6 Mad Men Lipstick Shades (For Every Budget)

Over the last few months I've been watching Mad Men. In fact, I've watched every episode and during each one I've experienced some form of makeup envy. Not only did Mad Men remind me that everyday attire used to be incredibly formal, but the makeup was very different too; "bold"makeup (by my standards, anyway) was once considered an every day necessity. During the 60s, red lipstick wasn't reserved for dinner dates and parties, in fact, it was practically mandatory - serving as a big red indicator that a woman was fully and properly dressed. 

5 Mini Makeup Reviews

There was a time on this blog where I used to post daily, and I was a lot quicker at reviewing the products that I was using and loving. Nowadays life is a bit more hectic, and posting twice a week is about as much as I can manage right now. In the spirit of not leaving anything out, today I thought I'd feature five of the new beauty products I've been using over the last couple of months and I'd talk you through what I liked (or didn't like) about them. I've tried to include a mix of products - because, honestly, given the chance I can rant and rave just about lipstick for hours - and I hope that you enjoy this post and that it's helpful to anyone looking to make some purchasing decisions. 

Mac Up The Amp Lipstick Review

Mac Cosmo Lipstick Review

May Beauty Wish List

Beauty shopping was on the back burner last month and I didn't really treat myself to anything new - even whilst I was in Madrid, where I managed to go into a Sephora without buying anything. Although, saying that, there are two rather juicy blog posts coming your way soon which feature some gorgeous bits that I was sent last month - so it isn't like I haven't tried anything new recently. However, sometimes there are products that you fall in love with and just want, regardless of if you *need* them or not - and these five are the beauty bits that I've been repeatedly eyeing up.

Quick and Easy Everyday Makeup Routine

My New Mac Lipsticks

International Giveaway: Win a Mac Giambattista Valli Lipstick!

Birthday Beauty Additions

June Beauty Favourites

Seventeen Mirror Shine Lipsticks - Mac Lustre Lipstick Dupes

Mac Lipstick Collection: Mac Brave Lipstick (Satin)

Mac Lipstick Collection: Mac Fanfare Lipstick (Cremesheen)

This is the penultimate installment of my Mac Lipstick Collection - and today I'm going to be talking about Mac's Fanfare Lipstick. Fanfare is a mid-tone, blue based pink in a creamy Cremesheen formula. It's a very wearable shade that's entirely suitable for both day-time and evening makeup looks as the colour is quite neutral and unobtrusive. You can see what Mac's Fanfare looks like on my lips in the photos below.

I really liked Mac's Lipstick in Fanfare for a long time as I felt as though it was a pretty safe lipstick choice. However, over time I've found myself liking Fanfare less and less as I find the tone of the lipstick washes me out a little bit - I just don't look my best when I wear it. It is, however, easy to apply and comfortable to wear thanks to the Cremesheen formula. I don't think I'd repurchase Fanfare in the future but I am glad that I bought it because I have worn it quite a lot.

If you'd like to see the other shades in my Mac Lipstick Collection then you can catch up on all my blogposts here.

What do you think about Mac's Fanfare Lipstick? Do you have a favourite Mac Lipstick?

Have you entered my international beauty giveaway? Win a new lipstick for everyday of the week

Mac Lipstick Collection: Mac Syrup Lipstick (Lustre)

Mac's Lipstick in Syrup is one of the easiest lipstick shades to wear in my entire collection. Not only do I love Mac's Lustre formula but the shade itself is very much a my-lips-but-better colour, imparting a delicate wash of mauve that goes with pretty much everything.

When I first bought Mac's Syrup I thought that it might be a little bit too mauve in tone and that it could occasionally look a little bit stark against my pale skin. However, I've sort of grown into the shade and although I love Plumful I definitely wear Syrup the most out of my Mac Lipsticks. The Lustre formula doesn't wear terribly well on my lips and I get about one to two hours before I need to reapply. However, as Syrup is such a sheer and natural shade I find that it's easy to reapply on-the-go so I don't really mind touching it up throughout the day.

