YSL

YSL Beauty Releases

- Vicki 2 Comments
YSL Beauty

YSL Beauty

YSL Black Opium Floral Shock Eau de Parfum

This is the fragrance to accompany the mascara and it is a modern more youthful twist on such an iconic scent. Not only have YSL updated the scent but the glitter encrusted bottle has also had a revamp. The bottle is just as luxurious as the classic version but it now has subtle frosted pretty pink hues but it still looks just as glam rock!

  • Top notes – Bergamot Essence, Pear Accord, Freesia Accord
  • Heart notes – Orange Blossom Absolute, Golden Gardenia Accord, Solar-floral accord
  • Base notes – Coffee Accord, Sandalwood Accord, Vanila

The fresh mix of fruity and floral scents work really well together and the addition of coffee is unusual but gives the scent a warmth that is quite sexy. Whilst the vanilla and sandalwood offer both sweetness and luxury. I am in love with it and I think if you find the original a little too heavy and heady, this Floral Shock version will feel more fresh and youthful but still with that edginess you expect from YSL Opium.

YSL Touche Éclat Blur Primer

This is very lightweight, not sticky at all and it sits so well on the skin. It instantly visibly smooths, blurs pores and brightens the skin. It has tiny (very tiny) gold flecks which help give your skin that subtle glow without looking like a disco ball. It gives the skin a subtle matte finish without looking flat. I am one of those people that tends not to wear a primer on a daily basis but for a special occasion this is the perfect product to help your makeup look flawless, last for hours and help your skin look fresh. If you’re feeling spendy and looking for a new primer then this is a great one to try.

YSL The Shock Mascara

YSL The Shock Mascara

Off the bat I have to say the packaging isn’t as glamourous or what I would have expected from YSL, it doesn’t look or feel as luxurious as the price tag but if you’re willing to overlook that the product itself is pretty amazing. It has quite a long, slim wand and its helix shape helps give volume and drama to your lashes without having to apply layer upon layer of product.

It does have a tendency to clump but if I apply whilst doing that magic trickery of wiggling the brush through my lashes it helps separate my lashes and ensure the product is applied evenly from root to tip reducing the clumping and giving the ultimate high impact look. I love the jet black formula and think this is a fantastic mascara for evening and making the most of your natural lashes without the need to apply falsies.

• This post contains PR samples

Coverup All My Sins

- Vicki 13 Comments

Concealer Stash

Me Me Me Correct & Perfect

This comes in a pot with a concealer and in the bottom it has a setting powder. I wear the shade buff. It is my perfect winter shade as it is quite light. The concealer takes a little warming up so it is easier to blend. I tend not to wear this under my eyes as it is a little drying. It works better as a blemish concealer & its good at covering up redness at the side of my nose

MUA Pro Base Conceal & Brighten Kit in Porcelain Beige

Not the greatest concealers I have tried. They aren’t a great match for my skin tone. I like the middle lighter shade best. But I don’t reach for this often as the product doesn’t last very long, it seems to slide right off me. Might be because I have really oily skin.

Benefit Boi-ing industrial Strength Concealer

Love this, it is heavy duty, again I use it to cover up blemishes and a little scaring I have. I find it a little too heavy for my under eye area. It does work if I warm it up and blend it in, but It does tend to crease on me. It works really well to cover up redness and stays put all day long.

YSL Touche Eclat

Not a concealer but I do sometimes mix it in with a darker concealer to add a little luminosity and that gives my under eye area more of a radiant look. I have dark under eyes and sometimes I need a product that gives me a little glow.

Stash

Maybelline Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Brightening Illuminating Concealer 

Love this – it is that perfect combination of concealer and highlighter. I bought it whilst in America This is really hydrating, which I need and that means it doesn’t crease. It’s quite lightweight but still offers good coverage. It isn’t heavy duty coverage but if you’re looking for a light to medium coverage I recommend trying this.

Bobbi Brown Corrector 

A must on those days you need to counter the darkness. Its peachy tone is great for that. I need to blend it so well as it creases on me too. You only need to use a little of this and as it warms up its lovely to blend. I have the shade light to medium beige.

Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit

I wouldn’t purchase this again. It has a concealer and a pressed powder, it doesn’t work well for me. I find it too creamy and can’t seem to use it without it ceasing and I find it quite greasy too. For the price it doesn’t work well for me. I have the shade warm beige.

Stash

Rimmel Wake Me up Concealer

Now this is my new concealer obsession. I use this under my eyes and it gives me really good coverage. It is just creamy enough to blend and it never looks cakey or heavy. It is a bargain. If you haven’t tired this you need to buy it.

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer

This isn’t for me. I find it drying and it never looks natural on me. I know it is loved and that many people like it, but I prefer the Rimmel one.

Do you use any of these concealers? Or do you have a favourite that you would recommend to me.

