Better Skin in 3 Weeks?♥

I find it so hard testing new foundations because I have oily skin and they tend to just slip and slide around. When buying a new foundation, I always try to buy one for oily skin but that isn't guaranteed to happen every time. One day on a whim, I bought the Maybelline SuperStay Better Skin Foundation for £5 as I needed a new foundation and I was drawn in my the pump. I hadn't heard of the foundation and at the time it was new, and for £5, what harm would it be?

First thing I noticed was that the shade range wasn't very diverse - I reckon there was only about five or six shades to choose from. I struggled to pick a shade as I felt the lightest shade wasn't even light enough as it felt a bit pink toned. I went for 005 light beige which is a decent shade after you've powdered your makeup. It claims to even skin tone instantly, which I reckon it does. My skin looks airbrushed and flawless, so who can complain. I love how even it looks - I apply it with a damp makeup sponge - and the coverage is pretty high. 

As already stated, the highlight for me is the pump. This is the only foundation I own with a pump and I find it extremely helpful! I know exactly how much to pump out, and this means that I don't waste anything. However, one other thing this foundation claims to do was ensure you have better skin after three weeks of using this. I do believe this is a bit of a myth as how could you possibly have better skin from using a foundation? I can't say I've seen any improvements in my skin from using this, sadly, but apart from that, I do love the foundation.

I have been satisfied with this foundation. I feel it's lightweight enough to wear on a daily basis but it also has decent coverage. I've been using it religiously lately for concealer because I'm running low on them, and this has been pretty good at covering those dark circles! I do find that I need to set this foundation or else I'll appear shiny throughout the day but I think this is due to my skin type.

Have you tried this foundation?

Sainsburys Makeup♥*

Near enough every shop has their own makeup line nowadays. From New Look to Asda, and now Sainsburys. I wasn't actually aware that they had their own line - very rarely do I go into Sainsburys - but when I was emailed about trying some products, I was intrigued. 9/10 times are the lines just as good as some makeup lines you find in Superdrug, Boots, Debenhams etc.

C'est La Vie*; On average, I'm not really a blush gal - I just never really bother. I own a few powder blushes but cream blushes are something I hadn't ever tried before this one. The first thing I noticed was how sleek and smart the packaging was - minimalistic and plain but I feel it still has pleasing aesthetics. The colour of the blush itself is gorgeous - as it's on the darker side, it will be more appropriate in the Autumn time I reckon, but as it's a cream concept, it might be better during the warmer months.

Chock-A-Block*; Lately, I have been absolutely loving bronzer, it makes such a subtle change to your overall appearance, and no complaints that it warms up my pale complexion. It's extremely pigmented and a small amount is all that is required. Even when I accidentally apply too much, it blends with ease and it doesn't appear orange toned either. I love how it warms up the complexion whilst giving definition at the same time.

Turn A Blind Eye; a beautiful golden shade with undertones of brown. It's extremely pigmented and creamy, so as you could imagine, blends with ease. It's a stunning shade, ideal for all over the lid. If you read this blog regularly, you will know I adore golden eyeshadows, so it's no surprise I adore this one. It's quite a shimmer, metallic shadow.

Blaze Of Glory; another golden shade, my love. As the first shadow, it's creamy and blendable, making eye makeup as easy as pie. It has the perfect undertones to compliment blue eyes, and can create either a basic or complicated look.

Wouldn't Bat An Eyelid; a delicate and girly lilac shade. Unlike the previous two shades, it matte, but, I feel that it isn't as pigmented which is a slight let-down. It's the perfect shadow to create a soft eye look with.

Mum's The Word*; such a pretty natural, peachy shade. I would describe it as a "your lips but better" shade. I was thankful the first time I used it as I was expecting it to be sticky, but my thoughts were wrong. For a supermarket lipstick, it has quite a colour payoff, considering it is quite a light shade. It looks lovely with a bold eye look, or paired with the most simple of looks.

The Coast Is Clear*; what more can I say than it's just a clear lip gloss? Honestly, I'm not that big a fan, and it's nothing to do with this lip gloss itself, it's just that I don't particularly like clear lipgloss. I feel they don't really do anything for me, and to put it simply, feel they're a tad boring.

I must say that I have been blown away by Sainsbury's Boutique range. As many stores have their own makeup, I feel they must be a bit "meh", but I have to say that this range is up there. The bronzer has been my absolute favourite item and have been using it every day religiously.

