Thursday, 30 August 2012

YSL Touche Eclat Highlighter

If you're at all interested in beauty products, you would have heard of the iconic Touche Eclat highlighter pen from YSL. A staple product in countless makeup artists, celebrities, models and everyday womens make up bags for the past 25 years, the pen has multiple uses - from a under-eye shadow banisher to an eyeshadow primer.

It's only been recently that the highlighter has gone from just three shades to ten, which was the main reason I didn't purchase the product sooner as even the lightest of the three shades was too dark. I decided to try this out alongside the new Touche Eclat foundation - which is basically the foundation version of the complexion highlighter pen. I was instantly matched to the lightest shade - 1- which accourding to the sales assistant is a shade for all skin tones.

Since its released 25 years ago, the packaging hasn't changed - its still a glamorous gold pen which the trademark YSL symbol stamped on the removable lid. The pen has a button on the end of the pen that releases more product onto the brush when clicked. I'm not usually one to purchase something for the brand, but the gorgeous YSL symbol does add an element of glamour to the product - an added bonus!




First of all, I just want to apologise for the poor quality of the photos. I've started to finally use my DSLR for my images and even though i've had it for a few years now i've never quite sussed out how to work it, therefore sometimes the pictures aren't the best - but i'm trying to improve, I promise. It's a really great handbag size, and the metallic gold finish allows me to quickly identify it amoungst the other products in my makeup bag. The brush (Which is originally white, but this is a long-overdue post so I've used it quite a lot before actually taking photos!) is extremely soft and distributes the right amount of product with just one pump.

When I first thought about purchasing this product, I thought it was simply a concealer. However, I was astounded by the multiple uses. I've swatched the product quite heavily, as obviously it being a highlighter its quite discreet but with an amazing healthy looking glow. I use it under my eyes as a concealer, down the bridge of my nose, in the little 'dimple part' of my chin and along my jaw line - but really you can use it anywhere you want to hide shadows and catch a little extra light.

I was instantly amazed at how vibrant and glowing my skin tooked immediately after application, especially under the eyes. Just a few dots of the pen followed by gently patting into the skin and it instantly iliminated any shadows I had! I can definitely see why this highlighter has been around for so long and adapted into a foundation, it's just a quality product that goes above and beyond simply highlighting cheekbones. It's so versatile and looks incredible paired with the YSL Touche Eclat foundation. It's really light, natural and there's no need for reapplication throughout the day. However, the price tag does put a damper on a perfect product - a lovely £25. Definitely not the cheapest, but for someone who is a frequent buyer of Benefit's High Beam at £18.50, the jump doesn't seem as great for a product that can be used in so many different ways. I can now officially say that the iconic highlighter has found itself another frequent buyer - this is taking up permanent residence in my makeup bag. It may seem a bit steep, but for a product thats been going strong for over 25 years, it's got to be something special.

You can purchase YSL Touche Eclat Highlighter Pen for £25 at your local YSL counter.


*Click here to enter my giveaway to win a MAC lipstick in a shade of your choice!*

Be sure to vote for Sophie Says for the NEXT Newcomer Blog Award at this years Cosmopolitan Blog Awards HERE!

Monday, 27 August 2012

Tea Tree Toner Water

I love using toners. They prep your skin ready for your daily/nightly moisturiser, tighten your pores and remove the last .... of makeup that your cleanser has missed. I was always told that a three-step skincare routine of cleansing, toning and moisturising is the essence of great skin, so although toners aren't used by everyone, I couldn't be without it.

Tea Tree Water is a toner water from the LUSH skincare range, that targets spots and helps banish them due to the antiseptic and antibacterial properties of the key ingredient - tea tree.


The image is quite blurry, so here's the product description:
"Comes to the aid of skin that has emergencies. Tea tree is a wonder antibacterial, antiseptic and antimicrobal ingredient for anyone with oily or spot prone skin."


