Rimmel Apocolips Lip Velvet Matte Burning Lava

Hey All

Hope you had a great weekend. Mine was pretty awesome. Friday night was spent with Wagamamas and The Theory of Everything (i was not prepared for that film to make me cry as much as it did) it was a great film though. On Saturday it was a sorting out type day and a quick pop into town where i finally grabbed some Chelsea style boots. I found a bargain in Fat face reduced from £80 to £25. How could I leave them there. I finally got some excursions planning done for Iceland, I leave two weeks tomorrow. I'm so excited to go now. Yesterday started off way earlier than I'd like for a trip down to the welsh coastline to walk along the cliffs. It was so windy at points but a lush walk and felt good to be out walking.

Today's post is on a product that became instantly loved by bloggers and until Christmas eve I didn't own any of them. As soon a I saw apocolips I loved them. The strong colours, amazing pigmentation, lasting stain and glossy lips really seemed like the perfect lip product and after trying L's I was even more convinced even so I told myself I had enough lipsticks (said no girl ever!!).

On Christmas eve I realised I hadn't taken a red lipstick back to my parents house it seemed like the perfect opportunity to pick them up. Plus they were on 3 for 2. Picking colours took a while but after seeing the matte version I opted for these as I had found the original ones transfer a lot when glossy especially onto teeth.

Burning lava is your classic pillar box red. I wouldn't say it has any blue tones too it but it doesn't make the teeth look yellow because of this.

As with the original apocolips it has the doe foot applicator with the dip in it so it picks up enough product. The shape of it also helps to get a good line around the lips and has a good enough point to define the cupids bow.The matte colours apply to the lips so smoothly. They glide on and don't drag and feel dry on the lips as some matte textures can and don't flake off the lips. I do also find the texture easy to work with to get a well outlined lip. The only problem I have is the colour can sometimes bleed a little so before applying I usually just apply a little bit of an invisible lip liner. The pigmentation is as you would expect from this range. I love the bold colours.

I prefer that the matte colours don't transfer as much as the glossy colours but have kept all the good features that everyone liked with the original apocolips. The colour will initially transfer to a glass or something while it sets but not as badly as the glossy version. It leaves a great even stain to the lips but I do find myself reapplying as the first time it fades I find it gives the ring around the lips. If I then reapply it'll fade and stain the lips all over. I love wearing this to work if I'm going out after work especially as I know by then I have a fuss free perfect red lip.

Have you tried the matte version of the Apocolips?

Love M

xxx

Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella

Happy Friday lovely people!

I've got a lovely quiet(ish) weekend lined up where I'm meeting some old friends for lunch and aside from that it's going to be relaxation and bliss on the cards.....and a whole lot of catching up on tv! This new job has taken up a lot of my time doing extra reading and trying to keep up with my gym and classes so I'm looking forward to catching up with everything else.

A few weeks ago both myself and M nabbed ourselves one of the Space NK Gift With Purchase bundles that I haven't even begun to get through; free stuff is so much fun. But obviously we had to spend £150 to get said gifts and this became my opportunity to snap up some much raved about Nars products. I'd never used any whatsoever before this so had quite a wishlist and proceeded to cross some of them off; I've previously posted about the infamous Orgasm blush - post here - and now you can read my review of the nearly as famous Lip Pencils.

It didn't take much convincing for me to add this to my basket, Anna from VDM who I'm sure you all MUST be aware of always looks gorgeous wearing hers so as we are the same colouring it was a no brainer.

Cruella, as if I could leave it after seeing that name! Brings back all the memories of the oh so glamorous Ms Deville and the colour is perfectly fitting.

It's a matte lip pencil, there is also a satin and a velvet gloss lip pencil range (come back for a future review of a satin pencil also!) and so I snapped up one from each range for comparison purposes....obviously.

The pencils themselves are typical in NARS design with monochrome packaging but have the added advantage of having a coloured base; this would be great when choosing between nude, red, pink etc but may be problematic with differentiating between reds...however I don't own enough of them at this point to worry about that!

The Lip Pencils are super easy to use, I have used liner with this one as I have a similar colour to match it but they haven't bled a single time i've used them so are good enough to use without one. The colour is so pigmented and although the matte did feel quite dry on application compared to other lip products, it didn't actually dry my lips out any further.

Clearly they are easy to use, you just need a larger sharpener to get the pencil in (rumour has it UD's Grindhouse is the best - added to wishlist!) and it's so easy to apply the colour that you could even slick on a layer whilst on the bus - though you'll definitely need to check you are in the lines for a colour this bold!

So how does it look on?

