Friday 30 October 2009

Clinique Long Last Glosswear SPF 15


I received Clinique's Long Last Glosswear as a gwp a while ago, put it away and promptly forgot about it. I found it again when I was going through the glosses that I wanted to use up as part of my Ten Tubes Trial. I didn't use it up during the TTT but as I've slowly been finishing off glosses I finally got around to using this one. I've been using Long Last Glosswear for a week now and I'm really happy with it. I'm not sure it's one that I'd buy the full size of, but it's a nice, long lasting gloss.

Clinique says: Lip gloss juiced up with 8 hours of lasting shine. Spends every minute comforting lips. In 18 glistening shades from sheer to full intensity. Moisture makes each one even more mouth-watering. Protects lips, too.

I have this in Bamboo Pink which on my very pigmented lips looks like a sheer, shiny gloss. On people with lighter coloured lips I'd guess that it would look like a pretty natural pink. 

This is the first long lasting gloss I've tried so I can't comment on how it compares to others. It's a very thick gloss that feels more like a balm than a gloss. Despite the thick texture it's not at all sticky or waxy. When I put it on it feels very smooth and moisturising. Clinique says it lasts eight hours. Whilst it is long lasting it doesn't last eight hours, however it does last about six hours.   

I find it to be quite moisturising and I like the way it looks and feels on my lips. As with all Clinique products Long Last Glosswear is fragrance and flavour free.

Thursday 29 October 2009

October Empties

Since I finished the TTT and P10P I've quite missed posting about the products that I've finished, so I've decided that I'll start doing a regular post showing the things that I've finished.


I always have a great sense of achievement when I finish something, it's very satisfying. 

You can see above the products that I've finished in the last few weeks. 
They are: 
Narcisco Rodriguez perfume. I was so sad to finish this. It's one of my favorite perfumes. Mr GQ gave it to me for my birthday last year.

The Body Shop Sage and Comfrey Blemish Gel. This was my favorite pimple treatment. Sadly it's been discontinued so I don't know what I'll use now.

The Face Shop BB Cream. This is a favorite of mine, I need to get some more.

Mirenesse Velvet Lip Lift Moisture Shine gloss. This is a nice gloss, I'll be posting a review of it soon.


Lancome Virtuose Mascara. As much as I love Lancome mascaras I wasn't that impressed with this one. There's a review for it coming up.


The little tub up the top is what my sample of Lush Angels on Bare Skin came in. I've been using it for a week and my skin has never felt better, I'll definitely be buying this soon.

Wednesday 28 October 2009

Ellis Faas Skin Concealer



I really love this concealer so it pains me to say bad things about it, however I have no choice. The one fault with Skin concealer is the brush. It leaks. When I first got my concealer home I opened it and it looked like it'd been used. There was dried concealer all over the brush and in the cap. I could tell by the packaging that it hadn't been opened so I knew it hadn't actually been used, it'd just leaked. The picture above is how the concealer looked when I first opened it.

When I use this I waste so much. I'll click the bottom a few times and nothing will come out. So I'll wait a while and click some more and nothing comes out. I wait again and when nothing's come out after a few minutes I'll give it one final click and then heaps of concealer comes pouring out and it won't stop. And when I say heaps I mean heaps, enough to cover my whole face in concealer. Interestingly, that's exactly what I've been doing as I don't want to waste the product and I can tell you that it makes a lovely foundation.
Not only does it leak out heaps of product, it continues to do so for a few minutes and just when I think it's finished leaking it starts up again.

Initially I thought I was using it wrong so I tried just clicking a few times but that doesn't work. Now I've resorted to collecting the extra concealer in a little pot, but that really defeats the purpose of having it in a click pen.


But now for the good stuff.This is a lovely, lightweight concealer that works for both dark circles and blemishes. I mainly use it for my dark circles and it works really well. It feels like nothing on my skin and yet it manages to cover my dark circles. Unlike a lot of concealers I've tried it barely sinks into my fine lines, there is a little bit of sinking (haha, couldn't think of the right word there) but it's barely noticeable. I got this in shade S201 which is the lightest shade available. 


The packaging is sleek and very unique. I love the look of the packaging, it's like a little rocket. 

