NYC indivudual eyes: Smokin' palette

(Available here and from Superdrug stores for £3.99)

New York Colour is a range brought over to the UK relatively recently and are good quality products at low quality prices - similar to the MUA range that is so often talked about as of late.
These palettes come in three colours - brown eyes, blue eyes and green eyes - although the only one available in my local store was the blue eyes (mine are green). The palette itself comes with a primer, illuminator and 4 colours to highlight and contour eyes. It claims to identify and highlight specific eye colours.

The palette itself comes with instructions on the back as to how to effectively create a smoky eye which is like a mini tutorial and perfect for people that aren't sure how to apply eye colour. For me though, my eyes are small so I prefer not contourign with such a dark colour and use the highlight as a base colour to blend into. This is, of course, up to the individual.

The colours themselves range from a gold to a slightly darker and more steel shade and then onto a dark gold and finally a warm brown. Unfortunately, I have a vice against glittery eyeshadows and prefer more matte colours although these are not overly glittery and add a hint of shimmer as opposed to all over.

Unfortunately, as my eyes are green, I cannot determine as to whether it intensifies eye colour although I can't imagine it does too much work on colour itself but instead the shades compliment each other. This is a gorgeous smoky eye kit that is slightly more subtle than using darker black shades. The palette is perfect for 'first time blenders' that have not worked with a full kit before and, considering the price tag, it's a good little find!

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.

Simple Radiance Brightening Eye Cream

(Available from Boots, Sainsburys and Superdrug from £7.99/15ml)

I received this as part of a recommendation from Simple after discussing products I may be interested in. This will not sway my judgement on the product itself.

Simple Skincare is a British brand that prides themselves on skincare products designed for even the most sensitive skin. I first came across Simple several years ago when I found their moisturiser which I have grown to love and use daily. The Simple Radiance range was recently released which is described as being 'perfect for women over the age of 25'. I'm nearing the age of 21 so this may be slightly for those more older but due to the constraints of work and late nights I definitely need something to perk up my tired looking skin so this is the perfect range for me and my current situation. 

The packaging itself is consistent with the Simple range which evokes a sense of quality but gives across the main points and remains, as the brand is defined by, Simple. I love the highlights of yellow which reflect the mango and the 'brightening' theme. 

The range itself all contain Mango extract to hydrate and refine the skin whilst light reflecting particles brighten the skin. I've never used an eye cream before but recently my eyes were looking quite tired after too many late nights/nights out so I thought I'd give it a go. Simple describe this product as a 'perfect blend of ingredients and light reflecting particles to help to moisturise and visibly brighten your delicate eye area'. Obviously I was slightly intrigued as to how it could brighten eyes as such as, unless it's using eye drops directly inserted into eyes, I didn't see how eyes could necessarily appear brighter.

The formula itself is white and thick in consistently but spreads out evenly, much like a gel. Obviously you have to be very careful around the eye area so I use a tiny amount and dab it on where it sinks into the skin. I can barely feel it and it doesn't appear greasy or combine with my make-up. It settles without disturbing my rather sensitive eyes.

This almost feels like a primer and using it on my eye area does indeed make my skin look fresher and perks my eyes up. I'm not entirely sure how it does this so in my eyes (ironically) it's pretty genius! It makes me look much more awake and I need to use less concealer/foundation around my eye area when I have this product on. This is definitely a winner for me and having not used eye creams before as I'm getting (slightly) older I'll be looking into them more. I'll be looking more into Simple's eye products as well.

As you can see it blends to a clear formula with a slight sheen so it doesn't disrupt or look awkward combining with other skincare routines.

P.S just a little note about packaging. How cute is this little note up the side of the box! It's always nice to see a package with lots of information and something to make you smile. 

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.

Simple Radiance Brightening Cleansing Wipes

(Available from Boots, Sainsburys and Superdrug from of £3.20/25 wipes)

I received this as part of a recommendation from Simple after discussing products I may be interested in. This will not sway my judgement on the product itself.

Simple Skincare is a British brand that prides themselves on skincare products designed for even the most sensitive skin. I first came across Simple several years ago when I found their moisturiser which I have grown to love and use daily. The Simple Radiance range was recently released which is described as being 'perfect for women over the age of 25'. I'm nearing the age of 21 so this may be slightly for those more older but due to the constraints of work and late nights I definitely need something to perk up my tired looking skin so this is the perfect range for me and my current situation. 

The packaging itself is consistent with the Simple range which evokes a sense of quality but gives across the main points and remains, as the brand is defined by, Simple. I love the highlights of yellow which reflect the mango and the 'brightening' theme. 

The range itself all contain Mango extract to hydrate and refine the skin whilst light reflecting particles brighten the skin. These wipes are described as helping to 'cleanse, exfoliate and remove impurities' with added moisturisers to leave skin feeling hydrated. I've recently been put off wipes themselves as the ones I've used in the past take a lot of scrubbing to get rid of make-up which feels so harsh on my skin. The wipes emit no real scent which I was surprised at given the Mango label, however this is explained by the fact that it contains no perfume and has mango extracts as opposed to the scent of Mangoes which is better and more natural for my skin.

As you can see the wipes themselves are relatively thick and feel quite wet on first touch which is a relief as so many I've tried in the past feel dry upon first use. With just a few swipes my foundation was removed and with a few more my eyes were clean of mascara - I assure you I used 2/3 layers so it's usually quite tough to get rid of. At the same time I didn't feel like I was tugging on my skin too much and, rather than feeling rough, Simple lives up to its nature of caring for skin by feeling smooth.

