Bourjois Java Rice Powder

I was lucky enough to win a Bourjois competition on Twitter recently and my prize was this new (well, old...) Java rice powder. This year marks Bourjois' 150th birthday, so to celebrate the occasion they have re-released their Java rice loose powder, which was their first ever best-selling product. It's hard to believe that the product was originally launched back in 1879!

The beautiful mint green packaging with the product name in French is inspired by the Parisian-style packaging of the original product, which I think is a lovely touch.

The Bourjois website states that the original version was "designed to lighten skin and leave it silky-soft" and for the most part that remains to be true. However, the product has been reformulated somewhat into a pearlescent, radiance boosting loose powder, which personally I think would be best used as a highlighter, although you could definitely use it all over your face if you wanted to. The powder is only available in one shade currently, a shimmery, transparent, slightly pink shade, which I think would flatter a lot of skintones.

Personally I twist the product to open it and then tip some of the powder into the lid and swirl my brush around in it, to avoid making any mess, which is the only trouble with loose powders. The product itself is very finely milled, meaning it adds a very natural looking glow to the face, without looking caked on or adding any garish chunks of glitter. 

Above is a photo of the powder before blending it in, to show the subtle, soft pink shade. Below I have blended it in and you will see that it clearly gives an highlighting, illuminating effect.

 Another feature of this powder that deserves to be commented on is definitely the smell! It smells similar to the Bourjois little pot blushes, but with a more pungent floral scent. Quite simply the only way I can describe this smell is "vintage", it reminds me of my Nan! I love it, it reminds me of the way old-fashioned make-up used to smell and I think it's a lovely detail. However, if you're not one for scented products you may not like it!

Bourjois have confirmed that this Java rice powder will be joining their permanent line, retailing for £9.99. Originally it was only available from Selfridges, but you can now find it in Boots and Superdrug.

Have you tried this product? Would you like to?

Review: Avon Mega Effects Mascara

 I saw this mascara advertised a while ago and i'd never seen anything like it, so I was really excited to try this out. It has a revolutionary brush applicator, which reminds me a little of a paint brush! Avon claim that this mascara "provides panoramic volume and corner to corner coverage for dramatic definition". I agree somewhat with this statement, the tiny bristles and the small handle give you the ability to really get close to the lashline and reach even the shortest of your lashes, as well as the inner and outer corners.  However, i'd say the mascara is definitely more lengthening than it is volumising, so if you like a natural, fluttery look as opposed to heaps of volume, you should definitely try this out! I have this mascara in brown black, but it is also available in a classic black and a navy, which is very on trend right now with YSL, Chanel and many other brands bringing out coloured mascaras recently.

The packaging is compact and the handle has indentations on as you can see, which make holding the brush a bit easier. You can also bend the brush to your preferred angle, which is a nice touch. 

The novelty of this product is unquestionable, it's fun to use, but it also takes a lot longer for me to apply it, purely because i'm not used to using a mascara wand of this nature. It can also get quite messy, particularly when I use it on my bottom lashes, but I'm sure the more I use it the easier it will become for me to apply it.

Overall, i'm disappointed to say that this mascara is quite underwhelming. It's an innovative new idea for Avon and i'm sure the hype will boost sales, but honestly it's quite difficult to apply and I don't think the end result is particularly wonderful either. 

This mascara can be purchased on the Avon website for £10 or through an Avon representative. (Buying through an Avon rep may work out cheaper, as they often have deals on.) 

Have you tried this mascara out? What did you think? I'd be intrigued to know if anyone actually got on well with it!