Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Eau De Parfum

Stunning bottle, stunning fragrance. Black Opium EDP is an exquisite, sensual and elegant gourmand scent.

Top notes: Pink pepper, Orange blossom
Heart notes: Jasmine, Coffee
Base notes: Vanilla, Patchouli, Cedarwood

The fragrance starts with a delicious hit of berry blended with warm coffee (personally I can also detect the vanilla from the first spritz too), the white flowers develop with a light floralness and then it settles (although for me the vanilla is present throughout) with the gorgeous warmth of vanilla and woods. I can't get enough of it!

Highly addictive!

Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium EDP 50ml £66 

*PR Sample

YSL Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick Trio - World Duty Free Exclusive!

There is something incredibly lustworthy and luxurious about YSL lipsticks. The chunky gold packaging that encases your colour of choice, the lovely rose scent that emanates when you remove the lid and of course the fabulous formulas, no matter which product you pick.

Today I am drooling over this travel exclusive from World Duty Free - YSL Travel Selection - Rouge Pur Couture. Three full size lipsticks, individually packaged and in mightily beautiful shades.

The three shades are

01 - Le Rouge - a blue toned classic red
13 - Le Orange - A gorgeous and vibrant orangey/red shade (I adore this!)
27 - Fuchsia Innocent - A stunning pink 

The moisturising satin formula glides onto the lips and the rich colour is vivid and intense with a single stroke (see below)

Swatches 

The lipstick trio retails for £59.35 making each lipstick under £20 which when you think a single lipstick costs £26 is great value and a nice saving to get your holiday off to a great start!

YSL Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick Trio available from World Duty Free 

*PR Sample

3 Luxury Nude Lipsticks You Need In Your Handbag

Trust me when I say that a nude lip will never go out of fashion. So whether the trend is a red lip or a bright lip or a vampy dark lip...the alternative is always nude. Which is just as well for me because I adore nude shade lipsticks and glosses, I have far more than I need but I cannot resist them.

Here I have whittled it down to my three favourite luxury nude lipsticks

Swatches of YSL, Charlotte Tilbury & Burberry

1. YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick in Nude Beige - This is a moist looking pinky nude shade that is gorgeous with a smokey eye.

2. Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G Nude Kate Lipstick  - This shade is a moist nude, nude shade. A my lips but better shade that Charlotte created for Kate Moss. This is a new lipstick for me but I am already smitten by its luxe formula.

Here I am wearing it*

3. Burberry Lip Velvet in Pink Apricot - This lipstick is a pretty peachy nude in a matte formula. I love wearing this day to day as the peachy tone gives a  lovely brightness to the skin.

Which luxury nude lipsticks do you like to wear?

*If you want to see how the other two lipsticks look on me click on the titles which have links to previous reviews.

My Top Five Foundations

Listed below in no particular order are my current top five favourite foundations - 

Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Perfectly Nude Makeup £28

A light to medium coverage foundation that is so light in texture that it melts into the skin leaving a natural and radiant finish that makes my skin look so good.

Read the full review here - http://www.beautyswot.com/2014/04/elizabeth-arden-flawless-finish.html

bareMinerals BARESKIN Pure Brightening Serum Foundation £26

bareMinerals first ever liquid foundation blew me away with its results. Flawless perfection, a bright and natural finish with buildable coverage.

Read the full review here - http://www.beautyswot.com/2014/08/bareminerals-bareskin-pure-brightening.html

YSL Le Teint Touche Éclat Foundation £30.50

Over two years down the line this foundation still impresses me with its ability to transform my skin, illuminating and enhancing in a great gel like formula.

Read the full review here - http://www.beautyswot.com/2012/08/ysl-le-teint-touche-eclat-foundation.html

Boots No7 Stay Perfect Liquid Foundation £14

This foundation provides almost full coverage and has excellent staying power, I would use this on a daily basis as a good alternative to Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation.

Read the full review here - http://www.beautyswot.com/2013/10/no7-stay-perfect-liquid-foundation.html

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup £29.50

A best seller and it is easy to see why. A perennial favourite of mine, this foundation provides full coverage and all day staying power. It is heavier than other foundations but it really does cover everything and is ideal for the winter months. 

Read the full review here - http://www.beautyswot.com/2011/01/estee-lauder-double-wear-foundation.html

YSL Fusion Ink Foundation Review

YSL Le Teint Touch Eclat is one of my all time favourite foundations for the appearance of naturally beautiful skin -you can read my review of it here, so when I heard that YSL were bringing out a new foundation I hot footed it down to my nearest YSL counter and picked up a sample.

