THE BEST OF: MAYBELLINE

Whilst having a look around my makeup drawers the other day, I seemed to notice I had a wide collection of Maybelline products; some that I use daily and some that I tend to push to the back. So, I thought it'd be a wise idea to do my take on a 'brand focus' esque post, and share what I think are the best bits of the brand.

LIPS: I have quite my fair share of lip products, but for when I'm on the go, I always seem to throw a Colorsensational lippy in my bag. I think it's because I can slap them on without a mirror and they just seem to work well. To show just how much I like them, I even had Coffee Craze as my prom lipstick shade.

EYES: I think everyone knows of the Colour Tattoos, and I have 6 of them myself. On and On Bronze is the classic shade, and mine has near enough completely run out (and I will definitely be buying another ASAP), and is the best option for when you want a look that seems as though you have put the effort in, but really it was a one sweep wonder. Maybelline also do pretty well with mascaras. the Lash Sensational is my personal favourite and I've repurchased this countless times, but the Collossal Go Extreme and the Rocket and pretty good options too. I love how waterproof Maybelline mascaras can be and I'm always safe from smudging.

BROWS: The Brow Drama is one of the best budget brow gels I have found, and also one of the only ones to actually sit on the aisles of the drugstore. I go for the transparent, but I have tried the tinted ones too and they do a pretty good job aswell - something a little extra for the brows. I also actually use the Colour Tattoo in Permanent Taupe for my brows, something I've now been doing for months and don't think I will actually move away from. Like a Dipbrow alternative, this pot of wonder costs just under a fiver and gives me the perfect shade of ashy brown for brows that could last for days.

NAILS: Maybelline nail polishes also aren't a bad option. The Super Stay options really wowed me when I first used them - they genuinely were ''super stay''. For something a little quicker, the Colour Show 60 Seconds polishes are quick drying, but also rather pigmented and some of them can actually work with a single coat.

So, pretty impressive overall. Although I don't tend to go for Maybelline for base products (I prefer Bourjois, Rimmel and L'Oreal), their product range is pretty solid with quite a few gems in there. Definitely one I wander towards each time I go into Boots...

MAYBELLINE LASH SENSATIONAL MASCARA

A couple of weeks back my mascara ran out and I was on the hunt for a new option, and wanted to try out something I hadn't tried before. I stumbled across the Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara in Boots on offer and thought I would give it a go to see how it worked, and I actually really like it.

I was using the Falsies (waterproof - as I choose with most mascaras if I have the option) but found that the formula dried out really quickly and I just didn't like it much, woah an unpopular opinion there. But this one is just the right formula and I love the wand. It is a plastic one (unlike some people I don't really have a preference, both a bristle and plastic ones work for me), and they call it the 'lash multiplying brush'. It has longer bristles on one side of the slightly curved wand, and then very short ones on the other that really hug and coat the lashes.

I could be wrong but this seems like a tubing mascara, as when I remove it it seems to come off in kind of chunks rather than a big panda eye mess which I quite like, and because it is waterproof, although harder to remove it really holds the curl and keeps my lashes look as long and defined as when I first applied all day long. Seriously, if you are on the hunt for a new mascara, definitely give this one a go, both length and volume combined in one tube with a serious hold to the finish.

THE BEST OF BENEFIT?

THE BEST OF BENEFIT SET

I got this Benefit set for Christmas 2014 from my grandparents and it claimed to have 'the best of' the brand featured inside, and I thought I'd give you the run down on the best from 'the best' seeing as I've had more than enough time to trial these minis. 

The PoreFessional Primer - When I first tried this I was a little skeptical, as it was a very silicone based primer, and on the first few uses my skin seemed a little unsure, but as I got into it I began to actually love how it made my makeup apply and appear, and I am now making my way through a full size and I can't bear the thought of a day without it. 

High Beam - This is another favourite, a liquid pink pearl highlight which gives the most amazing glow. With a light hand this is gorgeous on top of the cheekbones, brow bones (pretty much anywhere you would highlight), or use it mixed in with a less glowy foundation. I even mixed this in with my moisturiser a few times for a subtle hydrating glow. 

Benetint - One that I didn't know how to use without looking like a clown with dark pink circles on the cheeks, but now I seem to have managed the art of Benetint, you could say. A little patted into the fingertips then lightly pressed into the cheeks and lips gives a subtle tint - that literally stays all day.

