Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Grand Cru Review and Swatches | Blogmas Day #7

























You may remember, that I have already tried one of these. I have the shade Hot Pepper and I am in love – read my full review here. I had been meaning to pick up another shade for a while now, and on a trip to Boots, I was browsing the Bourjois stand and I decided to pick up one that really caught my eye. It’s safe to say that this was definitely disappointing.

The Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipstick in Grand Cru in the packaging looks like the most stunning deep red, which is one of my favourite types of shade to wear. So you can imagine my disappointment when applying this, to be left with quite a streaky, sheer finish. Hot Pepper was bright, opaque and looked so smooth on the lips, but unfortunately this was the complete opposite. It clung to dry patches and just generally looked quite bad. However, I did find when I used light layers of it and worked it into the lips it could be a nice stain on the lips, and in the picture below, I had applied several layers to even get that finish. Whilst I can still wear it in that way, I don’t think I will find myself reaching for this over any other dark reds I have, as it wasn’t the dark matte red I was hoping for.

It’s not nice giving a bad review of a product, but sometimes it just has to be done. What has upset me the most about this is that I love another shade in the range, and have heard so many people praise the rest of it. There are still some shades that I have my eye on, and I won’t (and neither should you) be put off by one dud shade. Have you tried any from this line?

RachelElizabeth

Mac Keepsakes / Plum Eye Bag | Review, Swatches and Eye Look! Blogmas Day #4

























I have to admit, I don’t usually pay much attention to the Mac Christmas collections. They come out with so many collections these days and I’m just not as into following them as I used to be. That being said, I was very pleased and excited to receive one of the eye kits for my birthday from some lovely friends as I hadn’t tried any of the products that came with it…
The Mac Keepsakes / Plum Eye Bag contains three eye products: an Extra Dimension eyeshadow duo in the shades Triple Impact and Round Midnight, a powerpoint eye pencil in the shade Permaplum, an In Extreme Dimension Lash mascara and they all come in an amazing limited edition glittery black makeup bag. Only the eyeshadows from this set are limited edition, so the eyeliner and the mascara are available to purchase all year round. 
I’ve always been intrigued by the Extra Dimension eyeshadows that Mac often bring out with collections. They always contain this stunning raised swirl pattern, and the formula is very unique. It feels somewhere between a cream and a powder – it feels much creamier and smoother to touch that a standard powder eyeshadow but it isn’t actually a cream product. Triple Impact is described as an ‘Opalescent Pink’ – it has a pale pink base and with a blue-purple duochrome running through it, so it looks different colours when it catches the light. Round Midnight is described as a ‘Rich Reddish Plum’ – to me it is a blackened purply-plum shade, that also catches the light beautifully. These are both metallic and shimmery eyeshadows, so if you’re not a fan of sheeny glittery lids then these may not be for you. They are both nicely pigmented, although I would say Round Midnight is more so, and it is definitely my favourite of the two.
I’ve actually never tried an eye pencil from Mac, let alone a Powerpoint Pencil, so I was very intrigued about this one. Permaplum is described as a ‘Deeply Plum with Dark Shimmer’, but to me it is a blackened very blue-toned purple and has a soft sheen to it, rather than any noticeable shimmer or glitter. It is an incredibly creamy formula, which is easy to smudge out to create soft smokey looks. It does set, but it does give you a lot of time to work with. For me this seems like a pencil you use on the lashlines rather than the waterline. 
Much like eye pencils, I have never delved into the world of Mac mascaras as they often don’t get high appraisal in the blogging and YouTube worlds. The In Extreme Dimension Lash is supposed to be largely a volumising formula, which I would definitely agree with. I didn’t get a whole lot of length with this, and I found it a little messy to use as initially it is a very wet formula. The wand reminds me very much of the Benefit They’re Real Mascara as it’s a plastic wand with short bristles and has the extra bristles on the tip of the wand to aid lower lashes and inner corners etc. I don’t think I’ve quite made my mind up on this one, as I feel that if may get better once it has dried up a little. Right now I think it’s okay; it’s not my favourite.
Below I’ve included pictures of all the products used on my eyes. I used Round Midnight all over the lids and Triple Impact  on the inner corner. I blended a little of Mauve from the Lorac Pro Palette (full post here) into the crease and along the lower lashline. for some added definition and to ground the look. I lined the upper lashline and the outer half of the lower lashline with Permaplum and finished off the look with the In Extreme Dimension Lash.  

