In the beauty world, some products come and go without much of a buzz, whilst others rocket up to cult-favourite, must-have status, in days. I don't always like to give in to the hype, at least straight away, and let it settle before I take the plunge and make a purchase, to see if the commotion dies down or remains strong. With the constant influx of new products, if a certain product remains in the limelight, then that's an indicator that it's something pretty special. So I thought that I'd give you the low-down on which products I think are deserving of the hype surrounding them.
Nars Laguna Bronzer is the number-one bronzer of many beauty buffs, and for good reason. The brand's powder products have such a soft, smooth texture that makes blending so easy. Highly pigmented, you're able to build up to quite a strong colour on the cheek if you want it, without the result being patchy or severe. With a subtle, finely-milled, golden shimmer added into that warm, rich bronze shade, the colour gives skin a healthy, glowing sheen. If you're skin is very pale, then the bronzer could lean slightly orange, but I continue to wear it all year round, winter included, and it never has a tango'd effect. The shimmer doesn't disrupt the contouring ability that the bronzer has either, making it such a perfect product no matter what you use it for. One downside though, is that as soon as you hit pan on the compact, it can easily shatter if knocked or dropped. I'd guess that I've been through about five of these bronzers for that exact reason, but I'm always happy to repurchase, despite how annoying that is.
As soon as they hit stores, the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders were hailed as the most radiance-boosting, perfecting powders out there. Scrap every preconceived idea of traditional formulas that you have before you try these, as they're in a whole class of their own. Unique in the way that the powder particles reflect light, each shade gives the skin a lit-from-within, luminous glow that looks natural and not harsh or glittery. Depending on your skin-tone, the six shades can be used as an all-over face powder, a soft bronzer, or a highlighter for the cheekbones etc. Whilst traditional, pressed powders simply mattify and add coverage, leaving a chalky, dry look to the skin, the colour-correcting undertones in these even out the complexion and absorb excess oil, without leaving skin looking drab. They're literally amazing and I have two, single shades, as well as the trio palette shown above.
Up until last year, primers weren't something I used very often, only reaching for them on special occasions. Now, however, I make more of an effort to use them on a daily basis, to really give me a smooth, even canvas and to prolong the wear of my base. The Laura Mercier Foundation Primer has topped beauty editor's hit-lists for years. When smoothed onto the face, it creates an invisible barrier to shield from the outside elements, helping to further moisturise and protect the skin. The water-based, gel-creme texture is rich, yet light and non-sticky. Unlike many primers which are packed with silicones, Laura Mercier's original primer is refreshing and hydrating, preventing makeup from looking dry and cakey after a few hours. When I blend my foundation over the top, the primer doesn't start to roll off or flake and it leaves my base looking much fresher and flawless. I mentioned this primer in my recent Hydrating Primer Comparison Post, if you fancy hearing some more of my thoughts on it and how it compares to other formulas.
Practically everything from Chanel could be classed as a cult product in my eyes, to be honest; the brand can do very little wrong. But, for this round-up, I thought I'd pick on the Chanel Illusion D'Ombre Long-Wear Luminous Eyeshadows. With a soft, soufflé consistency, these pots of creamy colour feel weightless on the eyes. Whether you're creating a soft, subtle look, or something more dramatic, these cream shadows fit the bill and you only need to layer the product for a more opaque finish. The shimmer and glitter in some of the colours is so dazzling, making it a perfect choice for a statement, evening look. As they're quite mousse-like, the texture isn't too wet or slippery, making them easy to apply and blend without creating a smudgy mess. The colour remains vivid all day on my eyes, without creasing, but my lids aren't oily and I do prep with some eye primer beforehand. I've had a variety of the shades over the years and I've actually used up two pots completely, which is rare for me when it come to cream shadows!
Benefit's Roller Lash Mascara is one of the most highly-anticipated releases, of late. Pretty much everyone I've spoken to or seen on Twitter has been itching to get their hands on a tube, myself included. If you didn't know already, Elle are giving away a sample of the mascara with the March issue of their magazine, so snap one up quickly if you're interested. After trying it out, oh my! If you like long, bold, voluminous lashes that hold a curl well, you won't be disappointed. You can feel the prongs of the plastic wand literally grabbing and hooking each, individual lash, curling it upwards as you go. Whilst applying, you can actually notice an instant, lifting effect. Benefit actually recommend pairing this, new formula with the They're Real mascara for ultimate results, but I'm a fan of how Roller Lash leaves my lashes looking when used alone. Plus, despite being water-resistant, its easy to remove, unlike TR. I'll definitely be buying a full-size tube on the 12th February!
