Lancome Hypnose Star Mascara Review

Mascaras are one makeup product that I don't mind investing in my moolah on mainly because my lashes are very naughty. I am sure you are all tired of hearing me talk about how short and curly they are but it just means I have to use a really good lengthening mascara to give them some oomph. I love to wear falsies but only during the weekends because I can't be bothered using them daily. Besides, I don't think it is okay to wear lashes/falsies every day, in my opinion. That's why I love high end mascaras because some of them work really well with my lashes by creating an illusion of length and volume. My all time favourite mascara is the YSL Baby Doll Mascara (review here) and so far nothing has beat it....yet. If you remember my High End Mini Mascaras Reviews (here and here) where I showed some mascaras I wanted to purchase their full size, I listed a few mascaras in there as my must-have/try. I have tried two versions of the Lancome Hypnose Mascara (the Regular one and the Star version) but I prefer the Lancome Hypnose Star version which is why I decided to try out the full size. I totally hate to spend so much on mascara but Lancome is always so generous with their Gifts With Purchase (GWP) so it is impossible to say no. I also got a deluxe sample of the Lancome Bi Facil Eye Makeup Remover along with my purchase. Right, let’s get into the review...

Packaging

I think it is a really pretty packaging as expected with anything high end. I know some high end brands have less than stellar packaging but Lancome has never let me down. Their packaging is always exquisite and beautiful. They even go the extra mile to ensure that their minis/deluxe samples size products have amazing packaging that's really similar to the full size. I love that about them. The Hypnose Star Mascara tube has a slight curve which I like for no reason (it makes it easier to hold) and it has some little stars around the bottom of the tube. You can tell they put a lot of effort in creating this packaging. I got the waterproof version because it’s summer time and my lashes sometimes get moist with the weather. The waterproof version has a blue tip to differentiate it from the regular version.

Bristles

The bristles is shaped to look like a cone which is quite practical. The bottom edge has longer and fuller bristles while the top bit has slightly shorter bristles. I like this design because it means the top section can pick up my tiny lashes while the bottom section grips the other part of my lashes. It is very practical and easy to use and I think it’s great for an everyday mascara.

Formula

The formula itself is not too moist or too dry; it just sits in between which I really like. The bristles do a good job of separating my lashes while adding the necessary length and volume they need. I have not experienced any clumping even when I used more than two coats of this mascara. I think it is designed as an all rounder mascara i.e. volumising and lengthening and  it does a good job. I would not classify it as a life changing mascara but it is really good.

Application/Results

As mentioned earlier, it is really easy to use and there is no need to prime my lashes. I start with the narrow tip to brush up my shorter lashes (usually the ones at the corner of my eyes) and then I use the bottom tip to brush up the rest of my lashes.I go in a zig zag method so no lash hair escapes and this method is very effective. It has a really good grip on my lashes which I like and you can see immediate results. I have tried many mascaras and only few make a difference and this is one of them. I feel if you have longer lashes, the results may seem dramatic/outstanding but to me it is just good. It’s perfect for everyday and I really like it. In terms of holding a curl, I think it does pretty good especially as it is waterproof. It is slightly difficult to remove as well but the Lancome Bifacil Eye Makeup Remover makes it super easy.

Cost// Link

It’s a pricey mascara as expected from anything high end. It retails for £22.50 and I could not get hold of any discounts. However, I got a generous sample of the Lancome Bi Facil Eye Makeup Remover (Link) which I like. It has 125 ml of product in it (I think this may even be a full size) which I know would last me for a good while. Overall, I think it is good value for money especially with this lovely sample.

Overall Thoughts

I already mentioned earlier that the only mascara which I am heads over heels in love with is the YSL Baby Doll Mascara and it's almost irreplaceable. I really like the Lancome Hypnose Star mascara but I don’t love it. I am not sure I would repurchase unless they have a massive discount. It’s a good mascara but it’s not one of the best I have tried. If your lashes are not very short like mine, you would really like it and it’s worth a try. Next mascara on my hit list is the Chanel Sublime Mascara as I was impressed with the sample I had. That’s it folks!! Have you tried the Lancome Hypnose Star Mascara?
*Affiliate Links used above, read my full disclaimer here

Benefit Roller Lash Mascara Review

I am pretty sure everyone must be sick of seeing all these reviews of the Benefit Roller Lash Mascaras pop up all over blogs. Can I just commend Benefit Cosmetics for pulling some serious PR without breaking the bank? All they did was include a sample of this mascara in Elle Magazine (which is £4 by the way) and set the launch date of the mascara to March so everyone can have early access and feel special...sneaky sneaky but I like it. I think it's brilliant and many brands may be pulling this off soon. Anyway, back to this mini review. Of course, I decided to pick it up because I love samples/minis not just Benefit ones; any mini sample is just cute in my opinion. I would have preferred if it was in Glamour Magazine instead because I just prefer the articles in Glamour and it is cheaper.

