Ring a ding ding...

Some recent additions to my ever-expanding ring collection!

I think I might need to find a new way of storing my jewellery...!

Melanie x

Maxfactor Second Skin Foundation Review

Bonjour mon amies, today's post is in the form of a review, this time for Maxfactor Second Skin Foundation:

I came across this whilst browsing on Fragrance Direct, and had been intending to purchase the Revlon Colorstay, but (after doing a quick google/blog search for reviews) decided to opt for this instead after being taken in (as I often am) by the blurb: multi-tonal pigment technology to blend with your natural skin tone/creates a smooth, flawless finish/innovative formula that creates the look of natural looking skin

Fragrance Direct were also offering this for £9.99 for 30ml instead of the usual RRP of £13.99, so I thought i'd try it whilst I could get it on offer.

I purchased (what I thought was) the lightest shade offered by Fragrance Direct (click here to see the Second Skin page on the website...oo I've just noticed it's gone up in price by 51p!), 040 Creamy Ivory, but when I received the product it did look quite dark, and I was worried I was going to end up with tango face!

(As you can see in the pics above and below the foundation does look a tad darker than my hand colour)

As you can see below however, it blends out really well and does seem to adapt to your natural skin shade, albeit whilst adding a slight tint to the skin.

This particular foundation is definitely of the light-to-medium coverage, possibly leaning more to the lighter side - i'd say it was almost like a tinted moisturiser but with a bit more coverage.

A little goes a long way - I use half a pump per four areas of my face (so two pumps worth for both cheeks, chin and forehead), and find it actually blends to a more natural finish when used with a foundation/stipple brush (I tried initially using just my fingers, but found the product was simply wiping off areas rather than blending in!)

Like a tinted moisturiser it gives enough coverage to even out skintone whilst giving a suble tint/lift and lovely glow to the skin. You will need extra concealer to cover spots/redness however (I use a green concealer round my nose and Rimmel coverstick on blemishes).

(With and without flash at 8am this morning)

(Without and with flash at around 5:30pm tonight)

As with any light coverage foundation by the end of a hard working day (ha) and in an air-conditioned office environment, it has worn off slightly, but not obviously so. I tend to find foundation (of any sort) wears off and goes patchy round my nose and chin, therefore I wasn't expecting Second Skin (which doesn't claim to be long lasting, infallible etc) to perform miracles and still look as fresh as it did first thing this morning, and I would like to put it to the "summer test", i.e. how it fairs through heat, sweat, etc etc.

It doesn't however leave my skin looking dry/cakey or dull as some foundations at the end of the day  can do, and as its so light it hasn't caused me to break out (*touch wood*).

I think this makes a good alternative to heavier foundations as we're coming into summer, whilst still providing that little bit more coverage and "security" than tinted moisturiser.

Have you tried it?

Melanie

NOTD: A Shellac Hybrid!

I'm chanelling my inner Wizard of Oz/Emerald City vibe this week with my choice of nail colour:

There is no name for this particular shade, as it's actually a combination of two Shellac polishes: Black Pool (a jet black) with Iced Coral (a coral shade with a slight green dimension to it).

I couldn't get my head round how combining black with coral could equal amazing glittery emerald green, but apparently Iced Coral can be layered with a multitude of different Shellac shades to produce amazing colours (it must be the magic UV-lamp effect!)

Can't wait for my next appointment to try a different colour!

Melanie x

Style Crush of the Week...Nicole Richie

Hello lovely folk,

i'm back with another Style Crush of the week for you, this time its the teeny-tiny Nicole Richie.
Now, who can forget when she looked like this:

Thankfully she's looking a lot more healthy nowadays, and has her own clothing and jewellery lines (named Winter Kate and House of Harlow respectively).

I really like Nicole's casual, (seemingly) just-thrown-together boho type of style, and the way she accessorises with key pieces such as designer handbags (her favourites being Balenciaga and Chanel), funky sunglasses, hats and beautiful scarves.



Melanie x

Fragrance Direct Mini Haul

It can be a very dangerous situation for my bank balance when i'm let loose on the internet, and when I came across Fragrance Direct, I thought I might have to cut up my debit card to prevent any major damage being done!

Fragrance Direct offers designer perfume/aftershave, haircare and cosmetics at discounted prices, with brands ranging from Calvin Klein to Batiste to Skin Doctors!
It can be a bit hit-and-miss as to what products are available, and what types/colours/prices of these might be on offer, but its worth checking on the website every couple of days as I believe the stock can change quite often.

After initially going click-mad and adding about fifty things to my basket (quite literally), I eventually put my sensible head on and narrowed the items down to the following (which I really needed and so were justified!):

Maxfactor Second Skin Foundation in 040 Creamy Ivory

£9.99 (RRP £13.99)

I was planning on purchasing Revlon Colourstay (which sells on the website for a bargainous £8!), but then was sidetracked by this, and I'm really glad I chose it as it will be perfect now we're coming into summer: leaves skin with a beautiful, light dewy look - I love!

Rimmel Clear Complexion cover stick in 001 Ivory

£1.50 (RRP £5.95)

A bit of a cult classic - and couldn't believe it was only £1.50!

Maybelline Anti-Redness cover stick concealer

£2.99

I suffer with rather unslightly red patches around my nose, so i'm hoping this might save the day!

Badger Balm Cuticle Care

£3.99 (RRP £4.59)

I've been meaning to buy some sort of cuticle conditioner for a while, and I have to admit it was the cute packaging that attracted me to this at first!

All the ingredients are organic and not tested on animals.

Delivery is £1.95, with my order (including delivery) coming to approx. £20 - my debit card was happy!

If you haven't had a look yet, I thoroughly recommend you try Fragrance Direct for really fab cosmetic bargains.

Melanie x

Melanie x