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My first impressions Glossier makeup review | The LDN Gal

Glossier makeup review

I’ve heard mixed reviews about Glossier. It seems to be the marmite makeup brand for millennials – we either love or hate it.

The brands tagline? ‘Skincare and beauty products inspired by real life’. The brand promotes natural ‘IRL’ looks, demonstrated by a plethora of customer-generated pictures on their Instagram feed. It’s simple, they let their do the consumers do the talking.

The brand is pretty and simplistic, with a straightforward range and minimalist (often pretty-in-pink) packaging. But, are the products worth the hype?

Cloud Paint in Dusk review

Honestly, I love Cloud Paint. I can’t say anything bad about it. A little goes a long way despite the small tube size (annoying). A few dots along the cheekbones and a swish of a finger and you’re good to go. First of all, I was concerned that Dusk may be too dark for me as a brownish nude shade. However, it’s super complimentary and gives a very natural sunkissed glow! To sum it up, I kind of want every shade now. 

Cloud Paint comes in six shades:

  • Dusk (brownish nude colour)
  • Storm (warm rose colour)
  • Dawn (sunny coral colour)
  • Puff (light cool pink colour)
  • Haze (deep berry colour)
  • Beam (soft peach colour)

Birthday Balm Dotcom review

Everyone raves about Balm Dotcom and in my opinion, for good reason. I tried the untinted Birthday balm dotcom and have to admit, it leaves your lips feeling sensational. To start, it is really hydrating and leaves a nice subtle shimmer. A few people even asked if it plumps your lips! I don’t believe it does, but it certainly gives the illusion! In conclusion, you need it in your life. The product can be used as either a lip balm or a skin salve. Although you probably wouldn’t want glittery elbows…

Balm dotcom comes in seven flavours:

  • Birthday Balm Dotcom
  • Original Balm Dotcom
  • Rose Balm Dotcom
  • Cherry Balm Dotcom
  • Mint Balm Dotcom
  • Coconut Balm Dotcom
  • Mango balm dotcom

Boy Brow in Brown review

I mean, Boy Brow is a good product and does what it says on the tin (tube). However, I wouldn’t class it as life-changing by any means. I actually prefer to use eyebrow powders over pomades, as I like my brows a little darker. Saying this, if you are going for a natural but gradually defined look, you’re sorted. In summary, I’d say use this in the daytime and it’s a solid investment. 

Boy Brow comes in four colours:

  • Brown
  • Clear
  • Black
  • Blond

Any negatives about Glossier?

To clarify, I am now a pretty big fan of Glossier and will purchase from them again. However, there is a negative about the brand that irks me. That is to say, the amount of product in all of the above seems to be lacking. Therefore, I really can’t see these products lasting more than three months with daily use. Undoubtedly, this is a tad annoying. 

However, if you are into a brand that will give you a gorgeous and buildable natural look. Look no further than Glossier. Above all, invest in Balm Dotcom ASAP.

If you’re interested in trying Glossier yourself, you can get 10% off your first order using this link.

Have you tried Glossier? If not, what would be your go-to product?

Stephanie xox

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Betty Boop

MAC Betty Boop RED Lipstick 

It would appear that the new MAC and Betty Boot collaboration has landed – for lovers of the thirties jazz-inspired flapper girl, this is very exciting news indeed. However, some disappointment may ensue on discovering that this lovable icon and her dazzling Pantone red lipstick has not been themed very well.

Although the exterior packaging has that Betty Boop flair, the actual MAC Betty Boop red lipstick casing is classic MAC, a combination of black, embossing and silver. Now, this only saddens because of how often MAC spices up their packaging with these rather frequent and exciting collaborations.

MAC Betty Boop Red Lipstick

Boop-Oop-a-Doop

Just take a peek at a few of their latest collaborations, the James Kaliardos lipstick got a regal gold font embellished with signature and stars and Caitlyn Jenner mixed up the original silver lipstick shaft with gold casing and personalisation once more. Pretty much every MAC lipstick collaboration has its casing jazzed up one way or another.

