Max Factor vs. Maybelline: Mascara

Mascara is one of my favourite make-up products, if you find a really good one, it will make your eyes pop and finish off any make-up look perfectly. I am always on the lookout for new mascaras to try and add to my favourites list.

Recently, Maybelline have released a new mascara called "The Falsies Push Up Drama" it is supposed to add a push up false lash effect. Due to this, I thought I would do a side by side comparison with the Max Factor "Velvet Volume False Lash Effect" mascara. Both products are supposed to achieve the same thing with your lashes, I wanted to find out which one was better. 

 Packaging

To help persuade you to buy a product, the packaging has to look attractive and appealing. I think that both of these mascaras do that very well! The Maybelline mascara has a red/pink packaging with a black stripe in the middle, this contrasts very well with the brighter colours. The packaging has a shiny effect which I think is very pretty. Unfortunately, this is where the positive points about this product end. 

The Max Factor mascara is completely different with its packaging, it focuses on black and gold. These are the Max Factor colours and are interlinked with all their products, I really like this as it connects all products and makes them immediately recognisable. Unlike the Maybelline mascara, the Max Factor packaging has a matte finish. I like both the matte and shiny finish as I think it works well for both. 

The Brush

The brush is a vital part of mascara, it can make or break the product in my opinion. The Maybelline mascara has a very short bristles, this makes it hard to separate your lashes, instead, it immediately clumps them together, giving you a 'lovely' five spider legs effect. If you are into thick clumpy dry lashes then this is definitely the mascara for you! The substance is sticky which sticks your lashes together and also makes it difficult to remove the product at the end of the day. Personally, it is the worst mascara I have ever bought! It does not achieve the false lash effect that it says it does, I am very disappointed!

The Max Factor Velvet Volume is my favourite mascara! I bought the Maybelline mascara to try something new that was slightly cheaper as I assumed it would have the same effect on my lashes. I wish I just replaced my Max Factor mascara instead. The brush head on this mascara has a lot more bristles that are also a lot longer. This gives it the ability to brush through your lashes and separates them to achieve the perfect false lash effect. It does not clump your lashes and is definitely worth trying out!

The Price

I have taken my prices off of Boots.com so you may find the products cheaper else where.

Maybelline "The Falsies Push Up Mascara" retails at £7.99, I was able to get this at £5.99 due to an offer going on at the time. In my opinion, I think the mascara is not even worth £5.99.

Max Factor "Velvet Volume False Lash Effect Mascara" retails at £11.99. This is quite expensive for a mascara, and you can easily find some cheaper alternatives. However, if you want to get a really high quality product that does exactly what it says on the tin, then it is 100% worth the price.

Overall, I think the Max Factor mascara is a better quality product that is definitely worth the money. I am disappointed in Maybelline as I have had so many amazing products from them, I feel very let down.

This is just my personal review, you may think different. 

Thanks for reading!

Ellie xx

AEOS

Recently, I was sent some samples from a company called AEOS to try out and review. They are a skincare company who take pride in using organic and environmentally friendly ingredients. AEOS stands for Active Energised Organic Skincare. 

The products come in a polystyrene box which protects each bottle and stores them very nicely. The box is covered halfway with a cardboard sleeve, this also includes the instruction manual. The set consists of 10 products, all used for different things. The instruction manual tells you whether you are supposed to use the products in the evening or first thing in the morning, using their 3 phases; renewal, rebalance and replenish. 

Cleansing Oil De-Maq - To be used in the evening

This cleansing oil is supposed to be used to remove any make-up or excess dirt on your face, you pump some of the product onto a cotton pad and wipe all over your face. I personally don't like this product as it was far too oily for my skin, it didn't remove much of my make-up and made my skin feel very slimy. I had to use my micellar cleansing water to remove my make-up and then wash my face afterwards. Although, my skin felt oily when I applied the product, it did make it very smooth and soft afterwards.

