Foundation File; C.A.K.E Cosmetics Daily Wear Foundation

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; FoundationFiles - C.A.K.E Cosmetics Daily Wear Foundation 

Brand: C.A.K.E Cosmetics

Name: Daily Wear

Coverage: Medium

Shade: N95

Swatch: 

TheFoundationDirectory; Foundation Files - C.A.K.E Cosmetics Daily Wear

What The brand says: Introducing C.A.K.E Cosmetic's Daily Wear Foundation. The light-medium coverage foundation, has a silk like feel when applied to the skin and will leave your face feeling hydrated. Achieving flawless skin has never been so easy. A coconut oil based foundation that diffuses the line of make-up & skin, the lightweight formula leaves the complexion looking natural & radiant. 

Wear time (with/without primer): Unfortunately as this shade is too dark and too red for me, I did not wear it for a full day, I did however apply it to my face around the house for a couple of hours without primer or powder and it wore well. 

Price (ml): £13 (30ml)

Pros: Affordable
Comes in a pump bottle
Catered specifically for women of colour
5 shades
The website gives comparisons to other shades in other brands to help find your shade

Cons: Limited accessibility
Difficult to tell the order of the shades as they don't appear to follow a similar numbering system

Suitable Skin Types: All who like a radiant finish. 

Ingredients: Aqua (water), Propylene Glycol, Coconut Oil, Cyclopentasiloxane Ethylhexyl,Dimethyl Paba Talc, Cyclohexasiloxane Caprylic/Capric,Triglyceride Stearalkonium Hectorite,Dimethicone,Stearic Acid Boron,Nittide,Cyclomenthicone Pvp, Triethanolamine,Potassium Cetyl Phosphate,Tocopheryl Acetate, Mica, Xanthan Gum Dimethiconol,Propylene Carbonate, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Propylparaben,Ammonium Acrylates Copolymer Ethyhexyl,Palmite,Silica, Silica Dimethyl Silylate Butylene, Glycol Capryl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol,Sodium Hyaluronate,Hexylene Glycol, CI77891,CI77499,CI77492,CI77491

Oxidation: There is a very slight oxidation with this as it dries down, but it's very difficult for me to tell as the foundation is too dark for me to begin with. 

Any Other Information: C.A.K.E cosmetics was created by Stevie Newman, she saw a gap in the market with the lack of affordable foundation shades for women of colour and decided to do something about it.  

Conclusion: Unfortunately I am not going to be able to give a thorough review on this, as the shade I was sent is too dark, I did apply it to my face around the house though so I can give an initial impression. I really like the way it applied, even though coconut oil is the third ingredient, it did not feel oily, it kind of dried down in the similar vein of a dry oil. I love the way it blended well into my skin and look very skin like, with a natural sheen before any powder was applied. I am definitely intrigued enough to want to purchase this in my actual shade. 

Availability: Cakecosmetics.co.uk & Superdrug.com (not yet listed on there)

*Rating: Like (based on my initial impression)



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

FoundationFiles; Is Makeup Revolution The One Foundation, the cheapest foudation ever!?!

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; Makeup Revolution The One Foundation

Brand: Makeup Revolution

Name: The ONE Foundation

Coverage: Light-Medium

Shade: 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16

Swatch: 

TheFoundationDirectory; Makeup Revolution The One Foundation Swatches

What The brand says: This will be your ONE Foundation. ONE shade for everyone. Using revolutionary fusion technology The ONE Foundation adapts to your skin tone and texture to give a flawless finish. Benefits: Due to it's liquid formula, it is easily build-able and applied. The ONE Foundation gives full coverage resulting in a matte finish. Available in 16 shades to suit every skin tone. 

Wear time (with/without primer): The wear time on this foundation is not that great, it's not a matte foundation as stated, and I feel due to it's lightweight consistency my oils pushed through quite easily. I would also struggle to class this as full coverage, you get a medium coverage at best, and that requires a lot of layering, it also oxidised quite badly on me.

Price (ml): £1-4 for 29ml dependending on the shade.

Pros: Affordable

Shade range
Shade adjusters

Cons: Accessibility
Undertones
Doesn't live up to claims
Not long wearingon a combination skin

Suitable Skin Types: Dry, Normal and Combination (if you a willing to touch-up). All skin types if using as a mixing agent.

