Lets talk acne: My favourite foundation!

*Sorry for the messy eyebrows guys.. growing-out-my-eyebrows-to reshape-them problems*

Why Estee Lauder?

I’ve always had a thing for Estee Lauder. I don’t know whether it’s because I’ve seen my mum use the products religiously since I was a dot, or because Kendall Jenner is the face of the brand - either way, it’s a brand I’ve dabbled in here and there. I even worked on counter for some weeks before my hectic university timetable wouldn’t allow me to carry on. So, it’s fair to say I’ve got a little soft spot for the products that I spent much of my time learning about.

My skin

I have oily to combination skin, which at times can be a little unruly. It goes through stages – mainly for hormonal reasons – and sometimes it’s clear whilst other times I have crazy breakouts. I wish I was one of those people who only gets a spot or two but no, when I break out, I really break out. And it was on one of those bad skin days that I decided to go on the hunt for a foundation that doesn’t feel like an oily layer on my skin or clog pores, whilst lasting a long time.

The down low on Double Wear Light

Double Wear Light is pretty self-explanatory for already avid users of the original Double Wear. It’s a much lighter formula for people looking for sheer-to-medium coverage; it still carries elements of the original formula that so many women love, and it lasts all day!

I’ve used Double Wear before, but full cover in a foundation isn’t a desirable quality for me anymore. A lot of the time my face feels cakey and uncomfortable – I hate it! However, Double Wear Light allows me to start off with sheer everyday coverage that can be built up without feeling thick and oily on the skin; it’s perfect for those looking for a fuss-free foundation that gives a beautiful finish.

But most importantly, for those who suffer with acne like myself this lightweight foundation is non-acnegenic (products that are formulated to not clog the pores) and oil-free just like the original Double Wear, which is so useful for oily skin types that are prone to breakouts.

The lightweight formula is perfect for summer, and along with SPF 10, it really takes care of your skin all year round.

Why have I chosen Double Wear Light instead of the original?

I’ve recently taken a different approach to my skincare and makeup and I think this is important for all acne sufferers who are conscious of their skin. It’s so important to be patient with yourself and your skin during a breakout and I’ve come to realise that no amount of makeup caked on my face will make me feel any more comfortable with my spots. So instead, I think it’s time we embrace the lumps and bumps. Our skin goes through so many changes throughout our lives and the naturally ‘airbrushed’ look is almost impossible without Photoshop.

Instead, I’ve been using lighter products to cover up redness and just accepting that today, this is how my skin has decided to be and I think we all should. After all, I can guarantee that the only person looking at your spots is you – give people a pretty smile to look at instead!

What makeup or skincare products are you loving for acne-prone skin this Summer? : - )

Get the hottest skincare trend with Clinique!

Spring is on the way and it's time to get this seasons hottest catwalk trend, the fresh faced, no makeup look. With a little prep of course, it's possible to achieve naturally clear and even looking skin with a full coverage but lightweight foundation - something that drugstore brands haven't quite achieved yet.

Clinique have recently launched their 'beyond coverage' two in one foundation that combines the colour correction of a foundation and the coverage of a concealer into one product. The formula is really creamy and lightweight which is surprising for a foundation combined with a heavy duty concealer, and is perfect for coverage as well as comfort. When applied, it doesn't sit on the skin - which can sometimes make it obvious that you're wearing makeup - instead, it LOOKS LIKE SKIN! This is something I've been looking for a while now. I used to be obsessed with Loreal True Match but after looking in a mirror that was a little too honest, I could see every little pore in my face which did not look attractive at all.

With Benefits Porefessional for prep, this foundation stayed on my face all day without any patchiness or slippage which is great for anyone with oily skin. Clinique also do a foundation in their anti-blemish range to target these problems but I find the formula harder to blend which can make my makeup look a bit unnatural. The 'beyond coverage' foundation is easily bendable with my Real Techniques expert face brush and keeps some of the dewiness, perfect for the healthy no-makeup glow.

