Review: Clinque Take The Day Off Balm

For the longest time I've been obessed with the Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm. I would always use travel sizes but could never bring myself to part with the money for a full sized one. So I started looking around for cleansing balms that were good value for money. And I discovered the Clinque Take The Day Off Balm.

This cleanser is a solid balm that turns to oil as it's rubbed into the skin. And boy does it work, this removes all signs of make up and eye make up without leaving skin feeling greasy or oily looking. It's very nourishing on the skin and leaves it feeling soft, supple and somewhat moisturised after every use. A little bit goes a long way and isn't drying or irritating on the skin, it also doesn't sting eyes when you remove eye make up but I do recommend using a seperate eye make up remover afterwards to make sure everything is gone.

This isn't the most inexpensive cleansing balm on the market but it does work out better value for money than some of the other higher end cleansing balms out there. The Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm is a good example. It's £38 for a 100ml pot that whilst will last a long time still isn't as good value as the Clinque which is £22 for 125ml of product. I've been a big fan of the Emma Hardie balm for a while but since I've been using this the Moringa Cleansing Balm hasn't impressed me as much as it used to do. And with the Clinque being slightly cheaper and larger in size I don't mind paying out for it when it runs out.

If you're looking for a balm to oil cleanser that nourishes the skin whilst simultaneously removing all signs of make up then this is for you. And if you're unsure of buying a full sized pot without trialling it first then ask one of the staff at a Clinque counter for a sample. It's what I did and I recieved a sample which lasted long enough to get a good idea of whether I liked it or not and helped me decide if I wanted to buy a full size version.

Review: Maybelline Creamy Matte Lipsticks S17

If you've been reading this blog for the past year and a bit then you'll know how much of a fan of the Mayblline Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lipsticks I am. So of course when they release new shades I just had to pick a couple up to try out. This time there are only four new releases for them and each shade is a stunning nude that will suit all skin tones.

The first shade I picked up is Brown Sugar. It's an absolutely stunning brown shade that has a hint of grey running through it. It's a perfect shade for ladies with paler complexions as well as ladies with medium to deep complexions. It just screams 90's Brown Lip in the bullet.

The second is Smoky Rose. It's a bit of a trickier shade to wear because it has a peach undertone that can transform how this shade looks on paler complexions. It's going to really pop on more medium to deep skintones but with a bit of work it will also look stunning on fairer complexions.

If you love these lipsticks because they're creamy, highly pigmented and ridiculously comfortable then you won't be disappointed by these latest shades. They opaque in one swipe, they don't drag on the lips and whilst they dry down to a matte finish they are not drying or uncomfortable in the slightest. They do transfer every so slightly but that's only because they are so creamy. It also means reapplication is easy and you don't end up with those horrible dry patches that a fresh layer clings to.

If you're looking to dip your toe into nude lips this year I'd suggest grabbing these new releases from Maybelline. There will be a colour to suit everyone and they give high end results without breaking the bank. If they release anymore shades you can bet that you'll be seeing them on here.

Review: Maybelline SuperStay Primer

If there is one product I always have trouble with it's primer. Either they have too much silicone in them and make my make up slip off or they sink into the skin too quickly and don't help the longevity of my make up. I've tried many ranging from Smashbox to Barry M and most in between them. And whilst some of them were okay and easy to use, nothing wowed me as much as the latest release from Maybelline.

Some of you may remember last year they released their SuperStay Setting Spray, that wowed me and is one of my holy grail products. This year they've added another product to their SuperStay Range. This is their new SuperStay Make Up Extending Primer. It's supposed to help extend the life of your make up whilst keeping it looking fresh and flawless. It also has smoothing technology that helps minimise the look of pores and evens out uneven skintone.

My first thought was how thin and almost runny in texture this was. I even shook it before use to see if it would thicken but it doesn't. However that just adds to the appeal of this primer, it's not to hard to massage into the skin and it doesn't feel like it's going to clog pores or irritate the skin at all. It has a velvet finish to it that grips nicely onto any base product and extends it's life on your face.

I've really enjoyed wearing this under foundation and can really see the difference in how my make up looks at the end of the day. However because of it's velvet finish and flesh colour, I would say that you could also get away with wearing this on it's own over moisturiser or SPF. It doesn't add a glow to skin and it's velvet semi matte finish helps keep shine at bay so is perfect for anyone with combination to oily skin.

Overall there is nothing bad I can say about this primer, it doesn't cause foundation ball up or slip off the face. It really does extend the life of my make up and keeps it looking fresh all day long and it doesn't dry out or clog up my skin. Definitely a winner in my eyes and I highly suggest checking it out when you're at a Maybelline Stand next.

