A Makeup & Beauty Blog – Lipglossiping

Day 3 brings a classic – MAC Russian Red.

It’s the truest red of the lot so far… and the most matte.  I chose to break into it today simply because my lips are in good condition at the moment thanks to some extra special recent care when I decided I was going to be doing this series.

To wear this one, I made sure my lips were well-exfoliated with a flannel, then I applied a thin coat of Lanolips 101 to work it’s magic whilst I got ready and did the rest of my makeup.  A year ago, I wouldn’t have been able to wear this lipstick… my lips were always cracked.  They used to actually CATCH on my clothes when I undressed at night… such is the power of Lanolips.

I didn’t want to keep reapplying this one so I used my Jemma Kidd Lip Perfector to lock the colour into the lip line and prevent bleeding.  Then I used a lip brush to apply a thin coat of Russian Red… blotted and reapplied.  I was tempted to blot again, then do the tissue/powder trick before a final coat.  But I couldn’t be bothered.  L.A.Z.Y.

You need a lip brush with this one if you want clean edges.  It’s a faff… but if you get the application right, you’re rewarded with many, many hours of good, solid wear.  I managed around 6 hours before I grabbed the bullet and just swiped to reapply.

I think it’s my favourite… and you’re right… now that I compare this to Cockney, I think Cockney is a little too warm for me.  Perhaps a bit… clown-like by comparison.

Once I get to day 7, I’ll do an arm swatch of all the ones I’ve worn that week so that you can compare tones and I’ll be uploading the collage of all your lovely reds!

Thank you to those of you who have sent through pictures so far, looking GOOD ladies!  I’m not gonna do a Red Lips day tomorrow (I’m a bit sick of seeing my face tbh!)… but will be posting them up maybe every 2nd or 3rd day from now on.

So, I’m on to Day 2… I haven’t counted my lipsticks so I’m not sure how far this is going to take me and I’m praying that all the photos don’t just look identical otherwise it’s gonna get old, quickly.

Mr. L was a little less fazed today.  I didn’t get my usual morning compliment on my makeup that he knows he has to give unless he wants lots of vegetables for dinner…. so I made him cauliflower cheese for tea.

MAC Cockney is fairly sheer and can be worn by the less RED confident among us (which is why I own it).  I bought it when I went to MAC on the hunt for THE RED lipstick that I would be able to wear.  It wasn’t on my list of reds to check at the time.  My list consisted of only Russian Red and Ruby Woo… I’m not very MAC savvy to be honest.

I found this one lurking amongst the shades and when I swiped it on my hand I was really pleased with the glossy texture.  Far more wearable than those more ‘serious’ reds.  In the tube, Cockney has a beautiful red shimmer/glitter that reminds me of China Glaze Ruby Pumps… but this doesn’t really translate to the lips.

I’m gonna come back and update each of my Red Lip posts with a close up of the lip colours and a hand swatch as I think this is probably useful and I’m not sure why I overlooked it in the first place.

So…. how did I find MAC Cockney?  Well.. it was both easier and more difficult to wear.  Easier in terms of subtlety, it’s just not quite so pronounced in it’s brazen-ness.  Sure it’s red… but it wears down quite quickly to a slightly more subdued shade.  This could either be a positive OR a negative depending on your P.O.V.

The negative?  Longevity… a little less than the NYX from Day 1 which was surprising but I think mostly down to my application as I didn’t feel the need to blot this because I was intent on layering to build up the intensity.

MAC describe this lipstick as a Sheer yellow red with multi-dimensional pearl (Lustre) – I don’t really know what that means… (the yellow bit)… but I’m guessing that it must be warmer than neutral then right?

Thanks for all your tips and recommendations yesterday, I’m definitely looking into getting Chanel Dragon and probably Rimmel Diva Red and OCC NSFW too… you also might notice that I attempted some bronzer (still not enough!) and eyebrow powder (not too much!)

Do you own MAC Cockney?

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If anyone wants to join me on my red lip crusade, please email me a photo of your lovely selves rocking your favourite red lip – I’d love to post a collage with your photos!

Please keep your photos coming in – perhaps we can inspire each other to carry on rocking the reds over Christmas!

