MUA eyebrow pencil - brunette

(Available online or from Superdrug stores for £1)

 

I'll admit it, I never used to be an 'eyebrow' fan. With such light eyebrows I used to completely ignore them and let them grow and occasionally (beauty error) shave them! Now, I can safely say I use tweezers and pencil them in with the rest of my other make-up. It's safe to say that eyebrows well and truly frame the face.

 

I purchased this MUA brush online as I loved the idea of having soft bristles to shape at one end with a pencil at the other end. In all honesty I should probably have purchased the blonde shade but I prefer a striking looking eyebrow.

 

 

The brush, as shown above, has smooth bristles so that it doesn't tug on eyebrows but gently shapes them into place. The only issue I've found with this is that it doesn't shape my 'brows as nicely as I'd like and they need some extra tweaking to keep them in place.

 

 

The pencil itself is faultless - with a soft texture it doesn't drag on the eyebrow too much but just darkens them nicely. It allows to build up the eyebrow with precision and without making too dramatic look (I'm not one for a Scouse 'brow)! And it's a complete steal at just £1. This is something I'd repurchase over again and have no doubts about the quality of the product.

MUA Lipstick - shade 15 (Juicy)

(available online and in Superdrug stores for £1)

I used to be a huge fan and advocate of MUA but recently I feel like their reputation after their recent online voucher discount fiasco has tarnished the brand slightly. Nevertheless I purchased this in a bulk online quite a while ago!

The first thing I've noticed is that they're beginning to label lipsticks more with names which makes things far easier when wanting to find the perfect one. The packaging is always very simple, yet stylish, which is something I love about MUA. It has a very sleek feel to it although the products themselves are very affordable.

There are no real claims on the website as for what is expected of the product which is a little disappointing - it is just reiterated that the price is only £1! The colour itself comes across as a salmon-pink with tones of peach and coral running through. To look at it can be seen to be quite shiny and potentially moisturising although, obviously, with no claims come no real expectations!

The lipstick itself applies smoothly and easily and it comes out slightly lighter on the lips than expected. With the wrong colour foundation it can clash slightly and look too pale which isn't ideal for me as I prefer definite pinks as opposed to this which I'd say is more of a peach.
It has an average staying power of 1 - 3 hours depending on activity (i.e drinking/eating) which is good given the costing. The formula itself though dries rather 'cakey' and feels like it clings to my lips. Before application it would probably be advised to buff lips or use a gloss to avoid this.

Overall this is a decent product although some aspects to reflect the price.

MUA Gel Eyeliner in Underground

 (available from Superdrug & MUA online for £3)

As I've previously mentioned, I am a huge fan of the MUA range. They are a brand that have high quality products at a low price that are affordable for even the most budget of beauty shoppers! They have lots of new additions including this Gel Liner.

This particular eyeliner comes in 4 shades: Underground (black), Fairground (grey), On the Move (brown) and Tribe (blue). This makes a change from the typical just black which makes a change, however I plumped for Underground as it's a colour that goes with how I've been doing my make-up lately.

Finding the brush was a little mission at first. I had no idea where on earth to find it and thought I may have to use my own brush. But there is a small indent on the bottle (on the large picture it is just below the sticker showing the colour of the gel liner) which I think they should perhaps make a slight bit more obvious. This makes it handy for on the go applications to whip out your make-up bag and use whenever, wherever.

The brush itself is wonderful. Its bristles are stiff but relax onto the eye making the gel smooth to apply whilst still retaining its shape. This not only makes application a lot easier but its a dream to hold without feeling too flimsy or a pain to put on. 

Previous gel liners I've tried are very stiff and take a little warming up to take the liner out of the pot. The MUA gel eyeliner is perfect though - only a little is needed to build up an eyeliner effect which stands out. The formula itself is smooth and blends perfectly on my eyelid without creasing or losing pigmentation.

The colour itself is bold and vibrant - a lot of other liners can be glittery. This feels like a mix of both liquid and pencil eyeliner - taking the softness of the pencil and the pigmentation/boldness of liquid without taking forever to dry or looking chalky. It takes the best of both worlds.

