Cream Eyeshadows

I've lost count of the amount of times I've mentioned on these pages that I'm an 'oily eyelid gal.' Product just does not like to stay on my eyelids; it creases, it smudges and ultimately ends up in a melted mush. Attractive, I know. However, the years of this holding this wonderful trait have led to a lot of testing. Throughout my journey I have discovered that a friend of my mine comes in the form of the cream eyeshadow. 

My favourite is the Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerise I have the shade Norma Jean. It is so creamy that it almost feel wet. But I find that it is this texture that helps to make it stay for a super long time whilst also being super pigmented. Whilst I absolutely adore this product, it doesn't sit in my everyday makeup bag because of its pigmentation. 

That is where the Chanel Illusion D'ombre come in. A weird formula, they sit in the tub like a powder but apply as a cream but this makes them so easy to use: no blending just apply. In terms of wearability they do. not. budge. My old and trusted favourite is the shade Emmerville: a lovely, everyday peachy gold which is definitely a cream version of MAC All that Glitters. I have recently purchased the shade Mirage - a light brown colour that I'm hoping will be my smokey eyes in one product. They come with a little brush which is perfect for packing the product on. 

I bought the Bobbi Brown Long-Wear cream eyeshadow in Beach Bronze after watching a Pixi Woo tutorial. It is a gorgeous, sparkly rich brown shade. I find this the trickiest of the lot to use - because it is in quite a small brush I need a small brush and then find it tricky to blend out. I think I need more practice with using this shade as I find that it looks quite heavy on me. 

Unfortunately my Estee Lauder Pure Colour Stay on Shadow Paint in Chained has dried out a bit now. However, it was definitely a firm favourite a few years back for my 'nights out' makeup. Mainly because it just didn't budge. I will definite re-visit this range.

The next on my list to try is Mac Cream Pot in Rubenesque. What are your favourites?

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The Pink Nudes

It's a rare occasion for me to make a bold lip choice. As a result of this fear I have collected a range of pink nudes; the my lips but better kinda shades.

The Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Golden Lustre in the shade 114 is the luxury number - thank you to my friends who know me well and gave it as my 21st present! Whilst it's not as dark as it looks from the bullet, it's definitely the darkest pink in my little collection. However, this makes it perfect for the colder months: it makes your lips wonderfully, yet subtly, stand out when your face is a little paler.

I was all about the Revlon Colourstay Ultimate Suede when they first came out. One of my favourite shades is Socialite, a rich nudey-pink that seems to make lips look fuller.

The Estee Lauder Pure Color in Crystal Nude has made a regular appearance on this blog - it is a trusted favourite. It's the creamiest lipstick of this lot, and almost looks like a gloss when I apply as it has so much shine. I rarely leave the house without this in my handbag.

MAC Patisserie is a lipstick classic. It has a lovely hint of shimmer to it making it the perfect M.L.B.B shade. As Vivianna Does Makeup says, 'When in doubt, reach for patisserie.'

Who doesn't love the Rimmel Lasting Finish Matte by Kate Moss?! This is shade 101. Despite this being a matte formula I don't find it drying, in fact it's very velvety. If you like to do an Instagram pout every once in a while then I think this might be your new shade.

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Lightweight bases

It is no surprise over on these pages that I am a lightweight/BB base, formula, lovin' gal! I can't get enough of them; I find them so simple, hydrating and dewy, a quality I am ALWAYS on the hunt for. After looking through my stash I thought I would show you my Top Four.

The Diorskin Nude BB Cream is a luxurious hero. It has a watery consistency, making it perfect for summer. For a BB cream it actually provides quite a good coverage, and I especially reach for this one if I want to look tanned!

The Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint is the latest addition to my collection and has quickly captured my heart! It is the most simple of the family; suitable for all skin types, SPF 15, and full of the all-powerful ingredient Vitamin E. This product should be, in my opinion, nicknamed the dew-enhancer.

I would probably class the Estee Lauder Double Wear All-Day Glow B-B as the best all-year-round cream. I take shade one and it is, literally, my skin shade in a tube! I love it in the colder months (pretty much 3/4 of the year in the UK) as it provides me with the perfect skin booster: glowing, even skin. With an spf 30 this is a firm favourite in my makeup bag.

