Most Used Products: Backstage at LFW

As I trotted off backstage at London Fashion Week I made sure I went prepared, notepad and pen at the ready, to squeeze makeup artists for all the knowledge they would share, favourite products and best techniques. There seemed to be the same few products that kept cropping up, ones I saw repeatedly again and again on every counter that without a doubt were the makeup artist favourites.  

First up was something that won’t come as a surprise to you, something that was on every single makeup artist station, right bang in the center surrounded by cotton pads, Bioderma Crealine H2O Micellar Solution, (post here), a gentle water cleanser that removes a full face of makeup within a matter of seconds, without irritating the skin or leaving an oily film. When presented with a task like a complicated cat flick at Issa (post here) the makeup artists would use a Q-Tip dipped in Bioderma as the perfect tool for shaping liquid liner and erasing errors. 

Speaking of French pharmacy products, something I've had in my stash for a while that I like to slap on anything dry – lips, knees, hands, cuticles, you name it, Homeoplasmine. A lovely makeup artist backstage said she used this for ‘crusty patches.’ A dollup on the skin for as long as possible it becomes smooth and ready for foundation. 

Another skin savior is the cult Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream, which has a plethora of uses. Lips, a cheek highlight, adding some intense glossyness to the skin, on cheekbones, eyes and even lips. Not to mention its hydrating qualities too. It really is one of those cult items everyone seems to have in their stash! 

There seemed to be the same base products going round, firstly Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre which I personally have never tried, but managed to gain a little insight when the lovely artist shed a little light on my lack of knowledge by saying it’s a non greasy moisturizer that suits all skin types and helps make skin look radiant. On top of this it's also an 'exceptionally hydrating cream' which is perfect for dryer skin types. Being more on the oily side myself, I think I'll be saving this one for winter.

Mac Face & Body has been in my stash for years, although it’s not a daily favourite of mine it’s great for using on legs and scars. It provides light coverage, dewy finish and has a runny texture. I did spot a couple of makeup artists mixing this with heavier texture foundations to make them more blendable. It's the perfect texture for bringing down the neck to add some colour and the lack of SPF makes it perfect for flash photography too. 

Something I absolutely had to pick up the day after seeing it on practically every single counter was Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder, which is used to set concealer under the eyes. Its extremely light in texture and provides a hardly noticeable difference in person but works amazingly well with flash, helping to conceal dark circles and illuminate the under eye area. It's also helped my concealer last longer too!

Another highlighting goodie is Jemma Kidd Dewy Glow All Over Radiance Cream which provides glowy cheek perfection. It's brilliant at catching the light and aiding to sculpt the face. Down the centre of the nose, across the cheekbones and on the cupids bow is where it suits best. Its cream formula ensures it appears extremely natural too. 

Lastly By Terry Baume De Rose, which isn't one of those chuck in the bottom of your handbag lip balms, more of a get it out in public for a display as it's absolutely gorgeous. It provides a glow to the lips like no other, moisturises them and isn't too sticky that it will interfere with lipstick. 

So there you have it, the items my makeup magnet eyes gravitated towards backstage. These were those certain items I saw on every counter, that were clearly renown makeup artists favourites!

The Reviews: Micellar Waters

Micellar waters are molecules of oil and water that can be used as makeup removers, they are alcohol and soap free making them gentle cleansers. Personally I use them to remove the first layer of makeup before cleansing my face with a balm cleanser - especially as I wear quite a bit of eye makeup.

They are brilliant in taking a full face of makeup off in a matter of seconds, they remove eye makeup, mascara and foundation with minimal effort and tugging at your face. Since discovering micellar waters my makeup removal routine has completely changed - it's now so much easier and fuss free. To use them I simply saturate a cotton pad in the water and swipe across my face.

Bioderma Crealine H20 Micellar Solution €7.90

First up are Bioderma, the cult micellar waters raved about by makeup artists worldwide. One of the best I've used, especially at removing eye makeup. The only downside is they are extremely difficult to get hold of if you live anywhere but France. There's a version for oily skin which I didn't find as effective as the original and didn't have a noticeable difference when using it.

