Review: Bare Escentuals

I have had a few requests to review the Bare Escentuals stuff that i have or have tried, which i apply to my face. :) So here you go lovelies.

I have used Bare Escentuals now for 3 years.
I first heard about on the shopping channel...QVC i think it was, and before that me and my mum had never heard of minerals for your face & neither of us used powder.
I was always a liquid girl.
My mum actually never even wore foundation until we both decided to take the plunge and buy ourselves some Bare Escentuals.

We actually didn't purchase from the QVC website, we went and searched online for a cheaper site and found one (i still use this site, and will post a link at the bottom)
We both just totally guessed our foundation shade, although these days you can order small sample pots at a cheap price (which i would reccommend)

Besides the 9g foundation, we also ordered a 2g concealer, the concealer brush, and the flawless foundation brush.

The Mineral VeilPesonally, i don't think i need to use this too often. If i'm going out and have used liquid foundation and have cream blusher..the full works shall we say, I do like to use this. But since i have quite dry skin, i get kindof scared to apply this to powder foundation, incase of powder build up. Even though, this is SO finely milled it doesn't do that.
For those of you who like a translucent powder to set, i cannot reccommend this highly enough. I really do love how soft it is.

Mineral Foundation
Let me start by saying, this is my HG foundation and i do go out and buy others in the curiosity they will be any better. But this always wins. Even though i have dry skin, this foundation really works for me. I do find that when i wear a liquid foundation, it sits in all my dry patches and the colour then becomes patchy. The coverage of this is SO natural and doesnt look powdery or cakey whatsoever. I always recieve compliments on my skin when i'm wearing this...it's not "what foundation do you have on" it's, "You look really glowing today"
Which me likey!
I have repurchased this foundation 5 times over the last 3 years, and i can saftely say i would buy it over and over and over.
For those who aren't sure how you would wear a mineral foundation, you simply buff it into the skin with a brush..it's so easy. :)
It's also really good for your skin, as it does contain minerals. Personally, i have found this to reduce blemishes so much quicker, and i really believe it helps with the healing process. added bonus!
My colour shade is "Medium Beige", so if you are around an NW20 in mac colour, this shade would be perfect for you if you are wanting to try it out.
I really do love this foundation, and so far is the only thing that can make my skin look good for long periods of time. A million thumbs up for this.


"Faux Tan" Bronzer/ContourI do have a review of this already on my blog, with photo's to show the warming effect it has on my face. and you can read that HERE
I use this absolutely everyday without fail. My Nars Laguna is collecting dust since this came along.
Alot of people may be put of this as it is a loose powder, but i actually just find it easier to blend, and has a much better effect, alot more airbrushed.
Again, This is my ultimate HG product and will be repurchasing this when it's finished...which won't be a while as it's so pigmented and theres so much (another plus to having loose powder)


"Bisque" ConcealerThe first of the products i could probabaly live without. I love the effect it has when my skin isn't so bad, and i just have a few minor blemishes, as it really blends in well, whereas sometimes a cream or liquid concealer would be more difficult to blend into the skin/blemish. Although saying this, i have almost finished it..but then i have had this for 3 years haha.
If you have very minor blemishes, or small dark circles, i would reccommend this to you, but if you're like me, and you insist the problem is alot worse and needs maximum coverage, you will most likely be dissapointed in this.

"Sorbet" BlushThis is SO pretty! One thing i love about these mineral blushes is how natural they look. When i have buffed this into my cheeks, it looks like i am naturally blushing haha.
This colour in particular is a very warm, light pastel peachy pink & is a matte finish.
If you don't already own a BE blush, and you are a blush fiend, then what are you doing WOMAN, get yourself on one of the sites below and buy buy buy.
This is one of my favourite ever blushes, and i wear it alot in the winter. :)

The BrushesThe "Flawless Face Brush" - This, i believe, although scratchy and not very face-friendly, does the job better than any other brush because it was made especially for the application of minerals, and the BE minerals in particular. I have been using my body shop kabuki recently, but it wastes so much product, whereas these brushes are designed to transfer all colour onto the face as well as it can. I go through phases where i use different brushes for my minerals, but i will always come back to this one because it gives the best coverage and the best finish. I would reccommend this brush to those of you who want to try out these minerals, but if you hate brushes that arent as soft as a babys bum, then i wouldn't bother. :)

The Concealer Brush - This is my HG concealer brush. If i don't use my fingers, i'll be using this. The bristles are compact, which is awesome as it means good coverage, but the size of the brush is what i love so much about it. I just hate small concealer brushes. They're great for tiny little blemishes, but when you want to cover a larger surface area, theyre pants. And usually, i will be wanting to cover a large surface area haha. I don't just use this brush with the minerals, infact i think it works just as well with any cream or liquid concealer.

