Laura Mercier Lip Glace Collection

Laura Mercier is a brand that's always tickled my fancy - I've heard so many amazing things and as a result, I have a fair few of her products on my never-ending blogger wish list.  Before Christmas, I was lucky enough to recieve one of the Laura Mercier Mini Lip Glace Collection* sets containing 5 travel sized versions of the popular Lip Glace glosses.  Ranging from a milky, pale nude all the way to a bright pink-red, this particular set really does have a good variety of shades to try.   As someone who experiments a great deal with lip colour, a set like this was the perfect addition to my collection and I've really enjoyed using it over the festive season and well into the new year.  Although it's difficult to get your hands on these sets now that Christmas is well and truly over, I thought I'd go into a bit of detail about each shade and the overall appearance and performance.  If you're a lipstick-aholic like myself, I reckon you might be tempted to get your mitts on one of these...

Angelic is exactly the sort of shade you'd expect it to be from the name.  This is the palest colour from the 5 and I'd describe it as being a very milky pale pink-nude.  It transfers onto the lips quite sheerly so it makes for a nice layering gloss for use over lipsticks.  It is slightly too pale for me to wear on it's own but it's actually quite a nice one to dab onto the lips for a little bit of dimension if you're wearing a pale shade to begin with.  

Bare Pink is a little more 'me'.  It's still very pale but the slight coral hint to the pink compliments my skin-tone a little more and for this reason it's much easier to wear.  Again, it is slightly more sheer but this really does work in its favour as it's a good one to layer over lipsticks, making it much more versatile.  It works well over Mac's 'Shy Girl' lipstick or any similar shade.

Pink Pop is a mid-pink shade with a hint of brightness to it. Although it's a slightly more vibrant shade it's not over the top and it still looks really sophisticated and pretty.  It brings a lot of focus to the lip area and adds a touch of brightness to the complexion. Very flattering and one of the favourites from the set.

Tulip is a slightly more toned-down, cooler version of 'Pink Pop'.  With a slight lilac/purple hint, it's one of the more pigmented shades of the set and looks beautiful worn on its own.

Wildflower is the favourite of the bunch for me! It's almost in-between a lipgloss and a lip laquer - it's the most pigmented of the bunch and has a slightly more opaque finish.  Again, like the rest of the set, it's perfect for layering over lipsticks but this one in particular works amazingly well on its own.  Its a gorgeous vibrant berry red shade with a slight hint of raspberry pink - very brightening on the complexion.

Swatches & Order of Photographs:  Angelic // Bare Pink // Pink Pop // Tulip // Wildflower

Each gloss has a beautiful, vanilla-like scent which only adds to their appeal for me - I do love a yummy fragrance and it makes them all the more luxurious and pleasant to apply. Consistency wise, they are slightly sticky but definitely not gloopy or thick - just the right sort of texture for a nice, longer wearing lip gloss.  You can feel them on your lips but they aren't unbearable - I just apply a thin layer as I'm quite fussy when it comes to glosses! They're very easy to apply thanks to the doe-foot applicator and smooth texture - making them the perfect product to throw into your handbag for on-the-go application.

Overall, a lovely little set from Laura Mercier.  Like I said, I'm not entirely sure you can get your mitts on these collection sets now the Christmas is over, but if you're a lip product fan and fancy treating yourself, I really recommend taking a look at these glosses.  If you're fussy about consistency, they might not be for you, but if you're after a good quality, longer wearing lip gloss with a luxurious edge then these are the perfect treat (I've had a little mooch around at other reviews on various websites and they do seem to receive quite a bit of praise!)  Priced at £19.50* each, they certainly aren't cheap, but well worth a swatch if you're a gloss fan! You can find a good variety of shades on the Urban Retreat website here (i really like the look of 'Daiquiri' and 'Garnet'!)

Have you ever tried these lip glosses? What would you recommend from Laura Mercier?

