Elizabeth Arden Grand Entrance Mascara*
In a word: brilliant. This mascara has absolutely blown me away – so much so that it currently holds the top spot on my Favourite Mascara List (previous title holders have included the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara, Clinique High Impact Extreme Volume Mascara and the Estée Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Lash Multiplying Volume Mascara). The design of the wand is really interesting – it has a gentle c-shaped bend with a spiky nodule (thats an official term, by the way) on the end. The motivation behind this design is to enable you to get maximum volume, length and curl – and boy, does it deliver. Using the outside curve of the wand, nestle the bristles into the roots of the lashes to build volume. Then, using the inside curve, comb the bristles through the lashes to encourage lifting and curling. Lastly, separate and lengthen the lashes using the spiky nodule end.
The formula is hard working and long-wearing, yet it feels quite gentle on the lashes and doesn’t leave them feeling crispy or brittle. And, despite being so long-wearing, it’s still quite easy to remove – I’m sure I speak for all of us when I say that tugging at our lashes to remove mascara makes us sad.
I think the only way to show you how amazing this mascara is is to show you, so here you go (I even threw in a puppy in for good measure):
Elizabeth Arden Flawless Start Instant Perfecting Primer*
This primer uses a unique “triple blurring complex” to blur the skin, smooth uneven texture and diminish the appearance of pores, fine lines and wrinkles. It creates a lovely, smooth canvas over which to apply your foundation or tinted moisturiser, leaving you with an even-toned, almost air-brushed appearance.
The formulation is oil-free and contains “skin balancing technology” to help control shine and maintain moisture, as well as hollow silica beads to absorb oil and ensure a shine free complexion. It also contains a blend of emollients and special oils to improve the longevity and performance of your foundation.
I think this primer will work like a bomb on those of you with normal/combination/oily skins, but sadly it’s not moisturising enough for us drier-skinned girls. Whilst the short-term effects are certainly impressive (my skin does look smoother and more even-toned, and my foundation sits beautifully for hours on end), the next day my skin does look a little parched. I will be saving this to use on special occasions as it really does the job, but it’s a little too drying for me to use on a daily basis.
Estée Lauder Double Wear Waterproof All Day Extreme Wear Concealer
I’ve yet to use an Estée Lauder product I haven’t loved, and this is no exception. Having recently finished my beloved Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Flawless Wear Concealer SPF 10, I decided to test their latest offering, the Double Wear Waterproof All Day Extreme Wear Concealer. I hadn’t heard much about it, and there are very few reviews online, so I was intrigued to see how it performed.
My verdict: this is the best concealer I’ve ever used. Not only is it lightweight, creamy and comprehensive in the coverage department, but it does not crease. Let me just say that again to emphasise how amazing it is: it does not crease. It imparts a nice dewy finish and stays looking pristine all day, even without a setting powder. No dryness, caking or creasing in sight! You can use a colour corrector beforehand if you wish, but if you won’t suffer from noticeably dark circles, then skip it – this concealer can cover mild discolouration with ease. I have also been using it around my nose to conceal redness, as well as on the occasional pimple, and it works exceptionally well on those areas too. I honestly can’t recommend this highly enough.
*PR Sample