Too Faced 'Better Than Sex' Mascara

When it comes to mascara, I’d consider myself to be very difficult to please. I’m looking for a super black formula with the ability to both add volume and length to my lashes; and surprisingly this is not easy to come by. I often find mascaras that tick several boxes but never all, so on my never-ending mascara mission, I thought I’d finally give in and buy the Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara and I’m so glad I did!

This is actually my first Too Faced purchase – along with another that will feature soon – and having heard mixed reviews, mostly raving ones, I was sceptical that I would finally find my holy grail mascara.

This mascara claims that it separates coats and curls each lash to voluptuous perfection and with its collagen addition, this is definitely expected. I’ve tried and tested this mascara solidly for a month and I can wholeheartedly say that it is the best mascara I’ve ever used, even rivalling my drugstore favourite, Maybelline’s Lash Sensational. It gives exactly what it claims; incredible volume and length.

The wand itself is shaped like an hourglass and the idea is that it distributes just the right amount of product evenly onto the lashes, eliminating clumping and spider lashes. The brush is on the larger side and initially this put me off as I was worried it would end up all over my lids but it’s actually super easy to apply and the shape does significantly help with this. It also has no fall out throughout the day, which is an added bonus for me. The formula is quite thick and dry, which could be off-putting but it actually helps to make the lashes appear thicker.

Now it wouldn’t be a beauty review without mentioning the packaging and, as with all too Faced products, they really have put a lot of effort into it and personally, I really like the metal tube. I know some people have complained at the weight and size but this isn’t really an issue for me and I actually think the weight helps to make application easier. And the tube is pink so what isn’t to like?

Overall, this mascara does everything that I would want and more. It lasts all day, doesn’t have any fall out and it leaves my lashes looking lengthened, defined and blacker than black. I can now declare this my holy grail mascara. That is until I find another that I love even more!

Have you tried the Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara? What are your thoughts?

A Mascara For All Occasions

There's certain beauty products out there that lend themselves to serious OCD tendencies and for me, that's both foundation and mascara. For this post let's address mascara, more specifically those three fail-safe options that I've kept in my make-up stash for their own special reasons. Now on the grand scheme of things, mascaras don't really differ all that much from tube to tube but there are ever so slight differences that I like to think lend themselves to different 'occasions' or make-up looks. I do tend to switch up mascaras depending on what I'm doing, so I wouldn't usually wear my 'everyday' mascara for going out in the evening and visa versa. 

For everyday swipe-and-go purposes, I use my trusty Eyeko Black Magic Mascara as despite the rather misleading name, it isn't all that dramatic and lends itself far more to a natural, daytime look. This is a super black formula and so is perfect for when there's not much else going on in the eye area and I like to wiggle it through my lashes to get a good coating, leaving me with lengthened and somewhat volumes lashes that still look natural. This is a good'un, but don't be fooled by the dramatic name connotations...

For the evening or occasions that demand a more dramatic look, I reach for the Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara (I'm keen to try the waterproof version of this!) as it is the most build able mascara I own. I tend to apply two coats of this and it gives both volume and length, which is basically all I want from a mascara. That and the ability to hold a curl which this does too - I can't really fault this mascara and it's definitely my go-to option for the evening.

And finally, for those in-between moments that require both length and volume but not such a dramatic look, I opt for YSL's Baby Doll Mascara. This is a mascara that for a long time I didn't like but I have since grown to love it for its lengthening abilities - it really does give you that doll-like look without being crazy dramatic for the daytime. As well as length, it does hold a curl well and adds some lift to the lashes, plus the formula is blacker than black so that's an added bonus! 

Do you have favourite mascaras for different occasions? Let me know what you use! 

A Beauty Gimmick...That Works?!

I'm normally not one for gimmicks. If it sounds like it won't work or is too good to be true I usually steer clear but for some reason I decided to buy into one gimmick all in the pursuit of longer looking lashes. While at The Clothes Show Live back in December I picked up a heated eyelash curler after seeing a demonstration and being intrigued; it didn't break the bank so I thought what is there to lose. 

I'll admit, I used it once and then lost interest after having to stand there waiting for it to heat up, which in hindsight doesn't take that long at all. I then revisited the idea a few weeks ago and have really been enjoying the results it gives. I'm an avid Shu Uemura curler fan and I thought nothing would beat them but this little battery operated device comes pretty close.

To use the heated curler you apply your mascara first, this point is key as the heat is essentially melting and shaping the mascara, not your actual eyelashes. While doing this you just let the curler heat up for around a minute and then place it under your lashes and slowly move it from the roots to the ends. Now you can do this as little or as many times as you like until you get the desired effect but I usually find twice works a charm. Then that's it, you are left with super curled lashes that for me, stayed curled all day.

The plus points I'd say of using a heated eyelash curler is that you are left with a very natural looking curl, rather than an almost 90 degree kink. Now this didn't bother me before but having seen my lashes curled by heat, it really does make a huge difference to how they look. The downside of course is that it does take slightly longer than with standard eyelash curlers and I'm not certain how good the heat is for around your eye area. I don't use my heated curler everyday because of this. 

