Review & Swatches: Makeup Revolution Baked Eyeshadows in Chocolate Deluxe

It's been a couple of weeks since I received my Makeup Revolution order and I have had time to have a good play with them so here is my first review.
The first item I have chosen to review is the small Baked Eyeshadows palette in Chocolate Deluxe. 

The packaging of this palette isn't as nice looking as some of their larger palettes, it is just plastic with a clear lid and no mirror, but it costs just £2.50 so I think this can be forgiven and it's certainly not a deal breaker for me.

The palette contains 5 eyeshadows. They are not named but there are 2 pale shimmery pinks which are very similar but one is slighter warmer than the other, a deep pink, and two chocolate browns, one slighter bronzer than the other, see swatches above. There is some fall out but not too much considering the cost.

The joy of baked eyeshadows is that they can be used both wet and dry. Above is a swatch of them wet. As you can see it makes a more intense colour.

When I try a new brand I like to do a longevity test and when I first use a palette I do not use any primer so that I can see how well it lasts on its own.
Here are the shadows applied, dry: 

I found they applied easily and I was pleased with how they looked.
However, 10 hours later...

I was so disappointed to see the shadow had creased and had almost disappeared. Then I realised the price of the eyeshadows, which works out at 50 pence per colour, and thought what did I expect?!  Anyway, determined not to be defeated, the next day I applied the same eyeshadows, but this time I first primed my eye lids with Urban Decay's Primer Potion.
This is the result after 10 hours with primer...

Wow! What a difference a primer makes! I really do like the shades in this palette and, if applied over a primer, then I think this is a lovely little palette and well worth the £2.50 price tag. I haven't tried them wet yet, so perhaps they will last longer on their own once applied wet. Makeup Revolution Baked Eyeshadows can be purchased from their website here or from Superdrug. There are currently 5 different baked eyeshadow palettes available.

I am really impressed with this range and look forward to reviewing the rest of my purchases from them.
Have you tried this range? Do you have any recommendations?

Thanks for reading.
Enjoy the rest of your day.
And, as usual, take care!
CJ xx

**puchased with my own money

Trial & Review: Alpha-H Absolute Eye Complex 60 Day Trial Results (with before & after pictures)

A couple of months ago I purchased the Alpha-H TSV from QVC which, besides Liquid Gold and the Balancing Cleanser, contained the Alpha-H Eye Complex.  I had tried both LG and the cleanser before, both of which I love, but I had never tried the Eye Complex.

Being over 40, I now need lots of help in the eye area. I have fine lines, redness, puffiness, dark circles and "scaly" skin (Milia? But thought that was white spots?). My eyes are also quite sensitive. I sound attractive, huh?!  I am still on the search for my Holy Grail eye product. The trouble is, unless the results are dramatic, it is always very hard for me to tell if any of these creams/gels actually improve the problems I have in my eye area.  I peer at myself in the mirror, willing the cream to have worked, but has it, or is it just wishful thinking?

Therefore I decided, instead of guesswork, this time I would do a 60 day trial on a product and take photos at the start on Day 1 and photos at the end on Day 60 and compare them.  As they say, the camera never lies!  I am terrible for chopping and changing products so for 60 days I only used Alpha-H Eye Complex around my eyes so that I would know that any results are down to this cream alone. This trial was supposed to be for 30 days but I forgot to take photos after 30 days so I just carried on for another month!

The Eye Complex comes in a 15ml pump so it is quite a dinky bottle.  I found the pump a tad temperamental. If I pressed down for a full pump, it dispensed far too much product for both eyes so I felt it was very wasteful. I did try to press the pump lightly so that less came out but I found this very hit and miss, sometimes it only dispensed a little and others far too much.  Perhaps I have a faulty pump, I don't know but I don't like wasting product when it is not necessary.

The Eye Complex is more of a gel formula than a cream. This is one pumps worth and a tad too much for both eyes here.

