Review; Benefit "that gal", BADgal lash mascara, and the POREfessional.

Hey Guys!

So, just about everyone and their dog have been raving about the free Benefit samples from Glamour this month. Glamour team up with Benefit every year to offer three mini versions of their products, this year they offered Bad Gal Lash mascara, The POREfessional and 'that gal' primer. I picked up all three, because at £2 it's a brilliant offer! I also got a spare one of the BADgal mascara as I ended up loving it!

the POREfessional

PRO balm to minimise the appearance of pores

£23.50 

What Benefit says; "Quickly minimise the appearance of pores & fine lines for smoother-than-smooth skin! Apply this silky, lightweight balm alone, under or over makeup. Translucent, oil-free formula complements all skintones and helps makeup stay put. Contains a Vitamin E derivative, known to protect skin from free radicals."

I use this underneath my eyes on the top of my cheeks and near my nose, as I feel those are my problem areas - I have quite large pores there. The primer is coloured beige, but once it is rubbed into the skin it becomes translucent and it did not tint my skin at all.  I found that the oil-free formula worked for me. My skin isn't completely oily but in the places that it is (t-zone) the POREfessional didn't make greasy.

This retails at £23.50 for 22ml of the product, which is ridiculous. For the money you pay, its tiny! However if you bought 3 Glamour magazines for £6, getting 3 primers free you would end up having 22.5ml of product! That means you save £17.50 and get 0.5ml more! 

If you like this primer I suggest running to your newsagents or supermarket and getting the 3 magazines, it is an amazing deal!

Overall, I didn't think it made my makeup stay on longer, just go on smoother. 

I don't think I will be buying the full product or 3 more Glamour mags.

BADgal lash mascara

mascara

£16.50

Benefit says;  "Sexy, sultry, pure unadulterated black mascara for full, voluminous lashes. It's as BAD as you want to be! Famously big, bodacious brush coats lashes with our super black formula."

I’d heard a lot of good things about Benefit’s Bad Gal Lash mascara before and this was on my list of “things to buy”, so I was excited to have a sample to test out before splashing out on the full sized product!

Badgal Lash comes with a pretty massive brush, which if you have read most of my post you would know I love! I absolutely love this mascara! It didn't clump, it separated my lashes, and added volume, everything I'm looking for in a mascara. I definitely would recommend it. The only thing I don't like about it, is that it is a little dry, other than that it's perfection!

I have bought two of these, as you get 4g in the sample size and only 8.5g in the full size! Meaning I spent £4, and basically got the full size saving £12.50

Again such a great deal!

"that gal"

brightening face primer

£21.50

Benefit says; "Our silky pink primer takes your complexion from dull to darling! Simply blend it on for the look of brighter, smoother skin. Contains light-reflecting pigments to help brighten all skin tones and raspberry & camomile to soothe skin."

I don't really understand what this product does, that others don't. Yes it gives my cheeks a very subtle glow and a slight pink flush that is really pretty, but the same glowy look could easily be accomplished with any cream highlighter or tinted moisturizer. Plus why is this product called a PRIMER if it doesn't PRIME anything? My makeup seemed to wear off faster than it does normally! I don't know if that was just a 'bad' day but god this little thing is expensive!

I'm glad I have the sample in my collection, but alas, I don't think I will be buying this full size or another mini. 

If you did want to buy the full product, it costs £21.50 for 11ml, so buying 2 samples at £4 you receive 15ml of product which is cheaper for more product!

Did you try any of the Benefit samples?

Leave me a comment!

Emily x

Review; MAC Matchmaster Foundation

Good afternoon guys! 

It's official, I've finished my Alevels and I no longer need to go to school! It's really exciting but sad at the same time, as I will miss everyone who is leaving Newcastle to go to Uni somewhere else. I will also miss all my teachers as most of them have taught me for over 4 years - It seems really geeky and stupid to say that buts it's true! They are all great teachers and I will miss them and their lessons :(  The next time I will be in school is to sign off, then collect my results which is super scary to think about!

Today I will be reviewing another sample I got at MAC. When I had my makeup done in MAC (you can read a little more about it here) the lady used the Matchmaster foundation, which I then asked for a sample off as it seemed to be something  I would like. 

