Empty Products- the August Edition.

I've not done one of these before but found myself really enjoying other people's posts on what they've used up so am giving it a bash myself. Grab yourself a cup 'o tea, I hope you enjoy!

 17 Photo Flawless primer 

Since becoming a DoubleWear convert I have strayed away from using primers as I haven't found it completely necessary to use one due to the 15hr staying power of the foundation. I've owned this product for a while and repurchased many times as I found this primer to be of excellent quality particularly for the price and I noticed no difference between this one's performance and the infamous Smashbox Photo Finish primer. If you're looking for a cheap silicone based primer that will mattify the surface of your skin and absorb excess oils aswell as minimise the appearance of pores, then give this one a go!

Will I buy this again?

Oneday I'm sure I will, but I don't need it right now.

17 BB Blemish Balm, All In One Magic Makeup, SPF15.

I was so impressed by this, as always the quality of 17 makeup seems to surpass it's pricetag. In hindsight it was too deep for my skin but I did enjoy mixing it in with Illamasqua's Skin Base foundation for a while. The SPF15 is quite low considering this is meant to be a BB cream and while I didn't notice particular skincare benefits, it offers a great coverage and leaves the skin looking so fresh and healthy. Full review here.

Will I buy this again?

Whilst I recommend this, it's not a product I need or want at the moment so I probably wouldn't.

Revlon Colorstay Makeup in 'Ivory'

In a bid to use stuff up before I moved house, I used up the last few drops of foundation after it sitting at the back of the drawer for a few months. This was a foundation I absolutely loved last year, despite it's initial stench of emulsion paint this foundation offers medium, buildable coverage and lasts really well. Pretty much a DoubleWear 'dupe' on the highstreet, plus it comes in really pale shades- wahoo!

Will I buy this again?

I will certainly buy this again, it's a good foundation to have 'just in case'. 

CHANEL Poudre Universelle Libre AKA Natural Finish Loose Powder  

A full review can be found here if you wish to know more detail however I'll state a couple of points about it. I love how fine this setting powder is (it's like dust!) and the amount you get is so generous that this product lasted me 6 fabulous months. The grate that controls the product can be a little wasteful at times and the packaging is huuuge and bulky!- Definitely one you want to depot if going away for the weekend! 

Will I buy this again? 

For now, no. I do think there are better powders out there for perhaps a cheaper price. I did love having a bit of Chanel luxury on my face everyday, though and it was a great match!

MAC bronzer in 'Bronze'

Yeah this is a pretty good bronzer, it's matte, fairly soft and not too dramatic on fair skin. You get a fair amount of product and don't need to use much, but I haven't felt the need to use bronzer much and so just used up the last scraps of it this month.

Will I buy this again?

Unlikely.

Avene Very High Protection Cream Factor 50.

I have given this a full review here and stated my love for this product. I believe it is a must have for everyone, but especially fair skinned ladies such as myself. It absorbs well and keeps me completely protected and burn free on those sunny days.

Will I buy this again?

Already have, haven't I!

Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanse and Polish

I'm always a little bit sad when this runs out as I do think it is a brilliant cleanser, and it has done wonders for my skin. I've recently been using Vichy's 3in1 cleanser instead, however I don't like not having one of these in a drawer somewhere as a 'back up.'

Will I buy this again?

Absolutely, it's a must have!

Lee Stafford Flat Iron Protection Shine Mist

I've been using this for a long time as I think it does the job alright for the price. As I've said numerous times before, I'm terrible at hair and don't really know much about it or what it needs, but yeah, this seems good.

Will I buy this again?

Most probably, plus I like the sweet musky smell!

Cutex Nourishing Nail Polish Remover

This is my standard, go-to nail polish remover. After the disaster that was Sally Hansen Acetone Free Nail Polish Remover I slapped myself on the wrist for even daring to try another. This works and does the job efficiently, and doesn't smell too bad.

Will I buy this again?

I'll never betray you again, Cutex. (Already repurchased)

Elie Saab 'Le Parfum'

I've actually got through several samples of this as the 5ml tubes do not last me long considering I like to soak myself in the stuff! This is such a me scent at the moment, I could literally bathe in the stuff and I'm hoping to have a full sized bottle in my possession ASAP! Elegant, feminine, floral. Lovely.

Will I buy this agin? 

Yes please!

 

If you have any questions about any of the products mentioned, you can leave a comment below or tweet me @emilydimplesxo. Do you use any of these?

Midweek post: Candy lips

I've got back into my bold lips and simple eye looks recently. The other day I thought I'd wear bright candy pink lips so thought I may aswell document it as a FOTD! I put ombre lips into practice, a look I'm really loving at the moment as it let's me be (a bit) creative but is also wearable for day to day! I love the depth it adds to lips when you use a darker liner and blend it to a lighter shade, though it's always important to remember, and god knows, AVOID that not so charming look that was so popular in the 90's- sorry Naomi!
It was also the second time I used Illamasqua's Sealing Gel. I'll pop a review up of this in a couple of weeks when it has been tried and tested properly!

