Sukin Sensitive Facial Moisturiser – Review

The weather is getting colder, the central heating has been switched on and even my oily skin is feeling a bit drier. Historically, I don’t get on with a lot of night time moisturisers as they are formulated for dry skin which leaves my skin feeling clogged by morning time.

What I require from a night cream is something to lock in my serum, provide moisturisation throughout the night and one that doesn’t feel occlusive on my skin. On my hunt for a drug store moisturiser I came across the Australian, natural, organic skin care brand Sukin. Having liked the look of the brand and the price range I decided to buy the Sukin Sensitive Facial Moisturiser. I don’t have particularly sensitive skin but I always choose these products as they will have less (or no) allergens/ irritants in the formula which I believe are unnecessary in skin care anyway.

I chose the day cream instead of the night cream as I felt the night cream might be too heavy for my skin and the day cream doesn’t have any SPF in it anyway. A 125ml bottle of this moisturiser costs just £8.10.

Taken from the Sukin website “Shea butter and Aloe Vera with Rose Hip, Sesame and Jojoba oils to promote moisture and balance the skin. This light and gentle moisturiser, boasts Shea butter and Aloe Vera to calm and soothe the complexion.
Rapidly absorbed to deliver essential hydration to delicate skin, whilst Rose Hip, Sesame and Jojoba oils help promote optimal moisture levels for radiant, balanced skin.
Suitable for normal to sensitive skin types.”

Formula: The formula for this product is based on water, glycerin and numerous plant oils and butters such as sesame, rosehip, shea, cocoa, jojoba, avocado and wheatgerm. It also has a few ingredients known to calm the skin such as aloe and cucumber extract. I like that they have added vitamin E into the formula, a great antioxidant. The formula is free of parabens but does contain Phenoxyethanol and Benzyl Alcohol to preserve the formula safety for 6 months after opening.

Packaging: I love the packaging for this product. It comes in an opaque pump bottle, which is easy to use, hygienic and the ingredients will be more stable in this kind of packaging.

Application: One pump of this product is enough for my whole face and neck. The product once pumped into my palms melts really nicely into my hand and absorbs very quickly into my skin. It leave it feeling moisturised, but not oily. If you have normal-dry skin I wouldn’t recommend this for you as it isn’t moisturising enough.

Long term effects: I’ve been using this product for a few months now and I have to say I’m really happy with it! My skin feels soft, moisturised, I haven’t experienced a single breakout and I’m never greasy when I wake up. Overall this is a great, cheap product to use and one I will be repurchasing for sure.

Have you tried Sukin products before? Comment below and let me know!

Jay

 

No. 7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Oil – Review

In my quest for cheaper dupes for my favourite products I came across this cleansing oil from No.7. I’ve been religiously using the Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Oil for a few years now but at £22 for a 200ml bottle it isn’t the most economic option. The No.7 cleansing oil is just £11 for a 150ml bottle.

Packaging: This cleanser comes in a clear bottle which is great because you can actually see when you need to top-up. On the top is a pump which you can lock close when it’s not in use. I use around two pumps per use and there is 150 ml of product in the bottle.

Ingredients: This cleanser is based on mineral oil and numerous plant oils such as avocado, olive, safflower and rose which may be comedogenic for some people who are acne-prone. It also contains vitamins E and C. Unfortunately this product contains fragrance and the fragrance has a very strong floral smell. As this is a wash-off product the fragrance doesn’t bother me too much but if you have sensitive skin I’d skip this product.

Texture and appearance: This oil more “oily” than the Clinique oil. This means it clings onto the skin better, is more moisturising but also leaves an oily film on the skin when washed off. I’d say it is more suitable for dry to normal skin.

Application: I take the oil between my palms and massage it into my skin for around 30-60 seconds focusing on areas like the eye. I haven’t experienced irritation or stinging even when the product got into my eyes, making it safe for eye make-up removal. You can wash this directly off the skin (it turns to a milky emulsion) or use a soft face cloth. I do find that this product leaves an oily film on my skin and it isn’t as good at removing eye make-up as the Clinique cleanser.

Above, I tested this product with different makeup; foundation, concealer, mascara, pencil eyeliner, liquid eyeliner, eyeshadow primer, eyebrow pomade, lipstick, liquid lipstick and eyeshadow. After massaging the product in for 60 seconds I rinsed off with warm water and patted dry. It did a great job of getting rid of all the make-up apart from the long wear liquid liner.

