Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Moisturising Stick

Yes, I admit it. I am a closet lip balm addict and literally have one in almost every room of our house plus a minimum of two in my handbag at one time or another. Having dry lips is a real pet hate of mine and I think I actually may have a little bit of a problem with how anxious I get if I don't have a lip balm of some description within reach.

On a recent online shopping binge I decided to take the plunge and buy this Nuxe Lip Moisturising Stick as I really, really love their dry oil and was kind of hoping for a similar 'wow' experience with this lip balm.

Unfortunately it just doesn't do it for me. Don't get me wrong, it is a lovely, moisturising balm and feels gorgeous when applied to the lips, but, it just doesn't have any lasting power whatsoever. I just find it wears off way too quickly and I practically have to apply it every 20 minutes or so on bad days when my lips are feeling a bit dry just to stay comfortable.

It has a lovely, subtle flavour that isn't too overpowering and doesn't really linger once applied and of course the stick applicator is easy to use, mess free and easy to transport in a bag all day long.

I just can't go past how quickly it wears off and the fact that I just don't feel that I get enough of a coating on my lips. I've had a bit of a bout of head colds over the past few weeks which has been the real test for this lip balm and it definitely hasn't performed as good as I was hoping.

For the price (usually around $10 or so) it's obviously not too bad and is a reasonable product, but I definitely won't be repurchasing as I have tried a lot more lip balms that perform much better on my lips in my opinion.

Such a shame.......

Has anyone else tried this lip balm before? Do you have any suggestions of ones that I may not have tried yet but should?

Have a great weekend!
Michelle xx

Lipstick Queen 'Saint' Lipstick in Hot Rose

So I decided on a whim to order my first ever Lipstick Queen lipstick a little while ago as it is a brand that I have heard so much about but never tried before. Also, the nerd in me has to mention that I was inspired by an article in one of my CPA magazines that featured Poppy King and how she grew her empire so I was intrigued enough to finally buy one of her lipsticks to try.

The 'Saint' lipsticks in the Lipstick Queen range are a sheer lipstick that contain only 10% pigment. They are very moisturising and more like a tinted lip balm which is great if you want to just dip your toe in a certain shade without fully committing to high impact colour. There is also a 'Sinner' lipstick in the range that are the exact same shades as those available in the 'Saint' range, but they contain 90% pigment and are a more matte, opaque finish for those that prefer more punch.

I am so pleased that I ordered the 'Saint' version of Hot Rose as it is such a beautiful shade that is very buildable when I want more colour, but can act like a really pretty tinted balm on those days when I don't want to go overboard with my lips.

It is a very hydrating lipstick that is not too heavy on the lips. It surprisingly also lasts quite a few hours before fully wearing off and my lips always feel so moisturised all day whenever I wear it. It's one of those lipsticks that are just wonderful for the warmer months because it's very easy to forget that you are even wearing it.

This lipstick is advertised as being shimmer and fragrance free and although I can detect a very subtle scent and taste, it definitely doesn't interfere with the wear of the lipstick or with eating or drinking during the day.

Another wonderful bonus is the fact that this lipstick doesn't bleed at all into the lip lines and it wears off nice and evenly while leaving a very subtle tint behind.

I've been wearing this lipstick so often lately as it's a great shade that is really easy to wear with a variety of looks and I'm so glad that I took the plunge and tried one. I'm definitely curious to try some more shades in the range as well as giving the 'Sinner' ones a go as well next time.

Have you tried the Lipstick Queen lipsticks before? What are your favourite shades?

Have a lovely week!

Michelle xx

Current Nude Lip Gloss Love - Yes To Carrots C Me Shine Lip Gloss in Playful Nude

I'm not usually into wearing nude gloss much as it can make me feel a little washed out sometimes so I normally will wear something with more of a tint in it for days when I feel like a gloss instead of a lipstick.

A couple of months ago I received this Yes To Carrots C Me Shine Lip Gloss in Playful Nude in one of the monthly sample boxes and surprisingly it's become a regular in my handbag for days when I'm out and about but don't want to have a full makeup face.

This is not like you'd expect from a normal gloss. It's not thick or too sticky at all which is what I think I love the most. It's a very light gloss that makes my lips feel extremely moisturised for hours and being such a pale nude it's super easy to apply on the go without the need for a mirror. It's got a cooling sensation when applied due to the addition of peppermint oil which makes it a nice and soothing gloss to use on hot days.

