TOP 10 HOLY GRAIL BEAUTY ITEMS OF 2016!

Hello my fellow beauty bees, I hope you are all having a great month so far and not panicking over last minute Xmas shopping…I know I am!

So as I’ve previously mentioned, I'm a self-proclaimed creature of comfort so it will come as no surprise to you that I've already written about some of the products I am going to mention. I have a mixture of makeup, beauty and skincare in the mix...Go grab yourself a drink and kick back as it's going to be a chatty one :)

1) Anyone who knows me well knows I’m obsessed with the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish. I have been using this treasure to remove my makeup since 2014! Although I have dabbled in other makeup removers such as in the infamous ‘Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm’ (which was sadly a disappointing product) I always go back to my beloved Liz Earle. I have written a blog post on why it's my Holy Grail Cleanser (click here to read). 

2)Another cleanser that I would take on a desert island with me and have mentioned in the blog post above, is the ‘Ren Evercalm Cleansing Milk’. In conjunction to my Liz Earle, I use this every morning to give my sensitive and reactive skin a gentle cleanse. It leaves my skin feeling smooth, calm and ready to face the day!

3) If you love a good pamper evening like me then you will agree that a good face mask is essential! I have always been a fan of The Bodyshop skincare range and was super excited when they released their 100% vegetarian face masks.They have a marvellous selection to choose from which are catered to all skin types and concerns. I went ahead and picked up the Chinese Ginseng & Rice Mask as I wanted something to brighten and revitalise my dull skin. Let me just tell you that this little mask makes it appear like I've had a natural chemical peel every time I use it! An added bonus is that it also doesn't interrupt my sensitive skin. 

4) Although I love a good soak in the bath during a pamper evening, it does tend to dry out my skin. Another new release I was thrilled to try out was the Garnier Body Ultimate Blends Restoring Lotion. After twenty minutes of ogling over the various scents, I went for the honey treasures as, A) it smelt divine, and B) It is designed for very dry skin which is perfect as I like to feel extra nourished. Unlike other rich moisturisers, this does not make me feel greasy in the slightest, plus sinks into my skin in seconds!

Essential after a long soak 

5) Sticking to smelling delicious, a perfume I've enjoyed dowsing myself in is the Chanel Chance Eau de Parfum. I picked this up at the airport to be my summer/wedding guest fragrance as I knew it was favoured by many beauty gurus and as the scent is fresh and not too overpowering, I thought I'd give it a go. After receiving compliments and loving the way it settled on me, It became my staple everyday perfume. As well as smelling all kinds of gorgeous, it lasts all day too!

6) Let’s switch this up and throw in some makeup bits which I have to say, I found extremely difficult to shave down! The Morphe M439 brush was something I purchased at the beginning of the year and have pretty much used daily to apply my foundation. The quality of this brush is outstanding in comparison to the price! Amazingly, It has kept it's shape after vigorous washing. If you are a working gal like me who likes to whack on quick makeup that still looks flawless then this is your saviour…seriously I urge you to try this and thank me later:) 

Must have makeup brush!

7) Although I have not had a stand out foundation to complement my Morphe m439 brush, I have, however, discovered an amazing setting powder…any guesses on what this could be? Yes, you’ve guessed right...it is the infamous Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder. I inexplicably look forward to using this powder to set my under eye concealer and t-zone area as I could immediately notice how superbly it sets my makeup. It barely feels like you have anything on your skin as it is remarkably velvety in texture while being finely milled. I can imagine this being suitable for any skin type also!

8) To add some dimension and colour back into my face, I religiously reach for my Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess. I also picked this up at the airport as I had some extra Euros left over, and I must say it was the best thing I spent my Euro’s on! (even over the tasty calamari & cosmopolitans:). To sum it up, it's the perfect colour, not too red or brown, blends like a dream and makes you look 100% healthier. I am also a fan of the Estee Edit Bronzer- If your into a bronzer that has a slight shimmer then this is your guy.

Top Two Bronzers of this year!

