Blush -BeneFit Cosmetics - Posietint
klaxons 2/15/2009 3:08:00 PM
Having been a long-time fan of the original BeneTint, I was beyond thrilled when its cute, pink baby sister, PosieTint, was released. I actually much prefer this to BeneTint. Like the original, this is a liquid tint that comes in a little glass bottle with a brush applicator. However, while BeneTint is a heavily-fragranced, watery liquid with a strong, vampish red colour, PosieTint is much more subtle. It goes on in silky, candy-pink drops and just like BeneTint, a little goes a very long way. Personally, I find PosieTint a lot more versatile than its predecessor -- the colour is so sweet and natural that it is far more buildable, plus there's a lot more room for error. It also is kinder to the lips than BeneTint, leaving them both delicately tinted and soft. This is a brilliant, use-every-day product that will perk up your complexion and can be tailored to suit most occasions. Of course, something that looks and works so perfectly has to have a catch, and it's this: the price really isn't reasonable for such a tiny bottle. As it's such a great, every day item for your make-up bag, in my experience it does not last long enough to justify the price tag. The way the packaging is designed will also prevent you from getting at every last drop, which is a real pity because you really will want to! 4-lippies for the lack of value for money; otherwise, this is a HG product and a staple for any collection.
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Liquid -BeneFit Cosmetics - Non-Fiction [DISCONTINUED]
klaxons 2/15/2009 12:31:00 PM
I am a super ghostly-pale girl with sensitive skin. As such, finding a good foundation is a real trial for me. While I don't suffer too much with blemishes, at my advanced age (22!) wearing foundation just helps 'perfect' my look. In my endeavour to find a foundation that both matches my translucent skin and doesn't make me look too 'made-up', I stumbled upon Non-Fiction in Volume 1, the lightest shade. This is a liquid foundation of medium consistency, presented in a little glass bottle. The packaging is ok -- not really handbag material, but you won't waste much either. I pour a tiny drop onto the back of my hand and use clean fingers or a large, soft foundation brush to apply to my face. As far as colours go, it's reasonable -- still a little too dark for me, but with sparing application and careful blending it does the job. The texture of the product is perfectly nice and unlike other reviewers have mentioned, I haven't had any problem with it rubbing off over the course of the day. This might be a skin type issue, though. It's gentle and light enough for me to -- confessing a major make-up sin here -- sleep in it and not break out! Not that I make a habit of that, or anything... The best thing about this foundation is the light-reflecting particles in it. They almost look violet-coloured and make for a pretty, dewy look that is perfect on its own for day, but can also be dressed up with a strong blush and powder for night. It's a youthful, fun product that more or less justifies its mid-range price tag. This foundation won't provide heavy coverage for problem skin, so if that's an issue I'd recommend you steer clear. Ultimately, I personally am going to look out for something even lighter and more sheer. A four-lippy rating simply because it is the only foundation I haven't felt moved to trash after a couple of days, and besides, I'm a big fan of the whole BeneFit range.
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Mascara -Yves Saint Laurent - Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils
klaxons 2/9/2009 3:44:00 PM
I'm a mascara obsessive -- no matter what the price, or how absurd the gimmick, I will try it. I've racked up £1000s worth of purchases, from cheap n'cheerful to obscenely high end. Searching for my HG mascara is, cosmetically-speaking, an unparalleled passion of mine. It's the sort of thing I almost don't want to discover, because then I won't be quite so justified in buying every new design that appears on the market. However... ...Effet Faux Cils is that perfect mascara. To start, the packaging is simply beautiful -- a hefty, shiny gold tube embossed with the classic YSL label. The brush is, thankfully, a traditional one, of largish size and soft bristles (though my makeup bag would testify otherwise, I remain underwhelmed by the spiky silicone brushes that are so popular at the moment). The formula is a thick, glossy black, directly between matt and wet in texture. One coat will easily hold a curl and add both volume and length, but my preferred method of application is to use a high-quality lash primer (Lancome Cils Booster is good, and a tube will last you forever) and two generous coats of Effet Faux Cils, the second after the first is halfway dry. This will reveal the full potential of the mascara... which is ridiculously lush, long, fluttery lashes. Even one coat will provide a dramatic look. I freely use this for daytime, but fairer haired (or fainter-hearted!) women might find this a bit too full-on. The mascara also can dry out more quickly than other brands, which is particularly frustrating given its high price. Luckily for me, my best boy just got me two tubes, so I'm sorted for a little while! Ultimately, these are very minor issues for what, I believe, is the only mascara currently out there that actually fulfils my whimsical and highly optimistic expectations. A definite 5-lippy buy.
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Mascara -Christian Dior - Diorshow Mascara
klaxons 7/16/2007 7:56:00 PM
For all the hype I've heard about Diorshow, I was somewhat disappointed with it. It is a good BASIC mascara -- it lengthens well, holds a curl decently, and adds some colour and volume. However, for the price (a whopping £18.50 in England), I personally expect something a bit more spectacular than that. I would prefer the overall effect to be a bit more soft and 'fluttery'; this mascara is by no means 'spidery', but does not give you lush, feathery lashes either. My lashes are long, but not very thick. If you're starting with thicker lashes, I imagine this would be a HG buy. The wand is large and catches even small lashes, making the mascara easy to apply. It also dries far more quickly than most of its cheaper counterparts, with a slightly glossy finish. The fragrance is pleasant, but quite strong and could irritate sensitive eyes. For a day-to-day mascara, it can't really be faulted although it does have a tendency to budge easily in humid conditions. For more dramatic effects, Diorshow is not the ideal product.
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