L'oreal Extraordinaire glosses review….

In previous years, glosses have been way down on my list of makeup loves. Lipstick is my ultimate number one. But recently I've found gloss to be much more convenient for work (hello less touch ups and speedy application sans mirror) so decided to bulk up my gloss collection. I picked these up on an offer in Boots and am physically holding myself back from rushing out and buying the whole damn lot.  

I picked up Rose Symphony, which is a bright rosy pink that looks great with a bronze smokey eye or just as the only pop of colour on the face. My favourite of the two, though, is Nude Vibrato. Oh my this is perfect. The right amount of brown and peach tones combined, I think it's probably my perfect nude. I can see a makeup shopping trip coming on to swatch everything L'Oreal has ever made to find it's lipstick equivalent. 

So in terms of colour, these are perfect. Staying power is quite good, especially got a gloss. But saying that, if you like your glosses non-sticky and super comfortable to wear….these are your boys. I'm interested to see what their darker colours are like (there's a bright orange on the current TV ad that I've got my eye on) and am probably going to pick a few more Autumnal shades up soon for when the weather turns. 

Basically, it's love. Anyone else tried these? Anymore shade recommendations?

Loves

xxx

Nail Varnish Collection Downsize…

I've noticed in recent months that my style is getting really minimal. My go-to outfit has been jeans boots and a grey t-shirt, my hair is left natural, and as long as I have lots of lashes and a bright lip I'm good to go out the door. So when I went to pick a nail varnish out of my collection recently, I was a bit overwhelmed with all my pinks, glitters, brights, nail effects etc etc etc. Don't get me wrong, I love pastels and brights and lots of colour on my nails, but I just felt I needed a real de-clutter. And by de-clutter, I mean throw all my glitter polishes in the bin. My life is too short to remove glitter nail varnish regularly. So, here's my collection post-clearout…

l-r Essie Grow Stronger base coat, Seche Vite top coat. 

Everyone needs a good base and top coat. I've been using both of these religiously for about 12 months, and I wouldn't use anything else. 

l-r Rimmel 60 Second Rita Ora collection in Pillow Talk, Lose You're Lingerie, Orgasm

These are my favourite new drugstore release by far. I adore all of the colours, plus it's in conjunction with Rita Ora, who I happen to have the biggest girl crush on. It's also worth noting that the middle shade above is a great dupe for Essie Fiji.

l-r Models Own Purple Grey, Rasberry Crush, Purple Passion, Purple Blue from the Beetle Juice collection. 

I used to have in excess of 40 Models Own polishes but I re-homed most of them with friends and threw away the ones that had gone gloopy and here's what I'm left with. The two pink colours I've kept specifically for toes especially with a tan in the summer. 

l-r Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in I Pink I Can, Midnight in NY, Mermaids Tail, All Fired Up

I love the formula and brush on these, they apply with one stroke down the nails and are almost opaque after one coat. I'd go as far as to say All Fired Up is probably my favourite nail colour. Ever. 

l-r Essie Mint Candy Apple, Fiji, Lilacism, Peach Daiquiri 

Ahhhh the classic Essie love on a blog. Who'da thought it?! I think Peach Daiquiri is quite a standard shade and wasn't too overwhelmed with it, but Lilacism is so beautiful and understated. 

l-r Sportgirl Aubergine, Collection (don't know the shade name, it's just black) Sportgirl neon pink, Gosh Lavender Love, Barry M Lychee 

These are my odds and ends that don't fit in any categories. A bit like Models Own, I threw away or re-homed most of my Barry M nail varnishes as I thought they chipped too easily but I do quite like the new Gelly formula so if you have any colour recommendations from this line I'd love to hear them!

Loves

xxx

Soap & Glory Archery brow tint and pencil…

I've recently fallen completely out of love with my eyebrows, and all my eyebrow products I have in my stash. I just can't seem to get them even, nothing is the right colour, and I can't get an arch to save my life. So when I needed a few bits in Boots the other day I took advantage of the 3 for 2 on (as you do) and picked up the much talked about Soap & Glory Archery brow tint and precision shaping pencil. I got mine in the shade Brownie Points, which is a really natural taupe brown shade that actually matched my brow colour perfectly, although I usually like to darken my brows up to match my hair. 

left - felt tip, right - crayon

I'm not too in love with the felt pen end as I don't get anywhere near enough colour out of it, but if you prefer a more natural brow then I think you'll love that part. The pencil, however, is an absolute dream. Just the right amount of waxiness, the perfect thickness to get a nice tapered end to the brows, and just generally really easy to use. 