9) No makeup look can be complete without lashings of mascara. If you have read my previous blog posts then you'll know that I'm a massive fan of the Benefit They’re Real Mascara however, I may have discovered a mascara that is more price friendly and just as good! The Loreal Feline Mascara is one that doesn't get enough credit in the blogosphere. It lifts, curls, lengthens and volumizes the lashes superbly without any clumps or smudges. Do you know how many times I get asked if I’m wearing false lashes when I have this on? I even had someone try and pull on my lashes when I Insisted they were my own..yes it did hurt but I had to prove them wrong:)! 

10) Last but by certainly no means least how can I write a blog post and not include some form of lipstick? I have to say that this year has certainly been the year for matt liquid lipsticks! So many brands including high street, have released some fantastic formulas, though, the one that stood out to me are the Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick's . I adore everything about these lipsticks, from the undetectable formula to the unique shade range and most impressively, their impeccable lasting power! 

These are perfect for an evening out or if you're lazy with reapplying lipstick like me. I also love how precise the applicator is, diminishing your chances of making any mistakes. My favourite shades are ‘Bow n Arrow’ and Lolita’ as they are both beautifully unique with a slightly cool 90's retro feel. 

My Two favourite shades 'Bow N Arrow' & 'Lolita'

There are one million other things I can mention from hair tools to eyeshadow palettes, except I will be writing this post for another year. I hope you've enjoyed my top 10 selection and gained some inspiration of what you'd like to add to your collection, perhaps during the January sales?!

I would love to know what have you've been enjoying this year? Please let me know have any hidden gems:)

MAKE IT MORE THOUGHTFUL WITH JOHN LEWIS GIFT IDEAS

One of my favourite things about the festive period is taking the time to select personal, thoughtful gifts for my loved ones. Seeing a smile on their faces is worth the time spent choosing a present that I think they will cherish. So in partnership with the John Lewis 'Make it more thoughtful' campaign I have created some quick gift duos that will make your loved ones feel truly special this Christmas!

John Lewis is a luxury British brand and as such is the perfect place to browse for gifts or even just gain some inspiration, browse in store or online at 
John Lewis.

Baby's First Chrismas

This trio pack of neutral John Lewis Baby Grows is a helpful addition for any new parent as they can never have too many 'grows' (see what I did there?). Why not liven up your gift with John Lewis's beloved 'Otto the Fox' - if you haven't already seen the awesome advert (starring Otto) then Click here.

Friday Night Lights

Make staying in the new going out with an Amazon Fire TV Stick, boasting a wide selection of entertainment. Also, gift a Personalised Beer Trio for them to enjoy as they kick back after a long day.

Fresh New Year

Give your loved one the gift of clear skin this Christmas. A Clarisonic Facial Skin Cleanser paired with the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish kit will whip unruly skin into shape before the New Year! Perfect for any age.

Suited & Booted 

Like every woman needs an LBD, every man needs a classic, black leather shoe (handy for any occasion!). Why not add a shoe shine kit to keep them looking pristine and ready for action. 

Travel in Style

Gift a beautifully crafted, brown holdall for the dapper gent on the go and add a Thermos Leakproof Beaker so he can enjoy a hot drink en route. This duo is perfect for anyone who is partial to a plane, train or long car journey! 

The Magic Bullet

For the stylishly healthy spouse, friend or family member who enjoys experimenting in the kitchen. Pair a NutriBullet with a chic La Rochere Bee Long Drink glass for them to enjoy their delicious creation in. 


I hope this post has given you some inspiration on how choosing gift duos (that compliment each other!) can demonstrate that you have put extra thought into how your gifts will be used by your loved ones in the new year. Also, who wouldn't want to receive two gifts instead of one!?

Merry Chrismas to you all and I wish you a prosperous 2017!
Love Elle N xx

ZOEVA COCOA BLEND PALETTE REVIEW

I've always seen Zoeva as a brand that specialising in makeup brushes rather than makeup, and can write until the cows come home about how much I love their 224 blending brush! However, I kept seeing this eyeshadow palette pop up on my Instagram feed and knew that I had to see what all the hype was about. Whilst browsing their eyeshadow selection, I have to say that I was immediately drawn to the caramel melange palette as I was captivated my the gorgeous caramel shades but sadly it was out of stock so bought the cocoa blend palette which I was initially intending on but as a true beauty enthusiast my eyes wondered.

