Touch in Sol Makeup Review (Korean Beauty)

If you love Korean Beauty and Instagram, you would have heard about TouchinSol one way or the other. I came across the brand on the MMCL's Instagram page. I was intrigued by the brand but I had never tried Korean Beauty so did not know where to start. I was very kindly offered an opportunity to try out some products from the brand and I was more than delighted (obviously). I'd already heard good things about the brand but I wanted to experience it for myself and see how well these products worked for my complexion, taste and skin types. Touch in Sol has a wide offering of makeup products which range from eye makeup, complexion products, lip products, etc. I was sent a generous selection of products. I have been trying them out for a couple of weeks and I feel like I am ready to share my thoughts now.


Packaging
I have to say the packaging and actual products feel way better in real life than in photos. I was very impressed by the quality and how sturdy they felt. I love the effort behind the practicality of the packaging. I loved that they also stuck to a classic black with the occasional burst of neon colours to bring some life to the black packaging. I think it is elegant yet youthful which I feel will make it appealing to different people. The wands on the Metalist Liquid Foil Eyeshadows are easy to use and there is minimal mess to them.




No Pore Blem Primer* //Link // £15
This was the first product that got me absolutely intrigued because I saw it everywhere. I have enlarged pores around my cheeks (which is annoying) but only a few primers help to reduce their appearance. I wanted to know how well this would work on my pores. The No Pore Blem Primer contains a unique powder in its formulation that helps control sebum production, blurs pores and providing a smooth canvas for makeup. I love the cute pink bottle and I am so pleased it comes with an easy to use pump. It goes on really smoothly and I can definitely see a reduction in the apperance of my pores with it.




My foundation applies really well and I love how airbrushed my face looks in person and in photos. I have used it alone and I did find that my T-zones were slightly oily however I think it is designed more to tackle visible pores as opposed to mattifying. I now use it around areas where I have visible pores and use a mattifying primer underneath and it is an absolute dream. I checked out the Touch in Sol website and I can see they have a mattifying primer so I will be trying that out together with the No Pore Blem Primer to see how well they work as a team. If you have normal or dry skin, you can definitely get away with using it on its own as it will address visible pores and give your complexion a natural look.




Browza Gel Brow Liner in Mink Wink* // Link // £15.50
I switched to using Gel Brow Liners ages ago and I stopped using regular pencils mainly because I don't like sharpening pencils. More importantly, I prefer gel brow liners because they last longer and look more natural. The Browza Gel Brow Liner comes in three shades and I have the shade Mink Wink which is nice dark brown shade which I feel will work well on many darker skin tones. I love the undertone as it is such a great match to my brow hairs.




It has two sides- gel brow liner and a spoolie which I am so pleased about. It rolls up and down so there is no need to sharpen it. It does not have a pointy tip however the tip is great for outlining and filling in my brows and it looks natural (takes less time too). I am used to trying gel brow liners with pointy/fine tips so I was curious to see how well it worked for my usual routine. Surprisingly, it works really well and I can get away with skipping my brow powder (which I use along with my fine tip brow liners). I am really impressed with this brow liner; it does not break off while using it and has lasted me well so far.





Style Neon Super Proof Gel Liner in Ecletic Electric* // Link // £13
I don't tend to use gel liners because I prefer felt tip eyeliners but I was intrigued by this gel liner. I was a little apprehensive of the colour because it is not one I would pick out for myself. However, I wanted to give it a shot. I love the injection of neon in the design of the packaging. It has a slightly smaller nib than the Gel Brow Liner and it also rolls up and down which is great. The texture is actually amazing and it glides across my eyelids easily. Some gel liners drag across my eyelids and that puts me off but this is really smooth and I love it for that. The shade I have is Ecletic Electric which is a nice blue-green shade (almost aquamarine). It is the kind of colour I would wear for videos and for spring/summer. I have not worn it out a lot because it is eye catching and in my profession, I tend to stay with conservative makeup. Nevertheless, if you are creative and love eye catching colours this is worth a try.



