Max Factor Flawless Perfection

RRP: £12.99
no. of shades available: 6

*Please note I tried this on a sample basis, so while I'll try and comment on packaging etc as best I can, I have not yet tried the full size standard version.

--What does the promo say?--
"Flawless Perfection introduces a revolutionary new approach to foundation - a unique patented two-step system incorporating separate skin perfecting and colour finish formulas designed to work together to deliver a freshly applied, flawless look which lasts throughout the day. The secret, a lightweight first step that creates a smooth canvas, so the liquid colour doesn't fade or settle into fine lines. Two steps to perfection!"

--Packaging--
A two-part plastic bottle containing a primer in one side and a foundation in the other side. The bottle stands on its navy flip-top lid. Convenient and easy to use.

--Application--
Rub a small amount of the primer all over your face (though as usual I'd recommend staying away from the eye area). Judging from my sample, you need slightly more of this primer than you need from other primers, such as the No 7 primer. Once it's fully absorbed, add the foundation using your usual technique.

--Texture--
The primer is very smooth and light, and not as thick as the No 7 primer. I didn't notice any textural difference between this foundation and other foundations.

--Appearance--
Honestly? I wasn't all that impressed by the effects. There was no difference between the overall finish of this foundation + primer combo and other foundation + primer combos I've used before. So all it tells you is that you get better effects if you use a primer, which we knew anyway...

--Longevity--
Excellent, but then again any foundation/primer combination will be, unless either of the two elements is shockingly bad.

--Coverage--
No better than other products I've used previously.

--Value for money--
£12.99 seems a bit on the expensive side. I don't think I'd pay more than £10 for this. While conceptually it is brilliant (I don't think I've seen any other foundation that comes with its own primer) and technically it should be excellent value for money (you almost pay this price for a primer by itself in many cases), the amount of primer you have to use from this Max Factor product betrays the illusion. Drop by drop, the No 7 is probably better. Plus, while the partnership of the primer and foundation is ingenious for travelling, I find it slightly irritating that you have to use so little of the foundation in comparison to the primer, meaning that one side will probably run out before the other, rendering the concept useless.
The option of a mere 6 shades also seems a little disappointing - this foundation will probably accommodate pale through to olive skins, but not much beyond that.
My advice? Choose something else.

Oriflame Daydream Eyeshadow Stripes

RRP: €7,95/£5.50 for 4g
no. of shades available: 1

--About the brand--
Oriflame is a cosmetics company, founded in 1967 in Sweden, that sells high-quality natural skincare and cosmetic products through an independent sales force, outside the traditional retail environment. Direct sales allows customers to get advice and inspiration from people they know and trust. Buying direct is reliable and convenient, and Oriflame Cosmetics is today one of the world's fastest-growing cosmetics companies. Oriflame has sales operations in 55 countries and market leadership in over 30 countries.

--What does the promo say?--
"Emphasise your eyes with this tantalising trio of eye shadows in lively spring shades. Easy to blend vivid colours with wet and dry application for long lasting colour that lasts."

--Packaging--
All very sweet and girly, arriving in a pale green box with pale pink swirly writing detailing the product, which is nice but a bit difficult to read except under bright light. The compact itself is a flip-top compact made of white opaque plastic. It's slightly difficult to open but otherwise fine. In this compact you get three colours - pale pink, pale yellow and pale green - that run into one another, and two small sponge brushes that sit rather nicely together end to end. A mirror would be nice, as would a grip on the outside to ease opening, but it's all very cute.

--Application--
If truth be told, I wasn't sure what order to use these colours in. I ended up using the yellow as the base, followed by the green on the crease and the pink as a liner, but I'll probably experiment with this combination a fair bit.

--Texture--
Quite finely pigmented, but you seemed to need quite a lot of shadow per application, which suggests it could be better.

--Appearance--
Almost too pale to be seen, but the lighting was quite bad when I applied it, so it could be better than it appears. However, the colours match one another very well.

--Longevity--
Quite poor - it creased even with the use of a primer.

--Value for money--
Given the amount you have to use per application, the fact that it creases and the fact that there are probably better trios out there for the money, I'm going to have to say that I'm not too impressed with this. It looks nice on, but it creases far far too quickly, and as far as I'm concerned, I shouldn't have to be reapplying my shadow throughout the day. Thumbs firmly down.

perfect partners
Daydream Eye Definer, €3,95
Daydream Lip Gloss, €3,95

Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Pencil

RRP: £2.99
no. of shades available: 6

--What does the promo say?--
"Benefits: Defining, Powder
Soft, smudgeable line. Fade resistant colour. This pencil gives dense colour application, which can be blended into the lid for a softly smudged look. A very easy to apply formulation."

--Packaging--
Pretty simple - the pencil is the same colour as the eyeliner itself, with product information written on the pencil in white. The lid also matches the liner colour. Simple is fine, but the packaging doesn't stand out in any way.

--Application--
I believe the 'application' section on this page adequately covers the actual methodology of it.

--Appearance--
The line appears very weak on the waterline, which is never good news.

--Texture--
The above indicates that this pencil is too soft, so you might want to keep it in the fridge.

--Longevity--
Useless. Slides off within an hour or two.

