Goodies in the mail! + My First Orly!!

Hello my lovelies, hope you're all well :) Today, I returned home from a very eventful day at Uni to a brown box bearing e.l.f. cosmetics!!!! I instantly got a tad excited at the thought of what could be in the box (I had placed an order but I didn't receive a notification email until today, so I knew it wasn't the spoken-about order).  To cut a long story short, I opened the box and found:

The lovely people over at elf cosmetics sent me Party Puple nail polish and a Get the Look Day to Night Set!!! What a lovely early Christmas present I might say! Thank you sooooo much elves! xxx Here are some more pics:

I particularly like the Christmassy packaging of the Get the Look set shaped like a bag!! The eyeshadows are very shimmery and highly pigmented as well... I can tell I will be using them a lot hehe!!

Next, some more goodies I received in return for winning a contest on Nail Art Designs for Fun facebook page:

Last but by no means least.... I got my first Orly polish!!!! Dazzle, meet the ladies; ladies, meet Dazzle!

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NOTW: e.l.f. Rosy Raisin

Happy Sunday my lovelies :)

For the next 3 weeks, my NOTW's will be a bit plain, in the sense that I will be doing like swatches of my latest acquisitions from nail polish world i.e. elf's Autumn Collection. I will then do a review about all of the collection. All four colours are so beautiful I didn't want to 'ruin' them with nail art (don't get me wrong here... I love nail art).

The first nail polish from the collection is Rosy Raisin. Here it is:


Rosy Raisin - two coats with a glossy clear top coat (photo taken with flash).


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Review: e.l.f. Studio Brush Shampoo

I wanted to try e.l.f.'s brush shampoo ever since I got their Daily Brush Cleaner in one of my earlier orders and so, in my last order, I decided to get it. I had like almost a week to play with it and now, here's the review!

The first thing that I noticed and I wasn't that happy about, is the size of the bottle. I mean, compare it to the Daily Brush Cleaner, they are both the same price (€4.00) and for the latter, you get more than double the volume of the shampoo! For reference, you get 120ml for the Brush Shampoo and 250ml for the Daily Brush Cleaner, so please elf, it would be nice if you got this in a larger format :)

Now for the pros, which I gladly say, outweigh the cons (or should that be one, single con??).

I used this brush shampoo twice to clean all my used make up brushes, including the bigger powder, blusher and contouring brushes and I have only gone through a small amount! I learned that a little goes a long way with this shampoo as it produces a nice, foamy lather even with just a drop! Bonus points to the see-through bottle as well as for the dispenser. When I saw this on the site, I thought it had a cap which you unscrew and pour the product out and hence I was a bit skeptical in the sense that it's not really economical to have a dispenser like that; but when I took it out of the box it comes supplied in, I saw it has one of those caps where you press one side to click it open and there's a small hole through which you get the product out.

At this point, some might argue it works just like regular shampoos. Fair enough! I thought that too, but after seeing how much more product was coming out of my brushes with less amount of shampoo and the fresh, anti-bacterial smell my brushes had after washing, I changed my mind. Also, the bristles were all left very soft, pretty much like the first time I got the brushes.

With regards to smell, the shampoo doesn't contain alcohol and so it doesn't impart the same strong smell as the Brush Cleaner does. However, it still has a similar lovely smell, only not as strong.

Would I buy this again? I'm not sure, honestly. I am trying to see how long I can stretch it for and then maybe I decide in the affirmative. The only this that holds me back is the size whilst performance is really good, so probably it will be a yes; only time will tell!

Have you tried the Brush Shampoo or Daily Brush Cleaner ladies? What did you think of them? Would you re-purchase them?

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Review: e.l.f. Dual Pencil Sharpener

Today I am going to be reviewing my e.l.f. Dual Pencil Sharpener which was part of my first shy order from the elf cosmetics website.

The packaging contains two sharpeners, a dual one and a mono one, and they both come supplied in the same blister pack. I will start by reviewing the sharpener I use most, the mono one.

Basically it is your standard sharpener, for the normal sized cosmetic pencils. It measures 2.5 x 1.4 x 1.6cm and therefore, you don't have to worry about space in your travel make up bag. I like the sleek black appearance of this sharpener as it makes it look professional. The pencils are sharpened to a well-defined tip without breaking them and I am therefore very content with this one.

On to the dual sharpener. I have mixed feelings about this sharpener because while I like the innovative format, I don't like the way it sharpens the pencils. First, let's see what's special about the format.

