MAC concealers

The first trip to a MAC store can be an overwhelming experience. A lot of friends tell me they're still intimidated by the huge selection of products, the myriad of shades and the similar black packaging.

MAC Select Moisturecover  |  MAC Mineralize Concealer  |  MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer

MAC Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer  |  MAC Select Cover-Up

I believe it's important to do your own research, at home, before going out and searching for a specific product.
Take concealers, for example. There are so many textures, finishes and levels of coverage to choose from. Also, the packaging can be quite important, depending on your method of application. Do you worry about bacteria? A squeezy tube would be the ideal choice. Want to save up time? A doe-foot applicator will be your bestie. The key is to make a list of your priorities and check which product ticks more boxes.

If it's essential to keep the skin looking fresh and healthy, more than a totally opaque coverage, go for Mineralize Concealer — or Select Moisturecover, if your skin is really dry. I love wearing this under the eyes during winter months. Being more emollient, you'll need to touch up after a few hours.

When looking for a perfectly opaque, matte coverage for dark circles, blemishes or even tattoos, try Studio Finish SPF35. The formula is a bit waxy, so you'll need to warm it up a bit on the skin, in order to blend it perfectly. It does dry matte, so looks a bit darker afterwards — do test it in the store to check if the shade matches, as you should anyway. Prepare to be amazed by the lasting power and the level of coverage.
Another good option would be Select Cover-Up, a liquid camouflage that looks very natural on the skin. The ideal method of application (for most concealers, but specially this one) is patting or stippling on the desired area and blending outwards, to create a flawless finish.

This post reminds me that I need to sort out my concealer drawer. It's fair to say I have too many concealers...

Tweet

The beauty bag | Summer heat update

Current location? Lisbon, Portugal. Temperature? Very warm. So, naturally, the contents of my beauty bag have changed.

First of all, I've decided to edit and simplify this group of products. Meaning, I'm not carrying around 10 lippies anymore. Whether you're going to a festival or just commuting in a crowded bus with broken air conditioner (lovely), you'll want to make an effort so that your make-up don't melt off your face.

The key to choosing the right products is testing their longevity. Usually, spotting the expression waterproof or long lasting on the label is a good sign. Some ranges I really like, especially for this type of hot and humid weather, are Urban Decay 24/7 and Make Up For Ever Aqua. They stay in place all day (and night), so you can just apply them in the morning and forget you have make-up on.

The current face division consists of Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer Pencil in NSA, to conceal dark circles and redness around the nose, and Chanel Natural Finish Pressed Powder in 30 Naturel, to mattify the T-zone. If I feel like wearing any sort of base, I'll go for MAC Face and Body Foundation in C5 — entitled as the perfect base for warmer months, thanks to its water-resistant quality. A teeny tiny dab of Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Cream Blush (in the shade 4 Walk of Shame) on the cheeks, provides a healthy glow. It doesn't contain shimmer, but gives a soft-focus effect.

To frame the face, I apply a bit of M.U.F.E. Aqua Brow in 25 Ash, using a slanted tip brush (like MAC 208). It is unbelievably good at filling in sparse areas or even drawing in full brows, when they fit in the very fair category or, even when they are virtually non-existent. Naturally, an essential part of my kit.

In the eye department, a swipe of Rimmel Scandaleyes Stick in Bad Girl Bronze on the lid, blended in with fingers or a fluffy brush, makes a good base. To define the lashline, a quick application of Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes does the trick. The shade Pearly Brown 2L gives a softer look, but you can just go for Matte Black 0L to intensely define the eye. For mascara, choose a formula that doesn't smudge on you. Usually, I don't have an issue with this, so I rarely wear waterproof formulas. Having said that, I really like Make Up For Ever Aqua Smoky Lash.

To finish off the look, a long-lasting lipstick does the job. My most reached for have been Burberry Lip Velvet in Rose Azalea No. 308 (love that shade) and Aqua Rouge liquid lipstick (in 2 Rosewood).
On dry lip occasions, I reach for Clinique Chubby Stick (in Two Ton Tomato), of course.

