A couple of slightly different looks for me

Ok so I am a creative person and and i'm not afraid of colours but there are certain looks and styles that stray out of my comfort zone. There are few things I avoid because I know they look wrong for me things like tanned skin and liner on the water line. Now there are ladies out there who rock this look effortlessly every day and look like wonderful godesses but on me it just doesn't feel right.

Lets explore shall we.

What started this was a little sample bag from MaxFactor (I think they were given away at christmas) The foundation samples are always in medium or nude which is about 2 shades to dark for me but I was interested to see if the formula for lasting finish was the same as this is what I used all through school and uni and loved it.

Products used

Max Factor lasting finish in 106 natural beige all over the face and jaw line

The I contoured like crazy through the cheekbones, jawline, temples and nose with Illamasqua in hollow (I can't begin to tell you how much I love this product) and then highlighted with a Tokidoki.

I then lined the waterline with a black Maxfactor Khol which I hate doing as it never stays put and I end up with little black globs in the corners of my eyes and them looking red and watery.

Shaded in my brows with my normal Natural collection shadow and put on a coat of Collection 2000 Big Fake.

The gloss was also in the give away bag and it is Vibrant Curve Effect in Majeste, which smells really strongly of Melon but is quite nice not sticky and quite long lasting.

Next up we have a bright lipstick, and I mean really bright which is a long long way from my classic red. I am not one to shy away from a bold lip but this is very different for me so here in all it's glory is Mac Candy Yum Yum and I LOVE it!

Please excuse the goofy face and nerdy specs

Red Lipstick Series - Illamasqua Sangers

Today I'm bringing you a real treat, this is the red lipstick to end all red lipsticks. I have heard that Illamasquas Box lipstick is amazing but report of it being very drying means I just never got round to getting it. When I saw the images for this one (it's part of the valentines collection) I just knew it had to be mine.

On to the review

Colour (5/5)

Sangers is billed as being blood red and it lives up to it, it's gorgeous it can look dark and vampy or vibrant and punchy depending on what light you are in. It is really multi-tonal and I really think this would suit any skin tone. This is so pigmented which means with a quick slick and mushing your lips together you would have full coverage in the blink of an eye.

Application (4/5)

This was quite draggy on the lips when I applied it straight from the bullet but this meant it stayed exactly where you put it. I also allows you to build up just the right amount of product without overloading the lips. Not a matte and not a gloss means it is a very low maintenance application and the square tube give you nice control.

Ronseal Factor (-/5)

For the first time I am not quite sure how to score this. The website sells the product on how it should make you feel emotionally and not the benefits of the formula. It is an interesting concept but nothing you can really test with a pass or fail as it will be individual to the person wearing it. I am giving this one a pass and the score will reflect.

Wear (5/5)

I wore this from 8 this morning until 7 tonight and I touched it up once. The touch up was more for me than the actual fact it needed it. I can't even say it was a stain cause it wipes clean off with a makeup wipe it is just intensely pigmented and stays put, I ate, drank and talked loads and it remained perfect. Best wearing lipstick ever!

Price (4/5)

I have scored this high because I don't think £15.50 for a premium brand is a lot of money compared to the price of some of my recent reviews this wins hands down on the value for money. This is just over what I would consider to be drugstore prices and the quality is impeccable. I might invest in some more of their lipsticks, you will have to let me know which ones you like readers ;)

Packaging (4/5)

This really appeals to me I love the chic lines of the Illamasqua packaging they classic black with the branding is classy and the square shape literally gives it an edge. I love square packaging as you can set it down without it rolling away! Plastic but feels really sturdy.

How it left the lips (5/5)

After reading about box I expected this to be really really drying and I was pleasantly surprised. It does have the texture of a matte but not the feel. It feels strange on your aware you are wearing it but it is neither drying nor moisturising. It wipes away really cleanly which is a massive plus in my book and left my lips feeling fine.

Overall 27 out of 30 is very impressive and I have to say I love the product, Illamasqua is be a brand I will definitely be returning to.

Red Lipstick Series - Barry M Lip Lacquer Crayon No1

Hullo sorry about the lack of updates but it has been way too hot to even think about make-up and I have been having a little bit of down time. I have another nail roundup to post later today but for now lets crack on with another from my ever expanding red lipstick collection.

Today I'm bringing you Barry M and this is one of their fairly new Lip Lacquer Crayons in N01.

