5 From bareMinerals

August 23, 2016October 16, 2016 - Vicki 3 Comments

I really like doing these 5 From One Brand posts & this one has been a long time coming. I have used bareMinerals makeup for years & first discovered it on a trip to NYC back in 2006. So its a brand I have stuck with for years now. They have recently released their skincare collection and if you haven’t already you must pop to your nearest counter to check it out. I have included a mix of skincare & makeup and to be honest I could have included at least 10 of my favourite bareMinerals products in this post but I was very disciplined and managed to narrow it down to my 5 absolute favourites which I would recommend to anyone in a heartbeat.

Pop of Passion in Pink Passion Lip Oil Balm

These lip balms from bareMinerals have a hydrating oil-rich formula so your lips feel nourished whilst also giving them a beautiful wash of colour. They come in 8 easy to wear colours and I have two shades, a more neutral beige and this gorgeous sweet pink. These aren’t as sheer as some lip balms but they’re also not going to give you the vibrancy of a lipstick, they offer a happy medium which I think make them the perfect everyday lip option. The formula contains passion fruit seed oil and vitamin E which nourish and hydrate the lips for maximum comfort and gives them a lovely glossy finish.

bareSkin Complete Coverage Serum Concealer

This concealer ticks so many boxes, it offers incredible hydration whilst giving amazing coverage. It has a very fluid formula which initially makes you think its not going to stand up against dark circles, redness or blemishes but you would be very wrong. The lightweight, fluid formula is so easy to blend out and gives you a very seamless finish which you can build up depending on what you want to coverup. This concealer also has a brightening effect so its not going too look dull or heavy on the skin, its beautiful to apply and is long wearing. This along with the Complexion Rescue have been my Summer Dream Team.

SkinLongevity Vital Power Infusion

This is the most recent addition to my skincare routine and also a new release from bareMinerals. Their skincare collection has been very well received since its launch earlier this year and this product in particular seems to one of the most recommended items form the range. It comes packaged in the most beautiful sleek glass bottle, its so weighty and feels luxurious. The product itself has a very fluid formula, much more so than your average serum, once applied to the skin it absorbs quickly but does leave behind a slight residue on the skin, after using it for a couple of days this didn’t bother me.

It contains Long Life Herb Extract, California Poppy and Lempuyang Ginger to promote vitality and give the skin a lovely radiance. When I apply this essence / serum my skin feels and looks smooth, bright and hydrated. This has really helped my tired, often dull skin look a more refreshed and naturally glowing and because its so nourishing it helps reduce the appearance of fine lines by hydrating the skin and giving them that smooth, soft focus look. If you are into skincare and don’t mind splashing out (just a little) then this might be one skincare item to check out. The 50ml of product you get is going to last months, because its a fluid and you only need 2 pumps for you whole face & neck.

Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream

I have mentioned this base a lot on my blog & I can say honestly say its one of, if not my favourite light to medium coverage base. It gives your skin a natural, even, radiant finish and it wears very well throughout the day. I prefer to wear a base with SPF during the day and the Complexion rescue offers a Broad Spectrum SPF30 so you’re well covered. Its a skincare, makeup hybrid which is fab & it contains lots of skin loving ingredients including

Olive derived squalane – nourishing, hydrating and boosts the skins ability to regenerate
Marine botanicals – help refuel thirsty skin and enhance skins appearance
Water loving humectants,Tehalsose and glycerine– which locks in moisture
Heart leaf globe daisy – an antioxidant, defends skin from from environmental aggressors
Calcium and Magnesium – help replenish the skin and promote the skins moisture balance
SPF30 PA+++ this also contains a broad spectrum SPF to protect the skin against UVA & UVB rays

I could say wonderful things about this product all day and I have done in many a post. So I won’t go on & on, all I will say is if you’re looking for a beautiful lightweight base with a decent amount of coverage then this has to be top of the list! If you want to read a more in depth review & see what it looks like on the skin click here —> bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Review

Mineral Veil Finishing Powder

Another best selling product from bareMinerals and one that most people associate with the brand. I have been through many a pot of this loose setting powder, although these are not great to travel with it is still one of my favourite setting powders. It has such a lightweight, finely milled formula that instantly gives your makeup that soft focus finish. It never feels heavy or like you have too much makeup on, instead it can really refresh your makeup and help keep it in place all day. I have quite oily skin so a powder is a step I always do, this mineral powder is fantastic at helping eliminate oil and keep your skin looking radiant but with a slight matte finish. If you are on the fence about trying a loose powder don’t be, this one lives up to its reputation and a pot will last you so long. Its a worthy investment and a product you need in your makeup bag! I have the original shade in this which is translucent so it doesn’t add any more colour to your skin, bareMinerals does do a tinted version if you prefer.

