Bourjois City Radiance & Bourjois Radiance Reveal Concealer Review

13th August 2017

Bourjois City Radiance Foundation

I have always been a huge fan of Bourjois, in fact, I would go as far as saying that they are one of my favorite affordable makeup brands. The Bourjois Healthy Mix being one of my favorite foundations and one that I have raved about for years along with the Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum, another beautiful foundation from the brand.

Bourjois do foundations really well but the City Radiance was one that I had not picked up until recently, the reason being, I always thought of it as being a BB cream that didn’t offer much coverage…. I was wrong, and to my surprise it offers great coverage.

“Bourjois City Radiance Foundation is an innovative new foundation that banishes dull complexions, protects your skin and boosts radiance for a gorgeous glow.”

Product Claims

Bourjois City Radiance has a special radiance-boosting formulation to banish dull skin and give you a smooth glowing complexion. It contains SPF30 and has an anti-pollution formula to keep your skin protected while lettingt it breathe. Meanwhile, it gives you up to 24 hours of hydration for a beautiful fresh look all day long.

With the Bourjois City Radiance Foundation you get the best of both worlds with a foundation that camouflages most normal skin imperfections while working to brighten the skin. The Bourjois City Radiance Foundation also offers SPF 30, so you getting higher sun protection than your average foundation.

Formula

The formula is nice and creamy, almost like a moisturiser, it is not too think and feels lightweight. It blends effortlessly into the skin and most importantly, it does not cling to my dry patches. It provides a medium coverage with a touch of luminosity and gives an instant boost of hydration when applied. It comes with the same scent of all the Bourjois foundations that I have tried which is fresh and fruity, I personally love the scent.

Application

I apply the City Radiance over the Bourjois Sculpt Light Strobing Highlighter (another favorite of mine from Bourjois) with a damp Real Techniques Miricle Complexion Sponge. I find this method to work the best with this foundation. When using a brush, I find that it can dull down the foundation on the skin, taking away that radiant finish it it famous for. I then apply a light dusting of the Urban Decay ‘The Illuminizer’ Powder to set the foundation.

Wear Time

Like the Bourjois Healthy Mix, I find I get about 8-9 hours wear time from this foundation. The wear time includes the steps I mentioned above.

Overall Thoughts

I think the foundation is a very nice option for those with normal, dry and/or mature skin because it offers hydration, it is lightweight and adds a bit of luminosity. People with oily skin may not enjoy this foundation as it does offer luminosity but it is all to personal preferences.

I like that the foundation offers extra benefits for the skin other than just coverage, it contains SPF30 and anti-pollution screen which helps protect the skin from damage. The City Radiance gives good coverage but looks very natural and lightweight on the skin. It does a fantastic job and brightening the skin on days when your skin is looking a little dull, and for that reason I’m kinda thinking this foundation is my new favorite from the Bourjois Foundation range.

The Bourjois Radiance Reveal Concealer

Because I’m now that little bit older, fine lines under my eyes are starting to appear and thicker/full coverage concealers are just not working for me anymore, yes they offer great coverage for my under eye bags but I’m beginning to notice that they are creasing terribly on me and drying out my under eye area.

This is where the Radiance Reveal Concealer comes in because of it’s claims to “Conceal imperfections, dark circles and puffiness for a fresh and radiant look, enriched with Mont Blanc glacier water & hyaluronic acid, it visibly smoothes away wrinkles and fine lines and hydrates the under eye area for up to 24 hours.”

Formula

Like The City Radiance Foundation, the formula is nice and creamy and it feels quite hydrating under the eye area. Again, it has the Bourjois signature scent but it does not linger for long.

Application

I apply the concealer with a damp Real Techniques Sponge. I use the pointier end of the sponge to apply concealer. It blends very well under the eyes and does not feel heavy. I set it lightly with my Laura Mercier Loose Translucent Powder. The coverage is light to medium so it does not cover my dark under eye area completely.

Wear Time

I get about 6 to 7 hours wear time without any issues, however, after this time I do notice it starting to separate and crease on me slightly.

Overall Thoughts

I am really enjoying this more natural concealer lately, it makes a difference from the more thicker/ heavy duty concealers I am used to. It does a beautiful job at brightening the under eye area and does not dry out that area like a lot of concealers tend to do. As I mentioned above it does not conceal all but I am happy with the coverage I get from it. It’s lightweight and natural and I’m loving it for my average everyday use.

You can pick both The City Radiance Foundation for €13.99 and The Radiance Reveal Concealer for €10.99 From Boots.

Thanks for reading,

Ciara xx

Too Faced Sweet Peach Eyeshadow Palette Review & Swatches

9th August 20179th August 2017

Too Faced Sweet Peach Palette – “Be sweet as a peach with these fresh-picked shades infused with the juicy scent and antioxidant-rich essence of peach. Create endless looks with 18 shades of peachy pinks, corals, bronzes, and pops of purples that will have you looking summer-fresh year-round.”

