Good cosmetics that aren't boswellox

I'm using Liz Earle moisturiser at the moment, I quite like it, it smells nice and has got rid of the dry bits on my forehead but I also like Body Shop carrot cream, it's great for dry skin.

I'm looking for a foundation at the moment, I'm currently using Maybelline and I think i'll stick with it, I switched to a new Max Factor and it really clogged my pores.

Instead of blusher how about a bronzer? I have a collection 2000 one that was cheap as chips in Boots but does what it says on the tin. If you want something a bit better than Lancome Star Bronzer is really nice.

I use moisturiser from the body shop - can't remember exactly what it's called, but it's white something and is designed to remove skin pigmentation and reduce pores etc. It's very nice.

I use Lily Lolo for foundation and urban decay for everything else.

Diorskin Forever foundation is superb. You only need a small amount and get a really good coverage. It covers all my red spider veins anyway so that's fab in my book! ?. I use to use their Pure Light version, but I found I was having to put more and more on to get any decent coverage from it. But Forever I think is for the more mature skin. (I'm only 32 for gods sake but that's what the assistant called me! ?)

Not totally cheap (£23) but it does last for ages.

For a cheaper version, then Max Factor Age Renew foundation is a good alternative.

quote:Originally posted by Oriana
I use moisturiser from the body shop - can't remember exactly what it's called, but it's white something and is designed to remove skin pigmentation and reduce pores etc. It's very nice.

I use Lily Lolo for foundation and urban decay for everything else.

id="quote">

Oriana, how do you know which shade tester foundation to order?

My recomendations...

I like cheap Simple skin care. I don't rate expensive premium products too much as i've tried a few and they're not very special i've found.

I love YLS Powder Veil foundation. But L'oreal do a cashmere one that's very similar but cheaper.
Mac, Urban decay for eyeshadow.
Smashbox or Mac for Blushers. Don't buy cheap bronzers, i think you can tell they're cheap a mile away. Guerlain bronzers last forever and look natural.
Urban decay's 24/7 eyepencil is the best i've ever used.
Rimmel concealer for blemishes.
I always buy my makeup cheap on fleabay.

quote:Originally posted by Clairy

quote:Originally posted by Oriana
I use moisturiser from the body shop - can't remember exactly what it's called, but it's white something and is designed to remove skin pigmentation and reduce pores etc. It's very nice.

I use Lily Lolo for foundation and urban decay for everything else.

id="quote">

Oriana, how do you know which shade tester foundation to order?

id="quote">

I did order a few to be honest, but I read through their colour guide section called "What shade" (under tips I think) and I have pale skin and blue eyes and went for the ones that work with that combination - I use candy cane now.

quote:Originally posted by Clairy
or expensive, really ?

My make up bag has pretty much given up the ghost - which always happens when you buy everything at the same time, doesn't it? <belm> I must break this expensive cycle.

Anyway, I want some good cosmetics that don't cost a fortune, and don't have any wacky pseudo-science claims. Just things that work, stay put and make me look pretty.

I need:

Something to cleanse / tone my face (do I need to tone??)
Moisturiser
Foundation
Concealer
Eye shadow (hazel eyes, usually wear pale, neutral shades, fancy something different)
Eye liner (Rimmel is the easiest to apply in my experience)
lipstick / gloss (usually wear tinted gloss)
blusher (I never wear this and I think I need to)

erm, I think that's it ? so what works and what doesn't?

I have been using Clinique foundation, concealer and powder and TBH haven't noticed much difference from some of the cheaper brands, except the price. Mr Clairy bought me L'oreal moisturiser and I don't like it much. I've used it all, though, because I'm a tight arse ?

id="quote">

Something to cleanse / tone : I use Simple facewipes and exfoliate a couple of times a week
Moisturiser: Clarins
Foundation: use tinted moisturizer, Laura Mercier
Concealer: Used to use Almay but apparently they dont sell in the UK anymore, so I use one from M&S which does the job
Eye shadow; I love the MAC eyeshadow pencils, loads of cool coloura
Eye liner: Rimmel
lipstick / gloss: tinted gloss, bourgois do good ones, and I bought a lovely one from Chanel recently
blusher: bourgois are the best IMO

HTH!

Something to cleanse / tone my face (do I need to tone??)

