Review: Man's Ruin . . . The Siren of Lipsticks

I have said this before, and I will say it again. There really is no such thing as a red lipstick that doesn't suit you. Red lipstick suit EVERYONE!!! You just have to know what undertones work best with your skin tone and then go on a discovery mission to collect every lipstick tube with that undertone.

What I adore about red lipsticks is just how versatile the colour is. You really just never know how workable a red lippie is . . . until you fall head over heels in love with a shade and for me, my red lipstick crush of choice is Rockalily's Man's Ruin

I first came across Man's Ruin at the ZOMG Bloggers Bash event last month and I swear this shade just hypnotised me. Unfortunately for me, it was out of stock the day after the event *rotten timing on my part*  so being the rational and responsible blogger that I am, I stalked the Rockalily website, their twitter page and also their creator's Reereerockette's twitter page until I found out that they had a few more tubes of Man's Ruin in stock.

On the website's stock pictures and when compared to other vibrant red lipsticks, Man's Ruin does tend to come off looking very purple toned and it would be forgiveable to assume that it was a purple lipstick shade rather than a purple-berry red. When I wear it however, I do not see any purple at all!!! This shows up as a dark wine red that is absolutely spot on with my skin shade and as an added bonus, I think it even makes my teeth looks whiter than normal.

I don't think anyone really understands just how much I adore this lipstick. Apart from it's gorgeous and rich colour, the lipstick formula feels soo nice. My lips feel nourished and soft under the lipstick. The Rockalily lipsticks are enriched with vitamin E so are not drying in any way, shape or form, and as an added bonus the lasting time is phenomenal

 I really love this red lipstick and thought it would be perfect to share with you as part of my Colour themed Makeup Series that I am currently running. What do you think? Have I tempted you into give Man's Ruin a go??

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A Very Red Mad Hatter

Coloured Eyebrows are a trend that seems to be everywhere at the moment. It's fun, creative, colourful and super simple to do. I have seen so many different coloured brows floating around but not really any red ones  ,*might have something to do with Ginger jokes* so I thought I might as well start of my series with a brow-shaped bang and take it from there

I have used the same method I normally use everyday to shape my eyebrows, which is to outline my desired brow shape and then fill in said shape with a powder. The only thing that I would really recommend doing if you want to try out this trend, is to use a thick concealer the same shade as your skin over your eyebrows to act as a base and block your natural eyebrow colour from showing up. As I have very dark brows this step really was a godsend as the Red pigment eyeshadow I used had less black hair to cover up.

Eyebrows

Concealer (to "erase" natural brow colour) - MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NW45 

Lipliner Pencil - Rimmel London Lasting Finishh Lip pencil in Indian Pink 064

Eyeshadow Pigment - Barry M Dazzle Dust in No. 84

Highlighting Concealer - MAC Select Cover Up in NW40

Face

Foundation - MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NW45

Highlighting Concealer - MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NW40

Undereye Concealer - MAC Select Cover Up in NW40

Blush - Daniel Sandler Watercolour in Dare

Lipliner - Rimmel London Lip Pencil in  

Lipstick - L'oreal Paris Color Riche Lipstick in Cassis Passion 376

I actually loved my eyebrows this shade, I'm just waiting for an excuse to wear it outside of my house now. What do you think? Would you attempt a coloured brow?

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This week . . . It's all gone Red-shaped

As a few of you might know if you follow me on twitter,* If you don't, you should* I've decided to start up a weekly series of coloured-coded blog posts.


Now I don't plan on changing the template of my blog to match that of a rainbow (but that might change depending on my level of boredom), I just plan to focus on a colour scheme and my favourite products or looks that relate to said colour


So first up for my Rainbow series . . . . I introduce to you  . . .The Vibrant and Fiery Colour RED!!!

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Review: GHD Straight and Tame Creme

Some like it curly . . . I need it poker straight! No excuses!!

Doesn't it just grind your gears when you need your hair to be poker straight but the Hair gods just don't seem to care, or have hearing problems??!!

Since I've been rocking a full fringe hairstyle for the last few months, I have really come to realise that putting the best straightening products in, can save you from looking like a portable bird's nest. and a wrestling match with your paddle brush. A few weeks ago, I was contacted me asked whether I would like to review the GHD Straight and tame cream from their Style Range and I (being the experimenter that I am) jumped at the opportunity.

What They Say

Bring curly and rebellious hair under control with this luxurious taming cream that calms, smoothes, straightens and protects against heat damage with each application" You can "Tame and de-frizz hair throughout the day by working a little cream through your style"

What I Say.

Having had about 3 weeks to play around with the GHD Style Straight and Tame Cream and having used it on both my human hair extensions and my natural hair. There are many things I happen to LOVE about this product and a few things I could do without.

