I thought I’d gather up some new products I’ve been testing this month and share my thoughts - some good, some not really for me. Grab a cuppa - it’s a bit of a rambly chatty one…
HAIR | You may have heard me say before that I’m not big on texturising sprays as my (frizzy) hair has too much texture going on already. Well I’ve finally discovered one that adds oomph and body without grit and feels light as air in my hair. Joico Hair Shake is a liquid to powder formula with a super fine mist and the best I’ve tried for adding height to roots and bringing second day hair back to life.
RED LIPS | Max Factor Lipfinity in Always Chic is one of the best red lipsticks I’ve tried in a long time. It’s quite a neutral red that suits all skin tones and I find it really flattering on my paler Autumn pallor. The texture is smooth and comfortable with good lasting power and I’m a fan of the slim bullet and gold packaging.
FOUNDATION | No7 Airbrush Away Foundation is a new liquid formula with great coverage for a flawless finish. It comes in a dropper bottle, similar to much pricier formulas and I’d describe the coverage as the higher end of medium. On my skin it instantly gives the effect of foundation and concealer that has been set with powder - in a single step - brilliant if you’re on the run. Personally I prefer a more dewy finish on my dry skin, although it’s not a flat matte and the texture and formula do feel very sophisticated. I think combination/oily or normal skins that enjoy a matte finish will love this.
BB EYE PRIMER | Air Patrol is a new release from the ever innovative Benefit, which I couldn’t wait to try. It’s a BB cream eyelid primer with SPF20, so it’s tinted to even out skin tone, has skincare benefits and gives eyeshadow more intensity and longevity. It definitely ticks all of these boxes, though doesn’t prevent creasing on my lids, which are very crease prone to be fair. It’s a good option when I’m not wearing shadow, doesn’t look dry or cakey and a great way to protect the delicate eye area with SPF.
NATURAL LOOK LASHES | Simply Fleur natural look false eye lashes were created in a collaboration with Eyelure and YouTuber, Fleur de Force. I sometimes feel a bit ridiculous in mega falsies for a night out, but love the fluttery volume that these add - and the fact that they’re reusable! The fine band is almost undetectable and comfortable on the eyes as it’s so flexible. I’m planning to try the individuals next for an even more subtle look!
MATTE LIPSTICK | Pixi Beauty has just released a set of Matte Lustre Lipsticks, so named as they have a matte finish without looking completely flat on the lips - and contain plumping hyaluronic acid. Plum Berry is a great Autumn shade that leans more berry than plum in my book. These have some kind of magic that seems to weld them to the lips instantly… it’s as if I can literally feel my lips sucking in the colour for a stain that lasts and lasts. I find the formula a little dry on its own (although it doesn’t look dry), so do need a slick of balm on top, which leads nicely on to…
LIP FIX | I say lip fix rather than balm as I consider Lanolips 101 Ointment to be more than just a regular lip balm. I used the original balm recently on sore cracked skin on my hand and it eased almost before my eyes. I know that some people are down on lanolin as an ingredient, but it can work wonders on truly dry, chapped or sore skin - and Lanolips is made with medical grade lanolin. Apple is one of three new 101 Fruities with vitamins and antioxidants, also available in Strawberry and Peach, all made with real fruit juice.
GEL TIGHT LINER | You may have heard my recent pleas for a cool toned brown eyeliner with great lasting power - you’d think this would be the easiest quest in the world, but no! Happily I’ve now found one in the form of Suqqu Gel Eyeliner, a new formula in a twist up, superfine gel pencil. It applies smoothly as silk and I particularly like using it to tightline as the nib is so slim that it can be applied right on the lash line. I find that there’s only a short window to soften it (if required) and the little smudger on the end is the best I’ve used bar none. Saddo that I am I find this almost as exciting as the liner itself! If you like to be more adventurous with colour, this also comes in a gorgeous limited edition Bordeaux shade. The Dark Brown is very dark, yet softer (and more flattering on me) than Black.
SWATCHES | No7 Airbrush Away in Deeply Ivory | Max Factor Lipfinity Long lasting Lipstick in Always Chic | Pixi Beauty Matte Lustre Lipstick in Plum Berry | Suqqu Gel Eyeliner in Dark Brown.
I was colour matched for this in Boots with a clever little electronic device which reads the colour of skin on the jaw line. It looks quite dark on my arm here but when blended on my face is a perfect match. I love that the little swatch card also suggests lipsticks to suit the colour you’ve been matched to, nice touch!
MAKEUP BAG | I almost forgot to mention the cute Orla Kiely Oval Flower bag… officially a medium wash bag, I find it the perfect size for makeup and love the separate front pocket for brushes and smaller items. The brightly coloured pattern makes me smile and is easy to find at the bottom of any bag, always a bonus!
My top picks from all of the above? Max Factor Lipfinity, Suqqu Gel Eyeliner and Lanolips.
If you have any questions or would like me to do a more in-depth post on any of these products, please let me know - you can leave a comment below, on my Facebook page or email me via the Contact Me button on the right. This was a different kind of format for me… do you like these kind of rambly posts chatting about different products? Is anyone still there?! ;)