MUA Power Pout Lip Crayon in 'Rendezvous'

I'm definitely late to the party when it comes to lip crayons. I never really caught on to them until recently but, as they say, better late than never.  I jetted away on holiday earlier this year and I really wanted a subtle balm to pop on in the daytime - not only for a splash of colour to brighten up my makeup-less face but also to keep my lips hydrated through the day. I picked up a few magazines in the airport and one of the freebies happened to be a pink lip crayon - in all honesty I didn't think I would use it much but but it quickly became my go-to beach bag beauty staple and I was rather sad when I realised I'd lost it towards the end of the holiday.  So, when I got home, I set out to find a similar version on a budget.  Enter the MUA Power Pout Crayon - a cheap and cheerful addition to my daily makeup bag that's become quite the life-saver when it comes to effortless, everyday makeup.

As I'm currently on placement, I really don't want to look unprofessional at my desk slicking on the lippie every 5 minutes (as tempting as it is!) I've found this to be the perfect companion to keep in my handbag under my desk as it looks just like a lip balm but provides instant colour pay off too.  I don't need to use a mirror because the shade is fairly neutral and the shape means that it's easy to get an even finish without the need to spend time applying it - it's literally just a quick swipe and I'm done. The glossy, slightly sheer finish also adds to its effortless appeal and it's also quite moisturising to apply so it doubles up as a balm. Wear time is quite good for a lip crayon - the pigmentation is really impressive (there's no need to build it up in layers) and the glossy finish lasts for quite some time.  After about an hour, it fades but it leaves a lovely, subtle stain. 'Rendezvous' is a pretty, pinky-brown nude shade - very elegant, classy and girly. I've found that when it wears off to a stain it gets a little brighter, which is quite strange, but nice nonetheless as it still leaves some colour behind even after its worn off.  It's also great that you can twist the bottom of the crayon to get more product once you've worn it down a little - a lot of crayons I've seen actually don't contain a lot of product but this one seems to be quite good value for money.  The subtle minty smell is also a nice addition as it feels quite refreshing to apply.

Overall, a fabulous product from MUA. Although I haven't tried a lot of lip crayons, I've swatched my fair share in store and I've had a look at some of the higher-end brands in the past - I have to say, MUA have hit the nail on the head when it comes to pigmentation and finish and the packaging is just as good.  I really don't think you need to splash the cash on lip crayons when you can find gems like this for a fraction of the price.  You can find the MUA lip crayons in Superdrug stores and also online here and here - retailing at just £3.00. I'm really excited to pick up some of the darker shades for autumn/winter - there's a gorgeous berry red shade that's just perfect for the upcoming colder months.

Have you tried the MUA lip crayons? What's your favourite lip crayon? I'm looking to grab a few more!

Monthly Favourites | August

Erm...where did summer go?! We aren't even a week in to September yet but I'm already swapping my corals and pastels for berry shades and autumnal tones... and dare I say it, but the heating has most certainly been switched on the past couple of days. I've definitely found a few new faveys recently, although to be honest, not much has changed since my June Favourites post (here). I'm still loving my Jane Iredale palette (I don't know how I ever lived without it), and I don't think a day has gone by that I haven't had a quick swish of Benefit's Hoola bronzer either. I'm still utterly obsessed with my Mac lip liner and my Tanya Burr 'Chic' lipgloss remains a full-time resident in my handbag. However, being a beauty obsessive, there's always room for more, right?! So without any more rambling, I'll introduce you to last month's favourites...

Loreal Infallible 2-Step Longwear Lipstick 24 Hour Colour in 'Pink Spice' 

Crikey - what a mouthful! I've been after a lip stain for a while now as I don't actually own a lot of long-wearing lip products. I'm currently on placement for a while and as much as I love my lippie, it's not exactly professional to top it up at my desk every hour.  This lip stain does the job perfectly and lasts all day - it fades very gradually and doesn't flake or chip off which is what I've found with other stain products I've used. The colour is right up my street - a chic, pink toned brown that reminds me a little bit of 'Clueless' (the film from the 90's - I bloomin' love the whole 90s trends right now!)  I tend to apply some of the clear balm first and then let that sink in whilst I do my makeup, and then I'll apply a bit of my Mac 'Spice' lip pencil (which is a perfect match!) before finishing with the stain. It's very easy to apply and goes on like a lip gloss.  The glossy finish does wear off after half an hour or so and it can be a little drying, however, it's so easy to carry around with you and I simply apply some more of the balm every so often to keep any dryness at bay.  I've used this when I've been out for drinks and when I've been on some serious shopping trips and each time it hasn't let me down. If you're after a long-wearing fuss free lip colour for work or nights out, I really recommend these.