Have you tried a heated eyelash curler before?

February Beauty Favourites '15

Happy March everyone! I'm pretty glad to see February go as it always seems like such a filler month for me. That being said, it did fly by and we're now already on March, where has this year gone already! 

This month I've sat down with an accumulation of January/February favourites (I explain in the video my filming schedule) and I have honestly loved using each and every one of these products. I hope you enjoy the video and don't forget to let me know what your beauty favourites have been this month! 

Eyeko Black Magic Mascara

I would like to make a bold beauty statement in today's post. I think I have found my holy grail mascara. Yes I know, bold. I'm constantly trying out different mascaras in the hopes when I thought I was destined to settle with one of the other, along came Kylie Jenner and her fabulous instagram that introduced me to Eyeko's Black Magic mascara which she claimed, to be her go-to choice for awards season! I did initially just buy this mascara because she said she loved it so much (ridiculous I know!) but having tried it throughout the whole month of January, I can honestly say it has quickly reached holy grail status. 

Eyelash Curling

For pretty much the whole time I've been wearing make-up, I've simply applied a few coats of mascara to my lashes and left them at that. That is until I started to notice that my lashes are in fact stick straight, with no curl and no thickness in sight. I've tried so many different mascaras and some have had better results than others but none gave me than lengthened and curled look that I've been desiring for so long. 

I finally decided to give lash curling a go a few months back after rediscovering this pair of Shu Uemura lash curlers that I was kindly given while on a work placement at a magazine. I came to the conclusion that if I was going to start lash curling, it may as well be with the much raved about, 'best' eyelash curler on the market. I now can't believe I didn't start using them sooner! A quick squeeze on the lashes before applying mascara has made all the difference leaving me with that extra bout of curl and volume that my lashes were so desperately crying out for. I then continue with applying two layers of mascara but more to come on that next week when I'll be telling you about my new holy grail mascara; it's a good'n! 

If you are yet to try out lash curling or are looking to invest in a new eyelash curler then I'd definitely recommend the fail-safe Shu Uemura or the rose gold Charlotte Tilbury beauty. Do you curl your lashes? If so, which curler do you use? 

Daily Face #1

 My blog has definitely become predominantly fashion-focused over the past few months and when I do write the odd beauty post it does tend to be sharing a newly discovered product with you. I thought I’d start something a little different and show you my ‘daily face’ every now and again to give you an insight into my routine each morning.

Marc Jacobs Palette 'The Lolita'

Marc Jacobs Plush EyeShadow in ‘The Lolita’-$59.00

And the award for longest time before purchasing a product goes to me. I heard a lot of rave reviews surrounding the new (at the time) Marc Jacobs beauty range but in all honesty, the quality of the products could have gone either way - luckily the quality is flawless. This is my first, and only, product from the line but as it received the most positive comments I thought I'd give it a go and when I first saw it in real life it definitely didn't disappoint. 

The quality of the shadows are unlike anything I've ever tried before and they even rival the likes of Urban Decays Naked palettes which are impeccable. I opted for the 'Lolita' palette as the shadows are all neutral with a great mix of mattes and shimmers (and one almost glitter shade). The formula is great, creamy and pigmented and there isn't one shade that I feel I wouldn't use. 

Now lets address the beautiful elephant in the room and that is the packaging. It's so luxe and sleek and is a pleasure to see in my muji drawers every day. I couldn't actually think of a better looking palette if I tried. Now with this great formula and luxe packaging comes the only downside for me, the whopping $59.00 price tag (I believe I paid slightly less in euros). This is deifnilty one for a special occasion like a birthday gift or simply a present to yourself as this was for me. 

What do you think of the Lolita palette? Is it on your beauty wishlist

The Eyeliner for Eyeliner Novices

I found myself perusing the MAC counter a few weeks ago, which is something I find very daunting to say the least. There's just so many products, finishes, shades, the list goes on... I did however, go in with one product on my mind, the cult favourite Eye Kohl in Teddy and now it's a part of my collection, I'm never letting it go!

Yet to find a holy grail

If there's one make-up item that I'm constantly striving to find that holy grail moment with, it' is mascara. I've never been particularly faithful to just one and I'm starting to think that maybe my ideal mascara just doesn't really exist as one product. 

beauty | urban decay naked palette & swatches

Urban Decay Naked Palette - £36 (here)

I had been toying with the idea of getting the Urban Decay Naked Palette for a long time after wanting to get more into wearing some neutral looking eyeshadows. I was actually, much to my surprise, lucky enough to receive this for my birthday in June and have since been trying it out with various different looks and I have to say, I definitely see why there is such a hype around this palette.

