Tuesday, 30 September 2014

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 29





I'm reminiscing my first foray into lippie loving today with Avon Glazewear Lipstick in Gypsy Red. It's delightfully creamy and hydrating, and my younger self adored the sparkles. It struck me a couple of days ago - Avon actually seems to do the most unique/'I-don't-even-know-how-to describe-this-colour' shades. Take Gypsy Red, for example. On my lips it looks like a reddish pink, though it swatches like a corally-red, with a hint of orange. Or is it just me? For some reason I've found it a challenge to describe the colours of the Avon lipsticks that I own - is it a cool red? A berry red? A fire engine red? I settled for describing one as 'sangria', though I'm not entirely certain if that was correct, either!


In other news, I've switched (permanently till the colder weather returns, I think) back to my 'Summer combo' from earlier in the year, for my base - i.e. Nivea sunscreen + MAC Face and Body Foundation, as I've found that Mecca Cosmetica In a Good Light tends to be a tad too emollient, and a bit light for my tanned skin. It is a bit of a pain to have to layer the two for the SPF (and to add powder on top to negate the shine...), but for the time being I'll deal with it - and factor in an extra minute or two into my makeup routine! I've also been considering tinted moisturisers with 'built in SPF', such as Invisible Zinc Tinted Daywear SPF 30+, or Becca Mineral Tint SPF 30+ Sunscreen, that are also physical sunblocks. I'm starting to research the different between chemical and physical sunscreens, so please do share if you know a bit about it - it's all a bit science-y and mind boggling to me; (science was never really my forte in school!).


The breakdown:
Nivea Daily Face Veil SPF 30+ Sunscreen
MAC Face and Body Foundation in C3
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard
Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Translucent + EcoTools Retractable Kabuki
Clinique Cheek Pop in 01 Ginger Pop + Real Techniques Stippling Brush
Rimmel Waterproof Kohl Kajal in 012 Bronze
Kevyn Aucoin Eyelash Curler
Avon Glazewear Lipstick in Gypsy Red


For those in the Southern Hemisphere, I hope you're enjoying the warmer weather!
(And for those in the North, enjoy Fall while it lasts!) x

Sunday, 28 September 2014

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

Saturday, 27 September 2014

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

Friday, 26 September 2014

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

Thursday, 25 September 2014

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