Top 3 Drugstore Foundations for Dry Skin

This time last year, I was a proud supporter of tinted moisturizers and BB creams. I tended to shy away from foundations because my first encounter  with them, more than 5 years ago ended in an inexperienced, dry, cakey, overly-done up mess I had no intention of repeating. I made many mistakes here, from the product I chose to the application I attempted. When I started to get more into make up and was ready to dip my toe into the pool of available foundations, I didn't want to make the same mistakes again. I did a lot of research, made a choice based on my skin type and tone, and I tried almost every brush I owed. Now, a year later, I come to you all with the fruits of my labour.

In terms of organization, these are going to be in order of coverage, from the lightest to the heaviest amount. I like all three about the same but I do tend to use one more than the others, and I'll let you know which one at the end! Now, on to the top three.

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation

This is a gel based, light coverage foundation with skin brightening properties. The texture of the product is very thin and this helps to give you a very natural looking finish. It's almost comparable to a high coverage tinted moisturizer. 

The first and most obvious benefit is also a drawback, depending on your skin tone. Being of the super pale variety, this is the first foundation I've tried whose lightest shade (51 Vanille Clair) option actually matches my face without requiring a powder foundation for blending. For someone with a darker skin tone, this might make it hard to find one that matches. This product is marketed as a serum foundation (as opposed to their new Healthy Mix Foundation which doesn't have lasting skin effects) which means that it promises to make your skin more radiant after just 4 weeks of use. I suppose it might, though how one measures percentage change in skin radiance is outside my current skill set so I'll just say that although I have noticed my skin seeming more radiant, it is just as likely that I've fallen victim to good marketing. Whatever the case may be, it does hydrate my skin and keep a dewy finish, which is a must for me.  The lasting power is quite good as well,  I can confirm up to 10 hours when worn with a translucent powder however I have yet to wear it for the 16 hours it claims to last. I don't really know who would wear a light coverage foundation for 16 hours, but I suppose it's a matter of opinion. I have heard complaints about the lack of SPF but I like wearing this foundation when photos are going to be taken and would prefer not to have that SPF ghost face. If choose to wear this in the day time, I'll apply a moisturizer with SPF underneath. Problem solved!

All in all, this is a beautiful foundation and the one I've been reaching for most this month.

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation

This foundation also promises a skin brightening glow finish but has a more foundation-y feel. The texture is a bit thicker and less runny than the Bourjois. It also doesn't have any long-term benefits. The coverage is light but can be built up to a nice medium without losing the natural-looking finish. This brand also has a small option for shades, with only 6 to choose from, and the lightest is a bit too dark for my skin tone. 

It's a great foundation for the summertime when I have a bit of a tan and even more so because it contains SPF 15. If you look closely at the bottle, you'll see a very fine glitter but when applying it to the skin, the shimmer does not show up more than to make your face look dewy-no glitter ball effects here! As with the Bourjois foundation, this is made for dry skin and it helps to keep your face moisturized and not looking dry or cakey throughout the day. The lasting power is pretty good, it will last me all day when applied with some translucent powder around my T-zone where I can lose a bit of make up throughout a long day. I wouldn't necessarily recommend this for a night out unless you know there will be no photos taken because of that trusty SPF. It also has a really fresh and yummy scent, which helps you to feel awake when you apply it.

Another lovely foundation, this time for a sunny day when you may or may not want a little more coverage.

Maybelline Dream Smooth Mousse Foundation

Finally, a slightly higher coverage foundation. The Dream Smooth Mousse is Maybelline's dry skin formulation of the Dream Matte Mousse that oilier skinned individuals rave about. This foundation has a creamy, smooth texture-as the name implies-and can be applied really easily with your fingers. While the finish isn't matte, I wouldn't exactly call it dewy either, it leaves your face looking fresh and moisturized though, so that's a plus.

The coverage is buildable from medium to a pretty high coverage and there is no SPF so this is a perfect foundation for a night out when you want a more flawless look. I also like to wear this foundation when filming because it looks great on camera. It has an upper hand over the other two because the line has 10 colours to choose from that encompass more skin tones. It is meant to hydrate your face for a full 14 hours (I can verify that it stays moisturizing for about 10, I don't generally recommend wearing a foundation for longer than that without re-application) and it has a good lasting power if you powder it a little. What I like best about this product is that it gives a high coverage without being too obvious that you're wearing a high coverage foundation (if that makes sense!) I hate it when I find a foundation that is meant to give my face a flawless look but upon application looks all cakey and obviously fake on my face. Not a particularly flattering look.

This is definitely my go-to foundation for a night out when I want my face to look perfect.

Those were my top 3! I do tend to wear the Bourjois more on a typical day because I love the finish and it's really easy to work with. Also, it matches my skin almost perfectly at the moment. I love the other two equally well, though for different occasions.

What do you all think? Have you tried any of these before? Or, if not, what are your favourites?

xo Dani

Nivea Daily Essentials Express Hydration Primer Review

I have to admit that, in the past, face primers were a step that I purposely skipped in my makeup routine. Some were really oily and made my face feel like it needed to be washed again, others made my already dry skin feel like it was covered in a powdery film. Whatever they promised to do, I could not reconcile the supposed benefits with the obvious drawbacks and so I never got past the sample phase, of which the majority remained barely half used. This all changed when I heard about Nivea's take on the concept...

