W7 - New makeup

W7 is a well known affordable UK brand. Ive used many of its products over the years, plus been very impressed with the quality. Ive bought and was kindly sent some to trial (Lashtastic mascara, a hint of tahiti, Viva la berry lipstick and eye dream liquid shadow) by W7 for review. I created a look using these product's. 

About : 

Colour cosmetics for all - who will you be today. W7 is an incredible budget make up brand with a huge variety of products.

Lashtastic Mascara

Lashtastic creates a look of false lashes with a short plastic brush applicator.

- Im a very fussy mascara consumer. I have quite a hard time finding one i really love. I was honestly not expecting much from this product. I do think the packaging could be improved upon and thats a personal opinion. The mascara itself is applied by a rounded plastic wand, with small but well spaced "application hair's". It looks very liquidy yet on closer inspection it is a very pigmented liquid/gel hybrid. Upon application the mascara made my lashes look long and the pigment was so black that i was stunned by the fact this was only coat 1. The second coat made them look darker and I would just need to curl them if i wished. This is an impressive mascara for when you need something affordable. 

- Eye dreams

Create a stunning long wearing, crease proof eye look. Precise eye framing with the precision applicator tip, creating a soft and natural look.

This eye base is a swipe of liquid gold. I did think how best would this be used. I then decided to save this for a gold and green look, I have planned with some amazing lashes. Based on consistancy and time taken to dry, I will use a light base of this shadow then do a darkened green/gold cut crease. Then using a forest green on the outer V for intense definition. I will keep you posted on this look.

- Viva la berry

Viva Glam Lipsticks are perfect Autumnal colours, weather you want a dark berry or a more pink berry shade, there is going to be a perfect shade for you. The lipstick glides on for easy application and has a moisturising effect on the lips with excellent staying power.

Very creamy and is pigmented, I placed the lipstick in the centre's to define the outline's. Then i simply rolled my lips and the colour filled the small space I hadnt applied product too. It gave a natural and even colour to my lip's.

- In the glow & A hint of Tahiti 

In the glow 

Illuminating liquid formula that highlights facial features.

A hint of Tahiti 

Violet gel based lip and cheek stain. Also available in Bali, Cuba and Rio

In the glow 

Is a really subtle highlight that is just on the champagne side. When lightly tapped out, gives a lovely addition to the cheek. This needs just a small amount to give that hint to the cheek and it is buildable. Also i would give advise to tap these liquid's in with your ring finger, rather then a sponge to get the most from them. Lovely liquid illumination. 

A hint of Tahiti 

You look at this shade and automatically think wow thats going to be intense. Whilst it can be if you added 2 layers, with just 1 layer it gives a beautiful rosy glow. If you want a more noticable blush then just build the layer and for lasting power a small dab of translucent powder dabbed on top seals them to get a little more wear time. Again apply with the ring finger and dab whilst moving the blush to the area you like. 

- W7 Hollywood Bronze & Glow &  making waves eyeshadow palette

- W7 Hollywood Bronze & Glow

Bronzer & Highlighter In One Handy Box. Use The Bronzer To Creat A Tanned Complexion. Use Highlighter To Creat A Defined & Sculptured Look. Create Super Touch Cheekbones. For Sun Kissed Look & Finishing touch.

- Wowzer's now whilst this is a subtle highlight and amazing bronzer. I am aware this highlight may only enhance,  pale up to the lower spectrum of medium skintone's. Its really the cheaper sister to the other well known higher end product, as you can expect this is not as buttery but as far as pigment etc ..... Save your money and pay for this until you want to splurge. This is the alternative you can use and be proud of. 

- W7 making waves eyeshadow palette

A luscious pigmented eyeshadow palette that is sure to make your eyes look fabulous! The palette comes complete with 5 complementary colours. 

- Again another dupe for the high end version and i must say after seeing the alternative version and its not so hot review's. I was hoping that W7 would give this a run for its oh so expensive price tag, sure enough it did. W7's version is light and buttery feeling shadows, give a beautiful light natural look. The swatches shown are of each colour panel, it gives buttery colour payoff and also using a smaller brush helps. Im highly impressed by this palette. 

- Lookbook - Using all the W7 product's mentioned

We all love having a splurge and treated but doesnt it make it more fantastic feeling every now and again ? 

