Essence Effect Eye Pencils Long-Lasting (Shades 1-6)

You may know by now I absolutely love bright coloured products that can just give you that extra oomph when it comes to make-up. Although for some it may not be wearable makeup I do find that for Clubbing, Halloween, and Festivals bright eyeliners look awesome!!

I'm sorry this looks so bad!!! On the links there are better photos! Sorry!!

And here I have all 6 Shades from Essence to review and swatch for you! These retail for £2 each so very cheap. As you can see the packaging is very reflective and so was a pain to photograph! But I do like how reflective and neon the packaging is as it makes it even more appropriate for festivals and party goers!!

Please excuse how terrible the pencils look. It's just that I got too excited and started using them before I realised that I hadn't taken a picture of it yet! :(

SILVER-SURFER (01)

Aptly named the Silver Surfer this shade is a very bold silver colour and can really draw the attention to your eyes and brings out the colour of your eyes. Now for all of you wanting to try something new I would definitely suggest trying this shade; and although it may not seem wearable, it truly is! My sister rocks silver eyeliner all the time and she really pulls it off. So I’m going to be passing this one on to her.

GOLD-DIGGER (02)

Now this Gold was so disappointing for me! I wanted to be one of those Golden Goddesses and unfortunately I think colour pay-off wasn’t exactly the best. Now I don’t know if this is just the way it looks on me but I find that it doesn’t suit me as much as I’d want it to. It blends in better into my skin and doesn’t stand out. This is probably due to the fact that my skin tone is a warm olive.

I would recommend this shade to darker skin tones and if you have cooler undertones to your skin as I feel it will stand out more.

STEEL-SMURF (03)

This blue is my second favourite shade out of the whole collection as it is such a brilliant electric blue, it really does follow suit to its name. Honestly it is fantastic. It applies evenly throughout the entire eye and it brings out brown eyes beautifully.

I don’t know how this will look on blue eyes but I imagine it depends on the shade of blue your eyes are.. I really think this will go perfectly for all skin types and am honestly in love with it.

 

IRON HULK (04)

Is definitely a strong bold green that definitely catches your eyes! I absolutely love this shade too. The application was really simple and the colour pay-off was just instant. I think this would look great on all skin tones! From the picture you can see that I should have gone over it a little more so that the middle of my eyelid had full colour but…..I was too excited, sorry!

 

METAL-PHANTOM (05)

Now for my Favourite shade. This was a very misleading shade as I had initially thought from the packaging just like the others that this was going to be a bright pink however I was pleasantly surprised as  it was a much more flattering shade. A PURPLE!! This is fantastic news for me as I was worried I was going to look like I had an irritated eye.
This appears a lot darker in person than it does on camera but I like both regardless. I think it is one of the most wearable shades in the collection and would loo amazing with a dark smoky eye or on its own too!

(!!This shade contains CARMINE!!)

 

 

ROBO-COP (06)

This shade is definitely the most wearable shade in the whole collection as it is a black. However it isn’t a true black. More like a very very very dark grey which is always good to have. I feel that this would be best used for that smudged eye makeup look. As you can see it applies fantastically well, and will suit absolutely everyone.

Overall thoughts are that my absolute favourites are definitely METAL-PHANTOM and STEEL-SMURF. As they are probably the most fun and best pigmented out of the lot. Of course the textures of these eyeliner are very creamy and of course therefore have the tendency to move around. Also it can imprint an incredibly light amount of product onto the top of your eyelids but of course that depends on your eyeshade as those with mono-lids don’t have to worry about this.

Regardless I do recommend this for everyone as these will be an awesome addition to any makeup! Plus if you are going to try branching into coloured eyeliner these are inexpensive so you won’t be wasting your money.
So let me know what you think? Which will you try and what's your favourite?

