QUICKIE PRODUCT REVIEW {QPR} MAY 2022

I have a mixed bag of some "hits" and some "misses" in 

this QPR post.

All of these 4 make-up items were inclusions in my 

2 Beauty Advent calendars,

so hence the shades were not of my choosing.

1.

Brand : NARS

Product : VELVET MATTE LIP PENCIL

Shade : DOLCE VITA

Price : $27

This NARS Cult-favourite Velvet Matte Lip Pencil instantly delivers the impact

 of a matte lipstick, but in a soft chunky pencil form.

I found it to be long lasting with a non-drying formula, good colour

pay-off and super easy to apply.

Unfortunately the shade was not ideal for me and whilst I am using 

to outline my lips I'm finding I cannot use to fill in the lips due to the

shade not being correct.

Would I buy in another shade, probably not...

Verdict : 5/10

2.

Brand : SHISEIDO

Product : COLOUR GEL LIPBALM

Shade : 107 DAHLIA

Size : 2g

Price : $26

This lightweight-yet-hydrating balm melds provide the perfect amount 

of structure and slip. 

Infused with patented humectant technology, this balm-lipstick hybrid 

offers lasting moisture and comfort, leaving lips feeling softer.

It offers a semi-sheer coverage and a delicate, shiny finish.

Again the shade wasn't exactly what what I would have chosen, but it was

 wearable and I liked the formula and the packaging very much.

Verdict : 7/10

3.

Brand : LAURA MERCIER

Product : CAVIAR EYE STICK COLOR STICK

Shade : AU NATUREL

Price : $16

Over the past couple of years I've really enjoyed a cream eyeshadow,

especially in a stick/crayon format.

This long-wearing versatile eyeshadow stick delivers effortless application.

Pigment-rich shades glide seamlessly onto lids.

 Creamy formula gives you plenty of time to smudge, blend, line, fill or define, 

so it's easy to create any look.

It's crease and transfer resistant and layers easily.

Again the shade wouldn't have been of my choosing and as the name 

suggests its Au Naturel, which is rather a nondescript shade.

I, personally, highly rate the BYTERRY Ombre Blackstar Color Fix 

Cream Eyeshadows and have several and if you would like to read 

my original review click Here

 

Verdict : 5 /10

4.

Brand : BY TERRY

Product : BLENDER SPONGE

Price : R90

Having been a fan of the "Beauty Blender" for many years

I was quite happy to see this appear behind one of the

doors in my advent calendar and I'm glad to report back

that I love it and would say I prefer it to my BB.

Can be used wet or dry.

I'm enjoying the shape, the squishiness and the way it feels

in my hand and it seems to be lasting well with no breaking 

up of the sponge.

 I think in the future these will be my blending sponge of choice.

Verdict : 9/10

LAURA MERCIER HYDRATING LIP BALM {REVIEW}

 As I've mentioned so many times on my blog 

"I am a Lip Balm addict"

and I can't help myself, as its my "Achilles Heel" of beauty.

My recent purchase of the

Laura Mercier Hydrating Lip Balm 

was not planned and some may think a strange, first purchase from

this French and American cosmetics and skincare line that was founded back

in 1996 by celebrity makeup artist, Laura Mercier.

Renowned as being the pioneer of the “Flawless Face” I may just have

 to make a return visit to Skins Cosmetics to check out her 

collection of award winning "Flawless" foundations, tinted moisturisers 

and face primers.

  

This luxe lip balm moisturises and visibly softens lips. 

Lips are left feeling smooth, fully conditioned and prepared for any 

makeup application.

The 4 main ingredients are:

Cold-pressed Plum Seed Oil:

 for deep nourishment

Fresh Spring Water:

for instantly hydrating and bringing skin’s moisture levels back 

to its optimal state.

Rose Water:

A blend of French Rose Flower Extract and Damask Rose Flower Oil is full 

of essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants known to calm 

and balance the skin.

Starflower Oil:

Laura’s secret weapon for achieving healthy looking skin.

This oil is known to nourish skin, perfectly preparing it for flawless makeup application.

I'm so happy that I was introduced to Laura Mercier via this lip balm,

which I'm really enjoying and as many good lip balms do, it glides on 

beautifully, nourishes and looks good worn either on it's own or

under/over a lip colour.

Having reviewed "make-up bags" full of lip balms, of varying price points,

 this one is one of my more pricier buys and I don't apologise for that,

as I'm a self confessed "Addict" so expect many more lip balm

reviews in the future...

LAURA MERCIER

HYDRATING

LIP BALM

3g

R

795

£

21

$

26

(Skins Cosmetics are the exclusive stockist of Laura Mercier in South Africa)

BEAUTY PRODUCTS CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW {OCTOBER 2021}

 It's that time of the year when the months really do start to merge into 

one and with the "blink of an eye" another month has passed

and the Christmas period seems to be looming ever closer.

I have been a little spendy with the 4 products that I have under review

 during October, one is a revisited bath

product that I haven't used for many years, another is already a fave 

of mine, so I'm trying out their Plus version and two products

are from brands that I am buying for the first time...

L-R

CLARINS

RELAX

BATH & SHOWER 

CONCENTRATE

This bath product, I use it only in my bath, is a real blast from 

my beauty past.

Having worked for Clarins for many years the aroma from this 

concentrate fills me with joy, as it's packed with all the relaxing

essential oils needed to lull you into that relaxed state before bed

and I'm extremely excited to revisit this product after so many years.

* REVIEW NOW POSTED *

CHANEL

LES BEIGES

WATER-FRESH TINT

This was a very indulgent recent acquisition and one that I was able

to obtain for free, yes FREE, by using my Woolworths quarterly rewards

 voucher along with a discount voucher, which meant that I didn't hand 

any money over.

Launched a couple of years ago, it intrigued me at that time, after

trying a sample which I really liked, I still couldn't bring myself to 

lay out so much on a "water" tint product.

It also happens to be my first ever CHANEL purchase, which in itself

amazes me that at the age of 60 and after spending my entire working

career in luxury beauty, I had never used any beauty products

from CHANEL BEAUTY.

As you can imagine I have high hopes for this product considering 

the price.

* REVIEW NOW POSTED *

GATINEAU

FLORACIL PLUS

I'm a huge fan of the GATINEAU FLORACIL Eye Make-Up Remover

and again it was a brand that I had worked for

and having been reacquainted back in February 2020 I realised

just how good this eye make-up remover is, so I'm keen

to put the FLORACIL PLUS version for Waterproof eye make-up

to the test

To read my FLORACIL Review

* REVIEW NOW POSTED *

LAURER MERCIER

HYDRATING

LIP BALM

This is another first for me and it may seem an odd choice for

my intro into the world of LAURA MERCIER, but for me, as 

a Lip Balm addict, it was an obvious one.

Admittedly this was an impulse buy based on someone else's

 recommendation, so I really hope it doesn't disappoint.

* REVIEW NOW POSTED *

As always check back over the coming month to read my full product

reviews as to whether they get the Beauty Shout Box seal of approval

or not.