No7 Beautifully Matte Foundation

If Boots gave you the option to try a new little gadget out for free you would give it a go wouldn't you? Well, being a sucker for a gadget and on a very long quest to find the perfect foundation, I thought I would pop along to the No7 counter.

 

The No7 gadget sets out to help women find their perfect colour match in their range of foundations. It's incredibly simple to do. They zap the gadget on both sides of your face to match the colour of your skin to the nearest colour within their foundation. You then discuss your skin type with the advisor until you have decided on a foundation suitable for your skin type.

 

The No7 Beautifully Matte Foundation seemed the most suitable for my oily skin.

 

 

Boots No7 Beautifully Matte Foundation has been created with fine, oil-absorbing powders. The moisturising complex helps to balance oily and dry areas and the mattifying formula promises to make pores less visible. It also has salicylic acid to help prevent blemishes whilst keeping pores clear and contains SPF 15 to protect against the aging effects of the sun.

 

Sounds perfect doesn't it?

I expected to be disappointed with the coverage of this foundation as I usually find liquid foundations to thin, but, not this one. It has a medium coverage that is very buildable, without leaving you looking like it has been caked on. This covered my dark circles, blemishes and spots, although some areas need concealer but this is to be expected with the majority of foundations. I would go out without concealer because it only shows the odd flaw which I think is actually quite natural looking. The finish of this product is not dewy but not completely matte either, it's more of a satin finish. The natural finish stays looking natural all day and biggest joy of them all is that it doesn't oxidise!

This has quite a thick formulation, so I'd recommend priming or moisturising before using it, then it applies flawlessly. This blends well with a stippling brush, but I did find it blended even better when using my fingers and you can build up certain areas very easily. For as long as I can remember I've applied foundation with a brush, but I am quite liking applying the product with my fingers as it means product isn't wasted my absorbing into the brush.

(Lighest Shade: Calico - 43)

The packaging isn't anything special, but is decent especially for the price. This fits well into my make-up bag because it is tall and thin. The bottle has a pump dispenser which makes it hygienic and very practical. Although the packaging is simple, however, I do like the fact that it is clear so you can see when you are running out of product. Plus, the pump dispenser means every last drop out product will be used - very economical.

As for the oil control, I cannot fault it. This has to be the best foundation I've used on my oily skin; I lasted 8 hours before I reached for the powder. Admittedly, I probably could have lasted longer without powder as my skin didn't feel greasy or dirty. It's not the 12 hours that No7 claim, but it pretty damn close!

I've yet to find a foundation that works so well on my skin for such a reasonable price. You get the usual 30ml of product for just £12.50

Would you recommend any of the No7 products?

xox



Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Even Finish Foundation

If there is one woman who seems to outdo herself every time she releases a new product, then it is that of Bobbi Brown.

 

Bobbi Brown has proven that she is the queen of foundation with her highly anticipated, newly released Long-Wear Even Finish Foundation with SPF15.

 

 

Never someone who likes to use my foundation right up until the end before repurchasing, I decided to move away from the comfort blanket (my current Max Factor foundation) and decided to try another product from the Bobbi Brown range, as they usually never fail to disappoint. This product had only been released the day before I took a visit to the Bobbi Brown counter, so I was very excited to try such a new product!

 

Although I may not be sophisticated or elegant I always see myself reaching for products with that type of packaging. I think its wishful thinking that I will one day ooze elegance - I can dream on. The frosted bottle did it for. Not only is it simple yet chic looking, it is also very sturdy. As someone who likes to put all my products through a challenge, the  glass bottle does withstand being chucked onto the floor without breaking. If you do a fair bit of travelling then you may want to decant some of the product into a smaller container as obviously this glass bottle is fairly heavy.

 

 

Never one to compromise of practicality, Bobbi Brown has ensured that the product is not wasted by using a pump dispenser on the bottle. This makes it hygienic as well. If you fancy reusing the cute bottle then you can as the pump dispenser is not attached.

 

 

My shade is Porcelain (0), the lightest shade available in this foundation. This is a very pale foundation, so suits my ghostly skins tone perfectly. It's worth noting that foundations which include SPF, like this one, do tend to be a lighter than those that do not. With this foundation you do not need to compromise by having the SPF15, you leave your skin protected without having a white cast on the face, even when being photographed. Although there is a yellow tone to this product you needn't be scared, the yellow neutralises any redness in the skin and illuminates without leaving you looking like to appear in The Simpsons. This disappears onto my skin flawlessly and naturally, I look like I am not wearing any foundation!

 

 

 

The foundation is gel based, which is perfect for us oily skinned consumers. It has a whipped consistency that helps the product to glide on leaving a smooth appearance on the skin. The creamy texture means that little blending it required of the foundation, it leaves the skin even in an instance.

The coverage is impressive of a liquid foundation, as it yields a full coverage, something that is hard to find in liquid foundations. This foundation covered blemishes, scars and dark circles without the help of a concealer. Although it has a full coverage it doesn't leave you looking made-up, it's very natural. It leaves a semi-matte appearance on the skin, perfect for those who have oily skin but still want to look dewy without being oily.

 

The Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Even Finish Foundation is described as "a natural looking and long-wearing foundation. Ultra comfortable and hydrating, this medium to full coverage formula leaves skin looking poreless, perfected, and fresh up to 12 hours even in the most humid conditions. Includes broad spectrum UVA/UVB SPF15 for daily protection against future damage". And, it pretty much lives up to its claims. Unfortunately it did not last twelve hours on my skin but rather six, nevertheless this is very good for a foundation on my oily skin.