These photos were taken with minimal make up apart from the lip pencil and I love the slightly vampy look!

I love the colour, it's a perfect red and I can see me wearing this a lot in future. Even though these photos were taken in natural day light the colour in reality did seem to be darker than the photos show but nevertheless you can see the finish.

I was really impressed by the wear time of these lip pencils too. I'm sure I went a good 6 hours without the need to reapply and that was through multiple meals/snacking/drinks and I think i reapplied purely for the feeling of knowing there was something on my lips!

I would fully recommend the matte range and am tempted to look at the other colours but must resist for the next month or so.....

The Matte Lip Pencils come in at £18 for 2.4g of product and are available in 21 colours.

Have you tried one of the matte lip pencils? What's your favourite colour? Any recommendations for future NARS purchases??

L xxx

L'oreal Glam Shine Stain Splash Caresse Eve

Hey All

I've been trying to resist buying new make up as I have a ridiculous stash! I may possibly have too much (I know crazy!!). I couldn't resist this when I saw it in boots in their reduced section. I have no idea why it was in there as it's still sold but oh well I grabbed a bargain. I've had a few like this lately!

The Glam Shine Stain Splash have a glossy finish but add some staining colour to the lips to prolong the colour. They are water based so totally non sticky.

I love the heart shaped applicator. The dip in the middle means enough product is on it and the point allows precision on the cupids bow. The gold packaging looks simple and classy like you'd expect from L'oreal.

Eve wouldn't have been the colour I choose had all of them been reduced but I love the warm pink with a slight lilac tinge to it. It adds colour without being OTT.

Please ignore my awful spots in these photos!! I've left it off my top lip so you can see the colour difference. It leaves a slight lilac tint.

The colour is buildable for a brighter finish. I do like to layer it on personally. I love that it's not sticky.

I'm glad this colour was in the sale. I'm a fan of these now. I may even prefer them to my long time love Maybelline 10 hour tint gloss! I love a shiny lip especially staining non sticky ones. It comes in at £7.99

Have you tried these? Are you a fan of a lilac lip?

Love M

xxx

Benefit: Groovy Kind-a Love Make Up Kit

Hello!

I'm sure you've all seen the fantastic Christmas sets from Benefit this year, if not here's a link for you to browse at your leisure!

I have already purchased one of the tins (Love me B.right) which I will be reviewing very soon, but I couldn't resist but snap up this palette as well...

Groovy Kind-a Love is a beautiful palette containing an assortment of products. The back of the box shows the products, colours and names as below:

What excited me most was the dual blusher and the 4 eyeshadow colours, I don't own any eyeshadows from Benefit so I was really looking forward to trying them out.

It also contains the ever amazing Porefessional, Benetint and They're Real which I am a huge fan of.

The tin itself is small and beautifully formed, the pattern and outside images are really pretty and this would be great as a gift.
The inside is also displayed very well and would be a handy weekend kit or gift for someone who has never tried Benefit products before; or even for yourself as a payday treat like mine was. I'm such a bad saver!

Here's a closer look of the palette.

I love the arrangement and that the eyeshadows are in colour order, it would annoy me intensely if they weren't!
I also love that it comes with brushes making it a great kit for on the go or taking away with you.
Plus multi purpose products such as Benetint for lips and cheeks are great value too.

After applying my base as usual I then used the Dandelion and Gimme Fever blushers to give my face some colour and definition:

It's a beautiful colour and the shimmer is just enough to look like my skin has a glow but isn't glittery.
It's a gorgeous colour and I wish you could buy Gimme Fever separately!




I applied the eyeshadows in colour order, with Tickle My Ivory on the inner corner and Gilt-y Pleasure over the rest of the lid:



Shimmer Down was then applied to the crease and Kiss Me I'm Tipsy along the upper lashline:





These are such beautiful colours that can be worn day or night. They're perfect neutral colours for any outfit and occasion and I can see them getting a lot of use from me!

With They're Real applied the look is complete:






I do love how my lashes look with They're Real. They're lengthened, volumised and curled so I really cannot complain! I'd purchase this all the time if I could afford it but for the mean time the miniature versions are keeping me going as I've had a few different sets.



With Benetint applied as well this is a look I can see myself wearing regularly as it's pretty but chic.
I love the eyshadow colours a lot!

Do you like the palette from Benefit? It costs £29.50 and you can get it from Boots and Debenhams.

It's a great present for someone if you're stuck for something to buy and I would have loved to have received it if I hadn't have snapped it up myself already...