Hoola Bronzer - The cult classic; the one everyone raves about. This is great - a warm matte bronzer that when applied with a light duofibre brush gives a natural looking bronzed glow. I have to remind myself to use this as I often just reach for Nars Laguna, but this mini compact is a firm high flyer in my bronzer stash nonetheless. 

They're Real Mascara - A word of warning; do not poke yourself in the eye with this wand. The plastic bristles and odd ball shaped end to the wand really does make you cry a little, but I guess it can be excused by the wonders it does to the lashes. Although perhaps a little to wet when I first got it, after being left to dry out for a while it was the perfect formula for my lashes - but this one gets quite a few mixed opinions in the blogging world. 

They're Real Gel Liner - Gel liner in a pen excited me, and it was alright while it lasted. This stuff ran out fast - mainly because I would twist the bottom for ages then a huge blob would appear. This was super black, and gave the most dramatic line I think I've ever worn - and I even got a few compliments from it. My only complaint is that if I rubbed my eye at all (not advised with liner anyway, but I was going for it), it would begin to flake off. I think this one is about preference to be honest, but the new coloured versions do excite me. 

Boi-ing Concealer - I liked that you got 2 colours of this, because with a tan I could mix the two and then when I was paler I could just reach for the top one. This is pretty brightening, so under the eye use was the best for me, although it didn't beat my love for the liquid formulas across my concealer stash. Admittedly, with a hydrating primer or eye cream underneath it sat better, but apply too much and you have a cakey situation. 

So, there you go. The best and the 'try for yourself because I'm not quite sure''s, but all in all I will admit that nothing was a mega disappointment, so I was pretty impressed by this set and would definitely buy this for someone who hadn't tried any Benefit products if it comes out again this year. 

THE EVERYDAY EYE

As I'm sure most of you fellow beauty bloggers know, when you have masses of eye products in so many shades getting ready in the morning can become quite a lengthy process, and my strict schedule before school just simply won't allow for me to be rummaging around the depths of my IKEA Alex for that long, so I've found a good little routine (which I picked up in America) that's keeping me going.

Since I started wearing eyeshadow I never really stopped. My eyes seem to look bare without it and so finding time to slap some on is always a must. I draw on a little of the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Yogurt and blend with a finger, then apply with a fluffy brush some of Milani Beach Sand on top. If I need a little matte crease, I simply take the same brush in my bronzer or contour colour and apply that.

Just as with eyeshadow, I can't miss a slick of liner and a little wing each day and I feel like I look as if I have no eyes whatsoever. This one is the Milani Eye Tech Perfection Pen which has taken a little while for me to get used to, but it seems to get the job done quickly with immense pigmentation so only one coat is needed.

For lashes, my new favourite mascara goes by the name of Covergirl Lash Blast Fusion Waterproof. Length, volume and a nice curl all in one is the only thing I need, and a coat or three of this leaves beautiful lashes without a clump in sight.

What is your go to look at the moment?

TRYING OUT LASH FIBRES

I took photos for this post a long long time ago anticipating talking about lash fibres a lot sooner than this. I never got round to actually using them as the idea of basically combing fluff onto my lashes scared me off a touch and everything seemed like it'd be uncomfortable.

The other week, whilst experimenting with my orange and pink eye looks, I thought it'd be a good time to try them out as mascara alone wasn't cutting it. I tried it with a range of mascaras, but this is how I've been finding the Sheer Cover Lash Extending Fibers*. On first use, it can feel a little odd and a fibre going in your eye (especially then landing on your contact lens) can be a bit off putting.

I start by curling the lashes with my cheap and cheerful Tiger offering, then applied a coat or two of the Sheer Cover Lengthening Mascara*, which does add serious length, and beforehand when I always found it never to dry down properly and ended up sticking my lashes together, layering is the way to go to combat this. Then a brief coating of the lash fibres (basically white fluff) followed up by another mascara, which for me at the moment is either the Too Faced Lashgasm or Soap & Glory Thick & Fast - steering away from my usual waterproof security blanket.

These really do give me some serious length and volume, and compared to my normal lashes that are a pretty good length but struggle to hold a curl and often aren't very full/thick looking you could be mistaken that I had a pair of false lashes glued on. I will definitely be getting my use out of these in the next few weeks...

