28 Days of Kisses Day 26/ 27 = Revlon Lip Butter in Sweet Tart

I'm so sorry I didn't get to put up a 28 Days of Kisses post for you guys yesterday. I literally was running all around Dublin doing errands so by the time I got home it was pitch black outside and I didn't want to take a rubbish picture. I thought I'd do a super big post today to make it up to you guys!

First off I though I'd show you this bargain I picked up in Tesco yesterday. For €3.79 I got this pretty tin which contains four Nivea lip balms. I just thought this looked really nice plus it was such amazing value too. My favourite Nivea lip balm, Milk & Honey is included too so I couldn't walk by it. I think this would make a lovely gift for someone special as it doesn't break the bank. On a side note if you haven't tried Nivea's new lip butters you're seriously missing out. I adore Vanilla & Macadamia it smells  heavenly.

I had to head into town and collect a Itunes gift card I won. I ended up giving it to my brother being the kind Big Sister that I am. While I was walking through town I popped into Hodges & Figgis, by far my favourite bookshop in Dublin. The staff know what there talking about in there which I like. Some bookshops I go to the staff know nothing about new releases or particular authors so it's kinda just a job for them. In Hodges & Figgis it's different though as everyone who works there seem to be really keen readers too. I ended up leaving with the two books above which I can't wait to start reading. I love the author, Lisa Jewell she's one of my favourites. I've really enjoyed all the books that I've read from her in the past so I hope this is another good one. When I went to Slimming World last night I was given a big surprise. I was awarded a prize for being "The Greatest Loser" which basically means I've lost the most in the class. I'm really happy as it's such a big achievement for me that in almost a year I've lost over 6 st. I still can't believe it sometimes, I'm definitely going to hold on to this sash forever. I can always look back on it in the future and see how far I've come and what I've accomplished.

Now onto what I'm wearing on my lips today, which is Revlon's Sweet Tart Lip Butter. I'm not going to lie when these first came on the scene I made a dash to my local Boots to pick up a couple. I love how there is a vast shade selection to choose from so there's something for everyone with this range. They wouldn't be the most moisturising product I've tried but the colour pay off is amazing. Sweet Tart is a vibrant pink shade that has a nice glossy finish. It wouldn't be my favourite shade in the range, that would have to go to Cotton Candy but it definitely glams up any look. I need to root out the rest of the shades I have as I feel like I haven't been using these lovely products enough.

Are you a fan of Revlon Lip Butters?

Laura<3

28 Days of Kisses Tag- Day 7= Revlon's Kissable Balm Stain in Charm

I can't believe I've been doing this tag for a week now, the times really flown by. I'm heading to the Butter London Spring Collection launch this evening. I'm really looking forward to seeing what shades the brands coming out with. I already have a couple of their polishes in my collection and I really like them. I like how their shade names are really quirky too and they always come out with some gorgeous colours. Weather wise, today is just another wet and windy day in Dublin. I have a head cold too which doesn't make matters any better. I'll probably have a lemsip later on and hopefully that will clear my head up. After the event in town I'm going shopping with my Nanna, Mam, and Aunty. My Nanna wants to pick me up some stuff for my birthday next week. As I've started to workout more lately I suggested that she should buy me gym wear. My Nanna thought that was a great idea so we're going to have a mooch around the shops later on. Seeing as I have a cold I haven't been doing all too much, I've been reading a lot and watching the tv, the news in particular. Today on Sky News I seen that a asteroid is going to be shooting by pretty close to the earth on my birthday of all days. Bizarre I know!

Today I wore one of my favourite lip products, Revlon's Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Charm. These products got rave reviews when they were first launched last year. I jumped on the band wagon and picked up a couple of shades myself, I absolutely love them. After using them for a while now, I'm not a fan of the minty scent at all but other than that they get top marks from me. The shade Charm is only available in the States at present, hopefully they release it over here. It's a gorgeous peachy nude colour that is perfect for everyday. The staying power of these balm stains are brilliant and I don't feel a need to reapply them all that often.