I wouldn’t say this is an exact dupe for the Clinique cleansing oil, which will remain my holy grail cleanser. It doesn’t perform at removing heavy make-up and I’m not a fan of the texture and ingredients for my oily skin. However, it is a good option for me on my lighter day-to-day make-up. With it being just £11 a bottle I may repurchase it but I’m looking to try some other drug-store cleansing oils first.

Have you tried this cleanser before? What is your favourite oil cleanser? Comment below and let me know!

Jay x

Freedom Eyebrow Pomade – The Anastasia DipBrow Pomade Dupe?

Going into the new year my resolution is to seriously cut down on my spending. Gone are the days where I turn my nose up at drug store products, I mean, if it does the same job at a fraction of the price, I’m game!

If there is one thing I rarely leave the house without doing, it’s my eyebrows. Groomed, clean brows make such a difference in framing your face and I believe good brows are the cornerstone of mastering make-up. So when I was finally coming towards the end of my beloved, holy-grail, never-leave-the-house-without, DipBrow Pomade from Anastasia Beverly Hills, I wanted to try something new. I’d read about the Pro-Brow Pomade from Freedom Cosmetics on a few blogs and heard that it was a really good dupe for the original. Off to Superdrug I went and picked up this pot for just £5, a whole £10 cheaper than the ABH pomade. I believe there are 11 different colours to choose from which are exact dupes for the ABH range. I chose the colour Ash Brown as that is what I buy in the ABH DipBrow and I’m glad to say they are an exact dupe in terms of colour.

What I love about the ABH DipBrow is the ease of applicability, pigmentation and longevity so I tested the Freedom Pomade based on these criteria. After many weeks of using this product I am very, very happy (and so is my bank account) to say that this product has completely replaced my ABH DipBrow. It applies EXACTLY the same, looks EXACTLY the same when it’s on and lasts EXACTLY the same amount of time. Really, honestly, there is no difference.

Anastasia Beverly Hills DipBrow Pomade “Ash Brown” vs. Freedom Eyebrow Pomade “Ash Brown”

Next time you’re in Superdrug I’d really recommend picking up one of these pots. Anyone who uses brow pomades knows they last for ages, in fact I used my ABH pomade for 18 months, every single day. I honestly don’t believe you need any other brow product for everyday use and spending just £5 for a product that guarantees a more “polished” version of yourself is awesome!

Jay x

 

October Favourites

Hey guys! I cannot believe it is October is already over. You may be wondering why I didn’t do a favourites post last month and to be honest I sat down to write the post but couldn’t for the life of me think of anything that I was really loving that month. Nonetheless, that was last month and this month I’ve been liking a lot of things, so without further ado here are my October favourites.

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BEAUTY

NYX Lip Lingerie in Teddy

This liquid lipstick has been my everyday lipstick for the transitional weather. I haven’t been feeling bold or brave enough to rock a red or dark vampy lip when I’m at work but this lip colour is the perfect alternative for me. It is a true brown with a grey undertone that doesn’t really scream “look at me!!!” but rather smugly suggests that you’re down with the seasonal change.

Dior Diorskin Airflash Spray Foundation

As the weather has been getting cooler my skin has not been as oily and thus to bring a bit of Autumn glow I’ve been using this foundation. This product is quite lightweight on the skin, blends in really easily and gives my skin a really pretty lit-from-within glow. It lasts all day and I’ve really been enjoying using it at my daily foundation.

Delilah Sunset Matt Bronzer

I’m someone who never stops using bronzers come rain or shine. After Summer has past I put my shimmery, shiny bronzers away for a more matte formula. This is my holy grail bronzer during the winter. It warms up the skin without being too in your face and I find I don’t need an extra blusher when I use this, which saves me time in the morning. The formula is finely pressed so it blends in well and lasts all day on the skin.

Kat Von D Tattoo Liner

I spoke about this liner in a post earlier this month and I am really enjoying this product. It is pigmented, easy to use and literally lasts through anything. To see my full review, see here.

