August Hits and Misses

Hi everyone,

It’s time for my August Hits and Misses.  Isn’t it crazy that Autumn is now nearly upon us?!  I won’t complain though, I love both Autumn and Winter and the cosiness of them both.  The dark evenings, the fire lighting and dare I say it, Christmas.  My favourite time of year, I love it!

I have quite a few products to talk about so I’ll jump straight in.  It’s a long one so grab a cuppa!

Hits

Marc Jacobs Dew Drops in Fantasy

I spoke about these briefly on my Instagram and said how I was really enjoying them and I am still enjoying them.  They give an absolutely stunning glow to my skin and they look beautiful under, over and mixed in with foundation.

The consistency of them is creamy, almost like a moisturiser.  In the bottle they look quite dark but once blended out they are much lighter and fine on my pale complexion.

These were part of Marc Jacobs Coconut Fantasy Collection and because of that they have a beautiful coconut scent.  The scent is quite soft and delicate and not at all strong or overpowering.  Once you apply your foundation and other base products the scent tends to dissipate.

For a really intense glow I love to apply these under my NARS Sheer Glow foundation and then on my cheek bones I like to apply a small amount of my Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter and then apply the Anastasia Beverly Hills X Amrezy highlighter (review here) on the high points of my face.  These four products together give an incredibly intense glow.  You can purchase these from Marc Jacobs Beauty.

Marc Jacobs O!Mega Bronzer – Rose Gold 104

This bronzer is also part of their Coconut Fantasy Collection and is described as a rose gold colour, I disagree with that, it’s definitely not rose gold. 

It is a warm toned bronzer that is great for adding warmth and dimension to my complexion.  I spoke about it in more detail in my recent Marc Jacobs Coconut Fantasy Collection post which you can find here.

It is a lovely soft, creamy powder that blends effortlessly and seamlessly.  It’s a dream to work with.  It is quite pigmented though so a very light hand is needed.

As with all Marc Jacobs products, both the bronzer and the dew drops feel luxurious and the packaging also feels luxurious.  You can purchase this from Marc Jacobs Beauty.

Marc Jacobs O!Mega Lash Volumizing Mascara

This is a gorgeous mascara to use.  It’s volumising, as the name suggests.  It gives definition and some length too.  It’s a lovely formula that’s not too wet or dry, it’s ‘just right’.

This mascara is long-lasting without any smudging or flaking and it’s very black.  The wand is lovely too.  I usually prefer curved wands as I find they suit my eye shape better but because this has quite a ‘short’ wand and because of that I can easily coat all my lashes without poking or blinding myself.

As mascaras go, this is pricey.  It’s $26.00 USD or £22 GBP, which is a lot for a mascara.  I really love this one and I would definitely get it again, but maybe if it was on offer or something.

It’s not an unusual or unique mascara by any means, but it is a really nice one and one I would recommend and repurchase, albeit at a lower price.  You can purchase this from Net-a-Porter and Marc Jacobs Beauty.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Master Palette by Mario

This palette is one I’ve never spoken about because it was limited edition so therefore it is no longer available.

This is a beautiful palette for the formula, shade selection, pigmentation, longevity, just everything really.  It is one of my favourite palettes.

I love how buttery soft each eyeshadow is.  I love how effortlessly and seamlessly they blend with little work from me.  The formula is a dream to work with.

The shade selection is right up my street too.  I’m a neutral gal all the way and as this palette is mostly neutrals with greens and greys, it’s the perfect palette for me.

I wish it was made permanent or at least brought back even for a short while because I would 100% purchase a second one as back up.  I dread the day I hit pan on all the shadows.

NARS Orgasm Blusher

Orgasm blusher by NARS has been a cult favourite for many years now and with good reason.  It’s one I’ve recently rediscovered and have fallen for all over again.

It is a beautiful pink blush with a golden sheen.  It’s not glittery at all.  It’s absolutely stunning.

It is a beautiful smooth formula that blends out seamlessly providing a light flush of colour whilst giving my skin a golden sheen.

It is pigmented so a light hand is needed, too heavy a hand and you could end up looking like Bosco or Aunt Sally.  You can purchase from Arnotts, Look Fantastic and Feel Unique.

NARS Orgasm Loose Powder

NARS Orgasm Loose Powder is something I’ve been dipping into quite a bit.  Although it is described as a setting powder, I couldn’t imagine using it to set my entire face, it’s far too shimmery and glowy for that.  I much prefer it as a highlighter and eye shadow.  It makes a beautiful eye shadow.

