Something Old, Something New...

I'd like to share something old and something new - two of my current favourite products. First up was a present from a very dear friend and the make up item I've loved and used the most - ever!  


Something Old...


This Limited Edition Laura Mercier Colour Wardrobe has been around for quite a while, so you may be familiar with it already - 


The double palette contains eyeshadows, blushers and lipcolours in incredibly usable shades. I've probably used this almost every day over the past year and have only just 'hit pan' this week with my favourite blush shade.


This is how it looked when I first got it - all perfect and pristine! Sorry it's such a small pic but you can see the row of eyeshadows along the top, with 3 blushers below and a double ended eyeshadow brush. In the lower palette there are 6 lipcolours and 2 glosses, with a double ended lipbrush. Both layers have a mirror.
No doubt it's terribly poor blogger etiquette to show you pics of my much loved and used palette, but hey... 

The outside looks quite glamorous, like patent mock croc

Top layer - 6 eyeshadows: Chocolate, Sable, Twinkling Star, Stellar, Tiger's Eye and Baroque
& 3 blush: Spice, Apricot Blossom and Lotus

Lower layer - 6 lip stains: Mulberry, Hibiscus, Shy Pink, English Rose, Brick Red and Mocha 
& 2 lip glazes: Plum and Naked
Lip swatches (in same order they appear)

Eyeshadow swatches (in order)

Blush swatches

I hope you like this as much as I do - it's amazing for both everyday and evening looks and is available at House of Fraser for £50, which is pretty good value considering most of these items would start from at least £16 individually. 

Something New


My latest beauty purchase is the new Clarins Skin Illusion foundation, as recommended by the lovely Stine at Chic Beauty Blog


I'm a big fan of Laura Mercier foundations and had been using Creme Smooth all winter, but fancied something lighter for Spring/Summer. I haven't used Clarins foundations for years, but was really drawn to this one for its ease of application, pump bottle and natural coverage. It's also spf 10.


It has a very fine, light consistency which spreads really quickly and easily. At first it looks super light but seems to set to a lovely level of light to medium coverage, without looking at all heavy. It has a gorgeous light fragrance, which reminds me of a cross between roses and parma violets!


The coverage is also extremely buildable and lasts all day even without powder - something of a miracle in my experience!


I lovely the heavy weight glass bottle and how the product 
appears suspended in the glass at a slightly wonky angle! 



I'm a huge fan of pump bottles - so much more hygienic and best of all - quick!
One pump delivers the perfect amount for my whole face.

This is the product on my hand (not a full pump) - I have the shade Honey

Rubbed in a little

Fully blended - you can see how it covers some of the freckles on my hand 
(which I wasn't really aware of til I started photographing swatches!)

Skin Illusion is now available at Escentual for the reduced price of £19! Have you tried either of these products?  Which foundation (if any) will you be wearing this Summer?


Please leave me a comment - and if you would be so kind as to follow me it would totally make my day! Thanks for reading. x
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14 comments

  1. That Laura Mercier palette is too gorgeous. Have some birthday money coming my way next week and could be seriously tempted! Love that you discovered hand freckles doing swatch photos - I discovered hooded eyes, many wrinkles and a full 'tache when I started doing fotd pics! x

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  2. I want the LM palette and the foundation...all looks so lush :)
    If the Clarins foundation covered the freckles on your hand I wonder if it would do the same for my blotchy and summer freckly skin! Will be going for a sample of it me thinks!

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  3. Thanks Debbie - I highly recommend the palette as you've probably guessed! :)

    And yes, taking photos of myself has been quite an unnerving revelation - eek! x

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  4. Fab reviews, love Clarins too x x

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  5. Thanks Stina xx

    Shelley - def worth a go - the sample did me 4 or 5 times... enough to get me hooked! ;-) x

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  6. I am a big LM fan. welcome to the world of blogging. I look forward to reading future posts. Jude xx @jadlgw

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  7. Great review. Saw that foundation on Stina's blog and keep meaning to try it. That LM set looks fab and is good value given the individual price of the products. I haven't used any LM products - yet!x

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  8. hello! new follower great review xxx

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  9. Thanks so much Lou Lou & Miss Jones! Xx

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  10. The palette looks gorgeous, the lip colours are really pretty!

    I've been using Clarins Everlasting foundation recently and seem to be getting on well with it, Skin Illusion sounds good too though. I think Everlasting may be a bit too heavy for the summer so I might check this one out next time!

    Thank you for following :) x

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  11. I am trying to join up this way as the other way is not working! Meep! x

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  12. I have a sample of this foundation but just have never got round to actually wearing it! I really should, it looks gorgeous! x

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Please leave a comment - I love to read them & hear what you think! Nic x

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