I'm a Beauty Blogger from Australia, sharing my love for makeup. Some of you may know me as @Skindzmakeup on Instagram.

Saturday, 9 April 2016

Review: Thin Lizzy

Cover up those blemishes and emphasise those eyes.

If you watch late night tv, you might every now and then catch a glimpse of one of those infamous infomercials. This was exactly how I first came across a brand called Thin Lizzy. I recall the sales lady talking about their highly pigmented concealers and demonstrations on TV showing how amazing the coverage actually was. Quite a while later, as I was walking through the aisles in Priceline, I was surprised to see a whole section for Thin Lizzy - this really caught my interest.

Over the past while, I've been trying Thin Lizzy. I've also been pleasantly surprised to find out that the brand is much more than just concealer. In fact it offers a range of items such as mascara, powder and even eyeliner.

This review will be on the following products:
1. Concealer Creme in China Doll
2. Precision Liquid Eyeliner
3. All Day Flexi Mascara



So who is Thin Lizzy?
Created in 2005, Thin Lizzy is a company based out of New Zealand. The business prides itself in creating high quality products that are accessible by any one, any age and any income. In the last two years the brand has expanded its product range which is now available across Australasia.

The products:

1. Concealer Creme $29.95

Thin Lizzy says:
The special formulation allows for light, simple application with brilliant water and smudge resistant coverage. 
Plus the ginger extract helps keep pores clear and reduce irritation, making it great for anyone with sensitive or acne prone skin.

My Thoughts:
Firstly, I picked the colour China Doll which is a tad darker than my NC15/NW20 skintone. I have sensitive and acne prone skin and this product didn't cause any irritation or break outs on my face.

The Concealer is liquidy and similar to the consistency of the Makeupforevers Full Cover Concealer or Bourjois Healthy Mix (perhaps a tad thicker). It's claims for heavy coverage are definitely true, but it really depends on how heavy you apply it and how many layers you put on. For example, I tend to use a very thin layer of concealer to cover minor hyper-pigmentation on my skin. This application evens out my skintone but still allows my natural skin to peak through. However, I can easily build this coverage by adding on another layer or by not spreading the product out so thinly. I think it would be good for those of you with acne or acne scarring. I don't have any heavy tattoos to conceal but check out the Thin Lizzy website for the video that demonstrates tattoo cover.

The finish of the Concealer leaves a slightly tacky feel - which tends to assist with the smudge resistant coverage claim. I usually dust a small layer of translucent powder on top to set it for the day. The product lasts for a good 6-7 hours, bearing in mind I tend to touch my face a lot throughout the day.

The product also claims to keep pores clear and reduce irritation - all I can say is that I didn't break out from using it. My pores remain the same as well.

Overall, quite a good product in my opinion.

2. Precision Liquid Eyeliner $19.95

Thin Lizzy says:
The Perfect Easy to use Eyeliner guaranteed to make an impact.

My thoughts:
Instant love. This eyeliner is possibly one of the easiest liquid liners to use. The applicator allows you to grip on to make a seamless and easy winged look in a matter of seconds. Depending on the pressure you apply, it allows you to make a thin or thicker line. For me, this eyeliner stays on all day (I usually put it on at 7:00am and take it off around 6:30pm) and it does not give me intense racoon eyes (woo!) - it's honestly very fuss free. I will say though every now and then it may smudge a tiny bit after 5-6 hours but I just wipe under my eyes. The liquid is thin in consistency, however it doesn't emphasise fine lines or run when you apply. If the formula was a little more black, it would almost hit HG status alongside my Dollywink.

Love it.

3. All-day Flexi Mascara $29.99

Thin Lizzy says:
An advanced formulation mascara designed with flexible micro-tubing polymers that wrap around individual lashes, creating flawless eyes in an instant with staying power from morning to evening.

My Thoughts:
Firstly, such sleek packaging! I love the black tube with silver detailing and I admire brands that think smart when it comes to this sort of thing. This mascara has a normal bristle wand that enables product to be distributed evenly across each lash. The product is quite black, which I love and provides the lashes with a bit of oomph. Because the brush is packed with plenty of individual bristles, the mascara is able to give a tad more length and volume. As my lashes naturally curve up, the mascara also emphasised the lift throughout the day. It didn't flake on or transfer to the under eyes so thumbs up. Its a bit harder to apply the mascara on the lower lashes without getting it everywhere, but this is mainly because due to bottom lashes being almost non-existent so trying to manoeuvre a large brush alongside each was a disaster waiting to happen lol!

Overall, I think all these products are worth a shot. My personal favourite out of the range is the Precision Liquid Liner. These products can be found in Priceline and Nova Pharmacies or online.

Hope this review helped!

Love Cindy aka Skindzmakeup

Favourites: Translucent Powders

Let's set our look.
Over the years, I've tried many, many powders. It has taken about 5 years but I think I've finally settled on my top three setting powders (note how I say setting powders and not powered foundation - this will be a separate post). When I look for a setting powder, I typically need one that sets my face to a natural/matte finish, controls my oily tzone and one that requires minimal touch ups throughout the day.

Here it goes:

1. La Mer Translucent Powder
Luxury in a tub. This powder comes in a large glass container with a white plastic lid. Not only does the outside of the product look amazing, but inside it also comes with a powder puff that is gentle and soft on the skin (I do have to be honest though and let you know that powder puff is not my selected method of application). Application of this powder is simple - any soft flat top brush (natural hairs work better) or a fluffy powder brush. It sets any foundation by leaving a beautiful natural finish that is not too matte. It makes the skin looks ridiculously luminous after apply the powder and no touch ups are required throughout the day. What'a also great about the powder is that it is super, super finally milled. There is no creasing when you use it and no caking under the eyes. It also looks beautiful in photos. While this product is super expensive, the tub is HUGE (25 grams) and it will last a long time.

2. Essence Fix and Matte Powder
The opposite side of the price scale to number one but just as effective in my opinion. While only picking this up for $2 at a makeup sale, this nifty little product has become one of my most reached for. I've completely used up two tubs and plan on purchasing many more (when I can find it - its always sold out at my local Priceline). When you first feel this powder, it is super cooling and very fine. I use a large fluffy brush to apply it on my face, specifically focusing on the tzone. I've noticed that it does not crease or cause any caking. This powder takes away any shine and sets my foundation to a nice matte to natural base. I do have to mention that if you apply too much, your face will appear white. When this happens, I just use a setting spray over the face and problem solved.

3. Illamasqua Translucent Powder
This works the same as La Mer and Essence - in fact everything that I've mentioned above about the quality of the products is the same for powder. The texture is super fine, it does not crease or cake and finally it lasts throughout any day without any touch ups required. It doesn't leave any white residue and there is no flash back when it comes to photos. I also have oily skin and find that this powder is able to keep the oils at bay for at least 7 hours. One of the best things about this powder that makes it stand out is the beautiful sweet scent. There's not much I can really knock about this product. I say go to your nearest David Jones counter and try it out.

Special mentions:
Ben Nye Neutral Set Powder
I find this powder quite similar to the three powders above. It is nicely milled, super soft and quite silky. I got mine from Hub Makeup for $12-$15 (smaller jar) and it's lasted for over a year. Keep in mind to really blend this powder in to avoid any white patches on the face.

What are your favourite powders?

Next on my list to try is the RCMA.

Love Cindy aka Skindzmakeup