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Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic £15.50 Boots
Over the years, I have struggled with finding the correct toner for my skin. I used to use an astringent on my t-zone during my teenage years, to help combat the oils on my (then) combination skin type. As I have got older, my skin has become drier, so I didn't need to use such a strong toner anymore. For a while, I didn't use any toner, until I came across this one from Liz Earle, after using the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish for over two years. Since my teenage years, I have also gained Melasma on my face, and I try to use products with natural ingredients or products that I know don't inflame my skin. This toner appealed to me because of the natural ingredients it contains. 


This toner is made from natural ingredients and contains no alcohol, which suited my sensitive skin more, compared to other toners I have used in the past that do contain alcohol. I have found that it doesn't leave my skin feeling dry either, but instead leaves a light moisturising layer. As I have dry skin, using products that leave my skin moisturised are so much better. It does have a slight scent to it, but it isn't over-powering.



The packaging is simple and beautiful. It has the traditional Liz Earle pale green colouring, which looks pretty on any dressing table or bathroom shelf. The cap is a twist-style cap, which twists up to reveal a small hole. I personally like this style of cap, as I can place a cotton pad on top, and then dispense the amount I want, without wasting any product. For others that don't like this style cap, I believe there is a spray version. I am not 100% sure though. 


I use this toner once a day, in the morning, after using my cleanser and before applying moisturiser. It leaves my skin feeling moisturised, smooth and gives a slight glowy look. I have also noticed that it has helped to sooth my Melasma. I'm no skin expert, so I can't say if this product is amazing for every skin that has Melasma, but it has helped mine. 


Overall, this toner has become a staple in my skincare routine. I would 100% repurchase this toner, as it works well on my dry skin, and doesn't inflame my Melasma.
Another winning product from Liz Earle!


What do you think about this product?
Also, if you have Melasma, what are your go-to skincare products?

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Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint in Uncensored £19.00 Harvey Nichols
I may have several red lip products, but I couldn't resist this lip paint from Fenty Beauty, which is Rihanna's makeup brand. It has a liquid lipstick formula, and it meant to be a 'universal red'. I was very intrigued about it being a red for all skin tones, but after seeing several different swatches & photographs on Instagram, that claim does seem to be true.


Let's start by talking about the packaging. The packaging is very distinctive and modern, and gives off a very luxurious vibe. It's definitely a lip product that you would want to display proudly on a dressing table, even though it could be mistaken for a nail polish. The applicator is a much curvier doe-foot shape, than most other liquid lipsticks. During the first couple of attempts of application, I did struggle with getting a precise cupids bow because of the rounder tip. It just took a few attempts to get used to the rounder applicator, that's all. If you want a super sharp line around the edge of your mouth, I would suggest wearing a lip liner with this liquid lipstick. 


The shade of this red is a slightly blue-toned red, but is a very flattering shade on my pale skin tone. I obviously can't say if it does flatter every skin tone, but I am a big believer in wearing whatever you want, no matter the hair colour or skin tone. As long as you are confident in it, then wear it!
There is no particular scent with this lipstick, which is a bonus for me, as I don't like extremely scented products on my face anymore, now that I have Melasma. 


The pigmentation is incredible! It's such a bold red, and wasn't patchy for me, at all. It's a very fluid & liquidy formula, so you do have to take your time with application, to make sure you don't go out of your lip line. This lipstick does go on very wet on the lips, but does dry down quickly to a beautiful matte finish. It's not extremely drying on the lips, and feels comfortable all through wear-time. 

Swatch - One Coat - Freshly Applied

Swatch - One Coat - Dried
Fenty Beauty claim that the wear time is 12 hours, and I would say that it doesn't last that long, but it is very long lasting. I just think 12 hours without touching up is asking a lot from any lip product. I would say it lasts up to 6-8 hours, depending on if you are wearing a lip liner underneath or not. I manage to be able to drink & eat within those 6+ hours, before needing to touch up too, which is better that a lot of lip products I have tried in the past. It does leave lipstick prints on cups etc though, but your lipstick will still look incredible after a meal. 


Overall, this has become one my most reached for red lip products. I have a huge array of red lipsticks, and this has become my favourite to wear, at the moment. For £19, I think this is worth it's money, and I really want to try some of the other shades, especially the black.


Have you tried this product?
What is your favourite Fenty Beauty product?

