February Favourites

Another month has flown by, as usual, and it's time again to list my favourite products for the month. I had a hard time narrowing it down, so there's quite a few bits this month, but I've been loving them all.

Top photo: NARS Abbey Road, Benefit Strut, Wet n Wild I'm Getting Sunburned
Bottom photo: MUA Shade 4, Rimmel Big Bang, Illamasqua Androgen

For the second month in a row, the Soap and Glory Sugar Crush Body Buttercream (£10.50) is a must-have of mine. My skin is still pretty dry as it's so cold here, so I've been slathering this on as often as I can. The lime scent certainly perks up dreary days. I reviewed it here.
On the eyes, I've been loving my Wet n Wild Color Icon Trio in I'm Getting Sunburned (£3.50, ebay), particularly the lower two shades, for an intense golden smokey eye - the dark brown crease shade, flecked with copper shimmer, is so unique. I talked about it in more detail here. I've been using my Japonesque Eyeshadow Crease Brush ($13.99) for shadows a lot this month too - it allows for pretty precise application. Here are my original thoughts.
I've also loved the occasional venture into cooler colours, with Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Strut (£14) swept over the eye and NARS Larger than Life Eyeliner in Abbey Road (£19) in the waterline. I reviewed each here, and here.
For cheeks, I've been stippling on Illamasqua Cream Pigment in Androgen (£17), which I reviewed here, for a springtime, glowing flush. I press it on with my MAC 188 brush (£26), or with my fingers.
For lips, it's been the subtle sheer wash of pink with MUA Shade 4 (£1) -reviewed here - or the bold, glossy pout of Rimmel Apocalips in Big Bang (£5.99), which I reviewed here.
On the nails, I've fallen back in love with Max Factor's Fantasy Fire (£3.99) something of a cult shade which is a great duochrome topcoat.
Once a week, I'm adding freshness, glow and life to my skin with the REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask (£24 on special offer!) - I sung it's praises here.
A spritz of Miss Dior Cherie and that's me for the month!

S xx

US Swap | Bath and Body Works Body Lotions: Cashmere Glow, Carried Away, Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin, Japanese Cherry Blossom and Night-Blooming Jasmine

Hey everyone!

If you follow me on Twitter or Instagram, you probably know I did a big US/UK swap with Emily from Massachusetts Mask, where we sent each other products you can't get in each other's countries. One of the coolest things she sent me where a ton of Bath & Body Works products! We don't have BBW in the UK, so I was really excited to try their stuff. She sent me 5 different body lotions to try; Cashmere Glow, Carried Away, Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin, Japanese Cherry Blossom and Night-Blooming Jasmine.

I should stipulate here that I tend to like clean, citrusy or jasmine based scents. All of the first four moisturisers were non-sticky and non-greasy, lightweight and absorbed quickly. The travel sizes were handy for keeping in your bag. I think the bottles are cute.

Cashmere Glow ($11 for 8oz full-size) is my favourite of the bunch. It smells like peaches with a little added musk - it's a touch sweet but not overwhelming, with a hint of vanilla. It was very calming in scent, and made my skin feel soft and smell clean.

Carried Away ($5 for 3oz travel size)  was lovely, if a little too sugary for me. It was fruity, sweet and floral, smelling of jasmine and raspberries.

Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin ($11 for 8oz full-size) smelled strongly of apples and spices, with a little pumpkin - to me it was a very autumnal scent, woodsy and deeper than the others, but not my favourite.

Japanese Cherry Blossom ($5 for 3oz travel size) smelled strong, floral and a little musky. Their was a sweet, flowery topnote and definite woodsy undertones. The bottom scent fades over time to leave mainly the light and floral scent. It's sweet and nice.

Night-blooming Jasmine ($12 for 8oz full-size) had a thicker, less lightweight and less quick to absorb texture. The scent was light and floral - strong jasmine and lilac. I loved the scent but was less fond of the texture.

Overall, some hits and misses - as to be expected with something as personal as scent taste. However, the moisturiser works well and leaves me skin soft, so the travel sizes get popped in my bag for every day use while Cashmere Glow sits on my dresser for regular use.
I provided links to the right sizes when I could find them on the website.

Do you have a favourite Bath and Body Works scent? Which is it?
S xx

Maybelline Color Sensational Vivid Lipstick in Neon Red

Hey everyone!

