NYX Studio Photo -Loving Primer - Anti-Redness

The NYX primer is green for a reason (not that it is in love with The Wizard of Oz or anything), but it is to correct redness, which I do suffer from especially around my T-Zone.

On application this does feel really greasy (and being someone with combination skin this is not a good feeling), because it feels so slick it doesn't feel like it is going to hold my makeup to my face.

I wasn't really that impressed by this because of the texture of the primer when it went onto my face, the confidence just wasn't there, and I just didn't feel that it reduced the redness around my T-Zone, and for the price for this it just wasn't worth the £10 retail price.

Overall I wouldn't repurchase this again, as it just didn't work for me, you can find this at your local Boots or online HERE.

Thanks for tuning in

October & November Favourites 2015

I apologise for my sporadic posts and long absences but as stated things at work have been so busy and I am currently on 8AM starts working in a Portacabin till after the New Year with no specific month when we can move back to our old building.

So to make up for that I am going to try and post everyday in December (operative word is try), and to kick us off is a double favourites post.

Benefit The Porefessional Primer

The Porefessional primer has become a cult product and has been hyped up the ying yang, so I wanted to know if it was worth the hype.

Revlon PhotoReady Primer

Revlon isn't a brand that I normally look at in the drugstore unless I am looking for something in particular. I have heard some good things about the photoready primer and thought I would give it a try.

The primer is lightweight and is supposed to soften the skin as well as diffuse light to help minimise flaws and even the skin texture out. The primer is also oil, talc, fragrance, and paraben free,

I absolutely love this primer, it creates such a great base for my foundation that I notice it hides my pores and just allows for a smooth and flawless look. The primer applies really well on to the skin and the statement is true it doesn't feel heavy on the skin and just creates an amazing canvas for your foundation.
The primer retails for £12.99 and can be found at your local BOOTS or SUPERDRUG or online by clicking on the links.

Thanks for tuning in

Gemma
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Kiss Prime of Your Life Primer - Smooth Light Reflecting Primer

I always have a nosy in my local Wilkinsons as you can sometimes find a great bargain, I was having a nosy round the skincare aisles when I spotted this, the Kiss Prime of your life primer so I thought I would give it a whirl.

KIKO Mat Base Corrector Primer

I love KIKO, I think they offer high quality products at an affordable price, so while I was in London last year I picked up the Matt Base Corrector Primer and thought I would give it a whirl.

Soap & Glory Hocus Focus Instant Visual Flaw-Softening Illuminator

I love Soap & Glory, I think they are a great brand, but I think they can be a bit hit and miss with their makeup, so while I was in my local Boots I thought I would pick up Hocus Focus and give it a whirl.

Avon MagiX Face Perfector SPF20

When it comes to primer I am always on the lookout for something that is going to help my makeup last, so while perusing my Avon brocure I spotted their Magix primer on offer and thought I have to try this.

SEVENTEEN Miracle Matt Primer

Primers have just become something that has become a massive go to for applying my makeup, and matte ones have a special place in my heart, so while perusing my local Boots a couple of months ago I found this on the SEVENTEEN stand and decided to pick it up.

Too Faced Primed & Poreless Primer*

I bought the Too Face Chocolate Bar palette and ended up getting a sample of the Too Faced Primed & Poreless powder. Now when I read the back of the product that this can be added as a primer - a powder as a primer, now to me that was just a tiny bit too strange.

Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Fatigue Blur Primer

When Maybelline released their Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser, the reviews were mixed and mine was not the greatest, so when I heard they were releasing another product for the range I bought this with trepidation.

Weekly Round-Up #4 (26th Jan 2015 - 31st Jan 2015)

Welcome to another weekly round-up of the last weeks posts, Enjoy!:

B. Prepared Makeup Primer

I am always on the lookout for a primer that is going to hide my pores, they aren't the greatest thing especially when applying foundation.

MUA Complexion Matte Primer

I am always on the lookout for a good primer, so when I saw this in my local Superdrug for £4 I thought I have to try this.

The description for this primer is that it is good or normal/combination skins as well as oily skin, so this was really right up my street.

