My Favourite Beauty Products Of 2015

For my favourite beauty/makeup products of 2015 I went for the products I reached out for the most in my makeup bag...and unsurprisingly the products took in my eyes, cheeks and lips!

You would have had to have lived under a shell not to notice the trend for contouring (made really famous by Kim Kardashian) and not being blessed with lovely cheekbones this has been one trend that I have been embracing in a small way.

I love to accentuate/fake my cheekbones with the extremely affordable SEVENTEEN Define & Conquer Contour Kit which costs just £5.99 from Boots. It is a really simple way of defining and illuminating the face contours and comes with a handy instruction sheet to help you.

I simply adore a good nude lippie, lord knows I have plenty in varying shades but as you can see by how much the one above has been used,  this is my favourite everyday shade and formula - Max Factor Colour Elixir in shade Simply Nude and coming in at £7.99 is the perfect price for everyday use. My lips but better.

Finally, readers of BeautySwot will know that I don't use fake lashes or inserts so I am always on the look out for mascaras and products that enhance my natural lashes... Estee Lauder's Little Black Primer was an absolute essential last year with its multi uses. Promising to tint, amplify and set it does it all. Use alone for pretty and natural lashes, use as a primer under your mascara to give the 'wow factor' to your mascara. It thickens lashes, lifts and lengthens. My favourite use is to set the mascara you are wearing with a final coat of the LBP. It makes the mascara waterproof which is absolutely essential for me in the Summer as I suffer from Hay Fever. I also used it at my sister's wedding and there were many tears of joy but my mascara stayed firmly in place. A brilliant, brilliant product. It costs £20 but is worth every penny.

So there you have it, my favourite products of 2015. What were yours?

Max Factor Colour Intensifying Balm Review

These Colour Intensifying Lip Balms from Max Factor have been my Spring to Summer go to lip choice as they are so easy to wear, providing the right amount of colour and sheen to the lips without any stickiness (ideal for those super windy says we have been having recently)

Max Factor say 

This lip Colour Balm really earns its place in your make-up bag as it’s just so flexible. The lightweight buildable formula lets you dial up and dial down your lip look -

• Build colour and intensity in smooth, defined layers.
• Helps moisturise and protect your lips from dryness.
• Lightweight formula that doesn’t feel heavy.
• Smooth, even finish that’s free from stickiness.

My thoughts 

Max Factor Colour Intensifying Balm Swatches

From Bottom to top, one application and then 3 - Shades Refined Rose, Luscious Red & Classy Cherry

I love the sleek, slim bullet that the lip balm is cased in and the matching case to the shade (and see -through lid) makes it easy to identify quickly the shade you want to use.

The lip balm provides a simple wash of colour but this is buildable if you want more colour intensity, hence its product name. There is no stickiness or dryness to contend with, just lovely colours and a beautiful glossy sheen. The result is that the Max Factor Colour Intensifying Balms are a winner with me.

Wearing my fave shade  - Classy Cherry 

Wearing Classy Cherry

Max Factor Colour Intensifying Balms come in 9 shades and cost £8.99

*PR Samples

Max Factor Colour Elixir Simply Nude Lipstick - The Perfect Nude Lipstick

I have raved about the Max Factor Colour Elixir Lipsticks before so when I was told there was a new addition to the range in the form of 'Simply Nude' - a hint of pink nude lipstick, knowing how much I love a decent nude lippie, I had to give it a go!

Max Factor say -

High pigmented colour delivers just the right amount of pink to the lip, combined with the added conditioning benefit of shea, avocado and aloe butters, lips are moisturised for smoother application and soft subtle sheen.

Swatch of Max Factor Colour Elixir Simply Nude Lipstick 

My thoughts -

Simply Nude has become my handbag staple as it is really is the perfect, easy to apply (without a mirror) nude shade. The shade is a beautiful nude shade with, as Max Factor say, absolutely just the right touch of pink which lifts the lips and brightens the complexion to bring them to life. The formula is fantastic -creamy, conditioning and moisturising and the lipstick glides across the lips imparting even colour and leaving the lips looking super soft and lush.

