Showing posts with label lashes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lashes. Show all posts

Wednesday, 28 May 2014

Guerlain Cils d'Enfer Maxi Lash Mascara in Violet



Guerlain's latest mascara is a very, very classy looking affair.  The faceted golden tube is a little bit art deco, a little bit heavy, and a lot luxe.  Inside the tube is a volumising formula which promises 'maxi lash in a blink'.  Available in three shades, I have the Violet version to show you.


The brush is a pretty simple affair - straight wand, traditional bristles, densely packed.  You can see that the mascara is a deep violet in colour - no risk of 80s lashes here.


On the eye, I think I get more curl and length than volume.  This is two coats, and whilst there definitely is volume, it's not unusual - the length and curl, though, are better than I usually get.  The colour is lovely - it's just violet enough to subtly flatter my eye colour, whilst still being dark enough to make my light and wispy eyelashes stand out.

One thing I absolutely love about this mascara is the scent.  Most mascaras smell of nothing in particular, but this one smells of rose petals.  It doesn't make a difference to the application or formula at all, but it is rather lovely to get a whiff of rose petals whilst you're applying your mascara.  I also like the way that Cils d'Enfer leaves the lashes soft and flexible.

At £23, it's an expensive choice, but for a flattering colour option with great layerability, and a good mix of length, volume and curl, I think it's worth the cash.  Find Cils d'Enfer at House of Fraser online now.

Disclosure: PR sample

This post originated at www.londonbeautyreview.com. If you're reading it elsewhere, it's been stolen, violating my copyright.

Thursday, 14 November 2013

Superdrug offers home lash extensions kit


Superdrug are now offering a home lash extension kit, so you can attempt to give yourself that fluttery look for less at home.  I say attempt because lash extensions are notoriously fiddly - taking up to a couple of hours in a professional salon - so I'm slightly cynical about how easy it'll be to get a truly professional result yourself at home.

If you're interested in giving it a go, the kit costs £34.99 at present, and will rise to £39.99 in December.  If you do decide to give it a spin, let me know how it turns out!

This post originated at www.londonbeautyreview.com. If you're reading it elsewhere, it's been stolen, violating my copyright.

Sunday, 20 October 2013

Superdrug Lash Stash - £10 bargain

This Studio London Lash Stash at Superdrug gives you four sets of ornate lashes - including some very pretty Paperself style graphic cut out lashes - for a mere £10.  Bargain.

Find the set at Superdrug now.

This post originated at www.londonbeautyreview.com. If you're reading it elsewhere, it's been stolen, violating my copyright.

Tuesday, 18 October 2011

First pics: lash extensions from Boudoir Lashes at Becca, South Kensington

Having lash extensions done is, to be totally honest, not something I would have done if it wasn't for the blog. I don't have exceptional lashes, but they're not short or sparse enough to really bother me. However, I've been curious about extensions since seeing the impressive effect on a friend who gets them done regularly, so when we were offered the chance to try lash extensions by Asma Docrat, proprietor of Boudoir Lashes based at Becca in South Kensington, I eagerly agreed.


Lash extensions are something like hair extensions - on the smallest, most accurate and detailed scale. Tiny, individual false lashes made of polyester, silk or natural mink fur are glued on to your natural lashes one by one using fine-point tweezers, giving a totally seamless effect that adds length, volume and colour to the lashes.


Asma Docrat is a beauty therapist and lash-fanatic who has been practicing the fine art of lash extensions for some time, and has recently teamed up with Becca in South Kensington to offer her lashes as part of their range of treatments and services. She uses a mix of Jinny Lash and Novalash synthetic lashes.

A flick through Asma's impressive portfolio shows the dramatic effect lash extensions can create, opening up the eye area and making the eye colour seem more vivid. She has clients of all ages, many of whom come back time after time, hooked on the impressive results.

The process is quite painstaking, as you'd expect, and can take upwards of an hour and a half, depending on the number of lashes applied and how your natural lashes curl (very curly or very straight lashes take longer to apply, because the extension fibres are curly and apply more easily when glued onto natural lashes with a similar curl to them). The lashes come in different sizes and thicknesses, which can be blended together to get the right effect for each client.