Colour (2/5)

No1 is not very descriptive now is it, I would say it is a very shimmery cherry red with some of the shimmer being gold. It sounds lovely and the shimmer puts it in the same family as the Chanel it just really lacks punch. I mean it's fine but it is just neither here nor there.

Application (2.5/5)

The crayon like stick means you can sharpen this up to a nice point so you wouldn't have to use a liner and you can be fairly precise it is quite melty though (it is a very hot day perhaps best kept in the fridge) so can get a little messy and gunky, no ned for a lip brush though you may want to use one to make sure it gets into all the little wrinkles on the lips because it is very thick.

Ronseal Factor (3/5)

These intense glossy crayons glide on to lips to give a high shine lacquered finish. The smooth and silky application provides maximum comfort while the bright and bold colours give a glamorous finish.

They are crayons, they actually do glide on fairly well no dragging although they are more shimmery than shiny if that makes sense. The colours are not bold though well not the one I tried and they are definitely not silky they are actually quite sticky.

Wear (4/5)

Because this is so thick and sticky it really does stay put for a very very long time, I don't find the sensation of it on my lips very pleasant infact I find it a little suffocating.

Price (3/5)

So this is £4.95 which is reasonable for a drug store brand. I want to say it's cheap but really I think it comes in at about right for the quality and these are nearly always on an offer of some kind so you will pick it up cheaper than RRP.

Packaging (2/5)

Pencils for some products are always going to loose point with me, lipsticks are not really suitable because you need to sharpen then to get a decent application but in doing that you lose a fair amount of product. Some things lend themselves really well to the fat crayon format like the benefit products but this just doesn't work as well as it should. Having said that though it is a very pretty crayon with nice design and detailing.

How it left the lips (1/5)

This left my lips in a bad way, it is very very drying and on me it tends to form into what can only be described as scales. It is also quite difficult to remove and extremely sticky.

Overall 17.5 out of 35, oh dear out lowest score so far. I really do love Barry M products their dazzle dust and nail polishes rock but this just doesn't do it for me.

Red lipstick Series - Chanel Rouge Allure Laque in 72 Coromandel

Hello everyone, it's hot, so very very hot! I have literally lazed around all day huffing and sweating so tonight I thought I would bring you something a little bit special in the red lippy series. Chanel Rouge Allure Laque in 72 Coromandel. I would never have purchased this normally but more on that later.

Colour (4.5/5)

An orange/gold tone fire red and I love it. It is too intense to be anywhere near a coral shade most definitely red though not orange and the shine is just amazing! Also for something so orange toned it actually makes my teeth look pretty white which is odd I always thought it was meant to be the other way around.

Application (5/5)

This straddles the gap between gloss and lipstick I like to think of it as a liquid lipstick because it is so heavily pigmented there is no way it could ever be a gloss. What makes it gloss like is the fact you apply it with a little fuzzy doe foot applicator which makes application so precise there is no way you can mess up. No brush work required with this it just glides on ad normally I don't even bother to line my lips before this one you just don't need to. You get a very intense coverage straight away and it is so handy for touch ups on the move.

Ronseal factor (4.5/5)

Discover the pure indulgence of liquid lip lacquer, a colour innovation that could only come from CHANEL. Intensely rich colour and shine last for hours -- and the temptingly creamy formula conditions as it hydrates lips. All this, with full coverage, in eight stunning shades.

Intensely rich colour and shine - yes. Lasts for hours - yes. Creamy formula - yes. Conditions and hydrates lips - meh, you see this is where it looses half a point for me after a day of wear with this my lips are a bit dry but more on that later. Full coverage - yes.

Wear (5/5)

This really does go all day and I think this is why it is drying my lips because I am just not re applying it enough. You don't need to it goes on glossy and a little wet/slippy then it kinda sets and just stays there your lips feel great and the colour always looks fresh.

Price (2.5/5)

I've gone right down the middle with the score on this one and here's why. It's £23, yes you heard me right £23 that's so excessive that I could never bring myself to ever ever spend that on a lip product. This one I picked up on a random sale self in Boots and paid £10 for it which in my books is still pretty high up there. What can I say though it's a luxe product with a luxe price tag and if you can afford that kind of thing it is more than worth it.

