Product Rave - Max Factor Creme Puff Blush - 15 Seductive Pink

I never used to be a blusher girl but the older I get the more I love it -  gimme all the blusher! Saying that though I probably already own all the blusher! One of these days I'll get round to sorting out my bronzer, blusher and highlighter draw but in the meantime I'll just keep adding to it!

One of my most recent blusher purchases and one that's been talked about a lot in the blogosphere is Max Factor's Creme Puff Blush in 15 Seductive Pink.

I'm a huge, huge fan of baked blushers and this one is no exception. Baked blushers start out as creams which are baked till they dry out and set. Unlike a traditional powder blusher baked blushers retain some of that originally creaminess so they never feel dry or powdery on the skin.

Another thing I love about baked blushers is the fact that you very rarely get a flat or singular colour. Seductive Pink contains a combination of shimmery pinks, peaches and corals. 

 This blusher has a soft, silky feel and the pigmentation as you can see from this swatch is excellent.

A little bit goes a very long way but it blends like a dream, giving the cheeks a really healthy flush, with just a hint of iridescence.

From the moment that I bought it, this has been one of my go to blushers, it suits my skin tone perfectly, it's easy to apply and it wears well, Thanks to my extensive blush and highlighter collection I can't see myself buying any of the other shades but if they're all as good as this one I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them and if your a blusher fan like me you need Seductive Pink in your life!

Max Factor Creme Puff Blush comes in 6 shades and retails at around £8.99 from various retailers including Boots and Superdrug. Have you tried any of the Max Factor Creme Puff Blushers yet? Let me know if you have, I'd love to hear your thoughts x 

Collective Beauty Haul - Models Own, Benefit, Avon, And More

Hey Guys x I'm back after a couple of days break and I'm back with another haul! I've been a bad girl and despite my promise to rein in on my spending it hasn't really happened. I've had a bad couple of weeks and when that happens I shop, You've already seen some of my most recent clothing and accessories buys but this post is all about beauty.

As well as my Urban Decay Naked Basics 2 Palette I also placed a couple of Make Up Revolution orders, I know, I know but those special offers and new items dragged me in. I'm not actually going to show you what I got in this post instead I'm going to show you the products as I review them starting with some of the new brushes later on this week. Don't worry though I've still got plenty of things to show including a pretty big Avon haul.

The first thing that I got was from one of the sale catalogues - I always have a look through these first - they don't come with every brochure but they are worth a look if you're lucky enough to get one. I normally look at the nail polish but for a change my one sale purchase was a lipstick.

Last year I bought and loved the Color Trend Naughty Or Nice Lipstick in High Society (read my review here). I loved the fact that you got two shades in the one bullet so when I spotted them in the sale I decided to get another one this time in Two Timer.

Apologies that the swatch pictures aren't the best but this lipstick is all about contrasts - one one side you get a subtle, nice nude shade and on the other side you get a bright, naughty red. Both of these lipsticks are still available in the most recent sale brochure and on the website for just £2 each.

My name is Louise and I'm a sucker for a freebie and as a Valentines Day special Avon were giving a away a set of products all packaged in this super sweet, glittery, lip print pvc cosmetic bag.

All you had to do was buy one of the selected lip products - I'm still loving lip crayon, chubby stick type products so I went for one of the Ultra Colour Lip Crayons in Showstopper Pink, an amazing hot pink that will be ideal for summer.

As well as the cosmetic bag you also got a free nail polish and a lip gloss. There were several different options to choose from but thinking pink and trying to look ahead to summer I went for the Ultra Glazewear Lip Gloss in Pink Watermelon and the Nailwear Pro + Nail Enamel in Viva Pink.

I've accumulated a few of these glosses and crayons so I'm going to do a separate review and swatch post for you, and I'm sure that you'll see the nail polish in a summer nails of the day post.

Why can't I stop buying nail polish? Okay Viva Pink was technically a freebie but I couldn't resist ordering one of the Gel Finish Nail Enamel's in Sterling.