No flash 

 The packaging for the Style Straight and Tame cream is absolutely gorgeous! I love how sleek and simple it looks,  the emerald colour code is vibrant and captivating, and really stands out against the black packaging. Now what I cant stand about the packaging is the cap. I know this is a touch silly but I am extremely biased towards products with caps on them and I do just tend to throw them away (or lose them) but this product comes with a pump (which I love) so it trumps the cap fiasco. The cream is very light, non sticky and smells . . . manly . . . I don't know how to describe the smell correctly but it does bring back memories of an aftershave my Dad used to use when I was younger; so I kept having memory lane throwbacks every time I've used it.

I've used the straight and tame cream by itself, with just serums, in combination with my John Frieda 3 day straight and as a dry tame cream and I can honestly say that this product is like diamond dust for human hair extensions. My hair did stay straighter for longer during washes, the longest duration it stayed straight was 5 days which is bloody amazing!!! I loved it as a tame cream and would definitely recommend it for that. However as a tame cream for relaxed afro hair . .  not so much. GHD's Style Straight and Tame would be a perfect addition to your blow drying routine but I felt that on my natural hair it can be a little bit drying.

Overall I do quite like this product and will be adding it to my hair care routine, so I will be leaving you with a little instruction video courtesy of GHD on how to use properly use the Style Straight and Tame for the best results . . . Enjoy

Disclaimer: This product was sent to me to review. This has not affected my review in any way, shape or form 

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Instagram (018) - Time goes Fast

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Instagram (017) - Got my new hair swag

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FOTD:- Much Ado About Nothing

I am seriously in love with my H&M Top Hat that I bought in my recent haul.

 This is a new experience for me as I don't think I've ever been so in love with a hat before . . I don't even like hats that much.

I'm getting  my hat-groove on!!!!

I literally have been looking for every opportunity to wear this hat *sad I know, but I bought it so I might as well get my money's worth of wear*. So I thought I should play around with a few makeup looks in the coming weeks that I thought would go well with this hat.

First up, I have teamed up this hat with a dark lip but I didn't want to over step the line by using a dark purple or black lip and go into a gothic look. Not because I do not like the look,more because I took this pictures at 2am and I just wasn't up to scrubbing off a dark lipstick. I used MAC's Approaching Storm from the Daphne Guinness Collection ;which is a dark brown colour, with Sleek's Lip Liner in Deep Cherry to give my lips more a wine tint.

Hat

H&M Top Hat with Feathers

Cheeks

Contour:- Illamasqua Cream Blush in Crush

Lips

MAC Approachin Storm

Sleek Lip Liner in Deep Cherry

I can't wait to do more looks with this hat lool. Maybe next time I will show off a much darker lip

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Instagram (015) - Give in to @muacosmetics sweetness

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Instagram (014) - Kiss me

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How Sweet!!! A MUA Cosmetics and Love Hearts Collaboration

Anyone remember those chalk sweets with sweet lil messages on them??

You know, those lil sweets that every teenage boy gives his crush in the hopes of being percieved as romantic???

*Yeah, THOSE ones (¬_¬)*

Well on Monday (and just in time for valentines day might I add), MUA Cosmetics launched a Love Hearts collaboration based on the iconic British sweets. The pastel collection features 6 nails polishes and 5 lip balms, with sweet names that show off the core essence of Love Hearts Sweets and to introduce this new launch MUA Cosmetics invited us beauty lovers to Piccadily Circus to gosh over the collection and gorge on sweets (and cupcakes)

This event was extremely girly and with sweet temptations at every turn (it was so bad I had to drag Madison away from the Cupcake table).  I was lucky enough to get my nails done, sip on a cocktail and smooze around with my fellow bloggers

I  had such a great time tonight especially because I got a free manicure and I won one of the raffle bag (I got a love hearts cappuccino cup *giddy dance* bring on the hot chocolate!!!).

To celebrate the collaboration between two British Brands, and because I know some superdrugs can be a bit lazy when it comes to stocking their shelves on time, I am going to be giving away some Love Heart Goodies from both Love Hearts and MUA.

The prizes up for grabs are 

A Limited Edition Mini Love Hearts Tin 

A Huge roll of mini Love Heart Rolls

A pack of 4 Giant Love Heart Rolls

2 MUA Cosmetics Nailpolishes from the Love Hearts Collection

 - U & I; A Pastel Yellow Nail Polish Shade

 - I <3 u; A Pinky- Beige Nail Polish Shade

The Giveaway ends on the 19th of February 2012 and is only open to UK residents

To enter to win this giveaway you just have to be following my blog and leave a comment in the comment box . . . Simples!!!

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Can you spot me in the ZOMG Bloggers Bash Video??

Come on . . . it's easy!!!!