--Value for money--
While in terms of actual monetary cost you're paying very little, it's so useless that I'd recommend doubling your budget and getting the Bourjois pencil that I linked to earlier. You'll get a wider range of colours and a better, longer-lasting line, even on the eye's waterline.

L'Oreal Touche Magique

RRP: £6.99
no. of shades available: 4

--What does the promo say?--
"Banish dark circles, fine lines and imperfections with new Touche Magique Concealer.
This anti-fatigue and illuminating concealer visibly improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, leaving the delicate skin around the eye area looking radiant and smooth for up to 8 hours. Touche Magique has a soft brush applicator, making precise and controlled application easy."

--Packaging--
In terms of the actual concept, the packaging is pretty similar to its upmarket counterpart, Yves St Laurent's Touche Eclat: a plasticated stick of the same dimensions as a pen, with a brush as the nib. The pen is the same shade as the concealer itself, with dainty gold writing giving the product details, and an opaque lid to cover the nib. The other end of the pen is ridged - you twist the ridge to make concealer appear at the nib. It's a nice-looking thing and doesn't take up too much space in your makeup box.

--Application--
Instead of pressing the end of the pen to release more concealer, you twist. When the product is new, you end up sitting there for a long time, twisting the end of the pen for that first burst of concealer, and seeing as there's no indication of which way you should be twisting, this can be a little confusing (with a button there is no such ambiguity). However, once you get going, it's very easy to control how much concealer comes out of the pen, and easy to apply it directly to the skin. However, I find that with YSL's Touch Eclat and this product, it's easier to blend the concealer into the skin using a separate makeup brush (I find a lip brush has the right sort of bristles for this), as using the nib of the pen itself just pushes the concealer around your face without really blending it in.

--Texture--
The texture of this concealer is very smooth and seems to have a fine enough formula so that it blends in with any foundation and powder, even if they're not L'Oreal products.

--Appearance--
It doesn't sit on the skin's surface like some concealers, blending very nicely. However, while I found a shade that perfectly matched my skin tone, the number of shades available seems very limited and I don't know that the shades available would be adequate for darker skin tones.

--Coverage--
Excellent. Truth be told, it's probably actually better for my purposes than YSL's product, as this one is specifically aimed at covering up blemishes, whereas Touche Eclat is not.

--Longevity--
I've never used it on its own, so the results I've seen may not be fully accurate, as it's bound to react differently to the skin on its own than it does when working in conjunction with powder and foundation. As it is, I thought its longevity is very commendable.

--Value for money--
This product, certainly in terms of covering blemishes, is just as good as YSL's version. It's extremely affordable; one tube lasts a very long time (6 months +), even when wearing makeup most days; and the results are easily worth the money paid and more. I think L'Oreal has just redeemed itself.

Hard Candy Eyeshadow Quartet

RRP: $28/£19.50
no. of shades available: 13

--What does the promo say?--
"One sleek compact, four intense colours. With a base colour, crease colour, highlighter and liner in each, these shadow sets have such diversity, such range, you might just learn something new about your look. Hey, you might just learn something about the world."

--Packaging--
The box the quartet arrives in has a very pretty pastel pattern on it (blue, green and pink circles containing white hearts, on a white background), with all of the product details on it in white. The compact itself is a silvery box, measuring approximately 6cm x 6cm, with the Hard Candy logo embossed on the flip-top lid, and is easy to open. The shades are neatly laid out and the quartet comes with two brushes: one typical sponge applicator, and one brush with stiff white synthetic bristles that are graduated in length for blending. It's all very nice to look at and it's always a bonus to have brushes included.

--Application--
Use the double-ended sponge applicator to apply the colours as you see fit. I find that with these particular compacts, starting with the bottom colour and working your way up the compact works well, using the bottom colour as a base or a highlighter and the top colour as a liner. I prefer to use the applicator dry, as using it wet stains the brush more and makes it more difficult to clean, but both methods produce excellent effects. If you do use the sponge applicator dry, you can then use the white-bristled brush to blend. The brush, despite the hardness of the bristles, is very effective and not at all uncomfortable to use.

--Texture--
The shadows are all smooth and finely pigmented - even the glittery ones.

--Appearance--
Hard Candy makes a point of saying that the colours work well together even if they do appear slightly unexpected combinations. They're right. Normally I'd have thought it would take a very brave person to use purple and green together, but in the shades provided in the Drama Queen compact, they work fantastically.

--Longevity--
Despite the fine pigmentation of the shadows, they crease if you don't use an eyelid primer, and even then, if you've worn the shadows all day over an eyelid primer, they'll start to crease after 12 hours' wear. This is probably fine, though, given that the odds of wearing an eyeshadow from 9am until 11pm is pretty slim - it's more normal to only expect it to last the length of a normal working day, or the length of a night out. I can understand if after 14 hours its patience is starting to wear a little thin!

--Value for money--
I feel that the retail price is a little extortionate and that you're mostly paying for the brand name. However, this can be easily got around thanks to our good friend ebay and various other discount cosmetics sites, and in terms of the quality of the eyeshadow itself, its longevity probably suits most people's purposes, and the unusual colour combinations really make this quartet range stand out from the rest.

