Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts

Friday, 27 July 2012

Review: Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Lip Stain in Honey

This was one of the lip products that I won from the lovely Sukie at A Little Bit of Everything in a recent giveaway.  I was so excited to receive this Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Lip Stain in Honey, as these lip stains have been touted as a more affordable alternative to the Clinique Chubby Sticks which I adore but do find a little on the pricey side.


The packaging of the Balm Stain is almost identical to Clinique's offerings, with the stick twisting up from the bottom, therefore meaning no need to sharpen it.  You do have to be careful when replacing the cap though as it can smoosh against the tip of the product if you are not careful - take it from someone who has already done just that!


Honey is a gorgeous, suits all nude shade which appears a light rose pink on the lips.  It is such a great everyday my-lips-but-better look!    I can see it being a go-to staple of my daily look as it is so easy to apply on the go - I feel like I am using a giant crayon to colour in my lips! 


Wear time  is up to two hours, which I find similar to the Chubby Sticks.  There is a slight minty scent which I found was only detectable when sniffing the actual product but when applied to the lips, it is undetectable.  I didn't find it at all drying, contrary to other reviews I have read, but it wasn't quite as moisturising as the Clinique products.  I would certainly term it more of a stain or lip stick rather than a lip balm.

Verdict
The Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains are an excellent cheaper alternative to the Clinique Chubby sticks and are, in my opinion just as high performing.  I can see this particular shade being flattering to most skin tones and it would be especially suitable for those who do not like strong, vibrant lips but want a subtle polished look or something work friendly.  If you haven't yet had a look at the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains, go and take a look!
4.5/5

Price - £5.99
Where to Buy - Superdrug, Boots

Wednesday, 25 July 2012

Review: Essie Mirror Metallic Collection


I'm over pastels this Summer already and when I spied the Essie Mirror Metallics Collection on sale, I was unable to resist picking up a few - ahem, the whole 5 piece collection!  Well, what's a girl to do when she can't choose?!

I purchased the collection from eBay as I find Essie, OPI and China Glaze so much cheaper when buying from the US.  I used The Color Elf and shipping and delivery was within a week, perfect for impatient shoppers like me. 

The Mirror Metallics Collection is truly beautiful and contains five eye-catching shades, from left to right:
  • Good as Gold - a true gold chrome
  • Penny Talk - a gorgeous rose gold
  • Nothing Else Metals - a metallic lavender which leans slightly pink
  • Blue Rhapsody - a light silvery blue chrome
  • No Place Like Chrome - a slightly blue-toned silver, perhaps the least unique colour in the collection, it reminds me a little of tin foil. 

All of the polishes were on the thicker side and I was able to achieve opaquity with only one coat.  As with other metallic polishes, you do have to be wary of brush strokes but as it only requires the one coat, it is much easier to manage.

For me, the stand out shade is Penny Talk, it is so pretty and shimmery and it looks modern and classy.  No Place Like Chrome is probably the shade which is the most dupable and you may already have a similar shade in your collection. 

Verdict
I have long been a fan of Essie's polishes and I am pleased to confirm that they have again succeeded in bringing out a small but coherent collection that I found to be instantly covertable.  Formula and wear time were consistent with other Essie polishes.  Stand out shades are Penny Talk and Blue Rhapsody, but to be fair, if you purchase any of these shades, you are unlikely to be disappointed.  The only negative point for me is that they are only available in full size bottles as I do prefer the mini bottles often released with collections by Essie. 
5/5

Price - £7.99, although you can purchase for around £5 / bottle on US ebay.
Where to Buy - Superdrug, Boots, eBay

Tuesday, 17 July 2012

Review: Max Factor Kohl in Black


Have you ever had that moment when you are away from home for a few days and you realise you have forgotten to pack your one essential beauty product? Last month, I went  away for the weekend to Aberdeen  and upon getting ready for my night out, realised I had forgotten to bring any eyeliner with me!


A quick dash to Boots was required, where I found this - Max Factor Kohl in Black. Now unlike many kohl which profess to be black and are in fact just a wimpy, washed out grey, this one is a super deep black.


I love how dark it is, yet it is still ultra soft and great for smudging for a sultry, smokey eye. I've been using it on the waterline and whilst I do find that it stays around without migrating underneath the eye, it does fade significantly after 5 hours. I haven't yet tested it on the upper lid as I tend to use pencils and kohls more on the waterline, but i would imagine it would last longer. 

