Essence BB Cream {review}

BB creams (or beauty balms as their full name) are all the rage right now as they offer loads more benefits than traditional foundations. BB creams prime, hydrate, protect & perfect skin while providing a range of coverage. They also contain SPF to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Originating in Japan and South Korea (where I was at first very wary of trying them out while we were living there back in 2010), they can be worn alone as a tinted moisturizer, over serum and moisturizer as a regular foundation, or under powder, depending on the desired amount of coverage.

Revlon & Garnier have been the first that I have seen to introduce their versions, but I have been a little wary of forking out too much to try out something that seems very gimmicky. Which is why when I saw this one from Essence at Dischem for R54.95 I thought I'd give it a bash. 

It's light and blends seamlessly into skin with very little effort. Providing light to medium coverage depending on how much you build up the product. It leaves my skin feeling soft and moisturized, and so far has lasted the whole day without leaving me looking oily. As you can see from my slightly cheesy and ID look a like photo's below, the coverage is light, but definitely evens out my complexion, and does a decent job of covering up my pigmentation without looking cakey. 

My only concern is that currently there are only 3 shades, so if you don't fit into the light/medium or dark category you are kinda stuck. But, its very easily to blend with a concealer for added coverage or colour options.

If you have tried and liked any other BB creams on the market please feel free to drop your thoughts in the comments section below :)

Sigma Flat Kabuki Brush {review}

Gosh I am simply mad about the Sigma range of makeup brushes. And that was well before I was able to hold or use them. After reading a few of my favourite international beauty blogs (namely Tiffany & Vivianna) and seeing how these two ladies always seem to rave about the Sigma range I have been dying to get my paws on them.

The lovely folk at SigmaBeauty sent me a welcome package when I joined their affiliate program, and I was beyond excited to find one of their Kabuki brushes in my parcel. It was the F80 Flat Kabuki brush, designed for the application of buffed foundation. I have been happily bumbling along with my MAC #187 Stippling Brush which I love, but after using this one from Sigma, I now find my MAC brush a bit too chunky. It seems to absorb most of the foundation in its bristles, and doesn't seem to give me that flawless, airbrush finish I've been after. The Flat Kabuki does just that, the design of the bristles are much more compact, allowing for a more buffed appearance when blending.

I don't wear foundation everyday, but when I do, using this brush really makes blending a breeze. I just wish that we would pick up these brushes as easily here in South Africa as you can in the US. Sigma currently are running a 10% discount through the month of May by using the code RSR2013 when you check out.

AND...if you use my affiliate code 43087 you'll get a free gift when you spend over $30 online. So click here to start spending away! Happy Shopping! {please note, I am in no way endorsed by Sigma. I am an affiliate which means that if you purchase anything from their website with my affiliate code, I will receive a very small portion of the sale}

Essence Concealer {review}

This is the second time I am featuring this concealer, and the reason is simple...it's the best one I've ever used. Its easy on the pocket, does what it claims to do and leaves me a very happy chappy.  It only comes in two shades which is a bit of pain for those of us who don't fit into either of them, but it's easily blended, meaning you could mix it in with your favourite foundation. I have raved about Revlon's Colourstay Concealer in the past, but this little guy takes the cake especially with its price tag of R35.99!

Have you tried any of Essence's other products? A review of their new BB cream up on the blog soon! xxx

How to clean your makeup brushes...

When I invested in my first proper {grown up} makeup brush, my MAC 18 foundation brush pictured top right, I had no idea that it would need to be looked after and cleaned. I was under the impression I would rinse it under the tap for a few seconds every few weeks. But, after giving all my brushes a quick spring clean after investing in MAC's brush cleaner (click here for an old post on that) a little while ago, I saw just how filthy these little guys can get. And thats what we are putting on our faces everyday! EEK!

So here is a post on how to give your brushes a deep clean, which I would recommend doing once a week. It's super easy, very budget friendly, and will keep your brushes in top condition lasting for many years to come.

Physicians Formula {Mineral Correcting Powder}

I've been on the look out for a colour correcting powder for ages, to reduce the redness in my skin tone, so I decided to give the Physicians Formula range a bash. At R145 it's not the cheapest powder on the market, but I have been pleasantly surprised with the results. 

*3-In-1 Corrector + Primer + Powder

*Versatile powder color corrects the most common skin imperfections, smoothes skin texture and evens out skin tone.

*All colors blend together to create a perfect canvas finish: Pink brightens, Green tones down redness and Yellow adds warmth.

*High-tech Japanese formula delivers a natural-looking finish that won't cake, crease or settle into fine lines.

I found the above to all be true, I am able to brush it straight onto my skin after moisturizing, and I don't even have to apply concealer anymore. The brush supplied is a little 'hard' for my liking (although the colours are just lovely), your favourite kabuki/powder brush will do the trick. I must say that after trying out *all* the testers at Dischem, I will most definitely be using more products in the range!

Get your paws on the range at your local Dischem.

Bourjois *Foundation* {Review}

I am really loving my new Bourjois Flower Perfection Foundation (which came in last week after I placed an order with my Dad who was on a trip to the UK.) It's much cheaper over there than here, R110 there vs R185 here. It glides on effortlessly, stays put the whole day, and doesn't leave my skin looking shiny. The bottle says that it leaves a "smooth, beatified complexion" and I have to say I am definitely agreeing with that statement. It leaves a slight matte finish, which is great if your skin tends towards the oilier side, and smells fantastic (it's horrible putting something on your face that makes you want to gag!). It even comes with a cute little makeup sponge applicator which fits nearly onto the lid, making things very easy. I still spwear by my Mac #187 Stippling Brush  which gives me perfect coverage every time, without leaving me with a streaky effect my fingers and sponges usually leave me with. 

If you do have very sensitive or dry skin, I would probably be careful with this foundation as it does have a matte effect (which could possibly leave dry skin types looking a bit on the cakey side). Also, with regards to the lovely flower scent, this is from added fragrances which could irritate very sensitive skin. 

I give this foundation a 4/5, the only reason for not giving it full marks is the price of it here in South Africa. Bourjois is still relatively new to South Africa, and R185 for a foundation most people have never heard of is a bit steep. I think consumers would rather pay a bit extra for the likes of MAC. 

You can find Bourjois at most Edgars stores, nationwide.

Clarins Everlasting Foundation {Review}

It's been rather a long time since I've done a makeup review on the blog, I will blame that on getting engaged and starting my practical teaching this year for my Teaching Diploma (and of course general life that get's in the way of good blogging!). But here we are with a foundation review.

I've had this Clarins Everlasting Foundation for a while now. I use it in between other products (like my favourite Revlon Concealer and Yardley Powder which is my staple everyday base wear) but when I'm looking for that extra bit of coverage I haul it out. 

I have only given it a 3/5 for coverage, becasue I find my skin gets quite oily when I wear a heavier amount of the product. It does blend easily, but there's just something about it that doesn't make me go wow! Of course when you go to the counter and the lady there puts it on with all her fancy brushes, and fancy words it looks amazing. But when you get home and it's just you; foundation in one hand, brush in the other, it's a completely different story. And, to be honest, the only everlasting thing about this foundation is the actual product in the bottle. It has lasted me ages!

In terms of prettyness, I love the packaging. It's clean and simple (although a tad of the heavy side, being glass) but it does look nice on my shelf. Price, well at around R350 a pop, it doesnt come cheap. 

Overall, I give this foundation a 3/5. It's useful, but it doesn't really blow my hair back, and if you have even a slightly oilier skin, I would steer clear of this one.