Eye Care Cosmetics & other eye care devices at Optika Opticians

We usually visit our opticians for our eye prescription needs. Following on from my post about the different types of lenses and their care, today I have another post about Eye Care Cosmetics, an eye makeup brand stocked at all Optika outlets.

Eye Care Cosmetics is a French skincare and eye care brand committed to caring for sensitive skin and eyes. Products available at Optika include three different makeup removers - an emulsion, a lotion and a bi-phasic one to suit different needs. The 2-in-1 makeup remover is your best bet to remove waterproof makeup, the emulsion is specially targeted for contact lens wearers while the lotion boasts an ultra gentle formula and is optimal for the most sensitive of eyes. The range also consists of coloured eye pencils, eyeshadow, mascara as well as eye creams to treat dark circles and puffiness around the delicate eye area for example. Sometimes, people with sensitive eyes have to be really careful in choosing the right products for them so as not to irritate their eyes and Eye Care Cosmetics is there to help!

Other instances, it's not just sensitive eyes that need to be taken care of and for these different conditions, Optika stock different eye compresses that can either be used hot or cold depending on the condition at hand. For example the Cold Eye Compress can be used to alleviate symptoms of hayfever, allergies, swelling, puffy eyes and sinus headaches to name a few while the Hot Eye Compress is recommended for Dry Eye Disease, Blepharitis (inflammation of eyelids) and general eye irritations. There is also another version of the Hot Eye Compress which can be heated in both a microwave or an oven while the former can only be heated in a microwave. The eye compresses are produced in the UK by the renowned company The Body Doctor and are to be used upon recommendation by a professional.

The same company also produced the Eyelid Wipes which are aimed at maintaining eyelid and eyelash hygiene for babies and adults alike. Each wipe is individually wrapped and pre-soaked with a preservative-free and detergent-free physiological solution to gently clean the eyelids, lashes and surrounding area. The wipes can also be used to revive tired eyes.

So there you have it! Optika really have everything you need for your eyes to be taken care of all around! Head to one of their outlets located in Sliema, Rabat and St.Julian's to find out more.

Photography by Neil Psaila

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 | Max Factor Excess Intensity Longwear Eyeliner 04 Charcoal

Today's review is going to be a rave review about my new favourite 'black' eyeliner pencil, which as you can tell by the title is the Max Factor Excess Intensity Longwear Eyeliner in the shade 04 Charcoal.

Now this has been in my stash for a year or so I think and it was sent to me when Max Factor Malta launched their #selfeye competiton. I never really had a chance to use the eyeliner properly (except for the competition) mainly because I wanted to use up the other black eye pencils that I had. However, a couple of months ago, I gave in and used this pencil instead of my usual one and boy I'm so glad I did!

Here's a word about the packaging first. So the eyeliner comes in a very slim, sleek twist-up pen format and you get 0.18g of product which I admit is not much. I like that the pencil comes with a twist-up mechanism as you don't have to ever sharpen it and being so slim, it is the perfect eye pencil to pop even in the smallest of handbags.

The colour leans more towards a dark grey rather than a jet black and I actually like it for that because it doesn't look as harsh as black eye pencil especially for day time. I like that it lasts for a good number of hours on my waterline before it starts to fade. 

I would repurchase this eyeliner and recommend it to anyone who prefers a more subtle approach over a harsh black.

Max Factor products can be found on sale at authorised outlets and pharmacies. Make sure to follow their facebook page for trying luck at one of their frequent competitions and to stay up to date with product information. 

PR Sample

Review | KIKO Milano False Lashes Concentrate Waterproof Top Coat Mascara

Waterproof mascara is a must for me considering the extremely humid climate I live in. Unfortunately, not all mascaras I like come in a waterproof version and most of the time I end up putting them aside for this reason. 

Another issue with waterproof mascara is that I have heard people recounting times when they ended up with missing lashes after removing waterproof mascara so I'm afraid waterproof mascara is not for everyone...until now that is!

In my last KIKO order I got two tubes of their False Lashes Concentrate Waterproof Top Coat Mascara out of curiosity and I tried it out as soon as I received my package.

The product is presented in a black carton box and the tube itself is an electric blue chrome in colour - very apt for a waterproof product and it stands out so I like that. I just wish it didn't scratch away that easily. The wand has different sized bristles that enable you to coat all your lashes, even the smallest ones with this top coat mascara.

