Showing posts with label Swatches. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Swatches. Show all posts

Thursday, 25 December 2014

My favourite beauty products in 2014: Bourjois, Paco Rabanne, Estee Lauder



L-R Peach Club, Nude-ist, Happy Nude Year

Hello! I hope you all had a lovely Christmas? I certainly did. I decided to pick out three of my favourite beauty products from this year. In terms of beauty, the past 12 months have been good to me. I've experimented, invested and discovered lots of brands (my favourite being KIKO). The biggest 'thing' for me has to be my skin care routine. I'm comfortable with it and it's doing me a lot of good. I'll be uploading a post on that soon. But for now, enjoy! 

No matter how many foundations I try I always end up going back to this one. It provides buildable medium to full coverage, lasts all day, balances the skin nicely and applies evenly. It's very dreamy and I doubt I'll move on to another foundation any time soon.

My sister bought me this perfume for my graduation and I'm very thankful. It's without a doubt my favourite scent but because it's pricey it's something I've never purchased myself. Now I don't think I'll be able to be without it. Paco Rabanne knows how to do fragrance - they're all delicious. 

These lipsticks have changed the game. I've always found lipsticks tricky because they tend to cling to dry patches and be high maintenance, but these ones are a dream. They're pigmented, long lasting, creamy and the most beautiful finish. I have four in my collection (I didn't photograph the red one, but you can see a swatch here) and I know I'll soon own the entire range.

What products have you loved this year?
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Written By Unknown at 5:08 pm
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Saturday, 22 November 2014

Top five Christmas nail polishes


The Christmas party season is just around the corner, so it's time to don a figure-flattering dress, a smoky eye, a red lip and of course, a festive nail polish. I scoured through my collection and found five different nail polishes that I think are perfect for your talons at this time of year. A couple of them are sparkly (so a bit annoying to remove) but they're that stunning I think it can be overlooked.

From left to right:
Models Own Diamond Luxe in Carat Coral* - £5.00: a beautiful deep glossy coral
Models Own Hed Kandi! in Bora Bora* - £5.00: Packed full of golden shimmer
Models Own Disco Pants in Studio 54* - £5.00: A metallic bright pink
Rimmel London Space Dust Nail Polish in Aurora - £3.99: A glittery rose gold shade
KIKO Cosmetics Satin Nail Lacquer in 447* - £5.90: A deep burgundy colour

What's your favourite festive nail polish shade?
*PR Sample
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Written By Unknown at 9:15 am
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Friday, 7 November 2014

Maxfactor Gel Shine Lacquer review and swatches


L-R Twinkling Pink, Vivid Vermillion and Patent Poppy
Hello! Wow, it's been a while. I will hopefully be writing a post explaining why I'm not as active any more soon, however I just wanted to get a beauty-related post up. Sadly my SD card has gone to heaven so I haven't been able to take any photos, but I did manage to find these beauties on my laptop. In fact, I'm surprised I haven't blogged about them yet as I absolutely adore them.

Maxfactor is a brand that I haven't really explored. I used their mascara when I was first starting out with make up and I like their FaceFinity foundation, but other than that I'm yet to delve further. And these nail polishes were a great place to start. The Gel Shine Lacquers* have been available for a good few months now and there is nine shades in the range in total, each retailing for £6.99.

The 'modern glamour' collection, created by Pat McGrath, has been inspired by decades and gives off high shine and intense colour than lasts. In fact when it comes to longevity these really can't be faulted. They come with a special two-fold patented plasticiser which adds flexibility to the formula, giving off a strong resistant film which maximises the impact on the nail.

I received the shades Twinkling Pink, Vivid Vermillion and Patent Poppy which were perfect shades throughout the summer. Their high pigment meant only two coats were needed. I now however have my eyes on Sparkling Berry and Sheen Merlot which are deep purple shades that I know will become winter staples. At less than £7 these nail polishes are affordable and of such exceptional quality.

