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?

GOSH Bronzing Shimmer Powder!

GOSH Bronzing Shimmer Powder in '002 Pink', £8.19  for 9g.

Realising I hadn't bought anything from GOSH (aside from their glitter pots for nails) in a couple of years I thought it time I re-acquaintenced myself with the range exclusive to Superdrug in the UK. I used to be a big fan of their pressed powders back in the day, great for pale skin!

This is GOSH's version of the shimmer brick (similar products available from Bobbi Brown and 17 to name two), technically classed as a bronzing powder I wouldn't personally use it in this way as the colour strips are much more suitable to be used as a blusher on my complexion. The sparkle shimmer would not be appropriate if you're looking for a contour or all-over bronzing shade.

Initially there are some chunky glitter particles on the top surface of the product. These do translate onto the skin and aren't very flattering as they are green/irredescent and very obvious, however after the top surface has been used these chunky particles are no longer visible in the product. Instead, a more natural (yet still shimmery) sheen can be seen and the finish is much more satisfactory and wearable!

With primer and foundation I find this product wears well for about 6 hours. After this it does become a bit patchy and worn looking on my skin.

The colour you achieve when the product is swirled together is a dusty, dirty pink colour. It's nice for everyday, and is mostly flattering if you work indoors, as the sparkle on the cheeks isn't very flattering in summer weather. Instead, this could also be used in the evening to add a highlight to the cheekbones, or to add a little shimmer on top of a matte cheek colour.

The packaging is really impressive, I love how flat the product is, considering there's 9g of powder the case isn't bulky, instead it is sleek and protective. I like that you can see through the plastic to see the product inside, and my favourite is the click shut/push button mechanism. It keeps it secure and it so easy to use (so much better than Illamasqua packaging, does anyone else get really annoyed/break nails opening that stuff?!)

Overall I do like this product, and don't think it is too bad for the price. However I wouldn't recommend it as a bronzing powder, more a shimmer blush if you're after one that is a good everyday pink colour. It's nothing overwhelming or must have, but not a bad product from GOSH!! I also bought a lipstick and a nail varnish, so expect reviews to come on those :-)

Thanks for reading, have yourself a lovely Saturday! I'm back to cleaning and sorting stuff out now, we have Dan Smith (from LA Ink) staying with us next week and I want our place to be a bit more organised (I've been on a selling rampage on eBay!)

17 'Instant Glow' Bronzer Review & Instagram!!

 17 Instant Glow Powder Bronzer in 'Medium Bronze', £4.59 for 10g

17 are my favourite line for cheap cosmetics products, it's very rare their products disappoint me and items such as their eyeshadow or their BB Cream are more often than not incorporated into my daily makeup. Granted, I've not tried every product in the range, but the fact that they are constantly revamping and creating new products to sell is pretty refreshing and exciting.

They've released a new bronzer which is part of the Instant Glow range and it comes in two shades, I opted for medium bronze.

The packaging is palm- sized and circular, with black and clear plastic casing. The lid lifts easily and clicks shut into place, you are able to see the product through the packaging. When new, the pan has a shooting stars style embellishment. You get a whopping 10g of product!

I really like the fact that this product is matte, and in terms of it's texture, shade and consistency it reminds me so much of the ever famous Benefit 'Hoola'. Similarly to 'Hoola' it doesn't seem to contain any orange pigmentation- a definite plus +++++ !!

The powder picks up onto my brushes really well and I find it blends pretty well as it's soft, but it is better to start with a little and build this one up. It's suitable for an all over sun kissed look or as a contour powder. I find that it doesn't tend to look muddy, which so many bronzers can do (though this is usually due to bad application, over application etc) and the medium shade isn't too dark for my pale skin.

Overall I am really impressed with this product, I've used it a lot over the past couple of weeks. Some factors I like the most are that it is matte, it gives a natural finish and that it is so cheap. I would recommend this!


I joined Instagram this week (username is emilylaurenbethxo), I've only had it a few days but I'm really enjoying it so far, I just need more people's photos to look at, so if you have it give me a follow and I'll follow you straight back! Here's some pics I've posted so far;

Follow me! emilylaurenbethxo

Benefit Review #2 Bronzer & Highlighter

Benefit '10' £23.50 for 7g.

 Underneath the absolutely disgusting packaging (why, why, why?) is a product that I've now come to use daily, without fail as my contour product. 10 contains two shades; a bronze powder and a light pink highlighting powder. There are a couple of options on how to use this product, a blusher brush can be swirled around the box which mixes the two shades together or the blusher brush can be moved in a straight, back and forth motion which picks both sides of the product up on either side of the brush. This is pictured below;

I use this product for a couple of reasons!;

• It adds warmth to my skin tone during a time of the year when it is so important to have a bit of colour on the skin without trying to look like you've been on a two week holiday to the Caribbean!
• It adds soft- focus dimensions and contours to my face when brushed on in the '3' pattern.
 

Because the pink highighter is pale and the bronze isn't too overpowering it works on my pale skin really well. A bit of blush on the apple of the cheeks et voila!! It's soft so blends really easily,blendability is a necessity with bronzer or it can look muddy or overdone on the face.  There isn't any orange pigmentation which is another bonus, I love this powde, but I wish there was more product for the money, I've owned it two weeks and I've hit pan...

Do you use 10? What powder do you use to contour with?