Blank Canvas Cosmetics Master Series One Palette.

 

 

 The Master Series One Palette from Blank Canvas Cosmetics has been described online as the ideal palette, the only one you'll ever need. I'd been toying with the idea of trying it out after seeing it being used on T.V. but finally caved when it was 30% off in the January sales. I was drawn to the warm red browns of the shadows and felt that I would get good use out of the versatile shades (anything to convince myself I need more makeup).

 

 The Palette itself comes with twelve shades, all being matte except one. Goddess is the beautiful golden shimmer that looks great popped in the centre of the lid or as an inner corner or brow highlight. The palette also comes with a dual ended brush; The E40 and E41, which retails at €11.99 on it's own. The E40 is a flat shader brush ideal for smudging product onto the lash line or patting colour onto the lids and the E41 in a tapered blender brush that fits perfectly into the crease.

 

 I'm not going to lie, when I first swatched these colours and tried the brush I was disappointed. I thought they looked so powdery and light and the blender brush wasn't fluffy enough for me. However I continued using them and began to see what all the fuss is about. Yes the shadows are initially a little sheer but they can be built up to create beautiful looks, I also came to really like the E41 for the crease, it deposits a good amount of colour and is great for smoking out the shadows.

 

 I created this very simple daytime look using the shade core all over the eye, hibiscus and downtown in the crease and a tiny bit of hickory in the outer eye. Corruption, which if I'm really honest I'd love to be a little more pigmented is great as an eyeliner during the day. Lily was used to highlight the inner corners and brow bone. I really wanted to test how versatile the eye shadows were, so I used hickory to fill in my brows. It makes them look fuller and when brushed through it gives a natural feel. For both looks I did not use any eye shadow primer, so I'm really impressed with the finished creations.

 

 I'm the kind of person that has a big difference between their daytime and night makeup so I really wanted to step it up for this second look. Building on the first look I used forza and hibiscus mixed together for a transition shade, I then blended Carmin, the real standout shade for me, onto my crease. I love this warm rustic shade, I feel it really makes blue eye pop! I smudged those three shades onto my lower lash line too. I then began to build up the darker shades. I combined hickory and corruption and worked them through my crease focusing mainly on the outer portion of my eye. I went back in with corruption on the outer "v" of my eye and used it to line my lower lashes also. To add a pop of shimmer I dampened my E40 and went in with goddess on the centre of the lid, I used this shade as an inner corner and brow bone highlight, there's no such thing as too much shimmer in my book!. I finished off the look with some liquid liner (Kat Von D) and lashings of mascara.

 

 To really test if this is the only palette I'll ever need I decided to contour and highlight using the eye shadows. Generally the rule is to use cool tones to contour and I've just been talking about how warm these shades are, however in the name of science I gave it a go. I found that the shade downtown mixed with a little bit of hibiscus was a forgiving contour shade that blended easily and created depth for this look. I applied Goddess to the high points of my cheek bones to create that J-LO glow. I felt they worked really well and in a pinch could definitely be used as believable face makeup.

 

 Overall I was really impressed with how versatile this palette was. I used it to create two looks as well as filling in my brows and using it as contour and highlight. With it's slim packaging, adaptable shades and decent brushes, this palette would be great for travelling, so maybe it is the only palette we'll ever need? I would recommend this product to all makeup addicts. The real showstopper shades for me were Carmin, Hickory and Goddess but I can't wait to create more looks with the rest of these shadows. This is the first product and brush I have tried from this company and I look forward to tying more.

 

 

You can find out more about this product and more here

 

Until Next Time,

Go Forth and Be Fierce,

 

The Beauty Psycho.

 

xoxo

Glitter Lip Review.

 

 We all love those moments when your makeup is so on point that months later people still ask you about it. That's what happened to me with the Glitter Lip. I wanted to try something a bit different for a party and after giving up on trying to create it myself (Barry M dazzle dust just doesn't give the same effect), I did some research and discovered this product.

 

It comes with a lip glue, the glitter of your colour choice ( I went with the classic red shade called Ruby Slippers) and an applicator sponge, so at least now finally we have some use for the silly little sponges makeup companies insist on still putting in eye shadow palettes. What I like about this product is that it's designed for lips and therefore safe to use on the lips. I have not had any bad reactions any time I have used it. Its so easy to apply;I start off by using a lipstick in the same colour as the glitter, although this is not stated in the instructions I think it adds to the impact. I then dust some translucent powder onto my lips to set everything, Then comes the glue, it's applied to the lips and when it has dried down clear (a matter of seconds) the glitter can be patted onto the mouth.  

