Foundation Review; YSL Fusion Ink.

Just to start, I know I deserve an absolute lynching for being AWOL lately. I can't help it, apparently a life outside Instagram and a blog can actually exist. I never had one before, but sure look!

We'll begin this week's post afresh as if I'm not in the wrong, ok? Grand!

This week I'm bringing you a review of a foundation that I've been eye balling for the last while. It is (as the title suggests) the Fusion Ink foundation by YSL. I'll go into the detail about the foundation further on in the post, but I'll start by saying that I've been looking for this kind of foundation for a while.
I prefer a sheer liquid product to blend my concealers into so that I can use a powder foundation over top for fuller coverage and better staying power. We all know my skin is an oil reservoir so tinted moisturisers are a no no as they stay creamy on the skin. I was looking for something with sheer coverage but a natural to matte finish.

With that kind of foundation in mind I decided to try this product out after a recommendation from our very own Susan. To see her verdict you should check out the post before this one! On a shopping trip in town I very cheekily got a sample from YSL in Brown Thomas and I've been playing with it ever since!

As with my previous review on MAC's Studio Fix Powder foundation I'll break this down into YSL's description, my own thoughts, application process and overall verdict. Grab your popcorn!

Fusion Ink Foundation by YvesSaintLaurent.

My tiny little sample, so cute!

YSL says: "24 hours of soft-matte perfection and comfort. Our exclusive fine-as-ink formula perfects the skin yet wears weightlessly all day. Never cakey or heavy. Feel the difference of all day perfection and freedom." Just to note as well that this retails at €40 in Brown Thomas.

I say; This is a sheer fluid foundation that sets to a natural matte finish on the skin. I find that it improves the look of surface texture and doesn't settle into pores. The coverage is light but can be built up to a degree. The skin looks polished but not flat or powdery. I would disagree with the "all day" part as I've yet to find a foundation that doesn't settle or slip at some stage. Read on for deets on that aspect!

From top to bottom: Clean skin, a single layer of YSL Fusion Ink, and finally the same layer of foundation with concealer where needed and set in place with MAC Studio Fix Powder in NW15

How I apply; I use the applicator that comes in the sample bottle to swipe the product onto the skin. The full size bottle comes with its own that's shaped like the nib of fountain pen. Genius!

I start across my nose and cheeks and move out towards my hairline. That's followed by my forehead, jawline and chin. I use a damp Real Technique's Miracle Complexion Sponge to blend the foundation into my skin. 

I know that this technique will reduce the coverage a little. As that's not what I reply on this for I'm not too concerned. I find that using the product this way gives the most natural finish. I then layer concealer where needed. As you can see in the images this is mainly under the eyes and around the nose. I used a thicker concealer just to hide the blemishes on my chin. Once that's all in place I set down with a light layer of my MAC powder foundation. 

Overall verdict; This is the kind of product I've been on the hunt for! It gives a gorgeous natural finish that lasts on an oilier skin. For anyone with an oily skin that isn't looking for massive coverage this product is one to try out. 

As I mentioned before I look for something that will even out my skin and look more natural but without the traditional tinted moisturiser feel. Again I prefer to use a powder foundation on top of everything for more coverage. I find that my base will last longer this way rather than if I use a heavy liquid.

As with any foundation the coverage will thin out as oil comes through. I wore this without a primer to see how long it would last, and it held up well for the most part for such a fluid consistency. I found that it did crease into my smile lines towards the middle of the day but that's a problem with any liquid foundation for me. Other than that the skin had more of a sheen than an oily, greasy look. I personally like the look of make up that's disintegrated a little so I actually like this once it's melted a little bit.

I have a particularly congested forehead at times so I did see a little separation where there were minor dry patches around blemishes. The pigments clung to the drier skin while the rest appeared more diffused at the end of the day. This was only visible on close inspection but if you're of the dry skinned persuasion I'd make sure to prep accordingly. 

With all of the said I think you get the gist! I'll definitely be buying a full size bottle of this, I'm smitten. Any issues that I have with this can be monitored and taken care of, they're down to my skin condition rather than any short comings. I'm eager to pit this against similar foundation consistencies in future so keep an eye out for that!

If you have any further questions or you want to have a chinwag about other base products you love then definitely get in touch, I'm a foundation fiend!

Until next time,

goodnight and God bless.

