Too Faced Damn Girl! Mascara Review

Hi Divas

I picked up the new Too Faced mascara last year at Sephora and only recently started to use it. I only open mascara's when I run out of the one's I am currently using. I don't like having multiple mascara's open at the same time, as these are the products that tend to dry out quickly and expire easily after the first use. This is the first mascara that I have tried from the brand as I never bought the original Better than Sex mascara. What drew me most to this lavish purchase is the extraordinary packaging. It is so eye catching and beautiful. It appealed to my pink loving and creative nature. I have never seen such a unique design in a mascara before and it definitely gets full marks for me in the design department. The metallic pink wand with the geometric angles is innovative and aesthetically pleasing. I am glad that they named this mascara Damn Girl! instead of some sexual innuendo, because I feel those suggestive titles are super unnecessary when it comes to makeup. Call me a prude, but that is just how I feel. Apart from the beautiful packaging and more appropriate name, does it actually live up to the hype of giving ''shamelessly thick and curled lashes'' though? Well that is another story, so keep reading to find out my experience with it.



Too Faced developed this mascara to give intense thickness, voluminous lashes with a long-lasting curl. The formula of the mascara is a creamy mousse with whipped melting waxes and innovative polymers which give extreme volume, lift and lasting curl. It promises to give flexible lashes without flaking or smudging throughout the day. The mascara is said to last up to 24 hours with intense black lashes. Even the brush design is unique as it is created to resemble an infinity shape, which looks like the number '8'. This is a dual fibre brush with long and short bristles which combs through and lifts individual lashes. The mascara promises great volume, flake resistant curl that stays lifted and glam all day long. After 24 hours your peers are supposed to say ''Damn Girl!'', after looking at your lashes, LOL. My experience with this mascara is somewhat 50/50 on the 'Will I buy it again?' spectrum.



Firstly, the applicator is unnecessarily too big. This says a lot coming from me, as I have big eyes and can work with a lot of large brushes. I found this brush a little too cumbersome for my liking. Since the brush is massive, I find it difficult to actually get close to the base of my lashes and coat them evenly. The brush is so large it tends to transfer product on my upper lash lid thus messing up eyeshadow around my top lash line. This is super annoying if you spent a few minutes perfecting your eyeshadow look and have to wipe it away with an ear bud because of unsightly black transfer. The big curve in the middle of the brush makes it awkward trying to grip the lashes in one sweep. The brush is not tapered at the end either, therefore you really struggle to grab hold of the inner lashes without smudging product on your face. All these problems would be resolved if they kept the design of the brush but made it smaller in size. As I said, I have big eyes, so I shudder to think want someone with a smaller eye frame than mine would go through.


The actual formula of the mascara coats the lashes evenly and creates intense black volume. The consistency is a mousse like texture and it is not too wet or runny. More than two coats can cause clumping since the mousse texture is thicker than most mascaras. After two coats the lashes are well lifted with a slight curl. It does not give an intense curl but there is a slight wave. I love that my lashes feel great throughout the day since it does not dry them out or cause that hard-crisp feeling. The formula is comfortable to wear all day long and the lashes do not droop but actually keep their dramatic hold. This does live up to its claims of being smudge proof as there is no flaking or smeared marks on the face. As you can see above my lashes look great. They are super black, full of volume with a slight curl. The lasting power is wonderful at the end of the day. The mascara removes easily with your makeup cleansers too. You won't have to worry about tugging the delicate areas of your eyes to get it off.


I think you can gather that I have a dilemma with the Damn Girl! mascara. I love the dramatic effect this product gives my lashes. It looks so glam and voluminous. The formula is comfortable on the eyes and it has great lasting power. It really does what it suppose to do but the brush is just too large for my taste. The bristles are comfortable to use though and the wand sits perfectly in my hand. It's just that, the application takes longer since I have to be really be careful in not poking my eye out or transferring product on my eyeshadow. Would I purchase this again? I don't know. My lashes look great but to get there is a process that I do not have time for. The packaging of this mascara is beautiful, therefore it is such a pity about the oversized brush design. What do you think? Can you work with such large applicators or would you skip it? Let me know in the comments below.



Hope you found this review helpful.
Thank you for reading.
Divalicious Kisses!
Xxxx

Hi Divas

I have never been an expert in finding dupes and neither do I actively search for them but I think I may have found the perfect one. I have been using the Urban Decay Perversion mascara for a long time and just finished a tube. You can read my review on it here. When I picked up the Makeup Revolution mascara, I had no idea that I will be replacing it with an actual dupe. For those who don't know, sometimes dupes are not meant to be intentional copycats of the original. Usually low-end brands make products with similar shades and formulas to place an affordable option on the market. Products can perform as dupes without being intended to be in likeness of a certain high-end product. I think this is what happened with the Makeup Revolution mascara. It probably was never intended to be an affordable option to Urban Decay but the performance and look of both products mirror each other quite well. If you always wanted to try the Urban Decay mascara but could never get your hands on it, fret no more, because Makeup Revolution offers a cheaper alternative with pretty much the same lash effects.


