Makeup Multi-Taskers

My friend Candy inspired this post when she sent me a tweet saying that she'd used tinted lip balm as a blush and I just went "why have I never tried that before". I was sent into a spiral of new ideas of using my makeup and I discovered that almost anything cream based presents delightful opportunities to get creative with makeup. If you saw my post over the weekend about cream blushes then you'll know that enjoying makeup, and having fun with makeup, is something that's on my agenda this month. 

My makeup look above relied on using a whole bunch of products either "unconventionally" or using them as multi-tasking products by applying them in more than one way.

 I began by applying my new Monu Illuminating Primer* as a primer, but once I'd finished my makeup I also used it as a highlighter. It's an absolutely gorgeous, champagne-toned highlighter that wakes up skin like nothing I've tried in years! It reminds me of L'Oreal's Lumi Magique Primer which I used to love, but Monu's primer feels so much more luxurious and hydrating - a lot more like skincare than makeup. And yet it works really well as a highlighter too! You just have to be sure to not use too much, or if you do then you just have to blend, blend, blend. Alternatively, for a more natural look, you could also use a highlighting concealer as a highlighting product. I've tried using L'Oreal's Lumi Magique Concealer in Medium which offers a very natural way to add some radiance to your skin.

I popped on some of my Glo & Ray Mirage Mousse Eyeshadow in Caramel Candy* but I only used it as an eyeliner to give my eyes a bit of definition. It works surprisingly well like that, and the colour really makes my eyes stand out without any of the fuss of eyeshadow. 

On my lips I applied a healthy dose of my Illasmaqua Blush in Crush, which gave me a deep berry coloured lip. The Illamasqua cream blushes work really well on the lips as they have a thin, creamy consistency which means they're not too drying but they also don't slip. Inika's Rosehip Creme Colour* is another gorgeous multi-purpose product that looks gorgeous on both the cheeks and the lips. I'm not wearing it in my photo but it gives a lovely dose of terracotta that's an absolutely pleasure to wear. I'm going to be sharing my full review of this soon including some pictures of me wearing it on my cheeks and lips.

In my photo I'm actually wearing Lanolips Lip Ointment with Colour in Apples* on my cheeks. I dotted a healthy amount onto my cheeks and then blended the product out with my stippling brush. It works well because these lip ointments have a very thick consistency with a sheer dose of colour. Although the finished result was a little bit stickier than normal the colour lasted well on my cheeks and gave a very natural looking flush. Alternatively, I've also tried using a bright lipstick as a blush. My pick was Bourjois' Rouge Edition Lipstick in Fuchsia Graffiti, it's a really bright pink with blue undertones and it sheers out when blended to give the most beautiful colour. If you've never tried this before then I'd definitely recommend it!

A New Base: Bourjois CC Cream in Ivory

Pictured above is my face clothed in just Bourjois' CC Cream - I want you to get a sense of its colour and coverage before I dive into a full review. My first impressions of this were pretty good. It swatches very pale (especially compared to some of Bourjois' other foundations) and it has a powdery texture that I thought might make it work well on my combination skin...

You can see that Bourjois' CC Cream doesn't cover all the redness in my cheeks or wash over some of my larger open pores (especially on my nose). However, it does offer pretty good coverage for something that feels so like as you apply it. I like to apply it with my fingers until it looks pretty natural and then do a once over with my Real Techniques Buffing Brush to give a really natural and perfected finish. The result looks really good initially - the CC Cream is really easy to work with and it blends well and offers a good colour match on me (if anything it might be a tad too light, which is unusual to find). It offers a really naturally glowing finish and although I've pointed out that it is on the lighter end of the coverage spectrum it does do a great job of improving the appearance of my dark under-eye circles and my rosy cheeks.

My finished make-up look featuring Bourjois' CC Cream in Ivory

However, what I find is that after I've worn this all day - I'd typically have my foundation on for ten to twelve hours - it really does disappear more quickly than is normal on my skin but it does so evenly and naturally, it doesn't leave my skin looking patchy. I also find that the formula really doesn't do much to control my oily t-zone (even when I've added in a primer to see if it makes a difference). After only a couple of hours I can feel that my skin is really oily and although this is normal for me, I felt as though it happened faster than normal when I was using Bourjois' CC Cream and what was also unusual is that I could really feel the oiliness. It's such a shame, I love the finish and the formula but unless I powder very regularly throughout the day I find it doesn't give me the longevity I'd usually look for in a base product. I'll definitely still reach for it but I'll be sure to have a powder in my handbag and I'll have to use it! Don't be put off entirely, just don't be fooled by the CC Cream's powdery finish - it won't help your oily skin. What it will do is make your skin look more even and the lightest shade Ivory is a great colour choice for those with very fair skin. You can find Bourjois' CC Creams online here for £9.99.

