2017 FAVOURITE FAVOURITES | PART 1

Today's review of favourite make up products from 2017 is quite interesting as 2017 was very different for my due to spending half of the year not working and the other half finding my feet in my job and getting back into waking to an alarm and getting myself into the office on time.

For those reasons the type of make up products I was using varied more than they would usually depending on what I might be doing beyond the routine of 'office make up' and also the fact I spent much of the time putting myself on a spending ban of sorts and committing myself to using the products that I actually owned or decluttering them.

I also looked back on my 2016 Favourites (Part 1 and Part 2) and there were one or two duplicates so rather than repeat them here I'll be doing a 'Where Are They Now' post next week so please look out for that.

I tried one or two new primers in 2017 including GOSH Primer Plus and Lottie London Insta Filter Power Eraser Stick but it's Benefit Porefessional I've returned to for the most part of the year. Whilst I know many aren't a fan due to it's silicone texture it's one I find that works best for me and smooths out the appearance of my pores before applying foundation. In the latter months I've been using this combined with a small sample of Wet n Wild Focus Photo Primer which despite being the Matte Version feels hydrating to my skin and gives the boost of moisture I need as my skin leads to dry at this time of year. I'm still keeping to my 'spending ban' in 2018, certainly until I visit the US again in April, but Benefits new release, Porefessional Pearl Primer may be the product to break it.

As I mentioned above my make up choices changed whilst I wasn't working and none more so than with the products I'd reach for as my base. When working full time of a weekend I will happily pop to the supermarket without a stitch on but whilst I was 'unemployed' I found my errand running and the fact I had some time on my hands did call for a little more coverage but certainly not one that would be too heavy and unnecessary. As part of my decluttering I decided to return to ByTerry Light Expert Click Brush* which if you refer to my initial review will possibly shudder at how old.

I had actually purchased this product in its original version and was then invited to it's relaunch event but due to the products light coverage it wasn't a product I would reach for day to day when working and again as I've said at a weekend I tend to be make up free but that meant it was the perfect product for those days when I wanted 'that help'. Interestingly the more I've used it on those days of 'unemployment' I've reached for it even on days in the office when I just wasn't interested in bothering with make up but didn't want to scare anyone! It really does give a velvety look and feel to the skin and if you want to fool people into think you're fresh faced this is the product to look at.

I'm torn between suggesting it's overpriced at £48 and then looking at the product I have left to use (just under half) and acknowledging it's had some very regular usage over the past year (in fact it was my base of choice for this past weekend celebrating New Year with friends at an AirBnb) and last such a long time when you consider it made an appear in March 2017's favourites post.

Last month I hit publish on a blog post featuring some new favourites under £6, one of which was The Ordinary Coverage Foundation, and if I had indeed published a December Favourites this would have been in it. Since I purchased it has been my go to foundation for daily use and looks natural with a medium coverage. It doesn't particularly last long after a day in the office so for those evenings I'm heading out, or indeed when I was running around London all day on job interviews or more recently when I knew I'm heading out for Christmas drinks I'll apply Chanel Le Teint Ultra Tenue Ultrawear Flawless Foundation, one of Chanels fuller coverage and long lasting foundations. For this reason it's not something I want to wear every day nor take the time to apply it as easily as I can the two previous products I've mentioned (those work well just using fingers) but it's my go to since they reformulated Make Up Forevers HD Foundation which was my original holy grail.

Finally are two products that I didn't instinctively think to include because I've allocated them in my own filters as 'Summer products' and certainly two that work as a duo, Bare Minerals Foundation in shade Medium Beige and B. Pro Contour Stick* in Universal Shade.

Bare Minerals Foundation is an old favourite with the B. Contour Stick being a new introduction this year. I favour the contour shade rather than the highlight and like that it is thinner than other contour sticks I've used in the past so ideal especially for contouring the nose. Applied first I then blend with the mineral foundation and it creates the perfect coverage and base for warmer days - it's just unfortunate I find it cumbersome of travelling with.

