Kiko haul!

Hello beautiful strangers, I just got back from my vacation in Italy, and when in Italy - you go and check out Kiko cosmetics!



During the two days I had free in Bologna I made not one, but three visits to the Kiko store. There's even one at the airport - how could I not? So I thought I would share my loot with you and tell you my initial thoughts.

Let's start with the best bargains - the smart nail polish (€2.50). The colour range is decent, there's about a good 30 shades. I picked up a burgundy #14, because it's Autumn, a tomato red #10, which I've been searching for since last summer, and a lovely peaches & cream shade #8. I've only used the red so far and on initial application - I really like it! The cap is easy to grip and the brush is the perfect size. The polish glides smoothly and doesn't dry streaky. What impressed me most was how fast my nails dried!



But because it was my last day and I was doing a lot of packing and maneuvering my luggage up and down stairs, on to buses, etc... my nails pretty much chipped immediately. I'll try it again with top coat and see if it sticks around for a little longer. I also picked up a nude shade #27 from the higher priced power pro line (€4.90) to see if price makes a difference. I shall report back soon :)



On to the lipsticks (€8.90) - how chic is the packaging! I was in the mood for some nudey shades so from the Gossamer Emotion creamy lipstick range, I picked up #102 and #107. They glide on with ease but I feel like they sit on top of the lips rather than meld with your lips. I'll update you though when I've actually worn them out and about. The other nude is the Glossy Dream sheer lipstick in #202. It's very glossy and pigmented but there's shimmer in it and it's still stuck to your lips after you've removed your lipstick, grrr.

The packaging for the Velvet Passion matte lipsticks is different and has a magnetic closure rather than a click mechanism like the previous ranges. Do I need another bold lipstick? Probably not but I couldn't pass up the Charlotte Tilbury-esque squared off tip. I'll let you know how well it wears after I've given it a proper go.

Watch out for the eye shadows in part two, hope you're ready for some bombtastic sparkly goodness! Thanks for sticking with me x

Revlon Strawberry Suede dupe 2.0!

So remember back in June when I found dupes for the discontinued Revlon Super Lustrous matte lipstick Strawberry Suede? Well today Strawberry Suede is back to haunt us! Get ready people, because today I have for you… a REVLON reincarnation!

MAC Limited Edition Lipstick Collection: Swatches, Comparisons and Dupes!

Though it’s not very large, I’m quite proud of my limited edition only MAC lipstick collection, ‘cause one, they’re limited edition (duh) and two, it means I have enough self-control to not be tempted by MAC’s vast permanent collection. So here for you today, are my six limited edition lipsticks and two viva glam lipglasses from MAC. Grab a cup of tea and get ready for swatches, comparisons and lots and lots of pictures! Enjoy~

MAC Bao Bao Wan lipsticks

Hello beautiful strangers! I finally got the long awaited lipsticks from the MAC Bao Bao Wan collection, and just couldn't wait to share them with you!

let's just pretend this is 'artsy' not blurry

Bao Bao Wan is a renowned jewellery designer and socialite in China. Her collection was inspired by her decadent designs and precious gems, which is certainly reflected in the beautiful jewel-tone colours and luxe packaging. There are four lipsticks in this collection (among other things), I didn't pick up the nude (Romantic Breakdown, lustre) 'cause that's just not my jam. The remaining three beautiful bold shades all come in a matte finish.

Review + Swatches: Lipstick Queen Lip Nouveau

Hello beautiful strangers, I got a bit slack with my gift reviews didn't I... 
I've been so ridiculously busy and tired, anyway today I'm sharing with you the Lipstick Queen Lip Nouveau set. Lip nouveau is a set of three lipsticks, featuring Red Sinner, Saint Berry and Butterfly Ball in Fly.

I've never tried Lipstick Queen lipsticks before so this trio was a little taster into their huge array of lipsticks. Poppy King, the founder of Lipstick Queen found inspiration from the Art Nouveau movement when envisioning Lip Nouveau, so the colours in this set are suppose to evoke the decadent glamour of 1930s Paris. Umm, what? Anyway, I've swatched these on my lips for you today, so I hope, along with my comments, that you find this helpful if you too are looking to delve into Lipstick Queen lipsticks.

Strawberry smooch: Revlon Strawberry Suede dupes!

After years of hearing Lisa Eldridge and Estée hailing Revlon’s Strawberry Suede as their favourite lipstick, you can only imagine the heart attack I had when I spotted this discontinued beauty at Boots while on vacation in Thailand. I didn’t pick it up right away as I didn’t have any cash on me that day, but I basically spent every waking moment thinking about my discovery, obsessively googling swatches and reading rave reviews.

A few days later, immediately after my purchase I whacked it straight on despite the fact that I had no other makeup on and was about to hop on a flight home. I felt rather like a clown, walking around the airport, bespectacled and makeup-less but with striking red lips. 

Too be honest, I was kind of disappointed, Strawberry Suede didn’t look as amazing as I had imagined. In fact, I had something quite similar in my collection; which is why we are here today. May I present to you, not one, but TWO dupes for Revlon Strawberry Suede.