I've got my eye on Gimme Some Lovin' with Hoola and They're Real in, and also It's a Love Fest with Porefessional and Sun Beam (both £39.50)

Fingers crossed my mum will listen to my hints! Which would you put on your Christmas list??

L xxx

America Haul

I'm sure you probably know by know I was lucky enough to go to America at the beginning of the month. I was determined before hand to save my pennies so I could buy loads over there as so much of it is a lot cheaper. Safe to say I spent a lot!! Who can resist?!

A trip to Target cost me $270 ooops! I did get some bits for L in there too, I was gutted not to find a Ulta or Sephora as I had really wanted Real Techniques brushes and China Glaze. There is always next time and I'm really hoping to go to America again but it certainly won't be for a while.

I have to say Americans you are so lucky!! I adore Target. They have the most perfect jeggings ever and they are only $27!! They fit amazing, they hug you in and look so good. I wish I picked up more. Since being home I've order some skinny jeans from eBay and they are just as amazing. As Target don't deliver to the UK eBay is my only option. If you search Mossimo you should be able to find them! I also picked up a New York Giants T shirt. Which I love and I've worn loads since. I love casual t-shirts like this. The last clothes type thing I got was some black flip flops. These are so soft and almost velvety like.

On the plane out there I couldn't resist getting Naked 2. It was £30 and I do really love it. I use it most days. I love it so much I'm considering getting the original Naked palette too. For eyes I picked up high end products. I'd heard so many good things about YSL shocking I had to have it. But in duty free I couldn't find it so was recommend Lancome Hypnose Doll Lashes. Thank you duty free lady as I know love this. This is the best mascara EVER!!!! So worth every penny. I also picked up Givenchy Phenomeneyes. I really can't get on with this so any tips would be appreciated  When on the plane back I saw YSL shocking in the magazine and had to have it. Lucky the OH gave me some of his dollars as I'd spent mine. I prefer Lancome to the YSL but I'll do full reviews on these.

I bought quite a few different face products. I wanted to try a few Revlon ones as they are so much cheaper. I really wanted the PhotoReady Airbrush Mouse for evenings as it doesn't contain SPF so I wouldn't look like ghost in photos. I wanted more of the ColorStay foundation as I absolutely love it. I also really wanted to try the PhotoReady Primer and powder. I picked up the powder in translucent hoping I could use it for Halloween make up. I also got Mac Studio Sculpt to try as the Mac shop didn't have pro longwear in my shade. I don't love it though to be honest. Finally face wise I picked up Clinique Stay Matte as I love the face creams. 

For lips it was all about the Revlon. I tried my first lip butter in Candy Apple as so many people had raved about it. I like it but don't love it. It kind of just feels like a normal lipstick to me. I do want to try more of them though. I also got three lip stains. I got honey as I'd heard lots about it being a great colour, Cherish (I'm gutted I picked this one up by mistake, I wanted sweetheart but grabbed the wrong one) and my OH's Mum bought me a second Smitten as she borrowed mine on holiday and loved it so much she kept it ha! I also picked up two EOS lip balms as I really love these.

The YSL duty free counter also sucked me in to this beauty of a lip product. It is the Rouge Volupte. I love everything about this. The beautiful packaging, the texture of the lipstick and the pigmentation. It just glides on in one swipe and gives a beautiful finish. I have shade 27. It's an amazing coral colour.

For nails it was all about the OPI I wanted a new bottle of Nail Envy as I love that stuff and nothing compares to it for me. I also picked up a few other shades. I couldn't resist the New York Ballet Collection as it was only $11 dollars. I really love all the shade in it. I also picked up full size bottles in the shades I'm all ears (from the mini mouse collection), Altar Ego and Dating a Royal. Which I adore the name of and love the shade. (I've just noticed I picked up Red, White and Blue. I also got a Sally Hansen Diamond Strength in Glass Slipper and the Seche Vite top coat to try as it's so raved about.

How pretty is dating a royal.

I also picked myself up the shampoo and conditioner L mentioned in her haul post. I thought they'd be great for us to try and boast some brilliant moisturising properties. In the Yankee Candle shop they had a new product out called Fragrance Spheres. They are little jelly like balls that release fragrance for 45 days. This is making my bedroom smell amazing. Really hope they bring it to the UK.

My shopping didn't stop in America though, I had a parcel waiting for me when I got back from holiday. I placed an order before I left from Dainty roses as she got some new products I had to have. 

I got a cute bangle with a heart on, the two rings have love and hope engraved in (I really love how simple these are), the copy of the YSL ring, an orchid hair grip and Lisa was kind enough to send me a new bow. She regularly offers great offers.

Lastly on a trip to boots with L I just couldn't resist a few more buys.

