Product review: Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner

Confession: I cannot go one day without eyeliner. And I mean it. I tried all types: pencils, felt tip pens, gel pots, eyeshadow+slanty brush… you name it, I’ve been there. And I settled for the pen, which is the most practical. For that reason alone, I was more than excited to try the Eyeko Skinny Liquid eyeliner in black.

To start with, I love that the tip is super long. I don’t know why, but I just do. And it is indeed very skinny and precise.

Now, I used this one to the end. Using everyday, it lasted about three months. I mean, the liquid is clearly ending, but the tip remains pretty sharp. It is still going – if I leave it upside down or shake it a bit, it will go back to almost new glory. It is still going but I know it is at the bitter end – it has given me all the signs it wants to retire. And I am re-purchasing. I don’t think I will ever let this one go, as I tried many liquid eyeliner pens and this one is really the best one!

The liquid is smooth and very black. It dries quickly and I cannot remember having any transfer after applying, at any point.

Application is easy, it glides very well with just the right amount – not too dry or too wet. One stroke and you have a solid colour. With any liner, a steady hand is always welcome, but the strong tip really helps. And because the tip is so fine, you can create perfect flicks, with precision. It is also easy to build up to create thicker lines.

Durability is also great. I do use an eyeshadow primer, but this baby stays in place all day and doesn’t smudge – even through my spin class (my best and probably unfairest test to makeup durability!). After 8 hours, it starts to fade, but stays in place. It is easy enough to remove with a good eye makeup remover and rubbing is not required – just wipe gently with the damp cotton wool!

I especially recommend this to those who are new to eyeliner – as mentioned, the tip really helps if you are not that confident with other eyeliners, and you can create delicate lines! actually, there isn’t a single Eyeko product I tried and did not love. Seriously. Eye wizards!

The Skinny Liquid Eyeliner retails from £10 from the Eyeko website and they . At the moment, QVC has a brilliant twin pack for £15 plus p&p – which will come in my Christmas stocking, through “very subtle” hints!

This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my own true experience with the products and reflects my honest opinion on them.

What I’ve been wearing – 28/12/13

And here is the last of the outfit posts for 2013. As promised, after the latest jumper fest that was my previous post, I’ll give you sequins!

Thanks for being around in 2013 – and here is to more outfits in 2014!

Outfit #1

Black loose crop top with sheer panel from Forever 21, black, gunmetal, green and blue sequin pencil skirt from Topshop, black patent court shoes from Christian Louboutin (Rolando), necklace from New Look, rings from Accessorize, Forever 21, H&M and Topshop.

Outfit #2

Blue, red and white blouse from Primark, full midi skirt with sheer panel from Boohoo, black and white court shoes from Viviana calçados, necklace from Accessorize, rings from Forever 21, Primark and Topshop.

Outfit #3

White crop top from Miss Selfridge, black cigarette trousers from Topshop, black court shoes from Christian Louboutin (Decolette 100), necklace from Primark, rings from Sobral, Zena & Me, Topshop, Stella & Dot.

Outfit #4

Floral long-sleeve playsuit from Forever 21, black court shoes from Christian Louboutin (Decolette 100), necklace from Primark, rings from Topshop and Primark.

Outfit #5

Red Christmas jumper with snowman and leather effect skirt from Primark, black leather ankle boots from H&M, necklace from Primark, rings from Topshop, New Look and Primark.

Product review: JN Beauty Gel eyeliner pencil

Eyeliner is a part of every makeup I do. A black flick is to be found on my peepers on a daily basis.

The JN Beauty gel eyeliner comes as a pencil. Yes, a pencil – which is very practical. I used the Black Caviar and it glides beautifully, without the need to apply too much pressure, making application quick and easy with one stoke. It is also highly pigmented – it looks super black with a glossy finish.

The eyeliner dries quickly after application so it doesn’t transfer; durability is fantastic – it stays put all day!

As it is a pencil, the tip is not super fine when sharpened, and it goes thick after a few uses. This is a very minor negative for me as durability of the pencil is reduced, as you need to sharpened more often. Having said that, because the durability is so brilliant, you don;t need to re-apply or re-touch, so maybe it balances out. As for my precise flicks, I just need to be careful when doing the it with the sharp pencil and it ends up perfect!

I was very impressed with how quickly I applied my eyeliner perfectly in the morning, the intense effect and also how long it lasted ! This baby will certainly live in my makeup bag!