All in all, I think this definitely a set worth buying if you (or someone you are buying a gift for) love purple-toned eye makeup or is looking to experiment with colour. It’s also a great way to try a few new Mac products for much better value. I definitely give this gift set a thumbs up. What are your thoughts on this year’s Mac Christmas collection?

RachelElizabeth

Nuxe Reve De Miel Review | Blogmas Day #2

























Here we have yet another purchase from a Parisian pharmacy. Although Nuxe is by no means hard to access in the UK, it is considerably cheaper in France, being a French brand. I have been meaning to try this cult lip balm for the longest time now, and I thought my trip to Paris was the perfect excuse…


The Nuxe Reve De Miel is a interestingly-textured lip balm. A lot of people describe it as slightly gritty which I get because it’s so thick and almost waxy, but it is very smooth in consistency. It has a matte finish which is perfect for those who don’t like the typical glossy or shiny look that lip balms can give (also making this ideal for guys!). What I love about this lip balm is that you can put it on before bed and you will wake up in the morning and still feel product on your lips, which I haven’t experienced with any other product. It is incredibly nourishing and hydrating and my lips are so thankful for this purchase. I love the anniversary packaging that I picked up, and the glass jar makes it feel very luxurious. It’s actually not too expensive at £9.50, and I personally think it’s worth every penny. 

 
























I can definitely understand why this product has received cult status and I think it is well-deserved. If you struggle with dry lips – especially as we enter the colder months – this should definitely be added to your wishlist, ASAP. 


RachelElizabeth

Sephora Cream Lip Stain 01 Always Red | Review and Swatches






















If you read Amelia’s, Lily’s or Anna’s blogs, then you’ve probably heard of the product in the title of this post. I have to admit that when those three mention a product, my ears definitely perk up and I immediately want to try it. So after they all couldn’t stop talking about a certain lip product, this was the first product I had to pick up when I was in Sephora in Paris.

The infamous Sephora Cream Lip Stain in 01 Always Red is a liquid lipstick that dries to a matte finish. Now this is a bright red, not for the faint-hearted. It’s not a blue-toned red, but I wouldn’t say that it is overly orange-toned either – it sits somewhere in the middle giving us a nice neutral hot red. As a bold (and red) lip lover, I was so drawn in by this colour when I saw it. It applies like a typical liquid lipstick – very creamy and somewhat shiny, but it doesn’t take long for it to dry down to a completely matte finish. What is also great is that you can layer this product without the product glooping on the lips (I’m looking at you Hourglass Opaque Rogue). However, it is the wear of this product that really makes it stand out for me. It is definitely not drying, which is a quality that has become somewhat associated with both matte liquid lipsticks and lip stains. It is also incredibly long-lasting and even lasts through meals (however if the meal is oil-based then it may break down the lipstick, but that is to be expected). I would say this one of the best lip products I own in terms of longevity, and it is safe to say, I am in love. 

If you live in a country where Sephora is readily available then you have to check this out. I cannot rave about this product enough, and I would even go so far as to say that is one of the best lip products I have ever tried. And don’t worry UK folk, because Sephora ships to us poor makeup-deprived souls. Have you tried any of these out? It’s safe to say I need more of these in my life…
RachelElizabeth

Formula 10.0.6 Deep Down Detox Ultra-Cleansing Mud Mask | Review

























I apologise for starting another post like this, but I picked up my fair share of beauty products on my recent birthday day trip to Paris. Heading to the pharmacy, I was a little overwhelmed with this huge store filled to the brim with amazing skincare. My eyes were immediately drawn to the brand Formula 10.0.6, as their packaging is so bright yet so simple with the striking bold text taking up most of the product. Intrigued, I browsed all the products they had on display, and amongst the many masks they had on offer, I decided on the one targeted towards blemishes…


After a little research I realised that this brand is also widely available in the U.S., Canada and Austrailia (sadly not the UK) and the Deep Down Ultra-Cleansing Mud Mask is available at Ulta here. This mask in particular, as the name would suggest, is ultimately supposed to deeply cleanse your skin and aid your skin towards a clearer complexion. It contains orange and bergamot, and it definitely has a strong orange scent, which is definitely something to take into consideration. In terms of texture, it is your standard mud mask. It is a pale peach shade and dries on your skin much like a typical clay/mud mask. As the packaging suggests, you leave it on for 15 minutes, which is about the time it takes to dry and then I rinse it off with a flannel. 

In terms of results, I wouldn’t say they were miraculous, but I don’t think I can say that about any mask I’ve tried. I will say that it seemed to help calm my active blemishes and made them go away a lot quicker than they normally would. It didn’t break me out, which, I have to admit, the scent did lead me to think that it may. For an affordable mask, I would say that this an excellent mask for those with blemish prone skin as it did seem to help clear mine up. Have you heard of/tried anything from this brand before? I’d love to try more.

