Beauty: W7 Absolute Lashes Mascara

Hey All

Since going cruelty free I've been needing to find alternatives for some of my favourite non cruelty free products. I've always been a big fan of Benefit They're Real (and many of they're other products) and not being able to repurchase is a shame but I've actually started to find some good alternatives.

Ebay Zoeva Dupe Eye Brush Set

Hey All

Last year for my birthday I got the Zoeva Complete Eye Brush Set (full review here), I instantly fell in love and was blown away by the quality of them and brushes I never knew I needed. I'd previously ordered a few ebay (review here) that I loved and still use now so when Make Up Savvy (one of L and I's favourite bloggers, her ebay bargains posts are the one!) shared this set I thought I'd see how it compared, and it comes in rose gold so looks pretty.

Zara Fragrances - Apple Juice and Zara Woman Gold

Happy Wednesday everyone!

It's almost the weekend! I've got plans to go to Tenby with friends so I hope the weather holds out and we can go to the beach.

I was absolutely gutted when my perfume was discontinued a few years ago. I have managed to buy it off a few different sites for a while since then but now the stocks have well and truly gone and it was time for me to find a new one.

They're Real Dupe

Morning All

I'm sure most of us have tried or at least heard of the legendary They're Real. L and I are both fans of the mascara and Benefit in general. I'm so skint at the moment but so always after an alternative to my high end items work as well. As I was applying my Bourjois Fan-tastic Volume mascara the other day I realised it gave similar results. On the photos below TR is the eye with They're Real on and FV is the eye with Fan-tastic Volume on.

Here is one coat of each.

After one coat Fan-Tastic Volume hasn't added much volume but has really lengthened my lashes. They're Real has added more volume and darker the lash line more.

After two coats Fan-Tastic volume starts to add volume and really thicken the lashes. They're really has added more volume at the lash line.

This shows how messy the eyes get. I find I always get mascara along my lash line.

After three coat Fan-Tastic volume really looks great. It completely separates the lashes and adds volume without clumping. With They're Real I think three coats is too much for my taste persoanlly and looks clumpy.

This picture really shows the difference in the length they add to the lashes. It's not the best quality as it's from my front facing camera. Sorry

I will say I think my They're Real has only been open a few weeks so is still a little wet but I can say I now definitely prefer the Bourjois version. It adds so much length and volume to my lashes and doesn't clump. I do prefer it when it's been open a few weeks but for me this is the way with all mascaras. At £9.99 it's cheaper and it's a lot easier to remove!

Here is the original review of Fan-Tastic Volume. L has reviewed They're Real here. You can see They're Real on my lashes here and here.

Are you a They're Real fan? Would you consider this dupe?

Love M

xxx

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Ebay Beauty Blender Dupes

I'd seen so many reviews on the beauty blender and so many people saying it was amazing I just had to get one. Especially after I was having issues applying my Illamasqua skin base and a beauty blender sponge was recommended.

I'm someone who's always after a bargain and spending £10+ on what is essentially a sponge is something I couldn't do, especially after I'd heard they do need throwing away regularly as they don't wash well.

After being suggested ebay dupes I straight away ordered one. I have heard that the pink one's work the best and some of the others don't swell up in the same one so that's something to consider (sorry if it was you who suggested this on twitter I can't remember who it was now).

Dry and wet of the sponge I don't like. As you can see from comparing the leaf it's next too it's barely changed size.

I've since ordered two sponges from eBay and was disappointed to find one was amazing and one wasn't! Apparently all the ones from china aren't the same. Lesson learnt there.

The first one I got was amazing, super soft, swelled up well when wet, and was light and spongey. The second one didn't seem to swell when wet and feel tougher and stiffer. It makes it harder to apply to the skin and doesn't give quite an amazing finish.

Original sponge dry and the sponge I don't like wet

I love the shape of the sponge as it has a pointed end which is great for getting in around the nose and under the eye area.

The beauty blenders work when wet. Under the tap they should swell to almost double in size then you need to squeeze out all the water so it's just damp. Using the beauty blenders does mean that you use more product but for the flawless finish it gives I can forgive it.

Original sponge wet. You can see how much this one has grown when it's wet.

The big downside to using this type of sponge is the fact you can't really clean it. From the first time you use it, it will be stained. I've tried various different soaps and was it immediately after use and just can't get it clean. If you have any tips I'd love to know.

Though I have been using it for a month and I am yet to break out. Some people have found they have broken out using them but I always wash it after use with anti bacterial soap to help prevent this. It's still in good condition but I probably will throw it soon.

I'm so converted to these sponges and I don't mind that it uses more product as the finish it leaves is amazing. As they cost just over £1 delivered I don't mind if I have to throw it away every 6-8 weeks.

This is seller I bought the amazing one from in pink and was £1.03 (now reduced to 99p). This is the seller I bought the one from that didn't swell as well and wasn't as soft!. Both images look the same so beware if you switch sellers as the sponges may not always be the same. I'm hoping my first one wasn't a fluke.

Have you tried the beauty blender or the dupes? I'd love to compare the RT one to these.

Love M

xxx

OPI Cajun Shrimp Nail Dupe

When I received the best of the best OPI collection for Christmas I was excited to try them all out as it's such a well loved brand that I hadn't tried before.

Cajun shrimp stood out to me as a perfect coral orange for the summer. When I first applied it those I was a little disappointed. Where I regularly bake I find I get food colouring stuck under my nails and need opaque polishes or my nail line is visible and this is a look I like. Also needing 4 coats is disappointing for small bottles as you use the polish up quickly. 

I also find OPI nail varnish chip easily on me. Do any of you find this too? They also are quite expensive in the UK. So when I saw Crave Me in boots I excitedly picked it up.

As you can see they are pretty similar in colour. Cajun shrimp is a little more pink in shade. The No7 polish can also be picked up for a bargain £2 if you wait till the £5 off vouchers are on.

Cajun Shrimp is on my thumb and Crave Me on my ring finger. Pretty close match. Crave me has a nicer formula, it's very pigmented and opaque in two coats, I find it lasts better than OPI too.

Perfect shade for summer don't you think?! Both L and I have this, after seeing it on her nails I had to have it. L has done a NOTD on Crave Me last week if you'd like to see her thoughts on it. Do you like these shades?

Love M