If you'd like to see what other shades are in my Mac Lipstick Collection then click here.

What do you think about Syrup as a shade? What Mac Lipsticks do you own or would like to own?

Have you entered my international beauty giveaway? Win a new lipstick for everyday of the week

Mac Lipstick Collection: Mac Plumful Lipstick (Lustre)

Mac's Lustre Lipstick in Plumful is, without a doubt, one of my favourite lipsticks. I love Mac's Lustre Lipsticks, they're really easy to apply and they're so comfortable to wear - plus they come in some really gorgeous shades. Mac's Plumful is a really rich, but still effortlessly wearable, berry shade and you can see what it looks like on my lips in the photos below.

I don't like to toot my own horn, but Mac's Plumful always makes me feel pretty. It just does soemthing to my complexion that I love and I feel as though it makes my lips look really "juicy" without being too glossy. Mac's Lustre Lipsticks don't wear terribly well on my lips - you might get an hour or two out of each application - but because they're so easy to apply I don't mind that they don't last terribly long. When I finish Plumful, and it's one of the few lipsticks that I know I'll finish, I will definitely repurchase it. 

If you'd like to see what other shades are in my Mac Lipstick Collection then click here.

Do you like the look of Mac's Plumful? What's your favourite Mac Lipstick?

Click here to enter my Steamcream Giveaway to win a limited edition tin of your choice

Mac Lipstick Collection: Mac Cyber Lipstick (Satin)

During April I'm going to be sharing my Mac Lipstick Collection on my blog. Today, I'm kicking things off by talking about Mac's Cyber Lipstick - a deep purple with a satin formula. I recieved Cyber as a Christmas present and it was a shade that I'd wanted to try for a long time. Although it's by no means a colour I'd reach for everyday, I find dramatic lipstick shades incredibly glamorous when they're worn with the right makeup and outfit, and Cyber is certainly dramatic! Below, you can take a look at what Mac's Cyber looks like on my lips.

Because Mac's Lipstick in Cyber is such a dark shade, it's incredibly difficult to apply neatly. To get a true reptesentation of the colour, in my photos I'm not wearing a lipliner. However, wearing a lip liner would make the lipstick look neater, more intense and it would help a lot with longevity. Although Cyber has a Satin finish, it doesn't actually look very matte on your lips. It feels very creamy when you apply it from the bullet and feels incredibly comfortable to wear. Although this is a good thing, it does have some negative implications. As Cyber has such a creamy formula it does "move" quite easily. What I mean by this is that the lipstick can "slip" - ending up on teeth, outside your lip-line and transferring onto glasses when you drink. It isn't an impossible shade to wear but it does require quite a lot of maintenance, and this often puts me off reaching for it.

I love the colour and I appreciate how comfortable the formula is, but I think that if you're after a dramatic lipstick then you might generally prefer something with a more matte and less transferable finish. 

What do you think about Cyber - would you ever wear a lipstick this colour? What Mac Lipsticks are on your wishlist?

Click here to enter my Steamcream Giveaway to win a limited edition tin of your choice

Mac Lipstick and Lipglass Haul

I haven't made a Mac purchase in a really, really long time but I did receive a couple of new bits for Christmas (Mac's Cremeblend Blush in Brit Wit and Mac's Satin Lipstick in Cyber) and I've really been enjoying them. Recently, I've read so many blog posts about Mac's Lipsticks and Lip Pencils - especially those Kylie Jenner shades - and I just got a hankering to go and pick up a new lipstick. What can I say, I just couldn't help myself!

