Beauty Review: Colourpop Cosmetics

After so much Youtube hype, I eventually decided to order some of the ColourPop cosmetics online. Three orders later and this is what I have accumulated. Instead of doing individual reviews I thought I would just go ahead and swatch all of them in one big review post. I have since ordered more, but I'm not sure if I will swatch those... 

ColourPop is an American cosmetic company that only sells their products online through the Colourpop store. Despite the low value of the Aussie dollar and the cost of shipping these products are quite cheap with Eye shadows and lippie stixs costing $5 each, Ultra Matte Lip (liquid lipstick) costing $6 and Cheek/Face products costing $8. I bought all of these with my own money.

^When I got the box in the mail I started opening stuff up and it looked like this. The products come in little cardboard boxes with a window to see the product inside. You also get Information cards on how to wear the products and a Thank You card with a fun little compliment on it. Not everyone gets a box (It depends on how much you order and what kind of products etc). I ordered a fair bit each time because I have to pay postage to Australia, so I tried to make it worthwhile. 

^Here is one of my Thank You cards. I tossed the others, but I decided to keep this one because Elvis lyrics.

^Face and Eye products are packaged like this. The product has a pattern through it (makes you a little hesitant to use it at first because its so pretty). The packaging is  white and "ColourPop" is written across it in silver holographic letters, which looks like a rainbow in photos. The LippieStix reminded me of Pantone/Copic marker packaging, which I thought was very neat. A lot of people dislike the screw top lids of the eye shadows and blushes, however there isn't much that the company can do about it because the mousse-like formula needs to be kept in air-tight packaging. I also find the packaging can get pretty dirty especially since the best way to apply the product is with your fingers.

The formula of the Eye and Face products is squishy to touch. Its a mousse formula that sets to a powder. It is designed to be free of fall-out and to last on the eyes. I think the formula is really cool and interesting, but there are definitely downfalls, such as:

-having to experiment with different methods of application

-learning what products from other brands do and don't work with this texture

-Whether or not you like the feel of the product

-It can dry out in the pot if you don't shut the lid

-The products expire a lot quicker than normal powder eyeshadows

-I feel like you go through product quicker (but not sure if that's just because I use some of these products almost every day)

Positives are:

- That there is literally no fall out (with one exception - read the 'Metalic Eyeshadows' review to learn more).

- Product stays in place all day

- So much more pigmented

- Touching weird squishy stuff during your morning make-up routine makes it more fun. 

The names of the shades are also a talking point. Some are cool and make total sense. Calling a purple blush 'Rain' makes sense, but there are a lot names that I don't understand the relation to. There are also some names that are a bit controversial or that you wouldn't want to say out loud. There is a lipstick that I don't own called 'heart on'. Spells one thing, sounds like something else. Also names like 'Between the Sheets' and 'Prenup' made me reconsider some shades just because I didn't like the name. I know some people dig funny names, but for me it can sometimes be a bit of a marketing fail.

EYE SHADOWS:

^From Left to Right:

Top Row (Matte) : 'Bites', 'Flux' and 'Cowboy'

Second Row (Matte) : 'Play', 'Girl Crush', 'Bill' and 'Hustle'

Third Row (Pearlised) : 'High Tide', 'Plunge' and 'Partridge'

Bottom Row (Metallic) : 'Swan', 'I Heart This', 'Flipper' and 'Sequin'

I wanted to write about the eye shadows first because I feel like these are the most talked about products. I own more of the shadows than any of the other products. Technically they are called Super Shock Eye Shadows, but I'm just calling them eye shadows. This is going to be a long post so I'm saving on unnecessary repetition where I can.

I do use a primer underneath these. My favourite primer to use is the 'Lime Crime Illuminating Eye Shadow Primer'. I find that some of the shadows can catch onto dry patches in my inner corner, so I have to be careful of that. 

Arm Swatch (Mattes) : 'Hustle', 'Bill', 'Girl Crush', 'Play', 'Cowboy', 'Flux' and 'Bites'

The mattes are my favourite eye shadows because they are so pigmented and are not chalky at all. I have never known a matte eye shadow before that actually looks white without a thick base underneath. I have used powder eyeshadows by Sleek Cosmetics and Milani over the top of these with no problems and I find that the ColourPop shadows help to make the colours of powder shadows look more pigmented the same way my NYX eye shadow pencil would. 

I find the best way to apply these is with a finger. Some Brushes do work, but it's a very quick way to use up your product. I like these colours for the lid or the outer half of the lid. If you are going to use these in the crease you need to use a brush to sheer out the product or it will go patchy. 'Hustle' is probably my least favourite eye shadow because it is tricky to blend. I think the only way I have found to wear this shadow is to use it to add warmth and dimension to the outer corner (or outer v) of a darker eye shadow look.

