Gimme Brow VS The Brow Artist Plumper

Benefits Gimme Brow is one on my Holy Grail products. It is a heavily tinted brow gel that contains tiny fibres that cling to your eyebrow hairs to help thicken them up. As someone with very fine brows, that is exactly what I am looking for. If my brows have been tinted, then I only need a couple of swipes of this to add some volume, or I use it after I have filled them in with powder.

So basically, I use this everyday. It helps to create such natural brows which is exactly what I want with mine, I don't want the main focal point of my face to be my brows. 

It also helps to set them in place, it's just a lovely product. 

However, I ran out of this a while ago and I heard a lot of people compare it to the L'Oreal Brow Artist Plumper and as it is much more affordable, I thought I would give it a go. 

L-R L'Oreal and Benefit

I'm sorry to say that in my opinion, the L'Oreal is not a dupe, I think the Benefit offering is so much better.

You can see the L'Oreal wand on the left is quite significantly bigger and more spaced out. Due to this, I find it can be very messy to apply and it's not good for grabbing on to the eyebrow hairs.

The Benefit one is small so offers much more precision, its very hard to over do and it has more pigment to it. 

Also I find the Brow Plumper sets very quickly and I can really feel it on my brows. 

I suppose if you have thick, unruly brows- you might quite enjoy that, but it makes mine feel too rigid and once it has set, you can't cant layer it up as things start to look really messy.

L-R: Benefit and L'Oreal

I find both these colours are suitable for those with dark hair like mine, but you can see that the Gimme Brow is a lot ashier whereas the L'Oreal is quite warm. That's another reason why Gimme Brow wins out for me as I favour an ashier, more natural brow.

Bottom Line : Sorry folks, but for me this is one of those times where the more expensive option is just genuinely better. I have since repurchases this little guy and I can't envisage a time when I don't use it.

I know it's pricey, but I got my first Gimme Brow as a Xmas present last year, I picked up another one a couple of months ago and it's still going strong. I use it daily, so to me, that makes it worth the money.

Whats your fave?

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Quick, Prettyfying Make Up

Is prettyfying a word? For the sake of this blog post, we'll just say it is.

If you're reading this, I'm guessing you're also a lover of all things beauty.

I love the creativity, the new products or rocking a kinda weird kooky look and making it wearable, but there are times when I just want to use products that are more 'prettyfying'.

You know, just adds to your natural beauty- I find these products make me look healthy and natural, in a quick and easy way.

Lets start in order of application:

Dior Glow Maximizer : Like name like nature. I don't use this all the time, but when I do, I use it all over my face like a primer and it adds such luminosity.

When you see it swatched it literally looks like a liquid highlighter- which it can be used as, but under make up it just brightens up my face. 

Lovely.

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua : I have already talked about this product so I wont bang on, but it is one of my favorite bases- light, natural, glowy but not overly so and it feels very comfortable on the skin.

No caking, no sitting in pores, its beaut.

Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer : This is probably the best concealer I have, read a full review here.

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder : I'm so glad I managed to take a picture of this as I've just hit pan. 

I was never into powders up until trying this.

I have dry skin so the idea of setting my make up with powder just feels kinda gross to me...but I thought I would invest in a high end powder and I really like it! I use this every day to set my concealer under my eyes and to be honest ever since I started doing that I cant fathom that I didn't before.

It mattifies the slight sheen from my concealer so hence makes it look like I have added a hint more coverage. I use it down the side of my nose and it does mattify were shine isn't wanted, but it is never cakey. 

It is very important to add this step here as I am using a lot of glowy products, so this is needed to take any of the shine away from unflattering areas, for example the nose/forehead etc.

Benefit Brow-Zing : As you can see- I have hit pan here! As I have used it daily for over a year, I think I am doing pretty well. The little brushes are very useful, I use the angled brush for the wax and then with the flat brush add the powder- you end up with lovely, natural looking brows.

I need quite a bit of brow help so I never go without this.

I cannot stand blocky/harsh eyebrows- this does not produce them.

Benefit Gimme Brown : I use this everyday to set my brows, read a full review here

Kevyn Aucoin Eyelash Curlers : Because I have the worlds straightest lashes.

Nars Eyeliner in Via Veneto : I use black eyeliner EVERYDAY- it is a non negotiable.

However, I only use it to tightline- if you don't know what that means, I just line my upper water line.

