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!

New in Garnier Ultimate Blends - Delicate Oat Soothing Balm

I popped into Boots to pick up my family's favourite shampoo - The Garnier Ultimate Blends 'Honey Treasures' Shampoo - Which has been really great at helping to strengthen my hair and prevent breakages. 

Only to find some new exciting versions had been added to the line-up!

I of course picked up my trusty 'Honey treasures' shampoo.

Out of the new versions, the ones that interested me were: The Mythic Olive Shampoo, The Delicate Oat Soother Shampoo - which is designed for sensitive scalps and The Delicate Oat Soothing balm for Face and Body.

The delicate oat soother shampoo couldn't have come at a better time as lately my scalp has been really irritated and sore. Think it must be this cold weather, I really should wear my wooly hat more! I have had a few washes with this delicate oat shampoo and it seems to have helped. My scalp is less irritated but hasn't gone altogether but I suppose that takes time. My scalp certainly feels less itchy and it leaves my hair feeling touch-ably smooth and silky soft. I haven't tried the Mythic Olive shampoo yet but will certainly be giving that a go when my scalp has calmed down. It has a pleasant olive scent and says it nourishes your hair when it is feeling dry.

The product that excited me the most was the 'Face & Body Delicate Oat Soothing Balm'. 

First of all, when I saw this I thought "surely it can't be for both face and body?" but I have since tried it on both my face and body. It was lovely to apply, thicker than a lotion but also not a greasy balm, it feels light enough for the face but nourishing at the same time to be enough for the body too. 

Has a pleasant almond oaty slightly vanilla scent but it isn't overpowering, very subtle and sinks in nice and quickly. Your skin feels lovely and smooth. It contains 2 caring ingredients - restoring oat milk and soothing white almond cream. The thing I like most about this balm, is that it is suitable for all the family and is incredibly gentle on sensitive skin. I can confirm this as I have very sensitive skin on my face and any harsh products irritate and bring out the redness in my cheeks, after using this balm it didn't sting or feel tight and seemed to help soothe too. I would say it definitely helps to protect and restore the skins barrier and best of all doesn't leave you feeling sticky or greasy. 

So I would say if you are looking for a time saving multi tasking moisturiser that is just as good on your body as it is your face then this is ideal. Great for after a morning shower, when time is of the essence.

There are a few more shampoo and conditioners as-well as body butters and lotions added to the Ultimate Blends line-up, may be worth checking out whilst they are on offer at Boots and Superdrug. Half price! The Honey Treasures restoring body butter is next on my list!

The Delicate Oat soothing balm 200ml was £2.99 in Boots (£2.89 - In Superdrug)
The Shampoos 400ml were £1.94 (£1.93 - In Superdrug)

Have you tried anything from the Garnier Ultimate Blends range? What was your favourite?

Trilogy Make-Up Be Gone Cleansing Balm Review

Trilogy Make-Up Be Gone Cleansing Balm

I absolutely adore Trilogy's Rosehip Oil Review can be found here

So when I saw they had released a cleansing balm I was eager to give it a try!

That was a few months ago, so I thought I'd share my thoughts...

First of all, I love the fact it comes with a good old cotton flannel and is in sturdy packaging. 

(unlike my Emma Hardie cleansing balm which is is pieces!)

Inside the pot, the balm is a solid which I need to rub my fingers over to loosen it, then I warm it up in my fingers rubbing the balm all over my dry face. Then wetting the flannel with warm water I rinse the cleanser off. 

It leaves my skin feeling clean and fresh without stripping my sensitive skin or making it feel tight.

Ingredients Include: Mango butter, Rosehip oil and Coconut oil

It may just be the cold weather, but like I said I find it a 'solid balm' which takes a bit of warming with the fingers just to get it out the pot.

The scent is 'spa-like' slightly herbal one which isn't over-powering. More of a head clearing de-stress fragrance.

As you can see above the balm melts into an oil with the warmth of your skin, which makes it easier to spread onto your face.

Leaves my skin feeling clean, not tight or irritated. 

Feels looked after, removes dirt and dissolves make-up as-well. Even waterproof mascara which is notoriously difficult to remove.

I also love the quote on the box - but I do feel it may have been better placed on the actual tub as most will throw away the outer box.

Overall I enjoy using this as my evening cleanser to remove the day and any make-up. It's lovely to massage into the face, doesn't sting your eyes when removing mascara and leaves your skin beautifully soft. It is a nice slightly cheaper alternative to Emma Hardies Balm which is £38 for 100ml. Trilogy's edition is just £19 for 80ml. 

Does what it says on the tin! Cleanses and best of all its packed with all natural ingredients to soothe.

I highly recommend this cleansing balm. Have you tried this balm, what were your thoughts?

Happy New Year 2016! x

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a wonderful festive Christmas and wishing you a healthy, happy new year. Are the resolutions still going strong?! 

The tree and decorations are all packed away, so I feel refreshed and ready to blog again after having a little break to spend time with my family. So expect lots of make-up and skincare reviews to head your way shortly. 

Adele xx