Event | Discovering Blinc Cosmetics at Roseberry

Last Thursday evening I was very excited to attend a fun or rather as the invited said, berry beautiful event concerning the US brand blinc cosmetics at Roseberry, Valletta.

I made my way there with my partner in makeup crime Marija and we were immediately greeted with a smile by Nataliya, the brand manager behind the various brands Paloma Cosmetics Ltd. bring to our shores. In keeping with the theme of the event, we were offered a glass of Fragolino, strawberry flavoured wine as well as Baci chocolates and tasty little macarons!

Nataliya, with the help of Danilo and Michaela, delivered a very detailed and informative presentation about Blinc Cosmetics and I am more than happy to share what this brand is all about with you all especially if you're new to it like I was before yesterday's event :)

So what makes Blinc Cosmetics different from other brands? Basically, it all boils down to the brand being exclusively dedicated to the production of innovative eye makeup products such as pioneering the world's first tube mascara and peelable eyeliner that are long-lasting no matter how hectic your lifestyle is. 

It all started with the launch of the classic Mascara in 1999 which has this innovative formula that rather than painting the lashes, it forms tubes around each lash, thus preventing flaking and clumping of the lashes. After that, it took Blinc three years (!) to launch another mascara or as a matter of fact, another product. This goes to show the amount of research and dedication of the brand to produce top quality products for us, the end users.

Blinc is all about innovation and performance. I have already mentioned that the brand boasts the world's first tube-forming mascara and peelable. Blinc's portfolio also comprises the thinnest eyeliner pen, and a four-in-one eyebrow mousse, confirming the brand at being at the fore-front of the beauty industry with new and exciting products that are water-resistant, smudge proof, as well as easy to apply and remove.

Consequently, Blinc is the ideal brand for women who:

• have sensitive eyes or are contact lens wearers
• lead an active and athletic lifestyle
• have busy work/life schedules
• have lash extensions
• face challenging climates on a day to day basis
• need not to worry about eye makeup flaking or smudging throughout their day

During the event we had the chance to try the products out for ourselves so as to attest to all the claims that the brand promises. I was surprised to see that the brand only carries one eyeshadow palette but when we got to discover the story behind it, I could immediately see that it makes perfect sense. The Blinc Shadow Fusion palette is the result of a collaboration between the brand and top makeup artists. They managed to come up with a palette that people will actually use all of the shades in it not just a couple as often happens.

Blinc Heated Eyelash Curler, Macara Amplified & Black Lash Primer

Blinc Shadow Fusion palette

Blinc Eyebrow Mousse & makeup brushes

Blinc eyeliners

We were each given a sample of the eyeliner and Amplified mascara to try which I did right away and I also purchased the Dark Green Classic Mascara for the colour caught my eyes when I tried it during the event.

Some of the bloggers attending the event & Danilo

Myself and Danilo discussing mascara shades ;)

I will be reviewing the products soon so I am not going to talk about formulas etc in this post so you can discover all the exciting details with me in the review post...or else, head down to Roseberry in Valletta and get your hands on some Blinc products then you can share your experience with me in the comments! Other outlets which stock Blinc Cosmetics in Malta are NYX (Sliema), Melita Pharmacy (St. Julian's), Heavenspa (Naxxar).

Review | Essence How To Make Brows Wow Make-up Box

One of my new year resolutions has been to delve more into the world of brow makeup and experiment to achieve that polished-but-not-too-made-up-brows look. I have tried several products in the past such as brow waxes, pencils and tinted brow mascaras which I liked at first but didn't seem to reach for them more after a while. The main reason is that I don't like my brows to look too harsh against my pale skin.

Thus, when given the chance to try out this new release from Essence Cosmetics, I thought I'd give it a go. The How To Make Brows Wow Make-up Box comes in this cute box that reminds me of higher end brands with similar packaging.

It contains three brow powders, one for blondes, one for brunettes and a universal shade, a highlighting powder a pair of small tweezers, a little dual-end applicator brush, a good sized mirror and an instruction card. I like that the powders have a protective plastic film that can be re-used.