Out of the lightweight gang, the BareMinerals Complexion Rescue is the first to fall - apologies for the drunk related puns! I think this is due to its 'gel' formula: a little goes a long way and it feels so hydrating on the skin. I have actually used this in the past month instead of my moisturiser, it is that hydrating!

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Estée Lauder Base

If you're a regular reader over here then you will notice the a common feature of the Estée Lauder Base. To be precise this obsession dates back further than the beginnings of Folkes Thinks. Indeed, DayWear BB was the one that set off my heartstrings when I was 17. As I've always said, I'm not really in to the heavy base, cakey foundation routine. I always prefer something lighter and more natural. As a very light and sheer formula the DayWear was perfect for my school days. In fact writing this post has made me want to repurchase for the summer months. It has a delicious cucumber scent to it, making you feel so fresh as you apply.

Last year however, I got very excited for the launch of the Double Wear All-Day Glow BB. Despite my frustration at searching far and low (literally, I went to Fleet Street Boots, Selfridges Birmingham and Boots Teeside Park) for shade 1 I really did fall in love, again, with this purchase. I'd say its slightly more heavier coverage than the DayWear BB. This shade is more suited to my skin tone and lasts all day. I've particularly loved wearing this in the colder months.

My most recent purchase, as you will have seen, is the EE Enlighten Creme. At first I really wasn't sure about this one: I couldn't even notice applying it on my skin. However, after time I have really come to enjoy wearing this product. I would say this is one of those 'eurgh, I can't be bothered to go out but my skin needs a boost' helping kind of product! I love it when I don't want too much makeup on but want my skin to have a little umph.

Now, my aim of this post was never to conclude with a favourite. I love all of these bases and so does my skin! I have never experienced a breakout and they all contain SPF 30 or plus which is great as my moisturiser doesn't. However, if I was to only buy one forever I think I would have to say the DayWear BB, purely for its buildable coverage, and its even finish.

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Weekly Loving #1

We all know my favourite kinda post is a favourite's post. So, as inspired by ghostparties, I've decided now to do a weekly favourites post. This will probably consist mostly of makeup and will force me to try the hidden parts of my makeup storage.

I'm sure it will come as no surprise that I'm in love with the new Real Techniques brushes. Whilst some people are complaining about the price these really feel like professional high quality brushes. They blend so well, feel sophisticated to hold and are so soft on the skin. The tapered face blush makes me smile every time I hold it!

For the past two weeks now I've been loving an old favourite - Estée Lauder's Pure Colour Lipstick in the shade Crystal Nude. This is my 'my lips but better shade.' It is a lovely natural colour but has such a nice shine to it. If you're a MAC Patisserie fan then I would definitely recommend this - it's much creamier!

I was given the Body Shop Almond Hand and Nail butter for christmas however, after leaving it at home, this was the first time I was able to try. From first dip I was seriously impressed. It was so nourishing and gave instant results even my boyfriend wanted to try! For its price it seriously deserves a  round of applause.

I finally got round to purchasing the Soap and Glory Solar Powder. Divided in two it has a dark and light shade of bronze. I've been swirling my brush around and been creating some Nars-laguna-esque bronze. So far, this is one of the best drugstore bronzers I've tried.

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Everyday makeup routine

If you're a regular reader then you will know how much I advocate for the barely there-natural-dewy look (the overused words here!). Recently I have been quiet pleased with my attempts to achieve this look, so thought I would share with you what I have been grabbing for...

The Estée Lauder Double Wear All-Day Glow BB cream has been pretty high up on my list. Whilst I cannot truly say that I get an aaaaallllll day glow, it definitely helps to create a brighter complexion. Following with the Nars Creamy Concealor to hide my bags I'm pretty satisfied with an even, natural skin tone. 

A recent purchase of the Hourglass Brow Definer has left me one happy gal. Its much easier to use than my Benefit Brow Zings, and I love the spooley end to help get my brows in shape. I've then reached for the Bobbi Brown Long Lasting cream shadow to create a subtle, gold shimmer over my lids with the, well used, Rimmel Scandaleyes liner in bronze on my lash line. With an application of the Loreal Telescopic Mascara to create some natural seperation and definition I'm pretty satisfied with a simple eye look.

