Review | Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet

When I first saw the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet on the shelves a good few months ago, I thought it was a gloss type formula rather than a liquid lipstick. It wasn't until I saw a few reviews on this that I really knew what it was.

I was in Boots the other day (again, shocker) and I saw that there were testers out for the product. I swatched a couple of them and fell in love with the Peach Club shade. From the swatch alone, the formula was smooth and highly pigmented so I bought it.

I've now tried it out a few times and can firmly say that I love it! The colour is absolutely gorgeous. I've never really owned a peachy/coral shade like this before and was pleasantly surprised at well it goes with my pale af complexion.

The formula goes on really smooth and velvety as the name would suggest. Unlike other matte lipsticks, it doesn't dry to a chalky texture. Instead, it feels more like a balm. It's not entirely transfer-proof but it does stay in place all day without need for further applications despite eating/drinking.

The only negative is that when you first apply the product, it does not smell good. It smells distinctly of acrylic paint or some kind of burnt polystyrene. Not pleasant but the smell soon dissipates as you apply the colour and it certainly doesn't taste anything like that scent.

All in all, a solid 9/10 for this product and I can't wait to swatch a few more shades and pick up some more colours! They're £8.99 each at Boots right now and there's a 3 for 2 offer on all Bourjois cosmetics at the moment so its the perfect time to give them a try if you haven't already :-)

Tabitha
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Review | Makeup Revolution Iconic Palettes

In another recent wander round Superdrug, I spotted a stand for a brand that I'd never heard of before called Makeup Revolution. It turns out, they've only been around since March 2014 otherwise I'm sure I'd have heard of them before. They had an impressive range in gorgeous packaging and incredibly low prices. Their range starts at £1 so perfect for me on my budget.

I spotted their Iconic Palettes and I couldn't resist buying them once I'd swatched from the tester tray. These are AMAZING and out of stock on their online shop so definitely popular. I picked up Iconic 1 and Iconic 2. Both were £6.99 each at Superdrug and can be found at the same price on the Makeup Revolution website when they're back in stock.

 They come in black matte palettes which are thick and sturdy. Each one of these includes a double ended eyeshadow brush too. Yes, an eyeshadow brush instead of those useless sponge applicators you get with other brands. The brush included is actually really decent so this was an added bonus.

The first thing that lured me in with these was the colours. Both palettes contain some truly gorgeous shades with both matte and shimmer options. The pigment is beyond amazing too. The rich darker shades have so much depth to them and blend so easily. There are a tonne of other palette options available besides these so I can't wait to explore the rest of the range.

After application, the staying power of the shadow is impressive too. There was no fade, smudging or sitting in the crease. I love these shadows and have really enjoyed playing around with them. Definitely a perfect bargain find!

I'd recommend a look at their website. There's over 300 products on there and all of them are cheap as chips but excellent quality. I know I'll be heading into Superdrug again soon to swatch some more of their range :-)

Tabitha
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Review | Max Factor Colour Corrector Sticks

I spotted these whilst I was in Boots. There was an offer on the Max Factor line and I thought I would give these a go. My biggest issue with my face is my red skin and dark eye circles. There was a huge range of colour correcting solutions so I picked up these two.

I do try not to expect miracles, but I can get a bit hopeful when it comes to products that promise to correct redness. 

The green stick is supposed to neuteralise the red tones from blemishes, blotchiness or veins near the surface of the skin. The yellow stick is supposed to neuteralise the purple tones of under eye circles or veins.

I was excited to try these out and used them a few times before writing this. As much as they definitely did their job from a colour point of view, I don't think they liked my primer very much. I tried them with a couple of different primers and bases because the colour really did work, but sadly it just didn't work out.

Unfortunately, the texture of these didn't work with my skin. They're a creamy/balm like texture that applies and blends really well. But after a few hours, the product dries out and turns really flakey. It sucked in my foundation and concealer too and made me look really patchy. 

I am gutted that these didn't work for me but I'd definitely recommend swatching them in store in case they work for you since the colour correcting side did what it said on the package. As much as they applied green and yellow, they blend with foundation colours to even out and become unnoticeable.

They're available at Boots for £8.99 each and there's a whole range of colour correcting solutions.

 I hope that they work for some of you!

Tabitha

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My Makeup Setting Champions

There is nothing worse than spending time creating the perfect face of makeup only to find that within an hour or less, it has started to clump/cake/run/melt/smudge or otherwise. If you're anything like me, you want to do your makeup in the morning and have the confidence that it's going to last at least until you get home again.

There are a few products that I use every time (yes, every time) I do a full face of makeup that I want to last the day. These are products that I've recommended to friends or family time and time again so I thought I'd share them here. 

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer | £29 from John Lewis

If you follow a lot of beauty blogs, you've probably already heard about this one. I know, the price makes me cringe too. I received this as a sample from Birchbox months and months ago, and the same bottle is still going so it definitely goes far. It's worth the price tag for this incredible product. No other primer has been able to hold my foundation in place as well as this. It doesn't work as well for every skin type, but if you have oily skin like me then this might be the miracle you've been waiting for. See if you can get your hands on a sample to try first, but you'll know after one application whether this will work for you.

Dr Jart V7 Turnover Booster | £28.75 from Beauty Bay

Before any product is applied to your skin, you need a good skincare routine. You've heard it many times before but it's the truth. I play around with the moisturiser I use but this is the serum I use day and night. My skin has never looked better and primers/foundations sit on this like an absolute dream. Again, it's expensive - sorry! However, it's another case of a little going a long way with this. I received it as a sample from Birchbox a long, long time ago and have been using it twice a day for the past 3 months yet still have over half a bottle left. Invest in a good skincare routine and you will find your makeup applying so much better and lasting just that little bit longer too.

Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray | £21 from Debenhams

Once I have finished applying a flawless face of makeup, I give this bottle a shake and spritz it all over my face. It is light and dries quickly, but somehow miraculously manages to stick the makeup in place. It's like a glue or protective film on your face. It's weightless and isn't sticky so you do forget it's there until the end of the day when you check your makeup and see it is still perfectly in place. I've recommended this to most of the people I know. Pricey, I know - but so worth it!

Lipcote Lipstick Sealer | £3.69 from Boots

I have been using this for years and raving about it to anyone who will listen. I used to see it advertising in the back of magazines and never really took notice until I spotted it in Boots one day and thought I'd give it a go. You just apply this over your lipstick, let it dry and then you're set for the rest of the night. Eating, drinking, talking or kissing won't ruin your lipstick with Lipcote on it. 

I've been using this since my uni days and honestly, I'd wake up in the morning with mascara and eyeshadow down my face, hair a mess and foundation long gone - but perfectly formed red lips. No fade, no transfer and no smudging. It really, really works. For £3.69, give it a try and watch yourself rave about it too. 

The picture above is one I've been using for about a year now so it is a little grubby, sorry! 

I hope this was helpful to some of you. Definitely leave your suggestions for make-up setting products in the comments section below!

Tabitha 

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Review | Max Factor Lipfinity

I've been looking for a long lasting lip colour that actually works for a long time and I thought I'd give Max Factor's Lipfinity a try. 

I'm going to a wedding in a few days and have been searching for the perfect light pink shade that will compliment my skin tone as well as stay in place throughout the day. I was in Boots and spotted a 3 for 2 on Max Factor products plus a whole podium dedicated to their lip colour range. I swatched this product on the back of my hand and continued to browse the section.

After no more than 60 seconds, I gave it a quick rub to check the staying power and - no word of a lie - it wouldn't budge. Not at all. I bought it then and there, only to discover when I got home that its also 100% waterproof. No amount of soap, water or makeup remover would actually shift it.

The packet recommends oil-based makeup remover but as an oily skinned person, I own none of that. I ended up having to get out the roughest loofah I have to scrub it off my skin.

In short: it definitely lasts!

I've since worn the product on my lips and can confirm that it definitely lasted 12+ hours for me. The colour goes on like a thick lip gloss but dries after a minute or so. It feels uncomfortably dry at that stage but that's why the product comes with a balm. Once the colour is set, you can whack on the balm and take the balm part with you to add a sheen throughout the day as required.

Personally, after the initial application I topped my lips with chapstick which worked just as well. 

All in all, I would recommend this product. At £10.99, it is quite pricey for a lip product but I'm hoping it will last quite a while given you only need the one application per day.

I got mine on a Max Factor 3 for 2 at Boots though I'm not sure whether that's still on. Having checked the Boots website it looks like they've currently got a 3 for 2 on all makeup products at the moment so it's definitely worth taking a look and trying something new.

Are there any other long lasting lip colours that I should check out? Let me know in the comments if you have any recommendations :-)

Tabitha

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How To Clean Your Makeup Brushes

How to Clean Your Makeup Brushes

It's the step we all-too-often skip but one of the most important processes to ensure your makeup application is as flawless and hygienic as possible. 

We use makeup brushes multiple times on our face and in our products but when is the last time you cleaned your brushes? Best practice is probably to wash them after every use but who really has time for that?

I try and clean my brushes every few weeks if I can. If I find I'm breaking out or my makeup feels a bit muddy, it's usually sign that a brush cleaning is long overdue. It's so easy to clean a beauty blender sponge because they're supposed to be damp when using them. Brushes have to be totally dry though, and that's when cleaning them becomes a pain. 

Even so, it's important to keep them clean so that they last longer, but also because a clean brush is the best way to apply perfect makeup. Luckily, cleaning them is really easy.

1. Assemble your brushes 

Personally, I like to wash all of my brushes at the same time. Even if I haven't used the brush since the last cleaning, I'll do it with the others because most of us store ours in the open air and dust can settle on the bristles.

2. Rinse under luke-warm water

Rinse off all your brushes with luke warm water. Try not to let the water get too hot otherwise you can melt the glue that is holding your brush bristles in place

3. Fill your palm with specialist brush cleanser or baby shampoo

I don't actually have specialist brush cleaning products because I'm broke so I make do with what I can get my hands onto on the cheap. I like to use a very mild baby shampoo that isn't going to dry out my brush bristles but will foam enough to get between the fibres and remove stubborn makeup.

4. Swirl your brush in your palm 

This will help get the makeup out from between the bristles. Don't worry if your palm starts to look filthy - the more product coming out, the cleaner your brushes will be. Keep swirling until the cleanser/soap is running clear.

5. Rinse brush under running tap

Try to avoid getting the piece holding the bristles wet if you can. The glue holding the brush together can't take water or heat very well and keeping this dry will help your brushes last as long as possible.

6. Squeeze out excess liquid and leave to dry tilted downwards

It's important that none of the damp or leftover water makes it's way into the top part of the brush with the glue. I use a wooden spoon and some paper towels so that all my brushes lie at a tilted angle. If you have a two-sided brush like my foundation brush, leave this flat so that neither side is compromised. I then like to put mine on a tray in front of the dehumidifier so that they dry as quickly as possible. Try not to leave them out in the sun to dry as this can melt the glue.

I hope this was helpful to some of you. As we approach Spring, I'm taking a moment to spring clean my makeup collection. There's nothing better than fresh makeup!

Tabitha 

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