E.L.F Eyelid Primer & Face Value??

We have been a bit slack on the reviews this week so here is one by S and a short piece on the cost of face creams by M, enjoy x


ELF EYELID PRIMER


When I first heard about this product, i must say, i was not convinced at all, i mean at £1.50, i had my doubts, but because of all the hype over this eyelid primer( just check it out on YouTube!) i just had to give it a try, and lets face it (lets be real!!!) at £1.50, yes, that's one pound and fifty pence, i decided to give it a go! and let me tell you i am glad i did.
 DIRECTIONS:- 

Apply a thin layer to eyelid and blend in with ring finger (err before you put your eye shadow on) allow to dry completely.

I have used a few eyelid primers, bare minerals, urban decay primer potion, and although they are very good, them brands are not cheap. when i first used this product, i was very impressed, not only does it dry fast (within seconds!) but my eye shadow did not crease all day, now that, is impressive for a product that costs less then a Starbucks coffee..

It just goes to show, that anyone can buy the latest beauty products for a fraction of the price! as not everyone can afford mac, or urban decay..and as far as i am concerned, if it works, its a keeper.

so, if you are a person who's always wanted to try an eyelid primer but have been put off with the prices of some of them out there, please try this one, it's cheap, and it does what it says!

you can find this eyelid primer at www.elfcosmectics.co.uk

S xx



FACE VALUE??

A few months back I found that i had 2 vouchers from boots for £5 off No7 just as my day and night creams were running out, straight away  thought i would try protect and perfect  range.

I remember the hype it caused when word got round how good it was and boots had finally restocked, passing the mile long queue I thought "wow, this must be really good"  and vowed that i would try it as soon as i could.

fast forward 2 or so years later, i never got around to trying it what with me getting pregnant and my skin going completely mental afterwards.

So I went along to Boots to pick them up and to my horror the £5 voucher hardly made a dent in the price so i went for the cheaper endless moisture range instead but it got me thinking about the cost of face creams in general.

I sure I'm not the only one to notice but the cost of face creams seem have shot up lately, gone are the days when you could get a whole 5 piece set (that's face wash, cleanser, toner, day cream and night cream) for under £30, unless there is a special offer going on at the time.

is there really a difference between a £6 cream and a £40 one?? are we actually getting value for money?? It seems the more claims they make about what the cream can do for your skin the more expensive it is.

Plus it can be ever so confusing as one minute your hearing about a must have face cream for jaw dropping £200 you think to yourself "am i spending too little on my face cream"  then before you know it  your hearing about the miracle £1.89 one from a supermarket!!! what is a girl to do??

As expensive as i thought the protect and perfect range was it actually is one of the more reasonably priced ranges out there. 

i guess it all boils down to what your budget is.

But it seems to me that beauty companies have us by the balls as face creams are an absolute essential for us.  it is something that no woman no matter her age can or will go without.

So I'm going to start saving for when I next run out, I suggest you do the same…..

M x

Mally Volumizing Mascara

Let me start off by saying, I am a, mascara, addict! its, awful, i've used high end mascaras such as diorshow to rimmel! i know i am a nightmare! let me start off by saying i am so over excited to tell you about MALLY'S VOLUMIZING MASCARA! so here it goes....

Firstly let me say, if, that is, if you want  long black, and not just black, but a glossy looking, highly pigmented, long lasting (taking a deep breath now!) black mascara, which lengthens, thickens, separates, and is clump FREEEEEEEEEEE! look no further then this mascara! and not only does it do all of the above, but (drum roll please pu-lezz!) your eyelashes are soft to the TOUCH also!...ahh-ma-zin, amazing!

Directions
Apply two coats to the top lashes and one coat on the bottom lashes!

If you want an intense, black mascara, which does not smudge or fade...try mally's volumizing mascara. 

