Review - Allure's 10 Commandments of Mascara

Mascara has become one of my must-have products because  my natural lashes need a lot of help to make them noticeable.  It's hard to believe that I wasn't always a lover of this product but I had my reasons .

I have tried many different mascara brands over the years and these 2 made the honour roll.  They take my short lashes from zero to hero.

When all else fails there's always strip lashes.  To be honest, I've only worn these for the online make-up contests  that I entered in 2012 and 2013.   I keep promising myself that I will put them to the test and wear them when I'm going out. That promise is yet to be fulfilled, I just don't have the time needed, I'm always rushing.

Allure - The Beauty Expert shared some interesting tips.  The image below is just a teaser, click this link to get all of the details - The 10 Commandments of Mascara .

Image Source - www.allure.com

"...because your make-up should always enhance." - Nakita Squires

Review - elf Studio Mineral Infused Face Primer

elf Clear Studio Mineral Infused Face Primer is an affordable face primer ($6 on elf's website)that works .  It was no different to the other primers that I have used in the sense that both my Powder and BB Cream applied easily, had a flawless finish and lasted the entire day.

Unlike the packaging of other primers that I have used I could not see how much product was left in the bottle to know when it was running low and I needed to buy another one.  This is a very minor issue though,  all I had to do was estimate and keep a back-up handy.

This product played a little trick on me though.  Based on the packaging I expected it to be a white, opague cream; it is actually a transparent gel.

Also, it doesn't leave my skin feeling like velvet like the NYX Studio Perfect Primer . That's alright though because neither did the Make Up Forever HD Primer Microperfecting Primer ($34 on Sephora's website). What matters most to me is that is does what it's supposed to.

elf you've done it again!!!!  You've earned another spot my list of products that did not disappoint.

"...because your make-up should always enhance" - Nakita Squires

Review - MAC Mineralized Eye Cream

I have always wanted to get rid of the darkness from my under-eye area.  The darkness was not extreme but it was noticeable and I hated it.


I had grown tired of the temporary solution of using concealer and extra powder to hide it.  I have always been scared to buy products to treat the issue because they are so expensive and there was no guarantee that they would work.

MAC Mineralized Eye Cream was one of the products I selected after attending MAC Technique 2013 (Click here and here for more details).

The Sales Rep advised that it is not an instant fix, that it is supposed to work over time. The product was very expensive and it was so small. I must confess that by the time I left MAC I was overcome with doubts.  

Had I chosen wisely?

Will it really work?

Did I just waste my money?

Should I have chosen something else?

I started using this product from October 2013.  I faithfully applied it twice daily and waited patiently.  After 3 weeks I noticed that underneath my eye wasn't as dark as before.  I was so excited!!!!  This was a very encouraging sign.

It is now May 2014, 7 months have passed.  I have 1/4 of the product left and the darkness has gone.  

What a relief!

"...because your make-up should always enhance." - Nakita Squires

A Different Way To Use Your Brow Pencil

Using the angle brush technique to fill my brows was working out quite well, it was the long sought after answer to my 'brow prayers'.

When I had used all of the product that was in the napkin, I started swiping my angle brush on the point of the brow pencil.  I would roll it out to approx 1/2" long to give me adequate swipe room.  Would you believe that the point broke off after a few days?  I really was not expecting that to happen, I think I was applying to much pressure with the brush.  Oh dear, what was I to do now?

I decided to place the broken point in a small container and flatten it with the handle of my angle brush to stop it from rolling around.  It worked like a dream.

Face - Iman Oil Blotting Powder, Brows - Milani Eye Pencil, Lips - Arista Purple Rain

I don't know why I didn't think of doing this before; I plan to continue to do this with my brow pencils until I find a better option.

So if you are like me and could never find a brow powder/cream/gel in a shade that matches your eyebrows, but you have a brow pencil, you can try this easy alternative and see how it works for you.

"...because your make-up should always enhance." - Nakita Squires

Review - Coolway True Smooth Hair Spray Part 2

(Click  here for Part 1)

Beauties, my hair looked so good after one week  that I decided to put it to the test and see how much longer the results would last.  I am happy to report that Coolway True Smooth Hair Spray did not disappoint.

I still can't believe that my hairstyle lasted for more than a week.  It looked just as good on the final day as it looked on the first day; even though I exercised regularly during that time.  

Have a look at these photos and see for yourself.  