This toner water is wonderful for absorbing excess sebum, illiminating the final traces of makeup leaving you feeling fresh and squeaky clean. The antibacterial and antiseptic factors I think are essential in any skincare routine, because even if you aren't prone to spots they will help stop them from forming. My favourite thing about this toner water is that it is spring-water based as opposed to other toners that have added alcohol in them, which is obviously far better for your skin in general.
 For anyone that hasn't used tea tree oil before it has quite a strong medicinal scent, but the benefits that you gain from the product outweigh the slightly overpowering scent.

The spray bottle emits a large amount of product, meaning that you only need two or three sprays to cover the entire face and neck. I usually spray the product directly onto my face in the morning to wake myself up aswell as hydrate and prep for moisturiser, and spray onto a cotton pad to remove dirt at the end of the day. I then just leave it to absorb, sometimes fanning my face to speed up the already quick process if i'm in a rush.

I absolutely love this refreshing toner, it's light and unique. I used to use Benefit's Moisture Prep Toning Lotion, but it now feels so heavy compared to this. Waters are always ideal for people with oily or sensitive skin, but I believe that this would be appropriate for any skin type. It also comes in two sizes - 100ml for £3.95 and 250ml for £7.25, which I think is an extremely low price for how clean, smooth and moisturised my skin feels. Most definitely a skincare essential.

You can purchase LUSH's Tea Tree Toner Water at your local LUSH store or online here.


*Click here to enter my giveaway to win a MAC lipstick in a shade of your choice!*

Be sure to vote for Sophie Says for the NEXT Newcomer Blog Award at this years Cosmopolitan Blog Awards HERE!

Thursday, 23 August 2012

YSL Touche Eclat Foundation

I don't want to speak too soon, but I think i've found my holy grail foundation. Most of my reviews on here tend to be quite positive because i'm really selective with what I buy, but this will probably be the most positive yet.
After 20 years after the launch of the iconic Touche Eclat highlighter pen (Review will be coming very soon!) YSL have released a foundation that encapsulates all that's great about the legendary beauty staple - with added extras!

Every time I look for a foundation, i'm always hestitant due to the lack of choices - 'light', 'medium' etc. - every one's skintone is slightly different and YSL have taken this on board and released Le Teint Touche Eclat in a staggering 22 different shades, making it impossible for you to find a colour that won't suit you! Before the purchase I was colour matched to two different shades that had slightly different undertones which has never happened before! After coming to the conclusion that my skin more of a pink undertone instead of yellow (How precise!) I settled for BR10 - Beige Rouge 10.


The foundation comes in a generous 30ml, with a removable lid and a simple push-pump that distributes the perfect amount of product for application.



You can definitely see that the foundation has a slight pink 'tinge' to it, which I find odd that my skin is that colour! But once blended, you can hardly tell that i've applied anything at all! I hate when people swatch foundation and you can clearly see where it is 'blended', but with this foundation it is designed to enhance, not create a mask. It's unique formula targets shadow areas, evening out the skin and giving you a natural glow. Touche Eclat foundation has been used on shoots and catwalks by countless professionals, and it's easy to see why! The foundation allows my skin to breathe, it's light and non-greasy so it's great for oily skin sufferers like myself. I'm not going to go on and list everything I like about it as we'll be here forever, but this is by far the best i've had and refuse to be without it now. I love that it has good coverage but doesn't come across like a 'mask' as many do, as it's easy to blend so you aren't left with dreaded lines along your cheekbones where it hasn't blended in properly with your neck.

It retails for £28 which is quite reasonable for a high-end foundation, but generally is quite pricey. However, it is definitely worth it. It's a product that you can tell has been worked on profusely for so long, ensuring that is perfect. It's completely unique, and can only be enhanced further when accompanied by the Touche Eclat highlighter! If you're not convinced yet, I urge you to go and at least get matched at your local YSL counter - you'll fall in love with it, I promise.

You can purchase YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat for £28 at your local YSL counter or on the official YSL website here.

