Review: Revlon ColorStay Foundation

We'd both heard quite a lot about this foundation.

It has pretty good reviews across the board from bloggers who love the fact that it really does stay on your face like a high end foundation but not with the price tag.

Whilst I was in America I picked up one for each of us and we've both been using it for the past few weeks:

The packaging is pretty average looking but this isn't something that I'm bothered about as the more simple it is the better in my opinion.

I also love glass bottles and high street brands seem to be doing this nowadays! Awesome!

It says on the back of the bottle that it wears for up to 24 hours and is lightweight giving a flawless look.

I would have to agree with it there! It's definitely pretty long lasting and although its for oily skin it doesn't give a matte finish. 

It's quite easy to build although you have to work fast and I had some dry areas after some serious spot remover and this clung to them as I hadn't applied enough moisturiser, but as long as you know this it's not too much of a problem.

You still need some concealer and primer with this but that's what I would expect from any foundation really.

I prefer it that way as it means I'm in control more of what's going on my face!

I found this lasted most of the day and although it doesn't have a pump which is QUITE annoying, I'm going to see if i can find one online somewhere as the foundation is worth the hassle.

I'm hoping M will pick me up some more when she's away too....pretty please? :)

L xxx

I was so pleased when L text me to say how much cheaper it was in America as I'd been looking at this foundation for a while and wanting it. I loved that a drug store brand had created the same foundation for different skin types. We've both got combination to oily.

I'd heard this was a lot like the legendary estee lauder double wear, this made me want to try it even more. It is annoying to open it and find no pump or squeeze bottle option. I don't personally like to pour out foundations as I find I always tip it too much then I have to try and scrape it back in.

Other than that I love the packaging. I'm a fan of glass bottle foundations. I think they feel more expensive, I don't carry foundation with me so worrying about it breaking in my bag isn't an issue for me. 

I'd read reviews on this that stated it can be hard to blend and it's best to start and do a section of the face at a time. Knowing this I apply my foundation with my fingers to a cheek first and blend and work my way around my face. It does need to be worked into the skin reasonably quickly. I'd say the coverage is medium but buildable and much more flawless when using a brush like a stippling brush you'll get a heavier finish.

As someone with freckles I can say it's definitely not full coverage and doesn't leave you looking caked in make up as some reviews say as I can still see my freckles through this. I love that even though it's a foundation for more oily skin types it doesn't leave you matt which I find a lot of foundations for oily skin do.

This foundation really does last. How did I test this? I put it on in the morning, went for a run in the afternoon and then when I washed my face in the evening it was still there on my make up remover wipes!! Impressive!!

This foundation will definitely be a repurchase for me. I think it's a great easy to use everyday foundation that I can rely on last through the day. It gives a natural skin like finish to the skin and evens skin tone without completely masking my freckles (which although I dislike them I don't like them fully covered). I do find I still need concealer on my spots. I can't wait to pick up the Revlon primer and try the two together!

Have you tried this foundation? I love it!

Love M

xxx

Beauty Rehab

I've been frantically using products up like no tomorrow....my collection isn't going down anywhere near as fast as I previously hoped so I'm really going to have to stop spending and really power through it all!

Here's what I've been using up recently, there's quite a few products but also as I was away for 7 weeks it was hard to use stuff then.

Soap and Glory's Sugar Crush body scrub is divine, I absolutely loved it and would buy it again in a heart beat.

It smells like limes and brown sugar (reminding me of a mojito cocktail) and works great without leaving an oily residue on the the skin which is a massive pet hate of mine.

Would definitely buy this!

Nick Lowe Cell Renew Microdermabrasion Scrub - this was a nice scrub as the particles were very fine which was a lot nicer to use on the face. I might have considered buying it but last time I checked they didn't have it in full size as this only came with the mini travel type kit that they have available.

Maybelline Dream Satin Liquid Foundation - in two colours (Ivory and Cameo) I had to buy 2 colours as my skin seems to change colour daily and I ended up mixing the colours together to get a better colour match.

The foundation was pretty good, it covered enough, blended easily and had a really nice finish but for me it doesn't last long enough on the face.