However for those daily makeup needs and with everyone nowadays looking for quality, but affordable alternative's for makeup. W7 always comes to mind for affordable makeup and on looking recently at current product's they have available, I just had to purchase the certain items above. My lookbook show's the eyeshadow has given a lovely light look suitable for daily use. Even using the darkest shade to do my eyebrow's. The liquid blush and highlight give a beautiful naturally flushed look. They can be set with a translucent powder or using the hollywood highlight & bronzer palette. I used the bronzer to give a light contour and it blended seamlessly with everything. The lipstick finished the look and gave my lips the hydrating finish which eliminated the need for gloss. So overall W7 do have some amazing product's that stand out because they give flawless daily look's, with the most ease. 

Il keep buying W7 when im needing product's on a budget and proudly use them. 

Kat Von D Haul (Blush, Primer, Kat eye set)

Sephora Website

So Kat von D has been a brand that ive had to love on the sidelines. That was until two of my lovely friend's at christmas spoilt me with gifts from the USA. Sephora delivers to the UK now so finally the USA is accessible, I couldn't be happier. As i believe ive found some lovely Holy grail's. 

Kat Von D Blush - Heartagram

A fade-proof blush with remarkably rich pigment to enhance individual features and the complexion. Be beautifully flushed from sunrise to far past sunset with this long-wearing blush. The smooth, velvety powder glides onto cheeks and effortlessly blends into the pores to enhance the natural radiance of your skin. The fade-proof formula promises up to 24-hours of colour and the rich pigment offers build-able, custom coverage for every skin-tone. 

This blush is stunning, pigmented and vibrant. The deep berry colour with a touch of shimmer. So a small amount is needed on your brush and a good tap off. Blended into your cheek area and working seamlessly with your contour. Gives the most beautiful flushed hint of colour to the cheek. I love the blush and the packaging is also stunning. Etched with the Kat von d roses and her name raised on the box, this hard case feels secure. I didnt have to retouch my blush at any point, so the pigments last very well. Very impressive. 

Kat Von D - Tattoo Liner/Mascara & Face Primer

Mascara mini 

Now unlike the tattoo liner, the mascara is not the best. The mini kits are a fantastic way trial products. I personally found the mascara scary. It's plastic applicator has small and then spaced long spikes to separate the lashes, with a spiked ball end to apply product. However the long spikes are so long, its impossible to reach your smaller lashes. (I poked my eye out) So once i did that, i then set the mascara aside and went "not for me". This is not a product i would purchase again. 

A liquid eyeliner with an innovative brush tip, for effortless precise application. Achieve eye perfection with this high-pigment, waterproof liner that stays put all day. For a fade, crack, and run resistant finish. The superfine and flexible brush tip glides across the lash-line, for incredibly fluid application. Allowing you to create a variety of looks with ease. Unlike traditional felt tip liners, this brush tip will not fray.

This tattoo liner is one of the most impressive ive used. Now thats high praise as im a gel and brush user, due to the fact i can never find a pen that does what i want. Most will drag and not give me the amount of product i want as i apply. This is a brush tip applicator gives a even amount of product, so it applies like a dream. The pigment is rich and the deepest black. I applied a perfect wing with no drag, even on the reverse back when connecting. Which is the part i find most liners drag, yet her design has eliminated this. I can say i will repurchase as its so easy to use. I did find the bigger wing with more product felt a little wet, so i looked down for a few seconds so it was fully dry. Once dry it does not smudge, chip or fade at all. 

Kat Von D - Lock-it Primer 

A lightweight, water-based face primer that hydrates, smoothes, and protects skin while it reduces the appearance of pores-creating the perfect canvas for long-wear foundation application.

This primer is beautiful. Its a silky cream that glides onto the skin, absorbs to give a soft even base. Now with my dry skin this is essential to have a even base. I use Lock it foundation which is a full coverage, this is applied with a sponge. I have my driest areas on my forehead and cheeks at winter. This primer absorbs so well that when i come to apply my foundation, the dryness is controlled to allow even application. Its been the primer that i have found will hydrate my skin, aswell as give a solid base for my makeup. So im over the moon and have no fear of my foundation looking dry now. Plus this primer works till my makeup was ready to be removed. Effortless and works to hydrate skin. Another absolute must repurchase. 

My lookbook

My look above was created using just Kat Von D makeup. I will have reviews on the new Eyeshadow palettes coming (I used the Chrysalis palette above). I have found so many must haves in Kat Von D's line that impress me. I will definatly repurchase many products and keep an eye out for my up coming reviews on more products from the line. 

