Here at The Amazing Blog, we're always excited to try things that are a little more unorthodox. So when the Cailyn Cosmetics’ O! Wow Brush landed on our desks, we were intrigued by the innovative design. The toothbrush style tool looks a little odd, but we were keen to experiment with the inventive tool.
With densely packed ultra fine fibres, the brush is made to ensure an airbrushed effect with a streak-free finish. The brush features an oval and angular surface that is crafted to blend liquid, cream and powder foundation or blush seamlessly into your skin. The flexible tilted handle is designed to reach every contour with precision and offers an easy and stable grip.
Admittedly, I found the brush a little difficult to use. I couldn't quite perfect the smooth streak-free finish we were promised with liquid foundation. I'm so used to using fingers to blend that I couldn't really get on board with the dense bristles. However, for those of you who opt for brushes and sponges to apply a base, we think it would be the perfect addition to your brush collection. It did fare better for blending in concealer after I had tapped it in with fingers, so for me, I think I'll be repurposing the brush for pinpoint blending in future. Also, its petite size makes the brush perfectly suited to travel, as the tightly packed bristles are not likely to become misshapen in your make-up bag.
Although we didn't love the brush for its main purpose, we do think that it's worth the investment, especially if you like to be on the forefront of make-up innovation. You can purchase the travel friendly make-up brush here for £20.
Jane Iredale - Jelly Jar Eyeliners
Are you constantly on the hunt for eyeliner that will actually last throughout the day? Well, look no further! The Amazing Blog team has finally found the perfect eyeliners from Jane Iredale that you just have to try.
The founder of the company, Jane Iredale, was the first to supply the aesthetic industry with a line of make-up that has skincare benefits. Jane Iredale’s Jelly Jar Gel Eyeliner naturally creates a rich and captivating look along the eyes, but with a formula free of chemicals and irritants. Packaged in a compact pod, each eyeliner provides longwearing, water-resistant colour that gives you the precision of a liquid eyeliner with a silkier and softer finish. Available in matte black, shimmering warm brown, a matte deep violet and an iridescent gold olive, each highly pigmented jar provides colour that glides on smoothly for a defined or smudgeable line.
If you want to ensure precise application on the lash line, you can also try the new Angle Eyeliner Brush. I absolutely love these eyeliners and the eyeliner brush. With the brush, all you have to do is gently press it into the jelly jar and apply along the lash line. I just have to make one long swoop along my lash lines and the eyeliner goes on perfectly. Plus, it lasts all day and makes my eyes pop.
You can purchase a Jelly Jar Gel Eyeliner for £16.50 here and the Angle Eyeliner Brush for £12.22 here.
Frederique's Christmas Wish List
I’m the type of girl who loves to experiment with different kinds products and gadgets and companies. This is why I find working with the girls at The Amazing Blog so fun… who doesn’t love trying something new? My Christmas wish list consists of a unique bundle of a different kinds of products, ranging from as far as chargers to liquor. So without further ado, let the shopping begin!
The first thing on my Christmas list is The Kissable Charger. Nowadays, hardly anybody is able to live without their phone, myself included. I always thought to myself, why can't I have cute charger that is a little girly or that will add some sparkle? Then I came across FBG: an innovative technology company with the newest chargers, including my new love; The Kissable Charger. This charger is both cute and creative for it looks like a real Coco Chanel Lipstick. Both chic and functional, the charger is able to charge your phone for 2 to 3 hours. Buy your charger here for only £29.99, and be charged all day long.
As I’ve said before, I’m definitely a girly girl. In order to make my girly look complete, I love to wear some cute bracelets along with a watch. So you can guess how excited I was when I came across these Birambi bracelets made by two enthusiastic Dutch Girls. Being from Holland, I obviously have a soft spot for this company. Not only are they Dutch, but they’ve made a great ‘Make-your-own-bracelet’ concept that is fit for any girl like me who loves to accessorise on a regular basis. Here’s how it works: You choose a card. You select a bracelet, colour and write a personal message. And that's it. That's really all there is to it. What better gift is there than one that is personally made from the heart? Starting at €4 they are affordable as well. Visit the website to take these bracelets for a spin!
Besides my hand jewellery, I wanted to add a little bit of sparkle to my eyebrows. So I came across the Bling Brow Kit created by Benefit Cosmetics. With the Bling Brow Kit, you can decorate your brows and light up the room with a sparkling set of Swarovski crystals. Each set comes with 52 crystals and a pair of mini tweezers. They also come in different colours including my favourites, Rose Gold and Greige. Just pull the black backing sheet off and pick up the crystals with tweezers to place them either on the skin near the brow or directly on the brow. Although I’m not one to decorate my body with jewellery, the brow crystals really enhance the appearance of your eyebrows and show off your edgy side.
You can purchase the artsy Bling Brow Kit for £19.50 at selected Benefit Brow Bars and wear them on a fun night out with the girls. All eyes will definitely be on yours.
Not only do I love to dress up, but I also enjoy going out and grabbing a drink with my girlfriends. Recently I came across Snow Leopard Vodka, which I’ve slowly but surely fallen in love with. For starters, the bottle looks absolutely great. Additionally, 15% of the profits made go to the ‘save the leopard' charity. When I saw this stunning looking bottle of vodka, I could not resist putting it on my Christmas wish list. Cheers, take a shot and donate to a cause! You can by purchase a 70cl bottle of vodka for £36.00 RRP at Waitrose, Harvey Nichols and Ocado.com, as well as all good independent drinks retailers OR on their website.
