Brunette Beauty

Packaging: Skinny pink tube with black text. It's a mechanic pencil that does not retract. The mechanisms are black with the pencil 1.8mm wide with a flat top. The text can scrap off with wear and use. Smell/Taste: None. Colour: #210 Defining Black - deep black. Matte finish and intense pigmentation. Available 3 shades. Formula/ Texture: This is a thick, smooth gel pencil. It glides on effortlessly but with the flat top, I don't feel like I can get a more precise line with this compared to any other pencil. It does have to be left for 30secs to set so it doesn't smudge. This is the perfect window to smudge the liner out. It does take a specialised makeup eye remover to effectively remove this entirely. It does ball up in the inner corners of my eye but otherwise there's no irritation. I'd like this so much better if it was retraceable with a finer tip. Available: Only from Ulta Beauty, ulta.com for $8 100g/0.0035oz.

Packaging: Slim matte black plates pen with silver text. It's palm length with a spring loaded cap and a fine and long brush tip. Smell/Taste: None. Colour: Intense black. Matte finish. Available in 15 shades. Formula/ Texture: This is a thin, runny and smooth liquid. Application is best done slowly due to the brush tip. As it's so flexible compared to a felt tip & the runny formula, it catches onto the folds of the eyelid and can not create the precise line wanted. Multiple layers are required to get a crisp, intense line. There is no smudging or fading but is tear and water proof. It is easily removed with basic makeup remover. I do like this once getting over the learning curve and enjoy the fine brush tip! Available: From Mecca Cosmetica, mecca.com.au for $32 for 0.5ml/0.016fl.oz. Full size. I got mine in America from Sephora in the Sephora Favourites Superstar set.

Packaging: A vibrant pink and orange metallic tube. These colours are operated by a solid black block in the packaging with pastel pink text. The wand is rubber with short 'U' shaped sparse bristles. These intend to cup the lashes and coat them with mascara. The tube feels lightweight in your hands. Smell/Taste: Mascara wax. Colour: #304 Blackest Black Available in 3 shades. Formula/ Texture: This is a thicker wax. It was easy to apply and removed with a basic makeup wipe. The wand and bristles didn't really do much for my lashes. It coated them but didn't provide the lift, curl and volume I was expecting based on the name. There was no flaking, irritation, transferring. It is contact lens safe and ophthalmologist tested. This was a total bomb for me and I wanted to love it a lot. I got minimal lift and any that I did have was short lived and looked as though I wasn't wearing any mascara at all!! Maybe those with full or long natur...

Packaging: Clear 10c wide circular spray bottle with black text, a short black nozzle and matching protective cap. The spray is light, wide but reaches a short distance. The mechanisms operate smoothly and I've not had this stop or clog. The full size has the same packaging. Smell/Taste: None. Colour: None but gives a matte finish. Formula/ Texture: This is non drying, non greasy doesn't irritate my skin or clog pores. I've used it in a variety of ways and it works well for them all; primer, setting makeup, removing powder look. It's silicone, oil and alcohol free. Once it hits my combination skin I do feel my skin tighten, again not uncomfortable but I've not experienced that before. It did keep shine away for 8 hours but overall, this just didn't wow me or really show my makeup wearing longer. I need to be impressed more to go back to this thats all, but it normal skin might like this better. Available: From Mecca ...

Packaging: Vertical rectangle, slim matte black compact. The lid features a small window to see the powder shades which in the empty space behind the lid is a small mirror. The packaging features a sketch face on the window showing the places on the face to highlight and contour as well as white text and a pop of red. It snaps shut securely, with the durable packaging making it great for travel. The powder sits in the one square pan with a triangle for the contour and highlight and a engraved text for the powders specific step. I find this kind of pan format silly cause theres product wastage in the corners where a full sized makeup brush is too small to fit. The included brush has long harsh bristles. They are shaped in a soft 'v' with the intention the hollow middle will fit perfectly over the highpoint of your cheekbone, placing highlight and contour where it needs to go. Smell/Taste: None. Colour: #813 Light Contour - light brown with cool undertones. ...

Packaging: Palm sized opaque black plastic jar with a screw off lid. The lid contains rose gold text. There is no sifter with this so product does catch on the screw elements of the lid. Smell/Taste: Vanilla Apricot. Colour: White (doesn't affect product performance) Formula/ Texture: This is a thick, smooth cream. It applies easily and rubs into the skin so easily, leaving it feeling so silky. It's non greasy with no white lotion marks left to continue to be rubbed in. It does hydrate the skin, no itchiness or dry feeling by the end of a 24hr period. It keeps the skin feeling and looking healthy and supple. I really like this, it makes the skin feel amazing! Available: Only from Mecca Cosmetic, mecca.com.au for $17 for 59ml/2fl.oz.

Packaging: Thick, palm sized compact. The bottom is white plastic and the top a chrome bronze finish with an Arabian inspired design for the product details. Underneath contains the shade name and a 3 step pictorial on how to use. There is a full sized mirror on the inside of the lid and a hinged plastic tray that houses a sponge puff and snaps shut to keep the sponge air tight. The foundation is soaked in a sponge that is easily removable from the compact space. Smell/Taste: None. Colour: N3 Nude Biege - medium beige with warm undertones. Satin finish with light to medium coverage. Available in 12 shades. Formula/ Texture: This is a thin, smooth liquid. This is best applied in a tapping motion to help the product skin into the skin using fingers or the included sponge puff. A beauty sponge will absorb too much product. It does apply with ease. It is easily removed with a basic makeup wipe. It gives such a fresh and luminous look to the skin, mimicing ...

Packaging: Wide circular frosted plastic bottle with a spray nozzle and protective cap. The bottle features neon orange and white elements. The spray operates smoothly and is a fine wide spray. Smell/Taste: Coconut & Sweet Almond. Colour: N/A. Available in 2 sizes. Formula/ Texture: This is a thin, creamy lotion. It is lightweight so suitable for fine hair. I found that when I applied this directly to the roots it did weigh my hair down. It's best applied to damp hair only and combed through, followed by air or heat drying. The formula contains 6 oils that help to soften, detangle, heat & UV protection and tame flyways. It is also good to note it's sulphate free. I enjoyed using this but again, another product where I didn't find the results outstanding enough over  hair oils such as Moroccan Oil or any heat protector you can find at the drugstore. Available: Only from Mecca Cosmetica, mecca.com.au for $11 for 60ml/2.f...