Review: Sleek | Face Form Contour & Blush Palette | 'Light'

Sleek MakeUP - Face Form Contour & Blush Palette - Light - £10

The other evening I was organising my photos - does anyone else have multiple digital albums which are all a bit of a mess? Anyway, I came across loads of photos I had taken for the blog from ages ago which I had kind of forgotten about. One set of these pictures was on this lovely palette from Sleek that I use at least twice a week and still love as much as I did when I first bought it and have been using it loads recently. So it is high time that I wrote a review on it!

One of the best things about this palette is that it is so travel friendly. You are sorted with a blush, contour/bronzer and highlight that are amazing quality and go with pretty much any look you need - I used this exclusively in Stockholm and didn't feel like I was missing anything. Plus you get a good sized mirror, and the pans are a really good size too. For the price point the quality of these powders are so good - really highly pigmented, easy to blend and no chalkiness in sight.

The bronzer is great for contouring as it is matte and more on the cool side, although you do need to make sure you blend it properly as it is very pigmented. The highlighter I wasn't sure on at the beginning, but applied with a denser brush like the Real Techniques contour brush, it looks so beautiful across the cheekbones and centre of the face. It gives a lovely glow without being glittery or really obvious. Lastly the blush is a fantastic dupe for Nars Orgasm and again is just as pigmented as the rest of the palette and lasts all day without needing a touch up.

The only thing to keep in mind if you have acne prone skin is that it does contain talc so if you have acne prone skin this may aggravate it.

There is also 4 different shades for varying skin tones from Light to Dark - so a palette for everyone! you can purchase this palette in Boots or Superdrug.

What is your favourite product from Sleek? xxx

All Used Up #8

Before I moved to my flat I had loads of empties to photograph and write up - I did the first part but never got round to writing up the other posts! So here is the next part of the series, which I'm pleased to announce actually contains some make up items which is rare for me as I find it hard to finish make up items.

Sure Cool Pink Deodorant: From what I can remember this wasn't anything special - I don't tend to be loyal to any brand really and mainly get whatever is on offer (bar Nivea which actually makes me sweat more...!) I do quite want to try Mitchum though as that is meant to be pretty good.

Boots Botanics Rosewater Toning Spritz: A review on this toner is already up on the blog here, but a brief summary is that this is my favourite toner that I have tried. It's refreshing yet gentle and I love the spray nozzle. I've already repurchased it a few times and have one in stock but after that I want to try a few others because as a beauty blogger you can never stay satisfied for long!

Batiste 'Tropical' Dry Shampoo: This brand of dry shampoo is my go to. I've used it since the beginning of using dry shampoo and have never felt the need to change as it does the job. The tropical scent is quite nice and smells of coconut (I went through a phase of being obsessed with that smell) but my favourite is definitely the wild version. Again, I normally chop and change in relation to scents.

Garnier Soft Essentials Face Wipes: OK before you say anything I know face wipes are really bad for you! I committed a cardinal beauty sin and for that I truly repent! I used these for taking off excess make up before cleansing in place of a micellar water which I usually use but these are really easy for travel. These were alright from what I remember but I've never come across a face wipe brand which has wowed me (probably because they aren't great for you!)

L'Oreal Lumi Magique in '1 Light': For ages I wasn't sold on this or touche eclat but now it is a permanent fixture in my make up bag. It's great for creating a subtle highlight, which can be built up if you want, is easily blended and easy to use. Once you know its purpose this nifty product is pretty fab.

Soap and Glory Hocus Focus: One of the first products I wrote about on this blog and my second ever foray into the world of liquid highlighters. I wasn't a fan at first and replaced it with this 17 highlighter but I do prefer Soap and Glory's offering and will be repurchasing once I have used up the former. It's a versatile product that can be mixed in with your moisturiser or foundation or used to highlight key areas without leaving you feeling greasy or sparkly like a glitter ball. I love highlighters both liquid and powder and this takes one of the top spots for me.

As stated, this photo was taken with my old camera so sorry for the not so great quality! 

What have you recently used up? xxx

Review: Seventeen | Skin Wow! 3 Way Highlighter |

Seventeen // 3 Way Liquid Highlighter // £5.99 // 30ml //

Highlighters are one of my favourite make up items, just second behind lip stick. Due to having oily/combo skin I've normally leaned more towards the powder versions but liquid highlighters are so versatile and a great multi use product, that I incorporated them into my every day routine easily. 