What are you favourite products from bareMinerals?

5 From The Body Shop

April 12, 2016February 21, 2017 - Vicki 6 Comments

I haven’t done a post in my Five From Series for a while now, so I thought I would get back into them and share Five From The Body Shop. This was so hard to narrow down because as a brand I love so many of their products and they continue to release wonderful products. If you have any recomendations of products I need to try from The Body Shop then leave me a comment.

The Body Shop All In One Insta Blur

I love products that give my skin that soft focus flawless finish & this Insta Blur does a pretty good job at doing that. Its has a thick gel like consistency and its easy to smooth over the skin. Its clear but it blurs imperfections redness and makes fine lines look less visible. I tend to only use it on my cheeks, where I have quite large pores and it does a great job at blurring them out and mattifying my skin. This is also very good at controlling oil and shine so it works well under makeup and helps it last longer without going greasy.

Born Lippy Lipbalm

You can’t beat a fruity scented lipbalm from The Body Shop. These are such a classic product and I have been buying them for more years than I care to admit. They always smell so good, I think I have tried every flavour. They’re easy to have in your handbag to keep your lips feeling hydrated & they add a slight sheer wash of colour but that doesn’t stick around too long, but the glossy finish does.

The Body Shop Vitamin E Overnight Serum-In-Oil

I have used the Vitamin E range for many years and still go back to it, especially when my skin is irritated and quite dry. I find its a range that is gentle and never breaks me out. I spoke about this in a recent post, I have a lot of love for this serum / oil. Its an overnight treatment that gives your skin a boost of hydration and nourishes dull skin. Its a serum blended with a combination of oils including sunflower, jojoba, marula, soya, and sesame and it also has wheatgerm oil which is high in antioxidants. I only use a couple of drops, which is plenty & I like to use it when my skin is looking dull and feels dryer than normal. Its great at hydrating and reviving my skin and making it look like its well rested and radiant. Its just such a lovely product to have in your skincare routine.

The Body Shop Makeup Brushes

I have quite a few brushes from The Body Shop and although they’re not the most affordable on the high street they’re very good quality, cruelty free and last me years. This actually a foundation brush but I’ve found it works well at applying face masks, no mess and I get an even coverage. I also like the kabuki brush to apply loose powder. I get no shedding with these brushes and they wash up lovely.

The Body Shop Vitamin C Instant Glow Enhancer*

The whole Vitamin C range is a favourite of mine, the face mist, moisturiser and this Instant Glow Enhancer in particular. They all pep up my skin and make it look refreshed and radiant. It has a lovely flattering peachy tint to it, you see instant results with this product. It really helps combat the signs of fatigue, I apply this mostly to the centre of my face, focusing on my forehead, nose & chin as this is great at blurring pores and fine lines making my skin look smooth as well as giving it a slight peachy glow. I use it when my skin looks like it needs a little waking up, or at the weekend when I want to wear minimum makeup. My tube has lasted me almost a year and I still have a good amount of product left. So it is well worth picking up.

PR Sample

5 From L’Oreal

May 3, 2015March 12, 2017 - Vicki 6 Comments

I own quite a few L’Oreal products so it was hard to narrow it down to just five but after much deliberation I have decided these are my current 5 favourites. Let me know in the comments what your favourite / most used products from L’Oreal are.

L’Oreal True Match Foundation in the shade Vanilla £9.99

This is the first ever L’Oreal Foundation I’ve tried and I have been so impressed with it. I would say it gives a medium coverage, you can still see all my (hundreds) of freckles which I like so it looks natural and wears really well. It doesn’t oxidise on me and my oily skin seems to only start looking shiny after about 6 hours wear & then I lightly dust some powder on and its good for a few more hours. I think it looks really good on & it feels lightweight on my skin and doesn’t break me out. Its one of my most used foundations & I have quite a few.

L’Oreal Glam Bronzer £10.30

This is a two toned bronzer, you get a lighter highlighter shade & a deeper brown shade. Its the same concept as my much loved Solar Powder but the brown / bronze shade in this duo is a little darker which is perfect for Summer. This duo gives the skin an illuminating glow – I wouldn’t use this to contour as it does have a pearlescent sheen, I think its used best as a bronzing highlighter. It gives the skin a little warmth and a subtle glow. The packaging is great too, very travel friendly & it has a mirror too.

