The best of... Lipsticks

This year, for me at least, has been the year of the lipsticks. I couldn't get enough of the stuff. Formerly the women addicted to eyes, I'm now all about the lips.

 So, as the year's coming to a close (can you say Christmas?!?) I thought I'd do a round up of all the lip products I've been loving. 

Favourite high end: YSL Rouge Volupte in 13

Favourite high street: Rimmel Moisture Renew in Notting Hill Nude

Favourite matte: MAC Ruby Woo/Rimmel Kate Matte 101

Favourite bold: Rimmel Appocalips in Stellar

Favourite liquid: Loreal Extrodinare 101 Rose Melody

Favourite brand: Rimmel Moisutre Renew

Comfiest: No7 BB Lips

Most used: No7 BB Lips

What have been your favourites this year?

Laura

Review: L'Oreal Colour Riche L'Extraordinaire in Rose Melody

Ah, yet another glossy liquid lipstick has landed on our highstreet. The L'Oreal Colour Riche L'Extraordinaire have definitely done their rounds on many a people's blog, and for some reason I was drawn to them.

Last summer definitely saw me have a love affair with the Rimmel Appocalips and I thought I'd see how L'Oreal's version compared.

I'm pretty sure that L'Oreal and YSL are owned by the same person or something so it's not surprising that the packaging is similar is to the YSL glossy stains, especially the applicator. I personally prefer the packaging of this product to the Rimmel counterparts, it has a slightly classier edge, however it's a bit bulky.

I picked up the colour Rose Melody which was the most pinkish nude of the selection. It is definitely a 'me' colour at the moment. I keep gravitating toward peachy pink nudes, that do a 'your lips but better'.

The applicator makes the product easy to apply and due the the colour I picked you can apply it easily without a mirror. Whilst the colour is really opaque, it doesn't feel heavy or overly glossy on the lips. The shine makes it feel really nourishing and compared to the Rimmel ones it definitely feels much better for your lips, however the Rimmel ones I would glass as a liquid lipstick, whereas this is more lipgloss territory.

I really love this product, but I'm now left wondering, which colour do I pick up next?

Have you tried this? What do you think?

Laura xoxo

Let's Talk Lips

A used to be an eyeshadow girl, then a blush girl, and lately I'm all about lips. I can't get enough of all the different formula's, colours and brands. I think the lipstick you choose to wear definitely changes the whole look of you make-up, so it's an important step.

The comfort one: When I'm in a rush, or just want something comfortable to wear I always reach for my No7 BB Lips. The formula is glossy without being sticky and is nice and moisturising on the lips. It also contains SPF too which makes it perfect for summer (shall it ever arrive!)

The Tube Stick: Crayon style lipsticks are definitely a trend that isn't dying down. I'm glad about that as I think they're really handy (as long as they're twist top rather than sharpen!) Of all the ones I've tried I must say the Bourjois Colour Booster's are my favourites. Perfect pigmentation, feels nice and the lips and the longest lasting too.

The Moisturising one: As far as moisturising formula's go, the Moisture Renew Range by Rimmel are my favourite. The have the proper pigmentation of a lipstick (unlike the BB lips) but the comforting factor of a moisturising lipstick too. Perfect if your lips are a little dry from the winter.

The Liquid Lacquer: Liquid lipsticks are a trend that intrigued me. I'm yet to try a YSL glossy stain, but I've admired from a far. To save my bank balance I picked up the Rimmel Appocalips (in a number of colours I may add) and I can see why people like the liquid lip. Pigmentation is incredible, shine is gorgeous and the longevity is pretty spectacular. My only gripe is the fact it can get on your teeth a little. I find using the back of the applicator a great way to give the right amount of product.

The Luxurious Buy: Every time I get enough points on my Boots card I go straight to Dior and Chanel and peruse their lipstick selection, picking up and putting down multiple colours and formula's and leave empty handed. I just can't do it. Then Christmas came and bought along with it the Feel Unique Sale. I had a £20 voucher and the YSL Rouge Voluptee was in the sale for that price so I picked one up. Every thing about it screams luxury, from the packaging to the finish. Now I just need to decide on my next colour...

What are your favourite lipsticks?

Laura xoxo

My Budget Brand: Rimmel

One quick scan of my make-up collection and it's safe to say there is a lot of Rimmel in there. So much so I decided to dedicate a post to my favourite pieces. This isn't my whole collection (shamefully) rather the stand out bits and pieces that I love and would recommend.

