The Special everyday bag for the grown up tough girl-Stud-u-like

There is something very special and very luxurious about Alexander Wang’s bags.

Functional, minimal shapes, tough stud-u-like, durable, delicious leather that ages well.   They are very casual and every day, and it’s that appeal makes them so covetable.  They are for the grown up urban/rock/biker/alternative/tough girl who has done good with her career, or gone for a spending spree on Daddy’s credit card.  Alternatively you can make do and  buy one of these beauties on Ebay which is where I snagged one of mine. 

I love a designer bag, aside from make-up I really delight in a good beautiful handbag.   It has to be functional, it has to be durable, it has to look awesome.  I love accessories, but I have been known to take comfort over style for shoes.  (hello Birkenstocks, although they have their own I-don’t-care style).  When it comes to a handbag it’s looks really matter to me. 

Like shoes, and make up it doesn’t matter what weight you are, and for me when I people watch on the street I am always looking at what bag they carry.  I work in the East end of London, and its full of hipsters.  Hipsters with a luxe edge, so I guess I am one of them.  (I do not will not sit on the ground thou)  I wear vintage, I don’t spend a huge amount of clothing.  I will shell out a lot for a handbag as a good handbag is for life.  A lot of people dress like that around where I work, money for disposable items such as clothes are kept to a minimum.  The indication of wealth/coolness/status is in the accessories which can be worked and reworked for future seasons.   My own personal style is that I am always on the lookout for something is really tough and edgey, pretty much anything that comes from Allsaints, in black grey or silver.   So of course I would naturally love these.   I really should grow up but I just can’t stop loving anything that has a stud on it. 

Alexander Wang. What Wikipedia says about him

“Alexander Wang (born 1983) is an American fashion designer and Creative Director of Balenciaga

At age 18, he moved to New York City to attend Parsons. In 2005, after 2 years at Parsons, he decided to pursue the launch of his own label, which predominantly began with a knitwear collection. In Fall 2007, Wang presented a complete women’s ready-to-wear collection on the New York catwalk for the first time, to critical acclaim. He won the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund in 2008, an honour accompanied by a $200,000 award to expand one's business.] That same year, he launched his first handbag collection. In 2009, women’s T by Alexander Wang was launched, followed by Men’s T by Alexander Wang a year later. In 2009 he was recognized by his peers when he was announced as the winner of the CFDA’s Swarovski Womenswear Designer of the Year Award. Also in 2009, Wang was the recipient of the Swiss Textiles Award.  His lines are now stocked globally in more than 700 doors including luxury department stores such as Barneys New York, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Dover Street Market, Browns, and Net-A-Porter.

Wang is known for his urban designs. After designing a Fall 2008 collection using black as the predominant colour, he designed his Spring 2009 collection using bright colours such as orange, dusty purple, aqua and hot pink. Although he reverted to using mainly black fabrics, he was praised for showing great tailoring skills.

In its essence, the Alexander Wang brand’s sensibility is reflected in the undone. There is a curiosity behind the contradiction that lies between refinement and the imperfect, and a nod to always referencing his idea of the everyday uniform.”

I didn’t realise that he was a creative director for Balenciaga.    Well that explains a lot, as I am huge Balenciaga bag fan as well. 

Rocco Bag in Oyster pale gold hardware £562 from Shop Bop (prices vary but this is how much  I bought mine for last year) Normal RRP is £748