Have you tried the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains? What your favourite shade?

Laura<3

New Favourite Lip Combinations

 When I was rummaging through my lip products during the week, I came across Revlon's Sugar Frosting lip butter and Topshop's Nevada lipstick. I haven't used either in a while for no reason other than I didn't think they worked to well on their own.

Sugar Frosting would be the lightest shade out of all the lip butters, resulting in it not being as pigmented. When I first got this I used it quite a bit, but then it found it's way back into my makeup drawer. I preferred the shades of the other lip butter I own like Macaroon and Candy Apple. While cleaning I spotted a Barry M limited edition lipgloss I got free with a Impulse body spray. As I got it as a gift, their doesn't seem to be a shade number, I looked on their website and it looks alot like Strawberry Milkshake. Together they both look gorgeous. A perfect pale pink combination for the Summer, it's like both these products were made for each other. I can see myself using both products alot as they will go with any look.  Another lip combination I've been loving is Topshop's Nevada and MUA's Out There plumping lipgloss in Nude. I loved Nevada lipstick when I first bought it but after a while I grew tired of it. It's a peachy nude shade that blanked out my lips and makes them look flat. I don't know about you but that's not the look I usually go for. I swept a bit of MUA's nude lipgloss on over it and it looks beautiful. For me it just lifts the colour a little, making it look more wearable. Being a plumping lipgloss I wasn't too sure about it at first. I've had quite bad experiences with these sort of products (Urban Decay's offering I'm looking at you), they've just really irritated my lips. This problem hasn't happened with MUA's lipgloss it slightly tingles but that's it.

Topshop's Nevada and MUA's Nude lipgloss

Revlon's Sugar Frosting & Barry M lipgloss

It just shows a little bit of gloss can make all the difference. I don't think I would of used Sugar Frosting  or Nevada if I hadn't discovered these gorgeous products to go with them. I don't particularly like using gloss as it's a given that your hair can get stuck in it, but I really like these looks so I'll let that slide.

What's your favourite lipstick/lipgloss combination?

Laura<3

Move Over Revlon Lip butters

There's been so much hype over Revlon Lip Butters that the other releases from this brand have been left unnoticed. In the past month, this brand has released a vast amount of new products. Don't get me wrong, I loved the lip butters, I raved about them awhile ago, but these other products definitely deserve a mention too.

I don't usually lean towards lipglosses on a regular basis but these two have made their way into my handbag. They are two new shades from Revlon's Colorburst that I can see being popular. Bellini is a gorgeous peach shade which will be perfect over the Summer, while  Crystal Water is a clear gloss with purple, blue and pink shimmer.  Both shades are very wearable, Crystal Water looks great over lipsticks or on it's own. For those of you who don't like shimmer it's barely noticeable on the lips unless you look really close. I've been using both lipgloss continuously since I bought them. They are certainly long lasting on the lips without being ridiculously sticky. Did I forget to mention these lipgloss smell amazing? they have such a yummy sweet scent. I want to pick up some more of these soon, but I'm spoiled for choice as there are so many gorgeous shades to choose from.

Another new release Revlon product is the Photoready Perfecting Primer. I'm all about the primers, there a essential for me as my makeup always slides off my face halfway through the day. I guess it's just one of the joys of having oily skin ( I joke). This particular one was quite expensive at €18, I got mine on offer for about €12 in McCabes pharmacy. It has to be said I've been loving this primer, one pump covers my whole face leaving it feeling so smooth. I wouldn't say it works miracles and makes my pores disappear, but they certainly look less noticeable after applying. Unlike some so called matte primers, this actually delivers, it leaves a nice base for makeup application. Both of Revlon's new primers (one available here) are said to contain non of the following: talc, oil, paraben and fragrance. I do get a scent of this but I can't put my finger on what it smells like. As drugstore primers go, this in my opinion is one of the best I've tried.

What's your favourite Revlon product? Will you be trying any of the new additions to the brand?


