Buying Beauty from MyShowcase…An Introduction!

Today I’d like to talk about another way to shop for independent beauty brands using MyShowcase. The concept went a little over my head at first, but it’s actually very simple and quite a clever way to be introduced to new brands.

MyShowcase is an online beauty store that also has a team of ‘stylists’ all over the country, who host beauty parties or get togethers for people interested in discovering new independent beauty brands, as chosen by Kate Shapland, co-founder of MyShowcase and Beauty Editor at The Telegraph. If you are familiar with these kinds of parties then you’ll know it’s quite a popular format used by companies who sell Candles, Food, even er, sexy underwear! Whilst none of those genres particularly interest me, high end and independent beauty brands certainly do!

I’ve been having a good look through the catalogue and have seen some really interesting brands – not easily accessible on the high street and would usually require buying from multiple sources online, for example, Andrea Garland, Mama Mio, Aurelia, Face Stockholm (there was a store in Manchester for a while but it’s long gone), T.LeClerc, Sage LA, New CID etc. People who know beauty have probably heard of a handful of these brands, but since they’re not easy to find instore, you might not have had the chance to give the products a test before buying – this is why it’s useful to get a few friends together and arrange a Stylist get together so you can try before you buy.

If get togethers aren’t for you, you can also buy online.

Anyhow, I selected a few products I would personally want to try and buy to review here so you get an idea of that is available.

T.LeClerc Velours Eyeshadow Pen – Noir Mystery and Very Mystery (£20 each)

I’ve only really known T. LeClerc for their loose powders, I had no idea the range was so comprehensive with all kinds of lip products, eyeshadows and base items. I love my eyeshadow pens because they’re easy to use on the go and chose two shades, a deep black with shimmer and a emerald green.

Swatches:

These pencils are lovely and creamy, pigmented and once dry, long lasting. I always prefer retractable pencils as they save sharpening, which is handy when they live in my ‘handbag make up bag’.

The black creates a smokey eye – it is very pigmented and dries to a long lasting finish. I prefer to this pencil to many others I have tried as they aren’t greasy at all:

I love the green – it really contrasts my eyes as you can see:

That is just one swipe!

Aurelia Skincare – Refine & Polish Miracle Balm, Revitalise & glow Serum, Cell Revitalise Night Treatment

I’ve been using these samples for a week and a half – they’re lovely. This Probiotic skincare range uses plant and flower essences and Omega oils. The cleansing balm has a nice easily spreadable texture and used with hot flannel seems to get all my make up off.

The Revitalise and Glow Serum has a light weight texture (essential for me) – it has made my skin quite soft and adds some hydration too (it’s hard to say how it would be in the long term of course, but so far so good). The Night Moisturiser is also quite nice and rich – my skin is very dry at the moment, and because I tend to forget my skincare in the morning, a night time treatment is the ideal thing for me as I have more time to apply products.

I have not noticed any breakouts, redness or itching from using these products, and they have a gentle soft floral scent.

Mama Mio Megamama Super Rich Omega Body Lotion & Boob Tube

I’ve used a few products from Mama Mio before and I like them (used in my first pregnancy). Boob Tube is good for the chest area, and breasts – whether or not I will use this when baby is born I don’t know because I imagine it won’t taste very nice! But I’ve been using it and it seems to make the skin super soft and smooth. I have a problem with overly rich creams giving me spots on the chest area but not this one. It’s definitely worth investigating if you want to avoid that wrinkly skin around the decollate area.

Super Rich Omega Body Lotion looks quite plain which is what I like, but it sinks in quickly and leaves the skin feeling super soft all day. I hate moisturising my body, i find it so dull, but this seems to calm my skin down (which is red and blotchy at the moment) and sinks in fast.

The Sage Lifestyle – Scents in Turquoise, Onyx and Moonstone

I am crazy into fragrances at the moment so loved trying these scents (sold in the roll on format at MyShowcase). There are lots of different perfumes based on precious stones and I have 3 samples here to review. These are quite thickish oils.

Turquoise - A vibrant marine fragrance accented by Grapefruit and Black Currant with a full-bodied white flower middle note. Accompanied by a hint of Blue Chamomile and a warm base note of Mysore Sandalwood and clean Musk.

I found Turquoise to be surprisingly warm and comforting – I can smell the berries in the background, and a fresh marine note there. The more I smell it, the more it smells like a summery scent, sort of beachy and lightweight, easy going and youthful. As it settles, I can really pick out the citrus note. I don’t dislike it but it’s not my standout.

Onyx - One of Sage’s more popular fragrances–a rich and intense oil with hints of dark coconut. This amazing fragrance is primarily exotic base notes of Oakmoss, Tobacco and a nectar Vanilla. Luscious and warm.

Onyx is very much a vanilla scent – warm and sweet without being TOO sickly. Very feminine, somewhat sexy although I can’t smell much more than vanilla and coconut in it. It’s semi-cake like. I can’t necessarily pick out the tobacco or smokiness which is a shame as I’d love that to be stronger.

Moonstone – Like the opalescent gem for which it was named, Moonstone is a lustrous, incandescent fragrance of ethereal beauty. An intoxicating middle note accord of gardenia and paperwhites. These rest on a base note accord of amber, vanilla and musk accented with oakmoss and tobacco flower. The ancient Romans believed that moonstones were formed by the light of the moon.

Moonstone has a floral feel but also something fruity hidden there like a peach, perhaps? I was expecting something more hippy like because it’s called moonstone but it’s more of a wearable warm flower. My favourite of the three.

I love the concept of these roll ons, I want to try more out (certainly before making a purchase).

What is a MyShowcase Showcase?

There are two themed showcases, The Skincare shakeup and The Makeup shakeup. Hosts invite 5 friends and the stylist will organise everything, bring products over, dishing out tips, taking orders and of course tidying everything up. The host receives a 20% off gift voucher after the event to use on products (valid for 24 hours after the event).

It costs £20 per guest which is payable in advance (obviously as it takes time and effort to arrange the shake up) but it is completely redeemable against purchases!

The Skincare Shake Up will introduce you to brands like Aurelia Probiotic Skincare, Balm Balm, S5 Skincare, Elizabeth’s Daughter, Balance Me etc.

The Make Up Shake Up includes brands such as Wild About Beauty, T.LeClerc, Face Stockholm, B. The Eyebrow Experts etc.

Both Shake Ups come with advice, tips and the chance to play with the products in person of course!

How do I become a Stylist?

If on the other hand, you’d like to get involved with being a stylist, you can sign up for just £199 (you get £400’s worth of product) and advice on how to support your venture. You earn commission on products sold at the Shake Ups or sold online (if purchased by your clients). This is perfect for people who love beauty, enjoy socialising and am motivated although there are no sale targets.

I am genuinely considering becoming a Stylist at some point – with baby 2. coming along soon, it’s a nice way to make a bit of money without having to make a huge investment, indulge in my beauty obsession and meet new people too. I live in an area with some discerning ladies, most are mums with busy lives but like nice things but would never have the time to aimlessly browse in beauty halls or online.

To book a Shake Up or ask about becoming a stylist, call 020 7384 9600 or email [email protected] (available Nationwide, not just London!).

Visit the site here for more information!

*PR samples. Not a sponsored post!

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