Stargazer Eye Dust

RRP: £3
no. of shades available: 44
available from http://www.stargazer-products.com/ - they deliver all over the world. You will be charged in £ sterling.

--What does the promo say?--
"Coloured loose powder available in a mix of vibrant colours for application around the eyes. The colours are dense and give a very good strong finish on the skin. All the eye dust colours give you a fine shimmered effect which can be applied by hand or make up brush. Some of the colours have a slight metallic sheen on the skin while other colours are a little more subtle."

--About the brand--
Stargazer was established in 1978 with the opening of a stall in the Great Gear Market in the Kings Road, London. Kings Road was the centre of the punk fashion in London at the time and it was this attitude towards colour and the outrages that moulded many of the company’s ideas behind the ranges that they produce. They still are based in the UK as their base is in Croydon on the outskirts of London. In the 1980s Stargazer began to expand into the department stores trying to bring the colours we produced to a wider audience. Then in the late 1980s they started to slowly produce the products themselves. Now they produce the majority of the products in-house. Stargazer not only sells cosmetics but also sells hair and nail products, face paint, wigs, and face and body jewellery. None of the products are tested on animals, and all of the products are vegan except for the bleach kits and eye shadow/blusher colours.

--Packaging--
A small screw-top plastic black pot with a clear window in the lid so that the eye dust colour can be easily seen, and the brand name written on the side of the pot itself in a gold cursive script. If I were designing it I would perhaps change the font so that it better reflects the brand's punk roots. Tiny amounts of the powder leak out of the crease where the lid and pot meet, but this really is only a tiny amount. The pot is easy to open and close and I like how you can see the colour easily through the lid.

--Application--
On the site they say you can apply this with your fingers but I don't think I'd recommend it as I expect it would be messy and wouldn't allow for precise application. So get a brush, apply a primer to your eyelid, and then carefully dip the brush in the pot and apply it to the eyelids a small amount at a time.

--Texture--
Very fine and glittery. The particles aren't too big at all and spread over the eyelid very smoothly.

--Appearance--
Successfully glittery without looking overdone. Subtle shades are available alongside the wackier shades. While the range of available colours on the website is mind-boggling, some of them look pretty similar on the website, so choose carefully.

--Longevity--
Easily a threat to its more expensive competitor, the MAC pigments.

--Value for money--
At a mere £3 a pot you really cannot lose.

Helena Rubinstein Stellar Gloss Showlights Lip Gloss

RRP: £13.00 for 9.2g
no. of shades available: 6

--What does the promo say?--
"Dazzling Shine and Dewy Moisture. Inspired by the fascinating beauty of music hall showgirls dancing under the cabaret spotlights, Helena Rubinstein creates a new staging for your lips. A mesmerizing show of sparkles and glitter for truly dazzling lips."

--Packaging--
Lovely to look at - the clear plastic bottle that the gloss comes in is quite voluptously shaped, as is the lid (when I was given mine the lids were a gold-effect colour; they appear to have now changed this to silver). The applicator provided is a synthetic brush rather than being a sponge, which I must admit I prefer. There is no information given on the bottle itself, with the exception of the Helena Rubinstein logo on the top of the lid and the shade colour on the bottom of the bottle.

--Application--
Twist the lid, pull out the applicator, and apply directly to your lips.

--Appearance--
I have to say that the appearance of this gloss really does live up to the concept of showgirl glamour. However, it's subtle at the same time: rather than making you look like a hooker, despite the visible particles of glitter it's really very pretty. The colour swatches on the internet look rather brighter than the real deal, so don't be worried.

--Texture--
Smooth, not sticky.

--Longevity--
Longer than a lot of other lip glosses I've tried, actually (though of course you do have to reapply after eating etc).

--Value for money--
Even though this isn't as expensive as I thought it would be, and I'm loving the showgirl glamour, I think I'd still have to go for the Estee Lauder High Gloss, as it's a similar price but they have a far wider range of colours. Plus, when my sister left hers in her room, the sun poured through her window and actually made the colour of her lipgloss fade - I believe it was a pink colour before, and it is now white. Not impressed.

--Other comments--
Helena Rubinstein is apparently ceasing trade in the UK, though certainly for now their products can be easily found on other websites.

Givenchy Magic Khol

RRP: £9.50
no. of shades available: 10

--What does the promo say?--
"Eye Liner Pencil. With a magic wand!
A touch of khol along your lashes, above or below your eyes, and there you are transformed as if by magic.
Suddenly, your eyes look bigger, their color dramatically more intense.
The result is sensual, mysterious, spellbinding!"

