Makeup Products I Couldnt Live Without

Wow! That's a dramatic title however, the aim of this post is to let you guys know about the products I would hate to have to leave behind. You're only allowed one product for each category e.g. foundation, mascara, lipstick etc. So lets begin..

Primer:
Two guesses for this one! I have so many favourite primers but nothing comes close to my beloved Benefit Porefessional. This primer leaves your skin with the most gorgeous soft feeling skin, helps keep your makeup on for much, much longer and definitely helps me with my oily t-zone

Foundation:
This is so hard! I'm a bit of a foundation junkie and have 17 in my collection now. URGH, here goes. I'd have to pick my  Estée Lauder double wear foundation. I love everything about this foundation. I love the colour match, the wear time, the coverage, I've never had an argument with this particular one and it always does what I want it to.

Concealer:
I would have to pick my Stila Stay All Day Concealer in shade 06. I've picked this one because its super creamy and provides really good coverage. I use this under my eyes to camouflage my natural shadowing and around my nose to cover some of the redness that sometimes appears there.

Setting/Translucent Powder:
There's only one choice for me in this category! It has to be Rimmels Stay Matte Powder. I use this to set my foundation almost everyday and I've been using it since I was about fourteen. I've tried to branch out but something about this powder draws me back in time and time again.

Bronzing Powder:
Although not strictly a bronzing powder, this is the one I use for a bit of colour and contouring. Its the MAC Mineral Skin Finish in Dark - I have recently swapped the medium dark for the dark because as you are probably aware, British summer time is just around the corner and that means I'll be tan, tan, tanning! I love how easily this powder applies with a big fluffy brush & has great staying powder, it hardly every fades which means I hardly ever have to reapply and the compact lasts forever. Winner!

Eyebrow Product:
GAH! This is a hard one too, I usually go through spurts where I will use a certain product for a while and then swap it for a different one. Repeat until you've run the cycle & start again. Which means the only fair thing for me to do would be to pick the one I'm using at the moment. This is the Beauty UK Simply Define Eyebrow Pencil in Dark Brown. Its super easy to apply and even has a little spooly on the lid to help you keep brushing and blending out those brows!

Blusher:
My all time favourite blusher that has been in my makeup collection for years is MAC's Melba. This is a beautiful shade for every day use and suits almost every skin tone. Its a clear winner and I have repurchased this again and again!

Eyeliner:
As I've recently had a bit of a fall out with liquid eyeliner I've opted for my favourite eyeliner pencil. This is Illamasqua's colouring pencil in Black. Its a super sleek, easy to use and blend basic black pencil. It doesn't drag the skin during application and my super sensitive eyes have never had a reaction to it (fingers crossed!!).

Mascara:
Mascara and false eyelashes are my weakness and I have quite a penchant for hoarding them so picking just one is definitely a toughy! So I'll go with the one that I've repurchased again and again, Maybelline's Volume Express Colossal Smokey Eyes Mascara. This is a really buildable mascara and I've always found that it holds a curl well.

Eyeshadow:
As you may already know, I'm not a massive eyeshadow user. So if I had to I'd pick MACS single eyeshadow pot in Nylon. I use this to highlight the inner corner of my eyes and also my brow bone. Surely by now you know I love a multiple use product!

Lipstick:
My all time favourite and everyday lipstick choice is MAC's Myth. I cannot get over how versatile this lip colour is, it has worked for every single look I've ever created. I'm a big fan of playing down the lips and letting the eyes rule the show as I prefer my eyes over my lips. Its so creamy feeling and last for ages without a top up, especially if you use Lipcote over the top!

Lipgloss:
My favourite ever lipgloss was unfortunately a limited edition. Which sucks! It was the Lancôme Juicy Tube and I cant even tell you what shade it was as the information rubbed off the back! It was the most beautiful candy floss coloured gloss with plenty of glitter in it. Unfortuantly I've never found anything like it! I did settle for the juicy tube in lychee but it just hasn't really done anything for me. BOO!

Nail Polish:
Even though I'm usually Mrs Boring, this is probably the only area where I crave a little colour. My favourite ever nail colour is OPI's You're Such A Budapest. Its the most delightful purple/blue. Its perfect for spring and I get so, so many compliments whenever I wear this shade. I've recently had to buy my third bottle of this as I'm using so much of it!

Tan:
This one was a really easy category for me, I used to be fake tan junkie but recently I've toned it down a lot. Instead I've been using Palmers Natural Bronze Tanning Moisturiser instead. This gives a buildable, natural looking tan and doesn't dry your skin out or cling to your already dry bits like other fake tan products do. Whenever boots has their 3 for 2 offer on I always stock up on this! I use it everyday after my bath/shower in the morning. The moisturiser sinks in very quickly and after a few hours you can see a lovely tan coming through. It wears fairly well and I don't often have to scrub it off (only if I've gone a little over board and get the inevitable patchiness around the hand/wrist area). As with all Palmers products, it smells incredible and people always comment on the scent.

So that's about it, all those above are my 'desert island' makeup products. Although, if I was alone on a desert island I'm not at all sure I would need all of those!

What are your 'cannot live without' products? Let me know!


