RUSH HOUR -Instant Makeover for lips and cheeks - BENEFIT
£16.50

- What the promo says - "A 10 second makeover...it's a fresh and lively touch up for lips and cheeks...in a silky smooth sunberry shade...it's peppy on all complexions!" This is all that is written on the leaflet inside the box but there are more useful details (full of exclamation marks and very 'American') to be found on Benefit's website as follows: "THE instant makeover for lips & cheeks. It's low maintenance, oil-free & non-comedogenic makeup for the gal on the go. This sunberry color cream is your shade! Apply to cheeks, dot on lips-vroom, vroom...you're ready to go!
Tips and tricks: The twist-up slim-line design makes application mess-free and fast! Starting at the apple of your cheeks, apply rush hour using whisker-like strokes. Blend evenly with fingertips. Then dot on lips and you're gorgeous in a flash!"

- Why I bought this product - I have always felt that the cosmetics industry is a bit of a rip-off, making us buy this product for one part of our body and that product for another. Whilst I am aware that things like nail varnish can only have one use (!) I felt that powders and creams for eyes, face and lips could be used more imaginatively to save having to buy so many products. So, when I saw that Benefit were combining something for cheeks and lips I thought, "Hooray! At last someone is producing a dual purpose product."

- Packaging - I love Benefit's packaging. It is colourful and bright and often quite 'retro'. The 'Rush Hour' box has a glamorous gloved hand sporting a ring over the glove... holding the steering wheel of a car. Inside there is a slim gold lipstick style container in gold with black geometric patterns. Easy to keep in your handbag.

- Application - Just a few dots needed on the cheeks, blended in with the fingers...for a glowing effect. A quick dash over the lips and you are ready. Just the sort of thing you can do quickly in your rear view mirror when the traffic lights are red.

- Appearance/ Texture - Goes on well and is pleasant to apply. Lips are nice and glossy on initial application.

- Scent - Not aware of one.

-Short term / Long term effects - Appearance is good after initial application. The colour is good for my cheeks although, being blonde, I do find the lipstick colour a little dark for me. Application lasts well ...all morning at least. ...although being a fan of Lancôme's 'Rouge Absolu' I do not feel that this lipstick has such a good hydrating effect. I find my lips are feeling a little dry by the end of the morning. The colour lasts well...and when it does fade, it seems to cling to the outer edges of your lips which gives the effect of a lip-liner.

- Longevity - This is a product that I would have used much more in my 'former life' when I was dashing around going to conferences and meetings as a Headmistress. I think it is a brilliant idea to have something to touch up your make-up after a long journey when you are looking and feeling a little tired. My present life-style is not so 'rushed' and I have every opportunity to go and replenish make-up throughout the day whenever I want...so I cannot give a good idea of how long this product would last if kept in a handbag and used regularly but I think the general idea is a good one. Well done, Benefit.

- Value for Money - Product does what it says and is not too expensive compared to other quality lipsticks on the market. When you bear in mind that it is a blusher as well....! Good value.

- Suppliers - Sephora, Boots, House of Fraser
http://www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk/

Benefit's Lemon Aid Eyelid Primer

RRP: £15.50

- What the Promo says -

"Wake up your eyelids with this warm yellow correcting cream. It helps to hide redness and discoloration on your eyelids. In a snap, eyes look refreshed, frisky and ready for fun."

- Why I bought this product -

I have been 'suffering' from redness in the 'crease' of my eye for some time and nothing I have used on my eyelids has corrected it or even concealed it....in fact, most products have only made the situation worse, causing the skin on my eyelids to flake and peel! So when I saw Benefit's 'Lemon Aid' I decided to give it a try.

- Packaging -

Benefit's products come in neat little boxes that do not try to fool you about the size of the product inside. This box is about 5 and a half centimetres square...easy to pick out on the shelf with its lemon segment design. Inside is a circular eye compact in black with the words 'lemon aid' in yellow'. I was hoping it would look more like a lemon....but never mind! It is a handy size to pop into any handbag and has a good clip fastening mechanism.

- Application -

Pat onto your eyelids using your fingertips, then blend. Can be worn alone or under make-up.

- Appearance/Texture/Consistency -

Quite 'yellowy' in appearance, it does however blend in well on the eyelid creating a natural look. The product is fairly creamy and so there is no problem with loose powder falling in the eye....and none is lost during application. Although I have worn 'lemon aid' alone it is very pale and so I prefer to use it as a primer for eyeshadow.

- Scent -

It doesn't have one.

- Longevity -

Applied first thing in the morning, its effect lasts all day.

- Short term/long term effects -

The product successfully covers redness until it is removed with make-up remover.

