AD/PR Sample | Maybelline Color Strike Eyeshadow Pen

Maybelline New York is the number one global cosmetics brand that has products available in almost 130 countries across the world. They have been creating makeup products for many, many years, and were the company that introduced the first daily-use modern mascara back in 1917. I've used Maybelline's Total Temptation Mascara for years now and I swear by it, so I know that they already produce good quality eye products.

They have recently launched a new eyeshadow with a bit of a difference. There's no palette or brush in sight, as this one comes in a pen with a precise cushion tip. It's smaller than my mascara so could easily be thrown into a small bag to take out. I can see this coming in really handy, as being able to have a product to top up my eyeshadow if I was out on a particularly long day would be great, particularly given that I have oily eyelids so I'm more prone to needing to touch them up, regardless of which eye product I'm using. 

The eyeshadow is a cream-to-powder pen that can give you up to 12 hours of wear with only one easy strike without having any fallout due to the way the cushion tip glides across your eyelid to apply. It's also smudge, crease, and fade resistant to give you a long-wearing eyeshadow that has a 'bold color impact'. Several matte and metallic shades are available including Tempt, Spark, Chase, Hustle, Ace, Crave, Charm among others, to give plenty of choices to suit your style. I received the Spark and Rally shades Spark is my favourite of the two as it's more of an everyday shade for me. You could wear them alone or with other eyeshadows depending on the look, and the lighter shades could double as an inner eye and below the brow highlighter too.

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Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Review & Swatches

Wearing lipstick is something that gives me confidence, but I'm always worried that it will rub off on my chin or get on my teeth. I love liquid lipsticks as they help prevent this, especially matte finishes. The new Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Lipsticks (£9.99) come in a range of colours in a matte finish for '12 hour wear' with their high-intensity formula.

There's a precise arrow applicator which is larger than I'm used to, but applying your liquid lipstick is much quicker when using this. The pointed tip helps define the bow of the lips too. Maybelline describes the formula as "an intense ink colour concentration" that provides a flawless matte finish. The formula for me is not ultra matte and takes longer than usual to try. It does bleed a little so definitely wear a lip liner with this too. The photo below shows them whilst they're drying and you can see, the thicker you apply it the longer it takes to dry properly. They're really comfortable to wear and they're certainly long lasting, with barely any transfer.

The colours I have, from lightest to darkest, are Heroine (an orange-red), Romantic (a hot pink), Creator (the perfect lilac) and Escapist (a vampy brown-red). From packaging to swatching, there is one colour that doesn't match up, and that is Escapist. On the packaging, it looks like a red wine-purple but when swatched and worn, it's quite a dark brown. Aside from this, the rest of the colours are pretty spot on which is pleasing. At the moment, there is an offer on for buy one, get one half price so it's worth checking out here.

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Maybelline Colossal Big Shot Volume Express Mascara

I love reviewing mascaras since I feel like I've only came close to finding the perfect one once in my life. I have huge expectations for new releases and always hope that they'll fulfill my dream to having long, volumous lashes with minimal effort. Maybelline have released their new mascara: the Colossal Big Shot Volume Express Mascara (£7.99) that they sent me to try out. It claims to create fully-loaded, 'boss-babe volume', making your lashes bold from root to tip. It's the newest edition to the Colossal family and I was excited to try it out.

I like how the wand is the perfect size, not being too big to get into the roots but big enough to create volume. From my experience trying it out over the past few weeks, it seems to separate the lashes which I love, but it doesn't create a curl. Now I know you can curl your lashes yourself, but I've not done that probably since 2007 and don't intend to anytime soon. Most mascaras can create the curl somehow but this seems to make my lashes more straight. Aside from that, I think it's a great product. I've not tried it with a lash primer underneath, so maybe that could fix the lack of curl in the lashes. On the other hand, it's a great mascara for bottom lashes thanks to the wand separating the individual lashes well. 

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Maybelline Brow Drama Pomade Crayons

Last month Maybelline kindly sent me the new Brow Drama Pomade Crayons (£5.99)* to try out. As you will know I have blonde hair and blonde brows so I have to fully draw on my eyebrows every day. I've tried tinting them but I'm never happy with the result. Depending on what makeup I'm wearing that day I do change the colour of my brows. The Pomade Crayons come in four colours: Blonde, Soft Brown, Deep Brown and Auburn. I don't have the Auburn shade here as it is way too warm for my brows, but I've tried all three shades so can report back on the finish. Maybelline know how important a well-formed arch is as your brows frame your face, so having a good product to hand is vital. The pigmented formula helps your fill in your brows easily as it has a creamy texture. It's a wax pomade and lasts all day with setting spray or a brow gel on top.

