Peachy Glowy Goodness: Hourglass Extreme Sheen Lipgloss - Lush

Hourglass Extreme Sheen Lipgloss - Lush

Today felt like the perfect day to get out this lovely as it's a gorgeous summery, glow-giving gloss.

Hourglass Extreme Sheen Lipgloss in Lush is a pretty peach shade with a fine warm shimmer. These are some of my favourite glosses as the formula is smooth, non-sticky and they impart a wonderfully shiny finish that wears well and doesn't dry out the lip.

Hourglass Extreme Sheen Lipgloss - Lush

I think these are tied in my affections with the Rouge Bunny Rouge lipglosses, and as with RBR, it is easy to become slightly obsessed:)
 
Hourglass is available in Liberty London or online at Zuneta.

Max Factor Colour Elixir Lipstick Looks & Swatches

Max Factor Colour Elixir Lipstick - Burnt Caramel

Earlier this month I attended an event to introduce the new Max Factor Colour Elixir lipsticks. The lovely makeup artist Caroline Barnes created two gorgeous looks with the new Elixir range and was at hand to impart her wise makeup knowledge!

The new Colour Elixir lipsticks bring together the elements expected from a great lipstick along with the 'Elixir' treatment that includes ingredients such as shea, avocado and aloe butters to improve the condition of the lips.

These definitely feel like a step up from what I am used to seeing from other drugstore lipsticks as the pigmentation is impressive and is rather consistent across the shades. The texture, while moisturising is a lighter, creamy silky texture that feels much higher-end. The packaging is also lovely and as others have noted very Estee Lauder-esque.

  

Now onto the fun part - Caroline Barnes set us the challenge of trying out the seven different shades we were given. Some of the colours were not naturally what I would gravitate towards, but I was interested to see how they would look, and I some of them I was pleasantly surprised with.

Bewitching Coral

Bewitching Coral is a bright coral shade. It is a natural matte finish that leans a bit more pinker on the lips. I wasn't sure about this one but I like it much better on the lips although it is a bit out of my natural comfort zone with it being so bright.

On eyes I have used MAC Blacktrack Fluidline and Max Factor False Lash Effect Fusion mascara.

Burnt Caramel

Burnt Caramel. Now this is more my type of colour! A lovely warm neutral shade that is easily one of my favourites. Again nicely pigmented, smooth and one I have been reaching for a lot since I received it.

Eyes: MAC Sable all over, MAC Sorcery on outer corner, and Max Factor False Lash Effect Fusion mascara. Blush is Beauty UK Baked Peach.

English Rose

English Rose. One of the frosty ones - it doesn't look so bad in my pic but out of all the colours this was my least favourite and I didn't feel comfortable wearing it so I hastily changed it to Burnt Caramel instead! This is a mid pink that looks a little deeper on the lips then in the tube. If this had been a matte shade I think I would have liked it much more.

Eyes: Buck from UD Naked palette, RBR Anthracite Essence Eyeliner, and Max Factor False Lash Effect Fusion mascara.

Angel Pink

Angel Pink. A pale, cooler toned pink shade with that frosty finish again. This type of shade does unfortunately emphasise dryness in my lips as it is much paler then my natural lip colour. I think maybe blended over a natural toned lipliner might take the edge off a little.

Eyes: Benefit Skinny Jeans all over lid, Chanel Illusion D'Ombre -Mirifique, MAC Feline liner, and lashings of Max Factor False Lash Effect Fusion mascara.

Mulberry

Mulberry. A beautiful, pink wine/berry shade that has more of sheen/tiny frost finish with a gorgeous depth that feels more wearable then I had imagined making it another one of my favourites.

Eyes: Bloom Eye Paint Chocolate all over lid, RBR Anthracite Essence Eyeliner, and Max Factor False Lash Effect Fusion mascara.

Pink Brandy

Pink Brandy. A warm pinky/peachy shade that feels very summery. I like this shade and I don't think I have anything quite like it as it's a bit more opaque then other colours in my collection.

Eyes: MAC Paint Pot - Perky all over lid, MAC Hot Hot Hot in outer corner, RBR Anthracite Essence Eyeliner, and Max Factor False Lash Effect Fusion mascara. Blush is MAC Ripe Peach.