J x 

Top 5 Foundations For Pale Skin

I'm all out of sorts I don't know where I am in the week this day isn't my usual haunt but me and Jamie will be doing the old switcharoo this week once again. Cause you know, life gets in the way.

So today I am going to be sharing with you my top 5 foundations for pale skin. If you follow me on my own blog What's New With Suzie Q? you may have already seen my Youtube video but I want to share this info on both blogs. Finding the perfect foundation is one of the hardest jobs when your a paled skinned gal like myself. In our world "ivory" is never ivory and plain white is not an option. I have trawled through foundations, some good some bad and some down right orange but these are the foundations that never let me down!

1. Nars Sheer Glow - Siberia 

A firm favourite amongst the beauty community but when I first purchased this back in 2013 I found it to be such a difficult formulation to get used to. Its sheer enough but you can build it up to a more fuller coverage, patience is key. One of the palest foundations I have ever tried with a slightly more yellow tone. If you have good skin this one is going to be your best buddy. Problematic skins read on....

2. MAC Studio Fix Fluid - NW10/NW13
Unbeknownst to many MAC do carry two shades paler than NC15 in their Studio Fix range, NW10 and NW13. This foundation is known for its fantastic coverage and longevity which I definitely think it gives but my only problem with it is that it can cause breakouts, not ideal. Anyways, these two are more of a pink tone but that can be balanced out with powder etc but as they are so fair they can suit even the palest of skins. Go in get a sample and give it a go.

3. Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation - Alabaster
This is one of my favourite foundations, the coverage and the colour is just perfection. This gives you the my skin but better look so if your looking for less coverage this is your man. Wears beautifully and doesn't feel heavy on the skin. Both oily and dry skins (My dry skin loves it!) will get on swimmingly with this foundation. It's a must try if you haven't already.

4. YSL Fusion Ink - B10
The most expensive foundation out of my top 5 but in my opinion totally worth every penny. B10 is pale but adds a slight bit of warmth to the skin, no tide lines. It has a very silky texture similar to the Armani Luminous Silk. Coverage wise you will need concealer from problematic areas, dry skins will need to add moisture as it is on the matte side which is perfect for you oilier skin gals. This foundation gives the most gorgeous glow and luminosity to the skin, stick it on your Christmas list!

5. Rimmel Match Perfection - 010 Light Porcelain 
This is my holy grail foundation, the coverage and the colour are just spot on and its quite funny considering its the cheapest foundation of the whole bunch! I get some many compliments from people and Aisling says it makes me look more flawless that any of my other foundations. It has a light texture so you don't feel like your wearing a whole load of foundation and it wears fantastically throughout the day. Buy it, try it and if you don't like it sure its only €10! The colour of this foundation is one of the palest foundations I have tried to date and I don't have to blend down my neck.

So there you have it my top 5, I hope you enjoyed this post if you have any questions for me you can contact me in the comments below or on Twitter @whatsnewsuzieq. If you are a paler gal I would love to know what foundation you wear let me know...

Love,
S x

Product Review: Vichy Idealia Life Serum and Idealia Skin Sleep

Life has been....hectic lets put it that way so I have been lacking on the posts and poor Jamie has been left on his own but fret now I'm back and today's post is a product review! It's very rare that I change my skincare much, I have an acne prone skin and I try to avoid aggravating it as much as possible but recently I attended an event for the new Vichy Skin Sleep moisturiser and I was too intrigued not to try it! So I'm going to break down the two products and tell you a little more about them and then give you my final verdict. 

On the left Idealia Skin Sleep/On the right Idealia Life Serum

Idealia Life Serum 30ml €35

What is it?
A light non greasy serum infused with Vichy's world famous formula.  It gives the skin an instant complexion boost as it has a light iridescence in it that gives a gorgeous glow. As with all serums it should be applied before your moisturiser, and as it is quite light it can be worn by all skin types. It also has a very light floral scent which hasn't irritated my skin thus far but beware if you are more sensitive to scents.

How does it work?
As mentioned it contains Vichy's magic formula of LR2412 + LHA molecule but what is that exactly? A deadly duo that helps transform and protect skin from pollution, bad diets and stress. According to Vichy these two ingredients are inspired by the way our skin naturally works "LR2412 accelerates skin's repair and boosts its resistance to external aggressors. Micro-exfoliating LHA helps to stimulate renewal and reduce the appearance of surface pigmentation." It also contains Vichy Spa Water and glycerine to hydrate the skin. I have also noted Capryloyl Salicylic Acid in the ingredients list but it is quite far down so I am unsure whether this would have a major affect on acne prone skin. 