Ellis Faas says: This light-weight, smoothing concealer immediately melts into the skin, while providing a high level of coverage for dark circles and imperfections. Containing a specialised blend of active anti-ageing ingredients, it also hydrates the skin while it conceals. Each concealer shade corresponds to an Ellis Faas Skin Veil Foundation shade for perfectly paired complexion products. Recommended for all skin types.


Would I buy it again? No, not unless they fix the applicator so there is no product wastage.

Ingredients: aqua, dimethicone, hydrogenated polyisobutene, cyclopentasiloxane, zinc stearate, glycerin, isononyl isononanoate, dimethicone crosspolymer, sorbitan isostearate, caprylyl dimethicone ethoxyglucoside, sodium chloride, cetyl dimethicone, dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, silica, methylparaben, potassium sorbate, propylparaben, sorbitol, mica, triisostearin, hydrogenated cottonseed oil, hydrogenated palm kernel glycerides, squalane, laureth-4, oryza sativa cera, hydrogenated palm glycerides, tocopherol, butyrospermum parkii extract, hydrogenated castor oil, ascorbyl palmitate, phystosteryl isostearate, hexylene glycol, fructose, glucose, sucrose, urea, dextrin, alanine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid.

Tuesday 27 October 2009

Tokyo Milk BonBon Lip Balm


I spied these in David Jones recently and had to buy one because of the gorgeous box and the flavours that they had. I got the Let Them Eat Cake. As you'd imagine, it smells and tastes amazing, just like cake. This would have to be one of the best tasting lip balms that I've ever used.

It comes in a gorgeous little pot that is the perfect size for carrying around in my handbag. The ingredients aren't listed on the box so it wasn't until I got home and read the insert that I realised this balm contained petrolatum. I try to avoid products with petrolatum in them where possible. Despite the petrolatum, I have to say that I love this balm because of the amazing flavour!

If it wasn't for the flavour this would be a rather ordinary balm. It's quite light and can be a little greasy if I only put on a light layer. Once I put a thick enough layer on the greasiness goes away and it feels nice on my lips.

As for the moisturising factor, it's pretty good. It hydrates well enough and leaves my lips feeling soft. Balm wise it's nothing amazing, it's just the flavour that's amazing. 

Would I buy it again? No, for the price there are better balms available.

Ingredients: sunflower seed oil, petrolatum, cera alba, scrumptious flavour, lanolin, ozokerite, tocopheryl, aloe barbadensid leaf extract and canola oil, butyrospermum parkii, cetyl alcohol, stevia rebaudiana bertoni sweet leaf extract.

Monday 26 October 2009

Diane Brill Lip Lingerie Lip Gloss


I purchased the shade Camisole Ribbon which looks like a clear apricot colour but goes on as a clear gloss.These glosses smell and taste very pleasant, like apricot. Lip Lingerie would have to be one of the longest lasting glosses that I've ever used. It's thick, moisturising and creamy. Because of the thickness it lasts forever, usually half a day, even if I'm eating and drinking.  Due to the texture this is not a gloss that I can apply with my fingers, it's strictly a lip brush only gloss and it's great for those times when I don't want to be reapplying my lip gloss.


Diane Brill says: Slip it from the ruffled bon-bon paper and slick on the gloss that will never leave your side. Nurturing and glamorous, this gloss is a virtual lip treatment. Loaded with more than 20% vitamins, antioxidants, humectants, and a pouty plumper. All that, plus the three–way movement of the rich, brilliantly designed colors on your lips.

Some of the flickery shades are made with tiny real sterling silver shimmer to be worn over naked lips or mixed with every LIP LINGERIE Lipstick. The clear creamier shades add an exclamation mark to your lipstick wardrobe. Feel the luxury of lingerie for your lips. 


I find Lip Lingerie Lip Gloss to be very moisturising. I often use it in place of a lip balm as it's so hydrating. It keeps my lips feeling soft and smooth. Another great thing about Lip Lingeries Gloss is that it's super shiny, I find it to be even more shiny than Juicy Tubes.


Would I buy it again? Yes. Even though it's annoying that I have to carry around a lip brush to apply it, it's a lovely moisturising gloss that tastes great.

Friday 23 October 2009

Smashbox Proof Cream Eye Liner Palette


I've had this palette for ages and somehow it got lost in my collection. I'd forgotten all about it, and as you can imagine, I was delighted when I rediscovered it a few months ago. I've been using it almost every day since then. 


