The Most Natural Bronzers: L'Oreal Glam Bronze Wild Instinct Walk On The Wild Side Review

The Hype
Unleash your wild side with L'Oreal's Glam Bronze Wild Instinct bronzer for a glamorous glow. The bronzer has ultra fashionable wild patterns that help to reveal your seductive wild side and achieve a healthy looking summer bronze glow.

The product has a smooth texture that is perfect dispersed for a natural looking glow with a premium finish.

The Lowdown
When I picked this product I was really impressed with the unique branch like design and how the light picked up the pressed shimmer. I chose to test the Medium Walk on The Wild Side shade.

Most bronzers that I try have the typical plain brown pan so I really feel L'Oreal's design sets this product out from the rest. Inside I found a few little surprises including a bronzer brush and a mirror. These little extras are always welcome and mean you can apply on the go without having to take a extra mirror or brush.

When swatched the colour was quite dark with subtle shimmer, however on application I felt it was quite subtle with more of a shimmer then anything else. I applied the bronzer in all the places the sun would naturally hit it and whilst it did darken the skin slightly it wasn't obvious.

I love how the bronzer looks very natural and just adds a very subtle shimmer without making me look orange.

I give it 3/5

Grab it for £4.99 at Fragrance Direct

Advantages

• Unique design
• Adds a subtle glow and shimmer
• Comes with a mirror and brush so you can easily apply whilst traveling

Disadvantages

• Maybe a little disappointing to those who want their bronzer to darken the skin more

NYC Beautifying Blushable Cream Stick in Never Sleeping Pink Review

The Hype
Have you got tired, dull skin from spending too many nights out on the razzle? Wherever you spnet last night you don't want to spend the day looking like you've had one too many. Simply swipe NYC Beautifying Blushable cream on both cheeks, blend and you will have a beautiful fresh complexion. With this little wonder product you'll be transformed from one of the ugly sisters to Sleeping Beauty in no time at all.

The Lowdown
NYC have added a twist on the BB trend by labeling their blush 'Beautifying Blushable'. The blush is only available in two shades, Soho Pink and Never Sleeping Pink, so that range is quite limited, but the colours are strong and vibrant.

Having tried quite a few cream blushers in the past I have found them to have quite a 'sticky' unblended finish. NYC Blushable cream stick claims to have a powder finish which gives you the best of both worlds.

The stick is very big and for just £2.99 you get a lot for your money, especially in comparison to the tiny pots of cream blusher you'll typically find. Whilst the product advises you to stroke onto your cheeks then blend, I would advise it's better to apply with your fingers for a more natural look. It's better to go for that 'I've just been for a run look', rather then 'I work as a clown in my  spare time'.

Without blusher I look very pale and sickly looking, so blusher really gives my face a bit of colour and definition. The stick is very pigmented and I only needed two dabs of colour to give my cheeks a fresh rosy glow. The effect is very natural looking and doesn't look at all like the flaky finish I tend to get with cream blushes. It's amazing how pigmented the colour is even when you use a very small amount. The finish is really velvety smooth and instantly blends into the skin.

This blush is simply fabulous and a real steal at just £2.99. I can't recommend it enough.


Get it now for £2.99 at Superdrug

I give it 5/5

Advantages

• A bargain at only £2.99
• The colour is vibrant and highly pigmented
• Has a smooth velvet finish
• Gives a natural result

Disadvantages

• Only available in two shades

Poundland launch their new makeup brand Make Up Gallery: Plump Up The Volume Mascara Review

The Gloss 
It launched in October and already Poundland are struggling to keep up with the demand their new budget 'Make Up Gallery' range has created. Who would have thought the popular pound store could create a makeup range that adds a little sophistication to budget chic!

Plump Up The Volume mascara uses a lengthening formula enriched with panthenol and keratin amino acids to build volume and condition lashes. It's available in 3 eye catching colours and is of course only £1!

The Lowdown
The new range of makeup has a very upmarket look to it and the packaging doesn't look at all cheap. It's clear that this isn't a slapdash attempt to make a bit of money and Poundland have made a real effort to create a impressive range that people will come back to again and again.

The writing on the mascara is simple but effective and does give the impression that it can 'plump up the volume'. The mascara advises to apply generously and as always I  applied around two to three layers. I found the mascara glides on really smoothly instantly defining and lengthening my lashes. The brush is flexible enough to coat even the smallest of lashes and is better at lengthening the top then the bottom lashes.