I bought this little palette from ASOS a few weeks ago.  There were three to choose from and I couldn’t decide between Sueded Browns and this one, Velvet Plumtones.  So I did the only sensible thing I could do…. I googled for reviews! (you thought I was gonna say “buy both!” didn’t you… tsk.)

It wasn’t long before this video by Sam from Pixiwoo came up and I clicked through to watch.  I didn’t actually have to get that far… because as soon as I’d read “Especially good on green eyes” in their title… it was in my basket.  Be aware though, that if you do watch the video… you can probably kiss goodbye to the £25 you need to get this in your hot little hands.

Ugh, I love… love… LOVE the illustration on the front.

The palette is beautifully made, one of the best I own in terms of packaging quality.  I know that’s no great shakes… but when it feels good enough to make you take notice, it’s worth a mention.

I’m getting into a bit of a bad habit of swatching then photographing.  Or in this case… using about 3 times, then photographing.  Sorry!  I like to photograph pristine palettes for you guys but I just can’t help myself!

Four satin shades are included… none of them shimmery, just smooth with a slight sheen.  The ‘most’ matte is the darkest shade in the top left and most satin-y, the palest in the top right which has a slight iridescence to it.

Each shade applies super smoothly and blends very well indeed.  A fact that was visually noticeable for someone like me who isn’t completely shit at application but has a tendency to realise halfway through the day that she could probably have benefited from a couple more minutes blending.  Does that make sense?

On with the swatches…

Clearly a cool-toned palette, each shade has a hint of plum about it… it’s subtle but coherent and makes them work beautifully together.  It’s not hugely pigmented, the above swatches show around three swipes each but the pigmentation is buildable.  Applying over the top of UDPP extracts more vibrancy from the shades but I quite like the subtle muted tones that I get without it.

So would I recommend?  Yes, yes and yes again.  I really want the other two palettes for my collection… but Lord knows I don’t need them.  Perhaps (as they’re limited edition) ASOS will discount them if they don’t sell out first.  If anyone spots them at a cheaper price before I do – I would really appreciate a heads up!

Like the look of the Elizabeth Arden Limited Edition Color Intrigue Palettes?

A new foundation always fills me with hope.  The promise of flawless skin is a tempting one, something we all aspire to.  I’m a firm believer that getting your base right is half the battle to looking good.  For some of us, it’s frankly more of a war than a skirmish.

I don’t generally wear concealer.  I haven’t perfected my application technique and therefore rely on my foundation to do the work of both, I’m a hard task master!  I know this isn’t ideal… and means that I don’t usually expect a flawless, porcelain finish.  But I do want enough coverage to look polished and non-blotchy!

I’m a fan of mineral foundations, I find them quick to apply without the need for expert blending or shade matching.  Overall, except on the very driest of skintypes – they’re a pretty forgiving formulation.

I dug out Priori’s CoffeeBerry Perfecting Minerals Foundation from a press pack that I received some time ago.  I usually reach for cream foundations in the winter but was curious to see how the Priori would perform on slightly dehydrated skin.

I’ve heard that the CoffeeBerry (an antioxidant) formula is particularly suited to troubled skin types.  One of the foundation’s claims is that the CoffeeBerry extracts actually help to improve photodamage, rosacea and dryness which leaves me wondering whether this is skincare, foundation or a bit of both?

While the claims sound good, I can’t accurately verify them with any confidence other than by wearing this single foundation throughout the Winter and Spring and I’m simply too in love with all my other products to push them to the back of my cupboard.  So let’s just focus on the foundation aspects shall we?

I received shade #1.  The lightest shade of the 6 available and to my eye, it’s not that light and it’s quite warm toned.  I’d call it light medium, a NW/NC20 in terms of depth.

However, as I mentioned earlier… mineral foundations are generally quite forgiving when it comes to shade selection and the Priori CoffeeBerry Perfecting Minerals Foundation is no different.  I can wear this shade quite comfortably on my NW15 skintone.

My favourite thing about this product is the packaging… minerals are a notoriously difficult formula to use without fuss but Priori have implemented a really great packaging system.  The pot is wide and squat with a large bowl-like lid.  This lid makes a perfect vessel to swirl your brush around and enables you to pick the product up evenly.

When I opened this, I didn’t peel off the protective sticker which covers the sifter holes.  Instead, I grabbed a biro and punched through the sticker, exposing only about half of the openings.  That way, I can ensure that I don’t flood the pot with product whenever I turn it upside down.

