Brunette Beauty

Packaging: Small, slim shiny silver round tube. The cap is engraved with the Lancome flower and the tube features a window to see the colour of the shade chosen. The twist off cap reveals a short flat and thin paddle like doe foot applicator. Smell/Taste: None Colour: #355 Framboise Etoile - Berry Pink. Sheer to medium pigmentation. Gloss finish. Available in 14 shades. Formula/ Texture: This is a smooth, soft with the consistency of a gel and thickness of a lip balm. This is easy to apply with precision thanks to the applicator. The coverage is definitely buildable and does require a specialised makeup remover to remove entirely. The formula of this is created to have the shine of a gloss, pigmentation of a lipstick and a nourishment of a lip balm. I do find a little bit of bleeding with this so I do use an anti feathering lip liner on the cupids bow only. Other then that I don't find it to shift much. It does transfer once in contact with fo...

Packaging: Short thumb width ball tube with small studs. It's topped with a KVD monogram on the top casing and the full sized version has this on the bullet. The casing snaps on securely. The mechanics are smooth and silver. Smell/Taste: Creme Brûlée. Colour: Homegirl - dark blackberry. Matte finish with medium to full pigmentation. Available in 39 shades. Formula/ Texture: The wax is thick and stiff. It did pull on the lips creating a patchy application. I don't know if this is because of the dark colour, but I did have to build multiple layers to achieve an even coverage. It does need a dark and anti-feathering lip liner. I feel like these would give a more even coverage too. It did take a specialised makeup remover to remove it entirely. I had a little bit of bleeding but slight transfers. Food and drink remove the colour completely from the centre of the lips leaving colour round the edge. The longevity for me is 3 hours. I didn't...

Packaging: Slim shiny black circle tube with gold text/ embellishment. It's length is smaller then palm size and features a matte texture indented portion of the tube right under where the cap sits as a direction of where to hold it. The cap doesn't make and snap or slickly noise when secured as theres no grooves for this to happen so I always double check this prior to leaving it alone. This gets time consuming and not entirely safe for portability. This features a 0.4mm felt tip that is the longest tip from tip to attachment in the pen. It feels lightweight in the hand and is comfortable to hold. Smell/Taste: None. Colour: Intense Black - intense black. Matte finish. Available in one shade. Formula/ Texture: This is a typical liner formula in that it's not too runny or thick. It dries quickly but will transfer within the first 15 seconds. It's extremely  pigmented so the liquid itself isn't streaky. It does require a specific e...

Packaging: Thicker circular black tube. One end contains a mechanical pencil wax. The wax is 2cm in length with a flat square end. The cap snaps on securely. The other end is coloured to match the shade of the product. The spring loaded screw end reveals a tear drop pointed foam applicator. Inside the end that isn't attached to the tube is the solid power portion. While it doesn't spill out, the spring loaded applicator must rub the foam against this portion to get more product. Smell/Taste: None. Colour: Dark Blonde. Powder - medium brown with cool undertones. Medium pigmentation Wax Pencil - medium brown with cool undertones. Sheer pigmentation Available in 3 shades. This is the lightest. Formula/ Texture: The powder is a smooth, soft and fine consistency. The wax is thick and hard wax consistency. I do find I have to work the wax pencil a bit more to get the colour to transfer which doesn't help in those times when you need to get out...

This is a massive deal! For the price of a full sized Supermud treatment mask you're getting a free trial/ deluxe size of the daily super cleanse cleanser. I love these sets as it's a great chance to try products out that you've been curious and cautious about. The cardboard hand size box the duo come in has a flap on the front side that opens to reveal the window the product are behind. The products are cradled in a cardboard lift out that can be accessed from the top. If you want to know my thoughts on either, I've linked them below; Supermud Clearing Treatment Supermud Daily Cleanser

Packaging: Palm sized white opaque pump tube with silver text and elements. Wide, flat nozzle that dispenses a slither of product. A number of pumps is required to get adequate product. Smell/Taste: Licorice. Colour: Dark grey. Formula/ Texture: This is a thick, smooth product. It requires some work to dispense it and apply on the face. Once activated with water it does lather nicely to a foam. With a little massage and water, it does remove easily off the face. This does a really excellent job at dissolving makeup and oil from the face gently. It does help to mattify the skin and for me doesn't dry it out. I have combination skin and do use a light moisturiser afterwards and still don't feel any tightness. As well as lifting the dirt from the pores, I do find it to reduce the size of them too. This is defiantly something problematic skin will like. The only thing that fails for this product is the packaging. With every pump, the nozzl...

