Beauty - Review of Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation, Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer and Rimmel Fix and Perfect Pro Primer

I ran out of my usual daytime foundation, Rimmel Lasting Finish foundation, three weeks ago and nipped into my local Boots store one evening to find a replacement foundation.

I reviewed the Rimmel Lasting Finish foundation on my blog (See HERE), and while I thought it was an OK, natural-looking foundation, it didn't exactly make me want to rush out to buy another Rimmel product.

But Boots were doing a pretty sweet offer that soon convinced me - spend over €12 on any Rimmel make-up products and recieve the Fix and Perfect Pro Primer worth €8.99 absolutely free! I posted a picture of these three products on my Instagram HERE, and a few of my followers said they got the same sweet deal that was on offer three weeks ago because of my post, so please do check out my Instagram if you're interested in keeping up to date in detail with my purchases because I update that a lot more frequently than I update this blog! But anyways,  I picked up the Match Perfection foundation, which was on special offer as well at €6.99 (in Penneys and other stockists it was retailing at €9.99), and the Wake Me Up concealer for €6.99 that I have heard such good things from fellow bloggers about.



Rimmel Fix and Perfect Pro Primer
This comes in a plastic white tube as you ca
n see, nothing too fancy packaging wise. It smells beautiful. It applies just like a balm, and sinks into my skin quickly. I usually apply my Simple Kind to Skin Hydrating Moisturiser before applying this primer as my skin is often prone to dryness.
It is a super good primer and does live up to it's name in that sense! I find it works especially well combined with the Match Perfection foundation and doesn't make my skin appear oily or dry when on at all, as it mattifies and moisturises throughout the day. A great buy.





Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation
I picked up this foundation in the shade 100 Ivory. It isn't the lightest shade in the range, Porcelain is, but I felt that a porcelain shade on my face literally drains my face of any colour whatsoever and just isn't that flattering. The packaging is pretty similar to the Lasting Finish foundation in the sense that it's a glass tube with a plastic cap. The similarities don't end there - it also smells pretty similar to the Lasting Finish makeup - nice and fresh. It applies very smoothly to my face. I have used this with and without the primer mentioned above. Like I mentioned, it works best with the primer, but works pretty damn well on it's own too. In my honest opinion though, I don't see a huge difference between this and the Lasting Finish makeup, I find they're both very natural-looking foundations that last a few hours in the day, but wouldn't last all day unless worn with a primer.




Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer
From blogging for a last few months and checking out other blogs on both Instagram and Facebook, whenever this Rimmel concealer is mentioned it stands out as one of the best affordable concealers out there at the moment, so of course I needed to check it out to see would it suffice on my crazy skintone! I picked this up in the shade Classic Beige. Like the other Rimmel products, it's packaged quite basically, but the orange cap has come in ever so handy as it's easy to find in the makeup bag! It has a stranger smell than the other products, not as fresh and beautiful, more neutral for sure. I applied it under my eyes to test out it's effect. It works quite well. I wouldn't say it gets rid of the bags under my eyes completely, but covers them naturally, which I think is still quite good as it would look very unnatural if it covered them completely. It lasts for a good while too. I've used it on any blemishes too, and found that it conceals them quite well too, but you have to use quite a bit. But overall, a good natural-looking, affordable concealer that's well worth a try.

Beauty - Natural Eyes with a Bright Lip: Collaboration No.1

So to make my blog a bit more exciting and to support other bloggers, I've decided to start doing collaborations with other bloggers on Instagram. There will be one each week for the next few weeks. If you haven't followed me on Instagram HERE  what are you waiting for?! This is my first collaboration with a lovely beauty blogger called @tangram_. Her Instagram is HERE , you definitely should follow her, she's beautiful on the inside as well as the outside and so talented too!

For our collaboration we decided on a really summery day time look  - consisting of natural, low key-eyes (with some glitter - sure why not!) and a super eye-catching bright lip - inspired by the beautiful YouTuber Kathleen Lights. If you don't know who she is, you should definitely check her out! I follow her on Instagram and am subscribed to her videos on YouTube, what I really like most about her is she uses mostly affordable products and her videos are super simple to follow too, and I am already planning on having another make-up look inspired by her uo soon on my blog! A link to her channel is HERE and her Instagram is HERE.