The one complaint I have is the full-on peppermint flavouring that it has which is the same as the tinted lip balms. I don't mind a slight peppermint flavour but it really is quite strong and can almost get a little overpowering sometimes, especially if you are about to eat or drink.

Overall though, this is a great lip gloss that is actually beneficial to your lips as well as giving them a nice subtle shine.

Has anyone else tried this or any other C Me Shine Lip Gloss? If so, what did you think?

Michelle xx

It's Good To Be Chubby - Clinique Chubby Sticks in Two Ton Tomato and Curvy Candy

Ok, so I know I'm VERY slow with getting on the Clinique Shubby Stick bandwagon but now I finally am I'm hooked!

Have you ever had that one product that you lusted after every day but just couldn't get yourself to actually buy it for some reason? That was me and the Chubby Sticks. I stopped at my local Clinique counter practically every time to drool over these beauties and swatch away, then I would always just walk away empty handed.

Why you ask? Well, I'd read so many mixed reviews for them that I was reluctant to part with what really is a sizeable amount for a glorified tinted lip balm. So, I dreamed my little dream but never took the plunge to actually purchase one.

Then came Valentine's Day this year. Hubby was awesome enough to go out of his way at lunchtime when he was at work and walk up to a Clinique counter and explain his silly wife's obsession to the sales assistant, all while she swatched away so he could try and choose some shades he could see me wearing.  was so impressed because I had no idea of his intentions and I really don't think I have said enough on this blog how much I really do love my hubby :-)

Between the two of them they decided on Two Ton Tomato, a gorgeous sheer red, and Curvy Candy, a lovely sheer flushed pink.

My favourite is definitely Two Ton Tomato and I have been wearing it a lot due to it being just such a lovely, wearable red for everyday.

The Chubby Sticks feel just so moisturising on my lips and amazingly last around 3-4 hours on me without having to be reapplied. They really are a glorified tinted lip balm I'll admit but as far as I'm concerned they can get away with it by being just plain cute and so easy to apply due to the twist up nature of the stick.

(Left: Two Ton Tomato, Right: Curvy Candy)

 

(Wearing Cliniqe Chubby Stick in Two Ton Tomato)

I'm very keen to try out a couple more of these now that I finally have some.

What does everyone else think of the Chubby Stick? Am I the only one who still issues a small giggle whenever I say the name of these?

Have a great week!

Michelle xx

I've finally jumped on the Korres Lip Butter bandwagon!

Ok, so I usually pride myself on the fact that I have very good self restraint and very rarely go into lemming mode when I see products being talked about. I usually only fold if the product looks like something that I absolutely CANNOT live without, and this is my defence as to why I decided to purchase two Korres Lip Butters not so long ago.

The two that seemed to appeal to me the most were Wild Rose and Pomegranate so thanks to the wonderful world of online shopping I had these both in my hot little hands within the week of deciding I needed to have them in my collection.

These lip butters are extremely popular and I have since found out why. They taste absolutely yummy and leave such a pretty soft tint on the lips that lasts for a good couple of hours on me.

They also leave my lips feeling super soft once applied and this softness sticks around even after the colour has faded away.

(Left: Wild Rose, Right: Pomegranate)

My one gripe with these Lip Butters is the little white pot they come in. It has a very narrow opening which I dread trying to use if my nails ever decide to grow again like they used to. At the moment I tend to use my pinky to get the product out but I really think that if they came in a tube or lipbalm type dispenser they would be much more appealing.

There are a few other flavours in the range which I might also look into getting one day down the track.

Am I the last person on the planet to try these? I'd love to know if anyone else has had any lemming moments as well lately?

Michelle xx

Face of Australia Sheer Gloss Lip Crayons - Love At First Swatch!

Recently I had a bit of a lemming moment and decided in a split second moment to buy some of the new Face of Australia Sheer Gloss Lip Crayons. I didn't really need any more lip colours, but I've seen these around so much lately that curiosity just got the better of me.

The crayons come in a three pack with three very wearable colours for pretty much anybody. They are very moisturising and are almost as good as a tinted lip balm with keeping the lips hydrated when applied.

They are so smooth to apply and come in a very handy wind up applicator rather than needing to be sharpened like some other lip crayons. They aren't too soft either so you don't end up crushing the tip if you press too hard which is great.