Ingredients: Aqua, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Isododecane (and) Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane (and) Ethylhexyl Palmitate (and) Quaternium-90 Bentonite (and) Propylene Carbonate, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol (and) Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, BHA

May Contain: Titanium Dioxide(CI 77891), Iron Oxides(CI 77491), Iron Oxides(CI 77492), Iron Oxides(CI 77499)

Oxidation: Yes, a lot.

Any Other Information: Don't get me wrong for the price this is an ok foundation, but I really wanted to love it, I'll try it again once the weather it's much cooler and see if that makes a difference on my combination skin. However for now it's best as a mixing agent, for instance if you want to add more yellow to your foundation reach for shade number 12, to deepen your foundation tone add a darker shade etc. If you like a very light coverage, have dry to normal skin that holds foundation well, very few blemishes to cover, are new to make or looking for something to slap on to run errands, this could be a great option worn as a foundation. As you can see from the swatches it has a very liquid consistency, similar to Mac Face and Body, and needs a good shake prior to every use. I didn't get on with Mac Face and Body foundation either, so maybe these water fluid foundation textures are not for me.

Conclusion: I really wanted to love this foundation worn alone, firstly I struggled to find a shade, 12 has a great golden yellow undertone, slightly too light for my tanned summer skin. 13 is straight up ashy on me, as it's too cool toned, 14 has this weird green-grey-brown undertone that just didn't work for me, 15 is slightly too red and although shade 16 is gorgeous it's too dark for me. Even mixing shades together I struggled to get a good match, in addition it just didn't last well on my skin, I had to constantly touch up and after a few hour I didn't like the way it looked on the skin. This for me will strictly be a mixing agent from now on, but if you are looking for shade adjusters these are a great affordable option, or if you fall into any of the above mentioned categories this can make a great lightweight base if you can get your shade.

Availability: Continuing on with the Superdrug Shades of Beauty Campaign Foundation Exploration, this is another option available from Superdrug, I've not seen it in any stores, but you can get it online at Superdrug.com and Tambeauty.com 

*Rating: Dislike as a foundation, Love as a mixing agent.









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

Foundation files; L'oreal Paris True Match Foundation

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.

Brand: L'Oreal



Name: True Match 

Coverage: Medium

Shade: 8W Golden Cappucino/8N Cappucino

Swatch:

TheFoundationDirectory; L'Oreal Paris True Match Foundation Swatch

What The brand says: The new vision of skin matching technology. With the finest pigments, invisible to the naked eye and a creamy ultra-gliding texture for a unique silky touch. Giving you a natural finish. The new technology captures the undertones from warm, neutral to cool.

Features: New true match, super blendable foundation

The new formula contains 3 new shade enhancers for shade matching precision
Skin perfecting pigments and the ultra gliding creamy texture give a homogeneous finish
Even better colour matching, and more luminous and radiant skin than before
Even longer wear and better comfort
All you see is your skin at it's best

Wear time (with/without primer): The wear time on this foundation is very typical on my combination skin, requiring a couple touch-ups throughout the day even with primer, and the usual shiny nose appearing if I do not touch up.

Price (ml): £9.99 for 30ml

Pros: Good shade range
Affordable
Accessible
Pump bottle
Varying undertones



Cons: Not all of the deeper shades are stocked in stores
Jump between the number 8 shades

Suitable Skin Types: All, but extremely oily will need to prep skin accordingly.

Ingredients: Zinc Oxide (Nano) / Zinc Oxide, Talc, Boron Nitride, Dimethicone, Copernicia Cerifera Cera / Carnauba Wax, Cetyl Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Triisicetyl Citrate, Aloe Barbadensis / Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Tocopherol, (+ / - May contain: C177163 / Bismuth Oxychloride, C177891 / Titanium Dioxide, C177491, C177492, C177499 / Iron Oxides, FIL B167167/1.

Oxidation: None

Any Other Information: Superdrug are addressing the lack of diversity on the high street with June Sarpong as the ambassador, so I will be featuring a lot of the foundations that are available to buy from them in foundation files posts in the up coming months, read about the Shades of Beauty Campaign here. The foundation comes in varying undertones, the shades ending in N indicate a neutral undertone, those ending in a W are warm and the shades ending in a C have a cool undertone. You can get this foundation in stores, but some of the shades seem to be online only so you can get those here and here.

Conclusion: As you can see the jump in these two shades is vast, considering the only  difference is supposed to be the undertone, something it appears a lot of brands struggle to get right for darker skintones. L'Oreal are claiming that 98% of the UK will now have a 'true match' with this current foundation shade, I must be that 2% that can't find my 'true to skintone match' the 8N is passable/workable with adjustments made with my current Post Greece tan, but its still a little too red for my liking, and as you can see 8w is way too light. Saying that it's a great campaign and a great start to changing the face of the UK high street, at least someone is trying to do something about it and not just talk about it, but there is still a way to go. If you can find your true match I would definitely give this foundation a go, hopefully they will work on increasing the concealer shades next.