I saw these bright, bold lipsticks all over the US beauty Youtube and when I spotted a few shades in Boots I had to pick one up - they are the new Maybelline Color Sensational Vivid Lipsticks (£7.19) and I got mine in the shade Neon Red. There are 10 shades available in the US, but as far as I can tell only 5 in the UK -as usual we get a raw deal as far as shade range goes.

 Maybelline claims that these lipsticks will hydrate the lips whilst delivering bright, rich, pigment saturated coverage.
I actually really like the packaging of these, even if it is a touch bulky. Like the Revlon lip butters, the packaging is coloured (although I don't think to match the shades). It looks a little cheap, but fun and summery - reminiscent of a lollipop I think. Also, i know it's sad but I like the font on the little sticker.

This lipstick is incredibly pigmented (the arm swatch? One swipe!) It's easy to apply, with not too much slip which is perfect for something this pigmented. The finish is very glossy! Neon Red is a bright, orange-based red that packs a serious punch.
By two hours, the gloss was gone but it still looked balmy. The colour was less intense, but still bright and opaque. By hour four, the colour was faded but had stained my lips in a really pleasant, fruit-eating kind of way.

I love this colour! I've been leaning more to orange-based reds recently, probably in some desperate grasp for summer weather. This is bold, bright and beautiful, with a super glossy shine. It may not be the most longwearing, but it's not too bad either for something that doesn't promise ultimate wear. It also leaves behind a nice, even stain.

Have you tried any of these? Thoughts?
S xx

Oscars Favourites Special: Around the World in 80 Eyeshadows: Weekly Round-Up

Weekly question: What was your favourite look from last night's Oscars?

Seonaid's answer: This is different for makeup and outfit, so I've shown my favourites for each below. What were yours?

Stacy Keibler was a surprise favourite for me - I think she looks sleek, classy and a touch Gatsby here. She outshone Clooney, by a mile, which is very hard to do.

Jennifer Lawrence ventured into the bridal territory which is usually a big no in my book; however the dress is just beautifully fit, and the fabric doesn't have that tacky sheen to it, and Lawrence is just so damn funny and cool and I didn't even see the film she won the Oscar for but she probably deserved it. Ok, maybe I want to be her friend. Either way she is killing it in this dress.

Also, Naomi Watts looked amazing in a sequinned Armani dress that could have tipped the scale to OTT, but was restrained and elegant enough to be both futuristic looking and classic.

In terms of makeup (and if anyone know's the artist's credit for these looks, let me know) Jennifer Hudson looked beautiful last night - her skin is total perfection, the eyes are all lashes without being weighed down - she looks radiant. I could do with about three inches less hair, but other than that, it's brilliant.

Olivia Munn could essentially walk up to the Oscars wearing dungarees and no makeup and I'd still think she looked fantastic, but this look was one of my absolute favourites. Her hair looks like varnished wood it's so shiny, and her lipstick is the exact right shade of red. She's gone classic without it ageing her, which can be tough to pull off.

This week's links:

Affairs Magazine - TBC.

Beauty & Baggage -  has tried L'Oreal's drugstore dupe for the YSL Glossy Stains.

Fashionable Heart - swatched MAC's Snob lipstick.

Massachusetts Mask - is completely obsessed with Bath & Body Works new Raspberry line!

What were your favourite Oscars looks? Also, remember if you want to join the weekly round up to shoot one of us an email!

S xx

Weekend Supplement #30

Hey everyone!
I hope you've been having a great week. Here's what I've been browsing this week (I really recommend the Michael Jordan article. I loved it):

The Guardian goes backstage at London fashion week to give you the scoop on the beauty essentials.

This incredible ESPN article and interview with Michael Jordan as he turns 50 is a thought-provoking look at one of the sports world's living legends.

As a die-hard Die Hard fan (seriously, my favourite movie apart from Casablanca), this piece from the Vulture on how they turned John McClane from everyman to superman sums up my disappointment with the latest film succinctly.

Planning a trip? Lonely Planet has a guide to some of the best train journeys to be taken from around the world. Worth a look if you're looking at different ways of travelling.

And my blog this week:

Image: Messy Wands

If you aren't already subscribed to Messy Wands, you need to be right away. Xiao is enviable gorgeous, with great photography, great taste and a way with makeup looks that has me lemming for several expensive red lipsticks and a multitude of Le Métier de Beauté products.

