AVON - Mega Effects Mascara

Hi all

Today I am doing a review on the Avon Mega Effects Mascara.
A friend of mine is an Avon Sales Agent and graciously sent me this mascara.  I knew I wanted this mascara from the moment I saw it in the catalogue.  It kind of reminded me of the Givenchy Phenomenon Eyes Mascara without the price tag.

Avon Mega Effects Mascara

Picture Courtesy of Google

I must say that after using a traditional mascara wand all my life, this took a bit of getting used to.  I was a little slower and careful when using it.  It does get easier if you use it everyday.  Practice makes perfect.

The shape of the brush is supposed to fit the natural shape of eyelashes.  The formula provides for a smudge-proof and clump-proof application.

I was happy with the results.  And the packaging is so unique and cute.

xoxo

Nataloe

Jordana Best Lash Extreme Volumizing Mascara.

Hi there

This review is on the Jordana Best Lash Extreme Volumizing Mascara.  I received mine from a friend as Jordana cosmetics are not sold in South Africa.

This mascara has been compared to the Lancôme Hypnôse Star.

There is a full comparison with photos can be viewed at http://jolieebelle.com/2014/02/03/lancome-vs-jordana-mascara/

The Hypnose Star is supposed to give you spidery lashes if you use too many coats.  To me I feel that's exactly what happens when you use the Jordana mascara.

The formula was a bit wet in the beginning.  With any mascara, you have to wait at least two weeks before it dries out a little, then you get the true nature of the mascara.  I usually pile on the mascara.  With the Jordana Best Lash  Extreme Mascara, I can only use two coats which gives me really nice length and volume.  Any more than that, I will get spidery lashes.

Which one would you choose considering that the Jordana Best Lash Extreme Volumizing Mascara is an inexpensive mascara which does the exact same thing as the Hypnose Star, an extremely expensive high-end mascara?

xoxo

Natalie

Essence Colour Flash Volume Macara - Haul & Review

Hi There

I spotted the Essence Colour Flash Volume Mascaras on the Essence stand at Dischem a few weeks ago.  They retail for R49.

Shades
01 miss early green-birdy (the green shade)
02 miss sue blue (the blue shade)
03 miss mary berry (the dark pink berry shade)
04 miss louise turquoise (the turquoise shade)
05 miss lila deleila (the purple shade)

I originally bought every shade except 03 miss mary berry.  The next day I returned the purple and the green shade unopened.  I realised that I was being a bit greedy.

I have worn the blue mascara a few times and have received compliments.  I applied the LA Girl Glide Gel liner Crayon in GP363 Royal Blue on my top and bottom lash-line.  Then I took an angled brush and ran the brush over the liner with an eyeshadow in the same colour as the liner.  This makes the liner stay on even longer and vibrant.  Then I applied at least two to three coats of the blue mascara.  This mascara is very volumising.  It lets you apply a few coats without clumping.  So I am impressed with this mascara.

These are obviously not for everyday wear, but you could definitely brighten up your day every now and again with these beauties.

Are you planning to try these out?

New Essence Products & BB Cream Review

All pictures where taken from google.

I must say that for a very affordable brand, Essence is really stepping up to the plate.

Look at how cute those makeup sponges are!  Those sponges in other brands are a bit pricey.

I saw every product in store except for the sponges, they must be arriving soon.

I did not pick up the either of the powders as I have the Catrice Loose Prime and Fine Powder as well as the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder which are going to last for a while.

I did pick up the Essence Match 2 Cover Concealer as I am almost out of my HG Elizabeth Arden Maximum Coverage Concealer which I absolutely adore and have purchased twice.  The Elizabeth Arden once is pricey considering it gets finished very quickly.  So I was hoping to try an affordable alternative.

The back of the packaging states :-

"Cream Concealer - high coverage of skin imperfections and dark circles. 2 shades to perfectly match your skin-tone"

So the idea is to mix the two in order to find the correct tone for you. I only purchased it a day ago and have not really used it on my skin or under eyes.  I did test it on my hand when I got home.  It's a little drier than I would like it to be, so It would be good for my blemishes but hopefully not too dry for my under-eye which is where I need concealer daily.  I think I may just need to warm the product between my fingers first then apply to the eye area.  My fingers are crossed that this works for me.

