Japonesque Safari Chic

Japonesque have brought out a rather eye catching collection of Leopard print brushes.

The collection consists of a kabuki Bronzer Brush (£19.50) and a brush set (£28) that contains travel sizes of a blush, shadow and crease brush. All the brushes have synthetic bristles.




The brushes are densely packed but manage to still be soft. All the brushes are multitasking, I tend to use the eye brushes for concealer as well as blending and applying shadow.

The bronzer and blush brush works well for bronzer, foundations, face powder, blusher,and highlighter.

 
The brushes managed to really pack on product but buff it in effortlessly, working well with powder, cream or liquid. Another attribute is that they wash up well and keep their shape.

I don't have any negative to say other than personally I'd like the option of longer handled versions so they fit in my brush pots (that's being ultra fussy I know).
Overall I'm really pleased with these, they have managed to combine a fun design with great quality at an affordable price.

The brushes are available from www.hqhair.com

Disclaimer: These were sent to me for free for review purposes. 

Sisley Phyto-Blush Eclat

The Phyto-Blush Eclat has had an update, its now housed it a rather striking zebra print compact and the two shades are now two sections of two in a waived embossed pattern rather than just two blocks of colour.


The blush is billed as having a high tech formula that offers skin benefits through ingredients such as Gardenia, Woodmallow and Linden extract to moisturise and soften and Ginkgo and Rosehip are meant to offer a "protective shield".

It feels smooth and very lightweight. Pigment is sheer but can be built up if desired. It does not feel drying on the skin and it lasts well. I bought shade #5 Pinky Coral (£48.50)

The colour is true to its name and combines a sheer baby pink and peachy/coral. Obviously for this price, nice isn't going to cut it, but where I think this gives that bit extra, is the finish. It doesn't register as shimmer but makes the skin look more luminous and because of the light reflecting qualities its a very soft focus effect.
Swatched L-R: peachy/coral shade, pink, shades combined.


Sisley also have some rather lush looking new glosses out, Phyto-Lip Gloss, though I am not a gloss girl I was rather tempted. Whilst its often the skincare that gets featured I really do think the brand offer some rather lovely quality makeup items.

I bought this from John Lewis

Benefit Go Tropicoral & How To Look The Best At Everything

This Autumn, Benefit has brought out three complexion and three lip & Cheek kits.


The Complexion Kits contain mini sizes of the POREfessional, Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow, Boi-Ing Concealer (2 shades) and Hello Flawless Powder.

I bought the Light set (£24.50). Porefessional is silicone loaded and feels silky smooth as you'd expect, it does fill in pores to create a smooth surface, though I can't get more than 5 hours wear before it vanishes. Its slightly difficult for me to access the Hello Flawless Oxygen WOW Brightening Makeup as I have only used it a handful of times because its very dark and though I am likely paler that what the industry denotes as pale I am still surprised to see this shade in a kit for light complexions. Its sheer to medium coverage, gives a natural finish that lasts well but is slightly cakey on dryer areas.

You get two shades of the Boi-ing concealer 01 and 02. 01 works best for me, it has good pigment, lasts well but it prone to highlighting lines under the eyes.

The Hello Flawless Powder, is again too dark; it has a silky smooth feel and provides a light coverage and holds makeup in place well. It does not look too powdery and removes unwanted shine. Unfortunately every time I have worn this I have had quite severe break outs (my skin is very sensitive and acne prone).
Swatches below L-R Concealer 01,Concealer 02,Porefessional, foundation, powder


I fared better with the Lip & Cheek Kit. I went for the corals, Go Tropicoral (£24.50),

which contains mini sizes of Cha cha tint Tinted Lip & Cheek Stain (orange peach shade), High Beam (shimmery cool pale pink highlighter), Coralista Face Powder (coral pink with golden shimmer), and Ultra Plush Gloss in Coralista (extremely sheer coral).

The Chachatint is buildable and lasts well though it does stain the skin. High Beam again lasts well, though best to use a light hand or it can look a bit frosty.

 The Coralista Face Powder is the star of the show, a very pretty brightening colour, great to perk up the face.

The Coralista Ultra Plush lip gloss feels moisturising and very slick and does not last long.The scent is very fruity yet slightly plastic.
Swatches L-R Lip gloss, Tint, highlighter, powder


All the kits have application tips/tricks on the inside on the lid (which are detachable), behind them is a mirror. Its a solid concept, which allows you to try a range of products at an affordable price. Whilst the complexion  kit wasn't right for me, if you can  find a colour match and don't have fussy skin it is really nice to have all the base products you need in one set and with Christmas on the horizon I think the Lip & Cheek Kits might make a nice option for someone new to the brand.

I bought these from Debenhams.

Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm & Deep Cleansing Mask

The deep cleaning mask (£57) is a real get you out of trouble mask. If my skin is breaking out and just generally looking congested this mask it what I reach for. I put on a thick layer and leave for 15 minutes, the white clay makes the pores look clean, and the Hungarian moor mud gives a deep cleanse.

Best of it it does not leave the skin tight/dry nor red, instead the skin looks calmer, brighter and feels smooth. I was slightly concerned by the initial tingling feeling, I know a lot of people seem to say that it means its working but for me tingly means its irritating, so I have been very surprised to have got such great results from this with no irritation.