It is a beautiful rose gold colour that catches the light beautifully and looks fabulous on.  It’s not glittery at all and it doesn’t emphasise pores, texture or dryness.  It’s a lovely formula and really nice to work with too.

This powder has the very same packaging as NARS Soft Velvet Loose Powder, which you’ll know from other posts I’m not a fan of.  I find it quite messy and when I take the lid off, even if I haven’t shaken the powder, I end up with a cloud of powder around me as well as powder on my clothes and vanity, so a lot of product is wasted, that is my only issue with this. 

I would love if it had a sifter similar to the Urban Decay Velvetizer as it’s much better, less messy and no cloud of powder to contend with when I open the lid.

This is limited edition so if you want it you need to be quick as it tends to sell out.  It’s currently in stock on NARS Cosmetics EU, NARS Cosmetics UK, Feel Unique and ASOS. 

Urban Decay ‘The Velvetizer’

This powder by Urban Decay is one I spoke about over on my Instagram (see that post here).  It’s a mix-in-medium to give your foundation a velvet finish.  I haven’t mixed this in with my foundation because I prefer to use it as a setting powder.

If you were to mix this in with your foundation you would go through it pretty quick I imagine and at €30 I’d like it to last a wee while. 

This is great at setting my concealer and foundation because it sets them both beautifully, but it doesn’t look heavy, matte or cakey.  It doesn’t emphasise dryness, pores, texture or my fine lines, so for me it’s a winner.

I’m a big fan of the sifter too.  It dispenses a small amount of product so there’s no fear of making a mess or having a cloud of powder around you when you take off the lid, which happens with NARS Velvet Loose Powder.

If you haven’t already tried this, then you need to, it’s amazing and something I will 100% repurchase when this runs out.  You can purchase this from Urban Decay or in The Loop Duty Free.

Benefit Box O’ Powder Blush in Gold Rush

Where do I even begin with this blush.  This is stunning. It is quite possibly one of the most beautiful blushers I’ve ever seen.

I just adore everything about it.  The formula, scent, packaging and colour.  This has a beautiful scent that is light and delicate.  It reminds me of peaches for some reason.  It’s gorgeous.

The formula is soft, buttery, creamy, smooth and again, a dream to work with.  The colour is incredible.  As the name suggests, this is a golden blusher, but it’s not glittery in any way.

When I apply this my cheeks just have the most beautiful golden sheen that catches the light beautifully.

It’s lightly pigmented, which I love.  It’s very easy to build up without looking like Bosco or Aunt Sally. You won’t have a disco ball look either.

It is such a versatile blush that goes with pretty much every makeup look and would suit most complexions.  Maybe if you have a deep complexion then it may be more of a highlighter than a blusher, but certainly for pale and medium complexions, this would be a blush.  It would look beautiful on everyone, I couldn’t imagine it not suiting everyone.  You can purchase this from Debenhams and other retailers.

Fresh Sugar Nourishing Lip Balm Advanced Therapy

This lip balm is one of my absolute favourites. It is amazing for deeply nourishing my lips and leaving them soft and supple.

I have very dry lips and this balm is of very few that really deeply hydrates my lips.  Sure, there are balms to hydrate my lips, but very few offer the hydration that this does.

In the pot it is solid but once you rub your finger in it though it does soften although it does have a thick consistency.  It’s not sticky on the lips though.

It has a beautiful scent.  It’s a sweet mint scent that isn’t strong, overpowering or sickly.

This balm is quite expensive, which is the only criticism I have of it. It is $30 USD for 7g.  It’s very much on the pricier side, although I think it is worth it.  The only stockist I have found for this is Neiman Marcus.

Smashbox Blurring Foundation Brush

It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of Smashbox brushes.  I recently reviewed their Stippling Foundation Brush and because I was so impressed with that one and some of their other brushes, I decided to order their Blurring Foundation Brush and I am so glad I did because it’s just as good as all their other brushes.

It has a lovely round fluffy head that is very soft and makes blending out foundations a dream.  It has the perfect size and shape head to make quick work of blending out liquid foundations seamlessly and effortlessly.

As with all Smashbox brushes, this is of high quality, no shedding, it’s not rough and doesn’t feel scratchy on my skin either.  It washes really well and doesn’t shed or go a funny shape when washed.

It’s currently on sale for £17.50 on Smashbox.co.uk, so if you were thinking of getting it, now’s the time.  

Bobbi Brown Nude On Nude Eye Palettes & Wine Palette

It will be of no surprise to you that I am including these two palettes in this post.  I have been really enjoying them since I got them and have used at least one of them any time I’ve worn eye makeup.  Full review and swatches of both palettes here.  

