Look Beauty LOUD LIPS: Cherry Bomb

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Look Beauty - Loud Lips in Cherry Bomb - £7

5/10

Look Beauty is a brand by the magazine Look they're stocked in Superdrug in the UK or online here. They have a range of affordable make up to suit lots of people. I am a huge fan of their Nail Varnishes called Nail Pop - see here & here so I recently branched out to other parts of their collection. I am a classic Marilyn and a complete sucker for a red lipstick. What attracted me to this one was the fact that they say "Your one-coat route to a super-hot pout." It really bugs me when a bold lipstick just slides off, minutes after application. 

Pros: 

- The boldness of the colour is something I love, as it is a block kind of matte finished lipstick. There is no shimmer or glitter in it which I find a lot in many other lipsticks. 

- I love how long this lipstick last - after the initial look of it being quite creamy it stinks in as a stain and lasts the majority of the day. If wearing it at night you will need wipes or a remover to get this off otherwise it will still be there in the morning. (I know from past experience... oops) 

- And the final but not the least big positive about this lipstick and the brand as a whole is that they are good value for money - this lipstick was £7 which wasn't the cheapest nor was it the most expensive either. 

Cons:

- I found it really drying - I must admit I don't have the best lips and I find that I am always hunting for a thick and creamy lip balm which is why I need my lipsticks to be a lot creamier. This I found would seep into the cracks of my lip and highlight their chapness even with a balm applied before.
- The packaging is quite bulky and the lid is magnetic but it isn't that strong so it comes off really easily in your bag - which is pretty annoying especially when everything you pull out is smeared in red lipstick and let me tell you get gets everywhere.
- Okay so we can see that colour of the lipstick is a lot deeper than when I took a swatch, don't get me wrong I do love the colour in which it has come out. Only it looks a lot lighter too so when I first opened this up I thought I had received the wrong colour it was only when I thought I would try it out, I notice that it came out a lot lighter but not really a massive con but annoyed me.

I honestly do love the Look Beauty's brand but the reason I gave this such a mediocre rating was mainly because the packaging was really irritating. Maybe I just got a faulty one but there is no click or anything which shuts it so when it gets knocked next to something the lid comes off. Have you tried this lipsticks? Did I get baddy? What do you think of these?

Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balms

Burt's Bee's Tinted Lip Balm Duo in Red Mix - £6.99 (used to be £9.99)

In the winter months I have really chapped lips and this is such a nightmare when I want to wear lipstick. I find that if a lip products is highly pigmented the colour clings onto the dry cracks on your lips. So when I found these I was amazed at how smoothly the colour blended into the lips whilst nourishing them too. I am a fan of "butter" type lipsticks/lip balms. 

What I love about these Burt's Bee's ones are how they feel on your lips, they are super smoothing and last for quite a while. The balm is build-able too which means that you can reapply as many times are you would like. Hibiscus is my preferred colour out of the two just because it gives a 'my lips but better'  look (excuse the pun) and it suit my skin tone more than the redness of the Red Dahlia. Another this which makes them great is that they are 100% natural and contain no baddies which I have been paying a lot more attention too of late. If I could change one thing about them then I would love them to smell a little more as they don't particularly smell of anything but I think that, that is more of a preference that an actual issue with the product. To be honest, I think that these are such a bargain and they make for the perfect gift as well. 

Have you tried these yet? 

Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick: Coffee Kiss

Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick in 264 Coffee Shimmer - £4.99

 
I love this new lipstick that my Auntie bought me for Christmas. It is a really lovely colour lipstick and probably one that I wouldn't had picked for myself. It is a deep brown with flecks of gold shimmer in it. I personally think it looks great for a night time look, it makes a change from my usual red lip. I love the Rimmel lipsticks as they have a really thick consistency and are highly pigmented. They also last one your lips for ages and it isn't too sad if you lose them (which happens to me A LOT) because they are really cheap. I would definately get myself some more colours from this range, they are such a bargain!

Have you tried any shades from the Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick Collection?

