Yves Saint Laurent - Baby Doll Mascara Review

YSL - Baby Doll Mascara

Brand Description - Seduction, all the way to the tip of the lashes. A vastly separated "eyes wide open lash look. The micro faceted brush makes lashes appear multiplied and magnified. On one side, thick and spaced bristles coat the lashes and create volume. On the other side, fine and close bristles reach every lash, including the smallest lashes at the corner of the eye for a full fringe effect.
Ophthalmologist tested. Suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. Price £24.50


Review

YSL seems to be the marmite of the mascara world, people seem to either love them or hate them. I have to admit i love their False Lash Effect mascara, i wouldn't say it is my favourite but if i was feeling flush with cash i would definitely repurchase it. The new Baby Doll mascara is a different story. On first use I hated it, I didn't pay attention to the different sides of the rubber bristle brush, mainly because it isn't very noticeable first thing in the morning when you are in a rush. Whatever side i used that morning it left my lashes clumpy, undefined and maybe a little longer than usual but nothing mind blowing. Disappointed i scoured the internet to read reviews to see what other people were saying about the extremely hyped product and to my surprise i appeared to be in the minority. For round two, with a bit more time on my hands I paid more attention to the brush and used the thicker bristled side first all over the lashes, working from the root to the tip and then went in with the finer bristled side at the corners on lightly on the bottom lashes. It certainly looked better than my first attempt and I was a little more impressed but still not bowled over. For my down-turned eyes I don't feel that this is the best choice for me but if you have a natural curl in your lashes then i think you would be impressed with the length and dramatic effect you get with just one coat. When you start to build it, it does start to get a bit clumpy but i know a lot of people love this kind of mascara look so this could be the mascara you have been waiting for. For me personally i think i will go back to the False Lash Effect when this is finished.

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Marc Jacobs' Debut Make Up Line - Marc Jacobs Beauty

On August 9th the new make up line Marc Jacobs Beauty will launch in the US at Sephora stores, Sephora.com and at selected Marc Jacob stores. In spring 2014 it will launch at Sephora stores in France, Italy and Spain and in the rest of Europe throughout 2014. No news for the UK as of yet. So what will we get when we manage to get our hands on it?

Talking to WWD about the line Marc said "I like the idea of transforming oneself, making and modelling yourself to what you feel like being, whether that's once a day, three times a day, seven times a week, whatever it is. I like the transformative qualities of fashion and fashion to me is not just clothing, it's handbags, it's shoes, it's clothes, it's hair, it's makeup, it's fragrance, it's the whole ritual of making those choices, of enjoying the ritual, of making choice that will tell the world who you want to be that day. I think everybody is the star in their own movie. And so you dress the part, depending on how you feel or what part is that day. I mean my shrink probably knows who I really am but most people know me as how i present myself."

It's no surprise that Marc Jacobs has been very hands on in creating his collection and we can expect to see his expert eye at work in creating the colour palettes throughout the collection he said that his overall colour palette "Tells a story and that story is based on a spirit. I chose different types of characters, such as ingénue. Formulas are like fabrics, fibers, each fiber, whether silk, cashmere or whatever, they have natural properties." His personality and sense of humour is also apparent in his choices of names for the products, Magic Marc'er Precision Pen Eyeliner and Style Eye-Con to name just a couple.

As the pictures suggest, this is going to be a huge collection from the launch comprising of 122 pieces which will be separated into four categories. The first of which is Smart Complexion which will include a foundation with anti-ageing ingredients and will be available in 16 shades. A brightening concealer pen which also contains anti-ageing ingredients which will be available in 7 shades and also a setting powder. The next category is called Blacquer and will include a precision pen eyeliner which is a waterproof black liner, a lash lifter and a gel crayon. The third category, Hi-per Colour includes, eyeshadows, blushes, lip products, nail polish and bronzer. The last category, the amusingly named Boy-Friendly, Girl Approved consists of a lip balm, a concealer and a brow tamer.

This looks like a gorgeous collection. I'm really impressed by the sheer volume of products that are going to be available from the launch, there is going to be a huge selection of colours to choose from. I hope this means that the prices are going to be reasonable enough to be able to invest in a few different products and shades. Are you excited for the launch? What products are you most looking forward to? 

