Brunette Beauty

John Freida Frizz Ease UV Hair Serum I saw this serum at Priceline before and now that it was on sale I thought I'd give it a try and see how it compares to my beloved Tresemme heat defense spray. It was on sale for $12.69. Revlon Colorstay Blemish Concealer in Light/Medium I needed a new blemish concealer and not only is it oil-free but it was apart of a deal which is explained at the bottom of this post. It was $26.95. Revlon Colorstay Brow Liner in Blonde Again Revlon was apart of a deal and I needed a new brow pencil. And I pretty much wanted it for the spoolie at the end. This was $21.95. Neutrogena Night Cream Cleanser I am trying to find an inexpensive way to take off my makeup. So far I use wipes and thought this cream cleanser wouldn't hurt trying, especially as they had 20% off. It was on sale for $9.59. Neutrogena Rapid Clear Fight & Fade Clearing Gel  I have acne scars and I wanted to see if this was all it was claimed up to be ie. fade spots....

Packaging: The tube comes in the box pictured above. The tube is all white with a visible and contrasting yellow band across it. It's a squeeze tube that has a soft matte finish. Smell: Strong sunscreen. Colour: The zinc is a pigmented white cream. Texture/Formula: It's thick in texture and only takes a little amount to spread on an arm. It has an SPF 30+ with a high UVA/UVB protection.  The only active ingredient is Zinc Oxide making it very strong protection against the sun. It is a natural and safe mineral and is regarded as one of the best agents that offers UVA/UVB protection. Yes other brands of more affordable sunscreen do contain this ingredient but in a smaller quantity, mixing it with other chemicals making it more cheaper. Not only that Invisible Zinc is preservative free, contains no parabens (chemicals found in most beauty products that act as a 'filler' in ingredients) or chemical UV actives or titanium dioxide. None of Inv...

My makeup wasn't staying on as long as I hoped. So I knew I needed a primer and this one by Neutrogena which doubles as a moisturiser was the one I could readily find. Packaging: Its a clear-sih tube that has a matte finish to it. It's a squeeze tube with the lid being at the bottom of the container. Like I've mentioned before I like these products because it's hygienic as bacteria can get inside the tube only gel can come out. Second thing is that the product automatically falls to the bottle of the bottle making it easier to reach the last of the product when it's near the end. Smell: Fresh clean linen smell. Colour: It has a combination of green and blue.  Texture/Formula: This gel rubs in easy, is ultra-light and non-greasy. Not only is it oil-free it leaves my skin feeling fresh and soft all day. I have no breakouts or irritation. It provides a velvety finish that primes the skin for makeup. This is the only reason why I got it. On that n...

I wanted to try a different mascara, something that would give my lashes volume and this mascara was the latest one to be advertised, so I thought why not try it out?      Packaging: When I first saw the packaging I thought the colour of the tube was a little out there and bright. It makes it recognizable in the makeup bag. Other than that the purple font makes a great contrast against the yellow tube.  The wand is a big plastic bristled brush that tapers inwards as it comes to a point. Smell: It smells like other Maybelline mascara, that faint plastic-y smell that's only evident in the tube. Colour: Classical Black. Opaque pigmentation. Available in 2 shades. Texture/Formula: The texture feels light on the lashes and like a wet look formula. No flaking or transferring. It is easily removed with a basic makeup wipe. It has an average longevity. I  wasn't  really a fan of this. It  didn't  seem to do  m...

Scunci Split Headband This is from Target and it was on sale for $7.50 and I really enjoying this headband, the only one that I can wear all day and not have a headache. My other one broke so I needed a new one. At the bottom of the band there is little plastic, flexible teeth that help grip the headband to your head. The cushion feet at the ends of the headband help with the all-day wear comfort factor. I also like how the band splits into two and is a tad stylish whilst being practical. Face of Australia Primer I think it's about time I got onto the primer wagon. I had brought the Neutrogena light moisturiser for the same purpose but I feel as though it wasn't really doing a good job it that respect and this was the next cheapest alternative to the major expensive designer branded primers. Like the rest of these items, this was from Priceline at $12. Gariner Pure 3in1 Wash, Scrub & Mask It was buy 2 and get the 3rd item free on all Gariner products, so I t...

