Lush Cosmetic Warrior Face Mask

I absolutely love this mask! Its the Lush Cosmetic Warrior face mask for oily spot prone skin. Its made from kaolin,fresh green grapes,free range eggs,honey,cornstarch,glycerin,fresh garlic and tea tree oil. I pick this up every time I'm in Lush! Sure it smells very garlicky but it does the job! when ever I'm having a breakout I reach for this and it clears up my skin nicely! I put this on after I have cleansed and scrubbed. I leave it on for around 10 minutes till it gets all dry and rinse with warm water. My pores look super cleaned out after this.

My current foundations

So here are some foundations that I currently own and use intermittently. For work I use Estee Lauder DoubleWear Light, this stays put all day and does not get shiny once set with powder. I had been using Revlon Colourstay for combination/oily for a long time, nearly a year!! I have never finished a bottle of foundation since this one! It is very long lasting, stays fresh and doesn't oxidise. Sometimes it can look to makeupy if that makes sense? Then there is Laura Mercier Silk Creme, the rave reviews for this was unbelievable so I had to try it!! This takes alot of getting used to and the application method is key. I have applied this with fingers, an assortment of brushes and a sponge. The best way this works, I find is with a sponge. It is very thick in consistency, but spreads like a dream. You really don't need alot at all. I find if you put just a bit too much it gets cakey throughout the day. Just a small amount spread lightly with a sponge give a beautiful finish. This does get shiny during the day and I have to blot several times but it does look beautiful in pictures! I set this with MAC Mineralize and normally wear this on the weekends. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk this is great if you have a perfect complexion or had a late night and want to look fresh. I haven't found the best way to apply this yet, it doesn't give me enough coverage and it makes my face shine like a disco ball. So I only ever use this on super skin days. Lastly Chanel Double Perfection Matt Powder Foundation so I got this off EBay as it is not sold here in the UK. I wanted this so badly as Cupcakekissesxxx on youtube swears by this.

This does not give me any coverage and does not last till lunch time! My face literally eats this up.

I really wanted to love this so have tried it again and again, wet , dry, brush, sponge but to no avail.

I think this for me just works for touch up during the day of as a setting powder.

The quest for the perfect foundation continues.

What are some of your go to foundations? and how do you like to apply them?

My favourite products of 2011

 Here are my favourite beauty products of 2011.

This is what I have been using religiously! Skincare is ofcourse my beloved Liz Earl Hot Cloth Cleanser which removes even eye makeup. It contains rosemary,chamomile,cocoa butter and eucalyptus essential oil. It exfoliates,softens and leaves skin clean and smooth, love this! Ive been using this for more than 6 years now,sometimes I stray but always come back to this. I finish with the Liz Earl Instant Boost Tonic, which is alcohol free contains organic aloe vera, calendula, cucumber and natural vitamin E. It is soothing and fresh smells of roses, leaves my skin comfortable and ready for moisturiser.I am using the dry/sensitive as my skin is drier in the winter months. It intensely moisturises using borage and avocado oil, echinacea,beta-caroten and natural vitamin E.

I can not rave enough about this skincare its truly amazing!!!!                                  

All of Liz Earls ingredients are naturally sourced, sustainable and never tested on animals.  

Next up is foundation and concealer. I have been loving Estee Lauder Double Wear Light in the colour Intensity 2.0 I have been applying this with my Beauty Blender just using the sides to smooth the foundation on. This has been working a treat!

I then use MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NW25 under my eyes, and on my eye lids. This baby doesn't budge or crease. Stays put all day and its matt so barely have to put any powder on top to set. Love this stuff. Only problem is the pump pumps out such a big blob! I end up having to find other areas on my face to put this so I don't waste it.

                   

Ive been using Dior Nude Mineral power to brighten up my under eye area.

Its so light on the skin, it has this cooling water effect that feels rather refreshing.

Its nice to use for subtle highlighting down the centre of the nose and on the cheek bones.

                                                

Last but by no means least- HAIR! Beauty gurus such as makeup by Mel and All that glitters21 have raved about Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque.So I had to try this ofcourse haha. Its says its a revitalising hair reconstructeur for dry,damaged hair. It contains macadamia, argon, tea tree and chamomile oil, aloe and algae extracts. You apply liberally after shampooing and leave on for 7-8 minutes for deep penetration. Says to use once or twice a week.

This smells divine, like I have just stepped out of the salon. It leaves hair silky soft. I colour my hair blonde so this is a must for keeping my dry ends lush! The consistency is thick and creamy. I got mine off Amazon.

                         

Next is Kerastase Ciment Thermique- Heat activated reconstructor milk for weakened hair. This is a leave in heat protector/conditioner. I use on the days I am not using Macadamia Natural Oil. I take a ten pence size amount in the palm of my hand and finger through my wet hair. You have to use a blow dryer to get the full effects of this hence heat activated.  This is expensive at £18 a pop but worth it. It leaves my hair so soft and manageable its just gorgeous!

Lancome Visionnaire

Advanced skin corrector-Wrinkles-Pores-Evenness. I would call this a serum, I use it in the morning before my moisturiser. It states that its so powerful that half of the women who tested this out considered delaying cosmetic procedures! Well I am 29, have large pores, uneven skin tone and maybe a few dehydration lines on my forehead. I have been using this since Christmas day and haven't noticed anything brilliant yet. It costs £58. I enjoy using it though, it feels silky smooth on the skin and makes my moisturiser and makeup apply seamlessly. I use about two pumps. It looks a feels like a liquidy highlighter with a slight pinky sheen. Completely sinks into the skin leaving it soft and supple. You can definitely feel a difference in the texture of your skin. I will continue to use this and see what happens.