Macaron - A really pretty bright pink

Sundae - A very sheer nude

Cupcake - A subtle pale pink

Macaron is definitely my favourite shade of all three although I have been using Cupcake like it's going out of style because it's such a great shade to keep in my handbag for subtle touch-ups during the day when I'm out and about. It's so sheer you don't need to be anywhere near a mirror to reapply.

Left to Right: Macaron, Sundae & Cupcake (Without Flash)

(With Flash)

I'd love to see these available as single crayons so you could purchase your favourite one when it runs out rather than having to buy the pack again and more colours, such as a sheer red or coral, would be great too.

Has anyone else tried these yet? If so, what did you think?

Michelle xx

30 Days of Lippy - Week 2

So, I have just gotten through the second week of the Instagram challenge called 30 Days of Lippy (#30daysoflippy) which was created by Rosemary at Lashes and Lattes and Kimberley at Pop Couture.

Here is the list that we have been following every day:

So, last week in my Week 1 post I got up to Day 10 (I missed the first couple of days of the challenge). So, here is what I wore from Day 11 onwards:

Day 11 - Shimmery

                                           Calvin Klein Delicious Pout Gloss in Breathless

Day 12 - Close to Your Natural Lip Colour

                                                   Savoir Faire Lipstick in Miss You

Day 13 - Lilac or Mauve

                                     Avon Ultra Colour Rich Lipstick in Looking Glass Lilac

Day 14 - Wear Blush on Your Lips

         LimeLily Cosmetics Cream Blush in Gorgeous with Elizabeth Arden Crystal Clear Gloss on top

Day 15 - Brown

                                                Innoxa Lovely Lips Lipstick in Marigold

Day 16 - Two-Tone Lip

I was going out to dinner this night so I wasn't confident to wear a two-tone lip out. Instead I played catch-up from Day 1 - Your Favourite Lip Colour and wore my Calvin Klein Creme Lipstick in First Kiss. 

Day 17 - The Darkest Lipstick You Own

  

                                              Mirenesse 3D Forever Gloss in Hot Kiss 

So that was my past week in lipstick. I've had so much fun doing this challenge as it's made me appreciate some lipsticks and glosses that I haven't used in a while and now I have developed a love for them all over again.

All except the Brown day where I wore the Innoxa lipstick in Marigold. I don't think this is a colour I will ever wear out of the house again even though I used to live in lipsticks of this colour years ago! Haha!

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend!

Michelle xx

30 Days of Lippy - Week 1

So, I decided to join in on the Instagram challenge called 30 Days of Lippy (#30daysoflippy) which was created by the lovely Rosemary at Lashes and Lattes and Kimberley at Pop Couture.

Here is the list:

I have to say that I've had so much fun participating in this challenge so far and it's really made me get creative and sift through all my lip products to come up with the look for the day. It's certainly gotten me out of my makeup rut at least!

So, here is what I've posted so far. I started on Day 4 as I came across it a bit late so I missed the first three days.

Day 4 - Red Lips:

Revlon Colourburst in True Red



Day 5 - Coral:

Models Prefer Lipstick in After Party

Day 6 - Wear a Stain:

OCC Lip Tar in Strumpet blotted off to a stain

Day 7 - Favourite Revlon Lip Butter

I don't own a Revlon Lip Butter yet so I just used another moisturising lip product I love instead - Clinique Superbalm in Current

Day 8 - A Matte Finish

Revlon Super Lustrous Matte in Really Red

Day 9 - Hot Pink

I realised that I seriously lack anything in the Hot Pink category (this needs to be rectified soon!) - Instead I used one of my favourite pinks which is Models Prefer Ultra Lipgloss Pencil in Kiss & Make Up

Day 10 - Most Recent Lip Purchase

Mirenesse Velvet Lip Lift Moisture Shine in No. 20

So that's my first week in the challenge. There's been some amazing photos shared so if you haven't checked it out yet then you definitely should!

I hope everybody had a great long weekend (besides the atrocious weather!)

Michelle xx

May Addiction - 'Yes To' Brand

I realise I haven't done a monthly addiction post in a while but truthfully it's because nothing I used had really grabbed my attention to that degree until this month. I don't know if it was the stress of studying for my exam which was at the beginning of May or whether I just lost my mojo for a little while but I seemed to be a bit all over the shop beauty product wise the past couple of months.

That was until I started acquiring some 'Yes To' products and grew a soft spot for this brand again.

