Review: Vichy Dermablend Foundation

Hello!

I've got a foundation review for you here which has been a long time coming.

I bought this foundation a fair few months ago.....probably last Christmas!

It was a favourite of mine for a while but then got lost in the contents of my make up collection. I'm happy to say I've found it again and have been loving using it.

Vichy;s Dermablend foundation is a favourite of lots of bloggers and has a bit of a cult following.

As a foundation produced by a skincare company you'd be correct in thinking that this is a foundation that has a great bare skin feel with lots of good qualities.

Dermablend is a Fluid Corrective Foundation that lasts for 16 hours with high coverage and a matte finish. Not only all of this it's also suitable for sensitive skin, is non comedogenic, hypoallergenic and paraben free with SPF 35 just to put the cherry on the top of the cake!

My colour was the lightest shade, Opal 15.

I did worry that this would be too light on some occasions as for once it actually is a really pale shade which should make us British pasty girls rejoice! 

The packaging is quite simple and the tube is sturdy enough to stand on its own and allows the product to drain to the bottom which lots of bottle foundations tend to have a problem with.

So what is it like on the skin? Here's a super close up of my forehead so you can see how natural it is:

How much does that look like it's my skin?! I totally wish it was the case, but seeing as its not at least I know I can apply this foundation and hope for the best!

I love how blemish free my complexion is and it's blended in so easily it's like a second skin.

As for my face as a whole, this is with the foundation applied to my entire face with a Real Techniques Buffing Brush and no other make up:

It's hard to keep describing how much I love this foundation, but it truly is a second skin that makes your own complexion just look better. It's pretty effortless to apply and lasts for a long time on your face without slipping, I do get a shiny t-zone but I do with every product so this isn't a surprise.

What do you think of the Vichy Dermablend Foundation? Have you tried it? Will you be snapping it up?

I'm so glad I've found this in time for winter when my skin is definitely paler than it was in the summer months, and if not, it blends perfectly with other foundations to achieve your ideal colour.

L xxx

Benefit's Love Me B.right Christmas Set

Hi all!!

I'm sure you've all seen them by now, but Benefit have got some absolute corker of a Christmas collection this year.
Not only are they collections of their amazing top products but they're all in amazing collectable tins!

Obviously I want them all, in fact NEED them all.
I'm slowly making my way through them all and might have to get another as next months pay day treat....naughty!

My first purchase was made at the brand new Benefit Carnaby Street store, when we had an amazing day in London and popped in for a browse and tour from the lovely Alyson Rowe. (Post is here if you'd like a read!)

As soon as I saw the tins lined up on the counter I had to snap one up. At the time they were only available in the Carnaby Street store so I couldn't resist an exclusive buy...obviously!

I've tried many of Benefit's products, but by no means all of them and the one that stuck out to me from the collection was the Love Me B.right tin, as it contains skincare.

I was yet to try any skincare products from Benefit and the box is a lovely turquoise colour that would go in my room, essentially this one was sold the second I saw it!

I love the details on the tins, not only are the faces pretty funky but the words printed on top in gold are lush!

This collection contains 4 skincare products; Triple Performing Facial Emulsion, It's Potent! Eye Cream, Total Moisture Facial Cream and of course a mini sample of their infamous Porefessional primer. 

I've been using these for the past couple of weeks so have finally got around to writing my review. Here is what I think of them:

The Triple Performing Facial Emulsion is a full size moisturiser which is oil free and contains SPF 15.
This has been the moisturiser I've used in the morning and evening for the past few weeks, it sinks in quite easily and feels light on the skin.
My skin is combination so this was a relief as I didn't want it to upset the oily t-zone I have and give my face extra shine.

It has also hydrated the drier areas of skin I have on the sides of my face which is the perfect combination for me. The fact it contains SPF is also a great addition, I've started applying it separately in the morning which can be a pain when you're in a rush.

It's Potent Eye Cream is also another full size product in the set. It contains a peptide complex to restore elasticity and firmness, botanical extracts to boost collagen and protect skin from free radical damage.

The cream is very thick and feels luxurious on the skin, my eyes are something I need to be very careful with so this was a massive positive for me. My eyes are so sensitive and I didn't react to it at all.

