Vichy BB cream - Light /SPF25

Well known and respected french brand whom i have come to love and do use there cream, as I'm very partial to french brands. I think the packaging plus the technology for skincare is top most. After all it is the french whom did start with cosmetics and a touch of rouge to the skin. Of course we have adapted and come a lot further then the old dab of beetles blood to improve the complexion. 

You will find with 2 particular french companies they may seem to the eye, twins almost. However whilst the ingredient composition maybe of similar form, these laboratories have spent years perfecting the skin and its fight against ageing. Without the use of harsh and harmful ingredients but by trial the source of using the earth and her bounty to give the products there greatness, so they speak for themselves.  

Vichy was founded in 1931 by Georges Guerin, a cosmetologist who was visiting the renowned spa city of Vichy in central France. Guerin discovered the healing capabilities of its thermal spa water while recovering from an accident. He would go on to feature the water in a collection of skin care products, and named the range Vichy in honour of the special city. Innovative, efficient and scientific, these products were unlike anything else at the time. The collection was also split into specific skin types of dry, oily and dehydrated, a now-habituated system that was first pioneered by Vichy. Together with the dermatological benefits of the thermal spa water, Vichy products also utilised both natural and scientific ingredients in their formulations. Vichy has accrued over 80 years of expertise and innovation in their field, evolving from one visionary doctor to an entire global network of medical experts. With a focus upon safety, innovative technology, knowledge, and efficacy each and every one of their products is still infused with the extraordinary soothing and fortifying power of the Vichy Thermal Water

So as its the month of celebrating the French pharmacy as known to Escentual.com with over a third off products they asked me if i would like to trial the Vichy BB cream. Plus i had asked if i could have a sample of Bioderma as its a product we all as beauty guru's are in awe of. Not only was i given a beautiful bag but a vast selection. So i give thanks where it is due, to the lovely Alan at Escentual.com, However onward to Vichy BB Cream. 

Now i know if the Vichy brand from its Dermablend range, to help in the coverage of scars and blemishes, imperfections. It helped many a woman and offers an amazing coverage. So when i saw the BB cream i knew it would probably be more true to the Korean branded, which we have know BB for then just a tinted moisturiser. Paraben free and also safe for sensitive of skins. 

Its marketed with a 6-1 properties plus an illuminating technology. Given that it protects against SPF

 offers UVA/UVB protection

will boost the skins natural luminosity on use and over time

Hydrates for 24 hours 

Smoothes wrinkles and refines the skins texture.

Reduces dark spots and also will offer a build-able medium coverage.

I have done this picture to show the colour upon the skin, so that its a swatch available if you wish to buy. It is available in Medium and offers SPF 25 so perfect now summer is setting in and you wish to move to a less heavy foundation. I do use a medium to more full coverage, in the fact i do have red areas and blemishes i wish to conceal. I don't usually use a concealer in the warmer months as we all know more cream, more chance to slide. So i will try to transition into a Mineral based makeup if i can find one that offers coverage plus i find in the long run, my skin thanks me for it. So with this BB cream it offers me a extra layer i often feel without when I'm applying makeup for summer.However contains mineral pigments and correctors to even the skins appearance as a foundation would.

 I miss the cream based products but just find the sit to heavy and I'm aware of the need to touch up constantly.  You may say "well why not go to a BB cream ?" and i would reply i could do this by adding my foundation to a moisturiser, as none i used when they were released offered me anything then just sheer nothing. However this formula as you can see above is nothing like a Tinted moisturiser and does sit like a light foundation would, i can build this around my cheeks if i so wish but found i did not need too. One application was sufficient with a light mineral dusting of powder. 

When you have a dry complexion and then it changes in the summer to somewhat normal, you still have to maintain moisture. 

This product allowed my skin to breathe and also i didn't need concealer, as it did brighten my eye area.

I literally lightly dusted with a MAC sheer pressed powder, applied my blush and light bronzing.

My eyes and lips are the only parts that have more product applied. 

 Im really happy with this and it will be the BB i will be using in summer if i feel my skin needs more coverage and some lift. I feel it gave me a good coverage and i could build more within the eye area if i so wished but when you want the sun to catch you. Its not a wise idea to layer it with more then what it needs. 

Vichy BB cream

Liz Earle - Flawless makeup and how to achieve it

So Liz Earle is probably one of my favourite brands when it comes to skincare and her cleanse and polish is probably an essential in every woman's skincare routine. 