I prefer the Soft Brown shade as it isn't too warm to give you that awkward ginger tone to your brows when you're not looking for it. The Blonde shade is lovely when I'm wearing 'no makeup makeup' or just filling them in to go on errands. I've used the Dark Brown shade lightly but that defeats the point when the Soft Brown looks perfect. Having a thick handle means the product is easy to use and you fill in your brows so much quicker than using a thin pencil. I brush through my brows after applying it to even it out and I'm ready to go. If you wanted to use a brush to apply it, like you would with a lipstick in some scenarios it also works well.

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Need-Right-Now Lipstick Shades for S/S ‘15 | ad

It’s not sundresses or cut-out sandals which have us got us excited for the summer but sultry shades of lipstick. It’s time to bust out the brightest colours of the rainbow with hot shades of pink, purple and peach. Store the kohl eyeliner and vampy blushers away and get radiant. Discover the hottest lipstick shades for S/S ’15:

Raspberry Pie by Revlon

We adore this knockout shade of bright pink. The lip butter formula is super moisturising, like a pigmented lip balm. The consistency is glossy and thick making lips appear voluminous and full of life. Leave the rest of your face natural save for a wand of mascara and a light base of foundation.

Peach Blossom by MAC

This nudey-peach shade comes from MAC’s cremesheen collection- another super hydrating formula perfect for combatting the dryness brought on by heat from the sun. This shade is ideal for a day in the office when you want to feel summery but not overdone. Complement your complexion with a pinky-peach blusher such as Benefit’s Hervana.  Sweep over the apples of your cheeks for a fresh, au naturel look.

Electric Orange by Maybelline

Orange is a colour that divides opinion. Unlike pinks, peaches and purples, orange is unmistakably bold and demands attention. If you dare to apply this lip shade then go matchy-matchy with a similar coloured outfit or make your lips pop by wearing all black.

The honey nectar formula nourishes lips and the appearance is bright and glossy. Some orange shades can be too in your face but this one manages to avoid looking garish. Orange looks great paired against olive skin so invest in a good bronzer to give your face that glowing goddess look.

Lavender by Barry M

Barry M is known for his theatrical make-up shades. Browsing the collection it’s not unusual to spot sun yellow nail polish and neon green eyeliner, so this lilac shade of lipstick hardly a shocker. Ideal for spring, the formula is understated and complements pale skin perfectly. The consistency is silky and the solution is enriched with natural moisturiser for a smooth finish.

Go pastel crazy by painting your nails mint green and teaming the look with a baby pink outfit.

Mazette by Dior

Winter calls for deep shades of red and berry, but come the summer you want to achieve the perfect marriage of red and pink. This shade is the perfect combination of both. Almost watermelon in appearance, the voluptuous formula moisturises and reshapes the lips and the colour is luxuriously rich.

Has all this talk of lipstick got you thinking about your own pearly whites? The Smile Dentist has been transforming smiles for over 30 years with his special range of dental treatments. From implants to teeth bleaching, Dr. Rob does it all. Book a free consultation today by calling 0333 577 7273.  

*This is a sponsored guest post by The Smile Dentist

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BVL's makeup essentials

I thought I'd share what I wear on an everyday basis with all you lovely people!

Primer - No7 Shine Free Primer "stops shine for a matte finish". This stuff is amazing. My mum gave me it a few years back, and I'd never even heard of a primer before. If I put it on and wait 5 minutes, then apply my foundation/concealer, it makes my makeup stick all day without fail. It also reduces my red patches for some reason! It is my must have. This is the first and only primer I've ever used! I'm currently saving for Benefit's porefessional primer.

