The Best Benefit Mascara | Roller Lash Review

Its not often a product comes along and seriously knocks my socks off and I am not one to listen to bloggers banging on about 'cult' products. Yes I have a few products that have cut the mustered, see the Clinique CC Cream or the Boujour Rouge Edition Velvet liquid lipsticks. But then I tested the new Benefit Roller Lash and I am not going to lie this product is the shitaque mushroom of the mascara world! 

Having had my eyebrows waxed at the brow bar the makeup artist lured me over to the testing area to look at their new mascara. I am always on edge around these women, I don't like to feel conned or pressured into buying something. But she was very helpful and explained all about the brush having little hooks that grab and pull on the lash to create a curl. She dutifully had one eye sporting the mascara and the other was bare, but until she pointed this out I had thought she just had one eye bigger than the other; amazing what a bit of mascara can do.  

What they say

The Benefit Roller Lash is a roller for lashes. The eye-opening 'Hook 'n' Roll' brush grabs, separates, lifts and curls for a hold that lasts 12 hours. It contains Provitamins B5 and Serin to condition the lashes with a satin finish. 

What I say

So lets talk about the Benefit Roller Lash packaging... I really don't like it, but that is not to say you wont love it. I can't quite work out why, but it may have something to do with the pink lid.

But packaging aside it is what's inside that counts and I blooming love this stuff. The Benefit Roller Lash formulation is creamy, jet black and really build-able. I put about three coats on before it started to look a little clumpy. The Benefit Roller Lash brush is patent-pending and I can see why, actually grabs all the little hairs and gently pulls them up and outwards; you can feel it working! The brush head is curved and unlike other curling mascara's you use the highest point of the curve to push upwards, if that makes sense? There are also little teeth at the bottom to delicately coat the bottom lashes. 

The price isn't cheap at about £19.50 a pop, another thing I resent a bit. But after I brought it I found that you can get it on QVC a little cheaper for £16.00, so worth a look. When I think about it and consider that I use mascara every day and would pay that price for a top I wear once a month it equals out! Plus at the end of the day the pictures pretty much speak for themselves, don't you think?

Benefit Roller Lash

What do you think?

Stay beautiful

xoxo

Eyeko Black Magic Mascara Review

I seem to be on this never ending hunt for the perfect mascara. I just cant find one that doesn't smudge onto my brow bone or leave dark rings beneath my eyes. I had a sample of the Eyeko Black Magic Mascara and after my much loved Clinique Lash Power Feathering Mascara dried up I thought I would give it a whirl. 

What they say: Designed for after hours seduction, the ultimate mascara combines three key elements to create drama, volume and curl. Conditioning formula blends key ingredients Keratin and Shea Butter for instantly transformed lashes and superior staying power that's easy to remove. 

What I say: Now I love love the packaging, it is different and I like different.  The Eyeko Black Magic Mascara wand has a curved brush to help shape and curl the lashes. I was happy to find out that the brush evenly distribute the mascara onto each lash and there was no clumping at all. My lashes looked very natural, but not very long. Another plus was that the colour is a deep black, so there is more of an impact for blue or green eyes. 

On the first day I tried it I really didn't like it. It was wet and really hard to build up, even with a few coats I couldn't get them to curl very well. Through out the day I had been wearing it and it was all fine, I couldn't see too much smudging which I was quite pleased about. Then I went and met friends. The first thing one of them said "Charley you have black marks under your eye brows", I was not a happy bunny! I rubbed them off and carried on my evening but I was really paranoid.

On the second day the formula seemed to have dried out a little bit and I found that I was getting a lot more coverage than the previous day. I started to come round to it and thought it was worth seeing through and I am so pleased that I did because I am hooked on the stuff. It is like black gold that adds flutter and definition to my otherwise invisible lashes! All hail Eyeko!  

Eyeko Black Magic Mascara, £18.00

Have you tried this mascara? What did you think? 

Let me know in the comments

Stay beautiful 

xoxo

p.s don't forget to follow me on Blogloving

Love at First Flutter | Clinique Lash Power Feathering Mascara Review

Been looking for the ‘it’ mascara of the summer? I have been trying out the new Clinique Lash Power Feathering Mascara in Black Onyx for a few weeks and I think I may have found it.

