The cutest lip balms ever?

Lip balms: Now this is something I didn't think I would write about. I don't usually use a lip balm. In fact, it's probably fair to say that I am not a lip person really. I find lip products {or the ones I've tried so far} uncomfortable and sticky. I also sport very long hair and I get paranoid at the thought of the lip product getting on my hair. I was offered the chance to try 2 lip balms from Mua Cosmetics, taken from the Love Hearts Collection, collection which was released just in time for Valentine's Day celebrations.      

     
     

The lip balms exist in 5 shades (although, at this precise moment in time, I can only see 4 on the website). Today, I want to share with you my impressions on 'Sugar Lips' and 'Great Lips'. The packaging is just too cute for words. To give you an idea of the size, the container is about the same circumference as a bottle of Batiste. On opening the lid, I was greeted with a lovely smell of vanilla. I found the formula very light, smooth, moisturising, and most of all not sticky. A little goes a long way. Just a teeny weeny dab is enough to bring moisture to your lips. The cherry on the cake? The lip balms cost £2.     

     
     


The daughter of my colleague at work (she's about 12?) was there when I received my parcel. Her eyes lit up when she saw the giant sweeties. I thought I could give them to her if I didn't get along with them, but I am afraid I am going to have to keep them. This is too good and too cute to 'waste' on teens. I love the light formula, the scent and the packaging too much to give them away.

This is totally the kind of lip balm you'd be proud to show off from your handbag, whatever your age, teen or all grown up. The lip balms reminded actually of the film 'Ratatouille', when the all grown up grumpy critique got all soft and gooey when he rediscovered his favourite dish from his childhood. If you've grown up with love hearts, this is a must have for you and for all girlfriends' Christmas stockings. I know, i know, it's only gone past Valentine's day. The thing is I don't even know if this collection is limited edition.

I don't remember the date when they'll be physically released in Superdrug stores, but you can already get your paws on them via the official website. Postage is low (£2.95).      

     
      

     

     
     
     

What: MUA Cosmetics Love Hearts Lip Balms
Where: MUA store online and Superdrug Stores     

How much: £2

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Rimmel Kate Lipsticks – lipswatched

How do you passionately write about something you're not passionate about. You don't! I wouldn't blame you if you decided to skip straight to the swatches. Instead of just modelling for Rimmel Makeup, this time round, Kate Moss took the designing seat and created 7 shades of lipsticks. I wouldn't describe myself a lipstick kind of person but there has been so much hype about the Kate Moss range that I've been dying to see the lipsticks in the flesh and have a little play with the testers from the shop.






Isn't one of the perks of the job to be able to invent names for your creations? I can't hide the fact that I am disappointed that the shades only have numbers. Why didn't they give Kate one more zero to her pay cheque and give her more 'inspiration' to come up with names. Never mind. The shades which interested me the most were the 2 nudes (shades 3 and 8) and the goth purple (shade 4)







You can't really form an opinion of a lipstick before it's applied on your lips, right? Still from testers (I would not recommend anyone to do this) I went ahead and tried 4 lipsticks on my lips. First impression was the lovely fruity scent. The scent is quite strong, I love fruity smells but it might not be to the taste of everyone. Please make sure to have a good sniff and a hand swatch at least.

First lipstick I tried was the shade no.3 nude. I didn't notice much colour to be honest on my lips so I didn't bother taking a photo.

This is shade 8. The shade is much more my type of lipstick but it doesn't scream 'buy me, buy me' at all costs.









Shade 4 (goth purple) surprised me. I quite liked the dark colour on my lips. I think this would be a perfect shade for Halloween but I found the application to be a bit patchy. I can't help but starting to worry instantly about the lasting power and the upkeep of this lipstick, having had a bad experience with Barry M black lipstick. All that this lipstick is doing is making me wish that Sleek Makeup did a pout paint in black so that I could have created my own shade and be confident to wear something truly long lasting.









