Ultra Violette SPF 50 Daydream Screen

 (affiliate links)

 Ultra Violette came to the UK market a couple of years ago now and if you’re an avid reader of beauty blogs in general, you’re probably already familiar with the Australian brand. They’ve trademarked the term ‘Skinscreen’, which is a combination of skincare and sunscreen and a concept I am very much here for.

Ultra Violette have plenty of SPF and related products available but as I’m about to finish my Chanel tinted moisturiser and wanted a tinted high protection SPF, my first experience with the brand comes in the form of this: The Daydream Screen Tinted Veil.

I went for a colour match in Space NK and was matched to V2, which seems to suit my complexion pretty well though I have a feeling it’s going to look a little pale come summer. The colour spectrum for this product is actually quite good – it’s good to see the darkest shade is designed to blend into actual dark skin, not white-person-with-a-tan-dark.

The formula is lightweight, almost serum-like, but buildable, so you can customise how much coverage you would like. On application, Daydream blends in nicely and, although it feels slightly tacky and ‘sunscreeny’ at first, it does end up feeling pretty weightless once it settles. The fragrance free formula contains plant-derived Pentivitin (Saccharide Isomerate), a hydrating extract that boosts skin’s hydration levels and protects against environmental damage. The SPF is also free from Silicone, Oils and Alcohol.

This product makes my skin look healthy and even with a little bit of a glow and I would certainly wear it after the sun goes down too as my make up base. There's no pilling or rolling and I didn't notice any obvious separation, though I confess I didn't scrutinise it with a magnifying mirror or anything like that.

Even though it offers broad spectrum SPF50 UVA and UVB protection, Ultra Violette recommend to not rely on Daydream alone for your sun protection. In fact, it’s designed as a secondary sunscreen/makeup hybrid to apply after your daily sunscreen. I wish I had researched a little more before I purchased because I was after an SPF with a bit of a tint, not a skin tint with SPF, if you know what I mean. Applying a ¼ teaspoon of Daydream to your face would not result in a barely-there-glowing look and would probably even feel a little uncomfortable on the skin so it does make sense when you look at it that way. It’s worth mentioning that I really like the bottle – it’s nice and soft, easy to squeeze, with a narrow nozzle that delivers a custom amount of product.

As a side note, the box of the SPF says SPF 50+ Daydream Screen Tinted Veil while the bottle says SPF 50 Dream Screen Tinted Veil. I’m not sure why there is a discrepancy there, it’s just something I noticed!

I bought my bottle of Ultra Violette SPF 50 Dream Screen Tinted Veil from Space NK for £38 for 50ml.

bareMinerals Original Liquid Mineral Foundation

 (post contains sample and affiliate links)

 Back in the day when I would wear makeup daily, I was a big fan of the original powder bareMinerals foundation. In fact I think one of my first blog or Instagram posts was about a very cute, very tiny pot of the powder foundation. I remember loving how buildable it was, the swish-tap method of applying it and the seamless, lightweight finish. Reminiscing about it now actually has me wondering if I should revisit it and add a pot of the powder to my stash! Or I could stick with the foundation I've got to review today- the bareMinerals Original Liquid Mineral Foundation. Inspired by the powder version, the foundation is formulated with minimal, vegan ingredients designed to improve the appearance of skin over time.

I really like the packaging for the bareMinerals Original Liquid Mineral Foundation. It's an airless pump bottle with a twist-up function, so there's no separate lid and it's virtually spill proof. In the images here I've used two pumps of product, which gives me the kind of natural look that I like, but you can of course use more or less depending on the kind of coverage you prefer. This is advertised as a medium coverage foundation so if you'd like even more of a subtle finish just mix a pump in with some moisturiser to sheer it out.

With Squalane derived from olives and mineral sunscreens, the liquid foundation has an SPF of 20, which is excellent, but I've seen enough to understand that a separate SPF is required before you apply any foundation, regardless of the SPF rating, because you're not going to be applying enough to actually reap the benefit. The Original Liquid Mineral Foundation feels light and comfortable on the skin and is non-comedogenic, so it's not going to clog pores.