No 7 Stay Perfect Foundation Compact

RRP: £11.50/12g
no. of shades available: 6

--What does the promo say?--
"Stay Perfect Foundation Compact for a long-lasting, flawless finish. Help your skin stay beautiful from morning till night, with this incredibly silky long-lasting foundation. Easy to apply wherever you are, it's flattering in any light, keeping you picture perfect all day long.
* Hypo-allergenic Fragrance free
* with SPF 15
* Vitamins A and E"

--Packaging--
It's a good-looking black plastic flip-top container, in an oval shape, with the No7 logo on the lid in gold. A sponge and mirror is included and the foundation and sponge compartments sort of curve into one another, making up an oval shape together. The opening of said compact, however, is a little deceptive - there's a little ridge that looks like you should grab hold of and lift from, when in reality this is only the spring. You actually need to grab the side of the lid, using the flat of your finger or thumb rather than the tip, and lift up. Even then it doesn't always open on the first go.

--Application--
Wipe the sponge onto the foundation and then apply directly to your face. However, this is not as easy as it sounds as it's easy to apply unevenly, particularly around the eyes, mouth and nostrils, so make sure you check your work before doing the rest of your makeup.

--Texture--
Quite smooth to start with, but my face felt greasier as the day went on. However, I wore it on quite a hot day, so on a cooler day it may fare better.

--Appearance--
It does give pretty impressive coverage, and I find myself nodding at No7's claim that the foundation helps towards a flawless appearance. However, just make sure to check for uneven patches on application. I found that the shade of foundation was very compatible with my skin, though I'm not sure if there are enough shades available for darker skins.

--Coverage--
Even with my bad skin, I found one layer enough for decent coverage. I don't know whether this means it's too thick for people with good skin to use happily.

--Value for money--
It's perhaps a touch more expensive than I was expecting, though it contains an SPF and additional vitamins. You also get less foundation than this size of the compact would make it appear, perhaps owing to the inclusion of the sponge. However, the coverage is excellent and as a foundation I would heartily recommend it.

Clinique 3-Step Anti-Blemish Skincare System

RRP: £30.00 for 50ml cleanser, 100ml toner and 30ml moisturiser (trial sizes); or £13 for 125ml cleanser/£16 for 200ml toner/£15 for 50ml moisturiser (full sizes)

--What does the promo say?--
"What's so different about Anti-Blemish Solutions? Feel like you can't get blemishes under control? The spots just keep coming back...or never leave? Clinique gets it. That's why we've created a 3-Step System that's super-simple and ultra-effective. Specifically formulated to fight blemishes. Cleanse. Exfoliate. Moisturise. Just 3 steps, 3 minutes, twice-a-day. Because that's what blemish-prone skin needs to get clear. The 3-Step System gets results – fast. How? Highly effective anti-blemish ingredients delivered in gentle, comfortable formulas. Bonus: After breakouts are under control, the system keeps skin clear, with continued use, of course. Customise your routine by adding targeted Anti-Blemish Solutions Specialists. Zero in on zits with on-the-spot treatments and full body care. The dermatologist is in. Anti-Blemish Solutions formulas are based on the experience of Clinique's guiding dermatologists. Doctors who have treated thousands of patients and given Clinique their unique insight into the causes of blemishes – and the solutions that make a difference. At Clinique, it's not just how your skin looks and feels, but how you feel about your skin. Team approach. Anti-Blemish Solutions products are designed to work together, to attack blemishes from all angles. They deliver a powerful combo-punch that treats each spot at its source, while staying gentle on skin. Clinique has the power to stop blemishes. And now you do, too. Kill them with kindness. The mild cleanser helps clear and prevent blemishes. The toner's gentle, effective formula exfoliates to clear dead surface cells and reduce excess oil that can lead to breakouts. The moisturiser's lightweight formula helps clear and prevent blemishes. Calms, soothes, reduces the look of redness."

--Packaging--
True to Clinique's usual form, the packaging is simple and straightforward, with the trademark Clinique C gracing the front of each bottle. All of the bottles in this range are a unisex, clinical pale green, reminiscent of surgeons' scrubs and of eucalyptus and tea tree oil. The cleanser is a pump action bottle that converts the liquid cleanser to a foam. The toner (or clarifying lotion as they like to call it) just comes in a regular plastic bottle with a screw top lid and regular opening (which is fine, but it would be nice if it had one of those discs with a hole in the top of the bottle to reduce the risk of spillage) and the moisturiser is a squeezy tube with a flip-top lid. The packaging seems fairly sturdy in all cases, none of them are confusing to operate, and they all match one another nicely.

--Application--
This is simple. Pump down the cleanser to get the amount you want (1 pump is OK, 2 is pretty good...3 I would say is more than enough, possibly too much) and rub into wet skin before immediately washing off. Dry your face, put some toner onto a cotton wool ball, and rub all over your face and neck. Afterwards, squeeze out a tiny amount of moisturiser and rub all over your face. This is quick and easy.

--Scent--
The cleanser barely has any scent, whereas the toner and moisturiser have more noticeable scents. While the moisturiser's prominent scents are tea tree and eucalyptus, the overwhelming scent of the toner is that of alcohol. While it doesn't linger on the skin, it's not the most pleasant of smells, though it does smell rather clinical thanks to this, which at least makes you feel like it works.

