Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder

Hi everyone,

Here's another quick review.  Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder.  Hourglass is fast becoming my new favourite cosmetics brand!  This is a lovely, very finely milled luminscent face powder that gives a beautiful soft glow to the skin.  It is supposed to mimic various times of the day and night to provide soft light and luminosity without looking like a disco queen (not that there's anything wrong with that of course).

   

Are available in 6 shades:

Ethereal Light: An opalescent sheer, cool white powder that mimics a moonlit glow—even in broad daylight.
 
Diffused Light:  A soft, warm, pale yellow powder that conceals redness and gives skin clarity—like a soft ray of morning light.

Dim Light: A neutral peach beige powder that blurs imperfections and highlights a radiant complexion with the perfect balance of warm and cool tones.

Mood Light:  A soft, sheer lavender pink powder that mimics the softest, most forgiving light and brightens the complexion.

Luminous Light: A champagne pearl powder that creates a soft, incandescent candlelit glow—day or night.

Radiant Light: A sun-kissed golden beige that enhances your tan

I have the Dim light (and no nothing to do with my intelligence thank you!) which beautifully sets my foundation without going cakey.  Especially under my eyes where I need emolient concealers and correctors.
I absolutely love it!  Yes it's a little on the expensive side.  But a little goes a long way.  There's no need to pile this stuff on.  A little on your T Zone and you're good to go.  I like quick and easy results.  Especially in the mornings!

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder is available from Mecca Cosmetica in Australia and retails $59.  For everyone else there's Sephora of course and Hourglass online as well their many concession stands in various department stores through out the USA.

I'd love to know what you think of these.  I think they are beautiful.

Until next time


Margaret

 

Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation

Hello everyone,

I haven't done a foundation review for a little while.  So here it is.

This foundation by Hourglass is absolutely amazing!  It makes your skin look flawless, even, matt but not dry and almost airbrushed perfect!

This is without a doubt a high end, premium foundation.  But quite frankly I think it's absolutely worth it!  At the moment, for my Australian followers, you can only buy Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation at Mecca Cosmetica and retails for $78.00.  Which in the scheme of things is more expensive that your budget brand such as L'Oreal and Maybelline.  However, in the same price range as Chanel and Estee Lauder.  So not completely over the top.  Plus with this product a little goes very far.  There's no need for powder as it finishes to a powder.

According to Hourglass:

An ultra-mattifying, anti-aging foundation that absorbs oil, camouflages imperfections and ensures a long-lasting flawless finish - without the need for touchups. Studies have shown an improvement in skin's overall appearance, with blemishes, acne scars and pores becoming visibly reduced in 4 weeks of use.*
Water-resistant and ideal for oily, combination or blemish-prone complexions.
Free of oil, paraben, gluten, fragrance, phthalate, synthetic dye and nanoparticles.  

I was curious to use it because even at my age my skin still has an oily T zone.  Most frustrating!!  But this product allows my skin to breath without getting all messy.  In fact my T zone isn't oily at all with this product. It really does absorb any excess oil which makes it perfect for those of us who have oily or combination skin.  And doesn't dry out any areas of the face which may be dry.  Used in conjunction with Hourglass' Mineral Veil Primer (which is a-maz-ing!!) you will look picture perfect without the appearance of wearing too much make up.  

 And honestly ladies I think that's our goal right?  To look like the most perfect version of ourselves but still be ourselves.

So bottom line?  I absolutely love it!  Perfect for summer when it's humid and hot.  At this stage Hourglass does not ship to Australia.  Fingers crossed that changes soon.  As mentioned in another blog, Sephora is coming to Australia but there's been no talk of when!  When that happens you'll be able to purchase Hourglass products there. 



Please let me know what you think of this product.  I'd love to hear from you.


Until next time

Margaret

Breakthrough liquid-to-powder formula delivers an unparalleled matte finish with real longevity that lasts all day, eliminating the need for powder, blotting tissues or constant touch-ups - See more at: http://www.hourglasscosmetics.com/catalog/product/view/id/244/s/immaculate-liquid-powder-foundation/category/14/#sthash.FMvRxRMh.dpuf

Breakthrough liquid-to-powder formula delivers an unparalleled matte finish with real longevity that lasts all day, eliminating the need for powder, blotting tissues or constant touch-ups - See more at: http://www.hourglasscosmetics.com/catalog/product/view/id/244/s/immaculate-liquid-powder-foundation/category/14/#sthash.FMvRxRMh.dpuf

Breakthrough liquid-to-powder formula delivers an unparalleled matte finish with real longevity that lasts all day, eliminating the need for powder, blotting tissues or constant touch-ups - See more at: http://www.hourglasscosmetics.com/catalog/product/view/id/244/s/immaculate-liquid-powder-foundation/category/14/#sthash.FMvRxRMh.dpuf

Rimmel Scandaleyes Retro Glam Mascara

Hello everyone,

Another mascara review!

