The Makeup Menu: Inside The No 7 Gift Box…

Oooh erm, hello Tuesday…. it’s been a while since I slipped from my normal routine, however with what feels like half the house turned upside down from re-decorating at the moment, it’s no surprise that I’m thrown into domestic chaos – and so is the blogging routine until the paint brushes are fully packed away again *sigh*.

HOWEVER, enough waffle as I grab my cuppa and tell you guys all about the fabulous little No 7 gift box I received in-store as part of a promotion when treating myself to a few beauty goodies. It’s been sitting patiently on my beauty table for a number of weeks now, eagerly waiting to be opened. Time to take a peek inside…

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AIRBRUSH AWAY PRIMER

“No7 Airbrush Away Primer for days when you want your skin to look flawless and your makeup to apply perfectly.

Pores and fine lines appear to disappear and wrinkles are put into soft focus leaving your skin perfectly smooth and even all day.

Contains hyaluronic acid moisture locking spheres to help soften the appearance of fine lines and smooth the skin.”

Personally, I’m a huuuge fan of the No 7 primers and this is no exception. With its silky texture that doesn’t leave your skin feeling oily, Airbrush Away helps to smooth out imperfections allowing your foundation to appear slightly more airbrushed and flawless. It glides on like a dream and makes a considerable difference to keeping your makeup looking fresher for longer. Say goodbye to parting with unnecessary wads of cash for a decent primer, as for £16.50 this is definitely an affordable investment – and a little goes a loooong way ladies! It’s definitely worth the spend!

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STAY PERFECT EYESHADOW in MATTE MOCHA

“No7 Stay Perfect Eyeshadow delivers high impact colour. Blends effortlessly and lasts for hours.

 

For even longer lasting results, use over No7 Stay perfect Eye Base and apply with the No7 eyeshadow brush.”

As many of you already know, I’m a bit of a magpie when it comes to eyeshadow – the more shimmer the better. If truth be told… if you take a peek into any of my palettes you’ll notice that the matte selections are barely touched, so needless to say I was a little sceptical when it came to imagining me falling head over heels for this particular formula. Okay, so it hasn’t got the glam of my beloved shimmer however this is a gorgeous shadow that truly deserves the praise. It may not be over dazzling in appearance but this beautiful warm grey is a gorgeous colour that works incredibly well with so many other tones (I’ve found it especially fabulous with plum tones!!) Just as I’d expected from No 7, it outlasted my expectations. I applied this at 10am and by 6:30pm it was still looking fresh and well. At £7 it’s not the most pocket-friendly of drug store options however its endurance makes the spend completely justified. Available in 22 individual shades or you can buy the trio’s – one thing I will say is that this particular shade (mocha) is a fantastic staple for anyone!

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DRAMATIC LIFT MASCARA

“Inspired by haircare, No7 Dramatic Lift Mascara contains flexible polymers and Keratin to help boost lash from root to tip.

The curved brush helps to capture all lashes and push them upwards, No7 Dramatic Lift Mascara is proven to lift lashes by 70%.

Wand Style- A curved styling brush that fits perfectly in to the roots of the lashes to help lift each individual lash to create the ultimate wide awake look.

Finished Look- Lashes are lifted by 70% and are boosted from root to tip.”

Okay, this is where I tend to grumble a little. No doubt about it, at £13.50 it’s not the most expensive of mascara’s by a long shot however why-oh-why do I never see a dramatic difference in my lashes compared to some of the cheaper drugstore brands? In fact, one of my biggest disappointments in mascara has got to be from MAC – which certainly wasn’t priced for what it was worth. Yes, the No 7 Dramatic Lift is a nice mascara but unfortunately I didn’t see anything extraordinary about my lashes after application. One thing I did notice is that the mascara didn’t tend to flake like many of the cheaper alternatives too. On the whole, not enough drama for me however so I’ll still be sticking to my classic Max Factor False Lash Effect. Sorry No 7 *sob*

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SHEER TEMPTATION LIPSTICK

“Colour glides easily over the lips, creating a shiny lipgloss effect without any stickiness.. Now we’ve added some gorgeous new bang-on-trend colours to the range, perfect for a subtle daytime look or more dramatic evening lips.

Enriched with natural waxes and Theobroma oil (which you’ll find in chocolate!) to care for your lips, and Maxilip to help hydrate the lips.”

