Beauty Blender Sponge Review

When i initially purchased my Chanel Perfection Lumiere Foundation (review here), i struggled to find the perfect application method. I found that the traditional foundation brushes created a streaky effect, and using my fingers didn't provide the most natural finish either. My good friend Lina (click here to visit her blog), recommended the Beauty Blender sponge, and i can't thank her enough! This little pink egg, has totally transformed the way i feel about Chanel's new foundation- it has turned it from a mediocre foundation to a splurge-worthy, high quality product. If you struggle to apply matte, medium coverage foundations, in a natural, streak-free manner, try the Beauty Blender sponge. It's a fabulous applicator for all foundations, but particularly for those that have a matte finish, as they are often slightly drier in texture, and more difficult to apply. 

It works beautifully with the new Chanel foundation. It makes the matte, quick-drying formula much easier to work with and creates a flawless, natural finish. I would not recommend this foundation without the Beauty Blender sponge- together they are the perfect pair- like strawberries and cream! I also love how it keeps my hands clean! I was always washing my hands when i applied foundation with my fingers, and my hands were always dry- with the BB my routine is much quicker and mess-free!

My favourite thing about the Beauty Blender is the flawless, airbrushed finish, that it gives to my foundation. I have never achieved such a natural effect with any other applicator before. 

I also love that it works with all liquid products- foundation, highlighter, concealer and cream blush. I love applying my MAC 'Lady Blush' cream blush with it. If you find cream blushers tricky to apply, which they  often are, then definitely give the Beauty Blender a go- it blends colour beautifully and gives a natural, seamless finish. A glow from within! 

It's really easy to use. You have to dampen the sponge, and it will expand to twice its original size. If you were to use the sponge dry, it would just absorb all of the product. I like to apply a pump of my foundation onto the back of my hand, dot it around my face (more in the areas that need it most) and blend it out with the Beauty Blender. The sponge is very soft and bouncy- i use a 'bouncy'/patting motion when blending foundation with it- i find it really fun to use! The pointed tip is perfect for concealer, and getting into any hard-to-reach areas, such as around the nose and eyes. The larger base, is great for areas like the cheeks, where i need more coverage, or for applying cream blush. I also like to roll the sponge along the jawline to blend my foundation with my neck. 

You will need to use more product with the Beauty Blender- it does sheer out foundation a little. I often use 2 1/2 pumps with the Beauty Blender rather than my typical 2 pumps without the BB. Although you may have to use more product, the results are so worth it- the natural, flawless finish is unbeatable and i have never achieved the same effect with anything else. 

Its great for all skin types and all ages. My mum has one too and she loves it. It gives her a beautifully smooth, even base, and doesn't settle into any fine lines or larger pores. It works just as well for young skin, as it does for mature skin- anyone that uses a liquid foundation needs to try the BB! 

Its not too difficult to clean- you just use warm water and a mild cleanser. I use either Baby Shampoo, or my Purpose facial cleanser, both by Johnsons. Beauty Blender do sell a cleanser to accompany the sponge, which i will probably purchase in the future. Although this method cleans the sponge of any product, it doesn't completely get rid of any stains- which isn't really a huge problem- i just like everything to look clean! Thats why i hate NARS packaging too! 

The Beauty Blender is easy to find in the US, at Sephora. In the UK it is harder to find, but there are some online stores that sell it. I purchased mine from beautyflashshop.co.uk and their service was excellent- it arrived within 2 days. I had been intrigued by the Beauty Blender after hearing about it so much on you-tube, but i am always wary of buying products online. However, if you have been interested in the BB and perhaps were put off buying it like i was, i highly recommend it. For those in the UK, its 100% worth it! 

Let me know if you have tried the Beauty Blender, or what your favourite foundations are at the moment!

Love, Claudia xo

New Bling: Swarovski Tennis Bracelet

I love the bracelet-stacking trend, and i recently purchased Swarovski's Tennis Bracelet, to add to my collection. I really enjoy collecting different bracelets and stacking them together. I loved the simplicity of this bracelet, and the bling of course! Diamond tennis bracelets are beautiful, but definitely out of my price range! Swarovski offer beautiful pieces, at a fraction of the price. Swarovski crystals are imitation diamonds, yet their ability to catch the light makes them seem very realistic- unless you are a diamond expert! They're often worn by celebrities at events, as they look very similar to diamonds, but are less expensive/precious! The tennis bracelet i chose, is 'a delicate strand of bezel-set clear crystals on a rhodium-plated bracelet.' It has a secure fold-over clasp closure, and comes with an extra link, if you need to adjust the size. 

