FOUNDATION FINDS

Foundation when applied right can make your skin look flawless and transform your whole make-up look. I'm not saying that we all need to wear or buy foundation, but recently I have found that a high coverage concealer applied pretty much everywhere on a bad skin day doesn't quite cut it. 

When I first started blogging the one make-up purchase I used to put off the most was foundation. I was always told 'you're skin is wonderful, you don't need it' or 'it's a waste of money at your age' but I eventually gave in and asked for my first foundation last Christmas, the L'Oreal True Match Foundation. 

In recent weeks I have accumulated 3 new foundations to try which filled me with excitement as each formula is very different...

THE GLOW GETTER : The Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation-£8.99* is definitely the most dewy foundation out of the three. It contains tiny gold glitter flecks which once applied to the face give your skin a healthy radiant glow. If your skin is dry and lacks lustre then this is certainly one for you. Even though my skin verges on oily sometimes I haven't found that this foundation makes me look sweaty. I think that this foundation during Summer should be applied sparingly to give a light coverage which isn't too heavy on the skin and apply a light dusting of bronzer to give a bronzed goddess effect, great if you're on holiday. 

THE LIGHT-MEDIUM COVERAGE: Enter the Maybelline Dream Flawless Nude Foundation-£5.99, a light but buildable coverage foundation with a watery consistency. I bought this foundation for prom as I was looking for a foundation with no SPF which wouldn't cause any awkward flashback in photos. I loved wearing it that night, it was weightless on my skin and lasted well without fading or melting off during the evening. The applicator is slightly strange as there is no pump, you have to drop the foundation onto the back of your hand using a pipette. I have found that shaking the bottle before use combines the formula as the formula is very runny and can separate easily. 

THE RADIANT SKIN PERFECTER: I have to say, my favourite of the three has to be the Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation-£6.99*. It sits on top of my skin nicely, doesn't fade awkwardly and gives coverage in the places I need it without forming a mask on top of my skin. I like wearing this foundation for work and apply half a pump onto the back of my hand and apply to the areas of my face that need the coverage, at the moment that is my forehead and chin, and then blend to make sure it sits on my skin seamlessly. 

What's your favourite foundation?

Lauren

*This post contains products sent to me for review purposes, to view my full disclaimer, click here.

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LIPSTICK VS LIPGLOSS TAG

I don't know what it is, but recently I have been struggling to come up with original ideas for blogposts which I think you will enjoy reading, hence the reason my blogposts haven't been very frequent. That aside, what better way to get back into the swing of things, than with a post about lip products.

If you have been reading my blog for a while then you will know that I play it safe with lip products and stick to neutral, my lips but better shades, but if I do feel slightly daring I will use a bright lipgloss or lipstick and blot off the excess colour to be left with a muted stain.

That brings us to the debate, which do you prefer, lipsticks or lip glosses? I was in two minds about it but when going through my makeup collection finding the products to take photos for this post, there my decision was made. I own more lip glosses than I do lipsticks. 

I find it very exciting going into Boots or Superdrug and gazing at their array of lip products from the lit up stands. There is so much choice which is probably why I always end up coming home with one or two products and a hand full of swatches.

As I prefer minimal lip colours, that's what attracts me to buying a lipgloss than a lipstick as with lip glosses you can sheer out the colour more easily than you can with a lipstick. I also love the fact that most lip gloss formulas don't fade awkwardly like some lipsticks do, although you do have to top up your lipgloss more frequently throughout the day to keep the colour.

Some of my favourite lipgloss formulas:

The Accessorize Light Up Glosses* have been my go to lip product recently, my favourite shade from the range is 'Fuchsia' a pretty bright pink which I like to apply and then dab off the excess with a tissue so I am left with a stain, which I find easier to wear. The packaging is very innovative as it contains little LED lights in the lid which turn on when you unscrew the lid. 

I have been using the Rimmel Oh My Gloss Lipgloss 'Snog' for years, even before I started getting into blogging and makeup. This is my mums favourite lipgloss and she wears it daily. When I was younger she passed down the remains of them for me to use. Back then they were called the Rimmel Vinyl Gloss. The formula is quite thick and very pigmented, 'Snog' is another my lips but better shade (the love for neutral lip shades runs in my family...).

Finally, I adore the formula of the Tanya Burr lip gloss line, my favourite shade is 'Picnic In The Park' a gorgeous peach/pink which pairs well with any nude lipstick and adds a pop of colour. 

This post is in collaboration with Ciara from the blog An English Rose-link who came up with the idea for this post whilst we were brainstorming, personally I think it's a great idea. You can find Ciara's post here. I tag Emma from the blog Have a Cup Of Tea, Chloe from My Beauty Haven and Beth from Miss Beauty Obsession to share their version of this post. 

