It's not often you see small, independent makeup brands starting up in Scotland, let alone have a cult following.

But Sara Hill has managed it, and now I can see why. Having spotted glamorous fans of her products on Instagram over the last year or so, I've been desperate to try some of her range.

I started with the 4-in-1 jet black mascara, which promised to condition, lift, lengthen and curl my lashes in an instant. Although it didn't look so impressive from the packaging - a minimal black tube in a white box simply labelled "mascara", it was perfection.

The brush was the perfect size - not too fat that you poke yourself in the eye, and not an odd shape with weird bristles that join all your lashes together.

The product went on smoothly, leaving no clumps and the colour was just as described - a deep, thick black. I used a few coats and it lasted all day, leaving no residue around my eye or underneath as frequently happens with many other brands I've tried.

Next I tested the Velvet Sheer Foundation. Foundation has always been a difficult one for me as I have oily skin, however this oil-free product sounded interesting.

The smooth, silky texture felt great on my skin and I only needed a small amount for overall coverage.

I applied it with my normal foundation brush and it left me with a nice glow. It's also easily buildable, so extra can be applied without it looking thick and heavy.

After a few days of using though I did notice my 'glowing' look had turned more into a shiny one, but a dusting of powder got rid of it instantly.

That said, it's still one of the most comfortable, easy to apply and long-lasting foundations I've used and the excess shine can be easily solved. For a small, independent makeup brand I think Sara Hill is making waves in the beauty industry and I'm already eyeing up what I can try out next.

4-in-1 Jet Black Mascara - 5 stars

Price: £19.00

http://sarahill.com/products/jet-black-4-in-1-mascara

Velvet Sheer Foundation in Porcelain - 4 Stars

Price: £28.00

http://sarahill.com/products/velvet-sheer-foundation-velvet-sheer-porcelain