Review: Maybelline Brow Drama Sculpting Eyebrow Mascara

I've only very recently got into 'doing' my brows, which sounds totally weird for a beauty blogger! This is because I've naturally got pretty good brows, they're perfectly arched and dense enough to be left alone. However, I now pencil them from time to time and so this brow mascara intrigued me.

I picked it up for only £5, in the shade dark brown cause my hair is nearly black. I was pleased to see a good range of brow colours available - dark blonde, medium brown etc - which should make life easier for people with non-conventional hair colours. Gone are the days of either blonde or brunette and girls with brows way too dark for their skintone!!

Product-wise, this is good. Not great, but perhaps that's because I expected a lot more than I should. It's a brown mascara product that you brush through your brows - they look neat, but not more filled in or particularly groomed. I'll still use it, because it's actually really good for the ends of your brows where it gets thinner and more wispy, but it's not a miracle product or by any means a beauty essential.

Review: Seventeen (17) Phwoarr Paint Concealer

As you all are aware, I'm a concealer obsessive. My bad genes mean I'm constantly on the hunt for a decent undereye concealer that doesn't break the bank given how quickly I whip through it. It's great to see the high street cottoning on to the pot-concealer after so many years, given that most only seem to offer only stick or pen concealers that simply don't offer enough coverage.

Seventeen or 17 (after their rebranding everyone's confused) have brought out a few new products, and I'm really impressed. This concealer is really pigmented, stays put a serious while and doesn't crease! Obviously it needs setting, but it's ridiculously cheap (£5 or so) for a high quality product that mimicks what MAC and Benefit do very well.

The only downside is the shade range - there were only 2 shades available at my local Boots, but I'm hoping they'll bring out more. I'll keep rebuying this until I find a better alternative (unlikely.)

Review: Max Factor Whipped Creme Foundation

I picked this up the other day on an introductory offer as this is a brand new product, hot off the press.
I had kind of disregarded Max Factor for their foundations as I tried them when I was younger and the finish was cakey and heavy - they do also produce a pan stick after all! All that changes with this new creme formula.

It's super super soft and oh so silky, meaning that applying it with fingers is a dream. It feels gorgeous, like velvet, and the shade range is perfect for my pale skin tone. Lasting power isn't great, but that goes for all of these types of foundations.

If you've tried Maybelline's Dream Matte Mousse then yes, it will obviously draw comparisons, but I can honestly say this is a 100% better product. Maybelline's was a gross mousse, very plastic-y feeling and quite thick, whereas this is a lot 'wetter', silky and more smooth. It really sinks in, so is for a natural rather than airbrushed effect. Overall I'm impressed - it's not going to be my everyday, but it's the kind of thing that's perfect for popping in your bag for on the go - very easy to apply with fingers, perfect for touchups.

Sleek Face Contour Kit

Sleek’s palettes are the best on the high street. Always discreetly and cleverly packaged, ridiculously pigmented and astonishingly cheap, it’s the brand I turn to when I want a quick fix blusher or 12 new eyeshadows for only £8.



The contour kit is a fantastic concept – encapsulating both bronzer and highlight in one palette it contains everything you’d need for that Kim Kardashian sculpted look. I love the neatness of the case – it’s sturdy and would travel well.



Product wise, the ‘light’ kit contains a dark brown contour that is insanely pigmented – a mere touch of the brush coated the bristles in (way too much) powder, so careful application is a must. The colour is too unnatural for my pale skin, so I use it as a summer bronzer instead.

The highlight is creamy, smooth and pearlescent – pinky white so ideal for a natural cheekbone glow. It’s less pigmented, so requires building up. The two together are worthwhile at £6.50 for two products, although lighter-skinned girls may want to give this a miss.

Sleek is available at Superdrug and www.sleekmakeup.com

Nanshy Flat Top Kabuki Brush

Oh my goodness. It's not often you come across a brand that you instantly fall for.

I'm sick of waiting months for Sigma's shipping and customs tax, or MAC's constantly sold out website and frankly hit and miss brushes at extortionate prices. Enter Nanshy...