Some other essentials that jumped into my beauty bag are Caudalie Beauty Elixir (gotta have a refreshing mist on hand), Japonesque Blotting Paper Pouch (does what it says on the tin), Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream and a mini perfume atomizer or rollerball, in this case, Burberry Body.

Tweet

Loose powders | Chanel, MAC and Make Up For Ever

My first powder purchases came in a compact form. A choice motivated by the awareness of my own clumsiness — that was more severe, back then — resulting in a powder-coated desk. And floor. 

This practical thought, was later developed by a new motivation: an improvement on my skills. I had noticed that the pros preferred loose powders and, through my infinite research on the web, I found that it provided a better result.

I'm not one to powder the whole face. Just a dab on the nose and, sometimes, I set the concealer using the remaining product on the brush.
Powders do neutralize the shine, which is great, but due to this quality, some of them might become more detectable on the skin. Not so great.

The first loose powder I played with was Make Up For Ever HD Powder. It is very, very fine — a sweep with the brush results in a cloud of white dust in the air — and transparent to the naked eye or in filming. Apparently, not so great with flash photography, it might result in a white cast (see Wayne's video, here). Nonetheless, it makes the skin look pretty much flawless and unbelievably soft to the touch, as it's made of silica powder. Comes in one universal shade that suits all, but do apply sparingly.
Being a great setting and mattifying tool, the HD Powder also enhances dry patches. So, when the priority is to set the concealer on a dry under eye area, this might not be the best offering.

Another product of sorts, it's the MAC Prep+Prime Transparent Finishing Powder. Again, one universal shade that suits all and, even though the particles are less fine — no cloud formation — I find this one more transparent. A great one for T-zone duties, since it perfects the look of pores and controls shine.

After sitting in my mental list for quite some time, Chanel Natural Finish Loose Powder entered my collection, by surprise, on account of an impulsive buy. It actually does provide a natural finish and it is, by far, the best to set the under eye area or to use on dry skin types. Whilst being transparent, it does unify the complexion, allowing the use on bare skin. And, controls shine without a dull appearance. My recommending finger points immediately to this one.

Tweet

Empties #3

Okay, time for another empties post. Because I want to throw away some stuff. Hah!
This time, I have a couple of hair products, some skincare bits and a mascara — I'm pretty sure you know which one. Yep, it's the Clinique High Impact Extreme Volume Mascara. You can read a proper review here, though, I should add that when it gets to the point where it starts to dry out a bit, the formula gets a bit gloopy. Considering that the bristles are so small, it's not ideal. But, it's still a good mascara nonetheless.

Since said mascara is a bit hard to cleanse away, a pretty nice product to take it off with is MAC Gently Off Eye & Lip Makeup Remover. It's dual-phased — formulated with both water and oil —, so you have to shake it in order to combine the two. Removes every trace of make-up, whether it's oil-based or water-based, including stubborn mascaras (case in point) and lip stains. It's gentle and suitable for all skin types. Formulated with Cucumber extract and Damascus Rose water to soothe and refresh. If you prefer this type of cleanser that you pour into a cotton pad and wipe away, opposed to a balm or cream cleanser and a warm cloth, this is a good option, for sure. It's quick and easy. Just hold the cotton pads in place for a few seconds and then gently swipe the make-up off and rinse. Easy-peasy.

If your skin is oily or combination, and you know just how frustrating a shiny nose can be, I totally feel you. My skin is combination, but whenever I'm out and about, especially in the sun or somewhere with a powerful AC, my nose gets shiny in a few hours. Powders just don't do it for more than that period of time. Obviously, blotting tissue is my friend, but I also need some sort of primer to extend the need to blot and powder during the day. I have tried many, many of them, and still haven't found an amazing one that lasts all day. The best I've tried so far, was this Clinique Pore Minimizer T-Zone Shine Control. I can't find it on the Clinique site/counters anymore, but I found it on Amazon (click here). It keeps shine at bay until mid-afternoon, which is pretty good, and it's very lightweight and colourless. Comes in a gel texture and goes on smoothly, leaving pores minimized and a velvety feel. Acts as a great primer under make-up and can be used over make-up, as well. Contains Salicydic Acid (which exfoliates the pores from the inside), Silica (to absorb shine), Witch Hazel (to tighten pores) and Clove Flower extract (to reduce oil production). Has quite a strong alcohol smell when you first squeeze it out, but goes away almost instantly, so it doesn't really bother me.
I was going to repurchase this, but since it has been discontinued, I got the Pore Refining Solutions Instant Perfector in Invisible Bright, instead. So far, so good. Goes on very smoothly, kinda like silicone.

