Favourite Bases | March 2015

I've been really changing things up with my bases recently- yes that does mean I've put the Bourgois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation! 

I've really enjoyed using a higher coverage recently, mainly due to my face freaking out, it's also meant I've kept my eyes and lips really simple and concentrated on a nice clean, clear base! 

I've been reaching for the Mac Studio Sculpt Foundation about 4 out of 7 days a week- for work this is just perfect. I have really dehydrated skin, so it sucks the water out of anything it touches- lush! This keeps me hydrated all day, doesn't cling to dry patches and lasts all day long. I love how this covers a multitude of skin sins, with a really limited need to any concealer! If I'm wanting something a little less dewy, with slightly more of a semi matte finish then I always grab the Revlon ColourStay for normal to dry skin, in Buff Chamois, this again is a good full coverage foundation, but isn't as dewy as the MAC offering, this can slightly dry my skin out if I'm wearing this on a long day, so I use this for events, or nights out when I want to look flawless, but don't want my make up to move. 

In terms of concealer, I've really only reached for two, products; so I'll keep this simple. Under my eyes I'm using the Benefit Erase Paste in the Shade Fair 1, this is super creaming- possibly not great on oily/combination skins types, but for me this is great, stays for hours if I powder it. For any other blemishes and slightly brightening under my eyes re. Kim K, I use the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer, in the shade 15; again really creamy, doesn't cake up or crease, it's not as long lasting so I carry this in my hand bag just in case! 

Any base suggestions for me? 

What are you loving for a base this month?

M x

Maybelline Colour Drama Lip Pencil in Red Essential

As someone terrified of wearing a bold lip this purchase was a little out of my comfort zone... but probably the best beauty buy in a long time! 

I'm always browsing for a perfect lipstick/colour, usually this is a red that won't bleed or transfer, will last all day and slightly vampy- not asking for munch huh!? 

I spotted this is all the usual highstreet stores and did the classic 'I'll buy it when I've read reviews' and to cut a long story short I was out the next day to pick one up...

I can't really rave about this enough- the colour and formula are spot on for what I've been looking.

The formula is a matte finish but its not at all drying, it glides on really smoothly and stay put all day! I've started teaming this with Rimmels lip liner in Obsession which just gives a slightly more berry finish to it and helps me stay inside the lines! 

Red Essential is one of those 'classic reds' that will always look  on trend, its also versatile in the way you can wear it as a simple matte red lip, vamp it up slightly like I have been doing or even finish with a clear gloss for a touch more glamour! 

I honestly think this range is amazing, I'm 100% going to be picking up some more colours shortly, I've heard it's a pretty spot on dupe for the Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencils, which I've been eyeing up for a long time- now I don't actually feel the need to buy any as I know this is what I'm looking for.

Well done Maybelline, another great product! 

Have you tried these? If so what colours should I grab next?

M x

Benefit 'They're Real' VS Maybelline 'The Falsies'

I’ve heard so much hype around Benefit's 'They're Real' that, in all honesty, I was nervous the try it! I hate nothing more than expecting something brilliant that other people have recommended to death and being bitterly disappointed when it fails to meet your expectations! I hesitated to buy this due to this very reason; I saw that there was a free sample with a magazine I get (can’t remember which mag but taa!) so I jumped at the chance to try this out and finally be (what I expected to be) thrilled with its ‘magical qualities to make my eyelashes look absurdly long!’

I'm going to show you a before and after with this mascara and my favourite all time that is Maybelline’s ‘The Falsies’ I personally have not yet found a mascara that will make me give up The Falsies and I’ll be damned it this does!

So... this is my eye with 0% mascara on, I'm lucky to have quite long lashes but they're tin on the ground so I like to add a lot of volume to the base :) that's why I love Maybelline so much! 

Firstly I'll point out I haven't curled my eyelashes for this, I am not wearing any eye liner either! 

So Maybelline's The Falsies has obviously added a lot of volume at the base, it give the eye a pop and also makes my lashes super long! I also put it on the ends of my bottom lashes to open up my eyes a little more! I think the only thing I don't rate about this is that it could be more voluminous but I do love it!  The applicator is great, its bristles, its slightly curved which has given the lovely flick out on the lashes!

In terms of the packaging; I'm not too fussed on this one, I like the shape of it, It does stand out with its bright purple but I think it could be a little more classy if they're opted for black like the do on the waterproof version! 

 I'm actually really impressed with They're real! There is a noticeable different in the volume at the base of the lashes with has framed my eye a lot nicer! I don't feel to thrilled about the applicator though! It is plastic which I usually try and stay clear of! I absolutely love the packaging if I'm honest; it's elegant, the colours aren't gaudy and the shape it fab so it doesn't roll around my draws and cause havock! 

I think after looking back at the photos I'm really starting to get drawn towards They're Real! a lot more; the shape and density of the lashes, to me, looks a lot nicer and my eye looks framed slightly better also.    I have to say though I do still reach for my Maybelline first though; it does have the wow factor when its layered on, it tends to thicken up my lashes better and looks great with some smudged kohl liner! 

I hope this helps someone if you're wondering what these two products were actually like! I love them both but I think over all I'll stick with The Falsies for now! I just can't be doing with a plastic applicator and  prefer the overall finish it gives!

M x