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer

My hair was in a really bad state and I was finding that I couldn’t leave the house without my hair frizzing and drying out. To be honest what it really needs is a trim which I promise I will get round to, but in the meantime I’ve been using this hair treatment from Philip Kingsley. I apply a golf size ball amount of this treatment on the ends of my hair and leave in for at least 20 minutes before washing and styling. Honestly the different that this product makes is immense. Straight after using this product my hair feels so much smoother, stronger and the frizz is reduced. I find the effects last a good 2 weeks until I need to treat it again. I’m coming to the end of the pot and will be repurchasing it again asap.

Carolina Herrera 212 EDT

I’ve been on the hunt for a new daytime perfume for the longest time and out of frustration of not finding anything that I love, I decided to purchase this one (online) as I liked the notes in the perfume (white florals and musk). Upon initially spraying I did not like it as it had a strong chemical smell, but after it has dried down the clean white florals come through. After a few hours on the skin it leaves a light musk. Whilst this perfume isn’t one that really stands out to me, I’ve really enjoyed using it for work and it is very suited to the city. It is a very subtle, clean scent, perfect for the day time, perfect for work and I feel like it is very suitable for this transitional weather.

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FASHION

Zara Ankle Boots in cream and burgundy

I love, love, love Autumn fashion. I love layers, chunky knits and accessorizing with hats, shoes and bags. So come payday your girl went a bit wild and bought a few things. Zara hands down have the best Autumn/ Winter range so I always know I’m going to be broke when I go there. Initially I went into Zara searching for the burgundy version of these boots and when I saw the cream pair I fell in love. These ankle boots make any outfit look classy. I love the wood and metal detailing on the heel, which by the way is actually really comfortable. I will be rinsing these boots this Autumn/ Winter for sure.

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SNACKS

Buff Bake Snickerdoodle Almond Butter

This month I bring to you the humble nut butter but not as you know it. What makes this almond butter different is that there is added whey protein in it! I’m always looking for more ways to add protein into my diet and I love nut butters so this really is win-win for me. I really enjoy the flavour of this almond butter, I’m not sure what a snickerdoodle is supposed to taste like but it’s kind of biscuitty and I get a hint of cinnamon from it too. The texture is a little bit grainy which is to be expected because of the whey but overall it’s really delicious! I bought mine from Musclefood.

 

Ride or Die Make-Up

If you’re into the whole beauty scene you’ve probably already seen this tag done by everyone and their mother. However, for those of you that don’t know about it, Jaclyn Hill on Youtube started a tag on her ride-or-die products aka, her all time favourite product in each category.

Nobody actually tagged me BUT I thought it would be a great post to do, I’ve also linked any individual reviews I’ve done in the past if you want more in depth info. It’s going to be a long one, so get comfy and grab a notepad. Here we go!

Primer

I’ll be honest with you guys 99% of the time I don’t wear primer. I am yet to find a primer that I LOVE and does exactly what I want it to do, that is control oil, smooth out texture and improve wear of foundation. For that reason I haven’t chosen anything in this category.

Corrector- MAC Prep + Prime Highlighter Peach Lustre

This was an easy one for me. This product is lightweight, blends in easily and corrects dark undertones in the skin. Once it sets it doesn’t change the appearance of anything that is applied on top.

Foundation- MAC Studio Sculpt

I’m not a huge foundation person but there are two products which are holy grails for me. That is MAC Studio Sculpt and Estee Lauder Double Wear. However, when I think about which product I reach for when I want to look my BEST on a night out, it is this one. It doesn’t provide as much oil control but it does give amazing coverage and a real glow to the skin.

Tinted moisturiser- Estée Lauder Double Wear Light

This product is a recent discovery for me but I’ve formed a lifelong bond with it. I wear it every day to work. It takes a few seconds to blend in, gives sheer to medium coverage, gives good oil control and improves the texture of my skin too.

Concealer- Urban Decay Naked Skin

If there is one product that is my desert island product, it is this one. This concealer is at the top of many peoples lists and I can totally understand why. It provides great coverage for everyday use and when layered on top of a corrector it looks flawless. Also the formula is lightweight, hydrating and doesn’t crease that much at all.

Setting Powder- Ben Nye Banana

When I want to set my concealer and I don’t want it to budge or crease, this powder is the absolute best. I buy the compact version as I find loose powders to faffy but that’s just my personal preference.

Face Powder- Nars Pressed Setting Powder

This face powder is the most finely milled pressed powder I’ve tried to date. A little dusting of this goes a long way in setting my skin, blending out harsh lines, airbrushing my skin and giving great oil control.