MAC promo image

What MAC says;

"With our all races credo, we’re redefined what a perfect match should be with new Matchmaster Foundation SPF 15 technology, using translucent pigments to create a formula that enables a fully personalized finish influenced by the subtleties of your own skin tone. Adding to Matchmaster’s true-to-life appeal is its moisturizing demi-matte finish, medium buildable coverage, and line-reducing soft focus powders. Add the fact that this formula reduces excess shine-creating oil, and who could resist?"

Typically, I match to NC15 or NW 15 in MAC foundations and the lightest colour in other brands, so in the Matchmaster I was matched with 1.0. I do think it is a really good match, more than my Studio Fix foundation anyway. 

As described by MAC, I would agree that this foundation has a medium coverage but I would say it was more on the lighter side of a medium. One layer didn't cover my imperfections such as my spots and redness so for me a second layer or concealer is a must. Layering the foundation doesn't make it appear cakey or mask-like, meaning you can build the coverage up easily.

Since Matchmaster is a medium coverage foundation, you can still see your skin. So it is great for those who maybe just want to even out their skin-tone but still want a natural look. The finish of this foundation is semi matte. It can be worn without powder leaving your skin with a glow, or with making it more of a matte finish. 

Matchmaster has a liquid texture, making it very blendable. I've didn't have a problem with blending this foundation into my skin and once applied, looked natural and matched perfectly. 

I have worn this foundation for up to 10 hours and it only needed a little powder touch up after 6 hours, it seemed to stay on my face really well, and didn't transfer unlike the Studio Sculpt which I reviewed on Monday - read it here. But I still don't think MAC can claim it "reduces excess shine-creating oil" as for me, it didn't. 

This foundation comes in 14 different shades, which are different to the normal system as all the colours have neutral under tones. 1.0 is the palest and 10.0  is the darkest. 

To be quite honest, this foundation didn't blow me away. Although it matched pretty much perfectly and stayed on well, I think there are cheaper foundations that do the same thing. Max Factor Lasting Performance is a foundation that does exactly what  Matchmaster does but for less than half the price. 

Max factor is around £10 and Matchmaster is  £24.50

Still don't get me wrong, this foundation is still lovely but I am not blown away to the extent where I'd rush out to purchase it. There really isn't anything that it does for me, that most of my other foundations can't. 

For now, I don't think that I'll be purchasing this foundation in a rush. 

Have you tried Matchmaster?

Leave me a comment, 

Emily X

Product Rave; N-Spa's Hot Butter Fudge Syrup!

Hey guys!

I have a product rave for you today! If you have been following my blog for awhile, you would know I love my baths and indulgent products and this body wash doesn't disappoint!

The product I'm talking about is N-Spa's Hot Butter Fudge Syrup, which is absolutely delicious. 

For those of you who aren't familiar with N-Spa, they are a brand which specializes in bath and body products. The range consists of the most delicious flavours ever! There are the regular fruity flavours such as Blueberry & Raspberry, and then there are more foody smells like Vanilla Creme Brulee and Chocolate Waffle which really smells good enough to eat! 

Both myself and my boyfriend use it, and have bought 4 bottles of the Hot Butter Fudge and numerous other 'flavors.'

I started using this while back, when I spotted it on the shelf in Asda and just the name of it caught my eye, I also couldn't believe how much it actually did look like real Hot Butter Fudge Syrup! The thing that really sold it to me was the gorgeous smell. It really does smell like hot butter fudge - probably more of a smell that you would expect to find in the sweet isle, which I guess might put some people off. I love it though.

There is also quite a charming tale written on the bottle which I think makes this quite unusual:

"Decadence" said the wise man "is like a sumptuous caramel with a slow-burn creamy sweetness. Soft brown toffee, like clotted cream ice cream in the summer melting to hot butter fudge. Take extra care as forbidden fruit is the temptation that makes indulgence so wonderfully divine."

It sort of sums up just how wonderful this bath syrup is. I use the 'syrup' in the shower and the bath, and it creates masses of bubbles that all smell of the delicious fudge. It leave you feeling clean as well as giving your skin a hint of the gorgeous smell. 

A 500ml bottle cost me £3 in Asda which I think is reasonable for its deliciousness!

