Ghostly Glow Powder

Sticking with the theme of powders this morning, I want to tell you about another product of pressed powder that I have used.

This is the Rimmel Stay Matte powder in 'peach glow'.


The product itself is very nice; it does not achieve that awful 'cake-face' that many of us (especially teens pre-2000s) are all too familiar with, it is applied smoothly and evenly, and there is a lovely design on the powder to begin with.

However, I wore this powder atop my foundation several times and could not quite figure out what was wrong...

Now, as I said, I have the 'peach glow' shade, and I should inform you that I chose this as a perfect match to my skin tone in-store. The others looked too pale or too dark...

It wasn't until I was going for a job interview one day and, whilst trying to make myself look as perfect as possible, I noticed that there was a bit of a dullness to my face. Peculiar, I thought, and added a touch of my other powder (Collection 2000 - Lasting Perfection). This was probably not the best idea I've ever had as my face now felt weighed down slightly with all the foundation and powder I had applied, but it put my face back to an even tone and I felt relatively happy.

So, fast forward to the evening when I was going to a party...I was in a rush so had forgotten about the powder mis-hap from the morning and applied Rimmel's powder again.

This did not bode well for pictures that were taken of me.

It was when those pictures popped up on Facebook that I vowed never to use that powder again. Our relationship was over! I cannot express to you how much I looked like Casper the friendly ghost in these pictures. Seriously...I looked ill!

I can only assume that the flash from the camera highlighted the powder and created a pale glow rather than a 'peach glow'. I was mortified.

So, even though the product itself is very lovely, it is not deemed a winner with me due to the effects it has, particularly in pictures, which is what 90% of our lives are made up of nowadays with social media sites.

Top pro: The design on the powder is a nice touch.

Lowest con: The 'evil dead' effect.

Loula Rating: 5/10

Lots of Loula Love xxx

Ready, Set, Powder..

Trying to find a good powder that doesn't turn you into Casper or the Tango Man is an art form.

I have tested many a powder in the stores to try and discover a powder which finishes off my make-up by setting my foundation in an even tone.

The best one that I came across was Collection 2000's Lasting Perfection.

The shade I use is in 'medium'.




I had the same product previously but it came in a different compact which was teamed with a sponge! Fabulous, I thought, but when I needed to replace said product, the new designed compact did not come with a sponge. Hmm!

In the picture, the white pad you can see is from Boots. I suggest you purchase something similar alongside this powder in order to apply it successfully.

The powder is not loose but you still need to gauge the amount you apply on top of your foundation so that you avoid looking 'cakey'. Word on the street: that is not a yummy look!

Top pro: The shades are natural looking.

Lowest con: No sponge (yes, this bothers me)

Loula Rating: 9/10

Lots of Loula Love xxx

It's a fine line...

It's safe to say that liquid eyeliner is my "go to" liner, whether I want to achieve a fine sophisticated outline of my peepers or if I'm looking for something more dramatic.

Like mascara, I have tried numerous liners in my time but I am going to point you in the direction of my favourite. This is the product I always go to in my make-up box and the one that I always buy more of when I run out (even though it lasts bloomin' ages!!)...




Collection 2000's Fast Stroke may not be tremendously prestigious but I love an underrated product!

The nib (!) is stiff enough to have control over the line you create and it is also pointed but slightly dense for you to produce a thin or thick line, dependent on your mood.

Top pro: The bottle looks small but don't be deceived; this eyeliner will last ages!

Lowest Con: I can't think of one at the mo..

Loula Rating: 10/10

Lots of Loula Love xxx

Pump it and plump it!

Mascara, mascara, mascara!

How difficult is it to find a mascara that lengthens your lashes, makes them look thicker and doesn't clump them together so that you end up looking like you have spider eyes?

Although that question was rhetorical, I will answer it with very!

However, I have been lucky enough to stumble upon a crackin' mascara which I loved so much that I bought the same one again once I'd ran out (something I never do as I always tend to try different mascaras in the hope that one day I shall seek the magic wand!).  I love this mascara that much that I don't even wear false eyelashes that often anymore!

So, "what is this magical mascara then?" I hear you cry!  Well, let me put you out of your misery...it is actually... Rimmel's Glam'Eyes Day 2 Night

There are two ways to apply the mascara; you can either make them nice and thick by using the pink section or you can lengthen them using the black part, which drains off the excess mascara by being pulled through the tube of the pink section.

Here is a picture of me (yes, taken on snapchat) after using the mascara - as you can see my eyelashes look long and defined, rather than clumped together (which I find is often the case); a friend even thought that I was wearing false eyelashes in the picture but I promise that I wasn't.  This is the result of the Day 2 Night mascara.  (No idea why I'm sporting the duck pout...)

Top Pro: Long, defined eyelashes.  Do I need to say any more?

Lowest Con: I found the mascara dries out rather quickly so, unfortunately, you may need to replace sooner than you'd expect.  However, this could have been a result of overuse because I loved it so much...

Loula's Rating: 10/10

Lots of Loula Love xxx

Blend it, baby!

Ahh, the debate continues with regard to which is better, the foundation brush, the stippling brush, or the basic use of fingers.

I have tried all of these techniques to blend in my foundation in order to achieve that desired airbrushed finish, and I have to say that all three techniques do indeed have their merits but, for me, the winner has to be the stippling brush.  (It's important for me to note here that I no longer use my fingers to blend in foundation; I found that the oils just pushed the liquid around my face and didn't really achieve a natural look)

I have only recently been introduced to the stippling brush and, prior to about April time, I had no idea that such a brush existed.  Since its entrance into my life I have to admit that my trusted foundation brushes (I own an Estee Lauder one and a Kelly Brook one [about £5.00 from New Look, if my memory serves me correctly]) have been shelved for the time being...

Although I find the foundation brush to be very good at its job, I always felt that I was going over and over my face countless times in order to blend my foundation in effectively.  I didn't know any different so it wasn't such a big deal at the time; since purchasing a stippling brush I feel that the airbrushed finish (and no streaks) is achieved pretty much instantly and the brush provides great coverage so that you don't need to use too much foundation (bonus!).

Now, I know there are some excellent brushes out there (MAC tools always come out on top) but if you're on a budget, like me, I can recommend the RealTechniques by Samantha Chapman stippling brush which I purchased from Amazon for about £11.00.

As you can see, the stippling brush has a flatter brush which means that you can use various techniques (using a preferred method of your own which you will discover works best for you) rather than just 'painting' it on like you would do with a foundation brush.

Top Pro: The brush is so stylish with its pink body and black base, and the bristles are so soft that you will be afraid to use it in case the foundation sends them stiff (but don't worry, they continue to be just as soft).

Lowest Con: (From what I remember) The package does not provide instructions for coverage, so if you are a beginner with the stippling brush, it's best to apply your foundation by putting a blob of it on the back of your hand, rolling it out slightly with your finger, dabbing the bristles onto the liquid and then applying it in circular motions to your face.  There are some really effective tutorials on YouTube which can guide you if you are unsure.

Loula Rating: 9/10

Lots of Loula Love xxx