combination Archives - Irish Beauty Blog Beautynook

Mac Cosmetics Current Favourite Lip Combo

Yet another post about Mac Cosmetics. I am having a bit of an obsession at the moment it seems.

My last post here was on my most reached for Mac eyeshadows. This one will be chatting about my current favourite lip combo from the brand.

Mac Cosmetics do a damn good lipstick. No one can deny that. I have always been a fan and have always had a few in my collection. They do a mean lip liner too and the more I have gotten into lip lining. (Yes, I am late on that bandwagon 🙂 ). The more I have added to my stash.

My current favourite lip combination just happens to be two products from the same brand, so I thought it justified a post.

Whirl lip liner isn’t new to me. I’ve owned it for a while now.

It’s the perfect mid tone brown shade. I use it alone and under similar lipstick shades. I also use it under not so similar lipstick shades. For me, It’s great for adding a bit of dimension or shade under lighter tones aswell.

This will set you back €17.50 here.

I have been loving pairing it with one of my newest Mac Cosmetics finds. This is definitely not a new lipstick. I hear people talk about it all the time, so I needed it in my life.

It’s a lustre finish lippie. This means it’s more shiny in finish. Doesn’t last as long on the lips as a matte finish, but it does leave behind a bit of a stain.

I am a mauve lipstick WHORE so this shade is just my jam. It is the perfect everyday mauve shade with a hint of pink. I wear it in it’s raw state too 🙂

Wearing it over Whirl just darkens it every so slightly and also makes it last a bit longer also. I can even out my lip line with Whirl too before adding Syrup over top for a more defined look. Using it on it’s own is a little softer.

You can find Mac lipsticks on the Arnotts website here.

Of course there is no need to use both, this is just my current lip combo fave and I wanted to share it with you 🙂 Have you a favourite Mac Cosmetics lipstick?

xxx

September 13, 2017/1 Comment/by Gem

Beautynook Tips, Makeup

Primer For Oily Skin – Mixing Primers!

I wanted to talk a bit about primer for oily skin types.

Chip pan skin is my jam, with some dehydration in certain areas too. Although, I think this little discussion will help other skin types aswell. I wanted the title to be ‘primer for oily skin’, because that’s what I know about best.

I spoke briefly on social media about mixing primers and I got some questions about it. Also, a couple of people said they would never think to use more than one.

This is me just talking about personal opinion. I just wanted to put that out there. I am a makeup lover, not a beauty expert by any means.

I think of mixing primers like mixing any other makeup or skincare products. One of my favourite things to do is mix foundation. Different finishes, different tones. I think primer falls into that bracket too.

I’ll use the two examples I put up on Instagram.

These are two of my favourite primer (s) for oily skin.

The Ordinary High Adherence Silicone Primer. (You can buy it here).

And Benefit’s The Porefessional. (Buy online here).

With applying primer, I do find less it more. Too much can undo the barrier you are trying to create with it.

I love both of these in their own right as a primer for oilier, more combination skin. But, I’ve been really enjoying using both of these together in the warmer weather. I use the silicone primer all over, just a really light layer. Not all silicone based primers cut the mustard for me. I spoke about the L’Oréal one here a while ago that I only find OK.

After The Ordinary Primer settles into the skin, I pat some of Porefessional into my T Zone. I have really big pores and Porefessional works like putty to fill them in, again using the patting method. It works great on scars and fine lines too!

Both together gives me a nice flat base for my makeup, and of course helps everything last longer on my skin too.

This is just my go to cocktail of the minute. It will work with all different primers. It’s just fun to play around with them and find what works for your skin. There is no need to use two different products whatsoever, one is just fine, I just like to experiment.

That’s the great thing about makeup, right? 🙂

xxx

****CONTAINS PR SAMPLE****

June 28, 2017/by Gem

Bargain Buying, Makeup

The Ordinary Colours Coverage Foundation

I already posted about the Serum Foundation here if that would tickle your fancy more. This post is all about The Ordinary Colours Coverage Foundation though. My personal favourite out of the two 🙂

The Ordinary Colours Coverage Foundation is as the name would suggest the more full coverage of the two foundations.

They both have the same 30ml plastic bottle with a rubberized pump (although you can buy a glass pipette separately if you would prefer).

They both come in the same 21 shade ranges and are deemed SPF 15 here in Europe. I will quote Deciem for the pigment explanation because they do it better: ‘These foundations contain higher pigment levels than our Serum Foundations but still offer a smooth finish that avoids the heavy makeup look that can make skin appear more aged. The texture is that of a lightweight, non-oily cream.’ For me, this sums up the Coverage foundation perfectly.

I feel it’s a medium coverage foundation, that you can build up easy enough without it looking too caked on the skin. I definitely do not think it’s full coverage like Deciem say, but it’s a solid medium coverage which I can definitely live with.

The Ordinary Colours Coverage Foundation is a little thicker in formula than the Serum. Here they are side so you can see the difference. Serum is on the left and Coverage is on the right.

On my skin, it applies really easily and smoothly. I always use a primer underneath foundation, which I thought was good to note. I have the shade 1.1N which is a decent match for my paler skin.

It has a semi matte finish on me. I say semi matte because although it’s not dewy, it’s not drying or heavy either. It blends really lovely and evens out my skin tone really well. It glides over my pores really nicely too and it doesn’t sit in any fine lines.

Before:

After:

I like this personally more than the Serum foundation for two main reasons. 1, it has more coverage. And 2 it lasts really well on my skin. This is a foundation I can confidently apply in the morning and know it will stand the test of time. The Serum foundation is lovely but I don’t have that longevity guarantee with it on my oilier skin.