Packaging: The mineral foundation is in two parts the first part is the lid. This has a built in kabuki brush which I've found to be a little scratchy. It is protected by a clear lid which is a hassle to remove when using it in a rush as it's a lot of fiddling. The second part is the bottom half which houses the mineral pigments. It has a sifter built in to control the flow of the pigments which can spill and make a mess if the container is tapped hard. Smell: None. Colour: W1 Golden Ivory - tan colour with yellow undertones. Light to medium  coverage  with a matte finish. Available in 5 other shades. Texture/Formula: This is a fine and smooth powder. It can be felt on the skin. It's  safe for sensitive skin and won’t clog pores. I haven't experienced any skin  irritation  either. Its easy to  remove  with a  basic  makeup wipe. It doesn't need to be set with a powder at all.  Using a primer, i t has great longevity ...

I wanted an eyecream to prevent premature aging and wrinkles and something that would lift and firm the skin of my eyes. I saw this when my previous eye cream had run out. Packaging: The eye cream comes in a purple squeeze tube with a fine tip. I like how this is hygienic because no bacteria can get inside and mix with the product it can only come out. Smell: None. Colour: White. Texture/Formula: Thickish cream that is easy to apply and absorbs quickly. The formula of the cream contains bioxilift and hyaluronic acid. The main aspect of the cream helps to tighten, firm and contour the eye area. I have noticed very much that my eye area was more firmed and lifted. I really like this cream for this. I noticed it also hydrated my eye area and reduced puffiness. Bioxilift is a 100% natural extract from  the Anise plant that helps support the tightening and firming of the skin leading to a defined eye area. Hyaluronic acid is a skin hydrating bioactive for ins...

I has seen this come out and thought the concept of waking your eyes up using caffeine was pretty inventive and I was interested to see how it worked. Packaging: It comes in a green palm-sized plastic tube. However instead of a squeeze tube applicator it has a metal rollerball. Not only does this make the gel hygienic it also means that there's less fussing when applying it. Fingers stay clean and its one less brush to clean. What I also like is that you can see the product through the container, which is handy for knowing how much is left and when to go buy another one. Smell: No. Texture/Colour: The texture is a gel formula which sinks into the skin fairly quickly. I roll this on and do something else while I wait for it to sink in and then pat in whatever is left under the eye.    Colour wise its a clear consistency however I know that Garnier have a tinted caffeine eye roll-on that had to come out after  I brought this. I...

Packaging: The tube is a shiny gold tube. The selling point of this mascara is the millionizer brush with plastic  Elastomer Bristles. The brush applicator is really flexible compared to other mascaras and has  3 times more bristles. Smell: A faint plastic smell. Colour: Black.  Opaque pigmentation.  Available in 3 shades. Texture/Formula: It's a very wet and slippery mascara. It doesn't crisp my lashes but I can feel the mascara on my lashes. It does take a little effort to remove with basic makeup wipes. Unfortunately all it does is clump my lashes into spokes, nothing natural or defined. I'd agree that the  Anti-Clump wiper does remove excess mascara. The wet formula is what is clumping my lashes together and makes my lashes look horrible. I couldn't wear it for more than 4 days it was that bad. It is a great definition mascara for hose with naturally longer lashes. Available: From Priceline, pharmacies and discount department sto...

I have oily skin and by trial and error I came to understand that I need face products that are oil-free and are branded so. I got this foundation a year ago and Maybelline no longer make this line. The Pure range has 50% water in it making more friendly for the skin. Packaging: The foundation comes in a squeeze tube bottle with a screw cap lid. Smell: None. Colour: Nude Light 4. Medium coverage with natural finish. Right now even though it's summer it's too dark for me so I mix it with Revlon's Colorstay foundation. When it was sold there was a limited range of colours and there were a couple of dark colours, couple of medium and couple of light. Texture/Formula: This is a smooth and thin consistency. Lightweight on with no masking feel letting my skin breathe. It's easy to apply with fingers or a brush. It is easy to remove with a basic makeup wipe. The formula was very good, it helped my acne reduce and diminish. I didn't find any white...

I wanted to try a smoothing product for my hair. Something that would add shine. I was near the shelf where all the Tresemme products were and saw this and thought it'll be a great product to try, because lets face it who doesn't love Tresemme? :-) Packaging: It comes in a small palm sized white plastic bottle and a black press top lid. Smell: OH MY GODNESS!! This stuff smells so delish and yummy. I can't quite accurately describe it but it smells like a heavenily light scent. Nothing strong of floral but im thinking more along the lines of a lily/frangipani flower smell. If you smell it you'll know what I mean. Colour: White. Texture/Formula: It's a light smooth, creme consistency. It absorbs quickly into the hair. This smoothing creme works best when small amounts, say walnut sized are used rather than a big glob. If too much is applied than the hair can feel overly smooth and oily. On damp towel dried hair, rub a walnut sized ...

