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Monday, 12 September 2016

First Impressions - New Drugstore Makeup #2


Remember a few months back when I gave you lovely lot my first impressions on some new makeup I picked up in the drugstore the week before? Well, get ready for another edition as if you saw this post you'll know that only last week I hauled some more 'New In' products which I couldn't wait to get testing...


First up, I tried out the Barry M Hydro Fix Priming Water and this is basically a primer - but in spray form. Just like the more expensive Smashbox one, simply spray this all over your face before applying your makeup and it supposedly hydrates, smooths and primes the skin. I have to say, I really like this stuff. It felt really cooling and refreshing to apply and did make my complexion look and feel much more on the moisturised side of things. By the end of the day, my makeup was still where it was when I first applied it, so I'd also mark that as a testament to how well it made my makeup last too. For my base, I also tested out the new Rimmel Fresher Skin Foundation. Generally, I tend to get along with the bases Rimmel have to offer pretty well, so I had high hopes for this stuff and all in all - it turned out quite well. The colour I picked up (100/Ivory) was a pretty good match for my paler complexion and the formula was indeed very much lightweight on the skin. The coverage wasn't massive, but it still gave a nice unifying effect and gave a nice dewy glow to my skin too. It sat nicely on the skin without looking cakey and lasted well throughout the day - the only one major flaw I can find is the packaging. Personally, I don't get it. In my opinion, there is no need for a liquid foundation to be housed in a little pot with an awkward lid which you have to remove and find somewhere to put down without getting foundation everywhere. It's got the same kind of texture as all the other foundations from Rimmel that I've tried, so why it hasn't got a similar packaging set-up is beyond me. Seeing as I really like what's inside, I guess I can kinda look past it - but it's not ideal. Finally for the base, I gave the Collection Primed and Ready Powders a go. I picked up both the 'Invisible' and 'Illuminating' versions and first off, went in with the former - as that was the one I was most eager to try. I went in and applied this to all the usual areas I like to when it comes to powder - generally the centre of my face - and I'm not so sure. I love how finely-milled it is and how it can be applied all-over the face without it looking like you've gone in with an actual highlighter, to mattify without deadening the complexion - but it still requires a light hand. In the areas where I was a little more gentle and careful, it looked great; whereas where I went in a little too liberally on my forehead, it was definitely noticeable. I think it's promising, but I just need to experiment with it a little more. As for the 'Invisible' one, that gets the big thumbs up. It's a pretty basic powder - but it's once again finely-milled, and is completely transparent so is great for simply mattifying, without adding extra coverage and colour.

Onto the 'finishing' aspects of the face and what is probably my favourite category of makeup right now - Highlighter. Everyone and their Nan loves a good glowy product at the moment and I am no exception so of course, L'OrĂ©al's offerings to the ever-growing table interested me. I sampled both of their True Match Highlighters - Powder and Liquid and all in all - I like. The powder features a split pan with not one, but three different shades inside and whether used separately or swirled together - they make for a gorgeous icy (but not too icy) glow. They're well pigmented and finely-milled, apply and blend effortlessly onto the skin and sit really nicely on top of the rest of your makeup. The liquid highlight is also another new favourite. Again, this has a lovely icy-type tone, but doesn't look garish and stark against my pale complexion and it just adds a subtle sheen, without being packed with chunky glitter. The consistency is creamy and so rich and pigmented that a little really does go a long, long way. It's massively versatile - used as a primer, mixed in with your base or applied as an actual glow giver - and I also love using this as a kind of 'base' for a powder highlighter (such as the one above...) to really make it pop and ensure your highlight is #OnFleek.

