pore Archives - Irish Beauty Blog Beautynook

Posts

It Cosmetics CC Cream Oil Free Matte

Oh I jumped on the It Cosmetics bandwagon, I jumped on it hard 🙂 I just couldn’t bloody resist it. Good coverage and really high SPF! So many people had such awesome things to say about it, and the brand is in Arnotts now. It was a no brainer really.

I bided my time a little until the Oil Free Matte version came to our shores. I am generally oily, particularly in my t-zone. The older I get, the more dehydrated some of my skin is getting, but I still get a super oily nose, so I like oil free products.

So what is the Oil Free It Cosmetics CC Cream you may ask? Well I’ll let the brand do the specific explaining and then I’ll throw my two cents into the equation:

‘Created to improve the look of skin texture, this complexion-perfecting breakthrough provides long-wear coverage and camouflages skin imperfections including dark spots and discolouration without creasing or cracking. It’s also infused with charcoal, tea tree extract, colloidal clay and Moroccan lava clay—plus, oil-absorbing, minimising technology and an advanced anti-aging serum. You’ll see powerful results instantly and more dramatic results over time. Finally, a full-coverage CC cream that airbrushes the look of your pores while providing natural-looking matte complexion perfection that lasts!’

The other versions of the It Cosmetics CC Cream have broad spectrum SPF 50+. The oil free version is SPF 40+ which is still amazing! I love the packaging. It’s a tube with a pump, so you can squeeze every fairly expensive drop out of it.

It Cosmetics do recommend you apply this with a brush. And that’s what I was doing, like I would with a foundation for the first couple of weeks. I liked it at this point, the coverage and pigment was great and the longevity fairly decent, especially for something that has such high protection. However I did find, it clung to dry patches as it is matte, and it was hard to blend into my giant pores. I have the shade Fair Light.

Then, I brought it on holiday with me, and started wearing it as my SPF. One of the days I was just wanting to slap some on and used my fingers to blend it in. This was a bit of a revelation for me. It blended so much easier into my skin, it was easier to get it into all the nooks and crannies. Which makes complete sense I guess, since it is a CC Cream. It just performs like a really decent foundation.

Here it is in action on my skin in video form:

The coverage and staying power of this stuff is pretty overwhelming considering it’s good for your skin to boot. I need to get a sample of the original formula asap to see how that performs on my skin! I do get a bit of shine on my t-zone after a few hours, but I’ve yet to find anything to combat that. And a bit of blotting makes it disappear. The rest of my skin lasts really well though and I’ve found myself using less powder with this and can even skip setting spray if I fancy. Just be wary it is matte and it can cling to dryness. Once you aware of that, it does exactly what it says on the tin!

The It Cosmetics CC Cream Oil Free Matte is available now from Arnotts. It will set you back €39.

Have you tried it yet?

xxx

October 12, 2018/by Gem

Makeup

Urban Decay Optical Illusion Complexion Primer

I’ve heard and read a lot of mixed reviews about the Urban Decay Optical Illusion Complexion Primer. I swatched it a while back at an Urban Decay masterclass. And from then, I was super intrigued, so I took the hit and picked it up from Debenhams.

First up, I really like the packaging of these UD primers (they come in different finishes). I always appreciate a pump when I’m spending a few bob on a product. I like that you can see how much product is in the bottle too. You get 28 mls for on average €29. So you’re getting a ml of product per euro. It contains rosehip and argan oil.

So what does the Urban Decay Optical Illusion Complexion Primer claim to do? Well pretty much that. They say it blurs pores and fine lines. As well giving a velvet like texture to the skin to help foundation go on smoother. It gives the skin a bit of a pink tint. UD say this helps illuminate the skin. I think if you’re my skin tone or lighter that might be the case. But, if you’re darker, it could give a white cast to the skin, that might not be so flattering.

I really like this primer, it works really well for me. I do tend to use it only in my t-zone though. It’s thick in consistency and takes a bit of working in to the skin. I press it into my skin with the tips of my fingers.

The big no no that people say about it is that it balls up as you apply. That definitely can happen with a silicone heavy product like this if you use too much, or use it over a thicker moisturiser. They’re two things I tend to avoid on a daily basis so for the most part it blends out smoothly on my skin. It definitely glides over my enlarged pores and helps fill in my more prominent forehead lines. It gives a smooth base and foundation blends well over top. I find it does help with longevity too. I do always set my makeup with powder as well though.

It reminds me of a thicker Benefit Porefessional, with a drier finish on the skin. I find that as it is thicker, it goes further than Porefessional.

I can whole heartedly say I am happy enough that I spent the €29 on the Urban Decay Optical Illusion Complexion Primer. It ticks all the primer boxes for me. My skin likes silicone heavy primers and this is definitely that with a more velvet finish. Have you tried it?

xxx

June 27, 2018/by Gem

Makeup, Youtube Video

Benefit The Porefessional Pore Minimizing Makeup

I jumped in at the deep end with the new Benefit The Porefessional Pore Minimizing Makeup.

This very cute package arrived the other day from Benefit with all four products from the range.

I thought I would do a complete first impressions video using everything including the new Benefit The Porefessional Pore Minimizing Makeup.

