Sampling Foundation #4 - Bare Minerals bareSkin Pure Brightening Serum Foundation

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Picking up on this mini series from where I left it in April, I recently picked up a sample of the new Bare Minerals liquid foundation (the whole name is a mouthful!). The formula is a combination of mineral foundation and a skincare serum with a non chemical SPF 20. As you may already know, my usual foundation is the Bare Minerals Original Powder, so I thought I'd see how the liquid one would compare in terms of shade match, coverage/finish and ease of use.


Personally, I love the powder foundation because it's so easy to use, simply tip a little into the lid, swirl your brush in, then tap off the excess and buff into the skin. It literally takes two minutes (or less) and I'm left with light-medium coverage without a heavy feeling on my skin. The bareSkin foundation requires a little more effort as you have to shake the bottle before you take it out. This is quite satisfying as you can here the ball inside mixing the product. Then I simply apply a 1-2 drops directly onto my foundation brush (in this case, it's the Real Techniques Expert Face brush) and dab around the face before starting to buff it in.


What are my thoughts? I actually really like the bareSkin foundation. It feels very light on the skin and doesn't oxidise once you've applied it. I apply enough for light coverage, but it can be built up (without feeling cakey) if you wanted more. The finish is dewy, and really does give you that glowing look (probably something to do with the fact that it is a serum foundation). It hasn't reacted with my combination/sensitive skin and lasts throughout the day - around 7/8 hours for me (I do set my foundation with a little MAC Prep+Prime Translucent Finishing Powder).

At the Bare Minerals counter, I was matched to two different shades, Bare Latte and Bare Sand. There was only a sample of Bare Sand available, which is the slightly darker shade, but once buffed into the skin (and it's the same with the original powder foundation) the slight shade variation didn't really make a difference. So, definitely get shade matched at your nearest counter before purchasing (and ask for sample to try at home). There are a total of 20 shades available so there is bound to be one that matches your skin tone.

Despite the little bit of extra effort required at the beginning, I really do like this foundation and I will (hopefully) purchase it after Christmas (downside of being a student, I have to prioritise my purchases). I think I've been converted from mineral powder foundation to liquid foundation!

Have you tried the Bare Minerals bareSkin foundation? What are your thoughts?



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You Beauty Discovery Box - September (Birthday Box)

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Can you believe that You Beauty Discovery boxes have been around for a whole year? I remember signing up to the subscription boxes aftet reading Pyari Beauty's post on the October box last year. Since then, YBD has had some very good boxes as well as some not so great ones, but they are all worth the £6.95 that I pay each month.


 
This month, I decided to go for two makeup products, as I haven't actually purchased any new makeup since coming back from holiday (and probably won't until the post-Christmas sales. I've started my teacher training, so I am officially on a student budget!). I chose the Pixi Endless Silky Eye Pencil (Black Noir) and the Pixi Tinted Brilliance Balm (Unique Pink). Both are travel sized products (roughly half of the full size) and both are suitable for everyday wear. The full size for each retails at around £11 (Eye Pencil) and £12 (Brilliance Balm). I've used the Pixi blushers before, but these two products will be nice to try out, especially as eyeliner and lip balm are staple products in my makeup bag (even though I have enough black eyeliner pencils already...oops!). Other products this month included a full size Toni & Guy Glamour Volume Plumping Whip, two Crabtree & Evelyn herbal tea bags, a £25 off voucher for Hello Fresh and a cosmetic sponge. 

What do you think of this box? Have you subscribed to YBD boxes?



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Dubai Holiday Haul =)

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If you follow me on Instagram and Twitter, you'll know that I went away to Dubai at the end of August with one of my best friends. Along with enjoying the sunshine (up to 40oC) and food, we also did plenty of shopping! I mostly picked up gifts for others, but I did treat myself to a few bits and pieces. And here's what I picked up!

Starting off with a little Jo Malone fragrance purchase in Duty Free.
 
Taking advantage of the Sephora store that was across the road from the hotel at the newly opened Beach Mall near JBR. Face masks to try out as well as a new felt tip eyeliner.
 
And I couldn't resist a trip to Bath & Body Works. Yes, these 3-wick candles weighed a ton, but they were on offer (3 for 160AED, which roughly works out to £26. A bargain when they were 90AED if bought alone!). My favourite scent (and a repurchase from last years trip) is Mahogany Teakwood.


I also bought myself a purple beaded kaftan, which I am hoping to wear for Eid Ul Adha inshaAllah
 (more pictures to come then).

Anything in particular that you'd like to see a more in-depth post on?



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HER 300 Trecento Revitalising Hair Treatment [review]

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My first hair care product review on the blog! Seeing as my hair spends most of its time under my hijab, I don't really use any particular products to keep it looking good. In the June YBD Box (see post here), I chose the HER 300 Trecento Revitalising Hair Treatment, and decided to use it during the school holidays (as I had a bit more time for myself!).The HER hair treatment is a pre-shampoo treatment and is quite a thick cream inside the tub. It's easy to scoop out (although not so much when you're holding the tub with wet hands) and you simply apply the treatment to damp hair, leave on for 5 minutes and then rinse off before you shampoo and condition as normal.


So far I've used this hair treatment 3 times since the beginning of August. I felt like it was too much to be using once a week, so decided to space out the uses a bit more. As I use a medicated shampoo (Capasal), I sometimes feel that the shampoo strips my hair of all the natural oils and can leave it dry and brittle. Even though I apply the mask before I shampoo, my hair definitely looks and feels much healthier and smoother. When I do use the hair treatment I don't use conditioner simply because my hair would end up feeling heavy and greasy (which is not ideal under hijab!).

Overall I'm really glad that I chose this product in my June YBD and look forward to using it as a regular hair treat. Not sure if I'll repurchase this particular one again, but I know that I will be looking into hair masks and treatments a bit more (I already have my eye on the Lush one) =)

If you're interested in trying the HER 300 Hair Treatment, you can purchase it from Her Haircare Rituals, £14 (75ml) or £30 (200ml).



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