volumising mascara

Essence Cosmetics SS17 Releases

- Vicki 3 Comments
Essence Cosmetics Blush Sculpting Palette

Essence Cosmetics Blush Sculpting Palette

Essence Blush Play Sculpting Palette – Play it Peach

This has to be one of my favourite products ever from essence & I have tried quite a few over the years. It’s compact, travel friendly and the 3 shades included are just beautiful. You get one highlight and two blush shades. The swatch I did of the highlighter simply doesn’t do it justice, the powder feels finely milled, you get very little fallout and it just gives you that subtle healthy glow. I like that it is a highlight you can wear as part of your everyday makeup, it isn’t super dramatic but suits my makeup style and I’ve been wearing it most days.

The other shades in the palette are beautiful peachy blushers, the define shade has a touch of sparkle to it and immediately reminded me of NARS Orgasam. It has that peachy, coral feel with a subtle gold highlight (not glittery in the least). The middle sculpt shade is a darker peachy pink and is matte it adds a lovely pop of colour. So this palette is well worth checking out. I think it comes in another colour option too if this Play it Peach trio isn’t right for you.

Essence Blush Play Sculpting Blush Palette

essence makeup swatches

Essence The Cushion Eyeliner

I have tried a few cushion foundations and blushers this past year and it seems this Asian inspired beauty trend is set to stick around a little while longer. It is nice to see affordable brands releasing their versions and essence have added a cushion eyeliner to their range for 2017. I must say I was on the fence about this product because I’m very loyal to my liquid liner pen but I actually found this to be surprisingly easy to work with. It comes in a small jar with a sponge (cushion) soaked in the product and you dab your brush on to the cushion and viola you are ready to apply. It was so smooth and precise to apply and I managed to get a very neat cat flick without the product bleeding in to my creased eyelids.

The product was very moist (sorry if you don’t like that term) so just make sure you lightly dab your brush on the cushion, so it doesn’t dispense too much product. If like me you like your liner to be very black you will love this. It dries down to a semi matte finish and it has good staying power, it didn’t smudge but it isn’t waterproof so just be mindful of that. After wearing it for the day it did show a little wear and my flicks had worn slightly but it still looked OK and for an affordable version I am very impressed with how easy it was to apply and how well it lasted. This is currently only available in black but I am hoping essence release a brown & a fun vibrant purple too.

affordable essence products

essence volume stylist fibre mascara

Essence Volume Stylist 18h Mascara

I’d say the products I recommend the most from essence are mascara’s. They always have such a huge selection and they rival any high-end brands so I was excited to try this new release for Spring / Summer. It promises 18 hour wear and voluminous lashes, I love my lashes to look long and healthy and I have to say this mascara is ticking all the boxes. The wand is made out of synthetic hairs and is a great shape for coating every single lash and being able to get right into those shorter inner corner lashes too. Because this mascara has fibres it is so good at adding length and volume without looking clumpy or heavy. I didn’t experience too much fall out, I’m a nightmare for rubbing my eyelashes and this stood up pretty well. The pigmentation is very black and I have been wearing a single coat as my everyday mascara but you can add another if you want to build up a more voluminous effect.

There is also a curl & hold version of this mascara, which sounds great for creating more of an evening look. Like I said you can’t go wrong with an Essence mascara, so make sure you check them out.

essence shine shine shine wet look lipgloss

Essence Shine Shine Shine Wet Look Lipgloss in runway your way & red carpet starlet

These live up to their name & really have that wet look. They are very glossy and pigmented on the lips I wouldn’t say they are the most long wearing but they look vibrant and pretty. The applicator is a nice shape and tapers to a point which makes it easier to apply and get a neat finish. Due to them having such a wet look they don’t wear too long on the lips, I found 2 – 3 hours tops and then I had to reapply.

I’m not a massive fan of lipgloss but I can appreciate how pretty these are and how comfortable they feel on the lips. I do have two of the more vibrant shades but if these are not your go to colours fear not because these are available in so many shades, from subtle neutrals right through to more bold pinks and purple shades. I think I’m going to pick up more of an everyday shade like So Into It! and wear it over my favourite Urban Decay Lipstick in Back Talk, I think the two will make a gorgeous duo. Let me know what colour you have your eye on? Oh & I can’t believe these are only £2 each.

Affordable essence makeup

Essence Colour Boost 1 Coat Nail Polish in Instant Match

This is currently on my toes and looks perfect for Spring / Summer. All I need now is some warm weather so I can wear some cute sandals. This range of polishes promise to deliver vibrant colour with just one coat, I have to say I did apply two but that is just because I like my colour to be super vibrant and I am terrible at applying nail polish. I think I could have got away with one coat though.

The formula was easy to work with and applied streak free and dried very quickly too. I already have my eye on the mint shade from this collection too. You can’t go wrong with mint for the warmer months.