JN Beauty is a British brand founded in 2011 and you can find the Gel eyeliner pencil in six gorgeous colours on the JN Beauty website.

This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my own true experience with the products and reflects my honest opinion on them.

Nails of the week, Christmas edition: red, gold and… Rudolph!

Yes, I am floating around in Christmas spirit (better late than never, no?).

I am not usually a fan of little animals, flowers and drawings in general on my nails but what the hell? It is Christmas after all. So here they are – my super festive Christmas nails!

It has red, gold and a reindeer! Yes, Rudolph is my special guest!

For the red and gold gradient I used the sponging technique with the beautiful The Spy who Loved Me and Golden Eye, both from OPI’s James Bond collection. It was quite a hard gradient to put together, as the gold is not quite glitter – it is like a foiled effect, so a few layers were needed!

I drew the reindeer’s head with the polish brush. I used a deep metallic brown which is the darkest colour from Andrea Fulerton’s duo polish Petrol in Water. Then added the eyes using a dotting tool and Collection Nail Tip Whitener white polish. Used The Spy Who Loved Me red for the nose (with a larger dotting tool) and Barry M’s nail art pen in black for the antlers and black dot in the eye.

I then finished them all with a top coat!

Must admit I like it more than I thought I’d ever like a drawing on my nails – very happy with the result!

How festive!

Happy Christmas to all!

Rating:

Product review: Liz Earle Vanilla and Saffron creamy shower nectar and silky body lotion

Who doesn’t like a relaxing, indulgent shower/bath? Well, braces yourselves: Liz Earle is launching their amazing Indulgent Bath and Body range in March 2014 and I was lucky enough to get my hands on the lovely Vanilla and Saffron creamy shower nectar and silky body lotion.

Firstly, the scent: I just love this warm vanilla with saffron fragrance, laced with water lotus, honeydew, gardenia, lily of the valley and white orchid, tonka bean and musk notes. From the three launching, this is my favourite (read more about all the products and fragrances here).

I like the packaging, colours are lovely and bold, and it is functional. The pump dispenses a good amount of product and they are easy to use in the shower.

The creamy shower nectar has a luxuriously thick consistency and is gorgeously pearlescent. It feels really lovely on the skin, leaving it soft and supple, with a hint of the scent when washed away. If it has a small downside is that it doesn’t lather and I am a foam kinda gal… It is also fantastic as a bath cream!

The silky body milk is light in texture, applies and absorbs really well. It leaves the skin moisturised and soft – but best of all, smelling fabulous. And it lasts (the smell and softness too!) This is a great treat not only for your body but for your mind too! I’ve been using it daily since I got it and I just can’t get enough.

As mentioned, the whole line will be out in March 2014. The Vanilla and Saffron creamy shower nectar and silky body lotion will sell for £12.50 and £14.50 respectively.

Keep an eye on the Liz Earle website for more information and out for the whole range, which also has a body butter and scrub (which I cannot wait to put my hand on!).

This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my own true experience with the products and reflects my honest opinion on them.

Shoe obsession – Sergio Rossi’s Papillons sandals

From time to time I fall in love with some unobtainable pair of shoes. This is quite a common occurrence – in fact, it happens more often that not.

The current “victim” of my infatuation this time comes from Sergio Rossi – it is the Papillons sandals, in gold and black leather and metal. Oh, Sergio, why do you do this to me???

Not many of you know, but a have a thing for butterflies. I have two tattooed on my shoulder. I just love them – less to do with their beauty, more with their transformation, their new found self and freedom plus the fact they live, on average, a month – this is, for me, a reminder that you should make the best of every minute.

Anyway… Mr Rossi (actually, Angelo Ruggeri, Sergio Rossi’s creative director) then comes up with this. Butterflies that could be hugging my ankles right now. And they are gold. And art-inspired. Plus they are just beautiful. Look at those melting metal heels!!!! Oh, God, do I LOVE a metal heel or not?!

The flying inspiration – Crespi’s Collana Farfalla

Gabriella Crespi’s candelabra from the Groce Oro collection

Ruggeri took inspiration from some of artist Gabriella Crespi’s pieces from the Gocce Oro collection, including a pair of candelabra, created in the 70’s and the result is just stunning.

Well, WANT doesn’t even start to describe it. Anyone?! Please?

Images credits: French Vogue and Gabriella Crespi’s website

Nails of the week: purple and silver

For the first time, I have a “nail of the week” backlog – I am about three weeks behind!!!

