Givenchy Le Rouge A Porter Lipstick - Rose Aristocrate Shade 201

Givenchy Le Rouge A Porter Lipstick has a lovely balm like quality to it, making it gorgeously moist on your lips. The colour is buildable which I am a fan of and allows you control of depth. The shade I have been using - No201 Rose Aristocrate is a pretty pink shade, just perfect for Spring. Of course I cannot fail to mention the stunning silver and leather case that it comes in. Very chic!

This is my first foray into Givenchy lipsticks but it certainly will not be my last....

Below I am wearing Rose Aristocrate - a really flattering nude pink that has been my go to recently.

*mini sample

Bite Beauty Multistick Review

Bite Beauty say 

A FORMULA FOR INNOVATION

18 universal colours that are blendable, breathable and buildable. Apply with a finger, a brush or a blender on eyes, lips and cheeks.

My thoughts 

Versatile, a wonderful range of colours to pick and choose from and true to form these are actually perfect to use on eyes, lips and cheeks. I am usually not keen on multi products as if they are good on the cheeks they are too dry for the lips or if they are good for the lips they are too hard to blend on the cheeks! They apply matte but not flat. Creamy they set to a powder finish and are long lasting.

I was sent size shades from the collection and I do have my favourites - I love wearing Gelato a cool toned purple nude. For a pop of Autumn pink warmth I learn towards Macaroon which I pop on my eyes lips and cheeks, love, love love this shade. Cashew is a nice warm brown led shade which is easy to wear and is a throwback to the 90's early 2000....

Here are the swatches in order that they appear above

Blondie, Cashew, Cerise, Cocoa, Gelato & Macaroon 

Finally, here I am wearing Gelato 

Which are your faves?

Bite Beauty MultiSticks are available from Sephora.com at $24 each AND they now ship to the UK.

*PR Samples

MakeUp On The (School) Run.. In Just Five Minutes

I am most definitely a never leave the house without foundation kind of a woman, I have very slight rosacea and it is important to me to achieve a flawless as possible look. Since recently having had a baby I am time precious. Each morning I need to get me, the baby and my 8 year old son to school on time... something has to give and I am just not ready to let go of the makeup completely...

Step forward ReCover Correct and Conceal Red, I use this fantastic concealer with just two other great products for a simple and super fast look. In less than 5 minutes I am ready to face the day.

Shade Light 

ReCover say 

Instantly correct and conceal facial redness. We’ve used specially selected yellow-toned pigments in our feather-light formulation for a seamless, ‘no makeup’ finish. Our soothing gold-plated applicator tip delivers a super fine layer of product, neutralising redness and disguising imperfections. Experience the next generation of concealer, exclusively developed by our expert makeup artist and founder, Annabel Jardella.

My thoughts 

I never thought I would see the day when I would just use a touch of concealer instead of foundation but that day has come and I am happy to step away from the foundation for the purposes of this challenge...

Well I have to say I am pleasantly surprised. I apply ReCover on the red bits of my face (on my inner cheeks and the odd blemish evening everything out so brilliantly I have the perfect canvas for the makeup. The product works exactly like it promises. It is really fine and barely visible when blended. I like the cool touch applicator and you really only need a teeny, tiny amount for great coverage and concealment. A lovely natural face.

I pair the concealer with Max Factor Colour Intensifying Balm in Classy Cherry, this is a nice sheer and buildable lip product but can be applied without using a mirror. It can also be applied to the cheeks for a sheer pop of colour if needed. A real go to for me. For impactful, rich dark lashes I opt for Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara. 

There you go, a quick made up look in less than five minutes using just three products. 

ReCover Correct & Conceal Red costs £28 for 15ml and comes in six shades. I was sent shade Light.

*PR Sample

SEVENTEEN Mega Matte Lipsticks Review

Good news! Matte Lipsticks are on trend this Autumn/Winter and SEVENTEEN have got loads of fabulous and super affordable shades to try....well twelve to be precise.

I was sent three shades that work best with my skintone and I must admit, they really do!

The three shades of Mega Matte above are from L-R

Orange You Gorgeous
Nude News
The Coral Of The Story

And now for the Swatches 

From the swatches you can see that they look not too matte but actually when they are on the lips they do look more matte but pleasingly not flat. These shades are just gorgeous and extremely flattering, brightening my complexion and putting a sparkle in my eyes. 

