Barry M’s chunky super soft eye crayons have long been a staple multipurpose product in my collection – I own a couple of the shimmering eye and lip crayons, shade 1, a creamy base with slight golden glimmers, and shade 7, which is a golden shade.

I use Shade 1 as a liner for the lower waterline, (brightening, but more subtle than a pure white pencil, which can look harsh…), and also as a lazy highlighter for the brow bone at times…. It also works well on the inner corner of the eye.

As for the Gold shade, I use that as a simple eyeliner, or on the inner corner.

Both shades also work well as an eyeshadow base. They really are very creamy formula wise, and do not pull the eyelids or delicate skin below the eyes nearly as much as some other liners I have tried. They can then be blended with fingers to create a tacky base which I find works well as an eyeshadow base. These pencils seem to be the British alternative to the NYX Jumbo pencils. Whilst I must point out that in my opinion, the pencils used as bases do feel “heavier” than say a paintpot or UDPP, and do not remain crease free for as long (the heavier you apply them, the more they crease I have found..) they definitely make a passable drugstore eyeshadow base. Especially when you consider that they cost a mere £4.50 each.

The most recent addition to the range was that of five matte shades – Green, Blue, Turquoise, Pink and Purple. I was sent the green and blue shades (numbers six and seven) to have a play with. The matte and plain versions of the pencils retail at £3.95 each

Pigment wise, these pencils are very good, and they have the same super creamy formula to work with as the Shimmer crayons, and are therefore suitable for the same purposes, ie bases, liners, adding little “pops” of colour etc…

The size of the pencils is similar to benefits BadGal pencil (but shorter) – I don’t own this, so I can’t compare them texture wise etc, however The texture of the pencils makes for an easily smudged line – so the black one (Which I also own but is MIA…) makes for an easy smudgy liner.

Above – a very very quick look using the Matte Green pencil as a base, Shimmering crayon 1 as a highlight and Illamasqua powder shadows in Slut, Dare and Yearn. Please ignore the brows – they are due a threading session!

Longevity wise, if you wanted to wear these as liners for the whole day, you would probably need to reapply every once in a while, due to their creamy texture, which does make them more prone to wear-off.

Overall, I’d say these are affordable multipurpose products, which perform reasonably well for their price. They are also great for travel, when taking pots of cream bases might not be so practical. Their low cost means it is affordable to have a few different coloured bases to use to create different effects with your shadows. As eyeliners, they do need re-applying, however I have been spoilt by the Urban Decay 24/7 liners which I really like, and stay put on the waterline very well.

Hope this Helps.
Mizzworthy

….Get 20% off Barry M online from now til 18th November, by entering the code;

I have to say, since I started blogging and trying different products, for me, the whole “MAC=amazing” idea that runs through so much of the blogosphere no longer rings true. Now I’m not saying MAC isn’t a great brand, it is, but their LE collections have failed to inspire me for a LONG time – the last few months have seen a dirge (in my opinion!) of badly pigmented and disappointing products. The last collection that inspired me in any way was BBR. Outstanding MSF’s and fab brushes (although in a way, I find the LE brush thing annoying too – why do you do that to us MAC? Why!?).When I first saw the images and products of the Style Black collection, I have to say, I felt the old interest in MAC stirring again, and I was so excited to have a look at the collection. I was sadly really really disappointed. I got to my local MAC counter on LAUNCH DAY to find that all the eyeshadows were already crumbling and smashed up in the containers. This did not bode well. The one intact shadow swatched well, but I personally found it too glittery – the one shade I was really interested in was the Gilt by Association (sadly the sample was smashed to smithereens), and I may still purchase this one, as it appeals to me for the Christmas season, and looks like it would make a wicked smokey eye over a black base.

I love the look of the black lipsticks, but I am aware that I would probably look ridiculous in them – I am too pale to carry them off (with the possible exception of night violet) and this does make me sad – I’m all for trying out unusual looks, and I’m definitely having fond memories of my teen goth phase, but wearing black lippie when you are 16 (or in a studio with the benefit of amazing lighting and a computer airbrush) is very different to wearing it in your thities (especially when you have as little confidence in your looks as me)(*sob*).I’m definitely more open to the dark purple and red lipsticks which are a massive part of this trend.

