Foundation Files; Byterry Light-Expert Click Brush Foudnation (Shade Extension)

Foundation Files; This is where I test out different base products, from concealer to powder, tinted moisturiser and foundation etc, over a period of 7-14 days and post my findings. (Follow me on Instagram, Twitter and Bloglovin so you don't miss a post) So let’s get started!!!


First off some information about me; Skintype: Combination (leaning dry in winter and Oily in Summer). Shade Reference: in between MAC NC45-50/NW43. Undertones: Yellow/Neutral.

TheFoundationDirectory; Byterry Light-Expert Click Brush Foundation

Brand: Byterry

TheFoundatiobDirectory; Byterry Light-Expert Click Brush Foundation

Name: Light-Expert Click Brush

TheFoundationDirectory; Byterry Light-Expert Click Brush Foundation

Coverage: Light-Medium

Shade: 11 - Amber Brown
15 - Golden Brown
16 - Intense Mocha

Swatch: 

What The brand says: Light Perfection Foundation Brush is an anti-blemish, anti-dullness, anti-shadow foundation, this ingenious brush, christened the foundation for makeup dummies, guarantees flawless skin with every stroke! With a click, its brush applies its featherlight texture for virtually imperceptible yet totally perfecting artfully deceptive coverage. A new intelligent, practical and easy-to-apply beauty step for an instantly luminous result! The formula is an ingenious filling and anti-aging product with its extreme skincare formula: Hydra-smoothing hyaluronic acid microspheres act like an ""anti-furrow"" patch, plumping up wrinkles for an instant lifting effect. Seven anti-senescence substances (phytosterols, phytosteroids, ursolic acid, isoflavones, policosanols, pro-vitamin A, vitamin E) form a rejuvenating catalyst providing long-term protection and defying the laws of time. The Teint Expert Collection is a revolutionary take on all-in-1 make-up, this foundation brush combines a star anti-imperfection formula with a futuristic ergonomic and effective applicator to sculpt the face, instantly erasing imperfections for silky, even skin in no time.
Wear time (with/without primer): This foundation lasts well on the skin with/without primer,it give good coverage, while being very lightweight on the skin. I use the applicator brush to dab the foundation on my face, but I prefer to reach for an alternative brush to buff the foundation into my skin. 

Price (ml): £48 for 19.5ml


Pros: Skincare hybrid

Lightweight coverage
Lasts well on the skin
Shade Extension
Travel friendly

Cons: Price per ml
Shade range still a little limited
Poor Availability of darker shades

Suitable Skin Types: All (Extremes prep well accordingly)

Ingredients: None listed

Oxidation: No

Any Other Information: If you read this post here, you would know that in March I attended a workshop for the darker shades of Light-Expert, to give our thoughts and feedback on the possible shade extensions. During the launch of Light-Expert we were told darker shades were in the works, but were taking longer to develop due to this foundations 'high-tech' formula. Byterry wanted to perfect these shades and prevent that ashy grey cast that some darker shades of foundation can have, so that they performed on par with the rest of the shade range. During this workshop there were 6 potential shades, it seems only two made the cut, shade 11 is the pre-existing darkest shade in the range.

Conclusion: Although I'm disappointed that only 2 shades made the cut, I am happy to finally get my hands on the new shades, and the performance of this foundation is great. It was nice to have input into the development of the new shades, at a point when we could have some impact on the outcome, and it's nice that the brand cared enough to do this. I wish I could tell you that this £48 foundation isn't good, but I have really fallen for it, it gives great coverage, while being lightweight on the skin and lasts well on the skin during this current cooler climate. When I apply it I can feel the 'Hydra-smoothing hyaluronic acid microspheres ', it feels hydrating, soothing and cooling to the skin. I tend to use shades 15 & 16 together, 15 is probably my match, but does not have enough orange/warmth for my personal liking, and 16 is too red for my skin tone, together though they look great. I apply 16 towards the perimeter of my face, if you are after a super full coverage foundation this is not for you. 

