Hey you lovely readers, if you're reading this you're awesome and I thank you for reading this blog post and/or checking out the rest of my blog. Whether it's your first time or you've been reading the blog posts I publish from time to time, you reading this means a lot. So you're probably wondering why I haven't been blogging a lot more recently, and if you're not, I'll tell you. I'll be real here and say that I've been focusing a lot more on my studies. I love to blog, it's a hobby and I enjoy having people read it, it's thrilling to see that people actually are, however, my studies do come first and I will obviously try to blog as often as possible. I've got some blog post ideas up and revving to go, so make sure you've subscribe to my blog, you'll be the first to know when I blog and what it's about, and it's so quick and easy, just simply use the sidebar feature to your right or subscribe via the link. If you're a social media addict like I am, follow me on Twitter, Instagram, Google+ and Tumblr, you can communicate with me there or simply provide feedback and your thoughts on my blog or even provide ideas of what I should blog next!


Alright onto the fun stuff now. I've had the privilege of testing out Rimmel London's new products, including BB Cream Radiance and Lasting Finish Powder Compact. These products have been added to my makeup routine and that is no lie.

BB CREAM RADIANCE 

First things first, I've actually found a BB Cream that I like and that actually does something! Most BB creams I've tried but never brought, have done absolutely nothing for me and this is purely the reason why I didn't purchase BB creams. When a brand promises that said BB cream will get rid of dark eye circles, blemishes and such without looking like you have makeup on, you want and expect this result, but alas, most of them are a damn lie. A while ago I purchased Garnier's BB Cream: Miracle Skin Perfector. I did not test it before I brought it because I read reviews on the product and was told by people that it is actually a BB cream that works. Now I'm not sure if it's just because it's a light shade, but I'll be completely honest and say that it did not provide the results I was promised. "Daily All-In-One" it says, "5-in-1 BB cream" it says, well I did not get that. It is very minimal coverage in my opinion. Although it hydrates and moisturises the skin, and is light weight so you can barely feel it on your skin, I did not see it correct my imperfections and blemishes like dark eye circles, and I still looked dull and fatigued after the application of this product. It merely acts like a moisturiser rather than a unifier and brightener. Although I was utterly disappointed with this BB cream product, I now use it as a base before applying foundation so I guess I have found a use for it. Despite the fact that I found this product wrong for me, I'm not going to tell you to not buy it because it might just work for you. Cosmetic products are all about trial and error, what might not work for me, may work for some, and vice versa.

So I'll go to tell you my thoughts on Rimmel's BB Radiance Cream. Now I've only ever tried one another BB cream product so I will be comparing my experience with that, however, I have sampled many others, but like I said, I just never purchased them. I'm not big on BB creams but Rimmel have definitely changed my mind. This 9-in-1 BB cream is awesome. It acts like a moisturiser, concealer, primer and foundation at the same time, I don't know how it does it but it's freaking fantastic! Not only does it provide a smooth coverage that minimises the appearance of pores and illuminates the skin but looks natural and feels like it's barely there at all. I am subject to dark circles and looking washed out when I wake up, and this is actually such a miracle. I've been meaning to finish my other BB cream, but can't seem to stop using this product as it is so good. Sometimes, I skip the foundation and such and just pop on this BB cream and finish it with the Lasting Finish Compact Powder and off I go, I don't even bother with concealer or anything, so it saves me time and money.

I tested the 'light' shade and it was perfect, not too bare but not too visible. When comparing the Rimmel product to the Garnier product, which are both light shades, I have to go with Rimmel on this one.


I have to note that I use a blending sponge for applying both BB creams and foundations, although you don't have to, I personally prefer it. 'Marching On' is a previous post of mine that features the blending sponge I use, so if you're curious, check it out for yourself.


This BB cream is available in three shades; very light, light and medium, hopefully Rimmel London release darker shades for a wider market, because I can personally say it has worked for me and I highly recommend it to everyone. The BB cream contains Shea butter and Vitamin C which nourish the skin and another highlight of this product is that it is SPF 20 so your skin will protected from the suns harsh rays. Pretty cool huh?


LASTING FINISH POWDER COMPACT

You may or may not know that I'm not a big fan of compact powder, much like BB creams, I'm a non-believer and never thought twice about purchasing these products. I've only ever tried one pressed compact powder, and that was for my previous blog post 'Beauty on a Budget' and this Lasting Finish Powder Compact has sort of changed my mind about it since publishing that post.


Don't get me wrong, it's a wonderful product, providing medium to full coverage, depending on how much you apply. The wet to dry foundation applies like a powder but covers like a liquid foundation, and better yet, it's actually water resistant, which is perfect for the winter, oh and it also provides coverage to last up to 25 hours which is perfect for those like myself who either forget to take their makeup off, which is really bad, or are just too lazy. I think the best thing about this compact foundation is not only that the compact is pretty nifty, coming with a little sponge to apply the foundation and a mirror, but also that it doesn't block your pores, so the skin can still breathe. However, one negativity is that the sponge should be a kabuki brush as it's a little unhygienic in my opinion, having to continuously wash the sponge from the powder's residue is a hassle, but by simply using a brush it's easily fixed. I've left this foundation on once and I don't know if this was purely a coincidence or not but I had a pimple forming and somehow it just disappeared after I applied this compact, and like I put heaps on because I was so self-conscious about it... it was pretty creepy, but glad that pimple decided to leave my face.

Back to the revolution that is this powder foundation, I personally use this as sort of a finishing powder, sort of like setting it all together. So once I've finished a base, then foundation, then concealed, I just pop a little of the powder foundation and voila. I also tried this product in conjunction with BB Cream Radiance and the finish was nice and natural and didn't feel cakey, despite the fact that I had put quite a bit of the powder foundation to provide a full coverage. The formula is weightless and provides a smooth finish which is definitely what you want in a foundation, either wet or dry.

This velvet formula that provides a matte finish is available in four shades, being 01 Light Porcelain, 02 Soft Beige, 03 Silky Beige and 05 Warm Honey, and once again I hope this expands for a wider range of people, because it is one of the few compact powders that will not leave a cakey finish and is lightweight in formula. Heck, even I liked it and I don't even like pressed powders!

Just so you all know, I use both these products along with Rimmel London's Lasting Finish Foundation which a liquid formula, I've also previously blogged about this so if you're wanting to try all the the products I've tested myself, I highly recommend you do. The combination of these products provides natural coverage that feels light on your skin but banishes blemishes and hides imperfections. Additionally, I wear Rimmel's lip range of Provocalips and Apocalips with every look I try because they're freaking amazing!

TESTIN IT OUT

Smokey eye look with a sneaky little trim

Maroon, maroon everywhere

Glasses x Apocolips x Lasting Finish x BB Radiance

Mother's Day makeup

If you've tried any of the products I've blogged about or want me to test a product, let me know through the social media platforms mentioned earlier or just comment on this blog post, or whatever you feel comfortable with really!