My face likes this one!
I range from using a full coverage foundation by Estee Lauder to a tinted BB cream and I decided that I wanted something in between for everyday use. I went to an event with work which took me to a busy Birmingham city centre and with an hour to kill we wandered around the super exciting Harvey Nichols store.
(This is my picture, I just could not find the original one I took so I have lifted it from my review page)
In a store full of different brands... why this one?
I know that the teint eclat concealers and highlighters in their little tubes are immensely popular so I thought that their foundation might be pretty good too. In my everyday foundation I don't like messing around with small vials of foundation, I like to go big so it doesn't run out on me when I am unable to go and buy more. The 30 ml glass pump top dispenser appealed to me as did the sleek gold lid but because I was in store I was able to actually try it out and get advice on the best shade to wear too.
In use
This foundation is dispensed with a pump top. I find one pump not quite enough and two pumps leaves a little too much leftover, but I always use on top of primer or at least a freshly moisturised face so it doesn't sink in so much. It does take a minute or so to dry and I don't like that feeling of wet skin so I tend to wait a minute then dust with loose powder and after the whole face is done a spritz with some setting spray keeps it in place all day. It is easily removed at the end of the day with a cream cleanser and the fact that I can see it on the cotton wool pad is good as it has lasted well on my face.
Why is it special?
They say: "Eight hours of beauty sleep in a foundation, Yves Saint Laurent’s iconic Touche Éclat Foundation now offers even more coverage and staying power while feeling weightless on skin. The magic light-reflecting formula, a signature element in the brand’s iconic Touche Éclat concealer pen, provides the ultimate radiance for your complexion."
My thoughts
This is indeed a light reflecting foundation and feels nice and light on my skin. I also find it quite moisturising and not drying at all which is a great feature as it means it settles more evenly on my skin and doesn't look patchy. I like the fluid consistency and tend to blend with a brush or my fingers if I'm rushing. It does give a natural look and helps even out my skin tone.
How much?
I paid £32.50 for the 30ml tube which I think is an OK price to pay for a high quality product. It will last me for a few months even with daily use. Once you know your shade you can buy it online a little cheaper from websites like Feel Unique who are under £30 but do not have all the shades in stock. This foundation is available in 22 shades.
Final word
I like this. I was tempted to go for a foundation that was more of a pan stick style but that was applied with a flat top brush that was going to add almost £40 on to the bill so I decided to stick with my favourite liquid style foundation. I am glad that I did. I don't mind the asking price as it is a good quality product and has not made me break out or dry up either. I use this most days for work so I know I like it as the other products I have like the Estee Lauder I am just not reaching for as much unless it's a special day that needs full coverage. I can make this work for me with a little powder and highlighter or concealer.
Too orange for me, is this BB...
I do like a good BB cream as I find it a quick alternative to the full face of make up but they even out my skin tone and also moisturise my skin. I got a tube of the Decleor Hydra Floral BB cream in medium in my Look Fantastic advent calendar last month and was pleased to give it a go.
The brand
I know this is a much sought after and quality brand but it is not one I have owned many products from.
My experience
Usually, BB creams are a tinted colour and adjust to your skin colour. I am a medium tone so usually get away with these 'one size fits all' products but with this BB cream I found it went on OK in the morning, set with some powder and by mid morning I noticed how patchy my skin looked and it was looking greasy too. I do have combination skin though so it's not unusual for a product to do this but the way it went orange made me think that the product had oxidised on my skin. This is a reaction with your skin and the product when the air mixes with it and this happened on a few occasions so I have decided this BB cream is not for me.
My thoughts
This is a shame as the BB cream has a built in sun factor protection of 15 and gives the skin 24 hour moisture (not that I'd leave it on my skin 24 hours!). In a way, I am glad I got a sample tube as it is good to know what suits your skin and what doesn't work. I think this may be more of a personal thing than a generic "this product is no good" statement. I just is not the right formula for me.