That brings part one to a close, what favourite products featured in your 2017 round up?

*this post contains press samples and affiliate links

Monthly Beauty Favourites | June & July 2017

It's extremely cliched at the end of each month to exclaim 'where did this month go' but really, where did July go? It was only as I was sitting last weekend thinking I really must sit down and hit publish on my June favourites when I realised that people were sharing their July favourites so in blogging terms I was definitely behind.

It then occurred to me that the month had moved so quickly that I hadn't even made my usual notes for the coming month of items that would appear the following month and it was still many of these being staples in my everyday routines.

Enough with the excuses and let's have a look at what products have made an impression of late, starting with Imperial Leather Banana Bath Cream. Yes Imperial Leather heard 'my' pleas and brought out the accompanying bath cream for my much loved shower gel. This makes a nice break from either the muskier or zesty scents I often find in my bath room and pairs wonderfully with the Coconut Shower Gel from Aldi if I want to have a little cocktail in the bathroom.

A frustrating hit in recent weeks has been the Lacura Hot Cloth Cleanser, frustrating as it was only available for a limited time and I didn't have the foresight to stock up. I do hear it's back in November so take note if you're looking for an affordable Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish dupe. As I shared when I first tried out this cleanser it's indistinguishable to it's higher end counterpart. I enjoy a creamy cleanser for days when I'm disinterested or too tired in double cleansing and the like and I find them especially nice for a morning cleanse of a weekend when I'm preferring to go make up free.

I wasn't too keen on Urban Beauty United Brush* No 22 (the brand has had a redesign since so products are numbered differently) for make up application and then one evening when I wanted to apply a clay mask I reached for it rather than using my fingers - especially with stiletto nails - and found I much preferred the application method. Using the brush to apply face masks has seen me using less than I need and distribute far evenly. How do you apply your face masks?

Finishing the skincare favourites is La Roche-Posay Anthelios Face Mist*, a new release in the Anthelios line. SPF is really key to your skincare regime but I must confess outside of my holidays I tend to rely on the SPF in my skincare and make up items than applying a separate cream but the new Anthelios Face Mist has changed that. I apply a layer after my moisturiser and only particularly sunny days over make up whilst it's handy size makes it perfect to throw in your handbag for touch ups throughout the day.

Whilst I wouldn't rely on this in sunnier climes for days when I only see the light of day during my commute to work I find it works perfectly. I was skeptical at it's mist name but it really does apply as such and has a nice scent which makes it a pleasure to use and again, how it would sit on top of make up was of concern but it doesn't interfere at all. It's a product I will definitely repurchase and use, even for my trip to Florida later in the year, this will be ideal throughout the day to add more coverage.

Before I would even call myself a 'beauty blogger' I shared my purchase of the Bare Minerals Foundation and it's one I've repurchased often although not used so much in recent years. Again please don't judge me for how old these foundations might be but I recently rediscovered it as I was working my way through decluttering my make up collection and have been using it regularly as skin has been oiler due to the (occasional!) warmer days.

Whilst the Bare Minerals Original Foundation as a loose powder isn't ideal for travelling at home I find it quick and easy to use, and it's allowed me to play with some cream products and change up the way I do my make up which has been fun. Such is my enjoyment of late I have already used up one pot and have started on a second I had in my stash.

When I'm in a hurry in the morning, or just feeling generally lazy about my make up and want to apply and go it's the GOSH Contour'n Strobe Kit* in Light I've reached for. As I shared in my earlier review this palette pairs perfectly with a red lip, another of my lazy day saviours.

When I first received the Nip+Fab Make Up Mascara* I compared it to the YSL and it's certainly proved as much as since I have been using it has dried up in exactly the same way as that would - luckily this is a much cheaper product for repurchasing and it's finish would see me do so without worrying that it does dry out and clump very quickly.

