8 Summer Saviours | Holiday Makeup & Hair Favourites

As some of you may know, I've recently returned back from a very much needed break in the sun on the lovely island of Crete (if you follow me on Twitter you probably struggled to avoid my sunshine-related tweetings - apologies). As well as meeting some wonderful people (some of which I hope I'll stay in contact with), I've come home feeling much more refreshed, relaxed and altogether more positive. I guess you could say I'm enjoying that 'just got back off holiday' feeling and I'm making the most of having a natural tan for a change! Of course, being a beauty blogger, two thirds of my suitcase weight allowance was taken up with lotions, potions and cosmetics galore (okay, so i exaggerate slightly - but trust me now when I say that 'packing lightly' is not my forte...) I thought I'd pop a little 'holiday favourites' post together consisting of my most used hair and beauty products - I've narrowed it down to my top 8. Considering I took everything and the kitchen sink, this was easier said than done but if you're jetting away soon and are at a bit of a loss as to what to take, this might give you a few ideas. I haven't photographed everything separately because my camera was having an 'off day' (don't we all...), but I have written individual posts on the majority of things featured in this post anyway so I've linked those for you if you fancy a more in-depth read up! Without further rambling, let's get stuck in to this year's holiday favourites...

The Fuss-Free Base - Benefit 'Big Easy' in 'Beige | Review Post

I'll admit that when I first tried 'Big Easy' a few months ago, I wasn't instantly blown away. I liked it, and the review was still a rather positive one, but at that particular time I wasn't sure it suited my skin as well as it could. I did, however, make a note to try it again when on holiday as the cream to powder finish and added SPF seemed to tick all the boxes for the perfect lightweight holiday base.  I wasn't wrong.  This stuff is amazing! I'd simply apply a teeny bit over the top of my sun lotion on any areas that I felt needed a bit of help (yes, you might be lounging around a pool but a little cheat never hurt anybody did it?) and I was good to go.  It was the perfect base when we hired a car and went sightseeing for a day as it blended seamlessly into my skin and I didn't feel caked - it just gave me a little bit of coverage whilst still allowing my natural skin to show through and breathe. I didn't really use it at night as I wanted to avoid 'ghost-face' (the SPF is quite high), but for day wear and for using on the airplane/travelling - it was a godsend and I will definitely be using this should I jet away again soon.  It was amazing in the heat and humidity and didn't go patchy or orange - plus the fact that its so lightweight and sheer worked extremely well in the sun. OO and it's worth mentioning that I find it works best applied with fingers as it helps it to blend. Put the buffing brush away - this stuff really is as fuss-free as they come!

The Primer - Benefit Porefessional | Review Post

I alternate between this and my trusty Loreal Professional Resurfacing Primer but for hot climates and balmy nights - Benefit wins hands down! It's lightweight, silky and smooth and helps prepare your skin for foundation as well as helping it to stay on longer - even on humid evenings.  It helps to smooth over any dry patches as it doesn't cling, and it also helps to minimise the appearance of pores (i can vouch for this as my pores go crazy when I'm in a sunnier climate!).  I always pick up a travel size before I jet away - it's well worth looking for the miniature size if you fancy giving it a whirl.

The Eyeshadow Bases - Art Deco | Featured Here / & Mac 'Rubenesque' | Review Post

I received Art Deco's shadow base in one of my beauty boxes ages ago now and it's still one of my favourites! Although I love my Urban Decay primer potion, I find this one a little more hard-wearing if it's hot outside due to the thicker consistency.  I also find that my eyeshadow appears much more pigmented and bright when I've used this beforehand.  I threw caution to the wind this year and opted for a smokey eye on a couple of occasions and this was my ultimate must-have! You only need the tiniest bit and you're good to go. Another favourite was Mac's Paint Pot in 'Rubenesque' - its great because it doesn't crease, is super easy and quick to apply and can be used as a base for building up further colour or simply on its own - very versatile.  The peachy-gold tone is also the perfect shade for summer tans!

