Archive for the ‘Make-Up’ Category
By now you will have got sucked into the hype of Bourjois’s four new cream blushers – a first for the Parisian beauty brand. Is it worth the fuss? Hell, yes!
The pretty little round pot powder blusher epitomises everything that is Bourjois, and these cream blushers are rightfully something to get excited about. It’s amazing to believe Bourjois is celebrating it’s 150th anniversary this year.
Creamy in texture, they set to a soft, velvet finish and are packaged in Bourjois’s unique rounded pots. I also love the fact they are lightweight, sleek and easy to slip into a little make-up bag for on the go, which is why I took one for my travels.
My favourite is the darkest shade of the range, 04 – Sweet Cherry as it suits my skin tone beautifully. Number 3 Healthy Glow is another gorgeous one. I don’t pack on too much, just enough to give a soft and subtle flush to the cheeks as you can see.
The cream blushers cost slightly more than their powder version at £7.49 but the quality and results speak for themselves. I know Superdrug has a 3 for 2 offer on at the moment so this is a golden chance to reap the benefits of these blushers.
By the way, here’s a snap of Leanne of Do Not Refreeze and myself sunning ourselves on the French Riviera in celebration of Bourjois’s new launch. (This may or may not be a photo backdrop behind us as we shiver the cold, English weather.)
*PR samples
The danger of going to Superdrug for painkillers is loading the basket with make-up often not paramount. It doesn’t help that they are positioned just at the entrance and if your branch is anything like my local, half of the huge store is a labyrinth of cosmetics.
One of the items that contributed to my £30 spend in under 5 minutes was Maybelline’s latest mascara, Volum’ Express The Rocket. Normally I don’t flutter my lashes at Maybelline’s mascaras because they’ve never impressed me but I had to try this one after seeing the dramatic results on other blogs.
Maybelline promises “explosive volume in rocket time” and clump-free lashes. The special patented wand has short bristles spaced out to ensure application glides through. I did find some of my lashes stuck together with the wet formula but using the wand to separate them gave me ample time before they dried to a dramatic finish.
It is proper jet black which is how I like my mascaras. As for how it performs? Epic! It makes my lashes appear even longer and thicker particularly after two coats. If I am going to wear mascara, I like it to show since my natural lashes are black any way.
(Apologies for the slight clumping in the pictures, I was lazy in tidying them up!)
I really like this and for £7.99 it’s brilliant value (and you know, I don’t mind spending £20+ on a mascara that performs) – definitely one of my favourite products of the year.
Maybelline’s The Rocket Volum’ Express Mascara in Black usually costs £7.99 but it’s currently on offer for £5.99 in Superdrug. Also available in water-proof.
Red Velvet cupcakes is one of my baking specialities. Crimson red sponge topped with cream cheese frosting. Get Lippie loves them so much that she requested they be made for her wedding.
Red Velvet is also the name of Lime Crime’s liquid lipstick or to be exact, Velvetine Lip Colour. Are there other shades available? I don’t know. I bought this at UMAe last month and I think I paid £10 with the discount on offer that weekend (normally priced at £11.50).
I’ve never tried anything by Lime Crime. It’s a cult brand I’ve glossed over and to be fair, don’t really know a lot about it but I *do* know of it. One of those US brands that is difficult to get hold of here unless you buy at a trade make-up fair or online.
Vegan and cruelty-free, the Red Velvet Velvetine is a long-lasting, waterproof liquid lipstick that goes on with the ease of gloss and dries completely matte almost instantly. It is a rich, poppy red – dramatically vampish and sexy. The writing on the packaging is very Christmas-like, isn’t it? Was this originally a Christmas release? Anyone know?
I’ve tried other red matte liquid lipsticks like Sephora’s lip stain and Stila’s Stay All Day™ Liquid Lipstick in Fiery. Lime Crime’s effort comes out top. It is unbelievably weightless – you forget it’s on your lips unlike Sephora and Stila which give you that uncomfortable film coating feeling. Those two also start to flake and peel over a short period of time, which Lime Crime’s Red Velvet Velvetine does not. At all. Nope. Not even the slightest crack.
It’s an absolutely beautiful and sizzling red that I’m thrilled to have in my collection. What do you think? Proper Rocky Horror Picture Show lips!
I am going on holiday to Marrakech soon. It will be 7 days in the (here’s hoping for) scorching north African sun, and I am looking forward to getting my first sun tan in almost 18 months.
One thing I am determined to do is to minimise on my packing with make-up and beauty products for two main reasons: I will be flying by no-frills airline Easyjet who are notoriously difficult with luggage dimensons and weights (total size includes wheels and handles for crying out loud!). Also I want to leave enough room for any potential purchases I will find difficult to resist from the souqs.
I took a heaving bag of make-up on my last getaway and shamefully I didn’t even use two-thirds of the contents. What is it about going away that sends us into a panic that we might need several palettes and lipsticks? It’s a holiday, not a fashion shoot!
So here are the essentials I’ve whittled down to:
- Maybelline’s Volum’ Express The Rocket Mascara – my current favourite mascara (not photographed)
- Illamasqua’s Precision Liner in Abyss
- Illamasqua’s Skin Base (12)
- MAC Pro Longwear Concealer (NW35)
- L’Occitane’s Sublime Beauty Cream – BB Cream in Medium*
- GOSH BB Cream in Warm Beige
- Bourjois cream blusher in Sweet Cherry (04)*
- Nars cream blusher in Maui
- Avon Supershock Gel Liner in black
- Clinique Chubby Stick Intense in Roomiest Rose and Mightiest Marschino*
- Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Crush (005)
- Smashbox Megatint in Punch*
- Bourjois 3D Effet lip glosses in Brun Exotic and Brun Rosé*
- Hourglass Extreme Sheen High Shine Lip Gloss in Icon and Empress
- Elemis Pro-Radiance Illuminating Flash Balm* – doubles up as a primer
- Liz Earle Sheer Gold Shimmer
I have purposely avoided products which need brushes as well as powders, and subsequently I am leaving out the eyeshadows because frankly I can’t be bothered with all that faffing around.
Bourjois’s new collection of cream blushers are not until 15th May but you can read a review and see swatches by Leanne of Do Not Refreeze. Light and slim in packaging, these are perfect for travelling so I’m popping one in the bag.
I am also looking forward to putting L’Occitane’s new BB Cream through its paces and I will be posting a review on it.
All of these fit nicely in my relatively small Bourjois make-up bag*. Honestly my make-up bag before was hand bag size!
Is there anything else I should take? I know I’ve overdone it with the lipwear but the trouble is, I don’t know which ones I will wear (depending on how I feel at the time) so I’m taking a few. Madness. I would love to know if you try to downsize your make-up when you go away or if you take more than what I am packing.
On a separate note, if you’ve been to Marrakech, please let me know your recommendations about what hidden gems I should visit or try. One thing that is an absolute must is a hammam and massage and picking up some argan oil. Can’t wait!
*PR sample
