Reviewing all of my Foundation

I feel like I haven't done a good old review in ages, so heres a massive one. I have a fair few foundations in my collection, its a product I use every single day. New ones are constantly being brought out and I cant help wanting to try new ones! So heres a review of my whole collection, good and bad!

Nars Velvet Matte

Shade- Groenland

I wear this foundation near enough every weekday for work. Its really quick and easy to apply and blend, main reason why I like it! The coverage is easy to build so it is a good foundation for any kind of occasion. The colour is enough to brighten y pale complexion without over darkening. Only downside for me, I find it does go shiny after wearing it for a few hours. I don't have oily or shiny skin either. I always find that setting it with Nars loose powder works best and keeps the shine down!

Rating: 8/10

Delilah Time Frame

Shade- Buttermilk

This is one I spoke about ages ago when I first started blogging. This has been a favourite for a long time. Its a one that I always end up going back too. This is a high coverage foundation thats really moisturising, down side being it takes slightly longer to blend. When blended i gives your skin a porcelain affect, it smoothes everything over and looks even. It makes your skin look glowy and well looked after. Only down side, I feel like it moves around a lot if you don't set it fully or want to leave it a little glowy but nothing overly bad.

Rating: 8/10

Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow

Shade- Honey

This is a really brightening foundation, which I love! When its set properly it really wakes up your face and leaves it glowy without looking shiny or oil. For a really brightening look I really love this one. This does take a little longer than others to blend but after it leaves your skin awakened and set for the day.

Rating: 9/10

YSL Ink Fusion

Shade- BD10

So far this one is my solid fave, I haven't found another foundation that beats it! Its really easy to apply with the stick applicator and the ink-like formula its really quick and easy to blend with all tools. You skin is left looking fresh and lasts all day.

Rating: 10/10

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua 

Shade- 22 Beige Rose

The only low coverage foundation that I own. I love this foundation for lazy 'no makeup' makeup days. I like how this gives you a bit over colour without the heavy look of wearing foundation. I often find that this doesn't blend that easily and i normally need to add more product than intended just to make sure all my face has an even coverage. 

Rating: 6/10

Estee Lauder Double Wear 

Shade- 1N2 Ecru 

Aw this was my very first high end foundation and I was buzzing when I bought it! I loved this foundation for ages, I would swear by it. Its the only foundation that is truly matte on its own and doesn't need overly setting. It gives a good coverage but leaves skin breathable. Only downside will always be the light reflecting formula, white face in photos anyone?? No thank you. 

Rating: 6/10

Mac Studio Sculpt 

Shade- NC30 

Biggest foundation disappointment! The main reason being I was colour matched totally wrong making it completely unwearable for me. Yes fair play I'm a Newcastle lass and we're known for fake tan but I'm super pale, I'm more of a NC15! I've tried to mix this with moisturizer to lighten the colour, this worked on the colour but then made the foundation patchy and unflattering. Lesson learnt, don't always trust retail 'makeup artists'.

Rating: 2/10

Rimmel Wake Me Up 

Shade- 100 Ivory 

Remember when everyone was super obsessed with this?? Yeah I still actually own it. A good old high street blogger cult product. Still love it just as much as I used to, before I was working this was always my every day foundation. Its a nice price tag and I rate it higher than some high ends! Its a good coverage and brightens your skin. Does what it says on the tin, really gives that woken up look on a morning.

Rating: 7/10 

L'Oreal Infallible Matte 

Shade- 10 Porcelain 

Another Blogger cult product recently. Personally it just didnt do it for me! I felt this totally washed me out. The matte made my skin look a little dead and drained, almost like I was really tired or poorly! Not a great look. 

Rating: 4/10 

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation 

Shade- 2 Fair Pale 

I love the Charlotte Tilbury brand in general, all the products are fab! This being no exception. I find this foundation a strong enough coverage without it going caky. Its really moisturizing although its pretty easy and quick to blend. I like to use this throughout the colder months when my skin needs a little more moisture. It is a creamy product so I do find it needs a little bit extra setting powder to keep it from moving around after a few hours of wearing. Generally, I really like this foundation and find it really easy to wear.

Rating: 8/10

Nars Sheer Glow

Shade- Santa FE

Another cult! I wanted this foundation for ages, remember when everyone used this one?? I had to wait  months to purchase this one, at the time I couldn't get it close to home and didn't want to buy online. I loved this foundation and wore it every day for months and months, even when it started to run out I added moisturizers to make it last longer. This foundation is really build-able coverage and great for any occasion- lazy 'no makeup' makeup or  for a night out. This foundation really brightens and refreshes your face. Its a perfect natural look that just makes your look more awake and fresh.  Its quick and easy to blend too!

Rating: 9/10

Bourjois Healthy Mix

Shade- Vinilla 

At the moment, this is my fave high street foundation! The shade of this is slightly darker than what I would normally wear, this is only because I wanted a foundation thats more suited to a fake tan look. This foundation is really high quality for a high street buy, it leaves a smooth and natural finish. Its a build-able coverage and leaves skin looking fresh. I find the colour is enough to darken my skin slightly to match a bit of fake tan but nothing at all outrageous. It's really easy to blend and to work with. Really worth picking up, worth the money!

Rating: 9/10

Chanel Lift Lumiere 

Shade- 14 Ivoire 

My total go to! I wear this foundation whenever I'm going out or have a special occasion. It is a medium/high coverage and leaves your skin with a real quality finish, what you'd expect from Chanel! Really easy to blend and leaves skin glowing, I always add a little extra setting powder just to keep shine down. A really easy high coverage foundation to work with and its high quality!

Rating: 9.5/10

And thats it for now! Enjoy x

  

Get the most out of your Christmas list

ITS CHRISTMASSSSS! Happy first of December!

As I've gotten older I've kind of learnt how to get the most out of my Christmas list, basically top up on all my essentials, get the things I really want and have no present go to waste! So, to kick off blogmas, here are my top tips!

1. Get yourself a gift set

Gift sets are a great little way to test out new products.  Testing out new products, particularly high end, can be a risk - an expensive risk! Trying out gift sets will be normally cheaper and often just sample sizes. When the Christmas gift sets come out, why not just buy yourself a few, give them a try and then purchase the full size of the products you know you like. I do this a lot when I like a brand but haven't tried other products from their range. I find it most useful with skin care, skin can be really temperamental so I don't like spending a lot on a full size product that might not agree. Boots is normally a great place to start, there is 3 for 2 on their Christmas gift sets so get two Christmas gifts in for presents and get something free for yourself.

2. Speak up!

When people ask me what I'd like as a gift normally I shy away because I don't want to seem rude asking for things! Eventually you'll learn the hard way that the money people spend on a gift you would never use could go on something you would have loved! Regardless to whether you ask for what you want or don't, the money will be spent so just speak up to what you'd like.

3. Test cosmetics more than once

Fancy a new pricey lipstick, swash is a few times on different days before taking the plunge. Make up is expensive so don't just buy anything just because it's Christmas and the money is there to spend! Try products out a few times to make sure it's what you'd defiantly wear before spending. This goes for perfume too, try spraying it a few times before spending. 

4. Top up your essentials 

You can never go wrong with a good top up. Small things add up, need some new nail varnishes? Great stocking fillers. Go back to basics and get things like cleansers, moisturisers, hair brushes. You're going to need them!

5.  Know your brands 

Stuck on what you want? Know the brands you like makes it a lot easier! If all else fails a gift card for your fav shop is always a winner!