Beauticology - Your Beauty Fix

REVIEW: CND Super Shiney Top Coat

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi @ Beauticology.com) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 18:44:00 PST

Do you ever wish your nails looked as perfectly shiny and glassy as they do just after you've applied your polish? I do, and I've been trying every top coat in the known universe trying to replicate the look, without a lot of luck. I had a Manicare Hi-Shine Top Coat that was pretty close, but when I got to about halfway down the bottle, it started leaving hundreds of tiny bubbles on my nails when it was drying. That's the last thing you need - shiny, bubbly nails. Urgh.

When I last visited my manicurist she had a new top coat product she wanted to test out on me and I've got to say, this is stuff is the SHIZ. It dries quickly and evenly and most importantly it is SUPER SHINY.


I'm wearing OPI Big Apple Red with CND Super Shiney Top Coat.

The name you ask? Coincidentally, it is Creative Nail Design Super Shiney Top Coat.

I don't think it's too early to say that this is now my Holy Grail Top Coat, at least until I find something more amazing, and believe me, it has a lot to live up to!

CND Super Shiney High-Gloss Top Coat is available online and at many nail salons for around $19.95 for a 9.8ml bottle. If you think that is not big enough, ask your manicurist to order the large 68ml bottle (as above).

Sunday Short n Sweet: Know Your Face Shape

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi @ Beauticology.com) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 14:30:00 PST

Today, gorgeous makeup man Wayne Goss teaches us how to find our face shape and what to do when you want to highlight your best assets (the ones on your face at least).

I love that he reminds everyone that there is no 'ideal' face shape and how it is important to love the one you've got & learn to make the most of it.

What is your face shape?

REVIEW: Clinique All About Lips

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi @ Beauticology.com) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 14:30:00 PST

Primed face?
Check!
Primed eyelids?
Check!
Primed lips?
Wait. What?

Your lips are an equally important (and potentially more sensitive) part of your face that is often overlooked in a standard beauty routine. We want to keep our pucker in prime kissing health all year round but the sun, wind, air conditioning and drying lip products don't help. So whats a girl to do?

If you are looking for a product that primes as well as nourishes AND helps prevent and diminish fine lines, you can't go past Clinique All About Lips. I've been using it since it was released many, many years ago and I've not found a better product. The tiny 12ml pump-action bottle lasts forever as you need less than a full pump to cover the area on and around your lips.

Simply apply a drop of the white liquid and wait until it has soaked in. Then apply your lip products as usual. You'll notice your lips feel a lot smoother and velvety. Products will adhere better and last a whole lot longer.

Clinique All About Lips is available in department stores and online for AU$40

REVIEW: Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi @ Beauticology.com) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:12:00 PST

Finding the perfect cleanser for your face can often be one of the hardest things to do beauty-wise. Some are too greasy, too soapy, too oily and then finally (hopefully), after feeling a little like Goldilocks, you find the cleanser that is just right.

When I visited the Dermalogica Head Office, I sat down with beauty therapist Amy to have my face mapped, with some surprising results. It turns out that while I am prone to hormonal breakouts and a bit of congestion in my t-zone, my skin is otherwise quite dry. That makes my skin 'combination' - that tricky region between normal, oily and dry. It makes skincare a bother because the product to fix your oily forehead, wont work on your dry cheeks, and vice versa.

Dermalogica comes to my facial cleansing rescue with their Special Cleansing Gel. A gentle product that cleans the grime, all while maintaining the delicate natural balance of my skin.

Yes, it is a foaming cleanser, but don't be put off. This is one of the first foaming cleansers I have used that doesn't make my face feel tight and uncomfortable. The other great advantage is you only need the tiniest amount because it foams up like crazy. I've been using it for more than a month now, and I have barely made a dent in my 500ml bottle.

A 5 cent piece dot of product makes all this!

My skin is much more balanced since using this every day, no massive swings from breakouts to flaky skin. My pores are clearer and I can see the difference!

