The difference is clear ...

The #TFWOC Project has really got me thinking about how underrepresented ‘WOC’ are in the beauty industry. Don’t get me wrong, things have improved massively over the last few years and it’s rare to find a high-end brand that doesn’t stock a huge range of tones in their foundations and powders (apart from Benefit, you guys can stick your bloody Hello Flawless! *sulks*).

Although it’s still not enough.

I went to a Collection 2000 event recently, and was shown the new foundations that they’re bringing out – none of which cater for dark skin. Rimmel, Bourjois, and L’Oreal (amongst many others!) also do not cater for WOC and I think it’s just a little ridiculous.

But I decided to do a little experiment, ‘Mohammed and the mountain’ style.

 Yes, that’s me. White. Haiii Hello Flawless.

I used Murad BlemishTreatment Concealer* in Medium, and Vichy Dermablend Ultra Corrective Cream Stick. Both of these products are available in 'dark' shades, albeit somewhat limited ranges. Nonetheless, Murad and Vichy, give yourselves a pat on the back.

Unless things start improving, this may become my daily look – and trust me, it’s 10x scarier in real life. My mum pretty collapsed when she saw ‘me’.
 Beware; I may just be lurking under your bed …

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Review: Etat Pur Micellar Cleansing Water

Etat Pur Micallar Cleansing Water is probably one of the most gentle makeup removers I’ve ever used. I wear a medium to full coverage foundation everyday so finding something that removes my makeup without upsetting my skin is a difficult feat.

Micallar waters are still a very new concept to me – up until a few months ago I had an awful skincare regime and removed my makeup with just a wipe every night. So when I saw that this baby was going to be featured in a Latest in Beauty box I knew I had to buy it.

For those unfamiliar with micallar waters, they’re cleansers made up of micelles. Micelles are tiny clusters of oil molecules suspended in soft water. The amazing thing about them is that they pretty much eat makeup and dirt, instead of smearing it all over your face like conventional makeup removers. They’re also just like water, so don’t be scared off by my mention of the O word – oil.

Now I’ve never used this alone, I double cleanse at night so this is always the second step. But I rely on this cleansing water to remove the last bits of makeup that my foaming cleanser doesn’t. And it does the job perfectly. Waterproof mascara, waterproof tints, stubborn eyeliner – you’re no match!

Bottom line: No breakouts, no residue, no harsh smells, no stinging. It sounds too good to be true right? Wrong. It’s heaven in a bottle. In fact, I actually don’t have anything bad to say about it.

You can buy Etat Pur Micallar Cleansing Water direct from the Etat Pur website, priced at £6.40/200ml.

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My Guest Post For BBU

I did a guest post for Beauty Bloggers Unite, which you can find over on their blog.

It was on my top summertime tips for keeping your makeup on during the heat.
Typical British weather meant that it rained as soon as my post went up, but if you’d like to take a look and grab some tips for your next holiday – or the return of the heat wave – then check out the Beauty Bloggers Unite blog.

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Another freebie post ..

It’s been a little while since my last freebie post, so I thought I’d let you know about a few more that have cropped up.

They’re not all exactly free, as you’ll have you pay P&P. But here goes…

First one is one I’ve blogged about before, but it’s an absolute favourite of mine so I have to share it again. It’s the Nivea Super Moisturising Lipstick in Big Berry. It’s not as dark as it appears to be in the picture, it’s more of a sheer pink/lilac – I’m wearing it in my sidebar picture!

It’s priced at £6.99 on the HalfPricePerfumes website, but if you click here and enter code freenivealippy at the checkout you’ll only have to pay £1.99 P&P. I’ve got two of these as I love it so much.

Next up is Rimmel Stay Matte Dual Action Concealer, available in Classic Beige or Soft Ivory – which of course are a tad too light for me. Haven’t used Rimmel Dual Action Concealer before, but I’ve read some good reviews on it.

Priced at £4.99, again on HalfPricePerfumes, but if you click here and enter code freerimmel you’ll only have to pay £1.99 P&P.

Last up from HalfPricePerfumes is Bourjois Volume Clubbing Mascara in Brown. This isn’t something that really interests me as brown mascara makes my lashes completely invisible.

This mascara is £7.99, but of course the same drill as last time – click here and enter code freebourjoismascara to only pay £1.99 P&P.

Next up is a free sample – and a bit of a weird one. If you head to the website and fill out a mini questionnaire you can get a free sample of Bepanthen Nappy Care Ointment. Now before you click the little [X], wait …

Any tattooed ladies reading will know that this is perfect to apply on new tattoos to help them heal. BUT many a beauty blogger has hailed it as the perfect lip treatment. Anyone who suffers from very dry, chapped lips should give this a go.

