PRODUCT REVIEW: ALBER ELBAZ FOR LANCOME (HYPNOSE DOLL EYES MASCARA)

♥ Welcome to my new feature: product reviews! I thought I'd start with a mascara, since it's a guaranteed favourite & an almost-everyday necessity! ♥

What's the Marketing Blurb?

So, according to Lancome, it "builds up to 6 times more volume without clumping. The Powerfull(TM) Brush helps deliver volume that you control. Glides through for last separation and even application from base to tip." Plus, "the cone shaped brush is carefully developed to assure the ideal load on each lash, even in the inner corner of the eye."

Wow. So, Does it Do What It Says on the Tin (so to speak)?

Well, I don't know about you, but I'd love to find out how they measure six times more volume on a pair of eyelashes! I always pick volumising mascaras, mainly because mascara is usually the only eye make-up I apply for everyday wear. After a quick curl with the eyelash curlers, the mascara goes on easily, & definitely clump free - so much so, that I found myself having to apply a couple of coats to make a big impact.

There are 4 different mascaras in this new range - the brush being the only variance between them. I went for the Doll Eyes as I've always found a cone shaped brush makes it that little bit easier to apply to the outer lashes.

Is There Anything Else You're Not Telling Me?

Did you spot the gorgeous packaging too? This is down to the wunderkind genius Alber Elbaz (of Lanvin) lending his hand to a limited edition make-up range. It costs £2 more than the usual Hypnose mascara, but if you're into pretty things in pretty packages & all that jazz, I'm pretty sure it's worth it!

Plus, you know that weirdly nostalgic inky smell mascaras usually emit? Not this time - this mascara actually comes up smelling of roses. Seriously, how cool is that?

Any downsides? Unfortunately it doesn't come in a waterproof formula, something I usually opt for as necessary living in rainy Britain! However, whilst I have yet to test it over a rainy day (thank you, British Summer!), unlike some non-waterproof mascaras, this is completely smudge-free, so you won't end up with Panda Eyes by lunchtime. Which is always a good thing in my book.

Let me know if there are any products you're keen to try or want me to take a look at!


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{all photos & edits by me}

♥

Sweet / Sweeter

synergy: I went into topshop to buy make-up, & walked out with two cupcakes, how did that happen?!


lola's cupcakes are based in primrose hill, & they have an outlet in topshop (oxford circus). i'm not quite as greedy as it might seem, since i bought two minis rather than one full-sized. As you might have guessed from their appearance: red velvet, & banana. The bonus with the mini ones is that the icing is pretty much the same size as the cake beneath ;)


topshop have also got an excellent new makeup range in stores. i purchased a lipstick in infrared, it's a bold but pretty orange (seriously, i have been searching for a good orange for sooo long, particularly since revlon's orange flip isn't sold here in the UK). it's a really creamy texture & doesn't dry out easily, i would certainly recommend it..


lastly, speed brow by benefit. seriously devastated last week when i knocked over my bottle of shelaq (damn, that's 10 pounds down the drain!), only to discover it's been discontinued! silver lining: speed brow is specifically for brows, comes with an application brow brush, & is a good 40% or so cheaper than the other. good stuff.

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{all photos by me}

♥

In The Beauty Cabinet {Winter Edition}

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★ nail polishes for the season {barry m}: blues, greens, blacks ★

★ {carmex} minty lip balm ★

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★ {freederm} a godsend for oily patches ★

★ i've been running out of {benefit} facial emulsion.. actually, i'm not particularly impressed so i've switched to nivea. eventually i might return to a perennial fave, an olive cream from l'occitane ★

★ tip: choose facial creams with a pump dispenser if possible - pots can encourage bacteria from  fingers swiping for cream daily ★

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★ {benefit} shelaq keeps groomed eyebrows in place, particularly important in windy weather & frequent hat/scarf movements! ★

★ {benefit} benetint gives the perfect rosy glow ★

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★ i'd love to hear of any other handy hints you have for battling the winter season & staying pretty!  ★


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{all photos by me}

♥