I've brought up countless times on my Instagram and in previous blog posts that the urban decay naked palette and too faced chocolate bar palette are my top two eyeshadow palettes of all time and ones that I religiously reach for. However, the hysteria around the 'cocoa blend’ was definitely worth listening to as it has joined the list of my top 3 favourites! 

Firstly let me take a minute to talk about the ravines packaging. I know that urban decay did a similar theme with their chocolate bar palette which smells delightful, but there is something about this chocolate inspired brown and gold foiled packaging, that gives it a sophisticated and luxurious feel. This is not just appealing to the eye but taste buds too as you can mistake it for a big chocolate bar (yum!). I also adore how the names of the shadows where inspired by warm truffle colours, delicate nougat shades and notes of shimmering marzipan’. Each shade is gorgeously unique and wearable.

Gorgeous chocolate inspired gold and brown packaging

Although the packaging is good enough to eat, my favourite thing about this palette is the impeccable formula and pigmentation of the shadows. I recently created a makeup look to post on my Instagram as I wanted to try out the shadows and I must say I was blown away by the pigmentation! There is something about the super soft and buttery formula that gives the most amazing metallic payoff. I would defiantly say that these shadows are far more pigmented and blendable than the ones in the chocolate bar palette...sorry to any chocolate bar palette fans out there.

Another thing I discovered whilst creating this look was how incredibly long lasting these shadows are. I created a look in the morning and I kid you not, it looked exactly the same as I applied it in the evening. Although I do advise that you prime your eyelids beforehand, especially if you have annoying oily eyelid syndrome like me:(

The palette contains ten shadows, four of them are matte and the other six I wouldn't say are shimmery, but give a beautiful metallic, foiled finish.  As this is a recent purchase, I haven't had the opportunity to play around with all the eyeshadows but, I do have some favourite shadows that I’ve used already, or see myself wearing which I will share with you:)

Gorgeous, wearable rich tones

Pure ganache- I used this in the centre of my eyelids for an autumnal makeup look and now I can’t stop wearing it. Every eyeshadow palette has a bronze shade, albeit, this is nothing like any other bronze shadow I've tried. Although it is described as being a metallic gold, I would say it is a perfect mixture of burnt copper and gold. I can see this complementing every eye colour too!

Substitute for love- Is quite similar to bittersweet in the chocolate bar palette but I would say this has more of a deep toffee undertone to it. This is a perfect crease colour and I could see it working with every shade in this palette.

Warm tones-I haven't so far used this shadow, although I'm dying to create a berry toned purple smokey eye with it along with tonnes of black eyeliner..watch this space:) This is described as being a glittery cranberry purple which I can imagine will look great on its own or with a smokey eye.

infusion- Zoevea describes this as being a matte dark brown infused with golden glitter, although,  I can certainly detect purple undertones in it. I  created a halo eye makeup look using this shade where I  placed it across my eye crease and inner lid to create the ‘halo effect’ and then went ahead and placed pure ganache in the centre of my eyelid. I must say that these colours surprisingly complemented each other well:)

Halo effect using 'pure ganache' and 'infusion' 

To sum up this review, I would 1000% recommend this palette if you're an eyeshadow palette lover like me. The pigmentation, impeccable formula and lasting power compete with some of my higher end palettes. You would think this it is priced higher than £18 which is a complete steal for the formula  and also comparing the urban decay too faced palette, which is priced at £38.50 and is just as good if not better! This palette will be a perfect if you are looking to spend more than a drugstore one, but don’t want to go the full hog.

I certainly do intend of growing my collection going with the caramel melange next! What's your favourite eyeshadow palette?

MY CURRENT MAKEUP ESSENTIALS

As soon as winter comes along, I find my entire makeup routine changes. Bring back the summer, when my makeup routine was minimal, quick and out the door! Although I find that I have to put in more effort on my makeup application during the winter months, I have discovered life savers that make it easier and add that much-needed life and radiance back into my skin and I will share them with you :)

- Benefit The Porfessional primer is one of those products that I love but put to one side during the summer months. It wasn't until recently where my skin was misbehaving and my foundation wasn't sitting right that I dug it out and rekindled my love for it. Not only do my pores look 1000% smaller, but I also find that it adds that much-needed moisture and suppleness back into my skin. Although it does have the obvious silicone, silky texture, the plus point is that it’s oil free and doesn't break out my sensitive skin, unlike some other primers I have tried. 

