Sunday, 15 July 2012

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencils

NYX jumbo eye pencils are a cult budget beauty buy, available mainly online and from some drugstrores in the US.  The main problem with these pencils is that if they work for you you'll want to buy more...and more..until you end up like Lady Cavanagh and you own 14 of them...

That said, owning 14 (or even all 28 of the shades they come in) is not a problem as the pencils are very reasonably priced - ranging from US$2.99 from Cherry Culture to AUD$6.25 from Crush Cosmetics (www.crushcosmetics.com)

What really needs to be started right up front is that these pencils are not eyeshadow primers so if applied alone they will crease.  The best way to use them is to apply a good primer (Urban Decay's Primer Potion or NYX's HD eyeshadow base work well).  Let the primer dry and then dive in with the pencils.

What Lady Cavanagh loves about these is the endless colour possibilities that come from them.  'Iced mocha' is perfect for the office, whereas 'Purple' is great for a night out.  Gold can be used on its own for a striking look or added to the lower lash line to make eyes sparkle on a dull winter's day.

Lady Cavanagh finds that while they certainly can be worn alone they really come into their own when used as an eyeshadow base with a power shadow over the top.  This means that if there is any creasing by the end of the day it is not as noticeable.

They apply like a dream and work perfectly even when hurriedly applied in a cold bathroom before work.  When on the skin they don't set rapidly meaning that you can take your time to blend them with other shadow colours.

These are also a great product if you're new to makeup and want to try something new without busting your budget.

Swatches (natural light, no flash.  From left to right)
Milk, Yoghurt, Lavender,
Oyster, Strawberry Milk
Bronze, Pure Gold,
French Fries, Iced Mocha


















Overall I can't really recommend these highly enough!


Monday, 2 July 2012

Another Mini OPI Haul



At $19.95 a bottle it can be hard to enjoy shopping for OPI at stores in Australia.  Thankfully there's a concession stand at my local shopping centre that sells them for $9.95 which allows me to stock up without feeling too guilty!

Lady Cavanagh's latest aquisitions are....
'I Have a Herring Problem', 'A Roll in the Hague' and 'Dutch Tulips' - the first 2 are from OPI's recent Dutch Collection and the other coincidentally has a Netherlands-inspired name!


'I Have a Herring Problem' a blue-green-grey colour that reminds me of the sea on a stormy day.  Its definitely a winder colour as i think it would look too dull during the summer months.  It has a silver-glitter though it which adds a nice shine to a otherwise matte shade.


'A Roll in the Hague' is a very bright matte orange.  I've only tried it on my fingers and already I think it's more of a pedicure colour! Maybe its because my skin is so pale at this time of year but it's just not sitting the way I'd like it too - it feels like it clashes with everything and doesn't 'pop' in a good way.  I think I'll try it again in summer or as part of an accented nail manicure.


'Dutch Tulips' is a lot like 'OPI Red' but just leans towards the pink side more.  Its opaque after one coat is is one of those colours I can see myself reaching for regularly when I want a bright colour that goes with a lot of different outfits.