The Eyebrow Tamer - Benefit 'Gimme Brow' | Review Post

Although I always fill in my brows if I'm going out of an evening, when I'm around the pool in the daytime I just cannot be bothered to faff around! If I wanted a little bit of definition, I simply filled them in ever so slightly with a cheapy pencil, quickly swept a bit of this through and I was set for the day. I love 'Gimme Brow' - I actually need to repurchase the darker shade when I get chance as I prefer how it looks on me but this came in so handy. If you have sparse eyebrows like me, you'll love this as it's so easy to apply and adds the perfect finishing touch.  At the end of an entire day of sunbathing, my eyebrows were still pretty much perfectly in place and I owe it all to this little mascara.

The Summer Blush | Stargazer Blush in  'Shade 8' | Review Post

Ok. So this isn't exactly a summer 'saviour' but it would have been silly if I didn't include it because it's the only blush I've been using for the past 3 weeks and the only one I can see myself using for the foreseeable future (until my tan has completely gone...)  This is my ultimate favourite blush for when I have a bit of sunkissed glow to my skin. It's not for the faint hearted as it's undeniably quite bright but it instantly brightens the complexion and looks amazing when worn subtly with a contour.  Although it's super pigmented, it's so easy to blend and lasts very well on the skin. 

The Lip Colour for All Occasions | Tanya Burr Gloss in 'Let's Travel the World' | Review Post

I managed to solve all of my 'which lipstick shall I wear with this outfit?!' issues whilst on holiday this year. I'll be honest and say I didn't use the majority of the other shades I bought simply because all I needed was this. The orangey-red sets off a tan perfectly as it brings out the warmer tones in your skin and the glossy finish adds dimension. The colour is perfect because it's not so opaque that it's difficult to wear but it's bright and pigmented enough to make a statement in the evening.  I must say, it lasted incredibly well and even my mother was impressed when it was still going strong after a cocktail or three...

The Hair Saviour | Aussie '3 Minute Miracle' 

As much as I love holiday hair (sun, sea and sand don't half help to boost the volume!), I hate how dry it feels after a few days of sunbathing.  I used Mark Hill's Sun Protection Spray in the day to try and limit the damage but there's no getting away from the fact that any length of time in the sun is going to leave your hair rather parched - I could almost hear mine crying out for some moisture!  I picked up 3 sachets of '3 Minute Miracle' in the airport just before I boarded the flight and my goodness, am I glad I did! I used them half-way through the holiday to restore some shine and quench my poor thirst-deprived ends. It's well worth picking up some deep-conditioning sachets before you jet away - they don't weigh much at all and are so easy to pack.  I've picked up a few more so I can use the treatment again over the next few weeks.

If you're looking for products to keep your makeup in place, I'll also recommend Mac's MSF Natural (my holy grail powder) and Urban Decay's Setting Sprays - both of these were also holiday must-haves for me - I thought they were worth a mention even if I didn't include them in this post! (I should have done my 'Top 10' shouldn't I?!)

What have been your summer saviours this year?

A Selection of Bourjois Goodies...

Bourjois really are pulling out all the stops just recently with lots of new releases - it's no surprise that many of their products are being propelled swiftly into the blogger limelight! I'm particularly fond of their range of lip products and you can often find me having a good ol' swatch sesh at their stand - so I was really chuffed to have the chance to try out a few of their liners and, of course, the ever famous CC Cream! It's received one heck of a lot of praise amonst the blogger community just recently, hasn't it?  As the warmer weather seems to be creeping around the corner (albeit extremely slowly), it's good timing for this little tube to arrive on my doorstep.  I'm all for a dewy, light coverage as soon as the lighter nights start drawing in...So what did I reckon to this bunch of lovely Bourjois goodies? I shall get cracking with the nitty-gritty... 