I prefer to use the universal and the blonde shades for even though I am a brunette I find the dark shade a little too in-your-face for me. I apply the powders with a slanting eyeshadow brush in small, light strokes across my eyebrows to fill them in an add definition, and then set everything with clear brow gel. I then use the highlight shade on my brow bone to give the arch more definition.

I think the powders last well enough and I like how they look on me, thus I have been reaching for this product on an almost daily basis. I have never used the tweezers and brush that come with the box and probably never will so I can't comment on those.

I do recommend this box to individuals and even make-up artists for the simple fact that you get three different colours of eyebrow powders in one at a mere fraction of the price of similar higher end products.

Essence Cosmetics can be found at authorised pharmacies and outlets across Malta and Gozo. Don't forget about the first ever Essence Cosmetics buffet that is going to be organized on the 14th of August at Arkadia Gozo. More information about tickets and the event can be found on the Essence Cosmetics Malta Facebook page!

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Review | Catrice Eyebrow Lifter

We all know the benefits a pair well-groomed and shaped brows and the effect they have on our overall look...they really do give us a more polished appearance! Moreover, bushy brows are trending right now and while I personally love the look, I think it looks too hash on me so I tend to skip filling my brows.

 

Luckily for me, Catrice Cosmetics have added another brow product to their range, namely Eyebrow Lifter. It is essentially a nudish coloured pencil that you apply under your brows to give the illusion of a higher arch and make your eyes appear bigger. It is only available in the shade 010 Lift Me Up, Scotty! and it is a suits-all type of shade.

 

The texture of the product is rather light and blends easily to give the illusion of a higher brow arch. I like to apply this right after I put on brow gel and lightly blend it along my brows. Pigmentation is just enough for a product of this sort and as for lasting power, I'd say it lasts for a good number of hours.
 

Catrice Eyebrow Lifter swatches - unblended (left) and lightly blended (right)

 

Catrice Eyebrow Filler is a very versatile product and can be used both with natural, more subtle looks as well as more dramatic looks. I sometimes like to use this on my cupid's bow as a highlight too.

 

I would recommend this product to anyone who wants effortlessly perfect brows at a low price. Catrice cosmetics can be bought from various pharmacies around Malta & Gozo, a full list of which can be obtained from their Facebook page.

 

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Review | MUA Pro Brow Ultimate Eyebrow Kit

Filling my brows is something I wouldn't have considered up to a few months back simply because I have dark, already thickish brows. So basically, eyebrow care for me, has always been down to waxing, shaping and keeping brow hairs in place with some brow gel.

Having said that, I have been looking at tutorials explaining different techniques and products to use to shape and better define your brows for quite some time and I have the odd brow pencil in my collection 'just in case'.  Personally, I have never overlooked the importance of having perfectly taken-care-of brows as they really do frame the face and now, budget make-up brand Makeup Academy (MUA) have made my first foray into eyebrow shaping easier with their new Pro Brow Ultiamte Eyebrow Kit.

Let's have a look at the packaging and contents first. The kit is very professionally presented in a sleek black case that belies the product's £3.50 price tag. The case's lid is glossy and bears the MUA logo and product name  while the sides and back are matte.

Inside you get a nice-sized mirror, two matte brown shades (a dark brown and a lighter brown), a highlighter and clear wax. The kit also comes complete with a pair of mini slant tweezers and a small, double-sided angle brush...truly everything you need for perfectly defined brows!

All three powders are quite silky smooth and very pigmented, especially the brow shades. The wax on the other hand is the right consistency and doesn't feel sticky but does a great job at keeping brow hairs in check. The tweezers come in handy for on-the-go touch-ups but otherwise, I prefer using a full-sized pair. As for the brush, I really can't complain on this one! You know how usually the brushes that come with kits are total rubbish? This one proves to be quite good at the job it is intended for as the angle is just perfect and the bristles do not retain the product.

Now, how I use the kit. I am quite obsessed with having clean brows that I try to pluck away any strays everyday (unless I am due for an appointment). Then, I mix the darker shades to obtain the shade closest to my natural brow colour and using the brush and gentle strokes, I apply the product to my brows to define them. Finally, I just use the wax to keep everything in place and apply the lightest shade to the brow bone to lift my brows.

