The Budget Brush Challenge: How Did Boots Brushes Fare?

Monday, August 30th, 2010

budget brushes

I quaveringly told you all last week I was abandoning my decent brushes to give a set I’d bought at Boots a go. Five brushes for face and eyes cost me €44.95, and I vowed to give them a decent whirl to see if they’d make the grade.

My pre-conceived ideas and prejudices about brushes mean I’m probably always going to recommend that you spend on good tools – it’s a basic principle, I think, as decent ones really give that pro finish to makeup. But I am also a woman who loves a bargain and it would be great to find some performers down at the low end of the market.

Regarding the challenge I set myself, did I stick to it? Actually I did, with one exception, the night of the Prudence beauty awards, I just couldn’t use ‘em. I needed my trusty reliables. The rest of the week though I dutifully cheap-brushed away, and you can read my findings below.

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Tags: boots, brushes, budget
Posted in Brands, treatment & product reviews, Eyes, Lips and Cheeks, Gadgets, Books & Accessories | 21 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 »

Can’t Live Without: Leighton Denny Crystal Nail File

Monday, August 16th, 2010

leighton denny crystal nail file

Having weak, split-prone nails that never get much more than a few millimeters past the tops of my fingers, and which all break at once (the lot snapped last week, no more mani swatches from me for a while) a glass nail file is something I always have on hand.

I was wary of these for too long, assuming they’d create a nails-down-blackboard screechy effect when pulled across fingers, but they really don’t – glass files make shaping nails super-easy actually. They’re quick, there’s no friction like there is with emery boards and it’s really simple to get a nice finish and shape with them too.

Glass files are also good for people like me who have soft nails that’re prone to flaking and splitting – the fact the file’s glass means it builds friction and heat as you go which helps to seal the tip, so water can’t get in – a big problem for anyone whose nails flake constantly. But a warning: you still shouldn’t file in a sawing motion across and back, which is a common misconception about these fellers – it weakens the nail to do that, so file in one direction only at a time.

And what’s my product of choice? I’ve lost and broken a few in my time but after my lovely little Sephora feller snapped in my baggage while on a flight, I caved and bought a Leighton Denny Crystal Nail file, which was about €20. I got mine in Boots at Liffey Valley and while it was a bit of an outlay, unless it snaps, I’ll have it for ever: glass files don’t wear down, and you can lash them under the tap if they start to get a bit clogged up too – et voila! A brand-spanking new file.

Have you got one?

Tags: Can't Live Without!, Leighton Denny, nail files, nails
Posted in Can't Live Without!, Gadgets, Books & Accessories, Hands, Body & Feet | 14 Comments »

Could Scrunchies Be Making A Comeback? (Really?)

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

the horror of hair scrunchies

Last week, I read an article on Glamour magazine’s website which breathlessly predicts the imminent return of the scrunchie.

Yes, fabric covered hair ties. Those scrunchies.

I’m a bit dubious about this particular bit of crystal ball gazing, to be honest, and not just because InStyle made a similar prediction last year. Most of the women I talked to about it haven’t worn a scrunchie since the mid ’90s and were insistant that they’d never be caught dead in public wearing one. (Using an old day-glo scrunchie to keep your hair pulled back while scrubbing the loo is an entirely different proposition.)

American Apparel are with Glamour on this one, though. The brand have an insane extensive line of scrunchies in a myriad of colours and choice of fabrics from cotton to lamé to – everyone’s favourite, surely – velvet.

Have you seen an increase in scrunchie-related activity lately? Would you wear one again?

Tags: '80s, 80, Hair & Hair Removal, scrunchie
Posted in Gadgets, Books & Accessories, Hair & Hair Removal | 47 Comments »

Warm Front: Beyonce Heat Fragrance to Launch

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

beyonce heat ring

Beyonce’s debut scent for Coty, Heat, launches in Ireland on August 1st, and while it’s not lighting my fire as a fragrance – but that’s mostly only because I’m just not a fan of woody, musky accords, and there’re a lot of those in there, as well as lots of sweet fruit and floral notes like magnolia, neroli, red vanilla orchid and blush peach – I’ve got props for the packaging, which is a antique-inspired carved-looking flacon that’s a lot prettier in real life than in pictures.