Bronzer ELF Baked Bronzer Los Cabos

My ride or die bronzer was a bit of a surprise to be honest. I own a number of bronzers and they are all high end, apart from this one. When I sat down to think about what product makes me say “wow” to myself every single time I use it, it’s this product. The colour of this product gives me the most beautiful sun-kissed skin and the pearl finish makes my skin look smooth and absolutely the best it has ever looked. If there was one criticism for this product it is that it doesn’t last as long as my high end products, but I still LOVE it and will continue to re-purchase it.

Contour powder –theBalm Bahama Mama

When I want chiseled cheekbones or a jawline that can cut glass (lol) I reach for this product. It is very cool toned which perfectly mimics shadows on the skin. It also blends into make-up really easily so you can control how strong you want your contour to look.

Blush- MAC Peaches

This is a long time favourite blush of mine. Admittedly I haven’t used it in a while but it is one I will keep going back to. The colour is the perfect warm peach for my skin tone, the formula is blendable and long lasting.

Highlighter- Kevyn Aucoin Celestial Powder Candlelight

This was a really difficult choice for me. I love highlighters just like everyone else but this product is what I reach to come day or night. It is really finely milled, doesn’t have any tacky glitter in it and looks amazing in natural light, artificial light and especially under candlelight 😉

Eyebrows- Anastasia DipBrow Pomade

Again a  very easy category for me. Ever since this product came into my life I’ve been able to walk out the door confidently knowing my brows look great and will stay that way till I decide to take it off. It is incredibly easy to apply too which makes my mornings that much better.

Liquid Eyeliner- Kat Von D Tattoo Liner

I think I’m in denial, ever since I heard the Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner has been discontinued. It was the best eyeliner I’d ever used. It applied easily, was jet black, stayed on all day, no matter what. I know UD have come out with a new formula which I’m hoping is as good as that one.

However for the time being, the Kat Von D liner which I recently reviewed has quickly become a ride-or-die eyeliner. I much prefer brush liners over marker liners but this is probably the best one of the market. It is pigmented, applies smoothly and gives a clean line, also it lasts all day without fading, smudging or flaking.

Pencil Eyeliner

Again, I’m not going to put anything in this category as I rarely use pencil liners. Generally they close up my already small eyes. Having said that the only liners I own and I think I own 3 colours, are from Urban Decay and I am reluctant to try anything else.

Mascara– Maybelline Lash Sensational

Mascara is a very difficult category for me, I rarely repurchase mascaras as I always like to try new ones out but there’s one that I’ve repurchased a number of times and it is the Lash Sensational. It gives tremendous length, volume, curl and does not flake or smudge at all, even with my oily eyelids.

Eyeshadow primer– MAC Prep + Prime 24-Hour Extend Eye Base

When I say this product primes, it primes. It is perfect under any eyeshadow, pigment, eyeliner. Doesn’t crease, doesn’t budge. Bulletproof.

Eyeshadow palette– Charlotte Tilbury Dolce Vita

I absolutely adore this palette. It contains the four most gorgeous warm shades which can be worn a number of ways. My favourite colours are the warm orange and that shimmery gold, omfg. The formula is blendable and lasts all day on the lids.

Lipstick– Urban Decay Matte Revolution Lipstick 1993

Lipstick is one of my favourite make-up products, so to whittle it down to just one was really, really difficult. I thought about what colours I wear year-round, which are mostly neutrals, and also I thought about the formula which feels most comfortable to me. This lipstick from Urban Decay goes with most make-up looks whether cool toned or warm but the best part is absolutely the formula. Apart from the Nars Audacious lipsticks, I’m yet to try another formula that feels as creamy as this one does and one that lasts long, whilst not drying out my lips.

Setting Spray– Mac Fix +

Before I started using Fix + I really didn’t believe a product would make such a difference to your skin. After I’ve finished a full face of make-up I spritz this on and it gives my skin such an incredible glow, it really “fuses” the make-up into my skin. It doesn’t give oil control but the finish is so perfect I don’t actually mind.

That’s all for this post. What do you guys think of my ride or die products? Do we share any of the same favourites? Comment below and let me know!