Let me know if you use any of the products used and what you think of them.

FOTD:

Estee Lauder DoubleWear foundation in 'Shell' mixed with L'Oreal Lumi Magique primer

Chanel Poudre de Universelle in '20 Clair'

MAC 'Harmony' blush (contour)

MAC MSF in 'Soft and Gentle' (cheekbone highlight)

Benefit 'Sugarbomb' blush

Eyes:

Estee Lauder peach/gold eyeshadow from the 'Topaz Mosaic' palette

Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner (waterline)

Yves Saint Laurent 'Shocking' mascara

MAC 'Showstopper' on brows

Lips:
Rimmel Lasting Finish Lip Liner in '004 Indian Pink'

MAC LE lipstick in 'Naughty Saute'

Thankyou for reading!

Simple British themed FOTD; 'English Rose'

Though proud to be British, I'm not particularly patriotic. The whole Diamond Jubilee has washed over my head a bit and the sight of union jack flags, cushions, duvet covers, dinner plates and nail art sickens me slightly. 

However, in a nod to this weekends goings on I thought I'd create a simple 'English Rose' themed FOTD. This embraces long eyelashes and that whole 'peaches and cream' complexion that is so simple yet elegant about traditional British beauty. 

FOTD:

Base

Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation (02) mixed with Benefit 'High Beam'

Chanel Poudre de Universelle (01 Clair)

MAC Harmoney (contour)

MAC MSF 'Soft and Gentle'

Estee Lauder signature blusher 'Peach Nuance'

Eyes

MAC 'Showstopper' on brows

Estee Lauder 'Sumptuous' mascara

Lips

TopShop lipstick in 'Coy'

Champneys lipgloss.

Have you adopted more extreme makeup looks for the Jubilee, i.e. blue eyes and red lips, painted flags on your face, or will you be keeping it simple like me?

CHANEL Poudre Universelle Libre AKA Natural Finish Loose Powder

Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre in '20 Clair- Translucent 1', £30 for 30g.

Poudre Universelle Libre is the finest loose powder I've ever used, the grains are so slight that they are like dust to the touch and therefore blend really well on top of foundation to set it.

The shade I use '20 Clair' which is toneless, it's perfect as it doesn't add or change the colour of foundation it is is being laid on top off.

This powder does a good job and the product is of great quality. I've found that the less you use, the more effective and better it is, adding too much can create that really over-powdered look that is just too matte and unnatural. I also found that using lots of this on top of foundation does seem to dry my skin slightly, a problem that didn't occur with my previous Bare Minerals foundation powder (review on this and other Bare Minerals products to come)

The finish is a matte satin finish on my skin. It keeps my face shine free throughout the day, except on my T-Zone area which does need touching up after a few hours, particularly on my nose!

The amount in the tub is a whopping 30g which is a definate positive! It's pretty good value for money, and like I said, the smallest amount is needed to set makeup. Of course the downside to this large amount is it isn't the most portable of items, it would be bulky to carry around in a handbag and is awkward to travel with, but that factor can be overseen when I see those double C's looking back at me!
Aside from it's bulkiness, the packaging is functional with a screw top lid and plastic grate that controls the amount of product you tap through to use. The lid is so large you can use this to hold the powder in whilst swirling it on the brush before applying it to the face.

Overall I'd rate this product because it is good quality and is a fantastic loose, translucent powder. However, I have used other powders that keep a matte finish to my skin for longer and that can be layered without looking too powdery, unlike this one. I am pleased that this product will last me a long while, you get such a large amount of product, yet need to use so little on a daily basis.

Do you use this? What other loose powders would you recommend?

Fragrance collection

 My current perfume collection makes me happy and genuinely brings me so much joy! I wear perfume everyday and I like having a range of scents to choose from. When I was younger I'd wear Ghost and that's it...I've moved on since then but I wouldn't say my choices are any more sophisticated! I still enjoy heavy, sweet scents but there are a couple of exceptions.

From Left to Right;

Marc Jacobs Lola, Chanel No.5, Lush Vanillary, Benefit Maybe Baby, Britney Spears Midnight Fantasy, Britney Spears Believe, Prada Candy, Britney Spears Hidden Fantasy, Elle Macpherson solid Lime perfume, The Only Way is Essex Dazzle (this one was a joke present, but I actually really like it haha!), Versace Bright Crystal, Hugo Boss Orange. 

Currently my most used would be Lola, Candy and Bright Crystal. The majority have all been gifts from either my sister or my boyfriend, I can never really justify buying fragrance for myself. I'm hoping to add Juicy Couture Peace & Love and Ellie Saab to the collection this year!