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RRP: £13
--What does the promo say?--
"Limited-edition Beauty That Counts®Mary Kay® Creme Lipstick, in the shade One Woman Can™, celebrates Mary Kay’s 50th anniversary as the creme lipstick that gives back. Berry-pink shade looks great on everyone. Long-wearing, stay-true formula glides on easily. Helps protect lips with antioxidants. Provides instant moisture."
--Packaging--
The pale gold tube is fairly standard, in all honesty. Something at least partly transparent would be better so that the beautiful swirls of lipstick could be seen more immediately. However, it does the job, with the lid remaining secure.
--Application--
Apply straight from the tube or using a lip brush to clean dry lips. For a subtler look, apply just to the bottom lip before pressing together with the top lip for a paler result. Two dots of lipstick on each lip, and then blending, will do the same thing.
--Appearance--
Depending on which side of the lipstick you get more of when applying, results can vary from a darker berry to a brighter fuschia. The latter may be a bit full-on for some, so I'd recommend blotting for a more muted effect as mentioned above. Nonetheless, both colours in the stick should suit just about everyone.
--Texture and consistency--
Beautifully smooth and soft thanks to the oodles of natural waxes and oils this contains. Lipstick's come a long way from those very drying days.
--Longevity--
About the same as most modern lippies, to be honest - although longer than you'd expect perhaps for something that glides on so smoothly and has so few artificial additives.
--Value for money--
This is a high-quality product that uses ingredients straight from nature, and its price tag of £13 competes favourably with lipsticks from brands with similar ideologies (Aveda, Origins and Bare Escentuals charge the same for their lip colours in department stores). With that in mind, I'd buy again once my free lippy from Mary Kay's lovely PR people has run out :)
perfect partners
TimeWise Age-Fighting Lip Primer, £16
Satin Lips Set, £19
Retractable Lip Brush, £2
RRP: £18
--What does the promo say?--
"Because it’s translucent, this powder is the perfect match for any skin
tone – from very fair to dark. It sets foundation for a sheer, invisible
finish and has light-diffusing properties designed to help soften the
appearance of imperfections for a skin-perfecting look. The powder feels
weightless, natural and velvety soft on skin and is suitable for all
skin types, even those with sensitive skin. The long-wearing formula
keeps makeup looking fresh throughout the day, controlling unwanted
shine while never looking chalky. Wear it over your favourite Mary Kay® liquid or cream foundation as a finishing touch or by itself for a naturally beautiful look."
--Packaging--
A screw-top plastic pot that has a disc inside with holes in it to control distribution. The disc twists to open and close whenever required and this is not problematic to control.
--Application--
After applying concealer and foundation, apply the powder lightly. It can be built up if you feel more is required to set your base. Again, this isn't difficult, but of course you require a powder brush (contrary to the picture, the RRP doesn't include a brush), so make sure you have one before purchasing.
--Appearance--
As promised, this worked perfectly with my skin tone thanks to its translucence, and I can imagine it would work well for just about everyone in this regard, helping to set your base for the day. Naturally, being translucent, it doesn't offer any extra coverage, so those wanting more coverage may find it less suitable. However, the powder's light-diffusing properties mean that this doesn't seem to be too much of a problem, and as promised, there is no chalkiness.
--Texture and consistency--
Light, velvety-smooth and non-irritating as promised.
--Longevity--
Seems to set the base very well, without sliding or flaking off. No worries here.
--Value for money--
This comes in at about the same price range as Laura Mercier and Elizabeth Arden, so in terms of brand reputation and visibility, Mary Kay is perhaps pushing it slightly. However, quality-wise it is worth the money, and even though I was sent mine for free this time, I would consider purchasing the product when my current pot runs out.
perfect partners
Concealer, £7.50
Mineral Powder Foundation, £14.50
TimeWise Foundation Primer, £14
Eye Primer, £16
Special Edition Kabuki Brush, £10
RRP: £10
Sold via www.marykay.co.uk until November 15th, 2013. £1 from each sale will be donated to charity.
--What does the promo say?--
"Celebrate is a shimmery peachy-pink shade created from the fun swirl of two Mary Kay®
lip glosses: Cream & Sugar and Pink Parfait. This versatile colour
looks great on any skin tone. From the moment you glide on the creamy,
ultracomfortable formula, you get brilliant shine plus an instant boost
of moisture that leaves lips feeling soft and supple. The nourishing,
nonsticky formula contains antioxidant-rich vitamins and plant-derived
minerals to smooth, protect and condition lips."
--Packaging--
The swirl of pink and gold glosses in the plastic tube is definitely new and different, but it's practical as well thanks to the standard lipgloss wand. The pale gold lid also matches the golden gloss nicely while giving a classy aspect to the product and contrasting the pink gloss.
--Application--
Apply on its own, or over lipstick for a multi-layered effect.
--Appearance--
I was initially worried that the pink aspect of the gloss would make the overall effect garish. However, I needn't have been concerned: the result was pale, pretty, and multi-dimensional. The pink and gold combine very naturally together to create an authentic effect that worked well with my skin tone.
--Texture and consistency--
Non-sticky as promised. I like that it contains vitamins and minerals, too (though SPF would be even better).
--Longevity--
Doesn't last a meal, but then again, what lipglosses do?
--Value for money--
The £10 price tag means that it costs the same as Philosophy and Jurlique, so given the quality of the ingredients and the brand's profile, this seems about right. This is a high-quality product that does what it promises, and at £9 for the individual Cream And Sugar gloss mentioned in the promotional material (curiously, Pink Parfait is apparently unavailable), it's easy enough to create the same sort of effect again even after this promotional anniversary period is over. With £1 going to charity too, it also has that feel-good factor. However, I'd say that what this complimentary (thanks, Mary Kay!) lipgloss has most done for me is to reconsider the brand. In all honesty, the only experience I'd ever had with it before was an overly made-up advisor coming to visit us at home in the late 1990s or early 2000s. However, looking at the website, they seem to rival Avon quite nicely in terms of the quality and range of their products, perhaps even going one better. Even though some of their website photography is terrible, they offer something for everyone, whether it's funky neons or anti-ageing skincare. This makes it a brand I would definitely consider more in future, as I can already see some products that appeal.
perfect partners
Dance To Life Anniversary Fragrance, £40
Dance To Life Shimmer Lotion, £15
Special Edition Compact Mini, £56
Limited Edition One Woman Can Lipstick, £13
