Bourjois – Page 4 – Clairey Sweetie

Hey Sweeties,

I thought I would share with you today a few recent beauty purchases.

*FYI I have now put a ban on buying anything until after Christmas but there were a couple of things I just couldn’t resist…and also needed…

Anyway.

Firstly I ventured into Superdrug. This isn’t really my go to place for cosmetics anymore but from time to time they will have a deal on that’s worth investigating but more so lately, I have been stalking the place to see if I can get my hands on the October/November issue of Superdrug’s Dare magazine with Zoella on the cover. I failed at this. Slough didn’t have it and the staff in Windsor had never heard of it… Wow. Anyway, I picked up a replacement Rimmel Bronzer in 022 Sun Bronze as although I said to myself I can wait to repurchase it… I basically can’t as although I have other bronzers in my collection; this is my favourite and the one I use every day. So a new one was a must! I also picked up another Collection Match Perfection Concealer in no. 3 warm medium (which I forgot to add in the photo, silly me).

For something new I finally have succumbed to the Maybelline Babylips range and plumped for the lip balm in Peach Kiss. On a future date I will also eventually try their primer –anyone else tried this or anything else from Babylips?

Secondly (on a different day) I went to my old haunt, Boots. Man that place is as good as any Santa’s Grotto in my view as it is filled to the brim with temptation and pretty things… minus the dodgy looking geezer in a red suit asking us to sit on his lap!

Two things that went straight into my basket were replacement products I had run out of, the first being Burt’s Bees Lip Balm with pomegranate oil. Since purchasing this last year I have loved it from the word go and I apply it first thing in the morning when I wake up and sometimes last thing at night if my lips feel particularly dry. I have also been enjoying the Burt’s Bees cream cleanser lately, you can read that review here.

Now, my regular readers will be well informed that this year I have tried a few different foundations to prolong the repurchasing of L’Oreal’s True Match foundation and until the weekend I was doing fantastically…Until I saw on my Boots app an offer for £2 off the product so of course I jumped at it. Some of you may frown at my lack of self-control but despite loving this foundation, having now explored the market more this year it’s now not the only one I love so I think I am now perfectly in my right to bring this back into the mix. I bought this product in the shade C2 Vanilla Rose.

For another new purchase, I then bought the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet 09 Happy Nude Year. I was resisting these for as long as I could but then I watched one of Vivianna Does Makeup videos and she had both reviewed and was wearing this one (I think) and that made up my mind for me really, I had to try it for myself! A full review of this product will be posted up here soon.

These next two products are also new and come from TK MAXX of all places which -if you can find a couple of good, well stocked stores- are well worth a rummage around in as there really are some bargain finds to be had. On this particular day I came across Rituals Natural Eyebrow Pencil in shade Brunette, and their Matt Finish Foundation in shade 1. I pondered about these two products for ages to be honest but I am still really keen to be giving new things a go so after a while of picking up and putting down again, I did eventually take them both to the checkout. Again, once I have given these a good test I will also post a review up on here.

I would love to say that is everything and it is… except that yesterday I treated myself to the Glamour Party Beauty Edit box from Latest In Beauty.com so stay tuned on here to see what’s inside once it arrives!

So I will just reiterate -more for myself than anything else- that I am now on a spending ban until after Christmas!

Until tomorrow x

Hey Sweeties,

At this current moment in time, I don’t get through or try out enough products and things to make having a monthly favourites post worth it, so I figured a ‘favourites’ post every once in a while would however be the way forward so here goes. This is what I have been loving lately, some of which you will already have seen feature in previous posts.

So first up are the Rimmel Lasting Finish Colour Rush Balms. I adore these!

I discovered these initially when I was up in London and arrived at Paddington realising I hadn’t bought any water with me. Usually this wouldn’t be a problem but in efforts to drink more (as I really do not drink enough during the day) I felt I needed to grab a bottle somewhere. Conveniently there is a Boots on the station forecourt and with a few minutes to spare I nipped in (to grab some water) but as you do, I browsed the shelves before I went to the check out. This particular Boots really is small and for make-up the choice is limited but as I scanned the Rimmel stand these caught my eye & figured I would give them a go. That day I picked up ‘Give Me A Cuddle‘ and ‘Boom Chic A Boom‘, I later added ‘Keep on Mauving‘ on a separate shopping trip (how cool are those names?!).

Why they are so great? They are not sticky like a lip gloss, they are less matte and heavy like lipstick and they are more than your basic lip balm both in texture, in colour application and in staying power. The crayon like tip makes application swift, simple and perfect for on the go. These really can’t be faulted. They hydrate your lips nicely and even once they have absorbed in further, they don’t leave you reaching for another balm. There is also a great selection of colours in the range allowing for these to be an everyday product that can be colour matched to outfits and moods. A real winner in my books!