I wanted this palette for so, so long, even after hearing a lot of mixed reviews on it. I missed the boat the first time it was launched as a Limited Edition so I was delighted when Too Faced listened to the demand, re-stocked the palette and made it a part of their Permanent collection.

It actually took me a few months to commit to purchasing this palette, which is unusual for a Makeup Junkie like myself but I wasn’t sure if I really needed it in my collection. Apart fro the two ‘peachy’ shades in the palette, “Just Peachy” & “Candied Peach” , most of the shades in the Sweet Peach Palette I already have in my collection.

Packaging

There is no denying that the Too Faced packaging is always super cute. They do a fantastic job with their packaging in my opinion, The Sweet Peach Palette being no exception. The 18 shadows come housed in a cute tin pencil case like palette. I mean just look at it!

It just screams Spring/Summer vibes. Like most Too Faced palettes, the Sweet Peach is scented and this time it smells of peaches. I find myself randomly opening the palette just for a sniff. The palette itself takes me back to my childhood for some reason, I don’t know exactly what it is, however the smell reminds me so much of the scented Cupcake Dolls we had back in the 80’s… (Yes, I’m really showing my age now 😉 )

And of course, I had to insert a picture! I hope I’m not the only one out there that thinks that!!??

Anyway……… enough nostalgia Ciara! 🙂

Ok, so the packaging is super cute and the shadows smell yummy enough to eat, but how do the shadows perform? ….

Formula

As you can see from the swatches, the majority of the shades have a good colour pay off, however some, ironically, the more peachy shades, lack in pigment and require a little build up to reach a good colour pigmentation. “Delectable” & “Talk Derby To Me” are a little patchy when swatched but build up nicely on the eyes. Overall, the shades are very buttery and soft textured and therefore are easy to blend. Not much fall out at all either with these shadows.

Wear Time

I feel you get the best wear time from these shadows using an eyeshadow primer. The wear time can last anywhere between 6-8 hours before fading. The shimmery have a tendency to fade first but I find that with most shimmery shades anyway. The Sweet Peach works incredibly well for me as a day-to-day palette and I find myself reaching for it for more basic looks. “Puree” is the perfect crease colour and one of the shades I find myself reaching for most days. “Summer Yum” is another favorite of mine.

Overall Thoughts

So overall I think it’s a really nice palette, I absolutely love the packaging and the fact that it is scented makes it different and fun to use. If you’re an eyeshadow palette junkie it’s definitely something you are going to be interested in, that’s of course if you don’t have it already 😉

But if you take away the packaging and the sweet smelling shades, is it worth the hype? Yes, I think it is, granted some of the shades require a little more building than others and I would have liked to see more ‘peachy shades’ for a Peach Palette but I really like it, I can create a lot of different looks with it and there is a good mix of matte and shimmer shades.

I picked mine up from Debenhams for €47.00, find it here

Thanks for reading,

Ciara xx

Urban Decay ‘Naked Skin’ the Illuminizer Powder Review

7th August 2017

Urban Decay - 'Naked Skin' the Illuminizer Powder Review

The Urban Decay Naked Skin The Illuminizer Translucent Pressed Beauty Powder is a pressed beauty powder that can be worn all over as a setting powder or in targeted areas for a more strobed effect.

The powder contains Synthetic white sapphire that is said to give The Illuminizer a multidimensional, luminous finish. The pigments are semi-transparent that reflect light while still letting your skin show through. Special technology in the pigments also helps the formula to glide on and stay put.

The universal, translucent shade is said to work on any skin tone—from pale to deep—and is suitable for all skin types, regardless of your age or skin concerns.

Packaging

The Illuminizer comes in a custom compact. The compact is metallized and has an iridescent gold hue to it, when in direct light it become almost holographic. It has a gunmetal push button embossed with “Naked.” The top compartment features a full-size mirror and a separate compartment underneath holds the applicator sponge. (You know, them sponges that no one ever uses 😉 )

Urban Decay - 'Naked Skin' the Illuminizer Powder Review

Formula

The formula is creamy to the touch and very finely milled. It feels lightweight on the skin and doesn’t cling to dry patches on me. The formula is not completely translucent in my opinion as I feel it ever so slightly brightens my foundation when using it as a setting powder. Because of this, I’m not too sure how it would suit darker complexions than mine, and I am pretty fair.

I made a huge mistake of using this powder to set my under eye concealer and “Oh My God”, it was a disaster! It emphasised every single, little crease under my eyes and left that area super dry and crepey, really not a good look. I would not recommend the powder for under the eye area for that reason.