Packaging
I know the mini packaging is a little different from the full size mascara but I definitely prefer this mini packaging. It reminds me of  the Benefit Bad Gal Mascara (which I am not a fan of anymore) and it has a cute pink lid. There is not much to say really but I think it's a pretty packaging. I wish they could swap the lid of this mini with the lid of the full size which looks like an actual hair roller.




Bristles/Formula
Benefit Cosmetics describe the Roller Lash Mascara as a super curling and lifting mascara. Its bristles are designed in a Hook and Roll manner which catches, lifts and curls the lashes. I like the bristles because they are plastic and they actually grip my little lashes. I think this may be down to the curve the wand has in its crook which also aids in a proper grip. The formula in itself is actually great and it does not feel too wet or heavy on my lashes. It dries easily which helps in preventing smudges. I don't think it is waterproof but I find that it lasts really well despite rubbing my lashes a few times.

Cost
Obviously this was a sample but it's safe to say it cost me £4 because I didn't really want this particular issue of Elle magazine (sorry Elle!). The full size will retail for £19.50 which is the normal price for Benefit Mascaras so it's nothing strange. Would I purchase the full size when it comes out in March? Maybe, if they have a discount...




Personal Thoughts
My lashes are very curly and short so I look for mascaras that give them good length and a little volume. If it combines both of these features, then I am more than happy. The Roller Lash Mascara does a good job at lengthening my lashes and holding a curl although I already have curly lashes so I can't really say if it's down to the formula or just my lashes doing their thing. Its formula is really long lasting and I think it's a really good everyday mascara. I still love my YSL Baby Doll Mascara (review here) which gives my lashes the best results and I have not tried any other lashes that come close but the Benefit Roller Lash Mascara is really good. I hope you have enjoyed this mini review and I will see you in my next post...x

Top Beauty Sample Freebies (The Magazine Edition)

Hi Lovelies,
I don't want to jinx this but I want to see if I can put up a blog post everyday this week. I think I can do it and I know you'd like that, so why not? If you have not already read my previous post on How to get Beauty Freebies, I suggest you trot along and have a good read through. It's no hidden secret that I love beauty samples/freebies because it allows you try out beauty products without splurging or burning a hole in your bank account. I am yet to see anyone who does not like free stuff. If you know anyone like that, point them my way for some brainwashing :-)

 Anyway, I have been loving some recent freebies from many beauty magazines here in the UK such as  Glamour, Instyle, Cosmopolitan and Marie Claire. When I walk into WHSmith, my eyes fleet over to the magazine sections scanning for any juicy freebies and these magazines have not failed me at all. This post would review some of my top and favourite beauty samples. Not all of them are still available but a few still are. Can you believe I actually buy more than one of the same magazine because I want all the variants of the samples it has? I have 2 Glamour magazine July Issue and same for Cosmopolitan; it's ridiculous but the freebies are more than worth the price of the magazine so it is a lil justified, I convince myself. Let's get started

                                                       Balance Me Pure Skin Face Wash

I love this lil' product because it is almost 100%natural- it is actually 98.8% natural origin and I think it makes the cut. If you have been following my skin care posts, you'd know I have been trying to stick to natural or almost natural products for my skin like Gamila Secret Cleansing Bar which has made visible difference to my skin. I decided to take a little break (one week) from my Gamila Secret Cleansing Bar to try this cleanser. All I can say is I think it is an excellent cleanser. It has a distinct fresh and organic smell which is kind of hard to describe. It gives my face a good cleanse and it is not very drying as I feared it may be. 

The good thing about it is how it balances out the PH of the skin rather than stripping it out of all its natural oils and altering the PH of the skin. I would definitely buy the full version when this runs out as I think it is perfect for the summer which is when my skin does not do well with the heat and humidity. You can find the Balance Me Cleanser in Glamour Magazine August Issue which is only £2. They have also kindly included three other Balance Me products such as the Balance Me Body Wash, Raspberry Lip Tint and Face Moisturiser- Talk about good value for money..right there in Glamour Magazine.