The Mascara Revolution is packaged in a sturdy rose gold tube which compliments the other products in the range really well. The packaging is similar to the Perversion mascara as it has the same form and hold in your hand. The wands resemble each other to an extent, as the Revolution brush is a little bigger and hourglass in shape. They both have a metallic finish on the outside even though Revolution is in gold and Perversion is in metal grey. I prefer the Revolution aesthetic more, as the gold is very chic and pretty to look at. The product is described as a 'Real' mascara for 'Real People', with no Gimmicks, outlandish claims and crazy ingredients. I quite like this approach from a brand that they are not giving off any false claims and eccentric marketing tricks. As you know there are brands out there that can claim their products cure global warming just to get you to buy it. It's a cute jab at brands that use these type of marketing strategies. Makeup Revolution only claims, it's a great mascara for an affordable price and I can agree with that. 


 As I mentioned above the wand is hourglass in shape and seems huge compared to other mascaras I have tried. When you open the tube there is a ton of product on the bristle brush. This can become very problematic for people with small shaped eyes. I have fairly big eyes and even I was very cautious when using it. The wand is big and filled with product, if you don't work slowly and take your time with each coat, your lashes will become clumpy. You can easily transfer product onto your eyelids as well if you are not careful. Don't worry though, as the mascara does not dry quickly and you have enough time to manipulate your lashes the way you want them to be. I would say for best results, don't work with this in a hurry. Wipe off excess product and brush through your lashes from root to tip making sure the lashes are well combed through. For smaller eyes, you may have to angle the brush as the wand is bigger in size and might feel a little too much for your eye shape. The mascara is workable and the drying time is decent. You can easily achieve your desired results and a clump free application with two coats. Would you believe me if I told you that the Perversion mascara has the same problem? The wand is big too and if you not careful with application you can transfer product on your eyelids. Even the cons are a dupe, LOL.



Regarding performance, the Revolution mascara does very well in that aspect. Once you have found a way to work with the huge wand and product build up, your lashes will thank you for it. This mascara gives you the most dramatic and glam lash effect. It truly looks like I am wearing falsies. The brush coats and picks up every little lash giving it volume and length. The formula of the product is creamy and thicker than most mascaras. I think that is why it builds up on the brush and at the base of the tube making it gunky. This is a thicker creamier formula and not a runny wet mascara. It's not drying either and does not make my lashes feel like potato crisps at the end of the day. The formula is very comfortable on the lashes and wears well all day long. I swear, when you wear this mascara, your lashes won't droop or flake. It remains in the exact place that you brushed it when you first applied it. Therefore, it really looks like you are wearing false eyelashes It performs just like the Perversion mascara as that one gives dramatic volume too with intense black colour but I think it is safe to say that the formula of Revolution is much better and gives a better effect than Urban Decay.

The proof is in the pudding and as you can see in the photos above, my lashes look amazing. They have dramatic volume and length. This is a really good budget friendly mascara and the more I use it, the more I love it. You do have to be careful when using it and take your time. Also, make sure to wipe off any excess product that may accumulate at the base of the tube. It's always wise to keep your makeup products clean and mess free. For smaller eyes, you may need a little more time to work with it but the results are great. I like this mascara and recommend it to those looking for something that is easy on the wallet. Have you tried this mascara? What are your thoughts? Do let me know in the comment section below.



Thank you so much for reading!
Divalicious Kisses
Xxxx

 Hi Divas

I have used so many high end mascaras last year, I became totally out of touch when it came to affordable options. I am in no way a mascara snob and do believe that you can find hits and misses in both budget friendly and luxury mascaras. Since my high end mascaras were about to be tossed in the empties pile I decided to venture out and see what's on the market in the low end range. I came across the Maybelline Total Temptation mascara. The packaging is a pretty pink so that immediately caught my full attention, LOL. I have never been a huge fan of Maybelline mascaras but thought I would give this one a go as the price was on point and the wand looked comfortable to use. The mascara promises to give bold volume while separating each lash for a full soft and dramatic effect. I love mascaras that give me volume and lift my lashes. I was truly hoping this would be a great purchase.


