Week 4: My Favourite Make Up Brand

Hey Guys,

So we've reached week 4 of #Britishbloggerselection -where does the time go! *What is British Blogger Selection I hear you ask check out this post for details.* Today I'm going to be writing about my favourite make up brand. I dithered so much, for a beauty addict like me selecting just one favourite make up brand is so difficult (I love so many) after much consideration I came to the conclusion that my favourite make up brand, the one I find myself reaching for on a daily basis is… (drum roll please)

Revlon

Why? Revlon for me does everything well across the board  When I think about a brand as a whole Revlon really are bringing it especially through out this year, they've had some amazing releases to rival my luxe make up items.

Having a darker complexion me and drugstore foundation usually just don't work, due to the limited shade range available. But Revlon released the much loved 'Nearly Naked' foundation earlier this year and to my dismay they had my perfect shade hurray huzaaar *does a geeky dance* for reference I wear the shade Caramel 260. I absolutely love this foundation, when set with powder it lasts well, provides a nice amount of coverage without making my skin look cakey. What I also love about this foundation is the fact that it doesn't oxidise, this tends to be a common recurrence with darker shades and drugstore foundation -but this one works a treat.

Revlon do lips like no other, a great range of lipsticks packed with moisture, pigmentation and incredibly long wearing. A great variety of shades and textures, whether your a gloss loving girl, or a chubby stick chum Revlon have you covered.

Nails, yup they have you covered here too a great shade range, some lovely autumnal shades at the moment all for a barganious price too, I find Revlon nail polishes to last a good solid 5 days with a decent top coat and base coat.

Revlon also do some lovely eyeshadow quads I'm yet to try one but I hear friends and beauty bloggers rave about these quads.

So there you have it Revlon, this is the brand I reach to on a daily basis for that winged eyeliner, natural base, polished tips and moisturised lip look. What is your favourite brand? I'd love to know in the comments below.

P.s The luxe brand favourite would have to be YSL read me showing them some love over on this post

Update 1: Clinique Dark Spot Corrector

*Disclaimer-I am not a dermatologist, in any shape or form if you would like to know any information on dark spot correctors and how they work I highly recommend a trip to a Clinique counter near you or even a Kiehls stand (as they also did a fantastic job of explaining how these types of skincare serums work*

First things first lets clear up what this serum WON'T work for-

Freckles you were born with

Melasma (caused by pregnancy)

There is no miracle cure for pigmentation/dark spots, no wonder product that you will notice a huge visible difference with after one application. Clearing dark marks, scars and pigmentation can be a long timely (expensive) treatment. With the dark spot corrector I am going to talk about today you are meant to start seeing improvements after 4 weeks, but in reality products like this can take around 4-6 months to truly notice a difference (that's dedication!) 

The Clinique dark spot corrector £40 is a 12 week treatment to help lighten dark spots/scars & pigmentation. 

The Science

Your skin has three layers, pigmentation resides in the epidermis, or the thin outer segment of the three layers that make up the skin. The epidermis alone is made up of three tiny sub-layers. Pigment does not reach the dermis, (the middle layer of skin) in theory a 'dark spot corrector' uses AHA or chemicals to bring pigmentation to the top layer of your skin. The corrector will then use exfoliatants and brightening ingredients to rid pigmentation. 

This explains how sometimes pigmentation can appear darker, and more prominent after the use of a correctors. If you notice that your pigmentation/scar is darker this is a good sign, as it shows your corrector is bringing the pigmentation up to the top layer of your skin so it can be treated. 

Still with me here? 

This Clinique serum has a lightweight texture and is designed to be used after toning underneath your moisturiser or SPF. This does not make my combination skin oily, or dry it sits on the skin comfortably. I have been using this serum AM and PM for 4 weeks now, here are some of the visible difference I have noticed in my skin (along with a few barefaced images-sorry.) There has been significant improvements, perhaps these images and my ones after 8 weeks will show a similar amount of improvement. 