Availability: I understand the darker shades are stocked in Harrods & Fenwick, but I could not find this foundation on their respective websites (Fenwick don't even seem to stock the brand at all), so maybe it's in store only. Spacenk online and the EU Byterry website only have the original 6 shades and not the extended shades. I hope they do stock the extended shades more widely, it would be a shame for them to discontinue it, due to 'lack of sales', it's difficult to buy something that isn't stocked.

*Rating: Love




*Ratings; Hate, dislike, Like, Lust, Love

Foundation Files; Becca Blotting Powder Perfector - Tinted

Foundation Files; This is where I test out different base products, from concealer to powder, tinted moisturiser and foundation etc, over a period of 7-14 days and post my findings. (Follow me on Instagram, Twitter and Bloglovin so you don't miss a post) So let’s get started!!!

First off some information about me; Skintype: Combination (leaning dry in winter and Oily in Summer). Shade Reference: in between MAC NC45-50/NW43. Undertones: Yellow/Neutral.

Becca Blotting Powder Perfector - Tinted

Brand: Becca

Name: Blotting Powder Perfector

Coverage: None

Shade: Tinted

Swatch:

Becca Blotting Powder Perfector - Tinted - Swatch

What The brand says: An oil-absorbing powder that mattifies skin and sets makeup for a long-lasting perfected soft focus look. This non-drying micro-fine powder controls shine without adding noticeable color or texture. Imperfections are softened while the appearance of pores are minimized for a velvet smooth finish. Use after foundation application to set makeup or alone for touch ups throughout the day.

Wear time (with/without primer): This has great wear time, once applied I don't need to reapply for a few hours, however I did find towards the end of the day more frequent reapplication was required to keep shine at bay.

Price (ml): £29 (10.8g)

Pros: Controls oil
Comes in a handy pouch

Cons: Would benefit from one extra shade being added to the line

Suitable Skin Types: Combination, Normal, Oily

Ingredients: MICA, SILICA, DIMETHICONE, OCTYLDODECYL STEAROYL STEARATE, PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRAISOSTEARATE, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE. MAY CONTAIN: CI 77492 (IRON OXIDE), CI 75470 (CARMINE), CI 77491 (IRON OXIDE)

Oxidation: None

Any Other Information: It comes with a powder puff, which I never used, it's housed in a mirrored compact, and the little zip up pouch and is a great addition.

Conclusion: Every summer the hunt for the perfect products to keep shine at bay is on, this year I found one such product, the Becca Blotting Powder Perfector. This comes in 2 shades, tinted and translucent, I picked this up from SpaceNK. I use this mainly to touch up throughout the day, I found that when used to set my base if I was a little too heavy handed it would initially make me appear a little ashy, but this doesn't happen during touch ups. it can also be used as a finishing powder, once setting powder has been applied to also prevent this.

This powder is great for absorbing oil, without getting cakey and heavy, as it has little to no coverage it hardly alters the colour of your original make up. However repeated application is required the longer you've had your makeup on, as the mattifying effects don't last as long, . I can see this product becoming a stable feature in my summer makeup, for keeping shine at bay.

*Rating: Lust

*Ratings; Hate, dislike, Like, Lust, Love

Aallexxy's Foundation Files; Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Flawless Fluid

Foundation Files; This is where I test out different base products, from concealer to powder, tinted moisturiser and foundation etc, over a period of 7-14 days and post my findings. (Follow me on Instagram,Twitter and Bloglovin so you don't miss a post) So let’s get started!!!

First off some information about me; Skintype: Combination (leaning dry in winter and Oily in Summer). Shade Reference:in between MAC NC45-50/NW43. Undertones: Yellow/Neutral.

Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Flawless Fluid

Brand: Laura Mercier

Name: Smooth Finish Flawless Fluid

Coverage: Medium

Shade: Pecan (Medium to Deep with Cool to Neutral Undertones)

Swatch:

Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Flawless Fluid Foundation Swatch

What The brand says: A long-wear, oil-free foundation that magically blurs the line between real skin and makeup. Shake & tap to activate this unique formula. This revolutionary bi-phase, two part formula is designed to deliver the most natural looking colour and lightweight coverage. Colour true pigments rest at the bottom of the package while reflective waters (Hydro-Brilliant Technology) float to the top. Vigorously shaking the package before each use ensures the pigments blend with the reflective waters to create fresh colour every time. Long-wear (12 hours). Humidity-proof, sweat-proof / water resistant. Oil-free; non-comedogenic. Non-greasy; non-drying. Dermatologist tested. Suitable for all skin types (including sensitive skin), especially normal-to-oily skins.

Wear time (with/without primer): This base has great wear time, on my combo skin though, my oils do push through after a while, but it gives more of a glow than oil slick look.

Price (ml): £35 for 30ml

Pros: 24 Shades

Cons: Messy packaging

Suitable Skin Types: All; oily skin types will need good prep, especially if you prefer a true matte finish.

Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, Water/Aqua/Eau, Silica, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Phytostearyl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Poly(Glycol Adipate)/Bis-Hydroxyethoxypropyl Dimethicone Copolymer, Citrus Limon (Lemon)Fruit Extract, Fumaria Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Hull Powder, Fumaric Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polysilicone-11, Dimethicone/Divinyldimethicone/Silsexquioxane Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Isohexadecane, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Sodium Lauroyl Asparate, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Zinc Chloride, Polysilicone-1 Crosspolymer, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Ammonium Polyacryloydimethyl Taurate, Polysorbate 20, Polysorbate 80, Polyurethane-40, Nylon-12 Fluorescent Brightener 230 Salt, Polyvinylalcohol Crosspolymer, Peg-10 Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Propylene Carbonate, Triethoxycaprylysilane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Disodium Edta, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol. Maycontain/Peut Contenir/(+/-): Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499 (Ironoxides).

Oxidation: None

Any Other Information: This is one of those bi-phase products, where the fluid and pigment seperate, so you have to shake it to mix. If you shake it with the lid on, the product oozes out everywhere, a way to prevent this is to shake the bottle with the lid off and your finger over the hole.

Conclusion: This is a gorgeous lightweight base, that photographs beautifully and covers well without looking cakey or heavy. I have overlooked Laura Mercier base products in the past, not sure why, but I will definitely be investigating them further.

*Rating: Love

*Ratings; Hate, dislike, like, lust, love

Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Cleanser

So I've had this cleanser for a while, I originally purchased it from spacenk.com back in September for £35, but it didn't suit my combination skin at the time, which can get quite dry in the colder months. I instantly regreted forking out that amount of money for a cleanser and as my first foray into Sunday Riley skincare products I was quite disappointed. It's a lightly foaming gel based clay cleanser, with vitamin C and essential oils that is geared towards normal to combination skin, that is in pursuit of ceramic smooth skin and minimises the appearance of pores. The refined french clay (montmorillonite) purifies skin, vitamin C ester boosts radiance, black pepper fruit oil stimulates circulation, sandalwood oil helps with skin irritation, is anti-inflammatory and promotes radiance, jasmine oil soothes and restores, frankincense tones. This all aids in balancing the skin and is paraben free.

Had to steal pic from cultbeauty.co.uk as my bottle looks manky now lol.

I recently decided to try and use up some products I've had lying around and this was one of them, and I have to say I have been pleasantly surprised. It makes my skin feel very smooth and clean, I use it in the morning as I prefer balms and oils at night, and massage it into my face. You have to shake up the bottle at each use as the clay and oils have a tendency to separate, especially if left for a while. I started by wanting to use the product up and now I'm dreading it running out. if you have dry skin don't go anywhere near this or use very sparingly, and obviously if essential oils don't sit well with you, then avoid this cleanser. But for my combination and oily skin girls and guys, if this is in your budget I'd say give it a go.

Have you tried this cleanser or any other Sunday Riley products?