Make Up Starter Kit

 

It was only a few years ago that I really found myself getting into make up and skincare. I won't say I knew exactly what I needed straight away and I did struggle to find products that not only worked for me but were what I needed. And now it's a new year there may be some of you out there who are looking to create a kit or a selection of make up that'll get you started before you expand into trickier techniques, products and higher price ranges. So I've put together a kit of the most basic of make up products that will help you put together a look and help you gain experience as you use them. And the best bit, they can all be found on the high street.

Primer
Use: A primer is not always necessary when it comes to your day to day make up but does help the longevity of your make up and some can blur the appearence of pores and uneven skintone. They come in either a silicone gel like formula or a cream formula. Silicone based primers are best for combination/oily skin types and cream formulas are great for sensitive, dry or normal skin types.
Recommendations: Maybelline have recently released their Superstay Primer and it's brilliant. It's a very runny formula that sinks nicely into the skin. It leaves it ever so slightly tacky to the touch but that just means it's going to grab and hold onto the foundation easier. Barry M is another brand that does a brilliant primer. It also has that tacky finish that grabs and locks in foundation. It's a cream formula so it's a little bit more hydrating on the skin as well and this particular primer minimises the appearences of pores but with that slippy silicone feel.

Foundation
Use:Foundation is used to even out skintone and great an even base for other products such as concealer, bronzer and blush to go over top. It isn't used to mask the skin but to cover and even out the skin whilst still looking natural. Foundation usually comes in three finshes, light, medium or high coverage and each foundation is different.
Recommendations: A fantastic lightweight foundation that doesn't break the bank comes from Loreal. It's their Cushion Foundation which gives a light breathable coverage that still leaves skin looking bright, glowy and skinlike. A little of this goes a long way and can be built up for more coverage if necessary. Another breathable light to medium coverage foundation comes from Bourjois. It's their CC Cream which claims to colour correct whilst simultaneously evening the skin tone like a foundation. It can be built up to be quite high in coverage but personally I'd advised using a light layer of this and then covering any other blemishes or under eye circles with concealer.

Concealer
Use: Concealer is there for what foundation doesn't quite cover. It's great at disgusing dark circles, redness and blemishes. It's slightly thicker in consistency than foundation but can still be worked into the skin to make it look natural and skin like. Different concealers work in different ways and whilst some can both work under the eyes as well as on blemishes but there are some that only work in certain areas of the face.
Recommendations: Under the eyes the only one I'd personally recommend comes from Maybelline. It's their The Anti-Age The Eraser Eye. It's a light to medium coverage that covers the appearence of dark circles whilst still blending nicely into the skin. And for blemishes and other imperfections the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer is perfect. It has a high coverage that blends seamlessly into the skin and keeps imperfections covered all day. It's not that great for under the eyes as it does have the tendency to disappear after a while.

Powder
Use: Powder is used to set everything into place. It's also a great product for on the go touch ups, especially if you have oily/combination skin. It can come in pressed powder or loose powder. Some pressed powders are thicker in consistency but you can find some that are lightweight on the skin. Loose powder is finer in texture and more lightweight. The high street doesn't do that great a selection of loose powders but they do have some decent quality pressed powders.
Recommendations: A personal favourite comes from Collection. Their pressed powder isn't too heavy or powdery on the skin. It's perfect for setting concealer under the eyes as well as the rest of the face. It comes in four shades and even includes an ivory for us ladies with a fairer complexion. MUA also have a good pressed powder. It contains Vitamin E so it nourishes and hydrates the skin whilst your wearing it. It's very lightweight and easy to apply. However it does have a tendency to crack and shatter easily so you'd be buying them more reguarly than you would the Collection Pressed Powder.

Brows
Use: Brows when done correctly can frame a face perfectly. And not everyone's brows are the same, when you fill them in don't worry if they don't look indentical, they're meant to be sisters not twins. There are so many ways to fill in your brows, powders, pencils, crayons and brow mascaras. Each one brings a different look and feel to the brows and choosing the right product is all down to personal preference. And if you don't want to fill in your brows then you don't have to, it's all down to personal preference and if you want to make time for it.
Recommendations: Two products that come from the high street and work wonders on brows are these from Barry M and Maybelline. Maybelline's Mirco Brow Precise Pencil. It's very remniscent of the Anastasia Brow Wiz with it's thin nib pencil. It's very light in texture, feel and appearence. It comes with a spoolie so you can brush out the brows to make it look more natural and to help reduce any product build up. Barry M's It's a Brow Thing is a very light powder that adds natural yet defined look to the brows. It's only downfall is that it only comes in two shades so it can be hard to match to your own brow shade.

