Hello all!
I received products from the Skincare brand (Trinny London ) – My Reviews of the Skincare are HERE (there are some hits and misses),
I also got sent some makeup from the brand and their makeup products are supposed to contain some skin-beneficial ingredients and overall not be abrasive or irritating for the skin.
I’ve received no payment, nothing; no incentive to post about the brand, but I personally wanted to swatch these, review and test out these products and share them here in case you were interested and wanted to see the colour saturation and how these products sit on the skin (and what my overall thoughts and ratings are). I also provide some dupes where I can, too.
Is the brand Cruelty-Free?: The brand states that they (and their suppliers) do not test their products on animals for cosmetic purposes and don’t carry out third-party tests on animals currently. They do not have official Cruelty-free accreditation (due to payment).
Is the brand Vegan?: checking on their FAQ it says: ”Most of our products are vegan, but some of our products include non-vegan ingredients like beeswax or carmine.” – So I would assume that the coloured makeup products (i.e. the Lip products and the Eye shadows) aren’t Vegan friendly. However feel free to e-mail the staff to find out specifically if the products you are interested in are vegan-friendly. I have listed below which of these products are vegan-friendly.
Quick Note: How did I find my shades? Well, the website has an option on their website called Match2Me which I think did quite a good job matching the bronzers and foundations etc to my skin tone. It even matched me with the Lip sticks and brow shade etc to complement not only my skin but the colour of my features. I would recommend using Match2Me if you are unsure about your shade and the website does also offer consultations if you are still unsure about shade matches (and what lipstick or blush would suit your skin tone etc).
Note: Trinny London is available to purchase from their website LINK.
Heading:
- Foundations
- Concealers
- Primer + Setter
- Bronzer and Highlighter
- Mascara and Eyebrows
- Blush
- Lips
- Overall Rating and Conclusion
The packaging: The lip products, Miracle Blur, Mattifying Finisher and Cream Concealer / Bronzer + Highlighters are in pots which are stackable! They are sturdy and you hear a ”click” when you place them on top of each other. It’s supposed to make it easier to travel and customise what you take with you as it forms a tube shape that’s easy to throw into your bag. I like the idea! These are plastic (not glass) so they’re slightly lighter.
Foundations
Firstly all of the Foundations / Liquid Concealer are part of the BFF line which are Skincare-Makeup Hybrids (not meant to dry-out or irritate your skin).
They are called Tinted-serums so do not expect the same kind of coverage as KVD foundations for instance, but it has medium coverage that doesn’t feel heavy.
So there are 2-tinted Serums with slightly different finishes/coverage: BFF 1. De-Stress and 2. Rebalance.
What’s the difference between BFF De-stress VS BFF Rebalance?: De-Stress is aimed at Normal/Dry Skins and has a Low-medium, buildable and Glowy Finish. Whereas BFF Rebalance is aimed at Oily / Combination / Blemish-prone Skin with a Medium, Buildable Coverage (aims to not be so shiny).
BFF Rebalance – Tinted Serum 30ml (Foundation): LINK
What is it?: A lightweight foundation aimed at Oily/Combo and Blemish-Prone Skins meant to reduce shine and reduce breakouts and not be too glowy.
Skincare Ingredients?: This contains Niacinamide and Honokil (Skin-brightening and Antioxidants). Niacinamide also helps reduce excess sebum in the skin.
Vegan-friendly?: Yes (doesn’t contain Beeswax / Carmine)
- Shade: Alicia
Video Swatch:
My Review: This has slightly thicker and higher coverage than the De-stress Foundation/Serum. It is easy to blend around the skin and does provide coverage (covers redness and an uneven skin tone and goes over blemishes). It’s not fully coverage but it’s buildable and initially has a good medium coverage.
Dupe?: The Lisa Eldridge Signature Foundation is wonderful! It doesn’t have a greasy/shiny/too-glowy finish so it works for my Oily-Combo skin, and it feels lightweight! And this brand has a large shade range.
