Primark Eyes and Lips

For some reason I can't seem to resist Primark make up - I know it's cheap and there are many, many duds, but every so often it does throw up a gem or two (Benetint exact dupe anyone?)

These were till-bound impulse buys, £2.50 each.

I like the cheeky, 'punny' packaging a la Benefit that Primark attempt.  This is a lip stain pen.  It's much darker red than I thought it would be, but boy does it stain! If you have quite full lips this would look fantastic on you, but I have thin, so it kind of makes them disappear (I pouted for the pics!).

It is a little drying so it needs something over it - I used a very glossy gloss which was a bad idea as things got a little messy - but something like Carmex should do the trick as it's not too runny.

Onto the eyes, I don't know why I picked up this Mascara as I hate L'Oreal's Telescopic Explosion mascara which similarly has a kind of 'bombyknocker' (NOT the Urban Dictionary definition mind!) tip which is supposed to help you get at every lash.

At least the Primark one can be used like a conventional wand in a sense as there are bristles in a regular position too.  I do hate plastic wands though...they just don't coat the lenses the same as normal bristles.

...Aaaand, not a great result.  Clumpy and horrid.  My bottom lashes are too bad, but not great, so if anything I'll just be using it on them.  I've tried other Primark mascaras which have worked well, so I really think the problem is down to the wand rather than the formulation.

Have you tried Primark make up? Any duds? Any recommendations?

Check out my top picks from Primark's AW 2011 collection over at my other blog.

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Sleek MakeUP Molten Metal in Pewter/Gold Leaf

These sold out from Superdrug pretty swiftly but I managed to grab the last one from a display in a little tucked away branch.  Sleek seem to be starting a price hike as it set me back £6..99, which considering that amazing eyeshadow palettes like Storm with 12 shades were only £4.99 a year ago, is quite a rise.

I like the packaging, although I did have to rip the cardboard box a bit to get the palette out.  It's very sturdy and has a handy mirror in the lid.

Pewter on the left and Gold Leaf on the right.

These are very creamy shadows and even feel more luxurious than my beloved Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadows.  I've seen the Molten Metals compared and even praised above Illamasqua Liquid Metals, but I've not tried the latter so can't add to that!  As you can see they are very pigmented and gleam when swatched.

You can apply it with your fingers but you get a more precise application if you use a small compact flat shader brush, preferably with man-made fibres.  This one is from Coastal Scents brush set.

The colour I applied was Gold Leaf and I was pretty impressed...at first.  I was so excited to try the Molten Metal I just whacked it over the shadow I'd had on all day which had pretty much worn off - but that's why my liner and mascara looks a bit skanky!

And this is where it all goes a bit wrong...

I'd read a few reviews which claimed it didn't crease (unlike the Illamasqua ones), but it creased on me after 5 minutes.  Now I do have quite oily lids...but come on!

Ans here's the state it was in after an hour.  Not good.

I was really looking forward to glamming up with it on Saturday night, but I'm not so sure now.  I might try the Pewter on to work tomorrow over some Urban Decay Primer Potion to see if that makes a difference.  Other than than I have a Stila eyeshadow in a similar gold colour which I could use over the top to set it - but then of course I wouldn't get that glossy cream eyeshadow look!

I'll let you know how I get on, but from first impressions, for £7 I'd give these a miss and save up for a Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow, which if you pick the right shade can double as either a powder eyeshadow base or eyeliner.