This was the only shade on the shelves in Boots and I don't know if they do another, darker shade? If they do I think this would be beyond perfect for me, but for now I'm using this in conduction with a brow shaping gel with a tint and I've got the brows I've been looking for!

What other brow products does everyone recommend?

Loves

xxx

Purple is the new black….

First off, how hard is it to photograph the colour purple? Girls, please feel my pain. So it appears that purple, and it's many varying shades and tones, is my spring lip colour of choice. A little unorthodox but I'll roll with it. I counted up my purple lip product collection and I have an (unnecessarily large) grand total of 10. And this doesn't even include all of my lilac lipsticks, of which I only included one in this post as it's probably the most wearable. 

Left row, from bottom: 

Clinique Chubby Stick in Voluptuous Purple - a very sheer wash of purple that's perfect if the very thought of a purple gloss terrifies you. This one actually sticks around for quite a while too.

L'Oreal Caress 402 Milady - This is one of the most long lasting lip products I've ever used. Ever. Two layers of this stuck around for a full 10 hours, including a tasty roast dinner and upwards of 4 cups of tea. 

Sleek Eau La La liner in Raisin - This is quite a berry purple shade but goes well under some of the lighter shades for when I want to create an ombre lip. These liners are so long wearing and come in some great colours. 

Australis Colour Inject Mineral Lipstick in Gangster Rap - Unfortunately you can only get this bad boy in Australia but it's such a vivid purple and, again, a good one for a long lasting lip.

Maybelline Colour Whisper in Oh La Lilac - such a wearable lilac shade, these remind me of the Revlon Lip Butters and are more of a tinted lip balm/lipstick hybrid. I've got quite the collection of these!

Maybelline Colour Sensational vivid in 906 Hot Plum - quite a standard purple shade, not the most long lasting but very easy to get hold of and a really great suit all shade.

Right row, from bottom:

Mac Up The Amp - please excuse the melted lipstick smeared all over the packaging! This is a very well loved lipstick and the perfect purple for pairing with a subtle smokey eye and big lashes for a night out.

17 Supreme Shine Lipstick in Pink Posey - another really wearable formula that edges towards the gloss/balm side of things.

Collection Little Mix lipstick in Perrie - my current favourite purple lipstick and the latest addition to my collection. I popped a picture of this up on my instagram and it got a lot of love. If you're feeling brave and want to try a purple lipstick, this one is super affordable so nothing lost if it's not for you!

Sportsgirl Violet Crumble - another Australia based lipstick, I've actually never worn this one but it's a very similar shade to the Maybelline Hot Plum!

Are there any other purple lipsticks I need to try??

What colour lips are you guys loving right now?

Loves

xxx

Lip lovers....read this....

Lashes, lips, and brows is my go-to makeup look, and I think I probably have enough lip products to rival my local Boots. Oh the perils of being a beauty blogger....

So when on holiday recently and I saw a load of Sephora products in a shop (the owner was American and imported Buxom, Tarte, Sephora etc...joy!) I was instantly drawn to this lip set...

Yes you're right I DON'T need any more lip products but with the likes of Bite, Tarte, Kat Von D and Buxom in here that aren't readily available in the UK, I was carrying this out of the shop looking like the cat that got the cream. 

First are the nudes...

Swatches l-r: Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Dolce, Smashbox Be Legendary Lipstick in Nylon Nude, Laura Mercier Lip Glace in Bare Naked, Buxom Full On Lip Cream in White Russian.

I love the consistency of the Stila liquid lipstick but HATE the colour on me so this will go straight into my pro kit. The Smashbox lipstick is a full size and I know I'll get loads of wear out of it, and I'm so in love with wearing the Laura Mercier gloss over the top of it. The standout in the nude section is the Buxom lip cream....Americans I'm so jealous that you can just pick these up easily...so creamy, make my lips tingle but in a great, fresh way, and last crazily long for a gloss!

Next the pinks...

Swatches l-r: Too Faced La Creme Colour Drenched Lip Cream in Marshmallow Bunny, Smashbox Lip Gloss in Pout, Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick in Never Say Never, Kat Von D Everlasting Love Liquid Lipstick in Backstage Bambi

Two full size products here, the Bare Minerals lipstick which I love the consistency of, and the Two Faced lipstick which is probably my favourite product in the whole set; my perfect shade by far (and super cute name). The Kat Von D liquid lipstick is a great colour but Hello cheap packaging! The colour of the Smashbox gloss isn't really that wearable but maybe over a darker lipstick I can work with it!

