Bad Luck in the Foundation Department!

The foundation gods were not on my side today, let me tell you! 


Although I was able to find a bunch of other products such as 2True Eyeliner, other 2True Mascara, 2True Cheek 'n' Lip Tint, Makeup Academy Lip Gloss (Shade 3) and a collection of EcoTool's brushes. The one product I was unable to locate in my shade was foundation. 


At first, when I went to my Boots at Kensington High Street, I was extremely excited to re-purchase the Clinique Anti-Blemish Solution Foundation. I have had nothing but an excellent experience with the brand or this particular foundation. As I had forgotten what shade I had gotten, I thought it would be the best to ask a Clinique sales woman. Again, I have ONLY had an excellent experience with everything associated with them. 


My experience: The woman who did my shade match, picked a color that seemed 3 shades too dark for me. It is probably my fault for not noticing how dark it was. BUT I do have to state, that it looked perfectly fine to me in that particular lighting. 


After doing some intense makeup shopping I arrived home and my mom was horrified at just how dark my foundation was. We ended up throwing it away and the £21 it cost with it. 


I was disappointed at (a) not having any foundation for a couple days and (b) having my first bad experience with Clinique. I don't know which hit me the hardest!! 


Being as I have a Boots right across from me, I thought I would pop in and just quickly get a cheap foundation that would last me until I got my Clinique with my mom. 


ALAS, that too didn't work out the way I had planned. I wanted to try (due to a friend's recommendation) the new 17 foundation but the only shade they had a sample of was "extreme fair". How ever white I might be, I am not extreme fair! 


Then Bourjais, I tried their "healthy mix" foundation. I had previously purchased that about a month ago but lost it, stupidly. I even tried tried their newer foundation, I felt it was too heavy for my skin. Maybelline was the same saga, either the tester wasn't there or it wasn't right more me. 


When I returned home, I ate away my sadness with jelly beans....delish!!


XOXO
C

2 Good 2 Be True

I mentioned in a previous post that in addition to purchasing my 2True Instant Length Mascara, I also purchased their "All Over Natural Bronzing Powder" (pictured). I have had bad experiences in the past so I was in my mind skeptical in buying one. 

The deal 2True was presenting that day (and I believe it is still going on at the moment) was my essential curiosity in their products. But once I got home and tried it, this was my first reaction to the product - I felt the product was quite soft and I was able to easily apply it. The brown tone complimented my skin in ways others didn't. In the past, I have had experiences were the bronzer made my face look extremely orange and it didn't make my skin have that effortless glow. The one you get during the summer from a little tan from soaking up the sun at the beach. 


My MAIN reason for buying this was I had been advised by a friend that a matte bronzer would be great for contouring my cheekbones. God didn't bless me with natural cheekbones like my mother and a number of my friends. Such bad luck! 

The video (above) I found is the best tutorial for contouring cheekbones. I was able to do it, however, I haven't yet perfected them. 


Once I feel confident with my cheekbones, I shall present them to the blogging world. 


XOXO
C

Look at that Shine!

I thought before doing my second part of 'Oil vs Oil" segment, I would show you a quick update with my hair from the actual oil treatment. 

This picture was taken a couple days ago after other hair wash. As you can see it has definitely made my hair more shinier and bouncier, if I do say so myself. Also, in my opinion, my curls are a lot more pronounced. For me, my curls haven't been this healthy since before I started styling my hair. 

In addition, my color (which has been through 3 different dying sessions) is getting healthier day by day. 

I wonder how the results of the hair oil mask will compare, wait and see :)

XOXO

C

Don't Take My Word For It!!

Here's what others had to say about Liz Earle's Instant Boost Skin Tonic: 


"This product smells so fresh and invigorating! Refreshes my skin and leaves it hydrated all day. Perfect as part of my daily routine!" - Leanne McDougall 


"This is hands down the best toner I've ever come across. It smells lovely and leaves my skin just perfectly refreshed and clean!" - Lisa Schobesberger


"I absolutely love this product, have been using it for about 5 years, wouldn't be without!
I find this product extremely moisturising and soothing!" 

"I cannot rate this product highly enough! After using very harsh highstreet products in my teens, my nose was left dry and flakey in the morning no matter how much (or how strong!) moisturiser I used. After applying this there has been absolutely no issues! My skin feels soft and smooth and I now need only a light moisturizer to hydrate my skin. The C+P cleasner did not agree with my skin but this is amazing, always make sure I have a spare bottle so I don't run out!!. Oh and it smells lovely too :-)"

XOXO

C

A Toner that Will Rock Your Skin World!

£11.75 at Liz Earle 

I seem to be doing a lot more product reviews lately, so I thought I would include a magnificent skin product (pictured). It is Instant Boost Skin Tonic by Liz Earle. Liz Earle, isn't that an American brand? A question you might be asking yourself, yes, yes it is. BUT luckily for you, I know where you can purchase it if you don't have the luxury of living in America. 


You can either order it off their website: http://uk.lizearle.com/cleanse-tone-moisturise/instant-boost-skin-tonic.html or you can purchase it at one of their stores. I use to go to their Sloane Square store, when I first moved to London. I went there for blackhead extraction facials and they had me use two of their products:


(1) Instant Boost Skin Tonic (pictured to the left) AND, 


(2) Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser 


NOW, on to the product! I hadn't use this product in a while (as I just relocated it in LA over the Spring Break) but as soon as started using again, I saw a huge difference. 


