A Makeup & Beauty Blog – Lipglossiping

Sometimes, only good can come from being very bad.

£24 bad to be precise… but we’ll keep that between us ok?

The lovely Jessica from OutInAPout made me buy this.  I’d also like to blame her for the other shade I picked up aswell but I think that might be pushing my luck a bit.

I look quite washed out in the picture below as it was taken before bed and most of my makeup had long since faded… I had just re-applied the lipstick to take a piccie before heading off to wash my face!

The most Christmassy red on the planet.  Possibly.  On me, it wears like a real jewel-toned red… ruby-esque but without the pink undertones.  Not hugely blue either, which surprised me.

Dragon is stark against my pale skin, it’s not a shade that I’ll be able to wear without drawing attention to my lips which means that they need to be in tip top condition to get away with it!  Despite the liquid lipstick formula of the Chanel Rouge Allure Laques, I don’t find this to be too drying… at least not compared to the high street versions I’ve tried in the past.

It transfers like a bitch mind… I’ve stained about 7 cups already today.  Whatever, I’m not washing up.

Wear is great, mostly thanks to it’s incredible pigmentation rather than formula as it does fade a little faster in the centre for me.  It’s not the most high maintenance lipstick I’ve ever worn… but it’s not effortless either.  Through a work day, I’d need 2 touch ups… that’s not really bad for a red is it?

Application however, was incredibly foolproof.  A few strokes of lipliner for insurance and I was able to apply straight from the wand – marvellously easy!

I love both of the ones that I picked up and want to try more of the Rouge Allure Laque range now… any other recs for me ladies?

Gosh, has it really been nearly a week since I did a Red Lips day?  Time is currently moving far too quickly… that’s what happens when you still have a Christmas tree to put up.

Day 5 is one of Clarins’ new Rouge Prodige long-lasting lipsticks in Fusion Red.  If you don’t like your products to be scented… steer clear of this range as that tell-tale lipstick smell has been heavily masked with a lovely (if a bit strong) scent of fig.

Fusion Red is a glossy creme with a texture that grips.  It has a little less slip during application because of this and takes me longer to apply with a brush than some of the other reds I own but once it’s on, you can wear with the confidence that only a long-lasting lipstick brings.

On me, Fusion Red lasted a good 6 hours before fading but when it did eventually begin to fade, It lost colour in the centre first leaving me that tell tale red ring.  It wasn’t too apparent thanks to filling in with my lip liner but still…

Having said that, I had less teeth transfer issues with Fusion Red than with any other.  Is there anything worse than smiling seductively at yourself in the mirror only to notice that it looks like you’ve been chowing down on a couple of wild gazelles during your lunchbreak?

Clarins Fusion Red (£16) is a good, solid… long-lasting choice that is particularly unfussy but does need to be kept nearby for a quick touch up when it eventually fades.

This Christmas, it’s the Chanel collection that caught my eye more than any other.  Those beautiful pinks and coppers that contain the perfect amount of shimmer/glitter for the holiday season without being gaudy.

I will always be drawn to palettes that promise to create a wonderful smoky eye and this was no exception.  The only thing that could possibly dampen my enthusiasm would be pigmentation.  I wasn’t sure how much power this quad would pack.  I needn’t have fretted.

Come to Mama….

I know I usually take blog photos before I start sticking my sausage fingers in my shadows but I think I had this one opened and swatched before I’d even left the shop.  Excuse the shadow dust!

And the swatches (swatched over eye primer)…

To say that I love this palette would be an understatement.  The coppery tones in the two darkest shades really accentuate the green in my eyes and the paler, more ethereal hues brighten my eyes beautifully.

I don’t kno if you’re interested in lazy girl’s makeup application… but mine goes something like this:  The darkest copper shade… I apply all over the mobile lid, right up to the socket line.  Then I take the pink (on the far right) and use this to blend the harsh edges.  I pat the glittery shade (on the far left) ontop of the copper and finally, use the ivory to highlight the inner corner and brow bone.

All that takes me less than 2 minutes because I don’t do anything intricate in the socket line, nor do any fancy stuff in the outer corner.  This palette gives me a gorgeous smoky look in minutes.  And that’s why I love it.

For me, it’s more than worth the £35 I paid for it.  Can you tell I love this palette?

… is titled “3 things to do before you’re 30“.

At the age of 29, that resonates.  Tick, tock, tick, tock… boom.  Why have I gotta do things before I’m 30?  Surely I’ve got time to do it AFTER I’m 30… *small voice* haven’t I?

Mannnn… Clinique, you just made me feel old.  But it’s free… so, I downloaded it anyway.

