HG 2000 Calorie is true holy grail

As the title says, Max Factor's 2000 calorie dramatic volume mascara in black/brown truly is my current HG mascara. It gives my lashes the perfect dramatic look with lots of volume, fanned out fluttery lashes. Even today, I thought I might have gone a nit OTT with the shadow, but a couple of swipes of 2000 calorie upped the lashes and suddenly the shadow looked good. This is the first time I have ever wanted to buy the same mascara not just twice in a row, but third time round.

Here lies the problem... I cannot find this baby anywhere in Portugal at the moment and my usual internet site seller www.cheapsmells.com doesn't seem to have it in stock any more and they don't know when they will. Now, I could buy it from ebay, but with something as bacteria and all that bad stuff prone as mascara and the fact that it doesn't come sealed from most sellers, I am hesitant.

So, after all this, it seems that Max Factor 2000 calorie living up to the title Holy Grail more than ever. Hopefully, the search won't be quite as long;D

KIKO - Eyes Rescue

Described as a 'Total perfection eye contour cream', this was another of the Kiko products I put to the test recently. This was not expensive (+/- €10) for 15ml of product, a little goes a long way and it sinks into the skin pretty quickly. The consistency is more watery than that of a cream and there doesn't seem to be much of a scent, so no irritation. This could be great for those who don't feel they need a full on under eye cream yet or for those who prefer something lighter, perhaps under SPF. However, for those of you who like to feel your under eye area is intensely nourished and moisturised, this might not do it alone. Personally, I like to apply this much like a serum for the face, layered under a moisturiser and that way I feel it works better. If asked would I buy this again, honestly... I'm not sure. I'm a bit fickle and do I really need to add another step to my face regime? Maybe!

KIKO Eyes & Lips

You probably can't tell from the picture, but this is one of those two phase eye cleansers, you know, the type you have to shake well before using. As this is an oil based product, I bought it thinking I could say goodbye to those stubborn bits of mascara that just glue themselves to the base of your lashes.

I shook and shook, soaked my cotton wool, held to my eyes and waited (a la Lisa Eldridge), but alas, those stubborn bits remained. Defeated, I had to do a bit of rubbing as per usual. I might point out at this stage that I don't use waterproof mascara, just your usual black/brown variety.

This wasn't the worst eye makeup remover I've ever used and it didn't sting my eyes, but a miracle product it isn't.

Boticario Eye Primer

After trying an eye primer for the first time and finding there was a significant difference in terms of the time my shadow lasted, I thought I should try another. Hard to believe, I know, but eye primers seem to be something that's quite hard to get over here in Portugal. For some reason, very few of the high street brands seem to sell them. So, this time, it was o Boticario's primer that was selected for the test. I don't know how many of you have this brand in your country, but from what I know, it's Brazilian and ladies, when you enter their shops, you are met with a medley of yummy smelling goodies. They seem to have everything, ranging from hair products to perfumes. Price wise, they're not bad at all, this primer was €10.50. They also have an online shop that could be worth checking out.

So, I've been using this for the past couple of months, I didn't post about it earlier because I wanted to see how it fared when the weather heated up. Being in a squeezy tube applicator with a small nozzel, it's very easy to control the amount of product and very little is required. I find less is more with this. The reason being that the colour is very white and too much means teadeous blending.

That aside, this seems to feel kind of cooling when applied and dries quite quickly. Lasting power is average, while it does make the shadow last longer and gives the colour some punch, it's not infallible and won't keep things from creasing for an infinity, but for a full day of work and the trip home, this works nicely. The fact that so little is needed means this should last for ages:-)

Too Faced Lock Down in Bedroom Eyes and Dramarama

Traditionally I have always been a powder shadow girl. I don't know why, but they've always been more readily available and therefore, the colours are were varied. However, having watched a few tutorials, (Lisa Eldridge and Pixiwoo amongst others) where cream shadows were used to great effect, I decided it was time for a change.

After looking at various cream shadows online and weighing up my options, price/colour/availability I settled on Too Faced Lock Down in two colours, Bedroom Eyes ( described as a medium brown) and Dramarama ( described as a dark brown).

