NEW YEAR'S EVE SPARKLE: GLITTER MADE EASY

The BEFORE picture

Simple sparkly New Year's Eve tutorial for hooded eyes

I can almost hear you all shouting at this title. Putting together glitter and easy in one sentence almost never ends well. Thankfully with the little product, I’m about to introduce - it’s easy and wow and it takes less than a minute to apply. It almost feels like Glitter Gods are finally listening to feedback! Without further ado let’s get ready together this New Year’s Eve! 

OVERNIGHT BAG ESSENTIALS

Travel skincare must haves

Travelling is what makes life simply better. Sometimes something as little as an overnight stay in a new place can bring a new perspective. I love short city breaks and my favourite place to visit is hands down London. There's something so magical about it, with all the incredible architecture, great food, shopping and busy nightlife. Packing light is something I've only mastered recently and I've become pretty damn good at sorting through the NEED category. Good skin care is a must for me, especially in a new place as even a short travel has a very detrimental effect on my skin. So if you're planning a city break or you're off for work do somewhere and you're not too sure what to pack, here's my absolute minimum skincare regime set, that's too good not to try!

WORN A LITTLE RED THIS CHRISTMAS

Red lips made easy

May be the biggest cliche but red lip Christmas looks will forever be a favourite of mine. Red lipstick adds a classic touch to any outfit. I’ve been known to pull it off in my PJs - classy AF! Joking aside, red lips suit everyone despite the bad rep this shade gets. If I only had a penny for each time I’ve heard ‘It doesn’t suit me’! I personally don’t believe in shades being unsuitable because of complexion/hair/whatever else. Wearing red takes confidence. So put that lipstick on, smile and walk out of the door feeling like you can take on anything. Because you can! 

LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS 🎄

Last Minute Christmas

I plan and plan and usually, something happens and I end up buying everything at the very last minute. Anyone else? Don’t get me wrong, the thought process lasts forever as I hunt for perfect gifts but this year I took a step back and decided for an inspiration to hit me. Work’s been so busy I barely had any time to just sit down and breathe (thank god for my Breathe app on Apple Watch tho - I’m convinced it’s the only thing standing between me and heart attack!). A perfect gift can be found anywhere and doesn’t have to cost a small fortune either! I compiled a list of beauty goodies I’ll be gifting this Christmas. From Beauty Drama Queen to Dorota this Christmas. Fancy a read? 

WIDE AWAKE EDIT

Beauty tricks to looking well rested.

Looking awake when you struggle with sleep is something I know all too well. Puffiness, dark circles and first signs of ageing can make anyone look tired all the time. For me, it’s a constant battle. Thankfully there is an answer to that. From skincare to makeup, there’s a way to look fresh and awake in the morning despite insomnia. 

THE MAKEUP EDIT #2

The makeup edit

Happy Hump Day everyone! As we near the end of the week, when’s better time to treat yourself to a little makeup haul! I’ve tested some new bits recently as well as rediscovered some other goodies & thought it’s time to share them with the world. Ready? 

GET WINTER READY: SKINCARE UPDATE

Morning skincare routine

Happy December everyone. I’m officially in a Christmas mode now. Winter is truly on its way with temperatures dropping to barely 1 degrees as of late. Cold, central heating and other environmental factors have a huge impact on our skin. It’s important to change up your routine to ensure skin’s protected, well nourished and hydrated. I introduced some new products to my morning routine to ensure I look fresh and awake to cheat my body a little. Lack of sunshine, dark mornings and short days usually make me more anxious and stress shows quickly doesn’t it?

WHAT IF I WON A LOTTERY: MY DREAM CHRISTMAS WISHLIST #AD

My Dream Christmas Wishlist

It’s nearly December so the time has come to compile a list of gifts I’d kill for and I thought this year I’ll shake it up a little! When I was contacted by Lottoland*, it could have not come at a better time. Welcome to my outrageous, dream-like beauty wishlist with a fashion twist! Bear in mind, if I ever won a lottery my first step would be to buy an apartment in New York so I could spend my days doing charity work and shopping... That’s the dream! I’d then travel the world and once I saw it all, I concentrate on updating my beauty routine, because why not! And yes I know, the chances are slim to none, but hey, a girl can dream! 