Price and availability
A tube is usually £30 for 40ml but Look Fantastic have it on special offer in light, medium and dark for £22 at the moment.
Final word
I liked the sound of this BB cream and thought I was going to really like it but discovered after a few uses that it went patchy on me and did not suit my skin. I will not be going back for any more.
My "Daly" fixer
When I was a teen I used to read the beauty pages in the Mail on Sunday YOU Magazine and I always devoured Barbara Daly's editorial on all the skincare and make up I could not really afford. Roll on 20 years and she's got her own collection for sale in Tesco. I always scan as I go around the store and for a few weeks all her make up was scanning at half price (but no signage showing the sale) so I picked something up each week.
I just stocked up the basics, found a lip liner I really liked in a natural shade and this powder is my daily handbag saver.
In the morning when I do my make up I use a loose powder as I prefer the finish it gives but this is not practical to carry around with me on the go as it can be a bit messy. I like a compact with pressed powder as it comes with a mirror and puff and can be used on the run.
This compact is smart and black and has survived the rattling around in the bottom of my handbag for quite a few months now. It opens without too much of a battle and underneath there is a separate tray which holds the puff.
I do think this is quite a nice powder. It is quite fine and light but maybe a shade too light for me but I only use it to take any shine away so I am not using too much product anyway when I apply it as I just dab a bit on and with the loose powders I use a brush to blend and much prefer this look.
Presentation wise the compact looks nice and the letters B and D are embossed in to the top of the powder. I have used mine lots but I can still make out a little of this indent still so I think the compact is going to last me a long time.
Compacts have an old fashioned charm to them. I don't thinks socially it is too bad to whip out a little powder compact (rather than a massive make up bag and do a full face in public!).
This would not be the first powder I would reach for as I have others I prefer and it is just a little bit too pale on me but I don't mind it as a mid day saver. I paid around £4 for this which I thought was a good price but remember it did have 50 percent off.
Would I buy it again? Yes I would, at this price. It performs OK and does not have a funny smell to it (my face powder key criteria!).
Lipstick queen
I bought a lot of products from the Cult Beauty website last year that resulted in an amazing high end beauty bag bursting with goodies including this Lipstick Queen crayon style lipstick that you twist up to use with no sharpening required as the pencil is made from plastic. The design reminds me of the Clinique chubby sticks.
My Lipstick Queen
I got the shade chase which looks bright red but actually goes on like a deep pink and I do find it to be quite a wearable shade. The pencil shape makes it very easy to use and hard to get wrong.
What is it?
What is interesting about this product is that it is hybrid between a lip balm and a lip gloss and liner. The pigment of the lipstick is buildable so you can go for a sheer swipe or apply a few layers for a deeper finish. It is a little shimmery like a gloss but not totally iridescent.
Price and availability
The lipstick is available on the John Lewis and Cult Beauty websites for a consistent £22 which equals a generous 7g of product.
What else does it do?
The fun does not stop there with this lipstick as it is enriched with antioxidant vitamin E, shea and mango seed butters. Sounds amazing doesn't it??!
My thoughts
The brand make some quite unusual lipsticks and glosses - one memorable one is frog prince which looks green but goes on pink (adjusts to your skin tone) and I have a blue sparkle lip gloss called "Hello Sailor" that turns pink although it is blue in the tube! This twist up lipstick is quite mainstream and looks very normal in comparison to these but it performs well in my opinion. I like the shade I got in my goody bag and as a 3g sample it has lasted really well. I don't feel that it's too bright and it can be used for a light or built up look.
Final word
I do appreciate that this is not a cheap lipstick and I am glad I got to try it out first but I like the ingredients and quality so I would be tempted to buy the full size. It's not an easy brand to find in store unless you live near a Space NK (it's probably a good job that I don't...!) or John Lewis but it's easily found online and you are more likely to find a discount code or freebie offer shopping online.
