Illamasqua Box Lipstick......

I LOVE RED LIPSTICK.
I always have, and I'm pretty sure I always will.
Some people may think that a red lippy is a red lippy, if only they knew how wrong they are.

Finding your signature red can be like finding a needle in a haystack. There are so many different shades, finishes and tones that I think that is why so many think that red lipstick doesn't suit them, find that right one tho and you are guaranteed a glamorous look that will NEVER go out of fashion.

I for example cant wear anything with a orange base, it just makes me look urgh and my teeth look yellow.

Put me in a classic blue based red tho, and woop woop, my teeth are back to there usual shade of white (Not bright white but I must admit they are not too shabby if I do say so myself lol) and I have the glam look that I adore.

So anyway, enough waffling on , I wanted to share with you one of my current favorites, this is BOX from Illamasqua, for me a beautiful classic red.

This lipstick has a satin finish in my opinion, its not too matte but doesn't have so much shine that you run the risk of it ending up everywhere!! 

Its long lasting ( I personally find red a good long lasting colour in general) and doesn't dry my lips out, a win win in my opinion.

This for me is what I see as a traditional red. Admittedly its not as blue as I would normally go for, however its a beauty of a red. I really do think that the perfect red just looks so classy and timeless.

What are your favorite red lipsticks?

Mwah

Highend lipsticks, Drugstore dupes......

Today I have part two of my Dupe series to share with you, and its the turn of Lipstick!!

This is something I really enjoyed doing, as a bit of a lipstick whore, It didn't surprise me how many dupes I have of colors. I also discovered a couple of shades that seem to be favorites, lol, did someone mention Angel??? lol.

I have posted both the video I recorded and the photos of the swatches below, with a full list of all the colors I mention.

Top to Bottom, L To R

Mac Girl About Town---------Topshop All About Me

MAC Impassioned-------Models Own Pink Hawaiian 

MAC Naught Saute------Revlon Just Bitten KLS in Cherish 

YSL Lingerie Pink (No7)-------NYX Round Lipstick in Strawberry Milk

MAC Costa Chic------Topshop Oh Laa Laa

MUA No 16 Necta---NARS Barbarella---Sleek Barely There

Top to Bottom, L to R

Maybelline Coral Tonic---MAC Watch Me Simmer---Illamasqua Over---Topshop Confession

Across the top

MAC Angel

L to R

Me Me Me China Rose/Selena shade 5

Revlon Pink Pout 

Maybelline Born Wit It

Topshop Secret Admirer

What do you think of the dupes that I found?

Do you have any dupe recommendations?


Mwah

Vegas Haul Part 1, Sephora, it had to be done?!?!?

While I was in Las Vegas, I of course did some shopping. I mostly stuck to things that we cant get here in the UK. I had been making a list of bits as I saw them so that I was able to check them out when I was there.

I took all the photos in my hotel with the packaging before we came home which is why they are different to my usual and no swatches.

I will review all the bits I get when I have had a chance to use them all for a while.

One of my first stops was of course Sephora.

This was what I got from my fist trip to Sephora.

Makeup Forever HD Foundation, I had to get this as it was for my wedding day.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Tipsy

Demolition 24/7 Urban Decay liner

Illamasque Lipstick in Over

Buxom Flirt Alert Kit

Sephora Eyeshadow

Sephora Powder blush in Pink Flush

I also picked up the famous Airbrush 55 Powder brush, and it certainly lives up to the hype.

I also got my Sephora Beauty Insider Birthday gift, Philosophy's Happy Birthday Beautiful bubble bath and a Fresh Sugar Kisses lip duo.

On the 2nd to last day I paid my 2nd trip to Sephora and got some other things....

Too Faced, Glamour to Go Palette

Daisy by Marc Jacobs roller ball

Tarte Amazonian Clay blush in Frisky

Makeup Forever Star Powder

Laura Mercier Baked eye shadow in Black Karat

Josie Maren Protect Daily Sun Protection SPF40+ with Argan Oil  

Fairy Drops Scandal Queen Mascara

Sephora Ribbon Hair Ties

Sephora Ultra Vinyl Lip Pencil.

Eeeeek!