The TV demonstration said to apply it over the entire eye area, up to the brow, including the lids.  I applied it as instructed and a little seemed to go a long way.  I did notice a tingling sensation when I first applied it which concerned me a little to begin with because I had a bad allergic reaction to a different brand eye cream earlier in the year which resulted in me getting steroid cream on prescription to clear it up. The gel absorbed quickly and the tingling stopped after a minute. After approximately one week of use, I no longer had any tingling at all.

I applied this gel twice a day, morning and night, before any serum or moisturiser.

So here we are with the BEFORE and AFTER pictures without make up - sorry, I should have done a warning "graphic content" disclaimer earlier! ;-).  Eek! I look old and tired! Worse than I thought!

BEFORE using Alpha H Eye complex

AFTER 60 days usage

BEFORE Alpha H Eye Complex

AFTER 60 days usage

BEFORE Alpha H Eye Complex

AFTER 60 days usage

As you can see, I do have the aforementioned problems. I didn't expect the darkness to disappear because my dark circles are actually caused by the way my muscle lies under my skin which causes a shadow. I have always had it and have had to accept it. I had hoped that the Eye Complex would improve my other issues. Mainly the ageing!  I do realise no over the counter product can make wrinkles disappear permanently but I had hoped that this would perhaps help soften them.

So what do you think of my results? I have zoomed in and studied them in great depth, and my verdict is... I can't see any difference! I am so disappointed. My eyes are perhaps a little less puffy in the AFTER pictures, but I find that this varies on a day to day basis anyway so I really don't think it is down to this product.

If you are interested in buying the Alpha-H Absolute Eye Complex it is available at all the usual online stores (Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty, etc) for £34.50 or for a couple of pounds more you can buy it at QVC which also comes with 50ml Alpha H moisturiser with SPF50 so better value for money.

I have a couple of applications left of this Alpha H so the 15ml  lasts about 2 months but, once I have finished it, my hunt for my Holy Grail eye cream continues... 
I have a couple of different products in my stash so I shall be starting a 30 day trial with one of those very soon. Watch this space...

Have you ever used this Eye Complex?  Do you have a Holy Grail eye cream/gel? I would love to hear about them.

Thanks for reading.
Enjoy the rest of your day.
Take care,
CJ xx

*purchased with my own money

Review & Swatches: Tarte Amazonian Clay Sultry Sunset Eyeshadow Palette

When Tarte launched here in the UK on QVC recently, I got caught up in the hype and ordered several things. If you are interested, the haul details are here.

One of the items I was particularly keen to try was the Amazonian Clay Sultry Sunset Eyeshadow palette. This appealed to me because it had both neutral "daytime" shades alongside more pinky-purple "evening" shades. I thought this would be great for going away, having both looks in the one palette.

When it arrived I was very impressed with the palettes packaging. This palette comes in a gorgeous cerise pink faux leather case with a metal embossed Tarte branding plate on the outside. It was so tactile and lovely.

I really loved the packaging and couldn't wait to get inside! Opening it up, I wasn't disappointed. There was a lovely mirror in the lid and the colours were just what I was expecting. It contains 3 matte shades and 5 shimmers.

There was no applicator included, but that is no loss because I rarely use them anyway, preferring to use my own brushes. Here is a closer look at the shades, followed by a swatch on my arm.

As I hope you can see, the colour pay off isn't that spectacular and this is with me building it up. The matte shades did have a lot of fall out. The palette also contained a little "guide" on how to create 2 different looks.

Strangely enough they have used the pink- purples for the daytime look and the browns for the evening look. I would have used them the other way round but, hey, what do I know?!! 

Anyway, usually when I do make up reviews, I like to show them applied because I think it gives the reader a better idea of how they look, rather than just swatched on the arm. However, in this instance, there are no photographs of them applied! 

I tried this palette for around a month but whichever way I applied the pink and mauves I looked like I had done 5 rounds with Frank Bruno (a retired UK boxer for those who don't know!). My eyes either looked bruised or like I had been crying for hours! Not a good look unless it is Halloween! 

