Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Concealer & Corrector: Review & Swatches

 

If you suffer from dark circles, look this way - my latest discovery blows other concealers out of the water. Things are about to get a little gushy…

I own almost as many under eye concealers as I do lipsticks, forever in search of the perfect formula. Let’s start with what I’m looking for… a product that conceals and brightens without looking cakey and lasts throughout the day without settling in or magnifying fine lines.

Enter Bobbi Brown’s new Intensive Skin Serum Concealer and Corrector. As the names suggest, these are skincare and makeup hybrids designed to brighten and firm, instantly and over time, thanks to a cocktail of myrrh tree and mushroom extracts with ultrafine makeup pigments. I’m only skimming the surface here, but these contain a host of impressive ingredients also found in Bobbi’s Intensive Skin Serum Foundation, to re-energise skin and boost moisture levels.

 

The corrector and concealer are designed to be layered and while this isn’t essential, it does give the best results if you’re prone to dark circles. Younger skins with slight shadows don’t need both - the concealer alone should suffice (unless you’ve been out partying!). Intensive Skin Serum Corrector cancels out the very darkest shadows… less is more with this and really the tiniest amount is all I need. My eyes nearly fell out of my head when I saw how effective this was. Think an extra 4 hours of sleep in one swipe.

Intensive Skin Serum Concealer should then be applied on top - and no, it doesn’t cake. I’m a little more liberal with this one, dotting it along my under eye, from the inner to outer corner. I find it works best if I press it into my skin gently, then blend out with the smaller end of the Full Coverage Face and Touch Up Brush (more on that in a minute).

While these products can be used over foundation, I’ve been applying them first, on their own - a tip I picked up in my Pretty Powerful Makeup Lesson last year. Less layers = less chance of caking and in my experience, longer lasting power. I use less foundation as a result, blending the edges together where the two products meet at my cheekbones.

Essentially, the corrector removes the excess darkness and the concealer adds light - and in my case, life.

  Top: Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Concealer in 01 Porcelain; Bottom: Corrector in Extra Light Bisque.

Porcelain looks a fraction warm in this swatch - the 2nd pic above gives a more accurate depiction. There are an impressive 16 Corrector and 15 Concealer shades to choose from; mine are among the lightest and they go right through the spectrum.

These colours are a perfect match for me - for ref I’m Vanilla in NARS Creamy Concealer, Ivory in Clarins Instant Light (a bit too dark/yellow on me), Fair Golden in Amazing Concealer and 01 Light in Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer.

I’m prone to dryness but have been told they work on all skin types, which I can imagine, as they’re neither too matte nor dewy.

While both apply very well with fingers, they’ve been launched alongside a limited edition Full Coverage Face and Touch Up Brush. You don’t *need* this, but it’s described as delivering an ultra-polished ‘HD’ finish and I have to admit, it really is the best face brush I’ve tried. The smaller section fits into the corners of the eyes (and around the nose) for blending concealer, while the larger end gives liquid foundation a perfected skin-like finish.

Final thoughts: Used over an eye cream, these products do not settle in lines and don’t crease on my eyes throughout the day. They don’t look or feel drying and I find them more comfortable to use than the original cream formulas. I honestly can’t fault them. Although more pricey than your average concealer, they do have added skincare benefits and I can see them lasting me up to a year.

Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Concealer & Corrector are available now here and you can find the Limited Edition Full Coverage Face & Touch Up brush here.

Retouching Makeup & New Classics from Bobbi Brown

If you like the idea of flawless skin minus photoshop or filters, look this way... Bobbi Brown's new Retouching Face Pencils and Powders are designed to do just that, while the New Classics lipsticks deliver a perfected pout.


RETOUCHING FACE PENCIL

Bobbi Brown Retouching Face Pencil in Porcelain

Bobbi Brown Retouching Face Pencils can be used to highlight, brighten, erase and correct.

Illuminate is the only shade with shimmer to highlight cheek/ brow bones and the inner corner of the eye. The others can be used in a shade to match your skin tone to correct imperfections, or in slightly lighter/darker tones to brighten and bronze.

I've been using mine to add extra coverage to a light foundation and for on-the-go touch ups, particularly useful for concealing redness around the nose and chin where my foundation tends to wear off first.

The creamy matte texture blends easily with the heat of my fingertips and I'd describe the coverage level as full, verging on concealer-like if used intensely on small areas. For example it will cover a large freckle or pigmentation mark completely.