Tucked inside the little box of goodies was a lipstick voucher for a Sheer Temptation Lipstick. I opted for the shade Caramel Kiss… which seems to be a bright pink on the website – yet nothing of the sort in reality! So as you can imagine by the name of the formula this is certainly not a heavy matte concoction, but instead, a beautiful lightweight lippy that feels incredibly nourishing and kind to your lips. There was no bizarre taste, no nasty stickiness – just a smooth & silky coating of lip colour that felt intensely hydrating to wear. Of course being a sheer lippy it doesn’t have overly lengthy staying power, though I managed to get about 2.5 hours out of it – which in my humble opinion isn’t anything to grumble about for something that feels so nourishing to wear. Okay, so you may have to reapply, but honestly gals, once you feel how soft this is on your lips you won’t have any hesitation to pampering your pout a second time round!

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Final Thoughts…

No 7  continuously seem to impress me the more I dip into their product range. I started a number of months ago with their Beautifully Matte foundation and since then I’ve been hooked. Considering this was a freebie gift set that has a great range of goodies to suit everyone, I’d certainly recommend any makeup maven yet to try No 7 to pop into your local Boots store and give them a go. The staff have always been so incredibly helpful, so if you’re not sure what you’re looking for don’t worry as they’ll certainly keep you right without seeming pushy!

I love the final look and this is definitely a great range of staples I’ll enjoy using as part of my daily routine. Thanks No 7 – you’ve converted me once again to even more of your fantastic range!

Have you tried the No 7 range yet? Beauty or Skincare? Whatever your thoughts I’d love to read them in the comments below so do stop by for a quick chatter 🙂

Cheerio Chums…

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***CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE CONFETTI & CURVES INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY***

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No7 ‘Lovely Lips’ Lip Balm in Parisian Pink…

My handbag,  my bedside cabinet, the bathroom shelves, my beauty drawers and the car glove box all have one thing in common = lip balms. Apart from eye shadows, lip balms are undoubtedly my next biggest hoard of beauty stash. They are EVERYWHERE. In fact, if you weren’t from this planet you’d swear they were breeding. However, the reality of the situation is… every time I walk into a drugstore (or any store for that matter) if there’s a display of lip balms you can be sure I’ll be scanning the offerings in search for any newbies that may have slipped my radar.

As I’ve said (many times before) I live right beside the sea. As picturesque as it sounds, the sweeping Irish sea air just loves playing havoc with my beauty regime. A few moments outside on a fresh fall day = withered lips, and hair that resembles a large stack of wood shavings… thank heavens for Frizz Ease *sigh*

However, back to lips – a few weeks ago I treated myself to my annual ‘Fall Haul‘, which if you happened to miss you can check out by *Clicking Here* Needless to say, on browsing the shelves of No7 with a ton of advantage card points at my mercy I was beyond ecstatic to discover a gorgeous new lip balm range called ‘Lovely Lips‘. As you can imagine I simply HAD to have it – there really was no mental negotiation gals!

I’ve now been trying ‘Lovely Lips‘ for a few weeks, particularly just as our weather has been on the turn… and I’m more than ready to share my thoughts. So if hoarding up on lip balms is your thing too then get yourself comfy and keep reading…

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What No 7 Say…

“Nourish and condition lips with our moisturising beauty balms. Enriched with mineral oil and Beeswax, lips are left feeling comfortably soft and smooth, even at the end of the day. Provides sheer, buildable colour in 4 wearable shades for a natural look. Contains Vitamin E for added condition and care.”

*Source – Boots Website*

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The Colour Choice…

  Poppy Petal

     Parisian Pink

          Deep Raspberry

      Coral blossom

Okay, so there’s not the same massive choice compared to their exhaustive lipstick range, but this is a balm, and you probably wouldn’t expect there to be. However, I do think that it would be beneficial adding a non-tinted or clear option to their colour choice – simply because some may prefer to have the nourishment of a balm but without the tint. Otherwise, the colours (featured above) are indeed very beautiful. Personally, I’ll be trotting back to Boots on my next spend to top up on Deep Raspberry – or possibly even Poppy Petal… ooh decisions, decisions *sigh*

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Let’s Talk Packaging…

Forget your standard little plastic tube – this is so much more sophisticated, chic and pretty all rolled into one sturdy lippy tube. It resembles a lipstick and has a twist up base so no more dipping your pinkies into teeny little pots of gloop. You can apply your balm in style ladies 😉

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What About The Formula…

There’s little else I can say other than beeeeeautiful. Really it is. My lips feel nourished, soft and pampered. The balm is smooth, silky and glides on effortlessly – unlike some of the cheaper balms that have a glue-stick feel. However, at £9.99 you’d certainly expect it to be a little more ‘luxurious’ than your average ‘couple of quid’ spend. The bees wax and vitamin E make your lips feel completely hydrated from the initial application and thankfully it’s not sticky or uncomfortable to wear. Bear in mind it’s not going to last as long as your favourite stay-put lippy but expect a good couple of hours wear before needing to reapply. The slimline shape of the product is great for slightly smaller lips too as it’s in no way big or bulky to glide over your lips. As far as balms go it’s definitely a winner for formula!