After I've curled my lashes so the curlers don't rub it off, I just add this and it helps to thicken up my super fine lashes. If you haven't tried before- it may feel weird, but give it a go. I guarantee you will be amazed by how much more defined your eyes look, in the most subtle way.

Also- if you want to wear make up at school and you aren't allowed/your male  and you want to wear a bit of make up but not have it look obvious- try this as well.

This Nars one is quite new to me, a full review is on its way.

Benefit They're Real : You can see I'm having a bit of a Benefit moment!

Read the full review here. 

By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Bronze Moon : When I'm trying to do pretty in a hurry I use this after my mascara. Why you ask?

Because I'm messy.

Pretty much everytime I use mascara I end up with a little bit of smudging just behind my lashes- not like eye liner, no just a smudge and it really annoys me.

I often can't be bothered to wipe it off as that can make the matter worse, so I swipe the tiniest, lightest line behind my eyelashes and then blend with a finger.

It hides the smudge and leaves me with subtle, shimmery bronze lids.

For a swatch, click here. 

L-R: Mary Lou-Manizer, Pink Coral, Dior Glow Maximiser, Clarins Lip Perfector 

Bobbi Brown Pink Coral Blush : Read a full review here

The Balm Mary Lou-Manizer : Use this with caution! This is very easy to over do, but I like to use a fan brush and sweep this beautiful champagne highlighter on the tops of my cheekbones, round of sides of my eyebrows in a C-shape and the cupids bow.

If you use a light hand you will look gorgeous and glowy- and you have already helped yourself out by using a matte blush so things don't get OTT.

This product is so damn smooth and buttery I just kept touching it when I first got it.

It is a stunner, but be careful otherwise it will look incredibly obvious.

Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Balm Perfector in Rose: I'm sorry you can barely see the swatch on my arm- it is a very transparent colour that just adds the slightest hint of pink.

I love lipsticks- but can take time to apply/can be high maintenance. I LOVE lip liners as well but when I just don't have time or patience I put a bit of this on and it makes my lips look moisturized and just healthy.

I think I might prefer the lip gloss version but I am yet to make up my mind on that...

It's just a nice hint of pink that you can apply as you're leaving the house.

This may seem like a lot of steps but trust me- I can do this pretty quickly!

Do you have any tips on hour to be pretty in a hurry?

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Benefit: They're Real!

You may have gathered from last weeks post , that I wasn't having much luck in the mascara department. 

Six hyped up mascaras left me pretty cold, so I was kinda under the impression this mascara would do the same. 

However, I decided to purchase Benefits 'They're Real!' and I am SO pleased to report back that I really like it! Yay! Mascara is good again!

This mascara features a plastic brush, which isn't always my brush of choice as I tend to prefer bristles, but this does a lovely job at catching and (more importantly) gripping your lashes from root to tip.

The formula is ultra black, but it's not super wet which I like as I often find them very messy to work with.

I'm the poster girl for layering up as much mascara as possible- I want as much in the lash department as can feasibly be achieved.

I'm not super into natural looking mascaras....I'm sure I will go through that phase, but I enjoy a full on black, dramatic lash. I never wear falsies, so I need my mascara to deliver.

This does, it layers very well - it holds a curl all day which was such a shock to me as it's not waterproof.

Another bonus- it doesn't flake.

The first layer looks good, evenly coated and fairly natural, but then the volume and drama just increases the more you add.

I really rate this product and I am so glad it has redeemed my faith in mascara.

It's not the easiest thing to remove, my holy grail Body Shop Camomile cleanser doesn't quite cut it, I need a micellar boost before hand, but to me, that's not a deal breaker, it just shows how well this mascara lasts.

Be careful in the removal process though as it acts quire like a waterproof mascara, it does cling on for dear life and can crumble into your eyes- I'm aware that sounds gross but I add so many coats so it's kind of inevitable, but it doesn't actually bother me as its the end of the day so all my make up is being removed, but if that's something that could bother you- it's worth noting!

I am a convert. I'm so glad there is a mascara out there that I know works for me, so when I run out, even if I was curious and wanting to try other things, I now know this is in Boots waiting for me.

I'm definitely team They're Real. The formula is brilliant, volume,length, drama and longevity, plus it doesn't transfer onto my brow bone like Roller Lash does. 

Have you tried any Benefit mascaras?