*Click here to enter my giveaway to win a MAC lipstick in a shade of your choice!*

Be sure to vote for Sophie Says for the NEXT Newcomer Blog Award at this years Cosmopolitan Blog Awards HERE!

Tuesday, 21 August 2012

GIVEAWAY! A MAC lipstick of your choice!



I've said this once, and i'll say it again: I love MAC lipsticks! And as it has been a long while since i've hosted a giveaway, i've decided i'm going to give you the chance to win a MAC lipstick in the shade of your choice! I've read so many comments of people who are a bit afraid to try out my favourite brand due to the hefty pricetag, so this way one lucky winner will be able to enjoy the nations favourite brand of lipstick* completely free!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is funded completely by me, and will end on midnight 4th September. The single winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter, and entries will only be counted if submitted through Rafflecopter. Unfortunately, due to shipping costs entrants must live in the United Kingdom (Sorry!). The lucky winner will have 72 hours to claim their price before another winner is chosen.

Good luck - it's choosing a shade that's the tricky part!

Be sure to vote for Sophie Says for the NEXT Newcomer Blog Award at this years Cosmopolitan Blog Awards HERE!

Review: Alison Claire Remarkable: Lavender & Chamomile Body Lotion + Lemongrass Shower Gel


I love being introduced to new brands, especially all-natural ones! There was a time where I refused to use anything unless it was all natural, and now I am ashamed to say that I have relaxed that rule as i've became more interested in beauty products. However, I am always on the look out for innovative brands that are able to deliver excellent results with their all-natural products, enabling me to get back to being even more eco-friendly than I already am.

Alison Claire Remarkable is a bio-natural skincare company, that have developed products targetted at sensitive skin using irritant free and hypoallergenic ingredients. There is no reason for having harsh chemicals in beauty products, and Alison Claire have recognised this, creating a brand that prides itself in being all natural.

The Lavender & Chamomile Body Lotion* and Lemongrass Shower Gel* are just two of the body essentials that Alison Claire have released. I already have an overflowing drawer of body lotions and gels (Many of which are full of harsh chemicals therefore they sit and gather dust at the bottom!), but these two went straight to the top of my 'To Try' list.


Lavender and chamomile have to be two of my favourite ingredients in skincare products (Bath products especially!) as they have such a soothing fragrance that takes me back to when my younger sister was a baby and I used to sit in the bathroom and go through all of her baby bath products, smelling them and trying them out. I also suffer from extremely senstive skin on my legs, so anything to calm the constant irritation is great for me. I found that the product wasn't quite as thick as other lotions, meaning that it was easy to cover my body and absorbed quickly. It left my skin feeling lovely and soft, but no softer than any other lotion i've tried. However, the scent that went along with it is what makes this product so great in my books, very indulgent as well as the ingredients being rich in antioxidents to protect your skin against irritation. You can purchase the Lavender & Chamomile Body Lotion here.



Lemongrass is not an ingredient that has caught my eye in the past, however I always welcome citrus-y products in the morning to give me that much-needed boost. I found that this  product lathered quite well, and left a slight fragrance on my skin that wasnt too overpowering. It also had a quite spicy undertone to it due to the inclusion of witch hazel and white willow bark, which made the product stand out against the other citrus-y shower products I own, as it really compiments the 'all-natural' element to the product.  You can purchase the Lemongrass Shower Gel here.

I had a lot of fun trying out these products, purely because I didn't feel that familiar twinge of guilt when I use soimething that isn't as environmentally friendly as it could be. I'm definitely interested in purchasing more from the Alison Claire range (I have my eye on the Vanilla and Coconut Shampoo next!) as being able to endulge in quality skincare without the guilt is something we should all enjoy doing! The only downside is that practically each product is priced at £12, which could be considered quite steep for a shampoo or hand cream. However, if you don't mind paying that little bit extra for something that's all-natural and most probably better for you than what you're using, i'd definitely recommend it!

You can purchase Alison Claire skincare from their website here.

Be sure to vote for Sophie Says for the NEXT Newcomer Blog Award at this years Cosmopolitan Blog Awards HERE!