Swarovski Crystal Tennis Bracelet £97.00 17cm

I really recommend this bracelet, its beautifully made and catches the light really well. I think it looks lovely on its own, to add a touch of simplistic elegance, or it looks equally as nice stacked with my Tiffany bracelet. I think it goes with every outfit- its just a timeless, classic style that goes with everything! 

Love, Claudia xo

OPI Nicki Minaj 'Pink Friday' NOTD

OPI have recently launched their collab collection with Nicki Minaj, consisting of six new colours. Being a huge fan of pink nail polish, and Nicki Minaj, i was instantly attracted to the shade 'Pink Friday'. I love both the colour and the name! It reminded me of OPI's 'Mod About You', which is one of my favourite colours, however, 'Pink Friday' is a a much brighter, bubble-gum pink. 'Pink Friday' is a creamy, baby pink shade with a glossy, cream finish. It is quite thick, but it still remains easy to apply- you just need a few more coats than usual- here i have three coats on. In person, it is a brighter pink than how it appears in the photos below- for some reason its coming out a little lighter than it really is. It's a lovely colour, and perfect for the pastel trends this Spring. I also applied one coat of OPI's 'Teenage Dream' polish (from the Katy Perry collection) to the accent nail. It goes perfectly with 'Pink Friday'! 

OPI's 'Pink Friday' and 'Teenage Dream'

I purchased mine from beautybay.com, and i highly recommend their website. The service was excellent, and the nail polish was packaged very nicely- it came in a little drawstring pouch and three, complimentary deluxe samples were included. I was very impressed with the website and will definitely continue to purchase items from them in the future! 

Let me know if you picked anything up from OPI's Nicki Minaj collection, or what your favourite nail colours for Spring are!

Love, Claudia xo

Chanel Spring 2012 Makeup Collection

Chanel's Spring 2012 collection, Harmonie De Printemps, is released in the UK this Friday (27th Jan), and along with Dior's spring collection, it is definitely one to check out! I picked up all three nail colours and the soft glow blush. 

The three nail colours are named after the months of Spring; April, May and June! April is a beautiful raspberry colour, with hints of both pink and red. May is a sugary sweet, candy-floss pink, and June, is a pastel apricot/peach. All of the colours are perfect for Springtime, and April in particular, is a great transitional colour to see you through the Winter and into the Spring. All of the colours have a high-shine, glossy, cream finish. The colours are very true to how they appear in the bottles and the formula is excellent. They have a gel-like consistency and two thin coats, provides an opaque, glossy finish. 

I have only used April so far, and i am really surprised by how much i love the colour! It wasn't my initial favourite out of the three, but i think its a very unique colour and the perfect shade to wear at the moment. Its not too summery, or too wintry either- just the perfect transitional colour, that works for every season. 

Of course i had to pick up the Limited Edition blush! The packaging and the powder design is just so pretty! The powder contains various tones of peach and pink, which used separately or swirled together, create a beautiful rosy glow. There have been comparisons between this blush and the new Dior Spring blush, but the colours are very different- this one is brighter and warmer, with more peachy tones. Whereas the Dior blush, is a cool toned bubblegum pink. They are equally as pretty, but they do differ in colour- i think it depends on what blush colours you like best! The Chanel blush is also Limited Edition, whereas the Dior blush has become part of the permanent line- so theres no pressure to buy right now. 

Overall, i think this collection is very pretty, and a tough contender for Dior's Spring line! I definitely recommend checking out the beautiful nail shades and the Horizon Blush. 

Chanel's Spring collection is already available at counters in the US, and will be released in the UK this friday, January 27th.  

Love, Claudia xo

Chanel Perfection Lumiere Foundation Review

Chanel Perfection Lumiere Foundation £36.00 30ml

Chanel's latest foundation, Perfection Lumiere launched in the UK last Friday, two months or so after it hit the US. I have only used it a few times, but i feel as though i'm ready to give you a detailed review.