I just love the colours, pigmentation and everything about these palettes.  I love to use the Rosy Nudes palette with my Marc Jacobs Fantascene palette and mixing the neutral shades in each to create a smokey rosy eye.  It’s one of my favourite eye looks and it’s super simple too. 

Nude On Nude Palettes. Bronzed Nudes (top), Rosy Nudes (bottom)

The bronze one is my absolute favourite, especially the shade ‘Chocolate Truffle’, that’s quite possibly my favourite shade in the whole palette.  I love using this in conjunction with my Master Palette by Mario, I love using the matte shadows from this palette with some of the shimmers from Mario palette, they look gorgeous together.  You can purchase these from Bobbi Brown UK and other retailers.

Bobbi Brown Wine Palette

From their Wine palette I love using the shades Black Cocoa and Pinot Noir to darken my outer corner and run along my lash line.  They add a nice smokiness to any look.

Neutrogena Hydrating Tint

I’ve been really enjoying Neutrogena’s Hydrating Boost Hydrating Tint that I got recently from the U.S (haul post here).  It’s become one of my go-to bases for the warmer weather, with the other light base being my Smashbox BB Water.

I’ve mentioned before in previous blog posts how I prefer a lighter coverage in the summer when the weather is warmer and I don’t want a full coverage base.

This gives light coverage, unlike my Smashbox BB Water which can be built up to medium and full coverage.  I did try building it up and got to a light-medium coverage with two layers but it started to look heavy and slightly cakey between my brows, so it’s not one for building up.

This has a matte finish, which is actually fine on my dry skin. It doesn’t emphasise pores, texture or dryness.  It looks really lovely and healthy. It evens out my complexion while still allowing my own natural skin to peek through.  If you like light coverage, it’s one to check out.

I still prefer my Smashbox BB Water, however it is £29 and the Neutrogena Tint is about half that.  The only downside is that it is not available in Ireland, so ordering online is the only way to get it here.  

Maybelline Superstay Setting Spray

If you’re a regular follower you will know that Urban Decay’s All Nighter setting spray is my favourite setting spray.  No matter what other setting spray I use, none ever match up to it and how much I love it, so you can imagine my surprise when I used this Maybelline setting spray and find it is very like All Nighter. 

This is a gorgeous setting spray.  It does what the All Nighter does: takes down any powdery look, adds a nice dewiness to my skin, helps my base to look better, however, it doesn’t help with longevity like the All Nighter does, so for day-to-day wear I’ve been using this and saving my All Nighter.

The nozzle is similar to All Nighter too and dispenses a fine mist so you aren’t left with large droplets of water on your face that affect your makeup or take ages to absorb. 

This is €10.49 in Boots and that’s for 75ml, All Nighter is €31 for 118ml, so while it’s a bigger bottle and you get more product, there is still a hefty difference in price. 

If you like All Nighter but want a cheaper alternative or if you want to try All Nighter but don’t fancy splashing out, give this Maybelline one a go.  You can purchase it in Boots.

BareMinerals Crystalline Glow Palette

This palette I picked up back in June after seeing both Sinéad from The Beautiful Truth and Andrea from Your Beauty both speak about and show it on their Instagram stories.  When I first saw it I thought it was gorgeous but didn’t think it was something I’d use, until I saw it in store and was floored. 

It is stunning.  There are two highlighters and a bronzer.  The highlighters are more of natural blushes on me and the bronzer is a beautiful radiant light bronze shade.  It reminds me a lot of the Ambient Lighting Bronzers from Hourglass. 

It is beautiful on my pale complexion and gives a gorgeous radiant, lightly bronzed look.  Although it is luminous, there are no shimmer or glitter particles so no worrying about looking like a disco ball. 

The packaging is cardboard but it isn’t flimsy at all, it’s quite sturdy and its compact.  I bought this from Debenhams and they currently have it reduced to €28.

Chanel Gabrielle Eau De Parfum

Chanel’s newest perfume release and their first release in ten years.  This is, without any doubt my absolute favourite perfume.  I tend to keep it for special occasions because it is eye wateringly expensive, however this month I have been using it a little more than usual.

As always with Chanel this is a classy fragrance with classic minimalistic and chic packaging.  You really have to give it to them for their packaging.  I just love it.

I love light, floral and delicate scents and this perfume is all of those and more.  It’s just stunning.  Debenhams have it in two sizes they have 50ml (€97) and 100ml (€137).  If you are passing by a Chanel counter, give it a sniff, you won’t be disappointed.

