First Impressions: Drugstore Face

Yesterday I decided to pop into Boots; I'm having a real foundation dilemma at the moment. If you didn't catch my previous blog post, I mentioned that I'd ordered loads of stuff online, but the majority I ordered was in the wrong shade! Although I loved the little mix I had going on (Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk and Illamasqua Skin Base foundation) I was getting SO bored of having to mix it before I could apply it.

I very rarely buy foundations from high street type places, I'm not a makeup snob, I promise! A few years ago I had an allergic reaction on my face and the high street brands seemed to make me a bit rashy so I ended up going towards the higher end (budget allowing) brands. However, I feel like me and my face has got to know each other a lot better. I know what type of things I shouldn't slap on and I feel like my skin appreciates that... Because of our new understanding, I decided I'd dip my toe back in the drugstore pond!

To be honest, I was only looking for a foundation, but like all of the other makeup addicts out there, I walked out with a couple of items more... I've used them all this morning so I thought I'd do a first impressions post and let you know how I've found them all, so far!

Foundation

I always used to use the Rimmel Match Perfect foundation, so I was fairly certain that Rimmel was a safe brand for my little chops! I spotted the Lasting Finish Foundation; I saw on the bottle that it promised 25-hour wear and full coverage - the two main things on my foundation checklist! Look, I know it's only been one day but I think it might be love, I'm SO happy I bought it! I feel like it has the same consistency as the Estee Lauder Double Wear (a previous favourite of mine) but for a fraction of the price! It's definitely what I'd class as full coverage, it covered the majority of my blemishes, however, I did have to go over the top with some concealer in places. I've had it on for about 12 hours and it's looking ok, I mean you can definitely still see it. Admittedly I'd probably top it up if I was going out again in the evening, but I think that would be the same with the majority of foundations I've tried! First impression rating: 8/10

Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation - £7.99

Concealer 

It took me the longest time ever to find a concealer I wanted to try and I wasn't even looking for one to begin with! I was quite happy with my NakSkiWeComCo (see my previous blog post for the explanation...). But for some reason, I was determined to leave with another concealer. I think it was because I felt like my Naked one wasn't light enough, or maybe it was because I'VE GOT A TERRIBLE ADDICTION? Anyway, whatever the reason, I walked away with the Maybelline Instant Anti-Age The Eraser Eye; I thought I'd heard Alix from ICovetThee mention it in a video, I'm not 100% sure, but I thought I'd give it a try anyway. I'd say it's more medium coverage but definitely buildable. I like the formula as I think it feels really light on the skin which is nice for under the eye plus, it didn't sink into any of my little lines under my eye. It's light enough to be brightening, and I love the applicator, so it's ticking all the boxes for me! First Impression Rating: 7/10 

Maybelline Instant Anti-Age The Eraser Eye - £7.99

Contour

Finally, I was in desperate need for a contour kit, well desperate in first world terms... I'm still not sure if I've found the perfect one! I opted for the NYX Cream Highlight and Contour Palette; it was relatively inexpensive compared to bigger branded ones and I liked the colour of the contour shade. It's a fairly neutral brown; the formula is ok, it almost feels powdery on the skin which isn't a bad thing, but I prefer a more creamy consistency. It doesn't seem to be highly pigmented which I suppose could work if you're happy to build on it. Ah, I don't know, it just hasn't won me over yet, but I'm willing to give it another try! First Impression Rating: 5/10

NYX Cream Contour Palette - £12.00

Honourable Mention...

I also picked up some Ardell Demi Wispies and I just had to mention them! I've had them before and they are my PERFECT eyelashes. The actual lashes vary in length to give a more natural, day appropriate look but they're still full enough to wear with a dramatic eye for a night out, well they are in my opinion anyway!

Overall, I'm pretty happy with my little spend up! Unfortunately, it just strengthens my argument that I am indeed a Makeup Junkie *sigh*...