The product is actually a dense clear gel with no smell that you apply over regular mascara in practically the same manner and allow it to dry.

I have tried this top coat on a variety of mascaras from Catrice, Avon, Pupa Milano and Max Factor and the results have always been astounding - it really does turn them into waterproof versions! With certain brands, waterproof mascara can be a little more expensive so you could say that this product will save you some money as well! As a side note, I have not seen a difference as to length and volume of my lashes.

The KIKO Milano False Lashes Concentrate range has a variety of top and base coat mascaras to help you achieve different looks and all retail at €7.20 from the KIKO Milano website.

Monthly Favourites | December

This month I only have a few makeup products to list as favourites, particularly eye makeup and lip products.

I will start with lip products first because two of them are new to my collection. First off, is this gorgeous shade from The Body Shop's Colour Crush range and it shade number 335 which I would describe as a rich mauve. It has a creme finish and awesome pigmentation with good staying power. Perfect for a pop of colour for daytime. 

The next lipstick is from Inglot and it is the shade 184 which is this shimmery purple that is featured in their current 'Iconic' look. Again, this too has brilliant pigmentation and staying power and I have been favouring it a lot for going out.

The last lip product to make the cut for this month' favourites is Max Factor Lipfinity in the shade 370 Always Extravagant which is a nice warm fuchsia red. This lasts for hours on end and I'm really looking forward to buy more shades from the range.

Next up, eye products. Inglot's 'Iconic' makeup look has been a real favourite with me during this whole month, so much so that I dare call it my go-to look during the festive season. The closest products in my collection with which I could recreate it have been Ultra Glow Professional Pro Eye Shimmer in Icicle and E.L.F. Mineral Eyeshadow in Golden. Both of these products are in pigment form and are very easy to use and blend and with a primer underneath they will last for hours. 

What time of year is more appropriate for glitter? Holiday season of course! I have really enjoyed playing up my eye looks with these Diamond Eyeliners from two past limited editions from Pupa Milano. They add a subtle hint of glitter which complements the festive cheer going on during these days and they also add a little fun factor :)

The last product I want to talk about is the Respectissime Mascara from La Roche Posay. Currently I'm in the process of going through all the mascaras I have open and I have decided to start with this one. It is one of my favourites because I really like the brush and the fanned out effect on my lashes so I will definitely repurchase once I finish it.

Which products are your end-of-year favourites ladies?

Review | Max Factor False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara in Black

Mascara is a staple product in my stash and I never ever leave the house without it. I tend to switch to waterproof versions in summer and on rainy days in winter so a good waterproof mascara is a must for me. 

When I was looking for a replacement for my old mascara in the beginning of summer, the choice of brand was obvious...Max Factor! I have never been disappointed with a Max Factor mascara and I have rekindled my love for their False Lash Effect mascara.

The False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara cannot go unnoticed with its chunky black packaging and metallic blue band at the top, indicating it is the waterproof version. The silicon wand is also on the chunky side but with its short bristles, it is guaranteed to reach even the shortest of lashes for an effortlessly fanned-out false lash effect. The pigmentation is excellent too! This is one of the blackest mascaras I have ever tried and once it's dry, it doesn't clump the lashes.

Left ~ wearing Max Factor False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara
Right ~  bare lashes

Now for the waterproof part...if there is a mascara that claims to be waterproof under any circumstance and it stays on, it is definitely this one! The only way I can get it off is with waterproof makeup remover and I like to rest a soaked cotton disc for a few seconds on my eyes first then gently wipe the mascara away. 

I have never had issues with lashes falling off while taking off this mascara or throughout the time of wear. Moreover, I have never experienced irritation to my eyes even when wearing contact lenses.

Max Factor False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara retails for €13.65 and can be found at various stockists around the island. For more information, check out Max Factor Malta on Facebook.

Review | Polaar Icy Magic Instant Eye Contour Multi Energiser & Multi Energising Eye Patch

My latest skin care brand obsession is all for Polaar Skin Care. I have completely switched to this brand which I have been hooked upon after attending an event they hosted for some of us bloggers last June.