With and without the foundation:

I really like the finish of this foundation. It's dewy with a nice glow. A true lit-from-within look which I think most would appreciate. If you prefer a matte finish or have an oily skin type, you might want to add a little powder afterwards.

I've only worn this foundation for a few hours at a time so can't comment on it's true staying power, but I will say that for those few hours I didn't notice any oxidisation or separation. Overall an impressive foundation that I'd recommend to fans of the powder formula and really anyone who likes a light yet buildable base and natural look.

BareMinerals Original Liquid Mineral Foundation is available in 30 shades, so in theory everyone should be able to find a pretty close match. 

Retailing for £31, the foundation is available from Look Fantastic and Feel Unique.

Chantecaille Just Skin

[Affiliate Links] I've already shared my review of Chantecaille Just Skin* on my Instagram but figured it's time I write a whole blog post about it, so here it is!

Firstly, a little bit of a background on my makeup habits or lack thereof; I'm not excellent with makeup and I'm pretty open about that, which is honestly probably why I'm so into my skincare.
I've watched countless smoky eye tutorials and contouring videos but at the end of the day I like makeup products that are easy to apply, require minimal time and the least amount of effort possible. I don't have a steady hand so I've accepted that the perfect winged eyeliner probably won't ever happen for me and as for my blending technique? Well, I don't really have one. It's a good thing then that I've finally found what might just be the best makeup product a low-maintenance girl like me could hope for, in the form of Chantecaille Just Skin.
I'm aware that this is not a new product and many bloggers and beauty writers have been singing it's praises for years but now that I actually own it, I can finally add my own two cents!

Chantecaille Just Skin Review

Just Skin is a tinted moisturiser but it's also so much more than that. It's a skin perfector that leaves a virtually seamless finish and offers some sun protection with its SPF of 15. I find that my shade-aptly named 'glow'- blends with my skin easily (I just use my fingers most of the time to buff and pat it in) and evens things out, covers any tired looking bits (ie my entire face) and just generally creates a nice base for a touch of blush and/or highlighter.
It gives my skin a dewy sort of look, perks up my complexion and makes me feel a bit better and more presentable in general. That's what easy every day make up should be about really.
The tinted moisturiser contains honeysuckle, algae and green tea extracts as well as thyme, damask rose, edelweiss and 'butterfly bush extract' which offers antioxidant benefits. I have generally dry skin at the moment and find this to be absolutely what my face needs in terms of a base; something that won't cling to dry bits, won't sink into and accentuate fine lines but will give me a hit of hydration and protection while it makes me look generally better. Just Skin contains titanium dioxide for the sun protection, which is a physical SPF rather than chemical and is advertised as suitable for sensitive skin.
I find that it lasts well on the skin (though I purchased when summer was on it's way out so I'll have to see how well it stays on if this summer is as sweaty as the last) and feels virtually weightless - just like a light face cream really and definitely not greasy or uncomfortable in the slightest. It really is a pleasure to use in pretty much every aspect.
I love that Chantecaille Just Skin was specifically designed for both women and men,too. That's obviously not to say that men can't or shouldn't wear regular foundation or other tinted moisturisers but I like that the brand has been deliberately inclusive in this instance.
I bought my tube of Just Skin from Space NK* but it's also available at Look Fantastic* at an rrp of £64.

Chanel Vitalumière Aqua Foundation Review

I know, I know, it's another Chanel Vitalumière Aqua Foundation Review! This foundation has been so hyped among Bloggers that I pretty much had to try it though, right? First things first; I have purposely avoided trying Chanel Vitalumière Aqua Foundation for one simple reason: I was terrified I was going to like it and that would only eventuate in me shelling out to purchase it.

