Tag Archives: makeup review

Collection Velvet Kiss Moisturising Lip Creams

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Watching people apply liquid lipsticks on Instagram is one of my favourite ways to spend a bleary-eyed morning or long train journey – there’s something so satisfying about watching people perfectly swipe these gorgeous pigments onto their lips! But I was always dubious about doing it myself because I have full lips, a very feathery lip line and they aren’t symmetrical, so I always feel like highly pigmented products look like I put them on in the dark. That was, until I was given Collection’s Velvet Kiss Moisturising Lip Creams* to try…

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The first thing to note about these Lip Creams is that they are sooooo cheap. At £2.99 each there’s no reason not to try a couple! Not only are they the perfect choice if you’re on a budget, they’re also brilliant for trying out a risky shade, or like me, working out if liquid lipsticks are for you.

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I’m wearing the shade ‘Cotton Candy’ in this photo, and I have to say that it’s become my my favourite lip colour, ever. It’s SO pretty! But let me show you the rest of the shades before I talk more about that…

Mango

Vibrant but not quite neon orange shade – perfect for anyone who wants to try an orange lip without going too bold.

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Rosie

Looks much darker in the tube – a gorgeous muted red with and amazingly consistent pigmentation and smooth texture. My second favourite shade.

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Mulberry

Beautiful purple shade with brown undertones, doesn’t apply as smoothly as Rosie but still pretty great. Make sure you exfoliate and moisturise your lips first because this one clings.

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Blackberry

Cool purple shade – the hardest to apply in terms of consistency but a really awesome colour. Definitely need more than one coat, as you’ll see in the swatch at the end.

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Cotton Candy

Requires no effort with application, smooth, thick formula that spreads perfectly and lasts all day. I love this shade.

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Here are all the shades together in the same order as above so you can compare. I did double layer Blackberry here and the coverage is much more consistent.

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In terms of the formula, I can confirm that these lip creams are really moisturising – I’ve worn them all day and my lips haven’t flaked AT ALL, unlike other matte lipsticks I’ve used that make my lips so tight, flaky and itchy that all I can think about it getting it off at the end of the day! They also don’t make my lips sticky, which I have found the some other brands to be really bad for. And while they’re long lasting, a quick swipe with micellar water and they’re gone. I absolutely love these lip creams, and really recommend that you give at least one a try sometime! There is one other shade called Caramel, but there was no way that one was gonna suit me so I didn’t bother with it. They’re available from Boots and Superdrug, whichever you prefer – have fun!

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Fairydrops Scandal Queen Waterproof Mascara Review

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It’s impossible not to fall in love with Fairydrops as soon as you catch sight of the adorable, unique packaging. I mean I almost didn’t even care about the product itself (though don’t worry, I have LOTS to say about it now!) Intended to give a high volume, 360 finish with intense pigmentation, length, lift and lash conditioning, the brand was created by a Japanese celebrity who felt that all other options on the market fell short in one way or another.

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I bought a tube this summer for my best friend’s wedding (and boy did I need it) and I’ve used it several times since – in fact I really need to get the non-waterproof version because I find myself wanting to use it daily, I love it so much!

The brush is wonderful to use – you can feel the formula gliding over your lashes as you apply.  What seem like fairly large fibres sink into place as you brush, lengthening your lashes but despite that, you don’t end up with any of that horrible dust getting in your eyes during the day. In terms of waterproof? It survived my ugly-crying at the wedding (and subsequent partying) completely intact, so that’s a big fat tick there! And I also find that it does a wonderful job of staying on if you accidentally rub your eyes, which no other mascara ever seems to.

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The formula itself is rich in jojoba oil, hyaluronic acid, collagen and panthenol to hydrate and soothe the eye area whilst conditioning the lashes. This is certainly something I really notice when I use it – there’s no irritation at all. I don’t wear it often because I have sensitive eyes and don’t want to irritate them with the rubbing required to get it off – but to be honest it’s not as cement-like as other waterproof mascaras, and dissolves quite well with a generous application of micellar water!