03/06/2015 Update : I have had this mascara for just over 4 weeks now and it has really dried out.
I can still just about use it, but if I apply a lot it gets quite heavy so it doesn't hold a curl as well as it used to.
Just thought I should update you!

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Skincare : The Extras

You can see my Morning Routine here and my Evening Routine here, as those are two routines I follow every day without fail.
However, every now and then I add in one or two extras to give my skin an extra boost.

REN Hydra-Calm Cleansing Milk : I believe this is now called the 'Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Milk'. This is a very gentle cleansing milk, which has been specially formulated for sensitive skin.
It's totally fine for my sensitive skin, but I hasten to add, even though it deliberately doesn't contain a lot of known allergens for example synthetic fragrance, petroleum and silicone- it doesn't mean you definitely wont react to it.
Good to check out if you know it doesn't contain your break out triggers, but people can be allergic to everything, and nothing can promise to be hypoallergenic.

ANYWAY. This is very gentle, however I do prefer to use oils/balms over milks but this does do a lovely job of cleansing the skin without stripping it and for me, I use this when I am in the shower.
I keep this in the shower at all times because if I am in a rush and I just want to get it all over and done with, I cleanse with this as oils don't work if your skin is already wet.

Merumaya Skin Brightening Exfoliating Peel : This is a lovely product that I try to use 1/2 a week after cleansing and before I go in with my facial mist.
On clean, dry skin, I carefully put this all over my face- make sure not to get it too close to my eyes, and I leave it for 7-10 mins before thoroughly rinsing off.
This product is a chemical exfoliant which contains glycolic acid and pomegranate enzymes, which work together to gently peel away and remove the surface layer of dead skin cells.
It can be tingly when you put it on- but don't worry, it just means its working. I find it so satisfying.
Merumaya is a brilliant brand, and affordable. This costs £19.50, which is lot less than a lot of other glycolic products on the market.
It makes my skin smoother and brighter and it helps the serums I put on after absorb a lot better.

Origins Drink Up Intensive : Every now and then, I use this at night instead of my moisturizer...well I did, until I found my Kiehls Ultra Facial Cream, and now other moisturizing products seem a little redundant, but anyway, I use this as an overnight mask.
What I'm trying to say is, I like having this step in my routine, an overnight intensive moisture mask, but the Origins one isn't really doing it for me anymore.
I would love to try the Sisley Black Rose Mask, but at £95, it might have to wait.
If you have dry/dehydrated skin, check the Origins one out, it is good, but I don't love it.
Also, when I have put oils and serums underneath and then this on top, due to its silicone content, sometimes it starts gathering up in little balls.
Which is maddening.
I love this step in my routine, but I want to look into other products. I am nearly out of this one, any suggestions?

Origins Clay Mask : Clay masks can be quite drying on my already fairly dehydrated skin, so I only use this when my skin is looking a bit dull and congested.
This is my second tube of this and it does do a good job at bringing anything under the skin to the surface.
This is an effective clay mask, and for this tube it's quite reasonable, it's about a tenner, but when it runs out, I think I might invest in Glam Glow. I am intrugied to see how it would compare.

Benefit Dream Screen: Just a heads up, this is what it says on the Benefit website: 'A invisible silky-matte broad spectrum SPF 45 suncreen for the face'.
This is still pretty new to me, I've only used it about 4 times and it seems to be going down pretty quickly...
I thought it was about time I invested in a proper facial SPF rather than using body ones which break me out, or just depending on my tinted moisturiser.
As the name would suggest, this is a matte product, and matte products and I don't usually get on, but I still really like this.
It is super light on the skin and it literally disappears when you rub it in. I can't stand the feeling of those greasy SPFs that literally refuse to absorb and leave you feeling shiny and oily all day.
I don't have that problem here, and it provides a good base for make up.
So far Benefit, so good!

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Face Of The Day

Here's a look at whats on my face today!

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua : This is one of my favorite foundations of all time. I use the shade B20 and it matches me perfectly, giving me a light/medium coverage that looks natural and glowy.

This is totally day time appropriate although I have worn it at night as well.

You have to give it a good shake as its a very watery foundation, but it just blends into nothing on the skin.

I sometimes use a brush with this, but as of late I have been loving just massaging it in with fingers.

If you love natural, glowy bases- check this one out.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush : I feel quite harsh talking about this beautiful palette as it was a limited edition, but the shade on the far left (Luminous Flush) and far right (Mood Exposure) are both permenant.

