Shopping My Stash | The Festive Edit

Since Christmas is just around the corner (quite literally! How quick does time fly?!), I decided to have a little route through my makeup drawers the other day in search of some festive makeup inspiration.  As I'm on a bit of a budget this year and haven't really got an excuse to splurge on a selection of new products - I thought it would be perfect timing for my first ever 'shopping my stash' themed post. I always love reading these on other blogs but I've never done one myself.  As a fickle bunch, us bloggers do have a tendency to forget about the fabulous goodies we already own in favour of treating ourselves to a new little luxury or two (guilty as charged)...but sometimes, it's much better to re-discover old favourites.  As a family, we always go out for dinner and drinks on Christmas Day.  It's basically a fabulous excuse to get done up like a dog's dinner and for me, a good time to experiment a little bit with my makeup - if ever you're going to break the rules and get away with the smokey eye/bright red lip combo (with a dash of extra glitter for good measure) it's on Christmas Day! Here's what I picked out...

First up is a blogger classic, Mac's Cranberry. I love this shade in the autumn/winter and it's just perfect for this time of year.  It puts a nice little twist on a classic smokey eye and is surprisingly easy to wear - it looks lovely on the centre of the lid if you're not brave enough to go full-on with it.  I also picked out Urban Decay's 'Zodiac' - a beautiful shimmery deep forest green.  I've only ever worn this once on New Year's Eve last year but it looked absolutely stunning and I'm determined to make it work again for me this year.  The shimmer is perfect for creating a festive themed smokey eye and the consistency is simply divine.  Urban Decay always get it right when it comes to texture and this shade in particular is so soft, creamy and pigmented. I adore it. I reckon I might wear this Christmas Day...

I also picked out a smokey eye favourite - Nars Mekong.  This stuff is seriously rich and I reserve it purely for nights out and special occasions simply because it can be a little too much at times - but I adore it nonetheless.   It's a beautiful deep brown shade with tiny flecks of gold running through it. It looks gorgeous worn on it's own, blended out and concentrated on the lid - it gives your eyes so much definition and it's such a good shade for creating a more sultry look.  It's probably the most pigmented, richest brown shade I own. Last up, my favourite gold is Look Beauty's Shade 13 'Luxe' Eyeshadow.  I spoke about this in a recent post here if you want to read up about why I love it so much, but it's one of my faves.  It's akin to a pressed pigment in my opinion as it's so rich and creamy - it gives your lids an almost foiled look.

Next, I headed straight for the statement red lipsticks. I have a couple of favourites that I always use around this time of year - some happen to be drugstore cheapys (MUA Shade 1 is a winner) but when it comes to Christmas, I always feel a little more inspired to reach for some of my more luxurious lippies. The festive season calls for a bit of luxe, doesn't it?!  Mac's MAC Red has to be my ultimate pillar box red.  It's a fairly neutral, cherry sort of shade and the satin finish provides opaque colour without being overly drying.  It featured in my Mac Lipstick Collection post here, and also in my Top 5 Autumn/Winter Reds post - it's very well loved.  I also fell head over heels for Bobbi Brown's 'Old Hollywood' last year.  It certainly lives up to it's name and simply screams glamour.  It's a little more bright in tone than MAC Red - I wouldn't say it's orange toned but it's definitely a little more warm - it looks beautiful both day or night.  The creamy formula applies like a dream and provides full colour pay off. The packaging is also perfect for the season - the weighty gold bullet and satisfying 'clicky' lid is right up my street. I wore it in this post if you want to see more of it.

