Nars Laguna Bronzer

Today I bring you an extremely long overdue post. I've had this saved in my drafts, unwritten, for weeks now and thought it was about time I shared my thoughts on what has quickly become my new favourite bronzer.

Now Nars Laguna Bronzer isn't a new product; you've probably all heard of it/used it before but I hadn't really joined in the hype until recently after rediscovering it in my makeup stash, unused and unloved. I bought this early last year with the hopes of becoming a bronzed goddess (one can dream eh?) but after trying it once and deeming it a fail, I stored it away and didn't use it again until December. Yes, a whole year later!

Having used it solidly for just over a month now though, I've found it has quickly become a staple in my everyday makeup routine as a way of warming up my face during the paler winter months. It's the perfect cool-toned bronzer that doesn't leave that unsightly muddy look to your face, but instead, a natural glow and shadow. I do find you need quite a light hand when applying this bronzer as a little goes a long way, especially if you are using it for contouring. Don't make the same mistake I did on first use!

On first glance at this product, there is some very minimal shimmer running through it but once applied to the face, this becomes invisible and it looks pretty much matte. I like to use this in a 'C' shape around my forehead and cheeks to bring back some warmth that my foundation often takes away. I can see that this will definitely be a favourite product for some time now, I just can't believe it took me this long to try it!

Have you tried Nars Laguna Bronzer? I'd love to hear your thoughts on it.

The Cleanser Edit

Cleansers come in various shapes, sizes and of course the most obvious, formula's. I’m currently using three different cleansers, which conveniently all come in different forms so I thought I’d give you a little run down and tell you my absolute favourite! 

When it comes to day-to-day cleansing, I’ll more often than not, reach for my fail-safe option, the cult Bioderma Crealine H2O Micellar water. This one needs no introductions and you've all probably either used it or read about it but it's basically the simplest cleanser I have, but one that I find to be just as effective as the others I'm going to mention. I used this everyday more so because of ease as I simply apply a bit onto two cotton pads and sweep it over my face to remove all my makeup. I usually do this in the morning too to ensure my skin is still clean. I wouldn't say this is the one to use if you want a real deep cleanse it is essentially just water but I like it and if you're looking for convenience then this is the obvious choice. 

If I want slightly more of a deep cleanse but I'm still pressed for time, I'll usually opt for the Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Cleanser. This is a super lightweight, foaming facial cleanser that contains glycolic acid, which is great for everyday use to gently exfoliate the skin. I’d say this is the least oily of the three cleansers I use and that’s one of the main reasons why I use it on a daily basis as my skin can get quite oily and I don’t like the idea of adding more oils to it than necessary. After applying to damp skin (I just throw a bit of water over my face beforehand), I gently massage it into the skin causing it to foam up and breakdown all makeup. 

If I’ve had a heavy make-up day and I’m after a good deep cleanse I’ll usually reach for a thicker, balm cleanser. The Clinique Take the Day Off Balm Cleanser is the most unusual formula of the bunch but also the most effective in my opinion. I tend to scoop out a small amount and massage it into my skin, which causes the thick balm to turn into a rather oily texture that essentially breaks down your makeup. Due to how oily this cleanser is, I try to only use it once or twice a week as although it gives a real deep cleanse, I feel like it does pile in the extra oils that I personally, don’t need a lot of! 

So there you go, when it comes to my daily cleansing routine, these are the three cleansers I tend to gravitate towards the most. As mentioned, all have pros and cons and so I try to use them to suit how my skin is currently looking, the amount of makeup I have on and also the time of day – mornings a light cleanse, evenings a deeper cleanse. 

L'Oreal True Match Foundation

I'm extremely late to the party with this one but I finally bought the much raved about L'Oreal True Match Foundation. Firstly I want to mention the packaging, which is usually the downside to most drugstore foundations. It's got a glass bottle, a pump and a lid - it's a winner so far in that department! 