Ofra | Eyeshadow in 'Bliss'*

I received this little beauty in lasts month's LoveMeBeauty box (post here) and I've fallen head over heels in love with it.Honestly, it has to be one of the best singular eye shadows I've used for a long time and I'm definitely going to check out the rest of the Ofra collection. It's so buttery soft and creamy, whilst being ultra blendable and smooth to apply.  It has just the right amount of shimmer and I've taken to using it as an inner-corner colour to brighten up my eyes or all over the lid for a quick wash of colour. It lasts amazingly well even without a primer and there's a little mirror concealed underneath the pan. I cannot explain my love for it! 

Stargazer Blush in 'Shade 8'

I won't say too much about this as I featured it already in last month's 'Summer Saviours' post (you can read that here) but It's still my favourite blush to use right now, despite the weather being slightly less lovely than it was last month! Although it looks absolutely terrifying in the pan, it's so easy to apply and is super blendable (providing you don't go too heavy handed!) and it's also one of those colours that instantly awakens your complexion.  I can imagine I will start to phase this out this month now that the weather is turning colder and my summer tan is long gone, but I'm going to milk it for all it's worth - I love orange tones and I shall get away with it for as long as I can...

Seventeen | Instant Glow Bronzer in 'Medium Bronze' | £4.49

Again, I won't say too much about this as I wrote a little review about it in my latest beauty haul here. It's honestly the best drugstore bronzer I think I've ever used and for the price, it's absolutely amazing. I'm so tempted to pick up the cream version too!  It's definitely best for overall bronzing as opposed to contouring as it's quite warm in tone (definitely not orange though), but the matte finish means it works well for subtle definition anyway.  It's such a lovely bronzer and I'm definitely going to repurchase as soon as I hit pan. Well done Seventeen *seal clap*

Lord & Berry Lipstick in 'Brick Lip'

I actually received this in one of my LoveMeBeauty boxes last year (post here) and hadn't really used it much - up until now.  I've only recently discovered my love for brown hues and spicy pinks/brick hues so I had a little root around in my lipstick drawer and found this little gem.  It's been a firm favourite of mine all month and I'm totally in love with it - from the shade, sleek packaging and the formula of the lipstick.  It's so pigmented and smooth to apply and lasts pretty amazingly too - I'd liken the formula to Mac's amplified formulas.  I have to say I really do like Lord & Berry - they have a lovely selection of products.

Origins Peace of Mind Sensory Therapy Balm

I have to admit, when my parents bought me some of this for Christmas I was rather sceptical. I've tried so many things for anxiety in the past and never expect miracles anymore but this has to be the best thing I've tried so far - hands down!  It's essentially a minty scented balm that you simply pump onto the skin (i tend to use it on my pulse points, particularly my wrists) and inhale when you're feeling a little wobbly.  I've been using it a lot recently as I've been travelling around for job interviews and meetings - it takes the edge of the nerves and seems to help keep panic attacks at bay.  It's quite discreet so it's easy to keep in your handbag and use when you're on the go.  If you're feeling a bit worried or anxious about anything, it's well worth picking some of this up. You only need the tiniest bit and the minty scent really does work wonders at kicking panic attacks up the bum! I don't know what it is - but it just works instantly!

  
Jimmy Choo Perfume

I love Jimmy Choo perfumes. I've recently made a repurchase of my favourite 'Flash London Club' (post here) which I was sent a while back.  When that one ran out, I turned back to the orignal scent and rediscovered my love for it.  It's such a glamorous, girly scent and I like it because it isn't too sweet or too spicy - it's perfect for day or night and it's so sophisticated.  I love the fact that it lasts so well too - I can literally spray it a couple of times before dashing out of a morning and it's still lingering when I get home.  If you're after a good, long wearing perfume, I really recommend having a look at the Jimmy Choo scents.  How gorgeous is the bottle too?! Definitely one to pop on your dressing table! It's a beauty!