Packaging: Heavy, palm sized shiny metal spheres. They have a twist off cap with no stopper insert. This doesn't catch fingerprints (et) which is unique. It comes in this tall pink rectangle cardboard box that's got a twist in the middle. Each end contains one of the spheres. The ends open to reveal another metallic 'Hello Sexy' flap that lifts up, revealing the sphere. I thought this was a unique way to present the jar and it was nice to have my sexiness reaffirmed! Smell/Taste: Peppermint for both. Colour: Clear. Formula/ Texture: The exfoliant is a thick, goopy consistency with small sugar particles. It does create a little mess when applied to the lips but once massaged for 5 secs with warm water, this becomes redundant. It is suggested to use 2-3x a week to maintain the results. You can defiantly feel smooth lips after using this once. There's no dried out lips or greasy film left behind. I do add a little lip balm afterwards...

Packaging: Heavy, palm sized smooth round metal jar with a plastic screw on lid. The jar has a orange and silver colour scheme. The lid features a silver star to match the silver embellishments. There is a product stopper that lifts out which can be either thrown away or kept. It feels considerably heavy and wide with not a lot of packaging wastage when you see how much product it holds. This could have something to do with keeping the natural ingredients/ acids fresh. It comes in this X shaped orange cardboard box. The lid is a flap that lifts up, revealing the jar in a cradle from the cardboard, covered by another 'Hello Sexy' flap. I thought this was a unique way to present the jar and it was nice to have my sexiness reaffirmed! This is a little larger jar size then the white supermud treatment mask. Smell/Taste: Citrus. Colour: Cream with brown flecks. Formula/ Texture: This is a lotion with fine grains. It is easily applied but your ha...

P ackaging: Thin, flat oval opaque black matte squeeze tube with a shiny screw on lid and baby blue text. The nib is surprisingly small at 1mm wide but gives control over the amount of product dispensed. This is travel friendly, durable and easy to get  the  last product out by cutting it open. Smell: None. Colour: White blended clear. Natural finish. Available in 3 formulas though. Formula/ Texture: This is thin and smooth that leans a little creamy. It's lightweight on the skin and easily applied and blended in using the fingers. It quickly absorbs leaving a natural finish. This hasn't caused me any skin irritations or breakouts but the formula is oil free and non comedogenic which is perfect for oil and combination skin types. I don't feel as though it does anything to pore size in the positive or negative. I do find it to control the natural shine of my skin through face makeup by the time I take it off ant the end of the day whic...

Packaging: Opaque white plastic squeeze tube with a twist off cap. The nib is fine and 2mm wide. The packaging has elements of green and brown to tie in with the organic line. It's defiantly durable and travel friendly. The cap has caused me some fussing when it hasn't twisted on evenly the first go. I like being able to cut the tube open to get every ounce of product out. Smell/Taste: None. Colour: White, blends out clear. Formula/ Texture: This is a thin and smooth lotion. It's easily applied and absorbed into the eye area without any greasy film or tackiness. The formula contains aloe vera, avocado, macadamia and rosehip oil meaning it's going to soothe, nourish and soften the eye area.  It defiantly hasn't caused any skin irritations or redness.  No sulphates, parabens, mineral oils, silicones, petrochemicals, synthetic fragrances or TEA's. The rosehip, olive, coconut and macadamia oils help reduce the appearance of fine li...