17 FOR 2017: "CULT PRODUCT OF THE YEAR" WITH CULT BEAUTY

Cult Product Of The Year with Cult Beauty

Hello, my darlings. This is such a special post because, well, I love me a good Cult Beauty haul. Today we’re not hauling. Today’s all about the amazing brands and products Cult Beauty has to offer. It’s mostly skincare, I won’t lie with few incredible makeup bits thrown in for a good measure. 2017 has been such a great year, a year of exciting launches and even more exciting discoveries, so let me take you on a journey of 17 products you should try before the end of the year and in the end, to celebrate crowning the Cult Product Of The Year! Are you excited? I am! 

BIRMINGHAM 101: BE AT ONE NEW COCKTAIL MENU.

Cocktails at Be At One, Birmingham

I’ve started my Birmingham 101 series to showcase all the good our beautiful city has to offer. Birmingham gets a bad rep, but there are so many great places to shop, eat and drink, it’s a true shame, it doesn’t get enough credit. I was invited to try a newly launched cocktail menu in Be At One venue and I was blown away (also in quite the delicate state the next morning!). Gorgeous setting plays nicely to a girls night out, a stop by after a day of shopping in Grand Central and Bullring and close enough to walk for after work drinks in the city centre. 

EMPTIES LATELY

Skin, hair, body and nail care empties

I have a love/hate relationship with empties posts. I love to read them, but they take FOREVER to write! Nit everything ends up in the separate blog post so I keep all my empties to ensure I show you a wider variety and include products I use every day yet never had a chance to write about them. As usual, there will be few flops, but sadly that’s life. So if you’re ready, let’s do this!

THE ONLY WAY IS MUD

Mud masks for all skin types

Mud heals. In a true Louis Litt fashion, I enjoy a little mud. I never thought for a second that any type of mud would suit my rather dry skin, but surprise surprise! I’ve been using a fair few masks and I’d like to share some of my absolute faves today. From Dr Organic, through Pixi and Merumaya to Charlotte Tilbury, I feel anyone can find a mud mask to suit their skin needs.

 
What does it do, you may ask? Mud draws out impurities. It cleanses your pores. It tightens. It rids your skin of gunk. It moisturises. It brightens. Mud is everything. Let's start mudding!

BEAUTY ON A BUDGET

Beauty on a budget

A few years ago it was unthinkable to find such beauty gems at drugstore price point. Enter 2017 and why would you look elsewhere? From foundations to eyeshadow palettes, incredible skincare and haircare rivalling luxury beauty, there’s plenty to choose from. I love to stop by Boots, Superdrug and many online stores for deals. Today, it’s all about my recent top 5, all of which are under £10!!! Have I peaked your interest yet? 

BIRMINGHAM 101: CHRISTMAS AT JOHN LEWIS, GRAND CENTRAL

A couple of weeks ago I attended an intimate event at John Lewis in Grand Central, Birmingham. Brum Bloggers were in attendance and we were treated to the little overview of what’s John Lewis has in store for Christmas this year. It’s fabulous of course. From gorgeous decorations, lights through food, little unicorn magic & of course beauty! If you’re planning on Christmas shopping soon, why not start there? 

EVERYDAY LIPSTICKS

A week in lipsticks

From left: Chanel, MAC, Marc Jacobs

I tend to get obsessed with a shade and forget others for weeks, but I’m trying to be good and use my extensive collection more. This autumn saw me reaching for a selection of muted shades, from browns to mauves with an occasional darker statement lip. I haven’t bought a single burgundy relaying mostly on my current collection. Few lipsticks have stolen my heart and lips and today I’d like to share them with you.

NEW FROM LATEST IN BEAUTY: THE GREATEST SHOWMAN

Latest in Beauty The Greatest Shownman Beauty Box

I was recently invited to attend the launch party of the newest collaboration from Latest in Beauty. The Greatest Showman The Movie, Max Factor & Latest in Beauty came together to release the new beauty box full of surprises. With 11 products it rivals the best and the great mixture of makeup, hair and skincare will surely interest anyone and everyone! Worth £145 it’s a beauty for sure. Let’s see what’s hidden inside The Greatest Showman Beauty Box* shall we? 

