Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation

When I heard that MAC where bringing out a new version of their Pro Longwear foundation I was so excited. I love the original Pro Longwear foundation it’s brilliant on my oily skin and lasts all day. Unfortunately the saying “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” springs to mind when I think about their new Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation.

When I tried it first I thought it was just my skin that was the problem, but having an oily T-zone and dry cheeks I feel like it should have at least looked better in some parts than others but sadly no. The first thing I noticed is that it really dry’s into the skin which I’m not used to with my usual foundations. I also noticed that when the skin is powdered it clings the powder to the skin showing up all the little hairs on your face and making it look super obvious that you have makeup on.

Now the big seller with this foundation is the fact that it’s waterproof, which when it comes to a foundation is a pretty big statement so I knew I had to test the theory out. Now I don’t usually wear foundation when I workout but when the Mini Marathon was on last month I thought that there was no better time to test it out. Along with being a sweaty mess it was also raining (a lot) that day. By the end of the 10km I looked like an absolute mess, the foundation had melted into patches around my face and when I touched my skin the foundation was caked onto my fingers. As it was raining on and off throughout the run I would touch my face lightly and each time there was transfer onto my fingers. So my little test was a big fail, but not everyone will be running 10km in the rain wearing this makeup so I’ve noticed other little discrepancies with this foundation on a normal everyday basis too.

With it being so hot recently I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s been a sweaty mess and it also doesn’t help If you’re like me when you’re doing your makeup and you have Spotify on in the background and you just can’t help having a wee dance. Those two things combined, plus this foundation it not a good match. A little TMI but my top lip can have some sparking perspiration on it sometimes after all the heat and dancing, now I’m not dripping it’s noting gross it’s just a glisten, a little tap from my finger or a powder brush and it’s usually sorted. However when I have done that whilst wearing the Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation it immediately transfers and basically takes the whole layer of foundation off. So that got me thinking that when they say waterproof do they just mean a spritz of rain on the skin instead of sweatproof, but still I’ve never seen this happen with any other makeup I’ve ever tried whether it be waterproof, sweatproof or just your every day run of the mill no frills foundation.

I’ve mentioned at the top of this post how after powdering your skin the powder clings to all the tiny hairs and makes it look very noticeable, so to rectify this situation I get my trusty friend MAC Fix+ out and spritz it all over. Now with it being a waterproof foundation a little spritz from a setting spray shouldn’t bother it at all but what do you know there was no waterproofness here. I did my little spritz and it waited the few seconds for it to dry, I noticed it did take longer for it to dry into the skin then any of my other normal foundations. Usually if there was a bit of spray on the skin that hasn’t soaked in yet I’ll do a little pat just to take any excess dampness away and doing that with this foundation just resulted in movement and transfer of the foundation. I tried to blend it back into place but that just made it worse.

As far as comparing it to the regular Pro Longwear foundation there basically is no comparison, it’s nothing like the original. Firstly the colouring is different so it’s better to do a colour match in store. I bought mine online, I’m usually an NW15 and what I got was so pale (basically white) it doesn’t match any of my other NW15 foundations. You also don’t get as much product, its €36.50 for 25ml which isn’t a lot when most MAC foundations are 30-35ml. It also claims to have 16hr wear but after 8-10 hours I was dying to get it off my skin, it wore off around my nose, chin, cheeks and forehead, basically my entire face. It’s safe to say I just didn’t like this foundation at all.

If your still thinking about getting it I’d recommend going into your local MAC store and getting samples to test at home, I’m raging I’ve spent that much on an awful foundation.

I’m really not sure who this foundation is aimed for, it’s definitely not your oily or dry skinned girl. Maybe if you have perfectly nourished skin then this is for you but this definitely isn’t for me!

I’m raging I didn’t like this, I had such high hopes with this foundation, I’m just so disappointed and I hate doing bad reviews but this is just awful.

If you have tried it and had success let me know below, I’d love to see if it worked on anyone else. I’ve read loads of reviews since buying the foundation and none have them have been good so I’m happy it’s not just myself thinking I’m over exaggerating.

Thanks for reading.

Love Sarah xoxo

MAC Wash and Dry Collection

Wash and Dry is the latest collection to come from MAC. Released 2 weeks ago it is one of the most colourful collections I’ve seen from them in a while.

I bought the highlighter and one of the lipsticks on the Brown Thomas website the day it came out. I hadn’t tested any of it but I read all the reviews on the Temptalia website so I had an idea which pieces would be better than the others.