Have you tried these nail polishes before?
*PR Sample
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Written By Unknown at 6:20 pm
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Monday, 27 October 2014

Collection Little Mix All About The Eyes Palette review



I love me a good neutral eyeshadow palette. I have more than what's deemed normal and acceptable, but I can't get enough of them. I've had the Collection Little Mix All About The Eyes Palette for a good month or so now. I'd seen it doing the rounds on blogs but it wasn't until I walked into Superdrug and saw it for a mere £2.50 that I knew I needed it in my collection. 

The palette comes with six shades including Feather, Sunkissed, Golden Sand, Dazzling Brown, Cocoa Dream and Blackbird. It has everything you'd possibly need to create a beautiful smoky eye. The pigmentation is decent, and the quality is more than acceptable. For less than £3, you just can't complain. (P.S It's also available in Boots).

What do you think of the eyeshadow palette?
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Written By Unknown at 7:55 pm
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Thursday, 23 October 2014

KIKO Luxurious Make Up Collection


Hello! Me again. I hope you're all not forgetting who I am. As you already know, KIKO Cosmetics is without a doubt my favourite make up brand. Not only are their products fantastic quality and their range is extensive, the entire brand is extremely affordable. What's not to love?! The Italian make up brand is back with a new collection, and this time it looks even more luxe than the last one.

Luxurious has been inspired by the glory of a wealthy kingdom. The packaging is not only gold and elegant, it's sophisticated and the products come in desirable cases to collect. There range comes with six products in a total of 13 different shades. All of which are classy and absolutely perfect for autumn and the party season.

KIKO Precious Illuminating Bronzer* - £18.00
This illuminating bronzer helps to soften and smooth the skin, giving off an airbrushed - but natural - look. The powder captures and reflects the light to leave the skin looking radiant and bright. It comes with a mixture of four shades which complement each other beautifully for an all over glow. This isn't a bronzer to contour the skin - it's one to be used across the entire face.

KIKO Magnificent Highlighter in Royal Gold* - £10.00
I originally thought this was a concealer and starting applying it underneath my eye area, only to be left with glittering under eyes - not the best look. However as a highlighter - the product's intended use - it's bloody brilliant. The water-based formula blends into the skin beautifully and leaves being a fresh and radiant look. The twist-up stylo makes the product a complete breeze to use too.

KIKO Luxurious Face Brush* - £16.00
I do love a good kabuki! This one is great for blending foundation into the skin as the fluffy, dense bristles ensures an even and smooth finish. I also love blending powder formulas into the skin with this brush as it gives a precise finish and blends very well. The packaging of this brush is stunning. It comes with a golden handle and a matching case - perfect for travelling and touch-ups.

What do you think of the new collection?
*PR Sample
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Written By Unknown at 6:37 pm
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Thursday, 9 October 2014

Top 10 autumn nail polish shades for under £10



With yesterday's rain, it's safe to say that autumn is well and truly here. Gone are the days of sunglasses and shorts, and out comes to brollies and breeze. With that comes the more muted fall-inspired nails polish shades. I've delved into my collection and dug out my top ten shades for the colder months - and best of all, they're all below a tenner! 

From left to right in the picture of the swatches:

What's your favourite autumn nail polish shade?
*PR Sample
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Written By Unknown at 6:31 pm
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Thursday, 2 October 2014

Changing your make up for autumn with Boots #GiveItAGo














There's a chill in air, the mornings are getting darker and I've invested in a new coat. It can only mean one thing - autumn is officially here. I'm definitely an autumn fan. I'm not particularly fond of the sun and warm weather, and I think England in particular looks beautiful as the leaves start to turn yellow. I also love layering up and experimenting with different colours. 

When it comes to make up, I don't tend to stray too far from my usual nude eye and bare lips. As a store, Boots are constantly challenging us to #GiveItAGo and were kind enough to send me over a fee products to experiment with. Fresh off the catwalk are cheekbones, brows, flawless skin, berry lips, green nails and smoking eyes. 

