A Makeup & Beauty Blog – Lipglossiping

I was pretty darn thrilled when one of my long-time readers offered up her services for a guest post.  You see, Lisa Wordbird has a bit of a way with… um, well… words and I remembering thoroughly enjoying her thoughts on that Brad Pitt/Chanel advert and clever musings on how brands should embrace their more “human” qualities.

Anyway, Lisa offered to team up with her friend Samantha from IScentYouADay.com, and together, they have delivered a brilliant conversational rally (in the wonderful FaceGoop style) on the marmite fragrance that is: Thierry Mugler’s Angel.

Take it away ladies…

Hello IScentYouADay, it’s Wordbird here.  How nice is it that Lipglossiping is prepared to give us a guest slot on her blog?  I bet she’s busy with that gorgeous baby of hers.  So let’s sneak in quietly so we don’t wake him up.

WB: I have been thinking about perfume and Thierry Mugler.  You know how all his perfumes are MAHOOSIVE?  Do you think that’s anything to do with his bodybuilding?  Do you think that his perfumes are swollen as if they were on steroids?  It might explain a lot.  Especially about Angel.

ISYAD: Angel is not only on steroids but it wears Brut for Men and covers itself in chocolate in the hope of landing a date.  If it was a man it would have a very hairy chest and a medallion.  It even has power over yours truly, because I am strangely fascinated by it.  Can I tell you a secret?  We’re quite safe here on the Internet, right?  Here goes then: sometimes I sit at home in the evening and wear Angel and sniff and sniff and sniff.  It’s like my nemesis but it keeps my attention like that snake off the Jungle Book.

WB: Well that’s quite an admission, but we’re all friends here.  I get absolutely the same thing from Angel: Chocolate Brut.  (Actually, I wonder what the Angel Man perfume A*Men smells like? Double Chocolate Brut?)  It is too scary for me even to approach, so – coward that I am – I spray it on my adorable 9 year old daughter and on her it smells divine.  There are theories about why this happens.  Apparently the moistness of your skin is important.  I’m all dried up and bitter, I mean flaky (actually that’s not much better, is it?) while my darling daughter is practically perfect in every way, so that might explain something.  Since you have a secret Angel habit, try moisturising one arm and see if it makes a difference.

ISYAD: Oh yes I remember how your girl got caught in the crossfire of one of our perfume testathons, not that she minded: having you as a Mum she sees this as normal.  Can I just say that she is the luckiest nine year old I know thanks to her access to the kind of perfume collection that would make a grown woman work out when you are away and break into your bedroom?  Just add your holidays to my Google Calendar and I will um… make sure nobody does that.

Back to Angel – I could try moisturising my skin before wearing scent and in fact I do this on my neck and chest as it gets the biggest blast of scent and sun throughout the year, but my arms?  I usually forget.  Incidentally, my sister in law, who I am always giving samples to, came over the other day smelling lovely. I asked her what it was, not recognising it at all.  It was a warm floral with a hint of the Oriental. I was amazed to hear it was Angel.  She had really taken a shine to it and I didn’t even recognise it on her. Go figure.

Thank you so much ladies, I do hope you’ll do some more fragrant musings for us in the future?!  And for the record, I’m also far too parched and barren to have any love for Thierry Mugler Angel.  Indeed, it’s the only fragrance I’ve ever found that has the magical ability to involuntarily turn my lips inside out in an expression of utter distaste.  Shudder.

How about you?  Do you take delight in the marmite love-it-or-hate-it fragrance that is, Angel?

I was sent a new finishing powder from Urban Decay recently but the shade wasn’t suitable for me to trial.  I gave a shout-out on Twitter looking for a darker-skinned blogger to help me out and Annie from www.epiphanniea.co.uk came to my rescue… take it away Annie…

I think the Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder gets an award for the longest product name in 2014. Was the plan to turn this new finishing powder from Urban Decay into some sort of beauty blogger tongue-twister because I certainly believe they achieved that.

Urban Decay Naked Skin Loose Finishing Powder in Dark – henceforth known as UDNSKUDLFP for short – is a warm-toned, lightweight, mineral finishing powder designed to set your foundation flawlessly and drastically cut down on the amount of shine on your T-zone.  I’ve been asked by Charlotte to review this new offering from Urban Decay and to see whether it actually delivers a luminous and virtually undetectable finish on skin . . . or if it’s all just a marketing spiel.

