Avon Legendary Lengths Mascara

If you’ve followed by Instagram stories you will have seen that I have raved about the newly launched Legendary Lengths Mascara from Avon.  In recent months I’ve been lucky enough to use some amazing products from Avon and this Mascara is incredible.

Mascara is my favourite makeup product and the one thing I apply every singly day without fail. From Avon, Legendary Lengths is described as giving “total lash satisfaction”. It uses next-generation polymers that glide onto lashes to create a film that builds extra length, and as it does so, it manages to build up without clumping. 

For me, I am picky about a mascara. however is that I am really picky with a mascara formula. I cannot stand those overly wet formulas which when applied make your eyelashes feel really wet and then every time you blink, you splash your own face with flecks of the product, but then I also don't like an overly dry formula either, it has to sit somewhere in the middle, not giving me that spidery leg look if I want to apply more than one or two coats. But it isn’t all about the formula, the wand also plays a big part in the application for mascaras, it absolutely has to work with the formula and from Avon, the Instalength Tapered Brush works to separate and define those hard-to-reach lashes, especially those in the corner of the eyes.

So do I love it? Without question, it has been one of the best mascaras I have used in a very long time and from the formula which is smudge and flake free, it applies without clumping, even two coats, three if you really must and whether you want that natural fluttery look or you want to build up your lashes, the wand, well it’s flexible and is tapered to make it easy to use and it holds just the right amount of product. It also happens to be packed with amazing ingredients which include:

• Safflower Oil - Made up for more than 70% omega-6, safflower oil is rich in nourishing fatty acids and vitamin E.
• Omega-6 - Also known as linoleic acid, it helps to rebalance the skin’s lipid levels to encourage a healthy complexion.
• ​Vitamin E - is an oil-soluble antioxidant that can protect the lipid parts of the cell from free radical attack.
• ​Moringa Extract - A natural cleanser and antioxidant, it works to draw dirt, impurities and pollution to itself so they can be easily cleansed away.

An incredible list of ingredients and for £9, this is the best budget mascara I have tried for as long as I can remember and if you haven’t tried it yet, you definitely should!

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes Balm Noir Mascara

Balm Noir is the latest launch in the L'Oréal Volume Million Lashes mascara line and if you are a fan of L'Oreal Mascaras then this is one you are going to want to try.

Mascara is one of my favourite makeup products and is something I am never without, the problem however is that I am really picky with a mascara formula. I cannot stand those really overly wet formulas which when applied make your eyelashes feel really wet and then everytime you blink, you splash your own face with flecks of product. I also don't like overly dry formulas, it has to sit somewhere in the middle, not giving me that spidery leg look if I want to apply more than one coat. The brush plays a big part in the application for mascaras, it has to work with the formula, partly why I am sure a fan of the Rollerlash wand from Benefit, though I prefer to use it with their They're Real formula.  Volume Million Lashes Balm Noir Mascara from L'Oreal is neither too wet or dry, it is an in-between but did I like it?

Said to have been designed for sensitive eyes, the L'Oréal Volume Million Lashes Balm Noir is made up of 99% natural ingredients, breaking that down further, it is said that 8% of those natural ingredients is actually the mineral black pigments which give that volume and intensity and the rest of the formula is a moisturising creamy balm that promises L'Oreal claims will coat your lashes like a leave in conditioner.  The brush, which is called the 'Millionizer' brush is made up of a multitude of bristles which work to separate and lift the lashes as well as ensuring each one if coated with the Mascara formula.  What I like about the brush is the flexibility of the bristles, they aren't incredibly rigid and do have some movement as you wiggle them through your lashes - this for me is always a bonus.

On the lashes, this mascara does glide on effortlessly and it is a balm like texture for the formula, it is slightly thicker than my usual mascaras but it isn't or doesn't give that clumpy look, but it does make my lashes look darker and slightly more defined.  The problem with having long lashes like I have, is you can never say that a mascara lengthens your lashes, but what I can say is that this mascara doesn't smudge or flake and it lasts pretty much all day - by that I mean from when I apply it around 7.30am until I get home from work around 6pm.