BEST NEWS: If you purchase the 500ml pump at the moment, you will get a small bottle of PreCleanse and a Gentle Cleansing Cloth free. Who doesn't love a freebie?

Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel is available in beauty salons, or online at Dermalogica.com

This product was provided by Dermalogica. Please read our disclosure policy for more information.

RIP Evelyn Lauder

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi @ Beauticology.com) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 17:20:00 PST

In sad news, Estee Lauder announced Evelyn H. Lauder passed away today aged 75. She is responsible for the epic success of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation which she started in 1993, that has gone on to raise more than $350 million to support research into one of the most prevalent cancers impacting women today.

Evelyn Lauder (centre) with Elizabeth Hurley and Gwenyth Paltrow

An inspiring woman who will be missed.

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Beauty.com 20% Friends and Family Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi @ Beauticology.com) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:24:00 PST

Who doesn't love a sale?

Sunday Short n Sweet: Hiding Tattoos

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi @ Beauticology.com) — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 15:30:00 PDT

Did you see the recent article about the white supremacist who had his facial tattoos removed?

It made me think about how we judge people about so many things, including the ink they have chosen to adorn their body with.

Some people choose to have their tattoos removed, while others cover them up for a wedding, job interview, meeting the in-laws etc but have you ever wondered what a person would look like without the tats? Would you treat them any differently?

Dermablend has been the go-to tattoo and scar removal product for a long time, and once you see the clip below, you will see why:

WANT: Bobbi Brown BBU Palette

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi @ Beauticology.com) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 15:30:00 PDT

It's compact and sleek. It holds every colour a beauty addict could ever want. It's from Bobbi Brown. It's something I'd love to get my hands on!

If you are a budding Makeup Artist or even just love doing your friends faces, this is the perfect addition to your makeup kit, as it covers just about every skin colour imaginable. It is one of the very few mass beauty brands which stock a foundation that is light enough for my skin.

While there isn't a lot of product in each well, the idea is to use this as your go-to palette and then refill from standard sized products when you run out.

If you think you have seen the palette before, you're right. Bobbi Brown released a very similar one a few years ago, with a few less items.

According to the blurb, the palette contains 11 shades of Corrector for extra dark circles,14 shades of Creamy Concealer for average undereye darkness, and 20 shades of Foundation Stick to give skin a smooth, even finish.

The Bobbi Brown BBU Palette is $350 and is only available online.

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Gym Bag Beauty Essentials

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi @ Beauticology.com) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:30:00 PDT

Some weeks when I am feeling particularly adventurous, I will shower more times at the gym than I will at home. This means I need a beauty kit that covers the bases, but isn't too bulky, particularly if you have to lug your gym bag on public transport to work with you.

I've edited down my kit to include the following (left to right):

The Body Shop Facial Cleansing Brush $4.95 - while this doesn't do as good a job as my Clarisonic, it is better than cleanser alone at removing grime.

The Body Shop Rainforest Balance Conditioner $18.95 - A clay-based conditioner that soothes the scalp and untangles your hair, all without weighing it down.

Mitchum Unscented Deodorant $2.99 - This is the best no-frills deodorant out there.

Bliss The Best of Skintentions $48 - You've just sweated out a ton of impurities, so the last thing you want to do is fill your pores with excessive amounts of product. This is a light moisturiser and sunscreen in one.

The Body Shop Rainforest Balance Shampoo $18.95 - A gentle shampoo without a lot of chemicals.

Philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser $30 -This is one of the few foaming cleansers that doesn't leave my face feeling tight and nasty.

Lady Jayne Pocket Comb $4.39 for two - The perfect size for your gym bag or handbag.

Schick Quattro Trimstyle Razor $12.99 - It is always handy to keep a razor in your gym bag, so you can catch up on de-fuzzing if you haven't showered at home for a while.

The prices above are for full-sized products, but depotting into a smaller bottle is easy (and more cost efficient). This is when saving the GWP's and magazine samples come in handy, even if it is just for the packaging!