What they say: Out-to-there length and fine-tuned separation plus a feathery-soft look and feel after every buildable coat. All in a formula that stays put for up to 12 smudge-resistant hours, yet removes easily with warm water.

Before 

After 

What I say: I have totally fallen in love! This mascara creates beautifully natural looking lashes with the staying power of a waterproof mascara. It is also really easy to remove with warm water but it doesn’t budge through tears, sweat or rain! A bonus if you are heading to a festival this summer and you want something that will last just as long as you can. It is quite small so it doesn’t exactly last very long and you do have to apply a few coats to get this look. I have also used my MAC lash curlers in both pictures as I find my lashed need some added lift. But in saying that I really do rate this mascara!! 

Clinique Lash Power Feathering Mascara, £18.00

Are there any mascaras you have tried and loved?

Stay beautiful

xoxo

P.s sorry for the lighting and cropping. Made the mistake of taking photos at different times of day! Whoops!

My Hand Luggage Holiday Essentials

I am exhausted and I have just got back from a four day holiday. How is this possible? I did nothing.....apart from lazing by the pool and slapping on the SPF, I spent the 4 days eating my weight in paella and drinking like a fish late into the night. My family have been holidaying in the same Spanish resort for nearly 25 years and not being one to break tradition I hopped on a flight and spent a long weekend in the sun. 

In preparation I tipped the entire contents of my beauty stash onto my bed and starfished in them for a while. My house mates think I am crazy to have so much! As any beauty addict will know it is often painful to decide what to take on holiday, you never know what may be thrown at you and the warm weather requires extra strength products to stop you face looking like you have slapped on a melting mask. 

So these are my top picks for hand luggage holiday essentials -

1. Goldwell DualSenses Rich Repair 6 Effect Serum

I try really hard to look after my hair. Highlighting it every few months had left is really dry and damaged. The effects of chlorine and intense sunlight on holiday do nothing to help banish the candy floss fuzz. I discovered a new hair hero in the Goldwell DualSenses Rich Repair 6 Effect Serum and I am obsessed. After washing my hair I rub a pea size amount in to the ends of my hair, where most of the breakage is. It seals the cuticles and nourishes the split ends to prevent breakage, leaving it silky smooth and soft. I can't live with out this product and it saves my holiday hair.

3. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser SPF20 Oil Free - Shade: Blush

If there is one product that you need this summer it is this one! I have never been much of a fan of tinted moisturiser, having struggled with acne I find they do not give enough coverage. Having been on Roacutane for a couple of months now my skin has cleared up considerably and so I can now get away with slightly less coverage. The Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser SPF20 Oil Free gives the exact amount of coverage that you would want pool side. It blurs imperfections and evens out skin tone, but it gives a lovely natural dewiness to the skin that you don't get from thick foundations. It also has the added benefit of SPF and the tube lasts for ages. 

2. Clinique Even Better Dark Spot Defense SPF45 

My natural skin colour matches that of a cold chicken you find in a supermarket. Pale, slightly yellow and you can see every thread vein or skin follicle; so sexy. Because of this I need to protect the skin on my face with a relatively high SPF. The Clinique Even Better Dark Spot Defense SPF45  is so light it can be used under your moisturiser or foundation. It comes out slightly tinted but once it is rubbed onto the skin the colour disappears. I love this product because it doesn't leave the thick greasy feeling on your face that some other facial SPF's leave. I am pleased to say my face was the only part of me that did not burn, the rest of the supermarket chicken got cooked! Ouch!

4. Clinique Lash Power Feathering Mascara - Shade: Black Onyx

I am having a bit of a Clinique fan girl moment. When I first tried this mascara I really wasn't keen. It dries up very quickly and you do need to add a few layers to get the lashes looking nice. But after taking it on holiday with me I am now obsessed! It coats each lash making them appear longer and fuller. The best part is that with even an excessive amount of sweat and pool time there was not a panda eye in sight.

Goldwel DualSenses Rich Repair 6 Effect Serum, RRP £9.60

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser SPF20 Oil Free, RRP £34.00

Clinique Even Better Dark Spot Defense SPF45, RRP £26.00
Clinique Lash Power Feathering Mascara, RRP £18.00

Do you have any holiday essentials?