This L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes Balm Noir Mascara is hypo-allergenic, ophthalmologically tested and fragrance-free and it is on sale now for just £10.99 with Feelunique and Boots where it is currently on a 3 for 2 offer!

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Aldi Lacura Too Legit Waterproof Mascara

Over the Christmas period, I have been putting a few mascaras to the test, one of them comes from the Aldi Lacura range with their “Too Legit Water Proof Mascara” a cruelty free mascara which costs just £5.99. 

Every time Aldi release a new product within their skincare and makeup range, the word “dupe” is one which is bounded about. Admittedly, some of the Aldi products may sound similar to those at the higher end of the price market, but just sometimes they are better.

This Too Legit mascara is an addition to the brands best selling mascara. The formula is described as being rich, black and long-wearing to create voluminous, longer looking lashes. I am picky with a mascara formula because I cannot stand those really overly wet ones which make your eyelashes feel wet.  With this formula, it isn’t overly wet or dry, it’s somewhere in the middle.

Nestled inside a metallic blue tube, this mascara features a wand which is mid-length with a specially designed brush which gets into the corner of your eyes to reach the smallest of lashes. At the end of the brush is a spiked end which features about 10 bristles and as you wiggle the brush between your lashes, they reach those hard to reach lashes. Added to that, once the brush is out of the wand, it doesn’t hold excess formula on any one side, another bugbear when using a mascara is excess mascara on the brush which creates smudges.

This Too Legit Waterproof mascara does lift, coat and help build volume, but as I have fairly long lashes, I can’t comment on whether or not it lengthens. What I can tell you is that it doesn’t smudge, it doesn’t flake and as it is waterproof, once it has been applied, it doesn’t come off easily until you use eye makeup remover and then, unlike those products to which it is referred to as being a dupe, it comes off easily with no need to run the eyes. 

If you are wanting a new mascara and don’t want to spend a lot of money, this one, for just £5.99 is exceptionally good and it gives some of my more expensive mascaras a run for their money.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

KEVYN AUCOIN THE CURLING MASCARA RICH PITCH BLACK

I am a mascara fiend and if I was ever asked to choose the one item that I would never leave the house without, it would be just that - mascara. New to my collection from Kevyn Aucoin is The Curling Mascara.

When it comes to choosing a mascara, I am quite picky about the formula and the wand. I am lucky that I have fairly long eyelashes but because I am short-sighted, I also wear glasses, so I want a product that I can wear without weighing down my lashes and without smudging with my glasses wearing. So an overly wet formula is a definite no on both counts as I don't want to feel as though my lashes are going to stick to my glasses or feel as though they are being dragged down.  As well as the formula, the wand is also important too, I am not a huge fan of thick wands or brushes which are too densely packed with bristles, it has to be somewhere between the two.  So I don't think my demands are too much to ask for!

This Curling Mascara from Kevyn Aucoin, which is packaged beautifully in a purple ombre sleek tube, is described as being the perfect everyday mascara and it is one whose formula boasts an innovative protein base which coats and 'shrink wraps' each and every eyelash for a thick, curled finish that lasts - the word shrink wraps is exactly why I bought it, what a fabulous description that is!  

This is a formula I really do like, despite still working from home, I have had the joy of attending blog events online via Zoom, so have made the effort to not look as though I have just got out of bed!  The formula as I was saying is not overly wet, it does coat the lashes without making them stick together and look clumpy and thankfully it is also buildable.

The brush and wand for this mascara fits nicely into the not too thick or too thin category and whilst it is easy to hold and work through the lashes, the bristles allow for just enough formula to be collected and then applied to the lashes, all without over-coating.  

For me, this formula is smudge-resistant and it doesn't clump or flake. What I have found that once applied it dries really quickly but is really easy to remove using an eye makeup remover.  I adore the rich black colour which is incredibly flattering and I really like how it leaves my lashes feeling - which is not as though they are going to snap off at any given moment.

This is one of the best mascaras I have used for a very long time and at £22 it is worth every single penny.  You can find this Kevyn Aucoin The Curling Mascara right here*.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Urban Decay Troublemaker Mascara

When Urban Decay announced their new mascara Troublemaker was ‘sex-proof, my entire timeline on social media got very excited and whilst I am not quite willing to admit anything to state whether those claims are true or not, I do love a good mascara and it is always the one item of makeup that I never leave the house without.

