The Foundation trials - Who came out top....

Finding the two best foundations you can purchase today...

Have you ever struggled with Oompa Loompa Syndrome? You know, when your foundation just refuses to match your skin tone. It happens to the best of us. 

What do you get with 40 hours, 364 foundations considered, 6 experts interviewed, 7 formulas personally tested and 57 make-up wipes used? An in depth review of course!

The dedicated team at Reviews.com found the top 364 best-selling foundations and put them all through rigorous testing with the aim to discover which are the best so we can all stop looking like we got a bad spray tan!!

Early on, to whittle down the contestants, they removed the foundations that had controversial ingredients and less than 12 shades. Everyone is born with different skin tone, and no one likes having to play chemist to find their perfect shade, mixing shades together is both time consuming, more expensive and not to mention messy!! Most make-up artists say they end up having at least 15 shades of foundation on hand, ranging from light to dark!

Next they removed foundations with less than a four star rating on websites such as Amazon, Nordstrom, Sephora, and Ulta. While this can be tricky since everyone's skin reacts differently, generally it's a good overall indicator of product quality.

Finally, they combed through YouTube reviews, comments and pain painstakingly tested them personally. They made the final contestants really battle it out, at times wearing two at once to see which looked natural, even, and had the most staying power.

So who are their winners? Drum roll please.....

For Sheer to Medium Coverage: MAC Studio Face and Body Foundation

Once you've gotten used to MAC's watery, but refreshing consistency, you'll fall in love with it's "film formers", which is what gives this foundation it's permanence and "second skin" effect. This foundation is best for someone without many blemishes, or who is ready to put some extra work into concealing imperfections later.

For Medium to Full Coverage: Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Makeup

Boasting a whopping 30 shades, this foundation goes on sheer and dries light. A huge benefit of this is the "build-able" aspect. So long as you don't mind taking extra time blending, it shouldn't appear cakey. The promised 15-hour coverage isn't a lie- some reviewers even suggest double washing your face after use. Who is this foundation for? Everyone!!

Head over to see their full review and the runners up: http://www.reviews.com/foundation/

Just had to share this research as I think it is brilliantly done and a very interesting read. If you are a make-up junkie like I am you will know how difficult it is to find the perfect shade of foundation. Often they have as little as 5 or 6 and you end up having to mix. They have taken the time to analyse and find the best all rounder high performing foundation, taking the guess work out of the equation. And saving you time and money!! Bonus!

August 2015 Favourites Monthly Round-Up!

So, it's time for my August favourites round-up!

Whether the sun does actually make an appearance or not I have been using Kiehl's Ultra light daily defence spf 50 every single day. (Excuse me while I pat myself on the back!). This year I am determined for the redness on my cheeks not to get any worse. I find this a lovely light but moisturising spf which doesn't feel greasy or leave big white streaks on your face. 





Avene TriAcneal - Spot Treatment

This spot treatment, has really helped to clear up my spots around the chin area. I had very angry looking red spots which after a short while of using this, they have cleared up and the one or two I do have are on their way out (fingers crossed). So this along side La Roche Posay's Serozinc have both been really help to calm my skin and prevent huge breakouts. This treatment contains glycolic acid and retinal which both help to reduce and clear-up spots and redness.

Lipstick

I have been enjoying using MAC's 'Mehr' lipstick paired with MAC's 'Soar' lip pencil, as it gives a natural nude brown with a hint of pink lip.

Charlotte Tilbury 'Fallen Angel' 
Eye-shadow Quad

I have been lusting after this eye-shadow quad since it's release at Christmas time! So imagine my excitement when I found it on depop for sale! (Depop is a sale site similar to ebay). I have been mainly using the 3 shades for an everyday look.

Trilogy Rosehip Oil

I have been using 2-3 drops on my face at night, it's a lovely oil which isn't overly greasy and sinks nicely into the skin. The next morning you awaken with beautifully soft skin. I have definitely noticed the difference and I enjoy the ritual of slathering this on before bed.

TV & Books

Obviously I binged watched Season 3 of "Orange is the new black" absolutely love that show and liking the new addition of Ruby Rose. 
Really hope there is going to be a season 4!

Lastly books I have been on a super 'reading' roll this month! 

Saving Grace by Jane Green. I love Jane Green books and have been reading her books for years, however this book I spotted a few slight anomaly's which meant the story-line didn't quite add up for me. Having said that, it was a pleasant read if you don't try to read too much into it and try to figure it out yourself.

The year I met you by Cecelia Ahern. I absolutely loved this book, it was a lovely enjoyable emotional read and felt it was a little bit life affirming too!

I also finished reading Gone Girl By Gillian Flynn. I thoroughly loved this book, even though it is very different to my usual style of book I go for! I found this book very interesting and was absolutely hooked right to the end. 
Highly recommend this book, it really is addictive once you get stuck in you will want to know how it ends!