I’m pretty disappointed that there is no sign of Betty Boop on the actual lipstick casing, only the packaging (which we all throw away eventually). Why theme it so heavily when marketing, when the casing looks no different? Maybe I am being overly fussy, but it seems a shame to those that invest and collect these themed beauty products.

The new lipstick is available exclusively online and has been developed by Pantone to recreate Betty Boop’s signature red lip.

What do you think of the new Betty Boop lipstick? Does the packaging bother you at are you not as fussy? 

Stephanie xox

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Mac Lady Danger lipstick review

This beautiful MAC lipstick was gifted to me for Valentine’s day by my adorable friend Paulina. In Poland, it is customary to share gifts with all your loved ones (not just your significant other) so she lovingly selected a Mac shade for all the ladies in her life and Lady Danger was mine.

The Lady Danger lipstick, was cleverly chosen by Paulina for me for its name and shade (I am not entirely sure if I cause, or if I am always in said danger mind). The Lady Danger lipstick is described as a ‘vivid and bright coral-red’ and has a matte finish. It is very bold and very pigmented with warm and bright undertones of red and orange. I find the red dominates but the subtle orange hint makes it a unique shade in my collection (Ruby Woo is my go to shade for the classic red lip) of red lipsticks.

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So, what do I think of the MAC Lady Danger lipstick?

Like I find with all MAC lipsticks, Lady Danger has a lovely creamy texture, stands out (makes for a vibrant daytime look) and is long-lasting, having worn it myself throughout the day or night (around six hours depending, when it does wear it leaves a flattering coral stain behind). As Lady Danger is a matte formula, you have to be sure to keep your lips buffed and moisturised with balm before application as dry flakes can show easily with this shade, and this is never a good look.

Lady Danger offers a rich coverage, warm colour and intense shade. As I have quite large lips I can find application a tad awkward but I feel investing in a lip liner may solve these issues (if anyone could recommend me one, that would be fabulous). I find Lady Danger the perfect alternative to the classic red lipstick and it applies wonderfully on all skin tones, including my pale one!

Do you like Lady Danger? Which is your favourite MAC shade of lipstick?

Stephanie xox

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Measurable Differences Bronzer on Stephanie Mulholland review - The LDN Gal

Measurable Difference Face and Body Bronzer Review

After dancing the night away I awoke and felt pretty shoddy (no hangover thankfully, just pain from wearing my ridiculous high heels and dancing to hip hop for over four hours). After an hours note taking for one of my up-and-coming university essays, I decided to lift my spirits and venture into town to do some shopping. This either means buying makeup, clothes or stationary and sometimes it can be all three, oops.

Thankfully for my bank balance, I went with just makeup and clothes (I got an adorable black embellished playsuit but it is too big on me so must sadly be returned tomorrow) this time. Yet again I purchased all of these items from my beloved TK Maxx, I am in there so often now for beauty products it is verging on ridiculous.

Along with the playsuit, I bought three Hello Kitty lipsticks (I have a scary obsession with the brand, most find it strange) and the Measurable Difference Face & Body Bronzer, which I just adore.

Measurable Differences Bronzer review - The LDN Gal

So, how do I feel about the Measurable Difference Face and Body Bronzer?

The ‘bronzer’ is actually not bronzed at all! It is a lovely delicate shade of pink and multi-purpose so “can be worn on the face, legs, and body”. As my Mac Pink Swoon powder blush is on its last legs, I felt this could be the perfect (and less costly) alternative.

I applied the bronzer with my Nanshy blush and bronze brush as advised and found it to subtly added colour, giving me a perfect summer-kidded glow. To create a more defined look, Measurable Difference advises you continue to build upon the colour until you are satisfied.

As I am quite pale I rely on my bronzers and blushers to brighten my complexion and this pigmented bronzer highlighted my face wonderfully, it also leaves your skin with a bit of a shimmer which is always nice, especially on those dull and dreary days.

Look out for it in TK Maxx stores or buy it online here.

What is your favourite bronzer or blusher? Have you used Measurable Difference makeup before? 

