SmashBox Photo Finish Foundation Primer

I never wear primer under my makeup, just because it's not something my skin-type necessarily needs.. but i do find that depending on the weather my makeup can either blow off from the wind, or almost melt on a really hot day! I wanted to try a primer that had lots of good reviews and one that was quite popular already (award-winning infact!) - so i opted for SmashBox Foundation Primer in Photo Finish.

SmashBox have a huge selection of primers, from dark spot correcting to anti-shine to colour correcting - the list is endless! Photo Finish had the most-hype from what i researched, i just wanted something simple that did the basic job, so went for that.

The consistency is something of a smooth, non-sticky gel; it's can feel slippery when applying but it set's smooth and does feel quite soft.  Whenever i apply it i always use my fingers, i find that if i use a brush the product can get lost in the brush-hairs, as it's so light and translucent.

Half a pump

Blended in

I purchased the small tube for £12 because i didn't want to use it on a daily basis, only for extreme weather conditions where my makeup would need to stay put.. or nights out where i wouldn't want my makeup to disappear from the humidity. I've used it twice so far and it's defiantly a good primer, it does make my makeup last that bit longer and doesn't feel like another layer of makeup at all, it's very light and sinks right into my skin.

Lastly I've found that this primer covered my pores around my nose and under my eyes, as well as turn my whole face into a smooth canvas ready for the makeup! The overall look is seamless and well-prepped, by the full size HERE for £25.

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Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation

I've never been one to wear a full-face of foundation, i don't get on with how it feels on my skin and always feel caked, hot and bothered the past times I've attempted foundation. My skin's fairy normal but i do get areas of oiliness (my eyelids, and t-zone on a hot day) and redness (around my nose depending on the weather); so i think my problem is that my skin-tone isn't even all-over my face. This is normal for everyone as the sun especially tans the high-point of your face making everything a little blotchy, i find that my cheeks, chin and neck are the palest areas of my face (this makes sense as their not as exposed to the sun compared to the high points).

SO.. to get to the point i was on the hunt for a light-medium foundation, to even out my skin-tone and provide coverage for days where my skin doesn't look it's best. I wanted a foundation that was easily to blend (not cakey), and glowy (as i don't like to look matte everywhere, or too dewy - just in between!). I'm OBSESSED with Kendall Jenners' fashion, makeup and general lifestyle, and i know she uses Giorgio Armani Lumious Silk, so had to give it a go..!

I was matched 5.5 by the lady at the Armani Counter (Selfridges), this is the colour Kendall uses too (score!).. when i went home and tested it over my whole face it was a great  match, at the time my skin was more tanned and had a bit more colour in it. However, now that the weathers changed I've found that the foundations too dark. (If you read my last post you'll know what i did to fix this problem.. Go check it out if you haven't already - here). But apart from that the colour match is a great summer one, there's a huge colour range to swatch so this foundations fitted for most skin-tones.

Like the name, this foundation really is luminous! It's almost like someone's mixed it with Mac Strobecream, i really like the finish it gives and the overall effect is nothing more that a luminous glow (no shimmer). I always set my 'oily/redness' areas with Mac's translucent setting powder - i think it works perfectly with the foundation. 

1/2 a pump 

Blended out

This is the first Armani makeup product iv'e tried and it's lovely so far, it combats my oiliness and redness and deserves a spot in both day and night makeup picks. It's defiantly pricey (£35.50), but the luxurious finish it gives says it all. The packaging isn't my favourite for travelling but feels luxury for home-use (i'm also so thankful there's a pump, it's defiantly needed on every foundation out there!).

Buy Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation HERE

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A New Favourite | Chanel Le Blanc

My current foundation is a few shades too dark for my complexion, I didn't want to fork out the cash and purchase a whole new foundation for my winter/spring skin, as it's a Giorgio Armani one (and as you could imagine quite expensive!).. So after searching online and in stores I discovered Chanel's 'Le Blanc'.

From the 'Le Blanc' range, it's a multiple-use product mainly used as a primer. It's a very 'white' brightening formula which I find is great for tackling any redness or darkness on my skin. It can also be used to mix in with your foundation to brighten it (which is why I've invested in it), or as a subtle highlighter over makeup.

I love it so far, it comes with a handy spatula which you dip in the wide mouthed bottle, and just enough product is picked up on the spatula for my entire face. I mix that with a pump of my foundation and voila! It's lighter and more brightening.. Saves me buying a summer and winter foundation (Tip: the more 'Le Blanc' you add the lighter the foundation becomes).

This was a pricey investment at £31, but it is Chanel after all and the formula has a really nice consistency to it as well as Chanel's signature rosy smell (not overpowering at all). 