123 Perfect CC Cream | £9.99* | Link
This clever little colour correcting base is filled with a selection of pigments in order to counteract dreaded dark circles, redness and dark spots. Been out on the tiles one too many times over the weekend? Fear not, this CC cream makes you look fresh, dewy and awake in a flash.  I'm all for a light coverage as soon as spring/summer rolls around, and although I must admit I'm not quite ready to put down my trusty bottle of Nars Sheer Glow yet, this CC cream has been my answer for those days where you just want a little bit of coverage but don't want to go all out with the foundation. It's so lightweight and blendable, and actually has a pretty good amount of coverage to say it's a CC cream - it counteracts any redness with ease, covers any blemishes or dark spots and even does a jolly good job at knocking out those pesky dark circles (and by heck - have I got a lot of those just recently!).  In the past, I've often found BB/CC Creams can lean much too pink or orange for me - but this little beauty matches my Simpson-esque yellow-toned skin perfectly! Hooray! It's almost undetectable and it doesn't look like I'm wearing anything at all - I love it!  If you do suffer with a little bit of redness (I don't tend to get a great deal of it so I can't vouch too much for this aspect) I can imagine it would be a great option to try due to the pigments it contains and the fact it leans a little more yellow.  Oh, and to top it all off, it also smells really nice and fresh - just what you want from a lighter coverage base.  The CC Cream comes in 4 shades, however, it's worth swatching in store - I have the shade 'Light Beige' and it seems to match my skin perfectly as it has more of a yellow undertone. Overall, I have to say I am very much in the rave camp when it comes to this product...Pat on the back, Bourjois. You have suitably impressed me.

Liner Feutre in 'Moka' and 'Violine' | £6.99* | Link
When it comes to liquid liner, I'm very much stuck in the 'black and nothing but black' rut - I know, call me boring - but I just stick to what I know.  However, these coloured options have certainly shook things up a little of late.  I've discovered I'm actually rather partial to a pop of subtle colour across the upper lash line now and again, who would have thought?! I love the purple because it really sets off the green tones in my eyes, and the brown version puts a neutral twist on my usual liquid-liner.   It's good to mix things up sometimes, right? I love the shape of these liners - they're very much my cup of tea and are so easy to get a good 'weight of line' going on. The felt-tip style works in their favour and they're super easy to apply and last pretty well too.  Yep. These are right up my street. 

Mega Liner | £7.49* | Link
Ok. I'm still a little undecided about this one.  I love the colour - the intense black shade really does crank up the definition and the staying power really is unbelievable. Honestly, could I get this swatch off my arm? No. No I couldn't get this swatch off my arm. It was the same story for my eyes - this stuff stays put - and it doesn't fade easily either. So if intense, long lasting black-ness is what you're searching for, this is well worth looking into.  However, I just can't seem to get on with the shape of the nib.  I very much prefer a tapered, felt-tip styled tip and if you have a tendancy to be a little cack-handed (even slightly) - you might find this will drive you up the wall. It's easy to achieve a variety of weights of line and it's quite good for getting a good flick going on - but it might take a bit of getting used to. If you're the type to think 'aint nobody got time for that' when it comes to fiddly things, then you might prefer the Liner Feutres featured above (much easier to get on with in my opinion!)

Beauty'full Volume Dark Kohl Mascara | £7.99* | Link
I'm extremely, extremely fussy with mascaras.  I can only think of 2 I actually love and repurchase on a regular basis - to say I'm a blogger and therefore try a great deal of different mascara offerings, that's saying something isn't it? It takes a lot to impress me. I must admit I do like the wand - the hourglass-typed shape really works at getting all of those piddly little lashes coated and it's quite good at getting into the inner corners of the eyes. I'm a big fan of Benefit's They're Real and one of the selling points of that one for me is the little 'spines' (is there a technical word for those things?!) at the tip of the wand - this one is quite similar in that aspect.  I also like the 'fullness' it provides my lashes with and it does give an intense black look.  I do like this mascara, but I'm not head over heels in love as yet. However, I always prefer mascaras once they're dried up ever so slightly, so I shall reserve judgement until then. It has good potential.

