Foundation
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| MAC Next To Nothing Foundation & Powder Review Swatches |
The selfie generation has inspired MAC's latest line of face bases, notably MAC Next To Nothing Powder and Foundation. Aimed at giving you an Instagram-worthy complexion, I eagerly tubed my way to my nearest MAC store at St Pancras Station to find my perfect shade.
As a MAC veteran, I know my usual foundation colours: NC25-30, C3 or Medium Plus. I'm glad I personally went to swatch these as the shades seem to vary quite a bit.
MAC Next to Nothing Face Colour Foundation. This is a sheer runny tint-like formula that gives a dewy shiny look, but with a comfortable non-sticky natural finish. It feels weightless on the skin. You will still need to prep with moisturiser beforehand as unexpectedly, it is not particularly moisturising. I expected to walk away with Medium Plus, but the shades leaned a bit orange so I came away with Medium instead. It doesn't cover much in the way of blemishes and so its probably one to use on good-skin-days. I've swatched it below compared to MAC Pro Longwear NC25, and you can tell its a lot darker, shinier and sheerer.
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| MAC Pro Longwear Foundation NC25 & MAC Next to Nothing Foundation Medium |
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| MAC Next To Nothing Powder Medium Plus Review, Swatches |
MAC Next To Nothing Powder Pressed. This is a sheer to medium coverage powder with a soft light-reflective sheen. If you look closely, you can see fine sparkles reminiscent of the Revlon Photoready Foundation. I would liken this to a skin-toned MAC Beauty Powder. I've picked out the shade in Medium Plus as Medium looked too ashy. It looks great with foundation, but alone you can tell on swatches below compared to MAC NC41 Studio Fix Powder Plus that it can still lean a bit cool-toned. It lasts quite well for a sheer powder, about three hours before I need a top up. It adds a beautiful glow to the skin and I do love it.
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| MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation NC41 & MAC Next To Nothing Powder Medium Plus Review, Swatches |
Overall, I recommend MAC Next To Nothing Powder as it adds something new to my collection. Most of my face powders are quite matte so a face base with a subtle glowy sheen is welcomed. MAC Next To Nothing Foundation on the otherhand is sheer much like a tinted non-moisturiser and its glowy effects are similar to one of my favourite primers, Laura Mercier Tinted moisturiser SPF 20, but without the SPF; so its something that's nice to have but not essential to my personal collection.
Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog
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| July Favourites |
This month has been filled with hot humid environments and a lot of holiday photography. These beauty products have met my expectations and got the job done!
Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Foundation. This photo-perfecting foundation is the bomb. It provides medium coverage despite its thin consistency, similar to but better than MAC Face and Body foundation. Worn alone, it would only last you a couple hours in this environment, so I recommend setting this with powder.
bareMinerals Original SPF15 Foundation. I've enjoyed using this powder foundation. It somehow gives you a glowy finish but because its a powder, it isn't dewy. It lasts all day and easily worn by itself. I'm running out of my sample size; its time to purchase the full sized one.
MAC Rosy Outlook and Royal Sunset Blush. These blushes look almost identical in the pan and I use them interchangeably. If you had a keen eye, Royal Sunset is half a shade pinker than Rosy Outlook. Both are beautiful natural satin warm pink blushes. Royal Sunset somehow lasts longer on the skin than prolong wear Rosy Outlook.
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| MAC Rosy Outlook Blush, MAC Royal Sunset Blush |
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| MAC Rosy Outlook Blush, MAC Royal Sunset Blush (blended) |
MAC Texture Eyeshadow. I've rekindled my love for this tan brown shade. It looks beautiful on the crease to add a sun-kissed glow. Its perfect especially with brown and blue eyes.
L'Oreal Paris Telescopic Mascara. Since having my LVL lash lift, I've been struggling to find a mascara that won't brush on my lids as well as the lashes. The thin applicator with tiny bristles is works well although I still have to clear up the lid with a cotton bud. The shade is a nice true black.
Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog
01/08/2016
July Favourites
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| NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint Review |
I present to you the latest "NARS Velvet Matte".
I haven't come across anything from that begins with "NARS Velvet Matte" that I haven't enjoyed. The NARS Velvet Matte lip pencils are what brought me into the NARS frenzy in the first place.
