Smashbox Be Legendary Triple Tone Lipstick in Sunset Ombre

Hi lovlies!

Ever wondered how beauty companies can make a lip lover (who has all the shades of lipstick you could imagine) buy more lipstick? This is how. Create 3 in 1 lipstick. Ombre lips. I mean, how can anybody resist lipstick this pretty?!

Smashbox Be Legendary Triple Tone Lipstick in Sunset Ombre

Although ombre lips isn't new thing I think Smashbox did a good job bringing back this trend. I like all the shades but loved Sunset Ombre the most.

Smashbox Be Legendary Triple Tone Lipstick in Sunset Ombre

I was a bit afraid that the application might be a bit frustrating as you need to turn the lipstick upside down to achieve ombre effect. However, I find it quite easy and I am pleased to repot that it works. The lipstick itself is quite moisturising despite being matte. Thumbs up.

Smashbox Be Legendary Triple Tone Lipstick in Sunset Ombre

Smashbox Be Legendary Triple Tone Lipstick in Sunset Ombre: swatch

In terms of lasting power it the ombre effect lasts for a couple of hours without drinking and eating, after that all colours just blend into one, which is bright blue pink (the type of pink that makes your teeth whiter).
So is it a keeper? Definitely! I want to buy more shades, can't wait to try the purple one! Love, A.x

MAC Boldly Bare Lip Pencil & MAC Lipstick in Velvet Teddy

Hello beauties!
Last weekend my & my hubby went to York Designer Outlet and I couldn't resist popping into The Cosmetics Company Store, obvs... ;-) So I went into the MAC section and found this little beaut set... (it was about £22) - a true bargain!
The lip pencil is as Mac describes it a "dirty, red brown". It is your regular, ordinary, hard working lip pencil. I love layering lip products at the moment as I haven't been having time to top up at work except for after dinner so my lips need to stay on and look good thought the day. And this lip pencil does the job.

MAC Boldly Bare Lip Pencil & MAC Lipstick in Velvet Teddy

MAC Boldly Bare Lip Pencil & MAC Lipstick in Velvet Teddy

MAC Boldly Bare Lip Pencil & MAC Lipstick in Velvet Teddy

The lipstick in Velvet Teddy is described as a "deep tone beige". It's a matte shade but it is definitely not drying. Again, paired up with the lip pencil it stays on for a few hours before needing a touch up. This combo is definitely my favourite Monday lips set, when you need to really focus at work, not worry about lipstick on your teeth (hello red!) and look like you mean business! Love!
A, x

MAC Boldly Bare Lip Pencil & MAC Lipstick in Velvet Teddy

MAC Boldly Bare Lip Pencil & MAC Lipstick in Velvet Teddy

Smashbox Be Legendary Power Pout Set

Lipstick set? Yes please! I saw it first online on Boots website and I knew it had to be mine! I am obsessed with lipsticks (as some of you may already know) so any opportunity to buy more than one - I am there! I knew they are good quality lipsticks, as always I looked as swatches online before I decided to purchase. 

Smashbox Be Legendary Power Pout Set: Audition, Famous, Stylist, Bing and Screen Queen.

The full size lipstick included in this set is called Audition (cream) and it's a lovely pinky nude - your perfect everyday nude, for sure. I know I will be using this one a lot. It's moisturising and feels nice on the lips. It's easy to apply no liner required however if you do want it to last a little bit longer I would definitely add one. 

Smashbox Be Legendary Power Pout Set: Audition, Famous, Stylist, Bing and Screen Queen.

Smashbox Be Legendary Power Pout Set: Audition, Famous, Stylist, Bing and Screen Queen.

Another cream lipstick in this set is Famous. Again, it's comfortable and moisturising however it's a little bit too peachy for my skin tone. But, I am sure it will look just as nice as Audition providing it will be paired with the right lip liner :)

The other three lipsticks are matte ones: Stylist, Bing and Screen Queen. Stylist is a gorgeous pinky coral shade, Bing is tomato red and Screen Queen is wine red. All intense and very pigmented colours. They stay on for ever and don't move. Happy happy happy :)

Love, A. x

Smashbox Be Legendary Power Pout Set: Audition, Famous, Stylist, Bing and Screen Queen.

