Top 10 Bright Lipsticks For Summer

Since we have had such lovely weather recently (obviously being sarcastic), I thought I'd do a post on my top 10 bright lipstick picks for summer (such a weather appropriate post). Now I know we tend to have a dull and dreary summer in the UK and if truth be told it really hacks me off because of two reasons. One, I've got a shite load of clothes in my wardrobe that I can't wear (which I've spent a fortune on), and two, it generally just makes me feel sad. So since I can't wear my bright summery clothing, I opt for bright summery makeup instead, doing this kills two birds with one stone so to speak, as I still look summery even though it's pissing down and I also feel a whole lot happier. There's just something about wearing bright lipstick that makes me feel all jazzy.  

I have chosen 10 bright lipsticks that I think are perfect for summer, or should I say 'sinter' (a mix of summer and winter). Some people may love every lipstick I've chosen but some people may not hence why I have chosen a selection of different shades, from red to orange to pink to purple. So if you like pink lipsticks but hate red lipsticks, I've hopefully included a lipstick you might like. It's also important to mention that the lipsticks are bold and bright so if you're not fond of wearing bright colours on your lips, you're probably not going to enjoy this post. I've also chosen lipsticks that aren't limited edition and are readily available to anyone, how thoughtful am I!

So let's crack on and look at the lipsticks!

 MAC 'Lady Danger' (matte) - £14.00

MAC 'Lady Danger' is possibly my most favourite red lipstick of all time and this is due to the colour and the lipstick itself. It's a beautiful coral toned red lipstick that has a matte finish. In terms of colour, this beauty packs a punch, it's a vibrant fiery red that is perfect for wearing in summer. In terms of the product, it is wonderful as it has excellent pigmentation, immense colour pay off, great staying power and it isn't too drying. The one thing I worried was that it would be too drying and that the lipstick would cling to the dry, flaky patches on my lips as matte lipsticks tend to do that, but I have to say that the lipstick is quite moisturising even though it has a matte finish. It's a great bright red lipstick and I thoroughly enjoy wearing it in summer.  

 Rimmel Apocalips in 'Stellar' - £5.99

I bought this not long ago and I have to admit that its quickly become one of my favourite bright red lipsticks. Again like 'Lady Danger', 'Stellar' is a coral toned red lipstick but in my opinion it's verging more on the coral side than the red side. It's insanely pigmented meaning you only need to use the smallest amount, and like the OCC Lip Tars, if you apply too much of the product, feathering around the edges of the lips will occur.  It's important that you either use a small amount of the lipstick or a lip liner to prevent feathering or bleeding. The Rimmel Apocalips are a lip lacquer which is a hybrid of lipstick and lipgloss. Due to the Apocalips being a lip lacquer it means they are extremely creamy and slightly sticky and they will not dry down. They are ideal for those of you who have dry lips but are not so great if you don't like lip products that are either sticky or don't dry down. 'Stellar' has amazing colour pay off and good staying power. I love 'Stellar' and I'll be wearing this often as it's perfect for summer.

YSL Rouge Volupte in '27 - Rose Paris' - £24.50

There were two things that drew me to this lipstick, one, the colour and two, the packaging. I absolutely adore the colour of this lipstick and I'm so glad I bought it, even if I did cry about it's ridiculously high price tag. It's a typical bright coral lipstick, despite it being called 'Rose Paris' (really don't understand that one), and it is uber creamy meaning it's the dream lipstick if you have dry lips. It's also very pigmented and has great colour pay off meaning you only need to use a small amount. However, there is one issue. I'm not going to bullshit here by saying that it has amazing staying power because it doesn't, if you drink or eat, it's game over.. it will be all around your mouth and on your chin. So to sum up this gold tube of lovely coralness, it's a gorgeous colour, has great pigmentation and the packaging is beautiful but the staying power needs tweaking. If you were planning on selling a kidney in order to buy one of the YSL Rouge Voluptes, I'd have a re-think but if you're in the position where you can easily splurge on a £20 lipstick, then go ahead! 

MAC 'Costa Chic' (frost) - £14.00

Now I'm not going to lie, I'm really not a fan of MAC's frost finish lipsticks as I haven't had any pleasant experiences with them. I have MAC 'Tanarama' (also a frost finish) and every time I wear it, it makes me feel like I should be in Saved By The Bell sporting a high ponytail and uber high waisted jeans. I think MAC 'Costa Chic' is the only exception when it comes to MAC frost finish lipsticks as it's utterly beautiful, I love the colour and yes, I love the finish. 'Costa Chic' is a light coral colour, it also have a slight sheen to it which makes it different from other coral lipsticks on the market. It has great pigmentation and staying power and it also feels silky on the lips. The only thing I will say about it is that you have to build up the colour as one layer can look patchy and uneven. Personally I don't mind building up the colour as I like to spend a while doing my lipstick, every ounce of my makeup has to be perfect. 'Costa Chic' is a lovely summery lipstick and I would recommend it to anyone, especially to those of you who want to wear a coral lipstick but don't want to wear a mega bright 'in your face' coral lipstick. It's also a lipstick that would probably suit everyone, it doesn't matter if you have a light, medium or dark skin tone, this lipstick will suit you. I love it and I especially love wearing it when I've got a tan. 

