Showing posts with label lip stain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lip stain. Show all posts

Saturday, 26 July 2014

First Impressions & Swatches: Laura Geller Tuscan Sun Collection


The recent Laura Geller Tuscan Sun Collection TSV from QVC UK arrived in super quick time. In fact it arrived the next day. Well done QVC! 



Upon opening the parcel, my first impression was how nice the straw tote bag was! To be honest, I didn't even factor this into my purchase because it was the make up I wanted so to like the bag is an added bonus.





It's not as big as I thought it would be but that is good for me because now my boys are teenagers I no longer have to take the kitchen sink out with me! It has a couple of sewn in pockets inside which I suppose are meant for a mobile 'phone. I wouldn't use it as a handbag though, because I am too security conscious and prefer a zip closed bag.

Now onto the make up. First up is Balance N Brighten. I chose the shade Porcelain which is the palest shade it comes in. This is a pink toned baked foundation and is ideal for my pale skin. I often think, now that I am above 40, that I should switch to a liquid foundation because it would probably be more forgiving on my fine lines. However, I really don't like the feel of liquid foundations on my skin so for now, this baked foundation is my Holy Grail and I have many (too many!) in my stash. I like this foundation for its colour correcting properties. In the summer months I use it in conjunction with the shade Fair which is darker with more yellow tones. I have tried to swatch it below, but as it is so pale the camera hasn't picked it up very well.



Now I need another blusher like I need a hole in the head! I have so many! This is a Baked Elements Blush infused with Italian Spring Water no less!! I wasn't sure at first when I saw the shade Siena in the pan because it looked too orange for my complexion but it is actually a lovely apricot colour when applied. I love that this blusher comes with a little brush underneath the compact too. Not the best brush but ideal for when you're out and about for quick touch ups.



The Baked Brûlée Highlighter in Honey Lavender is a lovely, subtle shade, not too shimmery. Laura says it can also be used as an eyeshadow so I shall have to give that a try too.

A new product in the range is the Lasting Love Lip Stain. This set came with the shade Tuscan Peach. When I saw this stick in the set, the packaging colour looked quite orange and I didn't think it would suit me at all, however upon application it is more of a mid pink than orange - see swatch below. I will do a full review of this regarding longevity, etc once I have had time to try it properly.



Finally, the kit also came with a Spackle Primer with SPF 30 and a double ended brush. I have tried a different formula of Laura's Spackle and I wasn't too keen so perhaps I will give this one a try but not too sure yet. The brush I probably won't use, it has a brush one end and a large sponge applicator the other end. I'm happy enough with my Real Techniques brushes, so shall probably pass this on to my mum.

Overall my first impressions on this set are very positive and I have signed up for the Auto Delivery option whereby I get the same set (but with a different blusher and lip stain colour) in October and January but at the special TSV price.

I purchased this set from QVC for the special price of £38.96 plus £4.95 postage. This price was just for 24 hours and the price has now increased to £49 plus £4.95 postage but if you are still interested in purchasing it is still available here.

Have you tried any products from the Laura Geller range? What are your favourites?
Thanks for reading.
Enjoy the rest of your day.
Take care,
CJ xx

**purchased with my own money.

Wednesday, 5 March 2014

Review: Max Factor Lipfinity Lasting Lip Tint

Hello,

Today I am reviewing the Max Factor Lipfinity Lasting Lip Tint which I won in a giveaway back in January from Supersavvyme.


I have used several lip stains before but they all came with a lip gloss top coat so this is the first time I had tried this design. The colour I won was number 03 which I believe is called Pink Princess. It is a medium pink colour. 
The applicator reminds me a lot of a felt tip pen.  

My lips "au naturel".

I first used it to line my lips and then filled it in. This is with one coat.


I didn't think the colour was very deep so I applied a second coat.



I didn't feel the extra coat really added much depth in colour. Once dried it felt, not sticky, but a little tacky.  I also didn't like the matte effect.  Usually I would have put a balm, lipstick or gloss over the top to give more depth and moisture but because I wanted to review the longevity of the tint, I wore it on its own.

4 hours and one cold drink (no food) later... I think it is bearing up considerably well.



After 5 hours and lunch... I still don't think it is doing too badly.



After 7 hours... It has faded considerably and can really only see the outline on my top lip.

After 10 hours... The lighting is different because the other photos were done in natural lighting but this photo was taken after dark so the lip tint appears darker than the last photo but it wasn't.  This was after I had eaten my dinner, so after 2 meals and several cold drinks.



My overall impression?  A thumbs down I'm afraid. I would not purchase this because, although it did last through one meal, I felt it was very drying on my lips which I think can be seen in the photos.  I cannot find anywhere online where Max Factor state how many hours this should last, they only  state it "lasts longer" which I agree, it does. However, what is the point in having the colour on your lips if you hate the way it looks? Perhaps next time I use it, I will apply a gloss or lipstick on top and see if that also lasts the 5 hours. I certainly won't be wearing it on my lips on its own.
Lipfinity Lasting Lip Tint is available at Boots for £6.99

What is your favourite mascara or lip stain?  Do you have a Holy Grail?
Thank you for reading and I would love it if you found the time to comment.
Enjoy the rest of your day.
Take care,
CJ xx