Connect with me;
Instagram; gemfru_x
Twitter; @gemfru_x

Makeup, Skin Care and Other Bits Haul - Boots & Superdrug

Today I found myself in the local shopping mall to pick out some gifts for my boyfriends sisters twenty first birthday. So it was only natural that I had a quick snoop at some makeup which inevitably ended up with me walking away with some products to try out.(sorry Mr. Bank manager, I am trying to curb the spending!) To be fair I didn't get everything I have been lusting after, so I did show some strength in walking away with only the few products I just couldn't leave behind. So here's what I got..

 

Soap & Glory Mist You Madly Fragrant Body Spray - £3.50
It would seem Soap & Glory always have something to offer me, be it makeup, skin care or just handy little bits and pieces. I don't know if its just me, but I really hate to cart around one of my precious 100ml bottles of perfume around in my handbag. I'm always very anxious that perhaps it may get smashed or lost and while I have seen those little handbag friendly bottles that you can transfer a small amount of your perfume into I'm loathe to try one. I don't know why, I just don't like them. So when I spotted this little guy I got quite excited! Its a handbag friendly, plastic bottle containing a really lovely, floral & fruity body spray. Its a light, delicate fragrance perfect for freshening up on those long summer days out. I'm not saying this is going to replace my beloved D&G No.3 but its a really good, cheap alternative for a quick spritz while on the go!

 





Sally Hansen Mega Shine Top Coat - £6.39

I love a top coat, and personally I've never had a better one than Sally Hansen. I had been using the insta-dry top coat but unfortunately it ran out super quickly, mainly because I have a habit of changing my nails all the time and I may be guilty of applying too many layers of top coat because I love a good shiny nail! This one is actually slightly more expensive than the one I had been using previously but it does state that it is meant to extend the wear of your nail colour underneath which is always a bonus in my book. So add that to a super shiny top and its a clear winner. Yes, its a little pricey and you can get much, much cheaper top coats but some things I just cannot bring myself to cheap out on!

 

 

 

 

Ardell Natural Style False Lashes - £5.49

Oh boy! False lashes are my absolute weakness. I've been so good for about a year and a half now and have cut down a hell of a lot. I used to wear a double pair of false lashes every single day. Now? I only wear them for a special occasion (birthdays, parties, fancy meals out ect). But, I will admit it, some days I just miss them. So when I saw these really natural looking, wispy lashes I thought hang on, maybe these would be good for the days when I'm missing my false lashes but don't want to look like I have a couple of dead spiders hanging off my eyes. Ardell is a super popular lash brand over in America and I only seem to hear really good things about their products. I can't wait to give these a try!

 

 

 

 

Soap & Glory One Heck Of A Blot Powder - £12.00

This brand is getting a lot of love from me today! I had heard so, so many good things about this product that I just had to snap it up. Luckily for me they had some left in stock, but not many. Phew! I am plagued by the consistent oily t-zone around mid-day or 3-4 hours after I've applied my makeup. I love my Rimmel Stay Matte Translucent Powder but find that for touch ups it can make me appear a little cakey. I'm really looking forward to using this and watching my oil disappear!

 

 

 

Out of the box comes a super sleek black compact, with the usual vintage-y, tongue in cheek packaging we have all come to expect from Soap & Glory. Inside is a large mirror which is so handy, I like anything that comes with a mirror (I think in a previous life I was a magpie). Included is also a 'puff' but its not the best of quality so I think I'll be swapping it for a different one! The powder is set to a nice finish and is embossed with the word 'powder'. Its a lovely product, and I only hope its as good for me as it has been for others!

 

 

 

 

 

Seventeen Phwoarr Paint in Medium - £5.49

In almost every blog I've read recently, everybody has been raving about this concealer. I had tried to buy it on boots.com recently but unfortunately it was sold out, so I was over the moon when I spied it on the shelf this afternoon! Again, there wasn't very many left so without a moments hesitation I popped mine into my basket! I chose the shade medium, as I found this one to be the more salmon-y of the two, and salmon colours are really good at covering dark circles.

 

 







 

From first impressions this concealer reminds me a lot of Stila's Stay All Day Concealer, which I adore! I'm hoping I'll love this one as much as I love my Stila as this one by seventeen is a lot more affordable!



 

 

 

 

L'Oreal Paris Super Liner Perfect Slim - £6.99

I am a huge fan of eyeliner, I just don't feel fully dressed if I haven't got my customary black flicks on! However, having recently fallen out with Soap & Glory's Super Cat, (I just cant get a delicate enough line from that one), I've been taking a break. So when I spotted this one I thought all my prayers had been answered. 

 



 



 

 

It is a felt tip applicator which I adore, they just provide very easy application - perfect when you're in a rush! Again, I'm hoping it will be everything I'm hoping for, but I will keep you posted!

 

 

 

 

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water - £2.50 (Half price in boots!)

I have recently posted about using L'Oreal Paris Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution 200ml and that I had loved it! So when I heard about Garnier's version being a hell of a lot cheaper for a hell of a lot more product I was on board. Unfortunately when I went back to Body Care to stock up on my beloved L'Oreal version it was sold out, unsurprising really at just £2.49 a pop! I'm hoping this is going to be just as good as the L'Oreal one - it seems to have been getting really good reviews across the board so lets wait and see!