OCC Lip Tar in 'Divine' - £12.00

I love OCC Lip Tars hence why I own about 500 of them, they come in a whole array of bright colours  which can be worn alone or mixed together. OCC Lip Tars are so super pigmented and have insane colour pay off so it means you only have to use a small amount, and when I say small I literally mean pin head sized amount. The reason why you have to use a small amount is because they spread like wildfire, if you use too much then feathering will occur around your lips. It's also important to apply the lip tar with a lip brush as you physically cannot apply it directly from the tube, if you attempt to apply it from the tube you're going to be in a pickle. They also have incredible staying power, especially when when over the top of a lip liner, meaning you don't have to worry about re-applying. I love OCC Lip Tars and I especially love 'Divine' as it's a fab coral lipstick. Just like 'Costa Chic', 'Divine' would be the perfect coral lipstick for anyone who doesn't feel brave enough to wear an extremely bright coral lipstick.

MAC 'Viva Glam Nicki' (satin) - £14.00

I bought this when it was first released and it's become one of my favourite lipsticks ever since. It's one of my most worn lipsticks as I tend to wear it at least twice a week. If I were to write a 'favourite lipsticks of all time' post, this baby would definitely be in it. 'Viva Glam Nicki' has a satin finish and is described as a bright yellow toned pink lipstick, it's quite bright but can be worn lightly if you're not a huge fan of very bright lipsticks. 'Viva Glam Nicki' also has a satin finish which is great as it's soft and creamy, ideal for anyone who wants a bright coral/pink lipstick but has dry lips. 'Viva Glam Nicki' is pigmented, has good colour pay off and has great staying power (and that's WITHOUT a lip liner). I absolutely love it and I personally think it's a great lipstick for wearing in the summer. I honestly think I'm going to buy a backup because I'd be devastated if they ever discontinued it. 

YSL Rouge Pur Couture in '22' - £25.00

I love wearing this lipstick in summer as it makes me feel girly and summery, a bit like a barbie really. '22' is a blue toned baby pink, it's identical to MAC 'Viva Glam Gaga' except it's a little brighter hence why I included '22' instead. '22' ticks all the boxes in terms of packaging, pigmentation, colour pay off and staying power but the only thing it lacks is opacity as it can be a little patchy. Due to it being patchy you have to build up the colour to make it even. If you wear a lip liner underneath it you don't have to build it up but if you wear it alone, you do. '22' is a perfect colour, especially for wearing in summer. 

MAC 'Candy Yum Yum' (matte) - £14.00

MAC 'Candy Yum Yum' is my all time favourite bright pink lipstick and I think the above photo explains why. 'Candy Yum Yum' has a matte finish and is described as a neon pink and that's exactly what it is, it's probably the brightest pink lipstick I've ever come across (and I've come across a few!). It's not a lipstick for the faint hearted so if you don't like insanely bright lipsticks, you won't like this, it's not as if you could wear it lightly either as it would still be quite bright. 'Candy Yum Yum' has great pigmentation and colour pay off and due to it having a matte finish it also has great staying power, it lasts around 10 hours on the lips. 

Maybelline Color Sensational Vivid in 'Hot Plum' - £7.19

My mamma absolutely loves the Maybelline Colour Sensational Vivids and has told me to try them for months. Since I'd forgotten all about them, she recently bought me one so I could see how amazing they are. She bought me the shade 'Hot Plum' as she knows how much I like purple and pink lipsticks. 'Hot Plum' is a purple toned pink lipstick and it has a satin finish. It's very pigmented, has great colour pay off and it has incredible staying power. I'm not exaggerating when I say this but it's honestly better than any high-end lipstick that I own, I would definitely choose one of the Vivids over a MAC lipstick any day. A MAC bright lipstick usually lasts around 5-6 hours on the lips whereas 'Hot Plum' lasts all day on the lips, and that's without using a lip liner. Another positive thing about 'Hot Plum' is that it's really hydrating meaning it does wonders for dry lips. I love 'Hot Plum' and I'll definitely be wearing it loads in summer. 

OCC Lip Tar in 'Hoochie' - £12.00

I'm not going to go into much detail about OCC Lip Tars as I explained about them earlier on in this post. All I can say about 'Hoochie' is that it's a beautiful bright purple lipstick. This won't be many people's cup of tea as it is rather bright and it is different to the norm as it's not a pink, red or orange toned lipstick but I thought I'd include it as it's a fab colour and it's a lipstick I'd definitely wear in summer. So, if like me, you like wearing unusual shades of lipstick, you're probably going to love this. 

Swatches

As you can see, all these lipsticks are extremely bright and are perfect for summer. I hope this has helped you discover some of the bright lipsticks that are on the market. 

I hope you all liked this post and if you have any questions, please feel free to comment below. 

Much love,

Cole 

x

INGLOT Colour Play Lipstick Palette: Review, Photos & Swatches

If you watched my London haul on YouTube, you'll know that I recently purchased the new Inglot colour play lipsticks and a 10 pan square palette. As you all know, I absolutely love wearing bright lipsticks and I love mixing lipsticks together to create my own unique shade so I when I saw this palette I knew I needed it in my life. 

The Inglot Colour Play lipsticks can be worn on the lips, eyes and face, and they can be worn alone or they can be mixed together to create unique shades. 

They are ideal for anyone who likes experimenting with makeup and they're also great for MUA's. I know for a fact that I'll be having one of these palettes in my kit as well as in my own makeup collection. 