Eyes
Use: Mascara is the simplest thing part of any look. Most mascaras just add definition to the eyes and can be used without any other product to give a little something extra to a bare face. There are two types of brushes, bristle and plastic. Yet again this is all down to personal preference but both can give you the same effect if you chose the right one for you.
Recommendations: Loreal's Miss Hippie Mascara is a bristle brush that has a ton of micro bristles which gives fanned out volume that looks natural yet defined at the same time. It doesn't smudge or flake away whilst your wearing it. Another brilliant bristle brush mascara comes from Maybelline, it doesn't have as big a brush as the Loreal but it still gives lashes big defined, volumised lashes that still look natural during the day but can be built upon for a more dramatic evening look.

Lip Liner
Use: Lip liners can be used to not only define the lips but can be used as an indvidual lip colour. They again come in two forms, mechnical wind up pencils and standard wooden pencils. Both work very well on the lips and both come in various colours. If you have slightly thinner lips and want to add a bit more definition then lip liners are very handy. They can help overdraw the lip liner or just add some definition to them. They also stop lipsticks/lip products from feathering, bleeding and generally just add a bit more longevity to the lipstick itself.
Recommendations: A mechnical pencil that works wonders is the Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liner, these wind up pencils are creamy, pigmented and can worn under a lip product or on their own. The shade shown is Eastend Snob and works well under a multitude of lipsticks. Barry M don't do mechanical pencils but they do have a brilliant range of standard pencils that are creamy, pigmented and opaque in one swipe. Shade 03 is one of the better red shades that the drugstore does and it really makes any red lipstick or lip product pop.

Lip Products
Use: Lip products can be used to pull together a look or to be the centre of a look. There are so many different lip products and finishes but a big trend at the moment is the matte lip. Matte lips come in either a standard formula or a liquid formula that means they last longer on the lips and work brilliantly with bold colours. They do require more work than other lipsticks but when they work, they work well.
Recommendations: The best matte lipsticks on the market at the moment comes from Maybelline. Their lipsticks are creamy, opaque, highly pigmented, comfortable and easy to wear. There are a whole range of shades from neutrals to bright bold shades. Two personal favourites are Brown Sugar, a stunning brown shade with a hint of grey running through it and Rich Ruby, a gorgeous blue toned red that suits a multitude of skincare. Revlon and Rimmel also do really good matte lipsticks but personally the higher end brands are the ones that really nail matte lips.

Setting Spray
Use: Setting Spray are used as a last step, their main purpose is to set the make up and lock it into place for as long as possible. They also help remove any look or over powdering or the dreaded cake face. They are becoming bigger on the high street but make sure you read them carefully as some are not designed to work with every skin type.
Recommendations: Barry M do a brilliant setting spray. They come in two finishes Dewy or Matte and they both work with different skin types. This is a very lightweight spray that doesn't feel heavy or pore clogging on the skin. It locks make up into place and can be used over the top again as a refresher throughout the day. Maybelline are another brand that have gotten the setting spray right. This one may not be suitable for people with oily skin but dry to normal skintypes will enjoy this. It's a very lightweight fine mist that doesn't leave the skin feeling too wet and locks make up into place without it looking fake, cakey or mask like. Plus it allows the skin to breathe and stay hydrated throughout the day.

Day Test: Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick

 

Welcome to my first Day Test of 2017. This is a new style of post I plan on doing this year. For certain lip products, base products and mascaras I will be doing a day test instead of a review. This way you will be able to tell what the product is like and how it wears through out the day. And once I've tried several shades or finishes from a range I will do a full review to let you know if they're all the same or if there is any differences/let downs. And the first day test is the Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick.

Overview: I have the shade Outlaw, it's a bright red that isn't too orange in tone or too blue toned either. I did apply a bit of lip balm whilst I was doing my base but rubbed some of it off before applying this. I also did line my lips beforehand with the PS Love Lip Liner in 03. It's the perfect red liner and helps to add some definition to my lips, especially my upper lip.

10:30am: Application time, this has a ridiculously long applicator which makes me think it'll be hard to work with. However it's surprisingly easy to work with and adds an element of control that some shorter applicators lack. One thin coat leaves a highly pigmented, opaque colour that is streak free. It dries down quickly so I had to work quickly but it's so easy to apply I was done before it had time to dry. It's dried down quickly and doesn't look like it's going anywhere so I can finish getting ready for the day. I'll pop a picture below of what it looks like on the lips.

