Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre

Poudre Universelle Libre, a natural finish loose powder from Chanel has been a staple in my makeup collection for about 3 years now. I mentioned it in a few of my earlier posts when I first started blogging but I've never done a full review on it and thought it was about time I did.

Ever since I started my Makeup Artistry course way back when I was 16, I've always loved using a loose powder to set my makeup. I used to use either the Rimmel one or one from Collection, but when I went to Uni I decided to treat myself to a high end loose powder because I felt like it was something worth investing in. However, for the past 6 months or so I've been neglecting my poor Chanel powder and been using pressed powders instead (Rimmel Stay Matte & MAC Blotting Powder), but I've just rediscovered my love for it in the last week.

Chanel loose powder has a sheer, matte finish and leaves the skin looking natural. I love how fine the powder is, you can barely feel it on your skin and it doesn't look cakey at all even after touch ups during the day. You also get a little powder puff with it (mine was far too dirty to show you) but I prefer using a powder brush to apply it. According to the website, it comes in a lot more shades now but the shade I use is "30 Natural Translucent 2" which is perfect for me. I have a slightly oily t-zone so that's the area I apply this to and only need to touch up once during the day - amazing!

When I first bought this powder I'm sure it was only £32, but it's went up to £34 since then. I know that sounds like a lot of money but in 3 years, this is only my second one so it's definitely worth the price considering I have to buy a new Stay Matte powder every few months. Also you get 30g of product, whereas my pressed powders are only 12/14g. The price doesn't sound so steep now, does it?

This is definitely still my favourite powder of all time. What's your thoughts on the Chanel loose powder? Have you ever tried it?

P.S Thank you Becky for my new blog design, I love it!

Little Nails by Lizee Barry

                                       
For years now I've been a really big fan of false nails, whether it be stick on, gel or acrylics because I have a really disgusting habit of biting my nails (I know, its gross). I've tried for years to stop but I just can't so I rely on falsies a lot of the time.

The nails I'm wearing above are from Little Nails* which are hand painted by the lovely Lizee from Vanity Frills. Lizee has an Etsy shop where she sells her false nail sets with gorgeous painted designs on them (what a steady hand!!). There are lots of different designs such as polka dots, Cath Kidston inspired and camouflage prints. They come in lots of different colours too and I absolutely love the pink and purple ones that I received! The nails come in a set of 12 with 6 different sizes (2 spare) and come with a little tube of glue. Lizee recommends using Nailene glue for best results and for your nails to last longer, however I have no idea where mine is so I just used the glue that came with it and it worked just fine.

I absolutely love these nails, I'm terrible at nail art so they solve all my problems. Little nails cost £6 which is amazing considering the price you pay for sets from drugstores or even a manicure at a salon. So if like me you love nail art and false nails these are definitely for you. The only thing is next time I order another gorgeous pair I'd have to get two packets because my nails are abnormally small and some of them were too big for me (so I could only do one hand). Every time I go to get my nails done they comment on how tiny my nails are and how hard it is from them to paint them or put acrylics on (thanks btw). So don't worry, I don't think any one else will have that problem and one packet would do just fine!

Check out Lizee's Etsy shop here and you can also follow her on twitter @lizeebarry. What do you think of Little Nails?

P.S I need the Cath Kidston print ones next!

My Hair: New Hairstyle & Products I Use

I've had the same hairstyle for years - blonde and pretty much all one length, so when it was time to go to the hairdressers again (well overdue) I decided I wanted something a bit different. I ended up getting it a little bit darker and got some low lights put through it to give me a nice caramel colour. I also got some layers cut in and a little middle parting fringe which I love.

Getting a new hairstyle inspired me to write a little post on the products I use in my hair so I hope you enjoy reading it. At the moment I'm using Aussie Aussome Volume shampoo and conditioner which I've used a couple of times before. I have quite fine, limp hair and I'm forever trying to get some volume in it and this shampoo does the trick. I love Aussie products, especially the smell of them and once a week I use the 3 Minute Miracle Luscious Long treatment to keep my hair in top condition. I like to keep my hair long so I try to look after it so I can get as little as possible cut off it each time.

For styling, my two favourite products at the moment are from the VO5 Plump It Up range. Before I dry my hair I put in the weightless mousse which also has heat defence in it. After I blow dry my hair I put in the Dry Backcomb Spray (mentioned in my March favourites) to give my hair some volume then either straighten or curl the ends. Right now I like my hair to have a bit of bounce in it so I usually curl the ends with my straighteners.