Photos

This is what the freedom system 10 square pan looks like. It has a thick magnetic bottom and a strong magnetic lid, the palette itself is extremely sturdy and durable. The lipsticks slot into the palette and remain intact via the power of magnetism. Once the lipsticks are in the palette you won't be able to remove them with your hands. 

Top Row: 94, 93, 92, 91, 100

Bottom Row: 95, 99, 98, 96, 97

94 - Bright Blue 

93 - Teal

92 - Lime Green

91 - Yellow

100 - White

95 - Indigo

99 - Purple

98 - Hot Pink

96 - Bright Pink

97 - Orange 

Arm Swatches

Top Row: 94, 93, 92, 91, 100

Bottom Row: 95, 99, 98, 96, 97

Lip Swatches

Review

The Good

• Concept - I think it's great how the lipsticks can be worn alone or mixed together to create a unique shades. I also think it's cool how you can use them on the eyes and face too.
• Pigmentation - The lipsticks are EXTREMELY pigmented and I think the photographs prove this. All the lipsticks have intense colour and they have great colour pay off. You only need to use a small amount when applying the lipsticks meaning one lipstick will last you a while. 
• Application - The lipsticks apply very well, they go on smoothly and they don't bleed whatsoever meaning you don't have to wear a lip liner underneath them. 
• Longevity - The lipsticks last around 4-5 hours on the lips (this is through eating and drinking) which is standard for high quality lipsticks. If you were to wear shade 100 on its own you'd have to re-apply as it does go patchy. 
• Texture - The lipsticks are incredibly creamy and soft meaning they're great for anyone who suffers with dry or cracked lips. They don't settle into fine lines or cracks and they don't irritate the lips at all. Another great thing about the lipsticks is that they haven't got a sticky texture.
• Packaging - I think the palette is very well made and sturdy, it has a strong magnetised lid and a thick magnetised base meaning the lipsticks will not fall out of the palette. The lipsticks are in a metal pan meaning they stick to the base, once they're in the palette, they can't be removed, unless you use a magnet of course.
• Price - The freedom system palette retails at £10 and the colour play lipsticks retail at £4.50 each, both of which are very reasonable prices. £4.50 is absolutely incredible for a lipstick, especially a high quality lipstick, you'd be hard pushed to find a decent drugstore lipstick for £4.50. If you purchased both the palette and all 10 lipsticks it would cost you £55, or £44 if you're an MUA, which is amazing!  

The Okay

• Shade Selection - The shade selection is good but it could be better. I think it's good how Inglot have produced a good selection of bright and vibrant shades, and they've pretty much covered all the colours of the rainbow but where are the black and red shades? I really feel Inglot should have included all of the primary colours and not just 2 of them. If they included a red and a black, a lot more custom shades could be made. 
• Opacity - Some of the lipsticks were more opaque than others, shades 93, 95, 99, 98, 96 and 97 were completely opaque whereas shades 94, 92, 91 and 100 were a little patchy. I think the lipsticks should all have the same opacity and I personally feel a little disappointed that some of the lipsticks were patchy. I didn't have to layer any of the opaque lipsticks but I had to layer the patchy lipsticks. 
• Availability - Availability is an issue for me and this is due to the limited Inglot stores in the UK. The only way I can purchase Inglot products is online as the nearest Inglot store is more than 2 hours away. I rarely order Inglot products online because of two reasons, one, I like to swatch products beforehand and two, the delivery costs are absolutely ridiculous. Inglot really need to open more stores in the UK because their products are fabulous, and also cheap!

The Bad

• Scent - It doesn't help that I'm quite sensitive to scents in the first place but when I say these stink, they really do. The scent reminds me of a mix between watermelon and sweeties, which some people may love but I personally hate it. Not only is the scent an issue for me but the fact the scent is overpowering makes matters a whole lot worse. When I swatched the lipsticks on my arm I noticed the scent straight away and if truth be told I dreaded doing the lip swatches.You'd think that the scent would wear off after a while but I'm sad to say it doesn't, you're left with sickly watermelon lips all day. If Inglot changed the scent, I'd be a happy bunny. 

Where to buy:

Inglot Freedom System Palette - £10.00

Inglot Colour Play Lipstick - £4.50 each

Rating

I absolutely love my Inglot colour play lipsticks and I'll definitely purchase them again in the near future. I really hope Inglot decide to bring out a black and a red lipstick as I feel this would make my colour play collection complete, I also love mixing lipsticks to create my own unique shades and feel I'd benefit from a black and a red lipstick. 

Below is a photograph of the aftermath of me swatching the lovely lipsticks. As you can see, I have a VERY stained arm. 

I hope you all liked this post and if you would like me to do a post on creative lip art and/or a post on mixing lipsticks please let me know. 

Many thanks for reading and I'll talk to you in my next post!

Much Love,

Cole

x

Sleek Truly Mattely Deeply Lipgloss in 'Jazz': Review, Photos & Swatches

I was so excited when I found out Sleek were launching the Shangri-La collection because it looked like such a fun and vibrant collection and I knew it was definitely my cup of tea. One thing I was most looking forward to trying was the Truly Mattely Deeply lipgloss in Jazz. 

I loved the colour, I loved the packaging but did I love the product? If you want to know my thoughts on the Truly Mattely Deeply lipgloss in Jazz, keep on reading!

What Sleek have to say about their new Truly Mattely Deeply lipglosses...