This one has been sitting in my drawer for a little while.  I finally started using it about 3 weeks ago. I like it!  I don't loooove it!  But I don't hate it!  It's well priced.  It gives loads of volume and seperation to your lashes.  It's very black so creates beautiful definition without having needing to apply several coats.

The hourglass wand  creates lift and volume without too much clumpiness.

Having said that the wand does pick up alot of product and there needs to be depositing of product back into the tube.  But it's not too much of a bother.  The only downside for me is that is does smudge underneath the eyes.  I do have issues with this as I use quite emolient foundation and concealers which may add to the problem.  I suspect using the waterproof one would resolve this issue.  Haven't tried the waterproof yet but will let you know when I do.

Rimmel's Scandaleyes Retro Glam retails for around $16.95 AUD and you can buy it in Priceline, Target, K Mart and Big W.    Honestly some of you will love it and some of you will hate it.  But  you won't know until you try will you?  All in all it still doesn't beat my all time fave (at this point) L'Oreal's False Lash Butterfly Wings mascara but for the price I think it's worth it.  

Let me know what you think.


Until next time

Margaret

Blinc Cosmetics Liquid Eyeliner Pen review

Hello everyone,

 I hope all is well with you all.  Ok so a new review.  I am always searching for a great eyeliner pen that doesn't dry out and doesn't smudge off.  And on this never ending search I found the Blinc Cosmetics Liquid Eyeliner pen.  

 Some of you may have heard of Blinc's mascaras which come off in little tubes with water.  So I was intrigued.  Needless to say it has been one of the best purchases I have ever made!   At least so far.  I have worn it to work and no smudging or flaking. I've even worn it to the gym (the ultimate test) and again no smudging!  Best of all you can 'slide' it off with a little water and gentle pressure with your hand.  So need for make up remover yaay!  Unless of course you're wearing eyeshadows etc...

It's shaped like a felt tip pen.  I find it very easy to use and apply the liner without making a mistake. It's not a dry brush so it glides very smoothly across the eyelid.

According to their site this is the process for removal:

• Neither water alone nor pressure alone will remove blinc eyeliner.
• Only the combination of lots of warm water and gentle pressure, from your fingertips, a washcloth or water pressure (i.e. shower), will slide the "layer of colour" effortlessly off your skin into your hand.
• No makeup remover is necessary!
• Does not penetrate your skin and leaves no residue.

Retails at around $35.95 which is a higher price range to existing liquid liner pens, however for its features of long wearing and easy removal I'm happy to pay the extra amount. 
It can be purchased from beauty suppliers and also from beauticians and therapists.  Click on the link below to find your closest stockist.


http://www.blinccosmetics.com.au/index.php/stockist 

So again I really like and it's a great product if you struggle to keep your liquid or gel liner on.

Until next time

Margaret

L'Oreal Paris - False Lash Butterfly Wings Mascara

Hello everyone,

Ok so I know I said that the previous mascara I reviewed I loved (and still do), but this, this mascara, in my humble opinion, is the Holy Grail of mascaras.  I absolutely love it!!!

It's the wand that gives you the most amazing length and winged effect.  It is the 1stmascara with an asymmetrical brush/wand.

 The asymmetrical brush helps to lift and stretch your outer corner lashes to give you a fanned out lash effect. Very in season currently but never really out of season as it is a very classic look.  Helps to accentuate the feline look.  Partner it with a feline flick of eyeliner and you have a very effective way of opening up your eyes and looking beautifully seductive at the same time.  Who knew?  



The shorter bristles add the product to your lashes 
and the longer "winged" bristles help to stretch your lashes and wing them out. 

I have trialled this mascara for about 2 weeks and I really like it.  The formula is a heavy, wet formulation but smooth and silky, not clumpy.  And there are no flakes.  Your lashes don't feel stiff or crunchy.  
I have worn it to work, dancing and still no fallout nor smudging.  I did however wear it to the gym and I did get fallout and smudging after a particularly sweaty session.  But I wasn't wearing the waterproof so I think that's justified.  My eyes look so much bigger and my lashes just look amazing!

