Beauty on a Budget: L'oreal Infallible Sculpt Review

Now, me, I LOVE buying new make-up...finding, trying and loving new products, new colours and new formulas. My bank balance, on the other hand, must seriously hate it! Especially when, that dreaded situation occurs, when all my 'necessities' need replacing at one time. This is an occurrence that happens all too often - last weekend, for example.

This, teamed with my wish to start saving and my current 'lack of available funds' (the term that my online banking like to keep reminding me about - I mean I get it already!!), led me to step away from the Benefit counter (for now anyways), and found me walking down the brightly lit aisles of Superdrug. 

With the current '3 for 2' offer across all cosmetics, I was able to get a lot more for my money, and this gave me the chance to try some new things.

Advertising for L'Oreal's New Infallible Sculpt range was everywhere, and as I love a bit of contouring, I thought I would give it a go...

The sculpt range currently includes seven make-up products, as well as the introduction of L'Oreal's first make-up brush. Here is a quick review of three of the mentioned products.

1. Infallible Sculpt Contouring Base

Currently this product only comes in a choice of two shades:

a. Light
b. Medium/Dark

It has smart pigments that are used to match various skin tones. As I am quite fair skinned (at least before I apply bronzer) and it is cold outside (therefore I am taking a break from fake tan), I find that the light option acts as a perfect colour match to my skin tone. 

The contouring base is intended to be used prior to the contouring/sculpting stage, and offers a light coverage (half the thickness of a regular foundation), and a beautiful finish - the face does not look 'caked' in make-up. 

Personally, it depends how much coverage I am after, when deciding how to use the product. For everyday use, and my work make-up, I choose to use only this product as my foundation. But it can also be used on top of your foundation - this is the choice I opt for on a 'going out, OUT' night, when I am after a higher amount of coverage. 

I use my Real Technique Expert Face Brush to apply this base - giving a flawless and luminous complexion (even if I say so myself!). It is easily blendable, which preps the skin for a seamless contour to be blended on top, and also contains grip technologies, that ensure your contouring hard work stays in place. So much so, L'Oreal claims that it last 24 hours (if you plan on being awake and wearing your make-up for that long).

2. Infallible Sculpt Contouring Palette

The main contour effect is created using the contouring palette. Like the base, this also comes in two shades:

a. Light-Medium
b. Medium-Dark

The palette offers two colours in each: the lighter, used to highlight, and the darker, used to contour. I use the light-medium shade, as it offers a cool tone, that is easily buildable, and therefore can work well on a number of different skin-tones. The medium-darker palette offers warmer/orange tones. 

One of the best aspects of this product is the cream-to-powder finish - offering the benefits of both types of product. Unlike a simple cream contour, the powder aspect ensures long-lasting wear and there is no need to use a setting powder or spray to ensure the product lasts. However you still benefit from the natural look achieved from using a cream.

L'Oreal have also introduced their first brush to the range, a dual ended sculpt brush, perfect for this stage of application:

- The tapered end - used for blush or contour application
- The flat end - designed to blend together the contour

Unfortunately, this brush is currently out of stock in my local store, so for now, I am using my Real Techniques brushes (my pointed foundation brush, sculpting brush, and contour brush) for application, and my magical complexion sponge for blending. 

I won't lie, normally in the week I tend to oversleep, so don't have much time to contour before work, but this offers one of the quickest applications and is my go to in the week! I use the dark colour in the hollows of my cheek, under my hairline, a little under my bottom lip, across my jawline, and down the middle-sides of my nose. While the lighter shade is used under my eyes, in the middle of my forehead, down the middle of my nose, on my cupids bow and on my chin (this product also comes with instructions). 

And then blend, blend, blend...

This creates a natural look: natural light and shadow. There is also no shimmer in this product, so you don't go around sparkling (in a bad way)!!

3. Infallible Sculpt Blush

Now to add some colour to the cheeks.

This comes in 3 colours:

a. Soft Sand
b. Soft Rosy 
c. Natural Beige

And then each blush has 3 colours in 1: a cheek highlighter, and 2 complimenting blush colours.

I'm beginning to move towards more peachy colour blushers (especially since becoming a brunette). However, it was still the Soft Rosy colour that I reached for from the shelf. This has a light pink colour, a slightly orange tone, and a darker pink. And I love it!