Overall, a fab selection of products from Bourjois and I wasn't disappointed with any of them. Personally, the CC Cream has to be my favourite of the bunch - it really is as good as everyone says (believe me I tried to fault it - I can't - shucks!) The 2 coloured liners are also really lovely - I like the fact they aren't too bright or 'in your face' - they provide a subtle pop of colour that's very wearable for daytime wear (even for a colour-phobe like me!) 

Have you tried any of these Bourjois products? What did you reckon?

It's Pore O' Clock | Benefit's Porefessional Primer & Powder

Every girl in the entire blogging universe must have heard of Benefit's Porefessional Primer (if not, I think you need to get yourself out from under that rock pretty sharpishly...) It's won its fair share of awards and holds 'holy grail' status in many a makeup bag across the globe - and with good reason too. Just recently, things got even more interesting as Benefit announced the launch of their new Porefessional Powder.  Never one to resist a duo of any kind, it's safe to say I could feel my intrigue rising - a primer and matching powder?! Ohh my bloggery hands were almost shaking with anticipation. So, when the lovely ladies at Benefit HQ kindly sent me their new arrival along with their ever famous Porefessional Primer to try - I put them both to the test straight away... So what did I reckon?

Benefit PoreFessional Powder | £23.50* | Link

First up is the Porefessional powder. This product is all about controlling shine and minimising the appearance of pores, as well as providing that much needed invisible, flawless finish.   Firstly, it goes without saying that Benefit always get their packaging spot on the mark - the typical 'ice cream parlour colours' and quirky designs never fail to catch the eye and this one is no exception.  The packaging is all very neat and compact and ideal for travelling - something which is quite handy when it comes to powder.  It's lightweight, comes with a little fluffy brush and the powder is dispensed via a simple 'twist and tip' mechanism (no danger of over-spillage!) The powder itself is finely milled, easy to blend and feels very smooth and light on the skin, whilst mattifying its appearance in an instant - it knocks out shine with ease.  Personally, I don't have particularly oily skin and don't struggle an awful lot with shine - I tend to use powder for purely setting my foundation and for makeup staying power benefits - so I found this powder a little too mattifying for me. I'm one for a dewy, natural finish and it just made me feel a little bit too powdery for my liking - you have to be wary of over-applying as it can settle into fine lines.

It does seem to help even-out skintone which is a nice plus point - so for those of you who like to add powder for a little bit of extra coverage you might find this is a winner for you.  All this being said, I do like the concept of the Porefessional Powder and it does do what it says on the tin - it mattifys in an instant and my pores look undeniably reduced and smoothed over.  It manages to achieve that flawless finish and works well at keeping foundation in place. It also is perfect for throwing in your handbag as there is no need for carrying a powder brush or sponge.  Would I spend £23.50 on it though? I hate to say it but no - at the moment, I don't think I would.  It's a nice powder don't get me wrong, but I just get on with my trusty Mac MSF much better and I think there are similar powders on the market you could pick up for less money.  I still enjoy using it when on the go - but it just didn't blow me away.  Those of you with oily skin might find this a perfect companion - it's worth looking in to if you do prefer a full-on matte look. I reckon it might rack up more admiration from me in summer when I do need a slightly more mattifying powder. You never know - it could be appearing in my favourites as soon as the warmer weather rolls around later in the year but for now it's just a 'yeh - I like it' as opposed to a full on product rave... 

