Cracks in the Foundation

There's no such thing as perfect ... I know this !!! BUT I just want to find a foundation that I'm completely happy with because I absolutely hate shopping for foundations ... its probably the only make-up item I hate shopping for and probably one of the only make-up items I DON't collect tons of (as opposed to lipsticks, blushes liners ,e.t.c). 

For around a year I was using Estee Lauder's Double Wear Light Foundation, and despite having lots of positive things to say about it I just found the formulation too heavy for my skin... so when I heard Estee Lauder were launching a new foundation, the 'Fluid Make-Up' I knew I had to try it. 

 

It has had comparisons with Chanel's Vitalumiere Aqua (the shade range however for this foundation is not great !) and aims to give you that 'no make-up look' with its very light, airy and 'invisible' formulation. Having now tried it I'm glad I only got a sample and didn't rush to get the full size version because I'm not a hundred percent sure how I feel about it...

In the mean time I'm in between using my Bourjois's Healthy Mix Serum and L'Oreal's Lumi Magique as Khila aka Miss Budget Beauty has mentioned that it has similarities to the Nars Sheer Glow. I've always wanted to try the Sheer Glow but have always been put off by the price AND because Nars don't give samples out I didn't want to risk wasting my money on something I may potential end up hating! Miss BB also has said if you like the Lumi Magique you may possibly like the Sheer Glow so I will see if L'Oreal's new foundation has some 'magique' to offer. 

 Like I said I hate collecting foundations so the most I ever have in my collection is two. I do need your help though, I need you girls to make some suggestions. Tell me what your favourite foundation is, and tell me what you recommend and I will head out and get samples because I want to find the ultimate foundation! 

I want something that is light but gives good coverage yet it still feels like I'm not wearing make-up. Looking forward to hearing your suggestions girls ... x 

Estee Double Wear Light - Review

Having completed a full tube of Estee Lauder's Double Wear Light foundation I can now give my full opinions on it. Although Double wear light is a staggering £26.50 I think it's worth the price as it last's for ages and delivers on most of the claims it makes.
 

What Estee Lauder Claim:

- 15 hour wear.

- Sheer to medium coverage.

- Light as air. 

- Gives natural finish and feels comfortable. 

- Goes on sheer and leaves skin to breath all day. 

- Controls oil. 

The shade range is NOT the greatest and I have to say that the shade I was matched up to was probably a little too dark for my skin tone having worn it and seen it under different lighting. Mixing it however, with my Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum foundation made it more wearable but it did take time and effort to mix it everyday which i'd rather not have to do. 

The foundation itself had quite a runny consistency however it glided on the skin really well. I found it could be applied with finger tips but blended in perfectly well with the sigma F80 Kabuki brush. 

Despite claiming to be a 'light as air' foundation I personally found the formulation too heavy for my skin. In terms of coverage I feel this is definitely a full coverage foundation as opposed to the sheer/medium coverage which Lauder claims it to be. You only need a small pee size amount but it just gives you a flawless finish and has amazing lasting power. For me it lasted a full working day however I'm not too sure on the whole 15 hour thing because who wears make-up for that long ??? 

It covers up; discolouration, scaring and blemishes so well that if you forgot to conceal it wouldn't matter too much, however it does feel and look like your wearing make-up and I hate that feeling - therefore I don't agree that its a natural looking foundation. I'm get a really shiny t-zone but with this foundation it was kept under control and I hardly had to top up on powder which is always a plus !  

I love the Royal Blue packaging that the foundation comes in. It feels very luxurious and the actual foundation tube is very slim line, so its perfect for travel as it doesn't take up too much room in your make-up ... AND its plastic so there's no chance of any breakages or spillage's. 

Setting aside the packaging, would I buy this foundation again ... ? Probably NOT. Despite having positive things to say about this product, I just feel the formulation was too heavy for my skin. If you like a more full coverage then this may be a good match for you. Personally I like the 'second-skin' look and therefore prefer a much lighter formulation that gives a fair but natural finish. This is a good foundation, but unfortunately it just didn't work for me. 

Having said this, I'm really keen to try the Invisible Fluid Make-Up by Estee Lauder, its a newly released product and it claims to be a 'see no make-up, feel no make-up' foundation ... so I'm going to get a sample and see if this is any better for my skin! 

Has anyone tried Double Wear Light ? Or even the Invisible Fluid Make-Up ? What do you think of them? x 

Fancy a Takeaway?

I'm going away for a few days to Manchester, so I thought I would show you guys what I'm taking away with me; make-up and skincare wise. I've tried to keep it to a minimum but us girls never pack light do we? 