Verdict
This liner was a true lifesaver in a 'make up emergency' (if there can actually be such a thing!) and gives a deep, dark look which is perfect for a sultry look. Lasting power is not fantastic however, and you may need to reapply throughout  the day.
3/5

Price - from £4.49

Monday, 16 July 2012

Review: Redken Blonde Glam Shampoo and Conditioner


I'm constantly searching for products that leave my hair soft and manageable and prolonging my colour.  I've tried several over the years and have always come back to the TiGi Dumb Blonde collection.  Recently, I decided to give Redken a try, as I realised it was a brand I had never tried previously, and I have to say, I was very impressed.

I purchased both the shampoo and conditioner form the Blonde Glam range, which claims to improve the 'softness and conditioning' of the hair.  I found the packaging a little on the dull side - matte golden bottles - but they serve their purpose and I like how the conditioner bottle is smaller than the shampoo as I always seem to run out of shampoo well before I finish the conditioner, meaning I have lots of half-finished conditioners sitting around my bathroom!

The shampoo cleanses well and removes any product build up.  The conditioner is the star of the show here though, leaving my hair feeling so soft hubby actually remarked on it (and he never notices these things!).  It didn't weigh down my hair and made it look super shiny without appearing lank, which is unheard of with my fine hair.


Verdict
Redken's Blonde Glam Shampoo and Conditioner is truly a godsend for coloured hair and has really transformed my tired tresses into soft, shiny locks with volume and bounce. If you have coloured hair, I would really recommend you try these!
5/5

Price - arond £10
Where to Buy - I found mine at Look Fantastic but you can also buy this in many independant hair salons

Thursday, 12 July 2012

Review: Burt's Bees Peppermint Foot Lotion

Normally by the middle of July, my summer footcare regime is in full swing. This year, I am still optimistic that my toes will see some sun rather than being encased in wellies and Converse the entire time, and so that I am prepared for any sudden outbursts of sun, I  have been maintaining my routine.

Burt's Bees is a brand I admire for its commitment to only using natural ingredients in their products. I'm tried a few of their products and had varying results but, in general, I really admire their ethos.  I also find the name humorous for no particular reason!

Their peppermint foot lotion is exactly the way a foot cream should be- rich, quick absorbing and with a strong peppermint scent.

It absorbs quickly and I've been slathering this on 2-3 time a week underneath a pair of cotton socks and my feet are noticeably smoother and softer.

My one grumble is that the tube isn't overly generous in size and it's not super cheap either. The Body Shop's Peppermint Intense Foot Rescue gives you more bang for your buck and is easier on the wallet too.  

Verdict
A high-performing, rich foot cream which delivers what it promises. I do wish it was a little cheaper or you got more product though, as with regular application, I cant see this lasting long.
4/5

Price- £12.99

Tuesday, 10 July 2012

Review: Maybelline Colour 24hr Tattoo in Eternal Gold

Does anyone else think that tattoo is a bit of an icky name for an eye shadow? I keep getting a mental image of someone sticking a needle in my eye!!
I purchased the Maybelline Colour 24hr Tattoo in Eternal Gold a while ago after being particularly enamoured with the same product in taupe (review here).  This shadow differs from the taupe in that it is shimmering rather than matte, although I found the general consistency of the cream shadow similar.
One slight difference is that if found it to apply slightly patchily on my lids and it was certainly not as opaque. It is a gorgeous yellow gold shade which I could imagine would look amazing on tanned or darker skintones.   The shadow dries fast, so you will need to apply and blend quickly.  I have been applying this with my Mac 239 brush and blending it out to soften it at the edges a little with a fluffy brush. 
Direct Sunlight
I found Eternal Gold to have slightly less lasting power on my oily lids than the taupe but I suspect in some part this is due to the fact that it is more of a shimmer formula. I still found it lasted up to around six hours before showing signs of wear when used in conjunction with a primer, although bear in mind I have super oily lids!
Indirect Sunlight
Verdict
Whilst not quite up to the same high standard as the taupe shadow in the range, this is still very good quality for a cheaper brand. It does require a little more effort in application than simply swiping and going but it provides a very pretty, simple look for summer. One aspect of application I have yet to try is blending it with other shadows. I'd be interested to know if others have blended these products with other cream or powder shadows and how they fared.
3/5 

