20170727

New in Beauty | Haul & Review


Another month, another host of new beauty releases! It's a bit more of an edited collection this time, as most of the big summery releases are out of the way, but there are still some good products in here that are well worth checking out.


Drugstore & Affordable

Maybelline Colossal Big Shot Mascara* | £7.99 | I generally love a Maybelline mascara, but unfortunately this one isn't for me! It has a fibre wand with separated-out bristles. For me, length is always going to beat volume and I just felt this didn't give enough of that for me. It was kind of clumpy and I felt like it made my lashes short and stumpy. No matter how much I tried, it just didn't lengthen my lashes, plus it did transfer a little bit on me.

Rimmel Insta Conceal & Correct Palette* | £6.49 | Colour-correcting seems to have reached a point where it's more faddy than anything else; whilst orange and peach tones work well under the eyes and on dark spots, I must admit I find some of the other techniques to be slightly more dubious. This product just wasn't for me; the shades are far too light to work on my skin tone and feel a bit thin in texture to really stay in place and make a difference.


Rimmel Insta Conceal & Contour Palettes in Light, Medium & Dark* | £6.49 each | I have to admit to being very confused by this product; the shades look a LOT darker in the pan than they come off on the skin (which is a shame because the collection looked moderately inclusive on first inspection). The medium shade looked right for me at first glance but the shades were way too light, so I tried the dark, which also didn't quite work; I'm not sure if the undertones were also a bit 'off' for me as I tried them and they just looked a bit muddy. I can't really review the formula as I immediately had to reach for an alternative to fix the mess. One of the shades in each is lighter for under-eye brightening, there's one slightly deeper for the face and a shade intended for contouring.



Rimmel Insta Duo Contour Sticks in Light, Medium & Dark* | £6.99 each | Again, disappointingly, I'm  the darkest shade of the 3 in this product. The lightest has a pearl-toned highlighter, the medium is more champagne and the dark is a pearly gold. In terms of the contour end, they all have a reasonably cool undertone that aren't too greyish. The formula is pigmented enough and not overly slippery but it seems to kind of go on very stripy and then if you blend it out, it proceeds to disappear... The highlighter adds a nice, dewy sheen without being anything overly intense, but won't be enough for glow-addicts on its own. Overall it's an ok offering, though I prefer the highlighter to the contour.



Rimmel Insta Fix & Matte Powder* | £4.99 | I'm often wary of 'translucent' powders, as they often leave a white cast (sometimes one that only really shows in photographs). This doesn't do that for me, but I can't guarantee it won't look ashy on deeper skin tones. It works really nicely as a setting powder that isn't caky and one that mattes down any shine without being drying. I can't say I find it dramatically different to Stay Matte, but if you love that and fancy a bit of a change, then give it a go.

NYX Total Control Drop Foundation (Caramel) | £14 | I'm still experimenting with these but I'm not quite sold so far. I found them a bit patchy and uneven but also slightly too pigmented at the same time. I did quite like them when I just mixed a couple of drops into my MAC Strobe Cream though. These are kind of aimed at being a drugstore alternative to the Cover FX drops so can be mixed in with a moisturiser to give light coverage, added to a not-quite-right foundation to get the right shade or used alone. I'll keep trying with these and report back but I can't help but feel slightly disappointed so far! They're also not even that cheap for a 'drugstore' brand...

Revlon PhotoReady InstaFix Stick in Gold Light* | £9.99 | This is a really pretty light gold cream highlighter stick. I actually just swirl my finger on the surface and dab it onto the skin instead of applying directly from the bullet. It has a natural, dewy finish without being greasy or glittery. It's lovely for an everyday makeup look. 

Revlon PhotoReady InstaBlush in Berry Kiss* | £9.99 | I was a little disappointed in this balmy cream blusher. I do like that the formula isn't slippery, however it's just so subtle. I feel like I really have to build up this mid-toned pinky-berry matte shade for it to show up, and even when I do, it seems to disappear within a couple of hours!  

