Hello my stylish readers - old and new - I have decided every couple of months or so I will write a post with my 5 favourite and much used beauty products....read below for this month's. I am always on the look out for new products to try, trial, review and of course add to my burgeoning collection! {If you have any suggestions or offers please let me know in the comments or email kooklahstyle@gmail.com}
This month I was overseas and I always find trips like this help to sort out what products are becoming essentials and which ones you can do without if need be.
Below you can find the product, a link and a mini-review {would love to hear your thoughts if you have also tried these products as what works for one may not for another}...
"They're Real" Beyond Mascara from Benefit Cosmetics
I first used this mascara when a friend I met on my USA Contiki trip gave me one of her samples she had gained from Sephora. I still have the sample bottle. I loved the effect the mascara had and made sure to purchase a full-sized wand the next time I was somewhere that sold the brand.
This mascara perfectly separates and lifts the lashes whilst extending and finely coating them. The result is amazing, they look long, full, curled and lush! With this mascara you can get away with some tinted moisturiser or illuminator and lipgloss for a fresh look - your eyes will pop without eyeliner or eyeshadow. The mascara is not thick or overpowering which means you do not have 'gluggy' looking eyelashes and your eye is not irritated. I have long eyelashes anyway but this mascara makes this more noticeable, I also have a fear of eyelash curlers but you would think I had curled my eyelashes as well as applied this fantastic product when I wear it! {pssst! using eyelash curlers is a fear I hope to conquer but as one friend states 'they look like medieval torture devices'} This product smells good - which is something I notice when applying, sure this may not add to the overall appearance but it adds some points for me! The product also goes the distance - I work 12 hour days and find this product lasts perfectly for 12-16 hours. For customer reviews plus tips/tricks click here. Locally you can purchase at Myer but Benefit products are available from the site (just click the links) and they ship internationally!
'Complete' Nightcream from Olay
Until this year I used to use a simple moisturiser (or even my day moisturiser) at night. I quickly began to notice that my skin needed something more, and like anyone I wanted to protect my skin and keep it looking young and fresh for as long as possible. I decided on this nightcream because I already use Olay's Complete Defence Daily Moisturiser every morning before applying any beauty products and have done so for years. My skin remained soft and supple all year which makes me love {and trust!} the brand. So when I decided I needed a dedicated night cream it seemed to be the obvious choice to trial a nightcream from Olay. The Complete Night Cream is one of their newer products. It is a rich cream but light on the skin and I find that a large amount is not required. I have been using this cream for three months and can already notice the difference in my skin; it's general condition has improved, it is well hydrated throughout 24 hours, feels supple and I have noticed that any blemishes clear faster. Curve Ink Eyeliner from Australis Cosmetics
My favourite brand created this eyeliner which has a specially designed, ergonomically shaped handle that fits perfectly in the palm of your hand with grip for your fingers...
I wasn't sure about this at first, I didn't find it as easy to use as a wand, but I stuck with it and once I got used to the feel of it I found it pretty easy to use{something other bloggers I have spoken to have also agreed on}. This product creates a beautiful line with easy fit-in-your-hand shape of the handle aiding to create the perfect curve - a good, solid cat-eye. I find it especially helpful if I am in a hurry {one flick and the look is done} especially as it dries quickly. I find this eyeliner keeps it's depth of colour well for roughly 8-10 hours. It does gradually lighten {of course depends on what you are doing, the weather etc} but is easy to tuck in your bag or clutch for touchups. It is affordable - find it at priceline and kmart or buy from the Australis website.I am quickly developing a love affair with this foundation! It spreads on to my skin easily {with either fingers or brush} whilst providing good coverage. The bonus is {well there are many, but lets start with this one} you don't need to use a large amount, which means the product lasts longer so don't be deterred by the 35ml for around $40 - I have honestly NEVER got so much out of a tube of ANY product.
On the Laura website for this brilliant foundation (check it) in the product details they have stated that this product is ideal for use on skin that has colour or pigmentation issues and I can see why - if I use this product I don't need to apply concealor to any blemishes or dark circles, it provides good coverage of these - they are invisible! It is great used on its own or with some powder/illuminator. I find it lasts really well over 12+ hours {of course dependant on the amount of times you touch your face}. I have been told my face looks fresh, flawless, vibrant when wearing this. Will give you a confidence boost! Great matte finish, providing the perfect base to extend your beauty look and is available in shades.
'Heavy Metal' Glitter Eyeliner from Urban Decay Those who really know me or follow this blog (or my instagram feed) know that I absolutely adore some sparkle and glimmer. I found these eyeliners on my USA trip and purchased two. On my most recent trip I purchased a few more! They are fun, bright, easy to apply and blend into a look. They provide a perfect amount of shimmer - either by using a small amount for some subtle glitz or more liberally for addition to a glitter eye look. I wear them often and they last for longer than 12 hours. I love to combine them with black eyeliner to get a great contrasting look. They are inexpensive and there are multiple colours to collect! They stay put and you don't end up with glitter attacking your whole face. Easy to remove. Check out the amazing colours {and their awesome names} here. My favourites are Midnight Cowboy and Groupie - I really want Spandex but they were sold out in Dubai... I think I will be putting in an order on the website.
Hope you have enjoyed this post! Let me know if you have any products you want me to try and review, and also if you have used any of these products plus what you thought of them!
Kooklah Xx