Before I even get round to reviewing this powder, I just want to step back and thank Urban Decay for releasing a range of Naked Skin powders where the darkest shade is actually quite Dark. More often than not, most products labeled as dark as just one step above beige so the fact that Naked Skin Loose Powder in Dark is ACTUALLY designed to work well with medium to very dark skin shades is a blessing in disguise. Taking a light dusting on my powder brush and gently tapping the powder onto my face; targeting my T-zone area and my top lip.

As promised, the Naked Skin Powder does set makeup and leaves a super lightweight, “invisible finish” to your skin – so if you are looking for a powder with some coverage this isn’t for you – As it has a light-reflecting formula you gain a very subtle, luminous glow to your face but I honestly have to step in and object where it claims to airbrush away imperfections, leaving your skin with a soft focus effect. I’m not exactly sure where Urban Decay is going with this claim as all powders tend to give skin a matte, almost flawless canvas but I will admit that this powder doesn’t look chalky or settle in the fine lines around my eyes and last for about 6-7 hours before fading away completely.

While I do think this loose finishing powder is very creamy, subtle and lightweight, I’m not a complete fan as I don’t find it very buildable.

The Urban Decay Naked Skin Loose Finishing Powder is priced at £22.00 and comes in five shades; Light to Dark. It’s available to purchase from your nearest Urban Decay counter or online at Beauty Bay, Look Fantastic & House Of Fraser.

* press sample

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Kirsty has been one of my favourite people to follow on twitter for a while and I’m delighted that she’s finally started her own beauty blog.  I don’t know a huge amount about her but she’s got a wonderfully potty mouth, has spermy eyebrows and gets regularly impregnated on the Jubilee line (her words, honest).  Check out her newest baby at www.blushnsuch.com.  Today, she’s sharing her wisdom on how to combat oily skin.

How to beat The Oilies

Oil. I put it on my cuticles, I have no qualms with heating it until it spits and crackles and makes my chips taste delicious and I always slather my hair in it before bedtime to keep it as glossy as can be. It has its uses, definitely, and I love it when it’s anywhere but my face. ANYWHERE but the face.

For as long as I can remember I’ve had a shiny t-zone which is as irritating as it is persistent. I get all the lovely spots and enormous pores which come with having combination skin and a bit of dehydration thrown in for good measure (there is no God) – all of which serve to create a seriously fussy canvas for make-up application.

Luckily, I’ve uncovered a few things which help to balance my skin over the past few years. The products that I’ve listed below are all absolute essentials in my eyes and I wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone who has ever applied a full face of make-up in the morning only to have it sliding all over your mush like a well-oiled tubby kid on a water park slide by the time you get to work. Enjoy.

1. Bioderma Sébium Pore Refiner

I only received this in the post a week ago and it’s already one of the products I love the most. It’s a milky-coloured gel which I use as a primer to mattify my skin and also smooth over pores. You know how your make-up can look kind of melted on warmer days (or just any old day if you’re as oily as I am)? Well, this stops it. I only need to powder twice in a 12-hour period when I use this stuff, which is nothing short of a miracle. And Lisa Eldridge uses it in her professional kit too. Double joy.

2. NARS Sheer Matte Foundation

Again, a fairly recent purchase. Again, I can’t imagine myself without it. It looks awful when applied with a brush and just as bad when a BeautyBlender is used, in my opinion. To get the best out of this you’re going to have to get right on in there with your hands. I apply it bit-by-bit, starting on my nose, by slowly massaging it into my skin and blending it outwards until it turns to nothing.

This is the only foundation I own that allows me to skip powder and it keeps me matte for around six hours. Don’t let the word ‘sheer’ fool you into thinking this is a wimpy light coverage foundation, by the way. This is a solid medium coverage product that doesn’t whine when you try to build it up. If you’re on a budget, the best alternative to this is Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation.

3. Ben Nye Banana Powder

This powder is an absolute bargain. I paid £5 for 42g of product which is only just halfway gone after eight months of daily use *swoons*. It comes in several different shades but my MAC NC20/ Bobbi Brown Sand-toned skin likes the Banana powder best. It’s yellow-toned, finely-milled and, most importantly, it’s not going anywhere.