However I didn't have a very good primer at the time of using, so I'd possibly repurchase this again to give it a go but if I did I'd have to buy both colours again!

L'oreal False Lash Telescopic Mascara - I previously did a full review here on this product and I did like it, but felt it was expensive for the effect when I could get a cheaper mascara such as a Rimmel one that gave me a similar effect and anything extra wasn't worth the extra money. Would definitely repurchase if it was on offer though!

Nick Lowe Hydrating Foaming Cleanser - this was another anti-aging product I got in the travel type kit sold in boots stores. It was great to try out the products in miniature without having to buy the full size ones.

This foaming cleanser felt quite thick when you used it and really nice to use but I don't think it did my spotty oily teenage-like skin any favours so I'm sticking with Liz Earle for now.

I wouldn't repurchase this due to my skin type.

Batiste Dry Shampoo - Love this stuff and will probably never stop repurchasing it! I do like occasionally trying out a different smell but original is best as I wear so many other smelly products it's best for me.

Mitchell and Peach Shower Gel - this came in a Joliebox and was the perfect size for my gym bag. However I didn't rate it as a shower gel as it barely foamed up and was hard to use, the smell wasn't great either.

I wouldn't repurchase this.

Naked Scrub Up renewing Salt Scrub - This is apparently not available any more which is a shame. I quite liked the large gritty particles that whilst looked scary actually didn't scrape your skin at all.

Would repurchase if it still existed, as it doesn't I will check out their other products!

Molton Brown Shower Gel - My aunty always buys me Molton Brown products, even back a few years ago when I didn't know they existed! The shower gels do feel of a higher quality, they foam up really well and this one smelled divine!

Would definitely repurchase if I could afford to spend this much on shower gel all the time!

Nick Lowe Purifying Foaming Cleanser - Another mini...I also purchased the travel kit for oily skin which was also pretty good. I found a product in there that I like quite a bit and would buy again, but this one wasn't one of them. Initially I liked it, but after finding something much better I have a full size product of this that I am never going to use. Free to a good home if anyone wants it??

Wouldn't repurchase this.

Ah my love for tanning products!

L'oreal Glam Bronze Instant Tan Spray - This was an impulse buy which was on offer at a time when I was frantically looking for something to give my legs a glow for a last minute night out.

It was pretty good especially as it was waterproof and did last longer on my legs (no thanks to some girls spilling their drinks on me!) but I'm just not a fan of sprays. I found lotions and mousses to be much better.

Wouldn't repurchase in spray form.

Boots Soltan Beautiful Bronze Mousse - This was great considering the price. Lots of product in the can and rubbed in pretty well though you need a few layers. However mine broke after a little while and spontaneously covered the entire drawer of products it was in so I had to clean everything....not cool!

Would definitely repurchase when I need a reliable cheap instant tanner

Botanics First Signs of Aging Serum - Loved the way this felt on my skin...not sure it had any effect whatsoever. It was great to be able to put on a serum and not have my skin react with a multitude of spots, but I didn't see any noticeable effect from using it and I'm sure there is better.

Wouldn't repurchase this.

L'oreal Perfect clean Purifying Foaming Gel Wash - Loved this when I got it, the scrublet was a really cool idea that made it a joy to wash my face with....until the scrublet became dyed orange from my make up and just wouldn't get any cleaner. To look at it made me think of bacteria and without it I felt the wash didn't work as well. Maybe a redesign is necessary??

Wouldn't repurchase this.

Virgin Vie Lip Balm - This was another Aunty special as she loves Virgin Vie! This was a pretty good lip balm but I'm perfectly happy with my Vaseline and Eos balms, so for the price I think I'd stick with those.

Wouldn't repurchase this.

Maybelline Superstay 24H Foundation - This was pretty good for lasting power but I felt it didn't always look the right colour and I just didn't think it was that great.

Wouldn't repurchase this.

No7 Lash Adapt - When this product is brand new, it works great, but after a while I feel it deteriorates rapidly and just doesn't last long enough in the tube or on your eyes.

Wouldn't repurchase this.