Also, the doe foot applicator really deserves a mention. Hats off to whoever decided to incorporate this into the packaging because I haven't seen anything like it and it makes application soooo much easier. It prevents wastage, which I hate when you've spent a bit of money on the product, and it's loyal to the concealer aspect of the formula. Simply dot a little around the eyes or on any spots for coverage where you need it!

The Real Techniques expert face brush is perfect for blending and buffing foundation into the skin. It's the best brush I've ever used for foundation application and it has to be my favourite part of doing my makeup! It's also super soft and easy to clean which is an added bonus! There's nothing worse than a bristly brush that can be itchy and malts like no tomorrow!

Finally, the fresh faced catwalk look can only be achieved with clear skin. Like many people I'm sure, there is never a time when I don't have blemishes. This is when I reach for my anti-blemish solutions clinical clearing gel, something that I've been using on and off over the years as the beauty blogger inside always wants to try new products. It's a light gel with salicylic acid in the formula, that can be applied twice a day over cleansed skin and spot-applied for leave-on blemish treatment. It's perfect for those 'oops I left my makeup on' mornings when those blighters make an appearance!

FOTD: Get festive with Kiko - a warm eye look

Seen in photograph: 

- Foundation: Bourjois healthy mix (Vanilla)
- Concealer: Collection 2000 Lasting perfection concealer ( 01 Fair)
- Benefit Hoola Bronzer
- Lipstick: MAC Kinda Sexy
- Eyes (my staple product!): Kiko long lasting eyeshadow stick (37 Burgundy)


Not seen in photograph (because packaging is too grubby):

-Powder: Max Factor creme puff pressed powder (41 medium beige)
-Mascara: Bourjois volume 1 second mascara (ultra black)
-Brows: Hi impact brows palette

I LOVE this look. The warm burgundy eye is perfect for winter and the up-coming festive season! Team with a nude lip for a casual day look or with a dark berry lip for a mysterious, sexy evening do. Heavy contouring will always be in - from Cheryl to Kim Kardashian, effortlessly get the look with Benefits famous bronzer, Hoola! I never leave the house without my ol'faithful Hoola... even though it's getting a little bit grubby. It also has no shimmer and appears completely matte which doesn't make it too overpowering for everyday use - holy grail right there!

Kiko's burgundy eyeshadow stick also makes blue eyes really stand out and is soooo flattering, so blue eyed beauties... get to Kiko! I also love how easy it is to apply as eyeshadow can be a little daunting. It's a quick fix product that can completely transform a look in seconds; simply sweep and blend for a flawless finish!

I really hope you enjoyed this post because I haven't done a FOTD or MOTD in a loooooooong time. Be sure to let me know what products you're loving for the upcoming festive season and any eye products that make blue eyes pop!

Estée Lauder Double Wear foundation

Hello girls! This is just a quick post to share with you my holy grail foundation which is just flawless! Since coming back from holiday my skin has been a little oily, spot prone and all round temperamental; finding a foundation that fits my skin type can be quite the challenge. My Mum has always sworn by 

Estée Lauder's best seller Double Wear foundation.

It's suitable for any skin type, because although it's oil-free for those with oily skin, I find it quite moisturising, not drying my skin but maintaining and balancing the essential oils.  

Clinique chubby stick: 11 two ton tomato

NEW: Benefit Big Easy: multi-balancing complexion perfector

I FINALLY found the time to spend my Debenhams gift card on this beauty! Newly launched, Benefits Big Easy multi-balancing complexion perfector had me slightly puzzled at first; now it's made it onto my very much sought after professional favourites list (more like a piece of scrap paper with scribbles of my best buys) but even so, in all of its glorious packaging, it's fabulous.

At first, I was curious to try out a new product with such bold promises- can a liquid really turn into powder? But after trying it I was pleasantly surprised. It seems like it was sent from the heavens specially for my skin type because I have annoying clogged up, oily skin. So whenever I buy a foundation I have to buy its best buddy, a powder, to fight the pesky shine here and there.

