Monday, October 29, 2012

Revlon Colorstay Foundation Review


Pros                                                                       Cons
Great coverage                                                      Smells like paint
Great colour range
Long lasting
Lightweight
No breakouts
Revlon Colorstay
How it works for me
I apply this onto moisturised skin using a stippling brush or foundation brush. I tend to start applying the foundation on my problem areas (for me, my chin), then work a thin layer onto the rest of the face and neck. I then go back and add another layer to any areas that need extra coverage.

For day to day wear I use Revlon Colorstay foundation without a concealer and I find it gives me enough coverage and I am not concious of my blemishes.  I will however use concealer for a night out or when I know photos will be taken.

I set the foundation with a loose powder and for me it lasts all day. I do not use a primer everyday, only when I know I will be wearing my make-up longer than usual or when my skin is overly oily as in the summer.

The coverage can be built up to a full coverage by layering or can be left as a medium coverage. For such a high coverage foundation it feels lightweight on the skin.

I have never had any issues with Revlon Colorstay Foundation causing me breakouts. I feel as though it reduces the oil on my skin, but whether this is because it absorbs the oil or reduces oil flow I do not know.

This foundation has an SPF of 6, which isn't very high but I use this with an SPF moisturiser so this isn't a problem for me.

The only con I find is the smell. When wet the foundation smells like paint which at first was off putting but once the product has set on the skin there is no scent.

I use the colour 110 Ivory for combination/oily skin.

I highly recommend that you try this product.

It is around $40 in New Zealand. In my mind well worth the price.

Please feel free to ask questions and I will answer as best I can.

View before and after photos here.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector All in One B.B. Cream Review

All opinions are my own and what works or doesn't work for me, may still work for you. If you don't want to read my full review, please skim down to the overview.

Product
50 ml of product
Lasts 12 months once open
Price - On sale now for $14.86 from The Warehouse

Claims
"Garnier BB cream for immediately perfected skin with even tone and boosted glow. Blurs imperfections and smoothes fine lines. SPF15 protection and 24hr hydration."

First Impression
This product has a very strong smell, it is quite a nice smell but overpowering.
The packaging is simple and easy to use, the product is thick so doesn't run out of the tube but comes out smoothly when squeezed.
The colour looks quite dark on my hand but blends away quite sheer. On my hand it gives a light coverage with a definite orange look. It appears glowy but not greasy.

Thoughts
I first applied this to my face with my fingers, it gave little to no coverage. I let the product settle and then applied another layer in an attempt to build up coverage, it did not work. I have also tried applying the B.B. Cream with a brush which did give slightly more coverage but still a light coverage.
The colour is far too dark for my skin and there is no lighter option. I set the B.B. Cream with a lighter powder to counteract the orange.
I do not feel that it immediately perfects skin at all, the redness in my cheeks looked the same as before. It did nothing to "blur" my blemishes. Unless you have excellent skin you would need to use a concealer with this product.
As for the claim of 24 hour moisture, it is very moisturising, I don't know if it gives 24 hours of moisture because I moisturise morning and night.
This product did give my skin a glow but not in a good way. My face was left glowing with an oily shine. Even after applying a a powder, my skin still looked oily.
I wore this B.B. Cream for a few days then it started to break me out, I stopped using it and let my skin recover. I then tried it again to make sure it was this product that broke me out and again after using the B.B. Cream for a few days I broke out.

Overview
I have combination/oily skin with an oily skin and I generally only get breakouts on my chin. This product gave very little coverage, which can be forgiven because it is not claiming to be a foundation. Its strong smell can also be forgiven as it is not unpleasant to me. But because it leaves me looking shiny, orange and feeling greasy as well as breaking me out all over my face, I will definitely not be repurchasing this product let alone finishing the tube.
This product may work on other skin types, especially those with dry skin and people who are not prone to breakouts. I did like the way it worked on my hands which have normal skin. I feel this B.B. Cream is not suited for people with my oily/combination skin type.

Garnier does now have a B.B. Cream specifically made for oily/combination skin that is said to be non comedogenic but sadly this is not available in New Zealand. Hopefully it will be released here soon.

Sorry for the negative review but this is just my opinion of the product with my skin, it may work wonders for you.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Easy Temporary Tattoo Nail Art

Hello internet people!

I love doing nail art and I recently lost my nail art guinea pig to overseas travel, so I have been suffering a little bit of nail art withdrawal. I have been spending a lot of time watching nail art videos on YouTube.

I struggle to do nice nail art on my self because it is near impossible to get both hands looking the same quality. As I mentioned in a previous post, I am definitely not ambidextrous. I stumble upon the temporary tattoo technique whilst watching YouTube videos, it basically involves painting your nails, sticking a tattoo on top then sealing with a top coat. Great for getting both hands to look good.

Here are some pictures showing how I did my temporary tattoo nail art.
Start with freshly manicured nails.
I filed my nails, gently pushed back my cuticles and applied cuticle oil.
Make sure you remove the cuticle oil by washing your hands before applying polish.

Always apply a base coat to prevent staining your nails.
I used OPI Nail Envy.

You need to apply a base colour of your choice.
I chose OPI Fly and applied two coats.
Make sure the colour is completely dry before starting with the tattoos.

These are the tattoos I used. They cost $1.

I cut shapes out of the tattoos that I wanted on my nails.
I applied it by placing the tattoo on to my nail then pressing a damp cotton pad on top for 10 seconds.

Thumb with star tattoo applied.

Finished nails with two coats of Nailene Acrylic Strong Top Coat.
I hope you enjoyed my nail art, you can recreate this in your favourite colour and with any tattoos you can find. Remember you can also cut up the tattoos like I did if they are too big for your nails.