Packaging (4/5)

Beautiful, sleek, black, classic and everything you would expect from Chanel. I love pulling this out of my handbag as it is a really classy product the only fault I have with it is that it gets a little messy. the opening on the actual tube could be a little tighter as you get too much product on the applicator and you can't scrape it back into the tube it just goes everywhere. Nothing a bit of tissue wouldn't sort out but at £23 a pop I hate to be wasting product.

How it left the lips (3/5)

It comes off pretty easily with no skin staining and only left the lips a little dry.

Overall 28.5 out of 35 - kinda figures really if anyone is going to do an awesome red lippy it's going to be Chanel. If you can afford to pick one of these up then do they do 8 shades and I would love to test some of the others to see if they are just as good.

Red lipstick Series - Natural Collection Moisture Shine Cherry Red

Tonights red lippy is one from Boots namely their Natural Collection. It is one of their Moisture Shine lipsticks in Cherry Red

Colour (4/5)

This is a Cherry Red in the truest sense. Its punchy and pinky toned and like the Revlon very easy to wear. This one never fails to make me think of Katy Perry it is quite cheeky and kooky and I always feel happy wearing it.

Application (4/5)

Due to the shape of the actual lipstick this is very very easy to apply precisely so there is minimal brush work required. It really melts on to the lips giving a full coverage very quickly without feeling like you are wearing a lot of product.

Ronseal Factor (4/5)

"high shine lipstick that gently moisturises the lips."

The only reason this loses a point is that it is not as shiny as it could be but yes it moisturises and feels great on.

Wear (3/5)

Even though this doesn't last as long as I would like it still scores quite highly because it fades really nicely and reapplied well.

Price (5/5)

This costs £1.95..... yes you heard me £1.95!!!

Packaging (1/5)

Ultra cheap plastic tube, no frills here but did I mention it was £1.95. The only thing is it is white but I can't decide if that is quite a nice change from the norm or just makes it look cheaper.

How it left the lips (4/5)

this really does moisturise I wouldn't go as far as to say it would be as good as a lip balm but it certainly doesn't leave them any worse. It also removes really easily and doesn't leave you with that smacked in the kisser look.

Overall 25/35 who'd a thunk it for a £1.95 but I really really love this so Boots please put this in some pretty packaging and i'll pay a fiver for it

Red lipstick Series - Revlon Matte 006 Really Red

Next in my series on red lips is the Revlon Matte in 006 Really Red.

Colour (3/5)

Despite this being called "Really Red" it does have a subtle hint of orange to it. To me it is a very vintage colour and the matte finish lends to that. It is a very easy colour to wear and is far less vampy for the summer months more of a pin up red I would say that would suit most skin tones.

Application (2/5)

It's matte so it is always going to be more of a challenge to apply. It applies quite nicely from the tube though with minimal brush work needed for the edges but it is very draggy and needed a lot of lip smooshing action for it to feel even. It does feel soft on the lips though quite feathery and light and not heavy like you might expect.

Ronseal Factor (2.5/5)

"Revlon Matte Lipstick gives suede -like application and maximum colour with on trend shades, that glide effortlessly accross lips depositing rich, beautiful, matte colour."

Suede-like well yes I will give them that and the colour pay off is quite good although I would say it is more soft that rich, think rose petals. It is not as bad as some matte lipsticks I have tried but it does not "glide effortlessly.

Wear (4/5)

This is a beauty stays put for ages and hardly needs touching up.

Price (3/5)

£7.29 is the RRP which is quite pricey for a drugstore brand even if it is Revlon, I would say it is worth about £6 no more than that.

Packaging (3/5)

Bog standard black tube with a slightly metally feel to the plastic which I do like and I like the little window in the top so you can see the colour is a cute touch. What I would also say about this packaging is that it deflects heat quite well so the lipstick doesn't get squishy after you have carried it around in your pocket for a bit.

How it left the lips. (2/5)

Dry, dry and more dry. I guess it is the matte that robs your lips of all their moisture which I quite sad.

Overall 19.5 out of 35 - I expected this to score higher as I do really love this lipstick and wear it often.

Red Lipstick Series - Collection 2000, Volume Sensation, 3 Ruby Red

It has come to my attention that I have a fair few "red" lipsticks so I figured I would start a little series to let you see all the different ones I have, how they differ and which are my favourites. I am going to rate them (out of 5) on a few different categories. Colour, Application, Ronseal Factor, Wear, Price, Packaging How does it leave the Lips. In the interest of fairness my lips will be lined each time with Stila lip stain in smooch and the colour applied from the tube and evened with a brush.