Sunday, 19 August 2012

Review: Loreal Everpure Reinforce Intense Mask

Ever since being introduced with the Aussie 3-Minute-Miracle reconstructor, i've been such a big fan of intense hair masks. I love the idea of leaving it on for a period of time for it to work its magic through your hair, leaving it in the best condition it can be - a lot more thorough than simple wash- in wash-out products.


This Reinforcing Intense Mask is part of the new Everpure range from Loreal, which features a 'No sulphate colour care system'  - with sulphate being a key component in stripping hair of its colour. It's aimed specifically at coloured & dry hair, and although my hair isn't dry I love to give my hair the most moisture as possible. Its focus is to reinforce the strength and quality of hair that is over processed through frequent colouring. The shampoo from this range is now permanantly part of my shower routine, so I was excited to try this!

*Sorry about the shadow-y picture!*

 The mask contains botanical oils rosemary and mint, which was slightly off-putting as I don't really like the inclusion of mint in anything other than chewing gum! However, the fragrance is not overpowering as the rosemary balances out the strength of the mint - it's really refreshing! 

It is advised to use after shampooing (The accompanying shampoo is recommended, but it's not necessary!), spreading a walnut-sized amount carefully through the hair and leaving for 3-5 minutes. To further intensify the product, wrap your hair up in a hot towel after application for 5 minutes.

The first thing I noticed after drying my hair was the fragrance, reminding of how hair smells and feels after leaving a professional salon. My hair felt gorgeously smooth, strong and healthy - much like other hair masks, but the difference with this product is that it also protects coloured hair so I don't have to be worried that it will dull my hair with regular application. The product comes in a generous 200ml pot, meaning that the £6.99 price tag is quite reasonable. I have naturally fine hair that gets greasy easily, so I was worried that the thickness of the product will be too heavy on it - but that wasn't the case, my hair felt just the right consistency. 

Overall, I would recommend this for anyone who has coloured hair - red in a particular, as it requires the most upkeep. It gives my hair the nutrition it needs to be able to cope with the products I use on a regular basis. I currently use this once a week, and wouldn't recommend using it more than twice due to its thickness and intensity. I've found that this range in general be the most suitable for my hair type, and i'm actually looking forward to when I use this mask again!

You can purchase Loreal Paris EverPure Reinforce Intense Mask for £6.99 at your local pharmacy, Boots or Superdrug, along with the rest of the Loreal Paris Ever range. 


Be sure to vote for Sophie Says for the NEXT Newcomer Blog Award at this years Cosmopolitan Blog Awards HERE!

Wednesday, 15 August 2012

Review: MAC Amplified Creme Lipstick in 'Chatterbox'

Pink is my go-to colour. As hard as I try to move away from it, I always tend to gravitate back to a trusty old posey pink. Along with coral, pink is a shade perfectly suited for pale skintones which tends to be my reasoning behind always grabbing the same shades. However, I wanted to find something that was a little bit more 'out-there' - generally brighter and a lot more fun for when I go out in the evenings, which brings me to my latest addition to my MAC lipstick collection - 'Chatterbox'.

Discribed as a 'Bright red-pink', I chose this because it's probably the closest to a red that my skintone and face shape will allow (As hard as I try, I can't seem to find a red lipstick that looks good on me?!). It's part of the Amplified creme range at MAC, which are generally a lot brighter and much more dramatic than the Cremesheen and Lustre finishes that I tend to purchase. I was so excited to try this shade out, i've been trying to experiment clothing and hair-wise recently, so I thought "why not?"



(Wanted to slyly photograph my new nails too, you like?) 

First of all, let me apologise for only managing to get a flash version of the product on my lips, but for some reason my camera wouldn't allow it this morning without making the whole image blurry! This shade is awesome! It's so unlike me to get something this bright, and I love it. It's not really my cup of tea for work, but it's definitely a shade that i'll wear on a night out. The moisturising tube means the product slicks on with ease, and you will get a lot of usage out of the tube, which in my opinion justifies the £14 price tag. It's not very red though, as the product described - but it's certainly a hot pink, perfect for anyone that wants a lip colour that will make them stand out in a crowd.