Lasting power is excellent, I drank and ate and they wouldn't budge. The only thing I would say is that you do need to ensure that your lips are in tip top condition so make sure you exfoliate and moisturise those lips if necessary.. 

A big thumbs up from me.

I adore the orange shade - Orange You Gorgeous which is perfect for the Autumnal transition - here I am wearing it below 

SEVENTEEN Mega Matte Lipsticks cost just £4.49 each. 

*PR Samples 

My Favourite Beauty Products Of 2015

For my favourite beauty/makeup products of 2015 I went for the products I reached out for the most in my makeup bag...and unsurprisingly the products took in my eyes, cheeks and lips!

You would have had to have lived under a shell not to notice the trend for contouring (made really famous by Kim Kardashian) and not being blessed with lovely cheekbones this has been one trend that I have been embracing in a small way.

I love to accentuate/fake my cheekbones with the extremely affordable SEVENTEEN Define & Conquer Contour Kit which costs just £5.99 from Boots. It is a really simple way of defining and illuminating the face contours and comes with a handy instruction sheet to help you.

I simply adore a good nude lippie, lord knows I have plenty in varying shades but as you can see by how much the one above has been used,  this is my favourite everyday shade and formula - Max Factor Colour Elixir in shade Simply Nude and coming in at £7.99 is the perfect price for everyday use. My lips but better.

Finally, readers of BeautySwot will know that I don't use fake lashes or inserts so I am always on the look out for mascaras and products that enhance my natural lashes... Estee Lauder's Little Black Primer was an absolute essential last year with its multi uses. Promising to tint, amplify and set it does it all. Use alone for pretty and natural lashes, use as a primer under your mascara to give the 'wow factor' to your mascara. It thickens lashes, lifts and lengthens. My favourite use is to set the mascara you are wearing with a final coat of the LBP. It makes the mascara waterproof which is absolutely essential for me in the Summer as I suffer from Hay Fever. I also used it at my sister's wedding and there were many tears of joy but my mascara stayed firmly in place. A brilliant, brilliant product. It costs £20 but is worth every penny.

So there you have it, my favourite products of 2015. What were yours?

November Glossybox - What's Inside Mine - Lips & Lashes Edition

November's edition of Glossybox has the theme of Lipsticks to Lashes so as you would expect it contains items for both purposes...

What's inside ?

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick £7.99 

This month there is a full size lipstick from Revlon promising one of their best selling shades - As I already have the very popular red 'Fire & Ice' I was hoping for another shade to try, however I was sent the red. It is a gorgeous and full impact shade and I have worn it for Christmas Day in previous years as it is such a lovely festive red.

MUA Eyeshadow Palette £4 

This cute palette from MUA is called 'Undressed' and features 12 wearable shades of nudes and metallics. Perfect to adorn your eyes.

Eylure Natural Lashes £5 

These lashes do look luscious, voluminous and flutterworthy but personally I don't wear lashes so I shall be gifting these to my lucky sister.

Emite Diamond Heart Primer full size £25.90

I have got the 15ml travel size version of the primer. I love trying new primers so will be trying this shortly. It smells nice, has a peachy tone to it which promises to boost radiance and create a smooth finish. It also has a cream rather than silicone texture.

Royal Apothetic Body Lotion full size £14.50 

Once again this is a travel size version but it is a rather generous tube. I absolutely love the scent of this - Venetian Grove. Lactic acid will gently smooth skin and milk proteins will hydrate the skin. I am looking forward to applying this to my skin after bathing this winter... Gorgeous and light!

Final thoughts 

Although there are a couple of  items I won't be using, I think this month's box is really quite good. Makeup lovers will adore it and those who like to focus on skincare will appreciate it. I personally enjoy discovering new brands so this box gets a thumbs up from me.

What did you think?

Max Factor Colour Intensifying Balm Review

These Colour Intensifying Lip Balms from Max Factor have been my Spring to Summer go to lip choice as they are so easy to wear, providing the right amount of colour and sheen to the lips without any stickiness (ideal for those super windy says we have been having recently)

Max Factor say 

This lip Colour Balm really earns its place in your make-up bag as it’s just so flexible. The lightweight buildable formula lets you dial up and dial down your lip look -

• Build colour and intensity in smooth, defined layers.
• Helps moisturise and protect your lips from dryness.
• Lightweight formula that doesn’t feel heavy.
• Smooth, even finish that’s free from stickiness.

