What had landed on my lap were samples from their new spring colour-blocking ranges. ‘Falsies’ mascara, ‘Super Stay’ lip colour, ‘Eye Studio’ colour, the latest ‘Fit Me’ blush and a cute ‘Colour sensational’ lipstick in ‘Mandarin Fizz’…
I love my job. Every time I get a little parcel of goodies I feel a little buzz. It never gets old, and when goodies from Maybelline arrived it was no different.
What had landed on my lap were samples from their new spring colour-blocking ranges. ‘Falsies’ mascara, ‘Super Stay’ lip colour, ‘Eye Studio’ colour, the latest ‘Fit Me’ blush and a cute ‘Colour sensational’ lipstick in ‘Mandarin Fizz’.
I was so excited in fact that I decided to give each product a whirl when I got home that night. On a whole the product looked great and I was excited for my week of trialing ahead, all but the 24 hour ‘Super Stay’. That gave me problems. Major problems.
That baby stays; for 24 hours. I mean the big print on the front should have given it away really, but I have tried so many lipsticks that offer long wear and at the first sight of a cup of coffee they disappear. I can put my hand on my heart and say this one stays. Not 100% perfect for 24 hours, but with minimal touch ups (and the use of the lip balm like ‘nourishing’ side of the lip colour) your lips can remain rosy red against any glass of water or bit of food! Or as I found out at 10.30pm, against multiple face washes.
In the harsh light of morning, with very red lips still remaining, I decided to try each product every day for a week replacing my existing mascara/blush/lipstick etc. Seeing how Maybelline’s new line could sit itself in my chocker make-up bag of extensively tested and much loved products.
According to Maybelline, ‘Falsies’ mascara provides the look of 300% more visible lashes corner-to-corner. I don’t know that I saw that much difference, but it was an effective mascara with nice rich black pigment that took only one or two coats before I was looking glam. I found the “patented spoon brush” a little awkward at first, but within a couple of days I was using it like a pro. The end look is very extreme, I don’t actually aim to have my lashes look false, but if you do, this product would be a great way to achieve that.
I remember an incident when I was 16 and a bottle of glitter spray exploded in my face (this was probably user error). Unfortunately just the idea of glitter brings back vivid memories of this, and my inability to properly rid myself of glitter – ever. So, when trialing eye shadow that claims to contain a “high concentration of the most spectacular and colorful glitters for a customized sparkling eye look” I was skeptical. This to me will never be a shadow set to wear day to day. But the shades do indeed help even the most novices of eye shadow appliers to getting a really soft and luminous smoky eye that has just the slightest shimmer! Oh and it leaves no trace of glitter once your make up been washed away – bonus.
The lipstick was different to what I expected. It wasn’t the bold colour I have been so looking for. It didn’t punch or scream excitement. It was cute and sweet and light and smooth with a subtle scent of citrus. Not what I was hoping, but still a really beautiful, light, everyday sheen that I could easily slip into my routine. Once I had let go of the idea that it was something loud, fun and clashing I learnt to really like the subtle brightness that will really work in the summer months to come.
But the blush was my favourite by far. Its ‘nude’ colour seemed to bridge a gap between peach blush and sun kissed bronzer. Having been completely devoted to my previous blush (that is a vibrant pink color) I am officially and completely converted. Needless to say I have nudged said mentioned vibrant blush over to make way for this perfect summer feel on my face.
So as I write this, I look forward to the next package arriving. This time however, I will wait until morning to put the products to the test. Maybe.
By Isobel Masters, 28 September 2011
Leave a Reply