £1.99 I had to give it a try and see whether it compares. It can also be bought for as little as 50p from amazon!

The packaging is so similar to High Beam, but the brush applicator feels a lot cheaper and doesn't apply quite as smoothly. The resemblance between the effect on the skin of this product and High Beam is quite alike, it gives a subtle highlighting shimmer and if dabbed lightly on the skin it gives a good effect which you can see in the picture above. To apply, I gently dabbed a little bit of the product under my brows and onto my cheekbones with the brush over the top of my foundation and blended it in with my fingertip.

Benefit High Beam has a price tag of £18.50, making a difference of £18 between the two products and I think that if you are a lover of High Beam this is definitely worth a try - even if only to compare!

Would like to hear anyone elses thoughts on this if you have tried it, or if there are any other good cheaper dupes out there!

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?

Bourjois 123 Perfect Foundation

 

I often like to switch between a more expensive foundation and a good, yet cheaper high street foundation in the effort of saving money - I am a student after all! I knew it would take something special to lure me away from my current favourite but I didn't expect it to be so easy! I decided to give this one from Bourjois a try as it was on offer and was I quite intrigued, yet slightly dubious of its claims.

This is the latest foundation from Bourjous - ‘123 Perfect’ which claims to perfect your complexion with three different pigments: Yellow for dark circles, Mauve for dull complexions and Green to tackle redness.

The consistency of this foundation is medium, possibly leaning towards the heavy side yet it melts so easily onto the skin and feels so lightweight and smooth - which I find unusual for the amount of coverage it gives you. The formula is enriched with cotton flower giving 24 hour hydrating benefits and allowing the skin to breathe. It also contains SPF10 to shield the skin from UV rays which is always a plus. The results of the 123 Perfect Foundation boast an even, flawless and anti-shine complexion, and I definitely agree.  I found that the effects last all day on my skin without the need for any extra powder touch-ups. I have also found that I need to wear less concealer when wearing this, especially under the eye, leaving me with radiant skin which is the perfect mix between a healthy glow and matte finish.

One downside to this foundation range is that it only comes in 5 shades yet on the up-side they are super blend-able and I find it really matches my skin tone so maybe there is one there for you too! I use number 52 Vanilla.

I am looking forward to trying the concealer to see whether it matches up to the foundation! Overall, a great product and what a bargain!

Bobbi Brown Rich Colour Lipstick: Miami Coral

I was given this lipstick by my friend and have now been introduced into the wonderful world of Bobbi Brown lipsticks! 

I am new to these but I have been so impressed! This new colour is from the Rose Gold Rich Lip collection and the shade is called Miami Coral. I love the creamy formula, however, I would advise having moisturized lips prior to application to give a lovely finish! The colour is really gorgeous - it is a great coral shade but is quite nude at the same time, just adding that bit of subtle colour to the lips. This lasts a while on my lips and the packaging is great! Overall, this is a lovely product and a really great everyday Spring/Summer colour! For £18.00 it is definitely at the more expensive end of the lipstick scale but definitely feels and looks gorgeous on the lips so its worth it if you want to splash out and treat yourself!

What are your thoughts on this product - have you tried it?