MAC Whisper of Gilt Extra Dimension Skinfinish

Whisper of Gilt Extra Dimension Skinfinish - MAC/Selfridges - £21.50

Finally! I've been so excited to get my hands on this gorgeous product from MAC; it's from their newest collection Glamour Daze and is described as a liquid-powder highlighter to sculpt and highlight the face. 

First of all the limited edition packaging. I know it's not such a crazy, noticeable difference but it's shiny (yey) meaning it won't get dirty in my make up bag, and really it just adds a hint of luxury to it. This isn't the only luxury to the product- just look at the embossed 3d design, how gorgeous! Kind of makes me hesitant in using it, I don't want to ruin the design!

I decided to purchase this rather than Superb mainly because it's suited more to my paler skin, it just looks more natural and compliments the ranges of blushes I use, however I do think that this would flatter most skin tones. The colour is a soft gold, champagne or even a peachy nude with a lovely shimmer. It isn't sparkly or too flashy on the skin, despite the highly metallic finish in the pan, it just gives a great sheen and highlight to the face. 

In terms of texture, MAC describe this product to have a liquid-powder effect. I find that it goes on so smoothly onto the skin, it's very soft, almost creamy but in powder form? MAC claims that it wears for ten hours which I think is definitely true to a point, I would personally say around eight hours then very slight fading. 

One negative, and there is only one in my opinion, is that this product can emphasize my pores if layered to create a more dramatic highlight of the skin. However this isn't too much of a problem because I feel I much prefer this as a day time highlighter, using just a very light application which has little to no effect on my pores. Overall I'm pretty much in love with this skinfinish, it'll last forever thanks to the mighty 9g worth of product you get, it completely compliments my skin tone and it just feels and looks so luxurious!

Have you tried any of MAC's Extra Dimension Skinfinishes? What are your thoughts? 

Topshop Highlighter in Sunbeam

Highlighter in Sunbeam - Topshop - £9

So my search for the perfect highlighter for my skin has been a long and somewhat expensive journey. I've tried products from the high street and higher end brands, creams, liquids and powders but nothing has ever worked for me. Now I'm not saying that Topshop's highlighter is absolutely perfect, but it's certainly ten times better than anything I've tried before, and for the price you definitely can't go wrong.

When I first tried Topshop's make up products we definitely did not get along. Their liquid eyeliner was absolutely terrible and the texture of the cream to powder blush is just not for me. Therefore I was hesitant when I saw this in the Manchester Arndale store. After swatching it on the back of my hand I fell in love with the gold shimmer and decided I had to buy it, for £9 it's literally a bargain! I originally set out to purchase Nars highlighting blush in Miss Liberty but I decided to hold off and see what I made of this one first. 

The compact is simple but cute in their signature white packaging with dark grey patterns, this product has tiny little stars on the lid which I thought was sweet! The only downside is the fact that it's only been in my make up bag for under a week and it's already filthy from other products/the general horrendous state my make up bag is in. I know this is my fault and I should really clean it out but due to how lazy I am it'd be nice if Topshop brought out a range with dark packaging!

I was so eager to try it I applied it as soon as I got home, over my make up that I had on all day after numerous powder touch ups. Therefore I was disappointed when I got a cakey effect and really not much product appeared on my skin. The next day I was still disheartened but applied it over a fresh face of make up and what a difference it made! You only need a very minimal amount, and with the whole 6.5g of product you get this is definitely a product that will last forever. I applied it over Estée Lauder blush in Alluring Rose and got the effect shown in the bottom photo. The product isn't too shimmery and the sunlight picks out just enough shimmer to give glowing cheekbones. It holds wonderful golden tones perfect for the face and body. I find that I sometimes require a quick touch up on an evening but apart from that I can't really fault this product.

Has anybody tried Topshop's highlighter or any other Topshop product that you'd recommend? After this I'm eager to try more!

Mac Light Year Mineralize Skinfinsh

Mac Light Year Mineralize Skinfinish - Mac - £21.50

Mac's mineralize skinfinishes are so good for highlighting areas of the face and adding subtle but beautiful hints of colour and shimmer. Therefore I couldn't help myself when I strolled by their newest collection Heavenly Creatures. After swatching this one as well as the other two shades that were in stock, 'Center of the Universe' and ' Star Wonder' I decided upon purchasing 'Light Year' because the lovely peachy, golden shades compliment the blushers I use the most.

On Mac's website this is described as a 'peachy pink with gold shimmer' which I feel is definitely true depending on which colours you pick out or if you swirl them altogether. I personally prefer to use a mixture of all the colours as it gives a better golden effect. I was extremely happy with my purchase and intended to use it on my cheekbones to create a highlighted effect. However Mac claim this can also be a multipurpose product and can be used as a general blush, buffed on the body to add shimmer as well as dusted all over the face. I personally wouldn't use it for these purposes as I feel it would add way too much shimmer to my face.

When I got home and used it before going out I was actually quite disappointed. When I was purchasing it I was in a bit of a rush and therefore only swatched it on the back of my hand rather than testing it out on my face. Therefore I was surprised when I applied it to my cheeks and wondered whether I had been given the product I asked for, as it looked nothing like it did on my hand. The colour doesn't look half as pigmented as it does when I swatched it and although it does glide on really easily and evenly it just did nothing for my skin. There was a shimmer but no peachy/pink/golden tones coming through whatsoever.

My mom tested it out and it looks so much better than it does on my skin. She's pretty dark and wears Mac NW35. Her skin completely glows when this product is applied and the shimmer is literally stunning. I don't know whether this shade therefore suits darker skin tones or maybe it's just not suited for me.

Has anybody tried this shade? What are your favourite Skinfinishes?

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner Set

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner Set - Gift from USA - Singular purchase from Bobbi Brown - £17

I received this set recently as a gift after months and months of deciding whether or not to purchase the black gel. I'm unsure where/if the duo sets are available to purchase in the UK as this was purchased in America, so if anybody knows please leave a comment so I can update this post!

The boxed packaging is really compact and and the actual pots of eyeliner are so cute and chic, with a glass bottom and smooth black lid. I'm so pleased it comes with an ultra fine eyeliner brush as well. This is the first gel eyeliner I've tried; my standard, go to eyeliner is Rimmel's GlamEyes and I've only ever stuck to high street brands with similar brushes and price ranges. 

Without much practice of using gel eyeliners it does take me a little bit more time than usual to apply this, so I use shade 'Black Ink 1' when I have a bit more time to get ready in a morning. I do think it has a lot more benefits than liquid eyeliners though. I get really annoyed with eyeliners that claim they have a 'true black' colouring when in a couple of hours they turn to a grey, worn shade. Bobbi Brown claims Black Ink is a 'jet black' shade and it does indeed stay true black all day long, without any touch ups. It's a quick drying liner, doesn't smudge as well as appearing more dramatic on the eyes than any other eyeliner I've used before. 

I never would have thought to purchase the second shade 'Sepia Ink 2' because I've always played it safe with black eye makeup, however it's a darker, richer brown than I thought it would be. Therefore it's a great shade for work where I try to tone down my regular make up. 

Although the pots appear very small and there is only a tiny 3g worth of product in each pot, they will last forever so I feel they are definitely a worthwhile investment. This particular product has won a wide range of awards and in my opinion it's easy to see why. I really do wish I'd have bought it when I first discovered it- it's wonderful!

Has anyone tried this product or want to? What are your thoughts on it? I'd love to try more Bobbi Brown products; do you have a favourite? xo