Spotlight On: Bourjois

As a new feature on Dress It Up, I thought I'd place the spotlight on a different brand every few weeks, be it high street or high end and talk about my three favourite products from the range. To kick the feature off I decided to focus on Bourjois, a firm favourite in my make-up bag.

I've dabbled in products across the board at the Bourjois stand and have found favourites in every section. I eventually picked the cream of the crop, starting off with my holy grail status foundation the Healthy Mix.

This foundation has been a constant fixture in my routine for many months now with numerous repurchases throughout. I love the dewy healthy glow it gives, and the medium coverage is perfect for me. It works so well with the Real Techniques Buffing Brush to really give you a flawless finish. Its quite light in texture allowing your skin to breathe, and doesn't sit heavy on your skin at all. If you're looking for a new foundation to give you a really healthy glow, I'd definitely give this a try!

Piles of cotton pads and pungent nail varnish remover bottles are a distant memory thanks to this wonder! Bourjois have created a 'magic' pot where nail varnish vanishes in seconds. I can't say its gone in one second, like it says on the pot, (especially if its glitter polish!) but a few twists of your finger and 5 seconds down you are polish free! It really has changed my life, no joke!

Finally, the Délice de Soleil Bronzing Powder takes the stage. Firstly, I love the design of this compact with the swivel mirror and tiny brush inside. It's perfect for travelling with and is super slim to fit in your handbag too. Likewise with Bourjois' other bronzing powder this also smells deliciously of chocolate. The powder gives you a really nice bronzed look and works as a really nice sheer contour without giving you a 'muddy' look.

So there we have it! I hope you like this new feature and it gave you a little insight into a few Bourjois products. :)

Aimée
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October Favourites.

So its October Favourites time and there's quite a few products I've been loving! Including a cheeky candle purchase too!

Recently I've been really getting into my Stila In The Light Palette. I've actually had the palette for ages, but I always seem to forget I have it and find it lurking at the back of my make-up drawer. This month however, I've had it on the go almost everyday and been totally loving it! The 10 shadows are beautiful and super pigmented. They also blend really easily which is great for me as I'm still a bit of an eye shadow novice! My only issues with the palette is that there isn't enough matte shades for my liking and it doesn't close securely which makes travelling a slight issue. But a spare hair band solves that issue. :)

If you read my recent review (here) you'll know that I've been obsessed with Benefit's High Beam ever since I bought it. The lovely pinky-champagney colour works so well to brighten my face up for Autumn. Using it underneath my brow bone also gives a lovely definition to my brows as well. I won't harp on too much as my review says it all, but basically I LOVE it!

Now its Autumn and the run up to Christmas has officially hit, you've got to have a staple red lipstick on the go. My current go-to is Topshop's Rio Rio. Its creamy, moisturising and has great colour pay off. With a lip liner to prime the lips it has great staying power and a lovely matte finish. At £8 I think its really great value too!

As seen in my previous post this week, I am in love with the miracle hair worker that is TIGI's Wonderful Tonight. Want an overnight treatment that leaves you with that 'just left the hairdressers' feeling? Then you need this bottle in your life! It makes my hair feel so soft and shiny and it smells super yummy too!

Bronzer is something I've never really used. I always seem to struggle finding the perfect shade for me, but the Bourjois Délice de Soleil Bronzing Powder has found a permanent place in my make-up bag. I have it in the shade fair/medium. The powder is really finely milled, giving a really natural finish on the skin. I really love the packaging too, with a massive mirror which is great when I'm travelling!

Lastly, a somewhat different addition to normal! On a recent trip to Waitrose, I found this Fig and Plum candle on offer and couldn't resist it. It smells amazing and has really gotten me into an autumnal mood. Fig seems to be a favourite scent of mine at the moment, so you might see a few more candles popping up here and there!

So there's my favourites for this month! What've you been loving? :)

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FOTN | Cocktail Night with the Girls

Me and my best girlfriends decided to have a cocktail night this week and I thought I'd share my make-up from the night :) This is loosely based on Tanya Burr's tutorial here, but I slightly changed it to fit me better :) We made amazingg cocktails like Frozen Lemon Daiquiris, Tropical Concoctions and Banana Daiquiris with real bananas - too yummy!!