I’ve used the Benefit The Porefessional Primer many times before over the years and do really like it. So, my first impressions are of the other three products that are newer in the range. The Matte Rescue, Agent Zero Shine and the Pore Minimizing Makeup that was the whole point of the press release 🙂

Obviously you don’t have to buy all four products, they are pretty pricey! But if you do, I go through and use all four step by step. And also, I don’t read the instructions on the makeup and do a really bad blogger job of showing it in action 🙂 I think I make a pretty decent comeback in the end though so don’t judge me on that, k?

Here’s a before and after of the first three products minus powder and obviously eyes and brows done aswell.

Then here is my skin with all four products applied with the added makeup accoutrements 🙂

If you click on the video either above or directly on my YouTube channel here, you can see them all in action one by one, my first impressions and how my makeup fared throughout the day. I do a check in after wearing them for about six hours.

The whole Benefit The Porefessional range is available from Benefit retailers nationwide with the Pore Minimizing Makeup coming this month. You can have a closer look at the products on the Boots website here. Anything take your fancy?

Gemma

xxx *****PR SAMPLE****

May 5, 2017/by Gem

Bargain Buying, Makeup

L’Oréal Infallible Total Cover Foundation

It is no secret that I am a big fan of L’Oréal base products. Their Infallible 24HR Matte has become one of my holy grail products. I have a review of it here. As has the Fixing Mist. (Review here). When I saw the Infallible Total Cover Foundation being released, I needed to try it.

There has been alot of hype around the Infallible Total Cover Foundation. It claims to be full coverage, matte, long lasting be easy to blend and have a weightless feel!

When it was released in America first. Bloggers and vloggers feedback on it seemed very varied. Actually most people didn’t seem to like it. But, like the makeup addict that I am, I needed to experience it for myself 🙂

I am 11 Vanilla in the 24 HR Matte, so I picked up the shade 10 Porcelain in the Infallible Total Cover.

They are pretty similar shades, so it is a good match for me. It has a thick consistency, but it is deemed full coverage so that is completely OK, I think. You can see the product through the packaging and it seems to separate when it is left to settle.

I have seen claims online that it is meant to conceal tattoos. On the packaging however, it says it covers redness, marks and dark spots, I did put this to the test on my Snapchat, when I picked up the foundation first. I layered it up over the tattoo on my wrist three times. It did make the tattoo less noticeable, but you could definitely still see it through the product.

On my skin, the coverage is good. I find the formula a little harder to work, but you do get there with it and it does blend out. I personally prefer to use a brush over a damp sponge to apply it.

Just a little disclaimer. I picked the worst days to take these pics. I wasn’t going anywhere and I woke up with really sore eyes. So, I just added primer, foundation and powder. None of the other bells and whistles 🙂

Here is my skin before application. It’s been somewhat behaving itself of late:

Here is one layer of the foundation applied:

My skin after about two hours:

Then, after three hours of wear:

The formula is matte and sets quite quickly too. I don’t find it great if you have larger pores that you want to fill in. If you have dry patches too, it will cling. You also have to work the product quite hard into the skin, so that movement disrupts any dry patches aswell.

The longevity of this foundation is what really lets it down, in my humble opinion. I am fine with the application and with the coverage. But, it seems to break down really quickly on my skin. I have a super oily t zone. But, I use an oil free moisturiser, a good primer and then set everything with powder and setting spray. With the Infallible 24 HR Matte, I can get four hours before shine is a problem, sometimes even longer. With the Total Cover within an hour, the oil starts to break through. I can feel it on my skin too, it’s definitely not weightless like they suggest on the packaging. And on me, it gathers in pores and fine lines, which is not a good look either.

I think it’s safe to say the L’Oréal Infallible Total Cover Foundation just isn’t for me. It doesn’t perform or last how I want it too. Give me the Infallible 24HR Matte over it any day 🙂 You can find it instore or online here from Boots. It’s priced at €10.99 and comes in seven shades.

Have you tried it?

xxx

March 1, 2017/3 Comments/by Gem

Makeup, Skincare

Hylamide HA Blur Review

Hylamide is a fairly new brand to me. I’ve used a couple of products from them in the past few months and have been dipping in and out of using them. The Hylamide HA Blur has come out on top and so I wanted to share it with you.

I know silicone is not the best thing to be using on your skin. But for me, makeup primers that contain it tend to work the best. Silica does dry out your skin though and can absorb too much of the natural oils.

I need a barrier to not only help my makeup last longer, but to keep the natural oils at bay and make my pores less visible. The Hylamide does all of this, but in a different way to most. It uses Hylauronic Acid.

It comes out of the tube white and quite thick.

As you work it in to the skin, it starts to become more pliable and gel like.

It feels like skincare going on first and then it becomes more like a primer with a texture similar to the likes of Benefit’s Porefessional (which I love).

It doesn’t feel drying or uncomfortable on the skin. It does however, glide over enlarged pores and fine lines making them less noticeable. As well, as leaving a smoother, more matte base to apply your makeup on top of.

I use probably a double pea sized amount, what’s the next measurement after pea sized? Ha!