For a 'budget' mascara I think it's fantastic.  However, in my home country Australia it is quite expensive in comparison to other brands. It retails in Australia for $25.95, which I think is very expensive.  That's getting quite close to premium brands such as Lancome (which is owned by L'Oreal) and the like.  I would buy this on sale but I'm pretty sure you won't regret it.  I am very sure this will be my staple mascara from here on in.

I'm very impressed with it.  The packaging is slick using a metallic mirrored finish.  And of course that wand!

I'd really like to hear what you think of this mascara and welcome any feedback you may have on this or any other product.

Until next time

Margaret

Clinique's High Impact Curling Mascara

Hello everyone,

I hope you're all well and a very Happy Valentine's Day to you all.  Young, old, married, partnered or single I hope you're having a lovely day!

As promised I have a review on the Clinique High Impact Curling Mascara.  So here goes!

I love the original High Impact mascara, it gives lots of volume and lengthens beautifully without clumping.  The High Impact Curling mascara is just as lovely AND curls beautifully!  Goes on smoothly, each lash covered without any clumping.  And the result is VAVOOM!

It lifts each lash, with the richest, blackest black (black 01), coating each one, curling each lash.  It gives great volume too.  Really opens up the eye.  Please note, if you don't have a natural curl or have dead straight lashes it won't curl them really well.  It will hold for a little while but not for the whole day.  You will have to use an eyelash curler to create the curl you desire and then apply to your lashes.

 

It doesn't flake or smudge.  Ophthalmologist tested, safe for contact lens wearers.  I have tested it during our week long bouts of 40-46 degrees Celsius here in Melbourne. No smudging nor flaking!  I've yet to try  it in the gym.  That will be in the next few days.
All in all I'm very happy with this mascara.  It does exactly as it says it's going to do.  You don't need more than 2 coats.  In fact one is usually enough.  Removal is very easy coming off in little tubes.  Much like Kevin Aucoin's The Mascara and L'Oreal's Double Extend Beauty Tubes.  Easy!  Just add warm water or if you prefer your favourite eye make up remover.  

It retails here in Australia for $38.00 from the usual department stores but of course you can buy it overseas at any online store.  Check out Strawberrynet.com, Sephora (for our American and UK friends) and loads others.  You clever people know how to use the internet and google.

So a big thumbs up from me.  Please let me know what you think about it. I'd love to hear your feedback.

Until next time

Margaret

Make Up Forever Aqua Liner review

Hi again everyone,

Here comes another of many reviews of product bought on my last trip to New York Fashion week.  

This time it's Make Up Forever Aqua liquid liners.  I purchased 4 of these and have tested all of them under various conditions.  Some more harsh than others.  Now when MUF say waterproof they mean WATERPROOF!  I tested these swimming, at the gym, at work, at play, at dinner and drinks, dancing and this liner just won't budge!  For someone like me who suffers from watery eyes in spring it's a godsend.  

Colours pictured are (from the top) 4 (light green), 3 (forest green), 7 (purple) and 6 (navy blue).  All of these colours have shimmer in them so that are not a flat, matt colour which I quite like.  Each have a small tip which is easy to use although a little short.  But just like anything practise and you'll get it right.  The formula glides on very easily which makes for a precise line.

 

Some colours are stonger and deeper than others for instance numbers 3 and 7 are really pigmented and give a beautiful colour finish.  However, 4 and 6 are also beautiful colours.  Personally I like a little more depth so sometimes I go over the colour with another shadow or even double up with a thicker line of colour and then a fine line of black liner (closer to the lash line) to add some definition as I feel I need it having very dark brown eyes. 

Verdict?  I love them.  I love the fact that they don't come off until I'm ready to take them off.  Any good waterproof make up remover will take it off.  As will any oil.  Baby oil, jojoba oil, almond oil etc..

Now please be aware Make Up Forever is a professional make up brand and is not cheap.  Unfortunately it's not readily available in Australia anymore but I have found it on the Media Makeup store (click here: http://www.mediamakeupstore.com/make-up-for-ever/eyes/916/aqua-liner-/).  I don't think you need to be a make up artist to buy product but you will need to research that yourselves.  Come on I know you all use Google.

If you get a chance to buy and use it please let me know what you think.  I love comparing notes and trying out your ideas.  Always learning!

Until next time

Margaret

B-Lush Cosmetica