top five thursday: drugstore foundations

Hey guys!

I am starting a new series on my blog! Basically, every Thursday from now on will now be known as Top Five Thursday. Each week, I will be picking my top five favourites in a certain category, and giving a mini review of each of the products for you! To me, this is a great idea, because it really helps me to narrow down my extensive collection and tell you guys what I really believe to be the best out of what I own.

In case you couldn't tell by the title, this week will be all about my top five drugstore foundations! As someone who is an absolute foundation junkie (I counted and I own 31 foundations. Who needs 31 foundations? Well, me, apparently..), I found this easy and hard at the same time. I tend to use several foundations at any one time, because lets face it, I want one with light coverage for everyday, one for when my skin isn't looking so great, one for special occasions.. you get the idea.

 Anyway, in no particular order, here are my top five drugstore foundations!

Products pictured (l-r): Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation, Revlon Nearly Naked Foundations, Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup, Neutrogena Skin Clearing Liquid Makeup, L'Oreal True Match Foundation

1. Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation

You guys are probably sick of hearing about this foundation on my blog (I have spoken about it here and here) but I can't stop raving about it! This is really climbing the ranks fast to be my most reached for foundation in general, and not just in the drugstore category. If you want to read a more in depth review, click the links above, as I just want to touch on it here. This foundation is perfect for everyday - its really lightweight, and has a bulidable light-medium coverage. It doesn't cake on me whatsoever, and looks so natural! It's definitely a must-have for anyone still searching for the perfect foundation. It retails in Australia for $32AU, but you can easily find your shade and buy it cheaper on eBay.

2. Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation

This was my obsession for a long time. To date, it is the only foundation that matches me when I am at my palest. Not only that, it has really good coverage that looks like my skin, but I wouldn't call it a light coverage. This is definitely a solid medium coverage, but it still looks like so natural! I will probably go back to using this in the winter months and I really cannot be bothered to self-tan anymore. This retails for $25.95AU, but I did purchase mine cheaper online.

3. Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup

If you haven't heard of this foundation, you must be living under a rock! This is hyped up a lot on the blogsphere, and for good reason: its amaaaaazing! Supposedly, this is dupe for Nars Sheer Glow. I personally don't think its a dupe, but there are definitely similarities between the two. The Neutrogena one has a decent medium coverage that can be built up, and has a really luminous, dewy finish. It lasts all day as well, which is another benefit. I love this foundation, it was my go to for a long time, and I really recommend picking it up if you can. Neutrogena doesn't actually sell their cosmetics in Australia (boo), but I guessed my shade and brought it off eBay for $12AU. 

4. Neutrogena Skin Clearing Liquid Makeup

Again, another Neutrogena foundation (they really are all that). This is a newer addition as far as I can tell, and is aimed at oily and combination skin types (Healthy Skin is aimed at dry to normal skin). I have normal skin myself, but that doesn't stop me from loving this. It has a fuller coverage than the Healthy Skin, and dries to more of a matte/powder finish. It also contains salicylic acid, which is really good for those who suffer from pimples and acne. I personally love to use this when I do have a blemish or a pimple - I find that this really helps keep it under control while covering up anything nasty all day. Again, this isn't available in Australia, but I brought it from the same retailer on eBay for $12AU.

5. L'Oreal True Match Foundation

Now this is an amazing drugstore foundation. Let me just say.. There is a reason this is a favourite for nearly every makeup addict. This is probably on the same pedestal as my Bourjois foundation, but for totally opposite reasons. I literally need one pump to cover my whole face and achieve full coverage. Not only that, it is super lightweight and watery, and it really feels like you are wearing nothing on your face. And did I mention it lasts all day? Because it actually lasts ALL DAY! I wouldn't say its terribly buildable, but because it is full coverage, I personally don't need to use any more than 1-2 pumps. This retails over here for $29.95AU, and is slightly different from the US version (the US formula is thicker and creamier, and the bottle doesn't come with a pump).

So there you have it! My Top Five Drugstore Foundations! Was there any foundations you would have switched out? What would you replace it with?

Also, if you have any suggestions on what you'd like to see for next weeks Top Five Thursday, please leave it in the comments below!

Until next time...

xxxx

mini review: benefit's they're real mascara

Hey guys!

Today's post will be a quick review on a much coveted mascara within the beauty community. Everyone raves about this mascara on blogs and Youtube alike, and even its high price tag won't stop most people (i.e. me) from giving it a try.

Of course it's the Benefit They're Real mascara!

I had high hopes for this mascara, I'll admit it - I had read and watched reviews upon reviews before actually making my mind up to buy this. Honestly, I had not seen one bad review, so I figured I couldn't go wrong. Read on to see what my thoughts are now after trailing this for a couple of months.

