Super Splurges versus High Street Steals: Get the Same Look for Less

This week, I had a delivery from the seriously pricey high-end skin care and cosmetics brand, skinChemists. The products are 'clinically proven to be effective', and after trialling them out for a few days, I was able to confirm that they are decent products. But then at 76 quid for a lip gloss, you'd kinda expect them to be, right? And you can achieve similar looks with cheaper, High Street alternatives (all tried and tested!) Here's my savvy girls' guide to get the designer look:

Splurge: Skin Chemists Studio Finish Primer: £89.50
Steal: MAC Prep + Prime Skin Primer, £19.50

Splurge: Skin Chemists Under Eye Definer £89.50
Steal: YSL Touche Eclat Radiant Touch No 2, £25

Splurge: Skin Chemists Lash Intensive £75.96
Steal: RapidShield by RapidLash Eyelash Daily Conditioner, £28

Splurge: Skin Chemists Lip Plump  £75.96
Steal: Soap and Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Lip Plumping Gloss, £9.00

What are your favourite High Street steals? Do you have any money saving short cuts? Let me know by commenting below! 

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*The skinChemists products shown in this blog were a PR sample provided by skinChemists, but my reviews are always 100% honest and non-bias.

Fine One One! Sheer Brightening Colour for Cheeks and Lips by Benefit

I decided to mix things up a bit today and do a video review for Benefit's latest product launch: Fine One One, £23.50, available from www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk

Have a watch and please leave a comment to let me know what you think, I'm quite new to video blogging so I'd love your feedback!

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Pout Out Proud recruited for the InStyle Blog Elite!

I've had some amazing news... InStyle magazine have asked Pout Out Proud to get involved in their exciting new blogger project! As part of the InStyle 'Blog Elite' (alongside 5 to 10 other bloggers) I'll be taking part in challenges, such as recreating InStyle beauty looks with a special Pout Out Proud twist, to go head-to-head with the other submissions in a public vote!

The first 'Your Way' challenge is to recreate the hot hair trend of the season, up-do braids, as featured in this video:

What up-do braid styles do you love? Let me know by commenting on this post!

Trendy Little Nails by Topshop!

Nails by Topshop in 'Daydream' and 'AWOL', £5.00, available from Topshop.com

How super cute are these little varnishes by Topshop?! The packaging is really trendy, and all the shades live up to the kooky-but-cool ethos of Topshop's fashion label.  'Daydream' is a powdery pink with enough girliness to make Barbie herself swoon out loud. I'm not usually a huge fan of blue varnish (always reminds me of nasty hygiene plasters) but 'AWOL' has just enough quirkiness to pull off the shade. Cute like blueberry milkshake. Both shades were lovely and shiny too...

At £5.00, these varnishes make really sweet little gifts (especially for Topshop-loving folk) or an extra little treat if you want to trend-up your talons.

Apply: Two coats (fast drying, huzzah!) over a decent base coat will last you a minimum of two days.

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Foundation Faves: From Day to Night (and my High Street Steal!)

I always get asked about my favourite foundations, so I thought I'd put together this little blog to, ahem, cover all bases...

Daytime Delight: Hello Flawless by Benefit

Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow SPF25 Brightening Make-Up in Champagne, £24.50, and Benefit Hello Flawless SPF15 Powder Cover-Up in Champagne, £24.50, both available from Benefit.com

For a gorgeous daytime foundation, I use the Benefit Hello Flawless range because it is so light yet adds a beautiful warmth to the face. It feels super soft on the skin and smells divine...heavenly!

I like to sweep over a layer of the Hello Flawless Powder Cover-Up in a matching shade for an extra boost of cover which lasts all day, without that nasty cloggy feeling. 

Apologies for the stern face in my swatch picture above (it would appear someone forgot to put sugar on my weetabix that morning!) but as you can see, the Hello Flawless foundation is subtle but effective... perfect for daytime coverage.

Nighttime Full Coverage: MAC Studio Sculpt 

Studio Sculpt SPF 15, £24, available from MAC Cosmetics

I use MAC Studio Sculpt for a trustworthy coverage on those big nights out. It has a really thick liquid consistency, a gel based foundation which is fantastic for dry skin. I find the Studio Sculpt is best applied with a foundation brush, and a little goes a LONG way. It's also buildable, so you can layer the application to create a high coverage. Here's a before and after picture, featuring my dear friend Anna...