Moving on to the hair department, I finished another bottle of Kérastase Nutritive Bain Satin 2. This shampoo is so rich and luxurious. If you have dry hair, you'll love this. The smell is incredible (redundant information, since it's Kérastase, duh!) and the formula is very, very creamy. I always let it stay for a couple of minutes before rinsing, to let the ingredients do their job. It's very moisturizing and provides a great level of nutrition, so the hair doesn't feel dry or dehydrated, even when you use harsh styling tools (ghd Styler, I'm looking at you!). Contains glucose, proteins and lipids to protect and repair the hair fiber. Just try it.

To close up, I'll end with a hair treatment — Goldwell DualSenses Rich Repair 60 Second Treatment. I was both skeptical and excited about the "60 Second" mention on the label. I don't have the patience to wait 15 minutes for a hair mask to work every time I wash my hair, especially on weekdays. Leaves hair feeling very soft and, most importantly, acts fast. The formula balances the lipid levels in the hair, making it supple and healthy looking. Definitely will repurchase.

Tweet

Essentials | Make-up brushes

This is part two of a post focusing on make-up essentials. You can read part one here — it's all about make-up products.
In this part, I'll give examples of make-up brushes that can be used on different areas of the face, and to apply different types of products. With this little kit you can achieve pretty much any (wearable) look. Basically, a guide for someone who doesn't really own many brushes — if any — and might find the whole thing confusing and the massive product offering overwhelming. If this is your case, keep on reading...
Let's start with the face. You'll need some kind of buffing brush to easily apply any kind of base. Tinted moisturizers, BB creams, foundations — wether they are liquid, cream or powder ones. Achieve a perfect airbrushed effect with this tool. Many brands, like Sigma, do very good ones. My favourite is the Real Techniques Buffing Brush (or the Expert Face Brush), which has really soft synthetic taklon bristles. I also find this type of brush ideal to apply blusher, bronzer and contouring or highlighting products. Every colour (and texture) becomes seamlessly blended, so that you can't really tell where one begins and ends. If the brush diameter is too big to use on a small area, apply the product on the tip and use the rest of the bristles to blend. Or try the Contour Brush, since you have it already — it comes in the same collection as the Buffing Brush.
Next, is the renowned MAC 217 Blending Brush. This is the eye brush to have in your collection. If you think that those YouTube make-up tutorials on smokey eyes are hard to achieve in real life, you're wrong. This brush does all the work for you. Trust me. Also, great to blend concealer seamlessly or to contour/highlight small areas, like the nose. If you find it too big to apply colour under the eyes or close to the lashline, invest in a MAC 219 Pencil Brush. Ideal to smudge liner around the eyes, to cover very small spots, or fill in sparse brows. To define them, it's best to opt for a slanted brush like the 208 Angled Brow Brush, which is also great to line the eyes.
Lastly, a soft brush like the Japonesque Pro Eye Shadow Fluff Brush Large is ideal to apply an all over lid colour, to blend on the crease or to set the make-up with powder — on the T-zone, under the eyes and other concealed areas, leaving the cheeks dewy, for a more natural and radiant look.
When completing this make-up essentials kit, you can finally have some fun on your next shopping trips and try out something new and fun. Some bright fuchsia lipstick, perhaps?

Tweet

Essentials | Make-up Products

This is the first part of a two part post. It's basically about make-up essentials, either for a beginner who doesn't know what to get, or for someone who might be a bit overwhelmed by all the offerings and can't decide where to splurge. This part will focus on actual make-up products and the next one is all about the brushes.