Have a great week!
S xx

Collection Lasting Perfection Ultimate Wear Concealer

 Hello!
I finally gave into the hype and bought myself the Collection Lasting Perfection Ultimate Wear Concealer (£4.19). There's been a lot written on this, but carry on if you want to see my thoughts and before and after pictures! I got it in shade 2 (Light). The shade range is tiny.

The packaging is a simple, plain tube. The writing has already started rubbing off, which I've heard is a common problem. It comes with a doe foot sponge applicator. Collection say that this conceals flaws and blemishes for up to 16 hours: that it's an oil-free, transfer and water proof concealer with full and long lasting coverage. Does it live up to the hype?

On application, it's thick and creamy feeling. The peachy tones in it cancel out the blues under my eyes. The coverage is high, as you can see in the before and after photos above - but it is not a matte finish, it is more natural and not drying. You could always set it with powder if you fear oiliness.
I saw no creasing all day - I only tested it for seven hours though, so I'm not sure if the sixteen hour claim stacks up. My skin, especially under my eyes, tends towards the dry side, so on oilier skins it might not hold up as long, but the coverage remained without creasing and slipping. I'm incredibly impressed!
Have you tried this concealer? What are your thoughts?
S xx

L'Oreal Nude Magique CC Cream Anti-Dullness

Hey!

You may have seen the newest product from L'Oreal - their CC Colour Correcting Beautifiers. I picked up the Anti-Dullness shade (£9.99), which is lilac. You can also pick up Anti-Fatique and Anti-Redness shades - although all three are for Caucasian skintones which is disappointing.

The packaging is the same as that for their BB creams - lilac and white, clean and modern with a metallic purple cap. 

 tL'Oreal claim this works with your natural skintone to help neutralise the appearance of dull, yellow-looking skin. They also claim this is a 5-in-1 perfecting cream with flawless coverage, an SPF of 12, 24 hour hydration, a fresh dewy glow and a perfectly even skin texture. They are also touting the same 'smart pigment capsules' as their BB creams, which 'transform into foundation on application' with a weightless bare skin sensation.
This does feel a little gimmicky but I decided to go with it. Of course it doesn't adapt to your skintone, though - it's light enough that a range of caucasian skins can probably wear it, but no one much paler or darker.

 On application, the granules burst and release the pigment. It is smooth, easy to blend and very yellow toned. It smells a little plastic. The finish is brightening, natural looking but matte. The feeling is very dry - not drying, but dry. It's light-medium coverage, meaning it doesn't completely cover my cheek redness. It was still holding up by the seven hour mark, but with slight shininess on my nose.
I found it slightly clingy on my dry patches. If you have oilier skin this might work better.
All in all I liked it's brightening, awakening properties, but found it too dry and too yellow. It works well mixed with other foundations, but using it on it's own isn't perfect for my dry skin.
Have you tried any of these CC creams?
S xx

L'Oreal Glam Shine Stain Splash in Romy and Milady

Hey everyone!

I'm sure you've seen these L'Oreal Glam Shine Stain Splashes (£7.99) all around the blogosphere this past little while - I couldn't help myself and picked up two in the shades Romy and Milady. As far as I can tell, the name of the product and shades are different here in the UK than the US. Also, the US has 12 shades whilst there are only 6 on the Boots website. 

 L'Oreal say these last like a stain whilst shining like a gloss. They claim a 6 hour non drying stain power. I like the packaging of these although it's a little dated - I do like the clear band through which you can see the colour of the stain, and the teardrop shaped wand which collects product well.

I found that these smell artificially fruity - which is a good or a bad thing depending on preference. The wand is a good shape, and the formula is smooth and easy to apply.
Romy is semi-opaque; a glossy natural pink. By the 2 hour mark it was less full on but still glossy, by 4 hours it was more balmy than glossy and my lips were stained. By 6 hours, the stain was still there but the gloss had faded.
Milady was very glossy, and a dark pink-plum. It, as well as Romy, is a thinner, less bright consistency as the Rimmel Apocalips, and they are more wet-looking. By the 2 hour mark Milady was less shiny and wet, still glossy looking. By 6 hours they were still stained but the gloss was totally gone. This stain did not budge - much more so than Romy.

Overall - I love both colours, the texture and the finish of these stains. They are glossier and less intense than the Apocalips, but I don't like one more than the other. Which is your favourite?
S xx

Rimmel Scandaleyes Eyeshadow Stick in Bulletproof Beige

Hey everyone!

