ELF Active Collection

When I first heard that ELF were bringing out a Active Collection, I just KNEW I needed to try it out. However when I first cast my eye across the products included in the collection I was a little disappointed with the choice. Out of the seven products in this range, only two jumped out of the screen at me. I expected there to be a foundation or at least a concealer and was surprised and disappointed that those products weren’t included in the range. Never the less, I put the Post Workout Cool Down Mist and Sweat Resistant Mascara and Brow Duo STRAIGHT into my basket and headed for the checkout.

Post Workout Cool Down Mist £9

Pros:

• Very refreshing
• Light and fresh scent
• Travel friendly
• Doubles as a setting spray
• Lasts all day

Cons:

• Cap easily falls off
• Availability 

Having tried and loved ELF’s Makeup Mist & Set setting spray previously, I was eager to trial the Cool Down Mist once I read it doubles as a setting spray. On arrival of the much anticipated delivery, I hastily gave my new product a spritz. First impressions easily became lasting impressions, the scent and feel is instantly refreshing, potentially a little too much spritz pressure but that’s a minor issue. Due to the skinny design of the bottle it is easy to chuck in your bag, however watch which pocket or section you put it in as the cap has a tendency to pop off which could lead to leakage, and nobody wants that.

Initially I used the mist it as a refresher post workout, as the name suggests, however, recently I have been using it on a daily basis as my staple setting spray. Honestly, it’s brilliant. I will apply my makeup for the day at 8am, work all day, go to a workout class at 6pm, with no touch ups and although my foundation begins to drip off with the sweat, I’m still presentable and well covered…until I start to mop up my sweat with blue roll. Only then do I start to lose my coverage. Overall I would highly recommend this spray, it’s refreshing, locks in makeup all day and doesn’t cost a bomb.

Sweat Resistant Mascara and Brow Duo £7.50

Pros:

• Lengthening Mascara
• Good formula consistency
• Stays in place all day
• Sweat-resistant

Cons:

• Would be good as individual products
• Availability 

I hadn’t heard or experienced the most positive results with ELF mascaras, they’re often the wrong consistency and lack much impact on the lashes. The Sweat Resistant Mascara on this duo however, is incredible. This mascara has quickly taken over from Perversion by Urban Decay as my everyday mascara. It’s incredibly lengthening, stays put all day and can survive the most brutal workout. From work to gym to party, this is an absolute MUST for all those on the go gym lovers. When it comes to the brow end of the duo, I must admit it’s not something I often find a need to use. I switch between a brow pencil and brow powder, depending on occasion, so when I use my powder I find the setting gel end of this duo perfect for locking the pigment in, whereas on a pencil day it is not a necessary addition.

So what’s the verdict?

ELF have successfully spotted and gone someway to fulfil the increasing demand for workout-friendly cosmetics, however I question the inclusion of certain products as specifically “Active”, for example the Blend it Out Silicone Sponge Duo, I fail to see how this set is any different to a standard set. Otherwise it’s a clever collection with beautifully designed packaging that, in terms of the products I’ve tried, definitely lives up to it’s promises. The one major downside to this collection is it’s UK availability, unfortunately this range is not available in Superdrug, so the only option is to buy online. It’s not all doom and gloom though as ELF often have incredible deals whether it be free postage, free products or both. 

Primark Workout

Light Weight Foundation Stick

Price: £2.50

Pros:

• Easy to apply and blend
• Lightweight
• Cheap
• Buildable
• Good colour match for my skin

Cons:

• Availability
• Silicone-like smell
• Needs multiple layers
• Feels greasy
• Not long lasting

Much like many of others, I’ve had a long standing speculative view on own brand cosmetic products from clothing shops, especially relatively low budget chains such as Primark, H&M and New Look. However, with the growth of selection and promotion around the beauty products these companies are offering, as well as the majority of them being cruelty free, many of us, myself included, have begun to consider these products more and more. In the past I have used Primark’s own brand night creams and been pleasantly surprised with the results, therefore my opinion on such ranges has improved, although I will always approach with caution as these companies tend to produce a selection which can be very hit and miss.

Whilst visiting my fellow Sparkle Sister in her home town on the other side of the country to mine, we stumbled upon the very sparse, but very real, Workout makeup range Primark have to offer. I’m always on the look out for new products to try which can withstand my leaking forehead whilst at work setting up trampolines and coaching my athletes. I picked up the Light Weight Foundation Stick in Porcelain, which is the lightest shade they offer, I had never used a stick foundation before so I saw it as an opportunity to try a new form of foundation as well as test out the product’s claimed durability against sweat. I initially applied this product on a lazy errands day, much like I did with the Sport FX products to be on the safe side incase the application proved difficult or my skin reacted.