Laura<3

Nail Polish Obsession Tag

I've only done one tag post since I started blogging, which is poor I know considering I'm at it nearly a year now. When I was tagged to this by Sunshine Rose, I really wanted to do it. This is the Nail Polish Obsession tag, I must admit I have become somewhat obsessed with nail polishes since I started All-Made-Up-21. Before this blog, I didn't realise you could get OPI and China Glaze in Dublin, now they are all within reach.

1. What's your favourite nail polish company?

OPI, with China Glaze close second. I'm really looking forward to seeing the new Hunger Games collection from the latter though.

2.Glitter Or No Glitter?
Glitter! I only wish it was easier to remove. My favourite glitter nail polishes are Teenage Dream and Last Friday Night from the Katy Perry collection. Both are a nightmare to remove though.

3.OPI, China Glaze or Essie?
If I have to choose one, I'm going to have to go with my favourites, OPI. I love their mini sets.

4.When do you change your nail polish?
Whenever it starts to chip to be honest. As I work in retail, perfect nail polish is a must. I've heard it so much by now.

5.What's your favourite colour on your nails?
Pale pinks, wearable and perfect for work.

6. Darks or Brights?
Darks for nights out or for the Winter months. Brights for Spring/Summer. I couldn't possibly choose between the two, I like a mixture!

7. What are you wearing on your nails at this very moment?
Wet n' Wild's I Need a Refresh-Mint. I got it in a makeup swap with Chie. I love this polish, it's perfect for Spring and Summer.

8. Matte Nails - in or out?
I know this is very much "In" at the moment, but I don't own that many Matte polishes. I've heard the Rimmel have their own Matte topcoat so I may pick that up.

9. French Manicure?
 I'm all for French manicures, they look so pretty. It's been a while since I've got one though because my nails keep breaking alot lately, I'll have to wait until they grow back.

10. Favourite Winter Colour?
Hmmmm Revlon's Facets Of Fuschia. I wore this shade on my nails alot during the Fall/Winter months, I love it.

 I really enjoyed this post alot so I'm going to tag all of you!! Let me know if you do this post as I'll have to give them a read.


Laura<3

Another Lovely Makeup Swap!

As you can tell from the title (and the big box above), I've taken part in another makeup swap, my first of 2012. This is the third swap I've done with Chie (MakeupLand2011), she's such an incredibly nice person, if you haven't checked out her Youtube beauty channel, you should you'll love it. I requested some of the products as they aren't available in Ireland, while Chie sent me a couple of extras too! I got a bit delayed sending her swap box, some of the stuff I bought broke in transit (I blame the postman!). I hope you get your goodies soon Chie, thanks for all the lovely goodies you got me:)

Lots of Revlon goodies, I haven't gotten around to trying them much yet, as I've been working non stop. I'm using the Revlon Photo Ready Sculpting Blush Palette quite a bit, I love how it's the perfect size for my makeup bag. I've heard so much good reviews on both of these mascaras, I haven't opened them yet but I'll let you know my thoughts when I do.

I've never tried Wet n Wild Megalast Salon Nail Colors. I love both of these polishes. Wet Cement (polish on the right) is a great everyday shade for work. While I Need a Refresh-Mint is perfect for Spring, I'm wearing it on my nails at the moment and I love it! The brush on these polishes are identical to the Sally Hansen's Complete Salon Manicure one. Now on to the much talked about Maybelline Dreamy Bouncy Blushes, these weren't what I was expecting at all. They feel very funny altogether, I don't know what to think of them. There different to any blush I own, I don't think I've found the perfect way to apply them yet.

Having heard so much about Maybelline's Color Tatoo 24hr Eyeshadows, I had such high expectations and they certainly delivered. Chie sent me the shades, Bad to the Bronze and Audacious Asphalt. I've been using Bad to the Bronze everyday, it's such a beautiful shade. I'm going to use Audacious Asphalt the next time I go on a night out, I think it will look really nice. I don't know about their claim to last 24 hours though, I doubt anyone would wear them that long! I know I wouldn't anyway.