Swatches L-R // Look 'Shade 13' // Mac 'Cranberry' // UD 'Zodiac' // Nars 'Mekong' // Mac 'MAC Red' // Bobbi Brown 'Old Hollywood' 

Lastly, I picked out a couple of Barry M polishes that I always make a beeline for around this time of year.  'Raspberry' is a gorgeous deep maroon shade with a super glossy finish - I've been wearing this non-stop just recently.  Glitter polishes are also a bit of a guilty pleasure when it gets to Christmas time and Barry M's Gold Glitter is a stunner.  I'm not the biggest fan of the full-on glittered nails look if I'm honest so I tend to paint my nails with a red colour first, and then concentrate the glitter towards the base or the tip of my nails to create a more subtle gradient finish.

Which products have you got lined up for Christmas Day?

Mac's 'Viva Glam Rihanna' Lipstick

Mac Viva Glam Rihanna Lipstick | £15.00 | Link

Ok, Ok. I hold my hands up and admit I'm a complete lipstick addict - they have to be my ultimate weakness. Let's face it - I really didn't need yet another red in my stash but Rihanna's new offering for Mac's Viva Glam collection caught my attention in an instant.  I'm not sure whether it was the sleek, matte red bullet, the classic cherry red tone or the simple fact that Rihanna created it (do you need any other reason?!) - but I needed it in my life. I have to say, it's unlike any other red that I have in my collection and I'm so glad I gave in to temptation and impulse-purchased this little beauty (woops...). It's quite unique really - it looks completely different on everybody. Seriously, google it.  I was completely baffled when I went searching for reviews - it really does completely transform depending on your skin tone and colouring.  On some, it looks like a beautiful classic cool-toned red, and on others it appears like a pop of bright cherry red.  Either way,  it's stunning - although I can imagine this red isn't going to be loved by all...

Viva Glam Rihanna is a frost finish Mac lipstick (cue lots of people grimacing in disappointment - Mac's frost finish lipsticks are well known to be less than favourable!), however, do not let that put you off! One of my favourite ever Mac lipsticks has to be 'Costa Chic' - the frost finish actually compliments the colour and gives it much more dimension on the lips.  I find Viva Glam Rihanna to be very similar - the fact that it's such a pigmented, strong colour means it actually works very well with the frosted finish and it actually isn't overly 'frosty' whatsoever.  The frost finish does not effect the colour pay off and it gives the colour more of a sheen as opposed to a dated, 'wishy-washy' sort of look. The pigmentation is spot on - it's a very strong red that doesn't need building up - what you see is what you get.  It can settle into fine lines slightly but it's nothing a bit of balm won't fix and I don't find it to be overly drying.   The shade is described on the Mac website as a 'Frosty Blue-Red', and I have to agree with this.  It definitely does lean towards the cooler end of the spectrum. However, it has a certain brightness to it that makes it quite unique - I hate to use the word 'pop' (i shudder at such cliche words...) but really, that's the only way I can describe it - a pop of statement red. On me, it appears like a bright, cherry-ish red with a blue-ish undertone to it, but I've seen this on other people and it appears much more warm and bright.  The frost finish actually makes this lipstick for me - it gives that added bit of dimension and helps the lips to appear fuller - I personally find it works in it's favour and it actually looks very flattering. It's essentially a classic red with a little bit of a twist.  

Part of me can't help but wish it had arrived in stores before Christmas as it would have been perfect! But you can never go wrong with a slick of red lipstick any time of year can you? The limited edition packaging is also a lovely little novelty! Of course, bare in mind that this shade won't be for everyone, and it's worth swatching in store before you buy - I admit I didn't exactly need this shade (I find it quite similar to 'Mac Red' but with added dimension) however, it's one that I know I will get use out of and I really like the slight shimmer it has to it. Viva Glam Rihanna retails for £15.00 and as with all lipsticks from the Viva Glam range, the full RRP (minus VAT) from the sale goes towards helping people across the globe effected by HIV/AIDS - so rest assured your mid-week lipstick treat is going to a good cause!  I have to say, this is the first time I've ever been tempted by the matching lipglass.  From what I've seen on other blogs, the two look absolutely amazing when paired together but sadly, me and Mac lip glosses don't exactly get on like a house on fire... (if you're a lip gloss fan - it might be just your cup of tea, though!). You can find Viva Glam Rihanna on Mac's website here.

