Currently Trying #2 Ft. Maui Moisture, ELF, MUA and Real Techniques

I started a new series back in February called ‘currently trying’ where I do a roundup post on products I’m currently trying, and include mini reviews and/or first impressions. I test a lot of beauty products and I don’t necessarily blog about everything I try so this series allows me to show you the products I’m using and my thoughts on them. Just like my first post in the series, these products are all drugstore and affordable.

Real Techniques Ultimate Eye Set £20

I had the original Real Techniques eye brush set back when they had pale metallic handles, and I spotted this set on offer on the Superdrug website so I decided to snap it up to have some backups in my collection. I believe Real Techniques have revamped this set to the new Enhanced Set which contains a lash comb, but this set contains five eye brushes with taklon bristles; Deluxe Crease Brush, Base Shadow Brush, Accent Brush, Fine Liner Brush and Brow Brush.

The set also includes a grey brush case but I personally hate the case and would rather they ditched the case and lowered the price as it’s not great and I’d rather transport my brushes in a drawstring bag from a beauty box as the mirror is warped within the case and in my opinion useless. The brushes are super soft and effective, and I really like the Deluxe Crease Brush, Base Shadow Brush and Accent Brush in particular.

Maui Moisture Revive & Hydrate Shea Butter Shampoo and Conditioner 100ml £3.19 each

I’ve heard so much about the Maui Moisture haircare range, but until very recently I’d never tried any of their products before. They are stocked in Boots and recently launched a range of 100ml miniatures which are ideal for travel with the 100ml liquids rule for UK airports. These minis are from the Revive & Hydrate range which is for dry and damaged hair, and contains creamy shea butter, rich coconut oil and pure macadamia oil to soften, quench and revive the hair.

They are pricey miniature sizes but the full size bottles are £8.99 due to the amazing ingredients as they’re free from sulfates, silicones, artificial colours, mineral oils, SLES and they’re vegan friendly too. They’re both so lovely for my fine, frizzy hair and help to tame flyaways whilst keeping my hair hydrated too.

MUA Prism Loose Powder Highlighter £5

I have been experimenting with loose highlighters in the last few months so I wanted to give this MUA loose powder highlighter a try as they usually have super pretty highlighters. I got the shade Star Illusion but they have now added other shades to the range, which are more colourful but I really don’t like colourful highlighters on my skintone.

For £5 you get an huge 18 grams of product which is crazy, and such good value. The highlighter is packaged within a round plastic pot, with holes in the sifter shaped like a star. It is a very big pot and once you’ve peeled back the sticker, there’s nothing to stop the powder coming out of the holes so it’s not something you can travel with. Star Illusion is a pretty peachy pink shade with a duochrome shift and whilst I don’t love it on my face, it’s stunning when used on the lids with a dampened eyeshadow brush.

ELF Makeup & Mist Fixing Spray 120ml £7.50

I saw that ELF had launched a double the size version of their bestselling Makeup Mist & Set so I decided to give it a try when placing a recent ELF order on the ELF UK website. The original version is £5 and contains 60ml so to get double for £2.50 more is such a good deal. This setting spray is designed to hold your face and eye makeup in place all day and to revitalise makeup colour with just a few sprays.

The formula contains aloe, green tea, cucumber, and vitamins A, C, and E to soothe and hydrate the skin. I have very sensitive skin and some makeup setting sprays can sting my skin but I really like this one from ELF. It smells more like a skincare facial mist, and it does definitely help to prolong my makeup and I find it leaves my skin looking dewy and natural too. I also use this large size bottle to dampen my brush when using eyeshadow or pigments, and it does a really great job at intensifying the colour and shimmer finish.

ELF No Budge Shadow Stick £5

I’m not going to waffle on too much about this eyeshadow stick as I’m not sure if it’s available anymore. I ordered mine around 6 weeks ago, and it’s showing as sold out on the website so it’ll be a massive shame if it has as I love this eyeshadow stick.

There are (or were) five different shades to choose from and the stick features a long-lasting formula that helps avoid smudging, smearing, and creasing. I have the shade Rose Gold, and it’s the prettiest metallic rose gold which looks so pretty all over the lids and it takes a matter of seconds to swipe it over the lids and blend with your fingertip to soften the edges. I really hope they bring them back as the formula is perfect for an eyeshadow stick.

ELF Nude Rose Gold Eyeshadow Palette £10

I already own the ELF Matte Palette and really liked the formula of the shadows so when I spotted the newer rose gold edition, I was instantly sold. This is a very slim, matte black plastic palette with a mirror in the lid and ten powder eyeshadows in a mixture of matte, satin and shimmer finishes.

I did wonder whether I needed this palette as it might have been too similar to the Naked 3 Palette but I think it’s different enough to warrant having both, and if anything I actually prefer the shades inside this palette which is something I never thought I’d say. Every shade is pigmented and soft, and blendable on the eye without creasing or fading and the colour is intensified when layered over primer. The £10 ELF palettes really are fantastic for the price, and I’d definitely like to try more.

I’d love to know if you’ve tried any of these products before? Have you tried any of the ELF Eyeshadow Palettes?

All products featured on Gemma Etc. are PR samples or gifted items, unless otherwise indicated. This post may contain affiliate links. If you wish to find out more, please see my Disclaimer within my navigation bar.