The only only down side to this mascara is it is hard to get off...I use Liz Earles cleanse and polish, to take mine off and it works a treat, or an oil based eye makeup remover..

you can purchase mallys volumizing mascara at www.qvcuk.com or www.ebay.co.uk

on the www.qvcuk.com mallys mascara comes in a duo for £19.79, it also comes in waterproof!!!

S xx

Collection 2000 Hot Looks nail polish in "Teeny Bikini"

Recently a few make up companies have been bring out smaller bottles of colours, i'm assuming that this is because of money being tight for everybody nowadays, with them being cheaper than a normal size bottle of polish it means that you wont have a reason not to splash out on a new bottle.

I came across this range from collection 2000 last year, I noticed that a lot of their colours are bang on trend, which is always good in my book.

This summer they have brought out a range of colours that "so now" and I have to admit I now own quite a few, so you can expect a few reviews on this range.

The colour "teeny bikini" is a beautiful not too dark purple.
The consistency of the polish is good, as it is a dark colour you wont need more than 2 coats to get good coverage.
On the bottle it claims that it is fast dry and to be honest it is, by the time I had finished my right hand my left hand was touch dry.

Its long lasting too, I painted my nails last Sunday (a Sunday night tradition!!!) and as you can see in the photos they still look really good, just a bit of wear and tear on the tips due to me typing all the time!!!

So all in all I love this colour, if you love your dark colours in the winter then this is a perfect alternative for the summer.

Other companies are doing a similar colour, Rimmel's is called "perfect plum" from the I love lasting finish range and Barry M's nail paint in "bright purple" number "np303".

The best thing about the hot looks collection is the price £1.79!!! a perfect guilt free treat!!

5 out of 5 stars ★★★★★

You can get the Hot Looks range from Boots in store or on line at www.boots.com or Superdrug in store.
You can find out more about the range and the colours at www.collection2000.co.uk

M x

OPI's "ORIGINAL NAIL ENVY" natural nail strengthener

Let me start of by saying sadly I had never even heard of OPI  false stop! until late last year! if I had known about this product I would've never put my nails through the traumatic experience of getting gel refils every month for a year! (tut tut tut) .

Experience

I had been getting gel refils for a year, one day I just got fed up of them and just wanted to look after my natural nails. I was telling my friend (aka the wife!) about another nail product ( which is also very well known) and she looked at me like i'd just told her i, was, having triplets! (shock, horror, with a pinch of pity!)...then she informed me about "opi's nail envy" and thank goodness she did, as i would be lost without it, and yess i do have back up bottles of the stuff!

After taking my gel refils off,(sausage fingers spring to mind!) my nails were very weak and paper like, after using opi for 2weeks i could see a difference, my nails were stronger, after two months my nails were fantastic!

Directions

Apply two coats of the nail envy, then one coat, every other day on top, for seven days..then take it off and start from fresh..do it do it NOW!

verdict :- I really do adore this product, if you are thinking about giving your nails a break from refils, or taking them off all together...two words "BUY IT" sorry make it three words "buy it NOW!" 
 
You can get nail envy in clear, matt or pink, it comes in a 15ml bottle.


You can buy opi's nail envy at www.boots.com  www.qvcuk.com  or www.amazon.co.uk 


Qvc tend to sell nail envy as a duo or as part of some sets which work out better value.

PROCEED WITH CAUTION:- as you will become ADDICTED

Prices start from £15 


S x

Ojon Restorative Hair treatment

If you have not heard about this, let me tell you , you do not know what you have been missing, this product is fantastic! if you have dry damaged hair, over processed hair, you should give this a try...yess it really is that GOOD!

