Lips so Facto - UK Beauty and Lifestyle Blog

Makeup Starter Kit + Giveaway

2012-02-23T08:34:00.003Z

Please read: I received a rather nasty comment regarding the 'light' Rimmel powder which is part of the giveaway being 'discrimination' and 'narrow minded'. I've already stated this - but for those who missed it - it is TRANSPARENT and I watched several tutorials by girls with NC45 and darker skintones saying they had no trouble with the colour before purchasing it. As I said in this post, I spent a lot of time and thought trying to choose products which would suit all skintones so it is really disappointing that some people are not appreciating this. Please watch this review if you are unsure.

As a thank you to my subscribers for all the support I've received on both Lips So Facto and my Youtube channel, I have put together a sparkly new starter kit to give away. It would be perfect for someone just starting out with makeup or maybe someone outside of the UK who wants to try some brands from the British highstreet. The colours I have chosen should suit all skin tones!

The set contains - EcoTools 6-piece brush set, MUA Heaven and Earth eyeshadow palette, Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal eye liner in Black, Collection 2000 Super Size Fat Lash mascara, Rimmel Stay Matte powder in 001 Transparent, Natural Collection blush in 'Peach Melba', 17 Mirror Shine lipstick in 'Beehive' and Barry M Nail Paint in 'Peach Melba'.

Rules

Follow Lips So Facto on Google Friend Connect and leave ONE comment telling me your favourite highstreet/drugstore makeup item and your twitter or email contact.

For an extra/alternative entry you can also enter on Youtube. Simply subscribe to my channel and leave ONE comment on this video.

If you are under 18 you must have your parent or guardian's permission to disclose your address to me!
This giveaway is open internationally however, whilst I will obtain proof of postage, I cannot be held responsible for items lost in the post.

The giveaway will close on 2nd March 2012 at 12:00am GMT. No entries will be accepted after this time and the winner will be contacted and announced on this blog shortly after.

Swatches and a closer look (from my own products...obviously!) -

Melba, Melba.

2012-02-22T20:33:00.000Z

(MAC Melba, Natural Collection Peach Melba)

Two of my favourite everyday blushes are MAC's Melba and Natural Collection Peach Melba. Similar names, very different price tags. MAC blushes weigh in at £17.50 and Natural Collection blushes cost just £1.99, so I thought I'd compare them side by side.

In the pan, they look very similar but the slightly more orange lean of the MAC blush becomes more evident when swatched. MAC Melba is slightly silkier and more pigmented compared to the Natural Collection, which is a touch chalky (but still a beautiful colour!).

Natural Collection Peach Melba isn't an exact dupe for Melba, but still great quality and absolutely worth the £1.99 price tag!

NARS Douceur - Instant Model Cheekbones?

2012-02-20T10:00:00.000Z

The newest addition to my blush collection is NARS Douceur. My (rubbish) French tells me 'douceur' translates as 'softness' or 'tenderness', but it always is the quiet ones, isn't it?!

Swatched, it really doesn't look like much at all. In fact it's barely visible on my skin and, whilst doesn't necessarily lack pigmentation, it is less pigmented than my two other NARS blushes (Sin and Orgasm). This probably means it would be relatively useless for skin tones darker than MAC NC40.

What it does have, however, is a transformative quality that I haven't come across in any other blush. When applied to the skin the dusty pink appears to subtly change across the contours of the face; more brown in any areas of shadow and more pink on the cheeks. I have a veritable moon-face but when I stepped back from the mirror my cheekbones looked more naturally sculpted than they have from any contour/highlight combo I've tried - which is quite nice if your self esteem is taking a battering from all the photos of razor sharp cheekbones at London Fashion Week. It's technically a matte blush but as you can see from the swatch, like most of the NARS blushes, it seems to let the skin's natural sheen show through.

It's a mysterious beast, but worth every penny of the *gulp* £21 RRP. Available from NARS counters and online - I bought mine from House of Fraser.

What's in my bag?

2012-02-18T15:09:00.000Z

'What's in My Bag?' is probably one of the most popular Youtube tag videos. I think we're all just a bit nosey, and/or comforted that other people carry around as much random junk as we do. Personally I think the contents often say a lot about their owner too...

So here we go. My first ever Youtube video, remade. I actually got an email from Youtube confirming my partnership just after I filmed it. It seemed quite fitting! As the info box of this video says, if you follow my Youtube channel too - thank you, so much, for subscribing, commenting and liking my videos over the last 10 months.

And lord knows what my bag is saying about me!

Have a lovely weekend.

Moo!

2012-02-17T13:38:00.000Z

Before I went to my first blogger event (not so long ago), I thought it was really bizarre that bloggers were having business cards printed. I mean, surely the clue is in the name...'business'.

However, once you've had to spell out your URL numerous times - 'double U, double U, double U, dot...'...'no, two S's' - or write your blog name on the back of a receipt (eek) it makes perfect sense to keep a couple of printed cards in your bag. And they're a bit swanky looking too.

