MUA Review Series #4 Eye Primer

I'm really enjoying writing this mini series reviewing MUA products and if judged purely on views and comments people seem to be happy to read the posts, which is lovely – so on I go!

MUA fit in with my belief that make-up of a decent quality needn't cost the earth, and every budget product that I genuinely like feels like a proverbial slap in the face for the more expensive brands and their slick marketing teams who stick their label on a mediocre product and we all baa our way down to Boots to buy it - of which I have been frequently guilty.
That's not to say that I've loved every MUA product I've tried, however.

This week I thought I'd talk about a product I use most days: Pro Base Eye Primer. Since starting to wear eyeshadow pretty much every day, within the last year or so, I frequently experienced the nasty creasing and uneven wear that comes with the application of make up at 6.30am and my return home around 12 hours later. So I decided it was time for a primer. Because my morning routine didn't have enough stages already..!



I was quite surprised to have this one recommended to me by my high-end-makeup-loving colleague, as I've never seen her use anything lower on the food chain than Clinique. She in turn had had it recommended to her by the make-up artist she frequently uses for weddings and events, so the signs were promising.


As with most MUA products the packaging is no-frills, but it's functional and after around 4 months it still looks the same as the day of purchase. The primer has a doe-foot applicator, which needs to be wiped before use because it's a bit keen-bean with the amount of product it brings out, especially as a little goes a long way. It doesn't look dissimilar to liquid concealer; beige with perhaps a slightly more pink-tone. Unlike other primers this doesn't dry clear, or soak in - it leaves a subtle creamy colour on the eyelid. I know some people prefer primer to be undetectable but I like that it corrects the colour of my eyelids because I have quite obvious veins on them (or arteries.. I should have listened in GCSE science), and they are quite red, so I like the coverage it gives as it shows the colour of the eyeshadow more accurately. 


I pat the primer in using my ring finger, and give it around 30 seconds before applying eyeshadow. Happily it isn't sticky or tacky once dry and I feel like it gives a smoother base for my eyeshadow, which stops it sitting in lines. Without this primer I'm conscious that most eyeshadows  just don’t have the longevity for a full day at work, whereas when I pop some primer underneath it does last until 5pm-ish without too much difficulty. My eyeshadow certainly doesn't wear any worse than my foundation, which I can live with. This primer also performed remarkably well during the ridiculous heatwave in June/July, which was disastrous for the rest of my make up. Argh the memories...foundation dripping away..!



I don't doubt that there are several superior primers out there, and the Urban Decay Primer Potion is extremely popular, but at £15 for something that isn't a 'star' of your make up, it’s a pretty big purchase – although one I intend to make at some point. If you have a limited budget then i'd rather be spending more on mascara and foundation than on eye primer. MUA Pro Base Eye Primer is £2.50 from MUA or Superdrug, which is quite a bargain really.

 

I’ll be repurchasing this when it eventually runs out and if you’re on the hunt for a budget eye primer I’d definitely recommend it.

 

Which is your favourite primer? Is primer something you’re happy to spend a lot on?

 

Suzy

xx

 

NAKED: Rescue Intensive Care Haircare Review

I like the idea of SLS/silicone free haircare.  I don't demand it as I mentioned here, but as long as it actually works I'm happy to be all righteous and natural. This shampoo and conditioner are 97% natural and designed for frizzy damaged hair, which I have. 

From their description they should be ideal for my hair:
"For hair that is shouting SOS and in major need of TLC, Naked comes to the rescue! Whether your hair is looking a bit sad or is the victim of some serious abuse this combo is sure to please. Naked Rescue Shampoo and Conditioner team ‘smooth operators’ shea butter with olive oil to help work hard at tackling frizzy and split hair."

Sadly, they don't work.  At all.

 

Naked Rescue Intensive Care Shampoo

This left my hair feeling unwashed, despite washing it twice. The packaging says you'll get a better lather on your second wash, which is true, but it still doesn't clean my hair properly.  To the extent where when I'd dried my hair, parts of it still looked greasy.  Ughhhh. I'd definitely washed all of the shampoo and conditioner out too.  It just wasn't strong enough to actually clean my hair and my hair was just left coated with a weird film that felt nasty and heavy.  Heavy hair..is that a thing?!