Its been 7 years since I was last in Sephora, and I really was a kid in a sweetshop.

I cant wait to show you and review these things for you. A few of them have already become favourites.

Have a fab day.

Mwah

My 5 favourite Winter Lipsticks...............

As you know I have been loving lipstick at the moment. I though that you might like to see my top 5 winter/fall lipsticks

There are some drugstore and high end lippies in the mix......

L To R

Illamasque Fable

MAC Snob

MAC Sexbomb

Revlon Colourburst in True Red

Me Me Me Elektra

At this time of year I tend to steer away from my favourite corals, I go for more pinks and this year red.

I'm really enjoying a bold lip, the Revlon is so moisturising that its a fantastic go to red for the winter. The Me Me Me lipstick is also lovely and soft and moisturising.

Fable is my favourite go to lipstick in general at the moment, its so so easy to wear and lasts really well.

Snob has a little more blue in in and packs a bit more of a punch for evenings. And as for Sexbomb, its a subtle pink ( with just a hint of coral lol) and great to have in my purse for hassle free touch up through out the day. Its a versatile colour that goes with everything.

What are your favourite lipsticks for the winter/fall season??

Mwah

Illamasque Sealing Gel................

I just thought I would share this with you.

I purchased this a few months back, its the Illamasque Sealing Gel.

This mixing medium can be used with Loose Pigments, Powder Eye Shadow or cake liner. It creates a paste that dries super quick and is also super long wearing.

I haven't messed around to much with this yet, I've just used it as a mix for my eyeliner.

It defiantly does make it longer lasting and dry quickly.

I cant wait to use this more over the next few weeks and months, I think its going to be amazing to use with Glitter pigments and super sparkly shadows over the holiday season.

Hope your having a sparklicious day :))

Mwah

July Glossy Box.......

So this is the 3rd month of Glossy Box and the 2nd i have received. For me this box was always going to be a little make or break. I liked last moths box, i just felt that in comparison to the May box it was a tiny bit of a let down, don't get me wrong, i liked a few of the bits in the box, just not as much as i would of liked the NARS illuminator and All about Eve lippy.

So this morning when my trusty postie knocked with my box, i was a tad excited.

And i am very pleased to say, this months Glossy Box has left me with a big grin on my face!!!

Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyy for Glossy box July!!! hehehe.



So pretty!!!





So this is what came inside this months box.....

 Lots of exciting-ness!!!

Firstly there is a full size CIATE nail varnish. I have wanted to try this brand for a long time as so for me this is great :) It comes in a beautiful pale peachy pink shade, so pretty.

Next up....

WELEDA Pomegranate Regenerating Body Oil, a pure plant oil that promises to leave the skin, supple, smooth and hydrated, along with anti aging benifits. Smells devine...

XEN-TAN Deep Bronze Luxe. I have used Xen Tan before, it is one of my favourite self tanners, so this for me is great, ideal holiday size!!! Its also in Deep which is great, some people with fairer skin may be a little frightened by this, dont be, just make sure your skin is well mositurized first and use a light hand with a mitt, you will get a gorgeous colour!!

Here we have a couple of fragrance samples by a company ive never heard of before, ETAT LIBRE. They are both Eau de Parfume. I havent smelt them yet, but when i opened the little sachet they came in, i got a waft of fresh citrus, so hopefully these will be right up my street.

Lastly, the thing i was most excited about when i saw it peeking out of my box.....

ILLAMASQUA Pure Pigment.... I have never tried any Illamasqua products before, i have wanted to but there is no where local that stocks the brand, i havent wanted to order online as i was unsure of colours etc so this for me is AMAZING!!!!!

The texture of this fine milled pigment is beautiful, the colour in Conquer, is a stunning rich mossy green, with just the right amount of sparkle. It has great pay off and can be used like most pigments with a sealer as a liner. Again, AMAZING!!!! 



CONGARTULATIONS Glossy Box, this month is definatly a winner :))))

Keep up the fab work!!

For more information on all the products mentioned and Glossy Box, check out their Web site...

http://www.glossybox.co.uk/

Have a sparklicious day everyone, mwah,

Maria xxxxxxx