Eyes-wise, all of the products I sampled were from the mighty Maybelline. I love their eye products any day of the week, but recently they've added yet more to their line-up. I am such a big lover of their Color Tattoo 24Hr Cream Gel Eyeshadows and so it was no big shock that I picked up their two latest shade additions - 'Breathless' and 'Fantasy' to put on trial. The former is a stunning light, champagne gold; whereas the latter is more of a cool-toned, shimmery bronze. I have tried and tested both thoroughly and have come to the conclusion that I like 'Breathless', but I really like 'Fantasy'. Something I found about them both was that the formula seems to be improved from the rest of the Color Tattoo's that I've sampled before. These were much creamier and easier to blend out and they also seemed a tad more rich in colour too. Personally, I found 'Breathless' to require a lot of work to ensure an even application, but it does make for a really pretty, shimmery neutral base for other shadows - or simply worn alone. 'Fantasy', however, was a clear winner for me from the get go. I think I'd best describe it as 'Permanent Taupe' - a cool-toned brown - (from the original range), but packed with silver shimmer. Because of the sheen-y finish, it's much more flattering on the lids and can be both sheered out or built up - depending on how smokey you wanna go with it. Next up for eyes - another from Maybelline - and it is their The Rock Nudes Eyeshadow Palette. I tried this one out both paired with the 'Breathless' Color Tattoo and by itself and I'm kinda on the fence about it. It features your standard neutrals, as well as some more 'out there' (but still fairly wearable) shades and primarily hues that are ideal for dramatic looks. Honestly, I like it, but not as much as the other two The Nudes Palettes that I own. The colours blend well and last well throughout the day (although I do always use my Urban Decay Primer for any eyeshadow look) and are to some extent still of fairly good quality - but not to the same standard as the Original and the Blushed Palettes. The shadows aren't as creamy in texture, the shimmers aren't as packed full of the stuff as I'd expect them to be and the colours themselves don't translate onto the lid as richly and deeply. It's a nice palette, but I'd definitely point you in the direction of the other two if you were looking at the range in general. Finally for eyes, I've cracked open the Bourjois Volume Reveal Mascara and I'm happy to report that I do like this - a lot. I'd never tried any of Bourjois' mascaras before this, but if this one's anything to go by - I'd be eager to try out some more. I'd heard good things about how well this lengthens and volumises the lashes and having given it a go on my own set - I have to agree. The wand really grips on to the lashes and coats every single one - giving them tonnes of length and a lot of drama too. I really like how it thickens, while still fanning my lashes out nicely for a really pretty, fluttery effect and I also find it to be rather buildable too - you can go in lightly for a super-natural look, or continue to layer it up for a proper false lash effect. It lasts all day without smudging or flaking (despite not being waterproof) and holds a curl beautifully. Seriously - go and pick this up if you haven't already. So, so good.

Moving onto products for the ol' pout, I also gave the Maybelline Color Drama Lip Paint in 'Stripped Down' a testing. I was rather boggled about the concept of these when I first picked one up - Is it a lipgloss? Is it a liquid lipstick? However, I now feel like I've got more of a handle on the whole idea behind them and really like them indeed. They come in a really handy squeezy tube with a little sponge applicator on the end, making them super convenient and easy to apply - simply squeeze some up, lacquer it onto the lips and you're done. They feel really creamy and hydrating on the lips and basically apply almost like a liquid lipstick, but they don't dry down to that famous matte finish. I like that though, as the finish they do have is a gorgeous sheen - but not too shiny or sticky in anyway. They obviously don't last like a matte finish would, but they're really comfortable on the lips and wear really nicely to a stain throughout the day - making them super easy to maintain (especially in the brown-toned nude shade I plumped for). Las, but certainly by no means least - completing the duo I picked up from Barry M - I also tested out their new Flawless Mist and Fix Dewy Setting Spray. This also comes in a Matte Finish, but being a big lover of the glowy, radiant look - I just had to go for the Dewy version and I have to say - I like it. The spray function itself isn't as foolproof as my beloved Urban Decay All Nighter and the mist isn't as fine - but once you get used to it, you're good to go and it works really well. After misting my face with this, it didn't make my face soaking wet and any residue dried down almost instantly. I could see my makeup had that extra dose of dewy-ness to it - without looking greasy - and my makeup in general looked really flawless and 'meshed' into my skin, if that makes any sense at all. By the end of the day, my makeup looked basically identical to the way it did when I first applied it and for such a bargainous price - it's certainly a good drugstore alternative.

2 comments:

  1. Where did you get the Flawless Spray from? Keen to give it a go!

    Sammy x | www.cityofsimplicity.co.uk

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    Replies
    1. It's a Barry M one so I bought it from Boots, but I'd guess you'd be able to find it in your local Superdrug too! X

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