A UK based emerging brand, Nanshy was the answer to my prayers. Sold via beauty4u (free shipping, bonus!!) they offer a currently small selection of hands down the most affordable, well designed, pretty and super high-performance makeup brushes I've ever come across. And they're cruelty freeeee!! I ordered the gorgeous Flat Top Kabuki from the website and - wow.

With a sleek white handle printed with the brand's logo, chunky enough to grip comfortably and very easy to use, this is the ideal buffing brush for use with liquid foundation. It's incredibly well thought out, using quality materials and oh my goodness did I mention how amazingly baby soft the densely packed synthetic bristles are? They feel like velvet on my face, and are so fine and dense that the finished effect was completely flawless. All for a mere £10.

The full range of face brushes contains 5 of these beauties, including a pointed, angled and rounded kabuki for total face perfection. They look uncannily like the Sigma kabuki set retailing at £64.95, of which I own 2 brushes, and let me tell you the performance was indistinguishable....

I'm so in love with this brush I've already ordered the rest of the face brush set off Beauty4u and pointed all my friends in their direction. They also offer beauty blender dupes if you're into that kind of thing, but as you all know I don't like sponges.

Sorry for the long post but this is a total rave product. Long live Nanshy!

Available at www.beautystore4u.co.uk

Benefit Miss Popularity Highlighter

Benefit create a lot of products I rely on - boiing concealer, hoola bronzer and my beloved bad gal mascara to name a few. They've always puzzled me - clearly aiming themselves at the younger, teenage spectrum of customers yet still charging high-end prices you'd expect from more 'luxe' brands. Still, their stuff is usually brilliant which is why this particular product was so disappointing. 

I tend to only use a shimmer highlighter on nights out - it's a little full on for daytime and I contour with a lighter concealer or touché éclat under my eyes. This is a frosty white pigment, injected with a dazzling shimmer, that you apply with a wand. Formula wise, it's lovely - loose powder, not chalky and very pigmented.

Sadly, the packaging sucks. The little sponge at the end of the wand is hard and picks up zero product, and the concept of dragging a plastic stick across your cheekbones is just bizarre. The vertical pot was another bad idea - it's impossible to get the pigment out and the opening is too small, meaning that the applicator get stuck (!) and requires tugging to get free. It's a shame - the actual product is nice, but not worth the time and effort caused by the rubbish packaging. From a brand so focused on the way it's items look, I expected more. 

Manuel Canovas Fleur de Coton

Manuel Canovas' candles are to die for - the gorgeous mediterranean-feel packaging, the fresh and refined scents - and this one, Fleur de Coton, is no exception. As expected from the French fabric house, this one would be gorgeous as a linen spray - I've already got my eye on the room freshener in the same range.

It's a clean and crisp scent, straightforward, not overpoweringly floral but breezy and light. I know candles are a niche thing, and scents are extremely personal - I'd never force a perfume onto anyone in the same way - but this works perfectly on a desk or in a kitchen or anywhere you'd appreciate an airy and spring-smelling scent. Beautiful.

Available from www.canovasfragrance.com

Products I use every day: Lasting Perfection Concealer

Collection is a great brand: cheap, widely available and offering everything from dupes of Maybelline's infamous colour tattoos to loose powder and spot-clearing foundation. They're a perfect 'beginner's brand', in fact, my first ever makeup was a mascara from Collection - then 'Collection 2000.'

They've had a bit of a rebrand recently, and everything's looking a bit more sleek, but thankfully, my holy grail high street concealer is still exactly the same. Lasting Perfection is creamy, comes in a handy tube with a doe foot applicator and blends well.

Sadly, the colour range is a bit lacking - Fair, 01 is a touch too light for my skin but works well as an under eye brightener and highlighter. It lasts all day when set and doesn't crease - which for £3 is pretty impressive!