BFF Serum – De-Stress (30ml): LINK
What is it?: A Tinted Serum Foundation aimed at Normal/Dry Skin and Low-Medium (buildable) coverage with a Glowy Finish.
Skincare Ingredients?: Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Honokiol (Brightening and Antioxidative Ingredients), Hyaluronic Acid (Hydrating).
Vegan-friendly?: Yes (doesn’t contain Beeswax / Carmine)
- Shade: Binky
Video Swatch:
My Review: Yes this doesn’t have a matte finish, but if I apply this with a light layer, it doesn’t look too glowy. This is easy to blend and spread and definitely covers redness and an uneven skin tone. This doesn’t have enough coverage to cover really really dark spots or tattoos for instance, but it’s enough for a decent coverage that even’s out the skins tone. Because this is aimed at dry skins it means that it doesn’t cling to dry patches and also it wont cling too much onto blemishes.
Dupe? is The Ordinary’s Colours Foundation (So very good!) Available on Amazon LINK or Cult Beauty LINK. This has a wide shade range with different undertones and although there’s not much oil-control, this isn’t thick.
Concealers
Liquid Concealer (6ml): LINK
What is it?: A silky-textured Eye concealer meant to brighten and coveer the eye area (aims to cover dark circles).
Skincare Ingredients?: Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate (Antioxidant) + Rosemary Leaf Extract (Antioxidant + Soothing). Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 (Collagen-stimulating Matrixyl 3000 to reduce fine lines + wrinkles). Hyaluronic Acid (Hydrating).
Vegan-friendly?: Yes (does not contain carmine or beeswax).
- As you can see, this has a cooling metal tip to also help with dark circles and puffiness under the eyes.
Video Swatch:
My Review: I very much enjoy this Eye Concealer! I don’t spill anything with the packaging and the colour fits me (I used the Match2Me options on the website). It didn’t crease badly for me or feel drying around the eye area.
- I apply 2 light layers for coverage.
Dupe?: The other brightening eye concealer I really enjoy is the Fenty Beauty Brightening Concealer: LINK and then I apply the regular concealer on top for extra coverage and brightening: LINK. Although it doesn’t have the metal tip (if you like that cooling sensation under the eye).
Foundation and Undereye Concealer Swatch Comparison:
Hopefully you can see these have smooth, creamy textures (they’re not heavily silicone-y and aren’t uncomfortably thick).
Just a touch (Cream Concealer Pot) – – Link HERE (My shade: Iris)
What is it?: This is meant to be an easy to blend and control concealer aimed at novices.
Skin-beneficial Ingredients: Physalic Angulata which is skin-protecting.
Vegan-friendly?: No (contains Beeswax).
My Review: This does have buildable coverage and it does help conceal blemishes and redness and pigmentation. This is lightweight and not-patchy for my oily-combo skin (I think this would cling to dry patches). I really enjoy this pot concealer; it’s been very easy to use, very blendable and covers most of my issues. I would definitely repurchase this. I think the shade range is pretty decent and fit me much better than Glossier’s range (the closest shade still made me look orange).
Dupe: Alternatives with even higher coverage are the Nars Pot Concealer: LINK. Or a K-beauty alternative is the Saem Pot concealer (it is slightly dry-er and more pigmented, so prep your skin beforehand): LINK
Primer + Setter
Miracle Blur – Available HERE.
What is it?: A line-filler i.e. this is supposed to fill Lip Lines, scars, Eye Lines (and other lines) and also fill pores (smoothes out the skin before applying foundation).
- This is a colourless formula (feels like light, velvety-silicone/cream).
Vegan-friendly?: Yes (does not contain Carmine / Beeswax).
How do you use this?: You’re supposed to take a pea-sized amount and warm it between your fingers. You can apply it before you stat makeup by pressing it into your pores and around the lips to stop your lipstick bleeding out the lines. You can also apply this over your makeup, gently pressing this produce over foundation to smooth out fine lines.