- Porefessional also makes my current favourite foundation L’oreal True Match last for ages too! I have been wearing this foundation for a month straight and have absolutely been loving everything about it. Now, I still adore my Bourjour Healthy Mix but I feel like True Match foundation is longer lasting. It has a wonderfully velvety texture which is a dream to blend onto my face in no time at all using my Morphe M439 brush. It provides flawless coverage and I would confidently say you can build it up to a full coverage. I find that it’s a perfect winter foundation due to the radiance and silky texture it has. It also keeps any unsightly dry patches at bay too! 

This foundation adds life to my winter skin!

- To add some colour back onto my face after applying my foundation, I like to use my favourite bronzer of all time ‘Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess’. I departed with this treasure for a while as I misplaced it in my room (makeup hoarder problems), So I went out and bought the Estée Edit bronzer as I trusted the brand. I enjoyed that bronzer as it did give me a gorgeous healthy glow, but I was still fixated on my Bronze Goddess and knew I needed it back in my life. I believe my neighbours on the other side of the road heard the sequel I made when I finally found it in my house! There is nothing that beats the colour it provides, as it’s not too brown or red, and is incredibly easy to blend, merging beautifully on the skin making it appear like you’ve just been on holiday :)

My ride or die bronzer

- No makeup look is complete without a good ol’ highlight and I have discovered not one but two must haves for this winter. One that I love to grab when I’m in a rush is the Maybelline Master Strobing stick. Now, I have never gravitated towards liquid highlighters but there’s something about the golden, nude glow that when I swatched it, it made me buy it. Holy Moses am I glad I did! This little stick makes you look like you have natural Victoria Secret Model Skin in 60 seconds. I find the most effective way to apply this product is with a flat foundation brush as it really emphasises the gorgeous nude glow without it looking too shimmery!

- If I really want to make my highlight pop then I go ahead and dust my new favourite highlight Laura Geller Guilded Honey at the top of my cheekbones. It’s perfect on its own or on top of other highlighters such as the Master Sculpt and another one of my faves, the classic MAC Soft & Gentle. I adore the fact that it’s so finely milled yet extremely pigmented providing a gorgeous glow. It’s hard not to want to smear this all over your face, although I also tend to dust this at the bottom of my brow bone and in my inner tear duct to open up my eyes. It took me a lifetime to get hold of it as it was always out of stock but it was worth the relentless hunting. 

Must have highlighters

Last but not least, let us talk about brows. Yes, of course, you want to get your highlight on fleek, but you also want your brow game to be strong right!?...Oh Instagram, what have you done to my vocabulary? Although I’m loving my ‘Anastasia Beverely Hills Dip Brow Pomade’, it can sometimes be time-consuming to apply. An inexpensive wonder product I've discovered is the Maybelline Brow Satin. It is duo sided containing a pencil and a powder. I hardly use the powder but I am amazed by the pencil. Not only is it the perfect colour for me but it has a precise and waxy pencil, making it easy to draw on your brows. I would advise using a light hand as it is super pigmented and for £5.99, you can’t really go wrong, right?!

I’d love to hear what your current favourites are and what winter wonders you’ve discovered? 

MY CURRENT MAKEUP ESSENTIALS

As soon as winter comes along, I find my entire makeup routine changes. Bring back the summer, when my makeup routine was minimal, quick and out the door! Although I find that I have to put in more effort on my makeup application during the winter months, I have discovered life savers that make it easier and add that much-needed life and radiance back into my skin and I will share them with you :)

- Benefit The Porfessional primer is one of those products that I love but put to one side during the summer months. It wasn't until recently where my skin was misbehaving and my foundation wasn't sitting right that I dug it out and rekindled my love for it. Not only do my pores look 1000% smaller, but I also find that it adds that much-needed moisture and suppleness back into my skin. Although it does have the obvious silicone, silky texture, the plus point is that it’s oil free and doesn't break out my sensitive skin, unlike some other primers I have tried. 

