Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer : Luminous Bronze

I was planning to write this review last week but I just wanted to give it a proper test run as it is on the much pricier side at £42.

This is the new Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Luminous Bronze from Hourglass.

Before the Ambient Blushes and Bronzers, came the Ambient Lighting Powders which were designed to mimic the effect of soft focus lighting on the skin. 

A lovely idea no?

The blushes and bronzers are infused with these ambient powders in order to create that same airbrushed finish.  

Enough waffle, onto the Bronzer. 

One thing that I found a bit of a let down was the shade range; there are only two.
I just think it's a bit disappointing as we have 7 beautiful blushers, but only 2 bronzers. 

This is the lighter of the two, Radiant Bronze Light is darker, but to be honest there isn't a huge difference when blended into the skin.

I wish they had created more than two shades so people with fairer skins and much darker skins could get involved.

Luminous bronze is a warm tan shade with a fine gold shimmer running through. 

The texture of this Bronzer is one of its best points, it is very smooth to the touch and said smoothness helps it to blend effortlessly into the skin.

Even though it is not picking up in the photos, one of my concerns was that when you look at it in the pan, there is some very obvious shimmer going on.

I am  ALL about that glow, but tonnes of shimmer on my cheeks?
Not so much.

The most important thing with this bronzer is to go slow. VERY slow. 

I swirl my brush ever so gently and then tap off any excess.

Then I apply to my temples, tops of my cheeks and just touching the jaw, in a 3 motion.

If I need more, I just repeat the process.

When I have achieved my preferred level of bronzing, the result is absolute seamless luminosity- the name does not lie. If you can be light handed with this I am sure you will love it- I don't end up with sparkling tinkly cheeks (which was my preferred look about 14 years ago at school discos) I end up looking warmer and healthier.
This honestly is beautiful. Just beautiful. Well done Hourglass. 

Here is where I want to add a little warning, as when this is used incorrectly you will end up orange and super shimmery.

Here is a swatch to show you what the colour actually looks like

You can see there is some serious pigmentation going on here, which is a good thing. 

However, here is that heavy swatch in bright day light:

BAM. Shimmery.

If you are heavy handed and don't blend properly and then walk out into bright daylight, it can look pretty darn obvious. 

Bottom Line : I love this bronzer and it is a pleasure to use.

I couldn't really believe how luminous it looked without looking like I had doused myself in highlighter. For those glow-getters out there, I think you should look into this one. 

Just take your time with application, that is all. 

If you do tend to be heavy handed, perhaps use a duo-fibre brush (Real Techniques makes one of the best) so it does most of the hard work for you.

If you are looking for an alternative that is a bit lighter but still brings some glow (though perhaps not as much as Hourglass) and kinder to the purse, maybe look into Liz Earles Radiant Glow Bronzer which I reviewed here.

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My Latest Obsession...

This is my first Clinique blush and it certainly won't be my last.

This is the Clinique Cheek Pop Blush in Heather. 

The Cheek Pops have been around for a year or two and I have been eyeing them up ever since their release...but I could never commit to a purchase.

However when I was in Boots the other week, I had points to spend so I wandered over to the Clinique counter and started swatching.
Four new shades have been released and I initially thought that Melon Pop would be the one that I would go for- a light peachy colour, but after swatching Heather, is was so spot on, I went for it instead.

Heather Pop is a beautiful, cool toned pink with a very slight sheen to it.

Obviously the flower imprint is stunning, but it is the formula that really makes this blush a winner.

They feel very creamy to the touch and when you swirl the brush around, it kicks up zero powder, but it definitely is a powder... it's hard to explain, but this formula just works.

It leaves a totally seamless yet luminous flush on the cheeks.

Pigment is there, but it's not in your face and you barely need to actually blend it in...it does all the work for you.
It just gives you such a soft, luminous glow with absolutely no harsh lines. 

I know I've only had this for a couple of weeks but I've found it so hard to put down and it's really climbing up the ranks to becoming one of my favorite blushers.

As I purchased this with Boots points...I reckon I can justify picking another one up soon...

These Cheeks Pops are fantastic, and with such a variety of shades, I am sure there will be one for you!

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The Five Pound Miracle Product

This product is bloody brilliant. I love love LOVE it and I do not use the word 'Miracle' lightly.

I do suffer from quite dry hands here and there so I do use a lot of hand creams.

However, for the past 2 months I have had this patch of very dry, very sore skin on my right wrist.

It cracks, it burns and stings and I reckon it is a patch of eczema as I have had these sort of things growing up.