Foundation - Maybelline Dream Satin Liquid in Ivory. Over the years I was very on and off with foundations. When I was 13 I had Maybelline's Dream Matte Mousse and it was the worst foundation I could have chosen for my skin type but because everyone had it I thought I would use it for ages. Oh dear. This however is nothing like the matte mousse. The only thing I would say is that it does sometimes highlight any scars/blemishes you may have so sometimes I fight a losing battle with this. I want to try Estee Lauders Double Wear foundation next, but again, student probs - I'm skint :')

Concealer - Maybelline Super Stay 24hr Concealer in Light Beige. Here you can see my problem. I bought the wrong shade. If i apply it before my foundation, you can't tell, but if I apply it on a blemish after foundation you can tell so much in the difference! I have learnt my lesson.... But it really does stay and it is quite a thick formulation so I love it, just not the shade.

Powder - Maybelline Super Stay 24hr Waterproof Powder in Sand. I know what you're all thinking, why is your foundation, powder and concealer all by the same company but different shades. The answer to that is because I was desperate for this powder and just picked a shade. It wasn't available in Ivory so I grabbed this. Until about 4 days ago, I didn't notice a colour change at all. This was until I did some OOTD pics down by the river and it looked like I had an orange face and a white neck. ASAP I am buying this in Ivory ahhh.

Mascara #1 - Maybelline the Mega Plush Volume Express Mascara in Very Black. I love the thick wand on this which makes my lashes look super long and a bit thicker without looking clumpy. I just wish the end of the wand didn't pick up loads of product because I end up sometimes blobbing a bit on my nose and using a wipe..adding more foundation bla bla. That's annoying. But I love this mascara. I have been through so many and this is one I'm not bored of.

Mascara #2 - Rimmel Scandal Eyes Rockin' Curves in Black. I bought this before I even knew there was a big rave about it which pleased me as I bought it because of the wand not because of what a lot of people say, which I have learnt my lesson about! The wand is curved which means it picks up your lashes easily and makes them look longer and fuller. The wand is amazing but as with a lot of mascaras, it picks up a lot of product on the end of the wand which does annoy me. However, it feels very wet which I like if I have spare time to wait for it to dry as the effect is better. I'd recommend this to people who like longer and fuller looking lashes.

Eyeliner - Maybelline Master Duo "thin or thick glossy line" in Black. I have now seen there is a bit of Maybelline loving here! I have issues with this eyeliner and is due to my lack of experience applying eyeliner rather than the product. I always seem to make one line thicker than the other. It is great for applying either a thick or thin line, it just depends on how you hold it. It lasts all day and doesn't smudge when you first apply it if you blink which is a huge bonus.

Brow Pencil/Highlighter - Soap and Glory Arch de Triumph. I have gone through so many of these beauties! The shade is perfect for people with blonde or light brown hair as it doesn't make your brows look too full on compared to your hair colour. As a natural blonde, I have translucent eyebrows which is SO annoying. This is my perfect eyebrow fixer! The highlighter is also amazing too. The only problem is, if like me, you use it mainly for the brow pencil, you find out it can run out pretty quick. On the other side it is a product I re-buy every time and lasts long on the eyebrows without making them look too fake and drawn on!

Lipstick - Rimmel in Sloane's Plum. This is my go-to lipstick for a vampy sort of look, which is often considering I'm so pale and don't use fake tan. It is a smooth formula which compliments any lip shape. I've never gone to any other plum lipstick, this is my rock and I shall remain forever in love with it!

Blusher #1 - Benefit Powda Wowza in Coralista, Hoola (bronzer) and Bella Bamba. As you can tell by the packaging, I've had this quite a significant time. Apart from my one other blusher, this is my favourite powder blusher as both blush shades are gorgeous on any skin tone. I hit pan ages ago but the powder has never broken and it comes with a small brush to make applying it easy. I don't really use the hoola bronzer at the moment, but I'm going to make it my next mission to start contouring.

Blusher #2 - Benefit Mousse Blush in 04 Dist. I don't even know if Benefit still make this! It is a lovely creamy blush that gives a natural flushed look. I think it looks best on pale skin personally, as it wouldn't give off such a natural look on medium-darker skin tones but it suits my just great! 

Please don't shout at me for getting the wrong shades in concealer and powder! I seriously would buy more but money is tight being a student sometimes and I simply can't afford to! (sob). I'm excited to save and buy some higher end products, but I have no issue with drugstore makeup in the slightest, as long as you test the products and get the right shades to suit you, you can pick up some amazing bargains!

I know this is a bit different to usual, but I wanted to show you guys I do like beauty blogging too!

Much love, BVL x

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