Mine is in the lightest shade, Porcelain and I'm happy to say it's consistent with my Bobbi Brown Porcelain foundation - I'm assuming this carries through with all of the shades.


RETOUCHING FACE POWDER

Bobbi Brown Retouching Powder in Rose #2

Inspired by colour pigments used by makeup artists, Bobbi Brown Retouching Powder is designed to make skin look better, minus any obvious powdery finish. In all honesty these threw me a bit at first as I was unsure how to use them, so was happy when Bobbi Brown Pro Artist, Hannah Martin confirmed that the Pink and Rose shades can be used on the cheeks, as I had been doing. On my colouring, Rose works alone as a subtle blush or over existing blusher for a soft, glowy finish.

Also available in white, peach, pink and yellow, the powders should be applied over foundation and can be used for colour correction - eg pink or peach to warm a sallow complexion. I'd recommend colour matching on counter to find the right shade for you... while I wouldn't call these essentials for every makeup bag, I think true makeup enthusiasts will enjoy them.


SWATCHES

Bobbi Brown Retouching Face Pencil in Porcelain & Retouching Powder in Rose

Even in this heavy swatch (to show the colours), you can see the soft velvety finish of the Retouching Powder.


THE NEW CLASSICS

Bobbi Brown Luxe Lip Color in Bellini & Flame

Ten new shades of Luxe Lip Color have been released for Autumn, inspired by the original lipsticks that launched the brand in 1991. I'm a big fan of Bobbi Brown lipsticks in general and its most luxurious formula is super smooth and moisturising with full coverage.


SWATCHES

Bobbi Brown Luxe Lip Color in Flame (top) & Bellini

Bellini is a very unique deep peach with a definite vintage edge. I don't think it really works with my colouring but can see it looking striking on the right person. It immediately made me think of Audrey Hepburn, whereas Flame, a bold orange toned red, is very Marilyn Monroe... even my 8 year old son loved this one on me! "Ohhh you're wearing lovely lipstick mum!" 

I'll definitely be checking out the other shades, which include some gorgeous Autumnal tones such as Bahama Brown and Uber Rose (is anyone else kinda looking forward to Autumn already?!). The Retouching Face Pencil has already become a firm handbag staple - no mess, no fuss, does what it claims.

Bobbi Brown Luxe Lip Color: New Classics, £25
Bobbi Brown Retouching Face Pencil, £22 - on counter at John Lewis 4 Sep, nationwide 8 Sep
Bobbi Brown Retouching Powder, £27


Products featured on Strawberry Blonde Beauty include press samples and purchases. See my full disclaimer here.

My Bobbi Brown Pretty Powerful Make-up Lesson: Tips & Tricks

I promised to report back on my Pretty Powerful Make-up Lesson with the lovely Rachael at my local Bobbi Brown counter. Here is the lowdown on the products she used to give me a lovely glowy make-up look… it was such a positive experience, where I learned new tricks and was in awe of the extent of Rachael’s product knowledge and expertise. This should come as standard at beauty counters, but we all know it isn’t always the case. Although I wasn’t wearing make-up, the process began with a deep cleanse and hydrating skincare, which no doubt contributed to The Glow. I was as impressed by the skincare as the make-up - and will write a separate ode on that - today, it’s all about the make-up!

New Tricks: I’d wanted to try Bobbi Brown creamy concealer and foundation for a while, so these were the two products I was most excited about. Rachael used Creamy Corrector in Extra Light Bisque to counteract shadows and Creamy Concealer in Ivory to help even out my skin tone. For me, it was unusual not to have foundation and concealer overlapping around the eye area. I always apply foundation right up to my lash line, then layer concealer on top. Rachael explained that using only corrector and concealer in this area maintained a finer texture, which would last longer and be less likely to sink into fine lines. Makes total sense… I love to learn little tricks like this which help with everyday make-up application.

Embracing the Pale: After discussing my skin type and make-up requirements in detail, Moisture Rich Foundation SPF15 in Porcelain was applied using a traditional foundation brush. Dry/dehydrated skins will love this base, which somehow skims imperfections, gives a medium natural coverage and radiant finish. I’m besotted with the stuff and can’t believe I didn’t discover it sooner. Can I just take a moment to point out how light in colour these products are… this was pre self-tanning season and it was *so* refreshing to be perfectly colour matched, veering on the pale side. Being colour matched to products that are too dark is one of my pet hates and I always lean towards the light for its light reflecting, skin-flattering effect. The same product in a shade darker can have the opposite effect (I could rant about this all day - another post perhaps).

