Barry M Cosmetics

Barry M is my absolute favourite cosmetic brand. It hails itself as "the most colourful name in cosmetics" a claim which it's range certainly backs up. The whole range is so fun and allows you to create so many different looks. There are other ranges out there with colourful cosmetics such as MAC and GOSH but the difference with Barry M is the affordability. The whole range is so affordable that to build up a collection is easy.
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...from Barry M so I can only really comment properly on the ones I have.

DAZZLE DUST

Well dazzle dusts were my first introduction to Barry M. I found with most eyeshadows the pigment just wasn't strong enough and didn't provide me with a dramatic enough effect.

At the time that I was shopping for 'holiday make up' the Barry M dazzle dusts were on 3 for £10 in Superdrug, this offer is on intermittently throughout ... more

Barry M is my absolute favourite cosmetic brand. It hails itself as "the most colourful name in cosmetics" a claim which it's range certainly backs up. The whole range is so fun and allows you to create so many different looks. There are other ranges out there with colourful cosmetics such as MAC and GOSH but the difference with Barry M is the affordability. The whole range is so affordable that to build up a collection is easy.

I haven't tried all the different products available from Barry M so I can only really comment properly on the ones I have.

DAZZLE DUST

Well dazzle dusts were my first introduction to Barry M. I found with most eyeshadows the pigment just wasn't strong enough and didn't provide me with a dramatic enough effect.

At the time that I was shopping for 'holiday make up' the Barry M dazzle dusts were on 3 for £10 in Superdrug, this offer is on intermittently throughout the year. I opted for Yellow (No.76), Lime (No.75) and Khaki (No.14) to enable me to create a tropical look for on holiday.

When I first tried the testers on my hand by dabbing my finger in the pot and simply rubbing my finger on the back of my hand. I was impressed by how vivid the colours were and decided to buy them.

Since my first purchase my range of Dazzle Dusts has increased to include; Ice Pink (No.1), Mushroom (No.51), Peony (No.32), Charcoal (No.11) and Neon Pink (No.85). I intend to keep buying whenever I can till I have the whole range!

There are over 60 colours to choose from and there are some really original colours too that you won't find in a lot of eyeshadow ranges.A full range of colours are available via their website.

Now the great the thing with dazzle dusts are the versatility. I find I can create any look I want with these. If I want a smoky eyed look I can, if I want bright vivid colours I can but also, if I want to create a natural look they are perfect for that too.

There are many different techniques for applying the dazzle dusts, all work equally well depending on what type of effect you are trying to create.

When I first started using my dazzle dusts I applied them wet. I used to simply get a drop of water on a flat eye make up brush and then pick up some dazzle dust (using the brush) and mix in the lid. It creates a paint like texture. Now, I'm not sure why this is but this works better on some than others. With my Khaki the paint it creates is smooth and vivid and paints on perfectly, however with my yellow it seems to clump a little and not work so well. I think it is all trial and error. If you want the freedom of painting so to speak then the water method is good. I also believe that if you use Mac Mixing Medium it will create a better version of using water.

For creating a natural or softer look I tend to use the dazzle dusts dry and with a slightly 'fluffier' eye make up frush than the flat one. They still work really well this way and definately have more pigment than your normal eyeshadow but they do look too extreme.

Another excellent way of making the eyeshadows really stick and last all day and also providing the most vivid colour is to colour your eye in with an eyeliner and then dab the dazzle dust on over the top of this.

The dazzle dusts are loose powders in small pots so as you can imagine they can be messy. I have never had a spillage occurance but I can imagine if you knocked them over they may be a pain to clear up.

If you are new to using these types of pigment then it may be that some will get on your face as you are applying them to your eyes. There are a few ways to combat this. If you are going for a 'matte' look on your face then a great suggestion is to dab a fair amount of loose powder over your cheeks before you start applying the eye make up, once your eye make up is done simply brush away the loose powder and any eye make up that has fallen on your cheeks will go with it.

If you prefer a more luminous look to your skin then this option is obviously not going to work. What I tend to do if I am using particularly dramatic or dark colours is do my make up in reverse to how I normally would. I do my eye make up and then clean the rest of my face with a wipe, removing any split dazzle dust from my face and then do the rest of my make up. I've actually found this works really well.

If you do not fancy doing your make up this way round, I used to simply hold tissue over my face whilst doing my make up so that it falls on the tissue.

The main thing you will notice when working with Dazzle Dusts is the quality, you will get such a better look no matter what kind you are aiming for when working with these than with other eyeshadows. Everyone I have tried (other tha GOSH which is also good) are inferior by far. They are a quality product but at a lower price.

FINE GLITTER DUSTS

Now I only have two of the Fine Glitter Dusts so my comments on them are only limited to my experience of these two. The two I own are Blue Iridescent (No.3) and Midnight Blue (No.19).

These are very similar to the Dazzle Dusts but are more glittery. The pots and application are all the same.

