Biz Time

L'Oreal recently released a new line that contains foundation, concealer and a highlighting base. I got the latter, which I've only seen in Interspar supermarkets (here in Slovenia of course, I'm not sure about other countries) and not in our drugstores (a bit odd if you ask me). Anna from Vivianna Does Makeup describes it as a close dupe for Becca's Shimmering Skin Perfector (click for her review). It's certainly a fantastic product, I'd go as far as saying that it's one of my favourite purchases this year. Highlighters are one of my favourite products, but I much prefer liquid/cream forms that powder ones. They just give a much more natural glow.

I'll draw a comparison with a cheaper version of a similar product mybase by Essence. First the price: Essence costs around 3€ for 20ml and Magic Lumi costs 10€ for the same amount. Lumi Magique is much more liquidy and has a golden sheen to it, while Essence feels more thick and is more pink (swatches don't really paint the real picture, Essence is much pinker in real life). On the skin, Lumi Magique gives a touch more shine and that's why I prefer it, also it lasts longer. Both give that amazing ''lit from within'' glow that I absolutely adore. The packaging of Lumi Magique is a lot better, more sleek and sturdy. Also the pump is great because unlike with the Essence, you don't waste any product as it's really easy to get just a tiny drop of product. I use it on the top of my cheekbones, cheeks and sometimes I put a bit on the cupid's bow. You can also use both products as a base underneath the foundation or mix it with foundation.

^These are my three favourite products right now. I've already written the review for Skin79 BB cream, I think mine's on it's last legs. When it runs out I'll get either the gold version or maybe I'll try the Missha M Signature one (I just want to try out some more of these Asian BB creams). Lumi Magique goes on my cheeks together with either Peach Dream Touch blush by Maybelline or Coralista. 

The last thing is a great concealer I recently found in Zagreb (yes, I've been cheating on my trusted Essence concealer and I'm not even sorry). It's Instant Anti-Age The Eraser Eye by Maybelline in Light (the second lightest shade, Fair is lighter). It has some peachy undertones, which are great for brightening under the eye. It even covers spots (as long as it's not a massive red one). The sponge is actually useful and applies and blends the product well. Another highly recommended product. I haven't seen it in Slovenian drugstores yet. What's the deal with that Maybelline?

The combination of these three products and some blush (Maybelline's Peach is my favourite for the moment) just make my skin look great plus even got me some compliments, which is always great. 

Thanks for reading!

I needed a heavier concealer that I could use to conceal spots and undereye circles and it just happened that  feelunique.com had a sale at the beginning of the year. Initially I had my mind set on a Mac concealer but I decided to give the Time Balm a shot. The first problem I encountered was what shade should I choose. I wasn't sure whether to pick light or lighter than light, as some reviewers described the latter as almost white, but despite that I still choose lighter that light. Well, it's not almost white (I have no idea where the that reviewer got this idea), it's probably most comparable in Mac shades with the NW15, however, since I don't own any Mac concealers or foundations I will compare it to the Bourjois Healthy Mix range. The lighter shades in Healthy Mix run more yellow, while Time Balm in Lighter that Light has a much more pink undertones. Given that this is originally an undereye concealer I consider that a good thing, since pink undertones brighten the area. My skintone is very neutral so this shade works just fine for me.

Now to the packaging. It's a clear plastic jar which feels a bit cheap and you also get a small sponge applicator that I don't use. You get 75g of product for about 15,50 GBP (about 18,50€ or 18$ at Sephora).

The texture is very thick, but not that hard to blend. I prefer to apply it with fingers because it just blends better with the skin. Unfortunately, this concealer does not work well on dry skin. It clings to every dry patch so make sure you moisture beforehand. The coverage is full, works well on dark circles and blemishes, but really make sure the area is moisturised. It feels quite thick under the eyes, so I prefer to use my Essence Stay All Day concealer (a great concealer actually, nice coverage, blends nicely, a nice product for the price, review here.) and I use this one on blemishes. Right now my skin is completely dried out (seriously, like a Sahara, just horrible) so it's not my first choice when it comes to concealers, but I suppose it's time will come in the warmer months. 

It's a nice concealer, I especially like the full coverage part, however, it is quite dry and you can't skip the moisturiser with this one. Also it is quite expensive, but all in all it's still a good concealer. 

Just a mini haul I made this week. I bought ArtDeco Perfect Teint Illuminator in shade 8 and Manhattan nail polish in 51T.

ArtDeco Perfect Teint Illuminator is the ArtDeco version of the famous Touche Eclat by YSL, just half cheaper (it's around 9-10€). It comes in two shades, one is more pink and 8 is more yellow. 8 suits me perfectly, right now my circles aren't that bad (yay!) and this covers them completely. I also apply some on the top of my cheekbones, around the nose and on the bridge of the nose, just to highlight and brighten those features a bit. This is my second pen so far and I like it a lot.

51T is a part of the Naughty Nails collection by Manhattan and it's a milky pastel pink. It's really difficult to apply it evenly and it's quite thick. On this picture I'm wearing two coats.

I got  a sample of Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua in B10 which is the lightest shade in beige category. (by got I mean brought my own little jar and filled my own sample, of course trying to avoid detection. Samples are just not for granted here in Slovenia, even if you spend a fortune). Unfortunately it's a bit to dark for me. I'm very upset about this, because it's a fantastic foundation. It just looks so natural and great. Still once it was blended on my skin it really wasn't that obvious that the shade is too dark (because similar as Color Ideal it sort of adapts, but I still didn't want to risk it). I  have some of the sample left, so I'll try it on again and decide how I feel about it, but for now I'm happy with Healthy Mix Serum.

Lancome Color Ideal is a great foundation. It has everything I'm looking for in a foundation - sheer to medium coverage, lasts through the day and most importantly it looks very natural. It doesn't give that retouched finish but it just makes your skin look amazing and very healthy looking (but only providing you don't have any dry patches, it just emphasizes them unfortunately). The shade I have is 004 and sadly I just can't find this shade anywhere any more  I have a neutral skin tone and this shade was the most neutral shade I ever found (however it was still a bit more yellow). The best part of this foundation is how amazingly it adapts to your skin. The minute after application it still looks quite obvious, but after a few minutes it just blends in with your skin tone. The formula is very runny. It comes in a glass bottle with a pump. I like the pump, it's makes it very easy to squeeze only a little amount. The price here in Slovenia is outrageous, it's even more expensive that Chanel foundations. I would image that most people wouldn't like it, just because it doesn't cover much, but I really don't need much coverage. I wouldn't recommend it to people with dry skin, it's not particularly moisturising.

I hope this was helpful. Have a great day!