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Pros…

Gorgeous formula that feels ‘luxurious’ on the lips

Chic packaging that makes it feel worth the spend

Lipstick style application = no messy fingers

Vitamin E & Bees Wax = silky smooth lips

No 7 quite often run fabulous promotions & you’ll get a few extra points on your Advantage card too 😉

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Cons…

At £9.99 it’s not thee most affordable lippy but……. it gorgeous!

Not a huge colour range of tints available

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Final Thoughts…

3 words = I LOVE IT.

Yep, I know I’m a No7 fan through & through but this is yet another one of their products that has completely impressed me. The Parisian Pink has such a beautiful ‘my lips but better’ finish that stays on for a good couple of hours before any need to reapply. Needless to say, I’ll certainly be investing in a few more shades when I’m due my next No7 spree!

Have you tried the No7 Lovely Lips Lip Balm yet? If so, what’s been your final verdict? Whatever your thoughts I’d love to read them in the comments below so do stop by for a quick chatter

Cheerio Chums…

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*Self purchased product – no affiliation or sponsorship links included in post*

 

Huge Autumn Inspired BOOTS Beauty Haul…

Hola Chummies…

As my favourite time of year vastly approaches it’s no surprise that a haul is in order to celebrate it’s imminent arrival. And with the gorgeous colours of fall looming, my creative side works overdrive looking for fabulous new shades of cosmetics… along with a sprinkling of decent anti-frizz hair care to smooth my wavy locks from the damp & drizzle that Ireland so generously produces.

Needless to say, with a ton of points on my advantage card (and a list of products I’ve been lusting after) I’ve hauled myself right into fall with a bag full of new makeup and hair care goodies to help celebrate my favourite season on the calendar… autumn!

So grab your biggest cup of hot chocolate, put your feet up for a few minutes and check out some of the fall inspired makeup purchases I managed to grab from the shelves of my local Boots store! Don’t forget, you can *Click Here* to subscribe to the Confetti & Curves YouTube channel so you never miss an upload – and I’ve a few exciting videos planned over the next number of weeks so be sure to keep your eyes peeled!

What’s on your ‘lust list’ for fall? Have you treated yourself to any recent makeup spends for the impending season? Whatever your thoughts I’d love to read them in the comments below so do stop by for a quick chatter 🙂

Cheerio Chums…

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Bourjois Poudre De Riz De Java – Illuminating Face Powder…

Not gonna lie ladies, face powders have never really been my thing, simply because most of the ones I’ve tried in the past have left my skin looking a little cakey, dried out and in need of a good re-hydrating face mask. Maybe it’s pale skin problems or maybe it’s my overall skin type; either way powders and moi just haven’t mixed as well as I’d hoped we would. Could the Bourjois Poudre de Riz change all that? Let’s find out…

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So before we jump right in with the review let’s take a peek at what Bourjois have to say about it:

“Bourjois celebrates its 150th birthday by reinventing its best selling cult classic from 1879! The delicately scented feather-light powder boosts skins radiance, smoothes the complexion and sets make-up. One transparent shade suits all!”

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Let’s talk packaging…

Let’s be honest it really is the first thing that catches your eye about this little cutie, well it certainly was for me whilst browsing the Bourjois stand in my local drugstore. Personally I adore the fact it’s designed in a very chic and vintage style, which looks exceptionally sassy on the dressing table. Of course the beautiful French text and descriptions give the impression of a high end spend when in fact it’s a mere £9.99. My only grumble is that they could be a little more clearer on the description of what it does and what it’s for, okay so it’s not too hard to figure out but just a little more info wouldn’t go a miss!

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So what does it actually do?

Apart from giving you a soft illuminating glow to your face I found it worked really well at simply setting my makeup whilst keeping my oily areas under control. The formula is incredibly light weight and has a very subtle micro glitter/shimmer running through it – which I must admit kinda concerned me that it may come across too much but it absolutely doesn’t, so for those of you who writhe in the mere thought of sprinkling unicorn powder across your face you can take a deep breath, this is far from shimmery however it does add a very soft luminosity to the skin by brightening it ever so slight.

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What about the formula?

It’s a powder, so there’s not really that much to add here HOWEVER its incredibly fine and smells of THEE most beautiful floral scent that reminds me of dried flowers, old fashioned sweets and my grandma’s perfume all rolled into one. However considering that it is delicately scented this may not be suitable for all skin types – particularly those with super sensitive skin. From personal experience my skin reacts to most things but the Poudre De Riz De Java sat so finely on top of my foundation that it really didn’t bother my most moodiest of pores. It leaves a very silky smooth texture to your skin that doesn’t seem to transfer easily, nor does it leave my makeup looking cakey or too matte.