*Rating: Like

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

Superdrug's #ShadesOfBeauty Campaign

So Superdrug have stepped forward and acknowledged the lack of products on their shelves for women of colour, they are not the only ones of course, but they are the first to make an official pledge to address the lack of diversity on the highstreet. They've made a commitment to address this with the #ShadesOfBeauty campaign, they've signed TV presenter June Sarpong as the official ambassador, to help raise awareness of the issue and drive change.

TheFoundationDirectory; Superdrug #ShadesOfBeauty Campaign

Superdrug commissioned independent research, almost 600 Black and Asian women were questioned, and the outcome is probably no surprise to you and I. 70% felt the high street doesn't cater to their beauty needs, 55% want more affordable makeup available for their skin tones and 75% think there isn't enough advice and guidance on the high street for their beauty needs, to name a few outcomes.

TheFoundationDirectory; Superdrug #ShadesOfBeauty Campaign

As a start Superdrug have over 100 products available in 140 stores that cater to Asian and Afro hair, these include brand like Shea Moisture, Dark and Lovely, Vatika, ORS & Palmers to name a few. They have redesigned the website to create an area specifically for Black and Asian products, met with all their makeup suppliers and challenged them to expand the shade range of their foundations, Maybelline have confirmed new darker shades by the end of the year. They've also added new brands that cater to brownbeauties like Cakecosmetics, which will also be available online from August. If your local store doesn't carry the full range you can order online and get free instore delivery, or home delivery if you are a beauty clubcard member. I do hope however that things actually end up on the shelves and not just online, so we can swatch and pick appropriate shades.

Aallexxy with June Sarpong Ambassador for Superdrug #ShadesOfBeauty Campaign

I'm so happy Superdrug is doing this campaign, I mean it's only 2016, hopefully other drugstores will take note. I know Boots have already expanded and include more haircare brands for women of colour, so hopefully it can only get better from here.

Do you feel enough is being done? Have you noticed a difference in your local Superdrug?

GOSH Velvet Touch Matte Lipsticks

Last week I attended the GOSH A/W15 Blogger event to see the product lanches for the new season. GOSH are launching new nail products (A Base Coat, Topcoat, Cuticle Oil and the Fast Dry Drops) as well as a new foundation, which is NOT brown girl friendly despite having 10 shades!!!



GOSH Velvet Touch Matte Lipsticks
 

But I have to say the stand out product for me are these new Velvet Touch Matte Lipsticks, there are 8 shades and I love every last one, in fact I've not stopped wearing these lipsticks since I got hold of them.


GOSH Velvet Touch Matte Lipstick

These drugstore, creamy, pigmented, none drying Matte Lipsticks are fab, which is probably a result of the added oils, vitamin E and a dash of hyaluronic acid. These are a steal at £6.99, seriously if you are a matte lipstick lover you have to get your hands on these (and I don't say that very often), you can find them here. 

GOSH Velvet Touch Matte Lipstick Swatches

Don't be fooled by the sheen in these swatches, they dry down to a matte finish, but not too drying, although do ensure your lips are well prepped. Are you a matte lipstick fan?

Aallexxy's Foundation Files; Sleek Makeup Bare Skin Foundation

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.

Sleek MakeUp bare SKIN Foundation

Brand: Sleek (available from superdrug and boots)

Name: Bare Skin

Coverage: Light to Light Medium

Shade: Earth

Swatch:

Sleek MakeUp bare SKIN Swatch

What The brand says: Bare Skin Foundation's unique light foundation gives skin a barely-there no-makeup feel, whilst delivering a beautifully even and natural, flawless finish. The innovative, moisturising formula also assists in evening out skin tone, whilst concealing blemishes and imperfections. This superlight base feels weightless, allowing skin to breathe.

Wear time (with/without primer): The wear time on this actually improved in the absence of a primer, might have been because the primer was hydrating, which in addition to the foundation made my combo skin too oily. I imagine a mattifying primer would extend the wear even further, obviously if you have dry skin you'll want more moisture.