Having used this eyeliner several times I am very impressed at its staying power and refusal to smudge. As you can see creating different lines and textures is easy and versatile looks can be made in an instant. Another 5* for MUA - very impressive! 

MUA Eyebrow Pencil in Brunette

  

 (available from superdrug or MUA online for £1)

Recently retailers such as the likes of AVON and MUA now have eyebrow pencils with brushes included - this makes application so much more easy as you can shape your brows ready for the pencil at the other end. Perfect for someone on the go!

 

The design of the pencil itself is very simple and plain with sleek silver highlights that make it look classy. Having a seal around each end to protect it from getting all over my make-up bag or spreading bacteria is brilliant as it ensures that my make-up is well looked after. 

The MUA range is one I love with prices ranging from £1 - £4 throughout the whole collection which is brilliant for someone on a budget, like myself, without compromising on quality. The brush itself is soft, unlike those that are structured with a bristles wrapped around a metal wire which can hurt a little. This means that it doesn't tug on my eyebrows but lightly brushes them into a nice shape perfect for before pencil application.

The pencil only comes in brunette or blonde although both come out a lot darker than expected. This is definitely for those that want a stand-out 'brow rather than something more subtle/natural. I've found that using the flat side of the brush (holding it slightly sideways) makes it more easy to blend as using it front-on makes it come out too dark.

Hardly any pressure is needed to obtain a good looking result without going overboard. Obviously if you have darker hair then more may be needed. Yet again, an issue I've had with several eyebrow pencils, is that I'd much prefer a twist-up style rather than hunting around for a sharpener.

I can't fault any of the MUA range (so far - although I doubt my impression will change)! It's a beautiful collection with prices that are perfect for those on a budget. For £1 you cannot go wrong. Well done MUA!

(bottom picture shows how easy it is to blend without losing too much pigmentation)

My Summer Face 2012

So I thought I'd create a post of the products I've been using the most this Summer and just a little bit about them. I hate any sort of warm weather so when it's a cold day I'm perfectly happy! The problem with the 'Great British Summer' is that when it's rubbish it's rubbish and when it's hot... it's really hot. These products have generally catered for both of these situations... so what's your Summer face??

1. Maybelline pure cover mineral Concealer in Nude Beige

I don't generally use concealer but in the Summer I prefer to use this under around my eyes rather than a foundation. I also don't use this dark a colour normally but in Summer I go for something darker to reflect the season.

2. Collection 2000 colour match foundation in Ivory
This Summer I've been using two foundations. This first one has a sheen that makes my face look moisturised without being greasy and is quite a light formula. This is also perfect for if I catch any colour because it adapts to whatever colour my skin is.

3. Avon Eyebrow pencil in dark brown

Shamefully I've only been pencilling my eyebrows in for the past 6 months or so and now I'd be lost without them. My face looks so much more 'finished' with this on. I use a dark brown because I like my brows to stand out. There's a blonde option but it just washes me out completely.

4. Avon Colour Trend mascara

Although this is from an old line this mascara is perfect. It's subtle but has enough oomph to make my lashes stand out without feeling like they're going to melt in the heat.

5. Natural Collection Blusher in dusky pink

I very rarely wear blusher in the Summer but when I do I go for this pink that comes out very light and again is subtle which I think is key for a daytime Summer look. 

6. Rose Otto Lip Salve

I got this free in a magazine near the beginning of Summer and initially I hated it but I got used to the scent/taste and can say it's a gloss that isn't sticky or shiny and my hair doesn't get stuck in it at all which is good when you're walking along and a gust of wind gets you.

7. Maybelline Falsies mascara

This is one of my favourite mascaras of all time. It makes my lashes look great and long and adds extra volume. There's not much left of this so I use this as a 'top up' to my Colour Trend mascara.

8. Avon SuperShock Eyeliner in Black

I'm a big fan of eyeliner and find this one of the easiest to put on compared to eyeliner pencils or liquid eyeliners. It's easy to distribute and isn't too bold a colour (it comes out as a light glitter-black rather than strong) which is good for a more natural take.

9. MUA Matte Foundation in Soft Sand
I've spent most of my Summer at work or out when it's quite hot and I hate the feeling of a sticky foundation some times which is where this foundation is perfect as it keeps my skin dry and stops me looking too greasy/shiny. 