This is a just a winner in my book! I really like it!

The Ordinary Colours Coverage Foundation is still awaiting stock on the Deciem website, but the link to order it is here. You can sign up to get an email when it’s back in though. That’s how I got my hands on it. It costs the same as the serum, a very reasonable €6.90. I thought it was good to add here that the Colours are alcohol free, oil free, silicone free, vegan and cruelty free.

Are you intrigued?

xxx

June 4, 2017/3 Comments/by Gem

Makeup

Rimmel Everyday Lip Combo

I go through lip colour stages where I gravitate towards a more brown nude or a more pinky nude on the daily. Obviously, there will be a smattering of other colours thrown in on special occasions. On an everyday basis though, I will be rocking a more ‘everyday appropriate’ colour. Generally, I tend to go for a matte finish too. It lasts longer and they are less messy. If my lips are feeling a little drier on a particular day, I’ll pop a bit of lip balm over top. My go to pink toned nude combo, are both from Rimmel.

I am a big big fan of Rimmel lip products. You’ll see me talk about them alot here and on social media. I particularly always repurchase their retractable Exaggerate lip liners when I run out. And they do run out quite quickly, the formula is very soft. It means they apply really easily, but they wear down fast as a result.

My go to everyday pink nude combination consists of the infamous Rimmel ‘Eastend Snob’ lip liner.

Yes, I harp on about this all of the time. I even did a post on it here comparing it to Charlotte Tilbury ‘Pillow Talk’. I own both and reach for this more. It’s great for just waking up the lips and giving some natural-ish colour. It works really well for over lining without looking too obvious aswell. I love it worn just on it’s own.

When I want it to last longer and make it more opaque and lipstick like (if that makes sense, ha?). I apply the Rimmel The Only 1 Matte Lipstick in 200 ‘Salute’ on top.

This is a really similar colour, with more pink to it. Eastend Snob is a little more mauve in tone.

I have a post on The Only 1 Matte Lipsticks here, this will give you a more in depth review. I love the formula. It’s a more creamy matte. The smell of these is intense though. It is super floral and sweet. Definitely not my favourite scent ever, but I look past it because I love the finish.

Rimmel Eastend Snob is available in store or online from Boots here. Exaggerate lipliners retail for €5.59. Salute is available from Boots in store or online here. The Only 1 Matte Lipsticks retail for €8.99

These two together just rock my pinky nude lip world. And let me even out my uneven lip line without looking too obvious or over the top. I hope 🙂

Have you a favourite go to everyday lipstick?

xxx

January 30, 2017/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/by Gem

Bargain Buying, Makeup

Catrice HD Liquid Coverage Foundation

I picked up the Catrice HD Liquid Coverage Foundation after seeing so many good things about it online.

And as someone with an oily skin type I thought I would be the perfect candidate to give it a test drive 🙂

The Catrice HD Liquid Coverage foundation (according to Catrice) is meant to be: ‘Second Skin. The HD Liquid Coverage Foundation offers a high but natural-looking coverage, while feeling extremely lightweight – just like a second skin. Whilst providing a smooth and even complexion, the ultra-liquid texture is extremely high performing and long lasting. It covers imperfections up to 24 Hours and mattifies the skin. The extremely high definition finish is sure to make the skin beautifully even and camera ready.’

It comes in four shades which isn’t really alot in my opinion. I am in the lightest shade they do 010 ‘Light Beige’ and it is a really good match for my Mac NC20 skin tone. If you are lighter than me though or have a more medium to deep skin tone, you are not covered in the shade spectrum at all.

The product itself comes in a glass bottle with a pipette lid. I understand why they give you the pipette. The foundation is quite runny, I think a pump would have sufficed though. But sure that is just personal preference :). I don’t tend to use the dropper, I just use it as more of a stick to swipe the product onto my hand…or face. I don’t recommend that though, it is not sanitary. 😛

A little goes a long way with this foundation. It has really decent coverage without looking too caked onto the skin. You can build it up or sheer it out depending on how much you apply. It has a scent that reminds me of baby powder which I enjoy.

It does have a matte finish, but not so matte that your skin feels dry or uncomfortable. But for me, with more oily skin, I do prefer the finish I get applying it with a dampened sponge. It gives me more control over the product and means I can build it up to my liking. The finish with a brush is a little bit too matte for me. Ironic I know, but it’s just personal preference 🙂 It also dries really quickly so I feel you get a little more play time using a wet sponge.

Here is my skin with just primer on it:

Here it is with one layer of the Catrice HD Liquid Coverage Foundation applied with a Real Techniques Miracle Sculpting Sponge (which I have a review of here).

Then, with another layer of foundation applied in the same way:

Catrice HD Liquid Coverage Foundation review

You can definitely see a difference in the before and after. The redness is gone and my skin is definitely looking smoother and more uniform in colour.

So, I really like the coverage, I like the finish (with a sponge) how about the longevity?

It claims to be 24 hours, but sure don’t they all. None of us really wear our makeup that long so we will never really know. On my skin personally, after powdering, it doesn’t last as long as other foundations I use or have used in the past and liked do. It doesn’t oxidise ,but I definitely see shine at around the third hour mark. I can handle a little bit of shine coming through, but this is usually shine I have to tend too. However, I am particularly oily, especially around my t-zone so I am an extreme case. If you have more combination skin, I don’t think it will be as bad.

The Catrice HD Liquid Coverage Foundation is in all decent Catrice retailers now, including Penneys. I paid €7.90 for it in a local chemist and Inish Pharmacy stock it online here if fancy trying it for yourself.

Let me know your thought. Have you tried it?

xxx

November 9, 2016/2 Comments/by Gem

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