Review; Estée Lauder Flawless Wear Stay in Place Concealer

This concealer, part of the Double Wear range, after a rave review from a trusted friend I invested in the medium shade. I'd usually go for a slightly lighter shade but she was told (by an Estée Lauder artist) to go a shade darker for under eyes so I thought i'd give it a go. The medium shade, although scarily dark, is quite peachy so I thought it'd work much like a corrector.
The concealer comes in a tube with a typical rabbit foot applicator. It's very heavily pigmented which is great because you can use minimal product but still hide some pretty meaty dark circles. I've been using aroun d a third less than I'd normally wear if using Revlon Beyond Natural or Benefit Boi-ing.
I have found some long wear products to be a bit dry but this seems to mimic my skin nicely without creasing, becoming greasy or fading for about 8 hours It blends into my foundation well & sets quickly. I particularly like the fact I didn't need to powder it to get it to last, for me this is such a bonus as I find most powders begin to look flakey & cakey by lunchtime, especially when I'm tired.
If this product is an indication of the staying power of the whole range I can see why it has an army of devoted followers. I can see this concealer becoming a firm favourite within my collection. I can't wait to get this in a lighter shade so I can use it on my blemishes too.

5 ways not to be scammed when beauty buying on eBay

I can waste hours of my life (& heaps of £££!) on eBay but I've heard a few horror stories & seen some nasty fakes when it comes to beauty bargains. I've always been pretty lucky so I thought I'd share my top tips for receiving happy parcels.

1. READ feedback. Don't just look at the percentage as some people leave comments that are not as promising as the positive sign may suggest. Equally I've seen very good comments posted under negative feedback so its worth double checking. 

2. If it looks too good to be true, it will be. You're never going to get a full set of MAC brushes for £5, pre owned or not. Check out the RRP before you search eBay so you're aware of the value of what you're bidding on and be realistic. This works both ways as I've seen products listed for much more than their market value. Ok if its a sold out limited edition but not if its a Sleek palette you can pick up for less than £10 in Superdrug and its listed at £14.99. Be aware of the brands the Fakers love, MAC in particular seems to get hit more than most.

3. Do some market research. I go into department stores to test, swatch and generally suss out products before I go bargain hunting. I like to know what the packing looks and feels like, the consistency and smell of the product and how much product I should expect for my money. Some fakes are really good. I remember a Benefit Bad Gal mascara which, to the untrained eye, was absolutely fine (packing and brush identical) but I use this all the time I knew the formula was wrong. One message mentioning my suspicions and I received a full refund! 

4. Quality not quantity. Although there are hundreds of reputable eBay shops (& I frequent a lot of them) I'm always weary of very cheap products being sold in vast quantities especially if its hard to find or limited edition. This always makes me suspicious. Ensure there's picture of the exact shade you're buying, if not ask the seller to send you some, look for products that come boxed if you're buying a new product &if you've any doubts do a quick google to check there's not a mass of blogs/forums and the like discussing imitations.

5. Its ok to buy used. In my experience the best bargains come from people like you and I, selling off unwanted gifts, unused impulse buys or making room in their collections. Now I'd never buy a used mascara or anything creamy that people may have had their grubby paws in (!!) but powder products, eye shadows and the like are easily sanitised and it is here you can not only be more sure you're getting the real deal but also make the best savings. I've won MAC shadows for 99p and a Dior Blusher for £5! Discontinued products are also great value, just don't find your Holy Grail foundation or you'll be disappointed when you come to rebuy!

These five rules have (all bar one mascara!) seen me right on eBay and although I'm cautious and frustrated by the immense amount of fakery out there, I have SO much love for eBay and the wonderful people who offer us great bargains every day.

Bored of the Old Routine.

I'm so fickle. While some may say 'if it's not broke don't fix it' I'm more inclined towards change for changes sake. My current skin care routine is perfectly adequate but I'm bored, I want to mix it up a bit & try some new products.

The Status Quo

I currently use Elemis Rehydrating Rose Petal Cleanser, followed by Olay Anti Wrinkle Wash & Elemis Ginseng Toner. If I've worn particularly heavy make up or my skin feels it needs something a bit richer I like to use a hot cloth like Soap & Glory The Fab Pore or Boot Botanics Cleansing Balm. To remove my eye make up I use good old Johnson & Johnson Baby Oil. I've had stick about this in the past but I find it is the only thing that cuts through stubborn mascara and gel liner, whilst being gentle on my eyes. I usually use a face mask once a week, something deep pore cleansing or moisturising if my skin is a bit drier. 

