A Makeup & Beauty Blog – Lipglossiping

If you spend over £75 (eek!) at Cosmetics A La Carte, the bespoke cosmetics brand will treat you to a limited edition Valentine gift set known as…

Lippy Love Duo

*insert Barry White music here*

They say: A Classic Dr Rita Matte Red Lipstick and a super glossy Campari Red Lip Lacquer to wear together or alone to create your own individual look.  Easy to use and long-lasting colour to get you noticed this Valentine’s!

I barely have 75p to spend on makeup in the weeks following Christmas and Mr. L’s birthday (yesterday btw!) but that doesn’t stop me from staring at that image, going a little misty-eyed.  That lipstick looks heavenly!

I am seriously developing a proper red lip addiction, can I blame all of you for encouraging it?  Pleasethankyouverymuch.

The Lippy Love Duo is available in store: Cosmetics A La Carte, 19b Motcomb Street, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 8LB.

Sometimes a favourite comes in an unlikely guise.  I love Urban Decay, I really do… they’re a brand that get me equally ecstatic when they get it right and just as hacked off when they screw up.  I think you have to care about a brand to experience proper emotions about what is, after all, only makeup.

So yeah, I like Urban Decay.  But I don’t generally get that excited by their lipsticks.  I was sent this one just before Christmas and because I had a Chanel to wear… this one got pushed a little further back in the queue.

Revolution is a glossy, creamy true red.  Pillar box and opaque as-you-like.  I used a lip brush but it practically painted itself on.  I can’t find fault with this product… the adorable ‘dagger’ packaging, smooth application, glossy finish (if glossy reds are your ‘thing’), and a longevity that’s competes up there with most of the other, less-creamy formulas I’ve worn so far.

I suppose, if pushed… it does have a greater risk of transfer because of the creamy formula but just do that filthy-looking finger pop trick to remedy any of that nonsense!

Urban Decay Revolution retails at £12 but I have seen it on discount websites for a lot less than that… but shhh, you didn’t hear that from me.  If you want a BOLD, creamy red… go forth and buy.

Available today while stocks last you can purchase 5 full size Nails Inc. products for only £10! (shipping £3.95)

Your Lucky Dip order will include:

~ 1 full size Chelsea Park Gardens polish (iridescent hot pink)
~ A top or base coat polish
~ 3 additional polish shades selected at random

Click the image below to go to the deal…

If you were to buy these items separately, they’d set you back £55 – quite a saving!  Also try promo code JAN20 for 20% off non-sale items.

But that’s not all… remember October’s 10 bottle mega deal?  Well… I’m spotting another one of those in the SALE section called The Red Carpet Colour Collection.  Different colours (bar one), same deal!  10 full-size bottles for a bargainous £25!

Shop, shop, shop, shop, shop…

It’s every mother’s worst fear… watching their child get sick and being powerless to wade in and fix it all.

Clinique are once again partnering with Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity for the KISS IT BETTER appeal which raises money to fund research into the causes and treatment of childhood cancer.

Throughout February, you’ll be able to purchase a special Limited Edition Smoothie Kisses Lip Gloss Set (£22.50) featuring the latest lip launch from Clinique, Vitamin C Lip Smoothie Antioxidant Lip Colour.

The set includes four Vitamin C Lip Smoothie glosses, in Pink Me Up, Goodness Grapecious, Nude-tricious and Mango-thon, all housed in a brightly coloured pink bag.

Sold exclusively in House of Fraser stores nationwide during the month of February, £4.00 from each purchase will go to the KISS IT BETER appeal (£2 from Clinique and £2 from House of Fraser).

If the new set doesn’t take your fancy, then A £2.00 donation will also apply to all Clinique lipstick or lip gloss (£15.00) sold at House of Fraser stores nationwide, throughout February. (£1.00 will be donated by Clinique and £1.00 will be donated by House of Fraser).

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If you want to learn more about the KISS IT BETTER appeal and discover other ways to donate, visit www.gosh.org/kissitbetter

The timing of MAC’s Wonder Woman collection seems a touch premature to me, with the long-awaited release of a Warner Bros movie slated for 2013, I’m surprised that they didn’t hold out a couple more years and ride that cash cow all the way to the bank!