The packaging is a bit finickity and impractical (I pour some out into a Muji pot, then use it) but the value and quality of the product really speaks for itself. I have powders worth four times the amount that succumb to The Oilies within the hour – this stuff keeps me going for at least five. Nuff said.

4. Clarins Lotus Oil

I know what you’re thinking. Oil. The very thing you’re trying to keep away from your mush, and here I am pleading with you to put some right back onto it. But of all of the skincare I have purchased in my life, this has been the biggest game changer. After a thorough double cleanse every night, I mix some of this with whatever toner I’m using at the time and gently pat it onto my face. I wake up to plump, bright skin every time.

This product has really helped the dehydrated patches on my cheeks without upsetting my oily, clogged areas and it has definitely helped my skin to chill out on the oil production front. The dropper bottle also makes me feel a bit like a scientist, which is also somehow a massive bonus. Clarins, in their eternal wisdom, also sell Blue Orchid oil for dehydrated skin and Santal oil for dry/ extra dry skin, so no one need be left out. Excellent.

What are your favourite products to keep The Oilies at bay?

I’m delighted to introduce Abby from Un-observed to the blog.  Abby blogs about beauty, fashion, lifestyle, and decor and is guest-posting for me today about keeping a selection of oft-used products easily to hand.  Is this something you do?

I tend to keep my most used products in a basket on my dressing table. Some days I don’t want to trawl through my drawers to find something I use regularly.  The products I have on my dressing table often change though.  And I like to add things to it that I have forgot about, just so things don’t go un-loved.

Here are a few of my favourite products which I currently have on my dressing table.

First up is L’Oreal’s Color Appeal Eye Shadow in ‘Platinum Beige’.  I never used to sway from my Naked and MAC palettes, but saw this shade while going on a mad swatching session in Boots.  I love the shade on me and the texture Feels almost creamy.

I’m currently using a sample of Clinique’s High Impact mascara. I have been through a few tubes of it in the past and love how it gives my lashes a real full effect without being clumpy. The formula is wet, which allows it to grip onto the tiniest of lashes but dries pretty quickly. It doesn’t transfer under my eyes (which is a major plus for me) and it’s so easy to remove. I must get round to purchasing a full size again.

I am currently in love with Revlon’s fairly newly-released ‘Nearly naked’ foundation. I purchased it a few weeks ago and I still love it, if not more. I would say my skin is fairly clear. Nothing a good concealer can’t cover up, so I don’t like to use a heavy foundation. This one is perfect and with a little powder stays on throughout he day. I like how it feels like I don’t have foundation on at all, as it is so light and blends in so easily. It’s definitely a natural finish and I tend to use my fingers to apply it.

I purchased a magazine the other week which came with a free sample of Elemis’ ‘Softly Softly’ Daily moisturiser. My usual moisturiser is Oilatum’s daily repair and whenever I try another one out, I usually end up hating it. The Elemis moisturiser has such a different formulae than what I’m used to. As I have dry skin I usually look for a thick moisturiser, but this one is quite the opposite. It’s very light and smells strongly of Tea tree oil. I don’t like the scent, but luckily it doesn’t linger for long. It sits perfectly under my foundation, and I have noticed a massive improvement with my skin already.

I like how I have a mix of new products I am trying, samples and old favourites. I find this the easiest way to not forget about a product, as well as trying something new.

Does any one else store a selection of products away from their collection?

A big welcome to Anna from It’s A Bloggers World who is guest-posting on Lipglossiping today.  Anna is an Italian, living in Manchester.  Today, she is talking about a rather unusual-looking makeup brush and I’m sure I can feel the stirrings of a new desire already!

I am sure that every one of you, as makeup-addicts have faced, at least once, THAT question: “Are you a foundation brush or a sponge person?”

Dilemma.

I have been through all the different stages: fingers, flat brush, stippling brush, latex sponges (in every shape created), wet or dry, everything!

Then I realized it was more a matter of what effect I wanted to achieve from my foundation than finding the perfect tool; most of the time, I’ll use a stippling brush if I want to go for medium, natural coverage or I’ll choose a flat brush with the addition of a sponge if I need a full coverage “hide-those-spots-please” finish!