So that's it for this month's round-up xx

My June Cohorted Beauty Box

My June Cohorted beauty box arrived! The amount of excitement is unreal, no sooner had the delivery man handed it over - I was tearing away the packaging!

I sadly missed out on last months box so when I finally managed to pre order this June one I was over the moon!

So the box itself is very sleek and sexy, finished off with an adorable ribbon to keep it closed. I will definitely be re-using this to store make-up in, it's far too good to waste.

Next on to the juicy bit, what was inside.....

I got a total of 4 items. Three of which everyone gets the same, with a slight variation of colour for the nail varnish and the 4th is a mystery gift which makes it even more shrouded in mystery!

Cargo Eye Palette - "Let's meet in Paris"

Cargo Bronzer - Light

Essie Nail Varnish - Roarrange

MAC Eyeshadow - 'Shroom'

Having never tried any make-up items from Cargo Cosmetics I am so far really impressed. 

The "Let's meet in Paris" palette is full of such pretty unique colours that when swatched are so pigmented and colourful.

TOP ROW L to R

Macaroon, Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Creme Brulee, Bonjour, Cafe.

BOTTOM ROW: L to R

Baguette, Croissant, Versailles, Madame, Bastille, Beret.

 My fave shades are "Creme brulee" and "Madame". 

Bonjour and Baguette were a bit of a let down for me not being as pigmented. Bonjour felt a bit chalky to apply and Baguette was difficult to seebut other than those two the other shades definitely pack a punch! The baroque design of the case is very eye catching and has a luxurious velvety feel!

Cargo Bronzer

The Bronzer is in the shade light which is perfect for me, as it gives a subtle glow and they say it is waterproof! I love the tin design, it's so cute!

Essie Nail Varnish

I got the shade "Roarrrange" which is a bright orange. A lovely striking summer shade. Not a colour I would usually go for but when on gives a lovely pop of colour!

Last of all my mystery gift was a MAC Eyeshadow in "Shroom"

  

With it being so iridescent, it's difficult to capture on camera, but it is a creamy pearly satin shade.

A very subtle but pretty highlight colour that's perfect for the inner corner of the eye and the brow bone.

Overall I am extremely pleased with my beauty box from Cohorted. It provides such amazing value for just £19.99 + P&P. It was definitely worth the wait!

Did you manage to get your hands on a Cohorted box? What was your mystery gift??

Clingy lipstick that looks better in the bullet

When that lipstick looks much better in the bullet than actually on your lips!

You know the ones I mean gorgeous shade but once on, clings to EVERY last bit of dry chapped lips even if you're lips aren't particularly dry!!

I have a lipstick that looks so pretty in the bullet and is a lovely shade but as soon as its on, it seem to cling, highlight and magnify dry lips.

A recent purchase Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Lipstick - 'Pink Pink'. 

It looks such a pretty pink in the bullet. A lovely brightening spring pink. However when I apply it seems to cling to every dry patch on my lips even if they aren't particularly chapped.

Now some lipsticks aren't cheap and if you have shelled out good money you want to be able to wear them. 

So here's my guide to making that lipstick work for you!

Lip scrub: Use a lip scrub such as lush's delicious ones, they are basically sugar but do a great job of ex-foliating any dry flaky bits. Use a thick lip balm such as Nuxe Rev de miel before bed to hydrate and nourish your lips over night.

Use a Lip Liner Pencil...

Line and colour all of your lip with a lip pencil, this gives the lipstick a good base to cling to and stops the lipstick from slipping outside your natural lip line. 

I use Mac's Soar Lip Liner Pencil which is a lovely shade on its own.

Before the Lip Liner:
Just Elizabeth Arden Beautiful color in' Pink Pink'

After with Mac's 'Soar' lip-liner as a base and 'Pink Pink' Lipstick on top.

I think adding a lip liner makes a really nice shade, makes it more uniform and really helps it to last on the lips. Never used to even own a lip liner but now I have tried it, I can't seem to put lipstick on without one! Seems I am officially converted to the liner club!

March 2015 Favourites Round-up

End of March favourites round-up!

Well this month I have been really loving wearing Macs 'Brave' lipstick paired with 'Soar' lip-liner.

The two make a pretty everyday shade that make my lips appear fuller. Review here The-lip-duo-for-fuller-lips.

This past month I started to use Avene Trineal, which is a spot treatment. I suffer from annoying breakouts around my chin area whilst some spot treatments help they never really completely make them go away. So far, this has really helped to reduce the severity of the breakouts and I am very impressed. Fingers crossed it continues to work!

On my eyes this past month I have mainly been using MAC's 'All that glitters' eye-shadow, with 'Satin taupe' blended in the crease. I then line my water-line with Urban decay's 24/7 eye pencil in 'Zero' which is a jet black shade that stays put. Simple eye look but looks like you have made a bit of an effort.

