Mac: Pro-Longwear SPF 10 Foundation Review and Online Experience

For months and months I've been wanting a Mac Foundation. If you know anything about the beauty based world, you'll know that the Mac brand is the holy grail of the makeup industry. You'll also know that a Mac product comes with a hefty price tag, ranging from 14 to 40 pound for a single product. But believe me when I say, a great deal of them are worth every penny. 

I had read some great reviews about the Mac Pro-Longwear Foundation with SPF 10 and after a fair bit of research into which Mac Foundation would best suit my skin type, I finally decided to give the Pro-Longwear ago. At 24 pound it's not a product you could buy in bulk, but it's certainly worth the money in my eyes. I was looking for a foundation that stays all day, especially on my T-Zone as I feel that due to my slightly oily skin, many foundations begin to rub off or even melt off my face by late afternoon. The first day my Mac foundation arrived in the post, I was eager to give it a try and applied it during mid morning. By the time my family got back from work around 6 in the evening, they complimented me on the radiance and flawlessness of my skin! The foundation looked just as fresh and new as it had done the morning in which I had applied it!

I will say this foundation is very matte, which I love but many may not have the same feelings towards foundations of this kind. I find a matte foundation such as Pro-Longwear gives the appearance of flawless skin, which is particularly helpful when trying to cover breakout scars or particularly annoying breakout zones such as the forehead and chin area. I brought my Mac Foundation in the shade NC15 which is perfect for my skin tone as I have yellow undertones and often find it hard to match foundations to my skin. I didn't want the foundation to be too dark as this would make it obvious but pale foundations often gives me the complexion of an anaemic vampire. The shade is just perfect for me though and I feel like it blends effortlessly into my skin tone, creating a natural yet flawless finish. The application of the foundation is really lovely. It's texture is smooth and surprisingly light, which means it doesn't feel like it's being caked on or is blocking your pores. I must add though that my mum also tired this foundation but found it very drying on her skin, so I'd recommend that people with less oily skin or more mature skin (in the politest way possible) try one of Mac's other foundations such as StudioFix or Match master as these are not long wear foundations and will be lighter on dryer skin. 

Now, although I do have a Debenhams that supplies Mac products just an half hour drive away from me, I didn't have the time during the Christmas period to take a visit, yet was still desperate to get my hands on a Mac foundation. Much to my mother's warning that I should not, I decided to buy online, however, as I had not used Mac products beforehand, I did not have a shade to go by. I thought I might guess, but 24 pounds is a lot to pay for a product if it turns up and is WAY to dark or light a shade for your skin, so I decided to search around Mac's sight a little more. To my surprise, I found out that Mac have their own online makeup artists who can advise you on what shade will best suit your complexion. You can drop the artists an email if you are not in a rush, or even chat online (which I highly recommend as the reply is instant and you can talk to your artist for along as you please). My artist was Sarah and she gave me a great tip in order to find out what shade would best suit me. If you clench your fist and look at the veins on the back of your hand you will see they are either blue or green. If your veins are green, it means you are an NC shade, which is for people of a more yellow undertone. If they are blue, you are NW, for those with a pink undertone. This tip as well as the knuckle test (clench your knuckles and white knuckles mean NC, pink mean NW) can really help you when choosing a MAC product as MAC skin products are all built upon this system of undertones, allowing you to buy a foundation that really fits your complexion. However, I was still unsure of which  shade of NC to buy. Most people will be able to guess their shade based upon previous foundation colours and comparing them to the colour samples shown online. But as I said before, my skin can often be unpredictable and I didn't want to buy a foundation too light or even too dark. Sarah gave me an email address in which to send a picture of myself without foundation, so she could recommend a shade she believed would suit my tone. Within a few minutes I had sent a webcam picture through to the email address and had a reply from Sarah telling me that NC15 would be the shade to suit my complexion. 

Overall, I am ecstatic with the customer service I received from Mac. They are SO very helpful and I honestly felt like I was given all the information I needed in order to make the right choice. The shade matches my skin perfectly and the online service provided is fast and simple, allowing you to talk to knowledgable and friendly artists just a click away. The product is literally the best foundation I think I've ever brought. I've never had a foundation which matches my skin so perfectly and allows my skin to look flawless whilst still looking effortlessly natural. I will defiantly be purchasing more products from MAC in the near future and feel like my money has been spent well. I would recommend this foundation to anyone and everyone! 

Picture of me with Mac's Pro-Longwear Foundation.

http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/shaded/158/10180/Products/Face/Foundation/Pro-Longwear-SPF-10-Foundation/index.tmpl

It's really that Simple!

