Review: MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour

When I heard that MAC were bringing out liquid lipsticks, I knew I'd at least have to go and swatch them. And swatching them turned into me buying one and immediately feeling guilty on spending so much money on a lipstick I wasn't sure I was going to like. Luckily for me though I wasn't disappointed by this liquid lip colour.

Out of the many shades MAC had to offer, I went for the shade Dance With Me which is a deep almost burgundy red shade. This shade will suit a host of skintones but if you have a fair complexion like me then this would make a stunning stand out shade.

The applicator looks like a standard doe foot applicator but unlike others it has a more of a point at the end. It makes it a lot easier to apply as the point gives the edges a straight line and makes lining your lips easy.  It isn't any wider but application is still easy and one swipe of the wand and lips are covered in a layer of opaque colour.

A little bit of this lipcolour goes a long way but I'd advise dipping your wand back in after you've done either you top or bottom lip as it can go streaky when you go to finish the other one. The formula of these though isn't thick or sticky. It glides onto the lips and dries down quickly, by the time I've finished my top lip, my bottom lip is dry. And once they've dried down there is no budging them.

That's where the problems could start. On first application this dries down to a matte finish that you can feel on your lips but doesn't instantly suck up any moisture on your lips. Yes it does dry lips out the longer you wear it but then that happens with pretty much any liquid lip or matte lip colour you wear. However a couple of times I've worn it, it's started to flake off my lips and ball in the corners of my mouth, and once it even transferred from lips to reveal the skin underneath even though it was completely dry. I guess what I'm trying to say is go careful with this lip colour. Yes it's stunning, it looks nice on and it's long wearing but if there's even the slightest thing wrong with your lips then it's all over. Although this is my only problem with this product and I have to say that I'm impressed, usually I manage to find two or three faults I don't like but this time there's only one and it can be worked around.

Overall I like this product. Sure I don't like it as much as I like the Stila Liquid Lipsticks but if you don't have access to Stila then this is a good alternative. It comes in a range of shades and actually does what it says on the tin so you can't go wrong really. At £21 a pop they are pricey but if you're a fan of high end lipsticks then this is definitely up your street.

Have any of you tried these? What did you think? Let me know in the comments.

Review: Too Faced Melted Lipstick

Too Faced is a brand I've heard lots about but I've never known it was available locally. That was until I was strolling through Debenhams one day. And then I found the Too Faced Melted Lipsticks on a small stand in their beauty department. So of course I had to try one. Luckily for me I found these before my birthday in November and my lovely friend Lee-Ann brought me this for my birthday.

If you don't know what a Melted Lipstick is, it's a liquid lipstick that doesn't dry down matte but stays on the lips longer than a normal sheen finish lipstick. They come in a range of shades and a couple of other finishes such as a metallic finish but they all claim to do the same thing.

I have the shade Melted Berry which when I swatched it looked like a deep berry shade but when I've worn it is actually more of a pink than a berry. However the colour hasn't put me off, I've just worn a darker lip liner underneath to change how pink it looks on top.

The formula is an interesting one and I think if I wasn't a complete matte lip lover than I would definitely have more shades than what I have already. It glides nicely onto the lips with it's foam feeling applicator, leaving lips covered in a glossy opaque finish. Now as it's a brighter colour than expected I'm not to keen on the finish. Yes more neutral shades would look nice on the lips but preferably for me I like my bold lips to be matte.

However after wearing it for a while the shine does wear away slightly and you're left with a stain of colour on your lips. It doesn't feel uncomfortable on the lips and you don't end up with dry, flaky lips afterwards but the finish is an acquired taste.

Overall this is a nice lipstick but it wouldn't be my first choice. The colour on it's own would probably suit me more in the Summer than now and I'll definitely be giving it a go when the warmer weather rolls around. Yes it could have been more matte as it's a longwear lipstick but overall the lasting power and the way it leaves lips feeling isn't terrible. I wouldn't purchase more colours of these purely because I'm a matte lover but it also doesn't mean I'm not going to wear this.

Have any of you tried these? What did you think? Would you recommend trying any different colours? Let me know in the comments.

Review: Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipsticks

Liquid Lipsticks are a big thing at the moment and I absolutely love the idea of them. I'm a matte lip girl at heart so these are right up my street. However not many high street brands have liquid lipsticks in their ranges. So I started looking at more higher end brands and that's when I found these. I featured this in one of my Christmas Gift Guides and was very lucky to recieve them as a Christmas present from my bestest (thank you Jasmin).