I'm yet to find a foundation that I love as much as the Wake Me Up foundation that Rimmel offer. It has great coverage and lovely finish that leaves you looking healthy and glowing. The concealer counterpart is great for taking care of dark circles, however my beloved Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Concealer just tops it for me.

Moving on to eyes. The Scandaleyes in Rich Russet is a strange liquid eyeshadow, which shouldn't work but does. It doesn't make your lids look greasy, nor does it crease easily, instead your left with a nice wash of colour that's easy to apply. My other Scandaleyes in Bad Girl Bronze is a great cream application in stick form. Looks great loosely applied and blended with a brush. My only gripe with this product is the fact you have to sharpen it, I'd much prefer a twist tube. Finally in my eyes category I highlight the fact that if I like something, I tend to buy it in every colour. The Scandaleyes Eyeliners in Nude, Black and Taupe are just perfect. They are long wearing, help open up my eyes and give the perfect amount of colour.

Finally let's talk lips. I'll start with the Appocalips in Stellar. A lovely red meets colour, Stellar is great for a long wearing, glossy finish lip colour. Be warned you could end up with this on your teeth, but a simple finger pull trick will have that sorted. I like to apply mine with the back of the applicator to ensure that not too much product is applied. Last but not least, the Moisture Renew Lipstick Range is probably my favourite lipstick range. It has the moisturising quality of the Revlon Lip Butters without the glossy finish and more pigmentation. Nude Delight, Berry Queen & Rose are my favourites.

What would you say your budget brand is? Do you use any of these?

Laura xoxo

Top Three: Lips for Winter

There's nothing quite like a change in season to inspire a swap of make-up right? Whilst Autumn calls for berry's and purples Winter is all about the red in my opinion.

Rimmel Moisture Renew in Berry Queen: The only berry in this list, and a pretty good dupe to my MAC Dobunet. The formula is nice and moisturising (go figure) and looks lovely on the lips.

MAC Ruby Woo: I have the lovely Shen to thank for this being in my collection. She sent it to me and I really like it. I think it works best with some Blistex underneath and is the perfect bright red colour.

Loreal Colour Riche in 401 : If red scares you a bit then go for this. The formula makes it very sheer and easy to apply, perfect if a bold lip scares you. If you want to make it bolder add a red lip liner underneath.

Throwback Thursday: Rimmel Lipstick in Rose Sorbet

I love the Rimmel Moisture Renew range, I really think they are some of the best lipsticks, and are a great price too. It was because of this I found myself picking up this shade in Rose Sorbet. 

In the bullet it doesn't really look like a 'me' colour,  it looks really pinky and bright, but when swatched it isn't that bright.

On the lips it looks like a nice your lips but pinker colour and adds a nice pop of colour to the lips without being too OTT. For this reason I've found myself reaching for it, alot!

What do you think?

Laura xoxo

Throwback Thursday: Rimmel Appocalips

You've got to love a good blogger hype right? These Appocalips took the beauty world by storm when they were released and I definitely got swept up in the excitement of them all.

A liquid lipstick that you have to be careful not to get on your teeth, but that leave a lasting colour and glossy shine on your lips, are something that astounded many, and I for one wore them quite a lot. Especially Celestial.

Luna is a colour I had such high hopes for, but I find it leans a bit too orange to be completely flattering on me.

For a long time Celestial was my go to everyday colour. A gorgeous pink that is the most natural out of the shades available.

For a bright lip I got Stellar. I love this colour for a nice bright coral lip. I tend to wear this a lot in my videos, in case you were wondering!

What do you think of the Appocalips?

Laura xoxo

Top Five Summer Lip Products

I'm turning into a right lip junkie at the moment. Can't get enough of the stuff. That being said, I still don't reapply throughout the day (baby steps.) Here are my picks that I think will see me through the summer.They all look different in the tube, but are all pretty much in the same colour family. C'est la vie. 

First up is Revlon's Suede Effect lipstick in It Girl. This is the perfect shade if you want a nice peachy colour that's going to stay put on your lips.

Next up, Bourjois version of the chubby stick (who doesn't have their own version now?) This colour boost in Orange Punch has SPF in it (perfect for summer) and is easy to apply. Normally I stay away from 'orange' toned lip products, but I love this colour. It definitely has a red/coral undertone.

