Elite Stage Permanent Eyeliner

This was sent to me agges ago. I think it was actually included in a Christmas type gift from Superdrug. I played with it when I got it, but didn't actually give it much of a chance, favouring my favourite Rimmel black kohl liner instead.
This is a lesson to give everything a chance before leaving it to gather dust!

elite Stage Permanent eyeliner - #01 Deep Black

I've recently taken to wearing smudged eyeliner, a lot. It used to be the Rimmel liner that would be blended into my lashes, for some subtle definition. Now, it's becoming quite an art from, as I strive to create a neat, winged line, then smoke it out.

This eyeliner comes in a twist up packaging, which to me always signifies a waxy pencil. This is exactly what you get;

I think it's the waxy quality that helps it's staying power, as once it's no longer warm (from blending or applying it) it sets on the eye, making it hard to melt off, or seep down the face.
When wearing it on the eyelid, it stayed put all day, even on the lower lash line, it never faltered smudging down my cheeks like a lot of others do.
If you're blending it out on the eyelids, I'd recommend warming it up on your hand first, or running it through a flame, as if it's applied straight from the pencil it can be a little difficult to blend, which won't be good for your eyes.


I also tried it on the waterline, and was substantially impressed. It lasted the entire day, without any of it coming off. To me, this is something pretty magnificent, as the only other product I have found that trait with is MAC's Fluidline, which I'm never really sure about putting on my waterline.

As some of you may know, Elite is actually a US modelling agency. I had this in the back of my mind but it didn't click until I saw an advert for the agency; both holding the same logo, and along with the name of the product, would suggest it's been through the catwalk shows!

As far as I'm aware this product & brand is exclusive to Superdrug stores, in larger ones anyway. With all the products been very reasonably priced. I'll definitely be picking this up again once it's run out. Right now it's my favourite product, whether using it for a full eye look, or just a quick something to pull out your features. I can't find a fault with it, apart from the potential to have a creamier former - which may be difficult when it's in the twist up pencil form.

You can see my use of it in my 'grunge' eye, in a previous post. This is generally what i've been sporting since I realised how good it was. I couldn't tell you why it never got a proper chance, growing attached to certain products does that to you, but this could just be the next thing that won't be getting replaced.

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Recent Purchays

I'm not normally one to do 'haul' posts. At a time I did, then I just found them a little obnoxious - just didn't feel the fun there anymore.
This one has some stuff I think at least a handful of you will be interested in, so here everything is.

From a recent trip to the Trafford Centre;

Chosen by the boy, from Accessorize.

Miss Selfridge, angel wing ring.

The majority of my money went on the boy. A late birthday and valentines present of new trainers & some Hugo Boss action. Plus a meal at Pizza Express, his pizza was nicer than mine which isn't fair, I also realised I don't like courgette.

From a recent blog sale;

O.P.I. - My Private Jet

I bought this thinking it was the old, blacker formula. To me it's the blacker version, but when I asked the boy if he liked it he said it was brown.. Either way, I love it. It's like a mini solar system on my nails.

From Love-makeup.co.uk;

Sigma 168, NYX Jumbo Pencils in Milk & Black Bean.

After reading someones post (do let me know if it's you, credit is due!) saying they'd found Sigma brushes on Lovemakeup, I swiftly made my way over there. It was there I discovered they also stocked the pencils (at £2.50 each). I placed my order, then completely forgot about it. It was quick postage, but I still don't actually remember processing it. Not that I'm complaining. I've had a quick play around with the pencils & I love them. They're great as a base to add a different hue to the eyeshadow, and perhaps even better on the water line because of how pigmented they are. Tomorrow will be the smudged eyeliner test.

From Primark;

The £1.50 Kabuki.

I think it was £1.50... Either way, it was Primark cheap. It's one of my favourite brushes at the moment. It's surprisingly soft, not in the least bit scratchy & purple! ("I love being purple!" Spongebob fans unite). I use it with my MAC MSF Natural, and it's lust. Would definitely recommend, and even if you manage not to like it, it isn't really like you've wasted your money...

