A Quick Friday FOTD

I haven't done one of these posts for ages... this is a super quick look inspired by THIS video from the lovely Tanya Burr, or Pixi2woo as she is known better on YouTube...

I'm loving really simple eye makeup looks at the moment - maybe it's something to do with having a fringe, but at the moment I feel like anything too complex just looks too much. I also think having such big eyes also contribures to it looking too much for a day-to-day thing... It's also a lot easier and quicker!

On the eyes I simply used Amber Lights from MAC, blended it out and added black liner, and a lot of mascara. I also used a little MAC brule to blend out the top edge, and add a natural highlight.

Being a warmish brown colour, Amber Lights is very complimentary to blue eyes... I do think the eyeliner is necessary to give some definition, although you could use a brown shade for a softer look - The Prestige intense liners include a dark brown which is great for this type of look.

Easy peasy!

On the skin I used a new foundation I picked up from Max Factor - the Xperience foundation (I use the shade Raw Silk, which is the second lightest). I've only used this a couple of times, so I'm still forming an opinion on it really...

So far, I like the way it applies - it feels like a tinted moisturiser but with coverage. I'd say it gives low to medium coverage. You do need a concealer with it. Once set with powder it lasts pretty well on the skin. I'd say so far I'm liking this as a daytime foundation, but for night-time, I'd want something with more coverage...

For contour I used Illamasqua powder blush in Risk (which appears to have been discontinued), and on the cheeks, this recent purchase from Accessorize Makeup;

This is the shade "Bombshell", and is one of their merged baked blushers, which are great value at £5. They are very pigmented, and although a little powdery feeling on swatching, they apply, blend and last well on the cheeks. The more I try from this line the more I like!

Bombshell is one of those shades which "could be a bronzer or could be a blusher", but its basically great for days when you don't want to agonize (and I use that word with no irony) over your blush shade...

Have you tried much from the Accessorize range? Any recommendations?

Oh, and on lips I have Hollywood Gold from Estee Lauder's Michael Kors collection...

Max Factor Second Skin Foundation

The latest drugstore foundation on the block is this offering from Max Factor. As a foundation junkie, I often purchase these new drugstore foundies, and then one use later I've remembered why I like high end foundation - the drugstore versions don't usually last well, and I can rarely get a decent colour match. I'd all but given up on drugstore foundation, but seeing raves on BritishBeautyBlogger, as well as HollyYMBB's you tube video made me want to try a slice of the action.

I hot-footed it down to Superdrug where this is on offer at the moment for £9.99 - similar offers are on in Boots and Tesco's at the moment, it normally costs about £14 I believe, and you get 30mls in a bottle

Max Factor claim this is "virtually undetectable even to the professionals. Now Second Skin uses clever multi-tonal pigment technology to smooth over and blend flawlessly into your own natural complexion in seconds. No lines, no traces and perfect in any light; so no-one will ever know it's not all you..."

Packaging wise, this comes in a glass bottle with a hygenic pump (Question - if Drugstore brands can do this, why can't NARS et al?), and looks like this - sorry for the google images, I forgot to take a shot of the product and my batteies are flat now...


So far so good, but the problem is that the foundation only comes in five shades - and definitely won't work, colour wise, on dark or black skin. I was lucky enough to find a decent match - lightest shade (surprise surprise), shade 40, Creamy Ivory, is a really good match for me, it adds a very slight touch of warmth, but this is good - stops me looking corpse like.

I've been applying it with my fingers which is my current favourite method of applying liquid foundation (mainly because washing foundation brushes is a pain, but also because it usually gives streak-free results). I use about two or three pumps for the whole face. which works well for me. It results in a very natural looking low to medium coverage...

Left - skin without foundation; Right - skin with foundation applied.

The foundation gives really really natural looking results - a "my skin but better" type of look, feels very light on the skin and evens out the skin-tone really well. It's easy to work with - I personally think the finger method works really really well with this foundation, and helps it to blend in with the skin.

Obviously coverage wise, its not going to work if you have a lot of blemishes or very uneven pigmentation, so bear that in mind when deciding if its for you. I have combination/dry skin, and this feels comfortable on my skin - not too drying and not too oil provoking. I'm not sure how well this would work on oily or very dry skin, so check other reviews too if that applies to you.

