A Makeup & Beauty Blog – Lipglossiping

I picked this up at the start of the week from the Inglot store in Westfield.  I was impressed with the super-fluid texture that I knew would combine nicely with my foundation.  I tend to use liquid highlighters to give a boost of radiance to my foundations rather than as ‘spot’ highlighters.

There are a few colour options available, I didn’t take not of exactly how many… but something like 6?  I chose the pale gold which looks remarkably yellow.  Infact, truth be told… I didn’t choose it.  The SA told me I should choose it over the two that I was contemplating (a white/silver and a rose gold).  I was unsure because this really is pale GOLD gold.  She argued that it would tone down the pink-tones in my skin for a more even complexion.

Yeah, that sold it.

I’ve been mixing a single pump into my foundation before applying and I really like it.  It’s not glittery but gives a nice amount of radiance to my complexion.  I also agree that I’d been steered toward a good colour choice… it doesn’t give me a more neutral-toned complexion but it compliments what is already there without exacerbating the pink undertone.

I can’t find my receipt but I think it was around £11, a bargain compared to similar products like the Armani Fluid Sheers (love those too).

Do you mix highlighter in with your foundation?

Question of the Week: – What’s your favorite skincare line?

Answer: Elemis because their products are an unadulterated pleasure to use but I’m currently really appreciating the results I’m getting from Skinceuticals too.

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Orange to LA – shares her casual yet cool Style Essentials, see what items she needs to have in her stash at ALL times.

Pink Sith – Had made the decree that she will be buried with her Urban Decay Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Perversion…not that she’s morbid or anything.

Phyrra – is delighted with the 15-Year Anniversary Eye Shadow Collection from Urban Decay.

Prime Beauty – was dazed and confused– but oh so happy after visiting the Inglot Cosmetics store.

Vampy Varnish – declares that Wet n Wild Mega Eyes Cream Liner is better than MAC Blacktrack!

we heart this – The MAC Colourization eye shadow duos have us hungry like the wolf! Join us on a swatch fest set to classic 80s albums.

Beauty Junkies Unite – Check out the review & swatches for the Touring America Collection by OPI, before its official launch date!

Clumps of Mascara – is shocked that Essence’s polishes are so cheap and yet so delightful.

EauMG – Victoria of EauMG takes a trip to Washington’s lavender land!

Lipglossiping – is all of a flutter test-driving Benefit’s new They’re Real! mascara. Come see the before & after photos and be impressed!

Nouveau Cheap – reviews one of the new L’Oreal Color Riche le Gloss lipglosses. A “your lips but better” shade that tastes like chocolatey marshmallow? Yes, please.

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Do you have a favourite skincare line?

A well-engineered scent can whisper inspirational stories to its wearer, weaving tales of history and geography from top note to base and this debut fine fragrance collection from Molton Brown has been attuned to achieve just this.

Navigations Through Scent is a five-piece collection scheduled for nationwide launch this September.  The line up traces the influence of the ancient spice routes, drawing inspiration from key focal points along the trail.  The journey begins in the Egyptian Ancient World before moving through both time and history, settling in the New World, Canada.

Each 50ml bottle imparts scents that are indigenous to the regions from which they take their name.  Indeed, Jennifer Jambon, Molton Brownʼs Principal Perfumer, spent a year researching these destinations to uncover a host of unusual scent ingredients that would evoke emotions and memories reminiscent of these faraway lands.

The collection appeals to my inner armchair-geographer, I could spend hours looking at maps, infact, I still remember the day I discovered Google Earth for the first time and the hours I spent poring over the locations in all their satellite glory.  So, of course, the first thing I did when I received the information about Molton Brown’s new endeavour?  I fired up Google Maps to discover more about the inspirational places behind each scent!  Quite possibly the most geekiest thing I’ve done to date.  Possibly.

Iunu (07°91’S, 112°65’E) – £65

Iunu, buried under modern-day Cairo starts the ancient journey with a lead ingredient of Egyptian Jasmine and a distinctly rich floriental musk.  My favourite from the collection, feminine and a touch animalic.

Top Note: ginger oil, elemi oil
Middle Note: Egyptian jasmine oil*, ylang ylang, black pepper
Base Note: patchouli oil, oakmoss

Lijiang (25°16’N 110°16’E) – £65

Lijiang, inspired by China is a musky floral featuring Osmanthus absolute.  A prized, high-value oil.  Described as combining the light, delicate softness of silk with crisp tea.

