Drugstore Brand Spotlight: L'oreal

As much as we all love high end beauty products, they do have a (sometimes ridiculous) high price tag attached.  I have therefore made it my aim over the past few years to weed out the best products from the drugstore (I hate that phrase as much as the next person but it is standard in the beauty community..!) that don't cost an arm and a leg.

Over the next few weeks I'm hoping to put a spotlight on some of the best products found in Boots/Superdrug that I've personally bought and loved and the odd few that have disappointed... Because, at the end of the day, a low end mascara may cost £5-ish but if you end up buying 4 awful ones, you may as well splash the cash on a YSL..  So, hopefully I can pin point the best products to save on and, with some recommendations from you beautiful people, build up a resource of the best cheap products out there!

Please note: I am not affiliated with any companies whatsoever - these are my honest opinions, as always.

First up....

L'oreal

Bases

True Match Foundation and Powder: Blendable.  Good shade range.  Commendable lasting power.  Adapts to skin. Don't bother with the roll on - very much a gimmick!

Infallible Foundation and Concealer: Great lasting power.  Nice shade range. Concealer thick but blendable - great for under the eyes!  The foundation now comes with the option of an attached brush - I would say stick with the original packing - more product for your money! (30ml vs 25ml)

Studio Secrets Primer and Foundation: Primer makes skin feel gorgeous and helps any foundation to glide on.  Foundation applies beautifully with attached brush and sets with a gorgeous dewy finish.  

Touch Magique concealer: Light reflecting brush on concealer.  Light coverage but nice effect under eyes as doesn't sink into fine lines.

Eyes

Voluminous Mascara: Gives long, thick lashes. No flaking or smudging to note.

Telescopic Mascara: Amazing length!

Carbon Gloss Super Liner: Precision nib that can great desired thickness. Glossy black line that stays put all day.

Lash Renewal Serum: Brilliant mascara primer.  Over time, lashes look longer, healthier and thicker.

Lips

Glam Shine Lipglosses: Glossy gorgeous colours - great shade range.  Heart shaped wand smooths and plumps lips.

If you have any other recommendations please comment - I will then add them in!

xxx

Thank God it's the weekend

A sort of blog-vlog if you will :)

After a long week of mainly ten/eleven hour days, on Friday all I wanted to do was crash.  However, never one to miss out on a social opportunity I hot-footed it to my best friend's house ten miles away to see all my old school friends.  We had a fantastic time laughing, reminiscing and munching some highly calorific treats such as these meringues I threw together ....

After all this I didn't get the early night I needed and then being so dedicated to the shopping cause I woke at 8 on Saturday to go to a nearby open-air market which always promises a bargain.

My early morning was not in vain - a Topshop £28 dress for £6 (pictures later) and these little gems:

John Freida Brilliant Brunette Luminous Colour Glaze - £1

L'oreal Studio Secrets Primer - £2

I've always meant to try these out but never got around to it - for those prices how could I resist?! 

I was home and exhausted by midday and after a quick application of St Moritz I fell into bed and had a fantastic nap.  You know, one of the good ones where you fall asleep easily and sleep for just the right amount of time to ensure you wake refreshed and not groggy.  As a student I have perfected the art of napping...!

I then embarked on the mission of getting ready to head out for the night and after a few hours of primping and preening I was ready to go...I could not be a wash-n-go girl if I tried..!

This was the dress mentioned earlier - I was really not sure about it as 99% of the time I wear black on a night out but I warmed to it in the end.  Variety is the spice of life and all that....

I teamed it with just a black skinny belt and my new Bertie shoes which I couldn't be more in love with if I tried.

The elasticated straps mean they are so insanely comfortable and the fact that I got them in the sale for a tiny price make them 100 times more beautiful.

My make up was pretty standard for me - bit of MaxFactor foundation, 3 tone smokey eye, Hush cream colour base and pinky lips and cheeks.  Classic combo!

I had such a fun filled evening with my bestest and even though one too many tequilas were consumed I actually feel bright and breezy today!

I am going away on Tuesday for 2 weeks so today's tasks are to start packing and schedule some posts - typical lazy Sunday :)

Also, I will be watching The Wanted's music video about a million times to catch a glimpse of this beaut..

I mean...his surname is George - it'd be rude not to marry him right?!

Love Mrs George George

xxx

My Summer make-up saviour

When the sun starts shining or I set off for a warmer climate I, like many, am faced with the prospect of an all too shiny face and make up that slides right off.
I hate attempting to cover the shine or set foundation with tonnes of powder as I just feel like it masks the problem and doesn't help your skin one bit.  So my saviour is?

Lancane Anti-Chafing Gel

I can hear the collective "WHAAAAAAAAAAT?!" !!

Well I heard on the grapevine that this product has basically the same base ingredients as popular high end primers such as MAC Prep and Prime.  Well after a bit of web based research I found this to be true but also that the Lancane has only four ingredients compared to MAC's TWENTY SEVEN.  I'm not usually fussed about things like that but it is nice to feel like I'm putting something on my face that it not a total crazy mix of chemicals.  The MAC also contains acid and silica which doesn't sound that great to me either.

The other major difference is the price.  Lancane = £5.99 for 30 ml ; MAC = £16.50 for 30ml.

So far, so good. :)

I have to admit, I have never tried MAC's but I have tried the GOSH primer and as far as I'm aware they are both much of a muchness?

Well this product is the same as the GOSH if not better.  All you need is a pea sized amount and you simply rub in into your entire face or the areas you just get oily - after moisturiser; before foundation.  It makes my skin so incredibly soft, reduces the appearance of pores and makes my foundation glide on effortlessly.  It also does exactly what I want a primer to do - keeps my make up looking fresh all day and keeps my t-zone matte - I assume due to the starch it contains which soaks up any oils.

In conclusion - I love it!  I would not be without it in the Summer months now - it just makes the world of difference to my make up.  I did get some funny looks when it fell out of my bag one day though - so now I decant it into small clear pots - reduces the embarrassment of the apparent need for an anti-chafing gel....

NB It is also fantastic for popping on under your foundation before a big night out - allows me to dance the night away and still look matte in the photos - fantastic!