New In- Skincare and Haircare on Trial

I usually share new products on my Instagram feed and Instastory so I thought I'd do a roundup of some products I have been trying. Majority of these products were sent to me since June so I have had ample time to test most of them. Of course, I will be doing separate reviews of them but I just thought to give you a sneak peek of what's to come. I feel very lucky to be sent so many products and I am never expectant or take it for granted. These are the particular products that have wowed me and I can't wait to share my full reviews of them.

The Ordinary Skincare // Link  //from £3.90

I am pretty sure I am very late to the game when it comes to The Ordinary Skincare because it has been all over the beauty world and blogosphere. The Ordinary is one of the brands under Deciem (The Abnormal Beauty Company). I have been looking to try products from this brand for so long. I have read countless reviews and watched several YouTube videos so I knew what I wanted. I had my little list of products and when I heard the store in Covent Garden was open, I made my way over. It is a small store but it is well arranged and the products are well displayed. I picked out products that are designed to treat my skincare issues- hyperpigmentation, hydration (during A/W) and blemishes. I actually went twice; the first time to pick out majority of the products on my list and the second time to pick up a higher strength of one of the products and another foundation. I picked out the following products: Lactic Acid AHA 10% + HA 2%, Lactic Acid AHA 5% + HA 2%, AHA 30% + 2% BHA Peeling Lotion, Advanced Retinoid 2%, High Adherence Silicone Primer, Serum Foundation and Coverage Foundation. I have tried out the products for a couple of weeks now and I am very impressed so far. I think I may have spent just under £40 which is incredible for 7 products!! I will share my thoughts in a separate review.

Jurlique Herbal Recovery Advanced Skincare Range* //Link //from £34

I was very kindly invited to the Jurlique Advanced Recovery Skincare Launch which was held in their flagship store on Oxford Street, London. I have been to the store a couple of times and absolutely love it in there. Also, Jurlique do incredible blogger events and I always learn a new skill and how to properly use the products in their range. This time around it was a flower making session using Jam Jars and I learnt how to make my own gorgeous flower arrangement. I was kindly gifted the complete Herbal Recovery Advanced Range. I had tried the Herbal Recovery Advanced Serum in the past and really enjoyed it so I was very excited to try out the rest of the products in the range. I was given a generous goody bag which contained the Herbal Recovery Advanced Serum*, Herbal Recovery Advanced Day Cream* and the Herbal Recovery Advanced Eye Serum*. I have been trying them out as well and the range really delivers all it promises. I have seen an increase in the hydration levels in my skin by sticking exclusively to all the products within the range. Of course, I will share a more detailed review soon so watch this space.

Murad Skincare* // Link //from £35

Murad is one of the skincare brands that peaks my interest because it was founded by a Dr Murad who knows his onions when it comes to skincare. I have tried a couple of samples of Murad  so you can imagine my delight when I was kindly sent the most generous package of Murad Skincare goodies. I received the following products: Murad City Skin Overnight Detox Moisturiser,* Murad City Skin Age Defense Sunscreen*, Murad Intensive-C Radiance Peel*, Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield* and Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser. I am currently loving these products and I have brought them along with me twice while travelling to Scotland. I have seen such great results with my skin and I cannot wait to share my full review. If you follow me on Instagram, you would have seen me feature these products on my Instagram and it's mainly because I love them.  I particularly love the AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser and it's such a treat to use every day. I have been reaching for it both in the morning and at night. My skin always feels extra smooth and clean which is very important to me especially after a long day out in London.



CULT 51 Skincare* //Link //from £95
At the beginning of the year, I got to try out the CULT 51 Day Cream* (see review here) and was instantly wowed because I got instant and amazing results. I rarely ever use any skincare till the very last drop but I did with the CULT 51 Day Cream. I was very kindly sent the rest of the skincare line and some products from their sister company Instant Effects. I received the following products- CULT 51 Immediate Effects Serum*, CULT 51 Night Cream*, Instant Effects Instant Lash Volumiser* and Instant Effects Instant Lip Plumper*. To say I have enjoyed these products will be a massive understatement. The Night Cream has the smoothest texture I have ever tried and it imparts that smoothness to the skin. I have seen a good number of skin benefits and I am so grateful to have this incredible brand in my stash. One of the other products that has wowed me is the Instant Effects Instant Lash Volumiser because I have seen visible growth with my lashes. It works as a treatment for my lashes as well as a primer. I always joke about my lashes being non-existent  but they are now visible. My sister visited me in July and was shocked to see my lashes had grown. For her to notice (she knows me better than anyone else), I know this Lash Serum is the OG. I use it everyday without fail.

