Milani blush review….

When in New York…do what the crazy makeup crazy makeup artist/beauty blogger's do and collect all the makeup not available in the UK. First stop…drugstores and the coveted Milani stand. 

First up, the packaging is cute and compact, with a handy clear lid to see the colours at a glance making makeup decisions in the mornings a lot easier. 

The blushes are baked which means the colour's are quite sheer but don't appear powdery on the skin even when they're built up to achieve a stronger colour. 

I picked up shade 01 Dolce Pink which is a rose gold blush with a LOT of glitter. This is a blush that needs absolutely no highlighter added into the mix - it's a one stop glowing cheek shop. I also picked up (shock horror) 05 Luminoso which is seriously hyped in the blog and youtube community as being a glowy, peachy blush that is really subtle really tricky to get wrong. A quick swipe of this on the apples of the cheeks and up onto the cheekbones leaves a really healthy 'glowing from within' type finish. This is very rapidly becoming a holy grail product in my collection.

I wish I'd picked up more of these but I'll definitely be adding them to my next American drugstore haul list. I highly recommend these if you're heading overseas.

Loves

xxx

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

Bourjois Blush Exclusif...

I've always been fairly sceptical of those 'colour changing' products to be honest. Remember that green Barry M lipstick? No I'm sorry I'd just rather pick the colour I want rather than trusting the judgement of a funny coloured lipstick…who knows what you're going to get?? When Bourjois re-launched their cult Java Rice Powder they bought out a few other products alongside that seemed to get overlooked, including this little beauty. I loved the formula of Bourjois cream blushers when they originally launched last year (or quite possibly the year before…who knows now!). The Blush Exclusif version is a cute pink cream blush that transforms to an individual pink shade based on the person putting it on. Don't quote me on this but I think it's something to do with skin temperatures. On my hand it appeared on the lilac side but on the cheeks came out a very subtle, pale rose coloured pink. 

Like the original cream blushers in the line, the formula is perfect…not too sticky, tries to a powder finish and lasts really well. Also, the packaging is so damn cute and tiny you can afford to home the whole collection!

Anyone else tried this? What did you think?

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

Nars Adelaide Illuminator review...

Swatched and blended out

You know when you're having your makeup done and it's really distracting because the lady (or gentleman!) doing it is wearing something gorgeous on their face and you just want to ask them what it is? I recently went to get colour matched for Nars Sheer Glow and the lovely girl doing the honours had what I can only describe as pure magic on her cheeks. It was, as the title of this post suggests, the Nars Illuminator in Adelaide, which I believe is part the Final Cut Collection. 

Its a lilac toned bright pink with a silver shimmer running through it, which makes it really wearable as an everyday shade blended onto the cheeks and up onto the cheek bones. It really brightens my complexion and I think it would really suit most skin tones. 

I've also found it a really great product to pop on underneath a powder blush. It gives matte pink blushers a bit of life, and also makes them last a lot longer so perfect for a night out or if you prefer a brighter cheek.

This probably won't be the last Nars Illuminator I'll be adding to my collection! What do you think?

Loves

xxx

Illamasqua Colouring Pencil in Indecent...

Gone are the days when all I (thought I) needed was a Barry M lipgloss and my lip wardrobe was sorted. Since blogging and getting to grips, and severely addicted, to lip products I tend to favour a more matte look especially when it comes to the bolds and the beautifuls. Bright pink is my favoured shade for summer so when browsing the beauty halls a while back I thought I'd dip my toe into the lip liner world. 

I'm loving lip liner worn all over the lips to create a neat, long lasting and vibrant look, which I sometimes layer up with a lipstick or, like above, wear alone. 

Illamasqua 'colouring pencil' in Indecent is a bright pink that is fairly creamy whilst still showcasing great lasting power. When it does fade (after one or two cosmo's) it fades evenly. And lets not jump past the name; a perfect name for a perfect daringly bright pink. I intentionally bought it to partner Mac's Candy Yum Yum but to be honest it's just as pretty on it's own.

Any other shades of Illamasqua colouring pencils I should try?

Loves

xxx 

NYX takes on Illuminators....

My last makeup purchases in Australia (I promise) was, quite predictably, from the NYX stand in my local Target. I've heard on the grape vine that you can buy NYX in some Next stores in the UK but as I'm unsure how true this is I'm taking no chances and stocking up while I can! I've only really got into highlighter and illuminators in the past 6 months but now even my usual oily skin is loving it!

Usually one for powder highlighters I picked the Born To Glow Illuminator (mine is shade 01 Sunbeam) up a bit unsure what to expect. It's very glittery so calls for a matte face to begin with, and I would recommend to keep this one purely on the tops of the cheek bones to avoid the dreaded disco-ball face. It blends to a beautiful pink sheen on the cheeks which is my preferred illuminator/cheek colour so I love pairing this with Sleek Pixie Pink type shades. I would say this is a soft highlight that doesn't really build to well but for something sheeny and pretty on the cheek bones this one is your winner.