I am quite set in my ways when it comes to a mascara, there are things I like and there are things I don't.  I have fairly long lashes and as such, if the formula is too wet, they do absolute nothing, there is no lift, no wide eye look and instead, they feel weighted down and generally just horrid.  I like a Mascara to give me volume as well as the length and I like every lash to be coated.

The packaging for this mascara is incredible, described as being prismatic it is the first thing you notice and that same effect is also present on the tube and it does look incredible. Noted on the box you see that it tells you that you will get 13.7x more lash volume and sexy, fluttery, intensely black lashes.  The formula uses two different types of black pigment which give that black intensity and it is infused with a combination of hollow silica and ultralight fibres which add volume without weighing the lashes down.

The custom-made brush which grabs onto the lashes, separates and curls as it coats them and the good things about this mascara is that you can layer it up as much as you feel you need too, the more layers means more trouble and best all - no spiders legs, no clumping and no spatter across the face when you blink, I am sure I am not the only person who always has to blink more than normal whenever I apply mascara.  For me to get the volume I wanted, I had to add three layers and I am really impressed with the difference it makes by adding further coats.  Once applied there is no smudging, budging or flaking and I applied Troublemaker to my lashes in the morning and it lasted all day at work and then onto an event after work I didn't need to re-apply, but I was asked on several occasions whether or not I had lash extensions, which I do not.

Given Troublemaker worked so well with my lashes, I wasn't expecting its removal to be as straightforward as it was.  I simply used my DHC Cleansing Oil and it came away without the need to rub or scrub, literally a wipe across both eyes with a cotton wool pad and it was gone.

Simply put I absolutely love this mascara and it does absolutely everything I want it to and much more.

Troublemaker costs £19.50 and is available to buy here.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here

Exclusive Benefit Mascara Masterclass with Birchbox

Last weekend I attended an event with Birchbox and Benefit, two great brands in one amazing Curls Best Friend pop-up shop for exclusive Benefit Mascara Masterclass.

I arrived at the store on time after a powerwalk from the tube to be greeted with all the lovely Birchbox girls, whom I have had the pleasure of meeting before. Warmly welcomed with a choice of cocktail or mocktail, I quickly made my decision and had a lovely time chatting to fellow bloggers whilst we waited for the event to start.

The event. based upon the March Birchbox, which gave subscribers the choice of three different Benefit Mascaras - Bad Gal, They're Real or the brand new Roller Lash, Lisa Potter-Dixon, who is Benefit's Head Make-up Artist was on hand on to show us some looks she had created using each of the mascaras and an abundance of other Benefit products.  

We were also able to ask questions along the way including advice on which products we could and should be using as well as Lisa giving us some of her top tips - for example... have you ever used Hoola on your eyes or lips? No me neither, but it is a tip I shall be taking away with me and this video shows you some amazing tips and it features the lovely Jessica, Birchbox Editorial Director and Lisa herself.

After the make-up demonstrations we were given the opportunity to go down into the salon to have our make-up and hair done using the products that Lisa had used (not literally) to demonstrate each look with.  The Salon was amazing, I could have spent hours in there just chatting to the staff who were all so helpful and lovely.  I had my make-up done by the lovely Alison, who herself gave me lots of hints and tips when it came to using Boing, Fine One One and the fabulous World Famous Neutrals Most Glamorous Nudes Ever kit, which I now feel I need in my life.

Finally, alongside some amazing cupcakes that were well and truly divine, we were all given an amazing goody bag to take home and play with and it was so incredibly generous, thank you Birchbox and Benefit.

Now there's still time to subscribe and select your very own Benefit mascara! Which mascara will you be choosing?  

Models Own New Releases

I am a big fan of Models Own nail polishes and when it comes to the brand, that is as far as my knowledge with the brand started and ended, until now!  Today I have some new releases to share with you and I am sure you will be as impressed as I am!