- Porefessional also makes my current favourite foundation L’oreal True Match last for ages too! I have been wearing this foundation for a month straight and have absolutely been loving everything about it. Now, I still adore my Bourjour Healthy Mix but I feel like True Match foundation is longer lasting. It has a wonderfully velvety texture which is a dream to blend onto my face in no time at all using my Morphe M439 brush. It provides flawless coverage and I would confidently say you can build it up to a full coverage. I find that it’s a perfect winter foundation due to the radiance and silky texture it has. It also keeps any unsightly dry patches at bay too! 

This foundation adds life to my winter skin!

- To add some colour back onto my face after applying my foundation, I like to use my favourite bronzer of all time ‘Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess’. I departed with this treasure for a while as I misplaced it in my room (makeup hoarder problems), So I went out and bought the Estée Edit bronzer as I trusted the brand. I enjoyed that bronzer as it did give me a gorgeous healthy glow, but I was still fixated on my Bronze Goddess and knew I needed it back in my life. I believe my neighbours on the other side of the road heard the sequel I made when I finally found it in my house! There is nothing that beats the colour it provides, as it’s not too brown or red, and is incredibly easy to blend, merging beautifully on the skin making it appear like you’ve just been on holiday :)

My ride or die bronzer

- No makeup look is complete without a good ol’ highlight and I have discovered not one but two must haves for this winter. One that I love to grab when I’m in a rush is the Maybelline Master Strobing stick. Now, I have never gravitated towards liquid highlighters but there’s something about the golden, nude glow that when I swatched it, it made me buy it. Holy Moses am I glad I did! This little stick makes you look like you have natural Victoria Secret Model Skin in 60 seconds. I find the most effective way to apply this product is with a flat foundation brush as it really emphasises the gorgeous nude glow without it looking too shimmery!

- If I really want to make my highlight pop then I go ahead and dust my new favourite highlight Laura Geller Guilded Honey at the top of my cheekbones. It’s perfect on its own or on top of other highlighters such as the Master Sculpt and another one of my faves, the classic MAC Soft & Gentle. I adore the fact that it’s so finely milled yet extremely pigmented providing a gorgeous glow. It’s hard not to want to smear this all over your face, although I also tend to dust this at the bottom of my brow bone and in my inner tear duct to open up my eyes. It took me a lifetime to get hold of it as it was always out of stock but it was worth the relentless hunting. 

Must have highlighters

Last but not least, let us talk about brows. Yes, of course, you want to get your highlight on fleek, but you also want your brow game to be strong right!?...Oh Instagram, what have you done to my vocabulary? Although I’m loving my ‘Anastasia Beverely Hills Dip Brow Pomade’, it can sometimes be time-consuming to apply. An inexpensive wonder product I've discovered is the Maybelline Brow Satin. It is duo sided containing a pencil and a powder. I hardly use the powder but I am amazed by the pencil. Not only is it the perfect colour for me but it has a precise and waxy pencil, making it easy to draw on your brows. I would advise using a light hand as it is super pigmented and for £5.99, you can’t really go wrong, right?!

I’d love to hear what your current favourites are and what winter wonders you’ve discovered? 

OPI Breakfast At Tiffany's The Classics 10 Mini Nail Lacquer Pack

Who is excited that Xmas is fast approaching? Now, I wouldn’t say that it's my favourite time of year (call me bah humbug!) but I must admit that I don't mind the gift exchanging part of it. Who doesn't like receiving gifts?! 