L’Oreal Color Riche Smoky Quad in Rose Memories £7.99

Hello my perfect shades, these are so pretty and very me. I have been trying to shop my stash every week & I forgot I had this quad, I bought it last year & used it all the time then like most makeup items it was forgotten about. I am so glad I’ve rediscovered it because it is gorgeous. This quad isn’t for matte eyeshadow fans because all four colours have shimmer in them, its not disco ball glitter but they have a hint of shimmer / frost finish .I love the darkest plum colour & think it looks so pretty worn alone all over the lid. The packaging of this is slim and compact it looks and feels quite luxurious.

L’Oreal Superliner Black Lacquer £5.50

When I wear eyeliner 99% of the time it is black liquid eyeliner & I have tried a few amazing ones & even more terrible ones. I have to say that as a rule of thumb the L’Oreal liquid liners are some of the best I have used. Their pigmentation is so good – jet black, they wear all day without wearing off unevenly and they never transfer on to the upper part of my eye (I hate it when eyeliner does that). I also find L’Oreal liners last months without drying out. I’m currently using the Superliner one and love how flexible the nib is & how precise you can make your winged liner look!

L’Oreal La Palette Nude in Beige £14.99

I have the original Rose palette too but I was so happy when L’Oreal released this one, I had to have it. If you’ve been reading my blog for a while you will know that I love a neutral palette & this one is sleek & has a great sized mirror too. You get 10 neutral eyeshadows, 6 mattes and 4 shimmers so a good mix. 9 of the shadows have really great pigmentation the first lightest shade is the only one that is a little chalky but the other 9 shades are beautiful. You get a pretty selection of wearable colours, ranging from champagnes, bronzy browns, golden browns to some beautiful darker browns & a blue / grey shade to finish off the palette.

I love the shade range in this palette & think this is a very handy palette to travel with. I never deviate from a neutral eye so I know this has every shade I would need. The shadows are easy to work with and there is very little fall out. So this gets two thumbs up from me & I am so happy I managed to track one down.

Do we share any of the same favourites from L’Oreal?

5 From NYX Cosmetics

April 8, 2015April 11, 2017 - Vicki 9 Comments

Up until a couple of years ago NYX was quite hard to get hold of in the UK & we would all see American bloggers rave about their products, I for one was very jealous so when Boots started to stock a selection of their products in their larger stores and we could also order from NYX online in the UK. I was so excited to get hold of a few bits & bobs. I thought I would share with you 5 of my most used NYX products. Let me know what products you use the most from NYX & if you have any recommendations for me to try.

Jumbo Eye Pencil in Sparkle Nude £5.00

I have a number of these Jumbo Pencils and absolutely love them. I am obsessed with cream shadows and find them so easy to apply & blend and they last all day on me so they have fast become my favourite product. NYX have a quite a large selection of colours in these Jumbo Pencils but I have been wearing this Sparkle Nude on all over the lid on its own. It is a pretty champagne bronze with a touch of glitter running through, it brightens up my look & lasts all day. The glitter is quite chunky & not for everyone but I do like to wear a little sparkle on my lids & the colour is just so pretty. Oh & NYX do these pencils in 32 colours!

NYX Illuminator in Narcissistic £9.00

This is a very light champagne highlighter which looks so pretty worn on its own or layered with your blusher to give it a glow. The colour in this highlighter is very subtle and the shimmer is very fine & just catches the light on your cheeks and makes your skin look healthy. The powder is very finely milled and is easy to apply, a little goes a long way so don’t over apply, I like to take this on a duo fibre brush & lightly dust it across my cheekbones. Very pretty for the warmer months.

Powder Blush in Angel £6.00

It’s a peachy pink with a slight golden sheen running though and its one of my favourite blushers. I like that its not too pigmented and you can build it up without looking like Aunt Sally. Its so easy to blend and never looks patchy or cakey. It gives the cheeks a natural flush of colour & when the light hits the pretty gold sheen gives you a glow. Its not a glittery or shimmery finish but a very subtle sheen, I always travel with this & I love it for day or night.

Roll On Shimmer in Nude £4.25

I quite often pair this with my Jumbo Eye Pencils when I’m going out in the evening. The cream pencils act as a really good base / primer for the colour to really pop & it means these stay put all night long. This is the perfect colour for me as I love anything bronzy on my eyelids and it has the perfect amount of colour & shimmer. These Roll On Shimmers can be used wet for a really intense look that will stay in place without any shimmer ending up all over your face.

Fly With Me Mascara £11.50

This isn’t my favourite Mascara but I do like that it gives my lashes length and holds a curl. Its not as black as I’d hoped but it does make my eyelashes look long and very healthy & I really like that you can remove this with hot water & a flannel so that is convenient. I don’t get any flaking or smudging when I wear this either.

Have you tried any of the NYX products I have mentioned?

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5 From One Brand