No7 Perfect Light Loose Powder & Real Techniques Powder Brush

No7 Perfect Light Loose Powder

No7 is a brand you can find in nearly all Boots stores in the UK. No7 was launched in 1935 as series of deluxe Beauty Preparations. Since then the packaging has been changed numerous times and many new products can be found on the market. The new No7 range offers  skin care and make up products with a fusion of modern brilliance and timeless beauty - an inspiring collection of indulgent textures, mouth-watering, ultra wearable shades and award-winning formulations giving the collection an 'underlying chic'.

If you have read my June empties post you will know I’ve used up all of my NYX Studio Setting Powder. So recently I’ve been on the hunt for a new one, I didn’t want to buy the same one because I find that boring and I was looking for something a little better. I’ve always stuck to translucent setting powders because it’s just as hard finding a powder as it is foundation. Just like foundation it needs to match the skin tone, not look cakey and it has to work. Having porcelain skin makes it a challenge, but it was even more challenging for me because it was like looking for a needle in haystack, just to fine loose setting powders. Finally I stumbled across the No7 counter and found what I was looking for LOOSE POWDER. No7 had four shade choices: translucent, fair, medium and dark. I swatched them all and fair seemed to match my skin perfectly, so that’s the one I bought, however I was very close to buying translucent.

The loose powder comes with small powder puff which is perfect to use wit this powder, but I prefer to use the Real Techniques Powder Brush. The powder is very fine and silky and it doesn’t have much of a scent to it. Used with both my powder brush and powder puff it gives a flawless finish without looking cakey or dry. It sets my foundation all day long and the foundation I have been using lately is Revlon Colourstay in Ivory for combination to oily skin. The powder is also fantastic at setting concealer under my eyes and I’ve noticed it helps to prevent creasing.

I have heard that the packaging has been changed and the container now houses 20g instead of 50g, this was a little disappointing for me because I would have rather had 50g of product for the price of £10.50. I do like the packaging because it’s neat and keeps the powder secure inside the container. However I complain that loose powder goes everywhere but this one stays in its place….too well.  It’s really hard work to realise the product and no matter how much I shake and tap it’s no use and the holes get blocked. I have to unblock the holes with a needle every time I use this product, which is a big pain. But I do love this powder because it works brilliantly I will buy it again, I also want to try the translucent powder. It is a shame about the container, and for me that’s the only disadvantage. But I’m going to turn a disadvantage and make it an advantage and de-pot the powder and house it in a recycled container to make it easier to use. Problem solved. 

Ingredients: Talc, Mica, Paraffinum liquidum (Mineral oil), Phenyl trimethicone, Dimethicone, Methicone, Tocopheryl acetate [+/-(May contain) CI 77891 (Titanium dioxide), CI 77492 (Iron oxides) CI 77491 (Iron oxides), CI 77499 (Iron oxides)]

Real Techniques Powder Brush

I’m a huge fan of Real Techniques to begin with after purchasing some of their brushes and falling in love with them. They are Designed with pro makeup artist Samantha Chapman, Real Techniques brushes combine high-tech materials with innovative design to make creating a pixel-perfect look easier than ever. Taklon bristles are ultra plush and smoother than the hair you'll find in other brushes. Since taklon is synthetic, it's 100% cruelty-free. The soft fibres help create a flawless, high-definition finish in any type of light from sunlight to harsh indoor lighting. The color-coded system corresponds to the key steps of makeup application so you can create a flawless base, enhanced eyes,and the perfect finish like a pro. Each brush head is hand-cut to the perfect shape, allowing for precise application from dense coverage to a soft, delicate finish. The collection is suitable for a wide range of products and every makeup need – from powders, creams, and liquids to mineral makeup, highlighter, and shimmer. Brush names on the handles make for easy reference when creating your favorite look.