You can use this product in two ways...either with a sweep across all 3 shades or using each colour individually. Personally, I sweep across all the colours (giving a flushed look on the cheeks) and then use my Real Techniques Fan Brush to sweep even more of the highlighter across my cheekbones.

If you want to see how the pros contour, click the link here to learn Mario Dedivanovic's (MUA behind Kim K's contoured look) tips and tricks on how to get the best looks from these products. 

I seriously recommend these products. They are easy to apply, and give a beautiful, natural, yet sculpted look. Other products in the range include: Superliner Black n Sculpt, Infallible Matte Max Designer Lip Pens, Sculpt Brow Artist, and False Lash Sculpt Mascara - these are next on my list...!!

Have any of you tried these products? Or anything similar? Let me know what you think...

Thank-you for reading

Claire 

xxx

A Girly Day Out

It is so difficult for me to believe that I graduated almost two years ago now. Listening to the girls at work talking about their plans and their excitement to leave in the upcoming Summer, often brings a sense of nostalgia. It also made me realise that I hadn't seen some of my university favourites in too long! Next thing I know I'm on the phone to one of my best friends and ex-housemates, planning her visit down from Cambridge.

The Plan: a day of exactly what we do best - drinking, eating, drinking, shopping, and a little more drinking.

First stop. King's Road - for the 'most important meal of the day'. Breakfast at Bluebird. I love this restaurant, with greenery blocking the view of the road, it is quite easy to forget that you are in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Chelsea. 

It is the perfect place to be in Summer, with the comfiness of large outdoor sofas to 'set up camp' for a lazy afternoon in the sun, and the ever-changing menu of delicious food and drinks. During Wimbledon, there is also a large screen, so you can sit back with a glass (or pitcher) of Pimms, and simply, enjoy.

So on this 'slightly' cooler Saturday morning, we opted for freshly squeezed orange juice (hold the vodka atm!), toast with mushrooms and tomatoes, and a plate of fresh fruit and yogurt to share = delicious and relatively healthy - not breaking the diet just yet (but lets not speak too soon). Click here to see what else they offer.

Once breakfast ended and we walked along King's Road...(stopping at one of my favourite shoe shops - 'French Sole'), it had gone midday, signalling the start of cocktails - I mean 12 is socially acceptable right? (not that this would stop me - see my post on bottomless brunch). We jumped on the tube and made our way to Knightsbridge, heading for the doors of Harvey Nichols. 

After browsing the rails of the stunning clothes, and finally accepting that the price tags were currently out of reach, we made our way to the 5th Floor Bar. Quick note: although out of price range, this did not stop me adding to my ever-growing wishlist. Well it is my birthday in...ummm...four months.

1. Ivory Crepe Tuxedo Cape (Safiyaa)

2. 3Jours Sand Leather Tote (Fendi)

3. Tori Black Studded Suede Ankle Boots (Raye)

Or perhaps I'd be better investing in a lottery ticket.

This is one of my favourite bars in London. When you walk in, there is a sense of class and elegance, but not to the extent where you feel unwelcome and awkward. The brightly coloured pink and greens give a sense of fun and carefreeness, and the bartenders are some of the friendliest. But the best is saved for the beautifully prepared cocktails. 

The drinks that we tried:

Golden Star - Star of Bombay gin is shaken with Prucia plum liqueur, cinnamon and orange bitters and toped with Harvey Nichols Brut Champagne

Diva - This lavish and fruity cocktail features Finlandia Blackcurrant vodka shaken with fresh raspberries, passion fruit and cloudy apple juice. Served long.

Sky Cruise - (too classy to call this a pornstar martini) - Fresh passion fruit and Finlandia vodka are shaken together and served in a martini glass with a shot of Harvey Nichols Rose Champagne on the side. 

Mexican Flowers - This refreshing drink combines Patrol silver tequila, Cointreau, elderflower and grapefruit juice. 

Just writing this is making me want another drink, doesn't it make you want to try one? Here's the rest of the menu. 

As the clock struck 3...

