Lumi MAGIQUE ?

I really am finding it difficult to find a foundation or any type of base that I'm completely satisfied with. The closet I've come to is Bourjois's Healthy Mix, so your thinking why not use that ?
When I see girls with 'dewy' looking skin I always think they look so healthy, natural and radiant. As someone who gravitates to matt finishes I thought I'd give L'Oreal's latest release a go to see if I could sport the look. 

Right to left: Concealer Pen with a touch of highlighter: £8.49 / Base Pure Light Primer: £9.99

The LumiMagique foundation claims to 'infuse skin with rays of light, illuminating complexion as if lit-from-within'. L'Oreal have also released other products to go along side its newest foundation to perfect the dewy, healthy finish. 

Right to left: Concealer Pen with a touch of highlighter: £8.49 / Base Pure Light Primer: £9.99

Admittedly the packaging is what swayed my decision to purchase the foundation more - I love everything about it, especially that its a glass bottle and that it has a rose gold pump - it just makes it look a bit more expensive. The shade range however is not the greatest, and doesn't really accommodate for darker skin tones which is a big let down! 

Shades: Rose Beige, Rose Sand, Gold Linen, Pure Beige, Rose Pearl, Gold Sand.

The one annoyance I have with 'drugstore' foundations is finding the right shade. There's no one to help you, the artificial lighting doesn't help and I don't always feel confident to go out without make-up to starting testing foundations on my face! I definitely champion investing in a 'high end' foundation.

Khila aka MissBudgetBeauty has described the LumiMagique to being similar to Nars Sheer Glow. She also said that if you don't like the LumiMagique you won't like the Sheer Glow so rather than wasting £29.50 I settled for spending £10.99 to see if I liked the drugstore equivalent. I much prefer this price, especially because you get the same amount of product(30ml)as Nars's Cult Foundation.

Have you tried Nars Sheer Glow & L'Oreal's LumiMagique ? How do you compare them ? 

So like I said the shade range isn't the greatest and although I was lucky to find a shade I could work with (C5 Rose Sand) its not a complete perfect match. Had I chosen the next shade up that would have been too dark for me but hey we can't always win! The base on the other hand has a super light formulation that goes on the skin effortlessly. I've found it goes on best with the Real Techniques Buffing Brush as it gives you a flawless and natural finish, however recently I've much preferred using my fingers for application.  

I would describe the coverage as light to medium however as I've never tried to build it up I can't say wether it would be a good foundation for those who like a more heavy coverage. I'm more partial to saying that 'heavy coverage' lovers wouldn't get on too well with this one. When I wear this foundation, it feels like a second skin which is a must have in a foundation, for me personally. I hate anything that settles on the skin and looks cakey ... it's just not a good look!

As for smell, its a pleasant grown up 'lady like' scent but to be honest the smell of a foundation doesn't bother me too much unless its really, really bad. Although I like a light-weight foundation, with the LumiMagique you still need a concealer to cover up any blemishes or dark circles under the eyes and a good powder is essential to set it.

 Despite using the Smashbox Photo Finish Luminizing Foundation Primer and the foundation looking nice in the Mornings, I've found that the LumiMagique doesn't last a full working day and by the time I've got Home I have a really shiny t-zone, the foundation seems to have collected around my nose, my face looks patchy and my skin in general looks quite ashy. 

Despite using the Smashbox Photo Finish Luminizing Foundation Primer and the foundation looking nice in the Mornings, I've found that the LumiMagique doesn't last a full working day and by the time I've got Home I have a really shiny t-zone, the foundation seems to have collected around my nose, my face looks patchy and my skin in general looks quite ashy.

I will continue to use this foundation till it's finished but repurchasing it will be highly unlikely. In order to find a perfect match I would have to buy at least two different shades and mix them so I may as well splurge on a 'high end' foundation, right? The lasting power is poor and the love / hate relationship I have with this foundation confirms I'm just not sure about this product! I appreciate the effort L'Oreal have made with this foundation and the other products that coincide with it but for me I wasn't completely satisfied, and I definitely won't be wasting money on the Sheer Glow foundation now!

