LIPTEMBER CHALLENGE // DAY 20

Today's face is a low-maintenance, soft matte 'stained' lip for work, feat. Avon Ultra Color Rich Lipstick in Red 2000. I guess you could say that I've been feelin' the red lip these past few days - it's a nice alternative to my usual pared back lip choices. I don't usually wear matte lipstick to work, as they can be quite drying and annoying to touch up, especially as I'm constantly talking to customers. I made an exception today as I've got a short shift, and a stain is easier to work with, in that I know it won't transfer to my teeth or smudge. It's actually intensely pigmented when applied straight from the tube, as you can see in the swatch above, though patted on with a finger it appears quite soft, which I like - just polished enough, but not too over the top. Work appropriate. It also looks lovely with the Yes To Carrots Color Balm in Soft Plum layered on top, which I ended up experimenting with towards the end of my shift, when my lips were feeling a little parched. The sheer burgundy shade adds another dimension to the soft cherry red, which is rather pretty - I don't have a photo, so you'll have to take my word for it!

What I used:
Mecca Cosmetica In A Good Light
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard
Kevyn Aucoin Eyelash Curler
Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl in 012 Bronze
EcoTools Angled Crease Brush
Essence Eyeshadow Single in 35 Party All Night
Avon Ultra Color Rich Lipstick in Red 2000

LIPTEMBER CHALLENGE // DAY 19

Woo, happy Friday! Today's offering will be a brief review of the Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters, which you'd have seen earlier (here, here and here). They're a lip balm and lipstick hybrid, I suppose, in that they're highly pigmented, but also balmy in texture - like tinted lip balms, only more opaque. These are a great pick when I'm after something more moisturising that still packs a punch, colour-wise. The three that I've got are 015 Tutti Frutti, 035 Candy Apple and 010 Raspberry Pie. Tutti Frutti is a peachy coral, Candy Apple is a warm orange-based red, and Raspberry Pie is a cool fuchsia - and the most opaque of the three.

L-R: Tutti Frutti, Candy Apple, Raspberry Pie

Texture: These have a balmy feel and glide comfortably over the lips. They do, however, have a tendency to get caught on, and highlight, dry or flaky bits.

Opacity: These are quite highly pigmented - the lighter shades are slightly sheerer, while the darker shades seem to be more opaque. They can also be dabbed on for a softer wash of colour, though generally I wouldn't apply them straight from the tube without a mirror. The darker shades do leave behind a slight stain.

Hydration: These are more hydrating than most lipsticks I own, and they wear quite comfortably for the most part. They can leave my lips feeling a little dry if I don't reapply after wiping my lips, or after eating and drinking.

Longevity: As they are 'denser', i.e. less glossy, than the average lip balm, they do last quite well throughout the day on me (say, 3-4 hours), as long as I'm careful with eating and drinking.

Price: $21.95 for 2.55g (which is kind of exxy, but luckily they're often discounted as places such as Priceline and Chemist Warehouse - I picked up Raspberry Pie from Chemist Warehouse for half price earlier this year!).

Other notes: They have a faintly sweet scent about them that isn't noticeable upon application. I also find the packaging especially handy as it indicates the shade clearly.

Are you a fan of Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butters?
Which shade is your fave? x

LIPTEMBER CHALLENGE // DAY 18

You've probably noticed a recurring theme these past few days - i.e. the 'minimal' face - and today is no different! It probably sounds a little ridiculous, and I don't pretend to disagree, but sometimes I almost challenge myself to see how I can make a rather laid-back outfit - such as my jeans-and-plain-tee uniform du jour - appear somewhat more polished with the aid of a little pop of colour on the lips, accompanied by illuminated skin and a touch of eyeliner. I love that this NYX Black Label Lipstick in 105 Cherry is a gorgeous deep cherry red hue that gives off a 'just been eating berries' kind of vibe when gently pressed into the lips (I usually use my ring finger). A full-out red lip would probably have been a little too much for my casual get-up.

The 'bare essentials':
Mecca Cosmetica In a Good Light
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard
Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl in 012 Bronze
NYX Black Label Lipstick in 105 Cherry

LIPTEMBER CHALLENGE // DAY 17

More experimenting with bright Summery lips - today's pick is Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer in 501 Stellar, which I only use when I have a lot of time to fiddle around with it and perfect it, because it can be quite difficult to master - and by master, I mean apply it so it looks normal! It's kind of like a highly pigmented lip gloss in that it moves around a fair bit, but it packs a punch colour-wise, hence the description 'lip lacquer'. I kept the rest of the face plain - partly due to the small patch of eczema on my cheek, which prevents blush (especially powder blush) from applying smoothly. I try to avoid piling on makeup if I don't have to, to give my sensitive skin a break. Besides, it's mainly the same idea as yesterday - slick on bright lippie in the hope that it distracts from everything else!

What I used:
Mecca Cosmetica In a Good Light
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard
Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Eyeliner Pencil in Black
Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer in 501 Stellar

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?

TASTY TUESDAYS // GREEK SALAD

With the arrival of the warmer weather I find myself craving light, refreshing meals, such as salads and wraps, over carbohydrate-heavy, 'comforting' foods of Winter, such as pasta or soups. Today I decided to whip up a quick Greek salad - my salad of choice - for a simple snack/light lunch. I find that I don't eat as much in Spring/Summer, either, as the weather is warmer (as I have poor circulation, a lot of the time I burn energy trying to keep warm!)

Greek Salaaaaad

I followed this recipe here, and didn't do much tweaking, though I did sprinkle some Oregano leaves on top for more flavour. The best part about it is that it's so easy to make, and doesn't take long at all.


What do you enjoy eating in the warmer months?
Are you a fan of Greek salad like me?

LIPTEMBER CHALLENGE // DAY 15

Today's fussier-than-usual face for a meet up with a friend in the city, and a little audition... I decided to do a 'punchier' lip (010 Raspberry Pie), as I knew I'd be on camera for the screen test. I played it safe by first smoothing on a thin layer of Nuxe Rêve de Miel to take care of the flaky bits, and to tone the opacity down a notch - Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butters can be quite opaque!

The breakdown:
Mecca Cosmetica In a Good Light
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard
Essence Eyeshadow in 35 Party All Night applied all over the lid with Ecotools Angled Crease Brush
MAC Fluidline in Black Track applied with Ecotools Angled Eyeliner Brush
Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl in 012 Bronze traced over the top
Kevyn Aucoin eyelash curler
b Collection by Bloom Cream Blush in Barossa Valley applied with Real Techniques Stippling Brush
Nuxe Rêve de Miel used to prep lips
Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in 010 Raspberry Pie


Hope you're having a great start to the week! x