What do you keep in your gym bag?

Halloween Horror: Heidi Klum

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi @ Beauticology.com) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 15:30:00 PDT

You've got to love a supermodel. A supermodel with a wicked sense of humour? Even better. Heidi Klum loves Halloween more than anyone I know (children included). Having hosted the biggest and best Halloween bash for the past 10 years, Heidi takes her costume duties very seriously. Over the years she has been a robot, Lady Godiva, an Indian Goddess, and even a poison apple (cleverly hiding her 8 month baby bump).

This year is definitely no different, but with a rather creepy twist. Heidi transforms herself from German glamazon over the course of several hours into the most amazing costume to date.

Even with no makeup she still looks amazing - damn!

Check out her transformation below:

Would you go this far fora Halloween costume?

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Sunday Short n Sweet: Newspaper Nail Art

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi @ Beauticology.com) — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 15:30:00 PDT

Following on from our nail-packed week, why not end it with a nail video?

I love the simplicity of this idea, and it also means that a nail dunce like myself can do it without completely stuffing up my nails, or leaving polish from one end of the house to the other.

Check it out, and make sure you send me a pic if you try it, I would love to see your take on it:

NEW: Nicki Minaj for OPI Collection

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi @ Beauticology.com) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 15:30:00 PDT

Nicki Minaj, of fairy floss coloured hair and round rump fame, is the latest celeb to collaborate with OPI and release a collection of nail polishes. There are six colours, including a new Shatter called Super Bass, which looks like it is purple with a gold fleck. My favourites are Super Bass Shatter and the dark metallic colour called Metal 4 Life (middle row, right).

Super Bass, Save Me, Pink Friday, Metal 4 Life, Fly, Did It On Em.

Would you buy any of the Nicki Minaj for OPI Collection? Which is your favourite?

Not sure if they will be seen in Oz, but I will let you know when I find out. OPI Polishes are typically $19.95 and are available in most nail salons.

Image from colourfulvanity

REVIEW: Sally Hansen Salon Effects

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi @ Beauticology.com) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:30:00 PDT

Have you ever tried to accomplish the crazy nail effects seen on many a beauty or nail blog, and failed miserably? What if I told you achieving the nail design on my fingernails below was as simple as rubbing a sticker on my nail, and it lasts up to 10 days?

Apply to clean nails

Sally Hansen has released a range of nail polish strips, so beautiful nails are in the reach of even the most uncoordinated of beauty addicts (i.e. moi). Almost foolproof, they are feather-light strips of nail polish which can be cut or filed into shape after being applied.

Are they as good as nail polish? They don't give a shine like polish, however a simple swipe of top coat would fix that. In terms of obtaining the same effect with polish and nail stamps, it would have taken hours (for me anyway), and the strips took all of 15 minutes (for a first time user).

Are they worth the price? Well, that is up to you to decide whether the ease of the strips outweighs the cost of them. At $14.95 and around 2 applications a pack, they are not cheap. Although, if you weigh up the cost of the strips versus the cost of going to a nail salon, they are a downright bargain - it really depends what works for you and your budget.

Each strip

If your nails aren't too long, each strip can do two nails, and they come in a range of different sizes to suit all nail widths. To apply, you simply take off the protective layer, peel off the polish strip, smooth onto your nail and file the edges. That's it. If you don't believe me, check out the video below.

I'm wearing '360 - Laced Up'

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips come in a range of colours and patterns and are available at Priceline for $14.95

NEW: OPI Gold Shatter

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi @ Beauticology.com) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 09:32:00 PDT

The latest colour in the OPI Shatter range is GOLD! I can't wait to try this with maybe a black or other dark colour underneath.

OPI Shatter in Gold is now available for $19.95

MAC Celebrates Halloween... with Snooki?

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi @ Beauticology.com) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 00:16:00 PDT

You read that correctly, MAC Cosmetics has teamed up with Snooki (of all people) for their annual Halloween competition. 6 finalists from around the world compete against each other to come up with the wildest Halloween beauty look.