The brown shades were okay but I think I have pretty much all the brown shades already covered with my Naked 1-3 palettes. 

I REALLY wanted to love this palette which is why I kept it for almost 4 weeks to see if I could learn to love it but alas no. Thankfully QVC have a 30 day money back guarantee so if, for any reason, you are unhappy with a product you can return it to them within 30 days for a refund minus the postage charges so I have now returned it to them. This palette was £26.50 plus P&P so was definitely mid range veering towards higher rather than budget prices.

It hasn't put me off Tarte shadows by any means. These colours just weren't for me. Perhaps if QVC did a great value TSV which included a palette then I am sure I will be adding it to my basket but I don't think I would be tempted again to spend almost £30 for a Tarte palette alone.

I really hoped I would fall in love with this palette and I am so disappointed that I didn't.

Have you tried any Tarte eyeshadows? Did you love them?

Would love to hear your views.

Thanks for reading and enjoy the rest of your day.

Take care,

CJ xx 

*purchased with my own money.

Trial & Review: Leighton Denny Best Defence Cream 30 Day Trial Results

I am not a lover of hand creams because I hate the greasy feeling on my hands. However, I have managed to accumulate a fair few in my stash so I thought it was about time I used them, after all we are told that one of the first places to show a woman's age is on her hands. Eek! Rather than chop and change like I usually do with products, I decided to stick with just one and test it for 30 days to see if it made any difference. The product I chose for my first 30 day trial was Leighton Denny Best Defence Hand & Nail Cream. I got this in a little kit when I bought his fabulous glass nail file so it is just a small 30ml size but perfect for a 30 day trial.

Leighton states that "This advanced, multi-action treatment cream locks in moisture, protects, nourishes and softens your hands and nails. Leighton Denny Best Defence Hand Nail Cream gives 24-hour care keeping your skin silky soft and smooth."

Now please be warned, I have really ugly hands so brace yourself for the next few photos! I'm not kidding, they truly are awful and it is probably why I tend to neglect them.

Here are some before and after photographs.

Before Leighton Denny hand cream

After 30 days of using Leighton Denny hand cream

Before using Leighton Denny hand cream

After 30 days use.

It is so hard to do before and after pictures because, even though I took the photos in exactly the same place, obviously the lighting conditions aren't going to be the same after 30 days. Anyway, I tried my best to recreate the same conditions.

So what do you think of the results? Can you see any visible difference? No, me neither. Do my hands feel any softer? No, not that I've noticed. Would I repurchase? No. The positive was that it isn't at all greasy but if after 30 days it has made no difference to the texture or appearance of my hands then there seems little point in using it. I have now finished this little tube so I shall be trialling another hand cream from my stash and hopefully I will have some results to post about.

If you are still interested in purchasing this hand cream, you can buy 50ml for £9 and it is readily available online in the usual places.

Do you have a "Holy Grail" hand cream that you could recommend?

Thanks for reading.

Enjoy the rest of your day.

Take care,

CJ xx

*purchased with my own money.

Review & Swatches: L'Oreal L'Extraordinaire Liquid Lipstick

The past few days I have been using L'Oreal L'Extraordinaire Liquid Lipstick which I purchased several weeks ago from Boots for £8.99.
I chose shade 500 Molto Mauve. 

Don't let the name deceive you, to me it isn't mauve at all, more of a "my lips but better" colour. Here it is swatched:

Instead of the usual doe foot applicator, this liquid lipstick applicator is tear dropped shaped.

It's not too sticky and it smells lovely. I'm not very good at describing scents, but to me it smells "tropical", sort of like a tropical fruit drink. Told you I was rubbish at scent descriptions! It applies easily and smoothly and isn't at all gloopy. 
The "blurb" from L'Oreal describes it as a cross between a lipstick, lip gloss and lip balm. They say it has the colour intensity of a lipstick, the shine of a lip gloss and the softness of a balm.
Here it is applied:

And 4 hours, 1 lunch, 1 hot drink and 1 cold drink later...
Not a great deal left, but L'Oreal make no claims about its longevity.

