Superdrug Naturally Radiant Brightening Eye cream

I brought this alongside the Overnight Peel in my previous post. (You can read here)

I have been always a little dubious with eye cream and yes had seen them as a bit of a fad, even when I worked on make up counters. To me it was just another add on to increase my sales, but then this was twenties me with no need for eye cream really. This changed when I hit my thirties and was more worse when those sleepiness newborn nights came along.

I had been using Benefit's It's Potent eye cream and of course felt that it had been missing from my life. It was a small sample pot from one of the British Beauty Blogger's Boxes and was soon scrapping the scraps, sobbing. There was two reasons for the sobbing 1. It had run out and 2. To replace it was £25.50.

I was looking at the Superdrug Naturally Radiant range and alongside the peel decided to give this a try (at the time it was half price, normally £5,99. Currently on buy one get one half price). Uses Mulberry and Kiwi extracts to brighten and smooth the eye area. You massage a small amount around the eye area using the ring finger in light motions, day and night.

I was impressed with this straight away, it gave similar results as the It's Potent in the smoothing and brightening department.

Maybelline Rocket Volume Mascara

As the third British Beauty Blog Box comes out I am still working through the bits from the second, but that didn't put me off getting the third!

I am not a huge fan of big volume mascaras as from experience they will have huge fibres that will drop on the bottom of my eyes and climbs looking like I have spiders crawling across my eyes. Why did I try this? Easy, I trust Jane, it's in her box for a reason and gave it the benefit of doubt. The sales blurb is the usual high orcane american fast paced you need this thing "Expolsive volume in Rocket Time!"

Past the blurb, it is a rich black mascara with a plastic brush. The brush has masses of fine bristles which coat evenly no matter how many coats you add (I go for about two to three).It leave my lashes more thicker but also defined and seperated. It also removes cleanly without needing to feel like you require about 6 pads of eye make up remover for each eye.

At £7.99 it's not bad value, it definatly competes wtih They're Real at £19.50, and it also comes in a waterproof. Avaialble at all high street chemists/shops.

Superdrug BB Eye Cream*

I think that some emails have a great sense of timing, I got the email from Superdrug regrading their new BB eye cream after another sleepless night with Bethany (3.30am is not playtime). It claims to be a 5-in-1 product that conceals dark circles, smooths the appearance of fine lines, reduces puffiness/bags, hydrates and improves radiance. I was chomping at the bit to get my hands on this.

It comes in a thin tube with a brush at the end, I got sent the medium colour which I thought could of been too dark but actually blended into my skin really well. I used this under my eyes and at first glance my tired eyes did look concealed and illuminated. I left it a few hours before I looked again (this time at playgroup) and my puffiness had gone down and everything looked smoothed out. I bumped into some friends afterwards who asked the compulsory, "How are you?" question , I said I was tired and was told I did not look like it at all, I looked surprising well. One point to the BB Eye Cream.

It also lasted much of the day, when I took off my eye make up at the end of the night, it was still there to be removed. I found easy to use as the brush dispensed that right amount for each eye, it just needed a pat with a ring finger to blend in. Compare this to another magic wand, YSL Touche Eclat, and at £6.99 (compared to £25), it is a good value dupe. Exclusive to Superdrug.

*Product supplied for my review, opinion my own after use.

Benefit They're Real Mascara

Hype - There is nothing that turns me more off a product than the world and their dog going nuts, while I sit there reading all the reviews and go, "but it's only a mascara". Yes, I did say that because to me there is so many on the market it needs to really be something extra special to win me over. I may have given a little bit of a ladylike sequel when I saw this in my goodie bag at July London Met Up last year because I wanted to try it to see if it lived up to the hype around it.

They're Real has departed from the traditional bristal brush onto the latest plastic brustal/comb. It promises the whole song and dance: It lengthens, curls, volumises, lifts and separates. Does it actually deliver?

I have used this nearly everyday until it dried up at 6 months, and yes it did give me better looking lashes. I do not use more than 3 coats of mascara on my lashes, I do not go into the spider lash look. I did find with this I didn't need to as it gave the volume and defination I wanted with them stnading out as it was perfect deep black.

This is my only gripe about They're Real, it takes an oily remover, a lot of cotton pads and a lot of paience to get this off. Even with this small arsenal of removal bits, I will still find that I will wake with it all around my eyes in the morning and will be usng the remover again to get the rest off.