TV

So glad that 'The Big Bang Theory' is back on our screens, I look forward to Thursdays @ 8.30pm as the show never fails to make me laugh!!

 Have started to read 'Gone girl' by Gillian Flynn. I really want to see the film but always like to read the books to films first! That way I can imagine it in my head then compare it to the film. Anyone else do that?

So that's it for March, excited for April and hopefully an appearance of the sun!

2014 Beauty Favourites Round-Up

Goodbye to 2014 and hello to 2015!! 

Happy New Year!

I thought I would do a sort of round-up of my beauty and make-up favourites this past year.

If I round up every product I have used this past year we could be here for a while so I thought i'd pick the best of them, particularly the ones I would recommend in each category.

This year has been a busy one for me and full of some great beauty finds.

Lipstick

This year has been a good year for my lips! I have discovered bolder and brighter colours and am not quite so scared to wear them! 

Even if it is just around the house!

Top picks have been (L to R):

MAC's Show Orchid Lipstick: This is a blue-toned bright shocking pink shade. Great for making your teeth appear whiter. Mac's Show Orchid Review Here

MAC's Rebel Lipstick: This looks scarier in the bullet and on is a lovely deep plum berry shade. Mac Rebel

YSL Rouge Volupte silky lipstick in 'Red Muse'

A gorgeous creamy luxurious red shade that is sheer bliss to wear and smells heavenly too! (Can you tell I love the YSL lipsticks!!?) YSL #17 Review 

MAC's Girl about town lipstick: This was another new find for me this year, it is a lovely bright pink and guarantees you will be noticed! Mac's Girl About Town Review

Lip treatment: 

Nuxe rev de miel both stick and pot version, work really well for me on my dry chapped lips and to help prep the lips for my lipstick.

Review here nuxe-reve-de-miel-lip-balm-review

Eyes

Mascara:

I hate to say it but I used to be a bit of a mascara snob, tending to only use higher end brands such as Clinique's feathering and Bare minerals high definition but then i tried Maybelline's Rocket mascara  (waterproof version) and I feel it is so good that for me this is my current and has been for a while 'go to' mascara!

Eye-liner:

2014 saw That benefit eye-liner released. With a whole mixed review to follow. I loved it upon first few uses, found it very easy to use and I was also able to create a cat flick - first time ever it wasn't wonky!! However, not sure if it is because it may have dried up? but I have since  found the formula difficult to work with and have to say have switched to Soap and Glory's Super Cat Fat Liner. Which is basically a fat marker but is really easy at drawing flicks and best of all stays put.

The only two eye-liners for my waterline I have stuck to this past year have been, Urban Decay's Zero and Bare Minerals 'Around the Clock' in Midnight bare-minerals-around-clock-eyeliner review. 

Which I am sad to say is now discontinued, which has led me to be on the hunt for the next eye-liner. 

I am very fussy as I want it to be blacker than black but still stay put and not budge from my water line all day... I know, not asking much am I!! So any suggestions would be greatly received.

Have heard great things about Anastasia Beverly Hills 'covet' Eye-liners but unfortunately cult beauty are sold out. So leave any recommendations in the comments below.

Eyeshadows: 

My faves this year are my mac quad, consisting of Naked Lunch, All That Glitters, Wood-Winked and Satin Taupe. These 4 eye-shadows are forever in my make-up bag and find they all go really well together but equally gorgeous on their own. If you are looking to buy Mac eye-shadows and don't know where to start (the choice can be a bit over-whelming!) then I would say these are great ones to choose.

In depth review here my-ultimate-mac-eye-shadow-quad

The other eye-shadow I have got a lot of use out of is Mac's electric cool eye-shadow in super-watt. A kind of cream/mousse hybrid, It's really simple to use one swipe and you're done. Similar to Maybelline's colour tattoo in 'On and On Bronze'.

 Maybelline colour tattoos review

Face

Foundation

The majority of the time I stick to Bare Minerals Ready Foundation. Its quick and easy and covers what I need it to. However on those special occasions I have since discovered the new YSL fusion foundation and I love it! It is really light on barely feels on your face at all. I hate the feeling of heavy foundation on my face. It is a matte finish which for me is great as I have combination skin. YSL Fusion Ink Foundation Review

The other foundation launch I was so excited for was the bare minerals serum foundation. I don't know if I am just not putting it on right but can't seem to get the hang of it and it doesn't sit smoothly on my face, it goes patchy. Such a shame as I had high hopes!

Extra's

Mac's Soft and Gentle is a gorgeous highlighting blush, so pretty on! Mineralize Skin-Finish Natural in 'Light' is a lovely finishing powder helping to keep everything in place. 