I heard that moo.com offered ten free sample cards with free postage, the only catch being the tiny bit of branding on the bottom left corner, so thought I would test them out. I was pleasantly surprised! I'll admit I'm a bit of a stationery snob and of course I'd love some bespoke letterpress cards, but I can't justify the price so these will do nicely. For anyone interested, I opted for the Green 100% recycled card which would cost a couple of pounds more if I place an order - which I probably will. You can have a different design on each card for no extra cost but I prefer a bit more simplicity and consistency.

You can order samples at moo.com.

Neom Luxury Organics: Happiness and Inspiration

2012-02-16T00:52:00.000Z

A week or so ago I went to a Neom Organics event with Estée (I say event but it was more like sitting in someone's swish yet cosy and beautifully fragranced dining room), where we had an opportunity to have an in-depth chat with Nicola, the lady behind Neom Organics. She was refreshingly open about the trials and tribulations of starting up your own business (whilst having young children!) and explained, in particular, the difficulty of producing totally organic scents for Neom's products.

The two newly launched fragrances feature fresher, 'grassier' notes:

Happiness White Neroli, Mimosa & Lemon 'A sparkling blend of White Neroli, Mimosa and Lemon is combined with natural fresh grass notes to create the awakening of spring.'

Inspiration Violet, Chamomile & Cedarwood 'A light and pretty scent that will make you feel inspired, confident and motivated.'

However, as Nicola explained, the natural extract of grass doesn't actually smell very grassy at all. So instead the green notes of the new fragrances are created from complex combinations of other natural extracts, such as the stem of an iris. This dedication to the finished product is evident right through to the little quotes hidden in the packaging (which is beautifully simple and not at all ceded to its eco credentials). Even the reed diffusers, which I'll admit I don't usually 'get', look elegant.

The girls at Neom kindly gave us a goodie bag containing the 'Inspiration' Reed Diffuser and 'Happiness' Candle - it was if they'd read my procrastinating, jaded post-grad mind! Clearly I broke a beauty blogger 'rule' and used a product without taking any photos of it beforehand. In fact I've used it quite a lot when you consider that the candle is pure vegetable wax (soot-free!) with a burn time of 50 hours! Both products smell incredible and it is difficult to explain quite how they fill a room, or several rooms, without ever feeling overpowering. They have an authenticity and depth of scent that I'm yet to find in any other home fragrance.

I'm an absolute convert, in particular to the joys of a soothing, soot-free candle in a room with a sloping ceiling - but also to a brand which seems to be really trying to show that 'organic' doesn't necessarily mean a sacrifice of luxury, fragrance or aesthetics.

'Happiness' Home Candle, £37.50, 'Inspiration' Organic Reed Diffuser, launching soon, both available from www.neomorganics.com.

*Candle and Reed Diffuser provided for consideration - all opinions my own, as always!

The Hunt for the Perfect Contour

2012-02-13T06:30:00.000Z

When I mentioned the NYX Taupe powder blush in my IMATS post, I made a passing reference to it in comparison to MAC's Harmony powder blush (which is also a great contour colour for paler skin). So I thought I would do a comparative post of the two.

However when I got around to swatching them next to each other I realised they aren't very similar at all. To see just how dissimilar I pulled out every shade I've ever used for contouring (as you do) and thought the results might be helpful if you're hunting for a contour colour.

(NYX Powder Blush in Taupe, MAC Powder Blush in Harmony, NARS Laguna Bronzer)

NYX Taupe looks very mauve-y indeed when swatched here, but it really is a gorgeous subtle contour colour on paler skin. The powder is silky and pigmented but still easy to work with. In the centre is MAC Harmony blush which is obviously more orange toned but still looks natural when blended. It's more pigmented than the NYX blush so does require a bit more buffing but the finish is great and it lasts for ages. On the right is NARS Laguna Bronzer; something of a cult product and not one I often reach for when contouring due to the tiny golden flecks. I do find it gives a really natural looking contour, however, when used with just a gentle wash on the temples and under the cheek bones.

(Benefit Hoola, Sleek Light Contour Kit, Bourjois Delice de Poudre 51, Chanel Bronze Universal)

I've got a bit of a soft spot for Benefit Hoola Bronzer despite the inflated prices and crap cardboard packaging. It's a fantastic matt bronzer and I find the yellowy-tan avoids the 'muddy' look and works well with my skin tone all year round. The Sleek Contour Kit is also a favourite, if a tiny bit on the orangey side. The powder is soft and blendable unlike my other highstreet/drugstore option, Bourjois Delice de Poudre in 51 (the lightest shade!), which I find quite hard to both pick up on a brush and blend. It has also swatched the most orange of the lot which is probably why I prefer it as a summer bronzer rather than a multitasking contour shade - even if Lisa Eldridge says it's good! Finally, on the far right, is Chanel Bronze Universal (or Soleil Tan De Chanel Bronzing Makeup Base if you prefer). This looks a tiny bit orange in the swatch but, as the only cream product shown, it's so easy to blend out that the final colour is much more neutral. It's another one that I think I will get more use from in summer but it is definitely workable as a contour on paler skin (as demonstrated in this video by Estée!).

What do you use for contouring? Have you tried any of the above?

