BPerfect Mineral Power + Primer (Banana Powder DUPE) ft. Ben Nye | BEAUTY

Hello!

"allow you to create a finish that looks less cakey"

If you've been in the beauty loop for a while (Read: New Maybelline Lip Colors) , you'd know of the oh-so-famous Ben Nye Banana Powder that has taken our world by storm (link here). By that, I mean it has been given good review after good review, yet the only thing that may stop one from buying that thing? It's not the easiest thing to get a hold of, especially if you do not live in the states! There are many knock off's out there, and being Kim K's staple, it obviously has high demand! Yet, when I was told BPerfect have released a dupe of said Banana Powder, I was more than excited to give it a shot and compare.

"BPerfect is a much more available product"

The first thing I noticed was the difference in the powder itself. Not only is the Ben Nye powder a slightly warmer tone, which of course you can choose from a variety on the BPerfect site, but the texture of the powers are different. The Ben Nye Banana Powder is a lot thinner, and has been milled to a finer finish whereas the BPerfect is a lot thicker.

As shown in the picture above, it would take more to fully blend in the BPerfect powder than the Ben Nye. Having said that, both do blend in quite well, though the Ben Nye would be more likely to fit a variety of skin tones. I do think that if you were to use the powder as a setting powder, the Ben Nye would allow you to create a finish that looks less cakey. Though I'm sure you can achieve a similar look with the BPerfect, you would have to be more careful, due to the thicker mill of the powder.

"well let's say they've really nailed it"

Either way, I do think they're quite similar, but for me, the Ben Nye wins the fight, but just by a slight amount. The BPerfect is a much more available product (link here), if you are looking for a dupe. Though, if you are going to buy one and are willing to invest, I'd go with the Ben Nye.

BPerfect also have a primer. This primer that I speak off, well let's say they've really nailed it. 

"makes the colour a lot more vibrant, and it looks smoother"

Not only is the packaging beautiful, which I'm a sucker for, but the product itself is great! It's a clear colour so will suit everyone. The primer also blends very well, creating a smooth/velvety layer for you to apply your makeup onto. You only need a tiny bit, which will go a long way.

Just in case you're not entirely sold by my brief description above, look at the images. It's the same eyeshadow colour on top of a part of my hand with the primer, and again on a part without the primer. The primer area makes the colour a lot more vibrant, and it looks smoother. Not only that, it is easier to apply without any unwanted creases forming. If nothing else, I will be using this for my eye makeup/concealer area! 

Overall, an upcoming brand that has a few great products that you need to check out. If you're only going to buy one thing from their range, I'd go with the primer!
Check out their other range here.

Tell me, do you use a 'Banana Powder', and is primer a staple for you? 

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Maybelline Color Drama Velvet Lip Pencils POTW | BEAUTY

Hello!

"I had my eyes on this beauty for the longest of time. I'm talking months."

Purchase of the Week (or POTW) had become quite a series on BBXO (Read: POTW Chanel No 5). Until, one day, I kind of forgot about it. Okay, there were hauls featured (Read: Summer Holiday Haul) but the tag POTW was forgotten. Well, now we're bringing it back. Full force and in action! What better product to kickstart this series again than the oh-so-famous NARS velvet lip pencil drugstore dupe (wow, that's a mouthful): the Maybelline Color Drama Intense Velvet Pencil.

"I did also like the colour range, there's a nude, an orange, a coral, a few reds and a few pinks"

I had my eyes on this beauty for the longest of time. I'm talking months. But with exam season upon us when my obsession first began, I wasn't able to satisfy that need for this pencil... until now. Well, the wait was worth it, because I am LOVING this lip pencil.

If you're a fan of the velvet/matte finish (Read: Bourjois Velvet Rouge), this product is right up your street. The Bourjois Velvet Rouge had become my go-to lip product that I'd dab on for a soft, everyday look and apply a thicker layer for a bold, going out look. After reading the reviews of more Bourjois Velvet Rouge colours, I had found out the best formulation was with the shade 'Nude-ist', which was the shade I had. Therefore, I was looking for something with the same finish without lacking in the quality front. This seemed like the product for me.

Before I make this entire post about Bourjois Velvet Rouge (goodness, can I say that any more times?!), let's refer back to Color Drama. Maybelline Color Drama Intense Velvet is also quite versatile as it can be dabbed on for a softer, everyday look, or applied as a thicker layer for a bolder look.

"What better product to kickstart this series again than the oh-so-famous NARS velvet lip pencil drugstore dupe"

Be sure to have your lips moisturised before applying the product, though (something I should've done). In the bottom photo you can see the little transfer it has, and that was only a very short while after applying. So you don't need to worry about that mug lip stain!

All in all, a great product that won't break the bank (£4.99 each at Boots.com) and good for various occasions. I did also like the colour range: there's a nude, an orange, a coral, a few reds and a few pinks. You're bound to find something you like!