Chanel Vitalumière Aqua Foundation Review

The Chanel Vitalumière Aqua is one of those foundations that's both loved and loathed- for some the coverage is too light and watery and it's been reported that the formula is prone to sticking to any flaky bits of skin, and we all know that's not the look you want to achieve with any foundation let alone a luxury one. At the other end of the scale, some say it leaves their skin dewy and luminous and the lightweight consistency makes blending a quick and easy task, leaving a fresh and natural finish. Annoyingly, I'm sitting firmly in the latter camp. I love this foundation, dammit. I love the natural yet polished finish it gives my complexion. I love the touch of luminosity it seems to add and I love the very watery, light consistency. It feels virtually weightless on the skin and I'm weirdly looking forward to wearing it during the summer- and I can't stand foundation in hot weather as a general rule. 

I find it blends really quickly and there is no need to use a beauty blender- I tried that initially and the blender just sort of sucked it up- and fingers do the job perfectly for a light to medium coverage.

Vitalumière Aqua has an SPF of 15 but I would wear a separate SPF underneath in spring/ summer. The foundation contains Hyaluronic Acid derivatives (yay) for hydration as well as 'Lotus Water' and a Brown Algae derivative to promote toning and give an energizing effect. I'm not sure how much of an effect the skincare ingredients will have long term but the addition of 'High Definition Light Pigments' provide the superficial hint of luminosity that make this a great foundation.

I have a bit of a love/hate thing going on with the packaging. Yes it's convenient and light and compact and therefore brilliantly portable (and the squeeze-ability of the tube makes it easy to dispense the right amount) but on the other hand, this is Chanel and a part of me feels a little disappointed that the bottle isn't made of thick, weighty glass, impractical as that may be. If you're going to spend on designer, you want it to sort of look designer, if you know what I mean? This is a bit like wearing a plain T Shirt that nobody would know is actually Chanel unless they looked at the label inside. 

At £34, this is not the cheapest foundation out there but it's also not the most expensive and I see it as a pre-baby treat to myself. After all, if I'm going to have baby sick in my hair at least I'll have Chanel on my face.

Chanel Vitalumière Aqua Foundation is available at Boots

BareMinerals Complexion Rescue - Colour Match at Selfridges

When your boyfriend announces that your makeup looks 'really natural' and 'has a nice glow actually' you know that you're onto a good thing. Especially when said boyfriend is one of the most bluntly honest people on the planet. That's what happened last weekend when we visited Selfridges so I could try out BareMinerals' latest offering, Complexion Rescue.

A few different shades were tried out before it was agreed that no. 3 (Buttercream) was my match and it was blended seamlessly onto my skin while the very helpful sales assistant filled me in on what exactly makes Complexion Rescue so special. Essentially a BB, CC and Tinted Moisturiser in one (!) Complexion Rescue features a composition with pigment on the inside and water on the outside. 'Traditional' tinted moisturisers have pigment on the 'outside' and water on the 'inside'.
This sounds a little bit odd and confusing but basically, the way that Complexion Rescue is formulated means the water in the formula reaches your skin first, before the colour, giving it an instant hit of hydration. This is explained in more detail here.

Whatever the science behind it, I can declare that this stuff delivers. The finish is dewy, fresh and above all very natural. It's quite sheer so if you have freckles and you aint afraid to show them, this is the Spring base for you. If you have a little redness or minor blemishes that you'd like corrected or just want your complexion to look more even, you need to give it a go. If however you're after a heavier base, this won't cut the mustard, though I was told that Complexion Rescue can absolutely be worn under foundation for additional coverage and a dose of hydration.

Complexion Rescue has an RRP of £26 though I have found it on Look Fantastic where it is available for pre-order (released on April 22nd) for £20.50. I'm going to be creating a look using the Complexion Rescue sometime soon so keep an eye out for that!
What's your favourite BareMinerals product?
Images: Rich Godden

Clinique Beyond Perfecting 2-in-1 Foundation and Concealer Review

I tried a sachet sample of the Clinique Beyond Perfecting 2-in-1 Foundation and Conceale that was in Elle magazine last month and even though the sample shade was way too dark, I was hooked in by the formula and coverage.

