Benefit Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow/Liner

These buildable creamy eyeshadows look beautiful on your eye and last all day without creasing or fallout.  The consistency is smooth and silky, and as their name suggests they can be used for lid colour or lining the eyes. 

You can apply either a sheer wash of colour or dense application depending on your mood.  I prefer to use a flat synthetic brush to apply mine.  One reason I choose to use a brush is that I don't like to put my fingers in products.  The other reason is to ensure I can accurately manoeuvre the colour up to my crease.  If I am on the run I can use my fingers without any drama.

Some of the colours I own are now discontinued, but Birthday Suit, Strut and Get Figgy are still available.  The discontinued ones occasionally pop up on discount websites such as All Cosmetics Wholesale and StrawberryNet and even on eBay from time to time.

I have had some of my pots for around two years and they do not show any sign of drying out.  I just adore this product.

My least favourite from my collection is Recess, as it is too light for me.  My favourite is the bronze Marry Up, as it makes my green eyes sparkle. 

Left to Right - Recess, Birthday Suit, Marry Up, Strut, Get Figgy

The photo below is taken in full sun so that you can see the product at it's most shimmery.  There are no obvious glitter flecks in the product and consequently never any fallout.  There is nothing I detest more than unintended cheek sparkles!

Left to Right - Recess, Birthday Suit, Marry Up, Strut, Get Figgy

MoroccanOil Glimmer Shine Spray

I purchased my MoroccanOil Glimmer Shine Spray 100ml a few months ago from HQHair.com.  They were having a sale, and from memory it was 20% off the price of stock items.  I was pointed to this sale by Bini from Bini Blog's Beauty, and still don't know whether to hug her for the savings, or to slap her for leading me astray!

I recently posted a YouTube video demonstrating how I use this spray.  You can view this video here.

This spray is loaded with Argan oil, which is well known for its moisturising and smoothing properties.  The product is only lightly scented, which suits my sensitive scalp.  It is important to note that the Glimmer Spray is really marketed for it's 'look good' properties, not it's 'theraputic' properties.  If you need serious smoothing or moisture, use the original MoroccanOil product.

I tend to use the Glimmer Spray the day after I wash my hair.  It gives me a little pick me up.  I don't use it on washing day, because it can leave your hair looking a little oily the next morning.  I am trying to stretch washing to every third day, as I am trying to grow my hair and want to keep it in good condition.  Most of the time I wash my hair every other day.

The instructions say to lightly mist about a foot from your hair, and then to not over style.  The instructions are there for a reason, and with this product they need to be followed!  Just one or two sprays is all you need, and then don't fluff, primp, shzoozsh or play with your hair.  If you start to mess with it - the hair can start to look less glamourous, and more grungy.

I like this product, and would repurchase - but I don't really NEED it.  It's a nice to have.

Until next time....

Contour colours

In one of my recent YouTube videos I showed my favourite contour colours.  Here are the swatches taken in afternoon light outside, no flash. These photos were taken with my ageing iPhone3.  Apologies for the knee shadows under the table! 

The very left blush, MAC's Strada is the coolest toned of the bunch. 

The middle blush, Giorgio Armani's Beige Violet #5 is my newest and turning out to be my favourite.  You have to love the additional touches like including a mirror, but beware the clasp to open the blush is not obvious if you have 'dodgy morning eyes' like me!

The square one is Ilamasqua's Rumour blush, which is the warmest and also the most pigmented.  

(Left to Right) MAC Strada, Giorgio Armani #5 Beige Violet, Illamasqua Rumour

(Left to Right) MAC Strada, Giorgio Armani #5 Beige Violet, Illamasqua Rumour  

(Left to Right) MAC Strada, Giorgio Armani #5 Beige Violet, Illamasqua Rumour

MsSparkleArkle's New Blog Pages

Just a quick post to let you know that I am updating my blog, and adding new pages such as:

HG products - My absolute top picks in each skincare or cosmetic category, along with honourable mentions

Wishlist - My shopping list is updated regularly as I add and delete items I am lusting after, or cross them off as I purchase them.  Feel free to suggest products that you love!

Blogs/Channels I follow - A list of blogs I most frequently visit, some beauty related and some not!  I've also included a link to their YT channels where possible.

Disclaimer - All the important bits about my reviews and posts

Please follow my blog with Google friends, subscribe to my feeds, or just pop back and check on blog regularly to see how these pages are progressing!

CHANEL - Hydramax Active Moisture Gel Cream

Hydramax Active Moisture Gel Cream is a light silky smooth sorbet gel cream which immediately melts into skin.  This a high performance cream ideal for summer.

Until recently, I was not aware that it contained hyaluronic acid to help combat fine dry lines.  I had certainly never noticed the improvement of any fine lines, although I am lucky not to have this as a major concern...yet!

I find this moisturiser leaves my skin soft and supple, but not tacky.  It is the perfect base for foundation, and doesn't facilitate any midday slide. 

Chanel says this moisturiser has the a subtle scent of white peaches, citrus fruits, jasmine, peony & cyclamen flowers, however I cannot detect any of these scents individually.  The fragrance is very subtle and not overwhelming at all.

Just a word of warning... If you happen to drop this jar on the floor while the lid is off, it's square shape will encourage it to bounce with some velocity and empty the entire contents onto your carpet!  I speak from experience.  Urgh!

You can purchase a 50ml size of this cream at department stores like Myer and David Jones.  Of course check out the usual discount haunts such as eBay and StrawberryNet.  I am on my third jar, and paid around AU$75.00.

Please let me know if you have any questions!

BareMinerals - Flawless Definition Volumizing Mascara

This is the mascara I am currently wearing as my everyday product.  While not a holy grail product for me, it does a very nice job of blackening, lengthing and a little bit of volumising.  It does not irritate my eyes either, which is big plus!

The wand is nicely tapered at the tip which is great for ensuring those little lashes get a smattering of colour too.

I have two more mascaras waiting in the wings to test, so I won't be repurchasing this one.  Not because I don't like it, but because I am on a quest find my HG mascara - volumising but NOT lengthening!  Blessed with long lashes, I don't like my lashes to touch my glasses.  Very annoying.

Until next time...