When you load it up, it’s caaaa-ute!  Lots of little squares that invite you to give it a shake… so I did!

Wheeee, they all fly around the screen… it’s very satisfying.  Then they settle… and give you a list of 3 things to do before you’re 30.

The first one I got told me to learn the trapeze.

So I turned it off and uninstalled it.  Stupid app.

I’m still unsure about whether or not to go for Chanel’s Holiday/Christmas lipstick in Magnolia…. it’s a lovely medium pink but I think it might just be a little too shimmery… frosty-looking even.

Either way, I couldn’t be more in love with the Chanel Tentation Cuivree palette that I picked up last week.

I’ll do a proper post with close up and swatches but here’s a very quick FOTD to be getting on with.

Face:

Prori Coffeeberry Perfecting Foundation #1
Eve Pearl Blush Trio – Sweet Cheeks

Eyes:

Les 4 Ombres Chanel Tentation Cuivree Palette (2 darkest shades)
Boots No7 Exceptional Definition Mascara
Illamasqua Eye Brow Cake in Gaze

Lips:

L’oreal Color Riche Serum Lipstick in Beamy Plum

As usual I’m doing my ‘use the least amount of products I can get away with’ trick.  Only out of necessity rather than choice.  I’m also currently trialling Priori Coffeeberry Perfecting Mineral Foundation which I’ll be reviewing as soon as I can get a well lit before/after shot.

Have a great Tuesday beauty addicts x

This post is for the lovely Ann who requested a swatch of my new Chanel Ombre D’eau in #757 Splash when I picked it up.

As of yesterday, I own four Ombre D’eau.  I’m sure I’m missing one… I felt quite cheated when I opened my cream eyeshadow drawer and pulled out only four.   I hope the hoover hasn’t eaten it.

Anyway, this is my small (but perfectly formed) collection of Chanel Ombre D’eau Liquid Eyeshadows.  Incase you’re wondering just why in the hell I would have a ‘cream eyeshadow drawer’ the answer is simple: they’re quick to apply and I want to be able to find them quickly when I’m in a rush.

Eminently sensible I reckon…

…I can see Mr. L loitering in the outer periphery of my vision raising an eyebrow at me.  He’s also sobbing.  And holding a piece of paper… some kind of bill.  Ah.  Credit Card.  Whatevs.

Where was I?  Oh yeah…

Now… depending on your take on neutrals… you’re either going “ooooOOOoooOOOoooOOOh” or you’ve already left this page for the next blog on your work-skiving agenda.

See, most of my creams/liquids ARE fairly neutral… we’re linking back to that whole quick to apply thing innit?  I’m not gonna get something that takes a matter of seconds to slick on my eyes for that alive polished look and then get it in some funky colour that’s gonna take me 30minutes to decide which lipstick won’t clash.  There is method in my madness.

Swatches?

My least favourite is #20 Fountain, it reminds me of a big poofy satin pink wet-look prom dress.  If you’re over the age of 14 you’re not allowed to buy it because everytime I blink, I’m reminded of what my eyelids are gonna look like in 30 years time.  In matte shadows.  Do you get my drift?

My newest acquisition there on the end (right hand side) is #757 Splash which hails from the newly released Chanel Christmas/Holiday Collection… it’s beautiful and you must get it.  Sell your grandmother and the rest of your makeup to fund it.

And you’ll probably have to… ‘cos these are stupidly expensive.  Well, not “stupidly”…. because as the owner of four of the blighters that would make me very speshul indeed and I’m not admitting to that.

£21.50

That’s heaps overpriced isn’t it?  I think so…

They do last a long time… but then, so does a bloody normal eyeshadow…

Ah get it, don’t get it… what do I care?

I haven’t had any trouble deciding what I’ll be splurging my Boots points on this year.  Last year… the Dior holiday collection caught my eye quite late on… but this year, it’s all about the Chanel.

I have 7578 points saved up through some tireless shopping efforts.  It hasn’t all been glamour… Leila has had to quickly develop a taste for Boots branded baby things and I suspect that with no more buggies to buy, next year’s bounty won’t be quite so fruitful *sniff*.

However, that’s still £75.78 to blow spend.  Annoyingly, when converting points to prizes purchases, you’re not allowed to part pay in cash… which means that my total spends must come to under that amount.

Can I do it?  Here’s my wishlist… (do you care? doubt it… but I love a bit virtual shopping me)

1. Les 4 Ombres / Quadra Eye Shadow Palette – Tentation Cuivre (£35.00)
2. Ombre D’eau Liquid Eyeshadow – Splash (£21.50) Criminally overpriced IMO, but when you fall in love… you get stupid.
3. Rouge Coco Lipstick – Magnolia (£21.50)

Erm, where’s my money points gone?  That comes to *counts on fingers. and toes* – £78.