Naked Rescue Intensive Care Conditioner

The only thing positive thing I can muster about this conditioner is that it's so thick you don't need to use much.  So it'll last you a while. Although I'd rather it hadn't.  It left my hair really weighed down and was an absolute nightmare to wash out.

I should mention that I previously used the Naked Colour Protection Shampoo and Conditioner and they worked perfectly well.  They even made my hair shiny.  Even so I didn't repurchase because having to use so much shampoo though is no good for me as I have pretty long hair, so I was speeding through the bottle far too fast. As I wash my hair every morning (tut tut)I don't want to further damage it by washing it twice, I only expect to have to do it once.  This doesn't appear to be sufficient with any of the Naked range though and that means I won't be buying it again.

I've now discarded the shampoo to Adam, who does actually likes it.  He has a really sensitive scalp and it doesn't react with his psoriasis at all, so that's good. Even he won't touch the conditioner though. I feel like shea butter should be kept for body lotion, not hair - it just doesn't work.

I definitely won't be using it again, or repurchasing - if you have the desire to do so the shampoo and conditioner both retail at £3.99 for 250ml.

Have you tried any Naked products? Do you feel that SLS free shampoo cleans your hair properly?

Suzy
xx

#theSOproject WEEK 4: Bronzer

As a person who's so pale they're almost see-through, I just look bizarre if I try to make myself look tanned.  I never fake tan either so I'm all about looking 'pale and interesting' with a little bit of blush.
If you are similarly pale: treat bronzer with extreme caution:

My bronzing tips for a subtle look1) Don't go too dark.  It might sound obvious but anything darker than a couple of shades from your base will look ridiculous.  And muddy.  Noone likes a muddy face.2) Under no circumstances apply it all over your face.  Only put it where the sun would naturally hit - temples, cheek bones and the bridge of your nose.  Less is more.3) Use a brush that will give you plenty of control - a massive powder brush will apply way too much product.  Real Techniques' contour brush is good as it doesn't pick up too much product and it's nice and small so you can concentrate on specific areas.


Currently I only own 2 bronzers; one of which is too dark for me: Bare Minerals Warmth All-Over Face Colour. This came as part of the starter set I bought about a year ago and sadly the tone of it is too warm and it just looks like I've smeared dirt on my face.  I find it slightly alarming that this is marketed as an all over face colour..even with the lightest of touches and blending as though your lift depends on it, this would look outrageous all over the face. Just don't. This would be ok for you if you have slightly darker skin, and it's £19 from bareminerals.co.uk.The other bronzing product I have, and would recommend, is Avon Glow Bronzing Peals.  I like these because some of the pearls are more pink toned and it gives a more natural glow than full on bronze. Pearls typically last forever too, which is a bonus. These are currently reduced to £5 at avonshop.co.uk.

The other thing I've tried for contouring is using a pressed powder 2 shades darker than my skin tone, and this works brilliantly as it's more of a natural skintone.  If you're new to contouring I'd definitely recommend this rather than bronzer - MUA's pressed powder in shade 3 is a good option for this and retails at just £1.

Hopefully that helps in some way. I'm aware I've talked as though bronzer should be treated as a dangerous acid or something, but no one wants to look like a crazy orange person - a mistake I definitely made as a teenager!
Suzy
xx


x

The Autumn Tag

Jess from Lovely Jubbly Blog tagged me to do the Autumn Tag, which is definitely appropriate as it's flipping freezing this week..I've cracked out the fluffy socks and everything!

For Autumn what's your.... 

1.  Favourite thing about it? 

Getting home from work, putting the heating on, snuggling up on the sofa and knowing I don't have to go back out again cos it's cold and dark. 

2.  Favourite drink? 

Malteasers hot chocolate or Ovaltine. Mmm.

3.  Favourite scent/candle?

Vanilla candles are my all-year favourites.  I do like spiced candles for winter, but for Autumn I still stick to my vanilla.

Perfume wise I love Hugo Boss Deep Red as it's a little heavier than Daisy/Fantasy which I've been wearing for spring/summer.

4.  Best lipstick? 

I tend to stick to lipbalms in autumn because I get horribly chapped lips. This year I'll probably be whacking on the Maybelline Babylips quite a bit but I always have a trusty pot of Body Shop's Passionberry in my drawer at work.

5.  Go to moisturiser?  

I mentioned in my #thesoproject skincare post that I am yet to find my perfect moisturiser.  I'm still plodding my way through Clinique Superdefense, which is ok, but I'll be buying a new moisturiser for winter in the next month or so - any recommendations??