However, I have not had it like this in years and nothing was helping.

It just got so sore and I couldn't think of anything to soothe it until I remembered when I had something similar about 13/14 years ago.

I had had similar issues so I went to the pharmacists and he actually recommended this product to me....my Mum and I thought it was odd as we were in Boots or wherever so one would think you would recommend those products, but no, he told me that he often recommended The Body Shop Hand Hemp Protector so we popped into the body shop and picked it up,

And it performed miracles.

How did I forget about this? It was such a life saver back in the day!

I picked up this tube 2 weeks ago and I am not lying to you- within two/three days. my hands are beautiful and soft again.

I apply this before bed and sometimes once or twice throughout the day, but it is a rich cream so it takes a while to absorb but holy cow is it worth it.

My hands are not sore or dry at all.

I am using it once a day now and I will always keep one round in case my hands get sore again.

If you have incredibly dry skin/eczema and you cannot find anything to work- jut give this a go if The Body Shop is accessible to you.

Of course I have to say that I am not a dermatologist so I cannot give you any sort of medical advice, all I can do is tell you about what has worked for me,

The smaller tube costs a fiver and it will last you a while.

The way I see it, its a bloody life saver and I would spend a hell of a lot more for it.

If it doesn't work for you, I am sorry, but at least it's only a fiver.

Nothing is worse than sore, dry skin.  

Have any of you tried this little gem?

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The Vintage Vamp Palette by Charlotte Tilbury

This is one of the most gorgeous palettes I own.

I have a few of the CT palettes, but I reckon this one and The Sophisticate (reviewed here) are my two favorites.

Every time I use this I cant get over how simple the application is, it is so pigmented and smooth that it takes no time at all to create a full impact burgundy smokey eye, which makes a nice change to the browns I often use.

The prime shade (top left) is a very pale shimmery pink- I normally can't stand pinks anywhere near my eyes, but this shade is so flattering and neutral, its just a bit more interesting than going for a run of the mill champagne.

This shade isn't quite as smooth and buttery as the others in the palette, but nonetheless it is still very easy to work with.

The next shade (top right) is more of a red based burgundy whilst the one underneath is more purple, I understand in the pan they do look similar, trust me that upon application the difference is quite apparent.
Both shades are a satin finish that blend seamlessly.
If you click this link you can watch Charlotte apply this onto a model, which makes this palette a lot less intimidating as she tells you where to apply each shade, which I love, but even if you want to freestyle it, these colours practically blend themselves, so you can create a nice diffused smokey eye.

You can create a day time look, which involves combining the two shades at the top. You will easily end up with a lovely eye but I find it so hard to hold back so I often go the whole hog.

The final shade is the 'pop' shade which is possibly the best glitter shade of all the CT palettes.

It is a bright gold colour and very pigmented so you can use it as a strong gold pigment across the lid, however only press your finger in the pan slightly if you want a wash of gold.

I have done the full on Vintage Vamp look during the day...because life is too short to not rock a smokey eye at breakfast. 

Now onto the swatches:

L-R: Prime, Enhance, Smoke and Pop

L-R: Pop, Enhance, Smoke and Prime 

None of the CT shadows crease on me, but sometimes I notice after a few hours of wear there can be minor fading- an eye primer is a good idea, but the fading is slight so it's not a big deal.

Creasing I cannot tolerate at all. 

When I first saw this palette online, I thought it looked really similar to the Dolce Vita palette.

It doesn't in real life- this is very burgundy/wine/purple whereas the DV is warm bronzes and reddish coppers. 

I do have that palette as well if anyone is interested in a review?

Here's a little picture of the prime shade in the centre and the other two burgundy shades blended around, with a slight touch of the gold pigment on top.

Bottom Line : This is one of my favorite palettes of all time...I just haven't seen anything quite like it.

Pigmentation is on point, whilst still being smooth and blendable- it's a difficult mix to get right, but Charlotte does it flawlessly.

It can be hard to wear reddish colours on the eye as one can end up looking a tad ill...or it can just look messy or almost costume like.

Not here. It literally is the classic burgundy smokey eye, and when I finish this palette, I will one hundred percent repurchase- and I don't say that often with shadows.

Have you tried any of the Charlotte Tilbury quads?

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Laura Mercier Paint Wash Liquid Lip Colour in Fuchsia Mauve

This is a new release from Laura Mercier, it is described as a intense, creamy colorful liquid demi-matte lipstick.