Empties #1

In the next coming months I will be doing more empties posts than the average person. Now this isn't because i'm trolling through every beauty product that I own but I have hundreds of mini products and a quarter full ones that need to be used up. I'm also on a mission to minimise my spending and with me using up all my old products and saving up some money on the way. 

This is my first batch of empties... they are all mini's or samples. I am addicted to buying smaller versions of products over the larger ones despite the larger ones being more cost effective. Another reason is that I get bored easily and like to change up things and it might be because I also like buying products so if I buy smaller ones I get through them quicker hence needing to go shopping more. Ooops! 


The Body Shop Camomile Eye Make-Up Remover 60ml £3 - As far as gentle eye make-up removers go this isn't gentle. I couldn't continuously use this everyday as my eyes wouldn't had been able to take the sting. I'm not sure whether the formula reacted with my mascara which caused it to sting or whether it is just harsh. I just hated it really and used it up for taking my general make-up off and not using it near my eyes. And it was helpful for cleaning make-up marks off my dressing table... despite the purpose :p
Won't Repurchase - Unless I want squid eyes every morning.  

Toni & Guy Firm Hold Hairspray 50ml £2.50 - My favourite thing about this item is that the lid stays on... You wouldn't believe the amount of products that I stop using because the lid falls off - especially if they are handbag size because that annoys me. The packaging is pretty basic and it 'does what it says on the tin' kinda of hairspray. Nothing special or wow though it does smell quite nice too. 

Might repurchase - I like this product enough to repurchase it as it held my hair well but it isn't the best one and I would probably rather chop and change my hairspray until I find one I adore. 

Handpicked Hotels Shampoo 60ml Free - I was given this when my friend Megan and I went to a spa day for our birthdays last year. Instead of buying each other presents we had a salt scrub and back massage - it was beautiful. I'm not sure I could repurchase this shampoo even if I wanted too, it had a fresh 'spa' scent to it. It felt quite clarifying for my hair and had the 'squeaky clean' effect and I know all shampoos should clean your hair but some still feel like they are in your hair even after you've washed it out. 

Unable to repurchase

Charles Worthington Front Row Blonde Dry Shampoo 50ml £1.99 - I like the idea of this product firstly and if I had any hair colour other than blonde then it would be great. It is dry shampoo with a touch of colour so the dry shampoo blends into your hair colour easier. The reason why I don't think it was such a great idea for blonde is that I find the standard (whitey) dry shampoos to be just as effective for me. I find that the dry shampoo lays thick on my scalp more than others that I use. 

Won't repurchase - I won't be re-buying this mainly because a generic dry shampoo suits me better. 

Estee Lauder Take It Away Total Make-Up Remover 30ml Sample - This works in a similar way to the Liz Earle cleanse and polish, the product has the same texture too. Though you don't need a muslin cloth to remove. I was not impressed with the product and I am a huge fan of Estee Lauder skin care. I can't work out whether the cleanser has a scent or not... but either way that is the biggest dislike to this product. 
Won't Repurchase  - Aside from the fact that I personally don't like this product, I think it is really over priced for what it is. 


Clinique Moisture Surge 30ml Sample - I think that I got this in Glamour last year, or at least the last time they did their Clinique giveaway. Up until a few months ago, I thought that I had dry skin and always went for heavy mositurisers and never particularly liked them. I now know why and it is because I have combinational skin and I tend to only get flaky dry skin on my nose... which I hate. I think this Clinique cream is okay, it sinks into the skin well but it doesn't have a smell to it and i'm a sucker for something which has a fruity/citrus/fresh smell. 
Won't Repurchase - Just because I think it isn't wow enough for a facial moisturiser and it doesn't seem to have an SPF in it which is a must for me. 


Lancome Visionnaire Skin Corrector 5ml Sample - I loooove this, I'm currently using Estee Lauder Idealist Even Skintone Serum, however even though I have only tried this 5ml sample I prefer it. Visionnarie keeps my skin so beautifully smooth and clear, it helps keep blackheads at baby which is odd as a couple of serums I have used in the past have clogged my pores. 
Repurchase - I will be definitely buying a new one when my current serum runs out unless I find a better one before that... As I still have a couple of Clarins and Chanel samples to use.