It lasts well too for a drugstore foundation - I set it in the t-zone with a light dusting of loose powder and it lasts around 8 hours on me - I have to touch up with powder in the t-zone every 3-4 hours, but this is fairly standard for me.

The Max Factor website is currently offering free samples to try, which is well worth a looksie!
Have you tried this? How did you get on with it?

hope this helps!

MizzWorthy xxx

Recent Drugstore Finds and Faves!

I don't know about the rest of you, but at the moment, I'm not exactly flush - so in these "Financially Embarassed" times, I thought it might be a good idea to share some of the recent treasures I have found in my nearest drugstores!

First up, some body care goodies...


I have sahara like dry skin on my legs, and prior to discovering Garniers Hydralock body lotion, I spend many a night trying to resist the urge to scratch my legs to pieces while trying to drop off to sleep - this stuff is a godsend for me, the only body lotion that actually does keep me hydrated for any decent length of time. It's unscented though, which makes it feel a little utilitarian at times, hence I also regularly call on my Jergens lotions, which smell really fresh and clean (thanks to Laura for introducing me to this stuff... I might not have looked twice at it otherwise!). I also love Loreal Nutrisummer gradual tanner - its very hydrating and comes in formulas for different shades of skin, so it prevents me from looking too orange or looking "fake tanned", and because its gradual its virtually foolproof...


At work, I have to wash my hands a lot with delightful NHS infection controlling soap, and I also use a lot of alcohol hand gel between visits in the car and out and about... as a result my hands get really dry at times, so I like a really rich handcream for overnight use. I'm currently using Garnier Skin Naturals (although to be honest given the unpronouncable list of ingredients in this, I'm not sure how well this fits into the "natural" category!). I am also a fan of Dove overnight cream, and the Body Shop Hemp handcream. For my lips, I usually have a tin of vaseline lurking about at the bottom of my handbag somewhere, and I also LOVE Palmers Dark Chocolate and Peppermint lip butter - this goes on as a clear gloss, and it just smells divine, but the peppermint stops it from being too sickly. I'm on my second tube of this!

In the past my HG mascara was YSL's Faul Cils, however since starting this blog and following others, I've realised that drugstore mascara is a far more savvy option - I change my mascara about every 3 months for hygiene reasons, so why spend £25 when you can pick up great ones for less than half the price?


My current favourite drugstore mazzies? Barry M intense black 3 in 1 mascara - claims to lengthen, volumise and curl, and it actually does! A real surprise to me, I recieved this at the Barry M event, and I really didn't expect much, but for about a fiver, this stuff is fantastic, and really buildable too. A definate repurchase for me! I also love Max Factors False Lash Effect macara - which is marketed as Lash Blast in the USA. Once you get used to the strange brush on this, it gives amazing length and definition to the lashes - I have never had any clumping issues with this one. Another fave, and one which is a bit of a "marmite" mascara (ie you either love it or hate it..), is Rimmel's Sexy Curves mascara. I personally love this and find it gives lovely "doll like" lashes. All there retail for around £10 or less...

Unfortunately, not all drugstore mascara's are equal... two recent releases I had high hopes for...



(Sorry for the appalling photo!) ... Loreal telescopic explosion and Maybelline Stilletto Lash, were two mascara's that just didn't work for me. Telescopic explosion is an apparent dupe for Givenchy's Phenomeneyes (in terms of the wand at least, which is basically a spiky ball shape). I know a lot of people really like this, but I personally was very disappointed, and found that the product (or rather the wand) made my lashes really clump up. Similarly Lash Stiletto didn't really lengthen my lashes unfortunately!

I love nail polish, both high and low end. I am a particular fan of getting "trend" colours from drugstore ranges too...


From L to R - Barry M Coral(no 296) a lovely bright shade for summer; Rimmel Lasting Finish in Dancing Queen, a classic orange based red; MissSporty Number 111, a two-tone coral with gold flecks; Rimmel 60 seconds Vinyl Shine in "Pulsating", a fabulous rich purple-fuscia; Rimmel 60 seconds Vinyl shine in "Movie Star", a gorgeous disco style glittery red; Barry m turquise (No 295). I have also heard very good things about the revlon polishes, but I'm yet to give them a go!


