Think twice!

I love sharing my make - up finds. With so many new products out every week, it's really easy to get caught up in the hype and lose sight of whether you actually need something or it suits your skin. On my last visit to Cardiff I found myself in MAC (how did that happen?). I was looking for a new multi purpose concealer. A sort of holy grail that would 1) treat the under eye area 2) hide veins around my nose and 3) treat redness. I left with Pro Longwear Concealer (9ml) in NC20 (Neutral Cool). It does fall a little on the pricey side considering it's £18.00 for such a small tube. This hasn't agreed with my skin as I find it settles too easily in the eye crease and greys out my complexion. It has so many 5* reviews so I'm feeling a little left out wondering why I'm not a member of this youthful skin club. Anyway, I've decided to use it as part of a contouring routine instead and for that it does serve its purpose. Would I buy it again? probably not. My next purchase will be the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer (£22.50). Not wanting to gang up on MAC (but I will...) is the foundation brush I bought in Bristol last year. I spent £34.50 on number 187 Stipling Brush. My advice to anyone thinking of doing the same is, well, don't. The bristles fall out a lot, which for the price is unacceptable. It leaves you having to pinch your skin trying to grab mini bristles from your cheeks and forehead. The positive is that you do use less product and it does work to apply foundation more evenly. However the positives do not outweigh the negatives and I'd say it's definitely not value for money. Next is Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit (Powder) that I ordered from Cult Beauty (£39.00). I haven't seen the results I expected with this kit. I find that the powders sit too obviously on the surface of the skin (especially the banana colour). Some of the shades are way too dark for me but there are nice grey toned shades to contour with. I have my eye on contourcosmetics large contour set as this is a cream not powder based product. Being oily, I thought cream would just make me look like a Strictly glitterball, but I do think that it would blend better and not just sit there. I'm not giving up on the powder kit entirely so the next step is looking for a better brush to see if that improves matters. So that's my summary of some products to think a little more carefully about before punching in your credit card details - thank me later!

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SALIDOT

Salidot is a premium skincare and cosmetics shop based in Pwllheli, North Wales. They were kind enough to send me some of the products that they stock to increase brand awareness and be supportive I suppose of someone else who is starting out. The first product was a 'zao' lipstick (£15.50) - I'd never heard of this brand, but once you google it, you see it's available on a lot of well known sites including notonthehighstreet.com. What's immediately obvious is the push on being very natural and "earth friendly" with recyclable packaging (bamboo case, cotton pouch). The lipsticks are available in a matte and pearl finish, I was given number 463 which is a 'pink red'. Being so used to a dry matte finish (think MAC velvet teddy) I was pleasantly suprised as to how nicely this applied and how moisturising it is. When I was in the area afterwards I took my mum and treated myself to shade 404 which is a pearly brown/red. This again is a little bit different for me and a step away from the twelve nudey beige lipsticks I already have. It also photographs really well, I can't wait to wear it over the festive period. I've already got my eye on the chocolate matte (466) and dark nude (467); hopelessly trying to live out 90's Buffy look. Next, "Eye of Horus" Goddess Mascara (£16.50). Again, this was a brand I hadn't heard of, another quick google and I found this was a finalist in the UK Beauty Shortlist Awards for best mascara. I'm definitely not the best model for mascara as I have awkward eyelashes that tend to split easily. If you have irritable or itchy eyes that are very sensitive to normal high street mascaras, maybe this would be one to consider. It's very easy to use with a flexible brush that's not too big and manages to grab the smaller 'lashes. The colour was very intense and even though I didn't manage the XXL volume we all look for (not on my wimpy eyelashes anyway!) it gave a natural finish that was easy to remove despite being waterproof - bonus. To finish; Lily Lolo Lip Gloss (£7.99). I was given this in shade 'romantic rose'. It's a 'non - sticky' formula with a very glossy finish and a hint of chocolate scent. Again, this sells itself as being natural (containing vitamin e etc). If I was to buy it myself I would probably go for 'peachy keen'. The colours aren't as daunting as they appear on the colour chart so don't be alarmed. The only product I'm yet to try is the 'Balm Balm All Over Balm' in "Detox". In general, Salidot has really impressed me not only because of their kind gesture and focus on animal friendly products where possible, but also the quality of the products stocked and the attention to detail in the shop. I look forward to shopping there again soon.