Collection is available from Boots

Soap and Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub

I'm a massive S&G fan, as both their cosmetic products and makeup range are super high quality and reasonably priced. The packaging always makes me smile, and makes a nice change from the legions of black and white bottles that are crammed in my bathroom.

This scrub is my favourite of their range (Scrub Your Face In It, Flake Away etc) : the tub lasts ages, and it's very effective as the salt grit leaves your skin peachy and smooth. Plus with lime, macadamia nut and brown sugar, it's pretty much a bathtime mojito... Yum.

Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation

Pixiwoo gave huge publicity to the notorious Skin Base on youtube, and with good reason. Illamasqua make this foundation in every colour from pure white to black, so there literally is a shade for everyone. It's the first skin product I've found that actually cater to very pale and very dark women - finally!!

As you can probably tell, this product is not new - I've finally run out and I'm devastated. This is shade 2, but even I'm not this pale - instead I find it perfect for mixing with darker toned bases to lighten them up, especially in that transitional phase from summer to winter. It's medium coverage, with a satin-matte finish, so may suit if you're looking for something more natural. 

On its own, it's not the longest wearing, but when used as a mixer it does not effect the lasting powder of your ordinary foundation. It's light (although the BB cream 'inspiration' claims are a little exaggerated) and it's got a gentle sweet scent too which I love. It's a product that I love and will continue to purchase, in fact, my next order is already on its way...

Illamasqua is available at Selfridges and on their website: www.illamasqua.com

St Tropez Gradual Tan Daily Moisturiser

St Tropez is the undisputed king of self-tanning. There may be other contenders - St Moriz, Garnier, XenTan - but it remains for me the most natural way of gaining a healthy summer shade.

Silky and smooth, this gorgeous moisturiser builds a glow gradually - very gradually. In fact, it's so sheer, you'll need a few days before you're looking noticeably sunkissed. For pale skins this is ideal as there's no chance you'll overdo it and end up as an extra on TOWIE. Those looking for a deep tan will be disappointed, this doesn't pack a huge punch but would be ideal for first-time tanners or those wary of hyper-exfoliation, orange sheets and scary fake tan mitts.

The super soft formulation means it sinks into your pores rather than sitting on top, making it almost impossible to look patchy or streaky. Tide marks are less obvious as the colour is more of a tint than a skin 'dye'. And finally, it thankfully has none of that distinctive tangy fake-tan smell that's a dead giveaway around this time of the year - instead it smells clean and fresh and barely noticeable.

Many will probably be 'underwhelmed' by the colour payoff, but this product requires a gradual process, and is more suited to a gentle everyday use. Yes, it's expensive, but for the very lightest shade of the skin wheel, it's worth every penny.

L'Oreal Liquid Super Liner

This has been my go-to liquid liner for 6 months now - no idea why I've only just got around to writing about it. The slim, bullet-like case of this black eyeliner fits perfectly into the smallest of handbags which is why it's a staple on nights out - that and the fact that it's foolproof to apply even when slightly tipsy!

I'd recommend this as a really good beginner liquid eyeliner. The pointed felt tip makes cat eyes super easy, giving a crisp and precise finish. It flakes and rubs off slightly, but only after a decent wear. Still, this is not a longwear liner! 

I've got the black crystal version, which has a slight shimmer perfect for topping off a smoky eye. It lasts for ages before it dries up and you can always put a few drops of water in it to rejuvenate! 

Available at Boots and Superdrug

MUA Pro Primer

MUA is known for producing amazing products at ridiculous prices (£4 naked palette dupe anyone?) but sadly this was not one of them. At £4 the packaging of this primer is deceptive - it looks pretty shiny and expensive and I picked it up hoping for a quick fix in between my smashbox and Revlon primers.

Sadly this is just a bit pathetic - very thin, runny, not much effect when applied. The formula is more like a moisturiser than a primer, as it has none of that 'baby soft' feeling you usually get from the silicones. It didn't reduce the appearance of my pores, didn't create a smooth base for makeup and had no visible effect on prolonging the wear of my foundation. The overall effect was underwhelming. This is not one of MUA's purse friendly miracle products - I'll be sticking with their eyeshadows instead. 

