Winter Essentials | Purple Lipstick

 Top to Bottom: Revlon Matte Balm in 'Shameless' MUA Luxe Velvet Lips in 'Kooky' Sleek Matte Me in 'Fandango Purple'

Hi lovelies! So whilst referring to a shade of lipstick as essential is a little extreme, I am really loving a purple lip in the cooler weather. It makes for a nice alternative to deep reds. I also like the range of variety you can get. 

Review | Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvets

Hi lovelies! So two lipstick reviews in very short succession from me... Well I thought it was best to get them out of the way. I am a big fan of liquid lipsticks, however my favourites are on the pricier side. When I saw the latest release from Bourjois I couldn't wait to pick them up on my recent trip to England. 

Review | Lime Crime 'Clueless Witch' Velvetine Collection

 Lime Crime Velvetine in Wicked

 Lime Crime Velvetine in Salem

 Lime Crime Velvetine in Black Velvet

 Hi lovelies! Whilst in England I found out about the new Lime Crime Velvetine Collection. Dubbed the Clueless Witch Collection I couldn't decide between the three shades, so I got all three. I'm now proud (and slightly ashamed) to admit that I now own the complete Velvetine collection. I've previously reviewed the other shades here and here if you want to have a look. 

Review | Revlon Colour Burst Matte Balms

 From left to right: Revlon Colour Burst Matte Balms in Standout, Shameless and Complex

Hi lovelies! I have been waiting very impatiently for Revlon to bring these lip products over to Australian shores. As a lover of matte lipsticks I couldn't wait to get my hands on this formula that everyone was loving. My lipstick drawers somehow managed to make room for these three shades. 

Review | Lime Crime Velveteen in 'Pink Velvet'

 Lime Crime Velvetine in 'Pink Velvet'

Hi lovelies! Recently I picked up the new shade from Lime Crime's Velveteen Range. I've really enjoyed the other two shades from the range and wanted to see if the new shade matched my expectations.

Review | NYX Matte Lipsticks

 NYX Matte Lipsticks (From L to R) in Merlot, Shocking Pink, Alabama and Indie Flick

Hi lovelies! Another day, another lipstick review. I have resigned myself to a complete lack of control whenever the words matte and lipstick are combined. A website I used to shop on quite frequently was Cherry Culture, and when they sent me a code for 20% off my purchase, I couldn't resist.  

They stock a myriad of American drugstore beauty brands including Jordana, Milani and most excitingly NYX. Target have also recently started stocking the brand so for immediate gratification purposes I would head there. 

I picked up four shades from the Matte Lipstick range. I have heard many postive reviews for these lipsticks over the years and I'm glad to say that they live up to their reputation. Whilst they aren't quite as matte as my favourite Illamasqua or Mac formulas these are very similar in finish to the Kate Moss for Rimmel Matte Lipsticks. I find them very creamy and comfortable to wear, with a good lasting time of around 4 - 5 hours. 

I'm so pleased that NYX is now stocked in stores as I will be able to get a more accurate idea of the shade range. Swatches of these lipsticks can take a bit of searching and the swatches on Cherry Culture are not the most accurate. Hence why I ended up with two shades (Alabama and Merlot) that are very similar. I do wear shades like this a lot during the cooler months however so they wont be going to waste. 

My favourite picks were definitely Indie Flick and Shocking Pink. A vibrant orange-red Indie Flick definitely reminds me of So Chaud by Mac. And Shocking Pink is a great blue-based pink that is almost neon. 

I highly recommend checking out these lipsticks in person as for the price the quality is fantastic. 

NYX Matte lipsticks are available online at Cherry Culture or at selected Targets for $12.95. For a full list of NYX stockists in Australia check out this wonderful graph from Tried and Tested. 

Will you be picking up any of the shades?