Have you tried Mac's Viva Glam Rihanna? What did you reckon?

'The Perfect Selfie' Look | with 'World Duty Free'

Product Selection from World Duty Free*

Even at 23, I must hold my hands up and openly admit that I'm not opposed to a selfie or two - who says it's just for the young'uns?! I would bet my lipstick drawer that a large percentage of you reading this WILL snap a cheeky selfie over the next couple of weeks whilst adorning some form of Christmas attire (festive onesie, anyone?) If not, a massive pat on the back to you for refusing to hop on the over-sharing bandwagon!  When the lovely bunch at World Duty Free offered me the chance to take part in their 'Perfect Selfie' challenge, I thought I'd give it a whirl! They sent me a lovely little package full of goodies to create my perfect 'selfie' look and I swiftly got to work.  Since the festive season is well and truly in full swing, I thought I'd create a little party look. I went for smokey eyes and a bold red lip - something I don't often put together - but at Christmas, it's perfectly acceptable to break the 'eyes or lips' rule, right? Plus, red lips and a little bit of definiton around the eyes always photograph nicely!

 

To create my 'selfie' look, I first applied Benefit's Porefessional Primer - concentrating mainly on my t-zone to help mask any obvious pores.  I then applied the Estee Lauder Daywear all over the face using my buffing brush.  Usually, I'd wear foundation for a night out look but I was really pleasantly surprised with this.  I had a little bit of Clarins Liquid Bronze on at the time, and it allowed that lovely glow to show through without completely masking my face. I'm a massive fan of Estee Lauder and their products always seem to 'mesh' well with my skin - I was really impressed with how smooth it made my skin look for a lighter coverage product.   I applied the Elizabeth Arden '8 Hour Lip Balm' to prep my lips ready for lipstick (really loved this!), and applied a small amount of the Guerlain 'Terracotta' bronzer into the hollows of my cheekbones and around my jaw line to contour - as well as a light dusting on my forehead for an extra bit of bronze! To finish the subtle contouring effect I used YSL's infamous Touche Eclat around the under eye area and tops of the cheekbones, down the centre of the nose and a little in my cupid's bow to enhance my lip shape. I've never used Touche Eclat before - so I was really excited to be able to try this cult beauty fave! I then used Benefit's Brow Zings to enhance my eyebrows.  I have very light brows and often struggle to get brow products to look completely natural as I do like a bit of definition - especially around the arch.  Brow Zings made it a complete doddle and the wax really helped to keep them in place.

After completing my base, I moved on to the exciting bit - my eyes.  I used the Yves Saint Laurent 'Black Edition' Palette to create a soft, smokey look.  This really is such a beautiful palette - it's something I'd definitely take with me when travelling away from home - the large mirror and selection of brushes included make it a lovely compact - especially for the festive season as the colours are so wintery! They all compliment each other perfectly and I instantly fell in love! I used the brown shade all over the lid. It contains small flecks of gold without looking overly glittery so it's perfect for sweeping across the eyelids.  I then used the white colour in the very inner corners to open my peepers a little and give them that 'wide awake' look, and then blended a bit of the black shade into the crease and outer corner. Really simple and quick to create!  I then curled my lashes and applied a few coats of Benefit's 'They're Real'.  I actually have a full review of the mascara here if you wish to have a read up on it - it is without a doubt one of my favourite mascaras I've used. It really opens up the eyes and makes your lashes appear fuller without clumping - perfect! Of course, no look is complete without a dash of lippie! Bobbi Brown's 'Hollywood' is the most amazing pillarbox red shade. I adore it. It really does live up to it's name, that's for sure! It's such a striking red - and doesn't lean too blue or too orange.  If you're after a true red shade - I'd really recommend this one.  I'll definitely be treating myself to another shade from the range - it was a dream to apply, the pigmentation is amazing and it wasn't at all drying.  Et Voila - look complete.