I picked the powder Illuminator for Face and Body up in the shade Narcissistic after seeing a few reviews floating around on the blogs, and immediately fell for it. It's a powder, which I prefer, despite it being a peachy golden colour which is a bit of an unusual pick in my collection. It can be applied lightly all over the high points of the face and on the body (as the name suggests) with a duo fibre brush   or built up for a more obvious, stronger highlight for the evening. It has some glitters in this but most of them seem to disappear when blended. 

Personally I think I'll be getting more use out of the powder illuminator but I think, for dryer skin, the liquid illuminator is still absolutely beautiful. All in all...NYX can do highlighters!

Has anyone else tried these? 

Loves

xxx

What's on my lips #3....

Not always one for gloss, I've been dipping my toes into the glossy waters recently, and have come out loving the latest offering from Revlon. In particular, this shade Pink Pop.

The pigmentation for a gloss is great, it's fairly un-sticky but just sticky enough to give it some great staying power. It lasted a couple of hours on my lips; even longer over a lipstick. I've since bought a nude shade which looks gorgeous ver pinky-nude glosses for night time paired with a smokey eye!

Anyone else love these glosses? Any more shade recommendations?

Loves

xxx

Urban Decay Naked 3 with swatches....

I'm pleased to announce I am now the proud owner of the Urban Decay Naked 3 palette thanks to a very generous boyfriend in the form of a late Christmas present. First off I'd like to discuss the packaging. I only own Naked 1 so in my eyes this pencil tin style palette is a big improvement for security of the shadows and travel, so thats a huge thumbs up before we even get started on the shadows.

It also comes with 4 samples of their primer potions which should last a week per sample. I love this idea as I've always been stuck in a bit of an UD original primer potion rut so it will be nice to try some of their other offerings.

So now onto the shadows. First off, if you don't like pinky hues on your eyes I'd suggest sticking to Naked 1 or 2. I've recently got into pinks and rose shades on my eyes so this palette came around just at the right time for me.

(l-r) Strange, Dust, Burnout, Limit, Buzz, Trick

(l-r) Nooner, Liar, Factory, Mugshot, Darkside, Blackheart

I can't wait to try out some looks with this!

Loves

xxx

NYX haul....

Words can't describe my excitement when I first saw the NYX stand in my local Target, and I whipped my 'Things I Need From NYX If I Ever Get Around To Placing An Order' list sharpish. 

I admit I've since been back and bought heaps more lip products and their famous Milk pencil (how have I called myself a beauty blogger and not owned this until now??)

Stand out products for me were their Matte Lipsticks (I'm now the proud owner of over half their collection), the Butter Gloss (not too keen on the darker shades of these but the pinks and peach's are incredible) and their Rouge Cream Blush in Boho Chic. The only disappointing product was the eyebrow pencil....nice consistency but far to red toned to look anything near natural on me.

What else should I try from NYX? I really want to get involved in some of their shadows but not sure on the quality of the palettes?

Loves

xxx

What's on my nails #2...

BYS in Ferris Wheel

Do you ever have those days when you wake up and feel like Barbie? Well wear this nail varnish and as soon as you catch a glimpse of your nails through bleary morning eyes while you're putting the kettle on, you'll think you were the girl herself. This is my ultimate Barbie pink girlie shade, and I love how it complements a tan as well as looking cute against pale skin. Not so in love with the formula but it was just a cheapy from the drug store next to my work. 

What's on your nails right now?

Loves

xxx

Chi Chi lipstick review and swatches....

As you may or may not know, lip products are my 'thing'. As cheesy as that sounds, it's true. I'd much rather go for a plain eye and a bright lip colour, or wear black and experiment with an orange or purple lip to jazz the whole thing up. 

I recently found a new little gem of the lipstick world whilst over here in Australia, by a brand called Chi Chi. I'll admit, the thing that first drew me to the brand was the packaging. 

 

Black with a pink metallic flock print, and the colour of the lipstick on show underneath. What's not to love.

The second thing that made these my newly favorite lipstick brand was their names.... who wouldn't love a lipstick called 'Wrapped Around My Pinkie'???

I swatched and instantly fell in love with all the shades but I restricted myself to just four to start my collection with.

 

 

Left to right: Shake that Booty (cream), Wrapped Around My Pinkie (cream), Fashion Police (matte) and Bad Bad Girl (cream). 

These are super pigmented and hydrating, even that matte shade although I do prefer the finish and feel of the cream lipsticks on the lips.These are the first Chi Chi products I've tried but they also have a fab range of nail varnishes and lip glossesI want to get my hands on when I get chance.

Has anybody else tried any of the Chi Chi lipsticks or any of their other products? I'd love to get some recommendations on what else to try!

Loves

xxx