MY REVIEW NOW HERE + MORE SWATCHES

I can't tell you how ecstatically excited I am for Nars' newest foundation release, the Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation!!! So excited that I'm definitely 100% for sure buying a bottle as soon as it releases here in the UK! Nars holds a tremendously soft spot in my heart for being one of the only brands to produce the ever rare olive/yellow shade Stromboli, Stromboli is literally a Godsend and has been the only shade and foundation (ADLW- review HERE) that I've been wearing this whole year since the end of my Naked Skin Foundation (review HERE), Sheer Glow was the one that started it all off all those many many years ago (review HERE). So you can imagine just how eager I am to slather this awesome newness all over my face!

Since I found out about the release, I've been keeping up to date with any news or articles that have come out on the net regarding the foundation and have also watched reviews of YouTubers who had luckily gotten their hands on pre-releases. After watching all the reviews (I may be wrong but) I have a feeling that this formula is going to be similar to the Giorgio Armani Power Fabric Foundation (review HERE) and the YSL All Hours Foundation, well I hope it is because I really like these formulas and if there's going to be a Stromboli in that formula... well it'll make me an extremely happy bunny!

Nars have also released a number of new shades which I'm super pleased about as there's always space for more shades! Now that it's officially been released in the US, many bloggers have been sent PR packages of all the shades and some have very helpfully done swatches of the full shade range. I've been watching all the reviews that have been uploaded and have collected and compiled screenshots of the full shade range to observe them and see whether I'm still a Stromboli or possibly one of the newly released shades! I've also labelled the shades for some of the swatch pictures that didn't have the shade names written, to make it easier to identify them. After looking at all the shades it turns out that I'm still a Stromboli! It still (evidently you'll see) remains the yellowest of them all! Yippee!

I know there'll be many of you who will find the swatches as helpful as I have, so want to say a very big thank you to the bloggers who have swatched them all for us, it makes shade picking super easy especially for those like myself who don't live near a Nars counter! I've also put links next to the pictures of their respective owners and their youtube channel, every one of these reviewers have reviewed the foundation really well so I recommend watching the reviews for more detailed information on the foundation. Enjoy!

Nars US Website

Just some random swatches of foundations that I've tried recently, thought I'd put them up on the blog! Lightings been awful lately so they're not my best swatches but differences in the shades are still clear and visible. Hope this helps!

L-R : Lancome Teint Idole (reviewed here) in 050 Beige Ambre (not to be confused with 05 Beige Noisette, they're completely different), Nars ADLW Stromboli (reviewed here), Fenty Pro Filtr 290, Too Faced Born This Way (reviewed here) Golden Beige.

I will be putting up a review of the Fenty Foundation soon so keep an eye out for that!

I always say that I'm going to put up empties post more often to save me from getting buried by a gazillion empty products, but it just doesn't happen. Oh well I guess I won't bother mention it anymore! Without any further delay here are the current empties..!




Simple Micellar Cleansing Water 
My current favourite Micellar Water, unlike the Garnier Micellar Water (which I've reviewed quite a few times on the blog, run a search if you wanna read), it doesn't leave my skin feeling taut or dry nor does it leave a residue on my skin. This on the other hand leaves my skin feeling pretty normal, it just feels like water, it's really gentle. I wouldn't say this is super effective in removing make up as I find that there is always some make up left on my skin regardless of how much I use, I know this because my white flannels have shown traces of foundation even when I thought I removed it well. This doesn't bother me because I use micellar water to remove the bulk of my make up and always second cleanse, I'd say it removes 90% of my makeup (doesn't stop me from using it on nights when I can't be bothered to go to the sink though haha!). Currently approaching the end of my second bottle, love the big size and will always repurchase. They've come out with a Water Boost version which I'm really excited to try!

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gelee Milk Cleanser
This new line from Neutrogena had me really intrigued which I'm sure every other dehydrated skinned person was as well. I used this on a dry makeup-ed face as I found it worked better at dissolving makeup this way and then used a wet flannel to take it off. I must admit, it did leave my skin feeling supple and not stripped at all which was quite pleasant, I've even used this as a morning cleanse. It's not the most effective at removing make up but it wasn't half bad either, I'm curious to try the other cleanser in this line. Has a very fresh and cool scent, would possibly re-purchase.

Soap & Glory Peaches And Clean
I bought this once before ages ago but gave it away as I wasn't keen on cream cleansers, fast forward to now my dehydrated skin prefers cream cleansers so I wanted to give it another try. It's okay, not the most effective in removing makeup and works better at the sink with a wet flannel. This also needs a bit of a residue skin and leaves me feeling like I've still got make up on my skin, which I'm not keen on at all. I've tried other cream cleansers and balms that work a lot more effortlessly so I won't repurchase.

