The Drugstore Edit: Maybelline Baby Skin Primer

Primer is something I never look for in the drugstore. I've tried it before and it just doesn't work for me, for something to extend the life of my makeup, I'm willing to shell out a bit more. One of the primers I love is the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer, a silicone based beauty that creates a perfect barrier between my skin and makeup, preserving the finish of my makeup, and stopping my pores from getting clogged up. Well stop the press, I've found something identical.

I'm a big fan of the Maybelline Baby Lips, so I was quite excited when they announced an extension to the line in the form of a primer. The primer retails for £7.99, so in drugstore terms it's not majorly cheap. You get a fair bit for your buck though, and you don't need much, a little under an amount the size of a pea will do my whole face just fine. Consistency and formula wise, I can't tell a difference between this and the Smashbox offering. Both are clear silicone primers, they leave a satin finish to the skin and make sure your foundation is still in place at the end of the day. Silicone based primers as a rule really smooth out the appearance of the skin, creating an even base that looks more flawless, and this is no exception.

If you have particularly oily skin, this probably isn't the primer for you, but it works really well on my 'normal' skin, or if I'm having a dry day, and I've been reaching for it every day since the middle of February. 

I'll definitely be picking this up in the future instead of the Smashbox one, I honestly can't tell a difference!

What are your favourite primers?

Rose Gold Love

By now, it should be no surprise to any of you that I am a massive fan of Sleek blushes. With the quality I would expect from a high end brand, a gorgeous colour range, and the less-than-a-fiver price tag, it's no wonder I have built up quite a collection. However, since this blush love affair began, there has been one blush that has sadly, eluded my grasp, the Rose Gold. Considered the closest dupe for the Legendary NARS Orgasm Blush (insert pause for sniggering) the beautiful peachy toned pigment has been on my hit list for a while now. And as with all good dupes, it's been sold out everywhere all the time.

I don't know if you've noticed in the past few weeks since I've been back in Bournemouth, but I've ignited a love affair with the Bournemouth Superdrug store so strong, that any London offering only pales by comparison. The flame was burning bright but when I found a Rose Gold lurking in the 'Life's a Peach" (more on that one later) section, I could have sought out the manager and kissed him. And what's even better, I had enough Beauty Points, so it was free!

Now enough dramatics and on to the product itself. I feel like I needn't say anything about the formula by now, you know the drill, it's super pigmented, buttery soft and long lasting. It's the colour that I'm interested in. Unlike a lot of cheaper blushes, the gold shimmer is not just stamped on the top of the pan, it runs all the way through the product, serving only to highlight the beautiful coral colour. It's quite hard to photograph on the face, so you shall have to cope with some hand swatches, it looks very different depending on how the light hits it? This is definitely a summer blush, it's a lot more shimmery than my usual go tos, but with a little sun on my face, this will be perfect.

All in all, despite the fact I adore NARS products, this dupe is for me, and it's love.

What do you think of Sleek blushes?