Aveda Haircare* //Link // from £21
I am incredibly lucky to be sent new launches from Aveda and I really appreciate every single product. Most times, they come in as a surprise and they always make my day. I have been trying out a handful of their new launches including the Pramasana range*, Suncare, Thickening Tonic*, Texture Tonic* and the Botanical Kinetics* (Skincare). I am yet to try any Aveda product that has let me down and this is because they just get it right.


My favourite range so far from their haircare range is the Pramasana range. I have dry hair and scalp and it is quite problematic for me. For my dry hair, I try to retain moisture by using hydrating products and selected oils to seal in these moisture and radiance. I feel it is easier to sort out dry hair than a dry scalp. The Pramasana range is a scalp treatment and it is one of the few that I have tried that has left a lasting impression. My dry scalp has seriously improved and I always look forward to using the range. Granted it may seem like an extra step but if you have suffered from dry scalp, no step is extra as far as it does the job. The Pramasana range deserves its own review and that will be up soon.


The next range I tried is the Suncare which is a first for me. I think it is optimised for people who currently have colour in their hair as the sun is known to cause untoward reactions when it hits coloured hair. However, the range has other sun protective properties which I love. I love how hydrating the mists are and they work just like an SPF for the hair.


The Thickening Tonic and Texture Tonic are the most recent products in my stash and I am currently trying them out so will report back later. I need to get my braids off and try them directly on my Afro. Lastly, I have the Botanical Kinetics Radiant Skin Refiner which is an incredible facial scrub which is great as a weekly or bi-weekly treatment. I tend to use chemical exfoliants but lately, I have found myself going back to manual/physical exfoliator. It is not very abrasive but I still use it quite gently and it does the job so well. That's pretty much the products that have wowed me in the last quarter and I cannot wait to share their separate reviews. I would like to know if you have tried any of these product. Hope you enjoyed this post and see you in my next one..xx
*PR Sample,  read my full disclaimer here

OUAI Rose Hair and Body Oil Review

OUAI is one haircare brand I always look to when I want to give my hair some TLC. I have quite a sizeable collection of majority of their offerings and none have ever let me down (you can check out my full review here and here). I use OUAI haircare on my Afro and on my hair extensions. I am drawn to the brand because it effectively works to keep my hair in the best condition regardless of the weather which really affects my hair (my hair is not built for this weather at all). I love the signature fragrance to all OUAI haircare products because my hair always smells clean and fresh. I am a huge fan of their Hair Oil which I have since repurchased because it is one of the best I have tried. I was very kindly sent their recently launched Rose Hair and Body Oil and I loved it from the first spritz. Anything with roses makes me happy because it is one of those scents that never grows old. I have been trying the OUAI Rose Hair and Body Oil* for a while and I am so happy to finally share my thoughts.

Rose Hair and Body Oil // Link //£26
The Rose Hair and Body Oil* is designed to nourish and protect the hair strands, lock in moisture and impart a radiant glow on the skin and the hair. I had such a good experience with the OUAI Hair Oil so I knew I would get nothing short of perfection from the OUAI Rose Hair and Body Oil. It is free from parabens and silicones and OUAI does not test their products on animals which is great. Some of the ingredients include Rose, Bergamot, Lychee, White Musk, Absinthium, Shea, and Rosehip Oil. Together, these ingredients work so effectively in producing a beautifully fragrant oil which has both hydrating and moisturising properties.


Packaging
I have always been a big fan of OUAI hair products packaging because they are well made, great quality and minimalistic. I still love the shampoo and conditioners packaging because they look so chic. The Oils are not left out and I particularly love the Rose Hair and Body Oil because you can see the beautiful rose coloured oil through the transparent bottle. I love transparent bottles because you can tell how much product you have left so there are no nasty surprises if it runs out. It has a lovely pump which lets out a good amount of oil for the hair and body. I am currently travelling with it so I will let you know how travel friendly it is (fingers crossed there are no spillages- it does look quite secure).



Texture/Formula
The first thing I noticed about the OUAI Rose Hair and Body Oil was the amazing fragrance. I can always still catch a whiff of it whenever I use it on my hair and body. It is a dry oil which is my preferred oil texture especially when it comes to body oils. I can't deal with anything greasy on my body.  Although it is a dry oil which sinks in quite fast, you still get a nice radiance/glow on your hair and body. There is no greasy feeling on the skin at all and it does not make you feel uncomfortable. I think that's one thing that I love about it and one of the main reasons why I keep reaching for it.