Swatches L-R | Stargazer Blush | Seventeen Bronzer | Ofra Eyeshadows | Lord & Berry 'Brick' | Loreal 'Pink Spice |

What have you been loving this month? Do any of my favourites tickle your fancy!?

Anna Sui | Lip & Eye Palettes

Ok. Let's just take a moment to appreciate the design of these Anna Sui palettes for a second, shall we? As a blogger, I often get sucked in by pretty packaging and quirky adornments but these beauties take it to a whole new level - I defy anybody to stash them away in a makeup drawer - they've taken pride of place on top of dressing table since I got them. It might have been love at first sight but let me tell you, the whirlwind affair doesn't stop at the aesthetics...ohhh no, it's all about what's inside that counts too, right? One contains a variety of pigmented, glossy lip colours complete with everything from barely there nudes to vampy reds and the second offers a beautiful array of shimmery shadows which happen to be perfect for the upcoming Autumn/Winter season.  After using them for the past few weeks, they've become my new obsession. Here's why...

Anna Sui | Lip Palette | £28.00 £14.00* | Link

If you've been reading my blog for a while you'll know that I have a particular weakness for pretty lipsticks and testing and trying different shades.  Lip palettes always seem to tempt me but I've never owned any simply because I never really saw myself getting enough use out of one.  I always throw my lipstick into my handbag for the day but the thought of carting around a palette always made me a little dubious as to whether or not they were actually worth the hassle.  It really was love at first swatch with this one though.  Each shade is amazingly pigmented and so creamy to apply.  I love the glossy finish that each shade has - they almost have that 'lip laquer' effect once applied which i absolutely love.  They don't have names so bare with me and my wordy explanations of which shade is which here - but personally, one of my favourites has to be the middle shade on the top row.  I adore a brown-toned nude and this one is simply stunning - the hint of gloss really makes it pop and it looks so beautiful on a day to day basis.  It reminds me of a glossy, slightly lighter and more wearable version of Mac's Velvet Teddy.  I've also worn a couple of the coral/red shades recently - the lighter coral on the top row (second from the right) and the middle shade on the bottom row are perfect for this time of year - the orangey tones set off (whats left of) my holiday tan and look so bright and vibrant - which again, is amplified with the glossy, laquer-like finish.  I cant wait to start wearing the darker reds in the palette (how beautiful is the vampy burgundy shade?!) nearer to Autumn/Winter. 

I can't say I'm 100% converted to palettes yet but it is undoubtedly a gorgeous one to own and I'm so happy to have it in my collection. I've actually popped it into my bag along with the lip brush on a daily basis and it's not been too much of a faff because it doesn't weigh much at all (just bare in mind it's cardboard packaging so I'd be careful what's in there with it!) Luckily, the shades are fairly long lasting due to the pigmentation and despite the creamy, moisturising finish, tend to last around the two-three hour mark and the darker shades wear off to a nice, even stain/hint of colour. Another thing which I love about the palette is the delicate fragrance - for those of you who hate scented products you might not be too much of a fan, but I love the floral/sweet scent. I've been trying to put my finger on it for a while and I think I've cracked it - it smells very similar to Turkish delight - yummy! Overall, a fabulous addition to my collection and my first ever lip palette (can you believe it?!).  I've been loving it! I'm not denying that my classic lippies are much more practical but it's been really nice to experiment with these ones the past few weeks - I love the fact that it contains such a fab mix of shades suitable for every season and occasion as it makes it much more versatile. I cannot wait to delve into the darker shades now that we're coming towards the end of summer!