Application/Wear

I apply a small amount with a big fluffy brush and lightly press into the skin. It gives a very, very subtle radiant glow and in no way does it leave your skin looking like a disco-ball. The shimmer in the powder is very finely milled and you can only really notice it depending on how the light hits it , it is very natural and it just does a great job of brightening up your complexion.

My main reason for purchasing the powder was for the radiant, light diffusing glow it promises and it definitely does that. Because of my dry/dehydrated skin, I generally don’t like to use powder all the time because it can leave a matte finish. However, this product is different and keeps a bit of radiance to the skin.

As I mentioned above, I don’t recommend the powder for the under eyes especially if you suffer from dry under eyes like myself or have any fine lines in that area. Because the powder contains a light bit of shimmer, that shimmer is just going to cling to them areas.

I haven’t had any problems with it drying out my skin or clinging to dry patches on the rest of my face, however if you have any fine lines whatsoever I’d imagine this powder is just going to cling to them areas.

Overall Thoughts

It is a little pricey for the small amount of product you’re getting and if you are using it everyday over the entire face you are not going to get long out of it. And just for comparison; The MAC Studio Fix Powder contains 15g of product and The Urban Decay – ‘Naked Skin’ The Illuminizer contains 9g. Quite a substantial amount less than your average powder compact.

Despite the above, I’m really enjoying the powder, it’s lightweight and does not dry out my skin like a lot of pressed powders tend to do. I’m loving the very subtle glow it gives to my skin and its ability to brighten up my complexion.

I picked mine up from Urban Decay in House of Fraser for €29.50 and can also found at Debenhams here

Thanks for reading,

Ciara xx

Note Luminous Moisturizing Foundation Review

7th August 20177th August 2017

I have been hearing so many great things about the Note Cosmetics brand over the past few months, it seems like all the the Irish Beauty Bloggers are talking about it and have great things to say. If you haven’t heard of Note Cosmetics, it’s a German company that launched in Ireland in 2016. Apart from having a very affordable line, they also claim that they are:

Paraben Free
Animal Cruelty Free
Environmentally Friendly
Using high quality, all natural ingredients
Dermotologically tested
Contains special ingredients & Vitamins

I have read some great reviews about their foundations, so I picked up the Note Luminous Moisturizing Foundation from the line as it claims to be suited to dry/ prone to dry skin.

Product Description

Note Luminous Moisturizing Foundation Tube protects & balances your skin tone with a natural coverage that lasts all day long. It highly moisturizes your skin thanks to Sweet Almond Oil with antioxidants features & Macadamia Oil that contains essential acids. SPF 15.

Formula

The Note Luminous Foundation has a thick creamy consistency. Because it contains Sweet Almond Oil and Macadamia Oil, it feels very moisturising to the touch. The texture and the consistancy of it remind me very much of the MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation, which was a favorite of mine for years and is a great foundation for anyone with dry skin.

Application

I either apply it with my Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge or my Real Techniques Buffing Brush. Both techniques give completely different results in my opinion.

I’ve always loved how the Complexion Sponge applies foundation on my dry skin, however, by using a buffing brush with this foundation it really blends the product into the skin, thus, getting that little bit longer wear out of this foundation. It spreads effortlessly on to the skin and a little goes a long way with this product, so much is needed to cover the entire face.

It’s very moisturising and feels very comfortable to wear (especially on my dry skin).

Finish

Although the foundation is very moisturising, I don’t find that it is in any way “Luminous” as it claims to be. I find that it leaves a satin to an almost matte finish on my skin when dried down completely.

The foundation dries down and sets pretty fast in comparison to other “Luminous” or “Glowy” foundations I own. And just for comparison, I find The Bourjois Healthy Mix to give a more illuminating finish and it is not marketed as a “Luminous” foundation. (Just for comparison)

Dispite not living up to its claim of being a Luminous Foundation. I am really enjoying the foundation and it sits beautifully on the skin. It keeps me hydrated throughout the day and does not cling to any dry patches.

Coverage

You get a really good bit of coverage with this foundation, I would say it is a medium coverage that is definitely build-able to a more full coverage. I have had no problems achieving a full coverage and it bulids very easily.

Wear Time

As I mentioned above, by applying the foundation with a buffing brush, I found I got the longest wear time from this foundation, averaging at about 7 to 8 hours. That wear time includes using a primer and a setting spray with the foundation.

Overall Thoughts

The Note Luminous Moisturizing Foundation is very impressive. No, it’s not Luminous in my opinion but it is moisturising, very moisturising and perfect for dry skin like it claims. I am excited to try out more from this very affordable brand.

I must also point out that the scent of the foundation is straight up SPF scented ;), doesn’t bother me in the slighted, but I know that scent drives some people crazy so I thought it worth mentioning.

I purchased my Note Luminous Moisturizing Foundation from McCabes Pharmacy for €9.95 and can also be picked up from Meaghers Pharmacy here for €9.95

Thanks for reading,

Ciara xx

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