The Body Shop Lip Butter 10ml £4 - I can't remember what flavour lip butter this one was all I remember is that I brought it a couple of years ago and it was one of their charity ones and I think it could had been guava but I am possibly making that up. Either way as most Body Shop lip butters do it smelt amazing and left my lips feeling nourished. And for a 10ml pot it has taken me years to get through that I thought this day would never come. 
Repurchase - I think next one that I will buy will be the coconut one because that is my current favourite smell. 

M&S Make-Up Haul

 L-R (Coral - Nude Pink - Orange Fizz) 

I don't know if any of you have been in or pass Marks and Spencers recently they have had a sale and whilst looking in the Men's department for my Father's Day presents I caught my eye on the Make-Up counter sale. I have never used their products before nor have I ever looked at them, but as I'm a big sucker for a sale and bargain so I had a little look and actually found myself a couple of steals. 


1. Perfection Soft Shine Plumping Lip Gloss £2 from £6.50 in Coral - This is my least favourite of all of my products that I brought the colour looks great over a lipstick because when you apply it is quite sheer. 


2. Perfection Colour Intense Lip Lacquer £3 from £8 in Orange Fizz - This is picking up from my love for orange and it is a nice gloss. It does the job. It isn't wow or anything like that but it isn't terrible and for the sale price of it, I think it is good value for money. 


3. Perfection Moisture Lipstick £2 from £6 in Nude Pink - This lipstick is an odd one because I love the colour of it and although it reminds me of my Maybelline one which has a few more frosty tones in than this one. It is unusual on the lips but I'm happy enough with it, it just probably won't become a staple colour in my collection.


4. Perfection Matte Finish Pressed Powder with Shine Control £3.50 from £10 in Medium/Dark - This is another product which again I think is OK, it does its job. I'm not sure about the shine control part as I am not a particularly shiny person so I never have to really worry about that. It doesn't have much staying power and reapplication is vital. 


5. Perfection Long Stay Liquid Eyeliner £2 from £8 in Black - I AM SOOOOOO GLAD I BROUGHT THIS. I literally cannot explain how happy I am that I have found this eyeliner but how sad I am that it was in the sale which means it is probably discontinued. The tip is thick and firm which makes it easy to draw on. The liner is so pigmented and comes out jet black, it doesn't smudge and lasts for hours. If anyone can get your hands on one of these from your local M&S, I would recommend! 


Has anyone been in M&S and got some bargains? 

Morning Skincare Routine #1

So I thought I would share with you all my current morning skincare routine. Now I do try and stick with this as much as I can but due to whether I am rushing in a morning or not depends on if I do my full routine or not. A little disclaimer, my skin is combination/dry and I tend to have really sensitive eyes. 


Step 1 - I use my Clinique Take the Day Make-Up Remover which I only ever tend to use if I was wearing fake eyelashes the night before or had been out and didn't take off my eye make-up properly. This remover is great for getting of stubborn excess of eyelash glue. 


Step 2 - Is obviously the famous Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish, which I massage onto dry skin whilst the sink fills up with hot water. I use the muslin cloth which comes with it and ring all excess water before rubbing it off in circular motions section by section. Rinsing in-between. The splashing my face with cold water afterwards. 


Step 3 - Lancome Tonique Douceur - Softening Hydrating Toner which is alcohol free. I love the smell of this and most of all I love the way it makes my skin feel. To me it kind of smells of Palma Violets. I just sweep this over my face with a cotton wool pad. 


Step 4 - I leave my skin for a couple of minutes before applying Estee Lauder Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator. I don't like this as much as the standard Idealist but I am just using this up for the sake of using up products. 


Step 5 - This cucumber smelling moisturiser is really hydrating and soothing. My skin cane sometimes feel slightly sore after using products but this one gentle 'kisses' my skin. It is the Estee Lauder DayWear Advanced Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant Creme. I recommended anyone with a similar skin type to mine to try this :). 