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Application…

It really is each to their own with this as some are happy to dab onto a dry blender sponge, however where powders are concerned I’m always a fan of sticking to good quality makeup brushes. I personally love the Real Techinques Duo Fibre Facebrush – which picks up the perfect amount of powder so you don’t need to worry about over applying. Simply tap some of the powder into the lid and apply over your finished makeup look to help set your foundation and brighten your complexion – it couldn’t be easier.

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Pro’s

One transparent shade suits all – no hunting for colour matches.

Lightweight

Great for setting makeup

Ideal for keeping oily spots under control

Smells like a little bowl of floral gems  (anyone remember those?!)

Non mattefying, so it shouldn’t change the finished look of your foundation!

Beautifully presented in vintage inspired packaging – a classy addition to any vanity table

A great happy medium without over spending on high end alternatives.

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Con’s

Not everyone might be a fan of the scent – though I can’t imagine why, it’s beautiful!

It’s not the cheapest powder available in drugstores… however it has been the only one that hasn’t left my makeup looking caked.

May be tricky getting the last little dregs of powder out of the packaging due to the sealed unit.

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Final thoughts

As much as powders and I haven’t really bonded in the past I must admit this has been the most successful one of tried to date. It’s lightweight, smells beautiful and leaves my skin feeling silky smooth. I appreciate that Talc based products aren’t for everyone but for those who are okay to wear them this is most certainly a lovely product that looks great, feels great, lightly illuminates and is certainly worth the £9.99 spend in comparison to its drugstore rivals.

*Click Here* for more information & customer reviews on the Boots website

Have you tried the Bourjois Poudre de Riz illumination face powder? If so, what’s been your final verdict? Or are you a fan of liquid finish rather than powder? Whatever your thoughts I’d love to read them in the comments below so do stop by for a quick chatter

Cheerio Chums…

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Keeping Up With Karen…

Aloha Beauty Chums…

How’s your weekend been? Have you been up to anything exciting? It’s been pretty hectic here – in a good way thankfully, as Emma’s been working hard on her summer tests, we’ve been shopping for wall paper (I’ve taken a notion to spruce up a few rooms in the house) and it’s been nail art galore as I’ve been working hard on creating some fun new styles and testing out new techniques. Today I’ll be creating some gorgeous encapsulated styles in prep for a client who’s loving the idea of having roses under clear acrylic, hopefully I’ll get some reveal shots up pretty soon!

As always, for those of you taking it easy this sunny Sunday, why not check out some of the shenanigans that’s been happening on Confetti & Curves this past week… and if you have a blog post you’d like me to check out by all means leave it in the comments below – I’d love to stop by and have a read 🙂

Off now to top up my coffee cup and get started on some nail art – see you’s all soon…

Seventeen Stay Time Foundation

After weeks of super light makeup (thanks to the summer heat) I finally delve back into the realms of full coverage again by testing out the Seventeen Stay Time Foundation. Girls beware… you can safely put you concealers away with the formula! Check it out and don’t forget to let me know if you’ve tried it too 🙂

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The Nail File: Summer Shenanigans 

Vibrant colours, fun designs and eye catching free hand is what this week’s batch of nail art is all about as I showcase some of the crazy accent nails I’ve been designing over the past few days! Don’t forget to check pop over and hit the ‘like’ button @LiquidGlamourByKaren on Facebook where you can check out all my latest nail news ❤

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July Favourites & Exciting News

As we welcome August, Fridays post was a chatter showcasing some of my monthly favourites – and being my birthday month I’ve a few unusual little goodies to share with you lovely lot. Also, some exciting news that I’m pretty sure most of you girls will love so be sure to check it out! Don’t forget… *Click Here* to subscribe to the Confetti & Curves YouTube channel so you never miss an upload!

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As always, thank y’all so much for the support, comments, re-tweets, shares, likes & just darn right loveliness. You lot really are an awesome bunch. Do feel free to pop a favourite link from your blog in the comments below for the rest of us to check out, otherwise do stop by & say a quick hello!

Cheerio Chums…

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No 7 Lift & Luminate Foundation… The Secret to Dewy Skin?

Is it just me or is shopping for foundation is bizarrely similar to dating?! Quite often you’re looking for perfection where it really doesn’t exist. Of course I mean that in the most realistic terms, as for months now I’ve dabbled in a menu of drug store foundations, some of them close to being a keeper whereas others are best left on the shelf. Okay, it’s only makeup so maybe that’s exactly why my expectations need to come down to earth just a teeny bit. Am I expecting too much from yet another little 30ml bottle of face base?