I love the packaging of this mascara. The tube comes in a light pink plastic with the black bristle brush wand. The mascara feels light weight and easy to grip in the hand. The wand is the perfect length and is sturdy enough to control each application. I prefer bristle brushes over plastic ones as they feel gentler on the eyes. The brush consists of many criss cross bristles which grips each lash and coats the eye lashes in one swipe. The wand disperses even amount of product and the brush is not too big for even the smallest eyes. I like that it does not cause any product transfer on the upper part of the eye lid as some big bristle brushes tend to do. You can easily control where the product is placed and the amount you want to use.

The formula of the mascara is a creamy whipped texture and consists of coconut extract to soften lashes. It has a slight sweet coconut scent but you would easily miss it if you are not paying attention. It is not overbearing and you really have to take a big sniff to pick up on it. Who smells their mascara every time they apply it anyway? Upon first use, the formula of the mascara seems to be wet but after several uses the formula dries out a little and the consistency is perfect. The creamy texture is soft and does not feel hard or dry out your lashes as some mascaras tend to do. I was actually really surprised at how soft my lashes felt after application. The black colour is very opaque and helps to create that dramatic effect.



As you can see in the photo above, the mascara gave me great volume and lift. It coated my lashes perfectly without clumping or creating spidery lashes. I used two coats to create this bold look and I truly like it. I did not wait too long between each coat, as once fully dried it would be difficult to manipulate the lashes in the intensity and shape you want it. I therefore recommend to work fairly quickly and not take too much time applying. This is a great soft formula and my lashes never felt weighed down or irritated and hard. It did not flake or smudge throughout a normal day for me. This mascara however is not at all waterproof. If you find yourself sweating profusely, crying or caught in a heavy down pour of rain, the mascara will run under the eyes. Despite that, I think this is a great every day mascara for work or on a normal day out. I would not reach for this when I need to be glam for special occasions though. What do you think of this mascara? Have you tried this one or any favourites from Maybelline? Let me know below!



Thank you so much for reading.
Divalicious Kisses!
Xxxx

Review

Hi Divas!

 When I first heard the name of Benefit's newly released mascara I was hooked! 'Bad Gal Bang' sounds completely sexy, rebellious and explosive. Benefit Cosmetics are known for their high-quality mascaras. They have cult favourites that most beauty fanatics love. I was very intrigued that they released a new one with such a bad ass name and extraordinary claims, as 36 hour full blast volume. Who wears a mascara for 36 hours? She must be a bad girl, damn. I bought this mascara at a Sephora in Qatar but it is available at Benefit counters in South Africa. While shopping around in Sephora, one of the assistants tried the mascara on my co-worker and it looked absolutely amazing on her. I definitely wanted to try it out for myself. This mascara has been very hyped up across the beauty community but each person has different needs when it comes to finding their perfect mascara. I will be reviewing this product according to what I like as finding the ideal mascara that works for your eye shape and eyelashes are subjective.


The mascara comes in a black, pink and silver trendy design. It is packaged in a matte black plastic tube that has a chic rubber feel to it. I love the edgy designs on the cap as it gives the product a futuristic feel. The actual wand is longer than most standard mascaras and feels a lot more flexible. The brush is plastic and has a sleek and quite tapered design with 300 bristles on it. You kind of wonder if this brush will actually do anything significant for the lashes. Of cause the secret is in the bristle layout and the mascara formula. This mascara contains Pro Vitamin B5 which nourishes the lashes. It makes them stronger and helps them to grow thicker. One of the biggest ingredients that make this product stand way out from the rest is the Aero Particles derived from space technology. I know, your brain probably froze just a a little bit to take that all in, LOL. Apparently, these aero particles are used in space missions and now they are in your mascara. They are one of the lightest materials that aim to defy gravity thus keeping your lashes lifted and not weighed down for a longer period of time. That point when makeup and physics meet.


Bad Gal Bang promises to give massive volume to the lashes without weighing it down. The brush is designed to reach each and every lash across the eye giving it a vava voom effect. It is smudge proof and water resistant too. This mascara has a thick consistency. I find that I can only apply two full coats before it starts getting seriously clumpy. As mentioned above the wand is flexible therefore it can be tricky in controlling precise application. The actual bristles are amazing and definitely reaches each and every lash. The brush lifts the lashes giving it amazing volume and length. I really love the way this mascara performs on my lashes. Every time I wear it I look like I have false lashes on. It truly gives big dramatic eye lashes. The colour is a true black and looks striking on the eyes. As I mentioned the formula is thick and you have to work slowly when coating your lashes. This is not a quick coat and run out the door mascara. You have to take your time when applying it to make sure your lashes are well coated and precisely brushed through. This will give the best effect out of the product. If you work too fast you can end up with clumpy lashes and smudges on your eye lids.