This offering from Seventeen is the second liquid highlighter that I've tried (Soap and Glory's Hocus Focus was the first). Housed in a slim see through bottle with a handy pump it is quite a thick consistency but is easily sheered out once blended in properly or mixed with your base of choice. It is a very pearlescent pink tinged liquid - for reference it is more Benefit 'High Beam' than 'Moon Beam' - and has a high shimmer finish when used alone. The bottle suggests you can use it to prime, add to your foundation or apply onto cheekbones. I find the priming part a bit pointless unless you are wearing a very lightweight base so it can show through, and it is a bit too glittery for every day highlighting on areas such as cheekbones, brow bone and bridge of nose but is perfect for evening looks. My favourite way to apply is to mix it with any base of choice as it works well with both tinted moisturisers through to heavy coverage foundations. It helps to illuminate your face and perk up your complexion in a subtle way and is now used daily for this purpose. 

If you are looking to dabble in the world of liquid highlighters or looking for a cheaper version of the high end picks then I would definitely recommend this product. It is a little more glittery than I would like but for a budget product it is fantastic - Seventeen seem to have really upped their game!

What are your favourite highlighters? Are you more of a powder or liquid girl? xxx

Review: MAC MSF in 'Lightscapade'

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in 'Lightscapade' // £21.50

MAC are a massive name in the beauty world but I don't actually own that many MAC products myself! Although there are quite a few on my wishlist to rectify this haha :) I've been after some new highlighters and when I spotted this on a trip to Bicester Village with Matt I knew I had to get it as I had been lusting after a MAC highlight, it was the perfect highlight for autumn/winter and was available at a discount! This product claims to be 'a luxurious velvet soft powder with high-frost metallic finish' which can be used as a highlight anywhere you like. You can buy these at any MAC stores, online or counters in Selfridges or Debenhams. I got mine at Bicester Village so therefore it was at a discount price, although I can't remember exactly how much!

You get a lot of product in the pan and I've heard that they last for absolutely ages, which I can already see as I've used it nearly every day for the past few weeks and it looks like I havn't touched it! It is a pearly cool toned highlight with veins of blue running throughout which gives a gorgeous natural glow to the tops of cheekbones and brow bones. The finely milled nature of the product allows it to blend naturally into the skin and you can easily build it up for a more night time look. The packaging is sturdy, pretty and practical - everything you want in a make up product as it makes it great for travel.

I've been really impressed with this and it has become one of my favourite make up items I own. I think the product is beautiful both in the packaging and on the skin. I also received 'soft and gentle' from my mum which I had been wanting for AGES as she bought it in America so will be sure to do a full review on that soon. I am also really lusting after 'whisper of gilt' from their new glamour daze holiday collection which is just beautiful too!

What do you think of 'lightscapade'? Do you have any MAC recommendations for me? xxx

My 'Summer Face'

Today I thought I would try a different post as I have been doing a lot of reviews lately and thought it would be nice for you to read something a bit different. Even though the weather this Summer has been quite temperamental, I've shyed away from heavy and time consuming make up and updated my make up regime to easy, quick and lighter make up suitable for warmer weather. The above picture are the products I have been using on a daily basis as a standard summer face. I sometimes switch up my eyes or lipsticks depending on my outfit and mood but overall this is my staple make up at the moment. Sorry in advance about the quality of the picture, the natural lighting isn't great due to gloomy weather and some of my products are a bit battered from traveling and everyday use!

So to begin with, I mix my 17 BB cream in 'Light' mixed with a pump or two of Soap and Glory's Hocus Focus to brighten up my dull complexion and blend all over my face with my fingers to melt it into my skin. The BB cream has relatively good coverage but I cover up my under eye circles and any blemishes with Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer. I then dust 17 Miracle Matte pressed powder over my face lightly as I am on the oily side with a large powder brush and then blend Bourjois Chocolate Bronzer all over my face with a MAC blending brush. This powder is great as it gives my face a bit of warmth without dulling down my complexion with a light, silky texture. I dot some extra Hocus Focus on my brow bone and top of cheek bones for a highlighter, a product which I have really grown to love as it is multi purpose and gives a lovely natural glow. I then give a light dusting of Benefit's Thrrrob powder on my cheekbones with a stippling brush to give a flush of colour.

