Beauty 411 : Favourite Drugstore Primer

I am a believer in, lover of and advocate for the importance of a primer. Whether I am opting in or out of wearing a full coverage foundation, I always opt for wearing a primer first. It is the product that I always recommend investing in to improve the appearance, application and wear of your foundation. Although, my favourite options are often accompanied by a high-end price tag and I have struggled to find a drugstore alternative that lives up to my expectations. I am here to share the only high-street primer that I have ever been impressed by and now reach for on a daily basis; L’Oreal Paris Studio Secrets Smoothing Resurfacing Primer.

Expectations:

I expect a primer to smooth out the texture of my skin, reduce the appearance of my pores, even out my skin tone and leave a matte finish. It should improve the wear of any makeup placed on top or the appearance of my skin on a makeup free day.

Primer Profile:

Brand - L’Oreal Paris
Name - Studio Secrets Smoothing Resurfacing Primer
Price - £14.29
Claim - ‘Inspired by professional make-up artists, this primer masks wrinkles and uneven textures in the skin, making the complexion feel smooth and soft, with a remarkable velvety touch’

Result:

The first thing I love about this primer is the texture. It is smooth, silky and blends seamlessly into my skin to disguise imperfections and minimise pores. It leaves a velvety, matte finish that is the perfect base for a foundation and one I often prefer over my high-end options.

Only a pea-sized amount is needed at a time and I simply dab it onto the areas that need smoothing out. I rub it into my forehead, nose, chin and around my mouth to prevent my foundation from settling into laugh lines or creasing. It doesn’t leave a greasy residue and instead my skin is left feeling velvety soft. 

I apply this daily on top of my moisturiser, whether I am wearing foundation or not. It prevents my face from looking oily throughout the day and helps to blur imperfections.

This is the only drugstore primer that I have tried that actually performs. Although price-wise it is at the higher end of the drugstore, it is still only a fraction of the cost that a luxury option would set you back. I hope you enjoyed this review and I would love to hear your thoughts as well as the primers that work for you in the comments.

Devon

xoxo

Previous Beauty 411 Posts

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How I Fill In My Brows | Anastasia Beverly Hills DipBrow

In today's beauty world there are two makeup rituals that everyone is obsessing over; eyebrows and contour. Today I'm going to add my own two cent into this current beauty obsession by sharing my routine for achieving my very own pair of pristine brows. 

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Before and After

This tutorial is in the form of an easy to watch video and features my favourite products for outlining, filling in, setting and defining my brows. These include the cult Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz and DipBrow Pomade as well as my current drugstore tinted brow gel. I feel as though I am always in a constant battle with my brows trying to achieve the perfect arch and I hope that this helps you get one step closer to your very own power brows.

I hope you enjoy this routine and I would love to hear your thoughts as well as your favourite brow defining products! Leave comments down below or keep the conversation going over on Twitter and Instagram.

Devon

xoxo

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Mini M.A.C Haul + Review

A recent trip to Nottingham, a spare twenty minutes in the city centre and the excitement of pay-day, resulted in me wandering into the MAC store before my better judgement could direct me otherwise. Unaccompanied and armed with a fresh stocked bank account, it's safe to say I was entering dangerous territory. Fortunately I did manage to reign in my spending to only two purchases; a new foundation and a setting powder. I have been testing these out for the last week and I am here to share my thoughts.

1. MAC Studio Sculpt - NW15 (£25.00)

As someone who is constantly on the hunt for and testing out new foundations; I am always reluctant to invest the price of a high end brand incase it fails to live up to my expectations. However, desperate for a foundation that would improve the appearance of my problematic skin, I decided to invest the pretty price of a MAC base. As someone who prefers a full coverage, but without the flat look of a completely matted out complexion, I was recommended to try out Studio Sculpt.

Studio Sculpt is a gel-based foundation and provides a medium, buildable coverage. It blends seamlessly into my skin to camouflage imperfections and leaves my complexion looking plump and smooth with a natural satin finish. I love the formula of this, it is creamy yet long-wearing and it instantly adds life back into my tired, dehydrated looking skin. It provides a full coverage without leaving my face looking flat, cakey or unnatural. 

