Liquid Liner Lowdown

I filmed a blog review and comparison of these liquid liners and wanted to do something for my blog as well but really didn't know how to review each product without repeating myself constantly. They are all very similar but some are better than others so I've got a kind of score chart and I will give you a run down at the end. I realise the one thing missing from this post is swatches (doh!) but I forgot to take that picture so you'll have to use your imagination!

With Pigmentation I am looking for a super black in most cases (blue in one), Formula is how liquid the product is and how easy it is to apply.. of course that doe have a lot to do with the Applicator, I prefer a flexible nib or brush so if it's too firm it's going to be a thumbs down from me! Longwearing I think is self explanatory, some liquid liners crumble or wear away.. my favourites do not and finally.. Good Value, A product is good value for me if I would repurchase, it doesn't have to be super cheap it just has to do it's job for a reasonable price. 

Revlon Colorstay £6.39

Pigmentation:X

Formula:√

Applicator:√

Longwearing:OK

Good Value:NO

Rimmel Exhaggerate £5.29

Pigmentation:√

Formula:√

Applicator:√

Longwearing:√

Good Value:√

MUA £1

Pigmentation:√

Formula:√

Applicator:OK

Longwearing:X

Good Value:√

2True £1.99

Pigmentation:X

Formula:OK

Applicator:X

Longwearing:X

Good Value:X

Miners Define & Line £2.99

Pigmentation:X

Formula:X

Applicator:X

Longwearing:OK

Good Value:X

LA Splash Cosmetics Lid Splash $6.99

Pigmentation:√

Formula:√

Applicator:OK

Longwearing:OK

Good Value:√

Rimmel Glam Eyes £5.29

Pigmentation:√

Formula:√

Applicator:√

Longwearing:√

Good Value: √

Elf Cream Eyeliner £3.50

Pigmentation:√

Formula: √

Applicator:√

Longwearing:√

Good Value: √

And The Winners Are..

Rimmel Exhaggerate & Rimmel Glam Eyes

They are nearly identical in formula.. I would say the Exhaggerate is every so slightly more fluid so you do find as you come to the end of the product it's a little watery but the applicator is super easy for beginners. The Glam Eyes is a more recent discovery for me and although the applicator is totally different to the Exhaggerate (my all time favourite btw) it's easier to get a finer, more defined look with the uber thin brush if you have a steady hand. I also think this one would be better choice for lets say.. older eyes. The brush doesn't drag or create a jagged line like the exaggerate can on less than perfectly tight lids (I sometimes struggle and I'm 25!) Overall these are my favourites for sure!

I wanted to give honourable mention to the ELF Cream Liner. As you will have seen it ticked all the boxes too but the reason it didn't win is it's not technically a liquid liner. I only discovered it when filming a tutorial yesterday and had to put it in as I am totally in love. I've used it only once before with an angled brush but now I have a liner brush (Sigma E05) it works like a dream. I'm a convert and will definitely be trying more cream/gel formula's soon! I would say that cream eyeliner is the best option for someone that struggles with liquid as it's easier to control but you get the same effect. It's more like a kohl pencil on a brush.. fantastic.. can't believe I haven't been using this. 

I do give a little rambly run down of each liners pro's and cons in my video review so check that out if you want a more in depth review of one of the losing products.

 

Miss BB

Best of 2011

I meant to post this at the end of December but.. ugh! I wanted to film the video to go up alongside it and only got around to that today. This had the potential to be an epic blog post but if these are the products I've loved for the a whole year you've probably heard enough about them already. These aren't necessarily my current favourites but the ones I favoured throughout 2011. There are some things I've switched out recently but the criteria was they must have been used for 4+ months of the year and I must still consider them good enough to recommend to you all. So.. here they are.. finally!

In no particular order...

GARNIER BB CREAM (LIGHT)

SIGMA BRUSHES (VARIOUS)

CLEAN & CLEAR DUAL ACTION MOISTURISER

TEA TREE CLEANSER & TONER

SOAP & GLORY WISH UPON A JAR

SOAP & GLORY RIGHTEOUS BUTTER

GARNIER INTENSIVE 7 DAY BODY LOTION SHEA BUTTER

BATISTE TROPICAL DRY SHAMPOO

MAYBELLINE ONE BY ONE

URBAN DECAY NAKED PALETTE

LEE STAFFORD HAIR GROWTH TREATMENT

RIMMEL EXAGGERATE LIQUID LINER

MINERS MATTE FACTOR IN PEACH

MAC LIPSTICK IN VIVA GLAM V

BENEFIT DALLAS POWDER

MAC PEACHES BLUSH

LIZ EARLE CLEANSE & POLISH

REVLON COLORSTAY

MAYBELLINE SUPERSTAY 24 CONCEALER

RIMMEL STAY MATTE POWDER

BOURJOIS DELICE DE POUDRE (CHOCOLATE BRONZER)

PACO RABANNE LADY MILLION

What were your stand out products of 2011?