The palette comes with 12 highly pigmented eyeshadows, as well a mini size primer potion and and a brush which I personally think is great! The shadows are all really neutral and wearable shades including two matte colours (naked and buck) among the otherwise shimmer palette. I love all of the shadows but my favourites have to be 'Sin' and 'Toasted', which are quite similar in the sense they are both pinkish/metallic shades, though Toasted is slightly darker. I also love 'Sidecar' and 'Smog' for the perfect shimmery brown shades. I'm actually over the moon with the choice and pigmentation of this palette, I can't believe it's taken me this long to own it! The shadows are super soft and easy to apply and the wear time is incredible, even without using the primer potion!

Have you tried the Urban Decay Naked palette? Do you think it's worth the hype...I know I do!

beauty | yves saint laurent volume effect mascara 'baby doll'

YSL Baby Doll Volume Effet Mascara - £24.50 (currently £20.42 at Debenhams)

While looking round the YSL counter in Debenhams a few weeks ago I spotted (once again) Cara Delevingne looking back at me from the Baby Doll advert and my want for this mascara increased just that little bit more. I never had the intention that day however to actually buy this but after seeing it on my eyelashes I was persuaded and I caved in and bought it. 

The mascara is housed in the iconic YSL gold packaging with pink 'baby doll' lettering. The brush is actually rubber (unlike any other mascaras I've tried) and comes with two sides; thick and spaced bristles to coat the lashes and create volume and fine and close bristles to reach every lash. Now I'm not certain that these two types of bristles actually make much difference but for me,this mascara definitely gives the volume I've been looking for without creating those awful spidery looking lashes that some mascaras do. 

I've tried YSL's Shocking mascara and for me personally, it left my lashes a little too clumpy looking and almost crispy which is not for me. With the Baby Doll mascara, I found I was left with separated, volumized and pretty darn perfect looking lashes; I think I've just found my new favourite mascara! 

Have you tried YSL Baby Doll mascara? What do you think of it?

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Benefit They're Real Mascara | Worth the Hype?

I realise I'm rather late with this one but thanks to this months Elle magazine, I am well and truly on the Benefit 'They're Real' bandwagon; sort of! I say sort of because I'm not completely sold on this mascara; I feel it's way too over-hyped and there's nothing really that special about it in my opinion. Sorry to those die-hard fans out there! Any who, I received a mini version with Elle (retailing at £9 usually!), like I said, and having used it for a week now, I thought I'd share my thoughts...

Benefit claims that this mascara 'lengthens, curls, volumises, lifts & separates lashes' with its jet black result. Now I do agree partly with this, I found it did lengthen my lashes significantly and I suppose you could say they were separated and very black but that's where it stops for me. My lashes didn't appear lifted or volumised and if anything, they appeared straighter than they were without mascara! Also, this mascara has a plastic brush, which is not my preferred choice, which did little in the way of combing my lashes and instead gave them almost a spidery appearance - not a good look at all - and I know this probably sounds odd but it almost felt as though my eyelashes were about to crumble away wearing this mascara and I think it looked that way too! 

Now onto the good points as I hate to be too negative, but these are my opinions after all. I did like that the brush had smaller, fanned out bristles at the end, which made reaching the tricky inner and outer corners so much easier. I also liked that there was no fall out or smudging throughout the day and it stayed put and stayed black all day, which leads me onto another downside of this product (sorry). It's an absolute nuisance for removing, once it's on it certainly does stay put and requires some serious soaking in order to remove it which left me cautious to use it again as I felt like I was literally pulling out my eyelashes to remove it! But if you can look past that and its lack of volumising powers, then this may be the mascara for you; plus it has pretty packaging which is always a plus in my eyes! I don't hate this mascara by any means, it's definitely not the worst I've tried, it just isn't my favourite and I doubt I'll be using it again. 

Benefit's They're Real mascara is available online for £19.50 (full size) at Benefit Cosmetics, as well as all Benefit counters including Boots, Debenhams. 

Emma xo

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RIMMEL LASH ACCELERATOR ENDLESS MASCARA

Boots - £7.99 (curently £5.99)

I want to start off by congratulating myself on managing to actually put a gif onto this post *pats back*. Self-congratulations over, I was browsing Boots at the weekend and noticed that the new Rimmel Accelerator Endless mascara was on offer and I thought what better opportunity to try it out then when it's £2 off!

Rimmel is by far one of my favourite drugstore brands, I loved the Wake Me Up foundation and Kate Moss lipstick range is just incredible so I had real high hopes for this mascara. I firstly want to say that Rimmel claims that this contains lash grow complex but judging by all other reviews I've read, and my own experience, I can't really say this is true. Overlooking that fact, as a normal mascara it really does do the job perfectly.

I would say I have generally quite short eyelashes and this really works to lengthen them considerably while doing a brilliant job of separating too. It also has a nicely sized applicator which really helps to get to the corners and roots of your lashes for a slight bit of volume. I am in no way an expert when it comes to mascaras but for me this does exactly what I want; lengthened, separated and clump-free lashes and for that reason I would definitely repurchase this again!

Emma xo

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