- Value for Money -

Quite expensive but you only need to use a small amount once a day so the small compact should last a while. The fact that I no longer have red-looking eyelids makes it worth it!

- Suppliers -

http://www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk/

Sephora

Boots

House of Fraser

GIVENCHY'S PRISMISSIME - 9 COLOUR POWDER COMPACT
RRP: £29.89

- What the promo says -
"A nine colour face and eye powder giving you a sensual and radiant complexion. There are two textures: one will unify the complexion and give you a matte finish whilst the glow texture highlights specific areas for a radiant, healthy shine.
Fine and light. Soft and easy to apply. Clings well to the skin : does not crumble or « polish »."

Available in two limited edition shades : maharani pink and maharani apricot.

- Why I bought this product -

...because I was sitting on a plane and trying to pass the time (and forget the fact that I was thousands of feet up in the sky in a heavy metal machine) and this is what I fancied from the 'duty free' booklet! I have never been a 'face powder' person and thought it was about time I tried to be like a 40s/50s filmstar. The combination of colours looked innovative and different to a normal face powder and I liked the concept of blending them to create a natural look.

- Packaging -

Hooray! Just for once, a beauty product comes in a box the size of what is actually inside! When the air hostess presented it to me, I thought, "Blimey, that's small!" but it was better than being given large box only to discover the product inside was that much smaller.

The compact itself is exactly that...COMPACT...and ideal for putting in your handbag..even a small one for going out in the evening. The container itself is a thing of beauty...the whole of the lid being taken up with the signature 'Givenchy' prism design in colourful, sparkly lettering on a black surround. The compact feels solid and chunky and is both practical and pretty. Inside the case is a two-tier system where you lift up the shelf containing the colours to reveal a wide, soft brush for application. There is a mirror in the lid. So much crammed into a small space and all very nifty!

- Application -

As easy as pie...and I love Givenchy's instructions. They dispense with unnecessary words and just have three small diagrams on the lid of the cardboard box. 1) How to open the tier system and reveal the brush, 2) Circular motion of brush across all the colours, 3) Application in wide sweeps to forehead and cheeks.

- Appearance -

I loved the colours and the sparkly effect when I opened the box. Once applied, the colours blend very well to give a light and natural dusting on the face that is evenly distributed with the brush. Subtle. The 'disco' side of me wished it sparkled on my face as much as in the box.

-Scent -

Love the smell...which is hard to describe but very pleasant and makes it a treat to put on.

-Longevity -

Lasts well during the day...but so much fun to put on that you will want to re-apply.

-Value for money -

Have only just started using this so am not sure how long it will last me. Watch this space and I will up-date.

- Suppliers -

http://www.parfumsgivenchy.com/ online shopping

Debenhams

Sephora

Harrods

L'ABSOLU ROUGE LIPSTICK - LANCOME

RRP: £17

"My Lips are quenched with sublime and reshaping colour."

-What the promo says -

"Drench your lips in hydration, nutrition and colour with this “rich-as-cream” formula that pampers lips with immediate and long-lasting hydration, leaving them supple, comfortable. In a range of luminous shades to shape lips in feather-proof colour and with a silky, satin finish for a deliciously hydrated look.. "

-Why I bought this product -

As with most cosmetics I buy, I was attracted to this product for its hydrating and nutritive qualities. I do not buy many lipsticks and am satisified with around two or three colours so I therefore tend to buy quality rather than quantity. I confess that when the girl in the shop told me that this was a hydrating lipstick, the cynic inside me said, 'Oh, yeh?' but I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt and try it anyway. I wasn't disappointed.

-Packaging -

I like Lancôme's packaging...it is sturdy, classy and instantly recognisable. L'Absolu Rouge has a gold base and a tapered dark blue container with the Lancôme rose on the top. The lipstick opens and closes well and there is a good 'click' to hold both parts securely together when being jiggled around in your handbag. The lipstick stands well on a bathroom shelf.

- Application -

Glides on easily! The creamy texture slides over your lips leaving them nicely hydrated and glossy. The shaped tip is excellent for 'painting' your lips to begin with but, of course, as with all lipsticks the benefit of this is lost after continued use.

- Scent/Taste -

Very subtle. Pleasant to wear and to kiss (I am told!)

- Appearance and Texture/Consistency -

With a range of 35 colours to choose from you will certainly find one you like! The colours are good and two strokes across your lips will suffice. The colour and moisturing effect both last well and the overall effect is good. Lips do feel supple and comfortable. As for the re-shaping claim..I have never really tried to re-shape my lips so cannot say...I believe in following one's natural lipline. I am no Scarlett Johanssen and adding lipstick isn't going to change that!

