Bare Minerals Original SPF15 Foundation

When I first moved to Barcelona my skin broke out horribly due to the humid weather and polluted air and what not. And even though I love my trusted Clinique BB Cream for blemish prone skin, I wanted something even lighter that would benefit my skin instead of clog it up in this wheater. 

So I did some research and found out that Bare Minerals foundation supposedly is a natural, mineral foundation that is so pure that you could even wear your make up to bed. Now, because I never sleep in my make up, I can't confirm this, but what I can say is that it never once broke me out even after wearing it for 14+ hours in the summer heat of a big city. If I did that with any other foundation I have tried so far, like Estee Lauder Double Wear, L'Oreal True Match, or even the Laura Mercier Mineral Foundation Powder, I would wake up the next day with a huge zit on my cheek. Not with this foundation, though. When I apply it it feels more like skin care than thick and cloggy make up and it even covers up my acne scars without any problems (unlike the lady in Sephora tried to convince me), and it still lets my skin shine trough.

It does have a bit of a difficulty covering up gross, crusty zits, especially if you want to full coverage it can look quite cakey, so you have to be ok with a medium coverage. I also wouldn't recommend this if you have super oily skin, as the skins natural oils break through after a few hours, which I quite like as I have dry skin. 
I use the lightest colour fairy light which is still a tad bit too dark for my pale skin, but I just blend it down my neck with what's left on the brush and it is not a problem. What I also like is that it isn't red toned but more on the yellow side which counteracts the natural redness in my skin.
The brush I like to use for a light to medium coverage is the Real Techniques Buffing brush and for more of a full coverage I like to use the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush. 

 

Nars Sheer Glow Foundation Review

I finally caved in and bought myself the Nars Sheer Glow foundation a couple of weeks ago. It is a little bit more difficult to get your hands on here in Germany, so my only option was ordering it online, which is always a bit tricky with foundations, since you can't try them out on your face. After a little bit of research I decided on the shade Light 3 Gobi, which has a yellow undertone, and, surprisingly, matches me perfectly.

 I like to apply this foundation with a beauty sponge since this sheers it out a little and also makes it go an easier. I would say that this foundation has a medium coverage, but can definitely be sheered out or build up. When applied with a brush, I noticed that it can get quite streaky and it emphasises all the little hairs on my face. When I have really dry skin, and dry patches on my face, it also likes to cling to them.

 As you can see, it really does a good job at evening out my skin tone and I can also use it as a concealer under my eyes. One thing that I have noticed is that it doesn't work well with primers, on my skin, anyway. It just slides around the face and never seems to settle. When set with a powder, it does last the whole day, though.

Pro

looks like skin 

colour range (+undertones)

buildable coverage

Con

sticks to dry patches and facial hair 

takes some time to work in

price (43€) 

All in all this is a decent foundation, but I do think that there are better ones out there on the market, especially in that price category. I enjoy wearing it and will definitely use it up, but I probably won't repurchase it.  

For any of you interested, this is where I purchased my foundation.


- Julia xxx

 

It's Not Me, It's You

There are so many hyped up products out there and quite frankly, I want to try ALL of them. Please! Thank you. But that being said, some of those products have turned out to be great disappointments. Not only for my wallet but also for my face. No matter how many times and in how many different ways I try them, they just do not work for me. I'm sorry darling, it's not me, it's you. At least this time.

 

TIGI Catwalk Your Highness Root Boost Spray - This is a volumising spray, which you are supposed to spray onto your roots when your hair is still wet and then blow dry it as usual. And it works. Especially if you blow dry your hair upside down it gives it quite a bit of volume. BUT it feels heavy, like when you have a think foundation on and all you can think about is that foundation ON YO FACE, it smells extremely strong, to the point where it gives me a headache and it makes your hair feels sticky and just gross. Am  being a diva here? I don't know. All I know is that it does not work for me.

Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation - Now for some reason when i first bought it, it really worked for me. Maybe because I was in Florida that time and it was really hot and humid. Now I live in Germany and the weather is crappy and cold most of the time. So my skin is really dry and this foundation sits really awkwardly on my skin and extenuates the dry patches like no other. The features I like are that it's a full coverage foundation, concealer and primer in one. PLUS it has an SPF of 20, a nice range of shades and lasts up to 18 hours. So maybe this time it is me and not you, dear foundation, since I think you would work amazingly on normal to oily skin. I hope you can forgive me one day and that we can remain friends.

NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Nude Pink - Nice colour and smells like candy, this alone should make it a winner. But it has a really thick consistency and just sits awkwardly on my lips, looking streaky and extenuation dry patches. What's up with all that awkwardness, huh?!

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate - Ok here is one I really didn't wanna put on here, believe me. I was super excited when I first got it because every one was raving about it. It's supposed to be some kind of miracle product that you apply over night and in the morning your skin should look and feel renewed and refreshed. I tried it out for almost one year, on and off, but besides not doing anything positive for my skin, it also broke me out horribly. And this is by far not the only product from Kiehl's which broke me out. In fact, I believe every product that I have tried from this company, broke me out. Especially the suncreames. 

Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Balm - I blame this purchase on EssieButton. haha She, amongst other Youtubers, were saying so many good things about this lip balm that I just had to get my hands on it. It's supposed to be one of the best lips balms out there, tried out on people living in places in Canada where it gets really cold in the winter. So with those reviews and at 12€ not exactly being cheap, I had very high hopes for this. But the texture is really thick, it smells sickeningly of oranges and it contains mineral oil, which really put me off from using it. Something you put on and around your mouth and will, inevitably, get in your mouth, should not contain mineral oil. Because it is so thick I always applied it before going to bed, not without gagging though, and in the morning my lips feel smoother but that feeling just doesnt last very long. The only thing I like about it is that it's fairly matte looking on the lips.  

Have you tried any of these products and if so, what do you think about them? Please let me know!

- Julia xxx