An Autumn NOTD - Essie Sand Tropez

Hello Lovelies

Today I have a Nail Of The Day or NOTD post for you and it's a lovely nude shade that is perfect for Autumn but can be worn all year round too, it's Sand Tropez by Essie and I first showed you this polish in my Autumn Drugstore Beauty Haul post and lots of you said you would love to see it in a NOTD post, so here it is. 

My purchase of Sand Tropez was completely influenced by my lovely friend Khila, she spoke about it a lot and wore it a lot and it always looked so nice on her that I thought I would pick it up, I did worry I would be too pale and it wouldn't suit me but my youngest daughter loves nude shades so I knew it wouldn't go to waste. 

The first time I used it, I loved it, I am pleased to report that I am not too pale and it is a gorgeous nude shade that is perfect for Autumn. 

I used the Nails Inc After Gel as my base coat and then applied 3 coats of the Sand Tropez allowing each coat to dry fully in between, I finished off with a coat of the Essie Gel Couture Top Coat which is amazing and gives an amazing shine and your polish lasts so much longer too. I love the finished look, a lovely opaque nude that goes with every makeup look and every outfit choice too, it's perfect!

I have worn Sand Tropez so much since I bought it and I always receive lots of compliments on it and am asked what I am wearing on my nails. I have also worn it with a rose gold glitter accent nail and I loved that look too. 

The photograph isn't the best I'm afraid and I had been wearing the polish for a few days when I suddenly thought "I should take a pic of this" but in hindsight maybe I should have re done my nails as this isn't the best but you get the general idea I hope. I used the Maybelline Colour Show polish in the shade Rose Chic for the accent nail, it is a gorgeous rose gold glitter and looks stunning with nude nail polish or on it's own all over the nails, I highly recommend it if you're after a rose gold polish, you can buy it here for £3.99 currently 3 for 2. 

I am so glad I picked up Sand Tropez, it is a gorgeous nude shade and one I have already worn so much and will continue to wear, the polish lasted 7 days on my nails but I do think the Gel Couture top coat helps with the wear time too, Essie always last well on me but they last even longer with their Gel Couture top coat, it is amazing and I highly recommend it, you can buy it here for £9.99 currently 3 for 2. 

If you would like to pick up Sand Tropez you will find it on the Superdrug website here for £7.99 but all cosmetics and beauty accessories are currently 3 for 2 so if you fancy picking up the Gel Couture top coat and the Maybelline Rose Chic, then now would be the perfect time as you will get a free polish. 

Do you own Sand Tropez? What is your favourite nude polish? Let me know in the comments. 

Thank you for reading, much love as always

Zoe x

The New L'Oreal True Match Foundation

Hello Lovelies,

You may have seen in my huge autumn beauty haul that I picked up a couple of foundations, one of them being the L'Oreal True Match foundation. I have wanted to try True Match for a long time but having extremely dry and dehydrated skin, I always assumed it wouldn't be right for me since all the reviews I read were aimed more at an oily skin. When L'Oreal recently re vamped the True Match foundation I thought it might be a good time to finally try it, I have used it quite a few times over the last month, so I thought it was about time I told you how I've been getting on with it and what I think.

What L'Oreal Say About True Match Foundation

L'Oreal's number 1 foundation is now available in 23 shades and matches 98% of UK skintones. L'Oreal's velvety formula matches your skin’s unique tone and texture, for a true to skin finish: flawless, blendable, and never fake.

L'Oreal's 23 shades range from warm to neutral to cool undertones, to ensure your foundation is right for you. Whilst your skin tone is visible on the surface and can alter through the seasons, your skin undertones are determined at a deeper level, they are part of your skin and never change. Each complexion has its own undertone: pink (cool), neutral or golden (warm), so you can now find a match that’s true to you.

My Thoughts, Packaging, Application & Wearing True Match

I really like the packaging of the foundation, it comes in a glass bottle with a clear plastic lid and a plastic silver pump applicator. I much prefer a pump applicator on a foundation so I was pleased to see a pump on the True Match. I picked the shade 2C Rose Vanilla, I guessed my shade because I was buying online, I am usually the second lightest shade in foundations and I am cool toned as I have a very pink undertone to my skin so I guessed 2C. 

The first time I applied the foundation I stupidly forgot to apply my primers and didn't realise until I'd almost finished applying the foundation. I always apply the Smashbox Photofinish Hydrating Primer all over my face and then I spritz my face with the Pixi Glow Mist before applying my foundation, my skin is super dry and dehydrated and I find using both these products help my foundation to look look nice and not cling to dry patches or be sucked up and go patchy because of my dehydrated skin. 

I used my Beauty Blender to apply the foundation the first time I used it, I pumped some foundation onto my index finger and then put a blob of foundation on my forehead, chin, nose and each cheek. I then used the Beauty Blender to apply the foundation to my skin. The foundation applied well and looked nice on my skin, it has more of a matte finish than a dewy finish but doesn't look powdery or cakey and considering I completely forgot to use my primers the foundation didn't look too bad at all and I was pleased with the finished look.