Has anyone tried this foundation? Did you think it was 
(Lumi) Magique ? I'm waiting for YSL to release their Touche elat Foundation to see if this will suit me better. My ultimate foundation has got to be out there somewhere! 

Sculpt Down

Apart from going to Zumba twice a week, I don't really do much exercise. I have been considering going to the gym but I don't want to waste my money if I know I won't go regularly. There are so many 'Quick Fix' products on the market that claim to make you look slimmer or get rid of Celliute over night, BUT how many off them really work ...?

Soap & Glory's affordable range of 'Celliute' and 'Slimming' combating products.

     Not long ago I bought some samples from Thalgo's 'Slim & Sculpt' range. They normally retail at the £40 plus mark for full size, however I was able to get samples for £8 from 'Latest in Beauty'. I know deep down 'Quick Fixes' generally don't work or don't have a lasting effect but I was curious to try a 'Celliute' / 'Slimming product for myself...

Thalgo's Cellu-Thighs and Flat Stomach (50 ml)

Due to a mistake in my original order I ended up receiving two tubes of the 'Cellu-Thighs', so this will give me a fair amount of time to trial it as this product claims to achieve slimmer legs in just 14 days! I don't hold much hope on the 'Flat Stomach' but we can only hope!  

I am going to start using these products from tomorrow (14/06/2012), but I'm not sure how to document the progress (if any)... any ideas? I'm not sure if I feel comfortable taking photos just yet!

Have you guys tried any 'Celliute' or 'Slimming' products? Did they work or were they a, lets be frank, a load of bullshit? It would be interesting to here your thoughts x

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

On Saturday night (09/06/2012) I meet up with two of my School friends who I've know for most of my life. I have to admit I was quite nervous because I hadn't seen these gorgeous ladies in years and years, but it was great catching up and reminiscing about old times as well as what our current lives entailed. 

Lauren, Emma and Me 

Lauren and Me 

The Make-Up I wore:

Simple's Clear Skin Oil Balancing Moisturiser 

L'Oreal's Lumi Magique Foundation - C5 Rose Sand 

Bobbi Brown Corrector - Medium to Dark Bisque 

Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer (for under eyes) - Honey 

Collection 2002 Lasting Perfection Concealer (for blemishes) - Deep 4

MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural - Medium Plus  

Bourjois Delice de Poudre (Bronzing Powder) - Shade 54

Sleek Blush - Muscovado (from the Sleek by 3 Blush set)

Benefit High Beam

Smashbox Photo Finish Luminizing Foundation

Collection 2000 Cream Puff - Fairy Cake

Clinique High Impact Mascara - 01 Black 

2true Easy Glide Kohl Pencil - NO 1 Black 

Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil - Hazel 

What are your favourite products for Night's out?

The Zara ' IT ' Bag

Like the 'Focco'(Faux Alexander Wang Rocco) bag most youtuber's and blogger's have now set their eyes on the new ZARA bag from their basic's range. If you haven't already seen it then I think you will fall in love with it...I did!
 This is my first ZARA purchase (well technically it was a present) which may be surprising because it seems like ZARA is a popular choice amongst most people - however I will definitely be paying more visits to ZARA, in particular for their basic's & jewellery range. 

Available at : ZARA Online . Retail Price: £19.99 

ZARA's Messenger Bag is a big slouchy (not in a bad way) bag that's great for us girls that like to carry lots and lots of things... probably things that aren't necessary - but things we like to think will come in use some day!

  

The soft leather bag is detailed will gold hard wear accented on the fastening and 'feet' of the bag. It's luxurious inside space is accompanied with three pockets; one medium along with two smaller sized pockets mostly associated for mobile phone storage. 

The single buckled strap is adjustable so it can be worn to meet your thigh, however I like to wear it so it just hits the bottom of my waist. I have heard that the strap can be uncomfortable on the shoulder but i've not worn it enough to pass judgement.

Messenger Bag available three colours. 