I didn't have a particular shade in mind when I went shopping, I just wanted to swatch away and see what took my fancy. In the end, I actually opted for Mac Cosmo Lipstick but it was out of stock so the shop assistant directed me towards Mac's Brave Lipstick. Brave has a Satin finish (compared to Cosmo's Amplified finish) and is just slightly more brown-toned, although it still has a very pink finish. It's an incredibly flattering and easy-to-wear colour and I think that it's just a little bit more sophisticated than the other everyday Mac pink shade that I own, Fanfare. I love the Satin finish, it's not entirely matte but it's lovely and opaque and much more long lasting than my Cremesheen and Lustre lipsticks. I'm really happy with it and I can see myself getting a lot of wear out of it. 

Whilst I was queuing to pay I noticed some of Mac's Sized To Go Lipglasses - these are miniature lip glosses available at the lower price of £10. I've seen these online and considered picking one up in the shade Rebel (which matches Mac's much loved Rebel Lipstick). However, Rebel wasn't available and I actually spotted the shade Oh Baby which really, really caught my eye. It's a sheer golden brown lipgloss absolutely packed full of fine gold glitter. I don't own anything like it and I thought that it would look beautiful over the top of pretty much any lipstick, especially in the summertime. 

Golden glitters looks beautiful when it catches the light, and glitter also helps emphasise and exaggerate the size of your lips. So, if you're not into the Kylie Jenner overlined-lip look then I'd pick up a glitter gloss instead and apply it in the centre of your lips - it will make a visible difference instantly. And Oh Baby even looks gorgeous over the top of Brave, so I can imagine it would work with all sorts of colours - from everyday nude shades to bright reds.

If you're looking for a cruelty free alternative to this lipgloss then you might like to check out Illamasqua's Sheer Lipgloss in Opulent.

Have you tried either of these Mac lip products? I really love them and I've already got a bit of a Mac wishlist going for next time. I'd love to hear your recommendations for other shades - please do leave let me know what I should try next in the comments!

Spring Makeup: Eyeshadow Palettes

Spring Makeup: Blushing Beauties

(clockwise/left to right: Kevyn Aucoin, NYX, RMK, Mac)

This is the first in what is going to be my spring makeup mini-series - where I share the new beauty products in my collection that I think work perfectly for fresh-faced spring make-up looks. I'm kicking it off with spring blushes and I thought I'd share the range of shades that I'll be reaching for a lot in the coming weeks.

Kevyn Aucoin Creamy Glow in Liquifuchsia*

I thought I'd kick things off with a punchy pink! At first glance Liquifuchsia is a quite an intimidating shade, it's a bright, bright fuchsia but it comes in a seriously gorgeous cream formula that sets down into just a slightly powdery finish. This means that you get all the blendability of a cream product and you can really sheer the colour out until you're happy with the finish. However, you also find that it lasts really, really well and doesn't slip, slide or transfer anywhere that you don't want it. I find that if I buff or stipple this blush slightly higher on my cheeks than I normally would, the finished effect is a really bright, fresh-faced look. You don't even really notice the colour either, as the pink-glow it offers isn't at all stark after a bit of blending. In short, I am in love with the formula of Kevyn Aucoin's Creamy Glows and I think that its price is entirely justified. I also find that it works quite well as a lip colour (I shared a photo on twitter of me wearing it) so I might justify getting another shade on the basis that they're a great multi-tasking product.

NYX Cream Blush in Tickled

I picked this up whilst I was in Greece and it's actually my first NYX Blush. Tickled is a gorgeous shimmering coral colour that reminds me of Sleek's Powder Blush in Rose Gold and Nars' Powder Blush in Orgasm/Super Orgasm - they all have that pretty, shimmery thing going on for them that just makes your cheeks glow. I find the formula of Tickled really thin and sheer (much sheerer than the higher end cream blushes I'm used to), however, this means that you can really build the colour up to the exact finish you want. You won't ever overdo it and end up looking like a doll. It's really easy to apply and blend and the finished look is incredibly brightening and pretty. This is a great budget option and I'm really glad I have it in my collection, I'd definitely like to try more of these blushes in the future.

