Wednesday 26 January 2011

Living Nature Tinted Moisturiser Reviews

Review of Living Nature Tinted Moisturiser
By Caroline Scott

Packaging: Living Nature Tinted Moisturiser comes in an ergonomically shaped matte black plastic tube. It is sturdy, so won't squeeze product everywhere if it gets squashed in your bag, and it is also a really neat and compact shape so it takes up much less space than a standard tube design. The built in flip-lid means that you can easily dispense the right amount of product without risking contamination from fingers.

Application: For me, tinted moisturisers are always a bit of a gamble because I never seem to find one that quite suits my complexion. I'm fair skinned, red haired and my skin tone is yellow with the difficult addition of rather sensitive, ruddy cheeks.

Most tinted moisturisers are just wrong for me - too dark and too orange. Just think about how many variations of shade and tone you look at when choosing a foundation - with a tinted moisturiser you are lucky if you get a choice of light, medium and dark! That is why it takes a considerable skill to create a tinted moisturiser to suit everyone.

With the Living Nature Tinted Moisturiser in Dawn Glow, I think I have hit the jackpot! It is a beautiful, thick, creamy consistency that spreads smoothly over the skin. It isn't at all greasy and absorbs well, leaving just a hint of colour on your face. It smells strongly of the active ingredients - particularly manuka honey - and the smell will be familiar to anyone who uses other Living Nature products. I actually really love the scent because it is refreshing and invigorating and you know you are treating your skin to a dose of goodness whenever you use the moisturiser.

It isn't a heavy coverage - this is a tinted moisturiser NOT a foundation - but it does even out skin tone and leave a glowing, dewy finish. I added an extra layer onto my cheeks to help cover the ruddiness and it did a surprisingly good job. The product is pigmented enough to make a difference to the overall appearance of the skin without looking as though you are wearing make up. An added bonus of it sinking into your skin (as opposed to sitting on top like foundation does) is that it doesn't run or streak in the rain. I got caught in a downpour and, although my hair was ruined and my mascara ran, my face still looked as fresh as a daisy!

Ingredients: The real hero ingredient of Living Nature products is manuka honey and this Tinted Moisturiser is no exception. Although packed with jojoba, macadamia oil and other moisturising ingredients, the manuka honey is what makes it stand out from other similar products.

The power of honey to stimulate wound healing and promote healthy skin is well documented. Used on the skin, honey is reported to stimulate the immune system and provide the nutrients for cell metabolism and rapid tissue repair. It also contains lactic acid, which aids in the clearing of dead skin cells.

Results: Okay, I admit, I am truly shocked by Living Nature Tinted Moisturiser. Not only does it suit my skin but it also nourishes it wonderfully. The pigmentation of the product is fabulous, it blends and adapts to all skin tones and gives a sheer hint of smooth, even colour. It also moisturises amazingly well without being too rich or too greasy.

I personally think it works well either on its own or under foundation. It is a great base for foundation because it is not oily and it provides an extra layer of sheer coverage which means you can use less foundation.

Pros

Great colour and pigmentation to suit all skin tones

Really rich and nourishing whilst not being a heavy cream

Can wear alone or under foundation

The colour lasts well

Really well-designed packaging


Cons

No SPF

Fragrance may take getting used to for some people

Living Nature Tinted Moisturiser (£15.50) and Living Nature Products are available at naturisimo.com

Tuesday 18 January 2011

Inika Liquid Foundation Reviews

Review of Inika Liquid Foundation
By Sally Sisson

Packaging: Inika Liquid Foundation comes in a plastic tube with pump. You have to squeeze the product up to the pump and then press the pump to dispense. It is a very hygienic method of application and just the right amount is dispensed.

Application: Inika foundation is quite thick and has a mild clay like smell to it. There appears to be no real fragrance to the product. The foundation gives medium coverage and blended very well into my skin leaving it looking like my own skin, just a little more even and luminous. I used my finger tips to apply the foundation but imagine it would go on even better with a brush. As a rule I do not like mineral foundations they are too heavy for me, but this was lovely.

Ingredients: Inika Products are describe their as glamorous, 100 per cent natural Australian cosmetics brand. The list of ingredients is lengthy, however they appear to be a nourishing blend of aloe vera, coconut oil, pomegranate oil, shea butter, cocoa butter etc with the mineral powders added for coverage and colour.
Results: I had the cream 01 shade and it is very fair, maybe a touch too light for me, however the shade was so well balanced that it did not leave me looking ashen. The coverage was soft and realistic, my skin felt very comfortable with the Inika Foundation on and it did not clog my skin.


Pros:
The packaging ensures no air gets into the remaining product, keeping it fresher longer.
Coverage was good but not too heavy or chalky.
My skin felt comfortable all day and it stayed in place all day.

Cons:
The shade was a little too light and they only offer 4 shades to chose from.

Inika Liquid Foundation (£22.00) and Inika Makeup Products are available at naturisimo.com