My MAC Lipstick Collection (so far)

It's no surprise that my first step into the high end beauty waters was through MAC. Back in the day, there were basically three makeup categories: drugstore, MAC, and everything else. I still remember walking into the store and buying my first item (the paint pot in Rubenesque) and feeling so posh ha! A few years later, and the MAC craze has kind of died down for me but there is always something at MAC that will forever tug at my heartstrings and that's lipsticks! I can never walk past a store and not leave with a hand full of lipstick swatches and making a list in my head of what the next one will be. Since the collection has grown in the past few months, I thought I'd share the lipsticks I own and tell you which ones are must haves!

L to R: Creme d'Nude, Shy Girl, Peach Blossom, Modesty, Lovelorn, Syrup, Up The Amp, Morange

As you can tell from the picture above, 6 out of the 8 lipsticks I own are in the neutral shade range. On an everyday basis, I tend to gravitate towards those shades so I find it to be more cost effective if I buy shades that I'll wear often and save more of the bright colours for drugstore purchases since I don't grab for them as often. But let's be real, there are some gorgeous bright shades at MAC that I'm dying to get my hands on (Rebel is next come Fall time!). 
My first ever lipstick was Hue, which I don't have anymore because I used it to the last swipe but the longest standing one in the collection is Creme D'Nude, which you can see is on its last legs. I was a huge nude lip lover back in the day so it's no surprise those were my first two purchases. I don't use Creme D'Nude often now on it's own, but I will use it to white out the natural pigmentation of my lips if I need to tone it down or as a base for sheerer lip glosses to stand out more. 
Now, for Back 2 MAC lipsticks. The first one I chose was Up The Amp, which is SO out of my comfort zone but I guess that's why I chose it. If I'm gonna get a lipstick for free, might as well choose something I wouldn't spend my money on normally. It's quite the unique shade and I only pull it out on rare occasions but I do love mixing it with a peachy pink gloss to create a really cool effect! The latest Back 2 MAC I did was for Syrup. Lily Pebbles constantly talks about this shade and my mom had it in her makeup bag a few years ago and I surprisingly really liked it so I thought it would be a good one to go for. A neutral pink with mauve undertones that gives enough colour but is truly an unexpected take on the classic neutral lip. 
The one lipstick I would say to get: Peach Blossom. I seriously love this. Perfect for everyday and goes with just about everything. It's a cremesheen so it goes on really smooth and it has the ideal mix of pink, peach, brown... oh my, this is just a beauty! To finish off the neutral and pink lipstick section we've got Shy Girl, Modesty and Lovelorn which are my most recent additions. Shy Girl is a ViviannaDoesMakeup suggestion, as most of my makeup choices are, but this is a really nice peachy nude that definitely leans more peach. At first, I thought it would wash me out but I was pleasantly surprised at how flattering it is. This one is gonna be one that I grab for a lot when doing more smoked out looks on the eyes! Modesty is one that doesn't look very special in the tube but oh dear, it is just gorgeous when worn. It's a dusty muted pink shade with a bit more of a brown undertone that is so flattering and kinda has that whole sophisticated look down. It's a good default shade if you want something neutral. Last but not least in the neutral category is Lovelorn, which is definitely the most pink of the bunch but is really pretty. It has less warm undertones and stronger blue base to it then any other lipstick I have but that helps it look really fresh and the pink pops more on the lips, despite it being more neutral than a pink like Chatterbox. 
The last one sticks out like a sore thumb when next to all of my lipsticks but I just love Morange. It is not for the faint of heart but there's nothing like it! it's a true orange and I love wearing it during this season because it's a bit unexpected but definitely on trend and brightens up your whole face. It's an amplified finish so the colour pay off is amazing but unlike a matte finish, it doesn't make your lips feel or look dry! So glad I purchased this one and I can't wait to wear it as the Summer heats up even more. 
There you have it, my MAC lipstick collection. Sooner or later, I'll probably film a video where I actually apply them on which is really helpful, and by that time I'm sure there may be a few more added to the bunch. Have any MAC lipstick recommendations for me? I always love discovering new shades so send them my way!!! Hope you have the best week.