Being a higher end brand, the price tag on this baby is quite high. But, given that it retails in Australia for $38, it honestly isn't as hefty as other high end brands. Our drugstore mascaras usually retail for about $25-30AU, and seeing as this is only $5-8AU more expensive, I don't think that the price for this is too unreasonable. Still, I did wait until I went overseas to buy this because it is only $23USD. I did have the option to purchase a sample size at $10USD, but when in Rome..

From the Benefit website, this mascara claims to:

"... lengthens, curls, volumizes, lifts & separates. Our jet black, long-wearing formula won’t smudge or dry out. A specially designed brush reveals lashes you never knew you had!"

So... What do I think?

I may be the first person to say this but.. I have such a love/hate relationship with this mascara. I really really wanted it to work - so many bloggers and youtubers claim this to be their ride or die. I, unfortunately, think differently. Is it a bad mascara? No, not at all. Is it a great mascara? Ehhh.. Well, its definitely not a bad mascara. It does what a mascara is supposed to do - namely coat your lashes and make them look more defined. But is it worthy of all the praise it receives? Not in my opinion. 

First of all, its a plastic brush. I am a known bristle brush lover, but that hasn't stopped me from adoring a select few mascaras with plastic brushes. Most people claim that this mascara is what converted them to a plastic wand, but to me its just a standard brush nothing too special. Oh, except the spiky ball on the end. That was genius on Benefit's part. It has never been so easy to get the lashes situated in the inner part of my eye, and also the outer lashes. It's my favourite thing about this mascara.

Close up of the mascara wand

The other thing about this mascara is that its that dreaded wet formula. If you don't know how I feel about wet formulas, I will tell you now. Basically, most wet formulas just clump my lashes and make them so spidery. I have to work twice as hard to get my lashes to separate and gain more volume. I am someone who prefers my lashes to look full and voluminous, and a bristle wand with a dry formula really helps me to achieve this. Unfortunately, this is a problem that I have with this mascara.

Here are some pictures with the mascara applied to my lashes:

One coat of the Benefit's They're Real mascara

Two coats of the Benefit's They're Real mascara

As you can see in the first photo, my lashes are quite thin and spidery. As much as it has coated, curled and lifted my lashes up, there is really no volume or lusciousness to them. And then the second photo, you can really see how clumped they can become. This is after trying to work with the mascara for 2+ minutes..

I don't love or hate this mascara in all honesty - I wouldn't say its a favourite, nor one that I would consider throwing out. There are days where it does work perfectly - where it really does all it claims to. But unfortunately those days are few and far between. I just wish I had had the sense to buy the sample size before purchasing the full size, but hey. At least it is one more mascara to have. But, so many other people have had a great experience with this mascara so I wouldn't let this review stop you from giving it a go - just because it didn't work for me doesn't mean it won't work for you! It is quite possible that I was just the unlucky person who got the dud bottle.

Do you own this mascara? What are your thoughts on it?

Until next time...

xxxx

my skin but better: make up to wear when you're sick

Hey guys!

Guess what's coming soon? The dreaded flu season. Being that we are only 4 days into Autumn, Sydney (whose weather is always up and down) is already starting to have that chill factor. Personally, I love the colder weather. I find it so much easier to get warm on a winters day, then to get cool on a day during summer. I'm so looking forward to busting out my hot milo, my flannelette sheets and all my cozy hoodies. But, I am not looking forward to getting sick. And unfortunately, in the last couple of days, that is exactly what has happened.

When we are sick, all we want to is crawl back into our beds, throw the doona over our heads and sleep it off. Maybe throw in a movie and a big mug of hot tea if we're feeling up to it. But, unfortunately, most of us can't afford to do that. We have lives! We have school, university, college, work and other leisure activities we would rather not miss out on. So, that means we have to suck it up, do our best to look presentable, and continue on our lives.

So todays post will be the products I choose when I'm feeling poorly, and why I choose them. Luckily for you guys (but not so for me), I am actually very much under the weather at the moment so this is a true to life make-up look! These products are what I choose when I need to look presentable at university or work, because unfortunately, most days I can't choose to opt out.

 Products pictured (l-r): L'Oreal Luminosity Code Colour Correcting Serum, Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturiser, L'Oreal Youth Code Rejuvenating Anti Wrinkle Eye Care Cream

When I am sick, my skin always feels pale and dehydrated. So before any make-up makes its way onto my face, I always make sure to moisturise. This just makes my skin look and feel rejuvenated and fresh, and my make-up always goes on well after applying these. I talk more about these products here in my Current Skincare Routine post, if you'd like to read more about my opinion of them.