Anyways this look is so nice - neutral, simple eyes teamed with a bright pink lip. It's definitely too subtle for me to wear to a night-time event. Just to say, this look is not for the beach, it's not that natural! It's if you were going to - let's say - a  summer day-time event.

Most of the products I've used, I've used before in other blog posts. The amount of make-up I have at the moment is far too much, and many of the products I have bought have never been opened, so I need to use them before I buy more things.

So first off, I washed my face using Boots Tea Tree and Witch Hazel foaming wash, (€4.79). My skin is super duper dry at the moment, so I moisturised my face using my Simple Kind to Skin Hydrating Light moisturiser (€5) in three thin layers. I've done a review on these two products HERE as part of my skincare routine.

I used the green in my concealer palette (€5 from aliexpress.com) to hide the redness around my nose and on my cheeks. As this is a very natural look, I used Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 Hour foundation (€9.99) using my Penneys beauty blender (€1.50). I've done a review on this foundation HERE, and while it isn't a make-up product that lasts all day for someone like me who has combination skin, it is very good for a day time look for a few hours. I used Kubiss concealer in No.2 Medium (€2, local chemist) where needed and set that and the foundation with Catrice All Matt Plus shine-control powder in 010 Transparent (€3.49, Penneys).

I created a very subtle smoky eye using the three shades on the left of the Catrice Absolute Nude eyeshadow palette (review of this product is HERE), €5.49. I applied the lightest colour on my browbone and inner corner of my eyes, the medium shade on my eyelid and the darkest eyeshadow shade on the outer edge and blended them together. To brighten up the look even more, I patted some of Catrice Liquid Metal Eyeshadow in the shade Under Treasure (€4.49), from my inner eye to nearly half way over the eye.

As this is a summery day time look, I skipped false eyelashes and went straight for mascara. The one I decided to use was NYC Big Bold Volume by the Lash Mascara (€3.49). My natural eyelashes are tiny and short, so that's why it hasn't come up as impressive as I would have liked.

For eyebrows, I filled them in using Penneys PS Beauty browkit (€2); I've reviewed this product (along with a  few other Penneys own brand make-up products) HERE.

As for the rest of my face, it's very natural again, and as it's a summery look, I used a little of Catrice Sun Glow Shimmering Bronzing Powder (€4.49) and a teeny tiny bit of Catrice Defining Blush in Sunrose Avenue (€4.49 - review HERE). I highlighted my skin using Catrice Prime and Fine highlighting powder. (€4).

The lips are really the standout star attraction of this look. I love how everything else is very natural and the lips are just BAM! You could choose any lip colour you want, even a nude lip would look really nice with this look. In the inspired look she's wearing lipstick but I think a lipgloss is more fun for summer, so I wore the unbelievable New York Color Expert Last Lip Lacquer in Fidi Fuchsia. I love everything about this product - the beautiful shade, the way it doesn't taste yukky on my lips, and the fact it stays on for yonks! Oh and it only set me back €3.70 too!

My hummingbird top is from Penneys - from a few years ago though - in case anyone's wondering.

Fashion & Beauty - Clashing Prints Outfit of The Day

Clashing prints are a very big trend at the moment. I find they are more wearable however if both prints are in the same colour palette, such as black and white like I have done here.

The black and white dress is AX Paris, but like the navy version of this polka-dot dress that I wore in this blog post HERE, and like the navy version, I also got it in a charity shop in Dublin for €5!

The coat belonged to my sister, she didn't like the print on it anymore, so she gave it to me! It is by Jane Norman, and was quite expensive at the time. It is five years old and still excellent quality.

The brown ankle boots are Penneys, I've mentioned them in previous blog posts. I bought them just before Christmas for €15.

The tights are basic black ones from Penneys, they cost €3.