Step 6 - Origins GinZing 'efreshing Eye Cream to Brighten and De-puff' - I dab a rice grain size amount underneath my eyes and smooth through. I have such dark bags under my eyes which really open them up and I love this product and the best thing about it is it lasts for ages because you only need a small amount. 


Step 7 - Is a combinational step and if I am wearing a blocked colour lipstick that day,  then it is vital. I scrub my lips with this Bubblegum Lip Scrub which is a sugar scrub that you lick off. I then smooth it over with La Prairie moisturising lip balm and it is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G, I cannot get enough of this and it is the best lip balm in the world. I have really bad cracked lips which flake so badly. This makes my lips beautiful soft and I love this product for making them that way. :)


What are your skincare treats and tricks??

My Half Year Favourites

Bourjois Delice de Soleil Bronzer in 14 Tanned Skin - I brought this because I love the Bourjois Chocolate Bronzer but I hate the packaging because it doesn't have a mirror. So I brought this new one which has a 360 degree mirror and has a slight shimmer with the bronzer and I love it as it is great for on the go. 

Revlon Lip Butter in 095 Creme Brûlée - This is the second Revlon Lip Butter which I have and it is my favourite everyday one particularly for when I am working as it is such a nude colour and compliments my everyday make-up well. 

GOSH Velvet Touch Lipstick in 153 Flirty Orange - If you follow my blog or have seen any of my recent post and I love this lipstick. Not much I can say, I just love this colour. 

Fashionista Khol Eyeliner in 1 Erin - I found this right at the beginning of the year and it got lost in an old handbag but found it again about March time. It is the perfect Khol eyeliner as it is a rich black texture and doesn't smudge unless you smudge on application and it is pretty cheap too. 

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser - I know there is a huge hype around this product and I am on my second one of the year after receiving one for Christmas last year. It has just transformed my skin. 

Lancome Tonique Douceur Toner - I never really used toner until this year where I wanted to make sure I had a full skincare routine. I used a couple of low end toners which dried my skin out. But I will be repurchasing this again and again. 

Paul Mitchell Super-Charged Moisturiser Hair Treatment - I have dry hair mixed with dyed blonde hair which equal super dry hair. This treatment is amazing... am currently on a hair "diet" from my hairdressers because of the peroxide disaster which I had last month. I leave this treatment on for a few hours and it works its magic on my mop and bang it's beaut. 

Soap & Glory The Breakfast Scrub - I think this is my third or fourth pot of this scrub and by gosh I think only this year I have realised why it is my favourite. I'm finishing up my numerous Body Shop scrubs which I own and whilst they are gorgeous, they don't have the thick abrasive texture that The Breakfast Scrub has. 

Garnier Summer Body Gradual Tanner - Deep Sun Kissed Look - Nearly finished this bottle and it is leaves my skin feel beautiful and it doesn't smell bad either. The moisture sinks in quickly but you don't know the effects until after a week, I think. Still it does the job and doesn't go patchy or streaky. 

Garnier Ambre Solaire Self-Tanning Dry Body Mist - Quick, easy and clean. I found that this was like giving myself a spray tan but for myself. I do get through this like water which is a pain but it isn't too expensive, I think around the £10 mark. And it doesn't come off in the shower, it fades but doesn't come off which is a bonus!

Lush Helping Hands Handcream - WOW. Smooth beautiful hands in one pump. I LOVE THIS :) 

I love reading other people's monthly favourites but I just find that this year is flying by and the next minute I know it will be christmas. Eeek that is such a scary thought. Anyway, basically what I am attempting to say is that I can't keep up with the monthly favourites. Thus now I am doing my half yearly favourites - yes we are half way through 2012. I don't know where it has gone. So I thought I would show you what I have been loving this year so far. 