How does it feel? 
So far I am absolutely loving this serum, although I am normally put off products that have an added fragrance I am really enjoy the light floral scent. As a dry skin I normally use quite a heavy moisturiser to hydrate and I find that this doesn't add too heavy a layer underneath so makeup sits nicely on top without slipping off hours later. 




Idealia Skin Sleep 50ml €28

What is it?
A gel balm night time moisturiser that was created to stimulate the skins naturally process while we sleep. Through their research Vichy noted that "Beauty Sleep" does actually exist and it occurs at 12am to 1am when we would normally be in a deep sleep or REM as its also known. But as are days are getting longer and our nights are getting shorter we aren't getting as much sleep which means our skin isn't repairing normally. Skin sleep was created to combat this and no matter how many hours you get in, Skin Sleep will do half the work. 

How does it work?
Basically it contains some serious skin loving ingredients such as LHA(smooths and brightens), Vitamin B3 (which reinforces the barrier functions of skin and helps improve how skin holds hydration), Caffeine (counteracts against signs of fatigue and stimulates cells) and hyaluronic acid (serious hydration and plumping). I KNOW....some seriously good ingredients. 

How does it feel? 
Amazing as its a gel balm it feels super light on the skin which means you aren't going to bed with a whole mound of moisturiser on. As its a gel it would be great for the oilier skins to control oil production but dry skins will also love this. It also has a light fragrance of jasmine and green tea which is quite refreshing if you've had a long day. 

The verdict?
Two new firm favourites. I haven't really tried many of Vichy's products and I am SUPER impressed with these two. I have been using them for the past few weeks to put them to the test and they definitely do what it says on the tin...I also don't feel so guilty when going to bed an hour too late either! These would be perfect for someone just starting out with skin care and wants to prevent ageing and a lower budget. But don't get me wrong this range suits all ages, skin types and skin tones. 

It gets the Suzie Q seal of approval! 
Until next time,
S x

The Daily Grind; My skincare routine.

Hey ladies and gents!

I seriously need to work on sticking to a routine, because this month it seems to just not be happening. I do apologise though and I'll get back into hitting the keyboard every Monday. I can't guarantee which Monday but it'll happen!

My post from last week was a review of Vichy's Aqualia Thermal Serum and Eye Balm. To summarise; I adore both. If you want to know a little bit more about these products and find out more about my skin type you can check out that post here.

For those who don't know, my skin is oily but prone to dehydration. This lead to a lot of confusion as to what kind of treatment my skin needed and a lot of trial and error with products. Thanks be to Jaysus I've nailed down what seems to be a solid and dependable routine that keeps my skin in check. During these summer months I can't quite get the oiliness under wraps but sure look! It's better than what it was.

For today's post I'll be breaking down each step in my routine and letting you know what I use and why I like it. Fair warning, this routine is beefed up with a good bit of Clinique (you know what they say, if it ain't broke...) but you can totally find similar products from different brands. Have a nosy online on places like Paula's Choice for some alternative ideas for your own skin.

Anyway, on with the show!

Make Up Removers.

Removing your make up and cleaning your skin are two different steps. The first (naturally enough) will only remove the product and oil from the surface, but won't clean the skin itself. I like to use dual phase removers for my eyes as the oil breaks product down really well. I use a ton of slap in the eye area so I use No. 7's Beautiful Skin Eye Make Up Remover. Shake it up, whack a bit on a cotton pad and you're good to go. I think it's €11, so keep your eye out for 3 for 2 offers and the like. They're so handy to have!

Clinique's Take The Day Off Cleansing Oil is amazing. It contains no actual oil (sounds weird but it works) so it emulsifies when introduced to water. This turns into a milk after it dissolves even the heaviest of foundation and rinses away. There is literally zero residue left behind after this cleanser. As it turns to a milk I never use this around my eyes. I made that mistake once. It got into them and my vision turned snow white. I thought I was Halle Berry in X-Men for a hot minute. I won't be doing it again.

Cleanser.

