Weird Mascara Wands

(Bourjois One Seconde Volume,Alexa Chung for Eyeko, MUA Lash Boom, Eyeko Curvy Brush)

What ever happened to a good old mascara brush? I feel like mascara wands are getting odder and odder. Who comes up with these crazy designs? Remember that Bourjois mascara which rotated or the Givenchy wand with a massive ball on the end. And have you seen the Upside Down Mascara from Sephora - now that's crazy. However, all these are still not as weird as the first ever mascara which resembles a mini toothbrush.

You see all these beauty brands launching new wand design every month which claim to be the next best thing but I always wander, does it even matter what the brush looks like? Isn't it more to do with the formula than the wand? 

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Bourjois 1 Seconde Volume Mascara Review

Being a mascara hoarder I couldn't help but give into this weird looking new mascara from Bourjois. The newest addition to the Bourjois mascara range claims to give lashes impeccable volume with up to 16 hours hold. Here's how I got on...

Firstly, can we discuss the wand? It's design is inspired by round, professional hair brushes. If you look closely you can see that the wand has balls;  the technical term is ' wraparound spheres ' but we normal folk call them tiny little balls. These balls alternative between evenly sized bristles and promise to envelope each lash.

I found the wand seamlessly swiped through my lashes giving them volume, length, thickness and separation without any clumps. The formula isn't too wet either- always a mascara pet peeve. It's one of the only mascara I've used where I feel like I don't  I need to layer it with a different mascara on top. Just this alone creates enough impact. The mascara is also easy to remove with my Eucerin Micellar water. I'll be saying goodbye to my Eyeko Black Magic for now and reaching for this on a daily basis. Might have to pick up the waterproof version for summer!

Bourjois 1 Seconde Volume Mascara*  RRP �9.99

Well, I said balls way too much for one post. If you're after a new mascara definitely give this new one from Bourjois a look. 

Have you entered my Simple Skincare giveaway yet? Quick you only have until midnight today! Enter here.

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Alexa Chung for Eyeko Review

I love Eyeko.
I love Alexa Chung.
So you can guess how chuffed I was to find about their collaboration. The set completely sold out in Selfridge's within the first day of sale. I've been using these products for around a month now to see what all the hype is about. Read on to hear how I found the Eyedo collection...

The limited edition Eyedo Liquid Liner (�15.00) is an even better version of the companies iconic Skinny Liquid Liner. The pigment of this liner is jet black and glides on smoothly. The felt tip style nib allows for an easy application. It's waterproof formula lets you use this in your waterline and manages to stay put for around 12 hours.

I'm already a huge fan of Eyeko's mascaras. I use their 'Black Magic Mascara' daily and it's honestly the best one I've ever tried. The Eyedo mascara (�20.00) is described as an 'oversized brush with un-even bristles in carbon black, designed to maximise volume without clumpiness'. The wand is weird, it resembles a helter-skelter shape. The bristles don't manage to coat every lash due to it's odd shape. I'm not a huge fan of this, I find it quite tricky to use and it isn't cheap.

I do really love the packaging of this collection. I think the Eyedo Liquid Liner is a great product but not even my girl crush on Alexa would persuade me to repurchase the Eyedo mascara again. You can buy the Alexa Chung for Eyeko range online here. Have you tried any of these products yet? 

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Three Ways to Wear Blue Mascara

So blue mascara is nothing new; I bet your nan was rocking it way before your mum was born (mine still is). I understand if you're scared of trying it, when you think of blue mascara, stylish isn't the first word that comes to mind. But coloured mascara can be cool. Here are three different ways to wear blue mascara without looking too 80's. It's a great way to update your make up look if you're stuck in a rut.

1. If you want to try blue mascara but can't bare to part with your trusty black mascara, this look is perfect. Apply your favourite mascara to your top lashes then take the blue mascara and apply just to the bottom lashes. This makes brown/blues eyes really stand out.