My Hair Experience
If there is any hair care product I can't do without (apart from shampoos and conditioners), it will have to be Hair Oils. I love Hair Oils and I go through bottles of them because my natural hair (an afro) thrives on having a good oil to seal in moisture and retain its radiance. I would say the OUAI Rose Hair and Body Oil feels slightly lighter than the regular OUAI Hair Oil. I feel you need more texture when it comes to a hair oil compared to one that is a dual use product. On my hair, I find that the OUAI Rose Hair and Body Oil works more effectively when my hair is slightly damp compared to when it is completely dry. I tend to use one pump starting from the tip and working it up to my roots. The best part is that it does nto weigh my hair down at all which is incredible. So you get the moisturising, hydrating and luminous benefits and you still have grease-less hair. Love it!!


My Body Experience
It has been a really long time since I committed to using an oil exclusively for my body as I tend to use moisturisers or body balms. However, I was more than ready to switch to this oil to see how well it worked. For reference, I have combination oily skin mainly around my face but my body is generall normal.  I got the OUAI Rose Hair and Body Oil just at the tail end of Summer so I had a good chance of testing it out in the sun to see if if I ended up feeling greasy. Thank goodness that did not happen and I think it is down to the fact that its texture is similar to a dry oil. It sinks in well, gives my skin a nice radiant (non-greasy) look and this radiance lasts pretty much the entire day. I think I actually enjoyed it more on my body than on my hair and I am really surprised about that.


Where to Buy //Link //£26
OUAI Haircare products can be purchased directly from their website or from several retailers including Selfridges, Cult Beauty, Space NK, John Lewis, Harvey Nichols, etc. It retails for £26 which I think is very affordable giving that you get almost 100ml (approx 98.9ml) of product and this can be used both on the hair and body. I don't think I have tried any other hair and body oil formula that is similar to this so it is a very unique product. Even if it was used everyday, I think it will safely last for at least 2 months or more so I think it is worth the price tag.




Overall Thoughts
I am really glad I got a chance to try out the OUAI Rose Hair and Body Oil. It definitely lived up to my expectations as with majority of the OUAI Haircare products I have tried. I could not resist taking a picture of some of my favourite OUAI Haircare products and I can't wait to purchase a few more to add to my collection. I hope you enjoyed this post. Have you tried the OUAI Rose Hair and Body Oil?
*PR Sample + Affiliate Links, read my full disclaimer here

Neutrogena Spot Proofing Range

I have had a backlog of posts in my drafts so do bear with me if this week 's posts are just skincare. Majority of the products I will be talking about this week have been tested and tried since May but I am only getting around to writing about them now. Today's skincare is a brand that I love and some of these products have been featured already at some point. It's none other than Neutrogena. When my Acne was getting on my last nerves, Neutrogena Visibly Clear range was one of the skincare brands that helped my skin. I have spoken about some of these products here, here , here and here. They kindly sent me some products from their revamped Spot Proofing range and I was keen to see what had changed. I have tried out this range for more than a month now so I want to share my thoughts.

Overview of the Neutrogen Visibly Clear Spot Proofing Range
Neutrogena has always been a very innovative beauty brand that develops products that work for different skin types. They have a good number of products but the Visibly Clear range will always be my favourite. Neutrogena has combined cleansing innovation and powerful spot fighting technology to develop their Spot Proofing Range. The range is designed to prevent the skin from breaking out and treating the skin if any spots manage to show up. The great thing about this range is that it is gentle enough such that most of the skin's essential nutrients are still left intact even while it is protecting the skin against spots. The range consists of five products which include: Spot Proofing Daily Wash*, Spot Proofing Daily Scrub, Spot Proofing Purifying Toner,* Spot Proofing Daily Moisturiser* and Spot Proofing 2-in-1 Wash-Mask*. Some of the spot proofing ingredients the products in the range contain include Salicylic Acid and Lactic Acid which I love on their own or combined in products because they are very effective. You can find out more about the range here. I was very kindly sent almost the entire range and I incorporated them into my skincare routine to see how well they worked.



Packaging
Neutrogena Visibly Clear range packaging has always been simple and easy to use which is what I like. I love the orange colour theme and for some reason, it reminds me of summer. I love that the Facial Wash has a sturdy pump which makes it easy to dispense/use. The pump has a lock on it which I have put to the test by travelling twice with it and there were no accidents or splillages. I won't say all the products are travel friendly with regards to their size (not the design) as they are at least 100ml or more. However, I think this works out as a good thing because you get more for your money. The only exception is the Daily Moisturiser which is only 50 ml and slots well into my travel skincare bag so I would classify it as travel-friendly.  Overall, I think they have very practical packaging. I also love their packaging of the other products including their Pink Grapefruit Facial Wash with lovely illustrations (I refill this bottle because this is my favourite packaging they have done).