1. Banish dull skin with these illuminating face products...
I've actually been trialling this foundation for a while. As a foundation-fiend, I give them a full on robust test before I draw to a conclusion. For me, I like this one. It provides decent coverage with a natural finish and is very long lasting for a high street foundation. One thing I'm not keen on though is he fact that it highlights my pores after a couple of hours. 

I was SO excited when I saw this in my Boots box. I've been wanting to try out one of these chubby sticks for a long time. The beautiful highlighter is a gorgeous golden bronzed colour and creates subtle shimmering cheekbones. I have combination skin so I try and mattify my skin down as much as possible. But adding a hint of this really awakens my complexion. I'm addicted.

I do love a good blush! I haven't tried many products from Revlon for some reason, but this blush palette has upped my opinion on the brand. With five complementing shades of pink, these palette brightens the complexion and awakens the skin. The formula is perfect and the blush blends like a dream. No complaints.

2. Create the perfect autumnal smoky eye with this peeper duo...
I usually stick to browns and golds on my lids, but the moment I saw this trio, I knew it'd probably become my day-to-day palette. Coming with two mattes - grey and navy - and one champagne shimmer, the palette comes with everything you need to create a coloured-smoky eye. The shades aren't the best when it comes to pigmentation, but they are easy to blend and build up. I use the grey all over my lid, blend the navy into my crease and highlight with the champagne shimmer.

When it comes to eyeliners, I like sticking to my two favourites. But for the sake of this challenge, I branched out and embraced the gel eyeliner. The liner itself is smooth and glides onto the lids perfectly. The brush ensures you can create a multitude of perfect looks and the waterproof formula means the liner lasts all day long. In total, it's a great eyeliner. But I generally find pen-formulas easier and quicker to work with so I'll be sticking with my usual.

3. Get this season's statement brows...
With a spoolie one end and a comb the other, this nifty gadget is marvellous. It folds up into a little compact 'thing' which makes it perfect for on-the-go grooming. At £8, it isn't the cheapest but when those wonderful No7 vouchers are released, it's a good idea to snap one up. 

I can't say I'm loyal to brow products as I'm still trying to find "the one" but I haven't found a fault in this one. The palette comes with a brow powder and a wax, is beautifully packaged, reasonably priced and even comes with mini tools. The kit itself is available in four different shades meaning you're almost guaranteed to find a brow-match for you. 

4. Embrace a red lip with new season formulas...
Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipstick in Frambourjois* - £8.99
Oh my, I absolutely love these lipsticks. I must say, when it comes to lipsticks I find myself skipping wearing them. The formulas never seem to suit my lips. But these babies are a god send. They're creamy, long lasting, pigmented, lightweight and exceptionally easy to wear. I now have three different shades and it's only a matter of time before I buy the entire collection. Frambourjois itself is a vibrant red-pink shade, but the formula makes the lipstick nice and wearable. In fact, I've been wearing it a lot recently - which is incredible considering I'm a nude-lip lover...

5. Experiment with colour on the nails...
I love me a good nail polish and despite have a room full of colours, I'd never tried an Essie polish. I can hand on heart say the formula is wonderful. This shade in particular - which is a gorgeous shimmering teal shade - is opaque in just one coat and looks glossy and shiny once dried. Lasting power is great too.
How do you change your make up for the new season? 
*PR Sample
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Written By Unknown at 6:03 pm
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Tuesday, 23 September 2014

Models Own Diamond Luxe collection with swatches


L-R Radiant Pink, Asscher Blue and Heart Red

I sorted my collection out the other day and discovered that I have more nail polish than I know what to do with. However Saturday saw me go and purchase even more. I was sent three polishes from Models Own's Diamond Luxe collection - Asscher Blue*, Heart Red* and Pear Purple* (which sadly smashed) - and when I saw the press release, I knew I had to buy Radiant Pink. 

The new collection is said to contain real diamond dust to deliver a unique, multi-dimensional super-sparkly finish. The glitter isn't too prominent - more like a subtle shimmer - which is perfect for adding a bit of sheen to the nails without it ending up looking tacky and childish. There is a total of ten shades in the collection all of which are different, unique and stunning.

