Barbara Daly Foundation

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BARBARA DALY MAKEUP RANGE

Barbara Daly's biography is amazing. She was the MUA on A Clockwork Orange, She was Princess Di's MUA on her wedding day and she has an OBE, to name but a few achievements. With Barbara's cosmetic expertise spanning 30 years, I probably shouldn't have been so surprised at the quality of the products I picked up at Tesco a couple of weeks ago.

I bought the 'Face Lift Foundation' (£7) and the 'Super Sheer Loose Powder' (£6).

You aren't going to believe me, but I would say this foundation is extremely similar to the finish you get with Chanel's Mat Lumiere. It has a lot of coverage, sets to a finish that doesn't need powdered and it lasts all day. It's seriously fabulous and I can't believe it was only £7. Even the pot it comes in is great as you can dip your foundation brush straight in, with no mess left on the back of your hand or fingers. The only thing I would watch out for is the shade you choose as I have found they tend to dry about 1/2 - 1 whole shade darker than it looks when you first apply it.

The Super Sheer Powder is equally as super, although as I've found I don't need any powder with the facelift foundation I haven't had the need to use it very much! It doesn't cake or settle on the skin, giving a truly natural looking matte/airbrush sheen to the skin. The packaging is awesome, with the dispenser inside ensuring you don't disappear in a cloud of powder everytime you open the lid. The powder gives enough coverage that you could probably get away with keeeping this in your drawer at work as your only touch-up product needed through the day.

One product I had in and out of my trolley about 4 times was the 'FaceLift', an illuminating sheer moisturiser that can be used under makeup or on it's own. On the back of my hand it looked great, but then I'd think 'what do I really need this for' and put it back. I regret not just buying it as it was only about £5 so maybe I'll get it next time.

What do you think? Have to you tried any of this range?

Smooth Skin Challenge

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If you're like me and you're almost getting to the point where the hype about Clarisonic is making you part with enough money to pay a month's rent in your quest for silky radiant skin, then maybe this post will inspire you to delay for another few weeks...

Having read umpteen blogs recently where bloggers have received the kit to try for a few weeks, I had started thinking that one of their buzzing miracles was my only salvation. I only have 15 weeks left til my wedding day and I am feeling distinctly more greasy bumpy bird than radiant bride. However, I spotted a comment by Vex In The City , on one of the aforementioned blogs that gave me pause for thought... I wont quote, but was along the lines that the same effect could probably be achieved using manual high street accessories.

Imagine my delight then, when the following day I was in the Soap and Glory aisle at Boots and I spotted the Face Massage Mini Mitt for only £4! It knew I have tired and sallow skin and I wouldn't be able to resist the very cute, pink pretty packaging. It was almost like S&G read my mind.

It claims to be 'energy boosting' which sounds like exactly what my skin needs. So! I am going to add this little baby into my routine, step up my exoliation with my favourite exfoliator (pictured below and can be bought from Boots for about £9.50) and start glugging down the pints. Of water that is... I plan to do this for 4 weeks; I'll take 'before' pics tomorrow and compare what my skin is like in a month. Wanna join me? Or do you think I should just get my credit card out now and jon the Clarisonic Crew?

Ps... Clarisonic, if you're reading... I have nothing against your new toys, I am mostly just jealous I can't try one. I don't reckon I could get away with adding one as an essential wedding expense...

All About Face eyeshadow

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Anyway! I am guilty of tending to ignore the more affordable items in favour of 'One day I will be able to afford it' items, so in a bid to redeem myself, I picked up this little pot of lovely bluey sparkle in Tesco for £1.49 (pat on the back for me!) It is a brand called All About Face and in actual fact, the choice in the range was quite impressive. Everything seemed to be £1.49 or 3 items for £3, which included foundations, blushers and a massive choice of individual E/S pans, like below.

Bad points? It's crumbly as apple crumble and when applied dry is about as exciting as porridge, but look at it foiled!!!!!

I found it made a fabulous eyeliner (foiled using Chanel (!!!) No13 Eyeliner brush) with a little drop of water. Other makeup on my eye is Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in RSVP and No17 Va Va Voom mascara in Electric Blue (I love this mascara!). Eyelashes curled using Shu Uemura curlers.

Something to watch out for, however, is the staining! Both these pics were taken after having the product foiled just long enough to take a pic (maybe 2 or 3 minutes) and removed with my strongest makeup remover. Eeek!!

What do you think? I love this look!

Mini Mondays... Giveaway! and Chanel Les Pop de Chanel Summer Collection 2010

There's been a buzz around beauty blogosphere about this collection for a while now and it's finally arrived!

Chanel's summery offerings include Limited Edition nail polish shades and lipglosses which, for me, absoloutely epitomise summer. Just looking at the display in John Lewis had me transported to another world where I could wear beach jewellery, sip ice cold Mojitos and where me in a white bikini wouldn't have small children crying in fright...

Unfortunately, Chanel are not miracle workers and I had to settle for taking home the last remaining bottle of Novelle Vague, the minty fresh turquiose pictured below, a shade which will go some way to helping me live my beachy, summer dream.

I'm thinking this will be perfect on my nails for my city hen do in London in June, or for my extended honeymoon taking me from the beach in Hawaii to the slick city streets of New York. As long as it's warm, this colour will be fab!

In other news (Giveaway!)...

Whilst I was at Chanel, we got talking about the blog (I had to tell her otherwise she would have though I was weird for taking pics of the display...) and she kindly gave me 5 copies of the Limited Edition collectors book celebrating the release of the Rouge Coco lipstick range t giveaway to my lovely followers! The book is a must for any Chanel fan, with some beautiful photography and graphics.

To win one of these books, you need to be a follower (I will check!) and just leave me a comment telling me your favourite thing about summer! Competition will be open until Midnight Sunday 16th May and winners will be picked at random.

Good Luck!

FOTD

Happy Bank Holiday weekend everyone!

Last night, Mac and I went for dinner so I took the opportunity to try out a few newish products...

Eyes
Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Strut
Sleek Blue Glitter Eyeliner
Elizabeth Arden Double Density Mascara in Black (keep your eyes peeled for a post on this in a couple of days)
Shu Uemura Eyebrow Pencil, Seal Brown Hard 6


Face
Barbara Daly for Tesco Facelift Foundation in 'Almond' (Post on this and other Barbara Daly products coming soon)
Benefit Benetint and Benefit Coralista Blush on the cheeks
Benefit Georgia Peach all over the face
Benefit One Hot Minute Bronzer
No7 Limited Edition Natural Radiance Highlighter


Lips
Vaseline!

This is to try and show you the No7 Highlighter - it's fab!

A xx