Bourjois Dark Khol Mascara

Before my current willingness to experiment with foundations, I found it increasingly difficult to find a mascara that worked for me enough to buy time and time again. For a while I settled with Maybelline’s ‘The Falsies Volum’ Express’ in Black Drama and I will always have a stock of Benefit’s They’re Real mascara but I can’t afford to use this everyday. However, when I took out a subscription with the now unfortunately late Company magazine, I received a gift set containing some Bourjois products. I have actually already mentioned this mascara in a past beauty favourites post, so I do apologise for sounding like a broken record but I really am still just totally loving this mascara! I like dark thick lashes without looking clumpy and this does the job, what more can I say?

If I hadn’t posted about them so recently I would also be adding here Topshop Lipsticks, mainly Wicked and Depth from the four I purchased. I am quite surprised how good they are to be honest, they last a long time and the pigment is fantastic. On my lips they are just this brilliant bold colour that really stands out and lifts any outfit. My challenge is to see if I can get away with Depth in the office… watch this space!

Moving away from beauty products…

Music

London Grammar –If You Wait

Oh my goodness, these guys have become my new favourite band, I am obsessed! I have heard their stuff before on the radio but never been able to catch who they are but the other day while perusing YouTube, the current Dior J’adore advert came on (which I equally love) with a remix of what I now know to be London Grammar’s Hey Now. I Shazamed it straight away and their album swiftly purchased, I mean we’re talking within minutes here, people! The whole album is always on repeat but particularly tunes, Hey Now, Strong and Metal & Dust I just can’t get enough of. If you take nothing else away from this post I do honestly strongly urge you to check these guys out if you haven’t already. The lead singer, Hannah, her voice has this amazingly deep haunting but breathtakingly beautiful texture to it which just never leave my ears. Who says Britain hasn’t got talent?

Apps

Map My Run

I love this app. I probably don’t use it to it’s full capacity but being able to track my route and distance on runs and walks is brilliant and incredibly useful. I found when I was training for the Water Wipeout challenge particularly, being able to monitor my progress was a real boost and I think it also helped sponsorship as being able to share on Twitter but more so on Facebook my progress allowed people to see that I was taking the challenge seriously.

Boots

This is my most recent download and it is so useful. As you guys know, I am always in Boots and it really is my happy place but I never make use of the offers unless they are right slap bang in my face on the individual stands and shelves I am perusing. This app allows me to check my Advantage Card balance and offers currently running -both general to the store and those more tailored to me so I can gain those extra points on products I may already be in there purchasing. If you are a Boots lover then I really do suggest you get this downloaded pronto!

Righty, I think I have gone on long enough to give you a good idea of my current favourites, more I have no doubt will be added to this list and I will post again shortly. But in the meantime, let me know what products and things you are loving right now and maybe they would be something I would like to! So please, do share!

Until next time x

Hey Sweeties,

I don’t know about you guys but has anyone noticed how Tesco has suddenly appeared on the beauty radar? I have and although it would take a lot for me to abandon Boots (which let’s be honest, will never happen) Tesco can’t be ignored here. The store that does everything has firmly pushed its way into the beauty market as a stockist so I thought… let’s give them a go.

Beauty Haul

I am fortunate, down the road from me is a mahoosive Tesco with an equally impressive beauty section, conveniently located off of home ware. Before we get excited here, I haven’t done a massive beauty haul as my stocks at the minute are kind of ok but the beauty blogosphere and Instagram has got me all excited to try out the new Bourjois Delice de Poudre Duo (bronzing powder and highlighter). I was already on the verge of seeking out the bronzing powder alone but it seemed more worth while to buy the highlighter as well in a bid to become the queen of contouring not to mention being able to try this product while it is still relatively new and not do my typical late-to-the-party product discovery.

Of course though, there would have to be a 3-for-2 offer on all Bourjois products… how could I refuse when in front of me is an array of pretty things? So, along with picking up the Delice de Poudre Duo, I also picked up a new blusher in 95 Rose de Jaspe (Jasper Rose) and the Healthy Mix foundation in no. 53 light beige.

Let’s get one thing straight, I love the blusher! The packaging alone makes this a gorgeous little product to have in one’s collection and it comes a little brush which to be honest I am unlikely to use, but the colour is a lovely rosey pink with a touch of shimmer that really adds a delicate flush to the cheeks. I am totally in love with this product and be assured it won’t be leaving my blush collection in a long time, maybe even never.