Visibly Clear Spot Proofing Daily Wash* //Link //£4.99
The only Daily Wash I had tried from Neutrogena was the Pink Grapefruit Facial Wash which I really enjoyed. I was very open to trying another Daily Wash from Neutrogena and I have to say I have been really impressed with this one. I already mentioned that it comes with a pump which I love; in fact anything with a pump is a winner in my books. It has a slight fragrance (quite pleasant) but it does not linger and has not irritated my skin. I use it in the morning and night to cleanse my skin along with either my FOREO Luna* or Magnitone Bare Skin Cleansing Brush*. Depending on how wet your face is prior to use, you may get different levels of lather. I would say it is mid-level when it comes to forming a good lather which may be both good and bad depending on your preference. I personally prefer a good amount of lather especially in the evenings when I am also taking off my makeup.


The great thing about the Spot Proofing Daily Wash is that my skin never ever feels stripped which is fantastic. I personally feel that the more lather there is in a facial wash, the higher the chances of my skin feeling stripped after use. Thankfully, Neutrogena has found a nice middle ground to provide good cleansing without stripping the skin from its natural oils and moisture levels. I find my skin well cleansed each time I use it and I have truly enjoyed using it. I recently went to Scotland for a break and I had to bring it along with me because it's just been one of my favourites.



Visibly Clear Spot Proofing Purifying Toner* //Link //£4.99
I previously owned the Visibly Clear Spot Stress Control Toner which really works wonders whenever I break out but it contains alcohol so I always use it with caution. I could not wait to try the Spot Proofing Purifying Toner mainly because it does not contain alcohol and it is suitable for sensitive skin. It has a very faint pleasant fragrance which I don't mind at all; some may not even notice. I have to say this is one of my favourite products from the range and I am so delighted I got to try it. First off, it is very effective at preventing and treating spots because it contains Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid and Citric Acid.


It's very difficult to find products that are designed to treat spots without stinging or irritating the skin however this is one toner that is super gentle with no stinging or irritation. Another skin benefit I have noticed is an immediate glow to my skin after use. Initially, I did not think much of it but with each use, I noticed this glow. I had to go back to check the ingredients list to see what may be responsible and I think it may be the Glycerin. It really gives such a healthy glow and I am really impressed by it. If you have been searching for a good acne/spot busting toner, I will highly recommend giving this a try.



Visibly Clear  Spot Proofing Daily Moisturiser* // Link //£4.99
This is another favourite product in the range for me and I have used the previous version for years in fact it has been featured in quite a few monthly and yearly favourites. I introduced this moisturiser to my sister and mum because I saw great results with it. First off, it is an oil-free formula which means it gets absorbed easily, hydrates and moisturises my skin. As I have combination-oily skin, the formula gives me so much joy because it does not interfere with my skin's oil balance and my makeup glides on so well.



Similar to the other products in the range, it also contains Salicylic Acid and Lactic Acid which work into the pores of the skin to unclog them. It means you are getting both a treatment and a moisturiser in one product which is pure bliss. The texture is a lovely one which absorbs well into the skin with minimal effort. I would not say it is the most hydrating formula I have ever tried but it provides an adequate amount for my skin type. This is one product that I always have backups in my stash and now that this new formula has been developed, I will be stocking up. I have not noticed any difference between this formula and the previous version which I guess is a good thing because they both work well.



Visibly Clear Spot Proofing 2-in-1 Wash-Mask* // Link //£4.99
I love products that serve two purposes so the 2-in-1 Mask was a welcome addition to my stash. It can be used both as a foamy daily cleanser or as a mask. On days when I need extra lather or I feel my skin requires a deep cleanse, I reach for the 2-in-1 Mask and it does an excellent job. However, I do find myself reaching more for it as a mask because I love the texture and how it feels on my skin. As a mask, I apply it to cleansed skin and leave it on for at least 10 minutes because I want it to have ample time to work. It contains skin loving ingredients including Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid, Bentonite and Kaolin amongst other ingredients.



These ingredients help draw out any impurities in the skin and leaves my skin feeling clean and fresh. It also contains Menthol which gives it a slight tingling feeling which many people don't mind because it makes them feel like the product is working. I don't mind either at all as far as it does not irritate my skin. I have really enjoyed this mask so much more than I thought I would. I tend to use it more when I am approaching the end of my cycle to prevent any breakout and I have seen remarkable results.


Where to Buy
You can purchase the entire range from Boots, Superdrug and other beauty retailers both online and in-store. I normally purchase them whenever any of the beauty stores have offers and I always get a great deal. Even without offers, they come at a really affordable price (from £4.99) and it is somehow difficult to imagine that such an effective range does not break the bank.