I've been testing this out and it applies to the skin well and is silicone based so does feel quite oily when applying to the skin, the tube is small (7.5ml) but does last well and the price isn't too bad either (£4.00).

The primer has been put through its paces as my region of the UK has been experiencing soaring tempratures over the last couple of days so it is having to fight sweating (which it failed at, but it has been exceptionally hot so I will let it off a tiny bit).

I do like this primer, it makes my face matte and it does cover my pores really well, the packaging is nice in its simplicity. The product starts an orangey colour and does go clear on the skin making it ready for when you apply your foundation. You only need to apply a small amount as it can become quite greasy if you apply too much.

I like this primer it does help keep your foundation on for longer and I have noticed that it does stop my face becoming to shiny so it does do what it says on the tin. This is a primer I would repurchase again.

Thanks for tuning in

Gemma
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June Empties

Welcome to my June empties, it still surprises me how many products I get through in a month.

On with the show:

Cotton Wool and wipes is the category that seems to make up a large percentage of my empties.

Boots Double Sided Round Cotton Wool Pads
I love these cotton pads for my face as they are so soft and not abrasive on my face, I already have another packet on the go

Superdrug Cotton Wool Buds
These are great for cleaning up nail polish mistakes, already have another pot on the go.

Cotton Buds
I have had these for ages and have just used them up, they were ok and did exactly what they say on the package.

My Baby Wipes
I use these just to clean my hands while I'm putting my makeup on in the bedroom, these were OK, I have another packet on the go as they were on offer but I wouldn't buy these again.

Handy Wipes
These are fantastic, they are multipurpose wipes so they are great for keeping in my bag (especially when thomas eats chocolate and gets it all over his face).

Morny Lily of the Valley Body Moisturiser
This was a lovely moisturiser, a really strong scent of LIly of the Valley and absorbed into the skin brilliantly. I would repurchase this again but I already have a couple to use so am on a body lotion/ butter ban.

I Love...Raspberry & Blackberry Body Polish
I loved the smell of this but it just didn't scrub the way I wanted it to, it just felt like it was tickling the skin then getting rid of any dead skin cells.

Dove Original Deodorant (Travel Size)
I put the large size in a favourites recently, and have just used up a travel size (I put this in my bag when I am on a night out)

L'Oreal Skin Perfection 3 in1 Purifying Micellar Solution
I love this micellar water, I would repurchase but knowing that I can buy the Garnier one which is exactly the same but contains more, I won't be buying it again in the near future.

The Body Shop Mango Body Butter
This is gorgeous, it feels so buttery and applies really well. The scent is so strong it stays on the skin for ages. I already have another small pot on the go already.

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation - Porcelain
I wasn't that impressed with this foundation, this one was really too light for my skin (I ended up mixing it with the next shade in the range), and it just didn't seem to match my skin type.

Elegant Touch Rapid Dry for Nails
This is my holy grail when it comes to nail polish drying, it dries my nails so quickly and really does what it says on the tin, I already have another on the go.

2 True Pro Prime Perfect Primer
This was an ok primer, it worked OK, wouldn't repurchase this in the near future as I have a load of face primers to go through

L'Oreal Miss Manga Mascara
I liked this mascara especially the brush,the thin point really got into the inner and outer corners of the eyes and coated all the lashes. The only downside was the amount of product that got onto the brush and as you know that is one of my pet peeves..

Bourjois Fan-Tastic Volume Mascara
An OK mascara but again had a load of product on when the brush was pulled out of the packaging.

IKEA Sinnlig - Spa Day
This was a lovely candle and just for £1 I think they smell lovely. The candle burned for ages and really scented the bedroom. I would repurchase this again

IKEA Sinnlig - Clementine
This was so lovely and reminded me of summer so a great candle for the summertime. I would repurchase this again.

Thanks for tuning in

Gemma
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Brand Challenge: Bourjois

Welcome to my Brand Challenge, here I am going to create a look featuring just Bourjois products. I decided to create a natural daytime look with the products at hand. This post coincides with the J'Adore and Top 5 post regarding Bourjois.

To start of I used the Bourjois Happy Light Matte Primer, this came out of the bottle in a pink shade but applied to the skin it turned translucent. This primer didn't make my face feel too greasy and massaged into the skin very easily.