My weapon of choice for cleaning my skin is Clinique's Liquid Facial Soap in the Extra Mild formula. It's a soft gel that doesn't lather, so I generally apply it to dry skin. I use my hands to gently massage it into my skin and then rinse away with a warm flannel. It does the job of cleaning excess oil from my skin without foaming and drying it out. As someone who suffers from dehydration that part is kind of essential. 

I personally don't use a cleanser to treat any problems in the skin. That part comes in the next couple of stages. This section is literally removing the dirt and oil so that the products I put on top can get to work. 

"Toners" or Liquid Exfoliators.

Did you know that exfoliating in a liquid form was even a thing? I didn't. I'm glad I do now.

Liquid exfoliators contain low levels of skin friendly acids that break down dead skin and can work inside the pores to gently clear blemishes and refine pores. 

These products replace traditional toners. Seeing as I clean my cleanser off with water I don't need to use a product to take off any remaining product. What a product like this will do is help to remove any lingering dead skin and actively work to clean and repair the skin on a deeper level. Doing this will allow your moisturisers and serums to really get to work instead of being absorbed by useless skin cells. I use two liquid exfoliants from Clinique as pictured above.

The first is the Clarifying Lotion in Mild. This contains salicylic acid which is great for clearing blocked pores. As I'm a boy I shave quite regularly. I'm prone to ingrown hairs and small breakouts in the beard region so this helps to keep them in check. It also contains no alcohol so it doesn't do that drying thing that I don't like. 

Clarifying Lotion number 2 from Clinique is a bit stronger. This one does contain alcohol and also witch hazel. Both are brilliant for giving my skin a kick start if it's feeling sluggish or particularly spotty. I use this after I take off a lot of make up or if I've been to the gym and my face is looking swamped under sweat and sebum. I don't use this as often because of the alcohol content.

It's worth mentioning that Clinique do a range of Clarifying lotions so they're worth looking into as each one works differently. Introducing this step to my routine literally saved my skin. I can't promise, but I'm certain you will love it.

Serum.

This step is my favourite! I look for a lightweight serum that contains ingredients that will help to flood my skin with water and keep it nice and comfortable. I find that if I do this, I'm less likely to see heavy oil production in my skin. This is because it's not working so hard to combat a lack of water. 

Serums are designated products to treat any prominent skin concerns. Their ingredients tend to be more active and will work better for combating the designated issue. 

Aqualia Thermal contains glycerin and sodium hyaluronate. Both are ingredients to trap water in the skin so naturally I'm all about this baby. I won't go into too much detail as I have a post on this linked above, so if you like the sound of this be sure to check that one out! 

Moisturiser and Eye Cream.

Last but not least! After I've cleaned and clarified my skin and followed up with a serum I pop a moisturiser and eye cream on top. If you think about it; a serum will treat a skin condition while the moisturiser and eye cream will take care of the surface skin and keep it protected and nourished. 

I use Vichy Aqualia Thermal Awakening Eye Balm (ignore the name, I use it at night as well) around the eyes. Again, the post on this chap is linked above so more detail can be found there. Suffice it to say it's a lightweight gel product packed with the same ingredients as the serum. It stops my under eye area looking tired and dry, so I love it. 

My moisturiser of choice at the moment is Moisture Surge from Clinique. I adore this stuff. Given the name I thought I'd run a mile. It's actually a thick gel consistency, so it's not heavy with oil and emollients. What it does do is give the skin what actually feels like a drink of water. It's rich and luxurious enough for me to enjoy putting on, but full of all the right things so it doesn't break me out. I feel like Joan Collins at a vanity mirror even if I'm throwing it at myself at the end of the day and hanging onto the skin so I don't collapse where I stand. 

I've used the Dramatically Different gel from Clinique also. I like both, but I prefer Moisture Surge for the time being. 

After all of that lengthy procedure I either put on make up and head out or dive head first into bed. I know that some of you will be looking at the steps involved and think that I'm an absolute weirdo with more time than sense. You're actually right, but I can genuinely say that since I listened to my skin and started to take care of it properly the difference has been outstanding. 

I know I use a lot of products from one brand in particular. This is because I find that their products really work for me, but that might not be the case for everyone. Take a look at each step and have a look around for appropriate products to add to your routine. You can absolutely find more affordable versions of each step. I know I probably should, but I'm a greedy guts. 

