Ever since I purchased a tower of Muji make-up storage drawers, I have been set on filling them with lots of gorgeous new beauty bits, determined to steer away from my usual boring make-up routine (of which my ‘everyday’ look also constitutes as my ‘evening’). One drawer is filled to the brim with my gorgeous Tanya Burr Lips collection, which I absolutely love – and wear on an almost daily basis. The matte, yet glossy finish really is unlike any other product I have tried and the rich, pigmented colours are un-rivalled! So, with no better place to turn than the queen of online beauty Feelunique.com, I began browsing for a few new beauty bits that would re-ignite a bit of colour and excitement back into my routine.
Before I begin reeling off what I ordered, I’m going to backtrack a little bit. If you’re anything like me, a visit to a beauty store – or a department store beauty counter, completely and utterly overwhelms me. I am usually quite a confident person, but for some reason unbeknownst to myself and others, one ‘do you need any help?’ or a ‘what are you looking for’, just throws me. Because the truth is, I don’t know what I’m looking for either. Whilst at beauty events, I can quite happily hold an hour long conservation about one specific product, in a department store – I’m out of the door before you can say Dior. This is where my love for online beauty browsing comes in. No disruptions, no pressure. You can ‘window shop’ and ‘wishlist shop’ to your hearts content, without feeling awkward about having a nose.
Feel Unique is my favourite site of the lot. Easy to navigate, a large selection and (best of all) free delivery, it’s very difficult to steer yourself away. Which is how I ended up with the (surprisingly not too bank balance breaking) haul below.
Real Techniques Core Collection Kit
A few years ago, I’m afraid to say that make-up brushes (especially contouring and foundation brushes) were not part of my routine (gasp). I used my fingers to apply foundation for ease and usually left in such a hurry, and a muddle, that I forgot to ‘set’ the foundation with a pressed powder. In make-up moments, it wasn’t my finest period. However, fast forward – and I was introduced to many a different brushes, all of which seemed to have a different purpose I couldn’t remember. Bad beauty blogger, I know. After being introduced to a blusher brush from the Real Techniques collection (developed by YouTube beauty gurus Pixi Woo), I honestly haven’t looked back – so in a bid to ‘sort out’ my collection once and for all, I decided to order the core collection kit, which contains all the brushes needed to create a ‘perfect canvas’. A flawless finish.
Each soft to the touch and with no sharp scratchy edges, the kit contains a detailer brush (to conceal problem areas or for defining lipstick application), a pointed foundation brush (for use with liquid foundation to ensure even, flawless coverage), a buffing brush (for powder and mineral foundation and finally a contour brush (for contouring and soft focus).
All were very easy to use, and rather self explanatory (although the contouring brush takes a bit of getting used to with regards to how much you should put on) and together, created a lovely, shine free, flawless complexion. The detailer brush was perfect for use with my favourite Benefit Crease Free Light Concealer and the buffing brush (used in a circular motion) was incredible at eliminating shine, bumpy areas and hiding any blemishes.
Seeing as each individual brush bought is priced at £9.99 each, purchasing a four piece kit (with a panoramic brush stand and case included) for £20.99 is a really fantastic offer. If you are a beginner brush(er) like me, these are perfect for introducing them into your routine and similarly – if you are looking for a complete set, these are definitely the best out there. I’m not sure I could ever go back to being ‘brush free’.
DIORSKIN NUDE Natural Glow Foundation
I first tried Dior Skin Nude after sampling a tester I found in my latest edition of Cosmo. It was my very first taste (aged 15) of ‘expensive high end’ make-up, something I’d never previously thought very much of – ruling it out as completely out of my price range. However, one application (and about 10 compliments later), I was a convert. I remember begging my dad for weeks to buy me a bottle (which was a tough battle, since it had a £37 price tag) but finally, he caved in and I was in awe of my new flawless skin (well, for the few months the bottle lasted). Unfortunately, after it ran out, I decided not to ask for another bottle since it was so expensive and I wasn’t able to pay for it myself, instead opting for drug store alternatives, which I hate to say (because I’m not a snob and I love drugstore make-up) was no match.
Although I received a few bottles here and there, for Christmas and birthdays, it wasn’t until I started earning my own money that I began buying it again – and weirdly, despite it being my favourite foundation – I don’t think I’ve ever blogged about it before, so I saw this as the perfect opportunity (since my current bottle is on it’s last legs).