And I was hoping this new NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint would deliver.
I've used this for a week on my combination skin and here are my thoughts.
Pros:
1. Does not need powdering if you want that natural finish.
2. Lasts for a couple of hours on an oily nose. Use a primer to make it last even longer. It works well on top of Clarins Beauty Flash Balm!
3. Good coverage for a "skin tint".
4. Lightweight breathable texture.
Cons:
1. Poor shade range. Only 12 shades at present. You'll be lucky to find your match!
2. It has the tendency to sit on dry patches, you need a well moisturised base underneath. Perhaps not for dry skins.
3. It lightly oxidises, so you might find you get tanner as the day goes on (which isn't always a bad thing - make sure to paint your neck though).
I've been one of the lucky few to find a shade match in the shade Alaska, although I'm a bit surprised. I tend to go for the Medium 1 option, for my NC25-30 skin. Alaska is described as Light 2 with a neutral balance of pink and yellow undertones. Perhaps this shade range is trying to stretch itself out to accommodate a variety of skintones.
In terms of that 'mattifying' effect, I find it safe to say this sits between NARS Sheer Glow Foundation and NARS Sheer Matte Foundation.
Overall I'm enjoying NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint for an everyday type of foundation. For more glammed up events, I will still be reaching out for the classic NARS Sheer Glow Foundation as it is far more photogenic with better coverage.
Love it or Leave It? Leave a comment below!
Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog
SHOP THE POST
I haven't come across anything from that begins with "NARS Velvet Matte" that I haven't enjoyed. The NARS Velvet Matte lip pencils are what brought me into the NARS frenzy in the first place.
And I was hoping this new NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint would deliver.
I've used this for a week on my combination skin and here are my thoughts.
Pros:
1. Does not need powdering if you want that natural finish.
2. Lasts for a couple of hours on an oily nose. Use a primer to make it last even longer. It works well on top of Clarins Beauty Flash Balm!
3. Good coverage for a "skin tint".
4. Lightweight breathable texture.
Cons:
1. Poor shade range. Only 12 shades at present. You'll be lucky to find your match!
2. It has the tendency to sit on dry patches, you need a well moisturised base underneath. Perhaps not for dry skins.
3. It lightly oxidises, so you might find you get tanner as the day goes on (which isn't always a bad thing - make sure to paint your neck though).
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| NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint Alaska for MAC NC25-30 Review |
I've been one of the lucky few to find a shade match in the shade Alaska, although I'm a bit surprised. I tend to go for the Medium 1 option, for my NC25-30 skin. Alaska is described as Light 2 with a neutral balance of pink and yellow undertones. Perhaps this shade range is trying to stretch itself out to accommodate a variety of skintones.
In terms of that 'mattifying' effect, I find it safe to say this sits between NARS Sheer Glow Foundation and NARS Sheer Matte Foundation.
Overall I'm enjoying NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint for an everyday type of foundation. For more glammed up events, I will still be reaching out for the classic NARS Sheer Glow Foundation as it is far more photogenic with better coverage.
Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog
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| L'oreal Telescopic Mascara, Benefit Hoola Bronzer, BareMinerals Original Foundation, BareMinerals Matte Foundation, Benefit That Gal Primer, BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Review |
Benefit That Gal Brightening Face Primer. This pink-tinted face primer partially corrects the sallowness of my yellow skin while also providing a smooth base for foundation. I would wait a few minutes for this to set in prior to the next step. I found this to be non comedogenic for my combination skin. Unlike most primers this does not feel too siliconey which is great.
BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream. This gel formula gives light to medium coverage on the skin with SPF30. It works very well with the benefit primer above.
BareMinerals SPF15 Matte Foundation. This loose powder product is fab to set the oily tzone with. It keeps shine at bay for about 4-6 hours prior to having to reapply again, and that's on my oily nose.
BareMinerals SPF15 Original Foundation. Loving this to set foundation on the rest of my face. It provides a natural finish, similar to MAC mineralised skinfinish natural powders.
Benefit Hoola Bronzer Powder. I've gone back to this matte taupe for contouring the face. Such a good quality product, I believe this is my second box.