My thoughts 

Max Factor Colour Intensifying Balm Swatches

From Bottom to top, one application and then 3 - Shades Refined Rose, Luscious Red & Classy Cherry

I love the sleek, slim bullet that the lip balm is cased in and the matching case to the shade (and see -through lid) makes it easy to identify quickly the shade you want to use.

The lip balm provides a simple wash of colour but this is buildable if you want more colour intensity, hence its product name. There is no stickiness or dryness to contend with, just lovely colours and a beautiful glossy sheen. The result is that the Max Factor Colour Intensifying Balms are a winner with me.

Wearing my fave shade  - Classy Cherry 

Wearing Classy Cherry

Max Factor Colour Intensifying Balms come in 9 shades and cost £8.99

*PR Samples

Burberry Kisses Lipstick in Military Red

A little while ago Burberry ran a twitter campaign where you could send a Burberry Kiss to someone and that person would get the chance to pick a sample shade of the new Burberry Kisses Lipstick to be sent to them. I was lucky enough to get nominated and I chose a vibrant and classic red shade - 109 Military Red.

Just look how cute the sample packaging is, it comes complete with the iconic Burberry print and this includes on the actual lipstick too!

Burberry say 

Discover Burberry Kisses, the effortlessly buildable lip colour, designed to give multiple lip looks with just one shade. 

The weightless formula delivers a customisable make-up result – a single kiss of colour gives understated luminosity, two or three kisses give intense depth and vibrancy.
A rich blend of satin-finish pigments and shiny polymers gives luminous colour brilliance
Enriched with our signature blend of tea, lavender and rosehip, the whisper-light texture glides on with supreme comfort and gives six hours of continuous hydration. 

Burberry Kisses shade No.109 Military Red, actual colour 

My thoughts 

It is well documented on BeautySwot.com that I adore the Burberry Makeup range, especially the various lipstick formulas and Burberry Kisses doesn't disappoint.

The product feels light on the lips and hydrating. I love that the application can be built up from pretty sheer on first application to full on coverage, as a red this makes it far less scary for me to wear. As a result this is a rare red that I would personally consider wearable for day and of course it will take you right into the evening. It is indeed luminous and bright, lifting the complexion and putting a sparkle in the eyes

Military Red Burberry Kisses is a beautiful true red that I adore.

Take a look at how it looks on me below

Wearing Military Red Burberry Kisses

Burberry Kisses Lipstick cost £25

Kiko Modern Tribes Collection - Review

Yet another gorgeous range from Kiko Cosmetics to show you today, in my eyes they can do no wrong - Kiko Modern Tribes Collection - This collection is sun kissed, glowy with a pretty pop of colour...

What I adore about the bits that I was sent was just how wearable and Summer lovely they are. Wooden cases with gold decoration reaffirming its tribal foundations. This is Urban Modern Tribal at its finest.

I was sent -

Tri-Bal Baked Blush in Mysterious Earth £14.90

A perfect all-in-one product to bronze, blush and highlight with, this is definitely one of my top picks from the collection.

Graphic Ritual Kajal Eyeliner £5.90

These eyeliners are soft and creamy to apply and are suitable for the inner and outer eye, making them perfect for tightlining if that is your thing. 

I was sent two shades - Talisman Gold which a stunning gold and a deep and rich earthy dark blue in the shade of Masai Blue. 

Once applied these do not budge. 

Finally another multi use product - Free Spirit Lips & Cheeks £8.90 

As the name suggests these creamy chunky pencils are suitable for use on your lips and cheeks. They are described as giving a radiant matte finish. I was sent Hearty Peach which I love, love, love! and a pretty in pink Unique Camellia. Both items are fully pigmented so you only need to apply once to get the full punch of colour. Personally I prefer the pink just on my lips as it is a bit too deeply pink as a blush on my skin. Hearty Peach gives a subtle peachy glow to the cheeks which I like but personally I think I would keep both matte shades for my lips only...

The price also includes a sharpener for your chunky pencil.