Video Swatch:
My Review: An interesting product! I must say I don’t really reach for this mainly because I worry with these kinds of silicone-heavy products, that I’ll experience balling up (especially when applying foundation on top, you have to be careful not to rub and just tap etc). But I think I would like to keep experimenting with this and see how it goes although if you watch the above, it doesn’t intensely cover lines. It’s not my favourite product from this line-up but I like the idea of using it to fill fine lines and also to help reduce lipstick bleeding around the lips.
Dupe?: The TARTE Timeless Smoothing Primer does a similar thing (i.e. blurs and smoothes): LINK
3CE also have Pore Silky Balm that aims to prep the skin and reduce shine and fill-in pores (not a mousse-y texture however) LINK.
Face Finish Mattifying Balm – Link HERE.
What is it?: A mattifying balm that is supposed to both mattify and set your makeup (without using powder) and help fill-in pores.
Vegan-Friendly?: Yes (Does not contain Beeswax / Carmine).
Video Swatch:
My Review: Like the Miracle Blur- this is a novel and interesting product! It’s quite cool to use to turn my lip balm into a more matte finish, and I really enjoy using this on my T-zone (to reduce oiliness and keep the skin shine-free for slightly longer). I basically like to pat this onto the skin and areas that might be a bit greasy (like if you use a cream-highlighter) or shiny. I still will use a powder to set contour for instance and a spray over eye makeup. So this isn’t a necessity but I do think it’s been very useful for creases (like smile lines) and around the nose.
What’s the difference between the face finish and the face blur?: The Miracle Blur aims to soften and blur-out fine lines and large pores (flatten the skin’s texture using this sort of air-whipped putty). But the Face Finish is like a Mattifying balm that you tap on top of the skin (like a finishing powder) and helps mattify the skin while also setting the makeup base.
Bronzer and Highlighter
Golden Glow Bronzer: Link HERE.
What is it?: Cream-based bronzer to bring sun-kissed warmth to the skin.
Vegan-friendly?: Yes (does not contain Carmine or Beeswax).
My Review: This is definitely a cream bronzer. It is soft and creamy and very easily blendable (which means the colour suits my skin, and you can increase saturation. with the fingers) which is useful for smaller areas of the face). Definitely needs some setting powder to stop this from budging.
Dupe: The Nars – Laguna Bronzer LINK
(More affordable): ELF – Putty Bronzer LINK
The Right Light Highlighter: LINK
What is it?: An easy-to-apply, cream-based highlighter to be used on the high points on one’s face, collarbone and decolletage.
Vegan-friendly?: Yes (Does not contain Carmine or Beeswax).
My Review: Very nice smooth highlighter and this definitely is noticeable and bendable (doesn’t just disappear when I apply on the face). This also needs setting as it’s cream-based (for my Oily-Combo Skin).
Dupe: Illamasqua Iconic Chromes: LINK
Or the ERE PEREZ – Vaninlla Highlighter: LINK
Bronzer + Highlighter + Illuminator Swatch Comparison:
Mascara and Eyebrows
Lash2Brow: LINK
What is it?: Dual-ended Mascara and Tinted Brow Gel-in-one.
Vegan-friendly?: No (contains Beeswax).
- I like the idea of a 2-in-1; it makes this very easy to travel with and quicker to use. The product is weighty so it feels nice in the hand when using.
My Shade: 2A Black (Espresso)
Lash2Brow – Brow Wand:
What is it?: The Brow Gel is a gel formula (Naturally defines brows and adds texture). Micro-precision brush (to have more control when applying). Doesn’t dry-out the brows.
Skin-beneficial Ingredient?: Chestnut Extract (Conditioning).
My Review: I have no qualms with this brow gel; it is both natural while also adding volume to the brows (not just transparent gel that makes no difference). Less is more (if you want to keep the brows natural) as this has buildable coverage.
Dupe: I can’t recommend a double-ended duo, but separately a good Brow Gel is from the K-beauty brand romand – Han All Brow Cara: LINK.
