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LA Girl Pro Matte Foundation

The LA Girl Pro Matte Foundation landed here in Ireland before you could even get your hands on it anywhere else in Europe. I was lucky enough to go to the launch of it here in Dublin, so I got to bring a bottle of it home to try out.

According to the brand, the LA Girl Pro Matte Foundation gives a ‘suede like finish to the skin’. ‘Has buildable coverage for both day and night’. And is a ‘paraben free formula’.

I have the shade Natural.

Looking at the shades at the event, Ivory was too light and the other shades after that were a bit too yellow for my skin. Natural is a bit too dark, but it was the most suited out of the lighter colours. We have 14 shades to choose from here in Ireland.

It comes in a glass bottle and have a pump, that alone impresses me, I won’t lie 🙂

On me, the LA Girl Pro Matte Foundation definitely has a more medium to full coverage. It’s not super thick though like some more full coverage foundations can be. The formula definitely does dry down to a suede like finish as the brand suggests. So although it’s more matte, it’s not gonna crack if you smile matte 🙂

I have oily skin. I know I say it constantly, but especially for foundation reviews it’s really important to note. Generally, I use a more silicone heavy primer, as I find they are the ones that work best for my skin type. I actually used the LA Girl one here which I really like.

I use a synthetic kabuki brush to apply it and again that works well for me too. The formula is pretty pigmented so you really have to work it into the skin, so a more dense brush makes things easier. I find the formula can cling to more drier skinned areas so that is something to note. That’s why I think the more silicone heavy primers work better with it. It gives it a bit more of a slippy base. Once I use one though it glides over enlarged pores and doesn’t sit in fine lines either. I don’t apply foundation on or around my eyes.

On me, the coverage is medium, but I can amp it up to more full where I want it. It covers redness and slight pigmentation. My darker freckles come through but I am completely ok with that. I love that the finish, although matte, has a satin feel and look to it. It’s not just completely flat. I think it photographs really well too. It lasts well on my skin once I prime and lightly powder. I can get 6-8 hours out of it, with minimal shine or breakdown. It honestly competes with my very favourite L’Oréal Infallible 24 HR Matte in that department!

Overall, I am a big fan of the LA Girl Pro Matte Foundation. It has made it’s way into my everyday foundation rotation. Yes I have one of those 🙂 You can find it now in store from LA Girl stockists. Online from TRNDbeauty, and Beauty Bay. Have you picked it up yet?

xxx

PR SAMPLE

March 23, 2018/0 Comments/by Gem

Makeup

Maybelline Super Stay Full Coverage Foundation

I had seen the Maybelline Super Stay Full Coverage Foundation advertised on their Instagram page. I often take screenshots of product, to either spread the word, or to remind me to keep an eye out for them in store.

Maybelline say that it: ‘delivers 24-hour wear for concentrated coverage and a flawless finish that doesn’t fade or shift all day’.I was in Dundrum Shopping Centre a few weeks ago and remembered to go to the stand and have a look. I was actually surprised we had it. We don’t always get the new releases as quickly as they do in the states.

I’ve been using it on and off for the past few weeks. Blindly, I picked up the shade Ivory. I didn’t swatch, I just picked it up assuming it was my shade. It’s probably a shade or even two too dark for me. There is a lighter shade in the collection, so if you’re a similar skin tone to me (NC20), get that one.

It definitely is a medium to full coverage foundation. The consistency of it isn’t too thick though. For example, I reviewed the Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation & Concealer here a while ago. This is a full coverage foundation and I find it harder to work with because it’s thicker in formula. I also find I can feel it on my skin even after it settles. I don’t find this with the Super Stay.

For me, the Maybelline offering is easy to blend for a more full coverage foundation. It doesn’t dry too fast so I can use a brush or a sponge with it and they both work really nicely. It covers redness and applies well over textured skin.

The finish isn’t too drying either. I would class it as a satin matte finish. Not quite satin, not quite matte 🙂 It lasts reasonably well on me too. I do get some t- zone shine after a few hours (with primer and powder). There’s no oxidisation or major movement though.

Overall I really like it and find myself reaching for it a lot since I bought it.

I picked up the Maybelline Super Stay Full Coverage Foundation from Boots for €15.99. I think that’s a bit steep for a more ‘drugstore’ foundation. However I found it online here for €11.99. Have you tried it?

xxx

January 17, 2018/1 Comment/by Gem

Makeup

Mac Extended Play Lash

Ok, this is probably the most ridiculous posts I will every write, but hear me out 🙂 I have spoke about this before in other posts aswell as on social media. I do not justify it, but I use TWO mascaras generally on a daily basis! Madness I know. I want something that holds a curl, lengthens and defines up top. Down below, I want something that lengthens, separates and doesn’t flake or smudge. This is where the Mac Extended Play Lash comes in.

Now I will say I don’t always repurchase it. I don’t find it does great things for my top lashes. For me, it’s just OK. I much prefer the likes of Catrice Glam & Doll Waterproof which I have an old review of here, or my ride or die Fairydrops Scandal Queen mascara, review here. Scandal Queen does hold tight on the bottom lashes but I find the brush a bit cumbersome and the formula a bit thick for my sparse hairs.

