My Most Worn Lipsticks

Ahhh lipsticks, these are definitely my most purchased beauty product. But despite me having quite a collection now I usually stick to a few that I love, for different reasons.

In the above photos, from left to right:

Lancome Rouge in Love Rouge in Love- This, I think, is such a unique colour. I don't have anything else like this in my collection. It's a semi-opaque bright pink that really brightens up the complexion. It's also moisturising, but despite this it lasts ages on my lips. A definite repurchase.



MAC Ruby Woo- This is one of my most favourite matte lipsticks. It's a beautiful cool-toned red that looks great on equally cool-toned, pale skinned women (and men, of course). I already have another tube of this, just in case.



Paul & Joe Lipstick in 304- This was a limited edition colour but I think it's still available. It's a lovely red-pink with a slight gold glitter through it, subtle enough to be worn anytime. Again this is a great colour for cool-toned pale skins.



Lancome L'Absolu Rouge Rouge Hypnose 160- Ahh, this is such a gorgeous colour, a deep red-pink, I imagine Snow White would love this colour. It's perfect. 



Shu Uemura Mon Shu Red- This was part of Karl Lagerfeld collection, so I'm unsure if it's still available. It's semi-opaque, incredibly moisturising and long-wearing. I'd say this is a mid-toned red with slight coral undertones, it's a really wearable colour. And I'm almost finished it *sadface*. I probably won't be able to get the same colour but I will be purchasing another Shu Uemura lipstick. I really love the formula, it's as moisturising as a good lip balm and the colour lasts. A brilliant lipstick.


Do you have a preferred colour or brand of lipstick?

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Philosophy Purity Made Simple

I fancied a change from my usual cleanser, Elemental Herbology Purify & Soothe Cleansing Balm. My skin has changed quite a lot recently (I’ll talk about that in another post) and Elemental Herbology just wasn’t working for me. So I thought I’d try Philosophy Purity Made Simple. Philosophy Purity Made Simple is a 3-in-1 cleanser that cleanses, tones and hydrates the skin in one step. My kind of cleanser, I hate faffing about with different products. 

Philosophy Purity Made Simple is a creamy cleanser that smells gently of flowers.It doesn’t have artificial fragrance added, the smell is down to it’s ingredients. You only need a small amount, around the size of a 20p piece to cleanse your whole face. I’ve found it’s best to use on a dry face but with wet hands, it seems to cleanse much better. All you do is massage the creamy cleanser over your skin and eyes from 30-60 seconds then rinse off. I’ve read some reviews stating that this doesn’t remove makeup. I use Estee Lauder Double Wear and Philosophy Purity Made Simple removes it all. Philosophy Purity Made Simple is definitely a gentle cleanser. I’ve experienced no irritation with this and no tightness after cleansing. Just soft, refreshed and deeply cleansed skin.

Ingredients & What They Do

Water, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Sodium Trideceth Sulfate, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Coco-Glucoside, Coconut Alcohol, Peg-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Aniba Rosaeodora (Rosewood) Wood Oil, Geranium Maculatum Oil, Guaiac (Guaiacum Officinale) Extract, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Rosa Damascena Extract, Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil, Santalum Album (Sandalwood) Oil, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Oil, Cinnamomum Cassia Leaf Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil, Piper Nigrum (Pepper) Seed Extract, Polysorbate 20, Glycerin, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Yellow 5 (Ci 19140).

-Sodium Lauroamphoacetate: Acts as a mild surfactant that gently cleanses the skin without irritation or residue.

-Meadowfoam Seed Oil: Lightly hydrates the skin leaving the skin comfortable, not pulled or tight.

-Sodium Trideceth Sulfate: Pulls dirt, debris, and makeup from the skin and dissolves them.

-Twelve-Essential Oil Blend (Including Rosewood, Sandalwood, Sage): Helps soften, soothe, and rejuvenate the skin.

Have you tried it? What’s your favourite all-in-one cleanser?

Too Faced Candlelight Glow: A Return

(left to right- gold shade, rose gold shade, both together)

I have previously reviewed Too Faced Candlelight Glow but since I’ve been using this quite a lot recently I wanted to return to it (plus I wanted to do better photos!).

Too Faced Candlelight Glow is a beautiful duo of highlighting and brightening powders. On the one side is a sheer golden powder, while on the other is a brightening rose gold. This is definitely one of my favourite highlighters. It adds instant luminosity and radiance with the tiniest amount. Despite it being a powder it never settles into pores or fines lines. It looks more like a liquid once applied. It’s incredibly silky, never looking chalky or, well, powdery. 