Quite noticeable difference between the left brow (enhanced with the kit)
and right brow (left bare)

I find that results last until I take my make-up off at the end of the day and while I like that brow hairs stay in place longer with the wax than with brow gel, I'm still not entirely convinced with the glossy look.

Overall, I'm glad I bought the kit though as it is very easy to use and delivers great results even if like me you have never tried eyebrow defining before.

Buy yours from the Makeup Academy website for only £3.50 for 5.9g of product.

Mid-Week Beauty Masterclass: Eyebrow Fillers

Hello my lovelies! I hope you're all doing great! After last week's absence, the Mid-Week Beauty Masterclass is back again with all the other posts :D This week, we will have a look at the Cinderella of our faces... eyebrows and ways to fill them in to polish up our look.  I referred to them as the 'Cinderella of our faces' simply because we tend to neglect them more often than not; but nicely shaped and well-groomed brows are essential to give us a more polished appearance.  For more information how to groom your brows, check out this post, then hit 'backspace' to see which eyebrow filling method works best for you!

Eyebrow pencil is the most common form of eyebrow filler.  It is very easy to control and you have to be careful so that it doesn't look too harsh or unnatural.  You can find eyebrow pencils in an array of neutral shades that match most eyebrows and most of them come with a little blender as well.  Pencils are also practical to carry around due to their smallish size. Always remember to keep the point sharpened for a more precise application!  Eyebrow pencils are also a much more natural-looking way to draw brows from scratch, especially for people who used to shave off their brows completely... eyebrow tattoos are way too harsh and unnatural if you ask me! 




Here are a couple of diagrams that show you how to fill in brows and define your arch:

Eyebrow wax/powder compacts are a more practical and handy alternative to pencils as they usually also come with a mirror and a little applicator brush.  You first fill your brows as needed with the powder and then put on a little wax to help seal everything for a longer time than a pencil lasts.


Eyebrow mascaras are literally like mascaras that come in a range of colours similar to the eyebrow pencils that you can coat your eyebrows with for a fuller look.  Clear eyebrow mascaras are used to keep your brows in check during the day!

Review: e.l.f. Wet Gloss Lash & Brow Clear Mascara

Another elf mascara in the hot seat for today... this time, a mascara which is a bit different than your usual one. Ladies, say hello to Wet Gloss Lash & Brow Clear Mascara!

As usual, let me start the review with the packaging of this mascara. Basically it is a dual ended tube much like the Earth & Water ones with both sides being labelled to distinguish which is for eyebrows and which is for the lashes. However, what I really like about the tube is the fact it is transparent and thus I know when I need to order a new back up hehe :P

With regards the wands, at first glance, when they are still in the tube, they look the same size, but when you take them out... the eyelash one is slightly thinner and a bit pointy at the end whilst the eyebrow one is thicker and has a flat tip.

To me, this doesn't make a difference as such because I mostly use this mascara on my brows to keep them in check and give them a glossy look. However, if I am going out during the day and I want a more natural look, I don't think twice to apply two coats of this mascara to my lashes instead of my regular ones.

The texture of this mascara resembles that of a gel and I like this because it means my eyebrows will stay in place for quite a long time! I am not going to say that this lasts all day because it doesn't; but it does last a good number of hours. Then again, the mascara is small enough to fit in any purse, so I still carry it with me for touch ups.

Will I repurchase this mascara? Of course I will! At £1.50/€1.70 I am not going to break the bank and also, it doesn't leave me with itchy brows full of dandruff-like flakes like my high-end one did!

Have you tried this ladies? What did you think of it? If not, you can get one here.

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Eyebrow Shaping ~ The Basics Everyone Needs to Know

Hello my lovelies :) I was inspired to write a post about eyebrows from a question I saw on e.l.f. cosmetics' facebook page a few days ago, where a lady asked how to use their eyebrow stencil. In this post, I will give an insight on brows, the different shapes as well as how to shape yours.