Arm Swatch (Metallic) : 'Sequin', 'I Heart This', 'Flipper' and 'Swan'

(Pearlised) : 'Partridge', 'Plunge' and 'High Tide'

The Metallic shadows are very "Out There". They aren't just glittery, but they are so sparkly they almost look "Wet. My photos really don't do the shadows justice. I think 'I Heart This' would suit anyone and I think 'Flipper' is super duper fun looking. I wasn't impressed with 'Sequin' because it is so much darker and redder than I thought it would be. For Some reason 'Swan' is very sheer and goes on a bit clumpy' (I think it might be a little dry). 

My tips for the metallics is to apply your crease colour first because if you apply it afterwards it can break up the glitter. Wear a good primer and beware of letting your eyelid get too powdery or the shadow won't stick and you will get FALLOUT. Also after a long day the metallic shadow can crease in the inner part of your eye-lid, so I highly recommend putting a different colour in the inner quarter/third of your eye. 

The Pearlised shadows can be a little bit on the sheer side. They are great for the inner corner or for layering over a matte ColourPop shadow. My least favourite is 'Partridge'. Don't get me wrong; I love this shadow, but I just wish the duo chrome was a bit more intense.

BLUSH/BRONZER:

Bronzers (Left to Right) : 'Bon Voyage', 'Paradise Cove'

Blush (Top Right) : Aphrodite

Blush (Bottom, Left to Right): 'Quarters', 'Pre-nup', 'Rain'

Swatches (Left to Right) : 'Bon Voyage', 'Paradise Cove', 'Aphrodite', 'Quarters', 'Pre-nup' and 'Rain'

I Really liked the two bronzers I got. 'Bon Voyage' is slightly darker than my skin tone, so I highly recommend it for pale people. I think these bronzers are definitely more of a blusher/bronzer type product and I wouldn't use it to contour or frame my face like I often do with my Bourjois powder bronzer. The formula is a bit tricky to apply so I try to limit where I place the bronzer or I find I can end up looking muddy. 'Paradise Cove' has a shimmery golden glow to it, which is perfect for lazy days because its like a blush/highlight/bronzer in one. 

I didn't like the 'Aphrodite' contour colour because it is way too red for me. I sometimes use it for deepening up another blush colour, but otherwise I don't really wear it. I regret buying this colour and do not recommend it. 'Quarters' is a fun colour that's probably better suited to darker skin-tones, but you can tone it down by applying very lightly. I really like 'Pre-nup' and think it would suit anyone. 'Rain' is something different, but I don't wear it much because it's not super flattering. 

My Experience with Blush Application:

- A lot of people out there recommend applying these in a stippling motion with a small duo-fibre stippling blush. I don't own a brush like this and wasn't about to buy one purely for the sake of applying this product, but I am intrigued so if you have any drugstore stippling brush recommendations I am all ears. 

- I tried applying this product with my fingers and I found that it tends to mix in with your other make-up, which sheers out the pigment of the blush and ruins the coverage of your foundation. For someone like me with blemishes in that area, I find that this can really enhance my blemishes and that after a while you can't even see the blush.

-I tried applying this with a damp ChiChi Blending sponge and nothing transferred.

-If I used a dry blending sponge to stipple the colour on I got really good pigmentation, so I had to be careful with colours like 'Quarters' which can look really full on. 

-Stippling the blush on makes it last longer on your skin through-out the day and doesn't mess up your make-up as much.

-The product is mousse-like and sets, however it can feel a little bit uncomfortable on your face, like some other cream blushes do. So you need to powder your face after you apply the blusher which can take some pigmentation away. If you apply powder before the blush, the blush goes on muddy.

HIGHLIGHTERS:

Top Row: 'Road-Trip' (Tie-dye Collection, Limited Edition), 'Spoon', 'Stole the Show'

Middle Row: 'Hippo', 'Monster'

Bottom Row: 'Teasecake', 'Butterfly Beach' and 'Wisp'

Swatches (Left to Right) : 'Road-Trip', 'Spoon', 'Stole the show', 'Hippo', 'Monster', 'Teasecake', 'Butterfly Beach' and 'Wisp'

I really like the highlighters however some of the shades were not what I expected. Unlike the blushes, you can apply these over powdered skin, with your finger and have no problems. I have found that some of the lighter shades are a little glittery though and that once again these are more of a cheek product than anything because they are a little too OTT to put on your cupids bow or nose like you might do with a conventional champagne coloured highlight. 

While the first three colours in the swatch look very similar in the photo, they are actually quite different in real life. I found all of these colours to be too much for every-day wear, especially 'Road-trip' which has flecks of glitter through it. I really like 'Hippo', 'Teasecake' and 'Wisp' for everyday looks as they are more subtle and can be sheered out. These colours are only noticeable when the light hits your face. 'Monster' is my absolute favourite highlight, which has a bit of a duo-chrome to it. It is a bright pink, and it looks great with bright lip colours and a neutral eye look. 