Firstly, i definitely prefer Perfection Lumiere to Chanel's Vita Lumiere Aqua Foundation, which has a dewy finish. Perfection Lumiere has a matte/satin finish, which is better suited to my oily skin type. I also find Perfection Lumiere to have greater staying power than Vita Lumiere Aqua- but only just. Even when using powder to set Perfection Lumiere, i still have an oily noise after a few hours. I guess i just have really oily skin! This foundation is best suited for normal to combination skin types, as it would be too drying/matte for dryer skin. It's also oil-free and dermatologist tested which is good for oily, acne-prone skin types. However, it is worth noting that this foundation contains fragrance, which can irritate your skin. So far, this foundation has not broken me out, but i will update you if there are any changes. It also contains an SPF of 10, which is not ideal if you want a photo-friendly foundation, but for everyday use, the SPF is a great feature.

In terms of colour range, this foundation offers a wide selection of options. There are twenty shades in total, which are divided into individual, under-tone categories; Beige, Rose, Amber and Beige Amber. I purchased the shade B20, which also corresponds with my shade in the Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation by Chanel. 

The finish is definitely matte at first, but as the day progresses, it transitions into a satin finish. It can provide light-medium coverage, as it is very build-able and easy to adjust. I personally prefer a medium coverage, and with this foundation, i use 2 pumps of product. However, I still need to use a concealer alongside this foundation, to cover any acne scarring that is still visible. I really like the adjustable coverage of this foundation, and the fact that it remains 'natural-looking' on the skin. There is no 'caking' with this foundation at all, instead, it looks very much like a perfected, 'second-skin'.

My only gripe with this product is the application. I do find the texture difficult to work with and to apply. The foundation dries very quickly and its best if you work on one area at a time. I have been using my fingers to apply this product, using a patting motion, which has been working ok. I also tried it with my MAC 190 brush, but it left streaky marks and wasn't that great at blending the foundation out. I have heard that the Beauty Blender Sponge is a good tool for applying this product, so i may have to invest in one of those and see how it works with this foundation.

Overall, i like this foundation. It provides a natural finish and good coverage. However, it is still not the perfect foundation for me, or worthy of a holy-grail status. I'm glad i purchased it, because i needed a foundation that was a little more 'matte' than the others in my collection, and this works well for that. However, the application is tricky, and it still doesn't control my oily nose as much as i would of liked, especially for £36.00. I will try out some different application methods soon and try and find the best one for this foundation. If you have this product, let me know how you apply it, and what techniques did\didn't work for you! 

Love, Claudia xo

**UPDATE**

17-02-12

I have purchased the Beauty Blender sponge since this review and it does improve the application of this foundation. The damp Beauty Blender eliminates the issue of the quick drying formula and gives you more time to work with it. The BB effortlessly blends the foundation and gives a natural, streak-free finish. I wouldn't buy this foundation unless you have the Beauty Blender Sponge.

Although i have now resolved the application issue, i am still not impressed with the staying power- my skin is extremely shiny at the end of the day, even with setting powder. I think the fragrance in the foundation has also irritated my skin as i have experience some small break outs. I don't think i would repurchase this foundation, instead i will be using my Estee Lauder Double Wear Light Foundation (review here) which is far superior. Sorry Chanel, but this foundation was a bit of a disappointment. 

Dior Spring 2012 Makeup Collection

Dior's 'Garden Party' makeup collection, for Spring 2012, is gorgeous! The colour palette is a beautiful array of pastel shades; pale pinks, peaches and greens. The collection was inspired by the designer's flower garden in Normandy, and many of the products are embossed with gorgeous roses and flower petals. I could have purchased the whole collection, as it was so pretty, but i decided on the two products that caught my attention the most; the Waterlily Nail Polish, and the Rosy Glow Blusher. 