Mooching about the beauty hall following this disappointment, I realised that there are actually a LOT of other collections which meant I could still indulge in this trend… Chanel, YSL and NARS all have suitable products to rock this look…

My interest was definitely massive in the Chanel Noirs Obscures collection.

This darkly decadent collection features a couple of dark lipsticks – both very tempting, and some very very nice dark nail varnishes, as well as a new mascara (“The Chanel Mascara”). The products I picked up were the eye palette (£37) and the lipgloss (I think it was around£15?)…

The colours are a little difficult to see but this is basically a palette of colours with very dark undertones – there is a purple, a green, a blue and a brown. The gloss is a black see through base with golden shimmer (Sounds similar to bling black?)

Swatching the shadows on their own makes them look pretty indestinct…

However, over a black base their individual colours stand out much more;

The lipgloss is very subtle – the picture makes it look much more subtle than it is in real life…

On its own the gloss deepens the natural lipcolour. It would look great over the (in my case) dreaded nude shades too…

Illamasqua is ALWAYS worth checking out for unusual and trend shades – they have many many dark shades which are bang on trend at the moment – their cream shadows make great bases and they do an augergine shade called debauch which would make a change from MAC’s blackground paintpot. I picked up their black concealer (shade 350). This is also available in the less pigmented undereye version – both make AMAZING eye shadow bases.

I also picked up a new shade by Urban Decay called Oil Slick. This looks like a black lipstick with silver shimmer…

But when worn it is much more subtle – although in this picture it looks like I applied it in the dark you get the idea!

Drugstore ranges are also well worth a look – Maybelline do a shade in their new Colour Sensation line called Galactic Mauve which looks great worn alone…

Top this off with a layer of Oil Slick by Urban Decay though and you have a perfect on shade and wearable combo..

I LOVE this combination – what do you think?

Other dark and moody collections worth looking at – YSL’s new rouge volupte and gloss volupte shades, as well as their new 5 colour eye palettes; Estee Lauder’s double wear cream shadow in midnight velvet, and the classic black honey sheer lipcolour from clinique… Any other suggestions?

Oh and by the way – Barry M do a cheap black lipstick that won’t leave a dent in your pocket once this trend passes!

MizzWorthy xxx

Hmmm… Mascara – such a divisive subject in the beauty world. There is definitely a place in my heart for high end mascara (I will always love YSL Faux Cils dearly – it was the first one I ever tried that made me realise the power of a fluttering lash!), and yet given the fact that macara has to be replaced so regularly for hygiene reasons, it makes sense to make the most of drugstore gems too!

So my current fave drugstore mascara’s, in no particular order (that would be impossible! I usually have about three on the go anyway!)….

Rimmel Sexy Curves
This one seems to be something of a “marmite” mascara (you either love it or you hate it…). I personally love it – gives volumised long fluttery lashes and builds well. Some people find the wand too floppy and flexible, but personally I’ve never had this issue. The bizarrely shaped wand works well to get product onto the lashes, as well as lengthening and building volume. Can clump if you use tonnes of coats, but some people like that too.

Max Factor False Lash Effect

This is marketed as Covergirl LashBlast in the US, and is apparently a best seller over there – a status which it fully deserves in my humble opinion. This has a MASSIVE applicator – one unlike any I’ve seen before. Basically a large barrelled plastic cone with teeth…. The product itself is also a great formulation – not too thick, not too thin, so it dries quick enough not to smudge, but slow enough to allow you to build your coats up. For me, this gives lovely long, thick and dramatic looking lashes. A fellow makeup addict at work, regularly asks me what mascara I’m wearing when I have this on…

Maybelline Colossal Volume

First off, lets talk about the packaging – I hate it! But this just proves you should never judge a book by its cover… and I suppose it makes it easy to find! This is great for building drama in a flash. I actually recieved this at a blogger event, and possibly would never have picked it up if I hadn’t (due to the radioactive packaging), and hence I tried it with some trepidation. However
I was surprised – builds extremely thick lashes with little clumping – this is a great one for a smoky eye, as it gives very thick and intense black lashes.