'Butterfly Beach' is too rosy and too dark for my pale sallow skin, but I love it as a blush. The shimmers don't look super crazy when you where these as a blush as the only reflect where the light hits them. I would definitely recommend the darker highlighter shades as blushes as they are easier to apply and last longer over the course of the day. 

LIP PRIMER, LIPPIE-STIXX and ULTRA MATTE LIP:

The bottom of the products. 

The lip primer is a very temperamental kind of lip product. If you use it carefully it can make the lip product last longer, but if you don't it can be kinda gross.

My Tips:

- Don't use a lip balm before this. The product is a bit drying and while I feel like I need a lip balm under it, the balm actually stops this stuff from setting and makes it go white and sticky. 

-Put this on clean lips and leave to dry down before lipstick application.

-Apply a thin layer only

-Don't use with matte lip products. It works great with 'Topanga' which is satin and some of my creamier Besame lippies. 

I would only recommend the primer if you are going to buy satin or glossy lippie-stix.

Swatches (Left to Right) : 'Chi Chi' 'Topanga', 'Tootsi', 'Pitch' and 'Wet'

Ultra Matte Lip: 'Sundae' and 'Bumble'

I am not the hugest fan of the matte finish lippie-stix with 'Chi Chi' being my least favourite (it really shows the lines in your lips). I do really like 'Tootsi' though and highly recommend it if you have always wanted to try a greige without drying your lips out too much or paying a huge price. The matte formula is creamier than a lot of matte lipsticks I own, but it doesn't last ages on the lips. 

'Topanga' is my absolute favourite and I highly recommend it. It is the perfect muted coral colour and it is great for those times when you really want to wear lipstick, but you don't want anything too bright. 'Wet' is a gun metal colour. It is really weird, but I really like it and think it would be cool with a warm toned eye shadow look or something. 

I really like the Ultra Matte Lip (Liquid Lipsticks). They have a great range of colours and they are a lot like the Lime Crime liquid lipsticks. I highly recommend applying over the top of a lip balm because they are quick drying and this gives you more "play" time to apply the product. These do come off when you eat greasy food, but honestly what doesn't. The swatches of these colours stained my hands for three days, so I don't think I will be swatching the the liquid lipsticks from my next order. 'Bumble' is amazing and 'Sundae' has a tiny bit of blue micro-shimmer which really makes it stand out on the lips. 'Sundae' looks great with the 'Monster' highlight, pink blush and minimal eye make-up. 

OVERALL:

I am really impressed with these products. They are affordable, the range of colours is amazing and the packaging is simple. I would highly recommend the eye-shadows, the highlighters, the liquid lipsticks and select shades of the other products. I think they are a really fun and cheap option to fill the gaps in your make-up collection, especially if you would like to try some more out-there colours without paying the high-end price tag. 

Please let me know if you have any questions about the products featured here or if you would be interested in seeing what I get in my next order.

Your Favourite Blogger,

Natalie

Beauty Review: Wet N Wild Megalast Lip Colour

I originally bought a Wet N Wild lipstick because I liked the vampy colour. I wasn't overly pleased, however after watching some of my favourite beauty YouTubers talk about how good they were I decided to buy two more to try because sometimes different colours have different results. The verdict? I'm really glad I gave these a second chance.

WHAT THE COMPANY SAYS:

Lips take center stage! This 4-hour, longwearing lip color leaves a semi-matte, crème finish in one stroke. Glides on easily with rich, velvety color that doesn't cake, feather, or bleed. Made with hydrating skin-care ingredients: Hyaluronic Microspheres provide extraordinary adhesion to lips, an exclusive polymer complex offers cushion-like feel and texture, and natural marine plant extracts Coenzyme Q10 and Vitamins A & E help smooth lips.

AFFORDABILITY:

I bought these from Crush Cosmetics. They are listed as $5 ea. though I think I may have gotten some of these on a sale, so they were possibly cheaper again. I think that it's probably the cheapest price I have seen a lipstick. It's definitely makes trying them a little less daunting.

PACKAGING:

I am not a huge fan of the packaging. I think that it's cheap looking, but then I guess that's just what you have to expect when it only costs $5. I think my least favourite thing about the packaging is that the lipstick doesn't wind all the way down, so the lid gets little bits of lipstick on it, unless you are super careful. Because it has a sheer lid it is easy to find the colour you want when you are looking through your make-up collection.

^That is as far as it winds down.

THE FORMULA:

The lipstick is semi-matte and can be drying on the lips. I have found that applying lip balm a while before applying the lipstick prevents lips from becoming dry. The lipstick actually seals the lip balm in and makes it last longer. 