Smooch cosmetics (Duo Blush, Bronzer and Eyeshadow duo)

I love Smooch cosmetics. There packaging is sleek and compact which is constantly compared to a high end brand, however they are more affordable. Offering a high quality of cosmetics with good levels of pigment and easy to work with being blend able. They offer a really nice wide selection of products. Currently the website is down, so i have found that they are being sold on Amazon. 

They say : 

Smooch Cosmetics known for their saucy, lacy packaging and highly desirable range of colours. The concept came, quite simply, from a drawer of lingerie. The idea was to create a lust worthy cosmetics brand that was saucy and sexy without being salacious. It's all about confidence. We love our packaging but know that if we were to peel back the lace, you still have a product that helps you to look good and feel great.

So the packaging is as it says in the above statement, lacy and chic with a hint of naughty to it. I find its very classy packaging with the inner case feeling like suede. Im in love with them so far so lets see how the products stand up to testing.

Smooch bronzer in shade "Smooched"

The bronzer in "Smooched" is a duo tone. With the main colour being around the "S" initial, you can use a small brush to just use this if you wish. Mixing the colours gives a light shimmer. So you have a choice within one compact. I found the colour to be very good for paler skin tones. The pigment is also very good and easily blend able. I love that this compact has a big mirror within it, so its the perfect handbag compact. The brush within the compact could be improved, to offer a little more control in the placement of colour and blend ability. Other then that its a beautiful compact bronzer. 

Smooch duo Blush in shade "Peachy" 

Now the blush in "Peachy" is again a duo shade product. One half is the more pink for a bolder look, the other half is peachy for a more subtle look. Mixed turns into a lovely peach with pink hints within it. Offers lovely pigment without being overbearing and also blends really well into your contour. This blush is a perfect daily use colour. It also has a compact mirror inside for travelling. 

Smooch Eyeshadow Duo in shade "Seattle"

I love the Smooch eyeshadows. "Seattle" is a beautiful taupe with shimmer and paired with a golden cream shade. They blend beautifully and this duo alone could be used, if you didnt want to take a huge palette or many shades. A lovely taupe smokey eye that can be intensified, by using a eye pencil smudged with the shadow on top to intensify. This is the ideal duo for all neutral shade lovers. Being so affordable and also the packaging is luxurious feeling. 

I loved using the Smooch products used to create the look below. Using the products for this look, I contoured with the darkest part of the bronzer. Then using both shades in the compact to bronze my face with. The blush was then beautiful to use with the bronzer and blended in so easily, i used both the shades within the blush. I have yet to use the eyeshadow duo on its own. However i will post more pictures on my instagram bar of looks featuring it. This will be doing a natural look for valentines day, then how to turn it into a beautiful evening look for those women on the run. 

MAC : Lightness of being Collection

MAC Website

The first post of 2015 and its showcasing the newest MAC collection. Now whilst it does have some glittery editions, plus i stayed away from the lip products. Im really happy with what i bought. 

They say : 

Open yourself to a new lightness of being with a free-spirited collection of uninhibited, poetic shades inspired by whimsical flights of fancy. Liberate yourself from darkened tones and explore the freeform movement of frosted lavender, pearlized champagne and pale mint green.  Shimmer elegantly in our new Mineralize colours for eyes and cheeks. Welcome to expressive colour for the modern spirit. 

Featuring 2 Blushes, 2 Skinfinishes, 6 Eyeshadows, 5 Rich Lipsticks, 2 Eye pencils, 5 Mineralise glass, 2 Studio Nail lacquer, 3 Brushes. 

Packaging 

So the mineralise packaging has a half glossy/half matte box. Its very simple chic and not over the top, I really like the new and improved style. 

Mineralise Skinfinish in Perfect topping

Now i was really unlucky to miss this when it came out first. Then decided to not obtain the last release as it wasnt the same formula. When seeing these swatches, even though nothing will rival the original beautiful perfect topping. This edition seems to be more to my tastes, i would just like to see more marble and lavender. Which hopefully will be present when the pattern goes down a little. 

I love the pattern and the finish is beautiful. Peachy golden highlight with a beautiful feeling and effect on the skin. I really am glad i purchased this edition. 

Mineralise Skinfinish in Lightscapade

Now lightscapade is a permanent fixture from the MAC collection. I do love how this pattern and collection suit the product. However i am for collections to bring something new to the table. I dont however mind these 2 Skinfinishes, as i feel the eyeshadows are beautifully unique. I love the new packaging but would love a little clasp, like on the blush to open it better. However the pattern and finish are stunning. 