I used to use this brand quite a lot in the past because it was gentle on my sensitive skin but then moved on I guess to other more exciting brands. Lately I have been into 'Yes To' products again and my current go-to items from this brand at the moment are as follows:

1) Yes To Cucumbers Hypoallergenic Facial Towelettes - One word sums up these wipes, 'Bliss'. I can't get enough of the scent of these wipes. They have such a clean, fresh scent that instantly makes stress disappear once they are wiped over the face. They remove all traces of makeup and leave my skin feeling fresh and completely clean and soothed which is awesome after a big night out when I'm tired and want nothing more than to get my makeup off quickly and get into bed. I sometimes even forget to put my moisturiser on after using these because they make my skin feel moisturised enough.

2) Yes To Cucumbers Soothing Daily Gel Cleanser - I've been using this cleanser for a while now and love how sqeaky clean my skin feels after use. Again, it's got the nice, fresh cucumber scent that I just love. This gel can be a bit drying though but as long as I put on a moisturiser straight after using I don't notice any problems. The best thing to me is that I feel no stinging and get no eczema flare ups from using this cleanser. Win!

3) Yes To Carrots Conditioning Lip Butter with SPF 15 - This is such a thick lip balm that is great for those days when your lips feel like old sandpaper after a big day out in the sun and/or wind. It makes the lips feel extremely moisturised and stays on for at least a couple of hours. The only thing I must mention to be aware about with this Lip Butter is that if you apply it too thick you get a nice cream looking coating on your lips so apply it sparingly as that's not the best look to go for.

4) Yes To Carrots C Me Blush Lip Tint in Ready Red - I can't say enough about how good this Lip Tint is. I like to use this during the day to get a small tint of colour on my lips when full-on red lipstick would be too much. It stays on for ages and leaves the lips feeling so soft and moisturised. You can build the colour of this tint up too by applying a few layers if you want it to be a bit darker. It's got a very strong peppermint flavour to it though which leaves a cooling sensation on the lips so if you're not a fan of peppermint then this may not be for you.

What brands have you been loving lately?

Michelle xx

February Addiction - Lip Gloss

I have a tendency to go through stages with my makeup just like most people probably do. Sometimes it's out of laziness and sometimes it's just because I get a bit of an obsession with a certain product.

The month of February for me couldn't be called anything else other than 'Lip Gloss' month. For some reason I went a little bit off wearing lipstick and became a little obsessed with wearing lip gloss instead. I can't really put a solid reason to it other than I am in love with the fact that they are so buildable, can be a great subtle addition when I'm not really in the mood for a full face of make-up and are also a bit more pleasant on the lips in my opinion when the weather is hotter and my lips have a tendency to dry out.

The products that I found I reached for the most this month were the following:

1) Clavin Klein Delicious Pout Flavoured Lip Gloss in Breathless - I have never done a review on this gloss for some reason and I really don't know why because it's one of my favourite all time products. It's a gorgeous bright but sheer pink that shimmers without being over the top. I love this on it's own to just enhance my natural lip colour and give a nice shine to my lips but it's also great to apply over the top of a pink or nude lipstick for an added element of shine. It tastes like lollies too which is always a bonus.

2) Maybeline Colour Sensational Creme Gloss in Sugared Honey - I have had this gloss for what seems like forever and I never tire of using it. It's a great all round gloss that doesn't feel sticky and has great staying power for a gloss.

3) Clinique Long Last Glosswear in Sunset - I actually reviewed this gloss here a little while ago. This is still a favourite of mine as it's such a nice shimmery gold that looks great in it's own or when applied over nude or even red lipsticks. It's got an SPF 15 too which I really like.

4) Ecotints Lip Moisturiser in Plush Red - I have also managed to review this one here previously. It's technically a lip balm more than a gloss but I still love it because it adds a nice red tint to the lips without being too over-the-top red. It also keeps my lip feeling super moisturised.

5) Sheer Cover Lip Gloss in Pink Praline - I haven't review this gloss yet as I still haven't made my mind up about it even though I've actually been using it quite a bit lately. I find the colour is virtually non-existent when put on the lips and it's got a taste that almost borders on being unpleasant but I keep going back to it because it actually feels quite nice on and seems to stay on forever. If only they could improve the taste I'd probably buy more or these.

6) Mirenesse 3D Forever Lip Gloss in Hot Kiss - I have previously reviewed this one here  and am still a fan of this gloss. It's a terrifying colour if applied too thick as it's a super bright purple but I've now mastered how much to use and love the plum tint it gives my lips when I'm after a gloss with a bit more of a noticeable colour.