Guerlain Khol Me Kajal - Noir Volcanique 01 Review

Guerlain - Khol Me Kajal

Brand Description - The original creamy liner. Guerlain has created the first multipurpose Kajal: the Kohl Me Kajal, for a tailor made makeup. Its creamy texture glides on perfectly, making it the ideal ally for all woman who love deep and magnetic make-up. Applied as a khol solely along the inside of the eyelid, it underlines and enhances the eyes with a provocative depth. Worked as a liner in a thick line along the upper lashes, it adds modern sophistication and widens the eyes. When used as an eyeshadow it is ideal for a very simple smokey eye. Price - £23.50

Review 

If there was one makeup product that i couldn't live without, it would be a good eyeliner. I have been wearing it as part of pretty much every make up look i have done since i started wearing make up many years ago. So when a new eyeliner comes on to the market I can't wait to try it, hoping it will as good as it promises. Very rarely does this actually happen but not with Guerlain's new kajal pencil, Khol Me Kajal in shade 01 Noir Volcanique. It is a gorgeous rich matte black liner which glides over the lid smoothly and effortlessly. It applies easily to the upper lash line and the waterline and can be smudged and used as an eyeshadow to quickly create a smokey eye. It lasts about 6 hours before starting to crease but if i seal it with an eyeshadow on top it still looks good 10 hours plus which makes it an excellent choice for a long wearing, everyday liner. It has become my eye makeup staple and i can't recommend it highly enough. The only downside i can see is that there doesn't seem to be any way to sharpen the point which means you may not be able to use it all which will be disappointing but as you get nearly double the amount of product than in your standard eyeliner pencil it's not a deal breaker.

Tom Ford Illuminating Cheek Color - Blush Guilt Review

Tom Ford - Illuminating Cheek Colour

Brand Description - Capturing the natural, warm tones the skin reflects at dusk the Tom Ford Illuminating Cheek Colour sculpts and defines cheekbones with a radiant glow. Pearls enhance the formula giving the cheeks gorgeous luster, added definition and structure and illumination. Apply a few strokes of the stick onto cheeks and blend into skin for a flawlessly radiant finish. Pair with Tom Ford Bronzing Powder for a sensuous, sun-bronzed effect. Price - £48

Review

Tom Ford's Illuminating Cheek Colour is the brands take on a creamy stick blush. This blush is sheer and dewy on the skin, very different to how it looks on the stick and it blends beautifully. As it is so sheer it looks great over a darker blush or bronzer, especially as a highlighter. It lasted well on my combination/oily skin, especially for such a dewy product and still looked good over a more matte effect mineral makeup when applied with a light hand. To use straight from the stick you would have to have a very minimal foundation coverage as it can look unnatural, especially with the slight shimmer when applied too heavily. Overall this is a very pretty, radiant blush for fans of a sheer coverage. I can't say this is a must have product because of the price and it won't make a dramatic difference by any means but if you are looking for one luxury item to add to your make up bag this summer, this is definitely one to consider.

Giorgio Armani Summer 2013 Collection

The new Giorgio Armani summer collection isn't as packed as some of the others hitting the counters at the moment but if it's quality over quantity I won't be complaining. The colour palette is kept fairly neutral for a classic bronzed summer look with a pop of colour available from the bright pink and red from the new Flash Lacquers. If the visual is anything to go by all of the products look stunning.


Face/Eyes

• Face and Eye Palette in Amber (First tier contains a warm golden bronzer, second tier contains three satin eyeshadows in Satin Beige, Rose Bloom and Mineral Bronze.) £60

• Eyes to Kill Eyeshadow Quad in 10 Mirage £49.50

Lips

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Flash Lacquer Crystal Shine Lip Glosses in 32 shades £23.50 each

The Face and Eye Palette is definitely high on my summer wish list although I have a feeling it will be too warm toned for me. At least there is a lip gloss shade for everyone with the amount they have released! I wasn't a huge fan of the ultra matte Lip Maestro so I can't wait to test these out and see how different they are. What do you think of the collection?