Escentual's French Pharmacy Brand Sale Picks!

Escentual.com Sale

I love, love, looove French pharmacy brands for skincare.  Skin care enthusiasts everywhere know what I'm talking about.  Luckily for us, we don't have to venture over to France to get our hands on brands such as Bioderma, Nuxe, Klorane etc.

Escentual is currently running an offer on French Pharmacy brands where everything is up to a third off!  So if you need to stock up on anything, hurry! Because offer ends 31st October 2013.

They ran this promotion back in June and I stocked up - might make some repurchases!  So here are a few of my picks:

Boots Haul

So somebody went to Boots and lost track of her spending! Oh yeah, that's me... *hangs head in shame*.  This is just the norm now, isn't it?  Think husband has just given up, and doesn't bother saying anything when he sees Boots bags all over the house!

So now that's off my chest, let's get on with this haul!

First of all, Boots cotton pads in larger size - nothing exciting.  I find the larger sizes better to remove eye makeup with.  Available at Boots for £2.19.  

Rave Review | Maybelline Rocket Volum Express Mascara

Maybelline Rocket Volum Express Mascara in Black

Maybelline Rocket Volum Express Mascara Wand

Anybody who knows me, knows how much I love mascaras.  I can go out without a scrap of makeup, but not without mascara.  I feel that it really makes me look awake, and brightens my face up.

SEVENTEEN 17 Doll'd Up Mascara

Seventeen Doll'd Up Mascara

Seventeen Doll'd Up Mascara wand

Don't you just hate it when you get home from shopping and realise you've bought the wrong colour mascara?!  I was annoyed when I realised instead of my usual black mascara I had picked up the brown/black instead of the blackest black.  This is my first brown mascara, so definitely an experimental product for me.

Natural lashes - no  makeup

Seventeen Doll'd Up Mascara in Brown/Black on lashes

I actually quite liked this, and I think had it been black, it'd have been even better.  As you can see from the images, the mascara really did lengthen my lashes.  Although it doesn't really provide a lot of volume.  I wear this for work or for places where I don't want to look too 'done up'.  It's quite subtle which is a change for me as I'm usually after mascaras that give va-va-voom volume!

Available at Boots for £6.29.

Have you used the Seventeen Doll'd Up Mascara?

Everyday Makeup: The Quick Version

During the week, I opt for little makeup and natural finish.  I don't want to look like I have caked it on!  So my daily makeup face consists of foundation, concealer, blusher, powder, mascara, eyeshadow (thanks to Maybelline Color Tattoo), and something light on the lips.  Blimey, that still sounds like a heck of a lot!

In the morning, after my morning skincare routine (separate post to follow), first and foremost I reach for my La Roche-Posay SPF.  I could go out without a touch of makeup but not without this.  Sun damage scares the bejesus out of me!

Then I move onto my foundation.  I use different ones depending on how my skin feels, and what the weather is like.  Would you believe I currently have four on rotation?  Terrible, I know.  This summer I got Illamasqua's skin base foundation.  I apply this using my beloved Real Techniques Buffing Brush.  I really like this foundation as it gives a lovely, dewy finish without looking greasy (even on my combination skin).

For concealer, an oldie but goodie - Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in Deep.  I dab this under my eyes and on blemish marks, I just use my ring finger to blend.

Moving onto blusher, this again depends on what the weather is like.  So on a cooler day I opt for pink toned blushers, and on warmer/brighter days, I opt for more golden/orange/coral blushers.  As the weather is cooling down now, Clinique's powder blush in Pink Love has been adorning my cheeks.  I apply this using Real Techniques Blush Brush, the fluffiest there is!

I use the same brush to apply my powder as well, because the brush is really light and fluffy.  The powder I've been using is the MAC Studio Careblend/Pressed Powder in Medium Plus.  This sets the makeup and keeps my skin looking quite matte.  Although I do have to retouch around lunchtime.

For eyes, quick dab of Maybelline Colour Tattoo in On and On Bronze.  I won't go on anymore, as I have dedicated a post to this!  I apply this with my fingers, and then apply a couple of coats of Maybelline The Rocket Mascara (full review to follow) on my lashes.

And for lips, quick and easy - Clinique's Chubby Stick in Voluptuous Violet.  Just such a lovely plum colour, perfect for autumn!  I fell in love with it when I saw it on someone's lips in a shop, and I bought it the same day!  It gives a sheer wash of colour, and is so moisturising.  I don't even use a lip balm with this.  Note: this colour is more moisturising than other colours of the original chubby sticks, strange but true.

So there you have it.  My quick everyday face I wear to work, or running errands.  

What products do you use to shorten your makeup application time?