La Roche-Posey Micellar Solution £11.50 Boots

Avene Micellar Lotion £12.50 Boots

Brands like La Roche Posey and Avene which are more easily accessible also have micellar waters, and although good, just didn't have the same removing power as Bioderma. Avene in particular being extremely gentle and made for sensitive skin, wasn't as effective - especially with eye makeup and mascara. I did find myself going through an extra few cotton pads when using Avene as it's so gentle and doesn't have the same effect.

Caudalie Micellar Cleansing Solution £13.50 (currently on sale for £12.15!) Feel Unique 

The Caudalie Micellar Water, smells heavily of grape and feels very refreshing on the skin, it's one of the more effective waters especially for removing foundation and feels almost toning. It leaves my skin feeling fresh and clean without any makeup residue.

Lierac Micellar Water €12.50

Lierac was very much loved this summer! It feels really gentle on the skin yet very effective at the same time. The pump applicator is such a small but useful feature as it's easy to keep track of how much you're using - usually two pumps for the face and a couple more for the eyes. Really enjoyed the pleasant floral fragrance but it did leave a slight sticky residue.

This Works Clean Skin 5 in 1 Water £21.00 (currently on sale for £16.80!) Feel Unique

This Works is my favourite out of the bunch, very refreshing and effective. I've raved about this multiple times before for it's ability to remove eye makeup so easily - an all round amazing makeup remover! (full post here)

Overall the real winners for me are This Works, Biodema and Caudlie, in that order. I highly recommend micellar waters for a quick and easy makeup removal!

What are your thoughts on Micellar Waters? Any others I need to try?

New Things: France Edition

Holidays have always been an excuse for buying and trialing new things.  I use my lack of available luggage space as an excuse for not bringing along some shower gels, hair care and such like moisturisers, in the hope of running along to the local pharmacy and finding something absolutely fantastic.

Everything from toothpaste to body oils get purchased, used and reviewed. Not to mention if there's a Sephora in the near radius, I'll casually leave behind concealer, primer or anything just so I can get my hands on something new!

Let's start in my shower, which Caudalie Shower Gel has recently made it's way into along with Phyto Volumizing Shampoo and Klorane Conditioner. I'm not too fussed about shower gels, they all seems to do a similar thing to me apart from one holy grail L'Occiatane Almond Shower Oil (post here). The Caudalie does a good job, lathers well, smells good and doesn't strip my tan.

To me, Klorane & Phyto haircare just defines summer in France! The Shampoo is a strange formula but one that I favour. The consistency is so fine it's practically water, yet once on the scalp lathers extremely well, clarifies yet doesn't feel harsh. Klorane Conditioners. So balmy, rich and moisturising. Which is why I keep them well always from my tendency-to-be-greasy roots. However, on my dry and splitting ends is where I welcome a rich formula. 

Post shower I spray myself with a little Phyto Bronz, it was the only body oil in my pharmacy I could stand the smell of. If my French GSCE hasn't failed me it's an after sun too!  For dryer areas of skin I've been nourishing my pins with Yes To Carrots Body Butter which I raved about in more detail here. 

After finishing my little stash of mini hair mask samples I ventured out into trying Bioderma, their Concentrated Reconstructing Hair Mask to be prescise. As much as I wanted this to change my haircare routine as much as their Micellar Water did my skincare, it just didn't. Not softer, no extra swish just a more grassy scent. It's only early days though so if anything miraculous happens I'll keep you posted. 

Speaking of Bioderma, as my stash at home doesnt need replenishing anytime soon I've been using Lierac Micellar Water. It takes a lot of this stuff to get my face clean, and with such a small bottle I end up finishing it off in just over a week. As lovely as it was it's onto the next one for me!

What would a beauty shopping trip be without buying some lip items? Dermophil, one of my many lip loves, was spotted in colourful packaging for childen - which of course got the little girl in me very excited as I umped and ached over flavour choices. Dissapointment however that the childs version isn't as nourishing on the lips, still a lovely and cute none the less. 

Apart from the products I've used before It's still early days here as well as some purchases are still unopened! Off I go to purchase a new shampoo, my Phyto just ran out...