Dr. Ceuticals Hand Super Repair Hand Cream

I mentioned this in my summer beauty haul and at the time I thought it was grand, nothing special, so I only really used it every now and then until I ran out of my other hand creams and started to use this more often and I can honestly say it has made a difference to my hands. 

For those of you who don’t know, I have dry skin and my hands are one of the worst areas and I struggle to really moisturise them. 

No matter how often I apply hand cream the skin on my hands is almost always cracked and sometimes quite sore so you can imagine my surprise when using this religiously and after a few days the cracked skin had disappeared and my hands were soft, smooth and the skin was back to normal.  I couldn’t believe it. 

I paid about €5 for this and in Boots it’s €13 and honestly I would 100% pay €13 for it, heck I’d pay double that it’s that good! If dry, cracked skin is something you suffer with this is worth a try.  I got mine in TK Maxx so it’s worth having a mooch there for it.  I will 100% be buying it again, it’s on par with Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream and no cream has ever come close to that one before!

Derma V10 Anti Aging Body Oil

I picked up this body oil in Dealz about three weeks ago.  I spotted it in the reduced basket for 70cent so figured it was worth a try and I am so glad I did buy it.

I’ve been using it since and I have to say it’s a really gorgeous oil and it’s doesn’t feel greasy like some oils do.  It leaves my skin feeling soft and moisturised.  I can’t say it’s done anything for anti aging but I don’t expect it to.  It has a lovely light floral fragrance that isn’t strong or over powering and it tends to wear away throughout the day/night. 

It’s in a spray bottle so it’s not messy to use and it absorbs really quickly.  It doesn’t stain or mark clothing, bedding or towels and for 70cent or €1.50 you can’t go wrong.  Although I bought mine in Dealz it is in stock on Fragrance Direct too.

Bourjois Rouge Velvet Lipstick 02 Flaming Rose

This lipstick was one that I got in the Latest In Beauty #GetLippy box (see post here) and it’s one that I’ve been using quite a lot recently.  It is a gorgeous creamy formula that is very comfortable to wear.  It’s one of the most comfortable lipsticks I own. 

The colour is fabulous, it’s a light pink colour, which is my favourite colour to wear.  It’s long lasting, it applies really evenly and nicely and it wears off really well too. 

It has a soft-matte finish, but isn’t drying on the lips, it doesn’t sink into and emphasise any lines either.

This is the first lipstick I’ve tried from this range and I will be checking these out in store.  They are only €12.99 too, which is a bargain.  You can purchase these in Boots. 

Elemis White Flowers Makeup Remover

This is another product that was in the #GetLippy box.  It is a makeup remover for eyes and lips, although I use it all over my face and have had no reactions, so far anyway.  Elemis is a brand I’ve never tried anything from, until I got this.  I never even look at their products to be totally honest. 

This is a really lovely product to use and it does a really great job of removing my makeup without me having to rub my face hard. 

Normally I stick to oil cleansers as I often find with removers like these I need to rub my skin hard and I dislike doing that. 

I use this as a first step before going in for a second cleanse, but it is so good that I am actually considering purchasing the full size when I’ve finished this wee sample size.  I have been very pleasantly surprised by this and how easily it removes my makeup. 

It doesn’t sting my eyes, leave a film on my skin and it also doesn’t make my eyes blurry like some removers can do.  Definitely a thumbs up from me. 

You can purchase this on Feel Unique, Debenhams and Look Fantastic. QVC UK also have it in stock and currently they have a duo for £30 which is a great price considering individual bottles are £23 each.

Misses

I only have one miss this month and it is Yves Saint Laurent’s All Hours Foundation.  This for me, is a massive fail. 

When this was first released the hype surrounding it was endless, it was everywhere and when I saw it on sale I decided to pick it up and try it out.

It’s a matte foundation and they’re not usually recommended for my skin type (which if you don’t already know is dry), so I was hoping that this would work for me, but alas, it didn’t. 

I was sorely disappointed with it.

Frankly it’s one of the worst foundations I’ve ever tried.  I tried to make it work but nothing would work.  

I don’t know if it’s the foundation, my skin or how they reacted with each other but it didn’t work.  

It looks oily/greasy, shiny, it separates and smears and it’s uneven and patchy. 

It also turned a funny colour yellowish colour on me which has never happened before.  Foundations sometimes oxidise to a darker colour but they don’t turn yellow on me.

I will have a full review up on Thursday with pictures so you can see how awful it was.  If your skin is in any way dry then avoid this completely.

That rounds up my hits and misses for this month.  There are quite a few of them, but I wanted to include them all. 

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading and if you have tried any products mentioned, I would love to hear your thoughts on them.

Until next time, take care xx

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