                                         Eyeko London Skinny Mini Liquid Eyeliner

Although, I am a religious fan of L'Oreal Liquid and Felt Tip Eyeliners, I could not resist picking up the August Issue of Marie Claire Magazine because of this amazing little eyeliner. Eyeko London has been around since 1999 and have the most amazing eye liners which have very good precision on application. 

They are a little more pricey than the L'Oreal eye liners but I think they are very good value for money. I love this skinny eyeliner because it applies precisely in a smooth thin line which is a look I try to go for when I am off to work or in a more formal setting.




 The best thing about this eye liner is how fast it drys and doesn't budge even if you are a frequent eye rubber like me (that sounded a bit weird?). I literally applied it on my hand to test , within seconds, I tried to rub it off and it didn't budge. 



I was super impressed and it is extremely easy to control for beginners because it is in a pen form. It is easy to take off with the right eye makeup remover or any good overall makeup remover. The skinny mini version fits perfectly into my makeup bag and it has since become a staple partner in there. 

                                 
                                      
                                              Neal's Yard Remedies Power Berry Daily Moisture

This is one of the freebies I have developed a bittersweet Love-Hate relationship. I am not a fan of its fragrance; I find it overbearing and unpleasant. Although it may not be unpleasant to everyone, it is not one of the favourite fragrances on my radar. On the other hand, it is extremely moisturising and it contains most sought after antioxidants obtained from Acai Berry, Bilberry and Goji Berry. You can say it is a medley of berries which are very rich in antioxidants that help fight the effects of free radicals that our skin constantly faces in the environment. 

You can see why I try to ignore the unpleasant smell and smother my skin with this little goodness in a tube. On top of that, it is a true organic product that does not contain any Parabens, Mineral oils, Silicones, Synthetic fragrances (Aha, no wonder) or Colours and Phthalates. It also promises to deliver a brighter dewy-looking skin although I can't say I have noticed that partly because I have not been using it consistently. What I have noticed is how moisturised and hydrated my skin feels especially in this scorching sun and heatwave. I got this freebie from the July Issue of Instyle Magazine and I think it may still be available in a few newsagents.

                 

                                         Model Co Fibre Lashxtend Mascara

I have already briefly introduced this mascara in my post on What's in my Makeup Bag?.  As you may or may not know, I am not a huge fan of mascaras because they mess with my contact lens. If I must wear it, I always go for lengthening mascaras as opposed to volumising ones. For me, the Model Co Lashxtend is perfect for lengthening.

                   

I love how the wand distributes the product evenly and I have experienced very minimal clumping which means no messing with the contact lens. This is now a staple in my makeup bag and we have slowly developed a little love affair. I got this from the July Issue of Glamour which I think I have spied in a couple of newsagent stores. 

Go grab one if you have a chance because it cost only £2 and you get both a nice read of Glamour Magazine and a free Model Co lengthening mascara. This was one of the magazines I actually bought two issues because I wanted a spare mascara:-)

                                                         
                                                              Mirror Mirror Make Me Blush

This is one of the best blushes I have ever used and the sad thing is, I don't think it is an actual brand that can be bought. I think it was made specially for the magazine. I got this from Shout Magazine which is one magazine I actually never read or buy. 

I only bought it because this blush had a very attractive packaging which I absolutely adore. It reminds me of Benefit Blush packaging. At first, I thought I had wasted my money because it didn't look very good when I opened it; it felt cheap to touch. 



On application, it was a different story altogether. Firstly, it was well pigmented against my skin and was very flattering against my overall makeup. I used this blush almost everyday and I feel so sad that one day it would run out and I would have no means of repurchasing it.



 I wish I actually bought two magazines at the time. Either ways, I still have the cute packaging to help me haunt it down and as a memento for good blushing moments.

                                                         Sunnies from Cosmpolitan

I decided go throw in a few random freebies I got from Cosmopolitan Magazines July Issue. I love these Sunnies because they actually protect your eyes from the UV rays. I love the different designs and shapes because I find it hard to get the right shape of sunnies to flatter my face. Oh well, when the sun is out, all I can do is try to protect my eyes regardless of fit :-)

I hope you enjoyed this post and feel free to let me know what freebies you have picked up this summer especially from beauty magazines who have been very generous. See you in my next post...toodles...xxx

Tag: What's in my Makeup Bag/Pouch?