First up - Collection 2000 Volume Sensation - 3 Ruby Red

Colour (5/5)

Great colour as it say a very true Ruby Red perhaps looks a smidge darker in the tube than it does on the lips but that isn't a bad thing it's a glossy finish and it does seem to pick up on the yellow tones in the skin so I wouldn't be recommending it if you tend to be on the sallow side but still probably one of the truest reds I have used.

Application. (3/5)

Glides on nice and easily with no dragging although the shape isn't the best for precise application and there is no way I would attempt this one without a liner and brush, it does show up every little flaw on the lips so make sure you exfoliate well before application.

Ronseal Factor (does it do what it says on the tin) (4/5)

"We love it because it contains up to 40% volumising ingrediants!"

ok despite the fact they can't spell look at my lips, if you have seen my blog you know I have quite small thin lips so any help I can get is appreciated. It does have that tell tale tingle but it also feels great I couldn't stop smacking my lips and pouting mwah!

Wear (2/5)

Doesn't last very long this one you do need to keep re-applying but then maybe I just smack my lips too much when I am wearing this one.

Price (5/5)

£2.99 - well what more can you say, Bargin! Great value for money and boots/superdrug/collection 2000 are always giving away freebies with this brand or offering 3 for 2s.

Packaging (2.5/5)

Inconspicuous black tube with pink swirl on the top, nice satisfying click to the lid. Again, quality for the money spent I have bought some very pricey products with worse packaging than this.

How it left the lips (3/5)

Not too bad really, comes off quite nicely with no staining when removed with makeup remover and the lips still feel quite nice and soft.

Overall 24.5 out of 35 - not a bad bench mark. Another one coming up tomorrow.

Brand Alley Haul

I have had my eye on Brand Alley for a while now and last month they finally had a couple of brands I was interested in, of course OPI is a given but I was also tempted to try Stilla as I have good things about it. So without further ado here is the haul.

1 x Indulgent pamper set

which included

Avoplex high intensity hand and nail cream

Avoplex cuticle oil to go

Original nail envy

Play 'Til Midnight polish

Glamour Game polish

A Ruby For Rudolph polish

Nifty little bag to put it all in

1 x playful pair set

polish and lipstick in Little Red Wagon

1 x Love - ly polishes collection

I Pink I Love You

Love Will Blossom

Heart To Resist

And from Stilla I got their Angel light powder foundation in shade A and Stills lip rouge liquid lip stain in Smooch.

Here is what I have tried so far of course I couldn't resist the playful pair

Killer red lips, this is the smooch lip stain used as a liner and then the little red wagon lipstick. The Stilla is fab and I have used it nearly everyday and the OPI is very nice. The colour is very intense and glossy and the two together made my lips look fuller than the ever have check out my lips here for a comparison. The only think I found is that it wasn't very long lasting and I am very lazy at reapplying so that was a pain.

OPI - nuff said very vampy dark red love it.

Lonely haul

Ok so I really shouldn't be left on my own, the hubby is away on business and I hate it when he is gone so to ease the pain I popped into boots/superdrug for a little retail therapy to take my mind off things. I haven't bought in ages due to trying to do the 10 pan project ( I am actually getting on really well with some of the products ) but I just couldn't help myself.

Heres what I got

The new Bourjois 1001 lashes in black quartz (nearly finished my doll eyes)

Revlon 3 for 2 at boots Creme illuminance eyeshadow in 01 wild orchid, super lustrous lipgloss in lilac pastelle and firecracker.

From super drug some of their mini eyeshadow powders.

1001 Lashes

naked eye - my lashes aren't too bad on their own

With 1001 lashes, I love this the brush really grabs the lashes and coats them individually. It isn't very thickening but it does lengthen nicely and I love the natural looking finish.

Mini bourjois swatches

really hard to capture with the camera as they are quite sparkly. Top to bottom it's 15, 11 and 12.

Revlon lip glosses

Lilac Pastelle

Firecracker

Eyeko

look what the lovely people over at Eyeko just sent me. I have been a big fan of their products for a long time as they mix my two favourite things Kawaii and Cosmetics. I signed up to be one of their ambassadors and they sent me this cute gift in the post today.

I will review it for you all tomorrow ( ^o^ )