Regardless, the new collection will be arriving in stores much sooner than that.  Temptalia has the lowdown on the collection which is due for an international (non-US) release of March 2011.

image courtesy of. Temptalia.com

The 32-piece collection (yes, I counted em – anyone wanna check my maths?!) is already kicking up a storm amongst beauty-loving MAC fans worldwide.  The biggest bone of contention?  The packaging…

Temptalia readers have been showing their contempt for the design with comments including:

“…reminds me of the toy makeup I used to beg for when I was a kid.” – source

“…this packaging is actually so horrible that I doubt I’ll be purchasing much (if anything) from this collection.” – source

“…I don’t like the packaging.  The packaging looks verry childish.  I’m gonna buy nothing.” – source

“…I wouldn’t be caught dead taking them out in public.” – source

Of course, there are many protesting in defence of the packaging too…

Me?  I’m not ashamed to admit that I love it.

Sure, I love my Guerlain palettes and the sleek lines of my Rouge D’Armani lippies which always make me feel a little bit posher than I really am when I flash them about infront of people (I totally do that).  But… I really think MAC have pulled the “Wonder Woman” theme off magnificently!

image courtesy of. Temptalia.com

Look at those contrast gold-rimmed pans!  Love. It.

I do understand people’s disappointment… if the theme isn’t for them, it simply isn’t for them and if we all shared the same tastes, wouldn’t the world be a boring place?  But I can totally appreciate that for the theme… this packaging is ticking ALL the right boxes.

As an aside, it’s something that I didn’t think MAC achieved with the Disney VV collection which left me feeling that they hadn’t put any real effort into doing Disney (and it’s fans) justice.  There’s no denying that if a brand can “plug-in” to a much-loved theme and capture it’s essence within the collection, then the tills won’t stop ringing until the last lipstick has been sold.  Easy money if you can get it right.

image courtesy of. Temptalia.com

Kudos.

What do you guys think of the packaging for MAC Wonder Woman collection?  Adorable or Deplorable?  Vote!

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Paese Cosmetics is a Polish cosmetics brand new to the UK market.  Currently only available online from http://paesecosmetics.com, the brand encompasses a wide selection of products from primers through to nail polishes and most things inbetween.

Paese Cosmetics’ price point aligns it with the drugstore market, infact… slightly cheaper.  A foundation will set you back just under £10.

I was sent some samples to put to the test, read on for images and my thoughts on the base products I received.

Read the rest of this entry »

This Valentine’s day, why not share a bath with someone you love?  Just make sure that you don’t get the tap end.

LUSH have released some new delights and brought back some old favourites in celebration of the mushy occasion!

New to the LUSH party this year are…

1. Be Mine (£26.95) … A sexy selection of six scrumptious treats that’s sure to make the one you love ‘be yours’ this Valentine’s Day. Inspire someone to melt into a marshmallow bath, let it rain men in the shower and get up close and personal with a Soft Coeur massage. A gift to ensure they’ll stay yours as well! Contents: Melting Marshmallow Moment bath melt, The Frog Prince bath ballistic, It’s Raining Men shower gel (100g), Sex Bomb bath ballistic, Sugar Babe sugar scrub, Soft Coeur massage bar, Lust solid perfume.

2. It’s Raining Men shower gel (£4.25 for 110g / £7.95 for 260g / £14.25 for 510g) … hallelujah! A divine shower gel scented with our best-selling Honey I Washed the Kids fragrance … amen! Shower with this luxurious honey and tropical flower gel and your skin will be left deliciously soft, scented like crème brule and extremely lickable!

3. The Frog Prince bath ballistic (£2.75) … kiss this cute little character (on his bright red, pursed pout), throw him in a tub of warm water and, as the fairytale goes, marvel as he dissolves in front of your eyes to reveal your very own Prince Charming … or in this case, a sticker of one of our charming compounders from the Lush factory! And as you would expect for royalty, he has his own, exquisite, sultry brand new fragrance – a majestic blend of jasmine, sandalwood, rose and neroli.

