bareMinerals Original SPF 15 Foundation £25

In recent months I have been having some issues with my skin being really sensitive (more on this later) so I thought it best to switch fully to mineral make up. After doing some internet research I decided to give bareMinerals a try and test out the award winning foundation.

Unlike most foundations, bareMinerals contains no harmful chemicals, which if you have sensitive skin or skin prone to breakouts, means it is so much kinder to your skin. No more break outs, dry patches or rashes. In the longer run your skin will be much healthier and radiant.

The light powder has a creamy texture when you apply it, I hate feeling like I am wearing a lot of foundation and this feels like you aren't wearing any. It is so light and soft on your face you forget that you have it on except when you look in the mirror and see how nice your skin looks. A truly adaptable product, you can buff on a light layer to refine pores and provide a sheer coverage or build layers for a fuller coverage that easily handles areas of redness or dark circles under the eyes. For perfect application use the flawless application face brush (£24) to perfectly buff and blend. It does work best with a primer and as I have yet to get a chemical free primer I have been using coconut oil, which works just as well. You do have to leave it on longer to soak into your skin but if you are low on time you can leave it for 5 mins then dab with toilet paper.

Another thing to love about this foundation is the packaging. The pot has a plastic cover with a section that slides over allowing you dispense the powder into the lid, when you have enough slide the cover back over. Normally with loose powder, after a while you end up getting too powder into the lid so every time you open it it falls onto the carpet. With pressed powder it only takes you putting your handbag down too quickly to have a powdery disaster in your handbag.

At £25 it needs to be a product that last for a good length of time in all respects. Firstly how long the product last on your skin so that you don't have to reapply throughout the day. Secondly how long the product lasts as a whole so that you get good value for money. With a primer it lasts all day, I only had to reapply when I was going out in the evening. You do get a fair enough in the jar so I think it will last for a healthy amount of time, though it is such a good product it once you have used it the price won't matter.

Designer Fragrances from Impulse

Back in my early teens when I went shopping I always went to Boots to try out as many different Impulse scents as possible before picking one. A creature of habit, I nearly always settled on the same one, but the brand was a staple amongst my friends. 

Over the years I have graduated to perfumes but when I found out about the recent reformulated range I felt a fondness in my heart and wanted to try out the latest range of designer fragrances. Impulse recruited the help of Dior and Calvin Klein (among others) to create a new range containing real perfume oils.

Out of the ones I tried Sweet Smile has been my favorite and perfect for the summer, if it ever arrives. With scents of pear, mandarin and jasmine it is really light and fresh, perfect for the days at the beach or lunches out. The limited edition Secret Smile is also another winner, with raspberry and gardenia it strikes a balance of floral sweetness perfect for country walks or picnics.

For the evenings Romantic Spark hits notes of white wood and violet, which is not how I would expect it to smell. I've tried violet soap before and although I hate to admit it it's a smell I associate with grannies, I mean I love grannies but I don't want to smell like one just yet. However Romantic Spark smells enticing and warming, like curling up in front of a fire with a glass of red wine.  

Finally very pink, with roses and grapefruit, is the one that is staying in my sports back as it's up lifting and fresh giving me an energy boost and counterbalances the smelly men in the gym.

Now I have been using the body sprays for a few weeks I'm not really sure how I manged without them. The smell stands up to any perfume, as does the wearability. It's the price though that makes it such a such a great daily product, currently on offer for 99p you can have one in your bag, one at work, one in the car. I've broken two bottles of perfume and ruined two bags by carrying the former in the latter, so not having to carry one around has been lovely.

Up until a few weeks ago I would have said my days of wearing Impulse were over, now I think they have only just begun.  

Bencos Nail Polish in Wild Orchid £6.95

New to the UK, Benecos is a fun, natural and affordable makeup and skincare range. With its bright and Eco-friendly packaging and simple products it looks set to be a winner with beauty buffs. All products are certified natural by the international organic and natural cosmetics standard BDIH (with the exception of the nail polishes), which means ingredients are from a plant or mineral source, are free from petroleum and GM or synthetic ingredients.

The range of nail polishes has some gorgeous dark colours and a selection of reds. I tried wild orchid, a sophisticated pink with a hint of red, that looks great on long or short nails. On application it has quite a strong nail polish smell but that quickly fades. It took two coats for an even and seductive finish that only began to chip after five days, I think a topcoat would extend this time though. 

B. Glowing Shimmer Block - Just Peachy £8.99

 

B. at Superdry has a great range of makeup and skincare that provides designer results at realistic prices. Nail varnish for £5, eyeliner for £4.50 and cleanser for £7, looking amazing is cheaper than ever. The packaging is really sturdy so no cracking or breaking of plastic and the products don't disappoint on beauty factor either. Dermatologically tested and it's suitable for vegans and vegetarians. 

The glowing shimmer block in just peachy that I tried is gorgeous collection of coral colours that can be used individually as eye-shadows or highlighters, or all together as a blusher. As eye-shadows the coral colours are bang on trend and perfect for the summer months. The lighter shades are perfect to highlight brow bones with a hint of golden shimmer to catch the light. I even mixed some of the powder with clear lip gloss to create a cute sheen for my lips. 

The pinks are great for waking up tired skin, gently sweep the soft powder over the apples of your cheeks for a cute English rose look. For days when you are really tired (or hungover) take an eyeshadow brush and carefully blend at the corners of your eyes for a wide awake look. I'm so impressed with the shimmer block I am going to get it in the bronze version.