Max Factor Masterpiece Mascara - Another mascara....still not sure what I think about this one. I just don't think it was that great. Everybody raves over Max Factor ones so maybe I need to try another.

Wouldn't repurchase this.

Garnier Body Tonic Lotion - Great lotion that sinks in really fast. Bought this in France so not sure if they have it here? Definitely worth the few euros it cost though!

Would repurchase this in France!

Ted Baker Body Wear Spray - Love the smell of this just wished it lasted longer. Also I've only ever seen it in sets so I'm not sure it is sol separately which is a shame, otherwise I would probably repurchase this.

Yardley Royal English Daisy Shower Gel - This is another JolieBox, I never think shower gels are anything special to be in a box like JolieBox or Glossy box and this confirmed it. It's just an average shower gel and the smell wasn't great, nor did it last very long. Borrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrring!

Wouldn't repurchase this.

So there we have it! A huge list for you!

I'm powering through some more as we speak, hopefully I will get through all of my mass of products one day....

How have you been getting along with using up items? I'm more determined than ever that I do not need to buy anything else!!

I'm even considering a 100 day spending ban like Tattooed Tea Lady is currently doing, could you do it??

L xxx

Skin Care Regime

I've seen a lot of posts recently about skin care and have invested in a lot of products recently, particularly from Origins and some French pharmacy brands.

I don't think I've ever done a post on my usual skin care so here's my general day to day products that I could not live without! 

(It's rather a long post so I'd grab a cup of tea and make yourself comfortable, there's lots of photos though!)

First up is the cleanser....the one and only Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser.

I'd obviously heard rave reviews from everyone but had never invested until it came free with Red magazine a fair few months ago.

Needless to say I fell in love completely, my skin looked and felt so much better and because I was previously only using face wipes the difference was amazing!

This has definitely become a must have product in my collection and I'll probably never be without it.

I still have some other cleansers that I'm using up, particularly one from Neutrogena.

This is the 3 in 1 Visibly Clear Blackhead Eliminating Cleanser Scrub and Mask in One.

I believe Hayden Panettiere is in the advert for it?

I bought this when my Liz Earle ran out and I was penniless, and the Visibly Clear range was on 2 for £5 offer, which is amazing considering their normal price is around the £4.80 mark.

This obviously wasn't the same as the Liz Earle, but my skin has been so bad recently that I needed something more directed towards my spots and I have to say I was quite impressed.

The cleanser did work really well and all of my little spots and blackheads cleared right up and my T-zone was looking pretty good!

I also like that you can leave it on for a while as a mask which really feels like a deep clean for your skin.

This was great for when my skin was breaking out all over and if it happens again I would happily repurchase.

I was also sent 2 Actives from Etat Pur to try, after my previous experience with one of their Actives.

I had used their Zinc Glycolate (A20 which helps to restrict sebum secretion and to eliminate spots) and hadn't had a great response from using it. Initially it worked great but after 4/5 weeks I broke out and nothing would make them go away!

Their PR department noticed my reaction via twitter and kindly sent me another of the A20* to be used in conjunction with the Salicylic Acid 300mg (A22*) which when combined enhance each others activity and help get faster results.

I've been using this for a couple of weeks now and I would definitely have to agree that combined they produce a much faster response in regards to oiliness and helping to clear skin of blackheads and little spots.

My skin is very clear thanks to the combination of the Liz Earle cleanser and using these two products.

Unfortunately for me, I keep breaking out in larger spots along my jawline which can't have anything to do with oiliness as my skin isn't oily in these areas, just normal which is a huge shame as everywhere else where I am used to having spots is so clear!

Just my luck really! If you have any product ideas that might get rid of these please let me know as I really can't think what else to do!

My normal moisturiser for daily use is Vichy's Normaderm.

I bought this on a whim a few months ago and absolutely love it, it's not too expensive and Vichy seem to have some great offers on.

Their Normaderm range is quite popular and I can definitely understand why.

My full review is here and I bought this product in April. Considering that I have been using it twice a day since then that's a massive bargain as I've had probably around 5 months usage out of that one bottle.