Dew Facial Wash - To be used in the evening

To use this product, you need to wet your face, pump some product onto your hands and spread all over your face, making sure to get it foaming. It is just like a normal face wash but it does smell like lemons and Mr Kipling Cakes! It cleans your face very nicely but does come out of the bottle slightly watery.

Refreshing Hydrating Mist - To be used in the morning and evening

I love this product! You can spray this onto your face to instantly refresh and awaken you, it smells very clean and makes you feel clean too! The mist is very similar to the Liz Earle Skin Tonic which is one of my favourite products, so I am in love!

Realive Serum - To be used in the morning and evening

This product is applied near the end of your skincare routine and aims to replenish your face. The product is very moisturising and doesn't leave your skin with any dry patches which is always a good thing! I have found that if you put too much on, it can make your skin very oily. Overall, a very nice product!

Enriching Moisturiser - To be used in the morning and evening

The moisturiser is the last product you apply in your skincare routine, it finishes everything off and leaves your skin very soft. I am quite particular with the type of moisturiser I use on my face as my skin can feel quite sore when it is dry, however, this product did not let me down! I used the moisturiser before bed, like I always do, and my skin still felt very soft and moisturised when I woke up the following day - very happy!

Gentle Cleansing Lotion - To be used in the morning

This cleansing lotion is very similar to the enriching moisturiser, it is too be used first thing in the morning to instantly refresh your skin and wake you up. If feels very soft on the skin and smells a bit herbal - in a good way!

Beauty Body Shower 

This is a normal shower gel, so you can use it whenever you wish too. I like that you are able to use the same healthy skin care products you use on your face, on the rest of your body too.

Gentle Exfoliant - To be used in the morning

The exfoliant is to be used after the Gentle Cleansing Lotion. This product has got tiny little exfoliant beads in it to lightly scrub your face and cleanse your pores. I like that the exfoliant is not too harsh on your skin and leaves your skin incredibly smooth and reduces the appearance of pores.

Energizing Conditioner - To be used in the morning and evening

I have never used a conditioner on my face before, so I was uncertain about what to expect. The product itself is quite runny but does soak into the skin well, making it look slightly shinier and feel so much softer.

Beauty Body Lotion 

This is another normal body lotion but similarly to the other products, it is very nice!

Overall, I really like AEOS skincare! I think the packaging of the products are also very nice, they look smart and professional. 

If you would like to check out AEOS for yourself, then head over to their website http://www.aeos.net/ 

Ellie x

Introducing...No7 Primer!

Over the recent weeks, No7 have released lots of new products including the Velvet Lash Mascara and the Face, Beard and Stubble Moisturiser for men. However, what I am really interested in are the brand new face Primers!

No7 have released 3 new Primers, all aimed for different things. All Primers go on before your foundation to help set your makeup and stop it from sliding off your face throughout the day, these new Primers also have other capabilities too. 

The red coloured packet is the Airbrush Away Radiance Boosting Primer, this is aimed to add a little shimmer to your skin. You can use this product to set your makeup like a normal primer but you also don't have to wear foundation with it if you don't want too. This one is aimed more at people who don't wear a lot of makeup or people who don't need a lot of coverage. I really like this primer as you can also use it as a highlighter for your cheek bones, and you can even apply it too your collar bones to add a bit of sparkle on a night out.

The blue coloured packet is the Airbrush Away Pore Minimising Primer, this reduces the appearance of pores and makes your skin looking and feeling healthier. It helps prevent your pores seeping through your foundation giving you a more airbrushed look. It leaves your skin nice and smooth all day while helping to keep the rest of your make up on. If you have acne prone skin, then this is the primer for you!

The green coloured packet is the Airbrush Away Colour Balancing Primer, this helps to reduce the redness of your skin underneath your foundation to create a more even skin tone. This is useful for someone who has slightly fairer skin or wants to reduce the appearance of spots or red patches.