The foundation formula itself gives the skin a nice, natural looking glow without being too dewy and it drys to a semi-matte flawless finish that is buildable from a medium to high coverage. It contains no SPF so I'd recommend using a moisturiser that does beforehand, but this does mean it's great for for photography. Now onto the lasting power and that too doesn't disappoint. I wore this foundation for a good 10 hours and it didn't require any touch-ups and my face stayed oil-free for the whole time. My oily skin salutes this foundation. 

Now when it came to choosing a shade, ironically I didn't manage to find my 'true match' and instead had to settle for the shade N4 Beige, which is ever so slightly too dark for me but as it's getting warmer and the fake tan has come out, I think I can get away with it. I did find that a lot of the shades seem to lean to the orange side of things, despite them being categorised into warm, neutral and cool tones (there's a guide here), so this would definitely be a downside to this foundation but one that I can definitely look past. 

I can honestly say that this foundation is worth all the hype it gets. It's great for someone like myself who has quite oily skin but still wants that slight brightening, glowy effect and despite the questionable 20 shades available, I really think this foundation could be my new favourite drugstore option. 

Have you tried L'Oreal True Match Foundation? Did you manage to find your perfect shade?

The Best Drugstore Foundation Ever?!

I think I may have found my holy grail of all drugstore foundations and the praises that have been sung of the L'Oreal Infallible 24 Hour Matte foundation are much deserved. My skin is super oily in the t-zone area and fairly normal everywhere else so I usually have a hate/hate relationship with foundations. They are often either too dewy and just make my face look like a shiny mess, or they are too matte and leave dry patches around my face. This foundation however is the perfect in-between and I'm so happy it's nope a part of my make-up stash. 

This L'Oreal foundation provides a good medium to full coverage depending on how much you build it up and despite it being matte, it does have a surprisingly luminous finish while not being shiny or drying in the slightest - my skin has found its perfect foundation! I use the shade Vanilla, which is a near-perfect match to my skin tone and in all honesty, despite me never actually wearing a foundation for 24 hours as that's crazy, this does last all day (nine-ten hours) without a primer so I'm pretty sure the long-lasting claims are correct! 

Have you tried this foundation? What is your holy grail drugstore foundation?

Daily Face #1

 My blog has definitely become predominantly fashion-focused over the past few months and when I do write the odd beauty post it does tend to be sharing a newly discovered product with you. I thought I’d start something a little different and show you my ‘daily face’ every now and again to give you an insight into my routine each morning.

Pixi Glow Tonic

Exfoliating toners came about early last year and the hype surrounding them was immense but by far the most talked about product was Pixi Glow Tonic. The beauty community went wild over it despite it being next to impossible to get hold of at the time and that was in fact the main reason I didn't buy into the hype. I did however jump on the Pixi bandwagon a few weeks back while in London for Fashion Week and I have to say, I completely understand why this product is so loved - I've given it a good amount of testing and despite the smell, I think this is definitely going to become a staple in my skincare routine. 

Basically the idea of this product, for those of you not familiar with it, is to exfoliate the skin and smooth out skin texture. Now for me personally, I have quite a lot of bumps under the skin on my forehead and after using this for a couple of weeks AM and PM, I've seen a considerable improvement in this and my skin overall is looking healthier and more 'glowy'. It definitely isn't a miracle product by any means but it does stand on it's own two feet as a solid part of my daily routine and if you can look past the terrible Aloe Vera and Ginseng smell then it may just be one to try!

Worth the Hype?

There are several products out there that cause quite a stir in the beauty blogging community but I’m always looking to ask the question: are they worth this hype? I’d say I’m quite a skeptical person, especially regarding newly releases products as they often get a lot of press for simply being new, rather than for being great. So today I’ve picked out a few of these products to answer the question (in my opinion) if they are really worth it or not.

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua | Review

When it comes to foundation, I like something lightweight with a good light-medium coverage that doesn't look too heavy or matte. Basically I like my skin to still look like my skin, just better. I've been using, and really liking, the YSL Touche Eclat foundation for sometime now but I do find it isn't quite as dewy as I'd like it to be. Cue, Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua, a water-based, lightweight foundation that is perfect for the whole your-skin-but-better look. 