Directions  

• apply onto dry hair
• scoop half a teaspoon (i guess it depends on the amount of hair you have, thickness etc etc) in your hands
• warm the treatment by rubbing it in your hands until the OJON, becomes an oil..(as the product itself is like candle wax, solid!)
• distribute evenly throughout hair and scalp until hair is fully coated
• you can leave it on your hair for 20mins, few hours or overnight ( if overnight, wear a shower cap)

My experience 

I first heard about this product when watching qvc, but the the price of it did put me off! so i googled it, and saw alot of people with my hair type ( which is relaxed) and they were giving the treatment rave reviews, but i still said hmmmm, too expensive, it was only when i went to the "qvc beauty bash" back in january of this year, and in the goodie bag ( and it was a huge goodie bag) was two 50ml of "ojon restorative hair treatment. I followed the directions ( i did it overnight)  when washing my hair, the next day my hair felt amazing! so soft!, when i finished blow drying,my hair was bone straight, no need for my ghds! at all..i was so impressed, been inlove with "ojon restorative hair treatment" ever since!.

pro's

• it works!
• smells lush
• you will notice the difference asap!
• product lasts a long time
• very nice packaging

con's

• very strong odour (packs a punch)
• expensive

you can buy "ojon restorative hair treatment" from:- jhonlewis.com
qvc.co.uk or direct from there website www.ojon.com

S x

Nails Inc vitamin E oil pen

This is my first review of a Nail Inc product, i do quite like them so you can expect many more!!

As a young girl I read a lot of beauty books and magazines and one item I kept coming across was cuticle oil.  Then once i was older and learning about nails i realised how important it actually was.

The nails inc nail pen has evolved since it first came out around 10 years ago, it started life as a bottle with a rollerball at the top, it had never been done before and it was great!! to begin with…. overtime the bottle began to leak, so they decided to re-design it in the form of a pen.

It comes in a silver pen with a brush as a tip,  you have to click the bottom for the oil to release into the brush. The oil its self is quite light and has a lovely lavender smell, which is not too overpowering. 

Personally I think this is one of the best cuticle oils i've come across,  it brings the most malnourished cuticles back to life, it does what it says on the tin and the fact that you can pop it in the the smallest of hand/ makeup bags makes it even better.

4 out of 5 stars ★★★★

One pen will set you back £12 or you can get a duo for £18, You can get it from nailsinc.com but do take a look around on the treatment part of the site as the pen comes as part of the sets which cost £25, I would highly recommend this as it worked out as better value and you can try out some of their other products too ☺

M x

Liz Earle's Cleanse & Polish and Superdrugs Vitamin E, Hot Cloth Cleanser

Here are today's reviews done by S, enjoy!!!

Liz Earle's Cleanse & Polish

LIZ EARLE'S cleanse & polish  I have been using on and off for the past 5-6mths..and at £11.75 for 100ml, it is not cheap! with added ingredients such as chamomile, eucalyptus, cocoa butter, this is worth every single penny!

Directions:-  massage onto dry skin, over your eyes face and neck..rinse the muslin cloth in hand held hot water, wring out, then polish off the cream, after splash your face with cold water.

What Liz Earle states

"this cleanse & polish removes all traces of grime and make-up, even stuburn mascara"

MY Experience

Hmmm, when I first heard of this, the price was off putting straight away... i mean £11.75 for 100ml, I wasnt impressed. I saw an offer on QVC so decided to give it a try..( and  with there 30day money back guarntee, why not!)

Well, one word to describe this product is "ahh-ma-zing" . The first time i used it, my skin felt great, after the first week, I noticed a huge difference, needless to say i was plesently surprised..and put it this way, i have three extra back ups in my storage cuboard!. This product didnt leave my face feeling dry or tight, just smooth and soft..great for removing make-up. would i recomend it..ofcourse! give it a try..atwww.lizearle.com

PRO's

• smells amazing
• nice packaging
• removes all traces of make-up!
• removes stuburn mascara! woooo hoooo!

CON's

• expensive
• the strong smell is not for everyone

Sorry for the sideways shot, can not get it to rotate for love nor money!!!!