A lot of ladies I see about town have the black in the Rocco with gold or even better (swoon inducing ) rose gold studs.  This is a very popular bag.   The hysteria for this began when one of the trend setting Olsen twins (who incidentally also wear Birkenstocks) started toting this around on her tiny arm.   Originally named the ‘Coco’ the masses clamoured to know where they could buy this beautiful bowling ball shaped bag, with delectable antique gold studs.   Alexander Wang had given this early to Miss Olsen, way before the bag was released, in a clever marketing move that had us all begging for more.   Original bag was released without a strap, only with the arm handles to carry in the hand or in the crook of the arm, the update of the shoulder strap was genius due to weight issues.   The reason for so many of these flooding the ebay market?  The bag is heavy people, I mean really really heavy.  I mean I carry two gold bricks in my handbag heavy.   The reality is that in the shop they don’t seem that bad (and let’s face it you are in a Alexander-Wang- bag- buying- lust- stupor), but when you load it full of your stuff it become ridiculous.   The rococo I have actually gotten use to as I tend to carry this in my hand at my side, or if that gets too much I will sling it over my shoulder with the strap.   The reason why I got the oyster is because I was desperate for a grey handbag, and also I wanted it to stand out when I wore a black coat.  The colour is more of a grey/beige rather than a blue based grey.  However I love the colour, and I love how it makes the pale gold stud seem silver instead of gold.  It a really interesting effect.  Lovers of indigo denim beware, this is not the bag to wear with those.  The leather is lush and squidgy and pebbled to perfection, however will pick up denim stains like no body’s business.  However I have learnt that the stains can be lifted with a bit of water, clear vinegar and a bit of luck and its good as new.   There is a lot a little side pocket which is useful for gum, oyster card and hiding cigarette from your other half.   To buy this I recommend going to Shop Bop, or if you want to try your hand at Ebay prices vary from 400-to just under 500.  Which is decent considering the bag sells for £750 normally.

Diego in Black with antique hardware £300 from Ebay (I am not actually sure how much this is normally) £563 in Shop bop.

I love a bucket bag me, this is a beautiful design.  Scurnched studs drawstring opening and beautiful pebbly leather.  When I saw this on ebay one Sunday of idle browsing I instantly fell in love.  I had tried these on in Selfridges and pranced in front of the mirror with it, but I didn’t think it was worth the full price.  Sorry I can’t remember how much this was as it was a year or so ago.   I had dalliance with Shop Bop and still wasn’t convinced for the £563.  The Ebay price I actually bidded as £300 as my limit of what I was going to spend on it and I won.  I have watched a lot of other sales of this bag and £300 is the average price that people are paying for this.   The reason for that is a bucket bag is a very casual bag, something that you supply school art teacher assistant had in a hessian form.   So it not something that generally you expect to pay a lot for.   To be honest I am struggling with this bag a bit.  I only had her for a couple of months and I have tried to downside what I carry around and I still struggle.  The reason why is this, the weight, but the weight can’t be carried comfortable on one of the straps.   The straps feel like they are a bit flimsy, which is why I feel a bit uncomfortable carrying it.  With the Rocco the straps/handle are solid as a rock and I am quite happy flinging it around.   The Diego I am still treating it with kid gloves.   Despite weight and load carrying issues, the leather and studs on this is gorgeous.  I really like the way she hangs down and the way the studs and folds of the leather gather in the drawstring at the top.  Another downside to this bag is that she really can’t fit a lot of stuff, despite appearances.  It looks like you can stuff a whole bunch of stuff in there .  Nope not a lot really.   I am sure I will come around eventually but it’s a teething process I have go through before I figure out how to wear/carry and then I can fall back in love with the bag again.  So if you are the kind of gal who doesn’t carry that much stuff and has huge biceps, this really is the bag for you J

Hope you enjoyed my ramblings.  I will probably have another ramble about my other bags as well.

Thanks for reading.

Carrie x

Fuchsia – Sunshine, rainbows, lollipops, unicorns - Hot pink obsession.

I have an aversion to pink, in particular that bright Barbie fuchsia that as a small child I was obsessed with.  After several years of adolescence, and twenties shunning anything remotely girly I have rediscovered that Fuchsia is actually a really good colour on me.  (Make up wise that is, I don’t think I will be busting out the pink leggings any time soon) Actually I think that it’s a colour that most skin colours can pull off.

It’s a nice pink as its blue based, it verges on neon which is on trend, and applied on the face and lips gives a perfect natural flush.   I have also carried this obsession to my nail polish.  I have several versions of hot pink polish, and I am constantly on the search for the perfect shade.   For some reason I feel like hot pink actually goes with a lot of my wardrobe.  It’s a lovely flash of colour and it’s a colour that makes me happy. This is a kind of three of a kind but there are four items.  Sorry I couldn’t leave out any as they are all so lush. 

Lipstick Queen ‘Bright Rose’ in saint collection £18 from Space NK online and in store, also available in a small concession in Selfridges.