"It’s the ultimate collaboration of beauty and fashion: Sleek MakeUP has teamed up with fashion house PPQ to create a limited edition collection based on a mutual love of colour, texture and vibrancy! The result is the Shangri-La collection. Inspired by classic Motown sound, the collection has a retro vibe channeling glamorous 60’s style! Limited edition Truly Mattely Deeply lipglosses provide a matte super long lasting creamy finish that’s smooth to the touch!"

How is 'Jazz' described as on the Sleek website?

"Jazz is a rich retro red, perfect for an instant fix of vintage glamour."

What are the product claims?

• Matte finish
• Long lasting
• Creamy texture 

Directions of use?

As stated on the side of the packaging, it is important that you apply a lipbalm to your lips before applying the Truly Mattely Deeply lipgloss. If you do not apply a lipbalm beforehand, you're going to be in a tricky situation. 

How many different shades do the Truly Mattely Deeply lipglosses come in?

The Truly Mattely Deeply lipglosses come in two different shades; Jazz (bright red) and Soul (baby pink). 

How much do the Truly Mattely Deeply lipglosses retail at? And where can they be purchased from?

The Truly Mattely Deeply lipglosses retail at £4.99 and they can be purchased in-store at Superdrug or online at www.sleekmakeup.com.

What does 'Jazz' look like?

Mmm.. sexy, dry, cracked lips.

Are the Truly Mattely Deeply lipglosses suitable for everyone?

Absolutely not. If you have soft and supple lips then you may like the lipglosses but if you have one ounce of dryness on your lips, you will HATE them. 

The Good

• There is nothing good about this lipgloss, it's absolutely appalling. If I could, I'd take it back and ask for a refund. 

The Okay

• Pigmentation - The lipgloss has good pigmentation and this is probably due to the bright colour of the lipgloss but what I don't understand is that you need to apply several layers of the lipgloss. If it was THAT pigmented, surely you'd only need to apply one layer?

The Bad

• Longevity - The lip gloss lasts around 3 hours providing you do not eat, drink or speak. After one hour of wearing the lipgloss I noticed that a large chunk of it had peeled off my lips which is rather odd as I'm not one for fussing or faffing around with my lips. I cannot imagine that the lipgloss would last through eating and/or drinking, I'd imagine the lipgloss would come off completely, or failing that, your lips would possibly fall off. 
• Texture - I'm not exaggerating when I say this, this is possibly the worst lipgloss I have ever bought in my whole entire life. The lipgloss doesn't feel moisturising whatsoever and I'm seriously questioning if it has any moisture in it. I'm 100% certain there's just dust in the tube as that's what it feels like on your lips... dust. The texture of the lipgloss is so bad that on the side of the packaging they advise you to apply a lipbalm before applying the gloss. What lip product have you ever come across that tells you to apply lipbalm beforehand!?  
• Application - From the product description you'd except the lipgloss to glide on the lips with ease but that's not the case at all. The lipgloss goes on uneven and patchy and it certainly doesn't glide on the lips, if anything it feels like you're applying a pritt stick. Mmm.. nice.  
• Packaging - The packaging is so so, it's not great but it's not bad. The packaging contains a lovely mix of pastel shades and stripes but the lipgloss itself is bright red which doesn't make any sense to me. You'd imagine the packaging to be bold and bright not pastels and girly.
• Applicator - I'm not a fan of doe-foot applicators as they don't give precise lines so the applicator doesn't really do it for me, I also think they're really un-hygenic. You also have to be very careful when applying the lipgloss because if you make one teeny tiny mistake, you're going to look as if you've been munching on a jar of beetroot. A face full of red is not a good look. 
• Price - Usually I'd consider £4.99 to be very reasonable for a lip product but due to the lipgloss being a pile of dog do do, I'd consider it to be a little pricey. I wouldn't pay 49p for it let alone £4.99! So overpriced it's untrue. 
• Availability - You can only buy the lipgloss in-store at Superdrug or online at Sleek. This isn't considered a great thing if your Superdrug isn't well stocked as you'll have to order online at Sleek meaning you're going to be paying a fortune for delivery. 
• Shade Selection - The lipglosses only come in 2 different shades which isn't great if you're not a fan of red or pink. The lipglosses have well and truly been targeted at those who like experimenting with colour or those who like wearing vibrant lipsticks. If you like more neutral shades then you're stumped. 

Overall

I honestly hate these lipglosses with a passion, they're so unbelievably drying that they make you feel like you have chalk lips, they're not long wearing at all and most importantly they look so appalling on the lips that a stranger would think you had some form of mouth disease. I cannot express how bad these lipgosses are and if you were thinking of buying one, I'd save your money, time and energy. 

These HAVE to go down as the worst lip product of 2012. 

Would I recommend? NO!

Would I repurchase? NO!

Rating? 0/10

Thank you for reading and I hope this has saved you from wasting £4.99!

Cole

x

L'Oreal Color Riche Nail Polish: Review, Photos & Swatches

Today I have a nail polish review for you all and I have to say it's a rather interesting one. There's no denying that the Color Riche nail polishes are like marmite but what did I think of this colourful bunch? Keep reading to find out! 

What L'Oreal have to say about the Color Riche nail polishes...

"Introducing L'Oreal Paris' first long lasting mini nail collection, new Color Riche Nail. The wardrobe of gel based colours have been developed by L'Oreal Paris colour creative director Orrea Light; who through her travels and her fashion forward expertise has created 41 sophisticated shades, each telling their own story..