Of course I would be lost at the moment without my Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Dim Infusion. A lovely, light pinky-peach colour with a golden tone for highlight. When rumaging around in my lipstick draw a month ago I found an old favourite, the Estee Lauder Pure Colour Long Lasting Lipstick  (mouthful!) in crystal nude. This is a 'your lips but better shade'; it has such a creamy texture and  a lovely shine upon an application. I love this shade for creating a small natural essence to a nearly naked look.

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February Favourites

How can it be March already?! 2013 is going far too quickly, though I'm sure I say that every year. My new busy uni/reading schedule has meant a recent rejection of my blog: I apologise. However, here I try and make amends and share with you my February faveourites...

Estee Lauder Pure Colour Stay on Shadow Paint in the colour Cosmic - This eyeshadow really does what it says on the tin. An excellent stay on shadow, and they definitely mean one that stays on. Praise the lord for those of us with oily eyelids! Although in the photo Cosmic looks very burgendy toned, when painted on it creates a lovely, dark, glittery-brown effect. I have been wearing this just by itself for a daytime natural look and then making it more smokey in the evening with the addition of a darker brown such as Nars Mekong.

Soap and Glory Scrub Your Nose In it Exfoliator - I came across this product after a Sunday Girl recommendation. I don't have a particularly oily T-zone (which the product says it helps) as so was slightly apprehensive that it might be too strong and making me come out in blemishes! However, this product really is worth a GLORY award!! For £8 it is fantastic. I have been a user of the Clarins exfoliator for a while now, and believe this does the exact same job if not better! It works really well; deep cleaning and helping to refine those pesky pores!

Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara - We know I love this (see why here) I'd be lost without this one!

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair - When I had my Estee Lauder haul I was given a few samples to try out. At the time I had quite a few cheeky blemishes on my face and they advised me to use this serum. Despite it's worldwide beauty hype I have never wanted to bring a serum into my skin care regime. I have constantly believed that they are unnecessary and would clog up my pores resulting in more blemishes. However, I was wrong. Indeed I have been far too stubborn. This serum has worked wonders. Not only have my blemishes disappeared but my whole complexion has dramatically improved. The only unfortunate outcome now is I need to save up to by the proper sized bottle..

Illasmasqua Speckle Nail Varnish - My last post saw my hype about this polish. Since then and the wider recognition of this uber-cool polishes ASOS have now sold out the collection. If you are lucky enough to find one of these varnish's please do. Your daily compliments will be never ending!

Nars blusher in Deep Throat - During the colder months I like to stay off the bronzer and up the blusher. Deep throat has been able to substitue my bronzer addiction. It is a lovely pink/coral tone with a slight hint of shimmer. This blusher definitely provides you with a daily pick me!

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Estee Lauder Haul

I have, cheekily, been a tad extravagant this week with my student budget! On Tuesday I was fortunate to have a makeup lesson at Estee Lauder and came away spending a little more than intended...

I finally bought the Day Wear BB cream. I've never been a big fan of caking my face in foundation; infact I regularly just go natural! However, with the stress of exams and student life I have finally realised I need some coverage. This product has quickly become a perfect staple for me! If you are looking for something which will provide you with light coverage this is definitely for you. It creates a lovely dewey, natural finish; making your skin look wonderfully healthy! What more could you want?! Plus, its filled with wonderful ingredients, including spf 35. It really is the healthiest coverage you could ask for.

As you know I've always been MAC obsessed. For ages I have been wanting to purchase their paintpot in constructivist, however Estee has provided me with a fab alternative. Say hello to their new range of Pure Color Stay on Shadow Paints. As a creme product they are easy to blend and apply; creating a smokey yet natural look. Mine is in the colour cosmic!

My third purchase was that of a Crystal Creme lipstick. In my lesson I couldn't choose between a gloss or a stick and this product combined the two (just like MAC's creme sheen's sticks). I fell in love with this instantly as it created a perfect natural shine. Surprisingly it was quite a brown/pink shade; a tone which I have never been drawn too before, but trust me this shade, known as Crystal Nude, is a must!

Thankfully, or perhaps stupidly, my purse stretched a tiny bit more to invest in the Advanced Night Repair Eye cream. I have suffered with dark under-circles for a while now, and feel it is finally time to take action! This creme claims to reduce fine lines, provide moisture and reduce darkness! So I will have to keep you posted with my verdict on this one!

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