This is a gorgeous palette that's idea for cream eye liner lovers. It has almost every colour you could want and as it's so small it's perfect for traveling as it barely takes up any space. The eye liners are great, they're crease resistant and don't smudge or fade. the other great thing is that unlike regular sized cream eye liner pots, these ones don't dry out. 


The brush that comes in the palette is okay to use if I you have to, but I prefer to use a regular sized brush.


Smashbox says: This convenient slimline palette holds 10 best-selling cream eye liner shades and a mini liner brush. Our cult-favorite putty liner provides totally customizable eye definition that doesn’t flake, run or tug. The mistake-proof formula creates elegantly defined lines or a smoky, sultry look and glides on effortlessly for ultimate control and comfort. Sleek enough to fit into any purse, this palette is an absolute must-have for every makeup artist.

The colours in the palette are: lava, picasso, midnight purple, midnight brown, putty, caviar, thunder, midnight green, deep bronze and cameo.


Would I buy this again? Yes, it's a great palette. 


Ingredients: isopropyl palmitate, phenyl trimethicone, caprylic/capric triglyceride, euphorbia cerifera wax, talc, nylon-12, silica, kaolin, microcrystalline wax, castor seed oil, tocopheryl acetate, dimethicone, bht, vegetable oil, propylparaben. may contain: mica, titanium dioxide, iron oxides, ultramarines, yellow 5 lake, manganese violet, blue 1 lake, carmine, ferric ferrocyanide.

Thursday 22 October 2009

Bobbi Brown Nude Eye Palette

I've never been very interested in palettes, for some reason they just don't draw my eye. It's not that I don't like them, but just that I don't really pay much attention to them when I'm shopping. However I have managed to collect a few so thought it was time I started reviewing them.

One of my most recent and loved palette purchases is Bobbi Brown's Nude eye palette.I bought it after my last appointment with Casey. When she used it on me I wanted it but didn't buy it, then when I got home and Mr GQ saw how great my eyes looked he told me to buy it. I'm still suspicious about that, I told him how much it was and he didn't even blink, so I suspect that he'd spent money on something he didn't need and didn't want to tell me about. Either way, I wasn't complaining cause I got my palette.






I absolutely love this palette. Since I bought it I've used it almost every day. I find it to be very versatile as I can use it for a nude look and for a deep, smokey look. It's one of those palettes that I'd take with me when I was traveling as it contains all the colours that I'd need. The other great thing about this palette is that the shadows can be clicked out and replaced with other colours. So once I've used up the shadows or gotten tired of them I can replace them with other colours.


Nude Eye Palette contains the following colours: Navajo eye shadow, Pebble metallic eye shadow, Chino eye shadow, Beige Linen shimmer wash eye shadow, Maple Sugar metallic eye shadow and Caviar eye shadow. 

As you can see from the list above, the colours are a mix of matte, shimmer and metallic finishes.


This is a limited edition palette, so if you want one run out and buy it now. 


Would I buy it again? Yes.

Tuesday 20 October 2009

Redken All Soft Conditioner


I can't believe I haven't written about All Soft conditioner earlier. It's my favorite conditioner, I've been using it for about three years now and love it so much that I don't bother trying other conditioners.

This was first recommended to me when I started lightening my hair. I needed a conditioner that would keep my hair in good condition without weighing it down.

All Soft Conditioner is ideal for people with dry hair. It's super hydrating without being heavy, greasy or weighing my hair down. When I use All Soft conditioner it keeps my hair in great conditioner. My hairdresser even commented that he was very surprised that my hair was in such good consideration after all the torture I'd put it through.

I highly recommend All Soft conditioner for anyone with dry or colour treated hair.

Whilst doing some research for this post I discovered that Redken Australia now have an online store, you can visit it here.

Would I buy it again? Yes, it's my holy grail conditioner.

Monday 19 October 2009

Project Ten Pan is over!

I finished five small products (which I'm counting as one), which means that Project Ten Pan for skincare is over.




The products I finished are:
Neutrogena Extra Gentle Cleanser
Estee Lauder Gentle Eye Makeup Remover
NeoStrata Facial Cleanser
DesertPea Face Serum
DesertPea Face Oil

As with my last use it up challenge, I'm surprised at how quickly I used up 10 products. It always feels like it takes forever to use things up, but when I'm keeping count I realise that it doesn't take very long at all.