Stay beautiful

xoxo

A Commuting Guide To Makeup

I have had this post sitting in the pipe line for nearly a month. I haven't posted it mainly because I lost the mentioned makeup bag on the mentioned commute. Meaning there are no photos to go with it. But I still stand by this post and the makeup mentioned is sadly missed.

I commute and spend half the week in London. Often I have to take only the essentials so that I'm not hauling a suitcase on and off the tube at rush hour, not fun! For me travelling light isn't exactly easy. I am a hoarder of bits of makeup and I worry even the most useless item may come in handy on a spur of the moment night out or a meeting at work. After a lot of practice I manage to only take what is essential to my London life and my London face.

Using the right make up bag is more important than you may think. Too big and you take every lip liner, eye shadow and your summer foundation (we all have one). But one too small means you may leave the basics, such as a concealer, then a pesky spot appear on date night! The best thing to do is pick the makeup first. Take what you seriously think you will need. Once you have your key essentials go out and buy the perfect make up bag.

Here are my current make up must haves for travelling light.

1. Primer & Moisturiser In One

Skin care and makeup companies alike are producing on trend products using science. An example of this are combined primers and moisturisers. Why carry two bottles when you can have one? My favourite at the moment is Decleor Aroma Purete Matte Finish Skin Fluid. It mattifies and moisturises at the same time, plus it comes in a cute pump bottle.

2. Foundation 

A good foundation is like a good bra. It supports you and makes you feel better about yourself. Without it you feel droopy and like everyone is looking at your nipples. I love Clinique's Anti Blemish Solutions Foundation at the moment. It comes in a handy small bottle, bit of a pain seeing as it's pricey but good for travel size.

3. Concealer

I take a bus to London at 4 in the morning. I get bags under my eyes and stress spots. I look pretty awful rocking around at that ungodly hour. Concealer is my best, best, best friend! It never lets me down and makes me look like I have had my 8hours sleep. In saying this I am not particularly loyal to a certain type. I swap between a few. Smashbox Camera Ready Full Coverage Concealer is creamy and gives good coverage. This is better when my skin is a little smoother. Clinique's Anti Blemish Solutions Clearing Concealer is pretty great for spot prone skin. It has antibacterial ingredients that help fight spots as you wear it. The coverage is thick and just a tiny bit goes a really long way.

4. Setting Powder

Underestimating the power of setting your makeup could mean it melting down to your chin. It's something I have only discovered in the last year and I wish someone had told me earlier. The good ones absorb excess oil that builds up during the day, so your skin looks shine free and your foundation doesn't go for a stroll. Until a few weeks ago I swore by No 17 Miracle Matte Powder. It is cheap and does the job pretty well. But whilst in duty free I hopped on the Mac Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation bandwagon and I don't want to ever get off.

5. Bronzer

Finishing the face with a sweep of bronzer or blush leaves you fresh and glowing. Use it correctly and you can make your face look thinner. I love NARS in Super Orgasm.

6. Mascara

Who doesn't love mascara?! It opens up the eye, making you look younger and fresh. Not something I exactly need, seeing as I'm a 24 year old living in a 19 year olds body. But it is essential. I struggle with finding a type that doesn't smudge. Bobbie Brown No Smudge Mascara that really does what it says on the tin, but at £18 it isn't exactly purse friendly and it dries out really quickly. I am trying the MAC Studio Fix Boldblack Lash and quite like it. It is easily layer but after some time does leave slight dark circles.

So there we have it. My commuting makeup. 

Decleor Aroma Purete Matte Finish Skin Fluid, RRP £23.20

Clinique's Anti Blemish Solutions Foundation, RRP £23.00

Smashbox Camera Ready Full Coverage Concealer, RRP £17.00

No 17 Miracle Matte Powder, RRP £5.49

Clinique's Anti Blemish Solutions Clearing Concealer, RRP £14.00

Mac Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation, RRP £20.50

NARS in Super Orgasm, RRP £21.50

Bobbi Brown No Smudge Mascara, RRP £18.00

MAC Studio Fix Boldblack Lash, RRP £14.00

If you have some must have products I would love to hear from you, just comment below.

Stay beautiful,

Xoxo

I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus, so he bribed me with a GlossyBox!

