GAGA ABOUT BEAUTY: LIPSTICKS BY KIKO

If you haven't heard me rave on about this yet (and if you have apologies in advance), but there is now a KIKO in Leeds. Wahoo! 

I absolutely love the brand and think it doesn't get nearly half the credit it deserves. My favourite must-have item by them is the Gel Effect Top Coat, I prefer it to Seche Vite and that is saying something. Although previously you could'nt get hold of this outside of London, I now have one on my very doorstep and have managed to squeeze in two trips to the store already in the last week, where I grabbed these two lipsticks. Oopsy!

First up was a berry shade from the new Ace Of Diamonds range, which I knew I had to get hold of once Anna recommended it. And it is every bit as fab as she claims. The colour is your classic autumn berry, with a satin finish. It's so creamy when applied it can be done in one swipe, but then dries down to something with real staying power. I have only had to reapply after around four hours, and then a stain was still left so the reapplication was not a must. At £8.90 it's also not bad for such good quality. I've heard a lot of people calling Kiko 'drugstore', but I find it to be as just good quality as high end. 

(exotic shine lipstick in 03, ace of diamonds lipstick in 27)

Next up I also purchased a discounted lipstick from their summer range, which I have an eyeliner from and loved. I heard a lot about the Exotic Shine Lipticks, so when I saw they were on sale I picked up a bright orange-coral-red which is a fail-safe colour for me. Although I don't usually go for non-matte finishes, this sits somewhere between balm and lipstick which really makes it work. If you were excited but then disapointed with Benefit's balm releases this is probably what you were hoping for. I think it was around £4 in the sale.

These two are absolute winners in my eyes and once again have left me wanting more from Kiko. I warn you now, the store has so many shades and formulas you might feel a little overwhelmed at first, but it's well worth swatching to your hearts content and reading a few reviews because once you buy, you will be hooked. 

I'd love some more recommendations so please comment below with anything I should pick up (or shouldn't for that matter)!

Charlotte x

GAGA ABOUT BEAUTY: ANYONE FOR ORANGE-AID?

Orange is definitely the it-colour this summer. Clothes, accessories, lips and blush, tangerine shades are popping left right and centre. But orange is a daunting shade to rock, even for a bright lip lover like me. I've been putting many different offerings to the test over the past couple of months and I've come up with four gorgeous products that can rock that orange trend whether you want to be subtle or bold.

For a barely-there pop of orange, if you don't wear much makeup or just want easing in, Benefit's new Cha Cha Balm is the most subtle orange I've come across, but isn't very buildable, so more pigmented lipped ladies should probably steer clear. Still for the tiniest pop of orange this is a really lovely moisturising balm too that's fool-proof in application too. Next up is another sheer offering but something that packs a little more punch. Topshop's Sheer Lips in Play With Fire is a more muted orange, more like a salmon meets coral, so more wearable than a more true orange shade. However, this will still give a shot of colour. Another good option, and one with a little more orangeness, is Topshop's Infrared, a bright orange with a glossy, wearable finish. Finally, for anyone who fancies going all out on the orange lip trend, Mac's Morange is the most obvious choice. Slightly red toned, this is easier to wear than it looks, plus has a really brightening effect to the face. If you're worried about whether you can pull off an orange, a reddy toned one like this could be your best friend, and with a semi-matte finish it can be blotted to matte for more impact or left slightly glossy for less bang!

 (left to right: benefit chachabalm, topshop play with fire, topshop infrared, mac morange)

What are you're favourite oranges? I would love to try more so let me now what you love...

Charlotte xx

the only reds you could ever need

Lately I've been revamping and de-cluttering my room, and I've been thinking about ways of streamlining my ever-growing collection more and more. One thing I have way way too many of is red lipsticks. Although I will probably never stop buying them, more than ten red lip products is really too many for the average person. In fact, I've shortlisted my favourites to just three key red lip products to help you achieve every look you could want without the heavy price tag.
 

1. The Buildable Balm: A red tinted balm is any red lip virgin's best friend. Plus perfect for daytime. The Maybelline Baby Lips in Cherry Me is the best I've found; one layer is a your lips but better tinge, two or three and you can build up punchy, sheer colour. Summer red, check!

2. The Blue Red Liner: The winter red. These tend to be darker than your orangey reds and super flattering (really eye and teeth whitening too). It layers fine under orange-reds without changing the undertone as well as being gorgeous on its own. Now you could have this as a lipstick, but having it in a liner like Barry M Lip Liner in 03 also gives you the option to create a subtle ombre lip look with darker tones around the outside. Ombre = fuller, sexier lips.

3. The Orange Red Lippy: A failsafe and an all year favourite. Can be layered over the darker liner or worn alone for a bright pop. If you're feeling ill, hungover, or had one too many late nights an orange red lip like Nars Red Square or Mac Lady Danger can perk you up in a jiffy. Here your balm can come in to create another look, layered on top to create a juicy but full pigment look. Gorgeous in photos too. Or you can layer with the blue red liner to create a more true red, if you have some time on your hands.

So there you have it, a balm tint, a stronger sheer gloss, a blue toned red, an orange toned red, an ombre, a true red, a glossy take on both reds, a range of shades and finished for all seasons and all occasions. In just three products. I'm proud even if I do say so myself.

What red's do you rely on? What are your multitasking favourites? Could you stick to just three lipsticks?

 

Charlotte xx

Lustlist #4

I don't know what it is about uni, but the more I work and get stressed out, the bigger my urge to shop! Spending money is the way I relax, ahhh I just love it! I've started to think about Christmas as people have started asking what I want, here's a few ideas I've been having whilst researching my essays internet shopping....

A tartan scarf- I'm on the shelf on this one after seeing so many people wearing them. To buy or not to buy.

Purple short Hunter wellies- I love these! I live in my short black ones in winter and it's about time I added a big of colour to my shoe wardrobe.

YSL Mascara- A few of the house girls use this and say its amazing... but it's not the cheapest and I'm really picky about mascaras, it's such a personal thing.

Stila All Day Liquid Lipstick- The amount of times I've swatched these then put them down is insane. I just can't decide what colour to pick, plus I'm waiting on the new Topshop Velvet Lips too. Buying at least 5 when I finally crack is inevitable though.

Vivienne Westwood Earrings- These are top of my christmas list. Please, Santa, pleaseeeeeeeee.

Marc Jacobs Natasha Bag- Gorgeous. Do I need to say more?

Happy Lusting lovelies,