Have you tried Bourjois' CC Cream? What light-medium foundations do you like?

Review: Bourjois Happy Light Serum Primers (Luminous and Matte)

When these two primers were first released I practically skipped out of the house to pick them both up. Although I have combination skin I can really testify to the powers of illuminating primers - they have the power to cover so many sins, especially the chronic sleep deprivation that post-graduate study has led me into. For instance, I've been incredibly impressed with L'Oreal's Magic Lumi Primer which has been an almost daily staple of mine for the last year. However, there is something a little off about these two Bourjois primers. I really don't feel as though they perform at the same level as I've come to expect from Bourjois products. I love Bourjois' Clubbing Eyeliner and their mascaras but these two primers just don't do that much for my skin. They don't really extend the wear time of my make-up and if anything I find that they both are detrimental to it! The matte primer was especially disappointing as it really did very little to help my oily t-zone, whereas because I didn't expect the illuminating primer to help mattify it couldn't let me down in that way. 

When I wear the matte primer without foundation I find it works better at controlling shine but it doesn't seem to perform all that well when layered under make-up. The illuminating primer offers a very pretty pink glow (which is different from L'Oreal's primer which offers a white, opalescence) and it does brighten up the drier areas of my face quite well. I will continue to use both of these products albeit somewhat half-heartedly. I had very high expectations (and this may be to blame) so I can't help but feel a little bit let down. Whilst these are by no means bad products I don't think they testify to Bourjois' normal high quality and I wouldn't repurchase them. 

Have you tried either of these primers? What make-up primer would you recommend I try instead?

Glamour's May Beauty Giveaway Win: Bourjois So Laque Glossy Nail Polishes

I don't consider myself a hugely 'lucky' person but I do believe that we make our own luck and it makes sense that you can't win prizes if you never enter competitions. I don't know how many of you knew about Glamour's Big May Beauty Giveaway where they had prizes for every day of the month. Ironically, despite entering every single day I won the prize that was for the very first day of the month, two Bourjois So Laque Glossy Nail Polishes. I am, however, thrilled to have won anything. Winning something feels just like receiving a gift and with the time I've been having lately it feels lovely to have something (however small) to smile about. The two colours I recieved were Peach and Love (a gorgeous pink shade) and BCBeige (the perfect neutral beige). 

Despite looking gorgeously glossy on the nails they formula leaves something to be desired. They don't apply as smoothly as I would like and they don't last terribly long when worn without a top coat. I'm glad that I didn't pay for them but they aren't being shut away anywhere anytime soon as I can't quite express how much I like the colours. I find it especially difficult to wear light pinks, I have a strong yellow undertone to my skin which is especially apparent in my hands. Most pale pinks leave me looking a little sickly but Peach and Love is just bright enough to not only be wearable but to be extremely pretty. BCBeige isn't quite as much of a find but I think that it's a wonderful neutral shade and I will be wearing it a lot over the coming months. Bourjois So Laque Nail Polishes are available from Boots for £5.99*.

Did you enter Glamour's Beauty Giveaway? Or have you won any other competitions lately?

Follow me via: [Bloglovin] [She Said Beauty] [Twitter] [Facebook]

Beauty Haul: Setting myself up for summer

I finally caved! It turns out I can't resist Boots' 3 for 2 offer, and then once I was in town Superdrug and Topshop lured me in. I've actually never tried any Topshop make-up before so I'm really excited to try their cheek duo in 'Desert Sun'. Also, you can probably tell that a lot of my choices are ones that are going to prepare me for summer. I got a new set of base products- foundation, concealer and powder. Although I don't really need a new foundation right now (my two new Revlon foundations are really lovely!) I thought that I'd pick this Bourjois one up as my freebie after purchasing the Real Techniques brushes. I'm keen to try the Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer as my Collection concealer is definitely on its last legs and the powder is a summer must have for keeping my oily skin in check! I've also picked up some gradual tanner as well as all the things I'll need for when I embrace instant tan (when it's warmer and I'll actually be able to go out with bare legs). In addition, I've picked up Collection's Shimmer Shades because I think all of the four colours will work really well on me for either contouring or bronzing and three workable shades for around £4 seemed like a good deal. The Mua lipgloss (in the shade Sienna) is a lovely orange colour which will definitely compliment bronzer and tanned skin. All in all this was definitely a hopeful shop, please please please can summer hurry up and get here, because when it does I am going to be ready!