The middle shade Incandescent Electra was initially a palette exclusive, but I saw on Temptalia that Hourglass will soon be releasing this as a single, permanent shade!

I'm so glad because I adore this shade, everyone should have the chance to own it.

I love all of these blushes as a whole, baked products are my obsession at the moment as they look so natural.

These blushes look glowy and genuinely achieve that lit from within look. I love these- I highly recommend.

Also they are pigmented, but they blend in seamlessly so you don't get that harsh block of blush on your face.

Incandescent Electra is my go to whenever I'm tired as it perks up my face without being obvious and due to the subtle shimmer, it negates the need for highlighter.

Incandescent Electra

I don't know if that swatch helps at all! But it is a lovely peachy pink.

By Terry Ombre Black Star in Bronze Moon : I love this, if you weren't sure which shade to get, go for this one. The formula is exceptional, fairs better without primer (which is basically unheard of in my books) its appropriate for all occasions and its so damn easy to work with.

Just a note though, I also have the shade 'Misty Rock' and I think the Bronze Moon formula is better, as its just that bit smoother and doesn't crease at all. MR doesn't, but at the end of the day, I can see a few lines starting to appear and it looks ever so slightly patchy.

I love both of them, but if you're going to spend £29 on one eyeshadow, you want it to be perfect, and for me BM just takes the lead here.

I sweep this over my eyelid, the formula just glides across, and then I blend through the crease.

A gorgeous, sheeny bronze eye in no time. You will look polished with zero effort.

Perfect on days like today, when you just can't be bothered.

                                             

Charlotte Tilbury Lipstick in Sexy Sienna : This is still my number one at the moment, read a full review here.

Benefit Gimme Brow : I love this stuff so much I've nearly run out. I have the shade medium/dark which is a perfect match, it's nice and ashy, none of that warm red undertone creeping through...I made that mistake in my teens. It didn't suit me.

If I am having a good brow day- if they have just been threaded, I only really need to use this on its own. When the brows are unruly, I tend to use my Benefit Browzing, but always with this after, to set and add texture.

I have sparse eyebrows, which annoys me as I have dark hair and dark eyes, yet not much in the way of eyebrows.

I'm not bothered about having Cara Delevinge brows, I just want my brows to look groomed, fuller and natural. Gimme brow does this by darkening the eyebrows that I do have, and adding volume making it look like I have more hairs than I do.

Kevyn Aucoin Eyelash Curlers : I have to curl my lashes everyday and these do a lovely job at grabbing the lashes and giving them a good lift. Some curlers can pinch the lid (which is as unpleasant as it sounds) but I rarely run into that problem here.

I am also wearing Benefits 'They're Real' mascara - a full review is on its way!

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Disappointing Products : Mascara Edition

Mascara. I love it, and I think most people would agree, if they were told they were only allowed to use one product for the rest of their lives, it would be mascara.
I would cheat slightly and also use it in my eyebrows...btw I have actually done that before...desperate times.
Eyelashes and eyebrows are the two things I cannot forgo and it's often all I use day to day.

The issue with calling a mascara 'disappointing' is because mascara is such a subjective thing. What is holy grail for some, can be an utter crashing fail for others.
You can say a lipstick is matte or drying, or an eyeshadow is pigmented or powdery...there is less room for debate on that. A matte red lipstick, is a matte red lipstick.
It's harder to be that black and white on mascara, but I will try my utmost to get my points across!
If you are in the market for a new mascara, I hope I can shed some light on these.

Grab a cup of coffee - this is going to be a long one!

Urban Decay Perversion

Urban Decay Perversion : It makes me so sad that this didn't work for me! I feel like a lot of the mascaras I am mentioning are quite well loved by the blogging community, but they all did pretty much diddly squat for me.
This mascara is meant to give thick, full dramatic lashes- and I am all about that life.
My lashes are alright, they are fairly long so I don't mind too much about lengthening formulas, I just want heaps of volume. This just didn't deliver.
I thought the brush was clumsy and could be a bit messy...but I was just so underwhelmed...I tried building up and then that made my lashes clump and hence made them look thinner...like I had 5 super long lashes and that was it.
I just didn't receive any of the benefits promised and there was some smudging.
For me, not worth £17.50.

