Review: Barry M Lip Kit
First things first, apologies for my lack of content over the last few months. Who knew that commuting to London from Ipswich everyday gave you zero time for a social life, gym routine or blogging? Hey ho, tomorrow marks a new chapter in my career and after a dreamy break in Barcelona I am ready to get back into the swing of things. To ease me back in I thought I would strip it back and write an old school beauty review (I hope you don't mind). Anyway, here goes...
Liquid lipsticks have never been one of my make-up staples despite being such a cult product in the industry. They dry my lips out, they don't look good after being topped up throughout the day and I generally find them to be quite high maintenance. That being said I am a fan of the Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks for a special occasion or something to take me from day to night because they last extremely well and aren't impossible to remove at the end of the night.
A few weeks back this Barry M Matte Me Up Lip Kit landed on my desk. Barry M is a high-street brand that I am a huge fan of - great prices, great quality products and they are often at the top of their game when it comes to offering high-end dupes. With the surge of expensive lip kits out there, Kylie Jenner to name only one of them I found myself taking a sigh of relief when I saw that this one retails for £6.99.
As you can see by the swatch above, the lip kit is called 'RUNWAY' and is a dark mauve/pink with brown undertones. This is definitely a colour that I would normally opt for in the evening if I had to prise MAC Velvet Teddy out of my hands.
What I love about this lip kit is that the formula is pretty spot on. Of course, it is a little bit drying and is a nightmare to top up throughout the day, but what liquid lipstick isn't!? It only requires one coat to offer an opaque layer on the lips and is a beautiful shade. A part of me thinks that the liner is a bit redundant as the liquid lipstick itself is such good quality that it isn't needed. However, it works great as a 'keep in the lines' technique if you want that perfect lip line.
It appears that these are a hit and are out of stock in quite a few places, so make sure you keep your eyes peeled if you want a cheaper liquid lip kit alternative.
What is your favourite affordable lip kit? x
The Cult Cleanser
The DHC Deep Cleansing Oil has quickly reached cult status, with thanks to the edited beauty haven BeautyMART. If you are not familiar with BeautyMART firstly where have you been!? and secondly you must go because it is like a neon packaged treasure chest filled with niche beauty products for the savvy consumer.
Inside this beauty-filled treasure chest lies the DHC Cleansing Oil and for good reason. DHC is a Japanese brand so immediately I had high expectations. This cleanser claims to be an oil that completely melts and removes traces of dirt and make-up and when mixed with water turns into a milky consistency which can easily be removed with warm water. This cleanser definitely lives up to those claims and makes removing your make-up a complete dream.
The benefits of using this cleansing oil over say a balm or a micellar water is that it is a perfect hybrid of the two. The texture of it is thick and oily enough for it to effectively remove any make-up or dirt but because it emulsifies into more of a milk it is very easy to wash off and doesn't leave an oily residue. The practicalities of this product are also a winner in my eyes. It has a pump, which is a major bonus for me as you can control how much product you dispense and because of the effortless texture of the cleanser you can bring it into the shower with you and simply rinse it off with warm water.
You can purchase this cleanser for £24 - not cheap but a fair price for the quality at BeautyMART or online. I have combination skin and if you haven't guessed already am completely in love it but drier skins would also be very thankful for this product.
I know cleansers aren't the most exciting product to grace your bathroom shelf but when it is as good as this one you can't help but reach for it as a basis for your skincare routine.
Inside this beauty-filled treasure chest lies the DHC Cleansing Oil and for good reason. DHC is a Japanese brand so immediately I had high expectations. This cleanser claims to be an oil that completely melts and removes traces of dirt and make-up and when mixed with water turns into a milky consistency which can easily be removed with warm water. This cleanser definitely lives up to those claims and makes removing your make-up a complete dream.
The benefits of using this cleansing oil over say a balm or a micellar water is that it is a perfect hybrid of the two. The texture of it is thick and oily enough for it to effectively remove any make-up or dirt but because it emulsifies into more of a milk it is very easy to wash off and doesn't leave an oily residue. The practicalities of this product are also a winner in my eyes. It has a pump, which is a major bonus for me as you can control how much product you dispense and because of the effortless texture of the cleanser you can bring it into the shower with you and simply rinse it off with warm water.
You can purchase this cleanser for £24 - not cheap but a fair price for the quality at BeautyMART or online. I have combination skin and if you haven't guessed already am completely in love it but drier skins would also be very thankful for this product.
I know cleansers aren't the most exciting product to grace your bathroom shelf but when it is as good as this one you can't help but reach for it as a basis for your skincare routine.
♥
Eyeshadow Renaissance
Lets take a minute to immerse ourselves in the beauty of this eyeshadow palette. This isn't just any eyeshadow palette, it is the Anastasia Beverley Hills Modern Renaissance eyeshadow palette and it is quite frankly, the dream. Forget the Naked palette, forget your trusty MAC quad this beauty really does trump them all.
I took a trip to New York last week and on the list of sites that needed to be explored, Sephora was of course one of them. I have been coveting this palette for a while for its gorgeous red tones and this was the perfect opportunity to pick it up.
As you can see from the close up, this palette contains 14 shades that range from neutral to vibrant red. I for one am obsessed with reddy tones on the eyes as I find them extremely flattering and they instantly completes and 'glams up' a make up look. A particular favourite is the shade 'Golden Ochre' which kind of mimics the colour of baby sick (in the best possible way). In the pan it looks very 'meh' but once you swipe it through the crease and under the eye it creates such a beautiful golden sheen and it looks great.