 

 

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"Better Than Sex" Mascara.

Not my claim(!). This is Too Faced's much talked about mascara "Better Than Sex". Retailing at approx £19.00 it sits at the higher end of the market. Granted, it's not the easiest to put on your Christmas list off Santa thanks to the slighly controversial name, but you can pick it up in most Debenhams stores and online. This beautifully packed mascara with pastel pink exterior sells itself very well, as with many Too Faced products the packaging just adds to its overall approval. When I first bought it, it appeared gloopy and uncontrollable. A few practice rounds and 'more mascara on the eyelid than lashes breakdowns' I got to the grips with the heavier than normal hour glass shaped wand and saw the results a lot of the top reviews were referring to. My lashes were fuller with even the teeny lashes coated. Normally, when I apply coat after coat I end up with just three hard lashes that won't seperate for love nor money. This is a very buildable formula. Unfortunately, i've entered the racoon stage of this mascara's life cycle. Meaning by the end of the day I'm seeing flakes around my eyes, teamed with already tired looking eyes it's not the Tyra 'smize' i'm craving (google Tyra Banks, Smize if you have no idea what I'm talking about!). When this mascara's good, it's really good. However shortlived that time may be. 3.5/5

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April Highlight

It's already April and I'm nowhere near my Summer body goal. I've not been to the gym in so long to the point where I've received a reminder text of their services. I've set myself a target of losing a stone and nine pounds for Ausgust, seems so far away after treating Easter as Christmas indulgence; part two. Feeling fat and uncomfortable has led me to spending on my face (I refuse to buy bigger sizes as that's accepting i'll always be this way!) Anyway, the silver lining is that this has been great for the make up collection which, as ever, is bursting through my unicorn/bambi themed make up bags. I don't know if it's instagram brainwash, but I'm kind of obsessed with highlighters right now (did anyone else read that in a Kardashian nasal tone?!). I've tried loads including; Benefit's Watt's Up, MAC Soft and Gentle Skin Finish and Benefit's 'Girls meets Pearl'. My favourite to date is from a brand I've not come across before called BECCA. I ordered this shimmering skin perfector pressed powder in OPAL. This doesn't make you look an eleven year old at a school disco, but instead gives a golden peachy glow - I can't wait to accompany it with a coral lipstick for the summer months! There's different shades too - pearl, topaz, rose gold, moonstone and champagne gold. I ordered it from Cult Beauty which I highly recommend, service was so quick and the order arrived in perfect condition. £32 isn't ideal to fork out on a highligter, but for something so blendable and soft I have to recommend it. Will definitely be looking out for more BECCA products. Photo below really doesn't do it justice!

 

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All nighters...

Let me apologize for the timing of this post. If you haven't already tried Urban Decay's 'all nighter make up setting spray' then party season would have been the perfect time to familiarise yourself with it. Unfortunately for you, I was too busy spending the festive time drowning in prosecco. So... you apply this setting spray after you've put your make up on, two or three sprays will do. Even though your instinct tells you spraying water on yourself is weird and you'll flinch unattractively... Just roll with it. I've used it on every night out over the past few months and genuinely seen a big difference. I have combination skin, so as well as dry patches around my nose I also have a television shaped pool of oil that enjoys glaring on my forehead in photographs. Simply put, this sets your make up in place for a long lasting finish. Okay, so it's £21.00, but how many of us squash make up that's way too expensive to be taking on a night out and lose it from our clutch bag? I don't take make up out anymore as I have faith my make up is in it for the long run. It won't make your face run when you apply thanks to how quickly it dries. My current 'going out' routine is to gently moisturise, apply primer, follow up with a foundation, concealer and then spray this to finish. If you're still not sure, you can but a smaller version for £9.00. Relax and enjoy without fear of your make up running down your face while you dance to Beyonce, I know I have!

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