Bobbi Brown | Brightening Finishing Powder

When I first heard of Bobbi Brown's Brightening Finishing Powder, I was intrigued to say the least. It sounded like my perfect product - I much prefer a subtle, healthy glow as opposed to an obvious highlight, so a product that promises an natural, all-over brightening effect quite tickled my fancy.  Said to instantly illuminate the skin with a healthy looking glow, this powder is infused with a skin brightening blend of Mulberry and Grape extracts to keep skin fresh and smooth looking.  It won the award for 'Best Finishing Powder' in the Elle UK Beauty awards in 2012 and has been highly rated and reviewed online.  It's safe to say I couldn't wait to get my mitts on this beauty...  

Firstly, I have to say that there's no doubt that Bobbi Brown gets packaging spot on the mark - I fell instantly in love.  In a sleek, mirrored compact encased in a luxurious, black pouch and white box, the finishing powder is really quite something.  The product itself feels luxurious and weighty, and the mirrored finish is so pretty. The powder itself is simply stunning in the pan - containing a mix of 6 different shades which, when blended all together, work towards brightening and correcting the tone of the skin.  I have the shade 'Brightening Nudes', which consists of a mix of lilac, brown and neutral shades perfect for pale to medium skin tones. 

The powder is finely milled and super soft to the touch, making it amazingly blendable and smooth to apply - there's no denying it's an amazing powder when it comes to texture -    your skin is left feeling baby soft after a couple of sweeps. One thing I noticed when it came to application was the shimmery finish the product has.  As much as I do like a slight sheen, I was slightly worried about whether or not this product would be far to glittery for me. As a powder that can be used all over the face, you'd expect something with a light sheen as opposed to a full-on glittery appearance.  I reserved my judgement at first, thinking that once I'd swept the top layer off, the underneath wouldn't be quite so full-on in the glitter stakes...

The colour itself is very subtle and pretty - it gives a soft-focus sort of finish to the face and provides a natural 'lit from within' effect. But (and I'm afraid there is a but) I find the glitter ruins it for me. I really wish it didn't contain as much as I think the pigments in the powder give a nice finish on their own - I personally don't think the extra shimmer is needed. I simply couldn't get away with this product in natural daylight as I find it a little too obvious for my liking - in bright lighting, you can see the individual flecks of shimmer on the skin.   There's no denying that the lilac/mauve hues work really well on my skin tone and they do give a nice finish to the skin, but if I wanted an obvious highlight or a bit of shimmer, I'd have been better off opting for one of the infamous Shimmer Bricks.

I just didn't expect it to contain as many flecks of shimmer for a product that's supposed to be used all over the face and I know i'd have loved it more had it not contained so much. Believe me, I really, really wanted to fall head over heels in love with this but I'm still trying to fathom it out.  It sort of works as a highlighter along the tops of the cheekbones but as an all-over brightening powder, it just doesn't quite hit the mark for me. It's such a shame as I think the concept is fantastic and it's something I really would have gotten so much use out of as I have nothing like this in my collection.  I've since read a few reviews and it does seem that a lot of people love this product - so maybe I just need to apply it in a different way? Is there some sort of knack to this?! I reckon I'll persevere with it as there's no doubt it's a beautiful product, but for now - I'm not sure it's for me.

The swatches above show each individual shade along with the combined effect on the far right. It's nice that you're able to use each shade individually which makes the product slightly more versatile - the pale pearl-white shade would make a nice little highlighter and I'm drawn to the lovely pink colour in the pan too. Overall, although there's no denying this is an absolutely stunning product, I'm not sure that it's going to become a firm favourite of mine.  Like I said, I'm going to keep trying with it - I think it might be a nice one to dust over the decolletage area when I have a bit of a tan going on!  I have to say I think I would have gotten along much better with the 'Porcelain Pearl' version (seen here) - which contains a mix of colour correcting tones to combat dullness and, from a little bit of googling, seems to contain less shimmer.   For £40.00*, it's well worth doing your research before you invest - I can see it being very hit and miss.  You can buy Bobbi Brown makeup from Harrods.com here, where you'll find the range of Brightening Powders in a number of different shades. 

Have you tried the Bobbi Brown Brightening Powder? What did you think?

Longer Lasting Makeup | 10 Tips

1. Leave enough time for your moisturiser to sink in.

I always leave a good 5 minutes for my moisturiser to sink in before I even think about applying my base.  Even though I use one with a fairly light consistency of a morning, I always leave it just that little bit longer before I go in with primer even if it does feel as if it's fully absorbed.  Try doing something in between - like putting your rollers in for example - and allow the product to fully absorb into the skin and settle.  If you're applying makeup right on top of a moisturiser, it's going to be more likely to slip off during the day.  

