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Foundation Matching Database


Have you ever attempted to buy foundation online from a new brand ? Probably not. 
And that's due to a lot of reasons and I can bet one of them is the fact that you don't know what shade you'll be...

Well, the website Findation has got you covered. One of my friends let me know about this gem and I thought I'd share it with you all...
It's an online foundation matching database that uses information based on the current shades you wear in other foundations to present you with recommendations for different brands.

How it works
Simply enter your shade in any foundations that you've used before and that you believe to be accurate and then Findation will load up your recommended matches across different brands.

For best results:
- Try and enter as many colour matches that worked well on your skin
- I always google the recommended colour that I'm presented with to see other people wearing it before I purchase

Happy foundation shopping guys :) 

Lush Review: Natural Skincare Alternative

This post will probably be useful to you if you're the same skin type as me which is combination-oily skin. 

My skin is also quite sensitive and spot-prone. I’m a skincare junkie meaning I’ve tried most products out at some point. I’m a big fan of Clinique (review to follow) I use their anti-blemish solutions 3 step system a few times a year when my skin starts playing up. However, I do always revert back to using Lush products as my skincare staple. 

About Lush
Lush is a company known for hand making their products using 

“effective ingredients from fresh, organic fruit and vegetables, the finest essential oils and safe synthetics.” 

I like using their products because I like giving my skin a break from chemicals found in other skincare brands and also their products are quite effective. They also list all the ingredients used in their products so you know exactly what you’re getting in the bottle. 


Here’s a breakdown of recent Lush haul and some products I think may be handy for you too:


Morning Routine

 ♥CoalFace –Facial Soap

I use Coalface first thing in the morning as part of my morning routine. I like the fact that it’s a gentle soap that leaves the skin feeling smooth and clean. 

Key Ingredients: 
- Liquorice root – I’ve read somewhere online that this ingredient can be helpful towards removing old acne scars so I thought I’d give it a try. 
- Rosewood oil – known for its antiseptic and soothing properties 

♥Full of Grace – Moisturiser/Serum 

I use this serum as a moisturiser after I’ve washed my face both in the morning and evening.

Now, I have oily skin so I was tempted to steer clear from this product but I thought to give it a try and I haven’t been disappointed. This facial serum moisturises enough to keep your skin looking healthy but without the heaviness which means no more greasiness during the day (yay). I can put my makeup on top of this serum and it stays on looking matte for the whole day.

Evening Routine

♥Angels on bare skin – cleanser/exfoliator 

Angels on bare skin is advertised as a cleanser however, because of the ground almonds in the product it is slightly exfoliating as well. I’d recommend this product if you have particularly sensitive skin like me. It scrubs your makeup off and cleanses your skin whilst also being gentle and mild. 
If I’ve got a lot of makeup on, I also use this alongside my Olay facial brush – review here. 

Key ingredients: 
- Lavender oil and rose – which help to calm and soothe the skin 

♥Tea tree toner water 

Tea tree is a treat for the skin as its antibacterial, anti-fungal and antimicrobial. I use this product in the evening to wipe off any remaining makeup and dirt that may still be left on the skin. It’s a really effective toner and leaves the skin feeling fresh. 

♥Don’t look at me – Face Mask 

This face mask works a treat and leaves the skin feeling brand new. Because of the fresh ingredients used the face mask has to be stored in the fridge. I use this twice a week in the evening and leave it on for about 10-15 minutes before removing with water. When you take the mask off your skin feels refreshed and rejuvenated. The masks works well as a scrub and doesn't leave the skin feeling too dry or stripped of its natural oils – which is why I love this product so much. 

Key ingredients:
- Lemon – lemon is known to even out complexion and brighten the skin 
- Ground rice - this gives the product a nice scrubby texture which I like. 

If you’ve used any particularly good Lush products share your skin secrets and leave a comment below to let me know! 

For more information on how to use the products or buy your own take a look at Lush's website here

Skin brushes: Olay Regenerist Exfoliating Face Brush Review



For me, cleansing my skin with a face cloth just doesn’t cut it anymore. I’ve officially switched to a face brush and there’s no looking back.
-
Using a facial brush has been said to remove more dirt and get deeper into the pores than  you can with you face cloth alone. Skin can appear brighter and healthier when a face brush has been added into your skincare routine. Cleansing brushes can deep clean your face and help to exfoliate and remove dead skin.

When I was looking for a face brush I did a lot of research and similar to you, read up on a lot of blog reviews.

I wanted something that was powerful, but also affordable and gentle enough for my sensitive skin. I didn’t wanna go straight into a big investment because I wasn’t sure if it'd actually be worth it.

I decided to go for the Olay Regenerist Cleansing Brush and it’s been a few months since my purchase and I wanted to write up a review to help someone else who may be trying to figure out which brush is best for them.

This little bad-boy managed to appear in the top spot for the under $50 range in the Good Housekeeping Seal Holder, so you can guess it’ll be quite a good product.


How  I use this in my skincare routine
I use this brush as part of my evening skincare routine, alongside my Clinque products. I find that it works really well to remove all of my makeup and any oils and dirt that would’ve built up during the day. It leaves my skin feeling refreshed and clean.

PROS: 

-         Gentle but effective – this works particularly well for me as it removes all the dirt and makeup but isn’t too harsh on my skin
-  2 different speed levels: You can set your cleaning at two different speeds, this gives you more choice over how you use the product depending on your skincare routine
- Waterproof – This is really handy as it means I can use it in the shower and just makes it more convenient for me
-   Has been proven to remove make up four times more effectively than manual cleaning*

CONS:

- Battery operated –I know some other brushes just require charging which means fewer trips to the store to get batteries, but for me this is a minor problem
-  One brush size – The kit only comes with one brush size which can be limiting.
Overall, I’m happy with this product and I’ll probably look into upgrading to Clarisonic in the near future. I can see the difference in my skin since I’ve started using it; it’s a great alternative to other expensive models on the market and also works really well considering the price.
You can buy your own brush on Amazon or at Boots for around £25.

Limecrime Velvetines Lipsticks

Like most other girls - I’m a big fan of make-up and getting dolled up. A full face of makeup is never complete without a good lipstick. At the moment, matte lipsticks are my favourite. I just love the matte effect and how strong it looks!

MAC is usually my go-to brand, but recently I've been experimenting with new brands and seeing what else is out there. I came across LimeCrime lipsticks when a friend of mine kept telling me how good they were and that was enough to convince me to try it out for myself,  and I must say, I’m really impressed.

Before I tried this brand out, I must admit - I thought the packaging looked abit tacky... Like something you'd buy from a random hair shop. However, the phrase "don't judge a book by its cover" couldn't apply more than it does here. I did my research and Limecrime is actually well known and popular in the States. I think their whole brand is supposed to be quite edgy and alternative, which explains their choice of packaging and their brand message.

 I have the two different colours below:
 1. Pansy (Purple)

 2. Salem (Brown)

♥What I love about them:
• The lipstick is fully pigmented 
• Long lasting wear and I definitely mean this – This lipstick stays in place for the hours
• Soft texture – When you apply the lipstick, it’s initially liquid based then quickly matte’s out
• The price – for £13.17 I think they’re amazing and you can order directly from their website. The only downer is that shipping from the US to the UK is a flat rate of £10.95 – so it may be worth purchasing more than one at a time to get good value for money.

If your lips are quite sensitive, try their other sheen or glossy alternatives :)

Know any other brands that sell good matte lipsticks? Let me know your favourite brands and colours below.
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