 I have natural long thick lashes therefore I feel this mascara works great on me. It enhances what I already have and gives a false lash effect. It performs really well throughout the day for me. It does not smudge, droop down or run when I exercise. As I mentioned above you have to work slowly and precisely for this mascara to give amazing results. If you have short or sparse lashes, this mascara might not work as well for you. It may give dramatic length but not volume as the formula is thick and it may make your lashes look spidery. This is a good mascara if you know how to work with it and you have a good set of natural lashes to begin with. I personally really like it and enjoy using it on a daily basis.


I hope you found this review helpful.
Divalicious Kisses
Xxxx

Urban Decay Perversion

Mascara & 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil

Review

Hi Divas

I hardly show case any Urban Decay products on my blog therefore I am so excited for this review. I bought the Perversion mascara and 24/7 Glide on Pencil at Sephora because it was sold as a duo. Again, I was standing in a queue and couldn't resist throwing this combo in my basket. I purchased these last year but am only using it now. I have seen many big Youtubers using the mascara in tutorials and raving about it. I know from reviews and experience that higher end mascaras and eye liners are usually not as great as drugstore products. Higher end mascaras tend to get clumpy and dry out easier. Higher end eye liners tend to have a shorter life span too as they break easily and are not that durable. I mostly buy my mascaras and eye pencils at Clicks from affordable brands like Essence, Maybelline and Rimmel. How do you feel about the difference between higher end and drugstore mascaras and eye liners. Do you notice a difference or is it all in my head? LOL! On to the review. ;-)

Urban Decay Perversion Mascara
This mascara is described as a lengthening and volumizing product. They promise ''Bigger, Blacker and Badder'' lashes in one sweep. That tag line totally sounds like an action hero in a movie, hehehe. The mascara is packaged in a gunmetal colour wand with the iconic urban decay purple brand name on it. The product is quite big compared to other mascaras I have used. The tube is thicker but not heavy as it is made out of plastic. The actual wand is large in size too compared to most mascaras. There are many bristles layered in a zigzag pattern to coat and reach every eye lash. I have super big eyes so the size of the wand is not a problem for me. I think if you have particuarly small eyes, you might find it hard to control the wand without smudging product on your face.

The formula is made up of Hairdensyl and Honey extract to stimulate hair growth and nourish the lashes.The texture of the mascara is creamy. The product glides really well onto the lashes without clumping. There is a definite sign of lift and volume in my eye lashes with just one coat. You can layer this mascara too and it won't smudge or cluster the lashes. The bristles separate the lashes well giving that false lash look. I do not wear false lashes at all so this mascara is perfect for me to create that effect.  I love how this mascara makes my lashes look and feel. The formula is not heavy or sticky on my eyes. It does not dry out my lashes or cause irritation and flaking. My eyelashes look beautiful and I love the glamorous effect it gives when you layer it. The colour is a true black and looks flattering on the eyes. I love this mascara and recommend it if you are looking for a dramatic glam look.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on Eye Pencil in Perversion

I had no idea that there are so many shades available in the 24/7 collection. When I looked on the Sephora website, I counted 35 pencils all in an array of colours. I think it is really great there are so many varieties to choose from. I have the true black shade in Pervasion. I am so super impressed with the colour of this liner. It is one of the truest black shades I have ever seen. It's a deep intense black that reminds me of Kohl and charcoal liners which women in ancient Egypt and India would use to adorn their eyes. This is a super creamy eye pencil that glides on like butter. I have never used such a soft and creamy eye pencil before. The liner applies smoothly on the eyes. The formula is quite soft therefore pressing too hard can cause smudges. You need a controlled hand if you want to achieve a perfect winged liner. Since the product is so creamy when you apply too much pressure it is difficult to control the application of the liner. I recommend using a light hand when drawing a wing.

So how do these pencils perform throughout the day? It lasts pretty well. There are a few smudges under my eyes but nothing too major to complain about. With a setting spray the liner lasts long with minimal smudging. You will need an eye makeup remover to thoroughly cleanse any traces of the product on the eyes, as a foam cleanser is not enough to remove all the product. When it comes to packaging the pencils are made from soft plastic and paper. You will need a good sharpener for the pencils as it is not a twist up liner. I would have preferred if the liners were in a twist up casing as the texture of the pencils are very creamy. This makes it difficult to sharpen because you feel you are sharpening some of the product away. Also, beware of not sharpening to much or the tip may break off.

*****
I adore the mascara and would definitely purchase it again. It lasts all day and is easy to remove with a foam cleanser. The 24/7 Glide on Liner performed well but I probably would not repurchase it. I found the texture a little too creamy for me. I personally prefer a slightly stiffer eye liner when it comes to texture. If you like creamy liners then definitely purchase this one. You will love it. Have you tried any of these products? Let me know below!


