Top 5 Drugstore/HighStreet Foundations

 There are so many drugstore foundations out there and I try to test a really large amount of them. But these are my top 5, which really stand out for me and are just really great foundations.

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation:

I love this foundation, I keep coming back to this one after getting sucked into the advertising of a new "high end" foundation and being left unsatisfied! It's very similar to a lot of Chanel foundations (in my opinion) but obviously a hell of a lot cheaper. It's very natural looking but covers well at the same time, and lasts well on the skin. I have to mix two shades together to get a good colour match but for the price it doesn't even matter!

Revlon Colourstay Foundation:

For those who suffer from foundation disappearing or turning into an oil slick in heat and humidity, this foundation is a godsend. Yes, it smells of chemicals and it's not for those with dry skin. And there's a low SPF so you'll need this in your primer or powder. But if you have combination or oily skin, maybe some spots or pigmentation you need help in covering and prefer or don't mind a matte finish, this is what you need in your life. The effect is natural and coverage is medium to full. But you have to work fast to blend it in and it's definitely best applied with a brush. I have other foundations I love for different reasons but for hot, sticky days or tropical moments(!), this ones is the best. And it doesn't break out my somewhat sensitive skin.

Avon Ideal Flawless Foundation:

I got this as a gift and I've always been skeptical as to how good Avon products actually are so i definitely wanted to give this a go. This foundation covered every blemish, discolouration on my skin, everything, it's truly brilliant at covering everything so i can see why they've given it the name 'flawless'! My only fault with this is that its very very heavy coverage and i was oily after less than an hour despite applying a lot of powder to set it and it stayed very oily, i also found i had a few more blemishes than usual since i started wearing this.

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation:

I have been using the foundation in the shade True Ivory on and off now and I’m delighted with the results. The foundation has an almost gel-like consistency and applies just as well with your fingertips as with a foundation brush – providing great coverage and an almost flawless finish without looking caked on. The shade is a perfect match for my skin but keep in mind that when choosing a shade that the foundation is slightly darker than usual so make sure to test it before purchasing!

L'Oreal True Match:

I have this in multiple shades considering I'm lighter in the winter and darker in the summer. It's an amazing foundation. I went through almost every type of MAC foundation and nothing compares. I use True Match on the days where I want more coverage and the Face & Body from Mac when I want sheer coverage and it gives a gorgeous and flawless finish.

Autumn handbag Essentials

Seeing as its coming up to autumn(kind of already is) I decided to share with you my Autumn handbag essentials!

First up is my favourite lipstick, its by Sleek in the colour 'Cranberry'. This is a very nice dark berry shade which is perfect for Autumn. I always keep a lipstick in my handbag, whether it be Summer, Winter, Spring or Autumn its always nice to have it with you to touch up.

Next up, is a hand cream/moisturizer. As the weather obviously gets colder, your skin can get quite dry, especially your hands, as there constantly exposed to the cold air (unless you wear gloves). So keeping a moisturizer in your handbag can come in quite handy!

Another essential for me would be a nice woolly hat and scarf. In the colder seasons i usually leave the house with a hat and scarf on, by the end of the day it usually ends up in my bag, as i find the weather might have improved, messed up my hair, or most likely, just simply annoyed me.

And Finally, an umbrella. Because I live in Ireland, it does rain, a lot. This isn't just an A/W essential, but it can also be an 'all year round' essential (Although we did have quite a nice summer!) There's nothing worse than being stuck outside in the rain without and umbrella.

Current/Autumnal Makeup Favourites

Ive tried out a lot of new stuff lately, such as lipsticks, foundations, brozers, powders, eyeshadows and so on. My make-up bag at the moment is completely jam-packed! Autumn is well and truly upon us, folks, whether we like it or not.. SO i do like to mix it up a bit (hence my makeup bag being so full!) 

Its time to move away from the whole ‘beach bronzed goddess’ look that you've been rocking all Summer and turn your attention to more interesting shades of blusher to intensify your eye colour and add some much needed rosiness to your cheeks on those blustery days. Those dark orange/brown tones work wonderfully. My favourite bronzer at the moment would be The Body Shop's Honey Bronze

One of my favorite parts about Autumn/fall is wearing autumn lipsticks that complement the season. I love shades that represent the leaves changing colours and the dark shades that give an ominous warning that winter is on the way. Again, like bronzer we're going to move away from those bright or pinky colours and go dark, A dark berry shade is a must have. Or a dark purple/Aubergine is also lovely for Autumn. Three lipsticks i love right now would be, MAC - Rebel (Satin) Kate Moss lipstick for Rimmel - 107 and Sleek- Cranberry

And finally, just a random favourite, Is the Laura Mercier

silk crème foundation. I absolutely love this foundation. I have combination skin (oily in the T zone) The Silk Creme foundation is wonderful (at least for me)! It is oil-free with a slightly matte finish, long-wearing, and I don't need to use powder over it if I choose. Also, a small amount goes a long way, it's easy to apply, and has a nice, smooth texture.

