Bobbi Brown Surf and Sand Eyeshadow Palette

RRP: £35.00
# of shades in the palette: 10

Packaging: a small black shiny plastic container, with the Bobbi Brown logo in silver on the lid and with all of the eyeshadows running into one another. The box is far smaller than it appears online (I bought mine on ebay): in actual fact its size is approximately 10cm x 4cm x 1cm (I say 'approximately' because I'm not currently in possession of a ruler, measuring tape, or any other measuring hooha). The size, while excellent for travelling, does give you a feeling of "but...but...it's so runty!! £35 for something this small?" However, there was also a pleasant surprise: on all the pictures you see, it looks like the eyeshadows are set flat into the box and all run into one another. While it's true that there aren't any gaps between the colours, each colour is slightly raised from the box in a sort of arch (kind of like a mini speed bump) so that you can easily just use the colour you want without blurring into other colours.

What does the promo say?: "A limited edition eye palette features eye shadow shades with pearlized pigments. The ten exclusive shades are sheer and shimmering visions of aqua, soft pink and beige."

Application: Same as any other eyeshadow: apply to the eyelid using a brush or your finger (wet or dry according to the effect you want).

Texture: Silky smooth and very fine. Doesn't irritate the eye in any way.

Appearance: In the box, perhaps because the box is black, the colours appear very bright. However, on the eyelid they become much more sheer and shimmery - if you want a more intense look, just wet the brush or your finger that you're going to apply the shadow with. Plus, they're just beautiful to look at. I knew I wanted it the second I saw it.

Longevity: Doesn't crease and you don't have to keep reapplying throughout the day.

Removal: Easy to remove (not that you'd want to!).

Value for money: I have to admit, this doesn't appear to be the most value-ful product. However, when you break it down, there are 10 colours in the palette, and so if you pay full whack, you're still only paying £3.50 a shade...now tell me, can you buy a regular Bobbi Brown mono eyeshadow for that? Methinks not. If you buy on ebay, you increase your value for money even further.

Other comments: This is just such a beautiful palette and I would recommend it to any makeup-lover, even if you wouldn't normally spend that much on eyeshadow (I balked at the price, believe me...I got it for £25 on ebay in the end but knowing it as I do now I would now happily pay full price for it, it is that amazing). There is the possibility that you're just buying into the brand name with this, but having looked at other eyeshadow palettes, I haven't found one more beautiful (the No7 @ Boots summer eyeshadow palette is an extremely poor comparison!). It's such a shame it's limited edition. I may have to buy another.

L'Oreal Paris True Match Powder

RRP: £6.99
Shades available: 5

--Packaging--
A circular plastic container with a silver and clear colour scheme, with two sections - the top one contains the powder, the bottom one contains a mirror and a circular sponge.

--What does the promo say?--
"This ultra-soft, light-textured powder perfectly matches the colour and texture of your skin for a flawless finish. The micro-fine formula lets you apply a translucent layer or build up more intense coverage to even your skin tone and cover imperfections flawlessly. It blends in so perfectly it is almost as if you are wearing no makeup."

--Application--
Pretty easy - just click open the bottom section of the container, take out the sponge, and then click open the top section. Swirl the sponge over the pressed powder and apply to your face, keeping the bottom section open so that you can use the mirror. Nothing complicated about that.

--Texture--
Smooth and fine without being brittle.

--Scent--
No noticeable scent.

--Appearance--
On the face, the powder doesn't sit on the skin and blends in well with your skin tone and any other makeup you may be wearing.

--How does it feel on the skin?--
Light and soft.

--Coverage--
Excellent, though I wouldn't use it alone - I'd always use it over concealer and foundation, but that perhaps says more about my skin than about the product itself.

--Longevity--
The powder doesn't need reapplication throughout the day and stays in place once applied.

--Removal--
Easy to remove.

--Does it do what it says it's going to?--
Amazingly, yes. I always doubt these products that promise a 'flawless finish', but this one does a pretty damn good job.