Basically, you get a dual sharpener with a clear base and top which are both detachable to enable thorough cleaning of the blades after use. This sharpener also has a small picking tool (see image on the right) which is intended for cleaning the blades from the pencil residues. I really like that in fact as I have never seen anything like this with other cosmetic sharpeners. Furthermore, an adapter is also supplied so that all the pencils, no matter what size, can be sharpened. I also like the sleek black format on this one.

Now, the reasons I don't like this sharpener as much as I do the mono one. Basically, it has to do with the sharpening. I used the bigger side only once with one of my thicker sized pencils and I was really disappointed. See why for yourselves:

After this rather unpleasant episode, I didn't want to risk my other similar pencils so I used a (clean!) stationery sharpener to sharpen them with. As for the other side, the distance which a pencil is allowed to enter in the sharpener is quite short so I haven't yet figured out which pencils this side is suitable for. Over all, I think I would rate this set of sharpeners a 6/10. How would you rate these? Have you tried them and have a different view about them?

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Yet another elf haul :D :D :D

A few minutes ago I just got my little brown box of treasures from elf cosmetics. I am so happy I look like a little kid on Christmas morning hehe! Every single item arrived safe and sound and I am happy will all of them! Here are some pics:

My brown box of treasures :D

The Brush Shampoo... I'm a bit disappointed with the size of this, so I'll judge if I buy it again on it's performance ;P I think this will be the first product to review as I have kept my brushes dirty until it arrived so that I could try it immediately, so stay tuned for that :)

Shimmer eyeliner pencils in Boldly Bronzed (top) and Iconic Ivory (bottom). These two will not stay alone for long as I am planning to get their brothers and sisters as soon as they are back in stock :P

My first products from the Mineral range... I am really looking forward to try these out as I heard very good reviews about them. I will definitely purchase more colours! Here are Ripe Rose (left) and Natural Nymph (right).

And finally, my beloved nail polishes which I have waited for so long :D From left to right: Red Velvet, Cranberry, Purple Pleaser, Rosy Raisin and the Matte Finisher Top-Coat. I'm soooo looking forward to try these out ^.^

I'm off to play now lovelies! Until my next post,

Stay Beautiful ;)

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Review: e.l.f. Wet Gloss Lash & Brow Clear Mascara

Another elf mascara in the hot seat for today... this time, a mascara which is a bit different than your usual one. Ladies, say hello to Wet Gloss Lash & Brow Clear Mascara!

As usual, let me start the review with the packaging of this mascara. Basically it is a dual ended tube much like the Earth & Water ones with both sides being labelled to distinguish which is for eyebrows and which is for the lashes. However, what I really like about the tube is the fact it is transparent and thus I know when I need to order a new back up hehe :P

With regards the wands, at first glance, when they are still in the tube, they look the same size, but when you take them out... the eyelash one is slightly thinner and a bit pointy at the end whilst the eyebrow one is thicker and has a flat tip.

To me, this doesn't make a difference as such because I mostly use this mascara on my brows to keep them in check and give them a glossy look. However, if I am going out during the day and I want a more natural look, I don't think twice to apply two coats of this mascara to my lashes instead of my regular ones.

The texture of this mascara resembles that of a gel and I like this because it means my eyebrows will stay in place for quite a long time! I am not going to say that this lasts all day because it doesn't; but it does last a good number of hours. Then again, the mascara is small enough to fit in any purse, so I still carry it with me for touch ups.

Will I repurchase this mascara? Of course I will! At £1.50/€1.70 I am not going to break the bank and also, it doesn't leave me with itchy brows full of dandruff-like flakes like my high-end one did!

Have you tried this ladies? What did you think of it? If not, you can get one here.

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Review: e.l.f. Waterproof Eyeliner Pens in Black & Coffee

I can never get enough of eyeliner! I normally use pencil eyeliners to line my lower lash line. A slick of eyeliner just elevates a look to a whole new level and I really love that!

Whilst browsing the e.l.f. website, I was intrigued by these eyeliner pens mostly because of the pen format and the fact that they are waterproof. I decided to get two of them to try them out... Black and Coffee. I chose two neutral colours to give these a go and at £1.50 each, I wasn't going to break bank was I? Apart from Coffee and Black, there are also Ash, Midnight and Plum. You can have a look at them here.

What they say...

Get no smudge, no budge eyeliner that lasts for hours for a fabulous and fresh look of precision. The smooth pen applicator easily glides on color for very fine to bold lines for effortless beauty.
Directions

Hold applicator at a slight angle and apply color to the base of the lashes. Use a light touch for thin lines or a firmer touch for thicker lines. To remove easily use a water based makeup remover. Best stored tip down for ultimate color saturation.