2. Consider what moisturiser you're using.

If your morning skincare is slightly more thick in consistency or has a tendency to be a little heavy or greasy, it might be worth saving it for the evening and trying to find something a bit  lighter.  If your skin is particularly dry and you simply can't get away with a lighter texture - just use a tiny 'dab' of the heavier one on the problem areas (for me it's my cheeks) and use a lighter consistency everywhere else.  Similarly, if your skin is oily it might be worth searching for a moisturiser with 'mattifying' benefits.  

3. Primer. Primer. PRIMER!!

So many people I know never use a primer and consider it a bit of a pointless step in their makeup regime. Honestly, if you want your foundation to last through the day then it's well worth taking some time to find a primer that works for you.  Personally, I do think some primers on the market are a bit of a gimmick and don't actually have any 'staying power' benefits - which could be the reason why so many people give up - but do your research.  My ultimate favourites have to be Benefit's Porefessional (review here) and Loreal's Smoothing Resurfacing Primer (review here) and I use either one depending on what my skin needs (Loreal's is slightly heavier). I never apply my foundation without a primer first and it's such a key step in my makeup regime - it makes the world of difference. 

4. Applying your primer.

Instead of applying your primer in a similar way to moisturiser, try using pressing motions instead of sweeping motions - particularly around problem areas like the nose.   This will ensure your primer is absorbed into the skin properly and settled into all the nooks and crannys instead of simply sitting on top. It also helps prevent your foundation from settling into pores.

5. Foundation: Less is more

Finding a foundation that 'sits right' with your skin is important, but no matter what you use, if you apply it in a slap-dash manner it's not going to want to stick around as much.  I actually spend quite some time applying my foundation - I buff it in slowly working from the middle of the face and blending outwards.  I'll apply a very light layer first and then leave it to settle before applying another layer if I want a fuller coverage or want to further cover up any problem areas instead of using one thick layer.  

6. Buff it in.

This is just personal opinion but I definitely think my foundation lasts longer when I've applied it with a buffing brush instead of my fingers or a standard foundation brush.  I hardly ever use another tool aside from my trusty RT buffing brush to apply my foundation as I just find it offers the best coverage at the same time as helping it to sit on the skin much better.  Instead of 'painting' the product on you're essentially buffing it into your skin - not only does it look much more natural and flawless but it will give your makeup a much better chance of lasting all day.

7. Find a good setting powder.

I used to stay away from powder because my skin isn't overly oily and I didn't think my skin  really needed it - but find a good one and you'll find that powders can offer so much more than just oil control.  I use Mac's Mineralise Skinfinish Natural (review here) and it's the perfect finishing step in my base routine. It sets the foundation, prevents shine and also makes my skin look much more polished. It softens the appearance, blurs imperfections and means that any powder blush or bronzer you apply on top will sit much better and blend more easily.  Mac's offering really does effect the longevity of your makeup and I use it daily - it makes the world of difference to my foundation and keeps it looking freshly applied for much longer.

8. Use a setting spray for extra staying power.

I like to use Urban Decay's Setting Sprays (review here) if I'm going on a night out or if i've got a long day ahead in order to boost my makeup's staying power.  I don't use it daily as I don't think it's really a 'must-have' but it definitely does help your makeup last longer.  I use this after I've completed my makeup - eyeshadow, eyebrows, blush - the lot... it just helps to lock it all in place.

9. Keep your mitts off!

This is easier said than done and it's a fairly obvious one to mention, but try your best to keep your hands off your face!  You're probably not aware of just how much you actually do it but try your best to stop yourself when you become conscious of it.  It really doesn't do your foundation any favours!  When I'm sat at a desk all day, my makeup comes off quicker than if I've been shopping all day - which sounds a bit stange but it's all because of bad habits.  

10. Touch-ups.

If all else fails, carry a little touch-up kit with you.  No matter how hard you try, problem areas like the nose and chin are going to show a little bit of wear through the day.  Instead of just piling on another layer of foundation (which isn't going to look exactly fetching in an hour or so) you're much better off carrying a powder and small concealer which matches your foundation shade.  Before you even apply any product, try blending the makeup you already have on your face to cover the problem area - if it's just not going to work, apply a small amount of concealer or simply blot the area and blend some powder over the top.  Tiny touch ups work better than trying to overhaul the whole face!