Estee Lauder Double Wear Light Foundation (intensity 4)

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation 

Garnier Anti Dark Circle Tinted Eye Roll-On 

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer (04 dark)

Bobbi Brown Corrector (medium to dark bisque)

Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer (honey)

M.A.C Mineralize Skinfinish Natural (medium plus)

Soap & Glory Thick & Fast Mascara 

Maybelline Volum'Express Colossal Cat Eyes Mascara

Eyeko Graffiti Eyeliner 

Benefit High Beam

Benefit Powder Time Lover Blush Set

Sleek Blush(in Sahara)  

Urban Decay Lipstick(in Jilted) 

Collection 2000 Cream Puff(in Cotton Candy)

Lipcote 

Loreal Colour Riche(in N.O 36) 

Natural Collection Lipliner(in Ruby Rose) 

Avon Colour Trend Kohl 

Simple Kind to Eyes, Eye Make-Up Remover 

No7 Beautiful Skin Cream Cleanser

Botanics Skin Brightening Toner (decanted into smaller bottle) 

No7 Beautiful Skin Day Cream

No7 Beautiful Skin Night Cream

Simple Clear Skin Oil Balancing Moisuriser  

St Ives Invigorating Facial Scrub 

Vaseline 

This does seem a bit excessive, but like I said us girls tend to not pack light. I will say I have improved within time to try and just take the very, very essentials! 

What are your travel essentials? What can you NOT takeaway with you when going away? x 

B for Bullshit?

Estee Lauder are one of the many, many brands to launch their own version of the infamous BB Cream (Blemish Balm). Latest in Beauty are currently offering their subscribers a 5ml sample of the cream for just £1.50 which I think is great - I've never got the whole 'BB' thing but I thought this would be the perfect chance to try one!   

(For those who don't know what Latest in Beauty is, have a read of this post: http://elefont-at.blogspot.com/2011/12/latest-in-beauty.html)

Bearing in mind that Latest in Beauty is a 'try before you buy' website that recommends products specifically aimed to your personal preferences (which are first recorded when you join the website) I was a  bit pissed off that I received the BB cream in the shade: light! Do they expect everyone to have fair skin ? I know there are only two shades but surely they could have given us the option to choose?

Estee Lauder Day Wear BB Anti-Oxidant Beauty Benefit Creme

£32.00...30ml 

What Estee Lauder claim about their BB Creme: 

- Moisturises, protects and gives flawless perfection. 

- Instant even-toned healthy looking skin.

- Powerful protection with Super Anti-Oxidant Complex and SPF35

- Oil-free hydration. 

- Helps to control excess surface oil. 

- Available in 2 shades to suit a wide range of skintones.  

-----------------------------------------------------------------

How to use the BB Creme: 

- Apply as a last step in your skincare regimen. 

- Wear alone or under foundation. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------

The Formula Facts:  

- Oil-free

- Dermatologist-tested.

- Non-acnegenic. 

(Literature taken from: http://www.esteelauder.co.uk/product/688/20671/Product-Catalog/Skincare/By-Category/Moisturisers/Daywear-BB/Anti-Oxidant-Beauty-Benefit-Creme/index.tmpl?cm_re=MainMerch-_-Rotation2-_-B.Bcreme )

The Verdict:

For the purpose of this review I did give the BB Creme ago despite the shade being totally WRONG! I dared not go out in public with it on though, therefore I can't give my opinions on the durability and ability of the BB cream lasting a full day's work etc. The cucumber scent was a bit off putting - I normally associate this scent with cleansing type products however had the product been outstanding I would have got passed this. 

The consistency is quite light, although I found it hard to blend in. If your looking for a full coverage look this product may not be for you - its a very sheer coverage however if your just looking for an extra something, something for your skin its worth getting a sample to try. You would definitely need concealer to cover up any problem areas such as scaring or under eye circles and a setting powder is a must! It didn't even out my skintone but this may be due to the colour and overall I wasn't impressed with this product. Like I said I couldn't give you guys a full review due to the shading issue, but its hasn't given me the urge to go and try any other BB creams so I won't be rushing out to the shops for one just yet!

Don't waste your pennies on this one!!!

Has anyone tried this BB cream ? If so, what are your views on it? Any recommendations on good BB Creams?x

The Rise of the BB Creams

In recent weeks I have seen many different make-up brands come up with their own versions of the 'BB Cream'. Blemish Balms's or BB Creams as they are most commonly know as are a cosmetic mainly used in East and South East Asia, but are firmly making a place on make-up counters all around the U.K. 

BB Creams are of a much lighter formulation than a foundation , they work to moisturise, conceal and treat skin in one simple step, some people use them as primers and others wear them alone as a foundation. Here are just a few that are on the market now: 

Clinique Age Defense SPF30 BB Cream / Super BB Triple Function Cream / Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector Daily All-in-One BB Cream / No7 Beautiful Skin BB Cream / Loreal Paris Nude Magique BB Cream

Has anyone tried BB Creams before? If so what did you think? Are they worth the hype? Anyway the main purpose of this post was to make you guys aware that Latest in Beauty are offering people the chance to try the Estee Lauder Day Wear BB Creme SPF 35. 

For just £1.50 Latest in Beauty will send you a 5ml sample of the cream so if you have been wanting to try a BB Cream this is the perfect chance for you to do so.  

If you don't know what Latest in Beauty is, I did a whole post on it so heres the link: 

http://elefont-at.blogspot.com/2011/12/latest-in-beauty.html

I use the Estee Lauder Double Light Foundation which I love - it has great coverage and lasts all day but I can find it a little too heavy sometimes! So I've ordered a sample of the BB Cream myself to see if it will give me the same amount of coverage but of a much lighter consistency. 

Once I've got it, tried it & tested it I will let you know what I think. In the mean time if anyone has any questions about Latest in Beauty or anything else feel free to contact me x