Avo-juicy from OPI
I was always fascinated by the hand and body lotion from one of my favourite nail brands, OPI. The hand creams (although they are multipurpose) came in so many different varieties I decided to dip my toe in the water buying a mixed pack of minis and the actual bottle I have here is 30ml and is jasmine jucie Avojuice. You can buy these in much larger bottles once you settle on a favourite but I found the mini pack an ideal way to form an opinion and assess the different fragrances.
First impressions
I like a multi-tasking beauty product and I also like handbag sized miniature so this set was really totally up my alley! Whilst I primarily use it as hand cream it doubles up as a foot lotion or body moisturiser and it’s not a thick cream so a little bit does go a long way. Looking at the OPI website there are currently 24 listings under the umbrella of Avojuice, starting with the super affordable 30 ml bottle I have costing just £2.25 and 250 ml and 600 ml bottles also available. The prices are £9.50 and £18.20 respectively. Then I notice certain editions are available in a whopping 960ml priced £25.
My use
I think I paid under £10 for my pack of five mini Avojuice bottles and they have lasted ages. If I am going on a long train journey I like to pop one in my handbag so I can treat my hands whilst sitting bored for hours! The mini tubes are also suitable for plane travel and it’s a bit of a home comfort and familiar smell for me when away from home. The little bottles are quite sturdy plastic and have a flip top lid so it’s easy to get a small dot out each time (and that is all it takes to do both hands).
What’s in it?
So, I am sure you are dying to hear what’s in this wonder lotion… A rich, alluring scent of blooming jasmine with a hint of citrus and violet. Each bottle of Avojuice Skin Quenchers lotions are filled with real, good-for-you, natural extract, Vitamins and antioxidants and an entire menu of soothing, nourishing ingredients designed to give skin a drink of moisture.
What do I think?
I think this has been a really good buy for me. I like the texture and consistency of this lotion. It really does feel like I am giving my skin a drink. I have not yet tried a fragrance that I don’t like and I find the little 30ml bottles really handy so I would not hesitate to buy them again. It does not have the thick consistency of a body butter but it gives a quick fix and dry skin is instantly quenched.
Final word
I am not sure I’d want the almost litre sized bottle of the Avojuice but I am very happy with the handbag sized helpers. I would buy this again and probably go for the mixed set again for a bit of variety.
Ooh la la! Expensive eye care
I really like French skincare so was very pleased to get a sample tube recently in a beauty box. Caudalie is a brand I have enjoyed using a lot so I was quite confident that I would like this eye cream.
Price and availability
I used all my tube then looked up the cost on the Look Fantastic website where I normally buy my beauty boxes and skincare. The good news is that it is in the sale, normally costing a whopping £49 for 15 ml but the bad news it that this relatively small tube is still £44.10p making my 7ml sample a pretty decent sized tube.
In use
I really like the consistency of this eye cream, its a peachy colour and quite thick but you only need to use a small amount each time (luckily!). Because of this peachy shade, I like to use it in the mornings as it improves the complexion and calms down puffy skin under my eyes. I let it sink in for a couple of minutes after applying (usually get dressed in the gap before adding make up).
What they say:
Care for the delicate eye area with Caudalie Premier Cru Eye Cream. Specially formulated for the most sensitive part of your face, this luxurious cream is formulated with three Caudalie patents and the most in-depth anti-ageing research. This wonder cream improves and corrects dark circles, wrinkles, puffiness and dullness, leaving your eye area looking younger and brighter.
So how does it work?
Silver, copper and iridescent pearlisers visibly reduce the appearance of dark circles by illuminating the skin to give the illusion of bright and radiant skin.
So what do I think?
I do think this is an expensive product. It is really nice and I do like to use an eye cream but not at full price! My tube has lasted a good amount of time and still has a third left in it so I will continue to use it until it runs out. I know the Caudalie brand is great quality overall and always have a look on their website for special offers and codes. I would also look out for sets containing more of this eye cream as it is very calming on puffy eyes.
Final word
If you get the chance to try this, you will probably like it but I appreciate it is out of most people's price range!