APPLICATION:

This is one of those matte lipsticks that can be a little tricky to apply. It is quite dry, so it takes a few swipes to get the colour pay off and it can appear a little patchy. This lipstick can look a bit rough around the edges so I highly recommend using a lip liner or diffusing the harsh lip-line with a cotton tip. It definitely goes on a lot smoother with a balm underneath and there isn't a real need to blot this one as it doesn't budge (much).

^The lipstick has a sticker on the bottom in a similar colour to the lipstick.

COLOUR SELECTION:

I'm not sure how many colours there are in this range, but Crush Cosmetics sells 26. I think that's a lot. I got the colours 'Ravin Rasin' 'Spiked With Rum' and 'Vamp it Up'. I 'Vamp it Up' is my least favourite as it is definitely harder to apply and needs to be touched up more often. My favourite colour is 'Spiked with Rum' and I think if you are going to try a colour I would highly recommend that one. I have been wearing 'Spiked with Rum' quite a bit recently because I think it's flattering and the mid-tone muted redd-brown shade really suits my style at the moment. 

^From Top to Bottom: 'Spiked with Rum', 'Ravin Raisin' and 'Vamp it Up'

STAYING POWER:

The staying power on these is really impressive. If I eat something a little bit tends to come of in the centre of your lips, but not much more (unless it's greasy or super hot food). I haven't noticed it bleeding or feathering (except when I eat greasy food). Even wearing lip balm underneath I notice this lipstick stays a long time. Wet n Wild says the lipstick lasts 4 hours. I think it lasts longer, it just depends what you're eating. 

^This was my arm after I wiped off the lipstick with a make-up wipe. I washed it with soap later and the stains still wouldn't come off.

THE VERDICT:

I really like these lipsticks now and I'm glad I gave them a second chance. With a few application tricks (using a cotton tip to smooth out the lip-line and wearing a good lip balm underneath) these lip colours can be amazing. I think for the price they are really good quality and I really like the colour selection. I'm definitely interested in trying out some more shades! I recommend these to anyone who is after a long lasting lippy at a decent price, however, I suggest using those application tricks as they make a huge difference.

Have you tried one of these lipsticks? What do you think about them?

Your Favourite Blogger,

Natalie

Beauty Review: Milani Color Statement Lipstick

I had heard about the Milani Color Statement Lipsticks on Kathleen Lights Youtube Channel. I can't find the actual link for the video (I will share it in the comments if I do), however her channel is great anyway so I highly recommend you all go and have a watch if you've got time.  I started off with the colour 'Black Cherry' and I liked it so much that I decided to try more colours out. 

I buy all of my Milani products through Crush Cosmetics. They can also be purchased from Milani Website. They cost $13 AU each +postage. 

What Milani Says:

Bellissimo! You know how some (lesser) lipsticks look one way in the store, and then completely different in your bathroom mirror? Color Statement is the antithesis of that. A super-luxe, grown-up girl lipstick, it delivers true instant colour in a single swipe. Laced with vitamins A and C to hydrate and nourish, this collection is all about options: Corals and Reds, Orchids and Plums, Nudes, and Pinks. Trust us, you’ll want an entire wardrobe.

MY THOUGHTS:
I thought I would break this review up into a few sections so you can find out what you really want to know, easily. I have had these lipsticks for a while so I feel like I have a bit of an idea of the quality by now. I bought all of these online, so as you know it can be a bit of a gamble choosing colours online.

PACKAGING:
These Lippies have a fake gold coloured packaging. They are super light weight and have a bit of a plastic feel to them. At first glance I think they look kind of fancy. A lot of people have complained about the packaging, they say its cheap and they don't like how dirty the packaging gets. I haven't known too many products to stay clean of fingerprints and other make-up residue, so I think this is a common fault with a lot of brands packaging. I really like how they have put the colour and the name of the shade on the bottom of the packaging.

One thing that I don't like is the way they stuck the barcode on the side. They are really hard to get off and leave a sticky residue. I would prefer if the barcode was stuck on a clear plastic wrapper or if it was somehow permanently printed on to the product.

FORMULA:

There are two different kinds of lipstick in the collection that I have. Two of them are plain satin finishes and the other four are shimmer finishes. There are considerable differences in the formula of both finishes that affect the appearance, application and wear of these lipsticks. When I was buying them I didn't even realise there were different finishes. The only way to know is to look up swatches or to go on the Milani website and click on the individual colours.

Application:

These lipsticks don't have the creamiest application. They go on a little bit sheer and you do have to build them up to get an opaque colour. The lipstick has a strong candy smell. I think it smells like gumballs. Which might be off-putting to some. The smell doesn't linger though. 