I'm not sure if my final beauty favourite is strictly 'allowed' as I have only used once but I loved it so much I felt it only right to share. Mac Fly By Twilight foiled eyeshadow was part of the Faerie Whispers collection I picked up over a year ago and a few weekends ago as I got ready for a party was the first time I'd used it since buying it.

I tend to pick bronze and browns for my eye make up but I liked the change with some silver and this eyeshadow applied wonderfully. A spray of fix plus gave more pigment and sparkle but it was thick enough to not cause a bad finish on 'older eyelids'. It's definitely one I'll bringing out for party time in the future.

I'm going to end my favourites with something a little different and the website Foxella. It was mere days before I started my new job i saw a Tweet from Jane at BBB tagging Foxella, had a nosey as one does and then fell into a black hole of celebrity gossip and 'blind items'. In short Foxella is a celebrity gossip site that shares gossip about celebrities indirectly but adds the suggested celebrity the gossip refers to in it's post. As I can't bear to add views to the Daily Mail, even for their sidebar of shame, Foxella has filled that void so I can be sure to Keep Up With Khardashians and other such celebrities from the Z to A list. I follow them on Twitter and find it's the simplest way for me to keep 'informed' and will tell anyone who is a fan of such salacious gossip that this is the site to follow. Often I will print screen particularly 'interesting' gossip and sharing with friends creating shock, conversation or denial as we see fit. Predominantly it is American celebrities that feature and some I am not familiar with and will skip over but you find the odd British celebrity featured such as the Beckhams and One Direction members. One such hungover day I actually scrolled through the entries since I'd discovered Foxella and read every one - it was the perfect day. Judge me accordingly but I dare you to dip into the site and not become like me anticipating the next tidbit that appears in your Twitter feed. 

What have you been loving this month, or indeed the past two months?

*this post contains press sample and affiliate links

Forgotten Favourites

Following my dabble with The KonMari Method I have been moving onto decluttering my make up stash and as such finding a few forgotten favourites along the way to share with you.

First is the Bare Minerals Powder Foundation which was one of the first foundations I ever really dabbled with on a 'serious' basis and even featured way back in 2011 in a post that is lacking photography skills and content. I picked this at the time, please don't judge for it's age and the fact it's one of two pots I've discovered, as I wanted a foundation with coverage but conscious of my lack of a skincare routine and preference for stumbling into bed complete with full face of make up. Whilst I wouldn't recommend purchasing a foundation because they suggest your skin is still able to breathe whilst wearing it and thus allowing sleep it did treat me well and I repurchased on a number of occasions.

As a foundation its easy to use and I have enjoyed the finish, making a change from the usual coverage of a liquid foundation. I don't think I'm converted back to making this a regular staple in my routine and it's coverage is lighter than what I have preferred of late and I when using I begin the dithering of what about a cream concealer, can I apply on top but otherwise it's been a nice trip down memory lane.

Next is an old blogger favourite, the Wet n Wild Comfort Zone Palette which I first featured way back in 2014 - hmmm where do we stand on whether it's past it's best? I'm a little torn on this palette and whether to say goodbye to it or keep hold of as I have been enjoying it of late. As in my initial review it is the left hand side which I'm enjoying most and find easiest for daily wear but when I consider my love for the Lorac Pro Palette and those being the ones I reach for do I need this?

A lot of the shades are hailed as dupes from Mac the full down of which can be found at Temptalia but even my original Mac eyeshadows are going unloved lately. I'm wondering whether my mum might make us of it as she loves shades of green or perhaps depotting and keeping the neutrals I'm enjoying to see if I can better use of them in that state? If you're looking to get your hands on this palette in the UK check out The Vitamin Grocer.

Finally is a product I would've put in my monthly favourites when I came back from Las Vegas if there had been such a post and that is Jergens BB Body Perfecting Skin Cream which apologies is a product only available in the US. The first time I tried this I went for the light option which was too light even on my pasty skin so on another trip I went for the darker shade which was a much better fit. This is a moisturiser which smooths and evens out the skin so is perfect for holidays and I will be throwing into my suitcase for St Lucia to help 'photoshop' my legs. I need to have a little more of a play with this product and then I'll see whether I'll stock up later in the year.