Starting with the face, everyone can benefit from a light coverage foundation or a tinted moisturizer. Doesn't matter if you have clear skin or some spots, you absolutely want your skin to show through — and actually look like skin, not a mask. You can always go back with a good concealer and cover just those little spots or discolorations. Of course, the finish of this base should apply to your skin type — more of a dewy/radiant finish for dry ones or a matte finish for oily types.
A good option is something like MAC Face And Body Foundation (the image above shows the shade C5). It has a natural (but buildable) coverage and works well on most skin types. It's water-based, so you have to shake it well before opening the bottle. Blends easily into the skin and can be used on the body, as well.
Next, a concealer that works on the "imperfections" you're trying to cover. So if you're only concerned about under eye circles, invest in a more emollient formula that doesn't dry out and has that brightening peachy-pink tone. Now, if your main concern is spots, then invest in a high coverage concealer that doesn't move too much. Something like the Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer Pencil (shown in NSA) works really well on covering spots — and under eye circles too, actually. Besides, it stays put all day.

A good, brightening pink toned blusher is an absolute essential for anyone. Of course, you can vary the shade of pink according to the skin tone. The picture above shows the sheer powder formula of the Burberry Light Glow in Peony Blush No. 04, which I reviewed here (make sure to check the others, too).
If your skin gets oily during the day, even if it's just on the T-zone, invest on a good mattifying powder that doesn't cake up. Set your make-up when you first apply it, then carry a compact version to touch up on the go. There are many good offers, both on the high street and on high-end brands. An all time favourite of mine is the Chanel Natural Finish Loose/Compact Powder. If you choose one, go for the compact, since it's more practical (mine is in the shade 30 Naturel).
Another optional product is an eyebrow filler. This could be a pen, pencil, eyeshadow or gel. Bare in mind that unless you're a redhead, the shade should be on the cooler side (greige, taupe) and matte. Now, if you're blessed with perfect Cara-like brows, this is not a necessity. But, if on the other hand, you suffer from those cheeky little gaps, then something like the Dior Powder Eyebrow Pencil could be your friend.

A matte, nude-toned eyeshadow always comes in handy to neutralize the eyelids or to help blend other colours. The image above shows the Make Up For Ever Matte Eye Shadow in 76 - Beige. The Urban Decay Naked/Naked 2 Palettes have really good ones, too — Foxy, Naked or Buck.
An eyeliner in brown, black or plum always comes in handy. Make Up For Ever and Urban Decay make really good waterproof versions that don't move during the day. The Yves Saint Laurent Long-Lasting Eye Pencil comes in many colours and has a sponge tip on the opposite side of the pencil, that helps to achieve a smokey look on the go. Why not?
The next step makes all the difference: mascara. A good mascara that provides volume and length to the lashes, really helps to define and open up the eyes. I've been loving the Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara in Over Black 090, lately — review coming up soon.

For lips, go for something moisturizing that provides a sheer amount of colour. The Clinique Chubby Sticks are very practical, or, just an everyday nude, Kat Von D Painted Love Lipstick in Lolita, which is a dusty rose. Lovely.
Make-up arsenal complete! Now, add these suggestions to your mental shopping list and check them out the next time you pass a beauty counter.

Tweet

Current blusher love

Today's post will focus solely on blushers, more specifically, my all time favourites — up until now.

Between creams, powders, bright hues, contour shades, matte or glowing formulations, I'm pretty sure there's something to please everyone. 

I'll start with a product that was featured in previous posts: MAC Powder Blush in Harmony. This is one of those shades that doesn't seem very appealing at first sight, but it is a staple for sure. Sometimes, it's hard to find the perfect contour shade — it's too warm toned, too shimmery or too dark. But this is the perfect shade, really. A rose-beige brown that's cool toned without being ashy or dirty looking. And you can use it (more sparingly) on lighter skin tones. I really want to try out Illamasqua Cream Pigment in Hollow — again, a strange colour that works really well for contour. 