The packaging is what really sold me; it’s so colourful and bright that I knew it would be a great addition to my makeup collection.

I love highlighters and with it being summer I really want to look bright and fresh so highlighters are the way to go. The Freshen Up highlighter comes with a gold coating but with one swipe it’s gone. After the gold is gone I can’t find much in the way of a highlighter, if anything it’s a glorified blush, as blushes go though it’s absolutely gorgeous. It comes off peachy which is such a break from my mauve and pinks that I usually wear.

I bought the lipstick in Tumble Dry, it’s light peach lustre. This is my first lustre lipstick from MAC, I usually go for the Amplified, Satin or the Matte finish. I have to say I don’t love this lipstick, I think it’s too light for my lips. I love nude lipstick but I think this is too sheer and my lips are so naturally red that it doesn’t come off as good as it should on paler lips. I’ll have to play around with it more maybe use it over a nude lip pencil but at the moment I’m slightly regretting this purchase.

Being completely honest if I tested the products in person I probably wouldn’t have made a purchase or maybe I would have only purchased the highlighter. The pieces I did buy are limited edition in the collection which made me choose them over the repackaged pieces.

If you’re thinking of picking up any pieces from the Wash and Dry collection I’d be quick, it’s already out 2 weeks so all the good stuff might be gone.

Thanks for reading.

Love Sarah xoxo

July Favourites

Looking back on July I seemed to have fit in a lot in such a short few weeks!

It started off with my birthday on the second and it was the start on a week of busy concerts. The night of my birthday I went to Kanye West and I was so pleased to say that I got ID'd and seeing as I had turned 26 that day and I was feeling like an oul one this made me extremely happy. Then on the Friday I went to see The Kings of Leon which was just the best concert I think I've been to, at least top ten, mainly because it had fireworks at the end which I don’t think I’ve ever seen at the end of concert.

On both occasions I wore what are my new favourite wellies. They are €20 from Dunnes Stores, I’m not sure if they still have them or not. They look like biker boots and only go have way up the calf which is far cooler to me than looking like you've just come back from milking a herd of cows.

Penneys/Primark also have a similar pair for €18.00.

Ice Cold Baby!

On these long hot summer days and being stuck in the office while it seems that everyone and their mother are out sunning themselves there was nothing more I want after work was a drink and a laugh and for a few days during the summer I got to get my lips around some cocktails and my favourite has to be a strawberry daiquiri. They are so refreshing and cooling and sometimes just a little too easy to drink (Remember kids always drink responsibly).

I’ve also discovered Iced Caramel Macchiatos and Butlers do the absolute best ones. I’m trying not to have them all the time but they are so addictive. If you haven’t tried them yet then you’re missing out.

Bourjois Volume 1 Seconde mascara

I’ve been loving this mascara in July. I’ve played around with a few this month but I’ve seemed to always come back to it. It’s so black and long wearing and instantly volumises your lashes. I’ve written a post already about it so check it out here.

Crown Brush UK Metal Madness palette

Another I’ve written a post about (click here). I picked this palette up at the Crown Brush UK stand at IMATS London. I instantly fell in love with it, the colour pay off and pigmentation is crazy and used with MAC Fix+ makes the colours pop even more. I’ve used the palette a good few times this month for day and night looks, it’s was easily one of the best buys from the many things I bought at IMATS.

Fix+ MAC

This has been my saviour this month, not only does it make my eye shadows from my new Metal Madness palette pop but it cools and sets my makeup. It’s been so hot this July that as soon as I’ve stepped out of the shower I’ve been in near collapse with the heat so I’ve reached for my bottle of Fix+ and sprayed it all over my face and it instantly cooled me down. It was great for setting my makeup too, it seemed pointless in doing a full face of makeup only to have it half melted down my face by the time I’ve reached the house door, so a couple spritz of this and I was flying.

Victoria Secret Bombshell

Every time I go to the States or to London I always find myself in a Victoria Secrets store and I’m a sucker for their fragrances. My absolute favourite is Bombshell, I always get it in the spray rather than the perfume as its way cheaper. I think I have about 2-3 bottles floating about my room. I hadn’t worn it in a good few weeks and when I came across it I fell in love all over again. To me it smells like a man’s after shave but in a good way, along the lines of Abercrombie & Fitch Fierce but more girly. I just love it.

I’m sure I have more favourites but these are the ones that have really been my obsession all month. I’m sure I’ll have a good few favourites next month as I’ve been trying not to spend much this month but until then have a great Saturday and thanks for reading. If you have any comments just pop them below.

Love Sarah xoxo