Tell me, what's your favourite finish of a lip product? Do you prefer a sheen, matte or something in between?

Purchase of The Week: Sleek Face Form Palette + First Impressions

Hello! 

You know those days when you go shopping, not really expecting to buy anything, but end up buying everything - well last Thursday was one of those days...

This has been on my 'To Buy' list forever, so when a day like Thursday was upon me, it was about time I picked this up. Actually, I attended wedding last weekend and I wanted to wear the blush from this palette on her big day, so what better time to buy it, hey?

 Seeing as this is said to be a dupe for the oh-so famous NARS Orgasm blush, you know I was so excited to try it!

"look like they'd be more expensive than they are"

One thing that I do love about Sleek is the beautiful packaging! It's... well, sleek! The products from sleek look like they'd be more expensive than they are - which is always a plus! 

"dupe for the oh-so famous NARS Orgasm blush"

Having tried it on, I love the bronzer more than I thought I would, the highlighter is lovely too - however, the one I had most hopes for is what I am more disappointed with. The blush just was coming off as gold shimmer and not much pink/coral. So far, I am not happy with the blush but am in love with the other two. I will have to use the blush more to make a better decision on what I feel about it but for now, it's not that impressive. 

"I was so excited to try it!"

The face form has a RRP of £9.99 and can be bought from Superdrug.
The shade 'Light' and 'Fair' are the one with the blush shade whereas the other shades do not have the same blush shade - you can also buy the blush shade individually here.

"perfect for your bag"

Oh, and another plus side of this palette is the HUGE mirror! It is perfect for your bag and on-the-go makeup too!

What's been on your beauty wish list for a long time? 

Manicure Monday - OPI dupe Edition

Hello!

If you read this blog last week then you would have seen the post of OPI's new collection: Raw Granite. I did mention that you can dupe the shades with a bit of tweaking of the polishes you have and guess what I did? Yep, I tried it! So, obviously, you had to know, right?! haha!

Well, the colour I tried to dupe was Lapis. This is one of the new polishes out from that collection. Actually, my friend had the polish on and when I asked her she said it was from OPI's new collection - so obviously I screamed and started jumping up and down because I had posted the blog post about it the day before I saw her wearing it… anyway, so it encouraged me even more to try to dupe it!

As you know from previous Mani Mondays, I love Barry M - their quality is amazing and the price is perfect! Using a sparkle top coat - with a very light hand - achieved the diamond sparkle look that the OPI polishes have, and finally using the Rimmel Matte Top Coat made the finish matte, the same finish as the OPI polish!

Shades:
Blue = Barry M, Christmas Blue
Glitter = Barry M, Yellow Topaz
Matte Finish = Rimmel, Pro Matte Finish


I think it turned out okay!
What do you think, what's your manicure for this week? Oh, and if you would like to see a review of the Matte Top Coat, let me know!

L'Oreal Skin Perfection Micellar Solution Review - Makeup Remover

Hello!

I hope you're having a great time with parties all around, as the New Year brings! With parties comes MAKE UP and with makeup comes great responsibility!

Obviously, by that I mean that we need to remove that makeup - and that's is great responsibility! If your skin is anything like mine, you may notice that as you apply more makeup, especially things such as foundation, your skin gets worse and worse when it's 'naked'. So to prevent those unwanted spots and break outs, we need to remove makeup as best as we can… therefore, makeup remover comes in!

I bought the L'Oreal Skin Perfection 3-in-1 Micellar Solution (woah, that's a mouthful!) and thought I'd give you a review. Put it this way: this is my second bottle!

I love this product. It removes makeup without any stinging solution and it's simple to use. Unlike skincare wipes where I feel you're tugging against your skin and not being very gentle, this Micellar Solution feels like water and sort of glides makeup off from your skin.
To use, I apply this to a cotton pad or two and start from my eyes, hold the pad there for a couple of seconds and swipe away the makeup. Then I use the pad around my face to remove everything else. Simple! Okay, on days you're wearing a LOT more makeup, you may need to go over your face twice!  But, that's basically it!

Have you heard of Bioderma? If not, it is a french product which is said to be very similar to this. It is described as 'like water' which means it is very light on the skin! I would agree to say that the L'Oreal is like that too! However, Bioderma has a much bigger price tag and is hard to find, whereas L'Oreal is quite the opposite.

So, I guess that the L'Oreal may not be AS great as Bioderma, for a price of just over £4, and just over £3 if you're like me and buy it on sale, there is nothing to complain about!

Like I said earlier, if you're one for being gentler on your skin and are using skincare wipes (which I find also leave my skin a little red later too, due to friction - which could possibly give premature wrinkles) maybe you should give this a go - you may love it more!

What do you use to remove your makeup or tone your skin?