The Lo Down - Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation

Hey Guys and Dolls,

I love Urban Decay, I have alot of their products and I'm in love with them all. I used their old foundation when it first came out and I didn't like it, it clung to my skin in all the wrong places. When they launched their Naked Skin foundation I couldn't wait to try it and of course I was in love.

I've gone through a couple of bottles of this foundation and I'm in the shade 3.0, I did a Urban Decay makeup course in Debenhams last year that came to €200. The €200 was redeemable on products which was amazing. I bought a couple of items and this was one of them.

This foundation is medium coverage but it's buildable and blends beautifully into the skin. I use either my Real Techniques Buffing Brush or one of my Blank Canvas makeup brushes to apply it. I'm really looking forward to trying their new All Nighter foundation.

Again this is another highend foundation at €34.50 but I've already gone through so many bottles of this stuff. It's definitely one of my favourite foundations.

Laura<3 

The Lo Down - Touche Eclat Le Teint + Pinceau Y Brush

Hey Guys and Dolls,

As you all know I love a good foundation so I was delighted when this amazing duo came in my letter box, the Touche Eclat le Teint foundation and Pinceau Y Brush. I've used both before and I was left beyond impressed by them. The foundation is a dream, just look at the packaging it's beautiful! It gives amazing coverage, is great during the Summer months and gives a lovely glowy finish. I received so many compliments when I use this foundation especially from the boyfriend who gave it his seal of approval.

To get the best results you should use it alongside this foundation brush. It has a reservoir like a little well that holds the product and you can then buff it into your skin for a beautiful flawless finish. The perfect combination!

They are on the pricey side of things at €42 for the foundation and €42
for the brush but they are both definitely worth it in my opinion.

Laura<3 

The Lo Down - Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation and Concealer

Hey Guys and Dolls,

My favourite foundation when I was younger was the Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation. It was always so affordable and such a nice foundation. It was recently reformulated and repackaged so I was looking forward to seeing what it was like as I loved the original alot.

The latest version really lives up to my expectations. First off I love the packaging it's so sleek and pretty. I decided to buy both the foundation and concealer. I bought the latter in light and foundation in Vanilla which are the perfect match for my skin tone. I usually go for the shade Vanilla in most brands as I am on the pale side of things.

The formulation is very similar to the original and it smells amazing and looks lovely on your skin giving it a nice healthy glow. I bought these two products on Cloud 10 Beauty's website. My favourite site for buying all my beauty products. They were actually on discount when I purchased them and I think they still are. I got the foundation for €8.95 and the concealer for €6.95 which is really good value so I'd snap them up while you can.

I almost like the newer version more than the old one, sometimes relaunches can let you down but these products certainly didn't.

Laura<3

The Lo Down - Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear

Hey Guys and Dolls,

I've tried a couple of highend luxury foundations in my time as a blogger but I never tried any from Lancome. That changed recently when I got to try their Teint Idole Ultra Wear. This foundation was recently repackaged and got a name change from Teint Idole Ultra 24H. I like the new name alot.

I've tried their primer in the past after being recommend it by my friend Helen and I was really impressed by it. This foundation is said to be 24 hour wear and retouch free I can vouch that it does last for ages and have great coverage. This foundation does not look cakey and it doesn't streak. There is an amazing range of shades, 40 to be exact so there is a shade to suit everyone. You don't need much of this foundation I literally used only a pump to create the coverage shown below. This just proves that this foundation will last an incredibly long time.

I love the packaging on this foundation it's so luxurious and smells amazing. Teint Idole Ultra Wear is €41 so it is on the pricier side of the scale but definitely worth it.

Laura<3

The Lo Down - Loreal Infallible Total Coverage range and Infallible Fixing Mist

Hey Guys and Dolls,

As always Boots had a great offer on when I payed a visit on my birthday so of course I couldn't say no. 

First of there's the Infallible Total Cover Full Coverage Long Wear Foundation. I really like this stuff, I use the shade 12 Natural Rose which is the perfect shade for my skin tone. I've been using this foundation pretty much all the time since I bought it and I have nothing but good things to report back to you guys. The finish of this foundation is matte but it doesn't look or feel drying on the skin which is a good sign. It's also full coverage and long lasting so it stays put all day as well as covering all those pesky imperfections. Just be wary this foundation is very thick so I blend it in a bit with my fingers before using one of my makeup brushes. I really do like this foundation and I can see myself using it alot.

Second up is the Infallible Total Cover Full Coverage Concealer Palette and boy is this amazing, it's probably my favourite concealer palette. In this palette are five shades, a beige trio of concealers and two colour correctors and they are so unbelievably pigmented. So in a nutshell this is and amazing concealer and colour correcting palette that is really straightforward to use. This is probably my favourite product I bought on this trip to Boots it's very good I seriously think everyone should have one in their collection. I enjoy using this palette alot.

Lastly I bought Loreal's Infallible Fixing Mist. This is one of the better budget setting sprays I've tried on the market. I do really think it's good. I spray a couple of spritzes over my face and viola done. It keeps my makeup looking fresh and intact all day long. It's doesn't drown my face either which is a good sign.

