I'm usually a drugstore kind of girl. Having tried a wide variety of drugstore foundations, I discovered that the Maybelline Fit Me is my absolute go-to. The lightweight, oil-free formula is comfortable on my face and doesn't provoke my acne-prone skin. The coverage is medium to buildable without making me feel cakey, and although it's perfect for oily skin, the water-based formula leaves a healthy glow on my skin you don't often get with matte foundations. Whilst I was completely sold on my £6.99 foundation, I was recently given some samples of a couple of Chanel foundations to try out so I decided to give them a whirl. Chanel Vitalumiere Satin Smooth Fluid Make The first foundation I tried was the Vitalumiere Satin Smoothing SPF 15 in the shade 20 Clair. The title 'lumiere' initially had me skeptical. My oily-combination skin often doesn't take well to illuminating foundations as they can highlight my pores and don't do a great job of keeping my oils at bay, leaving me looking like a big grease-ball by the end of the day. However, the promises of an anti-fatigue finish piqued my interest. Of the two foundations I tried, this one was my least favourite. The consistency was liquidy but quite thick, meaning the illuminating finish was thicker and therefore more obvious on my skin. It overall had a more heavy-weight feeling to what I'm used to and I had to use a substantial amount of powder to mattify my t-zone, leaving my face feeling extra cakey and looking more dry than usual. Because of the extra powder I had to apply to my face, any anti-fatigue effects were somewhat counteracted. However, I will say that the foundation is perfect for those with normal to dry skin as it does leave a pretty sheen to the skin with decent coverage, and, being Chanel, it does have a more luxurious feel and smell than some of the drugstore foundations I've tried. I also found the shade range was more skin-like than some of the drugstore ranges which can often be more dramatically orange or pink toned. I found that a little went a long way with this base in particular so I guess the luxurious price tag is a little more justified. Retailing at £37 at Boots.com, I think it's a worthwhile purchase for those with normal to dry skin looking for a luxurious foundation to provide decent coverage and an illuminating finish. Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua The second foundation I tried was the Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua SPF 15 in the shade 40 Beige. After trying the Satin Smoothing from the Vitalumiere range, I admit I was skeptical about trying the second foundation, but the water-based formula appealed more to what I was used to.
Again, this foundation has a luxurious feel and smell that isn't too offensive. The lightweight consistency reminded me of the Fit Me and I was immediately impressed with the illuminating finish which, whist glowy, didn't feel greasy at all. I fell in love with this foundation after just a couple of wears and may have just replaced the Fit Me as my favourite base. Although the foundation has a low coverage, I found that it doesn't irritate my skin so I therefore didn't need the extra coverage. One layer of the foundation covered any blemishes I wanted to conceal and any other marks I may wish to cover in the future could easily be camouflaged by spot concealing with either a concealer or a thicker foundation. I've recently started really enjoying a more natural glow to my skin as opposed to a heavy, matte finish, so the low to buildable coverage is perfect for everyday wear. Again retailing at £37 at Boots.com, I'm more than tempted to purchase a full-size bottle. Admittedly, the price tag is a little daunting, but a worthwhile investment for a reliable base I’ll save for special occasions or days my skin feels particularly bleak. I may have just been converted to a luxurious foundation, but I'll still be keeping a couple of bottles of Fit Me on my dressing table.
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What an extraordinary book.
Heather Morris writes the true story of Lale Sokolov, who arrived at Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1942 and swears to survive this nightmare in any way he can. It is because of this motto that he becomes the tattooist of Auschwitz, permanently marking prisoners with a number they now branded with. Stripped of all identity and freedom, the tale of each individual prisoner is heart-breaking and powerful. No words I can ever convey will explain how powerful and important this novel is. What I loved most about the character of Lale was his will to survive, and his will to help others survive as best as he can. In particular, he sets out to aid Gita, a girl he falls in love with, as he attempts to keep her alive and promises a better future outside of the camp together. Their story is a reminder that love and hope can survive where everything is bleak, and it is their endurance that I admire so much. There are some harrowing images throughout the novel, which Morris depicts perfectly from the perspective of Lale without dramatizing. The horrific atrocities Lale and his fellow prisoners witnessed and encountered on an every day basis become the norm to them, and this is portrayed perfectly in the simplistic narration of events. As Lale works to save those he comes to love, he doesn't depict himself as a hero. He is merely obtaining his humanity in a place that has been deprived of it. It is so important to remember the Holocaust, the people that lost their lives and the loyalties and relationships that remained even as death surrounded them. It is these stories of friendship, survival and endurance that fills us with hope that even in the darkest days, a shred of humanity survives. This story brought me to tears and even made me wretch with disgust at times, and it is for that reason that we must always remember the unthinkable crimes committed, not just in Auschwitz, but all over the world, so that no one has to endure such torture and humiliation ever again. I encourage everyone to read this heart-wrenching tale about a man who refused to be defeated and a love that prevails all. |
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