Last time I spent over £50 on only two items at Debenhams I bought two YSL products: the Volupt Tint-In-Balm and Volume Effet Faux Cils Luxurious Mascara, and I almost immediately regretted it. I have no qualms about spending my hard earned cash on high-end makeup, as I see it it’s nobody’s business how I spend my money, however, if I’m spending £25+ on any one makeup product I expect to be wowed. Obviously, you pay a little more depending on the designer label, packaging or even the hype surrounding the product, but I’ve tried so many amazing budget-friendly brands to expect more from the likes of Lancôme in order to justify their prices. That being said, I’m delighted to report that the two products in today’s post are worth every penny.
Let’s start with the Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation. I’d been debating whether to purchase this as I’d read horror stories of it oxidising throughout the day (see SophDoesNails video) but my curiosity got the better of me. Lancome’s best-selling liquid foundation promises full-coverage 24-hour retouch-free wear. It’s available in an impressive 40 shades, making it easier than ever to find your perfect shade. As I do with all high-end foundations, I was shade matched at the counter. I’m 007 Beige Rose, in case you were wondering.
I find that the best way to apply this foundation is with a damp beauty sponge such as my Eco Tools Perfecting Blender. It applies flawlessly. It’s not thick, cakey or drying like other full coverage foundations in my collection and it doesn’t settle into fine lines. It blends easily and sets comfortably on the skin hiding any discolouration and blemishes. It has a matte finish but still looks natural looking. Teint Idole Ultra Wear is transfer free, smudge free and long lasting. If you can’t tell already, I bloody love this foundation! It gives me the confidence to go about my day without having to worry that my foundation has broken down around my nose and chin, that my forehead is shiny or that it has gathered in the creases around my eyes.
Next up, the Monsieur Big Mascara. Let’s not beat around the bush, this is possibly the best mascara I have EVER tried. Yes, I said it, Lancome has nailed it once again. Monsieur Big is a game changer. It claims to give lashes the appearance of 12x more volume and while I’m not sure that is statically accurate, you just need to look at the photo below to see that it’s guaranteed to transform your lashes.
The brush is nothing special to look at but the bristles hug your lashes coating them from root to tip effortlessly. It lifts, separates and defines lashes whilst giving them extraordinary volume whilst lengthening them too. It also makes them look less sparse and gappy. It doesn’t smudge or flake throughout the day but it does have the tendency to look a little clumpy if more than one coat is applied, however, the formula is so magical that you only need one coat. I can’t stop looking at my huge, fluttery eyelashes, no mascara (including Better Than Sex, They’re Real, Legendary Lashes, Perversion, Baby Doll and Lash Sensational) has ever made them look this good.
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