A Makeup & Beauty Blog – Lipglossiping

Long-time readers of Lipglossiping will know that I’m a total foundation tart. One of these days, I shall snap you a picture of my foundation drawer and you’ll all think “That woman’s got one hell of a problem”.

And you’d probably be right.

You see, foundation is the one product that promises so much and often delivers so little. In fairness, I understand the many, many variables when it come to finding a perfect foundation fit and it’s one of those products where opinions suffer from a huge dose of subjectivity.

Anyway, today… I want to know about YOUR foundation loves. Tell me about the last (new) foundation you tried and loved?

Here’s mine:

The last foundation I tried and loved (prompting this post!) is Dr. Lewinns Skin Perfect Foundation*.  A great shade match, dependable medium/full-coverage, and more importantly… a velvety finish without drying my skin? That bit is kinda miraculous on my troublesome chops.  I’m on day 5 of wearing it and admittedly, my skin isn’t too dry at the moment… I shall keep testing and see if this novelty wears off, full review soon.

So, do you flit from base to base or are you resolutely faithful to your one true love?

* press sample

When it comes to enticing us into a purchase, beauty brands fully understand the power of gluttony. When was the last time you bought a shower gel from a supermarket without giving it a good sniff first?

Foody smells in beauty products have always been one of the most popular experience-enhancers available to the industry and I’ve been trawling my bathroom cabinet in the quest to find some of the most deliciously scented products around.

Things are about to get tasty!

Milkshake Conditioning Whipped Cream* even sounds completely edible!  This tasty product from Milk_Shake contains some great natural ingredients, including a milk protein that promises to leave your hair soft, shiny and thoroughly swishable.  But the best thing about it?  It smells like a bonafide strawberry milkshake.  Make no mistake, you won’t know whether to stick a straw in it and lap it up or smoothe it through the ends of your locks.  £14.79, www.specialisthairsupplies.co.uk

Radox Berry Burst Shower Cream is a fruity reinvention from a high-street classic.  Packaged rather snazzily in hot pink, you won’t miss this in the back of your bathroom cabinet.  The scent reminds me of a cross between Starburst (I nearly said Opal Fruits – I AM OLD ALRIGHT?) and a fruit salad, ensuring that the blend between completely synthetic and somewhat natural is fairly well balanced.  The scent doesn’t last long on the skin but the cream itself is pretty moisturising for an el-cheapo! £1.99, www.boots.com

Who thought that Roger & Gallet was the kind of brand you’d buy your Nan for Christmas?  Yeah, me too.  But things are getting modern with the Roger & Gallet Fleur de Figuier* range and this Body Lotion punches well above its weight with a tantalizing blend of: mandarin, grapefruit, fig pulp, and musk.  Still not convinced… how about when I reveal the little-know-fact that the fragrance for this new range has been created by none other than fragrance maestro Francis Kurkdjian.  Got your attention now haven’t I?  Seriously.  Lap this beauty up.  £12.50, www.marksandspencer.com

Another super-cheapy here in the form of Lidl’s very own Cien Nail Polish Remover, oh the glamour!  I’m not sure we’re supposed to be sniffing our nail polish removers (pack it in at once!) but this bargain-hunter’s dream purchase puts me in mind of a bakewell tart with its almondy-goodness.  It’s a pretty decent nail polish remover too!  Also… it’s got that pro-dispenser pump thing going on up top, and anything that makes removing your nail polish just a weeny bit more fun is ALL good in my books.  £1.49, Lidl

Finally, what else would you expect from a brand named Fudge than some foody-related shenanigans?  Fudge were one of the first hair brands I reviewed on this here blog so I’m pleased to be adding the Fudge Urban Iced Coconut Cocktail Hair Spray* to my list of tempting treats.  It makes sense for hair spray (which is notoriously noxious) to be made more pleasing to the senses and I’m delighted to report that Fudge have done the business nicely with this offering.  A mega-strong hold and lasting scent in a compact can ensures that my hair will be smelling delicious for the foreseeable!  £4.99 (currently £2.99), www.superdrug.com

What are your favourite foody-scented products at the moment?

* press samples

… but to be honest, I’m not entirely convinced.