It should come as no surprise that I like cream eyeshadow formulas - I'm a big fan of Maybelline Color Tattoos, and the stick form of NYX Jumbo Eye Pencils. Now Rimmel has come up with their own eyeshadow sticks in the form of the Rimmel Scandaleyes Eyeshadow Sticks (£5.99), so I decided to try one out, in the shade Bulletproof Beige.

 The packaging of these is ok - a little tacky but it's ok. One disappointing thing is that these are not twist-up so you'll get some product wastage from sharpening. Also, these are 0.11oz versus the 0.18oz label on NYX Jumbo Eye Pencils.
Rimmel claim that these are high impact cream shadow sticks, with precision tip applicators and an ultra-soft formula that will glide on smoothly without tugging or pulling lids for a subtle or intense look.

I found Bulletproof Beige to feel light, creamy and smooth in formula. It was very easy to use, and is a gorgeous yellow-toned, light, metallic champagne colour. It is opaque but can easily be sheered out.
I was very impressed by it's longevity though - I only noticed fading around the edges of my eyes at the 6 hour mark, with a little fading in my natural crease. The shadow was slightly less intense by then too. By 8 hours it was less intense and more shiny and faded, although the fade was even. I noticed no creasing.
Overall I really like this - for both the subtly pretty shade and the staying power. I imagine over a primer the fading would markedly decrease as well. I also found this shadow stick to be a great base for shimmery golden shadows.
Have you tried eyeshadow sticks? Which are your favourites?

S xx

Maybelline Fit Me Foundation

Hey everyone!
If you follow me on Instagram (@seonaidbee) you might have seen my cheeky drugstore haul. I picked up a new foundation - my second from the drugstore - the Maybelline Fit Me Foundation (£7.99) in the shade 115.  This is the palest yellow toned shade, and is also known as Ivory.

I love the packaging of this foundation. It's square, clean, and has a pump. It looks high-end to me. Also, geeky I know, but I love the typeface.

 Maybelline promises that Fit Me is a gel foundation with no oils or waxes, and with an SPF 18. They claim natural coverage with no covering or masking of the skin. They say Fit Me leaves the skin 'fresh, breathing, natural' and that the 'translucent base and lightweight pigments allow skin's natural highs and lows to come through'. How well does this hold up?

This foundation smells a little powdery, like talc. It is very lightweight and easy to blend out. The shade I got is quite yellow in tone, but so is my skin. Any paler than me though, and you'll not find a shade, I don't think. Their shade range in general is innovation for the drugstore in that it splits from warm and cool toned - but again doesn't go dark enough or really pale enough.
It feels weightless on the skin - almost as though it's not there. I would say that despite this it has medium coverage; it covers my redness, makes me look awake and evens out my skintone.
I think it has a natural, brightening skin-like finish, with a subtle glow. It does not cling to any of my dry patches.
In terms of longevity, this foundation held up on my (mostly dry) skin for 6 hours - by hour 8 it was a little shiny and faded on the chin and nose. Because this is not a matte foundation I feel you could set it with a powder and it would last longer - Maybelline even have a range of Fit Me powders to match to your foundation shade!

All in all, I love this foundation - it's the kind of natural, glowing finish I like with a good wear time and medium coverage. The price point is excellent as well.
Have you tried this foundation? What did you think?
S xx

Around the World in 80 Eyeshadows: Weekly Round-Up

Weekly question: What's your go-to product to save your skin in winter?

Seonaid's answer: Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub, plus La Roche-Posay Lipikar Baume AP. Scrub away dead skin, moisturise and protect and soothe the remainder!

This week's links:

Affairs Magazine - is getting GLITTERED!!!

Beauty & Baggage - is in love with the limited edition Illamasqua Raindrops polish.

Fashionable Heart - is enjoying Family Day in Ontario!

Massachusetts Mask - continues her Pretty & Practical Storage series and shows you how to tame miscellaneous products!

Sadly, Romzs of Norwegian Elephant isn't able to participate right now in ATWI80E, but you should still totally check out her blog and subscribe cause it's awesome!

What's your go-to winter skin saviour?

S xx

Weekend Supplement #29

Hey everyone!
I hope you've been having a great week. This week, I've got some great things to show you from around the internet. Here's what I've been browsing:

Some photos of Scotland, my home country, that make it look beautiful (which it often is) and devoid of rain (which it often isn't), courtesy of National Geographic.