Day 6

Day 8

Day 11

Here is the list of make-up products that I was wearing:

Face (Day 6,8,11)

1. e.l.f Mineral Infused Face Primer
2. Iman Perfect Response Oil Blotting Powder - Deep
3. e.l.f Makeup Mist & Set

Brows(Day 6,8,11)

1. Milani Easyliner Retractable Pencil for Eyes - Espresso (applied with an angle brush)
2. Eve.Pearl Dual Salmon Concealer & Treatment - Dark/Deep

Lips

1. Day 6 - Bath & Body Works Liplicious Lip Gloss - CottonCandy
2. Day 8 - NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss - Perfect Red
3. Day 11 - Arista Lipstick - Purple Rain

Sadly I'm not wearing blush, eyeshadow, eyeliner or mascara,  read my post Tick! Tock! I Must Beat The Clock Pt1 to find out why.

I can't help but gush about this amazing product, which has fast become one of my favourites.  I will definitely repurchase, and I recommend it to anyone who can get their hands on it. 


Don't forget to use code BeautyStat14 to receive a 10% discount on all °Coolway  purchases at www.coolwayhair.com (not including shipping revenue and  taxes). This item was provided for review courtesy of BeautyStat.com.


"...because your make-up should always enhance." - Nakita Squires

Review - Coolway True Smooth Hair Spray

When I read Beauty Stat's post about Coolway True Smooth Spray it caught my attention, it sounded too good to be true.

Image Source - www.coolwayhair.com

There are times when I am unable to visit the salon to have my hair professionally styled.  This means that I have to do it myself and let's just say that I don't always get results that I can be proud of. If Coolway True Smooth Spray really did all the things that it promised, my hair woes would become a thing of the past.  I seized the opportunity to review this product and waited anxiously for it to arrive in the mail.  

The Sunday after I received the Coolway True Smooth Spray, I washed my hair and sprayed the product on my wet hair as recommended.  I also used some moisturizer and wrap lotion which is my normal routine.

Before -  Here I am dreading sitting under that hot dryer.

I then wrapped my hair, sat under my hood dryer and hoped for the best.  When my hair had dried, I just combed it out and I could not believe my eyes. Even though the product did not cut down on on drying time, it gave me smooth results and my hair looked salon worthy.   This is no easy feat because I have coarse, relaxed hair that has a mind  of its own.

After - Free at last and loving how my hair looks.

This style lasted the entire week, which is a first.  All I had to do was wrap it before going to sleep, apply a little moisturizer and comb it out when I was ready to leave home.  I usually have to use a curling iron every two days to maintain this style.  






Coolway True Smooth Spray is an amazing product, I am very impressed.

Use code BeautyStat14 to receive a 10% discount on all °Coolway 
purchases at www.coolwayhair.com (not including shipping revenue and 
taxes).

This item was provided for review courtesy of BeautyStat.com.

Click here to see how my hair looked on Day 6, 8 and 11.

"...because your make-up should always enhance." - Nakita Squires

Review - Avon Total Radiance Solutions A.M./P.M. Dual Cleanser

When my sister gave me a two-in-one bottle of Avon Total Radiance Solutions A.M./P.M. Dual Cleanser I was so excited!!!  

From the first time I saw this type of packaging at the Avon display booths at various sales events it caught my attention because it is so unique.  It is true that our skin has different  needs first thing in the morning vs last thing at night, so I could not wait to use the Refreshing Day Cleanser and Makeup Removing Night Cleanser.

I don't usually purchase Avon skincare products because it's easier for me to just buy something from the beauty supply store.  The opportunity to test this product was not going to pass me by.

The first time I used it I realised that I was not fond of the smell, it reminded me of those hand-soaps that have a plastic, artificial smell. which I dislike immensely. I held my breath as much as possible, and tried to ignore the smell when I had to breathe. 

After washing my face it felt stiff and looked dry.  Interestingly enough, by the time I applied my make-up my skin was glowing and dewy.  This all seemed a bit strange to me, I could not believe that it was the same skin.  

I would hate to think that the cleanser intentionally dries out the skin which will result in the production of excess oils to compensate for the initial dryness.  That cannot be good for the skin, plus I prefer a matte finish.  I used it for one week to monitor the results and they were consistent during that period.  

What a shocker.  I really did not expect it to turn out like this.  The whole experience left me feeling very disappointed,  I had such high hopes in the beginning.  This one was a definite miss for me. 

"...because your make-up should always enhance." - Nakita Squires