This liquid lipstick comes in 10 shades but this shade Fuchsia Mauve just totally stood out to me, it is a purple based fuchsia. It is STUNNING. 

I would quite like to get my hands on Petal Pink which is a lovely everyday pink, but I thought I would start off with one to see how I liked the formula. 

I really like this, but I wouldn't say its perfect...

The pros- the colour selection is great, it is very comfortable to wear- it is never drying and the pigmentation is out of this world.

This is literally one swipe. No building up required, it is full on pigment from the get go. 

It is easy to apply and I really like the applicator, in a way  it reminds me a little bit of the Urban Decay concealer- it holds a nice amount of product and the wand is fairly flexible.

It is really quite easy to apply as well- there really are a lot of positives about this lipstick.

The negatives I have found is that it can get on my teeth, when I apply it I do layer it up slightly just so I feel like its neat, so maybe I am putting too much on, but it is quite slidey so it does transfer onto my teeth. 

After it has settled down a bit after 10-15 mins, I'm generally okay, but I do have to do the whole 'finger in the mouth' trick several times to make sure I wipe it off the inside of my lips.

I think the issues I have do generally subside after about 15 mins, but I would just suggest being careful.

I wouldn't recommend quickly putting this on say, straight before a meeting, in case you're left a little messy...give it time to settle.

It can pool a bit around the corners of my mouth so I do use a cotton bud to dab off any excess- just be careful of these things, but again I may just be using to much. 

I would suggest a lip liner (Urban Decay Venom works nicely) as the first time I wore it I noticed a little bit of bleeding...but weirdly not the second or third time..

This is demi-matte so it does retain a little bit of sheen, I reckon the lighter shades would be a lot easier to use, its always trickier going for a darker colour that's not totally matte.

Also note that this does transfer if you drink a coffee. 

It's not going to end up all over your face, but you might need a touch up or get a clean mug.  

  Honestly I am not bashing this product- I am so glad I have it, it is comfortable and the colour is gorgeous, but I have to let you know all the pros and cons so you are well informed in case you were thinking about picking one up! 

Once it has had time to settle on your lips, it does become a lot less high maintenance, but I wouldn't grab this last minute if I was in a hurry.

It lasts very well and is definitely up there with some of the comfiest liquid lipsticks I have ever tried and it is really nice to add a demi-matte LL to my collection. 

I will one hundred percent pick up the pink shade, I think it will be less problematic due to it being a lighter colour.  

Have any of you tried the Laura Mercier new liquid lipsticks?

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If You Can Find It, Buy It : Nars Douceur

Okay, I will start this off by saying I do feel really mean for talking about this product...

Nars Douceur is one of my favorite blushes of all time- it is a gorgeous pink tinged brown that looks beautiful with all types of make up- minimal looks to heavy smokey eyes and bold lips.

The formula is incredible- it applies quite sheer but it can be built up- but it just means that you can't really overdo it. I have never ended up with any harsh lines.

This was my first ever Nars product- I have bought blushes since but this still remains the best.

There still seems to be some confusion as to whether this is discontinued or not.

I bought this at Christmas time and that time everyone was saying it was discontinued- but I found it on ASOS and even now it is still listed as permanent on Temptalia and one of the ladies I spoke to on the Nars counter still had them in stock- but they are not on display- so even though you can't see it, maybe ask. 

 I know it doesn't look like a whole lot of fun in the pan, but trust me, it acts as a blush and a bronzer all in one. It is beyond me why this would ever be discontinued!

 If Douceur appeals to you- have a look for it- ask around.

If you can find it, buy it.

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A glimpse of what is coming up....

Hello Everyone.

Just a quick little post here to show you what will be up on the blog soon!

I was feeling quite spendy in town on Saturday, so I picked up a few bits and bobs.

I have yet to try the new Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Luminous Bronze on my cheeks, but I swatched it in SpaceNK and holy crap it is stunning.

Here's hoping it looks as beautiful on the face otherwise I have made a very expensive mistake! 

 I have played with the Laura Mercier Paint Wash Liquid Lip Colour in Fuchsia Mauve- what a stunning colour!

You can see I have two little Elemis samples - the Papaya Enzyme Peel and the Pro- Radiance Illuminating Flash Balm, I picked them up in this months Marie Claire- definitely track a MC down if you can, I have only used these two a couple of times but so far so good.

All in all there are some beautiful things here so if you are interested, keep checking in as they will all be reviewed fully on the blog very soon! 

Have a good week everyone, 

XXX

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