Anna Sui | Eye Palette | £28.00 £14.00* | Link

The second palette contains a selection of beautiful eye shadows.  Personally, I think these are the perfect mix for the upcoming autumn/winter months and I can't wait to start using the purples and striking khaki shade - they're still fairly neutral but not so 'in your face' that you wouldn't be able to use them on a daily basis.  I have to say I was pleasantly surprised with these shadows. Each one is really soft and creamy and all of these swatches were created with just a single swipe - a jolly good sign of a decent eyeshadow I'm sure you'll all agree. The only one which isn't too great is the second from the left on the top row. Sadly, this is one of the shades I'd usually get a lot of use out of as I love my understated neutrals, but I just can't seem to get it to swatch like the rest and it doesn't seem to show up too well on my skin - at best, it will probably work as a subtle highlight shade.  So far, my favourites have to be the intense copper shade (how beautiful!?) and the deep, antique gold - they've worked so well with my skin tone at the moment and I've created some beautiful daytime looks with the two - they look lovely blended together with a matte brown blended into the crease of the eye. I'm so excited to start experimenting more with colour - I've recently tried the khaki and purple shades and have to say they looked lovely on - a nice pop of colour without being too bright. The glittery black is also a nice addition - slightly more gritty and with a little more fall out than the rest but undoubtedly perfect for smokey eyes and nights out!

Again, like the lip palette, a very versatile and pleasing mix of shades for both day and night.  It's definitely more suitable for autumn/winter but there's some lovely neutrals in there I'll be using all year round (the copper colour sets off a tan like nothing else!) I've seen swatches of this palette on other blogs and I've read mixed reviews - I'm not sure if I've got a good'un but the only shade I've had problems with seems to be the lighter nude one - for me, the darker shades in the palette seem to be much more easy to blend and are much softer so do bare this in mind. Also, it has the same scent as the lip palette - it's fairly strong so if you do have sensitive peepers, it's worth noting!

Both palettes usually retail for £28.00 - but they're currently on offer for £14.00* each over on the Escentual website - you can find the lip palette here, and the eyeshadow palette here. Although I think the original price of £28 is a little steep, snapping the two up for the price of one is a smashing deal and they're well worth the money for the pigmentation, formula and eye-catching packaging.  I know the eye shadows have been a little hit/miss for some folk so if you're going to grab one, I'd say go for the lip palette - it makes a fabulous addition to any lipstick collection and it contains a lovely mix of nudes, pinks, corals and reds. If you're in need of ideas for birthday gifts for any beauty obsessed pals you might have, trust me here when I say you cannot go wrong with these (I'd have been over the moon if anyone had wrapped these up for me!) The packaging completely makes them - they're so unique and pretty. 

Have you tried these palettes or anything else from Anna Sui? Let me know your thoughts!

New Topshop Buys | Lip Cream Lovin'

Ahh Topshop makeup. One of my many, many weaknesses. I'm usually pretty good when I waltz into Topshop. Gone are the days when I'd casually stroll in on my lunch break at work and end up spending my entire day's pay in an instant (we've all been there and felt the crushing guilt - let's face it)... that's why nowadays I tend to go in for something specific in order to avoid any spending mishaps.  With my best friend's birthday this month, I decided to have a mooch around their makeup stand to see if there was anything there I knew she'd like.  Typically, I walked out with a little more than I anticipated - an eyeshadow palette for my friend and 2 brand new lip products for me.  Standard.  In my defence, I actually only picked up the pink Lip Paint - but when I got to the till I discovered that they had an offer on. Oh, how convenient! If you were spending over £15, you received a free Lip Cream - yay! Welcome the two new additions to my ever expanding lip product collection...

Lip Paint in 'Reminisce' | £8.00 | Link

Described as a highly pigmented liquid lipstick, this lip paint is just the ticket for colourful, glossy lips.  I'm definitely not a lipgloss girl whatsoever - I'm very much a lipstick lover through and through so anything that combines a lipstick and a gloss in one without the dreaded sticky-ness is a winner in my books. I have to say - I've instantly fallen in love with this Lip Paint - so much so, I'm definitely going to be picking up a couple more in time for summer. I find it really creamy to apply without the dreaded stickyness (if you ever tried Rimmel's Apocalips, I'd liken it to those - more of a laquer than a gloss).  I opted for 'Reminisce' - a mid tone pink shade.  You can never go wrong with a mid-pink, right?  I actually bought it because I have hugggge love for Mac's lipstick in 'Fanfare' (post on that here) and this seemed very similar when I swatched it. If ever I feel like a slightly more vibrant and glossy version of my beloved Mac favourite - I shall be reaching for this Lip Paint in a jiffy...

