Tuesday 26 April 2016

rimmel London lasting finish lipstick, the Kate Moss nude collection. review and swatches.

Ok you crazy cats. Got another review for ya ain't I? Right. So the original lasting finish lipstick range by Kate Moss for Rimmel was a hit most folks. I own three shades myself, so I think that puts me in the 'fan' category. Happily for lipstick lovers, the success of the lipsticks led to a collection of nudes. Obviously, I went and got one.

Rimmel lasting finish Kate nude lipstick- 45
I got shade 45, which I believe is called either 'rose nude' or 'rosy nude', on account of its blushed leaning. I wish the name was on the tube instead of just a number though. Numbers aren't sexy. In fact, the tube isn't all that sassy either. I mean, it's nice. It's very 'look at me, I'm a nude lipstick', but it's less sophisticated than the traditional black casing of the original lippies.

Anyway, as you can see, I've already worn this baby quite a bit. It's a lovely cool toned slightly mauve nude with medium pigmentation, and it suits my Asian honey complexion well without washing me out.  Apparently, this shade is the least pigmented of the line- though I love it just as it is- so you can expect the others to give more than just a wash of colour.

Rimmel lasting finish Kate nude lipstick - 45 

As for the formula, well, it's lovely. Smooth, moist, not streaky or overly slippery. Just comfortable and  delightful. The only thing is, I wouldn't call it a 'lasting finish'. Wear time is definitely average, so don't get too excited over the longevity claim.

Aside from that, my only other real criticism is the shade range: it's not broad enough. I mean, if you're only gonna have five shades, at least make them significantly different so they cater to more skin tones.  As it is, there is one shade that is probably too pale for anyone, three shades for fair to fairly fair, and only one for anyone darker. I'd suggest maybe chucking out the super pale one and replacing it with a deep toffee shade?

Still. For just over a fiver, it's a decent lippy and I enjoy wearing it on my pie hole.

Xx

Wednesday 20 April 2016

Avon ultra colour 3D plumping lipstick- review and swatches.

I've long been a fan of Avon's lipstick offerings, so when their new ultra colour 3D plumping lipstick came out, I snagged it. It promised voluminous action, rich colour and hydration- which are all undoubtedly good things. But did it deliver? Dun dun duuuun. The suspense must be killing you.


First impressions: sturdy packaging (though I do prefer the sexier black packaging of their standard ultra colour lipstick line) and good sized lipstick bullet that gets you a generous  coat of colour in one sweep. And the formula really does sweep- it's amazingly buttery and soft without being pure mush and is definitely well pigmented, with one pass giving almost opaque results.

As for the plumping... there is some, but be realistic with your expectations. It's not like one of those stinging glosses. There's a faint buzz that gives a slight increase to volume, but it's mostly the hydrating and cushiony formula that does it. It stays moist throughout wear, which is an average length of time for a satiny formula.

Avon ultra colour 3D plumping lipstick - bitten 
It does transfer, but fades flatteringly. This is partially due to the pretty stain it leaves, and partly because it's easily smushed to redistribute colour. So none of that dreaded lipstick ring. I did experience some minor feathering, but it was minimal and to be expected given the emollient texture. Clear lip liner fixes the problem easy peasy.

Now. Can we talk about the colour? I got the shade 'bitten', a plummy fuchsia. It leans a little more purple than it looks in the photo, but you can still see how vivid and pretty it is. I'm really digging it for spring!

At £8 and often on sale, I'd say this lippy is well worth the price tag. It feels like a luxury lipstick. Nice one, Avon.

Friday 15 April 2016

h&m velvet lip cream- review and swatches

We all know I don't need any more liquid lipsticks, but that didn't stop me lusting after the new velvet lip cream by H&M. Their recently launched high quality makeup line has had its praises sung far and wide. Unfortunately, it wasn't available at any of the stores in my city- only the regular brand makeup was. Luckily, on a trip into Nottingham, I managed to snag one. For £6.99, I got this baby in the shade 'screen siren'.

The packaging is simple but chic, but the applicator is a little odd. It has the texture of a rather stiff, scratchy doefoot, but in the shape of a rectangular kind of paddle. The stiffness of the wand coupled with a thick and fast drying formula means you don't get any of that sensual smooth gliding. It definitely takes a quick hand and a little effort to apply well, but at least the rectangular shape gives you clean edges. Silver linings.

So let's talk formula. While it is indeed fast drying, the finished texture is fine. It is very matte and transfer proof and would definitely benefit from lip balm prior to application, but there's no cracking or crumbling and it's not Sahara desert drying. It's good. Not the most comfortable, but definitely not the most drying.

H&M velvet lip cream- screen siren 
What really won me over was the colour. It's. .. so damn sexy. It actually looks deeper and more wine toned in real life, but even in this swatch you can tell how rich it is. The good thing is, if you're not into vampy shades, there are plenty of natural and playful shades on offer too. So if you're lucky enough to have the fabulous-er beauty range in your city, you might find it well worth popping in for a cheeky swatch fest.

Xx

Saturday 9 April 2016

rimmel the only one revolution lipstick- review and swatches.

If, like me, you're a frequent haunter of Superdrug makeup aisles, you'll know that Rimmel has released a line of new lipsticks that will allegedly tick every damn box. The Only One lipsticks promise comfort, lasting power, intense colour and immortality. And a lifetime supply of fluffy kittens. A sucker for such tantalising advertising, I popped a tube in my basket.

She's a good looking lady, I think. Boxy and black and has a bit of attitude, and a handy ring of colour that corresponds with the lipstick shade. The only thing that's slightly inconvenient is the shape of the bullet. I find it hard to define my cupid's bow with the flat round surface. Then again, it's not a biggie- the use of a matching lip liner or a lip brush fixes that problem.

Anyway, the formula really is everything it promises. Saturated colour, a glide on satin formula that is squishy and supple-feeling without being slippery, a texture that sticks well to the lips, and a magic way of not drying out your lips even after prolonged wear. Niiiiice. The only minor issue was a bit of bleeding a few hours in, but it was such an insignificant amount that it wasn't really noticeable.
Rimmel the only one revolution lipstick - best of the best
I got the shade 'best of the best', a bright, slightly blue based red. It's a classic red, that's what it is. I love this lippy and at £6.99, I reckon it's worth every penny. Nice one, Rimmel!

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