MUA Professional Matte Foundation Review

Hey Everyone! 

This is going to be a review of the MakeUp Academy Professional Matte Foundation. This is only £4 and my shade is Shade 1 Soft Sand. It looks like this...

So to start the packaging is nice, in usual MUA Pro style, simple and stylish and it's a tube as you can see. Here are some swatches..

I was really impressed with the shade, I always struggle to find foundation that suits my skin tone. I am very yellow- toned, but I'm also quite pale at the minute. This has been a really good match for my skin so I was very happy. I found the consistency a little thicker than other liquid foundations I've tried but workable, though I would say a primer definitely helps with application. It gives pretty full coverage and I'm happy wearing it with just a little concealer (MUA at the minute too, review coming soon!). The one thing I did find with this foundation is that for me it wasn't matte. Obviously foundations are going to work differently with different skin types, but it definitely left a sheen on my skin and I couldn't wear it without setting it with a powder. That aside I was really impressed with the whole foundation, I've tried lots of cheaper foundations and I've always hated them (see previous post! http://thebeautymakeupreview.blogspot.com/2011/07/no2-cheap-things-what-works-and-what.html ). But all of my usual issues with cheap foundation were not a problem with this at all. It is my foundation and I will definitely be re-purchasing when I run out (though its lasted me quite a while because you don't need much for good coverage). 

All in all I think it's pretty amazeballs that I have found a good everyday foundation for £4 and I would absolutely recommend going out and giving it a try!

Hope you enjoyed this post!

Karen :) x

Essence - Multi Action False Lashes Mascara - Review

Hey Everyone!


So in my experience false lash effect mascaras, never really deliver the goods do they?...Until now that is!..This is the Essence Multi Action False Lashes Mascara!..

I have it in black and it cost me €2.99. There are other "multi action" mascaras from Essence, like the original (the pink one) but that didn't do much for me, this mascara is amazing though!..The brush is quite large but it's really easy to use and the formula is a thicker kind of consistency. I think the pictures will speak for themselves so here we go!..


This is before....

After one coat..

After two coats..

I really think this gives a false lash effect, it is lasts all day and the best bit is it's only €2.99. Amazing, I would absolutely recommend it!


Thanks for reading! :)


Karen xx

Essence Stay Natural Concealer - Review

Hey Everyone!


So we are all constantly looking for a good concealer, am I right?..Well I know I am anyways, and I doubt I will ever stop looking! One that I came across recently was the "Stay Natural" concealer by Essence. I love Essence, I've tried lots of their products from eyeshadows to lip glosses; they are SO affordable and I've loved them! So I was looking forward to trying this concealer. It looks like this...(Please note this is a stock photo from beautycosmetic.biz, I do have my own photos but I wanted a decent pic to start off with, I will explain later in this post!!)

The shade I picked up was 03soft nude, after trying the testers and it cost me €2.79 for 5ml of product. It has a brush applicator and a twisty bottom to get the product up, the brush looks like this...

So I'm going to get straight in, I hated this concealer. Firstly it has a far too watery consistency for me. I prefer my concealer to feel like its doing something but this felt almost like it was just rubbing off the skin. It was weird I didn't like it. Secondly it oxidizes like a bi-atch! It is a nice light colour to start off with but turns to a more orange shade within minutes...not good! I'm sorry I can't show pictures to back this up but this is why....it lasts NO TIME!  I mean this in two ways!...


First off its staying power was awful, I barely felt any coverage from this concealer anyway, but what I did have was gone within about two hours. I need my concealer to last all day, this did not! Secondly the entire tube of concealer lasted me a grand total 2 weeks! And this is not everyday use, not excessive use. Its the least time I have gotten out of a product, I didn't even get time to swatch it for you! 
In addition the packing quality is terrible, this doesn't normally bother me much but it's just something to add to the list, here is a pic of two weeks worth of wear...

So I almost didn't want to do this post due to lack of swatches, crappy pics etc. But I did because even though it's only €2.79, I don't think you should waste your money! Nothing impressed me about this product and I'm so disappointed because Essence have some really good stuff, their "Stay with me" lipglosses are the bomb diggidy!! (Review here http://thebeautymakeupreview.blogspot.com/2011/09/essence-stay-with-me-lipgloss-review.html) But this unfortunetly just wasn't for me! 


Hope this helps!


Thank you for reading,
Karen xx