Favourite Products of December 2012

- Vicki 6 Comments

We’re already a week into January 2013 but I still wanted to let you know what I had been loving in December 2012. I had a low-key December and I think my products reflect that. So before I start rambling I will get right into it.

December 2012 Favourites

Benefit Boi-ing Concealer – I use this to cover really unsightly blemishes and ones that are super red. I find this quite heavy and so only use it when nothing else will work and this stuff doesn’t budge. Covergirl lashblast 24hr Waterproof Mascara – this is a great mascara for giving quite dramatic lashes especially if you’ve really curled your eyelashes. It’s so black i love my mascara to be uber black and again it doesn’t budge.

Vivo Colour Block Palette in Unprotected. This is a palette I reach for over and over again. The colours are all lovely and I am a neutral eyeshadow girl so this has  everything I need. It’s also the palette I take away on holiday without fail. I’ve done a more in depth post on this palette with swatches – here if you want to have a read. Chanel Eyeshadow in Safari 45 – this is the prettiest taupe with a hint of shimmer. It’s so soft and blends like a dream.

MUA Pink Shimmer Kisses Blusher – This has been in my makeup bag since I bought it a couple of months ago. I have worn it so much. You can make it a light wash of colour or go for a more intense colour. It’s so versatile. MUA have done it again. Top marks for this. I’ve done a blog post about this here. YSL Perfect Touch Radiance Foundation – I have used this foundation for about 3 years now and it is my old faithful. It give a really beautiful coverage which I would say was medium and it gets better throughout the day. It settles down to look flawless and gives your skin a really healthy glow. I will always have a tube of this. It makes my skin look younger and so healthy.

December Favourites 2012

Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser –  spf 20 in the shade nude. This is a really lovely lightweight tinted moisturiser. It feels so nice on the skin, it’s quite a sheer coverage but that’s perfect for days when you’re not wanting to apply a full face of makeup. It really has some staying power too. It applies smoothly on the face and gives you such a fresh-faced look and I love it. Garnier Caffeine Anti-dark Circles 2-in-1 Roll-on Medium – This is great to add a little flash of colour under the eye and look more awake. It’s not the best coverage and it’s a little watery but I tap it in and it gives you a more awake look. I’ve blogged about this here with swatches.

No7 Lash and Brow Perfector – This just works. It tames my unruly brows. What more could I want? The Body Shop Cranberry Joy Lip Balm – This smells so festive and has a shimmer to it. So it was perfect for December. It’s not very moisturising but it does give your lips a hint of colour and also shimmer. So very festive.

Murad Exfoliating blemish Treatment Gel – this has really calmed my breakouts and it helps reduce the redness and size of blemishes. I use it morning and night when I have a breakout. Mac Sheer Pressed Powder – I’ve been using this to set my foundation. I have been a little more greasy than normal and I have found a light dusting of this across my forehead and chin makes my foundation stay put.

So they were my December favourites. If you’ve blogged about your December favourites leave me a link in the comments.

 

 

Travel Skincare

- Vicki 6 Comments

This is the skincare I’m taking with me to Amsterdam. We are going for 5 days for our 13 year anniversary. We have been before and absolutely love the city. It’s so beautiful and we love walking up and down the canals esp at night. It’s so romantic. So I thought I’d let you have a quick peek as to what skincare bits and bobs im taking. I am a nightmare at packing esp when it comes to packing products. I can never decide what to take and end up taking far too many things. I am sure most of you are the same. This time I knew i had a fair few sample sizes from various beauty boxes and magazine freebies so they came in very handy.

I have tried to be as good as possible and pack as little as i think i can get away with. I think all these are miniatures or sample sizes, so that’s great. I’m taking a few things that I’ve not tried yet so that will be exciting. Is it me or do products look way cuter in miniature.

I will quickly run through what I’m taking –

1. Superdrug own branded calming face mask

2. Small pack of Simple face wipes

3. Murad exfoliating cleanser

4. Balance Me face cream

5. Clarins body lotion

6. No7 Perfect & Perfect serum

7. REN Active 7 eye gel

8. L’Occitane Angelica Hydration face cream

9. YSL serum (also using this as a primer)

10.Elizabeth Arden face cream

11. Simple eye makeup remover

12. NEOM Moroccan Blush Rose hand lotion

I’ll be taking my Origins face wash thats not pictured here & possibly taking out the Elizabeth Arden cream – how many face creams do I need right?! I think thats all I’m taking but I can’t promise I wont buckle at the last minute and pack a few more things.

Have you tried any of these products. What skincare do you take away with you? Oh another thing i have in my handbag is an Avene thermal spray which is lovely to have on the plane & I spray my hubby’s face too much to his disgust.

 I took this last year in Amsterdam. Fingers crossed we get sunny weather