BEDTIME ESSENTIALS FOR A GOOD NIGHT SLEEP.

Bedtime essentials for a good night sleep

From one insomniac to another, how hard it is to fall asleep sometimes? Daily routine, stress at work and many other factors contribute to us getting less than quality sleep on a daily. There are some ways to help getting our bodies and brain to relax. Today, I’m sharing with you my favourite tricks to help you get that beauty sleep we all desperately need! 

OCTOBER EDIT: PROBLEMATIC SKIN MIRACLE & DRAMA IN A MAGAZINE

October edit: Merumaya, Magnitone, Grown Gorgeous, Glossier & more

Hello November. Or as I’d like to call it December Eve. We are weeks away from Christmas and whilst I think decorating a tree in November is ridiculous, I literally can’t wait for payday and going Christmas decor shopping! That’s weeks away and today, we’re talking a busy month of October, which saw me working my not so skinny behind off, here on the blog as well as at work. It was a trying month emotionally and physically, but I survived somehow! Time’s flying and again I’m a little late with the monthly edit, but I hope you can forgive me. Without a further 500-word intro blabbing, let’s see what has stolen my heart in October! 

NEW AND NOTEWORTHY BEAUTY

New and noteworthy beauty

In my new series, I’ll be talking about brand new beauty products. They may be releases or products that’s just landed on my vanity. A cross between first impressions and a full review, a post in between if you will. Today we’re talking Glossier, Fenty Beauty, Marc Jacobs and Clarins! Are you ready? 

A FRIDAY NIGHT PAMPER

When I was in my twenties Friday night meant heavy drinking till the wee hours of Saturday morning. It was fun while it lasted! Now, I much prefer to come home and relax after a busy week at work. I try and treat my skin instead of getting it dehydrated by copious amounts of alcohol ingested! Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with a glass of red wine while I apply the beautifying potions to my skin. Lately, my Friday night routine turned in to a glorious experience and I’d love to share it with you.

WORTH THE HYPE? MORPHE X JACLYN HILL PALETTE

Morphe The Jaclyn Hill Palette review with swatches on pale skin

Morphe's new release named simply The Jaclyn Hill Palette has taken my heart by storm. The updated formula works a lot better in with mattes being soft and buttery and metallics absolutely stunning. It is better and the price point reflects that. I've used it for a few weeks now and tried every single shade in the palette at least twice, so decided today's the day to share with you my findings. Oh, and it's back in stock on Beauty Bay. So if you're still struggling to decide if it's worth the hype, let's find out together!

A WEEK IN NAILS

Autumn nails

From nude to deep purple, I adore keeping my nails cared for. I am not a pro. Far from it. In fact, my nails look best from afar! But I enjoy the process of choosing the shade, usually keeping them short and square. I usually choose my nail colour depending on a mood and not the occasion. I can’t be the only one? 

HALLOWEEN UNICORN MAKEUP FOR THE NOT SO BRAVE 🦄

Unicorn makeup edit

Unicorn makeup look for hooded eyes

Two posts in two days? I am going strong despite a quick mid-week break due to feeling less than optimal. Life huh? Back to being infantile and my huge love of unicorns. You can be 30+ and love everything unicorn. This is a safe space, no judgement. And if you aren’t, good for you, time for expensive skincare is yet to come and you can enjoy all the blues and lilacs every day and not just on Halloween! I am staying put this year and licking my metaphorical wounds but I’ll be playing around with makeup and drinking wine!  Morphe x Jaclyn Hill palette allows for many makeup playtime parties and this easy unicorn themed look was created with it. If you’re interested to see how it all came together, please read on. 