I would recommend leaving this foundation for a couple of minutes before applying powder to the skin surface, as it does set. I always use a mineral-based translucent powder (such as Rimmel Stay Matte in Transparent, £3.99) over the Studio Sculpt for an utterly flawless finish, quashing any unwanted shine in the process.

The High Street Steal: Rimmel Match Perfection

Rimmel London Match Perfection Light Perfecting Radiance Foundation SPF18 in Soft Beige, £6.99

For a lower priced foundation, my tried and tested favourite is the Match Perfection Range by Rimmel. It might not feel as super soft as the Hello Flawless range by Benefit, and it might not be as super flawless as the MAC Studio Sculpt, but for only £6.99 I was seriously impressed. The SPF18 foundation blends really well, with no streaks or patchiness. It's great that more and more high street foundations are combining coverage with sun protection too! As with all liquid foundations, I like to set with a loose powder. The Match Perfection Silky Loose Powder, £6.99, works well and leaves a lovely soft finish, but I couldn't see much difference between that and the Rimmel Stay Matte in Transparent, £3.99, which is a few pounds cheaper.

Rimmel London Match Perfection in 040 Soft Beige Skin Tone Adapting Concealer and Highlighter, £5.99

I love the fact that Rimmel have developed a whole range of complimenting products to suit everyones coverage needs. The matching concealer is a brilliant high street alternative to YSL Touche Eclat (priced at a staggering £25) and works brilliantly on those troublesome areas, without standing out like a sore thumb. The concealer is bright and illuminating, lifting the dark under-eye area without dodgy creases. 

Again, apologies for the slight scowl below (I really must work on my snaps!) but as you can see, my coverage looks nice and natural with a light glow. A great high street buy for those with normal to dry complexions.

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Rimmel London Apocalips Lip Lacquer: Review

Rimmel London Apocalips Lip Lacquer, £5.99, available from Boots

Rimmel London's latest lipwear range, Apocalips, has hit the high street! With eight different shades available, I tried out my six favourites... 

I absolutely love this new range of liquid lippy. Priced at only £5.99, the opaque colours with a high gloss finish are standing strong against YSL Glossy Stains, priced at £22.50. 

The packaging is really trendy, and there's a statement colour for everyone. I love 'Nude Eclipse' for a seriously sophisticated finish, while 'Stellar' has a gorgeous coral candy pop (I'm tipping this shade to be a big hit for 2013). 'Big Bang' is a deep glossy red, fabulous and fierce. I was less keen on the softer pink shades, but each to their own... Let me know which shade is your favourite for 2013 by commenting on this blog post.

For a high street range, I was really satisfied with the quality of this lip wear.  They were really moisturising (which can often be a downfall of cheaper products) and sat nicely on the lip. Some slight bleeding did occur, but this could be quashed with a quick line of lip pencil.  

How to apply: Apply one layer, blot, then re-apply for a longer lasting finish

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Pout Out Proud makes The Times' Top 10 Beauty Websites!

A fantastic surprise this morning, Pout Out Proud made The Times' 10 Best Beauty Websites! 

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Add Some Oomph! Keep The Volume Turned Up In 2013

Big, super-voluminous hair was the hottest trend in 2012, and it's not going anywhere in 2013. For those glam nights out you've gotta go big or go home...

Here are my top product picks (and styling tips) for cranking up the sexy volume:

1. Catwalk by TIGI Volume Collection Your Highness Elevating Shampoo and Nourishing Conditioner, now £6.75 and £7.50 from FeelUnique.com

My favourite voluminous shampoo and conditioner, it leaves hair full and fabulous! It smells really gorgeous too. As with all products designed for big, full locks, I wouldn't recommend using this shampoo and conditioner every day, the swelling agents can weaken hair if used too often! 

2. Mark Hill Big Night Out Range: Supersize Me Volume Spray, £6.29, Oh, So Hot! Heat Protection Styling Spray, £6.29, available from Boots

It's so important not to forget to protect your hair in your quest for a big, fierce, mane. Mark Hill's Heat Protection Styling Spray combines protection with volume... erm, amaze? It doesn't weigh hair down and my hair felt nice and smooth after styling. 