..Experiment with the perfect selection of mini nail shades; bring out your inner vixen with Color Riche Nail in 'Moulin Rouge' or keep things natural with the 'foundation' for your nails Color Riche Nail in 'Beige Countess'. With one stroke of the patented flat brush, nails can be coated in your favourite colours dependent on your mood or outfit choice."

Information about the Color Riche nail polishes

L'Oreal have developed a nail polish containing both Crystal Acrylic and Liquid Gel Technology. 

• Crystal Acrylic - Provides high shine to the nail formula, meaning there is no need for a top coat. 
• Liquid Gel Technology - The liquid gel base polish offers easy application and long lasting coverage. It also prevents the polish from spreading too thinly, dripping and running like other classic polishes. 

The Color Riche nail polishes also have Patented Brush Technology.

• Precision - The brush helps to bring the formula to the centre of the nail, ensuring colour stays away from the nail bed. 
• Quickness - The flat brush holds the nail formula so colour is applied to the nails in one stroke. 
• Flawless - A curved, thin and broad end brush helps to control the flow of the polish for application. 

What are the product claims?

• Easy application
• Even coverage 
• Lasting glossy shine
• Precision paddle brush (applicator)
• Built-in top coat

Is there a large selection of shades?

There are more than 40 different shades to choose from. Including neutral, bright and dark shades. 

How much do the Color Riche nail polishes retail at and where are they available?

The Color Riche nail polishes retail at £4.99/5ml and can be purchased in-store and online at both Boots and Superdrug. 

Photo's & Swatches

Left To Right: Spicy Orange, Lush Tangerine, So Chic Pink, Insolent Magenta, Shocking Pink, Ingenious Rose, Marie Antoinette, Baby Doll. 

Left To Right: Luxembourg Garden, Rebel Blue, Blue Reef, French Riviera, Black Swan. 

Left To Right: Spicy Orange, Lush Tangerine, So Chic Pink.

Left To Right: Insolent Magenta, Shocking Pink, Ingenious Rose, Marie Antoinette, Baby Doll.

Left To Right: Luxembourg Garden, Rebel Blue, Blue Reef, French Riviera, Black Swan

The Good

• Opacity - ALL the shades I own are opaque, there's not one shade that isn't. The nail polishes are very pigmented and I don't find them to be thin at all, hence why some of them only require one coat.
• Finish - The nail polishes have a nice glossy finish (as you can see from the swatch photographs).  There's nothing better than having sheeny shiny nails. 
• Consistency - The nail polishes aren't too runny or too thick, they're just right (famous words of goldilocks). I'd imagine that they wouldn't go gloopy quickly too. 
• Application - The nail polishes apply smoothly and easily with no fuss or mess. They don't apply streaky either, which I love! There's nothing worse than having nails that resemble streaky bacon. 
• Applicator - I think the applicator is amazing, possibly one of the best nail polish applicators I've ever come across. Nail polish is applied in one simple stroke. 
• Coats Needed - The majority of the nail polishes require one coat but some do require two. I honestly think it's amazing how the majority of the shades only require one coat. Not only does this save hours waiting for the nail polish to fully dry, but it means you're using less product too. 
• Drying Time - The nail polishes dry quickly which is good if you're on the go and need your nail polish to dry fast. 
• Shade Selection - There's over 40 different shades which is utterly amazing, especially considering L'Oreal is high street brand. Most high street brands don't stock a vast selection of nail polish shades. 
• Availability - The nail polishes can be purchased in-store and online from both Boots and Superdrug so availability isn't really an issue. 

The Okay 

• Packaging - There's nothing fancy about the bottle as it's just a small glass bottle. The gold cap, however, adds a touch of class which makes the nail polish look a lot more expensive than it actually is.  
• Size - The nail polishes contain 5ml and I think this is a little stingy. The standard nail polish contains between 10-18ml so 5ml is pretty poor, it's such a small amount of product. I would imagine than one of these nail polishes would last less than a month if you used it quite regularly. 
• Price - Lets face it, £4.99 is a little pricey for a 5ml nail polish. I can buy a 15ml Essie nail polish for £4.95 from Chemist Direct. 

The Bad

• Chipping - The nail polishes chip like no tomorrow. I told my mum how they chipped really easily so she tried one out for herself. She applied it at 9am and her nails had chipped by 4pm. I also tested each of the colours on my nails and after 2 days they'd all chipped so it's not just a certain shade that chips, they ALL chip.  It's makes me wonder if there's actually any 'Crystal Acrylic' within the nail polishes.  
• Smell - The smell is even worse than sugary cucumbers and you all know how much I hate that smell. The nail polishes smell really bad, they're so overpowering that they make you feel a little light headed when using them. (make sure you're sat on something cushioned whilst using them).   
• 3 Free - L'Oreal has stated nowhere that these nail polishes are 3 free so I'm presuming that they aren't. Naughty L'Oreal.

Overall

Overall I do like the nail polishes as they apply smoothly and dry relatively fast but I think it's horrendous how they chip really easily. 

I'd suggest the Color Riche nail polishes to those who change their nail colour frequently and also those who never end up finishing a whole bottle of nail polish. 

Were the product claims accurate? Ish. There's no way that the nail polishes have a built in top coat as they chip easily. But the nail polish applies well and the applicator is second to none. 

Would I recommend? Yes, especially to those who don't paint their nails on a regular basis. 

Would I Purchase? No, I can buy high end nail polishes for the same price.

