Benefit POREfessional primer

You know me, I love primers and actually can't imagine doing my make up without one. So when I had the opportunity to give this a try, I was of course more than happy to do so.  

 

As per usual, the Benefit packaging is on point! I would love to met the design team at Benefit and just tell them how amazing they are haha. 

This primer has been on the market for a few years, but hasn't really had too much publicity. It's formula has been designed to minimise pore and reduce the appearance of fine lines. 

First impressions....

I was really surprised about the texture of this primer. I was expecting it to be more of a gel, but it's more of a balm. It feels so unbelieveably smooth and silky. 

If you run your fingers over your face once it's applied, it feels like your skin has actaully smoothed out and become more even. 

I have quite bad texture issues, and it's so strange, but good, how much this helps. Of course it's not a miracle cream, and won't completely get rid of big pores etc, but it really does help. 

Price wise it's £24.50 for 22ml. To be honest I think you can get larger bottles of primer for a better price, for example the Laura Mercier primer. But I really think it depends on your skins need. If you struggle with visible pores, then this is defiantly the primer for you. 

Would I purchase this! Yes I would! I don't think it'll be my 'go to' daily primer, but it defiantly is one to add to the collection ;) 

As benefitcosmeticsuk said on Instagram, if your like lemon dimples then you need this primer! 

DLJ 

Xoxo 

2014 favorites

Really, this has got to be the last week we can possibly look back on 2014 without it being overkill. 

I wanted to quickly run through some of my favorite products from 2014. I ave tried to pull together a range of products that will enable you to have a reasonably full face, primer, foundation, powder and eye liner. Almost there :)

Starting with the base...

Primer

My favorite primer from this year has to be the Laura Mercier Foundation Primer. There are a few primers in the range that include mineral, oil free, hydrating, radiance and so on.

The one I have been using is the ... Primer 

You can pick up a 50ml bottle for £29.00 from John Lewis, which I think is good value. 50ml is quite a large bottle 

http://www.johnlewis.com/laura-mercier-foundation-primer-radiance-bronze-50ml/p843389

Foundation

I have tried so many foundations including Bobbi Brown, Estee Lauder, BareMinerals etc and always seem to come back to Boots No7 Beautifully Matte foundation. I am their lightest shade, 43 Calico. 

I really struggle to find a matte, long lasting foundation that is actually pale enough for my skin, and No7 seems to be the only one I can find that ticks all of the boxes. It is also a steal at just £13.50 per bottle. 

Even though this is a really, REALLY reasonably priced foundation, I don't have any issues with breakouts. I have to be so careful with what I put on my skin or I just get covered in spots. 

If you're looking a cheap and cheerful, then I would defiantly recommend this foundation. 

http://www.boots.com/en/No7-Beautifully-Matte-Foundation_1273293/

Powder 

This year I started using the Shu Uemura Matte Face Powder. I have pretty oily skin, so it takes a lot of effort for a powder to keep me from looking shiney and greasy. This powder lasts me around three quarters of the day, which to be honest, I'm pretty happy with. Of course, this totally depends on what I'm doing for day. If I'm hiking or running then as to be expected, it's not going to last as well. But for my normal day - to - day activities I've really enjoyed using this and will defiantly purchase again. 

Price is £27.00 

http://www.shuuemura.co.uk/makeup/face/powders/face-powder-matte

Eye liner 

 

This is a new product I started using just before Christmas and Oh My God. I love it is so much. I have tried SO many eye liners, gels and liquids, and this is by far my favorite of them all. I don't even know if I'll bother buying anything else again!? (Okay, maybe a bit of an over statement, but you get the picture) 

So my new found love is the Chanel Ecriture De Chanel eyeliner pen effortless definition. I have mine in Noir, but it also comes in Brun.

When people see Chanel, they automatically think that it's going to be super expensive, but this eye liner is a mer £27, which isn't far off what you would pay at say Benefit or Bobbi Brown. So for something this amazing, it really isn't that expensive. 

And I'm serious here, if there is 1 product you go out and buy after reading this blog, it is this eye liner. It's so smooth and easy to apply, it is a pure pleasure to use. 

http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_123152108999?CMP=SSH&tmcampid=28&tmad=c&sku=7772456&ci_src=18615224&ci_sku=7772456&ds_e_ad_type=pla&gclid=CjwKEAiA28ilBRCy5cXrgtfTxTISJABgX7E2UlQLlRmRlHZvbF2QpvV9gi1KiijwdBl4Sh90nve7CRoCpAfw_wcB

Eye Shadows

My favorite eye shadows from 2014 have to be the Make Up Geek shadows. They give amazing colour and just so cheap. I don't even know how its possible for such an amazing product to be so cheap, but it is and I love it. 

At the moment, my set is looking pretty empty, and why? Because if I order these to the UK I get hit with massive handling fess from Royal Mail and customs charges :( And I know, the product is so cheap that it kind of makes it a normal price product with all the extras, so why am I complaining. Just because it makes me angry that I have to pay extra, and it takes some of the amazing-ness away from how cheap and cheerful these amazing eye shadows are. Royal Mail, you ruin Make Up Geek for me! How do you sleep at night?! 

http://www.makeupgeek.com/

Happy shopping my lovelies, and don't forget to let me know if you try any of these products based on my recommendations. I love to hear how you have got on with them and what you think! 

DLJ

Xoxo

What's in store in 2015?

Although it was only 3 nights ago, NYE already seems like a distant memory. But what are your plans for 2015? What are you going to change, or keep the same this year to make sure you are happy with your life?

Sometimes it's good to write down you plans for the year, so that you can look back at them in times of doubt and get yourself back on course. That is what I am going to do on this blog! It's a little bit different to my 'normal' make up blogs, but there will of course, be an element of make up here too, which is where I'm going to start...

Make Up

I love looking back at old make up looks I have created and seeing how I have improved my style. I still have a long way to go, but slowly I'm getting there. This year I want to make sure I really focus on creating new looks that are different. I feel like I'm getting there with the basics, but need to be more adventurous.

Interestingly, here is a look I did 6 months ago vs today! Still not perfect, but I think it's a massive improvement. 

Blogging 

I really want to focus more on blogging this year. In 2014, I was doing a blog every Sunday, hopefully, I want to get this up to twice a week, maybe even a few more ;)

I am due to be working with an exciting, fairly new jewelry company from this month, so I'm really hoping this is going to give me not only more inspiration when it comes to blogging, but also when it comes to making some new, edgy make up looks. So fingers crossed that all goes to plan! 

Personal Life

It would only be right for me to mention a little bit about whats going on 'behind the scenes'. So this year is a VERY exciting year for me! In less than 8 months I will be walking down the isle! Scary but so so exciting. We have been planning for around 6 months now, and we are almost there with all the finishing details. I am also trying to loose some weight, and maintain a healthy lifestyle gong forward. The wedding is a great way for me to put a time scale on when I want to be slimming and healthier by, but this is going to be a healthy life boost, not just a quick fix for the wedding snaps. 

So let's hope this year goes as successfully as I'm hoping! 

DLJ 

Xoxo