The BeautyButterfly

Evio Beauty Green Tea Primer This cream applied lovely to my skin and once it had dried down left a smooth base.  It did feel powdery on my skin.  Unfortunately, when I was applying my foundation I had the primer coming off.  It was patchy and didn’t leave a smooth finish as expected.  I won’t be re-purchasing this product.

Revolution Redemption Iconic Eye Palette Colours of the eye-shadows This is the ultimate ‘basics’ eye palette that can be used on its own or as a base for other looks.  It contains 11 matte shadows and 1 shimmer that can be worn over other shadows.  The colour play-off is great, and they blend easily.  There is a little residue left behind when used with a brush.  It does come with a sponge applicator, but I didn’t use it with the shadows as I prefer to use a brush.  You can use all of them as eye-shadows or I have used the darker shades as eye-liner applying them using an angle brush.  They last all day, don’t fade or go patchy.  You can create looks that are perfect with jeans and a t-shirt or for a day at the office or a night out.  The shadows can be worn singularly or more than one as they all work well together.  I used the darker shadows singularly create the smoky eye look for a jeans and t-shirt day and with other shadows to create a more structed eye look

Dr Paw Paw Original Balm The first time I used the product I got too much out of the tube.   A little goes a long way.   I massage the product into my lips and the area around my lips.   I put it on after my morning and night cleansing routine and my lips feel nourished along with hydrated.   My lipstick goes on better and my lips don’t peel when I am wearing or not wearing lipsticks.   Also, rub what is left on my fingers from massaging my lips into my cuticles and have noticed that they look hydrated and soft, I don’t have a problem with back-friends or the pieces of skin that appears when your cuticles are not hydrated and nourished.   I am accident prone, always have little nicks on my hands, this balm helps heal them.

Benefit Dallas Blusher As I have stated before I prefer to use products that don’t contain parabens.  There is a faint fragrance of citrus that doesn’t linger once you have applied the product using the brush that comes with it.  Like all Benefit Blushers the brush correctly applies the blusher in the right place and the right amount.  On the days I don’t want to wear Hoola, I apply Dallas as a contour and as an eye-shadow.  This has joined Dandelion and Hoola as my go-to products when I feel that I need a healthy glow.

Benefit Coralista Blusher The colour in the box is rather a bright coral but once you use the brush to apply the blusher, it gives a nice glow to the cheeks.  It has a pearly tinge to it which helps reflect the light.  The shape of the brush helps apply it to your cheeks in the correct place and delivers the right amount of product and blends well.  It doesn’t go patchy or fades, it lasts all day.  The colour is great for summer and when you feel the need to give yourself a healthy glow on those days you feel that you look pale.  I would re-purchase this blusher because a girl can’t have too many blushers.    There is a fragrance to this product which isn’t overpowering and reminds me of fruit cocktails.

Apicia Blush Creme in Pollen The ingredients list This is the first crème blush I have used and am unsure that I have picked the right shade for me.   I like the fact that it used organically grown natural ingredients and includes bee pollen.   Because it contains skin-care ingredients it is hydrating and creamy.   It blends well into the skin and doesn’t disrupt the foundation that I was wearing.   The colour of the blush is a deep honey-pink hue which is buildable.   I didn’t build it up as I thought that it was slightly too dark for me.   I use the smallest amount possible and then tapped it on to my cheeks bones followed by blending it in with my finger.   It does say you can wear it on your eye lids and lips, I would have tried the product on them, but I didn’t feel the shade was right.   Sorry Apicia I won’t be re-purchasing this product.

Niod Multi- Molecular Hylauronic Complex This has a metallic smell almost a copper smell.  It is a straw-coloured liquid – it’s not quite water nor is it as thick as a serum.  I use 3 drops which I spread between my fingers then pat over my face and neck. Starting at the base of neck in small circular motions I massage the serum into my neck working upwards to my face. Once I have massages into my skin, I gently press the serum into my skin.  It doesn’t leave a residue and my skin absorbs it quite quickly. Don’t be tempted to to put another layer on as that would waste the product.  Your skin will benefit from the different molecular weights/sizes as they can penetrate the skin and work at different levels.  I would re-purchase this serum again as I have noticed a huge difference in the texture and tone of my skin.  Fine lines look plumper.

Products received in box: Eyeko Skinny Liquid, Native Unearthed Activated Charcoal Natural Deodorant Balm, Doucce Luscious Lip Stain, Marcelle New Age Precision 8-in-1 Power Serum, Greenfrog Botanic Botanical Bodywash – Geranium and Peppermint Native Unearthed Activated Charcoal Natural Deodorant Balm This is a thick gritty paste, that changes into a serum once massaged between the fingers before applying to the armpit.  It has a nice fragrance and left my armpit area dry to touch after walking 2 Miles in the sunshine.  Not sure if I would repurchase it Greenfrog Botanic Botanical Bodywash – Geranium and Peppermint Sorry I didn’t like the fragrance or the fact that it didn’t lather as much as I expected.  My skin felt tight and itchy after using it.  I won’t be repurchasing it. Eyeko Skinny Liquid                               This eye liner gives you the ability to draw a thin or thick line close to the top lashes.  As can be seen in the pictur