Non Stop Swift Black Eye Liner* // Link // £9.50
This has to be my favourite product from the entire range!! If you know me well, you'd know I never do my makeup without eyeliners. It just completes my look and my eyes feel naked without eyeliners. Even if I skip eyeshadows, I won't skip eyeliner (unless I am not wearing makeup at all). The Non Stop Swift Black Eyeliner ticks all the boxes for me - gorgeous felt tip (very pointy), long lasting and waterproof.




I love how well it fits into my hands as it is just the right size so I am able to get into all the corners and create a great flick. I have been using it everyday since I got it and I was surprised by how affordable it is. The finish is somewhere between matte and shiny; it's just the right finish I love. You do have to give it a nice shake and you are good to go. If you love felt tip eyeliners, I will highly recommend checking this out.



Stretchex Stretch Lash Effect Mascara* // Link // £18
Whenever I have the chance to try out a new mascara, I am excited because I currently have only two mascaras that work for my almost non-existent lashes. I am sure just like everyone I love mascaras that give my lashes length, volume, hold a curl and separate my lashes. It's not easy finding mascaras that tick all these boxes for me and that's okay because my lashes require extra care. Having said that, the Stretchex Stretch Lash Effect Mascara ticks majority of the boxes.


First off, I love the wand/bristles because it is the perfect shape and size I prefer. This mascara is great at elongating my lashes (it's not called stretchex for nothing), holds a perfect curl and excellent at separating my lashes. It provides good volume but it is not dramatic and it is perfect for everyday. It has made its way to one of my top 5 mascaras and I absolutely love it. It is non-sticky so it does not get messy during application or through the day.  If you are looking for a great everyday mascara, I will definitely recommend  checking it out.






Rouge Fondue Lipstick* //Link // £21
I just love the name of this lipstick because it reminds me of a delicious fondue that my friend made during Christmas. I believe there are 7 shades and they all look very wearable including this shade Fondue Red. It is a super moisturising lipstick that glides across my lips and very forgiving even on chapped dry lips. It is enriched with shea butter, mango and coconut butter yet it does not feel heavy or greasy. It also does not sink into the lip lines or bleed into the lips.

It is not a matte or glossy lipstick; it just sits right in the middle (I would say the texture is similar to MAC Amplified but not exactly the same). It lasts a good while on the lips considering it is not a matte lipstick however it fades to a more natural tint towards the end of the day which I don't mind at all. I love the wear, the feel and the shades available. I also have to mention that it is one of my favourite lipstick packaging. It is slightly longer than the average lipstick out there. I don't think these pictures do it justice at all because the packaging is so pretty and very well made.




Metallist Liquid Foil  & Glitter Shadow Duo* (Lottie and Eldora) // Link //£20
I had to leave the most exciting product to the end- the Metallist Liquid Foil & Glitter Shadow Duo. Liquid Eyeshadows (foil and glitter) have become so popular and I am so into them right now. I have tried quite a few and love all the ones I have tried so far. The exciting thing about the Touch in Sol Metallist Liquid Foil & Glitter Shadow Duo is that there are two sections- the liquid foil section and the glitter shadow section. It means you can use them alone or layer them on top of each other. I was very kindly sent two shades- Eldora and Lottie and there are absolutely gorgeous. There are 5 shades in total- Eldora, Talia, Lottie, Margaret and Adelio. I love the shades available and I can imagine that they may expand soon. The shade Lottie is more like a dusky mauve shade which always looks flattering on my complexion. Eldora is a gorgeous copper bronze shade and I am obsessed with it. The liquid foil section applies smoothly and one application is enough.







