Matte Perfection.

Illamasqua - 

Matt Primer

I recently purchased the Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation, however due to running out of my current primer I thought I would test another popular Illamasqua product, their Matt Primer…and let me just say, it blew me away!

I have combination oily skin, with some sensitive areas, and make up easily wears off my face or goes all patchy and weird. However with this it really makes such a difference and helps my make up last a ridiculously long time, even at the end of the day, my make up still looks really fresh and newly applied.

Unlike most other primers, the Illamasqua primer isn't Silicone based, so it's not going to get inside your pores and clog them up with the bad stuff. With acne prone skin, I've noticed my skin improve a lot when I'm wearing make-up thanks to this great primer. The consistency of this is beautiful, it’s rather like a milky lotion rather then a primer, therefore it goes on really lightly and you only need a very small amount to do the whole face.

It goes on easily and blends out clear, unlike some white primers, which sometimes leave a slight ghostly tint to the skin. Using a brush made this primer go on even better and bled beautifully into the skin, it didn’t feel like I had anything on just really mattifies my skin to perfection. Another highlight is that I didn’t have to wait for it to set or dry before I applied my foundation, which is something you have to do with most primers in order to get them to work perfectly.

I’ve used this every time I use my Illamasqua foundation, and my make up applies perfectly, and even though it does matte the skin, it doesn’t make it feel tight or dry. I can’t promise that this primer is going to be a miracle for everyone, but I’ve found my new favourite primer.

No Oil Oil.

Percy and Reed - 

No Oil Oil

I’ve been looking at this for a while, however it received rather mixed reviews about how good it was and the results it gave. However, imagine my surprise when this weeks Glamour magazine came with a free 30ml sample of it specifically designed for ‘thin hair’. In my opinion 30 ml is a really good sample size, it gives you enough product to really try it out and see what you think about it before buying the full size version, plus its small enough for me to put in my handbag for everyday use…bonus.

No Oil Oil doesn’t have much in the way of oil in it, as you’ve probably guessed. This makes it rather brilliant for people, like me, who have fine hair, which gets very easily weighed down. It has this wonderful lightness that’s almost water-like, yet it manages to smooth the hair and add incredible shine. You can use it near the roots of the hair, so its perfect for taming those broken fly-aways near the parting, it really gives a beautiful finished style, leaving your hair looking smooth, shiny and truly healthy.

In regards to the volumising benefits, I haven't tried it for the amount of volume it can give my hair due to my hair being easily made greasy, and many reviews have stated when they've tried using it to give the hair volume, its made their hair super greasy. Therefore, I use TIGI Bed Head Small Talk for volume, and this for a smoothing serum.

Overall, this is great for giving a smooth, soft and shiny look to the hair. For the moment, this is replacing my other oils and serums, allowing me to give it a thorough try out. I don’t use it every day, just when my hair needs a bit of smoothing down, however, as long as you use a good cleansing or detoxing shampoo its perfectly ok to use this everyday, but be careful of build up. Even though it’s very lightweight, it’s still layering up on the hair. 

Small Talk.

TIGI Bed Head -

Small Talk

TIGI Bed Head Small Talk is 3 products in 1, it has a light scent of blueberry which is INCREDIBLE and is a massive seller in-salon and on-line. It can be used as a mousse type product for brush drying, only use one pump and apply like you would a mousse (rub into hands before application), it’s a bit thick and sticky on application but is very lightweight on the finished hair, Bed Head Small Talk creates big volume with no crispiness on the finished look or feel.

I’ve always liked TIGI products, especially the styling products, they are amazing products which give amazing results and in comparison with some other brands aren’t that expensive. My hairdresser loves this product and every time I go for my hair cut, highlighted or just styled she always uses it, and the results are always amazing. However, never the less I know that what the professionals achieve is not always what you at home can achieve. Never the less I thought it was time to order it and give it a go…I’m definitely not regretting it. The result was VERY impressive. It looked as if my very thin and lifeless hair was at least double its usual thickness and volume. It fell into shape without any back combing or coaxing and retained its style even till the next day, which its just amazing. It didn’t go stiff nor did it seem to matt my hair, it still looked healthy and shiny and not one bit greasy. However its important to know a little goes a very long way, I think the first time I used it, I maybe used a bit too much, however I will be sure to compare the results of using a little bit less.

Overall I’m truly delighted in this product, it gives amazing results and also has heat protection infused within in therefore it doesn’t feel like your hairs burning like some other volumising products, especially when you straighten your hair afterwards it doesn’t drag or snap. I would definitely recommend anything with thin, rather lifeless hair or anyone who just wants some volume putting into their hair without the sticky, matt side effects then you really should invest in this, you wont be disappointed.

Skin Base.

Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation

My foundation hunt has been very long...I tend to find one I like, however then over time I find flaws in it, therefore the hunt begins again. However, a friend of mine said she had currently swopped from MAC to Illamasqua, and that the foundations there, even though a little more expensive, where such good quality and gave such a flawless look. Granted, she used the Rich Liquid Foundation, which is...SERIOUSLY HEAVY COVERAGE...but never the less she has me interested in the brand.

After researching the brand, seeing how their products were rated and reviewed I decided to get my boyfriend to take me to the nearest Illamasqua shop (which is in Leeds) and they gave me an amazing trial of their foundations, letting me try out each of them to see which one I liked best. The make-up artist (how posh) was sure that out of all of them I would love the Skin Base Foundation, which is very light, however give a fabulous coverage and as soon as she put it on I was head over heels in love with it. Due to me wearing false tan, the artist thought it would benefit me more having two shades, 7.5 which suites me at my darkest, and 6 which is the most neutral shade, which I mix in as my false tan begins to fade...how fantastic. 

I can't express how much I love this foundation!

Here's what Illamasqua have to say about their lovely Skin Base Foundation:

"Inspired by the cult Asian market Beauty Balm creams, Skin Base Foundation is a brand new, refined formula unlike anything on the UK market. Easily blendable, it effortlessly creates a perfect complexion, and like the entire Illamasqua foundation range, is undetectable in a professional HD environment. Suitable for all skin types, it smoothes, softens and conditions your skin whilst providing natural, buildable coverage."

Illamasqua Skin Base foundation is available in 18 different shades, ranging from light to dark. They also have a pure white shade that would be prefect for mixing in with other foundations to make them lighter, this would be handy for those people who choose not to tan in winter and also those people who are naturally very pale. The great thing about the shade selection is that the foundations all have a different undertone; the shades either have a pink, yellow or neutral undertone. There is literally a shade for everyone. There are so many comparison charts on the Illamasqua website coming their shades to MAC, Nars, YSL and Bobbi Brown, which makes finding the perfect shade so easy!

The foundation applies to the skin very nicely. It goes on smoothly and generally just feels lovely, the foundation melts into the skin straight away. To apply the foundation to the skin I use my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush, which really applies the foundation amazingly, leaving my skin looking truly airbrushed. It’s important to note you really only need a small amount of this foundation, I keep having to remind myself I only need a tiny amount, which is something I’m not used to with other foundation’s. The Illamasqua Skin Base foundation has a build-able coverage so you can either apply a light layer or build it up so you've got a full coverage. The good thing with this foundation is that you can also use it as a concealer too! When using this foundation I feel that I don't need to use a concealer as the foundation does a good enough job at hiding things, it really does cover a multitude of sins! 

The foundation lasts all day without going patchy or sliding off the skin. I'd say that it lasts between 10-12 hours which is great if you're out all day as you know your foundation is going to last. The foundation just seems to sink into the skin and it honestly stays put. I have a rather oily t-zone and alongside the Illamasqua matt primer, my foundation stays put all day, it doesn’t ‘disappear’ like many other foundations and it keeps my skin looking incredible all day long. The foundation has quite a thick consistency but feels very light on the skin. It almost feels as if you're not wearing any foundation at all. 

I love the Illamasqua packaging, and I have to say that I think and will always think that Illamasqua have the nicest packaging out of all cosmetic brands. The packaging is sleek, sexy and sophisticated. With regards to the foundation, I love the odd shaped bottle and I also like how it comes with a screw top as this is very practical. It prevents spillages and other such catastrophes. The only negative thing I have to say about the packaging is that it's hard to squeeze out the product once you're running low. So when you're a little weakling, it's frustrating when you know there's product left but are unable to squeeze it out. On the plus side, the bottle has a thin nozzle meaning you don't use heaps of product.

The Illamasqua Skin Base foundation retails at £25.00 and can be purchased from the following places: Illamasqua Stores, ASOS and Debenhams. The foundation bottle contains 30ml of product, which is a standard amount as most foundations contain 30ml.

Have you tried Illamasqua's Skin Base Foundation? Do you like it? If you haven't tried it, are you thinking about doing so?

York Haul.

This is just a super quick post showing what I bought during my little adventure to York. There aren't that many things, however all of them are things which others have recommended, I will try and write up posts about each as fast as I can. 

- Tony & Guy Shampoo and Conditioner for blonde hair

- Essie Matte About You top coat

- TopShop nail varnish in Unicorn

- Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation in shades 6 and 7.5

- Illamasqua Matt Primer

I also bought a new MAC Dazzleglass Lipgloss, Seche Vite dry fast top coat and also some Babyliss Root Boosters, however, I put them in my other bag, which is still in the boot of the car...not happy. Never the less, like the rest I will be writing up a blog post about each of them, giving my truthful opinions about them all...better get typing.