So hooked in in fact that I was inclined to go and get colour matched so I could actually start wearing it on my face.

The oil free formula of Clinique Beyond Perfecting 2-in-1 Foundation and Concealer is so smooth, thick and creamy that I knew it would be perfect for my dehydrated/combination skin. 

The coverage is definitely something worth writing home about too. This delivers good old fashioned full coverage that finishes semi-matte for a pretty amazing natural look. My boyfriend actually said my skin looked 'radiant' with this on (ha!) and it is worth noting that it does create quite a glowing look, which is rarely a bad thing!
I was matched to shade 04 Creamwhip which is part of the 'very fair' colour group, though it doesn't actually look very fair at all when first dotted on - it actually looked a little bit orange to be honest - though once blended out it transformed into a shade to suit me. One thing I will say is that if you're looking to purchase this - go and get colour matched in store or refer to bloggers with similar colouring to you - just don't rely on the swatches on the retailer websites. If I had ordered online without being colour matched I would have ended up with a shade about five times darker, though I'm probably not as smart as you. 

The foundation feels surprisingly light on the face yet also quite moisturising and actually stays on! I tested this on Sunday when I went to the football at Wembley and it lasted through 7 + hours of travel, sweat, crowds and impassioned Chelsea supporters.

The packaging is some really clever marketing from Clinique, with the addition of the 'concealer wand' in the lid setting it apart from other foundations and creating the whole foundation and concealer in one vibe. Hats off to them I say, a great product. 

Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer is available in 21 shades for £28.50 for 30ml at Boots.

Sleek Bare Skin Foundation Review

Right, let's get straight to the point. Sleek Bare Skin Foundation feels like nothing. As in, when I've got it on, it's really easy to forget I'm wearing any base at all and that's the truth.
In fact, it's so light on the skin that it's less noticeable than a lot of BB creams and tinted moisturisers I've tried, and that's saying something.

A liquid formula, the bare skin foundation glides on and blends in smooth as butter, evening things out and delivering light coverage on the way. The foundation comes in 12 shades ranging from very light to dark so most people should be able to find their perfect match, or at least something close to it. I have shade 'Shell' which is the second lightest and too be honest a little bit too light for me (though I got this in my goody bag from the Blogger's Tea Party earlier this month and we were asked to give our skin tone in advance so we could get a close match so I'm not complaining!).
I was also very kindly given the Control Shine & Prime Oil-Free Mattifying Primer which is fairly similar to Benefit's Porefessional primer in terms of look and feel. I'm sure this is a great product for oilier skin types but I'm going to keep this one stashed away until summer when things start getting greasy up in here.

I've tried the bare skin foundation with and without primer and I much prefer it without as it is a moisturising formula and I need all the hydration I can get right now!
In terms of coverage, when it says it's light, it's not fooling around. The coverage is definitely light but still enough to conceal minor blemishes and make everything look better in general. Here's a before and after:

I haven't really dabbled in Sleek as a brand but I think this foundation may just convince me that the rest of their products are worth a shot. Sleek Bare Skin Foundation is £8.99 at Boots, Superdrug and online here.

L'Oreal Nude Magique Eau De Teint Foundation Review

The L'Oreal Nude Magique Eau De Teint is not exactly a new product but I only got it myself very recently (thank you Boots 3 for 2) so thought I'd put forward my two cents.

The Eau De Teint is touted as a feather light foundation that feels as light and fresh as water and instantly fuses with the skin blending seamlessly to leave a silky, second skin effect. 

The foundation has been compared to Giorgio Armani Maestro Fusion thanks to the unique oil formula that sort of evaporates, leaving a veil of pigment on the skin.

