My Top Three Bases for Every Occasion

The market right now is saturated with Foundations/Tinted Moisturizers/BBs/CCs/EEs/Full Coverage/Sheer/Matte/Liquid/Powder- the list goes on and on, and all the while new releases are being added. 

Although my make up stash seems to be constantly expanding, I try to be quite disciplined when it comes to bases as they do have a shorter shelf life.
 There are many foundations out there right now that I really want to get my hands on, but for now I am sticking with these three until one of them runs out.

For my skin, I have the winning three that are in constant rotation as I have one to suit every need. 

For reference, I am 24 and my skin type is normal to dry and a bit dehydrated. I don't tend to suffer from blemishes so my base of choice is something that is glowy, hydrating and buildable if needed. 

I don't like flat matte finishes as they dry out my complexion. 

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk : I use the shade 4. This formula is more of a typical foundation than the other two listed, it is slightly thicker and takes more working in so I often use a brush to apply it, or at least to aid the final blend. 

This is a beautiful foundation that photographs like nobodies business- its a winner on a night out or any occasion where I feel like I have to bring my A game. The finish is incredibly natural, I think this foundation is very aptly named as it certainly makes the skin look luminous.  

People often compare this to the L'Oreal True Match, I am sorry but I have to disagree there. TM sank into my pores and left my skin looking a little cakey.
Luminous Silk does not as it smoothes over any texture in the skin and helps to disguise pores- though I hasted to add that as I have dry skin so enlarged pores are not a problem I often face. 

This provides a medium coverage with one pump but that can be bumped up to a fuller coverage with 2. This is long lasting and sometimes looks even better at the end of the day, but again I need to add that I don't tend to have issues with make up wearing off.

Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer : I use the shade Groenland. If I was forced into purging my entire base stash and I was only allowed to keep one- it would be this. 

Hands down, the best tinted moisturizer I have ever tried and this is the base I wear most regularly.

After I have cleansed my skin and applied my regular moisturizer, I apply this all over my skin, blending in with my fingers. 

Part of the reason this is so glorious is because it actually hydrates the skin whereas a lot of TMs don't - they masquerade as tinted moisturizers when all they really are is a sheer foundation. 

This adds a decent coverage but more can be added to problem areas, but it is the finish that keeps me coming back day after day - if you want skin that looks dewy, healthy, plump and delicious, just go for this 

It is SPF 30 so it is great in warmer weather (although if you are actually going to be sunbathing, please use a designated sun cream).
However due to the SPF it does flash back, so for nights out, I use either the above or....

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua : I use the shade B20. This is another total gem and a happy medium between the two above. 

Firstly I love the bottle as it's so travel friendly so if I am pushed for room in my make up bag I tend to only pack this.  

I prefer applying this with my fingers as the warmth really helps it to mesh with the skin. How much coverage you want is up to you, it is sheer to medium but it layers well.

This is such a perfecting foundation, I find people just comment on how good my skin is- not how good my foundation is which is the point of base products, right? I just want to look like a more perfected version of myself.

The finish of this is more glowy than the Armani but not as much as the Nars. I find this one handles primers really well so if I want to up the glow, I can use my Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow  or the Dior Glow Maximizer. 

I opt for this if I want something lighter than the Giorgio Armani (and it is much quicker to apply), or if I want more coverage than Nars.

It contains SPF 15, and I have to say that I don't really see the point in token amounts of SPF, but it photographs well and it is very travel friendly. 

Bottom Line : Whilst I have these three I don't see the need to try anything else. They all handle their specicifc needs perfectly, but when one runs out I will be looking into new bases to try! Maybe not with the Nars though...it's just that damn good.

What are your favourite bases? Any reccomendations? 

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June Skincare Favorites

June has been a very good month for skincare! I have discovered a few new lovely things with a couple of repurchases thrown in for good measure. 

La Roche-Posay Serozinc : I know, I know, this is probably the most blogged about skincare item and chances are you are quite sick of reading reviews- but it has been a fave of mine so I had to add it in.

This is a repurchase and it is something quite lovely.

This toner only contains three ingredients; water, sodium chloride and zinc. I appreciate the simplicity and the lack of astringents, but it is the Zinc that is the hard worker here.

This is meant for oily/blemish prone skin, which I have not but it still works for me.

When I am having a dry skin day I go for my hydrating toners, but during the summer months when I am naturally sweating more, I end up with a few little bumps under the skin- the product really helps rid me of some of them. It's brilliant and now more widely accessible to us Brits in larger Boots stores.