Does it live up to hype? I hate to admit but yes it does, Benefit has created a cover-all-basis mascara and can be layered up with clogging or bits forming - great for natural lashes or building up to those big fluttery lashes. Will set you back £19.50 at Benefit, Boots or Department Stores nation wide.

Eye of Horus Liquid Define Eye Liner

I got my hands on this after another one of my random conversations about still seeking the liquid eye liner, when I was a little younger I went through a phase of wearing liquid liner everyday with a subtle flick. I had previously used Lancome Artliner because I found it easy to use, however I hated the price tag and stopped using it. I has since been trying to find the one that was not only easy to use but a reasonable price bracket. I then got a message asking if I wanted to try this to see if it could be the one I've been seeking, and as you can tell I said yes.

Eye of Horus looks to the Egyptian history to inspire their product range of eye definers. They believe in being cruelty free and use as close to natural ingredients as possible. Based in Australia, they've now come to the UK amongst high praise from Pixiwoo after being used in their tutorials on youtube. I also know that other artists that have tried them, have loved them to.

The nib is taped to a point which makes flicks a lot easier to do and no matter which side you use it still gives the same result. The colour is the blackest black you can get, and dries quickly so there is no transfer after application. This does mean that if you want to smudge it you will need to work quickly. I wore this for the first time at my work Christmas do in December and not only survived the night, but removed easily without leaving anything behind to leave me with panda eyes in the morning (which is something my Lancome one did).

From FOTD Christmas do (I miss my pregnancy glow)

 Price is £13.00 from Cocktail Cosmetics, while it is still on the higher end of the price range, this is worth the investment as for me it is the one as it ticks all the boxes on what I needed in a liner.

EOTD - It was Respectable In the 80's

My soon-to-be sister-in-law was the ripe age of 29 last week, we celebrated with a 80's themed fancy dress house party. This meant sportswear worn as outerwear, neon, whitewashed jeans and so much cheesy music (as well as cake, LOTS of cake)

I embraced the neon bright 80's makeup as well there is now very little in clothing wise that fitted me. I did however find a slouchy jumper and my light blue jeans that fitted to 80's as close as possible.

 

Products used:

• Maybeline - Light in Purple ( blue/purple light cream base colour, shimmery)
• Concrete Minerals Pro Matt Loose Shadow in Bulletproof (Bright matt blue)
• Concrete Minerals Loose Shadow in Hi-Fi (Bright matt pink)
• Lancôme Waterproof eye liner in Turquoise
• Also wore Revlon's Just Bitten Balms in Cherish
• Stick on face stars that I didn't wear in the end!

via my Instragram

 

I used a flat brush to put the Maybelline cream base all over, then a soft small brush to work the deeper matt blue into the crease. I put a dot of the pink using another soft brush and then applied the eyeliner to just the bottom lid. All finished off with Benefit's They're Real.

 

It is just a shimmery blue/pink wonder, I forgotten how much I enjoy just playing with colours and have recently been stuck in 'natural' rut. Colour is much more fun!

Vivo Dreamy 12 Shade Colour Block palette

My MUA Cosmetics Undressed palette is finally no more, and I won't be re-purchasing as I now have this neutral beauty in life make up bag.

I found that I only used certain colours in the MUA and when they went it got forgotten in my case for a while. I got this palette when I went to the July Blogger Meet Up and instantly was in awe of the colours. There wasn't any particular one I disliked.

This is now looking a lot more used since this photo, I like the pattern of the squares and for once actually waited until I photographed it until using. The wearing time is a little more than MUA, I can finish a day shift at work and still have wear left to adapt to night. With a primer it lasts much longer of course.

Thus uses the champagne coloured from the centre of the blocks, while using that matt black/brown as eyeliner and brow powder.

As previously seen in Ginvera Green Tea Nude Cover BB Cream

The palette is exclusive to Tesco stores or you can purchase it from Vivo Cosmetics Store for the grand total of £3.99 for 10 good sized shadows and for me one I can use as a brow powder. Not doubt that it is a bargain - just wait until their matt red lipstick review is up in the next few days, it's another bargain!

Autumn/Winter 2013 Wishlist

These are the items that invade my dreams at night, the ones that I loving look at swatches online and sigh that they are not mine - yet. I really love AW collections, they seem to suit my tastes and skin tone much better than Summer.

