I don't really do beauty reviews on stuff. I know where my forte is and it's not in reviewing beauty products. But I will tell you what I am up to at the moment. And at the moment, I'm playing around with stuff for the eyes.
A year ago, I read a review from Kate Shapland in the Saturday Telegraph about the Mavala Double Lash Treatment. and it sounded like it was worth a shot. I basically have very short eyelashes You know how people have long spidery lashes? I have money spidery eyelashes - they are that short. I knew there was the Rapid Lash treatment but that is about four times the price of this little bottle from Mavala and I have to admit, I can be a bit tight around some beauty stuff (I spent years living off Clinique and Lancome Bonus Time). Was I expecting miracles? No, not really but I was however quite pleased with the fact that they did appear to be a little longer and fuller after about a month's use. I started the treatment round about March last year and stopped it when hay fever season hit and then just got lazy. But not so long ago, I decided to pick up the Mavala wand and start again. All you have to do is brush some on your lashes each night before bed and that's it. So yes, I think it works - or it works enough for me and it doesn't break the bank at about £11 a bottle. I don't suddenly have tarantula leg length lashes but hey I think I've upgraded to household very small spider leg length territory.
I love a cat flick done well on the eyes. I can't do one for toffee and believe me I have watched a serious number of Youtube tutorials on them and I am none the better for it. I still have wonky cat flicks on each eye when I try. And most nights before I go to bed and I am doing the night time routine, I spend two minutes having a little practice. Only a tiny kitten sized flick mind you because a full length one would just push me over the edge. I think I am almost there ... I've only been practising for three months. There are some things I am just not good at and make up is one of them. And I know some people swear by using a pot of liner stuff and a little fine brush but I thought I'd start with a little eye pen to make it easier for me. When I think I have mastered this little cat flick stuff, I will upgrade the pen - any recommendations anyone?
This is the holy grail of eyelash curlers for us oriental gals. I have practically gauged my eyes out trying to clamp my non existent lashes into an assortment of different eyelash curlers over the years to no avail. They just don't fit the shape of my eye socket. So I took a chance and asked for a pair of the Shu Uemura ones for Christmas. And you know what? They work! It's just a shame my lashes aren't that long (but longer than they were) to really reap the benefits of the curlers. So yep, if you've struggled with eyelash curlers previously - these might be worth a shot for you. I bought mine from Amazon complete with a silicone refill pad (aka that rubbery bit).
So ... not a review as such but just a few notes of what I've been playing with in my bathroom. I can tell you now, I don't think Vivianna is too worried about me nabbing her beauty blog crown.
i love beauty treatments reviews! You should do it more often:)
ReplyDeletethe mavala treatment sounds very promising. Where do you buy it?
I don't use a lot of different beauty stuff and I honestly can't tell if some of them are any good which is why I really couldn't review any of them. They're not bad but they're not exceptional enough for me to say anything if you know what I mean? I just have to put it down to the fact that I'm getting older and I have the driest of skin which is more susceptible to wrinkles. My sisters have always had oily skin and they are unlined and fresh. Such is life.
DeleteI have some Shiseido eyelash curlers too that I love - I never used to use them at all till 6 months ago and they really do make a difference! x
ReplyDeleteI never used to wear any makeup until I met the FBU gals and now I feel like I need to make more effort. Shiseido as a brand isn't very popular here but it is in Hong Kong - maybe it's the oriental eyelash curlers which are all magic.
DeleteI know what you mean about practising cat eye flicks! I would wholeheartedly recommend Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner (as used by Alexa Chung - say no more) or Soap and Glory's Supercat: http://www.boots.com/en/Soap-Glory%E2%84%A2-Supercat%E2%84%A2-Eyeliner-Pen-Carbon-Black-Extreme_1450229/ Both are super black and they don't leave that weird print thing on your eye socket after a few hours!
ReplyDeleteThanks for those recommendations Rachel. I think my Boots No.7 was a freebie (I did say I was cheap) and it's not brilliant but it's quite removable when I go wrong. I tried some other liner with a brush and I was a panda when I tried removing that so for now the Boots No.7 is fine till I get good with at the old cat flick thing. But I will check out both the liners you recommended - I'll come home like my kids with all kinds of pen marks on the back of my hands!