L.F.A. Xx

 

*These were given to me during an event however I always give my full and honest opinion*

 

Essence Colour Flash Volume Mascara (All Shades 1 - 5)

Every summer we see bright coloured make up ranges coming out and in particular coloured mascara! But at prices like £14 from Ciaté for coloured mascara which is a risqué product... I think cheaper alternatives are a must! I love a pop of colour and the concept of coloured mascaras amazes me and luckily these were given to me at the Essence Event so here is a complete range of coloured mascaras from Essence which you can get in Wilkinson  for £3 each.

There are 5 Shades available and they are, Petrol (02), Bright Blue (04), Emerald Green (01), Purple (05) and Pink (03). I've written them in the order of the photo so that there is no confusion! I know you are probably thinking that these are not wearable, however I believe you can wear it on just your bottom lashes to bring attention to the eyes or if your brave just full on colour! The darkest blue is probably your best bet!

So here i'll show you swatches of each shade but in numerical order! These are my natural lashes and I have NOT used an eyelash curler as a fair test to all my mascara reviews.
 (Please Excuse my Eyebrows!!)

Emerald Green (01)

 This Emerald Green shade is not what I saw the mascara. I was expecting a sort of a green turquoise just from looking at the bottle, however I am pleasantly surprised! I actually think despite how shocking this may look I actually think this may be very wearable. Maybe I'm insane but I really do love this and I think this may even be a dupe of the Ciaté - Nymph Mascara which retails for £14. No word of a lie I desperately wanted it because I hadn't seen that shade of coloured mascara done before! You can't imagine how glad I am that I didn't have to fork out £14!

Petrol (02)

 

 

This Dark Blue/ Navy shade called Petrol is the most wearable shade in the whole collection. And the shade that you can wear all year round, especially as we are going into the A/W Season this mascara would fit right in! I personally love this shade as it looks almost (well)  and I think it makes brown eyes look amazing! My sister who mind you is older than me bought one of her own after seeing it and incorporated it into her makeup bag. So I've seen first hand that it lasts all day and does not flake so for £3 it is a huge bargain!!

Pink (03)

 

 

This is probably the least wearable shade in the whole range as I find that I like/hate it. I think this would only be great as costume/festival makeup for someone with maybe green or blue eyes or maybe even a darker skin tone. But personally I find that I look like I have an eye infection or as if my eyes have been irritated. I think this is just going to be used as costume makeup for me or on my hair.

(!!This shade contains CARMINE!!)

Bright Blue (04)

 This lovely appropriately named Bright Blue Shade is a shocking electric looking colour. Personally I fond it most wearable on the bottom lashes and I really like it because as a glasses user I find that it helps my eyes stand out behind my glasses. Again I find that this shade helps brunette eyes stand out on a beautiful way and I will probably be using this frequently when I feel like I want a strong flash of colour!

Purple (05)

 Now this is another extremely un-wearable shade if not worse than the Pink, but yet I absolutely love it. I know I'm insane but I just love how frosty it looks! I feel like this would be amazing for Halloween or a festival! Or even an extreme winter look, or a harujuku style.... okay I'm not sure how you could wear this and not look a bit strange. But the most wearable way would be on the ends of your eyelashes as if snowflakes had fallen on them! Another reason why I like this is because I actually haven't seen this colour mascara before. EVER. So I can't wait to experiment and see if I can try and make this as wearable as possible!

 (!!This shade contains CARMINE!!)

 

 

Overall I am a big fan of this range due to the two extra colours that aren't usually available by budget brands and I find that compared to the MUA Coloured Mascaras (which I've reviewed before) paying £2 more does make a difference as I found that my eyelashes were more spread out (not as clumpy). What I will say is it dries quickly so you do have to be a bit quick when applying them. Again like any other mascara as I have Dark Brown/Black Eyelashes I did need to add a couple of coats for maximum colour, but it does not flake at all which I LOVE. 

 

So are there any here you would use? What other brands would you recommend?

 

 

L.F.A. Xx

 

*These were given to me during an event however I always give my full and honest opinion*

Essence Blogger Event

Last weekend I was lucky enough to attend the Blogger Event for Essence's UK Launch. Initially I hadn't heard of this brand till last October when Summer asked me to look for them whilst on holiday in Europe as they're Europe's #1 Brand....unfortunately I didn't, but I had the opportunity to see their range in this event!