 

 

 

 

Make Up Academy Powder Blush in Lolly & Cupcake £1.00 each

As I have mentioned before, I really needed some new blusher! So I purposely went to Superdrug to pick these two up. They're both really nice, well pigmented, soft blushers. The packaging whilst being on the cheap side does work well for the product. It doesn't need anything else. They're also super affordable and an absolute bargain for the price. Even though I've only recently started using some of the MUA products, the ones that I have picked out I am really enjoying using. Can you go wrong? Most definitely - I don't think every product by this cosmetic company will be bang on, however with a little trial and error testing and a pinch of luck you should be just fine. If not, what's a couple of pounds?

 

 

 

 

Make Up Academy Undress Your Skin Shimmer Highlighter £3.00

Another bargain up next from MUA. The only highlighters that I have are ones that come in a contouring and highlighting duo. They're lovely, but I was hankering after having another. There's just something about having lovely new makeup all neat and in its own pot. This is a pinky, peachy shimmer highlighter and I will be using this to highlight the cheek bones and the brow bones. I've read some good comment about this particular highlighting powder and I hope it will work with my skin tone. It reminds me very much of the Makeup Revolution baked highlighters in appearance. The packaging, is again, on the cheap side but works well. You can view the product through the transparent lid when you're blindly grabbing for products, bleary eyed in the mornings!

 

 

 



 

Make Up Academy Colour Blast Eyeshadow Tint in Stay £3.00

Last but not least is this lovely jumbo pencil eye shadow in a shimmery, golden nude. I think that this will be a beautiful everyday lid colour when I'm not looking to do something more dramatic. This product has a lovely creamy consistency and you do get a lot of pencil for your £3.00! When I see how this works out for me I may have to go back and pick up the other shades! This could easily be used as a highlighter for around the brow bone too - I do love a product with multiple uses!

 

 

So that's the lot! What do you think? Do you have any of these products? I am hoping to post reviews on these products as soon as I get around to using them so please look out for that if you are interested!

 

Connect with me!

Instagram; gemfru_x

Twitter; @gemfru_x

 

 







Makeup brush storage

Can you believe I've lived on this planet for twenty one years and have only just got my first ever dressing table?! I cant. How did I ever cope? Gone are the days of sitting cross legged on the floor in front of my dusty old mirror, struggling away and having everything spread across the floor just asking to be broken by a heavy footed boyfriend.

 

So when I had ordered my lovely new table with draws, mirror and stool I began to wonder 'how does one store their makeup brushes' - mine had always been stuffed away into a large makeup bag and hidden out of site until I needed one, which admittedly wasn't all that often. I have only just become an avid brush user and boy am I loving them. I may not have a million brushes like some girls, but the ones I do have, have been lovingly selected and are treated like they should be. My favourites are pretty much anything by Real Techniques, a MAC 187 that I had to save up for and my trusty concealer brush for ELF. So now that I have all this space to display my favourite items, exactly how do I? I had been looking high and low for some nice storage options for makeup brushes. I wanted something sturdy - I have a rambunctious puppy who likes to bump into things, like table legs and I didn't fancy having to pick my brushes up every time a plastic pot tipped over. But something pretty and worthy of being in full view. The purpose made brush storage options I had found were either really ugly, out of stock or ridiculously expensive.

 

Until that is, I had to venture to Tesco for the weekly grocery shop. Let me just tell you about my obsession with Tesco. It is, in my mind, a magical place where you can find all sorts of rubbish to waste your money on. I don't mean that in a bad way, what I mean is, I can walk around that place for hours and always find something that tickles my fancy. I was browsing the home ware department when I came across these really pretty coloured tumblers when I had an epiphany. These looked perfect, they would fit all of my favourite beauty tools and they were an absolute steal at only £1 a pop! I picked three of these little cuties up in a pale pink, a hot pink and a purple colour. I like things to match and look like they belong together and I felt that these three colours would look super together and much better than having all three the same. They work well, store everything I ask of them and are really easy to clean. They are reasonably heavy and so do not tip over and look pretty in the sunlight as it comes through the window.

 

So! What do you think? I know they're not the most obvious of choice for the purpose I'm using them for, but they work. Do you have a different way of storing your makeup brushes?

 

 

 

 

Connect with me!

 

Instagram; gemfru_x

Twitter; @gemfru_x

Super Drug (small) haul

My names Gemma, and I'm an addict.

I am truly addicted to buying new makeup. At least once a day I find myself online shopping being tempted by new treats when I really should be saving. But, I love it. Makeup is my passion, and there is, without a doubt, worse things I could be spending my money on!

So it was no surprise that I found myself browsing the super drug website last week, picking out old favourites and items that I just had to try and popping them into my basket. The thing I love the most about shopping online with Super Drug is that if you spend more than £10 (which is super easy to do!) you qualify for free standard delivery. I know I'm not the only person that hates to have to pay for delivery on an online order - especially if you're buying products that you just cant get in store. I'm being charged more, and I have to wait? No, no, no.