This is a hugely flattering nude lipstick for my skintone and I have tried it on my sister who has a slightly different tone to me and it was equally nice on her too. I would imagine this to be a barely there beautiful nude to suit many skintones. Ideal to pair with a smokey eye, this is also my go to for every day. 

As you can tell I am smitten with this 'my lips but better' lippie. 

Here I am wearing it - 

Max Factor Colour Elixir Lipstick in Simply Nude is available now from Boots costing just £7.99. 

*PR Sample

Max Factor All Day Flawless 3 in 1 Foundation Review

I do get excited when I see a foundation sample in a magazine I have to say. If the sample shade (they usually put in the one that would suit the mass population) is correct you can try before buying.

In the latest issue of Red Magazine there was a sample of the Max Factor Face Finity All Day Flawless 3 in 1 Foundation in shade Natural 50. 

Max Factor say 

Max Factor All Day Flawless 3-in-1 Foundation for women who want their foundation to easily deliver a long-lasting professional finish. The intelligent formula has three elements; Primer to hold, Concealer to correct, Foundation to finish. 

• Lasts all day, giving a flawless finish
• Primer gives a smooth base for hold
• Concealer corrects for a flawless look

With SPF20 

Swatches -

My thoughts 

My skin type - normal/combination

Although the formula is quite runny I found it quite dry and difficult to apply and work with. I found the best way to apply it was sparingly with my fingers, blend it in and then to add more foundation if necessary to get full coverage. I then used a finishing brush to buff and set the foundation. I also think that you should definitely prep the skin with moisturiser as well.

That said... I absolutely adore this foundation. The shade Natural worked really well for me. The finish is flawless with maximum coverage and yet it feels barely there on the skin. Skin looks bright even though it is a matte finish. It lasts for hours on end, one day I counted 10 hours and with not a hint of shine or wear on the skin. It looked immaculate. For the price I think this is definitely worth a go.

Oh and finally it photographs beautifully

Max Factor All Day Flawless 3in1 Foundation costs £11.99

Max Factor Masterpiece Glamour Extensions 3-in-1 Volumising Mascara Review

It's the final day of Mascara Week on BeautySwot.com and where yesterday I was reviewing a golden oldie, today I am reviewing a brand new mascara. Max Factor Masterpiece Glamour Extensions 3-in-1 Volumising Mascara (to give it its full name!)

Max Factor say

Deliver the finishing touch to a striking make up look with instant length, volume and intensity.

• The instant impact wand captures, lengthens, volumises and intensifies each lash from root to tip.
• The instant impact wand has short bristles, making it easier to reach every lash, which allows maximum contact between mascara formula and lash for instant volume. Whereas bigger brushes have longer bristles, which get in the way and make it difficult to coat each lash.
• The inside out wand combs through every lash from root to tip, coating them with our carbon black fibre formula containing volumising particles, which make your lashes appear thicker and in turn, darker and more intense.
• In addition to volumising particles, the innovative formula in our 3-in-1 mascara contains lash extending carbon-black fibres for thicker, longer and more intense lashes.

Containing volumising prills which form spherical wax particles to make lashes appear fuller and 30,000 black carbon fibres this new mascara really volumises, lengthens and darkens lashes in a quick application.

My thoughts 

I have long been a fan of Max Factor as a brand, I have liked quite a few of the mascaras - they seem to love my lashes! So of course I was keen to try this new release, especially when it promises to do so much.

As you can see from the pics above the wand is smallish, thin and the bristles are quite short compared to some other mascaras. The wand is also narrower at the base but widens at the end.

I followed an application tip from Max Factor Make Up Artist Caroline Barnes - To achieve fanned out lashes use the wand in stages. First pull the inner lashes towards the nose, then pull the central lashes upwards and finally the outer lashes towards the temple.

I liked this mascara although I am still baffled by its design.... the thinner, smaller wand does aid application and it does lengthen beautifully. The rich black shade stands out much more in real life than captured in the photo below and lashes are really defined. Volume wise Caroline Barnes recommends using the mascara in your usual way,  I will try that next time but it doesn't do a bad job at all with the fanning out method.

