Healthy Pretty

This is one 'official' graphic from a cosmetics company that I actually like. In fact, I like it a lot. Oftentimes, they are too OTT, too airbrushed, too unattainable. But Bourjois have done themselves proud with this pretty image that is more Spring-like than Wintery, but a lovely healthy look nonetheless. It's a real 'me' look actually, and very similar to one I will be creating on a shoot this coming Sunday (my absolute last day of work before baby comes in three weeks!) I love the warm red lips and nude eyes - so wearable and gorgeous...
Now, is the product any good I hear you cry! In fact, it is. Very good indeed. It's another of these hybrid foundations that contain serum as well as makeup. They say it contains 'vitamin rich fruit therapy' which helps to even out the skin. I'm not too sure about that claim as I'm always dubious as to how much a foundation, that is designed to merely sit on the surface of the skin, can actually do for the state of your skin. But if you judge this merely as the makeup it is, you will be happy.

It has a nice smooth consistancy, medium coverage and a semi-matte finish that retains a slight glow. As with all of the Bourjois line, they offer good quality products at great price points so it's definitely one to check out. Keep in mind though, that if you can't find your shade, move on! Just because it's nice and cheap, you shouldn't sacrifice finding your exact shade.

{The Friday Freebie} Bourjois Illuminating Touch

Ellie Loves is glowing pink again to honour breast cancer awareness today and I have a lovely giveaway for five of you courtesy of the ever-fabulous Bourjois. This little pot of pretty is a soft pink, shimmery highlighter. It adds a gorgeous glow to cheekbones and adds a flattering effect to any skin. Sweep some under the brow bone and over the cupids bow too for a perfectly pretty sheen. This product is part of Bourjois' own initiative to support breast cancer research whereby one euro/pound is donated per pot sold. It's a great idea from a great brand so thanks to the lovely people at Bourjois for supporting my Friday Freebie too...

You know what to do...leave me a comment below and please become a follower of Ellie Loves on the right hand side (if you are not already! and if you are, thank you!)

Have a happy, healthy and fun weekend my lovelies!

Bourjois 10 Sleep Effect - Really?

I have to admit to laughing at myself because I made an audible 'Oooh' when I spotted this bottle of foundation on the Bourjois stand! I generally like to think of myself as someone who doesn't fall for a marketing 'line' especially when it comes to makeup. But the '10 hour sleep effect' got me. Hook, line and sinker. Seeing as I haven't had anything close to ten hours of sleep in two and a half years and after December I will get decidedly less as I'll up for night feeds again, I though I'd give this little peach bottle a whirl...
I am a genuine fan of Bourjois. I think their products are real performers in the budget beauty category so I had a certain amount of confidence in this before I started with it. But I do know that my skin provides quite the challenge due to the tiredness of pregnancy mixed with running after a toddler as well as working. To say I'm a Mum on the run is an understatement! What I mean by that is that I was quite willing to let it off the hook if it didn't perk my skin up...I would test it on others as well, before I judged it completely.
No need!! It's absolutely great! I am honestly so impressed with it and I really think my skin looks better. I dare say it looks even better than it does in my usual MAC Face & Body (which I will never talk down as it is wonderful) but this is so good for such a good price (€13.99)
I find the coverage to be light to medium - don't expect heavy coverage. You can layer within reason without it caking and although it doesn't seem to contain pearly bits - it seriously brightens my skin. They say this is down to it's content of vitamins E, F and B5. It's oil free too which is great for combination skins. I bought shade 71 which is the palest and it is good for me. Being a budget brand, they don't have a huge shade extension but if you slot into one of their shades, you should be happy with this product. Best applied with fingers for perfect blending, this is one product I will continue to use both for myself and on my clients and makeup courses.

So long Tired Face (for now!)

