flawless Archives - Irish Beauty Blog Beautynook

Barry M Flawless Original Primer

I’m not afraid to admit it, I am a makeup primer junkie. My life (nor my makeup) would be complete without it. So I am always on the look out for new ones to try. The Barry M Flawless Original Primer caught my eye in Boots a couple of months back. There is three primers to choose from in the Flawless range. They have a green one to help with redness and then a purple one to that is supposed to help with brightening the complexion. The original seemed the most suited to me, although they do say it suits all skin types.

I always enjoy a pump on a product. Not great when you’re nearing the end of it and want to get your monies worth, I know. But until you reach that point, it’s super handy.

The Barry M Flawless Original Primer is white is colour and has quite a wet texture when applied to the skin initially. It nearly feels like lotion.The first listed ingredient in it is Cyclopentasiloxane which is a type of silicone even though it doesn’t feel like your typical silicone primer.It also smells really nice and fresh!

Barry M say it’s for all skin types, pore minimising, smoothing and mattifying. Perhaps I’m wrong but I am guessing people with a drier skin probably wouldn’t be too interested into mattifying their skin any more than it already is?

On me, the Barry M Flawless Original Primer is somewhat smoothing and somewhat mattifying.

Clean moisturised skin

One pump on my foundation brush

I dab it onto the centre of my face and buff outwards

After application

My skin isn’t as shiny and does feel smoother after I’ve applied the Barry M Flawless Original primer and I’ve let it settle into my skin, but I don’t notice any major diminishing to my pores. Makeup does apply easily over the top of it, although if you have larger pores like me, you have to really buff your foundation in to make them look less noticeable. Whereas if I use a a primer with a more gel like consistency like the Smashbox Photo Ready, or one of my very favourites the Benefit Porefessional, they tend to help fill the pores in so you get a much smoother application. The Flawless primer does help the longevity of my makeup though, which is I guess is the main reason why we use a primer!

I picked up the Barry M Flawless Origninal Primer from Boots in store and of course you can buy it online too here. It costs €8.99.

So enable me…what’s your favourite primer? 🙂 xxx

June 5, 2016/2 Comments/by Gem

Makeup, Skincare

Image I Conceal Flawless Foundation

I’m a big fan of Image Skincare. I’ve used a fair few of their products over the years. It’s definitely not the cheapest out there, but with it being a salon grade brand, you do get what you pay for.

The Image I Conceal Flawless Foundation has gotten a bit of a a spruce up. The packaging is more modern and sleek than previously. I’ve been using this bad boy for a good chunk of time now, so I thought it was time for me to give my thoughts on it and show you it in action. Readers beware, there is some no makeup pictures below 🙂

I really like the new packaging. It has a brushed clear plastic casing and then you twist the top to reveal the pump.

According to Image: ‘I Conceal is the all-in-one illuminating, lightweight and water-resistant foundation, which heals and conceals to reveal a healthier, flawless complexion every day. It is available in 6 different colours – Porcelain, Natural, Beige, Suede, Toffee and Mocha – so there is one suitable for everybody. This daily healthy skin foundation is mineral based, paraben free, is breathable and oxygenates and heals the skin. It gives maximum coverage without a heavy appearance and gives a dewy glow to all skins. I-Conceal Flawless Foundation is SPF 30 and provides broad spectrum UVA / UVB protection. This Image Skincare Flawless Foundation is indicated for daily use on all skin types and highly effective for the following:

Pigmentation
Redness & Rosacea
Acne & Acne Scarring
Post-Cosmetic Injections
Bruising & Scaring
Post-treatment
Post-Laser
Post-Surgery

In Gemma terms the Image I Conceal Flawless Foundation is really rather nice! With my skin being on the oilier side, I find anything with a high SPF is usually too greasy for my skin and it either slips and slides on my face or makes my makeup slip and slide. This means I end up not using an SPF which is so so bad I know, or using a foundation with a much lower amount, that’s probably not really doing much for my skin at all!

I have the colour ‘Natural’ which is a shade or maybe two too dark for me, but I make it work by taking it down the neck. ‘Porcelain’ would be a better match.

This was a press sample though so I wasn’t colour matched for it.

Although the consistency is on the thicker side, it does blend really well too so I can kind of get away with it. 🙂 So here it is in action on my mug.

My skin with no product applied

I applied the foundation with a dense brush and made sure to take it down my neck

I buffed it in really well

Straight after application

About ten minutes after application

The I Conceal to me has a medium to full coverage depending on how much you apply or what tool you use. It covers redness really well and I find I use less concealer on blemishes afterwards. It has a more dewy finish, but it also sets so it doesn’t feel oily or leave a residue behind. As I do have oily skin, I tend to powder down my makeup or go for more matte finish foundations just because they last longer. I don’t mind a bit of luminosity at all if it doesn’t make the natural oils come through. And I concur that for me the Image I Conceal really doesn’t. Actually after this application, I wasn’t going anywhere so I didn’t add any more makeup after taking the photos and went about my day. It took a good few hours before what I like to call the ugly shine came through 🙂

I can’t speak too much about it’s restorative qualities as my skin is not healing from anything major. I do suffer from spots though and it does seem to ease the redness and any inflammation which is awesome!

I honestly can’t fault the Image I Conceal Flawless Foundation. It’s skincare, SPF 30 and good coverage mineral foundation in one! They say it works for all skin types and usually I would kind of guffaw at a statement like that, but the fact that it gives a dewy finish, but has really great staying power…dare I say, I kind of agree with them!

I think the Image I Conceal Flawless Foundation retails for about €48 so it’s definitely a splurge. If it does interest you though, pop into a salon that sells Image and ask for a sample. Renaissance have a list of stockists here.

xxx

June 3, 2016/2 Comments/by Gem

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