Luckily many of the shades of new YSL Fusion Ink Foundation are the same as LTTE so it was easy to do a direct colour match. Originally I had BD20 but earlier this year when I bought a YSL lipstick the counter asst popped a couple of samples of BD40 and I preferred this for Summer as it is slightly warmer. Without me saying a word the counter assistant this time even suggested BD40 of the new foundation (gosh they are good!)

YSL say

FEELS LIKE A FEATHER. WEARS LIKE AN INK. NO MORE COMPROMISE. 24 hours of soft-matte perfection and comfort. Our exclusive fine-as-ink formula perfects the skin yet wears weightlessly all day. Never cakey or heavy. Feel the difference of all day perfection and freedom. SPF 18. Available in 16 shades.

Swatch of YSL Fusion Ink Foundation BD40 

My thoughts 

One thing I learnt was that the product separates so you must shake well to avoid just a watery liquid being dispensed. I find the foundation to be really runny, far runnier than LTTE and super light. I use my fingers to apply and blend and it does take a lot of effort to get an even and smooth application which surprised me. However, once blended it looks fabulous, even and flawless. I would say the coverage is medium and any major flaws will need a separate concealer (I like Estee Lauder's Double Wear Concealer)

The finish is matte but not at all dull, in fact my mum said I looked quite radiant and dewy when I was wearing it! Personally, I think it has a slight powdery finish but what this does mean is that it has superb staying power, taking you literally from day to night with no reapplication or even touch ups needed and it still looks as fresh as the moment you applied.

I tried it with a few different primers just to see if there was a difference in finish. I loved how much easier it was to apply, literally glided over my skin and the glow provided when wearing Clarins Flash Beauty Balm underneath.

Another bonus of this foundation is that it does photograph beautifully in different lights which you will see from the pics below.

Wearing YSL Fusion Ink Foundation BD40

YSL Fusion Ink Foundation £30.50

YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick in Nude Beige Review & Swatch

 I had been lusting after a new nude lipstick for some time and trawled endless beauty counters looking for the perfect one.. Nothing tickled my fancy or instantly grabbed me, either being too brown, too dark or too pink. Until I came across the YSL counter whereupon I promptly fell in love with Nude Beige 1 from the Rouge Volupte range.

With that all important feel good factor, Rouge Volupte boasts beautiful luxurious gold packaging and a stunning central YSL design with the shade colour on the outside for handy reference.

This is a truly first class lipstick, it glides on with its silky, creamy formula but doesn't compromise on pigment. It applies evenly and leaves lips feeling moisturised and soft. It also has an SPF15 so perfect for all year round.

Nude Beige is a stunning nude/pink shade that on appearance looks like it could be a nude to suit all colourings. It suits me but also looks amazing on my mum who has green eyes and red hair.

YSL Rouge Volupte Nude Beige Swatch

Wearing YSL Rouge Volupte Nude Beige Lipstick

This may be my first YSL Rouge Volupte lipstick but it certainly will not be the last.

YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick £25

My Top 3 Skin Bases/Foundations for Combination Skin

Here are my top 3 foundation choices for combination skin. These are here because I turn to them the most. I would repurchase these in a heartbeat and they absolutely work for me. My criteria for a good foundation - easy to blend, must cover my redness and pores and have staying power. Not much really!

In no particular order -

1. Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Makeup SPF10 £27.50 for 30ml

Double Wear has been a favourite of mine for many, many years now. Although this is quite a heavy foundation, coverage is impressive for a true flawless appearance and it is adjustable so it doesn't NEED to look mask like. I don't need to wear a separate concealer or a primer. This is the one foundation that I would apply if I knew I was going to be out all day and evening and didn't want to reapply. It stays put and looks good until the minute you remove it. A fantastic and reliable foundation with cult status and rightly so. Available in 30 shades.

You can read my original review here.

2. YSL Le Teint Touche Éclat Foundation £29 for 30ml

Le Teint Touche Eclat Foundation really impressed me the first time I wore it and I go back to it time and time again. This is a revelation, it is incredibly light, covers everything I need it to and essentially looks natural and makes my skin look so good. Although its staying power is slightly less than the DW I like how fresh and radiant it makes my face look and it remains so for many hours. Available in 22 shades.

You can read my original review here

3. Ginvera Green Tea Nude Cover BB Cream £26 for 40ml 

I cannot rave enough about this BB Cream. As a base it ticks all the boxes and provides the level of coverage that I require and demand in a product. Ginvera is a moisturising base with skin benefits, provides excellent coverage, a high protection level of SPF30 and it is similar to texture to the YSL foundation. It goes on a little Ash looking in colour but soon melts into the skin disappearing to be virtually undetectable, allowing you to just have fabulous looking skin. This is a perfect Summer base but truth be told I would be happy to wear this all year round.