You can purchase Chatterbox or any of the other MAC Amplified Creme lipsticks for £14 from your local MAC counter or on their website here.

Be sure to vote for Sophie Says for the NEXT Newcomer Blog Award at this years Cosmopolitan Blog Awards HERE!

Monday, 13 August 2012

Review: Montagne Jeunesse Clay Spa Range

I don't think there's any better way to pamper yourself at home than a good, deep-cleansing face masque. These have become a regular occurance in my weekly skincare routine, and it gives me something to look forward to and enjoy at the end of a hard week.

The Clay Spa range* from vegetarian face mask and body treatment company Montagne Jeunesse promises to deliver a unique, enhanced cleansing experience usually specially sourced clays infused into naturally sourced bamboo fabric, making it an intense cloth face masque. It's no secret that Montagne Jeunesse are a favourite of mine, i'm such a fan of their deliciously fruit masques but i'm an even bigger fan of their ethos for 'Conservation of Energy, Protection of Animals and the Environment' - There's no excuse for the harm of animal when creating beauty products, so a vegetarian-approved, natural brand will always get a thumbs-up in my book!


Firstly, how great is this packaging? Vibrant and fun, I love the idea of it being packaged as a present, complimenting the idea of an indulgent gift for yourself.



The box contains an interesting timeline on the history of the company, as well as the two face masques in the range: 'Glacial Clay Spa' and 'Dead Sea Mud Spa'. It's great that these products are completely different, ensuring that the experience varies with each masque.



Dead Sea Mud Spa
I decided to use this masque first on a night where my skin was particularly dry and worn from the day, as it featured nutrient rich seaweed and kelp, giving it that 'Dead Sea' feel to it. I also loved the idea of it including real mud, as it reminded me of professional spa treatments.

I was hesitant when I realised that both masques were cloth, as i've never really tried one before but had heard very mixed reviews. I must admit, when unfolding the cloth it was was pretty intimidating. You're faced with a round piece of cloth with roughly cut holes for the eyes, nose and mouth. At first glance I questioned whether the 'one size fits all' theory really applied, but once positioned over my eyes and mouth I found that you can easily manipulate the masque so that it molds around your face (I had to fold it over slightly at the top so it didn't touch my hairline, but that wasn't a problem!)

You apply the masque after cleansing, leave to develop for 10-15 minutes (I chose 15 because I wanted maximum results!), massage your face to relieve any stiffness and rinse off the excess clay from the masque. All I can say is wow. My face felt clean, smooth, refreshed and hydrated. Beautifully soft, it was just what my skin needed. Despite it containing seaweed, it didn't have too much of a scent, and was really easy to wash off with cold water.



Glacial Clay Spa
This mask was definitely the most fragrant of the two, due to the inclusion of red grape and arctic cloudberry juices. It was really cool to the touch, and felt so refreshing on my skin. There isn't as much to say about this masque as the concept and application is exactly the same as the Dead Sea Mask, but I found this masque a lot more enjoyable purely because it was slightly fruitier and felt a lot less intense on my skin.

In future, I would use the Glacial Clay Spa weekly, switching to the Dead Sea Mud Spa when my skin needs an even deeper cleanse. Overall I found this to be quite a luxurious treatment, and I really enjoyed that the cloth didn't slip or dry out, continuing to work its magic right up until removal!

The Clay Spa range will be available from Boots from mid-August, closely followed by Asda in September and is priced at an incredible £1.50! If you don't want to wait until then, the masques are available for purchase now on the Montagne Jeunesse website. You'd be crazy not to give these a try, trust me - you'll love them.

Browse (And hopefully purchase!) Montagne Jeunesse's skincare and clay spa range here.