Packaging: Wide glass bottle with a black rubber handle. The brush is a litter wider then a standard brush. Texture/Formula: This is fast drying with no streaking. One coat get opaque coverage but two coats seals the deal. This stuff is legit amazing. With a basic topcoat this lasted 5 days before I started to get minor chipping. Day 6 was where I got major chipping. I am quite amazed for such an affordable polish. This colour screams Brianna + summer!! I am in love with it! I know I'll be living in this colour this coming summer without fail. US$8 18ml/0.6fl.oz.

Packaging: Palm sized, slim black compact with a clear lid and black text and a snap shut closure. The hinge has some resistance to it which means the lid doesn't flop about. There is room for a small powder puff/ brush to take this the handbag. Smell/Taste: None. Colour: Banana - light yellow. Light coverage. Formula/ Texture: This is a thin, almost chalky consistency. It feels very lightweight on the skin and does kick up a little powder when tapped. The HD component of this formula is targeted to soften lines which I find this does. The front says the powder is mineral based but I can't find anything that elaborates on this benefit to the skin. Apart from this, the powder seems to be a stock standard formula. Longevity with this is 8 hours on me. I can't use this much around my nose otherwise it sits on top of my pores and makes them a little more obvious to me. It does add a brighter effect under my eyes and doesn't cake, create...

Packaging: Tall, skinny opaque beige and black squeeze tube with a screw off cap. The nib is 2mm wide making product control perfect yet tapers out to a wide solid base so it won't snap off with continuous use. The length makes it feel like a decent packaging value wise. Smell: None. Colour: #20 Light - light beige with warm undertones. Natural finish and medium buildable coverage. Available in 5 shades. This light is the same light shade from the Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser. Formula/ Texture: This is a thicker, smooth liquid. It's lightweight even under the eyes and best applied with fingers but can be also blended out with a sponge. It's easily removed with a basic makeup wipe. The formula doesn't block or emphasis pores, cause any skin irritations, dry out the skin or create any flash back. It doesn't cake once set with powder. For my light skin I find it adds a brightening effect which I like and look for. I found t...

Packaging: Slim round matte black mechanical pencil. The 6mm wide tube is accompanied with a coloured strip as an indication of the shade inside. The nib for the wax is 3mm wide making application more precise. One end contains a spoolie with a frosted cap and the other the product enclosed with an opaque cap. This does help you choose the right end the first time. This is not retractable resulting in  product wastage and inconvenience. This is a major drawback. There is a lack of a satisfying click when closing the caps but still feels study and secure. The caps do look as though they're longer then they need to be and does make the total length of the tube the longest I own. The length of the tube feels as though it compromises overall durability and as though with little force, it could just snap in the middle. Smell/Taste: None. Colour: Taupe - light brown with warm undertones. Matte finish with buildable coverage. Available in 2 shades. Formu...

Packaging: Metallic purple slim (6mm) tube with faint text. One end has a short cap with contains the built in spoolie, with the longer end containing the retractable wind up wax. The wax is 2.5mm wide making it quite tiny. My tube/ pencil has a bend in the middle of it that makes it a little curved and I'm wondering if that's a manufacturing fault as it doesn't look right that's all. I do like the purple as it stands out amongst my back and grey tubes currently in my draw. The size makes it great for travel too. I love how slim and sleek the tube size feels. Smell/Taste: None. Colour: Neutral Brown - Medium brown with cool undertones. Natural finish. Available in 4 shades. Formula/ Texture: This is a smooth thin  wax. It applies smoothly with no skipping. It combs out easily using the supplied spoolie without any product removal. The hydrating formula contains Vitamin E, Argan Oil and Coconut Oil. I honestly don't notice my ...

Packaging: Slim, 6.5mm round shiny black mechanical, retractable pencil with white text. One end has a short cap with contains the built in spoolie, with the longer end containing the retractable wind up wax. The nib on this end is 2mm wide making it quite tiny. The plastic feels study great for travel and the ends click on securely. Smell/Taste: None. Colour: Chocolate - light to medium brown with warm undertones. Matte finish and medium coverage. Available in 8 shades. Formula/ Texture: This is a smooth thin  wax. It applies smoothly with no skipping. It combs out easily using the supplied spoolie without any massive product removal.  There is no smudging or transferring with this either. This stayed in my brows all day and I don't use a gel to 'set' at all. I'm really impressed with this and the shades available will closely match a lot of hair tones. While this isn't ready to purchase here in Australia yet I do really li...