You can read my original review here

What are you favourite foundations?

BeautySwot's Product Of The Year 2012 Award

As we close on yet another year I thought I would share with you my product launch of 2012. Choosing which product to give the award to was actually incredibly easy, despite trying and using many new skincare and make up products this year, one beauty product stood out a mile...

YSL Le Teint Touche Éclat Foundation

For radiant, flawless and natural looking skin in an instant.

You can read my original review here - 5 months down the line I am still loving this foundation.

Holiday Makeup By Night

You may have already seen my 'by day' holiday makeup, pictured above are the items that I wore in the evenings.

I didn't have much time from leaving the pool or beach, showering and getting myself and my 4yr old son ready for dinner to sit and apply makeup at my leisure. I had to choose items that I knew would create the look I wanted to achieve as fast as possible with as few items as possible.

The look I was going for in the evening was radiance, illumination and a flash of bright colour on my lips - not a million miles away from my day look but just ramped up with more definition :-) A sun kissed and healthy looking glow is always a winner when you are on holiday in my opinion.

YSL Le Teint Touche Éclat Foundation - My current favourite foundation. Coverage is light but even and radiant. I popped some into a sample pot so that I didn't have to take the full size glass bottle with me.

Benefit They're Real Mascara - Rather than take the full size version, I took the rather travel handy mini version that came with the Anniversary set.. Another current favourite, love how black and defined it makes my lashes, real flutter worthy and they stand out a mile!

17 Instant Glow Shimmer Brick in Gold Bronze This shimmer brick made it into my evening makeup as it is so versatile and multipurpose. I used the different shades as eye shadows, the second one really made my eyes pop. I also used the lightest shade as a highlighter on my cheeks. Best bargain product of the Summer by far!

I took two lipsticks with me as I wanted to have alternatives depending on my outfit!

Lancome L'Absolu Rouge Lipstick 152 Rouge Mars This is a favourite Summer lipstick of mine, brightens the whites of my eyes and wakes up the whole face. Seriously, it is that good! It looks gorgeous with a warm tan too (I get mine with bronzer ;-))

Clinique Long Last Lipstick All Heart Such an easy to wear bright lipstick although it doesn't look that in the tube, it appears quite dark. In reality this is a very pretty and flattering pinky red toned shade.

Liz Earle Natural Glow Bronzer and Liz Earle Healthy Glow Powder Blush in Nectar I was sent these items just as I was about to leave for my holiday so decided to take them with me and use them every evening, full review coming shortly...watch this space!

Just a final and quick mention for my holiday nails - I used Rimmel London 60 Seconds Coralicious on my fingers and toes! Bright and cheery.

Paris Glam V Jungle Chic

September's Issue of iN Magazine is out now - pop over now and take a look at my feature on Autumn beauty trends. Paris Glam V Jungle Chic -  Which one will you be this Autumn?

You can read the beauty feature by clicking this link - http://issuu.com/in-magazine.com/docs/inmagazinesept2012digi/29

Happy reading and let me know what you think :-) 

YSL Le Teint Touche Éclat Foundation Review

YSL Le Teint Touche Éclat Foundation had to be the most anticipated launch of 2012. All the magic and benefits of the iconic Touch Éclat Highlighter popped into a foundation. Of course I had to try it!

What YSL say

The light of Touche Éclat foundation targets shadowy areas and highlights the contours of the face. With no opaque powders, its perfecting texture evens the complexion and helps conceal your imperfections, while enhancing your skin’s natural beauty.

Promising to be an illuminating foundation with dimensional radiance all in a weightless foundation - a tall order?

My thoughts 

I was sent Shade BD20 which is perfect for my light-medium yellow toned skin

I am not going to beat about the bush here, this is my Summer foundation. I must admit to being a little concerned that this was a light to medium coverage foundation but as it is buildable I find that it is fine and doesn't look too heavy when I apply more to any areas I may need it.

It covers my redness, it covers my pores well and the odd hormonal spot. I haven't actually had to use a separate concealer yet.. it provides beautiful, even coverage and leaves the skin looking radiant and bright with absolutely no cakiness.

I have worn Le Teint Touche Éclat Foundation with and without a primer and find that it looks equally good both ways, if anything I prefer it without! Duration wise I get between 6-7 hours before I get a shiny t-zone but this is fine for most activities.