For my eyes I fill in my brows with Bobbi Brown Mahogany eyeshadow (not pictured) then using my finger blend a thin layer of Maybelline Colour Tattoo in 'On and On Bronze' over my lid, which is a great natural colour for blue eyes that is easily buildable into a stronger colour if you so wish. To finish my eyes I put a few layers of my favourite mascara of the moment, Masterpiece Max by Maxfactor.

Finally, a few coats of a Revlon Lip Butter in shade Creme Brulee and I am good to go!

I have done a few reviews of the products mentioned which I have included links for. What do you think of my 'Summer Face'? Do you include any of these products in your every day routine? xxx

Review: 17 Blemish Balm

       

This is one of the items I received in a recent blog sale (see what else I got here). Although I already owned a BB cream prior to purchasing this, I have been wanting to test out a few different types and brands available to find the best one out there for me i.e. my skin type and coverage-wise because I have been using them a lot more, choosing them for every day wear over foundation. This is the second BB cream I have tried and I think I prefer it to my Garnier one, although I would like to try the new oil free version of this for a better comparison, which was not available when I purchased the original as I got it when they had just come out in the UK. At £6.99 it is 3 pounds cheaper than the Garnier BB cream although you do get 20ml less.

The shade I have is 'Light' and it is a good match for my skin tone. I don't use moisturiser after cleansing and toning in the morning when using a BB cream as my skin is already on the oily side and BB creams are normally very moisturizing anyway. I apply it with my fingers to help it melt into my skin and blend better, and also mix it with my Soap and Glory 'Hocus Focus' (see a review of that here) but I would also like to try it with the real techniques buffing brush. The main concerns with BB creams is that the staying power isn't effective but I have found this product to last all day, although the mattifying effect doesn't and so I do have to touch up with powder, however nowhere near as much as with the Garnier BB cream. The formula of this is a bit thicker than that of the Garnier and therefore gives a thicker coverage, however it is still light enough for my freckles to show through but not my pores! I've tried this both with and without a primer and it works well with both - I don't think using one changes the product. I also really like that it has added SPF 25 to it which I have become more conscious of recently in my face products.

BB Cream rubbed in

Overall I was pleasantly surprised by this product and would purchase it over the original Garnier BB formula, however I will update as to whether I prefer the oil free version! So far, this has been my favourite though. Other BB creams I would like to test out in the future include Clinique's SPF 30, Maybelline Dream Fresh, Ginivera Green Tea and Origins A Perfect World and Vitazing.

What BB creams have you used and would you suggest? Have you tried either of these? xxx

Wishlist Wednesday

Diorshow Blackout Mascara: Mascaras are one of my beauty staples and having a good quality one is important. At the moment I'm a big fan of Maxfactor for drugstore mascaras but I would like to splash out on a high end one to see if it really is worth spending more. Are there any better high end ones you would recommend?

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb perfume: This is just a lovely scent and as I am running out of perfumes this would be a nice one to replace them.

MAC Viva Glam Gaga Lipstick: Pink lipsticks are my favourite and I need a new light pink. I've heard great things about MAC lipsticks so would like to try this one out to see if it lives up to the hype.

Benefit High Beam: I had one of these a couple of years ago and would like to repurchase it sometime soon to compare it to my Soap and Glory Hocus Focus. Expect to see a comparison post when I purchase it!

Lipsy Thread Chain Charm Watch: I love Lipsy, charm bracelets and pink so having a product with all these together is totally me! I think this is really pretty and cute and great for every day wear.

What are your opinions on these products? xxx

Drugstore Haul

For a while now I have been wanting to invest in some Soap and Glory products, ever since seeing Miss Budget Beauty rave about them. As they were 3 for 2 in Boots (like I think they are a lot of the time) I decided I would try out my most urgent lust after products. Instead of the Flake Away scrub I was keen to try the Peaches and Clean cleanser and/or Kick Ass concelar but they didn't have any in stock :( I also got a shampoo and mitt that I needed too as I often forget toiletries I need at Uni when I go home, so prefer to have a spare at home.

Tanning Mitt

I bought this from Superdrug for around £3 rather than from Boots, mainly because I prefer that its pink :) It is just a standard mitt to be honest, but they do last a long time and I way prefer applying fake tan with a mitt to avoid orange hands and streaks. Not a very interesting purchase but I bought it at the same time as the other stuff so thought it should be included.