I use Boots Botanics eye makeup remover, simple toner and usually just simple wipes (fine in my experience if you use toner afterwards)id="red">

Moisturiser - I swear by Olayid="red">

Foundation - Boots No. 7 tinted moisturiser or Boots No. 7 Intelligent colourid="red">

Concealer - Rimmel Hide the blemishid="red">

Eye shadow (hazel eyes, usually wear pale, neutral shades, fancy something different) - don't use much but they are all Boots No.7 and a couple of Rimmelid="red">

Eye liner - I quite agree - Rimmel is the easiest to apply in my experienceid="red">

lipstick / gloss - Boots No. 7 or Chanelid="red">

blusher (I never wear this and I think I need to) - again Boots No. 7id="red">

If you want good make up and not a break the bank price, then Bourjious (excuse spelling!) is a good brand. Made by Chanel, so is a good quality budget buy, and i use their 10 hour sleep effect foundation. And I really do look like I have had sleep. also all their eyeshadows are quite pigmented so they apply and stay on well. They have a mini range for eyeshadows so for about a couple of quid you could try a few.

I use skincare wipes for cleanse and tone (usually Nivea for my sensitive skin) but I do splurge on moisturiser and use Yonka. I had issues with my skin being so dry and sore and this sorted be out a treat. You should have a consultation so the right cream is used for your skin but you can buy it cheaper on the net, Debra Neill Skincare is good.

Concealer, I actually used to use a Maybelline one was fab tbh.

Blusher, I have to say Clinique. Not the cheapest but is fab for that natural look.

eye liner, depends what look you want. Dramatic? Glittery? subtle? I do link Lancome ones are quite nice, but I managed to snaffle a clinique on the the bay for 4 quid so check out there. That was so nice and stays on. If you want liquid eyeliner, cheap but collection 2000 you cannot get the bugger off!!

i usually wear gloss, glosswear for lips by Clinique BUT you could get a tint from the Body shop and any clear gloss to go over the top (would be cheaper).

Hope that covers it, I am doing a make up course so feel free to PM me if you need a hand (I love shopping ?).

Also check out Lily Lolo to try new colours eye shadow wise. You can get samples for pennies they haven't got alot of longevity in them BUT are good for trying out.

Something to cleanse / tone my face (do I need to tone??) - I use Tesco Skin Wisdom face wash, which Bharti Vyas (legendary skincare expert) worked with them on - it's about £2.80. I don't toneid="purple">
Moisturiser - Any of the Lush ones are fab - from about £7 to £30, get them to recommend one for your skin typeid="purple">
Foundation - Don't really use it - just moisturise and put loose face powder on topid="purple">
Concealer - Don't really use it but they recommended a Clinique one on Gok last nightid="purple">
Eye shadow (hazel eyes, usually wear pale, neutral shades, fancy something different) - Go to MAC and have a makeover thingy for £25 which you can redeem against product afterwards. I have hazel eyes and I wear brown (Shale from MAC) day to day, or a dark shimmery grey (Knights Divine from MAC). I also use a MAC Cream Colour Base underneath to make the eyeshadow last all day. For nights out I wear electric blue, purple, green, anything goes?id="purple">
Eye liner (Rimmel is the easiest to apply in my experience) - I use MAC kohl in Teddy (a brown with a hint of bronze), or Benefit Bad Gal for rock chick nights out. And L'Oreal Superliner liquid liner for my top eyelids.id="purple">
lipstick / gloss (usually wear tinted gloss) - MAC Lipglass always. Lipstick's a bit oldfashioned I thinkid="purple">
blusher (I never wear this and I think I need to) - don't wear it very often, usually just sweep bronzer (MAC in Golden) where I need itid="purple">

Was Mr Clairy impressed last night??

quote:Originally posted by Flump

Concealer - Don't really use it but they recommended a Clinique one on Gok last nightid="purple">

id="quote">

I have this concealer it is VERY good and a little goes a long way.

Cetaphil cleanser is totally fab. For a day moisturiser, all you really need is a sunscreen as far as I'm concerned. I use Neutrogena day cream which is SPF15, but any sunscreen will have a moisturising effect.

I use MAC foundation which isn't the cheapest but is the best I've found.

I have recently started using their waterproof eyeliner too, which is brilliant - I can't get on with liquid eyeliner. I use MAC bronzer too in lieu of blusher. You don't mention mascara - Max Factor Masterpiece is cheap as chips and brilliant.

Flumpster - I brought 3 gorgeous purple eyeliners from Urban Decay and I am allergic to them all ?