4. Love Birds soap (£3.00 for 100g) … something for all those lovers out there, this gorgeous new soap is scented with some beautiful aphrodisiac essential oils to make Valentine’s Day that extra bit special! It’s the Keep It Fluffy fragrance, which includes sensual jasmine and vanilla for a romantic soap that will soften and moisturise skin, while leaving it delicately scented.

5. P.S. I Love You (£13.95) … say it with Lush and tell that special someone what you’ve been meaning to say for ages. This cute little gift is a foursome of romantic products to leave your special someone feeling in no doubt of your feelings. All wrapped up with love birds and heart embossed paper. Contents: The Joy of Jelly shower jelly (100g), Strawberry Feels massage bar (mini), Love Birds soap, Sex in the Shower emotibomb.

1. Truly Scrumptious (£27.25) … a delectable collection of Lush’s sweetest treats, what better way to tell someone you’re sweet on them?! Contains Lush’s best-selling Honey I Washed the Kids soap, a chocolately Whipstick lip balm, Space Girl and Butterball bath ballistics, Vanilla Dee-lite body lotion, Creamy Candy bubble bar and a Melting Marshmallow Moment bath melt. All in all, it’s exactly what it says on the tag!

2. Ex Factor bath ballistic (£1.99) … a gingerman shaped little friend to join those Valentine-less folk in the bathtub, who may be feeling a little blue at this time of the year and fed up with all the lovey dovey paraphernalia wherever they look! He dissolves in the warm water in a swirl of ylang ylang and vanilla to reveal a small pink candy heart. The delectable mix of essential oils is the same as our best-selling Butterball bath ballistic, so will leave you feeling happy, relaxed and ready to meet someone else!

3. Magic Mushroom bubble bar (£2.30) … a fun-guy to share Valentine’s Day with, this charming toadstool is a frothy strawberries and cream scented wonder for your bath. The fragrance is a blend of Lush’s best-selling Vanillary and the popular strawberry-sundae Yummy Yummy Yummy. Crumble under running water for masses of skin softening strawberry and vanilla scented bubbles.

4. Hello Gorgeous (£17.90) … it’s always good to tell people they’re gorgeous and what better way than with a selection of Lush’s most gorgeous products. There’s a Japanese influence, with a cherry blossom design on the outside and the mimosa scented Sakura bath ballistic on the inside. Also contains a small tin of Gorgeous, our extra special orange blossom moisturiser; Helping Hands hand cream; cherry and mimosa Rub Rub Rub shower scrub (100g) and a lovely pink luxury bath melt made with marshmallows.

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I haven’t decided if I’m falling in line with the marketing this year or going all-out I HATE HEARTS AND FLOWERS.

Are you a Valentine’s celebrator?  However I’m feeling about all that love stuff, I never fail to use the occasion as a magnificent excuse to do things that I couldn’t get away with on an ‘ordinary’ day… hello Chinese takeaway, self-indulgent baths and leftover Quality Street.  Love yourself I say!

I always protest that I don’t like pastels… and on paper, I don’t.  They’re insipid and make my hands look pudgy and blotchy.  I know that my fingers look far more slender with darker tips… but then I look down at my nails and get that happy feeling that only light and airy colours can bring.

Ciate Fun Fair is a cool toned cross between pink and lilac… the thing that strikes me most about it though is that it doesn’t look too stark.  Anything that leans towards pale AND cool does tend to start looking a little chalky and obvious.  Fun Fair just about keeps it’s dignity intact!

The formula was fine, one of those polishes that really come good on a 2nd or 3rd coat.  Don’t expect to be happy with this on it’s first coat.  I find that to be true of a lot of Ciate polishes.

Wear was good too… it lasted a full 3 days before tip wear became noticeable enough to make me want to remove it.

Ciate Fun Fair is priced at £9 and available to buy online from The Powder Rooms.

The thoroughly lovely Annabella from SkinScrubs kindly picked this up for me from her local T.K. Maxx, I’ve been wanting it for quite a while and was really pleased when I finally got to lay my grubby hands on it!

The packaging is kinda cute… I guess… I dunno, I think I’d prefer a scantily-clad fella on it.  Actually, I don’t really give a shit if I’m honest.  The cardboard housing it comes in is thankfully solidly-constructed and has already survived a clumsy drop.