Appearance:

The Satin lipsticks look more matte if you blot them. They can also run, so I tend to use a lip-liner. The shimmery lipsticks do not require a lip-liner. The shimmer lipsticks look quite nice as the shimmers are really fine, so from few metres away your lipstick looks more like it has a hint of gloss in it than shimmer. 

Moisture:

These lipsticks are not drying, but they aren't exactly moisturising either. If you have really dry lips, use a balm instead. 

Staying Power:

The Satin finish lipsticks stain the lips a little bit. They stay on for most of the day, but come off after hot drinks or oily food. The Shimmery lipsticks have the same amount of staying power, but they fade differently. The colour fades, but some shimmer is left behind on the lips.

Both of these finishes can get tiny clumps in it on re-application. Usually it's only one or two little bits and it's not much to fuss over. Sometimes after eating certain foods there are quite a few clumps, so I have to wipe most of it off and start again.

SWATCHES:

I'm not much of a selfie queen so I couldn't even find bad pictures of myself wearing all of these colours. I have worn all of the colours (except for 'Double Espresso') quite a bit though. There were a few weeks at work where I only alternated between these lipsticks and I completely forgot about my other ones. I've got an arm swatch, a link to a facebook photo and two photo's below.

From Top to Bottom:

- 'Double Espresso'

This is a really dark shimmery brown. It doesn't really suit me unless I am wearing full coverage foundation and mostly taupe/bronze type colours.

-'Chocolate Berries'

This is a really pretty shimmery dark browny-mauve. 

-'Chilled Brandy'

This colour is hard to describe. Kind of a red wine with pink shimmers... Here is a picture of me wearing 'Chilled Brandy'

-'Violet Volt'

This one looks a lot more purple on the Milani and Crush Cosmetics sites than it does in real life. I think it's really flattering. 

-'Black Cherry'

This is a satin finish lipstick in a dark wine colour. There are pictures of me wearing it below.

-'Sangria'

This is a Satin finish and is said to be a dupe for Mac Rebel (I wouldn't know though, as I don't own any Mac). Its a dark purple/plum.

Because these are darker colours I have to wear a little bit of make-up along with them to prevent me from looking like some kind of supernatural creature. I can get away with wearing 'Chilled Brandy' or 'Violet Volt' without accompanying make-up but the rest of the colours are too dark. In the future I would like to get more colours to try out, but for now this will do.

^ This picture was taken in natural indoor lighting. I'm wearing some foundation, bronzer, blush, lipliner, eyeshadow, mascara etc in neutral shades just to even out my complexion and subtly highlight some features.

^The same make-up, room and everything except this picture was taken closer to the window... I notice that photo's by the window are always more illuminated and are sometimes more blue toned. 

OVERALL THOUGHTS:

I think this lipstick is great for the price. It's actually pretty good whether you think about the price or not. I think the shimmer colours are definitely better and I would be more inclined to recommend those. I think there is a great range to choose from and that they last pretty well and look nice on the lips. 

I will post any more photo links for these lipsticks in the comments in the future.

Your Favourite Blogger,

Natalie

Updated Swatches and Review: Lime Crime Lipsticks and Velvetines

So, I looked at my blog this morning and decided it's probably over due for a new blog post. No matter how busy I get with my random hobbies I want to be updating my blog at least once a week. I have reviewed these items before, but since I got some different colours (I actually purchased these sometime last year) I thought I should do an updated swatch and review for you all. 

I know there has been a lot of drama and controversy surrounding the brand of late (deciding to pull distribution from many online sellers and the online hacking scandal) and I would like to keep my review free of these issues. I'm still trying to decide if Lime Crime is a pain-in-the-butt hopeless mob who can't run their company or whether they have just been dealt a bad hand by the make-up gods. And, then there is all the online speculation about  Doe Deere being a copy cat who re-sells product from other companies. As far as that rumor goes; I can only find a bunch of blogs circulating it. Anyone can write a blog. 

I am a little hesitant to purchase anything more from their website (Although they promise to have fixed their online security) and would prefer that their items were available from my favourite online makeup stores. However, that doesn't change the fact that these are actually quite decent products with awesome packaging and interesting colours. I will definitely repurchase some of these items when they run-out, recommend them to friends and one day give Lime Crime's online shop a second chance...

LIME CRIME VELVETINES:

I have previously reviewed and swatched the shades 'Red Velvet' and 'Suedeberry'. Because I liked them so much, I was thrilled that Lime Crime started to release new colours and I have wanted to try nearly every one (except Black Velvet, but only because I think I'd be too pale and sallow for it). I ended up purchasing 'Pink Velvet', 'Utopia' and 'Wicked'. 'Salem', 'Riot' and 'Cashmere' are all on my wishlist.