Get the Glow: I was nervous about cancelling out the dewiness of the base, but could see that it needed set… at which point I discovered another gem of a product: Brightening Finishing Powder in Porcelain Pearl. Not only is it super cute, this little pastel compact mattified and set my foundation where needed, while adding extra radiance: make-up magic. My skin was warmed slightly with Bronzer in Medium and a flush added to my cheeks with Pot Rouge in Fresh Melon. Another lesson learnt: if you’re nervous about using cream blush, choose one in a pale shade - much less daunting, easier to control and gives a lovely natural finish. This one is dreamy.

Wide Eyes: Golden Pink Shadow Stick was applied over a base of Ivory eyeshadow, before Perfectly Defined Gel Liner in Scotch (*the* most perfect bronze shade) was added to my upper lash line. Another new experience… no liner on my lower lash line. I wasn’t too sure about the effect of this, possibly as I’m just not used to it, though admit it gives a more wide-eyed effect. After lashings of Duo Mascara, Rachael defined my brows with the Light Brow Kit, which comes with its own mini brush, tweezers and a mirror that flips out to magnify the tiniest hairs (& lots of other stuff I don’t wanna see!). To finish the look, my lips were coated in sheer Bright Pink Lipgloss layered over Rich Lip Color Lipstick in Sweet Nectar (bright coral orange).

A huge thank you to Rachael at the Bobbi Brown counter in House of Fraser, Belfast for putting me completely at ease and being a total sweetheart… my top picks are pictured above and you can see my final look (no filter Klaxon) here.

 

New Year’s Eve Party Make-up

It's the one time of year we're allowed to break all the rules… lay on the glitter, brave a bold red lip AND smoky eyes without anyone questioning it. It'd be rude not to. Here are my tips for a sparkling make-up look with wow factor… I'm thinking filmstar inspired glowing skin, red lips, huge lashes and a lil' bit of festive sparkle.

BASE - Since we're blinging up the eyes and lips, it's best to keep the base simple, even and of course, as flawless as possible. Naturally flawless… skip to Eyes (I won’t hold it against you). My foundation choice for such occasions is Laura Mercier Silk Crème (Cream Ivory) for radiant full coverage that leaves skin looking like skin, rather than flat and mask-like. Clarins Instant Concealer (01) obliterates under eye shadows while NARS Creamy Concealer (Vanilla) hides redness and blemishes. Set all of this in place with a light dusting of powder on the T-zone. My favourite is still the talc-free Jurlique Rose Silk powder with a little contouring via the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette. I only use both of these for special occasions, adding the deepest Hourglass shade for subtle warmth around cheekbones, temples, and hairline and the highlight shade on tops of cheekbones. Its ‘soft focus’, candlelit effect still wows me.

CHEEKS - I like to opt for a neutral rose-beige like Clinique Chubby Stick for Cheeks in Amped up Apple. Its creamy formula gives cheeks a dewy, natural looking flush that adds dimension and doesn’t detract from bold eyes and lips. I’ve been wearing this and the coral Robust Rhubarb shade a lot this Winter (full review & swatches here).

EYES - I start by priming eyes to ensure brighter, long lasting crease-free eye shadow, flitting between NARS Smudge Proof and Urban Decay Primer Potion (NARS is longer lasting; Urban Decay is easier to blend over). I like to use a cream shadow base pre-glitter to add intensity and help the product stick around. Max Factor Excess Shimmer Cream Eyeshadows (Bronze) leave a lovely metallic sheen and are easily applied with a finger. I then add a darker matte brown shadow in the crease and then press glitter over the top of my lower lid... I love Bobbi Brown Longwear Gel Sparkle in Sunlit Bronze, which works beautifully over the Max Factor Bronze cream shadow. I’ll then spend 20 minutes (!!) adding a feline flick with Eyeko Eye Do Liquid Liner and lashings of mascara. The new No7 Midnight Lash gives great length, doesn’t clump and has a nicely tapered wand to reach every lash. For extra va-va voom, I like Ardell Demi Wispies false lashes.

LIPS - You just can't beat a red lip for party season. I always start off by lining my lips when I’m wearing a deep shade - the new Bobbi Brown Lip Pencils are great for extra staying power (and also look good worn alone over balm). For a rich dark red, I’ve been loving Bobbi Brown Bordeaux - lightweight, silky and so comfortable to wear. To add volume, top with any clear gloss and press a little pop of highlighter on the centre of your lower lip. If you prefer a long lasting matte lip, Bourjois Rouge Velvet in Hot Pepper is still my go-to, a stunning orange-toned ‘Marilyn’ red.