Ruby Tuesday

Last but definitely not least is Ruby Tuesday, a beautiful classic red. I think this would be quite universally flattering as it's not warm or too cool. If you've read my previous posts I am a bit red lippie shy and it's not a colour I often wear but this I found to be quite a friendly colour. Because of the super-pigmentation yet light texture, I can apply it, then blot and still be left with a bright red lip that doesn't move. Often with bright colours I hate the thought of them migrating off my lips and the high-maintenance aspect but this makes it so much easier for me to wear.

Many of the shades, including this one leave a bit of a stain on the lips so that the colour doesn't seem to fade completely and therefore I found them to be more long lasting then even many of my higher end lipsticks. Also with the unique texture, I didn't find them to be drying on my lips either.

Here I have swatched 8 of the colours:

L-R: Burnt Caramel, Angel Pink, English Rose, Pink Brandy, Bewitching Coral, Ruby Tuesday, Mulberry, Sunbronze

Natural Light L-R: Sunbronze, Mulberry, Ruby Tuesday, Bewitching Coral, Pink Brandy, English Rose, Angel Pink, Burnt Caramel

Flash L-R: Sunbronze, Mulberry, Ruby Tuesday, Bewitching Coral, Pink Brandy, English Rose, Angel Pink, Burnt Caramel

Overall I am impressed with these and there are a few more 'me' colours like Firefly and Rosewood that I have my eye on next.




All the Colour Elixir lipsticks apart from Sunbronze (which I bought myself) were provided without charge at the event. The Max Factor False Lash Effect Fusion mascara is also a PR sample.

NOTD: YSL Black Bronze (126)

YSL Black Bronze is one of the three limited edition nail colours from the new Noir Couleurs collection for autumn/winter.

I was eagerly anticipating this release, all the promo imagery I've seen online is gorgeous and in real life it doesn't disappoint. I did get all three nail polish shades but today I've worn Black Bronze, a gorgeous, deep dark slightly olive-toned bronze.

The formula is on the slightly thicker side but it applies well, no dragging and is fully opaque in just one coat which I am very impressed with. This appears darker on the nails then it does in the bottle which is the same for all three shades but I love it as it's not too dark that it looks almost black.

This is smaller then their regular polishes at 6ml for £15 (their regular size is 10ml for £16.50) which is expensive and not much of a reduction in price considering you get 40% less. 

I don't know if it's just me and my slight packaging OCD but I don't like it when they change up the sizes of their product so that it doesn't sit as nicely aesthetically with the larger size bottle - not sure why they do this.

Despite my little rant I can't really fault the quality in the YSL polishes I have so far and I do adore this shade -  I have been frequently glancing at my nails all day:)

Chanel Coco Blue Le Vernis

Chanel Le Vernis - Coco Blue

Coco Blue is from Chanel's Les Jeans de Chanel collection that launched to celebrate Fashion's Night Out. It is a light denim blue that has a soft barely-near shimmer that gives it a slight dimensional quality rather then looking like a complete cream. This needs 3 coats to get complete coverage and applies fairly well but personally I like some of their other shade formulas like Black Pearl and Graphite as this can be a tiny bit streaky.

I don't think it's really a must have, but I was quite drawn to this shade of blue as it doesn't lean aqua and looks more like a true light blue.

I bought this from Selfridges

Green Gloss: Illamasqua Violate from Theatre of the Nameless

The thought of a green lipgloss intrigued me so when I saw Violate from the new Illamasqua Theatre of the Nameless collection on counter, I had to give it a go and actually, I rather like it.

Illamasqua Violate: Top - sheered out, bottom - built up

Violate is a warm forest green with a pretty shimmer and can be worn sheerer or built up to give a more intense look. What I like about this is that the colour plays with the natural pinky mauve colour in my lips to create a strange green that still allows my lip colour to show through. It is a bit of a sticky lipgloss which doesn't bother me too much but I would apply a balm underneath.   

Illamasqua Violate, sheer application

Illamasqua Violate, heavier application

Here it is applied heavier in context with the rest of my face, please excuse the glum expression and untidy brows (I am growing them at the moment).

I think this would be a good alternative to a more deep berry/purple shade for autumn/winter as I think it is an oddly wearable colour.