DREAM KIT & WHY I STOPPED BUYING MAKEUP BRUSHES

Dream brush kit

In a life of every beauty enthusiast, there's time for obsessive spending and time to reflect on your collection. I sat down recently doing my makeup and realized I haven't bought a single makeup brush in a long time. I came to realize that I don't buy any because simply I don't need anymore. We are constantly marketed with new brands launching new fancy kits, but are they truly worth your time? I'd rather buy single brushes, than kits simply because, I want quality and not quantity. Doing makeup, be that as an amateur or professional, you quickly come to a realization that quality matter here more than anywhere else. You can do as good a look given a skill using a £10.00 eyeshadow palette and £50.00 one. Sure the quality eyeshadow will make the process easier and quicker, but the final result is obtainable with both. Not so easy with bad quality brushes. The cut of individual bristles as well as a shape matter so much in getting that quality final look. I also find that with quality brushes, you are less likely to need to replace them often. I have had some of my brushes for years and they haven't lost the shape or too many bristles. Given a right treatment, this is one investment you can count as long term. Over the years I collected a great bunch, which I now call a dream brush kit. These are the only brushes I'd ever need if I was able to wash them every day. If you fancy a look at which ones made a cut, grab yourself a cup of tea and let me tell you all about them.

THE MAKEUP EDIT

Everyday makeup update

I’m not great with titles but hopefully, The Makeup Edit will evolve into a new in makeup post I want to share with you on a regular basis. It’ll be a combination of new discoveries and also incredible re-discoveries as I grow to have a very different approach to makeup shopping. Given my large collection, I tend to really put some thought before buying any new releases. Re-discovering older pieces is always fun. I really love my collection and I’m always mindful that I don’t use it enough. So welcome to the first makeup bag update. I hope you’ll enjoy! 

BIG HAIR DON’T CARE

Haircare for maximum volume

It took me a while to come up with a title. Did I fail miserably? Should we have a poll? Just vote Yes or No in comments! Big hair don’t care is my way of hair styling. I’m not good at it. In fact, I suck badly! I invented a hairstyle which takes zero time or effort and thankfully is no skill proof too! 

Step 1: buy everything with word ‘volume’. Step 2: Apply to wet/damp hair. Step 3: Ignore all notions of blow drying after. Step 4: Go to sleep and hope for the best. Step 5: Wake up, brush with your fingers and apply a lot of a texturizing spray. 

Luckily in my devil won’t care policy, I came about much incredible haircare and styling products definitely worth a shopping trip. Intrigued? Let me tell you all about them! 

K-BEAUTY IN UK WITH BLOSSOM JEJU, CAOLION & SKINFOOD

K-Beauty in UK

Korean beauty has dominated the beauty world lately. With that came what I love most. Deeply hydrating & brightening formulas allowing the skin to truly glow. I have been inspired by Korean skincare tricks for a while now and few have dominated my bathroom shelfie.

EMPTIES LATELY: SKIN & HAIR CARE HITS & MISSES

Skincare empties

There's always a post that a blogger dreads. For me that's empties. It literally gives me anxiety to even think how many I accumulated, so I prolong it and then gather some more. It truly becomes a Herculean task. Funnily enough, it's also the most cleansing and once I finally sit down to write it, it becomes a very relaxing experience. Like a spring clean in the middle of October. Without further ado, let's try and see if we can get this monster under a thousand words now shall we?

MERUMAYA 5TH BIRTHDAY: TOP 5 PICKS + GIFT WITH PURCHASE

Merumaya top 5 for 5th birthday

A couple of weeks ago, I came home to a mystery package. Here it was a lovely gift by Maleka and her team in preparation for Merumaya's 5th Birthday! So I thought what better way to celebrate than share with you my top 5 créme de la créme of an incredible skincare from my  favourite brand. Because there's no better time to update your skincare stash than autumn, am I right?

SEPTEMBER EDIT: SUNNY DAYS, SKIN CARE REVELATIONS & THE PERFECT PRIMER

September 2017 beauty favourites

See you September. You’ve been kind giving us a few sunny weekends. Sunny spells allowed me to do a little shopping in Nottingham, visit incredibly beautiful Newstead Abbey and its grounds. You’ve been kind work-wise, allowing me to challenge myself even further, confront my fears, deal with them and ace any challenge you threw my way. Blog-wise was also interesting as I go on another month being an ambassador for two incredible brands and even started working with a great new agency. Everything has been just coming up me and I plan on enjoying it as much as I possibly can! Nothing comes without hard work and I’m glad to see some results of mine. I liked September and also discovered a lot of great beauty along the way. If you’re interested to see what I loved, stay with me for few more minutes. 

