Something lovely ... and Laura Mercier Radiance Foundation Primer

A couple of months ago a lovely and very unexpected package arrived at my door.  I hadn't ordered anything and wasn't expecting to review any products, so I opened the parcel with some anticipation.

A Harvey Nichols bag of goodness was found within, a lovely present from their generous PR team.   This doesn't happen all that often from companies so I was delighted to receive it.  Not only did Harvey Nics send me a gorgeous make up bag in personalised Harvey Nichols graffiti, the bag itself was bulging with samples of various beauty products from Butter London to Clarins to Espa! Lucky me!

So I guess this post is really a (belated) thank you to the PR team for sending such a generous gift but also to let you know about a stand out product from my bundle of samples.

Laura Mercier Radiance Foundation Primer. I already love their oil- free primer and is a staple in my professional kit but I hadn't realised they had a Radiance version on the market.  The purpose of the Radiance foundation primer is the same as the normal primer, hydrating the skin and acting as a base for your make up but it also has light reflective particles that gives the skin a beautiful glow.

The primer has a peachy tint to it with an obvious pearlised finish.  It could certainly be worn on it's own although I worry this would result in sweaty face syndrome so I have stuck to wearing it under my foundation.  I absolutely love the results, it literally gives that 'glow from within' that everyone raves about and lusts after.

I find it every so slightly similar to MAC Strobe cream but with more hydration and warms up the skin better.

After using the sample to death, this has got to be an essential purchase for me from now on.  It leaves me with a healthy, warm glow that makes my skin feel and look alive.  It is a pricey one at £28 but based on my experience with Laura Mercier primers, I know a little of this goes a long way so it should take me a while to get through the tube before another pricey repurchase.

Has anyone else tried this? what are your thoughts, do you love it as much as me?

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Cover FX

It's the ultimate mission, to create the perfect make-up base.  Made all the more harder if we suffer from skin conditions or problem areas such as acne, pigmentation, under eye darkness or rosacea.

Cosmetic brand, Cover FX looks to provide a solution for all such skin types in order to create that flawless finish for everyone.  Created by Lee Graff, a corrective make up specialist and cosmetic engineer (yes there is such a profession) Jenny Frankel, Cover FX is a range that promotes self esteem and confidence by taking control of your appearance.

Don't be mistaken, this is not just a range for those with skin imperfections, anyone can use Cover FX to create a perfect base.  In fact, it is used by many celebrities and apparently a favourite of Beyonce.  If it's good enough for Sasha Fierce ....

The range consists mostly of base products such as primers, foundation, concealers, setting powder but they have branched out to colour products like lipgloss and blush.

Wanda, Me and Lee

Cover FX has recently launched at Harvey Nichols, Edinburgh where it is exclusively stocked in Scotland and I was asked if I would like to come in and meet with Lee Graff and Cover FX make up artist Wanda Longo to try out the range for myself and be made over using their products.

It was fantastic to meet Lee and Wanda, hear the story behind their extensive careers which eventually led to the Cover  FX brand and of course to be made over by Wanda using Cover FX products.

My Wanda make-over.  Wearing Cover FX Primer, Liquid Natural Foundation, Concealer, Blush and Lipgloss

Now there are things I really like about the brand and some things I am not such a fan of.  I particularly love the anti-ageing skin prime fx which feels so silky on the skin and the natural fx foundation.  The blush collection is also extremely pigmented with amazing longevity although may be a little shimmery for some.

My skin looks good for such a close encounter with the camera!

The extensive range of shades really appeals to me - there is a shade for everyone regardless of skin tone or shade.  It really does try to cater for all.  Also dependant on skin condition there are different recommendations of products which you can find on their website.  For instance, they recommend acne sufferers  prime the skin, blot it with a matte powder then use a pressed mineral foundation to create a flawless finish.

I am not so much in love with their setting powders as I find them a little on the cakey side and creates a little flashback when taking photos.  However, it's a great range, brilliant concept and I will continue to experiment with the brand.

You can find Cover FX stocked at Harvey Nichols.

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Manicures and Bubbles

I have been back and forth to Edinburgh loads recently, a trip I always love to make as Edinburgh is so gorgeous so it's never feels like chore despite the 50 minute journey.

My last trip was especially good as it involved a bit of pampering at Nails Inc's Champagne Bar at Harvey Nichols.  Based on the ground floor beauty hall, the nail bar has been there for quite some time but has had bit of a makeover in recent months.

