Nars All day Luminous Weightless Foundation

The talk of a new Nars release was circling a while back now, I remember seeing Laura from buynowbloglater post a photo on Instagram several weeks ago and ever since I was patiently waiting for it to be released. Fast forward and here it is. I was in Leeds the week before its release (I think) and the lady at the Nars counter told me it was available for colour matching the next week, sadly I don't live that quicker drive away from Leeds so unfortunately a colour match wasn't on the cards. I ordered mine online and for reference I went with my Sheer Glow shade match... now I actually think my Sheer Glow match is a shade dark and it would seem that ADLW (it's too long to keep typing) runs darker than Sheer Glow so this is not a brilliant match for me right now! that being said, I can work with it. It will be better once my skins seen a little sun but for testing purposes I went with it.

Now Nars claims that 1 pump is enough for your whole face... granted that will be for the finger application method (more on that one pump in a moment). For application your supposed to shake well, warm one pump in between fingertips and apply (be warned the formula is very thin and almost watery) I did this and one pump wasn't enough for my horrendously round face, just a little less that two was needed. Now in all honesty applying foundation with fingers isn't for me so you'll be pleased to know it apply's just fine with a brush! the coverage reminds me a lot of Sheer Glow but it is of course more matte. That being said I do think it lives up to the luminous claim, my skin looks healthy and as for weightless? It feels like a dream on my skin. For such a water formula the coverage is outstanding, it really is. It covers just the right amount without looking too heavy.

So after talking formula i'm going to talk packaging and emphasis on a point that, literally everyone else has gone crazy over. Nars have released a foundation with a pump! It's about time lets face it, why should I have to buy a £30 plus foundation and pay extra for a pump on top? I don't think so Nars; so to finally see it coming with one was actually a little exciting (I need a life). The bottle itself is a nice weighty glass bottle with a frosted effect, which i'm loving. It's like an updated version of the Sheer Glow/ Matte bottles and I really really like it. It's the same as all other Nars packaging, simple but I like that.

I can imagine this one would be a really good one for in the evening, I'd maybe not opt for something with such a full coverage in the daytime. I'm loving this new release from Nars but a colour match is needed - I can imagine be probably being Gobi.

You can buy Nars ADLW foundation from Nars or Space N.K for £32
Have you tried this one yet? What are your thoughts?

Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder

Another item I bought in my most recent splurge is the Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder foundation. I'm yet to find a Charlotte Tilbury product that has disappointed me and this is included in that. I love the system she has with her make up line, it's simple and yet effective. Light Wonder is the only foundation in Charlotte's line and it comes in 10 shades from 1 being the lightest and 10 the darkest (i'm shade 2 for reference). The system is just easy, there isn't several different foundations promising different finishes, full cover, light cover... you know the drill; it's one foundation which is claimed to have a light feel to it, perfect coverage and breathable. Do I agree? Yes, although I would say perfect coverage is one that's up for debate as that's different for everyone.

First things first the packaging. It's kind of a tube I guess you'd call this? It's plastic and you squeeze the formula out of the little nib at the end. No pump but yet no problem. It's not a glass bottle where your trying to tip just the right amount onto the back of your hand actually i'd even go as far as to say I'm liking this more than a pump, you've got more control over how much you get out and I'm yet to end up with any waste. A little screw cap covers the (what i'm going to call) nib - if you know the proper or a better name for this let me know. The screw cap is of course rose gold. Everything in Charlotte's range has got something rose gold added into the designs of her packaging, simple but I love it; actually I just love rose gold but don't we all?

Onto the foundation; I really really like this. I'd say its more a medium build-able coverage which leaves your skin looking healthy and radiant. It's easy to work with and blends into the skin effortlessly leaving an even finish. It's a really nice one for everyday wear, it looks healthy.  I actually often put my foundations through their paces and try them out at work... that doesn't sound like it's hard work but I promise you it is. I actually don't usually wear any make up to work, I just tie my hair up and go. Not that I want to bore you all with my job but I work in an heavy, industrial environment, it's hard not to go into much detail here about my what I do but trust me when I say that CT was put to the test . It lasted amazing all day, no slipping or sliding and I didn't look as though I was desperate for a spot of powder.

You can buy from any Charlotte Tilbury counter or online at Charlotte Tilbury or Harvey Nichols for £32. Have you tried this foundation yet?

Burberry Fresh Glow Foundation

Hello, remember me? I thought i'd just start this post buy apologizing for my absence (it's been a while) You all know the drill, it's been Christmas, it's been New Year and then I feel as though I haven't stopped since! I've done a couple of posts but there's been a lacking of photos, why? Well I originally borrowed my first camera on here for my blog photos and once I gave it back i knew I couldn't go back too poor quality photos on this page so the New Year meant a new treat for me and that was a Camera! For those who are interested i got myself the Canon 600D and I love it! Its quite user friendly (compared to the camera I borrowed) and it means I can hopefully start taking lovely blog photos - but that's a work in progress. I guess this is my first 'official' post of 2015 as it contains pictures, I've missed snapping so much!

So on to it, this here is the Burberry Fresh Glow foundation, I've seen a few people mention this one but it not done the rounds like many other foundations and I think that's all down to how easy it is to get! It was pure coincidence I found the counter actually, I was away in Liverpool for New Years and the Debenhams there had just opened it's Burberry counter... well 4 week prior, cue me practically running to it and getting myself a colour match!

So first things first, packaging, it's defiantly one to look at, I really like the packaging, why? It's different. First look you think there's hardly any product but the lid hides a lot of this. I'm not entirely sure why I like this, but for some reason I think it just works, makes it stand out from the rest. I was at first a little disappointed that it is in fact plastic, but actually again a possible plus point, no one wants to buy an expensive product then drop and smash it (it's happened before). But the best point on the packaging is... It has a pump! Something so simple and yet so impressive, I think it's due to the fact a lot of brands don't include one and your paying extra for something that even the drugstore can add in for you!