As part of their Daily Essentials line, the primer actually comes in 2 different formulas (already a step forward  from other, one cream fits all skin types primers!), one for normal and combination skin, another for dry and sensitive skin. I have dry and combination skin so I fell somewhere in between the two but my skin isn't what I would consider sensitive and I've been more likely to break out in my "combination zones" from overly moisturizing creams, so I went for first option. It does have the smell of a Nivea face cream, although I assume the sensitive skin formula would forgo a scent, but this doesn't bother me in the least.

My first impression was that the actual product container was much smaller than the box made it appear. I have no idea why such a large box was necessary, it was one of the tallest compared to other Nivea face creams but that's between the designers and the marketers, I suppose. In all other ways, I quite like the packaging; the jar is made of glass and so it has more weight to it and gives a more high end feel. The blue of the lid is somehow refreshing, something I enjoy in the mornings. Minor box size complaint aside, I actually think the 50ml is a perfect amount and will last me a long time.

I turned it upside down so you could see the consistency. Unlike some other primers, this one has a gel consistency and is not runny at all. I think the gel-ness also helps it to absorb as quickly as it does (as for how quickly...I would say it's about as long as it takes me to make a good cup of tea!). On its own, it gives my skin a fresh look, but the real benefit is how smoothly my foundation applies on top of it. I guess because it has moisturizer in it as well as primer-y ingredients, it covers my pores and fine lines and allows my make up to sit happily on top rather than sink in. I've heard some people complain that it doesn't have SPF but I tend to wear it more in the evenings and nights out to keep my makeup on so I prefer not to have the typical sunscreen ghost face in photos. If I do wear it during the day, I'll pair it with a foundation that already has SPF...problem solved!

As far as the product goes, I am a huge fan! And for 4£? I mean really, why not?

Have any of you used this primer and loved it? Hated it? Or is there another primer that has stolen your heart? Let me know!

xo Dani

Which bra are you missing? | Everyday Essentials

Last night I picked out a one shouldered, partially sheer shirt I've been wanting to wear for a while only to realize that wearing said shirt would involve me either pairing it with a bathing suit top or forgoing a bra completely. Needless to say, the shirt spent the evening securely in my closet, but it got me to thinking that I was missing an essential bra in my collection. Now I’m here to make sure you don’t find yourself in such a predicament! Whether you’re traveling or you've lost all your clothing and need to start anew, these are the essentials:

Number 1: The black bra

This one is cotton but get one you like!

This one is essential. Good for dark shirts and dark tank tops that show your bra straps. Also it’s good for those days when you want to feel a bit sexy but don’t want to go all out with a lacy red bra. In my opinion, there’s nothing sexier than a nice black bra.

Number 2: The nude bra

Get one that matches
your skin tone

This one is self-explanatory. You've got anything from a white shirt to a light coloured shirt to a sheer shirt covered. Alternatively, a white bra works just as well, it just depends on your skin tone and which look you prefer.


Number 3: The strapless bra

A satin material will
work with both dressy
and casual clothes

Here’s the one I’m missing. If you’re only going to have one, I would go for a nude colour. If you don’t feel comfortable without straps, clear straps work well too. If you get this multi-way bra, it can double as your nude bra.

Number 4: The sexy bra

Find something
you absolutely love!

This one can be whatever you feel good in. Lace, silk, red, black, purple, hot pink. This one is a double push up for that extra bit of sexiness. This is where you can have a bit of fun and choose something you feel great in!



Number 5: The sports bra

Choose a fun colour, there's
no judgement at the gym!

Personally, I’m a workout fanatic, but even if you don’t happen to share my affliction, a good sports bra is useful during anything remotely active and also comfortable to sleep in or go around the house. 


If you check the links, you'll notice I used Victoria's Secret and Nike bras but that's only because they are easy to get a hold of in most places and do international delivery. Also, they're kind of the best in their respective fields.

That’s it, hope it helps you be more prepared than I was!

xo Dani

Wine and candlelight | How to Have a Romantic Evening

I love unplanned romantic evenings. The original plan was to quickly eat dinner then go to the gym together. I ended up cooking chili which took a good deal longer than I had originally planned for dinner. 4 hours and half a bottle of wine later, my boyfriend and I are enjoying a long conversation and the calming sounds of a Spanish guitar in the glowing warmth that follows a delicious meal. For the recipe I used, and a tonne of other awesome ones, check here. I have a habit of matching my music with my meals and, yes, I know chili originated in Texas or the American Southwest or whatever you want to call it, but for me, eating chili makes me think of an acoustic guitar playing music in a distinctly Spanish style. Needless to say, we never made it to the gym. I had a really nice evening nonetheless and fully recommend it. The candle I was burning is by Slatkin & Co. (found at Bath and Body Works) and smells like its namesake Spiced Apple Toddy. They sell a similar smell at Ikea during the holiday season that I've become quite a fan of as well.


What do you do to relax with your significant other?

xo Dani

Only girl in the bar and there's still a line for the washroom | Everyday Makeup

Winter is coming... | Health and Fitness