It’s been such a long time since I’ve shared a review of my latest beauty buys. The main reason? I simply hadn’t found that many products to rave about. Sad but true folks. However, this last month I’ve discovered all sorts of lovely items to paint your faces with for Autumn. And what with it being “Back to school” September and all and the fact that we’re let’s face it, probably a bit too old for a new pencil case, new make-up will bring you just as much joy and an excuse to show off to all your friends. Promise.
Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in Weirdo £15.00
This is a very pigmented cream finish and it’s the perfect shade of peach/pink. There are 40 (yes 40!) shades in the Vice Cream finish collection which range from palest beige to deepest plum. I love that on the feelunique.com website you can see every single hue on actual real people’s lips with all different skin tones. Don’t blame me if you order several.
Ok do blame me, but at least let me know what colours you bought in the comments box below so I can copy.
Lancome Grandiose Liquid Eyeliner £23.00
I won’t lie, I thought this was a bit of a gimmick. I also thought I had broken it the first time I used it as the wand it so…bendy. Yet it’s the bendy wand that makes it so quick and easy to use, not to mention the fact you can avoid plastering your eyelashes with liquid (happens) as it’s so precise. It’s undoubtedly spendy, but worth a whirl if you otherwise find liquid eyeliner difficult to use. The finish is a rich matte black which I love.
With a steady hand you can achieve a similar finish with Rimmel Exaggerate eyeliner which will cost you £5.29.
Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush £14.00
I have this in the shade “flush” which literally colours your cheeks as though you may have had a morning jog in the park – all healthy and pink and glowy. It’s essentially a liquid blush that is VERY fluid and a little goes a long way. As it doesn’t sweat off easily it’s been perfect for the warmer weather but I imagine I’ll be reaching for it as it becomes colder and my skin becomes drier – it doesn’t emphasise a dehydrated epidermis like a powder.
I have never in my life had the motivation to go for a jog in the park in the morning. But I do manage to reach over and dot this on my apples no matter how tired I am after a 5am Mabel related wake up call. The application process must burn at least a few calories right?
There are plenty of other shades to choose from on Lookfantastic.com
Clinique Pop Lacquer Lip Colour & Primer £16.00
You know when you find a product that is SO good you don’t actually want to tell anyone about it? That. Only I’ve done a sh*t job so far as after a full days wear and absolutely NO DRYNESS OR FLAKES (the struggle is real) I excitedly text Editor Lauren from the train as I was on my way home from London that she MUST buy one IMMEDIATELY… and now I’m telling all of you.
It’s like a balm/gloss hybrid only without the stickiness of a gloss, and with significantly better staying power than either. I have it in the shade 05 “wink” which is a great everyday mauve/pink/neutral but I will be buying other hues soon. MANY other hues. Oh and it makes your lips appear plumper as well. If it also offered to put a wash on it would literally be my BFF.
This might just be the best make-up buy of 2016 so far.
Vichy Ideal Soleil Self Tan Face & Body £14.00
If you want an immense fake tan that makes you look like you’ve been on a two week holiday to Barbados then Clarins Self Tanning Milky Lotion is hard to beat. Even for a sensitive pale skinned type like me. For something a little more subtle (and cheaper) I rate Vichy Ideal Soleil. The scent is fairly potent, but not unpleasant (and distinctly non biscuit-esque) and it doesn’t irritate my eczema or go streaky on my calves. You can add another layer the day after your initial application to build your bronze as it were.
Do let me know of anything new and amazing you have discovered recently. I probably need it too. And if I don’t need it, I will undoubtedly buy it anyway.
P.S If you’re looking for something a little less frivolous to spend a small fortune on I’m still most amused by the response to my feature that was essentially about a posh bin.
Ah Charlotte I love your makeup posts. I think I’m going to have to copy you and get the Clinique Pop. It looks fab.
I’ve not bought anything new lately – I tried the new Bobbi Brown Retouching Face Pencil a couple of weeks ago and have been debating it since, The highlight shade in Illuminate gave a nice glow but it’s a little spendy at £22 per pencil.
Oh I love a pencil Sarah! And I have not yet heard of this?! I have Mabel all day today but I’m sure she won’t mind a trip to John Lewis… 🙂 X
It’s new – get yourself there and have a looksee: http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=1203&awinaffid=195689&clickref=&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.johnlewis.com%2Fbobbi-brown-retouching-face-pencil%2Fp2899418%3Fcolour%3DIlluminate
It gave good coverage, and you don’t need powder with it. x
I feel like I want to throw out all my make up and start again at the moment. Ive not worn much since my son was born 3 months ago but I now feel like I need to start feeling a bit more like me and wear a bit of slap. However, I have been using Neal’s Yard Rehydrating Rose Facial Oil and it’s done wonders for my usually dry skin. I’ve not used any other moisturiser, only an SPF if I’ve been in the sun. It lasts really well too (about 3 months for me) so at around £20, it’s really good value for money I think.