2:30pm: It's been four hours since I initially applied this. It still feels very comfortable on the lips and doesn't feel like it's dried out or cracked at all. To look at there is no transfer and it hasn't really worn away anywhere. It's time for a late lunch and normally my lipstick would be gone after eating but this hasn't budged in the slightest. It also hasn't left that horrible smudge under my lower lip unlike most lipsticks do. There's no need to reapply as there's no transfer and it still looks like it did when I applied it this morning.

6:30pm: Another four hours have passed and it's still firmly in place. It's starting to feel slightly uncomfortable on the lips. A quick look in the mirror and it does look like it could crack or crumble slightly. I think that's my own fault, I've been licking my lips a lot throughout the day, think it's something to do with the slightly bunged up nose I've also been carrying throughout the day. If it wasn't for that I don't think there would be any problems with it. Yet even though it's starting to dry I don't feel like I need to reapply and it doesn't appear to need a reapplication. I'd usually take a lip product off by now but I'm going to keep it on for a couple more hours to see how it wears.

8:30pm:I'm dying to take this off, I never wear lip products for this long unless it's absolutely necessary. It's crumbly and unbearably uncomfortable. When I press my lips together it feels as if it's balling up and crumbling from my lips. It's still as pigmented as when I first applied it but in areas it is starting to look patchy and sparse. I can not wait to take this off and apply a generous helping of lip balm. For a liquid lipstick this has been more comfortable than most and easily survived two meals but it's still not a lip product designed to be worn for extensive periods of time.

Mini Review: Overall this has faired a lot better than other liquid lipsticks I've tried. It was comfortable for a long period of time and didn't necessarily need to be reapplied constantly. I was impressed with how easily this applied and how pigmented this lipstick was. I will be buying some more shades to see if the quality is the same throughout the range and when I have two or three more shades I will do a full review of these. Outlaw however is a brilliant shade and if you're looking for a good red then definitely check it out.

Product Empties: January

It's a new year and what's a better way to start the new year by throwing away all your trash. And you can tell how long it's been since I've done an empties as there is actually some make up in there.

I finished not one but two of the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleansers. This is one of my favourite cleansers and I go through them like I don't know what. They're very soothing on my skin whilst removing my make up. The blend of calendula, lavender and vitamin e means they also nourish my skin whilst helping to calm my redness. I'm halfway through a third bottle of this and can see myself going through many more this year.

Another cleansing product I went through is ths Clean and Clear Cleansing Lotion. This appears in most of my empties as I go through a few bottles of this a year. I've been using this for just over a decade now and it's a product I put my good skin down to. Sure it has alcohol in it but it doesn't dry my skin out and helps calm any potential breakouts or spots I may have. A little goes a long way and this is something that'll be reappearing throughout the year.

I also went through two bottles of the B Hyaluronic Acid Facial Spritz. I only started using this last year but I've already gone through a load of bottles. This is mainly just Hyaluronic Acid which will not only moisturise skin but lock any other moisturising products in for longer. This won't irritate sensitive skin and can be used over make up, a brilliant bonus during those hotter months. It's a holy grail product so it's obviously going to be used a lot this year as well.

I finally finished my bottle of Pixi Glow Tonic. This is only a small bottle but it lasted for ages. I love this for after make up as it not only soothes skin but revitalies skin and the glycolic acid helps to retexturise the skin as well. Suitable for even sensitive skin types, a little goes a long way and I'm going to enjoy using this some more this year.

A serum I used up is this one from Clearly Youthful. It contains, Lactic, Salicyclic and Hyaluronic Acid which not only helps boost cell renewal but adds moisture and helps stop the spread of blemish creating bacteria. I absolutely love this serum, it's very lightweight but powerful. It's perfect for the evening as it will cling to any sleeping mask/night cream and keep it working for longer.

An SPF I've finished up comes from Hawaiian Tropic. I will admit until last year I didn't use a facial SPF but ever since I was recommended this one I haven't looked back. Oil free, suitable for sensitive skin and lightweight, this SPF doesn't leave skin feeling like there is a film over the top. It's very moisturising on the skin and creates a brilliant base for make up. Defnitely going to be going through more bottles this year.

