BB Cream Comparison | Normal/Combination Skin

BB Creams have been on the market for a while now and are definitely nothing new.
For me, these creams are a somewhat tinted moisturiser with slightly more coverage. That being said, I was really interested in trying these products as I feel wearing foundation nearly everyday cannot be the most kind way to treat your skin.
Because of this I decided to go out on a whim and try these three products.

From left to right: Rimmel, Garnier & Maybelline

Rimmel

When looking at Rimmel's BB Creams this one stood out to me due to the statement of a matte finish. Due to my skin being oilier in my T-zone I always tend to go for foundations which have a more matte finish (excluding Rimmel's Wake Me Up foundation which I use in summer). I found this product on the slightly runnier side, but it glides on my skin extremely well and does stay put for a long period of time. The shade I used is in Very Light and would make me look slightly washed out (or dying) if used in the summer, but it is perfect for the winter months.

I doubt the product fulfills it's 9 in 1 claim but it does have slight coverage and is great if you are just popping to the shops are taking the dog to the park. 8/10 

Garnier
To be honest when purchasing this item I was not aware that Garnier did a cream from combination/oily skin, so I will do my best to review this as if my skin were not. When applying this cream I noticed that even though the tube says light, the liquid went on slightly too dark for my fair skin tone - I would suggest this is more of a medium colour.
The product would probably look best when I'm wearing fake tan.
Take note of the picture below.
When applied all over I do notice that the formula does my skin a nice glow however and would be perfect if used on holiday to somewhere warm and sunny (would probably help if there was SPF too but hey-ho). I do find this does not have the same lasting power as the other two products and my face does start to get a bit more shiny at the end of the day. (Probably would have helped if you bought the correct formula Vicky)
While this product does bring luminosity to my skin and has good coverage, I feel the lasting power isn't all that great and the shade is way off for the light claim. 6/10

Maybelline
Out of all three products this one was definitely my favourite. This BB Cream has a fabulous texture when placed on the skin and feels really smooth. It also does not dry out my cheeks even though it is specifically for oily skin. The shade of the product was also closest to my natural skin tone. Again, the coverage is good but doesn't really beat foundation and I will say it lasts a long time on my skin but does tend to go slightly oily on my T-zone. The 8 in 1 statement probably doesn't do all it suggests but the salicylic acid in the product is great if I have a break out - though I have noticed little difference of change in my spots when I use this formula.
If the cream had slightly more coverage and lasting power I would honestly consider it perfect. 9/10

I'm glad I decided to try BB Creams as for me it is a perfect replacement for foundation when I don't want to go barefaced but don't feel like wearing a lot of make up.
I would not recommend replacing these creams over foundations all together though, as on a night out I prefer full coverage and I feel a more dramatic look would a bit out of place with just some cream on my face.

If you have tried/wear any of these products as well as BB Creams in general please do let me know what you thought of them. Thanks for reading!

Victoria ♥

Happy New Year!

The festive season is slowly disappearing, hoards of people are coming together to celebrate, with many drinking far too much alcohol, (and loving it) only to wake up the next day and regret everything they did the night before. Yes it's New Years Eve!

It's safe to say I was spoilt rotten this Christmas by my friends and family.

I received a lot of beauty goodies (as well a sickly amount of chocolate) this year, some of which I will be making posts about and I'm also taking requests if anyone would like to know what I think about ANY of the items in the image (yes that includes the bear slippers).
I was also bought a new laptop so thankfully I will be able to make a lot more posts in 2015, hopefully this one won't have a break down every two minutes.

I hope everyone has a brilliant New Year whether you're out on the town or sat at home watching the countdown in your pajamas (I'm the latter of the two).
I don't make any resolutions because I know I won't keep to them, naughty Vicky.
Have a lovely 2015!

Victoria ♥

Merry Christmas! ❄

Happy Christmas everyone!

I hope everyone has a fabulous day wherever you are and whatever you're doing.

My list for today:

• Listen and watch too many Christmas songs/films
• Stuff myself silly
• Enjoy time with the family

Christmas is also a time to remember those who are no longer here and to think of those who are struggling at this time of year.
So please spare a thought for others who may not be having the best time this festive season.

On a lighter note, I hope Santa brought you all everything you wanted and I hope your friends and family appreciated their gifts - no matter how big or small.