All these primers retail at £16.50, this is quite expensive, but I think that if you want to get a primer that works and will do what it says on the packet, then it is worth spending a bit more money. No7 is a Boots own brand, so you will have to pop into the store or look on the Boots website http://www.boots.com/en/No-7/Make-up/Face/Primer/ to purchase them. I really like No7 as a brand as I think they create some really nice high quality products, all their products are hypo-allergenic too which makes them even better!

Red, blue or green - whose team are you on? I am Team Red!

Ellie x

Lush Favourites - January 2016

I love Lush! I love their ethical promise, I love their ideas and I genuinely love their products! Nothing beats a good hot bath in winter, so here are my January 2015 lush favourites to perfectly set the mood and relax your body. 

1. The Comforter Bubble Bar    £4.95  

I don't think I will ever write a Lush favourites post without including the Comforter! It is my all time favourite Lush product that I consistently re-purchase, in fact, I currently have three! It smells like sweet blackcurrants aka heaven! Simply crumble the bubble bar under running water and watch your plain bath transform into pink water and a blanket of bubbles. What I really love about bubble bars, is that you get more for your money as you can get 5 or more baths out of one bar.

2. Frozen Bath Bomb    £3.95

A light blue bath bomb from which you are instructed to 'let it go'. This has such a refreshing scent to it that immediately uplifts your mood and awakens your senses. It turns your bath into a shimmering sea of blue while releasing white 'snowdrifts' which adds a very unique twist. I really like this bath bomb as it smells completely different to the usual lush products with a scent that I have never smelt before, definitely one to try! The only downside is that it is quite expensive to only use once.

3. The Big Bang Bubble Bar    £3.75

This smells incredible! A very sweet scent that instantly relaxes you. The blue bubble bar creates a deep blue bubbly bath. The product is enriched with Avocado butter which is very good for you skin, leaving it healthy and soft. I love this bubble bar so much, I know I will definitely be re-purchasing it.

4. Father Christmas Bath Bomb

This is a Christmas bath bomb so you can't get it any longer, however, I still wanted to include it as it was such a lovely bath bomb. It surprised me as although being red on the outer shell, inside it was green and turned my bath a deep green colour. This made me feel super christmassy!

Those were a few of my personal recommendations, however, make sure to check out the Lush website for full product range. 

Ellie xx

Sprinkles Gelato Review...

On the 5th January, I went to my local Sprinkles Gelato with 3 of my friends for a very sophisticated 18th birthday celebration. Even at 18 years old, I still love a good waffle with ice cream!

We went to Sprinkles during the evening so the restaurant itself was quite empty, this made it very pleasant as we were all able to sit and chat and not feel rushed. The restaurant was set out a bit like an American Diner with big red booths. This made it look very nice and made you feel like you were in a typical American ice cream parlour. The bar/serving area displayed a huge variety of ice cream flavours ranging from your typical Vanilla to the more adventurous Ferrero Rocher flavour. They also sold the cutest looking cupcakes, all carefully iced and decorated. 

There was a menu laid out on almost every table which was well written and easy to read, however, there was too much choice! I couldn't decide what too have as everything sounded really nice but some did sound a little sickly. I settled with a Nutella and Cookie Waffle, this was a hot waffle served with Banana, melted Nutella, broken bits of Oreo Cookies, all topped off with some Vanilla Ice Cream. I was pleasantly surprised as it was not too sickly when mixed with the Vanilla Ice Cream. The Banana's were nice and ripe but I did find the waffle slightly overcooked. 

Overall, I really enjoyed my visit to Sprinkles. The food was very nice and the serving staff were also really friendly. 

My friend Leonie also wrote a blog post on Sprinkles, so if you would like to see her review and what she thought, click here 

Ellie xxx

Review on No7 Exquisite Eyes Gift Box...

I picked up this gift set the day it got discontinued, so you can’t get the set anymore but you can still buy all the products individually so I thought it was worthy of a review.