Here is the first episode where we are introduced to the six finalists:

I have to admit (not that I have ever watched an episode of Jersey Shore), Snooki didn't grate on me as much as I thought she would. But, I still think there are a million other people who would have been more suitable than someone who is famous only for getting drunk and punching people.

Does Snooki being involved make you love MAC more or less? I'm still deciding.

Rihanna's Esquire Cover

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi @ Beauticology.com) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 19:00:00 PDT

The latest issue of Esquire magazine is out later this week and the cover girl is none other than music superstar Rhianna, who is looking AMAZING. I know we've all seen more than enough of naked celeb skin of late, but this girl is h-o-t.

I'm not going to suggest there was no photoshopping involved, however it is great to see a woman who hasn't had everything that makes her a woman erased by the click of a mouse.

Stripped of the crazy clothes and wild hair, Rihanna looks stunning with little more than a smokey eye and nude lip:

What do you think of the new pictures of Rihanna?

Pictures courtesy Esquire

When Beauty Goes Bad

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi @ Beauticology.com) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:44:00 PDT

I've had blue and pink hair, wore green frosted eye shadow (don't ask), had the dead skin eaten off my feet by small fish and eaten food no self-respecting person should ever try - all in the name of beauty. So to say I am fairly open-minded, is a generous description.

I draw the line at things that are dangerous, uncomfortable, or just plain ridiculous.

Case in point:

When I was a teen working the McDonalds drive-thru (as you do), I remember a woman who would come through with nails so long she had to scoop the coins out of her purse with her super long garishly painted nails. The woman above makes my drive-thru woman look like she has chewed her nails down to the quick. How on earth does she get dressed? Brush her hair? shake hands? Drive a car? I'm baffled how someone can live a normal life with talons like that.

These toenails look like they belong on a velociraptor, rather than a human:

I'm guessing she doesn't wear closed-toed shoes very often...

What crazy things have you done in the name of beauty?

Sunday Short n Sweet: Flight of the Bumble Bees (Nails)

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi @ Beauticology.com) — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 00:26:00 PDT

I am constantly in awe of people who get creative with their nails. I spend most of my time just trying to keep mine from splitting and tend to visit the nail salon if I want them polished. Even then, it only tends to last a day or two.

In one of my random internet perusals, I came across a number of blogs with bumble bee themed nail designs and I had to share them.

I love the detail of this one, with the hive on the thumb:

Or this:

This one mixes bees with clouds & sky for a more unique look:

It also comes with a video tutorial:

If you want to scare your children (and me), get completely outrageous and go for something more like this:

Which is your favourite? Do you get OTT with nail designs?

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NEW: MAC Quite Cute Collection

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi @ Beauticology.com) — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 14:29:00 PDT

It's been a while since MAC has released a collection that is simply pretty. MAC Quite Cute totally sums it up. Pastel pinks, purples, greens and apricots round up the collection of fun, lolly-coloured makeup treats.

See the lineup below. I just love the blushes and lip glasses! With regards to the packaging, it is a shame they didn't follow the hearts seen in the blush, through to the rest of the products. It makes it seem a little out of place when they are only found on one product type.

The reviews however, have not been so great. The word in the blogosphere from those who have tried the products are that they are chalky and second-rate. Another comment has been that the whole collection is reminiscent of the Sugarsweet collection of 2009. I don't agree. While the premise is similar, the range is quite different with the current collection missing MSF's, shadesticks and tri-colour lipglasses.

Christina from Temptalia has a very thorough review below, so you can make up your own mind:

MAC Quite Cute collection is available in April.

Sunday Short n Sweet: Waterproof Makeup

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi @ Beauticology.com) — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 05:51:00 PDT

I need to preface this post with a small comment: For the love of all that is cute and pretty, don't wear a full face of makeup to the gym, beach or when running a marathon. You look like a twit and all the while your skin is trying desperately to sweat out the toxins through the pores you've covered up. If you can't bear to leave the house without some makeup, try a tinted moisturiser.