However.. the biggest downfall of this mascara is that just two hours after application it started to flake, in fact I think you can see evidence of this in the after photo. This was disappointing as the Max Factor mascaras I have used previously haven't done this. I wonder if this is the carbon fibres that are present in this version?

Before 

After 

Max Factor Masterpiece Glamour Extensions 3-in-1 Mascara £10.99 

*PR Sample

Max Factor Gel Shine Lacquer Vivid Vermillion - Nails Of The Day

Who says Summer is over?

I am making the most of the September sunshine with this gorgeous coral red, new Gel Shine Lacquer nail polish from Max Factor. Vivid Vermillion is bright, fun and glossy.

I only needed to apply one coat for opacity.

Love it.

Max Factor Gel Shine Lacquers costs £7.99 

*PR Sample

Max Factor Skin Luminizer Foundation Review

 Max Factor say

The secret to healthy-looking, flawless skin, this foundation contains light-reflecting particles that create a gorgeous, healthy glow.

• Subtle skin luminizers are specially designed to reflect ‘warm’ light tones.
• Also contains a hydrator that helps improve skin’s condition to create a healthy glow from within.
• Medium coverage with a dewy finish.
• Handy pump dispenser

My thoughts

I was sent the shade Warm Almond to try out. It isn't a perfect match but it is very close. I have to add a bit of bronzer to my neck to get the two to match but this is no biggie. One of my bugbears is the limiting shades to choose from - the actual foundation is really good!.

First of all the bottle is see through, always a bonus for me. It has a shiny gold top and bottom and the product is an attractive swirl. The pump dispenser is very handy although one pump dispenses a little too much product for my needs, so being less heavy handed helps to dispense the right amount.

The actual foundation is creamy and a joy to apply, smooth and silky it feels very moisturizing on the skin and literally just melts into the skin. My skin is pretty good right now with no real blemishes and this evens out skintone and tones down the red perfectly.

Skin is radiant but not oily looking and it lasts the working day.

Overall a really nice day to day foundation.

Max Factor Luminizer Foundation £11.99

*PR Sample

Max Factor Lipfinity Lip Colour Review - Just Bewitching

The Summer social scene events calender is under way and if like me you want your lipstick to last further than that first sip of Champagne then you should take a look at Max Factor's Lipfinity Lip Colours.

Max Factor Lipfinity Lip Colour 24 hrs

Max Factor say 

The original long-lasting lip colour is the perfect way to make a lasting impression. Now with a new applicator for true bold colour that stays put all day.

• Hot must-have shades that last for up to 24 hours.
• Moisturising balm gives a smooth finish with luscious shine.
• New applicator for a defined, bold finish.
• Available in a range of 25 subtle to vibrant shades

Benefits 

Intense Colour
Long lasting
Waterproof
Glossy
Colour impact
Day-to-night

Base Coat - The highly pigmented base coat contains a combination of ingredients to ensure the colour sticks to your lips and a flexible layer that ensures the adhesive element is soft enough to flex as you move your lips. 

Top Coat - The moisturising top coat seals in moisture and delivers a super alluring shine that lasts all day. 

The Result - Long-lasting colour that feels smooth and soft to touch whilst still looking freshly applied for up to 24 hours.

Max Factor Lipfinity Lip Colour Just Bewitching Swatch

My thoughts 

Last month Max Factor launched 6 brand new shades handpicked by make-artist Pat Mcgrath. The 6 shades offer everything from nudes to brights. This brings the total shades to 25.

Always Delicate (soft nude)
Just Bewitching (coral)
Just in Love (hot red)
So Glamorous (deep red)
Stay Bronzed (subtle brown)
Stay Cheerful (hot pink)

I was sent Just Bewitching to test out. I must admit I am partial to a pretty coral and love wearing it in the Spring/Summer months so this was perfect in shade for me.

The product works best when applied as per the instructions. Apply a thin layer of the coloured base coat, let it dry and then apply the top coat to add shine. It is important to only apply a thin, even layer of the base coat as the product can clump and become cakey if you apply too thickly, as I found out when I tried this the first time!