GOSH Bronzing Powder

GOSH is a brand that produces products of a consistently high standard whilst remaining firmly in the high street price bracket. The newest item to cross my path is their bronzing powder and all I have to say is a big fat wow.

This is the first 'cool-toned' bronzer I have come across on the high street. Very pale girls such as myself are well aware that cheap bronzing products, promising the 'healthy glow' and 'radiant tan' that we crave in the summer months, are merely a front for nuclear orange disasters and streaky skin. Not this one.

The nut brown shade of this powder leans yellow rather than pink, meaning that orange tones are reduced and over-application is almost impossible. It's warm rather than tanned - don't be expecting St Tropez-style results - but it gives a healthy and natural looking 'kiss' of colour that won't leave you looking ruddy.

GOSH's usual super-soft formula mean application with the fluffiest brush you can find is a must, and as always beware of fallout. The matte finish is sophisticated - shimmer in bronzers is best left to 12year olds unless you're already blessed with a natural tan. For £7.99 this outstrips most high end bronzers I've tried too. 

Products I use Everyday: Maybelline Gel Liner

I'm a gel liner kinda gal, despite multiple flirtations with liquid liner and the gorgeous smoky effects of a khol pencil, I have eventually come to accept that the only thing capable of staying put on my eyelids for a full day whilst maintaining the true black finish I started out with is a gel product. And this is one of the best.

Frequently compared with the giants of MAC Fluidline and the Bobbi Brown gel liners, this offering from Maybelline is certainly up there in my book. It's a proper inky black, creamy to apply, fast drying and stays put until bedtime.

It also comes with the first ever non-rubbish provided brush EVER - small enough to do the job with flexible soft bristles that last a fair while. I prefer to use a small Sigma or Crown brush to line with, but it's decent enough.

I love the packaging too - a sophisticated frosted glass pot with white font, and a silver cap that looks classy and expensive and most of all, keeps the product airtight. This has never dried out on me, and I've been through a few. All in all, a total eyeliner hit.

E. Coudray Foaming Bath Creme

E. Coudray is a French perfume house established in 1822, that supplied colognes and scented products to Louis XVIII - the luxe of the luxe - and soon all the royal families of Europe. Coudray was the master parfumier of the 19th century, and today the brand stands for all that is elegant, refined and luxurious. 

This is a gorgeous bath cream - both the pretty pot and the product inside. The vintage style packaging complete with gold screw cap feels straight out of the 1920s and adds a touch of glamour and decadence to any bath.

The clear glass displays the beautiful product inside - a pearlised coral coloured creme that's super soft and has a gel like consistency. On contact with water it blossoms into a fluffy 'mousse' that smells of gorgeous, slightly retro florals. Scrummy.

Products I use everyday: Revlon Photoready Primer

This is the less-famous little sister of Revlon's big hitter, Photoready foundation, which I own and love. The primer, however, is in my opinion the rightful star of the show. Smooth, silicone-packed and long lasting, I use this every single day on top of moisturiser and underneath whatever foundation I use during the summertime.

As it's heavy on the silicone, it's not one for acne sufferers, and the lack of moisturising properties means that dry skin prone people should give it a miss too. Personally, I'd never use it in the winter when I battle with my skin daily to keep hydrated (La Prarie, you are my best friend) as it can cling to dry patches.

However, in hotter weather when your foundation has a tendency to slip and slide, this one's a miracle for 'gripping' your makeup and extending its wear. It's in a lovely glass bottle which looks good on the dresser, but not ideal for on the move. It's also got a rather off-putting paint-like pong, a perennial problem with Revlon's products (ugh Colorstay ugh) but it soon disappears. In my opinion, it's worth putting up with for the baby-soft skin it creates. It's not a one-primer-fits-all solution, but if it works for you, the results are flawless.

nude lip balm

nude skincare is a brand designed and developed by Trudi Styler, wife of Sting.

