Mateja's Beauty Blog

Catrice Dewy-ful Lips Conditioning Lip Butter

Catrice launched yet another line of comfortable lip glosses which are actually pretty much the same in terms of formula to their old Beautifying Lip Smoothers, only the packaging is different as is the shade range. I'm not big on glosses apart from a couple of exceptions and these are definitely one of the exceptions because the formula is so comfortable.

Texture: As I said before the formula is pretty much the same as Catrice's discontinued Beautifying Lip Smoothers, meaning it's a lip balm/lip gloss hybrid that's very comfortable, like a cushion on the lips, so I use it instead of a lip balm. It applies with not problems on the lips and I saw no bleeding around the edges. It's got one of those creamy looking shine finishes, similar to Max Factor's Honey Lacquers and Clarins' Instant Lip Perfectors

Shade: Mine is the lightest shade of (sadly) only four and it's called 010 Yes, I DEW. It's a pale peachy-pink that I find too light for me because it washes me out, but it's a good shade if you want to tone down a darker lipstick. Pigmentation is semi-opaque, so you get enough colour on the lips and considering it's such a light shade, while it's not perfect, it applies evenly enough. I've had my eye on shade 020, a wearable medium peachy-pink which Petra swatched and reviewed here, however, I still wish they'd offer an more extensive range of colours, maybe something between shade 010 and 020.

Staying power: This stays on surprisingly well, but not as a proper lip gloss layer, rather a thin clear balmy layer of this sticks on the lips for several hours, so if you have dry lips, this is definitely a product to check out.

Scent: It's got a pleasant vanilla-caramel scent, which isn't strong and doesn't linger.

Packaging: I love what Catrice has done with the packaging of these. For one the packaging looks very pretty with the metallic cap, but also I much prefer this type of packaging with a doe foot applicator than the sponge tip that the Beautifying gloss had. The applicator is a standard one with a paddle design that works just fine for such a product.

Price and availability: These are 4.39€ in drugstore.

This is definitely a formula worth checking out in the drugstores. It's very comfortable, so a true pleasure to wear. My only complaint is the (hopefully just for now) poor shade range, which needs some more colours, especially wearable every day ones.

Have a great day!

*PR product

ponedeljek, september 17, 2018
3 Comments

Bourjois Eye Catching Mascara

Bourjois has a new mascara in their offering which is inspired by cats or better said the iconic cat eye look. The packaging features an embossed pair of kittens on the cap, otherwise it's a pretty standard looking mascara. It promises an eye-opening and volumizing effect, and while I agree with the latter part, it's the first that has left me a bit disappointed.

The brush is asymmetrical with short bristles on one side and longer in a dome shape of the other. I can't use the side with the shorter bristles without creating a clumpy look, so I always just use the one with the longer bristles. That side catches the lashes nicely and fans them out decently, though the thick formula prevents it from looking very separated.

Formula is very creamy and there's always an excess on the brush at the tip. Despite the creamy and somewhat thick formula, when it was new this behaved like a light mascara with a silicone brush that just combes the lashes with one coat creating a natural effect, so I had to apply several coats for some decent volume. As it got older the formula became more volumizing and creates a nice big lash effect, though the lashes aren't as defined as they were when the mascara was new. For an "eye opening" mascara I expected it to both lift and hold lashes, but doesn't do well either of these things. In fact I spent a long time curling my lashes and even used a bit of waterproof mascara as a base, but this dropped them completely which didn't make me terribly happy. On the plus side during the day I don't get any smudging or flaking.

Bourjois is sold in drugstores here in Slovenia, while it's available internationally on websites like Feel Unique. This mascara costs 13.50 €.

Eye Catching mascara just isn't designed for my type of lashes. While I'm happy with the volume, I feel it could be a bit more defining and more importantly if you advertise it as s any eye-opening mascara, at least make the formula so it won't drop the lashes. For those who don't have problems with lashes staying curled, it's a nice volumizing formula as it creates quite big, noticeable lashes.

Have a great day!

*PR product

sreda, september 12, 2018
5 Comments

Catrice Blush Box 020 Glistening Pink

Catrice discontinued Defining Blushes which for years were their "standard" range of powder blushes and I was a big fan of those because they were some of the best in drugstore. Their replacement Box Blushes were released this August and they come six shades.

Texture: Compared to their discontinued Defining Blushes, these aren't as buttery or quite as soft, but that doesn't make them any less pigmented. They are more similar to their old Illuminating Blushes that were a bit more tightly packed, but still much softer than for example Bourjois' Round Pots or even Max Factor's Creme Puffs. It's actually just a run-of-the-mill classic blush texture that doesn't feel powdery and it's smooth. It applies and blends with no problems and creates an even result. Catrice rarely disappoints with their blushes (notable exception is their California in a Box which feels chalky compared to these) and this is just another great formula.

Shade: Catrice released 6 shades, which are a collection of simple, wearable colours that tend to be most popular in blush ranges. There's nothing wrong with that, of course, but I do miss some shades they had in their line of Defining blushes. 020 Glistening Pink is probably the most "basic" shade in this range, it's a classic peachy-pink with gold shimmer that is almost a dupe for the famous Nars' Orgasm, which is one of the most frequently duped shades anyway. The main difference between the two is that Glistening Pink is less glowy, meaning it has less of the fine gold shimmer and it's a bit more peachy. It's a great starting up colour if you're just getting into makeup because it suits most skin tones, but it also tends to looks a bit different on every one (the paler you are, the more peachy it'll look).

Staying power: Catrice is one of the rare blush brands that I can rely on staying on my cheeks all day and this formula is no exception. Staying power is similar to Defining Blushes, so it lasts well on the cheeks and faded evenly, plus I also didn't notice the shimmer falling down the face.

Packaging: Clear rectangular boxes are now replaced by these black ones and honestly, I preferred the packaging of the Defining Blushes, I just thought they looked more cool. Otherwise the packaging is well made and it closes firmly. Each shade has embossed a different positive message, which as a grumpy, generally unlikeable person don't like one bit (you won't see any framed quotes on my walls), but I can see it'll appeal to the general public.

Price and availability: These cost 3.99 €

Catrice again launched a great quality blush line, I'd actually be more surprised if these were bad. They aren't as buttery as Defining Blushes were, but in terms of performance they are equally good. Shade range is a bit boring if you've been into makeup as long as me and already have a good collection going, but these are the shades a good core collection should have. If you're on the market for a quality drugstore blush, check these out.