Sask enjoying some bubbly! Photo courtesy of Christina - The Daydreamer

The only Nails Inc Champagne bar in Scotland (there is a Nails Inc bar in Glasgow albeit sans the bubbly) ... it now boasts 10 nail stations where the fizz comes as standard.  The manicurists are friendly and informative and you can tell they are passionate about their products which makes a visit all the more enjoyable.

I went for the gel 3-week manicure in a lush purple shade (sorry, I can't for the life of me remember the actual shade!) and on my index finger I tried out the latest Gossip Girl glitter collection.  It wasn't just the Gossip Girl collection that caught my eye, I am now obsessed with their magnetic range which I HAVE to get my hands on!  It's just so simple, easy and effective, the results look wicked so I do urge you to check it out.

Image from Nailsinc.com - Metallic Collection

I also found out the bar is available for parties and hen do's which I love the sound of.  What's better than to have a bit of pampering and bubbly with your 10 favourite girlies before painting the town red?!

And talking of favourite girlies, it was brilliant to finally meet Christina from The Daydreamer blog who I have been twitter chatting with for a while now.  Check out her take on the Nails Inc Champagne Bar and the amazing crystal pedicure she had done - it is stunning!!  It was also a pleasure to meet up with another Scottish blogger and fellow redhead Merle from Beauty Bombshells who I have met a couple of times now and always fun to catch up with.

Estee Lauder Orange Crush

When it comes to the latest of the Estee Lauder Pure Colour collection it was Pure Love at first sight!

I guess orange isn't everyones idea of a wearable colour especially in eyeshadow form, no matter how refreshing a shade it may be for summer.   I always felt the same ... and as much as I adore an orange lip or a peach cheek, the idea of wearing it on my eyes just seemed obscene.

That's until this week when to my surprise and excitement these 3 new limited edition shades dropped through my post box.  Created by Tom Pecheux for the Derek Lam's Spring 2011 runway show, inspired by 1960's California, Lauder have taken this bold look from the runway to real life with these 3 beautiful products.

Sugar Cube, Orange Crush and Orange Crush Gloss

Pure Colour Eyeshadow in Orange Crush (RRP £16) is an utterly stunning shade of bold, bright orange.  The pigmentation is fantastic, a lighter hand will give a subtle wash of colour that can built upon to create a slightly bolder finish.  With a slightly heavy hand, a vibrant finish can be achieved which is equally as stunning if not a little more daring.  The second shadown in the collection is Sugar Cube a shimmering white that is a fantastic highlight and blends fabulously with Orange Crush.

As above, sugar cube, orange crush and orange crush gloss

The absolute beauty and most wearable of this small but perfectly formed collection is the Pure Colour Gloss in Orange Crush (RRP £16).  This is quite a fiery orange and has a high shine finish, it's lush on the lips and lasts for hours (although its shine does fade) which is a bonus!

The minute I got this I tried to recreate a similar look to the runway creation.  I used a bold line of orange crush on the lashline and blended with sugar cube, taking sugar cube up to under the lashline as a highlight.  I used MAC blacktrack to line the eyes but I think this colour would look equally as good if not fresher without they liner.

Hideous photobooth quality but you get the idea

On the cheeks I stuck with an old favourite NARS Laguna to bronze/contour slightly and for blush,  MAC springsheen which is lovely peach shade and complemented the oranges very well.  I lined my lips lightly with a nude liner before applying Orange Crush gloss.  I'm not sure if Estee Lauder would recommend wearing the bold eye and lips at the same time but it certainly worked for me. 

Even with my red hair which I initially thought would clash with these colours, I could really make this look work and it was something different to the same old neutrals.  It's definitely a gorgeous summer look that can easily be taken into autumn.  It's especially gorgeous for us blue eyed babies out there ... the contrast between the orange and blue just makes your eyes .... POP! (there, i said it!).  Even with pale skin, these shade rocked it... I can only imagine how much more amazing they would look had I been tanned!

Anyway, it seems this collection is so exclusive it is only available at Harvey Nics in London, Manchester, Leeds and Edinburgh.  I would recommend you try and pick these gorgeous shades up if you can though - they look stunning, apply wonderfully and make a statement as bold or as subtle as you like!

Anyone else brave enough for orange eyeshadow?

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