The skin around my eyes was very hydrated as the cream sank in quickly. A tiny amount is enough to cover your whole eye area so I imagine this pot will last for a long time as there's 14g in it.

I really enjoyed using this product as it was a lovely surprise to realise how much my skin loved it too.

The Total Moisture Facial Cream is a large sample size of a thick hydrating cream. This product is much thicker than the Facial Emulsion and I've been applying this at night as an extra boost of moisture for my skin.

It's definitely thicker than the Facial Emulsion and is also more hydrating. This has been a treat for my skin in the nights when the weather has been colder and my skin drier as a result. I can imagine me using this a lot over the winter months and my skin is thanking me for it! However I cannot use this too often as it is significantly thicker and therefore may overload the oily areas of my skin.

The Porefessional primer sample is a nice touch, and I've already said previously that I'm a big fan of it and was gutted when it ran out recently!
This was a great collection though a few more samples of the other skincare products might have been more relevant, as I know they also do a facial wash and toner which would have been nice to try altogether.

What do you think of the Love Me B.right collection? Will you be snapping it up?

Have you picked up any others yet?

Let me know and send me your links! I'd love to see your reviews on them :)

L xxx

Rituals Tea

A few weeks back I met up with the lovely Anthony from Beauty Seen PR as part of their beauty tour. We had a chat about all the brands they represent and what those brands were offering and I was lucky enough to be given some items from some of the brands.

I was so excited to see the Rituals Tea. Rituals isn't a brand I've tried much of but have always heard lots of good things and been often tempted to order a candle as I've heard lots about them. I was surprised to know they sold tea.

After a friend got me hooked on tea pigs last year I definitely realised you can tell the difference between good tea. I love to relax with a nice cuppa and a sit down. I tend to like most teas with my favourite being green tea and mint so I was really excited to try it.

The teas come in silk like pyramids. I always think these type as best as it's the nearest to loose leaf tea. 

This set would make a great present for any tea lover. I can see mum's and nan's loving this for Christmas. It's a good way to try different flavours as there are some in here I wouldn't have chosen but I've been pleasantly surprised.

I love that the packaging represents the flavour. The Hammam mint almost has a Moroccan themed print and the Jasmine Delight has a very Chinese feel.

The Hammam mint is a lovely refreshing tea without an overpowering sense of green tea. If you're a peppermint tea fan this is a great way to enjoy green tea.

Earl's Secret it a lush earl grey. Tastes good with or without milk. This is my favourite one to have first thing. A good balance of black tea and fruity/floral.

Jasmine Delight. I didn't expect to like this. A blend of green tea and jasmine. I didn't think floral tea was for me but I really like this blend.

Rose and Ginger. This was my least favourite. I'm personally not a fan of rose but it was still ok as the ginger balanced it out.

I will definitely be ordering more of the first three. 20 tea temples cost £4.50 and the set of four like I received cost £10.50. I love the cute little tea tins too. I definitely need these! I do think it's worth paying for tea like these and love to treat myself to them. You can find their full range here.

Have you tried rituals tea? Are you a tea fan? I'd definitely recommend these!

Love M

xxx

NOTD: OPI Tickle My France-y

It's been a while since I've worn a simple nude so when I saw Tickle My France-y (from my best of the best collection 2011) I had to wear it.

Mine is one of the minis. It really bugs me that OPI don't put the names on their mini nail polishes! I have guessed that it's this on but I only have two nudes and I know it's not sheer enough to be bubble bath.

Tickle my France-y is a warm almost lilac toned nude. I find it looks great on my pale skin and I think it would suit other skin tones. It looks flattering and I think the hint of lilac too it mean it doesn't look weird on me as some beige nudes do.

The first two photos are with flash and I'd say these show it more true to colour. It's one of those polishes that looks different in different lights.

With this shade I like to apply three thin coats. I find it applies better this way and looks smoother. It also dries a look quicker this way. 

As for wear time. It lasts better than some OPI polishes I have but I can't comment too much as I wore it on false nails and I find most colours last better on these. 

It's sold on a variety of sites including Amazon, Ebay and Very and prices start at 6.99 a bottle. I'll be picking up the full size version of this when I run out as  I can see it being one that's worn a lot.

Love M 

xxx