Rimmel's NEW Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation REVIEW!!!

One of my all time favourite powders is Rimmel's Stay Matte Pressed Powder. I did try the original Stay Matte foundation (which is still available in shops so don't get confused) and wasn't too gone on it but when I seen that they had launched a new addition to the Stay Matte collection but this time in a Liquid Mousse formulation I was eager to try. 

Rimmel claims that the new Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation "leaves skin shineless yet feels weightless & cakeless" Sounds like the perfect Matte foundation right??

So does it stand up to it's claims??



-Well, it doesn't keep my skin 100% shine free on it's own but to help it stay matte for longer I do powder over it because I noticed that when I didn't I seen some shine creeping through around 11am (applied it at 8am). 

      NO MAKEUP                             WITH FOUNDATION        

-It definitely feels weightless on my skin. I was actually really surprised at how light it feels as the coverage can be built up to be medium/heavy coverage(but not full coverage). You need a really tiny amount to cover the entire face. I needed very little concealer to hide my pigmentation and blemishes after using this. The after picture above is me with just this foundation on and nothing else!!!

-As for the cakeless this is true for the most part although I did notice that it does cling to my drier areas like the area around my nose. However, I must add that it doesn't cake half as much as some other, more expensive matte foundations!!

-It blends really well onto the skin with no effort at all. The texture is kind of mousse like and feels soft and almost fluffy once you work the product into the skin. It also contains gel emulsifiers so this adds extra blend-ability!!!

Quiet a thick consistency to begin with

Dab it with your brush to soften the product before applying to the face

To apply this foundation I used Sigma's F80 flat top Kabuki Brush or Real Techniques Buffing brush from the Core Collection and both worked well. I do feel that this foundation would work just as well with your clean fingers. I don't like to use it with a normal foundation brush though. The main reason for this is when you squirt some product out it is quiet thick and needs to be worked well into the skin. I don't feel the regular foundation brushes do this well so if you have a kabuki/buffing brush use this or alternatively use your clean fingers. Also, because the foundation is thick if you use a regular foundation brush it will leave brush marks on your face....not a good look. For best results you should apply a small amount to the back of your hand, dab it with your brush like I did in the above picture to soften the product and then work it well into the skin. 

Use this ...............or this.................but not this

I have combination skin so my face isn't ultra oily but I would definitely see shine creeping through around my T-zone with other foundations. I am not sure that this would control shine for really oily skin though, it would help mattify it for a certain amount of time but as far as shine free skin all day long....I am not so sure. If you used a mattifying primer underneath and topped it with powder it would work well but that may be matte overload for some people. 

When I applied this foundation and set with powder I felt like it washed my skin out completely because it was so matte but once I added blush, bronzer and some highlight I really did like the look of my skin and it stayed in place with absolutely no touch ups for at least 6-8 hours which is pretty cool for such an inexpensive product. I don't use a matifying powder over the top of this. I used Mac's Mineralized Skin Finish Natural which is a very light powder which, if worn with another non matte foundation I would be an oily mess in a few minutes so it's not that the powder is doing the work but I just think that the foundation needs a little bit of help for it do it's job best. 

Neat and user friendly packaging

I also have to give some props to the packaging. Not the most exciting I have ever seen but none the less I love that it is a very compact little tube that won't take up too much room in your makeup bag. The packaging feels almost matte which I thought was a really cool little touch seems as this is a matte foundation. Usually I hate matte packaging because the product from your hands usually clings to it but this one can be easily wiped down and it doesn't stain the tube. The fact that it is a tube aswell is a big plus for me because it's easy to use and I feel I get to use all the product up as I can give it a good squeeze when it gets to the end. 

Rimmel's Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation is available in 6 shades. Just a little note that the shades start at 010 Light Porcelain as opposed to some of the Rimmel foundations which start at 100 Ivory. It costs €7.95 for a 30ml tube. I got mine at Boots and at the time of purchase it was Buy 1 Get 1 Half Price on all makeup so I got this for less than €4. At the time of posting this the offer is still available. 