Benefit PoreFessional Primer | £24.50* | Link

Ok. So the powder didn't blow me away but I'm no stranger to the Porefessional Primer and I am fully aware of its benefits.  I adore this product - I can really see why it gets so much praise and why it's the UK's best selling primer.  I've only ever bought travel sizes to take abroad with me before but I've never been disappointed.  Now I have the full size, I've been using it daily and really have fallen head over heels in love with the stuff.  It really does do a smashing job of keeping makeup in place as well as creating an amazingly smooth, flawless base.  I find it works particularly well underneath my eyes and around the sides of my nose - usually places I find I have to top up occasionally but wear-time of my foundation/concealer is impressively increased whenever I use this.  The oil-free, balmy formula feels so silky and soft to apply - it smooths across the skin with ease and feels so lightweight - it instantly makes your skin feel velevety soft and smooth to the touch, as well as reducing the size of pores and creating an even skintone ready to apply your base.

I don't fall in love with primers easily so it really is saying something that I enjoy using this one.  It even smells lovely. As well as prepping skin for makeup, it works well at minimising shine and reducing any redness or open pores - meaning that it can be worn alone if you're having one of those 'bare skin days'.  In my opinion, a primer's main purpose should be to keep your foundation in place for longer during the day, and this has been fabulous at doing just that - if you're struggling to get your base to stay put - I'd really recommend trying this! Would I purchase this once it runs out? Yes indeedly - I would. A little goes a very long way so your investment in the product is fully justified - you only need a tiny blob to cover your entire t-zone. It does what it says on the tin and keeps my makeup looking flawless for longer, and for that, it gets a massive thumbs up from me. 

Overall, I have to say that Benefit have really impressed me with their Porefessional products - despite my little gripes with the powder.  They have certainly solved the problem of an 'on the go' powder application and for those of you with oily skin - it might work a treat.  It goes without saying that the winner for me in this instance has to be the primer - it's had bloggers singing its praises from rooftops for ages now (in fact, I'm off to go and join them...) and it's easy to see why it's the UK's best seller.  If you're going to part with the cash for either one - the old favourite - Porefessional Primer - wins every time.  

Have you tried any of these Benefit products? What were your thoughts?

Nivea Daily Essentials | Express Hydration Primer

One thing that's very important in my daily regime is moisturising and priming my face ready for the day ahead.  I look far from bright eyed and bushy tailed when I first wake up in the morning so a good refreshing moisturiser is what I need in order to prep my skin.  I rarely apply my makeup without priming my skin first - I find it's such an important step and I can really tell if I've missed it out.  When I first heard of Nivea's Daily Essentials Express Hydration Primer - I trawled the shelves of town in order to find a pot.  I've been trying it now for the past couple of weeks - and I must admit I do like it - but I do have mixed opinions on it. Let me explain why...

First off - I love the fact there are two versions of the primer depending on your skin type. I have normal/combination skin and don't have a great deal of dry or oily patches - so to have a version tailored for my skin type impressed me.. I often find moisturisers too heavy or too light for me so it was nice to have the choice between this one and the 'dry sensitive' version.  The consistency itself is really lovely - I find it very refreshing and the gel-like texture sinks in very quickly. It feels very fresh, light and cooling.  It provides a smooth, even base ready to apply your makeup and I find it does it's job with making your foundation base easier and smoother to apply to the skin.

As for the 'primer' qualities - I do agree it helps to keep makeup in place however, I still get on better with my trusty Loreal Studio Professional primer as I find it holds my makeup a great deal more.  If you have a long working day and need your makeup to stay put through a bit of hard graft then you might be better opting for a more heavy duty primer.  This said, I do find it makes a difference compared with when I haven't applied it at all- it certainly does help to smooth out your skin and gives it that lovely flawless finish.  I can imagine this will work better for me on holiday or in the height of summertime when I really don't fancy smoothing a layer of my usual primer onto my skin - it is very much a light, fuss-free base. It's a product I will most probably be packing in my suitcase when I jet away this year, that's for sure!   If you've tried primers in the past and hate the feeling of them then I really recommend giving this a try - it's just like a regular moisturiser just with that extra added benefit of providing a smooth base for your makeup. It does help it to stay a good couple of hours or so longer than if you hadn't applied it - its just there are better primers out there if you want a longer lasting finish.  If you're an 'on the go' kind of girl and just want to whack on a moisturiser and go - then I urge you to try this.  It's a really lovely product and I enjoy using it purely as a refreshing moisturiser when I need a bit of a boost of a morning.

