Escentual.com Mini-Haul.

Recently I came across escentual.com. It's not that much different from other beauty websites, such as BeautyBay and FeelUnique. However, it has a lot of french brands. Especially those which are rather difficult to find in the UK, for example; Vichy, a wide range of La Roche-Posey and specifically Bioderma.

Now, Bioderma is something which has really been talked about a lot throughout the blogging world. Unless you've been living under a rock, you'll have seen everyone and their grandmother raving about Sensibio H2O - Micelle Solution (formerly known as Crealine), which is meant to be incredible. 

This in itself was the main reason I came across the website.

However, I just thought I would show you what I bought from escentual.com, and highlight the website as a go to website for french brands. Also, I find it tends to sell brands which other websites don't, especially if the brands aren't as well known or as big in the UK as in other countries.

As you can see I picked up;

- Bioderma Sebium Pore Refiner - Corrective Concentrate

- Bioderma Sensibio H2O - Micelle Solution (formerly Crealine)

- Nailtiques Protein Formula No 2

I was also going to purchase La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo, as a lot of people love how spot free it keep the skin. However, the ingredients seem a little harsh, and as I have rather sensitive skin, I'm undecided about whether to try it or not.

Individual reviews will be coming up soon!

The Perfect Lipgloss for Summer.

CHANEL - 

Levres Scintillantes Glossimer

If I could pick the perfect lipgloss for summer, I think that the CHANEL Glossimer in Mica would be the one.

Mica (131) is a really sheer peachy pink which is infused with a rainbow of glittery micro shimmer! The actual base colour is almost transparent once applied, and it is the shimmer that really makes this lipgloss come into it’s own…I can see pinks, purples, greens and oranges. In normal lighting (top photo) it just has a subtle pink sheen but once this hits sunlight (bottom photo) you get a gorgeous hit of multi coloured shimmer and sparkle! 
It is ridiculously difficult to photograph, like most gloss's of this type, however, you can sort of make it out. Its much more beautiful in real life!

Chanel being Chanel, this looks really refined and understated and I am in love! I should note that this is a very subtle lipgloss, especially in the shade, so if you’re looking for something more noticeable then I would give this a miss! I actually love wearing this over my Dior Lip Glow (read the review here). The balm provides the perfect pretty pink base, and this CHANEL gloss adds the fantastic, amazing, incredible, show stopping shimmer.

The texture is like a light gel so the lipgloss is non-sticky and is neither drying nor moisturising. It has a doe foot applicator and glides on easily. The glossy finish lasts for about 3 hours, and the shimmer stays for a little longer and doesn’t feel gritty at all.

Overall I love love love this and whenever the sun comes out I want to wear it! For me it’s worth spending £21.00 on, but if you’re not a fan of subtle finishes then I’d look for something more pigmented! In the sunlight, the shimmer is really beautiful and the finish is subtle enough to wear on a casual and special occasion. Definitely worth a try!

Unsure.

CHANEL - 

Le Volume De Chanel Mascara

I received this not long ago as a sample. To say its a sample its a pretty good size, and the packaging of the box it came in was stunning! I was really excited to try this mascara, because even though its new, I was hearing some pretty good things about it.

So what does CHANEL say...'Instant volume and intense curves from the first stroke with longer, plumper and thicker lashes. Lashes are coated in deep colour, giving eyes a wide-open effect. A shock result produced by the perfect union of brush and formula: The brush, creates volume thanks to its smart design of snowflake-shaped disks that are stacked and oriented for an ideal finish.The quick-drying fluid formula helps build a customised volume result. A flutter of seduction beats across the eyes as they become the expression of a vibrant personality.'

Now, isn't that something special to live up to.

Ok, so im not saying its rubbish...however it doesn't really live up to all the hype and the amazing description of the mascara. Lets start with what I liked about it;

- The jet black colour is amazing, it really makes your eyes pop

- The wand its ok, its not too hard to use like some other mascaras that take a while to get to grips with the wards

- It does make a difference to the length and volume of my lashes, however nothing extreme

HOWEVER...