An NYTimes interview with Frank Ocean, the artist behind my favourite record of last year.

And, via the Chicago Reader, a look inside the complex and terrifying world of the heroin trade.

To balance out the scary, why not take a look at my favourite blog this week?

Image: Frida Skoglund

Frida Skoglund's makeup blog has amazing photography and some seriously stunning makeup looks. I wish I had both her eyebrows and her blending skills. Go take a look!

S xx

Seascape Island Apothecary Refresh Hand & Nail Cream and Uplift Body Wash

Hey everyone!

Recently, I was given the chance to try out some products from Seascape, a British skincare brand. The products are produced in the UK; Seascape is anti animal testing, all their ingredients are sourced from ethical suppliers, their packaging is recyclable and their company is carbon neutral. They use no parabens, SLS, silicones, petroleum, artificial fragrances or colours. I thought that long list of eco-friendly plus points was a good reason to check them out! 

I tried the Refresh Hand & Nail Cream (£10)* and the Uplift Body Wash (£16)*

I really like the packaging for both - how sweet is that seahorse? The hand cream contains essential oils of lavender, lemongrass and geranium, as well as beeswax and shea butter for nourishing the hands.
The cream was thin and lightweight; not at all sticky and absorbed quickly into my hands which is what I prefer. The lemongrass was the most powerful note in the scent to me initially, although the lavender comes through over time. Personally, I prefer citrus scents to lavender, but it makes for a nice mix. It's not the most hydrating hand cream I've ever tried, though.
The body wash has eucalyptus, lime and lavender essential oils in it - to stimulate circulation, energise the body and refresh the senses. It's very foamy, and makes a nice lather. The eucalyptus comes through a lot in an almost mentholy way - there is not enough lime in here for me though! Overall it's a very pleasant scent, and for those fond of lavender, this company in general will be a definite hit!

I like their sweet packaging, their eco-friendly ethics, and the products - for me personally, I wish the scents had less lavender, but for those who love it this has just the right amount!
Have you tried any British made brands before? Do you have any recommendations?
S xx

REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask

Hey everyone!

For Christmas, I received a bottle of the much hyped REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask (£30). I've been using it once a week since, and now feel prepared to give you my thoughts. 

REN claims that the mask is a 'gentle yet exfoliating peel' which will help to get rid of dead skin cells, minimise the blockage of pores, reduce inflammation and all the while heal and repair your skin.

The packaging is nice, in my opinion - I like my skincare packaging clean, sleek and modern. The pump dispenses just the right amount of product.
It's recommended for use once a week, and not for use at all by very sensitive skin. I did a patch test on my inner arm before using it on my face.
Both the texture and smell of this mask are strongly reminiscent of orange marmalade. I happen to love it (I tend to love citrus scents in general) but if you are not a fan of strongly scented products this may not be for you.
As per instruction, I slather a generous amount onto clean, dry skin, wait ten minutes and then remove with the included face cloth before rinsing my face with warm water.
There is a gentle tingling, but not as strong a feeling as I'd expected. My skin feels a little warm for the ten minutes of application. Once washed off, my skin feels fresh and smooth. After a couple of uses I noticed a significant difference in my skin - it looked more glowing, refreshed, brightened and far less dull. My breakout marks have faded considerably and all in all I look more fresh and awake.
I think this mask lives up to it's expectations, completely.
Have you tried this mask, or any other 'peels'? What do you think?
S xx

Illamasqua Raindrops

Hey everyone!

Just a quick post today, as it's Valentine's and all; so I thought I'd feature a special Valentine's product - the cult Illamasqua Raindrops nail polish (£13.50) from their Broken Heart Valentine's collection. I forgot to take a proper picture, so here's a shot of the bottle from my Instagram (@seonaidbee).

It's gorgeous! So worth the hype, in my opinion. Like all my Illamasqua polishes, it's smooth, self-levelling and long-wearing.  The colour is a sheer, light grey with a jelly finish and subtle silver shimmer dispersed throughout. I like to use three coats, like in the far-right swatch above, or layer it over a grey or blue as a topcoat.
It's a very pretty, soft colour that is described perfectly by it's name. I love it! What do you think?
S xx

Topshop Mascara in Night and Nettle

Hey everyone!