True to its word once applied, I was so happy to see that it did not transfer on to drinking glasses or other people's cheeks or lips ;-)

Looking in the mirror, it still looked perfect after drinks and food and long into the day. I was most impressed.

It certainly passed my lipfinity test. You don't need to take out both products with you, just the moisturising balm as it can feel a little dry (not so much for me though as my lips are in pretty good condition) and to keep the glossy, shine topped up through the day.

Wearing Max Factor Lipfinity Lip Colour - Just Bewitching

Max Factor Lipfinity Lip Colour costs £10.99

Max Factor Face Finity All Day Primer - Review

Ooh I love a good primer, I don't know if it is an age thing (those ever increasing pores) or I am more aware of how much better my foundation can look thing but I wear a primer most days now.. so when a new primer landed on my desk I of course had to put it to the test.

Max Factor Face Finity All Day Primer SPF20 

Max Factor say

The Secret to one of our best-selling foundations is now a product in its own right. Simply apply Facefinity Primer under your favourite foundation to prime, mattify and hold your flawless beauty look in place for longer.

Mattifies skin
Contains Micro Correctors to banish excess oils
Uses Flexi-hold Technology
Contains SPF 20

My thoughts 

It comes in a pump bottle. I do appreciate the pump.

This is a super light primer, feels almost lotion like and not thick like some primers can be. If you are looking for a product to hide the pores and even skin tone then this is probably not for you. However, if you want an excellent basic product that preps your skin with a smooth base before applying your foundation and then ensures it stays in place all day than you are looking at that product.

Face Finity All Day Primer mattifies the skin and keeps foundation in place. I would go so far as to say it keeps everything in place, even my blusher was as fresh as the morning that I had applied it.

I would say that this product will work best on combination/oily skin. I found it felt a little dry for me - normal/combination skin but it does a great job of keeping shine at bay.

Final thoughts - A great value product that does exactly what it claims to do.

Max Factor Face Finity All day Primer 30ml £10.99

*PR Sample

Max Factor Masterpiece Max Mascara In Black Review

Max Factor say

A high impact, volumising mascara creates bold, smooth, sleek lashes with up to four times your bare-lash volume.

Masterpiece Max creates bold thick lashes for chic beautifully framed eyes.

The IFX brush delivers 4x more volume vs. bare lashes.
Smudge-proof and touch-proof for all day confidence.
Great choice for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.

My thoughts 

I think Max Factor really do make mascara for my lashes. This is a lovely mascara, it has a fantastic brush that lifts and separates individual lashes giving the appearance of more volume.The result is fanned and feathery looking lashes. It has a lovely rich black colour to it too. The formula is not too wet or too dry and lashes stay perfect looking all day and evening.

Great stuff.

Before and after shots using Max Factor Masterpiece Max Mascara 

Before 

After 

Max Factor Masterpiece Max Mascara costs £9.99

*Sample size mascara as part of a GWP 

A Spring Makeup Look

This was my make-up look on Saturday. I saw a glimmer of Sun and fancied something a little brighter than my usual taupe/neutral go to on the eyes.. I opted for a splash of Spring with this gorgeous Kiko Loose Pigment in Sunny Coral. 

I kept it very simple.

I prepped the area with Kiko Pearly Eye Base £6.90, a gorgeous and light eye brightening base that can be worn alone or under eye shadow.. it also keeps eye make-up in place all day. I followed by applying the Kiki Loose Pigment in Sunny Coral £5.90 all over the eyelid. I used the really rather brilliant Kiko Eyes 203 Flat Base Brush to apply the loose pigment and it kept all the product on the brush so I experienced no fall out and it blended nicely. I completed the look by lining my eyes with Clinique Quickliner Intense in Intense Plum £15. I love the Quickliner as it really is so quick to apply a strong line and it stays put. Finally I used Max Factor Masterpiece Max Mascara £9.99 for pretty, soft defined lashes. The wand coats all my lashes creating more volume. Fabulous.

What do you think?