HIGH END EYES

When it comes to makeup, I am very much a drugstore/high street kind of a gal, but I think it's safe to say that on the high end front I have the most products which slot into the eye category. I'll talk you through what's in my collection...

Bases: For some odd reason, I love a good base, and I have 2 which I have been loving recently. For a standard primer, there is the Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer, which just primes the eye like a dream, and my eyeshadow wears like steel on it. For something more creamy, with a bit of shimmer, is MAC Bare Study Paint Pot. The champagne, shimmery goodness makes me weak at the knees every time I open it.

Shadows: Of course, I have the Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette, which was purchased as a rather large impulse buy at the end of 2012 for my birthday - wild, I know. This is just the perfect palette with endless amounts of looks housed in a travel friendly metal tin, and only writing this has made me realise that I have been neglecting this guy a bit recently. The brush is pretty good too. Next up, I have this Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Quad (mini) which I cannot find the name of anywhere, but it contains the shades Seashell, Bronze Lustre, Truffle, and Cinnamon, and this is an eye look in a quad, which I have been reaching for a lot recently. Last on the shadow-front, we have MAC Woodwinked, which is my first MAC Shadow. This bronze, sheeny shadow is perfect all over the lid and feathered out for an effortless approach.

Liners: Strictly speaking, I'm not sure whether Stila is considered high end, but more so somewhere in between, but the quality of the Smudge Stick Liners is good enough to be classified high end in my eyes (excuse the pun). In particular, I have been using Angelfish (the taupe-nude), and Oscar Fish (the chocolate-brown shade) all over the lids and blended, and they don't budge.

Mascara: I never really thought of buying high end mascaras, because I am perfectly satisfied with the drugstore offerings, but when this Too Faced Lash Gasm mascara came in a set, I was shocked at just how good it is. It holds a curl amazingly, lengthens and adds volume, and I just love it. My only fault is that it isn't waterproof. Although, this is being rivalled in my collection by a certain Thick & Fast by Soap and Glory, so we'll see how that goes.

Yet again, another ridiculously long post, but perhaps I have enabled some purchases. Apologies..

BEST 5 OF 2013: EYES

Another 'best of 2013' again today. I promise there is one more to come after this, and that will be the lip installment, and after that, you can escape from me praising categorised products day in, day out.

First up, the ELF Single Eyeshadow in Pebble has been gaining daily wear from me this year, not only for crease definition, but this is the perfect shade for my brows, not too red, not too ashy.

A little cheat here from me, this is MAC Bare Study Paint Pot which I only just bought in the last month of the year on my birthday, but it is just simply too good not to include. It's the perfect base, or the best option to sweep over the lid in a hurry, and it even looks good with the next product on the menu...

Maybelline 24HR Color Tattoo in On and On Bronze. How many times have you hard about this guy over the year. There is even a little bit of pan-hitting going on in this now, and that goes to say something good about a cream eyeshadow. This, just over the lid, with minimal blending, is an entire eye look in a pot, and I blimmin' love the stuff. Expect more praise for this one throughout this year too.

The Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette has been my eye shadow best friend throughout the year. All the prettiest neutrals packed into a sleek palette, buttery soft on the lids, and blendable too, what more could you want? This palette is giving me the itching to buy the first offering of the Naked Palettes and maybe eyen the third... Who knows what this year holds. 

Finally, the Too Faced Lash Gasm Mascara has managed to sneak it's way into this post. I was wanting to include a mascara, and this was the best of the ones I own. My only gripe is that it isn't waterproof, but I can get used to it I guess, because this does some pretty good stuff to my lashes.

What have your lids been sporting this year?

 

THE WATERPROOF MASCARA TRIO

If I see a mascara I want, I will be opting for the waterproof version whenever there is one. It isn't that I have oily lids or problems with smudging all that much, it is more like a security blanket for if I get a bit hot, or if I am caught out with the occasional  frequent downpours we get. I have been trying out this triad for a few weeks now, and it has come to reviewing day. 

Maybelline The Rocket has been the second mascara I have tried from the brand, after finishing my Falsies one. This used to be my #1 mascara, but I have realised that there are better. For those clump free, fluttery, long lashes, this is one to go for, but for volume, this mascara lacks - and trust me, I have wiggled that brush through my lashes, layered it, the lot, I tried. It is a trustworthy waterproof though, if that's what you are after, and still isn't the worst of the ones I have tried in my time. 