Lot's of love,

Victoria  ♥

P.S. for all you Scrooges out there - there's always the sales ;)

Attaining a natural glow | Maybelline Cream Touch Blush

I admit, I did join in with the phase when many young girls put on a ridiculous amount of blusher and may have slightly resembled a clown (oops).
Nowadays, however, I have toned down on my use of rouge A LOT. For the past year I haven't even worn any at all, but this has changed since I discovered cream blushes - specifically Maybelline's Dream Touch Blush.

I was initially worried about using a cream blush as I thought it would cause the skin on my cheeks to break out. With this product however, I have been proven wrong.
While many powder base products can look heavy and caked on, I find that the texture of this blush slides on beautifully and not a lot needs to be used to achieve a healthy glowing effect.
The shade I am using is 07, a classic pink, which on my fair skin gives a nice natural luminosity to it.

I honestly can't believe I haven't tried these products sooner and can't recommend them highly enough!
From my experience the product stays on for a long time (granted I did use a primer) and just gives that edge to any make up look.
I don't even have to used a make up brush as a few swipes from the jar gives a great base that you can build on if you so wish.

It's safe to so that this will be my absolute go to blush for a long time to come.

Victoria ♥

Winter Pastels ❄

Most people associate pastel colours with spring/summer and darker colours for autumn/winter.
I however, do not do too well on following colour trends and enjoy mixing it up for every season!

For a change to my winter wardrobe, I incorporated these lovely pastel shades.

Both items are from New Look and I think are a great addition to liven up any wintry outfit.

• Shell Pink Coat £49.99
• Pale Blue Polar Bear Jumper £11.99

I have become obsessed with wearing this coat almost everywhere as it is so snug and looks fabulous teamed with a white/cream scarf.

This is my first festive jumper I've owned (I know how boring am I) and I soon as I saw it I knew I had to have it. The colour is beautiful and the polar bears with diamante noses look absolutely adorable - a must wear for Christmas day! 

Let me know if you have found anything to give your winter wardrobe a splash of colour.

Victoria ♥

Walkies!

I find that there is something very therapeutic about dog walking.

(Providing that your dog doesn't thinks it's Mike Tyson or Mo Farah, both of which I have experienced).

There is just something very calming about strolling around an open area which lacks the noise of traffic, and your only concern is that your dog doesn't do a no. 2 on a pavement.
Granted some people may find this a tedious/stressful task, but I truly believe one of the best ways to help reduce a stressful period in life is by walking a dog.

Because of this, even if you don't have a dog, (there's always friends, family, volunteer regimes and neighbours) I would highly recommend going to an open area for your dog to roam in as I find it's a brilliant way to clear your head - no matter what situation.

Hope you're all having a fab time in the run up to Christmas! ♥

(I also learnt where the phrase 'a steaming pile of sh*t' comes from yesterday, while walking the dog in freezing temperatures. It's safe to say I was cry laughing by the end of it).

Book/Film Recommendation - Gone Girl

I fully realise that I am slightly late on this bandwagon, (I mean the film has even stopped showing in the cinemas), but after finishing the book last week I knew I had to make a post about it.

"On the occasion of his fifth wedding anniversary, Nick Dunne reports that his wife, Amy, has gone missing. Under pressure from the police and a growing media frenzy, Nick's portrait of a blissful union begins to crumble. Soon his lies, deceits and strange behavior have everyone asking the same dark question: Did Nick Dunne kill his wife?" 

- Twentieth Century Fox

I had initially heard about the book from other bloggers sharing their opinion on the ending with a definitive divide between being disappointed or finding it reasonable, without giving spoilers I am the latter of the two.

I then saw the film trailer on YouTube and it immediately caught my attention with the intriguing story line. I am also a massive fan of whodunnit styled dramas so as you can imagine, this was right up my street.

I read half the book then went to see the film with my grandma. I DO NOT recommend this unless you're very close, like we are, due to the sexual scenes/language used.

Seeing the film which was UHmazing and made me eager to finish the book and I honestly cannot choose which was better. They're both so very immersive in their each individual way and I feel the ending was suited to the characters personalities.

If you're 16+ I thoroughly recommend this book, but only if you have a more mature reading style. The film is rated 18 but lets be honest, who takes note of that as long as you're of an appropriate age to watch.

Let me know what you thought of the book/film - thank you! ♥