Healthy Glow Rose Awakening Blush £29.50

This is the Rosy Glow Healthy Glow Awakening Blush in 001 Petal. The first thing that i love about this product, is the packaging! As with all of Dior's LE items, it comes in a silver compact, but the most amazing part, is the embossed powder design! The blush application is also very unique; being Dior's 'first blush that enhances your unique cheek colour for an ultra-natural and customised healthy glow effect. Rosy Glow intuitively adjusts to the moisture of each skin to make the cheeks blush with delight'. It's a very unique concept, and i was skeptical about the ease of application at first, but after trying it out, i really like it. It is very pigmented, so you don't need a lot of product, and it works best if you apply a little at first and then build it up to the amount of pigment you like. It goes onto the skin as a white powder, and after five minutes or so, you can begin to see the colour develop and intensify, into a matte, bright pink. The colour is very flattering and it does provide a 'healthy glow'. It's not an overly unique colour, but the packaging and technology behind the application, make it a great addition to any make-up collectors stash! I recommend the NARS Yachiyo Brush for application, as it's great at applying the perfect amount of highly-pigmented powders, and it blends colour beautifully. 

 Rose-Scented Nail Colour in 504 Waterlily £18.00

The next product i just couldn't pass up, was the Waterlily nail polish. Pastels are huge for Spring and Summer this year, and this colour is set to be the seasons 'it' nail shade! It's a beautiful pastel green, with tiny specks of green shimmer. It's definitely a unique colour, and since i missed out on Chanel's Jade nail polish, i am very happy to own this one! It is also rose scented, making it the perfect nail polish for Spring! I do find that the Dior nail polishes chip very quickly on my fingernails, but for this colour, it's worth it! As soon as i paint my nails with this colour, i will be sure to add some pictures.

Overall, i think Dior have done a fantastic job with their Spring makeup collection. The colours are perfect for the pastel trends and the packaging is just gorgeous. I loved the Rose Garden Palettes, and the Eyeshadow Quads, but they're so pretty, that i just wouldn't use them! The collection has already been released in the US, and i purchased mine from Selfridges, who have the collection a few weeks earlier, than the official UK launch date. 

www.selfridges.com

Love, Claudia xo

NARS Danmari Blush Palette

I had been lusting over this palette ever since i saw many US bloggers and you-tubers talk about it. I assumed that it would be exclusive to the US only, as i could not find it anywhere here in the UK. However, on Christmas morning, i found it in my stocking! My wonderful mum had managed to find the palette on the NARS UK website. It was really difficult to spot as it was listed under an unusual category, and it hadn't been advertised as a new product. I am so glad to finally own this palette and ever since i opened it on Christmas day, i have been using it a lot ! I think its excellent value for 6, NARS powders, and its so convenient to have different cheek products all in one place, making it the perfect travel palette. 

NARS Danmari Blush Palette

Top-Bottom & Left-Right
Hungry Heart Duo II, Orgasm, Desire, Casino, Super Orgasm and Sin.

The palette consists of a highlighter, bronzer and four gorgeous blush colours. I had never tried the famous Orgasm blush before owning this palette, and i didn't know what to make of the hype, as i have tried so many 'hyped' products before, and been left disappointed (NARS Laguna Bronzer being one of them). However, Orgasm is probably my favourite colour in the whole palette- i love it! It really brightens the complexion and gives a healthy flush of colour.

In terms of packaging, the large mirror is very handy and the palette is durable and sturdy enough for travel. However, i strongly dislike the packaging's rubbery texture, which seems to attract every dust particle on earth! I love to keep my products looking clean and shiny (sometimes i even keep them in the boxes!), which is a bit OCD i know, so i hate how dirty the NARS compacts get. Nonetheless, i think this palette is excellent value, and a fantastic way to expand your blush collection or simply try out some of NARS best-selling products. I haven't seen many brands sell a blush 'palette' before, but i think its a great idea, and just as important as having an eyeshadow palette. In fact, its even more convenient because blush compacts are always much larger than eye shadows. The NARS Yachiyo Brush is the perfect accompaniment to the palette. The Yachiyo brush is fantastic at applying highly-pigmented products, and there are a lot of pigmented colours in this palette. Its also great at blending blush colours out to a natural finish, and it can apply highlighter and bronzer, as well as the blush colours. 

I highly recommend this palette if you can find it in the States or here in the UK. It's definitely great value and I've discovered some new favourite blush colours. 

