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