LIPTEMBER CHALLENGE // DAY 30

Wowza. Has it been thirty days already?! Admittedly it's been tough averaging a post a day, but doing this challenge has prompted me to rediscover many lippie loves that I've neglected for too long, and encouraged me to shop my stash rather than adding to the collection! For today, I thought I'd compile a little summary of the month, in case you got lost along the way (besides, you're probably sick of my face by now - as I am! - with all of those #selfies...). It's probably easiest to use the 'Blog Archive' sidebar down the side - happy scrolling!

- Refer back to Intro to see what this month was all about, and for more info about the Liptember initiative.
- If you're after tinted lip balm suggestions, see days 1-3, with a review on day 4.
- Burt's Bees Lip Gloss got a special mention on day 5, with a review on day 6.
- Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butters were featured on days 7, 11 and 15, and reviewed on day 19.
- Check out my lip balm wants on day 8!
- Bourjois Shine Edition Lipstick was reviewed on day 9, and worn on day 10.
- Clinique Chubby Sticks were worn on days 12 and 13, and reviewed on day 14.
- LUSH Lip Tint was worn on day 16 and reviewed on day 21.
- See Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquers on days 17, 22 and 26, and the review on day 27.
- NYX Black Label Lipstick was worn on day 18.
- Various Avon lipsticks were worn on days 20, 23, 25 and 29.
- See day 24 for 'lippie layering'.
- See the 'red lipstick roundup' on day 28!

Sidenote: See here for a tasty greek salad recipe, and here to learn how to make curry puffs!


Hope you had a great September! :) x

LIPTEMBER CHALLENGE // DAY 28

Doing this challenge has made me realise that I actually own quite a few red lippies, so today I thought I'd do a little roundup of the ones I've used this month. These six are of various formulas - e.g. lip tint, lip lacquer, matte, cream, etc. - and varying shades of red - e.g. berry red, fire engine, sangria, etc. - so if you're on the hunt for a red lippie, you may find this useful. This is obviously by no means an exhaustive list!

L-R:
- Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in 035 Candy Apple - a warm, glossy/sheer red.  (See it in action here; review here.)
- LUSH Lip Tint in It Started With a Kiss - a pinky-red tint. (See it in action here; review here.)
- NYX Black Label Lipstick in 105 Cherry - a creamy, currant red. (See it in action here.)
- Avon Ultra Color Rich Lipstick in Red 2000 - a matte, cool red. (See it in action here.)
- Avon My Lip Miracle in incREDible - a creamy sangria. (See it in action here.)
- Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer in 400 Big Bang - a liquid, fire engine red. (See it in action here; review here.)


Do you have a 'signature' red lipstick?
Any recommendations? Do share! x

LIPTEMBER CHALLENGE // DAY 21

I know I've written about it briefly before, but here's a more organised summation of LUSH Lip Tint in It Started With A Kiss, featured on Day 16.

You might recall that this is actually my third tin (the first couple ended up becoming all hard and grainy, so I took them back to LUSH and they kindly exchanged them for another one). Third time lucky, I suppose! This is a pretty lip tint that can be applied sheer, or built up to a full strawberry-red.

Texture: See Other Notes for more info. This lip tint glides on smoothly, though it does take some time to warm up and melt into the lips. At times it can highlight dry or flaky bits, but is generally kind to drier lips.

Opacity: It glides on semi-opaque, but can be dabbed on for a sheerer finish or layered to full opacity. I'd say that it's closer to Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm, rather than Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter, for example, which is glossier and more opaque.

Hydration: I don't find it especially drying, but it's not super moisturising, either - it wears... comfortably, I suppose, though can become drying if I don't reapply after eating or drinking.

Longevity: As it's not very 'glossy', it does have decent staying power, and also leaves a slight tint - but be warned, your fingers will be tinted reddish pink as well! It lasts around 2-3 hours on me, without eating or drinking.

Price: $9.95 for 10g (which is practically a steal, considering the size of it!)

Other notes: I had a few issues with this product, especially in the cooler weather, as I found that it had a tendency to turn hard and grainy. It does take some time to warm up and become more malleable - fingers definitely work best, though I suppose one could also stick it in their pocket for a little while before using it, to warm it up. And it might seem obvious, but when the lid's on tight, the easiest way to open it is to clamp it the palms of both hands and twist - it's more effective than trying to unscrew it like taking the lid off a jar! It has an interesting scent - kind of cinnamon-y - that is quite noticeable, though I don't find it offensive. I also like the packaging, which is nice and portable, though perhaps less hygienic than a twist-up tube.


Have you tried this lip tint?
Do you have any other 'no-nasties' faves? x

LIPTEMBER CHALLENGE // DAY 16

A just-shy-of-barefaced look for quick trip to the shops for some groceries. I like to think that the brighter lip takes the attention away from the fact that everything else, i.e. hair and outfit, looks a bit drab... LUSH Lip Tint in It Started With a Kiss (how great is the name?!) can be built up to a louder pop of colour, or dabbed on as I've done here for a sheerer effect. Admittedly I haven't used this little lip prod in a while, as the colder weather makes it tricky to use - it completely hardens and takes a while to melt/become somewhat usable again! With the warmer months approaching, I'm hoping to get a lot of use out of this one - the strawberry-red colour is gorgeous.

