Mascara -BeneFit Cosmetics - BADgal Lash
maddddie 1/21/2012 8:03:00 PM
The best mascara, if not always within my budget. I always get the waterproof version. It give a natural look, yet incredible length and separation. 'Your-lashes-but-better' - much, much better. Doesn't smudge, flake and holds a lash's curl better than anything else I've tried. Would recommend again and again.
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Liquid -Max Factor - Xperience Weightless Foundation
maddddie 1/21/2012 7:53:00 PM
This liquid foundation claims to give "luxurious flawless coverage with a weightless feel". It is also non comedogenic, oil free and suitable for sensitive skin. The product comes in black squeezy tube, and is around £9-12 for 30ml. It is not too runny; its consistency is similar to a lotion. Colour-wise, the 'Light Ivory' shade is not too far off even my ghostly pallor - which is a rarity in a high-street brand. This foundation is really easy to apply - a mirror isn't even necessary. Just dab some on forehead, nose, chin and cheeks and smooth outwards from the centre. It even covers minor dark circles and imperfections fairly well: it delivers light to medium coverage, depending on the amount used. The product is moisturising and the finish is dewy. If things are ever a little too shiny for my liking, I just dab with a blotting sheet - no need for setting with powders. Good for everyday makeup.
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Lip Treatments -Sleek - Pout Polish in Perfect Plum
maddddie 1/21/2012 7:35:00 PM
The product retails at around £6 for 10g. It comes in a shallow glass-like pot with a twist-off black plastic lid. It is described as a "tinted lip conditioner". In the pot, the Pout Polish is a semi-solid, glossy deep red wine colour, and has a sweet toasty vanilla scent. It swatches on my hand as a sheer plummy colour, but applies on the lips as a dark mauve. Opacity of colour is buildable, from barely-there pink to a deep glossy purple. It is slick rather than sticky, and sinks into lips well. Reapplication is necessary within the hour, but really worth it for the conditioning effect of the balm. This is ideal for everyday 'minimal makeup' use; perhaps less so for a more dramatic look. It is almost to lipstick or gloss as tinted moisturiser is to foundation.
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Mascara -Maybelline - The Falsies in Black Drama
maddddie 1/21/2012 7:13:00 PM
A really good value mascara for under a tenner, although the application is a little tricky. The brush picks up far too much mascara - I recommend using a tissue to remove most of it. Gives great buildable volume and length; a true blackest black colour; and dries quickly without smudging. Can flake a little throughout the day. A good everyday mascara.
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Sunscreen -Boots - Soltan
maddddie 1/21/2012 7:04:00 PM
I use SPF50 in both the Soltan 'Invisible' spray on my body and the 'Active' Ultra Resistance twist-up stick on my face and for re-applications throughout the day - no chance of spillage in my bag. They provide great protection against burning: the difference made is really noticeable when you forget to apply it, and are lobster-red after a whole five minutes of sun exposure. Soltan products are non-comedogenic, and don't just sit on your skin and make it sticky or slimy; they really sink in and moisturise the skin, leaving only a slight sheen. I have noticed no ill-effects as a result of using these products, and as they are usually on sale you can buy two products for as little as £11, which is great value. As they provide both UVA and B protection, you'd have trouble finding another sunscreen as effective in the same price range. A year-round must-have.
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Fragrances -LUSH - Vanillary
maddddie 1/21/2012 6:41:00 PM
Vanillary EDP costs £25.00 for a 27g bottle. It also comes in lower concentrations, and as a solid perfume. In the bottle, the fragrance is very spicy and woody; applied to the skin, it is immediately a more musky fragrance, with definite notes of caramel. It drys to a very sweet, gourmand vanilla. Smells like a slightly more spicy, sophisticated twist on vanilla ice cream or chocolate chip cookies :) Layers well with the lotion and dusting powder of the same fragrance. I was disappointed when Lush discontinued the massage bar. The smell is very potent, and gets a lot of compliments and questions. However, it may not work so well for everyone - my friend liked the scent on me so much she went out and got the whole Vanillary range, but later was convinced that she got an off batch - it smelled unpleasant by the end of the day. Body chemistry, I guess? Definitely try before you buy, preferably for a whole day's wear.
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Toners -LUSH - Eau Roma Water
maddddie 1/21/2012 6:23:00 PM
Eau Roma comes in a black spray bottle, costing £7.00 for 250g or £3.75 for 100g travel-size bottle. The product itself is a clear water with a slightly soapy floral scent. It is a mixture of rose and lavender water. I mainly use this to remove residue left after cleansing. I spray it all over my face and neck, leave to 'sink in' for a minute and wipe with cotton wool. It leaves my skin feeling both deeply clean and hydrated. It is described as a "toner for dry to normal skin", but I find it to work wonders on my combination, sometimes acne-prone skin. I also use it not only as a toner post-cleansing, but spritz some on whenever my skin feels parched or in need of refreshment. It's great to have to hand to cool you down in summer. I find this toner really helps prevent excess shine or dryness on my face; after a month of regular use, I hardly ever need to use blotting sheets or loose powder throughout the day, and areas such as my neck and cheeks aren't feeling tight or dry. I imagine it is great for any skin, and at any time of the day.
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Cleansers -LUSH - Angels on Bare Skin
maddddie 1/21/2012 5:51:00 PM
The product is £5.95 for 100g, which lasts about one to two months with daily use - I use as a scrub in the morning, but a cream cleanser to remove makeup etc. in the evening. It is freshly mixed within a very short time of reaching the shelves, mainly containing almonds, clay and essential oils. It claims to "gently polish your skin", and be suitable for all skin types (nut allergies and the like allowing, obviously). It comes in one of Lush's signature black pots, which is definitely preferable to a bottle or pump - no struggling to get at the last of the product. The product is of a light greyish-green 'putty' consistency and the smell is sweetly herbal, more lavender than rose. When mixed with water, the product is slightly more 'gritty' as the clay becomes watery, making the ground almonds more apparent. I apply the resulting mixture to my face and neck, and massage into my skin in a circular motion for a few minutes; when my face is sufficiently scrubbed, I rinse with cool water, barely pat dry and apply my toner onto still-damp skin. It can make a little mess in the sink, but nothing a splash of water won't rinse away. I have used this on-and-off for a couple of years now, and decided to get another tub as I wanted to get back on top of my skincare after a series of ugly breakouts. This cleanser has calmed and cleared my skin, and I have seen visible results within one week. I haven't noticed any difference in oiliness or blackheads, as these are not really areas of concern for me - but it certainly hasn't had any detrimental effects. Overall, I would definitely recommend anyone trying this, it can't do any harm and even may do a lot of good. A great addition to your skincare regimen :)
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