Caudalie Premier Cru the Elixir : I had never heard of this facial oil until I was given a sample at Space Nk. Face oils are my thing so I was keen to try but I hadn't read any reviews so I had no exceptions or any clue what it was really meant to do.

Let me tell you, this oil brings the hydration and the glow. It's gorgeous, a full review is on it's way.

Orico Streetwise Coco Spritz : I have been on the look out for a hydrating toner for a while. I do love my Body Shop Vitamin E facial mist but I just get through it so rapidly and I wanted to try something new.

This is gorgeous- totally Amelia Liana inspired- she is one of my biggest enablers and when she compared it to the Omorovicza Queen of Hungary mist but twenty quid cheaper, I was keen.

It is lovely, again stay tuned for a full review.

Clarins Radiance Plus Body Golden Glow Booster : I am sorry to be so annoying today- but a review is also on the way for this one! Just a quick spoiler- I don't think I will be without this product from now on. I have never found a fake tan that I actually liked. This is fab.

Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche Body Lotion : This is the body cream that I have been adding the Clarins Booster to.

I have had this cream for some time but I am so bad at moisturizing my body- truth me told I am intrinsically lazy but due to the Clarins only working as a mixer, it has forced me into moisturizing and I love it! I am going to try my utmost to stick to my new routine.

I finished the perfume version some time ago, it's a real favorite with woody,citrus and floral notes- it's pretty but not headachey. I am not a huge floral girl but due to the top notes being citrus and woody, it gives it a bit for depth.

I tend to think that the that fragrance brands that release body lotions tend to be mediocre creams with the scent just shot through- this is not the case here.

This cream is deeply hydrating leaving skin silky soft whilst absorbing quickly.

Another plus is that mixing this with the Clarins gives you a fake tan that smells like Chanel. I'm sorry but that's the dream right? No horrid biscuity smell here.

The scent also lingers or a while, just lovely.

Egyptian Magic : This is another product I hadn't heard anything about but upon receiving a sample from Space NK I become hooked and was desperate to pick up the full size after it was finished.

Review soon.

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads : This is another repurchase.

I ran out of these a couple of months ago and didn't really realize how much I was missing them!

These pads are pre-soaked with acids (Lactic and Glycolic) and after cleansing I wipe both sides all over my face in circular motions. I leave it for a couple of minutes and then go in with my facial mist.

I use these in the evening, usually 3/4 times a week and they do a lovely job of exfoliating the skin, leaving it brighter and smoother- it does help with those little milia bumps you get under the skin.

Exfoliating is also very important as it helps whatever serums/oils you put on after be more easily absorbed.

This is my favorite exfoliator but I don't like over using it. It is gentle, you don't really get any stingyness with this and I find 3/4 times a week more than enough to keep my skin looking fresh. It is not necessary for me to use this daily as it's a bit too much exfoliation for my skin.

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Worth The Hype : Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronze Universel Bronzing Makeup Base

This product has been around for a few years now and has really amassed a cult following.

I have always been intrigued by it and yes I have seen rave reviews, but the colour when swatched looked very warm and quite orangey so I didn't really know what to do with the thing. 

I'm not going to lie, I was pretty swayed by the gorgeous Chanel packaging and I was impressed by the smoothness of the bronzer, so I took the plunge.

However, after having it for a few months, I just didn't get it. 

I used to apply it after my foundation with  my Real Techniques Stippling Brush and just swirl it around and then work it into my cheeks and temples- where I would apply any other bronzer.
But it just looked far too warm and I couldn't get it to mesh with the skin.

However. 

NOW I get it. I flipping adore it, and I have not been able to stop using it.

What was I doing wrong? 

My application. For me, I cannot use a brush and I don't know why I didn't use my fingers- I love using fingers to melt products into my skin, why didn't I try sooner??

What I do now is, after applying my foundation, concealer but before powder, I rub my clean ring finger into the product, when I have a fairly decent amount on my finger tip, I blend onto my cheeks and temples, a mixture of rubbing in and tapping and then reapplying if needed.
Just for good measure, after I have applied my desired amount I do a quick once over with my Sigma F80 brush- it's so soft that it doesn't cause it to move too much, it just makes sure I have blended fully.

Now I understand the hype!!

The result I am left with is gorgeous. So much so that I think this could be my favorite bronzer. No joke. 

It makes me look sunkissed and healthy- there are no harsh lines, no tell tale streaks, nada.

It just makes me look like I have a natural tan, like I have been sitting in the sun all day, minus the skin damage.

This does take a little more work than powder bronzers, so if i'm in a rush I do tend to favor powder, but if I have an extra few minutes, this.is.life.