Barry M 3-in-1 Mascara

Again, I recived this at a blogger event, and I have to say, the makeup snob in me really expected this to be absolute rubbish. One of those occasions where I am so so pleased to be proved totally and utterly wrong. In short – this product costs less than a fiver, promises to curl, lengthen and volumise, and it actually lives up to those claims completely. If you haven’t tried this one, I urge you to get to your nearest Barry M counter and be amazed.

Max Factor 2000 Calorie

This is one of those mascara’s I keep going back to over and over – like a pair of comfortable shoes, I know exactly where I stand with this one. Gives reliable results and never lets me down. An oldie but a goodie. Coats lashes with minimal clumping and always looks great. A coat or two is great for the day, but extra coats can be added for nocturnal activities!

It has to be said though, for every great drugstore mascara out there, there are some absolute humdingers… some of my most recent let-downs include;

L’oreal Telescopic Explosion – Its difficult to express how much I dislike this mascara, but if you want to spend about 15 minutes faffing about with an applicator that looks like a torture impliment getting the outer corner lashes to look great, only to move towards the inner lashes and have the useless wand clump the outer lashes, then this will be perfect for you. Gawd I hate this one – did not work for me in any way shape or form.

Maybelline Lash Stiletto – Made big promises of long glossy lashes, and failed to deliver on either front. I just found this very average.

L’Oreal Volume Collagen – Looked so promising – huge brush and promises of long volumised fluttery boy-bait style lashes. Achieved this for the first use, however dried up within about ten minutes of opening the tube and promptly clumped horrendously on each following application. Currently trying out the “plus” version to see if it is more successful… will keep you posted!

Any other recommendations? I don’t like to miss out on good lashes!

MizzWorthy xxx

This is a look I’ve been wearing a lot over the last few days, so thought I’d share… I think I look so serious in the photo above, as here at Casa De Worthy, we have had a casualty of makeup proportions…

Those of you who twitter with me, will know that I had a reorganisation of my stash last night, curtesy of some flat-pack from IKEA… It is my sad duty to report that my urban decay brow box is missing… This is a definite staple product for me, and I feel like my brows don’t look quite right. Oh well, time to hunt out a replacement!

Well, here is a picture of me looking a little happier;

Products Used;

Face;
Korres Watermelon tinted moisturiser
ELF mineral blush in Coral
Rouge Bunny Rouge liquid highlighter (AKA candlelight in a bottle) blended in “C” shape around eye and up to brow bone, and also a smidge down the centre of the nose.
Illamasqua pressed powder (PP115) dusted over T-Zone.

Eyes

MAC paintpot in bare study as base,
Rouge Bunny Rouge shadow in “Unforgettable Oriole” (muted pale gold shade) over lid and blended up to browbone.
Rouge Bunny Rouge shadow in “Abyssinian Catbird” in crease and outer lid.
Rouge Bunny Rouge shadow in “Bejewelled Skylark” in outer V.
Loreal Telescopic carbon black mascara.
UD 24/7 Liner in “Lucky” (bronze-gold shade) on waterline, and upper lashline.
ABSENT – ud brow box!

Lips.

Barry M lipgloss in “Toffee” – this smells like toffee and adds a nice sheen – probably as near to a nude lip as I’m willing to go!

MizzWorthy xxx

Thanks to everyone who entered the little giveaway – we had 54 entries all together, and using rangom.org generated the numbers 11 and 42… which means the winners are;

• Laura (Laura’s Bloggy Blog)
• Lipglossiping, whose blog can be found here

Well done to the two of you – please email me your addresses and I’ll pop the nail varnishes in the post tomorrow!

MizzWorthy xxx

Anyone else fancy trying this little baby? I blogged about this lovely nail paint the other day here, and got a great response – I now have two of these to give away, curtesy of Lisa, the fab PR lady who handles the PR for Barry M (or Bazza, as I Like to call him!) and gave me the sample to try the other day!

I’m on day three of wear now, and not a chip in sight!

If you fancy trying this polish, then just make sure you are a follower of the blog, and leave a comment below – I will post them anywhere! Please only enter once to give everyone the same chance!

The two winners will be picked using RandomNumber.org to keep it fair! I will close this on Sunday at 9pm UK time, and winners will be announced on Monday…

Good Luck!

MizzWorthy xxx

Hi everyone,