Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder

LAURA MERCIER LOOSE SETTING POWDER  | £29

I have avoided powder for years in fear that it would clog up my pores. I'm not sure if it is a general fear for those who suffer with acne, but for me, it's a daunting prospect and usually makes matters look and feel worse. My partners sister purchased the Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder for me at Christmas which was a lovely surprise as I had never tried anything from the brand yet had been longing to for months. 

PACKAGING

The product comes loose within a very sturdy screw top container. I love the simplicity and elegance of the design, the silver accent font is a lovely touch. The utility of the product design is great as it means you don't get the bulk of the product out in the open, this puts me at ease as I am generally quite clumsy and would probably cry if I dropped it. The pot is large and you definitely get your moneys worth in terms of product size, I've used this daily and it's showing no signs of running out. There's something about Laura Mercier products that really sit's well with me aesthetically, the minimalist approach and brand colours are just so beautiful. 

THOUGHTS

As mentioned previously, I wear this powder daily. Unlike many powders, the product is very fine and applies flawlessly. I always apply highlighter and even when applying this product on top, I still get a glow - it doesn't dull anything down. The product sets makeup for the day and doesn't feel the slightest bit cakey, something which I'm sure we all want to avoid! Previous powders have made my blemishes look awful as they've clung to the dry areas, however, this product doesn't and that's why I find it unique. I love the feeling of the product, more of a light dusting rather that a heavy extra layer and to me that's key with powders, I don't feel like I'm clogging my pores. Once applied my makeup stays put and my skin feels so silky, it also looks very natural and even. I like the finish as it's not necessarily matte but more of a natural, toned down matte, it removes excess shine but doesn't leave you looking chalkey. 

I have definitely fallen in love with this powder and hope to try more from the brand, I would love to try the tinted moisturisers or their body scrubs! I received the Creme Brûlée Honey Bath for christmas which is also a beautiful product, Laura Mercier products really do feel so luxurious - I NEED TO TRY MORE!

Volume Colourist Mascara

RIMMEL LONDON VOLUME COLOURIST MASCARA | £7.99

This mascara really sung to me, I really liked the idea of a mascara that tints your lashes over time. I have very light lashes but very dark brows and so I couldn't pick this product up fast enough. Rimmel claim that after 2 weeks of regular use, your lashes should be darker root to tip and progressively blacken the more you use it. There is also a promise of longer and fuller lashes which is what I look for in a mascara.

PACKAGING

The product design is nice, I love the colour scheme - the black and bronze/rosey gold is really pretty. It fits nicely in your hand and is very light so it's easy to manoeuvre when applying. The wand is quite chunky for me, I'm used to using a flat plastic applicator whereas this product has a round brush. The hand held part of the mascara is swirled into a more square shape so don't worry about the product rolling off the table - a small but irritating occurrence when using rounded products. 

THOUGHTS

I have mixed feelings about the performance of this mascara, I'll start with the positive. I really do feel like it darkens lashes, mine look more defined and this means I can look less mole-like without mascara! I like the concept of a gradual lash tint and hope that more mascaras take this on in their products, it's a fab idea. The product achieves a very black finish and applies very smoothly, however it is very wet and so over dipping the wand results in heavy, undefined lashes. Unfortunately, I feel the consistency just doesn't work with my lashes and I feel that there was no change in the volume or length of my lashes. I have very short lashes and most mascaras do elongate them, but I didn't experience this when using the mascara. During the day the mascara tended to smudge under my eyes and I would return home with a slight panda feel to my makeup look, not ideal. 

I really wanted to like this mascara but I don't feel like I can wear it due to the smudging, it just makes me look awful. I feel there are better performers out there which achieve more for the same price. Let me know if your thoughts, it just didn't cut it for me. 

Nip + Fab Kale Fix Clay Mask

NIP + FAB KALE FIX CLAY MASK | £6-12

Now I will be the first to put my hands up and say I should probably eat more greens, however, I feel I should at least get some credit for using a kale face mask. (I am aware of how embarrassing that opening line was but I still enjoy the slight awful humour of it). In all seriousness, this face mask sounded too good to ignore, I needed a skin saviour asap. I was away from home for a few nights and realised I had not brought along my face mask, my skin was beginning to feel dry and needed a little TLC. I dashed into super drug and scoured the shelves until my eye was caught by the NIP + FAB Kale Fix Clay Mask, I love their brand and I find their products work well with my skin. 

THOUGHTS

I really, really enjoyed this mask. The consistency is very silky and smooth, not like most clay masks which are quite thick in consistency. I applied a thin layer of the product after cleansing and left it on for 30 minutes, this is longer than suggested but I love face masks so i'm going to drag it out as long as possible. The mask instantly calmed my skin and felt very soothing whilst applied, I like how it didn't leave my skin feeling tight like most clay masks. To wash the mask off you simply massage your face with luke warm water which turns the mask into a silky cleanser like consistency. The following day my skin felt moisturised and restored, any blemishes I had also felt less irritated. I love products that restore hydration and the NIP + FAB Kale Fix Mask definitely does this, I feel like it also gave my skin a nice glow which is always a plus. I can definitely see myself reaching for this mask on days where my skin needs an extra bit of love, and for the price it's definitely a winner. 