I have loved using this foundation and I am happy that I made the investment. It provides the perfect amount of coverage, revitalises my complexion and lasts all day.

2. MAC Natural Mineralise Skin Finish - Light (£23.00)

As I was already investing in a new foundation, I thought I might as well pick up a setting powder to go with it. When wearing a heavy foundation, I prefer a powder with a matte finish that is going to set my makeup in place rather than add extra colour or coverage. The natural mineralise skin finish provides a light coverage with a matte finish, perfecting for setting your foundation in place.

This domed powder is encased inside a handy compact and accompanied with its own mirror. It is perfect for touching up throughout the day and it has become a permanent addition to my handbag. It sets my foundation in place, mattes out my oily t-zone and leaves my skin looking naturally shine-free. 

To see this dynamic duo in action, then watch my recent High Coverage Foundation Routine. It is perfect for covering up acne, blemishes or for a long-wearing coverage that will last long into the evening.

I hope you enjoyed this mini haul and review; I would love to know what your current favourite foundation is? Leave comments down below or you can message me on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Devon

xoxo

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The Best Drugstore Brushes | Real Techniques

As an advocate of drugstore beauty, I have tested my share of high street offerings and discovered a fair few steals along the way. This is the start of a series dedicated to the makeup tools that I think are top of the drugstore. For anyone who wishes for their makeup to apply smoother, but aren’t prepared to invest the pretty price of high-end brushes, there are great options to be found on the high street. Todays post is dedicated to the first brand of makeup brushes that I ever tried; Real Techniques.

I am sure that few are a stranger to this brush line; the brand child of makeup artists, sisters, youtubers and overall beauty gurus, Sam and Nic Chapman. They are truly passionate about their craft and produce chatty, easy to follow makeup tutorials that I am constantly inspired by. The first ever brush I invested in was by Real Techniques and, despite my collection growing vastly since, the brand has remained a firm favourite. This is due to their high performance, high quality and surprisingly affordable price.

1. Stippling Brush - £11.99

Starting with the first I ever added to my collection, I love the versatility and finish that the Stippling Brush creates. It is perfect for using to apply foundation on the days when I want a light ‘second skin’ coverage. It picks up only a small amount of product and disperses it evenly around my face for a natural-looking finish. I also find that this is the perfect tool for applying cream blushes and I use it regularly to add a a dewy flush to the apples of my cheeks. 

2. Powder Brush - £12.99

The Powder Brush is also one that graces my daily makeup routine. It is the perfect size for dusting on a setting powder to lock your foundation in place and matte out your t-zone. I also love it for using a light bronzer over my whole face to subtly warm up my complexion. Lastly, it is ideal for blending in any harsh lines when you may have accidentally been a tad too heavy handed with your contouring, simply sweep it over to blend the colour seamlessly into you skin.

3. Blush Brush - £9.99

The Real Techniques Blush Brush is a true multi-tasker and it is without a doubt my favourite brush for adding colour to my cheeks. The tapered ends mean that it distributes product evenly for a natural finish. This makes it perfect for using with a contour shade to chisel out your cheekbones, with a blusher to add a flush of colour or with a face powder to add extra coverage to the precise areas where it's needed. The possibilities of this brush are endless and it is definitely a worthwhile investment.

4. Expert Face Brush - £9.99

The Expert Face Brush is the tool I reach for on the days when I want a full coverage and seamless finish. The densely packed bristles allow you to receive the maximum coverage your foundation offers without looking unnatural. This is because the brush allows you to buff the foundation into your skin for a streak free, expertly blended finish. All signs of fatigue, skin pigmentation and blemishes are skilfully camouflaged and I am never left with a cakey complexion.

That is my Real Techniques collection so far although I am sure that it won’t be long before another addition is added to my dressing table. At the moment I can not wait to finally get my hands on the set of eyebrushes, setting brush and I desperately wish for the contour kit to be in my possession! I would love to hear your thoughts on this new series and the Real Techniques line down below, what are your favourite drugstore brushes? 

