[Review] Estee Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Lash Multiplying Volume Mascara

Hi lovelies! At the beginning of the year, I picked up an Estee Lauder eye set from South Africa which included the Sumptuous Extreme Lash Multiplying Mascara. I’ve been using this mascara for a few months now but never got down to posting a review because I could not for the life of me get a decent close up before/after picture showing how the mascara worked for me.

Anyway 🙂 It recently came to my attention (thanks Beauty Heaven!) that the September 2015 20th anniversary issue of Marie Claire magazine includes a Full-sized Sumptuous Extreme Mascara in Extreme Black, RRP$52. Read on to find out my thoughts on this mascara!

Sumptuous Extreme
Lash Multiplying Volume Mascara

Description from the EL website:
LASHES SEEM TO MULTIPLY, MAGNIFY, GROW TO EXTREMES.

Product description from the Estee Lauder website:

Lashes seem to multiply, magnify, grow to extremes.

Sumptuous Extreme creates outrageous volume, lift and curves for an audacious, false-lash effect. Eyes look brighter, wider, more seductive.

Extreme Bold Volume™ formula is a blend of three high-volume fibers in a mousse-light base. The formula acts almost like lash extensions, multiplying and growing the look of lashes. Fortified with conditioning Lash-Advancing Vitamin Complex.

The BrushComber Extreme™ has two types of bristles: flexible fibers to carry maximum formula; solid fibers to comb and separate for clump-free definition.

Packaging & price

Gold luxe packaging? Yes please! The packaging of this mascara screams luxury and class, it’s so beautiful and really stands out in my collection with it’s shiny finish and gorgeous metal. This is my first high end mascara purchased, my favorite mascara’s are usually the Maybelline and Covergirl ones which I pick up at 50% off for around $10. I bought this mascara without reading any reviews on first, because I love the EL double wear foundation and wanted to try more of their products.

Performance

I found the wand of this mascara to be HUGE, it took some time to get used to and even after using it for a few months, I still end up with mascara going on my eye lid sometimes. That being said, the massive wand is what gives the amazing results. This mascara gives me very black, long and voluminous lashes. The mascara can make my lashes stick together if applied incorrectly, I found that the best way to apply it is slowly and building layer by layer. The product applies wet and then dries after a few minutes. It lasts all day on me without smudging and also holds the curl and volume throughout the day. It’s also not a pain to remove like other mascara’s I’ve used in the past, which is a huge plus for me.

So how does a $52 mascara compare to a $10 one? It’s been wonderful using this mascara, and definitely feels like I’m using a higher end and more expensive product. In terms of performance, yes it’s better than other mascara’s I’ve used in the past but only by a tiny bit. It was an amazing experience using a higher end mascara but at the end of the day, my Maybelline mascara performs almost as good. While I loved using this mascara, I don’t think I’ll ever pay $52 for it. I’d rather spend that amount of money on the EL Double Wear foundation which is my holy grail 🙂

Brush details from the EL website: OVERSIZED BRUSHCOMBER EXTREME™ THICKENS LIKE A BRUSH. DEFINES AND SEPARATES LIKE A COMB.

Final thoughts

Overall verdict? Buy the magazine for the mascara! It’s not everyday that you get to buy a higher end mascara for $10 (that’s how I look at it) and after that, you can decide if you want to repurchase! I was super excited when I saw this offer on Beauty Heaven and even more ecstatic my friend surprised me by buying the magazine for me the next day.

Will you be trying this mascara? What’s the best mascara that you’ve used? x

[Picture Heavy] My trip to South Africa!

I hope that everyone has been having an amazing February! I recently spent a month in South Africa, the weather was gorgeous and it was fantastic spending time with family and old friends again. I ate lots of good food (too much in fact), relaxed and took advantage of the strong Aussie dollar by squeezing in some shopping.

SHOPPING HAUL

Makeup haul featuring MAC, Estee Lauder and Maybelline ♥

Body Shop haul!

Estee Lauder was around the same price as in Australia, but I picked up the foundation because they stock my shade in Australia. I actually had no idea that they did a compact concealer, it’s probably the first product that I’ve purchased without doing heaps of research first! And I picked up the mascara for around $38 because it came with a free liner and eye cream.

MAC was considerably cheaper, the lipsticks worked out to $20 each. I weep thinking at what I paid for my Studio Fix foundation at Myer last year!

