Bobbi Brown Corrector and Concealer In Action

I bought these two products way back in June last year and have used them on and off since then, both neither loving or hating them.  But when talking to Yu on Twitter last night and watching how Bobbi Brown herself uses them, I was inspired to dig them out today and give them another whirl!

Corrector

The purpose of this pink/peach toned product is to counteract the blue tones apparent in dark circles.  

I have very dry skin around my eyes so after a heavy application of eye cream, I laid down the corrector with Benefit's synthetic flat liner brush totally under my eye, right into the lash line and in the inner corners where I am naturally very dark.

I then blended it in slightly with my ring finger allowing the heat from my fingers to help merge the product with my skin.  I did this twice to get a full coverage effect.

Concealer

The concealer is required to brighten the under eye area and bring it back to your natural skin colour compared with the very peachy/pink corrector.

Again, I applied this with the Benefit brush before attempting to buff it in with the fluffy Revlon brush - a supposed dupe for the MAC 224.  However, I am so dry under my eyes that I found this made the product drag so I switched back to blending with my ring finger.

Powder

The yellow toned powder that comes with the concealer allows for the products to be set whilst brightening the whole eye area.

The finished result

Left: No product; Right: Corrector, Concealer & Powder

I would definitely say there is a marked improvement - my under eye area looks lighter, brighter and generally more awake!  No miracle though...

Recently, the concealer has been reformulated to be even creamier and the range has seen a redesign with the products now available to buy as only Concealer, Corrector or a Concealer/Pressed Powder Duo.  The pressed powder will definitely be an advantage over the old style which for anyone who has this, will know it can get messy!

I would definitely recommend the Corrector - it can be used under any concealer to really brighten and neutralise dark circles.  As for the Concealer, I wouldn't like to comment on the new formulation but I find this old one slightly too thick for my dry eyes and find it can cake on me.  However, if you fortunate to not have dry skin, I can imagine this being a product for you!

Do you have any other concealer recommendations?  Next up for me is the Vichy Dermablend - I want me some of that high coverage!!

xxx

TAG: 11 Most Reached For Products/March Favourites

My eleven favourite products change constantly but these products have been consistently used day in/day out for the whole of March...so I'm killing two birds with one stone!

Skin care, hair care, tan and bases

St Moriz Dark Mousse

John Frieda Serum

Olay Multi-Radiance Fluid

Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation

Estée Lauder Double Wear Concealer

No 7 Creme Touch Powder

Eye and lip products

Collection 2000 Big Fake Lash Mascara

NAKED Palette

MAC Tempting Quad

MOR Passionflower Lip Delight

17 Beehive Mirror Shine Lipstick

As you can tell, these products have been loved to death and is seen by their completely battered packing!  If there is anything that catches your eye for a full review, just say!

What have been your favourites recently???

xxx

Drugstore Brand Spotlight: L'oreal

As much as we all love high end beauty products, they do have a (sometimes ridiculous) high price tag attached.  I have therefore made it my aim over the past few years to weed out the best products from the drugstore (I hate that phrase as much as the next person but it is standard in the beauty community..!) that don't cost an arm and a leg.

Over the next few weeks I'm hoping to put a spotlight on some of the best products found in Boots/Superdrug that I've personally bought and loved and the odd few that have disappointed... Because, at the end of the day, a low end mascara may cost £5-ish but if you end up buying 4 awful ones, you may as well splash the cash on a YSL..  So, hopefully I can pin point the best products to save on and, with some recommendations from you beautiful people, build up a resource of the best cheap products out there!

Please note: I am not affiliated with any companies whatsoever - these are my honest opinions, as always.

First up....

L'oreal

Bases

True Match Foundation and Powder: Blendable.  Good shade range.  Commendable lasting power.  Adapts to skin. Don't bother with the roll on - very much a gimmick!

Infallible Foundation and Concealer: Great lasting power.  Nice shade range. Concealer thick but blendable - great for under the eyes!  The foundation now comes with the option of an attached brush - I would say stick with the original packing - more product for your money! (30ml vs 25ml)

Studio Secrets Primer and Foundation: Primer makes skin feel gorgeous and helps any foundation to glide on.  Foundation applies beautifully with attached brush and sets with a gorgeous dewy finish.  

Touch Magique concealer: Light reflecting brush on concealer.  Light coverage but nice effect under eyes as doesn't sink into fine lines.

Eyes

Voluminous Mascara: Gives long, thick lashes. No flaking or smudging to note.

Telescopic Mascara: Amazing length!

Carbon Gloss Super Liner: Precision nib that can great desired thickness. Glossy black line that stays put all day.

Lash Renewal Serum: Brilliant mascara primer.  Over time, lashes look longer, healthier and thicker.

Lips

Glam Shine Lipglosses: Glossy gorgeous colours - great shade range.  Heart shaped wand smooths and plumps lips.

If you have any other recommendations please comment - I will then add them in!

xxx

Estée Lauder Concealers: Disappear Smoothing Creme vs Double Wear

As soon as I road tested Estée Lauder's Double Wear foundation, I pretty much was obsessed!  The 10 day sample from my local Boots counter was swiftly used up and a chunky, full sized bottle now stands pride of place in my make up collection.