Do you have any plans for New Year’s Eve - and do you ever plan your make-up in advance?

PS If you read yesterday’s post, the Mint Aero chocolate brownies were awesome. And all gone.

NB The top image, my inspiration, is from Pinterest - click on it to see the original.

Top 6 Face Makeup Brushes

I have a real weakness for makeup brushes and own a ridiculous number, most of which I'm very attached to. I made myself narrow things down to five for this post, which turned into six as I slipped one in that's so small you'd hardly notice it. I could have included many more, but thought you'd be most interested in those that actually live in my makeup bag and are used daily. Others come and go, but all of these have been in continual use for at least six months, some for several years.

There was a time when I didn't use makeup brushes at all (lord knows what I looked like) and a long time when I only had three, all by ELF: a flat topped kabuki, blush brush and eye shadow brush. They cost about £1.50 each, opened up a whole new world to me and cut my morning makeup routine by at least half. (I still own that blush brush btw... it's ace.)

I once won a huge set of brushes that sat in a box for months because there were no labels on them and I literally didn't know where to begin. Moral of the story: it doesn't matter what the label on a brush says it's for - use it however works for you.

Aaaannnd back to my Top Six...

1. PIN POINT CONCEALING: Real Techniques Fine Liner - this teensy brush may not look like much but its super skinny, firm-ish tip is ace for helping achieve a flawless base. I'm prone to lots of tiny imperfections rather than a few big ones (not sure which is more annoying) and using this makes a huge difference to how well my skin looks. NB I only do this when I really want to look my best (that'd be every day but who has the time?). 

To use: Pop a little concealer on back of hand, dip the tip of brush into it and tap onto blemish until covered. Dab with finger tip to remove any excess & pat until blended, or finish with a small fluffy brush. Set with powder to hold in place. 

2. FOUNDATION: Bobbi Brown Full Coverage Face & Touch Up - this double ended brush was a limited edition and I'm over the moon that both ends are now available as individual brushes. If you only buy one makeup brush and love a polished base, treat yourself to Full Coverage Face. 

Full Coverage Face is your answer to the perfected complexion of dreams. It buffs liquid foundation (or BB, tinted moisturiser etc) into the skin more smoothly and seamlessly than any other brush I've tried, is perfectly curved to fit the face's contours, just the right density and velvety soft. 

To use: Buff foundation in small circular movements until all product is blended into the skin. 

Full Coverage Touch Up essentially does the exact same thing with concealer... allowing you to reach the inner corners of eyes, up to the lower lash line and around the curves of your nose, both to apply and buff in concealer with an invisible finish. 

To use: Pat concealer into skin where needed with a tapping movement, then use tiny circular movements to buff the product in.

3. FOUNDATION (£ option): Real Techniques Buffing Brush - a kinda budget option as it works out cheaper than the Bobbi Brown one, but you do have to buy an entire set of Real Techniques brushes (Core Collection) to get your hands on it. I've owned this brush since it launched a few years ago and used it almost daily. I bought another last year to rotate with and still alternate these with Bobbi Brown Full Coverage. It essentially does a similar (almost as good) job and comes a very close second. My sister bought one last week and finally gets it! 

4. BLUSH: Studio 10 Cheek brush - I'm very fussy when it comes to blush brushes... I find that most are too big (apply colour over too large an area) or too dense (apply too much product). I was so happy to find this one with a smallish brush and loose bristles that pick up just the right amount of colour, are angled to fit cheekbones and 'splay out' just enough to blend. The other end is a bit bigger, rounder and a little looser again, perfect for small amounts of powder or softening the edges of blusher for a really natural finish. 

To use: tap product with tips of bristles and swirl blush onto cheekbones/apples/however you like it!

5. POWDER: EcoTools Bamboo Powder Brush - I've raved about this one multiple times as I've used it for years and like it for a lot of the same reasons I love the Studio 10 blush brush. It's not too big and is super soft and fluffy/floppy so it doesn't pick up too much too much powder. I hate heavy powder, so am always looking for the most natural finish I can get - and this delivers. Works equally well on loose powder (fave) or pressed ones like my Hourglass Ambient Lighting palette. This is the cheapest brush of the lot at just £9.99 and washes up beautifully.

To use: dip into loose or swirl in pressed powder, press product onto skin then swirl to spread evenly and remove any excess. 