Now, walking back through the clothes as we make our way to the exit (after a couple of drinks), it is even harder to resist the beautiful products on display. Luckily (or in actual fact, unluckily) my bank would not allow it! So we jumped back on the tube, making our way to Covent Garden.

This is by far one of my absolute favourite places in London. The street magicians, musicians and other randomness that you encounter, are entertaining, different and just fun! Team this with the shops and array of bars, and I could definitely see myself living here......one day!

It is also home of one of the Dirty Martini Bars (and in my opinion, still the best choice).

I always book a table for the whole evening when I go here, when you arrive (say, at 3pm), it is quiet, practically empty, and is a perfect time to get friendly with the bar and table staff. Queue 7pm and it is packed, if you are standing, there really is no space to move without knocking into someone, or worse, into someone's drink. It can also take forever to get to the front of the bar - the no1 reason for getting to know the staff and setting up a tab (though keep an eye on this, as it can end in quite a shock).

12pm also queues the start of 'Happy Hour' on a Saturday, that actually lasts 8 hours. Among other offers, martinis are half price during 12 and 8 - plenty of time to try quite a few!

Dirty Martini brings out new flavours for each season, and I have tried quite a few. My favourites being:

Chocolate Martini
Blood Orange and Vanilla Martini
Passion Fruit Martini

Though there are plenty more to choose from if they don't take your fancy.

After a number of drinks, every girl loves a dance, and these girls were no exception. We headed to Charing Cross, found our table, ordered a bottle of wine, and enjoyed the cheesy songs, and moves that Opal had to offer. Excuse the blurriness of the photo, but I guess it reflects the blurriness of my memory by this point.

And that is where the night ends. 

Have you ever been to any of these places, where are your favourite places to eat, drink and shop? Let me know you lovely lot!

Thank-you for reading...

Claire

xxx

Recipe Corner: Teriyaki Chicken with Coconut Rice and King Cabbage

So a couple of months ago I moved out of the comforts of my parents home. 

Coming back from university made me realise how important having my own independence had become. However, it also made me realise, I still had a lot of growing up to do.

In all honesty, I got used to dinner being made for me, meaning I didn't have to worry when I came home from work. So much so, that it came as a slightly unwelcome shock when I was faced with cooking on the first night....

Queue, my freezer being piled high with ready meals and the telephone number of take-away restaurants being placed on speed-dial. I am well aware of the negative health effects that this lifestyle can bring. So, entering into the new year I promised myself a change - starting the buying of cookbooks and the research online, searching for cheap, tasty and healthy meals, that I could easily cook. 

So here is the recipe of one of the meals that I found and loved: Teriyaki Chicken with Coconut Rice and King Cabbage.

Ingredients (for 2 people):

1/2 January King Cabbage, sliced
1 Garlic Clove, chopped
4 Chicken Thighs
1 and 1/2 tbsp Coconut Powder
1 cup Basmati Rice
1 and 1/2 tbsp Cashew Nuts
1 tbsp Ginger, chopped
3/4 tbsp Honey
1 and 1/2 tbsp Soy Sauce

1. Boil 350ml of water in a pot (preparing for the rice). Chop the cabbage in half and then thinly slice one half of it. Peel and chop the garlic finely and very thinly, slice the chicken.

2. Stir 1/4 tsp of salt and the coconut powder into the boiling water. Add rice to the pot, cover with lid and cook for 10 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and leave to rest for 10 more minutes.


3. Put a non-stick frying pan on a medium to high heat and toast the cashew nuts (careful, as they burn really easily!). Remove them from the pan and put to the side for later.


4. Peel the ginger and finely chop.

5. To make the teriyaki sauce, simply mix the garlic, ginger, honey and soy sauce together thoroughly in a bowl with 1tbsp of water.

6. Put 1 tbsp of oil in a frying pan on medium heat and add the cabbage with 1/4 tsp of salt and a good grind of pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes until it has cooked down.

7. In the meantime, heat 1tbsp of olive oil in another frying pan on high heat until it is almost smoking. Cook chicken in two batches for 2-3 minutes to brown it off.

