Showing posts with label high end. Show all posts
Showing posts with label high end. Show all posts

First Impressions: Nars Sheer Glow


My boyfriend's parents were very, very generous and bought me Nars Sheer Glow for Christmas. I have been lusting after this for a long, long time and can't believe I finally have it. Before putting this on my Christmas wishlist, I read more reviews/blogs than I should probably admit to before deciding the only way to know if I'd like it was to try it.

 I did something risky and didn't get matched but rather guessed my shade. As my skin tone resembles snow, I knew I'd be either the palest or second palest shade. I googled colour swatches about 5 times (using this blogpost) and checked the colour description on the Nars website before settling on Gobi. Gobi is Light 3 - light with a yellow undertone which describes my skin perfectly. If you are pale with a pink tone then Mont Blanc will be your shade. Siberia is one for the pale neutral girls.



I really love the packaging of this foundation. Any high-end foundations I would expect to be in glass bottles and look expensive and this definitely doesn't disappoint. You get 30ml or 1 fl. oz for £31 which I think is pretty good. Packaging wise, the only let down for me is the lack of pump. Pouring it out makes me a bit nervous but MAC foundations also don't come with pumps - must be a high-end thing!


The formula itself is quite watery which you would expect as it's a sheer foundation. Although it's sheer, coverage is definitely buildable and two thin layers can give a medium coverage. Lately I have been putting a base layer of concealer on my acne scars but for purposes of reviewing this foundation, I didn't. Sheer Glow is also non-comedogenic which is perfect for acne prone skin!


As soon as I put this on my skin and started blending it out, I could tell it was a luxury foundation. This blended out amazingly. A really small amount of foundation gave a thin, even layer and I added a little extra on areas of discolouration and scars. I think it's covered my scars amazingly, far better than any drugstore foundation (sorry True Match). The colour is absolutely perfect for me which is something I have never found before. My only issue is that it's clung to some of my dry patches which have emerged as a result of my acne cream but I am due a good face scrub. The foundation gives silky, real looking skin. It also doesn't transfer which is a big bonus.


Above is the finished product with a little added concealer on blemishes. I didn't powder my face as I wanted to see what it would do without being set. I did my make up at about 10.30am and as I write this it is 5.30pm and my face is slightly glowing (as the name would suggest) but nothing too extreme. It's a glow that's definitely welcomed considering how dull my skin has been looking. In future I think I will set it, just to keep from too much shine. I'm really impressed that it hasn't set into my expression lines which happens a lot with my thicker drugstore foundations.

Overall, I think this foundation is amazing. It's definitely lived up to the hype and I would recommend it to anyone who's thinking about it!

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Battle of the Primers


Since discovering primers I have become a huge fan and now don't go a day without wearing one. I do have quite a large collection, as I'm sure most beauty addicts do, but there's two that really stand out to me as amazing. Both of these primers have made quite a fuss in the beauty world but which one to buy?!


Benefit Porefessional
"Quickly minimise the appearance of pores & fine lines for smoother-than-smooth skin! Apply this silky, lightweight balm alone, under or over makeup. Translucent, oil-free formula complements all skintones and helps makeup stay put. Contains a Vitamin E derivative, known to protect skin from free radicals."
Porefessional is probably the Holy Grail of primers in the beauty world. Everyone has been raving about it and it's the UK's top selling primer for the past 3 years. Impressive right? Retailing for £24.50 for 22ml, it's quite pricey and, I don't know about you, but I would definitely struggle justifying the spend. That being said, mine is a tester size and has lasted me a pretty long time as you only need a tiny amount.
The packaging is so cute, as with all Benefit packaging (although mine is covered in liquid eyeliner). This product is so creamy and a dream to apply as long as you've moisturised your skin. I find that if my skin is at all dry then this can be quite difficult to apply and doesn't blend out that well. It sinks into your skin amazingly well and you wouldn't even know it was there. The formula has a beigey tint but it blends out to colourless on your skin.
I'm not sure I'd agree that it minimises the appearance of my pores but my make up goes on so smoothly and blends out really well. My foundation definitely lasts better throughout the day and the shine is kept at bay for longer (something I really struggle with).


The Body Shop Instablur
"This all-new face perfector blurs imperfections, giving you flawless photo-perfect skin in an instant! With Community Fair Trade marula oil. Shine controlling 12h, reduces appearance of pores, blemish hiding, complexion unifying and make-up extending"
I think this is my favourite ever primer (a bold claim I know). Instablur is the cheaper of the two at £14 for 25ml and, in my opinion, the better. I actually think I prefer the packaging of this one but that wouldn't affect which one I buy!
The texture is much more siliconey than Porefessional and can feel slightly greasy on the skin until it has sunk in, but after your skin is amazingly smooth. It's a translucent formula which I personally prefer and feels a lot more velvety on the skin. If I compare the two, my make up definitely looks best at the end of the day with this one although I might be a bit shinier. The same as Porefessional, you only need a tiny amount so the tube goes a long way.

 Which one is for you?
After convincing a couple of the girls to buy Instablur and try it out, I was discussing which they preferred and we agreed this sums it up in one - Instablur is best for the day time, it prolongs the wear of your make up and smooths out your complexion without making you look too matte. Porefessional is fantastic for nights out because it really mattifies your skin and helps to control shine.
If you're on a budget or have dry skin, I'd definitely try the Instablur first to see how it works for you. Personally, I don't think I will ever purchase a full size of Porefessional but I will definitely repurchase Instablur.

Monday Must-Have


"This concentrated, creamy concealer brightens and camouflages in one easy step!"

Benefit Erase Paste has been a staple of mine for quite a long time now. I will always swap between concealers but when I know that I need a flawless base with excellent staying power, this is what I use. The coverage is just outstanding, I use it to cover my acne scars and I haven't come across anything that covers like this. The consistency is quite thick, but you need such a tiny amount that it lasts ages which is good because it's quite expensive (£20.50)! It's best to warm up the product between your fingers before you use it as it thins out a little and makes it easier to apply.

I have shade 1 fair which quite pink-toned and I have yellow-toned skin, but the pink in it covers the blue of under eye circles so well. The shade range isn't great, there's only fair, medium or deep and I wouldn't say that deep is that dark. I used to be a die-hard Collection Lasting Perfection concealer but it would crease under my eyes and slowly disappear throughout the day, something Erase Paste doesn't do.

This is definitely one of those all round concealers that you can use for anything. If you haven't tried this out, get down to a Benefit counter! Just in time to put it on your Christmas list too.
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