I was therefore over the moon when Jaymi, from Lauder, offered to send me some concealers to compliment my new found gem of a foundation.  As a night owl with a tendency to be nocturnal, an efficient concealer is my best friend in masking how tired I really am.  But which one won out?!

Disappear Smoothing Creme Concealer

£17.00 - 15ml

Consistency: A light to medium weight creme - as the name suggests.  A little goes a very long way!

Coverage: Medium but potentially not buildable as can look thick and obvious.  I have fairly dark circles and one thin layer went a long way in covering them; but if you have very dark circles, you may need something heavier.

Application: A tube applicator that can be squeezed directly onto the desired area or onto the back of the hand.  As mentioned, a little really does go such a long way and you therefore need to be very light handed with this.  Too much, and it can cake and collect in fine line as it is a creme consistency.

Lasting Power: I always set any under eye concealer with powder as I want it to last as long as possible.  With a light application of this, powder did not cake over it and it kept my eye area looking bright for a normal eight hour day.

Overall: The aspect that overwhelmed me so much about this product is the sheer value for money.  At £17.00, it will last for what I expect at least a year, probably much longer.  The product goes such a long way  but can look overloaded if you accidentally use too much. 

I did also try it out on redness and blemishes and although it had good coverage, it unfortunately did not last as long as expected on these areas.

Double Wear Stay In Place Concealer

£18.50 - 7ml

Consistency: A standard light weight concealer - think MAC Moisture Cover or GOSH Touch Up!

Coverage: As expected from the double wear range, a great medium and buildable finish.  Went a long way in covering my dark circles and covered redness in a flash - very impressed with this!

Application: A classic sponge tipped wand that can be placed directly onto the desired area but this could cause contamination...  The thin consistency allows for controlled application both on blemishes and on the delicate under eye area.

Lasting Power: Like its foundation counterpart, this lasts and lasts.  Unlike the creme which left my redness showing through after a few hours, I felt confident with this that it would be under control all day.

Overall: Although coming in at a lower value for money than the creme concealer, I feel that this is a harder working product as not only does it cover under eye circles fantastically, but it also covers redness and blemishes with an instant effect that lasts all day.

Its thinner consistency also allows for a more natural look under the eyes - less creasing and dragging which leads to a much more polished and subtle finish.

The verdict?!

The Double Wear has to win in my humble opinion..!  If you have fantastic skin and a very smooth under eye area, the Smoothing Creme will be your best friend and a great investment that will work out at pennies per use.

However if, like me, you need a heavy duty concealer that can deal with extremely thin and delicate under eye skin and work hard at covering any blemishes, the Double Wear is for you.  And when teamed with the foundation, you may get that flawless face you're looking for!

As for me, I'm hitting the hay - safe in the knowledge that if I wake up looking exhausted, I've got my trusty concealers to brighten me up!

Do you have any other concealers to recommend to a base junkie like me?!

June Favourites

• MaxFactor Second Skin Foundation - For days when I want slightly more coverage than a tinted moisturiser this does the job perfectly.  It evens my skin out with a dewy finish but my freckles are still visible - perfect for when I don't want to look too made up.

• Elf mineral foundation - Perfect for setting my make up in this weather and giving some coverage at the same time.  Be warned though - even the lightest shade is still pretty dark..

• The Body Shop Nature's Minerals Blusher Kabuki - I bought this last Summer and have literally used it every day since.  I use it for powder and honestly don't know what I'd do without it.  It is probably the softest brush I own and it just buffs in powder beautifully.  The best part? I got it for a steal off eBay..

• Barry M 147 Lipstick - I am honestly in love with this colour!  I was so distraught that I lost it last weekend after one too many vodkas that I rushed out and bought two...as you do!  It is a perfect peachy-corally-pink and looks as good on the cheeks as it does on the lips.  It is however, like it's 101 sister, extremely drying and always needs a lip balm under.

• MAC Hush CCB & Sonia Kashuk Flat Top Brush  - These two work so well together - the brush picks up the perfect amount of product and allows it to be buffed all the way along the cheekbone for a gorgeous dewy finish.

• BB Creamy Concealer - Heavy duty enough to cover my dark circles but doesn't cake or collect in fine lines.  When set with the powder provided it stays put all day and makes my eye area look bright and awake even when all I want to do is crawl back into bed!

• Bourjois Liner Effect Mascara - If you've followed my blog for a while you'll know I gave this a pretty negative review a while ago.  However, I have to say sorry to Bourjois and admit I now love it.  I guess it has dried up a little and it is now the perfect consistency to work with.  Yes, the brush is still fiddly but when I have the time and patience, it can result in the most amazingly lengthy lashes.  Its not perfect, but pretty damned near :)  

And finally...

Decorated coral toe nails - I refuse to leave the house in Summer without my feet looking their bestest!  And this has been my design of choice so far this year.... simple but effective!  

The shoes?? KG and beautiful but they are the DEVIL - no pain, no gain I guess?!!