Another thing I look forward to when Xmas is approaching is that department stores tend to launch interesting and unique beauty events, which include quirky little gift sets at very reasonable prices. A new launch that has got me pretty excited is the new ‘OPI Breakfast At Tiffany’s collection’. I love getting manicures, but at times when I am too busy to pop into a salon I tend to pamper myself by doing my own nails and my favourite range of nail polishes has to be OPI. I was kindly gifted the ‘OPI Breakfast At Tiffany's The Classics 10 Mini Nail Lacquer Pack’ which I am now obsessed with and wanted to write a mini review as I think it would make a perfect gift for a beauty fanatic like me :)

The reason why I adore this little gift set so much is that you can see that a lot of time and thought has gone through to put together the colour selection and design the packaging. As you can see, the design of this particular gift sets packaging is classy and understated. I love the fact that it has an image of Audrey Hepburn as she is definitely an iconic beauty figure and fits perfectly with the ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ theme. Another cool thing about the packaging is that that the box is divided into a light (top) and dark (bottom) nail sets, which easily slide out of the box without any drama. No fiddling around or trying to rip out the varnishes. 

Super Wearable Light Set

Gorgeous Rich Dark Set

The pack itself contains ten of OPI’s most classic nail varnishes. It has five traditional light colours (Alpine Snow, Bubble Bath, Tickle My France-y, Suzi Nails New Orleans, Madam President). And, five iconic darker autumnal and wintery shades (Big Apple Red, Malaga Wine, Squeaker of the House, CIA=Colour is Awesome and Lincoln Park After Dark). The names are pretty awesome, right? So fun and inventive and I love the fact they are stated on the box below the varnishes as well, just in case you want to go ahead and buy the full size:)

I have always been a massive fan of OPI nail varnishes and own a few of the full-sized bottles which are included in this little gift set! My personal favourites are  ‘Alpine Snow’ which is gorgeously fresh and pristine white shade, ‘Big Apple Red’ which is a real classic and classy brick red and ‘Tickle My France-y’, a unique neutral pinkish nude. I see OPI as a luxury nail brand as the varnishes are always available when you go in for a manicure and pedicure, which also gives them that ‘treat yourself vibe’ for when you want to do our own nails at home.

A few of my favourites:)

As I’ve been getting my nails done professionally recently, OPI nail varnish lacquers are all I’ve been wearing for the last few months. They are formulated to be chip resistant and definitely do last a good 10 days on my gel acrylics which gives me one less thing to worry about. They are also amazingly pigmented which makes it effortless to apply. Although OPI nail varnishes are on the pricier side, I feel they are worth every penny as you can buy something a quarter of the price, which doesn’t have half the pigment or lasting power they have. I don’t know about you girls, but I know I don’t have the patience to keep reapplying my nail vanish!


I usually find the issue with some nail packs is that you tend to wear only some of the colours and the rest get completely ignored. However, there isn’t a single colour that I would ditch in this pack, as the shades are super wearable and perfect for all seasons or occasions. As OPI is such an iconic well-known luxury nail brand, this kit will make the perfect gift for someone who is into all things beauty. 

Wearing Tickle My France-Y

It will also give anyone who is a beginner to OPI nail varnishes a perfect chance to play around with the classic and wearable colour selection. Even though they are minis they are still a good size, and you can get several applications from them. To be honest, I somewhat prefer mini nail varnishes in general, as I barely ever finish a full nail varnish.

This gift set currently retails at £25.46 which I feel is fantastic value for money as an original nail varnish usually retails to around £10-£13! You are getting ten of OPI’s classic shades which will provide you with several applications along with quality nail varnish. Gift set available at John Lewis! This will make a perfect Xmas gift for a friend, sister, sister-in-law or even just to treat yourself :) The rest of the range is also stunning and have nice little gift sets which will make someone happy this Xmas. See the range on the John Lewis site here!

What's your favourite OPI nail varnish? 

MY TOP 3 NUDE MATTE LIQUID LIPSTICKS

So, as I've mentioned in my last blog post (my top 4 MAC lipsticks), I am a serious lipstick fiend and lipsticks are something I shamelessly own a lot more of than any other makeup item. 

I remember back when glossy lips used to be the big beauty craze, the glossier, the better!  I remember buying the whole collection of the 'Rimmel Lipglosses' to create the perfect lustrous pout…oh, how things have changed. Now, it's all about the matte lips which, I must admit, I do prefer and what better way to create it than with a matte liquid lipstick. 