Everyone is born with an eyebrow shape to suit their face, however, as you get older you might want to re-think those hairs on your nose bridge or those strays below the brow bone. Very often, our eyebrows are the cinderella of the ball... we forget to give them the attention they need! Caring for your brows is a must if you want that perfect make up look as they help frame the face and define your features. Well cared-for brows also give the person a polished look even she is not wearing any make-up.

Eyebrow Shapes

Eyebrows are usually shaped in either of these three shapes:

Angular ~ an angular shape can be used to give flat planes to a round face. The angle of the brow can be reflected in the make up shading and contouring to give an elegant appearance. The angular eyebrow can be used to create many looks and can reflect an appearance of harshness, elegance and sophistication.

Round ~ the more natural line of the rounded brow can give an innocent, fresh appearance and blends well if a general make up is worn. The line should follow the prominence of the frontal bone and be shaped into a tapered end, encompassing the round shape of the eye itself. This shape best suits people with large eyes or wide foreheads as it shows the eyes to the best advantage.

Sweeping ~ this shape is very flattering to most people as it gives width and expression to the eye area. A sweeping eyebrow shape frees a large expanse of upper lid skin for eye make-up and allows full artistry in this area. The sweeping line of the brow opens the eyes, gives interest to a narrow face and can help balance lareg mouths or noses.

Examining your brows

First things first! Make sure that the room where you are going to shape your brows has a good share of natural light reaching it. This is the best light for the job. If you don't have a good place where you can use natural light, it is best to use white light rather than yellow.

Next, stand in front of a mirror and examine your brows carefully. What is their shape? Are they the same length and width? To help determine this, here is a picture showing you how to measure your brows:

Take a brow wand or a narrow make up brush and hold it vertically at the side of one of your nostrils. Are there any hairs before it? Move the brush at a 45 degree angle, this signifies where the highest point of your brows should be. Finally, line the brush with where your brow bone ends. This is the ideal length of your brows. Any hairs that are out of place will have to go to get you the perfect eyebrow shape.

Shaping your brows

After determining which hairs have to be plucked, you need to get down to business and start shaping your brows. Here is what I use to do mine:

From left to right: Magnifying mirror, toner, hair minimizer, eyebrow & lash comb, eyebrow wand, cold wax strips, scissors, cotton discs, eyebrow pencil, tweezers.

If you get discomfort in your eye area whilst plucking/waxing hairs, you can use a cold compress to numb the area. Alternatively, a hot compress will open pores and hairs will slide out more easily.

First of all, brush your eyebrows in place with a brow wand or comb (I prefer the wand) and measure them as explained above.

Start by removing hairs from between the eyes and on the nose bridge. Take care not to end up with brows that are too wide apart as this causes the eyes to look surprised (consult the measuring diagram above).

Next, move on to stray hairs from underneath your brows but never remove hairs from the upper side as you will risk losing the shape of your brows. If you have to remove hairs from above your brows, have them removed by a beautician. When removing stray hairs from under your brows, it is best to alternate between the eyes and step away from the mirror after so many plucks to see how you're doing.

When you have removed all the strays and both eyebrows are the same shape, fill in any gaps with an eyebrow pencil (I use essence eyebrow designer in 02 Brown).

Since I use cold wax to remove most of the hairs, I find it is better if I keep a cotton disc with some toner to remove wax residues and hairs whilst plucking with tweezers. Also, I finish off with some hair minimizer which also soothes my skin post-depilation.

DO'S & DONT'S

DO invest in a good pair of tweezers. There are a lot of shapes available on the market, just choose one that you find works best for you.

DON'T pluck more hairs than necessary. Very thin brows look very unnatural and affect the whole look of your face.

DO take good care of your brows. They are a part of your face and when well-groomed, they will give you a neater appearance. Thick and bushy eyebrows will only contribute to a stern and harsh expression.

DON'T ever shave your brows or have them tattooed.

I hope this post cleared some ideas about eyebrow shaping however, should you require more info, don't hesitate to let me know :)

Stay beautiful,

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