I'm sure this won't be my last use it up challenge, so stay tuned for the next one.

Friday 16 October 2009

Australis 3 in 1 Wipes



I've been really lazy lately and using cleansing wipes all the time because they're so quick, easy and convenient.The ones I'm using at the moment are by Australis.

Australis says: Three in one wipes cleanse, tone and moisturise the skin. Rich in aloe vera, chamomile, vitamin e and provitamin b5, the wipes remove all traces of make-up including waterproof mascara. Soap, alcohol and fragrance free, these wipes are suitable for all skin types and are perfect to have by your bedside, in your gym bag or whenever you skin feels like a pick me up.

I'm really happy with these wipes. They easily remove all my make-up, including my eye make-up, don't irritate or dry out my skin and leave my skin feeling hydrated. I like that they don't make my skin feel dry, tight or stripped, it just feels comfortable. 

At $4.95 (AUD) these wipes are a bargain and are sure to become a must have for me.

Ingredients: aqua, glycerin, cetearyl isononanoate, phenoxyethanol, potassium sorbate, ceteareth-20, ceteareth-12, glyceryl stearate, ceteyl palmitate, cetearyl alcohol, propylene clycol, benzoic acid, dehydroacetic acid, panthenol, chamomilla recutita extract, aloe barbadensis extract, tocopheryl acetate, citric acid.

Wednesday 14 October 2009

Estee Lauder Blue Velvet Double Wear Eye Shadow




I initially bought this because I wanted to get the gwp that was on offer and because of the beautiful colour. You can't see it in the picture above but it's beautiful deep blue with a gorgeous subtle blue shimmer through it. The shimmer really comes out in the sunlight. This is like a cream version of MAC's Contrast eye shadow.

Estee Lauder describes this as a stay in place shadow creme with fifteen hour staying power. Intense, stay true colour goes on smooth and creamy for even, seamless coverage that lasts all day. Crease free.

I can't comment on the fifteen hour staying power as I haven't worn it for that long, but it does last all day without fading or creasing. I do get slight creasing if I don't use a light dusting of powder before I put the eye shadow on, but it's minimal. This works well as an eye liner too, especially for smoky eye looks. It's very easy to use and can be applied heavily for an intense colour or sheerly for a light colour.

Would I buy it again? Yes.

Ingredients: isododecane, dimethicone, polyethylene, hydrogenated polyisobutene, quaternium-90 bentonite, dimethicone silylate, octyldodecanol, silica, trihydroxy stearin, copernica cerifera, cera carnauba, propylene carbonate, triethoxycaprylylsilane, lecithin, tocopheryl acetate.

Tuesday 13 October 2009

Bobbi Brown Slate Long-Wear Cream Shadow

Cream eye shadows are my latest obsession. I've put aside all my powder eye shadows and am only wearing cream eye shadows at the moment. It was Bobbi Browns Long-Wear Cream shadow in Slate that started the obsession. At the moment Slate is the only one of Bobbi Browns cream eyeliners that I have, but I'm intending to get more soon.

The Bobbi Brown website describes slate as a medium grey which is totally wrong. Mine is a mid toned taupe, it doesn't look grey at all.

Bobbi Brown says that this is crease proof and water proof. I can't comment on it being water proof as I don't often get my eyelids wet unless I'm in the shower, and as for crease proof, it is most of the time. I've found that the trick to making sure it doesn't crease is to use a light dusting of powder over my eyelids before putting the shadow on. That helps to soak up any oil and helps the shadow to stick. Every now and again I'll find that this creases, but the creasing is minimal and doesn't happen very often.

Would I buy it again? Yes, I'm planning on getting more colours soon.

Ingredients: isododecane, dimethicone, polyethylene, quaternium-90 bentonite, dimethicone silylate, octyldodecanol, trihydroxystearin, copernicia cerifera wax/cera carnaube/cire de carnauba, tocopheryl acetate, lecithin, propylene carbonate, bht.
May contain: mica, bismuth oxychloride, iron oxides, titanium dioxide, manganese violet, blue 1 lake, ferric ferrocyanide, ultramarines, yellow 5 lake, chromium oxide greens, chromium hydroxide green, carmine.