You see, Clinique have released (as of last week) a new line of nail polishes with an impressive marketing angle.

Allow me to introduce you to it:

Clinique conducted extensive research to ensure that A Different Nail Enamel for Sensitive Skins meets Clinique’s standards of utmost quality.  In fact, three years of research and three years of product development stand behind A Different Nail Enamel for Senstive Skins.  The final revolutionary formula was tested for one month on women with sensitive skin and sensitive eyes. 

Allergy tested and safe to use for sensitive skins, helps reduce the chances that eyes will burn, itch or water with contact.

Amazing.

Except for one thing.

We already have this.  It’s called Big Three Free and has been a “revolutionary thing” since 2007.

If you’re unaware, Big Three Free nail brands (including Butter London, Zoya, SpaRitual, Barry M and many more) offer nail polish formulations that are free of: dibutyl phthalate, toluene and formaldehyde/formaldehyde resin and they have done for many years now.

So what?  Well, it’s this last ingredient (formaldehyde resin) in particular that causes most of the dermatological problems for those of us with sensitive skin, particularly around the eye area where (according to Clinique’s research) we touch, on average, 200 times a day.

So, the reason I’m so unconvinced by the “revolutionary” aspect of Clinique’s new release is simple.

There is no mention, either in the two-page press release, or on the website… exactly what has been removed from or added to a traditional Big Three Free nail polish formula to further reduce the risk of skin irritations.

If you’re selling your product on the basis of it being a “pioneering innovation” (their words), that’s kind of a big deal, congratulations… but as a consumer, I want to know exactly what’s in it (or lacking from it!) that makes it so Different, and I want this information readily available at the point of purchase.

I’ll enquire and if/when I hear more, I’ll be back to tell you about it.

Having said that, the polishes – taken solely on the merits of painting your nails – are quite, quite lovely.  The shades I received went on smoothly with a nicely cut, flat(ish) brush and didn’t give me any application issues.  I’ve included swatches of the four shades below for your reference.

The 12 shades are available in slightly maller-than-average 9ml bottles, available exclusively online at www.clinique.co.uk and nationwide at Clinique counters from 31 May 2013. RRP £12.00

UPDATE 07/05/2013: Clinique have released a statement in response to my concerns and a full ingredient list, click here to read the update.

* press sample

As much as I want to call this a Victoria Sponge, traditionally… it’s not. You see, a Vicky Sponge contains jam and it’s only heathens like me who would dare to add a layer of (not-even-fresh-cream) buttercream to the proceedings.

However, I made my brother some cupcakes for his birthday this weekend and as such, I had some leftover buttercream that I couldn’t allow to go to waste.

The sponge is a classic, though not always the easiest to get right. In theory, the best results are obtained through a delicate balance of gradual ingredient adding and mixing… no good can surely come of lumping everything in the same bowl and turning on the mixer. Except, I am not a patient cook and always favour the one-step method.

The most failproof version of which, is one my Nan always referred to as an 8s and 4s. You should be able to see why when you read the ingredients list:

225 g (8 oz) butter (room temperature)
225 g (8 oz) caster sugar
225 g (8 oz) plain flour
4 large eggs
2 tsp baking powder
2 x 8″ greased and lined sandwich tins

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees celsius and grease/line your two sandwich tins.  I usually either grease and flour or grease and add a disc of parchment paper to the base of each tin.  Place all the ingredients into a large mixing bowl and turn on your hand-mixer, slowly at first before building up the speed until everything is well-combined.  I beat the ingredients for no more than a few minutes.

Divide your mixture evenly between the two tins and lightly push the mixture out toward the edges of the tin with a spatula.  Bake in the oven for around 22-25 minutes but check regularly from around the 16 minute mark.

Allow the cakes to cool in their tins for 5 minutes before turning out onto a cooling rack and peeling off the parchment paper.  Leave well alone until thoroughly cooled.

When your cakes have cooled, spread one layer with your buttercream (I won’t give you a recipe but I do have a soft spot for the Hummingbird bakery one) and the other with the jam of your choice.  I love the Lidl jams which are more like preserves, raspberry is traditional for this style of cake but I used blackcurrant which was honestly, a little too robust and tart in this instance.  Combine the layers and lightly dust the top of your cake with icing sugar.