What products have you rediscovered lately?

PRODUCTS THAT DIDN'T WORK FOR ME #6

As I continue to 'shop my stash' and use products I already own before buying new ones it will of course stand to reason that some products, particularly due to the numbers I am now sampling, won't work for me. Here is the latest hit list.

Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette link
This was a Christmas gift the one before last and one my mum couldn't believe would cost so much for an eyeshadow palette so it's something of a shame a year on I'm just not a fan. Everyone of course loves and lusts after the Urban Decay Naked Palettes and I can't deny that this was on my wish list purely for it's hype around its release and a desire to have it. Whilst gorgeous to look at its palette of rose pink neutrals complete with mattes, pearls and metallics I just do not find it works for me.

I have of course tried, followed tutorials and the like but I just don't find it's something I reach for on a regular basis not feel a desire to keep in my collection. As such you'll see it coming on a blog sale very soon.

Sure Compressed Deodorant Invisible Black & White Crystal* link
My go to deodorant is Sure Maximum Protection and you will have seen it mentioned countless times on Florence and Mary so it was something of a disappointment that the Black & White Crystal version was quite the opposite. Despite using over Winter when shall we say things are less sweaty I found I was feeling wet minutes after using. Crazily I persevered thinking maybe it was the particular clothing I was wearing on certain days or some other reasons but nothing made a difference until I returned to Sure Maximum Protection. Yes it's stick form and size isn't as handy as the can and yes the Black  White definitely stood by it's non yellow staining abilities but for me it was a no go.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser* link
If you read my post on the full 3-step routine from La Roche Posay then you will know that this cleanser was far too drying on my normal-combination skin. Whilst a fan of the Effaclar Duo the cleanser just didn't work for me. If you have super oily skin I'd definitely give this a try.

Doctor Manuka Brightening Facial Oil* link
We're all fans of facial oils these days and any that offer to brighten and give me a more youthful looking complexion catch my attention. As expected the Brightening Oil contains the hero ingredient Manuka Oil and I found this was gorgeous to use during colder months when my skin was drier and needed a boost of hydration in my morning skin.

You may as why speaking so highly of this non greasy facial oil that it is appearing in this post, well unfortunately for me the smell was just too off putting. I can only describe it as a cheesy scent - and I like my scent. If it were not for my 'beauty blogger status' and access to numerous products I would have stuck with using this oil as the smell disappears very quickly and doesn't linger in anyway and it's benefits far outweigh the seconds of recoil at the smell. That said when I had numerous other products at my disposal I just wouldn't reach for this and would far rather pass on to a friend or family member with a less delicate nose than myself.

Ojon Damage Reverse Restorative Hair Treatment
I have gone through numerous tubs of this once holy grail product over the years. I first discovered via QVC and I can remember many years ago my mum and I stocking up on Ojon products from Sephora in the US where it was significantly cheaper. Now I just find it a bit of a faff and hence it's appearance in this post.

The Ojon Restorative Hair Treat is very much a cult classic within those in the know. Back in it's QVC days there were fabulous videos showing rain forests where the Ojon nuts are found and the 'golden elixir' is born to return your hair to a soft, silky and manageable state once again.

My hair has never been on the drier side and despite daily washing and a blast from the hairdryer I find that this product doesn't do anything I can't get from my hair conditioning treatments I prefer to use. I've had this tub sitting in my bedside table in an effort to use it but find the whole process of scooping out a teaspoon and warming in my hands and brushing through my hair whilst tucked up in bed a pain. It certainly makes hair oily and your hands too (not to mention bedding!) and hair does appear much better the day after but the whole process isn't something I do frequently enough to warrant keeping hold of it.

