MAC Diva Matte Lipstick

Hey All

Last week I shared Fast Play with you (post here) which was another lipstick I picked up at the airport on my way home from Copenhagen. Today I'm sharing Diva. I picked this up on the way out. After trying to find a red for a friend before Christmas we fell in love with Diva but it was out of stock. When I saw Mac at Gatwick I knew I had to have it.

I did take photos on holiday but the lighting in the room wasn't great so I'm am being a bad blogger and sharing used product photos. Shows I love it and was too excited to use it right, only a positive ha!

Diva is my first Matte Mac lipstick. I was concerned it would be drying on the lips but it's not actually too bad. It gives a really pigmented finish and has impressive lasting power! This doesn't budge, but in a good way. I can get through breakfast and lunch and still have the majority of it on my lips.

I love the colour of this. It was be applied straight from the bullet to give and amazing deep berry red colour (It reminds me of Rimmel 107 which is another all time favourite (post here) or when applied lightly and rubbed in stains the lips a gorgeous red colour.

I've been pairing it with Rimmel lip liner in wine or black tulip, both are great for red lip shades!

I'm loving this colour and have been wearing it to work paired with simple eyes! The perfect shade for the colder weather we've been having.

Are you a fan of a dark lip?

Love M

xxx

MAC Fast Play Amplified Lipstick

Hey All

On Monday I shared with you where we stayed when we were in Copenhagen. I've got a few more posts to share on it over the next few weeks. While travelling to and from Copenhagen I couldn't resist a few beauty bits, especially when we had some money left over coming back. 

Mac Fast Play Lipstick Review Swatch

When we were travelling back to the UK and had money left after picking up some alcohol I couldn't resist my second trip to the Mac counter (a post next week shares with you what I got in the UK duty free) I didn't really know what I wanted except a neutral rose pink shade that would finish off a make up look. Thinking back I wanted twig but I went into this on a whim and hadn't thought shades. I tried a few that I know people love but they just weren't suiting me until I saw Fast Play.

Mac Fast Play Lipstick Review Swatch

Mac Fast Play Lipstick Review Swatch

Fast Play is an amplified creme formulation (one of my all time favourite lipsticks brick-o-la is also post here but colours of it here!!) I love these are they have amazing pigmentation and are still comfortable to wear on the lips. They give a slight sheen but nothing too much.

Mac Fast Play Lipstick Review Swatch

Mac Fast Play Lipstick Review Swatch

From the swatch above you can see Mac Fast Play is a neutral pink shade. I love these types of lipstick colours. I find them a much more flattering nude on my skin tone as they don't wash me out.

Mac Fast Play Lipstick Review Swatch

Ignore my spots in this photo I'm foundation free as managed to quickly rope C in to take photos for me. I love this colour on. It warms up my face, goes with all make up lots and isn't too OTT. This hasn't left my handbag since I bought it. I've been pairing it with Rimmel Addiction lip liner which is the most amazing nude. I need to share that on here soon!

Have you seen Fast Play?

Love M

xxx

Mac Viva Glam V

Hey All

Sorry for the lack of posts from me last week. It was my birthday on the weekend and I hadn't got around to writing any as I'd been with the family and then left for a few days away with the OH and his family to celebrate his brother's graduation.

When my family were down to celebrate my birthday my brother's wife wanted to take the opportunity to visit a Mac counter. I didn't plan on buying anything as I was holding out to buy the Cool Neutral palette but was waiting for a decent beauty care offer (which there is now by the way £10 worth of points if you spend £50!) but at the counter I spotted the viva glam lipsticks and was drawn to this neutral shade. First of apologies as I've not got any swatches on the lips but the day after I bought it coldsores have taken over.

The Mac Viva Glam range comes in the normal box but the lipsticks instead of silver around the bullet and holding the lipstick it's red. I quite like this as it's the only Viva Glam one I have it'll be easy to spot in my collection. If you weren't aware Mac donate the full price of the lipstick minus VAT to charity for the Viva Glam range so you can buy a lipstick and feel like you're helping people. L has the Viva Glam Nicki Minaj which you can see here.

Mac Viva Glam V Swatch

Mac describes it as a neutral pink. I'd say it's a touch more neutral brown. I think this is the first lustre finish in my collection but I'm actually a fan. In the neutral shades it gives the lips a healthy shine of colour.

With coldsores all finally healed I can add some pictures! I've really been reaching for this lipstick lately. I love it for everyday and find my lips look plumped with it on.

Have you tried the Viva Glam range? What's your favourite Mac lipstick? 

Love M xxx 

MAC Lipstick in Syrup

Hey there!