The wand is well designed such that it picks up the right amount of product and prevents waste. The Liquid Foil section dries fast so it is important to work fast while applying it because once it sets it is difficult to adjust. It works well as a one wash wonder or for a full eyeshadow look. I tend to use the wand to apply and use my eyeshadow brush to finish it off. When I am off to slay, I pull out the glitter section and layer it on top with tapping motion. I don't blend it at all; I just apply it on top of the liquid foil and it adheres smoothly. There is minimal mess because the wand is a different shape to the liquid foil; it is flatter and gets the right amount of glitter without stress. The finished look always looks so pretty and it looks like it was a lot of effort when in reality, it was just two brush wands. I absolutely love it and will highly recommend it if you are looking to try liquid eyeshadows because they are good value for money




Where to Buy
I recently purchased another Metallist Liquid Foil & Glitter Shade (Margaret) because I was impressed with the shades I have (plus it is my Mum's name). I got mine from Cult Beauty because they offer free shipping on any orders over £15 which is reasonable. You can also find Touch in Sol on ASOS and Sephora (which is amazing). I look forward to them being stocked in other retailers but I think these retailers will meet the needs of almost everyone because they offer worldwide shipping.


Overall Thoughts 
For my first time of trying out Korean Beauty, I have to say I am impressed. I now look forward to even trying out Korean Beauty skincare which I have heard great things about and it is quite the rave now. I feel that the price is quite affordable for the quality of the products you get and definitely worth investing in. Have you tried Touch in Sol beauty products?
*Gifted PR Sample, read my full disclaimer here.

Best in Beauty 2017 Skincare Edition

I know this is coming slightly late but better late than never. I was recently chatting with my good friend Sal from Ummbaby Beauty and she really encouraged me to start blogging again. So if you are reading this, thank you so much babe!!  It's already started out being a busy year and I am hoping that I am able to write on my blog as much as I would love to. Writing my best in beauty for the entire year is one of my favourite posts to put together and I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do. Without doubt, it will be a long post (no surprises here!!) but I will try my best to cut it down as much as I can. I looked back at my 2016 Skincare Favourites and I can already see some products being featured this year again which goes to show how much I love these products. Let's get started...


Best Beauty Tools //Link
I am sure without doubt everyone can guess that my FOREO beauty products are my all-time favourite products. I am just obsessed with them and I cannot get enough of them. I have used at least one FOREO product every single day since I got them. My FOREO Luna Mini 2* is my most used FOREO product. I doubt if I can ever be satisfied with just using my hands to wash my face because I don't think my skin will be clean enough. My FOREO Luna Mini 2 gets rid of all the dirt, grime, makeup and works well with any cleanser I pair it with. I usually still travel with the FOREO Luna Mini 2 but sometimes I opt to go with my Luna Play which I adore. It's the cutest gadget ever and I don't use it often only because I don't want the battery to run out (it's not rechargeable). The FOREO Iris Eye Massager* is one product I use to ensure my eye creams and serums go a longer way. I don't use it everyday but whenever I use it, my eye area feels so much better. I also use it for my spa night because it feels like a little relaxing facial. Lastly, I bring out my Luna Exclusive* when I want to give my face a proper pamper as it has an anti-ageing side which can be used with moisturisers, serums, etc. to help them get better absorbed or just for a quick massage. FOREO products are really good investments and they go a long way in helping the skin.


Best Makeup Remover
I have always been an advocate for the double cleanse so I usually start off with removing my makeup before opting for a cleanser. I use a variety of products for this step and they stem from cleansing balms to makeup wipes to micellar waters. My favourite micellar water is still the Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Water but the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water is also a strong contender and I love both of them. For wipes, my absolute favourite has to be the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Makeup Remover Wipes and I am so glad discovered them this year. I usually stock up when they are half price so I never run out. For cleansing balms/gels, I have been loving the Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel which is a gel-balm hybrid that is excellent at removing all my makeup. I thought I would never get the hype of this product but sadly I have been sucked in and loving it. For cleansing oil, I really enjoyed the Tropika Coconut Cleansing Oil* which smells fantastic and removes every bit of makeup from my face including waterproof makeup. I knew I could not stick to only one product for this category but the ones I chose were my most used in 2017 :-)


Best Eye Makeup Remover
I am very picky when it comes to eye makeup removers because I wear contact lenses/glasses and my eyes are sensitive. I also love eye makeup because I can get creative with different looks and that's why a good eye makeup remover is important for me. I always look out for eye makeup removers that remove both waterproof and non-waterproof eye makeup which are non-greasy, no residue, no panda eyes and non-irritant. Two products that stood out for me in 2017 were the My Skin Matters Bi-Phase Eye Makeup Remover* (from Sainsbury's--> I know right?!!) and the La Roche Posay Respectissime Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover*. They tick all the above boxes and are very affordable. They are already on the repurchase list and I highly recommend checking them out.