Here are three of my favourites swatched. The stand out shade of the palette which for me sells it at a first glance is 'Love Letter'. It is the bright berry shade that you instantly recognise from the palette and can be worn to brighten up a berry eye look or it can be worn swiped all over and under the eye if you're feeling brave. Realgar is also a winner in my eyes (no pun intended). It is similar to MAC's Red Brick but far more pigmented and easier to blend. Burnt Orange is my favourite transition shade in the palette. It is a subtle orange tone that makes the eyes pop and instantly look more alive.
The formula of every shade in the palette is unusually buttery and pigmented. It really is impressive. But, the reason why I have fallen in love with this palette from the get go is the variety of unusual shades that I have rarely seen before. This palette definitely isn't for the faint hearted. If you're a neutral eye lover it definitely isn't for you but if you like to experiment with colour and enjoy a festive look at this time of year, I wouldn't opt for anything else.
It is £41 and is available on Cult Beauty.
♥
Sunday Wish List
1. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette - Surreal Light £69
From experience, Hourglass powders are sheer perfection and who can resist marble packaging? I sure can't.
From experience, Hourglass powders are sheer perfection and who can resist marble packaging? I sure can't.
2. Artis Oval 8 Brush £52
Beauty innovation is always at the top of my wish list. These brushes from Artis are at the top of the 'foundation-applying' game and I for sure want to get on board.
Beauty innovation is always at the top of my wish list. These brushes from Artis are at the top of the 'foundation-applying' game and I for sure want to get on board.
3. Creme De La Mer Moisturising Cream £110
A skincare classic that will always be a guilty pleasure to many. My skin is feeling a bit on the dry side lately and I know that this would be the perfect pick me up. I should maybe consult my bank first...
A skincare classic that will always be a guilty pleasure to many. My skin is feeling a bit on the dry side lately and I know that this would be the perfect pick me up. I should maybe consult my bank first...
4. Romantic Bear WOW Long Lasting Lip Colour £8.50
BeautyMART is a beauty retailer that I always gravitate towards and this Korean beauty product that they introduced to the UK is no exception. You must apply a thick layer, peel off and you are left with a beautiful and natural stain.
BeautyMART is a beauty retailer that I always gravitate towards and this Korean beauty product that they introduced to the UK is no exception. You must apply a thick layer, peel off and you are left with a beautiful and natural stain.
5. MAC Red Brick Eyeshadow £13
Despite Autumn being shamelessly taken over by Winter I am still into the red eye look. MAC's Red Brick is a classic.
Despite Autumn being shamelessly taken over by Winter I am still into the red eye look. MAC's Red Brick is a classic.
6: Tarte Shape Tape Concealer £27 (with sponge)
Concealer (along with mascara) is the product that I am constantly looking for the perfect one. In the beauty world the new kid in town is the Tarte Shape Tape Concealer and I am desperate to get my hands on it and put it to the test.
Concealer (along with mascara) is the product that I am constantly looking for the perfect one. In the beauty world the new kid in town is the Tarte Shape Tape Concealer and I am desperate to get my hands on it and put it to the test.
x
I Double Dare You
To celebrate the launch of Kat Von D Beauty which has arrived in Oxford Street Debenhams this week I thought I would share my own experience of her Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks. Kat Von D is a beauty icon, her signature look has inspired many to express their creativity and originality through make-up, so who better to create a make-up line!?
It is no surprise that Kat Von D has injected some crazy colours into her make-up line and the packaging is somewhat gothic but the products (from what I have tried) are no gimmick. Let's start with the formula - it is one of the best liquid lip formulas I have tried due to its opaque pigmentation, long wearing nature and it doesn't dry your lips out.
I picked up the colour 'Double Dare' in Sephora when I was over in Canada as I had heard such great things. What enticed me was it's unique shade. It is an amped up browny, pinky, mauvey nude that looks perfect for day to day wear and can be carried through to date night or whatever you may be doing in the evening.
Not only are the Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks one of the best formulas on the market they are also very reasonably priced. They retail for £16 which I think is to be commended. The lipstick tube itself is very long and skinny which seems to be more handy to travel with and is overall a bit nicer/easier to apply.
Not only do I dare you to pick up something from the Kat Von D range, I think you would be a fool not to!
*Available at Debenhams £16
NARS Sheer Glow: A Glowing Review?
This review has been a long time coming. I've been using the NARS Sheer Glow Foundation for a while now, ever since I started my job in London and had access to a Space NK. This product has been on my wish list for years but due to living in a city that didn't stock Nars anywhere I patiently waited...
I wanted to get my hands on this product for so long because it promised a dewy finish but with a decent amount of coverage - the dream! I can now report back.
Long story short. It delivers exactly that. It has a beautifully lightweight consistency that glides on to the skin and requires a pea-sized amount of product. My shade is 'Deauville' meaning that I am a tad pale but it comes in 20 different shades to suit every skin tone. I use the Real Techniques Contour Brush to apply this foundation. I feel like because it applies so seamlessly it does not require a large buffing brush therefore I like to apply it with this smaller one to achieve more precision and to be able to get in and around those tricky areas (under the eyes/around the nose).
This foundation is definitely not sheer, despite it's name. But, it does leave the skin looking beautifully dewy with a luminous glow. If you have combination to oily skin like me it does require a setting powder as the shine can be too much as it wears throughout the day.
The only downside to this foundation, which is widely publicised is that it hasn't got a pump. Because of this you end up with a product that looks like the above (how dare it ruin my flat lay)! To combat this issue, Nars do sell seperate pumps that you can attach to it. However, when you are forking out £31 for a foundation, you do not want any extra cost thrown on top.
Despite this issue, the NARS Sheer Glow Foundation is a staple in my make-up bag. I have mildly succumb to the fact that I will never come across the perfect foundation so for the mean time, this will have to do. A glowing review? I think so.
What other Nars products have you tried and loved?
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