I absolutely love my Blue Iridescent and use it with almost every make up look I do. I use it as a highlighter for just under my brow bone and the inner corner of my eye. It is a very pale colour with specks of what I would describe as a UV colour glitter. It is quite subtle and I'm not sure it would be amazing for a full on glitter look but as a highlighter I love it and it works perfectly.

The Midnight Blue I was slightly dissapointed with as I expected it to be dark blue glitter whereas it is more like a dark blue dazzle dust with silver glitter in it. It is still nice but I would have preffered it had it been navy glitter in it.

I won't really elaborate on application as they are so similar to the Dazzle Dusts.

The light coloured ones however could be used to add shimmer or highlight anywhere you want it doesn't have to be restricted to your eye area.

GLITTER STACKING SETS

These are I think my favourite product! You really can have so much fun with these and create unique looks. Everytime I've done my make up using these I have had people come up to me and comment on how great my eye make up is.

These are defintaley restricted to party looks! There is no natural look to be created here!

There are two glitter stacking sets available, I have both. One set has a white iridesent, gold and silver glitter as well as some red heart shapes and silver star shapes. The other stack has again the white iridescent, blue and pink glitter as well as some gold stars. I think I have remembered that rightly but I don't have them here with me. They defintalely contain those things between the two sets though.

All the glitters, although they are a certain colour have a sort of multicoloured shine element to them when they catch the light. It is hard to describe but looks amazing.

I personally love creating looks on my eyes with the glitters. I have tried a few ways of doing this and had success with them all. If you put on a cream eyeshadow or any sort of 'gel' like substance over your lid and then dab the glitter on this holds it well.

My favourite way of applying them at the moment is to sweep a glitter liquid eyeliner over my whole lid, the one I use is from the 2true range in Superdrug which is only £5 for three products. I then dab the glitter over the eyeliner before it dries and this sets it well.

If you really want to make sure none of it is going to budge, then a great method (but tricky for removing) is to paint eyelash glue over your eyelid and then apply the glitter - you can be rest assured none of it is going to budge!

I have created many party looks like this and had such great feedback, with people even coming up to me on the streets commenting on it.

The little charms that are in the sets are probably not as great as the glitter but I did find use for the stars when doing a 60s fancy dress I glued quite a few stars all over one of my cheek bones using eye lash glue and then added some silver glitter. It worked really well.

THE REST OF THE RANGE

So far these are the only products I have, although I full intend to be buying more and more Barry M whenever money allows it.

I have tried the Glitter Eye Crayon and this provides a really good look and apply quickly easily and smoothly. The only reason I have yet to purchase one of these is they don't seem to have many colours in stock very often in the shops that stock Barry M near me.

They have a wide and varied selection of different kind of eye liners including neon, soft, shimmer and kohl. These all look good and again the range of different kinds are so much greater than in most cosmetic ranges.

They also do mascaras. I don't know that I would every buy a black mascara from them as I am very fussy with mascara and already have my favourites. They do however have a range of coloured mascaras which look good.

One thing I am excited to try and will definately be purchasing next time is the Glitter Eye Candy Kit. I have only seen this on the website so I cannot comment on how good it is as I've not tried a tester but it looks amazing. The website says; "The Glitter can be worn alone or over an eyeshadow, as a dazling glitter eyeliner or as a block eyeshadow! Each pack comes complete wih fixing gel and brush for an easy, all night look!". It is definately something I will be interested in although the price is a little higher than the usual range at £12 for the kit.

I just have to add, not only are most of the products cheap but the Dazzle Dusts just last and last. I've had my first three for over a year and they still look barely touched.

Barry M also do a range of lip products that are available to view on their website. I'm not sure their lip products would interest me personally as I prefer to always keep my lips simple with Tesco's Skin Wisdom Lip Plump (I swear by this stuff).

They also do a range of body and face products which include foundation, bronzer and powder as well as many shimmery products.

They have a range of over 50 nail varnish colours - which really have something to suit everyone. Every kind of nail varnish you could imagine are here including 3 neon nail varnishes and of course glitter nail varnishes!

They do a range of gift sets which may make a nice present and are great value if you look at what is in them but I personally would prefer to make up my own of the exact colours I think that person would want.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT BARRY M

Well whenever I use Barry M I always get many positive comments about my make up and not only that but have people then buying the products I have used - which says it all.

Even though these products are cheap even the celebs hail them. Fans include Girls Aloud, Christina Aguilera, Samia Ghadie and Sophie Ellis Bexter.

Samia Ghadie (Maria off Coronation Street) says; "I absolutely love Barry M make up! There's a shade for every occasion, whether it's a romantic meal or a glam night out"

WHERE CAN I BUY THEM?

The website has a function where you can type in your postcode and it will show you your nearest stores. I can buy it from Boots, Superdrug and Sunwin Department Stores. It's always worth checking if the offer is on in Superdrug although the largest range for me is in the Department Store.

VERDICT

Fun, versatile, high quality and yet affordable!! Buy them, you won't regret it! 

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