Enough of the packaging, talk about getting caught up in the details!  How does it look?

I really like the finish it provides.  It’s glowy and natural compared to other mineral formulas.  I described it on Twitter last week as ‘soft focus’.  It doesn’t disguise my fine lines but seems to somehow soften them.  Coverage is light/medium in my opinion… it evens out my skintone without concealing.  Tones down my redness but doesn’t disguise it completely.

If you have acne scarring or prefer something with more serious coverage, I don’t think this product will be for you.  I think that the Priori CoffeeBerry Perfecting Minerals Foundation (what a mouthful) is particularly suited to mature skin types.

Despite being a powder, it doesn’t gather or clump on my dry bits and the soft focus, luminous finish would work well on duller skintones.  The foundation contains a perfectly respectable SPF25 rating and is priced at around £32.00 for a large 14g pot.

PRIORI® CoffeeBerry Perfecting Minerals are available from salons and clinics nationwide, stockists 0845 555 2121 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              0845 555 2121      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

If you’re familiar with pigments, then you’re probably familiar with the concept of foiling them.  If not… it goes something like this…

You wet your brush by spraying it with your toner/water/fixer of choice before dipping it in the loose pigment and patting onto your eyelid.  It gives a high shine, high metallic effect that’s vibrant and striking.

Bare Minerals have introduced a new range of eye colours that they’re calling High Shine EyeColor.  The simple premise of this new line is a high-intensity metallic colour without the need for foiling.  The foiled effect but with dry pigments.

I was sent a few shades from the new line up to put to the test and I have mixed feelings on them.

Undoubtedly beautiful, they’re also incredibly portable in their well-sealed vials.  Packed with metallic goodness, they’re an enticing product.

From left to right, the above image shows the shades: Bronzed (bronze), Frost (silver), Glisten (pale gold) and Patina (khaki gold).

Purdy aren’t they?

But these aren’t just pigments in a jar a la MAC or the regular Bare Minerals offerings because they come with an inbuilt sponge applicator and delivery system.  This is where the product loses points for me.

The sponge applicator is mounted on a spring mechanism which is frankly pretty fierce.  You need to be prepared to work against it to stop it from “springing” up and dumping product in your lap.  It’s not a huge issue aslong as you’re aware of it… but I can imagine it might catch a few people unaware.

Secondly, there’s fall out as you remove the applicator from the neck of the vial.  It’s avoidable only if you’re incredibly careful and precise.  A bit like one of those fairground games that buzz if you touch the metal wire with the hoop!

Part of me feels that this is to be expected and that I’m being a touch harsh.  Afterall, these are loose pigments and no one ever said that working with them wasn’t messy.  However, I feel that if you’re going to go to the trouble of implementing an application system… it needs to do a better job than one could do without it.  I simply don’t feel that this system makes a messy job any easier.

But check out how these babies look…

Swatched on bare skin, they’re quite something.  How perfect are they for the Holiday season?

Back to the application for a minute… as with most loose eyeshadows, you’ll be wanting to do your eyes before attempting foundation.  There’s fall out from the sponge tip onto the uppper cheekbone whenever I apply.  Not a huge amount but enough to irritate and provoke much tsking!

If you can get past the inconveniences of working with loose pigment… this is how they look worn.

Excuse my Burglar Bill t-shirt.  Instead, check out the intensity of that pigment.  Infact, if anything… they’re a touch washed out by the camera flash.  I didn’t wear any primer underneath and the colour lasted amazingly well.  Easily 6/7 hours before fading… I think probably because they are SO intense to begin with.

So there we have it.  I love them but they’re not flawless.  Their intensity is electrifying and wear equally impressive.  They’re just a bit of a pain in the bum to apply.

Bare Minerals High Shine EyeColor is available in 6 shades.  You’ll be able to find them at all Bare Escentuals boutiques, selected department stores and spas and salons nationwide from December.  Priced at £14 each.

Are you happy to sacrifice convenience for the end result?

This Christmas, it’s the Chanel collection that caught my eye more than any other.  Those beautiful pinks and coppers that contain the perfect amount of shimmer/glitter for the holiday season without being gaudy.