I pat it into my finger tips and them push it into my skin with both hands.

Before application:

After application:

I find my foundation glides really well over the top of the Hylamide HA Blur, and it does work well at keeping the shine at bay for my oilier skin. I think even if you have dry or more combination skin, it would work well for you too as Hyaluronic acid helps keep skin moisturised. So, using it won’t dry out your skin. I think this is a good point for all skin types really. Even though I have more oily skin, it can still get dehydrated and flaky. Hylamide say you can mix it with your foundation or use it on top too. I’ve yet to try that method of application myself.

Overall, I am a big fan of it! You can pick up Hylamide HA Blur from the Deciem website here for €19. Look Fantastic and Boots also sell the brand. This particular product is not in stock on the websites at this exact time though 🙁

So tell me, would you give it a go?

xxx

November 16, 2016/by Gem

Bargain Buying, Makeup

Five Budget Makeup Favourites

I have begun to do monthly favourites again on Beautynook a while ago now and am really enjoying it. It makes me extra conscious of products I continually pick up.

So, I thought I would start doing just general favourites too. Monthly ones can be for makeup, skincare and anything in between. These posts will be a little more theme driven. Hope that’s ok 🙂

So here’s five budget makeup products that have really been floating my beauty boat at the moment.

The Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer.

Excuse the appearance of mine, unfortunately the writing on the tube doesn’t withstand much…touching really :p

I used this years ago when it was all the rage and then just forgot to ever repurchase it, once I became a full on makeup fiend. Why, I don’t know, because it’s a bloomin’ good!

I have the shade ‘Fair 1’ which brightens up my pale complexion really well.

I do use this on it’s own and it works well. It has good coverage. But, most of the time I like to layer it over my Urban Decay Naked Concealer (I’ve a full review of this here). The Naked Concealer I have is too dark for me, so layering them on top of each other gives me hardcore under eye coverage and some brightness too. The consistency of the Lasting Perfection is really easy to blend so it’s works really well for layering. It’s a gem of a product. You can buy it from Boots here and it’ll set you back €5.79, not bad at all, right?

2. My second budget makeup favourite is what I use to apply the concealer with. It’s the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. Again, mine has seen better days. But it means I do actually use it…alot!

I’ve had a Beauty Blender in my stash since we were first able to get our hands on them here in Ireland and I do really love it. In in my humble opinion though, the Miracle Complexion Sponge is just as good! It melts both cream and powder products into the skin so you’re never left with cake face. And as an oily skinned gal who loves her powders for longevity, this is awesome for me.

I also love that it has a flat end and a more pointed end because it caters to all contours of the face.

I’ve also jumped onto the ‘baking’ bangwagon of late, so this is perfect for applying powder under the eyes too. In fact, other than blush and of course whatever I apply on my eyes, I can pretty much do my whole face with this. My poor brushes don’t know what to do with themselves. I’ve just been having a real moment with my sponges 🙂 The Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge is €7.99 here from Boots. They also come in a double pack here too for €14.99.

3. This is another product I picked up first years ago, loved and then forgot about. This is the Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer.

This is very much the stereotypical silicone primer so it’s definitely a love hate thing. For me and my skin it work really well.

I have large pores, so I need a primer that will glide over them and make them less visible. It has a matte finish too. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a miracle worker or anything like that. But it does the job of holding onto my makeup for longer and gives a smoother base to work on top of. It’s something I’ve repurchased many times over the years and have never regretted it. It’s €11.49 again from Boots here.

4. Number 4 on my budget makeup list is the H&M ‘Sheer Tan’ Solar Flair Bronzing Powder.

When I was in Oslo at the start of the year, I picked up lots of products from the H&M beauty line. Some just didn’t cut the mustard for me at all. This bronzer however, has remained in my everyday makeup stash and I reach for it alot.

As the name would suggest it gives a sheer pop of colour.

It’s has kind of a satin finish to it, but no shimmer or shine. it is really finely milled, so blends really smoothly and naturally onto the skin. Their bronzers come in 6 shades so there’s one to suit all and they cost €7.99. We can actually shop online from H&M now so here’s a link if you fancy a nose too 🙂

5. My last favourite is a new one to me, and the first product I’ve ever used from the Freedom brand. This is their Duo Brow Powder’.

They look really similar to the Anastasia Brow Duos, right?

I bought this on a whim from the Superdrug website. I did a quick google for colour swatches and thank god for fellow bloggers out there because it worked out really well for me. This is in the shade ‘Soft Brown’.

I use the lighter shade to fill in my brows either on it’s own or over pencil, depending on the day. Then, the darker shade it great for adding dimension or filling in any gaps.

The powders aren’t super opaque in colour when you swatch them, which would have put me off buying one in store.

This is weirdly why I am enjoying them so much though. It actually means I don’t go over the top filling in my brows so they end up looking somewhat natural 🙂 You can buy them from Superdrug online here and they cost £3.

There you have it! Five Budget Makeup Favourites from me. These are products that I am using pretty much everyday right now and loving.

Let me know if you have any budget makeup favourites 🙂

xxx

July 25, 2016/2 Comments/by Gem