Be sure to vote for Sophie Says for the NEXT Newcomer Blog Award at this years Cosmopolitan Blog Awards HERE!

Saturday, 11 August 2012

Review: MAC 'Creme Cup' Cremesheen Lipstick

Finally, a new addition to my slowly-growing MAC lipstick collection! This is a shade that i've had my eye on for a while, after seeing it swatched on many different blog posts. For this reason, I won't bore you with an stupidly-long post!

Since I was given a makeover at my local Benefit counter where I was shown that smokey eyes can actually look good on someone with small eyes and lids, i've been desperate to find a perfect nude lip colour to compliment dramatic eye makeup without making it look too intense - and I think i've finally found it!

Creme Cup is part of the cremesheen lipstick range which boasts a creamy moisturing texture, keeping your lips soft during usage. The shade is described on the MAC website as "light blue pink", but I consider it a nude/pink making perfect for a natural daytime look or as I said above, to compliment dramatic eyes.



As this shade isn't a limited edition it comes in the iconic, sleek MAC lipstick tube and has a gorgeous vanilla scent that reminds me of an old fashioned sweet shop.


*With flash*

This is my perfect nude/pink lip colour, terrifically understated and complimentary to a effortless daytime look. It's such a sweet colour, which I feel would look great on anyone. I have a feeling this will be one of those fail-safe colours that you'll know will go with everything. Ever since purchasing,  this has been a permanant fixture in my handbag incase I forget to apply a colour or put a lipstick in my bag. I am completely in love with this shade, and it lasts hours before having to reapply! I would most definitely recommend this for a simple daytime lip colour.

You can purchase Creme Cup or any of the other MAC Cremesheen lipsticks for £14 from your local MAC counter or on their website here.

Be sure to vote for Sophie Says for the NEXT Newcomer Blog Award at this years Cosmopolitan Blog Awards HERE!

Tuesday, 7 August 2012

Review: Look Make Me Blush in 'Flirt'

When i'm on the hunt for a new product to try, it seems that lately I instantly reach for a blush. I don't know whether it's the easy application, gorgeous colours or just the fact that you can achieve a gorgeous glow so easily with a simple sweep of product! I don't know, but what I do know is a girl can never have too many blushes. So here is a review of my latest addition.

We all know LOOK as a magazine that specialises in fashion and shopping, but they have recently decided to dip their toes in the beauty pool and release a highstreet make up range, sold exclusively to Superdrug. This range has been around for a while now, but the products are not sold in every Superdrug store, so this was all very new to me when I saw a few blogs reviewing their products.



The Make Me Blush blush range consists of 5 shades, varying from nude to bubblegum pink, and is packaged in large pan with a mirror on the inside of the lid. Out of all of my blushes, i've found that this one is the most value for money, purely because of the amount of product you get for the reasonable price of £8. On the LOOK Beauty website, it mentions building up the colour to obtain your chosen intensity - "From a healthy glow to a super-sexy flush", but I had no idea just how strong the colour was. I chose 'Flirt' - a coral with slight undertones of pink so I could give my pale skin a warm glow in the summer months.



When I opened the compact, I thought they had sent me the wrong shade entirely. It's overwhelmingly bright - almost identical to the skin of an orange. I was hestitant to try it out, as I think one of the worst beauty sins a person can commit is when their blush looks plastered on instead of blended (It's supposed to look like a natural glow, not a streak of costume makeup!).

Much like Benefits 'Hoola' bronzer, I literally needed two of the tiniest taps of the brush, then went onto tap off the excess (And there actually was some, even though the taps were so tiny!) - any more and the colour was too strong! Once applied i'll admit that it gave my cheeks a really gorgeous healthy glow, but it needed to be heavily blended as even then I still found it to be quite strong. I would think that these shades from the LOOK Beauty  range would be suitable for people with either darker or just warmer skintone, in my opinion the colour is just too strong for someone with fair skin. 

