Review: Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara

Max Factor False Lash Effect is, quite simply, the best mascara I have ever used. It does what it says on the tin - provides a false lash effect, doubling the length of your lashes and providing a generous volume boost for bold, eye catching lashes. Since using this mascara, I've had several friends asking where I had my eyelash extensions done!

I found the finished result very similar to NYX's Doll Eye Mascara, another wonderful lengthening mascara. However, while Doll Eye dried up within a month of purchase, False Lash Effect is only now beginning to run low, after 3 months of almost daily use.

Despite the impressive results, this mascara does come with one small annoyance - the brush. Although Max Factor raves about their 'Big Brush', it seems no more unique than any other mascara brush and I had a lot of trouble reaching the lashes on the inner and outer corners of my eyes. Personally, I think a curved brush would have been a much better fit.

Even with the disappointing brush, False Lash Effect is pretty hard to beat - I really would recommend it to anyone. If you have very short eyelashes and want a more subtle alternative to strip lashes or extensions, you will be very happy with this.

Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara is available from Boots for £10.99.

Review: 17 BB Cream

 

I am hooked on BB creams at the moment - they provide good coverage and illuminate the skin, but are moisturising enough to glide over dry patches. After a somewhat bad experience with Garnier's BB Cream, I decided to give 17's version a try.

 Before & after

The coverage with this is a little lighter than expected - if you have problem skin, you'll probably want something with fuller coverage. It's light reflecting and illuminates skin beautifully, without making it look excessively oily (are you taking notes, Garnier?). This is definitely one for the pale skinned girls out there, the light shade matched my skin perfectly (no more struggled with 'light' orange shades, hurrah!). This also lasts really well on me. It usually wears down a little through the day, but come bedtime I still have decent coverage.

This handled dry skin well until the last couple of days - it's been perfect in the morning but then I've arrived at work, looked in the mirror and seen a stupid amount of dry, flaking patches. However, I'm hoping this is purely down to the sudden extreme change of temperature here at the moment (20 degrees last week, 4 yesterday, sob) but it's still disappointing.

 17 BB Cream is available from Boots for £6.99.

Spring Trends: Bright Coloured Hair

Katy Perry for Adidas
 
A pop of bright, bold colour is my absolute favourite hair trend right now. A surprisingly wearable look, you could go for a couple of subtle streaks or be brave and choose a full wash of neon. Dye, wash off hair spray, extensions and wigs - there are so many options, depending on how permanent you want your colour to be! To inspire you, here's some of my favourite looks:

Thakoon

Wella

Allure

Thakoon

Nicki Minaj

Have any of you gone bright for 2012?

Review: Noa by Cacharel Eau de Toilette

Noa, while not my usual style, is simply beautiful. It's a light, floral musk - quite an elegant fragrance, very clean and perfect for summer. For an eau de toilette this has excellent lasting power, so rarely do I find a perfume that lasts all day on me! Still, this manages not to be too overpowering, unlike many modern 'feminine' (read: sickly sweet) fragrances. Ideal for day wear, though you may want something a little bolder for evenings.

This is currently on sale at Boots - £13.80 for the 30ml bottle (usually £23) and £28.20 for 100ml (usually £47). Pick it up while it's cheap!

Review: Chanel Perfection Lumiere Foundation

I have lusted after Chanel's make up range for years, so when I got my hands on a sample of Perfection Lumiere it was like Christmas morning!

So here's the facts: this is a fluid foundation with SPF 10, promising lightweight, long lasting coverage. It's non-comedogenic and suitable for all skin types. There is a huge range of shades available (in the photos below I'm wearing 30 Beige - unfortunately, slightly too dark for me and has a bit of an orange tint).

The first thing I noticed is this product's gorgeous smell - not a major factor when choosing foundation, but a nice addition! It has a very liquid consistency and absorbs into skin quickly, so you do need to work fast when applying and blending.

Major entry in the pro column - this didn't sink in to fine lines & dry patches, at all. These days I usually try to stay away from liquid foundations as I find they always sink into dry patches that I didn't even know I had - not a pretty effect. But this foundation perfectly glided over any unsightly areas.

So here's my before and afters:

Before

After

This gives a lovely luminous, radiant finish, not matte but not overly shiny either. Coverage is light to medium and lasting power is pretty good (although I haven't quite given it the 15 hour test!).

This is a nice foundation - but it didn't blow me away. I expected something a little more fabulous from Chanel! Again, it's not bad, I like the foundation, but for the price I'd expect something extra spectacular.

Chanel Perfection Lumiere is available from House Of Fraser for £36.00.