Review: By Terry | Light Expert Click Brush Foundation |

By Terry | Light Expert Click Brush Foundation | 2 - Apricot Light | £48 | Space NK

As you may have already seen, I went to the relaunch of the vamped up By Terry Light Expert Click Brush* (long name!) event and it was awesome. I was over the moon to be able to test out and review the product, especially as it is my first item from the brand. I've been using it pretty much every day for the last few weeks so am now ready to give you a thorough opinion.

Lets start with the pros. The packaging feels and looks high end, and is perfect for travel due to the no leakage click brush pump at the bottom. There are 4 holes within the dense kabuki brush where the product is dispensed, to give a more even coverage and finish and the brush can also be unscrewed and washed so is hygienic. I love that you can also take a look at how much product you have left too while doing this.

The elastic formula of this foundation is different to anything else I've tried. It is super light weight and buffs out to the most incredible natural and flawless finish while blurring out my pores, even though the coverage isn't very high. The texture is also great for touching up before a night out or generally on the go as it doesn't even go cakey or unnatural looking, instead it just builds really nicely. One of the most surprising features of the foundation is how long lasting it is. Considering how lightweight the formula is, I thought it wouldn't last too long but it lasts all day and on my combination skin I only needed to powder once during the day, which is amazing! Like all foundations I like to mix in a liquid highlighter, but to be honest this doesn't need it as the finish is luminous enough by itself. 

Onto the cons - firstly I don't really like the brush it comes with. It is so dense and small that I find it really hard to buff in the liquid evenly. Instead I like to dot it on my face and use my Real Techniques Buffing Brush instead. The shade range is also quite small, and they are all quite on the warm side so unless properly blended it can look a little orange (I have the shade 'Apricot Light'). However, with a tan it will be a great shade and the lead make up artist at By Terry explained that the reason they do not have a bigger shade range is because they have not been able to perfect the formula yet. I think this is a good reason and at least they are not putting out a product they are not 100% convinced by. It is also worth bearing in mind that the foundation has quite a strong scent - I quite like this and it smells high end (if that makes any sense) but those with sensitive skin may want to take note. I would also like the coverage to be a bit higher as I do have blemishes and dark circles to conceal!

All in all, this is great for all skin types and ages. Although it is quite pricey, I think it feels luxurious and is great for more natural make up days by giving a flawless texture and tone to your skin.

Have you tried this foundation yet? What is your favourite product from By Terry? xxx

EVENT: By Terry | Light Expert & Autumn 2015 Launch |

When the email inviting me to this event popped into my inbox, I literally screamed with excitement. I have loved By Terry from afar, lusting after everything from the Baume de Rose to the Hylaronic Hydra Powder, but unfortunately have never actually owned anything from the brand.

This changed on Wednesday, when I popped down to the Space NK store in Chelsea to view the new Autumn launches, the star of the show being the revamped Light Expert Click Brush Foundation, which is available from September and retails at £48.

Myself and the other bloggers who attended were treated to purple macarons (what else for a blogger event?) and pink champagne, whilst having a chance to browse the range and have a chat with the make up artists that represent the brand.

We were also treated to a demonstration which showed three different looks you could create with the Light Expert Click Brush - a very natural, super easy and quick look for the busy working mum, the social butterfly who needs to take her look from day to night using contouring and the super busy woman who needs to top up throughout the day. Alban Laloy who has been the lead make up artist for By Terry for 5 years, talked us through the product and the looks while they were being demonstrated.

After the demonstrations I had a make over by the lovely Alessia who used the Light Expert Click Brush in the shade 1 Rosy Light as a highlight over the make up I already had on, the most beautiful blush duo in 400 Rosy Sculpt and my new favourite lip product which is now top of my wishlist Palace Garnet 10.

I will most definitely be doing a full in depth review of the product in the new future, so keep your eyes peeled for that, but in the mean time I will give you a quick low down on the new product. It is a light weight and buildable liquid foundation, which is dispensed via a click brush system and instead of having just one hole, there are 4 places in the brush that product is dispersed. Replacing the flat foundation style brush is a kabuki brush head which is super soft and very sturdy so amazing for blending the product seamlessly. You can also unscrew the brush head to clean it thoroughly and you can also do this to check how much product you have left.

Everything about the packaging and product is well thought out, user friendly and beautiful! I can't wait to test it out more and let you know my thoughts.