The first item is this pocket sized Nude Palette which is just so so cute and the perfect size for my make-up bag which I take with me in my handbag everyday! The Palette itself has six shades, some of which are matte and some of which are shimmery and they can be used alone or mixed and matched giving you the perfect eye make up for daytime and a night out.

Also within the palette is a mirror which I am alwas impressed with, this mirror is the length and width of the palette and also in there is a double ended sponge/brush applicator giving you everything you need to create your look.

 

 

This palette is available right now along with a Smokey Eye version and they are priced at £8 each which is an absolute bargain.

Coming next is a Gel Eyeliner which is available in either dark brown or black.  The eyeliner comes inside a little pot with a cute little lid and an accompanying applicator brush, which is a bright pink colour and very very cute.  The eyeliner is enriched with Beeswax for a soft, conditioning effect.  The eyeliner is a no transfer liner, it dries almost immediately for a smudge free look.

This gel eyeliner retails at just £5 - what an absolute bargain!

The final item I want to share with you is called HyperEyes Mascara and it has the most fantastic brush called the 'Mohican' which volumises top lashes and defines lower lashes because it is designed to capture every lash, coating them expertly to give that defined, volumised look.  Housed inside this slick silver coloured tube, this mascara is a jet black colour with a really smooth formula which is not overly wet and dries really quickly.  The formula is also enhanced with protein to condition and build strong lashes.

There are two types of bristles on the brush, one side is raised and the other much smaller. The raised bristles which are quite long, help with the definition and evenly coating of each lash for precise coverage.  The smaller bristles on the opposite side are designed perfectly for those lower lashes, again helping to capture every lash. 

Costing just £8, it is not only a bargain but a great mascara.

All three of these products are brilliant and I am enjoying getting to know them and see how they work, but my first impressions of them are that not only are these affordable but great value for money and are more than worth looking at.

What do you think to these new releases?

You Beauty Discovery Box - July Edition

For the past few months I have been getting the You Beauty Discovery Box which you can see February,  March,  April,  May and  June with previous box contents.  This month my fifth box has arrived and I have said I am just as impressed.

Whenever it is time to pick the contents of your box, there is always one item that goes really quickly, no matter how early I find myself logging in to select the products I would like to try, I miss the one I want to try most.  That said, I like this months box and this is it.

This months box is themed "You Travel" and it is designed to give me an offer of a range of travel-friendly beauty must-haves - to go! As I have said before, I love is how the box fits through my letterbox, it is packed really delicately and the box really study and it has never looked disheveled.

Within the magazine which comes with the box we given the opportunity to try some of the following products, the idea being you choose two and there will also be two little extra treats, so this month they included:

So yes, there are infact three little extras which are:

Agent Provocateur Fatale perfume sample, everyone knows I am a big fan of these and this one says "Are you ready to flirt with danger? Fatale, the new fragrance from Agent Provocateur, has dark glamour, seduction and a sensual hint of danger".  It is quite floral and fruity at the same time, a scent I would perhaps favour for evening over daytime.

Next comes something for my mister Beautykinguk and that is the New Pro Moisture Shave Cream from Dove.  It is said to have been designed to provide men with a more enjoyable shave experience!

The final extra is the Egyptian Magic all purpose skin cream.  I have been wanting to try this for some time now, it is one of those products on my life of something to get a sample of to see if I like it, well voila I have it.  It is described as being the celebrity favourite all purpose skin balm with super moisturising benefits which combines the healing powers of six natural ingredients and is bursting with antioxidents to nourish and protect the skin.

So now to my choices, this month there was a choice of nine products which included: Tanorganic Self Tan Original, Tanorganic Oil Arganic Body Oil, L'oreal Paris Mega Volume Miss Manga Mascara, L'Occitane en Provence repairing shampoo and conditoner duo, Green People Sun Lotion Tan Accelerator with SPF 15, Dr Bronner All-One Hemp Lavender pure castile soap, Balm Balm Rose Geranium Lip Balm, Archeia Rose Rejuventating Cream, Abahna White Grapefruit & May Change Bath Gel.