 After trying sample sizes in the Essentials set, I had to buy the full size of the cleanser (£46). Its a black balm that melts into an oil when applied to the skin. I just use wet cotton pads to remove and it comes away easily. Skin is left very moisturised but without a greasy residue. It does not strip the skin but leaves it feeling very soft. It dissolves makeup well including mascara. The only downside for me is the price, as I get through the full size in just over a month.

 
I bought the cleanser from omorovicza.com and the mask was a gift with purchase, its well worth signing up to their site as they have very good monthly offers.

Laura Mercier Signature Colour Essentials Travel Set

I was very pleased to see that we had the Nordstrom "Exclusive" travel set here in the UK.


At £50 I think its a very good deal, you get a Eye and Cheek palette that includes: Second Skin Cheek Colour in Vintage Pink (dusky pink), Eyeshadow duo in Morning Dew (matte off white) and Primrose (warm sheer pink with tiny sparkle) and Eyeshadow duo in Topaz (satin finish taupe) and Kir Royal (deep plum with tiny sparkle).

 
 

The shadows feel smooth and blend well. Though I find Primrose makes me look a bit tired, the other shades are very wearable. The blush applies smoothly and has very good pigment and wear.
You also get a travel size All Over Eye Colour brush, Full size Caviar Eye Stick Colour in Twilight (medium shimmery grey)

 
Travel size Full Blown Volume Lash Building Mascara in Black, mini Foundation Primer (30ml), and full size Lip Glace in Sweetheart (baby pink).



The brush is good for applying base shades and it really can pack colour on.The mascara is good for lengthening and doesn't smudge.
Though the lip glace formula is a bit too sticky for my liking, I really like the subtle glossy pink look.
The eye stick can be used lightly or built up to create quite a smoky look, it blends in well and really lasts. The primer is the only thing I'll not use as it doesn't agree with my acne prone skin.

Whilst you may well have similar colours in your collection, its really nice having them in one set; they are just very easy to wear and overall flattering. Sets can often have a lot of duds but I think this is very solid and I would recommend.

I bought this from John Lewis

Rouge Bunny Rouge Santa Ana eye look

Santa Ana is the alluring new Autumn look by Rouge Bunny Rouge. Its a classic, elegant look of luminous skin, bold red lips and softly smoked eyes.


I was inspired to try and recreate the eye look after seeing how beautiful Jane looked here

I used Long-lasting Eye Shadow Golden Rhea on the lid, Olive Violetear & Umber Firefinch lightly in the crease and outer edge, loose Glitter pigment Sleeping under a Mandarin Tree softly brushed over all shades followed with Eye Khol Selene to line.


I think its a nice combination of shades and gives definition without being overpowering.

I bought the eye liner from Secret Sales, the pigment and Umber Firefinch from Zuneta.com and was sent the other two shadows for free

Beauty Spotlight Roundup: 15/09/12

The Beauty Spotlight Team is back with more of their favorite posts. If you look carefully we have a new member of the team. Welcome to Lola of Lola's Secret Beauty Blog. She might need to change that name since she's not a secret anymore!

So we have all heard the buzz about BB Creams? Well, now there is a newer and "better" version? Enter the CC Cream! Pammy Blogs Beauty tries Wei's Ideal Skin Perfect Finish CC Cream (and falls in love) in the Wei To Go Sleep Over Beauty Kit.

polish insomniac has bottle shots from the new Sally Hansen Lustre Shine collection - is this the return of Sally Hansen Nail Prisms we have all been waiting for???

Smoky green paired with rich copper; perfect colours for fall, Visionary beauty looks at the Chantecaille Elephant palette

Lola's Secret Beauty Blog has discovered that Le Métier de Beauté's Dualistic Eye Pencil in Tamarack might just be the most gorgeous multipurpose eye pencil ever invented!

Are you burnt out on hearing about subscription boxes? Beauty Info Zone thinks that seeing the PopSugar Must Have box will change your mind.

The Pink Sith brings you a review of the new Balenciaga Florabotanica Eau de Parfum With a Film Noir Detective Narration to get you in the mood!

Modesty Brown has a go at re-creating the Rouge Bunny Rouge Santa Ana look…then realises she has to do the school run.

Prime Beauty asks: Want super long "drag queen" lashes? Does a beauty addict have Sephora on speed dial? Of course! Get bat-worthy lashes with SENSAI Eye Lash Base 38c! You're welcome.

London MakeUp Girl has been using Chantecaille Faux Cils Longest Lash mascara for a month now. Has it given her lashes to rival Elizabeth Taylor's? Read her review of Chantecaille Faux Cils Longest Lash mascara to find out.

Lisamarie from Beauty Crazed wants her Canadian and US readers to look as good as Cindy Crawford so is giving away a Meaningful Beauty skincare system - enter now for supermodel potential skin!

Check out what Paula, from Older Girl Beauty, thinks is her Favorite Fall Polish.

Christa at Perilously Pale has been busy swatching her Inglot Freedom System Eye Shadows for us. Check out her more colourful 20 pan palette.