What do you think you will be picking up from the new Essence releases? Their range is available in Wilko stores and online at www.wilko.com

  • This post includes PR Samples

Current Mascara Line Up 2017

- Vicki 3 Comments
Current Mascara Line Up 2017

Current Mascara Line Up 2017

lancome hypnose doll eyes mascara

Lancome Doll Eyes Mascara 

I have been loyal to Lancome mascara’s for years, although I usually opt for the Hypnose I felt like a change recently & I’ve been using the Hypnose Doll Eyes this year. 2017 is a year of makeup changes. It is different from the rest of the Lancome Mascara’s but in a very good way. This is a mascara that really opens your eye and fans out your lashes, it very much gives them that doll eyed look & I love it. The formula is quite dry and jet black, It is quite natural in that it’s not heavy or clumpy on the lashes and it gives a little drama but I wouldn’t recommend it if you like your lashes to look false. The wand is fantastic and the tapered end means you can get right in to the corner and apply mascara to even the shortest of lashes. So if you like fluttery, long, fanned out lashes then you need this Doll Eyes Mascara in your life, I am thrilled with it!

Essence Forbidden Volume Mascara

Essence Forbidden Volume Mascara* 

Essence Mascara’s are some of my favourites because they’re affordable and fantastic quality. I haven’t enjoyed this one as much as other mascaras I have tried from Essence but I do like that you can build it up to be quite dramatic. I found the formula to be a little wet and it transferred on to my eyelid. I do recommend checking out this brand if you haven’t already, their lipsticks, nail polish and face powders are incredible. Just maybe give this mascara a swerve.

Tarte Tarteist Mascara

Tarte Tarteist Mascara

I love the plastic wand on this mascara, it separates and lifts my lashes too. This formula won’t give you drama or too much volume but like the Lancome Doll Eyes it will give you long, pretty flirty lashes. This is a great daytime option & it also works well under other mascaras as a first step to more voluminous lashes. I liked this a lot more than their Better Than Sex offering. It lasts all day on me without flaking and it is epic at holding a curl too.

New Rimmel Volume Shake Mascara

Rimmel Volume Shake Mascara*

This new release from Rimmel features a first-to-market patented shaker system that refreshes the volumising formula and promises to extend the life of your mascara. I’m not 100% sold on either claim, I will have to test it out further to make up my mind. Off the bat I will say that the packaging is noticeably heavier than any other mascara I have owned, it is so weighty. I like the wand and find the bristles grab my lashes and lay down a lot of product quickly. The jet black formula does have fibres in and these do help give your lashes length but I am not overly impressed with the volume. The formula is quite wet too and I found it hard to get a clump free finish, especially when applying more than one coat. I prefer the Scandal Eyes Mascara from Rimmel but it is cool to see brands pushing the envelope, however this isn’t the mascara for me.

Rimmel Scandal Eyes Reloaded Mascara

Rimmel Scandaleyes Reloaded Mascara 

The version I like out of the two Scandaleyes Mascaras is the Extreme Black one – I hate it when my mascara is not jet black and this version is super intense Black. The wand is perfect, big, tapered and the bristles work magic at giving your lashes volume like no other! This wand works the mascara in to every individual lash but without clumping them together, it lengthens and gives volume so it is an epic all round mascara. One of my favourite affordable mascaras for sure. Even with a few coats this doesn’t flake or weigh your lashes down, it has great staying power and of course I love the extreme black colour.

YSL The Shock Mascara

YSL The Shock Mascara*

This is the latest addition to my makeup bag and I am pretty excited about it. The packaging isn’t what I would have expected from YSL, it doesn’t look or feel as luxurious as the price tag but I am willing to overlook that because the product itself is amazing. The wand is quite long but not bulky, it gives volume and drama without having to apply layer upon layer. It does have a tendency to clump but if I apply whilst doing that magic trickery of wiggling the brush through my lashes it helps separate my lashes and ensure the product is applied from root to tip giving the ultimate high impact look. I love the jet black formula and think this is a fantastic mascara for evening and making the most of your natural lashes without the need to apply falsies.

What are your favourite mascara’s at the moment & have you tried any of the ones I have mentioned in my Mascara Line Up?

* This post contains PR samples

Current Mascara Line Up

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Current Mascara Line Up

Current Mascara Line Up

Like most beauty addicts I always have more than one mascara on the go at any one time & right now I am using some of my absolute favourite mascaras. I like my mascara to help my lashes look long, hold a curl and maybe give the illusion I was blessed with more lashes than I actually have. What mascara are you loving right now & which should I avoid?

Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Mascara Brush

Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir*

This is the newest mascara in my collection and I have to say it has been receiving the most love too. If you like subtle quite natural looking lashes then this is not for you at all. This is one of the best false lash effect mascaras I have ever tried. It adds such volume and length to my lashes, I love it. Its jet black & absolutely smudge proof so you can rely on this mascara to stay put! If you love fluttery lashes that have that false lash effect then this is one to add to your wishlist. I also think at £20 its very well priced.

