Rimmel 'The Only 1 Matte' Lipstick Review

I have somehow been sitting on this review for months in my drafts folder and had no idea that I hadn't actually pushed the 'Publish' button on it yet. Ooops, my bad!

Anyhoo, I was lucky enough to receive all 9 shades in the Rimmel 'The Only 1 Matte' range to try out and review and these lipsticks have become a firm favourite that have been on high rotation ever since.

First up I have to say how much I love the packaging of these lipsticks. The red tube really stands out amongst my other lipsticks and I love the way the lid gives a nice, satisfying 'click' when closed so you don't need to be worried about them opening in your makeup bag or handbag.

The coloured strip that shows you the shade each tube contains is also great and they also have a coloured sticker on the base just in case you really need to be sure which one you are picking up, or you prefer to store your lipsticks standing up rather than lying down.

These lipsticks don't bleed into the lip lines and feel nice and comfortable once applied to the lips. They don't leave my lips feeling dry after wearing them but I've found that they do have a tendency to kind of 'bunch up' on the inner lip area if too much is applied which can be a bit unpleasant. I've found that because they are so pigmented you only need to swipe over the lips one or two times to get enough product on there so as long as you don't go too overboard then this problem can be avoided.

These lipsticks tend to wear around the 5-6 hour mark on me before needing to be touched up and as they wear off they leave a nice stain behind.

Here are some swatches:

Shade 101 - Leader of the Pink

* 101 - Leader of the Pink - A pretty and very wearable, everyday pink shade.

Shade 120 - Call the Shots

 * 120 - Call the Shots - A super bright, dark coral/pink. I've found this one a bit more on the drier side to apply.

Shade 200 - Salute

* 200 - Salute - A pinky nude which is a very versatile shade that goes with practically everything.

Shade 500 - Take the Stage

* 500 - Take the Stage - A bright, true red. This one is so creamy to apply and is a spectacular shade of red.

Shade 610 - High Flyer

* 610 - High Flyer - A darker, dusty pink/nude. This one is hands down my favourite shade for everyday wear.

Shade 700 - Trendsetter

* 700 - Trendsetter - A true beige nude. Great shade if you are a nude lover.

Shade 750 - Look Who's Talking

* 750 - Look Who's Talking - A dark chocolate brown shade. It has a lovely consistency but I struggle to wear shades like this with my pale skin tone.

Shade 800 - Run the Show

* 800 - Run the Show - A spectacular, bright lilac. It's much brighter in real life than I could get it to show in a photo. I'm absolutely terrified of wearing this colour out in public but I'm obsessed with it.

Shade 810 - The Matte Factor

* 810 - The Matte Factor - A gorgeous plummy red. This one is my second favourite that I wear on a regular basis.

Rimmel 'The Only 1 Matte' lipsticks

Overall I think these are another great lip product from Rimmel who just keep impressing me again and again on their makeup products.

If you're a fan of the matte lip look then I definitely recommend trying these out.

Have a lovely day!

Michelle xx

Shiseido Lacquer Rouge in Blaze (OR 508)

I purchased this liquid lip glaze on a whim one day when I spotted it for sale online as I'd never tried a Shiseido lip product before.

This lip product comes in a cute, little tube with a doe foot applicator this is nice and easy to open and close and mess-free when applied.

It's a lovely, smooth liquid lip glaze that applies nice and evenly and it gives exceptional coverage with just one coat.

Unfortunately, I'm not too sure what possessed me to purchase the shade Blaze as orange lips have never seemed to suit me and I can never work them into a makeup look.

(Shiseido Lacquer Rouge - Blaze (OR 508))

As far as the formula goes, it doesn't bleed into my lip lines which is a bonus and it always feels more like a lip balm when applied as it's so lightweight and comfortable to wear all day. I can't seem to notice any smell or taste once applied which I also really like.

It seems to wear off pretty evenly throughout the day and does have to be re-applied every couple of hours, especially when doing a lot of talking, eating or drinking so I can't say that it's a very long wearing formula.

I just really wish that I'd bought one of the pink or red shades now that I could get more use out of, but there's always next time!

Have you ever tried one of these lip lacquers before?

Have a super New Year everyone!!

