L'Oreal Lumi Magique Primer

Its coming up to summer and while I love a matte foundation, a little bit of a glow is almost mandatory in the hotter months and here is something I have been loving while my completion still resembles snow white's.

Although sold as a primer, as lumi would suggest, this is a light reflective product. I personally like to use this as a highlighter over my foundation, but it can be used underneath if it's the 'glow from within' you are after.

As a primer this makes your skin look a little alien like and shimmery before you apply your foundation; this definitely could not be worn alone. Once your foundation is applied however, your skin does appear to look a little more dewy and glowing. I would not say it is a magic product that cures the look of hangovers, and it doesn't have any of the qualities I look for in a primer; your makeup doesn't last longer, it doesn't even out your pores, and it doesn't create a smooth base to apply your makeup on top of. But it does add that little extra something that makes skin look more youthful. 

As a highlighter over foundation this has the most beautiful iridescent sheen to it, but it is completely non glittery with a non sticky formula. Just a tiny amount of product shared between your ring fingers and tapped lightly on to your upper cheek bones will just give you such a beautiful glow. It really picks up the light, and if your skin is still pale then these more white or silvery highlighters will make it appear much more natural than one that is gold toned. 

At just £9.99 this is a great alternative to Benefit's High Beam that costs £19.50, and if you are not much of a foundation wearer just add a pump into your tinted or un-tinted moisturiser and you're good to glow go. Buy here 

Ciao

  xxx

Bobbi Brown Full Coverage Face Brush

I have been swooning over this brush for so long, I love my Real Techniques brushes but I was in need of a new blending brush so thought I would make the splurge. This retails for £30, the real techniques blending brush comes in the Core Collection with 4 brushes for £21.99 (buy here) but the blending brush is the only brush I use in the set so an extra £8 is not sooo bad (pats self on the back for being so convincing).

The hairs of the brush are really densely packed, medium length and come to a round flat end. That's nothing really new to any other blending brush I have tried, but what sets this brush apart from others is just how soft the hairs are. I use a lot of different brands brushes, both high and low end, and have never felt anything so soft. If you have skin that irritates easily, or just find blending brushes a little harsh on your skin then I definitely suggest giving this a try.

If you too full coverage, matte finish foundations like Double Wear You will know it takes quite a lot of blending for it to look really natural. Previously I had to use the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush and then the Buffing Brush to get the finish I like, but this brush makes any foundation look seamless. I also love the plastic cover it comes in, it's probably meant to be thrown away but if you keep it clean its great for keeping it in your make up bag. Buy here

Ciao

  xxx

Estée Lauder Take It Away Makeup Remover Lotion

My love for Bioderma is strong but when it comes to eye make up it just can't budge that last bit of product, of course I do do a proper cleanse in the evening, but I'm not about to start a lengthy skincare routine when I step through the door. A few drops of Bioderma and a pump of this on a cotton pad and you can feel fresh faced until you gather the energy to wash your face near a sink. 

This may be designed to be massaged on to your skin and washed away with water, but honestly there are much better cleansers for doing that. Mixing this with a micelle solution just helps to breakdown your makeup without pulling on lashes, and it also stops your skin from feeling dry for those times when you just cant get off the chair to grab your moisturiser. 

I'm not going to lie £22 is a big price to pay for laziness, but with 200ml and just 1 pump a day this stuff lasts forever. The reason I use this over a dual-phase make up remover is simply because I hate leaving oily textures on my skin. If you don't mind oil based products I suggest Lancome's Bi-Facil which will tackle all kinds of waterproof. 

I am a big fan of the whole Take It Away range, the fresh scent is lovely and all the products I have tried have been very gentle on my super sensitive skin. If you would like to see my thoughts on the foam cleanser from the range click here, and if you would like to view or purchase this product here's the link.

Ciao

  xxx

Bourjois Healthy Balance Powder

After seeing countless youtubers use and rave about this I figured at £8.99 this was at least worth a try and turns out I love it. Although this does not add much coverage, it does add a touch of warmth to the skin and is so available in 4 different shades. I chose light beige because I like to use powder to make my neck the same colour as my foundation, but if you are super pale like myself you could get away with a lighter shade. 

As with all pressed powders, I use the Estée Lauder Powder Foundation Brush to apply this. I find it's soft, densely packed hairs allow you to blend the powder evenly, which helps to set your liquid foundation in place. 

Put simply, this is just a really natural looking powder that stops you looking like a shiny mess, while still allowing your skin to look like skin; a healthy balance. I would say my combination skin does warrant me using this at least every couple of hours, not as good as my fave Soap & Glory Kick Ass Powder (review) but if it's a natural look your after rather than super matte skin then the Healthy Balance Powder is lovely. buy here

Ciao

  xxx