1. Poisonberry by Lime Crime - This I truly blame on Jayne from Jayne's Kitschen, every time she wears it I get lipstick envy and keep telling her that I need to buy it. I have looked loads of berry shade lipstick swatches and find that I have got something close to it already, this I haven't at all. I have a huge obsession over this colour.

2. Sleek Make Up i Divine in Vintage Romance - I really like the quality of Sleek Make Up, I got my first palette last year (Sparkle 2) and was blown over by the quality of the palettes for under £8. Perfect AW colours of soft berry and golds, I could see this being used everyday as a break from brown/beige.

3. Illamasqa Lipstick in Shard - This one compared to Poisonberry is much more red but deeper and matt, same again saw swatches of it around the launch date and kept going back to them. I love the way you could wear big and bold or as a stain (see? It's multipurpose lipstick, two for the price of one). Just read they are going to be at Olympia Beauty this weekend (does a little fist pump).

4. Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Liner Black (available at all High Street chemists) - Another AW trend is the catflick, something I really hadn't embraced before. I have had liquid liners but found them fiddly and gave up after a while. I'm hoping that this will encourage me to bring out my inner cat woman. This recommendation came from the very talented Scottish MUA, Andrew James.

5. Essie For the Twill of It - Now I was left in a tizzy over this because OPI has also Love & Peace & OPI which is the exact dupe of this. After reading a few comparisons it came to Essie as I read the formulation is a one coat and looks better on.

6. Bourjois Java Rice Loose Powder (At all High Street Chemists) - Vintage style packaging? Check. Lightweight and slightly illuminating? Check. Good Price? £9.99, check. Been embalmed by other beauty bloggers to buy it? Triple check.

7. OPI DS Extragance Lapis (Also known as Granite) and Pewter - I wasn't too bound over by the San Francisco Collection apart from Love & Peace & OPI (See number 5). Then I saw these glitter infused beauties and realised as an lover of OPI I don't own any of the DS Extragance range. I'm more driven towards Lapis at the moment with a want to look at Pewter (I think my Illamasqua in Creator that I got in the sales could be close to it).

This weekend I will also be heading towards London (for will be one of my last times before Minilemming) for Olympia Beauty - a beauty trade show that contains half of this wish list. I had an absolute great day last year and look forward to bumping into people I know this year, please feel free to say hello etc.

So the question goes to you, what do you want this AW?

Concrete Mineral Eye Shadows

It's not often that I spot something on Twitter and stalk the website until something is launched, it's also even rarer after telling everyone how much I want the new launch that the company goes, "OK, we'll give you a few to play with as you like the look of them that much". This is honestly a dream come true and I cannot thank the company enough for the opportunity, they did not disappoint.

Concreat minerals were launched in 2009 with the purpose of providing pigment rich mineral make up that fun and funky, as well as preservative free they are 98% vegan friendly. For me the biggest pay off is the bright colour, which is rarely seen in a mineral make up. I wanted to wear them for a few weeks before actually writing about them. I would recommend putting a primer underneath just to extend the wearing life, but other than that they last well.

From top to bottom: Kinky, Smut, Hi-Fi and Bulletproof (In dull daylight, no primer)

In the Concrete range there are two sections: Concrete Minerals, which are you're shimmer everyday wearable colours, then the Pro-Matt which are you're screaming bights with a matt finish. The colour palette is the first one where I can look at all the colours and genuinely want every single one (even the Pro-Matt lime green called Toxic). When my skin finally behaves, I'm really wanting to for looks with these especially those bright matt colours!

They are available now at CutECOsmetics £6 for the Concrete Mineral and £7 for the Pro-Matt. Great value sets with brilliant names of Zombie Girl Collection, Sugar Skull Collection, Sugar and Spice Collection and Naughty and Nice Collection (Starting at £22 -£25).

Masterclass - Using Mascara

I wrote The History of Mascara a few months back but never followed on with how to use mascara, so before I take a break from the make-up Masterclasses I wanted to tie up a loose end.

 

 

We use mascara to enhance the lashes of the eye whether we want to lengthen, thicken or curl them. It can make the eyes seem more 'open' and whiter, thus looking more appealing. Each formula will have it's own benefits to bring to your lashes:

• Lengthen - These are designed to make the lashes longer, and are more suitable with the lucky ones who already have thick lashes but feel they need them longer
• Thicken - Contain a higher level of fibres that build up the lashes, can come as a primer or inside the mascara itself.
• Curls - Without using a manual curler (like an eyelash curler) can provide a more curved appearance, but if used with a curler can look more dramatic.

