Seventeen Cheek & Lip Stain

Seventeen Cheek and Lip Stain

Liquid or gel blush can be really hard to work with, the ever cult Benetint is so watery that if you don't apply it quickly and carefully you end up with red water stains down your cheeks. I've tried many from different brands and never really got along with them, traditional blusher will always be my favourite.

So why bother trying another product? Well why not. These from Seventeen who have some wonderful products but also some that are just too gimmicky, cheek stamp anyone? These are by no means a unique or innovative product, most brands now have a multi purpose cheek / lip product.  I haven't used a gel cheek tint before, a quick search around the internet show Pixi also have a Cheek Gel.

Packaging wise, it is in squeezable tube with a sponge "applicator" at the end. Not sure how you would ever apply blush like this though, far too much product would come out and it would be impossible to blend. Instead I found the most effective way was to apply with a stippling brush and blend it in. You have to work fast, it is very thick but not that pigmented.  The sponge applicator is not exactly hygienic. Usually I'm a stickler for ensuring there are proper swatches but I've lost that photo and have already thrown these in the bin. There wasn't much to show anyway.

Basically not worth the faff.

Stay Time from Seventeen

Stay Time Foundation - Stay Time Primer 

I have had this foundation and primer gathering dust in my drawers for a few months now. I just never got along with them. I thought I would revisit them however to see if my opinion changed when I have them a proper test. 

The primer (shown above on the right) promises to work as a glue and keep your makeup in place all day. It comes out in a a thick tinted gel and quickly absorbs any shine on the skin, however it promises to be light which it is anything but; tt really does feel like glue.  I then applied the foundation in Porcelain over the top. It is quite a thick foundation, offering full coverage. The lightest shade even almost matches my skin tone, just slightly too yellow but workable if you blend into the jawline. On paper it sounds perfect, I love full coverage foundation. 

Except this is incredibly hard to blend, it sticks to any dry patches even when my skin has been well moisturised. As you can see it looks very chalky on my skin and has an odd tacky finish. I seem to be alone as on the Boots there are quite a lot of rave reviews. I've tried to foundation with different primers and it still has a horrible heavy feeling when applied. I am used to wearing full coverage foundations such as Estee Lauder's Double Wear and they never leave me wanting to quickly remove all my makeup. The primer does have quite negative reviews on the Boots website, many commenting they have also found it too sticky.  I'm sorry Seventeen, this is a no from me.

False Nail Love

 

Boots Perfect Finish Clear Nails - £8.50

False nails are nothing new, I've been wearing them on and off for a few years. I love that you can paint some awesome nail art on the Thursday night watching tv and have them ready to wear our Saturday night. I have also always had short nails, no amount of diet / supplements / nail care has ever helped them grow so I love that false nails give me long nails asap. I have had acrylics and gels before but prefer glue on as they are much more instant. I spend a lot of time in hospitals and practicals so nails or nail varnish is a big no no.

I have tried many types, the cheap ones you can get from eBay are awesome except I find them too thin and too long for my small natural nails. This set from Boots is a winner, 200 nails in 10 sizes, that includes extras of the most common sizes (6, 6.5 and 5). I find a set usually lasts me a week, my last set I cleaned out a fire, oven and collected wood and they didn't budge. This may also be down to the glue, my personal choice is Nailene Ultra Quick Nail Glue. 

xox