In terms of formula, Models Own have nailed it again. They glide onto the nails easily and dry down to a beautiful glossy finish. I do add a final coat of the Hypergel topcoat though. The blue and the red were both opaque in just one coat whereas the pink took a bit more building up. But that wasn't an issue because they didn't apply streaky at all.

Have you tried the new collection? What do you think?
*PR Sample
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Written By Unknown at 8:43 am
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Sunday, 21 September 2014

Urban Decay Naked Basics 2



Today - a Sunday, I know. How strange! - the Naked Basics 2 palette arrived on my doorstep. I actually don't think this palette has been released in the UK yet (at least I can't find a link to it anywhere). I bought this palette from Cohorted. If you haven't heard of Cohorted it's basically a website that offers incredible discounts on wonderful products. The more people that buy the beauty product, the cheaper it becomes.

Cohorted were offering 30% off the RRP (£22) of the palette making it £15.40. I had a few loyalty points to spend so I ended up buying this palette for a mere £10.71. Safe to say, I'm a happy Jemma. The palette itself has been created to complement the Naked 2 palette, much like the Naked and Naked Basics palettes. I haven't had a chance to play with it properly yet but as with all Urban Decay shadows, they're beautiful quality. Especially for mattes.

The palette comes with six cool-toned shades. Five mattes and one satin to highlight:
Skimp - pale nude satin
Stark - nude-pink matte
Frisk - warm grey matte
Cover - muted warm-red matte
Primal - muted brown matte
Undone - deep, smoky brown matte

At first glance, the Basics palettes look incredibly dull and boring compared to their cousins, but to create a gorgeous eye look, they're a necessity. They're perfect for highlighting, contouring, adding depth and definition, eyelining and even for brows. My originally Naked Basics palette is very well loved and I can't wait to delve further into this one. I'll keep you updated and let you know how I get on with it - I'm guessing it'll end up in a favourites post soon.

Have you seen the Naked Basics 2 palette anywhere online in the UK yet? Did you manage to get your hands on one thanks to Cohorted?
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Written By Unknown at 11:06 am
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Friday, 29 August 2014

MAKE UP | KIKO Daring Game Collection










Bronzer, Highlighter, Lipstick, Lip Liner

Kajal, Marker Liner, Color-Up in 11, Color-Up in 20, Eye Pencil in 2, Eye Pencil in 6
KIKO have outdone themselves, AGAIN. It seems like this make up brand can do no wrong. Their new collection, Daring Game, has been inspired by the smart, quick-witted Bond girls. The collection is strong, sophisticated, elegant, confident and absolutely perfect for autumn. The packaging, for starters, is exceptionally clever and reflects the Roulette table, card decks and dice.

This multi-tasking palette hasn't left my side since I received it. It comes with a two-toned matte bronzer and a pearly highlight. For me, this is the collection's stand out product. The packaging is stunning (it includes a large mirror) and the formula is exceptional. The three shades are buttery soft and of the right pigment - no muddy look. I use the bronzers to sculpt my cheekbones and the highlight to add an all over glow. I'm addicted.

These creamy jumbo shadow sticks are incredibly soft and blend like a dream. The pigment is outstanding and the pencils don't drag on the eyelids. They create a beautiful smoky eye but I find that I definitely need to use a good primer with them. They're very creamy which means that they don't last as long as they claim, sadly.

I was extremely confused about these when I first received them but after reading the press release, I realised that they're actually hidden. Underneath the outer packaging is an eyeliner pencil that glides onto the eyelids and waterline. These can be smudged with the brush encased in the packaging or left to set for dramatic, stunning eyes.

This eyeliner is a two-in-one product. It comes with a marker tip and a kajal tip - both great for creating a smoky eye. The marker isn't the best that I've tried. It's perfectly shaped but it isn't quite as intense and black as I'd like. The kajal, on the other hand, is wonderful. It's long-lasting, dramatic and easy to use.