This year I managed to get my hands on Ben Nye's Banana powder which is a great setting powder with a yellow tint, perfect for covering up any redness. If you want to know more my review is Mac Soft & Gentle Review

Maybelline's The Eraser Eye concealer has been great for covering up my under eye baggage! 

Most used brushes & tools:

Eyeko Eyelash Curler

These came free with a magazine a few months ago and are so good and easy to use! 

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush, Blush brush and setting brush is great for concealer especially around the eyes. 

Most used eye brush has to be my mac 217, it has definitely been worth the price tag. It washes well and applies eye-shadow effortlessly. Mac 217 review

Last of all a

Honourable mention:

Limited edition releases...

Maleficent Red lipstick by Mac was a must have for me as the film was so good!

Urban Decay's Pulp Fiction Review here: Be cool hunny bunny!

So that's it from me my make-up favourites from 2014. Can't wait for what 2015 will bring!

Take time for you. Take care and look after yourself.

Thanks for popping by luv acesparklestar xoxo

Here's to stepping out of my comfort zone with MAC's REBEL

Here's to stepping outside my comfort zone......

Only a tiny step, mind!!

With none other than a bold and daring lipstick, that in the bullet literally scares me!

MAC's REBEL Lipstick

As promised in my October faves, this shade will be in my make-up bag the rest of this month and I am actually going to wear it outside the house too!

Rebel from mac is a Beauty blogger cult fave, what kind of blogger would i be if i didn't at least give it a try so here goes....

 As with all MAC lipsticks, has a scent of vanilla, lovely and creamy to apply.

The finish on this one is 'Satin' meaning it glides on and leaves a slight sheen finish.

Comfortable to wear and a fairly long wear time.

Autumn is the perfect time to be seen sporting this colour as it is such a daring but pretty purple berry.

I have to admit in the bullet, it really does look very bright and dark purple but honestly is a divine berry shade once on.

This lipstick can be worn 3 ways:

1. Full on lots of coats. 2. Dabbed lightly on as a sort of stain, rubbed in with fingers or 3. Applied then blotted with a tissue to create a medium shade, with optional lip-balm on the top or vaseline to give a more glossy lip-gloss look.

Full on coat of lipstick, as you can see doesn't look at all like the bullet, on the lips it is such a beautiful berry shade that is perfect for Autumn!

Have you been brave enough to try MAC's Rebel lipstick?

Take time for you. Take care and look after yourself.

Thanks for popping by luv acesparklestar xoxo

September 2014 Favourites Round-Up

September Favourites and Round-up of make-up and skincare I have been enjoying using this month.

Sanctuary New Wonder Oil Serum

With the weather now turning to Autumn, I find myself reaching for oils to use on my face. 

This new product from Sanctuary Spa is a Serum and an oil in one bottle!

Lovely to apply, smells nice and more importantly I notice the difference on my skin when I wake up the next morning.

My detailed review is here

MAC Electric Cool 'Superwatt' Eye-Shadow

from 

MAC's A Novel Romance Collection

(September 2014)

A lovely neutral taupe-y-beige with a slight shimmer to it. Lovely to apply, works best when applied with finger tips. A fantastic swipe and go, similar to the Maybelline Colour tattoos. Stays put all day and on me doesn't crease.

Soap and Glory Super Cat 'FAT' Eye-liner.

Have enjoyed using this eye-liner, easy to use and stays put. 

Creates a dark black line! Perfect to define those upper lashes.

Fresh Sugar Lip Balms have been gracing my lips frequently this month .... 

Both the 'Rose' 'Tulip' and the lip treatment balm at night. Delicious lemon sugar scented balms. The rose and the tulip add just a nice pop of colour whilst hydrating and moisturising the lips.

Weleda Akendoron

This has really helped my blemish prone skin, especially around my chin area. Has helped to clear up and dry up the majority of my spots. Will be continuing to use this before bed to prevent and clear up some more pesky blemishes.

Indeed Hydraluron Moisture Jelly

I know this featured in my August Round-Up but still absolutely loving using this amazing moisturising jelly. Does a really good job of hydrating without feeling sticky and heavy.

My review is here if you want to know more!

Non Beauty Related.... Whittards Dreamtime tea.

A lovely and refreshing drink, nice to have before bed. Honey, apricot and vanilla help you to unwind. Delicious!

Epsom salts

With starting my training towards my 5km in Nov. To say my muscles have been aching is somewhat an under-statement!! I have been enjoying epsom salt baths ... which are amazing and really do help ease the pain!! Not neccesarily straight away, but i do definitely notice a difference the next day.

How to have an Epsom Salts Bath and other uses can be found over on my in-depth post.

So there you have it my September Favourites Round-Up. 
Products i've been loving and using all month!

Take time for you. Take care and look after yourself.

Thanks for popping by luv acesparklestar xoxo