Treasure Trove

I went to explore the new INGLOT store in the Dundrum centre yesterday and was lost in makeup for quite some time. I have used some of this Polish brands products before and indeed nominated their freedom system palette for the Prudence Beauty Awards this year too. But previously I hadn't really spent any time at a counter to get the true vibe of the brand.

It's a lot to take in at once; there is a kaleidescope of wonderful colours in a great range of textures. It's the expanse of colour that takes you over initially, I didn't spend half enough time playing with the base products as I was so taken in by the dizzying array of shades.

The lipsticks come in varying textures; matte, sheer, shimmer, gel and in every shade you can imagine. I loved 264 - nude, 165 - slightly frosted natural tone, 136 - gorgeous shimmery russet, 401 - cool matte coral ( v Cheryl Cole!)

Their lip paints come in little pots exactly like the NARS ones. Shades 51 and 52 are basic naturals that should be in everyones makeup collection.

I was very interested in the cream blushers. I am extremely critical in this category as I think most brands cant get enough pigment to make a difference or enough creaminess to give a glow yet not end up in an oily mess. INGLOT get it right; the blushers are very similar to my desert island product - the Convertible Colours by Stila - and I am delighted to find a stand in for them.

The eyeshadows are superb, the textures divine. I took away three shades that I know will be used to death in my kit! They are shades 402, 402 and 435. All three have a slight sheen but not too much and they are in the mushroom-y brown family that I'm loving this season with a brick red lip.

There is so much to talk about in this brand but I think the very best element is their prices! The most expensive product is €25! Now, that's what I call beautiful!

If I were you, I'd be sharpening your elbows and storming the counter this Saturday! I for one will be a regular there and you'll see more of it here that's for sure...

My New Budget Look

Yesterday afternoon I did one of my favourite things; I pottered around my local chemist trying out colour combinations and I bought these three things which I am really happy with.

The velvet touch lip liners by Danish brand GOSH are wonderful...I have never used them before and I will now be a loyal fan. The texture is fantastic; smooth, silky and full of colour. I bought Nougat Crisp which is a deep tea rose colour.

I then moved to Bourjois which is a range that I rate quite highly for budget beauty...it's not a heavy hitter in all it's categories but the colour ranges are strong and certainly give value for money. You can stock up quite a decent collection for relatively low cost which is music to all our ears these days right? I bought the 3D lip gloss in shade 42 which complements my new lip liner perfectly!

Sure I couldn't just leave it there now could I? I had to complete my new lip look with a nail polish to match! On trying this Bourjois shade called Beige Glamour I initially thought it was a bit of a strange colour...it's an unusual deep nude-y mauve and quite like the shade my very vintage piano teacher used to wear!

I tried some on my nail and put it down but after I looked around some more I realised that it is a great shade and it actually felt quite contemporary so I snapped it up. It's a departure for me as I normally wear pale or red polishes but I love this now... it'll be fantastic with all the greys, nudes and camel tones that I'll be inputting into my winter wardrobe ( I hope!)

Budget Beautifier

I ask a lot from a foundation product; I expect it to have a decent coverage but not too much. I want natural skin tones, not an orange hue. I want a glow not a matte mask or a glittery oil slick. I want it to look like my skin but better, and I don't want it too cost too much. So basically I want a lot for a little!

However, I don't feel I am being unreasonable, of course not...we all want the same things right?

So finally I feel that the cosmetic houses are listening as there are quite a few nice options out there to choose from....

Last week I was wearing the Second Skin foundation from Max Factor for a few days and I liked it a lot. At first I thought it may be too sheer to have any effect whatsoever. They say it 'provides coverage that is almost undetectable' ...well what good is undetectable? I would like to see the improvement in my skin thanks very much, not so slap it on and wonder if it's having any tangible result.

But it is good. It is light in coverage similar to a tinted moisturiser formula but it has a bit more magic than that; it adds soft luminescence to the skin and it was very flattering...I genuinely felt as though my skin looked younger and more hydrated. Both of which are welcome benefits believe me!

I was very happy with this budget star, it fulfilled all my expectations.

(High maintenance, moi?)

PhotoReady?

The Great Foundation Challenge is continuing unabated here at Ellie Loves...! The latest that I'm loving and one of the greatest so far is this excellent offering from Revlon. PhotoReady foundation is a star product in my eyes and I'm delighted to have found it. For years I was quite devoted to Stila's Illuminating foundation and then, as you know, the brand has left our fair isle. Up to this point I haven't come across a product that has come close to it in terms of dewiness yet with decent coverage. Well, fret not; here it is!

I have to admit to not using many of Revlon's products at all apart from the odd lip colour or nail varnish and I am an avid hater of their big seller ColourStay as I find it too heavy and dense.

However, I am so pleasantly surprised to see how the brand is changing into a real treasure trove for makeup artists. Makeup guru, Gucci Westman has taken over the helm as creative director and last winters deep violet-y plum tones were the best on offer in my opinion.

So, when PhotoReady arrived through my door I had high hopes. They were fulfilled!

It has a medium to medium- well coverage (to use some cooking terms!) and it's level of illumination is perfect; not too glittery, not too oily, just right. I think it is appropriate for all ages and can be used with a brush or with fingers to apply. A little goes a long way, so your bottle will last you a long time. One pump should blend well over your entire face; using too much of this product will result in it not looking good, so remember, as with all makeup...less is more.

I found it to last very well over the day as long as it is set with powder.

I also like that it has a high SPF of 20 and it doesn't negatively affect the coverage. Some other high level SPF foundations can cause the product to separate on the skin giving an uneven look.

Colour-wise, there are 12 shades including some true pale shades for our celtic complexions, so you will find your colour here.

Revlon, you rock!

Beauty-full Savings

People always ask me where they can make savings in their makeup expenditure. The answer is in the colour pieces. You need to get your foundation right at whatever cost but you can scrimp all you like on your eye shadows, lip glosses, blushers etc.

The reason for this is twofold; what people tend not to know is that most of the budget brands are made by the bigger brands anyway. So the same amount of research and creative control goes into them, they are just set apart for marketing reasons. The budget brands are certainly smaller with less shade extensions, particularly in the foundations, but the colour is basically the same quality.

The second reason you can head to the budget brands is because, us fickle creatures tend to change our minds on what we like from time to time! So one season, we're rocking purple shadow, the next we want pale, apple-y green on our peepers. But what we don't want is to be shelling out too much as we follow our whims. So experiment with the cheaper brands; for the most part, you will not be sacrificing quality.

So, my dears, allow me to introduce you to the marvellous Bourjois eye shadows...made by Chanel!