Have you tried any By Terry products before? xxx

Review: Real Techniques | Expert Face Brush |

Real Techniques - Expert Face Brush - £9.99 - Available at Boots

Real Techniques brushes are one of the most talked about budget brush brands and for good reason. I have the core collection and starter eye kit and both are of fantastic quality and contain multi-functional brushes. For a really long time I have wanted to add to my collection by purchasing some of the stand alone brushes so I was really pleased when I finally caved and picked up the Expert Face Brush.

I never thought I'd say this but I think it has replaced my beloved Buffing Brush as my favourite base applicator. The synthetic taklon bristles are densely packed and stiff, unlike the buffing brush which is quite flexible so I found it a bit difficult to get used to at the beginning. However, this design delivers a flawless base with minimal effort. Normally I take a long time buffing in my choice of base to make sure it is all blended in but this brush cuts that time in half and basically does all the work for you. I've also found I use a lot less product as the Expert Face Brush works it into the skin so flawlessly you don't need as much to even skin tone or cover redness. It works really well with all cream and liquid bases, from light to high coverage, but my favourite at the moment is with Estee Lauder Double Wear, which I mentioned in this post recently.

The light weight and tapered middle design of the handle is another plus point which makes it easy to maneuver and grip, again aiding application. The brush is also really easy to clean which was a surprise as the bristles are so dense I thought product would get easily trapped in between them.

The Expert Face Brush leaves you looking naturally airbrushed and it just a winner all round - a great value product which you won't regret having in your arsenal.

What is your favourite Real Techniques brush? xxx

Monthly Favourites | January 2014 |

Hello! As it's the end of January (already...!) it's time for the first installment of monthly favourites for the year. This month features a lot of make up, mostly lip-centric with a little bit of skin care thrown in for good measure. If you are more of a listener than a reader, I've included a video that I filmed to accompany this post too.

1. Revlon Lip Butter in 'Pink Lemonade': I'm a massive fan of the lip butter range and this shade is one of my top shades. A soft peachy pink, its easy to slick on and go and pairs perfectly with natural make up looks or to soften a smokey eye. I also find the formula nice and nourishing which is great for this time of year.

2. Topshop Lipstick in 'Idol': A while ago now I did a post on my Topshop lipstick collection, which now I have bought quite a few more I'm looking to update in the near future. This lipstick featured in it and it is still one of my favourite pinks. It's a bright, Barbie-esque pink which I've been wearing as a pop of colour with pared down make up.

3. Sleek Matte Me Lip Cream in 'Brink Pink': This has been posted on really recently, so for an in depth review click here. As you can tell I'm well and truly in a pink phase at the moment, with this lip cream being the brightest and most statement lip out of the 3. 

4. Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Balm: The last of the lip products, this is an absolute must have for the colder weather. I like to use it before bed as it leaves a slight layer on your lips. It is so nourishing and smells delicious and works really well when used in conjunction with a lip scrub.

5. Benefit 'Million $ Mocha' Eyeshadow: A beautiful shimmery brown shade with pink undertones, I've been using this all over the lid for a really simple day time appropriate smokey eye. The formula is really buttery and easy to blend with no fall out at all. 

6. Estee Lauder Double Wear & Real Techniques Expert Face Brush: This duo is a perfect pairing in my opinion! With this brush you only need a tiny amount of the foundation and when buffed in properly it leaves a lovely natural, airbrushed finish. Double Wear doesn't have to be cakey! I also have a full review on this foundation.

7. Estee Lauder Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher: After receiving this for Christmas I've used this every day as my morning serum. I think its best suited for the day as it is so light weight, and as it melts into skin immediately it leaves a super smooth base, perfect for make up. The pump bottle is also a nice addition as it gives just enough for your whole face without being messy.

8. Clarins Lotus Oil: A whole post has been dedicated to how much I love this oil already! If you have oily/combo skin I urge you to try this as it has really changed my skin for the better. It is a really light oil which won't clog your pores or break you out, while still hydrating your skin really well.

What are your favourites for this month? xxx

October Favourites

This month's favourites features some newish purchases as well as products that I've learnt to love again after shopping my stash. 

MUA Pro-Brow Kit: After hearing a lot about various brow kits, I thought I'd switch out my regular brow pencil to try one myself and thought this would be a good place to start as it is cheap as chips. I use the lightest shade of two to fill in my brows and the wax included to set them. The powder is soft with good pigmentation and the wax is easy to work with. I really like the results that using a powder creates and have reached for this every day since I bought it. A full review post on this little kit with more details on it will be up in the near future.

Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation: For the past three years I have always had a bottle of this foundation in my stash. Normally reserved for nights out, I really like the finish this foundation gives and that the coverage is buildable. Matched with the Real Techniques buffing brush I find this gives a lovely natural air brushed base with a slightly dewy finish. I usually prefer matte finishes but recently this foundation has been reached for on a near daily basis. I have the colour '100 Ivory' which is a little too dark for me at this time of year so will be picking up a lighter shade when this has run out.

Revolution Organics Freedom Glow in 'Bronzed': I posted a review of this a while back but have changed the way I use it since then. Reminiscent to the NARS multiple sticks, this is a multi use product free of any nasties. My preferred way to use it at the moment is as a cream contour as it is a darker shade than the bourjois bronzing primer which I use more for adding warmth to my complexion. It is easy to blend and build up when buffed in again with the buffing brush from Real Techniques. 

MAC Creme D'Nude Lipstick: This is a relatively new purchase too which I picked up from a recent blog sale. Although it was a bit melted, the shade had been on my wishlist for ages so I snapped it up for a bargain price. My first cremesheen finish (the other MAC lipsticks I own are amplified) this lipstick has become a staple in my every day make up. I normally stick to bright lips but I've been going through a bit of a nude moment and this is the perfect shade and consistency for every day. Buttery and nourishing, this smells just like other MAC lipsticks and has just enough shine and brown to the shade to be complimentary to my skin tone. It is perfect for day and night and is a great addition to my lipstick collection.

The Body Shop Honeymania Bubble Bath Melt: As soon as I caught wind of the Honeymania launch I knew I had to get my hands on some products. The bath melt has a really strong scent which I love - more floral with a touch of honey. The consistency looks just like honey and there is something about the pearlescent formula that makes it feel like a real decadent treat. Now the colder months are here I've been enjoying more baths and this is the perfect accompaniment

L'Oreal Lumi Magique: For ages I never understood the hype behind YSL Touche Eclat but then I realised it's purpose was for highlighting rather than concealing and saw how fab it was. The L'Oreal high street version is just as great in my opinion and I've enjoyed using it every day on the inner corners under my eyes to brighten over a colour corrector, down the bridge of my nose, on my brow bone and the cupids bow. It is subtle and natural but makes a difference to brightening your complexion and the rose gold packaging is pretty cute too.

What have you enjoyed using recently? xxx

My Very Late September Favourites

Hi guys, sorry this post is so late I've been meaning to get it up for ages but was waiting for the weather to perk up a bit to take some half decent photographs of the products. They still aren't perfect but seeing as we are heading into the darker months it can't really be helped. If only I had the money for some studio lighting! Anyway, as you can see I have quite a few favourites from the month of September, which are basically all make up related products compared to last month's which were more hair orientated.

001. Bourjois Bronzing Primer: When I first picked this up I used it to warm up my complexion all over my face before popping over a lighter base during the summer. However, I've really started to enjoy using it as a cream contour. I'm no expert in contouring so I find this product makes it really easy to build up the colour and blend in to make a much more natural finish. It's a really handy little pot which has a lot of uses. You can read my full review by clicking on the product name above.

002. Maybelline Colour Tattoo in 'Metallic Pomegranate': I am in love with these paint pot dupes from Maybelline and have nearly all the colours now. I picked up this shade months ago and it has really come into its own now that the seasons have changed. A deep purpley pink with hints of glitter, it looks lovely all over the lid by itself or as primer for similar shades of eye shadows. I can't wait to do a full review of this soon and show you some swatches.

003. MAC MSF in 'Soft and Gentle': I'm already reviewed this in full a while back but it is still a staple in my make up bag. I love it most for evening looks but if applied with a light hand it is beautiful in the day too. A lovely warm toned highlight, it perks up my complexion and completes my look. After pretty much daily use since I got it, the dome has only just flattened so it is great value for money too. Highlighters are one of my favourite make up items (after lipsticks of course) and this is a must have for any collection.

004. Bourjois Colour Boost Lip Crayons: Another Bourjois favourite this month is the recent release of their lip crayons. The concept of these type of products in general is a winner for me, but what pleased me most about Bourjois' offering are the shades which, although limited, are all so pretty, and the super glossy finish. They also last really well and are perfect for day or evening wear. Again I will be putting up a full review with swatches in the near future.

005. Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush: Real Techniques are the perfect brand for affordable but fantastic quality make up brushes. While the buffing brush is the star of the core collection this brush in particular is amazing from the eye set as I find it so multi-functional. Not only is it fab for blending and all over colour, the soft dense bristles make it perfect for blending under eye concealer which is now its main use. 

006. Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation: A long lost favourite from last year, I pulled this out of my foundation box to replace the super light bases of summer. Full coverage that can be sheered out, blendable, matte and long lasting, this is definitley one of my favourite foundations ever. The only negative is the flash back face it gives but for days when flash photography won't be in use this is perfect for long, busy days.

What were your favourites for September? Do you like any of my picks? xxx

Review: Bourjois | Healthy Mix Foundation |

9.99 // 30ml // Shade 52 (Vanilla)

My box of bases has been steadily growing as I like to have one for every occasion (nights out, sunny days, bad skin days, oily days, dehydrated days....etc etc!) and this foundation is one that I had my eye on for a long time. There are two types of this foundation - this is not the serum version but the original one as based on the reviews I read it was more suitable for my skin type (oily/combo). 

Most of the reviews I have seen of this are very complimentary so I had high hopes. Although I think it has been rebranded and packaged since I bought it, it still features a see through body which I really like so you can see how much you've got left, has a decent pump and is lightweight for travel. I have the shade 52 (second lightest) which is too dark for me but a good match for a tan and is ok as long as I buff it in fully and blend. As you can see I've used it quite a lot before writing up this post as for a long time I was really on the fence about it.

On first application it is fantastic. It buffs in flawlessly to your skin (I use the RT buffing brush or fingers) with a very natural coverage which is buildable to medium and blurs pores and imperfections wonderfully. The foundation delivers a satin finish which I love as its not too dewy or flat looking. This is great for perking up your skin and definitely delivers radiance and hydration so no need to add liquid highlighter in with it like I normally do. On first impressions I thought this was HG ground!

But unfortunately things go down hill from there. After around 4 hours my skin is very greasy - and not just in the t zone which I'm used to. I also found it oxidises really badly which is terrible for oily girls like myself as it makes the foundation go quite orange and patchy - so in reference to its 16 hour claim it falls dramatically short! 

It is such a shame and I have really tried to persevere with it as on first application it is wonderful! I think it is better suited to dry/normal skin and is great for photos or a short amount of time. However, for long busy days which I normally have it falls short.

 Have you tried this foundation? What is your HG base? xxx

The Weekend Face #1

As you may or may not know, Matt and I met at Uni but he has since graduated and got a big boy job in London, meaning our relationship has gone from seeing each other every day to every weekend. We are quite lucky its not too far to travel, however I am an appalling packer and find it virtually impossible to pack light. I've been making a conscious effort therefore to try and squeeze down my make up bag for the weekend and plan ahead (although I am still terrible at this!) Among making my case a little lighter (the amount of skincare I take is not ok) trying to condense my make up bag has lead to me using well loved things I had forgotten about again and mixing up my make up routine. So I thought it might be interesting to show you what I take as a mini series on the weekends I go down to visit, but leaving out the standard staples as that would get boring!

Lets start with the base. I chose Healthy Mix as it gives light to medium coverage, which is buildable and also helps to perk up and hydrate my skin in this horrible weather (review soon) with the usual culprits of Benefit's Erasepaste for under eyes and Collection's Lasting Perfection Concealer for any redness or blemishes. My new powder of choice - Rimmel's Stay Matte - was put to the test to set my foundation and keep oil at bay, but I'm not seeing much difference between this and my previous 17 Miracle Matte powder. Finally a dusting of 'London' from my Fashionista palette (amazing for travel) along my cheekbones combined a blush and highlight in one.

For my eyes, I chose to go for a natural look and began by lining the waterline with Rimmel's Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl in 'Nude' and swept 'Naked' from my Urban Decay Naked palette all over the lid. This palette is amazing for travel as it has shades for every occasion so I take it with me everywhere as you can probably see from the battered packaging! I took 'Virgin' also from this palette as my brow highlight and used Bourjois Intuitive eyeliner to deepen my lash line - still not too sure on this one but a review will be coming soon. Lastly, lashings of my two favourite mascaras completed this look. 

For lips I took two lipsticks - Kate Moss for Rimmel 107, an amazing deep red which I have been obsessed with recently and wear for both the evening or day and Barry M lip paint in '101' - a milky nude shade. As my eyes were pared down I either went for a bright pop of red or combined both of these together in the style of Lisa Eldridge to brighten up 101 which can be a bit dead by itself.

