Top 5 Lipsticks of 2015

A post about my five favourite lipsticks of 2015 is not a post I ever thought I would be writing, but lipstick has become a huge part of my make up routine and it is something I wear every single day, unless I am at home doing very little.

Over the past year, I have managed to try quite a few different lipsticks and these are the five that I have used and loved the most.

As you can see there is an amazing mixture of brands with the inclusion of Dior and Chanel, plus the well known and much loved MAC, Highstreet favourite Topshop and a brand I haven't seen much about, but it is one I really like and that is RMK.

With lipstick, it has taken me an age to move away from my trusted nude pink shade. I am not quite ready to branch out into red, I simply don't think it is the shade for me at all, but I am hoping some of these might surprise you.

Dior Addict Fashion Night was an instant love for me. Nestled inside a stunning silver case with Dior clearly visible, this lipstick it is described as being a visibly soft but medium-dark berry pink with a mixture of a lighter fuchsia and violet pearl. It has semi-sheer color coverage. It boasts of using a hydra-gel core with a top coat effect for sensational mirror shine. The lipstick isn't at all drying on the lips and glides on effortlessly and it lasts a good 4 hours before the need to re-apply.  Priced at £26.50, I think it is worth every penny.

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Lipstick - I have shade 62 which is Monte Carlo and I have to say the outer packaging is much more exciting than that which cases the lipstick. I know it is Chanel, but surely they could make it a little more attractive! Described as being a semi-sheer, pinked red with subtle pink shimmer lipstick, this is as close as I get to something being a red lipstick on my lips. The colour is stunning as is the formula which is so incredibly hydrating on the lips because it is enriched with Meadowfoam Oil derivative to protect and maintain hydration for up to 8 hours.  As you might expect, when applied  it glides effortlessly on the lips, where it remains for around three hours before I feel the need to re-apply.

RMK Deep Rose - RMK is a Japanese brand that I came to love via a makeover in Selfridges last year.  They have so many amazing products just waiting to be discovered and this lipstick has been one of my best finds. Packaged inside a silver bulky case, which is really light, this lipstick is described as being a deep rose shade, much like its name. It isn't quite purple, but is on the route to being there and is perfect for those people who are wanting to move away from the pinks and onto purple lips.  It applies really easily onto the lips and stays there for a good 4 hours before you need to apply. It is moisturising and it does give a real pop of colour and it costs just £19.50.

MAC Lipstick - I do love a good MAC lipstick and having become a tad bored with Creme Cup and Fanfare, I decided I needed something new in my life and when bored at St Pancras waiting for your family to get off the Eurostar accidents happen and I found myself in MAC.  The shade I went for is one that is totally out of my comfort zone but one I adore and that Amorous. A satin finish lipstick, Amorous is again moving towards the purples, but is more of a mauve/plum shade. It applies smoothly and gives more than a pop of colour to the lips and it is not at all glossy and nor is it matte, for me it is just right. Priced at £15.50 I think this is an absolute bargain and it is my new favourite MAC.

The final lipstick in my most loved 5 of 2015 is from Topshop.  I am quite new to the Topshop make up range, but do love a good old stroll around BeautyMart touching and swatching everything, it is the bright lights of the sign which draw me in.  I love the simpleness of the packaging and the fact it is such good value for money. The lipstick I chose is Lovestruck, not a shade I had intended on buying, but I loved it.  Described as having a creamy finish, Lovestuck is again a pinky/rose shade which is really pretty and once applied it lasts for around 4 hours, which seems to be the norm for me and lipsticks these days.  It is hydrating and doesn't leave the lips feeling dry, but if you do have dry lips then it does cling to them, so always exfoliate before applying.  For just £8 this is an absolute bargain and well worth the money.

Having seen all of these lipsticks this is how they look swatched and the top photo is with the flash and the bottom without.  Starting from Left to Right we have Dior, Chanel, RMK, Mac and then Topshop and I am sure you won't be surprised to find that the two which stand out the most for their pop of colour is MAC and Topshop, though I love them all.

Do you have a favourite lipstick of 2015?  Are there any brands you think I should be looking at?

MaxFactor Colour Corrector Stick Primark Dupe!

I am a huge fan of Colour Correcting products and adore the Makeup Revolution palette, upon which ive just hit pan on green *cries*. I find they work well with my skin to correct and conceal, more so with the redness I have on my cheeks, for which I do need the green. It took me a long time to accept that putting something green on my face would not leave me looking like Grotbags (remember her) and infact it would work.

The idea of using green to correct redness is a blessing as it neutralises redness whether that is blemishes, blochiness and in some cases a broken vein. You simply apply it to the area you want to correct, gently blend, add more if required and then finish off your make-up. 

Primark often has some hidden little gems and I was surprised to find they did colour correcting sticks, even better they had been massively reduced, so I bought one of each and this is what they look like - notice the similarity?

Yes, to me, they are the exact same colour corrector stick that is sold by MaxFactor, only the Primark versions are a whole £8.50 cheaper, should they work!  The swatches show the Primark crayon at the top and MaxFactor at the bottom, even colour wise they are similar, the only real difference is the formula and for me, the Primark crayon is much softer, though both blend like an absolute dream.

Do they work? Yes, I find it hard to choose who wins between them, both do an amazing job at concealing the redness but given the difference in price, then I would opt for Primark every time, purely to save £8.50.