BD20

BD20 blended

I really like the gel textured formula, the foundation blends so well that it is seamless and literally melts into the skin to leave a very natural finish. I have to mention the comment that my mother in law made.. she saw me wearing just this foundation and told me that I had such good skin. Now doesn't that make this bottle worth investing in?

If you want to see me wearing the foundation, you can click on this link - FOTD post

Le Teint Touche Éclat Foundation comes in 22 shades with 3 different tone groups and costs £28 for 30mls.

*PR Sample

YSL Forever Youth Liberator Serum Review

I received this 5ml sample of Yves Saint Laurent Forever Youth Liberator Serum in the Harrods Edition GlossyBox.

Claims 

Containing the Glycanactif™ complex, a combination of 3 glycans, to help stimulate skin’s youthful capacities at the 3 levels of the skin.

Immediately, the complexion looks more transparent. Signs of fatigue seem less visible. In just 7 days, the skin feels transformed: smoother, firmer and more toned. After 1 month, the skin appears revitalized.

For all skin types. Suitable for sensitive skins.

My Thoughts

I have been using Forever Youth Liberator Serum twice a day for 3 weeks now and am really enjoying the ritual of applying it. It has a light, non sticky consistency that glides beautifully across the skin and then absorbs instantly leaving the skin feeling satin smooth. It smells very pleasant. 

Results - 

I can react to products that are just too rich for my skin but I haven't had any reaction to this at all.

My skin is improving as the days go by. I have a couple of fine lines on my forehead and these are barely visible now, this may be due to the fact the skin is more hydrated.  My skin is feeling softer since I started using the serum and looking at my skin it just generally looks better and less tired looking, considering the lack of sleep I have had this past month this is good!

As you only need to use a tiny amount, the 5ml sample I have is still going strong.

YSL Forever Youth Liberator Serum costs £60 for 30ml

Lips Of The Day - YSL Rouge Volupte Red Temptation

My lovely sister is really enjoying trying out different red lipsticks after avoiding lipsticks for many years. YSL Rouge Volupte is one of her favourites and a current go to.

This extremely flattering red shade of lipstick adorned her lips on Saturday night.. Doesn't it make the whites of her eyes look whiter? 

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupté no16 Red Temptation - Silky - Sensual Radiant Lipstick SPF 15

March 2012 GlossyBox - The Harrods Edition

I was so excited when the postman knocked on my door with this month's GlossyBox. The March box was to be a collaboration with Harrods no less! There were a few hints of what might appear in the boxes from GlossyBox Ambassador's but the products could have been any combination of 5 products from a selection of 15..

Inside 

I have to say when I opened this box up it probably elicited the most favourable response since the first box I received and admittedly it was all down to the tiny box at the top of the photo... The Burberry Lipstick. Now I don't really ever squeal but this made me happy, very happy indeed. I have been wanting to try Burberry makeup for so long now but not yet managed to get to Harrods. The inclusion of the Lip Cover was a perfect representation of the GlossyBox and Harrods Special Edition and just oozed luxury to me.

The products 


Narciso Rodriguez - For Her Eau De Parfum 1ml - I LOVE this perfume, smells incredibly grown up and sensuous, just a real shame it was so tiny!

Molton Brown - Heavenly Ginger-Lily Moisture Bath & Shower 50ml - I have been using Molton Brown for many years now, this is not my favourite scent of theirs but it will get used and it is a nice generous sized sample.

YSL - Forever Youth Liberator Serum 5ml - I am at the age when I am using serums as well as facial moisturisers and I am really looking forward to trying this particular one from YSL. The sample comes with a dropper lid. With promises of improved radiance, plumping and anti-wrinkle lift, I will let you know how I get on with it.

Clarins - Extra-Firming Body Cream 30ml - This is a beautiful, instantly absorbing cream. This smells gorgeous and refreshing, like watermelon. I like the inclusion of Clarins products, they are not overly expensive but neither are they that cheap. I for one, definitely like to try before I buy and this is a perfect way to do so with a good sized tube.

The Piece de Resistance 

Burberry Beauty - Miniature Lip Cover Rosewood No4


An object of beauty doesn't quite cover it, this is one of the cutest miniatures I have ever owned, a perfect replica of the actual item. It is really funny actually as my hands are quite small, the lip cover doesn't look that small in the photo above but placed against the perfume sample and you get an idea of the actual size.

Soft, with a satin sheen this feels so moist on the lips. Rosewood is a very wearable warm shade.

The Burberry Lip Cover warrants a lips of the day post so keep reading!

To sum up, I was immensely happy with the GlossyBox sent out to me this month. No, there wasn't a full size product in there but all of the products I would use.

*PR Sample