Lightweight Summer Base

I've been switching up my base products a lot more recently, with lightweight, tinted moisturisers coming into the rotation a bit more in favour of my usual foundations. It's as a result of two things, the weather, which has finally warmed up properly, meaning the last thing I want is a face caked in foundation. Secondly, my skin has been looking a lot better recently (fingers crossed it stays that way!) I haven't had a breakout in quite a while and the pigmentation I have from old ones are fading rapidly thanks to my arsenal of skincare products.

I mentioned the Laura Mercier Radiance Primer in my Everyday Spring Makeup Video but since then I've switched to their Radiance Bronze version, which is a much better fit for my skintone as well as giving me a sun kissed summery glow. I've been applying it all over with my fingers and then following with the Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser in Annapurna which gives a decent amount of coverage, enough to even out the skin. It does still leave the darker pigmentation marks and the dark circles under my eyes visible so to conceal those I go in with the MAC Select Cover Up in NC45 which looks very natural and skin-like. Not the highest coverage concealer in town but it definitely packs enough pigment to cover my everyday needs! 

What base products have you been using recently?

Follow me on bloglovin' for more posts!

September Favourites

The products I've been loving the most this month, alongside old favourites, are all relatively new additions to my stash. For skincare I've been loving IndeedLabs Pepta-Bright, I don't think a single skincare product has ever made more of a difference to my skin. It really is the best product for fading marks and evening out skin tone. Another skincare product I've been loving is the Good Things Manuka Honey Radiance Face Mask, you can see my full review on it here. It's a great 3-in-1, it draws out impurities, exfoliates and hydrates skin and has quickly become my go to mask. I've been using it about twice a week and my skin has been feeling really fresh!

With makeup it's been all about complexion this month. I always think if you get your complexion looking good the rest doesn't really matter too much! I've been using the Revlon Photoready Skinlights Face Illuminator in Bronze Light under foundation to give my skin a bit more of a glow and the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Caramel (full review here) under my eyes and on any blemishes. It's heavy enough in coverage to cover anything but still manages to feel really lightweight on the skin. My new favourite concealer for sure! I've been using the Real Techniques Large Shading Brush to buff it into the skin and I find this works really well, it blends the product right in and looks so natural. 

What have you been loving this month?

Follow me on bloglovin' for more posts!

Kiko City Filter SPF 50 Primer

Protecting my skin from the sun is something I'm very particular about, it minimises the risk of skin cancer, helps delay skin ageing and stops dark spots from appearing and getting worse. My usual two problems with sunscreen are colour and texture. They often leave an unflattering white cast and have thick formulas which sit on the skin and look greasy. Not this one.

The Kiko City Filter Sunscreen SPF 50 Primer is technically a primer but I use it as a sunscreen. I can't really comment on whether or not it increases longevity of makeup as, to be honest, I've never really paid attention to that as my makeup generally lasts well anyway. What I love about it is the fact that it's really lightweight and sinks into the skin so easily, it hardly even needs to be blended in. As well as that it doesn't leave even the slightest white cast on the skin so it's a great option if you just want to wear this and go makeup free! 

I've been so pleased with all the Kiko products I've tried so far, there hasn't been a single one that I've been disappointed with so I'll definitely be looking to try a few more things from their range! Any recommendations?

Follow me on bloglovin' for daily posts!

April Favourites

This month's favourites are a combination of new discoveries and golden oldies. The first product I've been loving is the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water which I spoke about in more detail a few days ago here. It's a brilliant makeup remover that removes even mascara in a single swipe, doesn't irritate the skin at all and just feels like water. I'm converted.

Next is the long since discontinued Sweet Lemon Shower Gel from The Body Shop (full review here) it has the most delicious, citrusy scent that has been extremely uplifting on these dull spring mornings. I really hope they bring this scent back!

Soap & Glory Hand Food is by far my favourite hand cream of all time, it's extremely moisturising yet non greasy and sinks into the skin straight away. It also smells really good, I stocked up this month while it was on 3 for 2, you can see my full review here.

I'm not usually one for primers but the Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch has surprised me, I seem to me using it more and more often. It feels velvety on the skin, makes sure that makeup lasts all day and keeps and oiliness at bay. Full review here.  

The concealer that I've been reaching for pretty much daily as of late is the Clinique Even Better Concealer in Honeycomb. It a shade lighter than my skin tone so I've been using it under the eyes to hide dark circles and brighten up my face. It's really high coverage but also really blendable. Full review here. 

I'm not an everyday eyeshadow wearer but the Avon SuperShock Vivid Liquid Eyeshadow is so easy to use! Mine's in the shade Chromed Cocoa. I just shake it, dab a bit onto my eyelid with the applicator and then blend it in with my finger. It sets and just doesn't budge. 

What products have you been loving this month?  

REVIEW: Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch

I'm not one to be faffing about with primers on a daily basis but on days when I really need my makeup to last or for evenings out, I've been known to give them a try.  The one I've been reaching for the most as of late has been the Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch. The pale pink formula has a light and fluffy texture that applies clear. 

It smoothes out the skin and leaves it feeling nice and soft meaning foundation and concealer is so much easier to apply, it blends really quickly and easily. In terms of increasing makeup longevity it probably keeps your makeup looking fresh an extra couple of hours as well as keeping it shine free and keeping dry skin at bay. All in all a good product, I may have to try out a few more primers! 

Do you use a primer?