I was so excited to get this. I love Taylor Swift, I've seen her in concert twice (Dublin & Manchester) and she's such an amazing singer. When I saw she released a perfume I knew I had to have it, but then I heard it wasn't being launched in Ireland. I'm so happy Chie could get her hands on this for me, it was definitely worth the wait, it smells gorgeous.

Here are the rest of the goodies Chie sent me. Diane von Furstenberg's fragrance smells beautiful and is quite different to any perfume I have in my collection. I couldn't leave out the Disneyland postcard, isn't it so cute?

I can't wait to start using these products a bit more. I'm going to have some reviews up soon. If there is any product in particular you'd like to see a review on let me know!

Laura<3

What's in my Bag? - Updated

I haven't done a What's in my Bag post since May last year, when I started blogging. Obviously the contents of my bag have changed so I thought it was about time to do another. Like all girls, I tend to carry way too much in my bag. I like to think everything I carry is a necessity but I may be fooling myself a little.

Messy I know but isn't everyones bag?  If they say it isn't you know their lying.

I love this scarf, I bought it along with some matching gloves in Accessorize before Christmas. Unfortunately I lost the gloves, I was so disappointed as they were so pretty. I've worn this scarf probably everyday since I bought it. We never get nice weather in Ireland so it's needed.

 I always have a deoderant and a Impulse body spray in my bag. I'm still not too keen on the Lynx Attract For Her packaging, but seeing as I bought it I might as well use it up. A new purchase of mine is the Avene's Eau Thermale Thermal Spring Water. I've been using this to set my makeup lately, so refreshing.

Nothing too interesting in this picture. Basically there's my keys, battered old purse, glasses, umbrella (it's Ireland), Ipod and Muppet's Cardholder for my Age and Travel card.

A mixture of beauty products I found throughout my bag. I'm surprised at how many were in there. I had a lot of "so that's where you went to" moments. My mom bought me the Nivea Pouting Princess tin, it contains two lipbalms. I really like it. The Chocomania Body Butter (travel size) and Soap & Glory's A Great Kisser lip balm are recent purchases. I'm going to do a review on both of them soon.

Here we have my 2012 diary, a empty tin of Glee mints (courtesy of my Mom), a pocket mirror, Travalo (Burberry Body smells like heaven) and my makeup bag. Let me know if you would like to see a What's in my makeup bag post. I don't think I've done one before.

Last but not least is the book I'm reading at the minute. Yes I got a Kindle for my birthday, but I still have a mountain of books to read. I've finished all the other books in this series, Vengeance is the last as you can see. I just started it so I can't wait to see how everything pans out in the end.

So that's everything that's in my bag. I sure do carry alot more around with me than I did in May last year.

What's a must in your bag?

Laura <3

Revlon Lip Butters

After hearing so much about the Revlon Lip Butters all over the blogosphere, of course I was delighted when MakeupLand2011 sent me three as part of my Christmas presents.

 The shades Chia sent me are Cotton Candy, Peach Parfait and Sugar Frosting. I've been using them all so much, they've never been out of my bag. All three lip butters are so wearable and look well with any makeup look. I apply them to my lips daily especially when I'm not in the mood for lipsticks. The shade names are also really nice and sweet, which I like alot.

As you can see from the picture above I've used these good bit already. I was surprised at how pigmented these lip butters were especially Sugar Frosting, it's definitely a my lips but better shade. They may not be as moisturising as some lip butters I've used in the past. That said I'd much prefer them when I'm having a dry lip moment as they do give a nice pop of colour.

The packaging itself is very sleek, I like how the case has a see through top letting you see the product inside. I know on occasion I've bought a lipstick after relying on the colour of the packaging, never a good idea. The only tiny problem I have with the packaging is that the product does tend to smudge like the Carmex Lip Balms did.

Cotton Candy, Peach Parfait, Sugar Frosting

Here is a picture of me wearing my favourite lip butter, Cotton Candy. It's such a gorgeous pink shade. The foundation I'm wearing in this picture is Revlon Colour Stay foundation, I purchased it after I reading so many great reviews. So far so good I love it. How does it look? Excuse my shelves in the background, still in the process of reorganising everything.

