Bobbi Brown Brightening Face Powder

Bobbi Brown Brightening Face Powder in 'Brightening Nudes', £40 for 6.6g.

When I see the words 'brightening' on a product, I am immediately attracted to it. I had been searching for a new face powder for a few weeks and had decided that going high end was the only way, I was done with 17 and Collection 2000's offerings. I was about to buy the MAC mineralize powder but saw this on the Bobbi website and had to try it.

The powder palette is called 'Brightening Nudes' and holds 6 different shades, all subtle and almost pastel in tone including lilac, brown, pink and cream. The top 'layer' has quite a bit of glitter but this didn't transfer on to the skin in an obvious way and once the powder has been used a few times the glitter becomes undetectable. 

I have been using a really small amount powdered over my t-zone, and while I think it does lean too pink on my skin, I love the way it lets a luminous foundation shine through and how it doesn't make me look flat and lifeless which so many powders do. It helps maintain a healthy complexion firstly by not covering the foundation in thick powder and secondly by having illuminating properties itself. It contains sodium hyaluronate which is a great ingredient for keeping skin looking happy and fresh. You can see how it looks layered on top of Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation by clicking here.

It's packaged in a mirrored compact which feels so luxurious, it also came in a velvet pouch but that soon got discarded- I can't be doing with all that faff but it would help protect the compact if you are on the go.

Overall I do think this is a fantastic product- it brightens the skin and works with radiant foundations to keep skin looking like skin and not a flat, matte mess. I have an oily t-zone and this powder makes my skin look dewy rather than shiny in this area and it doesn't cling or go cakey on any dry patches. Overall, a win win! It is expensive, £40 on a face powder is rather extravagant, but if you use as little as I do I can see it lasting a fair while.

What is your favourite face powder?

.....Finally, a review! MAC Fix+

MAC Fix+, £13.50 for 100ml.

It has taken me until I am spritzing the last drops of this bottle onto my face to really formulate an opinion on MAC Fix+, but it is a positive opinion and one I wanted to share with you all.

It's sold as a setting spray that is used to prolong the wear of makeup as well as freshen up any makeup look. It contains ingredients such as green tea and chamomile which are also meant to benefit the skin.

Whilst I haven't noticed any particular skin benefits, nor do I notice my makeup staying put for longer (DoubleWear foundation ensures that happens anyway!) I find that Fix+ achieves that natural, dewy look that I strive to achieve everyday.

Gone are the days where I liked to look ultra matte, but whilst I remain to use powder to set my foundation it is hard to get the appearance that your makeup is your skin. In other words, Fix+ breaks down that powdery, synthetic finish that powder creates on your base, and turns it into looking like part of your skin, that you naturally look that healthy and that you naturally have that even skin tone. Who wouldn't want that, eh? It takes about twenty minutes after being sprayed to truley show it's effects, but for those of you who like that no effort, natural makeup look but still want to be able to use a foundation and a powder, then this is for you.

My love for this product has been a slow burner but I do think I would repurchase. I don't use it everyday and the bottle has lasted me quite a few months, so I'm not too concerned about paying out for it. 

Do you use Mac Fix+?

P.S. I'M ENGAGED!!!!

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;

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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?