The next blusher is a fun, girly and bright option, that provides a fresh looking complexion. Too Faced Full Bloom Cheek & Lip Colour (in Prim & Poppy) is a cream blusher that you can use on the cheeks or the lips, to give a healthy glow. This shade is a warm coral and the texture is really smooth, sheer and easy to blend. I like to apply it with the Real Techniques Contour Brush, for precision.

Unlike many other cheek and lip creams, this actually feels nice on the lips. And the packaging is really charming, with a black adorned lid and a mirror inside. I also want to try the other shades (Tea Rose and Sweet Pea).

I'm following with another bright hued cream blusher, the Topshop Blush in Prime Time. A vivid blue-ish pink that really brightens the whole complexion. I love using this during the winter months, when my skin is more dull, as I feel it provides a luminous and radiant look. It's really easy to blend, either with fingers or a brush, like the Real Techniques Buffing Brush — this really does it all, doesn't it?

The perfect blusher to use on top of it, or to wear on it's own, is the Burberry Light Glow in Peony Blush No. 04. This is one of those shades/formulations that allow you to apply it quickly and without a mirror. Seriously. And the rose scent just surprises me everytime. Love it! I won't even mention the gorgeous case, because you might start to get the idea that I fall for packaging, and honestly... I do. By the way, the brush it comes with is quite good and practical.

Last, but definitely not least, is the Benefit Sugarbomb Sugar Rush Flush Face Powder — could the name be any longer? This is one of those items that I forgot I had, because I was trying something new at the time. Then, I rediscovered it a few months ago and have been using it almost every day since. The box has four colours — peach, soft plum, shimmering pink and rose — that you can mix together or use separately. I like using it to connect the contour with the highlight, making it all seamless. The natural bristle brush is quite good to apply and blend on the go. Again, one of those products that you can apply without a mirror. Mine is nearly finished, as you can tell by the photo, but it's been like this for a couple of weeks now. It may be a while before it pops up on an "Empties" post. At least, I hope so.

Tweet

Top picks | Peach correctors

If you have dark circles under the eyes or discoloration, then corrector is your friend. If your skin tone is medium to dark, then corrector is your best friend.
Basically, if you feel that a concealer alone isn't doing enough, then you probably need a corrector to neutralize an ashy tone (using peach or pink shades) or redness/spots (using yellow or green toned correctors).
Since I have permanent dark circles, I always need to apply something with a peach tone to correct the shadow and brighten up the area. Only a product like Make Up For Ever Full Cover, being completely opaque, could camouflage the darkness completely, but I find it too drying and heavy to use under the eyes. If I want to go light with the amount of product applied, then I rely on a highlighting pen to brighten key areas.

One that I find has the best texture is the Giorgio Armani Master Corrector in Abricot. It comes in a liquid form and has a nice payoff, which is quite rare. The fine wand allows for precise application and a little bit goes a long way. Looks very natural — on it's own or under a base/concealer — and feels very comfortable on the skin. And, probably because you don't need much at all, it doesn't crease. The formula contains vitamin E and glycerin. I think this suits light to medium skin tones pretty well, but I'm not sure if it works on darker ones. Would be nice to have another shade in the the same Abricot family.

The next one, is a holy grail product in the blogosphere: Bobbi Brown Corrector in Peach. A truly creamy formula, that blends easily and is infused with skin conditioners. This product works best under a concealer that matches the skin tone, especially on yellow undertones. Provides a good coverage, but in my case, creases a bit without powder on top. The best part is the wide shade range that will suit everyone, whether you need a peach or a bisque corrector. Big thumbs up!

Speaking of wide shade ranges, all MAC concealers that come in NW shades are ideal for correcting the under eye area. For example, Studio Finish Concealer (shown above in NW25) provides a really good coverage, due to it's waxy texture, that works best when warmed up with fingers and patted on, for a natural coverage — as natural as a full coverage gets, really. Also great to cover blemishes or tattoos. The formula with an SPF 35 is water resistant, fragrance-free and non-comedogenic. Contains antioxidants and silica — the latter absorbs skin's oils to provide a matte finish that lasts longer.