Overall - an amazing little package from World Duty Free.  As a blogger of all things beauty, there's nothing more I love doing when I'm going abroad than having a mooch around the beauty bits - I always treat myself to a new product or two before I jet away! World Duty Free have some fabulous bargains - it's worth having a check on their site before you jet away - you can even select your airport/terminal for a more tailored selection!  There's also some exclusive palettes and beauty goodies on there (it's hard to find the YSL palette online at the moment) - there's nothing like owning something that's hard to get hold of - it just feels that little bit more spesh. Of course, I have lots more to say on these lovely goodies so if you're particularly interested in a specific review - let me know! 

Any of these products take your fancy? What would be in your perfect selfie kit?!

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?!

Top 5 Autumn/Winter Reds

Swatches Top to Bottom | Rimmel Kate Moss '107' / Collection 'Prohibition' / Mac 'MAC Red' / MUA 'Shade 13' / Revlon 'Red Laquer' /

Autmn/Winter is the perfect time of year to really experiment with berry tones and statement reds.  A red lip is timeless and classic - and once you've found 'the one' (or in a beauty blogger's case - a fair few) you'll never look back.  A pop of red on a dreary winter's day always looks striking, and the whole build-up to Christmas is the perfect excuse to get festive with your lip colour.  Berry tones and pillar-box reds are my preference for the winter months, and I tend to lean towards orangey-reds in summer.  If you're a 'red lipstick newbie' it's worth baring in mind that what might look amazing on you in winter, might look a bit dull on you in summer and vice versa. So, this in mind, I thought I'd give you a run-down of my current Top 5 'wintery reds' in no particular order... I have worn the majority of these in different posts so I've linked those into the mix as well if you want a more in-depth look at the shades.

Rimmel | Kate Moss '107' 

Ohhh Kate Moss. Your lipsticks sent beauty bloggers across the globe into a berry lipstick frenzy last year. A year later and I'm still addicted to the infamous '107'.  This is the darkest shade of the bunch and is a dark berry red with hints of purple.  It's very much a gothic twist on the classic red, and although it appears scary in the tube, it looks beautiful once on the lips.  It very much reminds me of Topshop's 'Beguiled' (post here) and is amazingly pigmented.  It's quite matte - so it isn't for the faint hearted but it's a lovely colour all the same.  Want to see what it looks like on? You can find my previous post on the shade here.

Collection | Deluxe in 'Prohibition'

I have written a whole post on this little beauty including a snap of it on the lips here if you want to read more.  This shade is my most reached for lipstick at the moment and has to be my current favourite.  I actually prefer this to '107' - although almost identical in shade, this one is a touch lighter and is much more glossy - although it's still strongly pigmented.  It's just the perfect consistency in my opinion and I find it so easy and comfortable to wear. I don't find it drying in the slightest (107 has a tendancy to be a bit drying) and I've been wearing this in both the day and at night - it looks lovely with a simple, neutral eye and a slick of liquid liner.  It's the lipstick I'm wearing in my current Twitter picture, if you're interested! I shall be doing some sort of post on the look soon so keep your eyes peeled!

Mac Lipstick in 'MAC Red'

This lipstick is an absolute classic in my eyes.  I love it.  It's a true 'pillarbox' red shade and looks so striking when worn. It's quite a bright red and looks amazing on the lips as it makes such a statement.  The satin finish and vivid colour it provides are just the perfect combination.  It leans slightly blue without being overly cool in tone, and instantly makes your teeth look whiter.  It applies like a dream and stays put for ages - it looks so classy and timeless. If you're after a classic, true red - look no further than Mac's 'MAC Red'.  I have to say Mac's Red lipstick selection is second to none. There's something there for everyone.