One things for sure, I’m done with matte foundation. Actually my skin is done with matte foundation, well at least for the time being anyways. After weeks of smearing an assortment of creams, lotions and potions on my face to combat the dryness and itchiness seemingly caused by a selection of matte foundations I finally succumbed to admitting defeat. So after drifting into Boots with a complexion resembling the Gobi desert, a kindly consultant took me under her wing and offered me wonderful pearls of wisdom amongst the perfectly arranged shelves of the No 7 counter. In fact, can I just take a moment to say how blooming fabulous the No 7 staff are?! There’s a few ‘high end’ makeup brands that could really learn a thing or two from their customer service. However, without climbing aboard my soapbox, get yourself settled for my thoughts on the No 7 Lift & Luminate Foundation…

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What’s The Hype?

“Let your skin be luminous and lovely, with a gorgeous, natural glow. No7 Lift & Luminate Foundation is specially formulated to lift and firm your skin at the same time as giving you a smooth and even coverage.

A facial in a foundation… containing three key components (moisturisers, firming and brightening complexes), this foundation visibly firms, lifts and brightens skin, leaving you with a youthful complexion.

The foundation has been developed to be used alongside the New No7 Lift & Luminate Skincare Range for great results.

It’s unique brightening complex works to boost your skin tone, to help even out and reduce the appearance of age spots, making skin look younger. Skin looks and feels instantly lifted, minimising pores and imperfections.

Plus, it contains SPF 15 to protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun.”

*Taken from Boots Website*

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Application Results

As you can see from above, here’s half my face with the foundation applied and half without. I find the colour I opted for (Warm Ivory) is great for my skin tone as it’s slightly warming without being too yellow toned. It doesn’t leave any harsh lines around my jaw or hair line, isn’t patchy and applies reeeeeally well when using fingers lightly to blend. It feels incredibly hydrating and moisturising which is exactly what my skin needs right now after feeling so tired & dull.

Stippling Brush: Didn’t work out for me – personally I find a foundation brush better suited to heavier formulas, but that’s just my preference.

Blender Sponge: Again, if you like a slightly lighter coverage then a sponge will definitely be better suited for you. Blends lovely however just retains a little too much product for my liking.

Finger Application: Perfect. The foundation smoothed out like a dream and the lighter the strokes the better it looked. Built a beautiful base and covered the flaws seamlessly.

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Formula

If you like a stiff formula that isn’t going to run down the back of your hand as soon as it’s dispensed then this will undoubtedly impress. It’s firm straight from the bottle yet blends like butter. Really impressed with the coverage, not  patchy and worked incredibly well with concealer on top or underneath.

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Staying Power

Okay, so it’s not a 24 hour  fool-proof formula, but then who wears their foundation for that length of time anyway?! Combined with a great primer and setting spray expect this foundation to last approx 8-10 hours, which is long enough for me. And, it stay’s beautifully dewy and moisturising right to the end.

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A Few Freebies

Considering that my face was quite patchy, dry and dehydrated, the consultant was quick to suggest a few key products that would “work wonders” for helping to even out my skin tone and clam the red areas which are pretty much confined to across my cheek bones, bridge of my nose and chin. Having offered me a few testers to take home I jumped at the chance in hope they just might help my face adapt better to the foundation.

I’m my honest opinion I was absolutely flabbergasted at the difference both these primers made in such a short space of time. The Airbrush Away Primer (the green one) has been outstanding at camouflaging my red patches whereas the Colour Corrector Primer has been fantastic at evening out my entire complexion and prepping it for the base.

On days’ I’ve chosen not to wear these there has been a significant difference in how the Lift & Luminate reacts on my skin as it doesn’t tend to stay put quite as long nor does it do such a seamless job in covering my flaws.

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Pros

Dewy

Hydrating

Lightweight

Buildable

Moisturising

Great for young or mature skin = evens out skin, firms & brightens

Impressive range of colours for fair-medium tones

Pump action bottle pushes all product up from the bottom = no wastage

Quality feel to the packaging, a great compromise from over spending on high-end.

Easy to repurchase with so many Boots stores on the high street.

Consultants have all been friendly, helpful and very knowledgeable.

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Cons

At £16.50 its a little more expensive than most drugstore ranges (but worth the extra investment)

Needs a great primer and skin care routine to really see benefits… then again doesn’t most?!

Wouldn’t recommend for oily skin

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The Final Verdict

What do you think? Personally I love it, though it doesn’t surprise me as No 7 have never disappointed me on any of their skincare or makeup range. It’s a great compromise for high-end without the eye watering price tag, and of course easily accessible with Boots stores being so widespread. Most definitely a winner – I’ve found a new favourite foundation staple! *woo hoo*

Have you tried the No 7 Lift & Luminate foundation? If so, what’s been your final verdict? Whatever your thoughts I’d love to read them in the comments below so do stop by for a quick chatter

Cheerio Chums…

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Catch me on:

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Keeping Up With Karen…

Howdy chums.