Lastly no haul is complete without The Body Shop! I already had a Body Shop stash at home so just purchased a few shower gels.

I’ve been wanting to try Maybelline’s rocket masacara for ages, but it hasn’t been available here. I’m a huge fan of Maybelline mascara’s so looking forward to trialling it soon 🙂

OTHER PICS

[Tag] The Blogger Made Me Buy It!

I spotted this post a while back on Ellie’s Ramblings  and I’m excited to finally be doing the tag on Lipsticks & Coffee (:

The Blogger Made Me Buy It Tag

1) Who are your most influential bloggers? Who are the ones that you really rely on for reviews and swatches?

Temptalia has got to be my favorite blog for swatches as they are such good quality. For reviews, Kaushal Beauty was one of the first blogs I followed and her blog remains one of my favorites. Her reviews are always on point and her videos and pics are pretty amazing too.

2) Do you buy a product solely as a result from one review from your favourite bloggers, or do you look for more reviews from others?

If I spot a product I’m interested in buying on a blog, I do a google search to look at other reviews and swatches. I also skim through the ratings on Beauty Heaven and Makeup Alley, my two favourite websites for beauty reviews. I tend to do this for almost all products I buy, I think I enjoy the ‘research’ almost as much as the actual purchase!

3) What is your most favourite item that you have ever bought as a consequence of blogs?

My Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation, which deserves every bit of love and rave reviews that it receives from bloggers ♥ I also love my Real Technique Expert face brush which I probably would not have picked up if I hadn’t read about it on a blog.

4) What is your least favourite item that you have ever bought as a consequence of blogs?

Maybelline Colossal Volume mascara! I have read SO MANY rave reviews on this mascara but I’m far from impressed, it doesn’t provide huge volume like the Falsies did and tends to get all over my eye lids.

5) Name 5 products you have bought recently as a result of blogs.

• Trilogy rosehip oil antioxidant plus
• Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water
• Maybelline Volum’ Express Falsies Flared
• Maybelline Baby Lips
• Benefit’s Do The Bright Thing (purchased for the mascara!)

6) Have you ever given into blogger hype? If so, which hype?

The Revlon Matte Balms. And I’m glad that I did because ‘Sultry‘ has been my to-go-for shade since I purchased it.

7) Have you ever avoided blogger hype? If so, which hype?

There was a stage a few months back when every blogger was reviewing Benefit’s Gimme Brow. It does seem like an amazing product but not something I really need so I’m glad I didn’t succumb to the hype.

8) Is everything you buy based on blogger reviews or are there some items you buy without checking out a review?

I’m careful with my spending so I don’t often impulse buy, I usually know what I want and then wait for it to go on sale. That being said, I do tend to pick up smaller items like shampoos and makeup removers and without checking out a review first.

If you’re reading this tag, I tag you to do it too! Let me know in the comments if you’ve done this tag so I can read your answers 🙂

Fatima

[Review] Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Makeup

So here it is ladies, a comprehensive review on my holy grail foundation, as promised! I have been using using this foundation for the last two years (old formula) and just recently got started on my second bottle, which is the new formula. My post today will be on the new formula.

 

 

The hype

15-hour staying power. Flawless all day.

This worry-free, long-wearing makeup stays fresh and looks natural through heat, humidity, nonstop activity.

Won’t change colour, smudge or come off on clothes.

Feels lightweight and comfortable.

Now the flawless look you see in the morning is the look you keep all day.

Choosing the perfect shade

There are 17 shades available in Australia, and I was matched by the EL assistant at Myer to the shade 5W1 Bronze.

Just as a guide:

W- Warm (red, yellow undertones)

N- Neutral (peach undertones)

C- Cool (pink/rosy undertones)

If you’re interested in this foundation, I suggest getting matched at an EL counter and asking for a sample.

 

The formula

The liquid foundation is oil free and powder based. I found that the new formula is thinner in consistency than it’s predecessor, and doesn’t dry on the skin immediately so you have time to blend your foundation in. I usually apply a moisturizer, wait a few minutes, then apply the foundation on with my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush.  I used to used my fingers to apply the foundation before and it used to look perfect, the brush just makes it easier to apply and gives a more airbrushed finish which I love. I have normal skin and this foundation works well for me, but I’m not sure if this foundation would work well for dry skin as it is powder based. Be sure to test a sample out first!

