Review: Benefit's They're Real Remover

They're Real Remover // Normal Remover

I'm sure you're all aware of Benefit's new releases. The Push Up Liner definitely has everyone talking, however alongside that release also saw the arrival of a new eye make-up remover, the They're Real Remover*. Due to the skincare lover in me, I was actually just as excited to receive this product as I was the liner.

Now the liner really does cling to your lashes meaning it's quite difficult to get off of your eyes at the end of the day, however I've found that using this really does help. The product is almost lotion like in Constancy and is meant to be applied to a cotton pad and swept across the eyes.

However, I've found the best way to use it is to apply a bit to your finger and rub it in yourself. This is because I find you have to use a lot of product to get the cotton pad to work, or else it kind of breaks the cotton pad, whereas you can use a smaller amount to make it work just the same. As you can see it really gets rid of much more eye-makeup than using a normal cleanser. The above picture is using it via a cotton pad too.

I found that this really does break-up your eye makeup and leave you with lovely clean eyes.

Have you tried this? What do you think?

Laura

*This item was kindly sent to me, I have not been asked or paid to review it and all opinions are my own.

Review: Rimmel ScandalEyes Precision Micro Eyeliner

I'm one of those people who loves the look of liquid eyeliner but can never quite get it to look the way I want on my actual face. I've tried, trust me, but I either over do or under do the look, and then over do it by trying to compensate. I've also never truly found the perfect formula. Due to that I began just using an angled brush and a Kohl liner or some black powder.

That all changed when I spotted a three for two offer and decided to pick this little guy up. What drew me to this product was the promise of small precision, something I definitely need help on.

I really love how small the nib of this pen is, it is super easy to use, it fits in the lash line properly and doesn't go too thick no matter what angle I use. For me it is as easy to use of my angled brush, something that's never occurred before.

My only criticism of this product is that it isn't very pigmented. I really wanted a black liquid liner, but it appeared dried out from the start. Maybe I picked a dud but it is something that left me a little disappointed.

Overall I really do like this product, and the lack of pigmentation means it gives a natural look, but sadly it does mean my look for a dramatic winged eye carries on.

Have you tried this? What do you think?

Laura xoxo

Throwback Thursday: Stila In the Light Palette

The other night I was going out for dinner and actually had some time to get read and thought I'd bring out my old Stila In the Light palette. As much as I love this palette for some reason I never really find myself reaching for it. I think it's 'cause of the shimmery shades rather than more mattes which I find myself gravitating more toward due to my oily lids. 

Here I've decided to go all over my lids with the shade Bare, then add Bliss to the crease with some Golden across the center with some Luster in the outer corners.

I think this blackened gold is really nice and would make a great smokey all over the lid. It isn't too overpowering but is also really sultry too.

What do you think of this palette?

Laura xoxo

Spring Fling: Eyes

When it comes to spring/summer I feel that bronze is the only way to go. Gold is a distant Christmas memory and I'm ready to go all bronze and goddess like (a girl can dream)! For me a bronze smokey eye is the perfect spring/summer smokey eye combo.

The Grab and Go -Ah the Rimmel Scandaleyes pencil is just so great for a quick wash of colour over the eye. The pencil application means it's easy to use and the cream texture makes it easy to blend out too.

The Base-  Maybellines Colour Tattoos are still something I love to use and this one is great for creating a bronzy base that holds and intensifies colour. Of course it looks nice on its own too, which is always a bonus.

The 'keeping it simple' - MAC All That Glitters is as gold as I go for summer, but it has a bronze tint to it that makes it perfect for subtle simple eye that still says 'I'm ready for you summer'!

The Summer Shade - Sometimes products have to take a back seat until it is their time to shine in a new season, and MAC's Mulch is definitely a spring/summer item to me. It is the perfect warm bronze colour that looks great in the crease or just all over the lid.

The Liner - Ah MAC Powersurge, my love for this is still going strong, and there is no better time to use this than summer. It's perfect to bronze up the water line whilst also working well as an all over lid colour too. Oh how I love this product.

What are your spring eye products?

Laura xoxo

My Budget Brand: Rimmel

One quick scan of my make-up collection and it's safe to say there is a lot of Rimmel in there. So much so I decided to dedicate a post to my favourite pieces. This isn't my whole collection (shamefully) rather the stand out bits and pieces that I love and would recommend.

I'm yet to find a foundation that I love as much as the Wake Me Up foundation that Rimmel offer. It has great coverage and lovely finish that leaves you looking healthy and glowing. The concealer counterpart is great for taking care of dark circles, however my beloved Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Concealer just tops it for me.

Moving on to eyes. The Scandaleyes in Rich Russet is a strange liquid eyeshadow, which shouldn't work but does. It doesn't make your lids look greasy, nor does it crease easily, instead your left with a nice wash of colour that's easy to apply. My other Scandaleyes in Bad Girl Bronze is a great cream application in stick form. Looks great loosely applied and blended with a brush. My only gripe with this product is the fact you have to sharpen it, I'd much prefer a twist tube. Finally in my eyes category I highlight the fact that if I like something, I tend to buy it in every colour. The Scandaleyes Eyeliners in Nude, Black and Taupe are just perfect. They are long wearing, help open up my eyes and give the perfect amount of colour.

Finally let's talk lips. I'll start with the Appocalips in Stellar. A lovely red meets colour, Stellar is great for a long wearing, glossy finish lip colour. Be warned you could end up with this on your teeth, but a simple finger pull trick will have that sorted. I like to apply mine with the back of the applicator to ensure that not too much product is applied. Last but not least, the Moisture Renew Lipstick Range is probably my favourite lipstick range. It has the moisturising quality of the Revlon Lip Butters without the glossy finish and more pigmentation. Nude Delight, Berry Queen & Rose are my favourites.