Ramblings over, the product itself. It is just amazing, but I know this isn't going to be everyone's cup of tea. The coverage I'd say is light to medium, but it is build-able. It covers what needs covering and the rest is up to your concealer. It's a perfect day time foundation, it blends into the skin effortlessly and you can barely feel it. My skin doesn't feel dry or cakey and as for lasting power, it's tick's  all the boxes! I think this is the first foundation I've had to truly match my actual skin colour, others come close but they're always a little off; either a little too pink tones, or too yellow toned, i'm not sure what it is about this one but it's pretty neutral and it's my perfect match (Shade No 11).

I think my only down side on this product is like I mentioned earlier; accessibility, so far according to the lady who colour matched me, Liverpool has the only counter outside of London (please if you know that's wrong then correct me!) Which makes it a bit of a pain. If your in the Liverpool/London area I highly recommend picking this one up - or even if your brave unlike me and can colour match yourself, you can buy it online from Burberry for £35.

Have you tried this foundation? what are your thoughts?

Nars sheer glow aka my favourite foundation

When it comes to foundation it's just got to be right, its the base for everything else and there's no room for error. That's where Nars Sheer Glow comes in! I'm fairly picky with foundations, but if your going to be spending £30+ then its got to be right.

I don't think Nars could release a product that I didn't like, they just seem to get it right every time and Sheer Glow is no exception to that. It's a dream to apply, it buffs effortlessly into the skin and leaves you with a beautiful even finish. The coverage is more medium to full but it's build-able, it doesn't look cakey in any way. It fits it's name Sheer Glow, it really does add a healthy glow to your skin and makes you look more radiant and awake.

Colour-wise for me I like it that much I know what I am with a tan and my natural skin tone, Fiji is my everyday shade and Punjab for for the summer months or whilst on holiday... I'm currently out of fiji and I need to place another order, stat! I think if there was one issue I had with this it's the 'pump' issue. I'm sure you've seen this one over and over but seriously why doesn't it come with a pump as standard? those things are never in stock either so it's the battle with not getting too much on the back of your hands for now! That aside I love love love love it and i'm certain there will always be a bottle in my stash!


You can buy Nars Sheer Glow from Space Nk, £31

Dior Skin Star Foundation

So here is the Dior Skin Star foundation, I've had this foundation pretty much since if first came out, I got a sample first to try it, I fell in love and went back to the Dior counter the next weekend to pick up a full bottle! This is the first Dior product I've ever had (I know right) and it's left me longing to try more.

The foundation is just beautiful it adds a luminous and radiant glow to my skin and is certainly my foundation of choice right now. The coverage I would say is medium but is certainly buildable for those of you who prefer more coverage.As for the weightless perfection claim? I'd agree, you can barely feel this on your skin and it blends in perfectly. If there were any issues I had it would be that towards the end of the day it seems to have almost separated in the areas of my face that tend to get a little oily ( T-zone and chin) but nothing a little powder can't fix. I have the shade 010.

The packaging is definitely luxurious, a glass bottle and a lid with CD printed on top and there's a pump! The one thing my beloved Nars Sheer Glow doesn't have (and they never seem to be in stock when I look). It's heavy but it's glass, it's what you expect!

Have you tried the Dior Star foundation? If so what did you think?

Brand Focus: L'oreal

L'oreal is by far my favourite drugstore brand (don't get me wrong I like others) but L'oreal just does it for me every time. These are 5 of my current favourites from their range.

True Match Foundation: I don't think there are many beauty bloggers who haven't passed comment on this foundation, many have compared it to the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk (i'm yet to try this so I can't comment yet) however; this foundation is certainly my current drugstore favourite. It leaves my skin looking fresh, it covers well but without looking cakey andits definitely a buildable coverage though depending on what you want. I tend to keep mine minimal and cover 'imperfections' with concealer, I thoroughly reccomend and just in case you wanted to know i'm shade N1.

Lumi Magique Primer: I really like this primer, it certainly makes your skin look more radiant and your skin look like it has a natural glow. If your skin is slightly on the dry side this would be good for you, if your oily i'd steer away! It's a really good base for your foundation and I certainly think it makes mine last the little while longer.

Cheryl's Nude: I literally love this lipstick, its so creamy! It's the perfect nude for my skin-tone (nobody likes foundation lips). This is my everyday lipstick, kind of a fail safe, I know it works and if in doubt go with what you know. The only issue is... what has happened to this lipstick!? I've raided every drugstore I've come across and it's just not there, my only guess is it's been discontinued and I really can't understand why! *inserts cry face emoji*

Glam Bronze Bronzing Powder: This really is a gem, I think I picked this up one day when there was a 3 for 2 on and I just didn't really know what else to get as my 3rd item, luckily I picked this and found rather a fabulous bronzer, I have shade 06 golden bronze. Its a lovely colour for a day to day contour or an all over warmth and it's a steal at just £7.99.

Brow Artist Plumper: The newest addition here and an obvious dupe for the benefit gimme brow. I never tried any of the other drugstore brow mascaras (is what even what you call them?) the wands just seemed a little too big for me. This is the perfect product for those, like me who struggle with their brows. My brows are more on the darker side and it seems every time i try a pencil I look like I've stuck those fake moustaches on my face (nice!). It just helps get my brows into place and adding a little more depth to them. I have the medium/dark shade.

Have you tried any of these products from L'oreal? Are there any others I should be trying?