Jess xx

Review | Lime Crime Velvetines

 Lime Crime Velvetines (L to R) Suedeberry, Red Velvet

Hi lovelies! How many red lip products can I buy before it's classed as an addiction? Or am I well and truly past that point now? The Lime Crime Velvetines are the latest addition to my collection and it's love. 

They meet all the criteria that I want in a lipstick: matte finish, long lasting and bold colour. Now I'm new to Lime Crime as a brand. After all the scandals revolving around the company I was a tad wary. However temptation outweighed the potential negatives and I am so glad it did. I've never tried any of their more "traditional" lipsticks so I can't comment on those, but the Velvetines are fantastic quality. 

Review | Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquers

Rimmel Apocalips Lip Laquers (L-R) in Galaxy, Phenomenon, Stellar

Hi lovelies! So this is a bit of a first for us, but today we'll both be giving you our thoughts on the Rimmel Apocalips Lip Laquers. If you live in the UK then we're miles behind the times, but it takes a while for new products to work their way onto Australian shelves. Erin and I definitely enable each other when it comes to shopping so often we end up with the same products. We thought it'd be good to get two opinions on the one product. 

Erin: When Jess and I stumbled across these in our favourite Priceline a few weeks back I think we both fell a little in love. My love however was a little misguided as I selected a slightly awkward nude colour, Phenomenon. I loved the colour on the back of my hand but had no idea how it would appear on my face. My first application was too thick and I was instantly sad and slightly unimpressed with my impulsive purchase. 

However, after a few days of fiddling and colour mixing I discovered that a much lighter coverage was needed for a wearable look. It is also really lovely mixed with Rimmel's Lasting Finish lipstick in 103 for a muted but glossy nude. 

Considering my initial disappointment with the product it is quite humorous to think that I would go and buy another. Yet when it popped up on ASOS I couldn't resist and purchased it in a colour much easier to wear, Galaxy. 

Jess: Now it's no secret that I love a bright lip. So when I was tossing up between the shades Stellar leapt out at me. It's one of the strange shades that isn't quite coral and not quite red, but I love it. 

I also generally like my lip products matte. I knew what I was getting into with this product, but it was on special and I figured why not. I love the overall consistency and think it's a great product. That being said I wouldn't reach for this product over my matte lipsticks. 

I prefer being able to swipe on a lipstick and forget it's there. With this product I find myself needing to touch up more frequently and it's much easier to smudge. Like I said I think the product is fantastic quality, especially for the price it just isn't my cup of tea.

So a hit for Erin but a miss for me. Guess it shows how different people have different tastes. To sum up great product but make sure you pick the right colour and like a glossy finish.

Rimmel Apocalips can be bought from Pricelines or on ASOS with free shipping. 

Jess and Erin xx

About Face | Pretty in Pink

Hi lovelies! I don't think pink has ever been my favourite colour, yet here I am with a face of make up in entirely pink shades. Recently I have been skipping the smokey eyes and liner in favour of quick and long-lasting. For a girl who loves her eyeliner it's been a nice change, and I'm loving the extra time in bed. 

Erin and I were both slightly obsessed with tracking down the new shades of the 24 hour Colour Tattoo eyeshadows from Maybelline. I ended up in far too many Pricelines that day but the eyeshadow was worth it. It's a frosted pink (swatch far left) that makes for a quick fix in the mornings and pairs perfectly with my Sleek blusher in Pixie Pink (swatch in middle). Above I paired it with a warm brown in the crease for a look that's done in minutes. All it needs it a quick coat of mascara.

Travel | Make Up

Hi lovelies! Just a quick one from me today. I am off to Melbourne this morning a weekend escape. I thought I'd give you all a nosey into my travel makeup bag. 

I recently bought this bag in the David Jones sale for a bargainous price. I love the travel print around the bag and the fact that it's water resistant. My last makeup bag was a very battered Clinique freebie which definitely had been worn out. 

Sick of rummaging through a bag for that one pesky product I chose a bag with separate compartments to keep everything organised. I will say thought that this is also the bag's detriment as larger containers are a bit of a hassle to pack. If you're a girl who can't survive without her whole vanity then this is not the bag for you.

