Disappointing Beauty Products #4

Simple Clear Skin Oil Balancing Facial Scrub (Supermarkets/Superdrug/Boots £3.99 for 75ml)
Simple claim that this " Oil Balancing Facial Scrub is a perfect blend of active ingredients and exfoliating goodness to remove dead skin cells, dirt and impurities. Clinically proven to reduce blackheads and blemishes in just 7 days. "
I used this as instructed but did not see any change in my skin or amount of blackheads. After 3 weeks I didn't see any changes and I felt that this was as ineffective as water. I was disappointed as I love this brand and the oil balancing ranged seemed perfect as it's for sensitive and oily skin. Unfortunately this didn't work for me.

The Body Shop Lip Butter in Honey Mania (The Body Shop £4 for 10ml/9g)
This does soften lips during the day but is not very moisturising. It feels similar to Vaseline in the fact that it acts as a barrier but doesn't feel soothing at all on chapped lips. The smell is very sweet but not off-putting. I'm currently using this to soften my elbows and around my fingernails and cuticles instead.

 Dr Organic Royal Jelly Lip Serum (£3.10 for 10ml Holland and Barratts)
The packaging states this is a  'intensely regenerating and revitalising' that 'instantly moisturises and restores the condition of the lips.'  I've never tried a lip serum before but  from this description I imagined it would be an intense moisturiser, but I this feels like a very light version of a lip balm.  I loved the smell fruity mango and ginseng and the fact it's organic with lovely ingredients such as organic royal jelly, Shea better, olive oil, African coffee tree oil and mango butter. It's also free from parabens, SLS, harsh preservatives and artificial colours. As far as the packaging goes I loved the tube it's more hygienic, although  stiff at first but then it gets easier to squeeze. However I was really disappointed, on the lips it made my lips feel dehydrated as if I've just eaten salt and vinegar crisps that have made my lips dry and uncomfortable from the salt. It also tingles a little this might be the ginseng or the bioactive effect it claims to have? Overall I would avoid this one.

No 7 Lash Adapt Mascara in Deepest Black (Boots £12.95 for 7ml)
I'm not sure if this is being discontinued or not. I loved this at first, it lengthens, adds volume holds a curl and suitable for sensitive eyes. The wand has a soft bristle brush. No 7 claim that this is a buildable mascara that can be layered without up to 6 times for more volume, which is does with minimal clumping.
The shiny silver packaging is gorgeous, and makes it look more expensive than it actually is.

The problem came when I wore it for my birthday and ended up with panda eyes when I got off the dance floor which ruined my photos, I was really annoyed. This is good enough for everyday use as long as you stay off the dance floor and avoid the gym and humid weather. For the price there are probably better ones out there

.No 7 Extreme length Mascara in Black (Boots mini sized. Full sized £12.50 for 7ml)

This mascara has a plastic bristled brush which No. 7 claim is unique because of it's flexible plastic bristles, it doesn't look different but does help to separate lashes, reducing clumping. No 7 also say that the brush helps to catch the small lashes in the corner but I think having bristles on the tip/head of the brush would be more effective. This mascara doesn't really have much of an impact, it adds a little length but in no way is it extreme. It doesn't give any volume to the lashes either. I would say this suits those who like lashes defined but are after a soft, natural look. This is also hypo-allergenic so suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. However I wouldn't buy again because there are cheaper mascaras out there that have more impact than this.

Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balms Review

I finally got a chance to try out Clinique's famous Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip colour balms: The Stick That Started A Worldwide Trend or felt like it at least.
These are mini versions from Glamour Magazine in 06 Woppin' Watermelon (centre picture on the left) and 07 Super Strawberry (centre picture on the right.)