Superdrugs Vitamin E, Hot cloth cleanser

Firstly, let me tell you that i was shocked, so shocked! when i saw that superdrug had come out with a " hot cloth cleanser"  the price alone almost bought me to tears! lol! so, after calling the wife  screaming down the phone, in distress might i add (all i could hear was laughing by the way, yeah laugh-ing) i inhaled, then exhaled, and bought the " hot cloth cleanser". After all with a price tag of £3.99  for 200ml, you can not go wrong!

Directions    

Directions are pretty straight forward, you massage the cleanser onto your face and neck, rinse the muslin cloth ( which is also provided!) in hand held hot water before polishing off the cleanser, then splash your face with cold water. Then follow on with your toner, day cream, if you use one,which, i hope you do!

My experience 

The cleanser for me was ok, nothing amazing, it smelt creamy, and when applyed to my face it was, nice. The muslin cloth provided, was a little bit on the rough side, but at £3.99 its not a big issue, i just had to take extra care around the eye area. After spalshing my face with cold water, my face felt smooth, ohh so smooth, but a tad bit on the dry side. My verdict, it is a good product, if you are on a tight budget this is a good purchase! so get down to superdrugs and try it!

PRO's
 

• Budget friendly
• smells nice
• alright packaging
• comes with muslin cloth
• creamy

Don't forget to tell us what you think, you can place your comments in the box below, like us on Facebook (Sm beauty reviews) and if your up for more beauty goodness follow us on twitter (@smbeauty16) x 

Rimmel Day 2 Night Mascara

Now I tend to have a love/hate relationship with Rimmel products, they tend to be a bit hit and miss.

When I first saw the ad for this mascara, my first thought was "oh great another gimmicky mascara"  especially when the budget end is full of them at the moment.

However I thought the Lash accelerator that they brought out last year was ace, it really worked well (for me at least anyway!!!)

As it was a couple of quid cheaper everywhere the first few weeks it was out, I decided to give it a try.

Rimmel says:

"Mutil - tasking, 2 in 1 defined length / intense volume mascara - top cap: Exceptionally defined and ultra lengthened lashes - bottom cap: Thickens lashes with voluptuous, oversized volume - No clumps"  

It comes in a "magic" tube which as both brushes in the cap, the top cap brings out the brush for "day" and the bottom cap brings out the "night" brush.

The "day" brush promises a lengthen toned downed day look, so I thought i'd try that one first. 

It went on my lashes very nicely and had a gorgeous consistency, it made my lashes look long and defined. It reminded me a lot of the Lash accelerator. After a couple of coats I was very impressed its great for a daytime look for work or the school run and more importantly I had no clumps whatsoever.

So on a rare night out I decided to try the "night" brush and WOWWEE!!!!  it is absolutely amazing it made my eyes pop and look seductive at the same time.

The brush is bigger than the "day" and gives a lot more volume to your lashes. I tend to put on way more than two coats if i'm going on a night out but with this two coats was more than enough and again no clumps!!!!

Also if you already have applied it with the "day" brush the "night" brush builds up the lashes perfectly with out feeling heavy so there is no need to take off what you have on already especially if your in a rush.

so to summarise this mascara is a must buy!!! it is perfect to keep in your handbag for the office to the bar and if your a busy mum and you are only going to have one mascara for the next 3-6 months then I highly recommend you get your hands on this one.   

4 stars out of 5 (if they release it in waterproof then it will be 5 stars!!!) ★★★★

You can get it from either Boots or Superdrugs from around £7.99 but do check for offers as both stores tend to do offers such as 3 for 2 - it is available in black and brown ☺

Photos below show the tube, the "day" brush and the "night" brush

M x

Here's to the start of something beautiful

Hello there finally!!!

Have had a few hitches today but we are now ready to go.

We have some great reviews coming up later today along with some photos, so please take a read subscribe and tell us what you think on on our facebook and twitter pages.

Please note that we have NOT been sent any products by any companies to review, all the products we review have been paid for by us out of our own back pockets!!!

We have been very excited in the run up to today and can not wait to share our knowledge with you and you to share your knowledge with us so.......

Here's to the start of something beautiful x