I really adore Lipstick Queen, Their Saint collection is very sheer and moisturising, and they have all the exact same colours in their sinner collection which is the opposite and very pigmented.  I have a couple of their lipsticks already, and there is always one kicking about in my handbag.   While they are not the cheapest lipsticks they are really worth the money as they quickly become a favourite in your stash.   Man I just love this colour, it’s so bright its neon nearly.  It a fuchsia/orange colour.  It has a lovely moisturising effect, and subtly colours the lips a bright pink.   See last pic for a swatch.  There is enough blue in the colour to give you whiter teeth (score).  

Keyvn Aucoin Creamy Glow in Liquidfuchsia £19 from Space NK online and in store.

If there is one cream blusher you need in your life it’s this one.   I initially didn’t like this when I swatched this the store, then I had a SA apply some to my cheeks with a stippling brush and it was beautiful.  This looks really scary in the pan, but when applied to the cheeks sheers out to a bright natural looking flush.  It is dewy as well so you look like you have been running around outside.  On the lips it’s not very glossy, it has a bit of a chalky texture, but it gives a nice colour.  I will normally top this off on the lips with a clear gloss or lip balm.   I have read a few people have troubling getting this to move around on the cheeks, and haven’t liked the product.  The key to this product is application.  The product texture is stiff despite being creamy so the best method of application is with a brush.  I have only ever used my stippling brush, if you use your finger it is really difficult to move around on the cheek and you get a uneven application. The advantage of this means that the product once applied does stay on your face, and doesn’t move.  This wears 6-7 hours depending on the humidity and skin type (I have combination oily skin, but I do sweat a lot so the wear time is good for me).   Which on average is okay for a cream blush.

 

Stila Convertible colour Fuchsia £16 from Space NK online and in store.  Selfridges does a small concession of Stila product.  Boots online, and in larger stores.

This is a creamier coloured Fuchsia, it has more white and less blue.  So this comes off as a less pigmented pink, in comparison to liquidfuchsia (see swatched hand below).   Stila convertible colours are beautifully packaged, and the product itself is a good all-rounder.  On the cheek it creates a dewy finish, the texture of the product is soft, so can be applied with fingers or brush.  The colour payoff is sheer, but this creates a nice pinky flush on my cheeks.  I would say the Kevyn Aucoin is more of a natural look on me as it’s a colour that suits me just a tad better.  The effect on my cheeks in a nice pink blush.   The wear on this is not as good as the creamy glow.  Due to the nature of the product it does slip off your face about 4-5hours depending on the humidity, and how your skin type is.  If I wear these I do have to reapply halfway through the day.  This product on the lips is lovely, it is glossy lipstick formula.  This is one of those rare products that works on the face as well as the cheeks, and thus is the perfect travelling product. 

Revlon Lip Butter ‘Lollipop’ £7.99 Boots, Superdrug in store and online.

I do like this colour, it’s very blue based so it whitens your teeth immediately.  The texture is lip balm/lip stick and is very easy to wear.   This is pigmented despite being so soft.  The wear on this is not great, so 2-3 hours and then you need to reapply.  The texture of these does not last very well in the tube, after a couple uses I find the product starts to twist in the tube.  Which irritates me.  Despite this, lip butters are a good buy considering the price.   

Swatches Left to right: Revlon Lollipop, Lipstick Queen Bright Rose, Kevyn Aucoin Liquidfuchsia, Stila Fuchsia.

Hope that was a good taster into Fuchsia coloured products. 

Thanks for reading

Carrie  

Three of a Kind Pinky/Browny/Nude Lipsticks

Nudes are hard to pull off.  I just can’t pull of ‘the concealer on my lips’ colour, I look dead.  Even though I am a massive fan of a nude simply because it’s a no brainer shade of lipstick, if you have pigmented lips you know exactly what I am talking about.  The popular nudes such as ‘shy girl’ (which is a pale peach shimmer nude) from Mac are beautiful but far too milky for my lip colour.  I wish I could wear them.  What I mean by ‘milky’ is that the colour is too light and separates on the lip so you can see my true lip colour through the lipstick.  It also highlights any cracks or dry skin on your lips, which is not attractive.  Normally when this happens with a darker lip colour it is not as apparent because the colour complements the lip colour.   I tend to go for a nude which has a strong pink/brown hue or a strong peach/brown hue.  These colours tend to suit me a lot better as there are nearer my lip colour than concealer colour.  This is the nudey pinks in my makeup collection which I love and what I wear when I want to down play my lips.  Apologies for the manky lipsticks, as this is part of my back collection and aren’t new lipsticks. 