Oh NOES, I’m short by just over £2!

I need to earn 222 points on as low a cash spend as possible – PRONTO!

Do you save store loyalty points for a Xmas treat?

Want something a little bit sexy for the party season?

Ciate Boudoir is a fire-cracker of a red!  It’s slight orange tones will make this shade positively sing on warmer skintones… and despite initial uncertainties it works it’s magic pretty effectively on mine too!

Two coats will give you an almost-opaque finish, you may be able to make out a hint of VNL (visible nail line) on my ring finger… but thanks to the shade’s vibrancy I didn’t feel that it especially needed a third coat.

Application was FAR better than I remember from Ciates of old.  I’m used to them being a bit thick, gloopy and tricky to work with.  Boudoir was a lot more fluid than I was expecting which resulted in a cuss-free application.

Wear was impressive… no tip wear until the 3rd day and I think I could have lasted 5 days without being bothered by the minimal wear.

Ciate Boudoir is available to buy online from PowderRooms, priced at £9.00

Are you a fan of classic red polishes? Which are your favourites?

Growing up, I was a shower freak and would be one of those annoying people that come out with the (much overused) line about not wanting to soak in my own dirt.

Nowadays?  I’m a bathing convert.  In the Summer, it’s still a rare occurence… but now the nights are becoming cooler, I can appreciate the enjoyment that wallowing for an indecently long period of time in a tub of hot water brings.  Especially if I lock the bathroom door first so no-one tries to come in for a crap and ruin my zen.

I don’t know about you but… for me, part of the enjoyment of bathing is the whole ritual that sits alongside.  And a true simple pleasure is using a new bath oil/ballistic/melt/whatever for the first time.  I always love the idea of lighting candles but mostly am a bit slovenly for all that.

My latest indulgence (and at £18 it is a little bit of an indulgence) is my India Hicks Island Night Milky Bath from Crabtree & Evelyn.

India Hicks is the designer grand-daughter of the late Earl Louis Mountbatten, who is well known round these here parts and buried just up the road.  I don’t know why that’s relevant… it’s really not…I’m doing that bloody automatic writing again.

I use just a capful and it fragrances the water nicely.  It’s a tropical scent… but not like I’ve just poured a can of Lilt in the tub.  It’s soft and delicate… like I’m bathing with my window open and the scent of jasmine is being carried in on a warm breeze.  Slap me, I’m sounding pretentious.  But that’s the only way I can describe it.  It’s not a BIG floral, it’s just evocative.

It leaves my skin feeling soft (but not soft enough to forego moisturiser) and Mr. L says that he can still smell it on my skin when I use an unscented moisturiser afterward.  At £18 for 250ml, I’d quite like it to clean the bath and re-grout the tiles too but it makes for a lovely ‘special’ treat when the day has been a little too much to bear.

India Hicks Island Night Milky Bath is priced at £18 and available online and instore at Crabtree & Evelyn.

What are your favourite bath-time indulgences?

Back in September, I chose a reader to trial and review the new Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus – Wrinkle and UV Damage Corrector which had been picking up some rather fabulous reviews across the blogosphere.  Helen kindly agreed to provide us with two reviews…. one partway through her trial and another once she’d completed the 12 weeks.

Today, I’d like to share her thoughts on the product that she’s been using for the past 4/5 weeks.

Take it away Helen…

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Okay – so Charlotte very kindly chose me to review this product – many thanks Charlotte.

First impressions: Nice solid glass bottle with pipette type dispenser.  Product itself is a milky fluid – 100% fragrance free and allergy tested.  Love the bottle – looks and feels like it knows what it’s doing.  Slight drawback in that you can’t see how much product you’ve got left at a glance but I’m only about halfway through so should last til the end of this review.

What it promises: ‘striking improvements in as little as 4 weeks’… how does it do this… who cares…. oh, hang on… you do… let me quote… with ‘high-level peptides to boost the production of natural collagen’ and a ‘patented enzyme blend that works to mend visible UV damage’  So in just four weeks I should notice a ‘striking reduction in the appearance of lines and wrinkles.

What it’s up against: 45 year old mother of two who, although not a sun worshipper, wasn’t particularly good at applying facial sunscreen in her younger years and has only recently seen the error of her ways.   I also wear contacts so my delicate eye area is probably suffering a bit more wear and tear than it should.  I think the ‘before’ photo probably speaks for itself… (viewers of a nervous disposition may wish to look away!)