If however, you are having a huge night dancing or going to a wedding, feel free to go nuts on the waterproofing. Wayne Goss, makeup master and wedding expert, talks about some of his favourite waterproof products and gives some tips on how to keep your makeup exactly wear you put it.

Sunday Short n Sweet: Steal Elizabeth Taylor's Makeup Look

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi @ Beauticology.com) — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 05:01:00 PDT

What better way for a beauty blog to celebrate the life of actress/ businesswoman/ philanthropist/ general great dame Elizabeth Taylor than to show a brilliant tutorial on how you can achieve her famous look?

Here is pixiwoo with her take on one of the worlds most well known faces:

New Face of Lancome: Emma Watson

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi @ Beauticology.com) — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 19:56:00 PDT

She's young, she's pretty, she's smart, and now, just a week after announcing she is taking leave from her studies at Brown University, it has been revealed she is the new face of Lancome.

Emma Watson has grown up before our eyes as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series and now she has grown in a gorgeous woman. I think the pixie hair has really helped define the next stage of her career and helped shed her teenage Hermione look.

‘Lancôme is pleased to announce the arrival of Emma Watson as new ambassadress of Lancôme. “Thanks to her charm, romanticism and her incredible modernity, Emma Watson has become the icon of her generation. we are delighted by this new collaboration with Emma who brings a fresh spirit to Lancôme”, says Youcef Nabi, President of Lancôme International.’

Look out for the ads online and in magazines soon.

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Touching Up Your Roots

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi @ Beauticology.com) — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 20:53:00 PST

Today I am going to admit one of my beauty secrets. It isn't something I have told anyone recently, but I need to get it out there. Ok, here goes:

I used to colour my hair with a Sharpie/Magic Marker/Texta. There. I said it.

In my defence, it was the late 90's, I was in high school and all the kids were doing it... Some would even do it with a highlighter. It was the time when girls used to paint their nails with Liquid Paper and boys used to colour theirs in with a black texta. We were so cool.

Obviously, I am a little older and wiser these days and look for products that aren't designed as stationery to use on my hair. One thing hasn't changed though: I still need to cover up my roots when I am between visits to the hairdresser.

There are a multitude of products out there, all claiming to instantly cover your greys and hide your skunk roots in between salon visits. I'll tell you now, some are hideous. Sparkly, gluggy goop in a mascara tube does not fool anyone.

Unless your hair looks like this, avoid glittery products

Some of the latest products are more sophisticated and are designed with more than one hair colour in mind. In my search, I found so many different products, all claiming to flawlessly cover roots and hide grey hair. I even found something that resembles a crayon. Please explain to me how a crayon can possibly look natural?!

The latest product is from Rita Hazan. You may have heard her name from the Sunsilk ads (she is the hair colour expert), and her product Root Concealer is similar to a hairspray, where you spray continuously along the root line to cover the section you desire. It has received a 4.3/5 star rating on the Sephora website, which is quite impressive. It is also available in a red colour, which many others aren't. Again, it is not available in Australia, and if/when it is, you could probably only buy it in stores due to its flammable nature. If you are in the US, you can pick it up from Sephora for US$24 for a 30ml can.

Oscar Blandi's Pronto Colore Root Touch-Up & Highlighting Pen is a pen that looks similar to a lip brush, which you apply colour to your hair. It comes in a range of six colours, but isn't available in Australia. It only scores 3.3/5 on Sephora, with many saying it is thick, messy and hard to apply.

The only product I have tried with any success is the Bumble and Bumble Hair Powder. It works as both a dry shampoo and as a root touch up, because it comes in a number of shades. This is perfect for those who are after a dry shampoo but find the white powder shows up on their dark hair. The only downside is the cost. At AU$72 at Mecca Cosmetica (only US$35 in the US), you may as well go to the hairdressers a week early.

