Make up Factory Dark Elegance of a Swan: Metallic lips, Eye Fluid & Shimmer Mousse

Makeup Factory has released a new collection called Dark Elegance of a Swan. I'm pretty sure you'll be surprised by it's performance and hidden beauty as the collection delivers products, that aren't actually common in the drugstore department. All in all, this collection is one of the best highlights of 2016 and beginning of 2017.

Primers & Potions for Dry Skin

Sometimes even the most hydrating or luminous foundation can't properly deal with dry skin, patches or flaky bits. Although my skin isn't the driest of them all, I still experience flaky nose and dry cheeks once in a while. Exfoliation, oils and good face cream are the core to treat dry skin, however, that's not always the case to prevent dry looking skin upon foundation. How to minimise the appearance of dry skin? It's a question I've been dealing while doing makeup on others and my own skin. The best solution are definitely luminous or slightly silicone based primers. Also, a good nourishing but not too heavy day cream can make wonders. Let's see what are my current discovered picks...

I've been highly impressed by Clarins Beauty Flash Balm (around 35€ for 50ml) in the past. It tightens, minimises imperfections and adds a natural within glow to your face. It does wonders for dull, mature or dry skin with imperfections. It's incredible, let's be honest. While I sometimes can't decide if a high-end product is still worth the price, Beauty Flash Balm definitely deserves higher price tag. My more in depth review was published here, while you can still participate to win a small 15ml size of Clarins Beauty Flash balm to try it out.

Vichy Idealia Life Serum (38,63€ for 30ml, EU & UK) combines skincare and makeup, all in one. Not only it moisturises tremendously, it also adds subtle glow, reduces ageing with acids and helps speeding up renovation of your skin. Serum itself looks like a light pastel pink cream with a rosy pink glow shift. It doesn't have any particular shimmer particles but still manages to illuminate and hide imperfections. Basically, there is only one step with Vichy to prep your skin before foundation.

Max Factor Face Finity All Day Primer (50ml for 12,99€, EU) feels like diluted silicone which fills in wrinkles, improves skin texture and smooths out imperfections. It's pleasant and not to heavy to wear on a daily basis. Also, it prolongs wear of foundation for a few good hours. This primer is easily the best not-entirely-silicone-based primer in drugstore. While this primer will do wonders for oily skin, it's suitable for all skin types. My dry skin looks less dry while it still manages to hide flaky bits. Warmly recommend it to try it out. 

L'Oreal Lumi Magique Primer (around 14€ for 20ml) is a typical primer with illuminating particles. As a versatile product you can easily use it as a primer, as a highlighter or mix it in with foundation. Illuminates and adds a healthy glow to dull skin. Indeed, shimmer particles are in almost pure white colour which makes it suitable for any skintone. One thing I should mention with this product is, that it doesn't camouflage dry bits and it is slightly visible on the sun. While it gives a lovely, natural glow it's a bit overpriced at only 20ml.

Seventeen WOW! Skin Highlighter (30ml for around 8€, UK) contains pink reflecting particles for a fresh and dewy glow. Seventeen highlighter is hardcore shimmery so you'll need only a tiny drop for entire face. Again, it doesn't help to change your skin texture but illuminates your face. A good value for your money.

L'Occitane Pivoine Sublime Perfecting Cream (50ml for 38,10€) hides imperfections, decadently illuminates, perfects your skin texture and regulates moisture, leaving your skin nourished and subtle the entire day. Dry skin and flaky areas in particular are improved and regulated by pivoine extract. It can be easily used as a primer before foundation, while it also prolongs your makeup wear. You can read a more in depth impressions here.

L'Occitane Shea Butter Light Comforting Cream (50ml for 28,50€) is a perfect match for dry skin in warmer months. While it's in no way greasy, I would actually recommend it to all skin types. Due to 5% of shea butter, it still manages to be rich and nourishing. Works wonderfully as a primer or a base. Clean shea butter scent, also the main key ingredient, helps to achieve comfort on all skin types. I absolutely love this little gem and I'm already planning to buy Shea Ultra Rich Comforting Cream for colder months. Actually, I love the entire Shea Butter skincare that L'Occitane carries, along with Shea Fresh Face Water and Shea Cleansing Oil. Read a more in depth review for Shea Butter Face Collection here.

Dry and fairly visible areas can also be minimised with oil. I pat my dry nose with non-greasy oil when flaky bits are still overly visible. But looking generally at primers for dry skin, I enjoy using perfecting primers or creams like L'Occitane Pivoine Sublime and Clarins Beauty Flash Balm which not only deliver within glow but also helps to reduce the appearance of dryness and dry skin texture. Illuminating bases are great for adding extra glow, however, they're not as efficient in covering dry texture. 

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm: Review & Application

Want perfect skin? Well, Clarins Beauty Flash Balm is a quick option that will make your skin glow from within and benefit at the same time. Beauty Flash Balm helps reducing fine lines and all sorts of tiredness on your face. It's perfect for a night out (or day after in most cases), new year's eve and hectic working days. You can also use it as a treatment mask. I was testing this little beauty gem for over a month and reached a tier, where I can't look back. It's a true essential if you're striving for perfect skin with undetectable glow with no bumps or lumps.