2. Don't be scared, all over blue sounds so wrong but done right it looks so hot (cue Cara). To avoid looking too 80's don't wear matching blue eyeshadow. Instead go for a complimentary shade like copper. To keep the look simple add little or no eye liner and a light pink blush. Lip-wise opt for a berry hue with blue undertones to subtly compliment the mascara.

3. This last look is definitely the most wearable. Apply black mascara to the roots of your top lashes followed by placing blue mascara just on the tips for a dip-dyed effect. This is a really subtle take on blue mascara but still looks great. People will catch hints of blue every time you blink! Alternatively, put the blue mascara on your roots and black on the tips.

I used the new Eyeko Black Magic Mascara in Midnight Blue, �18.00 available from the Eyeko website here. 

Are you brave enough to try blue mascara? 

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MUA Lash Boom Mascara: Review

As you may already know i'm a big fan of MUA. I couldn't live without my Undress Me Too palette. Lash Boom (which follows last year's Lip Boom) is their newest mascara launch costing just �3.00. As you can see from the photo above it features a rather odd wand. Read on to find out how i got on..

Here's what MUA have to say about Lash Boom. �Magnify your lashes for a spectacular false lash effect with the brand new MUA lash boom mascara. Encased in a gorgeous purple tube, this volumising mascara has a long wand which creates length with added drama.

Coat your lashes from root to tip for longer fuller lashes in a flash, minus the irritating clumping. The multi comb, silicone wand will catch each individual eyelash whilst defining and separating to create a flirty fanned out look.�

The Results

The brush has plastic bristles and the bulge on the end made it difficult to use to start with. Once i'd mastered the technique the wand catches the tiniest lashes on the outer corner to create a fanned out effect.  The smooth formula coats lashes evenly and leaves eyelashes clump-free.  I would agree with MUA's claim of being a volumising mascara and it helped to lengthen each lash. The only negative would be that the end of the wand can have too much product on so you have to swipe it before using to remove excess. This is a good mascara is you're on a budget but still want fluttery eyelashes! 

All in all this is a great budget mascara and actually does what it claims to. I found it works just as well as mascara's costing twice as much. Well done MUA! You can get this from Superdrug or online from the MUA shop. Lash Boom retails for �3.00 for 7ml. 

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my thoughts on: Eyeko London

I've been trying some Eyeko London products lately and i wanted to share with you how i got on. I've not tried anything from the brand since their re-launch in 2011. I know the re-brand didn't go down well with some because they increased prices as they moved from Superdrug to Harvey Nichols. I must admit i prefer the newer, high-end packaging to the old cute anime look the brand had. 

I tested out the mascaras first. I LOVE the tube packaging they all come in, why don't all brands do this? It reduces waste and stops the mascara from drying out. Out of the three i tested (curvy,black magic & skinny) my favourite had to be Black Magic �18 (pictured above). The brush has a gentle curve to it which helps to curl lashes, the brush is quite big but not too big. The soft bristles separate lashes easily and the colour is jet black. 

Eyeko Skinny Mini Brush Mascara �15 (closest) has a long thin brush. The wand doesn't get much excess mascara on it, leaving lashes clump-free. I found this added length to my lashes but i prefer them to look a little thicker. The Eyeko Curvy Brush mascara �15 was the only product i didn't get on very well with. The unique ball-like brush made it tricky to coat each lash, i found it didn't give me a lot of control.

Each mascara uses a unique conditioning formula which blends Keratin and Shea Butter for long-lasting lashes but at the same time is still easy to remove. I found with all the mascaras i tried, they didn't flake or crumble. I really like the cute guitar pick that comes with each mascara, a little unnecessary some may say but i end up with mascara everywhere - eyelid, nose, cheek, elbow... so by using this as a shield for my eyelids has really helped! 

Brow Gel is a must-have product for me. I need it to keep my unruly eyebrows in place! This is a good one because the brush is quite small and the gel is tinted, which helps to define brows. The only thing with this is that you have to scrape off excess before applying because you do get a lot on the brush. The has become a daily essential for me but the �18 price tag really puts me off!

Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner �10, one of Eyeko's best products. Alexa Chung uses this eyeliner to get her signature cat eye look. The flexible felt-tip nib makes this really easy to use. I have the shade Black which is a true jet back, it also comes in brown, blue, olive and purple.

Overall, Eyeko has impressed me. My top picks would be the Black Magic mascara and the Skinny Liquid liner. Eyeko isn't particularly cheap but the products are good quality. Have you tried anything from Eyeko before, how did you get on?

You can purchase Eyeko from Harvey Nichols, ASOS and the Eyeko website. 

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Max Factors New Lashfinity 3 Day Mascara!

This.looks.bloody.brilliant.
Flicking through the July issue of UK Vogue (i always head straight to the beauty section) a Max Factor advert caught my eye. Behold Max Factor's New Lashfinity three day mascara.
I don't like to write about things i haven't tried because i feel like you read blogs to get real reviews but i think this new product takes mascara to a whole new level and deserves it's own blog post. After doing some online research, the 72 hour mascara will be available in Boots and retails for �18.99. You apply it the same way you would with your normal mascara, the formula has 'lash-tint' technology which gives it it's staying power. It claims to be sleep-proof, sweat-proof and swim-proof - Max Factor are calling it their 'life-proof' mascara. As the mascara can't be removed with traditional cleansers or wipes, it comes with a special remover at the end of the wand.Here's a youtube advert for the new mascara if you wanted to see it in action. I live for new product launches and once in a while something unique and exciting comes along. But, will it be a hit or miss? Watch this space for a review....

I'm not sure how good this would be for your eyelashes but i can't wait to test it out. The 3 day mascara would be perfect for festivals or on holiday. Max Factor's 3 day mascara arrives on June 5th, cue beauty blogger stampede, what do you think? 

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Benefit They're Real Mascara Review

I don't normally like mascara's with hard rubbery wands, they tend to make my eyelashes look a bit 'spikey' if you know what i mean! I've been using Benefit's they're real mascara for a couple of weeks now since receiving it at the Benefit blogger event.

First time I wore this mascara, my mum asked 'Are they Real?' haha spooky! The mascara comes in a box and the product has a nice silver tube. I've don't really go for highend mascara's but compared to drugstore ones, this is very fancy! The mascara is brilliant at gripping every lash. It's great for lengthening and separating my lashes. In the picture below i'm just wearing one coat and already my eyelashes look defined. It's also really good at lifting my lashes and doesn't smudge or flake. This is an amazing mascara but because of it's �18.50 price tag, I'm saving this beauty for special occasions! 

Don't forget Glamour magazine is out tomorrow & giving away some mini Benefit freebies! What do you think of this mascara? x

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Diana Vickers for Collection 2000 - reviews

Illustration using mascara and yellow ink

You may already know this, but Diana Vickers is the new face of make up brand Collection 2000. I am a big fan of their products and I think Diana suits them well. I was kindly sent some products that Diana had recommend. Here's how I got on!

Lasting Colour Lipstick in Mango Tango �3.49

This lipstick taught me a lesson. NEVER think you can't 'do' a lipstick. On first impressions I excepted the lipstick was too bright and wouldn't suit me. However, once I tried it on I instantly feel in love with it. I wore it everyday in Tenerife & I'm wearing it as I write this! Because I'm quite new to lipsticks I dab it onto my lips to create a subtle tint. I also like wearing it on my cheeks. Would I buy this? Yes, but I would like to try out some other shades.

Glam Crystals Dazzling Gel Eyeliners in �2.99

I've never come across a product like this before, pleasantly surprised at the effect it gives! This is a glittery gel eyeliner that would be perfect for any christmas parties. Would I buy this? It's just not something I would normally go for, so not for me!

Hot looks Nail Polish in Lemon Soda �1.79

I really like Collection 2000's nail varnishes, such a bargain & come in a great range of colours. This yellow one does not disappoint. Would I buy this? Yes, but I would recommend checking the brushes before you buy as some aren't very good.