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Blue Abyss

I don't know what it is about me and the colour blue lately but all I've been wearing all this past week is blue eye-shadow.I don't know if I love this colour more because I been wearing coloured contacts all week or because it actually looks good on me. Either way I'm hooked!!!

 This look is just a simple smokey eye working with a dark blue and purples. The two shades of purple I have used are pretty similar in terms of shade, the only difference between the two is Parfait Amour is more of a lavender purple while Savage is more plummy

Eyes

Inner Third:- Illamasqua Eyeshadow in Savage

Outer Two-Thirds & Vee - Helen E Eyeshadow in Dark Blue

Bottom Lash Line: - MAC Eyeshadow in Parfait Amour

Highlight:- Urban Decay Naked Palette (Buck)

Bridge Colour:- MAC Eyeshadow in Texture

Face

Foundation:- MAC Studio Fix in NW45

Highlighting Concealer:- MAC Studio Fluid in NW40

Contouring Concealer:- Mixture of Sleek's New Skin Revive in Deep Sable and E.L.F. Concealer Kit in Dark

Lips

Rimmel Exaggerate Lipliner in Ultimate 046

MAC Freshbrew Lipstick

Revlon Colourburst in Rosegold

Hope you like my  blue and purple smokey eye 

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Have you guys seen this???

I personally don't drink that much milk (slight intolerance) . . . but I want a MAGIC POTATO!!!!!!

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It might be cold outside but in here, I'm on a Beach

With the snow outside making London a slushy and icy death trap, (not to mention the cold) I thought I should start off the week with something a bit warm, summery, and red in honour of Valentines Day next week.

When Becca Cosmetics contacted me asking if I would like to review their beach tint, water resistant stain in strawberry. I thought YES!!!! Becca Cosmetics is a brand that I've heard sooo many great things about. Apart from being the first cosmetic company to provide a colour matching service, they stock an amazing 34 shades of concealer and 30 shades of stick foundation and if that wasn't enough, at their IMATS talk yesterday Pixiwoo named one of Becca's products in their 5 items to take if they were ever stuck on a desert island *which is SUPER impressive*

What They Say

"Becca Beach Tint is a beautifully, blendable, presevative and paraben-free 2-in-1 creme stain for cheeks and lips that suits all skin types. Deliciously scented, it is Kiss-proof and water-resistant and dries to a perfect, streak free, oil free, and non greasy finish.

What I Say

It always surprises me when tints or blushes come in really small packages. I honestly expected BECCA's beach tint to be a lot bigger than it is . . . but at 7ml it's so dinky!!!! But you know what they say *or maybe I say* the best things come in small packages and this definitely applies here.  Now I've had this product for about 1/2 weeks so I've had lots of time to play around with it . . .so let the honest review begin!!!!

When I first opened my packaged to swatch it I actually didn't realise that it was scented but I love the smell of strawberries, so it was a pleasant surprise for me. The colour of this tint comes off an orangey red rather than a pink-toned or a blue-toned red, which I normally would prefer. The consistency of this formula is great, I like how easy it is to blend into my skin. However what I don't necessary love about this product is the slightly dry finish it leaves on my skin when it has dried completely but I can definitely overlook this as it is not a cream blush . . it is a stain and it's just acting like a stain should.

I don't actually love the colour as a lip stain *I really just can't deal with orange toned lip products* but as a cheek stain (which I've mostly been using it as) it lasts for yonks and an hour, and I've gotten a few compliments when wearing this . . . I mean even my dad liked how it looked (and he's a bit antsy over my makeup) so TOP MARKS BECCA!!!! I will definetly be posting two looks later this week either valentines related or red themed showing off how I wear this product.

Becca's Cosmetics beach tint normally costs £20 on their website but thanks to a valentines day offer that they are offering to you guys out there, you can get a 20% discount on the Becca Beach Tint in Strawberry to try out for yourselves! The promo code is BBE20 and the code is valid from the 6th of Feb to the 16th of Feb and is only valid on the Beach Tint in Strawberry

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January Haul (Part Two) - It's all about Illamasqua

Welcome to Part Two of my January Haul . . . If you thought part one was a lot . . You haven't seen anything yet loool

I am a big Illamasqua fan, and I do tend to harp on about the brand quite a lot on my blog (sorry about that, by the way) so you shouldn't be surprised that they would turn up in my huge haul.

Part Two of my January Haul is actually made up of two online orders I made on the Illamasqua website during their Christmas sale. I know it was probably really greedy to order twice  . . .but they kept adding new things that I wanted AND everything was like 75% off!!!!

Blushes

I ordered another cream blush *surprise surprise*. Crush is another item I'm adding to my current Illamasqua cream blush collection (I've got three and counting) 

Intrigue is a powder blush that I thought would be useful as a highlight (as my E.L.F Gotta Glow smashed into pieces). I have never tried out their powder blushes before so I'm not really going to give a review on it yet as I haven't used it enough to found an opinion.