And what I also like is this: in a classic case of life imitating art, you can literally put a ring on it with this launch because there’s a solid perfume jewel available for a select few who’ll be lucky to bag one. A gold-coloured metal ring is topped with a big moulded plastic ruby gem for a take on the classic over-sized cocktail ring. Slide it to one side, and you’ve got a .75g fragrance balm beneath for top-ups on the go.

Sure, we’ve seen these before from brands like Marc Jacobs and Michael Kors but what Beyonce’s Heat ring has going for it is that it’s super-duper exlcusive – in fact, it’s only going to be available in Ireland as a FREE gift with purchase at a special launch night at Arnotts on July 29th, and again for a limited period at Christmas.

Oh, and it comes in a cute black patent pouch with ‘B’ shaped charm. Check after the cut for a look at how the ring looks on my paws, and for some more details on that all-important launch night. (more…)

Tags: beyonce, celebrity, coty, fragrance
Posted in Celebrity Watch, Gadgets, Books & Accessories, Lotions, Potions & Scent | 27 Comments »

Student Style: Budget Tools from Miss Manicure and Eco Tools

Friday, July 16th, 2010

cheap tools

Cheap cosmetics are one thing, but anyone can tell you that when you apply makeup with great brushes it makes the world of difference. Now, I’m not talking an Essence-to-Estee Lauder transformation, but it’s basic makeup physics that a good eyeshadow brush works better than those crappy sponge applicators. Effective, AFFORDABLE beauty tools are thus my personal holy grail find.

Brushes, in my experience, are the hardest thing to get right. I must confess to still owning – and using – the poundshop set I bought ten years ago … TOTES horrif and morto-tastic.

Never fear though – these are fast being replaced by the EcoTools line. An environmentally friendly, natural and recycled range, I tried out their Retractable Kabuki and Bamboo Deluxe Concealer brushes. I used the kabuki for blusher because my skin is in melt-down at the minute and even my mineral powder foundation aggravates it.

The results were smooth and well-blended and I could see it working well with foundation too. The concealer brush is also excellent, leaving no streaks. All bristles are synthetic, firmly packed and extremely soft and the quality is not compromised by the brand’s eco-friendly credentials. This is a great line with which I was really impressed.

In nail care, I have to say Miss Manicure’s Handy Dandy Mani pack is really one of my all time favourite products.

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Tags: brushes, budget, eco tools, feet, miss manicure, student style
Posted in Beaut.ienomics - brilliant budget buys, Gadgets, Books & Accessories | 28 Comments »

Burning Beaut.ie Questions: What Liner Brush do You Prefer?

Friday, July 16th, 2010

Brushes

Who ever said we never discussed matters of vital importance, eh?

In Tuesday’s post on Elf Studio Cream liner, in which I mentioned I used a Make Up For Ever lip brush to get the perfect flick, fifibelle said, “that’s a great tip about the lip brush, Kirstie, would any kind of lip brush do for this or is it just the Make Up For Ever one that works?”

So, here’s the answer – the MUFE brush is good for this because it has a really small head and lip brushes in general don’t – they tend to be too big for eyes, but this one, 3p, is weeny – you can see it there second from left. It also reminds me of a couple of other similarly-shaped liner brushes I own from Lancome and Bobbi Brown, so that’s why I picked it.

It’s personal choice really, and that got me thinking about the best type of brush for liner – is it an angled brush? Or perhaps you prefer a small, firm brush with a tapered tip? Maybe a more classic liner brush with a fine, paint brush-style head is what you go for?