Revlon Lip Butters are going to be available in Ireland/United Kingdom on Thursday 23rd February. There are twenty shades to choose from, so I can see myself purchasing some more of these!

What do you think of the Revlon Lip Butters? Will you be purchasing some in February?

Laura<3

Christmas Gifts From MakeupLand2011

The lovely Chie from Makeupland2011 sent me a Christmas gift which I received in the post last week. I've done two swaps with Chie in the past which you can check out here.  It was like Christmas had come early when this parcel arrived at my house!! All the products were wrapped in gorgeous festive wrapping paper.

No your eyes don't deceive you, these are the much talked about Revlon Lip Butters. Chie surprised me with three gorgeous shades, Cotton Candy is my current favourite. Revlon Lip Butters are only available in the United States, I don't think there launching in Europe until March next year. I'm going to pop up a review on these sometime in the New Year.

Chie also got me the ELF HyperShine Gloss Collection set. It contained all of the above lipglosses. I've never tried these ELF lipglosses before and so far I'm loving them. They are all wearable shades that I can see myself using alot. The middle lipgloss in the picture above doesn't have a name, I wonder what it is?

Thank you so much Chie for being so nice and thoughtful. I really love what you got me! I hope your enjoying your gifts too:D

Laura<3

NOTD- Revlon Facets of Fuchsia

I've been eyeing up this gorgeous nail polish for a while now. Yesterday I finally decided I needed it in my collection. It's a shade I can see myself wear all through the Winter months ahead.

Facets of Fuchsia is a black gel polish with fuchsia glitter (hence the name). After two coats I got the result seen in the above picture. I love this nail polish and it's one of my new favourites. Being my first ever nail polish purchase from Revlon I can certainly see myself buying more soon.

At €9.00 I think it's quite a reasonable price for such a beautiful nail polish. Happily for me I had saved up quite a lot of Boots point I didn't know about and got it for free.

What do you think of this gorgeous Autumn/Winter shade? Any other Revlon nail polishes you'd recommend?

Laura<3

FOTD- Barcelona Style

As I said in my 'Barcelona, I love you' post I only wore makeup on my first day in Barcelona. It was considerably hot and humid so I thought it was pointless to wear any as it just melted away by the end of the day.

I decided to opt for a natural look and went for neutral brown shadows.

Face

Too Faced Primed & Poreless Primer

Korres Wild Rose Foundation in WRF1

Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda Concealer Palette

MAC Studio Careblend/Pressed Powder in Medium

The Body Shop Honey Bronzer Bronzing Powder in Medium Matte

Smashbox Blush Rush in Everlasting

Eyes

MAC Paint Pot in Painterly

Revlon Custom Eyes Palette in Naturally Glamourous

Smashbox Limitless Eyeliner in Java

Collection 2000 Super Size Fat Lash Mascara

Lips

Too Faced Glamour Gloss in Barely Legal

I really loved this look as it was so simple!! 

Laura<3

Revlon Custom Eyes Palette

I love this palette!! I bought it a little over a week ago and it has come in handy. The sturdy palette contains five shades which is perfect for when your in work or on the go.

There are 6 palettes to choose from each comes with four shadows and a liner. Naturally Glamourous is the palette I picked. It has gorgeous brown neutral colours which I love. They create a natural look which would look great for day or night.

I've been using it so much lately for a daytime look for work. All the shadows are very pigmented and blend effortlessly. A diagram on the back of the palette shows you where all the shades should go on your eye. There is also a bar with numbers that corresponds to each eyeshadow so it's hassle free.

Here are some swatches of the palette...

I can see myself getting more of these palettes as I've been so impressed with this one. All the shadows are super pigmented. This would be perfect to bring on holidays instead of bringing big bulky palettes that may take up extra space in your bag.

What do you think of the Revlon Custom Eyes Palette??

Laura<3