poutnshout

Tuesday, 28 June 2016

sleek matte me lip cream- review and swatches

Ah. The Matte Me liquid lipsticks by Sleek Makeup. Everyone knows them, many love them.. and a handful are unimpressed. But of course, it's MY opinions that everyone's been holding out for. So without further ado...

Right. The Matte Me lippies come in typical no faffing packaging the brand is famous for. Sturdy, confident, and chunky. I like it. The doefoot applicator however, is a bit tricky to deal with. It's elongated and fairly slim, so while it does sweep on a good amount of colour, it's also a bit difficult to get clean, wobble-free edges. Go go gadget steady hand will have to be employed.

The formula is good. It's a true matte, transfer proof, and doesn't get all crumbly. That said, I did find a bit of variation between shades. Rioja Red applied flawlessly. Super pigmented and no streaking at all. Fandango Purple was fine, but just a tiny bit of streaking that needed touching up. Brink Pink on the hand, was difficult to get even and didn't layer well, so it wasn't easy to fix up patchy areas. But then, a bold colour is likely to be less forgiving ain't it?

Now, the hater camp say the formula is too dry. I found it was quite tight feeling, yes, but no more so than the average liquid to matte lipstick. And a bit of lip balm rubbed in beforehand helps. Oh, and applying as thin a layer as you can.

Swatches!

Sleek matte me- Fandango Purple

Sleek matte me- Rioja Red

Sleek matte me- brink pink

Fandango purple is a bright and happy shade that instantly lifts the complexion. Rioja Red is a breathtaking, slightly warm toned red that will make you feel like a vintage screen siren. Brink Pink is a SUPER bright, neon pink that is not for the faint hearted, but will likely tickle your fancy if you're a bold lip lover.

All things considered, I think the Matte Me lip creams are great for around five quid. Especially Rioja Red. You need that one.

X

Sunday, 26 June 2016

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

Sunday, 5 June 2016

Black moon cosmetics liquid matte lipstick- review and swatches

I've been swooning over the liquid lippies by new kid on the block brand Black Moon Cosmetics, but found that with the $18 price tag plus US shipping, they were kind of out of my piggy bank range. So you can guess how happy I was to get a brand new one in a makeup swap. VERY happy.

I got the shade 'wrath', which is kind of hard to describe. It's like a mauvey chestnut if that makes sense. It would make a great nude for darker skin tones. Anyway, look at the packaging!

I love it! I'm fully feeling the moonlit seductress vibes. I like that it's so different to other fairly boring looking liquid lipsticks- definitely 10/10 on the eye candy front.

And on the formula front? It's another 10, baby. It's quite thick and moussey in texture but applies opaque in one pass. The doefoot applicator works just fine, though the brand have recently switched to an even softer and more flexible one. Now, the lipstick does take a little longer than average to dry down, but once it has, you'll be rewarded with a really comfortable finish that isn't drying at all. I was really impressed! Here, have a cheeky swatch.

Black moon cosmetics liquid matte lipstick- wrath

I love it so much.

K. Bye.

Sunday, 29 May 2016

primark beauty makeup haul- review and swatches

What feels better than buying new makeup? Buying new makeup that's hella cheap. What feels better than buying new makeup that's hella cheap? Buying new makeup that's hella cheap and hella great quality too. Let us begin today's review.

Ta da. So I was having a browse in Primark yeah, and I came across a new stand of Pro Beauty makeup, which appears to be a higher quality range than the still-good P.S Love makeup. The prices are fractionally more expensive (we're talking three quid for a lippy instead of one quid) but the line up is impressive. There are clear anti feathering lip liners, felt tip lip liners (very novel!), colour correction palettes, lip glosses, foundations and loads of other cool things. Obviously, being the lipstick addict that I am, I picked up one of the rick colour lipsticks from the range. I got the shade 'boudoir pink', a soft mauve shade.

Primark pro beauty rich colour lipstick

It's one of those lipsticks that click open at the base to release the tube. Lots of fun. Anyway, the lipstick itself is lovely. Creamy and smooth and moist. A great first foray into the Pro Beauty range. Here's a cheeky swatch:

Primark pro beauty rich colour lipstick- boudoir pink

Up next, a not so soft lippy. If you're a regular reader, you'll know I'm not one to shy away from bright shades. In fact, they positively excite me. So imagine how I squealed in surprise to find an unconventional colour on the high street- bright blue no less! Nice one Primark. Keeping up with the cool kids. The P.S Love high colour lipstick crayons are a mere £2, and come in a range of fun and colourful shades. The blue shade I snagged is called 'freedom', and here's what it looks like on...

Primark p.s love high colour lipstick crayon- freedom

I'll be honest- I didn't have high hopes for this. I thought it would be streaky and sheer and look more like greasy frostbite, but got it out of curiosity anyway. Hell naww. It's satiny and decently pigmented and moisturising. In fact, it's a great colour dupe of Lime Crime's limited edition and discontinued lipstick in 'cry baby', though it's a more slippery formula. Still, not bad for two bob. Not bad at all.

