MAC Eyeshadow in 'Expensive Pink' [Review]

Dear readers,

The shade 'Expensive Pink' is the first MAC eyeshadow that I have ever tried.

Mine is in a 'refill' type packaging because I have a small palette where I normally hold this.

The eyeshadow weighs 1.3 grms.

'Expensive Pink' is a gorgeous sunset pink/coral-y colour with golden undertones - a colour which has quickly become my most used shade for summer. It has some slight shimmer.

I normally use this on my crease and under my lower lash line for a light, smoked out effect. This colour is excellent for people who want a pop of colour but are afraid to use really bright colours.

Pair it with a light nude for daytime, or with a dark brown for night time.

As you would imagine, this eyeshadow picks up beautifully with a brush and is very soft - so blending it is easy peasy.

No creasing whatsoever.

natural light

with flash

Love,

Lorraine
xoxo

Elf Triple Tip Waterproof Eyeliner Pen [Review | First Impression]

Dear readers,

I am always on the lookout for good eyeliners, mainly because I usually use them on a daily basis. I normally go for liquid ones, but these past few months I have been favouring pen style ones too, because they're much easier to use and they dry in a shorter time ie. less mess.

In my last Elf order I got both the Triple Tip Waterproof Eyeliner Pen, and their usual Waterproof Eyeliner Pen [which was such a disappointment I could have cried - I will post its review earlier next month I think].

This Elf Triple Tip Waterproof Eyeliner Pen costs £2.50 and you can get it from the Elf website *here*.

I call this my trident brush because of the triple tip it has - the first time I saw an eyeliner like this was from a Korean brand - and I wanted to test it out asap but I never got round to buying one.

It comes only in black and it is the blackest of blacks.

Due to the shape of the 'pen', you can achieve both thin and wide lines - so this makes it excellent to do flicks, although it does get some time getting used to.

It dries fairly quickly and is actually waterproof.

The only downside I could find with this is that the eyeliner is so rich that it tends to bleed a little - so from a triangular shape flick you could end up with an oblong or square and then have to touch it up by using a Q-tip or cotton bud.

Once it dries it does not budge - so it's perfect for people who have oily skin like moi.

after I ran it under tap water and tried smudging it with my fingers

Love,

Lorraine
xoxo

It's My Birthday and I'll Blog if I Want To, Blog if I Want To [Birthday Post]

Dear readers,

28 years ago today I was born ^.^

I can't believe that I am now 28, because in my mind I still think of myself as a 23 year old. But oh well, we do have to grow up, we can't stop time.

So this is how I'm going to spend my day: 

I just had a lie in.
Now I am off for a shower and shopping/lunch with my friend.
Then off to visit mum and dad.
Later dinner with my other half.
And finally if we finish early enough we'll go and have a few drinks near my friends who are having a bbq tonight.

I hope that you will all have a great day too!

little me ^.^

Love,

Lorraine
xoxo

Famous X Cosmetics Lip Addict in Shade #04 'Pillow Talk' [Review]

Dear readers,

I wanted to get my hands on a Famous Cosmetics lippie as soon as I saw that they have a flip up lid.

A while back I ordered a couple of things, among which I bought the Lip Addict in Shade #04 'Pillow Talk'. This normally costs £4.99 but I believe that there was an ongoing offer at the moment and so cost me less.

Famous Cosmetics have a 50% sale plus free international shipping at the moment - you can get your own lipstick and other products by following this link *here*.

There are only 6 shades in all, which range from the darkest, vampiest shade to a light, bubble gum pink. I have checked the lipstick section out just now but 'Pillow Talk' seems to be out of stock.

The lipstick comes in standard plastic packaging which snaps shut without any problems. On the top of the tube you get a flip up lid, where inside you will find housed a small mirror and some lipbalm! I really love this nice addition. My only problem was that the mirror was protected with some plastic tape, and when I tried to take it off I accidentally nicked the lipbalm.

The shade 'Pillow Talk' is a pinkish/corally shade which reminds me so much of MAC's 'Coral Bliss' - check out my review and swatches *here* and compare the two together. The difference is that 'Pillow Talk' is more pigmented than the MAC one [the MAC one is a Cremesheen after all] and so it a more in-your-face colour - but gorgeous nonetheless.

I believe that this colour will suit a multitude of skin tonalities - especially tanned ones. The lipbalm has the same hue as the lipstick but slightly less pigmented.

This goes on smooth like butter but it is better if you use lipbalm underneath [and this goes for almost all lipsticks and brands].

This stays on for around 3-6 hours depending on if you're eating, drinking etc etc, after which you'll have to reapply.

It has a lovely, vanilla-ish smell which is not overpowering.

without flash

with flash

Love,

Lorraine

Catrice Ultimate Lip Glow [Review]

Dear readers,

The only reason why I bought the Catrice Ultimate Lip Glow is because I was intrigued by the popsicle-like quality of the lipstick bullet.

It comes in pretty silver packaging which clicks shut - and so looks much more expensive than it really easy.

I think this cost me around 4 or 5 Euros and I bought it from a local shop in Malta.

On the packaging this states that this shade fits all; on me this looks like my natural lip colour but better.