Bravura Purifying Calendula Toner
This is one of the three exfoliating toners that Bravura carry and probably my favourite. At 13% I really like how fresh and clean this leaves my skin feeling, ready and prepped for product absorption. With a ph of 3.8 I like to use this toner to lower my skins ph in preparation for stronger acid treatments or masks. From all the acid toners I've tried this one's my favourite so will definitely repurchase.

Bravura Revitalising Ginseng Toner
Reviewed many times on my blog already (run a blog search for an in depth review) with an acid level of 5%, this is meant to be a dupe for the infamous Pixi Glow Tonic, I do like this and this is a repurchase but there is something about it that I'm not too keen on, even though this is a weaker AHA compared to the Calendula Toner, this feels stronger and a little harsher on my skin. I don't know why to be honest, it may just be the zingy scent but I prefer the feel of the Calendula Toner on my skin, hence why I may not repurchase this Ginseng one.

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
I received this dinky sample in an order once and was keen to try it as I heard this was a decent gentle cleanser. I've used it up and I'm not thoroughly impressed, it's a bit meh to be honest, I don't have sensitive skin but I do like to use gentle cleansers so as not to strip my already dehydrated skin and damage it further. This is only best used as a morning cleanse which wasn't too bad I suppose but I've used other cleansers that work better for me. Won't repurchase.


Moisturisers, Oils and Balms

Serums & Treatments

Body Lotions & Perfumes

Crown Perfumes Classic Perfume Body Spray
This was a random body spray that I got from an Islamic store and I ended up really liking it, it lasts really really long and doesn't disappear like your typical Impulse body sprays, I find it's as strong and long-lasting as a perfume so it's well worth the money and very economic, this particular scent was a very feminine powdery musky scent that you can't go wrong with, not too strong and heady but definitely lingers. I probably would repurchase and try out the other scents from their line.

YSL Parisienne
A very unique scent in my opinion, carrying notes of damascus rose, violet, peony, cranberry, patchouli, vetiver, musk and sandalwood. It's quite a floral fragrance, a doable rose fragrance in my opinion, but not overbearing at all, I don't like highly floral fragrances and this wasn't too much at all, if you don't overdo it, I'd say it's quite a pretty but sophisticated scent, good scent for the office or even the evening out, probably more suited for women over their 30's, though obviously scent has no age, wear whatever tickles your fancy! I do like this scent but I don't think it's special enough for me to want to repurchase.

Nina by Nina Ricci
I love Nina Ricci fragrances, they are truly such pretty scents and this one's no exception, it's soft, but fresh, delicate yet a bit fruity, a little sweet, with enough musk to mute down the sweetness, it almost smells like a pleasant home and a bit more, if you get what I mean. For me this is definitely a casual day time scent and more suited for a younger audience, carrying notes of citrus, candied apples, praline, vanilla, sweet peony, moonflower, apple tree, white cedar, and blame musky notes you can tell this is a sweet and girly scent but honestly it's so much more than that. Will definitely repurchase and look into their other fragrances.


Makeup



Boots Time Delay Radiance Booster
Where do I begin with this one? I had owned this for a good while but never actually realised how brilliant it was and never gave it the chance really. Marketed as an intense hydration and glow booster, skincare/makeup hybrid, it's a lightweight peach coloured gel lotion consistency. I never got it to be honest, I never noticed the difference it made until I used it as a primer under my foundations. It seriously gave a new lease of life to my base products. I've used it under numerous bases, from tinted moisturisers to thick full coverage foundations and I got the same stellar results! It smoothens and perfects my skin without looking one bit unnatural. I really can't explain what it does, I feel with this one you have to see it in action to believe it. I used it under my Nars Tinted moisturiser once and the difference between wearing this underneath and without was beautiful, my skin just looked better, smoother, more healthy. It's not marketed as a pore filling or smoothing primer, but like I said, I've tried it under numerous bases and it simply makes the finish of them all look so much better. Please try it, it's usually on offer for £5, so it won't dent your wallet or anything! I have since repurchased!

MAC Face & Body Foundation in C3
I won't speak too much on this as I have a full review (here) make sure you have a read as it's proper love/hate relationship. A lightweight emollient foundation which provides no more than a light/medium coverage. I think it's a lovely product but I don't think I will repurchase as the cons of this put me off too much, I do think you need to have fairly good skin to enjoy this (which I don't). Also the colour C3 has a brilliant olive undertone but is best suited to someone more on the light medium side of olive and not so much medium tan with hyper-pigmentation like myself.

Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation in 4.0
This was the foundation of 2016 for me! I looooved using this and can't believe I have actually emptied the bottle out, definite Holy Grail for sure! I also have not one but two reviews of this so I won't go on too much here. A super lightweight foundation that provides medium to medium full coverage. The finish is super natural on the skin but beware if you have flakies as I've seen reviews where people haven't agreed with the soft demi matte finish on their skin. I probably will repurchase, though saying that I'd want to get one of those Cover FX Custom drops to deepen it a touch as even though this was a brilliant brilliant olive shade it was slightly on the light side, probably more so now as I'm sure I'm a bit more tan!

Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder in Medium Light
Oh I did love using this! An underrated gem imo, this lightly coloured loose powder finished and set my makeup beautifully, I think it's got a lot of silicone in it because it leaves my skin looking super smooth and proper airbrushed. A little goes a long way, you seriously don't need to use a lot as it does it's job perfectly with just a light dusting, too much and it can catch on dry skin or texture, trust me I'm fussy with my powders and I've used up this whole pot! It controlled my oils long enough and kept my makeup in place, when used correctly it worked really well with my fussy combination dehydrated skin. They've recently come out with a colourless power called the Velvetiser which from reading the description sounds right up my alley!

MeMeMe Beat The Blues Liquid Highlighters
I have had these for so long now, way before the highlighter trend actually! I loved mixing these in with my foundations and it always gave my skin a lovely glow. I had the gold one and the pink one and enjoyed both but preferred the gold one for obvious reasons. I stopped using these and went for more matte looking skin for some reason so these got forgotten and pushed to the back of the draw. They have dried up and need to be binned now, they were decent liquid highlighters but there has since been newer releases which I'd probably go for now instead.

Tarteist Lash Paint Mascara
This came in a bonus mini pack I got some time ago, I think it was old because it was rather dry and flaked off my lashes once it dried. Otherwise I think it was okay, the formula was thick and matte and not too wet, it separated the lashes well and left my lashes really black. I couldn't say if the actual formula is like this as I've not tried a full size. Also it has quite a prickly plastic brush so if you ever have an itch on your waterline, this'll sure get rid of it haha! I don't really buy high end mascaras unless I've used and enjoyed a mini, so probably won't repurchase.

Benefit They're Real Push Up Liner
This was a brilliant idea but such a disappointment unfortunately, it's a gel liner in a plastic mechanical twist up pen. It has a rubber angled tip which you'd think help in achieving a smooth flexible line but it was all just a disaster. This was my sisters but she gave up trying to use it and gave it to me and I'm now binning it because I've given up too. Don't get me wrong, the formula is brilliant, it's super black, pigmented and seriously doesn't budge but the applicator is kinda messy, finicky and you don't get a crisp neat line and getting a thin line is near impossible. Also I think the gel dries up really quickly so we'd just get really messy bumpy lines that skipped and jumped on the thin eye lid skin. Sorry but no.

No7 Fanomenal Lashes Mascara
Actually a hand me down, this had an interesting plastic wand and a pretty decent formula, it separated and fanned out my lashes really nicely, perfect for everyday definition. It's a good everyday mascara, nothing special but I think No7 products are way too overpriced so will not repurchase.

Avon Brow Definer in Dark Brown
I thought this was an eyeliner but realised weeks after that it was in fact a brow definer. I used this as an eyeliner and it done me okay, probably won't repurchase as it's number 1, not meant for lining your eyes and number 2, not a modern long lasting waterproof formula.

There you go guys, we have finally reached the end of this empties post, I hope this was useful or helpful in anyway. Also I need to apologise for my disappearance and inactivity on the blogosphere,  this specific post has taken me a few months to complete believe it or not and I've actually already accumulated more empties in this time (insert covering face emoji). I haven't been my self lately and have lost a little interest in blogging and beauty products, there have been many a times where I have actually dedicated some time and sat down to blog or even post on instagram but it never went any further. Once again I'm sorry and I do hope that I find the interest and zeal to get back into it again. Thank you for all your support and words of encouragement, it's always always appreciated.

Hello all! I actually don't know how to start this review, it's been so long since I've blogged I'm feeling a little out of sorts. So MAC had launched the Next To Nothing Face Colour (let's call it NTN for this review) a little while ago and after reading the specs I really wanted to try it. Lightweight, sheer, skin perfecting, skin smoothing and a barely there finish! What's not to like? I've tested it out and played about with it, here are my thoughts...