--Texture--
All excellent. The cleanser is smooth and bubbly, the toner is cool, and the moisturiser, although slightly watery, is without lumps.

--Sensation--
The toner in particular is very refreshing and none of the products in the 3-Step System sting. However, if you choose to branch out into other products in the anti-blemish range, the clear blemish gel can sting if applied to open spots (i.e. the ones you've just picked at!).

--Appearance--
The cleanser is a white foam with small bubbles. The toner is a clear liquid, and the moisturiser is an off-white cream/gel. None of the products leave any residue on the skin; however, the moisturiser doesn't appear to absorb too well as it leaves my skin shiny and I often have to add some de-mattifier to my skin afterwards.

--How does your skin feel?--
The skin feels smooth rather than as if it has been harshly treated, and this feeling lasts throughout the day.

--Improvement--
For this reason, I have a love-hate relationship with this skincare system. I chose to try it when I was out of the country for 8 weeks so that a) I would know exactly how long I had used it for and b) so that I could gauge my parents' reaction to my skin on my return (if they think it has improved, they will usually say so). During the 8 weeks, I myself noticed an improvement, and yet on my return to the UK, my parents said nothing about it. However, the condition of my skin seemed to fluctuate. As soon as I'd started to think I'd seen an improvement, more spots seemed to appear. While I have seen an improvement in the condition of my skin overall, I am still getting spots (mostly blackheads but also whiteheads), so their promise that the system would also serve as preventative care seems to have fallen flat.

--Value for money--
I won't lie - this is not the cheapest skincare system. However, I have seen more of an improvement than with other systems I've used, and overall I am pleased with the results. The bottles also seem to be lasting me a long time - having used the full-size bottles for 8 weeks straight, they're still half-full, and so I expect them to last me at least until November, and hopefully until Christmas. While I haven't tried all of the other anti-blemish products, I have tried the clear blemish gel, which is good value in terms of visible, speedy results, but bad value in terms of the amount you get in the (very tiny) bottle for your money.

--Other comments--
I have heard people say that despite the alliterative "kill them with kindness" claim made by Clinique, they found the twice-daily exfoliation too harsh for their skin (NB the exfoliant is a chemical exfoliant found in the toner, rather than being a manual exfoliant with bits of beach in it!). I did not find this to be the case - if you have bad acne, harsh is probably what your skin needs in order to blast those blemishes into non-existence. My favourite products are probably the toner and the clear blemish gel. Despite my love-hate relationship with this system, the results have pleased me and I would not rule out trying other products from the Clinique anti-blemish range.

perfect partners
Anti-Blemish Solutions Body Spray, £13 for 125ml
Anti-Blemish Solutions Clear Blemish Gel, £12 for 15ml
Anti-Blemish Solutions Anti-Bacterial Face and Body Soap, £10 for 150g
Anti-Blemish Solutions Post-Blemish Formula, £10.50 for 1.8g
Anti-Blemish Solutions Concealing Stick, £10 for 3g (2 shades available)

Wet 'N' Wild Rouge Powder

RRP: £1.99
no. of shades available: 3 in the UK, 6 in the US

--About the brand--
Wet'N'Wild is a budget beauty brand which can be bought in the US and the UK, and it is readily available to purchase online.

--What does the promo say?--
"There’s nothing like fabulous, just-flushed colour to warm your look and contour your face. Silky powder formula strikes the perfect balance between soft-colour coverage and sheer transparency for a natural, radiant glow. Luxurious formula goes on as smooth as silk. Accentuates cheeks and face with natural highlights."

--Packaging--
A silver plastic flip-top box approx 3 inches by 2, with the brand logo clinging to the bottom right-hand corner vertically in silver writing. There's also a window so so you can see the blusher, with the brand logo embossed into the powder itself. Easy to open, doesn't come open unless you want it to, and comes with its own mirror and (very soft) brush. It doesn't give any illusions about its price tag, but it's more than adequate (though I wouldn't recommend it if you're particularly snobby about packaging).

--Application--
Use the brush provided to dab the powder before applying to the apples of your cheeks. I say 'dab' because stroking the brush over the powder picks up far too much blush, which you'll then have to rectify. Best to just dab - you can always add more but it's more difficult to take away if you've done too much. What's that they say about less being more...

--Texture--
Smooth and fine - impressive in the face of its cheapness!

--Appearance--
The colour is far stronger than it appears in the box - hence the dabbing recommendation! However, if you do overdo it, it's easy to rectify, and it can produce a lovely rosy effect when applied correctly.

--Longevity--
This blusher didn't last as long as I had liked, perhaps due to the fact that today was hot and any sweat/excess sebum production may have made it slide off, and perhaps due to the fact that I applied very little blusher in the first place and didn't make an effort to reapply it during the day either. I also forgot to apply my usual finishing powder to set the makeup. On another day the results may have been better.

--Value for money--
While the range of colours available could be better, this is an excellent low-cost find once you've worked out how to best apply it for your skin tone and the needs of your skin.