The creams arrived in tubes rather than tubs as pictured above, which seems more hygenic and a little goes a very long way, so the small size should not be too worrying. Upon first application I found these hard to master and if I'm very honest, I have to admit I suspect I shall always lean more towards powders when I need a five minute face. I was a little surprised at which colour turned out to be more flattering, as usually I love my dark browns, they're versatile, flattering to my blue eyes and generally a good safe option. However, it was Bedroom Eyes that was the more used in the end. This is a great colour, versatile and undemanding of endless blending. It looks great as a wash, a base or as part of a brown smokey eye. There's some sparkle without looking like the Christmas tree fairy and the wear is quite frankly, amazing. Still there after a full day's work in the heat.

Dramarama was somewhat less impressive. Now, I have to say, perhaps in more dexterous hands this would be better used, but I find it hard to blend and much less flattering, perhaps it's a bit too warm toned. It's too dark and opaque for a wash, too fluid for controlled crease work and too flat. It's been sitting in my bottomless makeup bag for months now, barely used. Maybe it will be resurected one day and put to use, but for now it is not to be.

So, if you're thinking of trying these out, I would suggest starting with Bedroom Eyes, it's a much better investment. If any of you have suggestions for using Dramarama, I would love to hear from you.

La Roche-Posay Physiologique Micellar Solution

Image sourced from http://www.laroche-posay.com/products-treatments/Physiological-cleansers/Physiological-Micellar-Solution-p654.aspx

This gentle cleanser is designed for use on the face, eyes and lips. Intended for use on sensitive skin, it's noncomedogenic and free of ingredients such as alcohol and  parabens. Initially, I tried using this as suggested, all over the face with cotton wool. However, I found that on my dry-combination skin, this was a little drying. However, where this cleanser really excels in my opinion is as an eye makeup remover. This performed much better than many of the eye makeup removers I have used over the years and cut through layer upon layer of mascara with ease. While not being the cheapest cleanser around, the bottle is quite generous at 200mls/ 6.76fl. oz. For those of you who like a multipurpose product or hate oily eye makeup removers. This could be what you've been looking for. 

Korres - Soft Eyeliner Pencil

As a daily eyeliner wearer ( it hides the smudges I tend to make with my mascara) I find pencil is the quickest and easiest for a soft, day appropriate look. Not being particularly loyal to any brand, I guess I just haven't found that HG liner, I like to try a different one every so often. Over the past couple of months I have been using Korres Soft Eyeliner Pencil in Metallic Brown (a very cool toned brown) and while I have found it easy to apply, soft and easily blended. I find it to have no staying power. To get around this problem, I have been using it just for smokey effects, but I like my products to be versitile and this just falls short. The search for the perfect liner pencil continues.

Naked Frustration

So, here I have been... lusting... hankering after the Urban Decay Naked Palette. Truly a thing of beauty, full of gorgeous neutral colours, every last one of which, I can envision myself wearing and enjoying daily.

There's a problem! Well, we all know (or do now) that there was a shortage and Urban Decay had to change the pencil included for a brush in order to keep up with production. So, I enquired about retailers in Portugal, since my usual online method continued to be fruitless, and Urban Decay have confirmed that there isn't a single retailer in the country. What? Now, let me get this straight, Sephora stocks this item in France, Italy and Spain, amongst other countries, but don't see fit to supply us in Portugal. For shame Sephora, for shame. I'm shaking my fist as I type. Are we so undeserving?

I am seriously not amused. The longer this palette continues to be unobtainable, the more seductive it gets. I swear, I'm dreaming about it on a nightly basis. My other shadows have been receiving contemptuous stares as I try to choose the one that least pales in comparison. This is becoming quite the unhealthy obsession. The worst thing is I have never had the privilege of trying an Urban Decay product, so in reality I have nothing to compare to, except the word of other bloggers who shamelessly flaunt their bounty (only joking ladies, it's on all your recommendations I base my love for this product, testament to the great reviews you write). I'm seriously green eyed right now.