Price - £4.99
Where to Buy - Boots, Superdrug

Friday, 6 July 2012

Review: Nars Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in Happy Days

I'm still addicted to lighter, balm-type lip products, despite the fact SUmmer appears to have bypassed Scotland this year.  Nars Velvet Gloss Pencils had been on my wish list to try for a while and when I did an HQ Hair order recently to stock up on some hair products, this one in Happy Days fell into my basket.
Despite the name and being termed a 'lip pencil', this is not what you would think of as a traditional lip pencil.  It is much more akin to Clinique's Chubby Sticks, a thick bulky pencil with encased in the usual Nars matte packaging which I do quite like for its sleekness and simplicity, despite the fact that it has a habbit of attracting all kinds of debris! 
The pencil itself is an ammost golden, shimmering coral with a sbtle wet, dewy look which I found rather surprising for a pencil.  I always associate lip pencils with dry, matte textures.  When swatched, you can see that the colour does appear to be more of a balm / gloss hybrid and it is fairly sheer.
On the lips, you can discern a miniscule amount of shimmer from the golden particles but it is very subtle and is only really noticable when you look closely.  The stick glides on easily and doesn't drag at all.  The lip swatch below is one coat and it gives an attractive, polsihed glossy sheen to the lips.  It feels very light and not at all drying although I do think that the Clinique Chubby Sticks are a little more moisturising.  I managed to get about two hours wear time from this product, so it doesn't hang around for long, although this is comparable with other similar gloss / balm hybrid products I have tried.  One rather annoying aspect of this product for me though has to be the fact that you need to sharpen it rather than just twist it up like the Chubby Sticks.  I found I needed to purchase a sharpener from Nars (£5) as the lip pencil was too big for my exisiting sharpeners.  I'm also not keen on the wastage of the product that occurs when sharpening.


Verdict
The Nars Velvet Gloss Lip Pencils are a great formula and deliver sheer, flattering hints of colour to the lips to give a polished, neutral look.  I've been wearing this one in Happy Days a lot recently as it is very easy to use on the move too and it doens't require a mirror to apply.  My one negative point is the fact that you may need to purchase an additional sharpener and I would prefer a twist up action like the Chubby Sticks.  Other than that, I can see most people liking this forumla as it is non-drying and very easy to wear.  There are currently eight shades available from nudes to brighter pinks and plums, so there should be something for everyone.
3/5
 
Price - £17.50
Where to Buy - Nars, Space NK, John Lewis, ASOS

Saturday, 30 June 2012

L'Occitane Hand Creams and Shower Products - Review


A couple of weeks ago, I had a mini haul from L'Occitane and bought a couple of their sets to try out some new (to me) products.

First up, the hand creams:
  • Rose - If you like rose scents you will adore this!  The fragrance reminds me of gardens on warm Summer's days and is very authentic rather than synthetic, thanks to the essential oils contained within it.
  • Shea Butter - This is marketed as being for very dry hands and contains 20% shea butter.  It also has a gorgeous scent of almonds present from the almond oil.  It is much thicker than the rose hand cream, although it sinks in just as easily.  This will be my saviour come the winter I think!
Both hand creams sink in very easily and leave no greasy residue.  I have previously tried the Hibiscus hand cream from L'Occitane and been very impressed with it and I was pleased to see that other products from the range were equally high-performers.

And now the shower products:

  • Verbrena Shower Gel - This is one of L'Occitane's classic scents and was actually the first product I tried from the brand a few years ago.  It remains one of my favourites, with its clean, classic green but almost citrus scent and is great for waking me up on a sleepy morning.
  • Fleur Cherie Shower Gel - As with all of L'Occitane's products, this has a floral scent but it is tempered slightly by the orange blossom contained within it.  This is a good one to try if you aren't the biggest fan of floral scents but fancy trying something fresh and summery.  
  • Pivoine Flora - Containing an extract of peonies, one of my favourite flowers, this shower gel is unashamedly floral and girly.  I've actually been able to keep this one in the bathroom without hubby using it all up as he says it is far too girly for him!    
  • Almond Shower Oil - This is a little different from your regular shower products in that it feels more like a bath oil.  Again, I loved the almond scent and the formulation was divine, making my skin feel soft and moisturised without leaving an oily film.  I would definitely purchase a full sized bottle.

Price - From £8 for hand cream, £13 for shower products
Where to Buy -  L'Occitane

Have you tried any of these products from L'Occitane?
Do you have any recommendations for L'Occitane products that I should try?




Tuesday, 26 June 2012

Review: Soap & Glory A Great Kisser Moisture Balm in Juicy Peach

The Summer season demands lighter, sheerer lips and I often tend to opt for tinted balms or products like Chanel's Rouge Coco Shines or Revlon's Lip Butters.  Whilst having a wander around Boots recently, I came across Soap & Glory's Lip Moisture Balm, 'A Great Kisser' in Juicy Peach and thought it was worth a try.

