L'Oréal True Match Foundation: Initial Thoughts

Today I purchased L'Oréal True Match foundation. It wasn't an easy decision; I searched online for hours for foundation reviews and put a call out on Twitter for recommendations before heading straight for a L'Oréal make-up counter.  

You see, my skin's been ridiculously oily of late (I'd like to put it down to a change of water following my move to Yorkshire a fortnight ago) and my usual cream-based pan stick foundation just isn't cutting it. With this in mind, I wanted a matte product that'd combat shine.

A very knowledgeable MUA in Sheffield's Meadowhall colour matched me to the shade 'Rose Ivory', the palest of the lot. I don't know about other fair skinned ladies, but I always struggle to find a foundation or concealer pale enough in the 'high street/drug store' end of the make-up market. But this one seems perfect; it blended into my jaw line like a dream. I'm looking forward to seeing how it fares after 8 hours' wear at work tomorrow...

A quick tip for you: L'Oréal's foundation products are currently £14 for 2 in Boots.

I also picked up the brand's Studio Secrets Primer, so I'm looking forward to giving that a go. And this nifty little gift set came free with my L'Oréal purchase. Not bad at all, eh?

Everyone loves a freebie...

What's your favourite foundation? Have you tried L'Oréal's True Match? What did you think?

What's New at Boots HQ? No 7's Lift and Luminate is Here...

Some of you may know that I recently took on a new role - as senior beauty writer for Boots.com. There's lots of exciting things happening over in the brand's HQ in Nottingham and the launch of No7's latest product - Lift and Luminate - has got everyone in the office talking.

No 7 Protect and Perfect

The day and nigth serum, which is currently priced at £24.95 on the Boots website, targets the most common signs of ageing in 45+ skin.

Watch the fantastic new advert for the product here:




Will you be trying this product? Are you a fan of Protect and Perfect?

Diorshow New Look Mascara: A Full Review

Anyone who's been keeping an eye on my blog over the last couple of months (hello to you!) will know Dior has added a new mascara to its collection - this one available exclusively in Selfridges, both in store and online.

I was lucky enough to get my hands on the product, a few days ahead of its official release in shops and it's been added to my every day make-up bag and replaced my trusty Blink & Go's mascara - for now, anyway.

It's been 10 years since Dior first introduced Diorshow - and there's been quite a few changes since then.

Today's mascara - the one pictured below - combines an original 'nano brush' (no, I'm none the wiser, either) and a high-precision, serum treatment formula.

Here's the blurb: "Diorshow New Look multiplies volume lash by lash, both instantly and on a daily basis. It has an exceptional capacity for widening all eyes, whatever their shape, whatever their lash length. Lashes are instantly thicker, extended at a wider angle and appear infinitely more numerous."

Does it live up to its claims, then?

The first thing I noticed was the product's unusual looking brush applicator was tiny - probably the smallest I'd ever seen in a mascara. But while it was undoubtedly small, it didn't seem to make it any more effective. Having said that, it probably makes applying mascara on the lower lashes (something I don't do) a little less tricky.

In terms of the length and volume, this doesn't do a better job than any other mascara I've tried, but it does do a sterling job of separating the lashes.

What I will say about Diorshow (which retails at £23, by the way) is that it offers a more natural look.

I can't say I've had any compliments while wearing this and I haven't noticed a huge difference in the look of my lashes, but it does really coat each individual lash with product and doesn't give that awful spider legged 'stuck together lashes' effect.

Have you tried this mascara? What mascara do you use?

FTC Disclaimer: This product was sent to me for review consideration from the Selfridges affiliate programme's team. All opinions are my own and 100% honest, as always.

My First, My Last, My Everything!

Okay, so I'm attempting to get a little blogging tag going here - do bear with me. It's fairly self explanatory;  choose 3 beauty products - the first one you ever bought, the last product you purchased and your 'everything' (your can't-live-without-it product) - and tell us all a little bit about them.

Go!

Here's mine....

My First - The Body Shop's Born Lippy Lip Balm

The Body Shop's Born Lippy Lip Balm

I was never out of Boots and Superdrug as a teenager. After getting my first proper job aged 14, I'd shamelessly spend most of my wages on the latest beauty treats. But I'd say the first product I probably ever bought (aside from teenage favourites, Collection 2000 and Miners make-up) was Body Shop's Born Lippy lip balm. They still make it today and its scent is ridiculously nostalgic! I believe these are pretty pocket-friendly, too.