Swatches of the Kiko Modern Tribes Collection 

*PR Samples

Burt's Bees Lip Crayons - Review & Swatches

I do love the lip crayon format and these ones from Burt's Bees are a good choice if you like your products 100% natural - They are scent free and moisturising on the lips.

Burt's Bees says 

Introducing six creamy, full-coverage shades of matte lip colour in a modern crayon for truly beautiful lip colour. Lightweight moisture for a comfortable, everyday wear formula infused with Shea Butter, Kendi Oil, and Jojoba Oil. It's colour that truly cares for your lips!
• Creamy matte colour and moisture-rich wear
• For everyday wear either alone or layered under a Lip Gloss or Lip Shine
• Precise application in a playful form without the hassle and mess of sharpening
• No added flavour or fragrance
• Hydrates and moisturises lips, leaving them feeling soft and smooth

My thoughts 

These lip crayons are lovely to apply and just glide onto the skin, feeling nice on the lips. The colours are matte and can be built up in intensity. My favourites are Hawaiian Smolder - an utterly gorgeous matte bright pink for a pop of fun colour and Niagara Overlook - a fantastic everyday pinky/coral shade that is Summer ready.

Swatches of the Burt's Bees Lip Crayons

From L-R - Hawaiian Smolder ,Niagara Overlook, Redwood Forest & Napa Vineyard

Burt's Bees Lip Crayons come in 6 super shades and cost £8.99 each.

*PR Samples

YSL Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick Trio - World Duty Free Exclusive!

There is something incredibly lustworthy and luxurious about YSL lipsticks. The chunky gold packaging that encases your colour of choice, the lovely rose scent that emanates when you remove the lid and of course the fabulous formulas, no matter which product you pick.

Today I am drooling over this travel exclusive from World Duty Free - YSL Travel Selection - Rouge Pur Couture. Three full size lipsticks, individually packaged and in mightily beautiful shades.

The three shades are

01 - Le Rouge - a blue toned classic red
13 - Le Orange - A gorgeous and vibrant orangey/red shade (I adore this!)
27 - Fuchsia Innocent - A stunning pink 

The moisturising satin formula glides onto the lips and the rich colour is vivid and intense with a single stroke (see below)

Swatches 

The lipstick trio retails for £59.35 making each lipstick under £20 which when you think a single lipstick costs £26 is great value and a nice saving to get your holiday off to a great start!

YSL Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick Trio available from World Duty Free 

*PR Sample

Max Factor Colour Elixir Simply Nude Lipstick - The Perfect Nude Lipstick

I have raved about the Max Factor Colour Elixir Lipsticks before so when I was told there was a new addition to the range in the form of 'Simply Nude' - a hint of pink nude lipstick, knowing how much I love a decent nude lippie, I had to give it a go!

Max Factor say -

High pigmented colour delivers just the right amount of pink to the lip, combined with the added conditioning benefit of shea, avocado and aloe butters, lips are moisturised for smoother application and soft subtle sheen.

Swatch of Max Factor Colour Elixir Simply Nude Lipstick 

My thoughts -

Simply Nude has become my handbag staple as it is really is the perfect, easy to apply (without a mirror) nude shade. The shade is a beautiful nude shade with, as Max Factor say, absolutely just the right touch of pink which lifts the lips and brightens the complexion to bring them to life. The formula is fantastic -creamy, conditioning and moisturising and the lipstick glides across the lips imparting even colour and leaving the lips looking super soft and lush.

This is a hugely flattering nude lipstick for my skintone and I have tried it on my sister who has a slightly different tone to me and it was equally nice on her too. I would imagine this to be a barely there beautiful nude to suit many skintones. Ideal to pair with a smokey eye, this is also my go to for every day. 

As you can tell I am smitten with this 'my lips but better' lippie. 

Here I am wearing it - 

Max Factor Colour Elixir Lipstick in Simply Nude is available now from Boots costing just £7.99. 

*PR Sample

Kiko Spring Collection - Generation Next - Review

I have said before that Kiko is one of my favourite makeup brands and their new wearable Spring Collection - Generation Next is no exception.

The stunning geometric packaging is  inspired by the famous Italian Murano glassware and channels the theme of  the future with its shiny and colourful range.

