The Best Of: Bourjois

Aloha!

Without a shadow of a doubt, Bourjois is by FAR my No.1 high street make-up brand and for me, it's a no brainer. I mean, what woman wouldn't love high quality and affordable cosmetics that unleash your inner Parisian? So I figured it was about time Bourjois got a well deserved shout out on my blog and although I could happily write many wonderful things about most of their products it's probably best if I just stick to my ultimate favs...   

Radiance Reveal Healthy Mix Foundation

It's no mystery as to why this is a much loved foundation across the beauty blogging world. This light weight, medium coverage foundation gives you a radiant and flawless complexion for up to 16 hours. Plus it's enriched with 'fruit therapy' to keep your skin youthful, healthy and hydrated. Now normally I steer clear from 'illuminating' foundations, as I have quite oily skin and the outcome can be disastrous! But this foundation is an exception of it's own and universally perfect for all skin types.  

Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation

This foundation includes all the best features of the original Radiance Reveal including 16 hour wear and vitamin rich 'fruit therapy' but has a gel like texture that glides across your skin for an even complexion and anti-fatigue effect. This is a great foundation for the summer months when it's warmer and you don't want anything too heavy on your face. It has a very natural finish and gives you the boost you need when you're dragging yourself into work after a wild weekend.  

Happy Light Matte Serum Primer

I recently purchased the beaut on 3 for 2 offer. I don't normally venture too far with primers as I do have some trusty go-to's but Bourjois certainly showed me what I am missing. This feather light primer almost disappears instantly when applied onto skin and provides a velvety smooth base for your foundation. I was pleasantly surprised as it minimised my pores which so far only Benefit Porefessional and Maybelline Baby Skin have been able to do. Additionally it keeps my make-up on all day and prevents my face from getting too oily or shiny. 

Bourjois Delice de Poudre Bronzing Powder

Or as most people call it... ''Bourjois Chocolate Bronzer''. I know I'm starting to sound like a stuck record, as this bronzer is mentioned in most of my make-up posts, so don't worry I'll keep this short and sweet. Aside from the fact this smells like chocolate, yes chocolate. This ultra soft bronzer is perfect for that must have summer glow and it can even be used to contour. I love using this because it's build-able and blends so evenly you can't go wrong! As you can see I'm naturally really pale and as a pale girl it's really hard to find a bronzer that doesn't make me look orange (fellow red heads you know what I'm sayin') However, this divine powder perfection allows me to bronze happy without fear of looking like an Oompa Loompa. 

Healthy Mix Concealer

This long lasting concealer is perfect for concealing imperfections naturally. Sometimes when you try and cover dark circles or blemishes, with a heavy duty concealer, it can have an adverse affect and accentuate the problem further. This yellow based, concentrated concealer disguises dark circles and imperfections in a natural way, whilst providing essential 'fruit therapy', the apricot provides radiance, the melon leaves skin moisturised and the raspberry acts as a 'micro-circulation activator' (I don't know what that means either) BUT after using the product for a few days the puffy-ness under my eyes was noticeably reduced and, due to it's subtle light reflecting pigment, I did feel my skin looked more radiant and glowey. 

Bourjois Poudre De Riz De Java

Let's head back to 1879 when Bourjois launched a best selling cult classic. Now, as Bourjois celebrates it's 150th birthday the Java Rice powder is re-born! The packaging initially drew me towards this product so when I found out the lid is a replica of the original 1879 packaging I was left in awe of it. It's one of the finest powders I have ever come across and although translucent, it contains different tones. This delicately scented powder sets make-up perfectly and can also be used to add shimmer to your cheek bones leaving you with a beautiful glow. One shade suits all but just bare in a mind, use sparingly, you don't want to end up looking like a disco ball!

Intuitive Liner

I kinda feel bad for writing about this one as I'm 80% sure it's been discontinued (boo). I mean it's not been in any Boots or Superdrug's in ages and isn't available online so? If anyone has any more info or knows where you can buy this please share! This eye liner was inspired by the revolutionary art technique of Pointillism (Dotting). This 24 hour eye liner has three separate points that create dots on your lash line. These dots then join together in one easy, fail proof application. It takes a bit of getting used to but once you've got the hang of it fine lines and winged eyes are a breeze.   