--Packaging--
Pretty standard really - there's nothing 'different' about it, but then again, just HOW different can you make a kohl eyeliner look? Black pencil, with the end of the pencil being the same colour as the liner itself, and product info written on the pencil in white.

--Application--
See my previous eyeliner pencil entries. There's nothing difficult about applying this particular eyeliner.

--Appearance--
A pretty good line, but it doesn't really have the edge over any cheaper brands.

--Texture--
Perfect - not too soft, not too hard.

--Longevity--
Again, not bad, but nothing to boast about.

--Value for money--
The extra you pay for this is likely just for the brand name. Save a couple of quid and go for the Bourjois instead.

L'Oreal Made For Me Naturals Lipstick

RRP: £7.99
no. of shades available: 12

--What does the promo say?--
"Enjoy irresistibly natural looking lip colours with Color Riche Made For Me Naturals, a new range of illuminating nude lipsticks created by James Kaliardos. Offering dazzling definition and complementary shades, you're sure to find one that suits you perfectly."

--Packaging--
A nice gold-coloured lipstick package that doesn't peel off after a while like some gold/silver effects do.

--Application--
As usual - pull off the lid, twist up, and apply the lipstick to your lips either direct from the stick or using a lip brush.

--Appearance--
The appearance of this lipstick sort of falls halfway between shiny and matte, without any shimmer or glitter. The lipstick definitely lives up to its promise of a) looking natural and b) being in keeping with your skin tone and hair colour. They are possibly the nicest lipsticks I've ever worn in that respect.

--Texture--
Very smooth and conditioning.

--Longevity--
Not great - if you've eaten you'll need to apply it again. But then again it never claims to be long-lasting, so I'm happy to make that sacrifice!

--Value for money--
Excellent, given that a good quality lipstick should last months and months. This is also in no way up there with the most expensive lipsticks on the market in terms of price.

--Other comments--
Can I just say, I am LOVING this whole personalisation strategy that L'Oreal has got going on. It not only removes the trial and error element of finding the perfect shade of lipstick, but it also makes the buyer feel that the product has been tailored just for them. The range of shades is excellent and since they've extended the concept to some of their eyeshadows, I'm loving it even more. L'Oreal, you may have just redeemed yourselves.

Clinique Touch Blush

RRP: £14.50 for 5.3ml
no. of shades available: 6

--What does the promo say?--
" Unique, airy mousse/cream blush with blendable colour and a velvety finish. The look is smooth, soft and modern and the wear is long-term and comfortable.
• Imparts a smooth, soft glow of colour
• Blendable, long wearing, comfortable formula
• Unique texture – for fingertip application"

--Packaging--
A very small, lip-gloss sized clear pot, with a silver screw-top lid and the Clinique logo decorating the front in silver. It's easy to open and close, and it doesn't leak, but getting the protective white screen off the top each time can be a bit tricky.

--Application--
There's often some creme left on the protective screen, so you can wipe it directly onto your face if you want, or you can use your fingers. However, it's way too easy to put too much of this stuff on.

--Texture--
Smooth and creamy and very lovely.

--Appearance--
If you get it wrong, you look like Krusty the Clown. If you get it right, however, the result is a wonderfully dewy glow.

--Longevity--
Unfortunately this needs to be reapplied a few times a day, and I'd say that the Bourjois powder blushers do better in this regard.

--Value for money--
While it seems a shade on the expensive side, you need so little each time that I reckon it balances out.

perfect partners
Clinique Touch Tint For Eyes : Pearl Formula, £12.00 for 7ml
Clinique Moisture Sheer Lipstick : SPF15, £12.00 for 1.6g

Prescriptives Moonbeam Reflective Eye Colour

RRP: £8.00/0.9oz from strawberrynet.com
no. of shades available: 8
Available from: go to www.prescriptives.com and follow their links to find a store near you; in the UK, you can call 0870 034 2566 for your nearest stockist.

--What does the promo say?--
"A sensational, light-reflective eye color that lays down smooth, sheer, shimmering color that lasts all day. Light reflective pearls add a new dimension of shimmer with a beautiful silky feel. The creamy formula of Moonbeam Reflective Eye Color is long wearing and crease proof. Smooth on alone as a sheer wash of reflective color or layer under powder eyeshadow for a base that gives enhanced dimension."