However now branching to makeup and seeing what this range has to offer is an exciting time for me as who doesnt love a new find, especially with a brand that makes  wonderful skincare products.

So the philosophy behind Liz Earle is 

 We are passionate about all we do and always keep in mind our 'precious recipe', a combination of carefully selected ingredients that make us who we are:

• products that really work on every skin type by harnessing the potent powers of the finest quality ingredients
• a simple, no fuss and dependable routine, which is also a pampering daily treat
• an affordable choice with everything beautifully packaged
• a commitment to first class service
• our caring, award-winning team who make it all possible
We hope you enjoy the difference that is Liz Earle.

 Liz Earle - Signature Foundation 

The signature foundation comes in 9 shades and has information on the site to help pick your shade and match up your tones. I am 03-Nude and when you find your foundation shade you can go to the complexion  chart to see what pressed powders etc will fit with this shade perfectly. (I leave the links below) 

So the coverage is build-able and i found the consistency to be runny but silky and easily workable, it sits on the skin well and blends in very easy. I didn't have to wait long for it to dry and this helps if your building coverage. I needed to build a heavier coverage as i always do with my cheeks, as they have redness and some blemishes plus dryness. I found this to be a hydrating and nourishing foundation with no cakey-ness forming or even showing any sign of a flaw. It has a pump dispenser too so no loss of product.

My skin was still able to breathe and did not feel heavy, i can appreciate a foundation that can cover my blemishes and dryness plus leave me secure in the feeling that my pores are not being clogged up completely. So im really impressed with this foundation on all the levels i look for.

Pressed Powder in 03 - Sheer Beige

I really love the Pressed powder compact, Its a lovely sleek Black compact with the Liz Earle name in white across the front, so professional looking and just first impressions with packaging make owning the product just a joy and something you will want to repurchase. I love having classy packaging as you get to an age where simple gives an air of elegance.

It is a light, soft powder which goes on so easily and sets this foundation so well. Not alot is needed plus the powder is enriched with vitamin E. Its not heavy so therefore your skin can breathe. 

This powder however only comes in 7 shades, so thats a bit of a shame as if you only want a dust of powder and not a foundation base as you prefer that then there is a little less choice but hopefully there is enough there to cater.

I love my pressed powders but i have a thing for it being fine milled and my skin is not left feeling clogged, my dry patches are not highlighted and no cakiness what so-ever. So again the powder has met and passed all the criteria i look for when picking a powder plus it feels luxurious. 

Powder blushes in  Nectar 06 - Peony 07 

These Blushes are so pigmented and the colour payoff is so high, this was literally a swirl of my finger lightly. So you would not need to do anything more then dab your brush in the powder to achieve a lovely flushed glow. The Nectar has a lovely shimmer to it, that is not over the top but will be a lovely colour for the spring as its this amazing coral shade. I really love this as a day blush to add just a little flush of colour plus the subtle shimmer meant i didn't need any highlight. 

The Peony is a lovely plummy colour with hints of a dusky pink. I love these kinds of colours for my blush as they are so versatile, for the evening and colder days they can give a real great flush of colour but also add to your contouring and make the look striking. Its not got any shimmer and is a matte blush.

It comes in 7 shades and they are all such wonderful shades that can cater to all skin tones and looks your looking to achieve.

They again are a buttery texture with a lovely feel to them, I've even used them on my finger and just rubbed them they blend so well and are so versatile. If your on the run these blushes are that creamy that one dab, blend and all you will need. Im so impressed its really been lovely to see this range be such great quality.

Cream Blushes in Camellia 01 and Nectar 06 

So these blushes and formulas are probably the only ones i have not much experience in as i wouldn't normally buy a cream blush and tend to stick to powders. But there is always a new experience around the corner and I'm open to new makeup looks so why not a different formula ?

Now I've noticed these are creamy and again the pigment was very good, the colour payoff was brilliant in nectar but the camellia is a creamy looking colour then when you blend it in it comes off like a bubblegum pink but a subtle version. It took me a couple of dips to achieve that colour with Camellia.

However the nectar was one dip of my finger and it was a highly pigmented and easily blend able blush, it was very creamy texture and no sediment feeling or grittiness. So i must admit these cream blushes are something i should maybe use if I'm needing a quick boost of colour and i think these are better for travel as if you spend a lot on a powder blush the last thing you want is it breaking in transit and then potentially ruining your clothes plus a waste of a whole pan of blush. So having one or two of these to hand in your travel bag is not a bad idea. These will last a fair while too as when you have such high pigmentation the product goes a lot further.