I have used the foundation quite a few times since the first time I wore it and each time I have used my Smashbox primer and the Glow Mist, I have tried applying the foundation with a brush and my fingers but I do prefer using a makeup sponge, my favourite being the Brush Works Complexion Sponge. The True Match applies well and blends beautifully onto my skin, it gives a lovely flawless finish and doesn't settle into any fine lines around my eyes or any dry patches on my skin, and I am really pleased I bought it, I always assumed I wouldn't be able to use it because I thought my skin would be too dry but it is lovely and looks lovely on my skin. True Match is a medium coverage foundation but can be built to a full coverage, I don't need to use as much underye concealer which is always a bonus, the foundation, although medium to full coverage isn't thick or cakey and doesn't leave me feeling as if I am wearing a lot of makeup, it feels nice and light on the skin. 

I do usually prefer a dewy finish foundation but the True Match is definitely more of a matte finish, it isn't powdery or cakey or as matte as some other foundations I have tried but it definitely isn't dewy on my skin but that could be due to me having such dry skin. 

The shade I picked was a good guess as it is the right shade for me, it's a lovely shade and covers my redness really well but my skin still looks like skin. I do agree completely with what L'Oreal say about the True Match Foundation, it is lovely and looks flawless, I think having the choice of cool, warm and neutral shades is a brilliant idea as I struggle to buy drugstore/highstreet foundations because they are mostly more suited to a yellow undertone than pink. 

The only negative I would say about the foundation is that I think there should be more shades suitable for darker skin tones, out of 23 shades there are aren't many suited to a darker skin tone, this obviously isn't a concern for me but it will be for other people and it is something I think is a definite negative but it is also something that is very apparent with other brands too and not just L'Oreal. 

How True Match Looks On Me 

No Makeup

Just Using True Match

Finished Makeup

Overall Thoughts

I am really pleased with the L'Oreal True Match Foundation, it is a really lovely foundation that applies well and looks lovely on my skin, it gives a flawless finish and lasts all day and looks exactly the same when I remove it as it did when I applied it, I am thrilled I bought it and will definitely re purchase it, I like to wear a more full coverage foundation over the autumn/winter months and usually wear Illamasqua Skin Base but I will be wearing True Match this autumn/winter, it applies better and looks nicer than the Skin Base, I am very very happy! 

If you would like to try the L'Oreal True Match foundation, you can find it on the Boots website priced at £9.99 for 30ml (Boots currently has a 3 for 2 offer on L'Oreal products) or on the Superdrug website priced at £9.99 for 30ml (Superdrug currently has a 3 for 2 offer across all cosmetics)

Have you tried True Match and do you like it? What's your favourite drugstore/highstreet foundation? Let me know in the comments. 

Thank you for reading, much love as always 

Zoe x

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Maybelline Colour Tattoo - Fantasy

Hello Lovelies

You may remember in my last beauty haul post that I picked up a couple of the Maybelline Colour Tattoo's, one of them was in the shade Fantasy, I have used it quite a few times since buying it and today I thought I'd share my thoughts on it with you. 

Fantasy is a really pretty neutral shade, I would describe it as a bronze/taupe shimmery shade with silver glitter particles running through it. When swatching Fantasy, I decided I would put down a thicker layer and then blend it out a little with my finger to hopefully try and show you how Fantasy would look packed onto the eye and then blended out. 

The shimmer is stunning and the silver glitter particles add something extra meaning Fantasy can be worn as a daytime and night time shadow, it is super easy to use and applies like a dream. I like to apply it with a flat shadow brush and blend it out with a fluffy brush, I always use a base on my lids before using any powder or cream shadow because I have super oily eye lids and my favourite base to use under cream shadows is the Painterly Paint Pot by MAC, it is brilliant to use under any cream shadows. 

Fantasy is a gorgeous shade, I love it, it has a lovely creamy formula, is extremely pigmented and a little really does goes a long way, it doesn't crease at all and looks exactly the same when it comes time for me to remove my makeup as it does when I apply it. I have used makeup wipes, micellar water and balm cleanser to remove my makeup when wearing Fantasy and each removed it well without leaving any remnants of the product at all.

I have worn Fantasy Colour Tattoo a few times recently and each time I have had so many compliments off friends and family and also on Snap Chat and Instagram and I have been asked if I will write a post on the look so that post will be up soon if you're interested.  

I don't have any negatives at all to say about the Maybelline Colour Tattoo in the shade Fantasy it is a lovely product and if you haven't already added this to your collection I highly recommend you do. You can pick it up on the Superdrug website HERE priced at £4.99, Superdrug currently has a 3 for 2 offer on all cosmetics. 

Have you tried Fantasy? Which is your favourite Maybelline Colour Tattoo? Let me know in the comments section below. 

Thank you for reading, much love as always 

Zoe x

                                                        

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New Superdrug Optimum - PhytoHydrate Anti-Dehydration Birch Water Skincare Range

Hello Lovelies,

I am a bit of or should I say a lot of a skincare geek, so when I received the new PhytoHydrate Anti- Dehydration Birch Water range of skincare from Superdrug I was rather excited, it was a complete surprise but a very welcome one, especially since I have extremely dry and dehydrated skin so I was very eager to try it. 

