serum

Barely-there Bases

The older I get, the more ridiculous a full face of slap looks on me. Less is definitely more these days and luckily there seems to be a whole raft of products out there to help me cheat a good skin day. I have an obsession with bases (amongst my many other obsessions) - foundations, BB creams, CC creams, tinted moisturisers, tinted serums .... basically if there is a new product released that fits one of these categories I find it pretty hard not to invest and give it a go. 

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Cover FX Custom Cover Drops

I picked up this ingenious product in New York earlier this year, and I must say, I struggled with the application at first. It has taken a fair bit of experimentation to get the quantity and consistency right. This is marketed as a product of pure pigment which you can add to your existing skincare. You only need to apply the teeniest, tiniest amount (1-2 drops maximum) otherwise you have way too much product to try and rub in. I find for my skin, it works best if I apply a face oil first and then pat this in using my fingers. I also picked up the Cover FX Mattifying Primer and it does go on nicely over this as well. I really love the packaging and the full range of 24 shades would be a fabulous investment for my pro-kit. I use shade P40. Available at Sephora in Australia!

RMS Beauty "Un" Cover-Up

This is a fabulous little pot of goodness which is a concealer, but can also be using as a very sheer foundation. It has a coconut oil base so it just melts into the skin. I am shade 22 and I apply it with my fingers. Definitely a great option for an Australian summer. Available at Mecca Cosmetica.

RMS Beauty 'Un' Cover Up shown here with RMS Beauty Living Luminizer

RMS Beauty 'Un' Cover Up shown here with RMS Beauty Living Luminizer

Perricone MD No Foundation Foundation Serum

This range is marketed as 'No Makeup Skincare' which is perfect for someone like me who suffers from hormonal break-outs and likes a bit of coverage even if i'm only heading to the gym. I have oily/combination skin so I apply this straight onto a clean face. It is a two-in-one product so I don't need a moisturiser underneath. It has a fairly watery consistency but it is very easy to blend with your fingers when you dot the product around your face first, just shake well prior to application. It is a one-shade-fits-most system and as the product is so sheer, it would work for most caucasian skins. Available at Mecca Cosmetica.

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Indeed Labs - Nanoblur, Hydraluron, Pepta-Bright and Eysilix

Indeed Labs is a skincare range that launched here in the UK last year. They have been reviewed lots and lots - with mostly rave reviews - so I was super keen to get my hands on some of their products. They are sold exclusively through Boots in the UK and Priceline in Australia which means one main thing - affordable prices and easy availability. First up I love the no-nonsense packaging. A tube is by far the best way to dispense a product. I have previously described my frustration at pump dispensers and open jars of creams!

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The first product I tried was Nanoblur which was a shame really as it was my least favourite. It is a skin perfecting cream that can be mixed with makeup, applied under  or over makeup and reduces the appearance of fine lines and age spots. I found the consistency of the cream to be a little strange. It didn't sit well under my makeup as I found the product just balled up and didn't sink into the skin. When I tried patting it in over my makeup it didn't blend well either and seemed to disturb my foundation in an unflattering way. I love the idea of it, I love the before and after photo's on their website (which you can see here) but it didn't work for me in practice, and I tried over several weeks. If you have tried this product and have an opinion I would love to hear so pop it in the comments box below. Nanoblur costs £19.99 from Boots here and $29.99 from Priceline here.

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The second product I tried though is the bomb.  Hyrdaluron is probably the best known in the range. It is a clear gel that you apply under your moisturiser which boosts the action of your moisturiser due to the pure form of hyaluronic acid the product contains. If you want to read more of the science behind how the product works then go here. From my experience, it certainly plumped up my skin and sorted out some dry patches I had on my cheeks. I think it is going to be a fantastic product to use for some long haul flying I have coming up. A massive thumbs up from me and pretty much anyone I know who has tried it. It costs £24.99 at Boots here and $34.99 at Priceline here.

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The eye cream Eysilix is also fantastic. I bought this after reading rave reviews on Caroline Hirons blog (here) . It is a really good eye cream for a really good price. My only gripe is that a little like the Nanoblur, I find it doesn't sit nicely under foundation. Am I using too much product? I'm not sure but I have trialled it over several weeks and have regaled it to being my night eye cream for this reason. It costs £24.99 from Boots here and $34.99 from Priceline here.

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Pepta-Bright is another product to apply prior to your moisturiser that helps reduce any pigmentation and age spots while also encouraging radiant skin. I am unsure about this one as so far I haven't seen any real tangible results however I haven't been using it religiously. I may have to do a concentrated effort and report back in a few weeks on this one. It costs £29.99 from Boots here. It is not currently showing on the Priceline website so it may be out of stock at the moment. 

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Speaking of Caroline Hirons, if you love reading about skincare and product reviews from someone who really, really knows her stuff you should check out her blog here. I am booked in to have a skin consultation with her in 2 weeks and I cannot wait. I see the fabulous Amy Erbacher in Sydney (who you can find here), but sadly my skin has changed due to the different climate in the UK and it is not behaving as it should. I'm hoping Caroline can put me back on track. Stay tuned as I will definitely be reporting back once I have seen her.