Bourjois Java Rice Powder Review

There are so many things to love about the Bourjois Java Rice Powder. From the whimsical pistachio macaroon coloured vintage packaging through to the finely milled illuminating powder inside, the Poudre de Riz De Java is one pretty addition to my make up stash that I've become rather partial to.

First released in 1879 (!), the Java Powder illuminates and evens the complexion in one fell swoop, making it one of those handy multi-use products that's just as at home in your handbag as it is on the dressing table.

Finely milled and translucent, the Java Rice Powder is designed to complement and pep -up every skin tone and I've found it to be useful as both an all-over finishing powder and highlighter.

When using this as a finishing powder, a small amount goes a long way so the 3.5g jar should last for quite some time. To top it all off, the powder has the same sweet rose fragrance as the iconic Little Round Pots, making it extra special to use. I sort of wish they'd release a little compact version of this as I find loose powders a little tricky to use sometimes, but that's a very small bugbear for a very pretty product.

The Bourjois Java Rice Powder retails for £9.99.

Handbag Friendly Beauty Essentials

Most handbags have at least one thing in common- among the miscellaneous and often nondescript bits and pieces lies a stash of go-to beauty products poised for beauty emergencies or general maintenance throughout the day.
Similar to a 'what's in my handbag' post, today I want to show you the products that go virtually everywhere with me, minus the gum wrappers, receipts and biscuit crumbs that you would be exposed to if I actually showed you what's in my bag...

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm

I bought this for the first time as an 18 year old back home in Australia. I had no idea what it was supposed to do or how to use it, all I knew was that the words 'beauty' and 'flash' used together could only be a good thing. Almost ten years later I use it to pep up my under eye area and pat it onto my cheeks for a dewy look. I especially love Beauty Flash Balm in the winter when applied as a mask- dry skin drinks it up.

Lucas' Paw Paw Ointment

Everyone should know about this stuff. It's one of those super products that does everything except make you a cup of tea. Produced in Queensland, Australia, the thick emollient balm instantly soothes dry skin, burns, cuts and insect bites and makes for a wonderful long lasting lip balm. I have been know to use this paw paw ointment to tame my eyebrows and highlight cheek bones. This isn't easy to find here in the UK but you can pick it up at the Australian shop in Covent Garden or get it online. *I haven't got my own photo of this because my man friend has stolen it!*

Moisturiser Sample

I've usually got a sample sized tube or pot of moisturiser that's the perfect size for popping in my bag. At the moment I'm using a rather generous sample of Kiehl's Rosa Arctica which is fantastic because it's a fairly thick, rich product., therefore has lasted me ages because I don't need much.

MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick

This is a cult product for a reason and I can't help but worship at the altar of this beautiful colour. Highly pigmented, smile brightening and uber long lasting, I'm rarely without this lipstick in my bag or on my lips.

Foundation Sample

I've found that those little '7 day trial' bottles of foundation many beauty brands provide after a colour match are perfect for carrying around in my bag with me. They weigh virtually nothing, can hold quite a lot of product and often come with a little spatula which minimizes mess. Don't actually like the foundation you're trialling? Rinse the little bottle out and fill it with your regular foundation. I've de-cantered some of my YSL Touche Eclat Foundation into this little bottle so I can touch up without having to lug around the full sized product.

Benefit 'They're Real!' Mascara

I do love this mascara, but it stays in my bag rather than on my dresser because I'm currently in love with an Avon mascara I got with a magazine recently. I know, it makes no sense to me either.

Bourjois Rose D'Or Blush

The pearly gold bits in this are terribly good at waking up my face and the rosey-pink base of the blush is so wearable it's almost ridiculous. I like how sheer and easily blended the colour is and the scent is lovely. The teeny size of the compact complete with built in mirror and brush make it handbag perfect.

So there you have it. Those are the products that reside in my handbag ready to pretty me up when I'm away from home. Do any of these live in your handbag too?

Thanks for reading :)

First FOTD

Hello! I'm posting on my iPhone again because the dongle I got just isn't coming through with the goods :(

Anyway, to the point: For my first (and possibly last!) ever FOTD post, I thought I'd just show you the makeup look I wear most days.
It's all about flicked black eyeliner and bold red lipstick. Pretty simple really and oh-so-easy to achieve.

This morning, I almost went without the token red lip in favour of a neutral pout...

But I ended up reaching for the Ruby Woo :)

So a run down of the products used:

Base:
bareMinerals Prime Time Primer
bareMinerals Foundation in Fairly Light
Bourjois Blush in 34 Rose D'Or

Eyes:
L'Oreal Super Liner Carbon Gloss in Carbon Black
Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer in Noir
Rimmel Eyebrow Definer in Black Brown

Lips:
Lucas Pawpaw Ointment
MAC Ruby Woo


So there you have it, hope you like it :)

Can't wait to be back online properly again :0
X

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation

Bonjour!
So yesterday I was down to my last dregs of foundation and figured I'd better hot foot it to the nearest beauty counter or risk small children mistaking my face for an extremely realistic Halloween mask. I had a magazine sachet sample of Diorskin Forever, which I promptly fell in love with, but alas- I just can't justify spending big bucks at the moment.  I'll be honest - I am a bit of a foundation snob,and though I'm yet to find my go - to brand/ formula, when it comes to a face base, I'd rather visit Selfridges than Superdrug. Over the years I've used many high end brands from YSL to MAC and Lancome to Estee Lauder (I even once scored a sample pot of Creme De La Mer foundation back in my mag days), so the prospect of scrimping on such a vital cosmetic did not have me very excited. The thing I really like about the more expensive brands is that there is usually a consultant on site to match your colour properly - a task I don't really trust in my own hands!

But, I had exactly 8.54 worth of  Advantage Card points begging to be spent, and a face that needed making up, so I headed to Boots in the vain hope I'd be able to pick up something great for under a tenner.



I'd heard good things about Bourjois foundations, so I was pretty happy to find that the Healthy Mix Serum Gel was on offer for 7.99 rather than the usual 10.99. I figured it must have been fate that it was cheap enough for my points to cover, so I bit the bullet and went for it.

The foundation is quite light - definitely more of a liquid than a cream formula, and I found it incredibly easy to blend. It's definitely a 'dewy finish' foundation and feels very light on the skin, but it's easily buildable depending on the coverage level you like.

 I think this is a great colder weather foundation because as my skin is drier in Autumn and Winter, the dewy aspect of this foundation is hydrating, without causing that oil slick effect that Summer brings.

As mentioned, I'm a bit of a rookie when it comes to matching foundations, so I took a bit of a gamble and bought shade 53 Beige Clair - I guess what you would call the 'medium' shade.This shade has a slightly yellow tone and I actually found it matched my face pretty well!   Apologies for the slightly dodgy swatch on my arm :0

I didn't find the consistency to be particularly 'gel' like, but I do understand why it's referred to as a serum, if anything because of the youth boosting ingredients that it's jam packed with. This marvellous little creation contains a 'fruit therapy' formula including radiance boosting superstars  such as lychee, goji berry and pomegranate.It has a very fresh, fruity scent too, which I usually wouldn't like but I'm actually quite fond of :) I found it definitely falls into the 'radiance boosting' category, but for 16 hours? I don't think so.

The formula comes in a glass bottle with a white pump - one pump is more  than enough for daytime coverage, and finished with a sweep of powder, makes a pretty great base!

All in all, I'm pretty impressed with this one - I can't really fault it. Who knows, Bourjois may have just convinced me that when it comes to foundations, there's no need to splurge.
...Nah. :)