The next step was my base and due to the warm weather we have been having lately I decided to go with a light base and use the Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream, this contains an SPF15 which is great for adding some protection to your face. The CC cream applied well to the skin and while it did cover it was only a light coverage.

For concealer I used the Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Eye cream. this applies to the under eye very well (i apply using the applicator but then blend using my fingers), I really like this concealer as it does lighten up my under eye area.

Onto the powder, and I have to admit this was mainly bought for the packaging, it is the Bourjois Java Rice Powder. even though it is a loose powder the product contains a locking system as added protection from the powder going everywhere. This applies to the face really well and sets the makeup, it also adds a subtle sparkle to the skin (not like a disco ball before you start to worry)

Once powder had been applied I then applied some bronzer onto the cheeks, forehead and nose (just to give a bit of colour to the face), for this I added the Bourjois Delice Du Poudre in Medium. This applied well (I like to use a blusher brush as it seems to allow for more definition), and blended out very easily to create some colour on the face.

With the eyes I used Bourjois Little Round Eyeshadow pot in #10 glitter (this is a cream colour with glitter running through it) for the base and then applied #54 essential (a light chocolate brown colour) in the crease and on the outer corners of the eye.

For mascara I used Bourjois 1 Seconde Volume Mascara (waterproof) in black, this is one of the most recent launches from Bourjois and applied well the the lashes.

For the eyeliner I used a light application of Bourjois Queen Attitude Kohl Kajal just on the waterline to define the eyes but only lightly.

On the lips I applied Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipstick in Rose Tweed, this was a nude pink colour that applied well and gave of a satin effect to the lips.

Here is the finished article, not too bad if I say so myself, I think I will have to do this look more often especially during the week.

I hope you liked the brand challenge as well as the previous 2 post regarding Bourjois.

Thanks for tuning in

Gemma
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J'Adore Bourjois

DISCLAIMER: I am not bragging about what I have, this series is an insight into some of the beauty brands that I love (J'Adore). I have bought all these products with my own money (some may have been free gift with purchase)


Welcome to the start of a series, every month I will post a brand round-up of some of my favourite beauty brands. This will then be followed up with my Top 5 from that brand and then the day after a brand challenge where I will create a makeup look using only that brands products.

The first brand that I am starting with is Bourjois, this brand came to life in 1863 Paris in the theatre district. The brand's first creator is actor Joseph-Albert Ponsin who created perfumes for the actors and actress of the theatre district of Paris. Ponsin entrusted the company to Alexandre-Napoleon Bourjois in 1868 who turned the brand into what we know today (Brand history from Bourjois)

As you can see my Bourjois collection has grown, this is because it is such a good brand that pushes boundaries when it comes to cosmetics, and they bring out some great products.

Face

I love a good base and Bourjois bring them in spades whether it is as a foundation or as their most recent release their 123 Perfect CC Cream.

I love the Healthy Mix foundation it applies so well and because it is a full coverage foundation you only need a tiny amount.

I have an oily face so I need a setting powder, the one I had been coveting for the longest time was the Java Rice Powder that was released to coincide with Bourjois's 150th anniversary in the same packaging that it was first released in. I will admit I'm not a fan of loose powder and this was a fickle purchase based on packaging but you have to give it to Bourjois they know how to make their packaging appealing.

I've only just recently discovered the benefits of bronzer (I hear the gasp), and the Delice De Poudre was one every youtuber and beauty blogger has been raving about, and it looks like a chocolate bar so I thought I had to try it. It is such a lovely colour and it smells amazing (you will see this in action in my brand challenge post)

Eyes

When it comes to Bourjois and eyes I always think of their Little Round Eyeshadow Pots, these I do love. They also have an intense range that are highly pigmented and give a stronger colour on the lids.
The original eyeshadow pots come with a mirror in the lid

Bourjois when it comes to mascara love to think about volume, and getting it quick, and with their most recent release of the 1 Seconde Volume mascara (I have the waterproof version) they are really upping their game.