Lash extensions can last from 2-4 weeks, depending on the natural growth cycle of your lashes (i.e. how often they drop out) and how well you care for them. To make them last, you need to...

  • avoid oil-based eye makeup remover, and keep moisturiser and eye cream away from the extensions (as the oil breaks down the bonds in the glue)
  • avoid using products with high concentrations of alcohol, urea or natural solvents on the lashes
  • don't rub or pull on the lashes
  • don't sleep on your side or front if possible, as lashes will rub on the pillow
  • avoid getting shampoo on the lashes
  • don't use waterproof mascara - if mascara is needed, use water-soluble types
  • don't get the lashes wet or go into steamy environments for 24 hours after they're applied (including baths and showers!)
There's more info on Asma's website - www.boudoirlashes.co.uk

On arriving at Becca, I met Asma and we chatted about the lash extension process and the after-care my lashes would need. I signed a disclaimer and Asma looked at my eyes and decided what sort of lashes she would use. We were limited to shorter lashes because I wear glasses - she was careful to make sure that the extensions wouldn't rub against the insides of my glasses when completed. When all my questions were answered, I lay down on a massage table on my back so Asma could begin her work.

The first part of the process is to tape down the lower lashes out of the way, so there's no danger of the glue getting into them and gluing the top and bottom lashes together. Micropore tape is used. Once the lower lashes are taped down, the eyes are closed and a few minutes' wait allows the eyes to settle in position.

This was the only uncomfortable part of the process for me. My waterlines itched from the tape and it took around 5 minutes for the irritation to settle. Afterwards my eyes were a bit red.  It wasn't unbearable or lasting, and is a normal part of the process, but it's worth mentioning in case you have particularly sensitive eyes.


With the tape in place, Asma began to work, lash by lash, applying the extensions with tweezers. Professional lash extension glue is latex-based and costs around £65 for 5ml. The higher the quality of the glue, the longer the extensions will stay on the lashes. The lashes are drawn through a small blob of glue before being laid on the natural lash, while the other lashes are held out of the way.

It took around an hour and a half for Asma to finish, but the time passed quite easily and I was surprised afterwards at how late it had become. It's quite relaxing lying back on the couch and Asma was great, putting me at ease and chatting with me to keep me entertained. She's planning to make the experience more treatment-like and luxurious, with candles, blankets and foot-masks for clients during the process.

So - here are the photos of my enhanced lashes, after 1 day of wear:





They feel very comfortable to wear, completely unlike strip lashes. The glue is applied to the lashes, not the skin, so there's no sensation of tightness or pulling when you move your eye. They are slightly stiff to the touch, but no more than natural lashes with mascara on them would be.

I'll report again on how long they last and how my lashes feel after they're removed in a few weeks.

Disclosure - lashes applied free for purposes of review

Wednesday, 1 June 2011

Review: Urban Decay Lush Lash System



I never really think about whether my eyelashes are too short, too thin, or too patchy.  They're sort of normal - not particularly long, not particularly thick.  I mostly just cover them with as much mascara as possible to make them look long, dramatic, and voluminous.  So, when I was confronted with Urban Decay's Lush Lash System, I immediately began wondering whether it would help me achieve lashes as long and thick as my husband's (why is it that men generally have such amazing eyelashes?  Blatantly not fair).

The Lush Lash System is a dual ended tube made up of a serum, which you apply nightly with the thin eyeliner style brush, and a conditioning mask, which you apply with the mascara style wand.  It's a simple combination: the serum makes the lashes grow, and the conditioning mask keeps the lashes well nourished and minimises breakages.  Urban Decay make some pretty hefty claims for this system - used nightly, they say, you'll see a 25% improvement in length and thickness after two weeks, followed by a 40% improvement after four weeks, and after six weeks, your lashes should be a whopping 63% longer and thicker.

