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?

Foundation Review #1

Revlon ColorStay Foundation for Combination/ Oily Skin in 110 Ivory £12.49 for 30ml

Like every girl, I'm dreaming about the day I find that perfect foundation. I've struggled over the years to find one I really liked and couldn't fault, and I have probably worn a foundation from every brand going. It is such a personal choice, every girl prefers different coverage, every girl has different skin, so this review is how the product worked for me, I cannot stress enough that it might not be for you!

At the time I purchased this, the criteria for my new foundation were as follows;

• Pale enough to match my natural skin tone
• Long Lasting (By this I mean not having to touch- up for at least 6 hours)
• Full coverage

Price, depending on how good the product is, doesn't affect my decision as I'll pay anything for flawless skin. I was however, determined to find a good go-to foundation that is easily available.


Here is a lovely half and half portrait so that you can see. 

Slightly cringe, the left side has Colorstay applied but the right side of my face has nothing.

The good;

• I am super impressed with this, never really been a Revlon girl before but this product is impressive for such a cheap price. 

• It would be ideal for combination/ oily skin as it does dry the skin slightly once applied, which is fine for my normal skin as I moisturize quite a lot anyway.

• Applying a thin layer achieves medium coverage, this product is easily buildable to full coverage, so it is wearable no matter what look you're going for that day.

• It is a perfect match to my pale skin! Yay! 

•  It contains an SPF6, which is always handy. SPF should be applied everyday no matter whether it be summer or winter, as any exposure to sunlight will affect our skin. Although not a high SPF, I'm glad it has one.

• The foundation lasts long enough to keep me satisfied. It claims on the back of the bottle that it lasts upto 16 hours, but personally I always ignore such ridiculous statements such as these. Firstly, noone can expect a high street product to live up to such extraordinary standards...16 HOURS! Without reapplication? Also, under what conditions are these 16 hour tests carried out? After working a Saturday night shift supervising a busy pub, I can tell you that after 8 hours this foundation wasn't perfect, but nothing would be, and of course neither was my blush, my bronze, etc. However if I applied the foundation, sat on the sofa for 16 hours without touching my face or doing anything, then it would still look perfect? Who knows! It lasts a long time, but freshening up is necessary after 6-7 hours or so,which is fine by me.

The not so good;

• Although contained in a lovely glass bottle with a simple design, there is no nozzle to squeeze, no 'system' in place to control the amount of liquid you use. It pours straight out of the bottle which can make life a little difficult, although now I've become accustomed to carefully oozing some out on my hand before application, I've had a couple of spillage incidents when on the road and as a result I have ColorStay all over my makeup bag and it's contents! Someone at Revlon seriously needs to reconsider the packaging, although I do love the heavy glass bottle.

• It has a slight smell of emulsion? It is a bit painty, if you understand me?! Not the most pleasent of smells but it doesn't linger once applied/dried and it hasn't affected my skin at all, I understand why some people are hesitant to apply scented products to the skin.

Awkward!

So a happy, thumbs up review from me. Quick tip- always use a primer underneath this and apply with a good foundation brush, apply to hand before putting amounts on the brush as it warms the foundation to body temperature and makes it more malleable and easier to control.

I use the Sigma Flat Top Kabuki brush F80 $16 US

Final Portrait;

Do any of you use Revlon products, or Colorstay? Any other pale foundations to recommend?