Lola Refine Eye Mousse Base and Primer

RRP: $20

--What does the promo say?--
"Create the perfect canvas! Our mousse texture REFINE EYE primes lids and provides an even tone. Helps shadow and liner to go on smoothly and evenly with long-lasting effects."

--About the brand--
Think natural beauty. Think cutting-edge chic. Then imagine it all being so effortless. "There's a little Lola in every woman," says Victoria Jackson, creator of sexy sophisticated LOLA Cosmetics. The LOLA in you is the part of you that is simply unlike anyone else. LOLA's products are like none you've ever used before. Triple-milled European ingredients. Uncommonly rich pigments. Formulas that elevate cosmetics to the next level. From our show-stopping shimmer shades to our addictively sensuous lip gloss, LOLA has something for every woman whether you are an adventurous glam queen, a cosmetics novice, or are simply looking for the next "it" product. Each of our uniquely packaged powders, blushes, eye shadows, lipsticks and pencils was created to put the power of beauty right at your fingertips. Who knew you could feel this gorgeous? LOLA did. Ignite the LOLA in you...

--Packaging--
A small clear pot with an eye-catching screw-top red lid (all genuine plastic of course), which bears the sultry Lola logo on it in cream cursive script. It also comes in a dinky little red cardboard box which wouldn't look out of place on a 1950s makeup table. Nice, simple, good-looking stuff. Easy to open and close and because it's a mousse the possibility of leakage is greatly reduced. There's also a small white plastic disc inside the lid which I'm not sure of the purpose of, but I guess you can use it as a small palette if you like.

--Application--
This product is designed to be used on the eyelids to prepare them for eyeshadow, but also under the eyes to even out skin tone and act as a base for concealer etc. The easiest way to apply this is probably with the fingers rather than with a brush, though a sponge is also an option (NB the product does not come with any application devices included).

--Appearance--
A thick but airy and non-runny skin-coloured mousse. On the skin it goes on smoothly with no lumps and blends in perfectly with the thinner skin under the eyes as well as the thicker skin of the eyelids. However, only one shade is available, and it seems a slight stretch of the imagination to think that it would suit every skin tone (although it should serve most Caucasian skin tones well). Once the product has been fully blended into the skin, there is a visible evening-out of skin tone in both texture and colour.

--Texture/consistency--
Light but still substantial enough to make you feel like you're not just applying nothing to your face. Smooth and creamy without being greasy.

--Does it do what it says it will?--
Yes. It provides an excellent base for concealer and any under-eye circle products, and it stops eyeshadow from creasing or fading. Good stuff.

--Value for money--
$20/£10 a pot seems expensive, but the fact that you use so little each time and the fact that it's multi-use (unlike its nearest rival, Benefit's Lemon Aid) makes it more and more worth the money by the minute. Not to mention it's effective AND travel-friendly. Score.

--Where to buy--
www.lolacosmetics.com , select Victoria's Secret stores, Sephora, and Ulta stores.

perfect partner
Lola Eye Shadow Trio (available in 12 combinations), $24