Tried and tested: Mascaras, serums and foundations
Benefit’s latest mascara launches on February 26. The short-bristled, “hook ‘n’ roll” brush lifts, separates and curls. The formula is designed to hold a curl for 12 hours but I think the timeframe depends on how long and thick your lashes are. I like the clean, even sweep of dark colour Roller Lash gives but in my eyes They’re Real is still the best mascara at the Benefit counter.
Would that Maybelline did everything as well as it does mascara because you’d never have to go anywhere but Boots for your makeup. Some brands have one product category mastered and just keep bringing out better versions each season. Lash Sensational isn’t a lengthener but the non-flake formula builds serious volume that holds all day.
YSL Beauté’s latest improves upon the brand’s original best-selling False Lash (released in 2000) with four emollient oils and pro-vitamin B5. The formula creates a conditioning film around each lash and contains nylon particles that build considerable volume. Brush fibers of various lengths separate and lift lashes for even more va-va voom. A choice of seven shades that includes blue and burgundy is the icing on the cake. Fabulous.
This mascara’s name is a bit of a mouthful but that is the worst thing about it. The slim, short-bristled brush gives lashes a great boost and the formula adds very noticeable length. A double coat didn’t flake throughout the day. The black version creates a glamorous, slightly false effect but I like how natural the brown shade looks.
This serum contains a good amount of vitamin C but far too much fragrance. Fragrance isn’t skincare and the sensitivity it causes encourages collagen breakdown. Moreover, there aren’t enough additional beneficial extracts to merit this price.
This serum contains a high level of ethyl ascorbic acid, an extract that breaks down into pure vitamin C on the skin. This can greatly improve sun damage, pigmentation and other pro-aging issues. Alpha-H also uses generous amounts of hyaluronic acid and grapeseed oil, two other star skincare ingredients that hydrate, strongly promote repair and accelerate collagen growth.
This pricey serum is a winner because of its long list of effective antioxidant, skin-soothing and emollient ingredients. The list includes a generous quantity of vitamin C and various other ingredients that significantly improve skin texture, brightness and pigmentation issues. The silky formula provides a great base for makeup and is packaged to keep ingredients stable and potent.
This product is sold at a great price for such a strong ingredients list. Beyond an effective quantity of vitamin C, the formula contains hydrating superstar hyaluronic acid and some other skin soothers and reparative extracts. This serum best suits oily, normal and combination skin but the small amount of floral fragrance may irritate sensitive skin.
This would be my best buy if it were cheaper. This foundation offers enough coverage to suit spot-prone skin but not so much that normal types feel cakes in makeup. The finish is flawless, soft and natural. Additional skincare ingredients are not so emollient as to encourage spots. The tiny amount of natural fragrance may bother extra sensitive skin.
This fragrance-free formula provides good broad-spectrum sun protection and is suitable for all skin types. Despite the brand’s claims, the ingredients are not especially hydrating. The shade range is wonderfully broad and all options are in natural tones. Blending and buffing this foundation takes longer than it should to achieve a nice finish but this is a great product overall.
Foundations should provide either adequate broad-spectrum (UVA and UVB) sun protection or none at all. Note that an SPF number measures UVB protection only and that The Irish Skin Foundation recommends that this number be 30 or higher. This foundation’s SPF15 does not make the grade BUT Everlasting is an otherwise excellent long-wear base for normal to oily and sensitive skin. The shade range is natural and the finish is as soft and flattering as you expect if you use Clarins makeup regularly.
This is a good choice for ladies who seek a matte finish that won’t highlight dry patches, though normal and slightly oily types should not find it too emollient. The long-lasting coverage keeps blemishes and uneven texture well camouflaged. The sun protection is inadequate but the formula is otherwise desirable.
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