I have already reviewed the Ice Pure and Ice Source Skin Care range which I use and I have found it to be very effective at caring for my skin. You can read all about it here.

Today, I will be reviewing another two products from Polaar. This time, both products are from the Icy Magic range which is specifically targeted for the sensitive skin around the eyes. The Icy Magic range boasts of three products that help combat puffiness and dark circles from under the eyes, hence giving us a more youthful appearance.

The first product that I will be reviewing is the Icy Magic Instant Eye Contour Multi Energiser. It is a roll on type of product that you apply around the eye contour starting from the nose and going outward towards to outer corner of the eye.

You can apply the product as often as you like and the 5ml tube makes it ideal to carry the product around in your bag. The cool roller ball instantly helps reduce any puffiness from the eyes and in conjunction with Siberian Ginseng, the active ingredient of the product, leaves the eye area energised and toned. Moreover, tetrapeptides visibly reduce the appearance of dark circles.

Personally, I tend to have dark circles quite often and I swear by this product to help fade them away. As for puffiness, I don't really get puffy eyes often except after the occasional tiresome night duty at work and this has fast become my holy grail product to care for such a sensitive area as the eyes.

I have never had issues with this product irritating my eyes or causing stinging and I definitely recommend you introducing this product in your skin care regime!

Next up are the Icy Magic Multi Energising Eye Patches. The aim of these patches is to use them as a weekly treatment over the course of one month to reduce puffiness and dark circles. I cannot give a full review because I only had one sachet to try.

The patches come in a plastic pouch and they have a clear protective backing which you remove prior to applying the patches. Basically you just apply the patches to the underside of your eyes and leave them on for 15 minutes to work their magic.  Like the Icy Magic roll on, they contain Siberian Ginseng and tetrapeptides to exert their action effectively.

After just one application, I could already see a difference in how much brighter my eyes looked so I will definitely buy more of these patches. Again, the patches never irritated my eyes in any way.  

When used together, the Icy Magic Eye Contour Multi Energiser and the Multi Energising Eye Patch, provide better and faster results so I would consider getting enough patches for a month and couple them with the roll on to see if there is any difference but nonetheless, I still recommend both products if you have any issues with dark circles or puffiness under your eyes.

Polaar Skin Care is available at leading pharmacies in Malta & Gozo, more information on which can be found on the local Facebook page.

PR Samples

Review | KIKO Milano Daring Game Limited Edition Fall/Winter 2014 | Queen Of Hearts Eyeshadow Palette 03 Elegant Ebony

For the upcoming Fall/Winter season, KIKO Milano have released a Limited Edition collection inspired by the casino and card games - the Daring Game Collection.

The collection consists of a large array of products such as bronzer and highlighter duos, blush duos, eye pencils, lip pencils and matching lipsticks, eyeshadow quads as well as a duo face brush aimed to be used with the duo products. You can view all the products that make up the collection here.

 

Since I was only trying the brand for the first time, I limited myself to just one of the Queen Of Hearts eyeshadow quads and I settled on the variation 03 Elegant Ebony.

 

The packaging deserves a few lines of its own...the outer box looks like a pack of cards with embossed damask designs all over and ingredients at the back. The actual palette is a stunner in itself. The case is pearl white in colour with a red damask heart motif embossed on the front. It feels very sturdy and quite heavy compared to other palettes I own. It is well structured and clicks when closed.

 

On the inside, there is a large mirror on one side and on the other, there are 4 eyeshadow pans and a double ended sponge applicator. In my opinion it looks very luxurious.
 

 

The eyeshadows, although there is nowhere written that they are baked, can be utilised both wet and dry depending on how intense you want them to be. Personally, I have only used them dry and I was positively impressed with the pigmentation and longevity of wear. You do need a few good swipes with the first two colours though. 

 

The shades in the palette are all on the neutral side and all have a brownish element to them. I would describe them in the following manner:

 

- light beige brown with a matte finish

- medium brown with a matte finish

- very dark brown with a matte finish

- light gold with a shimmer finish

 

 

All four shades complement each other very well and are versatile enough to be used for day and night looks. They are very blendable and you can always build up the colour if you so desire. All four shades are ophthalmologically tested, hypoallergenic and paraben free.

 

The palette retails for €14.90 and is available for sale from the KIKO Cosmetics website for a limited time only.