I had a weak moment this week walking past the chanel counter and had an iddy biddy splurge on the Le Volume De Chanel Mascara, but I have to say I have no regrets. Firstly, the luxurious branding gets me every time and this sleek and slim black mascara is no different. This mascara has a thick and wide wand which I am not usually a fan of, as I have become used to using my L'oreal Telescopic skinny brush for years so using this larger one was really different for me.
The chanel mascara definitely has not disappointed and has given me sky high, thick and curly lashes, and my favourite thing about it is the ease of application. I kid you not I only needed to coat my lashes with three swift sweeps and I was done. The first time I applied it though I did find that it put maybe a bit too much product on my lashes, but the second time I made sure to brush off a little access product and was much happier with the results. I don't usually use mascara on my bottom lashes, as I instead use a nearly run out older mascara so that I don't put too much product on causing panda eye, and I definitely think this mascara would maybe put way too much product on bottom lashes.
If I tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, I have to say I do not notice a huge difference between my lashes after using the chanel and the loreal straight away after application, but I would say that the fact the chanel is so quick and easy to apply, and maybe prevents my lashes from becoming stiff by the end of the day, this may have become my new favourite. However, at the price of £25 compared to loreal telescopic at the price of £10.99, maybe I will have to reserve my chanel for special occasions and keep loreal as more of a cheaper day time mascara.
I am constantly seeking out skincare products to add to my routine that will help with my sensitive red skin and also my large open pores, which are quite frankly gross.
I have tried and tested umpteen different cleansers and have finally found one I love, without the hefty price tag. Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser is perfect for getting all of my make up and excess dirt off without leaving my skin feeling tight and rubbery. I use the one for normal combination skin with cottonseed, but there are also ones available for dry or oily skin. I only need to use a small amount on my skin so this has lasted me for ages and only costs £19. I know there are many more luxurious cleansers out there such as the Emma Hardie cleansing balm but with a price tag of £36 it unfortunately is not a product I can afford right now.
The next Clains product I have grown to love is their Pore Minimizing Serum. Like I said, I suffer with large open pores which are a pain when applying make up. Although others say they aren't too noticeable, I know they are there and they drive me crazy! This serum refines and smoothes the skin texture meaning that make up goes on much more smoothly without sitting in those pores. Over time the serum also works to minimise the pores for good which can only be a good thing, especially for someone like me. The serum costs £26 and only needs to be applied using the tiniest amount once a day in the morning before make up, so i'm hoping this will be lasting me a very long time.
I love the concept of contouring, especially as I myself unfortunately do not have defined model-esque cheekbones, so I need to find a way of faking it. I have had my eyes on the Tom Ford Shade & Illuminate Contour Kit for a while now but I just cannot justify spending £55 on something which I can imagine I will be terrible at using. Oh and i'm a student and I don't think student loans were designed for such spending purposes which is such a shame. Anyway, I came across the Daniel Sandler Sculpt and Slim which unlike the Tom Ford set is a powder kit. I thought that maybe the best way to start introducing contouring into my routine would be with a powder as hopefully I would find it easier to use.
It comes in a sleek and stylish box and has a mirror in it which is very handy for a night out. It has a darker shade for contouring, designed to be used in the hollows of your cheeks, down the sides of your nose and the top of your temples, and a lighter shade to highlight and illuminate, and be used on top of your cheekbones and down the middle of your nose. It gives my skin some added radiance and makes it look so much healthier.
I apply it with my real techniques finishing brush as it is thin enough to allow me to apply it only to where I want the product to be, and also allows me not to use too much product, which I was worried about doing with the darker shade.
One of the best things about this product is the way it looks so natural. I had so many people compliment me on my skin when i used this. I really have no complaints about this product, and although it is £24.50 I think it is worth it. Especially when compared to other sculpting or highlighting powders such as the Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder and Celestial Powder which are £35 each.
I thought that I would do a review on Estee Lauder's Double Wear Foundation as it is my go to foundation these days, and I find it provides a great coverage without looking cakey. I get really red skin on my cheeks and nose so I like to use a foundation that is able to cover that, without looking like a thick layer on top of my skin.
This product provides a really good coverage and is really easy to build. I find that only a really small amount is needed, so I shake the bottle a little bit and use whatever product is left in the lid. I definitely think that the best way to apply this foundation is with a brush as I find it too thick to use with my fingers. I use the shade ecru and I am pretty pale but usually have a light tan on top of my skin anyway, but this foundation suits me either way. It has quite a matte finish which is great for someone with oily skin like myself but at the same time it isn't too matte (if that makes any sense to you). It's £28.00 which I think is a great price as my last bottle lasted me over a year after using every day.