--Value for money--
Excellent, considering that the powder doesn't need applying throughout the day, meaning one container lasts a long time even if you wear makeup every day. The price is right too :)

Olay Total Effects 7x Mask

RRP: £25 for 5 masks

--Packaging--
In the usual Olay style - sophisticated gold and black colour scheme cardboard envelope, with the masks wrapped again in same style plastic sachets. Neither the envelope nor the sachets are difficult to open.

--What does the promo say?--
"Olay total effects 7x mask provides skin with an instant anti-aging boost in just 10 minutes. An innovative 'stretch 'n fit' moisturising cloth mask gently envelops facial contours to deliver anti-ageing care deep into the surface layers of the skin. Used weekly as part of a pampering routine skin is radiant and younger looking.
· High concentrations of VitaNiacin - Vitamin B3, Pro-Vitamin B5, Vitamin E infuse skin to help enhance the natural moisture barrier.
· Green Tea Extract gives anti-oxidant protection.
· Glycerin, Butylene Glycol and Humectants, leave skin feeling instantly moisturised, smoother and hydrated for up to 24 hours."

--Application--
Unlike most face masks, you don't really 'apply' this one as such. It doesn't come in a packet or a tub or a tube; it's not like a lotion that you have to smear on your face and then wash off, for it is actually a cloth mask, with holes cut out for your eyes, nose and mouth. You just open the sachet (carefully - the mask is pre-covered in lotion and I nearly sent a load of the lotion onto my bedroom floor), take out and unfold the mask, and put it on your face. Stretch it sideways so that it covers your whole face, and then leave for 10-15 mins. Go and lie down and listen to some relaxing music while the mask works its magic - you'll feel much better afterwards.

--Texture--
Both the mask and the lotion are smooth and cooling.

--Appearance--
Well, I have to say that even though you could probably walk around going about your daily business wearing this (as it stays on your face so well), I wouldn't exactly advise answering the door or anything while you're wearing it, as it's pretty scary-looking. Think about that medical mask that the woman wore in that famous picture that was all over the press after the London bombings - basically that's how it looks.

--Scent--
Floral and light - not overpowering or unpleasant at all.

--Removal--
The mask is extremely easy to remove - you just peel it off, dump it in the bin, and rub any excess lotion into your face and neck, as there's no need to wash it off. However, I felt that there was perhaps a little too much excess lotion, as it took quite a long time to soak into my skin.

--Effects--
I used the mask between 10.30 and 10.45 this morning, and it's now 16.40 - my skin still feels refreshed and somehow 'different'. My face also looks smoother than it did before using the mask, but I wouldn't expect these effects to last long.

--Value for money--
My face felt nice after using the mask, but at £25.00 for 5 masks I feel this is way too expensive - the effects weren't significant enough or long-lasting enough for me to consider buying these. They don't want you to buy the masks because they make your face feel nice - they want you to buy them because they're an allegedly effective anti-ageing product. I came by mine on the Olay website, where they were sending out 1-mask samples with a £3 off voucher for if you decide to buy any, and frankly this is the only way I would want to acquire them, as I think there are better face products out there for the money.

Revlon ColorStay 12 Hour Eyeshadow Quad

RRP: £7.99
No. of shades available: 14

--Packaging--
Lovely sleek black flip-top container with the Revlon logo on the front in white.

--What does the promo say?--
"Silky smooth, blendable powder shadow with SoftFlex® won’t crease or smudge, staying flawless and beautiful for up to 12 hours. Colour coordinated quads provide expert mix and match ability for your most gorgeous eyes ever."

--Application--
Each pack provides a double-ended eyeshadow sponge, which allows you to use one side of each sponge for each colour if you want to. Like it.

--Texture--
Powdery, but not too brittle, and nice and smooth on the eyelids.

--Appearance--
Mainly matte rather than shimmery.

--Longevity--
Doesn't come off until you want it to, and it doesn't crease.

--Ease of removal--
No difficulty removing the product.

--Value for money--
A bit on the expensive side, but a long way from being the most expensive product on the market and each quad seems to last quite a long time.

--Other comments--
A huge number of shades available, so there's something to suit everyone, and they all seem lovely - I have 3...
This also means you're able to pick something for every occasion, whether it's smoky eyes or something wilder.