I wear my foundation when I feel I need it, but on the days when it's more sunny or I'm just popping out somewhere.. or I just want my skin to breathe, I pop 'Le Blanc' on and I'm out the door.

'Le Blanc' Blended In

One last thing, I noticed this product has NO shimmer or glitter specs in it, I was amazed at how it gives such a luminous glossy glow, it literally looks like a healthy sheen on the face, no shimmer what.so.ever - perfect for me! It comes in an SPF form too which is perfect for those who want protection from the sun.

Next time you pass by the Chanel counter defiantly give 'Le Blanc' a swatch. If you feel bad about making a hole in your credit-card lets not forget about the classic Chanel bag the makeup comes in ;) *Eeek!* (mines hanging on my door!).

Buy Chanel Le Blanc HERE

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MAC Clear Brow Gel

My Jane Iredale brow gel served me well for a long time but recently ran out, iv'e re-purchased it many times and thought i should branch out into another brow gel, something not too expensive that does the job. I opted for MAC's brow gel in 'Clear'. I didn't even need to read up on reviews before i made this purchase, i was sure it would work perfect after hearing great things about it.

£13

It glides on great and lasts me all day. It doesn't feel crunchy or hard like hair-gel would, and doesn't flake white bits! (which drugstore brow-gels tend to do). I would definatly repurchase it and it's for sure not on the pricey side for someone who has long, unruly brows like me!

It comes in three colours to suit different brow hair-types, my brows are quite dense and packed, so i have no sparness which is why i chose the Clear colour. Not much more to say about this one.. I defiantly recommend it, and it can go towards 'Back To MAC'!

Buy it here

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Beauty Haul #1

Earlier this month i decided to finally use my Christmas vouchers and splurge on some beauty bits iv'e wanted to try for a while now. I don't feel guilty because i used my vouchers; so technically i haven't spent any money!

Lets get straight into it!

Kendall Jenner is my beauty and style icon, and i know she uses Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation - iv'e always wanted to try it on myself but just couldn't justify the price. I was matched to the colour 5.5 at the Giorgio Armani counter and had it applied to my face for the day, to see how i got on with it. It didn't break me out, gave me light-medium coverage and smelt great! I decided to buy the full size and so far..so good, i'm impressed and love the lasting power.

Shade 5.5 - £34.50

I sometimes get a tiny bit oily throughout the day, probably because my daily/weekly routine includes traveling to London, lugging around heavy brief-cases and getting on public-transport. I wanted a translucent powder to set the foundation, but by translucent i literally mean translucent, i wasn't looking for any colour and nothing medium-high coverage. MAC's Prep + Prime translucent compact was an easy decision for me, I've been eyeing it for a while and use it with the Real Techniques Setting Brush. Its perfect for combating shine.

£20

 I just HAD to take a close-up of the packagine, its sooo glittery, even the box! In love!

Lastly i wanted to opt for a new foundation brush to use for the foundation. I already have the Real Techniques Stippling brush but wasn't sure if it was right for the Giorgio Armani foundation, mainly because when i got matched up at the counter the lady used a normal, flat, slightly-domed foundation brush to apply with. I brought the Origins Foundation Brush, mainly because it's all natural hairs and there was only a few left in stock so i thought it must be good! After using it for a while, its nothing spectacular, but i do like how it feels on my skin, it distributes the foundation evenly but unfortunatly the stippling brush worked better for me! Dont worry.. i'll find a way to work with the Origins brush!

£19

And that was my  mini beauty haul and some-what review, if your wondering these products were all from Selfridges. Press the subscribe button to be the first to see my next post!

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Christmas Pudding | Lush

I haven't made a Lush purchase in a long time and thought the time had come, what better time to buy Lush products than in Christmas! I splurged a little over than i expect to but everything just looked and smelled so amazing!

I was most excited about this Christmas limited edition bath bomb, called Christmas Pudding. 

I put it to the test the next day and will definatly buy it again, just look at the colours and design - i was so tempted to eat it!

The moment i dropped it in my bath it was like an explosion of pink! The smell was a mixture of lavender and relaxing scents..

After the colourful, pastel volcano erupted, my bath calmed down to a hot pink colour, the smell was still lingering strong, and as you could imagine.. it was very relaxing!

I was left with this little topping floating around my bath, the tip of the iceberg! I desperately wanted to keep it for no reason but it felt a little tacky and sticky due to being in the water - still! So cute!

I'm always for Lush baths! So will be reviewing another bath bomb very soon! Hope you enjoyed this post as much as i enjoyed the bath! I never eat Christmas Puddings but i'll happily share a bath with this Lush one!

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