This month GlossyBox has stepped up its game, what with its PR push at The Clothes Show Live this month and various newspaper advertorials. I must say I am rather pleased for the company, the concept of GlossyBox is something I firstly thought was exciting and original. But slowly I am discovering that there are many other brands trying to do the same thing. I love my GlossyBox and this month the box is Christmas themed!

Look, Look!!! It is seriously pretty and im going to sound silly but the box is actually amazing, red and glossy so Santa would be proud. As always it is the packaging that really sets GlossyBox apart from the other mail order sample companies.

So now on to the contents of my lovely box. I have never heard of any of this months products so it was nice to be introduced to something new to try. I started with Cargo Cosmetics classic lip gloss in Las Vegas (£10, Cargo Cosmetics). It is a dusty pink with a slight gloss, perfect for those who like a more subtle lip colour. The gloss is high-shine but the best thing is that it isn't really sticky. I am not usually a big fan of lip gloss, I hate it when my hair gets stuck on my lips.




Next there is the Rituals Yogi Flow foaming shower gel (£6.50, Rituals). The smell of this is supposed to be indian rose and sweet almond. To me it smells pretty much like all other shower gels, the cool part is that it is foamy and you can make yourself look like Father Christmas with a foamy beard when you shower :D.




I love all nail varnish, so the Deborah Lippmann, Razzle Dazzle (£16, House of Fraser) is perfect for the Christmas period. It is a dark cranberry red, with flecks of red glitter. It may not be an every day colour but I am into anything glittery and this varnish makes Dorothy's shoes look so dull! I didn't put a top coat on and it chipped the next day, so to make it last add a clear coat to seal the deal.



I have quite oily skin, which is prone to spots and red marks. The FAB face cleanser (£13.00, Boots) claims to reduce redness with regular use so I will wait to see how this one tackles my problem skin. For now the product seems to leave the skin refreshed and smooth although it doesn't have a fragrance.




Lastly, my favourite product. The full size Nouvea Lash mascara in Noir (£14, Nouveau Lashes) comes in an expensive, profesional looking box and glides on to the lashes without weighing them down. I was surprised to find out it was relatively cheap for a mascara because it looks quite lux. I will however be sticking to my trusty MAC Studio Fix mascara for now.



If you got a GlossyBox then do get in touch. I would love to know what you all think.

For now, stay beautiful!

Pixie xoxo

Flutter them his way

Anyone that knows me knows I change my mascara like I change socks. Without this precious black liquid I look about 14, rejected when buying a lotto ticket and I can't really leave the house without it.

Recently I was invited to a Bobbi Brown make over evening and thought I should go along and gain the advice of the immaculate Bobbets who suggest products to lighten here and smooth out there. These women could sell ice to Eskimos and I left after buying so much make up in colours I will probably never use. On the other hand I did feel I had found the holly grail of the mascara world. Bobbi's No Smudge mascara is fantastic. There is no other word for it. It's great if you want to make your eye lashes fluttery and natural, rather than thick and false. Although, it can be built up if a faker look is what you want. It also does what it says on the tube, its no smudge and stays put all day....I know what you're thinking "BRILLIANT, grab my purse I'm off to House of Fraser". But hold on, there are some downsides. As fantastic as the product is its seriously difficult to remove with wipes or liquids and often I just had to leave it on, which wasn't good for the lashes. But I did find that Clinique's Take The Day Off Cleanser works a treat at getting it off. The other problem is the price. For me the size of the tube doesn't match the hefty price tag and it runs out pretty quickly. (No Smudge, £18, Clinique, £14.50)

All in all if you have money to burn then this mascara is totally fantastic and I would totally recommend it if like me your mascara smudges all the time.

This brings me onto the slightly cheaper and yet equally brilliant MAC Studio Fix mascara. I am usually not a fan of MAC's mascaras, I find they smudge and is perfect for those who love the panda look. But I like mine to stay on my lashes and not my face. It's also pretty good at making your lashes look thicker and gives a slightly more false appearance, good for nights out. It is also really good for shorter lashes and those who don't have many lashes to coat. For extra vavavoom use the MAC eye lash curlers before applying you're mascara. (Mascara, £13.50, Curler, £13.00).

Have you lovelies stumbled upon any great mascaras? I would love to know.

Pixie out xoxo