MAC 'Snob'

When in New York I ventured into the MAC store. Among many other things (and a very high credit card bill to pay) I left with this. MAC Snob (Satin finish). A Light pink, cool toned which on the lips is similar to the colour of candy floss. Being a MAC lipstick, it almost smells like candy floss too. On the lips it glides on but it is rather drying.. if you've flaking, dry lips stay clear of this bad boy as it highlights every little flaw (as you can see in the swatch down below). For the payoff, it performs, being opaque in one swipe and it lasts 2-3 hours if you don't eat. Or drink.

The only problem I've found with this shade is pairing it with eyeshadow. Unless you are going au naturale, I've found it a tad hard to pull off (for my liking anyway) without looking like a young girl playing with her first lipstick! (Incase you were wondering, I pair it with a light grey eyeshadow and lashings of mascara).

So, what do you think? A staple in your collection or something to pass up on?

MAC Snob is £15.

Read More

MAC 'Dubonnet'

What can I say about MAC lipsticks that I haven't already? Major Swoon.

Whilst sitting here this morning, watching my kitty knock all my birthday cards off, I decided to have a go. Talk about Dubonet.

A dark, vampy scarlet red, perfect for seasonal looks and the autumnal makeup look that hits our faces when fluffy scarfs and warm hats are taken out of storage. It's an unsung hero, no major hype in the blogosphere. Because it isn't too bright, it's an all rounder when it comes to suiting a skin tone. Pale girls, darker skinned types and everything in between will be able to pull this off which makes it pretty versatile, especially when it comes to makeup looks.

An amplified finish makes this lipstick easy to apply, creamy and rather pigmented. It's comfortable to wear, easy to apply and doesn't drag upon application. I think the fact it doesn't highlight flaws and dry lips makes this a win too.

Well... what more can I say. If i sing any more of its praises I might as well publish a book about it!

But take a look at the ones the bloggers don't talk about. Because that is where you'll find some real gems.

£15 here.

Read More

MAC 'Hang Up'

MAC Hang Up. Bold. Beautiful. Autumnal.

Yes, another MAC lipstick. I promise you I do buy other brands. I picked this up in a blogsale for a bargainous price without really doing much research into it. I googled swatches and what not, but had no idea what I was going for. As you can see, Hang Up is a deep berry purple shade perfect for the A/W trend of 2012 (maybe 2013?) which isn't too blue in base and makes teeth look super shiny white. It's a very very bold and vampy colour so good for making a statement or teamed with a simple cat eye.

Being a cremesheen formula, its staying power isn't the greatest (2-3 hours if you don't eat/drink) but it doesn't bleed and the best thing is the shade is buildable depending how vampy you want to go.

Overall it is a great shade and it really pulls a makeup look together. The icing on the cake to go with such a cliche. The best thing is it is a colour that can suit many hair, skin and eye colours so however intimidating it looks in the bullet (very) I would urge you to go to your MAC counter and have a play with it. 

Try it.. you know you want to.

£15 here.

Or.. try and win it for yourself by entering my MAC lipstick giveaway here!

Read More

Rimmel Apocalips in Nude Eclipse

With the announcement that new shades are going to be released, I believed it the right time to pop my 2p (not cents, I'm english after all) in. Following on from my need to have more subtle, neutral colours for work this purchase seemed a given as I had never tried a formula such as this before. Rimmel Apocalips promise rich, intense colour and a satin smooth shine. I love this colour on me, however it does look akin to MAC Japanese Maple on these photos ( I promise they aren't the same).
Lasting power is good, they last a few drinks on a night out before topping up, and for normal everyday use they fare well also. For the price tag of £5.99 (or depending which drugstore has an offer on them) there are more than enough reasons to have at least one in your stash..

Read More

MAC 'Japanese Maple'

 I love my makeup like any other girl, but sometimes you've got to tone it down, take it back to basics.

A classic, effortless no makeup look (for me that involves a whole plethora of cosmetics though). This was the logic behind this purchase of MAC Japanese Maple. After many decisions, dirty tissues and an arm that could be mistaken for a paint mixing board I left £14 pounds lighter.

Japanese Maple a muted nude beige, MAC describes it as frosted, but I'd disagree. Frosted makes it sound dated and old. This is glossy and youthful. This lipstick is one of the Cremesheen and Pearl formulas (sounds snazzy eh?) which basically means its a creamy texture (Cremesheen) with the shimmer and sparkles of the frost lipsticks (Pearl).

In terms of pigmentation the colour isn't the strongest but it gives a subtle and natural finish that I feel comfortable wearing.

