B. at Superdrug

The B. brand at Superdrug has been around for a while now, and for some reason I have never given their products a go. But this week I took the plunge in the name of research, and here are my findings!

Vivid Eyeshadow in "Nougat"

My least favourite of the products I tried form B., the pigmentation of this eye shadow was good - not brilliant, but good. But this minor flaw is forgiven because "Nougat" is such a gorgeous colour, the perfect shade of shimmery taupe/ champagne for everyday wear, or as a base for a darker eye look. 

Shimmer Block in "Just Peachy"

This blush is my favourite of the products I tried from B. Part highlighter, part blush, the shimmer block looks beautiful on the apples of the cheeks blended up to the temples. It gives good colour payoff (you only need a little on your brush), and the glowing finish reminds me of Benefit's "Rockateur", with a less hefty price tag! The peach colour is perfect for spring, but the product also comes in pink and bronze shades. 

Vibrant Eye Shimmer in "Rockstar"

This cream shadow reminds me a lot of the Maybelline "Colour Tattoos", however the formulation is a lot more creamy and doesn't dry out at quickly (Tip: always store cream eyeshadows lid down to stop them getting dry). I use my fingers to apply the "Colour Tattoos", whereas this product is much easier to blend with a brush. Another good everyday neutral, "Rockstar" can be used as a sheer wash of colour all over the lid, or as a darker contour in the crease to give dimension. 

Happy shopping! 

L.x

What a Let Down!

As much as I enjoy writing about the products I love, I think it’s just as important to talk about the huge disappointments I have encountered as a beauty-addict. Here are 3 products that I have found underwhelming, not worth the money, or just simply didn’t work for me! 

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel for Oily Sensitive Skin

I am a longing standing Effaclar Duo devotee, so when I picked up the face wash in the same line from La Roche-Posay, I had high hopes. As a higher end brand, I expected to feel pampered using this product, and quite honestly it did nothing for me. The product has no scent, which is understandable since it is marketed for sensitive skin, but there was nothing luxurious about the experience of using it - for all I knew I could have been using washing up liquid to cleanse my face. I saw no improvements in my skin, and was generally disappointed. A definite thumbs down! 

Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour

Laura Mercier cosmetics are generally amazing quality, so when I tried this cream eye shadow stick in the shade "Sugar Frost", I was expecting it to be a beautiful inner corner and brow bone highlight. I was wrong. I found that although the colour payoff is okay, this product is near impossible to blend! It gives a lovely solid colour when first applied, but as soon as I attempt to blend the shadow with either fingers or a brush, the colour disintegrates into sparse glitter. It might be possible to work with it as a base, if no blending were involved, but at over £20 it's just not worth it. 

Maybelline Brow Drama Sculpting Brow Mascara 

I believe that good eyebrows are the foundation of any makeup look (watch out for a post coming soon!), and I am always willing to try a new brow product. Clear brow gel is an essential in my makeup bag, so I was excited by the prospect of skipping a step in my brow routine and using a tinted "brow mascara". However, I found this gel to be FAR too heavy, and the applicator left smudges and blobs of product -  it was a messy experience from start to finish. I want Lily Collins, not Frida Kahlo. Give me my clear gel and powder back. 

L. x

Ready, Set, Glow!

A spring beauty trend that comes around year after year is that dewy, glowing, i-just-woke-up-like-this skin, and Spring/Summer 2014 was no exception - the look was seen at Alexander Wang, Christopher Kane, and Giambattista Valli, to name a few.

Alexander Wang S/S 14

Christopher Kane S/S 14

Giambattista Valli S/S 14

Think this look is down to flawless genetics? Think again. 
As natural and fresh as this trend is, creating it is the opposite of a lazy no-makeup day. Let’s take a look at some of my favourites for looking like you made no effort at all.

Bourgeois Healthy Mix Foundation

I have never found a drugstore/ high street foundation that I love as much as this one. It’s low/medium coverage, which is great for spring as we want our real skin to shine through, and it sinks in to leave such a smooth, natural finish that it will feel like you have nothing on at all. Plus, it smells very pretty! 

Benefit Rockateur Blush 

If a highlighter and a blush had a baby, they would create Benefit’s newest boxed blush. "Rockateur" is a natural rosy colour with a golden sheen, which makes you look glowing and healthy, without looking unnatural. Use a fluffy blush brush to swirl it on the apples of your cheeks, but bear in mind that a little goes a long way. 

Face Stockholm Cream Highlighter in "Dignity"

Face Stockholm is not a brand that I often hear a lot about, but I think it’s an unsung hero! Their cream highlight in “Dignity” is gorgeous, iridescent and easily blended, and the packaging is simple but classy. For this look, I much prefer a cream highlight over a powder as it gives a dewy, fresh finish. Put a little on the tops of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, your brow bones, and your cupids bow. 

Dior "Creme de Rose" Lip Balm

Lip balm is an essential in every make up bag, and especially when doing a no-make-up look it is vital - luminous skin and chapped lips aren't quite a match made in heaven. Whilst this one is pricy, it works wonders and smells divine. I am always a fan of a multi-purpose product, and this lip balm is not just for lips! I use my "Creme de Rose" to tame my eyebrows and on the top of my cheekbones so give some extra dewy-ness. 

L. x

Nailed It!

Yes, it's that time of year again. The sun is coming out, the leaves are turning green - it's time to put away the Chanel "Rouge Noir" and move on to brighter and better things!

I'm Lily, The Styling Forecast's new beauty blogger, and I wanted to start by discussing the humble nail polish - the perfect way to transition gradually (very gradually, this is England after all) from winter into spring. Here are my top five:

From left to right: (1) Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paint in “Blueberry” (2) Revlon Nail Enamel in “One Perfect Coral” (3) Topshop Nails in “Cob” (4) Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear Nail Colour in “Mint Sorbet” (5)  Maxfactor Glossfinity in “Angel Nails”

1. I have had a long-lasting love affair with the Barry M Gelly Nail Paints, and at the moment I am especially loving this blue sky colour for spring. The formulation is incredible - you can easily get away with one coat, and the finish is so shiny and gel-like (clue in the name) it does not require a top coat. Amazing value for money and brilliant in a rush!

 
2. I have never come across a nail polish that has received as many compliments as this beautiful coral. When I think of summer nails, I think of bright reds and pinks, and this is a happy spring medium.

3. I'm on the fence when it comes to Topshop nail varnishes - the formulation is not all that great, you certainly need a few coats to get a solid colour, but on the other hand they have an amazing range of shades and the packaging is just too cute to resist. "Cob" comes out a lot brighter than it looks in the bottle, and although it is not a colour I would ordinarily think of for spring, it works.

4. With a formulation as great as the Barry M, and in another beautiful pastel, Sally Hansen's "Mint Sorbet" looks good enough to eat (note: do not try at home, it definitely isn't)!

5. Looking for something a bit more unusual? Silver glitter does not have to equal snow, winter and all things Christmas. In fact, I think "Angel Nails" is ideal for spring as the glitter is very fine and has a pink tint to it - a great option if you're not feeling brave enough for the brights just yet. Another reason this polish earns its place in my top five is its versatility - it has enough sparkle that it could be used for an accent nail, or as one coat gives a very sheer shimmer, it would look great as a top coat over a more solid colour. Get creative!

L. x