Estée Lauder Projectionist High Definition Volume Mascara

RRP: £17.00/8ml
# of shades available: 4

--What does the promo say?--
"High drama for every single lash. Now you can project thicker, longer, more defined and lustrous lashes that highlight your beautiful eyes. VolumAire™ formula creates weightless volume and sharp definition that resists clumping. Hollow spherical polymers act like inflated balloons that volumise and lift. ProDefinition Brush™ draws out even tiny lashes with infinite precision and separation control. Lets you lavish attention on every single lash, every single day. Blends two kinds of fibres: hollow fibres to hold formula, plus solid rigid fibres to comb it through and separate. Pearl pigments mimic the lustre and colour of natural hair for a lustrous, healthy look."

--Packaging--
As with all Estée Lauder products, it's a nice-looking thing - dark blue tube with various gold and silver embellishments.

--Application--
Now, I gather how you apply mascara affects its appearance as much as the formula of the mascara itself (and the brush it comes with). However, makeup companies deliberately choose not to tell you this, preferring to try and convince us that their mascara alone will give you perfect lashes, regardless of if you apply it perfectly or sort of poke at your lashes with the wand. So I choose my usual technique, stroking through the lashes gently and sort of zig-zagging the brush towards the end to help separate the lashes, repeating as necessary until I've built up the effect I'm after.

--Appearance--
It defines and volumises the lashes quite successfully, with the effects being noticeable immediately. The colour is also quite definite - sometimes you can barely tell if a mascara is black, dark brown or navy blue, but you can definitely see what you've got with this.

--Texture--
Estée Lauder seems to have hit on a very fine formula with this - there are no clumps and it gives you the flexibility to build it up to your needs. It's very fine and smooth so if you want to just put on one coat for daywear or five for nightwear, you can without your lashes looking unnatural.

--Longevity--
Despite not being marketed as waterproof, I've got no complaints about this one. It also dries very quickly so it doesn't smudge your upper lids or the area just under the lower waterline like other mascaras.

--Sensation--
No stinging or tingling feeling, so good for those of you with sensitive eyes.

--Value for money--
This mascara seems to last a very long time without drying up, so that's certainly a thumbs-up on the value front. However, despite the fineness of the formula, I really noticed very little difference between this and other mascaras. It just doesn't have the wow factor for me, and I'm starting to wonder if there really is such a thing as far as mascara goes, or if the mascara really is only as good as the person applying it.

perfect partners
Estée Lauder Artist's Eye Pencil, £14.00
Estée Lauder Clear Lash Primer Plus, £15.00

Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner

RRP: £13.50/3g
# of shades available: 15

--What does the promo say?--
"AWARD WINNER! "Best Beauty Buy", In Style Magazine (March 2007 issue). This innovative eyeliner offers the precision of liquid liner and the ease of a gel-based formula. Long-wearing, water-resistant colour can be used to create subtle to dramatic looks."

--Packaging--
The pot is teeny tiny. Unless you have ridiculously huge hands, you'll probably get an idea of the size if you curl the tips of your index finger and thumb of your hand round to meet one another in a circle. The screw-top lid is black and the glass pot itself is opaque, with the name of the product printed on it in elegant black capitals. It's a very nice-looking, professional-looking products that doesn't take up too much space.

--Application--
Now, this can be applied several ways, but first and foremost, no matter how you're planning on applying it, you undoubtedly need a proper liner brush. Any other kind of eye brush simply isn't going to cut it (believe me, I tried). Once you have said brush, you can apply it above the top lashes only, above the top lashes + the top lash waterline, bottom lash waterline, or top lashes + bottom lash waterline. It really is incredibly versatile - a lot of liners are unsuitable for top lashes and the waterlines (liquid liner HURTS if you try and apply it to your waterline, not to mention that it just slides off; pencil is OK for both but slides off the waterline after a time and it can be difficult to get an even line on the top lashes as the pencil can drag across the skin). The only thing this product would benefit from would be an instructional leaflet, like the Yria eyeshadow has, as gel eyeliner is not something that's particularly well-known.

--Appearance--
You can make this eyeliner say whatever you want - if you want an everyday look, something seductive or something for a party, this eyeliner can do it. You can get an excellent line on the top lashes and on the waterline too. The range of colours also surpasses the majority of eyeliners, ranging from browns and blacks to blues, greens and purples.

--Texture--
It has the smoothness of a liquid liner without the runniness. Ingenious! It's also very easily blendable if you want a sort of fuzzy line.

--Sensation--
Very good for sensitive eyes and for contact-lens wearers - there's no tingling, stinging or any otherwise discomfort.

--Longevity--
It lasts as long as you want it to - sometimes too long. After applying it to my top waterline, I found it difficult to remove without hurting my eyes and I still found traces of it the next day.

--Value for money--
Fabulous - it's clearly a very high-quality product that requires little to be used per application. Does it do what it says it does? Longwear - check. Precision - check. Ease - you betcha. This product gives me such a positive impression of the brand as a whole that I'll definitely be revisiting my local Bobbi Brown counter. (To read about the rest of my Bobbi Brown experience, please click here. Note that my LJ doesn't accept anon comments :) )

perfect partners
Bobbi Brown Ultra Fine Eyeliner Brush, £17.00
Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow, £16.00/3.5g

Yria Eyeshadow Duo

RRP: £9.00/3g
# of shades available: 5 (prune, naturel, blue, brown and khaki)

--About the brand--
Yves Rocher is a discount makeup, health and beauty chain that has branches in the UK, Europe and the US. It has several 'own brands', of which Yria is one.