With its beautiful mix of lavender and golden tones, lightscapade has a beautiful pearly-light golden finish. Beautiful subtle highlight or can be also used as a inner eye highlight. I love these 2 new additions to my collection. 

Mineralise blush in Please yourself

This was the only blush i wanted out of the 2 available. As its a beautiful pink with  hints of sparkle. Now its glittery apperance may put some people off. I would only wear this with all matte face products, to let this blush really be shown to its fullest. 

As you can see in the swatch, its a lovely berry pink colour with hints of shimmer. It will look beautiful in spring with the lovely hints of colour bursting through. Its a beautiful, highly pigmented blush. A welcome addition to my MAC family. 

Free sample : False Lashes mascara 

This is the first MAC mascara i have had to try. Im currently using a travel mascara, that i want to finish before i try a new one. Once i do try this mascara, i will add an update as to how it performed. 

Overall this collection was alright. The eyeshadows i saw were beautiful. However this collection is heavily shimmer based, if your not keen on shimmer then i would check your local MAC to see the products.  The skin-finishes are beautiful and im so glad i purchased these. Even though "Perfect topping" is a repromote and "Lightscapade" is a permantant fixture. They are beautifully presented within the mineralise packaging, also with the patterned embossing of the powder. This is also the same for the mineralise blush. Im very happy with the added additions to my collection. 

Did you purchase anything from this latest MAC collection ? 

Vivo cosmetics

So there is no surprise that its budget July. I love my cosmetics so much that I go a tad crazy and yes I know its 50% at the minute so I'm trying to be good but nope I can't stay away.  I was kindly sent some products to review by Vivo and oddly my friend had sent me 3 she saw in Tesco ,she thought I would like so I was over the moon. I really think I've stumbled onto a new favourite brand. Plus affordable and high quality. 

So I was really kindly sent these products and I'm so impressed that I really am wondering why do I crave high end so much ? Yes high end packaging will suck you in but really with even myself budgeting, why not have one treat and get a few items of quality from vivo. The Baked blush is lovely in a cinnamon glow with hints of peachy pink and golden tones. I love that you can use these blushes to give a light hint of glow or built to a real standout colour.  Lovely for the summer and a natural look. Pigment is fantastic and offers a lovely alternative to Skin-finish. Im defiantly going to be getting all of these when they are back in stock.

Then the "Show me the money palette" wow, pigmented and applies buttery with little fallout. They are online for £1.99 at the minute and i would purchase them all and now I'm kicking myself i didn't get the enchanted when i ordered the Artist palette. As the looks you can create with such pigmented and lovely colours is wonderful, they are shimmery but blend well together, the quick look i did below was simply using the pinks of the palette.Yet they merge into a beautiful look. Brilliant for any budget. 

I was sent there bronzer in Golden days. Firstly "OMG how big is this bronzer?" Perfect for holiday to use as a body bronzer but also to give that healthy glow you wish to have. I would also use this to give any if my powder products a bit of a lift, if I wanted to make a matte product have a little sparkle then a touch of this would help give a little definition. Its well worth the £4 price tag and its 50% off at the minute. 

Defiantly a product that can be built upon but so big I wouldn't carry this in my purse. However the baked bronzers are and offer just as much pigment, plus I have heard them being compared to skin finish by mac and honestly they are soft, give a great colour finish and look amazing. I would buy these now as they give the same effect. I'm now thinking save your money tara, buy vivo which is just as good, offers a great range of colour and feels good on the skin too. 

Look i created with the show me the money palette

Now my friend sent me a bronzer, blush and eyeshadow. Which have been her favourites and then another friend said try the duo blush and highlight as she had said these were her monthly favourites. So I saw the pigment in the eyeshadow and was over whelmed by how beautiful it was. This just screamed look-book to me.  So with the bronzer and blush swatches I had been wanting to use my collection. When my Artist palette arrives i will be doing more of a look as it has facial powder inside as well as a more neutral base of colour i would use. So we will be seeing more of Vivo over the month of July. Below is the sun kiss baked bronzer she sent me. 

If your on a tight budget or you want to save up but need a monthly fix of some makeup like me then take a look at Vivo. You won't be disappointed. Im actually kicking myself that i didn't order more then the artist palette as i should have ordered the eyeliners and other palettes to do looks with. However deals always come around and i will be grabbing the facial products next time. 

However for now if you haven't picked up anything in the 50% sale ... what are you waiting for ?

Vivo Cosmetics Website

Helen E cosmetics

www.helen-e.com

My passion is about building confidence and my plan is to convert the nation to Helen É. My make-up is good for all ages and skin tones, for everyone... everyday!