3. Lauren's Way Dream Rollers, £16.95 for 20, available from Laurens Way
These rollers are really easy to whack in your barnet for an extra oomph. I pop them in to dry hair (much less likely to damage your hair if you pull them out of combed, clean, dry hair) while I apply my make-up for a big night out. They're comfy enough to lie down in if you fancy a post-party snooze, and  keep those pesky locks out of your mascara wand. Double win!

4. Catwalk by TIGI Your Highness Root Boost Spray, £11.50, available from FeelUnique.com
This product is so effective. Simply apply the Root Boost spray to your damp roots and then blow dry as normal. Instant glam volume! It smells gorgeous and doesn't make your hair sticky or matted. It's almost undetectable, except your tresses are packed with oomph! Fabulous.

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Face Powder: Rimmel Stay Matte or bareMinerals Mineral Veil?

Rimmel Stay Matte Long Lasting Pressed Powder, £3.99, available from Boots and bareMinerals Mineral Veil, £17.00, available from FeelUnique.com

For a really flawless finish, I always use a translucent powder over liquid/gel foundations. It rids any lurking shine from across the t-zone, minimises pores, and generally creates a wonderful vision of smooth, perfect skin.

In my make-up bag, I have Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in 'Transparent' and bareMinerals Mineral Veil in 'Original', which is a loose powder. There's a £15 difference, and to be honest, I'm struggling to see why.

bareMinerals Mineral Veil claims to 'minimise lines, absorb oils, and soften your complexion', a 'bare veil of minerals that lock makeup in place and give your skin airbrushed perfection'. And in fairness, it really does all these fabulous things.

But then so does the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder. It may have quite a lot more ingredients (purists might prefer the bareMinerals range full stop) but the end, flawless, result is very much similar. To demonstrate, I made half my face up with the Rimmel Stay Matte, half with bareMinerals Mineral Veil...

Barely any difference at all!

How to apply a translucent powder: Allow your foundation to set. Using of large, soft, brush, swirl into the powder. Tap off any excess (so that barely any can be seen on the brush). Buff the powder into your skin in circular motions.
  
Top Tip: For oily skin, or to soak up a heavy moisturiser, buff a translucent powder into your skin before applying your regular foundation.

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Cheeky Preview: Rimmel Lash Accelerator Endless, coming soon!

Hot new product! Rimmel Lash Accelerator Endless, £7.99, will be available in stores nationwide at the end of February

Here's a sneak peek at what to expect from Rimmel's next mascara to hit the shelves... I do love a new product release! As I've mentioned before, my natural lashes are a frankly pitiful offering (see below 'before' pic) so I'm always on the lookout for a product to make them more sensational.

First impressions count. And, to be honest, I'm not a huge fan of the yellow/black packaging. It's all a bit sci-fi for me, like a wasp dipped in uranium. However, the packaging isn't the bit that really counts. Let's get down to the lashes... 

The brush is really good, firm rubber spikes which do a great job of coating each lash, even the pesky ones in the corners. There is minor clumping on application, but for £7.99 I think the overall result is really good. My lashes looked a lot longer and thicker after a few swipes.

The mascara lasted all day without annoying smudges or flakes, and didn't result in hideous panda eyes when I took my make-up off. Here are some pictures from before and after application:

Before: Model wears no make-up

After: Model wears Rimmel Lash Accelerator Endless Mascara, Barry M Precision Blink Eyeliner, HD Brows Palette in Bombshell, Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow in Champagne

Related Posts: 

• REVIEW - Barry M Lash Modelling Mascara
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Barry M Lash Modelling Mascara and Precision Eyeliner: Review

Barry M Lash Modelling Extra Black Mascara, £6.19, and Blink Precision Eyeliner, £4.59, both available from BarryM.com

This new mascara from Barry M is perfect for creating really long, perfectly seperated lashes. I've been cursed with lashes of the short-to-medium variety, and this mascara dramatically improves my flutter potential. It's really gorgeous for an everyday mascara, creating feminine lashes without being too heavy for the office. 

Despite the very reasonable pice tag, this mascara stays put all day long. No flakes or smudges to gatecrash your lovely complexion. 

