I've always wanted a storage case for my most used makeup items which are otherwise (somewhat neatly) positioned on my dressing table, and after the disappointment that was the Sephora quilted pink train case (arrived damaged with several scuff marks & is on its way back to the USA), I decided to look for a replacement. It was when I happened to be browsing BeautyBay's sale that I came across this JaponesqueMedium Train Case Pink. With the train case already being discounted from £68 to £47.60, BeautyBay's 20% off on orders over £60 further discounted it to £38.08 - yay! I immediately added it to basket and proceeded to checkout (along with a few other items, of course). Without further ado, here's my new train case! Dimensions according to the official site - 12" x 7-1/4" x 6-1/2"
There are 4 trays for small items. I love that the inside of this train case is also pink, unlike most of the pink train cases I've seen that come with black trays. Problem I have with these small trays is that they're only deep enough for one layer of makeup, thus not fully utilizing the storage space.
There is a large bottom compartment for bigger items such as spray bottles, skincare products, etc. I would have preferred a few dividers to separate it into sections rather than one large storage area, but it's no big deal. The train case also comes with a pair of keys for the lock - although I'm unlikely to ever use these keys, they're nice to have regardless.
Side view
Bottom view - I'd have preferred rubber feet attachments so that the metal parts won't scratch my dressing table, but this also means that it won't leave little dents on the carpet.
However, there is IMO a minor design flaw, which is how the lock is positioned right underneath the handle (some train cases have locks on either side of the handle), so if the handle fell on to the side with the lock, it will get scuff marks.
Although this isn't a massive problem, it does irk me a little, and could have been avoided with more thought.
I probably wouldn't pay the RRP of £68 for this train case, but at £38.08, it's an absolute bargain and I'm extremely pleased with it! So pleased, that I'm actually in two minds whether to order a second one before the sale ends, so I'd have one for skincare and another for makeup products. But, I also have my eye on this pink train case by CerroQreen, which comes with a mirror and even has a removable panel for brush storage. Decisions, decisions...
While I was shopping at BeautyBay, I also restocked on a few shampoos & conditioner, plus the following products:
Tammy FenderSpontaneous Recovery Creme - the Tammy Fender Intensive Repair Balm is currently my favourite moisturiser, so I decided to try another in this range. Mario BadescuSilver Powder - it's a mask that is supposed to be really good at unclogging pores, especially prior to blackhead extraction. Mario BadscuDrying Lotion - I had this several years ago, then lost it in the house move. It's very effective at drying up pimples overnight. I do wonder how I've managed to live without it for so long. Yes To CarrotsLip Butter in Melon - freebie for spending over £50 at BeautyBay. Easily spread, moisturising and smells divine. Even though I have plenty of lip balms already, I like it enough to want to try out other flavours!
Launched in 1980 as the USA’s first ‘all 99 cent’ cosmetic line, wet n wild is a sexy, fashionable and diverse range that sells on its high quality and affordable price.
Checkboxes:
[ ] Sexy - Packaging? Really? Nothing out of the ordinary, feels cheap
[/] Fashionable - I've given this a half hearted check; from what I've seen nothing really stands out from their range other than mega cheap price
[x] Diverse range - They do have a lot different shades and different glosses, mascaras, etc
[ ] High quality - Ha.ha.ha.HA. No.
[x] Affordable price - Super cheap; their highest priced items are around £5 with most costing 99p, plus they often have sales where items are reduced to 99p from £1.99, £2.99 etc
That's 2.5 out of their 5 claims... not a great start
A couple of weeks ago I decided to make a small order from WnW after finding a sale thread on a forum - all lip products are reduced to 99p throughout July & August. Being the lip product junkie that I am I decided this would be a good time to try out some of their stuff, but after much browsing on their site, either the products I wanted were out of stock, or they just didn't appeal to me.
In the end I purchased:
- MegaGlo Illuminating Bronzing Powder in Catwalk Pink
- Mascara Primer
- Mega Lash Mascara
- Diamond Brilliance Lip Sheen in Pink Sapphire and Sparkling Diamonds
- CoverAll Liquid Concealer Wand in Fair
- Sponge Applicators x 2
They offer free delivery within the UK when you spend £10+
Normally I wouldn't look twice at this brand, not because I have anything against ultra cheap products, but more often than not it's a case of "you get what you pay for" - I buy some ultra cheap items, end up not liking them and they just go straight into the bin. I'd much rather have spent that money on food (mmm fish...) or something more worthy. Anyway, here are my thoughts on my WnW purchases.
Mascara Primer
I actually don't know what to say about this product. Other than that it makes no difference whatsoever to my mascara application, and stinks like sour yoghurt. Yes that's right. Lovely eh? I don't care if the smell does dissipate after a while; I don't care that this is cheap (99p); if it does absolutely nothing and smells foul it's going in the bin. Mega Lash Mascara
This is supposed to create "thicker, longer, natural-looking lashes that won't smudge or clump" but there's a fundamental problem - 1 or 2 coats of this mascara makes next to no difference (at least not on my already dark lashes) and in order to get thicker looking lashes you have to apply 7+ coats and by then it would have already started to clump and smudge. It does not lengthen lashes either, plus has a super funky smell, and not in a good way; I fail to describe this as it is simply way beyond my senses so the only thing I can say is "not very nice".
Did I mention that the packaging looks & feels cheap? You can probably tell from the picture anyway. Diamond Brilliance Lip Sheen
At first glance both Pink Sapphire and Sparking Diamonds seem great - smooth and lightweight. Pink Sapphire is a sheer pearlescent baby pink with no shimmer, and Sparkling Diamonds is an iridescent clear gloss with tiny shimmer particles, mostly blue and both glosses are very, very pretty.
Unfortunately this is the best I can do with my camera (it looks prettier in person!) I honestly wish I can say I like them, but they make my lips feel slightly uncomfortable, have no staying power, and smells very plasticky sweet (better than expired milk product at least). I don't rate the packaging very highly either, especially not the fake plastic diamond thing at the top of the tube which just adds to its tacky factor.
CoverAll Liquid Concealer Wand
I got this in Fair which is the lightest of 3 shades they have. It's a pretty good match for my NC15/NC20 skin, but it's somewhat difficult to blend. If I use my fingers a lot of the concealer gets wiped off and becomes blotchy on blemishes, so no it doesn't cover well in my opinion. I haven't tried it as an under eye concealer though, since I don't get eye bags. As far as concealers go, this is not good enough.
Sponge Applicators
I actually like these; they're not of superb quality but are soft enough to apply eyeshadow with, fix minor mistakes or remove eye makeup by drenching them in makeup remover. Pretty easy to clean with some warm soapy water. Glad I got 2 packs although I only got them initially to bring me over the free shipping amount.
MegaGlo Illuminating Bronzing Powder Purposely left the best till last :P Catwalk Pink contains 4 shades - light shimmery bronze, pearly baby pink, medium matte red, and a darker shimmery orange bronze; these can be used together or separately as highligher, blush, eyeshadow too, so this is quite versatile.
When used together the 4 shades create a super pretty glow (swatch on the left) that is perfect for my skin. Usually bronzers make me look like a blotchy orange, and it is difficult finding a light enough shade without it appearing over the top, but I don't have problems with MegaGlo because it's so subtle. The only issue I have with this, other than the cheap packaging, is that it takes work picking up the product on your brush - you need some wrist strength, but once I apply it with my MAC 182 kabuki brush it lasts all day. Pretty decent for £1.99 ;)