Ardell Natural Lashes Demi Wispies - £4.94

Makeup Refresh

For the last few weeks, I've been getting so bored of my current makeup routine. You know when you just feel like you need a bit of a refresh, a bit of a rejig and your makeup bag is literally crying out "BUY ME SOMETHING NEW, I'M SO BORED". Well, that's where I was!

"What did you do?!", I hear you cry! Well, let me tell you; I made a list of all the products I wanted to try, things I'd found from various blogs and YouTube videos. Then I went through my makeup bag so I could see what I was in desperate need for, and not just "desperate want"... you know?

Next stop, was finding a website that supplied everything I was after; I hate spending more on delivery than I absolutely have to, although I always opt for next day delivery - where's the logic, right?! House of Fraser called to me like a soft beacon in the night, so I hopped on to their website, filled my basket, allowed the small tear to roll down my cheek as I saw the total, kissed goodbye to my bank balance and (im)patiently waited for my package to arrive.

Now, if you're wondering how I knew which shades I should buy... well, let me know if you figure it out. I attempted to get as close as I could by looking at swatches online but as you've probably already guessed, that didn't work out too well. Let's just say this makeup will look a whole lot better once I've been on holiday!

The New Stash

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation

First of all, I needed a new base. I've been using Estee Lauder Double Wear for the LONGEST time; there's nothing I dislike about it, but I think because I've used it for so long, I've just fallen out of love with it... we just needed a break... don't judge me! So, I bought the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk foundation. Annoyingly, I bought it about 12 shades too dark. I have tried it on its own just to see if I liked it, I have to say, I love the sheerness of the finish, but I usually go for a fuller coverage. That being said, I've been mixing it with the Illamasqua Skin Base foundation, which by the way, I bought 6 shades too light... what are the odds, huh? Anyway, when I mix the two together, I feel like it gives me the right coverage and I love the finish. All's well that ends well!

Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer 

What makeup rejig would be complete without a new concealer? NONE is the answer you're looking for! I have just recently started watching Jaclyn Hill... I know, where have I been?! So when I was perusing the web for which products I wanted to buy, I obviously went straight to Jaclyn's videos to see what she was using. I noticed she mentioned the Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage concealer (NakSkiWeComCo for short...) by Urban Decay, in quite a few videos, so into the basket, it went. I LOVE IT! It's my favourite concealer I've ever used, it feels so light on the skin but still gives a full coverage and hides blemishes without feeling cake-y, it truly baffles me!

Urban Decay Naked Skin Loose Finishing Powder

I'm not usually a powder person, I just feel like my skin is so dry that powder doesn't always help me out. However, I really wanted to try my hand at "baking" my face, plus I thought a little powder wouldn't go amiss when my natural glow (aka sweat) get's a little out of control during the warmer months! I really like this formula, it's so light and it feels so nice on the skin! But guess what? I got the wrong blady shade, so baking will have to wait!

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion

I have never used an eye primer! I mean, although I've always enjoyed makeup, it's only since watching YouTube that I started actually getting into makeup - does that make sense? In fact, if you'd have asked me 3 years ago what an eye primer was, I'd be like "DAFUQ?". I'm not really sure why I haven't tried one since, but to be honest, it's probably because there's always been another makeup necessity that I've considered more important, so I've always swept over it and skipped merrily into the sunset with my fading eyeshadow and transferring eyeliner... NOT ANYMORE! I ended up adding this to my basket because there was a discount on Urban Decay products and I got a free mascara! What can I say? I love it, my eyes look so blady good all day (if I do say so myself...), I fall asleep and my makeup doesn't budge. It's a goddamn makeup miracle! 

So they are my new products, I love them! The only disappointment I have is that the majority are in the wrong shade, but that's my own stupid fault. However, I'm going to London in the middle of June, I'm saving my dosh so I can have a huge splurge on THE RIGHT SHADED MAKEUP! Woohoo!

Thanks for reading and if you made it to the end, you're my new favourite! Xx 

Testing Sleep in Rollers & Hairdryer Hood

Bonjour! This is potentially my favourite video of myself, because I just look so gosh darn cute in my little hairdryer hood! x

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