topshop lips; whimsical

TOPSHOP lips in whimsical £8 

I'm a big lover of a good ol' Topshop lipstick; Secret Admirer is one of my all time favourites so was super happy to receive this shade in my Christmas stocking. I pointed it out Whimsical to my mum when shopping; at the time I didn't realise it was a matte finish + was quite worried when I noticed as my lips are usually a bit too dry to pull them off. Topshop describe it as a "velvet finish lipstick to smooth, moisturise and nourish lips", sounds pretty good eh?

I've worn this shade a few times now + have learnt that I do need to be having a 'good lip day' or have time to prep (a Lush sugar scrub + some Carmex usually works a treat!) or it doesn't quite sit right and looks a bit chalky on my dry patches. I don't know whether my lips are drier than I thought but it does take some work to get a truly even application, bit of a thumbs down moment! However, if my lips are nice + moisturised + with a bit of wiping + patting, it is a beautiful peachy, pinky, maybe a little coral everyday lippy.  All in all, for £8 it is a lovely, full coverage, non drying matte shade... that being said I think I've learnt my lesson + shall stick to the cream finishes as they're basically a lot less faff for a swipe-and-go girl like me! Have you tried this shade, what did you think?

topshop lips; secret admirer

TOPSHOP lips in secret admirer £8

After posting about my undying love for my MAC Créme Cup lipstick a few weeks ago, the unthinkable happened.. It melted! So heartbreaking *sobsobsob*! So when in Cardiff last Friday I was going to get a replacement Créme Cup, (third of this year) but saw this shade in Topshop + did a little happy dance as I thought I'd found a pretty decent dupe!

Like Créme Cup, Secret Admirer is soft, nude pink with a smooth, creamy finish. I was quite surprised at how hydrating this lipstick is seeing as it is quite pigmented too. I don't think it quite has the thickness or lasting power that MAC lipsticks have but being almost half the price (with student discount) you really can't grumble! I'll probably repurchase Créme Cup + keep this Topshop shade for everyday wear + for my night out handbag. Overall very happy with my find, have you tried this shade yet or know of any dupes similar to this one?

mac créme cup lipstick

mac créme cup lipstick - £13.50

Lately I've been a little naughty + have started to branch out into the world of high-end make up. Feeling a bit overwhelmed in Debenhams, MAC was the obvious place to start my more expensive collection! My first MAC purchase was at the start of the year + it's only taken me this long to become totally addicted! Okay, so confession time... This is my second Créme Cup lipstick bought this year, pretty bad I know but I absolutely adore it!! My favourite lipstick ever by far!

I know this is pretty much a cult shade + one of MAC's best sellers but if you don't own it already, you need to! It is the perfect natural pinky/nude that would probably suit nearly anyone. I am in love with the cremesheen finish; long lasting, pigmented + doesn't dry out your lips, perfect! It feels so creamy + moisturising I find myself re-applying it quite often, probably why I'm on my second in five months!ha..

I have quite pigmented lips so to find a nude shade which gives enough coverage has made me a rather happy bunny! The 'light blue pink' tone is the perfect natural shade; not too much colour but enough not to look too ghostly! I wear this lipstick every day without fail. Being a self confessed tanaholic, I think this lipstick suits whether I'm having a pale day or rather tanned as above, so versitile! I'm pretty sure I'll repurchase this again + again, although I am interested in trying other natural MAC shades like Shy Girl, Créme d'Nude + Angel, to name a few! Addicted, I think so! Have you tried Créme Cup?

RIMMEL SHAKE-UP PINK LIPSTICK

Rimmel Show Off Lipstick in 020 Shake-Up Pink

Shake-Up Pink is a cool toned, matte, Barbie pink lipstick. I love the shade although it is a little brighter than I'd usually wear. When wearing this I find that I have to layer on a bit of Carmex before as I find it quite chalky + drying, but for only £6 you can hardly complain! The flash has altered the colour of the lipstick a little in the close up shot but you can see the shade a bit more naturally in the pictures from this post. All in all good value for money as it is very pigmented + a lovely colour. Sadly this isn't one of my all time favourites but is one that I grab when I fancy adding a pop of colour to a look. Have you tried this shade, what do you think?

look beauty loud lips; baby doll

Look Beauty Loud Lips in Baby Doll

Whilst shopping in Cardiff the other weekend I had a little make up splurge in Superdrug + this Look Beauty lipstick was one of the things I picked up. I know there's a lot of Look Beauty reviews going around after the event but this was bought out of my own pennies(: I was looking for a pink to wear out with the girls that night + picked up this shade. The Ashley Isham print packaging caught my eye which I thought was very ~pretty~! I didn't like the lipstick packaging itself at first, I thought it was too chunky + cumbersome but I it is growing on me. I do like the magnetic closure but am slightly afraid that it will detach + I'll have a handbag covered in baby pink sludge (no accidents as of yet, touch wood!)!