Price (ml): £8.99 for 30ml

Pros: 12 shades

Affordable

Cons: May not be suitable for oily skin

Suitable Skin Types:

Ingredients: Paraffin oil,Isooctyl palmitate. Isododecane.Beeswax.Sorbitan sesquioleate.Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 dimethicone.Titanium Dioxide.Magnesium stearate.Dimethicone.Sodium chloride.Iron Oxides CI77491,77492,77499. Phenoxyethanol.Methylistohiazolinone

Oxidation: Minimal to none.

Any Other Information: Sleek is one of my favourite drugstore brands, they provide good quality effective makeup at an affordable price and a nice shade range for women of colour. The face contour kit is one of my faves products, that I use nearly everyday.

Conclusion: This is a great drugstore foundation, good for those starting out with makeup or don't want to spend a fortune on makeup. The foundation lasted all day with no touch ups on me when I did not prime (see above), by the end of the day my oils had started to push through. However I feel in warmer months, this may not be the best option for my combo skin, but a good winter foundation.

*Rating: Like 

*Rating: Hate, dislike, like, lust, love.

B Beauty; B Sweet Makeup Collection

Last month I attended the launch of B Beauty's Spring 2015 Collection, B are embracing all things bright and pretty, so the usual coral and pink shades have been amped up for Spring Summer. The collection consists of a whipped mouse textured blush, a moisturising SPF15 lipstick, a Highligting Serum, alongside the launch of a makeup brush range.

B Beauty; B Sweet Makeup Collection

I received one of the 2 shades available in the B Sweet Whipped Blush called Strawberry, it's a soft pink shade, which unfortunately appears a little ashy on my skin tone. This is a lightweight whipped texture that provides a flush of colour to create an instant healthy glow, maybe the other shade Peach (more orange toned) would be more suitable for me. These retail for £7.99 each.

One of my favourites from the collection is the B Sweet Lipsticks, there are 3 shades, I received Sherbet Dip, a gorgeous bright deep pink shade. This gives buildable moisturising coverage, with SPF15 protection, The packaging is also great, think Chanel style where the lipstick pops out at the bottom, but at a more purse friendly £7.99.

Next up is the B Sweet Popping Candy Highlighting Serum, I was initially confused by this product, is it a serum, a highlighter or a primer? I was right to be confused as this is a multi-use product, it can be used as a hydrating serum, a highlighter or an illuminating primer as well as being mixed in with foundation. I'm still figuring out the best way for me to use this, it is lightweight and provides very subtle shimmer, it retails for £14.99 for 30ml.

B Beauty Makeup Brush Collection

Finally and my other favourite is the makeup brushes, I received the travel set, which contains the Powder Brush, Foundation Brush, Eyeshadow Brush and Lip Brush. Good drugstore brushes are hard to find, and Real Techniques have dominated in this area, but I think B can give them a run for their money. These brushes are super soft and I like the travel case with mirror these brushes are housed in. I'm definitely interested in looking at some fo the full sized options, and as with all B products they are Vegan and Cruelty free, this set retails for £17.99, but is currently on sale for £13.49 at superdrug.com.

Have you tried anything from the B Sweet Spring Collection, what are your thoughts?

Thanks for visiting the blog today

Alex

GOSH SS2015; Nail Lacquer, Eyelight Trio and Xtreme Liquid gel Eyeliner.

In February I attended the GOSH SS2015 Press Day, to see what new products were instore for the season ahead. I will be focusing on three product ranges that are available as part of the SS2015 launch, the Nail Lacquers, Eyelight Trios and Xtreme Liquid Gel Eyeliner.

GOSH SS2015 Nail Lacquers

The nail polishes aren't new in themselves, but 7 new shades have been launched in line with the brighter and pastel shades predicted for Spring Summer. These are in a fast-drying formula and high-shine finish and a big brush with rounded tip, which I love. I have 5 out of the 7 shades (in order as they appear above); Snow White is what it says on the tin, a white nail polish I'll probably never wear, clashes with my skintone. Seafoam is a gorgeous pale blue that I wouldn't have picked personally, but quite like. Apple Bloom is a pastel green, French Dream a pastel lilac pink. And finally Sunkissed, a gorgeous coral, right up my street. These retail for £3.99 each, instore and online at Superdrug.

GOSH SS2015 Eyelight Trios

Next up is the Eyelight Trios, these are round eyeshadow compacts with 3 shades in differing textures, an irridescent highlighter, a glitter and a satin finish. I absolutely love these, gorgeous pigmented shadows at an affordable £6.99, they are also perfume and paraben free. There are 4 shades in total, I have the 3 above, 004 Vanilla Sky, 003 Chunky Chocolate (my fave) and 002 Fairytale.