 

 

The colour payoff is mesmerizing, a real show stopper guaranteed to make you stand out. I was initially worried about the lasting power of it after food and dancing so I snuck away for a quick touch up with my clutch crammed with essentials. I was so surprised that I didn't need to fix a thing, (a bit full of myself maybe?) Anyway the point is this stuff lasts!, while at the same time being easy to remove. It doesn't feel bad on the lips either, in this day and age of liquid and matte lipsticks, it's nothing we can't handle and you forget it's even there, until you get complimented about it which will happen a lot. I still get people asking me about it, so now you all know my little secret.

 

The photos don't do this product justice, this is a serious statement lip that's fun and different and will make you the belle of any ball!

 

You can find out more about it here:  here

 

Until Next Time,

Go Forth and Be Fierce!

 

The Beauty Psycho

 

xoxo



Penneys Mascara Wands Review.

 Let me set the scene, I went into Penneys "just for a look" and as I was wandering aimlessly around, convincing myself I really did need a new pair of pyjamas I came across this amazing little find. Penneys are now doing disposable mascara wands! As a qualified make-up artist I probably got a little bit over excited but in my defence when I was doing my course this kind of thing was not readily available and certainly not at that price. I had to order them online and pay more for shipping then the actual product or traipse down to the local beauty supply shop and fork out for little stubby yokes that did more harm then good. Anyway, enough with my sob story and onto the product.

 They come in a packet of fifteen and have four different styles, lengthening, volumizing, curling and defining. They are made from latex which I like as I have a preference towards plastic wands, my favourites being L'Oreal volume million lashes so couture, L'Oreal lash sculpt, Max Factor false lash effect and our dearly departed Rimmel sexy curves (R.I.P.). I just feel that for me, plastic wands don't catch the eyelid skin as much as natural bristled wands and it makes it easier for me to get right down the roots of my lashes to get maximum drama.

 

 I used my current makeup bag essential L'Oreal volume million lashes so couture with all of these wands when trying them out. Because of the material of these wands you could wash and re-use them, ONLY however if they are for personal use!.

Defining wand

 I found this wand took a little getting used to, it was slightly clumpy to begin with but once I took some of the mascara off the wand it worked a dream and turned out to be my favourite finished lash look. The ball at the end is great for getting into the small hard to reach areas of the inner corners and the bottom lashes.

Curling Wand

I found the curling wand gave me the most volume. A slightly clumpy finish, it gives the most dramatic look. A great one for a night out. My lashes stayed upright all day with this wand.

Volumizing Wand

 Similar to the defining wand, the volumizing wand gives great definition and coats every lash with the help of the spikey end, making lashes appear fuller.



Lengthening Wand



This wand is very similar to the L'Oreal volume million lashes so couture wand (have I mentioned it's my fave at the moment enough yet?), so I knew I was going to like the effect. It does what it says on the tin and lengthens the lashes giving a lovely natural fluttery effect. 

This product is essential for anyone practising makeup or doing a makeup course anyway so why not spend less and get more? Four styles for €2 and as easily accessible as your local Penneys? It doesn't get much better. They are definitely going in my kit. Can Penneys do any wrong?

 

Until Next Time,

Go Forth and Be Fierce,

 

The Beauty Psycho.

 

xoxo

 



L'Oréal Pure Clay Glow Mask Review.

 There has been a lot of online buzz about the L'Oréal Pure Clay Mask range lately so I decided to give one a try. In the past I have tried the black charcoal masks that give you clearer skin and tighter pores whilst holding your face in a vice like grip (Beauty is pain!). This time I wanted to go for the glow mask to pep up my lacklustre January skin. This one claims to brighten and exfoliate using "a powerful blend of three pure clays" plus red algae. Let's take a look at what's in it;

1.  Koalin: This absorbent substance clears pores and dirt and oil on the skin while the thickness of the substance acts as a binding agent, holding all the ingredients together.
2. Montmorillonite: This healing clay was discovered in France (in Montmorillon, get it?) and is included in the mask to eliminate imperfections.
3. Ghassoul: Has antimicrobial properties which helps to clear the skins surface, improving the smoothness and tone of the skin.
4. Red Algae: Included in this mask for it's brightening properties, however this seaweed is also known for retaining moisture. 

 

As the beautiful picture above will show, the mask is a terracotta colour...or a nice everyday foundation colour as some people like to call it (sorry I couldn't help myself). The mask has a creamy beaded texture that doesn't dry down completely, making it very comfortable to wear on the skin. I think the exfoliation part of this mask is in the application and removal, you can feel the soft beads being worked into the skin. Because it's so creamy it comes off really easily with a warm face cloth although I would suggest giving your face an extra rinse with just water to get rid of the excess beads.

 

 Overall I'm really impressed with this mask. Having used it a few times it has left me with smooth skin and helped me to get rid of the tired grey hue that all the chocolate over Christmas resulted in. It's definitely going to continue to be part of my regular skincare routine.