Will the gushing continue? Of course it will. My third and final lip product is an absolute beauty. It made me want to scream, it was that good. Look- it's the P.S Love super matte liquid lipstick in the shade 'red'.

Primark p.s love super matte liquid lipstick - red

But. Wow. That is hardly your bog standard average red. It's so VIVID. For only £2, you get a supremely pigmented, brilliantly formulated liquid to matte lipstick with an amazingly precise applicator. It's actually not the least bit uncomfortable. Although it's a true powder matte finish, it somehow manages to feel lightweight, and not a crack or crumble in sight. Bloody hell Primark. Killing the gaaame.

And finally, I got. ... cosmetic glitter! I bloody love glitter. I'm always using it for lip art, and have quite a collection going on. This pack of three is excellent value though. Topshop sells one little pot of face glitter for £5.50, whereas for £2.50, you can get three pots AND a glitter adhesive. Which is kind of very useful for sticking glitter to your face. Primark wins.

Look at the beautiful glitter.

Primark p.s love face glitter

Well. Considering this little haul was such a success, you can bet I'll trot back for more. Until my next waffle,

Xx

Monday, 23 May 2016

guerlain rouge g l'extrait- review and swatches

This is it. The grand daddy of them all. This lipstick is the best- and most expensive- that I own. Weighing in at £26, I'm glad I got it as a present, because there's no way my broke ass could have splashed that much cash on a lippie. Guerlain is very much a luxury brand, with resplendent packaging and novelty cosmetics. Some of their products look too pretty to touch. Others seem overpriced and gimmicky. But hot damn, did they knock it out of that park with the Rouge G L'extrait.

The packaging is a ridiculously sexy gadget. Like something from a James bond movie. It's made of heavy metal and opens in a clickety swivelling way. I may or may not have had hours of fun opening and closing it. Surprisingly, it's not style over substance. There's real practicality in the design, with a mirror flicking open when you twist the cap. Unlike a lot of lipsticks mirrors, which are either tiny or on the outer packaging and thus soon scratched up, this one is well protected and of a size that makes it actually functional for checking yourself out during application.

Guerlain rouge g l'extrait - Orgueil

I own the shade Orgueil, which means 'pride'. It's a truly stunning, deep berry shade which is richly pigmented and satiny. Well, not exactly satiny. It's a hard formula to describe because it's truly unique.

It goes on as a moussey satin cream (think colourpop ultra satin lips), though it mattifies somewhat the longer it's on. But it's a lightweight, moist matte that never ever feels dry. And it lasts and lasts for hours and hours, though it isn't transfer proof. Do you see what I mean? It combines all the best things of all the lipstick formulae. It doesn't even bleed. Guerlain, is this witchcraft?

There can be no other explanation.

Xx

Wednesday, 18 May 2016

My lime crime velvetines collection- bumper review and swatches

Okay. Deep breath. Let's go.

I collect the Lime Crime velvetines. When I first discovered them, they only had three shades. I saved up my pretty pocket money and bought them all, and treasured them all. When they came out with new shades, I oohed and aaahed and ended up getting them too. But the new releases kept on coming, and seeing as I always had all of them so far, I always found myself needing the new ones to keep my collection complete. Do you see my problem? It's just not possible for me to lag behind and miss out on the new kids. It would be a sort of betrayal to all the effort (and money) I put into hoarding the lipsticks that I have.

What I'm trying to explain is that I own them all, and will likely continue to own all upcoming shades, because I 'have' to rather than because they're the syrup of perfection. Because whilst I do like them very very much, there are other cracking formulae on the market for sure.

Still, the Velvetines earn gold stars on many fronts. Should we go for bullet points? Yeah.

gorgeous cake batter scent. You will want to lick the wand.
a shade range worthy of a YASS. I'm that weird kid who will happily sport a blue lipstick, so the more outlandish and unique shades are a win for me and my kind. They have plenty of 'normal' shades too, but olive? Glowstick green? Periwinkle? Shut up and take my money.
Beautiful packaging. Frosted glass tube and lid covered in roses will for sure appeal to your girly side. A definite ten out of ten on the pretty scale. As a bonus, you get your lippies sent in a floral box that is reversible and good for storing hamster bathing dust in. What do you mean that ain't glamourous?
They're afforable. Considering some liquid matte lipsticks are well into the twenty quid range, the £15 velvetines are very fair, price-wise.
They don't transfer or crumble or bleed, and remove easily with anything oil based.
They're vegan and certified cruelty free. Woo.

The formula is generally 'very good', but there is some variation across the shades. Most of them are streak free and opaque and feel lightweight, but there are the odd few that might be difficult to get an even finish with, or might feel more tight. Still, even the sub par ones can be worked with with a little practice and patience.

Right. So here's how it works. The rest of this post will just be a barrage of swatches. There are some that I haven't gotten around to taking decent pictures of, but check back often as I intend to have them all up here eventually. I'll also add new shades as and when I get them. So, enjoy. x