Hope this review was helpful. Thank you so much for reading.
Divalicious Kisses.
Xxxx

 Hi Divas!

Recently everybody and their dog was doing the Ride or Die makeup tag on YouTube and I decided to be annoying and do it too, Hahaha. ;-D It was created by the very famous beauty Youtuber Jaclyn Hill. The tag is all about your holy grail products. Cosmetics that have never let you down and makeup that has been with you through thick and thin and will always be your number one. I have included Korean brands as well as Western brands because you know I am about that ''Cosmetics around the World'' Life! This is quite a long tag so hope you enjoy reading it and find some mini reviews helpful.

1. Ride or Die Primer: Clarins Beauty Flash Balm. This is a skincare and makeup product in one. I love that it brightens and lifts my face while creating a smooth and even canvas to apply my foundation.

2. Ride or Die Foundation: Peripera BB cream. This Korean product comes in the cutest packaging you will ever see. I am already on my second bottle. The BB cream gives me the coverage that I need while still looking natural on my face.

3.  Ride or Die Concealer: Rimmel Stay Matte Stick Concealer. This concealer is so creamy and blends like a dream! Unfortunately I have not seen it in stores for a while. Someone please tell me that this is not discontinued. *Crying face*.

4.  Ride or Die Powder: Innisfree No Sebum Powder. Another holy grail Korean product is this very famous Innisfree powder. It's similar to an HD powder which smooths the face and eliminates all traces of oil. It blends makeup well and has a super fine texture.

5.  Ride or Die Contour: NYX Contour Stick. I am not much of a contour girl, but I do enjoy a light application of it on special occasions. I use the nifty NYX contour stick as it is easy to travel with and to apply on the face. You can read my review on it here.

6.  Ride or Die Bronzer: Sephora Collection Shimmering Bronzer on Seychelles Cruise. I love that it contains three shades of colour and can be used as a bronzer or dark blush as well as an eyeshadow. Yay! ;-)

7.  Ride or Die Blush: Too Faced Sweethearts blush in Peach Beach. I feel like my cheeks were kissed by unicorns when I use this blush. Not only is the packaging gorgeous but the blush can be used as a eyeshadow and highlighter too. Read my full review here.

8.  Ride or Die Highlighter: The Balm Mary LouManizer. This is a great universal highlighter and perfect for travel. Read my review on it here.

9. Ride or Die Eyeshadow Primer: Urban Decay Primer Potion. I have used many eyeshadow primers but nothing has ever come close to Urban Decay. It is seriously holy grail material.

10.  Ride or Die Eyeshadow Palette: Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette. This palette has a lot of sentimental value to me as it is the first Sephora product and Too Faced product I ever bought. I love it so much and we will never ever part! Review here.

11. Ride or Die Single Eyeshadow: Essence Single Eyeshadows. I am not much of a single eyeshadow person, but I do enjoy the Essence single eyeshadows. They are super affordable and some of the shades can double up as a highlighter and bronzer.

12.  Ride or Die Eye Liner: Essence Super Fine Liner. No product can create a wing that can cut my worst enemies like this liner. Plus it  retails for under R50/ $5. Hello!!! Review here!

13.  Ride or Die Mascara: Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara. I love this mascara as it gives bold dramatic lashes which stays put all day. I will buy this mascara over and over again.

14.  Ride or Die Lip Liner: NYX Lip Liner in Pinky. I only use on lip liner and this one by NYX is my holy grail product. It remains in my cosmetics purse and compliments all my lipsticks.

15.  Ride or Die Lipstick: Wet n' Wild Bare It All and Mauve Outta Here Lipsticks. I cheated and chose two lipsticks. These are my favourite as they are light on the wallet and give a beautiful semi matte finish on my lips. They also work with any makeup look. LOVE!!! Review on them here.

16. Ride or Die Lipgloss: NYX Butter Gloss in Peaches And Cream. I am not much of a lip gloss wearer but these glosses smell so good and give a beautiful sheen on my lips.



Thank you for reading!
Divalicious Kisses
Xxxx

Throw Your Nasty Crusty Makeup Away!

Hi Divas!