Loving The Orange

As you can see by this post that I am really loving the orange trend at the moment. My first hook was the Orange Nails as seen on Stephanie Pratt, Vanessa Hudgens and Olivia Palermo above. My two favourite orange nail varnishes of the moment are the Kiko nail lacquer in 235 and Missguided in 09. The Missguided one I think I got free from a magazine possibly Glamour or Cosmopolitan (as they are really the only ones I buy). The colour is a block colour and has no shimmer at all, it is bold and bright - everything you need for a summer polish. Whereas the Kiko nail lacquer I brought from the Kiko store in Westfield at Stratford, it is the shop which has millions of different shades of nail varnishes. Mine was £2.50 which is a bargain as it is a great polish which is long lasting. This one has a gold shimmer through the orange which makes the colour softer and looks great with a summer tan.

                       

I think this is possibly my favourite make-up trend that I have clung to in ages. I literally adore my orange lipsticks and I feel that I have the two perfect shades for myself. My Revlon Lip Butter in Tutti Frutti (left picture) is a great subtle shade whereas my GOSH Flirty Orange is really bright and 'in your face' type of colour. Most days at the moment I am sporting either of these colours, I just need the sun to come back out because this colour looks beautiful with a tan. 

Has anyone else jumped on the Orange Fever?

Rimmel Lip Tint 300 Perpetual Plum

I'm a big sucker for advertisement and packaging. I get told frequently by friends and family that I impulse buy products due to whether they have a 'cool' advertisement campaign or whether I love the packaging. Now I'm not saying that the Rimmel 1000 Kisses Lip Tint had the best advertising or packaging but after watching copious amounts of Made In Chelsea on E4 whereby at every ad break that I remember they showcase the product. 

That's how I went about buying the product, Rimmel 1000 Kisses Lip Tint costs £6.99 from Boots. Before making the jump for the purchase I went into Boots at Bluewater before I had work and swatched different shades of this product on the back of my hand then after my 6 hour shift they were still there and that impressed me. I picked the colour 300 Perpetual Plum, which is a pink shade with slight purple undertones. 

For the first couple occasions of wearing it I loved it and didn't realise for a while that at the opposite end of the stick there was a lip balm. The product was quite drying on the lips and the balm takes away that effect which makes it look better. However, with the lip balm it makes the stain not last as long as it does without. 

The problem with this product is that I really want to love it and because the colour is great and it smells like plums too, which is a double bonus for me. There are other doubts like it is quite drying for my already dry lips and you need to make sure the pen lid is firmly on. I have had this product for about a month now and I have only used it on several occasions and have realised that the pigmentation of the stain has faded which is a bit of a bummer. Although it is only £6.99 so for the price the product you get is definitely worth that money and is good if you are in a situation where you can't touch up your lipstick. 

Has anyone got any tips on how I could get my pen working like new again?

Everyday Make Up #1

Face

Clinique Perfectly Real Foundation in Shade 10; 

The Body Shop Tinted Glow Enhancer; 

Soap & Glory Trick and Treatment Eye Concealer; 

The Body Shop Matte It Face and Lip Primer;

Collection 2000 Concealer Stick in Medium 3;

Collection 2000 Shine Away Compact Powder in Medium 2.

 Cheeks

Lancome Star Bronzer Intense in 02 (see post);

Bed Head Tigi Radiant Player Blush;

Me Me Me Blush Me Bronze.

Eyebrows

Bourjois Ombre Stretch in 04 Flexi Brown;

GOSH Long Lasting Brown Pen in 004 Wheat;

Benefit Speed Brow Gel.

Eyes

Rimmel Glam Eyes Mono Eyeshadow in 214 Jet Black;

Bed Head 4-Play Eyeshadow Palette;

Max Factor Kohl Pencil in 020 Black;

Lancome Hypnose Mascara in Black.

Lips

Revlon Lip Butter in Tutti Frutti.

This is my first everyday make up post, but when I say everyday I obviously don't mean I smoother my face with all of this on days when i'm bumming about the house or going to the gym. It is my staple 'face' look. It has been pretty much the same for about a month, I tend to go through phases of using liquid eyeliner and a kohl pencil. Also the orange lip look has been a new trend of mine for the last couple of weeks since I have brought this lip butter - it is my favourite and gives the best colour that I could find on the market.