This is why I couldn’t help myself from buying this little jewel.  Enter the Sonia Kashuk Complexion Perfector Brush.

I had the opportunity to purchase this last summer while in Chicago as I casually found myself walking near a Target (don’t look at me like that, of course it was planned and of course I knew where the shop was before even landing in the USA!)

As you can see, it’s a dual-ended brush with an oval sponge on one side and a brush on the other.

The brush is synthetic and has a domed shape. It’s quite firm but no worries, it doesn’t scratch your skin at all, it just does the job of keeping a well-defined shape.  The sponge is oval-shaped and quite similar to the iconic sponge that Sonia Kashuk is famous for.  It can be removed to for washing, clever isn’t it?

I basically use both parts: I first apply foundation with the sponge and work it out all over my face.  Then, I use the brush for the sides of my nose, the under-eye area and any small details (see “detail” as that spot that decided to rise like a volcano on your chin without being invited).

As you can see on the instructions, it can be used the opposite way as well, using the brush first before blending all over with the sponge, but I find it easier for me to use the first way.

Sometimes, if I am lazy, I use the brush to apply my concealer as well and it works pretty good.

I didn’t have any problem when I washed it, no loose hairs or changes to the shape (doesn’t it get on your nerves when this happen? I go mad!)

It’s part of the “Kashuk tools” and costs about £15.50. Unfortunately my dear Sonia is not sold in the UK, so you have to count on ebay, an old friend that just moved to USA or that holiday that you really need…

Are you ready for a trip to the USA then?

Hi, this is Marina here from Makeup4all guest blogging today, and I would like to tell you about five makeup products that I enjoy using right now.

First of all, you need a good canvas to start with, so Rouge Bunny Rouge Tinted Moisturizer is my current choice. I have a dry skin type and it’s not that easy to find a foundation/BB Cream/Tinted Moisturizer/ you name it that doesn’t enhance any dry patches and looks natural on me. And this “foundation” does wonders! It gives a beautiful radiant finish which looks like a second skin. As it is a tinted moisturizer, you get a light coverage which is, luckily, enough for me. I use the shade Adansonia.

Blush is probably my favourite makeup product and I can never have too many. My current favourite is BECCA’s Creme Blush in Amaryllis. It gives a very natural looking flush, blends into the skin beautifully and stays on for the whole day. I just can’t get enough of it. I have recently hit the pan on this baby which, considering how many blushers I have, says a lot!

I love wearing red lipstick from time to time and my current favourite has to be Lancome’s L’Absolu Rouge 160 Rouge Hypnose (It was a part of the brand’s Autumn collection but you can still get it, from Feel Unique for e.g). It goes on smoothly, gives an opaque coverage with one layer and doesn’t dry the lips out. The colour is to die for, plus I am very fond of the design, so chic!

As for the eye products, I’ve been very impressed with New CID cream eye shadows, i-colour. I have a shade called Chocolate Opal and it is a cool chocolate tone with silver shimmer. Light mousse texture allows you to get a very thin layer (or you can build it up if you wish), which doesn’t crease, smudge or fade for hours.

The last thing that I have to mention is Anastasia’s Lash Genius. For me this is a must-have, I actually got a second tube already! It is basically a top coat which makes your mascara waterproof. I have sensitive eyes that often water and this product is my saviour! The bonus is that it’s not hard to remove, as some waterproof mascaras.

And what about your current top five makeup products?

Hi! I’m Anna and I write a blog called On the Dressing Table (found at www.onthedressingtable.blogspot.co.uk) which is primarily about all things beauty. I am so excited to be writing this post for one of my favourite blogs and I hope you will enjoy reading it. If you do, I’d love it if you’d come and say hi on Twitter @OTDTblog or head over to my blog and leave me a comment.

I met some fellow bloggers the other day at an event and one of them was kind enough to comment that I don’t look my age and asked what my secret was!

I wasn’t blessed with the skinny gene or the long legs gene but one thing I have been lucky with is my skin, I am often complemented on it and I have been lucky in that it’s always been pretty clear and I only get the odd blemish around that time of the month. A lot of this is down to genetics but I do think my passion for skincare has helped and as I approach 30 (despite a couple of very bad habits), I am relieved that my fine lines are at a minimum and my biggest skin complaints are a slightly oily t-zone and some redness along my jaw (also inherited as both of my brothers have the same).