This week FINALLY saw the beginning of the school jolly hols. Now whilst most parents dread a whole 9 weeks of thinking of ways to entertain the kiddies I’m relatively lucky in the fact that Emma is so easily pleased – not to mention a cap on those horrid 5am starts, which means the two of us can both enjoy a bit of extra time in the mornings! Needless to say we’ll be getting the family planner out sometime this week to arrange a few exciting little day trips… pending my aching bones cease their antics long enough permit me of course!!

In other news Friday the 1st was my birthday. I feel like I’m now creeping towards the age where my candles cost *almost* as much as my cake. Needless to say having received lots of lovely gifts vouchers I’ll certainly be putting them to good use by raiding the shelves of any anti-ageing goodies. Recommendations for all sorts of lotions and potions to keep my dry skin a little more youthful is always welcome gals 😉

As for today, well it’s all about curling up on the sofa and relishing in a few hours of solitary glossy reading (with a huuuuge mug of tea) before I tackle some new nail art designs before I unleashing them on my clients 🙂 What’s your plans for today? As always, if you’re browsing the net for some fun reading then why not catch up with what’s been happening this week on Confetti & Curves…

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Bourjois Air Mat Foundation Review

Check out Monday’s post as I review my first time testing out the Bourjois foundation range – starting with Air Mat! This rather summery little bottle promises a non-drying light weight formula that privdes high coverage with a flawless finish… but did it live up to it’s claims?!

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Why I’m Going Self Employed As A Nail Tech

After a mini influx of well wishes & comments I took to YouTube to answer some of blog buddies & regular readers most asked questions about my recent leap into becoming my own boss!

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Name Reveal & Winner Announcement

After last Friday’s post ‘Giveaway: Help Me Name My Nail Business‘ where I asked you lovely lot to help me come up with a name for my new room, I finally got to announce the winning suggestion! Check it out and let me know what you think! Don’t forget to *CLICK HERE* to follow Liquid Glamour on Facebook too!

As always, thank y’all so very much for the abundance of support, comments, re-tweets, shares, likes & just darn right loveliness. You lot really are an awesome bunch. Do feel free to pop a favourite link from your blog in the comments below for the rest of us to check out, otherwise do stop by & say a quick hello!

Cheerio Chums…

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Catch me on:

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Bourjois Air Mat Foundation…

I’ve done it… as unbelievable as it may seem, I’ve FINALLY popped my Bourjois foundation cherry gals!! You see the teeny tiny issue I have is when I find a foundation I love (and I mean adore here) I tend to buy ONLY that brand for the rest of my days – ever fearing that the formula will change or the company will dissolve over night leaving me grasping onto my final dregs. However lately I’ve been hopping about from foundation to foundation like a dismissive cosmetic tart.

Bit of a mini back story to this purchase… a number of weeks ago (when summer declared it had finally arrived) I was getting rather tedious of foundations sliding of my face at the mere sight of a single sun ray. Deciding it was high time to tackle the issue, I took to the aisles of Superdrug in search of my next purchase… something that suggested “hey you, I’m a summer-lovin little bottle of goodness that won’t chase your concealer half way down your chest” So when I spotted the bright and chic looking bottle of Bourjois Air Mat (coupled by a rather tempting deal for a pair of free sunglasses) it comes as no surprise I was loading my basket with beauty goodies that seemed to fill me with confidence for facing the sweltering summer sun. After a few weeks of wear here’s my findings…

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So What’s The Hype?!

According to Bourjois…

“Bourjois’ Air Mat foundation has been specially developed to give skin a smooth, matte finish that lasts for up to 24 hours. Its non drying, lightweight formula lets skin breathe throughout the day and provides high coverage for a flawless finish.

Enriched with mattifying micronized powders, it elimates shine with no mask effect for an undetectable result.

Starting at the centre of your face blend the formula outwards and upwards for a flawless finish whilst erasing any imperfections.”

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Application Results

As any thorough beauty blogger would, I’ve pretty much tried this with every application tool I would normally apply foundation with. Here’s a quick peek at how it fairs with half of my face blended with the Air Mat compared to my natural skin tone…

Stippling Brush: Tends to lean towards a dry and uneven appearance. The more I worked the brush the more disastrous the results appeared. Looked dry, skin felt very dehydrated and super difficult to blend = 2/10.

Beauty Sponge: For this I trialled it with both the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge & the original Beauty Blender. Personally I felt the RT sponge left a slightly better finish as it seemed to retain less of the product whereas I had to use a little more product with the Beauty Blender. Strange but true *sigh* Not the best coverage and looked rather patchy as the day wore on = 5/10.