Don’t be put off by the name, order a free sample and give it a try! 

Next is a sample of Silderm Stretch Mark Oil. Perfect for pregnant tummies, or those unsightly puberty stretch marks. I haven’t received my sample yet so I can’t say much about it, but for free? Hmm, why not?!

Not really a beauty product, or a freebie, but 4Kandles.co.uk are offering a sample of their new collection – similar to the Yankee candle offer. You only need to pay 99p with free shipping and you get five different scents.

My last freebie, which again isn’t beauty related is this lovely set of Swarovski Princess pencils by ICE London. Click here to head to the website and enter code EGPN-004 into the search box, this will bring up all of the pencil sets that are eligible in the deal.

During checkout enter code MOS100 and you’ll only have to pay £1.95 P&P. They’ve experienced a high volume of requests so they’ll take a little while to arrive but they look really cute and I'm sure they'll be worth the wait.

So that’s it for my freebies, as always I’ll let you know when I come across more! :)

Blog Hop: What’s in my makeup bag?

I’ve created a mood board of the things in my makeup bag, as unfortunately but makeup bag looks like this:

It’s one of those things I always mean to clear up and never do!

My makeup bag by lolastarhearts featuring beauty products

My current faves:

(Clockwise from top left)

Nivea Super Moisturising Lipstick in Big Berry – Really love the sheer colour, and the fact that the longer it’s on the darker it gets. 

Revlon Lip Butter in Peach Parfait – Only just purchased but it’s totally amazing. Love the slight shimmer to it. Mini review here.

Bare Minerals Foundation in Deepest Deep – Have used this foundation for about two years now and I swear by it. Great coverage and really light on my skin. Best thing? No breakouts!

Becca Beach Tint in Watermelon – Got this in a Glossy Box a few months ago. It’s a little sticky, but love the colour and scent.

Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara – Another beauty box item. Don’t know how I survived so long without it!

Youngblood Mineral Primer – Again from a beauty box. I usually use Body Shop Matte it, but if I’ve got a 12-14hr shift at work then this primer keeps me looking fresh all day. Will definitely purchase full size.

Maybelline Mineral Power in Cocoa – I mainly use it as a concealer for my dark circles and acne scars. However, if I’m just popping out quickly I apply it on its own to freshen up my skin.

Essential Care Eye Pencil – Yup, from a beauty box. Some eye pencils tend to give me an eye twitch (Boo!) so I liked the sound of this natural, mineral pencil. Lasts for ages.

Avon In A Blink Eye Pencil & Shadow Duo in Silver – I really only use the shadow as the pencil is too light for me. The shadow has a nice smudge brush that I use to highlight my brow bone.

So that’s pretty much my daily makeup routine.

What’s in your makeup bag??

Lola ..x

PS. Don't forget to enter my giveaway! Including Revlon Lip Butters, Soap & Glory, Sally Hansen nail varnishes! Enter here :)

Revlon Colourburst Lip Butter in Peach Parfait Review and Swatches

Before I start I just want to say sorry about the pictures. Fed up of using my iPhone and having to spring-clean my pictures every week so I used my camera. But the lighting in the living room wasn’t great so they’re all a tad out of focus, and you can’t see the true colour! Boo! :(

I finally buckled under the pressure and bought myself some Revlon Lip Butters. The blogosphere has been going crazy over these over the last couple of months, and I just didn’t understand why. But now I’ve got one, I really do …

Now I actually bought three – a girl can’t say no to 3for2! – but I’m planning on doing a mini giveaway soon with these as a prize.

The colour I kept for myself was 025 Peach Parfait, a very deep, golden peach colour – as seen on Emma Stone in the promo pictures.

I really wanted pink truffle, but the Boots I was in was completely sold out.

The product glides on very sheer, but can be built up to a medium coverage. I wasn’t expecting this as I thought that they’d just give your lips a bit of a tint and not full on coverage. I found the Peach Parfait looked a bit pink, due to the slight pink hue my lips have.

What Revlon say:

- Hydrating mango, shea and coconut butter formula boosts lip moisture by 156%

- Pampering gel formula provides super charged hydration and glides on lips buttery smooth

- Sheer to medium colour with buttery shine

- Available in 20 luscious shades

What I say:

I really love it. It feels just like a lip balm and keeps my lips really hydrated and smooth. It also stayed on for a lot longer than I expected. Perfect for my handbag collection as lipsticks can be very drying – but this was obviously the complete opposite. A complete steal at £7.99 – especially when they’re on 3for2!

Would I purchase again? Definitely, 100%. BUT I just wish that we’d have access to the full 20 colours that were released in the US and Canada, and not just 14.