It may not seem a lot to some people, but £32 (as it is now priced at) is expensive and in order to justify spending such an amount, I would never claim something is brilliant if it wasn’t, or make it out to be something it is not. Dior Nude is honestly worth every single penny. Flawless, radiant and gorgeous coverage, it applies sleekly and smoothly to your skin (providing you have exfoliated and moisturized well), hydrating as it goes and blending in with your natural tone. It doesn’t leave streaky, unsightly patches, or collect in certain drier patches as your day nears the end – nor does it fade away. It has ultimate staying power, and has a very natural, even and velvety finish, which I haven’t ever been able to replicate with other foundations.
If you suffer from dry or sensitive skin like me, this is ideal – as it moisturizes as it goes, and won’t upset or irritate your face. It has glittering pink pigments which illuminate the face (especially if you use a highlighter or contour the cheeks and under eyes) and really does leave you with an un-rivalled finish. It is addictive, and once you try it – you probably won’t go back. You have been warned. I use the shade 020 Light Beige in Winter and Cameo or Medium Beige during the Summer months. If you are unsure of which to choose, pop in to your local Boots (although they don’t always stock Dior) or Debenhams and try it out – before ordering online (it’s usually cheaper).
Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupté Lipstick
This out-of-this-world (literally) lipstick first popped onto my radar during a ‘beauty bloggers’ trip to Paris, last March when I spotted it out of the corner of my eye in Sephora. With an unmissable design and a range of gorgeous colours, it is very difficult to tear yourself away – but I have done so, until now. With a sleek ‘YSL’ design emblazoned on the packaging in the shade matching what’s inside, and a beautiful rose gold holder, it is the ultimate ‘dressing table’ lipstick and if I could buy the whole range, I would in an instant.
The creamy texture of the lipstick is luxurious and rich, yet the highly pigmented colour applies like a liquid upon contact with the lips for a really accurate smooth application. I don’t know how YSL do it, but it just works.
I chose shade 9 ‘pink caress’ which is a beautiful silky rose pink, something I wouldn’t normally choose – however I loved how rich the colour was and I desperately wanted to try it. I wasn’t disappointed. Perfect slicked on with an evening dress, or even for more ‘dressy’ daywear, it screams ‘red carpet glamour’ and has probably become one of my most prized possessions. Apologies for all the superlatives, but if you own one – you’ll know. If you’re due a treat anytime soon, make this it. You won’t regret it!
Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder
See, I told you I loved a bit of drugstore too! This has been my ‘go to’ product for awhile now, due to it’s effectiveness and it’s affordable price tag. With a lovely silky smooth finish, yet no detectable bumps or dry patch collections, it makes for the perfect foundation topper, applied just before you pop your blusher and/or bronzer on. It seems to set the foundation brilliantly, leaving it shine free for hours (even on a hot day, luckily) and matte – but not completely flat.
The shades in the range can be a little deceptive, as they all look relatively dark on the shelf, but apply much lighter than you think. I tend to go for the 005 Silky Beige, which is the darkest (I have a natural olive skin tone) so if you’re a little fairer skinned, I would opt for the Peach Glow or Pink Blossom, and if you’re really unsure – the transparent. For £3.99, you really can’t go wrong.
And last but not least, was a slightly strange purchase – because I have never before even attempted to use a lipliner (but I thought it was about time), but it actually turned out to be my favourite. If I’m honest, I usually associate lip liners with hideously ‘drawn on’ wrong colour lips that look terrible, so they haven’t ever really been my first point of call. Saying that however, I really do struggle to apply lipstick on occasions, especially getting the cupid’s bow correct and making sure I don’t over-do the bottom lip to the point it looks as though I’m bleeding.
Lip liners are there to take the hard work away from you – allowing you to ‘draw’ an outline, which will in turn prevent any of the actual lipstick from ‘bleeding’ or running over the lines. The Dior pencil is a smooth, creamy texture which applies to the outlines of lips (and actually, I love the colour so much, I once tried applying it to the lips in full) and sets the basis for your lipstick application. If you’re still unsure of the precision, Dior helpfully provide a tiny brush for you to perfect the finer details.
Feel Unique have kindly offered readers of scarlettlondon.com 10% off all purchases until the 25th March 2014 by entering the code scarlett10 at the checkout. Click here to start shopping.
