5 Affordable Beauty Treats (All Under £10)

I don't think that it's unusual to get the ocassional urge to go shopping, but sometimes you want to treat yourself without spending too much money. This is when I usually turn to my favourite affordable beauty treats, because they're a great way to satisfy my craving for something special and new without breaking the bank. In today's blog post, I've gathered together five of my favourite affordable beauty products, all of which I would highly recommend!

International Giveaway: L'Oreal Color Riche Lipsticks

Today's an exciting day because I've got an International Beauty Giveaway to share with you. I've picked a selection of shades L'Oreal's new Color Riche Lipsticks in a range of shades that I hope will suit anyone who wins. I'll be giving away seven L'Oreal Color Riche Lipsticks to one lucky winner, so whoever wins will have a new lipstick for every day of the week!

The shades I'll be giving away are:

(pictured left to right in all my photos)

Androgyne (130)

Flamingo Elegance (136)

VIP (228)

16 Place Vendome (364)

Fuchsia Declaration (431)

Erotique (640)

Oud Obsession (703)


There will also be a second prize which I will be giving away on my twitter page - this is also an international competition. All you have to do to enter the compeition (which will run for the same duration as the rafflecopter competition below) is to invent your own unique, new lipstick name and tweet it to me at @OneLittleVice with the hashtags #NameMyLipstick and #Bbloggers- for example "I'd #NameMyLipstick {enter your unique, new lipstick name} @OneLittleVice #bbloggers". I'd also really like it if you could tell why you chose your final lipstick name. I'm looking for witty or elegant names - but I'm especially looking for memorable ones!

I'll be sharing some of my favourite entries and I'll pick a final winner once the competition closes. This person will win a brand new makeup bag containing some secret beauty treats, including at least one Color Riche Lipstick.

To enter this giveaway all you have to do is follow the instructions in the rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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"!

Three Products for Seriously Soft Hair

I'm not usually faithful to my shampoo and conditioners but I have kept swapping L'Oreal Paris's Ever Riche No Sulphate Nourishing and Taming Shampoo in and out of my routine throughout the year. It's a lovely, hydrating shampoo that doesn't weigh my hair down but it's never completely wowed me until I started using it as part of my new wonder hair trio. Honestly, ever since I started using the shampoo alongside Ren's Pro-Vitamin Conditioner and Kerastright's Ultimate Oil* I have had the softest, smoothest and shiniest hair of my life. I've been getting compliments on my hair styling when all I've done is a standard wash and towel dry! 

The shampoo lathers really well for an SLS-free product and the conditioner has quite a light consistency but it's just enough to really nourish my hair. Once I've completely rinsed it out, I lightly towel dry my hair before applying one pump of Kerastraight's Ultimate Oil* into my hands and running it through the lengths and ends of my hair. This is that magical finishing touch that finishes everything off! It's the best hair oil I've ever used, I've found it much better than Moroccan Oil and Macadamia Oil - which are products that I've been loyal to for years now. I've found that Kerastraight's Ultimate Oil* never, ever weighs my hair down or leaves it looking greasy and it even works well in dry hair to reduce frizz and add shine. This is going to be my hair oil staple for a long time coming and you'll definitely see it again on my blog, it's just blown all the competition out of the water.

Makeup Look: Glossy Highlights

This makeup trend is all about wearing minimal makeup with some serious sheen - accentuating the high points of your face but also adding luminosity to areas that you might normally ignore. I already love adding highlighter to my cheekbones and cupid's bow but don't be afraid to really accentuate the inner corners of your eyes and your brow bone. 

Make your cheekbones glow

My favourite highlighters nearly always have a liquid or cream consistency. I generally find that they're easier to blend into the skin and give a glow rather than glitter or shimmer. My favourite highlighter at the moment is RMS' Living Luminizer, it is quite subtle but it leaves my skin looking oh so radiant. When I want something slightly more golden in tone I reach for MeMeMe's Beat the Blues in Sunbeam, it reminds me of Benefit's Moonbeam. It's formula is really easy to work with and blends seamlessly into the skin giving an amazing glow. 

Don't forget your eyes

Add some highlighter to the inner corner of your eyes and gently blend it into your skin to give the corner of your eyes a real glow. If you're already a fan of this look then try something a little bit different - blend a thicker cream highlighter like Catrice's Made to Stay Highlighter Pen, or a powder highlighter like Beauty UK's Baked Blush in Halo, along your upper or lower lash line. Just add a touch of mascara and some matte eyeshadow to your crease and you're done. If you're feeling brave (especially if you don't already have oily eyelids) add some highlighter to your lids and rock a sheer glow.