10. Natural Collection pressed powder in Cool

This is my saviour! One swipe of this around my cheeks/nose and I'm good for the day without having to worry about looking shiny. My ultimate make-up fave!

11. Maybelline Eye Studio Mono in Gold Sands

I love a bronze/gold eyeshadow under eyeliner and I think it completes a look by making eyes pop without being too much.

MUA Trio Shadow : Smoke Screen

(available from MUA store or superdrug for £2.50)

The MUA brand is one I think has been needed for a long time. So many 'cheaper' products reflect the prices - they might be affordable but they compromise quality for price. MUA is a range that doesn't do this - the pricing is very much for for those on a budget - however, the quality itself is brilliant. They began with the £1 range and this spread to slightly more expensive products including eyeshadow palettes, foundations and BB creams. 

I purchased this in 'Smoke Screen' as I was looking for the perfect smoky eye and this gave me the chance to have it in one palette rather than fiddling around with 3 different shades. One of the beautiful things about MUA is that their website is fully functioning with masses of information about their product and reviews -something really attractive especially when attempting to blog about a product. The package itself is subtle but sharp for such a cheap product. Its plastic outside can look a little tacky but the black and silver writing makes it look very professional and smart and adds a touch of class to the product.

There is a description of how to use the product on the back of the packaging which is a perfect guidance of how to wear. It's claims include (in summary):

• They all have subtle shimmer but are sparkly enough to satisfy a glitter craving
• They're soft but still durable and will hold up pigmentation wise for hours
• They're long wearing and beautiful

Again, online, there is advice as to how to wear the product. I must say I agree with all the claims they've made. Considering the price the colours are very well pigmented, especially the colour black which, in other brands, fades very quickly and is disappointing but MUA stays on for a good 6+ hours. They also blend together really well to create a perfect smoky eye. They do have a shimmer which I usually hate but it's so subtle that it doesn't affect my like of this product too much. If it looks a little much I just swipe a little 'stay matte' over the top and it dulls it down a little.

This brush comes with it which I'd like to rave about as well. Although it's a little fiddly I use the right side for eyeshadow and the left, which is slightly narrower and slimmer, for the inner corners of my eye with the pearl colour. As well, I use this to put on the darker colour as eyeliner which makes a change from the harsh look of pencil liner.

As you can see the eyeshadows are well pigmented. They fade into each other (when blended properly) to provide a beautiful smoky eye. My only quarm is that I generally prefer gold rather than the pearly-white they offer but that's to the individual's taste. There are a choice of 7 shades which is perfect to adapt to whatever style you want. Well done MUA for creating such a beautiful product at an affordable price.

MUA blusher - shade 2

MUA is a collection I absolutely adore. Their range is only available in some Superdrug stores or on their website and the Make Up Academy products are all £1 whilst the extension Make Up Academy Professional range are priced between £1.50 and £4. This is perfect for me as I love beauty on a budget - as you can probably tell. I think a lot of make up is so overpriced due to the name rather than the actual quality itself.  

The only downside I find is that they come in shade numbers rather than definitions which can make selecting specific products very difficult. Especially online as a name to describe the product would give you so much more of an idea of what to expect. The blusher I'm reviewing is shade number 2 in the blusher collection and it is described as a 'highly pigmented blusher which is a long-lasting powder.' 

The shade itself is what I'd describe as a dark pink, almost verging on a pink-red shade. It glides on cheeks easily and is subtle but can be built up to a brighter shade. It is, as stated highly pigmented, especially considering the low cost. It lasts on my cheeks for a long time and brightens up my pale cheeks, making them look more rosy and natural.

This is a fairly heavy swatch considering that the product is very pigmented so a little generally goes a long way whilst retaining a natural look. The packaging is very simple and plain but I feel this suits the range as it doesn't have to 'impress' as such but is provided to keep beauty on a budget in mind. I am extremely impressed with MUA and believe it's as good, if not better, as similar higher priced products

Good for: those on a budget looking for a highly pigmented blusher
Bad for: people who are looking for specific shade names (can be a little confusing!)