Michelle xx

July 2016 Favourites

So, I'm a few days late with getting my July favourites out but I had a few items this month that I really enjoyed using and just had to share (lets just forget that I haven't done a favourites post in around a year or so shall we!)

So this month I had a little mix of things that I kept going back to again and again. These were:

1) Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water - It took me a really long time to get on the Micellar water bandwagon as I was convinced that it was a lot of hype over nothing. But, since I decided to take the plunge and buy some of this at Priceline a few weeks ago I can now see why it is so popular. This product takes off any makeup product it's put up against and does it with very minimal effort. It's non-irritating, even when used for stubborn eye makeup and has no annoying scent or oily residue. My skin feels refreshed and totally clean after use so I will definitely be repurchasing this when it runs out.

2) L'Oreal Infallible Makeup in Creamy Natural - This would have to be hands down my most favourite foundation of all time. I have had this bottle for what seems like forever and I put it aside now and then to use other newer foundations I buy, but then I always go back to it and wonder why I change. It goes on flawlessly using a brush or a beauty blender and stays put all day long. It doesn't sink into my fine lines and gives me great medium to full coverage without looking like I'm wearing a huge amount of makeup. I just love it!

3) Australis AC on Tour Contouring and Highlighting Kit - I was going to do a full review on this product but decided not to as I think it has been reviewed to death. This palette never leaves my makeup table and is my most reached for item at the moment. All of the highlighting powders are the perfect shade for my pale skin and the middle contouring shade is just great. These powders are so easy to blend out and seem to last for the whole work day. They also make good eyeshadows on those days when I'm in a rush and want a quick, neutral look. For the price this has to be one of the most economical palettes out there.

(Australis AC on Tour Contouring and Highlighting Kit)

4) Elizabeth Arden Lipstick in Rose Petal - I have been living in this lipstick this past month as it is the perfect everyday winter shade for me. It is a gorgeous medium, rose-pink shade that is so creamy to apply and it lasts for hours, even through eating and drinking. This formula doesn't sink into lip lines at all and it keeps my lips feeling moisturised and soft all day. I have always been a huge fan of Elizabeth Arden lipsticks and have a few of them in my collection. I don't think they get anywhere near enough attention in the beauty world.

(Elizabeth Arden lipstick in Rose Petal)

5) Sukin Purely Ageless Intensive Firming Serum - I received this is the last Priceline beauty bag and am going to be running back to my nearest store to get more as soon as it is finished. This serum feels just gorgeous on my skin and makes it seem so soft and supple when applied. I absolutely adore the smell as well which is kind of sweet but floral at the same time (I suck at describing scents!) It's not sticky at all and absorbs into my skin straight away so it doesn't feel too heavy when I apply my day or night cream afterwards. I will definitely be repurchasing this.

6) Rimmel Magnif'eyes Eye Shadow Stick and Liner in Back to Blacks and Queens of the Bronzed Age ** - These shadow/liner sticks have been on my eyes almost every day for the past month. They make a subtle daytime smoky eye possible in literally under 2 minutes. My favourite way to apply these is to do a thick swipe of the black shadow along my upper lash line followed by another thick swipe of the bronze shadow on top of the first line. I then quickly grab my eyeshadow brush and then blend, blend, blend upwards until my whole eyelid is covered and I have an unbelievably fast and long-wearing smoky eye. I then like to use the golden liner end to line my lower lashes and highlight the inner corner of my eye. The trick to these is to blend them very quickly as they set fairly fast and then don't budge for the entire day, even on my badly hooded eyes. They are amazing!  

(Rimmel Magnif'eyes Eye Shadow/Liner sticks in Queens of the Bronzed Age and Back to Blacks)

So that's it for my favourites this past month!


Have a great week!

Michelle xx

** Product received for consideration but my thoughts are purely my own.

Rimmel 'The Only 1' Lipstick Review

Oh, is there any better feeling then opening a new lipstick for the first time and applying it?

I must admit that lipsticks are my weakness. Above all makeup products I just can't seem to go past a good lipstick. I really don't know what it is about a lipstick that appeals to me above a pretty blush, or highlighter or whatever but lipsticks are the one thing I don't think I will ever have enough of.

So, when I was lucky enough to receive some of the Rimmel 'The Only 1' lipsticks to trial I was excited beyond words.