I think I'm addicted to this lipstick. It's a stunning grown-up shade and it's definitely going to be my most worn autumn lip. The lipstick itself is long-lasting and easy to apply thanks to its ultra-gliding formula. The finish is demi-matte which for me is perfect for a lipstick.

I've never really used a lip pencil before but I think this one might convert me. It matches the lipstick perfectly and really ensures the lipstick stays put throughout the day. This lip pencil doesn't drag on the lips and leaves behind a strong pigment. It's great for making my thin lips fuller.

How adorable are these nail polishes?! From the top they look like dice. Incredible. The blue shade is one that I'm most definitely going to be wearing on my graduation as it matches my dress perfectly. The plum shade is a gorgeous colour for autumn. I'm yet to try these out on my nails (nail polish ban) but KIKO claim that they give a gel-effect on the nails.

I adore this two-toned face brush. It has been designed to follow the natural lines of the cheekbone. The two levels allow for bronzer and highlighter to applied at the same time and this is what I've been using with the bronzer I mentioned earlier. Both products work in complete harmony with each other and create such a gorgeous sculpted cheekbone. 

What's your favourite item from the collection?
*PR Sample
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Written By Unknown at 7:38 pm
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Saturday, 2 August 2014

MAKE UP | MeMeMe Cheek and Lip Tint in Coral Blossom


I'm someone who isn't particularly fond of cream/liquid blushes. I like the idea of them, but with my blemished skin, I usually find that blending them moves around my make up and exposes my scarring. When I received the MeMeMe Cheek and Lip Tint in Coral Blossom* (£5.50), I was dreading it. I thought, "I can't possibly put this on my skin and expect my make up to remain in place."

But after a few weeks of staring at it, sat there all pretty in my make up drawers, I couldn't resist. At first, I applied quite a lot of product which left me looking a bit doll-like. The second time, I simply applied a small dot and stippled the product into my skin using the KIKO Face 106 brush (£14.90). The brush and blush work wonderfully together to add a beautiful, subtle flush to the cheeks.

My worries have vanished, and if anything, this blush actually adds a little bit more coverage to my skin. It doesn't move my make up around and it doesn't expose my scarring. Instead it warms up my cheeks and leaves my skin looking glowing, yet natural. At only £5.50, this tint is an absolute bargain. Like I mentioned earlier, you only need a little dab as it's incredibly pigmented (it also lasts all day long too).

However, you can also get this blush for a little bit cheaper by using the code "mememe15" to get 15% off of your entire order.

Have you tried this tint before? What's your favourite liquid blush?
*PR Sample
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Written By Unknown at 9:06 am
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Friday, 25 July 2014

The best bronzers


Fake Bake Beauty Bronzer, glo-minerals Bronze, Sleek Face Form Contouring and Blush Palette, KIKO Essential Bronzer, KIKO Rock Attraction Bronzer, Liz Earle Natural Glow Bronzer, KIKO Colour Splash Multi-tone Bronzer, KIKO Loud Night Bronzer




Being naturally pale - even a week in the Mediterranean didn't touch me - means that in general, I find wearing bronzer a challenge. Last year, I was a complete novice. I watched countless amounts of YouTube videos in the hope that I'd perfect the sought after "contouring technique." But I had no luck. More recently though, particularly this summer, I haven't been able to step away from the stuff. Whether it's contouring, adding a glow or dusting all over my skin, I'm constantly using the product. Here are my favourites.    

Best brand:
When it comes to choosing a bronzer, the brand I always look to first is KIKO. Half the bronzers chosen for this post are from the Italian brand and it's easy to see why. The KIKO Rock Attraction Bronzer in Loud Tan* (currently on offer for £6.00) is the bronzer that I tend to use on a day-to-day basis. Despite being a powder formula, it's creamy to the touch and exceptionally easy to blend. It's completely matte so is perfect for contouring, and it's very hard to overdo this bronzer. Next up is the KIKO Essential Bronzer in Warm Melange* (currently on offer for £11.80) which is a two-tone bronzer. The pan is absolutely huge so I use this with a big fluffy brush and dust it all over my skin. The KIKO Loud Night Bronzer in Supple Satin Honey is up there in my top three. It's perfect for my pale skin tone and can be used matte to contour, or with subtle shimmer to add a glow. And finally the KIKO Colour Splash Multi-tone Bronzer in Jovial Tan comes with three different shades that are perfect for bronzing up the complexion.