- I found it very clumpy, and as someone who hates anything clumpy it really let the mascara down for me

For me, the fact it was really rather clumpy just ruined the whole experience of using this mascara. I did try it for a whole week, and every day the same thing happened...it ended up clumping my lashes together and it just ruined the whole look.

Sorry Chanel!

Photo Flawless?

SEVENTEEN -

Photo Flawless Skin Primer

Now, the one pain problem with my skin when it comes to make up, is my large pores. No matter how amazing the foundation is, sooner or later my pores start to poke through. Not long ago I bought a Rimmel primer (blog post here) and as good as it is, for a drug store primer, it doesn't actually do that much for my pores. Therefore, the hunt was on again...everyone welcome the SEVENTEEN Photo Flawless skin primer. 

What SEVENTEEN say; 'The SEVENTEEN Photo Flawless primer is designed to apply before foundation to smooth your skin and assist the application of your base. The silky formula will also keep your foundation in place for longer, so you can be camera ready from morning until night!'

First up, I like the packaging - it's a black plastic squeezy tube with timeless gold lettering, making it look more expensive than its £4.99 price tag. The cap unscrews to reveal a small nozzle which makes it really easy to control how much product you're getting. At 15ml, this is less than half the size of the No 7 primer, but it's also less than half the price, and if it works I don't care!

Most reviews I have read about this primer compare it to Benefit's POREfessional. This primer, unlike Benefit's POREfessional, is not coloured. Both primers blend out translucent anyway however. The texture of this is very similar to the POREfessional in that it is oil-free and very very silky and smooth on the skin! It goes on really well and feels lovely on the skin. It created a smooth base for my foundation and I found it to prolong the wear of it too, much longer than the POREfessional did! Usually my foundation lasts around 5 hours with POREfessional, however, with this it was still going strong after 8/9 hours! I'm pleased I've found a primer which minimises my large pores slightly, but never the less I still think I'm going to keep an eye out for a primer which gives me an even better result. 

Ok dont get me wrong, for a cheap drug store primer, this isn't bad. However, its not going to give you photo flawless skin. If you have large pores like me, it does minimise them slightly, but there still there, and slightly noticeable. Overall, this primer is priced at £4.99 for 15ml from Boots, and is a good product considering there are much more expensive primers out there that do a very similar job! 

Core-Collection.

Real Techniques -

Core Collection

Ok, so these may look familiar to a lot of you. They’ve pretty much taken over every blog site at some point or another. Even though I own many of the individual ones, I didn’t see many reasons to pay for the collections, because initially I didn’t think I would use many of them. However, everyone keeps raving about the buffing brush included within the set, and the contouring brush also looks pretty good.

The Real Techniques Core Set consists of four base brushes (indicated by the orange handles):

Buffing brush - The world and they mama looooooooove this brush for foundation, and I have to agree that it is fabulously well-balanced in density and flexibility, which makes it perfect for blending liquid foundations. Even if you prefer another brush for liquid foundation, the Buffing brush is your ticket to a natural finish, blending out excess product for a far more natural look. I love this brush as much as the rest of the world.

Contour brush - A beautifully dense, small-headed face brush perfect for contouring with bronzing or highlighting powders. The tapered end makes it brilliantly precise for accurate application of product to define your features. It is arguably too densely packed and short to act as a blending brush for cheek products but it applies colour brilliantly.

Pointed foundation brush - I surprisingly like the smaller size of this brush, as it makes a great concealer tool. However, I would probably be sitting in front of my mirror for an hour if I chose to use this for foundation. It definitely has a place in this collection, though, as it's a great basic brush.

Detailer brush - It's tiny, it's flat, and it’s tapered. You can't really ask for any more in a concealer brush, but I find this brush redundant for my makeup routine. I have yet to find a perfect place for this brush within my routine, however I’m determined to find the perfect way to use it.

Other features that make this brush set standout is the softness of the Taklon hair used in the brushes, and also the little 2 in 1 stand and case. The set as a whole is clearly well thought out. As a collection, Real Techniques combines innovative new brush shapes with basic tools in an affordable set. Overall, these are the best brushes I have ever used. They’re affordable and incredible; they’re just as good as any other high-end make up brush. Another great thing to mention is how easily they are to clean. I give them a really good, deep clean once a week, to keep them in good condition, and they wash amazingly and dry super fast.