When I took the lid off and twisted the stick up, the first thing I noticed was a very potent and unpleasant silicone-like smell, persevering I applied the product onto primed skin, at this point it became apparent that this foundation has a greasy texture which matches the smell. On the plus side it is reasonably lightweight and offers a very light and natural coverage, depending on your preferred coverage, this is a buildable product so I would personally recommend at least two layers to get any kind of coverage going. If you have particularly marked or problematic skin, this isn’t likely to cover anything major up, it just creates a slightly more even based to work from. In terms of the tone, it is almost a perfect colour match for my skin tone, however there is not a lot of choice in the range for the wide spectrum of skin tones we have as a human race, I just happen to fit into the selection of tones they offer.

Once I knew I could easily apply and blend out this foundation and my skin didn’t react to any of it’s ingredients, I gave it a test run on a work and gym day, paired with Primark’s No Sweat, Sweat Resistant Mattifying Face Powder (£2.50) which I had picked up on the same day as the foundation. I honestly saw no more staying power than my usual day-to-day products, if anything the Primark Workout range was as good as gone way before my normal coverage would have been. In conclusion, this isn’t the best range, but not the worst either, I can see myself using the face powder from time to time, as a stand in for when I’ve finished my preferred Collection Primed and Ready Invisible Setting Powder, which I can safely say, I’ve hit the pan with. This could be a great day-to-day range of products for those who prefer their natural skin to show through a light layer of foundation to even the skin tone out, however I would not suggest one should expect these products to withstand a workout, you truly get what you pay for.

Sport FX

BB Cream Price: £12.99 Pros Good colour range SPF 20 Paraben Free Cons Very difficult to apply Hard to blend Too thick Not a lot of coverage Expensive Availability

Core Cream Concealer Price: £7.99 Pros Easy to apply Good colour range SPF 20 Paraben Free Cons Irritated my skin Contains fragrance Chalk-like look Application sponge is very solid Availability

When I first saw this range in Sports Direct I was so hyped to give it a go, to see if it could hold up against my active workday and sweaty post-work gym sessions. So as soon as pay day landed, I hit the shops and bought the Balance Boosting BB Cream and the Core Cream Concealer, both in the colour ‘Fair’, two products I would be likely to use on a day-to-day basis.

I decided to try the products out for the first time on a free day so I had the time to properly work out the best method of application. Fortunately I made this decision, because this is some of the worst makeup I have ever tried, the BB Cream is somehow incredibly thick and caky, yet offers a distinct lack of coverage. No matter what method I attempted to apply this product, it refused to blend out and continued to look patchy and chalky, which is not the look I am going for. I also found after using this BB Cream once that my skin started to break out, when it had been beautifully clear for a few weeks. Whereas the Core Cream Concealer offers decent coverage, but irritated my skin giving a burning sensation, especially under my eyes. I had to remove the product straight away to avoid serious irritation to my skin and the burning sensation was unbearable, so any positives to this product are cancelled out due to it being unwearable. This may not be the case for everybody as my skin is often sensitive to products containing fragrance, such as this, however I don’t see the need for a product made for sensitive areas of skin to contain fragrance.

Determined to give this range a day-long first trial, I battled for a good 10 minutes to blend the BB Cream out as well as I could then continued with my normal day to day products as I am clearly allergic to the concealer due to it’s fragrance content and didn’t fancy risking the likelihood of visible and lasting irritation. As I chose to try these products on a quiet day with only a few errands planned and no gym session, one might think this product would last just as well as any other product. Alas, this was not to be. After a trip out to a nearby town to run said errands, lasting less than two hours, my BB Cream base was beginning to get patchy on my forehead and around my nose. In fact the only areas that were surviving were those that had been given a healthy dose of setting powder and spray. If this is the resistance it sports on a relatively uneventful day, it would far from survive a sweaty work and gym day.

Overall I would not personally recommend this range of makeup, especially not to those who have sensitive skin or, like me, often react to products containing fragrance, although I still stand by my question as to why one might include such a harsh ingredient in a product meant for delicate skin. On top of the irritating ingredients and the terrible performance of these products, Sports FX are asking for a pricey sum considering the quality of their makeup. However, if you fancy trying this range out for yourself, it is available in most Sports Direct stores across the UK.

NYX Total Control Drop Foundation

Pros

- Lightweight

- Controllable

Cons

- In-store availability

- Price/quantity of product

This is a product I have waited for most of this year to become available in the UK. For those of you who follow beauty trends that go viral, you'll know that this has been big across Instagram, with many beauty/make-up Instagrammers becoming obsessed with this whole drip technique using foundations and serums. Unfortunately, this product wasn't all it has been hyped up to be, in my personal opinion. That's not to say that you won't get on with it, we all find different products that work well for our skin.