Overall I am a fan of this product and I will continue using, but probably won't be purchasing again. I'm not the biggest fan of having to be really cautious with the amount of product that I use, I tend to get into a bit of a daze when I apply my makeup and I would hate to have to start all over again if I accidently made half of my face resemble a clowns. For £8 you most difinitely get your monies worth, by only needing four tiny taps onto a brush in total, it will probably take me weeks before I even make the slightest dent in the pan! Obviously everyones opinions on the amount of blush they use is different, and there is clearly an opportunity to build on the colour for a stronger look - it's just not neccessary for me. I think i'll be sticking to the lighter colours in future that you can swirl your brush in as many times without achieving that 'plastered-on' look - they're a lot less hassle!

You can purchase the entire LOOK Beauty range at selected Superdrug stores or online here.


Be sure to vote for Sophie Says for the NEXT Newcomer Blog Award at this years Cosmopolitan Blog Awards HERE!


Saturday, 4 August 2012

Review: 2 True 'Cheek 'n' Lip Tint'

Since starting my internship, i've wanted to spend a little bit of extra time in bed in the mornings meaning that dual products are my go-to right now. Lip and cheek stains are no exception, being quick to apply and serve as a blush and lip colour lasting all day with no need to reapply. I've always been a fan of Benefit stains, however, they come with a heft price tag so I thought i'd test out an inexpensive version to see how it compared.

2 True are a budget cosmetic brand, selling makeup and nail products in high street stores such as Superdrug. I decided to test out their 'Cheek 'n' Lip Tint' due to it's resemblance to the iconic Benefit 'Benetint'. Cheek stains are designed to give the appearance of blushing; a simple flush of colour that looks more natural than a powder and even cream blush.


Priced at just £1.99, I'll admit at first sight I didn't have too high hopes for this product - however, i'm a big fan of MUA shadows that are just £1 and they suit me well, so I really thought I should give it a try. If it not that great it's only £2, right?

The bottles comes in a standard 10ml size (2.5ml less than Benetint) and lasts a generous six months. It has the resemblance of a standard nail polish bottle, which I really love as its great for easy storage.
The brush also resembles a nail polish brush, however I do find it is a bit on the thin size. It's great for retaining the product so you don't end up sweeping too much onto the cheek and wasting it. It claims to be rose tinted, and with that it is also rose scented - exactly like Benetint. Although not as fragrant, it does have a gorgeous floral scent that makes it a lot more inviting. I will admit it does taste slightly perfumed, but as there is such a small applicator brush and as the colour is so strong there isn't a lot of need for colour so the perfume isn't overpowering.

To apply, you need to draw three 'cats whiskers' on  the apples of your cheeks one at a time, and blend quickly (It is a stain, and you wouldn't want it to stay that way!). Then apply more product onto your lips and either blend with the brush or with your finger. This should achieve a rosy glow to your cheeks and lips, and about as natural as you can get without going completely make-up free!


The colour isn't quite as strong as the Benetint, so I did need to use 6 'whiskers' in order to swatch this so you could see it properly. But it's quite a nice natural flush of colour, more of a dark pink than a red as it appears in the bottle.

I did find that it did dry my lips slightly so I had to put extra moisturising balm over the top, but I found the colour to be longlasted on both my cheeks and lips (It was put the test by me frequently drinking, eating and licking my lips!) and i've found it to be an excellent alternative to the Benetint. You do need to apply a little more, but for £1.99, if I go through a bottle quicker than usual it's not a massive deal - you're making a £22.50 saving just by using this alternative. Don't get me wrong, I love the Benefit version but for students or for those generally not looking to spend so much on one product, this is a great choice.

I love using this along with a simple combination of tinted moisturiser and a little sweep of mascara - a low key, fresh eu naturelle look. Being porcelain skinned, rosy cheeks are a must-have and this product makes this easily achievable. It's not perfect, but I suppose you get what you pay for - and i'll definitely be purchasing again!

You can purchase 2 True Cheek 'n' Lip Tint from your local Superdrug for £1.99 and you can click here to visit the 2 True website and browse more fabulous products.