Overall Thoughts
I am so glad I got a chance to try the Spot Proofing range and I think what stands out is how gentle and effective they are on the skin. I love that Neutrogena has created this range for people who may not have gotten well with their previous spot preventing ranges due to their sensitive skin. I will highly recommend giving this range a try if you are having a tough time with regular or random spots. That's pretty much it from me today. Have you tried the Visibly Clear Spot Proofing Range?
*PR Samples + Affiliate Links, read my full disclaimer here

Fenty Beauty Review + Swatches

I would say I really got into Makeup in 2010 however, this is the first time in those 7 years that I have been incredibly excited for a makeup launch (especially a celebrity one). I have very few celebrities I am crazy about but I am nowhere near crazy about their makeup launches or collaborations because I am always sceptical about the quality. When I saw Fenty Beauty adverts and promotions, I did not even look at it twice because of my previous scepticism about celebrity makeup collaborations. I was slightly curious but I did not think I was going to buy anything as such. However, I was completely blown away when I saw YouTube video reviews and pictures of products (from people who purchased not just the adverts). I told myself- I need (read: not even want but need) all the products in this collection. The first thing I was impressed by was the huge range of foundation shades available- forty in total. I told myself I will need to pick up at least the foundation. When I watched the YouTube video reviews, I told myself "Okay scratch that, I need the entire collection". The thing I love about video reviews is that you see the product in action and make a decision for yourself. I was tempted to purchase online but I decided to pop into Harvey Nichols to purchase some products instead. I thought it will be a straightforward process; I could not have been further from the truth. I don't know why no one is talking about the ridiculous queue that you have to endure to get in but I have to say it is totally worth it. You know what, let me just address the queue and my purchasing experience in a separate heading because it totally deserves it.

Overview of Fenty Beauty
I am sure no one needs any further introduction to what the brand is all about but I will still summarise it. Fenty Beauty was founded by Rihanna Fenty who is an incredible music artist and has won several awards. She is also known for her amazing radiant skin, makeup and great fashion style. Fenty Beauty is named after her surname (Fenty) and it is also co-owned by Kendo brands (an LVMH owned beauty developer).They specialise in co-developing other great beauty brands including Marc Jacobs Beauty, Kat Von D, Bite Beauty, Ole Henriksen, etc and they have such great quality. The great thing about Fenty Beauty is that you can tell that Rihanna put in a lot of effort in the development of this brand. Her vision was to create a beauty brand that all women from all complexions and skin tones could feel beautiful in.  It is not just a situation where she just stamped her name on the brand at all; she put in tremendous work into the brand and it shows in the quality of the products. Fenty Beauty particularly stands out because they released forty shades of foundation to suit as many skin tones as possible. I have seen a few tweets from other brands saying "oh we also have 40 shades of foundation" but I think they are missing the point and here is why.




First off, I believe Fenty Beauty is the first brand (as far as I know) to release forty shades of foundation in its first launch. I don't know of any other brand that did that on their first launch. They may have expanded their range so they now have forty but it was not the case from the beginning. Secondly, these forty shades cover a wide range of skin tones. For example, the foundation shades are split into four categories - Light, Medium, Tan and Deep. There are ten shades in each category and the shades are progressively linear so they don't skip shades and jump to bizarre shade.


Fenty Beauty has quite a good lineup of products and they also come in a variety of shades which is actually incredible. They have the following products: Pro Filtr Soft Matte Instant Retouch Primer, Pro Filtr Soft Matte Longwear Foundation, Match Stix Trios, Match Stix Shimmer Skinstick, Match Stix Matte Skinstick, Killawatt Freestyle Highlighters, Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter Duo, Glossbomb Universal Lip Luminizer, Invisimatte Blotting Powder and Invisimatte Blotting Paper. The brand also boasts of a good Portable Highlighter Brush 140, Portable Contour & Concealer Brush 150, Full Bodied Foundation Brush 110, Cheek Hugging Highlight Brush 120, Portable Touch Brush 130, Precision Makeup Sponge. In total, I believe there are over 80 products (i.e. with the various shades including the 40 shades of foundation). I am just in awe and I still want to add more products to my collection.