--Packaging--
The box is a small, silver and white affair, with white lines scoring horizontally through the silver. The Prescriptives logo is very jazzy indeed - it's written in evenly placed white capital letters, with the V shooting upwards away from it. All other information is written in black or white. I really like the impression the box give - it's young, the lines scored across make it look really neat and clean, and of course even the name of the brand itself makes it seem personal and professional. On the tube itself, no information about the product is given. It's a mere 4 inches long, and the tube is clear and curvy, while the silver-effect screw-top lid carries on the straight-up silver + lines effect. It's easy to open and doesn't leak.

--Application--
While you can apply this all over your eyelid, using the applicator provided, I think this personally gives too strong a colour, and that it's better to apply it as you would a liquid liner (following the line of the upper lashes) and then blend outwards for a subtler shimmer.

--Texture--
This is a very smooth liquid eyeshadow, and while it has shimmer particles, they're not big glittery clumps and you can't feel them at all. It also doesn't irritate the eyes.

--Appearance--
As I said, it could be so easy to go over the top with this, so hold back a little. Less is more and all that. On the eyes, the shadow looks just beautiful.

--Longevity--
If I was blown away by the MAC pigment, this is the only thing I've found to rival it so far. I put it on my eyes at approximately 9 a.m., and when I came to take it off at 11 p.m. it hadn't moved an inch. Top stuff. This product definitely does what it says it will.

--Value for money--
It's quite affordable and you don't have to use very much at a time. The brand also keeps you on your toes by rotating its colour choices regularly, so that you can always expect new things from the brand. What can I say? I'm impressed.

perfect partners
Prescriptives Moonbeam Reflective Gloss, £7.50 from Strawberrynet
Prescriptives Colorscope Eye Colour, £12 from John Lewis

MAC Pigment Shadow for Eyes

RRP: £15.00 for 7.5g
no. of shades available: 26

--What does the promo say?--
"Pigment is a highly concentrated loose colour powder that contains ingredients to help it adhere to the skin. Pigment comes in an excellent range of colours. Use to create a subtle wash of colour or an intense effect. Pigment does not streak or cake, is easy to blend and long-lasting."

--Packaging--
The pigment comes in a small, transparent pot with a black screw-top lid (all made of plastic). The MAC logo graces the front of the pot in sophisticated black lettering. The pot is easy to open and close, and doesn't leak.

--Application--
You will need to purchase an eyeshadow brush (or sponge, it doesn't matter) for this. Dip the tip of the brush/sponge into the pigment and either apply all over the eyelid, or follow the line of the top lashes and then smudge outwards (either with water or without). This was all very easy to do as the powder is so finely pigmented - it doesn't fall off your eyelids or the brush while you're trying to apply it, so there's no wastage and no mess.

--Texture--
A very fine, shimmery powder. I think all of the MAC pigments have some sort of shimmer or pearlescence to them. On the eyelids the powder feels very smooth and non-irritating.

--Appearance--
While this could so easily look over the top, it really doesn't. With the smoky grey, brown and black shades, you can create smoky eyes with ease without looking like you've been in a fight.

--Longevity--
Utterly perfect. I haven't attempted it without a primer, but with my usual combination of eye cream + primer before the application of the shadow, it lasted all day.

--Value for money--
Not very much of the product is needed to create the desired effects, so I'm guessing one pot of this would go a long way. I bought mine as part of a sample deal on ebay, whereby I got to try 5 colours for £6. However, I would undoubtedly shell out full price for this excellent, high-quality product. This is now officially my favourite eye shadow brand, closely followed by Bobbi Brown.

Estee Lauder Clear Difference UltiMatte Blotting Sheets

RRP: £10.00 for 50 sheets

--What does the promo say?--
"Oil-control to go. Super convenient sheets absorb oil, won't affect makeup. Yet unlike drying powdery papers, powder-free UltiMatte Blotting Sheets leave hydration where it should be--in your skin."

--Packaging--
A small green cardboard box, about the same size as a credit card and three times as thick. It's pale green, with the Estee Lauder logo in white and gold and some sparse product details in dark green gracing the cardboard lid, which tucks in neatly to a pre-cut out flap when you're not using it. All biodegradable, and the colours make it look very natural too, as well as being synonymous with other natural skin-healing ingredients such as tea tree oil. Very nice.

--Method of use--
Untuck the lid from the flap and pull upwards to reveal the stack of shine control sheets. Take one out, close the box and dab the sheet on your face until all excess oil is absorbed.

--How does it feel?--
The sheets are very smooth - it doesn't feel like you're rubbing toilet paper on your face.

--Appearance--
The sheets are white, resembling cut-out rectangles of printer paper. They seem thicker and less translucent/opaque than blotting sheets made by other brands.