Max Factor Excess Volume Mascara - Review

Readers of BeautySwot will know that I am a huge fan of Max Factor mascaras so when the latest one landed on my doorstep I wasted no time in putting it to the test....

Excess Volume Extreme Impact Mascara in Black comes in two phases, the first plastic brush separates and provides extreme volume and the second traditional style brush provides dark lacquer.

Max Factor say 

Indulge your lashes with the ultimate combination of a volumising base, then an intensifying lacquer. Take your lashes to excess.

• Volumising base for excessively thick lashes
• Intensifying lacquer for a polished jet black finish
• Seals in volume for all-day impact
• Intense darkness lasts all day and night
• Easily removed with an oil-based remover

My thoughts 

The tube is quite a thick barrel and as my hands are small I was a little apprehensive of the handling but I needn't have worried as using the mascara was fine.

Part 1 - Extreme Volume 

This side of the brush contains many close together bristles and this separated my lashes beautifully to give the appearance of an abundance of lashes. A couple of coats later and I had wonderfully long lashes. I could wear this mascara as is.

Part 2 - Dark Lacquer 

Applying this over the top of the previous mascara achieves a darker, more intense appearance and stand out lashes. The lacquer seals the mascara and thickens the lashes.

The end result is one that I love very much, my lashes are lust and flutterworthy. They stand out and have high impact.

Excess Volume Mascara is a great addition to the Max Factor Mascara family, the formula is not overly wet, the brushes are easy to use and the effect is impressive.

I loved the effect of it so much it prompted me to make my first ever youtube video!

Take a look here:




Before 

After

Max Factor Excess Volume Mascara costs £12.99

*PR Sample

Max Factor Wild Mega Volume Mascara - Review

The latest mascara from Max Factor is this rather curious looking Wild Mega Volume Mascara. 

Max Factor say 

If you've got attitude that can't be tamed, Wild Mega Volume Mascara gives fierce lashes to match.

• Up to 3x volume*
• The brush amplifies the inner and outer corner lashes
• Loads and sweeps lashes up and out to give a wide-eyed look

*vs. bare lashes

My thoughts

This mascara had a hard act to follow as I absolutely love the Clump Defy Volumising Mascara and the results that it gives. The brush is an interesting shape, not one that I have encountered before. On the Max Factor website it gives instructions on how to use the brush - 

1. Use a lash curler for more lash lift

2. Apply around 20 strokes of mascara, moving the brush across the full lash length for corner-to-corner volume.
3. Wait at least 5 seconds before blinking, then reload the brush and apply a second coat.
4. Before the second coat has dried, apply mascara just to the tips of your lashes for even more volume.

This mascara had a nice consistency to it, I am rarely finding mascaras which are too wet or too dry these days which can only be a good thing. It didn't clump and true to its word it does give *wild* lashes. If you compare the results to the Clump Defy Mascara you can clearly see that the Wild Mega lashes are less even wilder and wispier, being less defined but definitely plentiful. The brush managed to pick up the tiniest of lashes on the inner corner and took out the outer lashes to a great length. I think it really opens up the eyes.

Personally, I prefer the brush of the Clump Defy mascara and the more controlled and even appearance of my lashes when using it but Wild Mega Volume does exactly what it says it will do, there is no taking away from that.

I was trying out the black/brown shade which was a great match against my natural lash colour but deep enough to accentuate them nicely.

Before mascara

After using Max Factor Mega Volume Mascara - Black/Brown

An overall face shot so you can see how it opens the eyes 

Max Factor Wild Mega Volume Mascara costs £6.99 and is available in two shades - Black and Black/Brown.

*PR Sample

Makeup For Afternoon Tea - FOTD

Last week I went for Afternoon Tea at Paramount and I thought I would share with you the makeup that I wore. As I was making a day of it in London I wanted to make sure my make up lasted. It was a pretty warm and sunny day so I wanted to avoid the big melt and still look fresh for when we sat down to tea at 3pm. I tend to go for a strong/bright lip when I go out and specifically do something as I just think they look great and stand out in photographs - The Shard was proof of this.