 

1) Make Up Academy Powder Blusher in Bon Bon. £1

I have been really lusting after some more blushers recently. Blush is the only compartment in my vanity storage that is looking a bit thin. It's not a secret that sometimes I altogether forget to pop a little colour onto my cheeks but that's a habit I'm trying to break. However, out of all the products I'm prepared to spend a lot of money on blusher just isn't one. As long as a product has a good pigmentation and is a nice enough colour, that'll do for me. I just don't see the point in spending £15 on a blush. Believe me, I have done in the past (think the likes of MAC, Illamasqua, Clinique) and didn't find them to be the wonder product I expect. I like a little more bang for my buck. So at only a £1 price tag I thought what the hell! Get in the basket. This is a really nice peachy shade in the pan, but upon swatching it is more pinky than I originally thought. Not to say that's a bad thing. It a really natural "I've been for a brisk walk" shade and totally wearable for day to day. It reminds me a little of MACS Melba blush, but at opposite ends of the price spectrum!

 

2) Make Up Academy Eyeshadow Palette in Undressed £4

I've been looking for some really wearable palettes recently, something that I can grab on the go if I've got a long day at work, or I'm away for a night or two. This seemed to tick most of my boxes. I am a complete neutral (read 'boring') girl and I like to stay totally within what I know. This palette has twelve shades with a mix of shimmer and matte. I really think that this palette would work for a day to evening look no matter what you're trying to achieve. The shades have good pigmentation but are prone to fall out, hey what are you girls expecting for £4.00? The only things that bugs me about this product are the fact there is no mirror included, okay not a biggie I know but I do like to have a mirror handy. What if I'm somewhere where there isn't a mirror? What is a girl to do? Take another compact, yep, okay, sounds good enough. And the applicator. The one that MUA have included is the old fashioned double sided sponge triangle type that I haven't seen since the 90's when I used to be fascinated by my grandmothers old dusty makeup collection. But hey, I have more than enough brushes! I'll just use those instead. Disaster averted!

 

3) Make Up Academy Pro-Base Fixing Mist £5

In a post I did a few weeks back I mentioned that I am a sucker for a setting spray and that I was a little baffled as to why more cosmetic brands hadn't brought one out. Clearly I have been walking around with my eyes shut as it seems (almost) every man and his dog have now produced one! Happy face! I haven't actually got round to giving this one a go yet - I've been working long hours most of last week and I like to use one that I know is going to keep my face in place and yesterday was my designated 'makeup free day'. However, I am aiming to use this mist this week - I may possibly have to pop into town at some point so that may be a good opportunity. The product details on the back of the bottle sound promising and I'm really hoping its going to be as good as the NYX ones that seem to have become a permanent house guest in my collection!



 

4) Make Up Academy Intense Colour Eyeliner in Snow White £1

This ones pretty straight forward. I have recently misplaced my milk jumbo eye pencil and thought I would just pick this one up as a replacement. I only use this in my water line to widen my eyes a little. Its a good enough product, does what I want it to and only cost a pound! There is also a built in pencil sharpener in the lid of the pencil but I haven't had reason to use this yet.  

 

5) Beauty UK Simply Define Eyebrow Pencil in Dark Brown £1.99

For some reason I seem to switch up how I do my eyebrows every couple of weeks. Sometimes its the HD Brows palette, sometimes Benefits Browzings, sometimes its a MAC eyeshadow and an angled brush and sometimes its just a trusty pencil. This particular pencil was number one in superdrugs top five eyebrow products and was on special offer so I thought why not? My trusty Rimmel brow pencil is coming to the end of its life and I liked that this one had a little brush on the lid much like the Rimmel one, but was cheaper. You cant say fairer than that!

 

6) Makeup Revolution The One Concealer in Light £3

GIRL, I love me a concealer! I've recently been lusting after so many of the Makeup Revolution products after finding them through a cosmopolitan article online. This to me looked just like Benefits Fake Up and I was interested. I currently have thirteen concealers that I use consistently (not all at once of course!) but I'm always on the look out for another. Can a girl ever have too much makeup? no, duh! On closer inspection, this is very similar to the Fake Up. I haven't had a chance to use this yet, but I am looking forward to. From what I can tell from a swatch its very creamy and feels nourishing. I feel that this would definitely need setting with a translucent powder, but as I always do this anyway that's not a big deal for me. The colour is good for me as I do like a lighter under eye but anyone that isn't very pale and isn't keen on the brighter under eye may be better with the medium tone.

 

7) Makeup Revolution The Iconic 3 Palette £4.

I'm not going to say too much about this palette as I have already done a review on it here http://gemfrux.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/makeup-revolution-i-on-board.html. Its a good little bargain and I would certainly repurchase this if I lost it. Its a good quality product and its £4. What more can I say?

 

8) Make Up Academy Nail Polish in Lush Lilac and Moody Mink £1 each

I bought these two really cute nail colours on a whim. Usually I'm a nude girl, my favourite ever nude being Rimmel's Rita Ora Collection in Lets Get Nude, but occasionally I do get bored of being Mrs always the same. Even though the name of one of the colours is Lush Lilac I'd say its more pinky than purpely but its one of those pastel colours that's really easy to work with and I'm looking forward to getting round to filling my nails in and changing the colour to this. The second is Moody Mink and I love it! Its one of those great everyday colours that goes with every makeup look and every outfit. Perhaps a little on the darker side for summer but I'm sure it'll become my staple colour when the days get cooler.