GET AUTUMN READY #1: SKINCARE UPDATE

Autumn skincare update

Autumn has truly come and I can’t be the only one in the winter coat today, right? Cold winds and central heating can have a terrible impact on the condition of our skin. For me, it’s a constant battle with dehydration. Thankfully a great skincare is at our fingertips and you’re only a few clicks and couple of ‘buy now’s’ away from updating your routine to truly care for your skin through the colder times.  

ARE HAIR OILS WORTH YOUR TIME?

Hair oils worth the hype

Well, are they? I have been using hair oils for a good 2-3 years now and I can only sing praise. Not every oil will work and I have learnt that by trying many. From all natural, mixed at home to store-bought I tried it all. Today, I’d like to concentrate on store-bought hair oils worth your time. No, they won’t come cheap, but girl, you need them in your life! 

FLAWLESS BASE WITH MAGNITONE BLENDUP VIBRA-SONIC BLENDING BRUSH

Magnitone BlendUp

Here is the launch I've been super excited for. I even decided to drop my usual Monday slot & give you a Sunday post treat. Why? Because it launches today!! I have a feeling these babies will be flying off the shelves, so be quick & have no regrets. Magnitone BlendUp* has an answer to all your foundation application horrors. So if you struggle to get that perfect finish and often are left with a streaky base, fear no more. Magnitone Blend Up is here to fix it! 

WORTH THE HYPE? HUDA BEAUTY DESERT DUSK REVIEW WITH SWATCHES

Huda Beauty Desert Dusk palette in depth review

What can I say, I have fallen into a hype and got Huda Beauty Desert Dusk palette the moment it launched at Cult Beauty. I was a little vary of various reviews flying around which painted the new palette in less than positive light. Yet, I could not be stopped. I haven’t been buying palettes at all lately. I was able to control myself and managed to skip many big launches like Urban Decay Naked Heat. Huda Beauty Desert Dusk mesmerized me from the moment I laid eyes on the first sneak peeks. I ordered mine within seconds of the launch on Cult Beauty. In fact, I pressed buy now so quickly I forgot to add any free samples I was entitled to! That’s a dedication ladies & gents! After a week of daily testing, I’m coming to you with a review of the newest launch by Hudda Kattan! Was it worth the very steep price point? Is it a love or hate from the first sight?

HOW TO: MEMORABLE ANNIVERSARY #AD

Do you celebrate anniversaries? I personally love those days when you can do something special for your better half. Be that anniversary of friendship or a relationship, it’s important to make it special. People who we choose to surround ourselves with, the relationships we’re in are important, so it’s good to remember those first times and spend a day reminiscing and celebrating the bond we have with them. Today I’d like to share my favorite anniversary memories with you.

3 MASKS TO TRY THIS AUTUMN

3 masks to try this autumn

With a change in seasons, my skin tends to go through a little purging stage. New season, new challenges with heating on (cosy!!) at work and home and change in temperature every time you leave a building, cold winds and rain, your skin surely needs a little special care. The easiest way to add a little extra to your routine is face mask and I’ve been testing a few new ones worth your immediate attention. Ready or not, here they come... (I know, I’m hilarious!) lol.

HOW-TO: FULL COVERAGE BASE THAT LASTS ALL DAY

Add caption

Most recently in my summer summary edit, I talked to you about the importance of good coverage in a base. I never used to appreciated coverage, as it meant heavy cakey finish. I thought it wasn't possible to find a base that not only covers but also lasts all day looking perfect (well ish!) on my dry skin. There are a lot of misconceptions about dry skin. Drier types will experience very similar problems with the foundations that combination and oily types. Lately, I have found the holy grail trio, which allows me to relax as it lasts all day, gives the most flawless finish and covers everything I need covering. This is a how-to for a busy woman, who can't afford to check on her makeup every couple of hours. Boss babe, who rarely finds time for lunch, not to mention a powder top up. Girl boss who walks tall and confident to a 4 o'clock meeting knowing her skin just like her is flawless and ready to take on another challenge. Finally, a woman who finds herself torn between wanting a glowing complexion and getting a full coverage base at the same time. If you too struggle to find that perfect in-between, allow me to show you the three products that will not only allow you to kick arse no matter what time of the day or night it is but also save you time and energy worrying. Late night? I have a concealer that will lighten the hell out of your dark circles and contour at the same time. All in less than 5 minutes in the morning. Are you ready?

