New from E45: Endless Moisture Radiance

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010

e45 cream

Beloved of the scaly and sensitive-skinned, E45 is launching a new version of its popular Endless Moisture body moisturiser that should find favour among anyone who likes a bit of shimmer in their life.

Endless Moisture Radiance promises to deliver all the long-lasting, hypoallergenic hydration of the original in the same lightweight, non-greasy formula, only fabulised with subtle sparkly bits. I love body lotions with a bit of a glimmer, me, so I’m intent on picking it up on my next Boots run.

If you’ve tried it already do let us know your thoughts on it in a comment below!

Tags: body lotion, body moisturiser, budget, e45
Posted in Beaut.ienomics - brilliant budget buys, Beauty News & Links, Hands, Body & Feet | 7 Comments »

Soap and Glory Fab Pore Hot Cloth Cleanser Review

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010

soap and glory fab pore hot cloth cleanser

Regulars’ll know I’ve been trying to get my hands on this for a few months and every time I entered a Boots, it scuttled off the shelf and hid itself from me. Well, it was either that or it kept selling out.

Probably the latter.

Anyway, I finally tracked a tube down and as Boots was doing an offer, it was only €10.79, down from a regular price of €13.49 for 100mls. While I get a lot of stuff sent to me for review as part of my job as a beauty writer, I’m still a total cosmetics junkie like the rest of you and will hunt high and low for stuff I’ve read great things about.

But I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure if I’d like it. I have been lucky enough to try and use some amazing products in my time, the whole way across the spectrum of price and brand. So while there have been so many rave reviews about this, I’ve got quite a bit of experience with balm cleansers and wondered if it’d stack up.

Recently I’ve put my trusty Eve Lom away to give myself a chance to see what else is out there. And this one is a very good substitute, as it happens. Lets talk a little about price before I get into its abilities though: at €13.49 full price for 100mls, I don’t think I’d get longer than about three weeks out of this with daily use, based on the instructions to use ‘a generous splodge’. I use maybe a 10c coin-sized piece of Eve Lom to effectively remove a face full of product and the grime of the day, and I’d generally get up to three months from a €70 pot. At full price, Fab Pore Hot Cloth Cleanser would cost €53.96 for the same period.

That probably won’t change anyone’s mind but hey, I like working these sort of things out.

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Tags: balm, budget, cleanser, Soap and Glory
Posted in Beaut.ienomics - brilliant budget buys, Brands, treatment & product reviews, Skincare | 38 Comments »

Lash Back: Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara

Monday, August 30th, 2010

rimmel lash accelerator

Coming atcha in September is a newbie from Rimmel. We’ve loved, loathed and been whelmed by the brand’s offerings in the past but it’s a company I usually find really reliable for well-priced mascaras, and Lash Accelerator, at €10.95, fits the bill.

Rimmel boards the RapidLash/Lancome Hypnose Precious Cells/ L’Oreal Paris Renewal Lash hair-conditioning gravy train with this one. It’s good to see one at this end of the market, and Revlon have such a thing in-coming too. Now, a point of note: Lash Accelerator will not cause lashes to grow – and I’m blue in the face saying this – as no one has yet invented such a thing, which is why we still see bald men.

But it will condition and nourish lashes thanks to its Grow-Lash Complex. A trial of 41 women found that that 88% saw significantly longer and fuller lashes after just one week, with lashes looking up to 117% longer after a month. Me? I am all for colour cosmetic products that add in care benefits – it just makes sense that your blusher should be imbued with antioxidants if you’re gonna be wearing it all day. So I’m liking these mascara innovations we’ve been seeing over the past year or so, but in the case of L’Oreal Paris and Lancome’s offerings, I just wasn’t wowed by them as actual mascaras. That ‘oohh, I love how it looks’ wow-factor was missing.

This one is good though and I enjoy using it. Setting aside all the claims, for a day-time lash-coater it just does the trick. I’ve been using it for a week or so and the brush is nice, simple and uncomplicated, the gunk itself is good and non-clumpy, and it gives a nice bit of definition for daytime eyes. It’s just a nice extra that it’s got some more gizmos built in, but I haven’t yet noticed any dramatic improvement personally, though it’d be too early to judge in any case!