I will always be drawn to palettes that promise to create a wonderful smoky eye and this was no exception.  The only thing that could possibly dampen my enthusiasm would be pigmentation.  I wasn’t sure how much power this quad would pack.  I needn’t have fretted.

Come to Mama….

I know I usually take blog photos before I start sticking my sausage fingers in my shadows but I think I had this one opened and swatched before I’d even left the shop.  Excuse the shadow dust!

And the swatches (swatched over eye primer)…

To say that I love this palette would be an understatement.  The coppery tones in the two darkest shades really accentuate the green in my eyes and the paler, more ethereal hues brighten my eyes beautifully.

I don’t kno if you’re interested in lazy girl’s makeup application… but mine goes something like this:  The darkest copper shade… I apply all over the mobile lid, right up to the socket line.  Then I take the pink (on the far right) and use this to blend the harsh edges.  I pat the glittery shade (on the far left) ontop of the copper and finally, use the ivory to highlight the inner corner and brow bone.

All that takes me less than 2 minutes because I don’t do anything intricate in the socket line, nor do any fancy stuff in the outer corner.  This palette gives me a gorgeous smoky look in minutes.  And that’s why I love it.

For me, it’s more than worth the £35 I paid for it.  Can you tell I love this palette?

So, Nicki Minaj’s personally designed pepto-(a)bismol pink lipstick is up on the MAC website today… for one day only.  Until next Friday.  And the one after that…

And the one after that… until MAC have bled their fans dry not only of their money but also of their patience.

Buying stuff from MAC… it’s like the 12 labours of Hercules.

I’ll (unsurprisingly) be passing on this.  I can’t even make All Styled Up work for me so I have no hope with this one.  Plus, I don’t shop on Fridays.  It’s against my religion (as of today).

Will you be picking this one up?

I’m still unsure about whether or not to go for Chanel’s Holiday/Christmas lipstick in Magnolia…. it’s a lovely medium pink but I think it might just be a little too shimmery… frosty-looking even.

Either way, I couldn’t be more in love with the Chanel Tentation Cuivree palette that I picked up last week.

I’ll do a proper post with close up and swatches but here’s a very quick FOTD to be getting on with.

Face:

Prori Coffeeberry Perfecting Foundation #1
Eve Pearl Blush Trio – Sweet Cheeks

Eyes:

Les 4 Ombres Chanel Tentation Cuivree Palette (2 darkest shades)
Boots No7 Exceptional Definition Mascara
Illamasqua Eye Brow Cake in Gaze

Lips:

L’oreal Color Riche Serum Lipstick in Beamy Plum

As usual I’m doing my ‘use the least amount of products I can get away with’ trick.  Only out of necessity rather than choice.  I’m also currently trialling Priori Coffeeberry Perfecting Mineral Foundation which I’ll be reviewing as soon as I can get a well lit before/after shot.

Have a great Tuesday beauty addicts x

When I was making a birthday purchase for a dear friend, I couldn’t resist keeping the GWP for myself.  I know that’s naughty… but don’t act like you wouldn’t.  You wouldn’t?  Ok… now you’ve made me feel *really* bad.

Dolce & Gabbana Rose The One has been a hit on counters since it was launched last year.  It’s a very soft, feminine floral that updates the traditional rose scent and reintroduces it to a younger generation.

Of course, as with most fragrance successes comes the spin offs… the body lotions, shower gels and in this case… the body shimmer powder.

I received a ‘mini’ 6g size free with my fragrance order and have been thoroughly loving it.

As an objet d’art, it’s a really pretty thing to have sat on my dressing table.

As soon as you remove the lid you become aware of the delicate scent of roses and grapefruit.  It smells like a really clean floral… immensely feminine and quite suited as a body product.

The shimmer that this product imparts is beautiful.  Delicate, rose coloured with gold accents… it’s shimmer for grown ups.  I tap a little into the lid and use my powder brush to dust along my collarbone.  I’ve tried to catch how it looks in the photo below but not sure I’ve done it much justice.

I would definitely repurchase this in a larger size if/when I run out.  The scent it leaves on my skin is just the right amount and I would imagine that when layered with the complimenting EDP is a force to be reckoned with.

Don’t you just love a good GWP?

D&G Rose The One Shimmer Powder (in the huge 26g size) is available to buy online from John Lewis, priced at £34.

