LIPTEMBER CHALLENGE // DAY 27

Today feature is a mini-review of Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquers, which you'd have seen in the past few days (here, here and here). I have three shades: 501 Stellar, a bright coral-pink, 303 Apocaliptic, a vibrant fuchsia and my favourite of the three, and 400 Big Bang, a pink-based red. As it is such an interesting hybrid lip product, i.e. not exactly a gloss, nor a liquid lipstick, I found it a little more challenging to describe it, so bear with me!

Texture: It has a smooth, glossy texture, and does highlight flaky bits. I would describe it as a pigmented gloss/lacquer/liquid lipstick kind of thing. It can feel a little thick and heavy if you use too much. It may also bleed into fine lines around the mouth, and beware of getting it on your teeth - yep, it's one of those high-maintenance lippies!

Application: It has a doe foot applicator (see below), with an indent in the middle that collects a 'pool' of product, so you don't have to keep dipping the wand back in to get more. While that's quite a handy design, you have to be careful that it's not too much - at first I found it necessary to wipe off the excess on the edge of the tube as it was too 'gloopy'. You really don't need a lot of product! The applicator is firm and allows precision - I found that it was stiff enough to trace around my lips with ease.

Opacity: It's highly pigmented and of full opacity - something like a liquid lipstick - and also leaves a stain. I actually prefer blotting with a tissue to take off the excess, and wearing it as a stain instead. It prevents it from moving around and smearing, and lasts surprisingly well, too.

Hydration: It is quite moisturising, and wears comfortably for several hours - the only thing is, be wary of it smudging! When blotted, it may feel start to feel a little dry after 2-3 hours.

Longevity: Its staying power is impressive, to say the least - it lasts well throughout the day when blotted, and puts up a valiant fight through eating and drinking. Beware of it fading in the middle and leaving an unsightly 'ring' if you apply lip balm over the stain, as it will make it fade quicker.

Price: $15.95 for 5.5ml (I actually ordered mine from ASOS for about half that price!)

Other notes: It has floral-y/watermelon-y scent which is quite noticeable, but not as obvious once applied. It also has a bit of an interesting taste, too...


Have you tried these lip lacquers?
Love 'em or loathe 'em? x

LIPTEMBER // DAY 26

I'm considering supposedly-'universally flattering' makeup today, with Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer in 400 Big Bang (last one, I promise!) - a pink-based red. Back in my dancing days, makeup for the end of year concert would always be the same - dark brown eyeshadow, accompanied by red lips, as it was supposed to be flattering on everyone, and appropriate for the stage. That had always thrown me a little, because I never found it to be the most flattering combination on me, personally. I was reminded of this when I recently saw the same look on my mother - and she looked stunning; somehow it seemed to enhance her features perfectly. So I thought I'd try it again...but no, I can't say I love it. It's all trial and error when it comes to makeup, I suppose!

A few days ago I mentioned that I enjoyed blotting these lip lacquers and wearing them as a stain. It's more subtle and less glossy - and therefore less likely to move around and smudge everywhere (ahem, hello, Bozo the Clown...). It has more of a matte finish, but wears more comfortably than traditional matte lippies. Here's what it looks like when blotted with a tissue:

It becomes less of a fire-engine red, and a touch more 'currant-y', which I'm not really complaining about. Stay tuned for a little summary of these lip lacquers, coming soon.

What's on my face?
Mecca Cosmetica In a Good Light
Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Eyeliner Pencil in Black
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard
Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer in 400 Big Bang
Revlon CustomEyes Eyeshadow Palette in 020 Naturally Glamorous (russet brown shade, second from bottom, applied all over lid) + EcoTools Angled Crease Brush