Which premium makeup products do you think are worth the hype?
AGB X
Which premium makeup products do you think are worth the hype?
AGB X
23 comments
Brill picks, I am in love with the Nars Laguna Bronzer and Benefit Roller Lash. I was a little worried that Laguna would be too orange on my skin but looks amazing! I want to try the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders, they look amazing especially in the palette form :)
ReplyDeleteCharlee XO | CharmedCharlee
They're amazing, you definitely have to go and give them a swatch at a counter! x
DeleteBenefit blushes! They're amazing! Really good quality and they last forever! :)
ReplyDeleteI love them too, especially Rockateur & Sugarbomb! x
DeleteI need to get my hands on the roller lash mascara, I've heard so many good things about it! The hourglass ambient lighting palette is just too beautiful as well!
ReplyDeletepippibee.blogspot.co.uk xx
Definitely pick up a copy of Elle to try the sample, to work out if it's worth buying the full-size! :) x
DeleteGreat post!! I really want some of the Hourglass powders and that palette looks to die for!
ReplyDeletehttp://thegirlwiththestrawberrytattoo.blogspot.co.uk/
It's amazing for traveling and is such good value, too! x
DeleteI got the sample of Roller Lash with Elle and OH MY GOD I'm in love, it's so good! I actually prefer it to They're Real :) I love the Hourglass powders too, I have... mood light... I think it's called haha, and it's so beautiful! Gives such a natural glow and colour to the skin.
ReplyDeleteHannah xx
hannahhepton.com
It really is! Apparently they're meant to work well together, but I love the effect Roller Lash has on its own. I don't have that shade, but I'll be checking it out next time I'm in Space NK! x
DeleteThe Chanel eyeshadows look ever so luxurious and the colours both deep and rich. I will be looking into those for sure, thanks for the fantastic recommendations! :)
ReplyDeleteGabrielle | A Glass Of Ice
x
I think all Chanel makeup is luxurious, but these are pretty special! No problem, I hope you love them as much as I do! x
DeleteThanks, lovely :) x
ReplyDeleteI'm tempted by the Roller Lash mascara but I've heard Maybelline's Lash Sensational is a dupe so I'm thinking to try that first. :)
ReplyDeletewww.pyaribeauty.com
I mentioned the Maybelline Lash Sensational in my January favourites, too. It is amazing and I think I do actually prefer it, taking the price into consideration too :) x
ReplyDeleteI love NARS Laguna Bronzer and just recently discovered how good the Laura Mercier primer is too! Great picks :) x
ReplyDeleteI bought some little samples of the Ginvera BB Cream to try out recently and I really love it! The coverage is great :) x
Evelyn @ We Were Raised By Wolves
Ooo I love their Marvel Gel, but I haven't tried their BB cream, I'll have to check it out :) Thanks for the recommendation! x
DeleteSo many fantastic picks! I love the Chanel Shadows too and I don't think they get enough recognition like they used to! Im a huge fan of roller lash now as well!
ReplyDeleteEloise x
mallowbeauty.co.uk
They really don't, as soon as new products hit the market, people forget about old-favourites! x
DeleteYou've picked some great things! NARS Laguna is my go-to bronzer. It's my absolute favourite. It lasts all day so I don't need to touch it up at all. I've been really impressed with Roller Lash. I think i'll be picking up a full size too!
ReplyDeleteAntonia x | Fifi and the Diamonds
I've gone through so many of the bronzer, I panic if I don't have one in my collection! haha x
DeleteI love Roller Lash!! The Hourglass powders are so beautiful, I really want to try myself to one (or three) of those... :)
ReplyDeleteJess xo | The Indigo Hours
As soon as you try one, I guarantee you'll want them all! I definitely recommend picking up one of their palettes, rather than an individual powder, if you like all the shades in them of course! x
DeleteThanks for taking the time to read this post and leave a comment! I try to reply to each and every one of them within 24 hours! x