The lipstick itself, I have no complaints; it's moisturising, easily buildable + the perfect baby pink! My new favourite lipstick that I've worn nearly every day + which you can kind of see in this post and probably many more to come! Would definitely recommend + think it's worth the £7 price tag! Gonna try to get my hands on another shade the next time I go to Cardiff shopping! Which is your favourite colour from the collection?

MAKE UP: 17 MIRROR SHINE ON LIPSTICK

17 Mirror Shine On Lipstick - Beehive 

I picked up this lipstick when I popped into Boots the other weekend, I was looking for a pink/peach shade that I could wear everyday. Beehive is definitely that! It's a creamy, glossy, sheer balm like lipstick which is moisturising + perfect for everyday wear. It doesn't really last that long before you have to reapply, no more than a couple of hours but as it feels quite moisturising so I don't really mind! 

Not too keen on the packaging in all fairness. The blue, mirrored tubes are a little tacky in my opinion, although it does make it easier to find when searching in your handbag/make up bag which I normally am! If you're looking for a opaque lipstick this probably isn't for you but at the small price of £4.59 I think I'll probably re-buy as it's natural looking + easy to wear. These lipsticks are on 3 for 2 offer in Boots at the moment, which gives you a perfect opportunity to give them a go or maybe try a new shade! I'm tempted to try Belle + Nudist Peach. Becoming a little addicted to lipsticks, not good on the bank balance, oops! Have you guys tried any other lipsticks from this collection?

NB - It's super hard to take a decent picture of lipstick! Don't know how these beauty bloggers do it!ha.

MAKE UP: KATE MOSS LIPSTICK

Rimmel Kate Lasting Finish Lipstick Shade 12

I'm usually a nude lippy girl but after seeing this in Superdrug the other day I couldn't resist the temptation. I bought this gorgeous shade which is a coral red. I have bought red lipsticks in the past but have never really been impressed as the colour seems to look too dark against my skin. With the coral tint, this colour is perfect! 

The packaging is sleek, matt black & has Kate's signature on the lid. It feels quite moisturising & creamy and not at all drying on my lips. For the £5.49 price tag the colour is quite pigmented & contains "exclusive black diamond pigment complex" which claims to "reflex light like never before". It has a slight fruity taste but nothing too over powering. 

As my lips are quite dry I prepped them a few days before by exfoliating them with my Lush Lip Scrub & layering on the Vaseline. Nothing worse than dry, cracked lips! Before applying the lipstick I used a Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liner to outline & emphasise the shape of my lips. Then finally applied! Definitely will be rouging up my lips this weekend again, I think I have been converted!

LUSH BUBBLEGUM SUGAR LIP SCRUB...

Bubblegum Lip Scrub - Lush £4.95

I love popping into the Lush store whilst shopping in Cardiff. I mostly marvel at the shower jelly & bath melts but Saturday I picked up this gorgeous smelling lip scrub. My lips are forever dry & I was getting fed up of my lips looking flakey underneath lipstick. This product is definitely an effective quick fix if any of you suffer with the same problem! Lush describes this product as follows;

'Our fabulous lip scrubs are here to keep your kissers sweet. This one will make your lips smell like our best-selling Snow Fairy shower gel. Bubblegum is made with exfoliating castor sugar and our delicious vegan flavour to gently scrub away rough skin, keeping your lips smooth and kissably soft. Simply rub it over your lips when they're feeling the need for some sugar.'

First things first, this product truly works! I've been using it a few times a day since I bought it & my lips are chap free & even a little plumped from the exfoliating! It's super easy to use (you simply rub it into your lips) however it isn't something I'd personally use in public as it's a little messy. You definitely need to apply with a mirror to make sure that you don't have any sugar left on your face, but if you do you can simply lick it off! If you look at the ingredients (Castor Sugar, Organic Jojoba Oil & Flavouring) you realise that it may not be worth the £4.95 price tag but I don't begrudge spending that much on it at all! Overall; smell/taste = delicious, price = worth it & does it work = amazingly! Have any of you tried the Lush lip scrubs?...