Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Shadow Base

I have been wanting to try an eyeshadow base for well over a year but have been so confused as to which one to buy. There were a couple of MAC ones I had my eye on that people have raved about but as a firm lover of the Double Wear range I thought I would give this one a go.

As expected I am not disappointed at all. As with the Double Wear Stay-In-Place foundation this lasts all day and looks just as good at the end of the day as when you applied it. And most importantly it does not crease at all.

With other eye primers I have found that ones that don't crease are very drying on the skin, and ones that don't cause dryness either crease or make my lids look a little oily. The only other shadow primer I have used that actually covers pigmentation enough to wear without shadow on top is the Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer. Although the Photo Finish does not crease or cause dryness immediately, I found if I wore it everyday my skin did become very dry and so I can only use this every now and then. 

This shadow base I have worn everyday now for a while, with and without shadow and my sensitive skin still remains without irritation. As you can see it is creamy when you apply it and then sets creating the perfect base. 

This costs £16 for 5ml which can be purchased here. This is rather expensive but all the good lid primers tend to be around the £15-£20 mark. If you are looking for a good all over drugstore primer, I suggest trying the Nivia Express Hydration Primer which costs just £4.99; this will not cover any pigmentation but it will prevent creasing and keep things put all day (review).

Ciao

  xxx

Everyday Make Up Look

I would love to have something really creative to show you but as a student with a part time job I basically have no life and no where to dress up for so for now my lovelies its just an everyday look I can do in 15mins that makes me look a little more alive. 

The Base

Nivia Express Hydration Primer all over my face including eye lids.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place with a little Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer in areas I wanted highlight, blended together. 

Chanel Soleil Tan to contour my cheek bones and jaw line. 

Soap & Glory Kick Ass Powder all over to set the make up.

MAC Blusher in Immortal Flower (a pale peachy pink now discontinued).

Eyes:

Urban Decay Naked Palette; Shades Naked and Virgin all over the lid, Buck on the crease with a large fluffy brush, and then a little of Smog with a detailer brush right in the the outer corner of the crease blended out with a fluffy brush.

One coat of L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara on to curled lashes.

Maybeline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner winged out; I used a post-it note to keep the liner and shadows neat at the edge. 

Brows:

Shades Taupe and Dark Chocolate from the Jouer Bare Beauty Collection set with the Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel.

Lips:

Estee Lauder Pure Color Creme in shade Rose tea to keep my lips moisturised then MAC Matte lipstick in Honey Love on top to make it a little more nude.

If you would like to see my last everyday look click here, and I'd love you to share your recent looks with me; send me you links in the comments or join the BuyMeBeautiful community and share with everyone.

Ciao
  xxx

Winter Favourites

As a creature of habit I find it really difficult to find a different bundle of products for monthly favourites so today I have another seasonal favourites for you. I have previously written Summer and Autumn faves posts, but when it comes to winter it is clear I am all about the hydrating, perfecting products that somehow manage to keep me looking normal while the weather tries everything to make me look disheveled.

First up is the Nivea Express Hydration Primer I cannot put into words how much I have been loving this. I have always had dry skin in the winter months but this primer is like a second moisturiser. Foundation sits perfectly on this, it stays put all day and prevents it from dehydrating you skin. If you are not a massive fan of silicone based primers, this is the one for you. Review

Soap & Glory Kick Ass Instant Retouch pressed powder This is a rekindles love; because I have been using more dewy foundations this just makes everything look a little more matte. I only apply this in the morning and my face is shine free for the rest of the day. It's just the best powder for setting your make up in place. Review

Soap & Glory Mini Hand Food Who hasn't had dry hands this season? I normally never carry around a hand cream but this one smells so nice I actually enjoy applying this. 

The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil Admittedly I was a little skeptical of this but after seeing various you-tubers rave after this I thought it was well worth a go, and I actually rather like it. I normally hate applying oil anywhere on my skin, and although I do have to use a cream cleanser to get rid of the oil texture on my skin, this is sooo good at taking eye make up off. 

Maybeline Forever Strong Professional Nail Varnish in shade Rose Podure. After wearing Essie's Bahama Mama throughout Autumn I was well and truly ready for some neutral shades and this is the perfect natural pink. The formula of these polishes is amazing! I can wear this all weak without a single chip. 

A new find last month CoLab Dry Shampoo Extreme Volume is now the only product I use in my hair. It makes 2nd day hair possible and gives a shed load of volume. Winter is just not about having limp looking hair.

I feel I needn't explain why I have been loving the NARS Virtual Domination Cheek Palette, I have not heard one negative review of this, all I will say is the NARSissist Blush Contour And Lip Palette Looks amazing and perhaps if they had come out at the same time I would have gone for that one. I have been using the Laguna bronzer and Sex Fantacy blush nearly everyday since I got this. Review

Lastly, Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer has replaced Kevyn Aucoin's Sensual Skin Enhancer for my go to concealer. I used to use this everyday about 2years ago and I totally forgot about it until the Skin Enhancer was just feeling a little drying on my skin. The Match Perfection is so creamy but it doesnt crease and it gives a really decent coverage.

I would love to know what you have been loving, let me know in the comments and leave me some links of your recent favourites post. 

Ciao
  xxx

Soap & Glory: The Breakfast Scrub

Presuming/ hoping that I am not the only one left with reptilian like skin towards the end of winter, may I please introduce you to the best body scrub in the world; The Breakfast Scrub.

First of all I have to address the scent, if you love the smell of baking then you will love this beauty. The blend of almond and sugar gives the most intense dessert smell it makes me crave cookies every time I use this. 

Secondly, this works as good as it smells. My arms and legs feel so smooth after using this. Unlike other scrubs your skin is not left feeling dry, it actually makes u feel primed if that makes sense. Your skin feels and looks smother, almost like using a body polish. 

Lastly, due to the scrub being made with sugar as apposed to micro-beads it is really gentle on the skin whilst still removing all dead skin particles. This makes it perfect for using on your face as well as your body. Simply rub in to your fingertips with a bit of warm water and gently scrub and it is much gentler than other facial exfoliators. If you have sensitive skin like myself then I highly recommend trying this.  

At £8 for 300ml this is an absolute bargain. I can finally wave goodbye to my scaly lizard legs :) bring on the summer!

Ciao

  xxx