I have bought my fair share of matte liquid lipsticks to create that perfect Kylie pout, and I don't know why but I gravitate more towards nude tone brown liquid lipsticks as I feel there is something cool about a matte nude brown lipstick. However, I do tend to form a quick decision whether or not a liquid lipstick will make it into my handbag after the very first application. I am happy to share my top 3 liquid lipsticks which I’m sure every makeup lover NEEDS! 

NYX SOFT MATTE CREAM ‘ABU DHABI’

Let us start with the most affordable one :) I remember squealing with excitement when I first saw that NXY Cosmetics hit the shelves in Boots. I excitedly ran to my nearest Boots store and picked up a couple of shades of the matte NYX Lip Creams, as I’d heard excellent things about them and wanted to see what the hype was all about. I bought ‘Cannes’ and ‘Abu Dhabi’, which I prefer as I’ve mentioned I’m a nude tone kinda gal :)

I would describe this lip cream to be a hybrid between a lipgloss and a lipstick which dries to a matte finish. The texture feels incredibly lightweight compared to the other two (which I will talk about) to the point where it feels like I'm wearing nothing on my lips. When first applied, it feels glossy and velvety which feels gentle and moisturising on the lips. It dries to a matte finish after around 5-10 minutes and can last for up to 3 hours on your lips, not too shabby considering it costs around £5.99. 

However, I wouldn't say that it is extremely pigmented and you do need to apply two coats for a good colour payoff, and it also feels slightly runny. I don’t think this is particularly a bad thing as I feel it is perfect for everyday wear and adore the velvet texture and muted down brown nude of this lip cream. Buy here!

'ABU DHABI' soft nude brown

KAT VON D EVERLASTING LIQUID LIPSTICK ‘BOW & ARROW'

I have never come across a name so fitting for a product. This liquid lipstick seems like it does last forever and ever! You can drink, eat, kiss and it will not budge! Now, I’m not complaining as I tend to reach for this liquid lipstick when I know I'm going to be out all day and need a foolproof lipstick that I don't need to keep reapplying. 

Unlike the NYX matte cream, this has a much thicker consistency, and you can certainly feel it on your lips once applied. I find this incredibly easy to work with due to the defined dofer applicator which allows you to apply a precise coat without you looking like you’ve strangely overdrawn your lips. 

It feels creamy on your lips when you use it but quickly 

dries matte, within a couple of minutes without it feeling too drying. I do recommend that you use a lip balm underneath this lipstick to avoid it clinging onto any dry patches. I would say this can last up to 5-6 hours without any need for reapplication, which is pretty incredible right?

The colour of this liquid lipstick is extremely unique, and some bloggers have described it as looking more pink toned on them, but I find it to be a true gorgeous nude brown with slight hints of red undertones. I can best describe this shade as what a lovechild of MAC Whirl and MAC Velvet Teddy would look like. 

My favourite thing about this lipstick, besides the gorgeously unique colour, is the pigmentation. I feel like I only need one application for it to give an amazing colour payoff which makes it worth the price tag :) I will be for sure picking up more KVD shades for winter and love the quirky, distinct packaging too. Buy here!

'BOW N ARROW' rich nude brown 

JEFFREE STAR LIQUID LIPSTICK ‘CELEBRITY SKIN’

This liquid lipstick is my newest purchase and completely 'blew me out of the water'. This little gem is amazing!!! If I can fill up the whole page with heart eye emoji’s, then I would :) Besides the fact that this particular shade is always out of stock and took me forever to get a hold of, I am in love with everything about it. It has a light, creamy texture and feels quite wet when first applied on the lips, which makes it all the easier to apply and fix any mistakes. It dries down matte within seconds, similarly to the KVD lipstick, and a little goes a long way as it is super pigmented!

This colour is another one that looks different on everyone. It is supposed to be a ‘soft nude brown’ but again can look pinkish on some people. I find it to be a true retro nude brown on me which gives it that ever so famous 90’s feel which will be a massive trend this season. It also does not budge once applied and has lasted for a good 6 hours on me, even when I’ve been eating and drinking. For a liquid lipstick that dries quickly, this feels extremely comfortable on the lips giving them an almost velvety feel. It does not dry out your lips or flake, which makes it an excellent base to reapply. 

