Review: Smashbox Light Primer

I wanted to do a review of a primer that I use quite regularly - the Smashbox Light Primer. I don't tend to wear primer everyday as can find it too much however there are times when certain foundations need it to up the staying power or if I need my make up to last longer than average e.g. a long day at work! I have a few different primers and actually I don't have a favourite I just usually grab whatever is to hand lol - but I have found some are better than others for certain things - I will be doing a comparative post on my primers soon actually :)

Smashbox claim that this primer is oil free and is 60% water base making it ideal for oily, acne prone or sensitive skin. The formula has special oil absorbers to ensure you have a smooth and matte appearance all day. It contains light diffusers to minimize imperfections and even vitamin C and peptides to help even out skin tone and help smooth skin long term too. Sounds promising!

I cant say if I think its doing anything to even out tone long term as I don't imagine using it here and there is really enough to see a difference and personally that's not what I'm looking for a primer to do anyway! I'm looking for a primer to help my make up stay in place and that is exactly what this does. I find once I apply it it's best to wait a few minutes to 'set' and go matte before applying my base. Upon application my skin appears smoother and more matte instantly, foundation goes on easily and stays in place most importantly! I find I don't need to use powder when using this primer where as I do normally and also find that I don't need to apply powder throughout the day to blot either. My make up looks great for longer and depending on the foundation lasts the whole day without a top up. Result!! As you can see from the picture the primer comes out in the form of a white gel but when smoothed over skin is completely undetectable and invisible. No need to worry about a white cast here! If you have a drier skin type then this probably isn't the best choice as its matte and may exaggerate drier patches, however they do sell a hydrating primer which might be more up your street? If however you are like me and have combination skin and don't want your foundation disappearing mid day then this could be perfect for you!

I've been a fan of Smashbox primers for a long time and love how they do different ones depending on skin type or need check them out here. I have also just bought the 'Luminizing' primer and cant wait to try it out! Think it will be my 'going out' primer.

If your looking for a new primer then I would suggest you give Smashbox a go!.As they have many to choose from and they also do great trial sizes too! All you need is a pea sized amount so the 30ml tube will last you ages and at £25 is a bit pricey however similar to other premium beauty brands. Boots now stock Smashbox which is fab and you can buy online!

What do you think? Have you tried this product before? What primer do you use? Any other recommendations?

Siobhan xxx

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Review: Mineralize Skinfinish Natural

This is an item I regularly re purchase but when I last bought it I thought I'll do a review on this in case anyone else is thinking about getting it. In short. Buy it!

The shade I use is 'Medium Plus' and I am about a MAC NW25 but when I'm tan I use 'Medium Deep'. I honestly can't tell you how much I love this product, it's easy to pop in your handbag for touch ups, great for finishing off your foundation and even looks great on its own for a light coverage look.

In the second picture I've swatched it heavily so that you can see it against my hand. I usually use a large powder brush or sometimes use my MAC stippling brush either way they both give a great finish. I like to 'buff' it into my skin rather than just sweeping it on as I find the finish is nicer that way. 

This product will be perfect with people with a similar skin type as mine - combination oily - but as the finish is more creamy than powdery then I don't see why a drier skin type wouldn't get along with this product. The very driest of skin types might want to try this first as I know some people with very dry skin are a little wary of putting powders on their face. Another bonus for me is that this didn't make me break out (yey). I was a little worried when I first bought this product as previously to this I'd bought a foundation from MAC and broke out from it, so was a little cautious of MAC face products after that, but I shouldn't have worried at all cos it was absolutely fab! You could call it ab fab :)

MSF is £21.00 but it honestly lasts ages and I use it pretty regularly so I would say its worth the price. If you like setting your make up with a pressed powder this one is worth a shot, and if you've got a MAC counter close by, go and try it out. This is for anyone looking for that 'natural matte' finish rather than that awful powdery matte finish (yuck)

I will be showing pictures of this product plus the new foundation that I got at the same time on my face, so that you can see it in action :)

xxxx

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I've been naughty and treated myself...

I mentioned last week that me and the Mr were going Christmas shopping at the weekend and of course I had to pick up a few goodies for myself (or let him pick up.......)

Apologies for the awful pictures, I'm having to take pictures on my iphone at the minute cos my boyfriends brothers run off with my camera lead (arghhhh) but he's back this weekend so they should will be better.

But anyway I bought myself this studded shoulder top from Miss Selfridge £37 because I've liked it for ages and actually bought it a while a go and took it back! Lol and then regretted taking it back so now it's forever mine! The other white top from Topshop is just a casual one I thought I'd get just because it was only £16.00 and thought it will do to throw on.

The boots are from Topshop also and I've been looking for some plain Chelsea boots for a while but didn't want anything too high as I have to wear heels everyday for work and wanted my poor feet to have a break.

The Yankee candle is 'Christmas cupcake' and smells good enough to eat mmm its so sweet and sickly I love it! My Boyfriend has the biggest sweet tooth you can imagine and he (surprise, surprise) picked this one.