The coverage

The coverage on this foundation is AMAZING. I have dark spots on my face from acne scarring and this foundation covers them perfectly to the point were I skip using concealer. Estee Lauder describe the coverage as medium and buildable, which I believe is accurate because this foundation can be built to full coverage beautifully. What I love about this foundation is that even though it’s medium to full coverage, it doesn’t give the dreaded “caked on” makeup look and also doesn’t feel like you’re wearing something heavy on your face.

This foundation makes the skin look so flawless and perfect from a distance and from close up, I definitely recommend it if you’re after coverage in a foundation. The finish on this foundation is natural to semi matte.

The Double Wear foundation is also available in “Double Wear Light” and “Double Wear Maximum Cover” if you’re looking for less/more coverage. However, the color ranges aren’t as extensive on these ranges.

Staying Power

Estee Lauder claims that the foundation lasts for 15 hours, the longest I’ve used it for was 14 hours and it definitely lasted for that time. Without primer or powder, this foundation somehow manages to look perfect at the end of a working day. So if you’re out and about all day, this foundation is perfect as it won’t go sliding off and there’s no need for constant touch ups.

Packaging

The foundation is sold in a frosted glass bottle with a gold lid, it looks luxurious but it has no pump so dispensing the foundation is not a fun task. I believe the MAC pump fits on this bottle so I might look at buying that in the future. The bottle is also really heavy so it might be difficult to travel with it.

 

 

Price

Estee Lauder is sold in Australia for $50. They’ve brought the price down in recent years but have also changed the formula of the product. While the current formula is really good, the old one that I used initially was much better.

PRO’S OF ELDW

• Medium to full coverage and buildable without looking cakey
• Long lasting- stays on all day without requiring touch ups
• Blends easily to give a flawless finish
• Available in a variety of shades
• Does not transfer easily
• Does not oxodise- the foundation stays true to it’s color
• Has not caused me to breakout

CON’S OF ELDW

• Does not come with a pump
• Is difficult to remove
• The price
• Contains SPF so might affect photo’s

Overall, I’m really happy with this foundation and will continue to repurchase it. Let me know what you think of ELDW below!

Fatima xx

[Empties] February 2014

Hi everyone!

I’m back today with my February empties 🙂

Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation (Bronze)

Okay there is literally no words to describe how much love I have for this foundation, it’s absolutely perfect! It stays on all day WITHOUT powder and primer, it covers all my blemishes and it doesn’t look too heavy or caked on. I’ll be doing a separate review on this product soon so won’t say too much more 🙂 This was my first bottle purchased and it lasted me around two years.

Repurchase? Already repurchased 😉

Proactiv refining mask

This was my first experience with a Proactiv product and I’m really impressed! I don’t suffer from acne but I do get the occasional breakout. This mask is just good for clearing out the skin, and it makes my skin look so much better. I know a lot of people hate the strong sulfur smell but I really don’t mind it.

Repurchase? Yes

Bioderma sebium akn

This product used to work really well for me but towards the end I felt like it just wasn’t doing anything. It’s light and it absorbed quick but that’s about it.

Repurchase? No

Garnier Mineral Deodorant

It’s a deodorant and it does what it’s supposed to do. I like the price and fragrance, so will purchase it again.

Repurchase? Yes

The Body Shop Moisture White Cleansing Powder

I loved using this product so much! All you do is apply the powder to wet skin and it cleanses like a dream. This product is similar to the Dermalogica cleansing powder but much. much better. It left my skin feeling so soft, cleansed and lovely. This product has been discontinued for years now (I’m too embarrassed to say how long I’ve had mine for) but I believe they have the Moisture White Shiso Cleansing Powder now which looks similar.

Repurchase? I’ll give the new Moisture White cleansing powder a go one day.

The Body Shop lipgloss

Bought this when I was into shimmery and glossy lips, the quality was really good and the staying power was pretty impressive for a gloss. I’m not really into glosses right now so won’t be looking at purchasing a Body Shop lip gloss anytime soon.

Repurchase? No

Revlon Moisture Stay lipstick in 05 Buff

I’ve finished my first lipstick!! Granted, it’s only 1.7 grams and took me about 8 years but still an achievement 🙂 This lipstick has been discontinued which is a pity because I loved it. It was highly pigmented, moisturised my lips and lasted a decent 4 hours.