Elvive Colour Protect Caring Shampoo

I bought this at Superdrug too for such a good price at less than £2, which was cheaper than the smaller bottle... bit strange but I wasn't complaning! I have recently used this up at Uni so I can start using a new Tigi Bed Head shampoo I bought (upcoming review), so this will also be featuring on an upcoming empties post. I bought this for home use though as it was such a great price and also because I really did like it. I get highlights but only about twice a year, maybe 3 times at a push so always look for hair products specifically for coloured/blonde hair that will help maintain the condition and vibrancy of my hair. I used this with the matching conditioner which I am still using up at the moment and I think it keeps my hair in good condition (in conjunction with hair masks and serums), has maintained the 'salon fresh' colour for a longer time than other shampoos I have used in the past and I also really like that it has UV protection in it. If I'm not impressed by the Tigi one I will seriously consider re-purchasing this.

Soap and Glory: Hocus Focus

First of all I have to say, I loooove all the Soap and Glory packaging!! It's pink and girly (obviously a plus point for me) and reminisent of Benefit products by using old style glamour and wording. This was a complete lust must have for me as I feel like my skin can get a bit dull, so thought it would be able to perk me up a bit! To be honest though, for £13 I was a little dissapointed. I'm not sure if that is because I hyped it up too much for myself but it just didn't live up to it's expectations for me. You can mix it into your foundation, with your daily moisuriser or use it on it's own as a highlighter. I was expecting a real 'wow' effect but when used with my foundation you couldn't really see it's full effect. On a day to day basis I use Maybelline's Dream Matte Mousse as I've found it's the best wearing for my oily skin and has a really light coverage. Even so, this light coverage still masked the effect of the product, which was annoying as I normally wear foundation rather than just a BB cream as it gives me more confidence, so for £13 I wouldn't get a lot of use out of it. However, when I did try it with a BB cream and as a highlighter for my cheeks, I really liked the dewy finish it gave, even with a light dusting of powder and the smell was really nice too. Therefore, I'd recommend it for holidays and for those who aren't a big fan of the matte finish look or who don't wear foundation regularly.

Soap and Glory: Fab Pore Facial Peel

This was another product that was reviewed highly so was another of my must haves and I must say this did live up to my expectations. It says to use 2-3 times a week, but I have been using it every other day, leaving it on for around 15 minutes, although you can use it for 5 mins for a quick freshen up. The consistency is quite thick and when you rub it in you have to burst all the blue beads in the formula. It is meant to reduce the appearance of pores so I put it on my 'problem' areas where I get most oily - forehead, nose, cheeks and chin. A little goes a long way and for £8 I think it is good value. I think it cleans the pores rather than diminishes them but I am a fan of that because there is no point closing them up if there is a load of gunk in them! I will continue to use this as I do feel like it's doing something. The smell is quite nice and smells of 'clean' although it isn't the best scent I've ever smelt so personally I think other products in the range are better for that.

Soap and Glory: Flake Away Sugar Scrub

I hadn't even thought of buying this product before I picked it up to complete my 3 for 2 as my other 'must haves' weren't in stock.... however, I think this may be my favourite out of the 3!! I have been looking for a sugar scrub which is affordable for a while now as standard exfoliators don't seem to cut it for me at the moment at giving me the clean feeling I want, especially when trying to get off stubborn fake tan! This was £7 and so the one I got free on my 3 for 2 but I would be happy to pay full price for this. The smell is amazing and lingers on your skin after using it, which I really liked. Because it is a sugar scrub it is quite harsh, therefore I only use it once a week at the moment but I do use it all over my body, not just my legs. For those who would like something a bit more gentle I would suggest the Sanctuary's Daily Body Scrub (I have the travel size for holidays etc) which I am a fan of too. Again a little goes a long way with this product and I felt like it was properly exfoliating me. It also left me feeling moisturised afterwards which was nice as I was worried it could dry my skin out a lot as I already get fairly dry legs and need to moisturise them daily. I used this in conjunction with my new Garnier 7 days moisturiser (mango oil for dry skin) and really like them together. I would really recommend this for its scent and price as it should last me a long time.

What other Soap and Glory products would you recommend for me to try? xxx