The black hat is from Chinese wholesale website aliexpress.com, I've also mentioned it in previous blog posts. It cost €6.

Make-up wise, it's very similar to what I have done before. The foundation I used was Rimmel London Lasting Finish 25 Hour foundation, and I've reviewed it on the blog before, see HERE. I applied that using my Penneys beauty blender (€1.50). It gives a very natural result.
The liquid eyeliner I used was Essence Liquid Ink Eyeliner (€2.89, Penneys).
The red lipstick is Seventeen Stay Pout lipstick. (€5.69, Boots).
The rest of the make-up routine I have already mentioned before in many other of my blog post.

For hair, I washed and conditioned it before applying V05 Heat Defence Spray (€5, Boots) and blowdried it straight, then straightened it again using my GHD straightener.

P.S. Apologies for my Michael Buble calendar photobombing in the background ;-)

Beauty & Fashion - Easter Sunday Outfit Of the Day

This outfit I had actually worn Easter Sunday, but never got round to finishing writing a blog post about it it up thanks to other stuff getting in the way!

The orange top is Penneys. I bought it a week before Easter. I was looking through the reduced items rack (always on the hunt for a bargain!) and at first, I didn't think it looked that great - the pattern is usually not something I'd pick out as I usually go for soft, more muted colours. But I figured it would be nice with blue or white jeans and it was reduced from €9 to €3 so I took a chance and bought it.

I have the jeans for about five years now. I bought them in my local town, and I remember they were quite expensive at the time (about €70). But they were a great investment! I wore them a lot throughout my years at college and they go with a lot of outfits. The only thing is, they're insanely skin tight skinny and it's such an effort to get them on, I have to literally jump around my bedroom (girls, you know the way it is!). I really felt like they went with this top and balanced it out though.

The black heels are Penneys. I bought them for my college graduation. They were about €15 but they're the most uncomfortable pair of shoes I have ever worn! I think they suit this look though as they are quite basic and don't distract from the outfit.

The hat is from Aliexpress.com, I've worn it in previous blog posts, it cost €6.

Make-up wise, I was going for quite a dewy, glowing look. So after cleansing my face with my Boots Tea Tree and Witch Hazel foaming wash, I applied Nivea Daily Essentials Express Hydration primer before applying Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation using my Primark beauty blender. This foundation is very nice for achieving a natural look. I applied Kubiss London concealer as needed and set them both using Catrice All Matt Plus shine control powder. I used Catrice Prime and Fine eyeshadow base on my eyelids before creating a subtle smoky eye using the Catrice Absolute Nude Eyeshadow palette and the eyeliner I used was NYC Liquid Eyeliner before adding loads of NYC Big Bold Volume by the Lash Mascara. I filled in my eyebrows using Penneys P.S Love Beauty eyebrow kit. I added Catrice Defining Blush to the apples of my cheeks and moisturised my lips using Nivea lipbalm before applying Catrice Infinite Shine lipgloss.

As for my hair, I washed it that morning and applied Vo5 Heat Protect spray before blowdrying it straight.

Again, this post is featuring my dog Sam again, but he was a bit camera shy this time!

                                                           Products Used:

Boots Tea Tree and Witch Hazel Foaming Wash, €4.79.
Nivea Daily Essentials Express Hydration Primer, €6.49, Penneys.
Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation in 100 Ivory, €9.99, Penneys.
Kubiss London Concealer in No.2 Medium, €2, local chemist. 
Catrice All Matt Plus Shine Control Powder in 010 Transparent, €3.49, Penneys.
Catrice Prime and Fine Eyeshadow Base, €4.20, Penneys.
Catrice Absolute Nude Eyeshadow Palette, €5.49, Penneys.
NYC (New York Color) Liquid Eyeliner, €2.40, Penneys.
NYC Big Bold Volume by the Lash Mascara, €3.49, Penneys.
PS Love.... Beauty by Primark Beauty blender, €2.
PS Love.... Beauty by Primark eyebrow kit, €1.50.
Catrice Defining Blush in 080 Sunrose Avenue, €4.49, Penneys.
Nivea Essential Care lipbalm, €2.09, Penneys.
Catrice Infinite Shine Lipgloss, €3.49, Penneys.

