What Laura Wants - The Beauty Edit

The list of beauty products currently taking my fancy is sadly one that only seems to get longer with time. When it comes to beauty, I always like to undertake quite a bit of research before I make the financial commitment.  The products above are all ones which are currently making the cut onto my list of things to try.

Regular readers of my blog might have spotted I am a bit of a Kiehl's convert.  Their Midnight Recovery Concentrate at £36 certainly ticks all of the boxes being paraben free and containing over 99% naturally derived ingredients meaning it's good for your skin.  

This little beauty is formulated with evening primrose and essential oils which work overnight to leave your skin hydrated, supple and soft.  I'm yet to read a bad review and my understanding is that a little goes a long way meaning it's great value for money.  I need this on my dresser soon!

Next up is the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder which I've shown above in Diffused Light. At £38 a pop, it is certainly not a budget buy and would be an investment purchase.  Beauty bloggers seem to rave about this product in all of it's shade variations, but it's the idea behind the powder itself which has caught my interest.  

The reasoning of the makers of  Ambient Lighting Powder is  that your complexion looks better in softer focus lighting (like candlelight) as opposed to the glare of harsh fluorescent lights. Given our lack of candlelight in the 21st Century, the powder works to diffuse and soften the way the light reflects off your skin thereby refining your complexion.  It can be used as a highlighter or all over your face to give you more of a glow.  As it's paraben free, you can rest easy knowing it won't clog your pores.

When it comes to eye make-up removers, I have to say, I am pretty faithful to Bi-Facil by Lancome, in my mind nothing really beats it.  I have tried others, but they don't cut the mustard when it comes to removing waterproof mascara and eyeliner in one sweep thus removing the need to rub my eyes. 

Step in Elemis White Flowers Eye & Lip Make-Up Remover which, like Bi-Facil, features a bi-phase formula.  At £19 (meaning it's in a similar price bracket to my old faithful) it's certainly something I'd like to try.  It contains soothing white tea and  hydrating white peony extract and promises to remove waterproof mascara swiftly without aggravating the sensitive eye area.

Last, but by certainly no means least is the Real Techniques Core Collection of Brushes which features a foundation brush, buffing brush, contour brush and a detailer brush for only £20.99 (if you buy from feel unique as linked above).

I have been assured this collection is worth it for the buffing brush alone which really helps to work in liquid foundation/tinted moisturiser thereby helping you to achieve a more airbrushed look.  In all honesty, the only brushes I have in my collection are a couple of eye-shadow brushes and one battered blusher brush so I   really need to invest in some new brushes soon. I popped into Selfridges a while ago with a view to securing some good quality brushes and several ladies told me I was better off purchasing the Real Techniques brushes instead of ones from their own brand which were almost twice the price in some cases.  Now that's saying something!!

What beauty products have you got your eye on at the moment?