Well done if you have made it this far lol, not long to go now! Above, we have Miss Sporty Fabulous eye glosses in Vinyl (black with silver shimmer), Flower (cream with gold shimmer - also makes a fabulous cheek bone highlighter) and Pool (Pale blue). These make great eye bases and can also be applied simply with fingers for a simple look. Clooection 2000's range of loose shadows/pigments are also really great value - they have a great range of colours and cost around £4 or less - pictured is Jaffa a lovely golden orange colour. Obviously Barry M dazzle dusts are always worth checking out - My personal favourites are shown here - Mushroom (No 51), which is a lovely grey with a pink/purple undertone, and Petrol Blue (No 98) a dark inky two tone shade. Rimmel's Mono eye shadows are also worth a look - they don't always have the greatest range of colours though! Pictured are Tempted (Blue) and Envy (Green).
MEMEME's range often contains drugstore versions of more expensive products - Poppy tint is meant to be a dead ringer for Benefits Posie tint, while Beat the Blues is similar to Moon Beam.
I also recently purchased Sleeks "Glisten Me" liquid illuminator in Empress, which I really like - great value too, you get a whopping 30 mls for around a fiver (sorry, I can't remember the exact price!) I picked this up while I was trying to get hold of the new neon plaette, but unforunately all the nes in Superdrug had been tampered with and smushed up... :-(((

Finally, a special mention to some lovely pencils I have in my collection!

Barry M's shimmering lip and eye crayons are great chunky pencils with a very smooth and creamy texture - they make good inexpensive eye bases (they do feel a little heavier on than paintpots etc, but work really well for the price...)

I also discovered the Prestige "Total Intensity" Kohl based liners thanks to BritishBeautyBlogger (www.britishbeautyblogger.blogspot.com)- they come in a range of colours, such as purple or olive (both shown here), but the genius stroke is that they all have a black undertone to them. They are really smudgeable so great for creating a smudgy eyeline, and they last remarkably well for a drugstore liner. These retail for approx £4.50, and I cant recommend these particular liners highly enough... (I don't like Prestige's regular liners as I personally find them hard and poorly pigmented - if you want to try these, make sure you pick up the Total Intensity ones!)

So, well done, you made it to the end of the post!

I need to know now if you have any recommendations for me? What other products from the drugstores am I missing out on?

MizzWorthy xxx

NARS 'Isolde' and 'Fez' look, and mini review...

Hi everyone,

(including all you people who were lucky enough to go to IMATS and get MACpro cards...! I am sooo jealous lol.)

Anyway, I had a haul from NARS this week after my makeover and a few people have been asking how I found the shadows and what they were like on, so I did a look today which I think is really a toned down version of the look I got in my makeover, ie more natural blush, less bronzer and not so heavy, I'd wear this look just for work or somethink like that I guess....

By the way, please excuse the complete and utter desperate eyebrow situation - will be going for threading after work tomorrow lol... also the lack of ability to smile like a normal person, I don't know what that was about...

I have to say I was really impressed with these eyeshadows. They look a little bit dull in the pan, just kind of run of the mill neutral brown shadows, but I'd say they definately seem to come to life when applied. They have a beautiful golden warm undertone to them which I love and really works well with blue eyes. Also the NARS packaging, I have to say, I just divine - I love it and it feels so luxe getting my little rubberized containers out... I'm such an easy sell lol!

Anyway, I used the following product;

Face;

• NARS firming foundation.
• MAC MSF Natural in medium
• NARS Orgasm and albatross duo for blush/highlighter

Eyes;

• NARS 'Isolde' duo shadow - pale gold-brown shade all aver lid and blended upwards and outwards. Darker shade used on outer half of lid and across the crease. Also used both shades to line lower lashline - paler colour on the inner lid and darker on outer lid.
• NARZ 'Fez' single shadow in the crease. All then blended with 217 brush.
• NARS 'Albatross' as brow highlighter and inner corner highlighter.
• Max Factor Masterpiece Max mascara...

Lips;

• Barry M lip paint in 132, with MAC 'Posh it Up' lustreglass on top...

Let me know what you think!

Also I was wondering if anyone out there has the'rated r' duo. I am lusting after it, but not sure how I'd use it as its so bright - I'm thinking it will be perfect in the summer though... If anyone has a pic of any looks they have done with it I'd love to see them!

MizzWorthy xxx xxx

Max Factor Mascara: 2000 Calorie V's Masterpiece Max!