The price point isn't too bad either, and I would say it’s mid-range for a good liquid lipstick. I might be bold enough to say that this JS liquid lipstick is my favourite that I’ve tried so far and I do plan on gradually growing my collection, as they are worth every penny and have exceeded any expectations I had! Buy here!

'CELEBRITY SKIN' muted retro nude brown

What’s your favourite matte liquid lipstick and what do you recommend? 

MY TOP 4 MAC LIPSTICKS

Out of any makeup product, lipsticks are definitely my weakness, and I certainly own a lot more lipsticks than any other makeup item. In my opinion, a good lipstick is a finishing touch to my makeup. A well-done smoky eye is just not complete without a complementing lipstick. The thing I love most about lipstick is that you can be as expressive and experimental as you want and in some cases, you can even let your lipstick do the talking over your outfit. And, what better time to experiment with a range of lipsticks than near Christmas…right? 

Now, I have tried many lipsticks from different brands, some on the pricier side, and others that are more affordable, and I must say that MAC lipsticks are worth the extra buck :). I usually put a lot of thought into which shade I'm going to purchase, due to the price-tag, but can always be sure that the quality, longevity and pigmentation won’t let me down, which is why I'm more than happy to invest :) 

I have accumulated a little collection over the years, which gives me great joy. However, I tend to reach for the same four shades over any others, as I feel they go with any makeup look and are extremely wearable. 

Russian Red 

Firstly, I just love the name ‘Russian Red” as I feel it is as fierce as this lipstick! I would say that this is a true brick red shade with a slight blue undertone which makes it that bit more wearable for the day as well as night. I tend to reach for this if I’m going on a night out and fancy a true matte red lipstick, which I know, will last well and suit any outfit. This lipstick is a MUST HAVE if you're a lover of red matte lipstick:) Buy here!

'Russian Red'

Mehr

The colour of this lipstick is beautifully unique, as I have not come across such a shade before. MAC describes it as being a ‘dirty blue pink’ which I can agree with, but I also feel it has hues of purple and plummy undertones that add to its uniqueness. I am not a pink lipstick kind of girl, as I don't feel they suit my olive skin tone, but there is something about this shade that complements my complexion and brightens up my face. I also believe that the fact that it's a matte lipstick intensifies the colour and I get asked what I’m wearing on my lips every time I wear this beauty! Buy here!

'Mehr'

Velvet Teddy 

I believe every makeup lover and their dog, owns this iconic MAC shade! I remember when the demand for this lipstick exploded as soon as Kylie Jenner's lips did (sorry I couldn't help it). The need to recreate that perfect nude/brown pout was at the top of every beauty lover's list and this lipstick is apparently the one that Kylie Jenner used at the time. After managing to get my hands on Velvet Teddy finally, after being out of stock for ages, it has not left my handbag and is probably my most worn MAC lipstick. It has a matte finish, and MAC describes it as being a ‘deep tone beige’, although I feel it has more of a browny nude tone. I also Love to mix this lipstick with ‘Mehr’ or place any nude brown liquid lipstick on top of this lipstick to add to the lasting power. Buy here! 

'Velvet Teddy'

Shy Girl 

As the name would suggest, this is an understated, neutral ‘coral beige’ lipstick. I remember back when I only every used to wear peachy nudes and was a massive fan of the MAC ‘Japanese Maple’ lipstick until I bought this lipstick which took over! I feel that this lipstick is extremely versatile as it is great as an everyday colour, I tend to reach for it when I go to work. It also works well for nights when I wear a black/grey smokey eye and want to go for a neutral lip as it complements a darker eye. 

Another use for the lipstick is to mix this with other lipsticks to neutralise the colour or pat it on top of other lipsticks to add an easy ombre effect. This shade is another definite MUST for makeup lovers who love experimenting with lipsticks. Buy here!

'Shy Girl'

If you are on the fence about buying a MAC lipstick due to the price, then I would advise buying a shade that is closest to what you wear on an everyday basis. That way you get use out of it, so you feel you're getting your money’s worth :) I honestly feel that the distinct formula and lasting power of these lipsticks outweigh the price. 

What's your favourite MAC lipstick?