 

9) Maybelline Baby Skin Pore Eraser Primer £7.99

This is actually a repurchase for me. I've heard people saying that this is meant to be a dupe for the Porefessional and that it fails miserably. I have both products and genuinely do not think that Maybelline have tried to copy Benefit. I think that that is a load of old rubbish. I do not believe that this is meant  to be a dupe for anything. I think that this is meant to be a reasonably priced product for people who like to wear a primer, nothing more, nothing less. I really love the silicone feeling that this leaves on your skin and how effortlessly foundation applies on the top. I wouldn't say that this erases pores, but I don't really have a problem with my pores anyway so this doesn't bother me. It does help the amount of time my makeup lasts and I do like that it asks as a barrier between my skin and my foundation. However, you only need a tiny, isty, bitsy amount of this on your skin! I have made the mistake of using a little too much and finding that my makeup would not settle and was sliding around all over the place!

 

10) Maybelline Dream Satin Liquid in Sun Beige £7.99

I first used this foundation when I was around 15/16 and I loved it. I cant actually remember why I stopped using it apart from the fact that when I was younger I felt I had to try every different product under the sun, how times have changed NOT! What can I say about this foundation? It goes on like a dream, it lasts like a dream, it blends like a dream. There is a decent range of colours and I may have to go and get a few more! I tan regularly and am never the same shade for more than a couple of days!

 

11) Bourjois Délice de Poudre Bronzing Powder Tanned 52 £7.99

Again! I used to use this bronzer as a teenager and sadly forgot all about it in my quest to discover higher end products! However, I am back on the fan wagon with a vengeance. This is such a good bronzer, perfect for a subtle hit of colour or full on bronze glam. It also works well for contouring and is such a bargain price. It applies really well and blends out perfectly. This bronzer is as definitely good as some of its more expensive counterparts and its a firm favourite with me. There is a hint of shimmer which would usually would put me off, but its really not noticeable one you have finished application and have blended everything together. It has a beautiful chocolate scent which is not too over powering and the block seems to last a lifetime! I love this bronzer!

 

So there you have it! Do you have any of these products? What did you think to them?

 

Connect with me!

Twitter: @gemfru_x

Instagram: gemfru_x

My new go-to nude!

I've had a love affair with macs 'myth' lip bullet for so long now. It's been my favourite nude for so long. My go to lip, my goes with everything and anything lip colour. So when I found that I was running dangerously low I just had to make a emergency trip to a mac store. 

Believe you me, I've had some dramas with my 'myth' - first of all it came and looked such an anemic colour I didn't see myself using it all - I don't like concealer lips. Then when I thought we were just beging to get on with each other, I dropped it work and it snapped. I patched it up and popped it into the fridge and thankfully it lived. So I was genuinely really surprised when I opted for something different this time. 

I'm not the sort of girl that can just go to a beauty department, get what she came for and leave. Frankly, if any girl can do that, I think they're strange. So it was as I was hovering around the lipstick section of mac trying to as-politely-as-possible, elbow my way through the group of women swatching every single lipstick on offer that I spotted my new love. I snatched it up and practically ran to one of the MUA's waiting on the sidelines. She applied it for me and that was when I knew, I had to leave 'myth'. Well, not actually leave him (yes I refer to my lipsticks as him) but pick him up and take his friend with me. What can I say? I'm that girl. 

So now both of these little guys are sat on my vanity, vying for attention. And believe me, sometimes I do struggle deciding which one can make it out with me on that particular day. I'm indecisive. 

Honey love is a much warmer nude. It's a pinky-toned 'your lip colour but better' kind of lipstick. 

Have you used this one? What are your favourite mac lip bullet's?

Connect with me! 

Instagram: gemfru_x

Twitter: @gemfru_x

Makeup Revolution - I'm on board!

So a few days ago I read a post by cosmopolitan on twitter, highlighting which beauty products every girl/woman should own. The first item in their slide show was this lovely palette. I decided I needed it then and there, took a screen shot and vowed to hunt it down. 

That weekend my lovely boyfriend had booked a hotel and spa for us both in manchester to celebrate our second anniversary, which of course had to entail a shopping trip. Perfect timing! So you can imagine how frustrated I was that I managed to get everything on my try/restock list but this palette. It was only while we were travelling home that I had the common sense to 'google' the product to find out where it was stocked & where I could get my mits on it. 

The first result that came up was from Superdrug, which confused me as I'd already spent 45 minutes traipsing around the store frowning at myself. Never the less I continued on to the site and found it. £4? Add to bag! I literally couldn't believe the price, I usually spend more on magazines, or a coffee from Starbucks! At that price I decided to look at some other bits and pieces and settled on a baked blush in 'make love' and 'the one concealer' as well as some other products from other brands which I will review when I have had chance to use them all. 

I intercepted the delivery from my usual postie on Saturday morning as I was dashing out to work. My boyfriend supports my love of makeup but I don't think he would like to know how much I spend on my passion! I made five minutes to unpack my lovely parcel and knowing I had these new products at home sat waiting for me on my vanity table made my long shift at work a whole lot easier! 