Make-up I used:

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in Light 2

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation in 52

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Translucent

Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Pink Gold

Naked Lunch Eyeshadow by MAC

Ebony Eyeshadow by Stila

Night Sky Eyeshadow by Stila

Jemma Kidd Define Eyeliner in 01 Black

Maybelline the Falsies Mascara 'Flared'

Bourjois Bronzing Powder in 51

Sleek Chantilly Blush - Lace Palette

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Rendezvous

I hope you all enjoy the last few dregs of sun this weekend :)

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My 'Must-Haves' Of The Moment

I've noticed for the past few months or so I've been going back to these same products near enough every day. They've become holy grail items and my skin, hair and make-up has looked all the better for it! I thought I'd share them with you and give a mini-review of the products :)

First up I've been loving the Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation in 52. I originally bought the serum version, but I love this version so much more. The texture is so smooth and really glides and buffs well into your skin. It gives a medium coverage which is great for me when I don't want a heavy foundation on my skin but still want to feel like I'm covered. The tube lasts a long while, which is great as although its not going to break the bank - highstreet foundations are definitely getting pricier!

Along the same vein I'm still loving the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in Light 2. I really don't have any bad words to say about this concealer, and I'm sure you've heard a million people in the blogosphere raving about it too. The coverage it provides is just great for the price, and it doesn't crease at all on me.

The MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle is a product I can honestly say I've worn near enough every single day since last October when I bought it. Its the perfect highlighter, giving just the right amount of shimmer without being overpowering. I apply it using the Real Techniques contour brush and just dab it along the tops of my cheekbones. I love the way it makes your skin look in pictures, definitely my go-to for nights out. The product is so worth the money too, there's no way I'll be hitting pan anytime soon even with using it every day!

Sticking with powders, I've been obsessed with both my Sleek Rose Gold Blush and my Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Tipsy. I've raved about the Sleek blush before, and you can read my full review HERE. I think its such a beautiful colour for spring/summer and I'm sure I'll continue to get loads of use out of it. The Tarte blush has the most amazing staying power, and is such a lovely coral colour. I've got a full review of this blush coming soon :)

Moving to skincare, I've been obsessed with the Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream recently and have really noticed a difference around my eyes. I've always struggled with dark circles under my eyes, and recently I noticed I was getting small white blemishes too. I know that your eyes are a sensitive area, and if you smother it in your normal face cream the thin skin just can't cope and the cream sits on top rather than sinking in. After finding this out a few months ago I've really tried to take care of my eyes and this cream has been at the forefront. I've only been using sample sizes as I had about three from various places but I'm definitely going to splurge on the full size when this runs out.

I've also started taking better care of my lips. I've really gotten into my lip products at the moment but found that the skin on my lips was quite dry and tended to flake quite often. That's where my Lush Lip Scrub in Mint Julips came to the rescue. This stuff is amazing, its made my lips feel super smooth and soft and my lipsticks look so much better because of it. They also stay on a lot longer and my lips feel a lot more moisturised. The pot is rather pricey, but a little goes a long way - and if anything its so fun eating the sugary excess left behind! Did I mention it also smells amazing!?

Lastly, we come to hair. I've always had quite coarse hair and although I've been trying out many different hair oils (some with great effect!) nothing can come close to how soft my hair feels after using the S-Factor Smoothing Lusterizer. I've been coupling it with the S-Factor Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner and my hair has never looked better. I use the Lusterizer sraight after I come out of the shower, focussing on the ends of my hair. I also use a tiny bit after I've styled and hairsprayed my hair just to give it that added smooth and sleekness. I do use it on days where I don't wash my hair, but I only use a tiny amount as I don't want to make my hair greasy in the process! It is amazing though and I love the way it makes my hair feel and look. It also smells of strawberries, so its win win!

So those are all my 'must-have' products at the moment - what are you loving at the moment?

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April Favourites

HOW IS IT MAY?! This year is going so super duper fast, and already I'm a little late on my April Favourites! I don't actually do a favourites post very often, but this month I've been really loving these products so I thought they deserved a whole post dedicated to them. Bet they feel special!

Recently I've really been trying to take good care of my skin, and the Elemis Exfoliating Face Wash coupled with my No.7 Hot Cloth Cleanser (reviewed in my last post HERE) have seriously been making a difference. My skin feels so much clearer now and much smoother! Definitely gonna repurchase both products - that is if my cleanser ever runs out, it seems to go on forever!