What can I say ? It was half price but it is such an unusual colour. It's a beautiful metallic, pewter silver packed full of sparkle. I'm going to hold my hands up and admit that I haven't actually tried the other polish I have in this formula so I don't know what it's like but the colour called to me.

Something else that called to me was the Models Own sale. I'm a regular patron of this almost annual event, and thankfully this year, there didn't seem to be any site crash issues and despite placing my order 3 days in I still managed to get everything that I wanted.

I tried not to go too crazy so I only ended up buying 5 polishes which were from left to right - Chrome Mauve, Chrome Indigo, Diamond Luxe Trillion Taupe, Diamond Luxe Asscher Blue, and Speckled Eggs Swan. Quite restrained I think ha ha but as I say I'm a sucker for an offer.

Another day, another nail polish and on a recent trip to Poundland I couldn't resist picking up another Make Up Gallery nail polish. I was so impressed with my first shade Mushroom Magic (read my review here), it was inevitable that I got another one, this time I went for  a dusky, purple, lilac rather unimaginatively named 25 Purple Rain.

I love my bargains, and at the moment I love my brows. After years of seeing my eyebrows as nothing more than a nuisance at last I'm starting to see them in a new lights and I'm really enjoying trying out some new brow products. My brow hairs are quite long so on occasions I've pulled out the scissors - not always the best thing to do so I got a pair of these from ebay.

Basically what they are is a set of brow scissors and a comb in one courtesy of one of my favourite Korean brands Etude House. Yes you can use nail scissors but the shape of these scissors and the attached comb mean it's both safer and easier to neaten them up and separate the stragglers. I paid just 99p including postage from this seller.

Over the last month or so I've made a few visits to Boots and Superdrug, but generally I've left empty handed. In about 3 or 4 visits I only bought one thing but it was a beauty. A Max Factor Creme Puff Blush in 15 Seductive Pink.

I'm hoping to get a full review of this up at the weekend but you know me and baked blushers - it's love x

Something else that I'm planning to review for you is from a brand that is new to me Doll 10.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record and repeating myself for the billionth time I'm a bit of a QVC addict and one of the reasons why is that I love the fact that they sell so many hard to find beauty brands. Doll 10 is one of those brands, they're a US based brand headed by qualified doctor and former Mrs America, Doris Dalton. Although I've watched several Doll 10 hours I'd never placed but a recent one day one Today's Special Value offer changed all that. For around £31 I got 7 items, including the brands highly rated Hydra Fluid Foundation Drops and the Prescion Foundation Brush, and the BB Drops, as well as a concealer, a lipstick, a lipgloss and the most beautiful Hydra Gel Blush in Amour.

I admit it, I ordered this kit for the blusher - it's a cream, gel texture and it is beautiful -  I know it's probably a new brand for most of you too so I'm going to try and review of much of this kit as I can for you x

Something else that I ordered from QVC was Benefit Puff Off, QVC had the official UK launch of both this and Roller Lash but Puff Off was the thing that I really wanted and so far so good x I'm going to review it properly for you but both me and Mummy Lou are really liking this at the moment. I also got my Roller Lash mini free with Elle magazine so once the hypes died down a bit I might review it as part of my Sample Saturday series x

Phew that was a long and picture heavy post wasn't it x Although I've placed a few orders this week I  promise I'll hold off on the haul posts for a little while and get some reviews done instead ha ha x Thanks for reading and if you have any questions on any of my buys please leave me a comment x

October Haul - Part 2 - Beauty, Clothes And Accessories

As well as my home haul I also bought quite a few other bits in October, including beauty, clothes, shoes and jewellery.

