This morning I looked over my slightly messy makeup table and decided to pick out a few products that I've been really enjoying that are also really cheap and most importantly available on the high street. Because I will admit I sometimes forget that not everyone shops on Amazon, eBay and discounted websites!
I absolutely love high street makeup, the amount of brands and products we have available in places such as Boots and Superdrug is incredible and the quality is always of such a high standard. But sadly I think the original brands - L'Oreal, Bourjois, Maybelline... however much I love them are slightly pricey these days so I thought I'd just focus on some younger/newer brands that offer products at really affordable prices without scrimping on quality.
When it comes to base products such as foundations and BB creams I haven't had much luck with cheaper high street brands, always too dark for my pale skin and just never natural enough for my liking. So I've always stuck to Bourjois and Max Factor. But as NYC is a brand I've always been impressed with (available from Superdrug) I thought I would give their new BB Creme a chance, especially as it comes in a light shade as well as medium.
This instantly impressed me with how light it was and what a good match it was for my pretty pale skin. I was also impressed with the super light coverage... which sounds odd but some days I want my complexion to just be evened out and look like I'm not wearing anything on my skin, and this does the job perfectly. However it can also be worn under foundation as a primer which I would have never have thought of and again this really works! It doesn't make foundation last any longer but it does create an even base, reducing redness and pores slightly which has impressed me enough to ditch my naughty silicone based primer which breaks me out if I use too often!
If you are after a super light coverage that will give the skin a nice fresh look then this is definitely worth a look.
Amie has to be my favourite affordable (and natural) skincare brand of 2013. Every product I've tried from the brand I have loved and I seriously can't get enough of their Spring Clean Cooling Clay Mask (review here).
I have more than enough spot treatments but after loving the pretty pricey Balance Me Facial Oil which is amazing on spots I thought it would be worth trying out more natural spot treatments. The Amie Instant Action Spot Clearing Gel (available from Boots) contains 96.5% natural ingredients with 3 key ingredients - Salicylic Acid, Eucalyptus Oil and Peppermint Oil.
I've been using this gel on the odd blemish for the past month now and have found it to be a good way to reduce redness and help the spot to naturally go away (and not to spread), but just that bit faster. The minty scent it also quite refreshing compared to a few other spot gels that are available on the high street. Not a miracle worker but it does help to reduce spots without drying out the skin or stinging!
Since Sinful Colors hit Boots stores earlier this year I have been a fan. I have over 10 polishes from the range and love so many of the shades (especially the glitters) and their shade names.
But this is my new favourite. I really was expecting Easy Going to be quite sheer so I was amazed when it was opaque in only 2 coats. The finish is glossy and even and in fact reminds me of a much higher end nail polish from say OPI. This looks so elegant on its own but also makes a good base for glitter nail polishes as it's not as harsh as a white base. So pleased with this shade and cannot recommend Sinful Colors more highly.
Would love to know what your favourite but recent high street buy has been - under £5 remember!
Also thank you to everyone that left their blog links in yesterday's post - I made sure I followed every single one! You can find out my 10th favourite blog here. I'd love if you could check it out and follow them :)
Fee xo.
