A Makeup & Beauty Blog – Lipglossiping

After my disappointment with The Body Shop’s new eyeshadows, I was happy to discover just how wonderful the new Baked to Last blushers are!

Available in 2 shades: Petal (cool pink) and Coral (duh coral!)

Weighing in at 5g and costing £12 each, these can’t be described as high street bargain buys.  But, I guess you’re getting your highlighter thrown in too… and the price in this case justifies how great they look once applied.

Some swatches…

When both shades are swirled together, this cool-toned pink blush takes on a slightly more neutral yellow-pink hue.    I can see this being flattering on most skintones.

The coral is hot right?  A bit scary looking even?  Used with a light hand this gives a pretty warm flush to my cheeks, subtle but buildable to quite a bright coral (as you can see!):

Staying power on these is average, and despite being seemingly infused with sparkles, they stop short of making your cheeks look too glittery or metallic.  A great choice for everyday wear.  I’m particularly loving wearing these in conjunction with the new bronzers (well, one of them).  Review of those to follow.

If you had to, which would you go for?  Petal or Coral?

Eyeko Saucy polish, the other limited edition release alongside the new Rain polish.

Saucy is ONE HOT RED!

One of the thinnest formulas I’ve used in a long time, I was sure that it was gonna be a sheer streaky mess until I reached my third coat. I was wrong. Not only is it hot, but it’s a one-coater.

The above shows one coat.

This was gonna be a staple toenail colour for me, one coat means I only have to suck it in and stretch my self stupid for a single run through.

Thing is though, I said ‘was’. Saucy polish stains like a MoFo – and I’m not base coating my toenails.

Eyeko Saucy Polish is currently available as part of a set of three priced at £8.50

If you want to buy either Saucy polish or Rain polish individually, I’ve had confirmation that you will be able to do so from next week.

I’m looking for a guest reviewer please between the ages of 16 – 22 to trial and review a new range of skincare products for young skin.

The range is called Clean Start by Dermalogica.

The reviewer will receive the Clean Start Starter Kit (RRP: £22.50), a single use sachet of Hit The Spot and a full size sample of Smart Mouth Lip Shine (RRP £8.20) to trial and report back on!

If you’re up for the challenge, please register your interest below and remember to put your email address in the bit where it asks for it so that I can contact you!

I’d ideally like you to give the range a full 4 week test period before letting us know your thoughts…. so if you can commit to a new skincare routine for that period and are happy to share your thoughts with my readers then let me know in the comments below!  I’ll chose a reviewer on Friday 16th July.

Thanks ladies!

I’m so freaking excited to see Marrow put in an appearance!  It was custom mixed for Vena Cava back in February and here it is, hitting the main stage!

Four striking new shades to challenge and tempt our purses, a real mix with something to please everyone.

About the AW/2010 collection:

“Buzzwords in nail trend for Fall 2010 are texture, depth, and layering, says Creme. “At Alexander Wang we created a textured beige nail that was modern and sophisticated. Then the press went wild when I custom mixed Marrow at Vena Cava.  It’s a deep, murky purple that suits any skin tone.”

Of the rest of the collection Creme says, “I’ve had the idea for Bumster for ages. It’s an amazing twist on a neutral colour, and this ochre yellow looks INCREDIBLE on!” And finally, “Victoriana” is a deep, twinkling vintage blue that reminds me of all the wonderful historical interiors in London.  I’m having a nostalgic moment!”

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All Hail McQueen – An opaque, holographic beige.

Bumster – An opaque, ochre yellow.

Marrow – A dark, flat, murky & mysterious purple.

Victoriana – A textured, twinkling vintage blue.

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Ugh… Frankly, I’m drooling at the description of All Hail McQueen too… this collection is gonna be a sell out.  I can see Bumster looking particularly amazing on dark skin tones and twinkling vintage blue…. vintage blue? *dies*.

Shamelessly pinched from one of Karen’s old polls…

1. Mood

Submerged.  I’ve pencilled in today as tax return day.  Dread, dread… dread it.  I hate being surrounded by paper, receipts, invoices.  Frazzles my mind very rapidly.

2. Highlight of Last Weekend

Spending time with my niece Mildred.  She’s 6 and is 100x more fun than me.

3. What are three staple makeup items you usually have in your makeup bag?

One of those smudgy Kajal cone liners, they’re so easy to run along the waterline and never need sharpening!
Illamasqua Eye Brow Cake in Gaze, the perfect dark ashy colour for my brows.
Urban Decay Primer Potion – doesn’t need justification!

4. If you could raid one person’s closet, whose would it be?

Oh, this is hard… I’m just not a fashionable chick.  Hmmm…. America Ferrera ALWAYS looks really well turned out on the red carpet. So, I’ll go with her.

5. Your life described in a song?

If only my life were worth writing a song about!  Dunno, Mr. L always says Stone Roses – Waterfall reminds him of me, but I’m gonna say Roxy Music – More Than This seeing as I spend half my life trying to remind myself to live in the moment!

