OCTOBER CATCH-UP //

Whoops. So I've been MIA a little while... I guess I needed a little break after the craziness of September, 'tis all.
This month I relied on my trusty fave beauty products, devoured a popular series, celebrated my birthday, ate too much food, and 'treated myself'...a lot (#soznotsoz).

Read on to see what I got up to in October...

Makeup-and-skincare-wise it's been pretty pedestrian. The temperamental weather (e.g. 30 degrees one day, and 19 degrees the next!) has made me less adventurous with makeup, so I've tended to stick to the products that work well for me. You're probably quite familiar with them by now, I imagine, seeing as they crop up so frequently! I've also waxed lyrical about the brilliance of this Clinique duo, and they're yet to disappoint - they are definitely a versatile pair, whether for cooler seasons or warmer weather.

L-Rish:
Real Techniques Stippling Brush
Chi Chi Mosaic Blush in Pink Peach
Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Rose
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion +
Nivea Lip Butter in Caramel Cream
Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief
Mecca Cosmetica In a Good Light
Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Eyeliner Pencil in 061 Jet Black (I only realised the other day that I've been calling it 'Black' this whole time, sorry!)
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard

And I finally read the Divergent series, as I wanted to read Divergent before watching the movie - and yes, I also can't believe they'd been sitting on my bookshelf since May! Embarrassing, right?! I thought it was alright - I do have a few critiques of the series, but maybe we'll save that for another time... It is quite an impressive achievement for a 24-year-old author though! And side-note: Anyone else suffering 'Theo James Eyebrow Envy', or was it just me?

A few birthday gifts (and a couple from myself...):
A couple of candles to add to my candle collection, and a few beauty bits (you can bet that they'll be making an appearance again shortly.)

Candle Story Blackberry Candle (A gift from Mother)
Archipelago Botanicals Pineapple & Ginger Candle (A gift from a friend)
Clinique Chubby Stick Cheek Colour Balm in 03 Roly Poly Rosy (A gift from my Godmother)
Becca Mineral Tint SPF 30+ Sunscreen in Medium (A gift from myself...)
Korres Lip Butter in Wild Rose (And another from myself...)


Hope you're having a great start to the week! :D 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 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 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 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?