Big Easy, once applied, leaves a soft warm complexion that once rubbed in creates a matte finish; no longer do I have to waste so much money on powders- Just what I need!

*Quick Tip*  It also transforms to the correct shade of your skin if you warm up the product by rubbing a little between your fingers before application. I have a relatively light skin tone- so I thought until I had a beauty consolation- but light/medium is perfect for me because I like to alternate between my natural ghostly white skin tone to a light tan.

This product is fabulouso for everyday use, with a light weight finish and light coverage (I only use heavy foundations when I go out) although you can build up the product if you want higher coverage. It also has SPF 35 so it should be handy when the good old British summer makes an appearance!

Thumbs up to ya Benefit, you've created a gooden!

Say yes to bold Black Cherry lips!

Gorgeous Gothic tones have managed to make it into my favourites this season. I love how a dark lipstick can transform any look from pretty to quirky in seconds. From catwalk to high street, I thought I'd give it a go and make a bold statement with this drugstore Revlon lippy.

Me being as sneaky as I am, I decided to test out my new lip colour on a dinner date with my boyfriend, Sam. Despite a high proportion of men being oblivious to a change of hair colour, new top- or anything in fact, I managed to receive the comment:"nice lipstick Laura… mysterious". Well at least that's something!
However as the night went on, the colour seemed to fade and due to the lack of drinking straws, even Sam noticed my new disappearing lipstick. Doubled up with the shimmer instead of a matte finish, the colour didn't really stand a chance. WARNED: If you wear this product on a night out, be prepared to take a handful of straws or be ready to whack it out and reapply in the middle of a bar/club/restaurant!

Despite the sacred 'long-lasting' characteristic being scarce, I absolutely love the colour. Rely on the darker tones to inject a little quirkiness into any outfit. So you're having a lazy day? With your statement lippy on hand, a simple jumper and jeans co-ord can even be transformed into a high fashion look!

With Valentines Day just round the corner, why not try something different and go for the so called 'mysterious' look- maybe your date will notice too!

Achieve those Sleek and chiseled cheekbones!

Don't lie ladies, we all want those celebrity chiseled cheekbones that have swamped the media over the past year. Apparently looking like we've been stuck in a wind tunnel has never seemed more appealing thanks to Kimmy Kardashian. But is it possible to get the high end look at an affordable price? YES YES YES, thanks to Sleek MakeUp! A god send for us unfortunates on a budget. 

 This Sleek face Contour Kit has managed to make it to my favourites, an exciting prospect considering I'm incredibly fussy when it comes to my makeup and skin. It's my sleek and secret tool, always at the ready in my handbag when those cheekbones need chiseling. 

I have to admit, I was incredibly excited when it got delivered the other day as I've never thought to use a contouring kit- mainly because my cheekbones aren't exactly existent so I didn't think using one would make a difference. But I guess magic can happen, because definition is now my best friend! 

It's also so affordable, so it made sense for me to try it; buying over priced products doesn't appeal to me, especially when I don't know if it will live up to the price. But this kit is worth every penny and probably my most genius buy in a long long time, and I have purchased some shockers in my time. 

The little kit of heaven contains a pressed powder and a highlighter, perfectly complimenting each other  to create subtle but noticeable definition. I am so obsessed with the highlighter I think I go a little over board with it, but you can never have enough right? It's so pigmented and girly so perfect for nights out or those days when less is more.
I decided to go for the lightest contouring kit, because I'm naturally quite pale and I didn't want the contouring to be too BAM in your face. I know I come from Essex, but the over the top orange look is definitely not my thing. Less is always more in my eyes- apart from nights out, then go crazy.

I like to apply the pressed powder on the apple of my cheeks and just underneath where my cheekbone should be. This creates a darker, defined look whilst applying the highlighter to the upper and lower area of the cheekbones emphasises the contouring, adding a beautiful shimmer. It's also so pigmented so lasts most of the day... who ever thought it could be so easy? However, due to my highlighting obsession I also like to apply it under the brow bone, tip of the nose and cupids bow. I find it creates a more natural, glowing look- although the first time I used it I looked like an explosion in a glitter factory… not the best look!