Lift those brows 

Many people already highlight their brow bone (the area underneath their eyebrows) as it gives the appearance of lifting the brow. Swap out powders for a cream or liquid highlighter - another great option is L'Oreal's Lumi Magique Primer - and blend the product into your skin but make sure you leave it looking glossy. To really accentuate your brows add some highlighter to the upper-outer brow area, blending from the eyebrow outwards.

Wearable ways to work the trend

You might think that this is all well and good but can you actually wear it out of the house. If you'd like to give a very subtle nod to trend then here's how. Swap out the liquid and cream highlighters for a less glossy highlighter such as L'Oreal's Lumi Magique Highlighting Concealer and apply it everywhere listed above - cheekbones, inner eye, lash line and around your brows. You'll be left with brighter, highlighted skin but without the sheen - it'll be wearable enough for work. 

November Beauty Empties

My Everyday Haircare Styling Stash

I'm not one to spend ages styling my hair everyday - more often than not it's either roughly blow-dried to an adequate state of straightness or safely secured in bun or plait. However, even the simplest of routines can benefit from a couple of styling products and today I'm sharing four of my favourites.

Up first is KMS California's Free Shape Quick Blow Dry, this is a handy multi tasking product that works as a heat protectant and anti-frizz treatment. I apply this sparingly into towel dry hair before I blow dry my hair and it definitely speeds up drying time. Once I'm done, I'm left with much sleeker hair than I am when I forget to reach for it! When it comes to adding a bit of texture I really love V05's Give Me Texture Dry Texturising Spray and Toni & Guy's Casual Sea Salt Texturising Spray. Both add a grittiness to my hair that stops it falling flat and it helps define my natural waves. I particularly like using these when I curl my hair because they really help my style last. Last up is my (second) favourite hairspray, L'Oreal Elnett Satin Hairspray in Normal Hold. My favourite hairspray is the flexible hold version but I picked up the normal hold as it was on offer. I use this all the time for any and all styling problems and I find that it really does help keep my hair in place without leaving it feeling or looking crispy. 

Have you tried any of these products? If you have any of your own styling product recommendations then please let me know in a comment, I'm not too adventurous when it comes to haircare so really appreciate being pointed in the direction of new products! 

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March Beauty Favourites

A New Obsession: L'Oreal Extraordinaire Liquid Lipstick in Rose Symphony

L'Oreal's Extraordinaire Liquid Lipsticks have been getting some serious hype since their release. After my disappointment with Rimmel's Apocalips (since I started blogging I genuinely haven't disliked any other lip product as much as I do those) I was seriously wary of all lipstick/lipgloss hybrids. However, it was EssieButton's constant praise of them that finally got my attention, and my goodness when I fell for these I fell hard…

I'm not a massive fan of the packaging (I'm almost certain that the label with the name of the shade will peel off pretty quickly) but it is suitably dinky and travel friendly - the lid will never pop off in your handbag! The applicator isn't the best when it comes to precision, but it does a pretty good job. I actually find these Liquid Lipsticks very easy to apply, I've even re-applied Rose Symphony without a mirror with absolutely no trouble. The applicator is soft and spongey, feel sturdy enough to last and delivers the right amount of colour for both my lips. 

For me, a little goes a long way. I love the super glossy finish that the product has on first application (see my hand swatch below) but I find that patting the colour into the lips offers a slightly more wearable looking colour (see my FOTD at the bottom of this post) plus it reduces the chance for the colour to smudge or bleed. The glossiness fades after about forty-five minutes and leaves behind an even, bold stain which is the same colour as the gloss. After about an hour and a half the colour fades to a slightly lighter pink, but I still find it incredibly flattering (I'd say that it is closest to the colour as it appears in the first image in this post).

I am in love with the formula of these liquid lipsticks. They're absolutely gorgeous, super easy to wear and I've gotten tonnes of compliments whenever I've worn Rose Symphony. It is the perfect colour for anyone who isn't too keen on a bright shade but still wants something a little bit noticeable and pretty. I'd highly recommend it and I'll definitely be looking into getting a couple more shades over the next few months. You can find the whole range online here for £8.99.

Also - for anyone interested in the new Bourjois CC Cream, I'm wearing the shade 'Ivory' in my photos today so you can get a sense of the colour (I'll be reviewing it once I've worn it a few more times).