Products received in box: Polaar IcePure Gentle Scrub with Artic Cotton, ModelCo Baked Blush -Frose, Beautaniq Beauty Fill+Tame Gel – Brunette, Cath Kidson Handcream, Hask Monoi Coconut Nourishing Deep Conditioner. Polaar IcePure Gentle Scrub with Artic Cotton This is a pale green cream with dark green particles.  This product will not be repurchased as my skin reacted to the rough particles.  If the particles in the cream were smoother then I think I would repurchase it as my skin did seem softer and smoother. ModelCo Baked Blush -Frose It has swirls of pink, pearl white and gold.  Looks a scary bright pink on the blusher brush.  Blends well and gives a natural pink hue to my cheeks though I did think it would leave a sheen like a highlighter, but it didn’t.  It lasted well and didn’t go patchy like some blushers have in the past.   C ath Kidson Handcream This is a thick cream that absorbs into the skin easily.  There is a faint fragrance that does not

Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream At night, I use a small amount of the cream which I have warmed up between my fingers.   Using slow upward movements, I massage the product into my face, neck and décolletage.   Unlike other night creams it is not a heavy, greasy cream but a light cream that does not feel a sticky residue on the skin.   The morning after I applied this cream for the first time I noticed that my skin looked hydrated and the appearance of some of my fine lines were reduced.   The tone of my skin has improved over the use of the product.   My cheeks and nose which are red were not as red as they usually are.   My foundation blended into my skin better.   I would re-purchase this product again if it was in a kit as the price of the product on its own is a little amount of my price range.

Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum This product is to be used at night.   I like that the pump dispenses the right amount of product to be used between both eyes especially when tired.   At first, I pat the product using my ring fingers around the orbital bone.   Then slowly massaging it in, in circular motions paying particular attention to the areas I have a problem with – the crow’s feet and fine lines.   Finally, I gently pat all around the orbital bone again so that the product is massaged in.   The first morning after applying it the night before I noticed that there was an improvement in the look of my fine lines and firmness.   I like this product and would re-purchase it if it was kit as a standalone product the price of it is out of my range.   I have noticed a difference in my crow’s feet and the firmness of the eye area.   I have one wrinkle that was to me very noticeable that has reduced since using this product.

Revolution Conceal and Define in C1 and C3 At the time I purchased these items C1 was the lightest shade they had, they have now released a white shade amongst other shades.   These formulas blend well both under and over my foundation.   I use the C1 under my eyes and C3 to hide any blemishes I have.   I also use C3 to correct the colour of my eye lids as I have one darker than the other.   I dot the product on using the doe foot applicator and then blend with my fingers, it doesn’t move my foundation.   If I want a more polished finish I use my BeautyBlender to blend the product in under my eyes and my lids.   Occasionally if I feel that the dark circles are more noticeable them I will apply C1 before my foundation and then C3 after applying my foundation.   I also apply C3 to my nose and cheeks as it is permanently red if my foundation can’t take the redness down and blend using my BeautyBlender.   These two products have now joined my arsenal of products that I use when I am

Make-Up Academy Undress Your Skin Under Eye Concealer - Radiant and Luminous This product comes in a tube with a brush attached which you need to prime before use.  The cream is pale in colour, I purchased the Luminous and Radiance versions so it maybe a little worrying for those who have a darker skin tone than mine.  It blended well but as it dried down the was glitter/shimmer which for me and the lines I have under my eyes, I thought it may emphasise them.  I do like the product and would not wear it in the day but at night when I was wearing a more shimmery/glittery make-up than my normal day look of matte eye-shadow.  At the moment, I don’t think I will be re-purchasing these any time soon as due to my mental health issues I don’t go out at night.  Maybe because I am 42 nearly 43 that I feel it is aimed at the teen and young adults rather than me.

Products received in box: Rituals The Ritual of Sakura Foaming Gel, Absolution Le Nettoyant Purete, R+ Co Badlands Dry Shampoo Paste, Benefit Badgal Bang Volumising Mascara, Blaq Hydrogel Eye Mask Benefit Badgal Bang Volumising Mascara I must admit I am a big fan of Benefit Cosmetics mascaras and am pleased to say that Badgal Bang has joined the list.  One word of advice don’t poke yourself in the eye with the wand – I have done it a few times and it hurts believe me.  The brush looks like a Christmas tree which makes covering the lashes at the inner and outer corners of the eye brilliantly by using the tip of the brush.  One dip of product is enough to cover both top and bottom of both eyes. One swipe of the product along my eyelashes and they are perfectly covered.  I would suggest covering bottom eyelashes first then your top lashes and if your lashes are like mine have a cotton bud or BeautyBlender handy to remove mascara from your top eye lid.  I don’t use the wand verti

