Vichy Dermablend Powder

Every now and again you come across a product and are not sure about it and this is how I felt about the Vichy Dermablend Powder**. I have had it for some weeks and have had a bit of a love hate relationship with it. As a setting powder, I initially didn't like it the first few times I used it, I didn't like how it worked with my skin or how it worked with my make-up - then all that changed and I absolutely love it.

I have combination skin which leans towards the oily side with my t-zone and I often tend to have blotting paper in my bag for emergencies and a friend of mine suggested using a setting power rather than a spray to see if it made any difference. This for me is there the love hate relationship began because I had been used to using my Urban Decay setting spray (having run out of my GOSH setting powder) and though I quite liked it, it did nothing for my oily t-zone but my make-up did last. So having swapped the spray for the powder, I did feel as though I was slapping talc on my face and I didn't like the feel of it, it felt too thick. So I persevered with it for a few more weeks and then went back to my setting spray, before again deciding to try the powder, only this time, instead using the enclosed powder puff, I decided to switch to my beloved Real Techniques powder brush to apply it and wow, amazing.

This is the first time I have stuck with a setting powder and having hated it and now love it, I use it every day and the difference it has made is just brilliant. Instead of being part way through the oil slick arriving (delightful I know) there was hardly any and all I had to do was apply some foundation powder and everything was good as new, even right through in the evening when I had events to go too, I didn't feel the need to double check my make-up was alright, I didn't feel self-conscious or the need to re-apply anything other than my lippie - which is more of a habit than a need.

So this setting powder is a translucent powder and doesn't change the shade or look of any of the make-up on your face, it states that it has a "16hr hold and resistance to perspiration, bathing and rubbing" and it totally lives up to those claims. It also did a great job of keeping my skin looking matte and prolonged my make-up as i've said. If like me you like products to have an SPF, then you'll love this because it offers SPF30 and it is kind to the most sensitive of skin - winning!

I cannot recommend this setting powder enough, it has totally changed my setting process for my make-up and to say I once really disliked it to now really love it, I hope you can see why! This setting powder from Vichy has an RRP of £17 though Escentual currently have it on offer for £14, so grab it quick!

What do you use to set your make-up and have you tried this 

Vichy product?

Prep your feet for Party Season with Compeed

Did you know that British ladies own 25 pairs of shoes on average? Well I probably do but Compeed have just commissioned a survey with some very interesting results:

So, with party season upon us, invitations flooding the inbox and arrangements being made, the team at the UK's number one blister brand Compeed have collaborated with renowned fashion illustrator Jordi Labranda for a second year running, to create a new and stylish limited edition Compeed Blister Relief Pack and I was very kindly sent a beautifully packaged hamper**.

The Compeed brand is known to me as I occasionally suffer from horrendous cold-sores and as soon as I know one is coming, I use the Compeed coldsore patches to try and heed it away.  The reason I am really glad to see the blister relief pack, is because with party season upon us, it means one thing - fabulouos shoes but horribly painful blisters!

The Compeed blister relief plasters are said to offer instant pain relief and 20% faster healing time than your traditional plaster and the perfect handbag companion and once applied they stay in place for up to 24 hours.  The heel plasters are also cleverly designed to fit just under the Achilles which for me is where most blisters occur with shoes, especially ones with heels. What's more, the plasters are designed so that they are barely visible whilst wearing them and for me this is a big plus because there is nothing worse than ruining an outfit and making an amazing sparkly shoe look ugly than seeing a plaster peeking out!  These plaster retail for around £5 per pack.

Also in my little hamper was the Compeed Cracked Heel Overnight Cream which is said to moisturise and repair dry skin.  Again feet undergo a lot of pressure and strain all year round, but more so for me at Christmas time with the number of engagements I have coming up and where possible I want to ensure they are in as good condition as possible, there is nothing worse than having cracked heels, overgrown toe nails and dry skin in sight, so as with the summer, when you dig out your flip flops, the same level of pampering should occur. This cream retails for around £5.

So for me Compeed have got it covered for party season, with the cracked heel cream to pamper your feet before you are ready to go out and then whilst you are out, the plasters to ensure your night is as comfortable as it is enjoyable.  I loved the little added extras in my pack too

what products do you use to get your feet in tip top condition and have you ever used Compeed?