I'd heard a lot about these Stila Liquid Lipsticks but didn't know I could get them locally until last year. The three you see are miniature sized liquid lipsticks, perfect for trialling them. There are three shades, Baci, Ricco and Beso. Baci is a grey toned nude, Ricco is a dark burgundy that looks purple in the tube and Beso is a bright tomato red. Unfortunately I can't wear Baci as it doesn't suit my complexion, if I had a warmer complexion then I would be able to wear this as a neutral shade however I'm of the pale persuasion.

However both Beso and Ricco suit me and I've gotten so much wear out of both of them. Beso being a tomato red is perfect for the upcoming warmer months paired with flawless skin and lashings of mascara. As it's such a standout colour you don't need to do much to make it work. Ricco on the other hand will be going away at the end of the month as it's too dark for me to wear during the warmer months. If you have a warmer complexion and can pull of those darker shades all year round then this is for you.

When it comes to formula these have the best liquid lipstick formula I've tried so far. The applicator is a standard doe foot applicator but has something I can't put my finger on that makes it better than other doe foot applicators I've tried. It gives a nice crisp edge when applying and doesn't put too much product in one place and not another.

I do think a lot of it is down to the formula though. It's not too thick but it's not thin either and is actually quite cooling on the lips when you apply it. All three colours go on opaque in one swipe and don't go streaky or patchy if you try to layer them up. They dry down quite quickly which means you do have to work quickly but once they're dry you can go over them again if you want. Once dry they don't budge and don't feel ultra drying on the lips. Yes as the days goes on they can be drying but I find that you can pop a bit of lip balm over the top and it doesn't cause any issue with the colour. An biophase eye make up remover or something with a high oil content are needed to remove them but it's a small price to pay to have such amazing colours last all day long.

I'm definitely going to be picking some more of these up but I want to know if any of you have tried them? Have you? What are your favourite shades? Let me know in the comments.

Top 3: Foundations

If there is one product I find it hard to stay loyal to it's foundation. So when it came to writing this post it was hard to pick the three products to show you all. However as I did my make up daily I did find there were three foundations I went back to time and time again.

Maybelline Dream Velvet Foundation in Natural
This is the newest addition to my collection but I find myself reaching for this more than other older foundations I have in my collection. This is an interesting foundation as it's matte finish in a gel formula. However it works. Instead of being drying on the skin and looking cakey it actually makes skin look perfected yet without that overly dewy finish some foundations give. And because it's a hydrating gel formula it doesn't dry out the skin or do any damage to the skin like some do. The shade 01 Natural is perfect for ladies with a fairer skintone that are more yellow toned than pink toned. A little bit goes a long way and once it's blended in and the rest of the make up is set then it doesn't budge. If you're looking for a full review you can find it here.

Revlon Colorstay Foundation in Buff
The next foundation is one that has been around for years and I can see why it has great staying power. The Colorstay Foundation comes in two different formulas, normal to dry skin and combination to oily skin and each formula has a wide variety of colours. I have the normal to dry formula in the shade Buff and use this when I want a full coverage finish that lasts all day. As it's a full coverage finish it is a very heavy foundation that can go cakey if you apply to much. However if you apply it in thin layers it works well and leaves skin looking skin like but flawless. The only downfall of this foundation is that it doesn't come with a pump but have no fear that is changing soon. Revlon are rereleasing both formulas with pumps in them. So if you've been thinking of trying this but the lack of pump was offputting, hold out a bit longer and you can soon pick yourself up a bottle with a pump.

Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream in Ivory
And the last foundation is not considered a foundation but works the same and gives the same coverage as foundation. This CC Cream is the lightest formula of the three I've talked about but is the one I find I reach for the most. With pigments in it to help reduce Fatigue, Redness and Dark Spots, this CC Cream is all about evening out the skin. And it does it very well. A very runny consitency, you only need a small amount as it goes a long way and blends like a dream. It doesn't go cakey if you layer it and once it's one you don't have to worry about it disappearing either. I reach for this more out of the three as it just works well with my skin. It's only let down is that it can explode in the lid and make it messier to apply but if you have time and patience you'll be able to over look this.