This foundation definitely leans more towards the tinted moisturiser end of the spectrum in terms of its coverage and longevity but for me, that's exactly what I wanted. It blends into the skin really well - I use the Real Techniques Buffing Brush - and the colour (B20) is a perfect match for me so that's an added bonus! As for the wear; I have pretty normal skin with a slightly oilier t-zone and I find this foundation does stick around for quite a long time and doesn't leave my face looking too greasy like I've found to be the case with some foundations. However, as this foundation is water based, if you have oilier skin I wouldn't really recommend it as it may just slide right off after a couple of hours. For me and my relatively normal skin though, it's a match made in foundation heaven and I predict that this is going to be my go-to base for some-time now. 

Have you tried Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation? What are your thoughts?

NARS Blush in 'Deep Throat'

NARS 'Deep Throat' Blush - £21.50

I am pleased to say that I have finally welcomed NARS into my life (long-time coming I know!), in the form of a blush. I bought 'Deep Throat', which is a powder blush described as 'peach with shimmer' but I personally see it as a much pinker shade than peach. I've had my eye on NARS blushes for a while now but I've just never gotten round to purchasing one until last weekend when I was in Selfridges and finally bit the bullet and opted for this shade. I've heard a lot about 'Orgasm' but after seeing it in person, I felt like it was way too shimmery for me, especially to wear on an everyday basis, and so I opted for a slightly more natural shade.

Deep Throat has a slight hint of shimmer running through it but nothing chunky or disco ball-like, so this is a plus for me. I also like that there is room to build up from a subtle, natural flush to a slightly more intense pink cheek; I've been opting for the first option mostly though for everyday wear.

Have you tried NARS Deep Throat? What is your favourite NARS blush/product?

beauty | soap & glory 'glow all out'

Soap & Glory Glow All Out - £11 (Boots)

This is one of those products that I always mean to pick up on one of my many trips to Boots but for one reason or another it just never happens. A few weeks ago that changed and I finally bought the Soap & Glory 'Glow All Out' Luminizing Radiance Face Powder which comes nicely packaged in what I can only describe as a cardboard version of what Benefit would do, just for a fraction of the price! 

This is a peachy pink toned product that is less of a highlighter and more of an illuminator (as the packaging says) and is perfect for giving a natural, flushed glow without being over the top and disco-ball like. It contains slight shimmer but on the skin this isn't at all noticeable and it gives more of a sheen than a shimmer which is a look I definitely prefer. 

This has been a real staple in my make-up bag for the few weeks I've had it and I can see it becoming a long-time favourite. I'd recommend going into Boots and seeing it in person as photos just don't do it justice, it's much more subtle and gives the most perfect sheen to the high points of your face, or as S&G suggests, applied all over for a natural glow.

Have you tried any soap & glory make-up? Which is your favourite product?

Emma xo

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beauty | benefit fake up hydrating concealer

Benefit 'Fake-Up' Hydrating Concealer - £18.50

Concealer is the one crucial step for me when it comes to an everyday basis. I'd definitely rather add mascara, lipstick and blusher but honestly, if I'm in a rush it's always the one product that I reach for. Benefit has a new-ish (I'm a tad late with trying out this product) concealer out with its main focus being put on the under-eye area.

Fake-up is a soft, almost liquid-like concealer that is surround by the clear balm, aimed at hydrating the skin and stopping any creasing. It's quite the novelty when you think about it but it does actually provide the coverage needed under your eyes while being gentle and easy to apply. While this is definitely not my favourite concealer ever (I'm still keen to try something from Bobbi Brown), it does do what it says and provides reasonable coverage without any creasing. It is a little too greasy for my liking so I would not recommend this if the weather is hot as it may just slide right off your face, but as a handbag staple for touch-ups its great as it doesn't cake at all.

It comes in three shades, I bought medium, which once blended is perfect for my skin tone. So there you go, my thoughts on the new(ish) Benefit Fake-Up concealer, does this sound like a product you'd buy or avoid? 