Another Bourjois lippie next, this time their answer to the Revlon Lip Butters, but in my opinion, better! I love this shade in 20, it is pretty much identical to the colour boost, but the finish leans toward a more glossy feel, lasts a teensy bit longer, and is much more shiny.

A matte lip choice has got to be this one from the Kate Moss Rimmel range in 110. The perfect coral in my opinion. It also has similarities to Firecracker appocalips, which nearly made it to this post, but matte won overall.

Finally, one that on the lips, doesn't have much colour pay off, but made it to this post due to the SPF quality and moisturising feel; the No7 BB Lips in Coral Rush.

What are your favourtie summer lip products?

Laura xoxo

New In: Bourjois Lip Products

I'm a Boots girl through and through. Something about their advantage card system keeps me faithful, but when I heard about the Bourjois Colour Boost lipsticks, and couldn't find them in any Boots stores, I strayed, and found myself in Superdrug. (Sorry Boots.) 

I ended up going for the colour Orange Punch as it just seemed very 'me.' I usually stay away from anything 'orange' as I don't feel it suits me. However, this is defintely more coral. Whilst looking through the colours, this Shine lipstick in 20 pratically begged me to take it home. So I did. 

I then found out, it was practically the same!!

First up, the product I went in for. This colour boost in Orange Punch. I'm a really sucker for these crayon type products, and this one has not disappointed. It applies like a dream, and gives a really good colour payoff. What I love about it is the fact it contains SPF which is perfect for the summer months.

Ok, so this colour really is the same as above, so why did I get it? Because it's amazing. I actually prefer this to the Revlon Lip Butters. It is the same packaging and same moisturising feel, but it has an amazing glossy finish and much more pigmented. Plus, how cool is the packaging? I don't know if this range is new, I've never seen it before, but I also never really look at Bourjois lipsticks, but boy am I glad I did!

Have you tried these? What do you think?

Laura xoxo

Throwback Thursday: Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey

I'm sure you've all seen plenty of reviews on these balm stains. They took the beauty world by storm for being the first 'dupe' of the beloved Clinique Chubby sticks; however now you can't turn a corner without some sort of crayon calling for attention.

As usual, I used this loads when I first got this and then it got left behind when something newer and shinier came along; but it really is a gem of a product. Easy application, good lasting time and quite moisturising too.

Colour-wise, Honey is the perfect everyday, your lips but better colour.

Do you have this? What do you think?

Laura xoxo

Throwback Thursday: Rimmel Moisture Renew in Nude Delight

Ok, so this was totally another Tanya Burr enabled purchase, I promise I'm not a stalker. My lipstick collection was lacking a nude colour, and I love her Kim Kardashian look, so it was just a matter of time really. I also highly rate this range of lipsticks.

Nude delight is basically an orange lipstick, which let's face it, many of us would steer away from. It has a slight shimmer through it and due to the range it is in, has moisturizing qualities to it also.

Whilst orange lipstick/concealer lips are just a big no no, I love how peachy this looks on the lips, and when paired with a smokey eye, it helps keep the rest of my face simple.

I really love this lipstick, and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a nude lipstick to add to their collection.

Have you tried this? What do you think?

Laura xoxo

Back to Basics

After watching Anna's new video (the capsule make-up bag) this Sunday, it got me thinking about what I would put in my basics/capsule category, and today I'm sharing them with you!

A good all round base that works for most occasions would have to be the Dr Jart+ BB Cream. A good medium coverage, especially for a BB cream, with a lovely glow and skincare properties it has pretty much all you want from a base. My two favourite concealers are Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Concealer and the Estee Lauder Double Wear. I'm still yet to find a powder that wows me, but the  Bourjois Healthy Balance powder is doing alright at not caking and keeping shine away.

As I have a bit of discolouration in my eyes MAC's Painterly soon sorts them out. To make me look more awake a quick slick of Rimmels Scandaleyes in Nude really brightens tired peepers. A mascara that thickens and lengthens the lashes has to be Max Factor's False Lash Effect. To add some brow definition in a flash, Max Factors Brow Pencil in Hazel is a definite go to.

Wow, lots of 'other' products here... The Nars Multiple in Portofino is the perfect blush. Blob it on, blend it in and bobs your uncle. A lip product I love is this Lip Butter in Berry Smoothie.

What would be your basics?

Laura xoxo