Dangerous Territory...

...the Tom Ford counter at Selfridges that is. I was there on Saturday and had a good play with the newly released full line-up of Tom Ford makeup.

Now I thought I would have much more resolve, I liked looking at other bloggers swatches of the lipsticks, I had even tested some out but I knew (well I thought I knew) that for me personally it was unlikely I would spend that much (on a single colour) and so the previous lipsticks have passed me by and that was fine. I knew my limit, and that was way over it.

So I'm wondering where those thoughts were when browsing led to buying. The blushes and eyeshadows were the items I was most eager to see and indeed I did end up buying one of the Cheek Colours.

Before I get onto swatches let's get the price out of the way first. This is £45. £45!!! I cannot believe I spent this on blush but it seems rational thought goes out the window with Tom Ford's makeup.

Here is the beauty:

The packaging is beautiful, with a magnetic closure that snaps in place nicely so no fiddling with closures and chipping nail polish. The hinge does allow the lid to lie completely flat as well so less chance of accidentally braking the closure.  

Tom Ford Cheek Colour - Ravish (05)

Ravish (05) Cheek Colour is a beautiful tan toned pink. The finish has a silky, micro fine shimmer sheen that imparts a subtle pink luminescence. The shimmer is faint and not very noticeable when applied.

Tom Ford Cheek Colour - Ravish (05)

As you would expect from a blush this crazily priced, it is smooth and very pigmented, so only a light touch is required. These remind me a little of Rock & Republic's blushes that were also very nicely pigmented and smooth (I miss this brand).

I find using a natural bristle brush better (I'm using a Shu 20H), as I can lightly pick up the colour.

Tom Ford Cheek Colour - Ravish (05)

Tom Ford Cheek Colour - Ravish (05)

Ingredients:

Ravish is a colour I see myself getting much use from, so although it's at the highest end of the scale, I do love this addition.

I did try the Sahara Pink lipgloss which I really liked as well and as a neutral lippie-lover, there is much more choice in this category in the lipsticks so maybe I will try a lip product next, although maybe not straight away, my credit card needs some rest;)

MAC Me Over Purchases & FOTD

It's been a while since I've purchased anything new from MAC as not really anything from recent collections has grabbed me but I did check out the new collections on Thursday and bought a few bits.

My favourite thing is probably the Fluidlines from the MAC Me Over collection as the colours are so deep and gorgeous. I also purchased an eyeshadow and a Pro Longwear lip pencil from the Style Driven collection which I am also very impressed with.

L-R: Pro Long Wear Lip Pencil -Absolutely It, Dark Diversion Fluidline, Midnight Blues Fluidline, Carbonized eyeshadow

Pro Long Wear Lip Pencil -Absolutely It

This is a very pretty medium pink with a slight warmth of brown to it that makes a great 'my lips but better' shade. It has a subtle silky metallic sheen that adds a little dimension and brightness to the shade. I think that these do have a good pigmentation and hold on the lips so they last longer then their standard lip pencils. I do use a lipbalm underneath as they feel a little drying. Despite this I would like some of the other colours as I like using their lip pencils instead of matte lipstick.

Dark Diversion Fluidline
A deep, dark burgundy shade that is not overly warm or cool. A really great shade for autumn/winter and feels very rich.

Midnight Blues Fluidline
This looks a little brighter in my pic but this is a deep blue with a bit of a green tone.

Carbonized eyeshadow
A deep brown with a slight golden sheen - a great neutral shade that I know I will get lots of use from. 

I used the Dark Diversion Fluidline today and I really love this look as it makes a lovely change from standard black liner.

Rest of products on eyes:

Hourglass Visionaire Eyeshadow Duo in Suede (lighter shade inner corner, darker shade all over lid), MAC Chromagraphic Pencil NW25/NC30 on waterline, Maxfactor False Lash Effect Fusion Mascara*, Korres Brow Pencil 01.

Full Face:

 

Rest of products used:

Lily Lolo Foundation - Warm Honey
Guerlain Terracotta Touch 02 - under eyes
MAC Blush - Breath of Plum
MAC Pro Longwear Lip Pencil - Absolutely It - all over lips

*PR Sample