The (rather small) breakdown:
Mecca Cosmetica In a Good Light
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard
Rimmel Waterproof Kohl in 012 Bronze
LUSH Lip Tint in It Started With a Kiss


Are you a fan of LUSH products?
How do you feel about lip tints in general?

WEEK IN REVIEW // 11

A week of...more haulin'. They see me haulin', they hatin'... Well, my bank balance ain't looking too impressed, either. I'd better make more of an effort to shop my now-burgeoning stash!

LUSH It Started With a Kiss lip tint - This has been a lovely alternative to a bright lippie, especially when applied sparingly. It wears comfortably, goes on evenly, and fades well, too. I just hope it doesn't end up drying or going grainy like the last two I've tried!

Sussan Pom Pom Socks - Aaaaaand the pom pom socks have finally come out for Winter! They're a bit of a novelty, too, I suppose, and they keep my feet, and ankles, nice and toasty. I seriously have the worst circulation - can't wait for Winter to be over already!

Lanikai Ukulele - Meet my new baby. She has a gorgeous, warm sound, and is great to play. Perhaps there might even be a musical interlude in the near future...? :O

Bourjois Shine Edition Lipstick in 23 Grenadine - Is this...another lip product?! Sorry, I couldn't resist! The glossy/balmy nature of this makes it perfect for Winter, as my lips aren't in the best shape. It doesn't cling to flaky bits of lip skin (sorry, gross!) and has quite impressive staying power for something as moisturising as it is. I like to pat it on to my lips for a subtle wash of colour, like so.

And still going strong from last week:
Mecca Cosmetica In a Good Light - I completely understand if you're sick of seeing this one, given the frequency of its appearances here! But it'd be wrong of me not to include it, when it's the only base I've been wearing as of late... It really is a great 'all in one' - moisturiser, sunscreen, illuminator - a lazy girl's dream!

Nuxe Rêve de Miel - I think this has almost matched Nivea Lip Butter's numerous appearances on here, as well. I am pleased to announce that underneath the hardened top lies a creamier balm, consistent with lemon curd... Mmmmm. This is the only balm I've been using lately.

bareMinerals Correcting Concealer in Medium 2 - Last week I mentioned that I was experimenting with application, and I've found that fingers work equally well for when I'm not overly bothered (lazy girl, remember? :P) It provides decent coverage, and its powder finish gives it lasting power, though I prefer to apply it over something moisturising first, so it goes on smoothly.

Happy Monday! Hope the rest of the week goes swimmingly (: x

#FOTD 6 //

Testing out some newbies today!

...And so far, I'm impressed.

The breakdown:
Mecca Cosmetica In a Good Light applied over face - I've raved about it before, so I'll refrain from repeating myself.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Natural Beauty applied on cheeks with Real Techniques Stippling Brush - I'm seriously impressed with this one! It looks a bit intimidating in the pan, but when applied with the Stippling Brush, gives a really pretty reddish-pink flush. (It's got more red-toned in person - my camera doesn't capture it very well.)

LUSH It Started With a Kiss lip tint - This is my third tin of the stuff (the first couple ended up becoming all hard and grainy, so I took them back to LUSH and the lovely peeps there kindly exchanged them for another one). Third time lucky? Anyhow, this is a gorgeous, smooth lip tint that can be applied sheer, or built up to a full, strawberry-red. (Applied over a layer of Nuxe Rêve de Miel). This is also more red-toned in person, and a lot brighter.

bareMinerals Correcting Concealer in Medium 2 - I'm learning how best to apply this one. I find that it goes on well when applied over some kind of moisturising base, e.g. day cream or In a Good Light. I like to blend it in with the Ecotools Airbrush Concealer Brush, then pat away any harsh lines or edges with my finger. I find that the warmth from my fingers helps it to melt in nicely.

Rimmel ScandalEyes Shadow Sticks in 008 Bad Girl Bronze (top) and 011 Bluffing (bottom) with Bluffing applied over eyelid and Bad Girl Bronze applied on outer 'V' - I wrote about these in my last post, and I find that they accompany each other rather well! They are creamy and quite long-lasting - even more so when applied on dry skin. I find that it takes longer to 'set' when I've applied foundation to my eye area. I like that Bad Girl Bronze is a lovely warm chocolatey brown, though not so much a fan that it comes across practically identical to Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eyeliner in 012 Bronze in terms of colour. I like that the tip is tapered enough to use as eyeliner (just), but wide enough to use all over the lid. It's not like trying to colour in your entire eyelid with an eyeliner pencil (which feels totally weird and futile...)! A good all-rounder, I think.


Cheers to the weekend! What are your plans? x