The newer products are not quite the same as the old ones. The packaging is considerably different. I actually prefer the old packaging, because I think it suits the brand more and looks a bit classier. The only real benefit to the new packaging is that I can read the  colour name a little easier, but why does that even matter when the shade can easily be seen through the frosted tube.

I don't know if you can really tell in this picture, but the applicator is different in the new packaging. The stick is slightly shorter and the doe-foot tip is also slightly smaller. The spongy bit also seems to have longer fibres on it which makes it a bit messier to apply. I usually use a lip liner on the edges first to make sure the edges are neat. if the lip liner doesn't match I use a lip brush to apply to the outline of my lips. 'Wicked' and 'Utopia' seem to be especially messy as they are not as opaque as the other colours.

Here is a swatch on my arm of the colours I own. From top to bottom: 'Wicked', 'Red Velvet' Suedeberry', 'Pink Velvet' and 'Utopia'.

I thought that the difference in some of the formulas might have been because some colours are newer than others, but the 'Pink Velvet' formula seems to be quite similar to 'Red Velvet'. I'm starting to find over time that my 'Suedeberry' one takes ages to dry, as does 'Utopia'. 'Wicked' starts to flake pretty early on and can be quite patchy to apply. All of these have no smell except for 'Utopia' which smells like Play-Doh. 

I am wondering if the difference in formula is due to the pigments used to create the different colours, the way that some pastel lipsticks don't last as long or go on as dark as a wine colour might? I have found that applying a Lime Crime lippy underneath can make the colour last longer and stop my lips from drying out too much. 

My favourite shades are 'Red Velvet' and 'Pink Velvet'. Those are the only shades I would repurchase if mine ran out. 

~Here is a picture of me wearing 'Red Velvet'

~Here is a picture of me wearing 'Pink Velvet'

~Here is a picture of me wearing 'Suedeberry' (5th Picture in post)

I don't have pictures of me wearing the other two shades as they are so difficult  for me to wear. They need to be applied quite thick to avoid streakiness and then they don't last and flake off (because they are applied thick). If you apply them too thin they dry and settle in the cracks of your lips. 

LIME CRIME LIPSTICKS:

I have had two goes at Reviewing and Swatching my Lime Crime Lipstick collection. I have purchased three more shades since that post, but decided I wouldn't swatch all of them again, just the three shades I bought and three shades that might be thought similar. There is nothing new about these shades and I believe they have been a part of the Lime Crime range for some time. I think in the future I might like to branch out even more and try a nude like 'Babette' or a bright pastel pink like 'Countessa Fluroescent'. 

The three shades on the left are the newest ones in my collection. I only swatched the ones on the right for comparison purposes. From top to bottom, left to right: 'Airborne Unicorne' (new), 'Poisonberry', 'Geradium' (new), 'Centrifushia', 'My Beautiful Rocket' (new) and 'Cosmopop'.

I really like these three shades, though I don't wear them as much as my three favourites 'Retrofuturist' 'Glamour101' or 'Centrifushia'. I like to mix 'My Beautiful Rocket' and 'Cosmopop' together to create the perfect orange colour and I like wearing 'Geradium' only when my outfit can handle such a bright lipstick being worn with it. It is the fluro barbie lip colour I dreamed about as a child... I love 'Airborne Unicorn' however it is a bit "Out There" and you will get strange looks by passers by...

~Here is a picture of me wearing 'Airborne Unicorn'

~Here is a picture of me wearing 'My Beautiful Rocket (2nd Picture in Blog post)

And for some reason, no photos yet of 'Geradium'. 

I would definitely repurchase these three shades if they ran-out but I don't use them that often so they probably won't run out too soon...

I also found a way to overcome my problem with finding lipstick on a busy morning. I just store them in a set place in my lipstick holder so I can get used to where that colour is. I also have all the lipsticks in the holder in a colour order system. Front to back is light to dark, And left to right is warm to cool. I have two of these holders with more lipstick hiding in my other make-up storage. 

I hope this swatch and review post was helpful.

Your Favourite Blogger,

Natalie

Beauty Review: NYX Matte Lipstick

I decided to purchase these lipsticks based on  the great reviews I had been reading. I really wanted a mid-tone mauve colour to  add to my collection and I thought (based on the swatch) that 'Audrey' might be that shade. The colour was not what I expected, though I did really like what I ended up with. Even though the lipstick wasn't as good as I was hoping, I really liked the colour range and ended up purchasing 'Angel' hoping that once again I might find my perfect matte mauve shade. Once again, what I got was pretty, but it wasn't what I wanted, And I didn't think these were anywhere near as good as what the other reviews were making them out to be...

WHAT NYX SAYS:

NYX Matte Lipsticks are highly pigmented, richly formulated and long-wearing. The formula glides on smoothly and stays put with a non-drying matte finish.”  