Hope you all had a lovely weekend! Let me know what you think of these products xxx

Wednesday Wishlist: 21st Birthday Edition

Everyone seems to hate January as it brings the post-Christmas blues, freezing weather and broken resolutions but I love it because this month brings my birthday! And this year I will be the big 21 which is really scary but also exciting. Therefore, this week's wishlist features some of the beauty bits that I am wishing to receive for my birthday.

001. Clarisonic Mia 2: I love muslin cloths but they just don't seem to be cutting it. There have been so many rave reviews about facial brushes and I've been dying for one for ages! The new Clarisonic really floats my boat and could potentially help clear up some of my skincare woes that have occurred recently - and naturally I would like it in pink!

002. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation: Don't get me wrong I'm still in love with Estee Lauder Double Wear for times when I need flawless skin, however the one draw back is the ridiculous flash back it gives in photos :( After asking Anna's advice, I've put this one down on my list for those special occasions. 

003. MAC 217 Blending Brush: I only own two other MAC brushes - the rest of my collection made up of Real Techniques or odds and sods. Although I'm not really bothered about the rest, this particular brush seems to be a must have after hearing it blends like a dream, hopefully making my eyeshadow look a bit more professional!

004. REN Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask: As an avid mask user, I'm constantly on the look out for different types to combat the issues I have with my skin. I don't currently own one for radiance, which would be perfect for this type of year, and have also wanted to try the brand for so long!

005. MAC lipstick in 'patisserie': I don't know about you but I have a long list of MAC lipsticks that I would like to own in the future. Upon a trip to Covent Garden a few weeks ago I scratched 2 off the list after excessive swatching, with the second being a toss up between St Germain and Patisserie. Ever since I left with the former (amazing colour btw) I havn't been able to get this shade off my mind...

006. Bobbi Brown Corrector and Concealer Duo: At the moment I use Benefit's Erasepaste for under eye circles, which I've had a bit of an up and down relationship with. Personally I think I suffer from quite dark circles (Matt is convinced its because I don't drink enough water) and its difficult to cover them up with out creasing. I'm hoping this could be the holy grail I've been looking for.

Have you used any of these products before? What is on your wishlist this week? xxx

Review: Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation

30ml // £27.50

I seem to be on a bit of a role with Estée Lauder recently. Having previously owned nothing from the brand, in the last few months I acquired Advanced Night Repair and then this foundation. Both things are pretty pricey for a student budget but so far Estée Lauder has not disappointed me and definitely lives up to my expectations as a premium brand.

On my first trip to Bicester Village a month or so ago, I picked up a MAC MSF and this foundation in the shade 'IC1 Shell' (although I think it's now called Cool Bone) from The Cosmetics Company Store, which turned out to be a perfect colour match for my pale skin. This particular foundation had been on my wishlist for a while even though it is full coverage, as it is nice to have a range of bases in your stash for different occasions. Upon looking at reviews, I've seen nothing but positive things and I'm going to have to jump on the positive band wagon and warn you now that this is going to be a rave review!

The packaging is made of heavy glass which oozes luxury, although may not be best for travel (I've kept the box for this). The only gripe I have with this is that there is no pump dispenser so getting the right amount of product can sometimes be a bit tricky, although it isn't the end of the world for me. The formula is quite thick but also nice and fluid so easily blended into the skin. For this I use a small amount of product and my buffing brush and really work it in seamlessly for fuller coverage, or with a stippling brush or blend perfection for more of a medium coverage. I've seen others mention they find it difficult to blend as it dries quickly but I've had no problem with this. I find this gives a lovely satin finish to the skin, and if blended in well it doesn't look cakey or obvious at all, instead it leaves your skin looking perfected. I also like that it doesn't oxidise and so stays the same colour all day.

I was surprised that it was so natural looking considering it is a matte, full coverage foundation and although I like to pump some Hocus Focus to inject some radiance, this isn't always necessary and just somewhat a habit now. The time this foundation lasts is amazing and I can be safe in the knowledge it will last for around 6 hours before needing to touch up with powder, if at all. It is oil and fragrance free so great for oily skinned girls like me, who want fuller coverage for a special occasion, need their base to last a long day or just prefer that kind of finish. Even though it is expensive, I only need to use a little for my whole face so think this will last me a really long time and is cost effective. It's also useful to note you can buy Double Wear in a light version or maximum cover.

I really recommend this for oily/combination skins who want a medium-full coverage foundation. It has great staying power, helps with oil control and didn't break me out. As long as you take the time to blend it in well this will leave a lovely satin finish without looking cakey. A great purchase and new holy grail for me.

Have you tried this before? What else would you suggest from Estée Lauder? xxx