I have of course used others on random occasions but for the most part this has been my moisturiser of choice.

I have a new Origins one that I bought recently and am desperate to try out but I would definitely repurchase the Normaderm moisturiser for the effects and the value!

As for a mask I have a few newbies in my collection including the Origins 10 minutes Out of Trouble mask.

The mask is a gorgeous thick white cream that you apply to the face and then wash off after 10 minutes.

It is so thick it feels really luxurious but isn't too thick to spread, it stays exactly where you put it which is great.

It also tingles on the skin but only ever so slightly, and has a cooling effect which I love.

It makes my skin feel great afterwards and was worth every penny!

I have also been given a sample of the Origins Charcoal Mask which I'm really looking forward to trying.

Lastly two of my favourite products to use....my eye creams!

I never used to use an eye cream until around March, when I bought Origins Eye Doctor (review here) as my eyes have become really sensitive.

But this was a perfect buy along with the Origins No Puffery eye gel (here) and it has really helped my eyes become less sensitive though they still don't like my contact lenses!

Needless to say having not used an eye cream before the skin around my eyes has improved dramatically and the fine lines I had have miraculously disappeared which was a massive bonus! 

I also was given a sample of their famous GinZing eye cream which I went on to buy in the full size as I loved it so much. So I used GinZing in the mornings to hide any bags and Eye Doctor and No Puffery at night and this seems to be combating my eye worries for now.

So there you have it! A rather expensive skin care regime to keep up with particularly as I don't have a job....but I'm a firm believer that skin care is a priority as you only get one of them so you'd better look after it!

When I get the odd spot I also have been using Sudocrem

This is so cheap and an absolute must for anyone, it's great for spots, dry skin and irritation and it's been great for the odd one that has appeared on my T-zone.

The only things I can see missing from my regime really is an SPF and a serum. I will have to look out for an SPF that's easy to incorporate in the morning and a serum would be great for helping to keep wrinkles at bay.

What do you have in your regime? Do you have any suggestions for my spot worries?

L xxx

This was my recent Origins haul and I'm so excited to start using them but I'm determined I'm going to finish up the old products first! 

Beauty Rehab post coming up tomorrow to show you how much I've been using up :)

 

* = PR Samples

Review: Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream

I was so excited to pick this up...it cost me a bargainous £4.50 which quite frankly I am still shocked at 2 months later!!

It is the legendary Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream which I have lusted after for YEARS and YEARS!

Even the packaging with it's simple white box and red logo makes me smile and go gooey inside which is a bit ridiculous for a box...

I have the American version of the box which has some drug facts on the back, something we don't have in the UK which was different.

I love the design with the 8's in a pattern in the background too, simple but still looks really good.

I was a bit surprised to see the colour of the product, as even though I've wanted it for ages I haven't ever actually seen it!

So being brown I was a bit shocked, clear or white was what I was expecting but never the less this was not about to put me off.

You can see from the picture that it's quite thick, it almost looks and feels like grease which was both alarming and reassuring depending on what I thought I'd be using it for.

Dry skin? Eye make up remover? Taming brows? Woohoo!

However using it anywhere on my face and hair was a bit of a reluctant thought as both are on the oily side.

I've heard it's one of the best things to use when you have a cold and have really dry skin on your nose, but I don't want to use it there and erupt in spots either!

However when you rub it in it seems to sink straight into your skin which drinks it right up

It leaves a lush sheen to your skin which I photographed above, the back of my hand felt amazingly soft for ages afterwards and my left hand felt awful ha.

This was definitely a welcome product in my collection, though I'm still not sure about using it on my face.

I think this will have to be reviewed in the winter when the weather will dry out the skin on my face and i will likely get some kind of cold/flu that seems custom around Christmas!

I've also heard it's great for on flights, your cuticles, heels, and in some cases as a highlighter.

Do you own the 8 Hour Cream? What other uses do you have for it?

My skin has been erupting all over the place lately, have you found the 8 hour cream made it worse/better?

Please let me know!

L xxx

(Edit: I just read that it contains salicylic acid which is very good at getting rid of spots and controlling oil. I will give it a go and see....!)