What does this little bottle claim to do? "This heavenly floral-scented, non-drying toner refreshes, soothes and brightens your skin. Gentle and alcohol-free, it also adds a fine layer of moisture."


What has been my personal experience? It definitely brightens and soothes my skin BUT I have found that if I use it everyday, twice it does dry out my skin a little bit. So, on top of using the toner I also use my Clinqiue moisturizer. However, all the natural ingredients that is in it makes me feel reassured that I am not putting loads of chemicals onto my face. 


I might take a break from it and use store bought toners for a while but I would definitely repurchase this and just use it in more spaced out intervals. 


Try it out for yourselves :). Again, everyones' experience might be different! 


XOXO
C

John Frieda Fans Rejoice

The best kept secret in haircare, only two words: John Frieda. I have mentioned this brand numerous times on this blog and through my comments I have found among the blog community some other John Frieda fans. 


I have been using John Frieda since middle school and it has come out with different products that have definitely been proactive in keeping mine and others' hair conditioned. Moisturized. Shiny and in top notch condition. I also used their "Blonde" collection of products when I dyed my hair blond ish a couple of summers ago. 


This very special product I am going to talk about is part of their "Frizz Ease" collection, which is ESSENTIAL for my unpredictable hair. 


It is called: John Frieda Frizz-Ease Straight Fixation (pictured below)

Source: Google Images

This is one of their many heat protection and straightening products. What does it claim? It claims "silkens and smoothes for an ultra long lasting, straight style." 

Does it do it? I think so! It says you can use it either with damp or wet hair and then style as usual. I actually don't use it for my protection purposes but to simply give my hair the feeling of smoothness and shine. It does THAT without fail everytime. 

I put a TINY dab and rub into my hair all over. I concentrate primarily on my ends as they are most damaged. I really began using this product a month ago and I am seeing instant results. 

My hair is even letting me start to straighten it, I am really excited about that. Believe you me. 

It is totally worth it AND as if this product could any better, it is ONLY £5.89. 

YES you definitely heard me correctly!! 

XOXO

C

Oil vs Oil

Back again, the blog ideas just are coming to me! This one was actually requested by a friend of mine and I believe, in one of my earlier blog posts a mentioned a couple hair oil products I had come across. Alas, I never got around to blogging about them.....until now! 


This is gonna be a two parter blog post: Oil vs oil hair mask! The first part is going to be: hair oil. 


I heard rumblings about using oil on your hair and how amazing it was meant to be for it. To research it, I presented all my questions to my friend who uses it and then I looked for store brands that made hair oil products. 


My first purchase was: Origins Conditioning Hair Oil 98% Certified Organic which retails at £17. Origins has a reputation for good quality products, producing amazing results <= a seperate review is STILL pending. 


AND THEN I used simply the oil at home in my kitchen, which is what my friend said she did. The oil I use is: Spanish Extra Virgin Olive Oil. 

I have used it 4 times already and I use it once a week. I distribute the oil all around my head, as my hair is thick I need make sure it has been covered. I, then, leave it on for approximately an hour and a half (in a bun) and it only takes me two shampoos to get out. I will sometimes do 3 just make sure all the oil plus shampoo is gone!


I have to say the result has UNBELIEVABLE. I was just telling a friend that it has indeed transformed my hair. My hair is shinier, less greasy (I have found it has helped balance out the oil and dry levels in my hair), it has gotten rid of the small amount of dandruff I was beginning to have and my 'dead ends' are slowly coming back a live. 


Although I need to really trim my ends, if I am going to solve THAT problem.

BEFORE

AFTER
THE NEXT PART WILL BE POSTED SHORTLY!

XOXO 
C

Lash It Up!

This is my first "official" blog post since being back and in action. I have to be honest, I have missed posting several blog posts throughout the day. It's like a part of me is missing - my writing part! 


What to talk about today? Well, my faithful companions, I thought I would discuss my latest purchase: 2True Instant Length Mascara. 

I purchased this at Superdrugs, a long with a bronzer (also by that brand) and my handy dandy beauty card. 


My first impression of this product was "Wow, 3 for 5, great deal!!" When I picked up the mascara, I liked the thickness of the wand and how the brush was curled. So, it flicks your lashes up. A little boost never hurt anyone! 


The first time I tried it, I wasn't thrilled. When I applied it I felt it was too clumpy and come on way too thick. In addition to those two down falls, it didn't really make my lashes any longer. 


HOWEVER, 


My tune quickly changed when I tried it again today. I, honestly, did a complete 180 with my feelings towards this product. It was like it was a completely different mascara.


Not too thick, lashes definitely were longer and I simply couldn't stop looking at my lashes in the mirror. End result pictured below

Apologizes for the blurriness!

I am SUPER excited to get this mascara again and also try their other products :). 

If you guys have any mascaras you love, do share!! 

XOXO

C

UPDATE!

Hey Everyone!! I am sorry for not updating this blog for what seems like forever. I was looking at it and noticed that I hadn't updated since April. Has it been that long? Really? That's really bad FOR me. Sorry!! 


So many things have been happening: exams, new blog sites and now I have my very own Youtube site. 


My youtube channel is - www.youtube.com/lamakeupgal. I love watching youtube videos, makeup and hair tutorials and also, reviews. I have 11 videos up there already, it's gotten all my attention. 


Hope you guys check it out and I'll post a blog tomorrow morning. Get back into good habits! :)


XOXO
C