My first purchase of the month was a jewellery piece from Iced Rainbow. I've already done a post on my gorgeous leaf necklace which you can read here but I've worn it so often already that I thought I should show you it again. I'm really hankering after the fox and owl pendants at the moment but I must stay strong, especially with Christmas on the horizon

I'm normally a huge fan of the Next sale but over the last year or so I've found it harder and harder to grab any real bargains. Never the less I did pick up this fab pair of shoes. They're basic canvas lace ups, but the pattern is fabulous, featuring a gorgeous pink, grey, light blue and green floral pattern on a navy blue background. I won't be wearing these till next summer, but I really like them. They were originally £22 but I think I got them for £14.

I also got a top from Next. On the website this was originally advertised as a t-shirt but when I received the Christmas catalogue it's classed as a pyjama top. Never mind I'm still going to wear it as a t-shirt.

It's short sleeved and in a grey marl, and it features a felt applique snowman, with a woolly hat, and sequin detailing x I paid £12 from the Next website, but you can also find it in store.

As well as my mini Next haul, I also bought a couple of bits from Primark including the ivory version of the chain detail top that you can see here. It was on a sale rack and was only £3, instead of the original £8.

I also bought this set of three faceted, teardrop earrings for £1.50 which I love. I only wish they did rings to match.

Next up H&M - Again I've sent back more than I've kept but I did keep a couple of jewellery pieces including a set of gold and silver finger tip rings which were only £1.

I also got a set of four gold tone metal, mesh bracelets which were £3.99. You can also get these on the website in a rose gold tone and in a silver tone.

The only other jewellery piece that I bought in October was from ebay. I was looking through the site looking at fashion jewellery and quote pendants, and I found this.

It was 12 years this week since I lost my dad, and the quote really does ring true. You never stop loving someone just because they aren't with you anymore x Love really does go beyond the moon and stars x I paid just 99p including postage from this seller.

As well as the necklace, I also got a cute, pair of black, frilly socks from ebay. I don't know why, they were a bit of an on the whim purchase but they were only 99p including postage from this seller, and socks are always useful.

My final clothing purchase came from the Studio website. I usually buy the odd Christmas pressie from them but I saw this t-shirt and I melted.

I've seen a few Frozen t-shirts in Primark and the likes but I fancied something a little bit different - Do You Want To Build A Snowman? Always :)

Looking back at my purchases I didn't buy quite as many beauty bits as I thought I did but I did make a few Boots purchases. The first thing I got was from Maybelline, and it was one of the new Color Show Eye Shadow singles in 23 Copper Fizz.

Apologies that the pictures aren't the best but this embossed shadow is in a beautiful metallic, pink, copper shade. It's a powder shadow but it feels creamy, and almost oily to the touch.

The pigmentation is good, and it gives the lids a fabulous metallic sheen, ideal for a subtle festive make up look.

As well as the eyeshadow, I also picked up another lip butter / balm / stain stick, this time from Collection.

I'm loving this type of product at the moment, so I couldn't resist picking up another one.This is the Collection Galactica Lip Butter in 2 Cosmic Candy.

This is a lovely, bright frosted pink. It's very moisturising and has a mild strawberry flavour.

I have to say I really like this so far, my lips are very dry at the moment and this feels really creamy and comforting and I love the colour.

I read a couple of reviews of this next item before I purchased it - see yet more blogger enabling! but I'm always on the look out for a new foundation, and this one intrigued me.

Max Factor Skin Luminizer Foundation in 40 Light Ivory is designed to give your complexion radiance and light. My skin can look a little grey in the winter and I'm really hoping that this gives me a boost. I will of course be doing my own review in due course x

I know what your thinking, where's the nail polish? Well not one to disappoint I did buy one nail polish in October.

I got Essie - For The Twill Of It from the bargain, make up store in the Metro Centre. It's a gorgeous, blue, grey, purple and green duochrome.

Apart from a pack of Primark face wipes, I didn't buy anything else bar a couple of magazines which contained a few freebies. First of all InStyle which contained a free 15ml Elemis moisturiser. There were two options to choose from but I got the Hydra-Boost Day Cream. This one is ideal for dry skin. I'm a huge fan of Elemis moisturisers so I can't wait to give this one a try, especially during the colder months, when my skin is drier.

