Make Up Collection Part 1: Bases

I would say my make up collection is pretty streamlined, for a beauty blogger. My friends and family would disagree but it really is quite small when you compare to most make up collections. If I don't like something I'll pass it on to someone who will get some use from it rather than letting it be a space take-er up-er. First up is bases, something I never had much interest in before I started blogging but now a good base is hard for me to pass by. The older I get, the redder and blotchier my skin gets so for me, a bit of coverage is essential.

Links will be added to any I've reviewed before.

Liz Earle Signature Foundation*: The shade I own is 'Nude 03' which is slightly too dark for me plus it oxidizes quite a bit which could be a bad thing but not for me, it means I'm able to use it on nights out when I've slapped on some tan. It lasts well on the skin and offers medium to full coverage depending on how much you apply.

YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat: Excited doesn't cover how I felt when this beauty was released. I've repurchased the Touche Eclat pen since my early teens and lost my mind a wee bit when I heard YSL were coming out with a foundation version.

Laura Geller Balance -N- Brighten: The HG foundation for many but not for me, unfortunately. This has now gone in my Blog Sale.

NEW CID I-Perfection Colour Adjust Foundation*: If you have oily skin and always go for matte finishes but hate the dreaded flat/cakey look that comes with formulas designed to keep shine at bay, try this. The high points of your face glow yet it doesn't feel tacky in the slightest and it lasts all day. The shade I own is 'Vanilla' which is the 3rd lightest in the range. It does look quite dark but the colour adjusts slightly, this is one of the few foundations I'm able to wear with or without tan.

bareMinerals: I've had this mineral foundation in the shade 'Medium Beige' for a few years now. At first I hated, it made me look like one big powdery wrinkle but I held onto it as everyone else seemed to love it and I'm glad I did. It still isn't one I reach for often and I'm not sure I'd repurchase but it works a lot better with my skin now for some reason. Don't think I'll ever prefer a mineral/powder foundation over liquid though.

Daniel Sandler Invisible Radiance Foundation & Concealer*: If you like YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat, chances are you'll like this. It covers redness but still allows freckles to show through. The finish is gorgeous, they weren't joking when they named this foundation. I went for the shade 'Beige' which is a pretty good match for me once blended.

Chanel Pro Lumiere: Pro Lumiere was discontinued and replaced with Perfection Lumiere which didn't go down well with many bloggers. I haven't tried Perfection Lumiere so I'm not sure how they compare but Pro Lumiere has a light to medium coverage which can be built up in areas where you need it.

Estee Lauder Double Wear: If you need full coverage, you can always count on Double Wear. It's full coverage, long lasting and doesn't transfer on to anything. I don't wear this as often as I used to as the shade I own 'Fresco' looks very pink but it's still a great one to have in your collection for days when you feel like covering your face with a paper bag.

Pur Minerals CC Cream*: My most worn base this year! When CC Creams first came out, I yawned and thought 'what next?' but this right here is one of my favourite bases ever. The coverage is brilliant, I'll definitely repurchase.

Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint: (not pictured) This is another one I really disliked at first. It feels heavy as if it's just sitting on the skin ready to slip around but when my skin is seriously dry and dull it just adds a bit of life. Can't remember the last time I used this though, it isn't high up on my love list. 

Pur Minerals 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Foundation*: Dry skins steer clear, unless you moisturise well first this can look a bit cakey. If you like to stay away from nasty ingredients then Pur Minerals is a brand worth checking out. As far as I know it's only available from M&S if you're in the UK.

Pur Minerals 4-in-1 Liquid Foundation*: The liquid version of the one above and as I'm sure you can guess, I prefer it. It works much better on dry skin and the finish is more flattering on my skin.

Rimmel 9-in-1 BB Cream: If someone asked me to recommend a budget base, this would be it. I don't own any bases you can buy in Boots/Superdrug etc (apart from this) ones I've tried in the past just don't sit well with my skin and the shade ranges are always lacking but what this offering from Rimmel lacks in shade range, it makes up for in formula.

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*PR sample

Lately I've Been Lovin' #9

I haven't done a favourites post since December but not many products impressed me enough to make it onto the list and there wasn't enough to include in a post so #9 is a mix of Jan, Feb and March favourites.