Im on the search for a natural, nudeish looking lipgloss or lipstick that I can apply with any look, anywhere and it can look good and I wont need a mirror to apply it. My search started with this L'Oreal gloss as I thought it was the natural looking gloss out of the whole range. Packaging: The whole tube is hard plastic, with the built in doe-foot applicator at the end of the wand. However this doe foot is shaped in a way that I've never seen before. The actual doe-foot is tear drop shaped with the pointy end at the tip. And there is a hole in the middle of the applicator. Im not sure if this is to grab less or more product or to help with getting it in and out of the tube but it's the first I've seen. I haven't seen a difference in the application of the gloss.  Another thing is the nozzle/opening of the tube, it's very large. Maybe this is to accommodate the larger shaped doe foot but the plastic stopper must be tapered at the end becaus...

I wanted to try some neutral shades of eyeshadows to wear everyday and that will complement every look and outfit that I do. I decided to give Covergirls' eyeshadow quads a go. Packaging: The palette has a clear lid. It comes with a double ended sponge tip applicator. One end has a pointed sponge and the other end a square sponge. I wouldn't really use these unless there was no brushes handy such as when your travelling. Smell: None. Colour: #215 Country Woods. All colours have sheer pigmentation. (1) neutral light brown with a  slight  silver shimmer, (2) warm undertoned mid brown with gold shimmer, (3) neutral undertoned cream with  slight  sliver shimmer, (4) light brown colour with gold shimmer. These come in other colours and Covergirl have launched specific colour eyeshadows for the different eye colours to enhance them. Texture/Formula: They are smooth texture with a slight buttery consistency not being chalky at all. They have ...

Wanting something to make my eyebrows better and so that I would take better care of them, I decided to try the cheapest I could find. Funny enough Maybelline is the only drugstore brand that sells a brow gel.  Packaging: The brow gel is in a clear plastic tube with a metal screw lid, which has the plastic bristle wand at the end. The mechanical pencil as in the pictures, is a very thin pencil with the mechanical function at one end where the product comes out and a comb at the other. Colour: 500 Clear Brow Gel. W ith use over a pencil or powder this colour will transfer into the tube making the clear gel go a slight brown tinge. Brow Pencil- dark brown 642. Opaque pigmentation with a matte finish. Texture/Formula: This is the first brow gel that I have used so as far as comparisons go I can't make any. Saying that it did keep my brows in place. The gel itself isn't stiff or thick. I do feel as though Im not wiping any gel  onto my brows,...

Packaging: The heat defence styling spray has a trigger handle, where as the curling activator spray has a more targeted nozzle but is in a push down spray. Both come in a black bottle. Smell: Citrus. Texture/Formula The Heat Defence Styling Spray can be used for every type of heat appliance-blow dryer, straightener, crimper, curler-and I find that it's a really good product. Distrubtes the product evenly, the mist is nice and fine, the way my hair is left nice and soft and smooth. Defiantly repurchasing this again. The Curl Activator is a little sticky in the texture and the mist thicker. When I spray it the product doesn't squirt far and some droplets end up falling down the bottle. Honestly this dissapoints me. It lets down the percevied effectiveness of Tresemme's products. Curling wise however I've noticed that the curls last longer in my hair, so they don't fall out as quick. Not sure this is a good product purely of the spray. Avai...

Gingerly blush I never used to like this but now with summer and a bit of a tan I've been resorting to this rather than benefits coralista blush. I slight contour with this colour then add some pink swoon blush also by M.A.C onto the apples and sweep  whatevers left up the cheekbone. Christina Aguilera Perfume I got this for christmas and have been wearing it everyday in february. Love how this is lightweight and is a nice change from my other perfumes. Atlantic Blue eyeshadow This is a very matte formula and is a lil chalky, I think all over blue would look silly on me so I use this as an eyeliner and it's amazing! It makes my eyes pop and is hardly noticable against black lashes. Otherwise I wouldn't use it.

This colour is a deep purple. It is a flat colour with no shimmer or glitter. It can be streaky if the brush isn't wiped before applying it. It is opaque in two coats. I love wearing this on my toes and occasionally on my fingers. I do think this is a winter colour due to the depth of the colour. Or a party colour for the mysterious parts of the night. I can't help but feel sultry and mysterious when I wear this. It's that pop of colour above a black. In the picture I am wearing it with 'Teenage Dream' from the Katy Perry OPI collection as a twist on a french manicure.