I've been working my way through my stash for an extremely long time - saving up my empty MAC products so that I can do the 'Back to Mac' deal that they have going on is one of my favourite things.
I love going into the shop with my empties and coming out with a free lipstick!

There are so many more lipsticks that I need to try and Syrup was the most recent addition.

MAC describe Syrup as a cloudy pink, it's a muted down soft pink with a lustre finish. It's quite a sheer finish, and so because of that is the perfect workwear lipstick. It can be built up and layered to give a deeper pink on the lips, it's also really moisturising and as so you can wear this all day without getting those dreaded flaky lips that can happen with matte finishes.

It's super comfortable and easy to wear, what's not to love!

It's almost a contender for a 'your lips but better' shade. When I was choosing my lipstick this time I tried a few that others rave over but unfortunately they just didn't seem to look right on me at all. This pinky shade seemed to make my skin look brighter which is always a bonus!

Here's a few snaps with the lipstick on:

Soft pink, super wearable, comfortable and flattering on many skin tones I would imagine.

Syrup is a winner in my eyes!

Have you bought Syrup? Which has been the latest lipstick to add to your collection?

I've no idea what I'd choose next! Any suggestions for your favourite wearable day shades like this?


L xxx

FOTD

Hey there!

I'm not big on FOTD, mainly as my photos never turn out quite right or generally something goes wrong. But I enjoy reading/seeing other peoples FOTD's so I've persevered to show one of my favourite looks for the upcoming spring and summer months.......if they arrive!

I've started off with my new fave face base....Urban Decay's Naked skin. It's a gorgeous, light foundation which feels weightless on my skin allowing you to still see my actual skin underneath. I'm a big fan of it especially for the warmer months.

The concealer I've applied in this FOTD is the UD 24/7 concealer pencil. I find this creamy and blends really well, though my colour, although its perfect for me, is very light and lightens my undereyes like a charm!

Next up is the brows. My latest venture has been using Gimme Brow from Benefit. After having an awful eyebrow wax from them they kindly sent us out a few products as an apology so I've been testing this out. There will be a full review but for now I'm quite impressed with how easy it is to use and the effects of it.

I think it looks really natural and i like having my brows brushed through.

One of my favourite eyeshadow palettes is the Theodora one from UD. I'm a bit of a UD fan really aren't I?? What a saddo haha.
I wear this palette most days and am a bit gutted that it was limited edition, I'd be distraught if it ran out which it inevitably will. I will be searching high and low for alternatives in the future!

After this I used the infamous UD 24/7 pencil in Perversion which is just unbelievable. I've tried many black liners before but this pencil is out of this world!
I've also applied Benefit's They're Real mascara to complete my eye look, lashes always look better with a few coats!

On my cheeks I've used a MAC beauty powder from the Emanuel Ungaro collection a few years ago and I've also applied MAC's MSF in Soft and Gentle to my cheek bones.

The lipstick I've used is MAC's Viva Glam Nicki Minaj which I absolutely LOVE. It can be drying but as long as you've moisturised your lips enough beforehand you will be fine. It's such a gorgeous colour it's hard to resist it!


What do you think of my FOTD? Do you prefer the eyes or the lips?

I think I need to wear pinks more often, I've been obsessed with coral for ages but I should get back into pinks too, don't you think?

L xxx

FOTD: Everyday Face

Morning lovelies!

I'm not sure if I've ever done a FOTD before so I thought it was about time I did. I LOVE painting my face on every morning so I thought I'd go through my usual products on my face on a daily basis.

Starting with my base:

I've recently been using a new product for my foundation as I picked up MAC's Mineralize Satin Finish about two months ago. It's not as heavy coverage as some of the other MAC foundations I've tried, particularly Studio Fix, so I tend to wear it now my skin is a lot better than before.

I apply this using a Real Techniques buffing brush. Sometimes I wear primer and others I don't, if I do wear it at the moment I've been using the relatively new Bourjois Happy primer for oily/combo skin. On reflection I should have bought the other version for drier skin now that my skin doesn't seem as oily but maybe over the summer it will be!

Next I applied Benefit's Erase Paste to my undereyes, I cannot rave enough about this beauty and I'm sure on the dreaded day it runs out i will be repurchasing! It's so creamy and brightening that you just cannot love it, and the number 1 shade is perfect for my skin tone. It blends easily and brightens so quickly! 

After that it's brows and cheeks.

I've been using the fabulous HD Brows kit in Foxy ever since receiving it in the Latest in Beauty Glamour Edit box before Christmas. I can 100% recommend picking up the HD Brows kit and also the Latest in Beauty boxes as they are full of treats and new things for you to play with, I've found some definite new favorites including the brow kit. 

