Chanel Injection.

I think it's only right, that in every female's life, there comes a time when we need that tiny little top up of high end nice-ness. Something I like to call a "Chanel Injection". We don't need it daily, or even weekly in order to keep us going...just every now and then, to keep the smiles on our faces & to boost our retail therapy excitedness.

This is what I will continue to tell myself when I start to think "I possibly shouldn't have spent so much at the Chanel counter this month". But fear not, I don't do it often and injections are always beneficial right?

So, My first trip was purely to get a sample of the Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation, of which I ended up walking away with the Soleil De Tan Bronzer and another little sample of some Mascara. The lady was so nice though, and I had wanted it for ages. I'm enjoying using it, although, I do find it leaves me a little patchy at the end of the day as it's not your typical powder bronzer. Does anyone know how I can combat this? The colour is nice also and it looks pretty sat on my dressing table (please remember ladies, this is NOT a reason you should buy any product, but it is slightly more satisfactory than a boring revlon bronzer). I've not yet used the mascara sample, but it is a plastic brush, which aren't my favourite kind. In fact, I normally avoid all plastic applicators as I find bristles give a better effect in general, but this could change my mind.

Onto the foundation, and the reason for my second Chanel purchase. I used the sample (which was quite generous, you could get at least 3 applications from it) and I instantly fell in love with it and ran out and purchased it. I have however, since using it on a number of different occasions, come to the conclusion, that although it's a fantastic foundation and has everything I love about a foundation in it (natural coverage, great colour, sinks in fast, looks flawless yet natural, not too dewy, not too matte), I think it may be a bit on the drying side. At first it didn't seem at all drying, but as the days go on, it seems to cling to any dry patches on my face (just like pro lumiere did), I'm starting to think there is something in Chanel foundations that do this to my face. Is it just me? I find that I need to exfoliate more, and moisturise more, even though at the moment my skin isn't really all that dry. I still really love this foundation, albeit it a bit more on the pricey side, and slightly drying and i'll keep using it. Not too sure i'll repurchase though.

Do you ever have these naughty little splurges? Please reassure me. haha.

♥

Foundation Review Video

I recently did a video reviewing 5 High Street/Drugstore foundations, and although most of you may have already watched the video, I thought I'd just post it here in case you missed it! I'm certainly no expert when it comes to describing foundations, but I did my best and I hope this may help some of you. I opted for a few foundations I'd heard great reviews about, and a few which I'd never seen before. 

I can also do an in-depth review of my favourites of the bunch here on my blog if you want me to do that?  Let me know!

Foundations Mentioned in the video:

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum 

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation

Bourjois 123 Perfect Foundation

17 Hide and Chic Foundation

MeMeMe Flawless Cream Foundation 

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L'oreal Studio Secrets HD Foundation & MeMeMe blush

After my recent Superdrug haulage, a lot of you wanted a review on the foundation and the blush in particular. Since I have been wearing both everyday since they were added to my evergrowing collection I decided to *attempt* to photograph my face for you & to give you a mini review of each.

L'oreal Studio Secrets HD Foundation

This is not cheap. At all, in fact probably the most expensive "drugstore" foundation I have come across (there may be one that is more expensive - I just don't know about it). It retails in select Superdrug shops for £16.39. Cheaper than a lot of high end brands but definitely a lot more expensive than any other low end brand. Firstly, if you don't like using a brush to apply your foundation, skip this. Pretty standard. The coverage, although it's not stated anywhere, is definitely not full. I'd say it was light to medium but buildable. Perfect for me, but i know not everyone is comfortable enough with anything BUT heavy coverage. The website states that the foundation captures light and delivers a flawless satin-soft result. This is true, in photos I think the foundation looks fab. I can see why they called it the "smoothing HD foundation". However, if you have oily skin, or mega problem areas, stay well away from this foundation unless you have a primer or you use lots of powder post application, as it really is a very dewy-looking finish. Which personally, suffering with dryer skin than most, is my favourite finish. I started off really hating this foundation. I hated the streaky brush marks where the brush hadn't softened enough, I wasn't overly impressed with the packaging (clicking the bottom to push the foundation out just wasnt working, i found myself clicking for flipping ages, and then my clicker broke, which then meant everytime i wanted to click it up, i had to pull it back down first). I very nearly gave up on it, and thought "what a waste of flipping MOOLAH!", but my clicker started working again, and product came out 10x easier and the bristles had softened so applying it was a lot easier. I would definitely love this produt a lot more, if there was more than just 17ml for £16.39 (almost £1 per ml - ridiculous) and possibly just with a pump application. I like the brush, but it's not essential.

MeMeMe Blush in "Coral"

I don't have as much to say about this one. Mainly because I just love it & you all need it in your life. It's extremely pigmented, blends well & looks so pretty on. It retails in Superdrug for £8.50 which could be a little steep for a lower end brand once again, but it's very obvious that this is a mimick of a Benefit blush, which retails for over £23. I own both & can honestly say the only difference that I have noticed between the two, is that Coralista by Benefit has a much pinkier undertone and is a little more finely milled, thus blends a lot easier. It also has a diddy little brush & a mirror underneath the top lid. The only gripe I have with this, is that it takes up a lot of room in my makeup bag. That I can live with ;)

♥

New Year...New Makeup?

When shopping the other day, I noticed that all makeup in Superdrug was 3 for 2. This doesn't happen too often, not across ALL the beauty brands. Since I haven't splashed out on makeup in a long while as Christmas left me penny less after buying for everyone else, I decided to take Superdrug up on their offer. To be totally fair, I had my eye on at least 4 of these items for a long time & went straight for them.

♥ L'oreal Studio Secrets HD Smoothing Foundation - I have wanted to try this for ages. The brush on the end intrigued me & the fact it was "HD" meant it was something a little different from anything i've previously tried.
♥ Gosh Touch Up Concealer - Yes, i still swear by this concealer...on blemishes and under my eyes. I was running low so being practical I bought a back up. Read a review of the concealer here.
♥ MeMeMe Coral Blush - Again, I have wanted this for a while, since summer in fact. Benefit's Coralista kept me going but saw this on a few blogs & instantly knew i had to have it. I think coral blushers suit me the most, whether the sun is shining or the snow is falling.
♥ MeMeMe Highlighter in "Moonbeam" (The pinkier one) - I was going to splash out on Benefits expensive version of this, which I do have a sample of that came in one of the kits & it has run out. Alas, I decided that with it's slightly re invented packaging (a black lid), and it's almost identical properties I would try this one. So far I have noticed it's not as opaque but still does a marvellous job.
♥ MeMeMe Highlighter in "Sunbeam" (The golder one) - I actually think i prefer this one so far. It will be gorgeous in the summer mixed with foundation or just worn on cheekbones. I have a bit of a thing with liquid highlighters.
♥ Rimmel London Lash Accelerator Mascara - I've been using Max Factor False Lash Effect & I love it, but I am running dry & so wanted to try out a new mascara. My Mum has this & loves it, as well as other bloggers across the interwebz who have sung it's praises, so I thought i'd give it a go myself.

Have you taken advantage of the Superdrug 3 for 2? If not, i would suggest you get yourself to a good store and pick out a few things you've wanted to try out. I can review items individually if you'd like after i've given them a fair shot? Let me know.

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