Excuse my hairy looking arms. It's just peach fuzz, honest - but then I'm a beauty blogger what do you expect?! *wink, wink, nudge, nudge*

Quick!

2012-02-12T08:43:00.001Z

It seems they're already out of stock now, sorry if you missed it!

If you're a NARS Sheer Glow or Sheer Matte fan but haven't managed to get your hands on a pump (which the foundation, irritatingly, doesn't come with) then hurry on to the Space NK website where they are currently offering free shipping until 13th February.

I've been hunting for one for absolutely ages but they're like hen's teeth in stores and I haven't been able to justify the £5+ shipping from NARS or Space NK. I managed to dodge the other temptations on the site and my order came to a grand total of £3. Result!

(Well obviously it would be nice if the foundation came with one...but y'know.)

L'Oreal False Lash Telescopic

2012-02-11T10:00:00.001Z

(Creepy eye photos: before and after with one coat.)

I've heard people rave about the L'Oreal Telescopic mascara before but I never gave it a chance because, as a rule, I'm not a fan of plastic brushes.

The newest addition, pictured above, is the False Lash Telescopic* mascara which L'Oreal claim contains '1.2mm micro fibres' to build length and volume. The press release features some relatively retouch and lash insert free images of Cheryl Cole which I found incredibly refreshing and it actually performed very well indeed. I think the length was most impressive; the ends of my lashes are blonde so any black mascara makes a noticeable difference, but the False Lash Telescopic mascara made them look very fluttery indeed. Unfortunately it doesn't hold a curl very well, which is a shame as the extra length can make your lashes look a little droopy after a few hours.

L'Oreal False Lash Telescopic is in pharmacies now. RRP £10.99.

*PR sample.

Handbag Essentials: Vol. 3

2012-02-09T17:39:00.001Z

Origins Peace of Mind On-the-spot Relief Origins original stress-buster. When the world closes in on you and your head feels a size too small, apply just two dabs and you'll feel a tingling sensation as pressure, tension and tightness begin to melt away.

Before I sing its praises, a couple of things to note:

- I'm a certified 'alternative therapy' sceptic.

- If you suffer from panic attacks (in my experience) this won't necessarily prevent them. It is, however, brilliant for helping to prevent mild to moderate anxiety from escalating.

Some time last year, in the depths of despair about my final year at University, I happened to pass an Origins counter and noticed this little green bottle. The sales assistant explained to me that it was an aromatherapy 'de-stresser' (at which point I probably rolled my eyes) and told me to rub a dab between my fingers and inhale. To my surprise the effect was instantly refreshing and relaxing, like a gust of fresh air had just wafted through my head.

I decided to take a gamble on it, needless to say I'm glad I did. I'm terrible about getting myself worked up, trying to think about one hundred things at once until I can't even see straight anymore. I'm also prone to anxiety at really inconvenient moments - like when my head is pressed against somebody's armpit on a packed tube. In both instances I always reach for Origins Peace of Mind On-the-spot Relief. It is a quick absorbing, powerfully scented white lotion and the fragrance is predominantly spearmint with the addition of some more complex notes.

There are a couple of ways to use this, either simply by rubbing it between your fingers and inhaling or alternatively massaging it into your temples and the back of your neck. The smell lingers for a good twenty minutes and I find catching whiffs of it over that time period helps remind me to chill out. The minty scent is also pretty good at pepping you up in the afternoon if you feel like you're fading.

It is £11 for 15ml (I know, right?) but I honestly won't be without this in my handbag.

*Bought by me and, believe it or not, Origins did not sponsor this post!

Glossybox: The Valentine's Edition

2012-02-08T14:33:00.000Z

Ok, Ok. I know I promised not to mention Valentine's day again, but the lovely girls at Glossybox took me by surprise with the January box...which happens to be themed.

Eyeko Skinny Eyeliner in Emerald Green

Glossybox say: Get a handle on your eyeliner for precise definition and intense colour with a long-lasting finish.

I say: I'm not a fan of Eyeko's rebranding and price-hike and I think the fact the brand turned up in both this month's Glossybox and Carmine box, says more about Eyeko than the beauty box companies. I recieved the 'Emerald Green' shade which I'm unlikely to use but the pencil is quite soft and applies nicely - it also withstood quite a lot when I tried to remove the swatch.

Clarins Extra Firming Day Cream and Night Cream

Glossybox say: Infusing skin with firming benefits that are immediate and long-lasting.

I say: I was really excited to see Clarins included in the box this month, as it is one of the few skincare brands that has never caused a break out (clearly my skin has expensive taste) and never fails to feel 'luxury'. I can see how these are effective for firming as they made my skin feel quite tight - unfortunately I was expecting the Night Cream to be a lot more moisturising but my normal to combination skin was left feeling quite dry so I will be sticking with Clarins' amazing Hydraquench range.

FAB Gentle Body Wash

Glossybox say: A moisturising, irritant free everyday cleanser ideal for even the most sensitive skin.

