MAC Lipstick - Speak Louder

This has to be the first Lipstick I've actually brought from MAC that ISN'T a nude. Ok, so I've technically only bought 3 Lipsticks now, and I'm very decisive on what colours I choose. I need to make sure it's a colour I'll actually get a lot of use out of because I find £13.50 is quite pricey for the amount I earn and I can't possibly afford to splash out on a Lipstick I'll only wear once or twice.

I have, however, 'splashed out' on a less nude, more colourful, Lip colour. Say hello to Speak Louder - the name says everything.
I absolutely fell in love with this Lipstick. The colour really suits my colouring and enhances everything! The texture is pretty good.. It doesn't dry out my lips but also doesn't keep them glossy. 
The finish is Cremesheen and I found that this finish lasts a hell of a lot longer than most of my lipsticks but can be slightly drying.
The colour is on the blue side of red (if you get me blud).. So it's a more purple-red-pink than just pink!
The staying power is remarkable. I looked for the famous lip stain on my glass of juice this morning, and there wasn't a single bit of colouring. I also only applied twice while at work and it stayed on my lips perfectly, for a good 7 hours!

I love the colour. It's the reason I bought it. But the other details make this my number one Lippy at the moment. 

Estee Lauder DW and MAC Blot Powder REVIEW

Estee Lauder Double Wear

Today was the first time that I used this foundation and I think it's fair to say it's my favourite of all time! So many of my friends use this and always have perfect looking skin, but I've never really thought about buying it because I always see other new and up-and-coming foundations I want to try. I've been using Infallible by Loreal and I really do favour it over most foundations, but this one has a thicker and less-greasy coverage, which I wanted.
The application is so trouble-free and glides on so smoothly but the final look is what I love the most. I look like I have flawless skin, but not too matte or too greasy to look fake. I normally suffer from a greasy T-zone and normally have to reapply foundation over these areas but this one has been as non-greasy as anything I've tried before! It's also stayed put all day - which is a first!

I paid £19 for it because I got 20% off through my staff discount, but it normally prices at £26.50 from Debenhams or other stores as such.
I think for £26.50 it's a great deal because when I applied it, I didn't need much product at all to cover my face - and I have really uneven skin tone to prove it's good!

I also bought...

MAC Blot Powder/ Pressed

I've seen loads of reviews on the MAC Powder and how good it is and really wanted to purchase it. I'm using a Collection 2000 at the moment in a similar colour but it isn't translucent enough for me - I can see the powder so much on my skin and I always look like I have severe dry skin!
This one, however, maintains my foundation ALL day (and I mean all day.. I woke up at 7 and went to bed at 12 and it was still there!), it also prevents my greasy T-Zone getting too bad. At times I touched the areas to see if I needed powder, and to much surprise, I didn't, whereas before I'd be re-applying the powder every second.
Both products will be so happy in my makeup draw! They are by far my favourite products at the moment and can see them lasting a long time. If all goes well, I'll be re-purchasing these (but I won't speak to soon, you never know what might happen!)
Anyway, hope you all have a lovely day!

REVIEW: MAC Christmas Special Edition Brushes

For a while now, I've needed a good makeup brush. Not just a something that will help me apply my makeup - I already have roughly 4 foundation Brushes - but a "GOOD" makeup brush. My first ever brush purchase was from Body Shop: A Foundation brush and a Blusher brush. I didn't really know there were so many different brushes and types - but luckily chose well the first time.
I've been shopping at MAC for a few months now and love it. Although I've had to take back a foundation, everything else is great. I made the decision to splash out (I say splash out but I currently have little money in my account - so this WAS a splurge) on the Special Edition Christmas Brush Set. I was planning on buying a Blusher Brush and a Foundation Brush and the woman suggested I buy the set because the other three brushes came with the two. BARGAIN. It came to £31.30 (the brushes and a makeup bag included) in the end which I thought was a great deal - and for such gorgeous looking brushes.. WHY NOT?

Blusher Brush: 129 SE
It's a bit of a disappointment for my first ever purchase of an expensive brush and is very bristly and scratches my skin slightly rather than smoothing on my powder and blusher/bronzer. Although I've only used it once, I definitely won't be using it again.. It was of such bad quality (in my opinion) that the individual strands of hair (or whatever crap it's made from) would actually brush off onto my face, leaving me with having to pick strands off my face. It just doesn't meet to my expectations of a good Blusher Brush - Sorry MAC.
Foundation Brush:190 SE
This is by FARRRR my favourite Foundation Brush I've used to date. It's soft and thick - everything a Brush fanatic could wish for. I haven't found a down side to this brush yet - but I am looking. The only think I'm worrying about it getting round to cleaning it. I hate the first time you wash a brush and dread to think that the glue is unsticking!
Eyeshadow Brush:275 SE
I never normally wear eyeshadow, purely because it over-powers my face and it takes up even more of my time in the morning. But TODAAYY... I obviously had to try it out. This brush is made from the same hair type as the Foundation brush so it's silky smooth to touch and glides effortlessly over my eyeshadow pallet and onto my eyelid. FAB! There's not much more I can say, because I never use Eyeshadow that much.. (Maybe I should?)
Concealer Brush: 266 SE
Again, I never use Concealer, let alone Concealer Brushes, but it was one of those purchases where you think "maybe one day I'll start using concealer and I'll be forever greatful that I bought that Special Edition Brush Kit." Or.. Not.. Anyway, haven't used this yet, and doubt I will for a while. I just wanted to ramble on about not using Concealer ... (Another 'Maybe I should' moment)
Eyebrow Brush:226 SE
OK OK, this is SOO ME! I live for Eyebrows... They're my favourite feature on most faces (weird, I know) next to Eyes (saved myself).. I think they define a persons whole face and it really frustrates me when I see over-plucked eyebrows. I think we've all gone through that stage. I know I did. URGH absolute disaster = eyebrows + razor. I've learnt by mistakes.
This brush will come in SO handy as I've just received an Eyebrow kit (Benefit, if you must know) and the brush that came with it is just not flexible enough. OMG can't wait to use!!