Finally (not actually purchased, but sent & well received) from Aussie;


My Colour Mate Tribe pack was handed to me this morning - from the weight I immediately knew what it was. There was also a Chomp bar among the goodies, but it got *lost* before the photo shoot... I've sampled the shampoo & conditioner tonight. Nothing less than I expected. Thank you Aussie for another great set!

Another shopping trip is in action tomorrow, this time at Meadowhall - I do enjoy a bit of Mhall action.

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FOTN

I feel like I haven't done one of these for ages. This is from last Wednesday at work. A little late, yes, but I liked the look - so it deserved a mention.

On the facial;

• Maybelline Dream Satin Liquid
• Garnier Under eye roll on
• Benefit's Coralista

Lips;

• Gosh Darling
  mixed with
• Body Shop Lip Gloss Dot #3

Eyes;

• Benefit 'Leggy' over the lid
• Rimmel 'Smokey Quartz' in the crease & lower lash line
  
• MAC 'Teddy' Eye Kohl along waterline
• MAC 'Blacktrack' Fluidline on upper lash line
• Maybelline Colossal, followed by The Falsies on upper lashes
  & Great Lash on lower lashes.
  

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A Grown Up NOTD

French manicures are a classic, and whenever I wear them I feel a lot more mature... I even hold my hands in a different way, they really make a difference.
Seeing as my nails can only handle this feat on rare occasions when none are breaking, broken or bitten - I always get it done wherever possible.

I love my mature way of modelling them.

I use Rimmel's 'Stronger' base coat, which is a really subtle glittery, pink toned clear polish.
The whit is done with Rimmel's 'Nail Tip Whitener' which has a specially designed brush.
It works well, but you have to learn how to get the right amount on the brush, which eventually leads to the top of the bottle getting a little clogged because you're wiping so much off so frequently, nothing a bit of nail varnish remover can't fix though!

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A Cheaper Alternative.

After seeing Petrilude's video on his home made lip scrub, I had to give it a go.

A little bit of background;
I have suffered from sore lips since I can remember. When I was younger it was particularly bad, and I remember getting a redness all the way around my mouth every winter, sometimes getting substantially chapped.
After a trip to the doctor, he suggested it was probably a vitamin B deficiency, although not really having a proper diagnosis. I stocked up on all kinds of fruit and began taking vitamins. Whenever my lips start getting sore again, I literally down bottles of fresh orange juice to keep it at bay. It has never got as bad as it used to, but there are still bad times - this has been of recent.
The corners of my mouth imparticular have been particularly sore. I know that I'll never get rid of the 'extended lip' (as I've grown to call it) which came about in a particularly bad chapped spell. But also, my lips have become increasingly chapped recently, which is quite rare. If my lips have ever felt rough, it doesn't take much to get them back to impeccable smoothness, but nothing has solved that recently.
I digress...

The point of the post;
I've heard about the numerous benefits of good old olive oil, and I plan to work through these mini miracles. The first one, is contributing it to your lips.
Recently Lush have launched their own lip scrubs, but I wasn't remotley interested in them, simply because it is quite literally sugar and oil, with numerous chemicals (I imagine), which could be duped for a substantially lower cost, and the different products you buy are going to last a lot longer.
The olive oil and sugar lip scrub has been around for a while, and I'm pretty sure you'll know how to do it, but as I loved the effect so much...
Here is my step by step repeat of Petrilude's tips -

1) Take a small amount of olive oil, and a small amount of sugar. I just used a shot glass and a tea bag bowl (?) to hold them, using the olive oil and sugar that was already at home. It's pretty likely you'll already have the ingredients in your possession.
You need a tiny amount, the above is probably a little excessive, but I've since covered them, so i can reuse at any time.