In three shades, extreme black, black and brown, here’s the clincher: Zooey Deschanel is the face of the product, which will ensure it’ll sell out in droves.

Tags: budget, mascara, Rimmel
Posted in Beaut.ienomics - brilliant budget buys, Brands, treatment & product reviews, Eyes, Lips and Cheeks | 2 Comments »

Student Style: Cetaphil For Sensitive Types on a Budget

Friday, August 27th, 2010

cetaphil

It is common knowledge on the blather that I am one of the thousands of scaly people – 2% of the world’s population, 3% of Ireland’s – who have psoriasis. As such, I am super careful about what products I use and give preference to natural ingredients, as anything can cause a flare up of my delicate skin.

When I was sent cleanser and moisturisers from Cetaphil, I have to say I gave a “Squeeeeee!” of delight that is usually reserved for sparkly nail-varnishes and the delish Robert Sheehan. This soap-, fragrance- and lanolin-free line is also non-comedogenic, meaning it’s rich and lush without being a pore-clogger. Specifically recommended for people with common skin conditions, this means that using it even on damaged skin is not a problem. Yay!

The giant Gentle Skin Cleanser, €14.86, is a daily, non-drying, 250ml product which is effective at removing makeup, a major weakness of a lot of gentle facewashes. Now, I loved Clarins’ Daily Energizer foaming gel, but as a rule, cleansers with water dry out my skin. The star talent of this super stuff is that it can be used with water or without. I use it with water for heavy duty makeup or alone for everyday – and always tone with rosewater.

The Moisturising Lotion, €14.86, packed a punch again at 250ml. Although I used this on my face and neck, it is suitable for the body too and would probably be great for people without skin conditions. It is quickly absorbed and left my skin feeling lovely and sleek, almost as though I had applied a primer. You only need to use a tiny bit too.

Lastly, the Moisturising Cream, €17.11, is the most heavy-duty of the three products. I used this as body moisturiser even when my skin was itchy as hell and it calmed it down and actually left it soft, which I can NEVER say. My skin drank it up; I would bathe in this stuff.

All the usual, subjective skin condition disclaimers apply here: my mum’s best friend’s son might swear by mud from the Dead Sea, but all it gave me was the aroma of the River Lee at low tide. It’s all trial and error, it all depends on your own skin concerns – so with that in mind, go forth and moisturise!

Tags: budget, cetaphil, cleanser, moisturiser, student style
Posted in Beaut.ienomics - brilliant budget buys, Brands, treatment & product reviews, Skincare | 15 Comments »

Something for nothing: do you stockpile at BOGOF and Three for Two time?

Thursday, August 26th, 2010

Is there really such a thing as a free lunch?

Well yes… and no.

Obviously offers in the supermarkets and chemists for big brand beauty items represent significant savings – but only if you were going to buy the item anyway. Brands will tempt you with “mix and match”; “cheapest one free”; “buy one get one free” and so on – but it’s all to get you to buy more than you usually would.

And if you’re anything like me you’ll do exactly what their psychologists say you will and load your basket up.

But “Buy One Get One Free” and “Three for Two” offers roll around with such regularity that it is actually possible to save a good bit of moola with them. Stay strong and just pick the things that you’d buy regularly anyway – shampoo, deodorant or whatever – and stockpile them. Some things are regulars on the BOGOF circuit and you can usually predict when an offer will be coming up.

For instance I don’t think I’ve paid full price for Frizz Ease in about five years. I always wait and get about six bottles when three-for -two-rocks around.

What about you?

Tags: beautienomics, shopping
Posted in Beaut.ienomics - brilliant budget buys, Beauty Emporiums, Polls | 22 Comments »

Psst: Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Launches + Freebies!

Thursday, August 26th, 2010

advanced night repair eye

We love a freebie.

We love a new product.

We love Advanced Night Repair, Estee Lauder’s acclaimed evening-time wünder-potion.

Needless to say, a combination of the above three things, culminating a chance to try the new Advanced Night Repair product, is something that’s guaranteed to please.