Lip Cream in 'Dust' | £7.00 | Link

Now then - I was extremely, extremely tempted to opt for one of the bright shades in these Lip Creams (you's know how it is fellow colour fans!) However, I have so many bright reds, oranges and pinks and thought it might be a little ridiculous to add yet another one to my overflowing lipstick drawer. Since the Lip Creams were free when spending over £15, I decided to chance my luck with the nude peach shade, 'Dust' (*'DUST...anybody, no?'* - Gold star to you if you get that reference ;)). I was a little unsure about it if I'm honest - I half expected to get it home and realise I'd actually just bought a glorified foundation for my lips. Nope. I was pleasantly surprised.  It's actually a really pretty nude shade and I've been wearing it quite a bit just recently in the daytime. It lasts amazingly well and looks lovely when paired with a bronze smokey eye or neutral, fresh look. After a while, the glossy finish wears off and leaves behind a lovely satin flush of colour to the lips that feels completely weightless. Admitedly, as soon as I get a bit of a tan I don't think I'll be able to get away with this - depending on your skin tone it might be a little borderline 'concealer lips', but on my skintone currently - it works really well. It's also a lovely option to wear over the top of lipstick if you want to tone it down a notch. Consistency wise, it's a little less glossy than the Lip Paint and a bit more smooth and soft in texture. I likes it. I likes it a lot.

Overall, I've been really impressed.  Good ol' Toppyshoppy never fail to put a smile on my face when it comes to their lip products (if you still haven't tried one of their lipsticks, you're missing out!) I'll definitely be picking up some more shades for the summer - I already have my eyes on their Lip Paint in the shade 'Pout' - a gorgeous bright orange.  I'm also tempted to try their 'Gloss Inks' - if you've tried them - let me know!

Have you tried Topshop's Lip Paints or Lip Creams? What did you reckon?

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?

Benefit 'Go Tropicoral' | Thoughts & Swatches

Benefit | Go Tropicoral | £24.50

A few weeks back now, I left my job of 4 years and decided it was time to move on to pastures new.  My wonderful fellow colleagues decided to suprise me on my last day with some lovely beauty goodies, Benefit's 'Go Tropicoral' being one of them, and needless to say I felt rather spoilt and very, very teary to say the least! As you can imagine, since then, I've been having a great deal of fun trying out the 4 products in the set - none of which i've tried before - a beauty blogger's dream I'm sure you'll all agree! Anyway.. I thought it was about time I took some photographs, and told you all what I think. It would be silly not to!

Go Tropicoral is a wonderfully packaged little set of 4 Benefit products all of which compliment one another, giving you a travel-sized set of all the must-have items for a 'coralista' themed look. The items are all 'miniture' sized, but you still get lots of product to use, and it makes for a perfect gift! Benefit also do the similar sets in different shades and tones - offering up 'Feeling Dandy' (based around their 'Dandelion' blush) and 'Surgarlicous' (including the 'Sugarbomb' blush) - so if coral doesn't float your boat, fear not...

High Beam | 'Luminescent Complexion Enhancer' | This is perfect for highlighting areas of the face, and I use this dotted along my cheek bones and on my brow bone. It brings a certain 'light' to the face that is both subtle, yet very flattering and natural - and it blends effortlessly well into the skin. The pink-y undertones work very well with my wintery complexion, and help to brighten any dull areas. I've also used this mixed in with my daily moisturiser for all over brightening goodness! I used their 'Sun Beam' highlighter throughout summer last year, so this has been a lovely little addition to my collection that is just a really nice all-rounder and one that will compliment most make-up looks and skin tones.

Cha Cha Tint | Mango Tinted Lip & Cheek Stain |  Cha Cha Tint is such a lovely strong peach shade that has a similar texture to that of High Beam. The only thing I'm not keen on with this is the fact that you have to work very quickly with it in order to get an even finish. I think I prefer it as a lip stain - it looks lovely on the cheeks too but I much prefer a cream or powder blush as opposed to a stain on my cheeks. I might change my mind in summer once my skin feels a bit more moisturised and smooth though, and I'm still very pleased to have it in my collection. Definitely will be saving this little beauty for summer..