What was the last cake you made?

Question of the Week – What are your favorite body washes (or bar soaps, body scrubs or bubble baths) that are currently sitting in your shower?

Answer – I have two “Holy Grail” type shower products that you’ll always find in stock when you glance in my bathroom cabinet.  One is pretty much anything by Kings & Queens (a Korres brand) and the other is the LUSH Ro’s Argan Body Conditioner.  Can’t live without either of them!

EauMG – reviews a mouth-watering juicy orange perfume, Atelier Cologne Orange Sanguine.

Gouldylox Reviews – Have you seen the new LE Too Faced Palette? Gold, purple, bronze, turquoise and a sexy bedroom eye make this palette irresistible.

Lipglossiping – has a serious think about the benefits of buying a wig! Have you been getting wiggy with it?

My Beauty Bunny – Emerald green may be the color of the year, but we all know coral is the color of summer. My Beauty Bunny shares her simple 5-minute coral look and her favorite cruelty-free Peach and Coral Makeup products.

Nouveau Cheap – reviewed six of the eight new Summer 2013 Limited Edition Maybelline Color Tattoos, and shows them to you in a way that might just surprise you (and make you want them even more).

Pink Sith – has a list of things that make her happy such as Room Service, naps and hot cocoa, but the NARS Larger Than Life Lip Gloss in Paris Follies is inching near the top of her list!

Prime Beauty – tells you how to take years off your looks! Nothing looks more youthful than a bright, white smile and Prime Beauty helps you get there with a giveaway of 5 Oral B Deep Sweep Electric Toothbrushes and the new Crest Pr-Health Toothpaste! Well, what are you waiting for?

Phyrra – gets blacklight reactive with Stila After Glow Lip Color. You need to see it to believe it!

Vampy Varnish – has two of the new nail shades from the Rescue Beauty Lounge Emoting Me collection and thinks they are truly beautiful!

we heart this – Want to win a $215 home spa prize pack from Eucerin (which includes a $125 Visa gift card)? Umm, yeah you do!

Beauty Junkies Unite – NARS just paired up with shoe designer Pierre Hardy for a gorgeous Summer collection release. Don’t miss these refreshing nail polish and blush shades in this review with swatches!

Clumps of Mascara – is giving away a mascara each week during her weekly mascara contest on Instagram!

Guest Post of the Week, as chosen by EauMG – One of my favorite beauty blogs is Scent Hive. Trish focuses primarily on natural beauty products, bath products and perfumes. Scent Hive was my first introduction to the world of natural perfumes!

I’ve been blogging as “Lipglossiping” for four years today, and I just wanted to take the opportunity to say “thank you”.  It’s a bit Gwyneth stylee, but with less tears and wayyy more sincerity!

To my readers.

Thank you for making me feel like what I’m writing is (more often than not) worth interrupting your day to read.  Thank you for your comments, your emails, and your friendship(s) on Twitter.  Thank you for saying nice things about my makeups.  Thank you for always being so generous in your praise of my daughter.  Thank you for being only gently disapproving when I dye my hair and it doesn’t look good, it only takes me a few months to catch up.  Thank you for clicking through my affiliate links and spending your money on my recommendations, I hope I don’t let you down very often.  Thank you for not unsubscribing when I’m supposed to be a beauty blogger but all I really want to blog about is my dinner that day.  Thank you for keeping me on my toes by reminding me that some of you are far more knowledgeable about the things I write than I could ever be.  Thank you for keeping my feet on the ground and for making me feel as though we’re all in the same room, at the same level.  Thank you for the holiday tips.  Thank you for never trolling me.  Thank you for the conversations about PCOS and never making me feel ashamed for (over)sharing.

To my peers. 