Jay x

Battle of the eyeliners: Stila Vs Kat Von D

Before I get onto this review, let me rewind to a few months ago when I discovered that my holy grail Urban Decay 24/7 Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner had been discontinued. After genuinely throwing a little tantrum over it I decided I needed to find an alternative and I needed it quick as my eyeliner was fast running out. Mind you, this was before Urban Decay released the Razor Sharp Liquid Eye Liner (which I still need to try), I opted for two liners that have been on my wishlist for a while. The Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner and the Kat Von D Tattoo Liner, which has just recently been release in the UK!

Both of these products are very well reviewed, Stila boasts a 4.3 rating on MakeUpAlley and Kat Von D a 4.1, so I was really looking forward to trying them out. I bought the Stila liner (0.5ml) from FeelUnique for £13 and Kat Von D (0.55ml) from Debenhams for £16.

Both products are liquid eyeliners with a felt tip pen, thus being perfect for those who are beginners and perfect for the purpose of this review! I’ll be comparing the products on a number of points.

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Brush end: Both liners have a brush end like a felt-tip pen. When you compare both side by side you can see that the Stila liner isn’t as smooth as the Kat Von D marker. The Kat Von D brush end is very flexible making it easier to use. I found that over time the Stila liner became frayed which made application jagged.

Application: Both products require you to shake them before application, I feel like the Kat Von D liner dispenses product more evenly and with more pigmentation that the Stila liner. I had to go over the Stila line numerous times to get the correct pigmentation and also the marker end became frayed after a few uses. This fraying led to the liner appear jagged when I applied it. The Kat Von D liner didn’t change over time and personally I find application of the Kav Von D liner much easier.

Pigmentation and finish: Both of these eyeliners are very pigmented, in fact I’d say they’re both equally black. However, when it dries down the Stila eyeliner has a matte finish and the Kav Von D liner has a shinier finish. Personally I prefer the shiny finish. The Kat Von D liner appears cleaner and sharper to me compared to the Stila liner which bleeds and spreads into the lines on the back of my hand/ eyelids.

Longevity: I tested both eyeliners with the Urban Decay primer potion underneath and checked in on my eyes over the course of a working day. Both eyeliners looked pretty good by the end of the day (14+ hours wear). The Kat Von D liner looked almost exactly the same but I found that there was a bit of fading/smudging with the Stila liner. Overall, I found that the colour on both eyeliners remained vivid and black whilst there was no flaking at all.

Top: After application. Bottom: 14+ hours later

Waterproof-ness and removal: Both eyeliners come off easily with an oil based cleanser. I much prefer the removal of the Stila liner, the Kat Von D liner left a bit of residue and requires a bit more work.

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After testing both of these liners for a couple of days I have to say my decision on which product won this battle was pretty easy. I much preferred the Kat Von D Tattoo Liner. It may be the more expensive of the two but it has a better brush end, applies easier, gives a clean pigmented line and has my preferred finish, despite being a little bit more difficult to take off. I’ve also noticed that the Stila liner has started drying out very quickly, so overall it probably isn’t that great value for money anyway!

If you have any other eyeliner suggestions that you think I will like or want me to test, let me know. Also I’d like to know, have you tried any of these products yourself? What did you think of them? Comment below 🙂

Jay x

August Favourites

Summer is coming to an end and I’ve really been holding back on buying new make-up and clothes as I’ve been trying to save money for more important investments. As much as I love fashion and make-up I know that the joy I get from these things is very temporary and the money could go towards something larger and more meaningful.

With that being said, I’ve been much more frugal with my spending, doing a lot more research before buying things, investing in products which I know I’m going to like and actually USING products that I buy. How many times have you bought a product to use it once only to stash it away in your cupboard where it will live until it passes its shelf life? I know I have! So without further ado here are my August favourites.

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BEAUTY

Estee Lauder Double Wear Light

I posted about this foundation earlier this month and I am so, so glad I’ve found it. It has reached holy grail status for me. I have been using it practically every day this month and I haven’t been tempted to use my other foundations. It is the perfect every day base product for my oily skin, a combination of oil control and sheer-medium, breathable coverage. Please read my full review here, I really couldn’t rave more about it.