One of the most regular freebies in UK magazines seem to be L'Occitane hand creams, and last months Marie Claire contained a 30ml tube, in a variety of fragrances. I searched and searched and eventually I found the one I wanted, the Zesty Lime fragrance, and boy am I glad I did. I love this so much that I will be reviewing it in the coming weeks as part of my sample Saturday series.

The final product in this months post is something that you can still pick up. Being a subscriber I got my copy early but the December issue of ELLE contains a mini Benefit They're Real Push Up Liner. I'm going to do a little review of this too and compare it to the Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner Pen which is supposed to be a good alternative, so keep checking back to read it.

So that was my haul x Apologies that there is no video this time round, but I'm having quite a few problems with lighting and general recording quality so videos are on hold for the moment. I'm hoping to sort something out soon so please stick with me x I hope you've enjoyed both of my haul posts today and if you have any questions please leave me a comment x Thanks for reading and I'll see you tomorrow with a combined review and giveaway post x

A Review Of L'Oreal Matte Morphose Foundation

I purchased this product a few months ago as part of a rather large Superdrug haul as per usual I was a sucker for a good offer, and snapped it up at an introductory price I've had a good chance to use it for a month or so, so I thought I'd let you know what I think. One of the biggest problems I have with my skin is oil/shine and open pores - this product sounded as though it was was the answer to my prayers - a 12 hour luminous matter finish - pres and wrinkles looking smoother bring it on!

The texture of this product intrigued me L'Oreal describe as a souffle foundation - I have tried mousse and cream foundations before but I've always been less than impressed, they are either to greasy or too dry and cakey on my skin, this though was something different.


It has a lovely light whipped texture which blends easily on the skin, without any caking or streaking, either over moisturiser or over primer. The best way I found of applying it was to apply a blob to the back of my hand and then apply it with a duo fibre type brush - this one is by Ruby + Millie it's a decent brush but it it terrible for shedding - a MAC or Sigma 187 or 131 would also work really well, I then went over it with a foundation sponge for a flawless finish. As you can seen in these pics the coverage really is good

Before

A very scary pic lots of redness, spots and shine

After

A pretty even complexion which is definitely less shiny, even without concealer and powder

I have to admit I tended to powder down my t-zone with this after a few hours so I am not convinced about the 12 hour claim but I still removed make up from my skin about about 12 hours both with and without primer so that has to be a good thing. I only have two main gripes about the foundation, first of all you seem to use a lot of it and you only get 20ml in the jar which means it probably isn't going to last long, and also the colour choice. There is only 6 colours to choose from which isn't the greatest shade range - I got 110 Rose Ivory but to be fair I probably could have got another couple of shades - they seemed to be pretty similar. Having said that I actually really liked this foundation I am not convinced this shade would work for me in the depths of winter but it's a nice foundation and I have already repurchased. L'Oreal Matte Morphose Souffle Foundation is around £11.99 from all L'Oreal stockists. Any questions please let me know x

Face Of Yesterday

I had to pop to the Post Office yesterday so I decided to take my foundation test pics before I went, so I decided to show you the rest of the make up that I wore in a delayed FOTD :) Again no neutral eyes, I went for a shimmery silver / lilac look, pretty pink cheeks, and glossy pink lips - enjoy xx





Yesterday I Wore

L'Oreal Matte Morphose Foundation - 110 Rosy Ivory
Boots No 7 Concealer Trio (all colours blended)
The Balm Time Balm Concealer - Light*
Boots No 7 Translucent Loose Powder
MAC Blush Ombre - Azalea Blossom
Benefit High Beam
Scarlett & Crimson Creme Eyeshadow - Silver Spoon (from The Smokey Trio)
MAC - Idol Eyes
Max Factor False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara - Black
Avon Daring Definition Cream Eyeliner - Black
Revlon Colorburst - 020 Baby Pink
Random Pale Pink Lancome Juicy Tube

(*provided for review purposes)