My overall skin texture has improved so much my skin looks plumped, radiant and feels a lot softer 

My flaky dry skin freakout phase also appears to be over

Pigmentation on my cheeks, appears to be looking a lot better, pigmentation hasn't darkened yet but is looking a lot brighter then it did, I have also noticed that new spots are not leaving scars or marks once gone. 

I plan to do another update after 8 weeks to see if there is any noticeable difference in the pigmentation that is left. 

Do you suffer from acne scars or pigmentation? Have you tried any products similar that have worked? Does anyone have concealing tips for pigmentation?

L'Oreal Elnett Heat Protect Spray

L'Oreal Elnett Heat Protect Spray £5.99 (currently on offer at Boots for £3.99) 

Looking at my finished hair, an wondering why it felt extra soft, looked extra shiny and frizz free. I narrowed it down and the only thing in my routine that had changed was heat spray! 

I don't know about you guys but heat spray is one part of my haircare line up that I'm never really happy with. Too sticky,wet, weighs my hair down,bottle doesn't distribute enough product my list of moans and heat sprays could go on forever. But, on this not so special day I picked up my mums heat spray the L'Oreal Elnett Heat Protect Spray (the one for straight hair)  and the finish result was glossy, shiny frizz free hair. This doesn't feel sticky on my hair whatsoever, it doesn't weigh my hair down. The nozzle manages to evenly distribute the product through your hair, there's no funny smell either. This can be a tad bit wet on application but this goes quickly. The bottle is super huge and I can see this lasting a long time.

My expectations of this were rather small, but I'm super impressed…I might try the volume or curls one next. 

Have you tried the L'Oreal Elnett Heat Protect Spray?

P.s For reference my hair type is thick & naturally super curly 

Week 3: Clothes Shops I Love

Here's a post that's a little different to what I usually do on Subject Beauty, a fashion post. Now I wouldn't say I'm the most fashionable of the bunch, I don't tend to follow trends or show much interest in fashion I just like to wear what I think looks good on me.

As part of #BritishBloggerSelction I was asked to write a post talking about my favourite clothes shops, Picking one would have been far too difficult, as I sure do love a good shop so here are a few of the shops I like to shop in (how many times can I say shop in one sentence haha) 

The 'All Rounder'

Primark, we all know and love you. This shop is a great all rounder when it comes to shopping, from the best novelty jim jams to a faux leather jacket that looks like it should belong in Topshop, it's one of those places that I know I can always find a gem at a bargain price. I don't know anyone who doesn't love a good shop in Primark.

Great For Smock Dresses

Asos do smock dresses like no other, fact (be weary though sizing can be a little iffy,size down!) Another reason I love Asos is its a one stop destination with lots of different brands. Ever found something you wanted on the River island or New look website that's completely sold out check Asos there's a possibility it may be stocked. Another bonus, Asos have free delivery, and free returns on every single item. 

Best For Workwear 

No shops quite do workwear as well as Zara. Smart well fitted shirts, skirts and trousers are quality with Zara. The clothes can be a tad more on the pricier side but with good reason great quality and last forever. I also couldn't mention Zara and not talk about their bags. The famous 'Office city bag' was a tad on the large size for me but if you are looking for something structured, stylish and smart Zara is your answer for a nice handbag.

Best For Jeans 

Whenever I say 'jeans' Topshop automatically springs to mind. I have more Topshop jeans then I care to admit, addicted me...never. Great jeans that wash well and are great quality, available in different cuts and styles to suit different shapes and sizes. When it comes to high street jeans I think Topshop certainly know what they're  doing 

Best For Knitwear 

The colder months are here so we all certainly need some stylish knitwear to see us through. In my opinion Next do knitwear well, a little more on the pricey side but worthwhile for a jumper that will wash well and see you through until the following year. A surprise for me but I also think Marks & Spencer are great for knitwear and have certainly upped there game. Is it just me or do they seem to be catering for all age groups lately there pieces have become a lot more modern and trendy. However uncool it may be to say I do think M&S are doing pretty good when it comes to knitwear

So there's a few or my favourite clothes shops, id love to know what your favourite clothes shop are leave a comment below or tweet me @subjectbeauty1  

*To find out more about #BritishBloggerSelction and to view my week 2 post click here*