6. BRONZER: Real Techniques Duo Fibre Face Brush - Dense at the core with long wispy tips that prevent over application of bronzer and blend beautifully. This works well for both powder and bronzer. It comes in a set of 3 (in new colours) that includes a great blush brush, so essentially you have powder, bronzer and blush covered for £19.99. Bargain.

To use: dip tips into product and stroke across skin, swirling outwards to blend any harsh edges. 

Well that turned out to be a bit of a mammoth post but I felt it was important to explain why I like each brush and how I use it, as I know that a lot of people find makeup brushes overwhelming, especially those just starting a collection. 

If you fancy getting into the real nitty gritty of makeup brushes, I can recommend the Ultimate Guide to Makeup Brushes and Tools by Anna Hunter of Get the Gloss (one of my fave beauty reads), who believes the right tools 'can help you to achieve the kind of airbrushed finish that graces the covers of glossy magazines'. 

PS I've finally got mobile comments fixed *YAY* and would love to hear from you... please tell me about your personal favourites (and why you love them).

Products featured on Strawberry Blonde Beauty include press samples. See my full disclaimer here.

14 Most Used Beauty Products 2014

Happy New Year everyone! I’ve enjoyed a mini break from blogging, work et al, but am very happy to be back. This has been the most chilled out Christmas/New Year break I’ve had in a long time and I’ve loved every minute with family and friends, going for long walks on the beach and trying to balance the chocolate intake with huge pots of home made soup! 

I’ve rounded up my 14 Most Used (rather than Best of) beauty products in 2014 as I thought these would be the most useful - and hopefully interesting - to read about. I forced myself to choose just one product from each category  - among others which I cherish equally - and in some cases, rate more. This may sound mad, but at the end of the day, the ones I reach for most often are the true winners, right? For example, Anastasia Brow Wiz and Too Faced Better than Sex Mascara give more wow end results than the two options that I’ve chosen, but for speed and ease of use, Eyeko and Miss Manga are the ones I wear most day to day. Shock horror, sometimes beauty is more about practicality! The majority of products in this line-up are winners in terms of both practicality and performance - I’ll mention any exceptional alternatives as I go along.

I didn’t dwell on any of the choices too much, but went on gut /heart instinct… so here are my 14 most used products of 2014.

  

FOUNDATION: Clarins True Radiance (shade 103) - medium coverage, glowy finish, great for dry or dehydrated skin. Probably a bit too dewy for oily skin as I do sometimes need to set my T-zone with powder when I wear this… totally worth it for the glow factor. The bottle has a pump, the liquid formula is very quick and easy to use and a little goes a long way.  I know some of you have already fallen for this since my original review here, (best feeling ever when this happens!).

CONCEALER: Clarins Instant Concealer (01) - natural looking coverage that works best under the eyes but will cover redness/ minor blemishes if set with powder. It doesn’t sit in lines, cake or dry out - and actually adds radiance to the eye area (without sparkle or shimmer). For severe dark shadows, I like to use a base of Bobbi Brown Corrector under this. A good alternative is Amazing Concealer (Light Golden), a creamy, highly pigmented, great all rounder and one of the few that works equally well both around the eyes and on blemishes.

POWDER: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette - 3 finishing powders which even out skin tone for a soft focus effect, warm pale skin and add subtle highlight. Review here and multiple raves if you use my search system (top right).

BRONZER: Michael Kors Bronze Powder in Glow - the best bronzer I’ve tried for pale skin and great value as it’s barely dented despite almost daily use all year round. Almost impossible to overdo and leaves a radiant glow (not shimmer) on the skin. My review.

BLUSHER: Clinique Cheek Pops in Plum Pop - a unique ‘bouncy’ powder, this subtle, long lasting blush is one of the best formulas I’ve tried (& there have been a lot). Plum Pop is a light, cool toned pink and works well on both pale and tanned skin. Review. Also a big fan of Clinique Chubby Stick for Cheeks, especially with a more matte make-up look for a lovely natural finish. Chubby review here.

LIPSTICK: Bourjois Rouge Velvet in Hot Pepper - I’ve probably raved about these more than any other product this past year and with good reason. Amazing pigmentation, lasting power, velvety finish - all at a great price - and they don’t dry out my lips. Seriously no need to pay more! Full review.

EYE SHADOW: Bobbi Brown Smokey Nudes - my go-to palette for a natural everyday look or smoky eye. Great mix of very blendable matte and shimmer finishes in lovely cool tones, my personal favourite. All beautifully packaged in a smokey, tortoise shell effect compact.