The application technique for Eau De Teint is pretty unusual too as it's advised that you tip a little on your fingertip then apply directly to your skin. I used about three 'fingertips' of the foundation on my skin and found that it provided pretty good coverage (though the shade I chose is a little dark for me) and certainly felt lovely- virtually weightless really.

I have a pretty complicated relationship with L'Oreal Nude Magique Eau De Teint. We haven't been together long but it's already clear that we only really get on when I'm having a good skin day.

I'm hopeful that things will improve in the coming months when it warms up a bit and my skin stops being so dry because I really feel that this is a foundation that requires a pretty smooth canvas in order to really work its magic. In other words, this stuff clings to any dry bits it can find and that's rarely a good look.

While I'm not completely crazy about the L'Oreal Nude Magique Eau De Teint, I'm going to hang in there and see how we get along come summer. You can find it at Boots or Superdrug for £9.99. 

Nars Sheer Glow Foundation Review

After receiving a Space NK gift card for Christmas, I thought it was the perfect time to bite the bullet and get colour matched to Nars Sheer Glow.

I was matched to Mont Blanc (a rather pale shade) by a very helpful Space NK assistant in Richmond and was impressed enough to deduct £30.50 (!) from my gift card and give the much coveted foundation a whirl.

A liquid formula, the sheer glow foundation is touted as a satin-finish foundation for normal to dry skin types that contains a 'skin brightening formula' and delivers a soft, smooth finish. The foundation dries down to a soft powder, which I rather like because it sort of 'sets' itself without the need for powdering.
It's worth mentioning that the foundation contains anti-oxidants and tumeric extract to improve the texture of the skin over time.

I find that Sheer Glow is pretty easy to apply and blend however I can't give it full marks because of the lack of pump on the bottle. Apparently Nars sell the pumps separately but I think it's a bit cheeky considering the extravagant price point of the foundation.
Anyway, moving on, I do rather like this foundation and I can understand why it's so universally loved.
The coverage is medium but buildable, so it's a good staple foundation for everyday makeup and evening looks that require a slightly heavier hand.

Before                                                                                     After

In the images above, I used a penny-sized amount over the whole face and no concealer. As you can see, that lovely blemish in the centre of my chin is covered very well! Nice one Nars.

Overall, I like Nars Sheer Glow, though the £30.50 price tag might put me off repurchasing. Fingers crossed for another Space NK gift card next Christmas.

Have you tried Nars Sheer Glow Foundation? Let me know what you think of it below :)

Max Factor Ageless Elixir Foundation Review

While a lot of people are going nuts over the Max Factor Whipped Creme Foundation I was eager to get my hands on the Ageless Elixir 2 in 1 Foundation. I was initially drawn to this foundation for two reasons.

1. I'd never tried a Max Factor foundation before (!)
2. It's a 2-in-1 Foundation/ Serum hybrid and you've gotta love a bit of skincare in your makeup.

I've been trying out the Max Factor Ageless Elixir in shade Beige 55 and I've found it a pretty good fit, despite the fact I've been trialling fake tan as well - that is where Benefit Hula comes in very handy.

 The Ageless Elixir Foundation comes in a pump bottle that dispenses the perfect amount of product for a decent application.

 The formula is quite mousse like and light - a texture that feels rather lightweight on my face. The foundation is a blend of coloured base and a 'special elixir' that contains anti-ageing ingredients, SPF 15 and pigments that reflect light.
I found that the foundation blended quite easily and provides a medium to heavy coverage with a fairly moisturising and natural finish. The moisturising element of the foundation is especially appealing to me at this time of year as my skin gets pretty dry and tight in Autumn/ Winter.

All in all I think the Max Factor Ageless Elixir Foundation is a lovely high street base with a just-about-bargain price tag of £12.99. I'm glad to see affordable brands rival the likes of YSL in the serum foundation stakes (not to say I wouldn't love to give the Youth Liberator a go).

If you don't trust my opinion on the foundation, there is a plethora of good reviews about the stuff on the Boots website that you can check out here.