I was sent a few items to try out.

Masterpiece Bronzer in 01 Forward Sienna £14.90

Gorgeous and sturdy packing house this three shade bronzer - either use the shades separately to sculpt the face or swirl together for an allover glow. This is the perfect matte bronzer shade for warmth and the lighter shades brighten. Texture wise this powder is buttery soft and blends beautifully.

Cool Touch Eyeshadow in 01 Original Cream £8.90

The eyeshadows are described as intense and giving a long lasting, metallic and glossy finish. I was sent Original Cream to review and it is a wonderfully rich golden shade that will really brighten the eye area this Spring/Summer. I think it imparts a slight wet look which I love and application is smooth and even. Available in 8 shades, this eyeshadow is housed in a flip top pot.

Crystal Eyeliner £6.90 

I love these eyeliners, they have already found their way into my everyday makeup bag. I was sent two shades - 03 a metallic brown and 06 metallic grey which are both really complimentary to my green eyes. They are super soft to apply just gliding over the eyelid but imparting a strong colour. Once set these do not budge, at all. Love, love, love. Available in 6 shades.

Frosted Look Lipstick £7.50 

Although these are described as giving a frosted look to lips ,the shade I have - 02 - which is a nude pinky shade is surprisingly matte in swatches and on my lips. This was the most disappointing product in terms of its description. That said I have been wearing this as it is a nice nude shade. This is a soft and creamy chubby pencil style product but the nib is like a lipstick which is a little different from the usual crayon lipsticks. Available in 6 shades.

Glassy Lipgloss £7.90

For the lips this is far more exciting! I really like the mirror packaging with a huge window so you can see the colour of the shade inside. The doe foot applicator is excellent too. The bright coral shade is the perfect Spring/Summer shade and one that really lifts my complexion and brightens my face and eyes. Ultra glossy, wet look finish this is a lipstick/lipgloss hybrid with vivid colour the water based formula coats lips whilst moisturising. This gives a beautiful colour but is not at all heavy on the lips. Another winner for me. Available in 6 shades.

Kiko Milano Next Generation Spring Collection is available now from Kiko stores and online at its website. 

*PR Samples

Collection Cosmetics Field Day Range For Spring 2015

I love Collection Cosmetics for its affordable yet brilliant and on trend makeup. I have found quite a few gems in their range and so was excited to see what they had in store for Spring 2015. I have already shared one of the nail polishes from the range - Peach Blossom earlier today and so I have the rest of the Field Day range to show you.

The Field Day range inspired by florals evokes gentle Summer days, think lazy days of afternoon tea and picnics...

Swatches of the Field Day Collection 

There are three lipsticks in the collection £2.99 each

Fuschia (gloss)
Pink Rose - (matte) a pale pink
Tulip - (matte) my fave!

Tip - If you are using the matte shades ensure lips are suitably smooth and exfoliated before application.

I adore the Eyeshadow Pencils £3.19 each - 

These shimmery shadows can be used all over the lid or as a highlighter on the brow bone or in the corners of the eye. Coming in two shades - Summer Meadow (a gorgeous pale green) or Golden Sun (a wonderful pure gold shade) They are waterproof  and super long lasting, they just do not budge. However, they are gorgeously soft to apply!

And finally to complete the range are three shades of nail polish £1.99 each - Peach Blossom, Peony (pink) and Heather which I will be sharing with you very soon.

*PR Samples

The Body Shop Smoky Poppy Body Range & Lip and Cheek Velvet Stick Reviews

The latest limited collection from The Body Shop is really quite special. I love the bathroom shelf appeal of the dark but bold packaging which instantly appeals. Even better however are the products.

I was sent a few items from the Smoky Poppy range which is infused with poppy extract from Turkey. The collection features no less than seven skincare and fragrance products, everything from body scrubs, oils and lotions to a shower gel and fragrance.

First up is the Smoky Poppy Body Lotion 250ml £8

The Body Shop say 

The lightweight lusciousness of our Smoky Poppy Body Lotion leaves skin moisturised, feeling desirably soft and sensuously smooth.

• Euphoric scent
• Lightweight moisture
• Leaves skin touchably soft

My thoughts 

I love the scent of this light body lotion, it has a gentle warmth but retains a certain freshness to it. The lotion is light and easy to apply, absorbing almost immediately and leaving skin feeling super soft and hydrated.

