To start off with the actual posting, this is going to be an odd one for me as it is focused around products that are slightly indulgent compared to what I'm used to. As the festive season has just come and gone, I think it's safe to say that most people received a fair amount of goodies to set their new year off with a bang, and luckily for me I was one of those.
Christmas and the new year is one of the only periods that I get to dabble in what I would call 'slightly spenny' beauty products. This just means that for once, I get treated to products in the slightly higher end of the high-street market, and this post is almost a review of these fabby treats!
Apologies for the awful use of my iphone to take the pictures, and also my white throw as a backdrop (it was a lot better than my floorboards, believe me).
[Urban Decay All-Nighter Makeup Setting Spray, and Benefit the POREfessional]
To start with, the POREfessional by Benefit is a product that I have used many times before, and is an absolute fave of mine. It creates a silky smooth base on which to build your face of makeup, and also gives a solid base, evening out any pores that may cause problems. Whilst my pores are generally quite small and therefore not really an issue, the primer does do exactly what it claims to, and therefore I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to even out the appearance of their skin.
Now in contrast to the POREfessional primer, this Urban Decay Setting Spray is something that I haven't used before, however in the short time I have had it, it has kept my face in place for hours - particularly on New Years Eve where I was prone to melting as I danced the night away.
Although there isn't a particularly nice smell to the product, all it takes is a few spritzes on top of your completed face to set it (however I like to add in a few more between layers, just for staying power!). However perhaps the biggest plus for me with this however was it's oil free formula, which meant that it keeps my face nice and matte without any shine making an appearance throughout the day/night.
As this setting spray comes in at £20.00, I can safely say that it will be something that I will be using sparingly for the next few months as it's just too much for me to think about replacing, however it really is a must-have for keeping you looking fabulous for hours on end without the need of touch ups.
[Benefit Smokin' Eyes Eye and Brow Kit]
Now every year I am fortunate enough for my dad to rely upon the wonderful girls at the local Benefit counter to pick and choose their favourite products as to be honest, he's a bit useless on his own! However this year although I got some wonderful products as per, I had to do a little swap as being a ghost I'm still slightly too pale for their palest foundation! And this Smokin' Eyes kit was one of my picks.
As a personal fave from a few years ago (I won't show you my old palette, it's in awful shape) I knew that this was one of the things I needed to get. Not only is it a great set for a smokey eye, but it's also the only product that I've ever used on my eyebrows!
Inside, it contains 3 shadows, some eye bright brightener, brow-zings in light, and a mini smokin' liner along with the cutest pair of tweezers, just small and handy enough to remove any last minute strays!
I would definitely recommend it to anyone, as it's so versatile and lasts FOREVER. I think my friends at uni would agree too as they're always borrowing it!
[Benefit Hoola Bronzing Powder]
The second product that I got in the swap was this Benefit Hoola bronzing powder.
Now this really is a fabulous buy, however it certainly is one of the most spenny products in this post in relation to what it is.
I am definitely ashamed to say it, but as a lover of the matte look, it is very difficult for me to find a bronzer without any form of shimmer in it, and up until now I have been using a Collection 2000 powder for darker skin tones to bronze my face. Awful I know! But this Hoola bronzer is the perfect matte for anyone, and is definitely going to be hanging around for a while! The great bronze and no shimmer makes for the perfect day (and night if you like it matte) bronze, and completes your face whatever the skin tone.
[Benefit Hydra-Smooth Lip Color in Dare Me, Mac Pro-Longwear Lip Pencil in Nice'N'Spicy, Mac Satin Lipstick in Viva Glam II]
Now moving onto my lovely new lip products (I'm a fan of all things lippy!), I think it's safe to say that I have some great new toys to play with.
(Swatched below)
Now the first lipstick is the Benefit's hydra-smooth lip color in Dare Me - a stunning bright pink shade that leans towards the darker side. It's definitely a colour pop lippy and one to keep around to brighten up your look for a night out. It has a very silky texture on your lips, and like it suggests keeps them very smooth and hydrated, however the pigment is very strong, which yes is great for wear, but also leaves a slight stain on lips so beware!
The packaging really is beautiful, so is a fabby one to carry around in any bag, however is a bit over the top if you ask me!
The second product swatched is MAC's Satin Lipstick in Viva Glam II, which is my new favourite nude. As money from this goes to the MAC Aids Fund, this is a lipstick that sits well with me anyway, but it's beautiful mauve colour with a hint of pink means that it is perhaps the perfect nude for my skintone!
As I have previously mentioned, I'm practically ghostly with my skin and a Light Porcelain colour is just the ticket for me, which often makes it very difficult to find nude shades that don't wash me out. This however is the perfect find, and teamed with a great liner is a must for any pale girl who loves a nude during the day!
The texture is extremely creamy and stays for hours on my lips.
Now the final product for my new lip section and also this post is MAC's pro longwear lip pencil in Nice'N'Spicy. As you can see from the swatch above, it is a more browny colour with warmer tones underneath it, however matches surprisingly well to my Viva Glam II lipstick!
The longwear formula really does stay in place for hours, and it is so easy to use, lining my lips perfectly.
In addition to that, I have tried Nice'N'Spicy all over my lips as a super-matte lip colour whilst playing around with my new loves, and I must say it did look great as a block colour also!
So that's that, my christmas and new year splurges for me to indulge in for the foreseeable future! If you've taken the time to read this then thank you very much! I appreciate the interest, particularly whilst I'm finding my feet with this whole blog thing.
Love Alice x
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