The event was held in the most amazingly beautiful venue in Ladbroke Grove and we were welcomed in and presented with a lovely set up of tables with products ranging from Face, Eyes, Nails and More, which we could tryout and investigate. We were also given lovely drinks and food/lunch was also available! plus a lovely lounge where they even had phone chargers for us to use!!

When everyone arrived we were then given a presentation where they explained that all of their money goes into product development and that the reason why they are so cheap is because they don't focus or overcharge for packaging which is lovely! 

Also we were told that they follow the strict GMP (Goods Manufacturing Practice), that they have a Negative List of Products that they don't use either because they're harmful or unnecessary, and most important aspect is that they do NO ANIMAL TESTING!
 

There was also an area where we could go and take photographs with perfect lighting and of course there was an example of the stands they would be having at wilkinson stores and were told to help ourselves.

I, of course am an Nail Art, Nail Care..basically all Nails fanatic do when I met Laure the product developer for all/most of their nail products and when she told me about one of the products she developed the At Home Gell Nail Kit, she proceeded to show us how it worked! I will do a post on this separately as it is quite frankly amazing! There was a nail artist there but I got so caught up in the fun of doing my own that....I didn't get a chance to get them done T.T

Of course afterwards I looked over to other sections and also spoke to the eye product developer called Patricia (I believe) absolutely lovely and explained and showed us some of her "babies" and told us which products were the most popular in Germany and Europe, and explained a very interesting looking mascara, so expect a future post!
 

I also got my makeup done by the fabulous Nadira V Persaud, who told me off as I always touch my face (unnecessarily) which of course is not helping with my acne! And she did an amazing job as she covered all of my acne scars!!! and used coloured mascara  on my bottom lashes for an extra summer pop! Very wearable. I have no eyeshadow or brow product on. So very summer!
 

We were then wished away to Westfield White City (the one in west london) to see their cute little store! It's in the centre of the shopping centre so easily accessible for all you makeup fans! And it is currently open for you all to go and have a snoop around, although it will be more accessible to get as in July it will be available in Wilkinson!
 

And of course we got a fantastic packed goody bag that was filled with so many of their lovely products that I can't wait to play around with some of them!

One thing I absolutely love about this whole event was how nice, welcoming and proud they were of their products! They explained everything in detail and were super friendly and usually at the events I've been to it has been very serious almost awkward whereas this atmosphere was just so relaxing.

Honestly it's one of the best events that I've ever been to! And if you have the chance to get to or go to the Manchester Blogger Event on the 22nd June!

P.S. Please excuse my low quality photos!! I forgot my camera! T.T

L.F.A. Xx

EcoTools Six Piece Starter Brush Set

After having looked around and having countless discussions with fellow bloggers and my lovely bestie Summer.  I have decided to finally buy myself this brush starter set that includes:

• Blush Brush
• Concealer Brush
• Eye Shading Brush
• Angled Eyeliner Brush
• Lash & Brow Groomed
• Cosmetic Case

Now you guys may be horrified to find out that I didn't have and haven't ever used make up brushes. Like at all. I would just use my fingers, which I have been fine as I feel I have more control with but in certain circumstances (i.e. Wearing light colours or when I'm in a hurry,) it's been a bit of a bother. Therefore, I thought I'd go for a set of EcoTools.

I have heard wonders about these brushes and I absolutely love the fact that these are ethical. (To be honest I only got these because it looks really organic....do you see where I'm coming from?) 

The handles are made from Bamboo and the bristles are Taklon Synthetic and 100% Cruelty Free & Vegan Friendly.

Also the ferrule is made of Recycled Aluminium and the cosmetic case is also made from natural cotton and hemp. Which makes me feel like I'm supporting a sustainable trade!