New In: Spring Lip Colours

Oh lip products, how I love thee! I'm always interested when my favourite beauty bloggers give recommendations for new shades or product releases so these are my latest blogger inspired lip products purchases for Spring!
Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids in Vivid Rose// Bright lips are something I'm always down to experiment with, especially in warmer weather, and this lipstick is just gorgeous! Vivid is definitely the right word to describe this shade - it is incredibly bright and pigmented and the rose undertones of this pink make it a great transitional colour for Spring. Definitely one to swatch when you see it! 
Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm in Unapologetic & Complex// I have two shades from the original Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain line but these matte balms were definitely intriguing. I find that I don't have many matte finish lipsticks in my drawer and these fit the bill for closing that gap. They are surprisingly, incredibly creamy and glide on like a dream (although you definitely want to have exfoliated lips beforehand). The shade Unapologetic, a bright true coral, is one of Alix from ICovetThee's favourites and looks so good on her, so naturally it was a colour I gravitated towards. Complex is a peachy nude which wouldn't be my first choice if I saw the range but ViviannaDoesMakeup included it her Spring Edit and suggested another way to wear it so I was convinced. I'm definitely loving these so far!
MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in Peach Blossom// This. Is. A. Beaut! Another Anna inspired purchase (do you see a trend here?) and one that is now basically my default when I need a peachy pink nude for everyday wear. I don't know how many different ways I can say that I love this but I seriously do. It's such a flattering shade, and one that would be foolproof for a lot of different skin tones. The formula is one of my favourites - Cremesheens are super creamy but still give more colour than my old favourite Hue which is a glaze. I'm so glad I heard about this shade because it's not one that you hear about very often. 
Have you tried any new lip products for Spring? What's your favourite formula or brand?

Lancome Rouge in Love Lipsticks

L to R: 275M, 230M, 340B

Another day, another post on my makeup loving antics! Lip products are probably my most purchased item out of all the categories. Whether it be different colours or formulations, I've got a good variety! I've got a lot of lipsticks that hold a special place in my heart but the Lancome Rouge In Love range are definitely one of my faves!
These lipsticks are daily new to the Lancome range compared to some of their more classics ranges but they really diversify the brand as a whole. I always thought that Lancome was a makeup line for older women (except for the Juicy Tubes which I always coveted!) but when they came out with the Rouge in Love line with Emma Watson as their new face, things certainly changed. First of all, look at that packaging! I always thought they looked like bullets or something. They are a departure from the classic black lipstick tubes that lance usually does but that's why I love them. It's one of those lipsticks that you grab from your handbag and make you feel all posh - and who doesn't love that? 
Formulation wise these are really quite interesting. The lipstick bullet actually looks as if the colour would be matte but once you swipe it you'll realize that it actually gives a slight sheen and there are creamy! Very deceiving Lancome! One thing to note is that these are really pigmented so you get great colour payoff and what you see in the tube is what you get on your lips. That begin said, these lipsticks still offer enough moisture and a glossy finish that you don't even need a gloss on top. These are really comfortable to wear all day and I've never had a problem with them drying out my lips but if you have really chapped lips I'd exfoliate and apply balm before to prevent this from catching onto dry skin.
Another thing that makes this range so interesting is the way that they are divided into categories. You have Jolis Matins (M), Boudoir Time (B), and Tonight Is My Night (N). Lipsticks in the M category are day time shades that work well with a variety of looks - perfect for fresh makeup that you can wear to school or work. Shades with the letter B are brighter and trendier shades. In the last category under N, these lipsticks are deep shades that are a cry for attention - statement lips over here! 
I like the mix of the three shades I selected. 230M Rouge Rendez-vouz is a my lips but better shade for me. It's neutral but has just a hint of a coral undertone that's really flattering. 275M Jolie Rosalie is a deeper berry mauve shade that when I applied more heavily actually gives a great deep lip shade (I love this for fall and winter!). Lastly, the brighter shade of the bunch, 340B Rose Boudoir is a flashier version of my favourite peachy-pink selection. I love wearing this with a light bronze look because it adds just the right amount of colour to the face - perfect for summer makeup!
You can find these at Lancome counters or at Sephora. These retail for $30 CAD (£ 21 or $25 USD) and come in 29 shades as the Lancome website suggests (only 17 of which I could find on the Sephora site) which includes limited edition shades out right now for their Spring 2014 collection. I'm definitely eyeing some shades! All in all I think these are well worth the price tag and there is a shade for any preference or season. They last quite long, give off great pigmentation while still maintaining a light feel on the lips and they are comfortable to wear. Love, love, love! 

YSL's Take On The Perfect Peachy Pink

It's no surprise at all that when it comes to lip and cheek colours I'm a peachy pink lover through and through. A good coral shade livens up any skin tone and adds the perfect glow without bringing out any extra redness your skin may have. In my search for some new shades in this category I've found a lipstick formula that applies like butter and gives the most gorgeous sheen and colour. Say hello to YSL Rouge Volupte Shine in #15 Corail Intuitive.

This shade can look a little brighter in the tube but applied on the lips it goes quite a bit more sheer and is honestly the best mixture of pink and peach, ever! Besides the beautiful colour, the formulation of this lipstick is dreamy. I'm not sure if butter is the softest thing around, especially since it's what people compare anything creamy to, but I can see how this lipstick could be compared to it. It goes on without tugging on your lips and is basically a hybrid between a lipstick, gloss and balm. Aside from performing well, let's just take a moment and appreciate the beauty that is YSL packaging. The best little piece of luxury you can have lying around! And yes, this is extremely pricey for a lipstick but it's one of those things that you kinda have to buy with that change for a rainy day. At $39 a piece this is definitely not a lipstick you can buy every shade of (unless you can, in which case, let's go shopping!) but if you find a shade that works for you I'd definitely give it a try. You can find these at Sephora along with the full range of Rouge Volupte lipsticks that YSL does. 
Any shades you love and recommend? I really shouldn't be asking since I don't need the added temptation but you never know when my rainy day dimes will come in handy. 