2) Apply a finger full of oil to your lips, give them a good covering.

Leave this on for a good 10 minutes, it'll allow it to sink into the lips, and loosen up any dead skin that's on there.

3) While you're waiting, you can begin mixing.
Pour a little of the oil into the sugar; enough to make a thick paste.

I just used the opposite end of tweezers to mix, but if you have a mixing spatula to hand, that would work. Just something to bond the two!


4) Once you've created a substantial paste, you're going to apply it to your lips. I suggest doing it over the sink or a tissue to catch any fall out. Same when you're applying the oil as it's likely to drip.


5) Next, take a toothbrush, and buff the mixture over your lips, I used circular motions and continued until the majority of the sugar had fallen off.


6) Wipe any of the remaining mixture off, then apply a tiny amount of oil, as if it were a balm and leave it on.



There you go! I felt as if it had really rejuvenated my lips, making them a lot smoother.
If you're happy buying the ready made Lush alternative, then stick with it. But I personally wouldn't pay the £5 just to get a sweet taste when you can have a similar experience for under £2 (or free if you're still in with the parents!).

I'm currently avoiding my obsessive application of lip balm (particularly Blistex), because, as mentioned in the video, it basically has addictive qualities as your lips are gradually going to stop producing as much moisture. I'm kicking the habit!

If you took the time to read all the background, thankyou! If you have any tips about the problems I get with my lips, I would honestly love to hear them. I just want an easy solution to when they get as sore as they do.
I hope some of you will try this, just as a little pamper to yourself. Another homemade beauty trick gone right!

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Maybelline 'The Falsies'

This review maybe slightly bias, over the years I've developed a substantial liking for Maybelline mascaras. I have yet to find one I really don't like. Up until now the 'Define a lash' & 'Pulse Perfection' have lagged in favour, but they are still up there with the best.
On behalf of Superdrug, I was sent this - and I have to say, I was quite pleased. I was considering parting with the cash for it, despite still having a drawer full of unused mascaras.

So, the unique selling point for this product is the 'spoon' brush. It's slightly curved, in order to get each lash and fan them out, giving a similar affect to false lashes.

I'm quite impressed with it to be honest. The shape fits perfectly to my eye, and manages to coat all the lashes in one swoop. The downside, I don't really understand how or why, but somehow this brush causes the product to go onto the tight line just under the lashes. For most this wouldn't be problem, but if you apply colour to the tight line, then you'll have to content with left over mascara.
With this brush, it also seems more likely to get into your eye, to me this isn't too much of a problem, but it can get a little annoying when you have to blink some residue out.
With careful application you can overcome these problems, and if you're one to avoid colour on your tight line, in a way, the residue is a good thing as it creates thicker looking lashes from the black line.

In terms of the effect it gives, I like the amount of thickness it can create, i think this is down to the brush, it gets a good amount of product and seems to deposit a lot on the lower part of the lashes, so they look a lot healthier.
While I didn't experience any clumping, it's not a mascara for those who want separation. There's mascaras that really can pull out each individual lash, this generally just coats your eyelashes as they are, so be sure to comb through them before or after to really separate (something I neglected to do in the following pictures).
One thing I really saw with this, was how much my eyelashes curved. I very rarely curl my eyelashes, to me I just don't see much difference by including that step. I'm also lucky enough to have a substantial length to my eyelashes, so I'm never sure how much the mascara helps, but the curve that this product adds alone, would be worth it to those who love curling, but could live without it.

Bare lashes

Lashes with Maybelline's 'The Falsies'

The Curling effect

It's the curling and the thickness that I love about this mascara and is a top contender with their 'Colossal Lash' as my favourite.
Another plus for Maybelline's mascara is their defined packaging, for some, the bright array of coloured packaging they offer may seem a bit garish, but to me, it's another plus. Easy to find and it definitely sets them aside from the rest, leading me to pick them more often.

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