Described as a 3D Brightening Pink Face Powder, I’m wondering if this is the Benefit blush we’ve all been waiting for?

Bella Bamba is described as the triple dimension of pink!

[stextbox id=”alert” bcolor=”b0c4de” bgcolor=”e6e6fa”]Laced with shimmering gold undertones, this 3D watermelon blush is multi-dimensional to the naked eye… wear it on your cheeks or dust it lightly all over your face to look brighter, perkier, prettier![/stextbox]

I’m always excited to see a new Benefit face powder and this is no exception.  It’s set to retail at £23.50 and is due out in February 2011.

Will you be heading to your local counter to give this one a spin?

An exquisite gift for someone special, this Lip Polish trio (£42) from Arbonne combines three easy to wear lip polishes housed in a classy silver pouch.

I’ve talked about these Arbonne Lip Polishes before and I suggest you read the review to familiarise yourself with what it is that makes these so special.  For me, they’re the perfect lip gloss/lipstick hybrid that packs a punch of pigment without that heavy lip gloss feeling.

The three full size glosses included are: Raisin, Nude & Brown Sugar.

Raisin is a sparkle infused wine shade that can be worn full-on for a vampy, glossy finish or blotted down to leave behind a long lasting stain that still manages to look slightly glossy.

Nude is the perfect accompaniment to a true smoky eye.  With no sparkle and a slightly satiny finish… this lip polish cancels out my lip colour and ensures that it’s all about the peepers!

Brown Sugar is a wearable nude for daytime.  This is a warmer toned nude that should suit most skintones and makes for a real work-safe easy to wear colour.

I’ve tried a few things from Arbonne now but it’s these Lip Polishes in particular that have stood out to me as something of considerable quality.

Infact, I’d happily put these in my top 5 product discoveries of the year.  Which is why although expensive at £42 for the trio… for once, I’d not balk at paying this knowing that I’m paying for actual quality formulations and not just a brand name.

To view this gift set in closer detail and find your local Arbonne consultant, click here.

This post is for the lovely Ann who requested a swatch of my new Chanel Ombre D’eau in #757 Splash when I picked it up.

As of yesterday, I own four Ombre D’eau.  I’m sure I’m missing one… I felt quite cheated when I opened my cream eyeshadow drawer and pulled out only four.   I hope the hoover hasn’t eaten it.

Anyway, this is my small (but perfectly formed) collection of Chanel Ombre D’eau Liquid Eyeshadows.  Incase you’re wondering just why in the hell I would have a ‘cream eyeshadow drawer’ the answer is simple: they’re quick to apply and I want to be able to find them quickly when I’m in a rush.

Eminently sensible I reckon…

…I can see Mr. L loitering in the outer periphery of my vision raising an eyebrow at me.  He’s also sobbing.  And holding a piece of paper… some kind of bill.  Ah.  Credit Card.  Whatevs.

Where was I?  Oh yeah…

Now… depending on your take on neutrals… you’re either going “ooooOOOoooOOOoooOOOh” or you’ve already left this page for the next blog on your work-skiving agenda.

See, most of my creams/liquids ARE fairly neutral… we’re linking back to that whole quick to apply thing innit?  I’m not gonna get something that takes a matter of seconds to slick on my eyes for that alive polished look and then get it in some funky colour that’s gonna take me 30minutes to decide which lipstick won’t clash.  There is method in my madness.

Swatches?

My least favourite is #20 Fountain, it reminds me of a big poofy satin pink wet-look prom dress.  If you’re over the age of 14 you’re not allowed to buy it because everytime I blink, I’m reminded of what my eyelids are gonna look like in 30 years time.  In matte shadows.  Do you get my drift?

My newest acquisition there on the end (right hand side) is #757 Splash which hails from the newly released Chanel Christmas/Holiday Collection… it’s beautiful and you must get it.  Sell your grandmother and the rest of your makeup to fund it.

And you’ll probably have to… ‘cos these are stupidly expensive.  Well, not “stupidly”…. because as the owner of four of the blighters that would make me very speshul indeed and I’m not admitting to that.

£21.50

That’s heaps overpriced isn’t it?  I think so…

They do last a long time… but then, so does a bloody normal eyeshadow…

Ah get it, don’t get it… what do I care?