The overall effect isn't the best I've ever seen but it's nowhere near the worst and is certainly above average. The mascara is kind to lashes and performs well especially for a budget mascara. However I do feel it had more of a lengthening then a volumising effect.

I give it 3/5 

You can grab this and other items for £1 at your local Poundland store.

Advantages

• The whole range is only £1
• Looks more expensive then it actually is
• Contains Panthenol and Kertain to condition lashes
• Doesn't clump
• Lengthens and defines lashes

Disadvantages

• I didn't really find there to be much of a volumising effect

Maybelline Big Eyes Luminous Turquoise Light Catching Palette Review

The Gloss
Maybelline's Big Eye palettes are the first eyeshadows that are designed to catch and reflect the light. They help to embrace your natural beauty by using the power of light to make your eyes look bigger and bright. The palettes which are available in 5 shades contain four contrasting colours.

The Lowdown
When I first saw this in the summer the contrast between the pastel hues and silver and green really caught my attention. The palette comes with a look guide on the back which I always find really helpful and a real inspiration, especially if I'm in a rush!

When I swatched the colours I found the white to be quite an intense white/silver shimmer. The other colours whilst they still had some pigment were not as strong. I followed the guide to get the look in the picture which I found to be easy to follow, and the shades were easy to blend.When applied to the eye the colours appeared really soft, especially the pink shade which just looked drowned out next to the green. The colours are nowhere near as strong as they appear in the palette and they don't work very well together.

The overall look is quite washed out and not at all like the sexy seductress look you imagine you can achieve.

Whilst the shades don't really work together in this palette, the other collections in the range are far superior and you can achieve some really good looks. In this instance I am quite disappointed and only give it 1/5. 

Get it for £6.99 at Superdrug

Advantages

• Subtle shimmer
• Comes with a eyeshadow look that you can recreate
• It has four shades that can be used together or alone
• Blends well

Disadvantages

• The colours are not as vibrant when applied as they appear in the palette
• The shades make you look washed out and do not work well together

MUA Undress Your Skin Radiant Undereye Concealer in Radiance Review

The Gloss
Undress Your Skin Radiant Undereye concealer uses a light weight formula that uses light diffusing elemnts to banish dark circles and signs of fatigue. It can be used on all skin tones so it is a real makeup essential.

The Lowdown
It only comes in one shade - Radiance - which may limit the effectiveness for some people however they do advise one shade suits all. The concealer comes in a pen format and requires quite a few twists before the product is released. The concealer is very creamy and on first glance looks quite dark. When I applied the product I was surprised to find it was actually very light, and would be in no way suitable for darker skin tones.

On closer inspection I noticed that the whole formula seemed to encompass glitter and that's how they get the light diffusing effect. Now there's one thing I hate and that's throwing a load of glitter into a concealer/foundation to get a brighter effect.

It may work for some, but it doesn't work for me and gives the impression that you're a teenager off to a school disco. Whilst the colour wasn't right for me anyway, I won't be using this again.

I give it 1/5

Grab yours for £3.00 at MUA

Advantages

• A real bargain at only £3.00

Disadvantages

• One shade isn't suitable for all despite the products claims
• The product consists of glitter which they use to get a light reflecting effect

L'Oreal Color Riche Feeric Fuschia Diamantissime Lipstick Review

The Gloss
Finding the perfect shade of lipstick can be a real challenge and L'Oreal have made it easy with their 'made for you challenge'. Each shade has been designed to suit different skin tones whether you're light or dark, blonde or brunette.

The formula encases light reflecting waxes with Vitamin E and Omega 3 and 6 to provide shine, keep lips moisturised and prevent your lips from drying out. 

The Lowdown
Enriched with diamond particles L'Oreal Feeric Fuschia Diamantissime is a vibrant dark pink/red lipstick. I believe I got this lipstick in a gift box from a few years ago (so bad at getting round to reviewing things!) and I loved how bright it appeared in the tube.

When applied the lipstick has a gorgeous sparkle that makes it stand out from a traditional matte lipstick. The colour doesn't bleed and it didn't smudge either. Whilst bright colours are prone to fading with every mouthful of drink, food or lick of your lips, L'Oreal Feeric Fuschia actually performs relatively well in that respect. The staying power is excellent and even after a few hours the lipstick still looked great.