Joining the Lauder line-up today is another shiny brown pot of goodness: eyes are the next thing targeted by this high-tech range. Overhauled last year, it’s now Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Complex, and is the sort of product beauty editors and skincare junkies get breathy about and for good reason: it’s a sciency brown serum you slap on before bed and it works over time as you sleep to betterise your complexion.

The eye product promises more of the same, except with a texture and formula suited to the more delicate skin around your peepers. I’m of the opinion that until you really need more – and you’re using the right moisturiser for your skin – you probably won’t need a separate eye cream until it starts to become obvious your routine needs to be cranked up a notch, with the appearance of puffiness, dryness etc. I’m (sadly) at that stage now, and after years of Not Really Seeing the Point of Eye Creams, the sight of my encroaching crows feet in bright light and mirrors are changing my opinion on eye creams rapidly.

Handily, I reckon this isn’t a product aimed at a younger audience anyway; think 35 plus, given the price-point (€49) and what it’s designed to do. It’s always good to try before you buy though, eh? Here comes the freebie bit: TODAY only, from 4pm at Estee Lauder counters nationwide, you’ll be able to pick up a FREE five-day supply of Advanced Night Repair Eye, exclusively available from 4pm this afternoon. Get in quick – the offer only runs today, only while stocks last, and is limited to one sample per customer.

There’s more: if you buy Advanced Repair Eye, you’ll get a 7ml Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Complex sample for free – that’s a ten day supply.

Tags: estee lauder, eye cream, free
Posted in Anti-ageing, Beaut.ienomics - brilliant budget buys, Skincare | 16 Comments »

Get the look: Blake Lively’s Gossip Girl Eyes with Gosh Cosmetics

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

gosh bananas

Gossip Girl may be off screen for the break between seasons at the moment, but I’m way behind the times and still watching the season two DVDs, which is why the topic for this post is on my mind. More often than not it’s Leighton Meester’s on-screen looks which attract my attention – her dark hair and pale skin are closer to my colouring than Blake Lively’s golden tresses and warm skintone.

One thing I always notice about Blake-as-Serena’s makeup, however, is the shimmering gold applied just under her lower lashline. The colour works really well against her skin and brightens up the whole eye area. Paired with black eyeliner and a neutral shadow on the upper lid, it’s a look that is both pretty and fairly simple to imitate.

I was browsing the Gosh cosmetics stand in my local chemist last week when I came across an eye pencil that immediately brought Serena’s look to mind. Velvet Touch Eyeliner, €7.99, in Bananas is a lovely pale gold pencil that recreates the look perfectly. Not overly yellow in tone, this colour could be worn by a variety of skintones. It shimmers without being too glittery, catching the light perfectly and is ideal for application below the lower lashes, or on the inner corner of the eye.

The texture of the pencil is gorgeous – creamy enough to glide on easily without tugging the delicate eye area, it is also richly pigmented and will last forever without smudging. I tested it on the back of my hand and the line lasted through a few washes without disappearing. Velvet Touch Eyeliners are very similar to MAC Powerpoint pencils or Shu Uemura Drawing Pencils, though the price is a lot more attractive.

Tags: budget, eyeliner, GOSH, gossip girl
Posted in Beaut.ienomics - brilliant budget buys, Brands, treatment & product reviews, Eyes, Lips and Cheeks, How to? | 14 Comments »

Budget Beauty: Channeling Chanel Paradoxal

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

chanel paradoxal dupes

Kirstie gave us a sneak peek at Chanel’s latest “eek OMG must have!” nail varnish shade, Paradoxal, last month, and it finally hit counters on August 13th. If you haven’t been able to get your paws on it – or simply don’t fancy shelling out twenty-plus sheckles on a nail varnish – worry not. Provided you don’t have your little heart set on a dead-on dupe, it is possible to get the look without having to hit up a Chanel counter.

On the nails, Paradoxal is an aubergine colour with grey undertones and subtle – almost indiscernible, really – micro-shimmer, so dusky greyish purples are what you should be looking for to replicate the look. The closest thing I’ve seen is Models Own Purple Grey. It’s practically identical, and the fact that it’s a creme rather than iridescent is really of no consequence since the shimmer in the real deal is so damn near blinvisible. Try River Island, larger Boots branches and Urban Outfitters for a bottle. It is possible to buy direct from the Models Own website, but bear in mind that they charge £9.95 for international shipping and there’s a minimum international order amount of £20.