The rose gold works beautifully on the cheeks, while the gold is perfect for temples, brow-bone, cupid's bow etc. Both mixed together gives a healthy all over radiance. It’s subtle enough for day-wear, or it can be made more dramatic/defining for the evening. Too Faced Candlelight Glow has the perfect name, it really does achieve a soft, candlelit glow. This is a beautiful powder. It’s not the cheapest but it lasts for ages and, I think, it really is worth the money.

Have you tried it?

Topshop Nail Polish in Carnival

Topshop nail polish in Carnival is orange, a marmalade kind of orange. It’s perfect for ‘Summertime’, you remember what that is, right? This is actually my first Topshop nail polish. After hearing so many good things about the quality and colour I decided to give it a go for myself. And I really like it. Initially it goes on quite bright but ends up more subtle, well as subtle as a strong orange can be. It only takes two coats to build up a decent, long-wearing colour. This is a strong smelling nail polish, so those of us that don’t to get high of the fumes may like to sit in a well ventilated room. This is personal taste, I know some people who love this smell (hello mum!), it’s just not for me. So, overall I’m really impressed with this polish. It’s a great colour that builds easily. I think this may be the beginnings of a collection.

It’s currently out of stock at Topshop online but may be available in store, that’s where I got mine for £5. 

Have you tried it? Any colours I should definitely get?

Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Suede lipstick in Trendsetter

Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Suede lipstick in Trendsetter is a bright raspberry pink. The formula is supposed to last up to 16 hours, so once applied that’s you for the day. To counteract the drying effects of a long-wear lipstick Revlon have added shea butter and aloe to add moisture. When applied initially this definitely feels moisturising and this is when the colour is at its most vibrant. After, 10-20 minutes the formula starts to dry down on the lips and loses a bit of its vibrancy. Applying a bit of gloss/balm does liven it back up. It also feels sticky on the lips, nothing major though but definitely a tacky feeling.

Application is easy, but since it’s a long-wear formula it’s best to make sure your lips are nice and smooth so a quick exfoliation is good. Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Suede lipstick glides on easily. I like a few layers to build up the colour, I find this to be a bit sheer with one swipe (the swatches above are swiped 3 times). The lipstick lasted well after lunch but a couple of snacks (crisps and an apple) defeated it. The colour goes patchy, it’s really not a good look. Again, a bit of balm evens it back out but you really do need another application by this point. Which doesn’t really bother me but it does defeat the purpose of the lipstick: all day wear without touchups.

I like this product but I don’t love it. It has decent staying power but definitely not up to 16 hours wear as described, unless you don’t eat of course. It also comes in a very nice selection of 20 shades. I got mine from Boots for £8.99.

Have you tried it?

One Of My Favourite Blushes: Illamasqua Katie

Ahh Katie by Illamasqua is such a pretty blush. A soft pastel pink that all us pale folk really should own. Illamasqua blushers are highly rated, and rightly so. They’re finely-milled, easy to blend and last for ages on my skin. Katie is a matte blush that has a vintage feel to it. It really is perfect for pale skin and paired with red lipstick it’s even better. But red lipstick generally makes everything better.

Katie remains a soft, pastel pink on the skin. On my pale complexion Katie it adds a gentle flush of colour. It’s so pretty *sigh*. Retailing at £18, it’s not the cheapest blusher out there, but it’s definitely worth paying the extra. There’s quite a lot of product for the money. I’ve had it for ages and barely made a dent in it. I really do highly rate this blusher.

Do you like Illamasqua blushers? What are your favourite colours?

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MAC Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Pressed Powder

I’m forever searching for a powder that will keep my makeup in place and reduce shine. I’ve found a couple of great powders that fit the bill already: Lacura Pressed Powder and the more expensive Shiseido Translucent Pressed Powder. But there might be something even better, you know how it is. So, I thought I’d give MAC Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Pressed Powder a go. 

I have to say it’s pretty nice. Not only does it do a good job at setting makeup it also gives the skin a nice blurred effect. This helps to reduce the look of pores and fine lines. The powder is finely milled and has a silky feel. I find that it blends easily into the skin and doesn’t look chalky nor does it leave a white residue on the skin. MAC Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Pressed Powder just gives a more polished and refined finish.

I don’t feel I have to constantly retouch this powder. Once applied with a brush it keeps shine at bay and makeup in place for most of the day. You also get quite a lot of product in this, 6.3g. This will probably last me ages. It’s not the cheapest at £19.50 but I reckon this is a good, solid powder.

I got mine from Debenhams. 

Have you tried it? Any pressed powder recommendations?

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