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

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

FoundationFiles; Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick

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; Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick

Brand: Hourglass



Name: Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick

Coverage: Medium

Shade: Golden Almond (described as medium deep with neutral undertones)

Swatch: 

TheFoundationDirectory; Hourglass Seamless Finish Vanish Foundation Stick Swatch

What The brand says: A revolutionary foundation stick with the coverage of a concealer, the fluidity of a liquid, and the weightlessness of a powder in a longwearing waterproof formula for undetectable full coverage. The unprecedented concentration of pigment in this foundation provides maximum coverage with minimum product, concealing all discoloration and imperfections for flawless skin with a seamless finish.

• A foundation and concealer in one, this concentrated formula contains double the amount of pigment versus traditional foundations for instant coverage in one application.
• Long wearing, waterproof formula provides 12 hour coverage.
• Innovative formula adjusts to your body temperature to effortlessly blend into the skin.
• Designed specifically to be used with the Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Brush for the most seamless finish. 
• Available in 26 shades to perfectly match every skin tone. 
• Vegan
• .25 OZ / 7.2 G

• Based on a 1-week consumer study of 31 women, Vanish demonstrated dramatic visible improvements:
-100% reported product was fast and easy to use and apply
-97% saw an instant improvement in skin appearance
-97% reported product effectively covered redness and skin imperfections
-94% reported product blended seamlessly into their own skin
-94% reported product effectively covered skin discoloration, pores, blemishes and dark under eye circles
-90% reported product effectively covered hyperpigmentation and dark spots 

Wear time (with/without primer): The wear time on this is typical with my other foundations, even with primer I require at least a couple of touch-ups throughout the day, and my nose inevitably gets oily/shiny. I think the wear time will improve on my combo skin during the cooler months, when my t-zone produces a lot less oil.

Price (ml): £42 for 7.1ml

Pros: Good shade range
Pigmented



Cons: Very expensive for less than the usual amount for a stick foundation

Suitable Skin Types: All except oily/extremely oily.

Ingredients: Not listed but free from;  
• Parabens
• Fragrance
• Gluten
• Sulfates
• Nanoparticles
• Phthalates
• Synthetic Dyes
• GMOs
• Not tested on animals

Oxidation: None

Any Other Information: So one of the main cons for this foundation is the price, it's £42 for 7ml, it's true there's often less product in stick foundations, but this is still less for more money when comparing with Bobbi Brown that retails for £29.50 for 9ml and the new Anastasia Beverly Hills option (review pending) that is $25 (not sure how much it will be in the UK yet), which also contains 9ml.

Conclusion: This is a really nice stick foundation, that I think will be best suited to my combination skin in the cooler months. Do I think it's worth £42..........No. Saying that you can see where the money has gone, the packaging is fab and different, it screams luxury. The formula is beautiful no doubt, it provides a good medium coverage without looking cakey or feeling heavy on the skin, and it blends in like a dream. Hourglass is a luxury brand with lots of innovation behind it, but I feel this could have retailed for slightly less or at least contain the same amount as other stick foundations on the market. I've rated it a lust to take into account all aspects of the product; coverage, wear time, packaging, brand, shade range etc. The product itself however would probably only get a 'like' rating, I really wanted to fall head over heels for it, but it is a nice foundation and if you are a beauty junky you are going to want to try it, but see if you can find it on offer.


Availability: you can buy it here, here, here and here.

*Rating: Lust



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

My latest obsession with Charlotte Tilbury's Matte Revolution Lipsticks

I know these are not new, but if you love a matte lip, but don't want the dryness that can often accompany them, then you have to check these out. These lipsticks have been designed to give the illusion of a fuller, lit from within pout, with the addition of 3D glowing pigments, not really sure what that is. Charlotte wanted the consumer to be able to create a fuller pout that often takes makeup artists quite a few products and techniques, including lighting trickery, powder and illuminators, in one swipe of a lipsticks. Now it's quite an oxymoron to have glow and matte in one product, I don't think these are particularly glowy, but they are definitely not a flat matte either.

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick

What I love about these lipsticks is the pigmentation, the hydration and staying power. All made possible with the addition of Orchid extract, oils and waxes that help to soften, protect, hydrate as well as give the lipsticks there creamy formula that literally glides on to your lips. There are 10 shades in total (with a new one on the horizon, launching in February), of which I have 4, and still lusting after Birkin Brown and Glastonberry.

 

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick and Lip Cheat Lip Liner Swatches

In the order they appear above; Love Liberty is a deep plum shade (can sometimes photograph and pull a little red). Red Carpet Red is a true blue toned bright red, Very Victoria is a pale taupey mauve nude shade and Bond girl is a deeper mauve pinky brown shade. And swatched above these is the Foxy Brown Lip Cheat lip liner, a neutral toned brown.

