The Perfect Red Lip

I promised you another cheerfully Valentine's-themed post and here it is.

A few of my favourite red lipsticks perfect for a romantic evening.

So once you've gotten your lips Valentine's ready (see my post on that lovely topic HERE), you're all set to channel your inner Marilyn with a vampy red lip.

Now, I have some other red lip products that I am quite a fan of as well, but I already yammered on about them for quite a while in my Lipstick Alternatives Post which features glosses, liquid lipsticks and stains- perfect for any *ahem* post-date activities.

The only one that I repeated was my Maybelline Baby Lips in Cherry Me, which I thought I would include so this post can at least mention a lighter, tastier alternative.

So, from L-R we have:

Maybelline Baby Lips (Cherry Me)

Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Moss (10,11)

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick: (725) Love That Red, (006) Really Red, (720) Fire & Ice

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter (070) Cherry Tart

Maybelline The Vivids (895) On Fire Red

Not Pictured: MAC Lipstick in Russian Red

Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Moss (10,11)

These lipsticks really are quite long-lasting and are a favourite in the beauty community.  Shade 10 is a bit deeper and more vampy while 11 is brighter, more of a cherry red.  I think if you mixed the two, the shade would be very comparable to MAC's Russian Red

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick: (725) Love That Red, (006) Really Red, (720) Fire & Ice

Love That Red is a creamy, bright red, a bit on the orange side but quite easy to work with. 

Love That Red is a matte finish, making it a little more tricky to get a perfect application with, but the result is a very true, strong red that is flattering on a lot of skin tones.

Fire & Ice is almost a red-coral, very much towards the orange side of things that I think would look lovely on those with olive or medium skin.  I don't usually wear this colour when it's not summer but it still has a place in my heart.

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter (070) Cherry Tart, Maybelline The Vivids (895) On Fire Red, MAC Lipstick in Russian Red, Maybelline Baby Lips Cherry Me

Cherry Tart, as a lip butter is super comfortable and moisturizing, great if you don't have a lot of time for touch-ups or are doing something that might mess up a carefully applied red lip.  Same goes for the Baby Lips of course.

I only picked up On Fire Red a few days ago, but I am loving the formula so far; it's very comfortable and definitely not too drying.

Of course, Russian Red is the quintessential red lipstick and I can definitely see why.  A creamy matte finish and deep, true red tone means it is the perfect sophisticated red lipstick.  Just for reference, in my little blog photo, this is what I'm wearing.

Maybelline The Vivids (895) On Fire Red

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick (006) Really Red

Application Tips:

Apparently, back in the day, my grandma was envied for her ability to make a single application of lipstick last the whole day.  The trick she swears by is very simple, but I find it usually can add a good amount of wear time.  Apply your first coat of lipstick then go do something else for a few minutes- maybe 5 or 10.  Then grab yourself a tissue, give it a kiss (or blot if you prefer but my grandma swears kissing the tissue works better) then apply another coat.  You can also take this one step further by patting on some loose translucent powder over your first coat, then applying the colour again over it.  I like to use a flat, stiff (not-fluffy) eyeshadow brush for this.

When it comes to lipliner, honestly, I'm not too fussed.  If you are going to apply it, my only tip would be to fill in your whole lip- no one likes the 'ring around the lips' look plus it will probably give you more wear time and a sharper finish.  MAC's Brick is a really great liner that I actually think matches Russian Red a little better than the crowd favourite Cherry.

Finally, if you like the glossy look, my favourite finisher is Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush Gloss in the clear shade because it's not too thick or sticky, plus it smells like mint- an advantage for everyone!

Well, I think I am officially out of Valentine's Day-themed things to talk about (or more accurately, I've run out of time to talk about them).

I hope you enjoyed reading about the makeup staple that is the red lip.  If you have a favourite in this post, or one that you think I should check out, let me know in the comments below.

Hopefully you have a great Valentine's Day, no matter what you get up to!

Kendall

x

Monday's Face: Neutral & Plum

Today I was very much feeling something soft and pretty, but instead of going with my old tried and true smoky eye/nude lip combo (you can read my post about my favourite nude lipsticks HERE) I decided to play with a few plum tones.

I created this look with the fact that I had a few classes to go to and some errands to run in mind, so it would be a great look for a day at school or work.

 Face

On my face, I started by buffing in my Makeup Forever HD Foundation (110) with my Real Techniques Buffing Brush.  I added some coverage under the eyes and on any uneven spots with my Sleek Makeup Corrector and Concealer (1).  After letting that set while I worked on my eyes, I used my mini kabuki to dust a bit of Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder (001 Transparent) all over my face, focusing on my nose and forehead.  I used Benefit's Dallas, a really interesting plummy, bronze blush under my cheekbones with my Real Techniques Contour Brush followed by a flush of Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush (50) in Plum Wine using my ELF Stippling Brush (you can read my defence of these blushes in my Drugstore Makeup post HERE). Finally, I dusted a little bit of MAC Lightscapade over my cheekbones with my Real Techniques Setting Brush.