WHERE I BOUGHT THEM:

I bought mine from Crush Cosmetics

You can also get them from Target

Or directly from NYX

Please Note* These stockists are located in Australia

WHAT I THINK:

The Texture

These definitely do give a Matte appearance, however they don't feel matte on the lips. To me they feel a little muddy and they can look fairly cakey, especially after re-applying. I think they definitely feel worse than they look. They do apply smoothly; they just don;t look smooth. They are not drying, but they aren't really moisturising either. I can only just feel that I have something on my lips and it feels a little too thick and uncomfortable.

Staying Power

These are not long-lasting. If I start to rub my lips together I can feel the product moving. I have tried blotting and powdering or applying a lip seal over the top. It doesn't really help though because the formula is so thick. The best way to get it to last is to apply a matching lip-liner (or as close as possible) to the whole lip before applying the lipstick.

Packaging

A lot of people have issues with the packaging. Yes it feels light and plastic-y. Yes it has a big ugly permanent barcode on it. Apart from those things I don't think they actually look that bad. I think pretty packaging is always nice, but it doesn't always indicate a better product. 

Cost

These cost me $13 ea. Plus postage. I think that this is a pretty typical drugstore price for a lipstick, however I think you can find better quality lipsticks for the same price and less.

Pigmentation & Colour Selection

 These are really pigmented and can be applied fairly quickly. I think the pigmentation is definitely helpful considering that formula. There are some great colours to choose from and I really like the two that I have. I feel like these colours are really unique and flattering. 'Angel' especially seems unique to me, because it has a little pink in it. However, the swatches provided by NYX are not even close to accurate, which is a bit of a let down for online shoppers like me.

^From Left to Right:

'Angel' (Described as a Cardinal Red) is a dark peachy colour (almost red), with a hint of pink.

'Audrey' (Described as Mid-tone Blue Pink) is a mauvy pink colour.

I didn't do a lip-swatch as my lips are a little chapped at the moment.

Overall, I think these lip colours are a little overrated. I really like the unusual colours and will wear them anyway, but I wouldn't recommend them to anyone because they are not long-lasting or pleasant to use. I don't really understand why or how these got such positive reviews, though I think there is a large possibility that those people had tried different colours and didn't have dry lips like I do. 

I do really like the NYX range and there has only really been one or two products of theirs  that I didn't like. I hope this review was useful to you if you haven't tried out these lipsticks yet. If you have tried these before, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below. I haven't done a beauty review in a little while and I've got a lot of products to get through so please if you have time have a look at the pictures i posted up to Facebook and let me know what you would like to see a review of next. I am also contemplating a favourite nail polishes post, so let me know if you'd be interested in that too.

Your Favourite Blogger,

Natalie

Beauty Review: Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo 24HR Cream Gel Shadow

Since I now own all of the Maybelline Color Tattoo 24HR Cream Gel Shadows (that were available) I thought it was about time to do a review on them. I obviously am a bit of a fan seeing as I have so many of these, but I thought I might share my thoughts with you all about the different shades available and any tips I have regarding application. I believe these cost around $11.95 each and I bought mine from a range of different places including Priceline, Big W, Target and Yes Style. 

THE RANGE:

According to the Maybelline website some of the cream gel shadows are not available anymore. This includes the 'Metals' range, so I will note which shades are no longer available in this review. Some of the metals shades might still be available on Priceline or Target websites as clearance items. I know that some different Limited Edition shades came out in the USA, but I haven't seen any of those available for purchase in Australia. Also because these have such a long name I might just refer to them as Color Tattoos or Cream Gel Shadows. 

^This is what the packaging looks like. It's a glass container with a black plastic lid. I haven't dropped these from a height or anything, so I can't really tell you how robust it is. I actually store mine upside down so I can see the colours better when I am searching for them. Because the formula is quite thick I don't have to worry about it falling out into the lid.

FORMULA:

These are a little drier than a typical cream eyeshadow. The formula reminds me a lot of the Maybelline Dream Mousse products (from years ago) and also the formula of gel eyeliners. I find that these can get a little clumpy so you have to apply it lightly and build it up slowly.

LASTING POWER:

Now according to many beauty bloggers and youtubers these shadows don't require a primer. That may be true for them, but I have super greasy eyelids, and I cannot wear these for more than four hours without a primer without them creasing on me... If you have greasy eyelids do wear a primer underneath. I use the Limecrime waterproof one and I have found that these shadows last more than ten hours with a good primer underneath. 

COLOUR PAYOFF:

This differs to shade so I will include notes in the shade description. Overall, I would say that most of these have a fairly decent colour payoff. In some cases the shadow is a little sheer, but it is easily built up without looking or feeling heavy on the lid. 