 

I love the unusual square shaped bullet, this makes getting a precise lipline so easy, with or without lip liner. I mainly use Foxy Brown lip liner with the shade Very Victoria, although it's not needed as the shade will still work on me alone, but may be necessary depending on your skintone.

 

The lipsticks cost £23 each and can be found here and here.  

 

Have you tried any of these lipsticks?

Aallexxy's FoundationFiles; CoverFx Custom Cover Drops

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.

Coverfx Custom Cover Drops

Brand: CoverFx

Name: Custom Cover Drops

Coverage:
1 Drop = Sheer Coverage
2 Drops = Medium Coverage
3 Drops = Full Coverage
4 Drops = Total Coverage

Shade: N80

Swatch:

Coverfx Custom Cover Drops Swatch

What The brand says: Custom Cover Drops contain concentrated pigments that allow you to customize any product and adjust the level of coverage you desire. Custom Cover Drops can be mixed with anything liquid to add coverage - moisturizers, serums, oils, primers, foundations and tinted moisturizers that are water, oil or silicone-based. These revolutionary drops feature our Flash Fusion Technology™, so as soon as you drop, the solution flashes off leaving behind the pigment that weightlessly transforms your favorite beauty product into the sheerest tint all the way to a total coverage foundation, depending on how many drops you add. The pigments are coated with Lecithin, which is biochemically similar to the skin, to ensure ease of blending and the smoothest application. With unprecedented control, you are free to customize coverage like never before. 

Before using Custom Cover Drops, shake well. Then, it’s simple! Just place your usual product into the palm of your hand, DROP in Custom Cover Drops, MIX with your fingertips and TRANSFORM into perfect customized coverage, from a sheer tint to total coverage foundation!

Wear time (with/without primer): This is unique in the sense that it can be mixed directly with primer, as well as a multitude of other things, so wear time isn't directly related as easily as other base products. I've been mixing this with a clear gel serum, and wear time is great, whether I wear a primer prior to this ir not.

Price (ml): £36 for 15ml

Pros: Suitable for all skintypes
Customisable coverage and finish
Free from parabens, sulfates, fragrance etc
Dropper style applicator
Only a small amount needed

Cons: Mixing agent may adjust shade slightly

Pricey
Dropper style bottle

Suitable Skin Types: All

Ingredients: Ethyl Trisiloxane, Caprylyl Methicone, Bis-Hydroxyethoxypropyl Dimethicone, Isododecane, Dimethicone, Mica, Jojoba Esters, Triethylhexanoin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Silica, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Water (Aqua, Eau), Alcohol, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Polyglycerin-3. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499)

Oxidation: None

Any Other Information: You have to be careful what shade you get and what you mix it with, for instance if I mix this with a white coolured moisturiser it will lighten the shade slightly, which won't work as I get darker during the summer months. I can easily see myself getting the next shade up from this though, as I love this product. You can also buy a shade to adjust a pre-existing foundation that's either too light or too dark for you, or to adjust the as you tan so no need for a seperate summer/winter base product. Does not contain; Parabens, Sulfates, Synthetic Fragrances, Synthetic Dyes, Petrochemicals, Phthalates, GMOs and Triclosan.

Conclusion: I absolutely love this, the customisable nature of it, the mixing process etc. This is a product my combination skin can wear all year round and will truly suit all skintypes, as it depends on what you mix it with. forexample, in the winter I'd mix this with a facial oil, while in the summer a mattifying primer.

Rating: Love*

*Ratings: Hate, Dislike, Like, Lust, Love

 

Illamasqua Glamour Nude Lipsticks

Illamasqua lauched the Glamore collection, a collection to celebrate the classics, a way for everyone to redefined what glamourous is to them. This included satin lipsticks, that were developed to be less drying than their well known matte lipsticks. Within this they also launched the Nude collection, 7 Nude satin lipsticks to match every skintone.

I have 3 of the 7 shades; Naked described as a creamy nude (less beige and more pinky brown than Tease), Tease described as a pink beige and Buff, the darkest in the nude range described as a fudge brown, it's a dark muted pink brown.


Illamasqua Nude Lipsticks in Naked, Tease and Buff

These lipsticks are gorgeous and creamy, you still need to ensure lips are well prepped, but once applied they last well. I enjoy using Naked applied with a pinky liner underneath or mixing Tease and Buff together, to offer versatality and prevent Tease looking to pale on my darker skin tone. Check out pictures of me wearing these on my instagram; Aallexxy.

 

Have you tried any of the nude range yet, or the satin lipsticks in general available here. What do you think of the direction Illamasqua have been going in recently?

 

Thanks for visiting the blog today.

 

Alex