When I bite the bullet and reintroduce Mac Extended Play Lash into my routine, I just fall in love with it all over again. It’s a treat for my bottom lashes. And they deserve it, they don’t have a lot going on in their lives!

Extended Play just works so well, so every once in a while, I choose to be apologetically extra and pick one up. The wand is thin and reasonably small, so it makes it easy to really get in and coat all of the hairs. The formula is quite wet which I think is beneficial for your lower lashes because you can really pack the product on without it clumping or making the hairs bunch together. It does a really good job (for me anyways) of making my bottom lashes look longer and so much fuller. I generally have pretty boring short lashes naturally.

The one thing that makes me buy it again and again though is that it doesn’t budge when you put it on, but the waterproof formula is not a pain to get off either. On me, it never flakes or smudges on my lower lash line. I’ve never had this with any other mascara except probably the Clinique Bottom Lash.

Of course people use it on their top lashes as well and love it, but it really has become a bit of a cult bottom lash mascara. I think it’s fair to say I bloody love it 🙂

You can buy Mac Extended Play Lash in Mac and Brown Thomas in store. Or online from BT here. It costs €20. So tell me, do you think I’m crazy? 🙂

xxx

January 18, 2017/0 Comments/by Gem

Makeup

L’Oréal True Match Foundation

I have been declaring alot of love for L’Oréal makeup products of late. My ride or die affordable foundation has to be their Infallible 24 HR Matte ( I have a full review of it here). A while ago they did a huge new campaign for their cult classic the L’Oréal True Match Foundation. The shade range has grown and they have reformulated it. It claims to be more luminous, while still being long lasting on the skin.

I hadn’t used it since I was probably a teenager, but when the new campaign came out, I thought it was time to give the new formula a test run. So, here are my thoughts on the new L’Oréal True Match Foundation.

It comes in a 30ml glass bottle with a nifty pump which I always appreciate. It just takes the thinking out of dispensing. I’m usually a pump and a half kind of gal.

The Irish Boots website currently has 23 shades in stock to choose from. They cover light to dark skin tones but also undertones too which I think is brilliant. I am pale with a pink undertone so I went with the shade 1.R/1.C Rose Ivory. It matches me really well.

The formula is quite light and loose. It is really easy to blend and I enjoy using a brush or a damp sponge to apply it. Depending on your application, you can sheer it out or build it up. You can get decent coverage out of it though.

Here it is in action on my spot prone and red skin.

You can see it definitely evens out my skin tone, and helps make my active breakouts a bit less scary looking 🙂

Although it has a medium, build-able coverage, it doesn’t mask the skin. It has what I would call a satin finish on me anyways rather than luminous as it states. But, I do usually use a mattifying primer underneath. If you used a more illuminating primer or if you don’t need one at all, you might get a bit more of a glow from it. For me, It isn’t the most long lasting foundation. The Infallible 24 HR Matte is definitely better from that perspective. But it isn’t formulated for oily skin specifically and I can get a few hours out of it before the shine begins to come through so, I am completely ok with that.

I think it is one of those elusive foundations that does work for the most skin types. I can definitely say I am a fan. It has been great for me over these colder months especially. My skin tends to be a little dryer and generally more unhappy in Winter. This glides over the unhappy parts. It doesn’t cling to dry patches and it still manages to balance the look of imperfections. If I want it to be a bit more long lasting I mix it with the Infallible 24 HR and they actually work really well together.

You can get the L’Oréal True Match Foundation instore or online from Boots here and it will set you back €14.99.

Are you a fan?

xxx

November 27, 2016/0 Comments/by Gem

Makeup

Rimmel Fresher Skin Foundation

I picked up the Rimmel Fresher Skin Foundation on a whim really.

I came across it while I was having a nose around Meagher’s Pharmacy and it was on special. Sure the rest is history 🙂

The Boots website describe the Rimmel Fresher Skin Foundation as: ‘A revolution in lightweight foundation. Fresher Skin Foundation offers light breathable coverage for an even, natural-looking, fresh finish that stays shine-free all day. The ultra-smooth texture is easy to apply & blends perfectly, for a barely there feel that does not clog pores and lets skin breathe. Formula with mineral powders helps absorb excess oil preventing shine, while the formula with Aloe, Chamomile & Sea Algae extracts help reduce the appearance of redness and evens out natural skin tone. For a freshly applied natural-look and feel, shine-free throughout the day!’

Off the bat, the packaging of it doesn’t really float my boat. It comes in a 25 ml glass jar.

It means you can get every bit of the product out, which is a pro. But, it also means you have to dip your finger into the jar to get the product out. Ideally, you would use a spatula or something, but ain’t all of us got time for that 🙂

The formula is like a thick gel. I’ve read that the formula was developed in Japan and this is the first time it is has been used in the colour cosmetics industry. I thought that was an interesting fact to add it 🙂

It is firm to the touch, but then as you blend it, it does thin down. However, it dries super quickly, so you have to work fast with it. I find using a damp beauty sponge the best way to apply it on me personally.