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The Fury of Mother Nature

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi @ Beauticology.com) — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 17:17:00 PST

2011 has been a trying time in my neck of the woods. Australia has been battered by floods, cyclones and a barrage of general bad weather. Whole towns have been wiped out and Brisbane, Australia's third largest city, was partially underwater and destroyed. These amazing photos from ABC News show just how much the landscape changed when the wall of water hit parts of Queensland:

More recently, New Zealand has been struck with their worst earthquake in history. As I am writing this, around 320 people in Christchurch have either died, or still missing - that is almost 1 in every 1000 residents. To put that in perspective, it is equivalent to around 4500 people in Sydney, 8400 people in New York City, 7500 people in London and 12500 in Delhi.

Luckily, they breed us tough down here and we won't be broken. The sight of thousands of people in Queensland lined up, armed with brooms, shovels and anything else they could find warmed my heart. To now see hundreds of student rallying together via Facebook to help where they can is such an amazing thing and reaffirms my faith in humanity after some of the other horrors of late.

Beauty blogging seems a little trivial when so many things have been going on so close to home, so I apologise to those who were hoping for an upbeat post on lipstick. Other things are more important.

If you would like to donate to the Queensland Flood Appeal, please do so via the Queensland Government website.

If you would like to donate to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal, please visit the NZ Herald website for more information.

Tips for Achieving the Perfect Red Lip

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi @ Beauticology.com) — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 17:53:00 PST

Many women say they can't pull off red lipstick. What rot! I believe anyone can wear a red lip, you just need to find a colour that suits. This post gives you the low down on how to apply a red lipstick to perfection, and some pointers on how to ease into the boldness.

Red lips (or any really bright lip) require a little bit more work to stop them feathering or bleeding, but the results can be unlike any other.

First, prep your lips with a primer. I like Clinique All About Lips or MAC Prep and Prime Lips. This gives you a good base and makes the colour stick.There is nothing worse than finding more lipstick on your glass, fork and clothes than on your lips. Yuck.

Then you need to outline your lips with a lip pencil (MAC Redd or NARS Jungle Red), however I prefer to fill in the whole lip with the pencil. This stops you from having that dreaded red outline after the lipstick has faded and gives your lipstick something to hold onto.

Once you've applied the lip pencil, fill in your lips with lipstick (NARS Jungle Red or Tom Ford Cherry Lush), ensuring you stay within the lines.

Once your lipstick is set, layer with a gloss. You can try a red lipgloss for a more bold colour (MAC Russian Red, Lipstick Queen Fired Up or Lanolips Lip Ointment in Apples), a clear gloss for a bit of shine (Kiehl's Lip Balm) or even a totally different colour to tone down the red (Korres Lip Butter in Jasmine or Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker in Perfect Peach).

A really good visual representation is available on the video below, xsparkage has a really similar way of applying red lipstick.

If you are worried about wearing a red lip for the first time, there are a few ways you can ease into it and build up the colour gradually. Lip glosses are a great start. One of the first red lips I tried was with a lip glaze by Stila in Red Apple, a gorgeous pinky- red but applies as a sheer gloss. They don't make the colour anymore, but Elf make a really similar colour called Vixen and it is only a couple of dollars.

You can also try using a lipstick, but use a sheer colour (like Lipstick Queen Medieval Lip Tint), or a full strength colour, but apply it with your finger, gently patting it on your lips until you achieve the right shade. This can tone down a very bright colour and you can apply a bit more as you become more confident. A touch of gloss can also make a matte colour seem a little less harsh.

My last tip is to try out as many different shades as possible. Just like a pink lipstick, there are shades that will flatter you and some that don't. Don't be dragged down by counter staff trying to sell you whatever is in the latest collection, stick to your guns and test like crazy. Ask staff to apply a colour and walk around with it on, go outside and see the difference between sunlight and fluorescent lights. You are bound to find your perfect shade.

Finally, a good red lip can light up your face and make you feel a million times better, so next time you are having a crappy day, give a red lip a try and see the difference!

Naomi xx

Top image from Tom Ford Private Blend Lip Color Collection