I will definitely continue to use this product and would definitely recommend this to people who have combination bordering on slightly oily skin but not for those of you who suffer from dryness. I think this foundation would be fantastic for teenagers who suffer from acne because it gives a lovely finish to the skin that looks matte but natural and gives great coverage plus for the price its great for a teenagers pocket. I know if this product was around when I was a teen I would have been very happy to buy it. 

Have you tried this foundation and if so what did you think of it? Would love to hear what you oily skinned gals thought of it.

Have a wonderful day, Much love. 

Anita xxxxx

Foundation 101: Right Tools for the Job

Following on from my last blog post Foundation 101:Choosing the right one next up is a post on the the different types of tools available to apply your favourite foundation. Hopefully this will be useful to you. 

The market is flooded with all types of tools/brushes to apply your foundation with. I have tried a lot of them and found that in their own little way they are all very useful and all provide different finishes. Here is a breakdown of what tools give what finishes:

Sigma F60 Foundation Brush

-The Flat Synthetic Foundation Brush-This is used almost like a paint brush, painting the products onto the face. This will give a fuller coverage. When using this make sure to blend the foundation well as it is very easy to miss an area of the face.  If not blended well it can also leave streaks on the face so be sure to blend any lines out with a sponge or fingers after application. There are a lot of good brushes on the market but one of my favourite is the Sigma F60 Foundation brush. These can be bought online on various websites.

Top: Sigma F80 Flat Top Kabuki and Bottom: Real Techniques Buffing Brush

-Kabuki Brush- This is a relatively new tool to apply foundation with but in my eyes it’s the BEST. These brushes have dense tapered bristles which means that they will give a full coverage application. There are synthetic kabuki brushes which are used for liquid and cream products and natural haired ones which are used for application of powder or mineral makeup.  Kabuki’s come in all shapes and sizes but the two which I love the most are the Real Techniques Buffing Brush (from the Core Collection) and the Sigma F80 Flat Top Kabuki Brush. They give amazing coverage and you only need a small amount of product. Full coverage that’s easy on the pocket……sold!!!!!!

Sigma F50 Fibre Brush

-The Duo Fibre Brush- This was my fav brush until the Kabuki’s came along. They are still great for applying liquid foundations and will give an air-brushed effect if you buff the product in a circular motion onto the skin. However, in my eyes they don’t come close to the Kabuki for full coverage but if you want medium coverage then this is your baby! I haven’t given up on this brush completely though as I use it on a daily basis for applying my bronzer. If you want a strong contoured bronze look this wouldn’t be the brush to use but if you want to just add a natural glow to the skin using a powder bronzer then this will do the job. This brush is also great for applying mineral makeup.  Again much love for Sigma as you just cannot beat their F50 Duo Fibre brush.

-A sponge- Used damp this will give a sheer finish to the skin or can be applied more heavily in places by dabbing the product onto the skin to get a heavier coverage (often this is only needed on the cheek area). However, the sponge does soak up a lot of product and so can waste a lot of product! Not to mention the fact that they aren’t particularly good for the environment if you are constantly throwing them away. They can also hold bacteria if you reuse them without washing them. I do love sponges for blending out any harsh lines left after cream products though!! Any brand will do the job in this case. 

Beauty Blender

-The beauty blender- This is egg shaped and does the same thing as the sponge except it provides a more seamless finish with less waste as it doesn’t absorb the product. This is a haven for bacteria too  so be sure to clean this regularly. Full review on the beauty blender coming very soon.

I hope this was of some help to you. I know choosing the best tool for foundation application isn't an easy task and I hope this little post has helped you get to grips with it a little better. Please feel free to ask me any questions you may have. xxxx

Foundation 101: Choosing the right one

Beautiful Image from www.beccacosmetics.com

Every girl wants the infamous flawless face and it is this that makeup artists and women across the globe strive to achieve everyday. The flawless face can involve any or all of the following basic products:

1)Primer

2)Foundation

3)Concealer

4)Powder

The main area that causes women the most heart-ache is trying to find the right foundation for their skin(colour and formulation). This post is here to help you with choosing the right foundation for you.