MUA | Shade '13'

THIS little beauty is my red staple and has to be one of my all time favourite reds.  I wear this in the day (I even wear it to Uni) and on nights out and every single time somebody will ask me what shade of red I'm wearing.  Every time I tell them it's a £1 special from Superdrug their little eyes light up with delight (I should really stop telling them shouldn't I? - I'm giving away my MUA secret!) It's extremely pigmented - probably the most pigmented of the bunch - and is so soft and creamy to apply.  It's a lovely, instense bright red and I like it because it isn't too orangey - it suits me in both the summer and the winter time without fail and if MUA ever discontinued it I would bulk buy a lifetime supply quicker than you could say 'product rave'.  True love right there.

Revlon | Red Laquer

This shade is perfect for those days where you don't want to be too 'OTT' but fancy a little pop of colour.  Similar to Revlon's 'Candy Apple' lip butter but slightly brighter, this shade is such a lovely, subtle orangey-red that is just perfect for every day wear.  You don't need a lip liner to wear it, you don't need to spend 5 minutes in the mirror pulling your 'concentration face' and you don't need a special occasion to pull it off - it's just the perfect understated red.  The orangey tone brightens the complexion without looking too sickly - and it feels glossy and smooth to apply.  I think of it as a watered down version of Mac's 'Lady Danger' with a glossy, buttery finish.  If you're interested as to what it looks like on, I wore it last Christmas in this FOTD.

You've got to love a red lipstick, right?  I'm addicted to buying them! My collection must house an entire spectrum of crimson shades now and one day I shall have to sit down and photograph them all because that would just be extremely satisfying....  I shall be sure to keep you posted if there's any more additions - I currently have my eye on Mac's 'Hang Up' but I reckon I might pop that on the Christmas list...

What's your favourite winter red? Any of these tickle your lipstick taste buds?!

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?

Mac Haul | Lipsticks, Eye Kohl & 'Turquatic'

Oh deary me. Look what happened. Beth walks into Mac and yet again comes away with more than one 'little treat'. Ok, so I didn't buy all of this stuff in one go - that would be rather extravagant of me to say the least, but I have indulged in a bit of cosmetic related retail therapy just recently. I decided to grab a few more lipsticks - Mac are without a doubt my favourite brand to go for if I wish to treat myself to a new lippie or two... I just can't resist them and there's something rather fulfilling about building up my collection and seeing them all in my lipstick drawer stacked neatly next to one another.. (just me, no?) Anyway, I thought it was about time I shared my purchases with you all...

Mac Red | Satin | I actually went in with the intention of buying Russian Red - but I much preferred this shade as it's ever so slightly brighter.  I also don't find Satin as drying as the matte finishes.

Creme d' Nude | Cremesheen | I've been after a pale nude for a while now and it was a toss up between this one and Myth. Myth was just a little bit too much for me so I settled on this one - much more wearable for me and a shade that is a must-have in my collection. Perfect for pairing with smokey eyes or 'understated' days.

Half n Half | Amplified | I've wanted a muted brown toned nude for a while now. I actually bought Velvet Teddy a while back but it's just far too dark for me at the moment (you can view it in my Mac Lipstick Collection post here)- Half n Half is just that touch lighter and looks much more 'me'.

Up The Amp | Amplified | Definitely an impulse buy! I've wanted it for ages as I don't have many purple shades. This one is perfect as it's vibrant but isn't too dark for my skin tone - it's quite a quirky, fun shade!

Chatterbox | Amplified | I've wanted this for donkeys! This lipstick was made for me - from the vibrant pink tone even down to the name (if I was a Mr Men character I would most definitely be Little Miss Chatterbox...) I actually picked this up in a blog sale and I was so chuffed to bits to get my hands on it!

Mac Eye Kohl in 'Smolder' | I've never actually tried any of Mac's pencil liners! Shocking I know but I just think a smokey black liner is a staple item in any make-up bag and this one is renowned for it's staying power.