Thank you for the laughter at events.  Thank you for reminding me what it’s like to go on a school trip.  Thank you for girly sleepovers that I should be far too old for.  Thank you for a shared excitement in something so superficial.  Thank you for some of the best bitching I’ve ever taken part in.  Thank you for waiting for me so I don’t have to walk into a room of strangers on my own.  Thank you for running for my train with me.  Thank you for licking that canape.  Thank you for being both infuriating and inspiring.  Thank you for being there late at night to talk to.  Thank you for making me wish you lived a little bit nearer.  Thank you for not taking yourselves too seriously (and for tsking with me at those who do).  Thank you for being the kind of people I can simply pick up with where we left off.  Thank you for lusting over the same products as me.  Thank you for keeping in touch even after you fall out of love with blogging.  Thank you for still feeling totally embarrassed to admit that you’re “a blogger” to strangers.  Thank you for doing this for the right reasons.  Thank you for not blowing out my candle to make your own burn brighter.

To the industry people.

Thank you for sending me pretty things to try.  Thank you for not blacklisting me if I don’t get around to blogging about things in a super-timely manner.  Thank you for understanding when I don’t love your stuffs.  Thank you for checking the blog when I forget to send links through.  Thank you for inviting me to places I would never have had the chance to visit.  Thank you for continuing to invite me even though I can’t get in to London much now.  Thank you for not asking me why the email I sent you was time-stamped 3am.  Thank you for not being Mean Girls (mostly).  Thank you for treating my readers to some amazing giveaways.  Thank you for not always looking over my shoulder at the next person through the door, I appreciate a delicate balancing act when I see one.  Thank you for letting me bore you about how much I love/hate blogging.  Thank you for paying me to write things for your sites/blogs/facebooks.

To my husband.

Thank you for not making me get a job at the Co-Op instead.

I hope that I’ve got four more years of this in me, although I may have to lighten up on the FOTDs as the wrinkles set in 😉

FANKS EVERYONE IN THE WORLD EVER.

Makeup.  You can’t deny that it’s pretty damn tactile.  And shiny, let’s not forget shinyyyyyy.

I think that all makeup lovers out there have a certain magpie quality to their personalities.  I mean, we don’t go around destroying other people’s eyeshadows (did you know magpies destroy other bird’s eggs? stupid magpies) but there is something fairly irresistible about small, alluring objects.  The shinier the better.  Did I mention shiny?

Of course, brands positively count on this element to our personalities and play us for all they’re worth.  Have you seen YSL’s latest collector offering?  NO?  Oh, you must!

YSL have released a while-stocks-last collector edition of their iconic complexion highlighter* that has been inspired by the crystal bead-covered Haute Couture “Edition Soir” evening gown designed by Mr. Yves Saint Laurent himself in the 1960s.

It sort-of looks as though it’s been attacked with a bottle of topcoat and a nail dotting tool but the website blurb assures me that I am wrong, as it has infact been delicately engraved and embossed with a sparkling shower of light like an exquisitely embroidered dress.

Oh, alright then.

Whatevs.  It’s small, gold, kinda spangly, and a limited edition.  I’d swoop into your nest and steal it.

The YSL Touche Eclat Collector Edition is available to buy on counter, instore at Boots and online from yslbeauty.co.uk priced at £25.00 and available for a limited time.

Are you a makeup magpie?

* press sample

What did one aspiring wig say to the other aspiring wig?
I wanna get a head!

Wigs.  The bane of many-a-joke.  Historically… and in my life time, wigs have been the preserve of fancy dress parties and old guys with combovers to disguise.  Let’s be honest, the wig itself is a valid reason for not wanting to ever wield a gavel in a courtroom, an otherwise totally aspirational profession.

But as Bob Dylan once said, the times they are-a-changin’ and wigs are now one of the most fashionable accessories you can add to your shopping basket in advance of a night out!

My only experiences with wigs have been less frivolous, during times of cancer care… but seeing the profound difference that this fairly uncomplicated piece of headwear can make to a person’s confidence ensures that you’ll never underestimate the power of a full head of hair again.