I chose to stick with the safe option and go for the black version of the bag. Black goes with pretty much everything and although I liked the pale oatmeal colour I knew it was prone to getting dirty easily. If you like your handbags structured I wouldn't suggest this style of bag as it dips and sinks in the middle if there's not a great deal of things in it.

Has anyone else got the Messenger Bag? What do you think of it?x

Freebies & Samples: Making the Most of Them

Sorry guys but this is another Magazine related post...I promise there won't be anymore for a good while. I managed to get hold of two more 'Glamour' Magazines and got hold of the 'that gal'- brightening face primer & BAD gal Lash samples (even though I've tried BAD gal...I couldn't resist the cute sized sample)! Girl's get hold of your Glamour Magazine QUICK because there are still some out there ... 

Also with 'Glamour' Magazine, this month there are samples (sachets) of Pantene Shampoo - you can never have too much shampoo...

I ended up getting three sachets of the Pantene shampoo because of my compulsive purchase of 'Glamour' Magazine(s) this month. Instead of keeping the sachets as they were I cut them up and put them in a plastic travel bottle - I find if I use the product straight out of the sachet I end up wasting half of what's there to start with AND you would be surprised as to how much you get if you give it a bit of time.
This is just an idea of how to make the most of your samples & great to have if your going away for a couple of days! x

Magazine's Anonymous ?

Ok, Ok, I hold my hands up ! I'm addicted to buying magazines ... for the freebies. I can't help it ! There are always good product giveaways - products that aren't normally in my budget or I don't think are worth the price, even if I could afford them I can't always justify the prices at full size so it's a great way of trying products you normally wouldn't have the chance to!

I always try to post about free magazine giveaways because I know most people are in the same situation as me, however my magazine binge is becoming an unhealthy habit and the worst thing is I know I won't stop... all in the name of beauty hey ?
Red Magazine 'July 2012' - £3.90 : 
Jemma Kidd Make Up School I-Glamour Volume Mascara in Black  Normally: £15.00 (Saving: £11.10)

Harper's Bazaar 'July 2012' - £4.20 :

Leighton Denny Nail Polish in Coral Reef Normally: £11.00 (Saving: £6.80)

Red Magazine and Harper's Bazaar aren't normally magazines I reach for but seeing how good the freebies were I caved in. Setting aside the endless pages of advertisements I was very impressed with the contents of both magazines, so thumbs up. 

Sorry for another 'magazine' post but I thought you guys would appreciate the head's up - you can get a really good deal! I hope you all had a nice weekend. Let me know if you managed to get your hand's on either Red Magazine or Harper's Bazaar for your freebies and as always if your spot a 'magazine freebie' let me know. x 

The Benefit's of Buying Glamour

'Glamour' magazine must make shit loads of money off me. In general I love this magazine but when they're giving away freebies 'Glamour' is definitely more appealing. I have been long awaiting July 2012's issue because 'Benefit' Cosmetics were available to grab - the plan was to get all three freebies but unfortunately when I managed to get down to my local WHSmith's the shelves were empty,luckily there was one copy left ... phew!

...I got my hands on the, the PORE fessional 

Hopefully if you go to get your copy there will be some left on shelves because this is a great way to try 'Benefit' products if you haven't already had the chance ... lets face it 'Benefit'  can be quite expensive ! The three products up for grabs are...

Left to right: the PORE fessional balm, BAD gal lash, 'that gal' - brightening face primer

I wasn't too disappointed that I didn't get my hands on 'BADgal lash' because I've used it before however what I really wanted to try was 'that gal' as I'm discovering the benefits (pardon the pun) of using primers (especially with the hot weather we've been having in England) and want to try a few from different brands.

I don't really suffer from pore's so getting the PORE fessional was a bit pointless but I wanted to see if I could it for other purposes ... maybe as a primer as its categorised under 'Primers' on the 'Benefit' website. The magazine itself, I should mention was only £2 and the sample itself was worth £10 so not a bad deal at all! 

Just thought I would give you a little head's up and if you managed to get a copy of July's issue of 'Glamour' let me know what product you got hold of ... x