APPLICATION:

These are designed to be applied with the finger, but sometimes I find it can be difficult to get into the corners neatly, so if you have an eyeliner brush or concealer brush I would recommend using that if you have any difficulty getting into the corners. The color tattoos can be worn alone or with shadow over the top. I usually like to wear it with a different colour in the crease to at least add some definition and to prevent harsh lines. It can be fun to layer colours over the top as this can create a chromatic effect and add dimension. I haven't tried using any of these as liners, because they are possibly too sheer and would need building. 

^From Top to Bottom, Left to Right:

Bad to the Bronze, Tough as Taupe, Pomegranate Punk (no longer available), Painted Purple, Barely Branded (Metals- no longer available), Too Cool, Inked in Pink (Metals -no longer available), Silver Strike (Metals- no longer available), Bold Gold, Edgy Emerald, Electric Blue (Metals- no longer available), Tenacious Teal.

*Please note this picture was taken in indoor lighting and the paper used was an off-white colour.

^From Left to Right:

Tenacious Teal, Electric Blue, Edgy Emerald, Bold Gold, Silver Strike, Inked in Pink, Too Cool, Barely Branded, Painted Purple, Pomegranate Punk, Tough as Taupe, Bad to the Bronze

*Italics used for unavailable shades.

My Thoughts on Each Shadow:

I have decided to include the "unavailable" shades in case they bring it back or one of you come across it on clearance. 

TENACIOUS TEAL:

- This is a really pretty bright shade, but it's not overly versatile, so if you are on a budget I would recommend skipping this one. 

- Quite pigmented.

ELECTRIC BLUE (METALS- DISCONTINUED)

- Also, not really a practical shade. 

-Highly pigmented

EDGY EMERALD:

-The first shade I bought.

-Great if you love light greens. 

-Flattering for those gals with brown eyes. 

-Buildable Colour

BOLD GOLD:

-Extremely Pretty

-Looks More Glittery than Shimmery

-Can be lightly dabbed in the inner corner or over another eye shadow to create the illusion of using glitter or pigments.

SILVER STRIKE (METALS- DISCONTINUED)

-Has a sheer Glittery appearance, but is buildable.

-I don't wear it a lot because it is bright tin-man silver and it can look a little weird with my sallow complexion.

INKED IN PINK (METALS- DISCONTINUED)

-Gets a lot of wear.

-Good colour payoff

-A dull sort of pink that goes with a lot of looks

-Honestly don't understand why it is discontinued...

TOO COOL:

-My Least favourite as the formula is really clumpy

-Not very wearable

-I use this as a brow highlight when I want an extreme highlight and that is probably the only time I ever really use it.

BARELY BRANDED (METALS- DISCONTINUED)

-Quite sheer, but very wearable

-I probably wear this shade the most.

-A Champagne/Beige Shade.

-Also, why did you discontinue it Maybelline?

PAINTED PURPLE:

-Very Sheer

-Not As Shimmery as the other colours

-Not a very wearable colour.

POMEGRANATE PUNK (DISCONTINUED)

-A Pretty Burgundy colour with bronze glitters in it, that looks deceivingly good in the pot and suits hardly anyone.

- Understand them discontinuing this.

-Only buy on clearance if you have hazel eyes (more toward green) and can master a smoky eye...

-I sometimes wear it really blended down with gold in the centre of the lid and a really dark purple in the crease.

TOUGH AS TAUPE:

-The only Matte shade

-Not great for wearing under other shadows because it's almost too pigmented. 

-A great wear alone shade

-Grey/Dark Brown kind of colour.

-I use this as an Eyebrow product.

BAD TO THE BRONZE:

- Flattering and wearable. 

- This is a must have shade.

- I love this shade...

^From Left to Right:

Colour Tattoo in 'Inked in Pink-Discontinued), Pink Shadow from the Sleek 'So Special' palette, Pink Shadow worn over the top of 'Inked in Pink'

*As you can see the effect created from layering a shadow in similar colour over the color tattoo is very metallic.

^Here I blended a darker shadow from the 'So special' palette into the 'Inked in Pink' shadow so you can see how well the shades blend and how 3D the Color Tattoo looks with shadows layered over the top.

MORE PICTURE EXAMPLES:

- A look I created with 'Edgy Emerald' as a base

- A simple makeup look I created using 'Bold Gold' as a base

- Using 'Tough as Taupe' to define my brows.

As always, I hope this review was helpful to you all. I really enjoy the Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo 24HR Cream Gel Shadows. I do hope that Maybelline will reconsider their discontinued lines and consider adding more wearable shades to their permanent line. I would also like to see more matte shades. I think these shadows have really made a difference to my make-up and are a great asset to have in your make-up collection especially if you like your eyeshadow to last a long time.

Your Favourite Blogger,
Natalie