Disappointing Beauty Products

As I wrote about my current favourite beauty products last month, I thought I’d tell you about the products that have let me down. While I'm shouting AVOID, AVOID, AVOID, bear in mind that we all have different tastes, skin types, hair types, and so on. Just because something didn’t work for me, doesn’t mean it won’t work for you.

Soap & Glory Supercat Carbon Black Extreme Eyeliner Pen (€8): Soap & Glory say this pen is “foolproof” and they’re not wrong - it’s super easy to use. The felt-tip is sturdy and the colour is a deep, glossy black. The issue I have with it is its longevity. While there are no long-lasting claims on the packaging, I expected this to wear well without primer. That’s not the case. Without primer, this smudges within 3 to 4 hours. Once my primer is on, Supercat lasts all day, but as I don’t have oily eyelids, having to apply primer every time I use this really irks me.

Bourjois Liner Feutre Ultra Black 24H Felt-tip Eyeliner (€8.99): Oh dear. This is the worst eyeliner pen I’ve ever tried. Even with primer, this fades and flakes. You must be thinking at this stage that my primer is useless! Not so. I use the much-lauded Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion. It’s not cheap and I prefer to keep it for nights out. We’re all used to mammoth claims from the beauty industry but this 24 hour declaration from Bourjois is just plain bizarre!
 

Garnier Ultimate Blends The Revitalising 7-in-1 Dry Shampoo (€4.99): Seven actions? More like no action! This dry shampoo made no difference to my unwashed hair. Not a thing. This was commended when it was first released due to the fact that it doesn’t leave a white cast like traditional dry shampoos, but I think that’s where the problem lies. At least with those products you know they’re absorbing oil. As much as I disliked Garnier Ultimate Blends, it’s nothing compared to the level of loathing I have for Herbal Essences Dry Shampoo. It left my hair in such a sticky mess that I threw it in the bin before I could take a photo of it. I’ll never stray from my darling Batiste again!

 

Rimmel Brow This Way Brow Styling Gel (€5.49): The only person I can imagine getting on well with this is Chris de Burgh. I’ve been ‘blessed’ with naturally full brows but even this brush is too large for me. Despite wiping excess gel on a tissue (the brush holds a lot of product) and careful application, it’s impossible not to get some gel around your eyebrows. The product itself is quite wet and takes a few minutes to set. What’s more, the deepest shade Dark Brown is more like a chestnut brown. A big thumbs down from me.

Sleek Matte Me Ultra Smooth Matte Lip Cream (€6.49): The description says “this doesn’t cake, flake or dry out”. I’m afraid it does all that and more. Matte lip products are notoriously difficult to wear, so I prepped my lips before application and kept them apart while the cream set. Nonetheless, it wore away quite quickly on the inside of my bottom lip which was really obvious. Reapplication was disastrous with the product balling up into little clumps. When I removed the product, which I couldn’t wait to do, my lips were sore and dehydrated. Admittedly, I’ve never had an easy friendship with matte lipsticks; I think my lips are naturally too dry. I do have one good thing to say about Sleek Matte Me; the colour is very strong and vibrant, but Fandango Purple didn’t suit my skin tone at all.

Lipcote (€4.99): My never-ending quest for long-lasting lipstick brought me to Lipcote. This is a lipstick sealer that has been around for 50 years. While most of the negative reviews online focus on the strong alcohol scent and the fact that it stings on application, my problem with it is that it doesn’t work! Again I followed the instructions to a T, but my lipstick faded within the normal time frame and began to look patchy. One plus - it didn’t feather, but I still couldn’t recommend this.

What products have left you feeling a little “meh”?

An Ode To A Bow

 

I like big bows and I cannot lie

You other sisters can’t deny

That when a girl walks in with a bow in her hair

And works it with an effortless flair

You want one

  Bows - €2 each - Tiger Stores

(I also like vintage tea cups)

I never thought I’d draw inspiration from Sir Mix-a-Lot to demonstrate my love for hair bows! Tiger currently has a range of charming bows in various sizes, colours and patterns. I’ve previously featured Tiger in Thrifty Treat Of The Week but their bargainous hair accessories are a new discovery. Apart from bows, they’ve also a selection of pretty wire headbands perfect for festival season.

                                                                 Life magazine March 1944

As part of a piece entitled “High School Fads”

Sadly, the only thing I have in common with Becky Brown is where I place my bow! How do you wear yours?!

 

 

Three Budget Hair Products I Can't Live Without

 

'Helene Curtis Spray Net' Ad 1956

 

1. Hask Argan Oil (€2.50 from Penneys/Primark): Moroccanoil revolutionised the hair care industry. Following on from its success; brands such as L’Oréal, Schwarzkopf, Shu Uemura, John Frieda and even Aldi launched hair oils claiming to contain the same miraculous argan oil. As far as I can tell, these oils are all the same. They can all be used on wet or dry hair, smell divine and will leave your hair incredibly shiny and soft. The only thing that varies is the price. Hask Argan oil, which is available in Penneys, is the most purse-friendly. The bottle is a tiny 18mls which makes it perfect for travelling and a little goes a long way.

