Budget beauty: a BYS makeup look

Have you ever tried a one-brand face?  I usually use a combination of brands when doing my makeup but when I realized I had a full face's worth of BYS products to try - by a combination of my own purchases and products received for review - I thought I'd go all out and try a single-brand makeup look.  I'm already a fan of BYS nail colours and matte lippies (see my full matte lipstick review here) so I was curious to try out and do a mini review of some more of their range.  

I've included the Australian prices for local readers (Products marked * were received for review).

Base

Minerals Naturale Compact Foundation (Sand Beige) - $9.95

I prefer applying powder foundation over creams and liquids because it's foolproof and offers easily buildable coverage.  The Minerals Naturale foundation appears a little rough in the pan but I was surprised at how fine and almost creamy it feels when swatched with fingers so I was prepared to invest my $10 and try it.  This foundation is formulated with 100% minerals and when worn over bare skin it delivers very natural and quite sheer coverage so it would be great for younger girls on a budget who want a no-make up look.  I personally do need a little help to cover some localized redness and pigmentation so I prefer to apply this powder foundation over a little primer or add some concealer for greater coverage and a longer lasting finish.  What I do like is the ease and portability of this compact so it's now living in my makeup purse for a quick dusting during the day.

Blush Duo (03 Miss Pink) - $6.95

Oh man, this bright powder blush compact instantly appealed to the young girl somewhere inside me so I had to buy this as soon as I saw it!  These blush shades are 100% matte and provide surprisingly heavy colour pay-off.  So heavy that a quick tap of the blush brush, particularly into the darker pink shade, is enough to get the right amount of colour onto your cheeks.  Because of my fair colouring (and fear of red streaks on my cheeks) I prefer to either use the pale pink shade alone as I've done at the end of this post, or very gently blend the two shades together on the back of my hand before applying to my cheek apples.  I'm not quite up to dolly cheeks!

Eyes

Metallics 8-pan Eyeshadow Palette (Browns) - $4.95*

These eyeshadows aren't as finely milled as some of the high-end brand metallics out there but they do feel nice and creamy rather than powdery and crumbly between the fingers and the colours pack a highly-pigmented punch and metallic sheen on the lids.  I did experience some fallout when applying so a lighter touch is definitely recommended rather than my packing it on - I admit I can be a bit heavy-handed with eyeshadow when I'm not expecting a good colour payoff so I think this eyeshadow palette took me by surprise.  Using three shades (bottom right on the inner lid, bottom left on the outer crease, and top second-from-right for the outer lid and inner crease) I created an accented daytime eye without the need for any eyeliner.  The shades actually lasted all day on my lids too without fading or creasing - for the grand price of $4.95 that, quite frankly, is just ridiculous! The dead giveaway of course is the packaging but the product inside is surprisingly good. 

Lash Fibre & Lash Extend Mascara (black) - $9.95*

These sorts of products make me nervous. Very nervous. Scared actually. I've seen unfortunate bloggers modelling bloodshot, teary eyes after lash fibres floated into their eyes - yikes! Okay, I was understandably nervous trying this product then.  What did I do? I read the package instructions and followed them TO.THE.LETTER.  The Lash Extend mascara is the pre-coat as well as the finishing mascara. This means the pesky little lash fibres have something to stick to rather than flying off and into unsuspecting eyes! I applied a quick coat of Lash Extend, then quickly and carefully applied a coat of the Lash Fibre to my still wet lashes.  I removed any noticeable white clumps before adding a single, final coat of Lash Extend.  I like the fuller, non clumpy lash look and it's about as close as I get to false lashes in my everyday life.  I was still a little nervous of any fallout or flaking during the course of the day but the mascara stayed put.  I know I wouldn't bother doing a two-step lash every day but I really like the idea of wearing extra fluttery lashes for a special occasion or an evening eye without having to glue on falsies. 

Lips

Matte lipstick (Tango) - $3.95*
I have three shades from this line of matte lipsticks now and love them all because they are not drying at all and the colour payoff is intense. Tango is a vibrant blue-based red.

Diamond Shine Lip Gloss (05 Ruby Red) - $3.95*
I wasn't expecting much from this cheap little lip gloss but this really has a lot of saturated colour, with just a little bit of understated sparkle. Sparkly shades can feel a bit grainy on the lips too but this had no noticeable graininess. There was no stickiness either and I liked the subtle cherry scent.  I applied this over Tango and it added shine and and vibrancy to my lips for a more orange-red juicy lip. Did it bleed? No.

The swatches

Left to Right:
 Blush Duo -  (03 Miss Pink - soft pink shade)
Metallics Eyeshadow (Browns as worn on lid, inner crease, outer crease)
Matte Lipstick (Tango) 
Diamond Shine Lip Gloss (05 Ruby Red)
 

The face 

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Total cost:  $39.70

All of these products are available online at Fashion Addict or in-store at the following Australian locations:  KMart, Gloss or Cosmetics Plus.

(Some of these products have been provided for my consideration.  All comments and opinions are my own.)