On to pastures new...

Inspired by the many posts I've read about cleansing oils I've ordered some Shu Uemura Fresh Pore Clarifying Gentle Cleansing Oil and as I'm a bit weary of putting oil on my combination skin I've stocked up on an old favourite Bioderma Crealine H20 to use as a toner as although not really necessary I find the squeaky clean feeling I get from using a toner reassuring! I'll probably continue with the Olay Anti Wrinkle wash in the mornings as its quick, I like the gentle exfoliating effect and my skin seems quite keen on it. I've also invested in a sample of Clarins Lotus Treatment Oil which I'll be using at night as it is meant to be very good for rebalancing combination skin. 

 Lotions & Potions

In terms of creams I use a bit of a mixture depending on what kind of mood my skin is in. When its really dry I use Elemis Maximum Moisture Day Cream but its a bit rich for me so often I just dab that on the dry bits. I had been using Nivea Q10 Pore Refining Day Cream until I received a sample of Vichy Idealia (http://www.esmesbeautifulthings.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/vichy-idealia-day-care-cream.html), its so nice that this is my current day cream of choice. I'm also quite keen on Neals Yard Rehydrating Rose Daily Moisture if my skin is good and my pores are having a skinny day! I think I'll probably stick with the Vichy for now as its been well over a week with no breakouts (yeay!)
At night I tend to stick with Old Faithful, Olay Anti Wrinkle Instant Hydration. However, I'm coming to the end of a pot and I'm eyeing up (boom ,boom!) L'Oreal Revitalift Repair 10 Multi-Active and I've seen this on offer somewhere lately so think I've give it a shot. 
My eye area tends to be a bit greasy and because I use baby oil to remove my eye make up I'm usually quite sparing with the eye cream at night, I'm using Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream morning and night at the moment because it does seem to lift and brighten nicely. I'm think of adding  ROC Multi Correction Anti Age cream at night as I think its probably time to take a stand against fine lines and wrinkles!!

So that's my new skincare regime for the new season, here hoping for some positive results!!

Naked! Braving the Barely There trend.

There's nothing I like more than lashings of black liner, a smokey eye or a statement lip. I love to be made up, it makes me feel ready for the day. So trying out a no make up, make up look ejected me right out of my comfort zone.

Base

I love a full coverage foundation, it's a rare & happy day when I feel my skin is up to a sheer a base! That said, I do like my skin to look like skin. So I began my naked face by applying Chanel Vitaluminiere Aqua with my fingers & took a tiny Real Techniques accent brush with some Revlon Beyond Natural concealer to cover any blemishes then mixed some Avon MagiX Illuminator into the concealer & worked it under my eyes with a Real Techniques domed crease brush. I set the concealer with Max Factor loose powder.

Cheeks

I contoured very, very lightly with Benefit Hoola (http://esmesbeautifulthings.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/review-benefit-hoola-second-time-lucky.html) & highlighted my cheek bones, chin & between my eyebrows with the lightest touch of Trish McEvoy Duo mineral highlighting powder. Using a Nars Yachiyo (no. 27) brush I swept a sheer wash of MAC Melba over the apples of my cheeks.

Eyes

Now this is where I got really uncomfortable, I always contour & always line my water line so determined to keep things very minimal I lined my water line with an Urban Decay 24/7 concealer pencil & primed my lids with the Revlon concealer. I used a MAC 239 brush to sweep Estée Lauder Sandbar Beige all over the lid then took the tiniest touch Estée Lauder Sepia Sand on a Real Techniques accent brush really close to the lower lashes for a bit of definition.
I curled my lashes & wiped most of Maybelline Great Lash in black/brown Off the wand before really working the brush into the roots of my lashes & brushing through with a lash comb.

Lips

I coloured my lips in using Richer Raisin Chubby Stick which gave a subtle 'just licked' sheen. Think I could have benefited from a lip pencil for a bit of definition but I didn't have anything suitable.

Result

It felt odd to look in the mirror & see myself facially naked but it was enough for me to look quite polished. I'll definitely be wearing this look again I loved not having to check for black eye 'gack' & panda eyes. It took me a bit of time to achieve the look I was after but it was worth it to look fresh & casual.