6.  Go to colours for the eyes? 

I only ever wear neutrals- colours feels a bit 'fancy dress' on me! Bronze, gold and taupe are my favourites. My most worn shadow in the day time is soap and glory's Lid Stuff - the champagne shade (Top right, below).

 I've been using my MUA undressed palette over the last week or so again too and I'm really liking it.  

7.  Favourite music or band/singer to listen to? 

I hardly ever listen to my own music.. is that weird?! I spend at least 2 hours commuting to work every day and I always have the radio on cos it keeps me more entertained feeling as though someone's chatting to me, so I'll be listening to whatever Radio 1 play to me!  I'm really liking 'Roar' by Katy Perry and 'Same Love' by Macklemore at the moment, but I have a short attention span for music so that'll likely change by the end of the week! 

8.  Favourite outfit to wear?

I am completely obsessed with scarves and I wear them with pretty much everything in autumn. They're so cosy and reassuring though! My favourite things to do though is to get changed into my PJs after work, so without a doubt that's my favourite outfit!

9.  Autumn treat?

Starbucks hot chocolate after a chilly shopping trip or a cheeky Dominos whilst watching X Factor!

10.  Favourite place to be?

At home, all cosy and warm while it's raining outside! I'm such a homebody in autumn/winter!

Thanks again to Jess for tagging me.  

Here are the lovely bloggers I'd like to tag

Louisa at Louisa Loves 217

Charley at Rambling of a Beauty Blogger

Anoushka at Anoushka Loves

Charlotte at Char's Insights

Steph at Steph's Inside Voice

Suzy

xx

Birchbox September 2013

This was my first ever Birchbox. I've been umming and ahhing for over a year whether it was really worth it but I had a sudden rush of blood to the head one day a couple of weeks ago and just ordered it.

It's only £10 (plus p&p) but having been an avid reader and YouTube viewer of Birchbox/Glossybox monthly reviews I know how hit and miss they can be. And frankly both companies seem to use a hefty chunk of artistic license with their approach to what can be deemed a 'high end' product.

I was unashamedly excited about my Birchbox arriving yesterday and tore into it within 2 seconds flat. In fact when our apartment buzzer went I did a little SQUEEEE because I knew what it'd be. 

This month is London Fashion Week, so Birchbox have gone with the theme 'backstage to real life', with 5 products + 1 extra.

These are the products I got in my box:

 Reverence de Bastien Nail Lacquer (£16)
I received shade No 2, which is a vibrant scarlet red shade.  I love the colour and I've had it on my nails since yesterday with no chipping so far! It's super glossy and aside from the nasty cheap plastic lid to the polish, it does feel really luxurious.  £16 seems a tad excessive for nail polish and it isn't something I'd have bought so it's really nice to get it in a beauty box!

Bioderma Sensibio H20 (£9.99)
This is only a 20ml bottle of Bioderma, which i'll probably save for when I'm next away for the weekend. I have a big bottle of Bioderma which I use from time to time, but it's never been something that's wheedled its way into everyday usage because I'm not convinced it's the most effective thing at removing eye make up.  It's ok though and it doesn't irritate my skin so I'll definitely use it.  I'd have liked a slightly bigger sample though, 20ml is a wee bit stingy!

ModelCo Party Proof Lipstick (£15.50 for set of 3)
I love lip products so this was probably the product I was most excited to see in this box. It's a perfect nude pink shade and it's really moisturising - really like it so far!

Aromatherapy Associates Revive Body Gel (£31)
This is a gel to even out skin, tone and improve circulation.  Again at £31 for the full size there's no way I would ever have acquired this otherwise, but I will give it a good test! It smells amazing, too.

Molton Brown Ylang-Ylang Nourishing Body Lotion (£18)
I love a mooch around Molton Brown but I never end up buying anything.  I'd actually be tempted to buy this now because it smells wonderful and it soaks into my skin so quickly leaving a scent for ages. The sample is 30ml, and I think I'll save the rest for my toiletry bag.

Random Lifestyle Extra:
Green & Black's White Chocolate (£2.29)
Presumably this was there in relation to needing to keep your energy up during fashion week?  It was yummy and was gratefully consumed immediately.

What do you think of this month's box? 


Suzy
xx