So, would I recommend this colour? Yes is the short answer but depending on your skin colour it may wash you out. With all MAC lipsticks though you are paying for the quality... And it does show.

Avaliable at MAC counters or online for £15.

Read More

MAC Cremesheen lipstick in 'Fan Fare'

Another day, another MAC lipstick. Described as a 'mid toned yellow pink', fanfare is a wearable colour, a 'your lips but better' shade that can be worn on a daily basis. I'm not going to go too much into the scent and the finish, as (I assume) you are readers of Beauty Blogs so you must know a thing or too about MAC lipsticks. The colour isn't one of the stand out ones from the range as there are similiar ones on the high street but it still has that luxurious feel that comes with that little black bullet.

So down to the swatch. There is no denying it is a beautiful colour, perfect for a spring, less is more makeup look but not a staple for your make up collection. With its Cremesheen formulation it means you are getting a creamy yet pigmented texture, one of the better of the formulations MAC has to offer. My opinion? Buy a MAC lipstick in a colour you would never put down. That might be that colour for you.. but for me, this isn't it.

MAC lipsticks are £14 and can be found here.

Read More

MAC 'Red Racer'

Today I have another rather special purchase to share with you. The Mac Satin finish lipstick in 'Red Racer', part of the Hey Sailor collection. I purchased this from a blog sale, after lusting after it many months ago but never having the guts to buy it (when I finally did Mac had sold out of it.. *sob*).

Firstly.. LOOK AT THE PACKAGING. Stripes! It is my most unique lipstick because of the stripes.. and I love it. However the colour is red with slight yellow undertones.. more of the classic red vibe. The colour itself is not unique.. there are many more like it out there. The satin finish means it is creamy with a hint of shine... I personally like my lips to be shiny but with such a bold colour I think you have to sacrifice shiny for colour.

With this lipstick you need a lipliner otherwise it will end up half way up your face clown style (and it's not halloween anymore so no excuse :/). Overall it is a lovely lipstick.. and the pigmentation is good. The satin finish does show up dry lip flaws so smooth lips are essential. If you come across this lipstick at a good price, buy it.. if not head down to your local boots store and find a similar colour for a fraction of the price (try the new kate moss matte lipsticks?)
Do you agree/disagree? Leave a comment!

Read More

MAC Lustre Lipstick in 'Plumful'

For my birthday I did something that I never thought I would do. I bought my first Mac Lipstick! I went into the shop with my long suffering male friend Chris.. started looking... tried on about 15 lipsticks then found this beauty (knew it must have looked good as a resounding 'THATS THE ONE' from my friend confirmed it).

It has a Lustre finish, yet the colour pay off is still quite dark. In the bullet it lookes rather plain and rather dark.. more of a colour for an older person. However once on the lips its a 'your lips but a lot better' shade. It's dark enough for this seasons berry lip trend, but light enough for all year usage.

The colour is buildable and it does not feather easily (I didn't use a lipliner and thought it fared well). So what is my thoughts on my first ever Mac purchase? Would I buy another?
I love it. It feel luxurious and special. It's like rubbing my lips on the crown jewels.. if they were lipstick. And would I buy another? Well I already have!

Mac Lustre Lipstick in 'Plumful' - £14.00

Read More

Rimmel Kate Lasting Finish Lipstick shade 1 & 19

Every once in a while there is a product that you consider buying but don't, then everytime you see it you do the same until you take the plunge. My product is the Rimmel Kate Lasting finish lipsticks. I've wanted a 'proper' bright red lip for ages, but was scared that it wouldn't suit, but whilst in Boots saw that the newer spring collection is out bringing new shades, and as there was a deal on I thought I'd take the plunge:

I chose shade '1', the classic red shade from the older collection and shade '19' from the newer collection, a dark musty pink shade. The packaging I think is sleek, semi matte black with either a red or pink signature depending on the collection you bought it from. I like it, no dirt has yet to cling to them!
The lipstick is very pigmented and wears about 2-3 hours without drinking and eating, pretty average for a lipstick, and it is not too drying either.
One problem is the smell. Yes, its fragranced. When you first apply it you can smell it quite badly, but it does go away sharpish so if you really dislike fragranced lipsticks these aren't for you!
Also with the shade '1' I experienced a lot of bleeding of the lip, nothing a lip liner can't sort!
 
Overall i would recommend these as for the price the pigmentation is fantastic and the packaging sleek. Plus they are £5.49 each or two for £7 at Boots.

Read More