 

While the full coverage aspect sounds scary to many people, especially those with oily skin, I did not suffer with breakouts or blocked pores. Even when I had worn this for hours and touched up, the product still felt fresh and not like it had been pasted on.

 

If there is one thing that I am going to criticise about this product then it is the scent. Lavender is not one of my favourite scents and usually leaves my eyes watering, however, this doesn't. Initially you can smell it, but once I had applied it to my skin I did not smell it again.

 

Bobbi Brown just seems to better and better herself every time she releases a new product. And, topping my chart of best foundations is this one, despite the £30 price tag!

 

Anyone found a long-lasting foundation?

 

xox

Soap and Glory's Peaches and Clean

If there is something I need to wake my half asleep self-up on a morning then it is a refreshing facial cleanser.

After hearing some rave reviews, and Boots having a handy 3-for-2 promotion on I decided to treat myself to the Soap and Glory's Peaches and Clean.

If you are a regular reader then you will know I am a huge fan of the Soap and Glory range, they manage to combine quality with affordability.

Peaches and Clean is a deep cleansing milk that aims to unclog pores, purify the skin and keep that t-zone shine free. In the past, I have experienced a few cleansing milks and wished I hadn't. A few have left my skin stripped of all hydration leaving it rough and dry. However, the moisturising properties in this milk have helped the keep my skin moisturised.

The peach and apricot scent is reminiscent of yoghurts, what could be more fitting on a morning? I'm quite fussy when it comes to fragrances but I love this one, it is refreshing and pleasant, but not too over-powering.

As with most cleansing milks I simply apply this to wet skin on a morning. On an evening I use this as the second step in my cleansing routine after the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish. I apply it to dry skin, massaging it in well, and then washing off with warm water.

Although it is the punny names I fall for initially, the gentle ingredients make this a little gem.

I will definitely repurchase this for £7.00, especially as it lasts a lifetime, well, nearly!

Anyone else prefer cleansing milk to a facial wash?

 

xox

No7 Shine Free Primer

As someone who is never satisfied I decided to take a break from my Smashbox Primer and started my quest to find a primer just as good but also cheaper and more easily accessible for myself.

 

Without a shadow of doubt, Boots was going to be my destination for mission primer. After perusing the aisles I came across this one, the No7 Shine Free Primer.

 

As someone who regularly bores you about my oily skin this sounded like the perfect product for myself.

 

 No7 claim that this primer will 'Keep shiny skin under control all day long, with this mattifying oil-free base. Light reflecting particles help disguise fine lines and flaws, while oil absorbing Biopol helps minimise blemishes and blot away shine without blocking pores. Contains watermelon and cucumber extracts to help soothe and cool your skin. Formulated to be non-pore blocking. Hypo-allergenic'.

 

The helpful lady at the No7 counter recommended that I pat this on, or at least glide it on, as opposed to rubbing it on. I followed her advice, and tried all other techniques possible when applying a primer.

 

After trialling various techniques, foundations and moisturisers with this product I have come to the conclusion that this does not do anything it claims to do!

 

When applying it was sticky, thick and has a consistency almost clay-like. If that wasn't off-putting enough it smelt like PVA glue. Every time I tried applying this I was left with lumps of product just sitting on my skin and the areas I did manage to spread onto my skin just sat very visibly on the skin. Once I had applied a foundation on top it looked even worse, it looked like my skin was flaking all over.

 

As for my already visible pores, they seemed to appear even larger with this product. Rather than gliding over them and hiding the appearance they just sat around them making them the focal point of my face.

 

The staying power is incredible, but then again this is something I would expect of clay-like product. If they managed to create a product which did leave a satiny feel on the skin it would be amazing. However, I would never use this product again!

 

If I did have to pick something I liked about this product then it would be the packaging. It's practical and not too fancy.
 

 

I think it's fairly obvious that I will not be purchasing this primer again. Perhaps the saying is true, you get what you pay for?

 

Any of you know a good primer at an affordable price?

 

xox



Sanctuary Time Reversal Face Mask

For those of you who know a little about me, such as my age, I'm sure you will be staring at your computer screen in disbelief wondering why on earth a nineteen year old is using a face mask designed for older skin.

 

Although I am young, my skin sometimes goes through phases where it is so dehydrated it does seem older than it actually is. My latest scare came when I saw a fine line across my forehead, the only cause I can think of is that it is so parched!

 

The Sanctuary Time Reversal Face Mask came to my rescue!

 

 

The Sanctuary Time Reversal Face Mask is described as an intensive treatment containing vitamin A, E, C and a unique marine complex shown to increase collagen levels.

 

My hope was that it would live up to its claims that it would help firm, plump and restore my lack lustre skin.

 

 

This is the perfect face mask to use on a pamper night; you simply apply a thin layer of the mask after you have exfoliated your skin. Leave it for five to ten minutes before rinsing away with a cloth and then patting dry the skin. Viola, you now have youthful looking skin.

 

The light texture is soft and does not leave any residue on the skin and therefore will not cause you to have any breakouts. I was impressed with how moisturising the serum/cream was, especially because of its unique texture.

 

 

For £13.27 (an odd price) this is wonderful. After just one use my skin had visibly improved and improved my skins moisture levels. The tube contains 75ml of product so will approximately give you ten face masks.

 

This is perfect for you if you're starting to look old before your time. I'm doing anything to stay looking youthful.

 

Can you recommend any super hydrating face masks?

 

xox