MASCARA: L’Oreal Miss Manga - I don’t think I’ve mentioned this on here before but it’s one that I keep coming back to as it gives great results in one sweep. The wand is tapered into a fine point which means even the tiniest corner lashes get coated. I’d say this gives more length than volume, but it definitely does give some. Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara is ah-mazing for mega full on false lash effect, takes a little bit more time and effort but well worth it and brilliant for dramatic evening looks.

EYELINER: Anastasia Covet Waterproof Liner in Astral - I love the long wearing formula of these liners but it’s the colour of this one I fell for. The perfect shade for my blue/grey eyes and very forgiving on tired eyes, it’s a greyish green that sometimes leans teal, with a slight metallic finish. The twist up mechanism is a big bonus and the formula is smooth and creamy.  Review & swatches here

BROWS: Eyeko Brow Gel - as I said above, Anastasia Brow Wiz is best for a very precise finish as it’s fine enough to draw individual hairs, but Eyeko Brow Gel is so quick and easy to sweep on that I reach for it about 70% of the time (my ultimate is a combination of the two). It’s slightly tinted gel to suit all brow colours (sounds mad but it works) and gives subtle colour enhancement and definition while holding brows in place.

PERFUME: Diptyque Philosykos - I have a major weakness for perfume and own far too many, but have truly fallen for this beauty since treating myself around this time last year. It’s fresh and green, yet has an underlying softness that both invigorates and calms me at the same time. A serious mood booster, I literally swoon every time I spritz this.

BODY: L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil - not sure I can add to my recent odes to this luxuriously comforting product. Let’s just say it’s every bit as amazing as people say and totally worth the hype. If mornings aren’t your thing, this will help.

SKINCARE: Sarah Chapman Skinesis Ultimate Cleanse - Choosing just one skincare item was my biggest challenge as I could have devoted an entire category to it. Shame on me as I’ve yet to feature this on my blog, though rave about it to just about anyone who will listen. This rich cleansing balm feels like a skin treatment and makes cleansing feel more like pampering than a chore. Massage in, add a little water and it turns to a milk, which rinses off easily with a flannel leaving skin feeling soft, glowing and comfortable. (NB packaging has changed to a pump bottle since I bought this one.) REN Rose Centifolia Cleansing Balm is a fantastic alternative, which I also adore, at almost half the price.

HAIR: Color Wow Speed Dry Blow Dry Spray - I’m all for time saving products and spritzing this into my hair pre-styling products literally cuts blow drying time in half. No idea how… it doesn’t contain alcohol like some similar options do, but it works - and protects hair with keratin proteins at the same time. I’ve been blown away by everything I’ve tried by this brand, also loving the Colour Security Shampoo and Conditioner.

I think I need a wee lie down after that, though for the first time in 2 weeks I have packed lunches to make as my kids go back to school tomorrow. I may also be sneaking a few items into my Hush basket in anticipation of tomorrow’s sale - I fancy this star print top!

I hope you found this useful and discovered some products you might like too. What was your 2014 beauty favourite - go on, enable me right back!

 

 

 

Beauty Lust List

 

I’ve been experiencing some serious product lust while browsing online recently and these are a few of the things that jumped out at me… I could go on and on and on, but I had to draw a line somewhere!  I love the palettes that come out at this time for year and always keep an eye out for them as I think they allow you to get a lot more for your money.

NARS

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L to R:

Nars Danmari All About Cheeks Palette £45 - a collection of NARS’ most loved blushers. Apart from the lilac I love all of these shades.

Douceurs de Paris Palette £37 - a mix of matt and shimmering eyeshadows, perfect for day to evening looks.  I have a couple of NARS eyeshadows and the quality is beautiful.

Yorokobi Super Orgasm Set £29 - nail polish, blush and lip gloss in the infamous Orgasm shade.  I love the blush already and have always wanted to try the nail polish and lip gloss. These are mini sizes of the products, but a great way to experiment with them!

 

LAURA MERCIER

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Laura Mercier Luxe Colour Portfolio £65

6 eyeshadows, 2 blushers, 3 cake tightliners, 3 brushes.

I love this a lot, but would love it more if there were 2 lip colours + 1 eyeliner. Three seems a lot, no? The eyeshadow colours are very wearable and include a couple I already own.  My Laura Mercier colour wardrobe (featured in my first ever blog post) still has a fair bit of life in it, so I don’t *need* this by any stretch of the imagination, but I do think it’s beautiful and like the fact that it includes brushes as I use the ones I already have a lot.