I've now been using the system for two months - so my lashes should definitely be at the 63% improvement stage.  Want to see some photos to see how much longer and thicker they are?

before

after 4 weeks

after eight weeks

Now, I'm not particularly great at maths - but I don't see a 63% improvement in length or thickness.  Between the before and eight week pictures, I can see maybe a millimetre or so of extra length, but the results are certainly not as dramatic as Urban Decay promises.  My lashes do feel soft and healthy, but they weren't exactly unhealthy before, and overall, I'm left feeling disappointed that I've not seen more of a result.

If you'd like to try the Lush Lash System for yourself, you'll find it at BeautyBay.com, where it will cost £28.  Hopefully you'll get a better result than I did!  What do you think?  Lash growth serums changed your life, or all a load of bull?  Tried this one?  Let us know in the comments!

Disclosure: PR sample

Thursday, 26 May 2011

Sneaky Peek: No 7 False Lashes

No 7's new range of false lashes come in a wide variety of styles to take you from daytime flutter to nighttime glamour.  Here's a sneaky peek at the 50 Lash - the second most dramatic in the range.




They're supplied with clear glue, and whilst I could feel the glue along my lashline once they were applied, there was absolutely none of that heaviness you sometimes get with a fluttery pair of lashes.  For such a dramatic effect, I can barely feel them on my eye at all - I'll definitely be trying some of the more natural styles when they're released!

No 7 lashes will be available from late August and will cost you a very reasonable £7.50.

Disclosure:  Applied free of charge at a press event

Wednesday, 6 April 2011

Review: Clinique High Impact Curling Mascara

Clinique mascaras have been getting quite a bit of love from us here at LBR recently.  This one, High Impact Curling mascara, has a bendy curvy wand designed to push lashes up in a lush, volumised, curled look.  It claims to be flake, smudge and smear resistant, and to hold fast for up to 24 hours.  All in all, that's a hell of a list of claims.  So how does it fare?



The traditional brush style wand doesn't give that ultra smooth and defined look that more modern plastic bristled brushes do, but layered on a bit, and with some careful combing, the end result is lush, thick lashes.  The curve of the wand makes it pretty easy to wiggle the mascara up through the lashes from the roots, and the formula in combination with the wand definitely encourages a curl.

As you can see from the first photo, I have noticed a bit of flaking from this mascara after a few hours of wear.  I've not noticed any smudging or smearing, though, and as for that 24 hour claim.... Let me tell you, this mascara clings to the lashes like nothing I've tried before.  Even my favourite, most effective oil cleanser takes two goes and plenty of rubbing to remove this from my lashes.  Aside from the little bit of flaking, this mascara  definitely ticks all the long lasting boxes.

Personally, I like a bit more definition from my mascara, and usually, the amount of work required to get a clean look from this would put me off...  but given the extraordinary long lasting nature of this mascara I would definitely repurchase if I needed a lush, volumised look which would definitely last well.  The curling is secondary to me, but I've still been impressed by the amount of uplift you can achieve without any curlers - so if you're looking for volume, curl and long lasting - definitely try this.

If you'd like to give it a go, you'll find it anywhere where Clinique products are sold, including their website, where it will cost you a thoroughly reasonable £15.  What do you think?  Tried this, or any other long lasting curling mascaras?  Let us know in the comments!

Monday, 31 January 2011

Paperself: False Lashes Made of Paper



We spotted these beauties at IMATS this year, and couldn't help but admire the intricate detailing.  Inspired by art of Chinese paper cutting, these are definitely statement lashes.  There are eleven styles available, some of which come with a bit of "symbolic meaning" -



Horses: symbolic of success
Peony: for happiness and good fortune
Peach blossom: a symbol of love and romance
Peacock: auspicious and lucky days
Butterfly: free, beautiful and sensitive
Clown: bring the whole happiness




Despite being made of paper, we're told that so long as you're gentle when you apply and remove them, they are reusable.  Available in two sizes, so you can accentuate the entire upper lashline or use as a detail accent to the eye, these are sure to get you noticed.  Simply beautiful.

Available from ASOS and the Paperself website, costing from £10 for a pair of small accent lashes.
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