Stephanie xox

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Soap & Glory Fabulipstick

Soap & Glory Fabulipstick in Perfect Day review

I have always adored Soap and Glory products and have used them for numerous years, stocking up madly at Christmas time on all their gorgeous limited edition boxes.

When I discovered that Soap and Glory had really worked on their cosmetic range I was desperate to try some of their new products. I chose the collagen boosting, super-colour Fabulipstick in Perfect Day*.

The packaging a mix of pretty pink and cheeky black, a 1950’s British pin up boldly clutching onto her oversized prize (Fabulipstick of course!). The casing is black with pink print, the body gold as you remove the lid, a very glamorous looking item. What I noticed instantly was the delicious smell, probably down to the addition of shea and monoi butter.

So, what did I think of the Soap & Glory Fabulipstick in Perfect Day?

It has a creamy matte texture yet applies like a dream, with a luxuriously rich dark beige colour and a warm rosy pink finish. It is one of those shades that works day and night, utterly versatile and extremely wearable, with enough oomph to make a bold impact in the evening. I think the shade would compliment any skin tone and managed to look good on someone with one as pale as mine.

I found the lipstick really did make my lips look plumper. However, I am not entirely sure if it was down to the collagen boosting ingredients or the amazing colour!
I can only put the moisturisation and long-lasting nature of the colour down to the vitamin E in the Fabulipstick. After a few days of wear my lips continued to feel in a great condition with a lovely softness.
The colour of the lipstick is just perfect, a staple shade for any lipstick lover. It is long lasting, offering colour for hours and a subtle shine. The Fabulipstick is also available in the shades Naked Beige and Red My Lips, here is to hoping they bring out more!

Soap and Glory products are only available from Boots online or retail stores and the Fabulipstick costs only ÂŁ9! Get your hands on one now, your pout will love you for it!

Have you tried the Fabulipstick? What is your favourite Soap and Glory Product?
Stephanie xox

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MyMix Foundation in Fair01

MyFace Cosmetics MyMix Foundation in Fair01 review

I find foundation to be the most basic and important product in any beauty regime, it can really make or break a look.

First step is to find the right colour for you. This is something I often struggle with, it would genuinely shock you the amount of money I have wasted with my naivety when on the hunt for the perfect foundation. The next step is deciding the type of foundation you want, be it liquid, powder of mouse. I opt for liquid, finding it to working better on my normal/dry skin.
I decided to try out MyFace Cosmetics MyMix Foundation in Fair01*. MyFace Cosmetics work via a simple and effective system when it comes to their products, placing them into one of three categories: fair, medium and medium/dark. With this in mind, they use well-known celebrities to give you an understanding of what tiers (labeled from 1 to 3, the latter being the darkest) you fall into within the category. I found this extremely helpful, matching my skin tone (Fair01) to the likes of Scarlett Johansson and Emma Watson in seconds.
I found the contents to be quite fluid and this was rather frustrating. This in mind, I applied the foundation using my finger tips and my well-loved ‘dot’ method (I shall show this one day!) and the coverage was lovely. It felt like a second skin with its matt finish and clean smell. After a day of wear it was still firmly on, and my skin looked bright and felt wonderfully smooth. I was amazed that it had not dried it out and left my face feeling hydrated.

So, did MyFace Cosmetics MyMix Foundation in Fair01 offer the healthy glow they promised?

My answer is yes!This is the perfect foundation for normal/dry/combination skin tones (I find liquid foundations on oily skin tend to wear off quickly but it may work with a primer). However, the ‘colour-correcting formula’ can only go so far. I believe the product to sufficiently reduce redness but am doubtful as to whether it would work as an entire cover up on acne prone skin.

I also adored the colour match method, it is as flawless as the foundation and guarantees a perfect match every time! The packaging is also a bonus, the tube is sleek, making it easy to slip into the smallest of bags. With impressive coverage and delightful texture, there is no need to worry about top ups!
You will feel the fairest of them all! If you are as pale as me that is…
 
Stephanie xox

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