Emolyne Lip Kit

New to my makeup bag is the British Brand Emolyne, who is empowered by the belief that beauty is for everyone, we create makeup that celebrates every ethnicity, gender, age, and lifestyle.  They are also vegan friendly, cruelty free and paraben free with a range that is quite extensive.

What I love is that there is a choice of 30 different shades of lipsticks, lip liners and nail lacquers all available in the same 30 matching colours. So when you find that perfect nude nail polish, you will also find the exact shade in a matching lipstick, which I think is really clever. Whether you like your naked nude shades, the bright reds or even those in between, trying to choose one is really quite difficult, though there is some help to be had with the Lipstick Shade Finder page which will match you to the photograph you select as being most like you.

I was kindly sent a lipstick and lip-liner in the shade Cairo which is described as being a soft peach shade.  Whenever I choose a lipstick shade, I always tend to look for a muted rose, mauve type which I feel comfortable wearing. I am absolutely not a bright red or what I refer to as being foundation skin shades of lipstick. The only time my choice of shade changes is in the darker months when I do like the berry shades.

The Emolyne Metamorphosis Semi Matte Lipstick (£23) is described as being a weightless, hydrating creamy formula that glides on smoothly providing an intense, full coverage and lasting colour in one sweep.  With it comes a velvety, semi-matte, highly pigmented and long-lasting lip colour, which admittedly it absolutely does tick those boxes. What I have found with this particular lipstick is that if you want a lighter smattering of coverage then one swipe across the lips is enough, but if you want that more bold look, then you can actually, with the help of the lip-liner, do just that.

The packaging on these lipsticks is, as you can see, just absolutely stunning. With its gold metal casing and the glittery gold and pink ombre finish, I love the luxurious look it has. The lipstick casing which is in fact the lid, is easily removed by clicking the “E” button on the top of the lipstick to reveal your shade.

The Emolyne Metamorphosis Lip Definer (£15), which is one of those products I can count on one hand, the number I own, is equally stunning. 

Described as being a smooth, creamy, velvety formula for ultimate definition and sculpting, what I love is how easily it does glide across the lips without dragging the skin and as with the lipstick, it is really quite pigmented and would work just as well on its own with a clear gloss over the top.

As you can see from the unedited swatches, the top one of with the flash and the bottom one is without, the Lip Definer at the top and the lipstick below, the pigmentation is stunning and whilst it is described as being a soft peach, I think they are much richer than that and together they compliment each other really well, especially as the liner doesn't have the brown undertones I was expecting to find.

You can find the whole Emolyne collection right here and you will find the lipsticks and lip definers as well as nail polish to choose from.  So if you like everything to match, this brand will be the one you need!

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

LOOKFANTASTIC Beauty Box Valentine’s Scent Edit For Her

The Lookfantastic Beauty Box Valentine’s Scent Edit For Her has been launched and if, like me you are a fan of fragrances then this is quite the box.

The Scent Edit Limited Edition boxes appeared on Lookfantastic last year and there has, to date been three different ones, all of which I have shared on my blog. This edition, being perfectly timed for Valentines Day features four fragrances from some incredibly well known brands and also a Liquid Lip Velvet.

Signed. Sealed. Delivered. Your fragrance love note from Beauty Box has arrived. Indulge in a luxurious collection of some of the hottest fragrances of the season.

This box is on sale for £55 which might sound expensive but alongside these fragrances, which I’ve shared below, you will receive £55 OFF the full size fragrance of your choice from the box on Lookfantastic! Want to know what the fragrances are?

Contents 

• Marc Jacobs Perfect Eau de Parfum Mini
• Marc Jacobs Perfect Intense Eau de Parfum Mini
• Chloé Eau de Parfum Naturelle Mini
• Chloé Nomade Eau de Parfum Mini
• Burberry Liquid Lip Velvet - Oxblood 53

I am lucky enough to own all four of these fragrances already and if I had to choose one of them to spend my voucher on, I would absolutely struggle to choose.

Each one of these fragrances comes packaged as you see them shown above and alongside the Liquid Lip Velvet it is quite the treat, whether you’re treating yourself or someone special for Valentine’s Day or just because you deserve it.