And then there are the mascaras out there that do it all!

Applying:

1. Make sure that the lashes are free from any dirt or residue of previous make up using a remover during the pre make-up prep as this will make application easier.
2. If you are using a manual eye curler this is where I would use it, I have pre-warmed the curler using a hair dryer to keep the curl for longer (Use only for a few seconds, enough where it touch warm rather than hot).
3. Pull the wand out of tube, if it is still 'fresh' I find it has that satisfying little pop noise to it. You should replace mascaras every 3 months to reduce any chance of bacteria breeding that transfers from your lashes to the inside of the tube.
4. Looking slightly down, use the unwanded hand to lift the brow, this lifts the lashes up so you find it easier to access the root of the lashes.
5. Apply mascara from the roots to the tip while wiggling the brush as this coats the lashes better (do this while pulling your most impressive "mascara face")
6. Add another coat as needed.

Don't feel like mascara is enough? Masterclass in False Lashes here
Need to take it all off? Masterclass in Cleansing here

Want to know the next Masterclass? Look it up here

Masterclass - Eyebrows

We have previous spoken about how to tidy the eyebrows and give them some defination and shape in previous Masterclass Update on Threading. What we are going to focus on here is how to add colour and bring out the eyebrows more using colour cosmestics.

The aim is produce eyeborws that are evenly shaped and taper naturally away at the outer edges. For the most natural effect would be an enhancement for the shape, however some fashions can lead for more of a promantly look

There are two different products to consider: Pencil and powder. Pencil should used put little angled lines to fill in where hair is sparse. Powder is worked using a pointed or firm and angled brush. Both should be used going from the inside of the eyebrows and worked outwards. This should be at the same time with breaks to swap so each can look indentical.

The next hurdle is what colour would be best - The colour should again be an enhancement of the natural colour. These below are guidelines:

• Blonde should be an ash colour
• Browns should be Mahogany colour (like a reddish brown)
• Black Brown should be a deeper mahogany or smoke (black is too dark - see above!)
• Red should be taupe or camel
• Grey/White shold be a grey or taupe.

I found now I regually had my eyebrows shaped and defined the rest of the my make up falls into place easier. Something so simple has really opened my eyes up and added more a simple, defined and chic everyday look.

Masterclass - The History of Mascara

 

 

Other than foundation the holy grail is mascara, one that makes lashes look darker, thicker, longer and defined. The early mascaras date back the Egyptian times where eye areas were darker to ward off dark spirits. It didn't back into fashion in Europe until the Victorian era. Victorian ladies of leisure would make their own mixture; would heat a mixture of ash or lampblack and elderberry juice on a plate and apply the heated mixture to their eyelashes.



The first commerical mascara was developed by Eugene Rimmel using a new product called Petroleum jelly, his name is still linked with mascara as in Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Greek, Turkish, Romanian, and Persian it is translated as mascara. Mr Rimmel is also the founder of Rimmel London (then Known as the House of Rimmel) and was owned by the family until 1949.

Over the water a little later in 1913, another mascara empire was starting. T. L. Williams was creating something similar for his sister Maybel, which planted the seeds for the company Maybelline. Both formulations were messy and not easy to use.

It wasn't until Helena Rubinstein, a shrewd business woman, saw the popularity that this product was getting and started to develop (alongside her rival Elizabeth Arden). After the First World War, consumers were eager to try new products and this is where Rubinstein launched her range including mascara cake that is applied by wetting the material and applying with a brush.

Years later in 1957, Rubinstein created a formula that evolved mascara from a hard cake into a lotion-based cream. The packaging of the new mascara was in a tube sold with a brush. For use, the cream was squeezed onto the brush and applied to lashes.

The modern mascara we see today was soon evolved, the device picked up the same amount of mascara for each use. Then the grooved rod was altered to the brush similar to the ones used today. The change in applicator led mascara to be even easier to use, and so starts the hunt for the perfect mascara.