And last but not least this is shade 2, a lovely bright pink. This is, without a doubt the most flattering colour on my complexion. Application was easier, more satisfying than the nude, and much more creamy than the goth purple. Would I buy this? No. All this is doing is reminding how much I prefer the sleek pout paints in pinkini and rosette.







These lipsticks are all priced at £5.49 and there couldn't be a better moment to indulge if they take your fancy, as they are included in the 'autumn' 3 for 2 offer at Boots. I can't say anything negative about these lipsticks, the packaging is very cute and the colours are very nice but they don't excite me. I hope you have enjoyed the swatches.

I feel a bit bad, I bet a bloke could write more passionately about these lipsticks than me. On a normal basis, I wouldn’t bother posting at all, but the photographing and swatching was a such an adventure, I didn’t want it to go to waste.

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My favourite go-to lipstick

Do you need confidence in buying certain items of makeup? I do. I could walk into a high street shop (I have yet to combat my fear of beauty counters) and buy every eyeshadow and nail polish in sight but when it comes to lipsticks, I need more help, I need personal recommendations from friends and I need to see it worn real people whom I trust, as opposed to magazines which I rarely identify myself to.





When I saw my best friend Jo, wearing this gorgeous darker than nude lipstick, I just had to find out what it was and give it a try. Little that I know that it was going to become then my favourite lipstick.






Introducing the gorgeous Velvet Teddy from Mac which I simply can't get enough of. Velvet Teddy belongs to the matte family of lipsticks and delivers a gorgeous darker than nude colour which will pretty much go with anything.


For going out at night, or on special occasions, makeup looks for the blog, I like to pair Velvet Teddy with Lip Inflation Extreme, in sheer bare from Sally Hansen, a £1.99 bargain I stumbled upon before my nearest TJ Hughes shop before its recent closure.





If you've never tried an lip plumper product before, boy, you're in for a shock. I knew I had to expect a stinging sensation but I didn't expect to be that intense. First time I wore it, I asked myself why on earth women would want to go through such a discomfort.






To add to the stinging sensation, Lip inflation has the most unusual spicy flavour/scent, reminiscent of Christmas spices. So all in all, the first I wore felt really felt I was wearing tabasco on my lips. As for the plumping effect, I think it's working but I feel the effect lasts as long as you can feel the light 'burn' on your lips. There is no way I could wear Lip Inflation on a day to day basis, too glossy, too intense, too much but at night time I really like to wear it. I've become really fond of the whole stinging spicy experience now and I wish I had picked more of these before the shop closed.


And this my beloved Mac Velvet Teddy and Sheer Bare worn together on the  lips






Where’s the rest of the head gone? Click here if you want to see as part of my ‘Safari Look’.


Off the top of your head, what is your favourite lipstick, which goes with anything?


top photo credit: lipstick (beautyflorist seller on ebay) and teddy bear.

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My heart is beating for … Cotton Candy Cream Puff

I am deliriously excited to tell you about this product. I am not sure if you know but I am not a lip person at all. I think what I don't like about lipsticks and lipglosses is the sticky feeling. I can cope with it on a special occasion but on a day to day basic, I'd rather avoid it to be honest because I don't find uncomfortable. Since I saw London Beauty Queen's post on the Collection 2000 Cream Puffs, I have been dying to try them.


Cream Puffs by Collection 2000 are designed to give you a moisturised and matte colour on your lip.
Why would you want matte lips? I couldn't explain it better than Jenni from UK Nail Polish.
The one I bought is called  'Cotton Candy' .





I used the testers from the shop and swatched the 3 other shades available. I am sorry I don’t remember their names. I wish they came out in more colours. Four is not enough!





Cotton Candy has a luscious smell, moisturising but not greasy or sticky. It delivers the perfect amount of rosy, delicate, hint of colour on my lips, it is ultra wearable and I can't get enough of it.







Want to see Cotton Candy as part of a whole look? Click here to see it incorporated in my ‘Wrapped up Gateau’ Look. (link available in a few minutes)


What: Collection 2000
How much: £2.99 (look out for offers)
Where: Boots and Superdrug

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