The Precision Eyeliner is a great buy, it's easy to apply (quite like using a pen) and is great for creating heavier liner effects on the upper lids. A great high-street purchase if you're a fan of the feline look. I personally prefer a finer line on my upper lid, so I prefer a thinner, more flexible liner brush. But I do use this eyeliner on my bottom lid, as it's nice and precise and doesn't run down your face. 

Pictured: Barry M Lash Modelling Extra Black Mascara on lashes, Barry M Precision Eyeliner thinly applied to bottom eyelid

• Coming soon! Review: Rimmel Accelerator Endless Mascara, available in stores January 26th. Keep checking www.poutoutproud.co.uk for all the latest beauty updates xx

Benefit Face Powder in Sugarbomb: My No.1 Daytime Blush

Benefit Face Powder in Sugarbomb, £23.50, available from Benefitcosmetics.co.uk

Gorgeously soft and warming, this blush adds a beautifully subtle glow to the cheeks. It's really complimenting to both pale and medium complexions, and would make a great shimmering highlighter for darker skin tones.

The palette balance of golden bronzes and pinks (rose, shimmering pink, soft plum, sumptuous peach) means that you don't end up with a harsh block of blush, so no Coco the Clown in sight (phew!) 

I sweep the blush over the apples of my cheeks everyday for a 'natural' radiance, perfect for creating glowing, healthy skin. A look of natural perfection. I also like to use it as a base to soften a stronger blush for nights out, applying a sweep of NARS blush in Orgasm across my cheek bones for an extra oomph. 

 Pictured: Benefit Face Powder in Sugarbomb on cheeks, MAC Ruby Woo on lips with MAC Cherry lip pencil, Pro Lashes by Gary Cockerill, HD Brow palette in Bombshell on brows 

Top marks from me! Sugarbomb Face Powder is a make-up bag must for everyday gorgeousness.

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Revitalise with Rituals Hammam Hot Scrub

Rituals Hammam Hot Scrub, £14.50, available from Rituals.com

This is my fave product for a good, revitalising soak in the bath. When I'm feeling a bit groggy and sluggish (such a horrible word, no?) then I scoop up some of this salt scrub and pop it in a hot bath. The warming ginger and fresh eucalyptus smells amazing, and really clears the head. Lush!

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Cute like Candy! Ciate Nail Caviar

So much LOVE this super cute manicure! How gorgeous?! 

Ciate Caviar Pearls in Rainbow, £18, available from Selfridges is my favourite nail accessory of the moment, the tiny little pearls of cuteness are so fun and playful!

The look is really easy to achieve too, simply paint on a healthy layer of varnish then tip over the teensy beads. Press the beads down gently and allow to set for fifteen minutes. Voila, cute like candy nails. Do not apply any top coat though, as the colour from all the little beady treats will run into a murky blue (not desirable!)

It may not be the most long-lasting nail effect, but I totally love it. A really unique and girly finish, that's easy to do. Perfect! 

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Benefit Ultra Shine Lip Shine in Foxy Lady

If you're on the lookout for a super-glossy, non-sticky, beautifully scented gloss, then Benefit Ultra Shines Lip Shine in Foxy Lady, now £7.00 in the sales, available from Benefitcosmetics.co.uk,

is absolutely perfect. It's packed full of glorious pinky-golden shimmer. I love to glide a layer over a feminine pink lipstick (currently I'm using Chanel Rouge Allure 112 Fantasque, available this spring 2013) for a temptingly kissable, glossy pout. 

I think I'll be getting a lot of wear out of this beautiful little gloss as we head towards summer, it's so pretty and eye-catching. This really is a pink to make the boys wink.

Pictured above on nude lips (i.e. without base lipstick)

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Get the Glitter Bug with Barry M Glitter Nail Paint

Barry M Glitter Nail Paint in Ruby and Amethyst, £2.99 each, available from BarryM.com

These nail paints by Barry M are so cute, ultra glitzy, and a total bargain. I wore the 'Amethyst' glitter on New Year's Eve for an extra glam addition, so eye-catching and packed full of shimmering sparkle! The 'Ruby' glitter paint is more subtle, with light-reflecting black and red flecks. I like to pop a coat on over black varnish for a cute finish. Be warned through, the glitter varnish is an absolute nightmare to get off... you may want to invest in some strong remover!

