Nars Sheer Glow!

Sadly I had to lay to rest my much loved MAC Studio Fix Fluid. Luckily I have other foundations that I could use whilst considering what my next everyday foundation should be. I was really in two minds about getting the Nars Sheer Glow because I've read very mixed review, with most people loving it. Ultimately I decided to put my Selfridges Gift Card to good use and took the plunge. I've been using it for a couple of weeks now, if not a month and here are my thoughts on it.

Product:

I got this product in 'Syracuse'. I didn't get matched up as I was already wearing makeup and I have been swatching different shades for a while. This was the best colour for my skin at the moment. The consistency isn't too runny, I would say the right type of consistency for a foundation, does that even make sense?

Price:

It's £30.50! It used to be £29! They keep putting up the prices!

Use:

I find that I get the best application either with my fingers or using my buffing brush. I just dot it around my face and then using my fingers or a buffing brush I blend it in. When I am having a good skin day (basically, when I have exfoliated and am treating my skin well) I prefer to use my fingers, it just melts into the skin.

Results:

I like this foundation, I find that it photographs well. The coverage is buildable, I would say that this foundation is medium to full coverage, I don't really know where the sheer part comes into it. I did however find that this does oxidise slightly, which personally I don't mind as long as I don't apply excessive amounts, but I would make sure that you check the match properly before purchasing.

I also found that my cheeks get quite oily after a few hours, which is never a good thing. The only time that I find that the oil doesn't appear is when I have powdered really well. I find that it covers my blemishes up really well, which is a massive thumbs up from me.

It really does feel like a second skin, it just blends so well that it doesn't look like you're wearing anything on the skin. My concealer/powder/blush all seem to blend into it well.

The major problem I have with this product is that it doesn't have a pump, I mean for a high end product you should expect a pump! Surely that's not much to ask for?

Overall I do like this foundation. I know they do a matte version so maybe when I finish this I will get a little sample of that to see how I like it, but this is a good replacement for my MAC foundation in terms of coverage and colour, which were my main qualms. If you have any tips on pumps or dispensing this product let me know in the comments! =)

Have you used this foundation? What do you think?

♥ RP ♥

Light As Airr!

I have used this foundation on some previous FOTD posts (my last post for instance) and I thought it was about time I wrote what I really think of this product. After hearing rave reviews from the lovely Vivianna from Vivianna does makeup, I caved and got the Jemma Kidd Light as Air foundation. Unfortunately I don't have anywhere close to me that sells this product, so picking the right colour for me online was going to be difficult. Luckily, I know what my undertone is and the swatches on feel unique are quite good. Therefore I got medium beige, this is a yellow toned foundation.

I have to say, when I first used I wasn't greatly impressed as I found that it didn't blend well, even with my beloved real techniques buffing brush. I kept using it, thinking it was just my technique of putting it on but I wasn't having much luck. Then I exfoliated my skin and used the foundation, and it worked beautifully on my skin.

What I like about it.

I like that coverage that I get from using a pea sized amount of the product. When I look for foundation the main thing I look for is a good coverage, but when I find one that is good coverage I find that it to heavy on the skin. So this is a perfect compromise.

When I have set it, it lasts all day. I haven't found that it fades or streaks when set. But you definitely need good skin to wear it nicely, by this I mean well hydrated and exfoliated. If you have flakey skin then I wouldn't recommend using it.

It's got an SPF of 18! I am all for protection against those UV Rays! But beware if you're going to take pictures with flash; you WILL look like a ghost! Lol!

What i don't like about it.

The packaging is horrible, and I don't just mean the actual bottle that it comes in even the box that it came in was tattered upon its arrival. The foundation is all over the bottle opening, so I HAVE to store it upright otherwise when I open up that bottle it will be everywhere. As much as i like the consistency because of the result when applied, the fact that it's in a hand cream style bottle is annoying because it's so easy to pour out too much. considering that the RRP is £25 (although Jemma Kidd products are always on offer you have a good look, I got mine for £20), I would expect better packaging if it is going to compete with higher end make up brands.

You need to clean your makeup brush after using this foundation. I found that it left a not so nice smell on my brush when I hadn't cleaned it. Not nice.

That's the mess that I mentioned, the lid just isn't tight enough

Consistency

It is a really (and I mean really) thin, runny consistency. You have to be careful with the amount that you pour onto the back of your hand.

That's how runny it is!

Coverage

It is a medium to full coverage foundation, which is perfect for me. I like using a normal flat foundation brush (my No.7 one) or my Lauren Luke Circular foundation brush. This foundation comes in 7 different shades, even having one that suits ebony coloured ladies. The foundation is exactly what it says, which is light as air, I cannot feel it when I have put it on my skin. As someone who suffers from oily skin I would definitely recommend setting this with a loose powder or whatever it is you use. If you have drier skin then you will be fine without needing to set it.

Before application

Applied

Overall

It's unfortunate that Jemma Kidd products aren't more widely available in stores. I know that Space NK sell her products but there are a lot more online stores that sell her products.

I don't know if I would repurchase it because I am one for experimenting with new products. This is the first foundation that I genuinely cannot feel on my skin, but with its price mark, I think that I could find another foundation that may be better in terms of overall appeal. I would definitely recommend it if you have been looking for a light weight foundation with really good coverage!

Have you tried it? What have you heard?

♥ RP ♥

MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation!

My foundation in NC42 (excuse my large looking hand)

As the title suggests I am going to talk about my very first proper foundation, the MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation. Now I think I should start by saying that this was my first foundation which was properly colour matched to me. I have used MACs powders before but after a horrific acne break out I had years ago I have been left by awful acne scaring.

Whenever I used to look at foundations in the chemists I used to struggle to find my best match (being Indian and all). I used to find the foundations were too pink toned and would make me look ashy. MAC was my obvious choice for a better colour selection.

Now on to the actual foundation (rather long back story); it is full coverage, which I know isn’t to everyone’s taste but for me it is definitely what I need. The smell is much to be desired, let’s be honest, but I can live with it.

When I first bought it I had a basic foundation brush, which done the job fine, but it felt thick on my skin, not nice. But I have learnt a trick, which I want to share…BUFF IT IN! It doesn’t feel anywhere near as thick when applied with a dense synthetic brush. By buffing this foundation in it feels sheer but the coverage is still full, brilliant if you have scarring like me. It sets rather fast, so I would suggest putting it on the back of your hand and dipping the brush in. I know I’m not a make up artist (not by any means) but I thought I would share this in case anyone out there is having problems with this foundation after purchasing it.

I hope that was remotely interesting! Thanks for reading!! =) x