New Bourjois Collection

Looks like I'll be clocking up a lot of Boots advantage card points in the next few months, as there is so many new products from Bourjois that I can't wait to get my mitts on!!

As I mentioned in a previous post, Bourjois celebrates their 150th birthday this year, and their next collection is a real testament to the brands success. 

So, what can we expect?! Well, how is an illuminating complexion, fuller lashes and a fool-proof liner for starters?

Back in 1879, Bourjois released Java Rice Powder and by 1897 it had sold 2 million worldwide. To continue the birthday celebrations, the silky soft powder has been re-released, and its even packaged in a similar way to the original! 

A definite collectors item!

The powder isn't matte and chalky, but instead has an soft iridescence  which will leave skin with a healthy glow. Perfect for brightening a dull, winter skin tone!

Available now at Selfridges.

Next up, is two fantastic cheats for a fabulous complexion- Happy Light Concealer and Blush Exclusif Smart Blush. 

Happy Light Concealer is available in 5 shades, offers a professional, good coverage but is still lightweight enough to look undetectable.  

Just like Bourjois Rose Exclusif Lipgloss launched back in 2010, the pigments in Blush Exclusif Smart Blush adjusts the shade depending on the pH of your skin, creating a shade unique to you!

We have a great complexion, now lets turn to eyes! These two products are really innovative, but I wouldn't expect any less from the inventors of Coup de Theatre! First we have Eraseable Eyeliner- a glossy liquid liner perfect for creating a sexy feline flick, with a hidden beauty tool for those of us who can never get matching flicks...a rubbery eraser! Simply run over the mistake and start again! Ideal for creating a sharp edge to your flicks too, a job I always needed a bottle of cleanser and a Q-tip for- until now!

Secondly, we have Twist Up The Volume- a 2 in 1 mascara, enabling you to choose the amount of lash volume you require! (If only we could do this with bra size- can someone invent this too please?!) Simply twist the white cap at the top to change between fine bristles for a longer, defined lashes or fuller bristles for a voluminous look.

Finally, we have a selection of 6 shades in Shine Edition Lipstick. Providing moisturisation for 10 hours thanks to mango butter extract, the finish is ultra glossy and shiny. My favourite is Famous Fushia, a gorgeous summery pink, perfect for a rich holiday tan!

Eyeko

I first came across Eyeko, during my first ever QVC show. Whilst enjoying a pre-show cuppa in the green room, I stumbled across a group of stunning models sporting 'Mascara Wardrobe' t-shirts gossiping about which type of mascara they would be wearing during the show . A wardrobe of mascaras? This sounds good to me!

As a make-up addict, counting mascara as one of my desert island must haves (small eyes like mine NEED some lifting mascara!) I'm not only fussy about formula but even fussier about the brush applicator.

Luckily for me, over at Eyeko, not only is their formulas paraben free, conditioning and water resistant, they also have a variety of brushes I can choose from!

• Black Magic  for lift and curl, with a curved brush
• Skinny Brush for catching even the shortest of lashes, with a straight, slim brush
• Fat Brush for extra volume and thickness, with a large, dense brush
• Curvy Brush for a lifter, curled lash, with a unique brush with tiered bristles  

The packaging is also a big plus- these flexiable tubes mean you get to use all the product inside- something that can't be said of all mascaras! There is nothing more frsutating than trying to get those last 2mls from the bottom of a solid tube with your brush can't reach!

As an added bonus, this month Marie Claire, are giving away a Skinny Liquid Liner. The slender nib (similar to a felt pen) enables you to create delicate or dramatic feline flicks, with an rich intense colour and 4 shades to choose from!

Plus it's perfect for this mini heat-wave we are experiencing- this liner will not budge!

So, my tip for the day?! Pop to your local newsagents, pick up a copy, sport a cute 50's flick then go online and treat yourself to an Eyeko mascara using the extra cheeky discount code inside the mag! Then get out and enjoy the sun! (with SPF applied too of course!)

Benefit They're Real Mascara

There is nothing I like more than receiving a freebie with my monthly glossy- and this month I was one happy girl indeed when the postie dropped Elle through my letter box!

Not only did the cover star a sexy yet androgynous looking Miley Cyrus, hiding in the bottom corner was a tasty little treat for us make-up junkies.

The UK's Number 1 selling mascara, Benefit 'They're Real'.

Image- Benefit Cosmetics

I have been tempted to use this mascara since it was launched, but after not being 100% happy with the result of Benefits famous mascara 'Bad Girl Lash' back in 2005 I was wary. At £19.50 it isn't a majorly expensive purchase in comparison to some brands, but when the Max Factor mascara I know and trust is half the price, its hard to break free!

So, lucky for me, Elle has granted me a week long trial before I commit to making it a more permanent fixture in my daily routine!

What does this mascara offer our lashes then?

Try lengthening, volumizing, lifting, curling and separation for starters.

Add a unique domed brush head, complete with plastic bristles and a long lasting, smudge proof formula and there you have the recipe for luscious lashes all night long.

Following my daily technique- wiggling the brush from side to side as I comb the mascara from root to tip and grabbing the corner lashes with the tip of the brush- my first observation was to how wet the brush was. Usually this would indicate an overload of product, but my lashes stayed surprisingly clump free. 

My short lashes definitely appeared longer, lifted and more defined. But thicker?
Not as much as my sparse lashes need. In fact, I was even tempted to sneak my Max Factor fave out of my bag and add a coat to bulk them out a touch.

Two Coats of They're Real mascara

And I can hand on heart say it most certainly is. 


 The final claim that Benefit make is that this mascara is long lasting and smudge free.
How do I know?

Well, I was a very naughty girl and after 11 hours of beautifying the whole of Liverpool in So Coco Rouge, followed by a friends Birthday BBQ, I collapsed in a sober heap, full face of make-up in place.

Waking 8 hours later, I discovered that not only was my floral pillowcase make-up free (this is usually not the case on a Sunday morning) I, for once, did not resemble a panda. 

24 hours later....

So, most importantly- will I be making the purchase? 

YES!

Probably not for day to day use, as I definitely need a bit more thickness to my lashes, but for holidays and long work days, I will most certainly be pulling this little gem out of the bag.

PS...

The eyeliner I am still rocking 24hours later is No7 Stay Perfect, but we'll talk more about this soon!