Top Note: vegetal notes, pink berries
Middle Note: white tea, osmanthus absolute*
Base Note: white musks, vetiver

Singosari (07° 91ʼS, 112° 65ʼE) – £55

Singosari takes us to Indonesia, historically part of the Spice Islands.  Patchouli plays a lead role in this sensual and feminine fragrance that evokes the spirit of tropical rain and exotic spice.

Top Note: incense, ginger
Middle Note: cinnamon, nutmeg
Base Note: vetiver, patchouli*

Apuldre (51° 02’N 0°47’E) – £55

Apuldre, the old Anglo-Saxon name for Appledore in Kent.  Inspired by the green-aromatics of the English countryside and featuring a hit of juniper berry (think gin!) on a base of leather.  A mischievous scent and the most masculine from the collection.

Top Note: juniper berry*, wormwood
Middle Note: cedarwood, violet leaf absolute
Base Note: modern leather accord, styrax absolute

Rogart (45° 33’N 63°09’W) – £60

Rogart, Nova Scotia marks the end of the journey to the New World.  A juxtaposition of coniferous wilderness with the woody warmth of maple syrup makes for a deliciously Autumnal fragrance.  My 2nd favourite from the collection.

Top Note: elemi oil, juniper
Middle Note: angelica, maple syrup
Base Note: gaiac wood, fir balsam*

* signals the key ingredient native to the fragrance’s geographical inspiration.

If you can’t wait until the nationwide release in September, the brand will be releasing the Navigations Through Scent collection exclusively at Harrods from August.

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* Disclosure: I was given a set of sample vials at a recent press day.

I only received these Mavala/Elle polishes yesterday* but thought I’d better get them swatched and up on here ASAP as many of you were unsure about whether the shades were unique enough to warrant multiple magazine purchases.

Well, they’re standard cremes, no hidden fireworks but they are all formulated beautifully.  Two coats is shown for each swatch below which is impressive when you consider that I didn’t bother with a top coat and they were touch dry within a couple of minutes.

In other words… if you have 100 reds, oranges and greys already, you’re not gonna need these but if you’re looking for fuss-free, handbag-sized backups of some of your most used and ‘go with everything’ shades, you could do far worse than picking them up.  Oh and don’t forget the free magazine 😉 (sorry Elle)

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Elle magazine goes on sale from the 3rd August, cover price is £3.70

* PR sample

Far, far away in a land renowned for pampering treats and coveted skincare, there is a treatment room and in this treatment room sits the bed of dreams.  With the push of a button, it warms your bum, lifts your legs and reclines your shoulders, cocooning you in a world of comfort.

After a long, hot day in early July, I was more than ready to sample this comfort courtesy of the brand new Healthy Beautiful Skin Facial at Liz Earle’s flagship store just off Sloane Square.  The treatment rooms are situated downstairs in the softly-lit basement away from the hustle and bustle of the retail floor.

The Healthy Beautiful Skin Facial has been designed to pamper both body and spirit and in true Liz Earle style achieves this with a holistic approach involving no machinery or external apparatus.  Beginning with a mini-consultation, we discussed my skin concerns (not many at the moment thankfully) and decided that I’d be suited to some general TLC and uber relaxation.  I’m always up for some uber relaxation, any time, any place.

I climbed into the treatment bed in just my knickers and because it is literally a bed (with blankies and everything) it does feel like you’re waiting for your kindly therapist to come along and tuck you in.  Which actually, she did, thanks to me not knowing where to put my hands.  Once comfortably relaxed (and waiting for my bedtime story), it was ready to begin the facial.

Of course, no Liz Earle facial would be complete without a Cleanse & Polish, it would be like eating chips without egg or watching Crimewatch without recognising a family member.  So with that in mind (and my eyes firmly shut), I pinpointed the telltale earthy aroma of the iconic product and let my shoulders loosen as the daily grime was massaged from my face and decolletage.