What I say...

As usual, let's start with how the pens look. Their sleek, glossy black format rivals elf's studio line package. If you look at them from the side, they look like a concave lens, but one end is thicker than the other. Here's a picture so that you can get an idea of the size of the pens (I have very small hands mind you):

The colour of the pen is written on a sticker bearing the colour itself on the bottom of the pen. There is also the product name written in silver across one side of the pens. My Coffee one only has half of this present but that's not really a problem for me as I just look at the side and I know which pen is which without having to turn it upside down to check. To open, just pull out the cap!

On opening, you will immediately notice the fine tip of the eyeliner (very much similar to a ball pen, only thinner; refer to photo on the left for comparison). I don't know why but my Coffee eyeliner seems to have more of its tip out than my Black one but again, it's not a problem as it doesn't affect application of the product. The application is in fact the same as with other eyeliners but the sleek and sturdy pen design makes for an easier grip and a more steady application. Furthermore, the eyeliners are very pigmented and thus there is no need to rub at your eyes to get the product to mark.

Now let's come to the interesting part... are these eyeliner pens really waterproof?

Here's a swatch of the eyeliner pens (black is on top):

I have applied them in thick lines just for the sake of them coming out well in the photo because in reality, they stain a thin line.

Here's how they look after I ran water on them (I allowed 1 minute for them to dry):

There is no colour run or anything!

And finally here's how they look when I budged them while my hand was still wet:

As you can clearly see, the Coffee eyeliner is no longer there whilst the black one is intact. However, when I go swimming I usually use the Coffee eyeliner as it is more natural and it never budged! I guess it just needs more time to dry. On the other hand, there are no problems with the black one.

Overall, I like these eyeliner pens and would definitely repurchase along with some other colours maybe hehe!

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Review: e.l.f. Eyelid Primer

It's been quite some time since I gave my initial thoughts about e.l.f.'s Eyelid Primer so now I am in a position to give a full review about it.

What they say...

Preps your eyelid for smoother, longer-lasting and crease-proof eyeshadow. The ultra sheer nude color works to increase eye color longevity. The lightweight liquid formula quickly absorbs into the skin for comfortable wear.

What I say...

This is my first ever primer! I have never used one so I was intrigued to find out if these things actually work so I got it in one of my orders to see how if it measures up to my expectations.

The first thing I noticed when I took this out is that it looked like it had separated and dried up. I had read about this happening to other customers so I followed e.l.f.'s advice to open it and pump the wand up and down a couple of times. In no time, the Eyelid Primer looked how it was supposed to!

I really like the tube it comes in. The bottom part feels so smooth and velvety (I think it is silicon), in a few words, nice to the touch. It has a very creamy consistency which blends seamlessly into the eyelids. The colour is described as sheer; although it looks kind of peachy, it really blends to a sheer colour so I guess it will work for darker skin tones as well. The Eyelid Primer has no smell to it.

Another thing which I really like about this Eyelid Primer is the handy wand applicator (pretty much the same as a lipgloss applicator). It is very ergonomic and you control how much primer you want on your lids (2-3 dabs are enough).

Before I got this product, I looked up some reviews on other blogs and on YouTube and there was one in particular that gave me second thoughts about this Eyelid Primer. The girl said that when she closed the tube, the primer came out from underneath the cap. I am glad mine isn't at all like that.

Now, on to the interesting part... how did it help in extending the life of my eyeshadows?

I really put this primer to the test!! I tried it with cream eyeshadows, powder eyeshadows, pigments, poorly pigmented eyeshadows... well you get the drift! However, in my opinion, the hardest test was to be able to maintain my eyeshadow like I have just applied it in the extremely hot & humid summer we have here in Malta.

At this point, it has become a tough challenge to really convince myself on the fact that I have managed to go through all this time without this product! It has proven to be an essential product in my make-up kit as apart from making the eyeshadows last all day and night without creasing (yes, even the cream ones!!!!), it also enhances the colour and makes them stand out more! Here is a picture to show you exactly what I mean:

I think it's worth investing in this Eyelid Primer and at £1.50 you won't break the bank either (yes you read the price right ;p)! e.l.f. also have an other eye primer which is the Mineral Eyeshadow Primer which retails for £3. I haven't tried this out yet but e.l.f. claim that this gentle and completely sheer Eyeshadow Primer has key vitamins A, C and E to help prevent aging and moisturizes the skin. The formula glides on easily and disappears instantly to create longer-lasting, crease-proof eyeshadow. The Mineral Eyeshadow Primer is designed to be used with your favorite mineral eyeshadow to provide ultimate staying power for beautiful and vibrant color that lasts. 100% mineral based with no parabens, no preservatives and no chemical dyes.

