YSL | Touche Éclat Blur Primer

Just recently I've been trying out a new primer, the Yves Saint Laurant Touche Éclat Blur Primer. When it comes to primers, I'm pretty rubbish at remembering to put them on under foundation, but I've really made an effort with this one, and I think that's because it's so freakin' pretty! I mean look at it - IT HAS GOLD SPARKLES IN IT! Seriously, I nearly lost my s**t when I took this out of the box!

Ok, now we've got that little outburst out of the way, lets just take a moment to appreciate this.... ok done? Good, let me tell you a little bit about this.  This primer c/o House of Fraser, encompasses all of the YSL science behind their Touche Éclat range, which embodies light and illumination.  This primer is designed to brighten your skin, blur your pores and imperfections to give a better canvas on which to apply your foundation.

If you're wondering if those gold sparkles translate onto your skin, they do.  However, when you apply foundation over the top you won't see them any more.  The YSL blur primer is quite different in texture to other primers I've used.  You almost can't pump out a small enough amount as a little really, really goes a long way.  It's most similar to gel primers, but it has a VERY powdery finish, and that's not a bad thing.  Unlike other gel primers, it doesn't roll off the edge of your skin.  In the past with gel primers I've always found that instead of masking my pores, they'd actually highlight them - but with this one I haven't had that happen.  My foundation sits on top of it beautifully.  If anything, I've found that I need even less foundation than normal as the primer underneath seems to spread the foundation out more - I know that sounds strange, but that's what I've found.

It's certainly one of the best primers I've used.  It hasn't broken me out and has really helped to keep my foundation looking flawless on my skin for longer.  As you might expect, this isn't exactly a budget buy, it comes in at approx £29.50 - but like many things in life, you really get what you pay for.

To shop the Beauty Confidential offer just visit House of Fraser here.

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*Post contains a PR sample

MAC Giveaway with Cohorted

I must say, I feel like the luckiest blogger recently being able to host so many wonderful giveaways for you all.  Today, it's a BIG one.  Three MAC products courtesy of the lovely people over at Cohorted.  I must admit, I did lust over their latest box since there was a gorgeous MAC blusher in there, so when this giveaway email landed in my mailbox I was very excited to work with them for you :)

In the past my MAC giveaways have been some of my most popular and that was just for one lipstick, so to be able to give you the opportunity of winning 3 MAC products is really fantastic.

First off, I thought I'd tell you a little about the brand since they're new to me too (I haven't sampled their boxes yet, only drooled over my keyboard while reading blogger reviews about them) :) Cohorted are an online retailer who sell makeup (high end), skincare and beauty accessories as well as putting together a limited monthly beauty box.  Each box costs £19.99 and contains a selection of 'beauty must-haves' which are presented in a black box with a hand-tied bow (all very sophisticated). To pick up the boxes you simply pre-order them in advance, but please note these are very popular and sell out quickly from what I've seen!

Now, on to the prizes!  They are giving away:

1 x MAC Blusher in Dolly Mix

1 x MAC Bronzer in Refined Golden

1 x MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Light Plus

Simple rules

1. Follow the Rafflecopter widget

2. Cohorted will send the prizes to you

3. This is only open to UK residents
4. The giveaway will run for 1 month, ending on the 15th May

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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NEW BRAND | KISS COSMETICS

// excuse my imperfect skin, I don't believe in photoshopping //

An exciting new makeup brand is launching called Kiss Cosmetics.  Myself, along with a handful of other bloggers, have been working with them over the last year or so in the run up to their launch. I've been extremely lucky and I was sent one of their new releases to review, a lipstick (or KISStick as they're calling it) in Frisky Fuchsia - a gorgeous raspberry shade (there are 10 shades in the collection).  Price-wise they're similar to brands like Max Factor with this lipstick coming in at £7.00, putting it firmly in the middle of the high street.

The packaging feels really nice quality - it's sturdy and doesn't feel cheap.  At the base of the lipstick case there is a pot where you can see the shade (I like it when brands do this).  The lipstick is really well pigmented as well as being soft and buttery with a lovely sheen.  In the picture above I used my Karla Cosmetics lip brush to apply the lipstick and didn't need to layer it - this is how intense it was off the bat.  It wore really well, didn't bleed or go patchy, it just faded over time.  I've said it before and I'll say it again, if you want lipstick to last on your lips, apply it with a lip brush, you get a nicer application and it'll last better.

I had no idea what to expect from KiSS cosmetics, how good their products would be, and yes, this is only one thing I've tried but I really have been impressed with this.  It's good quality both the packaging and the product, it smelled nice and lasted well, and in my opinion has a good price point too.  I can't wait to try more from the brand and can't wait to see what products they release.

The best part, in my opinion, other than the lovely quality of this product and the fair pricing is that ALL their products are cruelty free.  You don't find many brands that are high-street priced that can say that.  The brand launches on the week commencing 20th April - you'll be able to shop them online from then here.

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*Post contains a PR sample