The other day I was browsing in Topshop, when I saw they had some of their makeup on sale. On impulse, I picked up two coloured mascaras, in the shades Night and Nettle. One was £2 and the other £4, but neither are on the website so I'd suggest popping into your local branch if you like them to see if they're there!

 I'd seen the photo of Pat McGrath's makeup on model Daria Strokous at Stella McCartney - the lashes are a bright electric blue, and I fell in love. Desperate to recreate the look I picked these up. Sadly, they don't perform quite as well as the mascara used in the photograph, but they're fun nonetheless!

As you can see, the navy blue Night is harder to spot on the lashes - but makes a very nice change in terms of colour from harsh black. Nettle is far more pigmented, and is a greeny-blue teal colour that works very well with my new matching hair.
Neither mascara is brilliantly curling, and both are a little clumpy, but they do add volume and length, and I didn't notice any smudging under the eyes after a day of wear.
For such a low price, if you can find them I'd snap them up! Makes a change from black, anyway!

Have you ever tried coloured mascara? Do you have a favourite shade?
S xx

Kiss-proof Lips this Valentines

Hey everyone!
With Valentine's Day just around the corner, I thought it would be a good idea to put together a post on lip products that work for the kissing-based holiday. Whether you're celebrating with a partner or not, who knows when you'll be kissed? It's always best to be prepared!
So I sorted through some Valentine's picks and decided on an orange, light pink, bright pink, beigey pink and vampy purple to test out. I also chose three matte reds because we all know they are one of the symbols of Valentine's!
The lip products I picked are in a variety of finishes and formulas. I tested them by trying them on, waiting thirty seconds and then blotting on tissue paper to check for transfer. Judge the results yourselves!

My picks: Rimmel Apocalips in Stellar (front), as both my bright pink and my gloss stain pick, Illamasqua Encounter, Chanel La Fascinante and MAC Russian Red as my matte red lipsticks. Revlon's Kissable Balm Stain in Rendezvous is my orange and my balm stick pick, and the others are MUA Shade 4 (sheer, pink), MAC Blankety (creamy, beige), and Topshop Beguiled (vampy purple).

As it's initially a gloss, Revlon Rendezvous has a quite a bit of transfer. Once the gloss has died down it does dry to a stain that doesn't budge, so this could be an option if you're having a meal, or the kissing won't be happening till later.

This is a glossy, light pink, but is so sheer that the transfer doesn't really show. It fades very evenly as well, so I think it's a top pick if you don't want to get your lipstick all over your significant other's face. It's a very pretty shade, too.

A lot of transfer from this Rimmel Apocalips in Stellar (I do not know what I was doing with my mouth when I blotted, but it looks seriously weird.) However, like the Revlon balm stain, the glossy finish eventually dries down and believe me, this stain does not budge. Once blotted, Stellar is a beautiful matte pink, as evidenced below, so you may want to apply, blot and go.

Topshop Beguiled is a beautiful colour, and one I'd be tempted to wear this Valentine's, but it is likely to leave a mark. A very pretty mark, but nonetheless. Maybe sheered out with a balm?

Blankety is so creamy that it definitely leaves behind some residual colour. A more sheer beigey-pink might be an option here, something in a Luster finish instead of an Amplified finish?

On to the matte reds! For such an intense colour, Chanel's La Fascinante didn't leave behind too much of a trace. It wears comfortably as well, and would be great for wearing out to dinner (and faded enough by the end to get kissing!)

Illamasqua's Encounter is brighter and less blue based than the two other matte reds here. It also has the least transfer of the three, and is by a fair margin the most dry. It is a beautiful colour though and bound to make an impact - so wear this if you're going for the traditional Valentine's matte red lip.

 MAC Russian Red is gorgeous, but has the most slip of the three matte reds. This might be good if you're looking to wear it out on a date and remove it afterward, but isn't particularly conducive to kissing.

So, which is your favourite? What kind of lip product are you planning on wearing this Valentine's day?
I'm veering towards just keeping a tube of lipbalm in my bag!
S xx

Around the World in 80 Eyeshadows: Weekly Round-Up

Weekly question: What's your Valentine's Day makeup essential?

Seonaid's answer: I would have to say mascara! Fluttery lashes are so pretty and I think the thing my boyfriend notices the most and likes the best.

This week's links:

Affairs Magazine - is in love with The Kiss.

Beauty & Baggage - has swatched the entire MUA lipstick collection.