Rating? 7/10, the chipping is a major issue for me. 

Have you tried any of the Color Riche nail polishes?
:)

*The L'Oreal Color Riche nail polishes were sent to me for review purposes. This does not effect my thoughts and opinions on the products. As always, my reviews are 100% truthful. 

Laura Mercier Metallic Creme Eye Colour in 'Alloy'

I bought the eye colour a while ago and have been meaning to blog about it for a while but I just kept forgetting. If you know me well you'll know that I'm possibly the most forgetful person in the world, I also get pre-occupied by the smallest of things (not a good combination). Anyway, yesterday, whilst sat there physically using the eye colour, I thought to myself.. YOU NEED TO BLOG ABOUT THIS! So I took a few snaps and started to write one of my usual mahoosive reviews. 

So without further ado, here's what I think of the Laura Mercier Metallic Creme Eye Colour in 'Alloy'. 

What Laura Mercier has to say about the Metallic Creme Eye Colour...

"A lightweight, non-greasy, lush metallic formula that floats across the eye leaving a gorgeous, shimmering sheen."

What are the product claims?

• Waterproof
• Lightweight
• Non-greasy
• Long wearing
• Can be used as a base for eyeshadows or can be worn alone. 

Directions of use?

1. Dispense the product onto the back of your hand. You will literally need to use the smallest amount. 
2. Using a flat eyeshadow brush or your finger, apply the eye colour to both of your eyelids. If you notice any harsh edges, blend using a blending brush. 
3. Apply one layer for a light wash of colour, apply more layers for an intense colour.

How many different shades are there?

The Metallic Creme Eye Colour is available in 5 different shades.

• Alloy - Shimmery Taupe
• Burnished Copper - Taupey Bronze Red
• Gold - Taupey Gold
• Platinum - Champagne
• Rose Gold - Shimmery Rose Gold

How much does the Metallic Creme Eye Colour retail at and where is it available?

The Metallic Creme Eye Colour retails at £18.50 and can be purchased in-store or online at John Lewis, House Of Fraser and Space NK. It can also be purchased in-store at Harvey Nichols.

What does the Metallic Creme Eye Colour look like?

This is how much product you will need for both eyelids. 

Approximately a 1cm piece.  

Built up swatch on the left, sheered out swatch on the right. 

This is 2 layers of product, exactly how I like to wear the eye colour.

Is the Metallic Creme Eye colour suitable for everyone?

I'm going to say yes and no. Yes because it's basically a cream eyeshadow, despite the name 'eye colour', and anyone can use a cream eyeshadow, and no because it solely depends on what type of eyelids you have.

If you have normal or dry eyelids, you will love the eye colours.You will find the eye colour to be very long lasting. 

If you have oily eyelids, you won't be a fan of the eye colours. You will find that the eye colour creases a little after a couple of hours of wear. To prevent creasing you could use an eyeshadow primer before applying the eye colour or you could set the eye colour by applying a powder eyeshadow over the top of it. 

The Good

• Product - It can either be worn alone or can act as a base for other eyeshadows. You can easily apply powder eyeshadows on top of the eye colour (to increase colour intensity) and you can also blend powder eyeshadows into the eye colour too. Sometimes it's hard to blend powder eyeshadows into cream eyeshadows but I don't find this to be the case with the eye colour. It's a multifunctional product and I love it, I'm definitely going to be purchasing the other shades. The eye colour is a practical product with a great concept. You can also blend out the eye colour very well due to it not drying uber fast. 
• Pigmentation - The eye colour is very highly pigmented, as you will be able to see from looking at the above swatches. Even when the eye colour is sheered out it has great pigmentation. Due to great pigmentation, you only need to use a small amount of product. 
• Longevity - The eye colour claims to be long lasting and I fully agree with this claim. Once you apply it, it will not move (unless you cry or have mega oily eyelids). The eye colour doesn't fade or crease, it lasts all day. The only way this baby will budge is if you remove it with cleanser. 
• Texture - The eye colour has a creamy, smooth and velvety texture, it almost reminds me of mousse except it's shimmery, metallic and certainly not edible. It feels weightless on the eyelids and doesn't feel greasy at all, it feels like your not wearing anything on your eyelids even though you are. The eye colour certainly lives up to its 'lightweight' and 'non-greasy' claims. 
• Ease Of Use - The eye colour is easy to use, you simply pop a bit on the back of your hand and apply all over your eyelids using either your finger or a flat eyeshadow brush. It's as simple and as easy as that, you certainly don't need to be a makeup mastermind in order to use it. It's so easy my dog could probably apply it. 
• Packaging - The box the eye colour comes in is boring as it's just a plain silver box with a bit of waffle (text), I like a box to have a bit of jazz and I feel that box lacks jazz. The eye colour itself, however, is rather funky. I like how the eye colour is in a tube form and I especially like how it has a screw top lid, not only is this hygienic but it enables you to dispense the right amount of product. Another thing I like is that the shade corresponds with the shade displayed on the tube.
• Size - The eye colour contains 8.5g of product. MAC Paint Pots contain 5g of product and Make Up For Ever Aqua Creams contain 6g of product so you're getting a lot more product in the Laura Mercier eye colours. The eye colour contains a lot more product and you also need to use a minimal amount. One eye colour would last A LOT longer than a standard cream eyeshadow. 
• Availability - The eye colour can be purchased online and in-store at many places so availability isn't an issue. If you were thinking about buying one of the eye colours then I'd suggest buying it online at House Of Fraser as they retail at £16.50 on there, that's a HUGE saving of £2.00.... OOOF.
• Scent - The eye colour isn't scented at all. A big bonus for anyone that is sensitive to scented products. 