 

BOBBI BROWN

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Bobbi Brown 20th Anniversary Lip Palette £43

10 original Lip Colors launched by Bobbi in 1991, plus 10 bright, ultra modern options - wear alone or mix & match. 

I adore almost all of these colours and it would carry me through every season.  It’s a lot of money but I think you’re getting a lot in exchange - 20 lip colours!

 

YSL

YSL Rouge Volupte Perle (#4 + #1) £22.50

I think these are just too beautiful… I haven’t even seen them in the flesh but they’re so pretty they almost look like ornaments and I’ve heard the texture is gorgeous - I want and I will 100% have one!

 

OCC Lip Tar

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I’ve been researching reviews of these a lot on other blogs lately and am dying to have a play!  Swatches below show the colours I like the look of most…

Pretty Boy             Trollop               Memento               Grandma              Harlot

*Awaits funny comments on how these reflect on my character!*

 

CLINIQUE

Clinique Chubby Colour & Shine Set £27

I think these colours are more Spring than AW but they are very pretty and wearable.  It wouldn’t break my heart not to get these but I do think they’re cute and would make a lovely gift.

 

BUTTER LONDON

I’ve wanted to try Butter London nail polishes for ages and think the AW colours are gorgeous.  I particularly like Toff, Knees Up and Wallis. They cost £12 each.

 

BRUSHES & TOOLS

Shu Uemura Brush Set £35

I’ve always wanted to own some Shu Uemura brushes as I’ve heard so many great things about them… I’m thinking this set is probably as close as I’ll get as they are very pricey and I love this very portable little kit!  If any of you use Shu Uemura I’d love to know your opinions on this and if you think it would be a good investment.

Bobbi Brown Party Deluxe Travel Brush Set £80

Includes seven brushes: Dual Ended Concealer/Blender, Foundation, Face Blender, Eye Sweep,

Eye Shadow, Eye Definer and Dual-Ended Ultra Fine Eyeliner/Eye Liner.

I think this is just beautiful and while it’s doubtless great value for money, it’s sadly way out of my budget.  *sigh* … a girl can dream!

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Real Techniques Core Collection & Starter Set £20.95 each, Stippling brush £10.99

I’ve been drying to try some Real Techniques brushes, designed by Sam Chapman of Pixiwoos fame.  These kits seem a great place to start and I’d also love the Stippling Brush as I’ve heard it’s amazing for applying foundation with a flawless finish.  Again I’d love your feedback on these.

Shu Uemura Lash Curler £20

I haven’t curled my lashes for years (shock horror) though they are naturally quite curled and would really like a set of these cult curlers.  The ones I used many moons ago were by Body Shop… I’ve no idea in what way these are different but they look quite curved to me and I know I used to nip my skin on the Body Shop ones, which is probably why I stopped using them!

So that’s it (for today!!)… what do you think of my lust list - and what’s on yours?

Best of Beauty 2015

Better late than never, eh? I'd been thinking a lot about whether to blog about my 2015 favourites until a few of you requested it, so here we are. What to include was a bigger decision - oh the pressure! These are my from the heart, most adored and used products of the past year. The ones I'd recommend in a heartbeat (and regularly do), that make my heart flutter a little, every single time - they're just SO good. 

I've a lot to get through as you can see, so will try to restrict this to a product link, brief explanation of my appreciation and a link to any previous reviews. The numbers are just for reference; these aren't listed in any particular order.

SKINCARE & HAIR

1. OSKIA Renaissance Cleansing Gel - gentle rose scented gel that melts into an oily balm on contact, rinses off easily and leaves my skin feeling soft and cherished. The most exquisite cleanser I've ever tried in terms of use. Thankfully my skin likes it too. 

2. Yonka Vital Defense - I really haven't shouted about this enough and it's GORGEOUS. I've saved about a teaspoonful in the tube until I get around to repurchasing. Intensely hydrating and radiance-giving, this feels incredible on my skin. Looks like the packaging has had a pretty update too. 

3. Pestle & Mortar Pure Hyaluronic Serum - applied under moisturiser this gives instant, deep hydration - pumped full of hyaluronic acid, it's my skin's favourite drink. This is the best serum I've tried for dehydrated skin, leaving it plump and glowy. It's regularly out of stock, but you can pre-order on the above link. Currently enjoying the new Hydrate moisturiser which I'll review soon.