SHOPPING FOR YOUR MAN: GIFTS FOR HIM #AD

So in unrelated beauty news, I have met someone. Being single for a really long time, you don't think it'll happen to you and then one day you find yourself super smitten and already panicking for his upcoming birthday and Christmas. Both in December. Yep, already panicking. I'm such a loser lol! To calm down my anxiety, I came up with a quick wishlist in collaboration with Panasonic, because why not plan ahead? So if your boyfriend, husband or any male friend *wink wink* have a special day coming, maybe it'll help you too? 

AUTUMN LIPS WITH BURBERRY

BurberryLiquid Lip Velvet Lipstick

Hello, autumn! I don't know about you, but I've missed autumn a little. I love summer but there's no other time for makeup than autumn. We opt for darker and more sultry looks. Shades become deeper and sexier. We tend to experiment more knowing the heat won't make us sweat it all off within few hours. I love autumnal lips. Give me nudes, purples, and berries every day! Having worn orange reds for whole 2-3 months, I plan on taking the time to discover deeper shades again. I've spoken about my love for them before - POST - but today, I have a very special luxury lipsticks to rave to you about. 

GREAT HAIR DAY EVERY DAY

Good hair day with Klorane, Liz Earle and Grow Gorgeous

Great hair gives me confidence. I've been so lucky recently to discover so many great hair care products, that give my hair that extra oomph! From shampoos to conditioner, I have some incredible products helping me achieve good hair day every day. 

END OF SUMMER EDIT: BACK TO THE BASICS, FLAWLESS SKIN & HAIR OOMPH

Summer beauty edit

Welcome back Drama. Welcome back, readers. I haven't been around much, have I? It was a crazy summer & I came out of it with new experiences, friendships and even more. The blog took a step back whilst I sat & evaluated what direction I want it to go. Being a perfectionist doesn't help, believe me. I wrote countless posts and binned them. Life got busier & happier. While I spend the same amount of time on my phone, it's not social media I concentrate on. I went and gotten myself a life, can you believe it? Without a further a'do let's see what I've been obsessed with over summer, shall we?

WINNING AT SKIN: THE BEST OF THE ORDINARY

The Ordinary skincare -worth the hype?

The Ordinary, one of few winning skin care brands under Deciem brand umbrella, has shaken the world of beauty and for a good reason. Bringing award winning formulas stripped to basics has filled the massive gap in the market. The science behind it is simple. Little ingredients, basic, yet totally instagramable packaging got the bloggers and audience alike going crazy. Does anyone remember that little clip of Wayne Goss giving them a shout out? We believed and fell in love with their cheaper than a Friday night cocktail formulas. Now The Ordinary has more of a price range, but with everything still closing well under £20.00. I've tried many products and decided to share with you only creme de la creme of The Ordinary. Are you ready to win at life, ahem skin? 

FAKE A HOLIDAY GLOW

Fake a holiday glow

I almost forgot what summer feels like now. I was lucky enough to spend 10 glorious days on the coast of Spain and then top it all up during a beautiful sunny wedding away in Poland. I like having a little colour to me, so I decided to share with you my ways of keeping summer alive: by faking it of course! 

WAKE UP TO THE NEW YOU: OVERNIGHT BEAUTY YOU MUST TRY!

Overnight beauty treatments

Every day we strive to perfection. Every day we want to awake happier, more confident and beautiful. Beauty industry can help of course and today, I'm coming to you with five miracle workers that promise you an overnight miracle and boy do they deliver. Are you ready to wake up to the new you? 