My Last - MAC Mineralise Skinfinish in Love Joy

MAC Mineralise Skinfinish in Love Joy

This was an impulse purchase from BuyaPowa (if you haven't used this website yet, make sure you check it out - lots of great beauty bargains to be had.) I think I was more seduced by its £9 price tag, than by the product itself. MAC's Mineralise Skinfinishes retail for around £20 and as I'm a big fan of the brand's blushes, I fancied giving one of these a go.

This one - in the shade Love Joy - looked a lovely peachy/pink shade on the site (probably through no fault of BuyaPowa itself; products always look different when photographed), but I was disappointed nonetheless. As you can see from the picture above, it's more of a bronze/brown shade and definitely not one for my pasty white complexion. Still, a bargain all the same and I shall be donating this to a friend.

Have you ever been misled by a product's online picture?

My Everything - Boots' No 7 Quick Cover Concealer in Extra Fair

Boots' No 7 Quick Cover Concealer

It's not a particularly exciting product, but my 'everything' is a concealer. It's not a luxuriously elaborate purchase either, at less than £10. But I doubt there's been a period in the last five or six years that I haven't bought No 7's Quick Cover concealer in the shade 'Extra Fair'.

 On a daily basis, I use it all over my face in place of foundation - as it's all the coverage I like for everyday wear. The great thing about this concealer is how easy it is to apply. It's really longwearing and doesn't cake or crease - a real hit in my book.

I tag:

Clare at Big Beauty Blog
May at Smooch Blog
Lucy at Beauty and the Blogger
Carla at Girl with the Golden Touch
Emma at Computergirl's Musings
Dawn of Inanity and the Girl
and
Yinka at Vex in the City

Make sure you go and check out the above lovey ladies' blogs - they're some of my favourites.

I'd love to hear your First Last and Everythings, too. Share them below or write a blog post and link me to it.

Enjoy!

Hair in Need of a Treat? Try John Frieda's New Full Repair Range

About a month ago, I was lucky enough to receive a stash of John Frieda's new Full Repair collection through the post - and the package couldn't have come at a better time.

I've been colouring my hair jet black for some years, but after much deliberation I decided I wanted a change and booked an appointment for a red ombr/dip dye at Toni and Guy, a la Jessie J.

Jessie J and her black and red dip dye do. Pic: Google Images

I was warned in advance that my hair would require some stripping, but didn't bank on the fact I'd be in the hairdresser's a full day getting my do cleansed of its black dye. Of course, afterwards my hair was in much need of a treat - the harsh treatment had left it dry and raggedy, so it was a stroke of luck I received these nourishing, deep conditioning products.

The entire John Frieda Full Repair hair care collection


For the last six weeks or so I've been using the shampoo and conditioner a couple of times a week, followed by the deep conditioner at least once a week. And while the products haven't exactly performed miracles, they've certainly helped keep my hair in good condition - especially the thick deep conditioner.

My do hasn't been restored to its usual healthy self just yet, but it is a little more manageable and softer to the touch.

I've yet to try some of the other products, but I'll definitely be updating this review if I discover a new hair care hero.


FTC Disclaimer: These products were sent for review consideration. I have not been paid to write this post, nor am I affiliated with the brand in any way. All opinions are my own and 100% honest, as always.

Win VIP Gig Tickets with Miners Cosmetics!

I don't know about you, but I'm partial to a spot of cheesy pop. So when I heard word of Miners Cosmetics' current collaboration with new band NVS, I was more than a little intrigued.

The mixed act takes its name from the Italian phrase 'Niente Viene Semplice', which loosely translates as 'nothing comes easy' and the five-piece has so far supported JLS and The Saturdays.

NVS - Picture: Google Images

Want to win tickets to see NVS in concert? Throughout April, Miners is sponsoring the band as they hit arenas across the UK and Ireland on the sell out JLS 4th Dimension Tour - and you could be joining them!

Miners' new spring/summer polishes, £2.99 each

Make-up artists to the band, Miners will also be running a series of fun marketing campaigns on Twitter and Facebook, offering promos and VIP giveaways. Follow and Like Miners to find out more!

And don't forget to take a look at the brand's new spring/summer nail polishes (pictured above).

 

Step On My Old Size Nines...

Need new shoes? Just a quick tip; head to House of Fraser. Popped in there yesterday and there's more than 50% off everything from Nine West to Kurt Geiger and Converse.

I'm due to start a new office job and my much-loved patent Topshop heels have seen better days. So I hotfooted it (ahem) down to the shoe sale and picked up these Kurt Geiger beauties for less than half price - £49.