As an advocate of a healthy and great skin regime, Simple has always been a trustworthy brand of mine and can often be found on my dressing table. I've been using Simple products for a good two years now and can honestly say I haven't found a product that matches up to it. My skin is very sensitive and when I use harsh face products I usually end up with dry skin or even breakouts! So Simple's Kind to Skin range is really a life saver. 

With no harsh chemicals, perfumes or colours, the range is really gentle for most skin types especially ultra sensitive skin and oily. Their Hydrating light moisturiser is really good for skin prone to breakouts as it isn't as heavy as most moisturisers and does not linger on the skin surface which can cause breakouts and clog pores. It contains Glycerin which hydrates and nourishes, keeping the skin moisturised for 12 hours. It also has the added bonus of Borage seed oil which renews and regenerates, giving you an overall brighter and more nourished complexion. I have been using the same moisturiser for a few years now and can honestly say it's one of the best I've used. I find I suffer from a lot less breakouts and my skin just feels so much fresher and healthier with Simple products! There really isn't any fuss with this brand. 

Simple's toner is also exceptionally good even though I have been using it for a shorter time then their moisturisers. I have been using the Pore Minimising toner cleanser for a few weeks now and honestly believe it has helped my pores. As well as battling those dreaded skin issues it's also really gentle on your skin, which can not be said for our cleansers/toners I have used in the past. It includes a multitude of vitamins including pro-vitaimin B5 and vitamin E actively soften, smooth, restore and moisturise skin. The cleanser also contains witch hazel, chamomile and geranium which are all natural products and are dermatologically proven to tone and tighten pores as well as soften and condition skin. 

Kind to Skin Hydrating Light Moisturiser and Pore Minimising 

£3.79/£4.99 from Boots, UK

I feel like my skin's overall condition is just so much better when combining these products. I've had a lot less breakouts overall and my skin just feels a lot more hydrated which means I look a lot less tried! I think Simple's products really are a must have and if you have not used them before you should defiantly try them out for yourself. If you have sensitive skin these could really save you the hassle of using expensive specialist products. I would recommend Simple to anyone. The products aren't too pricey either! Value for money or what!?

http://www.boots.com/en/Simple/

Rimmel- Kate Moss Lasting Finish Lipstick

Now I'll be the first to admit that lipstick has never been my favourite 'can't live without' makeup product over the years. Being of a rather pale complexion I have always felt lipsticks tend to look wrong against my skin and often don't suit me. But over the last two years my love affair with lipsticks has really ignited. 

However, I am not very experimental with my lip colour and have only ever brought the classic red. Then, whilst searching through my local Boots a few weeks back, I found Kate Moss's new lipstick collection. 

For those who might not know who Kate Moss is (You never know!), she is the UK's biggest international super model and once dated Johnny Depp! I know right!?!

So, when Kate Moss signs her name over to a product, it's usually a massive success (take her Topshop range for instance). That wasn't the only thing that instantly drew me to the product though. The lipstick has a lasting finish giving it a matte application. I don't know about you but I love lipsticks that are matte as they really allow the product to stay true to it's colour. It's important that a makeup product transfers the exact colour it is showing me. 

I recently purchased two MUA lipsticks (I'll write up a review about those ones) and found that the colour's transfer to my lips was nothing like the original colour so it was great for me that the Kate Moss lipsticks really were the exact same colour as the were show. 

The lipstick also does not need re-applying as much as a lot of the lipsticks I have tried as the colour almost stains the lips (in a good way!).

I also love the feel of these lipsticks. They aren't too heavy and glide on for a smooth application. I brought two of the Rimmel Kate Lasting Finish lipsticks in Shade 01 and 03. Shade 01 is a dark, vampy red colour and 03 is a nude. I felt the two colours really complimented my skin and didn't wash me out like most lip products do. Overall I just really liked the application and look of these lipsticks. I am a really big fan of Rimmel products and feel that they are possibly the best high street makeup brand with strong products at a reasonable price. I would, however, like some more shades in this specific lipstick- especially some vampy winter colours like Mac often produce!

I would definitely recommend you give these beauties a try though! You won't be disappointed and at £5.49 who can resist?

http://www.boots.com/en/Rimmel-Kate-Lasting-Finish-Lipstick_1230439/

Westfield, London + Hemel Haul

A few weeks ago I made a trip to London, Hammersmith for an Ed Sherran Concert and decided to stay over night. The next day, with little plans as to how to spend the morning before we ventured back, I realised that Westfield Shopping Centre (One of the UK's biggest shopping centres EVER) was just round the corner. With designer stores and high end shops galore, I knew I would end up spending a great deal of money in there. Thankfully though, I did not have enough cash on me to go venturing anywhere near the top designers, some of which included Jimmy Choo, Dior, Gucci and Prada. So I stuck to the shops I knew best. 