This is what I selected:

Starting with Balm Balm Rose Geranium Lip Balm which comes in a cute little pot, it is 100% Organic, Soil Association Certified Multi Purpose Rose Geranium Balm and has a delightfully uplifting, feminine fragrance.

It uses a combination of Shea butter, sunflower, beeswax, jojoba, and calendula rose geranium essential oil, gently melted together to create a solid balm to soothe, moisturise and nourish your lips or anywhere else that might need a little tlc.

Secondly the mascara I think most people are talking about and a product you can never have enough of is the L'Oreal Paris Mega Volume Miss Manga Mascara.  It is described as follows:

Mega Volume Miss Manga features a 360° fleible cone shaped brush for mega volume on top and bottom.

The 360 degree flexible brush enables easy application and mega volume on top, while the conical shape captures the lower lash for mega volume on bottom.

The result…Big Manga eyes.

So for a £6.95 subscription, my box has a value of around £15 which is more than double the value for money and not a bad box.

What do you think to do this? Do you subscribe to these boxes?  What would you have chosen? If you subscribe, link your post below so I can see what you got.

February Glossybox - Be Mine!

So my Glossybox has arrived and I did feel quite apprehensive about opening it because lets me honest, January's box was awful!  To be fair, I have had one or two emails from Glossybox with a survey attached to ask questions about my views on the box because it had been noted that most of us had been unhappy with the box contents.  So issues aside, what did February have in store?

Well it is a themed box and Valentines Day the natural choice, the box is totally brilliant, I loved it and here it is:

The kisses all over the box, which in itself had a make-over for the start of 2014 - it now has more depth to it and has a glossy finish, but this box is my favourite to date.

As for the contents, well here they are:

So this is quite a full box this month with 7 things in it!  My only grumble with the box is the Eldora Eyelashes.  One thing I don't use are false eyelashes because I cannot apply them for love nor money and end up getting quite stressed out about it, so instead I settle for a good mascara.  Anyway they retail for £3.90 and are described as follows "Every cosmetic connoisseur adore these simple and beautiful, high quality lashes by Eldora.  Their extensive range means there's a style to suit everyone".  Anyway, I am sure I can find them a good home!

Next up is Nougat London with their Sparkling Body Shimmer.  This bottle is 100ml and comes with the following description "Add radiance to your skincare regime with Sparkling Body Shimmer.  This body lotion with mallow extract, vitamin E and wheatgerm enriched oil will leave your skin luxuriously perfumed with a hint of sparkle"  Its actual scent is called Cherry Blossom and it smells divine, quite a thin texture, so it easily absorbs into the skin but it does leave behind a bit of a glitter effect on the skin.  A full sized 250ml product retails for £14 making this worth around £5.60

H2K Skincare comes next and not a brand I am familar with, but with two products in my box this might change.  I have a conditioning shampoo and a hydrating hair conditioner both of which are said to revitalise and nourish my hair.  Hmm well not too much of an introduction to a brand I have never heard of in all honesty, but they will go into my jar for weekend away products which is the intention.  Both of these sizes retail at £2.48 each

Ciate London Nail Polish - Now you can never have too many nail polishes right?  I am a huge fan of Ciate and have quite a lot of different shades and I already have this one which I won in a twitter competition as you can see HERE.  That said it is a fabulous shade and is desvribed as follows "Even without the gin, this yummy berry magenta is as toxically delicious as its namesake". This is a full sized product and retails for £9.

The final product is Maybelline New York Big Eyes Mascara.  Again, I am a mascara lover and it is the one product I will never leave the house without, so whenever I get a new one, I am quite chuffed.  This is a new product and is described as follows "Double the drama with Maybelline's first eye-opening double brush mascara.  Built with specific upper and lower lash brushes, Big Eyes Mascara produces an all-around eye-opening effect". Now this product excites me and I want to rip it open and try it out, but I must use up and finish two other mascaras that are almost empty first, but doesn't it just sound like the perfect mascara?.  Anyway it is available for £8.99

In this months box was a little treat, a Lindor Treat Bar which is just fabulous and now all gone.  Retails for 79p per bar and is delicious.

So a box that has contents worth around £33 and for me a great box this month and I just hope Glossybox manage to keep this up!  What do you think to this box?