7) Mirenesse Velvet Lip Lift Moisture Shine - I have no idea what shade this one was as the label has worn off a bit but it looks like a pale glittery pink in the tube and applies almost as a clear gloss with a touch of shimmer. I've only got probably another one or two uses out of this before I have to sadly say goodbye and I think it will definitely be a repurchase quickly after that. It's quite a thick gloss that makes me feel almost like I'm wearing a really moisturising lip balm and I like that it's practically clear but with just a teeny hint of shimmer because it goes with absolutely anything.

And here are the swatches. For once the lighting was on my side, yay!

(From left to right - Sheer Cover in Pink Praline, Calvin Klein in Breathless, Maybeline in Sugared Honey, Mirenesse in Hot Kiss, Ecolips in Plush Red and Clinique in Sunset)

Sorry, but there wasn't any point in swatching the Mireness Velvet Lip Lift Moisture Shine because it just kept showing up as a wet patch on my arm and not much else. It's way too clear to really work in a photo.

Has anyone else had a product they've been using over and over lately and just can't get enough of it?

Review - Pangea Organics Lip Balm with Pyrenees Lavender & Cardamom

I received this lip balm in a previous BellaBox and was a bit sceptical at first due to the flavour combinations of Lavender and Cardamom sounding quite out-there for a lip product. But, I decided to give it a fair try and it's now become my favourite most reached for lip balm!

Pangea Organics pride themselves on using beneficial, organic, raw ingredients and providing open disclosure and transparency of ingredients and operating under responsible business practices that benefit people and the planet. They carefully select the highest quality fatty acids, essential oils and botanical extracts that nature has to offer while avoiding ingredients that have been processed with petrochemicals.

This lip balm is a bit bigger than your average balm and is twisted up from the top, not the bottom like most others (which takes a little getting used to!). I have used this balm religiously on a daily basis since receiving it and have hardly seemed to make a dent in it yet. I can see this balm lasting for an extremely long time.

The lavender in this balm is supposed to have healing and calming properties and the cardamom has anti-oxidant and reviving properties.

Once you get used to the strong lavender flavour, you start to appreciate just how good this lip balm is. I actually find the flavour kind of pleasant now since I've gotten my head around it. This balm is also so smooth and nice to apply and seems to keep my lips feeling hydrated and smooth for hours on end.

It's a great base to apply prior to a lipstick too to keep your lips from drying out and to give a nice smooth lip surface.

I am definitely interested in trying more products from this brand now.

For more information they have a website at PangeaOrganics.com

Has anyone else ever tried this brand?

Ecotints Lip Moisturiser in Plush Red

One of my favourite lip balms right now is my EcoLips Ecotints Lip Moisturiser in Plush Red.

It's a sheer balm with a really pretty red tint that is just so wearable practically everywhere if you want a little bit of colour but not the full coverage of a lipstick. It's also a great transition for anyone who would love to try red lips but just aren't game enough to try a full-on red lipstick just yet.

Ecotints are cuelty free, carmine free and gluten free and contain 90% organic ingredients. They also contain aloe vera, beeswax, organic coconut oil and are flavoured with organic vanilla.

I find it stays on my lips for a couple of hours or so before needing to be reapplied which isn't too bad for a lip balm like product. It's smooth and easy to apply as it's just like any other normal tube lip balm and makes my lips feel nice and moisturised.

It's also got a pretty shine and doesn't go patchy or wear away unevenly.

I'm even a fan of applying some of this over a red lip pencil if I want to have red lips without all the hassle of trying to get a red lipstick to look just right.

Has anyone tried any of the other shades in this range?

MOR Lip Sync Trio Gift Pack

This is to be a really quick post as we have no internet at home at the moment so I'm having to write this on my phone. Not the easiest thing to do!

Anyway, I recently purchased this MOR lip sync trio gift pack as a Xmas present for a good friend (who luckily doesn't read this blog) and I just wanted to share it with you guys as I think its one of the most adorable things ever.

It comes as a cute Xmas bauble and there are three Lip Macarons inside in the flavours French Vanilla, Rosebud and Peach Nectar and I just want one of these for myself now (hint hint to hubby).

I have a bit of an obsession with MOR products and don't think you can ever go wrong with anything from their range.

I really hope my friend likes this!

What does everyone else think of MOR? Do you have any favourite products from this brand?