If you are going to wear foundation, primer is a must. Put a cent-size amount in your palm, spread it over your fingers and gently massage the product over your entire face, just as you would your moisturiser. If you have sensitive eyes avoid this area, however if you can tolerate it it is a great base for your eye makeup (there is also a specific eyelid primer available, check back here for future posts about eye makeup application). Primer seals in your moisturiser and provides a smooth surface for foundation. It also keeps your makeup from being absorbed by the skin, giving your makeup greater staying power throughout the day. I am a big fan of Inglot's Under Makeup Base, read my full review here.

In order to choose the best foundation for your skin type we need to look at two things 1)The colour of the foundation and 2)The formulation of the product.

1)CHOOSING THE RIGHT COLOUR OF FOUNDATION:

To be sure you have got the perfect shade for you, pick three colours from the same range that are closest to your complexion tone. Put a small stripe of each on the skin right above the jawline. The one that seems to disappear is the best colour for you. Its also advisable to look at this in a natural sun light as the artificial lights of shops can be deceiving. Be sure to carry a hand mirror when shopping for foundation so you can go outside and look at the foundation in the natural light. Also do not be afraid to ask the sales assistant for a sample of the product so you can take it home and try it in your own comfort. This is highly recommended for anyone with oily/combination skin as alot of foundations tend to mix with the oils in your skin and get darker as they settle into the skin. If this is the case you may need to go a shade lighter to compensate for this. 

If your skin colour on your face, neck and chest do not match, you may have to adjust the foundation for them to blend evenly. You can bring all the tones in line by adding a darker foundation or tinted moisturiser to your existing foundation so your face can match a darker chest for example. You can also use this trick in the summer if you have a nice tan and your foundation doesn't match your skin anymore or also if you protect your face but have a tan elsewhere. Adding a touch of liquid bronzer (Estee Lauder do a beautiful one) to your foundation adds a sunkissed look to your skin. This can also be done with a liquid highlighter which will add some light reflecting particles to your foundation to give you a glowing look (but be careful not to overdo it as this can look very shiny if too much is applied). Also adding a moistuiser to a foundation makes the consistency more sheer and often people like this during the day and then use the foundation at night when heavier coverage is wanted.

2)CHOOSING THE RIGHT FORMULATION FOR YOUR SKIN TYPE:

There are 7 main textures of foundation. Each one is specially formulated to meet the needs of specific skin types.

1. Cream Foundation is ideal for: Normal, combination and dry skin. There are also oil free cream foundations which are perfect for oilier skins. It is especially well suited for women with uneven pigmentation and acne, or those requiring a heavier coverage.

Coverage: Medium to full.

Finish: Dewy to Matte depending on product you choose. The oil free formulas tend to be more mattifying.

What it does: Covers and conceals discolorations and  imperfections on the skin providing a flawless finish.

Application: Use a make up sponge or a foundation/kabuki brush.

Example of Foundation: Laura Mercier Silk Cream Foundation

2. Liquid Foundation is ideal for: All Skin types, if you have very oily skin you should only use oil free liquid foundations. It is especially well suited for dry or mature skin.

Coverage: Light to medium

Finish: Dewy, satin or matte depending on the formulation.

What it does: Evens out the skin tone by smoothing out any unevenness. It also provides added moisture to the skin.

Application: Use a make up sponge or a foundation/kabuki brush.

Example of Foundation: Mac Studio Fix Fluid

3. Pressed powder foundation is ideal for: Oily skin

Coverage: Medium to Full.

Finish: Matte.

What it does: Evens out the skin tone, hides imperfections and absorbs excess oil.

Application: Use a powder/kabuki brush. The denser the bristles, the more product will be deposited on the skin.

Example of Foundation: Mac Studio Fix Powder

4. Mineral foundation is ideal for: All skin types. It is especially well suited for those with sensitive skin or rosacea.

Coverage: Light to medium

Finish: Matte.

What it does: Evens out the skin tone, moisturizes, protects and absorbs excess oil.

Application: Use a kabuki brush to buff it on.

Example of Foundation: Bare Minerals Powders

5. Tinted Moisturiser is ideal for: Normal and dry skin. It is especially well suited for those who need extra hydration and just a touch of color to pull everything together.

Coverage: Sheer to light.

What it does: Lightly evens out the skin tone, while giving a “no make up” look.

Application: Use a foundation brush or your clean fingers.