I know we all have that one makeup product that no matter what animal species are growing on it, we just refuse to throw it away. Don't act like you don't know what I am talking about. It might be your first foundation colour match you ever bought, or that lipstick that was discontinued two years ago. We all have a cosmetic product that for nostalgic or emotional attachments we just won't let go of. I know it can be hard sometimes because it is in our comfort zone or that product was so damn expensive you don't even want to think of your money going down the drain. As most things in life, including yourself, makeup has an expiry date. It's gonna kick the bucket some day. Most beauty products actually don't have expiry dates printed on them. Therefore it is easy to forget and keep using old makeup. You should take note of when you bought your cosmetics and if the formulas have changed for the worst over time. We all have to be aware that whatever me put on our skin gets absorbed by our bodies. For some our skin is resistant to many things. For others it is a different story and can lead to serious skin infections, breakouts and allergies later in life. Below is a guideline as to when to throw that nasty makeup away!

1.Liquid Foundations and Cream Products: *6-12 Months Lifespan!*. Most foundations come in liquid formulas. The components in liquid products break down and separate faster than dry ingredients. As with cream products such as concealers these can become hard or flakey. Check your makeup to see if your foundation consistency has changed and become lumpy. Sometimes oil would separate from the foundation and sit as a another layer on top. When this happens throw it away.

2. Powder Foundations, Blushes, Bronzers and Loose Setting Powders: *2 Years Lifespan!*. Unlike liquids, powder products last longer as the ingredients are dry and bacteria takes a lot longer to grow on them and break it down. Sometimes powder products can form a layer of crust on them due to oils that we transfer from our skin onto our makeup products. You can scrape the crusty top layer off and the product will be fine underneath. If your powders have been in your makeup draw for more than 2 years, throw it away. Bacteria is still swimming around on it and you do not want to transfer those buggers on your face. Eeww!

3.Eyeshadows: *2 Years Lifespan!*. As with powder products most eyeshadows are dry pigments so bacteria won't break it down quickly. Here again, a top layer of crust may form on your eyeshadow due to oils transferring from your fingers onto the product. You can scrape the top layer off and your eyeshadow will be good as new. If you see that the whole eyeshadow has turned hard and crusty, not just the top layer, then throw it away. That eye infection ain't worth your time!

4. Mascaras: *3 to 6 Months Lifespan*. This is a hard one. I know I struggle to throw my mascara away after 6 months if I feel that I can still get some use out of it. Unfortunately bacteria breeds very quickly in mascaras. We are constantly pumping air into the tubes making it a bacteria's play ground. Mascara formulas therefore break down fairly quickly. To prevent your mascara from expiring in a jiffy, try to not pump your mascara. Rather twist it inside the tube if you need more product. You can tell when mascara has reached its end. When the formula gets hard and very clumpy then it's time to toss that bad boy.

5. Lipsticks: *12 to 18 Months Lifespan!*. Oh gosh, I fail again! I have lipsticks from 2010. Let me just go hide my head in shame. Lipsticks are creams and the formulas tend to change over time. They can become either flakey, separated or start having a watery texture. Sometimes lipsticks change according to the weather as well. It all depends on whether it was stored in a hot humid environment. Lipsticks are also a big breeding ground for bacteria. Excuse me while I purge my old nasty lipsticks.

 6: Eyeliners in Pencil, Creams or Gel Formulas: *6 Months to 2 Years Lifespan!*.  Pencil eyeliners can last for 2 years has they can be sharpened to remove bacteria and make it good as new. Gel liners and cream liners last for about 6 months. They become dry, hard and cracked. If you see your pencil liners and gel liners become crumbly and hard. Throw it away. It's time to move on.

Help you found this helpful.

Lots of love.

Xxxx

Hi Divas!

This week I bring to you a mascara review from Benefit called They're Real. I am not too familiar with the brand. This is my first Benefit product I have bought and used. I picked this up along with a foundation (review coming soon) at Sephora in Doha. Benefit has really cute and fun packaging. This of cause drew me to the counter in the first place as I love anything pretty and girly. The sales lady was super persistent that I should try this mascara so I gave it a go. The mascara comes in a gun metal tapered tube with a plastic wand. I generally prefer bristle brush wands to plastic ones as I feel they are much more gentle on the eyes. This wand is quite sturdy and the spikes on the head are really small so I am less likely to poke myself in the eye with it, thank goodness! At the tip of the wand the plastic bristles are a little longer and fan out so that you can be more precise in application when reaching the little inner corner lashes.

On my first application I found the formula of the mascara to be thick and creamy. In one coat the lashes are visibly coated in the blackest of black mascara. My lashes lengthened and lifted with just one coat. On my second application, my lashes became much longer and more volumized. This mascara definitely lifts and lengthens lashes. After two coats my lashes looked longer and much more dramatic. The formula is quite thick and creamy, so I found that I could only do two coats on my lashes before they start getting clumpy and stick together. This mascara reminds me so much of the Miss Manga mascara by L'oreal. They both give dramatic doll like lashes but only two coats can be applied before it starts looking like a hot mess.


