SPACE NK'S TOP-RATED MAKEUP | WORTH THE HYPE?

 

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Last week we did skincare, this week we're doing makeup! I feel like there's a lot more personal taste in play when it comes to makeup so take my thoughts with a pinch of salt, but if you generally like my makeup recommendations: this should be a helpful run-down of what was and wasn't worth the hype for me...

Let's start with the Kevyn Aucoin Stripped Nude Skin Tint (ST05) | £36. I was really surprised that of all the complexion products I looked at with a high rating and a decent number of reviews that this was right near the top, because it's just not a product I hear people talk about very often. It's a light coverage product for sure that can be built into something a little more medium, but ultimately: it's designed to be a skin tint. It's a true 'your skin but better' adding a fresh, dewy glow, helping to mask redness and unify the skin overall. It has pretty good longevity too. So, why don't I sound more enthusiastic? Well, I don't think the shade range is great, either in terms of the number of options or the gradient of the ones we do have. Additionally, there's just something about my Nars tinted moisturiser that just takes my skin game to the next level in terms of perfecting it without covering it, and so there's nothing that makes me reach for this product over that!

Next, I have the Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder* | £36. This is one of those cult products that I remember from right at the start of the online beauty community! However, it's remained a staple of many makeup bags whilst other powders of that era (like those from RCMA and Ben Nye) have fallen out of favour. And I can see why! Where those famous baking powders always felt thick, heavy and cakey on my skin, the Laura Mercier formula is far more elegant. It's super finely-milled and disappears into the skin as opposed to sitting on top of it. Best of all; it locks in makeup effectively, ensuring my concealer stays crease-free, and keeps shine at bay without making my skin look or feel too matte. My only original criticism was that this might not be translucent on everyone, but they've since released two slightly tinted shades, so this product gets a wholehearted 'worth the hype' stamp of approval from me.

Let's talk about a newer release: the Rose Inc Solar Radiance Hydrating Cream Highlighter in Prismatic | £24 | from supermodel Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's makeup line. This creamy formula comes in five shades and Prismatic is slap-bang in the middle. It's a warm light gold tone and highlighter has a really interesting texture; it's kind of velvet-y as opposed to emollient but still looks incredibly natural on the skin and catches the light with a gorgeous, dewy glow. It's soft and natural and I actually think this is the rare highlighter that those with mature skin could really fall in love with. It's definitely worth the hype for me and I actually think it deserves even more love!

Next, I have a product from a brand that was probably one of the biggest brands at Space NK a few years ago and I think they really put it on the map here in the UK very early on; it’s the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Radiant Bronze Light | £50. Hourglass are really famed for their super finely-milled reflective face powders. This is their bronzer and I have the darkest shade in the line. I do think this gives a lovely, natural, luminous warmth to my skin, but in hindsight it could be a little more sun-kissed and the shade range is poor. I am also more of a cream bronzer gal these days. If you love the face powders or blushers and you can find a shade for you in the line: this has the same beautiful texture. For me, it's just quite a limited range and no longer suits my personal preferences.

A more recent addition to my collection is the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in Joy | £19. This is a super-pigmented fluid blusher in a vibrant coral colour. You only need a little bit of product and there is a bit of a learning curve so you don't end up looking like a clown, but if you go in with a light hand then the result is a really nice flush of colour. This goes on evenly and doesn't get patchy throughout the day, it doesn't have a greasy or shiny finish and it looks good on the skin. However, I personally prefer the formula from Made by Mitchell now I've tried it and the 'finding the knack' element might not be for everyone. Ultimately, it's a nice product but I just don't think it's quite worth its top rating!

Lastly, we have the Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Eyeshadow Palette | £46. This is an oldie but a goodie for me! Of course it's personal preference, but this is such a classic shade selection for me with just that little bit of spice (which I feel like it often doesn't get credit for). I really do need to repurchase this because my palette is pretty old, beat up and probably expired! But the formula is fantastic; you get these stunning shimmers and smooth, easy-to-blend mattes. The shade range allows you to go from a quick matte eye look for a day at the office to something a little more glitzy, smokey and glam. It's also been my go-to for weddings as a guest and as a bridesmaid! I just think this is a fantastic palette that's worth the hype and if you're not super into eyeshadow and don't need more than one or two palettes then I really recommend this.

Have you tried any of these products? Were they worth the hype for you?

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Read more posts from this series here!