Where do i buy all my minerals i hear you cry?

Well my love's, i use 2 sites...

The first is GLOWGIRL, this is a UK site, however, they ship for free worldwide, and i have never had such amazing online service through any other site. I'll order on the thursday, paying cheaper prices that in stores or on QVC, and i will recieve it either the following day, or the day after..for free. I highly reccommend this site, have used it for three years and never been dissapointed. You can even earn points!

The second is an ebay seller/shop called STRAWBERRY LANE, they have fab prices on there too, and i have also had great service through them. They're eyeshadows are cheaper. :)

So that's my review of the face products i have and have been using for a long long time.
I'd really love to try out some of their eyeshadows, as i've heard some great things about them. If anybody has any reccommendations for shades they think i'd like, do let me know.

♥

June Favourites.

I know it's the 2nd July, but i never managed to pop this in at the end of June.

So..here are my June Favourites.
The selection of items i have been LOVING this month...


Palmers Cocoa Butter - Skin Soothing Lotion
This stuff is amazing. It has Shea butter & Alpha/Beta Hydroxy which removes dead skin cells to reveal healthier looking skin. I LOVE palmers. If any of you aren't familar with the range, i highly suggest you check it out. There lotions are so moisturising & I highly reccomend them. Their gradual tanner is one of my HG procuts. This lotion isnt too thick in consistency & sinks into the skin really quickly, & it really does remove dead skin cells. It smells yummy too.

Bare Escentuals Skin Revver-Upper
I have already done a review on this product, which you can find HERE. I have been using it everyday under my moisturiser & it has made a noticeable difference to the appearance of my skin.

St Moriz Fake Tan
Now, i have only recently had this product but i can safetly say, that it is the easiest, nicest fake tan i have ever used. It dries quickly, it doesn't feel sticky or greasy & more importantly, IT WORKS! You can get this in some tkmaxx's & Home Bargains but i never saw any in my nearest Tk Maxx & i don't have a Home Bargains anywhere near me so the ever so lovely Kelly sent it on over to me. The most amazing thing about this FAB fake tan..is the price. It's £2.99. Quite a massive decrease from St Tropez isn't it?
It did leave my bedsheets a little orange, & does have a slight fake tan smell...but it's nothing unbearable like most & the orange-ness didnt stain the sheets & washed straight out so i think for £2.99 its worth it :)


Body Shop Shimmer Cubes
These gorgeous eyeshadows have really impressed me. I was sent the smokey one by the Body Shop to test & review & the other i picked up for 40p at the bootsale.
The colour's are really pigmented and have a great texture. None are crumbly besides a couple which i found to be a little "dusty" (shall we say).
[Full review will be coming soon, along with other BS items]

2True Liquid Liner
I'm not 100% sure of the exact price of this liner, but i know that you can buy 3 products from the 2true range for £5. And honestly..DO IT because this liquid eyeliner, in my opinion..is amazing. I have been using the Rimmel Exxagerate liner but found that when my eyes watered it smudged like crazy & just wouldn't stay put, which is a shame because i loved the applicator. So i scoured my eyeliners & pulled this one out that i had stashed away. I put it on..(with ease might i add) & it did its job marvellously.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Zoom Length Mascara
I got this small tester size mascara in with some freebies when i bought some EL lipsticks a while ago. I wore this mascara to death through the middle of June & slowly stopped using it as i realised it was SO good, it was actually becoming very hard to remove properly. If you are in desperate need of a mascara that DOES NOT BUDGE, whether you have hayfever, or naturally runny eyes, you need this mascara in your life. I really love it but i just didnt think my eyelashes would cope with me wearing it everyday. The formula is good, the brush is good, it just does everything it says on the tube. The price tag for a full size is pretty hefty at £17.50 but really, i think it's worth it. I'm going to be using this for special occasions because i know it works :)


Mac Lipglass Florabundance
I looove this lipgloss. I love the colour, i love the consistency, the smell. Everything. I think it's overtaken Oyster Girl as my favourite lipglass. :O

Estee Lauder Lipstick in Pink Sand
When purchasing the "vanilla truffle" EL lipstick, the MA suggested that as i liked pinky/nude tones for my lips, i would love "Pink Sand" which i'm sure she said was Gwenyth Paltrow's signature lipstick colour & that she wore it on her wedding day. I have to admit, the packaging doesnt really do it for me, but i love the weight of it. It feels special haha. & the colour is just gorgeous. I prefer it to Mac's Angel. & it has a nice taste/smell too.


BareMinerals Faux Tan
I have done a review of this product HERE.
I don't have much else to say aboout this that i haven't already said, other than the fact this is now my HG bronzer...I LOVE it & i use this everyday now. I feel naked without it.