Revlon Ultra HD Gel Lipcolours in Desert & Vineyard* | £7.99 each | This is a bit of a fancy name for a simple product! Essentially these are a semi-sheer, glossy lip product; they're more pigmented than a tinted lip balm but less so than a lipstick. They're actually decently hydrating, though aren't the most long-wearing, which is what you'd expect from this type of formula. Desert is a warm pinky-nude, whereas Vineyard is a deeper, more purpley-wine tone. Neither contain any actual shimmer.



Elf Baked Highlighter in Apricot Glow* | £5 | I was slightly disappointed in this, as I've heard a lot about these highlighters and this colour is beautiful, but the texture just isn't good with these. I think I actually bought one a few years ago and although the formula has improved since then, I still find it has a gritty, maybe even scratchy consistency. It's incredibly difficult to get any of the gorgeous golden-apricot colour off this; no matter how much I put on, there's just no payoff! I've swatched it heavily in the image to show you the colour, however when used on the face with a brush, it just doesn't translate.



B. Priming Souffle* | £9.99 | Superdrug's B. collection has revamped its packaging (and become much more premium), plus they've added a ton of new products. I wasn't sure what to expect from this potted primer however I think it might be a hidden drugstore gem! The one thing I don't like is that it's in a pot because I feel like it could get messy, however I do really like the product inside. It's incredibly smoothing, so I don't feel the need to apply anything else around my pores to avoid makeup settling into them. It also doesn't pill up, so my foundation applies very evenly on top. I wouldn't say it's hydrating or mattifying; it just gives my skin a satin finish and prolongs the wear-time of makeup.

B. HD Flawless Face Primer* | £9.99 | This is very similar in terms of the effect this gives on the skin to the Souffle. Realistically, you don't need both and I do probably prefer the Souffle. I like that this one's in a tube with a pump, though it does have that slightly more slippery silicone feel, which I'm not so fond of. It does still work really well to even out the surface of my skin though and to ensure my makeup lasts all day. 

B. Cassie Lomas Universal Bronzer* | £8.99 | This is pretty much a drugstore dupe for the Chanel cream bronzer. It has a mousse-like texture and unfortunately only comes in one shade; it adds subtle warmth for me but won't be much good on deeper skin tones and may look a bit orange if you're fair. However, I really love the formula. I apply it with my BeautyBlender or Real Techniques Expert Face Brush and it goes on so evenly and looks very natural. It has a slight, almost undetectable sheen and lasts well on my skin.



Mid-Range

Iconic London Limited Edition Pro-Evo Buffer Brush* | £32.99 | I was almost prepared not to like this brush as it looks so odd, I thought it might be a gimmick, however surprisingly I do love it! The shape is pretty ergonomic and far from being awkward, it's actually very intuitive to use (plus, the rose gold is really pretty). The bristles are tightly-packed and this can be used for a variety of tasks (including contouring), however I really like it for high-coverage and stick foundations. It just really packs on the product and ensures you get an even, flawless finish that's free from any brush strokes. It washes well, however the density of the bristles means this can be a bit of a mission!

Iconic London Original Strobing Stick* | £24.99 | I do feel the packaging could feel a little more premium with this, however the product inside is nice. The shade isn't my thing; I prefer something warmer and this is a lighter, pearly-champagne tone, however the formula is good. It isn't slippery or thin in texture and has good colour payoff, adding a nice, dewy sheen to the skin.

Iconic London Pigment Foundation Stick (2.1)* | £24.99 | This is in the same packaging as the highlighter, which can get a little confusing. This comes in a wide shade selection and 2.1 is pretty spot on for me. I swipe this directly onto my skin and blend out with a sponge or a buffing brush. It gives a medium-full coverage with a satin finish. I really like how it looks on the skin, evening out its tone without ever looking heavy or caky. My one negative is that the staying power isn't quite there for me; it can start to look a bit melty and in need of powder by lunch time!