Kiko sale purchases: Active Fluo lipstick & lipliner

Arthur Arbesser Active Fluo Neon Lip & Body Pencil and Neon Lipstick in Stronger Coral

I knew Kiko sale was on for a little while, however did not manage to order anything when it started online. I thought it is best to go in and swatch the products before buying anyway (I almost always search for swatches online, but sometimes they are hard to find for limited edition products). Unfortunately, the wasn't much choice in store - gutted!

What I did manage to pick was Arthur Arbesser Active Fluo Neon Lip & Body Pencil and Neon Lipstick in Stronger Coral. The lipstick did stand out for me from the rest - it is so bright!

What I am really impressed with is the lip liner! It stayed on till lunch time no problem (that's 5 hours since putting it on) - didn't budge or smudge at all (I've been drinking lots of water today - still no smudging!). It was really hard to remove from my lips after the food - I think it would have stayed on all day if it had to! 

Arthur Arbesser Active Fluo Neon Lip & Body Pencil and Neon Lipstick in Stronger Coral

Arthur Arbesser Active Fluo Neon Lip & Body Pencil and Neon Lipstick in Stronger Coral

Arthur Arbesser Active Fluo Neon Lip & Body Pencil and Neon Lipstick in Stronger Coral

The lipstick is not so long lasting however together with the lip liner they are a reliable set. The only downside is the dryness. When lip products are long lasting, they tend to be more matte and with that you get less moisture... you get the picture. So if you don't like feeling of dry lips I would probably look elsewhere. 

Overall, Arthur Arbesser Active Fluo Neon Lip & Body Pencil and Neon Lipstick in Stronger Coral is a nice set however it would not be my first choice when it comes to lip products due to the fact they are both so drying!

Also, the neon range products are supposed to be fluorescent when exposed to UV light - this is something I haven't tried yet! Let me know if you have? Love, A x

Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick in Matte Mandarin

Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick in Matte Mandarin. It looks redder on the picture!

Matte Mandarin is a shade that I wanted really, really badly. It is a beautiful and very intense shade of orange that looks absolutely lovely with tanned skin. Similar shades: all the orange shades I own are either redder or pinker! 

 Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick in Matte Mandarin

Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick in Matte Mandarin

The packaging is quite quirky I would say. It does not feel posh or sophisticated (read: like Chanel) although it looks like a high end one but with £18 price tag for each lipstick maybe the packaging should feel a little bit more special? I remember when Clinique lipsticks used to be more affordable but with such a high price tag they are now starting to compete with brands where the packaging really matters... What do you think? READ MORE-->

Review: Kelly Osbourne: MAC Cosmetics Lipstick in Dodgy Girl & Kelly Yum Yum vs Candy Yum Yum

 Kelly Osbourne: MAC Cosmetics Lipstick in Dodgy Girl & Kelly Yum Yum

Dodgy Girl is a lovely, lovely lavender purple that I could not wait to wear. Similar shades: Mac Sheen Supreme in Asian Flower is shiner. Revlon Balm Stain in Darling is less opaque and shiner. Inglot Lip Pencil in 31 is pinker. 

Kelly Yum Yum is a redder version of Candy Yum Yum. They are both very bright but to be honest they are two different colours. Bare in mind that Kelly Yum Yum looks so red on the pictures (pink shades do not photograph well) Similar shades: easily dupable. 

 Kelly Osbourne: MAC Cosmetics Lipstick in Dodgy Girl & Kelly Yum Yum

MAC Strength Collection Lipstick in Pink Pigeon, Party Parrot, Strong Woman and Absolute Power

 MAC Strength Collection Lipstick in Pink Pigeon, Party Parrot, Strong Woman and Absolute Power

MAC Strength Collection Lipstick in Pink Pigeon, Party Parrot, Strong Woman and Absolute Power

Pink Pigeon is a bright shade of pink. Similar shades: Mac Candy Yum Yum (much brighter and slightly cooler shade), Sleek Makeup Pink Freeze (very similar, slightly warmer) and Rimmel Kate Moss in 20 (a bit darker and has creamy finish).

Party Parrot is a coral shade of pink. Similar shades: Mac Impassioned (very, very similar just a bit pinker).

Strong Woman is a plumish shade of purple. Slightly muted. Similar shades: Collection 2000 in Berry Blast (very similar, just a bit darker and has creamy finish).

Absolute Power is berry red. Similar shades: NYX BLL in Mid-Night Dinner (slightly more muted, a bit more brown), Mac Mattene Lipstick in Eden Rouge (slightly redder).