Monday 12 October 2009

My Lip Stuff Freebies

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Columbus Day Freebies

Get a free Halloween Limited Edition My Lip Stuff Lip Balm (your choice of flavor) with any order over $13 (excluding shipping) with coupon code "Columbus" now thru 11:59pm Monday October 12 EST. To receive your free tube simply type in the comments section when you check out your flavor choice and the code "columbus". (this freebie CAN be combined with other offers).
http://mylipstuffstore.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=70

Only a few more weeks til Halloween so be sure to stock up on the My Lip Stuff Halloween Limited Edition Lip Balms before it's too late. Be unique- give the gift of lip balm this year instead of candy to all your trick or treaters!

& don't forget to enter our Halloween contest to win more free stuff.
http://mylipstuff.com/halloweenpage.html

Thanks to all the My Lip Stuff fans.
~BREA, the lip balm goddess

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DesertPea Skincare

I recently received samples of two new products that are about to be launched by DesertPea Skincare. They're both beautiful, a face serum and a face oil. At the moment I'm not going to review them as I only received samples of them. However, since I've only recently come across this company and they have some products that sound lovely, I thought I'd share their details with you all. I got the following information from the DesertPea website.

DesertPea skin care has evolved from, and been influenced by, a background in environmental conservation and remedial therapies. Our love of the Australian bush and our native flora is shown in every product that we make. We make each product in small batches with love and care.

We are fussy about the ingredients we use in our products. We always support local, small and fair trade business suppliers where possible. We use only the highest quality raw and organic ingredients, as we believe the difference shows in the end product.

Key benefits

  • Our products are made from the finest Australian botanical extracts, essential oils, clays and cold pressed vegetable oils
  • Potent Australian botanical fruits & extracts high in vitamins, antioxidants and essential nutrients that are beneficial to the skin
  • All ingredients are derived from natural sources
  • 100% natural and organic ingredients
  • Safe to use on sensitive skin
  • No harmful preservatives or colours
  • No synthetic ingredients
  • No chemical emulsifiers
  • 100% Australian owned and made

The difference

  • DesertPea Skin care is committed to providing easily accessible, natural alternatives free from added chemicals, colours and preservatives
  • We believe 'natural' products should be derived from a natural source and should e available with a minimal amount of 'tampering'
  • We are committed to educating therapists and in turn the broader public about the benefits of using natural products
  • We do not advocate any form of misleading, deceptive marketing claims
  • We believe that everyone has the right to know exactly what he/she is applying onto and into their bodies, and provide truthful information so that people can form their own opinion
  • We aim to dispel some of the myths, claims and promises made in the cosmetic and skin care industry about cosmetics

Our vision

To celebrate simple natural beauty. A vision towards reclaiming true beauty within. We believe that true beauty is a body, mind and spirit connection. It is living with light in our heart. It is eating organic foods, eliminating fear in our lives, taking time to relax and clear the mind of clutter, by being truthful, laughter and of course love.

Our commitment to you is to make our products as organic as possible, to always be transparent and truthful, to exceed customer expectation, and to continue making high quality native Australian skin care in an ethical and responsible approach.

Friday 9 October 2009

Clarins Skin Beauty Repair Concentrate


I recently went through a period where my skin was very sensitive and irritated. Everything I put on it stung and caused redness until in desperation I bought Skin Beauty Repair Concentrate. It was the only thing that I could put on my skin to keep it hydrated and help to calm it down. A bottle of this is all it took to desensitise my skin, it's amazing stuff.

After using Skin Beauty Repair Concentrate for two weeks my skin was no longer as sensitive and I could start using other products over the top of Skin Beauty Repair Concentrate. I used a whole bottle and by the time I'd finished the bottle my skin was back to normal.

Clarins says: An "SOS" treatment for highly sensitive skin. It immediately calms irritated skin, decongests and reduces a red appearance. Its ultra-soothing formula contains 90% plant extracts to help restore weakened tissues and nourish and soften skin.

Would I buy it again? Yes, it's a great product for sensitive, irritated skin.

Thursday 8 October 2009

Project 10 Pan Update

Four more products finished this week, plus five samples, which gives me nine empties, only one to go!

My full sized empties are: Lancome Bi-Facil Eye Make-Up Remover, Dove Pro-Age Neck and Chest Serum, Elemis Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Facial Wash, and My Lip Stuff Kahlua and Cream Lip Balm.

