MY TOP 5 MASCARAS {APRIL 2019}

I've been intending to write this post for such a long time and today I've finally

done it...I have compiled my list of favourite mascaras.

Every January I write separate posts  for my "Top" Skincare/Make-up/Hair and Body Care products from the previous year and whist I do include mascaras, this is purely focused on 5 mascaras that I highly rate and more importantly use on a regular basis.

If you want to see which beauty products I rated during 2018

Top 5 Skincare Products 2018

Top 5 Make-up Products 2018

Top 3 Hair and Body Products 2018

MASCARA what would we do without it, its been a great invention and I know I wouldn't be a happy bunny if mascara disappeared from my life, as I'm sure is the case for many.

They help to open up the eye area, as well as give the illusion of length, volume, curl and thickness to short, sparse, straight and thin lashes.

We just love our mascaras, hence why we are constantly being bombarded with new ones
making the decisions even more daunting.

I have chosen my top 5 based on what I personally require from a mascara and after many years of "trial and error" I have my "Mascara Wardrobe".

I'm looking for a mascara that has a smallish brush (the brush is key for me) 
feels good in my hand and is easy to wield around my sparse line up of lashes.

It must be black, non waterproof, non flake, non smudge and basically make my own lashes look long, voluminous and glamorous, it must literally "do it all".

My list is in no particular order and I hope it helps you with any future purchases
and I have included all the Pink Links to my original reviews.
I have also include the updated prices.

1.

L'Oréal Unlimited Mascara

and since my review it unfortunately still hasn't been launched here in SA, 

but fortunately for "moi", I have got a supply of back-ups.

I just adore everything about this mascara and the added bonus is the angled brush

that makes mascara life so much easier, so if you're looking for a good all round black

mascara that is easy to apply, especially on those sparse awkward to reach lashes 

then this is the one to consider.

(N/A in SA)

To read my full review

2.

EYEKO LASH ALERT 

Mascara has been my most recent discovery and it came via the M&S Beauty Advent Calendar 2018.

This is the mascara I reach for on those days where I'm not looking for a more natural

lash look. The brush is what I enjoy most about this mascara as its fine and separates

the lashes well for that more natural lash, so there's no false lash look with this 

LASH ALERT.

(I didn't do a full review on this mascara, but included it in a QPR review rather and since that review Ive added it to my UK Shopping List, as I love it for those no make -up, make-up days.

(N/A in SA)

To read my mini review

3.

benefit Roller Lash 

has been a "fave" of mine for several years now and it really is as good as everyone says.Again the brush is key to the effectiveness of this mascara.It seems to grab hold of the shortest of lashes and effortless coats,curls and lifts.

R375

3.

L'ORÉAL PARADISE EXTATIC MASCARA
makes it two from L'Oréal that have made it onto my Top 5 list and L'Oréal
in my opinion have "nailed it" when it comes to both mascaras and foundations
you really can't go wrong.
I'm happy to inform you that this mascara is now available in SA in both this and the waterproof version, so if again its thick, full lashes you're looking for then look no further
(R185)


To read my full review

5.

benefit BADgal BANG 

is my second choice from the US brand benefit and again they for me, come out tops 

when it comes to mascaras.

This was also a recent purchase and I again I rate this one highly and if its

a false Lash look your looking for then this is one to try and what's nice about benefit, they have travel sizes of both the BADgal BANG and the Roller Lash making it easier 

to buy a smaller size to try before deciding to purchase the full size.

R375

To read my full review

There are many other mascaras that I could recommend, but I've kept this list to my absolute Top 5, that I regularly use & re-purchase.

Let me know in the comments below if you agree with any of my choices or better still let me know which are your "faves", as I'm always looking for new ones to try...

FRIDAY FOLLOW-UP {MARCH 2019}

I thought it was time for another Friday Follow-up post as my last one was way 
back in July 2018.

This is a post that allows me to give you extra feedback long after I originally reviewed 
the product.
(You can read the original reviews by clicking on the Pink Links)

Today's feedback is about 4 products:
 2 were re-purchases and a re-purchase by "moi"
 is always a good sign and 
2 were purchases made due to experiencing the wonders of a product
from a sample size.


1.

Urban Decay was my favourite "Make-up" find of 2018 
as I discovered my perfect eyeshadow/blusher palette EVER in the form of the 
Limited Edition BackTalk palette,
YES sadly it was a Limited release and it's no longer available in South Africa
(However there maybe stocks in other markets around the world)

Its been in daily use for many months and has been a perfect travel companion,
so much so, I've purchased a backup and its sitting quietly in the background
waiting to be brought into action, as that's how much I love this pink beauty.

To read my full review

2.

This next purchase was the result of trying a sample in my popular series of 
Sunday Sample  posts, where I try out a sample for the week and then 
give you my feedback on the following Sunday.

The EVE LOM Cleanser sample was given to me following a purchase in SpaceNK
and not being a huge fan of cleansing balms, even I was shocked as to how this sample converted and convinced me buy the full size product and I still stand by my original
claim in that review...

I would actually go as far to say that its the "Best" Cleanser I've ever used and after

being in this business for over 35 years that's a BIG claim.

To read my full review

3.

