bella reviews

When a primer promises to transform your skin's texture, smooth fine lines and wrinkles and has the word Magique in its name, I expect big things. Did it live up to the hype?

First impressions: I immediately liked this primer on sight. The glass jar is both big enough to make you feel as though you're getting a lot for your money, but small enough to be able to take away for a weekend. In other words, my kind of product. Its whipped-like texture almost makes your finger bounce back, meaning it's hard to load up on product. But that's not a bad thing. With this primer you don't need much; use too much and it can become a little cluggy and look unnatural under your foundation. Another plus? It's pink. Read the full review.

I get asked — approximately every millisecond — about mascara. What one I use? How people can get longer/fuller/thicker lashes? Everything and anything to do with lashes — people want to know. Which means I’m always up for trying a new mascara, especially one that promises up to 200 percent more volume instantly like Revlon Grow Luscious Plumping™ Mascara ($21.95).

So did it deliver? In short, yes. It was a breeze to apply and after just one coat my flutter felt like it could floor a sumo wrestler, with just one blink. Such was the power behind the vampy volume.

Its ability to do this is two-fold. First, there’s the unique thickening formula, which not only thickens, but also features fancy lash-enhancing phyto-peptide technology (read: a conditioning and strengthening formula that helps lashes grow big and strong). Then there’s the brush, which is tapered and designed to give each individual lash the special treatment. Somehow it also seems to have an in-built inability to clump. A huge bonus in my book. Especially when you’re applying it in a rush or on-the-go. Warning: you will be asked if you’re wearing fake lashes on a daily basis. But that’s a compliment I’m more than willing to take!

Admittedly I’ve been a lipstick devotee for the past few years — less sticky — but since Rimmel Vinyl Max Lip Gloss landed on my desk a few weeks ago, it’s been my go-to product. So how did it win me over and become pretty much the only gloss to sit in amongst 344 lipsticks?

Well firstly it’s not sticky. BIG win. Secondly, it has a big applicator. Sounds a strange thing to write, I know. But in this case size definitely matters. See it allows you to coat your top and bottom lip in one go. You don’t need to re-dip and reapply 10,000 times to get the look you’re after. Which means the overall look of the gloss is sleeker and smoother, I find. It also means you’re not pumping the product full of air so it lasts longer and keeps fresher.

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If I had a cent for every time I get asked about hair extensions — "Should I get them?" or "Do they hurt?" and "How long do they last?" are just some of the questions that get fired at me anytime somebody finds out I'm a beauty ed — I'd be a rich little lady. So, instead of answering these questions on an individual basis (at last count I'd helped 2,716 people) I thought we'd do a series on the different types of hair extensions, from clip-ins to bonded hair and everything in between, to make things a little clearer. First up, Great Lengths, an ethically-sourced global hair extension company which was orginally developed and patented in London in 1991.

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When Maybelline NY Shine Sensational Lip Glosses ($10.95) landed on my desk, I thought, ooh super bright, super shiny, my little sister would love these. She's eight. But who amongst us didn't start out on the path to Makeup Mecca early. Quite. So I gave her one. That'll stop her from getting her hands on my Chanel lip balm, I thought. Now given that eight-year-olds unabashedly like what they like and hate what they hate, I thought you might like to hear what this mini Bella-in-waiting had to say. For she's an even harsher critic than me, as Justin Beiber would find out if he ever encountered her.

It's yummy. Though I'm pretty certain MNY had no intention of providing a meal replacement, if it's going to be in such close vicinity to our mouths, we don't want it to be disgusting. And this isn't. With flavours like cotton candy, toffee and peach sorbet it'll get you through the 11am grumbles.

It's easy to apply. OK she didn't say this as such. I don't think she would care quite frankly, but given that an eight-year-old can and does apply, quite freely, I think it's safe to say that we could, too.

It's sooooo shiny. Correct. It is. I needed sunglasses with the amount she applied.

It feels nice. I know this because she wouldn't be averse to complaining if not. Trust me.

It's subtle. She wore it at the beach. I did not get glances from concerned mothers that I was letting my little sister dress like a scarlet woman.

I love it. Her words. And mine. What? If she can steal my lip gloss, I can steal hers. It's called sharing.

Maybelline NY Shine Sensational Lip Gloss replaces Shiny-licious. Stockists: 1300 369 327.

The gel-based base coat, polish, and top coat used in CND's new in-salon only Shellac manicure don't need drying time and supposedly last for 14 days. But did this manicure hold up to day-to-day activities and stay chip-free in the process? US Bella really puts it through its paces to find out. Check it out the video now. Pros: Really, really works. Cons: Not so great if, like me, you bore of your nail colour in 0.08 seconds! What do you think? Keen to try it out?

Stockists: 1800 449 109

Given that Estée Lauder's Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex ($105) is Australia's #1 selling anti-ageing treatment product, has won awards from Marie Claire, InStyle and been voted Best Serum by the Australian Beauty Awards 2010 judges, you could say we got a tad excited when we learned about the new Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Synchronized Complex ($95). OK, we danced around the office. You will, too, after you've tried it. Honest. Look . . .

What is it: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Synchronized Complex is a gel-serum that uses groundbreaking research into genetic ageing to reduce EVERY single sign of ageing in the eye area.

Ooh, tell me more: Back in 2009, Estée Lauder's Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex changed everything. It revolutionised the way that skin was repaired overnight. This is the same kind of formula but it's specifically designed for the delicate eye area. As skin around the eyes is 40 percent thinner than the rest of your face, it's the first place that ageing rears its ugly head.

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