So those are my June Favourites.
I hope you enjoyed..
If any of you can ever reccommend something to me you think i'd like, Please do. :)
Have a lovely evening all.
♥

Bedside Beauty

I've decided to do a little summary of the things I keep on my bedside table. After all, every girl has a little stash that she keeps to hand pre and post nights sleep, doesn't she? I'm going to do a series of posts like this. My bedside table necessities change all the time as I try and rotate different products so I get to try them out. Here's a little glimpse at what I'm using last thing before bed, and first thing in the morning at the moment. 

Caudalie Beauty Elixir - I'm enjoying using this so far, besides the smell, which definitely needs to grow on me. I like to spritz this on my face in the morning mainly, just as a quick refresh. I often spritz it before bed too, but normally before my night cream. 

Taaj Micellaire Water Makeup Remover* - I will have already cleansed before bed at the sink, but I keep this here for the morning. This is probably the best makeup remover I've ever used. I love everything about it. It was a sample in a JolieBox not too long ago and I am definitely repurchasing a full size when this runs out. I like to sweep this across my face just to remove any missed mascara which might be lurking underneath my eye area after 8 hours of sleep. I also just find it really refreshes my skin, and is the perfect little pick me up (or roll me out of bed). 

Body Shop Wild Rose Targeted Hand Oil* - This nifty little roller ball is perfect for applying oil to specific areas of your hands. As you can imagine, oil slathered all over your hands won't be too comfortable, so it's nice that you can apply a little bit in the places that you really need it. I put this across my cuticles and areas of the skin on my hands which could do with a little more moisture.

Bare Minerals Pure Transformation Night Treatment - I'm currently trying out this powder foundation night treatment. It's definitely a little weird applying this last thing before bed but there is no nasty pillow transferring and it feels very comfortable on my skin. I don't want to report back about this product yet, as I want to give it a fair trial before I let you know my thoughts, but so far I like it.

Lavera Hand Cream* - Again, this was a sample in a beauty box (I find these samples perfect for my bedside and my handbag). This is probably one of my favourite hand creams recently, alongside the Burt's Bees one that I reviewed a while back. I like something that feels moisturising and nourishing but doesn't take an age to sink in, or leave me with greasy mitts, so this ticks all the boxes. 

Nuxe Reve De Miel Lip Balm - A new obsession of mine. I can't praise this lip balm highly enough. I apply this before bed, and when I wake up it's STILL THERE! It really gets to work on my always-impossibly-dry lips. Since i've been using this, I've found that I can apply lipstick more often without getting scaly lips, or having to rub it off, and re apply it. I think this will be at my bedside for a long time!

What do you have on your bedside table? Anything you think I'm missing or that you think I'd love?

♥

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Bare Escentuals Love.

I love when i find something that really does what it says on the tin.

Bare Escentuals has actually never let me down. It's my number one foundation choice (makes me look flawless, easy application and it's so light on my skin i forget i'm even wearing anything)
The blushes are amazing too. Anyway, i will do a full review on Bare Escentuals if you'd like me too, but for now i'm going to point out my current favourites.

There are a few reliable users on ebay that sell almost the whole range of Bare Escentuals for very good prices. That's where i got these purchases.

The Skin rev-ver upper i have used for about 2 years. I wear this underneath moisturiser. It's a vitamin serum and i have neglected this for a few months as i had run out. But looking at back at photos of me when i used to wear it i feel like it really did make a difference to my skin so i purchased a new bottle..yay.
It contains salicylic acid so it's spot defending and is full of multivitamins. I feel like it's a skin boost, almost like a power drink for my skin (dabbing red bull into your pores doesn't quite have the same effect though ladies, don't try and be cheap! :))

Now this is my absolute FAVOURITE product atm.
Bare Minerals "Faux Tan". This one is 0.85g (the same size as the blushes)
I have been using alot of bronzer lately what with all the beautiful weather we've been having, & i had seen this before and thought i must have it. I am forever trying to tan my face, and my body tans fine, but because i have dry skin, i can put fake tan on my face, and by the next day it will have gone. I am horribly pale. eurgh. haha.
I apply this with my mac 209 brush to my cheek bones and as a contour. I then lightly dust it over the rest of my face...chin, nose, forehead etc & i absolutely love the effect it has. It does appear to be quite matte but on close inspection it has tiny gold specks making it just that little bit more gorgeous. Don't be put off by the colour in the jar either. You only need a light application but if you did have darker skin than me, you'd only need to add a little more until you were satisfied with the colour payoff.