I needed a new powder brush because the one I had previously been using started to shred really badly. I decided the buy the Real Techniques Powder Brush because I knew it wouldn’t disappoint me as none of the other brushes have. The brushes are nicely priced and I payed £12.99 for the Powder Brush. I’ve used this powder brush with the No7 Loose Powder and I love the finish that both the products achieve together. The brush picks up the right amount of product and when applied loose powder is transported onto the face instead of the dressing table, which makes application a whole lot easier. The brush is soft and smooth on the face and does not irritate my skin or scratch make-up off the skin.  

You can buy these products HERE & HERE. 

What is your opinion on No7 and Real Techniques?

Leave a comment below and let’s talk Beauty. 

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Parian Spirit Brush Cleaner Wipes*

I normally use make-up remover and baby wipes to give my brushes a quick clean, something I do each time I have used them. But lately I just didn't feel like my brushes were properly clean, so I wanted to try something just as quick and easy but something that would disinfect my brushes. Parian Spirit decided to send me some of their Brush Cleaner Wipes for me to try out and I was really looking forward to receiving them, because I've heard so much positive feedback about them.

This convenient wipe is designed for quick cleaning. It is highly effective and individually packaged, for easy, mess free disinfecting and cleaning. Parian Spirit is environmentally safe and a versatile product that cleans, conditions, and disinfects. For professional make-up artists: Parian Spirit products are so powerful, they effectively clean oil based make-up, spirit gum, medical adhesives, waxes, clays, gums, dried acrylic and latex!

They took a while to arrive but they did travel all the way from the US. I started cleaning my brushes with the wipe and I my brush was clean in seconds. There was no fuss just straight forward quick cleaning. The scent of the wipe does stay on the brush, but it’s a nice scent. Once I cleaned my brushes I dried them off with a paper towel like it recommends, and left them to air dry overnight. By the next morning my brushes were clean, dry and ready to use!!

As much as I enjoyed using these wipes I won't buy them in the future, instead I will buy 16oz of the brush cleaner and the 2oz pump spray. I highly recommend  Parian Spirit if you want your brushes super clean!!

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Have you used Parian Spirit before?

What do you use to clean your make-up brushes?

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Real Techniques Stippling Brush By Samantha Chapman

I've owned the real techniques stippling brush for quite some time and I thought it was about time I did a blog post on it, as it’s really made a difference to how I apply my makeup. It’s a must have for any make up junkie. 

It has synthetic taklon bristles that are hand-cut and 100% cruelty-free. The bristles are very flexible and bendable they are individually defined to create a bouncy and gentle touch on the skin. It gives an airbrushed look and makes you look pixel perfect even in harsh lighting. I haven't noticed any bleeding or shedding and the bristles clean really well when I've just used dish soap and olive oil to clean them. Due to flat bottom they can stand on their own. The stippling brush is pretty light weight and this is what makes it more user friendly. Due to its small head, it easily reaches to the corners and curves of face. I use this brush to apply liquid and powder foundation and it instantly gives an airbrushed look. I also use this to apply powder and cream blush again giving a flawless airbrushed look. This brush can be pretty much used for all base make up. 

How I apply:

Liquid foundation: apply a small amount to a clean palette and tap the brush into the foundation until every bristle is covered. Dab the brush on to the face and then blend and buff into the skin. 

Powder foundation: gently tap the brush straight into the compact powder until the brush is evenly covered and blend and buff into the skin.

Cream blush: depending how pigmented the blush is tap the brush once into the blush if its heavily pigmented, if not tap 2 - 3 times or just until the brush is evenly covered. Blend and buff into the skin. 

Powder Blush: apply the same way as cream blush. 

This is my go to brush for apply foundation because I know that I will get flawless results every time and the brush makes the foundation application quick and easy. I also enjoy using this brush because it’s a multi-tasker, but I think I should invest in another or a couple more of the brushes as I use it for quite a few different things. I highly recommend this brush to every make up junkie. 

What are your favorite make-up brushes ? 

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