Gutted, as the colours are lovely. I brought a Chanel one, whic I am not allergic to, but it's not as funky a colour as the others.

Poo ?

Ooh you forgot mascara! I love the Max Factor Masterpiece one which is about £8 or £9. MAC mascaras are vile, don't go for one of those. Also Benefit Bad Gal mascara is great and about £14.50.

I treated myself to a new Dior mascara the other day - it's fab, pricey, but well worth it. And I'm not allergic to it ?

Something to cleanse / tone my face (do I need to tone??)
I have quite oily skin, so I use Garnier Pure exoliating facewash (about a fiver or so). I find cleanser too much of a faff.

Moisturiser
Again, this will depend on your skin type, but with my oily skin the best thing I've found is the Lancome Pure Focus cream - it's incredibly light on the skin and is also matifying. I also use a Lancome High Resolution eye serum, and Boots No 7 intensive lip moisturiser. I don't believe in skimping on moisturiser, or shoes ?

Foundation - MAC Studio Fix. Dead easy to put on (it's in a powder compact form) and great coverage.

Concealer - either Touche Eclat or the Lancome equivalent I find is just as good (Flash Retouche)

Eye shadow (hazel eyes, usually wear pale, neutral shades, fancy something different) - MAC again. I second Flump's suggestion for a makeover session.


Eye liner (Rimmel is the easiest to apply in my experience)I like MAC's Technakohl.


lipstick / gloss (usually wear tinted gloss) - MAC again, or I quite like the Rimmel Full Volume gloss.


blusher (I never wear this and I think I need to) - MAC again

- and mascara - I'm currently wearing the Max Factor Masterpiece, but I'm not entirely convinced. The Lancome ones are good.

Sorry - most of my suggestions aren't particularly cheap, but I personally prefer to spend a bit more and get the use out of it, rather than buy a few cheap things and end up throwing them away

I once had my handbag stolen with my makeup bag in - was staying at my boyfirends over night at the time, which is why I was carrying it. It cost me a bloody fortune to replace it all so I feel your pain!

Something to cleanse / tone my face (do I need to tone??) I use the LIz Earle stuff - not cheap but it's sorted out my skin.
Moisturiser Liz Earle
Foundation Don't really wear it, but use No 7 tinted moisturiser and it's really nice.
Concealer Only use the under eye on - and use Boots No 7 radiant glow under eye concealer(or something similar)
Eye shadow I use either Boots No 7 or Clinique depending on my budget and which shop I'm in at the time!
Eye liner (Rimmel is the easiest to apply in my experience) Clinique without a doubt is the best eye liner. I buy the pencils with the smudgers on the end. They last for ages and don't need sharpening - a god send for me!
lipstick / gloss (usually wear tinted gloss) Whatever I have to hand!
blusher Never found one I swear by, but using Boots No 7 at the mo, altho it's run out so I might try a bronzer from body shop instead. But I swear by blusher, I look like death without it!

Good luck to your wallet!

quote:Originally posted by Flump
Was Mr Clairy impressed last night??

id="quote">

Harumph, that's a bit of a sore point. He had work to do, and I developed a reaction to the post-wax lotion she used, so it looked and felt like everything was sunburned ?

I've had a fake tan for the first time today, and I look like I've been smeared in gravy. Apparently this goes when you have a shower and you look lovely. I bloody hope so, otherwise Mr Clairy is going to think it's hilarious [B)]

Thank you for all these recommendations - will have a good scout around. I like the MAC makeover idea very much ...

I use Clinique face wash, clarifier, moisturiser, under eye cream, face mask (each week) and exfoliator (every few days.) I use Origins Spot Remover to try zap my 'roid spots.

I don't wear make up all that often but when I do it's:
Foundation - Virgin Vie One Step Face Base
Eye shadow, lip stick, blusher - Boots No7
Mascara and moisturising lip gloss - Clinique

quote:Originally posted by Clairy

quote:Originally posted by Flump
Was Mr Clairy impressed last night??

id="quote">

Harumph, that's a bit of a sore point. He had work to do, and I developed a reaction to the post-wax lotion she used, so it looked and felt like everything was sunburned ?

I've had a fake tan for the first time today, and I look like I've been smeared in gravy. Apparently this goes when you have a shower and you look lovely. I bloody hope so, otherwise Mr Clairy is going to think it's hilarious [B)]

id="quote">

Ooh swit swoo you are going for a full reinvention! I hope the rash calms down asap, am jealous of the fake tannage[8D]