Beau Belle Limited Edition Rose Gold Makeup Brush Pot* | £59.95 | I don't think my love of rose gold is a secret, so I was really excited to try these as I've never used anything from this brand at all! It comes in this white pot which is handy, both to have on your dressing table (the lid is totally detachable) and for travelling. The quality of the brushes is nice, and so far they've washed well for me. There are a couple that I don't really use in here; there are too many of these kinds of flat, stiff brushes for me (I just need one to conceal around my eyebrows) however that aside, I do really like a few of these. There's a stippling brush which is great for lightweight, fluid foundations or cream blushers and the blending brush is really handy for applying a transition colour and there's a more precise crease brush. I feel like the white brush is intended to be for blusher but personally I really like it for highlighting! My most-used brush is probably the large domed one, which I like for face powder and setting under the eyes; it's really great when you don't want too much product on the brush.



MakeupDrop Silicone Sponge* | £14 | I tried to go into this with an open mind, as it seems to be the trend on Instagram and YouTube, though I did wonder if it was all a bit of a gimmick intended to solve a problem we don't have. To be honest, this didn't really work for me; when I use a BeautyBlender, it just really presses the product into the skin to make it look seamless, however with this I just felt like my foundation sat on top of my combination skin and just looked a bit of a mess.



Eyeko Lash Alert Mascara* | £19 | Eyeko is really well known for its mascaras but I'd somehow never tried one! I find the packaging really cute and I really like this as an everyday option. It isn't the one for you if you're all about volume, but if you love length and separation then I think this will be perfect! It isn't at all flaky and doesn't smudge on me, which are also both big 'ticks' in my book.

Eyeko Brow Gel* | £19 | This is a tinted brow gel, however I'm a bit confused as it only seems to come in one shade! It's not my favourite because it is purely a semi-sheer gel to hold brow hairs in place and add a tiny bit of colour; it doesn't give volume at all. I guess it just depends what you're looking for.

Eyeko 3-in-1 Makeup Brush* | £16 | This is a pretty genius product - it means you get 3 synthetic eyeshadow brushes in a space that's as small as a pen! This makes it great for travel or even just to keep in your handbag. There's a flat brush, which I personally use for concealing (especially around the eyebrows, as it's quite precise), an angled liner brush to use with gel formulas and a tapered crease brush. The crease brush is quite stiff, so it's definitely more for precise application.

Eyeko Me & My Shadow in Quartz, Bronze & Charcoal* | £18 each | Frustratingly, at the time of taking my photos, I couldn't find the shade Charcoal, though of course it showed up again a day later (typical!) These are essentially a cream eyeshadow on the one end and a flat brush on the other. I personally wouldn't tend to use this brush; I'd apply these directly to the lash line or lid and blend out with a fluffy brush or my fingers. However, I really like this cream shadow formula; they're opaque and creamy, but when they've set down they won't move or crease. Quartz is a light pink, Bronze is a warm brown and Charcoal is a grey-black - they all have a nice shimmer that isn't anything too glittery.

Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner* | £16 | This is an amazingly pigmented and opaque black liner pen. The finish is neither matte nor wet-look and I was super-impressed with how long-wearing it was; it didn't smudge, bleed or transfer during the day, instead my winged liner stayed clean, precise and in-place all day. The only thing I'm not so keen on is that the tip isn't as flexible as I usually like, however that is me being picky...

Missgudied Babe Power Eau de Parfum* | £28 | I feel like the packaging here was pretty much designed with bloggers in mind! It looks like a rose gold can of cola and I love it. I really wasn't sure what to expect from a Missguided fragrance, so went into this with an open mind. I was pleasantly surprised, it transpired! This has a really warm, sweet scent without being sickly at all. It's noticeable and long-lasting without being overpowering when first applied. The notes include crisp apple, peony, musk, vanilla and amber.