Mac ‘Modesty’ cremesheen £14 from Mac online and in store

This looks like nothing in the tube, but on the lips it is the perfect, brown pink nudey loveliness.   The colour has a tiny bit of sparkle within the lipstick, even though it is a muted colour I love the bit of shimmer because it makes it special.  It is natural looking but it finishes your face so you look a bit more finished.  I like to wear this with a brown smoky eye, or a just a wash of brown over the eye.   The texture of this is very moisturising, and all Mac lipsticks have a vanilla scent.  The wear time for this is about 2-3 hours.

Fresh Tinted Lip in ‘Petal’ £16 from Fresh Stores 92 Marylebone High street. Online orders email london@fresh.com

This is the newest offering from Fresh.  I love the original lip treatment, and these are basically the lip balm with a wash of colour.  I wouldn’t say they are completely sheer, but on a par with a Revlon lip butter.  Its moisturising and gives a lovely muted browny pink.  This is less nude that the Mac, and veers on a more of a brown.  I realise this is a lot to spend on what is essentially a tinted moisturiser.  This has the same effect as the Mac lipstick it give you a subtle ‘finished’ look to your face but with more moisture.  The wear time is about 1-2 hours, but as it’s a lip balm you can just apply to your face without a mirror.

Revlon Lip Butter in ‘Pink Truffle’ £7.99 in boots, Superdrug in store and online

Everyone and her dog has blogged about these, but I feel the ugly duckling of the selection of colours is definitely this one.  Not many people rave about this colour because it’s well, a bit boring when you compare this against ‘peach parfait’ or ‘lollipop’.  These are really moisturising and gives a good wash of colour.  This is another lovely browny pink, and the most brown of the lot.  This is very noticeable on your lips, and is a retro nineties colour reminiscent of Friends etc.  (when kevyn acuoin was champion the natural look) This looks lovely with a brown smoky eye, or a I some time wear this with a sparkly olive green eye.  This wears about 2-3 hours, after a colour uses the lipstick dose tend to melt a bit and swivel in the tube.  It’s annoying but due to the fact the lipstick is soft as butter, this is always going to happen.  The cost of this is reasonable for a lipstick, and if you haven’t heard of these lipsticks honestly where have you been the past 18 months?  Do check out the other colours as there are some real gems. 

Hope that was helpful excursion into the world of nudey/brown/pink lip products.  These are just a taster as there are thousands of shades out there, so there is something that will suit everyone. 

Thanks for reading

Carrie x

Bereavement and Father’s Day.

Father’s Day

I didn’t celebrate Father’s day yesterday.  Last weekend was quite hard for me, as this was the first Father’s day that I didn’t have a father.   He died from Cancer 8 months ago, and he fought the affliction bravely for three years.  My fiancée will tell you that I pretty much spent the weekend grumpy and angry.  (I am so sorry my love I wasn’t very good company)

I find it hard to write about him, as the times I have done in the past I have ended up a big maudlin heap of tears.   Normally pieces that I have typed about him have consigned to the rubbish bin.  I haven’t found the words to capture how I feel.

I know is that I miss him, and that life is so totally unfair.  It’s hard not to get angry about it, that there are so many people in the world alive still, and this wonderful man who I was so lucky to have as a father is dead.   I still don’t understand how that works.  If you know let me know please?

It is hard as people around me say that I was lucky to have him as a Father, and that I should just remember the good times.   But when you have someone as important as your right hand, upon the loss of it someone doesn’t say to you

“Ah well you should be thankful you had a right hand in the first place, and remember the good times you had with your right hand”

Sorry that sounds really dodgey, Google is going to tell me off again.    But I hope you get the analogy saying that kind of thing to someone going through bereavement is ill advised.   I know a lot of people don’t have the parents they rightfully deserve, and I know there are a lot of fathers out there who aren’t worthy of having children, I know that  I am lucky.   However knowing all of that doesn’t make the sadness go away, I am still sad.

All I can say is if you have a Dad in your life right now who is wonderful, call him, spend time with him, tell him how much you love him, tell him how wonderful he is.   Simply because you never know when your last moment with will be.  We take for granted how much time we really have and the reality is that we don’t have much at all.

Thanks for reading

Carrie x

PS: I would insert a pic of my Dad and I, but seeing as my Dad thought that facebook was evil and that the wifi fries your brain I have posted without

Hair styling for the supremely lazy

Do you have flat limp hair?