I've also discovered a delicious selection of chocolates from Sweet Dreams Ltd. called Choc Nibbles. We received two different flavours: Original Choc Nibbles and Toffee Crumble. The one I really loved was the Original Choc Nibbles. The taste of these tiny chocolates was just divine, and you could taste that they were made with quality chocolate. It's almost like eating real chocolate milk! Purchase chocolate at your local confectionery, convenience or discount stores, and share these delicious chocolates as a treat after your Christmas Dinner.
Lindsey's Christmas Wish List
This the season to eat, drink and be merry! Like most, Christmas time is one of my favourite times of the year. During the holiday season, I truly enjoy indulging in the most pleasurable pastimes: eating sweets, browsing for new beauty products and attending fabulous holiday parties. Although I’ve already been out and about shopping for the perfect gifts to give to my friends and family, I have compiled a small list of some things I would love to see in my stocking this season. Whether it be food, skincare or make-up, these products would make the end of 2014 nearly perfect.
The holidays are just the right time to allow yourself a few extra sweets than usual. Thankfully, Merangz is offering a limited edition gift pack of tasty treats for Christmas. The Christmas Decadence Bites package features a selection of six festive flavours: brandy soaked fruit Christmas Pudding, Irish Whisky Gold, Dark Chocolate and Sicilian Orange, Vanilla Sherry Trifle, Chocolate and Cherry and finally, Peppermint Dark Chocolate.
Though my go-to choice for a bite-sized sweet is usually a macaroon, I was pleasantly surprised with the unique flavour selection this company was offering for the holidays so I decided to give Merangz a try. My initial reaction after trying these treats was shock—I did not expect them to taste so light and airy! The mallowy centre allows the treats to be enjoyed with no regrets. I did not feel guilty after eating them because unlike most sweets, they didn’t taste so heavy. The unique flavours and delicious taste of this collection made it impossible to just have one. Treat yourself this Christmas or purchase Merangz as a gift for a loved one online for £5.95 per box.
Holidays mean one thing and one thing only…party time! This season, I’m planning on attending a number Christmas parties, along with a big New Years celebration. When it comes to themed parties, I like to go all out with my make-up. My make-up routine for special occasions usually consists of a bold smokey eye paired with a bold lip. This year, I am looking for a lip brand that is chic, affordable and long lasting. Luckily, Couleur Caramel sent us samples of lipstick, because one I tried this product I knew I had found my New Year lip shade. Take a look at the lipstick along with a range of other make-up products on the Couleur Caramel website.
Though the end result is fabulous, taking all of my make-up at the end of a long night tends to be a pain. Sometimes, I even fall asleep with it on! This unfortunately causes irritation around my eyes, which is why I’ve included Dry Eye Gel on my wish list. This product is a natural gel that includes a plant extract of Cardiospermum which is sure to soothe and heal any unwanted irritation. The gel has been tested on those who suffer from eye allergies as well, making the development of the product extremely gentle with the skin, which I find essential for around the eye skincare. Dry Eye Gel costs £6.95 for the 15ml and is available from Skinshop.
Another product which I'm always on the lookout for at this time of year is the perfect perfume. We were so excited when The Perfume Studio sent us this Design Your Own Fragrance - The Ultimate Collection set. No longer will I have to hunt for my favourite fragrance - with this thoughtful kit, I can just make it myself! The set contains a collection of base, middle and top note scents, as well as pipettes, an atomiser and a beautiful perfume bottle. With the huge range of aromas to pick from, including Amber base notes, and Fruity top notes I can make a bespoke fragrance for any occasion. You can buy The Perfume Studio's beautiful Design Your Own Fragrance - The Ultimate Collection here for £95.
Cosmetics à la Carte
Who doesn't love beautiful lips? Here at The Amazing Blog we love lipsticks that make our lips look naturally full and smooth, which is why we couldn't wait to try Cosmetics à la Carte’s Moisture Plus Collection.
Cosmetics à la Carte believes that make-up can be empowering and it can give women a chance to be the best version of themselves. The company strives to make its make-up comfortable, effortless and simple, and it does exactly that with its natural colours and ingredients.
We were thrilled to receive two Moisture Plus Lipsticks in the shades ‘Nearly Nude’ and ‘Ace of Hearts’, as well as the Waterproof Gel Lip Liner in ‘Invisible’. The Moisture Plus lipsticks are intensely pigmented and contain protective natural oils and wax, so you can have perfectly moisturised lips without sacrificing the longevity of colour.
Additionally, the gel lip liner has impressive long-lasting properties; you can wear it for up to 7 hours without re-application. How many lipsticks actually do that? The liner prevents your lipstick colour from bleeding, leaving you with a smooth, even lip, and it even creates a fuller looking lip. Containing Vitamins A, C and E, the Cosmetics à la Carte lipsticks are a treat for the lips, plus they are preservative free.
The Moisture Plus lipsticks are available here for £23 each, and you can buy the Waterproof Gel Lip Liner here for £25.