If I had to describe these in one word it would be comfortable. As in Comfortable and carefree not comfortable and boring. These are basically tinted lip balms, but in a easy twist up crayon that was appealing to make up lovers, make up newbies and those who don't wear make up, preferring to go au naturale. So their target market was basically everyone- see how clever they were there eh? These are nice to wear on the lips, definitely moisturising without making lips feel dry or tight at all or give that obvious wet look like Vaseline does. Because they are so comfortable you may find that frequent use means you'll go through the lip colour Balm quickly. These don't have any taste or scent which is a big plus as I have asthma and those of you who have allergies will appreciate this as well. This is fitting since Clinique's brand and ethos is based on being hypoallergenic / allergy tested. They are also not sticky, tacky or waxy either.It's great that these automatically twist up and that no product is wasted if you had to sharpen them. Unfortunately it does transfer on to cups like other lip balms but because they are fairly subtle they wear off evenly.

Super Strawberry is a red that's very close to pink and is darker. Out of the two I prefer Super Strawberry.

Woppin' Watermelon is paler with a lilac tint a colour which which I wouldn't usually gravitate towards but it looks ok on my lips and works as a nude shade.

Because these are lip balms the lighter colours will show up subtlety, the darker and brighter colours such as Jumbo Jasmine and Two Ton Tomato have more impact appearing like a diluted lipstick/stain. (Although Super Strawberry does stand out) This is a bonus if you feel you cannot carry off strong lipsticks colours such as red then I would try Two Ton Tomato  which may give the desired look but in subtler finish than lipstick or to dip your toes in the water by wearing bright lip trends such as Orange. Additionally If you want more bang for your buck (or pounds over here) then I would opt  for a dark or bright colour or try Clinique's new Chubby Stick for Lips Intense, for a more pigmented look. 

Clinique's Chubby Sticks Lip Colour balms are basically tinted lip balms in a convenient form. They feel lovely on the lips and definitely moisturise as they claim to.The colours show up but often subtly. I do think these are expensive for what they are, however Clinique were the ones who pioneered the lip crayon and didn't have to worry about a competitive price, they were the ones to set the trend for chubby sticks. I really like that these have no scent or taste something which is absent from the copycat products such as Revlon' s which taste of mint which I hate. Clinique do set the bar high for quality and I would recommend these if you have the money to spend. 

Clinique Chubby Sticks Moisturizing Lip Color Balms are £17 and available from Clinque Online,  Boots  and all good department stores. 

You may like it if...You don't like wearing lipstick but want a little colour, have allergies to taste and smells of products,hate anything sticky like some lip glosses or are high end brand conscious
You may not like these if..you are on a budget, or if you like pigmented lipsticks.

Disappointing Beauty Products #2

Boots 17 Wild Metallic Cream Eye Shadow in Wild Nude £3.99 Boots
While I like 17's powder eye shadows this cream eye shadow doesn't make the cut. It's another example of a high street/drugstore brand manufacturing a cream eye shadow and failing (in my opinion the only high street brand that succeeded is Maybelline with their colour tattoos.)
It is is a good neutral colour. It is also dermatologically tested, fragrance free and cheap. The jar is a clear plastic rather than the MAC and Maybelline glass cream eye shadow pots, making it lighter and ideal for travel. Yet unfortunately all this cannot make up for the fact that it creases incredibly badly and wears off quickly.

Bourjois Effect 3D Lip Gloss in 01 Beige Elastic £5.99

I was on the hunt for a nude lip gloss and picked this up. I really like this formula, mainly for the taste (like sweets no vanilla thank goodness) although it is a little sticky. Unfortunately this look wasn't what I was aiming for, on the lips the colour was too silver and frosted for me.

Ecotools Bamboo Blush Brush £7.99
This will be a controversial opinion as I know Ecotools gets a lot of love for being cruelty free, vegan and affordable. However I found this brush too prickly against my skin. I also prefer the 'old style' blusher brushes where you swirl them around on the face.

Dr Organic Pomegranate Lip Balm currently £3.25 Holland and Barratt
This is moisturising but I hate the smell, it is a heavily perfumed rose meets cheap children's make up sort of smell. Dr Organic is a brand that's had good reviews and I still want to try their other lip balms and other products from this brand.