Smoky Poppy Eau De Toilette 30ml £8.50

The Body Shop Say 

This fragrance contains a captivating blend of sultry spices, elegant florals and earthy woody notes. You’re only a spritz away from seduction.

• Light and wearable
• Euphoric scent
• Community Fair Trade alcohol

My thoughts 

This tiny bottle spray is perfect for travel. The scent is deep and sultry with spices, woody notes and intense florals. However although the scent is seductive and smoky...as it is an EDT it still manages to be light after the initial first spray in which its heaviness doesn't last.

I would say though that personally for me this isn't really a Summer scent but more of an Autumn/Winter scent so it is curious that it has been launched now as we are going into Spring. I like its warmth for the colder days.

Lip & Cheek Velvet Stick in shade Poppy Bronze 30 £12

I love the idea of specific 2in1 products for the lip and cheek but have found that I tend to prefer the product for one or the other .. however in the case of the Lip & Cheek Velvet Stick I am pleased to say it works equally well as both. I have been wearing shade Poppy Bronze which is a gorgeous pink/peach shade.

The Body Shop say 

Give your lips and cheeks a naturally flushed glow with our first chubby sticks. Enjoy a colour sensation with an exquisite velvet matte finish.

• Matte finish
• Decadent velvet texture
• With Community Fair Trade marula oil

My thoughts 

This chubby stick style product is really easy to use and a simple application on the cheeks and a bit of blending and the result is a beautiful natural and healthy, radiant looking flush. I loved the glow it gave to my cheeks and it lasts. Despite stating that this gives a matte finish I find that the finish is slightly frosty when worn on the lips, personally this isn't a problem for me as it all added to the overall 'glow'.It isn't drying on the lips either but you do need to ensure your lips are in good condition as it did highlight any dryness. I found the colour more like a tint at first, but it is buildable so you can get a stronger, deeper colour if you prefer it.

Here I am wearing the Lip & Cheek Velvet Stick on my lips and cheeks in shade Poppy Bronze

A perfect Spring product.

3 Luxury Nude Lipsticks You Need In Your Handbag

Trust me when I say that a nude lip will never go out of fashion. So whether the trend is a red lip or a bright lip or a vampy dark lip...the alternative is always nude. Which is just as well for me because I adore nude shade lipsticks and glosses, I have far more than I need but I cannot resist them.

Here I have whittled it down to my three favourite luxury nude lipsticks

Swatches of YSL, Charlotte Tilbury & Burberry

1. YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick in Nude Beige - This is a moist looking pinky nude shade that is gorgeous with a smokey eye.

2. Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G Nude Kate Lipstick  - This shade is a moist nude, nude shade. A my lips but better shade that Charlotte created for Kate Moss. This is a new lipstick for me but I am already smitten by its luxe formula.

Here I am wearing it*

3. Burberry Lip Velvet in Pink Apricot - This lipstick is a pretty peachy nude in a matte formula. I love wearing this day to day as the peachy tone gives a  lovely brightness to the skin.

Which luxury nude lipsticks do you like to wear?

*If you want to see how the other two lipsticks look on me click on the titles which have links to previous reviews.

L'Oreal Makeup Gift With Purchase Offer - L'Oreal Paris So Couture Gift Set

I have had my eyes on a few makeup bits from L'Oreal MakeUp for a little while now and so when I saw they had a GWP in Boots worth £30 (which incidentally came with the mascara I was wanting to try) when you spent £14.99 I had to indulge.

I bought the following items

L'Oreal Paris Color Nail Gold Leaf Top Coat
L'Oreal Paris L'Extraordinaire Liquid Lipstick by Color Riche in Nude Vibrato and Nude Ballet

*I spent £22

and received the following 

Gift With Purchase -  L'Oreal Paris So Couture Gift Set

Containing all full size products of

L'Oreal Paris Million Lashes So Couture So Black Mascara

L'Oreal Paris Color Riche Lipstick in Scarlett Creme 

L'Oreal Paris Color Riche Nails in Exquisite Scarlet

L'Oreal Paris Color Riche Le Khol in Immaculate Snow  

I'd say that was a bargain!

