Maybelline The Rocket Volum'Express Mascara

RRP: £7.99
 
--What does the promo say?--
"Explosive Volume in Rocket Time! 6X Bigger. Smoother. Even. Now, the most explosive, beautiful lashes ever! Volum' Express The Rocket Mascara's patented Supersonic Brush with micro bristles loads on big, sleek volume instantly. Our fast-glide formula keeps lashes smooth. Zero clumps!"

--Packaging--
The cobalt and fuschia combination is really bold without being too girly, ensuring that the tube stands out on the shelf. As for the brush itself, it's attracted mixed reviews, and in a way it's easy to see why: it's very large, and the mascara formula seems quite thin, so it can collect in the bristles quite easily.

--Application--
Give the brush a wipe beforehand if it seems to have too much mascara on it (on the rim of the tube opening, or on a tissue). Once you're happy, apply as normal: one thin coat on each row of lashes, then go round again and repeat: multiple thin coats of mascara are always better than one thick one, as this lets the mascara dry more quickly and helps you to avoid clumps.

--Appearance--
Simply WOW. Doll-like, long, beautiful, and clump-free. It wouldn't surprise me if Maybelline shared formulae with Lancome, actually (they are both owned by L'Oreal, after all): that's the quality of the comparison we're talking about here.

--Texture and consistency--
Possibly slightly watery, but not to any detriment. The formula goes on smoothly, and isn't at all sticky or clumpy.

--Longevity--
Stays on quite well during normal use, but I wouldn't try going swimming in it or anything (and it never claims to be waterproof, so quite right too).

--Value for money--
Mine was free (Maybelline website giveaway for the win!) but I would happily pay full price for this. £7.99 is very reasonable for what is actually quite a high-quality product. Well done, Maybelline!

perfect partners
EyeStudio Color Tattoo 24 Hour Cream Gel Eyeshadow, £4.99
Fit Me Foundation Stick, £8.99 
Baby Lips Lip Balm, £2.99

No7 Youthful CC Cream

# of shades: 2
RRP: £14.95

--What does the promo say?--
"The 'CC' in CC Cream can stand for different things for example Colour Corrector, Complete Correction or Complexion Correction. The key benefit that all CC Creams deliver is a beautifully even Complexion by correcting uneven skin colour and pigmentation. Our new No7 Youthful CC Cream is a Complexion Corrector- it's a great multi-tasking product which combines giving you a beautifully even skin tone with anti-aging benefits. Just like our BB Creams it's great for those lighter coverage days or as an additional beautifier alongside your normal foundation/ skincare routine."

--Packaging--
The white and silver combination provides a futuristic finish and the squeezy tube and screw-top lid are both practical.

--Application--
Apply to clean dry skin. Theoretically, concealer, powder and moisturiser shouldn't be necessary, but a primer may be necessary due to its sheer coverage (more of which below).

--Appearance and coverage--
Unfortunately, as this only comes in two shades, the fact that the lighter of the two shades does suit me is probably down to luck. As mentioned, the coverage is quite sheer, meaning that a) you may need a primer to prevent it from sliding off, and b) if you have blemishes, concealer and powder may still be necessary for you. However, it does add radiance, which is important for deflecting attention away from blemishes and fine lines.

--Scent--
Nothing discernibly bothersome.

--Texture and consistency--
This product has a smooth consistency that blends well. As it does only provide light coverage, I tend to apply two coats, and the product stands up to this very well, with this not leading to a sticky or caked-on feeling in the least.

--Longevity--
As mentioned, it depends what you wish to apply before or afterwards. On its own, I suspect this wouldn't do too well.

--Effects on the skin--
A non-irritating product, but it doesn't seem to have any especial healing qualities either.

--Value for money--
Tricky one. It's not a terrible product in itself, but I struggle to see what additional purpose or gap in the market this serves beyond what's already done by tinted moisturisers. My research earlier this year showed that CC creams should specifically not only do the work of BB creams in terms of actively healing blemishes, but should also 'correct' (hence the C in the name) by way of having different tints available for different purposes, such as green to neutralize redness, pink to counteract dullness, and so on. Unfortunately, as with many Western BB creams, this perfectly serviceable product has just jumped on the latest fashionable bandwagon by slapping a new label on what is essentially just a tinted moisturiser, and using it as an excuse to hike up the price tag*: I wouldn't mind, but No7's tinted moisturiser is over £3 cheaper. My advice? Buy that instead (it even comes in 3 shades instead of the CC cream's mere two).