What are your favourite products to use for getting your makeup to last longer? Anything else you can recommend?

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?

Mac's 'Harmony' Blush | Quick, Simple Contouring

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you will know that I am just a little obsessed with contouring and the whole 'sculpted' look.  I feel somewhat un-finished without a quick sweep of highlighting powder and a touch of bronzing powder along my cheekbones.  However, contouring every single day can be a bit of a faff - especially when you need to get out of the house pretty sharpishly! I really wanted something that made defining the cheekbones quick and easy for those days where you don't want to spend a great deal of time doing your make-up.  Mac's 'Harmony' blush is just the product I was looking for.  Although it may not look much in the pan, it's one of the most multi-functional, easy to use cheek products I've used and it makes creating a subtle contoured look simple, easy and quick to achieve.  I can only describe it as a mid-way between a bronzer and a blush - it definitely leans towards a bronzer, but the slight pink/red tones in it takes away any orangeness and provides it with a certain warmth that looks really natural when applied.  It is described on the Mac website as a 'muted rose-beige brown' and I would agree with that - it does have a certain 'hint' of rose in there - although it definitely is more toned down and extremely subtle.

All you need is a quick sweep and you're done in a swish (yes, I just said 'sweep' and 'swish' in the same sentence...couldn't resist!).  It instantly defines and gives a beautiful, natural effect without the need for any contouring techniques or time spent applying a variety of products and corresponding brushes - with 'Harmony', you can achieve that sculpted appearance quickly and easily with just one product and a blush brush.  The matte finish is perfect for sculpting the face as it doesn't contain any shimmers - it provides a smooth, natural look.  I simply use my Real Techniques blush brush to apply; gently sweeping it along the cheeks and blending out towards the hairline to create a soft, contoured look.  Instantly, it makes my cheekbones appear more defined and my cheeks appear a little brighter and healthier - it really is a sculpting powder and a blush rolled into one!  If I want a slightly more dramatic effect, I'll sometimes go in with my Real Techniques Contour brush and define a little more around the top of the cheekbones - but that's what so great about it - you're able to build up the colour lightly, to the level you're after.   I've even used a light dusting across my forehead and down the centre of the nose for a soft bronzed look.  It really is so easy to use.

If you're a little intimidated by bronzers or aren't too confident when it comes to contouring, I'd really recommend this little gem.  It looked wonderful with a tan over the summer, and looks even more striking now that my skin is paler - there is no doubt I will be using this throughout winter.  It's perfect for uni as it looks more natural for a daytime look, and it's so quick and easy to do.  It is very much one of those 'sweep and go' kind of products.  The soft, rosey-brown colour is also perfect for this time of year - it's understated, simple and will compliment almost any make-up look - the perfect finishing touch!  I didn't take a photograph of me wearing it specifically for this post, but if you're itching to get an idea of what it looks like when worn, then I used it for this little FOTD in this recent post.  Also, whilst we are on the subject of contouring, I  have a simple tutorial here if you're after some ideas, and I've written about another one of my all-time favourite sculpting products here. 

Have you tried Mac's Harmony? What is your favourite go-to blush right now?

Illamasqua Powder Blush in 'Tremble'

Illamasqua Powder Blush in 'Tremble' | £18.00 |

Illamasqua's blushes have to be among some of my ultimate beauty 'must-haves'. I think it's fair to say that I have fallen completely, head over heels in love with them ever since I first bought their 'Lover' blush around 2 years or so ago now (seen in this post) - in fact, I cherish their very existence. Massively-over-the-top statement there, but I kid you not - I'd be lost without my little collection.  The newest addition to my Illamasqua 'blush-crew' is Tremble - a beautiful warm toned soft pink. I've had my eyes on this one for ages - its such a pretty colour and one that compliments my paler skin throughout the winter - it brightens up my complexion and wakes up dull skin in a flash.

I've found that their powder blushes on the whole are very pigmented and provide impressive colour pay off - they can be sheered out for a subtle wash of colour or built up to provide a more intense 'doll-like' finish. I apply them with my Real Techniques powder brush (seen in my collection post here) and they sweep onto the cheeks so smoothly and effortlessly - they don't feel chalky at all and are incredibly soft and smooth. I genuinely think my skin looks instantly brighter and smoother when I've applied these blushes - and they also stay put all day, providing the perfect finishing touch to your makeup. Also, they last an AGE, let me tell you! I've had the 'Lover' blush for quite some time now and I've barely made a dent in the surface - and that's with daily use over the course of a good year or so! 