--Results--
While the sheets do visibly absorb excess oil, Estee Lauder's claim that the sheets won't affect your makeup is a blatant lie. When I used this while wearing makeup, I could see my makeup on the blotting sheet along with the excess oil. Not good. I would also say that competing products from other brands make a better job of the shine control aspect.

--Value for money--
Not great. At £10.00 for 50 sheets, they just can't compete with the Body Shop equivalent, who sell 65 sheets for a mere £4. The Body Shop variation also seems to pick up more oil WITHOUT disturbing makeup, and what's more, the Body Shop's equivalent actually comes in two types - a tea tree version for combination, acne-prone skin, and a 'normal' one for 'normal' skin! Estee Lauder - 0, Body Shop - 1.

--perfect partner--
Sparkling Clean Oil Control Gel Cleanser, £17/200ml

Nars The Multiple

RRP: £27
no. of shades available: 14

--What does the promo say?--
"A multi-purpose stick for eyes, cheeks, lips and body. Its unique lightweight, cream-to-powder formula blends effortlessly to provide sheer all-over color, shimmering accents, contours and dynamic highlights for all skin tones. Creates perfect, glowing complexions and is conveniently designed for failproof application."

--Packaging--
A chunky black matte stick - looks like a lipstick package but is wider and taller. The distinctive Nars logo graces it in white and the end is twistable so that more of the product is pushed up if you need it. The stick itself is also cut flat rather than being curved or pointy like a lipstick.

--Application--
This product is designed for eyes, cheeks and lips. For the cheeks, it's easy - just streak the stick across your cheeks, or dab on the apples of your cheeks before rubbing in. For the eyelids, the stick is perhaps a little too chunky to enable application directly from the stick, so I just rub my finger across the stick before rubbing the colour onto my eyelids that way. You could use a brush, but I think the cream-based formula would make this tricky. For the lips, you can either use your fingers or apply directly from the stick.

--Texture--
Very smooth and creamy, though on the lips it feels more drying, and so I would recommend applying a lip balm first.

--Appearance--
All of the NARS Multiple shades have a shimmer to them, so if you're more into matte makeup, you might want to avoid this particular product. However, the shimmer is very subtle, and the colour is too (one of the shades I own is quite a deep brown coffee colour, but on the face the effects are very pleasing and serve to highlight in a sophisticated way rather than making you look like a clown), making anyone's face look instantly more grownup. There also really is a colour for everyone - the Multiple is available in a huge range of shades, going from the palest pinks and peaches, to grownup browns, to striking fuschias and purples. I was worried that using one colour all over my face might look boring or strange but I'm more than pleased.

--Longevity--
The colour will need to be reapplied to your lips often, but then again this isn't marketed as being a long-lasting lipstick, so I can accept that.
On the cheeks, the Multiple fares excellently, giving you a healthy glow all day. You could also use this on your decollete for evening, though I haven't tried this.
However, I was disappointed with the Multiple's performance on my eyelids. Even with an eyelid primer, the colour creases quickly, which I suspect is the fault of the cream-based formula.

--Value for money--
One stick of this will go a very long way, the range of colours is superb, and its multiple uses only increase its value. If you shop around on the internet, you may well be able to achieve further bargains. Despite its failing on the eyes, I would say this product is more than worth its price tag. My next quest - to buy it in the Cannes shade...

Avon Daring Curves Mascara

RRP: £7 (or, at the time of writing, 2 for £10)
no. of shades available: 3

--What does the promo say?--
"Contains an exclusive complex that lifts and curls lashes up to 65%. Holds curl for up to 12 hours."

--Packaging--
A black, curvy container with a chunky, slightly curved lid. The brand name is written in small capitals and the mascara name in cursive, both in silver writing.

--Application--
I'm convinced there's an art to effective mascara application. Unfortunately, I don't seem to have worked out what it is yet. However, application seems rather easier owing to the twisted/curved brush that this mascara uses as its trademark, as it seems to cover the lashes more easily, without multiple applications being needed.

--Appearance--
Perfectomundo. No clumps, no lashes clinging together, strong colour.

--Texture--
Smooth with no clots.

--Longevity--
This is where this mascara falls down. It slides off easily and leaves you with panda eyes. Fine if you can be arsed to check your mascara every few hours, but disastrous if you can't.

--Value for money--
The twisted brush is a stroke of genius, so I'm tempted to say it's almost worth the £7 for that alone. However, they really need to make the formula more long-lasting. I'd be tempted to try Avon's long-lasting mascara if it also had this magic wand, but beyond that, I'm not sure.

perfect partner
Color Trend Kiss 'n' Go lipstick, £2.50