Eyes

Next to my love of blushes, are my love for eyelashes and when I saw these beauties on sale for £5 . . it was a no-brainer. I got the Illamasqua False Eyelashes in No.13 reduced from £13 to £5 and at a fiver they were cheaper than Ardell and Eyelure lashes so I thought I might as well snap them up and give them a go

Illamasqua's Cream Eye Shadow in Intrude is a chocolate brown cream eyeshadow that I thought I could use as a base. I had the chance to buy it at the Illamasqua Freak event a while ago but didn't, so decided to get it now as I slightly regretted not getting it then.

Lips

I went a bit over the top in terms of lipsticks and glosses, and ordered a total of 5. I ordered colours I thought would look good on me and would get a lot of wear so overall I am really happy with what I bought.

Flicker is a light, bronzy-brown than blends in very well with my skin.When worn, it has these beautiful bronze sparkles that really leap out at you. I haven't really figured out how I am going to use this lipstick yet but there's still time

I really love do love my browns and bronzes, which is why I picked up Uthopia as well. It's one shade darker/browner than Flicker but the colour of this lipstick just reminds me of being on holiday. It's got that kind of bronzed glow to it *dreams of the sun*

Besotted is a dark, blood red lipgloss with a super intense colour (I guess that's why it is called an intense gloss). It is wearable by itself of on top of a lipstick, although I don't think I will wear it on top of a lipstick as the intense colour of the gloss would probably block the lipstick from showing through.

 Femme is another red lipgloss I picked up but instead of the blood red colour of Besotted, Femmehas more of a pink, raspberry colour which I think is quite sweet. I love this as a lipgloss with just lipliner. I don't know why but when I wear this shade I get early secondary school throw backs * innocent times*

Provoke is so pretty!!!!! Out of all my haul products this has to be my absolute favourite!! The colour is just sooooo pretty!!! Have a feeling I am going to be pairing my MAC Freshbrew lipstick with this gloss *sorry Revlon*

You will be happy to know this is all the makeup I bought in January and I don't plan to do any more major hauls like this til my birthday in May. . .actually I'm lying the IMATS are tomorrow . . (mental note - most stay away from the Illamasqua counter)

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January Haul (Part One) - Featuring MAC, H&M and Primark

January has been a bit of 'blues' month for me; as everything that could go wrong just went wrong, which meant that my shopping monster came out to play in full force.*What can I say?? I'm upset, I buy  . . . Blame it on a rampant consumerism culture*

So on that note, I'm going to be splitting my January purchases into 2 or 3 posts because it is way too much to fit into one post *I'm a touch lazy*

First up H&M

I got this gorgeous and mysterious looking hat at the Oxford Circus H&M, literally 30 mins before the New CID Cosmetics event. Joy and I got to the event too early and decide to do a spot of shopping to pass the time (and ended up being late to the event, wouldn't you know?!)

This top hat strikes me as very Anglo-manian with a dark, modern Victorian twist. It's dark, black, raven feathers are too gorgeous . . . I really wish I could wear this every day

Next Contender  . . . . Primarni (aka Primark)

I buy waaaay too many earrings from Primark. I know I do but they always have what I'm looking for at the time . . plus they had feathers . . . and I love feathers . . . and in my defence I don't own any silver or grey-tones earrings so I'm building up my collection

Next up is this hummingbird inspired hair pin. I don't actually know where or when I am going to wear this but it ran with my feathers theme of the day so into my basket it went.

I bought these key rings or bag rings . . clasps . .whatever  . . . with the clever idea of clipping them to a pair of shoes I own. I thought these would really brighten up a pair of really dull shoes and while I haven't tried out my idea yet, there is still time.

Back to MAC

I've been dying to hit up the MAC Counter for a while now as my MAC list on my iPhone seems to grow every time I browse YouTube.

First up, MAC Rebel. I think Rebel is turning into a cult lipstick for ladies of colour as everyone seems to have this plummy lipstick and for good reason it is absolute gorgeous. I see me using this lipstick a lot in the coming months

Approaching Storm is apart of the Daphne Guinness limited edition collection for MAC. I think the best way to describe Approaching storm is as a dark, velvety brown colour. On me it shows up on the darker shade of nude and just a few shades darker than my natural lip shade.

Viva Glam VI has to be my favourite lipstick of all time. You know that lipstick you have that you would still wear even if it melt and if it finished you dig out what's left in the tub with a lipstick brush?? Well for me that lipstick is Viva Glam VI. This is the first lipstick I bought from MAC and will always repurchase  . . it's sooo pretty!!!

Well that's it for this Haul edition, watch out for my next one x

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