Next time your looking for a new body wash or bubble bath, check this out!

You can find more information here!

Leave me a comment!

Emily X

Review; Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

Hey Guys :D

Eeeeeek! I had my second to last exam today meaning I only have 1 more exam left before I finish my Alevels!! It's tomorrow and it is English Literature, I have already sat this exam but I didn't get a good enough grade so I'm resitting it. I am really dreading it D: But on to the review...

When me and my mam went for a pampering session a few months ago, I picked up the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant. I have been using this since the start of April, almost every morning and its become a Holy Grail product.

What Dermalogica says;

"This unique Rice-based enzyme powder microfoliates dulling debris and instantly leaves skin noticeably smoother and brighter. Contains no artificial fragrance or color."

Basically, the product is a fine powder that contains rice based enzymes, which dissolves dead skin and impurities instead of scrubbing it away with harsh particles. It is easy to use as all you need do is wet your face and hands then sprinkle a small amount product onto them, rubbing them together to create what looks like a milky, slightly foamy cleanser. Then, you massage it all over your face, rinse it off, and are left with super smooth skin.

Powder

Powder and water

It did take me a little while to get used to this non grainy exfoliator as I was used to using a quite rough exfoliator, so I didn't think it would work.  But now I'm used to it, and my skin has never felt so soft and smooth *except that pesky dry/spotty bit on my jaw which I keep banging on about* 

I used to have dry patches on my outer cheeks and the middle of my eye brows but its gone, completely gone. Plus my makeup stays on my skin for longer now and doesn't cling to those areas!  I have had no side effects and it hasn't irritated my skin at all. 

The only thing I don't like about this product is its price! It costs £38 for 75g which is really expensive! Nevertheless, you only use a tiny little bit each day, roughly half a tsp, so it will last a very long time. I picked mine up at the beginning of April, I've been using it every day and I'm not even a third through it.

How much I have left

Will I be repurchasing? Definitely.  I can't imagine using anything else now, as most other standard exfoliates now seem way to harsh.

Have you tried any of the Dermalogica range?

Leave me a comment,

Emily x

Review; MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation

Hi everyone :D

Ive always wanted a long lasting foundation that makes my skin look dewy, radiant, and healthy, but since I have an oily t zone I never thought that was possible, as they always wore off. I always ended up getting a matte or semi matte foundation. But after receiving a sample of MAC Studio Sculpt foundation in NC 15 my opinion has totally changed!

MAC describes it as "A creamy, luxurious, gel-based foundation that provides medium buildable to high coverage with a natural satin finish. Hydrating, instantly revitalizes the skin while keeping it looking smooth, soft and plush. Long-wearing, water-resistant."

I really agree with the description, it is super creamy with medium coverage. It makes my skin look smooth, dewy, with little to no caking. It hasn't caused any additional breakouts, and hasn't irritated the spots I already have. I was colour matched to NC15, but I still find it can look too 'tan' for my skin, but once I apply my powder it is fine. 

The staying power is good as well, it lasted the whole day with no primer and with only one powder touch up midday. But I find that it does transfer quite easily which is really annoying. Even later on in the day, if I use my phone or touch my face, it does come off. 

As the formula is gel based, this foundation is supposed to be good for dry skin. However, as I mentioned in other posts, I have dry patches on my jaw line where my break outs are, which if I don't exfoliate and moisturize the foundation clings too. This I think, is the only let down of the foundation, especially if you buy the full product because it is for dry skin. 

I apply it with the Cosmopolitan blend perfection sponge -review here- so its quick to apply as the foundation, I find, dries quite fast so it's not that easy to apply with a brush. I just dab a pea sized amount onto a section of my face and do each section separately so I can blend it really well. The sample I had lasted 4 and half applications as you don't need much to cover your face. 

I really like this foundation, but I will be holding off buying it as I currently have 5 open foundations that need using up first. 

Does anyone have any recommendations for foundations suitable for combination skin with a dewy finish to them?

I hope you liked my post, 

Leave me a comment, 

Emily x

Review; Cosmopolitan Blend Perfection Sponge

Afternoon guys :)

 

Today's post will be about the Cosmopolitan Blend Perfection Sponge.

In the packaging, as I threw mine away ages ago!