Sarah Chapman Ultimate Cleanse: I don't want to keep repeating myself but this beauty is marriage material! If you're a regular reader of my blog then I'm sure you're well aware this is my HG cleanser.

Perricone No Foundation Foundation: This small sample came in my Latest In Beauty advent calendar and has lasted such a long time! I don't have much left now, maybe enough for one more use but I'm really considering ordering a bottle! It glides over the skin beautifully, offers just enough coverage and adds a lot of radiance.

Estee Lauder Zero Smudge Lengthening Mascara & Lash Primer Plus: I wasn't a fan of this at first, I always felt as if bits had crumbled into my eyes when it was first applied but once it dried out a bit it worked on my lashes like nothing else. My lashes are long but very straight, this added even more length and when used with Lash Primer Plus there was double the length and my lashes held their curl all day.

Liz Earle Healthy Glow Cream Blush 'Blossom'*: I think the cream blushers from Liz Earle are my all time favourites! They're creamy but don't look greasy or slide around your face, pigmentation is brilliant, they're easy to apply (I just use my fingers) and they can be used on lips. You can read my review here.

Rimmel 9-in-1 BB Cream 'Light': This is a fantastic everyday base. It's non greasy, lasts on my skin all day, only costs around £7 (or maybe less?) and the shade is a pretty good match for me.

Nourish Relax Hydrating Peptide Serum*: I raved about this lightweight serum in a post not so long ago (link) and it's still my serum of choice. I can't even feel it on my skin, it's like water yet really works to hydrate my skin. I'm sure I'll love it even more when/if the weather heats up a bit and my skin is more on the oily side.

Avon BB Cream 'Nude': If you haven't tried this yet, you need to! My tiny tube is only a sample but I'll be ordering the full size soon. If I used this without seeing the packaging I would be convinced it was high end.

MAC Blot Powder: God only knows how long I've owned this but I really couldn't stand it! I started using it again recently after shopping my stash and fell in love but look, I dropped and smashed it. For me, I don't find it works well with a brush so I just go old skool and set my t-zone with a puff.

Have you tried any of these products?

What have you been lovin' this month?

Don't forget to enter my Urban Decay Mariposa Palette giveaway!

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*PR sample

My Spending Ban Is Over, I Went Shopping.

My spending ban came to an end yesterday. Yay! Most people are taking part in the 100 day spending ban but I just wanted to see how long I could last. I lasted a total of 8 weeks and in that time only bought one thing so I don't think I done too badly.

I went into town yesterday with intentions of buying alot but my time on the ban helped me reign in the need to buy things just for the sake of it. I planned on getting atleast 2 Apocalips shades, Big Bang being the one I wanted most but of course it was sold out. I also wanted to get the L'Oreal Confetti Top Coat but it was sold out too and the L'Oreal Lip Stain Thingymabobs didn't look as nice in person so I didn't get any but before the ban I would have bought them just to have them.

What I ended up getting was the Zara City Office Bag which I've wanted for months and months! I ordered it online and paid through paypal then collected instore yesterday. I kept asking myself do I really need another black bag but the answer is yes! It's gorgeous, well made, sturdy and big enough to carry your house around in. Although I didn't get 'Big Bang' I did fall in love with Celestial, it's even nicer in real life than it looks swatched online and the texture is really good too. After shopping my sample stash last sunday I've been hooked on the Rimmel 9-IN-1 BB Cream. It's such an easy base, feels lightweight on the skin, isn't oily looking like some BB creams can be, is a total bargain and last's all day on my skin! Don't get me wrong, it isn't the best base out there but for everyday use it's perfect. All the coats/jackets I own are quite heavy. During spring/summer I live in blazers but for days when it's a bit too cold for a lightweight blazer I bought the khaki/leather look sleeved jacket from Dunnes. From Poundland or Poundworld (I can never remember which is which) I chucked some Flawless Caviar into my basket. The base colour that comes along with the beads is rubbish but the beads are really tiny and work quite well. I've been looking for small black studs to use on my nails so grabbed this 3 Way Nail Art Pen which includes black crystals. And last but not least I bought a new cafetiere at the bargainous price of £7 from Argos!

I expected to leave town with half of Boots and Superdrug but I didn't. I think about my purchases much more than I used to and don't buy one product in every shade. The spending ban has definitely worked!