 

2. Wella Silvikrin Hairspray (approx. €3 for 250ml): My hair doesn’t need a complicated updo to get a blast of hairspray. No, my flyaway mane gets its hairspray fix every day! I've been using Silvikrin for years. It's by no means the cheapest on the market but when I’ve tried more affordable brands, I’ve been left bitterly disappointed. What I love about this hairspray, apart from its long-lasting hold, is that it brushes out effortlessly. My hair is back to normal after a quick brush, soft and clean with no residue. Silvikrin also has a pleasant fragrance unlike its overpowering and overpriced rival L'Oreal Elnett.

 
3. Batiste Cherry (approx. €3.99): Since discovering Batiste dry shampoo a few years ago I’ve gone through countless cans of the stuff. It’s one of my must-have beauty products. It's an excellent multitasker (and lifesaver!), creating volume as well as refreshing hair. Batiste Cherry was launched last year and its sweet and fruity scent is my favourite from the range. The retro print can also looks great on my dressing table.

Beauty Review: TRESemmé Volume Styler

When I got my hair cut into a bob last year I soon realised I needed a styling tool to maintain its smooth shape. I've never been able to blow dry my hair into a style and while I love using heated rollers they are time-consuming. I was tempted by the acclaimed BaByliss Big Hair Hot Air Styler but I wasn't willing to pay over €60 for it. While looking for a cheaper alternative I came across TRESemmé Volume Styler.

TRESemmé Volume Styler dries your hair while adding body and shape. It doesn't create curls, rather bends and flicks, so it’s perfect if you prefer your hair straight but with some bounce. And the best bit? You only need to use one hand! No more achy arms from holding a heavy hairdryer and brush. I find if I rough dry my hair first until it’s 80% dry (it's not a hairdryer so it won't dry your hair fully, unless you have very short or fine hair), separate it into manageable sections and use the highest setting I get a better result.

As far as I can see, the biggest difference between TRESemmé Volume Styler and BaByliss Big Hair is the fact that BaByliss Big Hair has a rotating barrel. However, both barrels are 50mm and ceramic coated and both stylers have ionic conditioning and a 700w motor. TRESemmé Volume Styler is available from Argos for €33.99

Hair Inspiration: The Beautiful Bob

For as long as I can remember I have worn my hair shoulder length or longer. The thought of anything shorter appalled me. However, over the past few months my hair has become dry and damaged snubbing my overzealous efforts to style it.  I was also bored with it and in the midst of a mid-20s crisis last month I went under the scissors and got a bob!

The history of the bob is an interesting one. Originating at the beginning of the 20^th century, it was seen as a shocking statement of independence in young women. It was only considered respectable when women joined the workforce during World War I and no longer had time to style long hair. By the mid-1920s it was the dominant female hairstyle in the Western world popularised by actresses Louise Brooks and Joan Crawford, the original flapper girls. As the 1930s approached, women started to grow their hair longer and the bob was abandoned.

Vidal Sassoon is credited with bringing back the bob in the 1960s, revolutionising the style with his precise, geometric cuts. Sassoon created some of the most iconic hairstyles of the 60s including Mia Farrow's pixie crop and the five-point cut worn by stars such as Mary Quant, Nancy Kwan and Grace Coddington.

                                          Vidal in his salon. Oh to have a time machine!

More 1960s Inspiration:

Anna Karina

                                                      Chantal Goya

                                              Jessica Paré as Megan Draper in Mad Men

Modern Inspiration:

Krysten Ritter

Kimbra

Alexa Chung

Taking inspiration from the 60s (my favourite decade for music, fashion and beauty) I asked my hairdresser for a blunt bob a lá Chantal Goya. However, she nervously recommended an A-line bob (where the front is slightly longer than the back) for fear I’d turn the scissors on her due to my lack of length! I took her advice and it was the right decision. I love my hair. It’s in better condition, more manageable and I think I look a little more elegant! Also, in a world obsessed with big hair and extensions it’s nice to sport something a little different.

  My gorgeous friend Katie and I at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby last weekend

Beauty Review: L’Oréal Elvive Nutri-Gloss Crystal Shampoo

If you're a fan of the L’Oréal Elvive range you will probably be familiar with Nutri-Gloss, the pink bottle that promises mirror shine and cashmere touch. Well now L’Oréal has released Nutri-Gloss Crystal, a shampoo and conditioner that actually sparkle. I admit I let out a little yelp when I spotted this in Boots a few weeks ago; it immediately reminded me of my first Barbie - Glitter Hair Barbie. I was never a true Barbie disciple but when you have four sisters you tend to remember toys that were handed to you brand spanking new and Glitter Hair Barbie was the epitome of early 90's cool. With her bleach blonde hair, tight neon clothes and sun visor she looked like an extra on Saved By The Bell.

L’Oréal claim Nurti-Gloss Crystal is enriched with micro-crystals that leave hair sparkling with up to 50% more shine from the first wash. However, I used it several times and so did my sister and unfortunately we ended up like poor old Glitter Hair Barbie - with more sparkles on our faces than our hair. Yes that's right, I didn't see any increased shine to my hair but my forehead was glowing! Nutri-Gloss Crystal may look pretty but it's messy. My advice is to stick to the plain Nutri-Gloss range.