Bourjois Souffle de Velvet Review

Bourjois is one of our all time favourite affordable makeup brands and whenever we see a new realise from the brand we are all over it! The latest to catch our eye is the Rouge Edition Souffle de Velvet and we selected 05 Fuchsiamallow and 03 VIPeach to try out and review for you all! 

Bourjois Air Mat Foundation - Review

We are always excited to try a new drugstore, affordable foundation and as Bourjois have some of our favourite drugstore products we were very keen to try out their new Air Mat Foundation. We picked it up in two shades 01 Rose Ivory and 02 Vanilla.


Bourjois Air Mat Foundation L-R 01 Rose Ivory and 02 Vanilla

As we are a fan of lighter coverage base products for a day time look (tinted moisturisers etc) we weren't sure we would get on with this foundation! The word Mat scared us a little due to our current obsession with glowy highlighted skin. However we were very wrong! It comes in a squeezy tube so no mess and no waste and its easy to control how much product you need. 

Must Have Autumn/Fall Lipsticks

From the top: Nars Audacious, Kat Von D, Boujois Rouge Edition, NYX Soft Matte, Sephora Rouge Infusion

I must start by saying that I am obsessed with all things Autumn/Fall. Pumpkin spice, halloween, dressing in deep reds and black, wearing boots, wrapping up in comfy scarfs and of course the make up trend that always comes back around Berry Lips! I tend to have really dry sad chapped lips which does not work well with bold statement lip colours! However I think I have managed to find a few formulas and shades that work really well for me.

 

The first being Nars Audacious lipstick in Anna. I searched high and low for this shade after Anna from Vivianna Does Makeup posted about it on her blog but it was sold out everywhere. I did finally manage to get my hands on it and it did not disappoint! The lipstick formula is opaque and creamy but dry slightly matte and the shade is a gorgeous brown pink. It's the perfect Autumn nude lipstick.

 

The next came in a Sephora Loves sample box. Although I had heard a lot of hype around the Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick before and especially about this shade Outlaw I had not tried any. It's an deep berry blue toned red which, once applied is not going anywhere! This formula is slightly drying on the lips but that can be excused as the staying power is so good.

 

Next up is the only traditional UK drug store option in the bunch, Boujois Rouge Edition Velvet liquid lipstick. This is almost a drugstore dupe for the Kat Von D lipsticks in formula apart from the fact that it is even better! The product goes on the lips like water and is very light weight. It dries almost instantly but doesn't dry out your lips! I love this orange red shade Hot Pepper however I have heard mixed reviews about some of the deeper shades in the range.

 

I love NYX products, they are hands down my favourite USA drug store brand and their lipstick selection does not disappoint. Everything I have tried from them I have loved especially the Soft Matte Lip Creams. This one in the shade Copenhagen is the perfect deep burgundy purple shade for this time of year! The next shade up, Transylvania looks amazing on my best friend who has black hair but unfortunately not so great on this blonde!

 

Lastly another liquid lipstick! (What can I say they are just so easy!!!) This is the Sephora Rogue Infusion liquid lipstick in the shade 10 Red Essence another hyped product but for a good reason. These lipsticks have a great long lasting formula and I love this red since its more brown toned than the others. Plus these smell amazing!!! 

 

What are your must have Autumn/Fall lipsticks? Let me know in the comments!

 

Mimi

Cream Blush - Not Just For Summer!

Cream Blush Clockwise L-R: Makeup Revolution Blush Palette, No & Pop and Glow, YSL Kiss and Blush, Revolution Blush Stick, YSL Crème De Blush, Chanel Le Blush Crème, Revlon Photoready, Bourjois Little Round Pot Cream Blush

I have been guilty in the past of relegating cream makeup products to the back of my drawer when Autumn/Winter rolls around. After all, creams are for Summer when you want to look all glowing and shimmery right? Well, maybe not! I believe that cream products can fit right into your Autumn/Winter make up collection and look just as great as the powder varieties especially if, like me, you suffer with dry skin in the colder months.  

