The Valerie

Tuesday 1 August 2017

Dior Forever Foundation Swatches And Review

I thought I couldn't get back into blogging without reviewing my Holy Grail foundation. For over a year it has been Dior Forever foundation, whether its for everyday or special occasions this foundation has never let me down! It is full coverage, flawless pore refining, matte finish and long wear! I have combination/oily skin which over summer has been OTT with oil production *eye roll* and this foundation has been keeping me fresh looking all day long. Every time I wear this foundation I get complimented on my skin, which is amazing, considering I have large pores around my nose area and Forever just smoothes it all. Also Ive been seeing this foundation all over youtube and everyones been loving the formula and the finish. I love applying Forever with a damp beauty blender, on the insert that comes with foundation it also recommended to use the Backstage blender, but I've also used a flat and buffer brush to apply it on myself and other people. It photographs flawlessly too, despite the high SPF theres only very mild flashback. I wear it on all my special occasions with flash photography and never had a problem with white-cast.

It has a wide selection of shades, and like all Dior foundation shades range as follows:

if the shade number finishes with:

0 - its neutral undertone
1 - warm/yellow
2 - cool/pink
3 - peachy
5 - beige

SPF 35 - PA +++ / SHINE CONTROL

PERFECT MAKEUP

EVERLASTING WEAR

PORE-REFINING EFFECT

Made in France

Make sure to get a sample from your local Dior counter and give it a go!

Retails at £35.

Dior Forever foundation swatches.

Neutral undertone shades 010; 020; 030; 040; 050; 060

Warm undertone shades 011; 021; 031

Cool undertone shades 012; 022; 032

Peach undertone shades 013; 023; 033; 043

Beige undertone shades 015; 025; 035; 045

Monday 31 July 2017

DIOR FALL LOOK 2017

The full collection.

5 Couleurs £45

677 Hypnotize

457 Fascinate

Rouge Dior £27.50

999 Metallic; 996 Eccentric; 781 Enigmatic

426 Sensual Matte; 481 Hypnotic Matte; 861 Sophisticated Matte

Diorblush colour & light £32.50

Sculpting stick duo - colour and light

Double ended stick with blush & highlighter for a sculpting and feature redefining makeup
Creamy lightweight textures that blend seamlessly for an easy and buildable colour contouring

002 Peach glow

001 Plum shimmer

Dior Contour Lip liners £20

758 Sophisticated Matte; 948 Enigmatic Matte

Diorshow Bold Brow £22

Instant volumizing brow mascara

Microfiber filling
Growth boosting serum
Fast loading fiver brush for a precise though quick filling and volume impact

011 Light

021 Medium

002 Dark

Dior Vernis £20

Enigma 337

Metallics 612

Paradox 917

Dior Metalizer £17

Eyes and lips cream shadow

Long wear metal colour

Metal pigments encapsulated in a fast drying creamy formula for a pure metal effect
Multi purpose
Can be applied with fingers and blended for a wash of colour or with a brush for a fuller, more intense finish

528 Platine Fusion; 548 Copper Power; 678 Bronze Tension

068 Silver Shock; 898 Plum Reflexion; 498 Green Magnet

Available from Dior.com

Thursday 16 June 2016

Lancome Grandiose Extreme mascara

Another addition to the Lancome mascara family- Grandiose Extreme. My lashes aren't naturally amazing, and with false eyelash wear they haven't gotten any better either. However, I don't wear falsies on a daily basis, so a good mascara is super important to me. My heart was broken once, when Loreal discontinued their duo end Shocking mascara (anyone?), so throughout the years I have been looking for my holy grail mascara and it seemed like Grandiose was it. Since it first launched in 2014 I was obsessed. The swan neck made it really different to any other mascara on the market and the formula is great for anyone who likes big, "are those your own eyelashes?" lashes.

So what makes Grandiose Extreme different from the original Grandiose?

First and foremost- the packaging. Grandiose is glossy black tube and Extreme is matte black.

The wand. Left is Extreme- the bristles are shorter and more densely packed. Right is the original. Bristles are more sparse and some longer ones poking out.

Grandiose Extreme.

Grandiose original.

Grandiose Extreme 2 coats.

Left: original Grandiose. Right: Grandiose Extreme. Both 2 coats.

The difference in application is that Extreme makes lashes perfectly coated from the very root and more separated. The independent experts (boyfriends mum and her sister) also mentioned that it was less "cloggy". Also I think that application is a little less messy. Because all the bristles are shorter, it doesn't go on your lower lash line. Overall I love both, but I do prefer the Grandiose Extreme- its blacker, more volumizing and longer wearing. I will keep switching between both and see if I feel any different, but this is my first impression on the Grandiose Extreme.

For a review on Lancome Grandiose eyeliner check my previous post.

Wednesday 15 June 2016

Lancome Grandiose Bendable Liquid Liner

Here is something I have been really excited about! The new Lancome Grandiose liquid eyeliner with a bendable wand. When I first heard about it and saw sneak peak pictures, I wasn't sure whether I would like it as I didn't quite get how it would work- a bendable wand? Im having hard enough time keeping my elbow straight, do I really need another obstacle when applying my liquid eyeliner? Heres the trick- it clicks into position, so its not a wobbly bendy wand as I had imagined (was it just me?).

If you are familiar with Grandiose mascara, its the one with the swan neck. It has a bendy wand for easier application, so you can get to every little lash. So- this is similar idea, wand does the bending- so you don't have to. Ive been using liquid eyeliners for years now so I have my own technique how to do it, draw a line across the top lash line, tilt my head back so I can draw a straight line from bottom lash line and connect them into perfect sharp wing- and this made the application effortless!

I compared the formula to my beloved Artliner. As you can see from swatches, the formula is blacker, more opaque and fully matte. Also it dries instantly. The felt tip is much finer, so you have more control over the line you want to achieve. When I was washing the swatches off with soap, Artliner washed off quicker.

Comes in 3 shades:

Matte black

Mate sapphire

Matte brown

Left: Grandiose Right: Artliner

Eyes:

Sourcils gel 04

La Base paupieres pro 03

Hypnose Doll eyes DO1 Fraicheur rosee

Grandiose bendable liner

Grandiose Extreme mascara

Tuesday 15 April 2014

Three Outfit Ideas for Spring

I don't know about you, but I am so happy the warm weather is finally here and all the coats and warm jackets are packed away until autumn! The sun was SO bright all day yesterday, I'm squinting in most pics- it didn't occur to me to get my sunnies out! :D I'm loving the pastel trend this spring and I love mint colour, so I have decided to do a pastel-themed post and I did 3 fun looks! Hope you like it! :)