Origins VitaZing SPF15

Origins is not a brand I'm particularly well acquainted from personal use but like most brands I've read a ton about them on the internet.

Last weekend I was looking for a new foundation or foundation alternative and this was suggested to my by a lady at the Origins counter in Debenhams.

It is essentially a tinted moisturiser but for review purposes we'll look at the real name of "Energy boosting moisturizer with Mangosteen". (I have no idea what Mangosteen is...).

When first applied it is a thin, white liquid but on closer inspection it has tiny black speckles in it. You're supposed to apply it in the morning to clean skin and you don't need another product underneath so it's a replacement for both a moisturiser and a skin base like a light foundation. It replaces missing pigments in the skin to create an even skin colour and contains SPF15

The main reason that VitaZing was recommended to me was because I struggle to find a good colour match for my foundations; some products oxidise over the course of the day or are too orange to begin with etc. The idea that this would just automatically match to my skin was great because it was such minimal effort on my part! I haven't had any issues with the colour match so it ticks that box for sure.

For me this is a really good product for "weekend make-up". It's a little dewy which is fine but I like to add a powder product over the top so I still opt for my Naked Flushed palette to add some blush whilst dampening the dewy effect on my cheeks and forehead. It doesn't boast a particularly high coverage but for under my eyes or on blemishes I just apply my concealer to even everything out and I think it works really well.

I would recommend applying this with clean hands rather than with a brush, it would just get lost in the bristles of a stippling or foundation brush. I apply mine with my index finger and rub it in circular motions to ensure that I haven't missed anywhere. My only warning is to make sure when you're finished that you rub across your face gently to make sure that there's nothing that's clogged together to create a darker patch. I have found that if I don't check I could leave with a slightly thick patch that looks too dark on random areas of my face.

Overall, I'd recommend this to anyone with relatively clear skin who wants a quick and fuss-free make-up base that literally takes about a minute to apply evenly. I can't comment on fine lines or wrinkles because I don't have any but for me once it's on, it's on. Its staying power is aided by whatever products you apply over the top (like I said, for me it's a dash of my Naked Flushed palette) and the staying power of those products individually but for me it lasts between 4-6 hours depending on the environments I find myself in.

You can buy this with a price tag for £28.00 /50ml from Origins counters and the Origins website here (click!).

Everyday work face part 1

So this is what's on my face on an everyday work day. I work around upper school children and this is what I feel is appropriate to wear in a classroom when I'm not the student anymore, sob!!!

Liz Earle Signature Foundation in the shade Porcelain which I apply with my Real Techniques Stippling brush. These can be bought here (click!) and here (click!). The foundation is medium - light coverage and it's got a pretty good wear time, even when worn alone I think it's between 6-8 hours. My HD Brows kit in the shade Vamp is perfect for me as my eyebrows only need defining. Find it online here (click!). This powder is long lasting and easy to erase if you make any mistakes! 

 For my face products I love the Urban Decay Naked Flushed palette as the bronzer and highlighter compliment one another when used together. You can get one here (click!) and rather than using the blusher in the Naked palette I use Benefit's Dandelion because it's a little lighter and less of a statement blusher than the Urban Decay palette provides. Click here (!!!) to view it and buy online. I apply these with a range of brushes - both white bristle brushes are the same except one is a travel brush. They're Bobbi Brown Face Blender brushes and can be found here (click!) The black brush is a Mac brush but the number has rubbed off!
Around my eyes I go for the Collection Lasting Perfection concealer in the lightest colour (bought here, click!), Clinique High Impact mascara in black found here (click!) and Maybelline Color Tattoo 24hr cream-gel eyeshadow in the shade On and on Bronze which I reviewed here last week (click!).

 (why are these different DAMMIT IT'S SO STRESSFUL. I took them literally seconds apart!)

This is the final product - I think it's relatively natural looking whilst hiding any imperfections and evening my skintone, although you may disagree. Unfortunately as you can see make-up does not conceal a totally stroppy facial expression, oops!