Helen Elowe, Founder and Managing Director

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Helen - E cosmetics are well known at the moment for alot of glossybox subscribers whom may have had the nice surprise of a product this month.

I have already used and love my Helen-E eye pencils as they are smooth and pigmented. 

So I was so happy to be given a chance to review some more of the range.

The eye lights pen is a brightener and takes a fair few clicks to get product to show. It is quite a liquidy highlight and can tend to need alot to be seen but used in the right place. It's too liquidy and transparent for me so i did not find this effective at all. I would not purchase this on use as it didn't make my dark circles or bags any less noticeable. As you can see below the consistency and the very pink toned liquid. Now I don't know if its because I'm cool toned this isn't working as I would need a more yellow based concealer to balance out the greyness. However i do know a pink toned highlight is better as works more in favour of getting rid of grey so i think this is a product i need to work with more and maybe my bags are just a bit beyond and need heavy duty polyfiller. 

Next was the Eye primer and this I love, it reminds me of Mac's paint pot in soft oche/painterly and totally gives a skin toned flesh base look that was brilliant. I have some red and blue veins as most of us do on my lid and this made my lid one consistsant colour. I only needed a dot (the one above would be 4-5 applications  easily) it literally is a dab on your finger then blends in like a dream. 

I found it took the packing of eyeshadow on very well and also I liked that it didn't dry quick so I could use this for really intense looks and will be using this in next weeks IMATS inspired looks to really get an amazing base. I would repurchase this product and also look if more shades are available. 

So with the Oil free compact it is a creamy and although looks very dark in the compact blends out to a really nice coverage. I still will need to warm my skin a little with a touch of facial tan and use this within some makeup looks I'm doing this week. As I'm very eager to use this compact and i think it will give a heavenly base for some of the looks i have planned to showcase for IMAT's. 

The love blush is a pressed powder and it has a warm tone to it, very soft and easily blend able this powder is very sheer and hardly noticeable to touch however it is pigmented so a light hand is needed if of a pale complextion. Easily blend able I found this to be the perfect powder when I needed a little light colour and warmth to my cool toned skin. It can easily multi task to a blush or bronzer given is warm light dusky pink tone. I would be able to use this very lightly to give a warm glow and not need much or any facial makeup for a very natural summer look. Very impressed with the feel and nature of this powders capabilities. 

I have put the eyeliner in grey above I have used and also the lipstick on to show the amazing pigment. It's a rich deep red on the lips and less orange looking then in the tubes picture. It's in the shade Vegas and I really love this. It's a compact tube plus it makes the lips look plump and heathy. Not drying at all and it didn't make my lips look dry, considering red can be pretty unforgiving.

They grey eyeliner is very soft and applies well too the upper eyelids as well as the bottom with no dragging or scratchy feeling.  Blends out if you don't want a harsh line but also is a nice finish to a smokey eye look and can make the black pop. 

I'm really surprised by the quality in general of Helen-E cosmetics. The blush powder is a buttery cream feeling powder with easy blend ability and pigment, so its great value plus the compact is really classy looking. I love the eye primer as a base and also the eyeliner which I found rich and pigmented, as was the lipstick. I only found a problem with the eye lights which was far to pink and loose consistency for me to see any evident difference.

I will be using a bit of tan to showcase the oil free makeup better in a look as I really think this creamy base will be amazing at giving a great coverage and it feels light when I have tried it in my hand. So I think with summer this will be a fantastic one stop compact for a hydrating coverage and lack of oil so it won't slide on oily skins. Yet its creamy enough for normal/combo and dry skins. 

So I will do my next look with this compact to show coverage. Plus also Helen-E supports cancer research UK and there brand ambassador Katrina is below with a bit more about her and how she came to be the face of the brand.

The beautiful face of Helen É Cosmetics

We're so proud to have Katrina Leeder as the continuing face

of Helen É Cosmetics and are honoured to work with someone

of such courage.

Katrina has fought life threatening cancer on several occasions and undergone

many major operations as a result. Despite her illnesses she has gone on to raise twin

daughters Freya and Clarissa with here husband Julian and star in the BAFTA Award

nominated documentary 'Airline'.

One episode, featuring her marriage to Julian, was watched by over thirteen

million viewers. Wherever Katrina goes she creates a huge buzz with her

energy and charm and her flawless natural beauty makes her the perfect

ambassador for Helen É Cosmetics.

Helen É supports Cancer Research UK donating 25p from every website

order received to the charity.