As I've mentioned in previous reviews of Soap & Glory products, I am not a fan of their cutesy, retro packaging, although I know many who are.  This balm is encased in a sturdy tin and smells strongly of peach when opened.  Thankfully, when applied to the lips the scent dissipates quickly.  

Despite the bright peach tint which is evident in the tin, when swatched and applied to the lips, it is pretty much sheer.  It is rather on the sticky side and I would actually class this more of a gloss / balm hybrid than a straightforward tinted lipbalm. It did leave a nice, glossy sheen on the lips but it was fairly transparent and I was a little disappointed there was not more pigment present. 

I found this lasted around an hour or so before I needed to reapply which is as expected for glosses and balms.  I found it to be fairly hydrating but not as moisturising as my trusty Carmex   My main grumble with this product is the fact that it comes in a tin rather than a stick and I can see it getting very messy very quickly.  I'm not a great fan of tins for applying products on the hoof as well, as I tend to end up with sticky fingers!

Verdict
This is a nice enough balm but for the price, I expected more from it and it really isn't much different from other basic balms.  You are paying for the Soap & Glory packaging and scent.  Having said that, if you are one of those people who love all things the Soap & Glory, then you will probably like this and it is by no means a bad product.  If you have a sensitive nose though, I would avoid it as it is highly scented and unfortunately, Soap & Glory don't provide testers for their balms so there is no way of knowing whether it is to your taste before you purchase.
3/5

Where to Buy - Boots
Price - £5

Monday, 25 June 2012

Review: Cor Silver Soap

I've never been a huge fan of soap, finding it to be inefficient and just generally fussy.  I've always preferred using proper cleansers and facial washes to remove makeup and cleanse my face.

I recently won a sample of the Cor Silver Soap Trial Size Pack from the lovely Roz of Dutchess Roz and I did a quick review of the Moisturiser, Serum and Eye Cream here as part of my samples series.  


As part of the sample pack, 10g of Cor soap was included.  The soap in my pack comes in this little drawstring bag which I've been using to keep it separate from everything else in my bathroom and stop it dissolving into mush.

Cor's philosophy is that you use this soap twice a day in place of your usual cleansing routine.  It is said to cleanse, tone and exfoliate in one, whilst nourishing the skin and reducing the signs of ageing.

The soap does, I have to admit, look tiny, and you start to wonder how on earth anyone can justify charging £15 for a tiny circle of soap!   

I've been using this mostly in the evening as a treatment.  I wet my hands and rub the soap between them for a few seconds to make a lather, before applying the lather to my face.  I then experience a slight tingling as I leave it on my skin for a few minutes.  The leaflet enclosed with the soap explains that leaving the soap on the skin for several minutes daily can help to treat acne and blemishes, whilst cleansing and exfoliating your skin.  After a week of using it you can use it for a shorter amount of time - for around a minute or only use it as a treatment in areas where you are prone to blemishes.  If you just want to use it as a cleanser, you can just use it as a regular cleansing soap too.


I have to admit, I was super sceptical of this soap at first as it claimed to be a multi-tasking wonder product.  But over the past few weeks of using it,  I haven't been able to really find much wrong with it!  It has cleansed my face perfectly, removing my tinted moisturiser and other face products, and leaving my skin feeling clean but not stripped.  Cor do suggest this can be used to remove eye makeup but I personally haven't tried this as I prefer using a dedicated make up remover around the sensitive eye area.

Verdict
I have been pleasantly surprised by this humble soap which delivers on its promises.  I would say that this is firmly targeted at those who purchase premium skincare and therefore would not baulk at paying £35 upwards for a larger sized product.  I think this would especially suit those with oily or blemish-prone skin as it seems to balance it out and is quite gentle.  I can't say I have experienced any noticeable reduction in oiliness but I haven't had any blemishes since I started using this, which is a miracle for my sensitive skin!  

In short, the trial-sized product is worth a go if you are a fan of high-end skincare.  I would also imagine it will last you some time as I've been using this daily for almost three weeks and mine looks almost new with hardly a dent in it. 
4/5

Price - from £15 for a trial size
Where to Buy - Cor


Tuesday, 19 June 2012

Review: Marks & Spencer Limited Collection Liquid Liners in Turquoise and Gunmetal

I think I've fallen in love!  And its with an affordable product, yippee!  Normally I fall hard for pricey lipsticks or extravagant palettes but in this case I have a new-found affinity with the Marks & Spencer Limited Collection Makeup.