Steep enough, eh? If you do decide to place an order, bear in mind that there’s currently 50% off all orders of £20 or more when you enter code FACEBOOK50 at checkout.

Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to turn up a true mushroom-y purple on the high street. Nails Inc. used to do a colour called 80 Fulham Road that I think would have been a good bet, but it was a 2009 limited edition and if it’s not already in your stash, you’re probably only going to find it now on fleaBay. Still available are Rimmel 60 Seconds nail polish in Pompous and Barry M Vivid Purple, which are both deep and moody purples. Now, neither are nearly as greyed out as Paradoxal – they’re both much brighter and less murky, and the shimmer in Pompous isn’t a bit hidden – but if you’re just after an iridescent aubergine purple to pay homage to the Chanel number, they’re definitely worth a gander.

If you’re in a DIY humour, try carefully applying a thin layer of GOSH Gasoline over a brown, dark taupe or dark grey nail varnish. It’s a sheer magenta jelly with almost holographic shimmer which flashes blue/purple, but using it over a muddy base will help to minimise that flash!

Tags: dupe, nail varnish, paradoxal
Posted in Beaut.ienomics - brilliant budget buys, Hands, Body & Feet, How to? | 29 Comments »

The Budget Brush Challenge – Will Boots Rise to it?

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

Boots brushes

Gulp.

I’ve put away my plethora of posh brushes and I am on a mission to see if I can find some decently-performing brushes on a budget. Normally, a bit like foundation, I think with brushes you mostly get what you pay for, and that means it can be worth buying one good one a month to build a kit. But I’m well aware not everyone shares my viewpoint, and equally, not everyone’s mad enough about makeup to want to shell out €45 on a foundation brush and then keep on going until they have what they need.

Equally, we’ve been pretty impressed by the quality of a lot of the cosmetics at the lower end of the market in the past while, so I thought it was time Beaut.ie launched an investigation worthy of Prime Time into the hairy matter of makeup brushes.

Are cheaper tools a false economy or are they surprisingly acceptable? A mosey around Boots in Liffey Valley on Saturday threw up lots of options for the bargain-hunter which is heartening – Max Factor has a new, well-priced range for example, there was a decent selection of Eco Tools as well as No7, Ruby and Millie, 17 and Barbara Hulanicki ones available. However, it’s worth noting that you’re never going to get the same level of choice at the lower end of things, and you might only get one (or two at the very most) eyeshadow options, whereas pro ranges would offer many, many more.

I bought myself five Boots own-brand brushes: powder, blush, concealer, eyeshadow and an eyeshadow blender. The latter three cost €7.50, with the blusher brush coming in at €10.50 and the powder costing €11.99. So, a total of €44.99 for the lot – quite pricey, I thought. All are made with natural hair barring the concealer brush, the design is simple, with each having black handles, ferrules and bristles.

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Tags: boots, brushes, budget
Posted in Beaut.ienomics - brilliant budget buys, Gadgets, Books & Accessories | 57 Comments »

Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit – Have You Tried It?

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

With all the brouhaha with Roja Dove and all that (psst: the winner is in the forums, go and read her perfume-snaffling Limerick) we kinda sidelined the reason why the fragrance maestro was in the capital in the first place.

It was for Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit. It’s the brand’s newest blemish-fighter and contains that all-important pore-scruffing salicylic acid as well as their own Microclear technology which whizzes in after pores are exfoliated to help prevent spots from forming anew. Well priced at €5.49 each for the cleanser and scrub, these products are aimed at teenagers and twenty-somethings – or really anyone who finds they’re prone to breakouts.

At the time, reader Breige had had a go: “I used a sample of the face wash and I must say I like it so far,” was her input, but now that the line has been available for a few weeks, we want to know are any of you using the products and if so, how are you finding them?

To the comments!

Tags: acne, cleanser, Neutrogena, spots
Posted in Beaut.ienomics - brilliant budget buys, Skincare | 41 Comments »