So, for anyone who is interested, here are my top tips for improving and maintaining your skin.

Stay Hydrated

I try to drink 2 litres of water every day, not including any cups of tea or fruit juice. At first when you start doing this you can end up running to the toilet every 5 minutes but if you persevere this passes and you really notice the difference in how hydrated and plump your skin is. This is even more important if you like the odd glass of wine, cup of coffee or salt on your chips as they all have a diuretic effect which can leave you and your skin feeling dehydrated.

Cleanse, cleanse and cleanse again!

I can’t emphasise enough the importance of regularly cleansing your skin, especially if you wear make-up. We’ve all had those nights when you are so tired you want to just fall into bed and the thought of washing your face seems like too much effort. But trust me – if you clean your face morning and night and follow up with a good quality moisturiser you will start noticing a real difference after 3-4 weeks.

Invest in a High Quality Moisturiser

Elemis Pro Collagen Marine Cream is my number one skincare product and I will never be without it. It isn’t the cheapest moisturiser in the world but I think that you pay for quality, and when it comes to skincare I am happy to invest in products with those ingredients that will really make a difference long term. The Pro Collagen Marine Cream contains Padina pavonica – a clinically proven, collagen-boosting marine algae. If you’re interested to know the science behind it: it stimulates the synthesis of hydrophilic (water loving) molecules in the skin that retain moisture and therefore improve the texture and elasticity of the skin. I also love to use a hydrating mask regularly; my favourite is Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask which has a lovely fruity smell and really intensely hydrates my skin.

Exfoliate

As our skins cells are constantly renewing it doesn’t take long for dead skin cells to build up on the surface of the skin. This not only leaves the skin looking dull and lifeless but also prevents the products that we put onto the skin from penetrating down to the layers in which they work, so you might be using some great products and really not seeing the full benefits.
My favourite chemical exfoliant is Alpha H Liquid Gold which contains Glycolic acid to dissolve away dead skin cells, and my favourite manual exfoliant is the Bobbi Brown Buffing Grains which you can add in to your favourite cleanser to give it a rough texture which loosens and removes any dead skin cell as you massage your cleanser into the skin.

Rainbow Diet

A healthy diet really does make the difference to your skin. Whatever you put into your body shows on the outside. Now I’m not going to pretend that I don’t indulge in all those things that are bad for us (alcohol, processed foods etc.) but I try to make sure I always eat a variety of fresh (organic where possible) fruit and vegetables and have at least 5 a day. I love to make fruit smoothies for breakfast or fresh vegetable soup for lunch. The trick is to eat a variety of colours of food to ensure you are getting the range of different nutrients that you need.

Exercise & Rest

Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and as with other organs a good blood supply is essential in order for your skin cells to renew. You need to keep the blood pumping and regular exercise, especially if it’s outside in the fresh air, really does wonders for your skin and your general health and well-being. Rest is also really important as our skin cells renew while we are asleep so the more sleep we get the better our skin will look!

Sun Protection

It’s so easy to think that sun cream is only needed for that week abroad in the summer but the harmful UV rays are hitting your skin every time you are outside, even if it’s overcast. At the time you don’t notice the damage that exposure to these UV rays is doing but they are prematurely aging your skin so if you want to hold on to your youthful looks, in the words of Baz Lurhman, wear sunscreen every day! If you try and incorporate it into your skin care regime you will soon be doing it without even thinking about it. I would recommend investing in a product designed specifically for your face as those for the body can be too rich and result in break outs.

Thank you so much for reading and I hope you have managed to pick up a trick or two!

Hafsa Issa-Salwe is a 20-something International Business student from London.  She counts the feel of a good body lotion, the glitter of an eyeshadow and the smell of a Lush bath bomb as one of life’s little delights.  The following article is a guest submission, you can read more from Hafsa at Muslimah Beauty.

I have a tonne of make-up and even though I’m in possession of an unhealthy amount of it, it’s quite easy for me to get bored of it all so I love switching things up a little and experiment with what I already have than to buy something else.  Add a squirt of illuminator to your foundation and you’ll get a gorgeous slow, foundation plus blush equals cheek and lip tint, a dab of Vaseline to your bronzer and you’ve got a gel-like bronzer, mix an eye pigment with some water to create eyeliner and you can create a cream shadow with a hint of lotion.