I'm just going to have to console myself with a 'nata' (Portuguese custard tart), something that can only be had here, na na na na na na, so there!-D I would attach a picture of me in childlike sulky pose, but that would be slightly disturbing from a 30 year old I expect.

I'm eager to try Buff'd cosmetics

I came across this range for the first time today. Yes, I spent yet another lazy Sunday on the laptop. Mineral makeup is nothing new, most of us have already tried it and either love or hate the whole swirl, tap and buff thing. What I like about this range, besides the fact they deliver worldwide, is the option of a sample size for pretty much everything.  The samples are about half a teaspoon's worth and sell at $1.75. Great!

 They seem to have an extensive range of foundation colours, in three finishes including original, light and concealing. Even better, is that they have many of the shades in cools, neutrals and warms. It's hard to go wrong on this one. How many of you, like me have been caught out with the wrong shade in the past? I know some companies give the option of returning if it doesn't suit, but the cost of postage and hassle is a bit of a bother. I'd prefer to try a couple of samples, live with it for a week and then feel confident placing my order.

The foundation might be a good option for summer weather when breathable makeup is on the cards. I've got my eye on 2 shadows, dark taupe and medium taupe, as well as the eye brow mattes. Perhaps the colour correctors would be a good choice as well. Hey, for the price they charge for samples, I can have it all.

In addition to all the above, they also give the option of refills for a bit less than products in jars or sifters, which also saves on postage costs. Nice one. I'm sure most of us have sifter jars or containers at home that are crying out to be refilled.

Just in case you were wondering, I'm not affiliated with this company and haven't tried any of the products, but I think I'll have to give them a go. If you have tried them, please let me know.

Loreal - Derma Genesis Eye Contour Cream

Under the eyes, one of the most delicate and wrinkle prone areas. They show the first signs of aging, they're a giveaway after a late night. Such an important little area to pay particular attention to and yet, it is so hard to know if the cream we're using is working or not. On the rest of the face it's pretty easy to tell, congestion means your cream is too heavy, dryness means it's too light. However, for the undereye area it's not that straight forward. Use the right cream and you look rested and may fend off the wrinklies for a few more years. Use the wrong cream and those nasty little lines are coming all the sooner. What to do?

Well, I refuse to pay a fortune for a cream, especially if I have no idea if it's any good. I want something that makes the shadows less obvious and makes the area look a little fresher. I need something makeup won't slide off and if it doesn't break the bank, that's a plus. I hope (and have fingers and toes crossed) the lines leave me alone for a while.

Personally, I find Loreal Genesis appears to fit the bill. It feels creamy enough to imagine it's doing some good. It has a pearlised effect, which when applied very sparingly, flatters the skin and makes shadows a little less blue. Furthermore, it seems to work well under my foundation and concealer as well. This range is designed for that akward age group... too old for younger creams, too young for full on wrinkle creams. Let's call it the 'preventative' group.

Advice: Apply this very sparingly.

Sleek Storm Palette

I know I'm a bit late on the band wagon, but such is the world of beauty. Recently, I came upon so many good reviews for Sleek eyeshadow palettes, so just had to try one. Since I like my browns and smokey eyes, I chose the Storm i-Divine Palette. With a mixture of shimmers and mattes the colours looked like they were right up my street. These are pretty well priced on Sleek's website at €8.50. Including postage to Portugal it totalled at about €15. Bargain. 

My goodies arrived this morning. First impressions were that size wise the palette is not enormous, but it's very heavy. I think the pans may be quite deep. After a quick swatch on my snow white arm, the colours seem pretty pigmented. These were swatched dry without primer using just the sponge applicator included. All are shimmer except for the third from the left in the top row and the two first colours from the right on the bottom row. To be honest, I think I prefer the shimmers, but the matte black could be useful for smoking out other colours in my humble collection. The browns are your usual versatile mid tone browns, not terribly exciting  know, but very practical for every day use. Surprisingly, it's the 2 colours in the middle on the bottom row that have me all excited. One is so hard to descibe, in the palette it appears to have green tones, but on my skin it's more of a dark grey, but without the dreaded blue undertones. The one on the right is a very smokey greyish/ purple and is absolutely gorgeous. 