When popping into M&S for my Friday lunchtime treat, I stumbled upon the Limited Collection makeup range.  For some reason, I had never really paid much interest to it previously, but a post by Charlotte at Lipglossiping on the Turquoise liner piqued my interest, and as they were only £4 each, they both 'fell' into my basket, along with a chicken and bacon sandwich and some wasabi peas - well it was Friday!

L to R: Gunmetal, Turquoise in Natural light
I can't emphasise just how much I love these liners.  There were three shades available at the store I visited - Turquoise, Gunmetal Grey and Black.  I opted to skip the black as I have lots of black liquid liners already but I was super intrigued by the Turquoise.  I have been wearing these liners constantly over the past few days.  The brush is small and fine but quite stiff which makes it perfect for a precise application of a fine line on the upper lashline.  The consistency of each of the liners is superb, with only one pass needed for a strong defined line and it stays put ALL day without budging until removed.  I've applied it at 7.30am and its still there at 10pm that night in perfect condition with absolutely no fading.

L to R: Gunmetal, Turquoise with Flash
Some other reviewers have said they take a while to dry down but I found them comparable with many other liquid liners in that they do take around 20 seconds to dry fully, but once set, they are there for the duration.

If I was going to pick a colour you must have, it would have to be the Turquoise, as it is the more unique of the two I chose.  I've been wearing a very thin line on the upper lash line with lashings of mascara and nothing else on the eye as it is enough of a statement itself during the day.  I have received so many compliments and people seem flabbergasted that it is from good old M&S!

Verdict
If you are a fan of liquid liners, or indeed just fancy a dabble in them, you must try these.  They are super affordable and stay put for hours without fading or migrating.  The Grey is the safer, more versatile choice, but for something a little different, the Turquoise cannot be beaten.  I really can't recommend these liners enough and I will certainly be investigating more of the Limited Collection makeup.
5/5

Price - £4
Where to Buy - Marks and Spencer

Thursday, 14 June 2012

Review: Mac Cockney Lipstick


I don't know what it is about getting older but recently I have been veering towards brighter lippies, in particular red ones, whereas previously I would never have gone near anything remotely verging on red.  I just used to feel so self conscious with bright lips!  These days, I enjoy rocking a red lip, although in general, I tend to go for more wearable, sheerer reds.


Mac Cockney is one such wearable red from the permanent collection and one I haven't really heard much about.  It is a lustre formula which is one of my favourites as I find they impart a good amount of pigment on the lips, whilst still making it very wearable and glossy.


In the tube, the colour looks very vivid and rather dark for a red with tiny flecks of golden shimmer running through it.  I've heard others say it reminds them of China Glaze's Ruby Pumps and I have to say I agree.  It also looks rather Christmassy (dare I utter the word in June!!).  When swatched however, it looks altogether lighter, sheerer and warmer.

With flash
On the lips, it is semi opaque with the light sheen that Mac's lustre formula is known for.  Thankfully the sparkles do not show up on the lips and instead, you are left with a flattering, glistening red which is much more subtle than you would think.  It reminds me in texture and versatility to Viva Glam Cindi, although it is quite a bit brighter.

Natural light
I find this lippie to last for around four hours before I need to reapply which is quite good going really, considering I am a habitual tea drinker!  It was super comfortable to wear and I was pleased to see that when it wore off, it faded evenly, without leaving any annoying lines around the outside of the lip.

Verdict
I am gradually building up my red lipstick collection and this is a welcome addition.  It can be built up gradually for a more intense look or used sparingly for a subtle stain, and as a result, I think this would suit many people from fair to medium skintones.  If you are a fan of red lips or even a red lip novice like me, Mac Cockney is certainly worth a look.
4/5

Price - £13.50

Monday, 11 June 2012

Review: Soap & Glory The Breakfast Scrub


I love a good scrub and I'm always looking for something to wake me up in the morning and sort out my scaly skin.  I picked up Soap & Glory's Breakfast Scrub recently, purely because I noticed that it had a maple fragrance.  I adore maple syrup to the point that when we were on holiday in California a couple of years ago, I made sure that everywhere we went for breakfast had pancakes and maple syrup on the menu.  I am really craving this right now, despite the fact it is the middle of the afternoon!


The packaging for this scrub is typical Soap & Glory - retro and cutesy.  I'm not particularly a fan of the packaging but I know that lots of people are.  For me, as long as the packaging is functional and serves its purpose, that is all I require.  One thing I do have to mention is that the tub is rather on the large side, which is great for value for money, especially as you only need a tiny amount each time, but not so great when it slips out of your hands and onto your toes in the shower, ouch!