Let me know if you have tried this mask, I love the benefits of the clay without the stiff and tight feeling during application, it's refreshing and a lovely product to use during a pamper day.

Benefit Goof Proof Brow Pencil

BENEFIT GOOF PROOF BROW PENCIL | £18.50

I'm not sure about you, but Benefit have had me so excited over the new brow product launches. I was over the moon to find that by purchasing Elle magazine you could get a freebie of the Goof Proof Brow Pencil. I sadly found myself pushing the product unto the magazine plastic packaging, trying to get a glimpse of the shade that was inside. Luckily I had picked up a shade 6 which was perfect for me (my brows are quite dark). 

PACKAGING

I have to say, Benefit have always wowed me with their packaging and marketing. I remember on my 16th birthday my Nan took me to purchase a bag of new makeup and I knew I wanted Benefit due to their amazing design and fun products. The Goof Proof Brow Pencil is encased in a silver geometric shell, it looks so modern but also has a vintage feel to it. The product is sturdy and feels sufficient in your hand, it's not too bulky and doesn't slip. The product works with a twist cap whereby twisting gives you more product and vice versa. I like that the cap is not round and therefore sits still on a table instead of rolling onto the floor. These little things matter. 

THOUGHTS

I am used to using the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer and Goof Proof is very similar. This allowed me to start using the product with ease, understanding the various thickness and angles. I remember when I first used the ABH Brow definer it took a few goes to get used to it, so those who haven't used a similar product before may find they need to play around with it to get comfortable.  

The triangular shape of the product allows you to gain various thicknesses when applying which is perfect for every part of your brow, it's almost like a 3 in 1. The product is a really nice consistency and applies in a way that you get realistic hair like strokes, it's soft enough to apply but structured/hard enough to gain precise lines. Goof Proof gives me a full brow look and does so very quickly, the product is brilliant for those who want to achieve perfect brows in limited amount of time. My brows stay put all day apart from the odd smudge towards the end, I do find this doesn't occur as often if I powder my brows before application. 

Overall I would say i'm definitely impressed, but I didn't expect anything less from Benefit! I love the design and the performance definitely matches, it gives you thick brows within a matter of minutes. Did you pick up Elle Magazine this month? I am definitely happy to have grabbed this freebie and can't wait to try the rest of the collection! Let me know what you'd recommend! 

Favourite Facial Oils

I discovered facial oils earlier this year after avoiding them due to fear of the unknown. In my mind, putting oil on my skin was only going to end in blemishes and oily skin. I was pleasantly surprised that using these facial oils significantly increased the condition of my skin. There are two oils that I find myself reaching for every day, both tackling different skin problems.

I have reviewed and declared my love for trilogy in the past, they are an amazing brand. I love the design and vibe of the company, they are invested in natural skincare and that is so rare in mainstream brands. I love the simplicity of the packaging and the elegance it has, they don't need anything fancy because their product really is a brilliant performer. I love the Trilogy Rosehip Oil for it's ability to reduce scarring, it really does calm my skin and leave it looking much more even.

A recent facial oil I have discovered is by The Hero Project. Glow Drops is a facial oil that I love due to it's ability to give me such a dewy complexion. I love glowing skin (as do most) and this product makes that goal so much more achievable! I apply this product just before I apply my makeup or sometimes mix it in with foundation - it works a treat. I also love this product for the hydration it gives me, my skin always feels so moisturised once I've used it.

I use facial oils in a number of steps during my skincare routine. I usually always apply one in the morning after I've cleansed and during the evening after I've cleansed - I find this works best. After applying I then finish with a moisturiser to make sure my skin stays hydrated. On the odd occasion I will mix an oil into my foundation which helps create a glowing and flawless finish - the product glides on and is perfect for summertime.

I am definitely glad to have tried facial oils, they have impacted my skin in such a positive way. If you're feeling anxious about whether your skin would work well with facial oils, don't be afraid to message a brand to find out what would work best with your skin. There are so many to choose from, but these have to be my favourite yet - I love the natural aspect of them. Please let me know if you have any suggestions, I'd love to know what you're loving!

Collection Highlighting Blusher

Collection Gorgeous Glow Block | £4.19

Now before I begin raving about this blusher, I must point out that this has been rebranded - however, it still has the same look but with an extra shade. I love collection as a brand, their products are very affordable and work really well - the lasting perfection concealer is a must have. I have been using this product daily over the past two months after finding it stored away in my makeup collection. I'm not one for a matte blush so the convenience of having a highlighter and blush in one product sits very well with me! 

I find it hard to match a blusher up with my pale skin but this product has managed to hit the nail on the head, it's perfect. I like that you can swipe the whole range of shades or simply choose to exclude the ones you don't want, depending on your look. I have also used this product as an eyeshadow which works surprisingly well. There are 4 shades (5 in the latest release) so you have a smokey eye right there, it's very shimmery and looks amazing in summer! I love the highlight that this product gives, it's very natural and makes your skin look so healthy and glowing!

I love rediscovering products, it reminds me of when my partner and I first went on holiday, I remember repurchasing at least twice! I also have the bronze version for when I have a bit more of a tan, both the blush and bronze shades are lovely to use during the summer. I will definitely have to try the newest collection blusher, I hope it looks and performs just as well!