Are you preparing for summer too? What summer-y products would you recommend?

Follow me via: [Bloglovin] [She Said Beauty] [Twitter] [Facebook]

Beauty Wishlist March 2013

[all images taken from http://www.asos.com]

Nars Eyeshadow Duo in Kalahari
Bourjois Blush Pot in Rose D'Or
Nars Bronzing Powder in Laguna
Barry M Gelly Hi Shine Nail Paint in Prickly Pear
Rimmel London's Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Liner in Bright Blue
Stila Colour Balm Lipstick in Valentina

Follow me via: [Bloglovin] [She Said Beauty] [Twitter] [Facebook]

REVIEW: Bourjois Eyeshadow in Gris Delicat

I've had this eye shadow lurking unopened in my make-up collection for AGES and I've only just cracked it open to realise that I love it, silly me for leaving it unloved for so long! This is therefore somewhat of a belated review for this product but I thought it might be helpful to those out there who might be interested in stocking up on these little eye shadow pots from places like fragrancedirect.com on the cheap. 

First off, the packaging is really pretty and handbag friendly. It has a built in mirror and comes with a small eye shadow brush for on the go touch ups (a lovely touch even if you don't end up using the brush that much). I think the tub is sturdy enough (I've already dropped it multiple times since I've opened it without any repercussions) and the eye shadow itself is great quality.

I absolutely love how this applies when wet as it looks really dramatic, perfect for a grey smokey eye. So far I've only worn this lightly applied during the day but it wore very well and didn't crease (which is my usual problem with eyeshadows). I've used Bourjois' eye shadows before but not for a few years and this has awakened my love for their little pots and how cute they look in my make-up bag.

So if you're interested in trying one of these for a reduced cost do check them out on fragrance direct here for £1.99.

Do you own any Bourjois eye shadows? What do you think of them?

Angelica

REVIEW: Bourjois Clubbing Eyeliner

This has been my favourite liquid eyeliner for a long time now, and you can tell that this particular tube has been much loved from its wear! It has incredible lasting power- it doesn't need to be reapplied during the day and it doesn't smudge! It's also intensely black which allows it to give a bold line.

The brush, which as you can see below, is very thin which allows you to create very precise, subtle lines (which as I have hooded eye lids is essential). Recently I've been trying to branch out and try new liquid eyeliners (keep your eyes peeled for upcoming reviews), but this one has been my staple for years now!

I think at £6.99 it is very well priced for the quality it delivers especially as I haven't come across a better high street liquid eyeliner (yet). My tube is actually running dangerously low so I know that I'm going to have to start using up all the other tubes I've hoarded, which is good for you as there will be lots of lovely comparative reviews upcoming!

 

You can find Bourjois' Clubbing Eyeliner in Boots and Superdrug stores for £6.99 or online here.

 

 

What's your favourite liquid eyeliner? Have you tried any of Bourois' Clubbing range?

 

 

Angelica

 

REVIEW: Bourjois Clubbing Mascara

This is one of my favourite mascaras ever, I've actually gone through quite a few tubes of this since I discovered it. The colour is intensely black, it isn't too runny or dry and as it is a 'clubbing' mascara its been designed to be waterproof and durable. I've worn this mascara from morning until night (many a time) without panda eyes or smudging. Also, check out the brush!

The brush isn't one of those overly massive brushes which get mascara everywhere that you don't want it but when you zoom in, like I've done in the above photo, you can see how the bristles are designed to catch all of your lashes. This brush is one of my favourite brushes, it really does do wonderful things for my lashes.

You can find Bourjois' Clubbing Mascara in Superdrug and Boots stores or online here.

Do you have a mascara that you keep buying over and over?

Angelica

SEPTEMBER EMPTIES

So here are September's empties! I've got quite a lot here to show you- sorry about the not-so-great photos that have been on my blog so far. I've actually just bought a new camera so that from next week onwards I can post better photos.