Hey Lovelies,

I love how we are progressively inching towards the end of the week right into the weekend. I cannot wait at all. I am not sure if everyone is as nosy as me but i love taking sneaky lil peeks into my friends makeup bags. I don't go into handbags tho; I feel that's stepping outta line. I feel makeup bags kinda gives me an overview of a ladies' personality. If the makeup bag is filled with loads of makeup items, I usually conclude she is a beauty junkie. I just love taking sneaky peeks into them. Hahaha no need justifying my obsession with makeup bags. So, if you are anything like my nosing-into-makeup bag self, read on to find out what is in mine and if you are not, you can still scroll down anyways. No harm whatsoever, I promise. Having said that, the items in my makeup bag tend to change depending on what season we are in, how I feel and what products are my current favourites. Let's get started.

The Makeup Bag

I love this lil makeup bag because it is purple. I love purple as a colour because it feels glam to me but not in a shiny or blingy way. It signifies royalty which I am; just kidding but I am the daughter of the Most High God so that qualifies, doesn't it? Anyways, back to the makeup bag.

I got this little gem from H&M last year and it is just a simple pouch with a zip and some cute ruffle details all around the top perimeter. I had a black and white makeup pouch before this but it kept getting dirty due to my brushes and foundation so I decided to go for something more colorful. 

Also, this makeup pouch has a snake like PVC texture to it which makes it look a lil bit more expensive than it is. I got it for £2 and I think it is an absolute steal given how lovely it looks and how well it has served me.

Foundation/Powder- Bella Pierre Mineral Foundation Powder
I have already raved about this in a separate blog post here so I won't repeat myself. I loved this powder and I still love it because it doubles up as both a foundation and a powder. If I need to touch up, I usually whip out the powder puff if I am in a very public place or I use my Real Technique Brush if I am in a rest room with a nice big mirror. 

To be honest, I have seen major improvements in my makeup since I started using this powder including reduction in my makeup routine steps as I use this both as a concealer, foundation and powder so I have less steps to take. 

Also, I have noticed I have become less shiny during the day with this and my touch ups are becoming less required to my delight. If there is anything I don't want to forget at home when I am out and about, it has to be this powder. LOVE it.

Concealer- MAC Studio Finish Concealer
I know what you are thinking; " I thought you said you use the Bella Pierre Powder as a concealer, foundation and powder?" Hahaha, yes I do. 

I use this mainly for my eye brows and any very stubborn dark spots especially if I am going out from the office to a meeting or for an outing. This is one of my Holy Grail concealers because it works for me. Although, it may clog up my pores if I use too much of it but I still love it so much and I always turn to it for when I want a super flawless finish to my face. 

It is a major staple in my Makeup bag and it is almost finished now. It has been rocked so much so that it looks severely battered but it is all with pure love, I promise.

Eye Pencil- Sleek Brow Pencil in 191 Brown
I find it really hard to find brow pencils that match my eye brows perfectly but Sleek is one of the few brands that do it for me. I buy most of my other eye pencils from Nigeria when I go back on holidays. 

To be honest, it should not really be in my bag but sometimes I accidentally rub my brows and a part of it is wiped off making me look like a little imp with uneven eye brows (I am not sure imps even have eyebrows, I know golliwogs have though). That's why it has found a prestigious place here in my makeup bag to fix up any accidental brow wipes. 

Lip Liner- Vitalis Lip Liner in 345
This is a fairly unknown brand because no one seems to have heard about it. I got this from PAK Cosmetics and it was 3 for a 1 pound and I love it very much and regret not buying a whole stash of it. I only use one in my makeup bag though.

 It is the perfect lip liner for many of my lipsticks because I am very partial to nudes, brownish pinks and neutral lipsticks. I pair this with my MAC Hug Me lipstick and it is perfect. 

Lipstick- Varies but Today is MUA in Shade 11
I think lipstick is one makeup item that can brighten up your face from a stressful day at work or any day at all. It is one of my favourite makeup item because I get to change it ever so often so I never have any staple one in my makeup bag. 

Formerly, I always had a nude and bright one in my purse for work and outings but I soon got bored and just stuck to carrying just the one. I have not been doing a lot of outings as such so I stick to browns, nudes, neutrals and flesh tone.

My current lipstick obsession is the MUA Shade 11 and I am sure you can tell from how worn out it looks and the MUA logo is half gone. It has made an appearance in my makeup bag for many days now running for a few weeks which is rare. It used to be MAC's Hug Me (blog post here about it) which is almost finished now so I have switched for a little while. I pucker up my lips when I am done with lunch and on my way home...