An offering from Collection (previously known as Collection 2000), is the Skylash Mascara in Waterproof. This is one that you can also find in Poundland, as it has been rebranded numerous times - if you like this, stock up at these times. This one adds that bit of volume missing from The Rocket, and also adds some length. This can be a very 'wet' mascara when you first open it, so be sure you wipe away the excess before you look like you have applied it with a paintbrush. 

My current favourite from the clan is the CoverGirl Volume Exact Waterproof option. Now, I don't know what I am going to do when this runs out, because I found it in TkMaxx, so I am assuming it is discontinued, and we don't have the rest of the CoverGirl selection here in the UK. I am crossing my fingers and my toes that this appears in another TkMaxx somewhere, because I am starting to adore this one. The packaging is another story though, reminding me of something you may find buried at the bottom of you Nan's collection, but in the end it's whats inside that counts.

Mascaras are one product I use every day, so my share of the latter is growing all the time. Just wait, in a few months time I will have a 'Take Two' of this post. 

 

RIMMEL SCANDALEYES LYCRA FLEX MASCARA

A few months ago, I strolled into Superdrug with confidence. It was Megan's birthday shopping trip, and there was a 3 for 2 offer on. I had never been more certain of what I was going to be buying. 'Maybelline The Rocket', I told myself. As the queue was so long, and we wanted to make our money go further by purchasing things in price categories, Megan's mum was very kind and went to pay for the first lot with out money.

The woman at the till asked if we wanted the mascara to be swapped with a new offering from Rimmel, and Megan's mum kindly refused. Somehow, the woman managed to sneakily change it, and I ended up with the mascara I didn't want - but have now grown to love (I just wish it was waterproof).

The packaging is very stand-out. Bright green with black detail and writing. It is quite chunky, but I kinda like that sort of thang. The first few days I got this, it was a very 'wet' mascara, and came across a little gloopy, but after a weeks worth of useage it dried out more. I find bristle brushes dry out a lot quicker than any wtih plastic, from what I have experienced before, so I am trying to finish this off before it is at its un-useable stage.

Rimmel designed this mascara to be layered with as many coats as you desire, and they should still be clump-free and flexible, which I agree to entirely. 

I have some before and after shots, so you get the idea of what the mascara does. It is volumising and thickening, yet lengthening and not clumpy in the slightest. With the chunky wand, it is a little more time consuming with the bottom lashes, and as it isn't waterproof, it has faded/worn by the end of the day, so that is a little down side. 

Before Mascara: Droopy, Light and not-so-interesting lashes. 

After Mascara: Bam, instant difference, Thick, Volumnious, curled Lashes. This picture only does half the justice it should. I wish you could all come and look at my lashes to see the real effect!

After this mascara drama, it taught me to be a little less fussy on the makeup I buy. Although I had heard bad things about the previous Scandal Eyes mascaras, I shouldn't have passed-by this one straight away, Rimmel, I just really wish you would make a waterproof version... I would repurchase this if that was the case! Overall though, a great (mis-judged) mascara. 

Lauren x

SheerCover Extra Length Mascara (Brown/Black) | Review and 'Lash Swatch'

Hi everyone! SheerCover is a brand that I haven't heard being talked about a great deal in the blogging world, but I can tell you know that I love it! This mascara is one of the most lengthening I have tried. I am quite sad that I only own a small one of these, but I am not sure where you can buy it when it isn't in the set it comes from. 

Sheercover Extra length mascara. Black/Brown

 This is more black than brown, which I like a lot, as brown mascaras don't rally show up on my dark eyelashes. The want is interesting, with a dip in the middle all the way around, which I find is really nice to grip the lashes. Otherwise it looks pretty standard, but what it does for my lashes is double that and more. 

Oooh!

 A little blurry, but I wanted to show you the complete lash lengthening and separating effect it has on my lashes, and this was the only picture that portrayed that well. I'm sorry, I will do better next time.

This picture is a great deal better quality wise. But it doesn't show the effect as well, in real life, my lashes look a lot more lengthened and curled. With this mascara being non-waterproof (which I wouldn't normally go for) it really does have a great lasting power and I don't have any problems with smudging or anything like that! It is also very easy to remove and it seems to just 'slide' off my lashes by using just a face wipe. 

Although, the past few times I have worn this mascara I have seemed to have had a few problems with it making my eyelashes sticking when I blink, but nothing that stops me wearing it!