Packaging: This comes in the standard NARS packaging which is a little case of black corrugated cardboard and then in a NARS cardboard packaged black box with white text.  The bottle is a long rectangle frosted glass shape with a black velvet cap and a pump and black text. The pump dispenses a small droplet which is great for controlled use. Smell: None. Colour: Mont Blanc Light 2 - light beige with yellow undertones. Satin finish with medium buildable coverage. Available in 20 shades. Formula/ Texture: This is a thin, runny and smooth consistency. It's lightweight on the skin which is easily applied and best blended quickly in sections. NARS suggest to use your fingers for the warmth to blend this, It's easily removed with a basic makeup wipe. It doesn't settle into fine lines, oxidise, emphasise pores, create a white cast in photos, break me out or cause skin irritations. The formula is oil free! It does skin into the skin and not cre...

Packaging: A5 sized sturdy cardboard palette that's back with a smooth matte finish. It opens from the left hand size like a book. The outside is decorated with a gold circle embellishment that adds touch of luxury similar to a little black dress which it gets its name. The inside cover has one side with drawings of occasions & outfits to use each bronzer shade. The other side contains the bronzer pans in a colourful pinwheel pattern. Each pan is the same size (2.5g) and labelled.  Each bronzer full size is 10g/0.35oz. Smell: Only the soleil bronzers have a chocolate smell. Colour: Milk Chocolate Soleil - very light matte brown Chocolate Soleil - light matte brown Snow Bunny - pink with shimmer Dark Chocolate Soleil - warm toned deep matte brown Pink Leopard - rose with golden shimmer. More brown will deepen colour Beach Bunny - light brown with golden shimmer Endless Summer - medium satin brown Sun Bunny - peach with shimmer Medium pigmentati...

Packaging: The lipgloss comes in the standard NARS packaging which is in a little case of black corrugated cardboard and then in a NARS black cardboard packaged box. This collection has neon pink text which is on the lid not bottom part of the gloss. The lipgloss itself is rectangular in shape and it feels soft and has a matte finish to the lid. The bottom portion is clear smooth plastic. The applicator wand is long and has a doe foot built in. Smell/Taste: Vanilla. Colour: Nucleus - beige pink with warm undertones Glow Pink - purple with warm undertones Mezmer - neon pink Nebulous - neon orange Formula/ Texture: This is a smooth and thick  gloss. It's a bit goopy but not  sticky or stringy. M.A.C  lip glosses  are  defiantly  sticky. The goopy factor is a magnet for fly away hair, it just It's easy to apply using the doe foot applicator. I have found the milky shade 'nucleus' to settle into my lip lines. That is...

Packaging: The blush comes in the standard NARS packaging which is a little case of black corrugated cardboard and then in a NARS cardboard packaged black box. The compact has a soft velvet matte finish  with a snap closure . This collection is differentiate with the neon pink 'NARS' text on the front. Some people find it hard to keep clean as with use, loose powder latches onto the outside. It also has a clear plastic divider on top of the powder itself to capture loose powder and a mirror on the inside of the lid. Smell: None. Colour: Starscape - neon pink with cool undertones. Matte finish with buildable pigmentation. Formula/ Texture: This is a thin, smooth powder. It takes no effect to apply using a brush and a light hand. It's easy for this colour to look overdone with out proper control. A stippling or small less dense brush is recommended. It's easily removed with a basic makeup wipe. I find this to perform the same as the o...