Cleansed, toned and gently exfoliated… I felt myself drifting off, infact I fell asleep more than once but was re-assured by my therapist that not only was this perfectly normal (after I let out an embarrassed giggle) but that it was most definitely a sign that she was doing her job well.  I had to agree with this the next time I woke myself up with what I wished at the time had been a much more ladylike snort.  Snooze aside, the best was yet to come…

Massage.  Oh Em Gee and all that shiz… it was like a troop of fairies alternating the waltz, frogmarch and cha cha cha across my face, neck and shoulders.  And just when you got to the point where you knew you NEVER wanted this to stop…. it didn’t!!  30 full minutes of gloriously choreographed face sculpting was mine.

Alas, all good things have to come to an eventual end and after 60 minutes, it was time to return upstairs to the real world.  I was given plenty of time to gather my clothes, thoughts and memories of how my leg muscles had previously operated before listening to a quick ‘de-brief’ from my therapist who had rightly deduced that I do not drink enough water.  Busted.

I have never considered Liz Earle facials to be particularly hard-working.  Relaxing?  Yes.  Great-smelling?  Naturally.  But peeking in the mirror displayed a pair of eyes that had been completely de-puffed and a jawline that looked positively defined.  Sure, I had the post-facial glow that ensured my makeup-less face still looked human but I wasn’t expecting to see such a tangible difference in something I hadn’t even previously considered.  I guess that’s what a good lymphatic drainage massage will do for you and the ‘sculpting’ effects from this one lasted at least a week.

The Liz Earle Healthy Beautiful Skin Facial* is priced at £65 for 60 minutes and is a thoroughly lovely way to wind down after a long day.

* I was invited for a complimentary facial as a guest of the brand.

…Instagram.

See, I thought it was just like Hipstamatic which I don’t use because it’s kinda slow and kinda clunky and not very social.  On the internet, I’m all about the social.  In real life, I’m all about the social… leprosy.

Combine this with my slowwww iPhone 3G and the fact that I was always too lazy to hook my iPhone up to the computer to download pictures, I just didn’t use it for photos, at all.  I mean… I have my camera anyway right?  Well since Mr. L bought me an iPhone4 for my birthday and I always feel a bit of a tit walking around London with my camera slung across my body, I thought I’d have a go at using it with my photographer (read: girl with a camera) head on when I was in London a few days ago.

It’s clearly all about tilt-shifting the shit out of your images and cross-processing them until they cry out for mercy.  Style over content baby.  But nonetheless, I’m no ‘tog snob and it brought a huge revival of love for snapping what I see and trying to think inside a square frame (easier said than done!)

One thing I am GUTTED about though is that I didn’t realise you had to ‘process’ the photos there and then.  I was taking snaps, then clicking ‘back’ thinking I’d fanny about with the filters later on.  In reality, this meant that I was taking a photo, deleting it, taking another photo, deleting it 4 seconds later.  You can imagine my face when I got on the bus home and realised that I’d ‘apparently’ only taken 8 photos that day.  I spent 2 freaking hours on the Southbank with this thing!  Oh well, lesson learned *sniff*

If you’re one of the last remaining people on earth who owns an iPhone4 without Instagram lurking in one of the folders, you should really consider giving it a go.  A ridiculously satisfying way to take, play with and share your photos!

Do you use Instagram?  Leave your link below if you want!

A few of you eagle-eyed ladies have spotted that I’ve been wearing a particularly impressive mascara over the last few days.  Nothing sneaks past you eh?

Well, now I’ve put it through its paces, I’m happy to reveal that it’s the NEW Benefit They’re Real! Mascara* which is due out for release at the end of August.

From the moment I had a sneak peek at the wand, I knew this mascara would suit my lashes.  My lashes are not very dark and quite fine but there’s plenty of them and they have a good, natural curl.  I need a smooth mascara that offers tip base-to-tip coverage and doesn’t clump to achieve maximum results.  I’m not too fussed about curl but it needs to stay put so I don’t get transfer to my droopy upper lids.

This is a killer mascara in all the best ways possible.

The brush is similar to the Boots No7 Exceptional Definition (another fav) mascara with the little trebuchet on the end but the formula is more impressive and long-wearing.  I don’t get any flakes or transfer with They’re Real! but it is a bit of a pain to remove.  I wouldn’t even attempt it without an good makeup remover or oil-based cleanser.

Now for the most important bit… what point is a post on a mascara without some before/afters huh?

Please tell me I DON’T need to point out which eye has the mascara on!