Pictured: Barry M Glitter in 'Amethyst' on top of a coat of black nail polish

Pictured: Barry M Glitter in 'Ruby' on top of a coat of black nail polish

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From Daytime to Playtime: Gary Cockerill Pro Lashes

Gary Cockerill 'Damsel in a Dress' Twin Pack (Daytime to Playtime) Pro Lashes, £14.95, available from GaryCockerill.com. Model also wears Benefit They're Real mascara, Barry M Blink Precision eyeliner and New CID Cosmetics i-colour long-wear cream eyeshadow in Zinc.

These lashes are totally amazing, one of the best ranges I have ever worn. And believe you me, I have worn so many pairs of lashes that my bottom draw looks like a dropped scene from Arachnophobia. 

The base strip of the lashes (where you apply the glue) is really fine and flexible, which means they stick down brilliantly in the very corners of your eye. These lashes looked really natural yet 100% glamour puss at the same time... perfect!

The cute thing about these lashes is that you get a pair for day wear (pictured above) and a more dramatic pair for wilder evenings (pictured below) Both pairs stayed firmly in place until I removed them, no lifting or unsightly drooping. 10 out of 10.

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New Year, New Clinique Skin Care Regime

Clinique's 3-Step Skin Care Regime: Step 1 Liquid Facial Soap, £15.00 for 200ml, Step 2 Clarifying Lotion, £16.00 for 200ml, Step 3 Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion, £17.00 for 50ml, available from Clinique.co.uk

The winter months really took their toll on my skin, leaving it tired and dry. An annoying little army of pimples set-up shop on my once smooth forehead too, they just popped right up overnight without so much as a warning, the little blighters.

It was my step-mum who recommended I try the Clinique 3-Step Skin Care range. They do say that mums know best, and she does have remarkably great skin. I nabbed some of her clarifying lotion for a little trial, swept it over my cheeks and brow, and my goodness I couldn't believe the muck which had been clinging on through the facial washes and cleansing lotions. 

Two weeks on and my skin has literally transformed. Naughty little pimples have packed-up and gone back to their hellish HQ, my face looks rejuvenated and glowing.

The best thing about the Clinique range is how tailored it is for your skin type. I use the range for dry/combintion, and it suits me perfectly. The facial wash is wonderfully mild, the clarifying lotion really strips away the dirt which clogs pores (even my pesky blackheads are looking better!), and the moisturising lotion absorbs in an instant leaving skin perfectly primed and ready for make-up application. I couldn't recommend this product range enough. 

Related Post: A Guide to Skin Care

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Woo all the Boys... with MAC 'Ruby Woo' Lippy

MAC lipstick in Ruby Woo, £14.00, available from MACcosmetics.co.uk and MAC lip pencil in Cherry,  £11.50, available from MACcosmetics.co.uk

I have a hot new love in my life (and it isn't a man. Who needs 'em?) Nope, it's MAC lipstick in 'Ruby Woo'. I absolutely love it. Such a glorious deep red, it adds instant glamour to any outfit. It doesn't dry out the lip, and feels nice and velvety on application. Here's my New Year's Eve make-up choice, featuring the treasured lip wear:

Top Tips for Red Lip Perfection

1. Invest in a matching lip pencil. MAC's lip pencil in 'Cherry' matches 'Ruby Woo' perfectly, and will add clarity and perfection to the lips. 

2. Optimise your pout. Use the matching lip pencil to create a cupid's bow, and add fullness by going slightly over the edge of your bottom lip. Apply the lip pencil to the entirety of the lip if you want your red to stay put all night long.

3. Think about colour clashes. Avoid blushes which are pink or red based, and opt instead for a blush which looks closer to a bronzer. I wore Benefit Sugarbomb Face Powder (and focused on the bronze/golden shades of the palette) The same applies for a highlighter - I used Barry M's Dazzle Dust in Gold Iridescent. 

Get all the hottest beauty tips: subscribe to Pout Out Proud. Love this look? Please leave me a comment below...

Planet NARS: Blush in Orgasm

For a gorgeous golden-pink shimmer, I love NARS blush in Orgasm, £21.00, available from NARScosmetics.co.uk. Thanks to the super strong pigment, you only need the tiniest of sweeps for a gorgeous, healthy glow...which means that it lasts for AGES, wahoo!

I'm a big fan of the teensy light-reflecting gold particles in this blush, so eye-catching and beautiful!

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