Review // Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet

I couldn't resist picking up this new launch from Chanel even though I've never tried their foundations before and i was very tempted to get the Vitalumiere Aqua, but for 'blogging purposes' i went for this one. To be completely honest I've only wore this foundation a few times so this is more of a first impressions but it doesn't take me long to decide what i think of foundations. Im going to try to be as in depth as possible with this review because i know it can be hard to decide whether to splurge on a foundation that is expensive like this. 

Application - The first day that i wore this foundation i used my fingers to apply it but also used a brush, i then realised that on the little instructions leaflet inside it stated that you should use your fingers to apply not a brush/sponge. Ohh and it also says that you should shake it before you use it. So the second time i tried it i did exactly that. I did find that when using my fingers it was slightly harder to blend but thats only because the shade i got was slightly more on the darker side so i applied it all with my fingers and right at the end i would just buff in any parts that didn't blend well with my Real Techniques Buffing brush. 

However if you get a perfect colour match this shouldn't be a problem. I will say though, Chanel foundations don't seem to have the best shade range which is very disappointing when they're charging £33 for it!

So this is the before and after, i only used the foundation and skipped my usual concealing so i could see how well the foundation works on its own. I did add a little extra foundation on my spot and on my acne scars around my chin to give them some extra coverage. 

Formula - The formula is exactly what the name suggests 'Velvet' i don't think i could explain it any better. Its got that feel that something like the Smashbox primer gives or you could say its quite a powdery feel. It is definitely a matte foundation but it isn't like most other matte foundations. It still gives the skin a nice luminosity and doesn't look cakey at all. I'd say I'm probably going to use this in the warmer months when my skin is oilier but if you have normal, combination or oily skin then this foundation is probably great for your skin. Whereas dry skin gals, you might want to steer away from this foundation it might just make your skin look even drier. I do have dry parts of my skin and it didn't cling to these but a foundation that it dewier is probably better for dry skin. 

Coverage - This is a light foundation, as you can see in the before and after picture it doesn't cover everything but it does give a lovely even natural finish. I think it can be built to a medium coverage with an extra layer or so. I just love how even it made my skin look without covering it completely. Seen as the coverage was only a light/medium i wasn't expecting it to have staying power, but i was wrong! It really does stay put all day. 

     

Packaging - I personally love the packaging! I find glass foundation bottles like the YSL Touche Eclat foundation do look more luxe but they're just not practical, they're heavier, take more space in your make up bag and i know someone who actually dropped and smashed her YSL foundation in a glass bottle and it smashed. Ooops! Well you won't be having any of those problems with this, its nice and small in a plastic bottle. I also find the squeezer (i don't actually know what its called but ill call it squeezer) the bit where the foundation comes out its really good. Pumps often squeeze out more than you need, and ones that don't have pumps are just a pain. But this little squeezer makes it perfect for getting just the right amount out. I also tested this by turning the bottle upside down and none comes out until you squeeze the bottle. 

Overall id say that this foundation for me is great, especially as the weather is warmer and i need something more matte. Its got the right amount of coverage for me because i love light/medium foundations and even though its matte its still really brightening and luminous. 

I hope this post helps any of you who are not sure on whether or not to buy this :) Leave a comment and let me know if you have tried this foundation or what your views are on it.

Amber x

The Statement Lip // Orange Edition

Today's post is dedicated to the lovely girl working in The Body Shop in Sheffield I met a few weeks ago. I was just browsing in the store and i was approached by the girl working in store, who was actually wearing this lipstick. Even though its pretty bright and a statement lip, i thought i could never pull off orange, but she insisted it would suit me. I reluctantly said okay i'll try it. She put it on for me with a lip brush and then handed me the mirror and i was pleasantly surprised. Who would have known it, orange lipstick isn't as bad as it sounds!

The swatch above shows how pigmented and vibrant the lipstick is! I had never even tried The Body Shop lipsticks before this so i was slightly skeptical as i'm into my Mac's and Chanel's but this is on par with them bigger brands, if not better! The formula is a matte but its not drying at all, its still really creamy and soft. Its got great staying power too.. Win Win all round!

I think this lipstick would suit most people, but it more so on olive skin or people with a more yellow/warm undertone. I'm so glad i stepped out of my 'beauty comfort zone' and tried something new. 

Leave a comment and let me know if you have tried any Body Shop Lipsticks and what you think to them.

Amber x

'Sunshine in Spring' OOTD // 15/04/14

The sun made a welcome appearance today and even though I've been ill for the past week I forced myself to get up and get out! 

I've got my fav bourjois colour boost lip crayon in the shade 'Fuschia Libre' on because I'm feeling all summery and bright! 

I swept my hair to the side and did a quick and easy plait. 

For my OOTD, I paired my New Look jeans with this cute blouse from Warehouse and a jumper from h&m over the top because it still wasn't too hot outside. My white converse just topped off this super casual outfit! 

My day in pictures // 10/04/14

This morning I woke up (at 7.30 even though I didn't need to be up until 9.30) and decided to take a few pictures throughout my day to share with you even though I woke up feeling ill and had no plans. So apologies in advance for it being a bit of a boring day but I thought I would share it anyway. My blog. My rules lol.

First of all, a jog around my park. Yes you heard right! This isn't a regular accurance even though I want it to be. I took these on my iphone and instagramed most of them so the filters are a little obvious!