Next week - Using mascara

Masterclass - Eyeliner

Eyeliner comes in 4 different forms - Pencil, liquid, pens or cake liners. Pencil is the most common and versatile of the 4, as not only gives you more control but can change the finish to sharp or blended depending on what you need. Liquid is more defined and sharper, I also find a majority of pens come in liquid form (Liquids have a pot to dip into, while pens have a nib attached that you use to apply). With cake you use a brush, wet the bristles and paint the liner on, this can also give a stronger finish.

With any liner, I find applying it at first really fiddly, and can recommend to practise! I find it easier to lift the eyebrow up with one hand and using the other hand to put dashes along the lash line, and then join these up. If I'm using a pencil I would use a bit on the hand first to warm the tip as I find this goes on smoother. If you can sit down at a desk to start with this will you steady yours arms when applying until you feel more confident.

Always start inwards going outwards as not to drag the skin, and check your work regularly as not to get uneven eyes. If you want to apply any liner to the inside of the eye (also known as the waterline), pencils is best as this will be softer on the delicate area.

Examples of different looks
 

Masterclass - Eye Make Up for Glass and Contact Lense wearers

Bet you didn't know I wore glasses? I should wear them for when I'm working on the computer (like now but I can't find them), and then I have another pair for when I'm reading print. These above are my computer ones and then I have a slightly thicker framed for reading - A little bit of geek chic.

The effects of glasses on the appearance of the face depends on the design of the frames and the colour/type of lenses.

Frames

Heavy frames can take bolder eye make-up and a strong lipstick to provide balance, while steel frames can look lost in heavy dark make-up. By keeping the eyes softer above it blends in without over powering, using a eye liner, eye brow pencil and mascara gives a more defined look without clashing. When designing this look I also took in consideration the colour of the frame (a deep bronze) and used the same tones.

Lenses

Short-sighted people are ones who can focus on close up items but not far distance, while long-sighted can focus on long distance but struggle with things that are close up (aka me). The lenses are designed to compensate for this however can also effect the look of eyes behind them. Short-sighted people have the appearance of eyes that look smaller, while its the opposite for long-distance. This is where last weeks Masterclass on How to wear eye shadow can help correct this.

Contact Lenses

I must admit the idea of lenses isn't really my thing, would you believe I really don't like things on my eyes. With contact lenses there are some considerations to have because it is a thin membrane that sits on the eye. Cream eye shadow are better to use but powders can be used with a damp brush to reduce any loose pigment getting into the eye. Avoiding heavy creams around the area as if these get onto the lenses it can smear or even melt it. For mascara use a block or low alcohol which also contains little filaments so these do not get into the eye.

Next week -

Masterclass - How and Where to Wear Eye Shadow

What we're going to be touching on more this week is where to put eye shadow to give you the best of what you got. I did used to be one of those people who just put it on without too much thought, but as I make my way through the my course and experience it can also be used to balance out upper and lower portions of eyes.

For application purposes I prefer brushes, you can get of a blended look, and especially with powder I have more control. When I started I had a big fluffy brush to apply base shade with then a slightly smaller stiffer one to apply any contour with. I then just built from there, I do detest the applicators that come with them, I feel they are too small to do anything with really. That is just me personally.

Click to enlarge

'Average' eyes

With this eye shape you are just enhancing the natural shape. Apply a base colour all over, and contour the darker shade into the crease of the eye and blend outwards.

Wide Set eyes

Avoid using strong and pearlised colours on the inner eyelid, use paler matte products from the centre to outer eyelid. Put a thin eye line beyond the inner corner of the eye and keep the line to the outer end of the lashes. If suitable eyeliner and shadow can be applied to the lower lid to the outer edges.

Close Set eyes

Brighten the inner corners by applying matte light colours, avoiding strong or pearlised that draw attention. Focus attention from the centre of the eyelid towards and beyond the outer corner of the eye by using darker eye cosmetics. 'Lift' the eyebrow by putting highlighter here.

Deep Set eyes

The shading of the eye socket needs to be created above the natural socket line to give the appearance of more depth, this will then be enhanced the new lash line below the eyes. Highlight beneath the eyebrow arch, then using a pearly shadow apply all over. From the lashline work a darker shadow and work upwards, and add a thin line along the outer half of the outer half of the eyelid.

Prominent eyes

By reducing the depth of the eyelid and creating extra width, use a darker shadow on the centre of the eyelid with a thicker liner flicking upwards and outwards . If using a lower line, keep a gap between both lines and blended eyeshadow underneath.