Mac Perfume in 'Turquatic' | Me and my perfumes.. honestly. I think I have some sort of strange obsession with buying scents! This one is gorgeous and it's the definition of a summer perfume! I cannot wait to spritz this as soon as the sunshine comes out!

...woops. What can I say.. these pesky little items just took a leap into my hands, dragged me to the till and forced me to pay for them.. I think I shall have to be doing an updated Mac Lipstick Collection post pretty soonish at this rate! Eek! Next on my wish list is 'Morange', 'Milan Mode' and 'Blankety'... and I wouldn't say no to 'Fanfare' either.. Goodness me there's no hope for my bank account is there?

What's on your Mac wishlist right now?

Kate Moss | The Infamous '107' Lipstick

Rimmel Lasting Finish Matte Lipstick by Kate Moss - £5.49

Kate Moss for Rimmel lipsticks have been huge in the blogging world the past couple of months or so, and I was lucky enough to win one in the lovely Sophia's giveaway (you can find her fabulous blog here) before Christmas - the perfect time to experiment with wine and berry colours on the lips.  The shade '107' has been a sell out in most Boots stores, and is has proven rather difficult to find online just recently too, so I was excited to discover what all of the hype has been about and felt rather lucky indeed to add this little beauty in my collection.

Matte lipsticks don't usually float my boat, if I'm honest. I don't have particularly dry lips but I struggle to find a suitable one because I'm so fussy about how they feel and I usually opt for a 'buttery' finish. This is just not the case with this lipstick - it's just spot on for a matte finish and one that is so unbelievably wearable. It doesn't feel drying, it doesn't drag when applied and it has a velvety feel to it that just makes it an absolute dream to wear. So much so, I cannot wait to head out to Boots and grab myself a few more shades from the range. It even smells beautiful - almost like watermelons.. which is a lovely fruity bonus if I don't say so myself!

I've used a Barry M lip liner to get the defined look in the photographs above, but to be honest you could probably get away without using one if you're very careful with application (i have a post on the lipliners here).  It smooths on effortlessly and just one coat provides opaque colour - It really defines the lips and creates an intense, 'vampy' look that's right on trend for the current season. It definitely glams up my every day makeup and almost makes my lips appear fuller than they are (Angelina Jolie I am not!) Usually with dark colours I find they bleed or smudge off slightly, but this one has impressive staying power. Needless to say, I've fallen in love with this lipstick and I cannot wait to hop in the car and get myself to Boots so I can hunt down some more from the range! If you're like me and tend to be put off with matte finishes, I urge you to give these a whirl.. they might just change your mind.

What's your favourite Kate Moss Rimmel lipstick?

♥ 

My Mac Lipstick Collection

Swatches | L - R | Top Row: Velvet Teddy / Shy Girl | Second Row: Plink! / Creme Cup / Saint Germain | Third Row: Speed Dial / Viva Glam Nicki / Costa Chic | Bottom Row: Ravishing / Saigon Summer / Lady Danger

There's something about a row of lipsticks that I find rather pleasing to the eye, so forgive me for the photo heavy post - but I've also just received my new macro lens for my camera so to say I got a little bit snap-happy is an understatement!  I thought it would be the perfect time to do a Mac Lipstick collection post - as they are something I personally like to have a nosey at on other blogs as they give me ideas for my next purchase and new colours to add to the ever growing wishlist! I thought I'd give you a rundown of the colours I own and hopefully help a few of you pick your next in line - or maybe even your first one! I have a grand total of 11 Mac lipsticks.. which I think is a nice amount to call it a 'collection' if I don't say so myself. Although I must admit I cannot wait to make it 12.. there's something about odd numbers that doesn't sit right with me... (please reassure me I'm not alone with this hatred of odd numbers!)