What drew me to purchasing this was not only because I've been waiting months to get it, but because I liked the idea of being able to some days have a light coverage of foundation, and a fuller coverage on others with one product. I've never got on with BB or CC creams, unable so far to find one that works well for me. This is a light-weight product on the skin, even at a full coverage amount. For me, this feels similar to the Urban Decay Naked Skin foundation, which I completely adore. Given this, and the fact it's around half the price of the Urban Decay foundation, is another plus. But, you only get 13ml of product. Which, if you want a medium-full coverage foundation on the daily, there are more affordable options that offer that, with more product in the bottle/tube. However, if like me, you don't tend to wear make up daily, or like the idea of being able to control how much coverage you get with only one product, this is something I would recommend. I'm still on the search for my perfect foundation, which as a pale girl is a mission of sheer determination, but this product offers 24 shades with varying undertones. The shade range is a massive plus, with previously having to use NYX white foundation mixer to alter my previous foundation. I've found that this feels a little chalky, and looks that way too, but this could just be down to having shade number 3, one of the palest in the range. I've tried applying it with my Real Techniques Expert Face brush, but found it works best with a sponge/beauty blender, giving it a more airbrushed look.

One of the major downsides to this is that it's not widely available to purchase in stores. I bought mine in the Boots in Cheltenham, where there is a big NYX counter with make-up artist on hand. This was where I was informed that it is likely only Boots stores similar to this will be stocking it, so if you're keen to swatch it before you buy it, you could find a bit tricky. There is a NYX store in Westfields Stratford (total heaven), so if you're heading there I can only assume they would have it in stock. It's available to buy online via Boots, Asos and NYX directly. Priced at £14, for the amount of product it's not overly cheap, but there more expensive products on the market, too.

e.l.f Makeup Mist & Set

Price - £5 (Superdrug)

Pros

• Works
• Cheap
• Oil free
• Contains nourishing ingredients

Cons

• Small bottle
• Availability

Sweat Resistance Rating: 4/5

Due to my active lifestyle and job as a sports coach, naturally I work up a sweat on a regular basis, and because I work with children, I prefer to wear make up to appear more awake. So then the questions and statements on my tiredness and complexion from filterless children are kept at bay. As many of you will know, make up and sweat don’t tend to mix brilliantly, resulting in a half bare faced, half melted off make up look by the end of the day, which isn’t the most professional look. Having tried the NYX Professional Make Up Setting Spray (Matte Finish) and still ending the day with half my make up gone, I did a little research and found raving reviews on the Elf Make Up Mist & Set spray and since Elf is now sold in Superdrug, I figured I’d give it a go.

One of the main things that drew me to this product, aside from the raving reviews, is the fact it’s oil free and contains nourishing Aloe, Green tea, Cucumber and Vitamins A, C & E. Having makeup products enriched with vitamins and other healthy ingredients can be no bad thing and your skin will thank you for cutting down on pore clogging oil. As someone with very indecisive skin, that can be dry one day and oily the next, having kind-to-skin ingredients in my beauty products always makes me feel slightly better about using them on a day-to-day basis. Since I’ve been using this product my make up not only survives 3-4 hours of coaching sport, but it’s also mostly intact after my post-work gym sessions. I’ve not given it full marks on the sweat resistant rating scale as I’m certain the longevity of my makeup is down to the combination of the spray with my other make up products, rather than the spray alone, plus there is still a clear loss of product throughout the day.

One negative to this product is it’s only 60ml which may not last as long as other setting spray products, however for £5 it’s great value for money so totally worth purchasing and re-purchasing. I’ve been using this product pretty much every day for around three months and I’ve just started my second bottle. On the flip side, the small size of the bottle makes it the perfect size to carry around in your bag for a midday refresh.

Test Day:

9am - Fresh faced and ready for the day
- NYX Soft Focus Tinted Primer
- Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

3:30pm - 5 hours of Athletics coaching finished
- Tinter Primer coverage slightly reduced
- Concealer, Brows and Lashes all in tac

5:30pm - 1 hour Personal Training session finished
- Forehead coverage mostly gone
- Concealer, brows and mascara in tact

Closer look - Slight movement under eyes
and in the creases of my nose

During my test day I did not touch up my makeup or setting spray all day despite getting my sweat on for the majority of the day. Baring this in mind, as well as how much I drip when I sweat, this product has managed to keep my makeup reasonably presentable throughout 5-6 hours of sweat-producing activity.