The Essence all-in-one BB Creams come in 3 shades : 01 Universal, 02 Natural & 03 Medium.

Universal has a yellow undertone and suites my Mac NC30 skin-tone well.

Natural has a Neutral undertone for fair skin-tones, suitable for pink undertones as well in my opinion.

Medium looks like it has a yellow undertone as well and is slightly darker than the first two shades

It has SPF30, is fragrance and oil free, dermatologist tested.  This was the reason I picked this up as my skin is super sensitive. I did wear this today and set it with mineral powder, so far so good. 

Other products being launched from Essence in 2013 are:-

Stay Matte Lip Cream

Velvet Rose (01)
Smooth Berry (02)
Soft Nude (03)
Silky Red (04)

3D Eyeshadow

Irresistble Green (01)
Irresistble Purrple (02)
Irresistble First Love (03)
Irresistble Caramel Cream (04)
Irresistble Blue Sky (05)
Irresistble Mermaid Kiss (06)
Irresistble Smokey Eye (07)
Irresistble Vanilla Latte (08)
Irresistble Chocolates (09)

Stays No Matter What Waterpoof Eye Pencil (In-store. I can kick myself for not picking this up)

Schwarz
Braun
Grau

Stays No Matter What Waterproof Eyeliner (in Store. I fail at putting these on my eyes, my hands are not steady. I always admire it on everyone else)

I ♥ Punk Jumbo Eyeliner Pen (In store)

Stays No Matter What 24h Waterproof Volume Mascara (in Store)

All Eyes on Me Waterproof Multi-Effect Mascara (In Store)

Maximum Length Mascara (in Store)

I ♥ Extreme Crazy Volume Mascara (in Store.  I love this mascara and have done a review already)

Gel Tint (Not in store yet.  I am dying to try these.  Hopefully as good as the pricey and highly raved about YSL ones and the L'oreal ones)

Deep Red (02)
Flashy Apricot (03)
Hot Red (01)
Pink Exposed (04)

There are lots more products coming out as per their website like lashes and lash glue and lots more colours from their nail polish line, bronzers, nail art etc.  The list goes on.

I am so happy to have a brand like Essence that keeps up to date with the trends of high end brands at an affordable price.

Have you picked up any of the Essence stuff lately?  Please let us know in the comments below if the products whee a hit or miss.

Thanks for reading

XOXO

Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara

I have been testing this mascara out for a few weeks now. I purchased it from Woolworths.  The sales assistant applied it over my other mascara (not very sensible) but anyhoo I liked the look of it.

The brush is quite large, just like the Revlon Growluscious Plumping Mascara.  Large brushes give lots of volume, which I like.  I find I have to apply to the lashes on one eyelid, then do the second eyelid, then repeat the process on both sets of lashes, which I normally do with most mascaras.  Then I get good volume and length from this mascara.

I like both the Revlon Grow Luscious Plumping and the Smashbox Full Exposure Mascaras and feel that they both are the same.  I still think that the regular Growluscious (the one that came out first) is better than both these mascaras which gives extreme length, volume and extra black colour to the lashes.  The Revlon one is also cheaper.  As you know Smashbox is not cheap.  So I would buy Revlon and save money.

Overall I do like this mascara, especially since it has the huge brush that does give volume.  

Essence - I ♥ Extreme Crazy Volume Mascara

I have read a few posts on how good this mascara was.  I have tried a few Essence mascaras before and was not impressed by any of them.  I love most Essence products, but the mascaras never wowed me.    I have thin sparse lashes and am always looking for the best mascara high or low end.
Since Essence is very affordable, I thought I would try it out without breaking the bank and be sad if it was a miss.

I am happy to report that I like it.
- extreme volume thanks to the innovative large plastic brush
- the upper end is ideal for definition and for applying mascara to hard-to-reach areas
- extra-black lashes due to deep-black texture
- compatibility ophthalmologically confirmed

It really does give volume without having to go over the lashes a few times like I normally do.
It does not really give my lashes any length, but in terms of volume, I get fuller, thicker lashes in a shorter application time.

It is alway nice to find an affordable drugstore option.