--What does the promo say?--
"Make up your eyes without looking harsh. Transforms your eye for a younger, refreshed look, thanks to its gentle smoothing pigments that draw light away from lines, as well as its elegant shades that bring out the beauty of your eye colour. Contains white tea extract. Your look is totally transformed."

--Packaging--
The rectangular compact is a nice size - about the size of my palm. The colour scheme is a sort of Christian Lacroix-esque dark red and gold, which indicates it probably isn't aimed at my age group. In truth, I can see my mum or even my gran buying this. However, the low price means it may well attract young people, and once the colours are on your eyes it hardly matters what age bracket the packaging it aimed at. It's a plastic flip-top casing, and contains 2 eyeshadow brushes as standard (one flattish, and one that's sort of pointy).

--Application--
This eyeshadow duo even includes a leaflet for all the makeup novices showing best how to apply the two shades in ways that complement one another. Nice touch.

--Appearance--
In the box the colours are subtle but striking and on the eye they prove their mettle. You can use the colours together or separately for a subtle pastel look or for something more sophisticated and with greater depth.

--Texture--
Fine, smooth particles, making it easy to apply.

--Longevity--
Doesn't crease. No need to reapply throughout the day.

--Does it do what it says it will?--
Can't say it takes much attention away from my under-eye lines, but I can believe that over time it would help stave off eyelid creases owing to the white tea extract (contains powerful anti-ageing antioxidants, don't you know). I can't think of any other eyeshadow that uses this as such a key part of its promotion.

--Value for money--
This isn't the cheapest shadow on the market, but it's far from being the most expensive and I consider the white tea extract to be a distinct advantage. You seem to have to scrape the brush over the shadow a few times to get enough to colour your eyelid fully, which casts aspersions over how long the duo is going to last. However, if it does run out quickly, this at least gives me an excuse to try the other colours in the range :)

Montagne Jeunesse Chocolate Mud Masque

RRP: 99p for 20g sachet

--What does the promo say?--
"Chocolate, yes, it’s chocolate. A guilt free treat! This masque offers a feast of creamy delights – it’s outrageous! This deep cleansing masque helps unblock pores, moisturises and heals for skin that glows with health. It smells incredible – imagine these – Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter – creamy heaven. Enjoy!"

--Packaging--
It's a sachet about the size of my hand. It's easy to rip open so that you can get enough of the mask out without it going everywhere. I can't make up my mind if I like the package design or not - on one hand, it's nice to see something a bit different to the generic pretty girl, big blue eyes, smiling, thin layer of face mask on face, but on the other hand, nobody's going to lie there with the entire mask caked on their face and chocolate slabs over their eyes to boot. However, it does give Montagne Jeunesse a very distinct image that is common to all of their products and makes it stand out on the shelf - which I guess is what you're looking for if you're a marketing executive.

--Application--
Simply rip open the sachet (with fingers or scissors), squeeze out some of the mask onto your fingers, and apply to face. Leave to dry for 10-15 mins and then wash off with a flannel.

--Appearance--
The mask looks thick and creamy from the outset even before application to the face. You can then apply a layer that's as thin or as thick as you like. The colour of the mask is strong and doesn't betray the image on the sachet.

--Texture--
Creamy and soft both on your fingers and on your face. Feels firm rather than runny so it's very easy to apply.

--Scent--
Other mud masques I've used tend to smell of exactly that: mud. But oh my goodness, this actually does smell like Nutella. As a chocoholic I was in complete heaven with this.

--How does your skin feel afterwards?--
Really smooth and sort of 'finished' and refined. You smell of chocolate for a while afterwards as well. However, I wouldn't say your skin feels any better if you apply a really thick layer.

--Drying--
10-15 minutes' drying time is perfect if you only apply a thin layer. However, if you want a thicker layer and thus a more luxurious experience, half an hour's drying time might be more appropriate.

--Product life--
My boyfriend opened the packet, made one application, and then left it open. Exactly a week later, he used some again and it was still in absolutely perfect condition, despite having been left open. It didn't go dry or sticky or crumbly...it was just sheer perfection.

--Value for money--
Montagne Jeunesse is a very low-budget range, but you get an excellent product that makes your skin feel smooth, toned and refined. You get an even better bargain if you buy one of their lucky dip packs from www.montagnejeunesse.com - 10 products for £6 (60p/sachet), 25 sachets for £12 (48p/sachet) or 50 sachets for £18 (36p/sachet), where you get what they've chosen for you. (Other places, such as Amphora Aromatics online store, and Boots, also sell the products, but only the official site has the full range and only they do the lucky dips which enable you to save money.) Not only this, you get more than one application per sachet. My boyfriend applied the mask twice in a very thin layer, I applied it once in quite a thick layer, and there's still some left in the sachet, so I'd say you're getting a minimum of 3 or 4 applications PER SACHET. Bargain.

