Skincare First Impressions #1

             

My post man has been delivering me a lot of skincare recently and I am so happy and thankful. I think PR or samples are something that I love and am always so grateful for - its like its my birthday whenever a parcel comes! This past week I have been trying some new in bits from Antipodes, Dermalogica and Shiseido and thought I would do a sort of first impressions post and then hopefully review them fully in the future. After a week back teaching actual humans, my skin needs all the love!

                                          

Figs and Rouge Morning Skincare

Skincare has become so important to me in the last year or so. It makes such a difference to my overall look and when I wear makeup. In the morning, I tend to keep it simple and quick as I don't have much time. With the new Morning Revival range from Figs and Rouge, I can do exactly that! These two products have become a staple in my morning routine, giving my skin a fresh, dewy base ready for makeup. 

Cover FX Power Play Foundation First Impressions

I'm always really wary of trying a new foundation. I have the fear of wearing it and my skin becoming really oily during the day and I have no way of saving it. Then I always panic about it breaking me out. Basically, I get scared. I need something that's medium to full coverage to cover everything, that will last me all day at work and not look or feel really heavy on the skin. I mentioned in my haul not that long ago that I managed to bag the Cover FX Power Play Foundation for a really good price. Its been loved by many beauty gurus on line, therefore I have very high hopes for trying it. Read on to find out my first impressions...                              

#PixiLoves Eyeshadow Palettes Swatches and Review

Pixi pretty much knock it out of the park when it comes to skincare. More recently, they've started to launch makeup too. I still pinch myself when their PR packages come through the post, its such a dream! Their newest eyeshadow palettes came not that long ago and I couldn't wait to get playing around. I'm not the best at eyeshadow, never have been. When I wear any eye look, its simple and basic - so apologies that its a little boring.

L'Oreal Infallible More Than Concealer and Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation Review

When I started out blogging, L'Oreal were one brand that I used to buy everything from. At that time, they were the talk of the town - everyone loved everything from them and this was before other brands started to make more of an appearance in the beauty world. The True Match foundation was my favourite along with their lipsticks from the different ambassadors, powder and of course nail polish. Then I stopped buying anything from them for awhile, the only thing I have used recently is the Pro Matte Foundation but even that was every now and then. 

Then, out of nowhere I had this urge to try their new launches. One being the More Than Concealer which was making its rounds on You Tube and the other is the Fresh Wear Foundation, which is a relaunch/reformulated version of their original Infallible foundation (post here) which I also loved. One impressed me and the other I am on the fence about ... 

Flower Beauty UK Haul and First Impressions

Flower Beauty is a brand that I have oodles about on YouTube and have always wanted to get my hands on. When I went to Hawaii, they weren't stocked in any of the stores. However, Drew Barrymore the creator and brains behind the brand has recently launched a very limited range on the Superdrug site and I jumped to the chance to try and buy. For the first testing round, I purchased just three things - the foundation, concealer and liquid lipstick. Eventually, the aim is to buy more as she expands what we have available. The hardest part of ordering was selecting shades, there are very few swatches online so it was a guessing game until they arrived .... 

5 First Impressions

There have been so many hauls on my blog recently, I thought it was about time we actually taked about some products that I've mentioned. These are 5 products that I have been trying on and off, all new and products that I have wanted to try in forever. 

Dermalogica Clear Start

I seem to be finding that my love for skincare is taking over makeup, it excites me so much more when I buy a new cleanser or use a face oil at night. Sounds really sad when I say it back to myself, but I am sure that fellow beauty lovers (may) agree with me. The feeling of using something new for the first time and seeing it make a difference or go horribly wrong on the skin is the best thing ever. My skin is combination to oily and breakout prone, the tiniest amount of a product my skin doesn't like will make it explode. The Dermalogica Clear Start range is a targeted system to help those of us who suffer from breakouts. It is mainly for young teens who are just starting out with skincare, as there is a capsule collection of nine products but can be used by anyone. 

Klairs Review & Giveaway

Korean skincare is taking over the world and one brand that gets it right every time is Dear Klairs. They produce products that are targeted to different skincare concerns and don't mess around when it comes to skincare. I very kindly recieved a whole range of their goodies from Koja Beauty, which is an online shop that stocks all different Korean skincare brands alonge with vegan friendly products - there is literally something for everyone. I have been testing and trying these different products for a while now and have finally had the time to sit and give you my honest opinion on what worked and what didn't. 

BECCA Royal Glow Review

My name is Parie and I am addicted to highlight. Even more so when its advertised as limited edition, it just makes me want it more and more no matter how much I resist. When BECCA announced their limited edition Royal Glow highlight, I knew that eventually my finger would slip and it would arrive through the letterbox. Since turning up, I haven't put it down and can see myself using this a lot.

L'Oreal Infallible Range Review

L'Oreal launches always catch my eye, they are a brand that I love and that my skin loves too. I (touch wood) have never broken out after using their products nor have I experienced any reactions. When I heard there were some new products coming from them, I couldn't wait to get my hands on them and after testing them out a couple of times and in a few different ways, I thought it was about time to share what I think.