I say: I copied the above from the info card...but the contents are actually a Body Moisturiser, not a wash. I do have rather a lot of body moisturiser samples from various beauty sample boxes so I'll admit to a bit of an eye roll when I spotted this, but it's actually really quite lovely and the sort of moisturiser I would use on a daily basis. It's appears to be unscented, which is great if you're layering your own perfume over the top, it's paraben free and sinks in quickly to leave a soft but non-greasy feel.

Murad Hybrids Skin Perfecting primer - Dewy finish

Glossybox say: Oil-free primer ignites a radiant glow, powered by light enhancing minerals.

I say: Firstly, I love that this came in a little pump bottle rather than a sachet or similar, it feels pretty ritzy! It's nice to see a 'dewy finish' primer on the market but to be honest when I applied this I didn't notice much of a difference. Perhaps my skin type needs a more silicone heavy primer for noticeable effects but this isn't worth the £29 RRP to me.

Final thoughts:

Glossybox's Valentine's themed box is quite luxury-brand-heavy (though none of the products really continuing the Valentine's theme...imagine a little sample of Agent Provocateur body cream instead?!), which is always nice. Unfortunately none of the products really wowed me - with the exception of the FAB body moisturiser. FAB aren't a brand I've come across before, so for me that's the whole point of a beauty sample box in action.

Glossyboxes cost £10 plus £2.95 P&P per box.

Glossybox provided me with this month's box for consideration. All options are my own.

January Favourites

2012-02-07T21:54:00.000Z

I didn't use many products in January, the first half of the month I was ill and pretty much chained to my laptop writing essays, and the second half I was catching up on work for my MA. So I've pretty much just reached for my most reliable, faff-free products.

The Blink + Go mascara* came in the December Glossybox and, whilst it is absolute swine to remove, it holds the curl of your lashes brilliantly - which is great when I'm not sporting my usual winged liner. I also love the brush shape and size as it allows me to coat the smallest lashes and blonde tips of my eyelashes without ending up with panda eyes.

I started using my Louise Young LY34 again in between washing my Sephora Mineral Powder brush and I've been reaching for it ever since. It's just so soft, which is great as my skin has been a little bit sore from being ill, and it never leaves brush strokes. The Sigma E45 Tapered blending brush is a newer acquisition but really great for blending out crease colours and I've not had any problems with shedding so far.

One of my favourite blushes in January was Rimmel's powder blush in Pink Rose, which is something of an unsung hero as it's very affordable but has the silky texture of a more expensive blush. It gives a really nice healthy flush and slight sheen. There is a post on the Narciso Rodriguez perfume here, on the Sleek Pout Polish here or you can see this post in video form here.

xx

*Blink and Go mascara was from the December 2011 Glossybox which was provided for review.

IMATS 2012

2012-02-06T17:06:00.000Z

Top: Beautiful (but eyewateringly expensive) Hakuhodo Brushes, the infamous and insanely cute
Baby Glitter, the contents of my shopping bags, more Hakuhodo brushes.
Above, photo c/o Lily, L-R: Lily, Anna, Me, Kate, Sabrina, Victoria, Katie, Milly, Zoe, Lily, Emma

On Saturday I braved the freezing weather and an early start to head north to Alexandra Palace to attend the London leg of the International Make-up Artist Trade Show (aka IMATS). This was my first year attending, however I'm told that this year the show had moved from the West Hall to the Great Hall (which is twice the size) meaning more space, more exhibitors and more presentations. We got there early to avoid the crowds so missed the main presentations, but there was still plenty to see - and quite a few unnerving, yet impressive, special effects makeup transformations that seemed to occur in the time it took to do a lap of the hall.

Most of brands were offering great show discounts but judging by the constant crowd, Illamasqua won for their selection of £2 and £5 items including the cream blush in 'Sob', which I picked up. NYX were also in attendance and I picked up their powder blush in Taupe for Estée (and me...oops), which is very similar to MAC's Harmony (except it is £5) and a perfect contour colour for lighter skin tones. The last of my purchases, and the only thing on my list, was the Core Collection brush set by Real Techniques. If I remember correctly the sets were £16.49 rather than £20.99 at IMATS. There was a reasonable discount on everything but I'm not totally sure it justifies the price of the tickets, unless you are a MUA looking to purchase professional kit.

That said, it was a really good day and it was nice to have a longer chat with the bloggers I met briefly at Zoe's ZOMG Rockalily lipstick launch on Monday (where I totally failed to take a single photo) and to finally meet Louise (and baby Glitter!) and briefly chat to Julie.

Thank you to Make-up Artist Magazine for providing me with a press pass, and to Royal and Langnickel for giving us a welcome supply of hot drinks and a brilliant, eco-friendly brush set (more to come on that in another post - I'm genuinely impressed!).

LUSH: Hit and Miss

2012-02-04T16:34:00.000Z

I've always loved baths and I really don't think much beats a good soak - so naturally LUSH seemed like a good brand to investigate. How I've only got round to doing so now is beyond me, but it's safe to say my feelings are mixed.

When I went to pay, I was quite baffled how two items could come to over £8. How do people survive with full on 'LUSH habits'?!

