Often, in our haste to write about the new and exciting or perhaps the ‘cult’ beauty products, I reckon we bloggers have a tendency to overlook some of the truly wonderful products that repeatedly feature in our daily make-up routine.

In my case, Lily Lolo mineral foundation is a perfect example of this. I adore this product, I’ve used it almost daily for near on 2 years now yet I’ve never once dedicated a blog post to it.

So, in an attempt to rectify this situation, here’s a quick rundown of what I love about this foundation….

1. I love the way it makes my skin look. It evens out my complexion but never looks heavy or caked on. I love that it’s lightweight but that it still improves the appearance of my skin. Sure, it’s not going to give you full coverage like, say, Estee Lauder Double Wear but I wholeheartedly agree with the company’s claim that the light reflecting mica helps to minimise imperfections. In the past, friends haven’t even realised I’m wearing foundation, it looks that natural.

2. I find it much quicker and easier to apply than a liquid. It requires a slightly different technique (buff, buff, buff… and then buff some more) but once you’ve mastered it the end result is fabulous.

3. It doesn’t break me out. Before I came across Lily Lolo I’d had one skin disaster after another when it came to trying foundations. Lily Lolo is free from harsh chemicals (it was bismuth oxychloride and parabens that I was particularly keen to avoid) and even has antibacterial properties that can help improve the skin. If you have ‘problem’ skin I’d really recommend giving this a try.

4. It’s inexpensive. 10g will set you back a mere £12. I tend to go through a sifter jar in about 4-5 months, although it’s possibly even a bit longer than that.

5. Lily Lolo’s customer service is outstanding. I love that you can order samples for around £1 and that their delivery is so very, very prompt (often next day in fact). Moreover, the delivery charge is determined by the contents of your basket as opposed to a flat rate. This means you can happily order one sample sized jar of foundation without worrying about paying a ridiculous, disproportionate shipping fee.

I truly adore this foundation. It can do no wrong in my eyes and I’m certain that I’ll be using it for a long time to come yet.

While browsing the website the other day something else caught my eye too… and this is how their Matte Finishing Powder found its way into my life.

Now, if you think I’m enthusiastic about their foundation wait to you hear what I think of this magical pot of white dust!
What intrigued me most about this product was the suggestion that it be used under foundation, almost like a primer. Now, I’m sure I’m not alone in suffering from the dreaded oily t-zone, particularly at this time of year. A product that might help stop my make-up melting off would be nothing short of a dream come true. I’ve always been wary of more conventional primers as I just can’t see them agreeing with my skin but my faith in the Lily Lolo brand prompted me to give this one a go.

Wow. This. Stuff. Is. Amazing.

The main ingredient is Kaolin, and it’s this magical clay that seems to provide the powder’s incredible oil absorbing properties. I’d also be inclined to agree with the claim that the Matte Finishing powder provides a soft focus, flawless finish.

My favourite way to use this is to apply a light dusting of the finely milled powder after moisturiser/sunscreen and then buff my foundation on in the usual way. I usually finish with a light spritz of MAC Fix+ too, it gets rid of that overly powdered look you can sometimes get with mineral foundations. (I should add that I’ve also applied it over tinted moisturiser to great effect.)

First off, this product seems to instantly take the coverage of my foundation up a notch. I’ve been using far less concealer and I’ve been much happier with the appearance of my skin overall.

But the best bit is that I’ve hardly felt the need to powder my face at all throughout the course of a normal day. The staying power of my make-up has improved no end. This is a total revelation to me, on an average day I usually have a shiny nose and greasy looking forehead by the time most people are contemplating their mid-morning snack.

Sunday was always going to be the real test for this product. A day of frantic party preparations and getting flustered in the kitchen would surely be its undoing.

Nope.

I went the whole day without reaching for my MAC blot powder once, yet my face looks almost matte in all the photos from Jesse’s party. Look, see…
… about 5-6 hours after the initial application and I look goofy, not greasy.

That’s it, I’m sold. I’ll be buying a full size jar come pay day.

So ladies, do you share my love of Lily Lolo? Any other gems hiding on their website that you think I should check out? And how do you make your make-up go the distance in the heat?

Loveaudrey xxx