This is quite a simple one, but I really like – still from when I was in Brazil! My lovely manicurist Irma is not a nail art one, at their salon, they just have people wearing nudes and reds, so I usually drive her crazy with my colourful requests.

The base colour is one I loved, Colorama’s Noite Quente – I had it in plain my toes. It is a beautiful warm purple! I then had a coat of Risque’s Diamante Fúcsia added to the top. This is a lovely and very saturated magenta and silver fine glitter suspended in a clear base.

The accent nail was done with the super metallic silver Cromo from Impala. It is a really shiny chrome-like nail polish, one of the best effects I’ve seen.

A simple combination great for the party season – not too out there but still sparkly enough for the festive spirit!

Rating:

Product review: Guinot Damsel in De-stress gift set

Oh, Christmas time… Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way…. my bells are jingling so vigorously they are about to jingle all the way out of the window in seasonal rage.

Well, maybe it is not that bad. It is however, quite stressful to walk around frantic shoppers. Everywhere you go is so busy. This takes its toll on me. And I thank Guinot for this helping hand – the Damsel in De-stress gift set, that will help you ease away a little bit of the parties anxiety.

The kit contains a full size Mousse Nettoyante Bioxygene (150ml), a foam cleanser that removes impurities and makeup and has oxygenating properties. The liquid inside turns into a very light, airy foam – one full pump is enough for the whole face. It melts makeup well (heavier eye makeup still needs proper removal) and leaves the face feeling clean and soft. It doesn’t dry the skin and smells deliciously floral.

It also comes with a full size 50ml Masque Dynamisant Anti-Fatigue, a masque that helps reduce the signs of fatigue. It has AHA’s and refreshing mint and eucalyptus cold oils and “eliminates dead skin cells, boosts cell vitality, refines the skin’s texture and leaves the skin perfectly moisturised and luminous”. The mask is a thick-ish white cream and indeed very refreshing on application. It doesn’t dry on the skin after applied. My skin was feeling moisturised and slightly stimulated by the freshness of this mask. It removes easily and there is no residue or greasy feeling.

Finally, the third item in the kit is a scented candle, which I find great for when you out on your Masque Dynamisant. It has a similar scent to the Mousse Nettoyante Bioxygene and it not lives permanently in my bathroom.

It makes a brilliant Christmas present that will help the owner get a little post-party lift! And it also great for day to day. The cleanser has become my official morning cleanser.

It reatils at £50, but you can find the Guinot Damsel in De-stress gift set for £40 at Salon Skincare. It can also be found at Guinot salons. All info on Guinot products and treatments can be found on their website and products can also be bought here.

This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my own true experience with the products and reflects my honest opinion on them.

Naked Fake It Gotta Glow gift set with self tan lotion and bronzer

That time of the year. All hopes of sun rays have long passed and I feel so white I am bordering on see-through – honestly, you can see all my veins and if you squint enough, you might be able to spot the outline of an internal organ. Quite tragic.

No wonder this little Naked Fake It Gotta Glow gift set landed on my lap at the right time – the time of need.

The set has the Glow it up self tan lotion and the Dust Me mineral shimmer powder.

The self tan lotion is enriched with cocoa and shea butter. It looks like a very rich moisturiser, a thick cream, white in colour. It spreads well, and smells lovely on application. I got the light/medium and applied it before bed. I woke up with a lovely glow, I could definitely see the effects of the self tan lotion, but it wasn’t too blatant, just sunkissed. It didn’t stain and – wait for it – there was NO biscuity smell! None at all.

The shimmer makes a lovely loose bronzer, applies and spreads well and is not glittery – the colour is pretty and warm, giving your face that healthy flush – but it is also great for the body!!!

Always worth mentioning that the Naked products are 97% natural – this is true for both tanning lotion and shimmer. Also, the tanning agent on this beauty is 100% natural, so no nasties. Naked is one of the good and super nice companies in the beauty world – natural ingredients, no parabens, SLS or petrochemicals, no animal testing, recycled packaging, ethical sourcing and involvement with humanitarian and environmental charities.

You can get the Naked Fake It Gotta Glow gift set for £14 from the Naked Bodycare website, where you will also find their fantastic range products!

This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my own true experience with the products and reflects my honest opinion on them.

What I’ve been wearing – 16/12/2013

Christmas is upon us and 2013 is almost over… I haven’t posted an outfit selection for a while, so this is a bit of a random mix of work day to day work attires and only one night out one!

I promise the next one will be more festive, and might even have sequins…..