About The Range 

The new Superdrug Optimum skincare harnesses hydration power of Birch Water. During 2015 coconut water was the celebrity favourite with stars swearing by the drink and beauty companies selling out products containing the tropical fruit. Now Superdrug is predicting that Birch Water will become the latest big celebrity must have, it has less sugar content than coconut but is packed with even more hydration properties. 

For over a decade the Optimum skincare collection has offered cutting edge skincare at a highstreet price and this year the Optimum PhytoHydrate Anti-Dehydration Birch Water range looks to offer those with dehydrated skin an alternative to expensive designer products. Superdrug has worked with Swiss skincare scientists to create a collection which harnesses the hydration properties of birch water and offers the perfect solution for dehydrated skin. 

Both products are cruelty free and suitable for vegetarians and vegans. 

Trying The Range & My Thoughts

Optimum PhytoHydrate Anti Dehydration Birch Water Micellar Tonic

The micellar tonic comes in a plastic bottle with a pouring application, the bottle has a small hole to enable you to pour some of the tonic onto a cotton pad without it spilling everywhere and going to waste.

I like to use micellar cleansers first thing in the morning to remove any residue from my skin care products the night before or I'll use them as my evening cleanser if I'm not feeling up to a full skin care routine. The first time I used the micellar tonic, the first thing I noticed was the scent, it has a really lovely scent to it, the best way I feel to describe it is that it smells fruity but fresh and it smells very nice indeed. 

I applied the micellar tonic to a cotton wool pad and swept it across my face and neck, the micellar water is gentle enough to sweep over the eye lids too and didn't sting my eyes or face. My face was left feeling clean, fresh and hydrated. I have been using the micellar tonic for a couple of weeks now and I really like the way my skin feels after using the micellar tonic, my skin can feel tight when using a cleansing water but it doesn't at all with the PhytoHydrate which is alcohol free and suitable for sensitive skin, it feels lovely, it is especially nice to use in a morning too because of the fresh scent it's lovely and refreshing.

I know some people like to use micellar waters to remove makeup so I have used the micellar tonic to remove my makeup too so I could let you know how it performed as a makeup remover, it did remove all my makeup.  I had to use 4 large cotton pads to remove a full face of makeup which is standard compared to other cleansing waters I own. The micellar tonic did remove all my makeup but I much prefer to use it as a cleanser so that is how I have been using it apart from trying it the once to remove my makeup. 

Optimum PhytoHydrate Anti-Dehydration Birch Water Day Cream SPF 15

The PhytoHydrate day cream comes in a plastic bottle and has a pump applicator, I really like moisturisers with a pump applicator as they are so much more hygienic than sticking my fingers in a pot of moisturiser. The day cream has the same amazing scent as the micellar tonic, it really is a lovely scent and possibly the most pleasant I have come across in a skin care range. 

I use 2 pumps of the day cream for my face and neck, I was surprised at the consistency of the cream,  I thought it would be more lotion like but it isn't, it is quite thick but lightweight which I like. The day cream sank into my skin beautifully and didn't feel tacky or leave any kind of residue. 

I have as I said extremely dry and dehydrated skin and usually use quite a thick moisturiser especially over the autumn/winter months so I did worry that the PhytoHydrate wouldn't be enough for my skin but I was pleasantly surprised, the first time I used the day cream I used it on it's own straight after using the micellar tonic because I know not everyone has a full skincare routine and may buy both products and use them that way, I was surprised at how hydrating the day cream was without using my usual acid toner, skin tonic and serum before hand. 

My Overall Thoughts

I have been using the products for a couple of weeks now and I am really impressed with them both, I absolutely love the micellar tonic, it is so refreshing and leaves my skin feeling lovely and soft and not tight at all, I have used it every morning and I have found myself skipping my usual evening cleanser on no makeup days and just using this because it is so nice and gentle on the skin. 

The day cream is lovely and so much more hydrating than I'd hoped, it is fabulous and I am really enjoying using it as my daytime moisturiser, it sinks into my skin really nicely without leaving any tackiness or residue behind and my skin is left feeling soft, smooth and hydrated. My makeup applies well after using the day cream too, it has a nice consistency, it isn't too thick but it definitely isn't a lotion type consistency either, it feels soft and silky on the skin and is lovely to apply. Both the products have the same lovely scent and smell incredible. 

Overall I am really happy with both products, they are both fabulous products and it feels like I am using luxury skincare products that usually come with a much higher price tag and I would highly recommend both products, I have very sensitive and eczema prone skin and haven't experienced any irritation at all from either product. There really aren't any negatives I have found at all since using the products, they are great products that have been an absolute joy to use and I will continue to use them and will definitely purchase more when they run out. 

If you would like to try the new Superdrug PhyroHydrate Anti-Dehydration Birch Water skincare range, you can find the micellar tonic HERE priced at £4.99 for 200ml and the day cream HERE priced at £14.99 for 50ml, Superdrug currently have a buy 1 get 1 free offer on selected items so now is a perfect time to try the range if you would like to. 

Thank you for reading, much love as always

Zoe x

✿ Post contains PR Samples or Gifted items