[Top: Skin Rev-ver Upper, Bottom: Faux Tan]

Without Faux Tan... Ghostly..haha

With Faux Tan...[Check out that trout pout..scary]

[Got a bit carried away & stupid...oops]

But, anyhoo, I love this, and if you are a mineral or bronzer fan you should deffo add this little gem to your collection if it makes you feel as satisfied as it does me.
♥

I Celebrated 20 Years of Life..

Eek, yes, as most of you will be aware, i turned 20 at the weekend.
This is what i wore out..




I did have a little bit of a dilemma over what to wear..nothing in my wardrobe made me happy so i did buy most of my outfit that same day...

Face
Gosh Touch up Concealer in no 2 under eyes
Benefit Erase Paste in no 1 under eyes
Maybelline Mineral Cover Concealer in no 2 on all blemishes
Mac Studio Sculpt foundation
Bare Escentuals foundation in medium beige lightly dusted over the top to set
Sleek face contour kit to contour and highlight
Mac Sun & Moon blush

Eyes
Nano Gold Mac E/S
Knight Divine Mac E/S
Graphology Mac E/S
Carbon Mac E/S
L'oreal Superliner in Carbon Gloss
Revlon Fake lashes in 99501 (Defined)
Estee Lauder mascara in Sumptuous

Lips
Yves St Laurent Rouge Volupte in no 2 Sensual Silk

Wearing
Cream Dress/Top (buttoned down the back) - Ted Baker reduced from £70 to £25!
Leggings - New Look
Boots - New Look
Black Bow Clutch - Russel & Bromley

♥

The Smart Casual Combo.

Face:
Benefit Erase Paste no1 under eyes
Maybelline Mineral Cover concealer on blemishes
Bare Escentuals Foundation in Medium Beige
Sleek Contour Kit to contour and highlight
Mac Sun & Moon blush

Eyes:
Nars Ondine all over lid
Nars Mekong in crease
L'oreal Superliner in Carbon Gloss
Barry M Black Kohl eyeliner
Estee Lauder Sumptuous Mascara

Lips:
Gosh Darling lipstick

Nails:
Revlon Minted

Wearing:
Blazer - New Look
Pink sequin shouldered top - H&M
Leggings - New Look
Black Patent Boots - Primark
Flower Ring - H&M
Swallow Brooch - Bootsale
Necklace - Frock Exchange (Mums Shop)
Spider Earrings - Boutique
Silver Heart Bracelet - Watlings Jewellers

♥

Lazy Sunday.

Face:
♥ Bare Escentuals Foundation
♥ Maybelline Mineral Cover concealer
♥ Bare Escentuals Faux Tan bronzer
♥ Mac Sun & Moon Blush

Eyes:
♥ Body Shop Eyeshadow Trio in Sundown Glow
♥ Chanel Eye Kohl in Ambre
♥ Estee Lauder Sumptuous Mascara

Lips:
♥ Gosh Darling Lipstick

Wearing:
♥ Oversized Jumper - H&M
♥ Black Leggings - New Look
♥ Long thin gold necklace - H&M
♥ Necklace with charms - Bootsale
♥ Swallow Brooch - Bootsale
♥ Earrings - Primark
♥ Rings - Primark

Nails:
♥ Revlon Minted

Hair:
♥ Spindryer to achieve messy beach waves

♥

6 products I couldn't live without tag

I was tagged by "AbbieandBrian" (Make-up reviews) :)

Hhmm, I had NO idea how hard it would be to find 6 things i couldn't live with out, I found out that really, i could live without alot of the things i've bought, which makes me feel bad that i've spent so much but good that i'm not as materialistic as i thought. :) I probabaly COULD live without all these things BUT these are the products i always repurchase and love.

1. Satin Taupe Eyeshadow by Mac - I adore this eyeshadow. It's definately my most used shadow, and goes with every look.
2. Palmers cocoa butter moisturiser with gradual tanner - Love it. Love it. Love it. Smells of chocolate and leaves the skin a perfect colour.
3. GOSH touch up concealer in no.2 - If you've read any of my previous posts you may have noticed me mentioning this? It's the best thing since sliced bread. Need i say more?
4. Lancome Hynose Mascara - UH-MAZ-ING! I've had compliments on my eyelashes SO many times when i've worn this mascara.
5. Bare Escentuals mineral foundation - I know that bare escentuals is like marmite, some love it, some hate it. I really like this because i have dry skin, and sometimes i find that a liquid foundation just sits on top and makes this worse, whereas a mineral foundation sinks in and blends aswell as give a natural colour. I have tried SOOO many different liquid foundations, but i always find myself coming back to this.
6. Carmex - I really don't need to explain this one. Holy grail lip balm.

I tag everyone who hasn't done this yet, please have a go, id love to know if anyone found it as hard as me to find 6 things you always go back to?

♥