Lip Treatment- Nivea Lip Care in  Soft Rose
I used this a lot when the weather was really bad but it has still remained in my bag because I still occasionally have dry lips. Taking care of the lips is something many people tend to overlook but it is very essential especially if you like wearing lipsticks and worse still, if you like Matte Lipsticks like MAC's Ruby Woo. 

If you have dry/cracked lips and use Ruby Woo, you will not be pleased, be rest assured about that. I usually don't wait for my dry lips to appear, I nip them in the bud with the Nivea Lip Care in Rose which is such a pretty color. 

I use this before my lipstick everyday and it helps to achieve smooth application of my lipstick. This is a staple for sure in my makeup bag. On rare occasions, I wear this alone in place of lipstick and it is still okay but it is very RARE.

Mascara- Model Co.  Fibre Lashxtend
Y'all know I am not a big fan of mascaras because they get in the way of my contacts and could be clumpy but this has made me rethink my decision. 

To begin with, I love that it is Lengthening versus Volume because volumising mascaras are the major culprits for clumping and messing with my contacts. I love how light the formula is and it has minimal, if not, non-existent clumping. It is really lovely and is a new entrant into my makeup bag and I feel it is here to stay. 

Also, it has a small cute mirror at the back that helps when you want to apply it without whipping out your mirror and trying to balance everything. I got this as a freebie in the July Issue of Glamour Magazine. It was an absolute steal because it retails for £16 but you get it free with Glamour Magazine which cost £2 this month. I actually got two of these; one for my makeup bag and a backup. Hahaha

Eye Liner- L'Oreal Super Liner Black Lacquer
Asides my new love for mascara, eye liner used to be the only eye makeup I loved wearing. L'Oreal is my favorite brand. The L'Oreal Black Lacquer is a felt tip eyeliner which is really black and waterproof.

It is perfect for my winged eyeliners or just straight nice lining. I actually have a blog post here on my favourite eye liner...check it out. This is an old time favourite and staple. Although, it is waterproof and it literally does not budge all day, I still keep it close for a touch up especially if I am going out after work to switch up from classic wing to a deep almost gothic winged eye liner.

Makeup Brushes
I try to limit the amount of brushes in my makeup bag because it is really small and these makeup brushes tend to mess up the inner lining of my makeup bag as you can see from one of the pictures here. 

My all time favourite brush is my Real Technique Buffing Brush. This brush is everything; it is excellent. One of the softest and easiest brushes to use and it definitely helps in achieving flawless makeup. I use this for touch ups mainly. 

The next brush is my ELF eye shadow brush which has been converted to a concealer brush ever since I bought my Bella Pierre Mineral Foundation. I use this mainly to dab on some of my mineral foundation to conceal some dark spots because it is soft and actually does the work as well as any concealer brush I know. 



The next brush I believe is from Gosh but I may be wrong, I have had it for so long and I am not sure where I got it from. It is meant to be a small angled brush which it still is. I use it on those occasions when I need to re-jig my eyebrow or to apply my MAC studio finish concealer to many stubborn dark spots. I only go for brushes that can fit into my makeup bag although the Real Technique brush presents some slight issues in that respect but my love for it conquers all issues :-)

Perfume- Flo Atomizer
I think ladies should definitely have a small perfume in their bags to freshen up when you have been to public places like the loo and some transport system like the Tube, Buses, Molues/ Danfos (My Nigerian Homies would know this) and even some cabs. I hate the old smell that comes with transport which is why I carry this little treasure in my makeup bag. I am not in the habit of carrying glass perfume bottles on my bag because it could get damaged which is why I bought this cute little atomizer.



I bought this from Debenhams last year but you can find it anywhere including Amazon and Ebay. It has not left my makeup bag except when I want to refill it. I larrve it. It is known as an Atomizer and it can be refilled easily by unscrewing the bottom and spraying directly into the enclosure. It is useful for mixing all your perfumes to produce a different exotic cocktail of fragrances you love.

That brings me to the end of the sneaky peek into my makeup bag. I hope your nosiness has been partially satisfied like mine has on many ocassions. Let me know what you have in your make up bag in the comment below and products that have been staples in your make up bag. Catch you in my next post....xxxx

Have you entered the Gamila Secret Cleansing Bar Giveaway Contest? It is Open now and International...Check it out here

Have an amazing week ahead...xx

http://www.fashstyleliv.com/2013/06/gamila-secret-cleansing-bar-giveaway.html