This mascara is available in the SheerCover introductory kit for £39.99 from www.sheercover.com .  

Thanks for reading, don't forget to follow via GFC and Bloglovin' (buttons to the right) and also now on twitter! - www.twitter.com/thebeaubow  

**This was sent for review. Visit my disclosure page for more info, and if you are a PR company wishing to do something similar, visit my PR Contact page.**

MUA Mega Volume Mascara | Review (Black) Before and After

Hi everyone! As you may know, MUA is a great brand, first discovered for their £1 range of makeup, which was then built on to now cost between £1 -£6 with a range of incredible products. Some better than others - of course. I am annoyed that I didn’t get to pick up the waterproof version of this mascara; my Superdrug were crafty and as there wasn’t any waterproof in stock they place some more black ones in its row on the stand. But I actually do not have any problems with any smudging anyway! This mascara retails for £3.

Before

After

What enticed me into buying this was the wand. It is plastic with long plastic bristles which really grip the lashes a lot. I hadn’t heard incredible reviews about this, but I wanted to try it and I kept looking at it every visit made to the Superdrug near me. One day I caved in and forgot about the average reviews, and I’m glad I did! No, this isn’t Maybelline, it’s not Benefit. It’s MUA and I freakin’ like it. It isn’t going to be the best mascara ever, but it does a good job of what it is mean to do!

Ooh Lashes!

I also own some other MUA products. I really want to try some of their palettes and I really should buy some more of their single shadows, as they are raved about some much in the blogosphere.

Do you own anything from MUA? I really recommend it!

Thanks for reading! Don’t forget that you can follow me on GFC, Bloglovin’ (buttons to the right) and now on twitter! – www.twitter.com/thebeaubow Tweet me anything you like, I will reply! J

Bye! Lauren x

SheerCover Introductory Kit (Overview)

Hi everyone! SheerCover has been talked about on the likes of QVC, and used by many makeup artists, day to day, and for events such as Britains Got Talent and X Factor. I have never heard anyone talking/raving about them in the blogosphere though. I recently recieved this in the post, and I thought it would be great to give you all an overview of all the products in the kit, and then I will upload various posts of each induvidual product in more depth. So, enough rambling, here are the products. (WARNING - Picture and Text heavy! :))

Everything included in the kit.

Studio Foundation Brush and Studio Concealer Brush

The packaging for these brushes is so pretty! A lilac/pink metallic and glass handle is something I swooned over when I opened the box. The softness is average, but I think it is because I am so used to my super-duper soft Real Techniques brushes.

Base Perfection Primer

This primer is really nice, and when I used it I found that it gave me a very glowy look to my skin. I do agree that it does what I claims on the bottle,mainly minimising pores, I'm a teenager so 'fine lines' aren't exactly my problem.

Duo Concealer ink Light/Medium

 This concealer is actually really good coverage and thick, but not drying, or not greasy. It's pretty good if you ask me! There is a lighter slightly pink toned one and a darker yellow toned one. Lots of things in this kit are designed to be mixed, to make sure that everything can match your skintone.

Sophisticate face palette. 

 This palette comes with a blush, 2 lip glosses, and 4 eye shadows. They are all great, not all of them are colours I would normally choose, but they are great nevertheless! I will keep you waiting until the review to show you the colours.

Mineral Foundation in Nude and Bisque

I have always wanted to try a mineral foundation, so I was excited about this. The coverage given is light/medium, so I would recommend a concealer too. It gives a really glowing finish though, it isn't drying in the slightest. The colours are a little dark for me, but I'm hoping to secure myself a tan this non-existent summer.

Extra Length Mascara in Black/Brown

I am a mascara addict, and I have to restrain myself from buying loads of them when I am shopping. This one looks really cool, perfect for a handbag touch-up kind of product. The wand is really nice, and when I use this I find it to really separate and lengthen my lashes.

So, that is everything in the kit! It costs £39.99 for www.sheercover.co.uk which I think is a pretty good deal for 6 products and 2 brushes! :)

Thanks for reading, I hope you have a great Easter! Don't forget to follow via GFC and Bloglovin' (buttons to the right) and also Twitter! - www.twitter.com/thebeaubow

Bye! Lauren x

*** This was sent for review. Please visit my disclosure page and PR page for more info. ***