Liquid Blush

Daniel Sandler was a genius when he created his infamous Watercolour Blush.  I’d never used a liquid blush before and I was quite sceptical to use one for fear of it just looking wrong once applied but, I was proven wrong and now I consider liquid blush and I the best of friends!

Powder blush can look too aging on a person, can highlight dry skin and is just downright boring at times whereas liquid and cream blushes make it seem like you’re glowing within and they’re the perfect texture for all you ladies with dry skin.

To mix up my own liquid blush I’ll squeeze a pea sized amount of moisturiser that’s not too thick and creamy as it’ll be quite hard to spread and blend otherwise. Once you’ve mixed the lotion and blush together, you’ve got yourself a very pigmented blush and it’ll set so it won’t budge for ages.

Gel Bronzer

When my beloved MAC Bronzing Powder crumbled to pieces on my holiday in Egypt, I was in the middle of Cairo without a clue of the nearest MAC so I just improvised and created myself a gel bronzer with the help of some Vaseline and the rest is history.

Depending on how dark you want to go, add less or more of the bronzer.  For general reference, it should always be two parts Vaseline to one part bronzer.  For added shimmer if your bronzer isn’t already shimmery, add a liquid illuminator like NARS’ Laguna and you’ll be glowing like you’ve spent two weeks in Barbados instead of grey old Britain!

Other ideas include:

~ Mixing together a little moisturiser, primer and foundation for a long lasting, matte/dewy (this’ll depend on the primer you’re using) for tinted moisturiser.

~ To get a great gel liner, Vaseline and black eyeshadow will do the trick.

~ Go crazy with spring’s colourful eyes trend and swirl together the brightest eyeshadow you have with the tiniest amount of water to make the shadows pop. I love this trick because it leaves the shadow super easy to blend, so this one is ideal for beginners.

~ For a nod to the S/S 2012 marine trend, mix gold glitter into loose silver eyeshadow and swoop across your lids for a gorgeous iridescent finish.

~ Lipbalms on top of lipsticks, and lipsticks on top of lipbalms! Or you could go arts and crafts by melting down a lip moisturiser with a little lipstick for your own homemade tinted lipbalm.

So girls, have fun with the contents of your cosmetics bag by playing with textures to get the most from your make up.

X

Hafsa from Muslimah Beauty

If you would like to submit a non-commercial post to be considered for inclusion on Lipglossiping.com, please email for more details.

Jen is from London and works in PR/Social Media.  She’s a bonafide beauty junkie with a self-confessed “mild” shopping problem!  The following article is a guest submission, you can read more from Jen at A Beauty Junkie in London.

Hello!  Jen from A beauty junkie in London here!  Whilst Charlotte is away on her holidays (not that I’m jealous at all) I’m doing a little guest post for you!

Here’s a little look at the new Khol & Contour Shadow and Light Pencils* from Bourjois.  These pencils each include a light and dark liner shade that compliment each other.  The light shade in each of the pencils has a metallic sheen to it whilst the darker one is matte.

Bourjois Khol & Contour Shadow and Light Pencils

Natural Light

With Flash

Shade wise, the dark shades are all consistently pigmented and feel creamy when used.  Of all of them, the navy blue is the weakest in colour pay off.  The paler shades on the other hard really vary, of course as they are the paler shades the colour pay off naturally contrasts with the darker ones… but when looked at alongside each other the ‘dragee’ shade (the one with the blue) is a bit lame.  So overall, the marine/dragee shade is my least favourite.

I also found that the texture of the lighter shade was a little crumbly, with the tip of the pencil breaking off of when I went to swatch them – because of this I’d definitely swatch them before first use as you don’t’ really want it going in your eye.

The two stand out colour pairings are the khaki and the champagne gold and the brown and the ‘caramel’ purely on the strength of the pigment and how the colour combinations are safe and neutral – but still slightly more unusual. If I was to choose one, I’d go with the khaki/champagne!

* press samples

If you would like to submit a non-commercial post to be considered for inclusion on Lipglossiping.com, please email for more details.