Velvet Teddy (Matte) - A deep brown-ish nude. I find this to be a 'your lips but better shade', although on me it does look quite noticeable.  Great for those days where you don't want to be too over the top but still want the lips to stand out. The matte finish means it is quite pigmented and paler skins might find it a little too dark for a nude shade.

Shy Girl (Cremesheen) - One of my absolute favourites. I've had this for a couple of months and it's been used more than some of the others I've had for longer! A peachy nude shade that looks so flattering on paler skin and really awakens a dull complexion. If you're after an everyday shade and need a bit of warmth then I really recommend this one (post here)

Plink! (Lustre) -  A warm 'seashell' pink. The newest addition to my collection and a favourite of Mollie King from the Saturdays (if it's good enough for Mollie then by heck, I'll be having me some of that!). A very sheer wash of colour due to the lustre finish but one that is very glossy and flattering. A fabulous everyday pink. If you like a bit of gloss to your lippies then look no further.

Creme Cup (Cremesheen) - Another old favourite of mine. Similar to shy girl but pink instead of peachy toned. Great for everyday wear and those who like pinky nudes will love Creme Cup. 

Saint Germain (Amplified) - Not for the faint hearted. A very bright, bubblegum blue-toned pink that is very 'in your face'. Personally I love it, although I must admit i feel very 'Barbie-esque' when I adorn this lipstick. Definitely a fun addition to your makeup collection. The amplified formula is the most pigmented of the bunch so rest assured you will be getting your colour pay-off with this one, it's completely opaque and covers the lips instantly.

Speed Dial (Cremesheen) - The first Mac lipstick I ever bought and one that I will continue to repurchase. A mid-tone blue-ish pink that's understated enough to be worn everyday but bright enough to make an impact. A very good little all-rounder and the cremesheen finish makes it a dream to apply.

Viva-Glam Nicki (Satin) - An extremely bright pink and surprisingly wearable. It's superly-duperly pigmented and lasts very well on the lips. I struggle to wear this through winter but it's a gorgeous summery pink if you're into your bright colours!

Costa Chic (Frost) - I think this has to be one of my summer favourites and if i had to pick one lipstick to last me all summer it would be this.  Just seeing it reminds me of sunny afternoons sipping pina coladas by a pool and walks on the beach at sunset (can you tell i'm craving a holiday right now?). It's just the perfect eye-popping coral and it really does look amazing with a tan. Trust me on this one - if you're jetting away to sunnier climes this year, you need this in your suitcase...

Ravishing (Cremesheen) - Mid-tone coral. A lovely wearable shade if you're scared of going for full-on orange! It looks lovely even with paler skin (I've been wearing it through winter) and it a great option if you like warmer tones on your lips.

Saigon Summer (Cremesheen) - Part of the new range available at Mac. It has a slight frosty finish to it but is amazingly pigmented and is a super bright orange tone. I set out to buy 'Morange' but I saw this one and preferred it! It's amazingly bright - the camera doesn't pick it up to be as bright as it is in 'real life'. I urge you to go and swatch it! It's beautiful. Definitely going to be a summer staple for me!

Lady Danger (Matte) - Another new addition! Amazingly pigmented orange-toned red. If you're after a bright red then look no further.  I prefer orangey reds as opposed to blue-ish reds on my skin tone.. and this one is just the perfect addition to my collection.


And there we have it.  My collection as it stands. In a few months I will probably have to do another since I'm planning on updating it over the next couple of weeks or so (I have no willpower whatsoever when it comes to Mac lippies..) I think it's fair to say I do like my mid-tone corals and pinks.. I really need to get more daring with my lipstick - but I much prefer classic reds if i'm going to go for a bright colour (hence why Lady Danger is the only 'darker' colour I own!) I have a few more on my wish list and definitely want to expand on the darker colours slightly.. I really want 'Russian Red' and 'Sunny Seoul'.. and I'd really love to add 'Up The Amp' to my collection too since I don't own any of Mac's purple-y shades!

Whats your favourite Mac Lipstick?

♥