To finish off my hair I use Elnett Satin hairspray which is my favourite, it doesn't weigh my hair down at all and brushes out easily and then I apply some of the Aldi Miracle Oil (£4 dupe for Moroccan Oil) to the ends to smooth them. Sometimes I use the Miracle Oil before I blow dry if my hairs feeling a bit dry and needs some conditioning. Then every second (ok and third) day I'll use my Batiste dry shampoo to freshen up my hair between washes. This is a must have product and if I run out I need to go straight out and buy another bottle. Right now I'm loving the lace one, it smells amazing but I also like the Tropical one for summer.

I hope you enjoyed this little hair care post and I'm so happy with my new hairstyle!

L'Oreal Nude Magique CC Cream - Anti-Redness

I've never really found an anti-redness primer or product that works for me, it always leaves my skin with that green tinge that just does not cover well with foundation. However, when I was in Boots the other day the new L'Oreal CC creams caught my eye and I noticed there was an anti-redness one and decided there would be no harm in trying it out.

The L'Oreal CC creams are 3 different colour correcting creams: anti-redness, anti-fatigue and anti-dullness. They help neutralise the appearance of redness, dullness and tired looking skin with their smart pigment capsules that transform into a lightweight foundation. A 5 in 1 perfecting cream that promises: flawless coverage, perfectly even skin texture, fresh dewy glow, 24 hour hydration and SPF 12. 

The anti-redness cream comes out as a green emulsion and transforms into a light foundation when blended into the skin (photos above). The cream works with the pigment in your skin and blends to the right shade for you so it doesn't matter if I'm wearing tan or not, it matches my skin tone either way (If you have really pale skin though I'm not sure I'd recommend it as it's quite yellow toned and might make you look a bit orange!). The coverage is light but buildable, in the photos above I only have on one layer and its taken away the redness and left my skin with a dewy glow. In the summer when its a bit warmer I think this would be fine for me to wear on it's own with a bit of concealer as it does even out my skin tone. Right now though I'm just using it as a base and because it's so light, it doesn't look cakey with my foundation layered over it. 

I've never tried any other CC creams to compare this to but overall I'm really happy with this product. It definitely neutralises my redness and as someone who swears by full coverage foundation, I think I might even be able to leave the house with just this on! The L'Oreal CC creams cost £9.99 and you can pick them up from Boots or Superdrug. Have you tried any of the L'Oreal CC creams and if you have what did you think of them?

Getting My Faux Glow Back

Throughout the Winter I kind of neglected my fake tan unless I was going on a night out, but now it's Spring time I decided I need to up my game and get my glow back. I was looking back at photos from my holiday in Ibiza last summer and I was SO tanned it upset me at how pale I am right now so here are some of the fake tans that I rely on...

• The Instant Tan: My favourite instant tan has to be Soap and Glory Glow Getter. This is just an instant tan, sort of a body makeup that I like to put on my legs if I'm wearing a dress or skirt on a night out. I discovered this tan about a year ago and have used it ever since. I like using this when I've already got a bit of tan on so it gives me a gorgeous airbrushed look. I actually did a post of this way back when I first started my blog, (cringe) If you'd like to read it (don't laugh) you can here.

• The Gradual Tan: I used this gradual tan a few years ago but when the lovely Christine who I work with mentioned it again I decided to pick one up. I went for the deep one as I'm not that pale to begin with and I do love a dark tan. I apply this when I get out the shower and it has a lovely apricot smell that reminds me of summer. I've only used this twice and I already have a gorgeous, sun-kissed glow. I also love that its a two in one - moisturiser and tan (since you know I always neglect my body moisturising) and it's under a fiver! This is definitely a tan I'll continue to use every day during the Spring and Summer months. 

• The Weekly Tan: If I've got a night out or special occasion planned I like my tan to be that little bit darker. I usually use St Moritz which is a really cheap tan that gives me an amazing colour but right now I'm loving Sienna X Dark Glowing Self Tan. I love the colour this tan give me, a deep golden brown colour and not orange at all. I apply this with my tanning mitt before I go to bed because you need to have it on for 8 hours before you wash off the guide tan. It lasts about 5 days which is really good and doesn't come off patchy if I exfoliate every couple of days. It also has a lovely scent which is always a bonus - none of that biscuit fake tan smell! 

I've also decided I'm going to buy the Clarins Liquid Bronze facial tanner when I get paid on Friday and will definitely be doing a review on that once I've tried it out. What are some of your favourite fake tans?