The samples are: Aptiva Calming Face Mask (hugs to Rosie), Alpha-H Liquid Gold (hugs to Elmo), Alpha-H Age Delay Intensive Eye and Lip Treatment Cream, Lancome Renergie Morpholife R.A.R.E., Alpha-H 15% Glycolic Hydrating Mask, Origins Make a Difference and included in the picture is a sample of Nars Sheer Matte Foundation.

Wednesday 7 October 2009

Nelsons Pure & Clear Purifying Cleansing Wipes

This is the last of the products that I received in my Primped VIP package. I've really enjoyed testing these products and can't wait for my next package to arrive.

Until I received this I'd never heard of Nelson's, however I did some research on them and found out the information shown below.

An effective blend of Nelsons purest, natural plant extracts: tea tree, arnica, hypericum and calendula, anti blemish and blackhead formula, leaves skin the way nature intended - pure and clear.
Our unique Purifying Daily Facial Wipes quickly cleanse away impurities to soothe and restore skin, leaving it feeling cleansed and refreshed. Use the Pure & Clear system and follow our philosophy - to look after yourself from the inside and out.
Nelson's products are free from SLS, SLES, PEGs, parabens, lanolin, silicones, artificial colourings & fragrances.
Established in 1860, Nelsons is Europe's oldest, most experienced natural health care company. With over a century of excellence in natural skin care, we pride ourselves in offering quality you can trust.

The first time I used one of these wipes I was a little worried as it has a very strong tea tree oil smell, however it didn't upset my sensitive skin. After I use Purifying Cleansing Wipes my skin feels clean and doesn't look red or irritated. Fortunately, when I received these I had quite a few pimples, so it was great timing.

I've been using these twice a day and can definitely see an improvement in my pimples. A lot of them have gone away and the ones that are still there are not as red and heal faster than usual.

Nelson's say that Purifying Cleansing Wipes can also be used as make-up removers. They work well and easily remove all my make-up, including eye make-up and mascara. I'm not sure I'd use them on my eyes every day though as the tea tree oil could be irritating.

The packaging is brilliant and seals really well as it has a hard plastic closing so the wipes stay moist and don't dry out.

Ingredients: aqua, glycerin, cocos nucifera oil, prunus amygdalus dulcis oil, persea gratissima oil, cetearyl wheat straw glycosides, cetearyl alcohol, phenoxyethanol, melaleca alternifolia leaf oil, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, citric acid, tocopherol, hamamelis virginiana leaf extract, alcohol, arnica montana plant extract, calendula officinalis plant extract, hypericum perforatum plant extract, benzoic acid, dehydroacetic acid, limonene, linalool.

Tuesday 6 October 2009

Bobbi Brown Ash Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow

Prior to buying this I was a BB powder eye shadow virgin and really didn't know what to expect. I'd tried one of their cream eye shadows and loved it, so I figured the powder versions were worth trying. I purchased this in Ash which the Bobbi Brown website describes as a light, silvery heather. The colour shown above is not Ash.

Bobbi Brown says: Sheer, lightly pearlized shadow, which can also be used as a highlighter shade under the brow bone. Comes in this sleek, flip-top compact that can be used individually or assembled into palettes (sold separately).

I love that these shadows can be singles or put into a palette, it's such a good idea. The blushes are the same size, so if I had a few eye shadows and blushes then I could make a custom palette and swap it around daily according to what I was using. How brilliant is that? But I digress, I'm supposed to be talking about the Shimmer Wash Eye Shadows.

As I've gotten older I've found that really shimmery eye shadows make my eyelids look crepey and awful. Thankfully I don't have that problem with my Bobbi Brown shadow. It has subtle shimmer that gives my eyes a lift without making them look bad. Ash is quite sheer but can be built up for a more intense colour. I love to use Ash with lots of eyeliner when I want a natural/nude look.

This shadow last all day and doesn't crease, even when I've applied it quite heavily. It has a lovely soft texture and is easy to apply. It blends well and is a very versatile eye shadow.

Would I buy this again? Yes, it's a lovely shadow, I'll definitely be buying more of them.

Ingredients: talc, polyethylene, zinc stearate, tricaprylin, tetrasodium edta, chlorphenesin, potassium sorbate.
May contain: mica, iron oxides (ci 77491, ci 77492, ci 77499), titanium dioxide (ci 77891), ferric ferrocyanide (ci 77510), manganese violet (ci 77742), bismuth oxychloride (ci 77163), ultramarines (ci 77007), carmine (ci 75470) yellow 5 lake (ci 19140), blue 1 lake (ci 42090), chromium oxide greens (ci 77288), chromium hydroxide green (ci 77289).