The Original Beauty Blender

This is my favourite tool to apply my foundation and concealer with! This is the original Beauty Blender that I brought in the US for around $20USD, and it is amazing. It really helps your foundation to sink into your skin and look flawless and airbrushed, and I would really recommend using this over a brush when you are sick. Before using, hold it under lukewarm water until it is big and round, and squeeze the excess water. Not only will it apply your foundation and concealer, but the fact that it is soaked in water really helps to wake my skin up a little more, which is something I desperately need when I am sick. You do not need to buy the original, as it is quite pricey. A drugstore alternative will work just as well. (Side note - this is actually clean, but is stained because I use it so often :/)

 Products pictured (l-r): Bourjois Happy Light Luminous Primer, Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation, Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer

You would have seen me mention two of the above products here in my February Favourites, so I'll just touch on them in this post. Not only is the Bourjois primer my favourite primer at the moment, it is made to illuminate and hydrate your skin before applying the rest of your make-up. I find using a illuminating primer before putting on my foundation when I am sick really helps to make my overall appearance more awake and radiant, and this is quite honestly my favourite luminous primer that I have ever used.

If you are someone who prefers a lighter coverage when you are sick, I would recommend using a BB cream instead of a foundation. However, I am someone who just gravitates to foundation ahead of BB creams, and the Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum foundation is perfect for these times. It is lightweight, and is a light to medium coverage, which is enough to hide my imperfections without suffocating my skin.

Then I use the Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer under my eyes, and dabbing whatever excess is left over on the centre of my face. This just hides the dark circles that my foundation didn't cover, and any pimples or blemishes that may still be poking out.

 Products pictured (l-r): Face of Australia Translucent Loose Powder, MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Medium Deep, Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso

After putting on the foundation and concealer to hide the sallowness of my skin, I really want to set my face to stop it from wearing throughout the day. I would usually use a lighter powder, but I find that when I am under the weather, using a light powder makes me look a little sickly and pale. So, I usually use the Face of Australia Translucent Loose Powder over my concealer and my t-zone to set it as it doesn't change the colour of my face or add anymore coverage.

After that step, it is important to bring a little more life into my skin. Usually, I would skip the bronzing step and just use blush. But lately, I have been finding that the MAC Mineralize Skin Finish is perfect for just adding the right amount of colour to my cheeks without bronzing or contouring. I use a big fluffy brush and circle it lightly over my cheeks and temples . After that I just place a little of my blush onto the apples of my cheeks and blend it into the MSF. The Milani Baked blush is perfect, as it adds a healthy glow to your skin, and is essential to not looking sickly. By all means, skip the bronzer but always remember the blush!

 Products pictured (l-r): Revlon Colourstay Eyebrow Pencil, Rimmel Kajal Kohl Eyeliners in Brown and Black, Australis Eyeliner in Starbright, Max Factor False Lash Effect in Brown

I always do my brows - this is essential for me, because it frames my face and really lifts my appearance. After this, I tightline using the black eyeliner, as this gives the illusion that my lashes are fuller than they actually are. I then place the brown eyeliner into my bottom lash line, and blend it out with my fingers so the line isn't so harsh, and then place the white eyeliner in my waterline. Those two steps really open my eyes, and make them look bigger and more awake.

After using those steps, I always always always use mascara. Mascara is really an essential step for me, regardless of how I am feeling. I find the Max Factor False Lash Effect perfect because it is a brown mascara and it honestly make my lashes look so full and voluminous, but natural at the same time.

 TheBalm's Mary-Lou Manizer

This is a newer product to my collection, but after using it a couple of times, I really think that this is the perfect product for making my skin look all glowy and dewy. Which is exactly what I want when I am sick! I blend a little of this onto the high points of my cheekbones, a little on my cupids bow and then place it densely in the inner corners of my eye and brush whatever is leftover onto my eyelid. The Mary-Lou Manizer really gives my skin that extra oomph, and makes me look so bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Be careful with this product though - it is very pigmented, so a little goes a long way. It's very easy to look like a disco ball with this! 

Nyx Dewy Finish Finishing Spray

The last step I use on my face is a finishing spray. This NYX one is great, it not only sets your make-up to make it last throughout the day, it also helps it to really skin into your skin and look even more natural. I also find that this has a cooling effect, and that it perks up my face when I use it. It's also super afforable!

Products pictured (l-r): Revlon Colourburst Lip Butters in Raspberry Pie and Sorbet

Last, but not least, its time to bring some colour back into my lips! When I am feeling sick, I usually don't want to use a lipstick - even those with moisturising properties. I just feel like my lips are weighed down and I can feel them start to dry out. These Revlon Lip Butters are amazing though! They are almost a tinted balm, really moistursing but adding a wash of colour at the same time. For this look, I did end up using Sorbet (the lighter of the two), but Raspberry Pie would be perfect for the colder months!