A good option to correct really dark circles or patches (sometimes around the mouth) is Make Up For Ever Camouflage Cream in 20 Orange. This looks a bit scary on the pot, but does a great job in neutralizing bluish circles or dark areas on the skin. As one would've guess, this has to be topped up by a concealer, to achieve a natural, seamless finish. For light to medium skin tones it's best to mix it with a concealer (that is a shade lighter) and then apply the usual concealer on top. The mixing ratio depends on your personal shade, so it's best to try ahead and see which "formula" suits you best. A good test (for anything) is looking closely into a mirror with bright sunlight.

Tweet

From the backstage | Marc Jacobs Fall 2013

Marc Jacobs closed out New York Fashion Week, with an amazing show in sepia-tinted lights. This effect made the clothes appear black and white. So, to go with that, François Nars chose a neutral toned make-up, to look like "a black and white photograph".
I love the inspiration for this look: an edgy girl with a touch of rock. All it takes is some smudged black eyes, for me to fall for the look. To go along with that, a strong brow (swoon), lots of mascara and a matte face. There was no shine at all, but at the last minute they applied some grease, to give a worn-in, sweaty look. You can choose to skip that, of course.
It's an easy look to recreate with products that most people already have. To start off, we'll conceal any imperfections — I'd use MAC Select Moisturecover concealer in NC35, because my skin is very dry at the moment. To powder the skin, you can use any loose powder, like the Chanel Natural Finish Loose Powder (mine is in 40 Doré). At this point, there's no shine on the face, but it remains natural looking.
Now, for the fun part: let's start with the brows. With the use of an eyeshadow (and a slanted brush) or a powdery brow pencil, define and fill in the brows, thickening them — to the point where they still look (quite) natural.
Take a soft black pencil and line the eyes — top and bottom — then smudge with a small eye brush, like the 219 from MAC. Optional: layer black eyeshadow with a soft brush, giving more staying power and preventing creases.
Line the inside of the eyes with a white or nude pencil, making them appear bigger and more awake. I like the Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Liner in Nude. It's a really nice shade to wear on the waterline. Finish the eyes with a few coats of mascara. You can guess from the previous posts, that I'd use the Clinique High Impact Extreme Volume Mascara or the Benefit They're Real.
The cheeks and lips are left pretty bare in the show, but for someone who likes wearing something, I recommend using a neutral blush to contour (MAC Powder Blush in Harmony) and a tinted lipbalm (Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in Whole Lotta Honey or Mega Melon). Done!

Tweet

Make-up | Popular products #1

Today's post features the most reached for products of the moment. This is almost a monochrome look, with a bordeaux theme going on. An ideal look for most skin tones and eye colours, making them pop. In my case, intensifies the brown.

To start off, I prepped my skin with Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel, before applying a layer of Estée Lauder Daywear B.B Anti-Oxidant Beauty Benefit Cream in Medium, with a Real Techniques Expert Face Brush. To cover any imperfections, a bit of Chanel Long Lasting Concealer in 40 - Beige Santal does the job.
Then, I fill in my brows and shape them a bit with a Dior Powder Eyebrow Pencil in Black. As a base for the eyes, a layer of Chanel Illusion d'Ombre in Ebloui does the job, blended with a MAC 217 – on the lid and below the lash line.
On top of that, I apply the second lightest shade from the Burberry Complete Eye Palette in Dark Spice – a warm medium brown with a slight shimmer running through it.
On some days, I feel like defining the lash line with the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil in Rockstar. After curling my lashes, they get a coat (or two) of Benefit BADgal Plum Mascara. Best shade ever!
After my concealer has done it's thing, I set the center of my face with Chanel Natural Finish Loose Powder in Doré, using a Japonesque Pro Eye Shadow Fluff Brush. This is a brilliant multitasker. To contour my face I use MAC Powder Blush in Harmony and highlight with Guerlain Precious Light pen in 2, which is nearly over. *Scared*
To finish off, a layer of Burberry Lip Velvet in 308 - Pink Azalea blended on the inside of the lips, to give a stain effect.

Tweet

Wishlist #1 | Recently added products

I've recently added some more products on my never ending, mile long wishlist.