Example of Foundation: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser

6. Stick Foundation is ideal for: All skin types (except oily)

Coverage: Medium to Full

What it does: Can be used to even out the skin only in areas where coverage is needed or can be blended all over the face for a more full coverage finish.

Application: Apply from the stick and blend with a damp makeup sponge

Example of Foundation: Bobbi Brown Stick Foundation

7: BB Creams are ideal for : All skin types as there is a formula for every skin type

Coverage: Sheer to Light

What it does: Provides a small amount of coverage while at the same time has added skincare benefits. It's an all round product that replaces moisturisers, serums and tinted moisturisers in your daily routine

Application: Apply with clean fingers or for more coverage apply with a Kabuki brush

Example of Foundation: Dr Jart+ BB Cream

Whatever your skin type, you have a variety of choices. Pick the one that is best for you and start reaping the benefits today.

I really hope you found this post helpful and stay tuned for my next few posts in the foundation 101 series. Still to come is the best tools to apply your foundation with and then my tried and tested foundations which will give you an insight into my honest opinion of the foundations I have tried throughout the years.

Have a wonderful day xxxx

My everyday Mac Essentials

Over the last few months I have really started to love Mac again. As a teen I was obsessed with this brand but then as I got more interested in makeup and learnt more about it I started to try new brands. However, as I am a self confessed Youtube addict I watch so many different makeup "gurus" and some of them are Mac makeup artists and so use alot of the products in their videos which made me want to  try them out again. When I use Mac I always feel like you can rely on the products because they always seem to deliver great long lasting results(well except for one or two of them).

My everyday makeup routine consists of five Mac products, amongst other brands of course!!! So if you would like to know which products I use the most from Mac then keep reading:

I am loving Studio Fix Fluid Foundation (I am shade NC20 at the moment). This foundation is very light on the skin but has amazing coverage and lasts all day. This doesn't cause me to break out either which is fantatsic, I am such a fan of this. It has an SPF of 15 in it which is very handy indeed. 

To set the foundation I adore Mineralized Skin Finish Natural (shade Medium). This just gives a beautiful veil to the skin that looks "natural" but holds makeup in place all day. If you are oily I would recommend using a blotting powder under this to eliminate oil production during the day. This is also great buffed onto bare skin for a light coverage on days when you don't fancy wearing a full face of makeup.

Melba Blush Powder has to be my all time favourite blush. It is a matte peachy rosy colour that looks well on all skintones and is great for all seasons. I love it in the summer to add a peachy fresh glow to the skin but then its great in the winter with a dark lip and pale skin. A definite must have for all occasions. 

I love Mac's paint pots as eye primers.My favourite one is Painterly. This is a flesh coloured cream eyeshadow that evens out the skintone on your eyelids and preps the lid for eyeshadow. It also makes your eyeshadow go on effortless and last, crease-free all day.

To add a nice tint to the lips for everyday without looking OTT I love to use Cultured Lipglass. This is a beautiful pearly pink colour that goes so well with alot of makeup looks. Its an easy colour to use as you don't need to think about if its going to work with your look because its sure to !!

Melba Blush,Cultured Lipglass and Painterly paint pot

Well that's the five Mac products that I use in my everyday makeup routine. What Mac products do you like best?? I will be adding to my Mac collection soon I am sure so would love if you could all recommend your fav products so I can check them out. Have a great day my beauties. xxxxx

DECODERM MAKE UP|CARE Review

So anyone that has followed me for the last few months would know that I struggle with extra sensitive skin prone to acne breakouts but at the same time I am a makeup addict!! So when I was given the opportunity to try a makeup brand that was good for my skin and created with sensitive skin in mind I leaped at the chance. 

ABOUT THE BRAND

Beauty Professionals have all loved and trusted ALPAPARF Milano for over two decades now. This well known name has given us high quality and reliable skincare and haircare for a long time now and their most recent additional to their portfolio is no exception!!! 

Introducing DECODERM MAKE UP|CARE a range of makeup products that have been scientifically researched and developed aswell as tested by dermatologists and opthamologists to reduce the risks of irritations and allergic reactions to the skin. The entire range is fragrance and paraben free and it claims to give women natural products but that perform just like our usual cosmetic brands that are full of lots of nasties. 

