YSL Touche Eclat Foundation

As I mentioned in my March Favourites I was a little sceptical about this new formulation. The original was such a cult classic and a personal favourite of mine for giving that beautiful natural skin like finish. Thankfully I was pleasantly surprised with this formula. It still has the same beautiful finish but the coverage is much better this time and is buildable to a good medium. I am also really glad they kept the packaging the same, the pump dispenses just the right amount of foundation for a sheer coverage for my face, and two pumps for the fuller coverage. I like to apply it with my Beauty Blender which I just dampen a little with the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water for a really flawless skin like finish. 

They claim this to be a weightless foundation but honestly, no foundation that has a natural kind of finish is weightless. Unless you like a matte base like Estee Lauder Double Wear that will dry on to your skin, there is going to be some texture to wearing the foundation. So long as you don't apply too much of this though it does seam to stay put better than the original formulation and it does feel lighter than other more dewy foundations on account of this not feeling oily. To compare this to the last foundation I reviewed; the Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow, this feels much lighter and long-lasting. I have done the same makeup here as my Ambient Lighting Look and up close this does look better than the Les Beiges. This has sheered over my skin where as the Les Beiges did cling to some dryness and crease around my eyes more. Now that is looking very closely at pictures, both foundations look nice in person but perhaps if you do have some dryness then this would be a good foundation for you to try moreover the Les Beiges. There are 22 shades available in the Touche Eclat and it can be purchased on all YSL concessions and online here. 

The Application Dream Team

When it comes to applying your base everyone is looking for a natural finish. Whether its sheer or full coverage you wear no one likes to look plastered in product. And after many trials and errors this little trio have surpassed all other applicators. I realise that the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water does sound like a bit of a waste of money to buy what is essentially a water spray, when you can just dampen your sponge under a tap. But honestly if you really want your makeup to stay put as long as possible then this is the way to go. I personally hate silicone based primers. I am more than happy to use toner and serum and moisturiser to prep my skin but I just don't like to feel like there is a layer between my skin and foundation. For me your base product should feel like skin as much as possible and not like it is sitting on top of it. I place a few dots of foundation on to the centre of my face then spritz the Beauty Blender till it is damp and bounce the product all over my face. Once my foundation has dried I do the same with concealer but then use the Micro Mini Beauty Blender as this seams to keep the concealer in place better than the original sponge. Here I have the Pure Sponge which comes in at £16, it is the same size as all the original blenders but for £18 you can buy the Pink Blender and Solid Soap Set which really is the best way to clean the sponges if you want to remove any product stains. I still love the Bobbi Brown Full Coverage Face Brush *review for a slightly more speedy application but for days I have the time to really blend in my foundation and create that completely natural looking skin this little trio really does give a flawless looking finish. 

Everyday Makeup

I am a creature of habit when it comes to my everyday makeup look. As I wear rather a lot of makeup I like to keep things really simple or it can easily look too much for work and errands. I do like to mix up some of my products though, sometimes because I am trailing new things, but also because my skin really seams to change with the weather. With it being slightly warmer at the moment I have gone back to the Chanel Perfection Lumiere which I loved last summer. It is really good at being re-worked into the skin throughout the day so perfect if you are a little more oily in the warmth.

For powder I have been loving the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Ethereal Light just down the centre of my face to kick back excess oil but still have a natural glow. For blush I cannot stop using NXY High Definition Blush in shade Nude'tude on the apples of my cheeks and shade Taupe as a subtle contour and softly on my lower lash line. I also use a combination of the two through my lids and crease, not as a cut crease but just to add definition to my eyes. I have actually been using a new liquid liner recently which I don't find as easy to apply as the Maybelline Gel Liner but I wanted to get the hang of before my holiday so I don't have to pack the liner brush. It is the Revlon Coloursaty which looks really good and is a true black but I do find liquid liners drying so I think I will go back to the gel soonish.

Loreal False Lash Telescopic has been my mascara of choice a lot recently as I tend to be favouring longer lashes over volume. And for my browns NYX Tinted Brow Mascara is my go to for a really speedy application. Lastly, for my lips I tend to just wear balms, and as I have been wearing a bit of colour on my eyes I like the natural look of Elizabeth Arden Lip Repair Balm. 

Travel Makeup Bag

I am finally going on holiday this week to see my dad in Spain, and although I still plan on wearing a fairly full face of makeup I decided to really cut back on the products I take. I will after all be going to see my family so there is no reason to look overly fancy. For lips I am taking just three options, a tinted lip balm which is my everyday choice; By Terry Baume De Rose in shade Toffee Cream, MACs Lip Pencil in Soar for a mauve lip option and NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Abu Dhabi which is my favourite brown lip at the moment. My base of choice in warmer weather is Chanel Perfection Lumiere it just seams to work better on my skin when it is a little oiler. I am also taking the Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Concealer though just in case I get any blemishes. For my brows I am just taking NYX Tinted Brow Mascara and I am trying a new liner this time the  Revlon Colourstay Eyeliner which I have been trying out, I don't love it but it will do for the holiday. I have a travel size Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Colour Mascara in black, I actually use the brown shade of this a lot so I know I love the formula. It looks really natural but can be built up for quite a bit of volume. And lastly make up wise I have packed 2 NYX High Definition Blushers in shade for a peachy blush, and as my contour. Both of which I love to wear as eyeshadow also. 

To apply my foundation I have packed an original Beauty Blender and a Micro Mini to apply concealer, both of which I dampen with the Liz Earle Skin Tonic to tone my skin while making a really natural looking base. Skincare wise I just have a travel size of the Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm and Age Support Cream and a few sample serums I had saved up. I will be taking my Laura Mercier travel brush set as well but that will go in my hand luggage as I would be pretty mortified if I lost them. 
I will still have posts going up while I am away and hopefully I will have a holiday blog when I get back if I manage to take some nice pictures. For now though I hope you all have a good two weeks whatever your plans. Ciao xxx

Nip+Fab Dragon's Blood Serum

After trying the Rodial Dragons Blood Hyaluronic Night Cream I was really happy with how much healthier my skin was looking and really wanted to try some more from the range. Unfortunately I just do not have the budget for the full range but when shopping in boots last month I spotted that Nip + Fab have some similar products that are way more affordable and this little beauty has surpassed all expectations. Now I'm 24, I hardly have too many signs of ageing but I do have a couple of fine lines on my fore head that this has evened out completely. Before I used to like the Lancome Advanced Genifique Serum for helping my skin feel firmer and plumper but this is ten times better and a fraction of the price at £19.95 compared to £82 for the same 50ml bottle. I very rarely get excited about skincare as I do makeup but I have already been recommending this to my friends and it really is worth a go.

I feel I must mention this contains the sap from a dragon blood tree and there are no strange labs holding dragons to produce these products. The sap assists in soothing and restoring skin which makes for this being a lovely serum to apply in the morning; it really does feel like it is soothing your skin. It sinks in instantly, which does mean that you have to work it on to your skin pretty quick, but you don't get the tacky feeling on your skin after application which some serums leave. The serum also contains Hyaluronic Acid and Glycerin which will help your skin to absorb and lock in moisture. If like myself you are not keen on wearing primers, I find serums are a good way to prep your skin for foundation and the fact that this completely absorbs into your skin means that you have a perfect base for foundation. I would love to hear your thoughts if you have tried this product also, and if you want to give it a try you can buy it online here and in larger Boots stores.