ELF Baked Blush Peachy Cheeky

I feel like this is one of those products that is severely slept on in the beauty circuit. This product is too light for me to wear as a blush, but as a highlighter, oh lawwwwd, it is phenomenal! What I love about this product is that it is very pearlescent on the skin, it isn’t chunky at all, it has a “buttery” formula that blends beautifully and it gives your cheekbones an almost “wet” look. It reminds me of the Kevyn Aucoin Celestial Powder but even more subtle. It is so subtle that it doesn’t look like I’m wearing highlight at all, rather that my cheekbones have been kissed by a baby unicorns mane LOL!

Soap & Glory Clean, Girls Body Wash

I must admit when I first bought this body wash I wasn’t mad about the fragrance, it contains bergamot, blackcurrant, magnolia, freesia, vanilla and musk, which on paper I should have immediately loved, but I didn’t. However, recently I’ve been using this every night and there is something in this fragrance, I think it’s the blackcurrant, or maybe it’s the bergamot, I don’t know, but it smells almost a bit masculine and thus very sexy! It also lathers up really nicely, comes in great packaging and doesn’t dry out my skin.

Body Shop Spa of the World Japanese Camellia Cream

Dear Body Shop,

PLEASE release a perfume with the fragrance of the Japanese Camellia cream.

Yours faithfully,

Jay

No, for real guys. This fragrance is LIFE. Not to mention the body butter itself which is thick, whipped and so hydrating on my skin. My boyfriend always compliments the way I smell when I’ve just put this on and apparently my skin feels really soft too.

MAC Powder Blush Ambering Rose

I couldn’t think of a better way to describe this shade of blush than the name itself. Ambering Rose is a deep, warm, rose-toned, shimmery blush that is perfect for this transitional period between Summer and Autumn. It really makes the best of Summer tans and is a must for anyone with a deeper skin tone like mine. To see my full review please read here.

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SNACKS

Lizi’s Granola

Granola is really just grown-ups cereal right?! The combination of baked oats, seeds, fruit and nuts is one of my favourite foods, I could easily eat it for every meal. I’ve tried three flavours from Lizi’s range, the Belgian chocolate (fave!), passion fruit and pistachio and mango and macadamia. Lizi’s granolas are low in sugar, low GI, high in healthy fats and carbs and made with natural ingredients. It tastes absolutely delicious with almond milk and fresh/dried fruit and feels great knowing I’m having the perfect start to the morning.

Skyr Vanilla

I love Greek yoghurt. I have it every day, without fail, either as part of my breakfast or a snack later in the day. I’ve been an advocate for Fage 0% fat Greek yoghurt for years, it’s thick, filling, tastes great with fruit and cereal, is high in protein and a great addition to my diet.  I was searching for flavoured Greek yoghurts with a similar nutritional profile to Fage and was surprised that there aren’t that many options here in the UK. So when I found this new Icelandic Skyr with vanilla flavour in Waitrose I knew I had to try it. It’s even thicker and smoother than Fage, has an incredible flavour and is exactly what I was looking for nutritionally. The only problem is that it’s quite expensive at £1.25 for a 170g pot.

That’s all for this month guys, tell me what products you’ve been loving in the comments section below.

Jay x

MAC False Lashes Extreme Black – Review

Having recently received a sample of the MAC False Lashes Extreme Black mascara I was really excited to try it out straight away. I usually test mascaras for a week or so when deciding whether I like it or not. Now, I’m no high-end mascara aficionado. Mascara is one of those products that I believe the drug store has nailed, so any chance I get to try a high end product I have really high expectations for it.

Taken from the MAC website, this mascara claims to be:

• Flake-proof and smudge-proof
• Volumizing, 75% increase
• Curling, over 100% increase
• Long-wearing
• Separates lashes
• Lengthening
• Features a carbon black formula

I liked the formula for this mascara, it applies really smoothly, isn’t clumpy after two coats and is very black. The formula definitely didn’t flake throughout the day but towards the very end of the day, by this I mean 14 hours later, there was some smudging on the outer corner of my eyes. It didn’t cause any irritation when I rubbed my eyes and is ophthalmologist tested and safe for contact lens wearers. It’s a great long wearing option for work/ school days.

The brush for this mascara is your classic bristle wand. It is very thick, fluffy and tapers to a pointed edge for more detailed work. I found that this brush managed to tightline my lashes as well as coat all my lashes individually without clumping. This gives the appearance of thicker lashes at the root of the hair. Unfortunately, no matter how careful I was, this mascara always transferred to the upper lid very near the root of the hair and I’d have to spend an extra few minutes cleaning it up every time.