It does have slightly moisturising properties  but it is not a lipbalm, so if you have dry lips it won't sort them out but it will make them less chapped. It also gives my lips a slightly glossy finish too. So, I always use lipbalm first before putting this on.

The bullet is a mixture of pink/orange tones and it really looks like jelly or a popsicle, but don't fret - because this only slightly changes your natural lip colour.

I really like how it smells - kinda fruity.

This will really work well on people who have really pale lips and want only a hint of colour. This can also be used by students who are forbidden from using lipstick in school but still want a slight pop of colour.

Needs to be re-applied several time throughout the day - around every 2 hours or more.

barely there! 

Love,

Lorraine
xoxo

MAC 'Coral Bliss' [Review]

Dear readers,

'Coral Bliss' is the latest addition to my lipstick collection.

I heard about this colour so much because it is a must have shade for summer i.e I wanted to get my hands on it but apparently it is sold out in loads of MAC outlets, but lo and behold my sister-in-law and brother got this for me as a birthday gift [my birthday is in 4 days' time] and so you can imagine my surprise ^.^

It is now in their permanent collection.

Coral Bliss has a cremesheen finish, and so it applies lighter and glossier than other finishes. This makes it perfect for both daytime and evening use [and especially for people who are not used to using lipstick but still want that hint/pop of colour].

The colour of the lipstick is obviously coral [hence the name] with pinkish undertones.

You do need to apply some lipbalm before you use this or else it will not look good if you have dry/chapped lips.

You also need to reapply this after about 3-4 hours of wear [especially after you have eaten] - this goes for any other glossy finish lipstick so I don't mind reapplying. It is quite a forgiving colour so you can also re-apply this without using a mirror [if you feel confident/are used to do so].

with flash

sporting the lipstick <3 

Are you team lipgloss or team lipstick?

Love,

Lorraine
xoxo

Elf HD Blush in 'Diva' [Review | First Impression]

Dear readers,

How are you all doing? Last Monday I was on a high because I passed from all of my exams and can finally call myself a B.A English (Hons) graduate! Woot Woot! ^.^

Now I just can't wait for this October so that I can start an M.A course in Modern and Contemporary Literature and Criticism, and I also can't wait for December for my graduation. I've never wanted a summer to pass so quickly.

Another thing I'm really excited about is that I have now reached 300 followers on my blog - thanks all you lovely people <3

On to my review!

I've had this Elf HD Blush in 'Diva' for about a week now, and I wanted to let you know what my initial impressions are, since most of the time, I either like a product on first application, or I don't.

This cost me £3.75 and you can get it from the Elf website *here*

I've read so many good reviews about this blusher that I wanted to test it out - especially since I always favour cream or liquid blushers as opposed to their powdery sisters.

It comes in 5 shades in all, but when I placed my order the 2 lightest shades were sold out so I had to buy 'Diva' instead.

It comes in a small, plastic pump bottle and you get 10ml worth of product.

To me the shade 'Diva' looks like an italian pink and it is very, very pigmented. The first time I tried using it I applied waaaayyyyy to much and I had to take it all off [including my foundation etc]. Second time round I was quite wary and only pumped a tiny amount - and I always use that same amount to use on each cheek [I've taken a photo of the tiny amount I always pump out, scroll downwards to see it].

I know that this blusher will last me eons.

Once dry, it turns matte [although it does look like it has tiny shimmer in it]. On a side note, you must be really quick at blending this because it is rather quick drying - and you could easily end up with hot pink streaks on your cheeks.

This can also be used on your lips, something which I have also tried but forgot to take pictures for. It gives off a really nice colour on the lips, and it does tint them - but you do need to apply lipbalm on top if you suffer from dry lips.

Very good lasting power too!

Based on my first impressions I would definitely recommend this.

I only use a tiny dot for lightly flushed cheeks

Love,

Lorraine
xoxo

Label.M Frizz Control Serum [Review]

Dear readers,

A while ago I was introduced to Label.M - a brand which comes straight from the creators of Toni & Guy. The first item that I tried out was their Sea Salt spray which is a must have for those hot, lazy summer days where you do not feel like doing much to your hair - read out my review here.

Their Frizz Control Serum is another product which I use on a nearly daily basis because it makes my hair so shiny and frizz free.

It comes in a black pump bottle and you get 30ml of product for £12.75. You can get yours from the Label.M website here or from Look Fantastic here.

On the packaging this promises that it has a....

"gloss finish, improves appearance of split ends"

....and it certainly delivers both!

To use, just apply 2 drops on the palms of your hands, warm it up by rubbing your hands together, then smooth it over your dry hair.

I normally use this on 2 day hair [only because when I wash it I normally use their Argan Oil - I will post a review for it in the coming weeks].

When my hair is looking drab I just apply some of this serum and it always manages to bring my hair back to life! I especially like the fact that my hair looks so so shiny after I've applied this - and it does tame the ends of my hair without weighing my hair down - in fact this does not leave my hair greasy at all.

This also smells really good without being too overpowering.

The Label.M Frizz Control Serum gets a big thumbs up from me!

Love,

Lorraine
xoxo

***Disclaimer: This product was sent to me by Label.M for review purposes. I was not paid to do this review. What I wrote in the review is my honest and unbiased opinion.