Coralista Powder Blush | Oh my goodness. I'm so chuffed to bits that I've discovered this blush and it has to be my favourite of the bunch. I adore it. I've been wearing it almost every day and it provides such a lovely flush of colour to the cheeks. The texture and finish reminds me very much of Nars' 'Orgasm' blush - as it is fairly sheer and has a slight shimmer to it.  It's just beautiful.  When swatched, you don't get the full force of it - but it applies amazingly well with a fluffy blush brush - and sweeps on to the cheeks with ease, creating amazing definition and a beautiful coral flush to the cheeks that instantly brightens your skin. When this runs out, I think I'll be buying the full version. It really is a must-have in my collection as I'm a massive fan of coral/peach shades, and I really think this will look amazing on tanned skin in summer (all we need is a big fat dose of sun now please!)

Coralista Ultra Plush Lip Gloss | Lip gloss, I'll admit, is usually a dodgy area with me. It's very rare I find one that I can happily keep on my lips for longer than 5 minutes. This one, I can bare. Obviously, it still feels like you have gloss on your lips but it doesn't feel sticky or uncomfortable at all and it provides a lovely sheer wash of glossy coral colour.  I suspect this will look amazing paired with Cha Cha Tint in Summer once I manage to work up a bit of a tan. That said, it looks lovely worn on it's own even now, and I've taken to wearing it over Mac's Lady Danger for an extra bit of 'oomph'. A really versatile little lip gloss and one that's just my kind of colour! It also smells really fruity and yummy... 


Overall, I'm as happy as larry to have this little box set in my cosmetics collection! It really brightens up these long winter days and adds a little bit of fruity punch to my everyday makeup - what more could a girl ask for?! I love how it comes with a little 'Tips & Tricks' booklet, showing you how to use the products in different ways - it adds a nice little finishing touch to the set - it opens up to reveal a pretty decent sized mirror too. I really cannot wait to get some use out of this in the summer months, and I'll definitely be taking it away on holiday with me, that's for sure!

Have you tried any of these products? What's your favourite Benefit product right now?
♥

Chanel Rouge Coco | 20 - Rose Comete

Chanel Rouge Coco | Hydrating Creme Lip Colour in 20 'Rose Comete' | £24.00

Forgive me for the photographical overload here girls, but my first ever Chanel lipstick deserved some camera time.  After becoming a huge fan of Chanel's ever popular 'Bronze Universal' a few months back now, I decided that for Christmas, I'd ask Santa for one of their lipsticks - being a complete and utter lipstick-a-holic, i simply had to own one. I decided on the shade 'Rose Comete' after much debating. As much as I'd adore a classic red shade, I wanted to own a neutral shade that I could wear on a day to day basis and one that would compliment all kinds of makeup and outfits - after all, if I'm going to whip out a Chanel lipstick on my travels, I want to be able to whip it out on a regular basis don't I?! Rose Comete is a lilac, pink shade with a frosted finish. It has beautiful little flecks of 'seashell' pink shimmer running through it and has a gorgeous cool-lilac undertone to it that is both flattering on my skin tone and unbelievably wearable. It's also unlike any other lipstick I own.

Colour aside, the packaging is just what dreams are made of (slightly poetic I know, but it really is!). It feels weighty. It looks classy. And it applies so smoothly from the bullet. The gold accents to the lipstick casing and the ever-so delicate 'Chanel' writing inscribed in the side is just the perfect finishing touch (and I must admit I'm slightly uneasy about the fact that one day, I shall undoubtedly wear the lipstick down to this point - *sobs*) 

The application is really lovely - the dome shape of the lipstick itself makes it very easy to achieve a smooth, even line around the edges of the lips, as the tip is very thin and easy to work with. The frosted finish is very noticeable, so it's not for everyone - I find I do sometimes have to apply a gloss over the top if I'm having a 'dry lips' day as it does have a tendency to settle in lines slightly.. Aside from this, the colour is just stunning, and is perfect for those days when you want a little bit of glam in your life but don't want to overdo it on the colour.  Wear time is also impressive - for a lighter, sheerer wash of colour, I've not had any problems with having to over-apply.  I really want to try some of their moisturising lip colours now, as well as their Rouge Allure's - I definitely need a Chanel red in my life.. who doesn't?!

Have you tried any Chanel lip products? Which colour shall I invest in next?

♥