With its super long staying power and gorgeous color this lipstick has become one of my new handbag saviours. I give it 4/5.

I did do a search and it seems to be quite hard to get hold of now but you can still get it at Amazon.

Grab yours for £4.90 at Amazon

Advantages

• Gorgeous pinky red colour
• Infused with sparkles
• Great staying power
• Doesn't bleed or smudge

Disadvantages

• Now pretty hard to get hold of

Give your lashes Fantastic Volume and Lift with Bourjois Fantastic Volume Mascara

The Gloss
If you're looking for a mascara that adds volume, length and fans out your lashes look no further then Bourjois Fan-tastic mascara. This innovative mascara has a unique fan shaped brush that coats all lashes in one stroke for a fanned out volumised look.

Enriched with a silk extract the intense black mascara has a rich volumising formula that helps it to glide and grab onto your lashes. You can apply layer upon layer without clumps leaving your lashes smooth and volumised. Even better it's paraben free and suitable for contact lens wearers.

The Lowdown
I was initially attracted to this mascara by its unique shape. The brush is unique in that it only encompasses one side and the bristles are very close together. The bristles are very small on the ends and grow larger as you reach the middle of the brush.It does have a bit of a artificial smell but you only really notice it when you're applying the mascara. Whilst the bristles are really tiny I didn't have any problem applying the mascara and it went on smoothly. The brush was a little short to cover all the lashes in one go but one or two strokes were enough to fully coat all the lashes. I love how the product gives fantastic lift, helping to lengthen the lashes and give a real false lash effect. Unfortunately there was a small amount of clumping but it was nothing major and easy enough to separate with a lash separator. 

The mascara is a little pricey for the high street but it performs really well and you'll bound to get loads of compliments. I give it 4/5

Get it for £9.99 at Boots

Advantages

• Suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers
• Enriched with silk extract for smooth application 
• Lengthens and lifts lashes giving a false lash effect
• One or two strokes fully covers your lashes

Disadvantages

• Strange chemical smell
• Does clump slightly

Seventeen Stay Pout in Date Night Review

The Gloss
If you want hours of kiss proof colour Seventeen Stay Pout is your go to product.

The new range includes 15 shades that are infused with Shea butter to keep your lips soft.

The Lowdown
On first impressions I was impressed by the rather unusual black and silver packaging and the gem centrepiece. Date Night is a gorgeous pillar box red with strong pigmentation and a creamy, moisturising formula that doesn't dry my lips out. Many of the lipsticks I have tried tend to have very short shelf life and I constantly have to reapply, however Date Night has great staying power even whilst eating and drinking. The lipstick didn't leave my lips sticky and uncomfortable, and the overall effect was quite matte.

On the negative I found the stick shook in its holder when applying and it was quite easy to smudge if you got it in the wrong place.

This high street lipstick has a great range of shades that work well with a number of different skin tones and hair colours. It's not too pricey and does last quite a few hours which makes the cons of this lipstick a lot easier to bear.

I give it 4/5

Grab one now for £4.49 at Boots
* Don't miss out on your chance to get a free gift when you buy 2 selected Seventeen cosmetics!*

Advantages

• Lasts for ages
• Comes in 15 fabulous shades
• Vibrant colour
• Reasonable price

Disadvantages

• Susceptible to smudging

Bourjois launch a fabulous new range of eyeshadow palettes: Smoky Stories Upside Down review

The Gloss
Bourjois have launched a fabulous new range of cream to powder eyeshadow palettes. The new range of 8 shades use a new formula which is integrated with a base shadow primer that works with the powder. Each palette include four shades with a top coat that uses highly concentrated faceted glitter.

Shades available include:

• Grey and Night
• Over Rose
• I Love Blue
• Rock Khaki
• Good Nude
• Upside Down
• In Mauve
• Ocean Obsession

The Lowdown
The new palettes are very different to what we've come to expect from Bourjois and it's evident that Bourjois are moving towards more sophisticated formulas. Whilst the little round pots had a dusty, dry feel the new palettes are soft and creamy with dense pigmentation. Each of the palettes are well coordinated and the glitter lets you add a little sparkle to the overall look.

Upside Brown is a lovely menage of brown tones and a creamy shimmery champagne/gold topcoat. The formula is really versatile and can be used for both everyday and built up to be more intense for evening wear. The shades work really well together and blend seamlessly. As always you can wear the shades as they are or use a wet brush to get a even more intense look.