Anyone for some reds...

Swatches l-r: Kat Von D Foiled Love Lipstick in Adora, Hourglass Opaque ROuge Liquid Lipstick in Icon, Makeup Forever Rouge Artist Natural N45, Bite Beauty High Pigment Pencil in Pomegranate

Firstly I hated the MUF lipstick, which actually snapped off when I did this swatch. Also wasn't a fan of the Kat Von D lipstick, it's very frosty which is not my style at all. I think the Bite lip crayon is a full size and I love that I've been able to try this, so pigmented and lasts ages! I've wanted to try the Opaque Rouge for SO long so I'm really happy I got a mini sample in here, love the shade and will definitely pick some more of these up!

Lastly, darker pinks...

Swatches l-r: Tarte Glamazon Pure Performance 12 Hour Lipstick in Inspired, OCC Lip Tar in Strumpet, Buxom Full Bodied Lipstick in Menace, Stila Colour Balm Lipstick in Sonya.

OK so I'm just a little bit (OK a LOT) in love with this Tarte lipstick. The formula, the colour, the lasting power...just wow. Another full size product from OCC, the first thing I've tried from them and probably the longest lasting lip product I've ever applied. The Buxom lipstick is creamy and a gorgeous colour and I'll get lots of wear out of this when I get back to wintery England! The Stila lipstick is OK, don't love it but I'm sure I'll wear it!

Such a great sample box, I got to try so many products I'd never tried but really wanted to, plus 5 full sized products!

What do you guys think?

Loves

xxx

Jam. For your lips....

Cute packaging? Check!

Smells like candy floss? Check!

A bargain? Check!

Gives lips a sheer pink tint while keeping them moisturise? Check!

What's not to love about these cute Lip Jams from Sportsgirl? I picked one up for under $5 last week and have since been back for a different shade (a peachy orange). They're a bit heavy for the handbag as the jar is made of glass, but it's perfect to pop on the lips in a morning when I feel like lipstick would be overdoing it!

Has anyone else smelt how amazing these are?

Loves

xxx

Bargain lip liners alert...

I've got a fairly decent sized makeup collection (there's a lot more room to grow but I'm getting there) but the one area that was lacking was lip liners. To be honest I wasn't sure my makeup routine even needed them but I thought I'd pick a few up and experiment with different looks. Obviously I didn't want to go crazy and spend a fortune so when I stumbled across these from Essence for AU$1.75 (around about £1!) I thought I'd pick a few up and give them a go...

(top to bottom: 11 in the nude, 06 satin mauve, 10 femme fatale, 07 cute pink)

They're surprisingly creamy for the price, and come in a decent range of shades. I picked up a range of four shades to cover all/most bases and so far so good. They aren't crazily long lasting compared to similar offerings from Mac or Illamasqua but for that price, I wasn't expecting miracles. They do, however, feel moisturising for a lip liner and don't dry my lips out or crease. Winner! I think I'll pick up the rest of the shades to complete the set and work with them to create some different looks, and maybe one day I'll progress onto my lusted after Mac Cherry!

Loves

xxx

Review - Revlon Colour Stay Ultimate Suede lip colours....

Finally, something we have in Australia before the English (I think)!! There's been some real hype around these new products from Revlon and, as I'm not only a lipstick addict but also one of Revlons biggest fan's, I picked one up to see what they were all about. Revlon describes them as

'a soft formula with moisturizing shea butter and aloe is food proof and doesn’t quit'

I bought the colour Finale, a bright pinky red shade; with names like Private Viewing, It Girl and High Heels, it was hard to choose!

Anyone who thinks these will be like the lip butters will be disappointed, as there's absolutely no moisturisation in these at all (in my opinion). When first applied, they glide on smoothly, don't slip and slide on the lips, and give a nice and even, strong colour pay off. After a few minutes, as I've read in most reviews, this sheen dries and the colour becomes mat with a strange sticky feeling but I've managed to get past that. The colour has some serious staying power. While I've been writing this I've worked my way through a cup of tea and, whilst there is some evidence of the product on the mug, it hasn't seemed to budge from my lips. This probably needs a longer trial than one brew to see the real results but, overall, I'm a fan. Colour, durability, packaging, colour range, and ease of applying this product all get a nice big thumbs up from me. 

Anyone else tried these lip products from Revlon yet? Maybe some colours seem to be better than others but I only really seem to find bad reviews!!

Loves

xxx