The Okay

• Waterproof - I cannot say that I've dunked my head in a bowl of water to test the 'waterproofness' of the eye colour but judging from the amount of product that faded when my eye randomly run, I would imagine that the eye colour isn't very waterproof at all. The eye colour is rain safe but not cry safe or swimming safe. 
• Shade Selection - There are only five different shades available which is a very small selection. All the shades appear to have a gold undertone too so if you like shimmery gold shades then I can guarantee that you'll like all 5 shades but if you prefer bright, dark or silver shades then these probably won't be to your taste at all. There needs to be a wider shade selection including neutral, bright and dark shades. A selection that caters for absolutely everybody. 
• Price - £18.50 is pricey for a cream eyeshadow, especially for a cream eyeshadow that is supposedly meant to be waterproof but in fact isn't. Make Up For Ever cream eyeshadows retail at £16.95 (which is still a little pricey) but I don't mind paying that because they literally do not budge. You could probably go on a nice scuba diving trip and these babies wouldn't move, streak, run or fade. Make Up For Ever cream eyeshadows are simply amazing so £16.95 is a fair price but I think the eye colour is a little expensive for what it is, yes it has amazing quality and it looks beautiful on the eyelids but it just doesn't live up to it's 'waterproof' claim. £15.00 would be a more realistic price tag. 

The Bad

• Other than the minor issues I pointed out in the 'Okay' section, I have nothing bad to say about the eye colour. 

Ideal for?

• Busy Bees - They're quick and easy to apply, look beautiful alone on the eyelids and last all day. 
• Makeup Artists - A luxury product that looks classy and elegant. The shade 'Platinum' is a must have product when creating a bridal look, it's a beautiful neutral gold shade.
• Cream Eyeshadow Lovers -  If you like cream eyeshadows then you're going to love the eye colours, they're wonderful. So easy to apply and a minimal amount is needed. They well and truly beat MAC Paint Pots.

Overall...

No exaggeration here, this is possibly the best cream eyeshadow I have ever tried in my life. I love it that much that I'll be buying all 5 shades for my makeup kit, and the other 4 shades for my personal use too. It's such a high quality product in terms of pigmentation and texture and I think it looks utterly stunning on the eyelids. Some cream eyeshadows tend to look a little 'muddy' and cheap but this looks very luxurious. The eye colour is very easy to use and it's good to use on its own or with powder products too. I feel a little let down with the shade selection and also the fact that it isn't waterproof but I don't think I'll lose any sleep over these 2 minor issues. Overall, a MASSIVE thumbs up.

Would I recommend? Yes, it's a wonderful product that's worth every penny.

Would I re-purchase? Yes, I intend to buy the other 4 shades. 

Rating? 9/10.. One point knocked off as it's not suitable for absolutely everyone.

Have you tried 'Alloy' or any of the other shades? 

:)

Orly Nail Polish Review

As many of you will know I love nails and everything to do with nails. I love nail art, I love sparkly gems but most of all, I LOVE nail polish. I have tried many low-end and high-end nail polishes throughout the years so I know which nail polishes are good and which are utterly shocking. 

I'm going to be reviewing nail polish brands over the next couple of weeks as this will be a good way of showing you the good, the mediocre and the down right rubbish nail polish brands. 

To kick off my series of nail polish brand reviews, I have for you...Orly. 

What Orly have to say...

"ORLY is the trendsetter when it comes to fashion for nails. Taking influences from the catwalk, ORLY's seasonal collections go hand in hand with fashion trends, and with over 150 different colours to choose from, there's a shade for every occassion.

Over 30 years and more than 25 treatments later, ORLY is renowned around the world for its professional quality products. A complete manicure and pedicure range, ORLY has everything you need to keep your hands and feet in the red carpert standard they so deserve."

Are Orly nail polishes 3 free?

Yes they are. Orly nail polishes are free from DBP, Formaldehyde and Toluene. 

Does Orly have a large colour selection?

Orly have a fabulous colour selection. There are 96 shades in the permanent collection and approximately 6 shades in each of the limited edition collections. Orly release many collections over the year and they're always brilliant collections. One collection Orly have just released is the Orly Flash Glam FX collection, it's basically a collection containing many sparkly and glittery nail polishes and I have to say that it's a simply amazing collection. Perfect for a magpie like myself. 

Orly cater for everybody as there is a wide selection of neutral, dark and bright nail polishes available. No matter if you like beige, dark purple or hot pink, there will be a shade just for you. 

How much do Orly nail polishes retail at and where can you buy them from?

Orly nail polishes retail at £10.95 and can be purchased online at Look Fantastic, Beauty Bay and Feel Unique. Mini Orly nail polishes can also be purchased in-store at selected Boots stores, the mini Orly nail polishes retail at £3.99 each. It's also important to know that full sized Orly nail polishes retail at  £7.50 on Beauty Bay so you may as well buy them from there, Beauty Bay also offer free delivery (or snail delivery as I like to call it).

What do Orly nail polishes look like?

Below are photographs and swatches of a few of my Orly nail polishes. 

From left to right: 'Hot Shot', 'Passion Fruit', 'Beach Cruiser', 'Basket Case'.