I only have a few bits and bobs to take with me, including some bronzer and blush, an pair of eyeshadows and some mascara. And yes there are four lipsticks ...for three days ...I have a problem. Most of it is stuff you'll have seen on the blog before, apart from the new Hourglass concealer I am testing out. 

My favourite part about this bag is that is has a section for brushes. No longer will they get bent out of shape. I'm taking my usual bronzer and blush brushes as well as this super handy EcoTools travel set, which has everything I could ever need for my eyes. 

My tip for packing makeup, always try and do your makeup before you leave with what you've packed, that way you'll know if you've forgotten something. I very nearly forgot my eyebrow pencil. Whoops!

Jess xx

May | The Top Five

So as another month draws to a close I have another top five for you guys. If you want to read about the concept behind the post then you can see the original here. 

Let's get straight into them...

Music: Daft Punk 'Random Access Memories'

No surprises here. Like just about everyone else in the world I am in love with their latest album. I thought departing from their usual sample-filled style was a really bold move by them with electronic music today being so sample driven. It totally paid off though and showcases them as musicians. There was a fantastic interview by Pitchfork that's really interesting read (link here). In case you're craving Daft Punk as much as I am they've announced that they will be remixing the entire album and releasing it later on this year. 

Gadget: Canon EOS 60D

For my birthday last month I got a very exciting new toy. A Canon! I am so excited to learn everything about this little baby and take some awesome photos for this internet space. Erin can confirm I have been reading a ridiculous number of photography blogs, I have been using it to procrastinate from revising for exams. 

OOTD | I French You Not

Striped Polo Neck Top - Thrifted / Black Jersey Maxi Skirt - Barkins / Brown Leather Loafers - Shag Vintage / Brown Leather Belt - Thrifted / Black Leather Messenger Bag - Thrifted / Red-Heart Pendant - GOGO PHILIP / Sunglasses - Sportsgirl / L'Absolu Rouge 151 Lipstick- Lancôme

Oh Winter, you always come around too fast. There never seems to be a long enough gap of glorious weather between Summer and the season of frozen fingers and toes. In today's OOTD I'm taking serious advantage of this weather. It's still warm enough to wear a thin maxi skirt but its also cool enough that I can wear three a quater sleeve, polo neck, all black and not combust. 

Review | Models Prefer Moisture Lust Glossy Lip Tint

Models Prefer Moisture Lust Glossy Lip Tint in Marshmallow

First of all, what is it with these type of lip products and ridiculously long names? I have too many makeup related things to remember without adding names like this to the list. Second of all, I am ready to forgive the makers of this product for the name because it's so darn good. 

OOTD | Surprising Comfort

Oversized knit top - thrifted / Cuffed patterned pants - thrifted / Loafers - Shag Vintage / Amethyst pendant - Corky Saint Clair / Messenger bag - thrifted / 'Over' matte lipstick - Illamasqua / Sunglasses - Sportsgirl / Snake thumb ring - Tree of Life

As my wardrobe is developing as I age, I realise the high percentage of it that is second hand. Today's outfit is a darn good example of that. Jess and I recently went an op shopping trip and ended up with a haul of 20+ items between us. The knit top and pants are two of the items I found and I never thought I'd be making an outfit for the blog from them. I popped them on this morning out of a desire for extreme comfort and was pleasantly surprised with how nicely they complimented each other. 

Review | Lasting Finish by Kate for Rimmel

It's been quite some time since I purchased new lip product so I've let go and will probably be indulging in quite a few in coming months. Two that I'm reviewing for you today are 106 and 103 in the Lasting Finish by Kate range for Rimmel. I know they look identical in the photos but you'll see their striking difference in the swatch I've done below. 103 is the dusty pink at the top (and on the left above) and 106 is the hot magenta at the bottom (and on the right above).