The Topshop in Westfeild is not the biggest in London, I believe that award goes to the Oxford Street one, but it is still a great size and offers a great deal of the new season and rare pieces that I often can't get my hands on in my local TS. There was also an end of season sale going on when I was there which for me is like dancing a Battenburg cake in front of my eyes, I can't resist it! I only three items in the sale, two included jewellery and the other a lovely plum coloured crochet collared top which is truly to die for. It cost me 15 pound which compared to it's original 34 pound price tag was a bargain! Although you can no longer purchase this item online (it may still be in the instore sale) you can purchase a similar crochet collar top which I think is equally as nice here: 

http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33057&storeId=12556&productId=6346616&langId=-1&categoryId=&parent_category_rn=&searchTerm=crochet%20collar&resultCount=1

 I also always appear to be attracted to Topshop's knitwear every winter. I have almost always owned a Topshop knitwear piece during the winter season and although slightly pricey they are totally worth their money in warmth. This year I grabbed myself a knitted textured grunge jumper which is super snug. It comes in a bottle green which alongside aubergine and burgundy is one of my favourite autumn season colours. It cost me 36 pound which for many is a little too much to pay for a jumper but I personally believe Topshop clothing is worth the money! You can also purchase this jumper in aubergine, cobalt (a baby blue colour) and black. 

I also visited another one of my favourite shops at Westfield, River Island. I love River Island not only because their clothes are so unique and eye catching but also because the shop holds a special place in my heart for other reasons. My nan was the manageress of River Island back when it was Chelsea Girl in the 60's/70's. River Island even continue to sell a clothing range under the name Chelsea Girl so if you were wondering why that was then there is your answer. I'm extra in love with their knit wear and blouses. Their blouses are extra dainty and so 60's mod fashion, so I had to pick up this bow neck blouse when I saw it. It is sheer making that bit feminine but it also beautifully fitted and the white and black contrast is just so sophisticated/smart. I fell in love with it immediately. I wear it with a blazer and fitted denim jeans to give that casual yet smart feel to the outfit. It cost me 20 pound which is quite a good price for a fitted blouse. You can grab a navy one online here:

http://www.riverisland.com/women/blouses--shirts/shirts/Navy-sheer-bow-neck-blouse-630176

I'm not a MASSIVE Primark fan and am a tiny bit of a snob when it comes to my clothing. I usually shop in Topshop, River Island or Miss Guided as I have found from previous experience of Primark that there items do not last very long and are not of good quality. 

However, that may have just been my local Primark as when I visited Hemel's Primark this week I found their items to be a lot more appealing. For some reason the shop had a much better feel to it and the clothes appeared better looking and of a better quality. I think this may have just been the fact that the Hemel Primark sells better items then my local one and is a better overall shop. Maybe my local Primark is the last to receive Primark's new season items? Who knows! If you do know, comment me below! 

But for the first time in a LONG time, I purchased some items from Primark. The first being this really adorable white peplum from Primark's Atmosphere range. The Peplum has a really sweet mesh shoulder and back which I absolutely loved as I love mesh detail on clothing. It adds that femininity whilst keeping it tasteful and sophisticated (which I adore). I have two other peplum tops from Topshop in burgundy and grey latex fabric which means the fabric is really moveable and fits nicely around your chest area. This top is not the same fabric but still has that stretch that I like in a tight fitted top. The fabric part is embellished with golden specs which really makes the top stand out and would make it an extra glamourous evening piece. For the first time I actually feel as though this Primark item will last me a while. It feels great quality, especially the mesh detail, which I was really surprised about and for 8 pound, the top is a bargain as well as a great quality of product. 

I also purchased this long Guns and Roses tank top. I have been looking for a top like this for a while as I often see people teaming similar band tees with leggings or shorts and thought it would be a great item to add to my college clothes collection. I love the glittery embellishment on the top especially as it gives the item that girly touch that you do not often find with band tees. The product is also of great quality and like most cotton based tank tops, is lightweight and breathable. I love the detail within the logo as well as it really show cases the beauty of the Guns and Roses band logo. I will be teaming this top with black leggings or denim jeans in the winter months and hopefully shorts during the summer, making it a diverse piece for all year round. This tank top cost me 6 pound! What a bargain! 

That concludes my London and Hemel Haul but if you would like to ask me any questions about the items, please don't hesitate to comment! 

:) 

Thanks

G