GOSH SS2015 Xtreme Liquid Gel Liners

Last but by no means least is the Xtreme Liquid Gel liners; these are new and come in 9 colourful shades in a long lasting, waterproof, smudge proof, fast drying formula, that's perfume and paraben free. The tip of the applicator is very thin for easy application along the lash line, but you can build up for a thicker line if you prefer, but these are not suitable for use on the waterline. The shades include (in order as they appear above) 003 Gunmetal, 005 Bronze, 001 Black (pure black), 002 Black Night (contains glitter), 008 Royal Blue, 004 Silver, 009 Turquoise, 006 Plum, 007 Lavender.  If you're looking for affordable colourful liquid liners, you can't go far wrong with these at £5.99 each.



Have you tried anything from the SS2015 range yet?



Thanks for visiting the blog today.



Alex

Cream Eyeshadows!!!

Hi all,

Now cream eyeshadows are not new, but they seem to be taking over the beauty aisle at the mo, either in pots, stick or other forms. I love maybelline color tattoos, but was always envious at those in the USA who had a wider variety of colours than what we had access to in the UK. I won some limited edition shades in an instagram competition a while ago, but always wanted to expand my collection. I was in Superdrug recently when they had 3 for 2 on beauty products and to my amazement found any expanded shade range of color tattoos. After a visit to 2 superdrug stores I ended up purchasing 6 new shades, adding to the 3 I won and 1 previous shade I purchased. I now have a collection of 10 color tattoos and 2 other cream eyeshadows, one from Mememe and another from B, both available at superdrug.

Previously owned colours:
Barely Beige                                         Mossy Green
 
Rich Mahoghany   

On and On Bronze

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Autumn Smoulder                                                                                         Bittersweet

New shades of color tattoos:

 

Mettallic pomegranate

24K Gold

Timeless Black

Everlasting Navy

Turquoise Forever

 

Endless Purple


I'm absolutely loving cream eyeshadows, great if you're new to using eyeshadow, as a base/primer for powder eyeshadows, also great if you're in a hurry. I especially love color tattoos, they just don't budge, the rest of my face could be melting off, but these eyeshadows stay firmly where you put them. They are also the cheapest of the brands featured, £4.99, and will last ages. Not all these colours are going to get daily use, but they are absolutely beautiful and great if you want to be more daring, or to add a pop of colour to your eye look.

How many color tattoos do you own? Are you as cream eyeshadow crazy as me?

 

Thanks for visiting today

 

Alex

Sleek have done it again!!!

The search for the perfect foundation voyages on, but I think I may have come across a serious contender, and guess what?! It's a drug store brand!!! Sleek have brought out the Base Duo Kit, they describe as a 'moisturising creme liquid foundation and ultra sheer transforming setting powder', two products in one practical clutch size compact!!!



Foundation

Swatches; heavy ans slightly blended out

Ingredients on the back of the box

Front of compact

Side view of compact

Box compact is contained in

Setting Powder

My shade is terracotta 343, which I think is a great match, the setting powder is not made to match the colour of the actual foundation as it's very sheer. Sleek explain that 'each foundation has been expertly coupled with an ultra fine transforming setting powder, that is not matched to your skin tone, but intelligently transforms the shade of the foundation ever so slightly in order to give the most natural finish'.

 

The foundation is light to medium coverage and looks quite natural even when layered, if you have oily skin I would recommned a good mattifying primer underneath, in winter my skin gets dry and this foundation gives me a nice glowly finish although initially goes on matte, which may look more shiny on oilier skin types. The foundation also have an SPF15 and doesn't flash back in photography, although if you apply the setting powder too heavily it can initially leave a very sllight white cast on the skin, but once your natural oils blend with the foundation this is not noticable.

 

The compact is great for on the go due to it's small size and has two mirrors in it, I initially used a powder brush to dust the setting powder over my face, however the oils from my skin very quickly transferred onto it, making it difficult to get any powder onto the brush. If this happens you can gently scratch the top of the powder to release it and then dust onto face with a brush or revert to using a powder puff, which is what I've done and pat onto face to set the foundation.

 

I bought this foundation from Superdrug (currently offering 3 for 2 on cosmetics) for 12.49, you can also purchase this from sleeks website for £13, with a vast 18 shades to choose from.

 

Have you tried this foundation yourself yet, if so what do you think?

 

Thanks for visiting my blog, if you have a further questions please leave them in the comments below and I will do my best to answer them.

 

Alex