After using the cleansing wipes my skin feels a lot more refreshed and I have no reason to doubt that they're not only cleansing but refreshing. My skin feels less dull and cleaner after a long day. I'm really impressed with this product although I have to admit I have never spent more than £2 on a pack of cleansing wipes. The result does reflect the price though and you get plenty of use out of one wipe so this is justified. I'm very impressed with the product and will definitely look into purchasing it as well as the brightening moisturiser as a combination of products.

REVLON Just Bitten Lip Stain: Honey

(RRP £7.99 however I purchased mine from Boots on offer for £5.99)

After a sudden surge in blog posts about this product and many comparisons to Clinique's Chubby Stick (which unfortunately is way out of my price range) I decided to give the product a go. With 12 shades there seemed to be quite a few to choose from online but only 6 were stocked in my local Boots store. I wanted to try a bright colour such as Lovesick but decided on the shade Honey after seeing how it perked up my natural lip colour without being too O.T.T for a day look.

The packaging itself is gorgeous. It's easy to hold in my hand without feeling too weighty or 'chunky'. The colour is beautiful and the crayon feel makes application very easy as it feels like a lipstick but retains its pencil-like shape. It has a twist up which I'm very happy with as the product will last a lot longer this way. On first impressions there was a minty scent to the lip stain which made it a lot more appealing to me rather than a synthetic smell that can sometimes occur.

Revlon describe the product on their website as an 'adorable chubby crayon' that gives 'softer, smoother lips with a perfect flush of colour that lasts hour after hour'. I agree with the first statement as it's very manageable and is perfect to carry around for a touch-up. However, like with many posts I've seen, I cannot agree that it leaves my lips smoother or softer. It doesn't claim to be moisturising but looking at the product and how it first applies it feels like it's quite shiny on my lips.
After about 5 minutes though the lip stain does start drying and it's a slightly uncomfortable feeling on my lips which is a shame. I personally combat this with a slick of lipbalm in to seal the moisture which has so far worked. 

The colour itself is gorgeous, it's like a pink nude on my lips and I'm impressed with the amount of pigmentation and its form of 'just bitten' style which really does define the range. I'd say it lasts for around 4 hours without needing another 'top up' but it fades a fair amount. I do really like this product although I think the fact it's not as moisturising as I'd like lets it down a little. I can't fault the application or colour itself. 

UFR: Almay Nearly Naked Foundation

Find this and more on my Ultimate Foundation Review page here

Shade: 260 Sand

Price: RRP £14

CLAIMS

• Blends seamlessly to a beautiful finish
• Nourishes and protects with grapeseed
• Won’t clog pores

DESIGN/APPLICATION

The plain glass bottle has clear writing and a purple lid which, although basic, adds a classy and smooth feel to the foundation. The bottle itself dispenses as a tip bottle rather than a pump. Despite this feature it doesn’t dispense more product than necessary as the formula is thick.

AVAILABILITY

Available from the almay website for $12 - $15 although UK customers can find the product at fragrancedirect from £2.99. Available in just 6 shades.

APPEARANCE

The formula is quite thick but not so much that it cakes the face. It is very easy to blend without pulling on the skin and it makes my skin look a lot smoother and more refined. It doesn’t dry out my skin nor does it make it look heavily greasy as some hydrating foundations can do.  

COVERAGE

It smoothes out easily and covers skin beautifully and fully without leaving it look as though it’s been shovelled on. A little bit goes a relatively long way and the formula is thin enough to cover well but thick enough to blend.

LONGEVITY

This lasts a good 8+ hours.

VALUE

For the price I got it at, £2.99, it was an absolute steal. Not only is it worth that but I’d say it’s definitely worth its more hefty original price tag of $14. It definitely lives up to its claims and I’d go as far as to say it’s one of the best foundations I’ve used.

That Gal face primer

(RRP £21.50/11ml)

Benefit is a brand of cosmetics that a lot of people have heard of and have a very large range of make-up, tools and accessories. Many of their packaging is absolutely gorgeous and very modern. I had to show you the packaging on this which happens to be another freebie from Glamour magazine. I actually prefer this to the full-size packaging which is in a hexagonal shape which I feel ruins the design slightly. I just think it looks so quirky and gorgeous.

This product is described as a 'brightening face primer'. Although primers have been around for some time now I think the 'hype' following them has only just picked up lately. Benefit describe this primer as taking your complexion from 'dull to darling' and makes skin look 'brighter and smoother'. This is stated to be for all skin tones. 

That Gal primer is not particularly runny although enough so to be able to be blended rather well on the skin. It comes out as a shimmery pearly colour and I'd say for a darker skin tone this primer will look more sparkly than brightening. This essentially feels like a cream and isn't too sticky on the skin. It has a lovely soft, gentle fragrance that you get used to very easily.

My one issue with this is that it really doesn't make any difference to my skin. I have oily/combination skin which can be a pain because some products (such as this) don't make my skin brighter but instead either makes my complexion either more greasy or doesn't really make a difference. That Gal primer is no different - as a primer it makes my make-up last for an extra hour or two than without but other than that I see no brightening effect. £21.50 is definitely so overpriced considering the amount of product I need (a pea-sized amount doesn't cover my whole face). 

I'd definitely stick to other primers that I've reviewed before. This really doesn't make that much of a difference to my skin. A final issue I have with the product is the word 'gal' which makes me cringe inwardly. Not a fault of Benefit as such but as an attempt to be 'kooky' and 'hip' it really doesn't work for me!