Maybelline 24hr Color Tattoo

Every once in a while a product comes along which sends the blogging community into a frenzy! Everyone wants to get their hands on it, and the hunt begins! I am no exception, and was pulled in by all the posts about the new Maybelline 24hr Color Tattoo cream eyeshadows.  This particular hunt didn't take too long, and I found them in Superdrug. I got 3 colours, which were on 3 for 2.

From left to right they are On and on bronze, Turquoise Forever and Eternal Gold. The turquoise is a little adventurous for me, but I'll give it a go!

The shadows are well pigmented, and have just the right amount of shimmer. Now, the claim that they last for 24hrs is a bit odd, who would want to keep it own for that long? I have had issues with creasing and wearing off with cream shadows in the past, but am happy to report these lasted well on a night out. I applied it with my finger, but am not sure if it would work better with a brush. Something to try next time!

Have you caved in and bought the Color Tattoo's?

Bargain Lashes

You all know I love a bargain, and this one is too good to keep to myself.

Yup, the Kiss lashes with applicator strings, for only 79p! I got these in my favourite bargain shop (maybe just favourite shop) Home Bargains! (I had seen these on a few other blogs so went hunting). I don't think its been that long since these were first released, so this is a good saving as they would usually be around £6. I got four different pairs:

These were all the kinds they had (I may have gone to 2 different stores), and I think its a good selection. Some natural and some a bit more out there! The lashes don't come with glue, but thats no biggie. I haven't tried them yet, but am interested to see if the string helps.

Have you got any good bargains to recommend?

Models Own smokey eye kit

Models Own are probably most well known for their amazing nail polishes, but the make up range has been extending slowly but surely. I already have all of the blushers, I reviewed a couple here. I got this little kit a while ago in a 3 for 2 in Boots, always one for a bargain me!

The kit has 3 eyeshadows, 2 brushes, and a how to guide. The one I got is 'Sultry' but there is a range of colour choices.

The brushes I really like, you get an angled brush and a shading brush. I already have the full sized versions of these, and the mini versions have similar sized bristles, with itty bitty handles. Ideal for travelling, or to keep in your handbag.

The eye shadows themselves have good pigmentation, I love the shimmery gold. The darker colours are a little chalky.

I also love the addition of the how to card, as I am rubbish at applying eyeshadow. I have to say though, when I followed the instructions I just looked like a bad goth! Back to the drawing board.

Overall I am glad I got this kit, at £8 I think its good value especially as you get the 2 brushes. The kits are available from Boots, and from the Models Own website.

Have you tried any of the Models Own make up range?

Zen Lifestyle

 Back  in September, I was invited to a bloggers event at Zen Lifestyle's new salon in Edinburgh's Hanover Street. I am only getting round to telling you all about it now, bad blogger! 

Photo credit: Zen lifestyle website

The evening was lovely, we got to see the new salon, which is amazingly swish, and got a to choose a few treatments. We could choose from Shellac nails, HD brows, Blink & Go lashes, and Dr Murad skin mapping. As I had a wedding coming up that week, I went for Shellac and lashes.

Photo credit: Alison Jamieson Consultants

The Shellac process was very straightforward and quick. My nails were shaped,  and then a base coat applied which was cured under the UV light, then 2 coats of colour, then a top coat, with curing between each coat. It probably took less than 20 minutes altogether. The result was amazing, completely dry, shiny nails, that last for up to 2 weeks.

Sorry for the rubbish phone photo, but this shows the nails 1 week on. There is some nail growth showing, but other than that they still look perfect. I removed the Shellac just before the 2 week mark, following instructions I found on youtube, as it was a bit far for me to go back to Zen to have them removed.

Photo credit: Alison Jamieson Consultants
It was then over to the lash and brow area, to have blink and go lashes applied. (No, thats not me, its Amanda and Rani)

Photo credit: Beauty Blogging Blonde

Again, application was quick and easy. The tape is there to stop my lower lashes getting in the way. It felt a bit strange, but that's all.

I asked for natural looking lashes, and that's what I got! They looked amazing, and lasted for over 2 weeks. I was so happy with the results, and would definitely like to get these lashes again for a special event. Obviously a nice photo of my lashes would be good here, but my boyfriend seems to have lost the photo's he took for me. Its not that I am rubbish, honest!

The event was great overall, thanks Zen! There were amazing nibbles and fizz, nom nom!

Photo credit: Alison Jamieson Consultants

Those coronation chicken wraps were so tasty, took all my willpower to not eat the whole plate!

If you fancy checking out Zen lifestyle, I saw on their website that they have Christmas shopping evenings coming up, so have a look- Zen lifestyle.

Barbara Daly concealer and eye base

L-R eye base, concealer.

This was a sneaky wee purchase a made a while back in Tesco, while there was an offer on Barbara Daly make up. These are the first things I have tried from the range, and I am pretty impressed. Unfortunately I can't remember how much I paid for them, and as I don't have a big Tesco near me here, I can't check the price. I am pretty sure both items are under £4 full price, and I got them with 20% off. I must remember to keep receipts in the future.

On to the actual products I got, which were an eye base and concealer. I have to admit, I thought this product was a primer until 2 seconds ago when I checked the label. I read recently that eye bases and primers are not the same, so maybe I have been using this wrongly, or expecting more from it than I should. I think I read that you should put a primer on before an eye base, but I didn't when I used it, thinking it was a primer. The package states that it 'Evens out eyelids and increases the wear and blendability of eyeshadows. Great as an ultra-light concealer too' So from that description it does sound like a primer. Anyway, however its supposed to be used, I used it straight on my eyelid, and then applied my eyeshadow on top. I like the fact that it is in pan form, as the other primer I have is in a tube (e.l.f). I think with a pan its easier to just add the amount you want. It blends on to the eyelid easily, and has that strange, wet but also dry feel that most primers have. The first time I used it I was amazed, I used it with a 17 shadow, and it lasted all day with no creasing. I have since used it with a few different eye shadows with variable effectiveness. Overall though, I think it is better than the e.l.f primer, although it is a little more expensive. Recently Bicky sent me a sample size of Urban Decay's legendary primer potion, as an extra in a giveaway prize, so I now have another primer to test out. In terms of shade, you can see from the swatch below that it is fairly light, but I think it would blend in and suit most skin tones.

L-R eye base, concealer.

The other product I got was a concealer, in fair. For some reason I have been wanting a pan form of concealer for ages, as I only have stick or liquid ones. This style is very handy to apply with a brush, and again easy to control amounts. I have tried the concealer on blemishes, and under eye, and it does cover up well. It did end up looking a bit cakey by the end of the day, so perhaps I need to apply more powder on top. The light shade is very light, so it is good for pale scottish skin like mine. I might even need the next shade up if I get any sun over the summer. Although this was ok under the eye, I will probably stick to using actual under eye concealer for there, and keep this for blemishes and red spots.

Overall, I am impressed with these products, and am glad I gave the range a try. I had another look last time I was in the Tesco at my bf's, but nothing stood out to me. Maybe if there is another offer on I will try something else!

Have you tried anything from the Barbara Daly range?

Or any other supermarket gems you have found?

Also, can you clear up my eye base/ primer dilemma?