I have to admit, until a couple of years ago cream blush was just not on my radar. I religiously used the powder variety and was happy to grab everything from Rimmel to YSL. As an oily skin girl I thought that a cream blush would make the situation worse and slide off my face after 5 minutes wear. Until the wind changed (and my 40th birthday passed!) and what felt like overnight my skin became more and more dry and flaky. The powder products were simply not working for me any more and while I experimented with skincare to alleviate the dryness I started to look to more cream based products as a solution.

I stopped powdering my skin after applying foundation and picked up a couple of cream blush products to try, the first being the Bourjois Little Round Pot Cream Blush. I have to confess after 20 plus years of slapping a highly pigmented powder blush on each day the cream variety took some experimenting to get right. However, this tiny cream blush pot in six shades is very easy to apply with a brush or your fingers and gives a lovely natural look to the cheeks. Once I got the hang of it I started to look to the higher end brands and one day at the YSL counter in Boots I was talked into purchasing their Creme De Blush. Big mistake! I got hooked, bought another two shades and wept buckets when they discontinued it to introduce their Baby Doll Kiss and Blush. The Creme De Blush was my holy grail product and I am yet to find a replacement that lives up to it, the Baby Doll is no substitute in my opinion and I don't like it nearly as much. If the blush/lip hybrid is up your street then try the Makeup Revolution The One Blush Stick as that is said to be a good dupe for the more than four times as expensive YSL Baby Doll!

Although she is also a lover of a good powder blush Mimi is addicted to the No 7 Pop and Glow Cream Blush Stick which she has in 2 shades. A blush stick is a great way to try cream blush as it is fuss free and you don't need a brush to apply it, simply sweep it on and blend with your fingers for a lovely natural finish.

While browsing the shelves of Superdrug last weekend (as you do!) I came across the Makeup Revolution All About Cream Blush Palette. With 8 generous sized cream blush shades ranging from a natural peach to a bright pink I knew I had to try it! I have experimented with a variety of the shades in the palette and am amazed at the value for money it offers! 6 beautiful shades and the blendability and pigmentation, just WOW! All this for only £6.00! It's a steal and a fantastic budget option.

Back to the higher end products and while I was mourning the demise of my YSL Creme De Blush I purchased the Chanel Le Blush Creme in Fantastic. Wow! The pigmentation is amazing and a very light touch is required to avoid looking like a clown! (I confess I have made this mistake!) This is a great cream blush option if you like a splurge. It comes in the classic Chanel packaging and has a mirror for touch ups on the go.

Finally, if you like the idea of the Chanel blush but your budget doesn't stretch to Chanel prices then take a look at the Revlon Photoready Cream Blush as an alternative. It comes in a small pot making it great to pop in your handbag and it has a creamy texture and buildable colour giving a glowing and natural flush. The four shades range from the peaches to the pinks so there should be something to suit everyone.

If you are not a cream blush user why not give some of these a try! I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Elle x

What's In My Travel Make Up Bag?

The answer is.....probably way too much! Even though we try and prune our collection down to a reasonable size to travel with the truth is we always take too much and things come back unused. We always intend to do some beauty shopping when in Florida (watch this space for our holiday haul!) therefore we try to keep that in mind when eliminating products from our bulging make up bags!

 

Here are our 'must have' products that we simply cannot do without and that we took 4000 miles to Orlando with us.

Elle's Picks

 

The make up bag I took with me is the Sonia Kashuk Completely Organized Make Up Bag that I picked up in Target 2 years ago. I have 2 of these in different sizes and took the larger one with me. This is a nylon bag with so many pockets, zips and pouches you can probably put something in and never find it again! It is roomy and practical and in addition to the products I took in my carry on it fit everything alse I needed for my 3 week holiday:

Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser: When I am in a hot country the last thing I want to be wearing is a heavy, full coverage foundation so I always reach for the old faithful Nars Tinted Moisturiser. It has a reasonable amount of coverage for a tinted moisturiser and evens out my skin tone nicely. It feels light on the skin and gives a natural and glowing finish which is perfect for a holiday look.

 

Nars Creamy Concealer: If I need any additional coverage I much prefer to use a concealer rather than a fuller coverage foundation. This concealer gives excellent coverage of blemishes and any spots that may decide to rear their ugly head!