Have you tried Nivea Express Hydration Primer? What were your thoughts?

My 'Go-To' Face Base | Loreal Studio Secrets Professional Primer

Loreal Studio Secrets Professional Smoothing Resurfacing Primer | £14.29 | Link

You know those typical 'holy grail' items you have in your makeup bag? The ones you forever repurchase that get so embedded in your daily routine that you simply cannot live without them but often forget how much you rely on them? This is one of those items.  It occurred to me the other day that I've actually never spoken about one of my most used products on my blog.  I've been asked a few times what I use for a base before I apply my foundation as I've mentioned in  a few reviews that I don't really have problems getting my foundation to stay throughout the day and a lot of the time I really believe it's down to my primer. Without further jibber-jabber, I shall introduce to you to Loreal's Studio Professional Smoothing Resurfacing Primer (try saying that after a few - crikey!) I have had more than my fair share of these little pots - I believe I might be on my fourth or fifth so trust me when I say it's a well loved favourite. 

Now, I know primers are very much like foundation - what one person swears by, another one hates. It is a very personal thing and your skin type/moisturiser/foundation you use is all going to effect how your primer works.  For reference, I have fairly normal skin with a slightly oilier t-zone, and at certain times of the year my cheeks get a little dry - but nothing overly difficult apart from the odd pesky spot on my chin now and again.  The consistency has a very velvety, soft feel to it - and almost feels like a thick, whipped mousse when applied.  What I love about it is the fact it leaves no greasy residue on the skin - many primers I've tried feel quite greasy and I often feel a bit funny applying them to my skin - with this one, there's none of that.  It instantly makes the skin feel smooth to the touch - almost masking over any 'dodgy' uneven areas and helping to disguise any pores.  I apply it with my fingers, working from the middle of my face and outwards, concentrating on around my nose, my chin and my forehead.

I've never experience any breakouts with this product - it doesn't make my skin feel greasy and after smoothing out with my fingers it's undetectable - aside from the fact my skin feels one heck of a lot smoother! I then apply my foundation as normal.  I haven't yet found a foundation that doesn't work with this primer - it is the ultimate dream team with my beloved YSL Touche Eclat foundation. I know a few people said that they weren't too fussed about the wear time with this foundation when it was launched - but personally it lasts all day on me providing I use this beforehand and a dusting of powder afterwards.  It really is a little miracle worker for me - and I can honestly tell when I've forgotten to apply it.  It helps no end on holiday or in the summer when my makeup needs a little extra helping hand to stay in place and I hardly ever get any patchiness when I've applied it. I've actually used it as an emergency eyeshadow primer on holiday! If you're a fan of lighter, dewy foundations like me, then you'll know a good primer is a must-have in order to get it to stay put. There's no doubt that primers are a very personal thing, and they're very much a love or hate product - but if you've never tried a primer before or stay away from them purely because of the greasy residue a lot of them leave behind - then give Loreal's a whirl.  I even love the packaging - the little glass pot feels much more luxurious and considered than your average squeezy tube! It's worth every penny for me and it's worked better than some higher end options I've tried in the past. I love it. Holy grail status well and truly achieved.

What's your 'holy grail' primer? 

Revlon | Nearly Naked Foundation

Revlon | Nearly Naked Foundation | £8.99

I think it's safe to say I've become a bit of a foundation-aholic the past couple of months.  I used to be the type of girl who would find a base they like and stick to it, but just recently I've been testing and trying lots of new ones to add to my makeup collection; it's good to have variety there - my skin doesn't always call for the same coverage every day and I find it refreshing to have a bit of a choice.  Hardly surprising then that I got caught up in the hype that is Revlon's Nearly Naked foundation.  Being a fan of light, sheer bases I knew I had to try it.  Do I like it? Yes. But there's a few things I have mixed opinions on..