Soohoe, when I had my baby last year I bought the Urban Decay Naked pallet (not the eye one, they do one for your whole face). It contains a blush, bronzer, highlighter, eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara and lipgloss – all neutral colours in a square box with a decent sized mirror. It was a saviour in the mornings when I literally had about 4.5 minutes to shower, do my face and tame my barnet. If they still make it, it’s deffo worth a look!
Thanks for the tip! That’s exactly what I need – to feel ‘done’ in about 5 minutes!
This palette sounds AMAZING! I hope you can find one to buy Sophie x
Not just great for time strapped mamas, it’s saved me from many a holiday cosmetics packing drama!
Oh how I’ve missed your beauty hauls! You’ve reminded me that I have that exact Daniel Sandler blush – must look it out. When you have as much make-up as I do, you literally forget you’ve bought things! ? The struggle is real.
Pah ha hahahahaha I thought of you when I’ve been going through my make-up ready for the move. I threw an embarrassing amount out – because it’s simply been open to long. And I still have LOADS.
But maybe just a little bit of space to fill with more purchases? ?
Just the essentials obvs!
Yes! My favourite posts 🙂 and the most purse damaging!
I’m definitely going to try that blusher – will let you know which colour, they all look nice – maybe “Spicey” or “Gentle” or “Glamour”…
I am in desperate need of a new mascara, does anyone have any recommendations? I like to try new ones each time, ever on the quest for the perfect one. I’ve just finished Maybelline Lash Sensational, and then before that I’ve had Max Factor Masterpiece Transform and tons of others. I’d like it to thicken & lengthen and be non-clumpy & non-flaky – not asking for much ha! xx
ps. I did buy that NIOD Photography Fluid that was recommended on a couple of previous posts, it really is amazing! http://www.lookfantastic.com/niod-photography-fluid-colourless-opacity-12-30ml/11135681.html
Hi Sarah! I really rate Max Factor Lash Extensions but also Bobbi Brown “Everything” mascara does what it says on the tin – you can layer it without clumps and it doesn’t flake either. I sometimes use both the BB and the Max Factor together for really long, thick lashes xx
Thank you!! Will try the MF Lash Extensions 🙂 xx
I second the MF Lash Extensions recommendation. Been using it for ages now and nothing else I’ve tried so far beats it. Quite tempted with the Bobbi Brown mascara though…
It’s great isn’t Kat? The unclumpiest mascara there is! The BB I would say is more thickening where as the MF is more lengthening, hence the using them both together x
Glad you liked the NIOD ??
I rate the Max Factor False Lash Effect mascara – it’s a dream. I don’t rate the waterproof version though, it has a tendency to flake.
I’m often bored in Euston waiting for the train back home and ventured into Body Shop… Not my usual goto for make up but I’d already spent a small fortune in Paperchase and I discovered the honey glow pots.. Bargain at £8 each and on a 3 for 2 offer at the time. There is a lovely pinky shimmer one for cheeks and a gold highlighter one and they smell divine. I put them on and I swear I get a dewy complexion and the highlighter is the first one that doesn’t make my laughter lines show too much. Staying power is not too bad but because of the cost and smell the I don’t mind reapplying through the day
Oh Helen these sound super! Will also take a look whilst at Euston – next Tuesday! x
Clinique are doing great at lipsticks recently – had quite a few over the last twelve months from the Pop range and long lasting range. I often find lipstick very drying and these are definitely not!
Diane it’s definitely encouraged me to try more from Clinique – for some reason the counter never seems as appealing as others so I rarely venture to it x
Just wondering is the clinque lipstick difficult to get off? Because I have the rimmel provocalips in two colours and it does as it says on the tin and will stay for 16hrs (including hard partying, coffee, alcohol, kissing the lot) I do literally have to use a toothbrush to get it off. And whilst the price and stay put rating is perfect the shade range isn’t and i would like to be able to remove it a bit easier because make up less with only lipstick on at your friends kitchen table the next morning- not a good look.
Hi Amelia, the Clinique is more of a liquid/gloss and does have good staying power – lasts a few hours on me at least. But it’s not a “stay on” lipstick per se, I can’t use those – they always crumble on me and my lips flake off. Having said that, I have a lovely creamy matt by Surratt (at Libertys) that lasts a long time, even through eating and drinking and comes in the loveliest colours – well worth a look xx
I’ve also got the Daniel Sandler blush but find it much too watery, my friend has just introduced me to the No Makeup Makeup by Perricone MD, she bought me the No Blush Blush for my birthday, which is gorgeous, it has a sponge applicator and can be used as a lip tint too with gloss over the top. Not cheap but I’m converted, just shopping for the No Foundation Foundation, oops, think I’m hooked!
Great post – thanks for sharing your purchases and beauty finds! It’s often hard sifting through the hundreds of products on the shelf and knowing what will treat your hair or face the best. It’s certainly important to look after your tresses, but this can be one of the hardest one’s to find. Consulting your hairdresser is another good idea to be sure you’re using the correct treatment for your hair type.