High-End

Lancome Monsieur Big Mascara* | £21 | I actually do like this mascara, I just find the name to be misleading! To me, this isn't really a volumising mascara; it lengthens and curls my lashes, but if anything it's more of a separated look. It does have a fibre wand but the bristles are quite wide-set. It can sometimes smudge slightly, which is a drawback, however as long as you don't expect this to be a volume mascara, it creates a really nice look.


What are your favourite recent beauty additions?


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Disclosure - products marked * were sent to me for consideration however all opinions remain my own. 

Read more posts from this series here!


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28 comments

  1. I'm really keen to try the new Lancôme mascara! I've just picked up the Anastasia Subculture palette which I'm really excited about, and I am LOVING Charlotte Tilbury's Unisex Healthy Glow!

    Beekeyper - Latest: Colourpop Yes, Please! Palette

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've actual not heard much about the Charlotte Tilbury - I'll have to have a look next time I'm at her counter :) xx

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  2. I love the sound of the priming souffle so will definitely be checking that out! xx

    Beautylymin

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  3. All of these products look amazing!!! I desperately need to go on a beauty splurge x


    Abi | abistreetx

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  4. I love Revlon Vineyard, it looks beaut! It's a shame about the Rimmel colour correctors.

    Lauren x Huggled

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know right - I couldn't really give them a fair shot! xx

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  5. I totally want to try the big shot mascara! Looks amazing!!

    Anika xo | anikamay.co.uk

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  6. wow this was a great haul!! those make up brushes are sooo pretty xx

    cristynottingham.blogspot.co.uk

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  7. Like the sound of the eyeko liner, such a great brand, must pick this up!

    Lotte | www.lottebeautybox.blogspot.co.uk

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  8. The light and medium shades in the Rimmel contour sticks look exactly the same, I can see why you're disappointed with the shade range! I find that with the Elf highlighters I have to scrape off the top layer of the product and then it works much better x

    www.beautyfromkatie.blogspot.com

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  9. So many new things here! Interested to hear is you have more luck with the NYX cover drops!

    http://claresloves.blogspot.com/

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  10. Omg what a haul, so many things here I want to try myself! Intrigued by the misguided scent, the bottle is so cool and so far I've only heard good things!

    Courtney | Lashes and Luxe

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  11. I love the look of the Elf highlighter! Just ordered the Lancôme mascara, hope it works for me!

    carolinasmakeuplife.blogspot.pt

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  12. I think I remember hearing you have to scratch off the top layer of the Elf to get what you came for, but not sure. I still have mine unused! haha
    Angie
    www.chocolateandlipstick.com

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    Replies
    1. A couple of people have said that so we'll see! xx

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  13. My current favourite has to be the sleek highlighting palette it is such a good high street intense highlight! x

    Abbey | byabbey.com

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  14. I was all set to try out the Lancome mascara but I'm glad I gave this a read first as I think I like the sound of the Eyeko one better! x

    Always, Alice

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  15. That elf apricot glow highlighter looks so gorgeous!

    www.themakeupaficionado.com

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  16. The Eyeko Me & My Shadow in Quartz, Bronze & Charcoal look so good!

    www.upyourvlog.com

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  17. I really want to try the Iconic London Pigment Sticks, I have seen them so much recently and I think I would love them!

    Danielle xx
    http://www.fashionbeautyblog.co.uk/

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    Replies
    1. I think you would based on the foundations I've seen on your blog :) xx

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  18. Ooh so many lovely new products, Jasmine! I love the new Insta collection from Rimmel, the setting spray has to be my favourite product.

    Alice May Snell ♡

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  19. I really like the Iconic Foundation but I feel the same as you - it's just not long lasting enough. I've been testing the B bronzer to and I really like it, I have few things from their new range and I love them xx

    www.lpagebeauty.com

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  20. your photography on your blog is amazing, love it!, This post has inspired me to go on a beauty spree xx

    www.lookingback-sadierawson.blogspot.co.uk

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  21. Thank you for your comments! :) xx

    ReplyDelete

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