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Monthly Archives: March 2009
Dollface Reviews: YSL Perfect Touch Radiant Brush Foundation
Having just tried out YSL's Top Secret Flash Radiance Brush, I thought it was only fair to also give the foundation from the same line a go. What can I say, it's a tough job, but someone's got to do it…
This, of course, is Perfect Touch Radiant Brush Foundation, and it comes in exactly the same kind of container as the Radiance Brush: just twist the top to the "on" position, squeeze out some of the product and then brush onto the face.
Now, I have a shocking confession to make here: I don't normally use a foundation brush. I know, I know, we're always hearing about how it's the best possible way to apply foundation, but I've always found my fingers to be quicker and easier (plus they wash easier too), and I'm lazy, so that's the method I've stuck with.
I wasn't really sure what I'd make of this foundation, then. As I said in my previous review, I loved the Radiance Brush, but then it's a primer, and it goes on clear. This is foundation, and obviously it takes a little more blending in for that reason, but I still found it really easy to apply. You need to give the bottle just the gentlest of squeezes or you'll end up with too much product on the brush, but once the brush is full, it's actually a joy to use, and the application is much more precise than my fingers. I'm guessing this is probably something all you foundation-brush users already knew, huh?
As for the foundation itself, I used shade 1 – "Ivory" – and really liked it. It's not too thick, but still gives a decent amount of coverage, and has a nice, matt finish which I've been appreciating because my skin's been looking a little bit too shiny recently.
This is normally £29, but it's currently down to £23.99 at Beauty Counter Direct – get it here.
Piz Buin Self Tanning Lotion + Colour Dial
Well, it's almost that time of year again, folks. Spring is well and truly on the way (or I really hope so, anyway), and over the past few weeks, every time I've caught sight of myself in the mirrors at the gym, I've looked like I was haunting the place, such is the white glare of my skin.
Yes, it's time to hit the fake tan before someone calls in the Ghostbusters, and one of the first ones on my "Must Try" list this year is Piz Buin's Self Tanning Lotion + Colour Dial.
This product contains five different shades in one bottle – all you have to do is twist the dial to choose which one to use. The pale amongst us, or those who are new to the world of fake tan, will probably want to start off with the palest shade and then build it up gradually, but even if you're a self-tan veteran, you may find doing just that will give you a more natural looking result.
This is fairly expensive at £17.99, but if it works, it could just be worth it. It's available from all major chemists.
Cheap GHD’s from… Cheap-ghds.co.uk !
Despite owning more pairs of ceramic hair straighteners than are really necessary (well, two, but still…) I still keep finding myself craving a pair of GHDs.
I know from experience that they're well worth the expense: I've used them lots of times (our gym has them in the locker rooms, so I like to pop in after my workout and have a quick play. Given that I always look terrible after a gym session, this is actually a pretty pointless exercise, but it has been instrumental in convincing me I really need a set of my own…) and always love the way they leave my hair, but despite this, I've always somehow been unable to convince myself to make the investment.
So far, then, I have managed to resist the lure of the shiny new straightening irons. Today, though, I've been looking at the selection at www.cheap-ghds.co.uk, and I find my cravings returning. This site is basically a comparison engine for GHDs, and it works in the same sort of way you'd comparison-shop for, say, car insurance. (Which is just much less interesting) You just click on the type of straightener you're looking for, whether it be the GHD IV Salon Styler or the pretty pink ones at the top of this post, and it shows you a list of available retailers, along with the prices they're charging for that model, so you can choose the one that's offering the best price.
The site looks at retailers like Amazon, HQ-Hair etc, so you know you're shopping from a reputable site. My problem, of course, will be choosing which model to go for. I'm always drawn to the pink, but I'm currently also liking the Limited Edition Radiance Set which includes a GHD mini styler, plus Benefit's Justine Case mini beauty kit. Benefit and GHDs, in the same deal: how to resist?
Dollface Reviews: Sustainable Youth Immune Performance Revitalizing Serum and Elasticity Cream
I'm pretty sure I can't be the only one out there who'd like my skin to look young, you know, forever, and while Sustainable Youth's products don't quite promise that, they do claim to help improve the skin's elasticity and firmness by 72% within only 8 weeks of use, which sounds good to me.
Naturally, then, I had to try them.
For the past week or so, I've been using the brand's Immune Performance Revitalizing Serum and Elasticity Cream. Both contain the the immune-stimulating, patent-pending blend "Alasta", which is this brand's "secret weapon", if you like, in the fight against ageing.
