New Tool: Sigma F88 Flat Angled Kabuki Brush

After switching up my foundation recently, i have been experimenting with various different brushes to find the best match. Sigma kindly sent me one of their synthetic makeup brushes to review, and it's been working really well with my new foundation. I haven't tried any Sigma products before but i've  heard a lot of great things about them, and the F88 did not disappoint. 

The first thing i noticed even before using it, was the great quality of the brush. The bristles are very dense, yet still remain soft and gentle on the skin. I also noticed that it had a good weight to it. Since it is a synthetic brush, it's ideal for applying any type of cream product- bronzer, blusher, foundation or highlighter. The angled bristles are perfect for contouring, or applying foundation on hard-to-reach areas.

I've been applying my Cover FX Cream Foundation with the Flat Angled Kabuki, and it works really well. It applies my foundation evenly, without any streaks, and builds coverage easily. The angled bristles work really well at getting into all of the crevices too. Particularly around the nose, under the eyes and when blending product along the jawline to create a natural finish. I've also washed it numerous times now, and it's very easy to clean whilst still remaining its shape. If you have acne-prone skin like me, then synthetic brushes are a much better option than natural bristles. Synthetic hairs absorb less product and therefore less bacteria, which is why i prefer them for foundation application.

After my first, and very positive experience with Sigma, i would definitely recommend their synthetic brushes if your in the market for some new tools. The quality is great for the price point, and definitely on par with MAC brushes.

You can find the Sigma F88 for $18.00/£12.00 here.

Love, Claudia x

Weekly Summary #11

1. My october favourites (video here), 2.  Trying my first Gingerbread Latte at Starbucks- hated it! Way too strong for me :( Guess i'll be sticking to my hot chocolate from now on!, 3. Gorgeous winter scent from Glade- 'Winter Berries', 4. Mum's stew- a pot of winter goodness :),  5. Getting the Uggs out, 6. New foundation purchase- breakouts aren't getting any better so i thought it's time for a change- cover fx is designed for sensitive, acne prone skin types, 7. Found my Christmas dress for this year in Oasis- really love it!, 8. Filming my luxury christmas gift guide (video here), 9. Delicious pecan pie with banana ice cream at Bill's 

Who's feeling festive already?! I am :D

Love, Claudia x

Weekly Summary #10

1. My autumn fashion picks (video here), 2. Decorating for Halloween, 3. Snuggling up in my new Topshop scarf- so glad it's finally November and i can start to feel Christmassy!, 4. Filming the much requested, 'mum's designer accessory collection' which should be uploaded tonight,  5. Carving pumpkins, 6. Mum's spooktacular Halloween cupcakes!, 7. Cozy socks from Primark, 8. Filming my latest haul video (video here), 9. My new, all-time favourite hand cream from Darphin (review here)

I hope you've all had a lovely half-term this week if your in the UK, and a great Halloween too! I'm back to college tomorrow, so no more lie-ins or pyjama days for me :(

Love, Claudia x

Winter Wonder: Darphin Aromatic Hand Cream

Hand cream is a must-have product during the colder months, and i've recently found a new favourite that i had to share. I've tried numerous hand creams from many brands, and something that i really dislike (and come across a lot!), are greasy formulas, and overpowering scents. However, i did not experience either of those qualities when i gave the Darphin Aromatic hand cream a try.

The consistency of this hand cream is perfect. It's very lightweight, and sinks into the skin within a few seconds, leaving a silky- not greasy - feeling. I love the fact that i can use it anytime, anywhere, and still be able to use my hands! Despite it's quick absorption, this product still provides plenty of moisture, and does a great job at soothing tight, dry hands that i always suffer from around this time of the year. The key ingredients include; sweet almond and cotton oil, lemon essential oil, mulberry and grape extracts, and vitamins C and E. This concoction of nourishing ingredients really does wonders at hydrating my dry hands during the winter, and the scent is lovely too. As i mentioned, i don't like strong or overpowering scents in my hand cream, and this one is ideal. It's incredibly light and fresh, with subtle notes of citrus, so it definitely won't clash with your perfume. 

I picked this up for a reduced price at my local Cosmetic Company Outlet store, along with the Darphin lip balm which i'm also loving. However, if you don't have access to a CCO, it is still available to purchase at many department stores.  If your looking for a new hand cream this winter, then i highly suggest trying this one- it's the best that i've used so far. 

Love, Claudia x