Lovely Lashes Mascara

I think this mascara has really nice simple packaging, it doesn’t stand out in particular but also doesn't distract from the product itself. If, like me, you want a mascara to define your lashes and create a false lash effect, then this isn’t the mascara for you. It makes your lashes slightly longer which is perfect for a natural ‘no make-up’ look. Due to this, I tend to use it on my bottom lashes as I only want to add colour to them, not length. What I do like about No7 Mascara’s, it that they are all hypo-allergenic. This means they are suitable for contact lens users and they should not cause you to have an allergic reaction. They are soft on your lashes and don’t create thick clumps.

Stay Perfect Eye Shadow – Top Shade in Forest Fruits Trio

I adore this eye-shadow! In the container, it looked like a shade of grey, however, on your skin, it comes out as a shimmery pink shade. It is not very pigmented but is build-able and works as a great base for other eye-shadows.The gift set also came with an eye colour brush which applies the eye-shadow very well. The product doesn't get lost in the brush and there are no streak marks left behind on your skin. Overall, a great product and has encouraged me to check out other No7 eye shadows.

Stay Perfect Metallic Eyes Pencil 

This product is designed to work on your eyes as an eyeliner or as a deep eyeshadow, yet it is so difficult to put on your eyes. The colour from the pencil doesn't apply easily meaning you have to press down hard on your eyes, this leaves them very sore. The sponge tip meant for blending the product is also terrible. It doesn't spread the colour, instead just scratches your eyes. For a No7 product, I was expecting a lot more, but I think I will just be sticking to Bourjois or Rimmel in the future!

Overall, I get a very mixed feeling on this gift set from No7 and I am a little disappointed.

Ellie xxx

My Perfect Night In...

Everyone needs a nice chilled pamper night once in a while! I thought I would share with you a couple of things that I like to do to make me feel really nice and relaxed.

Setting the mood...

To make sure you can relax, you need to create a nice peaceful environment. Everyone has their own preferences, but I personally always like to listen to music. My current music obsession is the new Christmas ep by Ariana Grande, yes I know its not Christmas anymore, but trust me - it is incredible! Ariana released a couple of shorter songs for her ep entitled "Christmas and Chill". There are six songs on the Cd, each with a different vibe, some relaxing, some upbeat - all easy to sing along too! My favourite song from the album is "Winter Things", it is such a happy song with a really nice melody.

Another music pick for me is Justin Bieber's new album, Purpose. I think his music has matured quite a lot and he has gained a lot of new fans from his new music. I really like "Love Yourself" as it is a nice mellow song that is easy to sing along with, but be warned, it will get stuck in your head! I also really like "I'll Show You".

I like burning a candle to make my room smell nice and make me feel relaxed. I am currently burning "Cosy by the Fire" by Yankee Candle. It is a winter candle with the scent of spices.

Relaxing your body...

When I am having a pamper night, I like to have a soak in the bath with some of my favourite Lush products. Of course, the hardest decision is whether to choose a bath bomb or bubble bar, or both! My 'go-to' Lush product is the Comforter Bubble Bar, it smells of summer fruits and creates a pink bubbly bath, perfect for a girly night! I have recently received lots of Lush bath products for Christmas so I now have a harder choice! Baths relax your muscles, making you feel tired and content.

Skincare is another important aspect of a pamper routine, you may choose to use a face mask, however I have recently discovered Liz Earle Skincare and I am already seeing the difference! Using the Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser will clean and rejuvenate your skin better than many other brands. It is a high end product making it quite expensive, however, if you are prone to skin breakouts or are just looking for a product that will make your skin feel nicer, then I 100% recommend Liz Earle.

Chilling Out...

Once you have relaxed your body and completed your skin care routine, its time just to chill out and do whatever you want! I like to scroll through instagram and catch up on YouTube. I also love to make a yummy hot chocolate, getting into comfy pyjamas and binge watch my favourite tv show *cough* Dance Moms *cough* ;)

I hope this gave you a couple of ideas of what to do for your own pamper routine.

Ellie xxx