The Origins Comparison: Vol. 2

Origins - Ginzing brightening cream eyeshadow £17

Maybelline - Color Tattoo 24hr eyeshadow £4.99

Losing sleep on which cream eyeshadow purchase to make next? Haunted by nightmarish visions of the makeup aisle? Facing the agonising choice of budget vs premium? Read on!

I much prefer cream eyeshadows to powder ones as they're so easy to use, and I lack a considerable amount of skill when it comes to contouring/blending/holding a makeup brush in general. Maybelline's Color Tattoo range is certainly very popular among beauty bloggers, but is it worth crossing over onto the premium side if you fancy pushing the boat out?

Firstly, let's talk colour. Origins' Sugar Peach is a lovely shimmery neutral base, and works really well as a primer for other shadows. Maybelline's Metallic Pomegranate isn't something I'd usually go for as it looks more like a blusher in its packaging. However, on the skin it is a lot subtler; I like to use it to create a smokey eye that isn't too brash against my fair complexion. This shade works really nicely with Pink Gold, which also looks great on its own. Finally, my two favourites are On and on Bronze- a really versatile shade that is super flattering for blue eyes- and Permanent Taupe- the only matte shade I own from the collection, and my most used eye product. This one is great for lining eyes without looking too 'done'. 

L-R: Origins Ginzing eye shadow in 03 Sugar Peach - Maybelline Color Tattoo in 70 Metallic Pomegranate - Maybelline Color Tattoo in 65 Pink Gold - Maybelline Color Tattoo in 40 Permanent Taupe - Maybelline Color Tattoo in 35 On and on Bronze

Both of these brands have produced some really lovely products here; they're pigmented, easy to use and glide on effortlessly. However, I do find that Origins' eyeshadow doesn't last as long as the Color Tattoo, which is really surprising considering it's over 3 times (!) more expensive. I find it very hard to find fault in Maybelline's famous Color Tattoo range, they last all day and are so well priced for such good quality products (plus, they are usually part of a deal at Boots!).

I'd save your money on this one, as Maybelline is the clear winner here. Sometimes you don't need to sacrifice quality for quantity.

The Origins Comparison: Vol. 1

Origins - Modern Friction £33

Super Facialist by Una Brennan - Rose Brighten & Refine Facial Scrub £8.99

In this new 'miniseries', I'm going to be comparing some of my favourite high-end beauty brands with more affordable products. Now that I've left Boots, and thus waved goodbye to not only a steady income but also my beloved staff discount, it's time to nip my spending in the bud.

I'm starting with Origins. As my favourite skincare brand, I seem to have collected a large amount of their admittedly lovely products. Us girls on Fragrance would constantly be trying their products (illicitly, of course), and I loved adding new products to my collection. But are they really worth the price tag?

In the case of Modern Friction, the scrub touted as 'nature's gentle dermabrasion' and suitable for all skin types, I'm going to have to say yes. (I know, I probably shouldn't have started with this one...).

This is hands down the best facial scrub I have ever used. It buffs away dead skin with absolutely no irritation, my skin feels unbelievably smooth and plump after using it and one tube has lasted me just over a year. You can even apply it to dry skin for extra smoothness, then add warm water to see it turn into a creamy consistency that is easily washed away.

Unfortunately my tube ran out the same week I left Boots and I couldn't justify spending £30 on another. I did some research and Una Brennan is another brand which uses natural ingredients and aims to reconcile science and nature. 

This Rose Scrub is very nice; it smells lovely, my skin feels soft after use and it isn't scratchy at all. But it's not Modern Friction. It doesn't come close. I was shown another scrub by Una Brennan, Tea Flower, which did feel a lot grainier and more similar in consistency, but I daren't spend any more money when I know my beloved Origins is there, waiting in the sidelines.

Modern Friction might break the bank, but if you see it as £2.75 a month for a year it's not so bad.... is it?