However, don't fall into the trap of getting too ambitious with your contouring- I think poor Linsey Lohan can show us the consequences of this. But of course, as always, Kim shows us how contouring should really look: chic, subtle and gorgeous! 

Thanks to Sleek, it doesn't matter if your cheekbones are kind of.. a tiny bit.. not there, because a little tweak with this contouring kit can go a long way! It's my favourite drug store product at the moment and an incredibly worthy REPURCHASE! Whether you've used it or not, let me know what you think!

WINTER ROUGE

Estée Lauder- (48A33) Hot Kiss Shimmer, Long lasting colour- ROUGE 

Hello girls! Just a quick post to share with you my favourite lipstick at the moment, thank the heavens for Estée Lauder! I absolutely love the winter months, wrapping up warm and sporting the woollies, summery make up colours are put aside and hello deep burgundy. The deep, winter earthy tones are my favourite and I love how they can warm up any complexion- this is my favourite lipstick shade but Estée Lauder have a ton of deep reddish, burgundy shades to choose from to match your complexion. The packaging is also chic and girly- the cute gold, shimmery squares add a bit of festivity so even better for Christmas and New Year.

This lippy has made it to my favourites not only because of the gorgeous shade, but the light shimmer is so flattering, perfect for the upcoming New Year! It's so versatile; I love wearing it with either a natural eye just as much as a smokey, party look- simply beautiful! Oh and I also decided to test the 'long-lasting' promise and unlike many other brands I've tried, it's worked! I can't help but cringe when I see celebrities on the TV who have accidentally smudged their lippy- so distracting and not flattering (but slightly humorous I have to admit). It seems to be kiss proof and there is minimal smudging when eating or drinking; after a while the shimmer fades but the general colour seems to remain strong all day, yay!

It does annoy me when people say that blonds can't wear red lipsticks or if somebody doesn't have the right skin tone to pull it off- SCRAP THAT! Red lipstick screams confidence and is an instant head turner. Regardless of skin tone or hair colour, I would strongly recommend having a "winter rouge" lipstick in your makeup collection; bold and beautiful, enter the New Year by making a statement. 

MY MAKEUP LOOK TODAY… Natural, with a healthy glow

 Lancome Colour Design- Sensational Effects Eyeshadows 

I love this pallet, the colours are bold but natural and make the eyes pop.. particularly the shimmer shades which helped me to create a natural glow for my look today.

Topshops All Over Glow- Liquid Illuminator 

Applying this below the brow line, cupids bow and cheek bones create a beautiful shine when the light hits your face- illuminates and brightens the skin.

Max Factor- Wild Mega Volume- Volumising Mascara- 

I have naturally short eyelashes but this mascara works like magic!

Max Factor Creme Puff Pressed Powder- Natural 

The best powder I have ever used- affordable, flawless coverage, long-lasting and actually smells good!

Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch 

This is only a recent discovery, it softens the under eyes beautifully before applying concealer- a natural finish and I would definitely recommend- despite the price.

2True- Twist 'n' Line Eye Definer 

So it's cheap but does the job! As the photographs show, putting a touch in the corner of my eyes makes a natural but bold statement, highlighting and defining my eyes. A bargain! 

2True- Effortless Eyeliner 

Yet again, another cheap one, but I get through so many liquid eyeliners because I wear it most days, so 2Trues Effortless Eyeliner works best for me. Cheap but long-lasting! Another bargain...

L'Oreal Paris Rose Radieux Illuminating powder 

*Look at my 'favourite quick fix beauty products' post to see my review*

Seventeen Phwoarr Paint- Heavy duty under eye concealer 

*Look at my 'favourite quick fix beauty products' post to see my review*

B.Cheeky Blusher- 130 Macaroon

Beautiful colour, affordable and gives a girly, rosey finish to my makeup look today.