Estee Lauder Violet Underground Pure Color Gloss in Rebellious Violet

Estee Lauder Violet Underground Pure Color Gloss in Rebellious Violet

The Violet Underground Collection features five products: Pure Color EyeShadow Palette, Pure Color Velvet Lipstick (in two shades: Violet Crush and Black Cassis), Pure Color Gloss (in 2 shades: Rebellious Violet and Chaotic Currant), Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Black Iris and Pure Color Quick-Thick Eyeliner in Punker Black. All limited edition.

Attention! This review may be seriously biased by the fact that I absolutely LOVE purple (see post below)! I try to be as honest and objective as possible but my feelings are sometimes stronger (sorry!)!

Estee Lauder Violet Underground Pure Color Gloss in Rebellious Violet

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Candy Apple, Tutti Frutti and Sweet Tart

 From left to right: Candy Apple, Tutti Frutti and Sweet Tart

I was really excited about these Lip Butters, I sooo couldn't wait for them to show up on the shelves and finally, they are here! Yeey!

The packaging looks very summery: it’s colourful and stylish. It’s easily recognisable as it features the Revlon trademark, which is quilted design on the outser case. It also matches the shade of each lipstick. I decided to pick three shades:

Candy Apple is a very, deep shade of red in the bullet but it slightly more orange-y when swatched. Not to say it’s orange red but it is definitely not as deep as in the bullet.

Tutti Frutti is a bright shade of orange in the bullet but when applied it’s less orange and more coral. A beautiful shade for the summer – will look great with a bit of tan!

Sweet Tart is a bright, candy like pink that comes out to be slightly less bright and less pink when applied to your lips. Still, the colour pay off is great! Another great shade for the summer, which I will definitely be wearing!

 From left to right: Candy Apple, Tutti Frutti and Sweet Tart

From left to right (on my hand): Candy Apple, Tutti Frutti and Sweet Tart

The texture of Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter is very silky and creamy (like the lip butters should be) so they are very comfortable to wear. Honestly, these are the most comfortable lip butters/balms I’ve ever had. Can’t stop wearing them! The colour intensity is very much like a lipstick with a creamy formula. It’s not massively pigmented like an average lipstick would be but it's definitely not sheer and I absolutely love this! They look totally beautiful on lips, very shiny and healthy. The lasting power is about 2 – 3 hours and I am more than happy to re-apply the lip butter after that time because they are so comfy to wear!

 Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Candy Apple

 Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Tutti Frutti

 Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Sweet Tart

Overall, I think they are absolutely gorgeous and I will definitely re-purchase in the future! A.

CHANEL 2012 Spring Collection Horizon Blusher & Chalys Lipstick

BLUSH HORIZON DE CHANEL Soft Glow Blush

I had my eyes on the Chanel Spring Collection Horizon Blusher for a while so when it finally arrived in shops my first step was towards the Chanel counter. I was planning on getting a warm orange-y colour lipstick from their collection as well so when I picked Rouge Coco Lipstick in Chalys I knew that's the one I wanted. Although I liked all the other colours I knew I had to decide otherwise I'd be just standing there and trying all of them on for ever. If I had too much money I’d probably buy all of them. (I know, I’m self-confessed addict to beauty products).

The Horizon Limited Edition Blusher is priced at £46 – it is very pricey product just to get a bit of colour on your cheeks – I agree. But me, being me, I just HAD to buy it anyway. And it is indeed veeery nice. It has all the colours you need to achieve a nice, soft pinky finish on your cheeks. Perfect for spring. I love it. It’s like all in one product – it gently highlights your cheekbones as well giving you a healthy, natural glow.

You can also use it in two ways: first you can sweep your brush across the upper part of the blusher where all the pink shades are placed. That way you achieve a soft, fresh pink look. However, if you sweep your brush across the bottom part of the blusher – where all the peachy tones are placed - you achieve warmer, more summery finish. Love.It.

When it comes to lipstick – hmm… my feelings are mixed. Yes, I love the shade; the texture is beautiful, very creamy and very soft. It’s a sheer lipstick so it doesn’t come out as bright orange-y but it does give your lips a satiny, more natural finish. The downside is that it doesn’t last very long. 3 - 4 hours is the max. Plus, if you have dry or chapped lips it will make them look even dryer.  Overall - I love the creamy texture but I don’t think I would buy that particular lipstick again.

CHANEL Rouge Coco Hydrating Creme Lip Colour in Chalys

Overall – I looove the blusher, not so in love with the lipstick. A.