 

Colour Match foundation in fair �5.99

This is a light to medium coverage foundation with a natural matte finish and SPF 20. It is formulated to adapt to your skin tone. I really like the packaging, it comes in a glass bottle with pink font on & is dispensed from a pump. Would I but this? I would consider buying this in the summer.

Smokey eye Palette �4.19

This palette comes with 8 different shades- matte,glittery & cream.Instructions are on the back to achieve the perfect smokey eye. Pigmentation is good, my favourite one is the cream highlighter. If you are an eyeshadow newbie this would be good for you! Would I buy? Yes I would.

Simmer Shades in Blushalicious �3.99

This blusher has four different coloured contour cubes. You can merge the colours together to create a customized shade to suit your skin tone. Really like all four shades and good pigmentation. Would I buy this? Yes, I've brought the bronzing one!

Pump Up the Volume Mascara �4.99

(as illustrated at top of post) This claims to give up to 12x more volume, I'm not sure about that. How could you tell anyway if it did! This definitely if the biggest mascara brush I have come across. So if your a bit messy when applying mascara I probably wouldn't recommend this. It took a while to get use it's size, but once I did I really like the length it adds. It also helped to lift lashes too but didn't do anything for thickness so I layered another mascara on top. Using the tip of the wand on bottom lashes gave a really nice effect. Would I buy this? Yes

Yay, you made it to the end of my babbling! Hope you found these reviews helpful. I will hopefully be posting some pictures soon of me wearing the products! Anything catch your eye? Browse Collection 2000's product here & watch behind the scene footage of Diana's shoot here! x

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face up

I don't normally brave the no foundation look, but I have been testing out some lovely skincare products lately (blog post coming up soon) and my skin is looking ok! Here is what I am wearing on my face and nails today. 

Mavala Matt Top Coat �10.25

Now this is something to rave about, you apply it on top of your nail varnish and it give them a matte look! Nice change from the norm glossy finish. 

MUA Face Powder in shade 1 �1.00

Make up for a �1? Yes please! I have tried a few things from this brand an have been really impressed by everything. I used a bit of this on my T zone to stop any oiliness.

Mavala Nail Varnish in French Cancan �2.99

This colour looks great on all skin tones, good quality and price!

MakeBelieve Illuminating Concealer �15.00

Popped some of this on my dark circles, around my nose and other blemishes. It has a pink undertone so it is ideal for covering blue dark circles.

MakeBelieve Bronzer �15.00

Another makebelieve product! The range is designed to enhance fake tan. I love this bronzer because it come in a sturdy compact, which includes a mirror and also the softest brush in THE world to help apply the product. 

Collection 2000 Cream Puff in Fairy Cake �2.99

I have so much love for these. I wrote a post on them a while back, you can read it here.

Shu Uemura Ultimate Expression Mascara �20.00

This mascara wand has a mixture of soft and hard bristles. It is set a 8 degrees to really hug every lash. It's smudge-proof, clump-proof and leaves my lashes looking longer!

Tried any of these products? x

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kia's essential guide to: mascara

Can you tell which mascara cost 16.50 and which one cost 1.99?

My face feels naked without a coat of mascara. There are so many mascara's available & it can be an absolute chore finding the perfect one.


The main difference between mascara's is their brush. You can buy fat ones, thin ones, little ones, curved ones, rotating ones, soft ones & thick ones.




Some also claim to have special formulas, for example.....

Bourjois Volume clubbing - 

"waterproof formula is 

enriched with vinyl for an intense look

that won�t budge all evening."

Bourjois Elastic Mascara -

"Enriched with hevea from the rubber tree"

Rimmel Volume Flash x10 - 

"Next generation �Quick-Bond� lash inflating formula with unique gel texture"

I think the main thing to look for in a mascara is the type of brush it has, Mascara's with hard bristles are going to separate the lashes. Curved brushes will help to curl eyelashes. Think about what you want you eyelashes to look like, do you want them to look thicker? curlier? longer? 

benefit badgal lash is the most expensive mascara I own, However my favourite one is natural collections lash length, second on the right. 

Do you have any tips and tricks when it comes to buying mascara?

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