Does it stick to your scalp, does it hang like a bunch of miserable old raggy strings below your ears.

Do you never feel like a l’oreal advert?

Do you feel like you been dragged backwards through a bush by a brace of badgers each morning?

Do you permanently have your hair scrapped back in a top bun, pony tail etc?

Yeah me too, welcome to my world as well. 

I can’t offer you a miracle, I am not a hair stylist, I am not going personally come into your house each morning and do your hair.

So what am I suggesting?

Let’s get in touch with reality

I think it’s time to accept no amount of moouse, hair spray, shampoo, conditioner, drying your hair upside down is going to give you hair roots a  volumising lift.  That is, without a back comb and a serious amount of hairspray.  (Trust me I have tried them ALL, and the result all ended up the same.)

Who has the time to do that nonsense each morning?  I don’t and I don’t have kids either so…….Welcome to my hair Styling for the supremely lazy.

Partly inspired by this lady who blog I absolutely LOVE.  http://songofstyle.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/no-heat-beach-waves-tutorial.html

This is a step by step guide to what I do each morning, and how I end up with natural okay-ish hair.   By the way I think too many of you out there are far too mean to your hair.  Step away from the GHDs and give you hair a conditioning mask once in a while okay?  When I can see your split ends from two meters away it’s not a good look.

Step 1 Wash your hair if you have greasy hair.   

I wash my hair every day because if I don’t I end up with massive itchy sore/spot things on my scalp.   You can see what I use in this last blog post.

http://www.makedoandmakeup.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/shampoo-and-conditioner-for-spotty.html

Step 2 Let your hair dry a bit on its own.  

So I give my hair a bit of time to dry naturally before I get the heat on it.   Think about it the wetter your hair, the longer you spend drying, the longer your poor hair is under the heat.   You don’t want to frazzle it do you?

During this time (15mins-20mins) I am doing my skin care, then make up, then I will have my morning berroca.

Step three Put your products in your hair.

I will put a dollop of Morrocan Hair oil in the palm of my hand and then rub thoroughly through the bottom half of my hair.

I will let this absorb for a couple of seconds

Then it’s a small dollop of Fred and Percy Bodifying cream.   I will rub this in the bottom half of my hair as well.

I will let absorb in as well.

Then I will take a wide tooth and get all the knots and snags out of my hair. 

Step four apply heat to dry

So I have like a basic boots travel hair dryer that I think I nicked from my sister in law (sorry Holly)  it is ancient and on its last legs.  But it does its job okay, as in its dries my hair. I'll dry my hair til is 70% dry and leave ends damp. 

Then I'll spritze bumble and bumble surf spray

Step Five pull you hair into a bun

Go to work, once at work my hair will be pretty much dry.  Once I untie my hair it looks like this normally....

Ta Da!

More close ups 

Hope that was useful. 

Thank you so much for reading 

Carrie x

Shampoo and Conditioner for spotty scalps, and why you should wash your hair everyday

So a lot of you seem to like my hair post, which is ironic as it’s the area which I one, know least about, two that I don’t really pay much attention to, and three have a lot of products for but never ever use.

Suppose it’s good that you lot are kicking me into gear, so my appearance and hair thanks you.

Do any of you remember that song ‘Sunscreen’ from the nineties.  One of the snippets of advice was to wear sunscreen, which I do religiously, and not to mess with your hair too much as it you will be bald.  Well I did take that bit of wisdom to heart.  So aside from washing, and blow drying in the winter I really cannot be bothered half the time. 

Grease Monkey.

I was always of the school of thought that you should allow your hair to get as greasy as possible to allow the natural oils to nourish your hair.  I used to wash my hair once every other day or once every three days if I could help it.   Of late I started to develop these large spotty cysts on my scalp or sores everywhere.  Luckily hair covered it up so you couldn’t notice but, it was so blooming itchy.   My boss sits opposite from me and asked my outright if I have lice as I was literally sitting there scratching my head constantly for about two weeks.  