Eyeliner is always a trial for me as I don't apply it to my top lids as it all goes a bit Pete Tong (wrong), so I mainly apply to the waterline and around the lower lash line. Bourjois's Queen Attitude Kohl Kajal with it's conical shape applies a really dark line, it would also be good for the upper lash line as it would allow for you to reach the inner corner a lot easier.

Lips

Bourjois's most recent release was the Rouge Edition Velvets, and my god are they good, they apply to the lips like a dream and turn matte and they stay on the lips for ages (it almost seems that you need an industrial strength makeup remover to get it off).

They also have their 3D effet lip gloss, which apply onto the lips really well, these are good if you just want a sheer gloss on the lips with a hint of colour, or even applied over a lipstick.

Before we had the Rouge Edition Velvets, their was the Rouge Edition lipstick, this is in Rose Tweed and is such a lovely nude-rose colour, these just apply so well onto the lips that you only need just one swipe over the lips.

Nails

Following on from the 1 Seconde range is the original product to the range, their 1 Seconde nail polish, which boasts one application only and dries in 60 seconds, these are some of my favourite nail polishes from the range, and I love In the Navy (keep an eye out for my top 5 Bourjois).

The polishes are so pigmented whether they are from the 1 Seconde range or the So Laque they apply to the nails so well and stay on for a while as well.

I hope you like this little series that I plan on doing monthly, what are you favourite products from Bourjois?. Keep an eye out for my top five coming soon.

Thanks for tuning in

Gemma
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Collection Primed & Ready Primer

As you already know I like a good primer and I am always on the lookout for one that is going to make my makeup stay. This one I wasn't really impressed with as once you apply it it feels really watery and doesn't give me the confidence that my makeup is going to stay on as well as I'd like it to.

The primer states that it will minimise pores, smooth uneven skin and hide unsightly blemishes, I didn't think it help my foundation any as my pores were still visible and the foundation disappeared quickly from my problem areas (mainly around my nose and cheeks).

I wasn't that keen on the price of £5.99 as the primer is such a small package (18ml), for that price I do expect a tiny bit more as you can buy other primers for the same price and you do get more then 18ml so that did put me off .

Overall a product that I din't like as much as I thought I would and I wouldn't repurchase this again as there are other primers that work just as well and for a cheaper price then this.

Thanks for tuning in

Gemma
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Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer

This primer was Maybelline's big product launch last year as it was joining their 'Baby' range (Baby Lips/ Baby Skin, what next I wonder).

From what I can find opinion is mixed about this primer, some people love it and some people hate it. First lets get on to the basics of the primer:

The primer allows for a matte finish on the skin and is oil free (good for us oily skin types out there), and because it is matte it will avoid shine on the face.

The primer is a gel texture that is to help blur pores and feel light on the skin, and it does feel really light on my skin once it has all been rubbed in I hardly notice it's there and it goes on greasy but disappears once rubbed into the skin.

I have to admit it doesn't blur the pores on my nose, they you can still see so it has failed around the nose area, but it does keep my makeup in place and it doesn't feel too greasy on the skin.

Overall a good primer to keep your makeup on but not that good at blurring some pores.

Thanks for tuning in

Gemma
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2True Prime Perfect Primer

I am always on the lookout for a good drugstore primer and at £5 this was quite inexpensive.

I bought this a while ago but the product had remained unopened, when I did finally open it and start to use it I squeezed the packaging and a clear substance came out, I could clearly see that the primer was supposed to be a nude colour. In the end I squeezed the bottle out to get rid of the clear substance and see what the actual product was like when a massive blob of primer came out onto the back of my hand.

So I wasn't impressed there, once I finally did get to the primer it seemed OK so I gave it a try, the primer once applied to the face turns very sticky and reminds me on SEVENTEEN Stay Time Long Wear Primer.

It isn't a bad primer, I have noticed that it does keep my make-up on longer than others I have tried which is a plus and I like it for that, but I am really not impressed by the clear liquid that came out and then a big massive blob of product . The seal hadn't even been broken on the tube before I opened it and it's already separated. I may have just got a bad tube that may have been sitting under some lights for too long but it is still bad that, that can happen.

I won't purchase this again due to it might happen again which is still quite bad, other then that is was a good primer.

Thanks for tuning in

Gemma
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