Spring beauties!

Over the weekend I visited the No 7 counter at Boots. Probably brainwashed by the advert claiming they can detect your perfect foundation using a machine...I was keen to see the results. First, she cleansed my skin (blog to follow about that) then basically took a photo of my skin using this clever device. Unsurprisingly, my "perfect" foundation was "cool vanilla", but when she put it on my skin even that was too dark (pale girl problems). Then came "calico". I was surprised at the difference in colour range between me and my mum who came up as "wheat". The foundation gives my mum a radiant glow and really provides an even base for blusher or bronzer.
The good thing about this service is that it offers the same colour across the range. So you can not only choose your colour, but the type of foundation you're looking for as well. Think of foundation in the same way that you'd pick thickness in tights - high denier - heavy duty stuff, light denier - simple coverage.
I chose "No 7 Stay Perfect Foundation" £14.00 - somewhat of a halfway house as my skin isn't overly dry or overly oily (but somewhere in the middle). You can build this foundation up to give you the best coverage, it's light but does the trick in terms of covering blemishes - including the spots I've been faced with around my chin. Teamed with a primer, this lasted a long time and gave me a radiance without looking oily. Overall - a great foundation that doesn't leave "tide marks" or slip off like some foundations do. What will your colour be? (Remember - if you aren't having much success finding a perfect foundation - think what you're using it for. Concealer is better for tacking spots and under the eye bags, foundation will help give you a more even base).

So, let's see before..

Blemish + Spot Central.....

Just a light application later

all over coverage

Next, "L'Oreal Super Liner" in "Blockbuster" (RRP £6.99). This is part of L'Oreal's new range which covers every possible eyeliner option - from gels, to the very thin liner. I chose the BLOCKBUSTER as a) I have an unsteady hand and b) I'm not creative enough to make use of a thin liner. What I was looking for was a liquid eyeliner that wouldn't dry up, lasted all day and was fade-proof. This eyeliner delivers and ticks all the boxes. I'm so pleased with it and use it in the daytime as well as over false eyelashes at night (hiding the tell tale signs you're wearing falsies). Make sure you buy the liner that's right for you, if you're lucky and have a steady creative hand - maybe a thinner pen is best. Recommended!

Lastly, no blog is complete without a bit of Benefit. When I visited the counter last weekend I was greeted by the girls who told my mum I was "only there last week" and "our favourite customer because she spends so much!". I wouldn't normally associate Benefit with lipstick, but I couldn't help but pick up this one in "juicy details" which is a natural pink. (RRP £15.00). For once - I'm not mad about the packaging, it's kind of.... clunky. The colour however is one of my favourites - pinky - but not too pink! It glides onto your lips so easily, giving them a little shine. The bad part is, you can't buy based on shine alone - it doesn't last that long so for once, I won't be buying it again in a rush!