Review; Benefit Hoola. Second Time Lucky.

The recent make up cull has thrown up a few forgotten gems but also a few shamefully unused impulse buys. Until this week I would have put Hoola firmly into the later category. Not renown for my bronzed beauty it was perhaps an odd purchase anyway.
Hoola is a matt powder that is a strangely grey looking light brown colour packaged in a cute little box typical of Benefit blush/bronzers. It is quite pigmented but very fine in texture & blends away to almost nothing.
Now when I do reach for a bronzer I usually want something with a bit of sunkissed shimmer. However, this looks really flat in the pan & a bit dirty on the skin, which is probably why I didn't fall in love with this product at the time. 

Before throwing this into the 'to go' pile I thought I'd have a quick play. I normally love Benefit products so thought this deserved a second chance.
I discovered that although this will never feature on my 'bronzers to love' list it makes a fantastic contouring product.
I'm not really a big fan of those flat square brushes that come with Benefit powders but used sideways under the cheek bone they give quite a precise line. For me, this is a helpful point from which to start contouring. Once I'd got a fairly strong stripe of colour, I took a clean angled blusher brush and blended it out a bit. I was pleasantly surprised by how nicely this powder blends. Still looking a bit heavy I got a Real Techniques Expert face brush & buffed some more. What I was left with was something near the best contours I've ever achieved. This colour really suits my pale complexion allowing me create a very natural finish & being matt it's perfect for creating a subtle shadow.
The colour was still noticeable after about 4 hours but I haven't given it a fair 'all day' test yet as I've been wearing it to work & through out the day I have to wear a mask which, as you can imagine, plays havoc with the staying powder of most face powders!

Needed a Colour Hit & Found a Rimmel Review.

Today has been so cold, dark & wet that I needed a colour injection to boost my spirits this evening. Was riffling through my lipsticks I stumbled across this little gem from Rimmel, a quick slick later and I was feeling perky enough to write a little review. 

Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Moss (01)

I bought this lipstick in Sainsbury's for £5.49. I'll admit it was a panic buy, the morning of a wedding and all my reds were a bit too dark for my outfit. In the tube this looks a bit brown but I'm glad I swatched it in the shop as it is actually quite a 'red' red. It seems to morph into a cherry red as soon as its applied and although bright is very wearable. I know a few people who have tried this shade and it seems to suit everybody from fair to medium-dark. 

The packaging is a fairly basic matt black tube but doesn't look as cheap as it should for just over a fiver. I do have a little gripe though, the plastic seal was so super sticky that it left a residue on the tube that needed a good scrub with nail polish remover before I could put it in my handbag!!! 
I really like the 'sweetie' smell of Rimmel lipsticks, always reminds me of those candy necklaces, but it may not be for everybody. It isn't overpowering but it is noticeable. The formula is very smooth and leaves a subtle glossy finish. Pigment wise I'm impressed for the price and it really does last quite well. I wear it over a Rimmel Exaggerate lip pencil (see below) and get about 4 hours of wear before I need to reapply. I'm normally adamant about the use of a lip brush, especially with bold colours but I've found myself applying this straight from the tube on more than one occasion. I like the fact a light layer buffed out with a brush or cotton bud gives a pretty stain that isn't too drying like some lip tints can be. 
I'd be more than happy to try the other colours in this range as for the price I think you get a very decent lipstick, its a shame that the other 7 colours have failed to capture my imagination so far. 

L; 001 over 024 pencil. Centre; 024 pencil. R; 001 lipstick

Rimmel Exaggerate Full Colour Lip Liner Definer (Red Diva 024)

I've had this in my collection for probably 2 years now and use it quite a lot. I was trying to list the reasons I reach for this over my other red liners and I think the main one is not needing to sharpen it, making it good for taking out/reapplying. Its also smooth to apply and seems to work under a couple of my reds despite not being a perfect match. If I'm feeling lazy part way through and evening or for a daytime red lip I wear this alone or with a bit of Benefit's Her Glossiness over the top. It does dry out quite quickly on the lip so my lips need to be in good condition for it to work alone. 