Overall I found this mascara gave my lashes volume at the root, length, separation and it gives a good amount of curl that holds all day. It gives a fluttery look to my lashes which I find is more suitable for the daytime. The formula was very comfortable to wear, but the brush created transfer on my upper lid. Not something I’d expect from a high end product. With all that being said I don’t think I’m going to go out of my way to spend £19 on a tube of this mascara because I’ve had similar successes with high-street/ drug-store products.

Have you tried this product before? Comment below and let me know what you thoughts are. Also I’d really like to know, what are your favourite high end mascaras?

Until next time,

Jay x

 

Estée Lauder Double Wear Light Stay-in-Place Makeup SPF 10 (Shade 4.5) – Review

For my oily skin folks the task of finding good base products is forever a struggle. I feel that most foundations on the market are aimed at normal to dry skin. Products for oily skin are just not up to scratch with the oil control and the only products that successfully mattify the skin are very thick and feel heavy on the skin. Now, in terms of full coverage I love my Estée Lauder Double Wear foundation which I’ve reviewed previously on the blog but day-to-day I prefer to look more natural. Recently this has meant settling for the fact that I’ll look like a grease ball by 12pm.

For the past year I’ve been using the Jouer Matte  Moisture Tint which is nice to use during the colder months and when I don’t have a tan, it’s even leaning towards being slightly too light for me. However, as soon as I get a bit of sun this product (the darkest one in the range) doesn’t match me. Nor does it control oil like I need it to unless paired with a primer, powder and setting spray. Far too much effort in my opinion.

I did a lot of research on foundations, BB creams and tinted moisturisers for oily skin. As  I said before many reviewers find that a lot of them fall short in terms of oil control. So, after a lots of investigating I chose the Double Wear Light (DWL) from Estée Lauder. After all, the foundation is my holy grail so theoretically the light version should work well for me.

This product retails between £27-£31. Unlike the Double Wear foundation which has an impressive shade range of 8 colour intensities from very fair to dark and warm to cool undertones, there is less of a colour range (6 intensities) in the DWL which I think is unacceptable, what’s going on Estée Lauder?! Anyway as I am shade 4N2 in the foundation I chose 4.5 in the DWL. This colour is absolutely perfect for me right now (NC44), it has a perfect blend of warm and cool tones and is quite forgiving as the coverage is light.

Packaging: This 30ml product comes in a sleek, opaque squeezy tube that you can control the right amount to dispense from. I LOVE this packaging, it feels perfect for travelling with. Also it is opaque so any light sensitive ingredients are kept stable.

Formula: This product, like the original version is based on water. It contains silica and silicones to help control oil and sodium hyaluronate making it more hydrating than the original version. It does contain SPF 10 (mineral sunscreen) but I would still wear an SPF underneath this product. This foundation is much more lightweight, gives lighter coverage (I’d say sheer to medium) and is not as drying as the original. For that reason anyone from normal to oily skin can wear this product. If you have sensitive skin I’d avoid as it contains alcohols and chamomile oil (potential allergen/ irritant).

Application and longevity: Personally I like applying this product straight onto my face with my fingers working on small sections at a time, I focus on my chin and nose areas as these require the most coverage. The product blends really easily and dries to a semi-matte finish. I really like the fact that it is extremely weightless on the skin, unlike the foundation, and it doesn’t settle into lines or highlight pores over the course of the day. I found that around the sixth hour my nose area became oily but nowhere as much as I’m use to. The oil control from this foundation is nearly as good as the actual foundation but if you have any dry patches it may catch on these.

As you can see from the images below this foundation does a good job of evening out my skin tone, especially the darkness around my chin. The second set of images was taken after I did my basic day-to-day make-up, as you can see there isn’t a lot of flashback from the foundation either.

Left: No foundation (concealer on under-eyes). Right: Estee Lauder Double Wear Light 4.5

Left: Natural light, no flash. Right: Artificial light, flash photography.

Overall I’m VERY pleased I’ve found a lightweight foundation that I can wear all year round which doesn’t exacerbate my oiliness, gives good coverage and doesn’t feel heavy on my skin. I really feel as though this is going to become a holy grail product for me!

Have you tried this foundation before? Comment below and let me know what your favourite day time foundations are.

Jay x