As you can see in the picture above my lashes look thick and long after applying two coats. The mascara lasts all day long without smudging or flaking. I did long distance walking in the sun and some exercises wearing this mascara and it did not budge on my lashes. They kept their length and volume throughout the day. I actually like this plastic wand as it brushed each and every lash and lifted it giving my lashes a glam effect. I do have to warn you though that this mascara formula, I feel works best on those who already have thick lashes. The mascara is very thick, so it would make lashes that are sparse look really clumpy and heavy and stick together. If you have thick lashes this mascara would be great for a dramatic look without using false lashes.I have been enjoying this mascara this past month. If you like the L'oreal Miss Manga Mascara then you should definitely give this one a try.


Thank you so much for reading beauties. I hope you found this review helpful.
 P.s. Apparently Benefit is going to be sold in South Africa again. Hello!!! Hip hip hooray! ;-)

Have a fantastic week Divas!
Xxxxx

Spring Makeup F.O.T.D 

Hi Divas!

Last week I did the Spring Fling tag on the blog which you can read here. This week, I thought I would use some of the products I mentioned in that post and do a fun makeup tutorial. Of cause you don't have to have the exact same products that I have used to create this look.I thought I would get you inspired for spring and you can use whatever is in your makeup bag for a fun bright makeup look. The weather in Cape Town has really been depressing. It has been grey and raining a lot lately. How I wish Cape Town would wake up and smell the flowers! It is Spring people!!!

Makeup Tutorial:

1. Firstly I covered my face with the Guerlain Super Aqua BB Cream. I prefer using BB creams rather than foundations. It gives my face a more natural and glowing appearance.

2. I filled in my eyebrows and set them with the Essence Eyebrow Stylist Set and Essence Lash and Brow Gel Mascara. I applied the Nyx Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk all over my eyelids to prime them and create a white base as I am working with bright colourful eyeshadows.

3. I took the Yardley Suntorini Eyeshadow palette and used the lightest matte brown shade and dusted it all over my eye lids to warm it up.

4. I added a warm shimmery brown shade of the BH Cosmetics That's Heart palette and lightly applied it in my crease just to warm up the eye a little.

5. I then applied the pink shade of the That's heart palette and the deep pink shade of the Yardley Suntorini palette and mixed them together to create a pretty pink eyeshadow on my eyelids. I then blended everything with a fluffy brush.

6. After that I took an angled brush an applied the turquoise eyeshadow of the That's heart palette and glided it across my lower lash line.

7. For eyeliner I used the Nyx Super Fat Marker on my upper lash line and volumised my eye lashes with the Loreal Miss Manga Mascara.

8. For concealer I used the Catrice Coverstick under my eyes and set my face with the Maybelline Clear Smooth powder. To contour my face I applied the blush, bronzer and highlighter using the That's Heart palette.

9.Once that was done I mixed the Etude House Dear My Blooming Lips Talk lipstick in RD304 and Maybelline Fuchsia Flash lipstick for bright pink lips.

Final Thoughts:

If you love colour and not afraid to wear it this would be a great bright spring look to rock. If you want to tone the look down a little bit, you could skip the turquoise eyeshadow under the eyes and apply a pretty pink gloss instead of bright pink lipstick. I really hope you enjoyed this look. Let me know what you like to rock in spring: bright lips, floral accessories or dresses?

Have a fabulous week Divas! Xxxx

Hi Divas!

This week I bring to you a mascara review that is seriously well over due. I have had the Clarins Instant Definition Mascara for a while now and have been using it on and off. You see I hate wasting makeup products. Even if I have 10 mascaras that are open, I won't be able to throw any away just because I found a better one. I use all my makeup till the last drop. Of cause if it's something that is hazards to my wealth then I will throw the product away immediately. I would say that I definitely have a love hate relationship with this mascara.

 The Instant Definition Mascara promises to give intense volume to lashes. The mascara has a unique shaped brush that is tapered towards the tip. The bottom section of the brush has fanned out brushes which are meant to volumize and add dramatic effect from the base of your lash line following through to the ends. The tapered section at the tip has small individual brushes that are meant to grab hold of the inner corner lashes and brush the lower lashes too. The mascara formula contains red algae which aims to protect lashes from breaking or becoming damaged. Glycoproteins in the formulae thickens lashes and adds shine.

Brown eyed girl!

Packaging:

Firstly, I just love the packaging of this mascara. It comes in a beautiful gold metal tube that looks so elegant on a dressing table. It has an old Hollywood glam feeling when I use the mascara. It reminds me of the late 50's and 60's Hollywood actresses with their gorgeous vintage dressing tables and glamorous makeup. The packaging is beautiful and elegant. I give it 5 diva stars.