The first thing I picked up was the Magic Mushroom Bubble Bar (£2.45), part of the Valentine's day collection, which is meant to smell of strawberries and cream. To be honest, once it was crumbled into the bath I didn't think it smelt of much, just a little sweet. It gave a decent amount of bubbles but I did chuck the whole thing in. I wasn't a fan of red bath water either - it reminded me more of Jaws than a romantic bubble bath. I'm generalising a bit but, sorry LUSH fans, I think the bath products are over-hyped. I'll stick to my trusty Johnson's Bedtime bath (yes...the one for babies) or Soap & Glory's Calm One, Calm All, which are more pleasing in scent, cheaper and more moisturising.

My second purchase was the Cosmetic Warrior face mask and it gets a big thumbs up from me. Be warned, it smells bad! Quite strongly of tea tree with a kick of garlic, but not enough to deter me from using it. The main ingredient is kaolin clay which is known for drawing impurities from the skin but, unlike other masks I've tried, it didn't leave my skin feeling tight or uncomfortable. When I rinsed it off any redness or blemishes looked much calmer but not overly dried out and my skin felt soft. Cosmetic Warrior is priced at £5.75 per 75g which seems like quite a small amount in the tub but it's lasting much longer than expected and I'll probably get 8 or 9 uses from it.

I'll probably be picking up another mask sometime soon, do you have a favourite or are you not a LUSH fan?

February

2012-02-01T10:00:00.018Z

(photo source)

Topshop Split Back Top , Dorothy Perkins Coral Ring, Warehouse Stripe Print Top

Miss Selfridge Stack Ring, Topshop Speckle Tee Dress, COS Circle Dress Shirt

F21 Colourblocked Clutch, ASOS Pointed Flatforms, Miss Selfridge Agate Necklace

February is my birthday month so I thought I would opt for some confetti inspired colours in this month's highstreet selection (as it was well received last month)...and it helps that the shops are full of pastels and corals already.

This month is already looking to be quite busy, I'll be at IMATS this weekend and TOWIB the following weekend - are any of you going to either of these?

NOTD: Vogue Vert

2012-01-30T13:52:00.001Z

I received an email from a PR, the day after the shortlist for the Marie Claire blog awards was announced, asking if they could provide me with a polish from the Nubar 'Polished Chic Collection' to wear to the awards. I hadn't tried Nubar before so I took them up on their lovely offer and the colour I chose was 'Vogue Vert' (perhaps a little bit of an oversight on my part considering the awards are being held by a rival magazine), which is described as a 'contemporary light green creme'.

The application of this was flawless for me, pretty opaque on the first coat and completely opaque by the second. It smells a little stronger than some of my other polishes but I was pleased to see it was missing some nasty chemicals and features the little 'cruelty free' bunny on the bottle. The bottle design is also great for someone clumsy like me; a sturdy, wide base and tight fitting cap. The official UK retailer is The Beauty Shed.

I'll definitely be picking a few of these up! Do you own any Nubar polishes and can you recommend some colours?

p.s. My boyfriend informs me this is a good dupe for Bianchi's Celeste Green...just in case you're looking to match your manicure to a bicycle company's trademark shade.

Valentine's Gift Ideas

2012-01-30T00:28:00.000Z

This is not me dropping hints to the boyfriend, we don't actually acknowledge Valentine's day...but this was requested and, as I love a bit of gift guide curation, I thought I would oblige. If you're single just use it as an excuse to treat yourself and I promise there will be no more references to Valentine's day after this post!

For Her

Lingerie: an obvious choice perhaps, but very impressive if done right. Guys...don't go for things that are red and black, constructed entirely of dental floss or with slits (unless your girlfriend has explicitly stated that's what she likes). Keep it classy! On the highstreet try Topshop. Good mid-price brands to look out for are Anthropologie (pictured above), Princesse Tam Tam, Elle McPherson Intimates and Mimi Holliday. For a slightly bigger budget, you can't go wrong with Stella McCartney or Myla.
Perfume: again not stunningly original but wonderful when thought has clearly been put into it. A quick Google will tell you the notes of the scent she already wears. Pop these into Fragrantica and it will give you perfumes from the same olfactory family, complete with reviews, to help you make a choice. Above is Lolita Lempicka for Women, which has notes of anise, vanilla and iris.
Candles: effortlessly romantic. Try 'In Love' by makeup artist Daniel Sandler and artisanal candle crafter Jonathan Ward, a beautifully scented candle which can double as a body oil when melted. Alternatively, Diptyque is a great choice - Baies, Tubereuse and Jasmin are popular scents.
Chocolates: I'm not a fan of chocolate, but even I would melt a bit at the gorgeous packaging of these Prestat chocolates. The heart shaped box comes in three sizes, so it needn't break the bank either.
Nail Polish: this is a great option for a smaller gift. Topshop have a great range, just pick one with a suitable name (as above): Bees Knees, Play For Keeps, Forget Me Not.

