Bourjois City Radiance foundation
Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet liquid lipstick
First, I’m sorry for not posting as often as I used to. I used to post once a week, but my posts have dwindled to twice a month, not because I don’t have content ideas, but because my website host is being an absolute little bitch. I cannot tell you the technical troubles I’ve been having recently and it’s making blogging a huge chore instead of the joy it once was. I hope soon I’ll be able to move my website over to a new host, but in the meantime, I’ll keep limping along, posting as much as I can manage to get posted!
Secondly, Bourjois, what happened? We were such great friends and then you do me dirty like that. I wanted to like this foundation, hell I did like this foundation. Bourjois City Radiance foundation promises medium coverage, a pollution filter and SPF 30 all in one squishy tube. Despite the limited shade selection, I was into you, man. You made my skin smooth and glow-y, and lit from within, which has never ever happened, even after drinking pints of mineral water. I looked good. My skin never looks good.
And then you broke me out. Listen, City Radiance, I got enough skin problems without you adding to it. I have a fucking beard, I have cystic acne and I have fine lines to worry about. I don’t need the added stress of clogged pores and cheek spots to worry about! Despite pampering and babying my poor, sensitive skin, I still have a cavalcade of angry, red acne marks across one cheek. If I could sue City Radiance I would, and now I remember, once again, why I’ve stuck to the same damn foundation for three years (It’s the body shop’s fresh nude foundation, if you’re wondering).
Ahem. Putting aside my disappointment in Bourjois’s City Radiance foundation, I was not disappointed by the two further shades I purchased from their Rouge Edition Velvet Matte liquid lipstick line. Whew, what a mouthful. Try saying that five times fast. I’ve reviewed the Rogue velvet matte lipsticks before. They’re one of my favourite liquid lipstick formulas, with a gel like texture, and a most excellent colour selection. Seriously, if you’re looking for a particular lipstick shade, check Bourjois, because they probably have it. Below Frambourjoise is swatched at the top, and Grand Cru at the bottom.
The first shade Frambourjoise, I got on sale in my local pharmacy. Now if that didn’t make me feel all French girl chic, I don’t know what will. It’s described online by Bourjois themselves as a rosy berry-red shade. I mean, when I think of berries I think of winter-y shades, maybe a bit of blackberry, or raspberry. Frambourjoise is bright. On me, it pulls almost neon. I did a search online for bright berries (I clearly have too much time on my hands) and I’d say it’s closest to a Goji berry in shade. So, Bourjois weren’t completely incorrect. It’s a shade I do like, especially for summer. Also, a little girl in Aldi told me she liked my bright lips, so I automatically win. So there.
Below is Frambourjoise on the lips. My phone camera is not quite picking up the brightness of it, and I look slightly unhinged, so i'm sorry.
The second shade I picked up was Grand Cru, which seems to be quite a well-known shade. It’s what I like to call my Deadpool red, looking at it makes you feel like you got punched in the face, but in a good way. This isn’t a red for the faint hearted. It’s intense. I love it. I’ve read reviews from other bloggers that have said Grand Cru isn’t the same formula as the other velvet matte lipsticks but I genuinely haven’t noticed anything different. All the velvet mattes go on easily and wear well, with no bleeding or smearing, even Grand Cru. I will absolutely be purchasing more shades from this line up. Currently on my wish list is Ping Pong, an insanely bright fuchsia.
Below is Grand Cru on the lips, accompanied by my creepy dead-eyed expression. I was trying to photograph the lipstick okay! Stop bullying me!
Do you have any favourites from Bourjois? If you tell me it’s the Healthy Mix foundation (aka the most yellow foundation of all time) I’m going to throw my lipstick at you. Let me know!