Fingers: Low and behold my very own digits seemed to be the best for the job as the warmth generated when smoothing really helped to blend the product out around the edges of the jawline and across the face = 7/10.

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Formula

The consistency of the product is actually really lovely, it’s not too watery but at the same time it’s not like smearing peanut butter across your face (though I must admit I’m yet to try that so I could be wrong *ponders pensively*) Considering I picked up the shade ‘Ivory Rose’ it’s surprisingly yellow toned & should be valued as ‘warm ivory’ than what I assumed had slightly more pinkish undertones.

Initially the smell of the foundation seemed pleasing, slightly unusual and reminded me of something I couldn’t quite place… something that I’d smelt before that could be a tad offensive if whafted in large doses. After a week of slowly agonising over the aroma it became all too clear: seaweed. Yes, seaweed – more precisely the Lush Seaweed Fresh Faced Mask. Of course once my sniff sensors registered this I’m afraid it all went a tad downhill as I slowly turned myself against the pungency of the fragrance. Maybe my sense of smell has slightly malfunctioned, or maybe I’ve just got an over active nose canal – either way the strength of my stomach doesn’t agree with it and I’m afraid to say the pong of Air Mat has slowly turned me 50 shades of green.

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 Staying Power?

I’m afraid this is where my opinions begin to landslide a little lot. Okay, so it looked decent when freshly applied but over the two weeks (and regardless what primer I paired it with) the formula began to very quickly sit in the fine lines under my eyes. My cheek bones, chin & nose all had the appearance that I’d somehow managed to miss them out during application too. Considering that it claims to be a 24HR foundation I’m assuming it’s been tested on a plastic doll as anyone with pores with inevitably find it being soaked in and (at best) lasting 4 hours, let alone another 20.

Pros

At £9.99 and available from local drugstores, it’s pocket friendly and easy peasy to get your hands on.

The packaging is bright, cheery and has a hint of ‘I’m a summer staple’ about it. PLUS it’s plastic, which is great to travel with and easily trimmed in half should you need to scoop out those last remaining dregs.

It’s matte. Wait, in fact it’s VERY Matte! There’s no denying it’ll certainly eliminate shine without a hint of dewiness if that’s your thing.

Feels very velvet to touch as it leaves what feels like a very fine powdery finish over the skin.

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Cons

Most definitely not 24 HR – unless you’re completely poreless of course.

The smell. Oh the smell.

Colour choice – personally there aint much that I’ve seen available and considering the shade I picked was the lightest of the bunch, I actually thought it was pretty warm and oxidised on application. Not great for us palers! Darker skinned ladies, from what I’ve seen the choices are limited – very limited in fact 😦

Dry, itchy, flaky & patchy. My skin just didn’t like it one iota *sigh*

A nightmare to blend which can lead to it seeming very cakey around the hair line etc so smooth with caution!

Definitely doesn’t cover flaws as well as other full foundations.

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Final Verdict

Don’t get me wrong, once applied it looks rather pretty. If anything it actually gives the appearance that your complexion is very softly airbrushed. However, as the hours whittle away so does the staying power. Maybe it’s my skin, which happens to be combo and quite often a little unsettled with matte finishes. Unfortunately I won’t be reinvesting in this anytime soon, it’s just not for me *sob*

Have you tried the Bourjois Air Mat foundation? If so, what’s been your final verdict? Have you any recommendations for a full coverage drugstore foundation that’s tough enough to last the sunny days ahead? Whatever your thoughts I’d love to read them in the comments below so do stop by for a quick chatter 🙂

Cheerio Chums…

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What’s In My Makeup Drawers: The Blusher, Concealer & Highlighter Edit…

Howdy Chums…

Once again I thrust open my drawers *ooo errr* and take y’all on a quick tour of my cosmetic stash as I uncover the contents of my Blusher, Concealer and Highlighter hoard. I’ll be talking you through some of my favourite & most used products – all of which are available in local drug stores so you don’t have to break the bank to invest in anything! * Yippee*

A huge thanks to everyone who tuned in to Part 1 of the series last week, What’s In My Makeup Drawers: The Foundation Edit… it was so lovely to read your comments and chat with y’all over my collection of face bases. Again, all of which are found in local drug store – I do love a good bargain gals, you should all know that by now!

Talking of foundations, don’t forget to check out Monday’s post ‘Six Steps for Flawless Foundation‘ as I talk about some of my favourite products to help my foundation look and feel the best it can!

Don’t forget: you can *click here* to subscribe to the Confetti & Curves YouTube channel so you never miss an upload, and of course feel free to leave me a link if you’ve a channel you’d like me to check out too. Always a treat meeting new YouTubers to catch up with!