These are probably my first semi-expensive pair of shoes. Forty quid is probably the most I've ever spent on heels - on a pair of bright red Mary Jane-esque T-bar heels from Topshop that never made it out of their box more than twice.

But I figured 'buy cheap, buy twice' and splurged on these black court shoes. It'll save me dashing to the shoe repair shop to get my old ones heeled anyway.

The heels on these are fairly sensible, but still a little higher than I normally go for. I love the little star detail on the soles, too.

What do you think? Are you in need of a new pair of shoes?

Post in association with spartoo.co.uk

Jane Iredale My Steppes Make Up Kit: And the Winner is...

Thanks to everyone who entered my recent blog competition to win a Jane Iredale mineral make-up compact kit (pictured).

I've entered all the names into Random.org and the winner is....

Laura

Congratulations!

I'll be in touch asap to arrange delivery of your prize.

To everyone else, keep your eyes peeled for more fun competitions.

WIN a Compact Travel Mineral Make Up Kit from Jane Iredale!

If I'm honest, Jade Iredale wasn't a make-up brand I was aware of until I started blogging. As someone with oily, blemished skin, mineral make-up hasn't done a lot for me in the past.I've since tried a few of the collection's products, and while I still prefer heavy coverage in terms of foundation, I've been dabbling in mineral shadows and blush a lot more. After all, now we're well and truly into the swing of spring, the lighter,  brighter days call for lighter make-up.

And as holiday season is almost upon us, the people at the US brand have created a whole host of compact make-up kits - perfect for popping into your hand luggage or beach bag.

My favourite is this My Steppes all-in-one compact, which takes up the same room as say, two Nars blushers and features two lip glosses, a blush, bronzer and a mirror. While the product is on the pricey side (£39.95 per compact), you'd be hard pushed to find two glosses, a blush and bronzer of comparable quality for cheaper.

What struck me about the make-up was how pigmented and long-lasting it was, to say it's mineral based. The lipstick, in particular, was long-wearing and offered great colour pay off.

About Jane:  "Jane Iredale is the president and founder of Iredale Mineral Cosmetics. She was the first to supply the aesthetics industry with a full-line of makeup based on minerals and the first to see the potential of offering physicians a makeup that was good for the skin. She has worked with world-renowned plastic surgeons and dermatologists in the development of her line and lectures all over the world on its benefits."

HOW TO ENTER:

* Subscribe to my blog

* Leave a comment on this post, including your email address

* For an extra 5 entries, tweet me at lauren2herself to let me know you've entered.

* The closing date is Thursday, April 12 at 10am.

Good luck everyone!

Never Mind Choccy Eggs, Chick Out this LUSH Easter Treat...

Happy Easter everyone! I hope you're all enjoying a lovely long weekend. I've spent mine packing up my home in Lancashire and crossing the Yorkshire border to finally move in with the chap after a five-year long distance relationship.

It's been a long time coming but we're now living under the same roof and while we still have one or two boxes left to unpack, we're pretty much getting there. To celebrate our new home we have a mountain of chocolate and cakes (lovingly baked by my chap's little sister) to get through. Yum!

But what I'm really looking forward to is jumping in the bath (accompanied by the little LUSH fellow pictured below) to rest my weary joints. Umpteen trips up and down three flights of stairs really has taken its toll....

Lush Chick Knot Wrap, £2.95

How have you spent your Easter weekend? Have you eaten your weight in chocolate yet?

Wonderbra Competition: The Winner is...

Thanks to everyone who entered my competition to win a Wonderbra; nice to see so many of you are supporters of National Cleavage Day!

I've submitted all the entries to Random.org and the winner is....

Jade, who wins this gorgeous strapless bra (pictured below).

Congratulations! I'll be in touch shortly regarding your prize. Everyone else: keep an eye out for some more fun competitions here on ALTH.

Wow! Roll on Dip Dye Hair Colour in Less than 5 Minutes!

Update: This was, of course, an April Fool! Who fell for it?

Exciting news, ladies! I'm thrilled to exclusively reveal the latest product from one of the biggest hair brands in the UK. The as yet top secret product - a revolutionary new roll on permanent hair dye - is set to cause something of a stir ahead of its official release next month. And I'm teamed up with the company to be the very first beauty blogger to try it out!

Developing in less than 5 minutes and ridiculously easy to apply (with no mess and no need to wash it off), this pioneering new product is set to fly off the shelves. Created by hair stylist to the stars, Lol Priafo, this is guaranteed to be the next big hair trend.

Watch me apply the product in my video below - and do let me know what you think!

Will you be trying?