I think it's great how Bourjois are embracing new formulas that are versatile and easy to use. I give it 4/5

Grab them for £7.99 at Boots

*Don't miss out there's currently a offer to bag a free Timeless Elegance Gift set when you spend £15 on Bourjois products at Boots!*

Advantages

• The new range offers eyeshadow that is soft and creamy
• Well coordinated shades
• Intensely pigmented

Disadvantages

• You may end up buying all of them!

Get festive with Models Own Diamond Luxe in Oval Plum and Seventeen Glitter nail tips

In preparation for my annual Christmas work do I thought I'd treat my nails to a glamorous festive treat.

Models Own Diamond Luxe in Oval Plum is a delightfully luxurious shade of sparkly purple. With a intense glitter infusion the shade is very festive and perfect for keeping on trend this winter. The varnish is very thick and you could probably get away with just the one layer, I went for two just to get full coverage on each nail. The colour is simply gorgeous and so sparkly, especially under the light.

Many of us spend hours in the salon trying to get the perfect nail design and it can often end up quite a costly affair. Seventeen Glitter tips gives you the option to add that bit of glamour at home at a fraction of the cost. The tips are encased in glitter and can be used to spice up what would otherwise be  plain nails. 

The tips are quite fiddly especially if you have small nails, but I found only the little finger really needed trimming. There are 21 tips in the packet so you can probably get two uses out of the pack, however you will probably need to do a lot more trimming the second time around. The tips stick on pretty easily and only came unstuck when I was trying to trim a edge. I like how well the tips line up with the curvature of my nail and how they really set off the Models Own nail varnish in Oval Plum.

The next morning I found parts of the tips had broken off which is a bit disappointing and did ruin the look somewhat.

The perfect touch of glamour for a Christmas party that would be perfect if it wasn't for the occasional breakage.

I give them 3/5

Advantages

• The curved design works well with the natural curvature of the nail bed
• Comes with 21 tips so you can use it twice
• Looks great with a hot red or sparkly shade

Disadvantages

• Fiddly, especially if you have small hands
• Tips break off easily

Miners Kiss Me Quick Moisturising Lipstick Review

The Gloss
Infused with a moisturising formula of Aloe Vera and Jojoba, Kiss Me Quick is a delectable red lipstick with rich coral undertones. The lipstick glides onto your lips leaving them feeling moisturised whilst adding a gorgeous splash of colour.

The Lowdown
The packaging is simple but effective and gives it more of a premium feel. The soft red shade isn't too intimidating and the coral undertones add a bit of warmth. When I applied the lipstick it did feel slightly sticky but I did like how the colour glided on easily without resistance. Whilst the shade seems quite muted on the stick I found the colour was actually quite vibrant when on and really drew attention to my lips. After a while I found the stickiness seemed to fade and my lips were left feeling moisturised.

At £3.99 this lipstick is a real bargain with really strong colour and caring properties.

I give it 4/5

Get yours for only £3.99 at Miners

Advantages

• Rich strong colour
• A real bargain at only £3.99
• Colour glides on with ease
• Moisturising properties

Disadvantages

• Slightly sticky on first application

Helen E Cosmetics Skin Illuminator Review

The Gloss
Designed to be worn alone or mixed with your foundation, Helen E skin illuminator adds a gorgeous healthy glow that lasts all year long.

The formula is light weight and moisturising with light reflecting particles for radiant and dewy skin. It's especially effective on cheek and brow bones but can also be used on your shoulders and decollete for a delicate shimmer.

The Lowdown
The product comes in a sheer baby pink tube which in itself has light reflecting particles. It is sealed for extra freshness and a small amount goes a long way.The product did illuminate my skin however it was on a more minimalistic scale and you don't end up looking like you've rubbed glitter all over your face. It gives the skin a very light shimmer that is light reflecting.

I used it on my cheek bones and found it added a bit of depth and contrast to my face that wasn't there before. Whilst it is hard to see on the pictures I can assure you in the flesh the illumination is there!

It's a nice little product that gets the job done, although you can probably buy a product for half the price that does the same thing.

I give it 3/5

Get yours for £18.00 at Helen E Cosmetics

Advantages

• Can be used alone or mixed in with your base
• Light reflecting shimmer
• Illumination isn't too over the top

Disadvantages

• Quite expensive and you could probably get the same effect for half the cost.