Link to the Brushes kit here

MAC Face and Body Foundation RANT

MAC Face and Body Foundation in C4

Ok, I don't normally hate products at all.. I sometimes dislike them, but never hate them. I think it's time to make an exception. This Foundation has to be the worst purchase of my entire Foundation-using life. No over-statement.. Some people may really love this Foundation, and I'm not against that at all... But I was wrongly advised by one of the MAC shop assistants and I'm just cross that I didn't go with my gut instinct not to buy it. First off, I found there's hardly any coverage, only if you apply and apply and apply - and I asked for a Medium Coverage Foundation. GRRR! Secondly, this Foundation seems to be for very dry skin, as I found after applying about 3 coats (and still not having GREAT coverage) my skin would be like oil on a plate. It was horrendous!
My mum actually commented on my skin, telling me whatever foundation I was using, was definitely too oily for my skin (which I already knew)...
I like to have a Medium Coverage light foundation for my base, and then a darker foundation on top (that's how I roll).. But with this foundation, it would get oiler throughout the day, and my other foundation would pretty much smudge off using any force (or even start melting off in high temperatures - Luckily I was in cold Wales at the time)..

I am in no means trying to make you not buy this product, but perhaps question whethere it is right for your skin. I'm heading back to MAC whenever I'm next in town to get my money back, or buy anothe (better) foundation.
This foundation may actually be your staple and one that you rave about.. That's great. But if you're oily - normal combination skin, this is definitely NOT for you - unless you lervvvvee that oily look..

On another note, these are some of the pictures I took in Cardiff, Wales. I haven't got round to editing the others just yet.. But I've got too many posts lined up to do individual ones. So here's a sneak peak.

Hope your week's been good! Speak soon!

MAC Studio Sculpt SPF 15 Review

A few of you may have already read my post on buying my first ever MAC product and since then I've had a few of you also comment on how good/healthy my skin is looking. And it's down to this beauty. Because I'm reasonably fair skinned, I use a lighter foundation to make the base when I put my makeup on, and then over that, I put Studio Sculpt in NC40 on my cheeks, under my eyes and slightly on my forehead. This helps me look slightly more tanned and healthier rather than plastering on just one colour so your face looks more 2D than 3D.
Recently I've found this cold weather makes my blusher or bronzer look too blotchy, so I've resorted to using foundation as a colour for my cheeks.
Although, throughout the day, my face may get a bit greasy, I'd prefer to just dab a tissue on it and re-apply, than to have to deal with blotchy bronzed cheeks. Not nice...

This product has also been SO moisturizing but not so that it makes my face breakout. I've removed makeup at night and thanked the lord for this miracle of a foundation. It's been SUCH a savior and I plan to buy this in a lighter shade tomorrow.

From a previous picture of me, my skin looks so much more dewy than when I used bronzer/blushers. The way I edit my photos, make my skin look slightly pixelated but I can reassure you that it really is smooth and a good coverage. I would be tempted to say it's a full coverage, but it does blend in nicely with my lighter foundations, so (as it says on the packaging) I'll agree that it's a medium coverage.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I LOVE this product. It covers well, stays on my face pretty much all day, and is a natural looking colour, however dark it is in the tube. If it wasn't such a great product, I wouldn't be going back for more.

What foundation do you love? And why?






Due to the editing of my photos, the colours of the foundation, may not necessarally be identicle to the real product.

My First MAC Product

This is my very first MAC product ever. How is it that I haven't ever used MAC but have a beauty blog? Perhaps because I'm not entirely with it. But what better time to start than now? After buying a True Match Loreal Foundation in W7, I very clumsily dropped it in my Bathroom and it went.. EVERYWHERE. Quite literally. All up the walls, all over the floor and carpet and in my shower. Grr. After the short outburst of tantrums, I decided it was a sign that I needed better foundation. So... MAC it was. Me and the Boyfriend went on a search in the Old Lanes and finally found it. The woman was really lovely, and made me look fab for my interview later that day (which went very well, and I'm hoping to hear from them tomorrow..)

Studio Sculpt SPF 15 Foundation in NC40 - MAC

 I'll be wearing the new foundation tomorrow when I take my weekly GROW photo. And Christmas has come early for me. A new set of PJ's just in time for the cold autumn/winter months.

Hope you have a lovely start to the week!