Miss BB

Best Budget Brushes

After my Drugstore Starter Kit video the other day lots of people expressed an interest in a similar post/video about my favourite budget brushes.. well here it is!

The video will be up on my YouTube channel on Monday (I'm trying to schedule so I don't have weeks of dead air time when Milo arrives) so to get that as soon as it's live go SUBSCRIBE!

It was difficult to whittle it down and I rambled on about a lot of brushes in the video but here I will show you the absolute essentials of my collection that i would recommend as a good basic starter kit.

First up are the face brushes..

Sigma Duo Fibre F50 Stippling Brush (£12.99 here)
I now use this soley for powder as it dusts just the right amount over my face and doesn't leave me feeling over-made up and cakey but it is also suitable for applying liquid foundation.

ELF Powder Brush (£3.50 here)
Could be used for liquid or powder foundation, buffs in easily for an airbrushed finish and covers a large surface area.. It would be my number one for liquid foundation if I was to apply with a brush.

Benefit Slant Powder Brush (£4.85 here)
I actually purchased this from eBay a year or so ago.. I have no idea if it's genuine but it's lasted well and doesn't shed. It's the perfect shape to sculpt my cheeks with Blush/Bronzer.

Eyeshadow...

Sigma E40 Blending Brush (£7.95 here)
This is my absolute holy grail brush. If I had to pick only one eye brush it would be this! You can use it to put a wash of shadow across the lid, lightly define your crease and above all... blend blend blend!

Samantha Chapman Real Techniques Base Shadow Brush (part of the starter set £20.99 here)
This is a close second to the E40. It will lay down shadow and blend if you're in a pinch. It's the best  multitasker in the Sam Chapman starter set.

ELF Crease Brush (£1.50 here)
This is possibly my favourite crease brush and one I reach for often. For £1.50 you need this! It's just a great shaped brush that's easy to use.

Eye Definition...

Angled Eyeliner Brush (£3.50 here)
The only liner brush I've ever liked. You can use it wet to line with shadows or with gel or cream formulas. It's fine enough to get a precise line and thick enough to line quickly.

Samantha Chapman Real Techniques Brow Brush (part of the starter set £20.99 here)
This replaced my angled brush from QVS I used to use for my brows. It's short but thick so will hold a good amount of powder if you favour bold brows or quickly fill in lighter ones.

Samantha Chapman Real Techniques Accent Brush (part of the starter set £20.99 here)
Last but not least. I love this. Another great multitasker from the Sam Chapman starter set. I generally use this to define my eyes with a darker shadow or smudge my eyeliner for a smokey look.

There are so many more brushes I have and would recommend but these are my must-have-can't-live-without ones. You could definitely live with a smaller selection at first though. I'd say you need a good powder brush (this could double up as a blush brush if it's not too large), Something like the Sam Chapman Base Shadow Brush (that you can shade, define and blend with) and an brow brush (if shading in your brows is your thing). If you choose wisely you could live with a few hard working brushes.

I hope this post helps some of you looking to bulk out your collection on a budget or those of you just starting out. If you have any great budget brush recommendations please leave me a comment.

Miss BB

Revlon Colorstay - Where've you been all my life?

I know I'm soooo late to the party here but I am absolutely OBSESSED with Revlon Colorstay! I can't tell you how pleased I am to have discovered this amazing foundation that 100% knocks my NARS Sheer Glow out of the water and it's a fraction of the cost. The coverage is absolutely unparalleled for me, it's buildable to double as concealer, it really DOES last all day AND it comes in combination/oily which prevents the breakouts that usually come with a heavy, long lasting coverage. It's just unbeatable... in fact I wont be looking any further. I no longer need to try the latest ANYTHING! I've found my ultimate, holy grail foundation end of story.

I should probably also mention for all you oily prone girls like me that although it doesn't keep me matte ALL day it leaves me with a glow at worst. Who else LOVES this like I do?