Fashionable Heart - had a great time at the MAC Archie's Girls party!

Massachusetts Mask - is going through and swatching all her Revlon lipsticks, starting with the mattes!

Norwegian Elephant - reviews and compares all her red lipsticks!

What's your Valentine's Day makeup essential?
S xx

Weekend Supplement #28

Hey everyone!
I hope you've been having a great week. This week, the theme is obviously Valentine's Day, which is just around the corner. Whether you're single or loved up it can be a great day to indulge in all things lovely, even if it is a bit of a gimmicky day. My boyfriend and I will be working on Valentine's, but setting some time aside at night to see Die Hard 5: A Good Day to Die Hard (my choice; no words can express how excited I am to see this movie!) What will you be doing this Valentine's?
Here's a selection of romantic reads from around the internet to keep you amused:

Buzzfeed has collected together 41 Heart-Shaped DIYS. My favourites are the edible ones, but there are also tutorials for decorations, jewellery, homewares and cards.

The Atlantic has featured the work of Paul Schneggenburger, a photographer who has taken long-exposure pictures of sleeping couples. It's interesting to see how different couples sleep over the course of a night, and not quite a tooth-achingly sweet as the link above.

I've heard Ryan Gosling is quite the popular man these days, so here you go. A list of Ryan Gosling related gifts for those who don't want to take the day so seriously!

Ready for the Valentine's heart-string-tugging, tear-jearking story? Of course you are. Grab some tissues and read this Telegraph piece about a Russian couple who were separated 60 years ago and found each other again by chance.

Now, once your tears have dried, go read a blog I love.

Image: Your Face, My Canvas

I love Your Face, My Canvas. Lovely photos and written in both English and Turkish, the products featured are always lustworthy and the swatches are great too.

Have a lovely week, and a lovely Valentine's!
S xx

MUA Lipstick Collection Haul and Swatches

Hey everyone!

You might be aware that recently MUA had a 50% off sale. I took the opportunity to grab all sixteen of their lipsticks! At £1 normally, they are already an incredible bargain, but at 50p I couldn't resist. So all sixteen cost £8, but normally they would only cost £16, which is only a fraction more than a MAC lipstick!

I do have to say that since the sale received a lot of traffic, their site was not brilliantly functional and my order took an awfully long time to process (almost a week!) - but in the end they were able to pull it back and I think a lot of people have received their orders now. 

 The MUA packaging is basic and functional, which I like. The lipsticks come with a little screw-cap at the bottom with a matching pot of colour. Oddly, Shade 3 comes in a much smaller tube than the other shades (although you still get the same amount of colour; 3.8g, which is 0.8g more than a MAC lipstick.)

All the shades are creamy, easy to apply and the frosted shades don't feel grainy. The cream shades are opaque and range from super glossy to satin in finish, whereas shades like 4 are more sheer and have a balmy tint texture.

Shade 1 is one of my favourite lipsticks ever, and I've blogged about it before. It's a stunning deep blue-based red cream. Shade 2 has a more of a pearl finish, and is a plummy, magenta pink. Shade 3 is a metallic, bright, blue-based fuchsia. Shade 4 is a sheer, lightly frosted, light blue-pink.

Shade 5 is a frosted, light pink. Shade 6 is a darker, neutral metallic pink. Shade 7 is a very slightly coral pink with a pearly finish. Shade 8 is a warm reddish pink.

Shade 9 is a pearly, browned light rose, and Shade 10 is a similar, but darker and warmer colour. Shade 11 is a neutral, light terracotta. Shade 12 is a very shimmery, slightly sheer bright pink.

Shade 13 is a gorgeous, bright orange-based red. Shade 14 (Bare) is a light, neutral beige-pink. Shade 15 (Juicy)  is a pale, light pink coral (a surprising favourite since this is a never a colour I would have gone for with brown hair). Shade 16 (Nectar) is a bright, yellow based coral with a hint of pink.

My favourites? Shades 1, 4, 13 and 15. I do like them all though, although the high frost in some may cause me to sheer out rather than build on. I did find most of the shades incredibly wearable, and the range means the lipsticks can work for a wide range of tastes and skintones.
The shade range is great, especially for the drugstore and such an affordable line. I'd highly recommend these lipsticks, and the sooner they come out with a true purple or berry shade the better!

You can get them for £1 from MUA or Superdrug.

Have you tried these lipsticks? Which is your favourite?  

S xx