Testing, testing: new makeup from Hourglass, YSL, Charlotte Tilbury and more!

I've been pretty good at not buying everything new and pretty that has caught my eye this year, but recently I had some birthday vouchers and decided to treat myself to some products that I had my eye on, and I want to share my thoughts on them with you today!

Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer: I'm loving the Beautiful Skin range from Charlotte - well, it's just a bronzer and foundation so far, but both are two of my favourite discoveries this year, so naturally, I had to try the concealer. I liked the description of medium-coverage and hydrating, as that's what I tend to look for in a concealer, particularly one that I'm using on my under-eye area. There are 30 shades available to choose from, and whilst I don't like my under eye area to be ultra-bright, I do like a little lightness there, however I think that had I been choosing in the flesh, rather than online, I would have gone with a deeper shade, but I can make it work. It has a doe-foot applicator, which is angled, making it perfect for getting to the inner corners of my eyes, as I tend to put a dab there and a little bit on my outer eye area, for a lifted effect. The coverage is definitely medium and I don't find it to be cakey at all, or to crease. I love that it's hydrating, as that suits my dry skin. I rarely set my concealer, however if your skin isn't like the Sahara, you might want to. It doesn't highlight fine lines or crease, so overall, I'm very happy with this - I just wish I had bought the next shade.

Rodial Banana Low Lighter: This is a very hyped product, even more so over the past 6-12 months. I probably didn't need this product, but it was a scratch that had to be itched! I had to see if it lived up to the hype! It's described as encouraging a fully-rested appearance and God knows, I need that right now! When I first applied it, I thought that it looked so pigmented and full coverage, that I'd never be able to blend it in, but it is surprisingly easy and quick to blend, for a natural and lifted look to the skin. My skin is neutral in tone, so if your skin is more pink, it would look a little odd. It doesn't look yellow on the skin, it just lifts the complexion to make it look fresher. This is a brand I want to try more from! If you want to try this, you can save 21% by using the code BEAUTYLYMIN at the checkout on Look Fantastic (it works on hundreds of other brands and products too!).

YSL All Hours Foundation*: This was kindly sent to me, it's in completely the wrong shade and even in the depths of winter, it would still be too light for me, but I tested it anyway, to check the coverage, formula, finish, wear-time etc and bronzed it up so that I didn't look like a ghost! This is the opposite of what I would usually go for in a foundation - full coverage and matte, however full coverage has its time and place, particularly if skin isn't looking the best, or is a bit red. I think that I associate full coverage and matte with a mask-like finish, but this foundation really isn't like that at all. Yes, the coverage is full and a minimal amount of product is needed, but what really surprised me about this foundation is how smooth it makes my skin look, and whilst the finish is matte, I used a glow-inducing and hydrating primer, so it didn't look at all flat. It is comfortable on the skin, which is probably due to the polymer it contains, which retains up to three and a half times its weight in water. It is budge-proof, so once you apply it, it will remain looking flawless until it's removed. It doesn't settle into fine lines over time - again, most probably due to the polymer. It's the perfect foundation for an event where you need to know that your makeup will be in tact all day/night - a wedding, meetings, which will run into evening events etc, It won't need touching up and is said to last for 24 hours, not that I have ever worn foundation for that long! It has really surprised me in a very pleasant way and I really wish I had it in the correct shade.

Huda Beauty Glowish Blush: I usually like products from this brand, so when I saw these reduced, I decided to buy two shades. I expected them to be quite pigmented, but surprisingly, they aren't, however they are buildable. The marbled effect reminded me of Hourglass blushes, but they don't have a highlighting powder intertwined. Overall, the look is very natural, and I must mention that they are tiny. I like them but am glad that I paid half price.

Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm in the shade Mist: Probably my favourite purchase from everything in this haul! This balm has some pigment, some gloss (obviously, given the name), but it also really lives up to the volumizing part of its name too.I can't tell you how much I love this - it isn't sticky, doesn't have the tingly effect that some volumizing products do, makes lips look smooth and has the most beautiful, glossy finish. I also adore this shade as it looks like my natural lip colour, but want to try more. A big bonus is that it doesn't stick to my mask (yes, I'm still wearing one and was called a Gobsh!te last week by a random member of the public for doing so - didn't bother me in the slightest, the FFP2 mask is designed to protect me rather than others, so I think I know who the Gobsh!te is!).

MAC Honey Love Lipstick: I'm probably the last nude lipstick lover to own this and don't know why I waited so long. Well actually, I do - I thought that it might look like concealer-lips on me, which is not a look that I like (who does?!). Actually, it's a warm beige with a hint of peach, which I really like to wear with any nude lip pencil, but I especially love to use some Spice under it. It's a matte formula, but is comfortable on the lips, and I'm glad I own it at last! Don't forget that BEAUTYLYMIN will save you 21% on Look Fantastic!

Charlotte Tilbury Sunset Lover Lipstick: This is a shade that I meant to buy when it was first released but then it disappeared, and recently I had the opportunity to buy it as it has been re-released as a limited edition. It's a beautiful peach shade, which suits me best when I have used some fake tan on my face, for a gentle glow, as it lifts my complexion and works well with an overall soft makeup look. I love Charlotte's lipsticks!

Merit Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick in the shade Baby: I think that I may have seen this on Tati first, but can't be sure. I know that I had to go on a waitlist for it and ordered as soon as it came back into stock! It quite reminds me of the Glossy Balm mentioned above, in so far as it isn't overly pigmented, it's hydrating, but it has a satin, rather than glossy finish. I chose a neutral, muted pink, which is perfect for everyday wear.

So, that's my, pretty restrained, haul! Has anything caught your eye? What have you been buying recently? I'd love to hear!

Thanks for reading!

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All products are bought by me, unless otherwise stated. Anything marked with a * has been kindly gifted, without obligation. I don't do sponsored posts. Opinion is always my own. Affiliate links may be used.