Have you tried Sainsbury's Boutique Range?

*PR Samples

Trying Clothing Stores' Makeup♥

Many clothing stores are bringing out their own makeup range. I fully support them and I'm always intrigued to how the quality is. New Look brought out their own makeup range ages ago, but it wasn't until recently that I first got my hands on some of the range. So far, I own two lipsticks; a nude and a red.

For a store range, the packaging is impressive. It looks sleek and sophisticated. I love that majority is matte with the matte strip and "New Look" wrote at the top of the cap. For £3.99, I believe that they look much more expensive. I know for sure that they look pretty in my collection. Also, I've noticed that the lipstick smells sweet!

Candy Pink || 71; unfortunately I cannot find it ANYWHERE on New Look's site, which is slightly irritating, but anyway. Although it's described as a candy pink, it doesn't show up as expected. It's a muted pink, more of a mauve pink. I don't suit the whole "Barbie pink" lips trend, so I was glad when it never shown up as I was expecting it to. It's not a matte lipstick but it's not necessarily glossy either - it's right in the middle of a matte and sheen finish. For everyday wear, it's a natural colour that could be pulled off with any look.

 Red || 60; as if I don't need another red lipstick, this was a last minute buy when I was making an online asos order. It was the idea that it was red and matte - I own one other matte red but needed an inexpensive alternative. It is gorgeous. A true red, just as it looks in the bullet. As it's matte, I feel that it can be a little on the dry side sometimes, which is the only down side. I never thought anything of the staying power at first. It's fair to say I was blown away. For the price, it lasts for hours, and is still almost 100% in tact after eating too.

I can't believe I was missing out on some bargain lipsticks that are seriously good stuff. I must recommend them, as although these colours might not be up your alley, but the range of available lipsticks is vast!

Have you tried the New Look makeup range? Any products you recommend?

Coco for Lee Stafford Coco Loco♥*

Keeping it between you and I, I am quite lazy when it comes to my hair. I don't really use that many hair products in my hair, and considering I use heat on it and dye it, it's still in pretty slick condition. However, saying that, I can't say no to trying out new products. Anything that smells good and works wonders gets a thumbs up from me, and if you've been a loyal reader of my blog for a while, you'll perhaps remember my love for Lee Stafford Haircare, and when I was asked to try out the Coco Loco Range, I could hardly say no.

The range has a cute, pink packaging theme going on which I adore - it looks really pretty sitting on my shelf. As you could probably have predicted from the range's name, it has a strong, dominant yet beautiful and addictive scent of coconut, which is by far one of my favourite scents ever. Whenever I use one of the products, in particular the hairspray, I can still smell it in my hair by the end of the day; no complaints.

Coco Loco Hairspray* - Hairspray is a tricky one. Sometimes they're too "wet", leaving your hair feeling dry and sticky, or they feel like they do nothing. Thankfully, this one is in my good books. Although at first it feels "sticky", it almost "dries", and you forget you even have any in. The best part is how easily it brushes out. Normally, I have to section my hair and rip out multiple hair balls just to get the hairspray out, but this one is an exception. Major love.

Coco Loco Dry Shampoo* - Dry shampoo is one of those essentials you just need to own, regardless. Therefore, it's no surprise that I adore this one. Not only does it work incredibly, but it smells delicious. Three-day hair? No problem, quick use of this dry shampoo and you're instantly blessed with luscious hair again. Highly, highly recommend!

Coco Loco Mousse* - I find that mousse can be funny. It can either work wonders with your hair, or weigh down your hair, leaving it feel sticky and dry. This is why I was so reluctant to using this at first, then just went for it. It turns out it's not too bad! It leaves my hair looking shiny, and smells amazing. Not to mention that it adds extra volume too!

Coco Loco Light Serum Spray* - I'm constantly wary of using serums, simply because I'm afraid in case they make my hair greasy. I apply a few sprays in my hair before blow drying (it actually helps to brush out the knots whilst it's still wet) and my hair feels incredibly smooth after it has been dried. Smooth, shiny and silky hair right there. It also helps my hair to feel uber healthy too so if those reasons aren't good enough, then what will be?

The Coco Loco range has won my heart; not only for it's exotic scent but for the quality of the products too. They are hyped regularly and I can't believe I haven't tried them before now!

Have you tried the Lee Stafford Coco Loco range?

*PR Samples