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beauty | benefit pro balm the porefessional

Benefit PRO Balm Porefessional - £24.50

I've only recently become a lot more interested in beauty products and having bought the YSL Le Teint Touche Éclat foundation last week, I thought it only best to buy a good primer to help keep it in place. I'd heard so much about the Benefit Porefessional PRO balm, that while browsing the counter in Debenhams I decided to bite the bullet and buy it, taking advantage of the VAT-free day! 

The idea of the Porefessional is to minimise the appearance of pores while helping to keep your make-up in place. This is technically not a primer as its main purpose is to lessen pores and to help combat minor redness, but for me, I don't tend to get oily skin anyway so this is all I really need rather than a full on, heavy duty primer. I'm mainly just looking to reduce the large pores I have on my nose area, so this product is perfect! 

I apply this all over the face before my foundation, starting from the centre of my face and moving outwards with the remaining product. It does appear as a dark nude colour at first but this adapts to your skin and leaves a semi-matte, translucent look. This product provides a great, smooth base for any make-up and considering you only need a tiny amount to do your whole face, I can see it lasting me a really long time.  

Have you tried Benefit Porefessional? Thoughts?

Yves Saint Laurent 'Le Teint Touche Éclat' Foundation

YSL Le Teint Touche Éclat Foundation - £29

A couple of weeks ago I bought myself the YSL Touche Éclat and I have to say, I totally understand the hype surrounding that product; it really does brighten the face. After loving that, I then really wanted to try out the Le Teint Touche Éclat foundation after hearing so many good things about it. I restrained myself for a good few weeks but at the weekend after having my make-up done (again) by the lady at the YSL counter, I gave in and bought it and I don't regret it at all. 

This foundation has a soft gel focus rather than the usual opaque powder, which helps to mask any imperfections while brightening the face giving the same effect as the Touche Éclat. It is available in 22 different shades which are split into three groups; rose, beige and gold. I was matched to the shade B50 beige and I couldn't be happier with it, it's an absolute perfect match. To apply this foundation, I found it easiest to use a brush and with only one pump this technique covers my entire face. 

When applied, it gives a flawless finish without feeling too heavy on the face. I love how it's so lightweight and sheer, but still leaves you with a brighter and more even looking complexion; it feels lovely on the skin an the smell is nice too which is a bonus! 

Even though I've only used this foundation a handful of times, I just can't believe the finish it gives. My face looks fresh, luminous and bright without being shiny like I've found with some other foundations. I love everything about this foundation including the beautiful glass bottle and the pump application which makes things so much easier and means there's a lot less waste. I'd highly recommend this foundation to anyone with dry to normal skin, who wants a luminous, low to medium coverage look. 

Have you tried the Le Teint Touche Éclat foundation? What are your thoughts? 

Benefit High Beam Highlighter

A couple of weeks ago whilst browsing round Debenhams, I spontaneously decided to buy High Beam. I've heard so many people rave about how great it is but I've never really been that interested in trying it myself so I'm not really sure what came over me but I just bit the bullet and got it and oh am I glad I did; it's amazing!

High Beam is described as a 'luminescent complexion highlighter' and that's exactly what it is. When applied it gives a real glow to the face, especially when in the sun and as you can see from the above photos, it has a slight shimmer to it but nothing really that noticeable, it's more of a glow than a disco ball shimmer. I apply four dots on the top of each cheek, then blend it in and use any excess down the bridge of my nose. For some reason I really didn't expect to like this product but having now used it for two weeks, I know it's going to be something I will definitely be using for a long long time, I just can't believe i've waited this long to buy it. 

High Beam is £19.50 and is available online at Benefit Cosmetics or at Debenhams and Selfridges counters. 

Emma xo

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Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Radiant Touch

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat is a product I've wanted to own for so long now but have always been  rather sceptical of at the same time; even though it is the world's most sold beauty product apparently. Putting my doubts aside, I recently had the funds to buy the coveted highlighter and saw that John Lewis had a 10% discount so I thought why not and just bought it!