Regular readers will be aware that recently I swapped foundations and although I have enjoyed wearing Rimmel’s Wake Me Up foundation, now that the weather is changing I don’t need something so dewy and I really don’t think it suits oily skin which I do have a little bit. Rather than reverting back to my honest L’Oreal True Match, I have continued with my efforts to really explore new things. My skin at the minute is enjoying products that apply lightly and I am more than happy to satisfy its demands as until we move firmly into winter so I believe I can get away with this for a little while yet. Although I haven’t heard hundreds of people rave about Bourjois’ Healthy mix, I have heard enough for me think it is worth a punt and I am pleased to report I am not disappointed. How long I continue with it is still too premature to say but it is light on the skin, provides relatively good coverage and generally seems to cope with an oily t-zone. I don’t find I need to layer it with lots of powder but a light dusting sets it well and allows it to last for most of the day. As for shades, there didn’t seem to be a wide selection which ultimately makes me think that in time I will go back to the True Match collection as the shades really are so hard to beat. Healthy Mix’s light beige is still maybe a fraction darker than I need but it suits for now and I can always adjust with powder and/or bronzer as necessary going forward as my skin tone changes with the weather.

So, the Delice de Poudre Duo… ok, I’ll be honest, I am not blown away by it but in defence of the product before I cause uproar with Beauty Bloggers, it could easily be how I am applying it but I am not really sure you can get this so wrong you make the product look crap. But for now maybe we’ll say its me and wait for others to comment/review further. I do like the bronzer though, I think for an all over touch of colour I think it works fine… I just have a little bit of a problem achieving a good contour look with it along with the highlighter. For me it’s too fine. For contouring I like something a little darker to really chisel out my cheekbones and I am not someone that is going to spend time layering a product extensively until it’s right. I haven’t got the patience and rarely the time. But like any blogger, my opinion is mine alone and I have no doubt you guys may have experienced something different and far more successful with it. On a positive note however, I love the packaging, I love how it appears like a block of chocolate and I love the smell. I am sure in time application will also be something I master and love… just not right now.

Finally, while in Tesco I happened to notice a small bottle of Argan oil which for a mere £1 seemed ridiculous to ignore so in my basket it went. You guys will also be aware that I am starting to treat my hair with the respect it deserves and I have heard lots about this and similar oils therefore I thought it would be sensible to follow suit. My first use of the product didn’t go well, on the packaging it instructs 4-5 drops for long hair but as its a bottle, pouring exact drops is difficult so naturally I put too much in. However, aware of this initial mistake I have since learnt to pour the right amount out and apply throughout my long locks with very good results. I have noticed that my hair now feels cleaner for a tad longer and looks more glossy which can only be a good thing.

Until next time x

Hey Sweeties,

It seems routine that all beauty bloggers, aspiring beauty bloggers and people that are just generally interested in beauty, on a monthly or at least regular basis post about their beauty favourites of that past month or of recent times. So why not join in eh?

This past month one of my favourite beauty products has been Maybelline’s Super Stay 24H Waterproof Powder (40 Fawn) which isn’t as exciting as some mascara’s and lip products I have been using, but from having quite low expectations when I bought it, I have been thoroughly impressed with the powder of which I am keen to rave.

For years I have been using Mac’s Mineralize Skin Finish (medium) and until recently never thought to try anything else. I was looking to replace my Mac powder with something lighter on the skin, less matte looking and more purse friendly. Also just for the sake of exploring a bit of what’s out there and not just sticking to what I know, I needed change! On my new face powder mission I expected to leave the shop with a product from the Rimmel collection after hearing so much about them but actually, just by doing a quick in store test I wasn’t convinced it was the product for me which is how I stumbled upon Maybelline’s Super Stay 24h powder.

The packaging doesn’t scream “buy me” but for £6.99 it was worth a punt and I am so pleased I did. It’s light and smooth on the skin and although I debated shades ‘nude’ or ‘fawn’ (I eventually settled with fawn), it works fantastically with my skin tone and lasts all day. It’s one of my favourite beauty products at the moment on the basis that it was such a surprise to so love using it and actually, because I found it by myself without direction or influence from another blogger/ beauty review assuming that because they like it I would.

The second beauty item I am really enjoying at the moment is the Bourjois Beauty’ Full volume black khôl mascara which I got as part of a gift set with my Company magazine subscription.

I was a bit unsure before using it as the applicator didn’t fill me with confidence that it would apply all that nicely but actually, really rather impressed! My usual mascara of choice (as you have no doubt seen) is Maybelline’s the Falsies volum’ Express, black drama and/or Benefit’s They’re Real. I like thick, black lashes and it has been a real mission finding the mascara’s to achieve this on the high street but I think between these three I am pretty much there!