Harvey Nichols & the Queue for Purchasing/Matching Foundation Shades
I am not sure why no one who has reviewed this brand has talked about the queue one has to endure if you are purchasing from Harvey Nichols in London. I am guessing most people purchased online, went to the product launch or maybe purchased from other branches of Harvey Nichols in the UK apart from the London one or from Sephora. Harvey Nichols is the only place you can currently buy Fenty Beauty in the UK. I knew there will be a little crowd but nothing prepared me for the ridiculous queue that I met the first day I attempted buying from this brand. I strolled in gingerly to Harvey Nichols from the Knightsbridge station with my flatmate/close friend and was absolutely shocked when I saw a long queue. At first, I thought maybe it was a queue to see Rihanna (she was not there, mind you). I was telling my friend it will be nice to see her but I am not prepared to queue at all; I just want to purchase the products. I never in a million years dreamt it was the queue to purchase the products. I was astounded when I got close to the counter and was told I had to queue. Wow!! I didn't bother on that day because it was a Sunday so I said I'd come back the next day after work. Big mistake!! I came back the next day and the queue was already stretched to the second entrance of Harvey Nichols but I decided to just queue this time because my curiosity levels had peaked. To cut the long story short, I queued for 2 hours. The funny thing was the queue was moving and well managed. When I finally got in, I realised why the queue was worth it. I was handed over to a dedicated Makeup Artist who devoted so much time in helping me pick amazing products. The lighting in Harvey Nichols is not the best so I'd advise going during the day so you can pop outside for a brief second to see how the products (especially foundation) look on your skin in daylight. I had such a great experience and I think the way they managed the whole queue was very commendable.



Packaging
The first thing that actually caught my attention was the quality and the design of the packaging. Fenty Beauty packaging is the epitome of chic packaging with a twist. The outer packaging has a monochrome design with Fenty all over it similar to a graffiti-like design. I love how you can feel Rihana's personality through the packaging. The foundations come in frosted glass bottles with a pump and white lid. The primer comes in a similar frosted glass bottle, nice pump and beige-pink lid. The Match Stix have the most exciting packaging in my opinion because they are magnetic and I can't tell you how many times I play with them. They are also a similar beige-pink shade (love, love this colour scheme) with a click lid. The Killawatt highlighters come in white octagonal packaging with a mirror which equally looks so chic.They look pretty on my dresser, in my Muji acrylic makeup drawers, my makeup bag,etc. They are also so aesthetically pleasing especially if you love taking photos of products like me.

What did I Get?
I had a nice little list on my phone of all the products I wanted to try out. I tried to stick to a budget and purchase only products that were high on my priority list and I think I did well. I still have more products I want to try because I have been incredibly impressed with the range so that will be my payday treat. I got the Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Instant Retouch Primer, Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation , Match Stix Trios (Caramel, Truffle and Rum), Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter (Trophy Wife) and the Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter Duo (Ginger Binge & Moscow Mule). They cost a small fortune to me because I bought them all at once however, I believe their individual prices are reasonable especially for the quality you get. I already have another list of products I want to try including the Matchstix Shimmer Skinstick, Invisimatte Blotting Powder, Universal Glossbomb and a few of the Brushes and Tools particularly the Beauty Sponge.




Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Instant Retouch Primer //Link //£24
I already mentioned that it comes in a frosted glass bottle which I love and it contains 32ml of product which is more than most regular primers. Fenty Beauty describes this primer as a shine stopping, pore diffusing primer that smooths the way for better foundation application and wear time with an instant retouch effect. I was more than ready to get my hands on this because the above qualities are what I look for in a primer. I want my skin to feel smooth, the appearance of my pores diminished and my foundation/makeup lasting longer. The texture does not feel like any primer I have tried rather it almost feels like a moisturiser. It feels hydrating and sinks in pretty easily. It has a light beige/pink colour but it does not mess with the colour or application of my foundation; if anything it works even better with the foundation.




For a combination oily skin girl, the texture really works well for me because it is hydrating and moisturising enough but it does not interfere with the rest of my makeup. I did not notice an instant retouched effect on my face but after a few minutes of applying my foundation, my skin looked so good. It definitely makes applying foundation on my face an absolute dream and I have tried it with other foundations and got great results. If you have dry skin, you would love this primer because it has the right balance of hydration/moisture so don't be alarmed by the name "Soft Matte". If you have combination and/or oily skin, this is the foundation you were hoping a brand will make but they never did until now. It ticks all the right boxes. So back to the claims:


Shine Stopping- it really controls my shiny T-zones and I don't need to blot until around 4-5pm which means it holds up pretty well. I totally agree with this claim.
Pore Diffusing- On its own (assuming you wanted to wear it without foundation), I would not say I noticed an instant pore blurring effect but it became more obvious after applying the Fenty Beauty Foundations (and other foundations too).
Better Foundation Application- I totally agree because my foundations (including the Fenty Beauty Longwear) glide on so smoothly. I have tested this primer out even with naughty foundations that are difficult to work with and yet I still got great results,.
Wear Time- This will be a long green tick for me because my makeup always looks so natural, fresh and lasts pretty much the entire day until I get home. I would highly recommend giving this a try and I am so delighted I have got 32mls of it. It will last forever because I use a small amount.



Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation // Link //£26
It has been a pretty long time since any foundation knocked me off my socks and it feels refreshing to finally own one again. For foundations, I look out for an exact shade match (with the right warm undertones), good coverage, demi-matte or soft matte and long wear time. The Fenty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Foundation ticks all these boxes and more. It comes in a chic frosted glass bottle with a pump and costs £26 which makes it really decently priced. It also contains 32ml of product compared to the usual 30ml which many products come in. I could do a whole post on this foundation because I am in love with it. It has quite a liquid texture so it is likely to run across your hand when you are preparing to apply it. The bottle says to shake well before use and that's exactly what I do. I got two shades initially which I swatched and realised they were not the best for me especially now that we are heading into colder months.



My actual shade is 370 which has a warm undertone and it matches my skin so well. It dries to a very natural demi-matte finish (regardless of how many layers) and I love the wear time. Whenever I catch a glimpse of my face while at work, I expect to see my T-zone shine trying to take over. However, that's not the case at all instead my face has a natural glow. It is my current favourite foundation (well since this week). I am absolutely in love and obsessed with it.

It can be applied with a flat foundation brush (including the Fenty Beauty one), Beauty Blenders (including the Fenty Beauty version), a Buffing Brush or any brush you like. I love the application because it blends in so smoothly and glides easily across the face. I prefer to use my Real Techniques Buffing Brush or Sephora Multi Task Brush and I noticed that the Beauty Blender gives a lighter coverage compared to my foundation brushes. I usually start off with a few dots all around my face especially in areas where I have hyper-pigmentation. I use tapping motions initially and then blend it out to a smooth finish. One layer gives you decent coverage which still looks natural but a second and even third layer provides really good coverage. I no longer have to bother with a concealer for my hyperpigmentation because it provides great coverage.


The first two shades I got were- Shade 380 (cool toned) and Shade 390 (warm toned). Harvey Nichols don't accept returns so I am selling both of them (details below). Update- I have already sold 380. I find that if you go by the colour of the foundation from the bottle you may make a mistake in choosing the right shade. I already mentioned that the foundation bottle is made from frosted glass so the foundation may appear lighter than it is on the bottle. Another thing to bear in mind is that the foundation sets to a slightly darker shade than when it sets so if you are in store to buy let it set and check out the colour in sunlight.








Matchstix Trio Matte and Shimmer Skin Sticks (Tan) // Link //£46
Fenty Beauty describes this as a trio of long wear light-as-air makeup sticks which are curated by skin tones with two matte Match Stix to conceal and contour and one Match Stix Shimmer to highlight. I chose the shade Tan which is a perfect match for my complexion and I am so delighted they put together this trio as you save more money compared to if you buy them separately at £21 each. The Tan Trio contains 3 products: Caramel (Concealer- Matte), Truffle (Contour- Matte) and Rum (Highlighter- Shimmer). I usually shy away from buying sets of anything because there is always one product that does not work for me but that's not the case with this set.







Everything is so perfectly curated for my complexion and I love all the products. I am not a fan of cream products because they tend to shift or destabilise my foundation when I apply them. I also find that my foundation makes a mess on the cream products via transfer and I have to clean it thoroughly after use. However, this is the very first time I am ever trying any cream product that does not do the above. These products glide on smoothly on my combination oily skin without feeling greasy or heavy even when I have my foundation on. Most importantly, the foundation already on my skin does not transfer onto the product and they still look pristine. I am incredibly impressed by this and I have been using these products non-stop since I got them.


Caramel is a warm toned concealer which I think will be suitable for medium-dark skin tones. I am a MAC NC45 and this works really well as a concealer for my under eye. It glides on pretty smoothly under my eye for concealing and I also use it to lightly highlight those areas. I feel if you have dry skin you may find it a tad dry but this can be combated by using a hydrating primer such as the Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Primer or any other primer you may own.  It also blends so well and I use my Real Techniques Setting Brush for this. The only issue I have is that it is difficult to get really close to my under eye as a result of its chunky shape. To fix this issue, I use a small concealer brush to pick up some product and apply where I need it rather than straight from the bullet. The best part is there are no dents to be seen on the concealer stick even with a brush.