You can find The LOOKFANTASTIC Beauty Box Valentine’s Scent Edit For Her on sale here and if that isn’t enough, there is also a version for him, which you can find here.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

LOOKFANTASTIC Beauty Box Valentine’s Scent Edit For Him

Having just shared The LOOKFANTASTIC Beauty Box Valentine’s Scent Edit For Her, it is now turn of the Scent Edit For Him and if you have a man in your life who loves his fragrances, then this is a great box.

Unlike the box for her, this one features five fragrances and they are ones you will have come across, seen on social media feeds, smelt in store or your significant other might even own. In our house, we are both big fans of fragrances and with over 75 bottles on his side, he only owns two of these five!

Indulgence is the vibe for Valentine’s Day this year. With that in mind, unbox five seriously luxurious fragrances to invigorate your senses and bring everything together for that special moment. Whether it’s a unique treat or a gift for that someone special… give the gift of luxury fragrance this Valentine’s Day.

Once again, this box is priced at £55, but again you will receive £55 OFF the full size fragrance of your choice from this box on Lookfantastic! 

So before making up your mind, do you want to know what the fragrances are?

What’s in the box:

• Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male Eau de Toilette Mini
• Jean Paul Gaultier Scandal Pour Homme Eau de Toilette Mini
• Paco Rabanne 1 Million Eau de Toilette Mini
• Paco Rabanne Phantom Eau de Toilette Mini
• Paco Rabanne Invictus for Him Eau de Toilette Mini

What I like about this box is that it could be a great way to find out what fragrance both you and your significant other like, which for future present buying could make a difficult task much easier because you will have picked out some fragrances you both love, which then make great gifts!

You can find The LOOKFANTASTIC Beauty Box Valentine’s Scent Edit For Him on sale here and if that isn’t enough, there is also a version for her, which you can find here.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Dressing For Success: Is a Tuxedo What You Need to Play Poker?

The penguin suit was once as much a part of poker culture as the cards were. Only the highest in society played poker, for an extravagant night out that allowed the aristocrats of the world to go wild for a few nights.

And yet, if you watch modern day poker tournaments, you’re unlikely to see a single bow tie. You’d be impressed to see a suit jacket, probably. Has this perhaps had an effect on the game?

Read on to see why we think tuxedos in the casino aren't as common as they once were.

Image Credit

The times, are they a-changing?

Well, the first argument that comes to mind when considering this forgotten legacy of gambling in tuxedos is that it isn’t the 18th century anymore. We don’t wear powdered wigs or smear our face with white stains, either. Should that be a part of gambling too?

Today, gambling is open to the peasants of the world. The physical casinos welcome as many people as possible, and in the internet age it’s more accessible than ever, being able to play whenever you want from your own phone on sites like GGPoker. Even the highest stakes tables don’t have a dress code, and in fact you’d look a little out of place wandering Vegas in a tuxedo as you casino hop.

There are black tie events that might have gambling incorporated, and the occasional James Bond wannabe buying a martini at the bar, but for the most part, people have to be instructed to dig out their best suit to play poker.

Comfort in what you wear

If you even take a glance at modern poker games, you might notice a lot of t-shirts and jeans. A lot of sweatpants and polo shirts. This is simply too common to be subconscious. Even Mother Theresa should have an impulse to check her hair when a camera was nearby, because unless you’re a Kardashian, it’s an uncommon occurrence. And yet, all these guys are showing up in sweatpants like they just rolled out of bed.

Perhaps it isn’t a coincidence. The point of a poker face is to look relaxed, no matter what cards you’re dealt. And a big part of looking relaxed is feeling relaxed. If you’re in a stiff jacket and trousers, unable to move in your seat, you might portray your discomfort to an opponent who is looking very closely at you and every reaction.

Should we bring it back?

If you watch modern poker tournaments, you might notice a few players try to keep very much in the shadows. How do they do this in a brightly lit room with a camera pointed exclusively at their face? With hoods. With caps, with beanies, and any other item of clothing that somehow obscures their face. Sometimes a WSOP final table can look like a Justice League reunion meeting.

Don’t think that this is just a matter of certain poker players being introverted. As mentioned above, it’s all about the poker face. It’s a real disadvantage to your opponent if they can’t read your face, so if you’ve got your hood up or a cap on, (this year’s WSOP saw a few players doing both at the same time) they’ll have a harder time trying to determine what you’re up to.

But in terms of making a fashion statement: yes. You’ll turn a few heads being the Mr. Darcy of the event in a sea of sweatpants and polo shirts.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.