I was a bit fearful that the Bourjois mascara would be a bit pricey (by ‘pricey’ I mean over £10) but when I was last in Boots I had a quick look and was pleased to see it can be purchased for the purse friendly amount of £7.99! Of course for the right item I will spend more but while I am on such a tight spending limit with anything right now, price really does play a large part in my product selection, especially if I am trying something new. I also feel that the high-street has so much to offer that unless the product really is truly and utterly fantastic, quality products can be purchased for under a tenner each and there’s no need to spend more.

Until next time x

Hello Sweeties,

Take a deep breath in… out… smells fresh doesn’t it? yes Sweeties it’s spring time! The air smells of change and the world around us got colourful again with vibrant pops of green, yellow and pinks all over the place and that’s not just in nature!

So today my lovelies, I thought I would share with you some of my beauty favourites….

My everyday make-up has been pretty consistent over the last couple of years in terms of routine but as I watch and read more beauty tutorials and blogs I am discovering new methods in application and product alternatives which means that as and when I run out of something I am replacing it with new items. It’s so easy to get stuck in a rut with make-up but there are so many new and exciting ranges of stuff coming out all the time it’s crazy to not be trying some of it! Any day now I should in fact be receiving a gift set from Bourjois following a subscription with Company magazine *looks impatiently at the calendar*.

Lovely selfie for you… er, not!

I have never been directly taught how to do make up or what products I need, it’s been something I have picked up over time from friends and my own female intuition I guess. Sounds weird but I remember discovering concealer after being given a No.7 voucher and while standing in front of the cabinet in Boots looking at all the products wondering what I was going to choose, I noticed the concealers and realised they would help manage and cover my teenage skin break outs. Simple really. Since then I have just been refining my skills and collection and now I think I have it just about sorted. Of course like every other woman I have a stash of other colours, varieties and products stored away to delve into when I need or feel like a bit of a change. But for the everyday… here’s what you can find in my make-up bag:

1. L’Oreal True Match foundation in C2 Rose Vanilla 2. Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in no. 2 (cool medium) 3. Maybelline The Falsies Volum’ Express, Black Drama mascara 4. Maybelline Eyeliner-Matic, intense black 5. Collection Fast Stroke Eyelinee, Black 6. 17 Blusher, Nude 7. Rimmel Blusher, 050 Soft Pink 8. Rimmel eyebrow pencil, 002 Hazel 9.Rimmel Bronzer, 022 Sun Bronze 10. Mac Mineralize Skinfinish, Medium 11. Burt’s Bees Lip Balm, Pomegranate 12. Revlon Lip Butter, 035 Candy Apple.

A few weeks ago regular readers will remember that I treated myself to two Rimmel Kate Matte Lipsticks in 110 & 107 and I am still loving them! They are both really easy to wear during the day and night and last for ages. I have always worn and had in my possession lip balms but I have found lately that my everyday make-up look has needed a pop of colour on my lips otherwise they look a bit washed out and forgotten. Lipstick seems to have made quite a comeback of late but I notice popular cosmetic brands are bringing out more lip products, not just lip sticks. The Revlon lip butter I now use came highly recommended by various bloggers and I am so pleased I paid attention, a definite spring/summer staple!

For foundation, I also use Mac’s Studio Sculpt SPF 15 but only really when I am going out for an evening or somewhere special as I find it too heavy to use every day. When my current L’Oreal foundation runs out I think I am going to give Rimmel’s Wake Me Up foundation a go. I have heard so many Bloggers rave about it for its lightness on the skin, coverage and overall finish it sounds ideal to give a go over the summer.

Another make-up brand I need to invest more time in using more regularly is Barry M. I love the nail varnishes and use them a lot but following a day out at the Clothes Show Live a year ago, I came home with a bag full of goodies from the range and haven’t really had much opportunity to really experiment, particularly as I know them to involve a lot of vibrant colours which I actually don’t have a regular call to use, particularly on my eyes which is a shame as I love the Dazzle Dust collection. Interestingly though, I don’t think I have watched or read any beauty blogger mention Barry M… is there a reason for this?

Now I’ll admit that these next two products –D&C Relaxing Dead Sea Body Salt Scrub and accompanying Body Butter- I have had stashed away in my bathroom for probably the best part of two+ years and only during a really good clear out have I remembered I have them and since incorporated them into my weekly skin care routine. I have used them both a couple of times previously, particularly on return from my travels in India –nothing like a good scrub to remove all the holiday dirt!- but only now am I really appreciating the benefits to having and using such products on a regular basis, again particularly as we’re now entering the spring/summer months. I actually bought these products out in New York but I was introduced to them some months before in London but at the time, spending £40 on beauty products was out of the question…. dollars was much more manageable!

So, there you go Sweeties.. a bit of an insight into my beauty faves. I am always looking for new product recommendations and make-up tips so do share with me yours.

Until next time, x

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