They also contain a range of organic ingredients, including rice extract, green, white and rooibos tea extracts. As well as absorbing super-quickly into the skin, leaving it primed for makeup application, both products are of the "a little goes a long way" variety, so they should last you a long time.
In addition to this, these happen to be the freshest smelling skincare products I've ever used! The serum in particular has this slightly spicy/minty scent that lasts long after the original application, leaving my skin smelling wonderfully fresh. It's also very soothing and cooling, which makes it soothing to use.
As I said, I've only been using these for just over a week, so I haven't noticed any real change in my skin, but I will report back after the requisite 8 weeks! In the meantime, you can buy them for yourself at the Sustainable Youth website.
Urban Decay Pocket Rocket Lip Gloss
Remember those pens that had a picture of a woman inside? A woman who got undressed when you tipped her upside down? Well, um, here's the male version, in the form of Urban Decay's Pocket Rocket Lip Gloss.
Now, I'm sure the image above is pretty self-explanatory, but just in case it isn't – the picture on the left shows the tube before tipping it upside down, while the one on the right shows the tube afterwards. Spot the difference? Well, yeah, I'm sure you do.
There are eight different men/colours to choose from, and the gloss itself has a crème brûlée flavour, with each shade varying in opacity and finish.
It's $19 per tube, and you can buy it here.
Mother’s Day Promotions from Boots
A few more Mother's Day beauty offers for you, this time from Dollface favourite, Boots:
Save up to 1/2 price on selected fragrances
Free Mother's Day gift when you spend £10 or more on selected Sanctuary
Save 1/3 on selected Soap & Glory
Exclusive Lancôme Gift worth over £56 with 2 or more Lancôme purchases on Boots.com
Anya Hindmarch ‘Nelly’ satin poodle print makeup bag
I love poodles (although personally I prefer them looking like dogs than like little girls, with bows in their hair, but that's just me…) and I love makeup, so it stands to reason I'd also love Anya Hindmarch's 'Nelly' makeup bag.
What I don't like here is the price. This was £65, but has now been reduced to £45 – which still seems like rather a lot to me for something I know would just get covered in makeup, but it's definitely cute, and if you think it's cute enough to invest in, you can buy it here.
Cath Kidston Rose Hand Cream
I have to admit that while Dollface Towers is a modern, suburban kind of place, I sometimes dream of a little cottage by the sea, which I'd fill with Cath Kidston fabrics and spend my days being a 50s housewife, complete with apron and baked goods.
Or, you know, maybe not.
Until then, I'll have to reply on Cath Kidston's Rose Hand Cream, to fulfill my love of florals, and kitsch, retro designs. I think it would make a sweet little Mother's Day gift too, if you're stuck for ideas.
This is inspired by home-made beauty recipes, and contains lots of natural ingredients and no parabens, sulphates or colours. It's £8, and you can buy it here.
‘Mum’ Mother’s Day Gift Set from Lush
Ah, Lush! They can always be depended upon to solve those last-minute "What the hell can I buy my mother THIS YEAR?" dilemmas in the nicest possible way, can't they?
This year they're selling this pretty little 'Mum' set, which comes all wrapped up nice and pretty, so if you're a lazy Dollface, like me, that's one less thing to worry about. It'll also keep your mum happy, containing such Lush gems as:
Honey, I Washed the Kids! ( a personal favourite of mine)
Lemony Flutter hand cream
Pop in the Bath bar
Sultana of Soap
The Comforter bath melt
Think Pink bath bomb
and Yummy Yummy Yummy shower wash
So nice I quite fancy getting one myself, even although I'm not a mother. It's £24.95 and you can buy it here.
Benefit Smokin’ Eyes Eye and Brow Makeover Kit
Smoky eyes remain one of the most popular makeup looks around, but it's one of those looks that a lot of people still struggle to get right, so Benefit have brought out a complete kit to help you get the perfect smoky eye, plus the perfect, groomed brows, all in one little box.
That product is called Smokin' Eyes and it contains:
You also get a "beauty lesson" leaflet telling you exactly how to apply these products to get the look you're after. It seems like a good introductory kit for anyone looking to try the look out, but for those us who really like our eyes smoky, it'll be a handy little travel-sized kit, too, packing all of the products you'll need into one little box.
Buy: Benefit Smokin' Eyes, $36