First impressions upon opening the huge tub is that it is very sweet smelling.  Seriously, its like you have just opened a bottle of maple syrup and have taken a bit, long sniff, and although it is also supposed to contain oat, honey and almond, the predominant fragrance is maple syrup.  


The consistency of the scrub is very thick, as you can see in the picture above.  It is a 'proper' sugar scrub and the consistency reminds me somewhat of Elemis' Lime and Ginger scrub.  I have been using this 2-3 times a week, applied to damp skin on particularly dry, flaky patches of my body such as knees and elbows.  It has also been working a treat on my KP.  I would however recommend that you follow up with a body lotion or body butter as although I found the scrub fairly moisturising, the consistency was quite abrasive and you will need to be careful not to overdo it.  This is not a product you will need to use daily.

Verdict
If you are in the market for a hardcore scrub for particularly stubborn patches of dry, flaky skin this would be a great product to try.  It would also be fab for exfoliating before fake-tanning to ensure your tan applies evenly.  The only caveat I would mention is that it is very heavily fragranced so if you have a sensitive nose or an aversion to overly sweet scents, this will not be for you.  For sugar addicts like myself though, it is heavenly!
4.5/5

Where to Buy -  Boots,
Price - £9.50

Friday, 8 June 2012

Review: Gosh Smokey Eye Palette in Plum


You know there are some brands that you just never get around to trying for some reason or another and then one day, you try one of their products and wonder why it took you so long?!  Well Gosh is one of those brands!


A little while ago, I won a giveaway from the lovely Joanne at Beautylicious Love of my choice of Gosh Smokey Eye Palette.  Gosh have released three palettes: black, brown and plum so there should be a palette to suit everyone.  As I already have a wide assortment of neutrals and greys in my stash, I decided to plump for the plum and I’m very glad I did!


The palette contains four individual generously proportioned shadows, encased in a square palette.  The packing is very clean and minimalistic, nothing fancy but it does the job and with the transparent lid, you can easily see what shades it contains.  The only slight issue I have is that the metallic closure seems a little flimsy but it hasn’t yet burst open in my make up bag and I’ve been toting it around with me for over a week. There is also no applicator included, which to be honest, I am quite glad about as I usually just fling these to one side instantly as they are hopeless for applying shadow and they only take up space in palettes.  Why brands like Chanel persist with them I have no idea as it just cheapens the product, but that rant is for another day!
 
With Flash

Included with the palette is a plastic insert which gives handy hints for where to place all of the shadows.  Perhaps not overly necessary but it’s a nice touch.  The four shades included are:
  • A pale, cool toned lilac which doubles as a highlight shade
  • A light, murky purple shade with sparkle which has an iridescent look about it.  It reminds me of a lighter Mac Club.
  • A darker dirty taupe / purple which is fabulous for smoking out at the outer corners
  • An darker purple with sparkle which is great to use for lining.

Natural Light

Out of the four shades, the stand out for me is the second one as it seems to shimmer and sparkle in the light and looks different depending on how you view it.  All shades contain an element of sparkle, with the dark purple liner shade containing the most sparkle and the highlight being the most subtle.  One good thing to note about the element of sparkle is that it doesn’t migrate and once applied, it generally tends to stick.    

 

Natural light L to R: Liner, highlight, second shade, third shade

I’ve been wearing this palette in a number of ways.  On some days, I just apply the second shade all over the lid with a  little smudgy grey kohl and on others, I go the whole hog and apply all of the shades in the way indicated on the insert!  The shadows last around 5 hours on me without primer and about 7 hours with primer which I find to be pretty good going on my oily lids.  The shadows blend well and didn’t seem at all chalky, indeed they were fairly highly pigmented.  One note of caution I would say is that you don’t use the purple liner shade too close to your waterline as the sparkle did tend to irritate my eyes a little but that is always the case with my sensitive eyes. 
 
Direct Sunlight L to R: Liner, highlight, second shade, third shade
Verdict
I really enjoy discovering new brands and it is even better when they are so affordable.  Whilst not really breaking new ground with these shades, this palette is very good quality and the shades are very easy to wear and can be built up in intensity where required.  You will not get a dark sultry super smokey look from this Gosh palette but you will get an eminently wearable, pretty soft focus look.  This is definitely worth a look!
4/5

 
Price - £7.99
Where to Buy - Superdrug