As Elf is still new to Superdrug, it is not sold in every store, therefore it’s not as readily available as other cruelty free makeup brands like Collection. However, if your nearest Superdrug doesn’t stock this product or Elf at all, it’s available to order online from both Elf and Superdrug. So, whether you’re active and regularly working up a sweat or just want your make up to last from the office to cocktails, this product is perfect for anyone with any lifestyle, especially if you’re on a budget.

Bastiste Shield My Locks, Heat & Shine Spray

Price - £4.45 (Boots)

Pros

• Easy even application
• Cruelty free
• Keratin & Inca Inchi Oil
• 230°C Heat Protection
• Adds volume

Cons

• Not travel-sized
• Slightly drying

Cruelty free, affordable hair products are one of the hardest things to find on the high street, so when I received my June 2017 Glossybox, containing Batiste’s Heat & Shine Spray, I was over the moon to discover this well known cruelty free brand made a heat protection product. Luckily I’m blessed with naturally wavy hair which occasionally forms it’s own ringlets, so I rarely need to style my hair, I’m also incredibly lazy with my locks. However, on the odd occasion I do straighten my hair, whether it’s for a night out or to simply get another day out of it, I am insistent on the use of heat protection.

First of all, I was incredibly impressed with receiving the full sized version of this product in my June Glossybox, so a big thank you to them. However, the downside to the size of this product is it’s not the easiest to transport around and it doesn’t currently have a travel-sized option. As a 22 year old who loves a good boogie but lives in the countryside, I often get ready for a night out in the bedrooms of friends who live in the city. So naturally any products, that I don’t use daily, with a travel sized option would be perfect for those of us who are always the guests at pre-drinks. However, if you’re often the host or style your hair daily, then the size of this product is ideal as it will last you well.

What sets this product apart from other heat protection products I have used in the past, is that it’s an aerosol rather than a spritz. Personally, I find this far easier to apply and achieve total coverage before styling, it also seems to soak into the hair quicker than a spritz, so you can get to styling a lot quicker without frazzling your locks. As the name suggests, not only does it protect your hair against the damage heat styling causes, but with the help of Keratine and Inca Inchi Oil, this spray gives your hair that added shine. An added bonus to this product is the volume it gives to your hair, much like Batiste’s offering of dry shampoos. The only draw back in terms of how this product works is I felt it left my hair feeling kind of dry, I’m not sure whether this is because it’s an aerosol, it’s not fully protecting my hair or another reason. However, it doesn’t dry up my hair enough to put me off using this product.

So far, I am a fan of this product, however I am open to trying out other products that are more hydrating than this one, but as I mentioned, affordable cruelty free hair products can be a challenging feat. For now, Batiste is a reliable cruelty free brand and £4.45 is definitely a reasonable price to pay.

Sleepy by Lush

If you struggle to get off to sleep at night for whatever reasons, this product is sure to help fix that. For several years, I’ve dealt with anxiety, some situations making it worse than others. During the worst of it a few years back before learning how to cope with it better, I relied solely on lavender oil drops on a tissue to help with my mind settling and being able to sleep. Recently, due to some rather tough situations the sleepless nights began again and coincidentally it was at the time that Sleepy became popular across the internet.

Having already used lavender in the past I was keen to try it in another form, with this standing out to me. With the way that I sleep, I chose to apply it to my forearms where I would be able to smell it as I breathed. Although this isn’t a cure-all, it goes up in my books to be a worthwhile investment. I’ve found that lavender oil on its own can be a little too pungent, however as this is a lotion, the other ingredients help to tone down the lavender and make it a subtler smell. You only need a small amount, which given the price of this makes it worth every penny. I got the 95g tub, which is plenty for I would say at least three months with daily use. As with many Lush products it is self-preserving, although it has a guideline use-by date. Again, with the price of £7.95 for the 95g tub, this is another positive. What is also appealing is that it’s good for the skin too, despite this not being the main selling point. Lavender will always be a favourite scent of mine and although it is of course personal taste whether you enjoy the smell of lavender or not, pop into Lush and see what you think. The lavender combined with the other ingredients including tonka absolute, and more lovely ingredients, makes a lotion that has proved popular with many people struggling with sleep problems. I also found that on the nights that I used this I slept right through, instead of waking up the middle of the night, which happened on the one occasion since having this where I forgot to apply it.

If the idea of using lavender in another form appeals to you, this is something worth considering. The store assistant also showed me a lavender spray Lush stock which people spray on their bed sheets, or themselves. I’ve always been advised not to put pure lavender oil onto the skin directly, hence my previous use of putting on a tissue. Due to this I would not recommend putting lavender oil on pillows or bedding in case of any skin reactions you may have to the high concentration of the oil.