So, I've been reading recently that this palette is meant to be a dupe for the naked 3 palette. I'm not a massive eyeshadow girl. Don't get me wrong, I do love them but I don't often have the occasion to use them, and if there's one thing I hate it's looking too 'overdone' just to pop to the corner shop! while I don't own the naked 3, my best friend does so I have seen it/swatched it in the past, and I would have to say I agree! The colours are almost identical - including on how they are set out in the packaging. Obviously the quality of the naked 3 packaging is far superior and comes with a much better applicator - but remember, it's also £33 dearer. 

The pigmentation from these shadows is really really good, although there is some fall out when applying the shades. Nothing that can't be tidied up afterwards or can be avoided altogether with a little tissue held under the eye during application. Staying power seems about average for a 'drugstore' eyeshadow. Not too long, but also not the worst I've seen by far. I also think with a little practise there will be ways of aiding endurance. 

I am thrilled with this product. Super cheap, super product! I can liken this brand to Makeup Accademy - and with this in mind I can imagine that products may be a little hit or miss. But from £1-£4 for base to finish I'm not going to complain! I've already placed another order for some more products to test out! 

So if this is in fact a makeup revolution, you can count me in! So far, so good!

Connect with me! 

Instagram: gemfru_x

Twitter: @gemfru_x

WONDER PRODUCT - L'Oreal Paris Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution

Hi guys! So it seems like forever since I last posted on here, even though I'm sure its only been a week maximum. Anyway, I'm really sorry! I've been super busy with work and day to day life but I am going to make more of an effort.

So today I want to talk to you about a skincare product that I am absolutely in love with at the minute. I picked this up a couple of days ago in the local Body Care in town. I'm pretty sure that Body Care isn't just a local thing, but if you don't have one in your town/city/state then I have seen this product in supermarkets and chemists.  - The reason I've never tried it before was the mark up price that I've seen in supermarkets and such. I just didn't want to spend over £5.00 on a product that I'm not sure that I would use or that would work for me. Maybe that makes me a cheapskate but if you've read any of my previous posts you'll know that I've not been loving L'Oreal recently, which made me even more dubious. I'm not sure how Body Care works but all the products in there seem to be slightly cheaper than else where, which is how I managed to pick this up for £2.49. 

Okay, so this product says that its a 3 in 1 product. It claims to dissolve makeup, unclog pores and remove impurities and tone & soothe the skin. 

I was really excited to use this because my skin care isn't the best, and I'm always looking for ways to improve it. I bought some large cotton wool pads to use as well. 

So, at around 10pm I started getting ready for bed and decided that I would use this to remove my makeup. I splashed some of the solution onto a cotton wool pad and followed the directions on the back of the bottle. It says to press the pad onto the skin and hold for a moment and then sweep away. However, I didn't find that it was very easy to 'sweep' away and found the pad dragged on my skin. I decided to remove my makeup as usual with my Simple 'Kind To Skin' Cleansing Wipes. I have used these wipes since I was about 14, and although I find them to be a little over priced for makeup wipes I can honestly say I have never found a better brand. After I had removed all my makeup I took a clean cotton wool pad, soaked on some of the solution and used it as a toner. I found that there were traces of makeup on the pad when I had finished that I had not realised  I had missed. My skin felt very smooth, refreshed, clean and happy. I didn't need to dry my face as after a few seconds later all trace had disappeared. 

The next morning I noticed that some of the blemishes I had on my forehead had become less noticeable and looked no where near as red or 'angry'. The pores around my nose felt smoother. I was pretty happy.

Last night I repeated my actions and this morning when I woke up my blemishes had GONE. Completely. No tell tale marks, no redness, no unsightly marks. I cannot believe it. 

I can definetely say that this product has made it into my full time regime now. I better get back to Body Care and stock up while its so cheap!

L'oreal, you have restored my faith in your brand. Thankyou!

My favourite foundations

I don't know about anyone else, but I can't commit to just one foundation. I have a few that systematically make their way into my makeup routine. 

Here is a list I thought I would compile of my all time favourite foundations.

Estée Lauder double wear foundation. 

I have only recently bought this foundation but I'm already hooked! The colour, coverage & feel of this foundation is amazing. I can't get enough!

L'oreal true match foundation

This is one of my favourite 'drugstore' foundations. I really love that unlike most lower end foundations these are not all pink tone based. It's super blendable and a really good base for everyday makeup, although you may need to experiment to find the best way of application for you as it can be a little watery. 

MAC Studio Fix Fluid 

I've put both these foundations together because I use either one depending on how tanned I am. I also have a darker one, but as I've toned down on the tan recently I find I don't need to use it. This foundation is my go to base for any makeup look. It's coverage is one of the best I've found, it feels really nice on the skin and I love how many colour options there are. I would recommend MAC foundation to anyone, especially if you're not sure what shade/base tone you are. A MAC MUA will help you find the best product for you! 

Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation 

This is an old favourite of mine which I find myself reaching for again and again. I first purchased this foundation when I was around 16 and find that it still works for me now. It's a really good coverage, matte foundation which really does stand the test of time. It's a wonder product for the price! I've used some super expensive foundations that just haven't done as much for me as this has! Again, the only flaw is that it is a pink toned foundation and there aren't that many shades to chose from. Still a favourite though. 