Wishing y’all a fabulous day ahead & thanks so much for stopping by! If you’ve time why not say a quick hello in the comments below 🙂

Cheerio Chums…

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Six Steps for Flawless Foundation…

I’ll let y’all in on a little confession… up until a few years ago I was a daily wet-wipe offender *shakes head* My poor face rarely ever seen anything other than baby wipes, not even moisturiser *gasps of horror* and needless to say I was paying the price for it. Badly. My skin was dull – almost grey in fact. My foundation looked blotchy and my red patches where blazing so hot you could’ve lit a Yankee candle of them. Then beauty blogging happened, and it saved my skin. Yes, YOU lot quite literally saved my face.

However in the process I slowly discovered that you don’t NEED to spend a fortune on making your complexion the best it can be (unless you really want to that is) and because of this, over the past few years I’ve been blessed to have had quite a few compliments on how well my foundation looks, or how youthful my skin is. Like any mortal being, there are days I royally slip of the skin-care bandwagon and without surprise I can notice a difference almost instantaneously as my makeup begins to show the price of my laziness. So with that in mind I thought I’d share a few of my own hints and tips on creating a great blank canvas for foundation. Needless to say I’m by absolutely no means a skincare expert, if anything I’m merely a novice looking after the skin I’ve been blessed with using the budget I have. So if this sounds like something you might be interested in taking a peak at then get yourself comfy as I uncover my six essential tips in prepping your face for an outstanding base…

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Step 1: Cleanse

Wash your face thoroughly using a mild facial soap that’s suitable for your skin type. I have oily/combo skin and find that Olay works really well for me (personally) However other great drugstore brands include Simple which is a great pocket friendly alternative, or if you fancy extending your budget a little further Boots No 7 range is truly the bee’s knees!

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Step 2: Exfoliate

Remove all those nasty dead skin cells to reveal a squeaky clean and smooth surface which is perfect for makeup application! The Body Shop’s Seaweed Exfoliator is PERFECT for the job as it leaves your face feeling totally refreshed and silky smooth. For a mere £10 it’s well worth the investment! No wonder it gets 5 star reviews 😉

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Step 3: Tone

Although I’ve always been a little dubious over the need for toning I must admit I’ve quite recently started to notice a significant different in my skin on those lazy days when I tend to skip this step. My Olay Daily Essentials 2-in-1 Toner always helps remove the last remaining traces of any nasties clogged up in the pores whilst gently restoring the balance of my skin after a good old deep cleaning.

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Step 4: Moisturise

For me this step has always ended up the key to how good (or bad) my face is going to look for the remainder of the day. Too much moisturiser and everything ungracefully slides off, too little and I end up with more dry patches than a patchwork quilt. Getting the right moisturiser to suit your skin is absolutely essential. Personally the champion of all moisturisers I’ve used is Astral. It’s pocket friendly at a mere £3.99 but knocks the absolute socks of the more expensive brands with their unpronounceable advertising gibberish. Yep, sometimes basic really is best. In fact don’t just take my word for it… check out the reviews on the Boots website by *clicking here*

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Step 5: Spritz

I must admit gals, this is a step that I frequently tend to forget however when I do remember to spray my face with a light facial mist it makes my skin feel incredibly refreshed and hydrated. I also notice quite a considerable difference when I do, particularly if I’ve had a few lazy days where my skin care routine has been a top priority! I personally love the Claudalie Grape Water which I mentioned a few weeks ago in my Beach Bag Essentials post.

This gorgeous organic grape water contains no nasties whatsoever and works wonders even on the most sensitive skin types. It gives an extra boost of hydration and can even been used as a toner right after cleansing!

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Step 6: Prime

Before going any further, I always ensure my moisturiser has well and truly seeped into my skin otherwise I end up with makeup that doesn’t cover evenly or leaves my foundation quite patchy, which gets more noticeable as the day rolls on. Once my moisturiser is absorbed I love using Olay Anti Wrinkle Firm + Lift Primer as it really helps to smooth out my skin, reduces my redness and makes a great base for foundation that lasts considerably longer. Don’t be put off by the name if you’re blessed with baby faced looks as this is suitable for ALL ages gals!

A great way to save time (without skipping Step 5) is opting for Smashbox Photo Finish Primer water, which is a rejuvenating facial spray that hydrates, moisturises and primes all in one go. It’s a little pricier at £20 but well worth the extra spend for a great prep & prime spray!

What’s your pre-makeup skincare routine? Do you have any tips for building a great base for your foundation? Have you any products you love to prep your skin with? Whatever your thoughts I’d love to read them in the comments below so do stop by and say a quick howdy 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio Chums…

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