Devon 

xoxo  

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High End Haul | Cult Beauty and MAC

Ever since I first stumbled across the amazing Cult Beauty site, browsing the online array of high end, high performing makeup has become my new favourite past time. Although I wish my bank balance stretched to cover my entire wish list, in reality I have to restrict my spending to only a handful of luxury indulgences a month. Today I have my latest Cult Beauty splurges as well as a new MAC goodie wrapped up in one high end haul to share with you all. 

1.  Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit

After reading the endless reviews raving about the contouring powers of this palette, I was dying to get a hold of my very own. I bought the colour 'light' and encased inside are three warming shades and three highlighters. There is a matte yellow-toned and pink-toned highlighter as well as 'Sand' which has a shimmer finish. 

All three contouring powders are matte; two have a warm tone  whereas the colour ‘Fawn’ is the perfect ashy shade for adding a natural contour to a pale complexion. With an initial swatch all the shades appear smooth and blendable with a great colour pay off. This palette has definitely captured my attention and I can’t wait to see its contouring effects.

(Left to Right: Vanilla, Banana, Sand, Java, Fawn, Havana)

2. The Original Beautyblender

As a girl on a quest to find the foundation applicator for the ultimate flawless finish; I am excited to now possess my own Beauty Blender. I have always preferred the finish created by using a sponge over a brush, as it blends my foundation in seamlessly for a natural looking coverage. If you were ever to invest in only one high end item for improving the appearance and application of your makeup, I would suggest placing this at the top of your priorities.

3. MAC Pro Conceal and Correct Palette

My final high end makeup indulgence was bought on a whim. I had heard little about this palette before, however after eyeing it in the MAC store I immediately had to add it to my collection. I have the shade 'light' and inside are four concealers and two colour correctors. 

The shade ‘pale pink’ works amazingly well for correcting darkness under the eyes and ‘pale yellow’ is perfect for fading the redness of my acne scarring. I have loved testing out the shades in this palette and I now reach for it every time I apply my makeup. To see this palette in action, then have a look at my recent video dedicated to sharing my current Full Coverage Foundation Routine. 

I hope you enjoyed this mini haul and I would love to hear about your recent beauty purchases, whether they be high end or high street.

Devon

xoxo

Previous Hauls: 

Drugstore

Cult Beauty

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Drugstore Stars | L'Oreal L'Extraordinaire Liquid Lipsticks

I constantly find myself lost in the makeup aisles of Boots, mesmerised by the choice and damaging my bank account in a quest to test the latest drugstore offerings. Without a doubt, my true makeup weakness will always be lipstick and I can simply never resist adding to my collection. A love for both high street makeup and all lip products has resulted in my sharing of the lipsticks I rate as top of the drugstore. I have already talked all about the Revlon Super Lustrous, ColorBurst Matte Balms and Rimmel Lasting Finish By Kate. Today’s post is dedicated to another favourite of mine; the L’Oreal L’Extraordinaire Liquid Lipsticks by Color Riche. 

This Liquid Lipstick formulation is essentially meant to have the pigmentation of a lipstick, the high-shine finish of a gloss and the moisturise of a balm. I can happily conclude that it wins on all three tests. Each shade I have tried reveals an amazingly intense colour, is surprisingly comfortable to wear and lasts for 3-4 hours before I have to reapply. They have the shine of a gloss without the unbearable stickiness and I have the lowdown on my three favourite shades.

Starting with the first of the collection I ever tried is the shade 500 ‘Molto Mauve’. This is the perfect pink toned nude with a slight brown undertone and I have worn this endlessly since I purchased it. It is my go to shade for both day and night whenever I am in a rush and need a shade I can rely on to look perfect with whatever else I am wearing. As someone with pale skin who steers clear of nude lipsticks out of fear of looking ill, I have a small collection that I dare to wear and happily place Molto Mauve at the top of the list. 