- And the L’Oreal Brow Artist Plumper: LINK
Lash2Brow – Mascara Wand
What is it?: A mascara wand meant to lengthen and volumise the lashes (clump free). Buildable formula and should not smudge (only washes away when you want it removed).
Skin-beneficial ingredient?: Like the brow-gel, this contains chestnut extract to condition the lashes.
Video Swatch:
My Review: I really like how thin the wand is! It really lengthens the lashes and I don’t get any clumping (hardly any). It’s very good for a ‘natural lash’ look.
Dupe: The romand – Han All Fix Mascara Mascara: LINK (This also has a thin and long wand).
Blush
Flush Blush: LINK
What is it?: A creamy-formula cream blush that is blendable and should provide a soft-matte finish. The pot should last a long time due to being so pigmented
Vegan-friendly?: No (Contains Beeswax)
Video Swatch:
My Review: A very nice blush texture! I do think this colour is slightly too dark for my Warm Golden Skin tone (I prefer rose-pink tones but I can understand why the Match2Me would give me a dusty-burgundy colour too), but the texture and finish of this blush is great (a soft-matte finish), less is definitely more as this is pigmented!
Dupe: I know it’s not a cream blush but I adore the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush and I would recommend it LINK.
Lips
Lip Luxe: LINK
What is it?:
Vegan-friendly?: Yes (does not contain Beeswax or Carmine).
My Review:
Dupe:
Comparison of a Lip Luxe vs a Lip Glow:
Lip Glow: LINK
What is it?: A Lip Gloss that is sheer with a buildable tint and is not sticky. It is supposed to be moisturising and provide a natural shine.
Vegan-friendly?: Yes (doesn’t contain Carmine or Beeswax).
My Review: This is definitely a sheer lip balm (I’m not sure if I would really call it a gloss). It is natural and is easy to blend and does give a ”Your lips but better” type of look. This does have a buildable colour compared to other lip tint balms. No this is not sticky. This does feel moisturising.
Dupe: The Revolution Balm Glow: LINK
- AOU Cosmetics also have a very similar Lip Glowy Balm: LINK
- The Dasique Fruity Lip Jam is also similar: LINK
Swatch Comparison: Lip Luxe VS Lip Glow
- As you can see from the swatches; The Lip Luxe is much more pigmented and lipstick-like. Whereas the Lip Glow’s are more sheer (like a tinted lip balm) so it looks like ”Your lips but better” which is also a natural look and finish.
Overall Rating and Conclusion
After trying out all of these products, I can safely say that I am pleasantly surprised by the quality, saturation and wearability of these products! The packaging has been sturdy and useful (hasn’t spilt or broken).
My favourite products have been the Eye Concealer, the Pot Concealer, the Lash2Brow (I really like the Mascara wand), the Lip Luxe (I prefer higher saturation). The creamy illuminator and highlighter have also been nice to use (blendable).
Better than Glossier?: I use Glossier as an example because I think it has a similar Makeup style, packaging and brand i.e. quick-and-easy, do it with your fingers-type makeup. Overall I think Trinny London has better saturation (more pigmented) and a wider range of colours/tones that means the brand offers more shades that should suit and be more compatible with more people (less pastel-y). I definitely think the foundation/concealer range has been closer to my shade using the Trinny products.
My Skin Type: I am acne prone and have slightly dehydrated combo skin. My skin is usually tight where the cheeks and eye area is and the outer parts of my face. My T zone is oily. My skin isn’t a fan of thick/heavy formulas so I opt for lightweight formulas to prevent it from clogging up. My skin doesn’t like essential oils either and I try to avoid fragrance when I can.
Disclaimer: I am a skincare enthusiast and not a skin expert. I am not qualified to give out dermatological advice. This type of advice should only be given by a medical practitioner. Upon trying / using any of the reviewed products on the blog, please follow the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings and please seek medical advice if needed.
My Skincare Regime 