Favourite foundations/tinted moisturisers

I've tried numerous high end and 'drugstore' foundations and tinted moisturisers over the years; some have been a surprise and others have disappointed.

Here's what I look for in a foundation/tinted moisturisers:

• Finish - dewey but skin-like. I don't like to look like I'm wearing foundation
• Coverage - light but buildable 
• Longevity - I work long shifts so I need my foundation to stay put
• Colour match - It has to be the exact same colour as my skin (which is very pale)

There aren't many foundations that I've come across that have ticked all the boxes. Those that have may come as a surprise. 

In my current foundation collection I have:

1. Smashbox HD Fx foundation in Light 11
2. Mac Pro Longwear SPF 10 in NW20
3. Mac Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 in NC15
4. Mac Mineralize Satinfinish SPF 15 in NC20
5. Revlon Photoready in Shell/Nude
6. Revlon Colourstay for normal/dry skin in Ivory
7. DiorSkin Airflash in Cameo
8. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Nude 

Of all these foundations I use only three; Revlon Photoready and Smashbox HD Fx and my favourite of all time, Laura Mercier.

I'm not a great advocate of Mac foundations. Of the ones I have tried I find them to be very cakey and often a little bit smelly. I do want to try their face and body however, as I think it would be more suitable for me. The DiorSkin Airflash was just awful; poor colour choices and dried far too quickly to be able to blend into the skin properly.

Revlon's Photoready is brilliant if you like a light/medium coverage and a dewey finish. It's easy to apply and is very light in consistency, which I like. I've heard a lot of reviews saying that it is too 'sparkly', however, I didn't find this. I powder with either Mac's mineralize skinfinish (Medium Plus) or Mac's Prep and Prime translucent powder. I find this leaves my skin with a flawless complexion. If I could make this foundation any better I would make it available in more skin colours as I do have to mix two shades together in order to match my skin perfectly. 

Smashbox HD Fx is great if I want a more matt finish. It's light in consistency and very blendable. It's oil free, so great is my have oily skin or suffer from acne. I tend not to powder over this foundation as it is a matt finish. 

Laura Mercier's tinted moisturiser is in my books, and many other people's books, amazing. It gives the skin a natural glow, gives a flawless finish, evens out slight discolouration and best of all, it looks like skin. It gives more coverage than your average tinted moisturiser, which I like. I can use this all year round, adding more/less depending on whether it's winter or summer. So no need to go out and buy another foundation... I love it! Can't say enough good things about it!

Nail Polish Collection

I've been a little indulgent over the past few months as far as nail polishes go. I just can't get enough of them. So I thought i'd share my collection with you.

My favourite brands are; Barry M, OPI, L'Oreal and Revlon.

So here it is....

I have some favourites, however...

1. Barry M - 273 Raspberry
2. OPI - Sparkleicious
3. L'Oreal 'Resist & Shine Titanium' - 734
4. Barry M - 304 Mint Green
5. Revlon - 093 Tropical Temptation
6. OPI - Glitzerland
7. OPI - Black Cherry Chutney

Lovely jubly!

OPI Black Cherry Chutney

OPI Black Cherry Chutney

This has to be, without a doubt, my new favourite nail colour. The picture is not a true representation; when on the nails it's a far deeper plumb colour with a slight shimmer. 

It's a fantastic colour if you like darker polishes but not keen on black. 

Love it!

Skin Care Routine

One of the most important things to me, beauty wise, is having clear and healthy skin. Your skin is the canvas for makeup; bad canvas, bad makeup. So, here is my current skin care routine. I have normal skin with slight dryness on my T-zone.

Products in order of use

St Ives - Gentle Scrub for Sensitive Skin

Neutrogena - Visibly Clear 2 in 1 Wash and Mask

Liz Earle - 'Cleanse and Polish' Hot Cloth Cleanser

Liz Earle - Muslin Cloth

Liz Earle - Instant Boost Skin Tonic

Liz Earle - Skin Repair Moisturiser

First, I mix the St Ives scrub with the Neutrogena 2 in 1 wash and mask. I've used these two for ages and can't fault them; great value for money. After I've massaged it into my skin I rinse with warm water and pat my face dry with a clean towel. Then I apply Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish and really work it into my skin for a minute or two. Using a hand hot muslin cloth I buff my skin and remove the cleanser. On a cotton wool pad I swipe the Liz Earle tonic over my face and neck. Finally, after that's dried I apply Liz Earle's moisturiser (mine is in normal/combination).

Voila, all done! 

Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser

Liz Earle 'Hot Cloth Cleanser' is a new buy for me. I've heard great things about it so thought seen as my skin is having what I can only describe as a teenage strop (unexplainable and annoying), I'd give it a go.

I bought the 100ml bottle which came with two muslin cloths and instructions for use. I bought mine at John Lewis for £13.25, a reasonable price considering the amount of product needed per use.

I have normal skin in the main, slightly dry T-zone with quite a lot of redness on my cheeks. So the fact that it's suitable for all skin types is a big positive.

I used it today and already I can see that my skin feels smoother. I think it is too early to tell whether or not there is a noticeable difference in the condition and appearance of my skin but so far, I'm impressed.

It, just like it says, removes every last bit of makeup and the muslin cloth gently exfoliates the skin; perfect if you're preparing your skin for fake tan.

Hopefully, incorporated into my skin routine, I'm onto a winning solution to my stroppy skin!

We shall see.