Now I am not what you would call a beauty blogger. My routine involves put on foundation, doing cats-eye liner flicks, mascara and lipstick and I am ready. I can do my make-up in approximately seven minutes. I can do it in the car, on the tube (although I don’t) and on a great day I can get it done in three minutes.

As much as I love the smokey eye effect, I just can’t master it. I have watched tutorial after tutorial. I have brought all the different eye shadows and highlighters. I have spent hundreds on brushes. And I still look like I have been punched in the eyes by Mike Tyson when I have finished.

Strobing and Contouring has passed me by. I think it is the domain of the young and talented. Two things I am not.

So, I have never wanted to be or purported to be a beauty blogger. But I really fancied giving these two products a review. And as I can do anything on my blog…. here goes!

I have been hearing and reading really good things about Aldi’s Lacura skincare and make up range. Their caviar moisturiser has been reviewed as good as some of the high end luxury brands costing hundreds but at a fraction of the price (read here)

So when I popped in to the shop for a pint of milk and a packet of ibuprofen (it is opposite my work place) I couldn’t resist getting a couple of their items.

I was actually really low on mascara and they had a choice of three. The 3D Effect, Magic Curl or Volume Sensational. Now these mascaras as priced at just £2.49, an absolute fraction of what I normally pay which can range between £7.99 and £19.50 depending on how many pennies I have left at the end of the month.

3D Effect Mascara

I obviously didn’t need three mascaras, but it seemed quite acceptable to buy two. I decided to go with the 3D Effect and the Magic Curl.

Both come in smart packaging, the 3D effect is classy with black and gold accents, the Magic Curl is fun with turquoise and hot pink. Each tube has a screw on lid, and the brush is separate to the tube so you can see the design of them.

Magic Curl Mascara`

I like this concept, because you can put the screw-top back on if you wanted to clean the brush at any point, and the mascara won’t dry out. I can’t think of any other brand that does this.

The best way of testing these out was to use one on each eye. That way I could see what they both look like, and also if they do give a different effect.

I went and did my seven minute make-up routine, but without putting my mascara on. Then I started putting the first one on.

My first eye (nearest my hair flower)  was done using the 3D effect. It has a thick brush which is thicker at one end than the other; think of a Christmas tree shape.

3D Mascara Brush

The mascara went on really well, and definitely filled my lashes out which are a little sparse. I then moved on to the other eye using the Magic Curl.

3D Effect Mascara – Pretty Impressed to be honest

The brush is much thinner but has a cupped shape to make the curl of the lashes more profound. The black is again deep and rich and it went on very easily.

Magic Curl Brush

I have to say I was impressed with both of the mascaras. As I have mentioned, my lashes are quite sparse and don’t have much of a curl either. If I had to choose between the two, I think I would go for the 3D as it gave me much thicker lashes, yet didn’t feel heavy or clumpy.

Magic Curl Mascara – also pretty damn good!

Would I say it was as good as my favourite Benefit “They’re Real” mascara? Yes I would! The 3D Effect gave me the same fullness as They’re Real but for a fraction of the price. (£2.49 versus £19.50) so for a budget buy it is a no-brainer.

Aldi might not have the prestige that top range beauty brands do, but their products are fantastic and even better, my purse (and hubby) are much happier!

I definitely prefer the 3D Effect (eye nearest the nose ring)

Have you tried any of their range? What do you think to it?

Till next time,

Tx