I'm sure we have all heard good things about the Beautyblender, but for me £16 for ONE sponge is incredibably ridiculous. So this is where the Cosmopolitan Blend Perfection Sponge comes in! I picked this up around a month ago now for less than a third of the price of the Beautyblender, at £4.99 and worth every penny in my opinion. 

Firstly, I normally used to use ELF's Powder Brush, simple make up sponges or just my fingers to apply foundation,  but after all the hype around these sorts of sponges I wanted to try this out. 

Cosmo says...

"This blender sponge allows for flawless application of foundation, using a bouncing or 'stippling' method to blend make-up which leaves an airbrushed looking finish"

The Cosmopolitan blend perfection sponge is made of a strange latex material - almost like one of those squeezy stress balls.  It's soft, smooth, doesn't drag on the skin at all and has one really rounded end while the other is pointed. It therefore works very differently to a normal foundation sponge. It's to be used in a "bouncing" motion over the skin, with the larger ball area covering the face, and the pointy end to get into all the nooks and crannies like around the nose or eyes. The bouncing motion means you are stippling the foundation on to give quite a thick but airbrushed finish.

As you can see my sponge has been used and is dirty, but it can be easily cleaned by using brush cleaning or baby shampoo - I use baby shampoo! It does take awhile for the sponge to dry, I found 3 days at the longest but since I use and wet it everyday I cant say it bothers me at all. 

The directions are to wet the sponge, squeeze out the excess water and use it damp. I was a little skeptical using it wet, as sometimes I find that even though I squeeze all the water out, I am left with a wet feeling on my face. But this sponge doesn't do that, and really does need to be damp to work best. 

Freshly washed with baby shampoo, still full of water.

Freshly washed, all the water squeezed out.

I choose to dot my foundation onto face first then use the sponge to blend, but you can apply it direct to the sponge if you want. I wouldn't say I found it gave a particularly 'airbrushed finish', but my foundation looks so much more natural now. 

To finish off, I really love this little sponge and will carry on using it. 

Have you tried this sponge or the Beautyblender? 

Leave me a comment,

Emily X

Haul/Review; MAC ProLongwear Concealer

Hello Girls!!

If you follow me on twitter you would know yesterday I bought MAC's ProLongwear Concealer in NW15. While I was browsing in MAC the make up artist, called Annabel, asked if she could do my makeup so I said why not, she used loads of products including;

Oil Control Lotion,

Prep and Prime Skin  

Match Master Foundation, 

ProLongwear Concealer, 

Full Of Joy Blush, 

Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation, 

Hey Sailor ProLongwear Bronzing Powder in Nude on Board, 

Crew Highlight Powder, 

Lip Pencil in Magenta 

and lastly Pink Nouveau lipstick.




When I went in I had just been soaked in the rain so I was pleased to get some makeup on my face since mine was all washed off. Plus, to be honest I was the only person in the shop so I think she was a little bored. 

Anyway when she put the concealer on I loved it! It has such good coverage I was socked, more than my foundation! So since I'm currently suffering of a nasty acne outbreak on my chin and jaw line, and going to my Uncles wedding -which was today!!!- I thought I would pick it up.

MAC describes the concealer as " A lightweight fluid concealer that provides medium to full coverage with a comfortable, natural matte finish. Colour-true formula lasts up to 15 hours. Helps conceal and correct the look of under-eye circles, and discolorations. Comes in a clear glass vial with a matte black pump."

Like MAC says the product comes in a glass container with a pump just like the ProLongwear foundation but on a much smaller scale. However the pump is so bad! I've used this concealer twice now, and both times I have had tones of product left which you cant put back into the tube. So annoying. Using it on a day-by-day basis I know I will find it a constant frustration. 

 Nevertheless, the concealer itself is amazing! The texture is fairly liquid but it has a soft, creamy feel. It sets quickly but is still very blendable. The coverage is so much better than any other concealer I have used, it is so pigmented it covers under-eye circles, redness and spots in one coat. So far this concealer hasn't oxidized on me which I was so worried about! 

And for once, this colour matches my pale skin perfectly! I don't know if it is lighter than my Studio Fix foundation, but by god it is wonderful!

I think I have found my Holy Grail concealer. 

Leave me a comment!

Emily x