As for cheek products I've got on the Bourjois 'chocolate' bronzer to define my face and Benefit's Coralista. I love the two combined as they suit my skin tone and give me enough of colour for a day at work (being in a lab doesn't call for make up really....).
Coralista is my ultimate favourite blusher, coral coloured and a slight golden shimmer.

As for eyes I've got my uber fave Urban Decay Theodora palette on. It's perfect for every day wear regardless of what you're doing and I absolutely love it. It's such a shame it was only a limited edition palette as once it's gone I don't know what I'll do!

I use three colours from it mainly; Broken, Bewitch and West. For me they create the perfect blend of neutrals and browns for day wear on any occasion. 

As for lashes I'm currently wearing Soap and Glory's Thick and Fast after having it in so many Christmas sets. I quite like it and its a good general mascara for every day use; separates and coats each lash and doesn't spread down my face after a few hours.

Lastly on the lips I have MAC's Crosswires, its a gorgeous Creme sheen lipstick that's the understated sister of Vegas Volt. I actually don't wear lipstick to work as I feel like it would be too much but I couldn't resist!
I'd wear this face to most day occasions including work and shopping trips.

What are your face basics? Do you like my FOTD? Is it something that you would wear too?

L xxx

MAC Sunny Seoul Lipstick

As I've mentioned previously I have been saving my MAC products for some years now (about 10....) as I knew that they had a Back to MAC scheme but I wasn't quite sure how it worked, how many you needed etc.

Needless to say after a few years of a MAC obsession I had culminated enough for an amazing 4 lipsticks, and this is number 2.

I have been keeping my fingers crossed for some good weather but as this isn't happening I decided to get a pink lipstick and make my mood a bit sunnier on the days that I wear it!

This is Sunny Seoul:

When you take products Back to MAC you normally get given the lipsticks out of the cardboard box packaging.

I don't really understand why as it's not like you can take it back anyway but it is a little quirk that I've noticed, if anyone has a clue let me know!

So here's the lipstick:

It's a very pretty pink that's great for day wear as it allows a wash of colour without being so overpowering that it detracts from everything else.
This is typical of the CremeSheen family of lipsticks of which I also own Creme Cup, Coral Bliss and Cross Wires (a newbie!). They're so wearable and are an easy choice when you're in a rush or can't decide!

This is one of the most girly lipsticks I own. Most of the time I go for brights like reds and vibrant pinks or corals, so this was a welcome change to my lipstick wardrobe and one I can't wait to use more of.

Here's the lipstick on:





As you can see it's really pretty and will suit so many skin tones, particularly pale skin. It's a baby pink but not overly girly and 'sugary sweet'.

Who knows, maybe it will win me over and I'll become a Gossip Girl/Pretty Little Liars-esque baby pink wearing girly girl!

What do you think of Sunny Seoul? Are you a baby pink girl or a vibrant bright lover?

L xxx

Review: MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in 'Insanely It'

This was a sneaky purchase from CCO in Swindon's designer outlet, and one I do not regret in the slightest!!

Not that I often regret my purchases, but they can sometimes be a little rushed with the 'product rush' I get, you know, too many endorphins etc.




Insanely It is a Sheen Supreme lipstick and one of the first of that kind that I've owned. There was a tester in the shop so after swatching it on my hand I did like how moisturising it felt and still had a decent wash of colour.





I love the sleek black packaging as always and love that this type of lipstick is slightly different to the bullet shape of other MAC lipsticks.

The cap closes nice and tightly with a satisfying click so you know that the lid isn't going anywhere at the bottom of your hand bag.

The lipstick is lightweight and according to MAC is the perfect combination between a lipstick and a lipglass.

Insanely It is a beautiful pink colour that looks bright but doesn't look overly shocking when on. It has a slight shimmer running through it but this doesn't translate to a shimmery lipstick, more like just giving it the lipglass effect that is the entire 'Sheer' point of the lipstick!

It has a slight blue tone which means it's great for paler individuals and for making your teeth appear brighter, win win!

You can easily build this up or use it as a wash of colour, and it lasts for around 4 hours. It's quite moisturising but I do feel the need to use lip balm, mainly as my lips crave moisture 24/7.

You can see it in the picture below where I've applied it as I normally would. This is a full application, though you could build it up a bit more if you wanted to.

I absolutely love it and it has become a firm favourite in my hand bag!

It's bright and summery but flattering too and I've worn it to work, lunches and nights out. What's best about it is the fact that due to its slightly darker pink as opposed to something like MAC's Nicki Minaj lipstick is you could wear this in Autumn/Winter too where you want to brighten up the dreary weather!

What do you think of the Sheen Supreme range? I'm very interested in trying more of them....

What do you think of Insanely It?


L xxx