Best Cleanser
It was very difficult for me to narrow down on my absolute favourite cleanser because I have quite a few which I loved through the year. However, I was strict and decided to pick just two- one budget friendly and one expensive one (but great value). My absolute favourite cleanser for 2017 is *drum rolls* none other than the Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser*. I have used it consistently since I received it and I cannot get over how effective it is. It contains glycolic acid, lactic acid and saliycylic acid which work wonders in revitalising the skin. My skin always feels fresh and smooth after use and the results are well sustained. My second favourite cleanser is the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Cleanser* which I adore because it ticks all the boxes for me when it comes to a cleanser. It keeps my skin clean, lathers well, non-stripping and comes in a great packaging.


Best Toners
For toners, I did not have a tough time choosing a favourite one because it was just staring at me on my dresser. My all time favourite toner (although it is called an exfoliating lotions) is the Biologique Rechecher Lotion P50. It is incredible at keeping my skin in optimum condition. It is packed full of skin loving ingredients especially AHAs which my skin responds well to. There are two other toners that impressed me this year and are worth mentioning. They both contain Glycolic Acid but they work differently for me which is why I could not chose one. The first is the The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution which I am so glad I finally got my hands on. I am currently using it and I love it because it contains a slightly higher glycolic acid content (7%) which has been really good to my skin. Sometimes it feels slightly stinging on my skin but I love how well it works. When my skin is feeling sensitive but I still want to continue dealing with my hyper pigmentation issues, I opt for the Vichy Idealia Skin Peeling*. I know the name sounds scary but it is one of the gentlest and most effective glycolic acid products I own. It really exfoliates the skin and I believe it will be suitable for anyone who has sensitive skin. Other Holy Grail products worth mentioning are the Pixi Glow Tonic (will always love it) and the Alpha H Liquid Gold as they are very effective and I featured them in my previous yearly favourites.


Best Eye Cream/Serum
I always feel like eye creams work the same but I tried out quite a few this year and I was able to come up with a checklist. I prefer eye creams which are lightweight, hydrating, quickly absorbed and refreshing. My favourite eye cream/serum has to be Lancome Advanced Genifique Yeux Light Pearl which does all the above including being housed in a gorgeous bottle. I also noticed the appearance of my laugh lines are getting less visible with consistent use. Another Eye Cream/Serum I loved in 2017 is the Jurlique Herbal Recovery Advanced Eye Serum* It feels slightly silkier than the Lancome one and it sinks in really easily. Two budget friendly ones I loved in 2017 were the Vichy Slow Age Eye Cream* and the Neutrogena Hydroboost Eye Awakening Gel. I used both of them at different times of the year and they were marvelous. I think I reached more for the Neutrogena Hydroboost one through the end of 2017 and it quickly became my favourite. The texture is gel-like but very refreshing and it really helped my tired under eyes look better.


Best Serums
Now this is the category I knew I will struggle with because I love serums that pack a punch. Naturally, serums are meant to do that because they are designed to contain a high concentration of active ingredients that get absorbed and deliver skin benefits. I have different serums for different uses but right now I am concentrating on getting rid of all my hyper pigmentation so I am leaning towards those with such skin benefits. Based on that, my favourite serum has to be the Biologique Recherche Placenta Serum. Together with the  BR Lotion P50, I have seen a tangible difference in my skin. I took a little break to try out other skincare products but I am already back to the BR products. My other all time favourite serum has to be the Lancome Advanced Genifique Serum because it is hydrating, balancing, smoothing and helps with skin renewal. Other serums worth mentioning including the Jurlique Herbal Recovery Advanced Serum*, The Ordinary Serums (Alpha Arbutin, Niacinamide and Alpha Lipoic Concentrate), CULT 51 Immediate Effect Serum* and the Institut Esthederm Intensive Retinol 2% Oil Serum*. I will talk a little bit more about my other serums in another post because I think they deserve a standalone post.