Ok, so I finally got myself some 2000 calorie mascara and tested it against my masterpeice max mascara. I was actually really impressed with both products and thought I'd review them on here for anyone else who is looking for a good drugstore mascara during these tough financial times lol.

The packaging of both products is fairly standard, both are in screw top tubes. The 2000 calorie packaging looks a little older fashioned than the masterpiece max, which has gold coloured embellishments on the packaging. This is reflected in the price though, with the 2000 calorie retailing for around £8 and the masterpiece max retailing for around £10. Its probably also a reflection of the fact that 2000 calorie mascara has been around for a lot longer - I remember using this while I was a teenager and first getting into makeup.

In terms of amount of product for money, you get 7.2 g in the masterpiece max and 9 g in the 2000 calorie. Both have a 6 months expiry on them which is standard for mascaras, but I'd probably replace them in about 3 months... I'm not sure how clumpy either of these would get in the 6 months. I've had them both for about a month now and they seem to be holding up quite well in terms of not getting too thick.

Both of the mascara's have quite a strong chemical smell. My favourite high end mascara is YSL's False lash effect, which smells of roses. Both 2000 cal and masterpiece max have similar smells with the 2000 cal being slightly stronger. Neither smell lasts long after application, so I don't think this is much of a problem really.

The brushes of both are different too. Masterpiece max has a flexible plastic brush with distinct, quite well spaced bristles, while the 2000 calorie has a more traditional brush, with fairly tightly packed bristles. The brush of the 2000 cal is also slightly more pointed at the end. This means that it can easily get into smaller lashes, and in this respect is slightly easier to use for lower lash application.

Both mascara's have a good consistency and are easy to work with. They apply well and neither seem particularly prone to clumping. I find that there is a difference in the appearance of the mascara when on. I find that the masterpiece max is slightly more thickening while the 2000 calorie is more lengthening. I also find that the 2000 calorie is more buildable without clumps. The masterpiece max is buildable but after two coats it seems to clump slightly. Its also slightly less easy to apply to the lower lashes because of the brush. I find that the lashes also seem to curl and hold their curl slightly better with the 2000 calorie.

Ok so overall, I actually prefer the 2000 calorie. One to two coat gives a great daytime look while you could carry on building it up to vamp it up for a night time look. The masterpiece max is good too but I don't think I'd wear this for a nighttime or more dramatic look. Both mascara's pleasantly surprised me though, and are definately worth trying out. I'd definately recommend 2000 calorie with the masterpiece max a close second.

Hope this revie was helpful for someone out there!

J xxx

187 Brush - First Impressions, and review of L'oreal Collagene Mascara

Ok, so I used my 187 brush for the first time today, to see if it in any way lived up to the hype. I'm normally a mineral foundation girl, I use bare minerals and everyday minerals for basic daytime look. I only have a couple of liquid foundations - MAC's mineralize satinfinish and clinique supermoisture. The reason that I went off them on a daily basis was cos I felt like they were too heavy and like my face couldn't 'breathe' if you know what I mean...

But lets just say that this brush might just help me fall in love with my liquids all over again. You need hardly any product for one thing, so the brush helps you get more value for money from the foundations. Because you use less, the foundation feels less heavy too, obviously. And it does indeed give the foundation that lovely 'airbrushed' look...

Like I said though, I've heard other reviews of the 109 brush, which is apparently even better (Gasp! How can such a thing be possible lol). Hoping to do a comparison of the two in the future, when I get my hot little hands on one in the new year... Anyone else have this brush? Is it as good as they say?

Also wanted to do a quick review of the L'oreal volume collagene mascara. I bought this as part of my quest to find a cheaper alternative to YSL Effet Faux Cils mascara, which I luuurrrve, but sadly didn't have the funds for at the moment. So when I first opened this, I have to say I was impressed. Nice big brush, and the mascara looked lovely on too. Unfortunately, after about a week of use I found that it had gone really thick and gloopy. Any attempt to use more than one coat resulted in horrible spider leg eye lashes. So NOT a good look!

So the search for the perfect lower priced mascara continues.... Currently testing Max Factor, Masterpiece Max... Will review when I've tested thoroughly. If that one doesn't work out, planning to test 2000 calorie after that - an oldie but a goodie!

xxx