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Obsession Makeup London Liquid Illuminator in Aphrodisia £7.00 Boots 
Recently, I went into Boots to buy a couple of replacements for products that were nearly empty, and there was a 3-for-2 offer on, in-store. So, I decided to have a look for a third makeup product, as it would be free, and came across these liquid illuminators by the brand Obsession Makeup London. I have never purchased anything by this brand before, but I saw the 5 liquid illuminators and knew that I needed one of them in my makeup collection. The shade, Aphrodisia, is the one I picked, as I was intrigued by the lilac shimmer mixed into the pearl base.


I am a huge lover of highlighter, and definitely believe that more is more. This illuminator is definitely more! The shimmer isn't chunky or glittery, just a lovely fine consistency within the liquid. When blended into the skin, it gives a lovely shimmer, but when the light hits it, it GLOWS. If you prefer a subtle glow, this isn't the highlighter for you. 

Swatch - Unblended/No Flash 

Swatch - Blended/No Flash
 I usually wear this illuminator underneath my lightweight foundation, as it still shines through, but it can be worn on top of foundation or even mixed in. I have even tried this illuminator mixed into body lotion for an all over glow, for a night out. It is such a great illuminator on my pale skin, for an all over shimmer. 


One of the best (& maybe the worst) points about this illuminator is how long lasting it is. It's so long lasting and doesn't budge, but that does make it hard to remove. Water on its own won't remove it, neither does face wipes, but a good strong makeup remover will. I used a micellar water, and it took a couple of cotton pads to remove it fully from my face. To remove it from my body, I had to use a scrub, nothing else would work.


Overall, I am in love with this illuminator, for the face and body. I even want to try out the other 4 shades, since they are a bargain at £7 each. 100% would recommend these illuminators, if you want a serious GLOW.

Have you tried any of these liquid illuminators or this brand before?
Also, what is your favourite highlighter?


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Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Foundation in Fair 1 - £32

Before I had my blog break, I had this review in my drafts, with photos only. I thought about not finishing this review, as it isn't a new product anymore, but why should that matter? After all of the time away, I'm still using this foundation (spoiler - it must be good if I'm still using it!), so I decided that I needed to share my opinions on it.

This foundation is the Light Wonder foundation by the amazing MUA, Charlotte Tilbury. As you can tell by the title of it, it is a light weight-medium coverage foundation, with a shade range of 12. Unfortunately, the shade range is limited for darker skin tones, but there are a decent amount for the pale side of the spectrum. As someone who is extremely pale, I have always found it difficult to find foundations that are pale enough or aren't orange on my face. This foundation in shade 1 Fair, is a perfect match for my skin tone. 

Even though it is light coverage, it can be built up, in areas, for more coverage. I have decent skin (not prone to acne), but I do have Melasma across my cheeks & nose, and this foundation helps to neutralise the majority of my redness. I cover the rest of my Melasma with concealer, instead of using a heavy coverage foundation. I have found that the combination of a high coverage concealer with this light weight foundation, is the perfect mix for covering my Melasma without being heavy/cakey. 


One of my favourite things about this foundation is the packaging. I love the burgundy and gold colour scheme, which screams luxury to me. The actual bottle a squeezy tube, which could feel cheap to some people, but with the added touch of the gold lid and art deco inspired design; it still manages to feel luxe & good quality. Personally, I like the lightweight tube, as it makes the foundation travel friendly, and the nozzle helps to control how much product you squeeze out.


The foundation consistency is quite runny/fluid, but blends into the skin well. I have dry skin, and I find that this foundation helps to give my skin a dewy finish. It wouldn't be great for super oily skin, but on dry skin, it does work well. I still powder my skin, in places, but this foundation doesn't dry out my skin, like some others do. I wear a primer and powder with this foundation, so it does last for about 6/8 hours on me, but without any primer/powder, it only lasts about 4-6 hours. On me, it doesn't emphasise my dry flakey patches, but I always apply a good moisturiser & sun cream underneath to help combat these dry patches anyway. I apply this foundation with a Real Techniques Buffing Brush or Miracle Complexion Sponge, using a tapping motion, to build coverage. 


Overall, I love this foundation, and have for at least a year & a half, maybe a little longer. I think it is a great foundation for people with dry skin, who don't want a heavy coverage base. The only downside for this foundation is the shade range for darker skin tones. 

For my other Charlotte Tilbury product reviews, click here & here.

What is your favourite Charlotte Tilbury product, and what do you think about this foundation?
Let me know in the comments
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Urban Decay Naked Ultimate Basics Palette £39.50
An all matte palette, which blends beautifully, has to be a work of fiction, right? Wrong! 
I honestly believe this is the matte palette of most peoples dreams. Well, it certainly is mine!