Ciate Paint Pot, Pillow Fight* link
I've had limited exposure to Ciate Nail Paint Pots so I was pleased to see one in a goodie bag after an event (where I had Boudoir applied which I loved). Whilst I have no gripes with the polish itself the colour just didn't flatter or work for me at all. Whilst appearing lilac in the bottle it was definitely more on the grey side than I would like and I wouldn't reach for again so off to a more appreciative home it goes.

Mally Volumizing Mascara* link
Little to say about this mascara from Mally other than the fall out for me made it unwearable.

Bare Minerals Lash Domination Volumizing Mascara*
Like the Mally mascara above this too was a fall out disaster for me. I also found it very wet and clumpy when I first used it. I persevered some more with this once it had dried out a little but the fall out remained.

Victoria Secrets Love Spell Fragrance Mist link
Love Spell a 'flirty floral fragrance' from Victoria Secrets was once a favourite of mine. Back in my 20s I had a body lotion complete with sparkle which I would always apply before a night out so of course nostalgia got the better of me on one of my US trips and I picked up this fragrance mist (my body collection is too vast to justify one of those) thinking it'd be a nice spritz before bed or when I was sitting about at home. Maybe my tastes have changed as I get old but this is just too overbearingly sweet for me and again I just avoid using it.

There you have the recent products that I couldn't make work, do you see any surprises featured?

*PR Sample

May Favourites

This month has been spent testing and trialling both new and existing items in my cupboards as I try and declutter the hoards of products filling cupboards and drawer space so today's favourites feature a mix from those. In the case of the products I'm talking about today they are the ones I reached for when I didn't want to risk trying something new and wanted something I could rely on or knew would be a hit.

Bare Minerals Original SPF 15 Foundation link
This was the first foundation I decided to use when I turned 30 and felt I needed more coverage but wasn't keen on the typical liquid alternatives. With a lax skincare regime at the time one of it's selling points was that if I did fail to remove it there was less damage being caused to my skin. I have repurchased this on a number of occasions and it's come in handy on the few hot days we've had when I didn't want to risk foundation slipping off my face.

Nars NARSissist Eye Palette link
Sold out in the UK but still available from Sephora if you're desperate to get your hands on this was my first Nars purchase and I'm more than happy I made the dash to Selfridges to pick it up. 15 eyeshadows in a sleek palette enabling multiple looks it has been thrown in my make up bag on many occasions this month. Despite buying on it's initial release I'd been reluctant to dive in  and do not know why I waited so long. This palette is perfect for travel and will certainly be accompanying me on my next holiday. 

Maybelline Master Glaze Cream Blush, Pink Fever link
I picked up three of these Maybelline cream blush sticks in the US last month and love how easy they are to use - literally swipe, blend and go. I will be popping a full review of these up very soon as whilst I appreciate they are not available in the UK they are well worth tracking down and are great for days when you don't want to think too much about putting on blush.

NYX Matte Lipstick, Shocking Pink link
Another US purchase I picked up as a dupe for Mac's Candy Yum Yum. Despite it's matte finish this has a creamy application and I don't find my lips dry out at all which is often the case with many matte lipsticks I wear. For day I dab this on the lips lightly and it lasts longer than many other lipsticks do on me. If I'm heading out after work I swipe more heavily and build it up for the brighter more 'shocking pink' tone.

Once Upon a Time link

This month has most definitely been dominated by the TV series Once Upon a Time. In just two weeks I managed to work my way through two series of the show having missed its initial airing. From creators of the series Lost, Once Upon a Time features our well known and loved fairy tale characters who due to a curse have had their memories wiped and now live in the present day in a town called Storybrook. Each episode has two stories, one in Storybrook and another from the past as their ‘real’ storybook character which provides us the history of who they are today. Spoiler Alert - By series two the curse has been lifted but not a return to the Enchanted Forest so again more trials and tribulations are ahead.