What do you think of serum foundations?

Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation Review

Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup:  say that ten times fast and I'll bake you a cake, but for now you can just read my thoughts on one of the most anticipated cosmetic launches of 2012.

My Urban Decay Naked eye shadow palette is now one of my favourite, almost essential beauty products so I kind of had to try the matching foundation. Though I wasn't entirely convinced by the hype surrounding it, I figured I'd go for a quick colour match on my lunch break. 
I'm now £27 poorer with happier looking skin, so you can probably guess what happened next.

It's not often that I say the word 'wow' to a make up artist in Debenhams, but I couldn't really help it as I watched her buff this stuff onto my face - it just looked like a smoother, more even version of my own skin. Surely that can only be a good thing?

The airbrushed effect of the foundation is down to loads of 'light-diffusing spheres' that hang about in the formula waiting to blur away imperfections. It all sounds a bit technical really but I found that the proof certainly is in the pudding with this one.

One and a half pumps of the liquid formula do the trick for me and I find that it's quite easy to blend out without leaving any nasty tide lines. 
If your skin is quite dry, I'd recommend slapping on a little extra moisturiser because Naked Skin leaves a slightly matte finish that may cling on to any dry bits.
I find this is very long wearing on me and it doesn't slide off of my face like a lot of formulas, instead it sort of blends in with my skin and feels like I don't have foundation on at all - hence the name ;)

It's encased in a rather sexy plastic pump bottle which I know some people don't like but I really dig it because it looks like glass yet weighs virtually nothing.

This product has really impressed me, so if you've not been down to an Urban Decay counter to get yourself matched up, I really think you should! There are 18 shades to choose from so chances are you'll find one that suits your complexion perfectly.
You can read more about it online at Boots  

YSL Touche Eclat Foundation

When I heard that luxury cosmetics house Yves Saint Laurent were launching a foundation version of their legendary Touche Eclat pen, I was excited to say the least.

However, when I found out that they were providing colour matched samples of the foundation, I dropped everything and approached the YSL counter at Debenhams with all the restraint of an unleashed doberman.

I received a 7 day supply of the foundation, complete with a little application paddle.

I really think this product lives up to the hype - it seems to illuminate the entire face with the same glorious light reflecting technology as the Touche Eclat pen.

Before:

With Foundation (Flash)

With Foundation (No Flash)

I found that shadows were basically erased, spots were disguised, and my face took on a healthy looking, dewy sort of glow.

The formula is quite thin and watery and is gives a light to medium coverage, though I was quite surprised at just how well it covered imperfections, given the liquid consistency.

Price-wise, it's pretty steep at £35, but a worthy investment if you find it's the perfect foundation for you.

The YSL Touche Eclat Foundation is available in 22 shades and launches nationwide from the 9th of this month. You can find it at Boots.

MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation Review

Last week when I picked up the Viva Glam V lipstick at MAC, I also got matched up for one of their much-blogged-about foundations.

I swatched, sniffed and pondered a few formulas before deciding on Studio Sculpt thanks to its gel base and awesome staying power. I was matched to shade NW20

I was drawn to the 'gel base' aspect of this because of my love for Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation (you can read my review of that here).
 My skin seems to get along rather well with the gel formulas, probably because they feel a bit nourishing and don't tend to stick to the dry bits on my face :/

The texture of this foundation is quite thick, yet smooth and somehow luxurious. You can achieve a medium to high coverage with this, so if you're happiest in tinted moisturiser this might not be your cup of tea.

The foundation doesn't feel particularly heavy on the face and I like the way it sort of peps up my complexion.

Studio Sculpt is long wearing and hydrating (double win) plus it has an SPF of 15 which we all know is oh so important in fending off premature wrinkles and crinkley bits, though I've already got my fair share of crows feet thanks to growing up in Australia and shunning sunglasses!

MAC Studio Sculpt SPF 15 Foundation is £30 for a 40ml tube at Look Fantastic.