Review: Dior Forever Skin Perfect Foundation Stick on dry skin

 

Over the past year or so, I have seen and heard lots of people raving about the Dior Forever Skin Perfect Stick Foundation and although that's not usually my preferred foundation type ( I prefer a liquid), it just lived in my head rent-free and I had enough Boots points so I bought it! I'm not sure if Max Factor still sell Pan Stick, but that was something we all used back in the day and I can still remember the heavy, cloying feeling on the skin (maybe I just used too much!) and this put me off stick foundations for years. I do think I have probably tried a small number in the last twenty years, but generally I tend to steer clear - until now that is! So, how has this foundation worked out for me on my dry skin?

Disappointing products from brands I love....

I don't believe in labelling products as 'bad' but inevitably, there will be some that just don't suit my skin/hair etc. Today I am sharing some recent disappointments from brands that I usually love and I would love to hear any that you may have in the comments below...

My favourite beauty discoveries of 2025 so far....

I don't want to bore you with the "where is the year going" line but seriously, this year seems to be flying by faster than so many other recent years! I like to do a mid-year check-in in lots of areas of my life and my beauty discoveries is one of them. I certainly don't shop as much as I used to when I first started blogging, or even during the pandemic when I shopped when bored and ill! I like to think that I'm much more refined and controlled in terms of my beauty buying these days! I have made some great beauty discoveries in the first half of the year - they're not necessarily new to the market products, but new to me. Let's get into it!

Summer 2025 beauty edit: Skin, Body, Fragrance, Makeup

I feel like my beauty preferences have changed a lot in recent years. I've definitely zoned out of having to have the latest release (because I finally figured out that I only have one face and I can't keep up with all of the new releases anyway!) and I generally know what works well for me. I do still switch things up seasonally, although sometimes in Ireland it feels as though we only have two seasons and go directly from one to the other! Today I'm talking about the products that I'm currently loving and will be in rotation for the coming months. I'm including skincare, bodycare, makeup and fragrance (but in all honesty, we know how I feel about fragrances, so I will undoubtedly use more than I mention here!).

Three skin tints for summer

I think that most people tend to go lighter with their base in the warmer months and as we age, lighter bases and a good corrector/concealer are our best friends! Fuller coverage foundations tend to highlight any lines and texture that we might have on dry or mature skin. BB creams were the summer go-to product back in the day but over the past 2/3 years, skin tints have been in. These are more than a tinted moisturiser (which I personally am not a fan of) but don't claim to have skincare benefits as a main selling point. I have three great skin tints to share with you today.

Frizz free hair for 4 days? Kérastase Gloss Absolu products review...

Kérastase is my favourite haircare brand! I have used (and still use) others but this is the one that I will return to time and time again and I always have a few products from the brand in my stash. I personally find the products to be very effective and I have used many of the ranges in the last 25 years, from Genesis when I suffered a lot of hair loss, to the Resistance range for damaged hair, Blond Absolu when my hair was very balayaged and the Premier range for decalcifying and strengthening the hair.  Therefore, when the new Gloss Absolu range was launched, I couldn't wait to try it because my hair is naturally quite dry and frizzy and this range promises 4 days of frizz-free hair. Could this possibly be true?

My number one product from my top 10 skincare brands

 

As a skincare addict and beauty blogger, I have tried hundreds of skincare brands over the years, from budget to luxury. Some brands I naturally gravitate towards more than others. I have dry skin that isn't keen on lots of fragrance or essential oils. I used to be very sensitive to shea butter as an ingredient but that seems to have changed over the years so I don't actively avoid it now but at the same time, wouldn't seek out products that contain a lot of it. As well as being dry, I also have some pigmentation, fine lines and texture, which I try to keep on top of by using great products and my Currentbody LED Mask Series 2*. It is a product that I simply could not be without and I use it at least 5 times a week because consistency is key for optimum results in terms of firmer and more elasticized skin as well as a reduction in pigmentation. Use the code LYMINCB to save 10% if you're interested in buying. I've compiled a list of my top ten skincare brands and my favourite product from each one, which I want to share with you today and I would also love to hear what some of your favourite products are in the comments below!

Why you need to try Loving Tan

 

I’m a weekly tanner pretty much all year round and have been for years. I just feel that I look a lot better, less ill/fatigued and more glowing with a tan. I don't want to look bronze, I'd prefer to look golden and like the tan is natural. I have used so many brands - I was particularly loyal to St Tropez for around 10/12 years and Coco & Eve for 18 months or so, but Loving Tan has my heart now and even if I try another brand, I'll always have Loving Tan in my stash and it's the brand that I use most often. It's pretty much impossible to get streaks with it and it fades very evenly. Most importantly, it gives me the golden glow that I love. There are a number of different tan options available, which I'm going to talk about today.

Five budget beauty loves....

Has anyone else noticed recently that 'budget' beauty brands are actually a lot pricier than expected? I guess that makeup in general, has increased a lot in price in the past year or so (along with everything else!). That said, we can always rely on good old Boots for a good deal or Look Fantastic, where my  BEAUTYLYMIN code will save us 21%. I loved looking in Walgreens when I was in the U.S. in January at all of the budget beauty brands - there aren't many (any?) that we can't get over here now so I didn't buy very much as the exchange rate was particularly unfavourable at that point.  L'Oreal is probably my favourite budget beauty brand because the products perform really well and a lot are very comparable with higher end brands. They do base and eye products particularly well. Today, I have a roundup of my current top five budget beauty buys....

Five minute makeup for a fatigued face!

I don't wear makeup on a daily basis, particularly if I'm at home and not feeling my best. However there are times when I just can't take looking at my fatigued face (due to illness/medical treatment, hoping it will improve as my health does!) and I need to whack on some makeup but don't want to spend a lot of time doing it. Enter the five minute makeup routine!

Skin Rocks - worth the hype?

I've been an admirer of Caroline Hirons for a long time so naturally, when she started her skincare brand, I knew I had to try some products. I have used and finished some products previously but haven't shared my thoughts (apart from in empties on my stories) until now.  I have yet to try all of the products available but have five to review. I love the bold colours of the packaging of the products, they certainly won't be confused with any others in my skincare stash. It's bright, fuss-free and for the most part, refillable. It's also worth mentioning that the products are available fragrance-free. Now on to my thoughts (please keep in mind that I have dry skin)...

Five current beauty loves......

Loooooong time, no post! As many of you know, I have been undergoing medical treatment since last September and this has meant that my blog has been somewhat neglected. I have missed posting and catching up with the community but have had to put my health and recovery first (and will continue to do so), but now feels like the right time to dip my toe back in to the online beauty world and I want to share with you five products that I have been loving recently!

My top 10 beauty products of 2024...

Happy New Year! It's that time of year when I reflect on which products I reached for the most over the previous 12 months. Usually I do separate categories, plus a discoveries post but this year I want to keep it concise and just do my top 10 products of 2024. It's not easy to narrow it down to just 10 products to include skincare, haircare and makeup but I just looked at what I used most consistently in my routines. I would also love to hear your favourite products of the year!