6. How would you describe your ideal Friday night?

Dinner by the harbour with Mr. L, a quiet stroll through empty streets and a goodnight kiss from Leila.

7. Breakfast?

Never remember to have it until lunchtime :/

8. Worst movie you’ve seen this year so far?

Haven’t seen any!

9. Outfit?

Sundress and bare feet

10. Weekly goals?

Finish and submit my taxes, get the fam up to London midweek and keep all my appointments!  I’d like to enjoy my birthday on Saturday too!   I’ve been known to be a bit of a birthday grump.

How is your week shaping up so far?

I’ve admitted to being a bit clueless when it comes to fragrances but having said that, I love to smell good and there’s nothing quite like placing a brand new pristine bottle of beautifully packaged perfume on your dressing table.

My family has one of those family folklores going on… apparently, my Aunt was bought a large bottle of Jean Patou’s Joy in the early 1960s as a gift from a very rich Jordanian in-law.  A ‘welcome to the family’ gift if you will.  It was hugely expensive, more because of the bottle than the scent I believe but my mother describes it as being many, many months wages.

My Aunt didn’t like it much… and over the following months used it to freshen the toilet bowl in the bathroom!

I wonder if she at least kept the bottle?

I guess the moral of the story is never to spend more than £7.64 on a bottle of perfume for my Aunt.

Personally, I’ve never spent more than £80 on a bottle, it’s not a hard and fast rule that I’ve introduced… I just try to be sensible and avoid the counters where I might be tempted to part with more than that.  Frankly, I’m a good girl and 98.7% of the time I live within my means.

Admittedly, there is one ‘name’ that consistently tempts me.  Initials A.G. and it all started with a pair of perfumes created for her daughters.  No prizes for guessing, but do any of you fragrance heads know the perfumes I’m talking about?

Anyway…

I thought I’d introduce you to some new scents that have landed in my email inbox this week:

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Dior’s new Hypnotic Poision Eau Sensuelle.

This, I am hugely excited about.  If you’ve read this, you’ll understand why!  Will this new incarnation of Hypnotic Poison be enough to make me fall in love again?  Due to be released in September priced around £48 for 50ml.

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Sisley Eau du Soir is previewing this month with two very limited ediiton bottles simply named “Black and White” inspired by Anish Kapoor’s exhibition at The Royal Academy.  The fragrance includes notes of fresh mandarin, grapefruit and patchouli with deep pepper, oakmoss, musk and amber.

Priced at £162 each.  They can be previewed instore at Selfridges from today.

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Fronting Calvin Klein’s new fragrance Beauty is German actress Diane Kruger.  It’s already set to be a favourite this Christmas with that beautifully elegant bottle.  Those with a nose for fragrances expect this to be a big hit with more mature consumers.  Available from the 25th August at Debenhams..

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Lastly, Armani Privé Oud Royale is a Selfridges exclusive. Heavily influenced by the powerful, earthy scents of Arabian oils it will be available instore and online from the 18th July priced at £175.

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A new limited edition polish release from Eyeko…

Rain Polish is a rather delicate smoky blue/grey amalgamation.  It’s instantly clear that a lot of thought has been put into the colour selection by the addition of a subtle amount of shimmer that really lifts the shade and stops it falling into the familiar pale blue trap of looking flat and chalky.

Application was a touch tricky, the formula felt fine…. nicely balanced, but on application it dragged a bit unless I was super quick.  The best way I found to prevent this was by applying thicker coats than I would normally… which then has the knock on effect of taking longer to dry, so I probably wouldn’t wear this without the addition of a quick dry top coat.

It reminds me of Essie’s Sag Harbor from last year’s North Fork collection but with less shimmer.

Do you like it?

Looking on the Eyeko website, I’m only seeing it available as part of a set of 3 (priced at £8.50).  Hopefully they’ll make it available as an invidual shade ‘cos it’s a fairly unique one.

Illamasqua Sob is one of my favourite blushes… the creme texture is a delight and practically blends itself.  The colour is a cool, frivolous candy pink and once on, it doesn’t budge.  Not even in this heat!