Truffle is a deep brown shade which is perfect as a contour. I feel like if you have oily skin or combination oily skin you can get away with using this shade as a foundation (if you have deep dark skin). I have never really had a lot of issues with contour sticks because they are usually a good shade for my complexion. The shade Truffle is more than perfect for my skin tone as it is not too warm, orange or ashy grey. It is just the right balance that can create a good shadow on the face for a contour. I love the way this works with my foundation because it does not move around. It is a smooth application across my cheek bones, blends out smoothly (with my Real Techniques Contour Brush) and stays on all day. For my nose contour, I have to pick up the product with a small brush because it is chunky in shape and I prefer to have a precise nose contour. Nevertheless, it blends out really well and stays put all day.


Rum is the only shade in this collection which is shimmer and it has a special place in my heart. I would describe the shade as a rose gold highlight which I think will work well for a range of skin tones. For me, it is the cream highlight I always wanted to own which does not interfere with any other makeup product on my skin. It is great for everyday wear because it gives that subtle highlight and it can also be layered up for something dramatic.







Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter (Trophy Wife) // Link // £26
I am sure everyone must have heard about Trophy Wife especially if you are a beauty lover. I honestly thought it will be sold out by the time I was ready to shop but thank God that was not the case. Fenty Beauty describes this as a weightless long cream-powder highligter that range from subtle day glow to insanely supercharged glow. There is also another shade called Metal Moon which will suit lighter skin tones. Personally, I feel there is nothing subtle about Trophy Wife because it is insanely pigmented but I am all about the highlight glow. I think this is one of those highlighters that you either hate or love because of the pigmentation. I would describe it as a proper metallic yellow gold shade. It has some shimmer and glitter on it which causes some fallout on the packaging and on your face.





I find that the best way to apply it is to use a light fan brush (the Real Techniques Fan Brush is excellent) and lightly pick up some product with a tapping motion (not a swipe motion) and then dust off the excess into the pan. I apply on my face with the same tapping motion and it looks fabulous. With this method, I can build it up if I want to go crazy. It is one of those highlighters that looks superb and when the sunlight hits it, it just looks glorious.  I find it is very long wearing and it does not fade at all.  The best part is that it also doubles as an eyeshadow which I love so much. I have a soft spot for Gold eyeshadows because they look flattering on me. I will suggest checking this out if you are in store to see if it is one that will work for you.






Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter Duo (Ginger Bnge //Moscow Mule) // Link // £26
Last but not the least is the Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter Duo which I have to say is one of my favourite products in this haul. Okay, I am pretty much obsessed with all the products I purchased but some are more special than the others. Fenty Beauty describes this as a weightless cream to powder hybrid highlighter which provides a subtle glow or an insanely supercharged glow. There are four products in the Highlighter Duo range and they suit a wide range of skin tones.



I got the shade Ginger Binge and Moscow Mule which is a beautiful warm rose gold shade. It leans towards a warm pink/rose shade which always looks flattering both as a highlighter, blush and eyeshadow on my skin tone and that's exactly how I use it. Ginger Binge is a bit more subtle with less shimmer so I tend to use it as a blush and Moscow Mule has a shimmer to it so it works well as a highlighter. Most times, I swirl my brushacross both sides to get a good mix and it looks fabulous. I also use it as an eyeshadow and you all know I love my pinks. It is surprisingly long wearing as an eyeshadow and it does not crease at all.





Where to Buy // Link
If you live in the UK, the only place you can purchase Fenty Beauty is from Harvey Nichols. You can purchase directly in store (be prepared for a queue if you go to the London branch) or you can purchase online (free delivery in-store, regular delivery is £6 and next day is about £10). I am not a fan of paying huge sums for delivery so for my next purchase I will be ordering online to pick up in store since I currently work in Central London. If you live in the USA (lucky you!!), you can purchase Fenty Beauty from Sephora and the Fenty Beauty website.







Products for Sale
I have two other shades of foundation for sale because I could not bear to queue up again if I picked only one. My complexion is not the easiest to match and I find that's the issue when I go to counters but I eventually get there. My regular shade is 370 but I also purchased 380 and 390. If you are interested in purchasing them, send me an email on liv@fashstyleliv.com. They have only been swatched and they are brand new. The packaging seal has been opened to allow me try the products. I am selling for £25. Shipping costs around £3 so let me know and we can work out something.
P.S. 380 has already been snapped up so I only have 390 left.



Overall Thoughts
As I mentioned earlier, I had no intention of purchasing any product from the range but right now, I have been fully converted. I want to buy the entire collection but of course, my pocket is having none of it. I am hugely impressed with the entire collection and I cannot stop using these products. My favourite products have to be the Foundation, Highlighter Duo and Matchstix Trio. I can't wait for Rihanna to expand the range and add in some more lip products, eyeshadows, powders (the range has the universal Invisimatte one but a complexion one will be great) and eyebrow products. I spent a little fortune on these products but I will do it all over again.
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