Usage: 3 to 4 drops to face and around eye area – twice a day.  Product is easy to apply via the pipette, and sinks into skin quickly.  Left my skin immediately feeling smoother and moisturised.  Have to say at this point I was pleasantly surprised as I wasn’t expecting my skin to feel so much better so quickly – but there was a distinct improvement in the texture and appearance after only a few days.

After four weeks – well….I do still have wrinkles/lines… BUT I would swear they are greatly improved in just this short time… please bear in mind the ‘after’ photo was taken after a very hectic weekend of late nights but even then I think you can see a difference.

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Thanks Helen, sounding really promising!  Can’t wait to hear your final thoughts once you’ve completed the trial and thanks for being our guinea pig!

Clinique’s Repairwear Laser Focus – Wrinkle and UV Damage Correcter is priced at £35.00 a bottle and available online or on counters nationwide.

A few weeks ago now, I made a haul from Puresha when they were offering the Cargo Plant Love range at half price.  It’s an organic ECO-CERTed range that I’d been eyeing up for ages but this was the push I needed to commit to a closer look.

I picked up 4 things which were delivered super quickly by Puresha and tied up in a rather beautiful furoshki wrap.  I’m loving this company’s commitment to ‘beautiful living’.

But enough about the stockist, how about the makeup?

I have mixed thoughts.  For one thing, the packaging feels flimsy and unfortunately one of my eyeshadow pans had come unstuck and was rattling about inside the casing.

But… I’ll get my single biggest problem outta the way first shall I?  I experienced an epic eyeshadow fail in this order.

One of the eyeshadow solos I ordered was a rather lovely looking shade called Loon.  Here it is on the left:

It’s described as a glimmering khaki bronze.  I’d describe it as tea leaves.  And I’m not talking about the colour.

Nice texture… how about swatched?

Sadly, a completely unusable eyeshadow.  On the other hand… Blue Jay is a truly truly beautiful slate blue.  Has anyone ever experienced an eyeshadow with a texture like my Loon?  I contemplated contacting Puresha about it, but to be completely honest… at the price I paid for my order, I’d rather feel that I was robbing them by asking for a replacement.

Anyway, one eyeshadow win… one fail…. what else did I get?

I bought a lipstick in shade Yakushima.  I wanted a soft, sheer plum… which is exactly what I got.

I’m not massively keen on the scent… it’s very waxy smelling, but I do love the shade.  Sheer, rich plum with a subtle gold glimmer.  The glimmer gives the illusion of fuller lips and makes this a fantastic choice for the festive season.

The final thing I picked up was the Green Goddess Collection palette that contains 4 eye shadows and 2 blushes.  I absolutely adore how slimline this thing is… check it out…

With the exception of Rose blush, all products are incredibly shimmery.  The eyeshadow in Lily is reminiscent of Urban Decay’s MCRA-type glitter… it’s too much.  I’m not entirely sure how much wear I’ll get out of this palette to be honest.  All shades are well-pigmented although Thyme (the pale shimmery green) has a little of that tea-leaf thing going on again.

The blushes are so-so… Rose is more of a bronzer on me because it applies with quite a deep, warm almost brick-like appearance, though it looks nice with a small amount of the very shimmery Peony dusted ontop.  I just need to use a very light-hand with these two.

So overall, it’s a mixed bag.

From the rattly loose-panned packaging to the eyeshadow textures that just won’t apply properly, I think that Cargo’s Plant Love range may well have some quality issues that will prevent me from exploring the brand further.  I did wonder if perhaps I’d received one from an ‘off’ batch.  Infact, that’s what I assumed… until I read this on MakeUpAlley.  Sound familliar?

The things that I’m happy with… I’m very happy with.  The rest, a bitter disappointment.

You can purchase Cargo Plant Love products online from Puresha with prices starting from £6.50

High five – it’s a makeup amnesty!  Anyone fancy trying a new mascara?

How about a lovely deluxe sample of one of Clinique’s top-selling products?

Clinique are offering us this rather brilliant opportunity to take in one of our crappy old mascaras and exchange it at the counter for a deluxe sample of one of these alternatives!

You can choose between:

Clinique High Impact Mascara

Clinique High Lengths Mascara

The offer is valid from 29th October – 16th November exclusively in Boots and only while stocks last.

Absolutely no purchase is necessary but stop rummaging through your sister’s/mother’s/mate’s makeup drawers ‘cos it’s only one per client.  I SAW you!

I haven’t tried the High Impact (volumising) one yet, so will be hot-footing it down my nearest Boots/Clinique counter to give it a go.

If you want to see how the High Lengths (lengthening) looked on my lashes, click here for my review and some before/after shots.

Will you be ditching an old mascara and trading up for this offer?

I wanna know… which mascara will you be swapping and which of Clinique’s will you be choosing to replace it?