Thanks for stopping by. :)

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Quick, Easy, Everyday Eye Make Up

Here is how I do my eyes most days. Occassionaly I will apply a gold shadow to the lid.
Start with a clean eye.

Fill in your brows if you need to.
I have used a Za eyebrow pencil.

Apply a shimmery skin tone shadow to the entire eyelid up to the brow.
I have used a pale shimmery colour from my Wendy Hill Eye Shadow palette.

Apply a matte brown eye shadow to the crease and outer third of the eyelid.
I have used a Rimmel Eye shadow in the colour Dusk.

Apply the matte brown shadow to the outer two thirds of the lower lash line.

Apply brown gel eye liner close to lash line in a slight wing.
I have used Maybelline's Gel liner in brown.

Tight line your eye with brown gel liner. This step is optional.

Apply Mascara to top and bottom lashes. I have used Rimmel Sexy Curves Mascara.

Eyes

The completed eyes.
This is just a simple look that is quick and easy for early mornings. I hope you like this look and if you have any questions just comment and I'll answer as soon as I can.

Friday, October 19, 2012

Get to Know Me Tag

I saw this on Le Beauty Girl Blog and thought I'd give it a go.

1. Are you named after anyone?
Not really, my Aunty happens to have the same name as me but my parents just liked the name.
2. When was the last time you cried?
Last week. I always cry watching medical emergency shows, and especially One Born Every Minute.
3. Do you have any kids?
Not yet.
4. If you were another person, would you be a friend of yourself?
I don't think I would, none of my friends are like me.
5. Do you use sarcasm a lot?
I think I do but only when I think someone has asked a silly question. I.e. Did you cut your hair?
No, it just grew shorter and got a fringe by itself.
6. Will you ever bungee jump?
I'd like to think I would but I can't see myself doing it any time soon. Maybe to celebrate my 50th birthday.
7. What's your favourite cereal?
I very rarely eat breakfast, I'm not a morning person. If I had to pick one it would be porridge because it can taste different with toppings.
8. What's the first thing you notice about people?
This is a hard one maybe their eyes or smile.
9. What is your eye colour?
Blue/grey.
10. Scary movie or happy endings?
Definitely scary movies. Happy endings are generally the same.
11. Favourite smells?
I love vanilla, petrol, cat food, and cooking onions.
12. Summer or winter?
When it's summer I wish it was winter and vice versa. I much prefer the in between seasons. I burn too easily in the summer and the winter is too cold because I walk everywhere I go.
13. Computer or Television?
Computer. Anything that is on T.V. can be seen on the internet.
14. What's the furthest you have ever been from home?
Well I was born in England and I now live in New Zealand so either or.
15. Do you have any special talents?
Not really, I can push my belly out to look pregnant and move my ears but nothing special.
16. Where were you born?
Wakefield, Yorkshire, England.
17. What are your hobbies?
I love playing with make up and nail polish. I am addicted to watching YouTube videos.
18. Do you have any pets?
Yes I have an awesome cat named Tilly, she is 1 and a half years old and ginger. I had two other cats but the ran away :(
19. Favourite movie?
I don't have an all time favourite movie but I loved The Avengers. I also love The Lion King and Monsters Inc.
20. Do you have any siblings? 
Yes I have an older sister and a younger brother.
21. What do you want to be when you grow up?
I want to run my own business from home and have tonnes of children.

There's a little bit of information about me.
Try the tag for yourself.

Friday, October 12, 2012

My birthday nails

Here are my nails inspired by the dress that I plan to wear out on my birthday. Sorry if there are too many photos but I wanted to show every step. When doing my own nails I try to simplify the pattern as much as possible because I am not ambidextrous.
My inspiration.
The colours I used.
Always apply a basecoat before painting your nails.
I used OPI Nail Envy.
Two coats of Revlon Pure Pearl and one coat of Nailene Acrylic Strong Topcoat.
Make sure this is completely dry before continuing with the nail art.
After applying two stripes of OPI Red to each nail.
After applying two stripes of LA Colors Static Electricity to each nail.
After applying two stripes of LA Colors Gold Glitter to each nail.
After applying one stripe of LA Colors Silver glitter to each nail.
Finished nails with Nailene Acrylic Strong Topcoat
That is how I did my nails. Just click on the pictures to enlarge them. Any questions just ask.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Maybelline Baby Lips Review


Cost
$3.99 on sale at New World

Product
Maybelline Baby lips in soothing cherry.
SPF 20
4g of product

Claims
8 hour moisture
in one week rejuvenated lips:
fine lines reduced
elasticity increased
suppleness increased
Centella essence increases cell turnover.

First Impressions
Feels creamy on my lips, smells nice, not over powering. I applied the Maybelline Baby Lips at 10pm it felt creamy on my lips and slightly tingly. By 3 am the product was completely gone from my lips and my lips felt dry again and still had dry skin. I will continue to use this product to see if it lives up to its claim of rejuvenated lips in one week.

Thoughts
On day two of using the baby lips, my lips feel softer they still have dry skin but it has softened. My lips feel softer even without balm on. I have been applying the balm to my lips morning and night and occasionally during the day if I feel I need it.  I don't think it provides 8 hours of moisture, my lips still get dry but not as bad as they used to. I feel it has softened my lips but not to any extreme.

Overview
This product has definitely improved the texture of my lips in one week. My lips do not get as dry as they used to but they can still get dry during the day. I don't think it provides 8 hours of moisture, I feel at most it gives 5 hours of moisture and then my lips start to feel dry and I need to reapply. This product has an SPF of 20 which will be great as we get into the summer months. Overall this is a good product that I would probably repurchase, the packaging is cute and its small size means its easy to keep with you.