First up is Mac Eye Shadow in Soba. I know this isn't the most exciting colour ever, but after seeing Anna wearing it, I realised that it was the daytime colour I was looking for! It's perfect for a wash of colour across your lid and lower lashline, for a more undone-chic look. Need it. Now.

The second item is the Brow Sculptor in Taupe by Tom Ford. I've actually tried this product and it was really, really good. On one side it has a spooly brush, as most eyebrow pencils do, and on the other it has the tip to colour or fill the brows with. Now this tip has the perfect shape for the job – it is slanted and goes from fine to wide, so can you either define precisely or just fill in softly. And a perfect texture as well. Love it. Only downside: the price tag. *Sighs*.

Lastly, is a liquid lipstick, of course. There seems to be a whole trend of these now. But this one really catched my eye: Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick by Hourglass, especially in the shade Empress, a beautiful berry shade. It has a matte velvet finish – which I tend to prefer – and apparently lasts for about 14 hours. Right, I don't know about that, but it should be very long lasting nonetheless.

Now, on my way to obsess about something else...

Tweet

Favourite red lipsticks

For my first post, I want to start by introducing my favourite red lipsticks, including different shades and textures. I always loved the look and feel of a red lipstick, but I don't really know the reason. It might be because it reminds me of old times, very vintage and modern at the same time... It just completes the look and makes you look put together! I remember when I was little, I used to take a peek in my aunt's heavenly make-up drawer, and when I opened it, the smell of lipstick was just so divine!

I'll start with a true red. This liquid lipstick from Sephora's own brand is called Rouge Velouté Sans Transfert and this is shade 01 Always Red. It has a truly matte finish, but it's so, so comfortable to wear. I love it! It's very velvety and has an amazing lasting power. Leaves a bit of a stain as well, so bare that in mind. It comes with a doe foot applicator, which makes it easy to apply. Reminds me of Giorgio Armani's Lip Maestro in the shade 400 The Red, in case you can't get this one.

Next, I have here the most amazing gold packaging. This is DIORIFIC Grand Bal High Fashion Lipstick, from Christian Dior's Christmas 2012 Collection, in the shade 040 Marilyn. I absolutely love this! It was the most amazing pressie I got this christmas, from a very good friend – thank you, dear! This shade of red is slightly blue toned, which suits pretty much everyone and has the bonus of making your teeth look brighter. Just brilliant! Again, this has a matte finish and is very long lasting. It's not as drying as some matte lipsticks, but I would still advise you to put some hydrating balm first and let it sink in, then apply it. You'll feel very luxurious with this on, pretty much the queen of the ball – yes, I said it.

Now, onto a more summery and casual version of red, I present you MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick, in the shade Full Speed. This is a coral-red toned, very glossy, hydrating and truly comfortable lipstick. Just gorgeous! Ideal for those casual days, when you don't feel like making a big effort, but want to look nice. Plus, the application is so easy, because you don't need to be too precise with it. Oh, and smells really good!

Onto something different, this is Boots 17 Berry Crush Lipstain, in the shade Cherry Berry. I have some other shades of this product, but I find this shade to be more pigmented than the others – or maybe the more light/neutral shades don't show up as much in my lips. It's more sheer than other lipstains I've tried, like Benefit's Benetint, but I like the deeper, berry shade on this. And, also contains a lipbalm on the other end. The applicator is like a marker, so you can define your lips really well with it, like you would with a pencil, and then fill them in. But it's like you have nothing on! Doesn't rub off, once it's dried.

Last, but certainly not least, it's Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm, in the shade Two Ton Tomato. I'm addicted to the Chubby Sticks ever since they came out. I love their formula and it's truly great to put on when you don't have a mirror nearby. Yes, you do have to apply it quite often – about every two hours or so – but, its really hydrating. It has mango and shea butters, which actually healed and nurtured my lips last winter. Can't leave the house without them in my make-up bag. I'm curious to try the new intense version of it (has more colour pay-off), but I wasn't able to find it yet. Still on the look... I'll keep you posted!

Tweet