                             

Glossier Comes to the UK

This week is very exciting indeed, the infamous brand Glossier have officially launched in the UK. They have very well known in the beauty industry and throughout the US as a brand that takes everything so seriously yet keeps things pretty basic. A few months back, they had a pop up shop in London, where you were able to browse what was coming but not buy (pretty pointless in my opinion). I wasn't able to go as it was all pretty last minute, but I forwarded the invite to Nishi, who was ready with a shopping list in case you could buy anything. She then sent me a link, a few weeks after saying that they were going to gift those who did attend, which is very kind of her! I wasn't really expecting anything, but in the post came this glorious Glossier package!          

Makeup Revolution First Impressions

Let's just say that I am slightly obsessed with highlighting, all forms too! The post all about highlighters under £10 went down a treat and there was a lot of love for the gorgeous MUR palette. Since that post, I ended up buying two more palettes from the brand, one is labelled as a strobing palette and the other highlighter - either way they are beautiful and here's the low down. 

L'Oreal Infallible Total Cover Foundation First Impressions

Its a bit L'Oreal crazy on the blog at the moment but they are killing it base wise and I just have to try and buy everything! Through Ebay I managed to get my hands on the US version of the Infallible Pro-Matte foundation (full post) as well as the Pro-Glow (coming soon), but next on my list was their newest release the Infallible Total Cover. As per usual, the US had it first and then I saw on Kaushal's youtube that it was coming over here really soon, since then my eyes have been looking out for it. Last friday, on a random trip into Superdrug, I spotted them just as they were being put out! 

Makeup Geek Haul & Swatches

One thing that always cheers me up and gives me some light is online shopping. I am very bad at it and when I see the words Paypal, I get even more excited as I don't have to fill anything in. The other night I was in a real funk and wanted something to cheer me up, the end result? A Beauty Bay order of Makeup Geek Eye shadows. Here they are in all there beauty..

BeautyCrowd Haul

It was a late night and my eyes were half asleep, so that meant I was bound to do some damage online...


L.A Girls Pro Concealer - £5.00 

This was the main reason for a small haul as both my self and Aamira wanted to try this concealer out, and I knew that if I didn't order it on a whim then I wouldn't ever order it. The Pro Concealer is so talked about in the beauty world, I knew that it would be worth the investment. It is very different to any concealer I have ever used as it isn't a dofer/sponge applicator, its a brush?! Very bizarre but the coverage and longevity of it is amazing - maybe a review very soon?

Bell Hypoallergenic Lipstick

Bright pink lips are slowly becoming my new favorite thing, they are something different to my usual nude or red lips and the change is perfect for the summer (well when the weather is nice). The formula of this mositurising lipstick is very soft on the lips and it almost makes the lip stick sheer in a way, so you can wear it without it been too heavy.

What a small haul, but I wanted to share BeautyCrowd with you all, as if you didn't know you can buy so may USA brands on there such as L.A Girls and Milani! Be sure to have a browse...

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Summer Beauty Haul

Summer is here and it is fair to say that my makeup collection needed a revamp, so i headed on a shopping trip and two hours later my bank balance was worse off!! 

I was very kindly treated to a MAC make over for my birthday, something i have never done and so had no idea I was allowed to buy something! I couldn't decide between two things, so ended up picking them both up and paying the difference. The first is the Pro Longwear Foundation, and the second is the Natural Radiance Primer to wear underneath as my base. My skin looked flawless with both of these on and had a very subtle glow - I am excited to try them out for myself at a few events. The other high end purchase is the Benefit Roller Lash, I have several mini samples of this when it was a freebie in Elle and it was about time I got the full size version. Love everything about thid mascara even the weird packaging. 

Along with the MAC foundation I picked up my two favourites from L'Oreal. They were on two for twelve so I couldn't resist. The Infallible Matte and Original are two that I swear by for everyday and the sun been out has meant a shade change. From Maybelline I picked up the Fit Me Concealer and the Master Sculpt, two never before tried products and a change in concealer from the collection one is very refreshing. I keep hearing Anna from ViviannaDoesMakeup talking about the Bourjois Healthy Balance Powder, how amazing it is. When I saw it in the shops I just had to buy it. It is a very fine powder and so lightweight compared to anything I have used before - the compact is great for being on the go too!

Recently, I have become bad at buying mascaras and eye shadows. In the last month I have picked up the Maybelline Colour Tattoo in On and On Bronze,bit late to the party and no idea why these things are bloody amazing!! Late to the party on the gorgeous Collection Eyes Uncovered Palettes, which are just as good as the hype around them. And lastly the Bourjois Colourband, this is still been tested out as I can't get to grips with the concept?? But what I can get to grips with is the Maybelline Color Drama in In With The Coral more of a barbie pink than coral yet still great for the summer.

Ahhh, the end. Finishing the summer haul with a Maybelline Polish in Red Hot Getaway,which you will not stop hearing about in the next few weeks as I am a tiny little bit addicted to it. And the life changing Bourjois Instant Dry Drops which you apply onto wet nails and within a few minutes they are dry and ready to roll.