Now I have read a lot of great reviews about this liquid lipstick so what are my own personal thoughts about it? It's okay. Yes, just okay. To me it isn't anything special. It is very soft on the lips so yes to the softness of a balm. Colour intensity of a lipstick? Again it is okay but doesn't blow me away. High shine of a gloss? Again it is okay but I wouldn't class it as high shine. It is nice enough but would I repurchase in a other colour? I'm afraid not. I seem to be going against the grain of all the other beauty bloggers who have reviewed this and seem to love it but I have to give my honest opinion. Yes I will continue to wear it and I do like the colour and softness of it but given the choice of buying one of these or 4 MUA lip glosses, I know where my money is going... And before you all shout "but they are glosses, they don't have the balm included!", yes I am aware of that, but a quick slick of one of my many lip balms first and then the gloss and I'm good to go.
Perhaps my thoughts would be different had I chosen a more vibrant colour, I really don't know.
Have you tried this liquid lipstick? Did you love it? I would love to hear your thoughts.
Thank you for reading.
Enjoy the rest of your day.
Take care,
CJ xx

* purchased with my own money.

Review & Swatches: MUA Luxe Pretty Edgy Eye Shadow Palette & MUA Intense Kisses Lip Gloss

I've finally had chance to try the new items I bought from Superdrug the other week.
First up is the MUA Luxe Pretty Edgy Eye Palette which was £8. Now I have several eye shadow palettes from the MUA Professional range, but this was my first purchase from their Luxe range.

The first noticeable difference is the packaging. The case is much sturdier than the other MUA palettes. This palette is made in shiny black plastic with gold plastic stud detailing in the top. Also, unlike their previous palettes, this comes with a substantial mirror in the lid. It definitely appears more robust than their Professional range. I do like it.
Now onto the eye shadows.

The Pretty Edgy Palette contains 6 shimmer shades and 4 matte shades. I would say they are cool neutrals with some having a pinky/violet edge. The colours are certainly ideal for me.

Swatches of the top row of shimmers, L to R: Antique, Bow, Toile, Ruffle, Flounce, Lace.

Swatches of the bottom row of mattes, L to R: Sinful, Gothic, Wrath, Envy.

I think they are pretty true to colour. I found applying them easy and they are definitely buildable and easy to blend. I found there was a little fall out but it was minimal.
Here they are applied: ( apologies for my unkempt brows, I'm currently doing a 60 day Revitabrow trial so trying not to pluck them!)

I purposely did not use an eye primer before application because I wanted to see how these shadows held up in their own right. The picture below was taken after 10 hours wear.

I don't know what you think, but I am pretty impressed at their staying power. I think this is a great palette for £8. Personally I think the colours, for me, are more suited for evening rather than daytime. I am not sure that the eye shadows are any better than their Professional range, but then I think they are great too! (Hate the MUA single shadows, though). In my opinion, I think you are paying extra for the packaging. 

With my Superdrug order I also ordered a MUA Professional Intense Kisses Lip Gloss in the shade "Lips Are Sealed" which cost £2. It has the usual doe foot applicator.
Here it is swatched:

And applied to my lips:

It is a brighter pink than I usually wear, but I do like it. It was easy to apply and didn't feel too sticky. I decided to test the longevity of the gloss so here it is 4 hours later, after a hot drink, a meal and a cold drink.

Yes, it has faded considerably, and there is a little bleeding on my top lip, but I think for a £2 lip gloss this is pretty good. Also, MUA do not make any claims that this is a long lasting gloss. I always know if I like a gloss when I am happy to purchase in another shade. I would most certainly buy other shades of this Intense Kisses gloss. At £2 I really don't think you can go wrong.

Have you tried any of the new MUA Luxe range? What did you think of it?
Would love to read you comments.
Anyway, that's all for now. Thanks for reading.
Enjoy the rest of your day.
Take care,
CJ xx

*both items purchased with my own money.