Collection 2000 Fast Stroke Eyeliner

RRP: £2.49/6ml
# of shades available: 5 (black, silver, purple, blue and gold)

--Packaging--
The package is very small - probably only 6cm all in, so it's very dinky and fits nicely in your makeup bag. It consists of a small pot (black with the collection 2000 logo on it in silver) and a long thin lid which has a chunky base as it meets the pot but tapers out very thinly towards its end. Despite this, the overall packaging seems secure with no risk of the lid unscrewing itself in your bag. The lid is the same colour as the eyeliner itself. Overall it's a sleek-looking thing, though the writing on the front of the pot seems to fade quickly.

--Application--
Applying liquid eyeliner is in itself an art, so I'm not going to pretend this is simple. Put the pot down on a stable surface and unscrew the pen/lid thing. Hold one eyelid down with the fingers of your 'weakest' hand, and use your 'strongest' hand (normally the one you write with) to follow the line of your upper eyelashes with the pen. Keep that eye closed for a minute or so to let it dry fully, and then do the other eye. You can then do the lower lashes if you're feeling particularly gothic, but I think this looks over the top so I tend not to.

--Appearance--
On the pen the liner appears slightly watery, but there's no need to worry - on the eye you get an excellent, bold line.

--Longevity--
Lasts very well throughout the day, unless it rains...but then again it hardly claims to be waterproof.

--Product life--
I'm making a special note of this for this product to serve as something of a warning: liquid eyeliners never 'live' for very long, but it seems mad that I only got a couple of applications out of this before it dried up completely and became unusable.

--Value for money--
It's hardly expensive and it's going to be even cheaper if you buy online. However, on the whole I'd say that despite the good line you get from it, it dries up too quickly to be viable and that there are consequently probably better liners out there.

--Other comments--
This is still a very good 'starter' product for younger makeup users and it's widely available throughout Europe, mainly on ebay, Crosby Cosmetics and Direct Cosmetics (all websites show up on google). And though the Boots and Superdrug websites are pretty useless, I'm sure I've seen this product on their shelves recently, so go to your local branch and have a look.

Kiehl's Protein Concentrate Shampoo for Oily Hair

RRP: $15.50/21 euros/£13 for 200ml

--About the brand--
Kiehl's is an American brand that has various ranges (for men and women) of hair care, skin care, body products, fragrances and sun care, as well as products for babies and pets. Est 1851. It's available in most department stores and can be bought online too (direct from the Kiehl's website if you live in the US; from Space NK Apothecary in the UK).

--What does the promo say?--
"With conditioning ingredients and oils of rosemary, sage, and lavender and panthenol. Not tested on animals. A thick, concentrated shampoo for a gentle, thorough cleansing of oily hair and scalp."

--Packaging--
The brand is over 150 years old, and this bottle wouldn't look out of place on the shelf of an old-timey pharmacy. Though the white label is jam-packed with information, its style is quirky and traditional and somewhat scientific-looking rather than irritating. It's also most definitely unisex - this shampoo's actually my boyfriend's, but he kindly said I could sneak a little for testing. The bottle itself is made from opaque plastic. The lid is a white plastic flip-top lid.

--Application--
Flip open the lid and squeeze a very small amount into your palm. For my shoulder-length hair, I only needed a 10p-sized amount, and this was more than enough. Lather up, wash out. Repeat as necessary.

--Appearance--
The shampoo is a yellowish-brown colour and very watery, rather than being viscous like most shampoos.

--Scent--
The shampoo smells primarily of rosemary and sage, though the smell is not very long-lasting - I like to be able to smell my shampoo on my hair throughout the day and you can't smell this one at all, even right after you've washed it.

--Lather--
You really only need a small amount to get a decent lather? I'd recommend not using more than a 10p-sized amount unless you have very long hair. The lather doesn't slip out of your hair before you're ready to wash it out.

--Washing it out--
Easy to wash out - I didn't find any traces of the shampoo in my hair after I was finished drying my hair.

--How does your hair look/feel afterwards?--
The hairbrush seemed to go through my wet hair more easily after using this shampoo. Until recently I'd been using L'Oréal Elsève, purely on the basis that it was 2-in-1 (I hate it when the conditioner runs out before the shampoo, or vice versa), and it hasn't served my hair well at all, making it feel flat and lifeless. However, this shampoo brought back the bounce and shine! Yay! However, it didn't bring really any extra smoothness to my hair, though my hair is quite dry anyway. (Paradoxically my hair is dry but I have very oily roots, grr.)

--Effects throughout the day--
It's the evening now and the difference is still visible from using the shampoo this morning. The volume is definitely back - impressive given that this isn't marketed as a volumising shampoo. However, I have started to notice a severely oily/greasy patch on the back of my head that was most certainly not there before. Could be that I need to try the shampoo for normal hair.

--Value for money--
It's a wee bit expensive for a shampoo, though this depends where you buy it. I'm going to keep experimenting, and unless I can find something just as good (or better) for less money, I'll come back to this.