RachelElizabeth

Laura Mercier Lip Transformer Trio in Ruby Spark | Review and Swatches

So we’ve reached the time of year where gift sets are coming out in abundance. Whether you’re in the market for buying some christmas presents, or you want to try some new products out for yourself, these gifts are great value for money. My mum knows I love Laura Mercier, and in the past she has treated my with some of the body product gift sets which I have adored. For my birthday this year, she surprised with me with this lip product set, and as soon as I saw it was all about the red lip, I was very excited…

The Lip Transformer Trio in Ruby Spark contains three products: a mini Lip Pencil in Ruby, a mini Crème Smooth Lip Colour in Red Amour and a full size Lip Glacé in Ruby Spark. Let’s begin with the lip pencil. It is a deep neutral red, which is a great autumnal shade. It is incredibly creamy to apply, making it really easy to fill to whole lips in without dragging or drying out the lips. The Crème Smooth Lip Colour was also a hit for me – like the name suggests it was creamy and a dream to apply. It has good but not 100% opaque pigmentation, which I think is really nice for a more nourishing formula. In terms of the colour, its your classic blue-toned teeth-whitening red which is perfect. And surprise surprise, the Lip Glacé is also a hit. This isn’t the first time I’ve encountered this formula – I got a mini version in a set last year. And I have to say this is a really nice formula – it has decent pigmentation, but what I love most about it is that its not sticky. That’s probably the main reason I don’t often wear lip gloss, so when I find one that’s not, I get very excited. 
























Above I have used all three products on my lips to show you the whole lip look! If you, or a loved one, is a big red lip fanatic, then this is definitely worth considering. What’s great about this set is that you can choose a matte, satin or glossy red lip, giving you all you could need to perfect your look. And let’s be honest, I don’t think anyone would complain receiving something from Laura Mercier…

RachelElizabeth

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Lost Cherry | Review and Swatches
























We can’t deny that matte lipsticks are all the rage right now. Every brand seems to be releasing their own take on this trend right now, and Charlotte Tilbury was no exception. The gorgeous Matte Revolution lipsticks have been all over every bloggers Instagrams and I have been lusting over every shade. I never got around to picking one up for myself, but my lovely sister surprised with one for my birthday and it is safe to say that I was beyond excited to wear this shade.

Lost Cherry is a bright yellow-toned pink. I don’t know whether it is my colouring or my taste in lipsticks, but it doesn’t show up as bright on me, and I would say it is a warm everyday pink. The formula is outstanding – the whole premise of this lipstick is that even though it is matte, it is still luminous from within. It is soft and creamy, but still looks matte on the lips. I wouldn’t go so far as to say that this is a hydrating formula, but it is far less drying than all other matte formulas I have tried. Let’s not forget the stunning rose gold packaging… But I think that speaks for itself. 



I definitely would recommend this formula whether you are a matte lipstick lover or not, it is a stunning opaque formula, and there is a colour for everyone. Have you had your eyes on these?

RachelElizabeth

The Most Coveted Eyeshadow Palette | Lorac Pro Review and Swatches























For the past several times that someone I know has gone to the U.S., I have checked if there is an Ulta near to where they were staying. Who knew that they were actually somewhat of a rarity in the States?! So sadly this had made my quest for the Lorac Pro Palette seem very unlikely. However, it wasn’t until my boyfriend’s mum was about to travel to the States and, as usual, I did my background check and unsurprisingly had no luck, that my boyfriend suggested that I could have it delivered to her hotel… Brilliant! Yet this was not the happy ending to my story – both the Lorac and Ulta websites did not allow a non-US billing address. Not yet completely devoid of all hope, I continued my search and stumbled across several Lorac items on Amazon.com, realising that they actually sell their official products. With a very reasonable international shipping fee, it was in my basket and in my hands within a week. I could not have been happier…


Rambling introductions aside, the Lorac Pro Palette retails for $42. It consists of 16 neutral shadows – the top row matte, and the bottom shimmers. This is where the palette earns its well-deserved hype – the inclusion of so many mattes allows this to be a palette where you really don’t need any other shade to create so many looks. Let’s not forget the formula; it is one of the most buttery and smooth that I have ever come across. The shimmers are metallic but not filled with obnoxious glitter; the mattes are beyond smooth and apply so effortless onto the eye. My favourites are taupe (best transition shade), sable (stunning warm brown), Lt. Bronze (light shimmery gold) and Garnet (beautiful shimmery red-copper). The only shade I was a little disappointed with was white as it isn’t 100% matte – I could detect some shimmer in it, but it still performs well and is by no means a dud shade. 

