Bourjois 123 Perfect Foundation Review

I am such a novice when it comes to face base, I never really knew what I was doing when I was younger, and throughout my late teens and early twenties I just used a tinted moisturiser. Then I swapped to BB Creams and although I'm still a fan of them, I was looking for a bit more coverage. So I purchased my first high end foundation - Jemma Kidd Light as Air (reviewed here). I liked it, but for £25 for a half empty tube I didn't think it was fantastic so won't repurchase it.

I have used Bourjois Healthy Mix before when I was younger and did like it, and I know it's raved over, but whilst perusing Bourjois on my recent drugstore visit, I decided to go for the newer 123 Perfect Foundation, with its promise of  'a rested yet radiant complexion and a flawless, even result for up to 16hrs', with 24 hour hydration and SPF10. (Bourjois website).

Unblended on right, lightly blended on left.

Pros:

• I picked shade No52 Vanilla and it blends perfectly with my skintone.
• It is easy to apply and blend, I use my Sigma stippling brush for the best affect.
• It did even out my skin tone as I have discolouration on my cheeks, and it covered my pores well.
• I didn't feel I needed a powder after this, and I have combination skin, but I always apply bronzer anyways. You could probably go without.
• It definitely was long lasting, although probably not 16 hours (I always use a primer anyways)
• Bourjois is cruelty free.

Cons:

• It's a liiiiittle runny but that doesn't bother me too much. 
• I'm not sure  it was effective at covering my dark undereye circles, I still could definitely not go out without my trusty Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer on top.

Here it is on my face with no other makeup (ugh):

So it's done ok with my discolouration and pores, still got a wrinkly forehead and dark circles tho!

 

On the whole, I like it and would recommend it. What do you think? Have you tried this foundation? Should I have stuck with Healthy Mix?

Let me know!

~ Lauren ♥

Smile Enhancing Lipglosses

I recently bought two smile enhancing lipglosses, actually a coincidence, it's not something I usually look for in a lippie but hey ho.

The first was a random purchase in Watt Brothers whilst I was looking for toy soldiers (don't ask). They had a big Sally Hansen display and this lipgloss in shade 'Gleaming' was only like £2. Please note I purchased this BEFORE making the conscious decision to go cruelty free, I am aware Sally Hansen test on animals and won't be purchasing from them again.

Anyways, the product is fairly average. I always thought a blue tone was needed in lip products to make teeth appear whiter, a la Benefit's California Kissin'. However, this was too pale and pink and did not appear to make my teeth appear any whiter than normal.

The second product I bought just recently from Bourjois, and it's quite quirky. It's called Smile Enhancing Gloss in shade 05 Framboise Hollywood.  It's double sided, with one side as a lipgloss and the other as a teeth whitener. I'm not exactly sure how the teeth whitener is to be used, like if it's to be left to dry or not used within a certain time of eating, and I can find no instructions on it.

However, the concept is pretty fun, even if I do get a few funny looks when applying it in the pub toilets. I can feel the minty effect and I do feel like it temporarily brightens the teeth and besides, the lipgloss colour is divine!! Give this one a try I think.

It's actually a lot bolder in real life, quite a bright, deep pink.

And here's the swatches on my hand also:

Sally Hansen on left, Bourjois on right

Have you tried any of these products? Have you found any lip products that really do make your teeth appear whiter?

Let me know!

~ Lauren ♥

17 Cosmetics Fest-of-All Freebie. :)

So I recently repurchased one of my favourite mascaras of all time and DEFO my favourite drugstore mascara - 17 Peepshow. I reviewed it here, but here's a quick reminder of it's luciousness:

Lovelovelove.

Anyways, so if you spent more than £6 on 17 Cosmetics, you got a free goodie bag. Peep Show is £6.99 so I scooped up my freebies and headed off to the cash desk.

So here's what I got:

An eyeliner, a nail polish and wash off tan. Unfortunately, I doubt I'll be using the kohl or tan, as I use gel eyeliner now and don't ever wear wash off tan. I really like the nail polish tho, 17 nail products are usually good and this one is no exception.

For some reason, this colour refused to photograph well! My camera couldn't focus on it at all. It's a bright corally orange, with a slight shimmer. This was with two coats, one coat by itself was quite pale:

Cute, huh?

So remember, if you're planning on popping into Boots, spend more than £6 and you can pick up this cute wee set. Bargain. :) Have you seen any other good deals like this recently?

Let me know!

~ Lauren ♥

Primark Bargains: Dip Hem Dresses :)

During my hiatus I bought two adorable dresses from Primark I've been dying to share with you guys. They both feature dip hems, which I was initially unsure of as a trend, but I now LOVE. They still show a bit of leg but are very flattering and still dressy!

**Sorry the photos are such poor quality, using a new online 'photo collager', any suggestions for a good one?? :(**

Here's the first one, it's more of a casual dress:

It was £10.

I can imagine wearing this one holiday, over a bikini, heading to the beach. What a bargain! It's a bit long for me tho haha. It ties up with a rope halterneck.

The second one is a bit dressier:

It was £17 I believe, which is expensive for Primark but not in general. It's also a bit shorter at the back than the first dress, which is good for a wee smout like me! I wore it recently to my boyfriend's Graduation (Congratulations Scott Reid BA with Hons!!! =p)

And a wee extra that I picked up that I thought was cute, a wee playsuit - £7, I think! :)

What do you think of them? Do you like this trend? Have you seen any lovely versions in other stores?

Let me know!

~ Lauren ♥

Bikiiiiiiniiiiiiis!! A selection I have bought. =p

So I booked up a last minute holiday, and of course this means BIKINIS. Now, I used to be a wee stick when I was younger and the bikini posed no threat - however now I am a 'curvy woman' (haha trying to justify becoming fat) the mere thought of one fills me with fear. I am pear shaped, so I set out to try and buy some figure flattering two pieces.

Don't worry, I am obv not going to post photos of myself in the bikinis on the internet - I am all too aware how that could end up! So here they are all by themselves (you'll just have to imagine them on).

These are my selection from Primark:

Top to Bottom Prices:

Multicoloured Bikini - £5 top, £3 bottoms

Floral Bikini - £7 set

And my selection from New Look:

These are all Kelly Brook bikinis, I love her designs in New Look, I love the pin-up style! I think they're perfect for curvier girls and luckily a lot of them were in the sale!

Top to Bottom Prices:

White Travel Print Bikini - top: £16.99 but in sale for £12.99; bottoms: £9.99 but in sale for £7.75

Blue Floral Bikini - top: £16.99 but in sale for £6.00; bottoms: ££8.99 but in sale for £3.00,

Pink Bottoms (couldn't get a top, just gonna get a wee cheap pink or white one!) - £8.99 but in sale for £4.00


And Tesco (yes, really):

They are both a bit sparkly which makes me happy. :)

Top to Bottom Prices:
Orange Striped Bikini - Top: £7; bottoms: £5
Floral Bikini - Top: £9; bottoms: £5

What is your favourite? Do you have any tips for figure flattering bikinis? Or any quick weight loss ideas haha?!

Let me know!

~ Lauren ♥

Winner of Naked2 Giveaway!

Thank you so much for all your entries into my competition and a big hello to all my new followers! Thank you all for reading my blog, whether you're a loyal reader or brand new. It's made me so happy!!

So, without further ado, the winner is:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

CONGRATULATIONS! :)

I'm going on holiday tomorrow (Friday 13th, eek!) so my new two weeks of posts will be scheduled. But please continue to leave comments and I'll check them as often as I can!

See you when I'm a bronzed goddess (haha)!!

~ Lauren ♥