Collection Gothic Glam Lipstick in 'Revenge' | Dupe for Mac's 'Dark Side'?

You know me... casually stroll into Boots and make a beeline straight for the lipsticks.  When I heard of Collection's new Gothic Glam range a couple of weeks back, I tottled off to pick one up - it's no secret that I've been in favour of a darker lip of late!  I instantly settled on 'Revenge' - a deep maroon shade. The collection consists of 2 other shades - one slightly lighter berry red, and a very daring deep purple.  The lighter maroon looked very similar to their 'Prohibition' Deluxe lipstick which I already own (it has it's own post here!) and I couldn't quite see myself pulling off the purple shade (beautiful as it is) without looking like I was about to go trick or treating... so 'Revenge' it was!

I have to say - Collection know how to make a lipstick. Every single one I've bought, I've loved.  They're pigmented, last amazingly well and the formula is always really creamy and non-drying - not to mention the amazing price! For £2.99, these little beauties are a fabulous option for a purse-friendly treat.  As soon as I popped 'Revenge' on the lips, I was instantly reminded of my newest dark-lip fave, Mac's 'Dark Side'. (post here)  And when I got them both out alongside each other to compare, I wasn't wrong! Not only are they very close in the colour stakes, but they give a very similar look and finish to the lips and are both incredibly opaque.  'Dark Side' is more of a true dark maroon shade compared with 'Revenge' - Collection's offering is ever so slightly more purple toned as can be seen in the swatches above.  Personally,  I don't see a great deal of difference once worn - and although my Mac favourite tops the mark sliiightly, I must admit I love 'Revenge' and I'm so glad I picked it up.  I love the formula - it's lovely and opaque without being completely matte, so it gives that little bit of dimension to your lips and doesn't instantly settle into fine lines or dry areas. Thumbs up from me!

Of course, I'm aware I actually didn't need both of these lipsticks in my collection - after all, they're both extremely similar - but I must admit I'm quite happy to have found a cheaper, affordable dupe for a Mac winter favourite!  I always feel a little 'iffy' about taking my Mac lipsticks out with me (we've all been there, done that and lost the £15 lipstick, right?), so in future, I shall keep the Collection version in my handbag for on the go top ups! I can't seem to find the Gothic Glam collection on Boots website, but you can easily find them in store and also in Superdrug here. For £2.99, they're the perfect excuse to try something a little more daring this winter...  I have a post on Mac's Dark Side here if you fancy comparing the 2 in more detail!

Have you tried any lipsticks from Collection's 'Gothic Glam' range? Whats your favourite?

A Vampy Lip Obsession?! | Mac 'Dark Side' Lipstick

Mac Lipstick in 'Dark Side' | £15.00 | Link 

What's this? Two blog posts in the space of two days?! Yes, well, you might think I'm on the ball but if I'm being honest, I've just gone a bit skew-whiff with the ole blogging schedule - many thanks to final year uni work.  I will hold my hands up and openly admit that before I decided to go to university, I used to moan my way through the 9-5 and wonder why all the Saturday 'student' staff came into work of a weekend complaining about how hard it was to get a degree and how they wish they could swap with me for a while. If you're reading this, any of you, I'm sorry - I eat my words. I 'get it' now.  Anyway, schedules aside, just because I've been bogged down with work doesn't mean I haven't been trying out new items of cosmetic goodness - I am a beauty blogger after all - no amount of essay writing or presentation planning will stop me from Bird's Words-ing it!  This week, I happen to have added yet another dark berry lipstick to my collection of other dark berry lipsticks. Because you can never have enough dark berry lipsticks, right?

Yep. Mac's 'Dark Side' finally made it's way into my lipstick drawers.  If you've seen a couple of my recent lip colour related posts (here, here and here) you miiiight have noticed that I've become somewhat obsessed with dark, vampy reds and burgundy shades.  I must admit,  I've always been a classic 'pillarbox' red kind of girl, but I've thrown caution to the wind and turned over to the dark side (ahaha...sorry...) and have realised how pretty a statement dark red can look - even in the daytime.  It's definitely not a look for everybody but you'll be surprised at how much it compliments 'winter skin' - it seems to lift any dullness and adds an amazing pop of colour.  I like to pair mine with a flawless base, toned down blush and a fairly neutral eye - with either a thin flick of liquid liner or a light smudge of brown kohl across the upper lash line.  'Dark Side' is now the darkest lipstick I own - I'm not entirely sure I can go much darker than this without looking like an extra from The Adam's Family, but I'm getting quite addicted to a statement lip and it's become my go-to look for a good couple of months now.  The lipstick is described on the Mac website as being a 'deep burgundy' - and I'd definitely agree.  It's extremely opaque and being an 'Amplified' formula, the consistency is smooth and creamy, whilst providing a flawless look with amazing pigmentation.  Mac's Amplified formulas have to be one of my favourites!  I simply apply from the bullet or with a lip brush after applying lip liner (a must have!!) and I'm good to go.

If you're after a vampy lip, Mac's 'Dark Side' is worth a swatch.  It's dark enough to be classed as 'vampy', but not overly so that it looks gothic or too 'black'. It's a true dark burgundy shade and would look stunning on both paler complexions and darker skins.  Apologies for not showing a lip swatch - I'll be sure to do a post involving this little beauty nearer to Christmas time but I just had to document this new purchase! Overall, I have to say this has to be one of my favourite Mac purchases so far - it's definitely one of my more daring choices! It's not an all year round colour, nor is it one you can simply apply 'on the go' or everyday, but it's one that makes a statement and one that looks incredible when worn in the right way. I'm most certainly a fan.  Which leads me on to my next point - I'm thinking of doing an updated Mac Lipstick collection nearer to Christmas time since I did my last one a year ago (it's considerably bred since then ;)) - let me know if you'd like to see it!