I couldn't resist 3 for 2. The Rimmel Scandaleyes liner in Nude. Which is amazing. Models Own Nail Varnish in Snowball which is very close to the China Glaze one I featured in this weeks NOTD and the Stay Matte Concealer  I've also got acrylics on at the moment so I'm hoping this little pot will make removing them easier.

Wow that was a lot of shopping. I could have done soooooo much more. I have picked up a few amazing clothes bits which I will share soon. Primark and Oasis have some amazing pieces?

What would you get on a trip to the states? 

Love M

xxx

Review: Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Lip Balm Stains

A new thing to the UK this week, I managed to pick up a few of the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Lip Balm Stains whilst in the US. 

I got a pink and an orange colour (Sweetheart Valentine and Rendezvous) for myself and also one for M as part of her birthday box of goodies which was called Smitten.

First up here's mine:

I absolutely love the packaging, the pencils are pretty chunky which means they're easy to hold and use and the simple twist up mechanism that most products have means you can twist up more or less of the product really easily.

I chose without testing them as in America there aren't many places where they have testers.

This is both a good and bad thing, as everything is sealed you know it hasn't been touched by somebody elses grubby hands, but then how on earth do you know which colour you want?!

I've swatched both pencils on my hand to show you the pink and the orange colours, they're a smooth consistency, go on really easily without pulling at all and although the pencils are quite thick you can easily get a smooth line.

The above picture is Sweetheart Valentine, I'm not exactly sure which name it's supposed to be as it must be called Sweetheart in some countries and Valentine in others but it's number 025.

I hate doing swatches on my actual lips as I hate them...but I'm getting over it for this post as I feel you need to see the beautiful colours that they produce!

Here's 025 on my lips and it's a beautiful red pink:

The colour takes a few seconds to fully come out, I applied it and at first didn't see much colour pay off so was a little disappointed when suddenly it was like BAM it had appeared on my lips!

Me and M went out for her birthday last night and I wore this out then, I woke up this morning with my lips still stained pink which is pretty impressive!

I think they last a pretty decent amount of time but I always reapply them to make sure the colour is at it's brightest.

I do find however that for all day I still need to use Vaseline to keep my lips in good condition as it wasn't as moisturising.

Next up is shade Rendezvous or 040 which is a gorgeous orange.

I have never really liked orange shades before, but nowadays I'm genuinely obsessed. 

I'm sat here wearing an orange tshirt, with orangey pink nails and most things I'm lusting after right now are in a coral/orange hue.

Anyways, this is the balm stain on your lips:

I think both of these are amazing colours perfect for ANY occasion. 

You do need to reapply throughout the day but these are definitely going to feature in my handbag for a long time!

In fact, I'm debating going back into the shops today to pick up some more colours as they're just so easy to use.

I can't comment on how they compare to the Clinique Chubby Sticks as I've never seen those, but as the Revlon ones are currently £5.99 (£2 off in Boots and Superdrug at the moment!) these are far more affordable.

What do you think of these 2 colours? Do you like the pencil type lip products?

L xxx

I was so excited when I opened up my presents from L (blog post coming soon) it was like I had my own little American Haul.

L picked me up the shade smitten which unfortunately isn't one that's been released in the UK. L knows me so well. It's a gorgeous bright pink.

I couldn't wait to open it up and try it. I'd seen so much about these lipstains on blogs and knew I'd love them.  The packaging is compact and easy to use. I can apply this without a mirror which I like as well.

If you've seen shades you prefer that are only in America this eBay seller sells them all. They are £7 with free postage!! Bargain. I haven't bought from this seller myself but they are sat in my wishlist and the seller has 99.9% positive feedback so shouldn't be a problem.

When swatched on the hand the colour appears quite pale. But don't be fooled. It's a very instense pink that can easily be built up or left with just one swipe for a paler effect on the lips.

There is a slight minty tingle when you first apply it. Which I love, I love the gently balmy finish to it so it feels light on the lips but has an impressive colour pay of. I think the photo shows it slightly more reddy. In reality it's a fuchsia pink.

Once the balm wears of you are left with the stain from the colour. It's impressive how long the stain lasts on the lips, but it does tend to fade to a liner effect so you do need to re apply.

I'm definitely popping into boots tomorrow to get more of the shades. Rendezvous is on the top of my wishlist at the moment. I'm lacking an Orange in my lipstick collection.

Are you rushing out to get them? Which shades are on your wishlist? The swatches on the boots website make it hard to see the colour in my opinion so I'm not sure how many I'll be picking up. For £5.99 I'll be stocking up.

Love M

xxx