So that's it for my Top 3 Foundations. Were any of those your favourites? Do you have any you think I should try? Let me know in the comments.

Review: Barry M Gelly Hi Shine Spring Releases

When Barry M releases new polishes you know they're going to make an appearence on this blog. And today it's time for me to share with you the four new Gelly Hi Shine Polishes that have continuously graced my nails since they came out.

As it is their Spring Release, all four colours lean more towards pastel than bright. Perfect for this time of the year. The four shades are Pink Lemonade, Butterscotch Sundae, Acai Smoothie and Cream Soda. Acai Smoothie is the brightest of the four shades and is very similar in shade to Sugar Plum, one of their later releases last year.

Pink Lemonande is probably my favourite shade of the four. It looks quite pink in the bottle but when on the nail it's actually quite muted in tone and has hints of grey in it. Cream Soda isn't too far behind it, it's the perfect shade if you want to give white nails ago but don't want a stark white polish.

When it comes down to formula these are brilliant and one of my favourite formulas from Barry M. Each polish is thicker in consitency than the pastel shades from last year and are opaque in one coat. I'd still recommend two coats just to give the colour a nice depth but you can get away with one coat if you want.

And then comes the most exciting bit about Barry M's latest releases. They've changed the brush. Gone is the piddly little thin brush that takes forever to paint the nail. And in it's place is a nice new thick, square brush that coats the nail in one go. It makes painting the nail so much easier and cuts down on time as well. I like how they fit perfectly to the nail and in one swipe I can paint my nail.

Overall I like all of these colours but if I was to advise you to go for one or two then it would be Cream Soda and Pink Lemonade. They're just the right shade of neutral to pull off with any outfit for any occasion. Formula wise, these dry quick, last well and give a nice gel like finish to the nail. If you're a fan of Barry M, I recommend you give these a go.

Have any of you tried these already? What did you think? What were your favourite shades? Let me know in the comments.

Review: Barry M Speedy Quick Dry Spring Releases

At the beginning of the year, Barry M released not one, not two but four new ranges of nail polishes. The majority of them are new seasonal releases for their most popular formulas and that's what I'm going to show you today.

As they did with the Gelly Hi Shine Polishes, Barry M have released four new Springtime shades. And now having compared the two, both releases are quite simple. Both have several muted shades and one bright shade that stands out from the rest.

The four shades in the range are called Winning Streak, a light beige. In A Flash, a stunning bright peach shade. Personal Best, a brightish purple and Freestyle a dusky mauvey pink. Usually with Barry M Collections, I only like one or two of the shades but with this collection I like the entire range. I do of course have some I wear more than others and in this case it's Freestyle and In A Flash. In A Flash is the perfect transition shade from Winter to Spring as well as Spring to Summer and Freestyle is just the perfect non beige neutral shade.

You do need two coats of this polish to really get the true colour and it also means they don't look patchy or streaky. The formula of these is really nice but you do have to work quickly with them as they really do dry as quickly as you expect them to. However it's easy to work with them as they have a thick square ended brush that covers the nail in one stroke. It makes application so much easier and you don't have to worry about removing any polish like you would with a smaller brush.

I do find though that out of all Barry M's Nail Ranges, these are the quickest to chip. As most of their shades are pastels you do need to add coats to get the colour in the bottle and sometimes it can mean a good two or three coats. And on my nails it means that my nail colour is slightly more raised than normal which unfortunately means I catch them easily and chip them. I've tried several top coats with these polishes and it still doesn't work. That however is my only peeve with these polishes and the Speedy Quick Dry Range.

Overall these polishes are just as good as any other I've tried but I don't think you need these if you have Barry M's Gelly Hi Shine Spring Releases. However if you like the look of the colours but you're not the most patient of people when it comes to doing your nails, then these polishes are right up your street.

Have any of you tried these polishes? Did you like them? Or did you prefer the Gelly Hi Shine instead? Let me know in the comments.

Product Empties #4

It's that time again. It's time to show you what products I've loved that much I've finished them. It's been a while since I've done an empties and I've managed to accumulate quite a few products.

 Clean and Clear Deep Cleansing Lotion
This is like the millionth bottle of this stuff. I have used it for years and gone through countless bottles. It's my everyday morning cleanse because it really helps wake me up and get rid of any grime or make up that's left on my face from the night before. It is designed for sensitive skin so if you're worried about it making you break out it won't. It contains Salicylic Acid which will help fight any blemishes or blemish creating bacteria on your skin. I'm already halfway through my next bottle and can see myself going through many more this year.