Now that I've discussed how I clean my skin I better get back to make up babble. I'm planning on bringing you a foundation review next week so definitely stay tuned for that! It's one I've been coveting for ages so I'm very excited to put pen to paper.

As always, throw any questions or comments down below. We looove them! Our social media links are at the top of the blog so if you have a very pressing question to ask then those are your best bet!

Until next time,

J x

Product Review; Vichy Aqualia Thermal.

Good evening!

I can't actually describe how excited I am to be bringing you this review. I'm a little bit worried that it's a Friday night and I'm more excited to talk about a facial serum than throw on clean jeans and go out. That being said, the money most people spend on a good session I plug into skincare. No hangover, and a cleansing routine so regimental and steadfast that any neat freak would experience nirvana. It's not all bad.

I've been on a bit of a skincare crusade for the last while, as my skin is temperamental at the best times. I have oily skin that's prone to dehydration, which can cause havoc. My main issue was always either loading my skin with products that were too heavy or not adding enough water back to my skin. Both scenarios had desperate consequences. Skip through many years of stressed teenage skin (can you imagine?! My face was in the horrors) to my discovery of liquid exfoliation, hyaluronic acid, and gel moisturisers. My skin is by no means heavenly but I know enough to manage it at this stage. Big thanks to Caroline Hirons' blog and our very own Susan for giving me advice along the way. My face thanks you both.

This week I added to my collection. I've been trialling Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum and Awakening Eye Balm for the last few days. I got about three uses out of each product before I was itching to rave about them. I discovered the serum online (big kudos to the Hirons and Sali Hughes) and it ticked all the proverbial boxes for me. Lightweight, but packed with skin loving and water infusing ingredients. In my hunt for it I also came across the eye balm which I promptly snapped up to go with it. I've been indulging ever since.

I'm going to do this review in two parts, and give an overall verdict. This way I can give the most information on each product, but keep it all as organised and understandable as possible.

The Serum. 

What is it?
A fluid product designed to soothe sensitive and dehydrated skin. As a serum, this is applied your moisturiser.

How does it work? 
Aqualia Thermal has glycerin and hyaluronic acid derivatives inside. Glycerin attracts moisture to the skin, while hyaluronic acid can hold a dense amount of water and store it. Together these flood the skin with water instead of oil to relieve dehydration without weighing the skin down with oil.

How does it feel?
Amazing, really refreshing. A little goes a long way with this. My skin feels so comfortable since I've started using these. There's no tight, drawn feeling after cleansing. It doesn't soak in ridiculously fast either so I never feel like I have to load more product on to get the full effect. A couple of pumps should be enough for the entire face.

The Eye Balm.

What is it?
A "balm" to combat dehydration around the eye area. I would call this a gel, to be honest. Either way it's a moisturising product for the eye that promises to reduce the signs of dehydration and soothe the delicate skin in that region. The title says "Awakening" but I use it morning and evening.

How does it work?
This product contains the same hydrating ingredients as the facial serum, and also caffeine. Given that this combats a lack of water in the skin I'm glad to see these ingredients here. If budget is an issue, you can totally use the serum around the eye. I've tried both, both ways work fine, I just like the richer texture of the gel around the eye. Caffeine? You could leave it to be honest.

How does it feel? 
Once again, this feels lovely. Because it's a thicker consistency it does take longer to soak in, but it feel nice and soothing. I use a lot of eye make up when I trowel on the war paint, so the removal can get a bit heavy duty. This was a pleasure to pop on after a serious strip down, with a slight cooling feeling.

The Overall Verdict. 

I'm sold on these guys. With the Serum clocking in at €22.49 and the Eye Balm at €19.90 (both from Boots) I can't complain. As I mentioned, both contain the same ingredients to boost water levels in the skin so if money is an issue I'd grab the serum and just use it around the eye.
As someone with an oily skin finding something to hydrate without heaviness has been a bit of a task. My skin reacts quite quickly to anything weighing it down, but this has been a delight.
Anyone with a drier skin, this is worth checking out. If your skin feels tight or tender it could be a lack of water as well as oil. Tackling one will help you cope with the other.

And that, lads and lassies, is that. I've just used these after a shower, and I'm still stuck in the novelty like a child at Christmas. I kind of want to clean my face again just to have another go. I won't though, they're too precious to waste!

Next week I'll be posting a full skincare routine and what I use at each step, so keep an eye out for that.

Until next time,
J x