--Other comments--
There is also a version available for normal hair.

perfect partner
Hair Conditioner and Grooming Formula 133, $18.00/22 euros 50/£16.00 for 200ml

Body Shop Brilliance Powder

RRP: £14.00/4.5g (or €23, or USD$18.50)
No. of shades: 4 - lustrous rose, shimmer bronze, matte bronze and shimmer gold

--What does the promo say?--
"Just push the button and the Brilliance Powder is in the brush. A lightweight sparkle powder with shimmering pearls that provides a natural-looking sun-kissed finish for the face and body. Available in a shimmer or matte finish. Dermatologically tested. Contains marula oil (a very effective moisturiser that also helps to condition the skin over time. Also provides essential fatty acids that help to repair the skin's moisture barrier, thus helping to restore moisture, smoothness and suppleness.), vitamin E (an antioxidant that helps to soften, condition and protect the skin), and light diffusing particles (instantly brighten the skin and help reduce the appearance of lines)."

--Packaging--
The packaging looks just like a blusher brush, the handle of which is mostly transparent so that you can see the powder inside. The brush is quite cheap and very synthetic-looking (I don't mind it being synthetic but this really does look plasticated), and is a sort of reddish-brown colour. The button is a sort of gold colour, as is most of the non-transparent packaging, and the Body Shop logo etc is written in small writing on the transparent bit. It's quite a sophisticated looking thing and is a nice size too. It also comes with a lid to put over the brush's bristles when you're done, which is nice in theory, but once you've used the brush on your face, even for the first time and even if you're careful, the bristles fan out and it's a challenge to stuff them back into the lid.

--Application--
Sounds so simple in the promo, doesn't it? "Just push the button." I wish. I stood there for 10 minutes pushing the silly little button until my thumb hurt with the appearance of no powder whatsoever when suddenly - whoosh! A load of powder deposits itself onto my hand as if to say "There." Luckily I was able to brush most of this onto my skin, but dearie me, it is a silly way of getting there. Happily this only happened the first time - once it got going it was very easy to use.

--Appearance--
Through the tube the powder looks lovely and iridescent without being over the top, and on the face there's no disappointment either. The glitter is not as subtle as some products I've used, but the product is versatile - you can layer the powder so that it's suitable for everyday wear or for a night out.

--Texture--
Very light. When the powder was on, you couldn't even tell it was there. No heaviness or caked-on feelings with this.

--Longevity--
Excellent - I wore this for a dinner out. We left at 8 and when we came back at midnight it hadn't budged.

--Does it do what it says it will?--
On the whole, yes, though saying it will reduce the appearance of lines seems to be going a bit far.

--Value for money--
You need so little of this powder that you'll get a lot of mileage out of one brush. However, looking at the prices, our American friends are undoubtedly better off, with the Europeans faring worst in terms of price (God damn, I knew I should have waited until I got home to buy this).

--Other comments--
The versatility of this product is amazing. Buy the white one (shimmer gold) and it's a highlighter. Buy the pink one (lustrous rose) and it's a blusher. Buy either of the bronze ones and it's a bronzer! Genius!

perfect partners
Body Shop Shimmer Cubes Eye Shadow, $17.50/£14.00/€22 for 4 colours
Body Shop Bronzing Powder, $14.00/£11.50/€16 for 11.5g

Dior HydrAction Hand Crème

RRP: £15.00 for 75ml at www.escentual.com

--What does the promo say?--
"Of course, dehydration can be felt: skin irritations, “pulling” sensations... But above all, it shows. Often neglected in skincare, the body also has its special needs. It needs to be soothed by rebuilding its skin barrier and by hydration so that it can be seen! Crème Mains Ultra Hydratante, with its light, melting texture, uses HydrAction Corps technology and is enriched with vitamin E to help protect the skin of the hands, even the fragile area around the nails. Carry this complete hand care in your purse - you'll want to have it with you all day long."

--Packaging--
Slim, light blue tube with a screw top. Very simple design, with the Dior logo and name of the product on the front, with product info on the back. Refreshing colour scheme that's very much in keeping with the product's aims and the Dior brand generally. The tube also iridesces slightly when turned towards the light, which is quite a novelty.

--Application--
Simple really, just rub a pea-sized blob into your hands as often as needed (though once a day is enough for me).

--Appearance--
Pure white cream that leaves no residue on the hands.

--Scent--
Soap-like, but the scent is not overpowering.

--Texture--
Creamy and not at all watery despite the emphasis on rehydration. Not dribbly or sticky. When rubbed into the hands a cool feeling takes over the skin on your hands, as if you really have just stuck them under a blast of cold water, in a way that Atrixo, my usual hand cream, does not.

--How does the skin feel afterwards?--
Lovely and soft, though it doesn't seem to have the miracle emergency effects possessed by Atrixo.

--Does it do what it says on the tube?--
While I compare it to Atrixo above, it's slightly unfair to as Dior's emphasis is on rehydration, whereas Atrixo emphasises the disappearance of dry skin. While I don't really suffer from dehydrated skin very much (to the best of my knowledge at least), from the way it makes my hands feel when I put it on, I have no trouble believing that it does what it says it does.

--Value for money--
While I'm very impressed with the way the cream feels on my hands, I feel it's a bit pricey for what it is and I certainly wouldn't bother paying £27 for the body emulsion companion that appears in the range. It also doesn't have the immediate effects that Atrixo has, so you're not even getting anything truly magical for that hiked-up price (apart from a slightly sparkly tube).

perfect partner
Dior HydrAction Body Sorbet Emulsion, £27.00/200ml