Hooded eyes

To create the illusion of fullness of the skin that creates the over hang, apply a small bit of highlighter in the eyebrow arch. Then add a pale pearlised shadow all over the eyelid. Use a dark neutral coloured shadow to the fullest area of skin hanging over the eyelid. Blend this upwards into the highlighted area using a slightly lighter shade.

Next Week - Adapting techniques for glass wearers

Masterclass - Eye Shadow Colours and Effects

Using different eye shadows colours can achieve different effects, depending how their use and where they are used. Eye shadows not only come in a pressed powder form but also loose powder and cream (as well as different variants in between). The best way to get used to these different textures is to explore and play with them. I prefer powder as this has more of use dry or wet, and I have more control over how I use it.

What we going to do for this masterclass is to break down the colours and what effect they have on the final look:

Dark, muted colours

Colours: Charcoal,browns, olive, plums

These are more for defying eye contour and are more flattering for a sophisticated look. Can look better on dark haired and eyed models, while for fair skins can be used with a finer brush as a more subtle liner effect.

Pastel Colours

Colours: Pale blue, light aqua, pale green, peach

These colours produce a softer effects, if they have a slight shimmer I use these more as a base for matching colours to go on top. Good for people with blond or grey hair and if matched with eyes can bring out their colour.

Pale Colours

Colours: White, pearl, cream.

In contrast to darker shadows produces a highlighting effect that can be on the brow bone and inside of the eyes to make them look wider. I also use these if what I have applied is too dark by buffing these colours over.

Muted Colours

Colours: Grey, beige, sage, mauve.

Produce a more delicate effect than the darker colours so are more suited to producing a everyday look, and then adding the darker ones to covert to more of an evening look.

Bright Colours

Colours: Blue, green, yellow, violet, red

As the 'fun' side of colouring, are more suited for fashion or glamour make up. However they can look harsh on maturer skins when used all over, so adapting it to use wet as a liner can be more flattering way of wearing colour.

Next week - How and where to wear eye shadow

ColourVue Fashion Lenses Giveaway

When I was went to Olympia Beauty last month, in my pack were these lenses. Now I need to make an admission, putting things into my eye freaks me out, and I didn't want these to go to waste. I know there is a good home for them out there where they will be used.

ColourVue are a company that are based in Malaysia but sell fashion contact lenses around the world. They're range goes from the simple colour enhancers to complete black out lenses, which retail for about £14.99.

The pair that are in the giveaway are from their Glamour range, that has subtle colourings with patterns inside. These are what they look like below.

 

There are two lenses as well as a storage case, they have a life span of 3 months if looked after properly. To do this you will need to provide you own lense solution that can be brought from any opticians or chemist. There is a information leaflet in the pack to be read before use.

 

 

 

The eyesbright.com website has been very useful in providing information for me, and if you fancy purchasing some they have a wide range.

Terms & Conditions

• Open for UK people (sorry)
• Compulsory to be a follower of the blog (This will be checking and  if you decide to stick afterwards that would be great)
• It'll run for one week (Final date is 28th October)
• I've used Rafflecopter to make it as fair as possible

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck everyone!

Masterclass - Make Up Primers

We gone over how to get your skin ready for cosmetics as well as pampering your body now it is time to look at what women (and me) get obsessed over - Make Up. Like the skin Masterclasses we Will go from the foundations upwards, so first we start by priming the skin ready.

So why a primer? It is a lotion or gel that applied to the skin to enhance the appearance or wear of what it is applied over the top. They can be created fro different target area like face, eyes, lips and mascara, as well as different needs or finishes like luminance, reducing redness, and evening skin tone.

A foundation primer for the face area is they to ensure the product is put on smoothly and lasts longer. Key ingredients that can be found can be vitamins A,C and E, with antioxidant green tea extract. Depending on the needs of the skin it can also contain Salicylic acid that absorbs oil or add radiance by using a slight shimmer. More primers that are coming to the market are now also mineral based which can be more gentler to the sensitive skin market.

Eye shadow primer work the same as above but are more formulated to work around the delicate eye area. They provide a even and blank canvas for products to be put on, can also decrease 'creasing' of the product that can happen during the day because of moisture. Not only does it extend the life of eye shadows, but also eye liners and can brighten colours that are used.