Clarins promises fresh skin, brightening and tightening, long lasting and perfected makeup finish. Of course, there's always a doubt when we're witnessing such claims from a single tube. Starting at the root, Beauty Flash Balm initially won me over with texture. I was pretty familiar with silicone primers beforehand, but never really experienced any benefits from regular, cream-like primers in the drugstore. It comes out as a light, peachy cream with a clean, fresh fragrance. It's in no way tinted but that hint of peach might make the magic itself. It's a lightweight, gel-like consistency which spreads like a dream and absorbs in terms of seconds. Key ingredients are North American hazel, olive extracts which help to improve freshness, while algae and rice starch help to clean and revitalise. Chamomile extract on the other hand helps to calm and soften after/before major stress. You can definitely spot a quick glow right after application but balm itself absorbs pretty quickly and leaves almost undetectable sheen. I was convinced, shimmers are the ones to blame but frankly enough, there is no glitter nor shimmer particles! This is magic.

Beauty Flash Balm does not only help to improve skin elasticity and glow, but also reduces small imperfection. My skin felt smooth after application, while also fresh and even. You can't really expect any major improvements but I've noticed that my small pores around inner cheek area disappear while wearing Beauty Flash Balm. Somehow this balm works great with liquid and mineral foundation. You can check results with liquid foundation after 6 hours here. Since it absorbs so quickly, I also test it with mineral foundation. Usually I can't wear mineral foundation in winter due to my dry skin, but Beauty Flash Balm makes it work. You can see final result with mineral foundation on lower picture. Skin is quite smooth, yet there's almost no dry patches or powdery finish. I can't imagine how much of a difference would make this balm to mature skin. This primer is perfect for special occasions, but not recommended to use every day.

In a nutshell, I'm dangerously addicted to this magical thing. I was pretty confident with my Illamasqua Hydra Veil until now. It perfects my skin with some kind of  invisible power, which I can't explain since there's no shimmer particles. If you're striving for a perfect skin, I highly recommend investing some extra money in base products. With good skincare you can easily achieve a perfect foundation look. Clarins is sold worldwide on their counters for around 25GBP or 33€.

You can also purchase Clarins on Boots (here) and Escentual (here).

 If you're from Slovenia, you can find Clarins in Muller, Beautique (Mercator), Kompas Shop and Nama. 

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm would also be a great Christmas gift, especially for mature and uneven skin.

Bourjois Flower perfection Smoothing primer review

Bourjois is known for their great foundations.

I recently gave a go to their primer/base (anyone knows the difference?).

I'm not sure if it will be in the permanent line but I found it on a limited edition spring stand.

Maybe they're just testing if the product will grow on people?

It's purpose is to apply it before foundation and makes your skin looking flawless.

Based on silicone it covers up large pores and smooths the surface of your skin.

I know...silicone is bad for your skin but my skin 70% better with this little guy.

I usually apply it only on my T-zone and I'm ready for foundation.

The texture is mousse-like and spreads like a dream (obviously). It has no smell or colour once applied.

The jar contains 7ml but it will serve you for a long time since you need a tiny amount. 

I only miss a small spatula and it can crease if applied too much.

All in all it's a nice primer for covering pores- Catrice has a similar one for fraction of  the price. 

Cost: around 9€ in local drugstores.

Rating: B

CHANEL Vitalumiere Aqua & Le blanc Base

Recently I bought myself a new foundation. My decision came to me, as I couldn't find appropriate color in the drugstore (I'm too pale). I was also looking for a foundation, which makes a dewy, glowy finish and a medium coverage, so I went for something more pricey. Seller recommended me Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua, which came out in November 2011. I also bought Chanel Le Blanc Base for mixing it with my foundation or use it as a base.

left: Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua   right: Chanel Le blanc

Foundation

 I find it really sheer and it's meant for skin, which doesn't have flaws and spots. It gives a natural glow and the consistency is very light because of watery consistency (shake before every use). It feels like silk on the skin, seriously. The price is about 37€, which I find really expensive. The bottle seems quite cheap (plastic) and it does have an okay applicator. This foundation is nothing special, I just like the feeling of it on my skin.  I do recommend it to those, who already have beautiful skin and don't need a lot of coverage. I do tend to prefer a medium coverage because of my freckles. Still in search for a perfect foundation.

Rating :  4 out of 5

Chanel Le Blanc is a base, meant to be : 

- a base before makeup

- to highlight parts of the face after your foundation

- to mix it with foundation and lighten it up 

This product is my new favorite.  I mix it with my foundation and instantly it gets lighter. My skin feels softer and looks glowy, fresh. Flaws are less noticeable. Packaging is luxurious - made from glass and looks really pretty on a shelf. It contains 30 ml  for the price of 35€. You also get a ''stick'' for easy application and mixing. Really nice and versatile product but still not worth the price tag.

Rating: 5 out of 5