It looks scarily orange in the pan… a pink/bronzed orange.  My kinda nightmare.  Thank heavens for blogs and swatches that have shown me not to fear the Hot Mama!

Texture-wise, this blush is quite beautiful.  It’s silky, smooth and doesn’t create masses of dust when I pass my brush over the surface though it is quite soft and easy to nick with a fingernail.  It’s shimmery without being glittery unlike it’s famous dupe counterpart; NARS Orgasm which has a fine textured amount of glitter running through colour.  The shimmer in The Balm’s Hot Mama! may be a little too much for those of you with particularly large pores though, definitely something that needs considering.

The Balm’s Hot Mama! wears a little pinker than NARS Orgasm on my skintone but the simillarities are plain to see.  The swatch above shows one swipe from Hot Mama… the NARS Orgasm swatch took a few goes to build up to that intensity.

I love both… they’re sheer but incredibly buildable and probably some of the easiest to wear blushes I own.  I can pair these with any look and it just gives me a flush of colour that brightens up my NW15 skin.

I would say that I get an extra hour or two wear from the NARS and the cardboard sleeve surrounding Hot Mama! is a bit finickity to remove and replace everytime I want to use it… but it does have such a delightfully blendable texture.

You get just over 7g of product from The Balm, compared to 4.5g from NARS and unless you can spot one in your local T.K. Maxx, Hot Mama! will set you back around £15 in the UK.

Are you a shimmer, glitter or matte girl when it comes to blush?

Finally!  The House of Fraser Apothecary has launched online which means that poor souls like myself (who’s nearest HoF is an hours drive away) can finally take advantage of some of the new and exclusive brands available to the department store.

I previously wrote about the Lippmann Collection of nail polishes that I’m still salivating over.  I’m finding it damn near impossible to pick a preferred choice though!

I’m also curious about the Body America range of skincare… potentially good, affordable products that have enough about them (New York Cheesecake Body Butter anyone?) to raise real interest in how they feel, work and smell.

Other highlights include colostrum-based skincare brand Electric Body who hail from New Zealand and promise anti-aging delights (albeit at a price!), Aussie brand MOR – yes, they of the exquisite packaging and French pharmacie skincare brand Filorga who’s origins (in mesotherapy and injectible forms of anti-aging) promise the same results but without the needles.

I spent an indecent amount of time in the Guildford store just after Christmas… there *may* have been Guerlain purchases, I will neither confirm nor deny those rumours.

Have you stopped by the new House of Fraser Apothecary yet?

As well as being partial to a good red lipstick, I’m also partial to a good red nail polish.  The best for me are those slightly retro creams that command attention and make you feel just that little bit sexier everytime you spot them!

Butter London’s Come to Bed Red not only has an awesome name… but it’s an awesome red too!

It has an almost jelly-like finish which means that you’ll need an additional coat to ward off a visible nail line but on the flipside is it’s supreme shine and sweetie-like appearance.

Do you like your reds to be as bright as this?

Butter London Come to Bed Red is available to buy online priced from around £9.75

Don’t forget to pick up the News of the World today if you want to take advantage of the free makeup kit in conjunction with Models Own.

The kit includes: liquid eyeliner, tweezers, an eyelash curler, mascara and eyeshadow with all items housed in a clear plastic makeup ziploc bag.

I’ve had a play with the kit I was sent as a preview and the runny mascara and scratchy eyeliner aren’t gonna get any love here.  The tweezers weren’t half bad and the eyelash curlers (although not the most precise bit of mechanical engineering) do a decent job and fit my eye shape well.

Finally, the eyeshadow duo features a pair of wearable shades with a soft, blendable (if slightly dusty) texture.  I wouldn’t pay £24 for it but for the price of two Sunday papers, I think it’s worth a punt particularly as both tools included were completely usable.

To take advantage of the offer, collect TWO tokens from Fabulous magazine found within Sunday’s News of the World.  Tokens are available today, Sunday January 16 and Sunday January 23.

Once you have collected two tokens, take them to a participating Tesco store to redeem for the Models Own makeup kit.

For more info, check the website here.  Will you be picking one up?