This is Intense

These new little pots of deep, intense colour from Bourjois are simply superb. I used them on models at a wedding fair yesterday and was deeply smitten by them. It's hard to find eyeshadows that give an excellent colour payoff  in that they actually transfer to the skin as strong as they look in the palette. These shadows are fantastic and so full of pigment they will last forever both on the eye and in the pot.
As I'm writing this I have taken them all out to attempt to name my favourite...but I can't! The black 01 stands out for it's inky depth, number 08 is a really great dark, sheeny bronze, 05 is a true emerald and 04 a sumptuous 'Cadburys' purple and 02 is a glorious shiny gold. I wholeheartedly love these and am now the proud owner of every shade! You will be delighted with them too...

Time to Glow

 I have so much time for Bourjois of late. Every season they really up their game and always offer innovative products that actually answer a need. A need you didn't know you had perhaps, but once you see their products, you need them! Their latest bronzing range which hits counters in June is a clever little collection. I was impressed with the Mineral Bronzing Foundation, which as you can see above is in a classic shaker pot but you can alter the amount of the bronzing element that comes out so you are in control of the depth of colour. Very clever and very appropriate with it's SPF15 too. It also smells undeniably of Summer with cocoa bean and orange blossom extracts. As with all loose mineral powders, you need a light touch with a soft brush and buff, buff, buff your way to a bronzed glow...

This is the full Summer line entitled Delice de Soleil that includes a bronzing spray and two new lip gloss shades in a really pretty coral and deeper cool rust tone. The glosses have SPF15 and are waterproof...clever Bourjois Boffins!

This is the regular bronzing powder which they have developed in two colour options; one for lighter skins, one for more olive tones so no more 'one shade suits all' rubbish anymore, we are too savvy now to believe that farce, thank you very much! I like the peach undertones that brighten the skin rather than make it appear too dark and muddy. At the usually excellent price points we can expect, I think this is a quality collection and one well worth checking out.

To Rotate or Not Rotate

Right, I hate gimicks in makeup. They really irritate me. I frequently suspect that the particular company is compensating for a rubbish product by packaging them up fancily and adding some such trick as a rotating motor.
So when I was given the Volume Fast & Perfect mascara from Bourjois to try I was cynical to say the least! Now I'm not generally a cynical person, but having been a makeup artist for 17 years now, it's fair to say that I've seen a lot of new ideas and notions come to the market with the idea of making them stand out from the crowd. I am a fan of the classic application techniques...they're classics 'cos they work right?! So I would tend to sit on the side of the fence called 'don't mess with the rules'.
Anyway I tried it. What did I think? I bloody loved it!
Once I got over the (slight) irritation from my 'gimick radar' I persevered and figured out how best to use it. The brush has three settings; both directions and still. I found that if you have it rotating away from your lashes,  hold the brush at the roots and look down towards the ground as you sweep the brush to the ends of the hairs, you will get a fantastic covering of mascara. Evenly. And on every single lash!
Best not to rotate the brush on the lower lashes as it can get a bit messy. I curl my lashes beforehand and am completely happy with this mascara...it is a great, deep black. It is fine for my sensitive eyes and easy enough to remove. Being from the Bourjois stable, it's a great price as always.

My cynical self is eating humble pie.

Parisienne Pots of Pretty

I am quite excited about some of the new releases from Bourjois. As always they introduce pretty, covetable and innovative products which are superstars in their price bracket.

But did you know about their history? They go back a long way to Paris around 1863 where Monsieur Bourjois was busy concocting stage makeup used in the dressing rooms of young theatrical artistes. He came up with the baked powder formula blushers and shadows that are still used today. They have always been cased in the little round pots which are now iconic in the beauty world and have also always been intended for a dual usage - wet or dry. So whether you like a lighter wash of colour or a more intense level of colour, you can be in control.

This season the little pots have cute vignettes of Paris landmarks on their lids to celebrate their heritage. My favourite shades are Rose Coupe de Foudre ( a warm peach with gold sheen) and Rose de Jaspe ( A peachy pink - super flattering for Spring) I also love the smell of them, they have that old fashioned makeup smell that divides some, but I love it. It conjures up the nostalgic idea of the mystery of makeup that grabbed me as a little girl and perhaps played part in my desire to become a makeup artist!