Overall, I give the Eyelid Primer a 5 star rating. Have you tried this out yet ladies? Do have opposing opinions or anything else you'd like to point out?

Review: e.l.f. professional Blending Wedges

Recently, I came to know about a nail art technique called sponging and to create designs with it, you need some blending make-up wedges so I decided to purchase some from e.l.f. cosmetics.

However, when I received the package, I changed my mind on using them for sponging. Not because they are not good or anything but they are so cute I was a bit hesitant to transform their pinkish colour into a rainbow of nail polishes. Thus, I decided to keep these for blending my tinted moisturizer (I don't use liquid foundation and the moisturizer can be easily washed off) and bought some wedges for nail art from a market. This is elf's package:

You get 8 small, pink wedges in a discrete and convenient pack. The wedges have a slight plastic odour to them.

When comparing these wedges to regular ones, they are smaller but wider. I find they give me total control over blending the tinted moisturizer and being so small, they can be used for those hard to reach areas. They are also easy to clean afterwards and do not take much time to dry.

Lara xoxo

Review: e.l.f. Professional Smudge Eye Sponge

In my very first order from e.l.f. cosmetics I bought a smudge sponge to blend pencil eyeliners because I thought it's better than a bristled brush I had been using.

I was using a small blending brush from my Fraulein 38 brush set. It is a very good brush but due to the bristles the blending was a bit tricky to achieve so I bought the e.l.f. Professional Smudge Eye Sponge. This is what both brushes look like:

The Smudge Eye Sponge is in fact a small, round sponge and gives excellent results. The handle is very ergonomic and I can use it in different angles very easily. I like the fact that the sponge is round and smallish because I can achieve good blending and fine detailing with my eye make-up.

It comes supplied in a handy plastic, transparent pocket (I now use to store my nail files) but I keep it with my other Fraulein 38 brushes.

The sponge is easy to clean... just like bristle brushes and doesn't take too long to dry.

This Smudge Eye Sponge retails at £1.50 and you can get it online from e.l.f. cosmetic's website (link further up).

Lara xoxo

Monthly Favourites: July 2010

July is nearing its end and that means it's time for my favourite products for this month.

And here are the stars for this month:

~ e.l.f. Studio Warm Bronzer (click here for a full review)

~ Nailene Bedazzle Nail Art stickers in Earth Angel (for a review click here)

~ Rimmel Powder Blush in 004 Pink Rose: I bought this blusher a few months ago because I wanted a healthy pinkish colour. It is my fave blusher because it blends in naturally with my skin tone.

~ e.l.f. Waterproof eyeliner pen in Coffee and Black (only one is shown)

~ e.l.f. Eyelid Primer

~ e.l.f. Earth and Water Mascara Duo in Brown (shown) and Black

~ e.l.f. Wet Gloss Lash & Brow Clear Mascara (for a full review of all e.l.f. eye products mentioned above, please click here)

~ e.l.f. Nail Polish in Lilac (click here for a review on e.l.f.'s nail polishes)

~ e.l.f. Super Glossy Lip Shine SPF15 in Goddess (click here for a full review and a sneak-peak at my lipgloss collection)

Lara xoxo

Review: e.l.f. Professional Shine Erasers

I have been wanting to get my hands on a good packet of blotting sheets since forever and after seeing and reading so many good reviews about e.l.f. cosmetics' Professional Shine Erasers, I decided to give them a go myself and today I will review them for you.

The shine erasers come in a handy thin pack which fits into any bag so that you can take them anywhere with you for on-the-go touch ups. Each pack contains 50 sheets.

Elf says:

These amazing little sheets instantly absorb oil, minimize pores and mattify shiny skin. Woven texture eradicates shine and keeps skin matte for hours. Green Tea Extract helps re-texturize skin, masking facial imperfections. Travel pack fits neatly in your bag or pocket for on-the-go touch-ups.

I normally use one or two in a day depending on the state of my skin. The shine erasers do a wonderful job for me as they mop up excess oil and prevent my skin from looking and feeling like an oil rig for longer.

As with the pore minimizing thing...I can't say I've seen much difference as I don't have visible pores. I did notice a decrease in breakouts though! Maybe it's the tea tree in these sheets.

I will definitely purchase more of these sheets and at £1.50 I am definitely nice to my purse too :).