Liner Feutre Ultra Black Felt-Tip Eyeliner

If I'm getting ready for a big night out I will always reach for this baby. It's exactly like a felt tip pen and allows you to create thin, thick, soft or bold strokes like a pro! It's one of the easiest liquid eye liners I've ever used and is completely jet black with no grey streaks. This eye liner is sure to stay smudge proof and lasts 24 hours so you can dance the night away without risking the appearance of the dreaded panda eyes!

Neeks ☯

Soft & Shimmery Make-Up

Aloha!

Matte or shimmer? A question I'm faced with every time each time I need to apply make-up. Matte shades will never fail you but now summer is looming a fresh shimmery eye, paired with a subtle lip is the way forward for me. This look is soft enough for every day but you could always turn this into a night time look by adding a pair of falsies and a bold lip.

FACE

After my usual skin care routine, I always apply Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser on my Tzone, to fill in my pores and provide a smooth base to work with (click here for full review) Since the weather is becoming warmer, I've been opting for more light weight foundations or tinted moisturisers and lately I've been loving the Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Tinted Moisturiser. This is the best tinted moisturiser I've ever used, you can apply it with your fingers and is so light weight you can barley feel it. Not only that, it gives you an all day luminous glow whilst providing SPF 20. It is light coverage which is why I also applied Max-Factor Mastertouch Concealer, with a small stippling brush, to conceal my blemishes and under eye circles. To set the base I lightly dusted Bourjois Java Rice Powder, with a large fluffly brush, onto my T-Zone, cheeks and chin. This is a powder you need to use sparingly because it's really shimmery (you don't want to end up looking like a disco ball!)To add to the summery vibe of course I applied my trusty Bourjois Chocolate Bronzer in 'the magic three' (under cheek bones, jaw line and temples). Using the bronzer in this way will make your face look slimmer and accentuate your cheek bones, as well as giving you a healthy glow. To finish off, I dusted Bourjois Little Round Pot Blusher (15 Rose Eclat) onto the apples of my cheeks and dabbed Benefit Watts Up Soft Focus Highlighter onto my cheek bones. Remember, when you're applying quite a few make-up products onto your face it's best apply it lightly, it will all balance out once you've finished and it's much easier to build on make-up, rather than trying to fix it, when you've applied too much!

EYES/ BROWS

I always start by shading in my brows with Rimmel Professional Brow Pencil (Hazel). Now I naturally have blonde eye brows that are almost invisible so it's hard to find the perfect match. I've been using the brow pencil since day dot and thoroughly recommend to all my fellow red heads out there! I then used L'Oreal Brow Plumper (Blonde) to add definition and give my brows that oomph. The reason I shade in my eye brows first is because it gives you a frame to work with when applying eye shadow.

Next, I primed my eyes with my holy grail, the Urban Decay Original Primer Potion. Then I used a flat brush to pat Sin from the Urban Decay Naked Palette onto my eye lids. As you can see, this is my favorite shade out of this palette because it's nearly run out! Sin is a velvety soft champagne shade that blends with almost everything and delivers the perfect amount of shimmer. From the Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette,  I used a fluffy brush to blend YDK, into my eye crease. Next, I used a small contouring brush to apply Snakebite into my outer corners and Booty Call  under my brows. Following on I a lined my upper lashes with the Bourjois Liner Feutre, starting at the inner corner and ending with a subtle flick. This eye liner deigned like a felt tip but it is angled like a brush which makes it easier to apply thin lines. When it comes to eye liner, sometimes a thinner line, can have the biggest impact. To finish off, I applied my beloved Max-Factor False Lash Effect 24 Hour Mascara. I found this eye make-up gave the appearance of larger brighter eyes with a warm summery shimmer. It was also easy to apply, as the colours blend effortlessly, and only took about ten minutes.  

LIPS

I don't know about you but I always apply my lipstick last, It's kinda like putting on perfume once you've got dressed. Plus I always feel really good when I'm wearing it and recently, I've been loving a subtle pinkish nude, the MAC Matte Lipstick- Please Me. This was a birthday present from my sister that has been a regular choice from my collection. I'm a huge fan of matte lipsticks but I find a lot of them can dry my lips out however, the MAC lipsticks are still moisturising, whilst giving you full pigmented colour, and last for most of the day. 

Neeks ☯