For Him

Chocolate: sometimes guys seem to really miss out on the chocolate front around Valentine's day, despite there being an awful lot of them with a sweet tooth. Skip the heart shaped chocolate boxes and go for some apt, yet kitsch, American sweets!
Moleskine: like any other gift-giving time of the year, it's nice to receive something you wouldn't necessarily buy for yourself. Most men I know seem to love the luxurious look and feel Moleskine notebooks.
Tickets: whether they are for rugby, football, theatre or a concert. It's a nice way to show you've been paying attention to the football/golf/heavy metal talk and the chances are it will result in a day out together if he decides to give you the other ticket.
Socks: Topman's heart print offerings are simultaneously cute, practical and budget friendly.
Aftershave: as with the tips for buying perfume above, try finding out the notes of his favourite scent and choosing a variant. Pictured above is the newly launched Spicebomb by Victor & Rolf, currently exclusive to Harrods, which has masculine notes of spice, vetiver and wood.
Something engraved: men are generally more sentimental than they would like to admit, so having something engraved with a few not-too-slushy words is likely to be well received. You can get all sorts of things engraved but some unique choices are a guitar pick (above) or collar stiffeners.

I hope this was helpful and you all had a nice weekend.
xx

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in 'Tipsy'

2012-01-27T17:11:00.001Z

(Left: blended, Right: swatched)

(I need to stage an intervention for my brows. They are truly awful at the moment.)

It's the curse of the North-America-only products again.

I know, I know, if we didn't have Vaseline in the UK I'd probably want it. But I saw such tempting swatches of these blushes all over the internet and then Anna (one of my top 5 enablers) mentioned 'Tipsy' and my resistance failed. I managed to find it on Ebay for pretty much the US retail price of $25 (including shipping) and unsullied by human hands, so into the basket it went.

I don't need cosmetic assistance to look flushed if I am indeed tipsy - but this is a hell of a lot prettier. It looks slightly radioactive in the pan but it's a gorgeous, brightening coral which will suit pretty much everyone. It translates beautifully onto the skin and, when I stepped into a meeting today, the first thing said was 'Oh, you look healthy' (...without an ounce of sarcasm).

Apparently this is one of the only non-matte shades but you'd be hard pushed to tell. It reminds me a little of MAC Sheertone blushes but with a superior texture and considerably longer-wearing. They are marketed as '12-hour' blushes and Tarte says the long wear is due to the 'Amazonian clay', which harvested by capybaras...or something.

If anything, my only complaint is that these are too pigmented. You really need the right brush for this blush, preferably something dense at the base and a little more sparse at the tip - I found my Real Techniques multi task brush worked perfectly. I'm not sure if it's just this shade or all of them, though I have intentions of getting some more!

*I've now linked the seller above - they are stocking 'Dollface' and 'Blissful' now!

Revlon Lip Butter in Berry Smoothie

2012-01-26T10:07:00.003Z

(Sorry for the creepy lip shot!)

Blogs and Youtube have a funny ability to whip up a real storm about products which would otherwise probably just fly under the radar. 'Moisturising' lipsticks are nothing new but the reviews and swatches of the shade range looked so good I couldn't resist when Estée kindly offered to pick one up for me while she was in Canada.

Continuing my love for berry toned makeup, I asked her to try and find the shade 'Berry Smoothie', and here it is. It reminds me a little of a more berry toned NARS Orgasm due to the very tiny bit gold glitter. After bad experiences with MAC frost finish lipsticks, I was a bit apprehensive but the formula feels totally smooth and the glitter is barely noticeable, just slightly sheeny. My boyfriend hates a lot of my lipsticks but actually said he liked this one on me (unprompted), which is a good indication of how easy they are to wear.

They aren't quite as moisturising as the Korres Lip Butters that I featured earlier this month, but I certainly wasn't underwhelmed and I think I'll be picking up a couple more when they are launched in the UK on 14th March.

Mooncup

2012-01-23T19:40:00.001Z

One of the things I love most about blogging is the opportunity to spread the word about truly brilliant products that are not backed by expensive ad campaigns - such as the product that features in this post.

It has had maybe the ultimate road test as I've been using it for two years. However it isn't something I've posted about yet because I'm not very comfortable talking to the internet about my, erm, foof. But after reading Product Pixie's hilarious review of some 'lady products' I decided I just needed to get over it and write this post. So, I'd like to introduce you to the Mooncup.

I remember when I got my first period, I was horrified. I never, ever felt clean wearing conventional sanitary products and dreaded that time of the month despite being, err, blessed with reasonably light periods. Then a couple of years ago I mistreated my body for a bit and my menstrual cycle said 'Fuck this! Adios!' for the best part of a year. When my periods eventually came back it was like the first one all over again and I was desperate to find another solution. And that is when I discovered the Mooncup.

(I contacted Mooncup to ask them if they would provide me with a sample for this post. In this circumstance, showing you the product I purchased with my own money would just be plain creepy. They kindly obliged, so what you are about to see has not been anywhere near any lady parts.)

If you haven't heard of Mooncup before, you might be wondering why? They aren't backed by million pound advertising campaigns that make you think pads and tampons are your only option (because they really aren't). Moreover I don't suppose this is a particularly easy one to advertise because, well, it looks like a friggin' pixie hat (it was actually suggested that I model this as a hat on one of my pet rabbits). So, if we've all stopped sniggering, what is it?