         

My New Favourite Hair Product

A few weeks ago, I finally went to get my hair done. I was tired of the colour, and it just looked limp and boring. I wanted something different, but I didn't know what. It was then that I realised, YES! "Ombre". For those of you who don't know what Ombre is, Its basically a look of which it appears your hair has been lightened/sunkissed at the ends of your hair. Or that you're hair has grown out, leaving you with darker roots and lighter tips.  

To get this effect, you hair does need to get bleached, which is very bad for your hair. As my hair was quite dark previous, they couldn't get it as light as i would have wanted, I have thought about colouring my hair myself, which i have done before, but I didn't want to risk it.

 I was looking through boots and i found this, 'John Freida Sheer Blonde Lightening Spray' and i thought, Oh! Maybe this would help. This spray is a versatile, patent-pending formula with citrus and chamomile that works with styling heat to gradually lighten and brighten for a natural-looking, ''blonder blonde''. I've used it about 4/5 times on toweled dry hair, and I can already see difference. 

I can honestly say this product is amazing, and I'm super impressed with it. I will definitely be stocking up.

                                                                


                                                                          

Current Skincare Favourites

1. LA ROCHE-POSAY EFFACLAR PURIFYING CLEANSING GEL  This is your basic daily cleanser that is soap-free, alcohol-free, and oil-free. It has salicylic acid, which helps clean out and tighten the pores. It also keeps your skin pH balanced at 55. 

2. CLINIQUE CLARIFYING LOTION 3  This stuff makes your skin feel squeaky clean, but not dry and tight. It whisks away pore-clogging oil and flakes in one fell swoop. I've used for a few months now and love it!

 

3. LA ROCHE-POSAY THERMAL SPRING WATER  Although this step isn't necessary, it's a simple luxury that I feel makes a difference. This stuff is jam packed full of anti-oxidants and it's the perfect prep for additional treatments. I feel like it puts moisture back in my skin that has been pulled out through washing and toning. Because of the super fine mist it sprays, it's also a great mid-day refresher!

4. ORIGINS GINZING REFRESHING EYE CREAM  While I'm letting my serum really sink in, I go ahead and apply my eye cream. Between the caffeine it contains and it's pearlized color, it doesn't let under eye bags stand a chance. This is another thing in my routine that has stayed consistent for the past couple of months.

5.  LA ROCHE-POSAY EFFACLAR DUO  This stuff is so, so good. I will never go without. It has benzoyl peroxide to eliminate acne-causing bacteria and micro-exfoliating LHA, which refines pores and provides precise exfoliation. I use this as a spot treatment when needed. It's gentle and reduces breakouts in a flash. Have been using it for ages now, and absolutely love it.

6.  EMMA HARDIE CLEANSING BALM The cleansing balm itself is contains moringa seed extract, wild sea fennel and vitamin E to minimize the appearance of pores. Orange, Neroli and Mandarin extracts to rejuvenate and revitalise and Jasmine, Cedarwood and Rose to help re-hydrate and re-condition dry or dull skin. It also claims to be very calming on sensitive skin too. I really like the smell of the cleanser, it smells really fresh and natural (none of that strong artificial stuff).

LAURA MERCIER SILK CRÈME FOUNDATION

Foundation is my ultimate make-up product. I'd wanted to try this foundation for a very long time after reading some rave reviews online and I finally bought it last week. 

This is quite a thick liquid - extremely blendable, and a little goes a long way. It's very comfortable to wear and looks lovely on the skin.

I love the finish. It gives plenty of coverage - I usually skip concealer as I find I don't need it with this foundation, unless my under-eye bags are super bad that day. It's the best "glowy-yet-full-coverage" foundation I've used and if you master applying it, it looks very natural and photographs really well.

So far, this is one of my favorite high end foundations. And i will definitely be re-purchasing this.It lasts for ages on my skin, even without a primer. The only thing I would change about this product is the packaging, considering how much you pay, it comes in a plastic tube, and i would prefer a pump bottle, Otherwise, Its more or less ''Perfect''.