What do you think of Rose Symphony? Do you know of any other lip products similar to L'Oreal's Liquid Lipsticks?

My Red Lip Wardrobe

For me, putting on a red lipstick is like putting on a new dress or a pair of high heels. It is an instant, fool-proof way to make myself feel dressed up. However, it dawned on me recently that although I have a passion for trying out new lipsticks I don't actually have many options when it comes to a red lip. I'm not one to really experiment with red lips, I definitely know what I like (blue based shades that aren't too much on the bright side) and my collection of red lip colours really testifies to that! I am starting to wear red lips a lot more frequently - nothing like bringing a little bit of glam into my student life - so I felt as though a post dedicated to the subject would be quite fitting. Today's post is just going to involve me showing you the six red lip colours that I have in my collection and walking you through which are my favourites and why. 

LEFT TO RIGHT: Rimmel Kate Moss Lipstick in 107, Rimmel Kate Moss Lipstick in 101, MaxFactor Colour Elixir Lipstick in Ruby Tuesday, Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Revlon Red, Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Romantic and Lanolips Lip Ointment with Colour in Apple.

Rimmel Kate Moss Lipstick in 107

This is probably my most worn dark red lipstick. It is a red that is definitely on the berry end of the spectrum and I find it incredibly flattering year round. I do tend to reach for this lipstick more in the autumn and winter months and lately I've been really loving it. This lipstick has a satin formula - so it is on the matte end of the spectrum but it isn't too drying on the lips. I find that it lasts really well (a must have if I'm going to wear a bold lip) and it is a shade that I often get compliments on.

Rimmel Kate Moss Lipstick in 101

After the success of the shade '107' I couldn't help myself but go back this year and pick up another colour to try. Rimmel's Kate Moss Lipstick in 101 is a gorgeous true-red and I must admit that I find it quite bold to wear. When I brave this one out of the house it does make me feel quite wonderful. It has the same formula as '107' so it lasts really well even when I sip on drinks or nibble on food and I feel comfortable that it won't smudge or bleed. I love Rimmel's Kate Moss lipsticks, especially these 'matte' ones in the red packaging.

MaxFactor Colour Elixir Lipstick in Ruby Tuesday

The formula of MaxFactor's Colour Elixir Lipsticks is absolutely gorgeous and I definitely think that they're highly underrated. Ruby Tuesday is a gorgeous blue based red that really brightens up my face when I wear it. The formula is very creamy, opaque in one swipe and lasts through meals. I'm incredibly impressed with it whenever I wear it and it is normally the lipstick I reach for when I want a bright red lip instead of a darker berry-red.

LEFT TO RIGHT: Rimmel Kate Moss Lipstick in 107, Rimmel Kate Moss Lipstick in 101, MaxFactor Colour Elixir Lipstick in Ruby Tuesday, Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Revlon Red, Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Romantic and Lanolips Lip Ointment with Colour in Apple

 Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Revlon Red

The colour of Revlon Red is intense and its brightness often puts me off wearing it. I find Revlon's Super Lustrous Lipsticks very light and moisturising but that does mean that the lasting power isn't as good as the lipsticks that I've previously mentioned. Additionally, I always use a lip liner with Revlon's Super Lustrous Lipsticks because I find that they have more of a propensity to bleed and smudge than my other red lip colours. That being said, the effect of this lipstick really is quite something and if you're after a vivid colour to wear to a party or event then I'd definitely recommend this one.

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Romantic 

This is probably the easiest 'daytime red' lip colour that I've come across. The shade is slightly more orange toned than I would like but sheerness of it means that it's easy to layer up to an intensity that I'm happy with and then the lasting power (because it is a stain) makes it effortless to wear. I'd highly recommend Revlon's Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains and I've been raving about them all year long!

Lanolips Lip Ointment with Colour in Apple*

Lanolips' Lip Ointment with Colour in Apple is the best option for anyone with dry or sore lips. It is a thick, very effective lip treatment that just happens to have a gorgeous touch of colour to it. I tend to wear this when my lips are having an off day (central heating and wind are doing them no favours) but when I still feel I need a little colour added to my face. The colour only lasts about an hour before you'd need to reapply but it fades evenly and it isn't sticky like a lipgloss. In my books it scores very highly! I'm quite the Lanolips convert.

So there you have it, those six red lip colours make up my red lip wardrobe. I'm definitely on the hunt for new shades to try in the new year as compared to say pinks and neutrals I really haven't tried many red lipsticks! Which lip colour did you like the most? And do you have a favourite red lipstick?

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