As soon as I got home and kicked off my shoes I dragged myself into the kitchen feeling exhausted and rustled up some breakfast. Attempting to be as healthy as possible while I was at it. OH not forgetting a big glass of water before and after the run, gotta keep hydrated girlies! 

I came back up to my bed to flick through my company magazine and enjoyed my breakfast.

A few hours later after doing not much at all.. I was feeling pretty ill. I had some paracetamol and a cuppa tea to keep me going. Again this isn't a regular accurance, I'm a coffee lady usually! 

That's what I call a no make up, feeling crap but the tea will help selfie. 

This is a no frills straight up comfy in the house OOTD. It's surprisingly matchy to say it's a chillin in the house outfit, which are usually a mix match of anything I can get my hands on first in my wardrobe. 

I have my mums laptop which used to be mine, so that I can do some photoshopping pictures for the blog. 

Finally I got back in bed with mine and my mums laptop and spent pretty much the rest of my day in bed feeling sorry for my ill self and attempting to photoshop some pics.

Ohh last picture had to be put in of this gorgeous apricot tart with strawberries.. Mmmm :)

I know this is a different type of post for me but let me know if you would like more of these!

Toots signing out for the night! 

X

A Nude Matte Lip.. High Street VS High End

Above L to R: Sleek in Birthday Suit, Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in 34 Raffinée. 

Theres no universal nude shade that suits everyone so finding the right one for you can be a little difficult. Ive found that to be the case for me anyway, i either end up with a lipstick that gives me that 'foundation lips' look which washes me out completely or a lipstick thats too light like a baby pink which doesn't suit my skin at all. This can be worsened when the nude colour is a matte, making an even more impossible task.
Todays a bit of a different post too, this is the battle of the High-street VS High-End, but who will win? 

Round one // The High-Street Nude - To those sleek smarty pants, YES I'm cheating because this is a lip cream (apologies for cheating but you will thank me later) but I'm classing it as a lipstick. Right, now thats out of the way, lets just appreciate how cool the formula on this 'Matte Me' lipstick is, you apply it as if it is a lipgloss, the same doe-foot spongy applicator, it goes on creamy and slightly glossy but dries completely matte, and when i say completely matte, i mean make sure your lips are in perfect condition before applying this to your lips. This stuff clings to dry patches on your lips you didn't even know you had. The colour 'Birthday Suit' is more on the too light side but it is very close to my natural lip colour. The colour pay off is fab and it stays around for hours without coming off. 

Round two // The High End Nude - Oh Chanel my beauty how i love you *insert lovestruck emoji*. The Rouge Allure Velvet formulas are by far the best matte formulas around, and I've tried my fair share being a matte kinda girl. Its creamy and soft and glides on your lips like.. well.. velvet. The colour of this is more on the pinky side of the nude scale and would probably only class as a nude on skin tones like my own, but its a beautiful shade regardless. Perfect pigmentation but the staying power on this one isn't as good as the Sleek. We can probably all agree who wins the prize for best packaging.. i won't even say it. 

Round three // The verdict - They both have their pros and cons and they're both two of my favourite matte nudes. The winner is pretty clear to me though and wins by a mile, and that is of course the Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet. *round of applause woop woop*. This isn't a packaging bias verdict, its purely because i use this one way more and the colour is just stunning and the formulation is something else. Well done Chanel, you did us proud! 

Hope you enjoyed this post guys, would you like to see more of these 'battle' style posts? leave a comment and let me know! and if you have tried any of these, what do you think to them? 

The Multi-Tasker - Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream

Every girl should own one of these… thats a big statement to start with but fo'real girls, this is a must have. Its a classic cult product thats been around since its first appearance in 1930 (yes I've been doing my research on this super cream). 

So what is it? -  To sum it up its basically like a better version of vaseline, in a tube. It has the texture of vaseline and smells rather strange but i can get past that (there is a non scented version too if you don't like the original, so smell before you buy!). This is the small version that i got in a set but it has lasted SO long and I'm not even half way through! 

How do you use it? - Personally I love using it as a intensive lip balm when my lips are really chapped, just squeeze a tiny bit out because a little really does go a long way and smooth it straight onto your lips and thats it! 

You can also use it on any dry skin patches on your body like elbows or your hands, wherever you need it really. 

Top tips that worked for me - My favourite way of using this little wonder is as a dewy highlighter. This is how celebs and models achieve that super dewy make up look, especially on runway models. You know when they look like they have flawless radiant and dewy skin but somehow look like they have no make up on. Well thats when this bad boy comes in.. dab a tiny amount onto your finger and apply it to the high points of your cheeks and rub it in. Be light handed tho you don't want to look greasy. But there you have it.. a lip balm and highlighter all in one.

Come on, one more top tip? -  Go on then i'll share my last favourite tip when using the 8 hour cream. Now this may seem slightly odd and I'm not claiming this will work for everyone but it certainly worked on me. You know when you've got a pesky spot on your face and when you apply make up over it you get those really dry patches around it? well yeah i have a tip that will solve this over night (or over two nights if I'm being realistic). How to do it.. 

If you see a spot coming, or if its already popped up on you unexpectedly, just dab a little bit of the 8 hour cream on it at night before bed. When you wake up in the morning you should see that you don't get that dry skin around your spot.. but stick at it a few nights if it doesn't go straight away. Also i have found that it works wonders at actually reducing the spots over a few nights. 

Hope you liked this, leave a comment and let me know if you have tried the 8 hour cream and how you use it :)

Amber x