I want to first start out by saying; how beautiful is the packaging?! The box is shiny and gold and then the highlighter itself comes in a mirrored gold tube with the YSL logo embossed on the lid; I'll admit, I was very much a magpie drawn to the shiny thing in the store! The product itself is available in seven shades and I was matched to the original shade of No. 1 Rose Lumiere which is a pinkish tone as the name suggests. 

The idea is that it's supposed to give your face a radiant, highlighted 'glow' and help to balance out darker areas like under the eyes. A huge misconception with this product is that it is a concealer, it isn't! If you're looking for a concealer to banish blemishes and major dark circles this is not the thing for you. The sole purpose of this product is provide your face with 'instant light and radiance'. 

I have been using this for well over a week now under my eyes and occasionally along my cupids bow and down my nose and I've found it helps to cancel out any slight dark circles I have - the pink tones help with this - while giving my face an overall lighter and brighter appearance. I have definitely become a huge fan of this product and can fully understand the hype! 

Touche Éclat is available online at YSL Beauty, as well as all YSL counters including Boots, Debenhams, John Lewis and Selfridges.

Emma xo

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A FULL FACE OF YVES SAINT LAURENT

Today I went out with the intention of picking up a free sample of Estee Lauder Doublewear Foundation and then coming straight back. That then turned into a full face make-up from a lovely woman at the YSL counter at Debenhams. 

I've actually had my eye on the YSL Touche Eclat for some time now but at the hefty price of £25, for the time being it's a bit out of my price range. That being said I wanted to try it out and asked the woman at the counter if she'd mind showing me how it works etc. She applied it below my eyes and on the lids, as well as down my nose and around my lips; so it's basically just an all-over face highlighter! I absolutely loved how glowing it made my face look and my eyes looked so much brighter. Having tried the product, I was all set to leave when she kindly offered to do the rest of my face for me and seeing as I've never had my make-up done before I jumped at the chance. I can't get over how lovely the lady working at the counter was, she didn't mind my novice knowledge of makeup and she clearly knew her stuff which is an added bonus! 

It was a really nice experience overall, she talked through all the products, gave her opinions on what was best suited to my skin and she even gave us a free perfume sample which is always exciting! I honestly cannot believe how great my skin looks now even after four/five hours, and also how bright and refreshed it feels, the foundation literally weighs nothing on the skin! I also love the extra colour and dimension my face has from using a bronzer, without it being overly orange; I really like the natural look she gave me. The products used on my face were, the Le Teint Touche Éclat Foundation in the shade B50, Touche Eclat (No1), Terre Saharienne Bronzer in Copper Sand, Shocking Mascara (Black), Golden Gloss Lipgloss (51) as well as the Forever Liberator Eye Serum and Face Serum beforehand. Everything on my face comes to a whopping £239.50 which is just, wow. I feel like if I wash it off I'll be washing money down the drain! 

Anyway, I didn't buy anything in the end (and felt super guilty after she spent so long talking with us) but I definitely now have a few things on my make-up wish list that I'd hopefully like to get at some point. 

Have you tried any of these YSL products? Which is your favourite? 

SLEEK BLUSH IN ROSE GOLD

(with flash)

(without flash)

I realise that I am way late with this one but I've actually been meaning to get this post up for a long while now but it somehow found itself lost in my drafts. Anyway, Rose Gold by Sleek is said to be a very good dupe for NARS 'Orgasm' in the sense that they both have slight gold shimmers running through them. Now I can't really compare as I have tried any NARS blushers, but I can say that Rose Gold is a really beautiful, shimmery blush that adds a highlight and 'shine' to your cheeks without making them look like disco balls. This was actually a reason I was so late in trying out this blush, it looks awfully glittery in the pan but don't be fooled!

I wouldn't really say this goes as far as being rose coloured; it's much more of a peachy tone and so gives a really natural looking glow. The pigmentation is great as you can see from the photos and what I really love is the packaging. It's super sturdy and comes with a mirror in the lid which is perfect to carry around throughout the day.

Have you tried Sleek Rose Gold blush?

Emma xo

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