Wednesday, 31 August 2016

Road Test: L'Oreal Infallible Mega Gloss (Matte Finish)

L'Oréal Infallible Gloss is widely available for around £6.99.
The description of this product is confusing. A matte gloss? After reading L'Oréal's website and wearing this product I think I can explain. These products are glosses. They will not dry down on the lips and will need to be topped up during the day. Some of the colours in the range are in a "matte" finish. There are also Neon, Dazzle, Xtreme and Cream finishes available. Here is L'Oréal's list:
So even though L'Oréal is telling us about a "truly glossy effect", that won't be the case with my product because I chose a "matte" finish. Got it? Presumably the cream finish wont be truly glossy either? Slightly strange marketing on this product and difficult to know exactly what you are getting.
First Impressions: The packaging is plain and chunky. I think more labelling on the product as to its properties would be helpful. It has a sweet, vanilla marshmallow scent in the tube which fades when applied.
The applicator has an unusual and really effective design which glides just the right amount of product onto the lips. I like the consistency of the product and this nude colour 401 Amen is smooth and flattering.
The product feels comfortable and moisturising on the lips. It has a balmy consistency and does not dry down at all.
The picture above was taken 30 minutes after application. Although it isn't a high-shine gloss, I don't think the product looks particularly matte. In person it looks and feels like a traditional cream lipstick finish. The colour looks even and pretty.
Cup of Coffee Test: There was some transfer onto my cup, but it didn't completely slide off. It reapplies easily without any streakiness and is not drying at all.
After drinking

After Food: This product did not last through eating and does not claim to. It needs to be topped up through the day like a regular gloss, despite being labelled as part of the Infallible range.
After eating

Overall: This is an ordinary lip gloss. It doesn't last forever but it is comfortable to wear and I like the design of the applicator. It is not matte in a liquid lipstick sense and is comfortable to wear throughout the day. If you like the look of the colours and are a glossy lip person then these are worth a try, but don't expect anything out of the ordinary.

Thanks for reading as always,
highstreet_beauty
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Information from L'Oréal Paris UK website
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Tuesday, 30 August 2016

Skincare Review: Boots Tea Tree, Witch Hazel & Berry Range

I purchased these skincare items myself and have use them for several months.
This Facial Wash costs £4.29. According to the Boots website it "helps reduce spot outbreaks and leaves skin clean and shine free". The scent of all these products is strong and refreshing. The berry fragrance adds a lovely sweetness to the astringent tea tree and witch hazel. The texture is jelly-like and it foams easily into a light lather which leaves my face feeling intensely cleansed. My skin is normal with a bit of dryness and redness, and it has certainly been looking clear and smooth since using this face wash.
The Face Scrub costs £4.35. This range is designed to "give long-lasting shine control" and used together, the products leave my skin feeling tightened and rejuvenated. This scrub is again a jelly consistency, containing tiny exfoliating beads which unclog pores and clear away any dry skin. This scrub is effective whilst being gentle enough to use regularly.
Scrub-a-dub-dub
The Jelly Moisturiser costs £4.59. I haven't used a dispenser like this before, so was intrigued. You push the pump (which is the whole top) down, and the product dispenses up from the middle. I like the clean dispensation, and just the right amount of product comes out. On the downside, you can't tell how much product is left and there is no way of easily opening the packaging to get every last drop out.
The moisturiser is the product which I can really feel doing its job to reduce any shine on my face. It glides on almost like a primer, locking away oils and giving a smooth base for makeup. I usually use a creamy moisturiser with an SPF for the day and a thicker cream at night, but I have enjoyed using this during hot weather and am a fan of the berry, tea tree and witch hazel scent. I have been pleasantly surprised by how well this moisturiser keeps my skin feeling fresh and clean throughout the day. All these products are refreshing, cleansing and lightweight on the skin. If you are looking for a mattifying skincare routine, then this is a great, affordable range to try.

Thanks for reading,
highstreet_beauty
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Find this range online here: http://www.boots.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SolrSearchLister?storeId=10052&langId=-1&catalogId=11051&stReq=1&searchTerm=tea+tree%2C+witch+hazel+and+berry#container


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Friday, 26 August 2016

Road Test: Rouge Edition Bourjois Souffle de Velvet

Bourjois's website describes these as "a semi-sheer veil of matte colour" which provide "softness and hydration for up to 10 hours". They come in 8 sheer shades, are widely available and cost around £8.99. At the time of writing these are part of a 3 for 2 promotion at Boots and Buy One Get One Half Price at Superdrug. I am testing out the darkest colour 08 Carameli Melo today.