Thanks for visiting the blog today.

Cane and Austin Ultra Sheer Weightless SPF50 Sunscreen.

I purchased this Cane and Austin sunscreen towards the end of last summer from SpaceNK, the one I was using at the time was making my already summer oily prone skin oilier. It's a chemical sunscreen, which is most effective when applied on bare skin, as it needs to interact with skin cells to be most effective.

 

This stuff is great, it's an extremely white watery liquid when it comes out, but does not at all leave a white cast and sits beautifully under make-up. It isn't cheap at £32 for just shy of 60ml, but it's fortified with anti-oxidants including green tea, vitamin E and Co-Q10, it's oil, alcohol and paraben free and has photo-stable technology.

A lot of brands are now bringing out there versions of this kind of transparent ultra sheer finish, but at the time I purchased this it was quite unique and is now one of my favourite sunscreens. This has an expiry date on the bottom (month and year), which I think is great, sunscreens become in-effective after a while and you wouldn't want to think you're being protected when you're not.

Have you tried this sunscreen or anything similar?

Thanks for visiting the blog today

Alex

Eyeko Tinted Brow Gel!!!

So I've had this post sitting in my drafts for ages, I recently purchased a new tube of the Eyeko brow gel and thought about this post, as a beauty blogger constantly trying new products its a big deal when one is repurchased. This is a tinted brow gel that comes in one 'universal' shade, it works perfectly on my deeper skintone and dark hair, the squeezy tube means it will last for ages, I'm still scraping some product from my old tube.

Loads of brands are now releasing brow products with a much smaller wand, but I feel Eyeko was definitely one of the first, which is genius, your brows are such a small area of your face, and if you have sparse brows like mine even smaller than average lol!!! So a huge mascara sized wand isn't ideal, such a simple thing, but makes a huge difference.

In addition to the the tiny wand, the formula also contains keratin (the protein that makes up hair and skin) and gingko bilabo, which are said to work to condition and thicken the brow and it is paraben free.

It's great worn alone or over other brow products like pencils or creams and I absolutely love it, the pictures below show the product applied alone.

 no brow gel

Only brow gel, no brow pencil


(Please excuse my brows, they haven't been threaded in months)

I love this brow gel, it's lasts all day and holds brows in place, it's a nice addition to know that something that will be used daily can be a benefit in the long run.

Have you tried any eyeko products? Any other eyeko recommendations?

Thanks for visiting the blog today

Alex

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder - Dark Skin

To date this is one of the most confusing things I've had to test out for review, when I heard about the hourglass lighting powders I was super excited (sad right?) and couldn't wait for them to come to the UK. I wanted to see them in person, being a darker skin girl when you hear 'universal shade', you're always sceptical. I called my local Spacenk and was informed the powders were not in store until May and I could join the waiting list (WHAT???), the beauty consultant however reassured me that she had seen them on all skin tones and they were fine. With this information and armed with £5 Ndulge reward I ordered Dim light online, the one that seemed to be the most suited to darker skin tones with minimal shimmer. This powder costs £38 for 10 grams, which for hourglass is not too bad, it's paraben, talc, fragrance, gluten and nanoparticle (whatever that is) free.

Box

Hourglass' claims:
A wardrobe of six universal finishing powders that recreate the most exquisitely flattering light, powders capture, diffuse and soften the way light is reflected on skin, brighten the appearance, and conceal skin imperfections infused with technologically advanced soft-focus particles that help make skin appear younger, even-toned and radiant. Unlike traditional powders that use opaque pigments, Ambient utilizes “photoluminescent technology” – micron-size spherical particles that refract light and create transparent coverage, while each can be worn for day and night.