There is no doubt in my mind that L'Oréal make some great mascaras and their Unlimited Mascara is one of them.

I reviewed it back in December 2018 and have since re-purchased on a trip overseas in January, 

so I have a back up as its not yet been released in South Africa.

To read my full review

4.

Yet another full size purchase that materialised from a Sunday Sample post.

The Christophe Robin Volumising Paste is like no other hair product that I have

ever tried and after managing to squeeze several applications from a generous

 deluxe sized pot, I was well and truly hooked...

To read my full review

Let me know in the comments below if any of these products are also your "Faves"

as I would love to know...

QUICKIE PRODUCT REVIEWS FEBRUARY 2019 {QPR'S}

This is why I love a good Beauty Advent Calendar at Christmas time, as it provides

me with so many products to try and review for many months,

 some good and some not so good.

Todays reviews are all on products that came from Marks & Spencer Beauty Advent Calendar 2018 and the one is a bronzer and the other two are eye products.

(Unfortunately non of these brands are available in South Africa)

1.

Brand : Autograph (M&S own in house brand)

Product : Luxe Multi Bronzer

Price : £12.50

When I opened the beauty advent calendar box that revealed this bronzer

I wasn't ecstatic like I was about some of the other reveals, but how wrong I was to
have doubted this absolute gem of a bronzer,

This multi-shade bronzer features a range of soft, shimmering tones to create 
a gorgeous bronze glow on your skin. 
Select one shade and sweep across cheekbones or blend them all together.
I found this bronzer to be easy to use and so flattering with my skin tone, that Ive been 
reaching for it everyday.

Verdict : 8/10

~~~~~~

2.

Brand : EYEKO

Product : Lash Alert Mascara (Black)

Price : £19/£10

Size : 8ml/4ml

2017's M&S Beauty Advent Calendar also contained an EyeKo Mascara

Black Magic Drama & Curl 

To read my full review

which I thoroughly enjoyed and this year they have one of their other offerings

Lash Alert!

The curve brush separates, yet covers the lashes with product and it's buildable layer 
after layer with the added bonus of not a clump in sight.
It gives a very natural, lashes separated kinda look  and if that's what you like from your mascara then I can highly recommend the 

Lash Alert!

Verdict : 8/10

~~~~~~

3.

Brand : Diego Della Palma

Product : Eye Pencil (Black)

Price : £14.50

I was introduced to this Italian brand for the first time through the  

2017 M&S Beauty Advent Calendar with their 

Lash Booster Mascara

To read my full review 

This year they have included one of their full size Eye Pencils in black.
Unfortunately I found this pencil to be quite hard and hence it dragged the skin around 
the eye, so I'm not a fan.
All I can really say 
"There are far better, softer eye pencils out there in the market".

Verdict : 5/10

BENEFIT BAD GAL BANG! MASCARA {REVIEW}

When it comes to mascaras benefit have simply nailed it 

(they command number 2 mascara brand worldwide)

 and have cornered this market so well, with iconic products like their Roller Lash and they're Real! mascaras and even though I review many mascaras, Roller Lash still remains one of my favourite mascaras of all time and one that I'm never without.

Check out my two reviews below for more details, as to why the Roller Lash remains

a permanent mascara fixture in my make-up collection.

Roller Lash Mascara Review

benefit Roller Lash and They're Real Mascara Combo Review

Not exactly NEW (launched worldwide at the beginning of 2018) the

 benefit BAD gal BANG Mascara 

made quite an entrance into this highly competitive cosmetic arena.

BAD gal BANG! claims to provide 36 hours of volume without weighing down lashes.

 It features a formula derived from space technology and includes provitamin B5, which encourages thickness and strength in the lashes.

Not wanting to sound too sceptical, even though I've been using the BAD gal Bang daily 
for several weeks now, I haven't put the 36 hours of volume to test 
(I'm not sure who would), so I can't vouch for that or the claim of the wonders of the inclusion of provitamin B5.
Lets set all the Space marketing waffle aside and get to the "nitty gritty" of 
How good is this mascara?

What I can confidently say about the BAD gal BANG! mascara is the following:
It can be layered easily
It creates Volume, Lift and Length
 Its smudge-proof
Water-resistant and flake-free
and I just love it...

The mascara comes with a plastic streamlined flexible brush and it ensures that all areas of lashes can be reached, which is essentially for those shorter corner lashes and it was a breeze to apply.
It's a pitch black wet mascara, which I personally prefer, and one coat does make a difference to lashes, but why stop at one when you can easily layer several coats
to create a bolder bigger lash.
I didn't find any clumping of the lashes with this formula and the removal did take
a little more effort, but then again with all its "Space" technology I would have expected
that.
So if you love your mascara to be big, bold and dramatic then
BAD gal BANG is the one for you...

What I love about benefit...they make mini sizes and although they work out
more expensive, they do allow you to try their products at a cheaper price
initially and then you can purchase the full size if you enjoy the product,
which is exactly what I'll be doing soon. 

benefit 

BAD gal BANG 

Mascara

Mini/Full Size 

R

195/375

£

11/22

$

13/25

Available at selected Edgars countrywide

I have reviewed many products from benefit and it is one of my 

favourite brands, if you would like to read my previous products

benefit reviews