Products used 

Dermalogica SkinPerfect Primer SPF30
Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream SPF in Light
Benefit Hoola Bronzer
Smashbox Blush Rush in Silhouette
Cargo Blush in Tonga
New CID I-Shadow Quad in Florence
Clinique Quickliner Intense for Eyes in Intense Chocolate
Max Factor Clump Defy Volumising Mascara
Estee Lauder Signature Hydra Lustre Lipstick in Apricot Sun

What do you think?

Max Factor Clump Defy Volumising Mascara - Review

Many moons ago I fell in love with a mascara from Max Factor called Lash Silks. I loved the curled wand that worked with my eye shape lifting and lengthening my lashes in a way that was extremely flattering. It was superb but then it disappeared.

Imagine my delight when I learnt Max Factor was releasing a new mascara under the False Lash Effect collection - Clump Defy which had a curved brush! I was sent shade Black.

Max Factor say

Enjoy bold, defined, volumised, Anti-clump lashes.

You don’t have to compromise on volume because of clumps. Our fabulous new anti-clumps brush delivers the mega volume you want without the clumping.

• Precisely aligned bristles mean the space between each bristle is smaller than the average clump
• Brush loading reservoir ensures root-to-tip coverage
• Brush hugs the lash line, defining lashes

My thoughts 

This mascara does it exactly what it describes, allows you to get close to the lash line, the brush picks up every lash, lifts and defines it. It is completely clump free. I really like the size of the brush as it is non messy when applying. The formula is neither dry or too wet. Just perfect.

You can see the results for yourself from my after pics. Fanned, defined, volumised lashes without any horrid clumps. The mascara allows for multiple applications for more intensity.

No smudging, no flaking.

Very impressive.

Before pic

After Pics 

Note - I don't use eyelash curlers - any effect is created by the mascara alone.

I am absolutely delighted with this mascara.

Max Factor Clump Defy Volumising Mascara £10.99

*PR Sample

Face Of The Day Featuring Bourjois Blush in LILAS D'OR

I purchased LILAS D'OR blush from Bourjois quite a while ago but have only just got around to using it. My goodness I LOVE it! So pretty, so natural looking and the formula is super smooth meaning it does not leave a powdery finish.

A little bit of trivia from the Bourjois website -

Bourjois Little Round Pot Blush is our iconic and timeless product since 1863.
Bourjois Little Round Pot blush was the first ever dry powder making make-up accessible to all women everyday in the 19th century

I don't use the scratchy teeny tiny brush that comes with it (it also has a mirror in the tiny pot) but it is perfect for scratching the surface to release the product as I find that after a few uses my brush doesn't pick up the blusher. 

Here I am wearing it

I find the shade LILAS D'OR ultra flattering, what do you think? What shades from the range are your favourite?

Bourjois Little Round Pots Blusher are available in 12 shades and cost £7.99 each.

What's Inside My Makeup Bag - A Summer Look

I thought I would share with you a Summer Makeup Look that I have been wearing quite often in this hot sunny weather, all the products fit nicely into the Sew Lomax Sweet Cheeks Blusher Make Up Pouch which is just adorably cute!

The look I have gone for is fresh, flawless and Summery. It features peachy/orange shades and is perfect for everyday. Fast, taking just seconds to apply and simple, I am loving it.

Inside my makeup bag from left to right -

EcoTools Bamboo Blush Brush - Super soft and great for blending.
Max Factor Clump Defy Mascara in Black - I will do a separate review for this with before and after pics.
Sisley Phyto-Blush Eclat in Mango - read my review here - http://www.beautyswot.com/2013/05/sisley-phyto-blush-eclat-in-mango.html

Ginvera Green Tea Nude Cover BB Cream - If you haven't read my rave review (where have you been!), you can read it here -http://www.beautyswot.com/2013/04/ginvera-green-tea-nude-cover-bb-cream.html

Kiko Cosmetics Milano Pearly Eye Base - I like to apply this alone to brighten the eye area but will be testing it out as a primer for shadows in due course.

Benefit Hoola Bronzer - A great matte bronzing powder

Miners Tin o'Tint in Mango - A delicious lip tint in a natural looking orange/coral shade