DeleteI second the Shu Uemura curlers - I've had mine for over a decade! They last! As for liners I love the Eyeko ones, Stila doesn't do too badly either - depending on what you're looking for in a liner. For me I just need them to stay put and not end up making me look like a panda at the end of the day. It's actually harder than it sounds as I have monolids and most things tend to slide off after an hour or two... and hmm you've given me something to think about with the lash treatments... if anyone has shorter lashes than you it will be me!
ReplyDeletesteph / absolutely-fuzzy.com
Over a decade - I'm nothing if not slow. And another recommendation for the Eyeko liner. It's funny because I had an Eyeko eyelash curler and it was awful on me - I guess I was all kinds of wrong for it. And I don't think it's eyeliner which makes me go all panda - it's mascara. I don't really wear it but I have tried and when I do wear it, it sheds and I return home looking like I've had a really rough night which kind of puts me off wearing the stuff. I wasn't sure if it was because I hadn't curled my lashes as I thought that if the lashes were pointing up and away, then maybe when I blinked they weren't touching the area underneath my eyes? Yes, I've been giving this some though as you tell. And I never knew you had short lashes - join the club!
Deletei've been introduced to japanese mascaras which i'm the biggest fan off. that stuff stays ON even through a sweaty yoga session! They have a whole slew of products that comes off easily with warm water but is waterproof (swim, shower etc..). Sorcery!
DeleteAnyway this is the brand - I found it in Japan but have seen it in the asian shops here in Sydney. I guess the Japanese have given it some thought as well :D
http://asbs.jp/english/news.php?id=1386
steph / absolutely-fuzzy.com
I'm going to try that mavala stuff. I have THE shortest eyelashes and your comment about working your way round Bonus TIme definitely rang bells so I guess you can tell I don't splurge on beauty products. As for eyeliner, I have never thought about a little practice before bedtime. I think if I start now I might have something that I can be seen out in without causing offence by this Christmas.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the short eyelash club. There seems to be quite a few of us. When my first boy was born, I just remember looking at his ultra long lashes and thinking "where did they come from - not me!".
DeleteAnd I do the little practice at night because I'm cleaning my face then, so I can wipe off all my mistakes at the same time!
I have short lashes too. I will look out for the mavala stuff, as I agree some similar products are very expensive! I like a flick eye too, but use the liquid version of that liner. Comes in flattering dark grey, navy etc. too. No 7 has a buy one get another half price offer at the mo.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip on the pleather leggings from H&M, I got some yesterday. They had loads in store in different styles. None with ponte backing, though.
They stock the Mavala stuff in the bigger branches of Boots but they also have it on Amazon which is where I ordered mine off.
DeleteAnd H&M do seem to have lots of the pleather leggings but very few of the ponte backed ones which is a little strange. I spotted some in Primark the other day with jersey on the back too. I tried a pair on but for some reason, the back came down really low. Not good.
Ooh I must give the Mavala stuff a go Sue, it sounds like good stuff! I am also trying to master the cat flick at the mo....it's only a little one at the mo, but tiny steps required here and a very steady hand, I'm sure I'll getting the look I'm going for in the end! Years ago a came across a tip for the eyelash curlers from Gwyneth Paltrow (in a Kevin Aucoin book I believe) about curling each set of lashes twice to really make the eyes really pop and get the best results...I've been doing it ever since! xx
ReplyDeleteLike you say, even the tiniest cat flicks are hard to master. I always end up with something uneven and ever the perfectionist, I can't do with them not being perfect. I have been trying to do a double curl on the lashes ... I look a little startled or maybe I'm just imagining it because I'm not used to seeing myself like that.
DeleteI need eyelash curlers, I can't recall ever using them - I should!
ReplyDeleteWell I don't think you can really improve on your eyes can you? And you say you don't even have eyelash curlers - I sob.
DeleteI think there are a lot of us who resent spending money on cosmetics - in fact, you can push up on the bench as I'm right there with you! I might give that Mavala stuff a go ... I'm purely sold on the fact that it's quarter the price of the other lash stuff!
ReplyDeleteI love a cheapskate like me :o)
DeleteI'll have to give the Mavala lash treatment a go Sue - I use Revitalash and although I only buy when on offer it's still expensive. Must try the lash curlers too - although my lashes seem to curl naturally now since using the Revitalash! Cat flicks - I need to practise but never get round to it - it would only be a small flick though - can't see me sporting a great big wing! :)
ReplyDelete