I think this set is incredibly complete, and one thing that I really love is the fact that on the other side of the logo it tells you, what the purpose of the brush is for so brilliant if your a wally like me. However I'm more than certain I will end up using them how I please...hehehehhe.

I especially like the fact that it brings a Lash & Brow Groomer as brows are really in and my brows always need grooming!  

They are also incredibly soft, like ridiculously soft, so feels lovely to apply my makeup. I also really like the size of the eyeshadow brush as it large enough to just pick up eyeshadow one and cover my eyelid.  It's honestly lovely! And the Angled Eyeliner brush is phenomenal! I love to use it for an instant easy flick!

I also like the fact that this set doesn't bring a foundation brush. Wait! I haven't gone mad but it's just because there are loads of types of foundation brushes and it's good that they left it for you to decide what ones you want.

I really recommend that if your looking for a starting kit that you get this one!

ASDA for £9.50
Boots for £15.99

L.F.A. Xx

KIKO Makeup Milano Haul

KIKO Cosmetics has been a relatively new addition to London high streets as I have only seen two stores so far. (One in Stratford Westfield and on Oxford/Regent Street) Both of which opened last year, so since I needed a couple things I thought I'd pop in and have a browse (plus the SALE signs were also a pretty good incentive) I got all these in separate occasions so excuse the difference in lighting.

I did end up leaving with a couple of things. The only item I got from the SALE was the 30 Days Extension - Daily Treatment Mascara for £3.90 down from £7.99.Which I think is very cheap considering its a treatment and most normal mascaras are more expensive.
Sticking to the treatment theme I bought the Ultra Long - Post Stress Treatment Basecoat 11ml for £4.90 as my nails are unsettlingly short and I needed a base coat so with this I'd kill two birds with one stone!

I also got the Quick Dry Nail Lacquer 10ml in the colour Transparent, as Top Coat as I plan to make plenty of nail art designs this summer. I got this for £4.90. Though it may be more worthwhile to get the Gel Look - Ultra Glossy Effect Top Coat for that price.

Do you remember that last summer I w's looking for a dupe of a particular eyeshade from an ELF Pallets. Well I think I found it and it is the Infinity Eyeshadow - 210 Satin Brick  for £5.90. I know some of you may think that is a bit expensive for an eyeshade that doesn't even come in a compartment, but to be honest I really didn't care as I have been dying to buy this colour.

Last but no least I got the Velvet Mat - Satin Lipstick in 609 (called Cherry Red online) although it isn't really very red, more purple-ish. I got it for £6.90 which is amazingly cheap for its awesome packaging and colour. (you'll see more in future posts.)

So have you gotten anything from KIKO lately? And doesn't their packaging remind you of MACs?

L.F.A. Xx

What I got for Christmas!

As it was Christmas I thought it would nice to share with you what I got this year!

Like everyone I was given the gifts I Love, the ones I Needed and the you really shouldn't have, no really gifts.

So first the best gift ever was the Surface Tablet 2 (from which I'm currently writing from.!.!.!)

Then these 3 lovely jumpers. A Grey Knitted Jumper from Lipsy and a Beige and Dark Green Jumper from Primark.!.

A Knitted Polo Neck Jumper from H&M and a Pyjama Nightdress from BHS. 

You guys probably think I'm mad.!. T'is the season to be wearing fluffy trousers as PJ's but I find it uncomfortable and much prefer sleeping in shorts and baggy t-shirts or a Nightdress.

A Carhartt Grey Beanie, a silver Anklet, and 2 earrings.

Body Shop Cranberry Set and a Barry M Lipgloss, Headmaster Root Boost Mousse and Headmaster Shine Spray (All from my bestie.!.! YES I'm too spoilt.!.)

Body Shop Raspberry Body Butter, Sanctuary Spa Body Soufflé. 

French Connection Purse, Body Spray, Lipgloss and Mirror.

And a JLS Kiss Perfume.

That's all.!.! Well I shall let you decide what category they fit in.

What did you guys get for Christmas? 

L.F.A. Xx