Beauty - Review of Rimmel London Lasting Finish 25 Hour Nude Foundation

From reviews I had read online, this Rimmel foundation fared pretty well, so despite my previous dissatisfaction with this brand's foundations (I personally felt like they didn't cover my skin very well and started to wear away quickly on my combination skin), I decided to give this one a try as it promises to last for a whole 25 hours (don't know who would be awake that length, but sure!). It was priced at €9.99 in Penneys too, so I said why not. My shade is 100 Ivory, in case you can't see it clearly in the photo - I think this is the lightest shade in the range.

On the day I decided to review this product, I was going into my local town to do some shopping. After cleansing my face with Boots Tea Tree Oil & Witch Hazel Foaming Face Wash (€4.79) to get rid of any oil and dirt that may have built up over night and also to clean off the excess of my night face cream, and moisturising in 3 thin layers with Simple Kind to Skin Hydrating Light Moisturiser (€4.99, Penneys) in order to give it the best base in which to cling to, I put this foundation on at about 2pm. I set it with only a light dusting of powder to really investigate the foundation's staying power. I was going for quite a casual, natural look that day so I applied a little bit of NYC Volume by the Lash Mascara (€3.49, Penneys) to my upper eyelashes only and lightly filled in my eyebrows using my PS Beauty Browkit (€1.50, Penneys). I applied just a tiny bit of Vaseline to my lips.

I had used this foundation before, for my first ever blog post (the gel eyeliner and pink lips look - Check. It. Out!), but for some reason I had only worn it then for about 3 hours, then wiped it off, which although showing me it achieved a natural look, didn't give any insight into how well it lasted.

First impression - it smelled quite nice, like most Rimmel foundations do. The packaging is quite basic though like a lot of other Rimmel foundations - a glass container with only a white top.

I found however, that it doesn't cover any spots at all. I know concealer is really supposed to cover the spots, but a lot of my other foundations (like Catrice and Maxfactor), do cover spots a little. This one scooted by the spots, which means the really obvious breakout I'm currently experiencing on my chin remained obvious as ever after application. I took pictures of the initial application then, both with and without flash, and without an Instagram filter (scary shit!), as you can see from the screenshot. First reaction was that it was quite natural and looked like I was wearing no makeup, which was the desired look. My sister commented that I had a 'healthy glow'.




















Coming back from town, 3 hours later, I took more photos, both with and without the flash, and without an Instagram filter. I don't touch my face at all during the day, because I'm a little paranoid about transferring germs to it, but noticed that the foundation had already started to fade around my nose and even moreso around my chin. My forehead had already started to become oily too!























For the purposes of research, I decided to keep this foundation on while I went for a run. I never ever ever  wear makeup while exercising, because it blocks your pores when you sweat, therefore causing breakouts, but I wanted to test this foundation to the maximum, exposing it to the cold Irish weather.

Two hours after the run, and 8 hours after application, with zero touch ups, I took more photos, both with and without the flash, and again without an Instagram filter. To give this makeup some credit, I found that in certain areas, it had lasted well, but it had started to wear away even more at the cheeks. So much so that my sister had even asked did I take off my foundation yet! Lasting Finish - yeah right!



















It sounds like I'm dwelling on the bad points of this, but this isn't a bad foundation though - if you are on the hunt for a natural-looking, medium coverage (for normal skin anyways!) foundation that is affordable too, then this is your guy. I'd recommend it for someone going for an interview who doesn't want to look too done up, or someone going to school that wants to wear makeup but doesn't want it to look like they are (if that makes sense?). I might even use this myself again if I'm going for an interview or I want the natural make-up look (provided I top it up every few hours!). It also contains SPF 20. But overall, for me personally, this just didn't work - I prefer a foundation with a bit more heavier coverage that doesn't wear away after just a few hours with my combination skin.

Beauty - Dramatic Eyeliner and Pink Lips Makeup Inspired by Shaaanxo

Kind of a quirky look I went for today!