Tremble gives a matte/slightly satin finish to the cheeks - there's no shimmer in there at all which I personally prefer - I believe this helps to even out the skin and also gives a natural finish. The colour is also really girly and fresh - I often opt for peach tones on my cheeks so this one fills the gap in my collection for a really flattering warm-pink. There is no doubt that I'll be buying more of these blushes - if you're after some top notch colour pay-off for your cheeks then they are really worth investing in - they're worth every penny and the shade range is just fabulous - there's some really beautiful colours and tones available. Actually, I defy you all not to have a little nosey! - you can find the range here at Debenhams Online.

If you wish to see a 'face of the day' with this blush - then it's the one I wore in my photograph for my '50 facts about me tag' here.

Have you tried Illamasqua blushes? Love them as much as me? What are you favourite shades?

♥

Nars | Highlighting Powder in 'Albatross'

Nars Highlighting Powder in 'Albatross' | £21.00 | John Lewis (link)

Nars is fast becoming one of my go-to high end brands for makeup. Their eyeshadows are among some of the best I've ever tried, and I must admit I'm a huge lover of their 'Laguna' bronzer and blush powders.  Next on my list of things to try was their ever popular 'Albatross' highlighter - a beautiful white powder that blends into a yellow-toned bright highlight colour, perfect for cheekbones and contouring.  During the winter, my skin can tend to look very dull and lifeless, and I often feel as if it needs a little bit of lift; this is the perfect product for doing just that, as it brings light to the cheekbones and generally just makes you look more awake and fresh-faced. Perfect for those mornings when you feel far from bright-eyed and bushy tailed!

I apply this using my Real Techniques contouring brush (seen in a recent post here), and just the tiniest amount is all you need as it's very decently pigmented, - you do have to build it up rather than applying lots to begin with.  I'm really into contouring and concentrating on my skin-base at the moment, and I've been using this daily since Christmas - to say I've hardly tapped into the surface says a lot about the quality of Nars products - they last ages. 

The powder looks pure white in the pan, but when blended merges into a gold/yellow toned white that looks both natural and flattering as a highlighting colour.  It also doesn't look overly shimmery which completely wins me over when it comes down to highlighting products - there's nothing I hate more than leaving the house, glancing in the mirror and realising I look like I've been in a fist-fight with the glitter-fairy! 'Albatross' provides just the right amount of 'sheen' and looks lovely in both photographs and natural light (you can see it in action in my makeup posts here and here).  Needless to say, I'm superly-duperly chuffed I have this in my collection - it's the perfect compliment to the 'Laguna' bronzer and the yellow tone looks really soft and natural.

Have you tried Nars highlighting powders? Any others you could recommend?

♥

Mac - Mineralize Skinfinish Natural | A New 'Holy Grail' item?

Mac | Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in 'Medium' | £21.00

Why, oh why, did I never make a purchase on Mac's MSF before now?! I know a lot of you will be gasping in horror at the information I've just divulged - but it's always been a product I have overlooked. I'm not a 'powdery' person - yes, I'm aware that sounds a little silly but I've always been wary of the feeling of powder on my face, and the fact that powders I've tried in the past have zapped any form of dewyness away from my face and made me look absolutely awful. I've only been using this for a couple of weeks, so I won't jump in and scream 'holy grail' just yet - but I'm almost certain this is going to become one of my firm favourites.

Before using this, I've always felt the need to top up my makeup now and again, but this literally keeps everything in place all day, and even manages to help maintain that 'freshly applied' look for longer. I actually look forward to applying this in the morning - I pop on my primer and base as usual, and dust/buff this into the skin using the Real Techniques Powder Brush (seen in my previous post here). Unlike other powders I've tried in the past, this doesn't instantly dull my face or make me look 'chalky' whatsoever - it doesn't darken the foundation and it doesn't completely mattify the skin. It leaves just the right amount of 'dewyness' and provides you with an even, fresh looking base that makes your skin appear flawless. It has slightly more coverage than other powders too - it adds the perfect finishing touch to any parts of my skin that appear uneven in tone. 

I'm sure you'll see this product popping up in future posts of mine - so far I'm completely in love and am getting on like a house on fire with it! Yes, it's pricey, and I guess this is why it has put me off in the past - but it works a treat and I feel completely and utterly stupid that I've never bought it before. I can honestly say I've never been more instantly impressed with a powder - it's something I used to dread applying - but now I feel like I've met my match and fingers crossed my opinion will remain the same! I shall let you know either way..

What are your thoughts on Mac's MSFs?

 ♥