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Beautiful Movements Prime and Create
by katyj10
When I received a small pot of the Beautiful Movement's Prime and create mixing medium I was a bit stumped on how to use it as my current stash includes a foaming foundation, a mineral foundation and some bb creams, all of which don't lend themselves to mixing but on further inspection I found it is designed to be used with minerals or ... on its own underneath make up. You can also mix with pigments for eye shadows or liquid liners so it is quite a versatile product.
Description
This really resembles the well known smash box primer which is very popular amongst beauty addicts. It is a clear gel like consistency and a little bit goes a long way.
In use
I tried mine mixed in with the BB Cream and it worked well, it also made the foundation go a lot further so it does help economise if you're using an expensive foundation. I used a cotton bud to take mine out of the jar to keep the remaining product free from fingers.
My thoughts
I quite liked using this and have tried other things from the brand which have been OK but I was not blown away by it. It felt like another make up step to squeeze in to an already hectic morning schedule so for me it's not an everyday product. I am all for primers though and feel it performed well in this capacity. It blended in well with all products I tried and did not congeal on the skin. The fact that this is clear also makes it suitable for all skin colours or you can just use it on its own as a skin improver.
Price
A 20g pot of this costs £20 which I think is probably top end of what I'm prepared to pay for a primer.
Final word
I would say this is worth a try if you use the smashbox primer as it does compare favourably with this product. I can live without this product in my make up bag though so will probably not be repurchasing it any time soon.
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Chanel Le Volume De Chanel Mascara
by jrosae
I received a sample of this mascara in noir for free - a full-sized bottle would set you back around £16 ($25). Pretty pricey, but to be expected from a Chanel product.
My eyelashes are annoyingly straight, so what I look for most in a mascara is the ability to curl. I wouldn't say Le Volume De Chanel curled much (despite my ... going at them with the eyelash curler beforehand), but my lashes looked neat and pointed upwards as opposed to outwards and in 500 different directions. My lashes were noticeably longer and very voluminous, true to its name. However, I found it to clump a little and the mascara didn't separate my lashes as well as I would have liked. The clumping was much less noticeable in comparison to cheaper mascaras I've tried, but for the price of Le Volume, I expected a product that really stood out from mascaras half its price.
My sample bottle has lasted 10(ish) uses so far, so I imagine the full-sized mascara will last a loooong time. Still, I don't think this is enough to justify spending almost £20 on the product - don't get me wrong, it's a great quality mascara and I was happy with the results; my lashes were voluminous and pretty, albeit still kind of straight, and they did look good, but I probably won't be purchasing Le Volume as it's just too pricey for me.
If you're somebody who has £16 to spend on a mascara, I'd still recommend Le Volume. You might get brilliant results, but my lashes are VERY stubborn. If you aren't one of the people who can afford to have this as a staple, c'est la vie! This mascara is no miracle breakthrough. I'll miss the volume it gives, but I'll be saving £10 by choosing a cheaper alternative!
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Stila Lip Glaze
by katyj10
The Stila Lip Glaze was another item included in the Latest in Beauty (LIB) Glamour box which also contained the amazing gel eye liner I reviewed previously (worth checking out I promise!). First impressions were that I had heard of the Stila brand mainly due to their out of date stock being sold in poundland although I never bought any ... of that stuff. My tube is in shade 28 which is called guava and is sized 1.5 ml.
Packaging
The lip glaze is nicely packaged in a clear pen style tube with a brush on the end. You twist the tube to release the product and it clicks as you turn the barrel of the 'pen' (you turn it anti clockwise to activate) and it pushes the product through a brush style applicator.
In use
The first time I used this it took a lot of twisting and clicking to get the product started but once it began to come through the brushes I realised that less is more as you can't really get it to go back in once it is through the brush end. Colour wise I got a clear pinky colour that is quite neutral and would suit most people I think. It also works well over lip stick and I wear this with benefit's lip stain too (posie tint). I also think this has a light strawberry fragrance to it although it's not too strong, it's only because it's under my nose and I can smell it. This does make me think it's more of a 'little girl's' product than a grown woman but I can handle it!
My thoughts
The only downside to this product, and this comes with many lip glosses is that it is a bit too sticky for my liking and that tacky feeling is not great when outside and faced with a bit of wind in your hair. However, as I said earlier, less is more and a small coating gives lips a lovely glossy look without it being over the top. I do like the packaging although it's a bit dangerous loose in my bag that I might whip it out thinking it's a pen and attempt to write with it at work - not very professional so I must look what I am doing (I've done that with a lip liner before too a few years ago!). I would also add that I do prefer a brush to a sponge applicator with lipgloss, I think it applies better and doesn't take off any lip stain or lip stick you are wearing underneath.
Price
I got my lip glaze in a box with at least ten other products in it and the whole thing plus postage cost me £14.99 - bargain! Especially as there are some great brands in there so if you fancy trying this then now is a good time to buy the LIB Glamour box, you won't be disappointed, I promise!
Final word
The longevity of this lip gloss is limited, but I find that with all glosses as soon as I start to eat or drink they disappear from my lips so this is not any worse or better than other brands. I love the colour and find it really enhances my looks without being obvious as make up other than a bit glossy, the colour is great and it's even one I will look for to buy again. With the tube only containing 1.5ml I think I will get through this pretty quickly. The clicking noise is part of the operations of the packaging but it also means I can't apply it sneakily at work when at my desk or people look to see what the clicking noise is! I do like this brand, I think the packaging is modern and classy looking and it fits well inside my pencil case (I know!) at work without it having any risk of spilling everywhere. For me, optimum use is over the lip stain posie tint by benefit which leaves lips matte and this adds that bit of gloss I'm after without going over the top. Highly recommended and a repurchase on the cards for me in the shade guava (28). Thanks for reading.
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