 

The Pure clay masks can be used together (a patchwork quilt for your face) or separately and this one lives up the hype. At the time of writing this, all three masks, the other two being a purity mask and a detox mask, are on deal in Boots for just €8 each,

 

You can find them here

 

Until Next Time,

Go Forth and Be Fierce,

 

The Beauty Psycho.

 

xoxo

 



Benefit They're Real Double the Lip Review.

 The latest lip launch from Benefit is an extension of the "They're Real" products. This all in one lipstick and lip liner duo claims to define your lips, making them instantly fuller. When I first opened this product I really didn't know what to make of it, sure it was an interesting concept, but to me the colour looked old fashioned and the claims of eight hour wear time gave me visions of dry flaky lips at the end of the day...boy was I wrong.

The teardrop shape applicator has a darker colour on the outside which lines your lips while the other colours fills your lips in. The colours compliment each other so you don't need to worry about looking like a throwback to the 1990's (although in this day and age that's a look that might very well see the light of day again!). Upon the first swatch, I was surprised at how sheer it applied and when put on the lips it felt wonderfully moisturising.

I should note that I found it unusual to apply at first. You have to remember to turn the lipstick upside down when doing the bottom lip but the results are worth it. The old fashioned colour that I turned my nose up at before transformed into a beautiful dusty (lusty, get it?) rose, that is such an everyday me colour. It was the first thing I received a compliment about when I wore it, which is always a good thing. The two colours can be used separately or blended together to create different looks so essentially you're getting three lipsticks in one.

So far this lipstick comes in four shades and when I researched it online I found out that lusty rose is the lightest one. There is also a vibrant pink, a red and an orange which I hope will be insanely pigmented and I look forward to trying. Unfortunately for the time being these lip products cannot be bought individually, they are however available in a set of four.

I love the way this product feels on the lips, it's so moisturising and lightweight. A great handbag staple for on the go, or travelling, or you know....just being lazy (we're all guilty). Benefit claims the lipstick lasts eight hours; while it does settle down into a nice natural tint on the lips, I found that it did wear off after eating and I did need to reapply. That's a sacrifice I'm willing to make though as I'm so impressed with the look of this on the lips. Hands down it gives more definition then a lipstick alone. Although, if you're into that trendy fresh lip injections look maybe stick to the ever popular spice lip liner.

I don't know if it gave me sexier looking lips (I'll let you decide) but the easy application, great colour pay off and balm like feeling means this is one lipstick I'll be keeping in my handbag (Pennys Hun, thanks for asking) for the foreseeable future.

You can find out more about this product and where to buy it here



Until Next Time,

Go Forth and Be Fierce...

 

The Beauty Psycho

xoxo.

PÜR Correcting Primer Review.

 January is the time of year when everyone is broke, sick and back to work after over- indulging during the festive season. All of the sneezing and snacking can lead to a terrible case of Winter skin. Flakiness and breakouts are not a good look, but I have found a product to combat the effects of the dreaded bad skin days that go hand in hand with this season. PÜR Cosmetics is a brand that I was not familiar with or had heard much about online until I got a sample of the correcting primer in the Marks & Spencer Christmas advent calendar. They are a great way to try out new products that you wouldn't normally buy yourself and for me, this was a real find.

 I had been suffering from a serious case of Winter skin, the flakiness on my nose was getting ridiculous, even my trusty eye shadow primer on the nose had failed me (shock horror, how dare it!). This product has a clean smell and a creamy texture but when rubbed into the skin it becomes almost mouse like, making the skin unbelievably soft. Don't be put off by the white colour of this product, it sinks into the skin beautifully without leaving any white cast. While the hydroxy acid makes the skin more susceptible to the sun, it blurs imperfections and gives the skin an airbrushed finish, and who doesn't want that? Just wear some SPF to keep the wrinkles at bay and you'll be fine.

 So far I've tried this primer with cream, liquid and mineral foundations and it has worked a dream. As a brand, PÜR is a mineral based skin care and cosmetics company that is 100% cruelty free; not tested on animals and eco-friendly by responsibly sourcing their materials, which in this day and age of a consumer conscious society can only be a plus!. The companies philosophy is to give you better looking skin in sixty seconds and healthier skin in sixty days, a big claim but one I look forward to testing.

 I will definitely be purchasing the full size of this product when my sample runs out. I feel Marks & Spencer is really underrated for beauty products. It's full of niche brands that make a beauty psycho like myself get dizzy with excitement. I look forward to trying more from this brand.

The PÜR correcting primer is €33 and available from Marks & Spencer stores nationwide and online, you can purchase the product here: http://www.marksandspencer.ie/Correcting-Primer-30ml/Parent_T232157F,en_IE,pd.html?dwvar_Parent__T232157F_color=PC&start=

And you can find out more about the PÜR brand here: http://www.purcosmetics.com/

Until next time...

Go Forth and Be Fierce,

 

The Beauty Psycho.