Too Faced Better Than Sex

Too Faced Better Than Sex : I feel like I am the only person in the world who didn't like this! If you share my views, please let me know!
This is the biggest disappointment of the all of them as it is so hyped up online, and even when I have seen people apply it, you see this mascara transform their lashes into thick, black, dense and volumised mega lashes...so I just had to get it.
Wow seriously...I don't get it. At all.
The brush gets everywhere, but I can get past that easily if the formula is good.
Nope. I get the same results using a bog standard drugstore mascara.
My lashes just looked average. This didn't hold a curl, it got clumpy and I just didn't see any of the volume that was promised. There was no thickness, no illusion of more lashes...nothing.
It smudged onto my brow bone, and it got quite flaky by the end of the day and as a contact lense wearer...we will never be friends.
So disappointed, not worth £19.

Charlotte Tilbury Full Fat Lashes : This product is quite a sore one for me. I was so excited to try it, and when I first applied it- I fell in love. I thought I had found my holy grail- I had long, thick, volumised lashes. It seemed to have double the amount of lashes I had, they were seperated but still thick.
However, it doesn't last. Its epic in the morning, but after a couple of hours, the curl has gone, the volume has gone and it's like it crumbles off so your lashes look shorter.
If CT were to come out with a waterproof version, I think it would be bloody brilliant and I would definitely pick one up, but to have beautiful lashes upon application, and watch them slowly crumble away, its a no and I want more for £23.

Benefit Roller Lash

Benefit Roller Lash : I was lucky enough to pick up this mini mascara in Elle Magazine a while ago, I'm so glad I did as I would have been pretty upset if I had paid full price!
This mascara seems to be dividing people in the blogging community.
I have very straight lashes and I would never dream of not using my lash curlers, but when I heard that this was a specific curling mascara and it was so effective that you could forgo curlers- I was interested.
But for me? Hell no is that possible.
I felt like it made my lashes straighter and droopier. So it fails on its first promise there.
It made my lashes long and defined, but it didn't hold the curl well and there was no drama...it's just average.
I have to say I gave it another go, and if I layer it properly it's not horrendous and I like it ever so slightly more now compared to how much I hated it in the beginning...but I'd never buy full price.
Also I felt like the brush was a bit uncomfortable.
The trend that I am seeing is that you're either a 'Roller Lash' person or a 'They're Real' and as I'm not team RL, expect a TR review shortly...

L'oreal Miss Manga Waterproof

L'oreal Miss Manga Waterproof : I'm going to cut to the chase here, this is the worst one out of all of these.
Also the most confusing. Some people LOVE this mascara, and I have seen it applied beautifully....but on me, I don't even understand how we can be talking about the same one.
As you may know, this mascara has a bendy wand. I don't see how they thought that was a good idea.
When I am trying to wiggle it at the base of the lash, the wand then pings up and smacks into my eyebrow....it's just annoying. And messy.
I feel like it desposits such little product that it takes me ages to actually get stuff on my lashes.
Even when it is on my lashes, I feel like it adds minor length and that's it.
Don't like it, don't get it.
NEXT.

L'oreal False Lash Superstar

L'oreal False Lash Superstar : I only bought this recently, but I have given it a good, good go. I never write anything off immediately and even though the first time I wasn't impressed, I persisted.
But nope. Don't get this one either.
This is a two step mascara.
Step 1 is a 'Volumsing Primer' and I do actually like this part of it. It's white, so you obviously look a bit weird, but I layered this on and yes even though my lashes were white, they did look thick and very long. I was impressed. However...
Step 2 is a 'Lengthening Topcoat'. I don't like this at all. I felt like I had created all this volume with the primer, I then proceed to put this onto and before my eyes my lashes deflated like a popped balloon.
Just nothing. They literally flattened down, thinned out....it took all of the mojo out of my primed lashes and made me feel like I had totally wasted my time.
I don't like the topcoat alone either, but I have tried using the primer with my Max Factor 'Masterpiece Transform High Impact Volumsing Mascara' (a long name, but a good one- when in doubt, it's Max Factor all the way) but it didn't really work either...I feel like the primer alone is great, but it doesn't work with things on top of it, which defeats the whole point of it being called a primer...primers are meant to be built upon.
If this primer was jet black, I'd be all over it.


Sorry for a bit of a negative one here guys, but I hope it may have been in some way helpful to you!
I never really realized how much mascara I get through...I'm still searching for the one. My list seems to grow ever longer, but I am testing out Benefits They're Real and if that isn't the one for me....I might move over to Lancome.

What are your mascara disappointments?

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