I’ve also added this photo below from the end of the day so you can see how long-wearing it is.  No flakes, no droop… just as good as new.

I’m having a good week of discovering must-haves!

Now, if you can’t wait until the end of August for the nationwide release… Benefit are having a 1 Day Flash Sale on the 6th August where you’ll be able to get your hands on it before anyone else.  See below for details and where to buy.

Benefit They’re Real! Mascara has the thumbs up from me and will be released nationwide from the 27th August priced at £18.50

* press sample

OK, I’m nearly done with “the best lipstick that ever graced makeup counters anywhere” but as promised, here’s a FOTD showing the Burberry Lip Cover Lipstick in Claret worn in a more casual way.

This is how I favour it… not that I don’t like it worn as a full-on red lipstick but I’m delighted to have something that I can blot onto my lips and achieve a good 6 hours of wear from with it come out still looking pretty pristine the other side.

The camera hasn’t picked it up but there is a sprinkling of silver sparkle throughout the lipstick and it’s more apparent after blotting, perhaps because the actual act of blotting mattifies the colour base.  Whatever the reason, the sparkle shines through in an understated way.

So yeah, incase you haven’t already deduced… this is my lipstick du jour.  My objet d’art *insert more poncy faux frenchness here*.  Check out this post if you want to see the shade swatched in full pigmentation.

You can purchase Burberry lipsticks at Harrods if you’re nearby but I also discovered last night that the Burberry website is offering free-freaking-delivery at the moment, which is also pretty awesome.  The lipsticks are £22 each.

Hands up if you remember the last time Elle collaborated with Mavala on an exclusive nail polish?  That would be me, it was pretty unforgettable after all.

Well, they’ve been putting their heads together again and this time have come up with not one, not two… but THREE exclusive polish shades that ELLE will be giving away free with next month’s magazine!

The magazine goes on sale from the 3rd August and I foretell them flying off the shelves quicker than you can get them in your baskets so if any of the shades take your fancy… be quick.

Will you be picking one (or three) up next week?

Lip stains are generally pretty cack aren’t they?  That Max Factor Lipfinity one?  Cack with a capital C, it tastes revolting too.  The Revlon Just Bitten version is only mildly more tolerable but horrendously drying on my lips.

And so, it was with a certain amount of “here we go again…” that I took this Smashbox Limitless Lip Stain and Colour Seal Balm* away with me after a recent blogger event.  My previous experiences were definitely playing heavily on my mind.

The Smashbox stain is a dual-ended affair with a liquid-dispensing felt tip on one end and a stick of balm on the other.  The shade is Sangria, a bold wine-red… as you may have guessed from the name.

The felt tip is the best I’ve used… it’s non-scratchy and dispenses an even amount of stain across the surface of my lips regardless of the angles I’m using to apply.  These would probably go down really well in outer space for that reason alone.

The other end offers a chunk of barely-coloured balm designed to match the stain in a hydrating formula.

Some lip stains that I’ve used have had the tendency to be wishy-washy, needing many coats to build up the colour.  Not so here… the Smashbox Limitless Lip Stain and Colour Seal Balm in Sangria (I haven’t tried the other shades) is bold.  Very bold.  Vampy bold even.

Unfortunately, it all starts to go a bit wrong from here.

Once applied, I liked it a lot… infact I decided that I loved it.  2 hours in and the colour was holding fast without my lips being painfully dehydrated as a result.  I had even decided that I would look past the £21.50 price tag for something that was such a WIN at being awesomely long-lasting and beautifully powerful.

Then suddenly at around the 4hr mark, things went awry and the colour slipped VERY quickly.  I should also point out that I hadn’t eaten anything (just sipped at the usual 56 cups of tea over the course of the morning).

This is how it looked when I first applied it.  Lovely innit?  I was full of “OMG, I <3 Smashbox” at the time this photo was taken.

Problem is that when this thing fades, it fades UGLY.  Mr. L was adamant that I was bleeding from the mouth.

It was looking not so hot after 4 hours but I left it another hour before taking the photo.  I don’t want a lip colour that’s gonna scare the crap out of people around me.  I don’t need that kind of hassle in my life and I don’t want people stopping me in the street asking if I need a paramedic.