The series had a possibility that it could’ve been rather cheesy but that is not the case and I’m pleased to see the female characters are particularly dominating very much changing our Disney perceptions of Snow White. I especially loved the early episodes as you saw two versions of the same person and how they differ in their new world from the old and where there are some personality traits that won’t go away – I always think it’s testament to an actor when they can essentially play two parts in the same show and convince the actor of the differences, much like Elena and Catherine in The Vampire Diaries, which I despite being another show I love it’s nice to have one that isn’t about Vampires. 

What have you been loving this month, let me know in the comments. Now I'm off to try and track down where I can watch Series 3 of Once Upon a Time.

#theSOproject // Week 3 Foundation

Foundation in one form or another has been with us a long time, from lead paints used by the Romans via Max Factor's first commercially available offering to today's varied choices from mineral powder to liquid it's quite hard to know where to begin.

Let's start with the purpose of foundation which is to even your complexion and cover any flaws. The condition of your skin will determine which sort of foundation coverage you require; sheer, light, medium or full. If you're lucky you may not even need foundation and can get away with using tinted moisturisers or BB creams with a little concealer for the odd blemish (see last weeks post on concealer).

Foundation should only be used where and if necessary, do not feel obliged to add foundation to your routine if you do not need it. I didn't start wearing foundation until I was in my thirties favouring Benefits You Rebel back in the day and even now I'm comfortable with the coverage my favourite Erborian BB Cream provides (see a recent review here).

The most daunting part of choosing a foundation in my opinion is finding the right shade for your skintone. This morning I suggested seeking assistance from a beauty counter but if you want to go it alone here's what you need to know. Your foundation should be exactly the same colour as your skin and tested on your jawline, NOT your hand. Never try to go a shade darker, I'm still scarred by a friend at school who had the tell tale orange tide line around their neck from badly colour matched and blended foundation. Next view the swatch in natural light, store lighting is not your friend. The shade least visible is your match.

An important thing to note is that cosmetic colours are not standardised in any way so whilst you may be a medium beige with Bobbi Brown (beige, such a dreadful colour association don't you think) Rimmel may call you dark beige and so on. You will need to find your colour match with any product each time. You also need to consider different shades for the seasons as you may be darker in Summer than Winter.

In addition to finding the right shade, deciding on the coverage you require, whether covering bad scars or simply evening out your skintone you'll need to decide on the type of foundation suitable for you. The variations to formulation will often be decided with coverage but you may want to try a few products to decide what works for you.

My 'first' foundation was from Bare Minerals. When I decided I needed more coverage but wasn't looking for anything to full on their mineral powder foundation appealed to me and felt foolproof to my amateur hands which were scared of liquids. I am aware some people are allergic to one of the ingredients so you'll need to bear that in mind but as with any product what works for one will not for another. MAC foundations seem to divide opinion, some cannot live without, others find it causes terrible breakouts so investigation is key.

I also use By Terry Light Expert Foundation and it's fantastic and perfect for those on the go. This is a favourite to apply on my commute to work and whilst the brush applicator may not be everyone's cup of tea it makes carrying around lots of brushes unnecessary.

This leads me nicely on to applying your foundation. Depending on your foundation type will often depend on your method of application, for example you should stay away from applying water based foundations with cosmetic sponges. The Real Techniques Buffing and Expert Face Brushes are great and really do aid using the smallest amount of product on your face and create the flawless finish you should get from foundation.

I hope you find some of that advice useful, foundation shopping can be something of a mind field but if you investigate thoroughly you should hopefully avoid too many mishaps. I'd love to hear any other tips you have for finding the right foundation.

Bare Minerals

Bare Minerals Getting Started Complexion Kit

I haven't worn foundation before but recently acknowledged that a little primer wasn't enough and took myself to the big yellow store to see what they could offer me. Scared of liquid foundations Bare Minerals had the answer!

The lovely assistant applied all the products and I was certainly pleased with the results and invested in the "Get Started Kit" And the additional bonus for me is that it is "pure enough" to sleep in - perfect for those evenings when I come home and cleanse, tone and moisturise is the last thing on my mind!!

Give it a try or add it to your Christmas lists!