Hope you enjoyed this summer haul! What have you been picking up?

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Superdrug CC Cream Review

Sometimes you walk into Superdug and just don't end up buying anything you were meant to and instead buy something random and new to you. This time around it was Superdrug CC Cream RRP £8.99, lucky for me it was buy one get one half price on Superdrug so I got it for only £4.48 and then cotton pads for 50p - score! CC Creams and BB Creams have taken the beauty world by storm with every brand bringing out there own version, the Bourjois one is mean to be amazing but I opted for the cheaper version to get me started.

These are great when the weather gets warmer and you need a lighter base that allows you to let your skin breathe at the same time as correcting everything but not giving you a ton of coverage. This CC Cream promises to be a 6-in-1 day cream that improves the skin tone, conceals blemishes and imperfections, clarifying the skin tone, all day moisturising, and contains a of SPF 15 - not a lot but enough if you wear more on top when it is really hot. 

When I squeezed it out the formula was very thick and this was scary because I expected it to be thin and more liquidly. It however blends onto the skin to become very light and feels as though there is nothing on your skin. The shade medium is perfect for my in-between skin tone and the range is also in light and dark, this makes it difficult as you have to guess due to not being able to swatch. 

How did it work? Not the best thing in the world. I had really high hopes, a base that allows me to have those 'no makeup makeup days'. It covered the redness that I have on my cheeks, moisturised my face but I didn't feel that it covered my imperfections (spots and scars). I didn't expect that to happen anyway's but I would have loved some sort of coverage. This was the first time I tried it, then the second time around I used the CC Cream as a primer underneath my foundation as a primer/first layer this provided me with a little bit more of a even coverage but still not great. 

I was really excited to use this but it just didn't work, maybe it is because of the weather? It just isn't the time to have a light base, but I will defo be taking it on holiday with me and testing it out again so expect to see a trying it again post! I think this is just a re-branded product from +Superdrug, but it appeals to me a lot more!

Do you both with the CC/BB Cream Trend???

p.s don't forget to enter my giveaway  ENTER HERE

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L'Oreal Strikes AGAIN!

My love of L'Oreal just keeps on growing, I am currently swooning for True Match and Infallible and now there is a new foundation in town and I am loving it as well. The newest release from them is their Infallible Matte Foundation and to match a Mattifying Primer, today will be a double trouble review because they are indeed two products that need to be used, in my opinion together. 

Packaging

The first thing about this duo is that they are both in squeezy tubes with nozzles as applicators, traditionally foundations from the brand have pumps and are in glass bottles but this is totally new and different to anything I have seen before. The good thing is that at least you can see how much you are using it because of it being clear and you don't have to spend ages shaking around to try and get the last drops out of the pump. The bad thing, it goes everywhere - it is very hard to control the amount of product that comes out and I struggle! You can also see on the back of each one it tells you the texture and the coverage, that is such a good idea but sometimes not such a good one as brands think that their products are better than what they actually are...

Primer

In my eyes this is a silicone texture primer, feels very much like the Benefit Porefressional but is clear rather than coloured. It is also very wet and take a few minutes to sink into the sink, so I leave a gap between applying this and my foundation. I personally think that this primer only works with the L'Oreal primer to keep you matte all day, but that doesn't mean to say it doesn't work well with other foundations, because it does, just not as long lasting and doesn't turn a dewy foundation like True Match into a matte one. After sinking into the skin, my skin feels as smooth as hell - is that really weird??

Foundation

The star of the show and another one to add to my holy grail list, the foundation is everything you expect from L'Oreal and more if you ask me! It has a very thick consistency, which is scary but then again they claim it to be 'full coverage' so it isn't much of a surprise. The beauty of the foundation is that when you blend it into your skin it feels really light weight and as though there isn't anything on your face. In one layer it covers up most of the redness, spots and evens out my skin tone. But to get that heavy coverage which covers everything and anything you definitely need two even layers, don't be put off by the consistency because you actually need the tiniest little bit and it goes a long way. It is meant to be a matte foundation and I fully believe that because as you can see in the pictures nothing is looking dewy, but part of me still has to powder due to not trusting my out of control oil that creeps up during the day.

One thing is for sure that as well as using a primer, you do need to moisturise if your skin is dry - I found that around my nose and my hairline it was clinging to it and looked horrible but the second time after a rather large helping of coca butter it was much better, not perfect but better.

With only the foundation and primer on 

I cannot heavily fault this duo that much, because it is all good! If you happen to pop into Boots/Superdrug soon then keep any eye out for it and pick it up to try! The shades are very limited so do make sure you swatch, test and try them all out. 

Buy the foundation - HERE

Buy the primer - HERE

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FOTD| Boots Haul/First Impressions

 I have been buying quite a bit of makeup over the month of December and November but have had no time to even try it! So, I thought I would do a face of the day/haul/first impression to see if I like it or not! I am talking about the products in a very random order i do apologise!