I only need such a small amount to achieve my desired effect and this is a real whopper of a tub so it is going to last for some time. 

This is quite a solid cream, so you need the warmth of your fingers to melt it in- hence where I was going wrong by applying it with a brush first.
After rubbing my finger in, the thick cream then melts down into a much more malleable almost mousse like cream so blending in is a cinch.

I also think it is best to apply before your foundation has totally set.

 This swatch does look on the orange side of things, but once blended in, I assure you I don't look orange.

I cannot stand obvious fake super orange bronzers, so if this made me look like a oompa loompa, I assure you I wouldn't be using it. 

I am shade B20 in Chanel foundation and this shade suits me, however, if you are much fairer, I fear it could veer quite orange on you so if you are interested in this- please try it in store first. It's a pricey item and I don't want you to waste your money!

The one bummer with this though is that there is only one shade. 

I am sorry if this is too dark or too light for you. 

Chanel say you can use this as a bronzing make up base- so effectively a bronzing primer, which I haven't actually tried, I would find it weird applying foundation on top in case I made it move underneath.

For me, this is quite possibly my favorite bronzer and when applied with fingers, I just feel like it creates the most natural, sunkissed satin finish I could imagine. 

In. Love.

Expect this in a favourites post soon!

Have any of you tried this? 

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Quick, Prettyfying Make Up

Is prettyfying a word? For the sake of this blog post, we'll just say it is.

If you're reading this, I'm guessing you're also a lover of all things beauty.

I love the creativity, the new products or rocking a kinda weird kooky look and making it wearable, but there are times when I just want to use products that are more 'prettyfying'.

You know, just adds to your natural beauty- I find these products make me look healthy and natural, in a quick and easy way.

Lets start in order of application:

Dior Glow Maximizer : Like name like nature. I don't use this all the time, but when I do, I use it all over my face like a primer and it adds such luminosity.

When you see it swatched it literally looks like a liquid highlighter- which it can be used as, but under make up it just brightens up my face. 

Lovely.

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua : I have already talked about this product so I wont bang on, but it is one of my favorite bases- light, natural, glowy but not overly so and it feels very comfortable on the skin.

No caking, no sitting in pores, its beaut.

Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer : This is probably the best concealer I have, read a full review here.

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder : I'm so glad I managed to take a picture of this as I've just hit pan. 

I was never into powders up until trying this.

I have dry skin so the idea of setting my make up with powder just feels kinda gross to me...but I thought I would invest in a high end powder and I really like it! I use this every day to set my concealer under my eyes and to be honest ever since I started doing that I cant fathom that I didn't before.

It mattifies the slight sheen from my concealer so hence makes it look like I have added a hint more coverage. I use it down the side of my nose and it does mattify were shine isn't wanted, but it is never cakey. 

It is very important to add this step here as I am using a lot of glowy products, so this is needed to take any of the shine away from unflattering areas, for example the nose/forehead etc.

Benefit Brow-Zing : As you can see- I have hit pan here! As I have used it daily for over a year, I think I am doing pretty well. The little brushes are very useful, I use the angled brush for the wax and then with the flat brush add the powder- you end up with lovely, natural looking brows.

I need quite a bit of brow help so I never go without this.

I cannot stand blocky/harsh eyebrows- this does not produce them.

Benefit Gimme Brown : I use this everyday to set my brows, read a full review here

Kevyn Aucoin Eyelash Curlers : Because I have the worlds straightest lashes.

Nars Eyeliner in Via Veneto : I use black eyeliner EVERYDAY- it is a non negotiable.

However, I only use it to tightline- if you don't know what that means, I just line my upper water line.

After I've curled my lashes so the curlers don't rub it off, I just add this and it helps to thicken up my super fine lashes. If you haven't tried before- it may feel weird, but give it a go. I guarantee you will be amazed by how much more defined your eyes look, in the most subtle way.

Also- if you want to wear make up at school and you aren't allowed/your male  and you want to wear a bit of make up but not have it look obvious- try this as well.

This Nars one is quite new to me, a full review is on its way.

Benefit They're Real : You can see I'm having a bit of a Benefit moment!

Read the full review here. 

By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Bronze Moon : When I'm trying to do pretty in a hurry I use this after my mascara. Why you ask?

Because I'm messy.

Pretty much everytime I use mascara I end up with a little bit of smudging just behind my lashes- not like eye liner, no just a smudge and it really annoys me.

I often can't be bothered to wipe it off as that can make the matter worse, so I swipe the tiniest, lightest line behind my eyelashes and then blend with a finger.

It hides the smudge and leaves me with subtle, shimmery bronze lids.

For a swatch, click here. 