All and all I really like these products and I'm glad I purchased them they were on offer as well. They were on 3 for 2 so I got all these products for in and around €20 which is a bargain.

Laura<3

The Lo Down - Boots Skincare and Makeup Haul

Hey Guys and Dolls,

This is my second Boots Haul in a short while I have a serious shopping addiction you guys. Some of the deals are just too good to pass up though sometimes I guess and Boots have some great ones at the moment.

First off I bought some skincare. I'm a fan of Garnier's original micellar water so when I saw there 700ml bottle was only €6.50 the same price as their average size I had to snap it up. This bottle is huge and it's definitely going to last me ages. I also picked up two packets of their wipes as they were on special for €5.00 again great value as one packet is €4.50. I already did a review of these wipes on my blog which you can check out here. I already put up a review of these on my blog. Lastly with the skincare I bought the Loreal Pure Clay Glow Wash as it was on special for €3.99. I've already tried the mask from this range and it's amazing.

I then bought some makeup. I've tried alot of Loreal foundations in the past and I've found them really good. I've heard alot about their True Match range so I was expecting good things. I picked up their foundation and concealer so I'm excited to try them both. I picked up the shade Vanilla which I usually go for so I was hoping it was a good match for my skin tone and it was. I've been using this alot lately and it was my base in both my Valentine's Day Look and 27th Birthday look.

Laura<3

The Lo Down - New Products from Max Factor

Hey Guys and Dolls,

I've used Max Factor products for an age, I think I started using them back in secondary school when I started first. My school wasn't so strict on makeup at all so we could wear it when we wanted except in Home Ec when we were cooking or doing practicals for exams. I opted to use Max Factor Pan Stick which looking back now was actually a bit too dark for me but sure who could tell me anything because I know I wasn't listening one bit. I'm not too sure if you can even get it now anymore but I know it was a firm favourite with my sister.

I'm going to show you some products that have been released recently or in the past year or so. I've been using them a while and so far so good I like them.

Miracle Touch Skin Smoothing Foundation

I've used this foundation before and I was quite the fan. I'm pretty sure they've reformulated it in recent times but it's still just as good. The foundation itself comes in a compact which is so handy to chuck in the bag for on the go, even better for the odd touch up here and there. I feel this product best applies which the sponge that you get with it. I usually just apply a couple of dots to my face and blend it in. This foundation is quite medium coverage and fantastic for everyday. Now the only downside for me is the shade, I was sent the shade natural not too long ago and I'm a bit too fair for it. This shade could work really well when I have a tan over the Summer but in the meantime I'm going to lend it to my Mum as she's alot darker than I am.

Smooth Miracle Primer
To go along with the Miracle Touch Skin Smoothing Foundation we have the primer which I adore. I never apply foundation without a primer as I have oily combination skin which means my foundation tends to move around a bit if it's left to its own devices. One pump of this stuff is definitely enough for my whole face which is amazing as it means the product will last ages. It's quite a light formula which I do like in a primer as I don't particularly like ones that are too heavy on my skin. This primer smooths skin texture which makes for a great foundation application so I'm happy all around with this product. Plus it has a pump which I do prefer to squeezing products out of a tube or sticking my fingers into a tub.

False Lash Epic Mascara
Now the thing that always comes to mind for me when it comes to Max Factor is their mascaras. They really are just fabulous, I've tried quite a few and they do leave my lashes looking amazing which is what you want isn't it? This mascara has quite an unusual brush it's sort of oval shaped and it fans out, at the end it has a little spikey ball which is perfect for picking up those pesky inner corner lashes. In December at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show makeup artist Tom Pecheux used over fifty tubes of this stuff to give the models showstopping lashes which goes to show that this stuff is the best.

Colour Elixir Marilyn Monroe Lipstick
Lastly we have a lipstick that everyone is sure to love. Max Factor released the Marilyn Monroe lipstick collection not too long ago. I remember at the time everyone was going mad for them and I can definitely see why. There is four lipsticks in the collection, three are made to suit different skin tones whilst Marilyn Ruby Red is the iconic red. I think this is such a good idea as some people like me may not be the biggest fan of a red lip but with this collection your sure to find a shade that suits you. I love Marilyn Cabernet, this lipstick is for darker tones but I do believe it suits me to a tee. It's a gorgeous deep red shade which would be great during the day blotted down or at night when it's all vibrant. The other shades in this collection are nice too don't get me wrong, I'm definitely going to try to wear them all more during the Spring and Summer months this year. I love the packaging on these lippies too as there just so sleek and look so pretty in my makeup bag. I definitely think Max Factor did a good job on this one.

I'm really impressed with all these products that I've mentioned. In the picture above I created a look using them all and I have to say I think the look came together really well. I'd definitely wear this look either day or night it's beautiful. Whats even better is that these products can be bought in the drugstore and aren't too pricey either which is always good to see. I'd recommend looking on the Boots website cause you can always see what products are on offer at any given time. If Max Factor is on offer I'd definitely recommend picking up the primer and mascara first, you'll always get use out of these two products that's for sure. All the products above retail for under the €20 euro mark which isn't too bad at all.

Are you a Max Factor fan?

Laura<3