So there you have it, I use two lower end and two higher end foundations which I switch and change around as desired. It really depends what my skin is doing. I hope this helped some of you that may be looking for a new one to try. Do you have any good foundations I should try? Let me know!

Connect with me:

Instagram; gemfru_x

Twitter; @gemfru_x

Rimmel Stay Matte Collection

Last week we had to pop to tesco for some bits and pieces, and of course that means a sneaky look at the makeup department. Tesco has recently updated their makeup section and now have a super wide range including sleek & clarins! I would say they have the largest range of cosmetics for a supermarket! It's like being a kid in a sweet shop for any aspiring beauty blogger or all round makeup lover such as myself! 
One of the great things about buying makeup from a supermarket is that they always seem to have offers on - Tesco's had a 3 for 2 offer which is just music to my ears.

I have always loved Rimmel. I can remember when I first discovered makeup at 13-14, Rimmel was my brand of choice. And although I have ventured out into the world of higher end products I find that this particular cosmetics company always have something to offer me.

I've used the Rimmel stay matte pressed powder to set my foundation for as long as I can remember and so went to stock up. I just haven't found anything like it. I've recently been trying loose powders but find they just make me look more 'cakey' than usual. I think I'll stick with what I know! Anyway, I digress! I was in that general area when I came across the Stay Matte Foundation & Primer. If you've read any of my posts, reviews on makeupalley or follow me on instagram you will know that I am a primer junkie. I just cant get enough! So, I was stood there thinking 'well, I do love this powder and I do love a primer, why not try the whole range'? So I did.

I have tried pretty much all of Rimmel's foundations at one time or another. And one thing I can say lets them down is that they do not have a great range of shades. I think in total they have five options. Not a lot really when you think of all the variations in skin tones. I tested a few of them and found that I was inbetween the ivory & true ivory. I wanted to get the best possible match so ended up purchasing both with the intention of mixing them and getting a better colour match. 

I only got around to using these products yesterday. I had a busy weekend and I like to have at least one makeup free day per week. But yesterday I had to go back to work (boohoo) and thought it would be a good opportunity to test drive them. I find the packaging to be really cute, and I also think that the packaging would make it really easy to ensure you're going to get the last drops of product out.

First off, the primer. The primer is wonderful. Completely colour free, a really great texture, feels so good on the skin. I have literally nothing bad to say about this primer, a little goes a long way, its a really good price & I would definitely buy this again, as long as I continue to experience no problems such as break outs ect.

After allowing the primer to set in a little I moved on to the foundation. I put a little of each colour into a shallow mixing dish and mixed them together with a cotton bud. I was happy with the colour that came through and I started to apply. I quickly noticed that I had mixed way too much. I would say a pea sized amount would have sufficed. This foundation blends so well. It is described on the packaging as a liquid mousse, and I would agree that that is the best description for it. It feels super light and not cloying on your skin at all. The coverage is perfect. A medium to full coverage. I only had to use a very small amount of concealer on my under eye area. I finished my makeup and my skin looked flawless, I am very happy with this foundation and primer. Super cheap, super results. The only criticism I have for this product is that like most 'drug store' foundations, both colours that I used are pink based. I regularly tan and therefore prefer a yellow based foundation. (I am a NC30 in mac). However, I was able to fix this by applying a Mac MSF in Medium Dark, which is yellow toned. I found this counteracted the pink undertones of the foundation. 

It just goes to show you don't have to spend a fortune on products to achieve a great look.

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder - £3.99
Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation - £5.99
Rimmel Stay Matte Primer - £5.99


Have you tried this range of products from Rimmel? Have you found other 'drug store' foundations/primers that you swear by? Let me know!

Connect with me:

Instagram; gemfru_x
Twitter; @gemfru_x

Urban Decay De-Slick Oil Control Setting Spray



My Holy Grail Setting Spray



 

Every since I heard about setting sprays I have been astounded by them. I know that the concept is pretty straight forward, its a hairspray for your makeup & back in the day I was definitely guilty of actually putting my hairspray on my face. Oopsie. But still, finishing your makeup and spaying a liquid onto it baffles me. But a good one does wonders.

 

However that being said, I haven't found that a whole lot of brands do one. I wonder why this is?

 

I have tried a few different setting sprays, I have the Mac Fix+, NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray and the NYX Dewy Finish Setting Spray. I really like them. They do keep your makeup on longer, and help to make your face a lot less powdery if you do use a lot of powders in your makeup routine.

 

I've heard so much about the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray, so when I was in Debenhams a few days ago I decided to go and have a look. My Mac Fix+ is running really low, and although I do really like my NYX setting sprays I can find that they have a very distinctive smell and don't do as good a job as I would like them to - they just don't hold makeup for as long as say my Fix+ does. And the dewy finish setting spray can make me a little more shiny straight away if I use a little too much. But can you complain for the price? Absolutely not.