I went through a pack of the Garnier Oil Infused Micellar Wipes. These are amazing. I tend not to use these to take off my make up but to take off my lipstick. These wipes are that saturated in their oily formula that they break down the toughest of liquid lipsticks quickly and easily.
The Simple Brightening Eye Make Up Remover Pads are a nice way to get everything off your eyes without using a tone of remover. They're soaked just enough to work but not enough to leave the eye feeling greasy.
The Superdrug Charcoal Nose Strips may be budget friendly but they're potent. One of these on for ten minutes and you can kiss goodbye to those pesky blackheads. I threw a few packets of these away but managed to save this one.

A couple of body bits I used up are this Soap and Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub. It's very scrubby in feeling and never fails to leave my skin feeling smooth and supple. I go through quite a few of these a year so you know these will be a regular occurence in my empties posts.

I also used up a Father Christmas Bath Bomb from Lush. Not only is he a cute design but smells divine and is real delight to drop into the bath. I used this just before Christmas and the deep green colour it turned the bath water put me in such a festive mood and feel. I'll definitely be picking more up when they release them next.

I finished some make up. It just tells you how long I've been collecting this stuff for. I used up another bottle of my Maybelline Superstay Setting Spray. This locks make up in place but doesn't make it too matte or dry looking. It also helps remove any signs of cake face.
When I wasn't using the Maybelline I was using the Barry Matte Setting Spray. This was nice to use but did sometimes make my face feel dry and my make up look cakey. If I repurchased this I think I'd opt for the Dewy Finish instead.
And the Barry M Primer Water was a winner. It really added a boost to the skin and worked well with my other primers to lock make up into place. Definitely going to be seeing more of these in empties posts.

A mascara I finshed was the Maybelline Go Colossal Extreme Leather Black. It has a tapered bristle brush which gives lashes a fanned out, volumised yet somewhat natural look. I have another one on the go but am drying it out as I prefer the finish it gives when it's a bit dry in consistency.
A pair of eye lash curlers I'm throwing out are these ones from Primark. They've lost all their oomph and weren't curling my lashes as well as they did at the beginning. I've got more on hand but would happily repurchase these if the need arose.

And finally a couple of base products I've finished. Another tube of the Collection Lasting Finish Concealer. This is my Holy Grail concealer and I think I go through at least one tube a month. It's high coverage but isn't drying or cakey.
Another Collection product I've finished is their Pressed Powder in Ivory. There is still some product in there but when I swept my brush in it, the edges just shattered so it's best to throw it away then to risk dropping all of that onto my floor. It's uber lightweight and perfect for setting under the eyes.

2017 Beauty Wishlist

Welcome to my 2017 Beauty Wishlist. This is where I'll be showing five products that could be either make up or skincare that I'm hoping to purchase at some point in the next twelve months.

Too Faced Melted Matte Liquid Lipstick in Lady Balls £19
The first product on my list this year comes from Too Faced. It's one of their Melted Matte Liquid Lipsticks in the shade Lady Balls. When it comes to lip products I always tend to try the red in the collection first and if I like it then go for other shades. And Lady Balls looks like it would be right up my street. Also the name is awesome and will make for an interesting conversation if anyone asks what I'm wearing. I didn't like the Too Faced Melted Lipsticks so I'm hoping I'll like this better.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick in American Doll £16
Next is another red liquid lipstick. This time it comes from Anastasia Beverly Hills and is in the shade American Doll. These are very tricky to get here in the UK so this may have to be a splurge purchase from overseas. I've heard a lot about this liquid lipsticks and as I can't resist a matte lip these sound like they're going to be right up my street.

Elizabeth and James Nirvana White Rollerball £20
A fragrance I've been dying to try for the longest time now is the Elizabeth and James Nirvana White. I've seen so many posts/videos about this scent and would to give it a go myself. It's again one I'd have to order from overseas if possible but Jasmin is heading to New York this year so I may ask her nicely to see if she can pick me one up. I chose a rollerball as it would make a better tester than wasting more money on a full sized bottle if I don't like it.

Glamglow Powermud Dual Cleanse Treatment £39
A face mask that I'm intrigued to try is this Dual Cleanse Treatment from Glamglow. These are ridiculously expensive but after trying four of the other masks I know it's well worth the money. Boots now sell small pots of this for around £15 so I may pick one of those up and trial first before splurging on a full sized pot.

Alpha H Liquid Gold £33 
The last product on my wishlist is one I've already tried but I'm just steeling myself to splurge on a full sized bottle. This is the Alpha H Liquid Gold Treatment with Glycolic Acid. I recieved a trial size of this in my M&S Beauty Advent Calender and promptly fell in love. However for skincare it's a little pricey but worth it. A little goes a long way so splurging on a full sized bottle would be brilliant value for money as it would last ages.