Both the foundation and mascara were purchases based on the recommendations of Essie Button and Tanya Burr and if you're reading this then I'm sure you know who they are already. I was on the lookout for a new foundation, and although it was a struggle to actually find the Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum in stock, I'm so glad I tracked it down! Its got such good coverage, stays put all day and blends really nicely. I really enjoy the healthy glow it gives my skin. I did actually buy the matching concealer as well, but I'm still a bit iffy on whether I actually like it. When it comes to the Maybelline The Falsies Mascara, I sooo wish I'd bought it sooner! I love it! My lashes look so volumised and I don't end up with black smudges under my eyes! Definitely one to repurchase :)

The Revlon ColourStay Liquid Eye Pen is a relatively recent addition to my make-up bag, but I am seriously loving it. It makes eyeliner so quick and easy and literally never smudges! Its my go-to eyeliner everyday and can create so many different effects. Definitely one for the handbag!

I reviewed the Maybelline Colour Tattoo Cream Gel Eyeshadow pots back in the beginning of April (see HERE) and I liked them then. But now, I bloody love them. They make getting ready in the morning, that bit quicker and simpler and yet you still look like you spent time blending out eyeshadows! My favourite is still On and On Bronze, but I am warming more and more to Pink Gold.

Finally, onto brushes. I've had both the Real Techniques Buffing Brush and the MAC 217 for a while but this month I've just been really enjoying using them. The Buffing brush seems to work particularly well with my Bourjois Foundation and just blends it so easily and smoothly. Likewise, my 217 brush makes blending so easy and gives such a nice effect. Both brushes area really soft and fluffy, and actually dry really well after washing!

What've your favourites been from April? :)

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December Favourites.

This month I've been loving quite varied products; a few recent splurges, a Christmas gift and a Glossy Box find.

First up, my Stila One Step Illuminate which I actually wrote a full review on a few posts back here. This product was bought on such a whim, I surprised myself by how much I liked it! There's not many days where I don't use this primer now as I just love the healthy glow it leaves me with. Considering I've had this for just over a month now, I also think it lasts really well!

A beauty staple I think, but this is actually my first purchase of the Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover. I'm not sure how I would cope without this now, its just so simple and quick to use! Definitely a firm favourite for months to come I think. :)

My first Essie nail polish, and definitely a favourite for this wintery month! The shimmery bluey/greeny colour (Dive Bar) is so suited for the cold weather we've been having, and the quality of the polish is really apparent. I wrote a full review on this polish earlier this month which you can read here.

This Ayuuri Indian Rose Face Cream actually featured in my November Glossybox post and I have to say I wasn't massively excited by it. However, after persevering with it I have quite enjoyed using it. I'm still not keen on the smell of Rose, but the cream does leave my face feeling really soft and smooth. Which in the winter months can sometimes be tricky to accomplish! So thanks Glossy Box for ensuring I find this brand! :)

I feel like this product needs little explanation. The MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle actually made its way into my home a few months ago, but this month I've had quite a few compliments on my dewy/shimmery cheekbones that it's renewed my love for the product! I just love this and I'm sure most of you reading will agree :) I wrote a little piece about this splurge here.

The Topshop Lip Marker in Hot Shot is actually intended as a kind of lip stain. However, I wear mine as more of a lip liner/base coat for lipstick. It seriously improves the wear time, and creates a really nice base for my lipstick to sit on top of. As it is a lip stain, you can wear it alone and although I've heard good reviews  on this, I haven't tried it myself so couldn't really comment. The actual nib of the product has the texture of a felt tip pen and is therefore super easy to control and makes application a smooth process. Definitely a winter favourite when a statement red lip looks so festive.

Lastly, a very recent addition to my monthly favourites! If you've read my previous post (here) you'll know that this Max Factor Colour X-Pert Waterproof Eyeliner in Metallic Anthracite was a Christmas present from my sister. Therefore meaning that I've had the product for less than a week of this month! However, I really do love it that much that it deserves a place in my favourites. I've worn it everyday since opening it and its pretty much a perfect product in my eyes! I think I will be purchasing different colours in the near future to test them out too.

So there you have it, my December favourites! Are any of these products a favourite of yours too? Let me know :)

Aimée
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