Best Day Cream
This was an easy category for me because these day creams stood out for me the entire year. The first is the CULT 51 Day Cream which I am obsessed with. It does everything you want in a moisturiser and more and my skin is always on its best behaviour whenever I stick to it. Other moisturisers I loved in 2017 were the Jurlique Herbal Recovery Advanced Day Cream*, Vichy Slow Age*, Murad City Skin Overnight Detox Moisturiser* and the Neutrogena Hydroboost Water Gel Moisturiser*. They are hydrating, smoothing, refreshing and don't interfere with my makeup. They are perfect for many skin types (mine is combination oily & dehydrated) and they don't feel greasy at all which is a winning solution in my books.


Best Night Cream
For night creams, it was really easy to narrow down my choices because I only loved a few. Topping my list has to be the CULT 51 Night Cream* which I am still obsessed with. It is hydrating, smoothing, refreshing and gives a great glow especially the next morning. I can't fault this night cream except that it comes at a hefty price. If you keep an eye out on their social media channels you can hear about offers/deals. They also have mini sizes which is a good way to try out the brand.


Best Sunscreens
For many years, the La Roche Posay Anthelios Sunscreen XL has been featured in my yearly favourites and it still remains one of my top sunscreens. In 2017, I decided to give other sunscreens a chance and a few impressed me and some have even become favourites. Top of my list is the Institut Esthederm Bronze Repair*. I love everything about this sunscreen from the design of the packaging down to how well it works. It is non-greasy, easily absorbed and I know it protects my skin because my dark spots don't get any darker (this happens if I don't wear sunscreen mainly because I use a lot of skincare products that make the skin photosensitive such as AHAs, Vitamin C and Retinol). Another sunscreen worth mentioning is the Neutrogena Hydroboost Hydrating Lotion with SPF 25* which I am surprised about. I have been using it more towards the end of the year and I still find myself reaching for it even till now. I think it is such a great budget option for a sunscreen as it is hydrating, does not give off a whitish/bluish cast and works well to protect the skin.


Best Products for Acne/Hyperpigmentation
I feel like I could write a whole book regarding dealing with hyper pigmentation issues and I know I am not  alone on this subject. I have tried many skin care products and I am making progress which is being documented. Of course, I will be sharing all my experience when I arrive at the results I am aiming for. One of the products which has impressed me in this regard is the Biologique Rechercher Serum Placenta. I just finished all my tiny samples and now I am moving onto the bottle I purchased back in October. For breakouts (which I am getting less of now - thank God for that), I always turn to La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo* and Effaclar A.I. Targeted Breakout Corrector. They always work for me and I have used them for many years now without fail. They are my HG products and have been featured countless times on this blog an even yearly favourites. For helping with hyper pigmentation, I still love the Alpha Intensive Rejuvenating Serum which contains 14% Glycolic Acid. This is not for the fainthearted but it works really well. The only snag is that it is sold only in the US but it is very affordable. The Oskia Renaissance Bright Light Serum was a recent purchase but I enjoyed it. I loved it mainly for the extra radiance it gave my skin. Lastly, I loved my Murad Intensive C Radiance Peel* which I saved for when my skin was playing up. It works wonders and provides immediate results (super radiance and fresher skin).

Skincare Brands Worth Mentioning
I just wanted to give a mighty shout out to some skincare brands I tried out in 2017. I dedicated time (at least a month) to try out these brands exclusively to see how well they worked and they blew me away. Some of these brands include CULT 51, Murad Skincare, Biologique Recherche, Neutrogena Hydroboost, Jurlique and The Ordinary. I am not always a one brand skincare type of girl but I sometimes think there are merits to sticking to one brand at a time. I really enjoyed and still enjoying these products. If you made it to the end, a massive thank you for doing so. I hope you enjoyed this post and do keep an eye out for my Best in Beauty 2017 Makeup Edition coming soon once I get around to editing my photos. It will be a long post because I loved a lot of makeup products. What was your one favourite Beauty Product in 2017?
*PR Sample + Affiliate links used, read my full disclaimer here.