When it comes to wearing wigs for fun, the only rule to abide by is a simple “does it look good?” assessment.  I haven’t taken the plunge yet when it comes to “for fun” wig-wearing but I do have my eyes locked on a few…

01: Tannah // £49 // hothair.co.uk
02: Two tone short & spiky wig // £17.99 // ebay.co.uk
03: Joanna (not in that colour!) // £129 // hothair.co.uk
04: Elle // £26.99 // annabelleswigs.co.uk
05: Tess (my favourite) // £24.99 // annabelleswigs.co.uk

The sky is the limit when it comes to style, colour, and in many cases, price but it’s a good idea to know your basics before commiting to a purchase and the most obvious decision you’ll need to make when considering a style is whether you want to opt for a synthetic or human hair wig.

You would be forgiven for assuming that human hair will always beat the synthetic option but this simply isn’t true.  On the whole, synthetic wigs take less maintenance than human hair and can hold their initial style better.  Of course, you must never approach them with any heated styling tools and durability is unlikely to be as good as the human hair variety, but improvements in their realistic texture and an attractive lower price-point mean that synthetic styles are a good choice for casual wearers.

What about you… do you wear wigs?  What have been your experiences with them and do you have any tips to share?

Would you like to buy a wig but don’t know where to start?  Let me know if you’ve seen any lust-worthy hairpieces recently and feel free to link me in the comments, I’m always up for a bit of virtual wig shopping!

* I’m so sorry for the unsubscription-worthy title, once you get something like that stuck in your head… it’s damn near impossible to extract it.

I was so sad to hear about Chrissy Amphlett’s passing yesterday. The only lady who has ever managed to make “duckface” look remotely sexy.

For those of your who don’t know, Chrissy was the lead singer of Aussie band, The Divinyls, and from their many hits… you will probably be most familiar with their 1991 classic, “I Touch Myself”.

Growing up, she was a bit of a poster girl for wannabe rock-chicks like me and my mates, and I don’t mind admitting that I may have been more than inspired by her style over the years. This fringe ain’t no accident you know!

I cut my makeup teeth on her nude lips and kohl-heavy combo, and although I could never get the bronzer application down to a fine art… her fierce, confident portrayal of femininity was a template that, growing up, I completely adored.

One of Chrissy’s (hopefully) lasting legacies was announced by her husband, Charley Drayton, who said yesterday: “Chrissy expressed hope that her worldwide hit “I Touch Myself” would be utilized to remind all women to perform regular  breast examinations.”

Read here for more information on how to perform a breast examination.  And as unforgivably cheesy as this next statement is… go on, touch yourself.

RIP Chrissy.

Question of the Week – Quick, what’s the one beauty product you want most right now.

Answer – the new BarryM nail polishes, they looks NICE! Oh, and the Dior My Lady palette… but don’t tell Mr. L about that one k?

Clumps of Mascara – is in looooooove (yes, that much) with OPI’s Liquid Sand nail polishes. Trendy? But who cares…textured nail polish is some kind of cool!

EauMG – Here are Victoria’s perfume picks to wear this spring!

Gouldylox Reviews – I’m loving Angie Miller‘s look on American Idol. Instead of spending hundreds, get her full face for less than $75!

Lipglossiping – explores the curious world of the girl crush and invites you to talk about the women who inspire you.

My Beauty Bunny – is thrilled to announce the site has received a make-over! Come check out the new digs and while you are there see what Peter Dinklage from ‘Game of Thrones’ has to say about animal testing!

Nouveau Cheap – reviews the brand new Jesse’s Girl Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner (inspired by Japanese calligraphy brushes) and gives you a chance to win your very own–and more!

Pink Sith – takes you to an imaginary land of pink and glitter and unicorns when she tells you about Etude House Juicy Cocktail Gradation Nails in #3 Lovely Violet.

Prime Beauty – tests out Aveda’s Petal Essence Collection for spring; a wonderful mix of pastels as well as vibrant colors!

Phyrra – raves about the Jesse’s Girl Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner! There’s also a great giveaway to enter.

Vampy Varnish – Thinks some of the new Zoya PixieDust shades for Summer 2013 rock!

we heart this – want to see Stef’s holy grail brow product and learn the tip that took them from crazy to pretty? You know you do…

Beauty Junkies Unite – Amber breaks down eight very affordable BB creams for every need, and offers you a chance to win a $50 CVS/pharmacy gift card in the process, so that you can go buy your own fave BB!