Packaging: Smooth round tube with the bottom half a hard clear shiny plastic and the top half is a hard black shiny plastic with a pump. The pump isn't stiff, doesn't squirt the product a million meter away but works perfectly in dispensing the average amount per pump. Smell/Taste: None. Colour: 117 = Y225 - light beige with yellow undertones.  A satin finish with medium buildable coverage. NOW Available in 41 shades. This is more for those who are cool undertoned as the yellow counteracts this. I do feel as though this colour blends into my natural colour round my jawline and gives me that natural look. Formula/ Texture: This is a thin, runny and smooth consistency. It's very lightweight on the skin. Also it's easy to apply and blends easy and I think that's due to it's thinner texture so a brush, sponge or hands will work best to apply this foundation. It's easily removed with a basic makeup wipe. This doesn't emphas...

Packaging: This is a palm sized plastic palette with a magnetic closure which adds extra security. The casing is a matte black with a clear window lid which is an advantage. I don't find fingerprints are emphasised at all. Overall it does give a more sleeker look. Inside is the 9 small pans that are not removable. Smell: None. Colour: Sweet Lust - Soft champagne pink with pearls (lustre finish) Lightly Sugared - Soft lilac with pearl (frost finish) Poignant - Soft lavender (satin finish) Mancatcher - Lavender taupe (frost finish) Satellite Dreams - Plum with violet pearl (veluxe pearl finish) Bon Nuit - Deep Plum (matte finish) After Dusk - Soft red wine (veluxe pearl finish) Beauty Marked - black red with sparked pearl (velvet finish) Shadow Lady - Blackened plum (matte finish) Available in 3 other shade palettes Formula/ Texture: This are chalky, thin powders. They are best applied dry using a brush. Due to the sheer pigmentation multip...

Packaging: This is a unique tiny lime green tear drop shaped sponge that's soft to the touch. The curves are designed to fit the contours of your face. The plastic containers acts as a stand to air dry the sponge away from dirt. Smell: None. Colour: Lime Green. Formula/ Texture: The purpose is to get in the tiny crevices on the face, specific spot concealing, highlighting and contouring.  This isn't necessary at all. The original sized Beauty Blender performs the exact same function. If you have particular small eyes then I can see how you'll love this.  Otherwise this is totally unnecessary. It delivers the same outstanding results as the original Beauty Blender Sponge. T he curves are designed to fit the contours of your face.  It's small and best holds by the fingertips. I feel like there is a decent amount of sponge when stippling onto my face.  The Sponge has a patent-pending elliptical shape making for fool proof makeu...

Packaging: The full sized version has a round soap cake encased in a white plastic compact with a pink silicone nibbed mat. The mat is included to use for cleaning your Beauty Blender Sponge. This deluxe size just has the soap cake in a plastic film. It does make storing it inconvenient. Smell: Fresh. Colour: White. Formula/ Texture: This is a solid pan in that is's not easily broken or moulded from pressure. All it takes is a bit of water and some elbow grease to get a lather going. It laters easily, doesn't feel drying and effectively cleans brushes and a beauty blender with little product in little time. No ripping of the sponge, no need to rub it over groves or bumps in mats. All I do is get the sponge lathered up concentrating on the dirty areas, run it under water so the sponge expands and then gently squeeze the sponge until no more foam comes out. I did find it annoying to find it's own storage at first but I realise this is on...

Packaging: Hand size length smooth and shiny squeeze tube. The majority of the packing is transparent so you can see how much is left with a tiny portion on the top and bottom a black shade that matches the screw on cap. The tip is short and wide with a  2mm wide opening that provides decent product dispense. Smell: Slight alcohol. Colour: #11 Vanilla - light/medium beige with natural undertones. Demi matte finish with full pigmentation. Available in 5 colours #slack. All appear to run more pink undertoned. Formula/ Texture: This is a tick and smooth consistency. It's thicker then Maybelline's Fit Me! Matte & Powerless Foundation. It's easy to apply any way and does need to be applied in sections for the most flawless look. It does take a deep makeup remove to properly remove this. It surprisingly feels lightweight and doesn't cake but settles into laugh lines (like around the mouth). It does create an overall smooth finish, eve...