ETHEREAL LIGHT is an opalescent sheer, cool white powder that mimics a moonlit glow – even in broad daylight
DIFFUSED LIGHT is a soft, warm, pale yellow powder that conceals redness and gives skin clarity – like a soft ray of morning light
DIM LIGHT is a neutral peach beige powder that blurs imperfections and highlights a radiant complexion with the perfect balance of warm and cool tones
MOOD LIGHT is a soft, sheer lavender pink powder that mimics the softest most forgiving light and reveals your brightest complexion
LUMINOUS LIGHT is a champagne pearl powder that creates a soft, incandescent candlelit glow – day or night
RADIANT LIGHT is a sun-kissed golden beige powder that enhances the overall complexion with believable, subtle warmth, and also extends a summer glow.

Compact

The packaging is nice, but not as heavy as I was expecting from the luxury brand, and it's very susceptible to finger print marks. Each time I used the powder I felt differently, sometimes I felt I could really see the blurring and soft focused effect and other times I wasn't so sure. I used it to set my make-up, but also as a finishing powder after make-up had been set with another powder (worst result), it seemed to work best for me as a setting powder. My combination skin is currently normal to dry at the moment and this powder gave a nice satin finish to the skin, not as glowing as I was expecting, but great for all over the face and something I'll appreciate once my skin gets oilier with the changing season. I tried this over different bases, Sleeks BB cream, lancome's teint visionnaire and my maqpro palette (click the links to see reviews), but I really noticed exactly what it was doing to my skin when I tried it on alone.

 

PowderNo Powder

Above is the powder on my skin with no other make-up on whatsoever (Scary!!!), I noticed how it really blurred the imperfections and gave a lovely satin finish to the skin, it doesn't flashback or leave a white cast on my deeper skintone.



 

This is a picture of the powder over my maqpro palette foundation. I am really loving this powder, my first hourglass product and now want radiant light, hourglass also have a brush they are selling with the powders for £30, but I have been using Elizabeth's Arden mineral powder brush (had it a while) and its been fine. The idea is you lay the powder across the skin, rather than buffing it in, so it can reflect light.  

 

Have you tried any of the ambient powders, what do you think, which one did you try.

 

Thanks for visiting the blog today.

 

Alex.

Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer!!!

The Kevyn Aucoin SSE is not new to the beauty world, but it's one of those products that can take a while to get the hang of how to use it, it's so versatile that it can actually be rather confusing and if used incorrectly can make you look very cakey. It's a small pot of richly pigmented product that can create a very light tinted moisturiser type coverage or full no skin on show coverage, it can also be used as a concealer.

    

 

This small 18g tub costs £36, but you need such a small amount that it will last quite a while, I have two out of the fantastic 18 shades (SX12 and 15). As you can see from the ingredient list it does contain mineral oil and its the first ingredient on the list, so this maybe a problem for some, its available in SpaceNK stores and on there website.

With flash and without.

I've had shade SX12 (lighter shade) for a while and its still going strong, although I don't use it daily, I use it as an under eye concealer or all over my face, it blends well when used as a light coverage. It has strong yellow undertones, I either dot it lightly and blend with a brush or damp beauty blender sponge or mix it with a clear primer, like the one from elf and set it with Mac's mineralise skin finish powder in dark (this warms the product up slightly and tones down the overly yellow undertones. SX15 is a more recent purchase (January '13), I use it to contour my face, it blends well into the skin and the colour can be controlled by how much product is used and how well blended it is. I scoop out a small amount of product and place it in a small tub, to maintain the hygiene of the product, and since I've taken the first scoop I have not had too go back for more. Again these are not used on a daily basis, just because I'm a beauty junkie and have a few options of other products to choose from, but they are great products and I love them for there versatility.

Heavily swatched, with flash, without flash below.

Blended into the skin, with and without flash.

If you have a medium black or asian skintone, with strong yellow undertones this will work well for you, buying more than one shade also means you can mix to get your desired colour making it work all year round. You can also mix these with other bases, tinted moisturisers, foundations etc to adjust the colour and/or coverage.

Have you tried the sensual skin enhancer yet? How do you use yours? Any further tips on how to use this product?

Thanks for visiting the blog today, if you have any further questions put them in the comments section below and I'll do my best to answer.

Alex