I predict I'm going to have some serious fun with this little beauty. This may even entice me to venture away from my oh so safe usual brown smokey eyes on occasion. It's so easy to get stuck in a rut when you have limited time to get ready in the mornings and know a look suits and takes just a couple of minutes to apply. 


Would I buy this again? Well, I think so, only time will tell. If I use it frequently then yes. Would I buy another palette from Sleek? Definitely! At this price and with quick delivery, I think  they may become one of my go tos when I need to incorporate something different into my routine.

Blinc Kiss me

Mascara, mascara, mascara. I simply cannot live without this stuff. A while ago, suffering from bad allergies, I came upon Blinc Kiss me mascara. So what? Well, the difference with this mascara is that it is latex based and therefore, does not contain many of the ingredients that are supposed to irritate allergies, plus it's waterproof. Fantastic I thought and set about procuring some of this magic stuff. As per usual I checked out reviews, which were mixed, then ordered from the UK. When it arrived, I was fascinated at the idea of a product that seemed so different, both in composition and in how it should be removed.



I'll explain... The idea is that rather than just sitting on lashes like waxy mascaras do, this forms little tubes around the lashes. When removing, there's no need for makeup remover. You literally get warm water and apply a little pressure to the lashes and these tubes slide right off. This is supposed to minimize trauma to the area and help to prevent wrinkles in addition to eliminating those last traces that never seem to come off no matter how much you cleanse.

I have to admit, I usually have to live with a new mascara for about a week before deciding whether I like it or not. This I did, as per the normal routine, but Blinc made my lashes look shorter and sparser than ever. I really was disappointed, but given the advice I had received that this type of mascara was better for allergy sufferers, I decided to try it with the lash primer of the same brand before casting it into the reject pile.



Again, I waited, experimented and low and behold... again I was disappointed. The result was slightly better, but pretty much en par with what I would expect from the average cheap product from a supermarket. Problem was, this was NOT cheap. The mascara alone was pretty much high end price, added to the cost of the primer it worked out as the most expensive mascara I have ever tried.

I did also try the primer as an overnight lash treatment, which seemed like a good idea, but honestly I get the same results from a slick of good ol Vaseline on my lashes. To the question 'Would I buy them again?' I would have to say 'No way!'. However, that being said, if you happen to be a long, thick lashed beauty, this could be a completely different story for you. I have to admit, removal was so strangely fun.

Fake lush lashes sans fake lashes

Suffering from allergies and having sensitive eyes has its problems. As someone who was blessed with long lashes albeit not of the particularly thick variety, I was then dealt the cruel blow of fair coloring. Yes, they are long, but they are invisible. I've experimented with salon tinting, which turned out a lovely color, but considering it did nothing for volume, I was hesitant to maintain the color monthly. Home tinting with a kit was difficult and I admit, rather scary not to mention the logistics were difficult to manage. Try keeping one eye closed and the other open for 15 minutes, while terrified of accidentally blinding yourself with foul smelling chemicals and you'll know what I mean. To top it off, the end result was a barely noticeable difference. I was slightly more mousy- lashed than blond. Not a success!

So, back to the wonderful world of mascaras I went. As a fair skinned blond I have always found brown mascaras have a nicer effect, less harsh than the more common black. I also have a preference for non water-proof mascaras. They can be so difficult to remove, it hardly seems worth the impending wrinkles all that rubbing could cause.  I've tried some of the less expensive brands, the best of which I found to be Maybelline Define-A-Lash Washable Lengthening Mascara. It didn't irritate my eyes and the color was a nice deep brown dark enough to define without looking hard. The brush was novel, not the traditional type of application brush with bristles, but a kind of plastic brush (for want of a better description) which was intended, I believe, to prevent clumps. 


However, I was still after that luxurious full lashed effect and eventually I found it in the Lancome Hypnose range. They are wonderful. They can be applied sparingly for a more natural daytime look or generously for a lovely feathery, million lashes dramatic look. I really cannot rave about it enough. They never clump, never irritate my eyes, even when they are watery from allergies and are so easy to apply in order to achieve the desired level of sophistication. Finally......... defined, come hither eyes.