4. Bumble & Bumble Surf Infusion - not to be confused with the original Surf Spray, this one is designed for dry, coarse hair and leaves me with super soft waves that aren't crunchy or weighed down. Best for longer, thicker hair types and smells like Summer! Full review 

17. Alpha-H Liquid Laser Super Anti-Aging Balm - The one that almost got away, this rascal rolled off when I was photographing the rest but was too good to exclude. If your skin is getting on a bit, feeling parched and looking dull, you need this. A solid balm that melts into the skin and produces instant bliss, not even exaggerating. One of those never want to be without products that I use most nights. Full review

MAKEUP & PERFUME

5. Pixi Illuminating Tint & Conceal (in Light Glow) - This little beauty gives my skin life. Think a glowy primer and tinted moisturiser hybrid, with a built in concealer in the lid for extra coverage. Great worn alone in Summer, I often wear this under foundation when my face needs an extra leg up. It's swoony. Previous review

6. Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Corrector and Concealer - this duo cancels out darkness and adds light under the eyes. No drying, caking or creasing into lines, this is like switching on a light bulb in my eye sockets, with less effort. While I like both a lot, the Corrector is the one with the most magic powers; I imagine you could create a similar effect by using it under your existing concealer. I know a few of you have been using both and appreciating the results as much as I have. A game changer for dark shadows, especially if you're prone to dryness. Full review

I have a serious soft spot for lipsticks - and out of everything - selecting these was the trickiest. I'm never without at least one of these within reach and have used all three at least once a week (if not daily) for months on end. 

7. Clinique Pop Lip in Plum Pop - a soft, creamy, wearable dark mauve/ soft plum that's perfect for every day. I'm a fan of many shades in this line (eg Poppy Pop and Bare Pop) as the formula is superb, but Plum Pop has been my most used. 

8. KIKO Intensely Lavish Lipstick in Mild Sangria - a gorgeous berry red that works really well on my pale skin. I've worn both this and Lusty Peony 01 from KIKO's Rebel Romantic Collection a lot in recent months. See swatches and pics of me wearing both here. 

9. Tarte Coconut Oil Lipstick in Primrose - this deep berry wine lipstick is infused with coconut oil for the most delicious creamy texture with full-on pigment. Great for both day and evening, this is my go-to when I need to bring my face to life. Stunning shade and formula - please bring more of these to the UK please QVC! 

10. Smashbox Double Exposure Palette - the colours and textures in this palette continually pull me away from more neutral options. Well pigmented and buttery soft, they're some of the best formulas I've tried. As you can see, I lean towards the right hand side of this palette, though do dip into the beautiful metallic navy (bottom left) for nights out. Intensified with a spriz of water, the deeper shades make great liner colours too and are so pigmented I only need a little, as you can see, despite regular use. 

11. Bobbi Brown Full Coverage Face and Touch Up Brush - dreamily soft, this is the perfect shape and density for seamless application of liquid foundation, while the smaller end pats and blends in concealer as gently as a little finger. 

12. Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara - worth the hype, this delivers big lashes with very little effort. Not one to choose if you prefer the natural look, but if like me you can't be bothered faffing with a million layers and want instant drama now, this is awesome. 

13. By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Bronze Moon - I reach for this regularly as it's the perfect sweep of metallic bronze eyeshadow in crayon formula. Great with a smudge of Brown Perfection along the lash line. There are cheaper dupes out there, such as KIKO Long lasting Stick Eyeshadow (just ordered a few at half price!), or Topshop Smoke Stick in Fools Gold. Original review. 

14. Bare Minerals Frame & Define Brow Styler - If the only thing that bugged you about Anastasia Brow Wiz was continually breaking the nib when you put the lid on, then try this. The formula is very similar except this one has no lid on the end with a twist-up nib. Kudos Bare Minerals - it really is the little things! The super skinny nib creates natural looking hair-like strokes and Universal Light is the perfect ashy shade for me. 

15. Tom Ford Frantic Pink blusher - the ultimate coral pink blush with a radiant finish, I appreciate this most on days when no amount of makeup seems to make me look better. This gives my cheeks (and whole face) instant life, for which I'm eternally grateful. A little goes a long way, blends beautifully and it lasts all day. 

16. Viktor & Rolf Flower Bomb - I have a serious weakness for perfume and switch them up regularly, but this velvety, musky floral has hit me the hardest this year. If, like me, you assumed this would be overpowering, try a spritz on your wrist and see how it softens... I can't get enough of it. 

That's all folks! Spot any of your favourites here - or have any recs of your own for me to try?