Next is a shade perfect for the current season, as the weather transitions into Spring I love to brighten up my makeup bag by wearing pink and coral lipsticks. The shade 201 ‘Rose Symphony’ is a gorgeous pink that is bright yet still entirely wearable. This makes it perfect for the daytime as it will lighten up your look without drawing too much attention.

Finally, as a lover of deep red and berry toned lipsticks, I was powerless to resist the shade 304 ‘Ruby Opera’. This is a blue-toned deep red and is stunning when worn at the forefront of an otherwise basic look. As far as red lips go, I find this one surprisingly easy to wear due to the formulation as it is comfortable and moisturising on the lips. I often choose this for an effortless evening look or when I wish to look slightly more put together during the day. 

Not only do the formulation and shades win here, but I am also a fan of the packaging. These liquid lipsticks are encased inside a gold, reflective bullet with a strip of the colour on the front. The soft, small wand you will find inside picks up just the right amount of product to apply an opaque layer with one swipe. 

500 'Molto Mauve'

201 'Rose Symphony'

304 'Ruby Opera'

(Left to Right: Ruby Opera, Molto Mauve, Rose Symphony)

These liquid lipsticks are a firm drugstore favourite of mine. I love the variety of the shades, the intense colour and silky soft, comfortable to wear formulation. I hope you enjoyed this Drugstore Stars instalment and I would love to know your thoughts. Have you tried these and what are your favourite drugstore lip products?

Devon

xoxo

Other Drugstore Stars Posts:

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipsticks

Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate

Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm Stains

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Full Coverage Foundation Routine | Acne Prone Skin

Today's post is for all those who prefer watching over reading as I have a brand new video to share with you all. I have put together a tutorial for my full coverage foundation routine to help restore confidence in anyone suffering with acne. This routine is perfect for the days when you want to conceal and camouflage your blemishes and scaring.

As someone who has suffered with acne since their teenage years, I understand the debilitating effect it can have on your self-esteem and confidence. There have been countless days when I have struggled to even leave the house as I have been so incredibly self-conscious about the condition of my skin. Whilst I do not recommend this for everyday, as it is important to allow your skin time to breathe, it is perfect for creating a blank canvas on the days when you want to feel your best.

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In this video I know that my skin does not look that bad; however this has been a recent occurrence in the previous month when I finally had a breakthrough in clearing up my acne. I have tried countless creams, antibiotics and lotions from both the drugstore and the doctors. Nothing made a difference and instead my acne got worse and at the beginning of the year was at the point of spiralling completely out of control. I had breakouts all over my cheeks, chin and I was suffering from daily, constant headaches due to the pain caused by angry, cystic acne on my forehead. 

In a desperate attempt to finally say goodbye to my blemishes, I ditched everything that I was using geared towards acne prone skin. Instead of the harsh chemicals in these products, I opted for an entirely natural line of skincare and diligently restricted myself to only using this small selection of items. At the same time I tried to lay off the makeup for a while, drink plenty of water and avoid picking at my spots.

Initially my skin took a turn for the worse, however now two months in, I can see a noticeable improvement and have received several compliments. Whilst my skin remains far from perfect, it is in a condition that is a million times better than the painful cystic acne that I was battling at the start of the year. 

For more information on the routine that has saved my skin, see my post on the Tropic ABC Cleansing Routine and for my tips on handling your acne read my Skincare Series. I hope you enjoy this tutorial and it helps inspire you on how to achieve a flawless coverage, whether you are suffering with acne or not. I would love to hear your thoughts!

Devon

xoxo

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My 20th Birthday Presents

This week signified the end of my teenage years as it started off with my 20th birthday. I am still struggling with the realisation that I am no longer a teenager and officially in my twenties. When I was younger I would imagine my life at twenty; it seemed like a grown up age and I saw myself as a sophisticated, put together young women out conquering the world. Safe to say, my prediction was a little off.  However, rather than dwell on this reality, I decided to dedicate a post to sharing a few of the amazing presents I was fortunate to receive.