Me? Out of preference it’s the tapered tip, but I can get down with the classic type too, like that Stila one on there on the left. It’s angled ones I don’t like for liner at all – I just can’t get on with them.

What about you? Got a favourite – leave us a comment and lets get chatting.

Tags: brushes, eye liner, Rate it
Posted in Eyes, Lips and Cheeks, Gadgets, Books & Accessories | 37 Comments »

Best Foot Forward: The Ped Egg Files

Thursday, July 8th, 2010

Ped egg

Still smarting from the recent disappointments of Pickles Ointment and Balsan Balm, I found myself turning to my trusty JML Ped Egg in the last little while to try and sort out my flip-flot feet. I always wonder why I bother trying other DIY foot implements and treatments when I go back to it.

High praise indeed from a girl who once spent almost £40 – yes, forty Sterling pounds – on a Diamancel #11 Tough Buffer foot file in Selfridges.

The Ped Egg just really works to remove hard skin and calluses without damaging healthy, normal skin. Its 135 precision microfiles, er, file off dead skin, which is then collected in the shavings compartment, ready for inspection disposal. (Yeh, that end of the job is a bit gross, but better there than all over the floor.)

For the smoothest result, use the enclosed fine emery pads to finish the job.

Tags: feet, horrible beauty, ped egg
Posted in Brands, treatment & product reviews, Can't Live Without!, Gadgets, Books & Accessories, Hands, Body & Feet | 20 Comments »

Tweezerman Goes Arty with Grafitti Design Tweezers

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010

tweezerman grafitti tweezers

Fancy a new tweezers? Like ‘em to be a bit more interesting than yer boring normal tweezers? You’ll like this so: Tweezerman has just launched a trio of grafitti-inspired pluckers for €26 a go. If you’ve got one of their offerings you’ll know it’s a really reliable brand (not as good, however, as my beloved Koji Moni offerings), and they do that send-it-back-and-get-it-sharpened malarkey too. Which I have never done, by the way – you can rub the tips against fine emery to give them back some bite. Not a lot, but if you put some welly into it they do come up a bit sharper. (Emery, mind, not sandpaper!)

There are two more colours in the collection – interested? They’re after the cut.

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Tags: Tweezerman, tweezers
Posted in Gadgets, Books & Accessories, Hair & Hair Removal | 16 Comments »

Storage Solutions: Z Palettes Now in Ireland

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

If you’re a fan of US beauty blogs or YouTube makeup gurus you may have come across Z Palettes, a system for storing depotted shadow pans. With its magnetised base, a Z Palette can firmly hold shadow (or blush) pans of varying sizes in one case. The huge advantage is if you’ve got a mix of differently sized shadows from varying brands – an Urban Decay pan is different to a Mac one, for example – you can store them together in shade and finish configurations that suit you, without worrying about how they’ll all fit in together – not something you can achieve with standard empty palette offerings.

The other interesting news about Z Palettes is that an Irish makeup artist, Ann-Marie Carey Judd, has now imported the system and is selling them in varying sizes and patterns on her website. If you’re into the mania of depotting – something I’ve never gotten personally as I like to keep my singles in their original packaging, but lots of people do it – then the system may well appeal as a handy way to simplify and store your makeup collection.

So, any downsides?

Well, yes. These yokeys are made from coated card with an acrylic window through which you can see the pans. Acrylic, yes, card – well, it’s the Benefit issue, isn’t it? One of the reasons people like to depot is to make products more transportable, and unless you’re very careful, I just can’t see you getting years and years of service out of these.

If that’s not a problem for you, then Ann-Marie has an offer running until the 6th where you’ll get two of the large 8 x 4.75 inch palettes for €30 – a saving of €8. Don’t forget, you’ll also need to buy some magnets to attach to any of your shadows that don’t already have them on their bases.

Tags: palette, z palette
Posted in Eyes, Lips and Cheeks, Gadgets, Books & Accessories | 20 Comments »