'A Mooncup is a reusable menstural cup, around two inches long and made from medical grade silicone.'

I know it looks quite big *that's what she said* but the silicone is very pliable and stem at the bottom can be trimmed to suit you. When folded (you fold it twice before use) it's not much bigger than a normal tampon. It works by creating a light suction which means it is less likely to leak than tampons and it is worn completely inside the body (as demonstrated by, err, my hand) so nothing is visible. Before you get all horrified by the 'reusable' element, it really isn't that bad. When it does come to emptying you simply empty it into the toilet and rinse with water (or wipe with toilet roll if you're in a public toilet etc) and pop it back in. You can leave the Mooncup in situ for up to a day depending on your, ahem, flow. So in theory you won't be confronted by your monthly bodily fluids (or anyone else's - those public sanitary waste bins fill me with abject horror) on such a frequent occasion.

At the end of your period you have the option of boiling it in a pan for a couple of minutes (which I wouldn't suggest unless you live alone) or, as I do, putting it in a 'denture bath' with a Milton solution for a few hours then putting it back in its cotton bag until next time.

Good things:

There is no associated risk of TSS (the thing those leaflets in every tampon box warn you about) or the other nasties that can be caused by 'convential' types of sanitary products. The seemingly friendly 'cotton' products are subjected to chemicals and bleaching processes that can really mistreat your muff and because the Mooncup doesn't absorb anything it can also prevent, erm, dryness.
It collects rather than impedes your flow which may mean your period ends more quickly. If you suffer from something like PCOS or very heavy periods you might like to know it can hold three times as much as a 'super-absorbent' tampon.
Excuse me while I turn all hemp-wearing-hippy on you, but apparently women use over 2.5kg of sanitary products per year, which all goes to landfill or into sewage systems. One Mooncup can last for up to 10 years, therefore avoiding the expense and waste of more than 25kg of sanitary products.

Not so good things:

It won't be for everyone.
It takes some practice. Getting used to folding the Mooncup is a little bit like folding one of those awful pop-up tents initially - but it is so worth the perseverance and comes with a very, umm, detailed user guide.

Mooncups come in two sizes (see here for more info) and cost £19.99 including postage from Mooncup.co.uk. They are also available at Boots.

Hello.

2012-01-23T14:49:00.000Z

Just a quick interjection into my posting schedule to say thank you all very much for taking the time out of your day to nominate and vote for me in the Marie Claire Blog Awards. I was absolutely amazed to see I had made the shortlist this morning! So thank you, so much, again.

Lips So Facto might be slightly glitchy for the next couple of days as you might have noticed it has had a bit of a makeover. There are now links to a Lips So Facto Facebook page and Bloglovin' to your right.

And finally, my blog address is now http://www.lipssofacto.com/. Blogger *should* automatically redirect you so see you there!

xx

Handbag Essentials: Vol. 2

2012-01-22T10:04:00.001Z

My next handbag essential is a good hand cream. As an ex-employee of L'Occitane, I'll happily recommend their shea butter hand cream which sinks in easily without feeling greasy. The same can be said for Soap & Glory's Hand Food, which has the added bonus of smelling rather beautiful.

But instead I decided to feature a new love, Burt's Bees Beeswax and Banana hand cream.

Ok, so a glass jar isn't the most practical thing to tote around but, BUT, this smells of those foam bananas you used to be able to get in pick and mix at the newsagents (RIP penny sweets...they probably cost £5 each these days). The cream is very rich and a little goes a long way, but it leaves behind a velvety, rather than greasy, feel so you don't have to hang around for 15 minutes feeling like you've just dunked your hands in olive oil. It's enriched with beeswax, aloe vera and sweet almond oil and my hands absolutely love it.

Burt's Bees Beeswax and Banana hand cream is £8.50 for 55g with free delivery on feelunique.com (mine was closer to £10 at Boots), so not the cheapest hand cream on the market, but it just feels and smells so lovely that this will be a definite repurchase.

An Evening with Daniel Sandler

2012-01-21T15:03:00.006Z

One of my favourite beauty related 'tweeters' is Daniel Sandler. The man is absolutely full of amazing makeup tips and incredibly generous with his knowledge. So when LookFantastic.com offered beauty bloggers an evening with the man himself, along with haircare and skincare advice from the experts, I practically bit their hands off.

On Thursday night I went to FOUR London, a tranquil hair salon which is tucked just a few hundred metres from the bustle of late night shoppers on Regent Street. Started by four leading colour specialists, it seems like the go-to salon if you're considering a major hair colour change. The girls were absolutely lovely and on hand to offer colour consultations, but to be honest I was so caught up with the slew of makeup tips upstairs that I missed out on that and the introduction to Doctor Duve Medical Skincare.*

With his beautifully scented candle burning in the background (it is made of organic soy wax so it can also multitask as a body oil - which was quite the revelation to me!) Daniel was demonstrating two of the most classic, but sometimes difficult, makeup looks: the smokey eye and the red lip.

