Bourjois Happy Light

This may quite possibly be one of the product launches of 2013 that got me the most excited. You all know I go BONKERS for Bourjois, especially their foundations. Healthy Mix has always been my go-to when it comes to drugstore foundation. However.... when I found out Bourjois were launching Happy Light with it's innovative formula, I almost fell over myself to get at it!

My Happy Light collection isn't actually complete yet. I have yet to pick up the primer but I suspect that curiosity may get the better of me and I am likely to go in search of the Mattifying version in the near future. I am lucky enough to own TWO shades of the Happy Light Foundation* and the concealer* to go with it. 

Here's what Bourjois have to say about the Formula...

- Translucent pigments selected for their perfect affinity with the skin.

- Concealing power that enhances the radiance of your complexion, concealing whilst being light in texture.

- Absorbs then reflects the light creating a radiant finish to the skin.

- 16hr hold.

- Ultra fine, soft powders that melt into the skin for a velvety feel.

Before I tell you what I think of the product, it is definitely worth mentioning that the foundation shades are a shade DARKER than those of Healthy Mix. So if, like me, you normally take a #53 in HM then you will need a #52 in Happy Light to get the same colour match. There are a total of 9 shades. 2 fair (Vanille), 4 medium (Beige) and 3 dark (Hale). I'm actually mixing Happy Light #52 and #53 at the moment as I'd felt for a little while that my #53 Healthy Mix wasn't quite dark enough (plus I've got a bit of fake tan on). I've swatched below to demonstrate the differences.....

Now.... the foundation itself.
I do really like it. It is a pleasure to apply and really does just meld into the skin with very little working in needed. I usually apply with my Sigma F80 or Real Techniques Stippling brush (depending on which one is clean that day haha). A couple of pumps does a whole face and I've been finishing it with Bourjois Java Rice Powder* to add a bit of extra radiance. This foundation photographs EXTREMELY well. It gives a velvety, soft focus effect. The only pictures I have of it so far are in false light so I haven't included one in this particular post, but plan to feature it in an upcoming Winter FOTD-type post I'm working on so you'll see it in all it's glory. I did feel that my skin didn't seem as hydrated as it does with Healthy Mix. It felt a little bit tight towards the end of the day. However, this was not reflected in the finish which stayed true and lasted well.

The concealer, although I haven't thoroughly road tested it yet, held up very well under my eyes the first time I tried it and compliments the foundation extremely well. It's only a tiny compact though so I'd imagine if you were using it every day you would run out quite quickly.

All of the Happy Light products Launched in October and are available NOW from all the usual Bourjois stockists such as Boots and Superdrug. You can also pick them up online via Boots, Superdrug, Amazon and very.co.uk

Happy Light Foundation RRP: £11.99
Concealer: £8.99
Serum Primers (each): £10.99

Do you go bonkers for Bourjois?? What is your ultimate drugstore foundation?? Will you be trying the Happy Light collection??

Going Totally Tartan for Xmas with Freya

Despite having been MIA from the blogging scene on and off recently (excuse for last week is a good, old-fashioned dose of the flu), there's still not a lot that passes me by when it comes to what's hot and what's not. What is DEFINITELY hot right now is Freya Lingerie. Did you know they were recently awarded CoolBrand status?! How amazing is that! Freya have a very devoted fan club who just adore their lingerie. My brother's girlfriend is such a fan that she even named her daughter after them. I was lucky enough to meet up with the lovely ladies from Freya during the last London Fashion week for a fitting and a nosey through their Autumn/Winter styles. Boy, it was an eye opener!!

Another trend that I have been happy to discover this year is the tartan CRAZE that appears to be sweeping the country in the run up to Christmas this year. I do love me a bit of tartan. I fell head over heels in love with the style and pattern of this beautiful 'Totally Tartan' lingerie set and, being all amazing and all, Freya fitted me up and sent along this beautiful padded balcony bra and matching short in my perfect size. I honestly was blown away at the fitting. I couldn't believe I'd got my size so wrong (especially as I am familiar with the traditional method of bra fitting and thought I knew my size inside out). Not sure I want to reveal my true size to the whole of the internet but it's a good 2 cup sizes BIGGER and a size smaller round the back than I had been wearing.Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaat??? These ladies really know their stuff because the lingerie is so comfortable and fits like a glove!

I'm not going to subject you all to a photograph of me wearing the undies (believe me when I say, nobody needs to see that at such a happy time of the year) but it's such a flattering style. Freya bras really are fantastic quality and the comfort factor is out of this world! The straps are lovely and wide and don't dig in and the back is as sturdy as they come. I'll think twice in future about just quickly grabbing cheap bras from Primark. I think it really is worth it for a piece that will last a long time and keep its shape to spend that little bit more. 

The tartan pattern of this set is a really soft, feminine take on traditional tartans and also features pinstripe denim and delicate button details. It's perfect for girly girls who also want a piece that's a bit different as well as being on trend. I don't think I've seen much tartan in other lingerie departments this year!

The bra in this set is available up to a G cup and sizes range from 30-38. RRP is £31 and it is also available in a plunge style. It comes with options of a thong, brief or short with prices starting at £12. Definitely one for your Christmas Wishlist! Start dropping those hints now...

Check out this style and many many others at freyalingerie.com 

Which 2013 Winter trends are your favourite?? Do you go crazy for prints?? Is long lasting, quality lingerie important to you??