Maybelline The Falsies Push Up Angel Mascara*
I was very skeptical about this when it arrived – the unique brush shape puzzled me and I wasn’t sure how effective it was going to be. Maybelline claims that the push-up wing brush sweeps lashes to the side, while lifting and plumping from the roots, creating a cat-eye effect.
It does a good job of separating and lengthening, and although it didn’t particularly volumise my lashes, I still really like it. I would wear it on my more minimal make-up days as the effect is quite natural (for me), but I am confident you could create something more dramatic with a few extra coats. The formula doesn’t smudge or transfer, and the skinny little brush is brilliant for the bottom lashes.
Maybelline very rarely get it wrong when it comes to mascara, and this is another great addition to their line-up.
Moroccanoil Thickening Lotion*
Moroccanoil can do no wrong in my book – I have loved every product they have ever released, and the Thickening Lotion is no exception.
It contains quinoa proteins to thicken the hair shaft, and argan oil to keep the hair moisturised. This appears to be a match made in heaven because you are left with soft, touchable hair with great bounce (or, as I like to call it, Rich Girl Hair). I have highlighted this product combination because I have used many volumising products in the past which, although they did add volume my hair, also left unwanted residue or they dried my hair out completely over time. The Moroccanoil Thickening Lotion doesn’t do either of those things, it just makes your hair light and soft.
My big question when I started testing this was if it was going to be as/more effective than the Redken High Rise Volume Duo Volumiser in terms of creating extreme volume. The answer is no, it is not. But it is a whole lot more user friendly in that it doesn’t strip the hair of moisture with continued use. It’s up to you to decide what you want, but if you want consistently full, swishy hair that smells delicious, then I am going to point you in the direction of the Moroccanoil Thickening Lotion.
Maybelline Brow Precise Fibre Filler Brow Mascara*
This is another one I wasn’t too sure about, but I have grown to really love it. The applicator takes a bit of getting used to, but once you get the hang of it, you will be blown away by how effective it is. It has really short little bristles which means it coats every brow hair and distributes minimal/no product onto the actual skin, which is something that bothered me with previous brow plumpers I’ve tried (I’m looking at you, Essence Make Me Brow). It creates a natural, yet textured brow, and I love that the formula doesn’t dry down to a crunchy/crispy consistency.
If you have relatively full brows, you could use this on its own and be a-for-away. I am not that fortunate, so I use it once I have penciled in my brows in order to add some extra fullness and to lock the hairs in place. All in all, a tremendous product.
Dove DermaSpa Goodness³ Body Lotion
Dove’s new Dermaspa range aims to create an at-home spa experience by infusing their lotions with the most luxurious ingredients possible. There are three lines within the range: Summer Revived, Uplifted+ and Goodness³: Summer Revived comprises of a range of self-tanning body lotions; Uplifted+ contains a replenishing satin gel to gently moisturise and restore elasticity; and Goodness³ is the most luxurious of the three, promising to leave the skin looking velvety and luminous. No prizes for guessing which one drew me in…
This lotion is enriched with omega oils to really pamper the skin, and whilst it does a fine job, it hasn’t blown my hair back. The relatively lightweight formula sinks in quickly (something I appreciate if I want to use a body lotion in the morning), and it smells good too, but it’s just not something I find myself reaching for. I suspect I have been spoiled by The Skin Creamery and their sublime Everyday Cream – most other body lotions now pale in comparison, sadly.
Maybelline Facestudio Master Strobing Stick Illuminating Highlighter in ‘100 Light-Iridescent’*
These little highlighting sticks have proved to be immensely popular, and with good reason! You simply swipe it onto the areas you want to highlight (cheekbones, brow bones, nose [if you wish], and Cupid’s bow) and blend it in – it couldn’t be easier. The formula applies like a cream but sets down to more of a powder finish, which I like because it a) stays put for longer and b) my hair doesn’t get stuck to my cheeks. It creates a lovely, soft, shimmery highlight with one swipe, or you can amp it up with a more generous application if you prefer to really glow. I like that it’s so small and portable, and that no brushes are required – it is quick and easy to apply, wears well and looks beautiful. What more could you ask for?
The Master Strobing Stick Illuminating Highlighter comes in three shades, and this is the lightest of the three.
*PR Samples