Tarte quick dry matte lip paint- review and swatches

I didn't like the original the Tarte creamy matte lip paints.

Maybe it was just the shade I got ('Hangry'), because other reviews seemed full of praise. I tried to like it. Honestly I did. But it was hard to get an even finish with and it wasn't opaque, so it always looked a bit streaky. And it had a slippery silicone-y feel. And it transferred like a bitch.

So when the 'quick dry' versions came out, I figured I would like them a lot more. So I grabbed one. I have the shade 'get it!', an apricot nude.

For $20, I think the tube is a little plain. I wish the cool splatter stuff on the carboard outer packaging translated to the actual lipstick. Maybe just on the lid. Hm. One plus point on the design front is that the doefoot has been levelled up from the original line: it's got a scooped tip for maximum surface area in contact with the lip, and hugs gob contours beautifully.  

As soon I swatched it, I thought 'THIS LOOKS A LOT LIKE LIME CRIME 'ELLE' VELVETINE'. So I ran off to do a comparison swatch, and lo and behold! A dupe. In the swatches below, 'get it!' is on the left and 'elle' is on the right. 'Elle' is just a touch deeper, but the difference is so subtle that on the lips they look identical. 

Anyway, I much prefer the new formula. It's quite liquidy but it dries down fairly quickly to a powder-matte finish. It's opaque, not streaky, transfer proof, and while it does feel a little dry, it's also lightweight. I also didn't notice any scent, so good for those of you have sensitive noses. 

And, in finale, the customary lip swatch: 

Tarte quick dry matte lip paint- get it!

Over and out. 

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Lime crime unicorn lipstick- review and swatches

Liquid lipsticks are fabulous and all, but nothing really beats the luxurious decadence of a creamy lipstick bullet does it?

I've been wearing a few traditional lippies in rotation of late. I have a whole bunch of them I've been meaning to review, but I'm gonna talk about Lime Crime's new unicorn lipsticks today. Mostly because, being limited edition, a review on these kids is a bit more 'urgent'.

Ah. The girly toybox whimsical bullet we know and love. The packaging is the same as the discontinued original line of unicorn lipsticks, but the colours and formula are different. Instead of the rainbow of colourful hues offered before, the new range consists of more 'wearable' shades. This is good thing if you shy away from mint green lips, but maybe disappointing if that's totally your jam. I still have my wacky colours from the old line, so I'm more than happy with the current options. I picked the shade 'soft spot', a creamy nude.

Lime crime soft stop unicorn lipstick 

Aww. I definitely have a soft spot for this colour. It's flattering nude that would work well for fair to medium skintones, but could be paired with a darker lipliner for deeper skintones too. The formula is slightly more matte than the original line, which translates to a somewhat stiffer texture but also longer wear. It's opaque and feather resistant, and while it does transfer, it's so pigmented that you still have colour on your lips for a while. I found it to be neither drying nor hydrating. I'd suggest the old scrub and balm routine before application anyway, just because it makes for a smoother canvas.

So. If you feel like you might want to try one of these, get your skates on kid. They're limited edition.

X

pinky rose cosmetics liquid matte lipstick- review and swatches

Like my previous post, I did a crap job of choosing my shade of lipstick. It's far too pale for my complexion. But, also like my previous post, it's lip liner to the rescue! I got the shade 'Luxury ',  a pale neutral nude by the brand Pinky Rose cosmetics. I snagged it on sale for $14.99- it's usually $18. So. Was it worth the little splurge?

Despite my shit shade selection, yes. The packaging was so pretty and unique. I say 'was' because they've recently revamped it. It's still good eye candy though, just a tad more mature. The formula is lovely too. Opaque, non streaky, comfortable. It feels a little different from standard liquid mattes in the sense that it sets to a kind of film once dry. It's not a bad thing though, as it's a flexible and non-cracking kind of film. And it lasts AGES. All day long.

Pinky rose cosmetics liquid matte lipstick- luxury

See? It doesn't look like a butthole. I'm wearing it here over Collection Lip Definer in the shade 'cappuccino'- which, by the way, I fully recommend. It's twist-up and comfy and affordable. And I think think this combo works great! I think it actually looks good on me. Eeep.