On my lips, I've got Sugar Plum (085), my new favourite Revlon Lip Butter.

Eyes

For the eyes, I used a coat of MAC's Paint Pot in Painterly over a little bit of Urban Decay Primer Potion (to avoid creasing). Next I used a mixture of MAC's Patina (left) and Wedge (right) in the crease and outer corner, with my Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush (I know it's quite big for the crease but it's perfect for the soft look I wanted).  Using Patina and my Real Techniques Accent Brush, I lightly lined my lower lashes (holy alliteration Batman!) then tightlined my upper lashes with Stila Convertible Eye Color in Onyx (these pencils are very comparable to Urban Decay's but not as long lasting) and threw a little Revlon Matte Luxurious Kohl Eyeliner in Pure White (04).  Finally, I used my NYC Liquid Liner in Black (887) along the upper lash line.  A quick curl and a couple coats of my Boots No7 Lash Adapt in Brown/Black (02) (not pictured, I don't know where my brain was this morning) and that was it!

Sorry, I know I look like a weirdo here but I promise I'll get my lighting/camera situation worked out soon!

Hopefully this post has given you a few ideas for work or school appropriate makeup.  I'd love to hear your favourite ways to spice up a natural everyday look!

I don't want to be one of those "Happy Monday" people so I'll just say, I hope your Monday is not sucking too hard.

Kendall

x

Sunday Nail Lovin'

So it's the dead of winter and I'm looking for something bright and/or glittery to cheer myself up.  If you're in the same boat, two colours that I have been loving are Revlon's Dreamer (410) a creamy light blue that's soft and pretty and Revlon's Scandalous (761) a black polish with extra-fine and extra-large purple/pink glitter.

On my nails (as I have had for a distressingly long time) I've got a gel manicure with a colour by OPI that I'm so sorry to have forgotten the name of.  I've searched the internet high and low and just can't find it but I promise I will next time I go to get my nails filled.

Now on to colours I've been lusting after.

Sally Hansen Barracuda

Sorry to mention Essie Button so much, but she has fantastic taste in nail polish and ever since I saw her haul Barracuda (In this post) I have been in love.  Of course, I've had no luck finding it thus far but  I (oh so cheezily) still have hope!

Essie Nail Varnish in Butler, Please

Are you noticing a bit of a theme here? For some reason, despite going through a lengthy phase where I wouldn't be caught dead in anything other than muted neutrals or a french manicure, I'm suddenly in love with blues, purples and all things bright.  After the blue-nails-are-so-cool-and-edgy phase I went through when I was about 13, I thought they were a thing of the past.  But I guess everything comes back around, and there are a lot of brands that are doing the bright nail trend so freaking beautifully!

I'd love to hear about your current nail obsessions and I hope you're having a relaxing Sunday!

Kendall

x

Makeup on the Cheap

Happy weekend everyone!

Now I've expressed some major love for my higher-end brands in previous posts but let's be real here:

I'm a full-time student and those higher-end purchases can end up being pretty darn draining on the ol' wallet.  However, if I'm ever feeling the need to boost my spirits with a little retail therapy (which is sadly far more often than I care to admit) drugstore makeup can be a great compromise.

I do admit, there are a lot of products you can find in the *ahem* cheaper locals that are absolute crap.  But oh boy, then there are products like these, that make their way into my daily rotation and I wouldn't trade for anything. 

One of my favourite bloggers/ YouTubers, Essie Button, recently did an I Heart Drugstore Makeup Tag, which you can see HERE. Something that I really enjoy about her posts/ videos is that she has a great mix of high-end and drugstore products, which is definitely something I shoot for as well.  

Funny story, I actually was going to make this post my first YouTube video, however I am being quite honest when I say I have next to no technological skills (how I run this blog is a mystery) so that will have to wait until I get myself sorted.

Anyway, enough rambling, onto the goods!

 Revlon Colorstay Foundation in 110 Ivory

A bit of a crowd favourite, this is really the only drugstore foundation that works for me.  Though there are other products that I usually prefer for a more natural finish, I do love Colorstay for a long-lasting, matte finish.  

Please don't hurt me

Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blushes

I'm sorry.  I know these are absolutely hated by most of the beauty world but I have to put it out there and admit that I kind of, sort of, really love them.  Hear me out: most people/s chief complaint about these is that there isn't great colour payoff.  

...Buuuuut I'm so pale (with naturally rosy cheeks), these just give me the perfect flush of colour when I apply with my ELF Stipple Brush. 

Clockwise, from the top, we've got (70) Hot Tamale, (50) Plum Wine, (15) Rose Petal

 NYC Liquid Eyeliner (887) Black (Brush tip)

I love you.  

Maybelline Color Tattoo 

Alright, I'm not going to say too much about these because every beauty guru and blogger seems to adore these, which should be testament enough. They really are lovely products though.