For the smokey eye, Daniel suggested using a couple of pencils rather than eyeshadows. Drawing the liner on close to the lash line and then smudging out with a brush is a long-wearing and super simple way to achieve a smokey eye. Daniel demonstrated how the simple addition of a softly blended second line of pencil along the lash line made the look more dramatic with very little effort.

He insisted that age should not be a limitation when attempting the smokey eye as it looks equally beautiful on more mature ladies. Daniel added that the look could be softened by using a grey, rather than black, pencil.

To open up the eyes Daniel recommended investing in some great eyelash curlers and said his favourites are Shiseido and Shu Uemura.

Daniel demonstrating the art of blotting on Holly

Moving onto the red lip Daniel reasserted that he is a 'makeup artist without rules', stating that he thinks all women can pull off the red lip, as women of the 1940's had only shades of red to choose from yet always looked incredibly glamorous.

My favourite of Daniel's lipstick tips (and one that I often use, as sometimes a full on lip is a bit scary) was to dab lipstick onto the lips with your finger tips to create a wearable stain. Daniel also suggests placing more product on the upper lip to give the illusion of plumpness, as the bottom lip is generally fuller.

For more mature skin, or those who find lipstick feathers around the edges, Daniel suggested his Automatic Long Lasting Lip Liner, which is silicone based to fill in the fine lines around the mouth. For even more longevity, he recommended building the layers of lipstick by gently blotting with a tissue in between.

It was a lovely evening, so a big thank you to LookFantastic.com, FOUR London and Daniel!

xx

* I did pick up a sample of the Doctor Duve Anti Ageing & Firming eye cream, however, which is by far the most effective eye cream I have ever tried - but unfortunately it comes with a £165 price tag. My debit card is cowering in the corner at that revelation.

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum

2012-01-16T16:51:00.004Z

After Cami's glowing review I thought I would give the Bourjois Healthy Mix line another chance. I really didn't get on with the original Healthy Mix foundation, it was heavily fragranced, felt too heavy on my skin and the colour wasn't right for me. Healthy Mix Serum, however, is quite different.

It is still heavily fragranced but the bottle does state it is hypoallergenic, so it is hard to say whether it would cause issues for those with sensitive or acne prone skin. The texture is very similar to Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua, however (on my skin) the Chanel foundation oxidises by at least two shades to become quite orange-y, which is endlessly frustrating. I've compared them side by side below, and whilst the Bourjois foundation appears to darken by a shade in the photo, I personally don't think it changes at all. Result!

(When first applied onto skin. Left: Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua in B20 Beige Tendre, Right: Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum in 52 Vanille)

(After 1 minute. Left: Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua in B20 Beige Tendre, Right: Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum in 52 Vanille)

WOAH! Hello, close-up. Sorry if you're eating your cereal. The photo is a little overexposed but completely unretouched so you can see it leaves a pretty nice finish. I have a little bit of MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural in Light Plus to set the foundation, NARS Sin on my cheeks and a little concealer to cover my under eye ~~bags~~ luggage, but otherwise the healthy dewy finish is the work of Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum. It gives a light-medium coverage that will build nicely to a good medium coverage.

The finish is semi-matte but after about 4 hours wear my skin looks a little glowier than I would personally like. This could probably be easily resolved with a mattifying moisturiser (I love La Roche Posay Effeclar M but I've run out) or primer. Radiance is definitely the right word as it didn't slip into oily territory but it does, however, probably mean Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum would be a no-go for oily skinned girls.

Again I'm disappointed with the shade range, which currently stands at 6. The screenshot below of the darkest shade taken from the Bourjois website looks more like a Romford tan (no hating now, I'm a proud Essex girl!) than an attempt at accommodating different races.

At £10.99 for 30ml, it is fractionally more expensive than the original Healthy Mix foundation and creeping towards higher end price points. However it feels like a much more expensive product and overall this is one of the best drugstore foundations I've tried and it is unlikely to end up gathering dust in a drawer.

Handbag Essentials: Vol. 1

2012-01-15T09:57:00.002Z

My first handbag essential is a conditioning lip product and preferably one that multitasks.

For me, the best examples are Korres lip butters which retail at £6 for a 6g pot and come in a veritable fruit bowl of varieties, all with different tints: Guava, Quince, Wild Rose, Jasmine, Plum, Pomegranate and Mango.

Primarily a moisturising lip treatment, with Shea butter and rice wax, these sink into the lips beautifully. Korres state these lip butters are 'ideal for chapped lips' but I think there are much better products available for very dry lips. However they are perfect for everyday use and also have a decent hint of colour to keep your makeup looking 'done'. I've actually used tiny bit of the Wild Rose lip butter as a cream blush to at the end of a very long day when I was suffering from chronic 'dead face'.

If, like me, you cringe a bit at having to dip your finger into a tub while out and about, Korres have also brought out a stick version of the lip butters that also have SPF15 - however I haven't personally tried these yet so can't offer a review.*

What lip products live in your handbag?

*It seems they don't compare much at all - a reader tells me: 'I have tried the stick version and the pot one because I don't like to dip my finger in. They have nothing to do with each other. The stick is not moisturizing and the colours don't show.They do not smell as amazing as the pots either. Yes they are more handy but it is like using a completely different product!'