The lovely Lily from BeautysBadHabit is doing another stint with us today and showcasing Illamasqua’s latest collection: Theatre of the Nameless – take it away Lily!

Illamasqua have been at it again with their Autumn/ Winter collection, ‘Theatre of the Nameless’, being yet another which has had the blogosphere abuzz. Inspired by the dark, decadent creatures of ’20s Berlin who owned the night with illicit acts and wild looks, the ‘Theatre of the Nameless’ is an unapologetic nod towards Illamasqua’s original inspirations.

To my surprise, when Charlotte received a few ‘Theatre of the Nameless’ items to review, she sent them my way since such ‘odd’ shades are pretty everyday for me! Especially lipsticks, with Illamasqua ‘Disciple’ (inky navy blue) being a firm favourite.

‘Kontrol’ lipstick (£15.50) is a medium dark, blue toned purple with a twist of grey and extremely impressive pigmentation. One swipe and this baby is as opaque as they come. To me, ‘Kontrol’ is the perfect ‘night on the town’ colour if you’re a little…um…gothically inclined? Alternatively natured? Heck. If you’re up for wearing something more interesting or ‘edgy’ than primary red or hot pink – this is for you!

I love ‘Kontrol’ with a strong, opaque, sharp application, but it also looks lovely dabbed on and coated with a sheer gloss for a more forgiving finish. This lipstick will last as long as you do, I’ve gone entire days (and then well into the night) wearing this without it fading or smudging – very impressive indeed!

‘Kink’ polish (£13.50) is one of four from this collection, all of which have the same ‘rubber-look’, waxy finish. The new texture (for Illamasqua at least, I recognise the finish as satin/ semi-matte) is bound to be love it or hate it with all who try it. Personally, I’m a fan, though my opinion may have been swayed by the gorgeous, deep green colour! ‘Kink’ was extremely thin (managed to drip it down my jeans – oops), opaque in two coats, fast drying and lasted two days before any chips appeared – which, for me, is average. The best thing? It’s called ‘Kink’. ‘KINK’. Who doesn’t want to say they have a bottle of ‘Kink’?!

All in all, another fascinating and boundary pushing (green gloss – need I say more?) collection from Illamasqua, but by now – would we expect anything less?

This week, Lucy from Miss Lucy Loves is bringing us her guest review on the Doctor Brand Blemish Relief Kit which promises to be a simple, comprehensive regimen to help treat and prevent acne and breakouts, take it away Lucy!

This three step system aims to reduce the appearance of blemishes within two weeks.  Step 1 is a purifying cleanser, step 2: a pore-cleansing gel and step 3: an oil-free moisturiser.

For someone who suffers from huge, hormonal under-the-skin spots, my skin is actually quite dry.  I have a dry T-zone and normal cheeks with most of my painful blemishes clustering on my chin and around my mouth.  As a result of my dry skin, I usually use a heavy duty moisturiser such as Oilatum and have to say that after about a week I had to stop using step 3 of the Doctor Brand Blemish Relief Kit as the oil-free moisturiser just wasn’t cutting it on my dry areas.

The cleanser is a joy to use, it lathers nicely with a little water and leaves the face fresh and tingly.  The scent is similar to those Clearasil face pads I used to use as a teenager; clinical but reassuring.  Step 2, the pore-cleansing gel, is also great.  It stings slightly on any open blemishes which, again, I find reassuring as it feels like it is actually doing something.

I’ve been using the system now for nearly a month and am amazed at the results.  Yes, I still have blemishes but they are completely different in their nature.  I do still get huge under-the-skin lumps form, but they quickly disappear, never reaching the surface.  Instead of these huge ones, I tend to get smaller white heads which (naughty, I know) I just pop and then they vanish much more quickly.

I’ve now finished my tube of the cleanser and have already been out to buy a second tube.  I will also repurchase the cleansing gel but not the moisturiser.  The moisturiser would be great for someone with oily skin though.

Thanks for your submissions ladies!

I’ve had a read through and would be delighted if Lucy from MissLucyLoves would be the next guest reviewer for Lipglossiping.com – simply because I think that loads of us can totally relate to those under the skin blemishes that are plaguing her at the moment!

Thanks Lucy, could you please email me your details and I’ll pop the kit in the post to you this week.

Look out for Lucy’s review shortly!