I’m really excited to be finishing some of these products because it means I can start using new products 🙂

My question today for my dear readers is..

Have you ever finished a lipstick? How long did it take you?

Fatima xx

[Haul] South African shopping

Hi everyone!

My mum was recently away for a holiday in South Africa so I asked her to pick up some  beauty items. The strong Australian dollar meant that I paid much less for some of my favourite brands. For example, the MAC lipstick worked out to $19 and my Estee Lauder foundation was just $35.

Here’s what I got:

• The Body Shop Vitamin C Microdermabrasion
• L’Oreal Ombre for dark hair
• Neotrogena Visibly Clear pink grapefruit daily scrub
• Bionike defence b-lucent
• Woolworths caramel & cream body butter
• Woolworths vanilla & brown sugar hand and body lotion
• Woolworths berry crush whisked body butter
• Revlon colorstay liquid eyeliner [repurchase]
• MAC lipstick in Rebel
• Estee Lauder double wear foundation in bronze [repurchase]
• The Body Shop Born Lippy lipbalms in strawberry and raspberry [repurchase]
• Cosmetic holder

I requested most of the products above based on product reviews and blog posts that I have read. The Body Shop microdermabrasion and the Neotrogena scrub are supposed to be really good for brightening the skin. I’ve never heard of the Bionike product before but apparently it’s really good for removing dark spots. The L’Oreal ombre kit for dark hair is not available is Australia and I’ve been wanting to do an ombre for ages.

Please let me know in the comments if you want me to review any of the products.

Hope that everyone had an amazing Australia Day, enjoy the public holiday off!

Fatima xx

[Top 10] Beauty Products of 2013

Hi everyone!

Today I thought that I would share with you my top 10 favorite products of 2013. 

Mor Little Luxuries Marshmallow Hand Cream- Fell in love with this little beauty the first time that I sampled it at Myer. The cream has a lovely, thick consistency and leaves my hands feeling soft and nourished. The packaging is gorgeous and is ideal to treat yourself or give to a loved one as a gift. I find that the scent usually lasts between 3-4 hours. This is an ideal size to keep in my handbag and to use on the go.  I’m looking forward to buying the perfume and the rest of the range in 2014!

Herbal Essences Hello Hydration shampoo- I know I’m a bit delayed in trying out this range but I love this shampoo! This is perfect for summer because face it, who doesn’t want to smell of coconuts and wild orchid?!

The Body Shop Aloe Gentle Facial Wash– I have been using this wash for the better part of the year and it doesn’t disappoint. The product is a foam cleanser and gently washes away makeup. I have normal skin and this doesn’t leave my skin feeling dry.

Garnier Fructis Miraculous Oil- This is my first time trying out a hair oil and I’m really impressed. I only need a small amount of product and apply it to the ends of my hair. The smell of the product is beautiful and it leaves my hair feeling soft and manageable.

Maybelline Falsies Volume Express [Black Drama} -I absolutely freaking love this mascara!! It curls, volumises and lengthens slightly. The mascara wand took some time to get used to but other than that, it definitely delivers what it claims to do.

Revlon Colorstay Liquid Liner- This liner is perfect. It lasts all day without smudging, is pigmented and easy to apply.

Garnier Youthful Radiance Night Cream– The cream doesn’t actually make my skin look drastically radiant, but my skin drinks it up! It has a pleasant smell and absorbs quick. It’s also not heavy like a lot of night creams, which I love.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation [5W1 Bronze]- This is my holy grail foundation, it provides medium to heavy coverage and is buildable. I have dark marks on my face and I usually skip concealer because this foundation covers most of it perfectly. The foundation is perfect for daily use, it doesn’t feel heavy and doesn’t look caked on. Also lasts for over 8 hours WITHOUT primer. This product is absolute gold, will forever be repurchasing.

Rimmel Kate Moss Lasting Finish Lipsticks- Shade 20 is my current favourite, but I’ve just purchased shade 09 which I’m also in love with. The lipsticks are affordable and great quality, making it a good buy.

Body Shop Born Lippy [Watermelon]-  These lip balms smell great, look cute and leave my lips feeling soft and moisturised . They’re a handbag essential and I usually keep one lying around my room.

Have you tried any of the products above? What are your favorite products of 2013?