EVERYONE WHO DOESN’T OWN THESE BRUSHES REALLY SHOULD DO!

This collection retails for £21.99, even though you can sometimes pick it up cheaper with offers online and 3 for 2’s within Boots. I actually got it for £15 when HQHair.com was having a massive discount moment. Two more brush sets are available along with many separate brushes from various worldwide online retailers and selected, larger Boots stores for those within the UK.

Mini Haul.

This is just a little haul showing you what I’ve bought recently. There are a few clothes items, which I haven’t included. However, I may do a little post about them at a later date as a one off.

So here we go:

- Real Techniques Core Collection

- Chanel LÈVRES SCINTILLANTES Glossimer in 131 Mica

- Chanel LE VOLUME DE CHANEL mascara (sample)

- 17 Photo Flawless Skin Primer

- Purple Superdry Orange Label Zip Hoodie

- Converse Ct Lite Ox Optical White

Individual reviews will be coming up soon. 

Hope you all had a nice bank holiday weekend.

Stay-Matte Powder.

Clinique -

Stay-Matte Sheer Pressed Powder

Reluctantly, I had to buy a new pressed powder to keep in my bag for day to day on the run touch ups. My beloved Illamasqua powder (see review here) is just too amazing to ruin, and due to it slightly shattering again, I refuse to allow it to leave the house, unless I'm going away.

Anyway, I originally went to Clinique to buy a new Almost Powder compact. However, the consultant said I should try the Stay-Matte Sheer Pressed Powder instead. Which I did, and which I actually much preferred. 

As you can also see in the photo, I picked up a sample of Clinique's new Stay-Matte Foundation...review coming soon!

What Clinique say; 'Removes excess oil and shine, without disturbing makeup. Leaves a matte-look to skin. Leaves skin feeling and looking comfortable and fresh.'

Basically, this is an oil-free, shine-absorbing pressed powder. The ultra-sheer texture of this pressed powder gives skin a perfected matte appearance. It's great for oily skin, oily spots and maintains a fresh look and feel, even after frequent touch-ups. It's also great to set make up; it even hides my horribly large pores, which seem to be able to peek through even the best of foundations. 

Due to it providing only a sheer to moderate coverage, it’s rather hard to make it look cakey, especially if you use a powder brush, which is my favorite way to apply this powder. Do be warned though, even though it doesn’t look particularly cakey, you get much fuller/heavier coverage when using the sponge within the compact.

Overall, this is a really good pressed powder. It does exactly what it says on the box, and there aren’t any particular flaws to it. The packaging is simple, slim and easily transportable. It’s definitely something you can just slip into your daytime bag, make up bag or clutch wherever you go, just for touch ups.

It retails for £21, which isn’t bad for a pressed powder, especially from quite a high market brand. I can see it lasting me for such a long time; therefore the price is definitely worth it.

NEED - New Heat Protection Spray!

I know heat protection is a must when you use straighteners.Its something I either forget to use, or buy and then regret afterwards. I usually find heat protection products make my hair one of three things; weighed down, greasy or sticky, either way it feels like I have loads of product in my hair, and therefore I don't use it again.

HOWEVER, coming up to summer I thought it was time I started using one again.

I'm looking for help to find the perfect one. 

I have fine hair, which is easily weighed down, which often gets greasy fast, if I use anything too thick. Its highlighted blonde, therefore I need a product which doesn't dull down my colour or stain my hair (my main issue with moroccan oil).

I've looked into it a lot, and the ones which seem to be coming up popular are;

-  Redken Iron Shape 11 Finishing Thermal Spray

- TRESemme Instant Heat Tamer Spray

- Redken Smooth Down Heat Glide

- Paul Mitchell Heat Seal

- S-Factor Heat Defender (Flat Iron Shine Spray)

- TRESemme Heat Defence Styling Spray

- Got 2 Be Guardian Angel Heat Protect N' Blow Out Lotion and Gloss Finish

So what I'm asking is; 

Whats your favourite heat protection product and why do you like it?