Which do you prefer, lipgloss or lipstick?

Lauren 

*This post contains products which were sent to me for review purposes, to view my full disclaimer, click here.

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SUMMER ESSENTIALS

Summer has to be one of my favourite times of the year, the warmer weather, sunshine and longer days all help to uplift my mood, particularly the longer days which means there is more time to take blogpost photos. During the Summer I tend to stick to light products that don't feel too heavy on my skin, the same way you opt for lighter clothes and generally I change up my routine, so I thought this called for a blogpost, I warn you, it's a lengthy one!

SKIN PREPARATION:

During the warmer months I much prefer having showers over baths and I like to use the oh so famous Soap and Glory Sugar Crush Body Wash. I adore the scent, a sugary sweet lime aroma fills the bathroom and makes me feel refreshed and ready to start my day. 

As we start to reveal more skin at this time of year therefore having a good exfoliate helps to remove any dead skin cells and will make your skin nice and smooth for the gorgeous weather. One of my current favourites is The Body Shop Honeymania Body Scrub as it is very gentle on the skin and doesn't leave behind any residue. I love the scent too, it's subtle and sweet but not too overpowering. I aim to use this once or twice a week and follow up by moisturising with the Vaseline Cocoa Butter Moisture Spray. This is a great alternative thick body moisturiser for example the Soap and Glory Righteous Butter which has a very rich consistency and takes a while to sink into the skin, and as much as I enjoy using the Righteous Butter, the Vaseline Spray is much better for this time of year. The 'Spray and Go' element makes the product simple and easy to use, spray it on dry skin, rub in with your hands and it sinks in easily with no fuss.

MAKE-UP PRODUCTS:

When it's humid there is nothing worse than the feeling of your foundation melting off your face, particularly when you're not at home and forgot to bring make-up wipes with you to work... If like me you are close to giving up on wearing foundation at this time of year, then look no further, meet the Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation*. A medium coverage foundation which feels lightweight and looks effortless on the skin. I apply half a pump onto the back of my hand and blend using my Real Techniques Buffing Brush. If you're not in the market for a new foundation, I would recommend halving the amount you use on a daily basis and although the coverage may not be as good, it may not feel as heavy on the skin.

The Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Pink Quartz is my new favourite highlighter. One of the reasons I love it is because of the gorgeous glow it creates on the cheekbones, but also due to how versatile it is. In the pan there are strips of both pink and bronze, that can be used as blush, bronzer, highlighter or eyeshadows.  

One of my all time favourite products is the Soap and Glory Solar Powder and you can tell by looking at it, a huge dip in the middle of the pan. I love the glow and warmth it gives to my pale complexion and for just over a ten pounds you can't go wrong. I swirl my brush in both sides and apply it just under my cheekbones, around my hairline and under my jawbone. 

You've got to have a peach lipgloss by your side at this time of year and mine will be the Accessorize Light Me Up Lipgloss in the shade 'Nude'. If you missed it, a few weeks ago Accessorize launched their new cosmetics collection and in my opinion, it rocks. You can find a blogpost all about the launch here. What I love about their new Lipgloss range is not only the gorgeous shades, but the packaging. Each lipgloss has a screw able lid and when opened lights up. Perfect if you're in a night club and can't see what you're doing as there is a mirror on the side of the lipgloss too, bonus! 

ON THE NAILS:

It's safe to say I own way too many nail polishes thanks to a phase I went through last summer when I got into nail art, most of which now never get used and I should probably re-home. I do have a few favourites though that sit on my windowsill, from Barry M, Essie and Accessorize*. Barry M's Gelly High Shine Nail Polishes have great longevity on the nails, I absolutely despise painting my toe nails, so anything that lasts longer on my nails than a week is a winner in my eyes. My favourite shade is 'Rosehip' a muted pink. 

Another nail polish I will be rotating this Summer is 'Bikini So Teeny' by Essie, a gorgeous blue shade with purple undertones and who can forget about the slight shimmer in the formula. 

Last but not least, if you read my Accessorize launch blogpost you will know that I came home with many products to try, including a handful of their nail polishes, two of which I adore. The shades 'In the Nude' a pretty pale peach and a blue, green and orange glitter 'Mermaid'. When paired together they look stunning and I have never seen a glitter like that before!

This post is a collaboration with my good friend Emma who has also written a post outlining her Summer Essentials-link over on her blog, Have a Cup Of Tea. I adore her blog as it is a place where you can find advice, beauty posts, music features and so much more!

What are your Summer Essentials?

Lauren

*This post contains products that were given to me for review purposes, to view my full disclaimer, click here.

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