On the plus side, the Smashbox Limitless Lip Stain and Colour Seal Balm does not feather, isn’t horrendously drying and looks amaze when first applied.  If you can remain no more than 4ft from a mirror at all times when wearing it for re-application checks, you’re gonna be in heaven.  Me?  I’m a bit scared of it.

Smashbox Limitless Lip Stain and Colour Seal Balm is available in 6 shades and is priced at £21.50 from Debenhams.

* press sample

I was at an event last night that showcased some of Laura Mercier’s A/W collection and upcoming releases.  I have to say that although the A/W didn’t do much to whet my appetite, these little sticks of dynamite colour certainly got my attention focused.

The Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colours will be released next month across counters nationwide in a total of eight shades though only 4 were available to view last night so bear with me while I show you these for now.  They’re reminiscent of the MAC Shadesticks, if you’re familiar with those… you’ll recognise the concept.  It’s simple: a cream shadow/liner in twist-up crayon form.  The formula feels soft (unlike some of the MAC Shadesticks) and is incredibly pigmented.  The swatches shown below are maximum two/three passes against my skin.

from left to right: smoke, steel, amethyst & cocoa

They set after about 20 seconds into what is claimed to be a creaseproof, smudgeproof finish.  I did indeed have trouble removing the swatch of the darkest shade and needed the help of some heavy-duty scrubbing and a baby wipe to do the job.  I haven’t tried these on my eyes so can’t offer any opinions on longevity or blendability but I’m totally flagging them up as something to look out for, the colours on display were quite beautiful.

The complete shade range will include:

♦ Plum
♦ Amethyst
♦ Steel
♦ Sapphire
♦ Smoke
♦ Jungle
♦ Khaki
♦ Cocoa

They’ll retail at £20.50 a piece and can be used alone, over primer or under shadow to create a host of versatile looks.

Will you be interested in checking these out next month?

It’s taken me AGES to break this open from its packaging because I do this ‘thing’ where I don’t let myself use new products until I’ve photographed them in their pristine glory.  I stick to this pact mostly but boy, it was hard to do with this one!

Just look…

I’m not sure you can beat Burberry and Armani for their lipstick packaging… those magnetic closures get me every time.  The satisfying spin and gentle ‘clunk’ as the lid hits home.  One day, I will get a life.

I picked this up from the counter in Harrods a few weeks ago after umm-ing and ahh-ing over which shade to get.  I already own Cameo Pink which is a warm, summer pink with a slight hint of salmon… trust me, it’s nicer than I’ve just made it sound.  Fish references rarely work well with cosmetics.

With this little beauty, I thought I’d buy ahead… I wanted something to “see in” Autumn.  You know I love my reds and HELL I can’t wait to break them out again but I wanted something ‘inbetween’ for the coming months and I couldn’t have made a better choice than Burberry Lip Cover in #16 Claret (£22.00).

Claret is a lovely red with a hint of brown and a dusting of sparkle.  It can be worn to achieve a full, glossy finish (as in the lip swatch below) or blotted down to provide a beautiful, slightly bloodied (seriously, I can tell I’m selling this to you), full bodied stroke of sensuality for a more casual finish.

Casual reds don’t usually work well on me, they often look a bit… well… smudgy and like I’ve had a few too many vodkas.  I tend to need that sharp definition that a lip brush brings.  But this one looks BETTER pressed onto the lips.  The sparkle makes my lips look fuller (proper sparkle, not frost), while the claret shade gives that ‘just bitten’ effect but slightly more vampy.

The above photo shows it NOT worn casually, silly me.  I’ll include it in a FOTD soon wearing it the way that made me fall in love.  The formula of the Burberry Lip Cover is smooth and non-drying, a little slippy unless blotted but nothing as short-lived as a YSL Rouge Volupte.

I actually have Nonie Creme from Butter London to thank for this little beauty.  The S.A. in Harrods had applied it for me before I headed off to meet Nonie and her lovely PR and during a conversation which included me telling her that I’d been looking at some Burberry lipsticks that morning, she asked if I was wearing one of them.  After replying in the affirmative, Nonie asked if I had bought it to which I replied “Not yet, I couldn’t decide between a couple of shades.”

Nonie insisted that I go buy it.  Like I was gonna NOT buy it after that decree right?

So thanks Nonie!  Ok, I’m done with name-dropping now, as you were.

*cuddles lipstick*