LIPSTICK HOARDER DIARIES: ORANGE-RED STATEMENT LIPS

Orange-red lipsticks

My favourite lip shade has to be the orange-red. Warm, blinding, neon like colours bring my pasty pale complexion to life. You will rarely spot me IRL without it. It's either nude or red. In autumn months I swap for darker burgundies, purples and even almost black cherries, but you will most likely find me with a statement lip. I almost feel naked without it. I work in the office and sadly it's not always appropriate to wear deadly purple shades but I try anyway. This post is directed at my working girls, holiday babes and anyone with the love for statement lips that last. Let's talk orange-reds, the creme de la creme of reds and my still quite contained collection. Are you ready?

The oh so matte

I adore both shades but the formula is truly matte so unless you like that slightly chalky finish, you may not be the biggest fan. I love me a matte lip so matte finish and lasting lips are my go to. Cream matte formulas aren't the most transfer resistant, however these two come as far to it, as any other on the market. My first ever orange red was Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Matte Lipstick in 340 Restless. Otherwise known as Kendall lipstick, this pure matte goes on pretty stiff and a little help from lip brush is definitely needed. I wrote about it years ago - POST - and I still love it now. The combo of orange and red comes beautifully together. It's a unique shade and I'm glad I've got it in my collection. More true red than orange is MAC x Charlotte Olympia in Starlett Scarlet. Another gorgeous matte with a staying power to prove we were absolutely fine without liquid lippies. I wrote about it many times - POST - and it continues to be my go to for days where I need to boost my confidence. It's so red, but the hint of warm orange is detectable. Love it. 

Kiss-proof liquids

It's not a surprise, I like my lipsticks to be long-lasting. Working long hours in the office doesn't always leave a lot time for lip top ups and if I'm between meetings, I need to know I look my best. Liquid lipsticks to the rescue. My favourite orange-red is Jeffree Star Velour Lipstick in Checkmate. I've shouted about it many time - POST - and I don't plan on stopping. Whilst not all JS formulas are as good, Checkmate is incredible. It's that one lippy I can count on to be on my lips full 12 hours later! The shade is also stunning & my most used JS lippy ever.  If you're about to splurge on a lippy, let it be this one! The newest addition to the family is Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipstick in Thrill Seeker. I wore it on a night out in Spain and loved how it looked many (MANY!) cocktails later. This is a true matte, matte that mothers warn their children off kind of matte. It's important to apply thinly as it can turn chalky otherwise. It's a beautiful statement shade that shouts summer & my recent fave. It wears nicely and quite comfortably too. 

The comfy mattes

If there's a one lipstick you should definitely grab this summer, it's the newest launch in premium drugstore. Lancome Matte Shakers - POST - formulas are incredible. From sheer to opaque, any finish is easy to achieve with the cleaver sponge applicator. Shockingly easy to use, shake and apply and boy, apply it does! Super easy to contour the lips with, the formula stays put once it fully dries (about 3 minutes). I recently partied all night long out on my besties's hen do and the Red'y in 5 was the most requested shade. It's a stunning true red with just a hint of warm orange. I personally love it together with Magic Orange (orange-coral), with MO applied over the Red'y in 5 concentrating on the mid lip! Both shades are gorgeous of course but it their barely matte finish and comfort of wear makes them the best lip launch of 2017 so far for me! 

Drugstore picks

High-street beauty has been rocking it lately and couole of L'Oreal launches stole my heart. Color Riche Matte in 346 Scarlet Silhouette is a gorgeous strawberry red. Hints on orange give it a true statement look, but it's also super wearable and almost classic. It'll suit many complexions but I adore statement lips on pale skin. I feel it adds that something extra to otherwise classic look. The finish is creamy and almost satin, but it wears nicely and doesn't bleed. Top ups are needed as it transfers but it makes for perfect every day red! Mostly orange is Lip Paint/Matte in 203 Tangerine Vertigo. Definitely a shade for the brave ones, it's absolutely stunning. It can make your teeth look slightly worse for wear, unless you're sporting pearly whites. I love it and wore it plenty over the last couple of months including to work. It wears comfortably but it's not ultra lasting. It's creamy and doesn't fully set but it'll give you that fuller lip finish. 

From left: Restless, Starlett Scarlet, Checkmate, Thrill Seeker, Red'y in 5, Magic Orange, Scarlet Silhouette and Tangerine Vertigo

What lipstick shade compliments you the most? Do you go statement or muted? Let me know your thoughts!