Maybelline SuperStay Better Skin Foundation | Review

Maybelline foundation and I have had a on/off relationship for years. When I first discovered make up, Dream Matte Mousse was one of the first foundations I tried. At the time I loved it but looking back at it now the colour was way to orange and the texture was weird and often looked cakey. However, will Maybelline's newest foundation launch change my opinion of the brand?

Better Skin claims to improve your skin tone in just 3 weeks. It's designed to transform dull, uneven skin leaving you with hydrated, flawless, glowing skin with it's vitamin enriched formula.

The foundation comes in 8 shades, so not a great range of colours. I've been using 'Nude 021' which is the second lightest and is a little too dark for me. I've been applying this with my Real Techniques Expert face brush which seems to be the best way to use it. I'm impressed with the overall coverage of this. It helps to even out my skin tone and conceals small blemishes. It's doesn't do a great deal for dark circles and I still need to use concealer. When applying it you can definitely feel it's an hydrating foundation, I think this would be best for those with normal/dry skin. It's difficult to say if it has cleared my skin up. My skin has been good lately but that may be as a result of some new skincare products I've been using.

Not a bad highstreet foundation. This blends really nicely and has good coverage. I'm always sceptical about foundation claims and I'm still on the fence about the 'better skin' claim. Like most highstreet foundations, the shade range is poor. I love that it has spf 20 so i'll be using this in the summer. It's vitamin enriched formula does appeal to me and might be good for you if you find foundations tend to break you out. 

Maybelline SuperStay Better Skin Foundation �8.99 30ml available at Superdrug/Boots 

Read More

Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation: Review + Free Sample

Rimmel are cranking out the new releases this Autumn/Winter. New Apocalips shades, Moisture Renew Lipsticks, Retro Glam Mascara and they've just announced Rita Ora will be collaborating with the brand soon. I'm still not sure whether i love or loathe Wake Me Up but I thought i'd give Rimmel's latest foundation offering a go. 

This is a liquid mousse so it has quite a thick texture but it still blends into the skin easily and doesn't feel cakey. I have the shade 'Ivory' which is the second lightest and is a tad too dark for my pale skin. As you can see from the swatch it has pink, almost grey undertones to it. I apply this with my RT flat foundation brush to get maximum coverage. This foundation leaves skin looking flawless and does a good job at covering redness and blemishes. I find i don't need to use concealer for my spots when i use this! I would describe the finish as velvety as it's not completely matte. 

Overall, great coverage, light-weight and affordable. For reference my skin type normal/combination. If you wanted a free sample of this, pick up this months copy of Boots free Health & Beauty magazine. 

Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation �5.99 from Boots

Have you tried this foundation before, how did you get on?

Read More

Estee Lauder Double Wear Light Review

Another foundation review as part of my #projectfoundation series. It was suppose to just take place during May but i underestimated how busy i would be last month, sorry! As you can tell from the title i am reviewing Estee Lauder Double Wear Light. I own mainly high street foundations but i bought this as a little treat and to use on special occasions!

What Estee Lauder say about their foundation...

For a look that stays vibrant and fresh whether it's a workday, a workout or a weekend. Smooth it on once and don't think twice about it.
Est�e Lauder Double Wear Light Stay-in-Place Makeup SPF 10
15-hour wear, light as air�long-wear makeup is now lightweight makeup.
Makeup That Keeps Up

• Fresh, natural, comfortable.
• Goes on sheer, leaves skin free to breathe all day.
• Controls oil.
• Resists smudging and won't "melt" off through heat and humidity.

What I say about the foundation...

I really like the packaging of this product, it comes in a squeezy tube making it easy to dispense and less likely to waste product. I've used Double Wear before & i felt that was a bit to matte for my liking. However this foundation has a more natural matte finish. I do use a translucent powder on my t-zone just to avoid any shine. It also has a medium coverage, i still needed to conceal my dark circles and the odd blemish. It doesn't feel too greasy or drying, i think this would be great for those with normal/oily skin but possible not for those with dry. It contains SPF 10 which is always a bonus! My favourite thing about Estee Lauder DWL & the only thing that justify's the hefty price tag is how long wearing it is. I wore this a few weeks ago on a scorching hot day to test out how it lasted in warm weather & it was excellent. All day, it didn't budge, it didn't melt and it stayed in place perfectly. This will stay on for around 10 hours, possibly longer but i haven't worn it over 10 hours!

If you looking for a long lasting foundation, i would definitely recommend this one. This retails at �28.50 for 30ml and is available at Estee Lauder counters or you can but it online from Estee Lauder website here. There are just six shades and they are categorised into intensities. I have Intensity 1.0 which is a good match for me. 


*UPDATED MAY 2014: Estee Lauder have now added four new shades this foundation, yay!*

Read More

Project Foundation #2 - Bourjois 1 2 3 Perfect foundation

I am featuring Project Foundation on my blog all this month! I will be reviewing a different foundation each week, voted by you lovely lot. Click here to see last weeks review.

Today's review is on Bourjois's latest foundation.

What Bourjois say about the product:

Bourjois 1.2.3. Perfect Foundation gives a flawless even complexion* for 16hrs, thanks to a new generation formula.

3 correcting pigments for zero imperfections:

1. Yellow pigments: Anti dark circles
2. Mauve pigments: Anti dull complexion
3. Green pigments: Anti redness

• 24hr hydration and anti-shine: cotton flower extract
• SPF 10
• Medium coverage, yet lets skin breathe
• Soft and smooth formula for a second skin finish

*Tested on 31 women during 4 weeks = 97% agreed

What I Say

I was really excited to try out this new product. As I suffer from dark circles, blemish prone and dull skin this foundation really does sound perfect!