DECODERM offers a range of products in the line from amazing under makeup primers to on trend lipsticks and everything in between!

DECODERM MAKE UP|CARE

PRODUCTS I TRIED AND TESTED

So on to the good stuff now. The products I tried and loved are: 

-16H Aqua Foundation in Shade 03 (slightly too dark for my normal skin but beautiful with tan)

-Hydra Blush in Shade 02

-3D Magnificent Gloss in Shade 03 

Love the pump bottle. Makes application easy

I have an obsession with foundation but often breakout when I try new ones so was really excited to give the 16H Aqua Foundation a try. The reason I chose this one over the other foundations in the range was because it claims to keep skin moisturised (but not oily) while staying in place for 16hours+, my type of foundation!! My experience with this foundation was nothing but positive. I adore the texture of this product, the minute its applied you can feel it giving you the hydration that your skin needs but without adding any unwanted oil to the skin. The coverage is very good but not OTT or cakey and definitely does last a long time with no more powder touch ups than I have to do with other foundations. I also love the fact that this foundation has natural protective filters that helps protect the skin against UV Rays.

3D Gloss and Hydra Blush swatch

The Hydra Blush is my favourite product from the three I tried. This little beauty actually contains Hyaluronic Acid which is amazing for keeping elasticity and moisture in the skin. This blush blends effortlessly and stays put all day. I noticed that my cheeks seemed flawless and almost airbrushed when I applied this blush so I had to do some investigation and it is made from soft focus powders which aid in masking imperfections and also diffuses light. The colour I chose is a rosy colour that gives a beautiful flush to the cheeks but is buildable so you can apply as much as you want to get your desired look. This blush is in no way cakey or powdery and is a definite staple in my makeup kit from now on. 

Great Brush Applicator

The 3D Magnificent Gloss also contains Hyaluronic Acid which is great in a gloss as it adds and maintains moisture to the lips.I chose a peachy coral colour in the lipgloss as this would be one that I would use on an everyday basis so thought this would be best to try out for you all. Again, I have nothing bad to say about this product. It adds a beautiful sheen to the lips and definitely does plump them up (without that tingle feeling). My favourite thing about this product is the applicator. It is a brush type applicator that makes applying the product very easy and is not messy in anyway. Love this. I love to layer this over lipsticks to add a new dimension to the colour of the lipstick. I did notice a beautiful pout to my lips after trying this gloss and this is thanks to the amazing ingredients jam packed into this little tube. It contains a blend of Volulip and Hyaluronic Acid that work together to give a great power pout combination. 

So when I apply my makeup now using DECODERM MAKE UP|CARE Products I think all the boxes are ticked.

-Flawless skin without breakouts....TICK

-Flushed cheeks that last all day......TICK

-A beautifully mositurisered and voluminous lip.....TICK

Love the embossed logo on the blush

The packaging of this brand is so on trend too. Its very sleek and understated but they have great little added touches to some of their products. I love the powder products because they have the DECODERM logo engraved into the powder, a pretty added bonus. 

Ok so I think I best stop rambling now. As you can tell I love this brand and am really happy to have been given the opportunity to try this. People in general (and I am no exception) are often skeptical to try makeup brands that are not from the usual makeup houses such as MAC, Estee Lauder, Lancome etc but I think the lesson learned here is that we need to experiment more because if we don't we may be missing out on hidden treasures like this brand that will not only give us great looking skin but will give us increased skincare benefits. 

DECODERM MAKE UP|CARE can be purchased from Zinc Hairspa and its very reasonably priced. The 3D Lipgloss is €14.90, the Hydra Blush is €15.90 and the 16H Aqua Foundation is €26.50. The ladies in the salon are so friendly and will be happy to help you choose the right products for your skin type and makeup needs. Definitely worth a look and a try! 

Thank you for reading my review and I would love to hear if you have had any experience with this brand. One thing for sure is that I am its new biggest fan. 

Have a lovely day.