L'Oreal L'Extraordinaire Liquid Lipstick - Gorgeous Nudes!

I spotted these gorgeous nudes from the L'Oreal L'Extraordinaire Liquid Lipstick collection whilst out shopping the other day - they have decent colour opacity and are super glossy, plus they smell fruity lovely too!

Nude Vibrato is a pinky/peachy nude and Nude Ballet is a browny nude - both are equally lovely, I think I need to purchase them both...

 L'Oreal L'Extraordinaire Liquid Lipstick £8.99 each

Kiko Cosmetics Daring Game Collection - A/W 2014

One of the most exciting makeup collections of the year was delivered a few weeks ago. Now I have spoken many times about how great Kiko Milano Cosmetics are for price and quality and this launch is no exception.

The Limited Edition Daring Game Collection has been brought out for this Autumn/Winter and what a treat it is. The card style outer packaging is so smart and alluring, I would be instantly attracted to it if I saw it in the shops. However the products inside do not disappoint either.

Kiko say - 

Daring Game is here, the new limited edition collection from KIKO MILANO.
The exciting game of seduction begins. Luxurious and sophisticated atmospheres reflect the style of those who have the courage to gamble on their own beauty: an elegant queen of hearts who is sure of herself. The colours are vivid and full-bodied, the trump card for bold make-up.

Light and shadow alternate to enhance the features, correct shapes and give maximum emphasis to femininity and character. The facial skin has a base perfecter with moisturizing properties that makes it smooth and radiant. Bronzer and highlighter create a sculpted effect that accentuates strengths and hides flaws. The eye make-up frames the look of pure colour, making it penetrating and sensual. The lips are full and defined. The nails are embellished by the glossy reflections of the polish.

The shades and design of the packaging interpret the Daring Game mood, expressing beauty with an unmistakable style.

Swatches 

From top to bottom - 

Ace of Diamond Lip Pencil - Piquant Fire Red £5.90

Ace of Diamond Demi-Mat Lipstick - Piquant Fire Red £7.90

Color-Up Long Lasting Eye Shadow - Charming Champagne £7.90

Mystery Smoky Eye Pencil - Heady Rock Brown £6.90

All In Marker and Kajal £9.90

My thoughts 

Inside there are some exquisite pieces, I love how rich the red lipstick looks in its gold mirrored casing, with the words ACE OF DIAMOND and it is a stroke of genius whoever designed the POKER nail lacquers with the numbered dice lids. Fun and yet so classy and this is what sets Kiko apart from others. 

There are some real gems in this collection.

First up are the POKER nail lacquers - rich in pigmentation and incredibly glossy.

POKER Nail Lacquers £6.90 each - Shown here are Suggestive Red & Exclusive Blue

I also adore the chunky gold crayon eye shadow stick - it is a beautiful gold and only needs one application to achieve a solid base, once set it does not budge, brilliant for a night out and party season. If you only pick up one item I would suggest it be this. My top pick. 

Color-Up Long Lasting Eye Shadow £7.90 - Colour Shown Charming Champagne (available in 10 shades)

I love the Mystery Smoky Eye Pencil it has tiny sparkly flecks that lifts it from being just another eye liner - It is also buttery soft to apply so there is no drag but stays in place with a precise or smoky line if you wish. I wore it with the champagne eye shadow and red lipstick and it looked great. I have worn both since many times. 

Mystery Smoky Eye Pencil comes in 6 colours.

Also in the collection is a double ended black eyeliner - the pen side is a true black and it is really easy to line the eyes with precision with the pen style, the kajal is great for the inner eye.

Completing the look are the red liner and lipstick which make a bold statement - watch this space for a red lips of the day post :)

A very, very nice collection and every single item reviewed here is under £10.

Also in the Daring Game collection are a beautiful bronzer/highlighter duo, blusher duos and eye shadow quads.

*PR Samples

MAC Russian Red Lipstick

I have fallen in love with a full on true red lipstick - MAC Russian Red is an intensely pigmented blue toned red. It complements my complexion so beautifully it literally lights up my face.

Although it is described as a matte shade I find it to be creamy to apply and personally I don't find it to be drying to my lips but my lips are in very good condition.

For me, confidence has come with age and I have worn red lipstick more times this year than all the other times in my life put together!