Here it is in action on my skin:

It gives a light coverage to the skin, you can build it up to light medium coverage though. I usually apply a couple of layers. It contains SPF 15 and it has the strong sweet scent to it that will be familiar to you if use or have used Rimmel foundations.

Here is my makeup for that day completed just to give you an idea:

I’ve heard mixed reviews about the Rimmel Fresher Skin Foundation. For me, as someone with oily skin, using the damp sponge gives it a more satin finish. I like the coverage it gives for lighter makeup days. I find it glides over larger pores that sometimes lighter coverage foundations don’t always do for me.

The staying power on my skin is pretty good. I always use primer and powder regardless of the foundation I am using. This is me after about five hours of wear. I have definite shine, but no makeup breakdown.

Overall, I quite like it. The jar isn’t ideal but the foundation itself I like. I have the colour 100 Ivory, the second lightest shade. It matches my skin really well. It does come in six colour choices though.

You can buy the Rimmel Fresher Skin from Boots in store and online here for €10.49. I did buy it from Meagher’s Pharmacy on special for, I believe €6.95, which is a much better price.

September 28, 2016/0 Comments/by Gem

Makeup

Fairydrops Scandal Queen Mascara

Yep, every time I find a new mascara that I like, it becomes my favourite, I know, I know. But honestly, the Fairydrops Scandal Queen Mascara is my new favourite 🙂

I have seen this spoken about so much online, but never really thought much about getting my mitts on it with it being an elusive Asian brand. A couple of weeks back, I did a post here on my favourite places to beauty shop online. I was going through the index on Cult Beauty and low and behold I see it for sale.

The Fairydrops Scandal Queen mascara went into my basket, no hesitation whatsoever. I was in need of a new mascara (says the beauty blogger), so that was justification enough for me 🙂 It is one of the best selling mascaras in Japan and was actually created by a Japanese ‘television personality’.

First off the packaging is super pretty. Anything metallic rose gold and I’m pretty much sold anyways.

This is the waterproof version, but the Fairydrops Scandal Queen comes in a non waterproof version too here.

The Cult Beauty synopsis of it is: ‘How much do we *heart* Fairydrops Scandal Queen Waterproof Mascara? Let us list the ways… Its wibbly-looking wand is ‘ooooh’ inducing, and guarantees that not a single lash escapes its curling, coating and conditioning clutches. The unique shape lifts and separates whilst fattening and lengthening each eyelash thanks to little (non-irritating) fibres. The smudge-, budge- and water-resistant formula is enriched with five different treatment essences – squalene, jojoba seed oil, panthenol, hydrolysed collagen and moisturising hyaluronic acid – to counteract brittleness and leave lashes looking lustrous. Aaaaaand innovative film-forming polymers have a long-lasting ‘perming’ effect, to ‘open up’ eyes and create an enviable set of full on, fluttering fringes (without the faff of falsies). Oh, and the rose gold tube is utterly covetable. Need we say more?’

That’s alot of waffle I know, but it gives a more specific explanation of the mascara so I wanted to add it in 🙂

It has a soft bristled wand that has three spheres, not the best explanation but sure we’ll go with it. It’s more of a you have to see it spooley.

The unusual shape does take a bit of getting used to, but once you do you can use the spheres (we’re calling them spheres for the purpose of this blogpost, k?) to your advantage.

The one on the tip of the spooley is great for getting in at the small inner lashes and for flaring out the outer lashes too.

The formula, in my humble opinion is pretty bloody awesome. It layers really well without completely clumping up, holds a curl, adds fibrous length and doesn’t budge! It doesn’t crumble or make your lashes feel hard either!

So, here is the Fairydrops Scandal Queen mascara in action on my slightly curled eyelashes:

Before.

Applied to top lashes on one eye.

It’s brilliant for the bottom lashes too and because the wand is really light, it’s not too difficult to coat all of the baby hairs that live down there 🙂

It’s clear to see I am a fan I know. Sorry for all of the gushing, but I love it ha!

The Fairydrops Scandal Queen Mascara in waterproof is available from Cult Beauty here and costs £18.50.

xxx

August 12, 2016/0 Comments/by Gem

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Overall, I am a big fan of the LA Girl Pro Matte Foundation. It has made it’s way into my everyday foundation rotation. Yes I have one of those 🙂 You can find it now in store from LA Girl stockists. Online from TRNDbeauty, and Beauty Bay. Have you picked it up yet?

xxx

**********PR SAMPLE**********

Overall I really like it and find myself reaching for it a lot since I bought it.

I picked up the Maybelline Super Stay Full Coverage Foundation from Boots for €15.99. I think that’s a bit steep for a more ‘drugstore’ foundation. However I found it online here for €11.99. Have you tried it?

xxx

Here it is in action on my spot prone and red skin.

I picked up the Rimmel Fresher Skin Foundation on a whim really.

I came across it while I was having a nose around Meagher’s Pharmacy and it was on special. Sure the rest is history 🙂

Yep, every time I find a new mascara that I like, it becomes my favourite, I know, I know. But honestly, the Fairydrops Scandal Queen Mascara is my new favourite 🙂

PR SAMPLE