 

8. Put the chicken back into the pan and add in the teriyaki sauce. Continue to cook for 2-3 minutes. 

9. When the cabbage has cooked down, add it to the chicken and stir everything together.

10. Fluff up the rice with a fork and serve with the chicken and a sprinkling of toasted cashew nuts...

And there you have it. This meal is healthy, but so, so, so tasty. That coming from a girl who could quite happily live in a world with no veg, and look, there's me enjoying cabbage. 

Hope you enjoy! Let me know if you give the recipe a try, and if you have anymore recipes to recommend, that would be amazing.

Claire 

xxx

The Liebster Award

Hello you lovely lot <3

Although I had been thinking about blogging for a while, I only actually started at the beginning of this month, and I still have A LOT to learn.

Saying that when the beautiful Holly from http://falling-for-grace.blogspot.co.uk/ nominated me for the Liebster award, I'm embarrassed to say that I had no clue what it all meant. But 'Award' - that can never be a bad thing can it?!

Luckily it was all explained to me, and just incase you are in the same position as me, or know only a little about the Liebster Award, here is what it entails:

Basically someone nominates you and in their post they've answered 11 questions before nominating 11 other bloggers 

They'll create 11 different questions for their nominees to answer.

If you were nominated you'll answer these questions and again nominate 11 other bloggers and so on...

Make sure to let them know about their nomination and add their links to your blog. 

So here we go...

1. What do you love most about blogging? 

The thing that I really love most is the people; the other bloggers that I have met. The generosity, support and admiration given among bloggers is hard to explain, but is amazing to be a part of.

2. What makes you happy?

My friends. In all honesty, I would be completely lost without a lot of them. They are the family that you choose <3

3. What's your best beauty product?

My Clinique Cleansing Brush. When I was younger, I suffered from quite bad skin, now it is in a much better condition, I want to keep it that way. And this product ensures that!

4. What colour and style is your hair naturally?

Oh god, I don't know if I can still remember my natural hair colour. I've been every shade of blonde and brown. Though my natural hair colour is a dark ashy blonde (I think!) and without my straighteners, is just a wavy, frizzy mess. 

5. What's your worst beauty habit?

My worst beauty habit is probably straightening my hair. I know how damaging it is, but it doesn't stop me. 

6. Best advice you've been given?

Don't compare yourself to anyone - this works in both everyday life and in the blogging world.

7. Make-up brushes or beauty blender?

I use both on a daily basis, but for me I prefer make-up brushes, and the real technique brushes to be exact. I have quite a few. 

8. What is your favourite month?

June. It's my birthday month, and if any month is going to be hot and sunny, June will be. 

9. If all of your family, pets, etc were safe...what would you save if your house was on fire?

Photographs - a photo tells a thousand words, and it would be so upsetting to never see all the family photos again. Oh and my phone - but that can always be replaced. 

10. What's your favourite life quote?

Nothing is impossible, the word itself says I'm possible - Audrey Hepburn 

11. What are your current life goals?

Right now, I want to get out of retail, and find out what I really want to do with my life.

So, next step. The blogs that I nominate are:

Charline and Kimmy - http://eatlovewear.com/

Abigail - http://www.lazytealight.blogspot.co.uk/

Tazhiana - http://tazhiluxe.com/

Shiana - http://www.thebeautyscanner.com/

Nicky - http://nickyjane99.blogspot.co.uk/

Robyn - http://robynle.co.uk/

Chloe - http://blondxzilla.blogspot.co.uk/

Beth - http://modedeviebel.blogspot.co.uk/

Becky - http://www.life-by-becky.blogspot.co.uk/

Marie - http://allornothing-blog.blogspot.co.uk/

Linda - http://beauty-la-linda.blogspot.co.uk/

And finally the questions that I am asking you gorgeous lot:

1. What encouraged you to start blogging?

2. Where do you get your blogging inspiration?

3. What makes you smile most?

4. What is on your current wishlist?

5. What is the best piece of advice you could give (in relation to blogging)?

6. What beauty product could you not live without?

7. What do you love to drink?

8. What is your guilty pleasure?

9. If you could have dinner with anybody, dead or alive, who would it be? And where would you eat?

10. Where do you want to be in 5 years time?

11. If you won the lottery, what would you do?

Well, there you go my lovelies <3

Please put the links in the comments to your own 'Liebster Awards' - would love to read them.

Thank-you for reading

Claire 

xxx