So in conclusion im really impressed with the Liz Earle brand, the makeup is high quality plus professional and chic packaging gives it the feeling of the high end market. I would re purchase these items as the signature foundation is wonderful coverage and build-able without showing any flaws. The powder is the same in that it leaves the skin feeling amazing and light to the touch without clogging. The Blushes both the cream and powder versions have wonderful pigmentation and colour payoff on application plus they feel buttery, light and blend amazingly well.

I loved using this range so much that I'm including a picture of me using the foundation, Pressed powder and powder blush in nectar. 

Have you tried any Liz Earle ? What would be your first choice to try ?

Liz Earle
Shade Match chart

Paula's Choice - Resist Foundation and Hydrating Lip Gloss

Paulas choice is a well known brand who cater both skincare and cosmetics to many women of the world and make the promise on there website to deliver.

At Paula's Choice, our mission is to take brilliant care of your skin!

Paula's Choice products successfully treat everything from acne to wrinkles, rosacea, sensitive skin, sun damage, dry skin, oily skin, and blackheads. They are 100% guaranteed to work for your skin type and concerns!

Because of our unique combination of research, reviews, and ongoing product development, women all over the world turn to us for objective, balanced, and documented information about what works and doesn't for your skin.

With an opportunity to review there new Resist foundation which not only offers light - medium coverage but the added anti-aging properties we all crave for in our makeup. As with all cosmetics, we have them on our face for such a long period it makes sense to have these boosted with anti-againg components. Many women whom have long and tiring jobs would not have time to invest in a full skin care regime so having these properties in your foundation is an amazing addition.

Resist Foundation , Hydrating Lip Gloss, Paulas choice Soft cream Concealer 

So the foundation comes in a really professional looking packaging which is white, writing is simple and too the point with the essential details. It comes with a pump included which is important i feel to control the product and also helps with gauging how much you need on each application. It says a light to medium coverage but on use i would say this is easily build able to a medium.

It is a thick consistency but does spread well and is instructed that you apply with a brush and not rub the foundation in. So i would say this is worthwhile doing as i will explain further. I have had a few little dry patches on my cheeks and i can cover these but they also help me gauge how a foundation covers and if they can cake or highlight imperfections. 

So i would say that if you have a dry patch or any form of exfoliation needed then i would do this first. I did this and it applied better, plus didn't highlight anything. So with this foundation you will need to invest in your skincare if you suffer dryness.

Now after this had been achieved and i had prepared with a primer and made my skin foundation ready, i followed the instructions to achieve the very best result. With a foundation and stipple brush i first applied in the downward motions they instruct and stippled the sides to blend in with my hairline and jawlines. Now whilst i understand some foundations are just apply and go, this struck me as a very temperamental foundation that needed to be used with practice to achieve that even look.

I would usually need only a 5-10 minute window to apply my daily foundation and i could use this with a blender or my fingers to apply as i saw fit. This is defiantly a foundation for a skilled and very apt foundation user. Or if your looking for this finish then you will need to sit down and take your time with it to achieve a great finish. I personally would invest the extra time as the benefits and the finished look are defiantly worth it as my skin looked flawless.

So after i got and even finish i then used the concealer with a brush and this is defiantly the way i would recommend it be used as it is defiantly a high grade concealer. Its amazing at covering blemishes and any dark spaces or spots. I found it easy to apply and rub in. It really did with the foundation give me a flawless look at the end. It made my blush radiate. 

The Perfect shine Hydrating gloss is in Rose blush, it is a lovely gloss thats more of a stain but it is a hydrating form. Not sticky on the lips or in any way tacky.

Its available in 5 shades and i really loved the feeling of this gloss and to me that is a rarity as i find gloss so sticky and uncomfortable it is a lovely change to find one thats nice to wear and a lovely shade that compliments the whole look of the makeup range. 

So i really did enjoy using this range, even though the foundation did take longer then my usual brand, the finish is second to none and gives an amazing flawless finish, However like with everything its practice and getting comfortable with change. It made my blush give a flushed look and the Lip gloss fitted perfect with my complexion. Plus felt hydrating and nice application. 

Its defiantly a worth while investment if your looking for an anti ageing foundation, as there are few and far between on the market. It defiantly left me feeling flawless and healthy looking.

Paula's Choice

Do you have any Paula's choice makeup ? What would you like to try ?