Big, Bold and Beautiful

On an everyday basis I'm a neutral lip girl through and through but on the rare occasion that I feel like spicing it up a bit, a bold bright lip is always the antidote. It always makes a statement when you have on a light base, a simple eye and a show stopping bright lip! You don't always have to go full on and swipe that lipstick like you mean it - occasionally I'll pat the colour in and blot in order to get a fresh wash of colour that still livens up the face.
My picks that are shown above (top to bottom): Revlon Kissable Balm Stain in Smitten Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Coralberry Mac Lipstick in Up The Amp Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Love That Pink Lancome Rouge In Love Lipstick in 340 Rose Boudoir  Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipgloss in Fuchsia Therapy
Apart from the gloss, I usually prefer my brighter lip colours to have a cream finish, without shimmer or frost. Also, I'm not a fan of extremely glossy bold shades because they tend to get messier more quickly. If I had to choose my favourite from the ones I've selected it would most definitely be Revlon's Coralberry. I find that with this shade I can pull off a stronger coral and it suits my skin tone really well. Sometimes I'll even wear it with a nude lip underneath to get the best colour pigmentation and to stop my natural lip shade from getting in the way of its beautiful colour.  Any bright and bold lip favourites you recommend?

The Perfect Mix

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has an intense love of lip products, but don't you just hate it when you can't seem to find the right colour to wear with a certain look? No matter how many colours you've acquired and hours you've spent on the hunt in a Sephora, there just seems to be a void. Solution? Mixing colours you already own. This girl right here is the biggest advocate for it. I'll often apply a nude under a brighter/deeper shade to get the best pigmentation out of it (mostly because my lips tend to get very red on their own) or to tone it down. The best part is that you have a colour that's all your own and you can pull out the pigments you want to see the most of with just one swipe.  Lately, I've reorganized my lip product drawer and tried to start using the shades that have slipped my mind and been shoved to the back burner. The star of the show for this is MAC Up The Amp lipstick which I bought as part of the Back to Mac program. I used to be must less daring with the hues that I dared to wear but I thought, I don't have to technically pay for it so why not. Truth be told, I had a hard time pulling off until I tried mixing it with other products and made it work for everyday. 

Shade to the far left is when the colours are mixed

From L to R: MAC Creme d'Nude, Mac Up The Amp, Rimmel Vinyl Gloss in Be Famous

I firstly apply Creme d'Nude softly and blend out with my finger just so I don't get the concealer lips look, then swipe on a bit of Up The Amp and top it off with the Rimmel gloss in Be Famous to turn the purple shade into a purple toned coral, if you will. I love this combo for a fresh faced look with a bit of a twist.  Don't let those lip products at the bottom of your drawer go to waste, create your perfect shades and make them work for you!  What combinations are your favourite? How are you making use of left behind lip products?
Verse of the day: "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see" Hebrews 11:1

Bold + Vampy

I'm not too experimental when it comes to lip products although I have enough of them to provide a small village with perfectly glossed pouts. I gravitate towards anything that fits into the peachy-pink range while bright lips take some major confidence on my part to rock but dark, vampy lips are A-OK! Fall and winter are the perfect seasons to try a darker berry lip and this year I've found my favourite of them all.

You'd think that I would've had this in my stash but I was sadly missing out big time just until a few weeks ago when this was in stock at my Wal-Mart and I snatched it up so fast I looked like such a makeup hoarder (guilty as charged)! Yes, I'm referring the Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Moss Lipstick in 107. This shade is a beaut, I mean just look at it! The formula is surprisingly good for a matte finish lipstick and it wears really well. Although it glides on bare lips smoothly, I would recommend making sure your lips are free of any dryness before applying it to get the best look. When you apply this lipstick, it doesn't fade easily unless you go a swipe your lips with your hands but it definitely doesn't have the staying power of long wear lip colours or stains. What I like most about it is the fact that it's so versatile. You can pat it in subtly to create a flushed look, a little heavier to give a stronger stain or give a few swipes straight from the bullet to make it bold and vampy. As you can see in the swatch above this lipstick is highly pigmented and quite creamy. One thing I'm not the biggest fan of is the smell, a mixture between artificial fruitiness and burnt plastic. This makes it seem horrific but it's bearable especially since I love the colour. This retails for around $5 so it's a great option if you want a versatile dark plum burgundy shade to wear during the Christmas season or if you're in the market for a flattering shade for gifting as a stocking stuffer! While I'm on this topic, I'll be posting some gift guides soon and a bit on my thoughts on what Christmas should really be about soon, so be on the lookout!

Glorious Peonies.