I should explain what Macular Dystrophy is and how it differs from Macular Degeneration. Macular Degeneration is where the cells of the macular deteriorates which is the area at the back of the eye that records the images we see and sends them along the optic nerve to the brain.   The macular is responsible for focusing central vision in the eye, it controls the ability to read, drive, recognise faces and colours as well as seeing objects in fine detail.   It occurs in people over the age of 60.   There is no cure for either macular dystrophy or macular degeneration. Macular Dystrophy means that I have drusen or blisters on the macular part of my eye and when they burst they will take my central vision meaning that I will not be able to watch the TV or read.   As part of the condition straight lines look like chicken wire – not straight but bumpy.   I have floaters, they can be black dots, clear dots with a black edge and dot in the middle to blue dots.   The other day I

The Deciem products that I regularly use I have used this over my foundation as recommended on the tube and found that it moves the foundation even though it is The Ordinary and when mixed with my foundation, my foundation didn’t blend as well as it did when I didn’t mix the two together.  For me the best way to use this is after moisturiser before primer waiting at least 15 minutes after applying moisturiser and before applying primer.  My skin looks smooth and my make-up looks perfect all day long.  I have noticed that on my no make-up days my skin feels dry by lunchtime.  To counteract this, I apply it even if I am not wearing any make-up.  Since using this product I have had compliments on how well I look.  I will definitely be re-purchasing this product, I just wish I could walk into a tore and buy it rather than online.  Deciem please have a store in Birmingham.

Benefit They're Real Double the Lip Lipstick I like the shape of the bullet as it makes easy to apply without a brush.  The teardrop shape also helps to know which way to hold the lipstick when applying to top and bottom lip.  The point of the teardrop holds the liner element of the lipstick so there is no need for a separate one.  The lighter shade is the lipstick.  As you swipe the bullet along your lip you are outlining and applying the lipstick in one go which if you are short on time is very handy.  When applying the bullet to your bottom lip you turn the bullet so that the point of the teardrop is against your natural lip line.  I have only tried the nude colours – Lusty Rose and Nude Scandal – in the photo I am wearing Criminally Coral, it looks scary in the bullet but as the photo shows it is a nice pale coral shade which to me is a very wearable every day shade.  I have found these lipsticks are moisturising and my lips do not crack and peel when wearing them.  They a

Benefit Sun Beam Highlighter This highlighter I would use in the summer when I want a soft bronze look to my skin or to enhance a fake tan.   If I was using Hoola to contour, I would use this highlighter before my foundation and then if I felt I need a more intense glow on my cheek bones or eye brow I would dot one dot of the product and blend using my BeautyBlender.   I feel that the best way to blend this is with a BeautyBlender rather than my fingers as it will give a smooth flawless finish.

Benefit High Beam Highlighter It looks like it should be painted on my nails rather than my cheeks and underneath my eyebrows.   It looks shimmery too.   I am 42 and feel that it maybe not right for me but I will try it anyway.   After applying my make-up, I dot three dots of product along the top of my cheek bone and blend it in with my finger.   It looks luminescent and leaves a soft glow to the tops of my cheek bones.   Under my eyebrow I dot one dot of product and again blend with my finger, it looks natural.   When I use it under my foundation I put a swipe of the product along my cheek bones, my forehead, centre of my nose and chin.   Then blend it with my BeautyBlender.   For quickness I mix one swipe of the product with my foundation and then apply it with my BeautyBlender.   For me this is a product to use when I go out and want to look refreshed and glowing but not in an over top way.  

Benefit They're Real Mascara in Black Having watched Lisa Potter Dixon on YouTube and QVC UK, I think I can use the wand correctly.   I have found with all Benefit Mascaras one dip in the tube covers both lower and upper eyelashes of both eyes.   I only dip again if I want to apply a second coat which is not often.   As always, I use the wand horizontally to cover all my lower lashes, then my upper lashes one eye at a time.   After covering all my lashes, I turn the wand vertically, shouting in my head ‘Go vertical’ – if you have watched LPD you will understand, and swipe again along the upper lashes from root to tip paying attention to the outer corner lashes to make sure I have covered all my lashes.   As always when applying any mascara, I have a cotton bud or BeautyBlender handy to make sure that I can remove any mascara that has transferred to by my eyebrow.   I usually use the black but again from LPD I tried the blue one recently and loved it.   It made my hazel eyes

The Benefit products I regularly use I thought that the smile shaped brush would not curl my lashes nor would it last long.  Using the wand with the curl mirroring my eye shape I swiped my lower lashes – covered all my lashes in one swipe.  I always use the wand horizontally on both my upper and lower lashes as I have found that I don’t poke myself in the eye and it gives me the best coverage.  Holding the wand again mirroring the shape of my eye as close to the roots of my lashes I swipe up keeping as close as I can.  You can feel the wand hugging the lashes as you swipe – it is not unpleasant.  The curl lasts all day and is brilliant. If you want a false lash look without wearing them then put a coat of They’re Real over the top.  I must admit I prefer the black rather than the brown mascara as I found when wearing the brown I didn’t look like I had any mascara on.  This is my go to mascara for every day wear whether I am wearing jeans or having to be smart.