Mascara primers are colourless or white, brushed on bare lashes before putting the chosen mascara on top. They are designed to volume or lengthen the lases, and in some cases can also condition. It can also help the mascara from flaking and smudging.

Lip primers are there to stop lipstick from moving from the lips and bleeding out to the lighter outer areas.

Next week - Start looking at foundation

My First Order with Latestinbeauty.com

latestinbeauty.com is another company that offers sample sizes before purchase, this one is slightly different that you can choose the three sample sachets that go into your box for the cost of £1.50 that is added to you mobile phone bill.

After adding my details into my profile they picked a selection and from that I picked: TRESemme Split Remedy Set (Shampoo, Conditioner and Leave-In Treatment), Dr. Organic Rose Otto Lotion and SUPER by Dr Nicholas Perricone Bright Eyed. They arrived 3 days after I ordered, I got two sachets each of the TRESemme and SUPER but only one of the Dr. Organic. The box was also much thicker than the products and could of easily fit into an envelope, cutting down on postage costs as I feel that £1.50 is a little high for what I actually received.

The TRESemme turned out to be a great 3 set, the scent wasn't unoffensive and smelt like any other hair care product out there, however I really liked the leave in treatment. I normally wash my hair, leave it damp over night as I don't have time in the morning to go through the whole routine. I also have really dry hair because I dye it, I woke with really soft and volumised hair even after a nights sleep on it. More impressive that trying it this way meant that I was allergic to it, as with other TRESemme products in the past.

The two skincare products that I received were nothing really to rave about. The Dr. Organic Rose Otto cream is a slightly thicker lotion than the normal, however you do need to really like the smell of rose it is heavily scented (and not best for people who have sensitive skin), I got about four good uses out of one 5ml sachet. The SUPER eye cream is a light eye cream designed for the more maturer skin, couldn't smell any scent and sunk is quickly. It stopped the area feeling dry, but other than that it didn't rock my world.

The main reason I tripped over the sight was that Never To Broke For Beauty gave a heads up to the Luxury sample side of the website that currently have a 30ml Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish for £3 for a limited time. Never trying it before (and there was a free p&p code), I grabbed myself one, then spotted the hero Nails Inc. shade Porchester Road for £6 instead of £11 and whoops that went in as well (reviews to come).

I find latestinbeauty.com a mixed bag, it's sample service is OK but the choice of luxury sampling is far better. I have just ordered their themed box by YOU magazine and The Beauty Bible, costing £11.90 (including P&P), it has their top picked of beauty products valued around £40. Interest? Buy it here

Masterclass - Eyelash Extensions/False Lashes

Common false lashes are made out of nylon or real hair, the recent conterversal use was mink hair in London salons. The hair brushed from the mink and collected by hand, and that is wht here is a £125.00 price tag for a pair of lashes in salons. They are suppose to give a more natural appearance, however don't discount the nylon variety. They have a better reputation of holding a curl that most false lash lovers crave, and for me, they're much more kinder to animals like the minks.

False lashes are applied to the eyelid along the lashline to plump out the existing lashes to give that wide eyed look that was fashionable in 1960/70's. They can also be corective by filling in gaps of missing hair as well as be a addiction to fantasy make up.

Lashes come in individual and strips, as well as perament and temporary. With perment lashes they are applied by a consulatnt after a patch test for the glue is performed one by one, starting at the inner corner and working ttheir way outwards. It can take anythign from 1 and half hours to 3 hours depending on the skill of the therapist, and after that you will need to return every 2 to 5 weeks to refil and maintain the growth.

Temporary lashes can be applied by yourself, come in strip (where the fibres are attached to a small strip where the glue is applied) or indival (where the fibres are put together in small groups). You will need some good light, tweezers and a very steady hand, always read the manufactures instructions and skin test the glue 24 hours before use.

Removal is simple with tempoaries - With clean hands lift the strip from the outer eye edge, gently pull the lash away from the eyelid. They can also have the adhensive removed and a gentle clean to be reused (unless they're past past their best, threw them out!).

There are some fabulous fashion lashes out there that add that dramatic edge to any look.

Sparkle

Feathers

Paper

The paper ones are just amazing when used, the recently been featured in The Hunger Games movie on Eeffie Trinket. I prefer it when the lashes do the talking, keeping the rest of the face simple with any focus on the eyes.