And here is the finished look!

As you can see, my overall appearance just looks natural and radiant - which is exactly how I want to look under these circumstances! The make-up still looks healthy and glowing, but really understated. If I didn't know me, I wouldn't think I was sick at all!

Of course, not all of these products are necessary to achieve a natural make-up look. Really, it's all about what you feel comfortable with! If you are someone who just prefers to wear mascara and lipgloss when you are under the weather, wear that! If wearing a full coverage foundation with all the trimmings is something that makes you feel better, do that! If you prefer no make up at all when you're feeling crabby, go for it! It really is all about you feeling confident and happy with yourself. But for me personally, I feel better when I have make-up on, as it hides the fact that I am actually really sick underneath.

What products do you like to wear when you feel under the weather? Is there anything you would do differently?

Until next time...

xxxx

review: too faced lip injection color bombs

Hey guys!

Maybe you can guess what I'm about to say - I love love loveeee all lipsticks in a crayon format. In my quest to find and collect all the ones I can (this adventure is still ongoing), I was introduced to these products via Shaaanxo on Youtube. She used one of these in her 'How to Get Bigger Lips' tutorial. And that product was the Too Faced Lip Injection Color Bomb!

To be honest, I first fell in love with the colour of this lipstick. I am such a pink lover, and this was a beautiful, pearlescent, almost-nude pink - my favourite. But, I was also intrigued. I had obviously heard of lip plumping products, but had never owned or tried any. I don't know, I always sort of thought they were a bit of a gimmick. But watching her video, I actually saw this work, and I was sold. On the wish list it went.

I initially brought one from the US for $21USD when I went over there in November last year, but didn't actually use it until I got home. Once I used it, I was so obsessed. I wore it everywhere, and it was a staple in my make up bag. I ended up searching the net trying to find a way to get some more of the colours at a decent price. After searching far and wide, I found them online at Kit Cosmetics for $29.95AU. I personally think this is a really reasonable price for a higher end product, and if I spent over $75AU, I got free shipping as well. So I brought two more of the colours, plus something else so that I could qualify for free shipping. And then, in the Boxing Day sales, I added to my set.

These are fantastic products. They are designed to give your lips a wash of colour, and then are made to plump them so your lips look more luscious and full without the need for surgery. I can attest to the claim - these really really work. I don't have tiny, thin lips, but on the scale of one to Angelina Jolie, I'm probably around a 4. Not too small, but not big in any sense of the word. These bring my lips to probably around a 7. But, if your lips are sensitive, I need to warn you: this is probably not the lip product for you. To get these luscious lips, there is an intense tingle that does hurt a little. It hurts for about a good three minutes, and then lessens, but the overall 'tingle time' is about 10 minutes. It is not a deal breaker for me, but unfortunately, it may be for some of you.

As I said before, I own these in four colours: Not Enough Nude, Candy Burst, Coral Pop and Plump it Up Pink. The other two colours available are Bigger Berry and Eastwood Red, which didn't appeal to me as much as the others did. Below I have swatches of all the colours that I do have so that you can see the colours and the plumping effect. All photos are taken in natural light, so please note that that does wash out the intensity of the colour a little..

Swatches: (l-r) Never Enough Nude, Candy Burst, Coral Pop, Plump It Up Pink

Never Enough Nude: This is the colour that Shaaanxo used in her Youtube video, and the colour that made me fall in love with this collection. It is a beautiful, pearlescent pink that is light enough to almost be a nude. 

Candy Burst: This is a bubblegum pink shade, almost Barbie pink! 

Coral Pop: A almost neon pink coral shade. I definitely wouldn't say its a true coral shade, as it does lean more pink.

Plump It Up Pink: A true bright magenta pink (though it doesn't look like it in the photo). This is the only colour I find that leaves a stain behind.

Too Faced definitely does not disappoint with these. These all go on like butter! And I would say all except Never Enough Nude are opaque in one swipe. Their wear time isn't fantastic, probably a couple of hours at the most, and they gradually wear off throughout that time. The only small complaint I have is that they do dry my lips out a bit, but I suppose thats expected of a product that is supposed to plump your lips. Overall, I'm obsessed, they are awesome products that deserve a place in any make-up hoarders collection. And I probably will be buying the other two colours.. Because, lets face it, no set is really complete unless you have all of the shades available.

These retail for $29.95AU on www.kitcosmetics.com.au , or any Kit Cosmetics pop up store in Myer (these are the cheapest I could find them). In the US, they retail for $21USD :)

Do you own any of these? What do you think of them?

Until next time

xxxx