BYS false eyelashes

Get those Party Eyes!

New BYS Eyelash Range

Are you a lover of long, luscious lashes? Well I know I sure am. Although my lashes are not exactly sparse, they could use a more than a little help with length & volume. So when we went away for our wedding anniversary & I got a chance to break in one of the styles in the new BYS lashes range which I was kindly sent to try.

There are 50 styles (31 of which you can view on the BYS site) that have been created for every occasion or look from high glam, sexy diva to subtle & sultry using natural fibres.

Each pack comes with a hypoallergenic adhesive that is "latex free" which dries clear. They are priced at $7.95 AU & available at Gloss Cosmetics stores, selected pharmacies & online at www.fahionaddict.com.au

Pictured above, I tried out the #25 Under Whispy style which I tired to channel my inner diva over dinner - strike that pose!

(Above left & right): My little eyelash "helpers". I used my ELF mini lash curler to give my lashes the curl I wanted before I applied the BYS lashes, my CK travel tweezers, nail scissors, Lingmei eyeliner & the Mirenesse Vibrash Mascara in electric black.

The application was fairly straight forward. I had to cut approximately 4mm off each lash so it would fit comfortably across the top of my lashes. But I found that I had to use a few coats of the adhesive to make them stick while using my little travel tweezers to attach them.

However, once the lashes were attached it only took about 15-20 seconds before I could not longer adjust them (without peeling them off again). Which I ended up doing only because I let myself get distracted by the TV!

(above: natural lighting...hotel bathroom!)

(Above) Once correctly placed on the top lash line & with a few minor "helpers" I stood back, fluttered my "enhanced" lashes & was pleasantly surprised. I felt that they gave my lashes a fuller & longer look that no amount of mascara has managed to achieve on its own. Of course I then had to spend another half an hour doing the rest of my face, style my hair & choose something to wear...

The results

(above: inside light)

(below): The with & without shot...right eye with the Under Whispy & left eye

are my natural lashes...(note to self - get some more eye drops!)

(Above): After an evening out - still going strong. Please, forgive the bloodshot look!

(no photoshopping done here)

They came off easily & after a little bit of eye makeup remover there was no adhesive residual & I even used it to clean up the lashes. Unfortunately after returning home it appears I left one of them back on the bathroom counter - that's what you get with dark brown counter tops!

Anyway, I'm keen to try a few other styles...on my wish list is #01 Lavish to make my Christmas "full" of cheer, #18 Natural Beauty to flutter in a "long" break & #19 Sultry to add the sassy to my festive pics. Although #10 Firecracker seems like a perfect little number to bat your lashes under the (or your) fireworks this New Years. Ok, ok enough word play...

So beauties, let me know in the comments below what ones you are wanting to try in the BYS range.

*I am not affiliated with, or sponsored by BYS brand cosmetics. As mentioned the eyelashes were sent to me for review purposes only , & for my genuine opinion, thanks to Niche Marketing Group.

White Glo Extreme Whitening Pen

Get Your Festive Smile A-Glo'ing!

Well beauties it's almost Christmas & no doubt there are numerous things to organise for the holidays but what about your smile? Typically not the thing that pops up on our beauty lists when we think of celebrating festivities. But what do we do most when we catch up with family & friends we only see around this time & what do we do most in those snaps of those so-called "good times"? Well (hopefully) smile!

I had never tried a whitening teeth system before, unless you count chomping on some whitening gum once. So when I received the White Glo Extreme Whitening Pen (RRP $19.99 AU) to try I was pretty keen to see if my less-than-pearly whites could be brightened up, especially for Christmas.

The White Glo Whitening Pen is designed to be fast & convenient to use practically anywhere. It comes with 2.5ml of "dental peroxide gel" & you dispense the gel onto the brush with a twist action. It is clear gel which can be applied 2-3 times a day & left on for 10-20 minutes & then rinse your mouth thoroughly. I opted for using it twice daily morning & afternoon after my dose of caffeine over a ten day period.

The White Glo pack also comes with 7 bonus Whitening Strips that I only used after I stopped testing the pen. As they are only a bonus to the pack I wanted to focus my attention on the pen form, but I did hope that the strips would enhance any effects I achieved with the pen.

Although enamel is natural translucent covering of the teeth & dentin (the filling of the teeth) is various shades of white, off white, yellowy or grey certain substances can stain the enamel. I don't drink red wine or smoke but I do favour a coffee or two, fruit juices & cola which have probably accounted for my dull slightly yellowish enamel on my teeth, especially around the inner edges.

(Above: before shot) My front teeth were not severely stained but when you get up close in my "grimace pose" the yellowing in the edges & greying over time are visible. I wanted to target the front teeth that were actually exposed in smiling, talking or grimacing which would be my 6 top teeth & 8 bottom teeth.