*Should probably say that No7 is not the only brand guilty of this. Most Western CC creams are just overpriced tinted moisturisers with a different name. Buy Asian instead to get the genuine article.

perfect partners
Lift and Luminate Dark Spot Corrector, £19.50
Lift and Luminate Day and Night Serum, £24.95
Lift and Luminate Mask, £18 
Lift and Luminate Foundation, £16.50
Lift and Luminate Day Cream, £23
Lift and Luminate Night Cream, £24
Lift and Luminate Eye Cream, £16
Youthful Glycolic Peel Kit, £24.95

Glo Minerals Under Eye Primer

 RRP: £19.50
buy from: www.glo-minerals.com

--What does the promo say?--
"The Under Eye Primer is an anti aging primer that minimizes the appearance of imperfections by filling in fine lines by using light-reflective pigments to soften the appearance of any wrinkles or dark circles you may have. Apply it to the under eye area before you use our Under Eye Concealer to improve and soften your fine lines, wrinkles and dark circles. Silicone Polymers and Organic Form Fillers fill in fine lines while light-diffusing pigments soften the appearance of wrinkles and dark circles. Grant-X "The Super Peptide," has been clinically shown to improve the appearance of wrinkles via nerve synapse interaction. The GABA (Gamma Amino Butyric Acid) in Grant-X is a known neurotransmitter inhibitor that helps improve the appearance of aging and softens expression lines."

--Packaging--
The silver and black tube creates an edgy look that stands out, with information on the tube itself kept minimal and easy to read. The squeezy tube and screw-top lid also makes the product easy to use.

--Application--
Squeeze out an amount the size of a pinhead and gently rub onto clean dry skin under the eye. Once blended in, continue to apply the rest of your makeup base as normal (foundation, concealer etc).

--Appearance--
This product only comes in one shade, so for me it is the right shade, but for others with darker skin tones, it may not suit. However, beyond that, I would say that it blends seamlessly to give a natural appearance.

--Scent--
None.

--Texture and consistency--
Incredibly smooth and velvety - and, as mentioned previously, blends in effortlessly. Comes off when you want it to and stays put when you don't!

--Longevity--
Does not settle into any creases around the eye area, and enables a unified and natural appearance to be kept up all day. Does not fade or become patchy, and can also be used on the eyelid to keep eyeshadow in place.

--Value for money--
One of the best eye primers I've come across. Doesn't have a sticky or tacky texture and yet puts in a determined performance. Best of all, its mineral properties mean it's got inbuilt SPF and anti-ageing, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties too. Although I was sent mine for free by glo minerals' lovely PR bods, I would definitely pay full whack for this.

perfect partners
Lid Primer, £13
Lash Thickener and Conditioner, £13
Brow Gel, £12
Corrective Camouflage Kit, £15.95
Brightener Highlight Concealer, £11.50  
Protective Liquid Foundation, £29.95
Protecting Lip Treatment, £14.50 

Hair-raising Halloween

SPONSORED POST

 

With Halloween on the horizon, it's the ideal time to be pushing the boundaries of hair and beauty.

 

Paint yourself a pale face with lots of dark eyeliner and bold lips for a Gothic, vampiric look. I'd recommend Ellis Faas' bold, long-lasting colour pens to create these dramatic effects.

 

And who says you can't be a sophisticated witch during this spooky season? Thanks to glamorous, long wigs from Pauls Hair World, you can create realistic effects that are as scary or sexy as you like.

 

Don't forget your Stargazer eye dust for added sparkle, which will effortlessly take you from Halloween to Christmas. Barry M Glitter Nail Paint has the same effect.

 

Finally, cat's-eye contact lenses will make all your friends double-take as well as completing your costume!

 

But even if you're not into Halloween, you can shop online at Paul's Hair World all year round for your every need when it comes to hair accessories, perfume and skin care. What will your next look be?