The packaging is a beautiful sleek rose gold plastic, with a giant mirror on the inside. Like most Urban Decay palettes, there is no wasted space, and no horrible sponge applicator! The brush is dual-ended, cruelty-free and, honestly, a very good quality brush. As normal, Urban Decay have nailed-it with their packaging on this palette.


The palette includes 12 new shades; 11 that are matte and 1 that is demi-matte, which is meant to be used for highlighting. What I really like about this palette is that there is a great mix of warm and cool tones, giving you more choice than most palettes, which stick to one tone. The formula of the shadows is amazing, just like Urban Decay's other Naked palettes. The shadows are very high-quality, smooth, have great pigmentation and blend easily. Everything that you want from a matte palette. 


Personally, my favourite shades are Extra Bitter, Instinct and Lethal. 
Extra Bitter is the dream shade I have been wishing for!
Ever since I got this palette, it has become my number one palette to reach for. I don't think I have done a makeup look without using it, since I received it at Christmas (yes, this review is long overdue, haha!). I love wearing an all-matte look, so if you like wearing that style of eyeshadow, then this palette is a must. But it is also great for people who love a shimmery/glittery/sparkly eyeshadow look, as the mattes in this palette will help to give your look depth. 






Overall, I would 100% recommend this palette, especially if you are looking for an all-matte palette, as it has everything you would need, in one place. However, if you already have tons of matte eyeshadows, then this palette might not be a necessity for you. If you are new to makeup, then this palette is a great basic for your eyeshadow needs, as you can create some beautiful everyday looks with it, as well as some gorgeous evening looks. Honestly, I don't think there is a shade in this palette that I haven't used.


Have you guys tried this palette yet?

Shannon
xxx
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Sarah Moon is one of my favourite photographers, so when I saw that Nars was collaborating with her, I knew I had to purchase at least one item. 
Sarah Moon's photography is almost paint-like, due to the movements and faded appearance. The romantic & dream-like atmosphere of her work, connects with this makeup collection, as it is full of rose & grey tones. These perfectly match with the photography that is on the packaging. 

The item I purchased from the Holiday 2016 collection, was the True Story Cheek & Lip palette, which contains a highlight shade, 3 blush shades & a velvet matte lip pencil.

NARS x Sarah Moon True Story Palette £39.00
The packaging of the palette is so beautiful. The box had the same image as the actual palette, which is a nice added touch. The palette is very sturdy & well-made, which is expected from a high-end brand. Inside, you get a large mirror, a highlighter, 3 blushes & a velvet matte lip pencil. I love the idea of having a lip product inside a palette, as it makes it great for travel. 



In each of the pans, you get a decent amount of product. The first shade is an oyster toned shade, which to me is more of a highlighter, than a blush. It's a nice highlighter, but is quite subtle. Personally, I prefer a stronger highlight, but I can see this working on pale girls who like a subtle glow. Actually, I would say that most of these blushes would only work on pale girls, as they are quite pale colours, but the last shade would look great on many skin tones. The two shades in the centre, are matte and blend beautifully on the skin. I like wearing these two layered together, for the draping effect on my cheeks. My favourite blush out of the palette is the final one, as it is very similar to my favourite Nars blush, Orgasm. Overall, the pigmentation of these powders is great and they look beautiful on the skin.  

Blushes L-R : Devotee, Myth, Unwritten, Outlaw
Velvet Matte Lip Pencil : Mysterious Red



The Velvet Matte Lip pencil is in the shade Mysterious Red, which is a beautiful matte red lipstick, that is quite neutral, with a hint of blue undertone. This is the first velvet matte lip pencil from Nars that I have ever tried, and I can see why tons of bloggers rave about them. The consistency is smooth, it doesn't dry out the lips and is long-lasting, even when eating/drinking. I love this pencil so much, that I really want to try other shades. Leave me recommendations in the comments, of your favourite shades. 


Overall, I love this palette. I think the quality is amazing, the packaging is stunning and it is great for travel. I would 100% recommend this palette, especially to pale girls. But I would buy it quick, as it is a limited edition palette.

Have you tried anything from the Sarah Moon x Nars collection?
What is your favourite Nars product?

Shannon
xxx

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About me

About me
*Blog ended July 2019* Shannon Furniss - A recent MA Fashion & Textiles Graduate & Fashion Designer. I'm 25 years old, UK based (Leicester/East Midlands), and a Dalmatian mummy to my baby boy, Wizard. For all enquiries - s.a.furniss2303@gmail.com or hit me up on any of my social media accounts.

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