1. Charlotte Tilbury Makeup Bag

I am now the proud owner of this gorgeous Charlotte Tilbury makeup bag. As someone who rarely leaves the house without throwing half her makeup into her handbag ‘just in case’, I was getting tired of having to fish around for my concealer or lipstick when needed on the go. I was in desperate need of a makeup organiser and I adore the rose gold print, burgundy colouring and quirky quote on this little bag. It is the perfect size for my handbag and I can't wait to use it for carrying my beauty essentials.

2. Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat - PillowTalk

Another dreamy product of Tilbury’s collection that made it as one of my presents is Lip Cheat in 'pillow talk'. After reading countless reviews raving about this pencil, I couldn't wait to add it to my collection and I have discovered exactly why it receives all the beauty blogger hype. It is a gorgeous rosy pink that creates the perfect 'your lips but slightly darker' shade. Furthermore, it is incredibly long-wearing and I now wear few lips products without applying this first.

3. ZOEVA Rose Gold Eye Brush Set

I also asked for this stunning set of rose gold ZOEVA brushes that I have been lusting over online for a very long time. After seeing them star in countless beauty posts and instagram photos, I was dying for a set of my very own. I am excited to finally have my hands on them and they are even more gorgeous in person.

4. Jennifer Lopez Perfume 

My perfume supply has thankfully been replenished with a fresh bottle of Live by Jennifer Lopez. I have loved this scent for quite sometime and I am happy to see a full bottle back adorning my dressing table.

5. Pandora Charm

Finally, I received another addition to my Pandora charm bracelet. I love collecting permanent memories of any special occasion in the form of charms. I think that they make the perfect gift and I would recommend everyone to invest in their own type of memoir bracelet. The charm I received was an adorable little car with two pink crystals on the back mimicking the appearance of brake lights.

I hope you enjoyed this slightly different post and I would love to know what your favourite or most memorable birthday present is, past or present.

Devon

xoxo

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Monthly Favourites : March

This month has been one of few discoveries and, rather than clamber around my room trying to add to the list, I decided to keep this post honest and stick to the small selection of beauty items that have stood out this month. Despite being a few, this is still a list of beauty gems; including a face lift in a bottle, the cult eyeshadow brush and my answer to long, luscious locks. 

1. Tropic Organic Facial Elixir Oil

Not only will this golden bottle make a luxurious addition to your dressing table, but it will also work wonders on the appearance of your skin. Encased inside is a silky combination of plant oils that work in harmony to improve tone and texture. I rub a couple of drops into my face before I go to sleep and I wake up with a noticeably hydrated complexion. Over time it claims to reveal younger looking skin, a realistic expectation after the improvement I have witnessed in the short space of time I have been using it.

Whilst £30 can initially sound a little pricy, you receive a large 50ml bottle that you can rely on not to run out anytime soon. Furthermore it is crammed full of 100% natural, plant derived ingredients to repair, nourish and maintain youthful, healthy looking skin.

2. MAC 217 Brush

Few will be a stranger to the MAC 217; the cult brush for seamlessly blending out your eyeshadow. This month I finally invested in my very own and I have been falling head over heals for  its magical blending powers ever since. It has entirely transformed the application and appearance of my eyeshadow and my collection would now seem incomplete without it. If you are ever to invest in only one high end brush, I would without a doubt suggest you make this a priority. It is entirely versatile and can be used to seamlessly blend anything from eyeshadows to concealer and creams.

3. L’Oreal Elvive Triple Restore Shampoo and Conditioner

As someone that is in a constant battle with their locks; I am happy to have finally found a shampoo and conditioner that have improved the situation. As well as the usual frizz and dry ends, I have also been struggling with fragile hair that is shedding at a rate to cause panic. However, this strengthening duo not only nourishes my hair but has stopped the shedding and leaves it silky soft, weightless and volumised. I can see myself remaining loyal to this pair for quite sometime.

I hope you enjoyed this short but sweet monthly favourites and I would love to know the beauty items that have caught your attention this month.

Devon

xoxo

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