What would you say your budget brand is? Do you use any of these?

Laura xoxo

Review: Maybelline Master Kajal

This was a see it at the till and get it kind of purchase as it looked interesting and I fancied a new liner. The guy at the didn't scan it at first and I ended up telling, cause I'm a nice person, so I thought I'd get some good karma from it. I then get home, photograph it, take the lid off...and this happens.

The end broke off!

So why am I still posting a review? Well first of all it's to warn you that the end can fall off easily. Secondly it does seem like quite a good idea.

I tried to put it on my eye but I really had messed it up too much. However if you feel that full liquid liner doesn't suit you, this may be a good alternative!

Have you tried this?

What do you think?

Laura xoxo

Throwback Thursday: Rimmel Scandaleyes in Rich Russet

This paint has definitely been making the rounds on blogs, even I have posted about it before.

I've recently re-discovered it due to its awesome quick and easy application. 

The colour is a really nice taupe-y shade and depending on how much you apply can be intensified and blended out depending on how you want it.

I personally like to apply a thick layer then blend out the edges with a brush.

Have you tried this?

Laura xoxo

Quick and Easy Eyes

I'm sure I've mentioned it once or twice on ye olde blog, but in the morning sleep wins out over make-up every time. However, I still love looking nice-ish so these eye products are great for giving me more sleep & making me look presentable.

Rimmel Scandaleyes (Rich Russett) - This is a liquid paint that can look metalically but blended out gives a lovely look to the eye. 

Maybelline Colour Tattoo (On & On Bronze - This cream eyeshadow is great to just wash over the eye as you little rub it on and it's done.

Max Factor Crayon - Due to its stick form this is probably the easiest to apply. Quickly rub it across the eye and your done.

Hey presto. 

What are your favourite quick products?

Also, I am aware I go toward the same colours...

Laura xoxo

Review: Rimmel Scandal Eyes in Rich Russet

I'm sure this product has been on the majority of blogs but I still thought I'd give you my two cents. In case you weren't aware, this is basically a liquid eyeshadow that you paint onto your eyes!

It comes with a doe foot applicator which allows you to paint it onto the lids, however it's not the best for precision.

Applied thickly in can be bit metalically, but blended out it looks more natural and less OTT.

I much prefer the blended out look as I think it suits my lids better. 

I do like this product, however I can find it to crease if I don't prime beforehand.

This product is great if you want to add some definition to lids with little effort!

What do you think of this product?

Laura xoxo

Review: Max Factor Smoky Eye Effect Eyeshadow

Since starting work I'm all for anything that can be put on quickly (I love sleep) so picked up this little stick to try and make that process easier.

You get a nice bronze shade as well as a light shimmery shade.

Together they create a really nice look that's simple and easy to create. Whilst it looks nice and seems like the perfect product, it creases like a mother. Even with a primer.

So if creasing doesn't occur with you, I'd definitely say go for it, but if your lids are like oils slicks like mine, I'd stay steer clear.

What do you think?

Laura xoxo

Throwback Thursday: Powersurge Eyeliner

This is defintiely my 'summer' eyeline as it is the perfect bronze shade. After a serious hunt to get it, I finally got my hands on it last year, however I don't find myself reaching for it as much, mainly as I prefer a more natural 'bright' eye. Plus I rarely go on nights out anymore, which is where I used to wear it due to it adding something extra to a smokey eye without closing my eyes too much.

I do love whacking it all the lids a nice colour to the lids as it's so simple but adds something special to a look.

What do you think of this product?

Laura xoxo

Review: Max Factor Eye Crayons

And my obsession with make-up on crayon form continues. I was walking across the Max Factor stand and these caught my eye and I just had to get them!

First up is the bronze shade. This is definitely the most wearable out of the two, and the one I wear more! 

The grey one is slightly harder to wear and creases easier. I think it definitely takes more thought to wear too.

Overall I do like these, I could live without them, but I am finding myself wearing the gold one quite alot.

Do you have these? What do you think?

Laura xoxo

FOTD: Simple Summer Smokey Eye

In case you weren't aware, it's summer here in England. Whilst I'm all for minimal make-up when the heat hits, I do also love a good smokey eye. This meant swapping out my dark browns for more lighter colours. 

Before applying any shadow I prepped my lids with the Smashbox lid primer. I then went and put MAC's Era all across the lid with Sable blended into the crease. Instead of black liner on my lashline I used a brown pencil by Rimmel, and on the water line a scandaleyes in Taupe. I realised after how well Powersurge would've worked as a waterline liner. Mascara was my Max Factor False Lash Effect.

What's your summer smokey eye faves?

Laura xoxo

Also #bbloggerproblems

Review: Nars Duo in Madrague

If anyone tells me how the heck you say this, I will be more than grateful! Anyway, I was kindly bought this for my birthday by my best friends (they let me choose bless them!) and today I'm sharing it with you.

This is very much a nude duo. No shimmer, pure matte and pure subtle colours. Something I thought would be perfect for travelling as I love a good subtle eye for day to day. (I don't travel that much though, but ah well.)

The quality of these products are what you would expect from Nars. The pick up and blend extremely well, and last the usual amount of time on my oily eyes. Obviously longer if I prime. I would say though, I have quite dark, almost orange eyes, which mean colours tend to go more orange toned on me if I don't even them out first.

For me this duo ticks all the boxes, subtle, easy to use and compact.

What do you think?

Laura xoxo