Big Kisses xxxx

**I did receive these products for review but am in no way paid by Zinc Hairspa or Decoderm. The opinions above are 100% my own honest opinions. Thank you**

April 2013 Beauty Favourites

I was loving a heck of alot of things for the month of April but alot of them were towards the end of the month so I think I will leave some of them until May favourites as I have no doubt I will be loving them this month too. Although my April favourites do consist of some fanatastic products that I am obsessed with at the moment

I have to start off with my favourite product of April. Thebalm's Mary Lou Manizer is the best highlighter I have ever tried...period. This gives the most amazing champagney golden highlight to the skin without looking overly sparkly or glittery. Its stunning for skintone and for any occassion. This cost me €18.75 from FeelUnique and I have to say its the best money I have ever spent. I love to apply this to the top of my cheekbones and under my browbone for a real natural but noticable glow to the skin. Let me know if you would like a more indepth review on this.

Dr. Jart+ Waterfuse Beauty Balm is an absolute favourite of mine. This will remain a staple in my makeup collection for a very long time. Check out my full review on this little beauty. 

Oh what can I say about MAC Studio Fix Fluid. This has saved my life (well not literally) in April. I rediscovered this recently and cannot believe how much coverage it gives me and how long it lasts on my skin. I think this is around €31 from any MAC counter. I am shade NC20 without tan or with a light tan. I am having acne breakouts at the moment and people keep telling me how well my skin looks. If only they could see whats under my layer of MAC studio fix fluid!!! I love to pair this with the DR Jart BB Cream for a beautiful fresh face that covers well but doesn't look cakey. 

To set my face of makeup and keep it in place all day I love to use Urban Decay's all nighter spray. A few light sprays gets rid of that powdery look to your skin but yet keeps your foundation locked in all day. I also love to use this during the day to freshen up my makeup. I have definitely noticed a considerable difference in the length my makeup lasted after using this. This product is between €23-€28 depending on where you purchase it from. I find Beautybay is the most reasonable and they offer free shipping. Urban Decay also offer other setting sprays for different skin types including one called De slick which is for oily skin. The all nighter tends to work for my normal/combination skin but I know people who have oily skin and swear by the De slick version so be sure to check out the full range before purchasing.

Daniel Sandler is a well renouned makeup artist with lots of celebrity clients under his belt. I have been a fan of his makeup for many years and his watercolour blushes have to be my favourite. They are a water type blush that is applied to the apples of your cheeks to give a beautiful flushed look to the skin. These blushes are very natural looking but really add that wow factor to any makeup look. I have four of these blushes and plan to buy more soon. If you would like to see a more indepth review on these let me know. You can purchase them from Beautyemporium.

In April I found my favourite mascara of all time (well so far anyway). I was and still am in love with Clinique's High Impact Mascara in Black. This gives my lashes so much volume without clumping or looking spidery. A great mascara that doesn't flake and adds depth and intensity to your eyes, what more can I say!! Oh yes the price, this mascara will set you back €19.50 and is available at any Clinique counter. 

Another Clinique product I am loving is the Chubby Sticks Moisturising Lip colour Balm especially in shade Whoppin' Watermelon. This is a great little lip product that is easy to use and adds a really lovely sheer but noticeable shine to the lips. I love this for everyday use. They are also very moisturising on the lips. This product is €19 from any Clinique counter.

I am still loving the Karora self tan mist. This gives me such a beautiful tan without any streaks and is effortless to use. Check out my review for more details. 

And last up is my favourite haircare product of the moment. Its the cult Moroccanoil Original. I am obsessed with this stuff and start to panic when I forget to put it into my hair as I know my hair just won't be quiet right without it. I apply this to damp hair after I wash my hair or sometimes I use this to defrizz my hair after blowdrying it. It takes the frizz away very easily and doesn't weigh your hair down at all. There are many oils on the market that are trying to outdo this but in my opinion there is nothing that can beat this little beauty. This is an expensive product (around €40 for a 100ml bottle) but its an investment as your hair will definitely be less dry and much healthier looking with this. 

Well that's what I have been loving in April and am still loving today. If you have any favourites that you are loving please let me know as I am always in the market for trying new products.  Also if you want an indepth review on any of the products above please let me know. I hope you found this useful and thank you for taking time out to read this. Big Kisses and have a fantastic LONG weekend.  XXXX