Clockwise, from top left: (15) Audacious Asphalt, (35) Tough as Taupe, (20) Painted Purple, (25) Bad to the Bronze

Quick Tip: try to store these babies upside-down to slow down that sucky drying-out process.

Wet n' Wild in ( 380B) Walking on Eggshells

Very velvety with a beautiful, slightly shimmery finish.  And crazy cheap.  What more could you want?

Sleek Makeup i Divine Eyeshadow Palettes

From a UK-based line, these eyeshadows have amazing colour payoff and wear beautifully.  Once agin, the value is fantastic and they have many different options.  I know they're difficult to get in Canada but I ordered them off the website (HERE) and I think shipping was only around 5 pounds or so.  My personal favourite is the Storm Palette.

Now I wanted to point out this shadow specifically because it is almost a perfect dupe for Mac's Woodwinked.  It's in the Au Naturel Palette (601). 

You can tell it's gotten lots of use

L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow (888) Iced Latte

Last eyeshadow, I promise.  These shadows come as a semi-loose powder that you press yourself (it comes with a little presser) and they have such a shimmery, long-lasting finish.

Revlon Lipstick (Seriously, almost all of them)

Far and away my favourite drugstore lipsticks, every Revlon shade I've tried has been long-lasting, creamy and not overly-drying.  They have an amazing shade range that I have to admit I think I own a large part of.  I am planning a post just for these little wonders but for now I'm showing you my favourite dupe.

(457) Wild Orchid

Almost a perfect dupe for MAC's Show Orchid, Wild Orchid is a vivid, luxurious magenta/fuchsia/ princess colour that screams to all of our inner five-year-olds enticed by the beauty of a true pink lipstick.  But in a high-fashion way.

Whelp, that's it folks, a few of my drugstore faves.  I'm sure as soon as I post this, I'll think of about a billion more things that I love so this is probably going to be a bit of a running theme.

I hope you enjoyed reading and I'd love to hear about what your favourite drugstore picks are.

Kendall

x

Lipstick Alternatives: Colour Without the "Lipstick" Feel

So I realize that not everyone is a huge fan of lipstick.  Some people don't like the feeling, some people don't like the maintenance and I have to say, some days I am in both of those groups.  I really admire people who can dedicate themselves to a full day of applying and maintaining lip colour every day but sadly sometimes a girl just needs a break.  But that doesn't mean you have to take a break from gorgeous colour.  

Below are a few of my favourite lipstick alternatives that range from a flush of colour to vampy, saturated red.  Enjoy!

Stains of all Sorts

I hadn't realized until this post but my favourite stains are mostly from either from the Maybelline Super Stay line or the Revlon Just Bitten one.  From left to right we've got: Maybelline Super Stay Gloss in 140 "Ruby Indulgence", Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in 020 "Lovesick", Revlon Just Bitten Lipstain + Balm in "Flame", Maybelline Super Stay Color in "Endless Ruby"

Swatches in the same order

My most worn of these is definitely "Ruby Indulgence" though it is more on the glossy side of the stains and therefore is not as long lasting.  But it smells JUST like fruit punch!

Here they all are after I've wiped them with a tissue. I'm not kidding, these babies really stick!

Liquid Lipsticks

These are my two favorite liquid lipsticks.  Not quite a stain but not a lipstick either, these little beauties lie in a sort of long-lasting gloss territory, but with more pigment.  Great description, I know.

Again from left to right" L'Oreal Colour Riche Caresse Aqua Lip Laquer in 190 "Endless Red" and NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in San Paulo

The L'Oreal Colour is on top, NYX on the bottom

The L'Oreal Lip Laquers are supposed to be a sort of dupe for YSL's Glossy Stains, which are on my list of products to try so I can't yet vouch for how good a job they've done.  All I can say is that they also smell quite nice though what is supposed to be "Endless Red" turns out to be more of a bright berry.

Here they are after the swipe of a tissue.  You can see San Paulo was not long for this world and to be honest, though it is an absolutely gorgeous colour, it doesn't last all that long on the lip either.

Glosses and Balms

Now tinted glosses and balms are products that probably get the most use from me because they are just so darn easy.  A quick swipe and you're set.  However, finding something that will give you some actual colour payoff can be quite difficult, and glosses do tend to wear very quickly.  That said, there are some real winners out there if you know where to look.

Top: Korres Lip Butter in Plum, Left: Maybelline Baby Lips in Cherry Me, Right: Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Cream in Cherry Flip

Because these colours look so much different on the lip, I thought I'd show you directly.

Here is the Korres Lip Butter

Plum

and the Buxom Lip Cream

Cherry Flip

Please ignore my Billy Idol expression

So there you have it, a plethora of lipstick alternatives for you to choose from.

A quick not about the YSL lipsticks because I didn't include them but I sort of wanted to: I still technically consider them lipsticks but the Sheer Candy Glossy Balm Crystal Colours are also extremely glossy and comfortable.  Luscious Cherry is my colour of choice because as you can probably tell, I love a red gloss.

Thanks so much for reading!

Kendall

x