So. If you like the sound of this lippy, go snag it now while the sale is still on! There's a sweet colour range so I'm sure you'll find a shade to suit you.

Xx

jd glow cosmetics liquid matte lipstick- review and swatches

It's been a while! I've been away in the motherland soaking up some rays for the past month. But I have now returned to my lipsticky life and have a new review to share with you.

Have you heard of JD Glow? You ought to have. They're an indie cosmetics brand that has become quite a hit with makeup loving fiends on account of their pretty highlighters, lipsticks and eyeshadows. Although I was sorely tempted by a pan or two of their signature glow, I restrained myself and only picked up one of their liquid matte lipsticks. I got the shade 'brown suga' which is a slightly cool toned nude. Check it.

JD Glow cosmetics liquid matte llipstick- brown suga

It's usually a great wear-alone nude on me (I'm wearing it alone in the swatch), but since my recent tan, I prefer to wear it paired with a darker brown lipliner. I like the colour. It's a bit different to your bog standard peachy nude. I like the formula too- it's opaque and doesn't feel like an arid layer of cement. The only dud is the dry down time, which does take a while.

These lippies are usually $15, but are currently reduced to $13, which makes em pretty pocket friendly. What's more, they've recently revamped their packaging to something super sexy (I've got the boring old packaging, boo). They've got a great shade range going on and the product smells like vanilla.

So. If you're feeling a bit tempted to go snag a new lippy, now is probably a good time.

I am an enabler to lipstick addicts.

(Sorry)

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manhattan soft mat lip cream- review and swatches

It's been an eventful night. My little hamster was on the edge of death, but with lots of frantic care, seems to have clawed her way back to the realm of the living. She's still quite weak though, and I'm anxiously keeping an eye on her. Seeing as it doesn't look like I'll be sleeping, I thought I might as well rant about lipstick. 

Manhattan soft mat lip cream is essentially the same thing as the Nyx soft matte lip creams and Collection cremepuff products- but cheaper. It's a moussey formula that dries down to a fairly comfortable matte finish which is long lasting but but not invincible, pigmented but not opaque. 

The price varies, but it's usually around a mere two quid. This is good. It's a good product, though it's not too pretty to look at. I got a nude shade (number 95G) which I believe- don't quote me on this- is a dupe for the Nyx soft matte in 'london'. It's the kind of shade that's great for easy everyday wear.

Manhattan soft mat lip cream - shade 95G

I'm wearing here paired with BH Cosmetics lip liner in 'nude'. A great combo, I think.

Anyway. I'm off to check on my hammy friend.

Xx

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

w7 magic matte lipstick- review and swatches

Damn, blogger. Back at it again with W7 makeup posts. Actually, this was kind of an accident. I had no intention of buying another lipstick from this brand, but there was a makeup stall at this charity event I was at, and there was a two pound coin burning a hole in my pocket. It hardly broke the bank, so I didn't feel too guilty over this impulse buy, and was actually really impressed with it once I gave it a run for its money. Read on, my friend.

w7 magic matte lipstick

Well, the packaging is as basic as you'd expect from a budget brand, but it's sturdy and secure and not ugly, so it's fine by me. I quite like that you can see the lipstick shade at the bottom- it's handy for people like me, who have a jillions of lippies and appreciate any way of finding a particular lippie victim a bit easier.

Anyway, as the name suggests, it's a matte. A magic matte, oooh, ahh  *round of applause*. Well, it's actually really great. I was expecting a hard formula and lots of drag, but it glided on easily and didn't feel overly drying once on. In fact, it has a silcone-ish,lightweight feel to it which does make it feel airy and comfortable compared to other matte lippies. It's long lasting and though it may appear dryer throughout wear, that doesn't hugely reflect in comfort. It won't parch ya. 

w7 magic matte lipstick- lady luck 

I got the shade 'lady luck', which is a very flattering warm nude. I love that it's got very subtle shimmer throughout, so it prevents it from looking dull or flat. I've worn this a lot since I bought it, and that's a good sign. It means it's a good'un.

xx