First off. The shade range. I've never tried any Revlon foundation before (I know, shocking..I've had their Photoready foundation on my wish list for donkeys..) so I wasn't sure where I would be in their shade spectrum.  After much debating I settled on '150 - Nude' as I'm usually one or two shades darker than the lightest available. However, in the morning when I decided I would give it a whirl, it became apparent that the colour was a touch too dark (my fault, not Revlon's!). I can usually get away with a shade lighter or darker but it was a struggle getting it to blend seamlessly because of the pink undertones to that came through once applied on my more yellow-toned skin. Feeling a little bit annoyed with myself for picking the wrong shade (we've all been there, done that and got a replacement bottle), I thought I'd grab a lighter one.  Every store I went in had '130 - Shell' as the next shade down, so I grabbed it and crossed my fingers.  It does match a great deal better, as it seems a little more neutral with the undertones, but it's possibly a touch too light.  What a kerfuffle.  I tend to wear the lighter shade as I find it blends better into my skin, and mix it with the darker shade in some areas if I think I need to.  This said, I find there's quite a bit jump between the 2 shades and I can't seem to find a middle-ground?! I don't think there is a '140' but if anyone has found one, do let me know as I seem to be smack-bang in the middle here. That was probably my first and only little gripe.

I find it gets messy very quick due to there being no pump, but to be honest, I can look past this. It doesn't effect the foundation in any way and if I over-pour I simply just tip a little back in - it's actually very handy as you can see exactly how much is left and rest assured you can get every last bit out once you're running low. The foundation itself is lovely. Now, I shall be honest here and say it didn't blow me away when I first started using it. There was no 'crikey me I think I've just found my new holy grail' moment but I did like how light and easy to blend it was and I didn't put it straight back in the drawer.  I've been reaching for it a lot just recently over my slightly heavier foundations. My skin has been a little on the dodgy side due to various reasons the past couple of weeks, and I've found it covers any blemishes well without drying around them and making them appear worse. Some might think that having a few blemishes would mean a heavier foundation, but for me I find a lighter base works better when I'm having a bad skin day - as it doesn't exaggerate the dodgy bits.  It helps to mask them and smooth out the skin, and also doesn't appear obvious that you're trying to hide something because it doesn't look 'caked on'.  You do need a primer if you want it to last (for reference I use Loreal's Studio Secrets Resurfacing Primer and it works very well with it). The first few times I wore it without a primer, it faded pretty quickly within about 3 hours, but if I make sure I prep my skin beforehand and dust a little of Mac's MSF over the top to set, I get a good 5-6 hours wear out of it albeit a little wear around my t-zone.  After application it gives is a very natural, satin-like finish.

It feels very, very light on the skin which is what I love about it. It's an absolute dream to apply and blend (I use a Real Techniques Buffing brush and it works a treat!) I do agree with the claim that it looks almost undetectable from your real skin, and it feels completely weightless.  I would say it has a little more coverage than a couple of my BB creams, but not much. If you're an Estee Lauder Double Wear girl then I'd stay well clear of Nearly Naked! But if you're in the market for a lightweight, subtle foundation that feels like you're wearing nothing on your skin, I'd really recommend it. Yes, there are a couple of things I'm not so sure on, but nothing major and I can see why there has been a lot of hype surrounding it.  It's really grown on me and I've been wearing it daily the past fortnight - it's been a little saving grace for me and my skin just recently and the only gripe I have is with the shade range for me personally but then again, I'm always awkward. I'm glad I have it in my foundation drawer and for summer I'm sure I'll be reaching for it a lot more! It wasn't instant love but it's getting there - once you learn to work with it I have to agree with the masses and state that it's a very good little foundation that does what it says on the tin (or bottle..)

Have you tried Revlon's Nearly Naked?
What were your thoughts? Yey or Nay?