Maybelline Colossal Kajal 12h Extra Black eyeliner review

Finding a great eyeliner is tricky... Getting the right thickness, longevity and ease of application sees a whole sea of options from pencils, to liquid, to gel to powder. 

This one from Maybelline is called colossal kajal 12h extra black and I was intrigued by the extra black and 12h claim. 

It is a roll up pencil which starts with a fine point but after one use it is a thick blunt, soft blob! It's easy to apply and glides on quite smoothly, but definitely not an option if you want a fine line. A great option however if you want to smudge the line out rather than have anything precise. 

It was definitely an opaque, strong black which I was very happy about, however it did not quite last perfectly for the 12hour claim... After a seven hour night out it had started to smudge and the colour had started to break up- but it definitely lasted much better than some other eyeliners I've tried (Sephora's was useless!). 

A great choice if you're looking for a blacker than black eyeliner which blends well and has better than most staying power. 

The fine point before: 

And after one use:

Just applied with no mascara: 

Finished 60s inspired look:

And at the end of the night (about seven hours later):

L'oreal Paris collection exclusive by Doutzen lipstick review

When I think L'oreal I rarely think make up - more haircare and when I think lipstick this is never a brand that comes to mind. 

However, this L'oreal Paris collection exclusive Doutzen Color Riche Lipstick in Doutzen's Nude is a lovely neutral pale pink shade that is moisturising, easy to apply and although it's quite sheer it also has an even colour payoff. 

It is a long lasting lipstick but it does have quite a distinctive smell. Thankfully that gradually fades! 

It's so moisturising that it almost looked like frosted pink on me as I'm quite pale (not a good look!) but after blotting it took some of the sheen down. 

It comes in a stylish matte black and gold packaging that is sturdy and will hold up in quite a few handbag journeys. 

This lipstick is from a collection of six shades chosen by L'oreal ambassadors including Eva Longoria and Julianne Moore and Doutzen is a supermodel. It has a matching polish if you like the barely there pink look on your nails too. 

It is very easy to wear, almost like a tinted lip balm, easy to apply and it wore off evenly (hurrah!) and didn't crease or run into the fine lines around my mouth. A good day lipstick to add a bit of subtle colour at work. 

Swatched below on the inside of my wrist.
It is very easy to wear, almost like a tinted lip balm, it didn't crease or run around my lips and wore off evenly (hurrah!).

Sunsilk refreshing dry shampoo review

For as long as I can remember I've used Batisse Dry shampoo to refresh my hair between washes. I've tried out lots of variations: original, blush, tropical, brunette etc but never switched brands. I always thought it was the first on the market and likely the best. A classic like L'oreal Elnett hairspray that I'd never deviate from.

Well, then I arrived in Dubai and put on the infamous Dubai stone in the first year and have spent my second year exercising like crazy to try and take off the stone! I exercise five or six times a week at the moment and just don't have the time - or the energy - to wash and dry my thick wavy/curly hair everyday. So I have been relying heavily on my trusty Batisse. Except recently I've noticed it hasn't been all that effective in masking the root greasiness. 

Enter Sunsilk refreshing dry shampoo for normal hair. This came in my Glambox recently and Sunsilk isn't generally a brand I'd ever go for. Well, I've been using it this past week and I'm happy with the results!

It comes in a pink aerosol can, is easy to apply and has a barely noticeable smell - hurrah! I can't handle overbearingly smelly hair products.... 

It sprays on as quite a grey powder and initially I thought: "urgh this isn't going to rub in", but you need to leave on your hair for a few moments to soak up the oil and settle (maybe brush your teeth in the meantime!) and then thoroughly massage in to your scalp. The colour disappears and you are left with a powdery look on close inspection but nothing noticeable. 

It totally stripped the greasy look and also added some good volume which I was really happy about! 

The hair is left with a dry textured feel and doesn't feel soft but this dry shampoo does the job it's meant to do and lasts all day in my hair. Impressed!  

Before... Greaseball (sorry!): 

During... Bit grey eek!

After- all rubbed in, volumnised and grease free- winner!

Victoria's Secret Glam and Go portable makeup palettes review

This makeup was a birthday gift and I would never have thought to look in Victoria's Secret for makeup- however it's such a brilliant idea! 

Four makeup palettes in one big case that can be popped out and slotted into a smaller portable case with a mirror. The perfect handbag size! Great for touch ups on the go as comes with two little brushes- for eyeshadow, liner and for blusher. 

The eyeshadow and eyeliner was really long lasting and had a great colour pay off, the blusher gave great colour although perhaps a little too sparkly for my liking, and the gloss was long lasting and not sticky. All in all really awesome gift!

Below a look from each palette :-)