Let's Talk: Foundations

A question I always get asked is "What foundation are you wearing" or "What's the best foundation" but unfortunately there is no quick answer. When it comes to collecting makeup, foundations are a category that has quickly become out of hand. I love buying and testing new foundations which means I certainly have a large collection of them. However, today I've decided to discuss with you my most worn and ultimate favourite bases; Bare in mind that everyone's skin is different and a product that works wonders on myself may not be the perfect match on you. I have a normal skin with a tendency to become oily in the TZone therefore I typically prefer a liquid or stick foundation with a matte finish and a medium to full coverage.  But without further a do, if you would like to know my top 7 foundations then keep on reading...

Nars Sheer Glow

For those girls with dry or dehydrated skin this is the perfect foundation for you due to its luminous and dewy finish, however I feel as though it could work on most skin types. It has great coverage and gives a flawless finish even with any large pores, texture, dry patches or blemishes. My prefered method of application is with a beauty blender and a little goes a long way with this foundation which is a good thing since it lasts a very long time. I have it in the shade 'Mont Blanc' which is a great match and I dont find it to oxidise throughout the day. Once set with powder it's longwearing and makes my skin look simply perfect. I have purchased this foundation 3 times now which suggests it's a favourite; my only complaint would be the separate purchase for the pump that i feel should be included since it's a fairly expensive product. 

Mac Studio Fix

This product has been a trusty makeup companion for years and has been repurchased countless times. It's my go-to foundation that has a medium, buildable coverage that is also fairly matte, so it helps to combat my oily areas. I wouldn't recommend this foundation to those with a dry skin as I feel it could cling to dry patches nonetheless in my opinion it would work perfectly for oily/combination skin types. As a very pale person, I wear NC15 which i find to be a great colour match. I choose to either apply this with a dampened beauty blender or my Artis brush and I am able to achieve a perfect finish. Again this foundation doesnt come with the pump and you have to purchase it separately but it's such a minor setback to how much I love this product.

Too Faced Born This Way

This is a great foundation for those with combination/dry skin due to it's moisturising factors and it is also fragrance free making it a great option for anyone with sensitive skin.It works well to cover uneven skin tone with its medium to full coverage and I love the packaging of this product which luckily comes with a pump. I like to apply this with a dampened beauty blender and I am left with a beautiful dewy looking base that once powdered stays put for hours. I have it in the shade 'Snow' which I find to be the perfect colour match for me. 

Loreal True Match

This is my favourite drugstore foundation that I find compares to my more expensive bases. It is drugstore which suggests it's very reasonably priced so if you're on a budget and are looking for a product that performs like a high end foundation for half the price this could be the one for you. Again, this would be the perfect foundation for those with combination skin. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone with overly dry or extremely oily skin as it feel it might not suit you. I find this to be an incredibly smooth foundation with a satin finish and brilliant coverage. The texture is so silky when applied to the skin with a beauty blender and it really blends so easily. This is the best budget foundation I've found for lasting power, once set it can wear for hours.

Estee Lauder Double Wear

This is the foundation I will wear when I know I'm having a long day and I want my makeup to still be intact by the evening. This is hands down the best product for staying power and it's a great medium to full coverage foundation that is suitable for oily, combination or normal skin. For those with a more dry skin types I would perhaps suggest using the hydrating primer or thick moisturiser before using as I think It could possibly cling to any dry areas you may have present. A little goes a long way with this and I enjoy applying it with either a beauty blender or my Artis brush in order to get a flawless finish. In terms of finish I wouldn't say it's either matte or dewy and i dont find it to oxidise throughout the day. The packaging is very classic and beautiful but it doesnt come with a pump so I actually use a Mac pump on this foundation!

Makeup Forever HD Foundation Stick

For those days when I want a quick and easy makeup look this is my go-to foundation. When applied with the Zoeva Buffer brush it takes a matter of seconds to apply the stick foundation straight onto the face and buff it into the skin. It's very creamy and is simply a dream to blend, without effort you are able to get a medium coverage with a satin finish that looks smooth and flawless. This foundation works great on my combination skin although I can imagine it would stick to dry patches so be aware if you have dry skin that you will need to use a hydrating primer beforehand. I was worried that this might enhance or settle into my pores although it actually glides over them making my complexion look perfect. It definitely needs setting with a powder to ensure it doesnt slip around the skin or separate after a few hours but once set it lasts for a good 7 hours.