Performance:
The formulae of the mascara is creamy, thick and quite sticky. It tends to sit heavy on the brush as you apply it to your lashes. This in turn will cause clumping if you are too in a hurry when brushing the mascara. I have noticed that to achieve the best results you have to grab the lashes at the root with the brush and slowly glide it towards the end of lashes. This will ensure a smooth application with less clumps. Once you have done this your lashes will appear thicker and more dramatic as you can see in the photo above. As for the brush I am really not a fan of it. The bristles are too short and do not grab my lashes well. I love long dramatic lashes and this brush does absolutely nothing in lengthening them. I find that the brush works best on my lower lashes as it is very narrow in shape and stubby enough to brush them out. On a good day I will give the mascara 3 diva stars. On a bad morning I will give it 2 diva stars. So to be fair, I give it 2 1/2 stars!

Ratings:
Pros: - Packaging is beautiful
-Works great for lower lashes
- Gives volume to lashes

Cons: - The formulae is too thick
- Tends to clump on the brush and lashes
- Brush does not lengthen lashes

To conclude the mascara is not worth the high end price tag. The packaging is beautiful and the mascara does volumize lashes but if you want to pay extra for a high end mascara I recommend getting something else. There are many mascaras on the market that will do a much better job than this one.

Thanks for reading, ladies.
Hope you found this review helpful:-)



*The Winner of last weeks Giveaway of the Grazia Nail Kit Hamper is LIZELLE WAIT! Look out for more giveaways soon ladies;-)*


Have a fabulous week. Divaliscious kisses. Xxx

Hi Divas!

I love finding beauty products that are excellent in quality on the face and easy on my wallet. I don't mind splashing out on makeup but sometimes I love to find some great budget friendly beauty buys that work just as well as the high end brands. So if you are a budget queen like me and love a good bargain, I know you will enjoy this post. I went to my local Clicks store and stocked up on some Essence products. Here's my haul....

Essence Eyebrow Stylist Set

The eyebrow styling set comes with a mini applicator brush, three different eyebrow stencil shapes to help you shape and fill in your brows and two eyebrow shadows. The shadows come in two colours, a light brown and a very dark brown shade. These shades are versatile and perfect for any skin colour. It can be used on light or dark hair. I love to mix my shades for a more multidimensional look. I use the darker colour towards the end of my brows to fill them in and the lighter shade at the beginning of my brows as my brows are darker and thicker at the front sections. I love the shades as it is matte and has no shimmer which gives a completely natural look. The only problem I have with this set is that there is quite a bit of loose shadow and fall out as you brush the shadows on your brows. They don't fall out during the day but do fall off the brush on application. Be careful that you do not get any on your clothes as you apply it. As a budget friendly makeup product this is good as an everyday brow styling set and the packaging is travel friendly.

Essence Lash and Brow Gel Mascara

 I bought this clear gel mascara mainly for the purpose of styling and setting my eyebrows in place. The gel can also be used as mascara to coat and care for lashes if you want dramatic eyelashes without the colour. This would be great to use on a long air plane flight as it gives your eyelashes definition without drying them out. It works perfect for me on brows as it sets my brows in place all day.

Essence Quattro Eyeshadow in  

To die for (05) and Magenta and me (14)

I absolutely love these Essence Quattro Eyeshadows. I am currently on my second eyeshadow quad in To die for (05). The quads consist of a highlight colour, two base lid colours in a light and dark shade and a dark crease colour. The shadows are very pigmented and great in quality for the price. I do know some have had problems in quality and pigmentation when it comes to the individual Essence eyeshadows though. I haven't had any problems with these quads. I use the nudes and browns To die for quad for everyday makeup as it gives a natural look on the eyes. I recently bought Magenta and me to use in my upcoming shows. The dark purple and plum shades are strong bold colours that look great on my eyes.  

Essence Stay Natural Concealer

I use concealers to highlight my face as I don't have dark under eye circles. This concealer is liquid in form and has a very sheer coverage. If you are looking for a budget friendly highlighter this would be a good choice. If you want to cover blemishes then this would not be it. It does reduce the appearance of dark under eye circles with a sheer coverage. If you are looking for a thick coverage then it would be best to skip this product. It comes in a pen like tube with an applicator brush attached on top. You twist the bottom section of the pen and the product slowly oozes out. I like to brush the concealer under my eyes and onto my nose and chin to highlight my face. I use a face sponge to blend it into my skin. You can use your fingers but I prefer to use a sponge for a more flawless finish. I am loving this concealer and wearing it almost every day. 

Let me know what great budget beauty buys you are loving lately. 

Divalicious kisses

Xxxx