Then I finally bought the sleep rollers I've been after them for agessss now and just thought get them Siobhan! A full review of them is to follow shortly too.

I also bought a new foundation - Laura Mercier silk creme (eek!) - and my MAC mineralized skin finish that I needed to replenish anyway. I'm really excited to try the Laura Mercier foundation and a full review will be happening once I've had chance to properly test run it and see what I really think. 

So that's everything I picked up for myself on the shopping trip! I really have to stop treating myself, I've told myself that in January I'm on a shopping ban - hmmm we'll see.... On the plus side 've managed to get just about all my Christmas shopping done - just a few more bits and bobs for the boyf and that's it whoop! Has anyone else finished or even started theirs yet?

xxxxx

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Look what the Cat dragged in......

Bit of a quick post for you today which has actually turned out to be a bit of a Topshop haul. Didn't realise how much black I'd bought till I got home - which is seriously unusual for me. Me and my Friend Natalie went shopping on Tuesday and this is what I came home with...

Yes I know I've bought the same top in two different colours but I really couldn't decide which one to go for! I'm going to try them on and see which one looks best maybe - Or just keep them both!? Haha..

The playsuit looks lovely on as it's backless but cos I don't have much going on in the boob department so hate going bra less - might have to take a look at them stick on boob things? Has anyone else ever tried these? Any good?

The lace crop top I saw a while a go and sold out so when I saw it in store I didn't think twice and just grabbed it! Trying to think up outfits for it over Christmas...

The tube skirt was only £20 which I thought was a bit of a bargain  These can be dressed up or down so I guess this will come in handy over the Christmas period too :)

And I finally succumbed to the Naked palette (I'm so weak!) after telling myself ages ago I wasn't going to bother and just buy the sequel, but I couldn't help myself when I got there - I have to have both! Lol - so I've put the 2 on my wish list for the boyf to get for me for Xmas. I also bought the Bare Minerals Mineral Veil, as I ran out a while a go and like to use it as a setting powder. I'll be added pictures shortly of looks I'll create with the Nakedness!

Me and the Mr are going Christmas shopping in Manchester this weekend so I can't wait to show you what I pick up while I'm there (for myself of course) I'm on the look our for some new heels and a new coat... 

Speak soon :)

Siobhan xx

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Review: Ole Henriksen Truth Serum

I have recently been using the Ole Henrickson Truth Serum after getting a deluxe sample size in a gift. I only use it on a night as underneath my current moisturiser, only reason for this that I don't use a serum throughout the day.

What they say:

'Like a daily vitamin for your face, this high powered vitamin C complex helps smooth out lines and wrinkles and prevents further damage. Loaded with antioxidants to fight off environmental aggressors and moisture-binding ingredients to keep your skin nourished and protected, Truth Serum - Collagen Booster is absorbed instantly and penetrates to the deeper layers of the skin to provide long term results. Sensitive skin prone to irritation will benefit immensely from the calming properties of this oil-free serum.'

What I think:

I can't speak so much for the lines and wrinkles, however I like the sound of it preventing further damage. The formula is apparently 'packed' full of vitamin C and antioxidants which is good for calming the skin and healing, which is what my skin really needs at the moment after a breakout! It certainly calmed redness associated with the breakouts so I was pretty chuffed with that. My skin felt calmer and dare I say it, nourished. I don't know weather it was the serum or the added moisturiser but my skin felt lovely the next day. I have been lazy on a few occasions and not bothered with the moisturiser and just plonked on the serum and I felt that this worked fine too.

The serum smells quite strongly of oranges (yummy!!), This may put some people off, so anyone sensitive
 to fragrance might want to test this product first before buying but personally I loved the smell and it didn't linger around any longer than it took for the product to absorb. I really am loving the smell of this product which is something I don't normally I'm face product, but it smelt good enough to eat. I'm having major Terry's chocolate Orange cravings at the moment though so that might be why? Gone off on one now so back to the product..... 

It has a pump dispenser (yey!) I'm a lover of pump dispensers, and comes in a glass bottle. The only problem with the pump dispenser is that sometimes the product kinds of 'crystalises' in the pump and shoots out after a hard push of the pump, but other than that its perfect, The pump doesn't pump out too much product and two pumps was enough for full face easily.

This formula is oil free and advertised as good for all skin types. I know some oils can cause irritation and breakouts to some skin types so this means most people will get on with this product pretty well, especially since you can add your moisturiser on top too. I have to say I'm pretty happy with this product so far and will continue to use the product till it finishes. Although I love it loads I'm yet to decide weather I will re purchase, mainly due to justifying spending £47 on a serum at the moment. I guess I'll cross that bridge when I get to it! Ha... Or maybe I'm just being a cheapskate :)

If you have been looking to buy this product, then I would recommend this. It didn't cause any breakout, smoothed and gave me back some lustre :) It also calmed any irritation so I really can't fault this product at all.

Hope everyone is well :)

Siobhan xxx

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