 

Maybelline Instant Anti-Age The Eraser Eye Concealer: (light) This has been my go to under eye concealer for the past 2 years and I have yet to find something to compete. It has a light coverage and never settles in fine lines around the eyes which is perfect for older skin.

 

Naked Basics Pallet: I am wholly dependent on the Naked Basics pallet to create a natural eye make up look therefore it was a must have to take on this trip. On the plus side it is small and very portable so doesn't take up too much space.  

 

By Terry Ombre Blackstar: I packed two of these as I love them to sweep across the lid, quickly blend with a Sigma E25 and off you go! I am also a big fan of cream products in the summer and that includes a cream eye shadow. I took Misty Rock for a daytime look and Bronze Moon which is darker and gives a more intense evening look. 

 

Charlotte Tilbury Film Star Bronze and Glow (Norman Parkinson Collection): This is a new product purchased especially for the summer and I LOVE it. It is simply gorgeous! I had my eye on this for around 3 months and was determined to get my hands on it for my holiday. It is the only bronzer and highlighter I took with me - all in one beautiful, handy compact.

 

Chanel Cream Blush: (Chamade) I love cream blush in the summer months and in addition to the remnants of my favourite discontinued YSL Crème Blush I packed my Chanel Cream Blush in Chamade. This is quite a bright pink and looks lovely with tanned skin.

 

Bourjois Colour Boost: (Proudly Naked) I am a huge fan of the Bourjois Colour Boost lip crayons and this beautiful natural pink-nude is my latest purchase in the line (I think I may have all of the other colours!) They are creamy and comfortable but long lasting. This one claims to last for 10 hours however as a constant lip product re-applier I have not put these claims to the test!

 

Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liner: (East End Snob) I have literally been using this lip liner for years! It seems to be the current blogger fave (and apparently a dupe for the Charlotte Tilbury lip pencil in Pillow Talk) but when this Rimmel pencil is so good I see no need to splurge on something 4 x more expensive.

Mimi's Picks

 

I used my Vera Bradley Hanging Organiser as my travel make up bag this summer. Although this isn't technically a makeup bag it has a lot of different wipe clean, clear compartments so it's really easy to see and find everything. I also like how I can hang this up in the hotel bathroom and everything is ready to use. I used my Mr Bunny travel make up brush set from Sigma to carry my many makeup brushes as there is a lot of room for extra brushes and I like to use it to stand my brushes on the counter top when applying my makeup. 

 

Revlon Eyelash Curlers - I have repurchased these for years! They are cheap, do the job well and I don't get upset if they get a little beaten up. However as we are both had LVL Lash treatment just before our holiday they were never used!

 

Tarte Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Sunscreen -

This is other product I purchased on whim in Sephora and was not disappointed. It basically does what it says on the tin. It’s a lovely light weight skin evening base. I was running very low on this so I repurchased this trip!

 

Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer - I love this for concealing and highlighting under my eyes it has a lightweight consistency and is very moisturising so it never looks cakey or heavy.　 

Anastasia Brow Wiz - This is my ultimate holy grail product. Need I say more? Heat proof and long lasting!

 

Maybelline Lash Sensational Waterproof - I am so fussy with mascara but this one is unbelievable! It curls and holds my straight lashes like no other mascara.

 

Chanel Bronze Universal - I stole this from Elle and I am obsessed! This is a gorgeous creamy bronzer which is really easy to use. It is very subtle but also buildable.

 

No 7 Pop and Glow Cream Blusher - I have this in both Mango Sorbet and Rose and I love both. The formula of these products is so creamy, smooth and pigmented! I have a big issue with my makeup disappearing throughout the day but these little blush sticks these really hang around. I like them so much I am thinking of purchasing the highlight stick and the bronze stick as well.

 

Naked 3 - This pallet is my go-to for every eyeshadow look. I love the cool toned matte colours for everyday and the high sheen glitters for a fun night-time look. My favourites everyday look is Nooner through the crease, some mascara and I'm ready to face the world.

 

We would love to hear about your favourite holiday make up! Tell us about some of your favourites below!