Happy Friday! :D
What are your thoughts on 'universally flattering' makeup? x

LIPTEMBER CHALLENGE // DAY 25

Wowza. It was pretty crazy earlier today - and all over in about five minutes! The heavens opened and rain bucketed town, followed by hail about the size of raisins or macadamia nuts, which left us without electricity for a few hours. My, my - time seems to pass so slowly without the internet! Anyhow, I was definitely 'feeling' the volatile weather today - and as my mood seems to reflect the weather, it made sense to do a more 'full-on', somewhat-more-Autumnal face. No 'sunshine and lollipops' today! Today's lip is one of my favourites Avon My Lip Miracle in incREDible, which is a gorgeous currant red that I usually reserve for the Autumn/Winter months. I especially love that it's a wonderfully hydrating formula that keeps lips happy all day, while packing a punch in the colour department. Side-note: The eyeshadow I'm wearing is a combination of the burgundy Bourjois cream eyeshadow, with Essence Party All Night layered on top - it's strange how the Bourjois one becomes more of a browny shade when blended (see the swatches here).

What I used:
Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronze Universel + Real Techniques Buffing Brush
EcoTools Large Eye Brush and Smudge Brush
Avon My Lip Miracle in incREDible
Essence Eyeshadow in 35 Party All Night
Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Natural Beauty + Real Techniques Stippling Brush
Kevyn Aucoin Eyelash Curler
Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Eyeliner Pencil in Black
Bourjois Color Edition 24hr Eyeshadow in 05 Prune Nocturne


Hope you're all taking care in this crazy weather! x

LIPTEMBER CHALLENGE // DAY 24

You might remember a few days ago I mentioned that the Avon Ultra Color Rich Lipstick in Red 2000 looks great with the Yes To Carrots Color Balm in Soft Plum layered on top... I tried to recreate it for you, though it doesn't look as good as it did when I tried it spontaneously (argh, isn't that always how it goes!). The cherry red of Avon is given a vampier twist, thanks to the muted burgundy of Yes To Carrots - and the added bonus is that it's less drying, too. Win!

What I used:
Mecca Cosmetica In a Good Light
Kevyn Aucoin Eyelash Curler
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard
Yes To Carrots Color Balm in Soft Plum
Avon Ultra Color Rich Lipstick in Red 2000
Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Eyeliner Pencil in Black


Are you a fan of layering lippies?
Recommend a combo? x

LIPTEMBER CHALLENGE // DAY 23

Taking a break from the loud lips today with something a tad more muted - Avon Color Rich Lipstick in Sparkling Blush, which for some reason reminds me the kind of lipstick a fairy would wear - candy pink with sparkles! It's a nice alternative to bright lipstick, as it is of considerably lower maintenance  and is perhaps more everyday appropriate (if you tend to shy away from eye-catching colours for daily wear, like me). I only wear this one occasionally as I sometimes find the iridescent finish a little...uh, tacky, I suppose, but every now and then I'll pull it out when I'm in the mood for something different!

What I used:
Mecca Cosmetica In a Good Light
Rimmel Waterproof Kohl Kajal in 012 Bronze
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard
Avon Ultra Color Rich Lipstick in Sparkling Blush


Are you a fan of bright lips, or more muted colours? x

LIPTEMBER CHALLENGE // DAY 22

I thought I'd pull out Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer again today - this time in 303 Apocaliptic (my favourite shade out of the three that I have), as I've got time to spare and my lips are in a somewhat better condition for a bright lip. It's a gorgeous fuchsia shade, slightly warmer than Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in 010 Raspberry Pie, and I actually prefer this lippie more when blotted gently with a tissue - it becomes a really pretty stain that wears well and doesn't budge, smear or transfer onto teeth. You might have noticed that I haven't been wearing blush lately, because of that patch of dry, eczema-y skin on my cheek, but today I decided I needed a little pop of colour to prevent me from looking washed out.

What I used:
Mecca Cosmetica In a Good Light
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard
Kevyn Aucoin Eyelash Curler
NYX Powder Blush in Desert Rose + Real Techniques Stippling Brush
Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl in 012 Bronze
Rimmel Apolocalips Lip Lacquer in 303 Apocaliptic


Are you a fan of lip lacquers or 'liquid lipsticks'? 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