 

When I went over to the Urban Decay counter, the MUA was putting her makeup on, which I found really funny. I've got to admit, if I was working with ALL that makeup on tap I don't think I would be able to resist either. I told her that I was really interested in the All Nighter Setting Spray and she asked me a few questions about my skin type and my normal makeup routine. I told her that my skin can look a little oily, especially around the t-zone. She told me I didn't look very oily, but I explained to her that I didn't have any makeup on and that when I've had my foundation on for an hour or so my oiliness starts to come through. She then suggested to me the De-Slick Oil Control Setting Spray. She told me that it did exactly the same as the All Nighter Setting Spray but it would help to keep me matte, and would resist the shine coming through. She also said that I would perhaps be better trying the travel/sample size out before I committed to buying a full size product. The smaller bottle is a 30ml, slim, handbag friendly bottle and only £9. Win win right?

 

So that evening I applied my makeup ready for a night out with the girls to celebrate my best friends twenty first birthday. When I had finished I sprayed the product across my face as directed on the bottle and was really pleasantly surprised that I didn't have to blot any excess product off, like I sometimes have to with my NYX products. My skin literally just drank it up.

 

At eleven o'clock the same night I visited the bathroom, a little worse off from drinking and being in a hot environment and I was so shocked to look in the mirror and NOT have to touch up my makeup one little bit. Yes, my lipgloss had come off but that's a given. My eyeshadow, countouring, foundation - nothing had slipped. There was no shine coming through around my nose like usual. I was so impressed.

 

When it came to taking my makeup off before bed when I got home, I found that it did not come off any way near as easily as normal. I literally had to scrub my face to get it all off. So, does that mean that this spray will keep me shine free and set for a 12 hour - on the go - work shift? I'm hoping so!

 

I'll definitely be going back and purchasing the full size bottle when this one looks set to run out. I may even get another of the smaller ones to keep in my makeup bag. Urban Decay, I salute your setting sprays staying power!

 

Included is a picture of myself a few hours into the night, where I would usually be thinking about touching up or at least blotting. I think my makeup looks pretty good at this point.

 

 

What do you think? have you tried this spray? Have you found one just as good? Let me know!

 

 

Connect with me:

 

Instagram; gemfru_x

Twitter; @gemfru_x

 

 



Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation

Okay, so I've been lusting after this foundation for so long but have always sworn by my mac studio fix fluid foundation or a lower end foundation and was a little worried about spending quite a lot of money on one that I might not like. Basically I was doubting - and I shouldn't have. I've actually tried to get a sample for absolutely ages but whenever I've been in they haven't had my shade, so I've not really had an opportunity to try.

On Saturday myself and my boyfriend had to go into town for a few bits. It was my best friends 21st birthday this weekend just gone (Happy Birthday Andrea!) and Chris needed a new shirt to go to her party. So there we were wandering around town at the crack of dawn because we had such a busy day when I twisted Chris' arm to go in the local Debenhams.
He hates it when I go into a beauty department because he knows I'll be in there for hours milling around, like the mother ship has called me home!

The first place I went to was the Estee Lauder counter and got chatting with the MUA there about the foundation when she suggested that she could apply it for me to see what I thought. I had no makeup on at all so thought 'why not'. Let me just say, I only had no makeup on because a) it was so early and b) because recently I'd had a spray tan, so I was a decent colour! She matched me to shade 4n1 shell beige. That being said, my tan had already faded from my face and I was pretty much my everyday colour. I always have tan on anyway, so this colour is just fine. I always feel a little pressured in these types of situations but she put me at ease and applied the foundation for me. I was sold. I literally cannot find a single flaw to point out on this foundation. I have most certainly found my Holy Grail product. Sorry mac, there's a new favourite in town!

I paid for my foundation, which is a 30ml frosted glass bottle & moved onto the other counters - but that's another post! Its so cute & looks beautiful sat on my vanity table. There's no chance this it getting shoved into a draw! The only downside to the bottle is that there is no pump, or option to purchase a pump separately such as mac so I can imagine it is quite difficult to get every last drop out when you're coming to the end of the bottle. I'm sure I can cope with that small downside to such a wonderful product though!

The coverage was described to me as medium, but I'd definitely put it in the full coverage category. I didn't need to use a concealer with this product, that's how amazing I found the coverage. The only thing I did do was use a little liquid highlight under the eyes, because I'm a fan of the lighter under eye area. I have combination skin, perhaps you could even describe it as on the oily side, especially around the t-zone. But nope, not even a slight shine came through. I am over the moon!

I first attempted to apply this foundation with my real techniques angled foundation brush but found that it actually worked better on just my fingers, it blended really quickly and left no tell tale foundation lines.

I had this foundation on for around seven hours in a very hot environment (21st birthday party) and my makeup did not budge at all. I didn't even touch it up. To say I'm impressed is an understatement. I have only used it the once, but I am expecting great things whenever I use it to be honest.

So, if you're looking for an amazing product at a reasonable price GO AND BUY THIS. I've included a picture of my finished makeup, just to demonstrate how flawless this makes your skin look. Remember, I used no concealer & only a little Mac MSF in medium dark to set my foundation.

 

Have you got this foundation? What did you think? Let me know!

 

 

Connect with me:

 

Instagram - gemfru_x

Twitter - @gemfru_x