Love, Claudia x

Kat Von D Tattoo Concealer Review

This is my favourite concealer! I have tried quite a few different brands over the years, but none of them have ever performed as well as the Kat Von D Tattoo Concealer. Whilst i can't comment on its tattoo concealing properties, i can definitely recommend it for covering up any imperfections on the face; scarring, blemishes, acne, veins, darkness and so on. Its a full coverage concealer, and my go-to product if i am having a bad skin day. It covers the most red, angry blemishes and stays put all day. The texture is not too quick or sticky, its really easy to blend and it stays where you put it. I hate concealers that move around all over the place, as they end up covering nothing at all! I never experience that problem with this product, and it works just as well on blemishes as it does under the eyes too. The packaging is perfect- you can squeeze out just the right amount of product and it holds 17ml which lasts a very long time, as a little of this product goes a very long way. It provides excellent coverage, so a little amount can really cover up a lot of imperfections. I have had mine since August and i still have plenty of product left! I can use it with any of my liquid foundations, but particularly so, with those that offer light-medium coverage. I love my Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation and my Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation, but sometimes i need a little more coverage than they offer, and this concealer is perfect for providing that.

Kat Von D Tattoo Concealer in Medium available at Sephora.

Once again, this is another US-only brand, and can be found at Sephora. Its a good job that a little goes a long way because i can't imagine being without this product, and of course i can't get it here in the UK!

Let me know if you have tried this product or if you recommend any other concealers. 

Love Claudia xo

Scandal Queen Fairy Drops Mascara Review

This mascara is definitely worthy of a HG (holy grail) status- it is absolutely amazing, and probably one of my favourite makeup discoveries of 2011. I picked up a tube of this famous, Japanese mascara, when i visited Sephora in the States last year. It is not sold here in the UK, which is the only (but very annoying) downside. This mascara is somewhat of a phenomenon in Japan, as its main aim is to provide long, thick, and curled lashes, appealing to the Asian beauty market. After using it since August, almost everyday, i can confirm that it does just that! I am not exaggerating when i say its amazing- it really is! It curls my lashes like no other, and i really can't imagine being without this product in my makeup collection. It completes my eye makeup- and totally transforms my lashes! It is the best mascara for thickening and curling the lashes.  It actually contains little fibres that attach to your own lashes, creating thicker, fuller lashes! It holds a curl all day, without smudging or transferring in the process. And do you want to know the best part? It does not clump and it's still easy to remove!!! Perfect! 

Scandal Queen Fairy Drops Mascara, available at Sephora and Asian drugstores.

The curved wand and little fibres, help to create fuller, thicker and curlier lashes- perfect!

As you can see, the wand is slightly curved and has three 'sections' or 'balls' to it. The shape makes it very easy to achieve a curled, fluttery effect, and it is actually very similar to the Dior Show Extase Mascara, in terms of the wand design. 

The results.

You can see from these pictures, just how much it helps to curl the lashes and create an overall thicker, fuller look, whilst remaining clump-free. I have about two coats on here.

The results.

These angles are a bit strange and my eye looks really scary here lol, but it does show you how long my lashes look- much more so than my natural lashes!

The results.

Fairy Drops is a great mascara for layering with other mascaras in your collection. If you have a mascara that provides great separation and definition, but lacks in volume, you can add a coat of Fairy Drops to maximise the curling potential of your other mascaras. I love to layer my mascaras, as some are better at certain effects than others. Fairy Drops offers fantastic volume but not necessarily the best separation, so i love to apply a coat of Chanel's Inimitable Mascara first, which is great at separating my lashes, followed by Fairy Drops, which adds the all-important volume. Layering mascaras is great if you find yourself with too little of an effect, or too much- you can control the effect perfectly, if you layer different types together. 

Overall, i really love this product and would recommend it to anyone on the hunt for a volumizing and thickening mascara, that doesn't compromise on staying power or effortless removal.  The only negative, is the limited availability, especially in the UK, or anywhere else outside of the States of Asia. There may be some online retailers, but i'm always wary about buying makeup online! Next time i visit a Sephora i will purchase many back-ups! 

Let me know if you have tried this mascara before, or if you have another favourite!

Love, Claudia xo