You Beauty Box January 2016

The January You Beauty Discovery Box has arrived and it has had a bit of a makeover. No longer called You Beauty Discovery, it is instead called You Beauty Box. I am hoping the changes to come are not too drastic because I like this box the way it was, but we'll see. It currently costs just £6.95 per month and that includes postage and packaging.

Anyway with the makeover, there is no enclosed magazine but the shortlist for January is dedicated to recovering from festive over-indulgence, resuming a best-practice skincare regime and rejuvenating our make-up bag. Everything on the list has been carefully selected with renewal in mind.

As always there are two treats within this box. The first is a sachet of snail gel which is always welcome. I am a huge fan of snail gel and my skin also loves it. The second item is a packet of Perfection Gel Cushions which promise instant relief and comfort for the ball of the foot. I am not too sure I will be needing these in January, they are definitely a more December party time need for me.

My two choices this month are a make up item and a skincare item. There was a great choice to choose from and in the end this is what I chose:

ModelCo. Shine Ultra Lip Gloss - I am not usually a fan of Lipglosses, they are never an item I choose, I never buy them and I never want them. I was drawn to this one within the selection because it is marketed as being non-sticky and for me one thing I dislike about Lipglosses is the sticky feeling. Add to that, this one is pink and it has a mirror, it is quirky enough for me to want to try it.

My second choice was from Bee Good, now I love this brand and I love this 2-in-1 Honey & Propolis Cleanser whch I have already featured on my blog here. Bee Good are a British brand and one that should be championed much more than they currently are. The Cleanser is gentle and effective, it smells amazing and it comes with its own muslin cloth, which is a huge plus point for me. If you have never tried a Bee Good product before, then I definitely think you should.

So there you have my January Box. I think it is a great box and I liked the choices I had to choose from. I am now looking forward with interest to the changes that are being made!

LookFantastic January 2016

LookFantastic is the first Beauty Box through my door this January and it is aptly titled 'The Detox Edition'.  Most of my friends are on some sort of detox currently, so this is totally on message.  The box is described as being filled with special delights and delectable treats to keep your skin looking healthy and your complexion glowing.

So the first product that appears in the box is by Kebelo. This isn't a new brand to the Lookfantastic Beauty Box as the shampoo featured in the July box and whilst I quite like it, I would have liked to have seen something else. The Shampoo a clarifying shampoo and is designed to be used once or twice a month and is described as "Rid your hair of built up impurities with the Kebelo Clarifying Shampoo. Paraben and sulphate free, the detoxing shampoo is gentle in formula but tough on grime. Deeply cleansing, the blend of mild ingredients work to exfoliate your hair, rejuvenating every strand for purified, soft results. Can be used as little as once a month dependent on your lifestyle and even as an invigorating body wash for your skin. Added to that is the Kebelo Revitalising Conditioner which helps control frizz hair leaving it soft, smooth and manageable. Using ingredients such as Quinoa, Amaranth and Chamomile, the conditioner provides nourishment and hydration.

Bellapierre is the only make-up brand in this months box and again, LookFantastic have some amazing brands on their site, so I would love to try something other than Bellapierre which has featured a lot! The product in this months box is a Shimmer Shadow and I have shade Earth and it takes on a rose gold glow which is really pretty and perhaps one I would use more as a highlighter than an eye shadow.

Dr Lancer is a brand I have heard of but have never used products from. The product in my box is called 'The Method: Polish' which is quite intriguing. Described as being a gentle skin-resurfacing treatment it uses pure minerals which are combined with magnesium oxide and sodium bicarbonate crystals to exfoliate the skin's surface, combating dullness, removing the build-up of debris and stimulating cell renewal for a refreshed, youthful-looking complexion. It is fortified with pumpkin and pomegranate extracts, the anti-ageing polish works to break down dead skin cells, whilst brown sea algae replenishes moisture and boosts collagen production to reveal a smooth, supple complexion and healthy glow.  This I am looking forward to trying because it is something I would not be able to afford to purchase at full price!

Next comes Nuxe, a brand I really like. In this both we have Nuxellence Detoxwhich is described as being an innovative anti-ageing treatment that uses 10 patents to recharge your skin and detoxify cells overnight. Packed with natural ingredients (including passionflower, poppy and silk tree), Nuxellence Detox helps to smooth wrinkles, plump skin and brighten your complexion. Its secret power lies in repairing your skin’s mitochondrial DNA, the DNA that’s responsible for the energy supply in cells. This will regenerate your skin and improve its radiance within no time.  

The final item in the box is from Darphin and I am excited by this becayse it is a brand I have been wanting to try for ages now.  The product in question is the Azahar Cleansing Micellar Water. Described as being a gentle cleanser which is suited for all skin types as it is dermatologically and ophthalmologically tested, as well as being alcohol, fragrance and soap free. It cleanses and removes all traces of make-up and impurities, whilst providing a comforting and soothing feeling. Now I am yet to find a Micellar water I like, it is one of those products which I am not bothered about and can live without, but I am interested to see whether Darphin can change my mind.

So there you have it. The January LookFantastic box which costs just £15 a month and it is, as you can see, packed with a wide range of products, all of which are really nice sizes so that you can get more than one try out of them.