First Impressions: The packaging is elegant with a frosted tube and tactile Bourjois logo. These do have an unusual scent which lingers faintly, so try a tester if you are sensitive to scented products.
Application: The applicator picks up a perfect amount of product and the chunky cap is easy to hold. The product has a moussy texture and feels extremely soft and comfortable. One layer of these gives a sheer finish, much like a tinted lip balm. When first applied it looks streaky but as it dries down the colour evens out, similar to a light lipstain.
Top: Ravie en Rose
Middle: VIPeach
Bottom: Carameli Melo
You can see on these swatches that the colour looks streaky when first applied. The pigmentation is buildable, it does not dry or flake. I am wearing just one layer of Carameli Melo here. As it dries it continues to feel velvety soft with no smudging or feathering.
Cup of Coffee Test: There was minimal transfer to my cup, and the product still looked good on my lips after drinking.
After drinking

After Food: The colour had worn away in the centre of my lips after eating, but lasted pretty well. It reapplies over itself smoothly, and because it is sheer you can top it up without needing a mirror.
After eating

Overall: Lighter than a lip cream and more substantial than a balm, this lightly stains the lips and retains a soft, moisturising feel. It is light and small enough to carry in your pocket where it won't melt like a traditional lipstick. The colour payoff is not intense and it does fade slightly patchily after 3-4 hours' wear, but is easily reapplied over itself.
Looks patchy after 3 hours but still feels moisturising

Once reapplied and dried down it does not smudge at all. If you are looking for a bold effect then this will certainly not be pigmented enough. If you can find this product as part of a promotion and buy it for less than £8.99, I recommend it as a sheer, non-drying and prettily-packaged lip colour.
Have you tried these? I don't have anything similar in my collection and am glad to have found them.
Thanks for reading,
highstreet_beauty

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Tuesday, 23 August 2016

Road Test: Milani Amore Matte Lip Creme

These lip products cost £7.95 each and are available in the UK on Milani's website and Beauty Bay. I bought mine from www.cocktailcosmetics.com.
Milani's website describes these as having a "revolutionary, highly saturated liquid-to-matte formula" which "dries to a soft, velvety finish for fuller-looking lips". They come in 18 different shades and I am testing out "Allure" today. 

First Impressions: The packaging is chunky and pretty, with gold detail. It has a strong, sweet scent when you open the tube, and a flat sided doe foot applicator.


Application: The applicator picks up plenty of product. It feels lovely and smooth to apply to the lips, the texture is just right - not too thin and watery but not thick and gloopy. The lip cream starts to dry down within seconds and you can feel it clinging to the lips straight away. The scent fades once applied. This colour is so pretty but hard to describe. It is that very popular muted, berry, mauvey pink which I think is just beautiful and perfect for Autumn and Winter. I'm not sure about the claim this makes of giving fuller looking lips but I definitely agree about the soft, velvety finish.
When first applied
Dries down in seconds

The Cup of Coffee Test: There was a tiny bit of transfer onto my cup, but the product still looked perfect on the lips.
Looks flawless after drinking

After Food: The product wore away in the centre of my lips after eating and after that was no longer transfer-proof although from a distance the colour still looked pretty on the lips.
 After eating

 Overall: These matte lip cremes come in a beautiful colour range for an affordable price. They are extremely soft and comfortable to wear and you can rub your lips together without that dreaded liquid-lip "stick". They do not smudge or move and last very well through drinking so would be perfect for a morning or afternoon in work with a touch-up after eating.  They are easily removed with any makeup wipe or remover.
I think these are a great liquid lip product, more comfortable than a few I have tried, and that is a major selling point for me. I don't want to be distracted by my lipstick feeling dry and flaky. I like the soft finish of these, they don't look a harsh, flat matte on the lips. They are affordable and come in a great colour range. I am delighted with this colour ("Allure") and I also recommend "Adorable", a lovely nude, and "Babe", a pretty coral pink. 
Thank you so much for reading as always,



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