Too hot for much makeup…

Face
Bare Escentuals Mineral Foundation in Fairly Light
Illamasqua Cream Blush in Sob

Eyes
MUFE Aqua Eyes Pencil in Black
Bourjois 1001 Cils Mascara in Black

Lips
Guerlain Kiss Kiss Maxi Shine in Lychee Shine

IN

~ Having my niece stay the weekend!  We’ve already made smoothies, lost her precious soft bear (twice), played Littlest Pet Shop and tomorrow – duck feeding and popcorn munching is on the agenda
~ Looking forward to a night away with Mr. L and Leila up in London, everytime we take her she enjoys it more and more.  Gonna attempt to walk out of Hamleys empty-handed this time though.
~ Cream Eyehshadows that last the heat! (with a bit of powder of course!)
~ Re-discovering how nice it is to have freshly painted toenails!
~ New earrings!  I’ve worn small silver hoops and small silver hoops only for the last 7 years… I’ve ventured into the world of dangly earrings, and I’m liking it!
~ Watching Mr. L discover a passion for flash game programming,  He’s so talented, it makes me feel sick.
~ Feeling proud of a friend’s successes, it’s a nice fuzzy feeling to watch people you admire do well.
~ Purchasing a new buggy for Leila, I know… not exciting in anyone’s mind except mine.  My makeup no-buy is paying for this.  I NEED to get excited about it or else I’ll just cry whilst I wistfully think of Jo’Mina.
~ The Cambridge Diet!  I’m gonna go for it!  It’s not cheap at about £40 a week, but I want something that’s really gonna motivate me to shift some flab!

OUT

~ The heat.  I’m sorry, I know we’ve probably only got about 3 hours of this “gorgeous” weather left before we go back to our usual UK greyness, but I’ve had enough of it.  I feel ill from it and Leila isn’t sleeping at night which is making me feel even MORE ill.  Roll on Winter!
~ Losing a lovely new dangly earring last time I was in London… God knows how long I was walking around with only one in.
~ Not allowing myself to splurge in the online beauty sales.  It hurts to be good.
~ Not seeing family members for a longgggggggggg time.  I like my family.
~ My beautiful, beautiful camera is getting a bit ropey.  I don’t have the money to replace it and even if I did, I’m not sure that taking photographs of makeup is enough justification for Mr. L.

One of my new pairs of earrings!

The Smashbox Muse palette is from the 2009 Spring Collection.

10 positively creamy shades… pastels on top, stronger shades on the bottom.

The brush that it comes with is surprisingly soft and useable… the top row shades are gentle and spring-like, whilst the others comple the more dramatic pairing.

I’m delighted that I picked up this palette and right now, it’s an absolute steal over at Just Beauty Direct priced at £13.74

Do you wear pastels?

Last year, they were everywhere and they divided opinion.  Some loved ’em, some hated ’em.

What am I talking about?  Matte Nails of course!

17 Nails Xtras Matte Top Coat Polish 8ml (£3.99) from Boots is due to be released in September and I’ve got a sneaky peek for you!

Well… finally!  A really, thoroughly decent matte top coat with great availability and a price tag to match!

It may a little late to the mass market to be considered the height of fashion, but this budget matte top coat from 17 Cosmetics is gonna be a hugely popular seller in my humble opinion.

It applies a true matte finish, none of this satin semi-matte nonsense.  So far, I haven’t noticed it accentuating any ridges or imperfections in the polish application underneath and it dries fully in minutes.  Actually, that’s my one caveat… you need to apply the top coat quickly as it will dry rapidly.  Once you realise this, it’s not a problem as the polish glides on smoothly anyway.

After wearing for a couple of days, the matte finish does get slightly shinier… more satiny.  But I haven’t noticed an increase in chipping or tip wear as a result of topping up my standard manicure with this little gem.

£3.99?  You’ll want to get this!  Hurry up September!

UK ladies (sorry my lovely international readers), get thee-selves over to the Lipglossiping Facebook Page, Once on there, make sure you “Like It” and leave a comment letting me know that you’d like to throw your name into the virtual hat for a chance to win.

Celebrity Secrets Professional Airbrush Tan in a Can! (£19.74)

As innovative as spray cheese but less messy and probably more tasty!

Here’s what they say about it:

Loaded with our unique vitamin-enriched Celebrity Secrets Natural Tan solution in an easy-to-use can using the 360 degree spray technology, this product contains no alcohol or CFCs, no gasses, just tanning solution in a safe fine mist.

With its long shelf life, this popular product is ideal to top up your tan or can be used to apply 3-4 complete body tans in the comfort of your own home, without the need for professional equipment.

If I’m gonna tan… I need it to be fuss free, which is exactly what this spray tan promises.  Not only that, but it’s also suitable for use on the face and as I’m reading the can now… I see that it also proudly announces itself to be Paraben Free.

Tanning is a chore, but for many ladies an absolute necessity (especially this time of the year!).  Me?  I just thank the heavens daily for the invention that is the Maxi Dress.  No more dazzling people with my pasty fishbelly leges.

Are you a Summer tanner?  Do you have to fake it or are you blessed with a natural glow within days of the sun first peeking out through the clouds?

Good luck if you enter!

I shall draw a winner from all Facebook commenters on the 23rd July!

P.S. – I know that some of you would rather stick hot pins in your eyes than sign up on facebook, so if you wanna join in the fun but are allergic to the “book of faces”, drop me an email with the subject “JULY GIVEAWAY” (and a few lines of text to get past my spam filter) and I’ll make sure you’re entered too!