The company is well known for their ethical sourcing, all-natural ingredients and lack of nasties like parabens or sulphates, so I picked up a lip balm to use in the notoriously dry conditions of a long-haul flight.

Their signature minimalistic pale lilac packaging looks sleek but can be a little difficult to open. Inside, you get 8ml of product. It's a smooth white lip butter that melts against body heat, eg your finger, meaning that it glides on, but off again relatively quickly!

It's moisturising and refreshing to know that a product you're using on your mouth is 100% natural. Definitely recommend.

nudeskincare.com

KIKO Cosmetics Concealer

KIKO Cosmetics is the European equivalent of Rimmel or e.l.f - good quality, widely available, relatively cheap. It is, however, slightly more canny than either brand in that it has its own smart stores, brush ranges, skincare and anti-ageing lines, and the products it offers are pretty sophisticated.

I visited the Westfield store a few days ago, and was amazed at the astonishing variety of products - a million different foundations and bases, a whole rainbow of intensely pigmented eyeshadows, and more technical items such as fixing sprays and corrective primers that are usually only found at high end brands.

I picked up their High Coverage concealer - a dupe for higher end concealer pots from the likes of MAC, Benefit and Bobbi Brown, but for a mere £7.50. The packaging, rubberised black matte, looks durable and expensive and there were 8 shades on offer. I bought the lightest, a yellow-toned pale, and have been astonished by it's performance.

Yes, it needs setting - but fully covers my scary black bags and eliminates redness for the rest of the day. It has a pretty strong smell which is bearable, but for the cheap price and fantastic performance, I'll put up with it. Looking forward to visiting KIKO for more goodies - I see they've snagged a prime location at Oxford Circus so the brand will hopefully hit mass market sometime later this year.

www.kikocosmetics.co.uk

Products I use everyday: Revlon Lip Butter

Revlon's Lip Butter is fast becoming the beauty world's favourite new lip product. They're juicy, bursting with pigment and lacking that drying sensation that often comes with similar lipsticks.

The finish is glossy, wearing down to a pretty stain, which means they are pretty versatile and don't need frequent touch ups like regular lipstick. I'm a total addict, owning most of the colours that are available in the UK, but the shade I reach for on a daily basis is Creme Brulee. (It's a total plus that this happens to be one of my favourite puddings!!)

This is creamy, moisturising and a perfect Your Lips But Better kind of shade. It's a peachy nude, with the slightest hint of shimmer that avoids the ghastly matte 'concealer lip' nude look that I absolutely loathe.

It also has an amazing sugary vanilla scent that makes this super sweet to wear. I'm probably on my fourth tube and my bag is bursting with backups...

Lip Butters are £7.99 and available at Boots and Superdrug.

Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir

I'm a scented candle addict - ask anyone about my overflowing bathroom cabinet or the pots that sit around the edge of my bath. Jo Malone is an obvious and dare I say - safe - choice, and the amount of blah floral candles of hers I've burned through the years is more than I care to count.

This one deserves a mention though - heady, spiced and warm, it's more unusual and exotic than the usual gardenia or rose petal concoctions that made her name. A perfect summer (or winter) evening scent, pretty powerful and definitely one to try.

Available from http://www.jomalone.co.uk/

GOSH Pressed Powder

GOSH is a Danish beauty brand you don't hear too much about in the UK - despite their Velvet Touch Primer being a cult beauty product.

I picked up their pressed powder in 01 Golden Honey, and was very impressed. This is a super-soft finely milled pale powder in a sleek black compact as a nod to the MAC line. As usual, a useless puff- or pouff?- was included but the best thing about this purse-friendly packaging is the decent sized mirror, perfect for touch ups on the go.

It's a wonderful colour for paler skinned girls like me, however, the product is extremely soft - tons of fallout if you don't use a fine enough kabuki and after a few uses there were scratch marks (!) even from the super-supple fibres of my Sigma face brush. These aren't quibbles big enough to stop me repurchasing though - it's incredibly cheap for so refined a powder, and it set my foundation all day.

GOSH is available at Superdrug.