Carmex Classic Lip Balm 
I feel like I've achieved something in life with this empty. I've finally finished a lip balm. I never finish them as I always end up losing them or finding another one I want to try. However with this Carmex pot I've managed it. This lip balm didn't actually agree with me when I first started using it but gradually I got used to it and I wouldn't go for anything else. It's one of those tingly lip balms that actually feel like they're working when you put them on and I recommend it for anyone who likes wearing matte lips as much as I do.

Garnier Miracle Sleeping Cream
The next empty is my go to, ride or die night cream. The Garnier Sleeping Mask is a product that works whilst you sleep and gives you radiant refreshed skin with every use. This pot lasted for ages and I'm halfway through my second pot. It's very thick in texture and a little bit goes a long way. I won't go into too much detail as I have a review of it here.

Sanctuary Spa 5 Minute Thermal Detox Mask 
Another empty another ride or die product. This mask is the best I've ever tried and I always find myself going back to it after trying new products. A thick warming mask, this clings to the skin and brings any impurities out of the skin. Brilliant if you want to completely detox your skin and get rid of any blemishes you can feel coming on. It cools down slightly as you wear it but warms up again as you take it off. Best way to wear this is in the bath as the warmth from the bath will make pores open up and it will work better.

Simply Pure Hydrating Serum
This is the first tube of this I've gone through. And I can predict I'm going to go through a lot more in the future. This has overtaken my Clearly Youthful Night Serum in my routine as it leaves my skin feeling so refreshed and hydrated after a day of wearing make up. Containing ingredients such as Salicylic Acid and Allantonin, this serum is perfect for people with sensitive skin that want that burst of hydration. My only pet peeve is that you can't see through the packaging so you don't know when you're close to finishing it.

Maybelline Anti Age The Eraser Eye
It seems like forever but I've finally finished this concealer. It does take a while as you only need a little bit at a time. If you don't know what this concealer is, it has a rounded sponge applicator which means swiping this where you need it is easy. There are only two shades and depending on what time of the year it is, depends on how well this works on my skin. It does cover my dark circles though and doesn't move during the day. I've just opened a new one so it will be a while before you see this in an empties again.

Vitamin E Refreshing Toning Mist
When it comes to toning mists I've only ever used this one, until recently. And if I'm entirely honest I'll probably continue using this one. When it says refreshing, it really does mean refreshing. I like to spritz this on my face in the morning, evening and every once in a while when I'm not wearing make up. Instead of leaving skin feeling dry like a couple of others I've tried this actually leaves skin hydrated and prepped for the next steps in your skincare routine. A little bit goes a long way and this bottle can last a good two to three months even with continuous use.

Naturally Radiant Brightening Eye Cream 
I've had a long battle with my under eye bags until I found this cream. And now getting up every day I don't dread seeing what my under area looks like. I don't know what's in this but it works miracles I swear. I've been using this since October and the results haven't faltered once. Whilst you can still some of the bluey veins under my eyes there are very faint and easily covered up with concealer unlike beforehand when I had to use three different concealers to cover them up. I have a full review here if you're interested in this product.

Clearly Youthful Hydrating Day Serum
Another empties, another tub of my ride or die day serum. This serum never fails me when I apply and it helps my skin even when it's at it's worst. Containing a multitude of blemish fighting and anti ageing ingredients, this serum fights to keep skin clear whilst helping to keep it looking youthful. Out of the entire Clearly Youthful Range this is my favourite product as it actually shows results and doesn't let you down.

Garnier Ultimate Blends The Strength Restorer Conditioner
And for the final empty I present the only hair product of this post. This is my favourite conditioner as it helps remove any dryness from the ends of my hair. Plus it smells divine. If you haven't tried the Ultimate Blends Range then you should There are seven different sets of shampoo and conditioner which comes with each hair need. The Strength Restorer is a honey based product that helps fragile or damaged hair. As I wear my hair in a bun most day my ends get drier than the rest of my hair. So when I was my hair, I slather my ends in this and when it's washed out, my hair feels smooth, soft and no longer dry.

So that's it for my product empties. Have any of you tried any of these? What did you think? Let me know in the comments.