Budget Buy: L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow

If you told me a couple of weeks ago I would find a drugstore eyeshadow that I preferred instead of its higher end version, I would've probably laughed in disbelief. Eyeshadows are definitely one item where you pay for what you get and the difference is easily noticeable between higher end eyeshadows and lower end. 

I've had the Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Eyeshadows for a while, which are a pressed pigment with a creamy powder formula. They look a bit like pressed crumbles in the pot which is why I didn't love these as application could be a little uneven and did need some extra blending. For a while I tried to like them but they were just too messy so have been collecting dust since then! (Below right is the L'Oreal and the left in the Giorgio Armani which proves the difference in texture.)

The L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows, are basically a lower end version of the Eyes To Kill, but with better pigmentation & easier application! The L'Oreal are more of an eyeshadow than pressed pigment but have an amazing texture and high colour payoff just like an actual pigment, which is why I love them! 

The colour range of the GA Eyes To Kill is amazing, such unique two toned colours that you would find hard to replicate in an eyeshadow which is something the L'Oreal don't have with just a choice of the normal shades. In the L'Oreal I picked up the shades, 001 Time Resist White, 012 Endless Chocolate a lovely warm brown and 014 Eternal Black, a black with silver glitter, so nothing particularly unique just a standard combination for a smokey eye. 

L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows in 001 Time Resist White, 012 Endless Chocolate, 014 Eternal Black

Another reason why I prefer the L'Oreal - The Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Eyeshadows will set you back £26 as opposed to £6.99 for L'Oreal, which is a noticeable difference especially as the shades only come as singles and if you're an eyeshadowaholic like me you'll want to be picking up a couple of shades      

So there you have it - the first drugstore eyeshadow I prefer to its higher end version! Have you ever tried the L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows? 

L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows are £6.99 and available from Boots here and Superdrug here

A Dupe For Clarins Natural Lip Perfector?

I've raved about the Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector before but rightly so! It's the perfect light moisturising gloss that adds a glow to the lips without being sticky, turning all gloss haters into lovers. No7 have recently bought out a beautiful summer collection that includes two lip glosses, similar to the Clarins Natural Lip Perfectors. Especially in packaging, which is practically the same apart from the detailed lid of the No7 Nourishing Lip Shine. 

Firstly the facts - for £16 Clarins will present you with 12ml of product, whereas No7 for £10.50 will give you 9ml of product. Or if you're clever and pick up a No7 £5 off voucher when you spend in Boots you could be spending £5.50 for 9ml as opposed to £10.50...makes a difference doesn't it?

No7 Nourishing Lip Shine In Pink & Peach

The main reason why I love the Clarins Lip Perfector is the smell is soo heavenly, like candy floss,  but for those of you who don't agree, the No7 maybe a better option for you as it's scentless. Another reason why the Clarins Lip Perfector rocks is the light formula, feeling so weightless and non sticky on my lips. No7 Nourrishing Lip Shine is slightly heavier, only slightly though. The Clarins Lip Perfectors have a little more colour to them but both only have a very slight tint, hardly any colour at all - just add a moisturising shine to the lips. 

Left- No7 Nourishing Lip Shine in Pink. Right - Clarins Instant Lip Natural Lip Perfector in 01

The shade I have in Clarins in No. 01 a light baby pink and there are four shades to choose from whereas No.7 Nourishing Lip Shine comes in 2 shades, a pink and a peach. The No7 pink shade comes close to Clarins Lip Perfector in 01 but just slightly darker. 

So what do you think? I think with those £5 off No7 vouchers that are always flying around Boots I would definitely pick up the No7 ones as opposed to the Clarins for over a £10 difference. 

No7 Summer Collection 2012

No7 Nourishing Lip Shines are limited edition for their summer collection and you can pick them up at Boots (but careful I went to three before I found one that hadn't sold out!) or online is probably a safer bet here

Ps - how gorgeous is the bronzer from their summer collection too?!

My Most Reached For Blush...

Blush is probably one of those things I go through phases with, out of my pretty sizeable blush collection there has been one constant that I reach for, NARS Orgasm. A pink shade with a hint of peach and visible peachy gold shimmer. The overall effect giving a pinky glow. It's one of those 'don't really think about it' products that you can throw on and go without worrying if it works with the rest of your makeup. NARS blusher is everything you one would expect from a highend blush, decent packaging, good longevity and pigmentation and great texture. The way it wears on the skin is decent too, around the eight hour mark it wears off the skin naturally as opposed to clumping together or highlighting pores.
A great cheaper alternative at £3.49, would be 17 Cosmetics Blush in First Kiss, which is the closest dupe but includes slightly more pink, unlike most low end blush the formula isn't chalky and actually looked the same on my cheeks as NARS orgasm (yes I did the half-face test & compared!) 

Nars Orgasm Blush (left) 17 Blush in First Kiss (right)

NARS Blush is £21 and available here or at NARS counters
17 Cosmetics Blush is £3.49 and available from Boots

A Dupe For Dior's Lip Glow?

Recently when I was at an event held by Dior at Selfridges, the makeup artist, Jamie Coombs used Dior Addict Lip Glow Colour Awakening Lipbalm on me & I instantly fell in love, the texture, the packaging & most importantly the custom colour. I will hands down say I am a lip product girl over anything else and I have never used up a product as quickly as Dior Lip Glow. A similar product that Dior have recently brought out is their Rosy Glow Awakening Blush, with the same idea of custom colour, that the product reacts with the pH levels in your skin giving you your own personal colour! *link*

Thinking this was an original product until I stumbled into boots one day and found a L'Oreal Lip Glow!    So which did I prefer? The L'Oreal version has a sort of jelly transparent stick that produces a light layer of colour on my lips with a slight glow, perfect for that no makeup 'my lips naturally look like this' look. Whereas Dior has a thicker texture and a more glossy finish.

As I like a more glossy lip look I would say I prefer Dior Lip Glow, however if you're more of a natural makeup girl then L'Oreal is for you!

LOreal Paris Studio Secrets Universal Lip Glow is £8.49 and available here. Dior Addict Lip Glow Colour Awakening Lipbalm is £21.00 and available here or at most Dior counters.