I mean, who wouldn't be excited about looking at such pretties all lined up together, hey?

These Rimmel 'The Only 1' lipsticks come in 15 shades of which I received 5 to try out. They are described as an all-in-one lipstick with long lasting colour, comfort, moisture and wear.

I must say that I am definitely impressed with the colour payoff and wear of these lipsticks considering how affordable they are. They are a dream to apply and leave my lips feeling soft and moisturised for most of the day. I have managed to get a good 5-6 hours out of one application before needing to touch up and they seem to fade to a nice stain once they do start to wear off.

They are a really creamy lipstick that feel almost like butter when applied onto the lips. They are exceptionally pigmented and dry to a very pretty satin-like finish but do have a very strong, sweet, fruity scent and taste when first applied which does tend to fade pretty quickly though. Also, my biggest test for a lipstick is seeing if it bleed into the lip lines and this one passes that test with flying colours!

I also am a huge fan of the rounded bullet as I tend to prefer this shape to your usual pointed lipstick bullet, but I know this shape does have a tendency to turn a lot of people off.

(Left to Right - 120 You're All Mine, 200 It's A Keeper, 510 Best of the Best)

(Left to Right - 600 Peachy-Beachy, 700 Naughty Nude)

The sleek black packaging of these is a winner for me and I absolutely love the coloured strip that represents the shade of lipstick contained within. There is also a coloured label on the bottom that matches the shade as well so it is always easy to pick out the colour you want to wear no matter how you store them.

And here are the all important swatches:

(Top to bottom - 120 You're All Mine, 200 It's A Keeper, 510 The Best Of The Best, 600 Peachy-Beachy, 700 Naughty Nude)

(Rimmel 'The Only 1' Lipstick - 120 You're All Mine)

(Rimmel 'The Only 1' Lipstick - 200 It's A Keeper)

(Rimmel 'The Only 1' Lipstick - 510 Best Of The Best)

(Rimmel 'The Only 1' Lipstick - 600 Peachy-Beachy)

(Rimmel 'The Only 1' Lipstick - 700 Naughty Nude)

My favourite shade is definitely You're All Mine as it's such a pretty, versatile pink that goes with just about every look. Coming a very close second is Best Of The Best which has to be the most brilliant red lipstick I think I own.

Have you tried The Only 1 lipstick yet? If so, what's your favourite shade?

Have a great day!

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

Rimmel Lasting Finish Nude Lipstick Collection

So I'm a little bit late in getting this post up due to having some ridiculously dry lips lately and not wanting to post without showing some lip swatches (beauty blogger problems!)

Anyway, we're off and running now and I am very excited to tell you about the Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Nude Lipstick Collection as these lipsticks have seriously restored my faith in wearing a nude lip.

The five shades I received to try range from a very pale nude to a much darker plummy/brown and I love the way some of them are more brown toned while some have pinkish tones in them as well.

I already owned a couple of Rimmel lipsticks in my collection at home and after trying these ones it has now become one of my favourite lipstick brands as they are all just so creamy and feel almost weightless on the lips once applied.

(Rimmel Lasting Finish Nude Collection)

The shades are all numbered instead of having names (my one little gripe with Rimmel lipsticks!) so from top to bottom the swatches above are 40, 42, 43, 45 and 48.

Shades 42 and 45 are firm favourites of mine and can be used for practically any look depending on whether I want a more brown toned or pink toned nude lip. Shade 40 scares me a little because it is just so pale and against my pale skin tone it makes me feel like I look a little dead, but I have seen photos of it on others with a really dark smoky eye and it looks sensational. Shade 43 is a definite brown toned nude that can also look a little washed out on me unless I brighten up the rest of my face and Shade 48 is one that I can see myself getting a lot of use out of when winter comes around again.

The thing I love most about these lipsticks is that they don't bleed into lip lines and they stay put for a good few hours during the day, even after eating and drinking. They feel nice and hydrating on the lips and are comfortable to wear all day, even if your lips aren't in optimal condition as mine have been lately.

They do have a very strong, sweet scent and taste when first applied though so if you are not a fan of lip products that stay with you for a while then just be warned. It isn't unpleasant, just very noticeable.