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I am so impressed with Fairydrops Scandal Queen Waterproof Mascara. It looks gorgeous, is lovely to apply, and works SO well on all counts. The Quattro (non-waterproof)  version is definitely on my wishlist for everyday use! Get them both from Beauty Bay for £18.50

Sleek Solstice Highlighting Palette Review

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Ok so I know, I know, I’m joining DROVES of bloggers in reviewing this mega-hyped product, but I just can’t help myself. Sleek’s Solstice Highlighting Palette is incredible, and I just HAD to rave about it myself.

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There’s something so wonderfully cheering about opening up this bright, colourful palette in the morning. The gorgeously pretty shades look like a sunrise to me, and on more than one occasion I’ve caught myself staring deeply into Equinox’s intricate swirls (I have a rough time in the morning folks, this could also be described as ‘falling asleep in my highlighter’).

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The formulas are wonderfully buildable, so you can achieve a subtle sheen, or a seriously powerful glow. As you can see on my swatch, they are really pigmented. When you apply a slightly less liberal amount you get a look that’s either warming and cheerful, or cool and edgy – and of course the effect varies depending on your skin type.

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Personally Equinox is my everyday fave because it suits my skin perfectly and gives a more workday appropriate highlight. However, if I’m going for a moodier, darker eye makeup look I like to use Hemisphere to give it an edge. When I wear a cream blush or a bronzer Ecliptic blends into it perfectly, and if I need a bit more oomf I really like shimmery Subsolar since I can layer it up without getting an obviously unnatural colour. I also love using Subsolar on my cupid’s bow, and the tip of my nose when I want to look like a sparkle fairy.

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For normal every day application I use my NARS Yachiyo Kabuki but if I want to make myself shiiiiine I do it with my finger. I lost the brush that it came with immediately, and I think that would be my only complaint with the product – the brush seems a bit unnecessary, and looks quite cheap. Then again, if someone doesn’t have a brush, it means they don’t need to buy one, so it’s nice to give people one with the product I guess!

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For the price, this palette is unquestionably one of the best on the market. It lasts all day, and it goes on without any fuss. It’s buildable, suits every skin tone and the formula blends seamlessly. Guys, it’s £10. When you think about how expensive a single highlighter shade can be with other brands, I don’t know how anyone could question the decision to buy this phenomenal palette. Get it from Feel Unique for £9.99 – here

 

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer and All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation Review

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I have been using NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer and All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation for a year now, so I think I’m pretty well prepared to give my impressions on them…

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If you’re in a rush, let me just tell you that these are the best foundation and concealer I have ever used. I’ve tried a LOT, and apart from a drugstore one I used when I was in uni, this is the only one I’ve ever re-purchased. In fact after I repurchased the drugstore one they’d changed the formula and it was rubbish, which is probably why I can’t remember the brand 😉

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NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer (in shade Vanilla): I’ve read a lot of posts where people claim to have found a dupe for this – and it always becomes clear during the course of the blog post that no, they haven’t. They may have found a pretty good drugstore concealer, but a dupe for this it certainly is not. Radiant Creamy Concealer is basically the best concealer in the world if you ask me – the formula sinks into nasty blemishes like nothing I’ve ever used, and it has the most fantastic wear. Amazingly, while it has a brightening effect under my eyes, it has a neutralising effect on spots. It’s £22, and I think it’s a total no-brainer that it’s worth it, when it’s a colour corrector, blemish concealer AND under eye brightener all in one.

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NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation (in shade Mont Blanc): Well first of all, this product does exactly what its ridiculously long name promises to do. It is weightless and exceptionally comfortable. It leaves your skin looking wonderfully healthy. And it lasts ALL DAY. I love the way that two pumps is enough to cover my face, the ease with which it blends out, the fact that it lasts me 6 months and the fact that the colour matches my skin perfectly. I have had the best skin of my life whilst using this foundation and I do believe it had a part to play. It’s £32, but it is SO much better than every foundation I’ve ever used, including one that cost me £50!

If you want to see some how they look on, here are a few pictures of my face! I was wearing both products in all these photos.

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Hope you enjoyed this review – have you tried NARS before? What are your favourite products?