Guest Post of the Week, as chosen by Clumps of Mascara – The Gorgeous Gleam is a fabuuuulous beauty blog by NYC’s Erica. Her makeup skills always leave my mouth wide open. And she always has me wanting things I don’t even really need. Like these darling little lip balms.

So, what does natural beauty mean to you?

Is it poreless skin without the help of foundation?  Laughter lines that show a life well-lived?  Perhaps it’s simply the beauty of an unspoilt vista lifting your soul in a way that city-life never could?

St. Ives – creators of iconic skin-scrubbiness – recently approached a selection of bloggers with a creative challenge which celebrates the company ethos of imparting confidence and exploring the radiance of natural beauty.

The brand, who have been around for over 25 years now, are dedicated to harnessing the power of nature within their skincare range.  To this end, their formulas do not contain parabens or phthalates, the brand use sustainably-sourced ingredients wherever possible, cut waste, and employ eco-friendly packaging for all their products.

The brief itself was simple: “capture and share an image of natural beauty”.  So simple in fact that it left a lot of room for interpretation, perhaps too much for a procrastinator like me!

I’m incredibly fortunate to live in a beautiful part of the world with the New Forest on my doorstep, beaches a few miles down the road and the rolling hills of the South Downs only a stone’s throw away.  But the problem was, that despite a wealth of inspiration surrounding me… beauty that I was itching to go and photograph.  I couldn’t get over one small detail…

The greatest source of natural beauty was sitting right next to me.

A brush through the tangles, a crown of flowers, and a couple of “knock knock” jokes later and I had all the inspiration I could have ever needed.

Despite the rather obvious fact that she’s not pumping half a gallon of Double Wear onto her face every morning, Leila’s natural beauty lies in the fact that she is so wonderfully oblivious.  Every inner thought and feeling, like most children, is reflected upon her face: from the doughnut she can’t get enough of to the wonderment of seeing Sleeping Beauty’s castle.  From the pride that correctly identifying her ABCs brings her to the chutzpah that follows when she utters the words “I am rather marvellous, aren’t I?”

Her eyes are not only a window into her soul but a porthole, skylight, dormer, and sunroof… all untainted by the self-consciousness that adulthood brings with it.  She feels no need to mask her feelings or to “tone-down” her excitement, fearful of looking too eager or heaven-forbid, uncool.  If only we could all recapture some of that day-to-day, unbridled honesty in our faces.

And that is why she, and other children of a similar age, are such a joy to be around (in moderation, of course!) and for me, an unparalleled definition of natural beauty.

Do you allow your natural beauty to shine through in certain company or are you focused on maintaining a facade? 

If you fancy talking about what “natural beauty” means to you, feel free to use the dedicated #StIvesNaturalBeauty hashtag on Twitter.

* In the interests of full-disclosure, all photographic entries will be judged by beauty photographer Claire Harrison on behalf of St. Ives and displayed at a gallery-style event in London next month.  The eventual winner will receive a fabulous prize (and one to give away to a reader!) 

** On a plate beside Leila, sat a sausage roll… looking particularly beautiful.  To be honest, it was a close-run thing.

I may not be the internet’s biggest fan of the Rimmel Lasting Finish “Kate” lipsticks… but don’t let my thoughts stand in the way of a good bargain, hell… I might even give them another try myself at this price.

What price?  Well, they’re priced at £5.49 each in Boots and Superdrug, so…

How does £1.99-a-piece sound?

Unhelpfully, there’s not much going on in the way of swatches but that’s nothing a good Google can’t fix.  Here are links to a few of them, via one of my fav lip-swatcherers: beautyswatch1, beautyswatch2, beautyswatch.

Are any of these catching your eye?  I can’t help but admit that I’m tempted by “04”, not that I should be… what with it finally being Spring n’all.

European ladies can also join in the fun with fairly-priced international shipping.  Who said Sundays are boring?

Rimmel Lasting Finish “Kate” Lipsticks are currently priced at £1.99 each, online from Fragrance Direct.  Tempted?

* don’t forget that Fragrance Direct also have the rather brilliantly-priced Dainty Doll leftovers up for grabs too (go for the blushers, gooo for the blushers!!)