Packaging: Palm sized opaque white plastic tube. The applicator is a semi circle soft sponge that is protected by a clear cap. The applicator and tube is separated by a clear section that you twist one direction that moves the product up through to the applicator. When the sponge seems like it's getting dry with product you just twist this top section and more product is dispensed. When you have been using it for a while the product level is moved down and you can actually see how much you have used/ how much you have left. I like how fluffy and squishy the applicator looks. Smell/Taste: None. Colour: #220 Pale - light beige with very warm undertones. Satin finish & medium coverage. Available in 5 shades. Formula/ Texture: This is a thin and smooth liquid almost cream consistency. It is lightweight on the face with no cakeiness or settling into fine lines. It is easy to apply from the sponge tip and blend in using fingers or a br...

Packaging: Sqaure bulky shiny but smooth compact with a snap closure. The lid has a window so the shades can be seen with metallic text. Lifting the lid reveals the round pan powders. Lifting this portion reveals a hidden travel domed brush and mirror. Even with this I do feel like this could be made to be less bulky. The bristles on the bush aren't scratchy to the touch but it's been poorly cut with the dome shape uneven. I would like see a divider between the two shades so you don't highlight the contour your doing. Smell: None. Colour: 01 Light/ Medium 1 Contour - light brown with warm undertones. It has a matte finish. 2 Highlight - soft icy beige with warm undertones. It has a satin finish. Also available in a darker shade. Formula/ Texture: This is an extremely buttery powder that does kick up some excess powder. They are easy to apply and blend. I do recommend tapping your brush before touching it to your face to make sure you ...

Packaging: Grey brown rectangle metal tin with a hard shut closure. The top has gunmetal 'Naked' text. Inside is a skinny mirror on the reverse side if the lid with a flat shadow brush. The initial packaging comes with a travel sized Primer Potion. Smell: None. Colour: Foxy - light beige with a matte finish Half Baked - warm gold with a shimmer finish Bootycall - light pink with a gold shimmer finish Chopper - Rose gold with a shimmer finish Tease - taupe with cool undertones and a matte finish Snakebite - dark brown with cool undertones and a shimmer finish Suspect - light taupe with a shimmer finish Pistol - gunmetal grey with purple cool tones and a shimmer finish Verve - silver with a shimmer finish YDK - rose/ purple with a shimmer finish Busted - burgundy with cool undertones and a satin finish Blackout - black with a matte finish Opaque pigmentation with buildable coverage. There is a couple of warm tones but generally this palette lea...

Packaging: Palm sized round clear plastic tub with a pink screw off lid. There's no sifter/stopper. Smell: Like cookies!! I just want to eat it! Colour: Brown/ cream. Formula/ Texture: This is a thick, gritty scrub. It's easy to scoop right of the tub and use on the skin. Those that don't like getting their fingers messy won't appreciate this method. I simply get my skin wet and scrub this in circular motions on my skin concentrating on specific areas at a time. It's gritty enough that you can feel the grains with the sugar but not harsh at all. I do think sensitive skin wont have any problems with this. Surprisingly though it leaves the skin feeling very rejuvenate and renewed. My skin doesn't feel dry or tight after use but I do moisturise everyday. Defiantly a value for money, very good body scrub! You do feel like you've done something to your skin. Available: From Mecca Cosmetica stores, meccacosmetic...

Packaging: Rectangle glass bottle with a smooth shiny black screw top lid. The opening is quite large so care has to be taken when dispensing product. There is no pump with this. The opening does get 'messy' with foundation after a few uses. The front side of the bottle has elements of teal that indicate the finish of the foundation. The small height of the cap makes storing this easier as does the ability to see how much product is left. Smell: Sunscreen mixed with flowers. Colour: #115 Ivory - light beige with pink/ yellow undertones. It has medium pigmentation with a semi matte finish. Available in 6 colours that all lean pink undertoned. This is the second lightest shade for reference. Formula/ Texture: This is a thicker, smooth liquid. It's easily applied and blended into the face. It's easily removed with a basic makeup wipe. Care does need to be taken when dispensing the product which can lead to product wastage as well as a me...