I knew I had to do something.  I got rid of my shampoo and conditioner and started to use my fiancée's head and shoulders.  Which helped with the itching.   I started to read and google cysts on the head.  From the bunch of different things I read, you basically have to treat your scalp as you would your face.  You wouldn’t go out without washing your face would you? (well I hope not)  Phillip Kingsley recommends washing your hair every day esp if you have greasy hair, which I do. 
Read his blog it's awesome: http://blog.philipkingsley.com/
What was happening to my scalp was basically what would happen to my face if I didn’t wash it.  I got spots and sores, that were getting infected by dirt, oil and whatever products I had on my hair two days ago.  No wonder my head was itchy!  

I like Head and Shoulders I like the minty feeling your get on your head when you wash with it.  However it was a bit strong to be used every day, so I cast about for something a bit gentler.

Amino Acid Shampoo Keihls £15 Keihls online and in store.  Selfridges in store.

Now with the exception of their crème de corps I usually shun everything for Keihls.  Not that their stuff is not good, but just does not work for me.  So aside from the bi-annual trip for a giant bottle of body cream I usually don’t purchase much form them.  Last time I went I received a generous sample of this which I started to use due to its travel friendly size.  I was amazed to find that my hair loved it so I purchased the full size.  There are acids within this shampoo which help balance out the ph levels on your scalp.   The coconut oil in this makes it smell divine and has added skin and hair benefits.

Blurb from website states

“Amino Acids are fundamental to the human body and construct proteins. When chemically united with fatty alcohol or fatty acid, they have cleansing properties and maintain their mild amphoteric character. Amino Acids are known to moisturize by enhancing the skin's water retention.”

“Coconut oil is an off-white, semi-solid, highly saturated fat expressed from the kernels of the coconut. It is stable when exposed to air. It lathers quickly and is a good skin cleanser commonly used in many skin care formulations. Lathers readily and softens skin.

“Hydrolysed Wheat Protein, also known as by the collective name Phyto Peptides, is an effective substitute for hydrolysed animal protein derived by acid, enzyme, or other method of hydrolysis. It offers conditioning, moisturizing and film forming properties and is widely in skin care products to help skin retain its moisture and improve its overall appearance.”

This is a great everyday shampoo, it really cleans my hair, doesn’t strip it too much from my hair and smell amazing. 

Moisture seal Conditioner Charles Worthington £5.49 Boots in store an online

I have always loved the hair care from Charles Worthington.  I honestly couldn’t tell you what makes me unfaithful to them, after cheating on them with something else I will always go back to them as my default. 

It contains argan oil which is excellent for moisturising the hair.  As a general use I like that it moisturises my hair but it’s not heavy.

Blurb from website.

“The Moisture Seal range is enriched with nourishing Argan Oil and fragranced with lime, mandarin and white florals, making it an everyday luxury that can be used every day to moisturise, smooth and detangle, sealing in moisture without adding weight. The result? Soft, beautifully conditioned hair that feels silky and looks red-carpet ready, from root to tip.

The exceptionally rich formula nourishes and moisturises to improve hair’s condition without weighing it down. Afterwards, your hair appears full of life and dry ends virtually disappear.”

This is the first time I have spent more on a shampoo than a conditioner, it’s meant to be the other way round normally.  However it’s working for me so if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.  I have been using both of these now for about 4 weeks and itching gone, sores and scalp spots gone.  Hair is lovely and happy see pics.    

Styling gear

I will do a separate post for my styling products that I am using but at the moment, but for reference I use:

Moroccan hair oil

Percy and Reed Bodifying cream

Bumble and bumble surf spray* I did a post on this a couple of days ago. 

http://makedoandmakeup.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/bumble-and-bumble-surf-spray-i-finally.html

 

Hope that was helpful. 

Thank you for reading.

Carrie x

Late to the bold matte lip party- Hourglass Opaque Rouge

Okay so I was pretty late to the bold lip thing going on.  One reason for this is that I have very pigmented lips so it’s hard to find something opaque enough to wear.  Also I felt really self-conscious wearing something so bright on my face, despite loving the look on other people.   

My friend Louise wears all manner of colours and pulls it off really well, peach, red, purple, lilac, beige.  She does it all and it look amazing.  Inspired by her I went in search of something I could wear. 

Ballet

Muse

Raven

Hourglass Opaque rouge.  So these have been out for a about a year and they are lovely.  They are marketed as a liquid lipstick, that are non-drying, and non-bleeding.  The advantage of these is that they act like a stain, but they have that milky opaqueness of a lipstick.  The applicator is thin enough to get a really accurate application.  The SA advised that you shouldn’t put lip balm underneath as the colour would just slip off. 