L'Oréal Paris Telescopic Mascara. Lately my lids have been eyeliner free I suppose in the interests of time I have often gone straight for mascara. This lovely brush has small bristles yet pack a punch to create thick long lashes. Definitely one to try!
Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog
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| December Favourites from NARS, MAC, Charlotte Tilbury, Bare Minerals, L'oreal and By Terry |
Every so often I shop my stash and rotate my products around, but these products have somewhat made it into my regular routine this December. Battling against central heating indoors and the chilly winds outdoors keeping my makeup in check. Let's go through them shall we?
Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon in Bronzed Garnet. Supposedly meant to emphasize green eyes, I've been using this autumn/winter-perfect shade to match my brown peepers. I've recently reviewed this eyeshadow pencil in a previous post. You can read it HERE.
MAC Select Cover Up Concealer NW25. Harsh drying environments call for moisturising products. MAC's select cover up concealer does the trick. It's medium coverage and wonderfully hydrating while non-creasing. I like to use this on my dark circles underneath the eyes, but it works well for the rest of the face too.
BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Buttercream. I'm totally late to this Complexion Rescue party. This tinted sunprotecting moisturiser provides a light veil of colour on the skin to subtly even out skin imperfections. It applies like a gel and feels like a cream on the skin. I also love that it contains SPF30.
MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation NC25. This product is perhaps the most re-purchased of all my MAC makeup. Its a medium coverage powder that is easy to build to a full coverage. It feels quite light on the skin. I pat it on top of my foundation with a large kabuki brush.
By Terry Mascara Terrybly. I picked up this sample size and its lasted the last two months. Truly impressed. It coats my lashes a natural black shade (not too stark) and the brush is easy enough to use, although I still sometimes coat my upper lid, but that's oriental droopy-ish lids for you. I am thinking of purchasing a full size of this, we'll see if I come across something better.
NARS Laguna Bronzer. You can tell how much I love this bronzer - I've hit pan! It's wonderful on yellow-toned olive skin (I believe the other one Casino is for the pink-toned). It mimics a natural tan on my skin. I use it to subtly contour the face with a pointed face brush.
NARS Lustre Blush. I think this is one of the most under-rated NARS blushes. It provides that healthy peachy golden glow that's not too sparkly (NARS Super Orgasm, I'm looking at you!). It creates a healthy flush on the cheeks perfect for these pale winter days. It is one of my favourite blushes and yes my to-go blush this winter.
That ends my ramblings today. Have you tried any of these products? By the way, Merry Christmas to y'all!
Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog
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| By Terry Light Expert Click Brush Review, Swatches |
If you've not been hiding under a shell or kept up in work/university, I'm sure you would have heard of the buzz in the beauty scene from By Terry. Makeup artist extraordinaire Terry de Gunzburg has recently launched the By Terry Light-Expert Click Brush (£48) which comes in 6 shades: from Rosy Light to Amber Brown for very fair to tan olive skintones. (They claim they are still working on making one for dark skintones).
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| By Terry Light Expert Click Brush Review, Swatches |
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| By Terry Light Expert Click Brush Review, Swatches |
The idea for the product itself is a step up from the YSL Touche Eclat. The tube is far bigger, with a slanted kabuki brush on the top. The product is dispensed at 4 points for even application. The kabuki itself is completely detachable from the tube, allowing cleaning and drying, tackling a common problem with click-pen type products. What's more is that you can open up the product and directly see how much product you have left.
The formula itself is dreamy. It has a gel-like consistency that just blends oh-so-well! It dries to a non-drying matte finish and lasts the whole day.
Depending on which shades you pick up, you can use it as a highlighter, foundation (my shade match is Peach Beige) or as a bronzer such as what I picked up.
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| By Terry Light Expert Click Brush in Amber Swatched on NC30 Skin |
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| By Terry Light Expert Click Brush in Amber Blended on NC30 Skin |
I have the shade in Amber Brown (pictured) and I do love it. On my skin tone it is a tan shade with a hint of peach. It looks very natural as a contour shade albeit a little sun-kissed looking than plain ol' brown taupe. I love it.
Shivanee and I love the By Terry Light-Expert Click Brush and we give this four thumbs up. If weren't for the expensive price tag, we wouldn't think twice of repurchasing this amazing product!
Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog
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