Vinyl Jelly Gloss Lip Liner

Whilst I'm on the subject of Rimmel Lips, their Vinyl Jelly Gloss Lip Liners are worth a mention. I saw these on eBay for £1.75 each, I think they've been discontinued now as I can't find them at Boots or Superdrug. I have 009 Hot Spark and 001 Moreish. I wasn't quite sure about these to start with, I used them underneath gloss and my lips feel overwhelmed by product and they colour didn't last more than half a drink! When I tried them solo however I found them to be somewhere between a lipstick and a gloss and the colour lasted much longer (a coffee and a cigarette at least). I like how they give more depth of colour than a gloss, make it easy to define the lip and feel very smooth. Due to the very soft formula though they do need sharpening before every application which makes them pretty much a no go for a night out (do you take a sharpener in your clutch? Thought not!). I'm not surprised these have not been a hit but if you can pick them up super cheap on eBay, they're worth a try for subtle Saturday afternoon lips. They're probably best described as cheap as chips but much skinner and less moisture rich versions of the clinique chubby sticks with a bit more pigmentation. 

009 Hot Spark

001 Moreish

A Girl Can Dream

This week I read about Sisley Global Perfect Pore Minimiser, thinking to myself I could do with some of that I did a bit of searching on good old google and discovered its a princely £119 per 30ml. Slightly disappointed by my inability to ever spend that on a face cream I got to think about what I'd buy when my 6 magic numbers come tumbling out of Lancelot. This is my fantasy beauty shopping list........

Sisley Global Perfect Pore Minimiser (£119)

According to the Harrods website this is a powerful skin enhancing concentrate, an all round corrector and preventative treatment. It contains Java tea & Ratanhy Extract & soothes due to the addition of natural alpha-bisabolol.

Sisley Eau de Campange Bath Oil (£54)

Whilst I'm picking up my Global Pore Minimiser I may as well slip this into the basket! St Johns Wort, Calendula & Hawthorn oils would make the perfect addition to my bath after a long walk around the grounds of my French Chateau.

Laduree Cheek Colour (£??)

Sticking with the French theme, these little beauties caught my eye on Pinterest. They look far too beautiful to actually use. There's not much information online yet other than they are being released across Europe in the Autumn as part of Laduree's cosmetic range called Les Merveilleuses de Ladurée. They are available in Japan and there's some YouTube footage around. So excited to see these in the flesh, I want them all!

Estee Lauder Zodiac Powder Compact, Taurus (£65)

I've been looking a pretty vintage (& crazy blingy!) compacts for a while now but can't be trusted not to lose them so have held off making a purchase. Love this one as it reminds me of a pendant I had in my teenage years. It comes filled with Lucidity Translucent pressed powder.

Tom Ford Bronzer Brush (£80)

Being slightly brush obsessed I'm often mooching around the net, lusting after shapes or fibre. its the shape of this brush that does it for me. Its made with natural hair and shaped to pick up the optimum amount of product and distribute that product evenly onto face. 

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Voluptuous Body Cream (£79.50)

Now anything that is described as having a texture that 'invites hedonism' is going to score quite highly with me! Harrods say is 'drapes the skin in velvet', I say it smells so pretty! I have seen a bath caviar in John Lewis (check out the Viktor & Rolf section on their website, its lovely) which would make a nice addition to this. Is it shallow to mention how good the jar would look in my bedroom?!

Creme de la Mer, The Eye Balm Intense (£125)

This is a limited edition product that comes in a sleek looking metallic tray. It contains 3 trade mark registered compounds, one of which is called Miracle Broth (amazing!) that offers an advanced secret to younger looking eyes by penetrating the skin and renewing from deep within. The balm texture is apparently really comforting. I like slightly surgical look of the applicator too. 

Czech & Speake Rose Bath Oil (£45)

Its rosy, it comes with a clever shaker top that dispenses a measure amount, the bottle is very pretty, whats not to love? It sounds heavenly too, emulsifying in water to leave skin moisturised, smooth and lightly scented.

Kiel's Swarovski Edition Creme De Corps (£1600)

Let me start by saying for that crazy price you do get one litre of product. I've tried creme de corps before (from eBay) and it is super enriched, leaving the skin feeling amazing, a little goes a long way, especially with regular use so a litre would last a good, long while. I love the complete out and out bling of the bottle, I think I'd feel like Elton was sharing my bathroom! To get ultimate value for money I guess you could dispense future body lotions into the bottle, so really its an investment!!

Well, I won't be rushing out to buy these this week, but I'll keep try and one day you'll see me staggering through Knightsbridge laden, weak with euphoria after completing my wish list!!