I reckon that these are really long wearing, however about 3 hours in wearing ballet yesterday I cracked and plonked some lip balm on.  Which refreshed the colour, but made the colour wipe off pretty quickly off my lips.  At about lunch time I applied again and religiously did not apply any lip balm and I got a solid 6 hours wear. 

During those 6 hours I did the following:

-guzzled a soup, and a sandwich

-drank 3 cups of mint tea

-drank 4 glasses of water

-Ran 45mins sweating in the gym.

So although I didn’t get the advertised 14 hours wear (why would you need to wear lipstick for that long? ) I would say you would get a 10 hour wear if you needed.   I definitely put it through its paces yesterday for 6 hours. 

My only gripe is that it was quite drying on me after a while, however to be fair I like to a have a slick of lip balm every 3-4 hours so to wear this on its own constantly was always going to be a massive ask of me.

I found with Muse the colour was very milky and didn’t quite suit my lip colour.  When I applied this with the applicator the texture was very un even and highlighted all the lines in my pout.   To avoid this, I scrubbed the lips with a lip scrub to get rid of any dry skin.  I then drew the outline of my lips and then smudged colour inwards to my lips.  I found this stains the lips better and not just the dry skin on top.  It gives a more natural look as well which I prefer.  With Ballet and Raven they aren’t really milky colours so I just applied with applicator as normal. 

What I like about this is if I was wearing their Mac lipstick equivalent I would be constantly be checking in the mirror that I haven’t got lipstick halfway up my face.  These are really easy to wear, low maintenance, but with the same effect as a say ‘Russian Red’ by mac sans the lip liner. 

If you want to ease into the bold matte lip I suggest you give one of these a try.  There are several colours as well as the bold ones.  Which one will you be choosing?

Thank you for reading

Carrie x

Three of a kind powder Blusher

Three of a kind powder Blusher

Nars ‘throat’ blush £21.50 Space Nk online and in store, Selfridges, Liberty, John Lewis, in store and online

I feel like I mentioned this a gazillion times in the last couple of days.  Sorry it’s a favourite of mine.  This is one of my go to blushes when I have no idea what I want.  This is a lovely peachy pink with a hint of shimmer that is very pigmented.  This is lovely enough for a night out,  but mellow enough to be worn every day.  If this was an item of clothing this would be a pair of your favourite jeans.   The colour is so versatile that it can be worn with a strong eye look or lip look and it won’t compete.  It also can be showcased by itself if eyes/lips aren’t your thing.  I love to wear it like this as my skin has been really good recently, it’s a great way to dress me cheek bones.

Mac ‘Pink cult’ matt blush £17.50 Limited edition sorry for promoting something that you can’t buy.  Mac do re-promotions of this all the time so keep an eye out.

This a great colour and I nearly missed out on buying this.  I was in MAC hunting for a matte pink and the SA put a bit of this on me.  In the pan it looks like a dirty muddy pink.  However on the skin it becomes this warm neutral pink again a colour which is so versatile and can be worn in a number of ways.  There is no shimmer in this so I generally wear this when I have a strong lip colour, or when I want to mental with the black liquid eyeliner.   I am wearing it today with a bright pink on my lips.  My only gripe with some of the Mac blushes is that they aren’t very pigmented.  So you have to really layer it on. 

MUA shade 4 blush £1 Superdrug online and in store

Sorry I am going to have my £1 rant here. (insert disclaimer) What can you buy for £1 nowadays?  Not a lot.  Which is why this is a little gem.  In fact if you haven’t checked out MUA yet I really advise that you do as they really do a couple of bits which are fantastic.  This is really pigmented matte blush with no shimmer.  The colour is a really strong coral, which veers more on the orange than pink.  Beware fairer of skin as this is a really strong colour, this would suit more medium olive skin tones.  I don’t have it but I have heard good things about shade 2 which is a dusky pink with some shimmer though it, this might be a better choice if you are fairer.   I find Coral cheeks hard pair with other eye and lip looks so I tend to allow the coral cheek to the be the focus.  If any of you have any ideas let me know.   I will usually wear this with a mascara and a peachy/nude lip.   This is a blush that I reach for when I want a coral look without the shimmer. 

Hope that was helpful.  Thank you for reading

Carrie x