Monday 5 October 2009

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunscreen

I've been wanting to try Neutrogena's Ultra Sheer Sunscreen for a while now so was delighted when I received it in my Primped VIP package.

Neutrogena says: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunscreen Lotion is a breakthrough in sun protection. Stabilised with Helioplex technology, it provides balanced broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection against skin aging UVA and burning UVB rays and combines it with Dry Touch technology for a lightweight, non-shiny finish.

This sunscreen is designed for the body, they have two versions for the face, one is for oily skin and the other is hydrating. Whilst it's meant for the body, I've been using it on my face with no problems.

This truly is a Dry Touch Sunscreen. When I put it on it's weightless and I don't feel like I'm wearing anything at all. It sinks in quickly and once it has sunk in it's not at all oily or greasy, it's undetectable. I use this over the top of my moisturiser and under foundation. I've tried using it instead of moisturiser but it's not at all moisturising so I need to wear a moisturiser underneath it. For people with oily skin this would probably be fine to use in place of moisturiser.

Dry Touch Sunscreen is a SPF 30+ plus sunscreen lotion that is water resistant for four hours. It's oil free, PABA free and non comedogenic. I've been testing this out on myself and Mr GQ with great success. Mr GQ usually gets pimples when he wears sunscreen and he hasn't had any problems with this one.

I've found that this also works well as a primer. When used under make-up smooths out my foundation and helps it last longer.

Would I buy this? Definitely, it's now become a permanent fixture in our bathroom, although I have to buy two at a time because Mr GQ keeps on taking it to work.

Friday 2 October 2009

Estee Lauder Turbolash Gold Effects Mascara

This product is another one of my Primped VIP products.
I was so excited when I received Estee Lauder's Turbolash mascara, I've been wanting it for ages and I really wanted to love this but I just can't get along with it. I've tried and tried but I can't make it work for me. I like mascaras that give volume, thickness and a little length. Turbolash gives me none of those things, it looks like I'm not wearing mascara.

I really struggled with this. The first few times that I used it my lashes all stuck together and looked awful. Now that I've had it for a few weeks it's not so sticky, but it still doesn't do anything for my lashes at all.

I received the Gold Effects version of Turbolash, which has gold glitter through it. You can't really see it from the picture above though. When I'm wearing it the glitter is subtle and barely noticeable, although there are some large glitter particles that stick to my eyelashes and have to be removed. When I'm wearing this my eyelashes feel quite heavy, probably because of the glitter.

The mascara design is quite interesting. When you twist the lid to take the wand out, the brush starts vibrating. It's a very soft, subtle vibration. I was initially worried that the vibration would make Turbolash difficult to use but it doesn't, it's barely noticeable and when I'm applying the mascara I'm not even aware of the vibration. I can't say that the vibration helps the mascara apply any differently, it seems like a bit of a gimmick to me.

I'm wondering if it's the glitter that makes this an ineffective mascara, as I've spoken to other people who've used the regular Turbolash with great success.

Would I buy this? No, it's expensive and does nothing for me.

Thursday 1 October 2009

Estee Lauder Opulent Shimmer Gloss

Estee Lauder's Opulent Shimmer Gloss is another one of the exciting new products that I received in my Primped VIP package. I've been using this daily since I received it and I'm loving it.

I know that some people don't like the fig scent/flavour of Estee Lauder lip products, but I do, it's one of the things that attracts me to their lip products. The packaging of this gloss is beautiful, it's the sort of gloss that I'd be proud to pull out of my handbag, in fact I'd probably leave it on the table so that I could show off how pretty it is.

As you can see from the pictures Opulent Shimmer Gloss is a beautiful, neutral red. I don't know what the colour is called because there's no sticker on it. Opulent Shimmer Gloss can be applied sheerly for a light, see through colour or more heavily for an intense wash of colour. The gloss is very shiny without being sticky and lasts for around 4 hours. When the gloss wears off my lips are left with a hint of colour on them.

The only thing I don't like about this gloss is the brush, but that's just one of my pet hates. There's nothing wrong with the brush, I just don't like applying wand glosses with a brush.

Would I buy this? Yes, it's a beautiful gloss.