Mac Studio Sculpt

This is a very creamy foundation with a medium buildable coverage which is hydrating and claims to be water resistant also. It 's a great foundation for dry to combination skin however if you are overly oily i'm not sure this would work for you. It's the perfect colour match and i find it to look natural whilst still providing great coverage and hiding any imperfections and redness. It's easy to apply with a beauty blender however the consistency of the foundation is quite thick and sticky so it definitely needs setting with a powder. You also only need a small amount of product so it's certainly going to last you a long time. 

I really hope that you have enjoyed this post and It's perhaps helped you to find your perfect foundation. Is there a foundation that you think I would absolutely love, let me know in the comments as I'm always willing to try more. 

With love, 

Chanel Poudre Universelle Libra | Review

Today I decided to bring you a mini review on this Chanel Powder which I have been testing for the past few weeks. Before trying this I was using the RCMA no colour powder however the packaging soon became an annoyance and I'd been on the lookout for a new loose powder to replace that one. I then came across the Chanel Poudre Universelle Libra Loose Powder and figured I would give it a try. So, without further a do here are my thoughts on this product. 

First of all, it goes without saying that the packaging is simply stunning as all Chanel products are, It's most certainly a dressing table decor piece. My prefered method of application is with a beauty blender (although it does come with a Chanel Powder Puff); I like to press it into the skin as I find it ensures I stay matte all day and it keeps my makeup in place for absolute hours. The product itself is very finely milled which allows for a smooth finish without looking cakey, thick or dry. It has a natural finish that is light and weightless although i find it very mattifying without looking flat. Any other powder products i apply on top always blend seamlessly and I never have to re-touch throughout the day. I have it in the shade 20 Clair and it's a great match for my NC15 skin tone.The package itself is quite large, containing what seems to be an inexhaustible amount of product which I doubt I'll be using up anytime soon; It has a subtle scent that isn't noticeable upon application. 

The first day that i tried this foundation I wore it with my Makeup Forever HD foundation stick and after being at work all day in the heat I got home and my base was still flawless. This for me is a true test of a powder as it's very important for my base to stay matte and to ensure the oil is kept at bay especially on my T Zone. It works wonderfully to set my concealer ensuring that it doesnt crease and looks impeccable. Because of that I would most certainly recommend this powder despite the fact it's pricey I for sure think it's worth it. This product has now taken place of the RCMA and Laura Mercier powders as I honestly think it's the best! 

I hope you enjoyed this post and if you've tried this powder let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Would you like me to continue doing posts and mini reviews on products as It's something I could definitely do. 

With Love, 

My Brow Routine

Eyebrows are something I've been trying to master for a long time as I wasn't fortunate enough to be blessed with thick and naturally full brows. I feel as the years have gone by they've gotten better and I figured today I would share with you the product's I've been using to define, shape and colour my brows. 

Maintenance:

I've never had my brows professionally done however it's something I've always considered but have never had the time to do. Instead I pluck and tint them myself at home.  I tend to pluck them probably once to twice a week to keep stray hairs away and to maintain the shape. My hair doesnt grow very fast in general and that's perhaps why I've been afraid to let someone else do them incase they take off too much hair and I'm left with no eyebrows...

Products:

I've tried A LOT of brow pencils, powders, pomades and gels and I've finally found a combination of products that gives me the best result possible. 

I use my benefit Precisely my Brow Pencil to outline and create my desired shaped brow. This pencil is smooth and easy to apply and also comes with a spooley on the end which is great for combing the hairs into place. 

I then take the benefit Brow Zings kit to sculpt and fill the brow. In the shade 3, I firstly take the wax and apply that with my Anastasia brow brush and then I'll use the powder over the top with my Zoeva brow brush and by layering the product like that helps to ensure that my brows stay in place all day. When I get to the front of my brow I will apply the product upwards to give a softer effect. 

I will then take the MAC eyeshadow in 'Nylon' onto the brow bone as i feel this lifts and defines the brow even more. 

My final step is to apply a brow gel and I use the Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Brows Brow Gel in the shade 'Linda'. Using this product at the end ensures that my brows never look too penciled in as it gives the brows dimension and more of a 3D effect as a pose to looking stuck down. The brush is the perfect size for those of us with thinner eyebrows and it's easier to apply and get that crisp brow that stays in place. 

I hope you guys enjoyed reading about my brow routine. Let me know in the comments below what products you use for your brows? 

With Love,