Are you a fan of dark, vampy reds like me?! What's your current favourite?

Glossy Vampy Lips | Revlon Evening Opulence Lipgloss in 'Embellished'

So I happened to be strolling on by the Revlon stand the other week.  I'm never normally one for buying lip glosses - lipsticks tend to tickle my impulse-buying fancy much more - but I took one look at this beauty from Revlon's new range and knew it had to make its way in to my collection! Revlon have bought out a new trio of glosses as part of the 'Evening Opulence' collection and the shade 'Embellished' really did catch my eye.  I've been quite partial to a 'vampy' lip of late - I'm drawn to deep berry shades and dark, wine coloured reds and this gloss seemed like the perfect counterpart to my new lip colour preference! 

The colour is simply stunning.  It looks somewhat different when swatched as it does in the tube - as you can clearly see from the photographs above.  In the tube, it appears much more purple toned, but when swatched on the hands and lips appears much more of a wine tinted burgundy red. Right up my street. The flecks of purple and red glitter make it just that little bit special and add to it's festive appeal (yep - now it's November I can officially throw Christmas out there!)   It's slightly sheer, so it will look different depending on what lipstick you decide to pop on underneath (if any at all) - I find it darkens any plum colours slightly and adds extra depth and dimension to a berry lip.  It's ever so slightly 'vampy' whilst still being completely wearable.  As for consistency,  I do find it ever so slightly sticky, but then again, I find most glosses annoying to wear and I wouldn't say it's overly thick or gloopy.  I also don't find the glittery flecks gritty in any way.  I also have to admit that I'm a sucker for Revlon's packaging - their quilted lids really do appeal to my packaging preferences (such a marketer's dream aren't I?) and the long, doe foot applicator makes for a swift, easy application.

I've recently invested in Mac's 'Dark Side' and have been wearing Collection's Deluxe Lipstick in 'Prohibition' (post on that here) almost constantly the past few weeks, and a slick of this on top adds the perfect finishing touch.  The lip swatches above show what the gloss looks like layered on top of 'Prohibiton' (this is also the lip look I'm wearing in my current Twitter pic, if you're interested) and completely on it's own.  Some might prefer wearing it on it's own - it's much more toned down without a lipstick underneath yet still makes a bit of a statement - although I much prefer it layered over my trusty lippies!  Even if you don't want to go for a full on glossy look, it looks lovely when simply dabbed on and creates a much more natural finish and 'just bitten' kind of look to the lips.  Overall, I'm glad I bought this little beauty. The flecks of glitter simply make it for me and I really love the effect it gives. I reckon it will be creeping into my handbag for nights out over the festive season! You can have a nosey at the 'Evening Opulence' collection here, and the glosses retail for £7.99 - not bad for a good quality, nicely pigmented gloss!

Have you tried Revlon's lipglosses? Are you loving dark reds as much as me?!

Autumn Berry Lips | Collection DeLuxe Lipstick in 'Prohibition'

Collection DeLuxe Lipstick | 'Prohibition' | £3.99 (link)

Ok.  I was all set for typing a really autumnal themed post this evening (hence the atmospheric blog photos complete with twinkly lights...oof!) but this morning, I have been sat in the garden getting a little bit of sunshine before the cold, frosty mornings really do take hold. I kid you not, it's been like the last little dose of summer this morning. I realise I can't stay in denial any longer - summer has well and truly gone after all, and as soon as the nights start drawing in, the autumn/winter make up comes out to play.  I won't lie - I'm not the biggest fan of winter. I like the cosy nights, baggy jumpers and the whole build up to Christmas but after the festivities are done and dusted I've had enough.  I'm a sunshine lover through and through (not the greatest if you live in the UK...) But one thing that I do look forward is the whole 'dark nails, dark lips' thing.  Autumn/Winter is the perfect opportunity to really go wild with darker shades and experiment with statement colours.  So, I introduce to you my first 'autumn makeup purchase' of the season - Collection's DeLuxe Lipstick in 'Prohibition' - a deep, vampy red.

The photographs pick it up to be slightly more pink toned than it is - it's a gorgeous berry shade with a little hint of purple/pink running through it - but once on the lips it transfers as a stunning deep red/plum sort of colour.  I was really intrigued by the new 'DeLuxe' collection - as soon as I swatched them I was sold. The formula is really creamy and glides on so smoothly and effortlessly, leaving a slight sheen that is ever so forgiving if you suffer with dry lips.  I really love how pigmented it is - one or two swipes and you're good to go.  You do need a lip liner with a shade like this though, especially due to the creamier consistency - I personally haven't had a problem with it slipping or bleeding just yet but I can imagine one wrong move and your beautiful berry lips will go from 'vampy' to Count Dracula within a few seconds. I must admit I've always found Collection's lipsticks to be of really good quality, and their pigment and formulas always seem to work well for me - which is great for the purse friendly price tag of just £3.99. Yep, that's right. Change from a fiver. You can't go wrong.

I can really see this shade being my 'go to' berry lip for the next few months.  It's not dissimilar to the infamous Kate Moss '107' (you can have a nosey at my post on that here if you're interested) - it's slightly lighter, slightly less daunting and not as 'full on'.  If you were a fan of '107' last year but found it difficult to wear, then it's worth looking into this shade.  It's in the same sort of shade range but a little more appropriate for daytime wear and not as dark.   You can find the DeLuxe shade range here on the Boots website. I really do hope they bring out more! I'm hoping to get my hands on a few more shades next time I'm passing on by...

Have you tried Collection's 'DeLuxe' range? Which shade is your current favourite?