I had just bought the Rimmel London foundation Lasting Finish in 100 'Ivory' so wanted really to try that out (full review on this product is to come!)

Firstly, I used Nivea Daily Essentials Express Hydration Primer to prime my skin. I've been using this primer for a few weeks and to be honest I'm a little disappointed! It's not that much better than my ordinary Simple moisturiser I had been using in the past, but I like the smell of this and it's very gentle on my skin.

I used the green in my concealer palette to hide any redness caused by the horrible cold Irish weather around my nose and on my cheeks, and used the light pink concealer under my eyes to get rid of any dark circles.

I used the Rimmel London foundation then - first impressions were that it matched my skintone exactly and was a buildable coverage. I used the concealer in the palette to conceal any spots then. I set my foundation using the Kubiss London powder in No.2 'Candle'.

I used Boots Seventeen Define and Conquer Contour Kit primarily the contour - the highlighter side of this kit is a bit too light for my fair Irish skin - and applied that on my cheekbones, over my forehead, sides of my nose and chin. 

For blush I used the Catrice Defining Blush in 080 'Sunrose Avenue'.

For the eyes I was kind of trying to copy a makeup look I see on an New Zealand blogger Shaaanxo - I was obsessed with it! It involved using a gel eyeliner (I used Mac) and smudging it out along the outer corner. I'm not sure I really did it like her, but I made an attempt at it anyways! I used the Catrice Absolute Nude Eyeshadow Palette just to brighten the look up. I used Benefit They're Real! Mascara on my upper and lower eyelashes. I then used Mac's Pink Noveau as a lipstick. I then used Catrice Prime and Fine highlighting powder to add highlight to my face. I used Penneys PS Beauty Brow Kit to fill in my brows.

As my blog is aimed towards the budget conscious, I was aware that some of the products used don't exactly match the criteria. Benefit They're Real! Mascara being one of them. This was a product I wanted to try out for ages, and I wasn't disappointed with it - makes your eyelashes look like they're false (no messing around with glue and false eyelashes, yes to that!) and the top of the brush is super small to coat even the smallest of eyelashes. I am in the process of reviewing a product that's a little cheaper than this baby though.

The MAC lipsticks I wanted to try out for a long time. I ordered the classics like Russian Red, but I randomly picked Pink Noveau. I have tried it out a few times on myself and I absolutely adore the colour and the staying power - it will literally stay put the whole night. The horrendously bad lighting in the photo of me makes it look slightly darker on me than it actually is as you can see from the picture of it taken from the Mac website. I am in the process of looking for cheaper alternatives at the moment though, as the Mac products are expensive.

As for the MAC gel eyeliner, this was actually my first time using gel eyeliner. Most of the time, I use liquid eyeliner  but was wanting to choose a gel eyeliner as this look involved smudging it (you can't really smudge liquid eyeliner any bit to be honest - ends up everywhere!) and this one seemed to get quite good reviews online. I love it myself as it glides on super easy and lasts all day, but I'm currently in the process of looking for a cheaper gel eyeliner alternative and will update the blog when I do.










Product Details:


Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation in '100 Ivory'. €9.99, Penneys.
Concealer Palette. €10, Chinese wholesale website.
Boots Seventeen Define and Contour Contouring Kit. €7.59, Boots.
Nivea Daily Essentials Express Hydration Primer. €6.49, Penneys.
MAC Lipstick in 'Pink Noveau'. £15.50 (around €21), maccosmetics.co.uk
Benefit They're Real! Mascara. €26.00, Boots.
Catrice Prime and Fine Highlighting Powder, €4, Penneys.
Kubiss London Powder in No.2 'Candle'. €2, local chemist.
Catrice Absolute Nude Eyeshadow Palette, €5.49, Penneys.
PS Beauty Brow Kit, €1.50, Penneys.
Catrice Defining Blush in 080 'Sunrose Avenue'. €4.49, Penneys.
MAC Fluidline Gel Eyeliner, £15.50, (around €21), maccosmetics.co.uk