The packaging also gets a massive thumbs up from me. When I opened the box I was shocked at how thin it is, making it ideal for travelling. The outside does seem like it will get a bit grubby (similar to Nars), but that can be overlooked. On the down side, I was also not too impressed with the included eye primer. I have particularly oily eyelids and am in love with the Nars Pro-Prime Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base and the Lorac offering really didn’t compare.



 


All in all, this is currently my most used and favourite makeup item. As you may be able to tell from my recent reviews, I have bought my fair share of eyeshadow palettes recently, but this is by far the best of the best. If only I hadn’t missed out on the Mega Pro… 


RachelElizabeth 

L’Oreal Paris La Nude Palette | Review and Swatches






















When I received an email from Boots that L’Oreal were coming out with a new neutral eyeshadow palette I immediately jumped on the waiting list. There are a few brands that dominate the budget eyeshadow front – Sleek and Makeup Revolution are probably the most popular in the blogging world, so when I saw that one of the big dogs of the high street brands were joining in the huge neutral palette trend, I was very exciting to see how it would compare…

The L’Oreal Paris La Nude Palette contains 10 neutral shades that err on the rosey side (do I spy a Naked 3 dupe?). There are 6 shimmery shades and 4 mattes which I was very pleased with. Overall I was really impressed with the quality of the shadows. They were all very smooth to apply and the pigmentation is decent. I would say that the shimmery shades performed a little better than the mattes, but from experience this does tend to be the case. The selection of colours are very well thought out and all the shades work really well together. Its mainly cool toned, but what I love is the inclusion of the warm medium matte brown shade (fourth from the left) which is a really nice transition shade. The first half of the palette is perfect for subtle everyday shades, but you can create some really great smokey and dramatic looks with the other half. The best part about this palette is that you don’t need any extra shades, making it a great standalone travel product.



























































































I wouldn’t say that this is the most unique palette – it has a incredibly similar tone to the Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette (check out my review of that here). However, it is less than a third of the price of the Urban Decay option, so if you don’t have that – or you’re an eyeshadow palette junkie like me – then maybe you should check this out. Regardless of the similarities, this is probably one of my favourite palettes from the high street. Have you checked this one out yet?  

RachelElizabeth

Max Factor Skin Luminizer Foundation | Review






















I am a self-confessed foundation junkie. I have way too many sitting in my drawer right now, and I have tried so many over time that I probably couldn’t list them all. It is by far my favourite product to try and its quite a rare occurrence that I actually repurchase as I’m so fickle and always so drawn in by new releases. There’s something about the quest for the perfect base that is quite addictive, and since I’m all about the glow at the moment, Max Factor’s latest release really caught my eye…

The Max Factor Skin Luminizer Foundation is said to contain ‘light-reflecting particles’ in order to create a ‘gorgeous healthy glow’. The concept to this foundation is interesting as it is essentially a foundation with a liquid illuminator mixed in (as you can see by the swirl in the bottle). I see this as slightly gimmicky as when you pump out the foundation it does just look like foundation. I was quite surprised at the texture when I first tried this – it is a lot thicker than I expected, and almost has a slightly mousse-like finish, similar to the Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation (read my review here). 

However, despite its deceiving texture, it feels very light and airy on the skin. As the name suggests, it has a dewy and glowy finish, but I don’t find it overly greasy and shiny looking. I find it looks a lot like skin, and gives the lit-from within, healthy look (apologies for the blogger cliches…). I was worried about the staying power, but I was pleasantly surprised  that after testing this for a good couple of weeks now, this has proved to last very decently on the skin. Of course its not going to last as long as a mattifying or specifically long-lasting foundation, but for a normal (to slightly oily) skin like mine, with a bit of primer and powder, this was absolutely perfect

The only thing I would warn you about if you are considering trying this foundation is the limited shade range. This is absolutely amazing if you have pale skin – when I am tanned (roughly NC30) I am the second darkest shade, Golden. This is, sadly, a common occurrence for budget foundations so I can’t expect too much in that department, but it is still very infuriating how much they limit their consumers. 
























All in all, I give this foundation a huge thumbs up. I have been very impressed by Max Factor’s base products recently – I recently posted about their primer (here). Although my quest for the perfect foundation is certainly not over, it is definitely a good feeling to find one I really like. What is your favourite foundation? I always need enabling...