I went for the lightest shade 51, I love the fact all Bourjois foundations stick to the same shade numbers! It's a good match but just slightly too dark for me. Application wise - it goes on very smoothly. I find it easiest to blend with my fingers. Also the finish is matt so using my fingers helps to get it on before it dries. When applied it looks really natural and almost like your not wearing any foundation at all! It doesn't feel heavy and doesn't 'sit' on top of the skin. I have normal/combination skin and I didn't need to use a powder with this. 

The main selling point of this foundation is the three concealing properties. I felt it did cover my bad dark circles but I still needed a concealer. Same with my blemishes, the redness what reduced but I still need a bit of concealer. It did help to brighten my complexion. 

It claims to last 16 hours,  not too sure about that! I would say it lasted 8-10 hours on me. I feel like this foundation would cling to dry patches if you had any. The coverage is medium. 

 Overall

This foundation is best for oily/combination skin types, the summer months and people with minor blemishes to cover. This reminds me slightly of Estee Lauder Double Wear, however not as heavy but same finish.

Bourjois 1 2 3 Perfect Foundation - �10.99 from Boots or Superdrug.

Not a bad high street foundation, I really want to try out the concealer version of this! I'm tempted to try out some other Bourjois foundations, let me know your favs! x

Read More

Project Foundation #1 - Collection 2000 Naturally Matte REVIEW

The beginning of May see's the start of my blog project foundation! If your not sure what it is read about it here. I have chosen the four foundations & will reveal each one as we go along! Thank you for all your suggestions :) & surprisingly no MAC foundation requests? I had a good mixture of foundation suggestions to choose from but they were mainly highstreet - we all love a bargain! So i've decided to start with the cheapest foundation. This is the newest foundation from Collection 2000 & it's just �2.99!

What Collection 2000 says about this - 

Designed to combat the effects of oily or combination skin, this fabulous new product gives you the perfect base to stay looking totally gorgeous all day long.

Contains grape extract, one of the skin's secret weapons in the battle against wrinkles, protecting against those fine lines that build up over time.

What I have to say - 

Now, Collection 2000 are suggesting this is a new foundation but I'm pretty sure it's a developed version of their old Natural Matte foundation. As you can see from the photo below it says on the back 'New Improved Formulation'. So I think it is, do let me know if you know!

I didn't have really high hopes for this foundation as it's just �2.99 however part of me thought it was going to be really good as Collection 2000 have launched some very good products lately - like the Lasting Perfection concealer & the Cream Puffs. 

With faith in the brand, I swatched the two shades next to each to see what they were like. Instantly I felt a bit let down when shades appeared far too dark for my pale skin. The formula was quite thick and had a matte finish. The coverage is light - medium. 

I have the two lightest shades - Ivory 1 and Blonde 2. Ivory is photographed on the left. Don't you think the lightest shade Ivory, looks darker then the next shade Blonde? Ivory is a pinky toned colour where as Blonde has more of a yellow/orange base.

 With and without flash.

 Unfortunately the shades are too dark for me, I didn't even want to use it on my face as i knew it would look ridiculous and I'd definitely have a gravy line!

PROS

• Price
• Packaging, come in a squeezy tube meaning less waste
• UVA & UVB protection
• Fragrance Free

CONS

• Shades, this is the only fault with this product but it's quite a big one! I think the colour range is too dark for most British complexions.

Overall

Good price and easily available. The foundation comes in 6 shades which are all quite dark. However this would be good if your heading off on holiday - you'll want your make up to be matte & you might have a tan! Might be worth checking out this product if you have oily/combination skin and a dark skintone. It's �2.99 for 35ml and available form Boots or Superdrug.  

What do you think of this new foundation from Collection 2000?

Read More

project foundation: I NEED YOU!

During the month of May I will be trailing a different foundation each week. 'How does this affect me?' I hear you ask; Well, YOU get to decide what foundations I review.

WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS KIA? 
Most blogs you read will be make up review after make up review and you will have no input on what reviews you read about. I want this to change on my blog. I want my readers to be able to say what they want to read about, after all I'm not the one who has to read it!

SO WHAT IS PROJECT FOUNDATION?
Foundation is one of my favourite make up items to buy, in my last post 'Foundations to suit Pale Skintones' (read here if you missed it) went down well and got a lot of positive feedback. I have taken that feedback on board and decided to launch Project Foundation next month. This means on Make Me Up in May you will see 4 foundation reviews, one each week. The review will be in depth, detailed, photographed and more importantly chosen by you. I am on the hunt to find the perfect foundation and I'm sure some of you are too! This project aims to help you & me get closer to finding it. And also just because I like trying out different make up products!

HOW WILL YOU CHOOSE THE FOUNDATIONS WE SUGGEST?
Either by popularity or randomly using Radom.Org and of course availability - I need to be able to buy the foundations easily!

HOW CAN I HAVE MY SAY?
You can choose what foundation you want to see me test out. Maybe it's new and you want to read a review before buying? Or it's something you've had you eye on for a while? Or you already own it and want to hear someone else's opinion? 

• Leave a comment below

          OR

• Tweet me @kiamakemeup (LINK) using the hash tag #projectfoundation (LINK!)
• Email me - kiasimpson@hotmail.com

Some ideas to get you going;

Whatever foundation you want to see me test out, as a make up lover it only seems right to get involved! You can choose more than one. Hopefully this project will help save you some pennies - hate it when you buy a make up product that turns out to be rubbish! For you to get the most out of this product share it! The tool bar below allows you to do this effortlessly.  

Can't wait to hear your thoughts! 

Kia x

Read More