FAVE FIVES | ACID TONERS | July 2016

Hi All!

I hope you're enjoying the Fave Fives - keep sending your requests. :)

WHAT I’M WEARING:

J. CREW Save the Bees T-Shirt: http://bit.ly/29p0HNn

Swarovski Celestial Pierced Earrings: http://bit.ly/29J3u8o

Nails: OPI Let’s Be Friends Gel from Hello Kitty Collection: http://bit.ly/29q3X9U

Hourglass Ambient Light Correcting Primer in Mood Light: http://bit.ly/29pnskh

Bobbi Brown Nude Finish Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 in Medium to Dark Tint (it’s not that dark, clearly): http://bit.ly/29nUkgE

Laura Mercier Candleglow Foundation in Buff: http://bit.ly/29nTG2T

Chantecaille HD Perfecting Powder: http://bit.ly/29p1lKx

Bronzer across forehead (my glow, basically): New CID I-Glow in Coral Crush (I will literally be buried wearing this): http://bit.ly/29nTIYJ

Used as Blush: Bobbi Brown Illuminating Bronzing Powder in Antigua (the perfect pink for me): http://bit.ly/29p1dL4

Brows: Benefit Precisely My Brow Pencil in 2: http://bit.ly/29nTJM1

Lips: Gwen Stefani for Urban Decay Lip Pencil in Firebird (lightly all over lip): http://bit.ly/29p1OMN

Pixi LipLift Max in Petal Ice (on top): http://bit.ly/29DBnrl


PRODUCTS DISCUSSED:

Pixi Glow Tonic To-Go – released end of July: http://bit.ly/1r42Hk0

Nip & Fab Glycolic Fix Night Pads:

UK - http://bit.ly/29oeCXF
USA - http://bit.ly/29pnOHr


Elizabeth Arden  Skin Illuminating Retexturising Pads:

UK – http://bit.ly/29oeYgI
USA - http://bit.ly/29ofv2f


Trish McEvoy Beta Hydroxy Acid Pads:

UK - http://bit.ly/29ofADf
USA - http://bit.ly/29off3e


NeoStrata Smooth Surface Daily Peel:

UK - http://bit.ly/29podJY
USA - http://bit.ly/1JgPBGl


OTHER PLACES TO FIND ME:

Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/carolinehirons

Instagram:
http://www.instagram.com/carolinehirons

Pinterest:
http://gb.pinterest.com/carolinehirons/

Snapchat:
@carolinehirons

Bloglovin':
http://bit.ly/1fuzPqQ

Caroline Hirons c/o
Gleam Futures
6th Floor
60 Charlotte Street
London W1T 2NU
caroline@gleamfutures.com  (skincare queries cannot be answered at this address)

I sometimes (not always) use affiliate links. If you are happy to click on the link and support this blog in that way, thank you very much. If you would prefer not to, just google the brand and the item, it's all cool. :)

See my full disclaimer here:
http://bit.ly/1rpEmSq

The views expressed on this site are the author's own and are provided for informational purposes only. The author makes no warranties about the suitability of any product or treatment referenced or reviewed here for any person other than herself and any reliance placed on these reviews or references by you is done so solely at your own risk. Nothing on this site shall be construed as providing dermatological, medical or other such advice and you are always advised to seek the advice of a suitable professional should you have any such concerns.

Advertising v Allocation

We all know the power of beauty advertising in the glossy mags - and the pressure then put on the journalists to write about the advertisers products in their beauty pages.
So much so that if like me, you are a beauty product AND a glossy mag junkie - you will know what is going to be inside simply from reading the headline on the cover..e.g.

'Top 5 Products you MUST own!' - I know what you're thinking!
'Top 5 Facials you MUST have!' - I know who you're thinking of!
'5 Products to get you in to shape for the Summer!' - you get the picture...

Bit repetitive?

Indeed.

It occurred to me that these lists very rarely contain one thing - what the staff ACTUALLY use!

All companies give their staff an 'allocation' - some very generous - some less so (one very famous MU line cut the entire allocation for their UK staff last year due to the economic crisis in the US - B.A.D. move - B.A.D. - upsetting the people who have to SELL your product - genius).

 So, from the girls (and some boys!) - the REAL products you should own!

Advertising v Allocation!

Chanel

Waiting lists for: Nail Polishes/Lipsticks

Staff swear by: 

Blush

'the best colours and packaging'

HydraMax Serum

'LOVE it!'

Chantecaille

Renowned for: Future/Real/Just Skin

What you NEED?:

Talc Free Loose Powder

'Oh my God - you don't realise what a loose powder IS until you have used this'

Mascara Faux Cils

'Permanently sold out for a reason'

Clarins

Biggest Sellers: Hand Cream, Beauty Flash Balm, Multi-Active Day Cream
What do the staff say you SHOULD be using?:

Tonic Oil

'Not just for pregnant women - I go insane if I am low on this'

Generation 6

'Everything in one bottle - can't live without it'

Hydra Quench Mask

'Fixes my face in 5 minutes' 

Estee Lauder
Best known product: Advanced Night Repair Serum (quelle surprise)
What do the staff swear by?:

Lash Primer Plus

'Does EXACTLY what is says on the tube' 

'Cannot live without it'
'Would pay for it if I didn't work for the company!' 

Laura Mercier

Best-sellers: Tinted moisturiser

Everyone should own:

Hydratint SPF15 in Berry, Rose and Nude

'Perfect for every skin colour'

Mac
Renowned for: Spice Lip Liner
Must have:
Lip Glass - all variations - especially clear
'Anyone can use - on its own or over other product'

Nars
Renowned for: Orgasm blush, Laguna bronzer, Body Glow
What the team use?:

Mekong Eyeshadow

'The BEST no-red,no-orange brown'

Dragon Girl Velvet Matt Lip Pencil

Check these testers instore - they are always a stub

'the perfect grab-it-and-go red'

'obsessed with it'

Shu Uemura 
Obviously!: Eyelash Curler
Staff were adamant on this one: 

Eyeshadows 

'can be used wet or dry and the best pigment' 
Drawing Pencil Eye Liner in matt black 
'I can do a full smoky eye with this one product in 3 minutes'

Sisley
Best Sellers: Sisleya, Express Flower gel
The staff order: 
Ecological Compound 
'our best-kept secret' 
All Day All Year

'an unbelievable moisturiser'

Trish McEvoy 
Renowned for: planners
Staff use:
Finish Line
'especially for jobbing make-up artists  - weddings etc - makes everything waterproof'

So - the next time you're at a counter  - say to the staff - 'what do you order on your allocation?'

You may be pleasantly surprised!

Part 1 of 2!



Pictures courtesy of Michelle George