Maybelline The Falsies Volum' Express Mascara

Maybelline Volum’ Express The Falsies

Not a massive fan of this, it clumps on my lashes and after a couple of hours It seems to end up halfway down my face! So much fall out under my eyes! This is not a mascara I would recommend, I found it very messy and hard to remove. It does give volume but I just don’t like the formula so I am looking forward to parting ways with this mascara.

Lancome Hypnose Mascara Wand

Lancome Hypnose Mascara

LOVE this mascara and until the Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir came into my life Hypnose was my go to mascara. It still is the perfect mascara for fanning out your lashes and making them look healthy, long and fluttery. This isn’t as dramatic as Velvet Noir but I do wear this more during the day and I love the brush and how it grabs every individual lash and coats them all with product without applying too much and weighing them down. Hypnose is still a front runner and I always recommend this mascara because it has never let me down.

Max Factor Velvet Volume Mascara

Max Factor Velvet Volume False Lash Effect Mascara*

I like this because my lashes never feel crispy when I’m wearing this, no matter how many coats I apply & there is no fall out or smudging. It has a big plastic wand and the different sized bristles helps coat every single lash, the formula is also great at holding a curl. No clumping or fall out, this is another fab mascara from Max Factor and one of my favourite everyday options. Oh & I have been using this for almost 3 months now & it hasn’t started to dry out, so that pleases me.

Eye Of Horus Goddess Mascara

Eye Of Horus Goddess Mascara

This is a great one for quite natural looking lashes, not in a no makeup kind of way but more of a, my lashes look long, healthy and they’re all natural kind of way (am I making sense?). Its a pretty mascara for daytime and will add length to short lashes and give them definition. Its understated but always makes me look awake and my lashes long! The formula is the perfect consistency and it has very good staying power. This is a reliable mascara and one you can wear everyday for pretty natural lashes.

Essence Plump No Clump Mascara

Essence Plump No Clump Mascara

What a budget beauty this Essence mascara is – plump no clump indeed. Look at that massive brush, it leaves no lash out & gives them a coat of jet black mascara leaving them looking full, volumised and long. This is another mascara with a pretty big brush, I think we are seeing a common theme, I like big brushes & I can not lie. This is an affordable mascara but it works, it works very very well.

For false lash effect the Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir is a must buy & best budget friendly but also incredible quality the Essence Plump no Clump is one mascara you need in your collection

*PR Sample

Marc Jacobs Beauty Exclusively at Harrods

- Vicki 4 Comments

Marc Jacobs Beauty

I only ever hear positive reviews of the Marc Jacobs Beauty range and since its launch 3 years ago its been near impossible to get your hands on it in the UK, but a little birdie tells me that Harrods are now exclusively stocking Marc Jacobs Beauty in store and online. So we can finally see if the hype is justified, I have a wish list as long as my arm.

I think the first thing that strikes me about Marc Jacobs Beauty is the attention to detail right from the sales counter to the packaging down to the actual products, everything has been well thought out. Its luxurious makeup which makes you feel like you have invested in a lifestyle. The sleek black packaging looks minimal and beautiful and the products are just as beautiful and very hard to resist!

Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Mascara

I have been trying out the new Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Volume Mascara* which is inspired by Marc Jacobs’s first beauty memory, of his mother carefully shaving fibres from a velvet ribbon to create her own couture faux lashes. This mascara gives your lashes a coating of jet black mascara, the formula is quite wet but once it dries down it leaves your lashes looking extremely full and long.

This mascara can look pretty good after just one coat for more of a daytime look or if you want to go for that epic false lash effect then 2 – 3 coats will make your lashes really stand out. The jet black pigment is smudge proof and won’t transfer throughout the day. This is a mascara that will keep up with you and still look great at the end of the night. No panda eyes here.

New Marc Jacobs Volumising Mascara

The packaging is everything you’d expect from this brand, its simple, classic and very sleek. Its jet black tube is very weighty and feels luxurious. The hexagonal shaped tube is very different but its a nice shape to hold and it feels comfortable in your hand when applying the mascara. The brush is an hourglass shape and quite big, which makes it easy to get in to the little lashes in the inner corner and right down to the lash line for that full dramatic lash effect.

I thought this would be a lot more expensive than it is, for a high-end luxurious brand its priced very well. At £20 this is well worth trying out and I guarantee you will love the volumising effect.  To say I like this mascara wouldn’t do it justice, I am very impressed and think its going to become a favourite very quickly indeed.

What Marc Jacobs products are you excited to try? I have always wanted the Lolita Palette, its become such a cult product and the neutral shades look gorgeous.

Marc Jacobs Beauty is available in the UK exclusively at Harrods.

*PR Sample