From left to right: 'Butterflies', 'White Out', 'Androgynie', 'Shine On Crazy Diamond'.

'Hot Shot'

Colour: Neon Red/Coral

Coats needed: 2

'Passion Fruit'

Colour: Neon Red/Pink

Coats needed: 2

'Beach Cruiser'

Colour: Neon Pink

Coats needed: 2

'Basket Case'

Colour: Pink With Purple Undertone

Coats needed: 2

'Butterflies'

Colour: Strawberry Pink

Coats needed: 3

'White Out'

Colour: Pure White

Coats needed: 2

'Androgynie'

Colour: Black With Green/Blue Glitter

Coats needed: 3

'Shine On Crazy Diamond'

Colour: Fine Glitter

Coats needed: 2

Swatches

From left to right: Hot Shot, Passion Fruit, Beach Cruiser, Basket Case, Butterflies, White Out, Androgynie, Shine On Crazy Diamond. 

The Good

• Brush - Orly nail polishes have a thin brush which enables precise application. 
• Packaging - Orly nail polishes have a rubberised lid which enables easy gripping (handy when opening) and flawless performance.
• Coats Needed - The majority of Orly nail polishes require 2 coats which is standard. Some of the paler shades need 3 coats but that is to be expected. 
• Drying Time - I can't give specific drying times as I don't sit there with a stop clock funnily enough, but If I were to guess then I'd say that one coat would be dry after 5 minutes. I also noticed that matte Orly nail polishes dry almost instantly so if you're in a rush and need to use a nail polish that dries uberly fast then I'd check out the matte Orly nail polishes, for example, 'Hot Shot' or 'Beach Cruiser'.
• Chipping - Orly nail polish lasts around 6 days before chipping. The majority of nail polishes last around 3-4 before chipping so 6 days is amazing! Orly nail polishes would be ideal for anyone who doesn't change their nail colour frequently.
• 3 Free - Orly nail polishes are free from DBP, Formaldehyde and Toluene (baddies that shouldn't be in nail polishes). It's important that you check the ingredients list of a nail polish before buying it as you really don't want to buy a nail polish that contains these three baddies. Hoorah for Orly.. you kind, thoughtful brand!
• Opacity - Some Orly polishes are very opaque, whereas some can be quite sheer. It just depends on the colour and finish of the nail polish but more often than not, Orly nail polishes have brilliant opacity. 
• Application - Orly nail polishes apply very well. They apply very smoothly without streaking, although you do have to watch out for some of the matte shades as they can apply a little streaky, and also sheer. 
• Colour Range - I personally feel that Orly have the BEST colour range, there's 96 different shades in the permanent range and there's usually 6 shades in each of the limited edition collections. Orly release many collections throughout the year and I have to say that they never fail to impress me. I feel that Orly cater for each and every one of us as they include a mix of vibrant, neutral and dark shades in their collections. 
• Size - Orly nail polishes contain 18ml of product which is utterly amazing. A standard nail polish contains between 8-15ml of product so you're getting a lot more product in Orly nail polishes. Orly nail polishes are very large so I can imagine one bottle lasting a while. I paint my nail VERY frequently and have gone through 2 bottles of 'White Out' in the space of 10 months which in my opinion is very good.  
• Price - Orly nail polishes retail between £7.50 - £10.85 and I think this is reasonable. Not only are you paying for the large amount of product, you're paying for the quality too. I own many high end nail polishes that are a lot more expensive than Orly nail polishes and I have to say that the quality it utterly shoddy, £1 Primark nail polish is probably better quality, and that's no exaggeration. Overall, Orly nail polishes have a brilliant price tag and I will definitely by buying more in the future, they're brilliant nail polishes!  
• Scent - Some nail polishes can have a really overpowering scent, so much so that they can give you a migraine but I'm pleased to say that Orly nail polishes don't have an overpowering scent at all. 

The Okay

• Availability - Orly nail polishes cannot be purchased in-store (apart from a few select mini shades at selected Boots stores) and this is a problem for me as I like to look at nail polishes before I buy them, just incase I either don't like the shade or find I already own a similar one. If Orly branched out to Boots/Superdrug, it'd be so much better as you could freely look at the nail polishes. There's no denying that Orly nail polishes are readily available online, you can buy them left, right and centre (which is ace) but it'd just be nice to see them in the flesh. Not only that, the Boots/Superdrug points would be nice too. 

The Bad

• I have nothing bad to say about Orly nail polishes, they're brilliant nail polishes and I'll certainly be buying more in the future. The only thing I will say is that I'd like to see more green/blue shades in the permanent range. 

Overall I like Orly nail polishes, they have a nice consistency, apply smoothly and last around 6 days without chipping. Orly nail polishes also contain 18ml which is utterly amazing as a standard nail polish contains 15ml.
I would suggest Orly nail polishes to anyone that doesn't paint their nails that often or buy nail polishes on a regular basis. Orly nail polishes would also be great for anyone on the go 24/7 as they're fast drying.

Would I recommend? Yes, I personally feel Orly nail polishes are the best on the market.

Would I re-purchase? Yes, 10 times over. 

Rating? 10/10

Have you tried any Orly nail polishes?

:)

*The shades 'Hot Shot', 'Basket Case' and 'Butterflies' were sent to me for review purposes. This does not effect my thoughts and opinions on the products. As always, my reviews are 100% truthful.