Now, here are the lip swatches:

(Rimmel Lasting Finish Nude Lipstick No. 40)

(Rimmel Lasting Finish Nude Lipstick No. 42)

(Rimmel Lasting Finish Nude Lipstick No. 43)

(Rimmel Lasting Finish Nude Lipstick No. 45)

(Rimmel Lasting Finish Nude Lipstick No. 48)

Has anyone else tried these lipsticks yet? Are you a fan of any other Rimmel lipstick you'd like to tell me about?

Have a great week!

Michelle xx

***These items were provided for consideration but my opinions are solely my own***

Cherry Brown Natural Lipstick in Hot Pink

I received this lipstick as part of a Nature's Beauty Bag a while ago and have recently started wearing it on a regular basis.

Cherry Brown make natural lipsticks and natural mineral cosmetics in the Huon Valley, Tasmania, Australia. According to their website, everything is made from only the best natural ingredients including extra-virgin oils and mineral colours.  All products are free from chemicals, animal products and synthetic dyes. No palm oil is used in any of our products and they are all suitable for vegans and vegetarians.

Here is some information on their Natural Lipstick range:


'Our lipsticks are super moisturising and are made with pure ingredients like apricot kernel oil and extra virgin macadamia nut oil. 

Our lipsticks are free from:

Animal testing Petroleum products Palm oil in any of its forms Animal Ingredients Chemical additives Preservatives Synthetic dyes and colours Micronised ingredients Nanoparticles

 

The shade I received was Hot Pink and it is definitely true to its name. This shade is not for the faint of heart as it is such a vibrant, hot pink on the lips with cool undertones.

'Cherry Brown Natural Lipstick in Hot Pink - Natural light'

 

'Cherry Brown Natural Lipstick in Hot Pink - With flash'

Surprisingly I've been getting quite a bit of wear out of this lipstick even though it is so bright, mainly because I have been a bit lazy lately with the rest of my face makeup so putting on some bright lips seems to make me feel put together even when the rest of my makeup is quite bland.

This lipstick can be worn quite sheer with just one swipe or it can be built up to be a beautiful vibrant pink on the lips with a few coats. It's quite moisturising on the lips and doesn't feel dry at all as it wears off. I usually get around 3-4 hours of wear from it under normal circumstances before needing to touch it up.

What I also love about this lipstick is that it doesn't really have any noticeable taste as far as I can tell and no scent either which is always a big winner with me.

If you have never checked out anything by this Australian brand I definitely recommend having a look at their website. They have a few different shades in their lipstick range as well as other products such as mineral makeup and eye makeup. I'm always on the hunt for a good Aussie brand and get very excited when I come across a new one.

Has anyone else ever tried any products from Cherry Brown before?

Have a great weekend everyone!

Michelle xx

New Lipstick Love - Mary Kay Creme Lipstick in Pink Melon

Yep, so I think I've discovered that I'm a bit of a pink lipstick hoarder. I can't seem to get enough of them lately and my current favourite that I picked up a little while ago is this Mary Kay Creme Lipstick in Pink Melon.

 

This lipstick is the first Mary Kay product that I have used in years! A friend of mine is a consultant so I decided to help her out by getting this lipstick the last time she had a little get together. I'm really glad I did get it as it's been on very high rotation ever since.

This lipstick is very creamy and glides on nice and smooth. It's super pigmented and usually one coat is enough to last on my lips for a good couple of hours. As it wears off it leaves a nice pink stain too. It doesn't bleed into the lip lines and isn't drying at all which is something I love.

I also love the scent as it's almost caramel-like, but not in a too sickly sweet way. It's not too strong tasting on the lips once applied and fades pretty quickly to be practically unoticeable.

(Mary Kay Creme Lipstick in Pink Melon - Natural Light)

(Mary Kay Creme Lipstick in Pink Melon - With Flash)

The packaging is nice and sturdy too and I like the way you can see what shade the lipstick is by looking at the top of the lid.

I have been wearing this lipstick an awful lot lately as it's such a versatile shade that looks great for work but is also not too overpowering to wear to the shops or out to lunch. 

I'm so glad that I picked this up!

Has anyone else used Mary Kay cosmetics lately? Is there anything else I should try?

I hope everyone is having a lovely weekend.

Michelle xx