Like most twist pen systems (pictured above) it is at that first use a little frustrating to get the product to come out through & onto the brush. It was inevitable that I ended up getting too much gel that initial application, but after that, one half twist was more than enough to produce enough gel to cover my top & bottom teeth. I didn't experience any other issues with, or while using, the pen & there was no unpleasant taste, only a slight minty flavour from the peppermint oil.

So I could compare results, I tried to get a photo everyday in natural light with the same lip product (I used Australis lip gloss in "Contemporary" to try & even out my normally pink lips). I only started to notice an obvious difference on the third day of using it, where my teeth appeared to be more a dull white instead of a grey off white.

I also decided it was best not to talk while the product is on my teeth. It only states to not eat or drink while the treatment is on your teeth or get the gel onto your gums, but I noticed that if I talked a bit, or even smiled, I was spreading the gel everywhere else.

(Above) By Day 6 of testing I could see the overall "whiteness" is evening out & the yellowing around the edges of the bottom front teeth has started to recede. (Photo taken in natural afternoon light/overcast)

(Above: Day 10) I am glad to report that I was pleasantly surprised by the results, I could see that the "yellowy" tinges around the teeth appeared a lot lighter & overall they were more evenly a bright "off white" as opposed to a grey dirty white with yellow.

Smile!

I genuinely enjoyed the product & although I am unsure if I can confirm the White Glo claim of restoring teeth to their "brilliant original condition" as I don't have a clear up close reference photo of my teeth from my youth, I will keep the pen handy in my bag & definitely take it with me when out & about or away travelling.

I also had not experienced any sensitivity while using the product, I liked the ease of use & I thought my teeth appeared didn't just appear "whiter" but more evenly so. Since the hubby even commented on my more "even & whiter smile" I decided to move onto the strips to see how white or bright I could go with White Glo.

The bonus Extreme Whitening Strips have two patches backed with gel. The one long straight piece for the upper teeth & a shorter angled portion for the bottom teeth. It is simple matter of removing the strips from the foil & lining them up with the gums & placing them on the teeth. The remaining strip is then folded around the back of the teeth & you can leave them on for up to 30 minutes before disposing & rinsing. (Again there is no eating or drinking during this)

Above: White Glo Extreme Whitening Strips on front top & bottom teeth (taken in natural light)

However, on the third pack I had trouble getting the gel to stay on the strips when peeling them off the foil. I'm not sure if it was due to the humidity from storing them on the bathroom shelf (we have an open cabinet). But I found that if you do encounter this issue just try peeling again from the other side & very slowly it should stick on the strip.

I found that even after the first use (I went for an all out 30 minutes) of the whitening strips my teeth appeared even brighter. Although it doesn't recommend that you have to brush your teeth after removing the strips I could still feel the gel on them (it feels slightly slick) I brushed them gently just with my toothbrush in water for a few seconds & rinsed.

The ingredients for both include: glycerin, carbamide peroxide, carbomer, peppermint oil with the addition of triethanolamime in the Whitening Pen only & menthol in the Whitening Strips.

Final "smile" (photo taken in daylight/mid morning)

Overall, I have enjoyed the handy pen style to use the whitening system & it is worth trying if you just want to start out on a whitening system as it has the bonus whitening strips or are simply wanting something that will travel well.

It is also a good option at RRP of $19.99 AU before venturing out on more expensive whitening systems. (Of course for any major tooth decay or damage or you suffer from tooth sensitivity you should not use this product & see your dentist instead). Otherwise whitening toothpaste might be another option.

At the moment I'm also using the White Glo Professional Choice Toothpaste (150g) to help maintain my pearly smile & my hubby has also started attacking it. As pictured above it also comes with a bonus "anti-stain" toothbrush & flosser toothpicks, (RRP $5.49 AU). I love the tiny suction cup on the toothbrush! But for those of you heavy hot beverage drinkers out there check out the Coffee & Tea Drinkers Formula which also comes with the bonus products.

If you want to give White Glo a try, why don't you try the White Glo 14 Day Whitening Challenge? Use the White Glo Express Whitening System (which is on my wish list) & the Professional Choice Toothpaste. White Glo products are available nationwide at 3000 supermarkets & pharmacies or you can buy online.

Let please me know if you have tried any teeth whitening systems & how you found them in the comment section below, or simply what White Glo product you'd like to try...

*I am not affiliated with, or sponsored by, the White Glo brand. As mentioned the White Glo Whitening products were sent to me for review purposes only , & for my genuine opinion, thanks to Niche Marketing Group.