- Longevity -

As stated above, both colour and hydrating effect are long-lasting. I find that one application lasts all morning. If you drink water or wine, your lipstick is not all removed instantly so there is some resistance....but I defy anyone to drink a hot chocolate and have anything on their lips afterwards! Obviously, eating a bag of chips and licking your lips removes it.

As for how long the product lasts, well I suppose it depends on how many colours you have and how often you re-apply your lipstick during the day. I only have two colours and these last me a couple of months. I am never seen without lipstick and always re-apply it after meals and so I guess this means I use it quite a lot.

**** SARAH'S HANDY TIP TO MAKE IT LAST! ***

When you buy a quality lipstick it is a shame to throw it away when the lipstick is not longer protruding from its case. There is still quite a lot of product left in there! When my lipsticks get to this stage they are no longer allowed out for trips in my handbag but are relegated to the retirement home of my bathroom. There I use a lipstick brush to apply lipstick in the mornings...until there is literally no product left. I get a few more weeks out of them this way.

-Short term/Long term effects -

This product really does hydrate your lips....not just when you first put it on but all the time you are wearing it. I don't go anywhere without it. Whale and dolphin watching on a boat....snowshoeing up a mountain...my lipstick is always by my side. It seems to both hydrate and protect the lips at the same time. Excellent! I have taken to using it instead of the revolting products they sell for lip sunscreen.

- Value for Money -

If you use it all.....good.

-Suppliers-

http://www.lancome.co.uk/ online shopping

Debenhams

Boots

LANCOME - ABSOLUE TEINT Revitalising Nourishing liquid foundation

RRP : £44.95

- What the promo says -
"The light, creamy texture of this skin-caring foundation blends in evenly to brighten your complexion, while giving an instant sensation of comfort that leaves your skin feeling velvety soft. It provides hydration and nourishment to help your skin regain the suppleness of its youth. Your complexion looks natural and even. It glows with absolute beauty!"

- Why I bought this product -
I have always had dry skin and, as the years go by this is not something that improves with age. My beautician took one look at my complexion and muttered something like, 'Well, Sarah, if you want to rescue your neck there is only one solution!' She is French....and honest! And, no, I do not want 'tortoise neck' quite yet, so I listened to her. Her remedy for this latter was Lancôme's NUTRIX, and, for my face, she recommended ABSOLUE TEINT. She told me that this foundation was 'magic', that it really did hydrate and nourish and, what is more, she said, 'It goes on like a dream!' At £44.95 (cheaper in France where I live) it had to be good, as this is far more than I would normally spend on a foundation.

- Packaging -
The foundation comes in a clear frosted glass pot that allows the colour to show through and it has an attractive gold lid with the Lancôme rose. It is quite heavy for travellers. The pot opens and closes easily and there is no danger of the lid deteriorating with time and frequent use. The product also comes with a small plastic disk containing a miniature spatula for application. My only critcism would be that I wish this was square as I have difficulty propping it on my bathroom shelf.

- Application -
My beautician was right...it goes on like a dream. Whilst it might seem 'a bit of a fag' to have to use the mini spatula each time, it is well worth doing so as, not only does it help to keep the product germ-free, it also serves to limit the amount of foundation used each time. You really do only need enough to cover the spatula to make up your whole face. Once you have applied small spots of the foundation on forehead, nose, cheeks and chin, you simply blend in with your fingertips.

- Texture/Consistency/Scent -
The texture is perfect. Not too watery and not too thick. It provides good coverage and is smooth and easy to blend. Good results in only minutes. It has virtually no scent, so does not interfere with your perfume.

- Longevity -
One application lasts all day and all evening. If you use the product as sparingly as suggested then a pot really does last a long time. I use a different colour foundation in the summer and I generally find that a pot of Lancôme lasts me the 'winter season' here in the South of France, which means around 4 - 5 months.

- Short term/Long-term effects -
Lancôme's claims for this product are fulfilled. My skin feels instantly smoother after application and the overall effect is a homogenous, glowing complexion. Long term I feel sure that my skin benefits from the moisturing effects all day long and, having once started to use this product, I am hooked. The combination of this and Lancôme's NUTRIX has made a visible difference to my skin and.....thank goodness....my neck! Thank you, Lydia, for recommending them to me.

-Value for money -
Despite being costly, I feel this product is worth it. It does what it claims to do and the pot lasts a long time. I like the fact that it is in an ordinary glass pot and not a pump action dispenser because I am able to get every last smidgeon of foundation out and none is wasted.

- Suppliers -
http://www.lancome.co.uk/
Boots
Debenhams