Best highlight:
As a brand, I find glo-minerals underrated. Their products are of such an exceptional quality yet they're rarely raved about on blogs. The glo-minerals Bronze in Sunkiss* (£31.50) is an absolute gem. One side contains a matte bronzer and the other a beautiful golden highlight. The two shades can be swirled together or used separately and I constantly find myself reaching for the highlight side. It's stunning and makes the complexion glow. 

Best glow:
The Fake Bake Beauty Bronzer is wonderful for adding an all over glow to the skin. It's quite dark and pigmented so I tend to use this when I've tanned my skin. A light hand a big brush works best when applying this bronzer. Sadly, I can't seem to find this online anywhere. Does anyone know what's happened to Fake Bake's make up range?

Best all-rounder:
The Sleek Face Form Contouring and Blush Palette in Medium* (£9.99) comes with everything you need to truly bronze up your skin. The contour, highlight and blush-shade work together to create the most beautiful golden goddess look. Of course, the three shades can be used separately but I find them stunning when used altogether to create a bronzed look. 

Best natural:  
As you can tell from the image above, this bronzer is exceptionally well loved. It has a hint of shimmer running through it but it's not over the top and still manages to look natural. There isn't a lot of pigment in this bronzer so it's perfect for pale skins to contour or use all over the skin.

I'm always on the look out to try out and find new bronzers. Let me know your favourites in the comments below.
*PR Sample
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Written By Unknown at 8:01 pm
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Saturday, 19 July 2014

MAKE UP | Benefit's They're Real range




Despite having these products for a good few weeks, it's taken me a while to gather my thoughts and opinions and write a blog post. I'm guessing by now you all know about Benefit's They're Real range? It started out with the mascara, which has been hugely successful in its own right. And because of this, Benefit decided to expand the range and launched a revolutionary eyeliner and an eye make up remover.

Benefit They're Real! Mascara* - £19.50
First up, the cult favourite. I never invested in this mascara because my eyelashes are pretty good on their own. It's lucky for me because it means that I never have to spend a fortune on my lashes as drugstore mascaras work just fine. Lots of people rave about this gem and it's easy to see why. The pigment is outstanding and the jet black mascara truly lengthens, curls, volumises, lifts and separates the lashes. It makes my lashes look out of this world, but for me, £19.50 is a lot of money to spend on a mascara. Will I splash out once mine runs out? I'm not sure. I'll see how much I need it when it happens.

Benefit They're Real! Push-Up Liner* - £18.50
Ooh this didn't half take me a while to get used to. It's the first gel liner in a pen to hit the market and has an innovative soft tip which is supposed to truly hug the lashline. In the photo above, I'm wearing this eyeliner and as you can see, it's barely visible. That's how close it allows you to get to the lashline meaning that thicker lashes and a natural eye look is now possible. Once set, this liner doesn't budge on the lashes but I will warn you that you have to work quickly as it dries almost instantly after application and can sometimes flake. I've definitely become a huge fan of this liner, it's easy to use and creates an array of different looks.

Benefit They're Real! Remover* - £14.50
This was the product that I didn't think I'd care about. £14.50 on an eye make up remover? No thank you! And before I used it, I wasn't convinced. You see, my Lush Ultrabland removes my They're Real liner and mascara perfectly well, so I didn't see a use for this. Until I used it the other day. It's incredible and makes removing eye make up gentle, a pleasure and simple. With Ultrabland, I'd have to rub for a few minutes however with this, eye make up is removed in an instant. It simply melts away. It's a light milky formula that immediately lifts any make up from around the eyes without leaving behind residue. Pricey, but I'm addicted.

Have you tried any products from the They're Real range before?
*PR Sample
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Written By Unknown at 1:59 pm
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