RMK's Vintage Candy Cheeks Blush in 04*

In comparison to the other blushes I've swatched you might think that RMK's Vintage Candy Cheeks Blush isn't quite as pretty or enticing. However, on my cheeks it does something really special to the way my face looks. It effortlessly adds shape, colour and definition - as well as helping to reduce the natural red-tone of my "english rose" cheeks. Not only do I find the packaging adorable but the colour is sophisticated without being ageing. If you want simple, everyday makeup that's easy to apply and will leave you looking fabulous every time then RMK's Vintage Candy Cheeks Blushes are the one to go for. I like pairing it with a minimal, glossy lip and big winged-out black eyeliner - simple maybe, but oh so chic.

Mac Cremeblend Blush in Brit Wit

I chose Mac's Brit Wit as a Christmas present as I was charmed by the elegance and simplicity of a neutral-pink blush. I thought it would be an easy and natural looking way to add some shape to my face without over-loading it with colour - especially as red-lipsticks been my obsession for the last two months! I was entirely right. Brit Wit is a gorgeous shade and the formula of Mac's Cremeblend Blushes is really nice - it's not as sheer as NYX, and less powdery than Kevyn Aucoin. It reminds me of a cross between Illamasqua's Cream Blushes and Stila's Convertible Colours - not as thick as Stila and not as thin and slippery as Illamasqua. Basically, it's a gorgeous formula that's easy to blend, lasts just long enough (especially if you add a bit of translucent powder) and acts as a perfect "finisher" to any makeup look featuring bold, bright colours on the eyes or lips.

Do you like the shades I chose - which of them is your favourite? 

What blushers will you be reaching for this spring?

Day Date Makeup

Last Friday I went on my first date of the year - cue excitement but also a fair amount of nervous energy. I'm not going to say too much about how it went but I can tell you that we went for a coffee in a really lovely coffee-shop not too far from where I live and that we went during the afternoon. 

I don't know about you but I never really know how to dress for more casual dates, and certainly ones that occur during the daytime! In the end I opted for a relatively casual outfit (a plain, round-necked dress with a cardigan and boots) and the really paired-back, simple makeup look featured above (those are photos of my actual face-of-the-day before and after). 

I wanted to even out my skin and cover the redness in my cheeks and across my nose, so I applied my Revlon Colorstay Foundation in the shade Sand Beige using my Real Techniques Makeup Sponge. I think it did a good job of giving me natural looking coverage, as well as adding a bit of warmth to my complexion. For concealing under my eyes, I opted for Nars' Creamy Radiant Concealer in Vanilla with a bit of L'Oreal's Lumi Magique Concealer in Medium on top to add some brightness to the inner corners of my eyes.

I did my eyebrows using my Brow Definer in Blonde/Auburn from The Body Shop. It isn't the best by any means but it isn't too warm toned so it gives quite a natural finish (which I like). I did a very simple eyeshadow look using my new Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette but because of my hooded eyelids you can't really see the colours I used in my photo. I applied the shade Strange all over my lid and then Nooner through my crease, on top of Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion which is incredible. I finished off by applying two layers of Maybelline's the Falsies Volum' Express Mascara (a mascara I've repurchased) which gave quite a fluttery finish.

To add some colour to my cheeks I opted for Mac's Cremeblend Blush in Brit Wit, this is another new product in my collection and I simply adore the colour and the formula - I'm going to do a full review at some point. I then also added some of RMS Beauty's Living Luminizer to the high points of my face. It's been a daily staple for me every since I got it a couple of months ago, I'd highly recommend it for anyone looking for a pretty and natural-looking, lit-from-within glow. And then, to finish everything off, I applied some of Revlon's Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey to my lips. It gives long lasting colour and the shade seemed natural enough whilst still helping my lips look fuller.

This was a slightly different - and bit more personal - sort of post from me today but I hope you found it interesting. I'd love to know if you do your makeup differently when you go on dates - and what sort of makeup you might choose for a "day date"!