L-R: Mary Lou-Manizer, Pink Coral, Dior Glow Maximiser, Clarins Lip Perfector 

Bobbi Brown Pink Coral Blush : Read a full review here

The Balm Mary Lou-Manizer : Use this with caution! This is very easy to over do, but I like to use a fan brush and sweep this beautiful champagne highlighter on the tops of my cheekbones, round of sides of my eyebrows in a C-shape and the cupids bow.

If you use a light hand you will look gorgeous and glowy- and you have already helped yourself out by using a matte blush so things don't get OTT.

This product is so damn smooth and buttery I just kept touching it when I first got it.

It is a stunner, but be careful otherwise it will look incredibly obvious.

Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Balm Perfector in Rose: I'm sorry you can barely see the swatch on my arm- it is a very transparent colour that just adds the slightest hint of pink.

I love lipsticks- but can take time to apply/can be high maintenance. I LOVE lip liners as well but when I just don't have time or patience I put a bit of this on and it makes my lips look moisturized and just healthy.

I think I might prefer the lip gloss version but I am yet to make up my mind on that...

It's just a nice hint of pink that you can apply as you're leaving the house.

This may seem like a lot of steps but trust me- I can do this pretty quickly!

Do you have any tips on hour to be pretty in a hurry?

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Face Of The Day

Here's a look at whats on my face today!

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua : This is one of my favorite foundations of all time. I use the shade B20 and it matches me perfectly, giving me a light/medium coverage that looks natural and glowy.

This is totally day time appropriate although I have worn it at night as well.

You have to give it a good shake as its a very watery foundation, but it just blends into nothing on the skin.

I sometimes use a brush with this, but as of late I have been loving just massaging it in with fingers.

If you love natural, glowy bases- check this one out.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush : I feel quite harsh talking about this beautiful palette as it was a limited edition, but the shade on the far left (Luminous Flush) and far right (Mood Exposure) are both permenant.

The middle shade Incandescent Electra was initially a palette exclusive, but I saw on Temptalia that Hourglass will soon be releasing this as a single, permanent shade!

I'm so glad because I adore this shade, everyone should have the chance to own it.

I love all of these blushes as a whole, baked products are my obsession at the moment as they look so natural.

These blushes look glowy and genuinely achieve that lit from within look. I love these- I highly recommend.

Also they are pigmented, but they blend in seamlessly so you don't get that harsh block of blush on your face.

Incandescent Electra is my go to whenever I'm tired as it perks up my face without being obvious and due to the subtle shimmer, it negates the need for highlighter.

Incandescent Electra

I don't know if that swatch helps at all! But it is a lovely peachy pink.

By Terry Ombre Black Star in Bronze Moon : I love this, if you weren't sure which shade to get, go for this one. The formula is exceptional, fairs better without primer (which is basically unheard of in my books) its appropriate for all occasions and its so damn easy to work with.

Just a note though, I also have the shade 'Misty Rock' and I think the Bronze Moon formula is better, as its just that bit smoother and doesn't crease at all. MR doesn't, but at the end of the day, I can see a few lines starting to appear and it looks ever so slightly patchy.

I love both of them, but if you're going to spend £29 on one eyeshadow, you want it to be perfect, and for me BM just takes the lead here.

I sweep this over my eyelid, the formula just glides across, and then I blend through the crease.

A gorgeous, sheeny bronze eye in no time. You will look polished with zero effort.

Perfect on days like today, when you just can't be bothered.

                                             

Charlotte Tilbury Lipstick in Sexy Sienna : This is still my number one at the moment, read a full review here.

Benefit Gimme Brow : I love this stuff so much I've nearly run out. I have the shade medium/dark which is a perfect match, it's nice and ashy, none of that warm red undertone creeping through...I made that mistake in my teens. It didn't suit me.

If I am having a good brow day- if they have just been threaded, I only really need to use this on its own. When the brows are unruly, I tend to use my Benefit Browzing, but always with this after, to set and add texture.

I have sparse eyebrows, which annoys me as I have dark hair and dark eyes, yet not much in the way of eyebrows.

I'm not bothered about having Cara Delevinge brows, I just want my brows to look groomed, fuller and natural. Gimme brow does this by darkening the eyebrows that I do have, and adding volume making it look like I have more hairs than I do.

Kevyn Aucoin Eyelash Curlers : I have to curl my lashes everyday and these do a lovely job at grabbing the lashes and giving them a good lift. Some curlers can pinch the lid (which is as unpleasant as it sounds) but I rarely run into that problem here.

I am also wearing Benefits 'They're Real' mascara - a full review is on its way!

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